Dining/Nightlife Questions -- New Spots

[PlutoLuvr]

Greetings, Folks!

Okay...DH & I just booked for mid September. Whoo-hoo!

We're curious about Bubba Gump's and Red Coconut. We're seasoned US/WDW Floridians, no kids, mid 30s and we like to enjoy alco-beverages on vacation

We generally live at O'Bryan's for our fix of tasty beverages. This trip, our anniversary is the 19th, so we're trying Tchop Chop (sp?).

Generally speaking, we've enjoyed everywhere we've ever eaten at City. How do these two places compare with, say, NBA, HRC, O'Bryans, Latin Quarter?

Also, Forrest Gump is one of our top five movies of all time. What sort of Gump goodies can we get? Is there a store like there is with Margaritaville?

My next round of questions will involve what type of pass to renew. Geez, so many options this year!

 

[Jason71]

Everything I know about Bubba Gump's comes from the Daytona outlet, because the CityWalk one is behind schedule.

Yes, there is a gift shop. T-shirts, DVDs of the movie (natch), and a little pink stuffed shrimp in a top hat (the restaurant mascot). Stuffed like a teddy bear, not in the food sense...

Speaking of food, it's quite good, tho still clearly on the level of a chain restaurant. About even to NBA City or Margaritaville, maybe even a bit better than Hard Rock. Shrimp is featured heavily, of course, but also Southern favorites and a line of specialty drinks.

Red Coconut is worth visiting a least for a few minutes--as a fellow 30-something with no kids, I think we are largely the target audience. It manages to feel upscale and classy without being overly pretentious. A jazz band does covers of "rock" songs early in the evening, then they have a DJ later on. Drinks are pricey, even by theme park standards ($10 martinis), so maybe indulge in one, then head over to POBs for some dueling pianos and a huricane.

Hope this helps.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Thanks for the info, Jason

Wow...I'm a little bummed about Coconuts. For some reason, I suppose the reference to "rat pack," I thought it would be big band/older Vegas styled music, not covers of rock songs. I love rock, but between HRC and Margaritaville, I just thought CityWalk had the "rock" thing covered.

Ouch...ten buckaroos for a martini. Yes, I think I can get more bang for my buck at ten bucks for a hurricane, but we'll poke our heads in on our trip.

Have a good one!

 

[Jason71]

Wow...I'm a little bummed about Coconuts. For some reason, I suppose the reference to "rat pack," I thought it would be big band/older Vegas styled music, not covers of rock songs.

I should clarify--jazzy/"torch song"-style covers of rock songs. Seriously. Imagine "Smells Like Teen Spirit" done in the style of "Fever." (They were half way through the song before I even recognized it.)

I'm afraid my vocabulary of music terms is too limited to do the band justice--and it's like nothing I've ever heard, no doubt about it--but it's definitely not straight-up covers like at Margaritaville.

 

[PlutoLuvr]

Well, that sounds pretty cool, actually. My optimism has returned for Coconuts! Thanks for the clarification

 

[MScott1851]

Any idea what type of music the DJ plays?

 

[Jason71]

Any idea what type of music the DJ plays?

Never stayed that late, to be honest, but I got the impression typical "club" music ("techno" but I don't think the kids are calling it these days). I could be wrong, tho.

BTW, speaking of Red Coconut, they are currently running a happy hour from 6 to 8 weeknights with free valet parking if you get your ticket validated in those hours. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[MScott1851]

SWEET!! The groove had started playing WAY too much hip-hop music. Heck, the last time we were in there, they were playing 80's music. Totally did NOT go with the vibe of the club, and the clientele had changed a bit from previous years.

This Red Coconut place sounds right up my alley!

BTW, there are a million names for it. Stick with the terms "house music" or "breaks" and you'll sound cool and knowledgeable.

 

[Jason71]

BTW, there are a million names for it. Stick with the terms "house music" or "breaks" and you'll sound cool and knowledgeable.

Thanks for the tip, I feel cooler already.