Mom & Son-One More Time w/Dad! 11 days of DxDDP-10/21, Grand Finale, FF Chef's Table!

[GoofySon'sMom]

Sunday morning, DH and I had an ADR at Crystal Palace. I really wanted the characters to sign my Vinylmation and thought it would be easier at the breakfasts than while waiting in lines.

Made a before opening ADR and unfortunately our room was so cold at Coronado (definitely should have called but never did) that my camera was "frozen" so my empty Main Street pics look like this

Kind of a cool effect, but not really what I wanted.

My plate ...

Star of the plate is the puffed french toast for sure! I wasn't hungry and didn't eat much but what I had was very good.

DH with Pooh ...

And Eyeore's autograph on my Vinyl ...

All in all a good, solid breakfast. Our waiter, Vinnie from New Jersey was very good. We had to wait a bit after we were done eating for Tigger and he was more than accomodating with filing coffee and juice.

Total would have been $48.97.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

After breakfast, we went to the front of the Park to wait for Andrew. Artsy MK shot ...

He was starving when he joined us so we headed directly to Sleepy Hollow for the Nutella waffle ...

This was truly wonderful! Crispy but soft waffle, warm nutella and the fresh fruit. We will be recreating these with Eggos at home, but I know they won't be the same.

Rode some rides including HM, my favorite ...

and Pirates

Found ourselves in Tomorrowland when we were getting a bit hungry. We shared the philly cheesesteak hot dog at the Launching Pad

I am almost ashamed to admit that I really liked this. Greasy, fake-cheesy goodness.

The only characters I waited in line to see & have sign my Vinyl were Chip and Dale

They were fun, as always.

DS really wanted to try the spicy chicken waffle sandwich so back to Sleepy Hollow we went ...

This was as good if not better than the Nutella one. Chicken had a bit of a kick with the sweet glaze. I only had a bite and hope to have another one when we go back in November! (Love saying that!)

Isaac was definitely moving in at that point. We asked about the Dessert Party at Guest Services and they said that it was still planned but offered to refund out money if we wanted it. We gladly accepted the offer figuring Murphy's Law would come into play and if we cancelled Isaac would move away! So no dessert party this trip which ended up being more than Ok with me!

 

[smile4stamps]

Boo on the camera being frozen! I thought it was a really foggy morning!!

That is a HUGE Vinyl!! I didn't realize how big it was. Was it easy for the characters to sign?

The waffle sandwiches look delicious! The chicken one looks so good but I am not good with spice. Did it have just a little bit of kick to it?

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Dinner was at The Wave. DS and I had a really good meal in 2008 but we haven't been back so this was DH first time.

We all had iced tea ... love the details with the lemons

The bread basket ...

I decided to have one of the wine flights while DH had the recommended wines with his courses ...

This was the sauvignon flight. Very nice selection. Very crisp.

DH had Chilled Citrus-marinated North Florida Shrimp and Calico Scallops

The recommended wine was Woop Woop Verdelho from SE Australia .. we found the Woop Woop name funny but the wine was very good

DS had the seasonal soup which was a very good tomato with a grilled cheese (I think it was brie)

I had the salad which I am not seeing on any of the current menus. I am sure it is on the menu DDW posted.

I have never had watermelon in salad before and this was really good. Loved the sweetness with the olives and the feta. Very fresh tasting. I made a watermelon/feta salad with a drizzle of balsamic for dinner last Sunday. Would would have known that that combo would be so very tasty?!

For entree, DS has the Chili-Soy Marinated Flat Iron Steak locally sourced Seasonal Vegetables and Udon Noodles

He was a bit disappointed in this as the noodles were really sweet. I had a bit and had to agree. I didn't try to meat so I can't comment.

DH had Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Shallot Butter, Potato Gateau, and Spring Ratatouille

I didn't try the meat but the veggies were very well done and the potato gateau was wonderful. Very cheesy, a bit crispy. I really enjoyed the few bites of this that I had.

