Review with pix-Disneyland-The Cove Bar and Gibson Girl-UPDTD-The Cove Bar!

[Dizneydaz]

My DD13 and my APs expired yesterday so we decided we needed to go so we could see “Magical”, DL Fireworks, at least one time this summer. With the constant price increases I’m not sure when I’ll be getting our AP again. The Deluxe is now $499 plus $139 for parking, or the Premium is $669, inc. parking. Whoa!

Our cast of characters is my DM73, my DD13, and myself.

While my DM is 73 she doesn’t act old at all. She has gone with us on every WDW with the exception of our last one, October 2012. However, she did go in May with one of my Dsis and her son, 4.

My DD is now 13, almost 14 and a typical teenager. She didn’t really want to go but I basically made her! She had a good time and I even let her get something at the parks that I’ve only let her do once before, at WDW, for her 10th birthday. She’s in the IB program at school, and is starting 9th grade in August.

Me, DM53. I’m the Disney geek. Don’t have a trip planned yet for WDW but hope to go first of January while DD is out of school. With her IB workload there’s really no way I can take her out of school anymore to go.

We planned on leaving for DLR after lunch but left about 2:30 or so. Stopped at McD’s for a couple large drinks (in Styrofoam cups) to take into the parks. Diet Coke for me and Fanta for DD. Love McD’s sodas for only $1.

More to come including pix of food and other non-food items.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm so looking forward to seeing your DL pics! Agreed that the price increases are getting ridiculous (I renewed my WDW AP the day before the prices went up), but at least you got one more nice use out of the pass.

 

[Dizneydaz]

When we arrived at Mickey and Friends parking there wasn’t much of a wait. Only 1 or 2 cars in each lane. We parked on the top level (6), 8G. If you don’t know, the park is pretty busy when they park the upper level. So we knew it would be crowded inside.

We didn’t have to wait long for the next tram. We waited in the first waiting area with the strollers. Little know fact-the first waiting area is actually for 2 cars.DD didn’t want me to take her picture, so of course I did!



We were on the tram by about 3:30 and through the security check (again, no wait) and into DCA by 3:42. DCA (and DL) are all decorated with Red, White, and Blue Bunting. Very pretty and patriotic.







We looked in the window of the candy store and saw these little beauties!


They looked really good and reminded DD of the build your own treats we got last October at Goofy's in WDW.

We (mostly me) decided to grab a FP for WOC. We wanted the second show, at 10:15 and that’s what we got. Blue Section. FP for WOC are located at Grizzly Rapids. About 1/2 the machines are for GR and half for WOC.





NOTE- Later in the evening, about 6:30, there were still FP for WOC available.

On the way to get the WOC FP at Grizzly Rapids, I picked up ones for Soarin’ . The return time was 6:30-7:30. This was 3 hours from now.
After securing our FP we crossed over to DL. Lines were pretty short getting in. I had thought about waiting awhile since it was just before 4 and Mickey’s Soundsational was starting at 4. I was pretty sure it was starting at IASW (and it was) and we should be fine. In fact, as I told my DM, it’s easier to walk up MS before or during the parade than after.

I asked my DM what she want to ride and she said Buzz. Sign said 15 minute standby so we got in line and I sent DD to Space to get FP for later. She returned without any. They were already gone for the day. This was just after 4 and DL closed at midnight. I had her get us FP for Star Tours which had a return time of 8:05-9:05.



We boarded Buzz about 4:30 and then headed over to check out Pirates. The wait for Pirates was about 25 minutes so we decided to skip it. Indy had a standby wait of 70 minutes and we discussed using the SR line but decided to just sit and relax on River Belle Terrace and people watch for a while. I brought up the subject of eating at The Cove at DCA. We have never eaten there but have been wanting to give it a try. Everyone was onboard for it and we decided we should eat earlier than we normally do and head over there pretty soon.

Next up...A quick visit to Fantasy Faire and then onto The Cove Bar.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Hey moderators-could you move this to the Disneyland boards. Thanks. I meant to post it there.

 

[Dizneydaz]

While sitting at RBT DD13 decided she wanted to get her face painted. She’s only had this done once before, when she was 10 at WDW. I decided I would let her do it since she really didn’t want to come today. Checked the Guide and it doesn’t say where face painting is now located and I couldn’t remember. I thought they might have it in the new Fantasy Faire so we headed over there passing by Rancho del Zocalo. We didn’t eat there but I took a pix of the menu.



I was now about 5:15. Belle’s show had recently ended. She was meeting her last guests. I had to snap a photo of this meeting, it was just so cute!


Sorry it's blurry.

We went into the Fairy Tale Treasures store and DD reverted to a kid-she wanted a Merida dress. I told her they were too small for her. The CM said, "She can wear a Large" Thanks CM! However, at $64.95 there was no way I was buying it for her.


This is the Extra-Large. I think DD would be able to fit into a Large.

We spent a few minutes chatting with the 2 CMs in the store. We were the only ones in the store at the time. I asked one of them where the face painting and she told me there are 2 locations-one behind the Matterhorn (at the exit to Pixie Hollow) and one further around, near the entrance to Matterhorn. Before leaving Fantasy Faire we waited for Figaro to awaken. Here kitty kitty.



We stopped at the face painting by PH but she was busy so we went around to the other one. She was just finishing up. DD looked at the selection and wanted either Flashy or Swan Mask. There are no posted prices on the paintings which I really think there should be. They are $12, $14, or $17. Flashy was $14 and Swan Mask was $17. I was a little surprised that the swan one was $17 as it was a lot less mask than the tiger one. DD picked Flashy.


Here are the selections, without prices

The CM was very good, and really fast. I think it literally took under 3 minutes from start to finish. (if you do this have your camera ready!) It came out very nicely. $14, no tax, and no AP discount.


