"Insanity is my Middle Name" - Impromptu Easter Weekend Trip -Update 4/23 - Wishes!

[Dis_Yoda]

As I had mention before, this trip was to relax & not use any of my vacation days and have the well needed sanity break I needed. Imagine my glee when at 1:30pm Thursday afternoon, an email went out with the 2010 Vacation Buy Program being announced! I thought there was no way we would be allowed to do it this year. I promply printed it out, stated I was buying 5 days, and gave it to my manager to sign off on. After him signing it, I asked if I could use one of them the next day. A silver lining on a stressful couple of months that doesn’t look like it will pick up much.

When I woke up on Friday at 5:30am, I did my usual morning things & then hit the road to get this show started. I pulled into All Star Music and went to the online check-in. Even though I had stated my earliest arrival would have been 8pm that evening, here at 11:40am, it was ready! I was in Country Fair, all the way in the back, room 6643 overlooking trees! The majority of people would have been upset with the location as it was a far walk to the main hall, but for me, I loved it. It meant the area being quieter as I rarely have good luck with rooms at the values. After settling in, I decided Animal Kingdom would be a good choice for this afternoon’s adventures since I knew all the major rides at Hollywood Studios would have been jammed packed & I already had plans for EPCOT & MK the next two days.

Yak & Yeti​

I walked into the park around 12:30pm & was starving! I hadn’t eaten anything for breakfast and it was catching up to me. There is only one place at Animal Kingdom I really enjoy eating at & I didn’t have an ADR! Luckily for me, when I walked past the crowds in the waiting area, there were 3 empty seats at the very small bar. Quickly, I was greeted by the same bartenders as my December ‘snack’ break.

I ordered a Bonsai Blast - $7.99 while I looked over the menu.

This is a cool & refreshing alcoholic beverage that I love!

Looking over the menu, I noticed two of the things I thought I would have ordered on this adventure were gone! Alas, there are no more Shrimp Chips w/ Peanut Sauce or Pho on the Yak & Yeti menu. Instead, added to the menu are things like the ‘Kobe’ Beef Burger or Cheesecake or Chocolate Cake.

I decided to order my old standby & try one of the other appetizers.
Wonton Soup - $4.99 & Pork Pot Stickers - $8.49

I was given a choice for the pot stickers to be steamed or seared , which I loved. I choose to have them seared. The food was hot & filling. This was the perfect amount of food for a lunch. The soy-lime dipping sauce worked really well with the pot stickers.

Meal Cost: $28 I think I may have overtipped
Total Trip Cost: $28

Dawa Bar​

After lunch I headed to the Safari & Africa Trail. I was hot and wanted a nice cooling beverage.

I choose the Harambe Cooler - $9.25 to enjoy while I was walk through Asia. This drink is nice. However w/ the rum floater at top, I forgot to mix it in & thus while I was sipping got that ‘shock’ that goes along with rum floaters. While I like the bite, I was in lalaland at the moment & well got the surprise. Like a champ, I took the rest as a shot and went on my way to Everest & Dinosaur before leaving the park minutes before the parade madness.

Snack Cost: $11
Total Trip Cost: $39

 

[mamaboogie]

No shrimp chips with peanut sauce at the Yak and Yeti??

Great review!

 

[Imagineer5]

awesome reviews- just read your reviews from last years October...got me so excited. We'll be there the same time as you & staying at the BCV! Can't wait for the F&W events to come out. Doesn't look like we have any overlapping ADRs though, here's mine!

Sep 30th - arrive late - 1 night at AKV before switching
Dinner: Boma

Oct 1st - EPCOT day
Breakfast: Boma
EPCOT Seas Aqua Tour
F&W Boothes
Dinner: Cape May (for DH - loves himself some seafood)

Oct 2nd - MK Day
Breafast - CP
Lunch - The Wave
Dinner - Narcoossees

Oct 3rd - Universal (WWoHP)
Dinner - Kouzzina

Oct 4th - AK & DHS
Lunch - Sanaa
Dinner - Yachtsman

Oct 5th - (My Birthday!!) MK day
Room service for bfast
Lunch - CRT
Dinner - V&As

Oct 6th -
Late bfast at Kouzzina
Wilderness Segway adventure
F&W booths
Dinner Teppen Edo

Oct 7th - Universal
Dinner - Flying Fish

Oct 8th - DHS & AK
Bfast - Captain's Grill
Lunch - Lunch w/ Imagineer
Dinner - Artist Point

Oct 9th - Open (Universal or DHS?)
Lunch - Chefs de France
Dinner - California Grill

Oct 10th - Open & then go home late
Bfast Cape May
Lunch - Tutto Italia

there are so many I want to fit into our dining schedule but just can't seem to squeeze anymore meals out!!

I love reading your reviews thought - so cute. You and your DH sound a LOT like me and mine ...though my DH wouldn't pass up a drink at a restaurant any time!! I'd be right there with ya though, all your drinks from last October looked awesome!! mmm

 

[scanne]

More, please? That Bonsai Blast looks good - and I'm not into mixed drinks that much!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Yay! I love your reviews.

