No Longer coming to you Live from Disney World! Take 3 DDW'S TAMBU LOUNGE 8/6

[jabead]

Our next update was sent to us by mousegear.


She said, "We spent a good amount of time in Future World in EPCOT. It was near noon when we were heading into World Showcase and we didn't want to rush for our 12:20 ADR at Tokyo Dining. Plus kiddos were hungry. So I cancelled our ADR using MDE app. We headed to La Cantina to grab some nachos and tacos."










"Nachos were great! There was plenty of toppings and it was huge. However, the beef tacos were very, very dry and no one would eat them after one bite."



"The also found the churros with caramel sauce to be delicious."




"I was glad that I could cancel the ADR without penalty since it was made before 10/31."
​

2 November Game Points Earned + 2 Bonus Points for sign/menu pic

 

[jabead]

The next 3 updates we received yesterday were from Ken (Gastons Truffle Hog).


He said, "We began Sunday morning with an 8am pre park opening breakfast reservation at...







"It was regular breakfast buffet food with a few Norwegian inspired additions consisting of smoked fish, meats and cheeses."
















"We agreed the food was "fine to good" (2/5), but our overall experience was a 4/5 thanks to the wonderful princesses. My girls were being a bit shy but Cindarella, Ariel, Aurora, and Snow White snapped them right out of it and had them parading around the restaurant in no time."






​

3 November Game Points Earned + 5 Bonus Points for sign, menu, and pic of DDs with Snow White

 

[jabead]

Ken's next update was from his dinner on Sunday at...




"Unfortunately my iPhone died shortly into this meal so I don't have many pictures. However, we were pleasantly surprised by both the food and service based on all the mixed reviews. I'm incredibly critical on restaurants but all 3 signature dinners so far have been great. We were a party of 8 at 7:30 so we'd get to see Wishes around dessert time. That was really awesome and we all just loved watching from the observation deck together."



' I had the blue cheese olive martini and a glass of veuve clicqout which were both very good as I knew they would be (safe choices). My DMIL had a cucumber fizz which she said was excellent and my sister let me taste her espresso martini which was awesome. Jackie had an Angry Orchard which was good and my mom had a glass of Meiomi? Pinot Noir which she absolutely loved. I tried it and definitely agreed. Drinks get 4/5."




"For apps I had to try the Spicy Kazan Roll which was very good but not life changing the way I've read many times. The fireball sauce was good but Mount Panko was complete garnish overkill IMHO and detracted from the sushi if you were to eat much of it - 3/5."












"My DMIL's yellowtail sashimi was outstanding and I was very jealous 4/5. My sister enjoyed the heirloom tomato salad 3/5. DFIL destroyed his prawns 3/5. The girls liked dipping the lavender focaccia bread in the hummus that came with their lettuce wraps, but didn't care for the wraps 3/5. Jackie said the Cali Combo was excellent and gave it a 4/5."


For entrees, Jackie and my sister both had the filet. The quality of the steak was superb and when I asked the server I believe he said it was grass fed from Wyoming. Excellent 4/5, the tomato risotto was very good but the steak completely outshined it. I had the Dragon Roll which was enormous. On DxDP, the dragon roll cannot be ordered as an app, but anything from the sushi section (including it) can be ordered as an entree. The sever was hesitant when I ordered it for my entree because I "wasn't getting maximum value" but I completely disagree despite the cost being $29. Maybe his auto gratuity didn't get max value but oh well, I loved it - 4/5. DM had Pork 2 ways. Excellent temp, textures and seasoning - 5/5. Can see why they call this their signature entree, it was an outstanding, well rounded dish. DMIL liked the scallops but didn't love the seasoning - 3/5. DFIL said his halibut was excellent 4/5. The girls split a pizza and beef tenderloin and both said they loved this restaurant. 5/5 to them."


Dessert summary:
Lemon meringue cheesecake 4/5,
Sundae sampler 3/5, caramel corn was so delicious like on the Ocean City NJ boardwalk but float and strawberry offerings were more cute presentations than delicious desserts.
Chocolate pudding cake 4/5, very rich
Warm Banana Fritters 4/5, fun getting 3 different sauces, great temp and textures
Seasonal sampler 3/5, good but nothing memorable
Kids Sushi 5/5, the girls absolutely thought this was the greatest dessert ever and I can't blame them. Rice crispy treats with extra marshmallow wrapped in fruit rollups, topped with Swedish fish, stuffed with Gummi bears and oh here's some chocolate sauce to dip it all in. They were in heaven. This is probably old news to all the regulars though."


