Greetings From England !! Updated 5/6 - Mission Completed - The Votes Are In

[Linda67]

Great update Linda, I absolutely love Earl of Sandwich but, for some reason, DH doesn't

Slightly OT, but which mini golf course did you prefer. We much preferred Winter Summerland to Fantasia.

Thanks Joh,
I like both courses, the Fairways side of Fantasia Gardens is more of a challenge (if you can ever call mini golf that ) but overall Winter Summerland has a better theme and has a much nicer 'feel' to it

 

[LuccaDrake]

Still loving the updates and am jealous of your multiple mini-golf outings! I LOVE mini-golf and have to drag DF to play just ONCE with me while at WDW!

~Beka~

 

[BriarRosie]

Earl of Sandwich is one of my favourite quick places to grab a meal. They have one in Las Vegas, which I tried in November for "research purposes" of course. (It was just as good in Vegas!)

Forget the parfait, gimme some of the behemoth Mickey treat!

Edited to add the British spelling for your benefit.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Hi Linda! I just found your review and I couldn't stop reading! You are a fabulous writer and doing extremely well for your first dining review!!

In Epcot, your dinner at Teppan Edo looked so good, as well as your very pretty drink! And I must try one of those wunderbars! Oh, how did you like the UK pavillion??

Don't you just love going to the parks early? There is nothing better than walking down a nearly empty Main Street. I love how your husband started his day off with a mickey bar! That is something I would do!! Oh, and I'm also pretty sure it is near to impossible to order a hot cheeseburger from any counter services restaurant in WDW. And yet, I still get one on every trip . I love the "Eat Me" caption from the Confectionery. I mean how can you go in there and not order something?

Too bad about your meal at Celebration. I haven't stayed there in quite a while, but I do love just walking around there. It is such a pleasant place.

As for DHS, I love the green army man and his "mission" to stop all those crazy people. Even though it is a wonderful attraction, it still amazes me how the line will get soooooo long in the afternoon. Your dinner at Mama Melrose's looks delicious! Shame about the desserts though - when you order gelato, you should be given gelato, not ice cream and coffee.

I'm glad you enjoyed mini golf. It was very nice of you to let your husband win . I really want to try and play mini golf on our next trip. Did you enjoy one course more than the other?

Ahh, Earl of Sandwich... We discovered this place a couple of years ago and now we have to make sure we come here every trip. The sandwichs are so delicious and they are just big enough to hold us over until we have ice cream from Ghirardelli's . I have never been to Goofy’s Candy Company in DTD, but after seeing your creation we are definitely going here!! Your rice krispie treat looks amazing!!

Well, sorry I ended up writing you a small book . Thanks for sharing your reviews and I'm looking forward to the next one!!

 

[Cat0727]

Earl of Sandwich & Goofy's Candy Co. are two of our favorite places in DTD. Ever since I took my sister to Earl last year, she can't stop talking about it.

Which mini-golf place did you like better? I love me some mini-golf, and have been wanting to play on a Disney course for the longest!

 

[Linda67]

Still loving the updates and am jealous of your multiple mini-golf outings! I LOVE mini-golf and have to drag DF to play just ONCE with me while at WDW!

~Beka~

Does DF like the waterparks ?, Winter Summerland is very close to Blizzard Beach so perhaps you could bribe him with that

Earl of Sandwich is one of my favourite quick places to grab a meal. They have one in Las Vegas, which I tried in November for "research purposes" of course. (It was just as good in Vegas!)QUOTE]

We are going to Vegas in August perhaps I can tempt DH out of the casinos for a tuna melt

Hi Linda! I just found your review and I couldn't stop reading! You are a fabulous writer and doing extremely well for your first dining review!!

In Epcot, your dinner at Teppan Edo looked so good, as well as your very pretty drink! And I must try one of those wunderbars! Oh, how did you like the UK pavillion??

