Ready, Set, Let the Games Begin! - Link to new PTR/TR!

[Luvchefmic]

I would love for you to meet us there! We just rented a car for Monday night to Tuesday evening so that we can drive there. We are planning to get there Tuesday October 1st at 10:00AM. I don't know if we're going to stay from open to close, but based on your post, I think we might want to stay for quite a while!

Wonderful I just got my work schedule for the first week Oct and I get out of work at 7:30 that morning I can get changed and either can meet up with you both at your resort or meet you there...time to figure it out Refresh my memory though please Cap[e May 8 am or 8"30 ??

So it's worth a trip here would you say?

YES Paula I would say so

 

[Pinkocto]

That strawberry covered tamale looks delicious! And the desserts at the CG are usually always fabulous. I just realized I didn't have anything sweet at dinner so focused totally on the desserts

 

[Leshaface]

Sounds like a good day 6!

Oooh I haven't seen pics of the new CG yet and it looks sooo pretty! The sushi looks delicious

 

[kmedina]

I love that you mentioned bacon twice. We're bacon lovers here (except Xander). Whenever Crap makes me bacon, Connor helps me eat it. Taking it easy is still in my plans but never happens.

The Mexican Tequila lunch looks cool. I was hoping for that one but it falls on a different day. We are doing the Italian one instead. I do not drink but figure Crap will drink mine. I just want to eat all day long.

 

[ACDSNY]

Nice Day 6 plans. I can't wait to see the pics of the fireworks over the water.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Day 6 sounds the biz! CG excellent. Sweet tooth here loves the look of those dishes. Very fond of duck so looking forward to your thoughts on that. I like sweet dishes both for entree and dessert so sweet sauces with savoury dishes I find very appealing

Be interested to hear your review on theme park connection. Ruthie says it's real good!

 

[jedijill]

I can't wait to hear your report on CG. I've heard the food is great but the desserts are disappointing. I have an ADR there for my birthday in October.

Jill in CO

 

[rentayenta]

Plans look great! Can't wait to read about the Hallowishes cruise.

Of course food is the main attraction. It is F&W after all.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Day 6 sounds great. I love the idea of the Tequila tasting although I would not eat quite a bit of the food. We have only been to California Grill once and this was the worst meal I ever had. The food was strange and not very tasty and the service was awful. There was one element though that absolutely blew me away and that was the Peanut Butter Ice Cream. If they had just served me this for appetizer, entree and dessert, I would have been happy.

Corinna

 

[lisaviolet]

Check out page 51, I posted a whiney, "I'm so stressed out with all these fun things I have to do" post. And that's where those pictures are, there are a few others as well!

Thanks Alison. LOVED them. Could not believe Fran's bags.

After dinner we meet our Captain for our Hallowishes Cruise! This should be one fun packed day! However, much to my chagrin, it is yet another day, where the food is the entire attraction.

OMG, can't even explain the level of jealousy. OFF THE CHARTS.

What a fantastic day, Alison. Truly. So happy for you both and everyone coming.

Thanks for the update.

 

[kmedina]

Which restaurant did you get that Monte Cristo at a few weeks back? Was it inside the parks? It looked good, so I am thinking about it. I do not want to leave the parks that night though.

 

[kmedina]

Which restaurant did you get that Monte Cristo at a few weeks back? Was it inside the parks? It looked good, so I am thinking about it. I do not want to leave the parks that night though.

Never mind. I just saw it on Allears. We are eating there the night before, and it looks like it is only on the lunch menu. We'll have of get there next trip.

 

[franandaj]

Wonderful I just got my work schedule for the first week Oct and I get out of work at 7:30 that morning I can get changed and either can meet up with you both at your resort or meet you there...time to figure it out Refresh my memory though please Cap[e May 8 am or 8"30 ??

If you don't have a different job that sounds great! I'm thinking meet up at TPC, but we always run late so even if we are aiming for 10.... YOu may want to take care of Maxine and the dogs and then meet us!

That strawberry covered tamale looks delicious! And the desserts at the CG are usually always fabulous. I just realized I didn't have anything sweet at dinner so focused totally on the desserts

I'm sure the menu will be completely different this year, but I just like creativity of the chef, so I'm sure we will enjoy it! There were a few things on the Japan tasting menu that I was iffy about. Only one didn't agree with me!

Sounds like a good day 6!

