Family of 5; First Time DDP - At WDW Now!!! 4/1/09 to 4/10/09

[disneyfan61]

Enjoying the reviews!! Can't wait to hear the Tutto review. Eating there for the first time next month.

 

[vcgirl925]

Loving your reviews! You have a lot that we are thinking of doing on our next trip. So you reviews on Akershus, Ohana, Marakesh, and Boma will all be helpful!

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

Wow! Thank you for taking the time from your vacation to post these great reviews and pictures!

You have a beautiful family, and I'm loving your reviews.

 

[svalencia1]

Great reviews! You have a beautiful family. You all look like you are having a blast!

 

[skellingtonfreak]

Great reviews! We find that WDW CM's are so much friendlier than the DL CM's as well.

 

[5infam]

Thank you to all that have joined - and again, thanks for the kind words regarding the family.

Now that the tech problems are finished, I am on track and should be able to post at the end of each day. So today, Sunday, it was sort of our off day. The heat and humidity are back after a welcome break from the humidity yesterday. This morning we slept in a bit, and then went to the pool for a while. My kids enjoyed the Keister Coaster here at the Boardwalk. Funny thing here, we saw a duck land in the swimming pool and hang out with all the people - and twice we saw squirrels go on people's chairs or into their stroller bags looking for food. These animals are very used to people around here. Here is one on his way to someone's bag:

So, we decided to just do lunch at the Boardwalk Bakery again. You all are probably sick of hearing about this place, but it is convenient and very good. Here is my turkey sandwich with cucumber salad:

Here is DW who went with the tuna today:

Previously I mentioned that there are dessert items you could get as snacks, and some items you can only get with your CS meal. Here are 3 that you can only get with your meal. Carrot cake, brownie and key lime tart:

Everything was good as usual. Another benefit is they let you pick any drink out of the case or a fountain soda. Today, for instance I got a vitamin water - so there is a bit of extra value here on the DDP. If I paid OOP, it would have cost me $57.06. Since we are on the DDP, it cost us 5 CS credits.

Next up - a short trip into Epcot for some snacks.

 

[5infam]

So after the pool and some lunch, we decided to get dressed and spend a couple hours at EPCOT. EPCOT is our favorite, which is why we bought here at the Boardwalk Villas - so we can be a quick walk away. As you enter the back entrance to EPCOT, there is a store on the left called World Traveler. We were browsing around in there for no other reason than to get out of the heat. DD7 decided she just have to have a snack. She picked out a container with cotton candy and some gummy worms. We went up to the counter and asked if they qualified for snacks. The CM was not sure, so we tried the gummies first and they were rejected. Then we tried the cotton candy and poof - it worked. Funny thing is that the gummies were about a dollar less than the cotton candy - but who knows where they come up with the rules these days. Here is DD with her snack:

As we cruised around the world, we went through the UK and then Canada. On our way to Mexico, I felt like I was going to die from the heat, so I decided I needed a snack that would cool me down. Right in the middle there (Showcase Plaza) is one of my new favorite stands, the Promenade Refreshments stand. The non-fat orange pineapple smoothie caught my eye. DS9 and DW went with the frozen lemonade and DS18 went with a banana smoothie. Here are a few pics, which I didn't stop to take until we were in the air conditioned comfort of the Mexico pavilion:

That last one I just thought was cute - no food to reference - but did you check out her Disney spray fan? She is deadly with that weapon.

So all 5 snacks would have run me $18.34 if I paid cash. On the DDP, it was 5 snack credits.

Next up is dinner at Cape May Cafe.

 

[5infam]

So tonight I was excited about going to Cape May Cafe in the Yacht and Beach Club. Every time we come to WDW, we spend some time across the lake at this resort, and I always pass by Cape May and see the sign that says Clam Bake tonight!!! It always sounds so good. Well unfortunately, I wish we would have picked something else instead.

We showed up and had to wait about 5 minutes to be seated. The greeter showed us to our table and explained that it was a buffet (the kind with lines of people) and where things were located. We sat down and our server took our drink orders, and off to the buffet we went. Well after the drinks were delivered, we never saw the server again at our table, until our meal was over. That means no one ever stopped by to pick up the empty plates, which had piled up pretty good. They were not even that busy as we saw lots of empty tables - it was just bad service. Plus, the food was just not that good. It was sort of like going to sizzler, with some seafood items. Here are some pics:

The one above had some beef (top sirloin) that really didn't taste right. A slice of pizza that wasn't bad, some terriyaki salmon that was great and very tender. Also some spicy sausage and peppers that was good, and some kids mac n cheese. Below is some clam chowder:

One of the better parts of the meal was the bucket I filled with clams (all at the bottom) and mussels. DS9 literally ate the whole bucket by himself, before I even got to try it. Good thing it was a buffet so I got to get more:

Also, there was some peel and eat shrimp:

Here is another plate, but the only thing worth mentioning are the ribs. They were decent:

Now on to dessert. Here is a sample plate, starting on the left is a peanut butter blondie, followed by a german chocolate cake kinda thing, then the best dessert they had - which starts with half an oreo cookie, topped with mousse then dipped in chocolate. Then there was the yucky cheesecake, and the tart in the middle:

I will not return here again, but at least I can say I tried it. On the way back to my resort, I did enjoy the view of the boardwalk - here are some pics:

So now the math. Cape May Cafe would have cost us $130.95 if we paid OOP. On the DDP however, it cost us 3 adult TS credits and 2 kid TS credits.

So for the day, for lunch, dinner and snacks - if we paid OOP, the total bill would have been $206.35. On the DDP, our daily standard of $141.95.

Tomorrow we are off to Magic Kingdom again, then back to EPCOT for dinner and our first visit to Le Cellier.