"Service was very timely. Friendly but not familiar, he read us just right and delivered the meal completely perfectly for our group. We will definitely return and highly recommend. (4/5) overall."​

1 November Game Point Earned + 2 Bonus Points for name and menu pics

 

[jabead]

One more update from Ken, this one from their breakfast at...


Crystal Palace





Ken said, "Sorry no food pics from here. I would've felt weird taking pics of a scrambled eggs and bacon on a steam table I guess. We preferred this breakfast buffet to both Akershus and H&V from a food standpoint due to omelet station, breakfast lasagna and puffed French toast. This meal had very little to do with food for us other than filling the tanks. We got in MK at 7:40am which was awesome for pictures and we got to meet Winnie, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore. The food gets 2/5 because it was fine. We really did enjoy our 45 mins in here though."





"By 11am we had done Enchanted Tales with Belle, Little Mermaid, met Ariel, rode Dumbo, Barnstormer, Carousel, Philharmagic, and pooh with a group of 8 who walk slowly. Awesome morning!"​

1 November Bonus Point for pics with characters

 

[jabead]

Next in yesterday was this update from Peter (peteykirch).

He said, "I originally had reservations for dinner at the Flying Fish Cafe, but cancelled deciding to stay on the monorail loop. I instead found myself at...







"View from the waiting area...






"Bread Service - Consisted of two types, a multi-grain and a Kalamata Olive bread."








"Looking over the menu I had a hard time deciding on what I wanted to start with. I've been on a pork (belly) kick and was thinking of trying the Panadas, but decided to stay with my gut with the pork belly."



"Tamarind-grilled Berkshire Pork Belly and Hominy-Cheddar Potato Puree"

"This was great! The tamarind glaze pretty much made a sweet/spicy tangy taste on the pork belly which went together perfectly with the hominy-cheddar potato puree."





"Pan-roasted Ashley Farms Chicken Breast with Marble Potato Hash, Butternut Squash Puree, Herb Butter, Demi Glace de Pollo, and Baby Spinach"


"I loved the presentation. The crispy chicken skin and made sure to save it for last. The chicken was so tender and succulent, and the compound herb butter added even more flavor to the dish. The potato hash really wasn't a hash, more like just a few boiled potatoes."





Dessert Menu






Warm Chocolate-Banana Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream and Handcrafted Belgian Couverture Chocolate Crown

"Holy cow was that cake rich! I'm a sucker for those molten cakes which this was, but you pretty much needed to eat every bite with a spoonful of the ice cream because the cake was too rich to be eaten on its own."



"Overall I thought this was a great meal. I'm not upset over cancelling Flying Fish, mainly because I'm not a big seafood eater. Honestly I was trying to get into California Grill again but couldn't even get into the lounge that night. The service was attentive and friendly and the food was great."

​

5 November Game Points Earned + 4 Bonus Points for name, menus, and misc. pic

 

[jabead]

And now for Paula's (smile4stamps) final thoughts.




"Here is the summary for our 10 days of eating at WDW!"

"We attended both nights of the F&W classic at the Swan and Dolphin. The food both nights was great but the crowds and the heat the second night got to us and we called it an early night. It's a really great event at a reasonable cost for what you can get. Just go hungry and drink lots of wine! They do have some different options between the two nights so you won't be bored if you do both!"

"We attended 4 Wine Seminars, 4 Culinary Seminars and 2 Mixology Seminars in the Festival Center. All except for our last Culinary Seminar were great!
We especially liked the Port Seminar, Alex Siedel and John Hui."

"For bigger events from F&W we did the Parisian Breakfast, a French Regional Lunch and Wine View Lounge Party for the Senses. Parisian Breakfast the food was great but a bit carb heavy. It was also SO packed and warm in the restaurant that it was very loud and you couldn't move. In order to get more food the whole table would have had to get up. The French Regional Lunch was Awesome! The food was wonderful and the wine was free-flowing! The Party for the Senses unfortunately was a disappointment to me. A lot of it was because I just wasn't feeling well due to a head cold but my husband agreed that a lot of the food was over-cooked. This is a pricey event, especially doing Wine View Lounge so to have the food not be wonderful was a disappointment. It may have just been the items we got but I'm not sure if we will do this again."

