Dr. Jones and the Spitting Camel - Link to Alaska Cruise TR 9/18

[Native NYer]

The food at Tutto looks so good!

Glad Sandie and Paul finally arrived! And an upgrade to first class was a nice way to travel after a trip to the ER.

 

[MEK]

Yum! for dinner. And I hear you on Taylor - why even bother. Sometimes its not worth the breath and they just have to discover things on their own.

Wait - Did Evan eat all the lasagna or not? Did I miss that???? No one could eat all that! Better yet - did he eat half of it????

All the food looked so good and so did the desserts.

I am so glad that Sandie and Paul made it safely. I can only imagine waiting and waiting and trying not to fall asleep.

Fun Update! Cool fireworks!

 

[Happydog]

Oh I am glad the rest of your family finally arrived!

RE Tutto... there is a reason why we went there twice in one trip, and once just for dessert and wine. SOOOOOOOOO good!!!!!!!! It reminded us of being back in Italy for sure... when we went the boys wore their different Italian soccer jerseys, and oh there were lots of comments and appreciative smiles! It made us laugh! The Gelatto was OMG good.

 

[KatMark]

Now you've gone and done it Cynthia. I just read your review of Tutto and am wondering if I should add that to my possible list? Oh, I'm so confused.

Mark and I still play hangman when we go to Steak & Shake...I told you we never grew up.

 

[Poolrat]

Tutto looks so good.

Too bad I am allergic to tomatoes and heavy Italian meals don't like me very much.

Tutto and Via Napoli may be worth the Benadryl.

 

[All7OfUs]

So, I"m curious... did Evan finish the lasagne?? This was a topic of conversation before on your PTR. did he blow it??

Yes, I would guess a private party- nice!

I would (if I had a ton of time) go back and add up the cost of your meals. I'm guessing you were all pushing between $200 and $300 on the meal. THAT'S what vacation is for! Pulling out all the stops.

so, WHY wasn't Paul and Sandie's room clean?? That's just plain odd.

 

[englishrose47]

Grea Update Cynthia !!I loved Tutto when I ate there !!I really need to go for 1 month so I can eat at all the restaurants I want to !!!!!

 

[that's nice]

OK... I don't know what happened. I think our trip, then the holidays, then I was a little intimidated to be SO many pages behind, but I am now caught up. I will admit that I used your links and skipped the banter, which I'm sure was topnotch!

I had to start at your DHS rainstorm and lunch decision.

Bummer the pool was closed when you got back to the hotel. I don't know how you were able to sit next to smokers while their smoke filled up your umbrella. Working in bars for years, I would go home at night ready to die. It always took me a few days to recover from breathing in all that smoke- then I was back in there again.

Glad you guys enjoyed your 1900PF meal. We love it there and the characters are awesome.

Glad you enjoyed your 'wet' ride on the carpet ride!

After further reading, I guess that is as wet as you got that night.

What was that towel animal at the YC? It looks like a roasting chicken! Awesome room.. and it was ready too!

I can't believe you found the safe key!!!

You did end up with some great pics from the photo shoot.

SAB looks awesome!!!!!




WHEW... 1 hour later I made it... all caught UP!!!! AWWWW RATS.. I missed the last one.GRRRRRRRRR

Your meals at Tutto look absolutely amazing!!!! I think I have another restaurant to add to my ever growing list of places to try.

 

[natebenma]

Great update! Your trip report is fantastic!

Dinner at Tutto sounds amazing! Everything looked yummy. Did you have a chance to sample anyone else's meals? Mark and I rarely order the same thing because we love to share and try as much as we can. When we order the same thing at a restaurant, you know it is good!

Yeah on the fireworks show. But I bet there were some people who may not have been so pleased with the commotion if they were trying to sleep through the booms and flashes.

Our Beach Club standard view had views of the high fireworks from Illuminations and an outstanding view of the Nightastic show from MK.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Tutto looks great! I'm glad Sandie & Paul finally arrived. It's no fun to feel unsettled so I'm glad you were all happy to see them. That's funny about mousekeeping at midnight!

