DVC Mike Live from BWV/SSR (3/7-3/15/09)

[DVC Mike]

Views of BLT/Contemporary and GF from the water ferry.

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[DVC Mike]

I took my Birthday Fun Card to Downtown Disney to but me some stuff.

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[DVC Mike]

We interrupt this DVC Mike trip report for Mrs. DVC Mike's two cents worth on Raglan Road (actually, it's more like forty-eight cents worth).

I cannot say enough about this restaurant. The few times my husband and I have eaten here have been right up there with Narcoossee's and California Grill (at least for my special diet) for two reasons, the consistency and the price.

I have ordered a grilled veggie plate with low sodium every time we have been here. All meals have been perfectly prepared. The veggies were extremely tasteful as the chef understood that I wanted and love the flavor of the veggies to shine through.

Last night the tomato was grilled and then peeled to expose the tender inner meat but not so cooked that it lost its shape – fabulous! He also added one small portabella mushroom which I do not normally ask for, as many vegetarians know, that can be overused, but this was a small portion and perfectly made. He also did a small pile of root veggies (squash, parsnip and a few I cannot remember), all were outstanding alongside three or four small yellow potatoes that were cut in half, and the portion was perfect and no more than 1/8 tsp of salt for the entire plate.

The veggies were slightly oiled during grilling and the juice of the veggies settled at the bottom of my plate. I then used the last of the potatoes to pick up all that goodness so that when the waitress came to collect the plate it almost looked as though nothing had been on it. I cannot tell you how good this was, especially after the numerous poorly executed meals I have had this trip.

The best part was the bill, $8.99! I would have paid $20.00 for the simple fact that it was perfectly delivered.

We had Chef Hunter last night.

I think we all know that these days a restaurant can deliver a complex meal. What I find more often than not, is that when I am looking for a naturally flavorful meal it can almost confuse them as they are always looking to wow you.

As much as I might love the delivery of a complex meal with white truffle oil and a rotting stinky cheese, it is not always necessary. Quite frankly after a few nights out, simplicity is what I crave. A Chef that understands the subtle nuances of the vegetable and allows that to shine through is to me more capable than one who only knows the complex.

This is defiantly not a meal to pass up to be sure, any vegetarian seeking a perfect plate of veggies must go to Raglan Road and ask chef to make this simple yet elegant meal that is unbelievably priced. I give this restaurant five stars simply because they know how to work a veggie. It also did not hurt that we were sat in the best seat of the house, by the fireplace in lounge chairs, worth asking for. This table is for two and is off from the main dining area which was fine with me as the noise from the very good band would have been too loud for me to enjoy.

YUMMY IN MY TUMMY SAYS POO!

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Happy Birthday!

So you'll take pictures of other people's food, just not yours, huh?

Really enjoying the pictures! Thanks!

How are you going to blow you're birthday gift card?

 

[DVC Mike]

Other than the obvious mainstay shows (F!, Beauty and the Beast, Wishes, Spectro, etc.) what parades and shows are now happening at DHS and MK? (The Dream Along with Mickey, Block Party Bash type shows/parades). Trying to make plans and not 100% sure what has been "cancelled" and what has replaced it.

MK: Wishes is every night at 9pm this week. Celebrate a Dream Come True parade is every day at 3pm. SpectroMagic is everyday, and twice a day on Sat and Sunday.

Epcot: Illuminations is every night at 9pm.

DHS: The Block Party Bash is every day at 3pm. Fantasmic! is once on Sunday, and twice a night on Wed and Thu.

DAK: Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade is every day at 3:45pm.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Happy Birthday, my friend. Go enjoy yourself.

Looks like we may finally get the sun back in Carolina late this afternoon or in the morning. It's been about 5 days here of constant rain and clouds.

Enjoy the shade provided by the FL overcast, close your eyes, and say to yourself, "There's no place like WDW... There's no place like WDW... There's no place like WDW..."

 

[jekjones1558]

Happy St. Paddy's, birthday boy! We also loved Raglan Road. They were so nice in allowing me to buy a loaf of the brown bread to bring home to my Irish mother. It was a great reminder of our trip to Ireland.
When do we get to see a picture of Mrs. Mike? Or did I miss it in this thread?