It came out really cute and lasted that day and the next-even while she slept.

I snapped these photos of the food place next the Fairytale Faces which is apparently called Edelweiss Snacks. Allears Menu



And here's the food.


Next up.... The Cove Bar in DCA and the promised food photos.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm really enjoying seeing all your DL pics! Many of the things are details I missed during our recent trip (such as exploring the new Fantasy Faire offerings). The face painting design came out really well.

 

[Dizneydaz]

I'm really enjoying seeing all your DL pics! Many of the things are details I missed during our recent trip (such as exploring the new Fantasy Faire offerings). The face painting design came out really well.

That's what I love about DL. There's something for everyone. I bet you didn't have a 13 y/o girt with you, right?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

That's what I love about DL. There's something for everyone. I bet you didn't have a 13 y/o girl with you, right?

Exactly

 

[Dizneydaz]

By now it was 5:30 and we decided it was time to have dinner at The Cove. I snapped a few photos outside the Castle restrooms located by Alice as we left DL




And this one of City Hall in RW&B.

We re-entered DCA about 5:52 and headed to Pacific Wharf and The Cove. We stopped on the way at one of our favorite (hidden) restrooms. It’s located on the terrace of the Winery Restaurant. Rarely busy. Restroom entrance is right here...


It was just after 6 when we arrived at The Cove. We entered through Ariel’s Grotto only to be told by the CM standing by The Cove door that we needed to enter on the other side. (Last time we almost ate here this was where you entered.) This was now only an exit. ( I kind of felt sorry for that CM as her job is to stand there and tell people "this is not an entrance")




Allears menu here

When we got to the podium I asked for a menu. DD and DM checked it out and said it looked good to them-Yeah! While we were looking a couple came up and wanted to be seated. The CM said they were at capacity and there would be a small wait. She told them we were first and then they were next. It was very nice of her to put us at the front. Thanks CM! We only waited about 4-5 minutes and then were seated at a table by the rail. I decided to face the water (and the sun) so my DM could have her back to it. The sun was a little bright but not too bad. The view was very nice. There are umbrellas but our table didn't have one and with the angle of the sun it wouldn't have helped much.



Our server told us you can get the nachos with chicken instead of lobster. I think he may have also said beef too. The pizza can also be ordered as just a cheese pizza. I would expect that the pricing would change based on what you selected.


The View!


This was my view!

We looked over the menu and decided to share the Buffalo Wings and BBQ Chicken Pizza, We had 3 glasses of ice water. Peter, our CM server, was very nice. We did notice that it took a little longer than we expected to get our food (about 20 minutes) but they were at capacity. And when the food arrived, it didn’t disappoint! When we ordered the wings I asked Peter if we could have them less spicy (in case they were too spicy for my DM) He said we could get the sauce on the side. We received 9 wings (pieces, not whole ones) which worked out well for the 3 of us to share. 3 each. Peter also brought us Ranch and Bleu Cheese. Both were good. The Bleu Cheese had nice large pieces of cheese in it. The wings were really good! Hot and juicy and not greasy. The sauces wasn't too spicy for DD and me. We could have had them sauced but it would have been a little too much for my DM.

Buffalo Wings - A full pound of fiery chicken wings served with blue cheese dipping sauce dipping. $10.49

After we were done eating the wings I noticed the party next to us also had the wings but they had celery and carrots on their plates. Hmmm... I thought they should have had veggies. I asked Peter when he brought the bill and he said they should have had the veggies. Did I still want them? I said no, we were done. He said he would let the kitchen know about the omission.

We also ordered the BBQ Chicken Pizza. It was also very good! It was different than I expected ( I was thinking California Pizza Kitchen) but then that's only because I didn't really read the description.

Thin-crusted and topped with Jack and Parmesan cheese, tender chunks of Roasted Chicken, Applewood-smoked Bacon, Pepperoncini, Onion, Tomato, and a hearty barbecue sauce. $10.99

I did pick off a couple jalapeno slices but I don't think they were supposed to be there.

The crust had a nice texture and was crispy and a little soft. The sauce had a little bit of a kick to it but not too much. The bacon and chicken were good.

We used my AP discount and only ordered glasses of water so it was just under $20 (before tip) for the 3 of us. We could have eaten another order of the wings but now we could have ice cream later since we weren't too full!


This was the view as we left.

As we were leaving I needed to visit the restroom which is located downstairs in Ariel's Grotto. This is a nice restroom-check it out. The lighting is cool!


I will definitely eat at The Cove Bar again, and get the wings and the pizza.

Coming soon. Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor......

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

So nice to see another positive review of Cove Bar! I wish I were there right now enjoying some fish tacos. And I didn't know about the bathrooms at Ariel's Grotto - the lighting is awesome!

 

[MissPrice]

Really enjoying your report! Your DD's face paint is so pretty -Amanda

 

[Dizneydaz]

So nice to see another positive review of Cove Bar! I wish I were there right now enjoying some fish tacos. And I didn't know about the bathrooms at Ariel's Grotto - the lighting is awesome!

Thanks. I felt funny taking the photo in the bathroom. I made sure no one was there when I took it! Glad you liked it.

Really enjoying your report! Your DD's face paint is so pretty -Amanda

Thank for the compliments and for reading. DD even wore the paint the next day around town. 13 is a funny age-ready to be grown up but still a child. That's why I splurged on it-I figure it won't be long until she doesn't want to do things like that.

Added-I just saw you are going to DLR for the first time in 4 days! Have a wonderful trip-be ready for the crowds and for the cool nights. Feel free to ask if you have any questions.

 

[dclndvc]

Great review so far!