FABULOSITY! A mini pre-trip dining report UPDATED 6/27 WITH FINAL ADRs LISTED

[iloveeeyore]

Hi, folks! Thank you for stopping in to my mini pre-trip dining report. I want to share with you that I just celebrated my 43rd birthday and got some super fantabulous gifts, one of which is a snazz-tastic camera!! I plan to use it during my upcoming trip (July 29-August 9) to shoot some gorgeous food porn, guaranteed to make your mouth water!

I'm just starting to figure it all out now, and I have 7 weeks plus 1.5 days to practice taking food pics! I'll start with this:

My birthday cake:

It only has 10 candles, but don't be fooled, I promise I'm older than 10! This is a tres leches cake that DH drove to Da Bronx to buy for me (how SWEET is my DH *swoon*). If you've never tried a tres leches cake from a Spanish-speaking neighborhood in the Bronx, talk to the hand! This kind of cake is soooooo good. It is made with milk in 3 different forms, but I'm no baker, so I only know what I've been told. I believe there's whole milk in the cake batter, then after it is baked it is soaked in condensed milk, and then filled and topped with whipped cream. The fruit is nice, too, but really more decorative than anything. This one had strawberries covered in that jelly-like glaze, and kiwis, peaches and ...grapes? The grapes were a little...unusual, especially since they had seeds in them, but they tasted good. More like the kind of grapes you'd eat at Thanksgiving than spring/summer.

Here's what it looks like on the inside:

This cake is so moist and delicious, without being too sweet. We all really enjoyed it and we 4 managed to knock off about half of it. High points for DH.

Tell me, how are my pics? Any suggestions for improvement? I'm still learning my camera. Evidently, there is a setting just for "cuisine" which I did not use for these. I did take several that turned out over-exposed and I don't know why, because everything in the room and on the amera seemed exactly the same to me!

Coming up, an even better birthday treat!

 

[KatMark]

I'm in.

 

[VeganRazzleDazzle]

I'm in too! What kind of camera did you get? I'm looking for a new one to take on my trip too!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm in.

Welcome, KatMark! I'm so glad your here. I've enjoyed reading your DR, I hope I can return the favor.

I'm in too! What kind of camera did you get? I'm looking for a new one to take on my trip too!

Welcome, VeganRazzleDazzle! Love your snazzy screen name! It's very sparkly! My camera is an Olympus Stylus Tough-8010. I can drop it (which I probably will, I'm a little spazzy) and use it underwater. It has 14 megapixels, 5X optical and digital zooms (I don't know the difference, but hopefully I will before my trip) and lots of built-in storage space...hopefully enough storage for a dinner at CG! I have already broken a few digital cameras, so I'm hoping this survives me. I'm a little skeptical, but we'll see. I'll keep you updated. Thanks for following along!

 

[iloveeeyore]

So, as promised, my bestest birthday treat will be revealed. It isn't edible, but is so incredibly "me" and I think it is quite delicious! DH really hit the nail on the head with this one!

A little background first. We don't buy stuff. We don't care too much about stuff. We don't have a lot of disposable income to begin with, but what we do have, we choose to spend on experiences rather than stuff. For example, DH and I don't exchange anniversary "presents." Instead, we go out to a nice dinner, open a bottle of champagne when we get home, and treat eachother to massages. We need new diningroom and livingroom furniture BADLY, but we'd rather spend the money on our family trip to WDW! Get the picture? So anyway, you can probably just imagine my surprise when I awoke on my birthday and opened this:

FABULOSITY from the front:

FABULOSITY from the back:

OK, I confess. I was really coveting this bag for a while. Ever since I saw it here on The DIS. Why couldn't it have just been one of those easy-to-find canvass bags from the parks? Cause, let me tell you, this bag has my name written ALL OVER IT! And DH found it, and not only knew I had to have it, but figured out EXACTLY which one to get me, even though I never said anything. It's not too big; it's not too small; it's JUUUUUSST RIGHT! And I'm sure he spent way too much on a birthday present for me. But this time, I'm OK with it. I'm really thrilled with this bag.

