Hey! You had your trip, this time I'm in charge! Nicki & Todd LIVE!! Completed :(

[MickeyNicki]

Oh what a day, I am totally exhausted because I thought it would be a good idea not to take a break...what am I crazy? Did I forget that DH needs a nap???

Today's plan was to repeat Epcot, we ate these huge navel oranges that came in our fruit basket from KatMark and son and then went to BWI because that wasnt enough for the Stomach aka Todd

No line this morning, that is a great sign....weather is nice, that is a better sign...DH is cranky, thats a very bad sign

Me - Whats your deal?

Todd - You are walking me to death

Me - Really? Go back to the room then

Todd - No, I need a pretzel

I swear, he is making me nuts....

Inside the bakery I had Silk Soy milk with whole grain Frosted Flakes but I think I deleted the picture by accident. I like the cereal but I drink unsweetened Silk at home and all they had was vanilla so it was too sweet for me.

Todd had to get 2 breakfast items, a cheese danish (yeah I wanted to kill him because I love these) and a cinnamon coffee cake. He loved the danish and said the coffee cake had nice flavor but was pretty dry

He was going to get a cappuccino but the machine was down so he had regular coffee

Todd - Taste this

Me - nuh uh, you are not tricking me with that watery garbage again

Todd - Zip it and taste it, why do you always assume I am going to feed you something bad?

Me - To get even

So I took a sip, scalded the heck out of my tongue and had some more...this was really good, almost like real coffee good....

Todd - Can I have it back?

Me - You want me to be nice or you want your coffee cuz you cannot have both right now

Todd - Keep it....

Smart man!

 

[MickeyNicki]

What a gorgeous day, did I mention that already? We arrived at Epcot at 9am and it was very quiet, no lines, no people just blue sky and F&W booths waiting for us!

We did all the rides in the front part of the park and scored more FP for Soarin, since the return time was 12:30 to 1:30 I thought it would be smart to use them, catch the monorail to MK and then walk to the CR for our early meal at Cali Grill...remember this ok because it will be important later.

Around 11am we hit the countries, this time going clockwise.

Todd - Lets get booze

AMEN!

We started with one of the colada mojitos from Caribbean again but it disappeared too fast and we had to get another one and then throw in a Dragonberry colada to even it out. We enjoyed them both but prefer the mojito one, the Dragonberry is very sweet

Look at how happy he is!

Also from the Caribbean booth is the ropa vieja, tasted like pot roast with rice...we liked it because I make something very similar at home. Take 2 jars of Paul Newman salsa and one pork or beef roast, throw it in the crockpot and shred when done. Todd said this tasted exactly like the stuff I make

On to Mexico, we had the rib eye taco and shrimp taco, both were fantastic and we will def get it again

Stop off in China for potstickers, Todd loved these but for some weird reason I didnt like the flavor and normally these are a favorite of mine

Round the bend and we came upon the Cheese Stand...this was all on Todd because I didnt want to chance it. He ordered the cheese plate and the cheese fondue. Out of the two he preferred the fondue, he said it tasted like port wine cheese soup and the little baquette was very fresh. The cheese plate wasnt his favorite but he really enjoyed the soft cheese with the date spread, he wished he had more of that

In USA he finally scored his Mickey Pretzel with cheese...he loved it!

Last snack was the shrimp cake with noodles from Singapore. The shrimp was very fishy tasting and the noodles cold and spicy, not really our cup of tea

 

[MickeyNicki]

On our way to Soarin we finally connected with TigerKat (Kathy and Johnny) and chatted for a while and agreed to meet up another day so we could have more time to sit and chat. They are the most incredible people and I feel like we have known each other for years!

After Soarin we hopped the monorail to MK or so I thought

Todd - This was not on my chart

Me - So I am changing it up a bit

Todd - And what are we doing?

Me - Going to MK

Todd - I think you need to give me more choices, like the chart does

Me - I could leave you here by yourself

Todd -REALLY!! Is that an option because I would love that

This is where he was doubled over from a swift elbow to the tummy!

So I gave him an option...Poly for drinks or MK until dinner...he picked Poly, which I was totally fine with

The monorail was pretty empty and the Poly was as well. I think we arrived around 3 or so. We were going to the Tambu Lounge but it looked boring and the weather was too nice to stay inside. Here are a few pics, they have changed around the Ohana check in, the desk is now by the elevators and there are tons of chairs and a huge tv.

Capt Cooks new menu

Private cabana right by the pool bar

Some drinks from the pool bar

I had the banana cabana and Todd had the pina colada...both were excellent!

The volcano pool was pretty loud so we went in search of the quiet pool and some lounge chairs to lie down. All was well until one of us dozed off and started to snore..and it wasnt me!

Me - Wake up, you are snoring

Todd - Your fault for not giving me a nap!

Me - Lets go to the CR, its almost 4 and we can hang out there for a while

Todd - Good idea, I can sleep on one of those sofas on the 2nd floor

How the heck he remembered that I have no idea! By the time we get there I am super tired...like fall asleep on my feet tired but DH was rubbing it in that my great idea was not that great and he was right...all I wanted to do was go to sleep!

