Hijinks & Shenanigans but not much Mayhem@The Dark Side+Disney:Link to DL/Hawaii TR

[luvpoohandcompany]

Hi Mom and Mom's Friends!!!

This is Ben- I have just started my own trip report "Not My Mama's Trip Report"

I can't post links or pictures yet because I am not at 10 posts.

Hiya Ben I will head over to find you now
Cant wait to hear your account of your trip

 

[natebenma]

Hi Mom and Mom's Friends!!!

This is Ben- I have just started my own trip report "Not My Mama's Trip Report"

I can't post links or pictures yet because I am not at 10 posts.

Ben!!!

Dad pointed out to me that I didn't post a link to your report:


Not My Mama's Trip Report by LegoBen

.

 

[JanetMom]

It is so nice to see a family waving at each other online.

I'm late commenting on this update. The main thing that comes to mind is... When did you go to HM???? For our family it is all about visiting the Haunted Mansion - we must have rode it 15-20 times on our last trip, so there is no way we'd be on Pirates or Jungle Cruise without stopping by HM.

Our family likes to get IASW out of the way on day one - me to torture the boys, and the boys to pretend it is such a great hardship that they must get it over and done with.

 

[chattadisser]

Hi Dee! I’m joining in on your TR. I appreciated all the information that you and the other BC-er’s gave over on the BC thread. It was so helpful when we were planned our trip to the BC. I too had to laugh when the CL CM was explaining the resort to you – little did he/she know, you KNOW that resort!

Thanks for the recap of the Hard Rock Hotel. We have never ventured to the dark side but it was finally nice to see inside one of the hotels to get a peek.

Excellent use of the FP…of course, I would expect nothing less!

Christine

 

[natebenma]

Big thanks to all of you who went over to check on Ben's trip report. We both appreciate it!!!

I tend to want to go to MK first, but more often than not I end up at Epcot!
Love the pics in the Pirates queue! Non-flash pictures never bother me, everyone wants to get something to remember it! I say have at 'er.
Sounds like good luck with the fastpasses.
Over a year for a lunch? I can't wait to hear all about that one!

EPCOT would be so much easier for us after checking into the Beach Club, but it really isn't that difficult to get to MK either. Plus, we make it to EPCOT on our way back, so it is a win-win!

Not a bad thing to have "non-expiring" Fast Passes. As long as you have a chance to use them at some point.

The tale of my long-awaited lunch is coming right up!

It is so nice to see a family waving at each other online.

You oughta see it when we are all texting each other at the dining room table.

I'm late commenting on this update. The main thing that comes to mind is... When did you go to HM???? For our family it is all about visiting the Haunted Mansion - we must have rode it 15-20 times on our last trip, so there is no way we'd be on Pirates or Jungle Cruise without stopping by HM.

Our family likes to get IASW out of the way on day one - me to torture the boys, and the boys to pretend it is such a great hardship that they must get it over and done with.

That is an excellent question about Haunted Mansion. Answer to that coming soon.

Once again, IASW got the short end of the stick for us. Although it would have been a better choice than where we ended up that afternoon.

Hi Dee! I’m joining in on your TR. I appreciated all the information that you and the other BC-er’s gave over on the BC thread. It was so helpful when we were planned our trip to the BC. I too had to laugh when the CL CM was explaining the resort to you – little did he/she know, you KNOW that resort!

Thanks for the recap of the Hard Rock Hotel. We have never ventured to the dark side but it was finally nice to see inside one of the hotels to get a peek.

Excellent use of the FP…of course, I would expect nothing less!

Christine

Thanks for joining in here and for your kind words about the FAQ thread. Glad you were able to get some helpful info!

The Hard Rock was really great, and we enjoyed our time at the Dark Side.

But there was nothing like being "home"

 

[natebenma]

If you followed my trip report from last June, when I was chaperoning my son’s 8th grade class trip to Disney, you may remember this post:

Trip Report Flashback!!!


Finally. It's lunchtime!!!

For months, I have been looking forward to lunch at Columbia Harbor House.

I love the menu with the not-so-typical fare of fried fish and tuna or hummus sandwiches. I have been dying to try the lobster roll!!! I love that it never seems very busy in there (I’m not sure most people realize this is a counter-service restaurant). I love the upstairs seating with the nautical theming- it never seems crowded and is air-conditioned and it is possible to score a table overlooking the Haunted Mansion.

Next up: Lunch at Cosmic Rays


End of Flashback


I was overruled on the lunch decision by the other chaperones, and we ended up waiting in the long lines at the overcrowed, no seating, whole-wheat dry hamburger bun serving: Cosmic Rays.



Fortunately, my family agrees with me about Columbia Harbor House, so there was no question we would be having lunch here on this trip!


