It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Disney with a 1 month old *new 2/13/15*

[KatMark]

Phil, informative update.

I can't comment on much because we've not eaten at a lot of those places.

Mark would put the Bread Pudding at the top of the dessert/snack list as it would be the ONLY reason he'd go back to Ohana. I really want to try the Brioche Ice Cream Sandwiches from L'Artisan des Glaces next time we are there.

Adult beverages...we don't drink win so no comment there. But Mark is with Judi and loves that grapefruit beer (just picked up another six pack last week).

We've only done a couple of your restaurants -- Ohana (did not like), Garden Grill (it was fair, but too many other outstanding places that I don't think we'll go back), Tusker House (disappointed last time, but we've enjoyed previously and will definitely go back at some point if for the Krispy Kreme donut holes if nothing else), and Brown Derby. It's been 7 years since we were there, and we had terrible service and a very mediocre meal. I'm not sure we will be back. But I do want to try Saana as I loved your review of it and I do want to eat in Cinderella's Castle at least once.

 

[khertz]

I am so going to have to try those treats from France! They look so yummy! Great wrap up on the food & drinks.

 

[Dugette]

I agree with a lot of your selections. I think I will have to add that Pineapple drink at Sanaa to my list (for whenever we end up back there, not sure). You really tempt me to make a Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast ADR for May, since Izzy will still be free...but we'd probably have to drop Crystal Palace...or the potential Be Our Guest breakfast, if that becomes a reality...too many decisions!

 

[Imagineer5]

So glad Sanaa was just that good!!

Fun post! Thank you for posting.

BTW We visited Castello di Banfi on our Italy trip in 2009 It was beautiful and we have a total love for their wine since! (it wasn't until after that trip we realized they supply the Italy pavilion wines as well! it was a match made in wine & Disney loving heaven!).

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Wow, reading all this I realize how little I've done in WDW when it relates to meals. At most I've had/done maybe one on each list. Yikes.

Since it's the only one I've had, I'd have to add the Grey Goose Slushie to the beverages. It would be a very small list, lol.

Also, Seasons Strawberry Shortcake. Definitely on my snacks/desserts/meals list.

 

[missangelalexis]

Great wrap up post! It's funny how I haven't had most of the stuff on your list!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Phil, informative update.

I can't comment on much because we've not eaten at a lot of those places.

Mark would put the Bread Pudding at the top of the dessert/snack list as it would be the ONLY reason he'd go back to Ohana. I really want to try the Brioche Ice Cream Sandwiches from L'Artisan des Glaces next time we are there.

Adult beverages...we don't drink win so no comment there. But Mark is with Judi and loves that grapefruit beer (just picked up another six pack last week).

We've only done a couple of your restaurants -- Ohana (did not like), Garden Grill (it was fair, but too many other outstanding places that I don't think we'll go back), Tusker House (disappointed last time, but we've enjoyed previously and will definitely go back at some point if for the Krispy Kreme donut holes if nothing else), and Brown Derby. It's been 7 years since we were there, and we had terrible service and a very mediocre meal. I'm not sure we will be back. But I do want to try Saana as I loved your review of it and I do want to eat in Cinderella's Castle at least once.

Thank you Kathy - glad you found it informative.

The bread pudding at 'Ohana is definitely pretty stellar - though we really like the one at Raglan Road as well.

You are right about hard to go to Garden Grill too much with how many great places in EPCOT - I am glad we tried it. I remember you saying you had a not good experience at the Brown Derby so that was one of the reasons I was nervous going into the meal. Other than it being slow we were pretty happy with it. Our waiter was very pleasant and informative (just, slow) and we liked the food a lot ... maybe we just got it on a good night

Sanaa was definitely the "extra" meal for us and an unexpected highlight - definitely plan to go back there

I am so going to have to try those treats from France! They look so yummy! Great wrap up on the food & drinks.

Thank you! Very glad we tried the brioche ice cream sandwiches - definitely a bit messy in the August heat, but very tasty. And they were quite large too - the 2 for the 4 of us was plenty!

I agree with a lot of your selections. I think I will have to add that Pineapple drink at Sanaa to my list (for whenever we end up back there, not sure). You really tempt me to make a Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast ADR for May, since Izzy will still be free...but we'd probably have to drop Crystal Palace...or the potential Be Our Guest breakfast, if that becomes a reality...too many decisions!

