In the Spirit of the Season

[MEK]

I'm up to your LC CP meal.

I can't believe you had such a terrible meal at LC. that is awful. It's usually one of my favorite meals.

Too funny about the phone booths. I called people too while I was there but I couldn't get anyone to engage in a lengthy conversation.

So glad Alex bounced back from his GI bug. Yes - you are a bit OCD about the cleaning, but I can seriously understand that if you had that experience with your dad.

The TH breakfast looked great. One of these days I am having breakfast there.

Your tiger pictures on the trail are fabulous. That tiger on the fountain - awesome.

Love Zoe's AK dress.

I am also a big fan of the AK parade. It's so festive!

 

[annmarieda]

Great new update, Ann!

Good to hear that you had an enjoyable meal at MM! I really must try that Chicken Parm some time, I always have something else.

Wow - you seemed to have gotten some great seats for Fantasmic! Love the photo of the boat with all the characters!

I always like MM. It isn't the BEST meal, but it is always good. I have never had anything make me think I don't want to go back. Normally, I get the tuna. The steak is a bit smoky, so not something I will order again.. but was good.

The seats were a big surprise. Normally, the preferred seating is off to the side and NOT the best, but worth just so you know you have a seat. This time it was dead center. Sooo cool.

I'm up to your LC CP meal.

I can't believe you had such a terrible meal at LC. that is awful. It's usually one of my favorite meals.

Too funny about the phone booths. I called people too while I was there but I couldn't get anyone to engage in a lengthy conversation.

So glad Alex bounced back from his GI bug. Yes - you are a bit OCD about the cleaning, but I can seriously understand that if you had that experience with your dad.

The TH breakfast looked great. One of these days I am having breakfast there.

Your tiger pictures on the trail are fabulous. That tiger on the fountain - awesome.

Love Zoe's AK dress.

I am also a big fan of the AK parade. It's so festive!

Meal at LC -
Normally, I have been thrilled to eat at LC. I just am not sure why they used so much salt. It wasn't so bad for the guys, but the table next to us was also noting it was too salty.

Phone Booths-
I could not get any adults to even answer the phone. It was really only the 11 year oldish boys who would answer.

Zoe's dress -
Can you believe that is an Old Navy dress? Sometimes they have the most perfect outfits for AK

Parade at AK-
It is festive...even when it is not the holidays. I just love the music and decorations

 

[KatMark]

Great update, Ann. We've always enjoyed Mama Melrose, but sometimes the wait can be unbearable. Love the pictures of Zoe with the Green Soldier...too cute.

You got some great shots of Fantasmic.

 

[annmarieda]

So last night we had a movie night. I was bad and didnt take pictures but I thought I would still share in case anyone is looking for muppet movie food.

Honestly, I think pigs in a blanket or swedish meatballs would have went over. AND since today is a no meat day... we should have had the movie tonight or done the other two dishes I mentioned, but... here is what we had

Kermit's Green Apples

These were cute and turned out pretty well. I didn't have a black edible marker so I used a tooth pick to draw a straight line with some food coloring paste and then dot the center of the eye. It looked pretty close. The apples I got were kinda yucky though so I think that if they had tasted better it would have been a bit more fun. The dip... well, it was more paste like than dip like. flavor was good though.

Animal Punk Pink Pasta

When the apple and the pasta were on the plate it was pretty fun. The pasta was BRILLIANTLY colored. The beets took forever to cook. I think I might make the pasta again. (we like beets) but use canned instead to make the puree. It does require more salt and garlic salt would be best. It does not stay warm long though.. which I thought was odd... so by the time everything was plated, the pasta was not warm.

We also had garlic bread sticks... just because.

The movie was super cute and I found I smiled during most of it. It really does tug at your heartstrings if you are of the age where you watched this show. I was reminded of how, as a child, I was always excited to find out who the celebrity host would be. The skits were always entertaining. I am glad this movie was made. It really brought back the memories.

 

[annmarieda]

Great update, Ann. We've always enjoyed Mama Melrose, but sometimes the wait can be unbearable. Love the pictures of Zoe with the Green Soldier...too cute.

You got some great shots of Fantasmic.

This is so true. Why is it that of any of the restaurants, MM tends to get behind? Do they take a lot of walk ups? I know some restaurants take more than others, right? I don't know... but I am not sure if we have evern got in right when our ADR was for.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

Your dinner at Mama Melrose looks great! Too bad you had to wait so long to get seated though!

Yay for great Fantasmic seats!

