The Darlings Do Disney (TR is started!)

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on booking the Medieval Times Dinner! I hope you guys enjoy it and can't wait to hear what you thought of the off site dinner.

Also cool that your Old Navy order arrived so quickly! Good luck with shedding some pounds before your trip - am hoping to do the same

 

[teekathepony]

Yay on booking the Medieval Times Dinner! I hope you guys enjoy it and can't wait to hear what you thought of the off site dinner.

Also cool that your Old Navy order arrived so quickly! Good luck with shedding some pounds before your trip - am hoping to do the same

Thank you! I'm getting frustrated with my weight loss, I work and work and it only ever seems to go up! Ahh well. I guess I'll get it one of these times.

 

[Becc1]

Mr. D, his parents and I booked our Medieval Times Dinner Theater tickets on Tuesday! I'm pretty excited, I've never done an off-Disney Orlando dinner theater. I've heard both good and bad things about this one, but I plan to try it anyway and form my own opinions.

Today I got my Old Navy order! That was really fast! I got 3 pairs of shorts, a pair of jersey cotton capris, two tank tops and two bathing suits (one of which is so itsy bitsy teeny weeny that it's almost indecent... I had planned to lose 20lbs, I'm going to have to lose them before wearing this bikini!! This will NOT be coming to Disney with me!)

Yay for your Medieval Times Dinner, we have one by our house and my kids love it, they think it's a riot that we have to eat with your hands, lol.

Also yay on your ON order arriving, I did a big order there for our last trip too, it was hard but I ended up packing it all away for months until our trip came. You are brave for ordering a swimsit online, I think I endup trying on a couple of dozen before I end up buying one each year

 

[teekathepony]

Before I begin I'd like to do a little shameless self promotion. I just created a new twitter account entirely dedicated to Disney! From the point of view of the occasional obsessed tourist. Follow me at WendyDDisney!

Now then.


Welcome to my second installment of

Counter Service Options in the World!

It's another rainy day here on my miserable little island so I'm dreaming of Disney. I'm closing my eyes and feeling the sun on my face, breathing in the humidity, listen... what's that?

"Zip-a-de-do-da, zip-a-de-ay my oh my what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine heading my way..."

Yeah, that's the spirit!

Where better to find this beautiful, magical, sunshiney spirit than at

Magic Kingdom!

Main St. Bakery: Gourmet sandwiches and beautiful pastries are on the menu here. I have to get me something sweet before the trip's end. Sandwiches look great too.

Casey's Corner: Hot dogs, once again just keeping it in mind in case we need something bigger than a snack and smaller than a meal.

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe: At first glance I thought it was burgers and fries, but they also offer BBQ pork sandwiches, taco salad and chicken wraps. Nice selection.

Golden Oak Outpost: Chicken breast sandwich, chicken and veggie flatbreads and of course chicken fingers and fries. Another good one to keep in mind!

Liberty Square Market: Hot dogs again.

Colombia Harbour House: Some different sandwich innards including tuna and hummus make this place intriguing to me. Some fish and shrimp options as well as salad, soup and chicken fingers.

Pinocchio Village Haus: Meatball subs, pizza, penne and chicken parmesean, caesar and mediterranean salads all look so good, coupled with the possibility of watching i.a.s.w. make this is my top choice.

Cosmic Ray's: Lots of options here and lots of seating too. Ribs, chicken, burgers, chili cheese dogs, sandwiches and wraps. I'd call this my #2 pick for sheer variety.

Tomorrowland Terrace: Burgers, fried chicken sandwich, some pasta options and lobster rolls. Interesting, but probably not where I would choose.

 

[teekathepony]

Yay for your Medieval Times Dinner, we have one by our house and my kids love it, they think it's a riot that we have to eat with your hands, lol.