Skipping CP to do CRT was definitely something I was not crazy about having to do, but we did want to do eating in the Castle at one point.

I can't even get a dinner ADR for BOG so not even going to think about a breakfast one for a while It is funny how they will now have 3 options for early breakfast there whereas I don't think any other parks have more than 1 (unless you could rainforest cafe)

I think you would like that pineapple drink - definitely refreshing after the heat of Animal Kingdom

So glad Sanaa was just that good!!

Fun post! Thank you for posting.

BTW We visited Castello di Banfi on our Italy trip in 2009 It was beautiful and we have a total love for their wine since! (it wasn't until after that trip we realized they supply the Italy pavilion wines as well! it was a match made in wine & Disney loving heaven!).

Thank you again for suggesting Sanaa and that it would be great for lunch - it really worked out. And I think not a lot of people think about it as it was no issue getting ADR even that morning.

That's pretty cool about the winery you went to being the one that supplies the wines for Disney ... Worlds Colliding!

Wow, reading all this I realize how little I've done in WDW when it relates to meals. At most I've had/done maybe one on each list. Yikes.

Since it's the only one I've had, I'd have to add the Grey Goose Slushie to the beverages. It would be a very small list, lol.

Also, Seasons Strawberry Shortcake. Definitely on my snacks/desserts/meals list.

You always have so much going on Rob hard to fit meals in there - definitely does take away some park time, but we enjoy the rest it (can) provide. Plus, with Olivia especially, get to knock out a bunch of princess meet & greets at once

Small, but good list

Honestly, I kinda neglected to add the Strawberry Shortcake to the snacks/dessert list - really should have been there - thinking in my head that was the main reason we went to SS and thus 'main' part of meal not snack, but really, an error on my part

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great wrap up post! It's funny how I haven't had most of the stuff on your list!

Thank you! I think it goes to show how much there is to do at Disney. I read some peoples' plans and think how much of what they are doing I haven't, etc. .... something for everyone!

 

[sunnysideup3]

Great wrap up. And loved the Top 5 adult drinks. Last time I was 7-8 weeks pregnant with my now 16 month old, so I'm very much going to have a couple adult beverages to deal with 2 children and my parents in WDW.
I ate at Brown Derby in 2009 and loved it. Hope to go back there again some day, it would be a great date night!

 

[Leshaface]

The lapu lapu is definitely one of the best and fun drinks around the World. I'm hoping we'll have time to stop by the bar at the Poly to have one.

I haven't been to a lot of the places you've visited (Aside from HBD, which we loved back in 2010!) But am very excited to be trying the Tusker House for breakfast for the first time. I'm hoping DS will like the 1 on 1 with the characters. And it will be his first character interaction of the trip, so we'll see how that goes.

There has been so many positive reviews about Sanaa, I wish I could get DH and DM on board, just don't think they would. I'll get there one day, even if it's by myself

 

[ashw100]

I just finished up with your TR an I am impressed. I am super nervous going to the World with a 5, 2, & 11 month old. If you can do it with a 1 month old and feel better about my chances. I loved your recaps and can't wait to try some of those yummy treats.

 

[JulieODC]

Great TR -- I enjoyed following along!!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Great wrap up. And loved the Top 5 adult drinks. Last time I was 7-8 weeks pregnant with my now 16 month old, so I'm very much going to have a couple adult beverages to deal with 2 children and my parents in WDW.
I ate at Brown Derby in 2009 and loved it. Hope to go back there again some day, it would be a great date night!

Thank you! Judi has also been pregnant during trips in the past - so she definitely tries to make up for it trips she isn't

Definitely think HBD would make for a great date night - definitely would have been less stressful with how long it took. That and then just strolling over to the Osborne Lights or something would be a great night

The lapu lapu is definitely one of the best and fun drinks around the World. I'm hoping we'll have time to stop by the bar at the Poly to have one.

I haven't been to a lot of the places you've visited (Aside from HBD, which we loved back in 2010!) But am very excited to be trying the Tusker House for breakfast for the first time. I'm hoping DS will like the 1 on 1 with the characters. And it will be his first character interaction of the trip, so we'll see how that goes.