 

[annmarieda]

Your dinner at Mama Melrose looks great! Too bad you had to wait so long to get seated though!

Yay for great Fantasmic seats!

The dinner and the seats we got for Fantasmic were worth waiting for, so I guess it all worked out fine.

 

[KatMark]

As I was posting a response on Mama Melrose/Fantasmic, you were posting about your movie night (so you probably missed my post).

I love the idea of the movie night and what you cooked. Are you talking about the new Muppet movie? We've not seen it yet and I really want to.

 

[dizneeat]

I always like MM. It isn't the BEST meal, but it is always good. I have never had anything make me think I don't want to go back. Normally, I get the tuna. The steak is a bit smoky, so not something I will order again.. but was good.

The seats were a big surprise. Normally, the preferred seating is off to the side and NOT the best, but worth just so you know you have a seat. This time it was dead center. Sooo cool.

We have always enjoyed MM too, just the last time in the summer last year we had a horrible server and the desserts were just yuck! But I guess we will return, as I love their pasta.
We have always had seats to the far right of the stage (looking towards the stage), and while they were not bad, they were not great either, so your seats look awesome! I am glad you got lucky with them.

 

[annmarieda]

As I was posting a response on Mama Melrose/Fantasmic, you were posting about your movie night (so you probably missed my post).

I love the idea of the movie night and what you cooked. Are you talking about the new Muppet movie? We've not seen it yet and I really want to.

I didn't miss your post I responded right after my movie night one. As for the movie... yup, the new one. I isn't quite what I expected the story to be about... and it surprised me.

We have always enjoyed MM too, just the last time in the summer last year we had a horrible server and the desserts were just yuck! But I guess we will return, as I love their pasta.
We have always had seats to the far right of the stage (looking towards the stage), and while they were not bad, they were not great either, so your seats look awesome! I am glad you got lucky with them.

Our seats have always been off to the side...so it was a special treat to get them so close. I think it helped that there were back to back showings...and we missed the one that we were "scheduled" for, so we were at the front of the line for the next one.

Funny how a bad server can totally impact a meal. (not to mention a yucky dessert.. )

 

[MEK]

Still catching up, but had to say that your meal at MM's looked great. I haven't eaten there is such a long time. I have to rectify that soon. Yum!

How odd that that guest did not realize they were supposed to tip the waitress. I mean - come on! How can you NOT tip?

Back to read some more!

 

[annmarieda]

Still catching up, but had to say that your meal at MM's looked great. I haven't eaten there is such a long time. I have to rectify that soon. Yum!

How odd that that guest did not realize they were supposed to tip the waitress. I mean - come on! How can you NOT tip?

Back to read some more!

It was just kinda a bad situation all around. Again, I believe that tips are not mandatory... "to improve performance" is what tip stands for. So I feel the cm shouldn't have been demanding a tip(which is kinda almost to the point she was at) However, I feel that unless service is really bad you leave a tip (and I am not entirely sure what would constitute "really bad" since I don't think I have ever gone without leaving a tip.) I kinda wonder if the person had been on the dp when gratuity was included. Maybe that was the reason for the confusion. Either way, one of them should have been above it and not argued the point. It made it a bit uncomfortable to be seated next to such a conversation.

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Okay... first two days down and if my darn kids weren't begging to be fed, I'd fully catch up.

All I have to say is that Zoe was an angel the first two days! What a kerfaffle to deal with and it sounds like she took it all in stride.

 

[annmarieda]

Okay... first two days down and if my darn kids weren't begging to be fed, I'd fully catch up.

All I have to say is that Zoe was an angel the first two days! What a kerfaffle to deal with and it sounds like she took it all in stride.

Zoe is usually a kid to take everything in stride. She has been a pill the last few days... but normally, she is pretty easy going..

Glad you are here and trying to catch up!

on your kids beggin to be fed. Yup... got a bit of that going on here too.

 

[oboedm]

Great update! I am glad the day seemed to go better as it progressed! We have never been to MM, but we may check it out on our next trip. Last time we did the BD Fantasmic Package.

I may have to do a muppet movie night now! We gave the muppets to "the kids" yesterday as part of my nephew's birthday present, didn't think to do a movie night as I was unsure what to do! Now I know!

 

[lovethattink]

Cute shots of Zoe with the snowman and the army man! Sorry you had to wait so long to be seated at MM. That's one place we never ate. Your chicken ALFREDO parmesan looks amazing!! I love alfredo sauce. The antipasta appetizer looks scary. What meat was that? How were the mushrooms? I assume the tomato and cheese appetizer is served cold? How was it?

