Keep Calm and Go to Disney! 10/21 - 11/4/14 COMPLETE

[sarahatthesea]

Now I've got to try the ice cream sandwich concoction available at the park too

Agreed! Sounds delicious!

 

[jedijill]

The S&D Food Classic looks so good. It's on my list of things to do some of these days.

Jill in CO

 

[jabead]

This looks absolutely phenomenal. And it definitely seemed like a great experience for the price! Now I've got to try the ice cream sandwich concoction available at the park too Looks like you had a fabulous time.

When I tried the pressed brioche ice cream sandwich at L'Artisan des Glaces last year, you could choose any of their ice cream flavors and then add either chocolate or raspberry sauce. I got vanilla ice cream with chocolate sauce and it was good. Not quite as good as the Bananas Foster one from the Classic, but good. Hope you enjoy it!

Lovely picture of the two of you. I've heard a lot about the Swan and Dolphin classic (mostly from the Dis Unplugged podcast), and wow - looks like a great time. I love the all inclusive feel. Definitely looks like the food was delicious!! Arancini, sushi, desserts... my mouth is watering!

I very much enjoyed the Classic. I'd love to go again this year but with my upcoming trip in May, I might not be able to squeeze in/afford a second trip this year. If not, I hope to go again in 2016.

Wow! That looks so amazing! Thank for your detailed reviews... I always love hearing about other peoples' Disney dining. One year I am going to make it to food and wine. It'll have to be after I retire though... no time off in the fall for teachers here!

Hmm...I've heard that the Swan & Dolphin gives a good room discount to teachers. I wonder if it applies to retired ones??

What a great picture of you and your husband. Looks like you had an incredible time. One of these days I hope to make it there for the S&D event.

I say, go for it Fran!!

Wow, I'm not even sure I have words. What an amazing experience!!!! At first I cringed at the price tag, but then I saw all that you got and it seems like a relatively good "deal." Plus from your pictures it doesn't look like it was too crowded.

That steak from Shulas and that bananas foster "panini" look worth the price of admission alone. And I know you aren't a raw seafood fan, but the Bluzoo offerings look amazing.

Thanks as always for the great pictures and write-ups and making me feel like I was there ; )

Actually the price for the Classic was considerably less then the similar Disney event, Party for the Senses. So I would have to say that overall the Classic is probably a better deal.

And thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying my dining reviews. And btw, the feeling is mutual...I love reading your reviews!

 

[jabead]

The S&D Food Classic looks so good. It's on my list of things to do some of these days.

Jill in CO

Let me know if and when you decide to go to the Classic, Jill. I just might run into you there.

 

[jabead]

On our walk back from the Swan & Dolphin to our room at the Boardwalk Villas we stopped to enjoy the live entertainment. There is a rotating group of performers who entertain along the boardwalk on Thursday - Saturday nights. On Friday, Halloween night it was a juggler...




Then once we had gotten to the grassy area of the Boardwalk resort which lies between Flying Fish Cafe and the Wyland Galleries (called the Boardwalk's Village Green) the Halloween Dance Party held there from 7 - 9 p.m. had just finished up...




It looked like it had been well attended. Also "The Nightmare Before Christmas" was being shown at the Luna Park Pool. Usually the nightly movies are shown on the Village Green but due to the Halloween Dance Party being held there that night, it had been moved to the resort's main pool area. We were tempted to watch the end of it, but we were just too tired.

I did though take a few minutes in the lobby to see who had won the Pumpkin Decorating Contest...




Castmembers of the Boardwalk Resort had decorated the pumpkins which had been on display since I checked into the BWV on Wednesday, Oct. 29. I had placed my votes, so I wanted to see if my favorites had won. Here are some of the contest entries and then the four winning pumpkins...

[URL=http://s1229.photobucket.com/user/jabead/media/October%202014%20Disney/DSC09519.jpg.html][/URL]​

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Winner for Best Disney Theme was this Olaf-O-Lantern...


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Winner for Best Halloween Theme...


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This Nemo themed pumpkin won for Most Creative...








And the Winner of Best Overall Pumpkin was...





So what do you think? Did the best pumpkins win? ​

Next up: Parisian Breakfast at Les Chefs de France

 

[rteetz]

Those are some great pumpkins! I always like seeing the CM contests that they have that's something special disney does. I do really like that stitch one and the nemo one. Halloween at the BW looks like a lot of fun.

 

[Pfau]

That looks amazing! My husband and I attended the South Beach Miami Food Festival this past Winter (two nights of it ... the Burger Bash and the BBQ Bash) and I'm telling you ... your visit to the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic has that BEAT! Wow! I love the diversity and the presentation of the plates. Thank you for taking the time to review them!

