xlsm
Snow White
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2013
Good morning!! It feels like forever since updating, and I know I need to do quotes, but I'm going to get out an update or two first!!
I hope everyone who celebrates had a happy 4th of July!!
Chapter Four Part Three
OK! Here we go!
When I left you I had made a last minute lunch reservation and switched around a Fast Pass to go along with it.
Kara guessed correctly!!
My fast pass was for Nemo - The lunch reservation was for 12:30 at Coral Reef, and the FP was 12:15 - 1:15. I figured I had *just* enough time to ride the ride then head over to eat. It was cutting it close, but doable!
I scanned in and the FP line was walking right into the merge point, and for a minute I was nervous about making this work! But after a couple of slow minutes where I started to doubt my plan, things started moving quickly again and I was swimming through the Big Blue World and made it over to Coral Reef with two minutes to spare.
Previously, this was as close as I'd ever even been to this restaurant. It's so tucked away over here in the corner. I've never had a huge desire to eat here. With everything available in the World Showcase, it's just never more than a blip on my radar.
BUT, as a huge Boy Meets World fan, I felt like I HAD to go there eventually, and why not now??
If it was a terrible experience, I'd be the only one dealing with it, and if it was great, then I could just call it a recon mission, right??
I checked in and was directed to wait on a series of sofas tucked along the wall. It was so pretty in there! I wasn't sure what I expected, but I liked all the sparkly stuff, LOL
I didn't have to wait very long before a CM and a trainee came over to get me and take me to my table. I was really hoping for an aquarium-side table...I thought chances might be high b/c I was by myself and would be seated at a two top, and those tend to be on the edges of dining rooms.
My assumptions were correct, and I was led to a two top right next to the aquarium!!
The server I had today seemed more comfortable with me being by myself than the guy from Skipper's. He was more awkward, but gave better service, so I guess it balanced out??
I ordered a margarita, I thought I'd remember exactly what it was, I think it was jalapeno lime something? It came out along with my bread and butter
The margarita had way too much sour mix in it and by the end of the meal I'd barely drank any of it I don't drink all that much, but when I do I sure don't waste it, LOL, so this drink got a huge thumbs down from me.
None of the entrees sounded like what I wanted on a hot day at 12:30pm, so I decided to go with an app and a side. The menu has changed since I was there, but wdwinfo still has the old one posted, so thankfully I can share the correct description of what I had.
I had the Seasonal House Salad (Mixed Greens, Raspberry Vinaigrette, fresh Berries, Feta Cheese, Sunflower Brittle) and the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese (Tossed with Applewood-smoked Bacon, Baby Spinach, Peppadew Peppers, Herb Toasted Panko). At this time, the mac and cheese was NOT listed as an entree, but as a side/enhancement, for around $12ish.
I was surprised by how large the servings of each were - I don't think I managed to eat half of either. It was like a neverending bowl of food - no matter how much I kept eating, it was like more magically filled back in
The salad was pretty good - the greens and berries were very fresh (especially the berries, they were great), the feta was strangely bland (I love feta, this had barely any flavor), the dressing was pretty tart, and the star of the salad was the sunflower brittle. I would have eaten a whole plate of just the brittle, it was amazing.
The mac and cheese was fine. The lobster chunks were substantial, but the cheese sauce was just eh. Nothing really special, just some mac with lobster thrown in. If this was the entree size and priced at $33, there's no way I'd consider it worth it. But for a decently sized bowl as a side dish for $12, it was ok.
This was a great place to dine solo because I got to watch the fish in the aquarium, and of course, take awkward selfies
Speaking of awkward...
Because I was alone, I was obviously sitting on one side of the table and the other chair was empty. This was apparently an invitation for people to come up while I was eating and move that chair to get to the aquarium to watch the fish and take pictures of their children. I mean, here I am scooping food into my mouth and it's like a parade of strangers joining me every few minutes.
Ok then, sure. I'm totally fine with that.
So weird.
Anyway, I ate, I drank, and I finally got my server to understand that no, I did not want to take the yucky sour margarita with me in a to go cup (I didn't know this was an option - I've never had this offered to me before!!), and I walked back out into the bright daylight.
That was quite a transition - from the cool, dark restaurant back out into the world of sunshine and oppressive heat
My overall experience here was fine. I probably won't be back unless a similar scenario presents itself - but on this day, everything worked out perfectly and I think it was the right choice at the time. I would consider going and ordering an actual entree sometime, but I don't feel like it's anything I would seek out and book ahead of time, especially b/c you can't guarantee a table by the aquarium. But I'm glad I did it and don't regret my visit to Coral Reef.
