I Can See Epcot From Here! ~ A November Trip and Dining Report ~

[drakes]

I appreciate the feedback on the Kaki Goris, I have alkways heard great things about them... but see the photos and it's shaved ice with flavours syrup- am i missing something?

I don't think I'd like them... although I am planning on trying a Sake in japan and the Ginger ice cream in China ( if available).



Does anyone here know of the current bounce back being offered? I have been searching... DH last night recommended the following travel plans - November 2011, and April 2012?

I think he was on a Disney High?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Does anyone here know of the current bounce back being offered? I have been searching... DH last night recommended the following travel plans - November 2011, and April 2012?

I think he was on a Disney High?

As of right now there are no reports of any Bounceback offers being available. The last offer available in guest rooms was the Free Dining offer that was also the general public one which needed to be reserved by 12/20/10, so technically it wasn't really a Bounceback offer since anyone could reserve it. So in that case there hasn't been a Bouceback offer since mid August 2010 when they got switched to the Free Dining offer.

When I was staying at the Boardwalk Inn last month I wanted to see if a new offer was being placed in our room after December 20th, however that never happened.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I am getting my Masters in Law through there....

Keep em' comin!!! I am finally all caught up again!!!!

Oh wow! Good luck to you with your studies!

Another update is coming soon!

Hey Sheely- Just got caught up again! We were away for a long weekend. Loving the report. We stayed at BWI in 2009 and my boys both got to help with the shows. My DS7 also got to do Jedi Training and my DS12 got to do the act with the guy you saw the end of at Italy (with the soccer balls). They LOVED that stuff, it was also a highlight for my boys! Can't wait to hear more. Have a good night!
Cyndi

Hey Cyndi!

Glad you are enjoying the report! Boys are silly!! You take them to WDW and with all there is to do and see the tiniest things are what they love the most!

Priceless.

August Park Hours (some of them) are up on the Disney TA site check HERE for more details!!!!! YAY!!!!!

Woohoo

A little birdie might have sent me a text at school today to tell me this great news!! Is it still just the MK hours?

I am so excited!!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Rick Springfield! Can't wait to hear about it. I hope he sang "Affair of the Heart".

But it's too bad that Leif Garrett wasn't performing when you were there!

I think he did sing Affair of the Heart! It was such a fun time!!

Leif Garrett

I appreciate the feedback on the Kaki Goris, I have alkways heard great things about them... but see the photos and it's shaved ice with flavours syrup- am i missing something?

I don't think I'd like them... although I am planning on trying a Sake in japan and the Ginger ice cream in China ( if available).



Does anyone here know of the current bounce back being offered? I have been searching... DH last night recommended the following travel plans - November 2011, and April 2012?

I think he was on a Disney High?

Nope, that was it - shaved ice with syrup. We just didn't think the syrup was all that sweet. Just tasted weird.

What is a Sake???

I haven't heard of any bouncebacks recently. . .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

After we left Epcot we enjoyed a pleasant walk back to the BWI.

We were back and relaxing in the room in no time.

We rested a bit and started to get ready for dinner. We had a dinner reservation at San Angel Inn. We had an ADR there two times previously (on different trips) that we have ended up canceling, so I was really looking forward to this. But my feet were so tired and sore that there was no way I was walking all the way back to the other side of WS so soon to get to SAI. So I reluctantly called and canceled, not because I was scared I wouldn't like it like the other times, but because I was lazy!

We decided to just eat somewhere on the BW but couldn't decide where. This is me pondering where we should have dinner!

A quick balcony picture before we headed downstairs. Still not knowing where we would eat.

We went downstairs. It was kind of early, around 5:00 I think. But we wanted to make sure we were done in time to go see Rick Springfield that night. The kids already ate sandwiches in the room. This was sort of a date night for DH & I, but with the kids. They didn't want to go to the kids club this time, DS11 thinks he is too old for it! Plus they really wanted to go to the concert with us later.

First we thought about Flying Fish and looked at the menu posted outside. We ended up deciding it was pretty pricey and I wasn't sure if I'd even like it. So we moved on to Kouzzina. We looked at the menu and couldn't decide. It looked really nice in there, but the menu looked a little funky for us. (We are not the most adventurous eaters) So we walked a little further to the ESPN Club. The menu actually looked pretty good, but we looked inside and felt slightly over-dressed to go in there. Plus they said we couldn't sit in the dining room section until closer to 6:00, so we would have to sit in the bar section. So, we went back to Kouzzina and put our name in and were given a buzzer and had a seat.