 

[Gouden Leeuw]

subbing in!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

No shrimp chips with peanut sauce at the Yak and Yeti??

Great review!

I know! I was so sad as I love shrimp chips. But I also understand that the 'masses' probably aren't too much of a fan of them. Same with the pho.

awesome reviews- just read your reviews from last years October...got me so excited. We'll be there the same time as you & staying at the BCV! Can't wait for the F&W events to come out. Doesn't look like we have any overlapping ADRs though, here's mine!

there are so many I want to fit into our dining schedule but just can't seem to squeeze anymore meals out!!

I love reading your reviews thought - so cute. You and your DH sound a LOT like me and mine ...though my DH wouldn't pass up a drink at a restaurant any time!! I'd be right there with ya though, all your drinks from last October looked awesome!! mmm

OH your ADRs look so good! Watch us end up running into each other while we are there since we are at the same resort.

I understand about wanting to squeeze so much in and not having enough time! At least we're getting most of what we want to have together there at least until the schedule is released and then things are going to end up shifting. My husband goes through phases on if he will drink or not drink while out at places. We have the cruise in a little over a month - hopefully he'll be in a drinking phase then as I plan on drinking a lot on that boat.

More, please? That Bonsai Blast looks good - and I'm not into mixed drinks that much!

It was so good! Mmm...

Yay! I love your reviews.

Thanks for stopping by! I can't wait to read yours for your spring trip.

subbing in!

Hi!

 

[englishrose47]

Joining in for the drooling !!!!!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Joining in for the drooling !!!!!

Welcome!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Jiko’s​

I returned to my room at escaping Animal Kingdom before the masses of the parade crowd left. I showered and cleaned myself up & decided I was well hungry again. It was only 5:00pm & my ADR for Jiko was at 8:50pm. I called & cancelled that reservation & decided to try my luck as a Walk-In there & if it didn’t work, I wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do as not working just wasn’t an option.

It was a short drive to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I valet my car (yay TIW!) and walked inside to go downstairs to the hostess. She said it wouldn’t be a problem & I could sit at the Cooking Place if I wanted but they open in 15 minutes so feel free to walk around. With that I walked out to the Overlook for a couple of minutes until it drew closer to 5:30pm.

Exactly at 5:30pm, I was led to the Cooking Place & was sat at the last seat on the left, exactly as I was back in December. In fact, the same flatbread chef was working this evening as then too! This time he seemed a bit more stressed than before as he kept making comments to the head appetizer chef that if there was anything she wasn’t happy with, let him know & he’ll remake it. I got this vibe that either he had a lot of complaints the night before or he doesn’t really get along with this other chef & was trying to appease her.

Anyway, I started with a Victoria Mist cocktail - $7.00 as I just wasn’t in the mood for wine this evening.

This was nice, refreshing, and easy to drink a little too fast.

At the same time I got my cocktail, the bread was served which to my liking had been changed from my February visit.

It was back to the honey & flax seed bread with the turmeric butter. This is a much better improvement from that olive stuff served before.

As I was enjoying my bread, I looked over the menu and noticed that the Shrimp Curry Dish was no longer around. I decided to have two appetizers as my meal so that I would have enough room for dessert. I had watched the chef prep all the flatbreads & while I thought about doing the chef special for the evening, I decided I wasn’t in the mood for cranberries & goat cheese so I went with what I enjoyed last visit.
I started with Barbecue Chicken – With apple-jicama slaw, African barbecue sauce, and four cheeses $10.00

Sitting at the cooking place meant I got to see this being cooked & had it served about 6 minutes after ordering.

The dish is outstanding and quickly devoured.

For my next course, I went Seared Ostrich Filet – with Kamut, mushrooms and truffle vinaigrette $13.00

This was perfect for the amount of food it was! It was the size of a petite filet, sliced up for us. The grains on the bottom were tasty & those icky mushrooms were easy to avoid. It’s always amusing to see how dishes evolve. I think it was Oct 2008 where it was served as 3 quarter sized slices w/ curry vinaigrette. This current version is definitely my favorite.

As I finished up the Ostrich, I was given the dessert menu. I ordered a glass of Amarula On the Rocks - $6.75 and debated on what I was in the mood for.

As much as I have enjoyed the donuts w/ coffee ice cream my last two visits there, I felt I needed to try something different. I thought about the Crème Brulee but remembered the same dish is served at the Wishes dessert party I was attending 2 nights from now. Thus I went for chocolate:

Jiko Trio – flourless chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and caramel ice cream $8

These were really good. Although, I was happy for caramel ice cream that didn’t have sea salt on it unlike my October experiences.

I was really happy with my meal here. Also w/ my Table in Wonderland discount this meal was a heck of a deal for the quality of the food.

Meal Cost: $46.19
Total Trip Cost: $85.19

All Stars Music Food Court​

After dinner, I wandered around the Animal Kingdom Lodge before heading back to the resort. I watched some television and decided to go walk around the resort. The walk from Country Fair to the main building was not bad at all. I picked up two things for ‘snacks’ for the next couple days.

First – Popcorn Sampler Bucket - $9.95

It was Plain, Caramel, White Cheddar. At this point in time, I’ve only devoured the White Cheddar which was some of the best white cheddar popcorn I’ve had. I want some more.

