Day 4
Planned off day with a slow pace.
A few comments on the
DDP.
When I got out to eat, especially at dinner, I typically will have an appetizer, salad, entrée, and dessert. This does not mean I finish everything, but have often been referred to as a charter member of the clean plate club. As you know we are using the DDP. Going into the vacation I did quite a bit of reading on these forums, “knowledge” is power, related to the DDP. After getting many opinions I was beginning to develop some concerns
Will we have enough to eat since no breakfast is included
Will the service suffer once we indicate DDP, tip is already included
Quality of the food and selection
Based on my concern for the amount of food I figured it may be a good idea to pack some snack stuff just in case. That snack stuff turned into a suitcase full of assorted snacks and bottled water, this was overkill, live and learn. Here is my opinion based on my experience.
There is plenty of food to go around, especially since we were sharing with DD2 from our plates. We actually had a hard time using all of our CS credits while in the parks. I read others having this problem and laughed figuring no way that can happen to me. Well based on the timing of DD needing naps, and our ADR’s typically around 5pm, we ended up using our CS credits to eat breakfast at SSR three days. This is definitely not the best way to use your credits in terms of value, but the AP at SSR is very convenient. One of the benefits of SSR IMO. As for snacks we used a couple during the days and ended up with four left over and grabbed a few cookies for the trip home. We also ended up bringing home 90% of the stuff we brought down. Poor planning or over planning I do not know but I will not do it the same again. As for the DDP I would highly recommend for people that like to dine the way I do. If you are not a big eater it is still very convenient but may not be as good a value. I saved all the receipts and have not yet done the comparison but Pucks and Coral Reef were both over $100. DDP is $40/day/adult and includes CS,TS, and snack. I would do it again no question simply for ease of use.
Back to the trip
Wednesday was our planned off/water park day.
We awoke to low 50’s, windy, and light rain/mist. The indication from the weather forecast was the temp would soar into the high 50’s….Blizzard Beach here we come….in a couple of hours. Maybe we can sleep a little late today and see how things shape up. We grab a little extra shut eye and then head over to AP for breakfast. Breakfast is good and they have 4-5 choices of combinations. The queuing lines are a bit confusing during busy times and could use a little help, but if we all act civilized and exercise some basic consideration of others, things will go smoothly. A suggestion a select few, and you know who you are, can take to heart, enough said!!
We eat and head back to the room for the big decision, are we going to BB or no? We have 10 day/park hopper/with 6 plus admissions/no expire. Why not go and see and if its too cold we leave and no big deal. Daddy wins the discussion and off we go!
We pull into the parking lot and no lie I think there may be 10 cars in the lot. We go in rent a locker and hit the slides. The guards are all bundled up. Some with full sweat suits with hats and gloves. We have some good laughs with them and they are all very engaging with DD. Since we had the park to ourselves it was fun to see her run around and have a blast. Here are a couple of photos that include the cute DD. One has the Irish guy from New England in the dead of winter, It is not a pretty sight!!! Look away if you must.
You may not be able to see it but yes DD’s lips are blue, but she is not cold, RIGHT!!!! I talk DW into the big slide, can’t remember what it is, and she does it. So as to not be a big sissy I then do the same. After about an hour or so its FRRREEEEZZING and we decide to head back home for a stroll around SSR, a nap, and dinner at O’Hana.
For our trip to O’Hana we decide to take a bus to the MK and then a Monorail ride to the restaurant. Good choice! I have read about a front seat potential and decided to ask. We waited and the third time was a charm. The weather was not great but the view was fantastic. As we were getting out of the car the conductor? Handed us three cards that said co-pilot, you would have thought DD won the lottery.
Entering the Contemp
At O’Hana
Most of my photos inside are fuzzy, check other threads for inside restaurant views, very nice theme.
We arrive at the restaurant to island music and a dancer in the lobby, very nice touch. Standing at the host desk to check in we hear the people in front of us do not have a reservation and are told there is no table available until 9pm. The hostess indicates if they come back about 6:30 they may get a table but no guarantees. Glad we made ADR’s. Very nice atmosphere. It is a little loud but since it is all about family that turns out to be a good thing.
On to the Food
Appetizers
Fried wontons with three dipping sauces, I can’t remember what they were but they were GOOOD.
Wings-EXCELLENT
Veggies-good but who has time for veggies on vacation
Scalloped potatoes-Excellent
Our server is not very interested in us and brings all the food with little time to enjoy between courses. As dishes are piling up finally I request that things slow down a little, and his attentions diminish even more. Thankfully the bus/support person, Joel, is very attentive and actually ends up taking care of all our needs. He gets the extra $$ at the end of the meal in addition to a compliment to the manager, followed by an email upon return home.
During dinner the music strikes up on several occasions and different interactive little activities take place. DD loves all the excitement during dinner and her attention span is extended significantly.
DD and I doing a little dance, not well I might add.

The meats arrive and the presentation is very cool. Each different type of meat is brought to the table on big grill skewer, and then transferred to your plate, beef, pork, turkey, and sausage I think. All in all the meat is OK but has a strange taste to it. I know it is grilled but it has a strange aftertaste, like gas grill not wood or charcoal. Different meat dipped in the different sauces takes on very different flavors, some very good some not so good. No pictures of the meat sorry!
DESSERT-Worth going for all by itself!!!
Banana bread pudding and a caramel sauce with Vanilla ice cream-SECONDS PLEASE!!
Overall experience here is very good, thanks to Joel picking up the ball, and I would definitely go back without hesitation.
After O’Hana we headed home for an early night.
Great day with a good pace-even with the bad weather!!
Day 5
MK Full day
TS @ Boma
Epcot EMH
See you soon,
Jim