On the way to my next location, I stopped to see a special friend
That would be as close as I'd get to Imagination on this trip, but I love Figment so much, and was happy to see his topiary still out and decorated from Flower and Garden.
My next stop was going to be Mouse Gears - I always like to see what's new and cute!! I said hello to Spaceship Earth
and then went to check out the Disney merch!
I love Mouse Gears. I feel like I see more unique things in here. (I also used to feel that way about the Big Top store in MK, but this time it was kind of blah. Mouse Gears however, did not disappoint)
Let's start Samantha's Tour of Merch by checking out this Monster's Inc hat!!
I would never wear this in a million years, but it was so cute, and I'd never seen it anywhere before.
I also loved this:
If you're going to carry a bottle opener around with you, make it an adorable one, right? This thing was heavy though, I can't imagine having that on my key ring.
Then there was this hoodie, that I became obsessed with, and took a picture of so I could come back and get it later
(and yes, I actually did go get it - it's so soft and fuzzy inside, I love it. My favorite purchase from the trip. After I saw it in Mouse Gears, I kept seeing people wearing t-shirts with the same color/print but I couldn't find them anywhere. I did immediately after buying the hoodie of course, LOL)
This Dole Whip hat never fails to make me shake my head in pure confusion:
It's fun I guess, but again, can't imagine wearing it. I never saw anyone with it the whole week...I feel like it would be hot and heavy.
And finally, I saw THE MINI BACKPACK. Why the caps?? Because it's the Loungefly bag with the VERY BEST PRINT EVER.
I love this print so much, but I know I would never use this bag. It also comes in a wristlet/wallet thing, but again, I'd never use it. I have a Disney Dooney wallet that DH bought me several years ago (the Best of Mickey print) that still looks almost new, and I never take it out of my purse. My wish was that they'd put it on a cross body or some type of something that would work for me...and my wish came true when I saw it would be released on the new designer series Minnie Ears. Yes, I 1000% plan to buy those!!
I finished my looking around, and bought a couple of small things you'll see later, and was finally ready to get over to the World Showcase.
The sky was looking ominous, and I was feeling a little nervous about how the rest of this day would go weather wise
If it was going to be a wet afternoon, I knew I needed to hurry over to WS - at least once you're there, you can dash between countries fairly easily during a lull in the rain!!
That's it for now!! Next time join me on my trip around the world!!
I hope everyone who celebrates had a happy 4th of July!!
Chapter Four Part Three
OK! Here we go!
When I left you I had made a last minute lunch reservation and switched around a Fast Pass to go along with it.
Kara guessed correctly!!
My fast pass was for Nemo - The lunch reservation was for 12:30 at Coral Reef, and the FP was 12:15 - 1:15. I figured I had *just* enough time to ride the ride then head over to eat. It was cutting it close, but doable!
I scanned in and the FP line was walking right into the merge point, and for a minute I was nervous about making this work! But after a couple of slow minutes where I started to doubt my plan, things started moving quickly again and I was swimming through the Big Blue World and made it over to Coral Reef with two minutes to spare.
Previously, this was as close as I'd ever even been to this restaurant. It's so tucked away over here in the corner. I've never had a huge desire to eat here. With everything available in the World Showcase, it's just never more than a blip on my radar.
BUT, as a huge Boy Meets World fan, I felt like I HAD to go there eventually, and why not now??
If it was a terrible experience, I'd be the only one dealing with it, and if it was great, then I could just call it a recon mission, right??
I checked in and was directed to wait on a series of sofas tucked along the wall. It was so pretty in there! I wasn't sure what I expected, but I liked all the sparkly stuff, LOL
I didn't have to wait very long before a CM and a trainee came over to get me and take me to my table. I was really hoping for an aquarium-side table...I thought chances might be high b/c I was by myself and would be seated at a two top, and those tend to be on the edges of dining rooms.
My assumptions were correct, and I was led to a two top right next to the aquarium!!
The server I had today seemed more comfortable with me being by myself than the guy from Skipper's. He was more awkward, but gave better service, so I guess it balanced out??
I ordered a margarita, I thought I'd remember exactly what it was, I think it was jalapeno lime something? It came out along with my bread and butter
The margarita had way too much sour mix in it and by the end of the meal I'd barely drank any of it I don't drink all that much, but when I do I sure don't waste it, LOL, so this drink got a huge thumbs down from me.
None of the entrees sounded like what I wanted on a hot day at 12:30pm, so I decided to go with an app and a side. The menu has changed since I was there, but wdwinfo still has the old one posted, so thankfully I can share the correct description of what I had.