Also yay on your ON order arriving, I did a big order there for our last trip too, it was hard but I ended up packing it all away for months until our trip came. You are brave for ordering a swimsit online, I think I endup trying on a couple of dozen before I end up buying one each year

I only was brave enough for the swim suit because they offered free returns

I'm pretty excited to eat at Medieval Times! The whole eating with my hands thing sounds like it could provide some real laughs.

 

[TanzUnited99]

Yay on creating a Twitter account to talk all things Disney! I used to have an account but took myself off it a while ago.

Lol your Zip-a-de-do-da comment made me laugh! When you get that sunshine please send some our way!

I love the CS options at MK - there are soo many good ones. We are looking forward to eating at CHH and the Main St. Bakery goodies available!

 

[t_daniels]

I only was brave enough for the swim suit because they offered free returns

I'm pretty excited to eat at Medieval Times! The whole eating with my hands thing sounds like it could provide some real laughs.

Went to one in TX one time- AMAZING food.

 

[teekathepony]

Yay on creating a Twitter account to talk all things Disney! I used to have an account but took myself off it a while ago.

Lol your Zip-a-de-do-da comment made me laugh! When you get that sunshine please send some our way!

I love the CS options at MK - there are soo many good ones. We are looking forward to eating at CHH and the Main St. Bakery goodies available!

According to our forecast we won't be seeing a lot of the sun until we get to Florida. My horses are going to starve this winter -- my hay supplier can't get 3 nice days in a row to cut!

Went to one in TX one time- AMAZING food.

Good to hear!

 

[teekathepony]

I need an honest opinion re: ADRs from my Dis friends.

Background info: This is for our first full day, we already have a 50's PT ADR for dinner and are planning a full DHS touring day.


#1 -- Currently we are booked at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios at 8:10am. This means we get into HS before it opens, which is a very exciting prospect. It also means that we get to the park early and stay until late with no hopping around.
Downside = it's a character breakfast, but it's the "Disney Jr." crew --- these are not characters I care to meet. Will I be bored? Will I be annoyed at the childish atmosphere? Or will I be able to enjoy a good breakfast and sort of wave hello to the characters as they pass?

#2 -- Just in case, we were just able to snag a great breakfast at Boma, at Animal Kingdom Lodge for 7:30 that same morning. I loooove Boma for breakfast, and I always love a visit to the AKL.
Downside = no early park entry and it's a little difficult to maneuver a ride from Pop to AKL that early in the am. It also means taking some time out of our park day to move around, and possibly missing rope drop which I had wanted to see.

So what do you all think?

 

[Happy Elf]

#1 -- Currently we are booked at Hollywood & Vine in Hollywood Studios at 8:10am. This means we get into HS before it opens, which is a very exciting prospect. It also means that we get to the park early and stay until late with no hopping around.
Downside = it's a character breakfast, but it's the "Disney Jr." crew --- these are not characters I care to meet. Will I be bored? Will I be annoyed at the childish atmosphere? Or will I be able to enjoy a good breakfast and sort of wave hello to the characters as they pass?

We enjoyed Hollywood and Vine, but we have 2 little kids. They do sing and dance fairly often. The food is good, but nothing spectacular. Being in the park early is nice...we were able to have a short wait for TSM after breakfast.

#2 -- Just in case, we were just able to snag a great breakfast at Boma, at Animal Kingdom Lodge for 7:30 that same morning. I loooove Boma for breakfast, and I always love a visit to the AKL.
Downside = no early park entry and it's a little difficult to maneuver a ride from Pop to AKL that early in the am. It also means taking some time out of our park day to move around, and possibly missing rope drop which I had wanted to see.

Will you have a car? If not, I think this would be difficult and very time consuming. If you want to see rope drop, I don't think this will work very well.

 

[TanzUnited99]

My vote goes for Boma just because I would imagine Hollywood and Vine being more for kids. That's just my opinion though so go with what you think is right.

The travelling to and from AKL would put me off. However, I would try and schedule it on a day you are visiting AK (if that is possible) so you don't have to travel far.