There has been so many positive reviews about Sanaa, I wish I could get DH and DM on board, just don't think they would. I'll get there one day, even if it's by myself

That was actually our first Lapu Lapus and I am sorry we took so long to have one as they are fun and tasty. And while not cheap they are pretty big and pretty strong so one lasted for a while.

Hope you like the TH breakfast and your son likes the characters - I love seeing them in different outfits. We really like the mix of food there with the carved ham with spicy sauce being my favorite, but nice to get Mickey Waffles and Krispy Kreme donut holes too

I know I've said this to you before but a lot of the food at Sanaa doesn't taste that "out there" but the look and descriptions might be tough for people not into that style of food. If we are ever at Disney at the same time you can definitely come with us

I just finished up with your TR an I am impressed. I am super nervous going to the World with a 5, 2, & 11 month old. If you can do it with a 1 month old and feel better about my chances. I loved your recaps and can't wait to try some of those yummy treats.

Thank you so much! We went when Olivia was 8mo old as well (though, only child at that point). Definitely just need to be flexible and not stress if you don't get to everything you want (emphasis on what you want as we definitely got to less of the "big" rides in favor of more things all the kids could do). best of luck - happy to answer any specific questions you may have as well.

Great TR -- I enjoyed following along!!

Thank you! Glad you followed along

 

[amberg93]

I really do need to try one of those ice cream sandwiches from France next trip. They look so delicious.

I enjoy the fact that you totally ignored Judi to put 'Ohana in your top 5 meals anyway

Oh goodness I don't think I could give a top 5. How could I ever pick between that Teppan Edo chicken or that Mama Melrose steak? It's impossible. I couldn't.

 

[schmass]

Nice food wrap-up! You have convinced me to book a dinner at Garden Grill when we go in April!

 

[khaleesi]

I'm not completely caught up yet, but I had to comment... OMG YOUR VIDEO!!!!! I literally clapped my hands when the music started because I can name that song in two notes! Oh Honey opened for American Authors when I went to see them last month and I am completely obsessed with that song!!!

"Best Day of My Life" is my happy song. "Be Okay" is my backup!



Okay, I'll be back to finish reading after I watch this again!

---

Seriously. LOVE that song!!!!

Emma in her Mickey hat is ridiculously adorable! And she KNOWS she's cute!!

Good call adding that strawberry shortcake to your list! I still crave it, almost ten months later! And doing these recaps is a good way to keep stretching out the TR. I may have to do the same thing! And I like making lists... sooooo

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I really do need to try one of those ice cream sandwiches from France next trip. They look so delicious.

I enjoy the fact that you totally ignored Judi to put 'Ohana in your top 5 meals anyway

Oh goodness I don't think I could give a top 5. How could I ever pick between that Teppan Edo chicken or that Mama Melrose steak? It's impossible. I couldn't.

Definitely Amber - get to the French ice cream store your next trip. It was very good and a little different too which was nice. Lots of good flavors of ice cream as well

Well, between the bread pudding and I love the potstickers (which she won't eat), but Olivia had so much fun with the coconut races, and then the Lapu Lapus and Peter helping himself to noodles, I thought it deserved to be there - but I can definitely see from her standpoint it not being great from a food standpoint

Well, no rule you can't have a tie for the top spot I also find it funny/interesting that the two you can't decide between are from 2 restaurants we have never eaten at. goes to show how many options at Disney there are

Nice food wrap-up! You have convinced me to book a dinner at Garden Grill when we go in April!

We really enjoyed the meal there! We thought all the food was good to very good and good character interaction - plus the spinning motion helps entertain the kids!

I'm not completely caught up yet, but I had to comment... OMG YOUR VIDEO!!!!! I literally clapped my hands when the music started because I can name that song in two notes! Oh Honey opened for American Authors when I went to see them last month and I am completely obsessed with that song!!!

"Best Day of My Life" is my happy song. "Be Okay" is my backup!



Okay, I'll be back to finish reading after I watch this again!

---

Seriously. LOVE that song!!!!

Emma in her Mickey hat is ridiculously adorable! And she KNOWS she's cute!!

Good call adding that strawberry shortcake to your list! I still crave it, almost ten months later! And doing these recaps is a good way to keep stretching out the TR. I may have to do the same thing! And I like making lists... sooooo

So you are saying you like the song?