I had the Locally-sourced Thompson Farms Pork Tenderloin in a Charred Herb marinade with Bread Salad and Bourbon-grilled Florida Peaches

I had wanted either of the dishes that Jay & Andrew had but I like to have different things so I had to pick something else. I asked our server and this is what she recommended. I ended up really enjoying the peaches with the pork. It was an interesting savory/sweet combo for the taste buds. And the salad added a nice lightness to the dish.

At this point I had decided that I was going back to the Hotel while they went to MK for EMH. I just felt that I needed some time alone after a week of DS and I being together for just about 24/7. I just wanted a bit of quiet 'me time'. So I was very glad we had decided not to do the dessert party. Of course that meant that we would be getting dessert with dinner ...

We pick all but the sorbets ...

I am afraid I can't comment much on these because I was really "done" at this point and just wanted to go back. I know DS and DH enjoyed most of them with DS preferring anything chocolate and DH preferring anything else.

DS really wanted good coffee so they shared a pressed pot and I had Earl Grey tea ...

Really love the presentation here ...

All in all a really enjoyable dinner. Not sure why we waited so long to come back. Total cost for items on the dining plan was $157.05. Total OOP cost for the wine, coffee and tea was $37.27

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Boo on the camera being frozen! I thought it was a really foggy morning!!

That is a HUGE Vinyl!! I didn't realize how big it was. Was it easy for the characters to sign?

The waffle sandwiches look delicious! The chicken one looks so good but I am not good with spice. Did it have just a little bit of kick to it?

Yeah, I figured out that I had to open the lens and warm it up each morning after that. Our room was really cold. The thermostat said it was 75 degrees but there was absolutely no way.

The waffle sandwiches were really great. Just a little bit of spice, not ever overly spicy at all. And a sweet spice.

The Vinyl is 9 inches. Characters had no problem signing. I bought a bunch of different color sharpies. It was fun. I enjoyed getting the character's autographs even as a adult but wanted something different for them to sign. Loved this idea when I saw it.

 

[vettegirl]

Nice review of the wave.

 

[rachel09985]

Thanks for the Wave review. We are eating there in November and I am still a little undecided as to what I want to do! I don't love the entree options but I love the dessert options!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

So nice to see another Wave review around here. I also really liked that salad - it was so interesting and flavorful.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Nice review of the wave.

Thank you!

Thanks for the Wave review. We are eating there in November and I am still a little undecided as to what I want to do! I don't love the entree options but I love the dessert options!

I say give it a try! We have enjoyed both meals that we have eaten there.

So nice to see another Wave review around here. I also really liked that salad - it was so interesting and flavorful.

Yes, The Wave is really a star "1 credit" restaurant for sure. I am thinking it will definitely be on our list next year for one meal, just not sure which one!

 

[basketlacey]

Great new reviews! Crystal Palace is my favorite character meal. We aren't going this year and seeing your pictures is making me regret that decision! We want to try Kona for breakfast though and we also want to try Cape May. I don't have any other mornings to fit it in!

Those waffles look amazing. I have just recently been introduced to the wonderfulness of nutella. Oh my! What have I been missing all these years? However, I really like sweet and spicy so I think that chicken one might win out.

 

[happy2012]

Nice Wave review!

 

[jabead]

Hi Vicki, hope you are getting plenty of rest this weekend and are feeling better. I was surprised to find this morning that I was several reviews behind on your thread. You have been a busy little Dining Reporter!

Sunday morning, DH and I had an ADR at Crystal Palace. I really wanted the characters to sign my Vinylmation and thought it would be easier at the breakfasts than while waiting in lines.

And Eyeore's autograph on my Vinyl ...

How many autographs did you end up getting on your Vinyl during this trip? You know, I have been oblivious to the "Vinylmation" thing until I saw yours (when you sent me the preview pic) and then Linda gave me this adorable one during our DIS meet...

So I think I just might have found something new to collect. My DH says, "Thanks a lot, Vicki and Linda!"

Made a before opening ADR and unfortunately our room was so cold at Coronado (definitely should have called but never did) that my camera was "frozen" so my empty Main Street pics look like this

Kind of a cool effect, but not really what I wanted.