 

[eandesmom]

So happy to hear that you enjoyed Tutto and that Paul and Sandie arrived safely...and happily!

I was so happy they made it! And bummed that they missed Tutto. Sandie would have adored it.

I don't understand why Tutto gets crummy reviews on the boards sometimes. We had one of our best meals of our trip there last year. Everything was fresh and delicious and the service was great. I had fish that was just so lemon-y and perfect.

It's funny, I'd looked at going there in 08 and the reviews were so bad! Since then though, on TR's, I've seen several good ones that definitely influenced us going there, Jackie's and Happydog's in particular. We absolutely loved it. Not only was the food outstanding, but the service, the ambiance and just everything was just "right". Hangman didn't hurt either.

What an amazing sight...fireworks from the balcony. I have to say that I can clearly see what we miss out on at the mods without a balcony. It must be nice to have any extra space, no matter how small, to go and relax on.

The balcony saves my sanity on trips I think, it really is an escape, even if for 10 minutes. It is also supremely helpful when trying to get some of the clan down to bed and not feeling held hostage! I really missed not having one once we moved to Universal, probably my biggest "dislike" about the HRH.

I love the last line: "....letting teens and weary travelers sleep in." You'd think that teens wouldn't be on the sleep schedule as weary travelers, but it's so true!

No kidding! It's not like they'd been up early. But it is true, and it's also true that they were in no rush to go to bed. The combination of the weary travelers and the teens was an interesting one to say the least. It was interesting to see how the dynamics changed when the grandparents arrived but...that's a story for another day.

I'm glad you had a great dinner at Tutto.

We really did! One of our favorites.

Okay...no cameras in SAB.... but don't worry Trish, I will be there to vouch for everyone's slide ride

No cameras? Nah...just none of the slide...really, it's not attractive. There is a trick to that slide.

Thank you for the great review of Tutto....as I said I have shied away since Alfredo's.....The ravioli does look delish and the caprese does too....I love fresh mozzarella and tomatoes Mmmmm And of course I can just amuse myself with the waiters

We loved it! It was hands down not only one of our favorite meals but one of just the best overall experiences. It was just a great night!

Wonder what the fireworks were for? Oh I know....something to do with the Kingdom Keepers The last one I read had to do with HS

Happy that the rest of your crew arrived and everyone is rolling with the changes.

Tracy

Kingdom Keepers! That must have been it. The last one I read was there too...shoot, I just realized I have one more to read. It had to be a private party. We were so perplexed. And surprised and delighted!

The food at Tutto looks so good!

Glad Sandie and Paul finally arrived! And an upgrade to first class was a nice way to travel after a trip to the ER.

It was wonderful!!! Because they fly standby, on a "family" deal for free, they are often upgraded and have to dress accordingly. If they don't dress up, they can't get upgraded. It's kind of interesting. Not sure it was worth the 8 hours they waited at the airport but I'm sure it was a relief at that point.

Yum! for dinner. And I hear you on Taylor - why even bother. Sometimes its not worth the breath and they just have to discover things on their own.

Exactly!

He did look awful. I am so glad that bandanna phase seems to have passed!

Wait - Did Evan eat all the lasagna or not? Did I miss that???? No one could eat all that! Better yet - did he eat half of it????

All the food looked so good and so did the desserts.

He ate at least half. Maybe more. He actually would have finished it I think but Jeff the human garbage can swooped in and commandeered it, in the interest of leaving Evan room for dessert.

I am so glad that Sandie and Paul made it safely. I can only imagine waiting and waiting and trying not to fall asleep.

Fun Update! Cool fireworks!

I was tired and dying to go to sleep! I definitely dozed. It had been a LONG day for me. The fireworks were so magical and unexpected! And certainly helped the wait.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

im excited to see if he finished it as well, i think that looked like the best of all the meals so i hope he finished it.

