Our Dining Review - Byte by Bite (*NEW Final Day 8 w/Pictures)

[JulyGirl]

(DH thinks I may have crossed the line there by starting to photograph other people’s food. Oh well!)

 

[gems_smiling]

Great reviews and pics. Thank you for sharing.

 

[mla973]

Great reviews - one of the best I've seen here on the DIS.

I wondered if you wouldn't mind sharing the cost for the candied/chocolate apples from Goofy's Candy Kitchen. This sounds so fun, and I can't wait to bring a few home for friends and family.

Thanks!

Day 3 – Beyond Main Street and the traveling Cirque-us!

Having Food Channel flashbacks, the youngest and I headed off to Goofy’s Candy Kitchen to see what all the fuss was about. It took FOREVER to get our order, but it was really cool! DS13 ordered a caramel apple, dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Oreos and Reeses’ peanut butter cups, and drizzled in white chocolate. YUM! I ordered another apple for DS14 dipped in milk chocolate, covered with Butterfinger and drizzled with white chocolate and caramel. For me, it was the giant peanut butter fudge filled Oreo dipped in chocolate, drizzled with caramel and white chocolate, and then sprinkled with pecans. Sounds good…tastes better! The apples probably weighed three pounds each and were neatly packaged in boxes to go. I would absolutely recommend it; just allow a lot of time during peak hours.

QUOTE]

 

[Dustmouse]

Episode 6 – Bad Cubans and the Kungaloosh!

It’s Saturday and the final Star Wars weekend! None of the guys know what’s in store; they just know that Mom wants to be at MGM before 9am! DH, unmotivated to cook breakfast, makes another trip to the BC Marketplace. I pass on an offer for another yogurt parfait afraid it will just slow things down. I’ll just finish off the rest of the Mickey rice krispie treat, the breakfast of DIS champions! DH and DS14 enjoy breakfast sandwiches, DS13 has a donut and we’re off and running! Well, we’re off and walking at least. Had we run we probably wouldn’t have missed the friendship boat to MGM and had to wait another 20 minutes, but that’s how our luck has been all week with the boats. We arrived about 9:15am and two lively Storm Troopers above the entrance gates greeted the boys.

They thought that was really cool! We hit the major attractions and positioned ourselves for the 11:15am Star Wars parade. DS13 says his tummy is growling and is now ready for a snack, so we make a quick trip to a nearby food cart for churros and Mickey bars!

We enjoy our snacks and a great view on Hollywood Boulevard of the parade.

I had planned to visit Pizza Planet for lunch but with the parade still making it’s way down Commissary Lane and all of the extra Star Wars fans over in that area, we found ourselves in the large and nicely air conditioned ABC Commissary. I had read the reviews and had no intention of visiting this restaurant, but it was getting REALLY hot out and DH was starting to fade. He nabbed a table near one of the many TV’s and proceeded to watch the endless ABC series loop. Standing in line, I realized there really wasn’t anything on the menu that sounded appealing to me. Well, it was too late and so I decided to try the Cuban sandwich.

It was a Panini type sandwich with ham, cheese, pickles and mustard served with banana chips on the side. Not my cup of tea! I ate the first half that tasted more like a pickled grilled cheese sandwich. The banana chips were ok but I’d rather have Ruffles any day. The second half had a lot more ham in it, but I was really tired of it by then and pushed the rest aside.

DS14 ordered the cheeseburger and fries, which he ate with no complaints. (I don’t think I’ve ever heard him complain about a cheeseburger though.)

DS13 went for the chicken nuggets on the kids’ menu and said that the fries were good but the nuggets could have used two more minutes in the microwave.

DH tried the fish and chips that were nothing special. He ended up trying the Cuban sandwich and said he wished he would have ordered that instead.

Moving on to dessert, we had the chocolate mousse and strawberry parfait. They were both quite good.

A few more rides, some pin trading and then back to the room for a break from the heat. A nearby wildfire had caused the air to be heavy with smoke that morning, but it was clearing nicely by the afternoon.

Rested and refreshed, we headed over to the Polynesian Resort for a 6:30pm ADR at ‘Ohana. The evening torch lighting ceremony was underway and so we were stopped at the entrance with an opportunity to watch a little island entertainment. It was a fun experience and just another example of the magical detail that makes WDW so great!