In about 5 minutes our buzzer went off and we were seated.

It is a really nice place inside. But I was still a little scared about the food! After careful decision and recommendations from our server, I ordered the “Wood Grilled Flank Steak with Herb Saltsa and Kouzzina Potatoes”. And DH ordered “Slow Cooked Lamb Shank with oven-baked gigante beans & pepper sauce”. The kids sat quietly playing their Nintendo DS's with the sound off, so they wouldn't disturb anyone. Although there were very few people in there anyway.

After a very short wait our food came out.

DH's ~

Mine ~

The verdict – Well, it was funky, just like we thought! Lots of weird flavors, which we expected. My steak was not well done or even close to it, like I had asked. But I could tell that I wasn't really going to care for it anyway, so I didn't bother to send it back. I ate a few bites off each end of it (the parts that weren't pink) and ate my potatoes. The potatoes were very good, but I only got 3 of them. And they were very tiny! DH liked his meal. He is a little more adventurous when it comes to food than I am! He didn't love it, but liked it and ate it all.

Total Price: $55.36
Rating: 3 out of 5

When we left I was still hungry, so we popped into Seashore Sweets – which is attached to Kouzzina on the inside. And I got this! Price: $4

Now I was full and happy!

We headed back up to the room and got changed and headed back out to the concert. We stopped at Seashore sweets yet again for giant lollipops for the kids. When we walked outside the boat was pulling up to the dock for Epcot, so we hopped on!

And were to Epcot in no time.

Up Next: Rick Springfield Concert!

 

[Monny2AE]

Great updates! I love how much time you spent exploring World Showcase. I'm designating an entire day our next trip to WS. We haven't taken the time to enjoy everything it has to offer since we went on our honeymoon before kids came along.

$37,500 for the Castle!

I can't believe you didn't buy it? Why, I bought two of them our last trip- one for the sitting room and the other for my study. Oh how I wish I could buy one- or that I had extra rooms in my house to put it in

 

[Mndisneygirl]

So next trip, don't even make an ADR for San Angel Inn - then maybe you can just drop in when you cancel something else!!

Plus Can I just say - - your dress is so pretty!!! It reminds me of a Vera Bradley print (that's good). Love the colors!! I need something like that for the cruise.

On your walk back to BW where are all the people???? How nice and empty!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Great updates! I love how much time you spent exploring World Showcase. I'm designating an entire day our next trip to WS. We haven't taken the time to enjoy everything it has to offer since we went on our honeymoon before kids came along.


I can't believe you didn't buy it? Why, I bought two of them our last trip- one for the sitting room and the other for my study. Oh how I wish I could buy one- or that I had extra rooms in my house to put it in

We did spend a lot of time in WS this trip. Heck, we spent a lot of time at Epcot period!! I really enjoyed it.

I don't know why I didn't pick up a few of those castles.

So next trip, don't even make an ADR for San Angel Inn - then maybe you can just drop in when you cancel something else!!

Plus Can I just say - - your dress is so pretty!!! It reminds me of a Vera Bradley print (that's good). Love the colors!! I need something like that for the cruise.

On your walk back to BW where are all the people???? How nice and empty!

We just may have happened to stop by San Angel later in the trip. . .

Thank you. Got it at Kohl's. I just love that store!

Our walk back to the BWI was empty! I guess no one was going back to the resort at that time of day. Now, when we left Epcot later that night after IllumiNations it was a very crowded walk!

 

[T*Bird]

I love your pondering picture! And I love your dress! I thought it was one of your Kohl's dresses, but you didn't model it when you showed us all your new clothes. (Cute shoes, too!)

I'm disappointed you didn't try SAI. Well, I didn't actually cry, but I was hoping you would go there. We liked the food pretty well, but especially enjoyed the atmosphere.

Kouzzina's looks like a really nice place - too bad the food didn't measure up. I had flank steak when we took DS to eat at Texas de Brazil for his b'day. Actually, the waiters are constantly coming around with skewers of all kinds of meat, but the flank steak was my favorite. I had never ordered it anywhere before, but I thought it was better than the filet mignon they brought. There wasn't any weird sauce or anything on it, just a really good chargrilled flavor.

Is that ice cream you had at Seashore Sweets? Whatever it is, it looks delicious! M&M's....mmmmmmm

It was nice of the boys to sit there quietly during your date night!