 

[eandesmom]

Oh I am glad the rest of your family finally arrived!

Me too!

RE Tutto... there is a reason why we went there twice in one trip, and once just for dessert and wine. SOOOOOOOOO good!!!!!!!! It reminded us of being back in Italy for sure... when we went the boys wore their different Italian soccer jerseys, and oh there were lots of comments and appreciative smiles! It made us laugh! The Gelatto was OMG good.

I need to get the gelato. Then again, I loved the Panna Cotta! Our wine was good but it was an inexpensive one we have at home as well so nothing off the charts.

I'm excited to go back in May.

Now you've gone and done it Cynthia. I just read your review of Tutto and am wondering if I should add that to my possible list? Oh, I'm so confused.

it is SO wonderful! Just everything about it was perfect that night.

Mark and I still play hangman when we go to Steak & Shake...I told you we never grew up.

We play hangman almost everywhere to be honest that provides crayons. On a placemat, a napkin, you name it. With paper table coverings though it turns into full phrases (and miss spellings....I think someone tried to do Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

Tutto looks so good.

Too bad I am allergic to tomatoes and heavy Italian meals don't like me very much.

Tutto and Via Napoli may be worth the Benadryl.

Oh there are other things without tomatoes I am sure, lots of seafood, meats etc. We were just on a mission for pasta! You should peek at the menu. Via Napoli might be harder but you never know! Do you put your allergy in your ADR's? I could see that being a pain.

So, I"m curious... did Evan finish the lasagne?? This was a topic of conversation before on your PTR. did he blow it??

No, he didn't blow it actually. Jeff REALLY wanted some of that lasagna once he say it, so Evan didn't "have" finish it.

Yes, I would guess a private party- nice!

I would (if I had a ton of time) go back and add up the cost of your meals. I'm guessing you were all pushing between $200 and $300 on the meal. THAT'S what vacation is for! Pulling out all the stops.

And that's what the DDP is truly for, being able to do it without feeling the pain (not that the cost of the DDP wasn't painful, but at that point it's already paid ). I actually looked at the reciept this morning, the final bill including tax, tip and wine was $313. Our OOP costs, wine and tip, were $85, so the DDP paid for $228 of it. I also realized Jeff and I did not share a salad as I thought, we must have commandeered Erics. That receipt had 8 desserts on it with the 2 bday free ones.

I do plan to track the receipts at some point to see how we did on the DDP overall. I figure the plan cost us $248 a day for 3 days and then $201 on the days Evan wasn't it. We did use a TS credit for him at the meal as we knew Sandie and Paul would now have one extra they'd not be able to use.

Well, that's what we thought at the time anyway.

so, WHY wasn't Paul and Sandie's room clean?? That's just plain odd.

I think because they "held" it so early and it hadn't been cleaned then, though ours was ready, somehow it got missed.

Grea Update Cynthia !!I loved Tutto when I ate there !!I really need to go for 1 month so I can eat at all the restaurants I want to !!!!!

Isn't that the truth Rosie!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

And I watched as my family all tried Beverly. And made faces. I admit, I kind of like it. Then again, I like Campari! One of them was especially refreshing to all of us. The Kinley Lemon from Israel We must have guzzled 4 cups each, though others were popular with the crew as well. We then hit the conveniently located facilities right in Club Cool. Very smart, sticking a bathroom there if you ask me.

I actually kinda like Beverly too. It has a bit of a Gin & Tonic taste to it. Not bad IMHO.

Now wait.... WHAT???? There is a bathroom IN Club Cool? How did I never notice this?

What a day Paul and Sandie were having, I can imagine the stress. Awesome that they were upgraded to first class, I'm sure they started to relax at that point.

Tutto looks fabulous. We have yet to eat there. We have so much Italian here at home that I never think of it when I'm on vacay. But that lasagna looked amazing. I had some really lousy lasagna this weekend at a reception for a baptism, and I need to replace that memory!