I actually had using that song in mind before we even made the tip - thus why I made sure I got a shot of "one cold beer"

Yup, at this point I am all about stretching this out ... don't want to say goodbye yet

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Part 39 - Recap 3: Top 5's - All other categories​

​

​

Before I get to the final set of Top 5's, I thought I would post a few pictures from this past weekend as Peter turned 3! I'd like to think this gets him beyond the "Terrible twos", though then I realize that "three" also starts with a "T"

First, the birthday boy!

We started off the weekend by attending a Breakfast with Santa at the gym Judi goes to, and traveled north to cut down our Christmas tree (and weren't really prepared for the fact they still had snow on the ground there):

We then went out for a birthday dinner at a great Mexican restaurant we love near the tree farm (I mean, I can't let an update go by without some food porn)

On Sunday we had Peter's actual party which was held at a fun restaurant called Rosy Tomorrows in Danbury, CT - followed by some time on the carousel and in the play area at the Danbury Mall

*********************************


Top 5 Places Emma was Breastfed

Judi thought this might be of interest to people - and goes to show the slightly different trip Emma experienced compared to the rest of us

honorable mention: sitting area by Casey Jr.'s Splash area (Judi getting just a bit of water spray in the heat was refreshing)

5. On the People Mover
4. It's a Small World (both Regular and Mexican)
3. Monorail
2. Frozen Sing Along (I'll spare you any "Let it Go" related jokes)
1. Living with the Land


Top 5 stressful moments

Well, it was a trip to Disney with three small kids, so it wasn't all rainbows and pixie dust - we did have a few moments of stress (though, all things considered, really not to bad overall)

(dis)honorable mention: Me trying to get Peter to stay out of the rain while in line at Sleepy Hollow

5. Havin to take Emma out of the carrier to get on Ariel's ride when we weren't expecting it and having to rush the process
4. Emma not liking getting sprayed/misted on at Fantasmic! She got quite upset which made the whole thing stressful for Judi
3. Dealing with Festival of Fantasy being canceled
2. When Hollywood Brown Derby took so long and then us having to rush to get to Fantasmic! and getting caught in the crowds trying to get to reserved seating
1. When running late to the airport due to traffic and getting to the security line about 25 mins before the flight was set to depart.


Top 5 Meet & Greets

5. Snow White (Twirling with Olivia and Snow putting her forehead on Peter's)

4. Anna & Elsa (loved how Peter refused to lose contact with Anna and all the time Elsa took with both of them and just how into is Olivia was)
3. Buzz with Peter (definitely the most unexpectedly great M&G of the trip)
2. Ariel (calling Emma her little guppy)
1. Mickey (the joy as Olivia and Peter ran up to him and then when he "shushed" us as Emma was sleeping)

Top 5 CM Interactions

I know there has been a lot of discussion around how Disney's customer service has gone downhill and bad interactions with CMs. Well, we really didn't see any of that and had some great interactions with CMs, so wanted to cover that

honorable mention: Super energetic CM doing the pick a pearl, the waiter at Cinderella's Royal Table who kept brining more food (i.e., bonus stuffed French toast)

5. CM at the Dole Whip stand who gave us free ice cream for the kids when all we asked for was extra cups
4. Canada beer cart CM who let Judi try the beer first even though he wasn't supposed to (must have been from Canadia)
3. The Haunted Mansion cast member who was chatting with Olivia in line, totally in character but able at the same time to make Olivia less nervous about the ride.
2. Alex the Photopass Photographer on Main St. who basically did a private photo shoot with us

1. Kimberly the Photopass Photographer who helped shield Emma from the sun and then spent time cheering up Olivia who had gotten upset about the Festival of Fantasy parade being canceled

I will be back for one more update with our top overall memories from the trip - plus that will get me to a nice even 40 updates for the TR (and continue to drag it out a bit in the process )

TTFN

 

[Marsheliz]

Happy Birthday to Peter! I didn't realize him and Landen were that close in age... ( Landen turned 3 in October)

Love your top 5 moments! Especially love the places where Emma was BFed. It is amazing how you can do it at Disney and feel comfortable. And the Let it Go reference made me LOL.

That pic of Snow White and Peter is just too sweet for words. <3

 

[missangelalexis]

Happy Birthday Peter! Sounds like a great weekend of Christmas/birthday fun!

Great lists! Lots of memorable moments (both the good and the bad/stressful! haha)