Has anyWine seen my Poutine? A friendly January 2020 dining report * The Plaza Part 2 4/24**

[Jenny Sanders]

The waffles though, and that cream?? OMG delicious!

They were sooooo good!!!!

Sadly this is where we said good-bye to our wonderful friends Jenny and Joe @Jenny Sanders . As always we had a wonderful time with them and really did get to spend tons of time together this trip! As of now I don't think any of our 2020 trips overlap but that can always change

It was such a great trip. We had so much fun with you and Steve. Hoping we still get to go down at the tail end of May and for our July trip...September MAY be in the cards...We shall see...

 

[ariane37]

Topolino’s looks so cute! We just rebooked our early May trip for September and I somehow managed to snag the ONE breakfast opening all week even though the ADRs have been open for weeks. It’s the only one on our must do list that I was unsuccessful on for May and tried to convince myself it couldn’t be *that* great to ease the guilt.

Awesome! I am still holding out for Memorial weekend - and if not, the early June dates we just booked today lol! What are your Sept dates? We're there with DGD the 22-28th.
Being that those are her favoirte characters I'm sure you guys will enjoy it!

I had a reservation for me and Mike for our May trip that now may or may not happen . We've booked July as a backup but I can't get a reservation for Topolino's!

Ugh! Keep trying! What are your July dates? I may have asked you already lol, old brain. But we're the 4-9th and may add a couple days on the end

he first moved the trip to the first week of June and then ended up postponing until next spring. Southwest Airlines kept cancelling their flights and that was it. She is just hoping that she can get the money back from Southwest Airlines.

That's the one airline I'm not familiar with but don't they usually refund even in "normal" times?

She had 11 seniors who won't be able to go on the trip next year. I feel so bad for all the students who are losing out on so many activities that they usually get to do.

Oh I'm right there with you. In addition to Ricky's prom and graduation there's a "thing" our district does where all the seniors put on their caps/gowns and return to their elementary school to walk through the halls and see old teachers. The kids make signs and line up outside their classroom doors...........most likely won't be happening either

It was such a great trip. We had so much fun with you and Steve. Hoping we still get to go down at the tail end of May and for our July trip...September MAY be in the cards...We shall see...

Well I enjoyed talking to you today (as always) even though not everything is great right now I still feel so horrible for Timmy. I also know at some point either later this year or next year the latest, we will travel together again!!!!!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Toppolino’s looks like so much fun! As far as characters go these guys seemed pretty entertaining too. I love the mini parade through the restaurant. Food looks tasty. I’m definitely more of a table service girl than a buffet one (or maybe I’m just lazy lol).

 

[Wood Nymph]

That's the one airline I'm not familiar with but don't they usually refund even in "normal" times?

Southwest Airlines is great because they don't charge fees to change or cancel flights. But if you buy the low priced fares they only issue travel funds, not a cash refund. The travel funds expire one year from date of purchase.

 

[Jenny Sanders]

Well I enjoyed talking to you today (as always) even though not everything is great right now I still feel so horrible for Timmy. I also know at some point either later this year or next year the latest, we will travel together again!!!!!

You're such a good friend!!!!

 

[MyGoofy26]

Awesome! I am still holding out for Memorial weekend - and if not, the early June dates we just booked today lol! What are your Sept dates? We're there with DGD the 22-28th.
Being that those are her favoirte characters I'm sure you guys will enjoy it!

I was planning on holding out for our May Trip (9th-16th), but then I ran the numbers and realized we could upgrade from Coronado to AKL and upgrade dining to the new Plus plan for only $350 more for 3 adults. I had a PIN code for the May trip for 30% off resort and this still worked out way better. It was a no brainer.

We're going September 5-12, so week of Labor Day. I've gone that week before and it was pretty dead. I have pictures somewhere of World Showcase where you can see for at least three countries and only maybe 5 people in the whole shot on Labor Day itself. Of course that was before they inched Food and Wine earlier and earlier, so we'll see how that shakes out with what the crowds do once the pandemic is a little better under control.

I actually looked at the same week you'll be headed there but hotels were a little more that week, so we went with the cheaper week and upgrade.

