Just back- had an amazing time!

[Mrs. Toaster]

Just got back on Sunday and wanted to extend my sincere thanks to this Board (and the WDW boards) for always being such a huge help in planning our Disney vacations! This time, it was off to Disneyland to see my nephew's high school marching band march right on down Main Street last Friday. My nephew plays the bagpipes, and got to kick off the parade! Needless to say, there were tears of pride and joy in my eyes! We enjoyed 2 fantastic days in the parks, and 3 excellent meals in Downtown Disney (Tortilla Joe's, Naples and the Jazz Kitchen). We also had an awesome stay at the Embassy Suites South. This was my second time there, and my entire family fell in love with this hotel. I used the Disneyland Resort Express to get back and forth from the airport, and the ART shuttle to the parks.

I love Walt Disney World, but there is nothing like Walt's original park. Any questions, just ask away!

 

[marcemc]

Just got back on Sunday and wanted to extend my sincere thanks to this Board (and the WDW boards) for always being such a huge help in planning our Disney vacations! This time, it was off to Disneyland to see my nephew's high school marching band march right on down Main Street last Friday. My nephew plays the bagpipes, and got to kick off the parade! Needless to say, there were tears of pride and joy in my eyes! We enjoyed 2 fantastic days in the parks, and 3 excellent meals in Downtown Disney (Tortilla Joe's, Naples and the Jazz Kitchen). We also had an awesome stay at the Embassy Suites South. This was my second time there, and my entire family fell in love with this hotel. I used the Disneyland Resort Express to get back and forth from the airport, and the ART shuttle to the parks.

I love Walt Disney World, but there is nothing like Walt's original park. Any questions, just ask away!

Fun times
Thanks for sharing & congrats on your nephew marching down on good ol' Main Street.
My one question: did you eat at Hungry Bear & if so what do you think of their new menu?

 

[pixiewings71]

HEY!!! I saw his band march down MS! We were there too. I'm glad you had fun!!

 

[KCmike]

I love Walt Disney World, but there is nothing like Walt's original park. Any questions, just ask away!

Couldn't agree more! Glad you had a great time.

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

Sorry it took so long for me to respond! It's crazy how busy you get after you get back from vacation!

marcemc: Yes, we did eat at Hungry Bear. I just love sitting by the water there. I had the fried green tomato sandwich. It was really yummy. The 2 family members with me had the turkey with provolone and enjoyed that too. We also shared the very yummy lemon honeybee cupcake! Also had my very first Dole whip on this trip. My mom and I fell in love with it!

pixiewings71: I wondered if anyone on these boards saw the band! It was such an amazing opportunity for them. They even received this beautiful plaque from Disney to honor their experience.

 

[azdisneylover]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time! Great to read! By any chance, did you take any pictures, especially of the food at Hungry Bear?

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Sorry it took so long for me to respond! It's crazy how busy you get after you get back from vacation!

marcemc: Yes, we did eat at Hungry Bear. I just love sitting by the water there. I had the fried green tomato sandwich. It was really yummy. The 2 family members with me had the turkey with provolone and enjoyed that too. We also shared the very yummy lemon honeybee cupcake! Also had my very first Dole whip on this trip. My mom and I fell in love with it!

pixiewings71: I wondered if anyone on these boards saw the band! It was such an amazing opportunity for them. They even received this beautiful plaque from Disney to honor their experience.

If you liked the Dole Pineapple Whip at DL, you have definitely got to try one at WDW. They are the pineapple and vanilla soft serve swirled together, and it is just delicious. We always get one at DL, but prefer the ones at WDW.

Just a tidbit, WDW, DL and the pineapple plantations in Hawaii are the only places you can get these delicious concoctions.

 

[pixiewings71]

Yup we saw them, we had just met up with our family who was also there....their DD also went with her band but instead of marching down MS they got to record music to go with movies!!!! They then got DVDs with their band playing the soundtracks! They also competed at one of the colleges and won an award later that night over in DCA.