Good call skipping AK rope drop

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh my goodness Cynthia I can't wait for that private entrance! I may have to claim it as my own! I say a little prayer every day that we can switch to Boardwalk for our Dec trip! DH and I really want to stay there! If not Boardwalk, Beach Club then!!

Is Taylor wearing a wife beater and bandana?! Oh my! I love that you let him figure out his fashion faux pas for himself! That's fabulous!!!

That food sound and looks amazing! My mouth is actually watering! I think we should order 1 of everything and try all of it in May!!!

I'm glad Sandy and Paul finally arrived! That wait must have been agonizing though!

 

[eandesmom]

OK... I don't know what happened. I think our trip, then the holidays, then I was a little intimidated to be SO many pages behind, but I am now caught up. I will admit that I used your links and skipped the banter, which I'm sure was topnotch!

I had to start at your DHS rainstorm and lunch decision

I know the feeling, I missed some banter on yours!

Bummer the pool was closed when you got back to the hotel. I don't know how you were able to sit next to smokers while their smoke filled up your umbrella. Working in bars for years, I would go home at night ready to die. It always took me a few days to recover from breathing in all that smoke- then I was back in there again.

Well, we weren't directly next to them, they were probably 2 tables away and we weren't there that long. But yeah, it was pretty UGH. I can't handle getting into an elevator after a smoker! It was pouring though so what are you going to do?

Glad you guys enjoyed your 1900PF meal. We love it there and the characters are awesome.

Glad you enjoyed your 'wet' ride on the carpet ride!

After further reading, I guess that is as wet as you got that night.

Sadly, yes.

What was that towel animal at the YC? It looks like a roasting chicken! Awesome room.. and it was ready too!

I think it's supposed to be a lobster

I can't believe you found the safe key!!!

You did end up with some great pics from the photo shoot.

Thanks!

SAB looks awesome!!!!!




WHEW... 1 hour later I made it... all caught UP!!!! AWWWW RATS.. I missed the last one.GRRRRRRRRR

Your meals at Tutto look absolutely amazing!!!! I think I have another restaurant to add to my ever growing list of places to try.

Tutto is outstanding! And SAB rocks

Great update! Your trip report is fantastic!

Dinner at Tutto sounds amazing! Everything looked yummy. Did you have a chance to sample anyone else's meals? Mark and I rarely order the same thing because we love to share and try as much as we can. When we order the same thing at a restaurant, you know it is good!

we rarely order the same thing either, I was shocked Jeff went for the ravioli, and then unsurprised he whined it wasn't large enough and commandeered Evan's lasange.

I didn't sample but everyone loved their items

Yeah on the fireworks show. But I bet there were some people who may not have been so pleased with the commotion if they were trying to sleep through the booms and flashes.

Our Beach Club standard view had views of the high fireworks from Illuminations and an outstanding view of the Nightastic show from MK.

True, though it was only a 5-10 minute show. I found it to be nice and quiet in the room as long as your door was closed. Very cool about your views! I don't know that we could have seen either of those from our room, but then again, we were never in the room during the shows to know one way or another

Tutto looks great! I'm glad Sandie & Paul finally arrived. It's no fun to feel unsettled so I'm glad you were all happy to see them. That's funny about mousekeeping at midnight!

Yes, midnight mousekeeping! It would NOT have been pretty had they walked in and had a unclean room. Not pretty at all, it probably would have sent Sandie over the edge. So grateful Jeff caught it! I think it came out when he gave the front desk a heads up or something, not really sure. Or maybe Sandie called from the airport to have him try once again to get a key since they were actually on DME.

im excited to see if he finished it as well, i think that looked like the best of all the meals so i hope he finished it.

He didn't, but mostly because Jeff commandeered it!

 

[MEK]

Is Taylor wearing a wife beater and bandana?! Oh my! I love that you let him figure out his fashion faux pas for himself! That's fabulous!!!