"Meals: We mostly did Table Service using the Tables in Wonderland card. This is a great thing! I'm not sure how much we saved but I'm pretty sure it was at least a couple hundred."

"Our Favorites were our old Favorites. Citrico's and California Grill. Also Hoop Dee Doo Review. They delivered for us again and we can't wait to return in December. The Pork Belly Nigiri at CA Grill is DELICIOUS! We also loved the food from Le Cellier! That mushroom filet is so yummy!"

"I personally love Via Napoli but my husband isn't as thrilled since he can't have any of the appetizers due to his allergy. We also tried Tutto Gusto and the food was good but it was LOUD in there. My husband said it sounded like a Frat Party!"

"We had a great time at the Tune In Lounge in DHS. Whispering Canyon was also a lot of fun!"

"Akershus was good but not something we will rush to return to. I also really enjoy Afternoon Tea but it's not something my DH will do again."

"Medicre food was from the Territory lounge. I guess we should settle for having drinks there! Although I was able to get the fabulous Mushroom Soup from Artist Point there. bluezoo was a disappointment not because of the food (as we never got around to trying it!) but because what we were promised was not delivered."

"We didn't have too many service issues. Le Cellier our busser was more helpful than the server. At Fairfax Fare everyone but one person was grumpy, and then our bad server at CA Grill the second time there. Stand-out servers were the bartender at Tune-In Lounge, Julie. Jason was quiet but efficient at Citrico's and Abdou was wonderful our first time at CA Grill. We of course also love our Chef Friends Eddie and Phillip!!"

Overall we had a great trip. Far more laid back than my typical trips but very enjoyable!
​

5 October Bonus Points Awarded

 

[jabead]

LADIES & GENTLEMEN, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?
​

Since we have received Paula's final update, it's now time to say...




Thanks so much for being a Live Reporter... Truly Amazing & Extraordinary Job!!!

You didn't think it was possible...





I didn't think it was possible...




But Paula DID the impossible...​

smile4stamps's Total Oct./Nov. Game Points Earned = 613
​

 

[jabead]

Just two more updates were received yesterday, both of these from mousegear.


She said, "This was a really hot day reaching almost 90. We spent our afternoon at Stormalong Bay once again. After a little nap for the kiddos, we headed out to DHS to use some FP+ and watch Fantasmic. We planned having a CS meal at Pizza Planet because DS actually enjoys Disney pizza. However, when we got there after riding Toy Story Mania and Star Tours, they had just closed (7pm). I had no idea where else to go and the kids were getting hungry. We walked into the first place we saw and it was...


ABC Commissary




"We got a Bacon Cheeseburger...




... and a Fried Shrimp and Seafood Platter with fries."




"We were pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food. Both items were made to order (since I waited for them for at least 10 minutes) and they were pretty good. We shared two orders between four of us since we had some other plan for this night." ​

5 November Game Points Earned + 2 Bonus Points for sign/menu pic

 

[jabead]

Then mousegear's next update was the last that was sent yesterday.


She said, "After watching Fantasmic, we quickly walked to the friendship boat to get back to the Beach Club. I got off at the Swan/Dolphin dock to get take out sushi from Kimonos while DCousin took the kids back to BC to get them showed and be ready for bed."











"California Rolls, Shrimp Tempura Roll, Spicy Rainbow Roll, salmon nigiri, egg













"They were all good and a great late night snack! We love Kimonos and go there every trip."






Swan Lobby fixture







"I heard Garden Grove changed their menu and buffet so took picture of their new menu while waiting for sushi to be made and packed."
























"Walkway between Swan and Dolphin...




​

10 November Game Points Earned + 10 Bonus Points for signs, menus, and misc. pics

 

[daisymomof4]

Holy Monster Points Batman!!!! That's one heck of a score from Paula - yowza!!!

Really do appreciate the Kimonos sushi photos from mousegear. I was thinking that might be a good spot to take my oldest DD on our trip. Looks delicious and like it won't break the bank.

