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

[natebenma]

Abbreviated Review for BC/YC FAQ thread
complete update is post #951, page 64




We had reservations for the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club. This was our second time dining here. In 2010, we chose this as our arrival night dinner because of the proximity to our resort room and the casual, uncrowded atmosphere. We enjoyed our meal on our previous trip.

As far as theming, this certainly isn’t one of the most iconic places on property- it is tasteful and has a lot of nautical touches, but it doesn’t scream “Disney!” when you walk in the door. However, one of the “new” additions to the restaurant is a set of pictures featuring a sailboat that moves from one picture to the next.











Pretty cool!


Food Porn! (Of course)


Pot-Braised Mussels and Clams
Tomato-Fennel Broth with Toasted Foccacia



The guys all shared this as an appetizer. I don’t think I tried any because I was too busy gabbing with my friend.


Chef’s Pasta – Braised short rib, arugula and tagliatelle pasta
Both Mark and I ordered this, which is extremely unusual because we typically order different entrées and share. But this sounded so good- and it was- we each got our own




Ben got the Crab Cakes



Nate ordered the New York Strip



Teena ordered this

Pan-roasted Chicken Breast - With Risotto




For dessert, Teena got the Hazelnut Gianduja Chocolate Cake and Mark and I split one, even though I don’t know what “Gianduja” means. But I know what chocolate means, and that is good enough for me!







Ben ordered the Angel Food Cake with Seasonal Fruit, and Nate got the Key Lime Tart.








We applied Teena’s Table in Wonderland card to our meal, which saved us $32.27. With the 18% gratuity that is automatically included, our meal total was $166.53.

 

[teekathepony]

I didn't know anything about Teena until I joined your BC/YC thread and now I already feel like I know her! How wonderful that you all got to have dinner with her. I think the photo album is an adorable idea! Take it from me -- it's amazing how many people don't get actual prints anymore. I'm sure the company outshone the food, but your meals and desserts all look really yummy! Captain's Grille is on the long list of restaurants for our Nov. 2015 trip! Yep, planning that far in advance! How nice that Nate enjoyed the dinner too, all around a great time for sure!
P.s., love that moving sailboat picture!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[natebenma]

Tough choice between a-ha and New Kids on the Block

I remember you liking NKOTB (although it took me awhile to figure out what it meant when you posted those initials)

That's funny about a-ha! I am only familiar with Take on Me, not their other work (do they have other songs?)

 

[natebenma]

Dee - that was a great update! How nice that you have formed such a special friendship with Teena. And its even better that you finally got to meet up with her after several years.

I love the photo book.

And your food looks amazing - especially those crab cakes - yum!

The moving boat is a nice detail.

Thank you!

I can't believe everything we have gone through together in the 5 years we have known each other. My family is her family and vice versa.

Speaking of the photo book- this is the second one I made for Teena. You can see the first one in this picture- with a blue flowered cover.

Before our first trip and meeting Teena, I contacted a bunch of DISers who were regular posters to the BC/YC FAQ thread and asked them if they would provide pictures of their families for Teena. After convincing them that I was not, in fact, a creeper, I was able to put together a little souvenir of people who had met or would be meeting Teena during their trips.

Our dinner was memorable in so many ways!

I can see why it was your favorite meal of the trip! It sounds like you had a really great time together. The food looked really good too. We've never eaten there before but it's definitely on our list to try when we hopefully/finally stay at the YC or BC (maybe December!)

I cannot believe how much your boys grew up in 4 years, wow!

How is Gavin doing??? I'll go check to see if you have posted an update.

We had so much fun together and the great meal was just the icing on the cake. And the icing on the cake was pretty darned good, too!

Yes, it is incredible how much the boys have grown and changed!

What an awesome story! Disney hires some of the best and friendlies people in the world. I love that a chance meeting has turned into a wonderful friendship The photo album for Teena is so sweet!
I have not had the pleasure of eating at the Captain's Grille but there food there looks delicious and I love that picture with the moving sailboat!

Teena is a true gem! Such a sweet, caring, helpful person. I never imagined when we first met what a big impact we would have on each others lives.



The Captain's Grille definitely flies under the radar. I think it is one of the places at Disney that you can still get into without a reservation most times because chances are unless you are staying at the resort, you probably haven't heard about it.

Dee, what a fun and wonderfully warm update. I'm so glad you got to see your friend after all of these years, Teena. We did not see Teena when we stayed at the Beach Club.

Dinner looks yummy (and we enjoyed our meal at Captain's Grille for dinner in December).

