It's Magical! A 10yr Anniv Dining Report with Extras! Updated 9/4!!!

[kastoney]

Thanks for the club level rundown. We are staying there in September and I can't wait to indulge. It definitely is pricey but I'm using my bday and anniversary as reason to justify indulging. We were already booked in a one bedroom villa and when ap discounts came out it was only $3 more per day. Likely a one time indulgence though. I also didn't know the club had a kids area, should come in handy for our little one.

 

[Angeejoe]

Yes it is a bummer...

A person who smokes ruins their tastebuds and sense of smell. So therefore a person who smokes will often add extra salt to the food because they cannot taste that it already has enough.

Well I feel dumb! I was never a smoker & could not figure this out , you must think I'm nuts ! Thank you for explaining it

Those really did look like very dark skies, I'm glad you got back to WL before it started raining! I have to agree with you the boat ride to/from MK/WL is so nice, I loved sitting outside too. Very cool that you got to try out the CL too!

 

[MrsB1228]

Great SM ride photo, looks like everyone was having fun!

The CL offerings at WL look very tempting and it was really sweet of Barb to invite you. I can't justify the cost of CL either as I doubt we'd really make use of it but it's great to get a peek at what's offered.

 

[Linda67]

Love LTT !
Great photos Paula, love the ride photo on Splash
How wonderful to check our the CL at Wilderness Lodge. The food looks really good
Oh how I would love to stay CL at WL

 

[vettegirl]

Great updates! Love the CL selections, we are staying there CL in Dec and can't wait to indulge.

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[smile4stamps]

I LOVE the ride picture on Splash Mountain...it is awesome. The boys sure were having fun. Thankfully you got your ride in before the inclement weather hit.

Another boat ride.

We've never stayed CL either...we think it would be a waste for us. But those offering sure look yummy. Very nice of Barb to invite you.

Yes! Our timing was perfect! The boys had a blast and I think it helped both of them enjoy the trip more!

LOL, I have a lot of our plans already "penciled in" but am also waiting for more F&W info. Hopefully we can make it work but if not ... well, it's just a great excuse to go back another time, no?

Unfortunately we will be taking a hiatus after our fall trip for quite some time..

Thanks for the club level rundown. We are staying there in September and I can't wait to indulge. It definitely is pricey but I'm using my bday and anniversary as reason to justify indulging. We were already booked in a one bedroom villa and when ap discounts came out it was only $3 more per day. Likely a one time indulgence though. I also didn't know the club had a kids area, should come in handy for our little one.

Great excuses! I should have tried to see what the rate would have been for us with the BounceBack we had booked but I knew we would have plenty of other meals so not really worth it. If we ever went where we planned less meals than I think it would be great for a few nights!

Well I feel dumb! I was never a smoker & could not figure this out , you must think I'm nuts ! Thank you for explaining it

Those really did look like very dark skies, I'm glad you got back to WL before it started raining! I have to agree with you the boat ride to/from MK/WL is so nice, I loved sitting outside too. Very cool that you got to try out the CL too!

No problem! If my husband didn't explain it to me I would be confused as well!

We love the boat and will be missing it a lot this trip!

Great SM ride photo, looks like everyone was having fun!

The CL offerings at WL look very tempting and it was really sweet of Barb to invite you. I can't justify the cost of CL either as I doubt we'd really make use of it but it's great to get a peek at what's offered.

I think that ride picture is funny cause the guys both look the same and then Brenda and I are just trying to keep stuff from getting wet!

Love LTT !
Great photos Paula, love the ride photo on Splash
How wonderful to check our the CL at Wilderness Lodge. The food looks really good
Oh how I would love to stay CL at WL

Yes! I think CL at WL is a dream!

Great updates! Love the CL selections, we are staying there CL in Dec and can't wait to indulge.

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Oh!! Have fun!!

 

[smile4stamps]

After enjoying some club level offerings courtesy of Barb we headed out to our next destination. It was sprinkling outside and not wanting to get caught in a downpour during transfers again we decided we would take a taxi. We didn’t have far to go though and it only cost about $6+tip as we headed for the Polynesian.

