Matt's 18th Birthday trip - Now Live

[wayneg]

he normally goes to the AKL but obviously fancied a change.

He loves the Poly, stayed there at least the past 4 years, Matt has followed him on Twitter for years, we invited him to the DISmeet we had at the Poly in 2009 but he never turned up

Wow, you are certainly packing it all in

We are always ready for a rest after a holiday

the food at san angel inn looks ok....i've heard so many bad things, we never go there, which is a shame since it has such a nice location!

I really don't understand the poor reviews, the food is different so for anyone who likes basic, plain food they might struggle, although Lucy is a chicken and chips person and she found it OK.
Out of all the restaurants we have been to it has been one of the busiest, some almost empty like Akershus(never seen a Disney restaurant so quiet) San Angel were turning away any walk ups for the rest of that evening.

 

[Cyrano]

i wouldn't recognize tom cruise if i collided with him head on!

the food at san angel inn looks ok....i've heard so many bad things, we never go there, which is a shame since it has such a nice location!

We all love Mexican food and really wanted to have the same experience as Wayne. Food was poor quality and underwhelming. Probably our worst meal of our trip.
Just shows that everyone's experience can vary, but I doubt we would go back

 

[tinkerpea]

Well Ive just caught up! Really enjoyingreading the live trip report..

Happy belated birthday to Matt!! looks like your all having a blast,Loving the food pics...The pics of Lilly and Matt are too cute! My son brandon clings to anybody older then him "hes the 9yr old" and would love a Matt on his holiday

Also just wondering how much the fairfield was and who you booked it with as it looks fab from your pics! ,The decor is right up my street and we are still looking for a place to stay on I-drive for a few nights now that we have decided on doing AOA for 3 nights after SSR so we can do MNSSHP, and then we will go to Universal/shopping from AOA for the other 2 days before going to I-drive for the last 3 nights Im just trying to decide if we want to stay at Universal for 1 night or all 3 but if its too much then the Fairfield looked really nice!! Anyways I know your busy on your hols so you can always answer when you get back

Hope the rest of your trip is just as good as the start

 

[wayneg]

Well Ive just caught up! Really enjoyingreading the live trip report..

Also just wondering how much the fairfield was and who you booked it with as it looks fab from your pics! ,The decor is right up my street and we are still looking for a place to stay on I-drive for a few nights now that we have decided on doing AOA for 3 nights after SSR so we can do MNSSHP, and then we will go to Universal/shopping from AOA for the other 2 days before going to I-drive for the last 3 nights Im just trying to decide if we want to stay at Universal for 1 night or all 3 but if its too much then the Fairfield looked really nice!! Anyways I know your busy on your hols so you can always answer when you get back

Hope the rest of your trip is just as good as the start

This trip the Fairfield only cost about £3/nt as I used airmiles. Stayed there a few times now, never paid more than £30/nt but since Fairfield took over last year their prices have risen. I couldn't find a good price for our next trip in Nov so staying at the Fairfield Marriott Village, just a little further on the road. Paid £36/nt for that.
Some things are better at the Fairfield Inn than here at OKW, the shower was far better, the beds more comfy, so were the pillows. Internet was 30+ times faster.
OKW is great for the buses if you want a drink and the free DDP but I think this will be our last year onsite.

I think I have sorted pics from yesterday so will try again.
Morning by pool then to Beaches and cream for lunch, 1st time I have used a TS credit for lunch but we had a spare one this trip so decided B&C would be a good use for it. Don't think anyone could eat a complete meal in there, I had double cheeseburger then a Milky way sundae which was huge. When paying OOP 3 of us usually share a sundae.
Our server was excellent. For the first time we didn't get 18% auto grat added for a party of 6 or more so we left her 20%. I just don't understand Disney adding 18%, I very very rarely tip more if its added automatically, unless the server is exceptional.

Came out to see lightening over the Boardwalk.

Into Epcot for a few hours then back to get changed before DTD and T-rex.
Ate here before paying OOP wasn't over inpressed, same again last night, on DDP, food not brilliant, steak overcooked but waited almost a hour for it so wasn't waiting any longer for another.
Worsed thing was the server took our drinks order then brought check to be signed before ordering food. I don't understand how he could without knowing values of food. I told him straight I am not signing anything until I am satisfied with the food and service, then he could bring it back for signing. Couldn't fault his service but it annoyed me. I will not return, enjoyed Rainforest Cafe at AK far more.