We didn't try the new menu at HB but man....I want to now!!

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

azdisneylover: Did not take any food pictures. Sorry! My husband is our resident photo guy, but he wasn't with me on this trip. I seem to forget that I actually have my camera with me!

pixiewings: Recording music? How fun! What high school was she with? We attended the awards ceremony. They had the genie there, as well as other characters, which was a lot of fun. Sounds like all of the kids had a blast on this trip!

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

Rwethereyet: I will most definitely give the WDW Dole Whip a try! We will most likely be heading there in November. I hate to admit this on a Disneyland board, but we do prefer the food at WDW overall. There is just so much more variety.

I have to add, that I mentioned to a friend how I ALWAYS get a frozen banana when at Disneyland, and she said, "you know you can buy those in the local grocery store." I told her that it is not the same. It can only taste delicious at Disney!

 

[Diane D]

Could you tell me how your experience was with the Disneyland Resort Express? We're going in November. We'll have 4 adults and 3 kids (8, 3 & 11 mo.). Did it work OK then also getting back to the airport? Thank you!

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

I have mixed feelings about the Disneyland Resort Express. Arriving at Orange County was great. The bus was there, the driver was nice, and we made only 2 stops before my hotel (which was the last stop). Very convenient. Took about 30 minutes door to door.

Going back was another story. The bus picked me up straight away, and was about half full. On his way out of the parking lot, the driver informs us that he may just go to LAX and not to Orange County, even though I had checked when I got on the bus! Another couple and I quickly spoke up and said that we really did not want to take a joy ride to LAX. He then goes to the Disneyland hotel and unloads the entire bus and luggage, which took some time. He then tells us all to wait there (both OC and LAX passengers) for another 2 busses. What? It was all very confusing and time consuming. I was just glad I did not have my kids with me. When the bus did eventually show (about 10 minutes later), that driver was very nice and got us to the airport quickly.

In summary, I had a mixed experience. Was some of it just a fluke, or a regular occurrence. I have no idea. It did save me a rental car, but I will still have to think long and hard about using them next time.

 

[pixiewings71]

azdisneylover: Did not take any food pictures. Sorry! My husband is our resident photo guy, but he wasn't with me on this trip. I seem to forget that I actually have my camera with me!

pixiewings: Recording music? How fun! What high school was she with? We attended the awards ceremony. They had the genie there, as well as other characters, which was a lot of fun. Sounds like all of the kids had a blast on this trip!

I was at the awards ceremony too...but we didn't have a Genie there....we did have the Fab 5 tho, that was fun. I can't remember the name of her school......I'll have to see if I can find out and let you know.

 

[Disney Cat]

Fun times
Thanks for sharing & congrats on your nephew marching down on good ol' Main Street.
My one question: did you eat at Hungry Bear & if so what do you think of their new menu?

I ate at the Hungry Bear last week to try the new menu. Had the Fried Green Tomato sandwich with Sweet Potato Fries.

The sandwich is fantastic! The green tomatoes are in fried in a light coating and the sandwich has heirloom tomatoes, red onions and a perfect complimentary sauce. I cannot recommend it enough! BTW, it is vegetarian.

I like SP Fries, but the are often dense and/or soggy. These are perfect: light, sweet and crunchy. They are salted, but with just enough salt to counter the natural sweetness in the potato. I requested a side of ranch dressing, but did not use it at all because the fries were so tasty on their own.

I was really too full after the sandwich & fries for dessert, but I did purchase a The Lemon "Bumblebee" Cupcake: it was very good, refreshing & light.

Can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu!

For a more detailed review (with pics) check out the Mouse Planet review:

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9574/The_Delicious_Relaunch_of_Hungry_Bear

 

[Mrs. Toaster]

pixiewings71: Maybe there was more than 1 awards ceremony? Ours was Saturday night about 9:30pm in the Hyperion theater where they show the Aladdin show. The genie from the show was on stage the entire time, and the fab 5 came out at the end to do a song and dance number. It was really fun!