We stopped in at the check-in desk and told them our party would be 5 people instead of 4. They said this wasn’t a problem but when we officially checked it to let them know again as those changes don’t always stick.

We had quite a bit of time before our reservation so we waited for some seats at the bar in the Tambu Lounge.

I enjoyed a Mojito!

Hunter I believe had a Long Island but I failed to get a picture.

Once everyone arrived it wasn’t long till we were seated. So which Poly place were we dining at? ‘Ohana!! This was a first for us! I had never booked it because Hunter isn’t a fan of Brazilian steakhouse locations so I just kept passing on it. However he brought it up this time so I gladly booked it so we could give it a try! He however did not know it was that type of restaurant when he suggested it so it was quite a surprise to him!

Usually when you are seated they bring the bread to the table with you. Because we had an allergy noted on the reservation they did not bring ANYTHING until the Chef came out to talk with us. Once we were clear on the allergy the food came pouring to the table.

Salad

Bread

Pot Stickers and Chicken Wings

Noodles and Veggies

Meat!

I had ordered a Pina Colava… I had enjoyed a few sips of a friends once and really enjoyed it but this one I found WAY too sweet for me so I ended up not drinking very much of it.

Shrimp

Celebration Cupcake

And FINALLY the LONG awaited ‘Ohana Bread Pudding

The fifth person in our group was Chef Eddie from California Grill. He has turned into a friend of Hunter’s and they keep in touch regularly. I think we give him more treats than he gives us lol!

The guys!

So now my impressions of the meal.

I thought the wings and noodles were wonderful and I loved them with the peanut sauce. I wasn’t that much of a fan of the meats but did enjoy some of the shrimp.

Hunter really enjoyed the all-you-can-eat Pot Stickers!

As for the Bread Pudding… I was sadly disappointed. I thought it was DRY and there were NO bananas in our sauce! (Okay maybe one or two but I didn’t get them!)

Overall it was a fun meal! We were really happy that Chef Eddie was able to join us. We were there until almost midnight and just happened to catch the last monorail that would bring us to the MK so we could transfer to a boat to go back to the WL.

Will we return?!? Yes. We have an ADR here in October to bring our friends who it will be there first time visiting WDW. I’m hoping I enjoy the meats more… Although I did have PLENTY to eat that night so I am very content to return!

Up Next: Trail's End

 

[kastoney]

Thanks for the ohana rundown. It's been 15+ Years since I've been largely because of the same issues as hunter. The bread pudding does always intrigue me, so sorry it was disappointing. But how cool to get to eat with chef Eddie. My hubby is a chef and would be so envious to hang out with a disney chef.

 

[Angeejoe]

I'm like Hunter, I love the pot stickers at Ohana! I also like the salad & noodles, I could do without the meat!

I love how you've made friends with Chef Eddie, Disney really brings people together.

 

[disney meema]

Great review of ohana's and the pot stickers and noodles look yummy!! I haven't eaten dinner there in about 7 years except for breakfast with my grandkiddies. We normally travel with some of our 8 grandkids so it's been years of character meals galore ... In November it will just be the two of us so nice to go new places and old favorites. We do have reservations at Ohana's before the MVMCP at 5 pm at the first seating so we are giving it a go after many years : )
Lovely dinner with fun friends and a nice dinner. Looking forward to your next days adventures!

 

[vettegirl]

I love the shrimp and potstickers as well. That's a shame about the dessert! Hopefully next time it's better.

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[jabead]

Time for me to get caught up with your reviews...

However… Barb was sitting next to me and offered to share her dessert!

This photo cracks me up. As you know, it was kind of a "learn as you go" experience with my son's camera. For the life of me, I couldn't get the darn thing to focus on the cake. Instead it kept zeroing in on the lit candle. I finally had to give up and take a photo with my phone! But despite my frustrations with my camera, this meal was still one of my favorites of the trip.

I'm so glad that you and Hunter were able to join me at the Old Faithful Club lounge. If you stay a week longer in October, I will invite you to join me again.

Other than missing out on your great company and the opportunity to get to know Chef Eddie a little better, I would have to say that I have no regrets about skipping 'Ohana. The only things that appeal to me there are the pot stickers and dessert. So if I had gone, it sounds like I would have been 50% disappointed.