 

[tweetylori]

Am really enjoying your report. What a beautiful family you are! Keep the reviews coming, and thank you!

 

[5infam]

Good start to the review, keep it up. Your DS18 looks like he loves having his picture taken with food like my DS12!!!

I am finally getting a chance to read everyone's comments, so sorry for the delay in responding. DS18 wanted me to tell you that he hates posing for food photos - mostly because I don't let them eat until I get a picture. I think it is kinda funny as it is one of those things I get to bust his chops about. He is having some fun on this trip, as we all are. I usually go commando style with the parks, but this time I am taking it easy on them and we don't feel run down. We know we won't see every thing, but we have done just about everything before, so we are focusing on new stuff and old favorites.

 

[TigerKat]

Loving your reviews! As a huge Boardwalk fan, thanks for posting pics of the area and that bakery, my oh my, how we love it! We're also huge EPCOT fans as well. I have to say that we are not fans of Cape May either. It's been 5 years since we've been but it was terrible. TOO many other good restaurants in that area for us to ever consider going back. I'll also echo everyone, your family is beautiful!!

 

[5infam]

Great report. Can't wait to read more. You are going to many places that I want us to try on our next trip in August. Our kids are similar ages too. I have a DS14, DS8 and DD6. It's always fun to find something for the teenage boy to do as well as the young girl. LOL We will do CRT and the boys just have to deal with it.

Ahh - what to do with boys and girls. A few years back, we came with my sisters family and my cousins family, so there were 13 of us in all. We booked CRT and everyone, including the boys, had a good time. It is simply just a neat thing to eat in the castle. All the princesses call the boys Prince, so they get to enjoy the interaction a bit as well. It is one of those things that we had to try once, and I am glad we did.

 

[5infam]

Loving your reviews! As a huge Boardwalk fan, thanks for posting pics of the area and that bakery, my oh my, how we love it! We're also huge EPCOT fans as well. I have to say that we are not fans of Cape May either. It's been 5 years since we've been but it was terrible. TOO many other good restaurants in that area for us to ever consider going back. I'll also echo everyone, your family is beautiful!!

Thank you TigerKat - and ditto on no more Cape May for us too. Funny thing is, I over heard some of the patrons raving to the cast members about how good the food was, especially the beef (which I hated). Oh well, to each his own - that is what makes us all different. I bet there are folks that love Cape May Cafe and would disagree with us.

 

[5infam]

Ooh Marakesh looks so nice inside. I wish I was adventurous. I would be easting of the kids menu if I went there LOL!

I say go for it and give it a try. I wish I would have taken pics of the entire menu, but the standard entrees are not really that exotic. And if you hate it, I am sure they will bring you a kids meal instead.

Which brings me to another point. I was concerned that DS9 was not going to get enough variety on the DDP with him having to eat off the kids menu everywhere. This is why I chose several buffet/family style places, so he would have options. Most places so far, have good enough portions where DW or I share our food with him and he shares with us. This way we all get to try new things. At Cape May tonight, I found myself over at the kids bar putting some chicken nuggets and mac n cheese on my plate. Kids food can be good too

 

[frdeb1999]

Loving your reviews and pics!! You have a beautiful family!

 

[5infam]

Loving your reviews and pics!! You have a beautiful family!

Thank you!!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Beautiful family! Awesome reviews and I really appreciate the BWI Bakery pics...we stayed there for 4 days this past Oct and didnt get to eat there that much but are planning an 8 day stay this Oct and I am sure we will make it there...the sandwiches and desserts look awesome!

Marrakesh looks and sounds terrific! For some reason we keep changing our ressie there...now if I can try and fit it in for our Fall trip I will make sure not to cancel it!

Keep the reviews and pics coming, they are great!

 

[Jess6001]

I'm loving the reviews! Enjoy your time in Disney!!

 

[Frankiesmom]

Loving the reviews! And you have a beautiful family!
Thanks for taking the time to let us follow your dining adventures!
Great job!

 

[5infam]

Thanks to those joining in, and for being so nice - as this is my first time at this.

So we woke up early today and headed to MK. We were fortunate to hit all the big stuff, and were all hungry by 11:00am. Originally, I was trying to plan our meals by 2 criteria - 1) Finding some different things for my kids to eat off of the kids menu and 2) Tryin to maximize my value on the DDP. So for MK, I had planned on going to Cosmic Rays. However, we were hungry and Cosmic Ray's was on the other side of the park. So, we decided to peak into a place I had read about, but had not tried yet; Pecos Bill's. There on the menu was something I hadn't had yet in the 6 days at WDW - a burger. As a matter of fact, all 5 of us felt like a good ole burger, and this place rocks for that. I had the double cheeseburger, DW and DS18 had the single cheeseburger with bacon, and DS9 and DD7 both had burgers as well. Here are some pics of the place. First, for those that said they liked menu boards - here you go:

The cool thing about Pecos Bill's is the fixin's bar. Here is how it is set up:

At the ends are shredded lettuce and tomato:

And in the middle they have pump machines with ketchup, mayo and mustard, plus onions and mushrooms - oh and liquid cheese:

And here is a pic of DW's burger, ready to be eaten:

And one of DS9 enjoying his:

And for the 3 adults, we all went with carrot cake for dessert:

So if you are in the mood for a burger, this is a good place to go. They meet one of my favorite burger qualifications - small bun - lots of meat. Of course, this is WDW, so it is not a gourmet burger like the one I had a Bobby Flay's place, Mesa Grill a few weeks ago. But for that quick burger fix, with some fixin's - Pecos Bill's will do. And Donald agrees:

So if we paid OOP, it would have run $53.45. On the DDP, it was 5 CS credits.

Next will be snacks - and my most anticipated dinner - Le Celier. Ressies are at 5:45 so I got to run. I'll check in later.