 

[JKSWonder]

Trigger Arm Fatigue Syndrome! So THAT's why my family beats me every time at TSM and on Buzz Lightyear....it's so good to finally have a diagnosis!

The food and drinks at the Swan and Dolphin event looks wonderful. I know my husband would have loved to have seen the Lagunitas table.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Seriously Barb the Swalphin should give you free tickets to this years Food and Wine Classic just for posting that amazing detailed review. Would love to try it someday after seeing all the delicious looking food you guys had and hadn't really ever thought about it before.

Love the pictures of the Boardwalk at Halloween. It looks even more beautiful than it normallly is.

 

[vettegirl]

All caught up! Love all the Disney photos! I am sad we will miss you by a day as we leave on the 11th, however I have a few dismeets planned during this trip.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Hi Barb - I finally got caught up with your trip report. You did a lot of updates while we were in Disney last week.
I'm sorry that I got these quotes out of order. I didn't realize that I had missed so much.

I also got a dessert that we had never tried here before, the Cheesecake Brownie...

Dana had gotten the cheesecake brownie at the Boardwalk and I had a few bites. It was really good. I had heard some negative reviews of it, mostly that the brownie was too dry, but ours was perfect. I almost wish I had ordered one of my own. It's too bad that yours got forgotten, but with all the wonderful food you had the rest of the trip, it is totally understandable.

My evening began by using a FP+ for the reserved seating area for Fantasmic! at Hollywood Studios. While this provided me with a good view of the show without having to stand in long lines, I don't believe it's worth the sacrifice of a Tier 1 fast pass...especially if you are a fan of Toy Story Mania.

We've gotten a 4th fp from the Concierge for Fantasmic, which is a nice way to see the show without sacrificing the only ride I always get a fp for at DHS.

Then we used our first FP+ of the day to ride Toy Story Mania. To no one's surprise, he trounced me...as everyone does.

For some reason, I can often beat Dana until the final round, then he somehow always pulls ahead to beat me - except one time when I won by about 400 points, or maybe I only lost by 400 points.

So if you are looking for a quieter breakfast buffet with the ability to have much of your food made fresh for you, then this would probably be a good choice. As for me, this was my 4th breakfast buffet in 4 days so, to be perfectly honest, this one did not "wow" me. Other than the omelet, none of the other food was unique or memorable.

Breakfast buffets do get to be the same old thing after awhile. The Dolphin's breakfast looks good, though.

Not much in the way of hijinks this time, with only a few scoldings received from our server. The last two times I've been to Prime Time I was with a large group of DISers and there was loads of hijinks going on...much of it precipitated by our group. Eating here again brought back memories of those fun times.

The story of the DISers at PT is very funny. I think that would be the best way to enjoy the antics.

However, I told my husband only that it was a new Disney musical show, one that we had never seen before. Since my husband is someone who complains every time we go to Disney World about having to go on the same old rides, see the same old shows, etc., he was all for seeing something new. And guess what? Much to my surprise, he actually enjoyed this show!

Dana liked the Frozen Sing Along, too. The show was well done, so that helped.

My husband and I quickly located the Shula's Steakhouse booth, which was at the far end of the side walkway (station M on the map). We were rewarded for making this our first stop by not having to stand in a line (which developed here later in the evening) for one of the most popular items of the festival...

That steak looks delicious. I would have had two of those, too.

Oh, but here's one last photo of the two of us, looking quite happy and perhaps just slightly inebriated...

It looks like it was a very nice event. Too bad they aren't holding it the weekend we are there in October.

On our walk back from the Swan & Dolphin to our room at the Boardwalk Villas we stopped to enjoy the live entertainment. There is a rotating group of performers who entertain along the boardwalk on Thursday - Saturday nights. On Friday, Halloween night it was a juggler...

We always seem to walk up to these performers just as they are finishing. It has happened three times now.

So what do you think? Did the best pumpkins win?

I never realized that they did so much for Halloween at the BWI. I really like the pumpkins and the winner was very cute.

 

[kastoney]

I had no idea they did so much for Halloween. I thought it was the MNSSHP or bust. Love the idea of a Halloween dance party and of course a movie pool side. And those pumpkins, wow some serious talent going on there within the Boardwalk. The stitch one was definitely awesome, but I'd have to go with the homage to your dining report ; )

[/QUOTE]

 

[jabead]

Those are some great pumpkins! I always like seeing the CM contests that they have that's something special disney does. I do really like that stitch one and the nemo one. Halloween at the BW looks like a lot of fun.

This was the first time I've been at Disney World during Halloween, so I was surprised that the Boardwalk resort went all out like this. I don't recall seeing anything special for Halloween at the other resorts I visited but maybe I missed it. I'd be interested in knowing if there were other resorts who got into the Halloween spirit.