I love the expression - wife beater My kids taught me that one as I have never heard it before.

That food sound and looks amazing! My mouth is actually watering! I think we should order 1 of everything and try all of it in May!!!

I second that! Did you hear about our little plan to flip-flop Raglan Rd and Tutto. Cynthia and I thought we could switch Tutto to Sunday night when we are actually staying at BCV and do Reglan Saturday night when Cin, Jen, and I are at POR. Do you guys care? I think its a great idea!

 

[Moira222]

I"m way late but I"m in. I just LOVED your intro so now I am hooked...it will take me a while to get all the way through!

 

[eandesmom]

I actually kinda like Beverly too. It has a bit of a Gin & Tonic taste to it. Not bad IMH

Exactly!

Now wait.... WHAT???? There is a bathroom IN Club Cool? How did I never notice this?

Unless I'm hallucinating (which is entirely possible) I swear there was!

What a day Paul and Sandie were having, I can imagine the stress. Awesome that they were upgraded to first class, I'm sure they started to relax at that point.

They do kind of count on that upgrade, apparently once they didn't dress up and as a result couldn't get an available upgrade so they've been vigilant ever since. All things considered, they were in GREAT spirits. Then again they probably had some on the plane!

Tutto looks fabulous. We have yet to eat there. We have so much Italian here at home that I never think of it when I'm on vacay. But that lasagna looked amazing. I had some really lousy lasagna this weekend at a reception for a baptism, and I need to replace that memory!

Good call skipping AK rope drop

We are a bit the same on a lot of italian at home, both home and out, but it's so pretty inside and the food was fab! I'm so glad we went there. Yeah, AK rope drop would not have been a good idea. And it didn't seem nice to make them meet us there when it would involve getting on the right bus, etc, without us being there to show them how...Meeting at Epcot, which we knew K&T should walk them to, seemed like a much better idea all around.

Oh my goodness Cynthia I can't wait for that private entrance! I may have to claim it as my own! I say a little prayer every day that we can switch to Boardwalk for our Dec trip! DH and I really want to stay there! If not Boardwalk, Beach Club then!!

I really want to stay at Boardwalk one day, I can't wait to stay at the BC. It will be really interesting to see what I think compared to the YC.

Is Taylor wearing a wife beater and bandana?! Oh my! I love that you let him figure out his fashion faux pas for himself! That's fabulous!!!

Well I'm not sure he considered it a faux pas other than being undressed for the restaurant. Which would have been true for any of the sit downs, except maybe margaritaville. It was a tank top but not a wife beater. Though he does have one of those. You'd really need to see the whole outfit. Skin tight manpri jeans, espadrilles and then the tank top/bandana thing. Bleh.

That food sound and looks amazing! My mouth is actually watering! I think we should order 1 of everything and try all of it in May!!!

I'm glad Sandy and Paul finally arrived! That wait must have been agonizing though!

1 of everything in May! Especially dessert

I love the expression - wife beater My kids taught me that one as I have never heard it before.

I second that! Did you hear about our little plan to flip-flop Raglan Rd and Tutto. Cynthia and I thought we could switch Tutto to Sunday night when we are actually staying at BCV and do Reglan Saturday night when Cin, Jen, and I are at POR. Do you guys care? I think its a great idea!

I mocked up the new idea and will get it out to everyone soon I think it works better.

I"m way late but I"m in. I just LOVED your intro so now I am hooked...it will take me a while to get all the way through!

Hi and !!!

There are chapter links to hopefully help, happy to have you here!

 

[Flossbolna]

Looks like a very delicious meal, but Tutto is very much to me what AP is to you... Also, I think it is way overpriced for pasta. In a way I think some of these prices are so inflated because of the dining plan, it makes the DDP which is getting more and more expensive every year look like a great deal... But I am glad that it did work for your advantage and I am sure the DDP is worth it if it means that everyone in the family has the freedom to order what they want without having to look at the price of the entrees!