Jedis, Pirates and Extended Family! A May/June 2012 TR Update: Lunch @ H&V

[RGirl]

I LOVE your PP pictures!!! You got some amazing shots.

You're spending too much time working & not enough time DISing. Now quit working so much!!!

Hmm, this is true. I'm actually trying to telework right now, but my work computer is giving me fits - I am rebooting (AGAIN) as we "speak."

Aww, I'm sorry you ended up cancelling your appointments. Pirates League was fun! I wanted to do it! Thanks, we thought Anthony was a pretty cute pirate. My mom kept saying he didn't even look like himself! I was so glad my sister offered to watch Tessa. I felt bad that Chad was outside with her, yet I wanted to watch too so it worked out great!

I felt so bad for Tessa! I knew she wasn't going to like it which is part of why we had put it off so long. We all love her hair, the stylist did a great job. I was glad we did it at Disney! It will always be a special memory.

Sorcerers is new, I think it started in April. There is always new stuff going on at Disney World, it is so hard to keep up! I wouldn't feel bad about not knowing that though. Chad walked into Fantasyland and said, "where's Dumbo?" He was WAY out of the loop!

The rain was pretty bad. We have always had some rain on our trips but nothing like that! We tried not to let it stop us though.

Yeah, I was disappointed to cancel Pirates League - we were both going to do it! But the only appointment I could get was our last morning, and neither one of us was really feeling it.

"Where's Dumbo?" That literally made me laugh out loud!

 

[megan511]

I LOVE your PP pictures!!! You got some amazing shots.

Hmm, this is true. I'm actually trying to telework right now, but my work computer is giving me fits - I am rebooting (AGAIN) as we "speak."

Yeah, I was disappointed to cancel Pirates League - we were both going to do it! But the only appointment I could get was our last morning, and neither one of us was really feeling it.

"Where's Dumbo?" That literally made me laugh out loud!

Thanks! We did get some good PhotoPass pics!

I understand having to change plans because you don't feel up to it, especially on the last day.

I know! I just looked at Chad like, seriously? It was too funny, he was so confused!

 

[amandaw]

Hmm, this is true. I'm actually trying to telework right now, but my work computer is giving me fits - I am rebooting (AGAIN) as we "speak."

That's a sign that you shouldn't be working. It's saying, "It's Friday woman! Give me a break!"

 

[shan23877]

You're spending too much time working & not enough time DISing. Now quit working so much!!!

 

[shan23877]

Great PP pics! I love the one of Anthony during Jedi Training, and the family pic of everyone pointing at the pirate is awesome!

I love Tessa's 'picture face'

"Where's Dumbo?"

That's awesome.

 

[megan511]

Great PP pics! I love the one of Anthony during Jedi Training, and the family pic of everyone pointing at the pirate is awesome!

I love Tessa's 'picture face'

"Where's Dumbo?"

That's awesome.

Thanks! Anthony took Jedi Training very serious.

Tessa definitely takes some interesting pictures. Every now and then we get a good one though.

"Where's Dumbo?" was so funny. He was seriously confused!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love the PP photos. When was Tessa diagnosed? I was diagnosed at almost 4 in 1999.

 

[megan511]

I love the PP photos. When was Tessa diagnosed? I was diagnosed at almost 4 in 1999.

Thank you!

Tessa was diagnosed last November right after she turned 3.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Oh okay. I was diagnosed at almost 4. I'm currently 17.

 

[megan511]

Oh okay. I was diagnosed at almost 4. I'm currently 17.

Tessa is severely speech delayed which is what tipped us off that something was going on. She started receiving Early Intervention at 2 1/2 and was officially diagnosed right after 3. She is in a special education pre-school and speech therapy.

 

[megan511]

I hope everyone had a good weekend!

We went and saw Brave on Sunday. We loved it! I do not get the negative reviews at all. I read an article today that pretty much stated this movie was the end of Pixar. I don't know what movie they saw but I thought Brave was great!

I also made an Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake from the recipe on Allears. It was really good! Even DH ate two pieces and he rarely eats dessert. I have never been to LTT to compare it to the original but this was yummy!

Here's the recipe http://allears.net/din/recipes/rec_ooey.htm

 

[megan511]

When we arrived at DTD the rain was down to a sprinkle. We met up with my dad and brother at the Planet Hollywood gift shop. I had never been on the Pleasure Island side of Downtown Disney. I wanted to check out Candy Cauldron but I couldn't find it (granted I didn't look all that hard.) It was still raining some so I didn't take any pictures on our way towards the Marketplace. DTD was absolutely packed with people.

We were on a mission to do some birthday shopping for Anthony. I thought (wrongly) that Build a Droid was somewhere at Downtown Disney so we went on a search for it. We went to World of Disney and Once Upon a Toy. My mom and sister caught up to us there so we looked around. I realized I was wrong about Build a Droid and by now it was just about time to check into T-Rex Cafe for our 4:00 ADR. Anthony ended up not being able to pick anything out on his birthday. But don't worry he more than makes up for it later! My BiL was supposed to meet us at T-Rex cafe but he was stuck in traffic on I-4 and wasn't able to make it in time.

We walked across to T-Rex where there were a lot of people waiting out front. I got nervous that we might be in for a long wait but when I checked us in they took us back almost immediately. We were seated in the dining area closest to the gift shop; across from the bar area and ice cave. There was a meteor shower about every 20 minutes that played right over our heads.