 

[suse66]

It's so hard. I'm trying not to feel like the world is ending all of the time but those feelings take over a lot of the time. I've never been a huge crier but I cry a lot these days.

It must be so tough for you Courtney, especially in your line of work. Thinking of you.

Same. Between work stress and just all this, I've been really off lately.

I bet...these are such uncertain times especially when you work in health care. Take good care of yourself.

It's only an hour and 26 minutes away so I can handle it!

That's the same distance from our house to Jack's university! It works out really well.

Work is not fun and down right scary! I am thankful I live in a smaller city and I don’t work in the ICU anymore! I pray everyday for all the nurses out there especially the ones in the high risk areas of the hospitals!
Masks do nothing for the hair, lol!

Stay safe, Caroline! I am thinking of all my health care friends.

About this time we got our pastry pail! It's so cute; as you see Mickey is an artist/painter so this is his paint bucket with paint dripping over the side. Other tables' pails had different colors like yellow and orange:

Cute!

Finishing up Topolino's- so happy I didn't miss Minnie because her outfit is absolutely the best!

She looks adorable...this is a great picture.

Sadly this is where we said good-bye to our wonderful friends Jenny and Joe @Jenny Sanders . As always we had a wonderful time with them and really did get to spend tons of time together this trip! As of now I don't think any of our 2020 trips overlap but that can always change

Hoping for happy 2020 trips for all of us!

No spiced nuts but ooh that candied bacon in this perfect Bloody Mary! Yes this is at the Dawa Bar in Africa and when not in Epcot near the Refreshment Port (which apparently doesn't have BM's anymore? The horror!) this is just as good if not better. With that, we moved on to park #2!

Dawa Bar is awesome!

In all seriousness nice to see Disney doing more character meals with actual good food instead of just a parade of buffet crap. We obviously just aren't big character people to begin with but I of course do appreciate the food. Not sure I'd pay that much for breakfast compared to some of the other options on property but it really does look good.

It does look really yummy! I might have to try it one of these days.

 

[ariane37]

Good morning guys! I have no idea if this link will work since I forget from sharing one new report to the other how to do it, but I started a PTR for our July Disney trip
I know lots of you don't do trip reports and that's ok I won't be offended if you don't join me there! I never do PTR's but am finding that for now, being on the DIS is more of a comfort than something that makes me sad. So if you have time and are so inclined, take a look!

https://www.disboards.com/threads/take-me-back-to-our-happy-place-a-july-2020-ptr.3798846/

 

[quietly]

Thanks for the review of Topolinos! I’m trying to gather as many opinions on this one as possible because it comes with quite the price tag for a breakfast. But I do love the artist theming and those waffles looked delicious!

 

[ariane37]

Toppolino’s looks like so much fun! As far as characters go these guys seemed pretty entertaining too. I love the mini parade through the restaurant. Food looks tasty. I’m definitely more of a table service girl than a buffet one (or maybe I’m just lazy lol).

We prefer ts over buffets and it's nice to have another character meal that isn't a buffet. One downside to the character meals we're doing with DGD in September lol, although for her I don't mind ♥

Southwest Airlines is great because they don't charge fees to change or cancel flights. But if you buy the low priced fares they only issue travel funds, not a cash refund. The travel funds expire one year from date of purchase.

Got it. We always fly Jetblue, don't really have SW at our airports. Normally they charge a change fee if you cancel or change your flights but now they are refunding all flights through the end of May. We were able to change our April flights to May dates plus book backup dates for June, all with the April credit! And if we don't go in May we'll be refunded. If they don't extend the fee waiver through June the $ will go in our travel bank and we'll use that for Sept.

We're going September 5-12, so week of Labor Day. I've gone that week before and it was pretty dead. I have pictures somewhere of World Showcase where you can see for at least three countries and only maybe 5 people in the whole shot on Labor Day itself.

We were there once through the day after Labor Day, back in 2014, and crowds were awesome! The last 2 years we went more towards the middle, arriving around the 14th or so. Crowds were definitely larger but not crazy. The Labor Day dates are good since kids have just started school so nobody wants to take them out

That's the same distance from our house to Jack's university! It works out really well.