 

[T*Bird]

We did spend a lot of time in WS this trip. Heck, we spent a lot of time at Epcot period!! I really enjoyed it.

I don't know why I didn't pick up a few of those castles.


We just may have happened to stop by San Angel later in the trip. . .

Thank you. Got it at Kohl's. I just love that store!

Our walk back to the BWI was empty! I guess no one was going back to the resort at that time of day. Now, when we left Epcot later that night after IllumiNations it was a very crowded walk!

Oh goody! I really wanted you to try SAI. Now I really hope you liked it!

I like Kohl's too, but today I am mad at them. I have been looking for some new bath towels and finally found some that I like at Kohl's. They were on sale for 2/7.00, regularly $7 each. Good deal, right? Well, they also have a scratch-off coupon to save 15, 20 or 30% more. So Monday I go and decide I will buy 2 towels, check out and get a scratch-off. If it's a 30% coupon, I will go back for 6 more. Well it was a 15%. So Tuesday I go back and do the same thing again. Another 15%. Today I go back and I was going to go ahead and get 4 more (since I wanted 8 total) plus hand towels and washcloths because today was the last day for the coupon. Simple, right? Miss Smarty had it all so cleverly planned to save the most, but what I didn't ask was how long the towels were going to be on sale. I go in today and they're $7.99 each! No longer on sale. So now I have 4 towels. That's what I get for trying to play the system! I'm really more mad at myself than Kohl's.

Sorry for taking up space on your TR with that little story.

 

[sjs314]

Very cute dress, you look so cool and refreshed wearing it. I am not sure if San Angel will make it to our final ADR list or not. I want to eat there badly just because I love how the restaurant is inside, but then I have thought it might be nice to try the new Hacienda de San Angel for a seat during IllumiNations. We plan on spending most of our time at Epcot this trip but of course that is why we changed to the BC.
I was looking at the menu at Kouzzina since DH said he wants to go over to the BW while were there, I love the ESPN's food we been 2x but it just has too many memories for me so it is a no go.
Glad you showed DH meal I would never have known gigante beans were what we call butter beans and why do they always serve lamb shank at disney? The first time I ever ate lamb it was at the restaurant in CR which is no longer there and the name escapes me now but it was real honest to goodness leg of lamb.
I am not a big steak person but I like mine on the rare side, you should have sent it back considering the prices they charge, glad the potatoes where good at least. DH likes his more well done but he tends to order it incorrectly so it is his own fault. Maybe I will check out the breakfast menu at Kouzzina, although I do think DH and I might like that place you went ...The Red River Grille? Right now I have too many places we want to eat and not enough days/credits
I love that water launch, we rode it a lot when we stayed at YC....I can not wait.

Ok bring on Rick Springfield.......

 

[Bethislucy]

Kouzzina's menu looks funky to me too. I don't think that's one I'll adventure too.

 

[Luvmepluto]

So, we finally made it to San Angel Inn on our last trip......the verdict....I have read some pretty bad reports on the restaurant and it was actually better than expected. The service was really excellent and the food had great flavors. We also ate at the Hacienda the day it opened....nothing special. I hate you guys missed out! Maybe the next trip!

The BWI looked empty. Where was everyone? Wait a minute......on there way to see Rick Springfield. I can't wait to hear all about it.

BTW....I think date nights are great!!!

 

[onescgirl]

You look beautiful on the balcony, I LOVE your dress!

That is a cute picture of the boys & their suckers.

I can't wait to see the pics of Rick Springfield! I used to have pictures of him on my wall! ♫♪ I wish I had Jessie's Girl! ♪♫

 

[mickeystoontown]

I agree with the others...your dress is so cute. Love it. Too bad you didn't get to dine at San Angel Inn. I wanted to read a recent review since we have an ADR there next trip.

I am a fan of Top Chef and like to watch Kat Cora since she's from Mississippi which is Louisiana's neighboring State. But, I've looked at the menu for her restaurant and marked it off the list of possiblities because of the weird sounding foods. We're like your family in that we aren't adventurous eaters and try to stick with the more traditional fare.

I am anxiously waiting the Rick Springfield installment. He used to be soooo dreamy and I was totally in love with him. By the way, I almost made the Leif Garrett comment earlier too.

 

[T*Bird]

I agree with the others...your dress is so cute. Love it. Too bad you didn't get to dine at San Angel Inn. I wanted to read a recent review since we have an ADR there next trip.