That looks amazing! My husband and I attended the South Beach Miami Food Festival this past Winter (two nights of it ... the Burger Bash and the BBQ Bash) and I'm telling you ... your visit to the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic has that BEAT! Wow! I love the diversity and the presentation of the plates. Thank you for taking the time to review them!

You're welcome. Glad you enjoyed my review!

Trigger Arm Fatigue Syndrome! So THAT's why my family beats me every time at TSM and on Buzz Lightyear....it's so good to finally have a diagnosis!

The food and drinks at the Swan and Dolphin event looks wonderful. I know my husband would have loved to have seen the Lagunitas table.

Oh, I forgot about Buzz Lightyear. Yep, I have the same problem there too!!!

Seriously Barb the Swalphin should give you free tickets to this years Food and Wine Classic just for posting that amazing detailed review. Would love to try it someday after seeing all the delicious looking food you guys had and hadn't really ever thought about it before.

Love the pictures of the Boardwalk at Halloween. It looks even more beautiful than it normallly is.

Free tickets?!?! I'd definitely be down with that!

All caught up! Love all the Disney photos! I am sad we will miss you by a day as we leave on the 11th, however I have a few dismeets planned during this trip.

Shoot, soooo close!!!

Hi Barb - I finally got caught up with your trip report. You did a lot of updates while we were in Disney last week.

Oh, how was your trip, Sue? Have any new tips to pass on to me for my upcoming trips? What were your favorite meals this time?

It looks like it was a very nice event. Too bad they aren't holding it the weekend we are there in October.

What are your October trip dates? Is that your next trip? I'm hoping to get back there again in October but not sure I'll have any money left after the May trip.

I had no idea they did so much for Halloween. I thought it was the MNSSHP or bust. Love the idea of a Halloween dance party and of course a movie pool side. And those pumpkins, wow some serious talent going on there within the Boardwalk. The stitch one was definitely awesome, but I'd have to go with the homage to your dining report ; )

[/QUOTE]


The spider web pumpkin was definitely great. My oldest DD would have freaked out, as she absolutely hates spiders.

 

[jabead]

Saturday, November 1

The first thing on today's busy agenda was for me to attend the 9:00 a.m. Parisian breakfast at Epcot's...





This was something I had booked and pre-paid for at the end of July. By the time my husband decided to join me for the weekend (which was just two weeks before my trip), this event was sold out so once again I was solo for this one. I did find out though that Niki and her husband were also attending the breakfast so we were hoping to sit together. However, even though we checked in for the breakfast together they were unable to accommodate our wish to be seated together...in fact, we weren't even seated in the same room. I was seated by myself at a two-top table next to the window facing the World Showcase Lagoon. A server promptly came by to inquire as to what I would like to drink, with the choices being coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orange juice or all of the above. Normally I would have requested coffee, but on a whim I went with the hot chocolate and I am so glad that I did because it was absolutely delicious!!





I have no idea what was in it that made it taste so good, but I think it might have been the best hot chocolate I've ever had. Consequently, every time they came around to offer more I said, "Yes, please!" I think I drank 3, maybe even 4 cups!


Anyway, then I was directed to the closest buffet line (they had two buffet tables set up in this side of the restaurant, each with identical food) to help myself to all the pastries that I could possibly fit onto one plate...or at least that's what I did. But before I show you my shamefully full plate, here are some photos from the buffet to give you an idea of what there was to choose from.


First the baguettes, fresh from the oven at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie...










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And whether you like your baguette with butter and/or Bonne Maman fruit preserves (strawberry or golden plum mirabelle)...




Or if you are like me and enjoy some ham and/or salami with your bread...



​

...and maybe some cheese too.​

Regardless of your preference, they had you covered here.


Oh, but if you prefer your bread in the form of a delicious, buttery croissant then you again would have been in luck...




​

Some of the other savory choices were these Bacon Cheese Bechamel heart-shaped pastries...






Tomato Cheese Tartines...






And the French version of a toasted ham and cheese sandwich, the Croque Monsieur...





Then there were sweet pastries, like Pain au chocolate (aka chocolate croissants)...






Frangipane Triangles...






...and Pumpkin Danish.


​

And here is my plate...


​

Ok, I know how sinful my plate looks with the pastries piled two-deep high. In my defense though, I wanted to taste as many things as possible (for the sake of my review, of course ) and they only had full-size portions of the pastries. I wish they had had smaller samples available for those of us who would like just a taste of everything. But as it was, there were a couple of my lesser liked pastries that for the most part went to waste, with only a few bites taken. But what's that French phrase, "C'est la vie."



Before I start on my food choices, let's talk mimosas...





This was my first of two, or maybe even three. I do love mimosas! And the best part was that they were included in the price of this breakfast, which btw was $39 plus tax (gratuity included).


Ok, now on to the food, starting with the Frangipane pastry...