Some of our fellow diners...

I had read quite a few reviews of T-Rex Cafe where parents said their small children were scared of the noise and dinosaurs. I was a little worried about how Tessa would do but Anthony really wanted to eat here. Tessa likes dinosaurs too so we decided to give a shot.

What did Tessa think?

She absolutely loved it here! She was laughing and smiling the entire time. When the lights would flicker and the meteor shower would start she would get so excited!

We decided to get an appetizer.
Supersaurus Sampler - For an appetite as big as T-REX! Spinach and pepper jack queso with tortilla chips, Brachiosaurus Bruschetta, T-Rexadillas and Onion Rings $18.99 Add Ribs for $5.99

Sorry for the bad picture.

The queso was just ok. It was very congealed at the top. The brushcetta was delicious. The onion rings and quesadillas were good but nothing super special.

I ordered the Lost World Chicken Salad Sandwich - Rotisserie chicken with tarragon, celery, onions, toasted almonds and mayonnaise, served on a croissant $13.99

This was really good but HUGE! I only managed half.

Tessa got the Jurassic Chicken Tidbits - dinosaur shaped chicken $6.99 with a banana.

Anthony got the Paleo Pizza - Cheese or pepperoni $6.99

Chad and Anthony were on the DDP for this meal but Tessa and I were OOP. Just a note about the kid's meals. The drink IS NOT included. It's an extra $1.99. Also you do not get free refills of apple juice with kid's meals.

We all enjoyed our food. All the sandwiches are huge portions and most everyone had leftovers. Chad and Anthony were using the DDP so they received dessert.

Anthony got the Saber-tooth Sundae - A chocolate chip cookie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce $2.99

Chad got the Cosmic Key Lime Pie - freshly baked key lime pie in a graham cracker crust, served with raspberry sauce and fresh whipped cream $7.99

Both of these were tasty.

We really enjoyed T-Rex Cafe. Anthony and Tessa both loved it and I thought the food was fine. It is extremely loud in there. We had to shout at each other to talk but that's not a big deal to us. In fact, I prefer loud restaurants so then people won't realize how loud my kids are! The dinosaurs do start to move during the meteor shower which could be startling to kids.

I'm not sure we would go every trip but we will definitely return! Anthony was very happy with his birthday dinner.

next update

 

[mickeystoontown]

Just got caught up again and forgot what I wanted to comment on.

I'm glad that you enjoyed T-Rex and especially the fact that Tessa wasn't scared of the loud noise and the dinosaurs. We usually switch up T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe from year to year.

 

[shan23877]

T Rex sounds like the perfect place for a little boy's birthday dinner! I'm so glad that Tessa wasn't scared.

Too bad that you didn't have to chance to shop before dinner, but I'm glad that Anthony made up for it later.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I was like that when I was her age. I have never eaten at the T-Rex. I want to next time.

 

[amandaw]

We saw Brave yesterday, too! We loved it! Ed & I both said that we didn't understand the negative reviews. I thought it was a great movie!

Your cake looks delicious! Maybe I should check out some of the recipes on allears.

T-Rex seems like a great birthday restaurant for a little boy! Glad y'all had a nice meal. I've heard a lot of good things about that place lately.

 

[megan511]

I was like that when I was her age. I have never eaten at the T-Rex. I want to next time.

T-Rex was really great. In fact the more I think about it the more I think we should return on our next trip! Tessa is getting ready to start summer school next week. Are there any programs you would suggest we try for Tessa? If that's too personal it's totally ok.

T Rex sounds like the perfect place for a little boy's birthday dinner! I'm so glad that Tessa wasn't scared.

Too bad that you didn't have to chance to shop before dinner, but I'm glad that Anthony made up for it later.

T-Rex was a great place for a boy birthday! Everyone really seemed to enjoy it. I was so glad Tess liked it. You can never tell with kids what they will or won't be scared of. Like Mickey giving her a hug was terrifying!

I was sad we didn't get to shop too but Anthony wasn't upset. He had got some stuff at Legoland Saturday and he continued to get stuff throughout the week

Just got caught up again and forgot what I wanted to comment on.

I'm glad that you enjoyed T-Rex and especially the fact that Tessa wasn't scared of the loud noise and the dinosaurs. We usually switch up T-Rex and Rainforest Cafe from year to year.

Thanks so much for taking the time to catch up. I know from your TR you have had a lot going on.

I was so relieved Tessa wasn't scared. She will take roaring Dinos over Mickey any day!

 

[megan511]

We saw Brave yesterday, too! We loved it! Ed & I both said that we didn't understand the negative reviews. I thought it was a great movie!

Your cake looks delicious! Maybe I should check out some of the recipes on allears.

T-Rex seems like a great birthday restaurant for a little boy! Glad y'all had a nice meal. I've heard a lot of good things about that place lately.

My sister and I both saw it and we both loved it. I don't get it, I think reviewers just hold Pixar to a ridiculously high standard.

Thank you! The cake was pretty good. Allears has awesome recipes! Definitely check it out. The only other thing I have made is the BBQ from Flametree. If you try anything you will have to let me know!

T-Rex was great! Anthony made a good choice.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I can't remember. However, I was 7 when I first went to WDW.

 

[megan511]

I can't remember. However, I was 7 when I first went to WDW.

I was thinking when Tessa turns 7 would be a good time for us to go celebrate her birthday at Disney World.