Here I am, FINALLY! This weekend has been crazy! My dad plays in a rock n roll band and they had a gig, went to the IL's to go swimming w/ baby, went to visit my mom in the hospital (had back surgery but is coming home tomorrow). Not to mention DD is going through a mommy only phase. Any time I put her down or leave the room she thinks I'm never coming back, lol. Anyway, on to the important topic, FOOD!
We got up at 5:30am for our 7am flight from Rochester to Orlando. I think at some point I stuffed a Special K bar into my mouth but as it's not too special I didn't take a picture. Despite it's puny size, it kept the hunger at bay. Seriously though, it feels like it's half the size of a granola bar. No wonder it's only 90 calories, there's nowhere to put anymore! We had a snack on the plane. Munchie mix on an empty stomach, not a good idea. By the time we checked into POR I was starving! DH was dead set on getting to the parks though, so off to Animal Kingdom we went.
By the time we got there, purchased annual passes, etc., I had gotten to the point that I was so hungry I wasn't hungry anymore. We decided to do a few things and see where we stood. After about an hour, DD was freaking out because of the heat (hadn't gotten above 85 at home yet) so we went to see Bug's Life and cool down. By the time we finished my stomach was grumbling again. We have a hard time finding things to eat in AK because DH is not adventurous at all. He asked me what Yak & Yeti was and I told him he wouldn't like it.
DH: How do you know?
Me: Because I know what you like, and you won't like it, trust me.
DH: What do they have?
I explained the menu.
DH: Yeah, you're right.
I love those words!
I had read wonderful things about Flame Tree but never knew where it was. We ate at Pizzafari last time and were less than impressed. We pretty much feel that way with all of WDW pizza. We glanced at the map and noticed FT was very close to Pizzafari and headed that way.
DH ordered the chicken
Smoked 1/2 Chicken - served with baked beans and corn muffin
He wanted the ribs, said they smelled and looked really good, but when he saw they were a whole dollar more
he decided on the chicken.
He seemed to like it and I think found every little piece of meat on that poor chicken. He said the chicken itself was good, well cooked, but he wasn't a huge fan of the rub they had on it, just not to his taste. Translation: it's not plain. He said the beans were "ok." They weren't the best, but he also didn't find them inedible as I so often read on the boards. I was super bummed though, no cornbread! DH doesn't like it, so I was looking forward to eating his. It did come with coleslaw instead which neither of us like, so I can't comment on that.
In the heat, I don't like to eat food that's hot or too heavy. Boy oh boy was it hot that day. Salad it was!
Mixed Green Salad with Barbecue Chicken -- crisp greens and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette dressing in a toasted garlic shell
This doesn't come in a toasted garlic shell, but with a triangle of toasted garlic bread. I actually wouldn't even call it bread, it's really thin, almost like a chip. It's really good though, garlicky and has a nice heat and kick to it. The salad was also delicious. Very fresh and crisp. The vinaigrette was wonderful, not too overpowering and complimented the barbecued chicken nicely. I could have gone for a few more veggies since I don't like tomatoes, but other than that it was good. I even tried them again in the salad just to make sure, but alas, I still don't like them.
The chicken was great and there was tons of it! It was thinly sliced breast meat instead of hunks of meat. This was good for us as I was breaking off small pieces for DD. This was her first taste of chicken and she loved it! When I told my vegetarian mother, she was disappointed. I think she was hoping DD just wouldn't like any meat, lol.
We got back to the hotel around 4pm, planning to take a swimming/nap break before heading to MK for EMH (3am...seriously, who needs to stay that long?! Poor CMs!). Before we got to the room though, we seriously needed a snack. I don't know how it happens, but in WDW I get so busy that I forget to eat!
DH got a chocolate chip muffin but since I was stuck with the diaper bag and the stroller and my snack, I didn't have a hand free to get out the camera to take a picture. I'll leave it to your imagination as to what it looked like
. He was done with it well before we got back to our room. He said the outside was a little dry but the inside was great. He did get one later in the trip for breakfast and said it was much better. So, if you want a muffin, get it early!
I got a sugar cookie with Mickey-head shaped sprinkles. It was alright. If I wasn't so hungry, I wouldn't have wasted the calories since there are so many other delectable treats at WDW. I know this is going to sound weird, but it tasted like it needed more sugar. Who would think that a sugar cookie would need more sugar? Once I got to the inside of the cookie it was much better. I guess the outside, like DH's muffin was just kinda stale. DD also got a taste of her very first sugar cookie and seemed to love it. After I'd give her a bite, within seconds she's have her mouth wide open again, waiting.
As you may have guessed, with the predicament I found myself in, I couldn't capture a picture of the intact cookie. I did manage to get a remnants picture for you though.
DD fell asleep after swimming and since we were starving and didn't want to wake her up, DH went to the food court to order us dinner to bring back up.
I had read about the make your own pasta and looked it over at snack time. I ordered penne with alfredo, broccoli, spinach, chicken and parmesan.
The alfredo sauce was good. Very creamy and actually had flavor. Some alfredo sauces I find very bland, not this one! Of course it probably helped that it had loads of gooey, melty parm on top of it. They were SO stingy on the veggies. I think I had 5 pieces of broccoli and 6 or 7 spinach leaves. I did have tons of chicken, but it was gross. It wasn't breast meat. It was definitely just hacked off a whole chicken. It wasn't in bite sized pieces either, big, huge chunks. It was difficult to cut with plastic knives and forks in a Chinese food box. I just skipped the chicken and enjoyed my meal
DH had, can you guess? Yep, that's right a burger and fries. Big surprise. It was almost gone by the time he got back to the room. Either it was a long walk or he was really hungry. I suspect a little of both....
To be honest, I didn't even ask him how it was, all CS burgers are the same imo and I'm sure you've all had one
. The only exception to this though is Pecos Bills and Cosmic Rays where they have that deliciously disgusting goopy cheese sauce to pour on the burger. But I digress. Back to DH's burger. I didn't even get a chance to take a picture of it he ate it so quickly. This was becoming a trend I didn't like. Unfortunately I only half got it under control as you will see later
After a good rest, we headed over to MK around 8. After we had done our share of rides and watched Wishes from the Jungle Cruise area I decided it was time for a snack. Hello Aloha Isle. DH was being his usual "but it's too expensive, we don't need a snack" until he saw that they had a citrus swirl that looked suspiciously like a creamsicle. Then he was on board!
.
So, for DH a Citrus Swirl - Frozen Orange and Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream
He loved it! He's a big fan of creamsicles. He loved it so much that he was stingy and didn't even want to share a spoonful with DD! He did, but begrudgingly.
I almost pulled a DH and chickened out and got vanilla, but luckily I found my courage and ordered a
PINEAPPLE FLOAT! OMG was this amazing!!!!!!! I have to say I understand what all the hype is about. Before I just thought everyone was crazy, lol. So much more refreshing than ice cream! That is going on the list of must-do snacks for Nov! I just really wasn't sure about pineapple ice cream. I now know it isn't ice cream at all, but that's what I thought it was. The texture is different and so the pineapple flavor fits.
Ok, question though. Is it always hollow inside? I don't know why, but I thought it was odd.
DD wasn't sure about this snack either. She's still getting used to cold foods. She does however, love ice cream. She's only allowed a little vanilla, but she loves it. She also loves popsicles, and now we can add pineapple dole whip!
Look how worried she was, lol!
End of day 1. Up next, Backlot Express, Starring Rolls and WPE!
and get ready for the food!