 

[t_daniels]

Never done hollywood and vine. But Boma's breakfast is amazing. Little sad we didn't get to do this this trip. (ended up short on money because we bought a painting)

The jungle juice is amazing. (If you've had the juice at Ohana, it is the same thing.)

Eggs with goat cheese are excellent . We've tried replicating with cream cheese here.. comes VERY close.

 

[IheartDDuck]

If you don't have a car, I would opt out of Boma for sure. If you have a car, then I would go for it.

I have never eaten at Hollywood and Vine for breakfast, just for lunch. The food is pretty good. Normally, when it comes to characters, since I'm without kids normally, it's not so bad. You just have to sometimes block things out.

 

[teekathepony]

We enjoyed Hollywood and Vine, but we have 2 little kids. They do sing and dance fairly often. The food is good, but nothing spectacular. Being in the park early is nice...we were able to have a short wait for TSM after breakfast.

Will you have a car? If not, I think this would be difficult and very time consuming. If you want to see rope drop, I don't think this will work very well.

Hmmm, it's the singing and dancing that put me off originally. I wonder if I could get a table as far away as possible... in some remote corner? lol!
I won't have a car and I agree with you, Boma would be too hard to get to. I could see it coming down to hailing a taxi.

My vote goes for Boma just because I would imagine Hollywood and Vine being more for kids. That's just my opinion though so go with what you think is right.

The travelling to and from AKL would put me off. However, I would try and schedule it on a day you are visiting AK (if that is possible) so you don't have to travel far.

I agree with you that H&V would be more for kids, but the traveling is putting me off more I think. I can't plan it on another day, all my days are full, so it was just a matter of possibly swapping one breakfast for another in the same time period.

Never done hollywood and vine. But Boma's breakfast is amazing. Little sad we didn't get to do this this trip. (ended up short on money because we bought a painting)

The jungle juice is amazing. (If you've had the juice at Ohana, it is the same thing.)

Eggs with goat cheese are excellent . We've tried replicating with cream cheese here.. comes VERY close.

I've eaten at Boma several times for breakfast (though ironically I hate the juice) and that's why the dilemma -- I know how awesome it is and really want to go back.

If you don't have a car, I would opt out of Boma for sure. If you have a car, then I would go for it.

I have never eaten at Hollywood and Vine for breakfast, just for lunch. The food is pretty good. Normally, when it comes to characters, since I'm without kids normally, it's not so bad. You just have to sometimes block things out.

I'm with you, we don't have a car so I'm thinking it will be just too hard to get there. I hope we can get a little corner table and sort of ignore the characters, hahaha. No offense to them, but so as not to take up time they could spend on little kids.



Thank you all for your opinions, they were much appreciated. We have decided to stick with the original plan to eat at Hollywood & Vine. When we check in I'm going to request a quiet table if such a thing exists. I hate to skip Boma but the last time we ate there we had an 8:30 reservation and barely made it on time. Oh well, I guess it just wasn't meant to be for this trip.

(Side note: cousin Melissa and her bf Ron are opting out of both and eating at Pop that morning.)

 

[teekathepony]

Hello again and welcome to my third installment of


Counter Service Options in the World!
<more dramatic music>

Before I begin, just a quick announcement:

50 days to go!


I had a great WDW countdown app on my (brand new, 2 week old) iPhone but the phone is on the fritz and I'm awaiting (impatiently!!) a new one.

It is yet another cold and rainy day here. It's only 14 degrees! (57f). I just can't take this anymore... it's getting literally depressing. I have only been able to swim maybe 4 or 5 times this summer. It's like this every day... 10-15 degrees, cloudy, rainy, misty... I just want to crawl under my blankets and sleep until September 23rd. Our average for this time of year is about 24 (75f) degrees, for those of you who might be wondering -- this is not normal. Just really depressing. I'm starting to wonder who decimated an entire spider colony. Or maybe a whole species.

So I'm escaping in my mind to sunny Florida once again.

Today's options include fare from China to Norway, Mexico to Germany. Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to present:

EPCOT.