I did the same myself! I went an hour and 45 minutes from home; I also could have my car so I went home whenever I wanted at the drop of a hat.

Thanks for the review of Topolinos! I’m trying to gather as many opinions on this one as possible because it comes with quite the price tag for a breakfast. But I do love the artist theming and those waffles looked delicious!

Welcome! Yes it's pricey, that's really why I didn't suggest it for our trip with our granddaughter lol. We're doing enough character meals anyway that aren't quite as high but the price on any of them is up there! The food is "worth it" more than buffet food at least to me and while I probably won't rush to do this meal again, I wouldn't stay no if someone we were traveling with wanted to. It was a nice change!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

Ugh! Keep trying! What are your July dates? I may have asked you already lol, old brain. But we're the 4-9th and may add a couple days on the end

We're planning for the 1-8!

 

[lvcourtneyy]

It must be so tough for you Courtney, especially in your line of work. Thinking of you.

 

[DonnaBeeGood]

.

 

[buzzrelly]

which I can only guess is POG? Honestly I'm not sure because I myself don't like POG juice

Blasphemy!

The waffles though, and that cream?? OMG delicious!

Looks like real whipped cream

Finishing up Topolino's- so happy I didn't miss Minnie because her outfit is absolutely the best!

So cute

As of now I don't think any of our 2020 trips overlap but that can always change

I'm sure that will change!

I'm off to pop into your PTR, even though I don't spend much time on that board

 

[Wood Nymph]

Normally they charge a change fee if you cancel or change your flights but now they are refunding all flights through the end of May.

It is good to hear that airlines are giving cash refunds. Our daughter was able to talk Southwest Airlines into a cash refund for the school trip instead of travel funds. Now she can return the money to the parents.

 

[ariane37]

Thank you for the DR and the previous TR that I have peeked at Ariane.

Hey Donna! So nice to see you here

es, the world is topsy turvy, and I'm sure that your clients are so pleased that you have been taking care of them. Congratulations to Ricky on his school choice, and a belated happy birthday from Canada!

I think they are, I hope they are! I know the ones who needed not only to reschedule but deal with difficult airline issues and insurance issues were happy they didn't have to do it themselves! And quarantine aside Ricky's birthday was pretty good! He thanked me at the end of the day for "making it as special as possible" and really that's all I needed ❤

It's sure a weird new normal - no touching my granddaughter, only going for outdoor walks if the weather is nice enough (come on spring!), and DD22 has had her convocation cancelled, her job offer withdrawn, and her wedding cancelled, ugh. Hoping to plan a smaller more intimate wedding for July. I've had a very lonely "staycation" this week and will be glad to get back to work this week to get out of the house, but I have gotten a lot of reading and catching up done. This dining report has been the best kind of appetizer for my supper tonight, thank you again!

I can't even consider it a "new normal" I have to think of it as "what we have to do for the time being" to keep my sanity! But yes, it's tough and some days are tougher than others. I didn't realize your daughter was getting married, I feel horrible for all the HS seniors like Ricky but for those having to postpone weddings - So sincerely sorry for her with that, the job, all of it. I hope she's managing to stay positive or at least focus on redoing all the wedding details if she was able to move it. And you be safe at work!

Blasphemy!

I know but if I'm going to drink something that sweet with all those calories there needs to be alcohol in it lol

Looks like real whipped cream

I'm off to pop into your PTR, even though I don't spend much time on that board

Yay! Thank you! I always forget about the PTR board since I never do them but with time on my hands and Disney cheering me up I figured I could figure out how to remember to go there

It is good to hear that airlines are giving cash refunds. Our daughter was able to talk Southwest Airlines into a cash refund for the school trip instead of travel funds. Now she can return the money to the parents.

Well listen to this!

Chris was supposed to go on a 2 night trip to DC with the 8th grade April 1-3 which obviously was cancelled. It was through a group called EF Tours, very popular for school group trips. Both boys went to Boston in 7th grade on trips through the company as our district has worked with them for years.
Well, they aren't refunding our $$ nor anyone else's across the country, just offering us a voucher to be used on a future school trip by 2022. Doesn't help those of us with no younger kids! There's a huge class action suite going on, it's a mess, so glad your daughter was able to give all the parents their funds back.