Don't you just love going to the parks early? There is nothing better than walking down a nearly empty Main Street. I love how your husband started his day off with a mickey bar! That is something I would do!! Oh, and I'm also pretty sure it is near to impossible to order a hot cheeseburger from any counter services restaurant in WDW. And yet, I still get one on every trip . I love the "Eat Me" caption from the Confectionery. I mean how can you go in there and not order something?

Too bad about your meal at Celebration. I haven't stayed there in quite a while, but I do love just walking around there. It is such a pleasant place.

As for DHS, I love the green army man and his "mission" to stop all those crazy people. Even though it is a wonderful attraction, it still amazes me how the line will get soooooo long in the afternoon. Your dinner at Mama Melrose's looks delicious! Shame about the desserts though - when you order gelato, you should be given gelato, not ice cream and coffee.

I'm glad you enjoyed mini golf. It was very nice of you to let your husband win . I really want to try and play mini golf on our next trip. Did you enjoy one course more than the other?

Ahh, Earl of Sandwich... We discovered this place a couple of years ago and now we have to make sure we come here every trip. The sandwichs are so delicious and they are just big enough to hold us over until we have ice cream from Ghirardelli's . I have never been to Goofy’s Candy Company in DTD, but after seeing your creation we are definitely going here!! Your rice krispie treat looks amazing!!

Well, sorry I ended up writing you a small book . Thanks for sharing your reviews and I'm looking forward to the next one!!

thanks for your lovely comments. To answer your questions, we really like the UK pavillion and always stop in to chat to our fellow Brits. We never eat there though as there is just too much else to try We actually saw British Invasion play on this trip and I thought they were great, really good fun

Mini Golf - Winter Summerland has the best theme and there is a nice seating area to have a snack and drink. The Fairways side of Fantasia Gardens is the most difficult as it's just like a mini golf course with sand traps and bunkers.

Quick tip - when you play a round of golf at either course you can get a second game for half price up until midnight the following day at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens

Earl of Sandwich & Goofy's Candy Co. are two of our favorite places in DTD. Ever since I took my sister to Earl last year, she can't stop talking about it.

Which mini-golf place did you like better? I love me some mini-golf, and have been wanting to play on a Disney course for the longest!

If I had to choose it would probably be Winter Summerland, the music is fun there as well

 

[Linda67]

[size=+1]Hello everyone

Today we are making a short trip up the I4 to Universal

We enjoyed our usual morning routine of caffeine and news and jumped in the car bright and early

It was another beautiful sunny day and soon we were here ......

There were very few people waiting at the turnstiles for the park to open so we knew we would be able to hit the big rides before the queues built up

So where did we head first?

Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

What a great ride, I love that you get to choose your own soundtrack . We walked straight back round rode it again

The park was empty so everything was walk on, soon we both felt like a rest so we headed into Starbucks for a quick ‘pick me up’

Tea and Chocolate Chip Cookie for DH (sorry he couldn’t wait ) Latte and Banana Bread for me. The Banana Bread was very good and DH was very happy to get a ‘decent cup of tea’

We continued around the park, getting shot at by Aliens, attacked by a Great White Shark, and chased by a Mummy before DH decided he was hungry

Nathan's ‘Slaw Dog With Cheese & Fries

This was the messiest thing to eat ever. I nearly borrowed a bib from the family on the next table .

You can’t really see in the picture but the fries were big, crinkle cut ones. He really enjoyed this lunch and there is a nice spot to sit nearby that overlooks the water at the Jaws ride so it was a welcome break. DH also picked up a Coke and I had a Beer.

After an afternoon of returning to our favourite rides and checking out the shows we stopped off at the ‘Beverly Hills Boulangerie’ for a snack

Blueberry Cheesecake

We shared the Cheesecake and it was lovely. I also picked up a Cappuccino. The coffee at both of the Universal parks is really good and you get a decent sized cup (Disney please take note)

Having visited Universal a few times over the years one of the most noticeable changes on this trip was the friendly, helpful and happy staff I always used to think that this was one of the areas in which Universal was lacking but it seems that they have put much more emphasis on customer service and this was certainly reflected in the attitudes of everyone we met who worked in the parks.

