We are back from Pizza Hut for lunch and I'm ready to finish Day 3.
We originally planned DHS for this day knowing that it didnt have Fantasmic! scheduled and assumed (hoped) it would be less crowded. After WDW changed the EMH for AK, I thought Id double check everything and found out that Fantasmic! had been added for this evening. With less than 2 weeks before we left, I (doubtfully) called to see if they had any Fantasmic! dinner packages available, and they did! The package is such a bargain since it allows you one appetizer per person with the meal plus reserved seating for the show at no additional charge IF youre on the
DDP. Awesome!
The boys built up their appetite while we watched the parade over by Drew Careys show. I love that they have things to do for the kids while waiting for the parade to start. DS13 can hula hoop? I learned something new about my child that day. I just realized that they're getting along!

It must be that Disney magic.
I also liked that they include the kids in part of the parade/show.
Then we followed the end of the parade most of the way to MMs. It was the easiest way to get through the crowds! We arrived right before 4:00 and had just enough time to wash our hands before our name was called. Our server was Barbara and she was very good.
DH, DS13 and I all ordered appetizers. Of course, 2 of the ones we wanted were both appetizers for two and there were only 3 of us. So we ordered the Antipasto for 2 and then asked if we could order the Calamari as a half order. Barbara said no problem as she was off.
While we waited for the appetizers, Barbara brought out
warm rolls, butter and dipping oil. We all prefer butter to oil and they were warm, buttery and delicious!
Then our appetizers arrived. The
Antipasto for 2 had a wonderful assortment! It included smoked ham, pistachios, marinated asparagus, olives, assorted cheese (blue cheese, parmesan & I dont remember the 3rd,) salami?, and ???? We ate everything except the ????
The Calamari also arrived and looked liked an order for 2! We only order this once a year and we finished most of it so it gets a thumbs up from us.

The official menu description is:
Crispy Calamari for Two -
topped with peppers and onions, served with a side of spicy marinara sauce. We didn't want to wreck our appetites so we left the peppers and onions.
DS7 had the
Minestrone soup as part of the kids appetizer. I was surprised he ordered it as hes never had it before. Its not my favorite soup and I dont think he enjoyed it that much either as he didnt eat much. DH ate part of it and said it was good but nothing outstanding.
DH ordered the
Roasted Wild Mushroom and Goat Cheese Ravioli: poached in herb and mushroom broth topped with porcini whipped cream and imported parmigiano cheese. He said it was good but nothing memorable. I have to agree, because it looks delicious and I LOVE mushroom ravioli and even I dont remember anything about it. He wished he had ordered the Spicy Italian Sausage but wanted to try something different.
DS13 ordered the
Spicy Italian Sausage: with rigatoni pasta, peppers, onions, and a tomato basil sauce topped with caprino cheese. His review today is I loved it, didnt you see how much I ate? Knowing DS13, he probably picked at the meal and ate the sausage and some pasta. I doubt any vegetables got past his lips! I know last year my step-dad ordered it and remarked it was spicy and he loves spicy sausage!
When they brought my dinner, they placed the Grilled Shrimp & Artichoke Flatbread in front of me. However, I had order the
Shrimp Pipette: shrimp tossed with Pipette pasta with artichokes, peas, roasted red peppers in a basil and four cheese cream sauce. After waiting for them to prepare the right dish, I was extremely disappointed with it. The shrimp were good and I ate them, but the cream sauce was watered down and had no flavor and I left at least half of it on the plate. I should have kept the flatbread! Does anyone see any four cheese cream sauce?
The funny thing is that MickeyNicki was there at the same time we were and she also ordered the Shrimp Pipette. I am quoting her review it was the creamiest, tastiest, tenderest, most wonderful pasta shrimp dish I have had yet. Maybe in their rush to redo my meal they forgot the sauce?
DS7 had the
spaghetti with cheese sauce. There's my cheese sauce!

It was delicious! In my opinion, DS7s meal was the best meal of the night. Sad, isnt it? I left mine and ate his when he was done.
We were celebrating DHs birthday as it fell at the end of the trip (the day after we went home.) This was only one of two places that did anything, but we werent really expecting anything. The hat made it home and is in the playroom in the basement.
For his real dessert, DH had the
Honey-Hazelnut & Ricotta Cheesecake for dessert. It was delicious!
DS13 had the
Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake. His comment: it was delicious.
DS7 didnt want anything for dessert.
Whose kid is this? No child from my body should ever pass up dessert! It wasnt even the only time!
I had the
Crema Limone No sugar added lemon custard with fresh whipped cream and berries. This was good and the berries were huge, but I wish I had ordered the cheesecake and talked DH into splitting our desserts.
I still dont know why I didnt order the cheesecake. Two visits ago I ordered it and I loved it. Last year I ordered the chocolate truffle cake and wished I had ordered the cheesecake and did the same thing again this year. What was I thinking???
We left, did some pictures with Mike & Sully from Monsters Inc., watched the Osbourne Lights (it made my eyes tear up!) and then headed over to the Fantasmic show with our tickets. I love having that reserved seating and its a nice show to watch.
Although we werent thrilled with this meal, I am sure we will return. Maybe next time Ill actually get the cheesecake!
ADR Time: 4:00 pm
Bill Time: 5:21
4 TS used
Cost covered by DDP $118.18
Here are a few pictures from the Osbourne Lights. It is just amazing and the pictures don't do it justice.
I am going to post our pictures from last year's Mama Melrose dinner next!