Oooh I haven't seen pics of the new CG yet and it looks sooo pretty! The sushi looks delicious

I can't really remember how the old one looked, but I remember it wasn't really "memorable" it was nice but not stunning. We enjoyed our fireworks view table, but it was just sort of continental restaurant as far as I remember. My parents got a sushi dish, but we didn't. I hope since PIO and others will be there we can split a plate or two of rolls or the tuna. I can't eat it all myself and Fran can't eat raw stuff due to her immune condition.

I do want to try the duck thing, maybe someone else will go in on it with me!

I love that you mentioned bacon twice. We're bacon lovers here (except Xander). Whenever Crap makes me bacon, Connor helps me eat it. Taking it easy is still in my plans but never happens.

The Mexican Tequila lunch looks cool. I was hoping for that one but it falls on a different day. We are doing the Italian one instead. I do not drink but figure Crap will drink mine. I just want to eat all day long.

I will want to hear about the Italian one, is it a beer or wine one? I heard about one last year that sounded really good, I can't remember which one it was.

Nice Day 6 plans. I can't wait to see the pics of the fireworks over the water.

You might not see many of those from my camera! I'm going to leave the fireworks shots to PIO which means you will have a long time to wait. I may have Fran take a few with our DSLR, but they will be no way in comparison to what PIO will take from that boat!

Day 6 sounds the biz! CG excellent. Sweet tooth here loves the look of those dishes. Very fond of duck so looking forward to your thoughts on that. I like sweet dishes both for entree and dessert so sweet sauces with savoury dishes I find very appealing

Be interested to hear your review on theme park connection. Ruthie says it's real good!

I will definitely give a full report!

I can't wait to hear your report on CG. I've heard the food is great but the desserts are disappointing. I have an ADR there for my birthday in October.

Jill in CO

I hope I get that far in my report before you get there in Oct. If nothing else we can PM about what our crowd thought on the meal!

Plans look great! Can't wait to read about the Hallowishes cruise.

Of course food is the main attraction. It is F&W after all.

Yeah, it's just that my Doctor told me that I need to change the way I vacation as a "lifestyle choice" if I want to loose weight. I don't want to change the way I vacation! I've been trying to be good at home so I can vacation the way I want!


However, the last blood labs she gave me made it look like I am on my death bed, so I DO have to change something, but I guess AFTER Food & Wine. Fran and I need to join a gym! And then go! I need support!

Day 6 sounds great. I love the idea of the Tequila tasting although I would not eat quite a bit of the food. We have only been to California Grill once and this was the worst meal I ever had. The food was strange and not very tasty and the service was awful. There was one element though that absolutely blew me away and that was the Peanut Butter Ice Cream. If they had just served me this for appetizer, entree and dessert, I would have been happy.

Corinna

I'm sorry that CA Grill was your worst meal, we really had a great one there. That is the problem with these lunches, they don't substitute so if you aren't an omnivore you may have a problem. I can eat almost anything and so I love what they surprise me with!

Thanks Alison. LOVED them. Could not believe Fran's bags.

She is crazy! Huh? Ellen was so glad to see such a shopping spree, she doesn't see anything like that with her boys!

OMG, can't even explain the level of jealousy. OFF THE CHARTS.

What a fantastic day, Alison. Truly. So happy for you both and everyone coming.

Thanks for the update.

I'm not sure what to expect with a Wishes Cruise, but they must be cool since they cost so much and people still do them! I'm glad we have a great group of friends to do it!

Which restaurant did you get that Monte Cristo at a few weeks back? Was it inside the parks? It looked good, so I am thinking about it. I do not want to leave the parks that night though.

Never mind. I just saw it on Allears. We are eating there the night before, and it looks like it is only on the lunch menu. We'll have of get there next trip.

You evidently did NOT figure it out as we got the Monte Cristos at Café Orleans which serves there all the while that DL is open, not just lunch, but dinner too! We had them the other night with Brett. They were awesome!

You can make ADRs there as well, I would recommend it!

 

[franandaj]

So yesterday was a pretty jam packed culinary day! We are up to Day #7. I’m thinking that we’ll have another nice breakfast in the room, depending on what we have left, we’ll have a variation on the previous days breakfast. Also I forgot to add in yesterday’s write up, that while we are chilling in the room, either in the morning or the afternoon, I will be making the Summer Salad for the cookout.