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

One downside to the character meals we're doing with DGD in September lol, although for her I don't mind ♥

Amazing what we’ll do to please the grandchildren! Bet you can’t wait to see her wee face

 

[ariane37]

Hey folks We made it through another week! This one was a bit different as we had an 18th birthday right in the middle:



Don't be jealous of my fancy written-in "18th" and don't mind Ricky's really cool m&m shirt from Halloween when he was doing PT and the employees and patients were all different colors of the chocolate candy goodness. To make up for the crappy quarantine birthday I decorated all over including a sign in his bathroom, balloons on the mailbox and this additional super fancy sign hung in our front window so all those passing by would know what was going on inside:



He laughed and said it was too much but that night he thanked me for making his birthday as special as it could be and gave me a huge hug Once this nastiness is over we'll celebrate properly with the family and he with his friends! Speaking of kids Chris emerged from the depths of his room last night and helped me color eggs:



I could go either way with decorating eggs but he asks every year. I'll take it as long as he wants to do it! Bringing a few to my mom today along with some white chocolate I picked up for her and some meatballs Steve made. She'll stand on her porch and we'll do the distance thing, better to see her the day before Easter than not at all.

We left off after spending some time in AK and making up for the lack of a Bloody Mary at the Refreshment Port by getting the awesome one at Dawa Bar! Interestingly enough Epcot was our next stop even without the BM. First we watched a bit of the FARTS entertainment



Took part in the new Beauty in the Beast sing-a-long in France, and then needed to refuel. I had missed the France booth the first day there but now we were close enough to hit it up! I went for a favorite from last year:

Crème de Brie en Petit Pain: Warm Creamy Brie in a House-made Bread Bowl




This is so good! The brie isn't soupy but not too thick that it isn't easily scoopable with the bread. And for once the bread to cheese ratio is on point! The only problem with eating this on a freezing cold January Florida day is that the brie doesn't stay warm long.

Steve went for this:

Tomate Farcie Faҫon Paul Bocuse: Tomato Stuffed with Braised Ribs Paul Bocuse-style



Steve must have jerked his plate away from in front of my phone as I took the picture because it's a big blur so thanks GOOGLE for the picture! He said the flavor was really good but unfortunately the cold got to this also and that made it not so great. It wasn't that hot when he got it and again, I think the high today may have been 50? So any warmth it had out of the oven was gone quickly.

We spent a little more time around the park, listening to British Invasion, having no idea it would be our last time seeing them Their absence will definitely be noticed! Eventually we went back to the WL to relax and recharge for our last full evening which would again be spent with wonderful friends, this time the ever popular and always magnificent Mr. and Mrs. @pepperandchips!

I have to apologize for these pictures. I sadly have none of us and even the food pics are lacking, we were just having so much fun talking and eating I was in the groove! We were at what is absolutely the best Italian restaurant on Disney property, Il Mulino.

It was a bit of a wait for our table as there was a HUGE convention happening and they were all over the place. I think we were seated about 20 minutes late? But this place is totally worth the wait beginning with their amouse bouche:




Oops! We like this Here's what it looks like when they give it to you (from a previous visit)



In addition to the salami this is egglplant caponata, a traditional Italian side dish. It's an eggplant salad with things like tomatoes, olives, and olive oil plus a few other ingredients and it is absolutely melt in your mouth amazing! Which explains they first picture, I was eating the eggplant so fast I felt bad that I wasn't leaving enough for Melinda and her hubby lol.

I know I had wine and I believe the other 3 had their regular fun bourbon drinks. For apps Steve got the arancini:

Arancini di Carne
Italian Rice Balls stuffed with House-made Bolognese over Spicy Marinara Sauce



We're still waiting to try Joe's @Jenny Sanders moms homemade arancini but in the meantime this is a fantastic sub! I only tried a bite since I had my own app coming and I do think it had more flavor than the new version of arancini at Citricos. The sauce here is delicious on everything we've tried here including the arancini. Oh, and these balls were BIG so it was definitely enough to share.