First up on the list are the counter service options in Future World

Sunshine Seasons (The Land pavilion): Asian options, soups, salads, and sandwiches, and some nice looking desserts make me want to try this place. I've been in here, looked around and saw nothing to my liking, but I'd be willing to check it out again. I've never eaten here.

Electric Umbrella (Innoventions pavilion): Typical burger and fries fare, this is where I've eaten every trip. I like it, but would like to skip it to give myself a chance to see something I haven't yet. Apparently they've removed the topping bar too

Now for the World Showcase.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop (United Kingdom): If I were a beer drinker or a fish eater perhaps I'd be interested, but as I am neither I think I'll pass.

Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe (Norway): Smoked salmon, sandwiches and beer. Probably not a stop I want to make (it's the fish and beer thing again!)

Lotus Blossom Cafe (China): Egg rolls, orange chicken and fried rice among the choices, I would definitely like to have some Chinese food at least once throughout this trip, so I want to keep this place in mind.

Sommerfest (Germany): Bratwurst and beer. Another no. I nearly starved to death in Germany for three weeks a few years ago (survived on chocolate.)

Liberty Inn (USA): Just burgers and fries again. I hope to not eat much of that.

Tokyo Dining (Japan): I'm just going to skip this one altogether. I really dislike Japanese food!

Yakitori House (Japan): See above!

Tangerine Cafe (Morocco): Lamb and couscous... well, I ate at Restaurant Marrakesh and loved it! So maybe I could give this menu a better look... but no lamb.

Boulangerie Pâtisserie (France):Yummy looking sandwiches, quiches and pastries -- I'm definitely going to poke my nose in here!

 

[TanzUnited99]

on it being 50 days to go!!

I can't wait to visit Epcot and try all the food on offer. I'm looking forward to the Strawberry Shortcake at Sunshine Seasons

From WS I def want to visit Norway, China, Morocco, Mexico and France! I agree with you on the Japanese food - am not really a fan.

 

[vikkii19]

Joining in. Love your animals and the idea to watch your movies before the trip.

 

[teekathepony]

on it being 50 days to go!!

I can't wait to visit Epcot and try all the food on offer. I'm looking forward to the Strawberry Shortcake at Sunshine Seasons

From WS I def want to visit Norway, China, Morocco, Mexico and France! I agree with you on the Japanese food - am not really a fan.

That strawberry shortcake will call out to Mr. D like a siren to a sailor.

Joining in. Love your animals and the idea to watch your movies before the trip.

Welcome!! And thank you, although I'm quite behind on my movie watching.

 

[teekathepony]

Well, first of all;

WE'RE PAID OFF!




Should have been paid off about a week ago but I forgot about my student loan payment. But it's all done now!

2. I got my new (again) iPhone. My first one was two weeks old when the home button stopped working so I now have a replacement.

3. I've started to make a colour coded itinerary. I just wrote it up in Word but I'm thinking it would look better as a chart. I think I'm going to re-do it. It keeps me busy while I wait for my trip to come!

4. I have a problem with my clothes for Disney. Mainly, I have all kinds of Disney t-shirts but I don't want to wear them in Disney... makes no sense? I'll get there.

The problem is that they're t-shirts and I find it too warm for anything but tank tops. Here are a few of my favourites (excuse the crappy iPhone pics!):
This is the lightest and best of the bunch. Organic cotton and it really shows!

Hot and black, and has a hood:

Heavy-ish material:

A little too see-through for my liking:

Never quite fit me right:

Really heavy material:

Anyway. I guess I'll just wear my nice light tank tops in WDW and leave the t-shirts for home. (If we ever get nice enough weather to wear a t-shirt that is!)


5. The weather here still sucks:

And is going to for the next little while:

6. I recently fell in love with this video.

That's all for now! Have a magical day!

 

[IheartDDuck]

You totally sound like me with the shirts! I'm always the same way. Never fits me right, too heavy, blah blah. It is very important to have the right things to wear when visiting the world.