 

[wayneg]

Today started in Seaworld until lunch at Port Orleans Riverside. Had shrimp pasta again which seems to get bigger every time I order it, could only eat about half of it.
After lunch back to the room for a nap, had a hour then down to pool. Met a really nice family a few days ago who gave us a bottle of wine before leaving back home to Michigan so we drank that by the pool.
This evening into epcot for meal at Rose and Crown. This is another place we have kept adding to our list every year then removing due to bad reviews.
When on holiday I like to try new things, something a bit different so R&C never really appealed. Tonight I probably had one of the most enjoyable meals of the trip, The server was outstanding, Ryan from Manchester, so good we left him a $40 tip (around 25%)
I don't know if they serve less tables here but he had time to talk(a lot of talk) sort our orders and keep drinks topped up.
At 8:50 we ordered our deserts, he said he could take us out to a viewing area for Illuminations, while gone he would refill all drinks and have deserts ready as soon as we returned. Great view of fireworks and as he promised everything was set when we returned. Spent about another 15 mins talking before we left. Ryans contract runs out soon but hopes to move onto the cruiseline, hope he gets to do what he wants.

Just after midnight, had a massive storm in past 30 mins, Thunder really loud, lightening and lashing it down. Hope it clears for Busch tomorrow

 

[Shazzie B]

This evening into epcot for meal at Rose and Crown. This is another place we have kept adding to our list every year then removing due to bad reviews.
When on holiday I like to try new things, something a bit different so R&C never really appealed. Tonight I probably had one of the most enjoyable meals of the trip.

Glad you all enjoyed it; we always have especially with the viewing for the Fireworks, but I know it's not to everyones taste. Was that Sticky Toffee Pudding-I may have to stop reading this report it makes me too hungry, trouble is I can't resist - 68 days and counting!

 

[rachelanne]

Hello Wayne, great trip reporting, really giving us all a great boost for our Florida hols planning. Can you tell me what time your reservation was at Rose and Crown, so we could watch the fireworks from there please?
Mathews blog has now convinced me that to upgrade from QSDP is the way to go!- so im in planning mode again now. Enjoy your hols

 

[disneyholic family]

After lunch back to the room for a nap, had a hour then down to pool. Met a really nice family a few days ago who gave us a bottle of wine before leaving back home to Michigan so we drank that by the pool.

yes, we michiganders are a nice bunch!!!

This evening into epcot for meal at Rose and Crown. This is another place we have kept adding to our list every year then removing due to bad reviews.
When on holiday I like to try new things, something a bit different so R&C never really appealed. Tonight I probably had one of the most enjoyable meals of the trip, The server was outstanding, Ryan from Manchester, so good we left him a $40 tip (around 25%)
I don't know if they serve less tables here but he had time to talk(a lot of talk) sort our orders and keep drinks topped up.
At 8:50 we ordered our deserts, he said he could take us out to a viewing area for Illuminations, while gone he would refill all drinks and have deserts ready as soon as we returned. Great view of fireworks and as he promised everything was set when we returned. Spent about another 15 mins talking before we left. Ryans contract runs out soon but hopes to move onto the cruiseline, hope he gets to do what he wants.

so this was your first time at R&C?
we ate there for the first time last August and our experience was very much the same as yours..
one of the nicest meals we had....very long, very leisurely, excellent food and outstanding service!!!

DD just said to me a few weeks ago that when we were shown to our outside table (at 4 in the very hot afternoon), she thought i was completely nuts, but then it turned out to be the nicest meal of the trip........

there was a breeze from the water and the server kept refilling our drinks (without us asking)....he must have refilled each of our drinks 8 times, if not more....
he chatted with us throughout the meal and the chef came out and chatted with us multiple times during the meal as well....

we sat there for almost 2 hours having the most relaxing meal we've ever had at WDW...
and then they told us we could come back to be in the viewing area for the fireworks (which we did - outstanding location to view illuminations!!)...

and did i say the food was good? it was...i had salmon, which was outstanding....and i don't remember what the dessert was, only that it was yummy...and gallons and gallons of diet coke

i too had read lots of bad reviews, but decided to try it last year anyway and was very glad i did!!

 

[jen_uk]

Loving reading about your trip, I just wish I was there as well

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Still here enjoying the report B&C looks great - we had ice-cream there on Christmas Day and I fancy going again.

As for R&C we have enjoyed fish and chips there a few times and have always found the servers to be really good

 

[dixonsontour]

Rose and crown looks great

 

[wayneg]

Was that Sticky Toffee Pudding-I may have to stop reading this report it makes me too hungry, trouble is I can't resist - 68 days and counting!

Yes it was.

Hello Wayne, great trip reporting, really giving us all a great boost for our Florida hols planning. Can you tell me what time your reservation was at Rose and Crown, so we could watch the fireworks from there please?