Big thumbs up to Universal for this

Coming Up Next ……………… Dinner at Charlie’s Steakhouse[/size]

 

[TigerKat]

Great update. Isn't Rip Ride Rockit awesome, we LOVE it! Can't wait for Charlie's, we've never been there but have heard a lot about it!

 

[wilma-bride]

I am so hoping we get a chance to ride Rip Ride Rockit this August since we didn't manage to get on it last year.

Looking forward to your review of Charley's - I was just looking at the menu yesterday and it looks great

 

[LuccaDrake]

Does DF like the waterparks ?, Winter Summerland is very close to Blizzard Beach so perhaps you could bribe him with that

The problem is we only use Disney transportation so to get from a resort to mini-golf is arduous so he would rather not do it at all!

Glad to see pics of some US/IOA food as we will be going there for the first time in a long time during our September trip!

~Beka~

 

[Glenn&Sharon]

The problem is we only use Disney transportation so to get from a resort to mini-golf is arduous so he would rather not do it at all!

Glad to see pics of some US/IOA food as we will be going there for the first time in a long time during our September trip!

~Beka~

Winter Summer Land is right next to Blizzard Beach. There are busses to BB from all the resorts. It should be easy!

 

[dizneeat]

Great Universal update, Linda!

Rip Ride RockIt is quite a ride, isn't it? We only got to ride it once in August as the lines (still pre-official opening) were HUUUUUUGE!!! But I am really looking forward to go again in 2011!
Don't you just love that there is a Starbuck's on Universal property! At least some decent stuff - the one Disney offers is "undrinkable"! (We come from a country where there are LOADS of coffee houses and we have a WIDE variety of coffees and the US stuff you get in restaurants is just not for us!

Good to know that the crowds were low and the staff friendly - not so during the summer months. Crowds HUGE - staff overworked and couldn't care less. It's nice to hear that might have been the summer heat!

Can't wait for more!

 

[PrincessBetsy]

thanks for your lovely comments. To answer your questions, we really like the UK pavillion and always stop in to chat to our fellow Brits. We never eat there though as there is just too much else to try We actually saw British Invasion play on this trip and I thought they were great, really good fun

Mini Golf - Winter Summerland has the best theme and there is a nice seating area to have a snack and drink. The Fairways side of Fantasia Gardens is the most difficult as it's just like a mini golf course with sand traps and bunkers.

Quick tip - when you play a round of golf at either course you can get a second game for half price up until midnight the following day at Winter Summerland or Fantasia Gardens

We saw British Invasion for the first time last June and thought they were fantastic! Thanks very much for the Mini Golf tip! I'm definitely going to try and fit it in during our next trip.

Great update about Universal! I just love Starbucks and the bakery items there are always so delicious. Your cheesecake looks very yummy as well! I'm looking forward to the next review!

 

[Cat0727]

The new roller coaster looks crazzzyyy! We are planning on going to Universal again next trip (for Harry Potter, woo hoo!) and I hope I'll be able to muster the courage to ride it!

There's a Starbucks inside the Universal park? Wait til I tell my sis, she's going to freak! She loves Starbucks!

 

[Linda67]

Great update. Isn't Rip Ride Rockit awesome, we LOVE it! Can't wait for Charlie's, we've never been there but have heard a lot about it!

It's such a great ride
Charlie's coming up soon

I am so hoping we get a chance to ride Rip Ride Rockit this August since we didn't manage to get on it last year.

You will love it

Looking forward to your review of Charley's - I was just looking at the menu yesterday and it looks great

Hopefully get it done today but it's a busy one so it might be tomorrow

Great Universal update, Linda!

Good to know that the crowds were low and the staff friendly - not so during the summer months. Crowds HUGE - staff overworked and couldn't care less. It's nice to hear that might have been the summer heat!

Can't wait for more!

Thanks Karin

Great update about Universal! I just love Starbucks and the bakery items there are always so delicious. Your cheesecake looks very yummy as well! I'm looking forward to the next review!