I had to share it with my DIS peeps, because nobody else quite gets it. I've used it the past few days, at work, aroud town, and not ONE person has said to me, "Hey, do you know your purse defines FABULOSITY?" Seriously, what is WRONG with people? But I knew you would understand. Thank you for letting me share.

Next up, I will introduce our cast of characters.

 

[KatMark]

LOVE THE BAG! If I showed the pic to my DH he would get it for me without me even having to say please because it has DUMBO on it.

Thank you for sharing -- what a great birthday surprise.

P.S. I'm glad you enjoyed my dining reviews.

 

[iloveeeyore]

LOVE THE BAG! If I showed the pic to my DH he would get it for me without me even having to say please because it has DUMBO on it.

Thank you for sharing -- what a great birthday surprise.

P.S. I'm glad you enjoyed my dining reviews.

I love Dumbo, too!! In fact, I think Dumbo might be my favorite ride. Yes, I STILL love the Dumbo ride, so sad it's going inside. More about the favorites upcoming...

 

[KatMark]

I love Dumbo, too!! In fact, I think Dumbo might be my favorite ride. Yes, I STILL love the Dumbo ride, so sad it's going inside. More about the favorites upcoming...

If you have a second, check out my PTR (linked in my signature) about Dumbo!

Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Linda67]

Your DH is a gem !!!
Love the purse but I really want a slice of that cake !!

 

[iloveeeyore]

If you have a second, check out my PTR (linked in my signature) about Dumbo!

Looking forward to reading more.

Thank you! I did skim your PTR and I just love your writing style and all your photos...AND your love for Dumbo! Your family is just beautiful and very accomplished. I've been wondering aout Nicki. I haven't seen any posts by her lately, and I'm glad to read she might join you in September. I'll be following your report, too.

Your DH is a gem !!!
Love the purse but I really want a slice of that cake !!

Thank you, he IS such a gem. I really believe I am the luckiest person in the world! The cake was utterly scrumptious. I enjoyed your dining report from England, Linda! I hope I can do a good one, too. This will be my first DR, I'm completely..."unseasoned"...hopefully, unlike the food, haha.

 

[iloveeeyore]

So, as promised, I'd like to introduce you to our cast of characters...

We'll be doing lots of celebratory dining this trip. We are celebrating DH's and my 20th wedding anniversary and DD's 16th birthday, and we know we have to do something special for DS, too, since it seems unfair that he's the only one without an "official" celebration this trip. Suggestions will be welcomed!

Me (Jasmine): 43 years old, floor nurse by night, obsessive Disney trip planner by day (when I'm not sleeping). I've been loving Disney World since my first trip when I was 6, and was lucky enough as a child to visit every few years. My first resort was the Poly, and it's been my favorite ever since. My favorite rides are Dumbo and Haunted Mansion (I just love the classics). I spent a bunch of years as a vegetarian (because the movie Bambi made me go through a box of tissues and I swore I would never eat some baby animal's mother ever again). I gave up the vegetarian thing a few years after DS was born, when I realized how picky my kids were becoming and how limited their diet was. I wanted to set a good example and started eating a wider variety of things. Now I know this CAN be done as a vegetarian, I'm just not creative and commited enough, blah, blah, blah, so I took the path of least resistence and starting eating fish...then poultry...and eventually mammals, too. My very favorite food is pizza, but that's one of the few things DH doesn't particularly care for, so I don't eat it that often (which I guess is a good thing ). I really enjoy, appetizers, prefer them over desserts. I can fill up on those and skip the rest of the meal. My favorite Disney dining experience is HDDR. I'm calling myself Jasmine (I'm really more like Belle, but DD wants to be Belle, so I had to choose a different character; Sleepy was another I considered) because grew up sheltered in the sultan's palace and married the street-smart hero who has mad magic carpet driving skills.