I had the Seasonal House Salad (Mixed Greens, Raspberry Vinaigrette, fresh Berries, Feta Cheese, Sunflower Brittle) and the Lobster Macaroni and Cheese (Tossed with Applewood-smoked Bacon, Baby Spinach, Peppadew Peppers, Herb Toasted Panko). At this time, the mac and cheese was NOT listed as an entree, but as a side/enhancement, for around $12ish.
I was surprised by how large the servings of each were - I don't think I managed to eat half of either. It was like a neverending bowl of food - no matter how much I kept eating, it was like more magically filled back in
The salad was pretty good - the greens and berries were very fresh (especially the berries, they were great), the feta was strangely bland (I love feta, this had barely any flavor), the dressing was pretty tart, and the star of the salad was the sunflower brittle. I would have eaten a whole plate of just the brittle, it was amazing.
The mac and cheese was fine. The lobster chunks were substantial, but the cheese sauce was just eh. Nothing really special, just some mac with lobster thrown in. If this was the entree size and priced at $33, there's no way I'd consider it worth it. But for a decently sized bowl as a side dish for $12, it was ok.
This was a great place to dine solo because I got to watch the fish in the aquarium, and of course, take awkward selfies
Speaking of awkward...
Because I was alone, I was obviously sitting on one side of the table and the other chair was empty. This was apparently an invitation for people to come up while I was eating and move that chair to get to the aquarium to watch the fish and take pictures of their children. I mean, here I am scooping food into my mouth and it's like a parade of strangers joining me every few minutes.
Ok then, sure. I'm totally fine with that.
So weird.
Anyway, I ate, I drank, and I finally got my server to understand that no, I did not want to take the yucky sour margarita with me in a to go cup (I didn't know this was an option - I've never had this offered to me before!!), and I walked back out into the bright daylight.
That was quite a transition - from the cool, dark restaurant back out into the world of sunshine and oppressive heat
My overall experience here was fine. I probably won't be back unless a similar scenario presents itself - but on this day, everything worked out perfectly and I think it was the right choice at the time. I would consider going and ordering an actual entree sometime, but I don't feel like it's anything I would seek out and book ahead of time, especially b/c you can't guarantee a table by the aquarium. But I'm glad I did it and don't regret my visit to Coral Reef.
On the way to my next location, I stopped to see a special friend
That would be as close as I'd get to Imagination on this trip, but I love Figment so much, and was happy to see his topiary still out and decorated from Flower and Garden.
My next stop was going to be Mouse Gears - I always like to see what's new and cute!! I said hello to Spaceship Earth
and then went to check out the Disney merch!
I love Mouse Gears. I feel like I see more unique things in here. (I also used to feel that way about the Big Top store in MK, but this time it was kind of blah. Mouse Gears however, did not disappoint)
Let's start Samantha's Tour of Merch by checking out this Monster's Inc hat!!
I would never wear this in a million years, but it was so cute, and I'd never seen it anywhere before.
I also loved this:
If you're going to carry a bottle opener around with you, make it an adorable one, right? This thing was heavy though, I can't imagine having that on my key ring.
Then there was this hoodie, that I became obsessed with, and took a picture of so I could come back and get it later
(and yes, I actually did go get it - it's so soft and fuzzy inside, I love it. My favorite purchase from the trip. After I saw it in Mouse Gears, I kept seeing people wearing t-shirts with the same color/print but I couldn't find them anywhere. I did immediately after buying the hoodie of course, LOL)
This Dole Whip hat never fails to make me shake my head in pure confusion:
It's fun I guess, but again, can't imagine wearing it. I never saw anyone with it the whole week...I feel like it would be hot and heavy.
And finally, I saw THE MINI BACKPACK. Why the caps?? Because it's the Loungefly bag with the VERY BEST PRINT EVER.
I love this print so much, but I know I would never use this bag. It also comes in a wristlet/wallet thing, but again, I'd never use it. I have a Disney Dooney wallet that DH bought me several years ago (the Best of Mickey print) that still looks almost new, and I never take it out of my purse. My wish was that they'd put it on a cross body or some type of something that would work for me...and my wish came true when I saw it would be released on the new designer series Minnie Ears. Yes, I 1000% plan to buy those!!
I finished my looking around, and bought a couple of small things you'll see later, and was finally ready to get over to the World Showcase.
The sky was looking ominous, and I was feeling a little nervous about how the rest of this day would go weather wise
If it was going to be a wet afternoon, I knew I needed to hurry over to WS - at least once you're there, you can dash between countries fairly easily during a lull in the rain!!
That's it for now!! Next time join me on my trip around the world!!
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