Thank you!

I know you understand the power of friendships made through the DIS.

I was so happy to finally see Teena again!

We have been to Captain's Grille for dinner and lunch (spoiler alert- that one is coming up later in this trip) and enjoyed our meals there.

Thanks for such a nice update - a post that warms all of our hearts!

Thank you!

Dee, I found myself smiling throughout the entire update. I love the fact that our love for Disney can form such tight wonderful friendships. I know that you and Teena were overjoyed that you finally got to see one another again. It sounds like the rest of your group had a good time as well.

Glad you enjoyed the update.

I'm glad that I can explain how close I am to my internet friends here, and know that you all understand!

It was a fantastic dinner!

Just because I haven't been posting doesn't mean I haven't been following.

Love my BC family!

Me, too!

Lovely update
Good food and great company what could be better

I didn't know anything about Teena until I joined your BC/YC thread and now I already feel like I know her! How wonderful that you all got to have dinner with her. I think the photo album is an adorable idea! Take it from me -- it's amazing how many people don't get actual prints anymore. I'm sure the company outshone the food, but your meals and desserts all look really yummy! Captain's Grille is on the long list of restaurants for our Nov. 2015 trip! Yep, planning that far in advance! How nice that Nate enjoyed the dinner too, all around a great time for sure!
P.s., love that moving sailboat picture!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Teena is wonderful. I'm glad you have now "met" her. We are so lucky on the FAQ thread to have someone so knowledgeable and caring about guests staying at "her" resort. She really, truly tries her best to make sure everyone's stay is the best it can possibly be. She is one of the main reasons our thread is such a friendly, positive place to share information and that we all hang out there whether we have an upcoming trip or not.

I know you have first-hand experience with the change in people purchasing prints. I still love ordering pictures and putting them together in an album- I usually have a couple of albums for each of our trips. Before our local Ritz Camera branch closed, the owner would smile every time I walked in the door. Seriously! Although I order most of my pictures on line through Shutterfly now, they still know me at the photo counter at Sam's Club and I don't even need to give my name when I am picking up my pictures.



We have not been disappointed yet at Captain's Grille.

 

[Wood Nymph]

After having met Teena I can see how you would have had a great time with her. She is so easy to talk to! Every time we ran into her in the BC lobby, we ended up talking a lot longer than we expected to. I hadn't realized that so many years had passed before you were able to meet up again.

That was nice of you to make a photo album for Teena. You are right about pictures. Most people just have digital ones these days.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow Dee, this is such an amazing and beautiful story of friendship born from Disney. I just adore hearing stories like that. These are the things that make Disney special. Thank you so much for sharing.

That photobook present is so thoughtful and lovely. What a great gift.

I super love Nate's commentary of it being a "Really fun Time".

 

[momabbate]

I feel you can have a great dinner with ok food and great company, but an ok dinner with great food and ok company. After reading the YC, BC, thread, it doesn't surprise me that everyone in your family would enjoy spending time with Teena. She sounds like the type that would include everyone in a conversation. I can almost hear the laughter when reading your review. Can't wait to hear how you spend the rest of your night. As for Chris and me, we would to back to room and crash, but you guys are so young I think you went and closed down a park.

 

[natebenma]

After having met Teena I can see how you would have had a great time with her. She is so easy to talk to! Every time we ran into her in the BC lobby, we ended up talking a lot longer than we expected to. I hadn't realized that so many years had passed before you were able to meet up again.

That was nice of you to make a photo album for Teena. You are right about pictures. Most people just have digital ones these days.

Teena rocks!!!

I couldn't believe how long we went without seeing each other face-to-face.

Photos are so important to me- I think they are such meaningful gifts. When I first met Teena, I figured that it would be nice of her to have some reminders of all of the wonderful people and families she has met and helped. I actually kept the project up for a year or two, contacting new guests who met Teena, and then I just got too busy to keep it up. (That is one of the reasons why my PM box is full, getting in touch with people and asking them to send me photos to give to Teena)

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a book full of photos of her Princess Lily would be treasured!

Wow Dee, this is such an amazing and beautiful story of friendship born from Disney. I just adore hearing stories like that. These are the things that make Disney special. Thank you so much for sharing.

That photobook present is so thoughtful and lovely. What a great gift.

I super love Nate's commentary of it being a "Really fun Time".

I am very grateful that Teena and I found each other through Disney and and the DIS. I have also "met" and befriended many others through these trip report boards and through the Beach Club FAQ. Disney brought us together, and gives us a common bond, but the caring about each other and our families goes much deeper than that.