 

[WilsonFlyer]

My bet is that she's on one side or the other of that Kitchen Sink but now that it's posted, she's not going to confess!!!!

(Edit: For the record and since I have a 50-50 shot if that picture is of her, I'm betting she's the one on the right. )

 

[Cyndibear]

Happy Birthday Mike! Hope you had a fun time spending that Disney Birthday Gift!!! Again, thanks for the wonderful trip report!!

Cyndi

 

[granmanh603]

Happy Birthday Mike!!!! Have a great day....Wow MK was still crowded today too from your pictures ..went there yesterday and left before 12...today after 2 weeks here at SSR had to go over to BWV for lunch since I have been missing it and walk around after that we walked over to EPCOT and I have never seen it so crowded even on a Wine and Food weekend...at 2 all the fast passes were gone and the wait on Soarin was 120 , Mision Space 60??? we usually walk on that . Lots of the Flower things were out since we were there yesterday afternoon. Can hardly wait to go back tomorrow.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

Happy Birthday Mike Thanks for the wonderful reports.

 

[MARY-IN-OH]

Happy Birthday Mike!! I hope you are wearing your birthday pin today!! (you should send us a pic of you wearing it!!!).
-mary

 

[LisaS]

I took my Birthday Fun Card to Downtown Disney to buy me some stuff.

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Wow Mike, that $70 birthday fun card bought way more stuff than I could have ever imagined!! A model train and your very own carousel!!! How are you going to get them home?

But seriously, where can you use the birthday gift card? I had thought it was only good in the park where it was issued but it sounds like that is not the case. We'll be leaving WDW on my birthday so I will have only a few hours to use the card so I want to be prepared!

And please give Mrs. DVC Mike a big thank you for her review of her meal at Raglan Road. I've always wanted to eat there and now I know we can. Thanks!

Happy Birthday!!!!!

 

[dvc at last !]

BLT and VWL will offer completely different experiences. VWL has a magnificently rendered theme -- the lobby still causes my jaw to drop and my eyes to look up each time we visit it. It has a quiet, peaceful, rustic and romantic setting. We love hopping on the boat to the MK.

BLT is a tower with a modern look and feel. It will offer unparalled views of the MK and Bay Lake. You can walk to the MK in just 5 minutes. You can hop the monorail for easy access to dining and parks.

I think I'm really going to love BLT. I won't know how much until my stay there this Dec. BLT won't replace VWL.

We can all debate the pros and cons of each resort. That is the beauty
of DVC. We can go to another resort for a different setting --
it is not boring. Each resort has a certain feel and I would like to visit each
one day.

 

[DVC Mike]

My bet is that she's on one side or the other of that Kitchen Sink but now that it's posted, she's not going to confess!!!!

(Edit: For the record and since I have a 50-50 shot if that picture is of her, I'm betting she's the one on the right. )

Nope, I haven't posted a picture of her in this trip report. I think she made a brief appearance in a prior TR, however.

 

[dtheboys]

I'm sorry....I have no clue what the Birthday fun card ( $70.00) is all about??Is this a gift card someone bought for you?
WOULD SOMEONE BE SO KIND TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME?

 

[DVC Mike]

But seriously, where can you use the birthday gift card? I had thought it was only good in the park where it was issued but it sounds like that is not the case. We'll be leaving WDW on my birthday so I will have only a few hours to use the card so I want to be prepared!

You can use the gift card at any Disney-owned shop on WDW property -- inside any theme park or at DTD.

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm sorry....I have no clue what the Birthday fun card ( $70.00) is all about??Is this a gift card someone bought for you?
WOULD SOMEONE BE SO KIND TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME?

Guests typically get free admission to a Disney theme park on their birthday. If (like me) you already have an annual pass, you get a choice of a birthday fastpass or the $70 gift card. I took the cash!

 

[dtheboys]

Mike I can honestly say I have never enjoyed a thread as much as yours... I check two or three times a day for new PICTURES...
We are heading to BCV's on 4/3, and you have made our wait so much better w/ all of your photo's and information.
Thanks
Betsy

 

[work2play]

Happy birthday Mike! I feel like I am on vacation with you! Great pictures! You are giving me the bug to become a DVC member!