Hurray for great viewing at Fantasmic!! It was a bit chilly that night.

As I was posting a response on Mama Melrose/Fantasmic, you were posting about your movie night (so you probably missed my post).

I love the idea of the movie night and what you cooked. Are you talking about the new Muppet movie? We've not seen it yet and I really want to.

Kathy, the new movie is good! I went expecting the slap stick comedy of the old muppet show and muppet movies and this one surprised me! I loved it! But then I am a huge Amy Adams fan, so I probably would have liked it regardless.

 

[annmarieda]

Great update! I am glad the day seemed to go better as it progressed! We have never been to MM, but we may check it out on our next trip. Last time we did the BD Fantasmic Package.

I may have to do a muppet movie night now! We gave the muppets to "the kids" yesterday as part of my nephew's birthday present, didn't think to do a movie night as I was unsure what to do! Now I know!

I wanted to do the BD one on our next trip, but the use of 2 credits kinda makes it a no go.

Cute shots of Zoe with the snowman and the army man! Sorry you had to wait so long to be seated at MM. That's one place we never ate. Your chicken ALFREDO parmesan looks amazing!! I love alfredo sauce. The antipasta appetizer looks scary. What meat was that? How were the mushrooms? I assume the tomato and cheese appetizer is served cold? How was it?

I am not a fan of antipasta... the rest of my family all just LOVE it. I blame Steve since he loves it and the kids all are like him I guess. The meat... yeah...I am not a fan. I also don't like the olives. Mushrooms are marinated, I think... but I don't eat them either. Now the tomato and cheese... that I like. It is cold, and I did have to get over the fact that coarse salt is sprinkled over it. The mozzarella is so soft an then there are these hard bits... kinda gross... but I got over it since the flavor of the tomatoes and mozzarella were awesome.

Hurray for great viewing at Fantasmic!! It was a bit chilly that night.

It definitely was!!

 

[momabaarjo]

I think I am still giggling over your bathroom mishap...probably giggling because I see myself doing everything you did. What is even more funny is that this is the story Zoe is going to remember from her trip when she is your age...after all the money you spent on this trip that is what she is going to remember

I love the picture of the guys at Mama Melrose! Hmmm, I will have to remember subbing the alfredo for on the parm! Yum-o. I think the whole tip thing with the DP is a pain. We got really tired of CMs telling us to charge the tip and then feeling like we were ALIEN when we said we would leave cash after the bill was finalized. I have no problem with tipping, but I want to tip what I want to tip...not what a bill tells me...and usually I am pretty generous...but not 18% at a buffet!

Love that you are still doing movie nights...I need to get our St. Patty's one for Darby O'Gill posted...but I just have not felt like uploading, resizing, inserting...

 

[annmarieda]

I think I am still giggling over your bathroom mishap...probably giggling because I see myself doing everything you did. What is even more funny is that this is the story Zoe is going to remember from her trip when she is your age...after all the money you spent on this trip that is what she is going to remember

I love the picture of the guys at Mama Melrose! Hmmm, I will have to remember subbing the alfredo for on the parm! Yum-o. I think the whole tip thing with the DP is a pain. We got really tired of CMs telling us to charge the tip and then feeling like we were ALIEN when we said we would leave cash after the bill was finalized. I have no problem with tipping, but I want to tip what I want to tip...not what a bill tells me...and usually I am pretty generous...but not 18% at a buffet!

Love that you are still doing movie nights...I need to get our St. Patty's one for Darby O'Gill posted...but I just have not felt like uploading, resizing, inserting...

I know Zoe thinks the memory is funny. I just wish she wasn't so eager to tell everyone about it all the time.

Tipping is an odd thing for sure... I dont' want to be told how much I HAVE to tip. Like... when you are a party of 6 or more (it is 6, right?) So... you don't do 18% on a buffet? I always want to do 15%, but... then I chicken out.

 

[momabaarjo]

I know Zoe thinks the memory is funny. I just wish she wasn't so eager to tell everyone about it all the time.

Tipping is an odd thing for sure... I dont' want to be told how much I HAVE to tip. Like... when you are a party of 6 or more (it is 6, right?) So... you don't do 18% on a buffet? I always want to do 15%, but... then I chicken out.

I read somewhere that 10% is appropriate for buffet...but I ended up usually leaving 15%...most of our buffet meals the service was not up to 18%! I am really picky, I want my water refilled!