Second – Chocolate Cake - $3.59

This is the same mass produced cake that is everywhere throughout Disney. I never had tried it before & decided why not? I was disappointed. The icing was like a thick mechanically placed layer that could peel off. I think I had two bites before I threw it away.

Snack Costs: $14.50
Total Trip Cost: $99.69

 

[wilma-bride]

Great start - add me to the list of people who are sad about the loss of shrimp chips (we call them prawn crackers here in the UK)

The meal at Jiko looked divine.

 

[franandaj]

Looking over the menu, I noticed two of the things I thought I would have ordered on this adventure were gone! Alas, there are no more Shrimp Chips w/ Peanut Sauce or Pho on the Yak & Yeti menu.

I too was so bummed in January to find out that the Prawn Chips had been removed from the menu, these were one of the best things that I had when we ate there in 2007!

Great reviews looking forward to more!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Great start - add me to the list of people who are sad about the loss of shrimp chips (we call them prawn crackers here in the UK)

The meal at Jiko looked divine.

There sure are a lot of us that are missing them Where I live, if I wanted to get some for myself, I would need to drive about an hour north to Atlanta & their ethnic markets.

Jiko was divine! Its easily turned into one of my favorite restuarants at Disney over this past year.

I too was so bummed in January to find out that the Prawn Chips had been removed from the menu, these were one of the best things that I had when we ate there in 2007!

Great reviews looking forward to more!

Exactly! I loved them this past October.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

All Star Music Food Court​

When I woke up this morning around 7AM, I headed down to the food court to pick up breakfast. Looking at the hot food menus, not a single thing appealed to me this morning. In fact, nothing really did. Knowing I needed to eat *something* before heading into the park, I went with an old standby:
Croissant - $2.29

After getting it, I nuked it in the microwave for 10 seconds. This made it hot & taste fresher.

Meal Cost: $2.46
Total Trip Cost: $102.15

Italy​

After World Showcase opened at 11AM & I toured the first few countries & their flower and garden festival displays, I decided I was thirsty.

I initially went to Germany to get a glass of wine at the Wine Shop. I stood at the counter for a while & no one came over so I decided drinking German Wine was not to be today. Luckily after Germany, comes Italy.

Italian Margharita - $10.00

I admit I forgot to take a picture – so here is a reused picture from a previous trip.

The perfect refreshing drink when you don’t want to backtrack to Mexico!

Snack Cost: $10.65
Total Trip Cost: $112.80

Japan​

While I was walking around enjoying my margharita, I went shopping in Japan to enjoy their unique gifts to the world.

In the back where all the Japanese snack food & saki is sold, I found prawn chips!

I wasn’t in the mood for them at the time, in fact, I still haven’t eaten them. They are sitting on top of my filing cabinets at work to enjoy when I want a snack at work or if I’m unable to take a lunch that day.

I also picked up a pack of the Yan-Yan Chocolate Dips for similar reasons. This also hasn’t been touched.

Prawn Flavored Chips - $1.00
Yan-Yan Chocolate Dips - $1.25

Snack Cost: $2.34
Total Trip Costs: $115.14

At this point, I was hungry for lunch & debated on what I was in the mood for. I really didn’t have any counter service that stood out to me. I thought about Tutto but remembered I would be having Italian at dinner in the evening. I was in Japan so decided to walk in at Tokyo Dining.

Tokyo Dining​

The restaurant had been opened for about 15 minutes when I inquired if I could walk-in. Not a problem! Within minutes, I was seated in the area by the sushi counter and given my hand cleaning cloth.

To start, I had a Cherry Blossom Martini - $8 and a bowl of Miso Soup - $3

The Martini had Sake & Plum Wine and a wonderful cocktail for the meal. The miso soup was flavorful.

For my main course I had the Ebi Tempura - $20.95

Excellent tempura! I couldn’t finish it today though as it was just too much. With the vegetables on this day, it included fried green beans! I love fried green beans so it was a wonderful surprise!

Meal Cost: $41
Total Trip Cost: $156.14

 

[BriarRosie]

Very good report so far. I noticed you like to eat appetizers and dessert, too. Every so often, I like to do that instead of having an entree. Sometimes you're just not in the mood for it! I haven't been to Jiko for few years other than a special wine dinner, but I want to go back soon, now. Mostly because they never used to have a dedicated chocolate dessert!

I still haven't made it over to Yak and Yeti, but I probably would want to do the appetizer thing there, too.

And the tempura brought me back...to yesterday. I had tempura for lunch yesterday. Yum!

 

[Linda67]

Great reviews, thanks very much for posting.

 

[jeminni]

Enjoying your reviews, that Cherry Blossom Martini looks great.

 

[englishrose47]

Great review , fried green beans sound DELISH!!

 

[Cookie Princess]

I am LOVING your beverage choices!!

 

[oybolshoi]

great reviews and pictures as always ...

curious about that drink at Tokyo Dining ... was it very sweet or did they use a dry sake to offset the plum wine? It looks great but drinks that are too sweet set off my gack-reflex.