To perk up I took pictures of the cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe

To perk up even more DH had an idea to visit the empty arcade, and proceed to whip my butt in air hockey, shooting hoops, pin ball and skeeball! Some lucky little girl was the winner of all our tickets and she was so happy she squealed!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Dinner tonight was Cali Grill, I booked and early meal because we love the view at sunset but mostly because I thought we would go to MK afterwards...looking back I wish I made it later....Todd wished I booked something closer to the resort We were both so tried, I guess we are getting old!

In the bar I thought a drink would perk me up, sadly it just made me sleepier! The sangria is great but not as good as Kouzzina...so thats three places we have had it and Kouzzina is still the winner

I wasnt that hungry...I was full from the cocktails and the sangria.

Todd - What are you getting?

Me - Not that hungry, maybe just the salad

Todd - You have to eat

Me - I can eat off of your plate

Todd - Hands off my food sister..plus you dont know what I am going to get, you may not want it

Me - Let me guess, caesar salad and a steak

Todd - Wrong, its a hearts of romaine salad

Sarcasm...he learned it from me

Bread and butter was served, nice and soft butter, chewy bread...a big hit with us

Todd had his salad and his steak and he loved them both....the salad was loaded with olives so he was thrilled.

I opted for the heirloom tomato salad. The large beefsteak tomato had no flavor at all but the little tomatoes were great. The bacon didnt add one thing to the dish except some smokey flavor, wished they left off the bacon

The filet was cooked to a perfect medium and the sauce was on the side...this time the teriyaki sauce was nice and thin and not too strong so he really enjoyed it. The purple potatoes were like any other mashed potatoes and I loved the broccolini.

Since I wasnt that hungry and I have never tried the flatbreads before I decided to try the pork flatbread with black beans, red onions and some hot peppers. There was very little cheese on this and I was able to pick it off. I loved this, as did Todd who had no problem finishing it off...it was spicy but I really liked that! The pork was very tender and the onions were so tasty

Next up was dessert but I really wanted coffee because I was so tired...we both were ready to drop and contemplating how to get back to the resort.

Todd - Lets take a cab

Me - Nah, we can walk over to the buses

Todd - Lets take a cab to the bus stop

Me - Nah, we can take a monorail and then walk

Todd - How about I take a cab and you walk to the bus?

Me - How about we just get a room here and go back to the BWI tomorrow?

The dessert menus appeared and got us back on topic

And as if on cue

We shared the apple bread pudding with maple butter pecan ice cream....Todd said the ice cream was the best part, the bread pudding was very flat and tasteless

Dinner was over and we had to get back to the room so we could collapse...somehow we walked to the buses and got on one right away and 10 minutes later we are back in the room...and then the coffee kicked in and I am wired! My other half, however, is sound asleep!

 

[englishrose47]

I am really not sure what I like most about your report the awesome food porn or the brilliant conversations with Todd !!

 

[dvccruiser76]

Ooh the Wave, would love to eat there again! Just found out that the BW pizza window sells the Kouzzina sangria...guess what we are getting tomorrow?


WHAT?^&% Love it Will make a note for my next trip


So glad you found us! I made the note online when I booked our dining reservations. I think the pumpkin is a seasonal thing, I need to get another one!

That's it, now I need to plan a fall trip. Had a pumpkin bagel today that was delish

The monorail was pretty empty and the Poly was as well. I think we arrived around 3 or so. We were going to the Tambu Lounge but it looked boring and the weather was too nice to stay inside. Here are a few pics, they have changed around the Ohana check in, the desk is now by the elevators and there are tons of chairs and a huge tv.

Capt Cooks new menu

Do they still have the adult grilled cheese here or was that somewhere else? Sorry I know you can't do a ton of cheese.



I'm hoping they keep the pumpkin dessert that you had at the F&W, but I'm guessing it'll be rotated out by the time I get back to it.


Quick question, do you guys bother with the dining plan? DH doesn't like to be limited to what he has to or can't order, so I'm just curious.

 

[KatMark]

Look at how happy he is!

There's my boyfriend!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad you got to meet TigerKat and had a nice visit.

All of the goodies from F&W look pretty darn good. But so do the drinks (guess I have to go to F&W with you to get you two to have a drink with me ).

That steak looks right up Mark's alley at Cali Grill.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I am the happiest girl in America right now!!!!! The peanut butter gelato is back!!!! It hasn't been on the menu since 2009!!! I check alllllllll the time!! I pray they have it in 2 1/2 weeks!!! It was my heaven!! I jumped and said something inappropriate in joy, lol---scared Dave and Baxter

He's excited about the purple potatoes, lol.

Glad you're having fun

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Okay, I'm ready for it to be next year now so I can go again.