I love to give photos as gifts.

Let's face it. We were having dinner with Teena because of me, my family knew it was non-negotiable, and they didn't mind at all, but for me to hear that they all enjoyed themselves as much as they did- it just really made the night that much more special.

I feel you can have a great dinner with ok food and great company, but an ok dinner with great food and ok company. After reading the YC, BC, thread, it doesn't surprise me that everyone in your family would enjoy spending time with Teena. She sounds like the type that would include everyone in a conversation. I can almost hear the laughter when reading your review. Can't wait to hear how you spend the rest of your night. As for Chris and me, we would to back to room and crash, but you guys are so young I think you went and closed down a park.

All in all, dinner was an unqualified success!

Teena's stories were hilarious!

I would say you are on the right track about the rest of our evening, but we aren't all as young as you might think.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Wow I didn't realize it had been that long since you've seen each other. What a great dinner you had!!!

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Teena rocks!!!

I couldn't believe how long we went without seeing each other face-to-face.

Photos are so important to me- I think they are such meaningful gifts. When I first met Teena, I figured that it would be nice of her to have some reminders of all of the wonderful people and families she has met and helped. I actually kept the project up for a year or two, contacting new guests who met Teena, and then I just got too busy to keep it up. (That is one of the reasons why my PM box is full, getting in touch with people and asking them to send me photos to give to Teena)

It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that a book full of photos of her Princess Lily would be treasured!



I'm sure the photo album will be a much treasured gift. Absolutely perfect for such a wonderful lady


I am very grateful that Teena and I found each other through Disney and and the DIS. I have also "met" and befriended many others through these trip report boards and through the Beach Club FAQ. Disney brought us together, and gives us a common bond, but the caring about each other and our families goes much deeper than that.
Couldn't have said it better myself! Totally agree with you
I love to give photos as gifts.

Let's face it. We were having dinner with Teena because of me, my family knew it was non-negotiable, and they didn't mind at all, but for me to hear that they all enjoyed themselves as much as they did- it just really made the night that much more special.






All in all, dinner was an unqualified success!

Teena's stories were hilarious!

I would say you are on the right track about the rest of our evening, but we aren't all as young as you might think.

Really glad you had a wonderful meal and love that the whole family enjoyed it just as much. Meals like that are good for the soul

 

[HockeyMomR]

Hooray for your favorite meal and wonderful company. We stopped by BC on Monday to visit with Teena. Was very nice to see her. Today down day at WL. Be our Guest for dinner tonight. Think we are going over to Kona for breakfast. I want to try those pancakes!

Rebecca

 

[jenseib]

What a wonderful meal!!! And so wonderful to meet up with your friend too. I don't know how you find time to do all you do in real life. I want to steal some of your energy!!!!

 

[DrMomof3]

Too cool about the moving sailboat picture!
Love that you had dinner with Teena!!!

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

Hooray for your favorite meal and wonderful company. We stopped by BC on Monday to visit with Teena. Was very nice to see her. Today down day at WL. Be our Guest for dinner tonight. Think we are going over to Kona for breakfast. I want to try those pancakes!

Rebecca

Sounds like you are having a great time. I look forward to your review of the Kona pancakes.

I am glad you had a chance to go over and visit with Teena. I'm sure you both enjoyed the time together.

Do you remember? You and Robyn were the first ones I contacted about pictures for Teena's photo album back in 2009.

What a wonderful meal!!! And so wonderful to meet up with your friend too. I don't know how you find time to do all you do in real life. I want to steal some of your energy!!!!

Yes, we had a lovely, lovely evening. My husband was just commenting about it last night as we were looking at the Beach Club picture we FINALLY put up in the bedroom.

Thanks! If I didn't keep busy, I would go crazy.

Too cool about the moving sailboat picture!
Love that you had dinner with Teena!!!

Amanda

We had a such a nice meal together!!!

 

[saintstickets]

Great update Dee!! Now I know why our welcome to BC was so lukewarm this past October...Teena wasn't there!!

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh Dee, SE is like an automatic detour for your guys! It's like a history lesson so you can say it's educational so it's never a waste of time.

I love Sum of All Thrills. The crazier the loops and corkscrews the better. Having worked for Raytheon, does Mark build a coaster that scores higher on the scientific scale? I know they assign a score or rating based on the principles of math/science but I have no clue how it works. I forget the perfect 'score' that they use to benchmark the designs but it is fascinating.