This morning, I will need to slice up the veggies and cheese for the queso.





At 2PM we have special culinary demo at Monsieur Paul. This is a Grand Marnier tasting with desserts including Crepes Suzette, so I think I’ll need some savory sustenance before we go drinking a lot of Grand Marnier! I have yet to visit quite a few of the food booths in my plans! If we’re lucky we’ll have hit

Ireland
Canada
Greece
Brazil
Argentina
Mexico
China
South Korea
Singapore

That still leaves quite a few booths to hit. I think for this trip I’ll target France, Belgium and Morrocco. If we’re still hungry then we might move on as far as Japan. We don’t want to fill ourselves up too much for the tasting because they evidently serve you some very nice pastries. Here are some pictures from a past event.







Evidently they start you off with some sort of Grand Marnier cocktail, then you get three tastes of Grand Marnier in varying ages, then you learn to muddle your own cocktail of Grand Marnier. This is what they did in the past, so we’ll see what happens this year.

As we are finishing up, Bobbiwoz and her cousin (I think) will be making their way down to the BBQ grills to snag them for our cookout. When we get back to the room, I'll need to start the queso.



If you remember I have the special pot to make our first night’s dinner that will double as a pot on the BBQ to keep the queso warm to dip the chips in it.

Summer salad will be done and hopefully the tri tip will have nicely reached a nice temperature so it isn't shocked into burning on the BBQ.

I think we have worked out the plates, napkins, cutlery, coals and all the various dishes so that no one person is doing all the work. My only real responsibility is to cook the tri tip, my other two dishes are part of the appetizers. Bobbiwoz is bringing fresh fruit, PIO is making fried rice and pesto and feta topped mushrooms. Luvchefmic is making potato salad and TiffanyD is bringing brownies.

Folks have told me that this is a bit rare for some of them, so my plan is to start one 15 minutes before the one I plan to eat. Then I will monitor the temp of the one I want to eat. It takes about 30 minutes. I also plan on bringing some Chicken, Pineapple and Bacon sausages along so those will go well with the meal too!



PIO’s DH has a birthday while we are on the trip, so she plans to order a cake for him from Publix that we will also have that night. I’m not sure what the beverages are, but if Leshaface and her DH really plan on coming, I will throw a couple bottles of some nice red wine my suitcase to share with them on this night. Who knows they might bring some of their own beverages as well. TiffanyD and her DH have their own beverage preferences, he is a beer drinker and I’m not sure what Tiff likes, but not wine and not beer. I know that PIO is a one pot screamer and not sure about Bobbi and her cousin. Fran like margaritas, and though we haven’t ordered any, we have a car reserved for earlier in the week, so I’m sure if she wants any we will pick up the fixins then, or we will ask Bobbi to get some while she is fetching provisions earlier in the day.

I plan to spend the evening at the grills and head back to the room when everyone is done conversing and eating. This is going to be one of our very casual nights and I think some of us will need it after all the flurry of activity from the previous part of the week!

 

[kmedina]

I will want to hear about the Italian one, is it a beer or wine one? I heard about one last year that sounded really good, I can't remember which one it was.

You evidently did NOT figure it out as we got the Monte Cristos at Café Orleans which serves there all the while that DL is open, not just lunch, but dinner too! We had them the other night with Brett. They were awesome! You can make ADRs there as well, I would recommend it!

I think it is wine. I will let you know how it goes. Crap will be drinking whatever it is though.

Yay! You just made my day. I started looking at all the menus on Allears and stopped when I saw the Monte Cristo on the Blue Bayou lunch menu. I just assumed you got it there. Then, I pulled up the dinner menu and did not see it (although I am eyeing the filet there anyway). Cafe Orleans was next on the list alphabetically, so I should not have stopped at the first one I saw. I was looking for a Disneyland restaurant for 10/26. Originally, I was thinking The Jolly Holiday. Have you eaten there recently? If we have a chance to meet you that day, I am assuming you'd prefer TS.

Then, I remembered how good that Monte Cristo looked and thought maybe we can squeeze another table service in. Right now, we have Napa Rose 10/24 dinner (just added 10/24 to the hotel reservation yesterday, since Crap will leave work a little early), Surf's Up breakfast 10/25, Blue Bayou early dinner to be out in time for the party, and Minnie and Friends Breakfast on 10/26. I suppose adding Cafe Orleans for dinner on 10/26 could work as long as I cut our agenda a little. Even with adding the 24th, we will not enter the parks until 4pm on 10/25. Plus, the idea of buying an extra day for a few extra hours does not appeal to me, and we can explore the pool. I also want to sleep in, so we can go strong through the night and next day.