CA Grill looks really good. The last two times I ate there it was underwhelming, but maybe I'll add it to my plans for next year. I had a flatbread there that was really good once, something with figs and blue cheese, so yummy. Maybe the next time I go there I'll just pig out on appetizers.

 

[LOVEMY3KIDDOS]

Loving the look of your drinks today!!! Yummo! I can't wait to be staying at the Poly in a few days and always have the Tambu Lounge at my disposal!!! Yay!!! Hope you are all recharged for tomorrow! Oh...by the way...was hoping to pop into the Contemporary while there and get a strawberry cupcake...did they not have that one? Heard it was seasonal, but hoping that wasn't true??!!

 

[librarygeek]

Great reviews once again! I love flatbreads so I may have to have a sampling of them at CG sometime. And that dessert on the menu - the S'mores chocolate cake sounds amazing! (I love anything S'mores flavored, that combo just really gets me!). Okay, that's it - I will go to CG someday and try some flat breads and then enjoy the S'mores cake

And as cool as it is to see wishes from there, the sunset is just stunning!

 

[Tinkerbellah]

What a great day u guys had!!! My husband said "that yellow drink"[mojito] looked good. Then I showed him the pic of Todd holding it & told him the price. He said he hoped he's just a really, really big dude for how small that cup was for 8 bucks! But, it musta been good to get it twice!

 

[dizneeat]

Oh, what a day!

I love all the photos from F&W! You are my heros being able to taste all of those dishes!

Kathy and Johnny are such nice people, I really hope we get to meet with them again some time soon. Give them a hug from me when you see them again!

Interesting new menu at Captain Cooks. We might pop over to give it a try in February.

Those cupcakes at the Contempo Cafe brought back such nice memories ..... they were really yum yum!!

Guess you didn't ask for Ron at the Cali Grill, or was he off that day?
That flatbread looked really good - I have a soft spot for them. .... and I got all excited when I saw the breadpudding on the menu again, but then it looked very different.

Oh, and I LOVE your conversations! Thank you SO much for doing that review for us - I don't know how you do it, but you must be some kind of "super" woman!

 

[Linda67]

Morning Nicki

Thanks for helping me to kick into gear for work each morning

I look forward to grabbing a cup of tea and checking in with your adventures each day

We'd really like to give CG another go some time and just stick to Sushi/Flatbreads/Salads as neither of us was wowed by their entrees

Looking forward to the next installment

 

[AshClan]

Sounds like you two had another great day! We also tried a lot of the things you ate yesterday. Sorry you didn't love the shrimp cake. That was one of my faves. Oh, and those tacos were YUM (especially when accompanied by a blood orange margarita from The Ditch!).

I miss Cali Grill. I'll have to make sure to get there next fall, as it's not on my agenda for April (traveling with too many picky eaters). Oh, and those Contempo Cafe cupcakes look wonderful!! We had a scrumptious red velvet cupcake from Starring Rolls recently. Those look just as good!

Hope the weather gods continue to bless you with glorious weather. Have a wonderful day today!!

 

[starousse]

Great reviews once again! I love flatbreads so I may have to have a sampling of them at CG sometime. And that dessert on the menu - the S'mores chocolate cake sounds amazing! (I love anything S'mores flavored, that combo just really gets me!). Okay, that's it - I will go to CG someday and try some flat breads and then enjoy the S'mores cake

And as cool as it is to see wishes from there, the sunset is just stunning!

I was thinking the same thing.....That smores cake sounds amazing. I hope they have it in December. Does anyone know how long they keep desserts on the menu before switching them up again?

 

[jabead]

I was so happy to see your review and menu pics from California Grill, as this is another restaurant which is on my list for our upcoming trip. I'm really looking forward to Wednesday's Shulas and Saturday's Flying Fish reviews. And I can't wait to see where you have dinner tonight. I'm hoping for either Yachtsman or Rose & Crown, as those are the other two dinners we are considering. As of now we have six restaurants (also includes Citricos, which you already reviewed) on our wish list for dinners but we will only be there for five nights...so I have to eliminate one. Your reviews (and updated menu pics) will be very helpful in making my decision. Thank you so much for taking the time to do a live review!

 

[disnut1149]

Hi Nicki,
Just home from work and checking your reviews. The sunset from the Cal. Grill is beautiful. I had one delicious dinner there, and another time, I had one that was almost inedible. I don't eat meat, so I guess it's just hit or miss with the vegetarian options. Looking forward to more reviews!! Thanks!
Joan

 

[CrystalCastle]

Loved your CG review and that sunset picture is so beautiful! I really want to try their flatbread now and those desserts! Yum! Can't wait to see what you all try next!

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Nicki, I had to laugh with your CG review. Being too tired to get back to the resort. You sound like me, go on vacation and run yourselves into the ground! When will any of us slow down on vacation and completely relax? I also had to chuckle about the bread pudding. You go to a signature dining restaurant and get yucky bread pudding when the best bread pudding can be had at either O'Hanana or Reglan Road. Enjoyng your reviews so far but the 10 days is going too fast.