Our res time was 7:20pm but about 10-15 mins late being called.
I believe if you leave before 9pm you can return and show your reciept to gain entry to the reserved area.

so this was your first time at R&C?

DD just said to me a few weeks ago that when we were shown to our outside table (at 4 in the very hot afternoon), she thought i was completely nuts, but then it turned out to be the nicest meal of the trip........

Never eaten there before.
Wouldn't eat outside for 2 reasons, the heat (last night was unbearably hot all evening) and birds, Karen won't eat any meal outside if at all possible to dine inside.

Loving reading about your trip, I just wish I was there as well

Wish you were here again. At least you have a trip to plan now.

 

[wayneg]

Today was Busch Gardens, again my favourite park, lots to do for all ages, more for Lily than any other park. Got there for opening and didn't leave til almost 5pm and hadn't done half the things we wanted to.

I got drenched on the Log Flume, wet from head to toe.

An hour to change then out to AKL to dine at Sanaa, last year one of our favourite restaurants, thankfully this years meal or service didn't dissapoint.
Lily basically eats bread, chicken nuggets & Pizza out here on the DDP, we find she sometimes struggles with DDP menus.
Tonight the server asked her what she was called, he said she had to ask for anything she wanted so she asked for apple slices. we order a bread selection, she ate lots of that. when her pizza arrived she was eating Karens rice so the server brought lily a bowl full. He then asked what she wanted for dessert, she said choc cake, he obliged even though it wasnt on the childrens menu.
Our food was all excellent, Matt's & Paul's Vindaloo was really spicey, I sampled everything, all lots of flavour & spice. Karen had Tandoori chicken again, just as good as last year. I had the Salmon again.
Dessert was possibly my 2nd fave after Raglan rd's Bread & butter pud. I had a new offering Banana Kulfi Sundae with warm chocolate sauce, strawberries, and spiced cashews. http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/...ges-at-sanaa-in-disneys-animal-kingdom-lodge/

I doubt we will do DDP again but if we do Sanaa would be on the list again without question.

Tomorrow is Lucy & Paul's Anniversary, we will be eating in Cinders Castle to Celebrate.

 

[Elise79]

Sounds like another great day

What foods would Lily usually eat at home? I know Disneys kid menus are not great as they are all very much the same and takes more effort than should be required to find more interesting choices and don't get me started on the kids chicken nuggets

 

[burt]

Looks like your having a fab time Wayne, just waiting for taxi to pick us up, see you all at the cheesecake factory real soon!

 

[disneyholic family]

Our res time was 7:20pm but about 10-15 mins late being called.
I believe if you leave before 9pm you can return and show your reciept to gain entry to the reserved area.

Never eaten there before.
Wouldn't eat outside for 2 reasons, the heat (last night was unbearably hot all evening) and birds, Karen won't eat any meal outside if at all possible to dine inside.

yes absolutely you can come back..
if you have dinner at R&C - no matter what time your dinner is, you can come back to the viewing area...
out dinner was at 4 or 4:30......we were done by 6:30 and then came back two hours later.....
best view of illuminations we've ever had....really outstanding!!!

i wouldn't have picked an outside table either....
in fact, i didn't realise they had outdoor seating...or rather i did, but hadn't thought about it...
we were 6 people, so the only table they had available was outside....
we all were worried, but it turned out great..

i agree with Karen about birds.....Chani, her husband and i had french fries in adventureland and had to move our table 3 times because of birds....we thought we were in a horror picture...

wow - Sanaa is really beautiful inside....and i never added it to Chani's ADR list...i'll email her to consider switching it out with one of her other resort meals - it looks very romantic in there!!

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Brilliant restaurant reports as usual... I really have enjoyed all my meals at R&C but again not done it since 2005.

LOVE Sanaa and hope to get there again before the year is out! That sundae sounds divine!

 

[zippy99]

We had already booked R&C for our first day when we transfer to Disney - Saturday night at 7.30 so perfect for fireworks (only booked this last month) really pleased to see you review and pics.

I have also been tempted by Sanna for some time so just cancelled La Hacienda In favour of this - it looks delicious!

Thanks for the updates!

 

[queendisney]

loving your trip report still..

Must admit I still can't bring myself to go back to R&C..been twice and the second time was its second chance. It is still the worst place I have eaten at WDW. Might give Sanaa a go this time that looks very yummy.

Regarding Jonathan Ross...that just proves I should never believe what I read.. Mind you I did see photo's of him and his family sitting on the balcony of AKL..

 

[StitchMad]

Just a quick post live from the Magic Kingdom - we're waiting for the Main Street Electrical Parade after eating in Cinderella Castle. The music to this parade is fantastic!