Upstairs we went to check in for dinner and request a window seat. It was way too early for Wishes, but I wanted to enjoy the lovely views of the Poly. DH and I took a seat in the waiting area near the bar while the boys headed off to the gift shop. Allured by the ambience of the tropics, DH and I decide to order a fancy umbrella drink. He immediately says he’s going to order a daiquiri, but I needed some time to look at the multi page bar menu. DH starts getting impatient, so just as I’m about to order a regular old boring margarita I spy the Kungaloosh! You’ve read about it, you’ve heard about it, but have you tried it? No, I say! Our drink orders arrive a few minutes later just as our table is ready. We gather the family and are escorted by our new cousin to a great table by the window.

Within moments our server is there for drink orders and gives us a brief summary of the menu. (We ate here on our last trip and it was a unanimous favorite.) The Kungaloosh is starting to affect me and so DS13 and I decide to join in on the free hula lessons that were being given. When we return to the table the wontons, salad, shrimp and wings are being enjoyed. Distracted by more fun and Hawaiian songs in the dining room I turn back to the table to find the potatoes and stir fried vegetables have arrived. Wow, that was fast, maybe a little too fast! The meat skewers start arriving too and I’ve barely had a chance to try the appetizers. We’re being tag teamed by the wait staff and while being very attentive it all starts feeling a little rushed. The food is great though and we enjoy the often-maligned scalloped potatoes. The wontons were fair, but the peanut dipping sauce was great. I ended up stealing the whole bowl to dip my steak in to. All of the skewers were tasty and we had no complaints about the meat being dried out as others have mentioned. I thought the pork and steak were particularly good.

I knew dessert would be a big hit, as DH loves bread pudding and bananas foster. He was initially disappointed that we only had once choice for dessert, but when it arrived it was love at first sight. It was delicious and we all enjoyed it very much!

After dinner, we hopped the monorail to the MK for Spectro and Wishes. We lucked into a perfect spot in Frontierland to watch Spectro and then were conveniently close to Aloha Isle for a Dole Whip float. It was yummy, but I was still full from dinner and didn’t enjoy it as much as I would have otherwise. That’s okay; we can always try it again tomorrow.

And so, from Wookies to Wishes we said goodnight to the castle and thanked God and Walt Disney for another wonderful day!

Still to come – Episode 7: The Birthday Girl and the Hoop Dee Doo

 

[BeadyLady]

thanks again! another great read

 

[Deb loves Disney]

Like others have said in previous posts.....I have sooooo enjoyed reading your adventures in WDW and can't wait for the next installment

From your writing style it sounds like your family is really fun to hang out with....can we come along next time

Oh, and thank you, thank you for all of the pictures, I think it really helps bring us closer to actually being there.

Waiting with excitement for the rest.....

 

[thatduffgirl]

I agree with the rest, your photos speak of a lot of affection and love in your family, your photos and stories are irresistable. Disney should pay you a stipend for marketing their product!

 

[princessgirls]

Dustmust -

Your reviews have been absolutely, handsdown wonderful!!! I am contemplating the DDP for my November trip (staying at a DVC resort and forgot about the change this Spring that now allows DVCers to 'buy' DDP) so I decided to do some 'research' when I stumbled upon your thread.

Really looking forward to the HDDR review. I haven't been there since 1996 (before children) and cannot wait to bring my girls (6 & 3). I somewhat forget the menu so I am anxiously waiting to see the pictures!!! Keep sharing.

You've done a great job with your reports!!!!!!!! Pamela

 

[wilma-bride]

More, more, more - fantastic

 

[disneyfansx5]

Awesome reviews! The pics really make it.

 

[Snoopygirl]

Thanks for the great meal reviews. They're great! We'll be there in Sept. and have some of the same restaraunts picked that you went to so I'm really enjoying hearing about them.

 

[disneytraveler]

I really like your reviews and pictures. I will be going to Brown Derby and Fantasmic also .I am glad you did a rewiew there. The 50;s cafe is also a great place.

 

[rdsx28]

Awesome reviews, a lovely family, and a few laughs thrown in as well as some great pictures! Thanks so much for sharing! I can't wait for our November trip!!!

 

[rdsx28]

Waiting for the next installment...............

 

[Getaway2006]

Thanks so much for posting your reviews. I've really enjoyed reading them.

 

[Wazzo]

Ooh! How much did this cost??

 

[plgrn]

Thanks for taking the time to post. Very well written and the photos wow

 

[pixiechick]

I just saw your report this morning. What a terrific read!

Love the reviews and pictures. I agree with the others about your writing style, really enjoyable to read.

How did your DH make out with the glasses issue?

and for what it's worth, I don't like risotto either!

 

[ShellyBelly]

Ooh! How much did this cost??

I was wondering the same thing....were you able to use a snack credit on the DDP or was it OOP?

 

[PureTcrazy]

Enjoyed your reviews, especially with the pics! Thanks