I am a fan of Top Chef and like to watch Kat Cora since she's from Mississippi which is Louisiana's neighboring State. But, I've looked at the menu for her restaurant and marked it off the list of possiblities because of the weird sounding foods. We're like your family in that we aren't adventurous eaters and try to stick with the more traditional fare.

I am anxiously waiting the Rick Springfield installment. He used to be soooo dreamy and I was totally in love with him. By the way, I almost made the Leif Garrett comment earlier too.

Stay tuned, Lisa. Shelly hinted that they may have gone back to SAI later in the week! Some of you are not reading all of Shelly's replies!

It's funny that you are from Louisiana and won't eat anything and everything! I think it's a North LA/South LA thing.

BTW, I've been enjoying reading your TR and I think you will love POR!

 

[JoBird]

Woohoo

A little birdie might have sent me a text at school today to tell me this great news!! Is it still just the MK hours?

I am so excited!!

Wonder which Bird that might have been??

Thought it might make your day go by a bit........ faster.



Wonderful update on your early evening dinner!

Your dress looked smashing, just like I said I thought it would!! (I wish the turquoise one had've worked for me.....) LOVE the HFT shoes. So cute!!

Shelia had me laughing with the "Who knew Gigante beans were only Butter beans" and "honest to goodness leg of lamb".
Your meals looked funky to me too. Hey we agree! That's one in a row!


I just don't understand why restaurants won't cook steak the way we like them. I swear, I've just about given up on ordering steak out somewhere b/c I know I'll be disappointed. It's awful.

Your icecream with M&M's has tortured me..... it looks so good.

The boys looked like they really enjoyed their lollipops. Must have been b/c they were on such good behavior.


Great update! Can't wait to read about Rick Springfield-- Aka Dr Noah Drake. What a cutie.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Stay tuned, Lisa. Shelly hinted that they may have gone back to SAI later in the week! Some of you are not reading all of Shelly's replies!

It's funny that you are from Louisiana and won't eat anything and everything! I think it's a North LA/South LA thing.

BTW, I've been enjoying reading your TR and I think you will love POR!

I guess I did miss the reply where she hinted that they went to SAI.

Oh Lord no, I am a picky eater as are my kids. I've just started eating real vegetables in the five years or so. Now, my husband, he'll eat pretty much anything that doesn't eat him first.

I hope that we enjoy Port Orleans. I'm just afraid it will feel too much like home and we won't see the real beauty in it. But, I'm going in with an open mind and with the thought that it's going to be wonderful!

 

[sjs314]

Jo-

Shelly is at school so time to hijack the thread

Glad I could make you laugh but in all seriousness, I forget what restaurant we visited at WL but they offered lamb shank on there menu too. The shank seems to me to be a cheap cut of meat, what happened to the chops or the leg? At Disney's prices they could surely buy the whole lamb

And you are totally right about the improper cooking of steaks, I had a friend who was a chef and I can not for the life of me remember how it was that he was taught to test the doneness of a steak but I know he did it with his thumb and he could cook a steak to perfection -Again with the prices Disney charges can they not higher chefs that know how to cook a steak?

There I am done ranting for now, trying to decide about talking to DH to add a day only thing is financially it makes sense to add a day at the beginning the 40% discount will apply, but I'd rather add the day at the end since I prefer to fly Mon to Mon .....Then I think I should just leave things as is and wait see if they off discounts further into Oct.

 

[JoBird]

Well lucky us that Shelly's at school and can't fuss AND I just happen to be bored at the moment............



The whole dang lamb thing just freaks me the heck out. I can't even read the word "lamb" on the menu without hearing my mom's voice from my childhood singing that song "We're poor little lambs, who have lost our way... bah, bah, bah."

I always hated it when she sang it to me- made me cry. So to even think of eating one makes me sad.

Now DH OTOH, would eat and enjoy just about anything. We went to this Swanky restaurant in Rochester NY with his parents one night and he ordered the sampler dinner that had like oxen, wild boar, some other wacked out something another- something like Moose or something. And I'm sitting there like, Really? Are you serious???? You're gonna be ILL. Guess who was totally correct-a-mundo??????? Homeboy was wishin that the Wild boar was still roaming the wild yonder's by the time we left the parking lot.
And I didn't say I told you so or anything.


I have come to the realization that my DH can cook a steak better than the big steakhouses out there so we just normally get Sam's to cut tenderloins for us. Cheaper that way too.



Oooh---- add a day! Add a day!! Add three!!

I am your vacation add a day pusher.