I took some pictures of the downstairs Colonial décor. I work as a museum teacher at a farm and 300 year old manor house. One of our programs (First Settlers) is done in period costume at another home from the 1600s with a pantry cabinet just like the one here, with the pewter plate (not plates, plate). My lesson is about colonial foods and cooking and is very hands on, with the kids making butter.

I was right at home.









Our table, in an alcove that overlooks the Haunted Mansion:





Check out the queue for Haunted Mansion!!! That’s scary! I believe the guy in the plaid shirt on the left is in line. I have never seen it that long!





Fried Shrimp- Mark I was hoping he would order the grilled salmon. I had had my fill of fried shrimp the night before at Bubba Gumps, and the salmon looks really good at CHH.




I got the Tuna Sandwich (Anchors Aweigh)




Ben ordered Fried Fish & Chicken




Nate had the kid’s Mac & Cheese (with grapes and fries) and Apple Cobbler for dessert:






Cost: $40.52


Thanks for the do-over family!!! Ben insists that we will eat here on his class trip in a couple of years. I hope we don’t get voted down then.


Next up: And the Mother of the Year Award Goes to...

.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

I thought it was CHH. but I couldn't remember why you didn't eat there. What were those other chaperones thinking???

I've never had the salmon, it sounds good and my DS12 LOVES salmon. I guess we'll have lunch there next month. Yes next month we'll be back. I can't wait!!!

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[ddluvsdisney]

I forgot to say I saw the line for HM like that in July too. OMG it was insane I have NEVER seen it that long either.

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[tiggerfan77]

We LOOOVE the Columbia House! It's a nice escape and the food is great. It is my usual lunch spot when I'm there

 

[DT83097]

We always sit in that same spot at CHH! I love people watching out that window! Love that tuna sandwich

 

[JanetMom]

CHH = Best Tuna Sandwich ever (and one of the most relaxing dining atmospheres in all of Disney!)

Annnndddd....I love mom of the year stories. Can't wait!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Yay I was right!! Good to know the answers to at least some of life's questions Then again I may be known to obsessively read your trip reports so maybe no surprise that I knew where you wanted to have lunch Thanks to you I ate at that wee table upstairs in July with my daughter and simply loved the view! It's so peaceful up there it really does give you a little break from park craziness while you eat-what could be better

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

MMMMMM Columbia Harbour House. This is an absolute must do for me each and every trip. I love the upstairs seating too.

Ben ordered my fav with the chicken/fish combo. So good!

 

[teekathepony]

I've never eaten at CHH before! We're landlubbers for sure, but some of those dishes look really yummy. I have always wanted to try eating there but the menu scared me off. Maybe this trip?
Glad you got your re-do! Not much worse than looking forward to something so much and not getting it.
Holy lineups batman! That's one busy HM!

 

[momabbate]

Joined in a few days ago. I like to get caught up before posting. Since I have been behind won't say to much. When I started reading I was getting a little upset that my 2 week trip has been cut down to one so no UV next year. Bright side if we were doing 2 weeks I wouldn't have looked up BC and would have never read this TR. (Ok never might be pushing it.) Can't wait to read the rest of your trip and learning more about BC on your other thread. I do think you do a great job on both.
Sandy

 

[emmysmommy]

Yay! CHH made the cut! I couldn't believe how big the dining area was upstairs in CHH. I'm a new fan of that place. I forgot about the apple cobbler and skipped it this trip. Doh!

That's a crazy long line at HM! Wow!

 

[pixarmom]

I knew it! (Although for a moment I wondered whether you would sacrifice it for BOG, but I quickly dismissed that silly idea!) I'm going to get back to CHH someday - tuna sandwich looks great and our oldest would love the clam chowder. But you know how my husband feels about counter service . . .

 

[KatMark]

I took your advice and skipped all of the Universal stuff. Nothing against Universal...but we just don't do it anymore because we can't handle all the roller coasters, etc., and I'd much rather read about Disney.

I love your pictures of the Beach Club...your view was spectacular. I'm sorry I didn't love it. It could have a combination of things -- a lot of rain, buses that never came, unfriendly and unknowledgable CM's. Perhaps I will give it another try on another day and feel differently.

Love your time at the MK. Great planning, great lunch choice.

 

[catho72]

Columbia Harbor House is a favorite of the Catho72 family as well! I always get the tuna salad sandwich too. I had never eaten there until I took the KTTK tour and its where we stopped for lunch. Even our son who is not a big fish eater likes CHH.

Mom of the year story? How dare you leave us hanging like that! Can't wait to hear all about it.

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[eandesmom]

YAY for the do over! I remember the Cosmic Rays fail. So happy CHH delivered. I love that place. Definitely a decent chance we will hit it in December...though I'd love to think we are back at the villa making lunch...it may well not happen as much as I'd like!