 

[jabead]

Just a reminder that next up to the Disney Dining Plate is ...​

ChrisNY2


with Cruella, Bert, and Mary Poppins in Disneyland




Chris will be at Disney World from 11/7 - 11/11 and has volunteered to again do live updates for us!





HAVE A GREAT TRIP, Chris!!! ​

5 November Bonus Points Awarded

 

[jabead]

Our First Update of the Day from yesterday was sent to us by our Disneyland reporter, Anne (scanne).


She said, "Here are our updates from 11/4. We had breakfast in the room (we picked up cereal and milk from the Target in Anaheim)...no pics."


"Lunch for me and my DD was from Disneyland park's...


Harbour Galley




"Broccoli cheddar soup in a bread bowl for me and my DD."





"And the boys went to the...


Hungry Bear



...where they had a chicken sandwich and a hamburger."







​

6 November Game Points Earned + 1 Bonus Point for First Update of the Day

 

[jabead]

Anne also sent us this update from her dinner on Monday.


She said, "For dinner we did the World of Color dining package at...












Jellyfish Chandelier


"This is a price fixed meal. $41.99 per adult and $22.99 per child. This meal was OUTSTANDING! Both DH and I said it was our best Disney meal in a long time!"













"Bread service...I think it was supposed to be a starfish?"



"To start I had the crab chowder...





...and DH had the salad.





"The kids got little veggie cones for their starters."






"Both DH and I had the Grilled Lobster Tail and Red Oak-Smoked Honey-Whiskey Barbecue Tri-Tip for our entrees."




"This was so delicious! The steak was perfectly cooked and so flavorful. And the lobster was tender and buttery! The veggies were delicious too - brussel sprouts and some sort of squash."



"The kids both had the Whozits and Whatzits Chicken Nuggets and Fries."




"I loved that this included fresh veggie and fruit skewers."



"Dessert was amazing. The adult dessert was like a fondue plate...



...with cheesecake, Rice Krispie treats, Oreos, cupcakes, strawberries and chocolate sauce for dipping."



"The kids dessert was a cupcake, chocolate chip cookie and strawberry milk."




"The kids loved it! It was all soooooo good!"



"And since we are premier passholders, we did save 15% on the meal. So we thought it was a great deal. We got excellent spots for World of Color which was amazing!! I don't have pics of the show but it's a cross between Fantasmic and Illuminations and Disney needs to bring this show to Epcot!!"



​

3 November Game Points Earned + 4 Bonus Points for sign, menus, and misc. pics

 

[jabead]

Then we go back to Disney World for an update from Kim (Kim2Disney).


She said, "On Sunday we had a pre park opening ADR at...









"It was very good and we got to try all of their fun items (breakfast lasagne, puffed French toast, and breakfast pizza)!"



"Some of our plates...






















"Ali enjoying her fruit loops!"









"Cheese! With Eeyore!"​

2 November Game Points Earned + 5 Bonus Points for sign, menu, and pic of Kim & Ali with Eeyore

 

[jabead]

Next in yesterday were several updates from Sarah (Tinkerbell1013).


The first was from their dinner on Sunday at Epcot's...


Teppan Edo





"I started with the garden salad with ginger dressing."



"It was good, love the bite of the dressing."



"Mom had the Miso soup."



"She said it was just okay."







Noodles and veggies...






...and their entree.






"The biggest difference from our last time here?...



"They changed to brown rice from white rice."


"Of course we forgot to take dessert pictures! I had the green tea cheesecake which was the winner! Mom had the swirl soft serve and while it was good, mine was great!"​

3 November Game Points Earned + 1 Bonus Point for menu

 

[jabead]

Sarah's next update was a two-part Epcot lunch report from Monday.


She said, "For lunch we had two counter service meals, one in Mexico and one in France."


La Cantina de San Angel



"We got empanadas and those are churros that are hidden."




"The empanadas were not good. They were greasy and heavy and just not good. We took a couple bites and moved on to dessert. Those were good, the caramel was a bit runny but good. We threw the rest away."




Boulangerie Patisserie


"In France, we got the ham and cheese croissant and the chocolate tart."