How exciting that you got to see Teena!!! Being the YC/BC thread hostess you guys are practically family. I remember the book you created several years back.

The last time we saw Teena was 2010 and I think you have this photo....

I'm so glad that you enjoyed your dinner. Everything looks delicious.

 

[natebenma]

Great update Dee!! Now I know why our welcome to BC was so lukewarm this past October...Teena wasn't there!!

Thanks, Bill!

If you get the opportunity to meet Teena, you should- she is so charming.

Oh Dee, SE is like an automatic detour for your guys! It's like a history lesson so you can say it's educational so it's never a waste of time.

I love Sum of All Thrills. The crazier the loops and corkscrews the better. Having worked for Raytheon, does Mark build a coaster that scores higher on the scientific scale? I know they assign a score or rating based on the principles of math/science but I have no clue how it works. I forget the perfect 'score' that they use to benchmark the designs but it is fascinating.

How exciting that you got to see Teena!!! Being the YC/BC thread hostess you guys are practically family. I remember the book you created several years back.

The last time we saw Teena was 2010 and I think you have this photo....

I'm so glad that you enjoyed your dinner. Everything looks delicious.

Must.Ride.SpaceshipEarth!

Sum = fun. I'm not sure if Mark has done any of the design- we usually let the boys handle that. Besides, Mark's job at Raytheon was testing the Patriot missile (I think I'm allowed to say that) so it is probably a good thing he doesn't do the design because he might blow us all up.

I do remember you providing me with this very cute picture to send to Teena.

 

[HockeyMomR]

Sounds like you are having a great time. I look forward to your review of the Kona pancakes.

I am glad you had a chance to go over and visit with Teena. I'm sure you both enjoyed the time together.

Do you remember? You and Robyn were the first ones I contacted about pictures for Teena's photo album back in 2009.

Dee,
I do remember you contacting about the photo album. Wow, was it that long ago? Time goes by so quickly. When visiting with Teena, was trying to figure out when we actually met.

We are home, arrived late last night. The pancakes last Thursday (was it Thursday? ) were delicious. What a great combination for pancakes, nuts and crushed pineapple, not to mention the considerable amount of butter. Chuck just had the two eggs, but wished he had tried the Tonga Toast..... next time. We actually ate lunch at Kona a couple of times as well and that was our big meal for the day. But those pancakes, Yum.

Rebecca

 

[natebenma]

Dee,
I do remember you contacting about the photo album. Wow, was it that long ago? Time goes by so quickly. When visiting with Teena, was trying to figure out when we actually met.

We are home, arrived late last night. The pancakes last Thursday (was it Thursday? ) were delicious. What a great combination for pancakes, nuts and crushed pineapple, not to mention the considerable amount of butter. Chuck just had the two eggs, but wished he had tried the Tonga Toast..... next time. We actually ate lunch at Kona a couple of times as well and that was our big meal for the day. But those pancakes, Yum.

Rebecca

Welcome back home- bittersweet, I know. But at least you will have a quick little jaunt back to the World for THE social event of the season.

Yes, it was 2009, right before our first trip to the Beach Club, that I contacted people about the photo book. I got the impression at the time that you had known Teena for awhile.

I am so glad you enjoyed the pancakes. I get a little nervous when I gush about them that someone will order them and be disappointed, but my-oh-my, they are SO good!



Now, I hate to even post this, but someone on the FAQ thread posted that 'Ohana and Kona will be closed down during the poly renovations and that Kona may not reopen. I haven't gone to the source directly, but I hope it is not true!!!

 

[natebenma]

​

After our fantastic dinner with Teena, we all returned to our room. The boys were done for the day, but Mark and I still had some energy left. We decided we would pop into EPCOT, just the two of us, like we had wanted to the night before. As you may recall, instead I ended up visiting Stormalong Bay to accidentally launder my clothes.


On our way:





Past France







By Japan





To Here:





Although I visited the Karamell Kuche shoppe during the 8th grade class trip Braces be D@mned, Were Going to Germany!
- Mark had never been to this wonderful place.













MMMmmmmm!

We purchased a bag of caramel popcorn and stepped outside.





It was just about time for Illuminations to start, so we decided to stick around. We didn’t get a special spot, we just stood back from the pack and watched.

I thought, “Maybe I will just watch the show and not take any pictures”

“Maybe not!”

























So, we did close down a park that night- it just happened to be a park that closed at 9!


Next up- An Anniversary to Remember: Back to EPCOT