I got the

Prosciutto & Melone
Aged Prosciutto with Seasonal Melon




This was out of this world refreshing. All the berries and melon were perfectly ripe and the prosciutto was 2nd only to that at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar (the best I've ever found anywhere). It's a nice light appetizer I'd definitely get again. I needed "light" after devouring all that eggplant salad............picture limit! Continued in next post.

 

[ariane37]

One of these days I'll learn how to get more than 10 pictures in a post. Carrying on!

Next up were our entrees. I just cannot stray from the one entree I've gotten every time we've come here, but I did bend and get the half order to save myself some severe over-eating tummy pain later. And honestly, the half portion was the perfect size if you're going to do apps and are thinking about dessert which I always am:

Rigatoni con Funghi
Rigatoni with Wild Mushrooms, Spicy Cherry Peppers, Garlic and Truffle Oil



Mushrooms aside for you haters this is so good. It has heat from the cherry peppers, the pasta is always cooked just short of al dente and that's how I like it. Can't beat truffle oil! It's not crazy with mushrooms and truth be told I don't actually eat them - I just like the flavor they add. This looks like a small portion and it's definitely not huge but it's really enough when it's not your only course. Once again it didn't disappoint! For reference here is a picture of the full portion, before I got to it with the cheese on a previous visit:



Steve also went with an old fave:
Gamberi Francese
Jumbo Shrimp Egg Battered and Sautéed served with White Wine Lemon Sauce



This picture is also from our last visit in Nov. 2018 because I forgot to snap one in January but the presentation is the same now. When he got this in Nov. 2018 it was the 2nd time he got it. The first time he loved it; this time he said it was lacking flavor. So I was surprised he ordered it again but you know Steve and his shrimp Luckily he was not disappointed as the flavor was on point and these are gigantor shrimp. So far everything was a hit!
I honestly don't quite remember what the pepperandchips got but I know they loved theirs as well. I do believe they shared a dessert? Or maybe it was just me who got dessert? Yeah it was definitely at least me. I again went for the same dessert I'd had last time we were here:

Torta di Cioccolati
Flourless Chocolate Cake served with Whipped Cream and Zabaglione




This is a big serving, like double size, so I encouraged Melinda to try it and she did! R may have also; everyone who ate it agreed it was decadent and worth the calories! As a lover of sweets I am ashamed to say I could just barely finish it as it is rich and this was a lot, but I'll be getting it again when we return. The cappuccino was good too.

We spent some more time relaxing and talking but sadly, just like our last meal with Jenny and Joe, we had to say good-bye until next time. We left fairly late as our reservation wasn't until 7:45 and then we were seated late; I think it was close to 11? We walked to the front and grabbed our Lyfts/Ubers back to our resorts. We had one more park day before leaving and Melinda and R were moving on to the family portion of their trip.

Not only was the food outrageously wonderful but so was the company ❤ I highly, highly suggest giving Il Mulino a try; it's usually not hard at all to get last minute reservations but be aware it's not on the dining plan if you utilize that.

For all of you who celebrate, I hope you have a Happy Easter tomorrow! I know it will be different as most of us won't be with those we're usually with for holidays, but maybe between the littles searching for eggs and opening baskets and cooking something different (Steve not me!) it'll make the day stand out from others lately and make it pass quick. Stay well!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Aw looks like you went all out to celebrate the birthday boy! Love all the signs
I can’t believe how artistic you guys are with the egg painting! I used to love doing that as a kid and on Easter Sunday we always went for a family picnic (no matter what the weather was like -sun or snow - it didn’t matter). We'd roll our eggs down the biggest hill we could find and whoever’s made it the furthest without cracking was the winner! Then my sister and I made my brother eat all the hard boiled eggs as we didn’t actually like eating them, only painting themThanks for bringing back some happy childhood memories Wushing you all a lovely Easter and hoping your visit to your mum went well
Il Mulino looks great. Funny it’s one of those places I always forget about even though we’ve stayed at that area several times. The last few times we’ve had free dining ( I know, I know, it’s not really free ) and I think that’s probably been why but we have gone other times without the plan so I’m not really sure why we haven’t made it Looks well worth a visit