 

[KatMark]

It sounds like you had a fun night at Ohana. Unfortunately, we were not a fan when we went last year and won't be going back. I loved the pot stickers as did Hunter and Mark devoured the dessert. The rest of the meal was ICK to us (the meats were terrible).

 

[tdashgirl]

Caught up again

I don't know what to do about Yachtsman. I'm really torn because I want to try it, but your pictures and review....that is unacceptable. For a steakhouse?? At WDW prices?? Boooooooo.

I didn't know about the smoker/salt thing either! The more you know ...

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi Everyone! I want to apologize for the delay!! I took an impromptu trip to Disneyland on my two days off July 1-3 and since then I’ve worked every day since and have been having some trouble sleeping so have been unable to update! I want to get the current day in my report done though so that Barb and Brenda can finish their reviews of our Anniversary dinner meal. ​

Thanks for the ohana rundown. It's been 15+ Years since I've been largely because of the same issues as hunter. The bread pudding does always intrigue me, so sorry it was disappointing. But how cool to get to eat with chef Eddie. My hubby is a chef and would be so envious to hang out with a disney chef.

I'm sure we will hang out with him at least once in October as well! He and hunter text semi-regularly!

I'm like Hunter, I love the pot stickers at Ohana! I also like the salad & noodles, I could do without the meat!

I love how you've made friends with Chef Eddie, Disney really brings people together.

I loved the noodles! I think I could eat just that!

Great review of ohana's and the pot stickers and noodles look yummy!! I haven't eaten dinner there in about 7 years except for breakfast with my grandkiddies. We normally travel with some of our 8 grandkids so it's been years of character meals galore ... In November it will just be the two of us so nice to go new places and old favorites. We do have reservations at Ohana's before the MVMCP at 5 pm at the first seating so we are giving it a go after many years : )
Lovely dinner with fun friends and a nice dinner. Looking forward to your next days adventures!

I hope you enjoy it!!

I love the shrimp and potstickers as well. That's a shame about the dessert! Hopefully next time it's better.

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I'm hoping it is! Although our next ADR is late as well so hopefully its not all dried out! I hear congrats are in order!! Enjoy your little one!!

Time for me to get caught up with your reviews...





This photo cracks me up. As you know, it was kind of a "learn as you go" experience with my son's camera. For the life of me, I couldn't get the darn thing to focus on the cake. Instead it kept zeroing in on the lit candle. I finally had to give up and take a photo with my phone! But despite my frustrations with my camera, this meal was still one of my favorites of the trip.

I'm so glad that you and Hunter were able to join me at the Old Faithful Club lounge. If you stay a week longer in October, I will invite you to join me again.

Other than missing out on your great company and the opportunity to get to know Chef Eddie a little better, I would have to say that I have no regrets about skipping 'Ohana. The only things that appeal to me there are the pot stickers and dessert. So if I had gone, it sounds like I would have been 50% disappointed.

If I could make my 17day trip in October longer I would Barb but I think that is probably long enough! I think Brenda liked the dessert at 'Ohana! I think it was just so built up for me that is was a let down.

It sounds like you had a fun night at Ohana. Unfortunately, we were not a fan when we went last year and won't be going back. I loved the pot stickers as did Hunter and Mark devoured the dessert. The rest of the meal was ICK to us (the meats were terrible).

We are going back with our friends in October.. If nothing else it will be chiken wings and noodles for me! Hunter loved the AYCE pot stickers so says he wants to return.

Caught up again

I don't know what to do about Yachtsman. I'm really torn because I want to try it, but your pictures and review....that is unacceptable. For a steakhouse?? At WDW prices?? Boooooooo.

I didn't know about the smoker/salt thing either! The more you know ...

Yes... I would be torn about Yachtsman too.. I would look to see if you can find any more recent reviews and see what people are saying. Based off our experience I don't recommend it but then it may be us, we seem to be the common denominator in the bad meals!

 

[smile4stamps]

We began our anniversary day by sleeping in. Once we were awake and ready to go I made an ADR for a place I had on my radar but I wasn’t too sure of so wanted to make sure we would make it and not change a no-show fee.

We were able to take the boat to our destination.