DH (Aladdin): 45 years old, actor, salesman, volunteer fireman, comedian. Visited WDW as a kid for a day, and didn't return until after he married me...then I got him hooked. His favorite resort is WL (that theme is right up his alley) with Poly a close second, and his favorite ride is Splash Mountain. Favorite WDW dining experience is HDDR. He has a VERY big appetite, will eat pretty much anything presented to him. Put it this way, he LIKES canned asparagus and potatoes, though inexplicably submits pretty grudgingly to pizza and tacos . He has an aversion to most types of fish fillet because he gags if he feels even one little bone in his mouth. But he loves sushi...and avocado! He'll finish up everyone's left-overs and still have room for dessert, and somehow, he's still pretty fit! In fact, he looks darn hot in a vest without a shirt, and really turns heads when he wears his fez! Like I said, he drives a mean magic carpet, and I don't know if his secret is pixie dust or a magic genie, but he's somehow always making wishes come true.

DD (Belle): almost 16 years old, just finished 10th grade. Scholar, bookworm, musician, actress, artist who wants much more than this provincial life! Could definitely learn to love a beast! LOVES WDW since her first visit at age 8, and uses her Flip to take videos of our special moments. She can't choose a favorite attraction or dining experience, since she's in love with it all. If I had to pick for her, I think she most enjoys Rock 'n Roller Coaster and the scallops at Artist Point. Prefers salads, veggies, chicken and fish over red meats, but willing to try just about anything.

DS (Hercules): 13 years old, just finished 7th grade. Actor, musician, comedian, athlete, wants to pursue a career in performing arts, and would love to play "Six Bits" some day. Loved WDW since his first visit for his 5th birthday. His favorite attraction is Splash Mountain, favorite dining experience is HDDR. LOVES cheese, puts some form of cheese on just about everything. He's also a big carnivore, enjoys CHEESEburgers and steaks medium rare, but is willing to try just about anything.

That about sums us up. Up next, our celebration plans!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Would you like to see our line up? I know you would, because I KNOW how I sit on the edge of my seat waiting to read yours!

Here's just a little background about how we dine in WDW. We are morning park commandos, gotta be at rope drop, so in general, large sitdown breakfasts don't work for us. We did several of those on our first trip, and found they really slowed us down in the morning. We like to also have a quick, relatively early lunch, so usually CS serves its purpose, especially since there are so many places we enjoy, and we actually want to try based on reports on The DIS. Dinner, ah, dinner! We like our dinners to be an event, with excellent atmosphere and/or entertainment and good to very good food. And in almost every case, Disney has met or exceeded our expectations (with the exception of WCC in April 2008 and our 3rd dinner at Chef Mickey's in August 2006).

Most of our "plans" below for breakfast and lunch are subject to change at any time. I am projecting what we will do based on where we plan to be each day and our usual habits. I have secured and confirmed ADRs at all of our TS restaurants.

Day 1 - Travel/arrive at Poly
B - take-out from our favorite deli at home, to be eaten at the airport after we check in.
L - Captain Cook's.
D - Chef Mickey's (early enough ADR that we can go back to the Poly in time for EWP and Fireworks from the beach). This is a traditional first night favorite. We were disappointed last time we dined here (2 trips ago) as the food was terrible, so we did WCC last trip and that was even WORSE! This trip, there is an overwhelming cry from my family to return to CM's. Even though I have made alternate suggestions, 1900 Park Fare for example, CM's it is. Truthfully, I am really looking forward to it!

Day 2 - Epcot
B - Captain Cook's
L - Les Chefs de France First time for lunch; we really enjoyed our dinner there, despite a nightmare check-settling, or non-settling thing between CdF, Visa and us, that persisted for weeks after we returned home.
D - San Angel Inn Aladdin and I dined here with friends in 1992. This is our first family trip to SAI. I hope we can get some good margaritas from the cava!

Day 3 - MK
B - Captain Cook's
L - Columbia Harbour House A favorite from last trip.
D - 'Ohana A traditional favorite that we skipped last trip, really looking forward to returning.

Day 4 - Typhoon Lagoon, also Belle's Birthday!
B - Captain Cook's (or maybe Kona or 'Ohana, here)
L - CS at TL OR Garden Tea Room, depending on whether or not we want to leave TL.
D - California Grill for fireworks.