This was actually a first for me but probably won't be the last since I really enjoyed this almond-flavored cream-filled pastry.



Next was a Pumpkin danish...




I liked this but not as much as other kinds of danish, such as the cheese danish. But it was something different to try.


Then my meats and cheeses...




Salami, ham, brie, and I think maybe gruyere, all of which were good.


I also tried a Tomato Cheese Tartine for the first time...




This I didn't really care for. It just didn't seem like a breakfast food to me. The combination of bread, tomato sauce, and swiss, parmesan, and goat cheeses seemed more suitable for lunch. But to each his own.


For me though, if I'm going to have a sandwich for breakfast then a Croque Monsieur (toasted ham & cheese) is the way to go...








And then last but not least was a buttery, flaky croissant...




Mmmm...I'm really hungry now. How about you?


But wait, that's not quite all. Before leaving I was presented with this gift bag...





Which was filled with this stuff...





A nice parting gift.



So although this breakfast was relatively inexpensive compared to many of the other Food & Wine special events, I'm still unsure as to whether it was worth the $39 plus tax. Mimosas are sold at the French bakery for $7.50, so if I had two of these then they would be valued at $15.00. Then the hot chocolate, of which I had three cups, I think, is sold for $3.75/cup, so there is another $11+. That brings the cost of the food to only $13. Considering the price of the Croque Monsieur alone is $8.75, that makes this breakfast sound like a great deal. However, in reality I would have been perfectly content with say a Ham & Cheese Croissant from the bakery for $4.75, one cup of the delicious hot chocolate at $3.75, and perhaps one mimosa for $7.50. With the total coming in at a little more than $27, this would be a savings of $12. Regardless though, I'm glad that I got to experience yet another different F & W event. While it's not on my must-do-again list, I did enjoy it and would consider doing it again sometime. ​

Next up: A Visit to Boulangerie Patisserie

 

[jedijill]

I did the Parisian breakfast a couple of years ago....I thought it was great but then we drank a lot of mimosas! They were very generous pours!

Jill in CO

 

[rteetz]

The Parisian breakfast looks very good. May have to look into that.

 

[Vernie822]

I love the idea of the Parisian breakfast! I might have to look into the dates on that and see if we can make it work. I kind of agree with you though, I could eat a thing or two from the bakery with a mimosa and be perfectly content. Although everything looks divine!

 

[JKSWonder]

And I just died over that breakfast. $39.00? Totally worth it.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Oh, how was your trip, Sue? Have any new tips to pass on to me for my upcoming trips? What were your favorite meals this time?

We had a very nice trip. We ate at one new restaurant, Trattoria al Forno, and it was good, although nothing memorable. DH had the lasagna and it was good but a rather small portion for lasagna, which is usually served in a "too big to finish" size. We also ate lunch at San Angel Inn and I liked the green salsa and the Tostados de Tinga. We had dinner at Yak & Yeti and the pot stickers were excellent. That is probably the one item that stands out from that trip. The Mahi Mahi was good, too. I was hoping to be hungry enough to try the won ton dessert I hear so much about, but unfortunately, the pot stickers and entrees filled us up. And the fried chicken at Trail's End was worth the trip.

What are your October trip dates? Is that your next trip? I'm hoping to get back there again in October but not sure I'll have any money left after the May trip.

We'll be there Oct 21st to 26th, the same time as last year. I'm hoping we can get the same great weather that we had last year. I've made reservations at San Angel Inn and BOG, both for lunch, and I think that it is for right now. We'll probably add a couple last minute ADR's when we get there. It seems to work out fine that way.

 

[ursalita]

So many reviews to catch up on, what fun! After reading your review of Tusker House I wish I'd opted for a pre-park breakfast there instead of Crystal Palace. It seems like they have more variety than Crystal Palace and we've never met the characters in their safari outfits. Well, there's always next time.

While planning ADRs I've always skipped Teppan Edo because I can have Teppanyaki at home. But I've read so many great things I need to make sure we go the next time we're in Disney.

That pool clown is terrifying.

I totally missed that booth when we were in WS France last week. I read "Vins" and didn't realize they had slushes. I ended up with the rose one from the F&G booth so it was ok.

I had that strawberry cupcake from Boardwalk Bakery last week. I liked it but your Napoleon looks better.

You did get some great photos of Fantasmic! I'm sorry bluezoo was kind of forgettable for you.

Those juices at the Fresh buffet look like they are worth the price of admission. I think I'd grab several. If we ever stay at YC again I'll have to check out more of the Swan and Dolphin food options.

That Swan and Dolphin event looks amazing! $105 pp seems like a bargain for all of that.

I had no idea the Boardwalk had that entertainment. It reminds me a little of Key West from the pictures and description.

That breakfast event also seems to be worth it for the mimosas alone. I do see your point about not needing more than one under normal circumstances.