We had a private boat ride except this bird was hitchhiking!

Soon we had arrived

Turns out that ADR was completely unnecessary as there were only a few occupied tables in the restaurant.

The menu

We started with a couple of the appetizers

Smoked Cheese Stuffed Jalapeño’s

I’m not a fan of spicy food so I was leery to try these. Hunter had one first and said it wasn’t spicy at all so I gave it a go. It was REALLY good. Nice and creamy and smoky and flavorful. It seems to not always be that way though so as Hunter had the last one it was VERY Spicy! Must have been the other half of the Jalapeño the table next to us had as 1/3 of theirs was spicy as well!

Next I went with the Southern Fried Green Tomatoes - with crawfish remoulade. Since I had made the ADR last minute I didn’t add Hunter’s Allergies… and YES.. I should have learned my lesson from Boatwright’s but we are usually pretty good about this. I asked if I could get the Remoulade on the side so that Hunter could have some of the fried Green Tomatoes…

Well this is how it came out…

I immediately went… Um… that’s why I asked for the Remoulade on the side as I didn’t want the crawfish touching the tomatoes.. not realizing their were going to be larger pieces on the place..

Mentioning it to the server (or runner) they were like is there an allergy. I said yes, I had asked for the sauce on the side so the Crawfish wasn’t on the tomatoes. They immediately offered to go make another order but I simply asked if it was possible to get 1-2 tomato pieces for Hunter. I knew he wouldn’t eat that much and no sense my whole plate going in the trash. They quickly brought him some minus the crawfish. I thought I had a picture of his but it is missing. It was about half the serving size of mine so way more than we needed.

We also ordered the corn bread which is the same as the Hoop dee doo’s cornbread so we enjoyed it!

For entrée’s Hunter went with the burger.

He enjoyed this but stated the one at LTT was better.

I went with the Chicken and Waffles!

This was yummy! Only thing I wished for was more of the syrup! I ran low at the end! I was very happy with my choice!

Overall it was a good quiet meal at Trail’s End. I’m not sure if we will return. It was nice to take the boat over and back and we won’t have that option this next trip.

Our boat

We again had a private ride!


On this day we had originally planned to rent one of the pontoon boats but the water was a little choppy and we thought it might rain again so we passed on the boat and instead we went into the main WL building so I could bring our bill current with Gift Cards. On previous trips I had always put a credit with the Gift Cards but this trip they weren’t letting me do that so I had to stop in every few days. This time after I was done at the front desk and had wrote how much was left on the GC in “magical” sharpie we went to the Gift Shop to get some alcohol to enjoy in our room.

As she was ringing us up I was like.. That total sounds familiar… I pull out the gift card I had just used and sure enough the totals were the same. The amt left on the gift card and the amt due!

The cashier couldn’t believe it!! If we had a car we would have gone to buy lottery tickets!

Instead we simply took our purchases to our room and sat on our patio enjoying our drinks and each others company.

Hunter got a little uncomfortable in the patio furniture and wanted to bring the big chair outside… However it wouldn’t fit through the doorway…

bunny!

We decided after awhile to get ready for our anniversary dinner. Overall it was a very relaxing day and nice to just spend time hanging out!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Your fried green tomatoes and chicken and waffles look excellent! I may have to go for the trifecta this trip and do breakfast, lunch and dinner at Trail's End. I wasn't sure if I wanted to eat there for lunch or not, but your photos definitely swayed me. Great updates!

 

[KatMark]

I don't think I've ever read a review of Trail's End until Cynthia's (eandesmom) and yours. If I remember correctly, they went for dinner.

Hunter's cheeseburger looks really good and Mark would love your waffles and chicken. We had that once at Cheddar's Café, I think, and he fell in love with it.

Too funny about the balance on the gift card and the cost of your purchases.

What a lovely way to spend the day; and Hunter did great improvising with the chair.

 

[MEK]

I learned two things today - Trails End serves lunch AND they serve fried green tomatoes. I had no idea you could get them anywhere in Disney. How very cool! Your lunch looked yummy!

What a pretty view from your patio!

 

[MEK]

And how crazy about your gift card being the exact amount of your purchase. What are the chances?