 

[kmedina]

Sounds like you guys will have an excellent feast of a party. How fun! Also, your food and wine events are awesome. I really wanted a dessert one. Cannot wait to read about it. Your description and pictures of the ingredients for the queso made me hungry. Looks like the recipients are in for a treat.

 

[dgbg100106]

The party sounds amazing and I am really jealous, that roast looks amazing!!!

 

[rentayenta]

Yeah, it's just that my Doctor told me that I need to change the way I vacation as a "lifestyle choice" if I want to loose weight. I don't want to change the way I vacation! I've been trying to be good at home so I can vacation the way I want!


However, the last blood labs she gave me made it look like I am on my death bed, so I DO have to change something, but I guess AFTER Food & Wine. Fran and I need to join a gym! And then go! I need support!

You know I'm here my friend. If it makes you feel any better, it took me a lifestyle change to change the way I vacation. Don't get me wrong I still eat and drink what I want on vacation but what I want, or rather how much I want, has changed. I was a good 40 lb heavier almost 5 years ago. I was tired and blah and just not healthy. High cholesterol etc....At 40, that wasn't a fun place to be. I totally understand what you're feeling and when you're ready, you'll be ready, vacation or otherwise. I don't want to hijack your thread.






On another note, the meat looks PERFECT! Yum, yum, yum! What a fun day you've got planned.

 

[dgbg100106]

Alison, I am here and can help with support and encouragement

 

[franandaj]

I think it is wine. I will let you know how it goes. Crap will be drinking whatever it is though.

Yay! You just made my day. I started looking at all the menus on Allears and stopped when I saw the Monte Cristo on the Blue Bayou lunch menu. I just assumed you got it there. Then, I pulled up the dinner menu and did not see it (although I am eyeing the filet there anyway). Cafe Orleans was next on the list alphabetically, so I should not have stopped at the first one I saw. I was looking for a Disneyland restaurant for 10/26. Originally, I was thinking The Jolly Holiday. Have you eaten there recently? If we have a chance to meet you that day, I am assuming you'd prefer TS.

Then, I remembered how good that Monte Cristo looked and thought maybe we can squeeze another table service in. Right now, we have Napa Rose 10/24 dinner (just added 10/24 to the hotel reservation yesterday, since Crap will leave work a little early), Surf's Up breakfast 10/25, Blue Bayou early dinner to be out in time for the party, and Minnie and Friends Breakfast on 10/26. I suppose adding Cafe Orleans for dinner on 10/26 could work as long as I cut our agenda a little. Even with adding the 24th, we will not enter the parks until 4pm on 10/25. Plus, the idea of buying an extra day for a few extra hours does not appeal to me, and we can explore the pool. I also want to sleep in, so we can go strong through the night and next day.

I thought you were only there for one day...

Sounds like you guys will have an excellent feast of a party. How fun! Also, your food and wine events are awesome. I really wanted a dessert one. Cannot wait to read about it. Your description and pictures of the ingredients for the queso made me hungry. Looks like the recipients are in for a treat.

The queso is really tasty. I found the recipe online and tweaked it a little bit to fit our tastes. We don't really do jalapenos so we used mild green chilies instead.

The party sounds amazing and I am really jealous, that roast looks amazing!!!

We like our meat cooked the same way!

You know I'm here my friend. If it makes you feel any better, it took me a lifestyle change to change the way I vacation. Don't get me wrong I still eat and drink what I want on vacation but what I want, or rather how much I want, has changed. I was a good 40 lb heavier almost 5 years ago. I was tired and blah and just not healthy. High cholesterol etc....At 40, that wasn't a fun place to be. I totally understand what you're feeling and when you're ready, you'll be ready, vacation or otherwise. I don't want to hijack your thread.

On another note, the meat looks PERFECT! Yum, yum, yum! What a fun day you've got planned.

I've been doing better, but I've sort of hit a plateau. Not sure if it's my scale or what, I need to drop a couple pounds before we go.

We like our meat the same too!

Alison, I am here and can help with support and encouragement

I appreciate that! I just need to be more diligent.