I am just about to head off to Starbucks after I have finished typing

The new roller coaster looks crazzzyyy! We are planning on going to Universal again next trip (for Harry Potter, woo hoo!) and I hope I'll be able to muster the courage to ride it!

There's a Starbucks inside the Universal park? Wait til I tell my sis, she's going to freak! She loves Starbucks!

It's a really good Starbucks, the staff were great. You have to pluck up the courage and ride RRR it's awseome

 

[disney_princess_85]

Ooh, that's the first review of EoS's 'Veggie' sandwich I've read! I'm a vegetarian and I always get the Caprese but I'm looking for a change seeing as they're a bit heavy-handed with the balsamic these days. It looks great!

Great update Linda, I absolutely love Earl of Sandwich but, for some reason, DH doesn't

If there was ever a reason to divorce someone, I think this is it.

 

[Linda67]

[size=+1]Hey all

Following our busy day at Universal DH decided that he really wanted a good steak.

There was a Charlie’s Steakhouse right next to our hotel and it seemed to be packed every night so we took that as a good sign

We stopped in on the way back to our room to see if we could reserve a table for later and it’s a good job we did as when we arrived customers were being told it was a 45 – 60 minute wait

As soon as we had checked in we were taken to a nice little booth and handed our menus

Whilst we were checking out the menus our server arrived to introduce herself and take our drink orders.

I had noticed when we were checking in that they had a ‘Cocktail Of The Day’ so it was an easy decision for me

Hawaiian Margarita

Sorry guys, I cannot for the life of me remember what was in it (note to self, take notebook with you on next trip) our server mixed it at our table and it was totally delicious

Now quite obviously if you enjoy steak this is the place to come. Our server brought a trolley round to our table that was covered (and I mean covered) in the various cuts of meat that were available to order. I actually think that if you took the time you could have built yourself an entire cow from the contents of the trolley

DH was in heaven and was drooling whilst deciding.

Having seen the size of the cuts of meat we both knew that an Appetizer wasn’t necessary and instead took our servers recommendation of bread and salad to start things off

Warm Sour Dough & Whipped Butter

This was soooooooooo good. It was warm and fresh and I could have easily finished it all

Charlie’s House Salad With Italian Vinaigrette

Again this was 5 out of 5 delicious. The dressing was superb and there was a nice sprinkling of Parmesan to add even more flavour

Now onto our Entrees

T Bone Steak – Medium Rare with Hollandaise Sauce and Gratin Potatoes

DH doesn’t eat T Bone very often so he really enjoyed it and through it was perfectly cooked. The Potatoes were also a great accompaniment

I of course don’t eat meat but there was a great selection of fresh fish to choose from which they will prepare to your request

Halibut With Mango Salsa

Oak Roasted Vegetables

The fish was perfectly cooked but I think I should have chosen something other that the Mango Salsa to go with it. Don’t get me wrong this was a good dish but it was not packed full of flavour and just need a little ‘something’ adding

The Vegetables were just roasted peppers which were OK but I thought you would get more variety

I ordered a glass of Conundrum to go with my Entrée and really enjoyed it

Overall we both enjoyed Charlie’s but it was a bigger hit for DH than me. I guess that’s to be expected really as you really only come here to order a steak

out of for me (DH would give it five)

Coming up ……………… A Day In The Wilderness[/size]

 

[Linda67]

Ooh, that's the first review of EoS's 'Veggie' sandwich I've read! I'm a vegetarian and I always get the Caprese but I'm looking for a change seeing as they're a bit heavy-handed with the balsamic these days. It looks great!

I tried both (more of that later) but the 'Veggie' was by far the best

 

[irongirlof12]

HI. i have just read your whole report...and loved it, but i don't know how you can go to the cheesecake factory and not have cheesecake- your meals look amazing... I now have some new places to add to my very small list

 

[wilma-bride]

If there was ever a reason to divorce someone, I think this is it.

I think that's a little extreme, I do love him after all - I just force him to go there anyway