For DD's birthday, I would love to do either a nice sit-down breakfast OR the tea at the GF...but it is HER day, so if she wants to be at TL from opening until late afternoon, it will be her choice.



Gotta go for now, will add more later. I welcome your comments and suggestions on what to order.

 

[msnwithers]

I'm in! Sounds like fun!

 

[KatMark]

Would you like to see our line up? I know you would, because I KNOW how I sit on the edge of my seat waiting to read yours!

Here's just a little background about how we dine in WDW. We are morning park commandos, gotta be at rope drop, so in general, large sitdown breakfasts don't work for us. We did several of those on our first trip, and found they really slowed us down in the morning. We like to also have a quick, relatively early lunch, so usually CS serves its purpose, especially since there are so many places we enjoy, and we actually want to try based on reports on The DIS. Dinner, ah, dinner! We like our dinners to be an event, with excellent atmosphere and/or entertainment and good to very good food. And in almost every case, Disney has met or exceeded our expectations (with the exception of WCC in April 2008 and our 3rd dinner at Chef Mickey's in August 2006).

Most of our "plans" below for breakfast and lunch are subject to change at any time. I am projecting what we will do based on where we plan to be each day and our usual habits. I have secured and confirmed ADRs at all of our TS restaurants.

Day 1 - Travel/arrive at Poly
B - take-out from our favorite deli at home, to be eaten at the airport after we check in.
L - Captain Cook's.
D - Chef Mickey's (early enough ADR that we can go back to the Poly in time for EWP and Fireworks from the beach). This is a traditional first night favorite. We were disappointed last time we dined here (2 trips ago) as the food was terrible, so we did WCC last trip and that was even WORSE! This trip, there is an overwhelming cry from my family to return to CM's. Even though I have made alternate suggestions, 1900 Park Fare for example, CM's it is. Truthfully, I am really looking forward to it!I have to agree with you here. We were not happy with the food at Chef Mickey's in 2004 at all at dinner and will no longer eat any buffets for lunch or dinner (except Biergarten and Cape May Cafe)--we choose breakfast instead; and you are SO RIGHT -- Whispering Canyon Cafe was even worse -- you couldn't pay us to eat there again. Hopefully, Chef Mickey's will be better for you this time.

Day 2 - Epcot
B - Captain Cook'sLove Captain Cook's
L - Les Chefs de France First time for lunch; we really enjoyed our dinner there, despite a nightmare check-settling, or non-settling thing between CdF, Visa and us, that persisted for weeks after we returned home.Have never done; had a ressie last year, but then we were able to get LeCellier and opted out of Chefs.
D - San Angel Inn Aladdin and I dined here with friends in 1992. This is our first family trip to SAI. I hope we can get some good margaritas from the cava!another one we have not done; I don't eat Mexican food at all; Mark will eat very little of it...sorry we are no help here.

Day 3 - MK
B - Captain Cook's
L - Columbia Harbour House A favorite from last trip.Our second favorite after Cosmic Rays; Mark really likes the tuna sandwich and I love the fried fish basket
D - 'Ohana A traditional favorite that we skipped last trip, really looking forward to returning.Never done...we just never seem to find a spot for it.

Day 4 - Typhoon Lagoon, also Belle's Birthday!
B - Captain Cook's (or maybe Kona or 'Ohana, here)
L - CS at TL OR Garden Tea Room, depending on whether or not we want to leave TL.
D - California Grill for fireworks.We've only done signature restaurant and that was Brown Derby and we were very disappointed; I would like to try Jiko and California Grill at some point.

For DD's birthday, I would love to do either a nice sit-down breakfast OR the tea at the GF...but it is HER day, so if she wants to be at TL from opening until late afternoon, it will be her choice.



Gotta go for now, will add more later. I welcome your comments and suggestions on what to order.

Not much help...but I made a few comments in red above.

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm in! Sounds like fun!

Welcome! Thanks for joining in!

Not much help...but I made a few comments in red above.