Whoa, your room must have been seriously cold to do that to your camera!!! At least it seemed to be working well again once it "thawed out", since your breakfast pics came out great.

He was starving when he joined us so we headed directly to Sleepy Hollow for the Nutella waffle ...

This was truly wonderful! Crispy but soft waffle, warm nutella and the fresh fruit. We will be recreating these with Eggos at home, but I know they won't be the same.

So glad to see that Andrew got his Nutella waffle! Let me know how the Eggo recreation goes. If it's pretty good then I might make it for my DS, the Nutella fan in our family.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

How many autographs did you end up getting on your Vinyl during this trip? You know, I have been oblivious to the "Vinylmation" thing until I saw yours (when you sent me the preview pic) and then Linda gave me this adorable one during our DIS meet...


So I think I just might have found something new to collect. My DH says, "Thanks a lot, Vicki and Linda!"

It's funny, I had no interest in the Vinyls until January of this year. I then decided that I need all of them! I right around 100 right now ...

Let's see, who signed? Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Donald, Goofy, Stitch, Lilo, Pooh, Tigger, Eyeore, Piglet and Chip & Dale. Many more could have but I only wanted to deal with it at the Character breakfasts.

And, yes ... our room was seriously cold! It felt good when we first returned but no so much in the middle of the night!

Will let you know once we try the nutella eggos!

 

[sushi candy]

Beautiful review of the wave! I adore the scallops and the watermelon salad. Too bad you were done and you missed dessert. . I keep worrying about that and how I can pace myself so there is always room to eat everything.

 

[emmysmommy]

Oops! Like Jabead I'm a bit behind on the reviews (busy weekend)

I'm sorry Yachtsman fell flat for you. For the price you pay for the steaks I would think they would not be over-salted, over-cooked, etc. Glad the goo in the jar was appreciated. (I still say ick!)

CP and puffed french toast deserve this ---->> Love that stuff along with the Mickey waffles of course.

Ahhh the Nutella waffle at Sleepy Hollow - now I know what the excitement is all about with that goodie.

For some reason I keep shying away from The Wave but so many reviews are so good including yours. The watermelon salad is something that I definitely want to try. I hope you enjoyed your alone time after dinner!

Also... sending you well wishes for the crud that had you down. I hope today is better.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I just did our HBD review and either my laptop or the Dis had a "blip" and I lost it. I am too frustrated to type it all again! I will do it tomorrow ...

 

[smile4stamps]

I just did our HBD review and either my laptop or the Dis had a "blip" and I lost it. I am too frustrated to type it all again! I will do it tomorrow ...

That is a BUMMER! Sometimes if you hit the back button it will still be there... I'm guessing since you posted though it won't be...

 

[Tracerr00]

I'm kicking myself right now for not getting that Nutella waffle!! I had that on my list and we never ended up getting it! I like to make waffles at home so I think I'm going to need to try this myself as we don't have another trip to Disney planned.

My sister and I went to The Wave and we enjoyed our meal. Unfortunately we didn't know that we were both coming down with a stomach bug at the time so we thought it was odd that we enjoyed it but we just weren't very hungry. I would love to try it again sometime! I had the pork (but it was a bit different when we went) and I thought it was very nicely done. Great review and it makes me want to go back.

Also, my camera did the same thing several times! I've got some foggy looking pictures every morning.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

That is a BUMMER! Sometimes if you hit the back button it will still be there... I'm guessing since you posted though it won't be...

It wasn't, I tried. Somehow I got logged off and when I logged back in, "poof". Back button just gave me an error message.

I'm kicking myself right now for not getting that Nutella waffle!! I had that on my list and we never ended up getting it! I like to make waffles at home so I think I'm going to need to try this myself as we don't have another trip to Disney planned.

My sister and I went to The Wave and we enjoyed our meal. Unfortunately we didn't know that we were both coming down with a stomach bug at the time so we thought it was odd that we enjoyed it but we just weren't very hungry. I would love to try it again sometime! I had the pork (but it was a bit different when we went) and I thought it was very nicely done. Great review and it makes me want to go back.