"Both were great! We toasted the croissant and that for sure was necessary. We ate all of this meal - yum!"
​

5 November Game Points Earned

 

[jabead]

Sarah and her mom also had dinner at Epcot on Monday, this time choosing a table service restaurant in Italy.


Tutto Italia


Sarah said, "All the way around, this meal was a 10/10! Awesome!"



Bread service...






"Mom's entree was the winner...









Polenta Valsugana - Traditional Northern Italian creamy polenta, melted Fontina served with braised short ribs, meatballs

"It was amazing! I wish I could of had her meal."



"I had the Fettuccine...




Fettuccine Vecchia Roma with pancetta and parmesan cream

"It was really good, but super heavy and there was SO much of it!"



"For dessert, I had the better of two though."


"I chose the cannoli, which was so sweet and creamy. Very decadent."





"Mom had the...



Torta Di Nocciole - Hazelnut polenta cake with nutella and sweet cream cheese

"It was good but very dry."​

3 November Game Points Earned

 

[jabead]

Sarah sent one more update yesterday, this one from their breakfast at the...

Boardwalk Bakery





She said, "This morning we both had the breakfast bowl, mine with bacon and mom's with sausage. They were both really good and came with a cup of pineapple and blueberries. We loved it!"​

5 November Game Points Earned

 

[jabead]

The next update we received yesterday was sent to us by Ken (Gastons Truffle Hog) from his dinner on Monday at Epcot's...

Monsieur Paul




He said, "My DF finally arrived today and the two of us had planned dinner at Monsieur Paul at 730pm while my mom, wife, sister and daughters ate at La Hacienda de San Angel (which they said they liked a lot)."


"We started with French martinis (Grey Goose, Pineapple juice, and chambord? maybe). Very good 3/5."





"The amuse bouche was a gougère (a baked savory choux pastry made of choux dough mixed with cheese) and was fine."




"A few years ago I was fortunate enough to enjoy dinner at Thomas Keller's The French Laundry in Yountville, CA and the gougère was so amazing we were convinced it came from another planet. This one, 2/5."



"I chose the poppyseed bread while my dad had the bacon mushroom. Both were fine but nothing special at all. 2/5"





"We ordered a bottle of red wine from my favorite region of France: Chateauneuf-du-Pape. I selected it to pair with Dad's hearty choices and it was a perfect complement. 4/5"


"For apps I had the lobster with mushrooms in a truffle cream sauce...




...while my dad had the truffled oxtail veggie soup covered in puff pastry."




"Both really screamed truffle but it did not overpower the other items in either dish. My lobster could've been cooked a bit less. 4/5 for each."




"For entrees I had the scallops over spaghettini with romanesco covered in a rum-cream foam...





... while my dad had the beef tenderloin encrusted with mushrooms. Again, 4/5 for each."



"Temperatures were spot on this round. The 2 sauces under the beef were outstanding and brought out the best in the Syrah. I reverted to drinking sparkling water while eating my entree so that I could fully enjoy the succulent, sweet, buttery flavors of the many small scallops combined with the more earthy romanesco and truffle. The rum-cream foam made for a fun presentation by hiding most of the dish and added a light sweetness that was a perfect compliment."



"For dessert we had our server choose her two favorite which were the warm chocolate cake with hazelnut ice cream and the Mille feuille. 4/5 again on each for this course."








"Nice presentations, perfect temperatures and just delicious flavor combinations. They really should have a soufflé on the list though."


"So 4 nights, 4 Signatures, and 4 excellent dinners. The babysitter arrives in 2 hours and I will be surprising my mom, dad, sister and wife with dinner at Victoria & Albert's in Queen Victoria's room. Disney dining please don't let me down now!" ​

10 November Game Points Earned + 1 Bonus Point for misc. pic

 

[smile4stamps]

LADIES & GENTLEMEN, MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?
​

Since we have received Paula's final update, it's now time to say...




Thanks so much for being a Live Reporter... Truly Amazing & Extraordinary Job!!!

You didn't think it was possible...





I didn't think it was possible...




But Paula DID the impossible...​

smile4stamps's Total Oct./Nov. Game Points Earned = 613
​

Thanks Barb! I can't believe I scored so many points! As always I had a lot of fun sending in the updates! I almost texted you this morning at 4:30am my time just to say "hi" lol.