Thank you for your comments! I'm a little surprised that in all your trips you have never made it to Les Chefs. We have had wonderful experiences there! They have a delicious steak dish, I liked mine ALMOST as much as the mushroom filet at LC...and with your appreciation of the Poly that you've never made it to 'Ohana! I can relate, it's hard to try everything, when we have so many favorites that we want to repeat!

Believe it or not, we've never tried Cosmic Ray's, but we plan on doing it another day this trip. At CHH, Hercules had the tuna sandwich, which we loved, and I ordered the sandwich with hummus and broccoli slaw that was soooo good! I want to try the fish or shrimp basket, but I don't know if I can give up that hummus! Maybe Aladdin will try the fish, he loves fisn 'n chips type of fish (almost never find bones in that), and I doubt we'll get to the Yorkshire County Fish Shop this trip.

I couldn't live (very happily) without Mexican food!!! I enjoy it in all forms, from Taco Bell tex-mex, to Mexico City style gourmet...not to mention the DRINKS! And we're not big fans of Brown Derby, either.

 

[bluejasmine]

Your plans seem wonderful and I so want that PURSE!! I may have to ask DH when we get there..I dont think I will have to try to hard..LOL He knows I adore purses and Ive been looking at those Dooneys since they came out!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Your plans seem wonderful and I so want that PURSE!! I may have to ask DH when we get there..I dont think I will have to try to hard..LOL He knows I adore purses and Ive been looking at those Dooneys since they came out!

Welcome! I'm glad you joined in, and THANK YOU for appreciating real fabulosity when you see it! The funny thing is that I am so NOT a purse girl, in fact, almost every one I have up until now is pretty crappy and falling apart. Broken zipper on this one, busted strap on that one, can't use the other one 'cause it's way too small, the other one in the closet has a bad stain....you get my drift. I think the last time I got a new purse was several years ago (not counting the one I got just for theme park necesseties, which is way too small to use on a daily basis). But even though purses in general are not my thing, I have also had my eye on these since they came out. I have no idea how Aladdin knew I wanted this. He's magical! Good luck scoring your own in September! Any girl who is a purse-and-Disney lover MUST HAVE one!

Stay tuned for more fun plans...

 

[iloveeeyore]

Any technically advanced readers out there, I have a question for you:

How do I take the link in my signature, and give it a different title, so that instead of saying "http blah, blah blah" it can say "fantabulosity" for example?

Thanks if you can help!

 

[vinotinto]

Signing in!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Day 5 - Epcot
B - Captain Cook's
L - El Cava del Tequila for some tapas, then snacks in WS
D - Coral Reef A first for us.

Day 6 - DHS
B - Captain Cook's
L - ? I have pretty much no idea. If we leave DHS early enough for our break, maybe we'll mix it up a little and try Gasparilla's. If the kids really want to stay longer in DHS, I'm thinking maybe Pizza Planet? Our maybe that buffalo chicken sandwich from Studio Catering Company that is reviewed elsewhere on this board...or Fairfax Fare?
D - Kona Cafe This is a first for us for dinner; we have had both breakfast and lunch here before.

Day 7 - MK
B - Captain Cook's (surprise!)
L - CRT First time here for lunch. Last did the breakfast in 2004 and LOVED it!
D - HDDR (9:30) Traditional favorite!

Day 8 - Leave the Poly, check into AKL CL! (first time pulling a switcheroo, first time animal adventure) We're not sure how we're going to manage the switch, yet. Aladdin and I have discussed this extensively; we are aware of all the options, and have mutually decided that not everything needs to be planned down to the minute. We may decide that we'd like to spend the morning sleeping in, enjoying the volcano pool one last time, and slowly meandering over to AKL. We may get up early, check our luggage with bell services, and head to rope drop at AK. We may even take a taxi over to AKL early enough to grab breakfast in the lounge, then just spend the day at AKL. We have time to decide...we're livin' on the edge!

B - Captain Cook's or AKL CL
L - Mara or Flame Tree
D - Sanaa

That's all the time I have now. More animal adventure plans upcoming!