Also, my camera did the same thing several times! I've got some foggy looking pictures every morning.

Definitely make the nutella waffle at home. Won't be exactly the same because it isn't a Disney waffle but it should be close. Bummer on not feeling well at The Wave. Definitely give it another try!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Ok, Let’s try this again! Isaac moved in overnight Sunday night and it was POURING about 7am. We decided to roll over & get a bit more sleep! Got to Hollywood Studios late morning. DS went to get TSMM fastpasses. Not sure what we did after that but ultimately lunch was at Hollywood Brown Derby. We were soaked when we walked in and were given a Disney bag to put our wet ponchos and hats in.

Here’s the menu …

We all got iced teas. DH again decided to get the recommended wines with his courses. I go the margarita flight!

These were very good … the mango ended up being my favorite.
DS decided on the Potato and Leek Soup - with green onion creme fraiche

This was a delicious soup. Creamy, very decadent tasting. He ate every drop.

I had the Brie, Midnight Moon and Prosciutto Cake with Tete de Moine Petals, and an olive-roasted vegetable salad

This had good flavor but the “cake” was a bit dry. It could have used a sauce or aioli or something. But I do love proscuitto so I was happy with it. And the saltiness actually went well with the margaritas.

And DH had the Blue Lump Crab Spring Rolls - snow crab claw and a Asian slaw with spicy miso aioli

DH doesn’t usually eat crab so his choice surprised me. I don’t eat it at all so I didn’t try any but he seemed to like it very much.

For entrees, DS had the Charred Filet of Beef - over Brentwood corn and Pancetta Risotto, arugula pesto and pickled rainbow carrots

He really liked this steak. Andrew loves anything pesto so this was perfect for him. I had the carrots and they were very tasty. Nice acidity with the sweet carrots.

DH had the Spit-Roasted Bison -with sauteed beets tossed in a herb shallot vinaigrette, forest mushroom white truffle croquette and a cocoa espresso barbeque sauce

I wanted to love the bison but didn’t. Something seemed “off” to me. Maybe it was too game-y for me? Not sure. DH loved it though. All 3 of us agreed that the truffle croquettes were to die for. Wish we could have had a whole plate of them. Crispy and yet light. Very, very good.

I had the Duck Two Ways - Duck pastrami over a pear and melon salad with white balsamic, honey and vanilla reduction and Duck confit with farro risotto and spicey onion citrus jam

I don’t normally eat duck. I find it too greasy. I don’t eat dark meat chicken or turkey either. I had duck confit for the first time in June for our special anniversary lunch at the Culinary Institute and I loved it. I also love pastrami so this called my name. I really enjoyed the confit with the farro risotto but not so much the pastrami. It had kind of a greasy feel to me. But I liked everything else on the plate enough that I considered it an overall success.

On to dessert –

DS didn’t feel like dessert. DH had the Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower - on Cocoa-Almond Cookie and Bananas Foster

I only had a bit and thought it was good but nothing special. DH liked it though.

I had to get the Grapefruit Cake - Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit-Cream Cheese Icing

I have had this before and it didn’t not disappoint. I love the cake and the creamy layers inside but not so much the grapefruit jell on top. I just scrape it off. Really enjoyed dessert.

Total cost for the dining plan portion would have been $183.08. Total cost OOP for the margarita flight and two glasses of wine was $38.41.
All in all we enjoyed our meal. I probably could have made better choices for myself but can’t say that I am disappointed. I wanted to try new things and I did.

As a side note, this guy was the hit of the Parade. He would not get out of the way and strutted down the street like he owned the place. He would run a bit, then sit up and look around or sniff something on the street. He was a hoot!

After the Parade, we just wanted out as DHS was very crowded. We left to go to EPCOT for some Off Kilter! Gave our TSMM fastpasses to a family of 3 as they were walking in. They were so happy! Nice to pass on the pixie dust! It really made us feel good.