The so-so trip..March madness is at WDW *Updated 7/27* Final thoughts

[emmysmommy]

Such great photos in WS. How cool that you got a fireworks show while you waited for your bus... you know, they don't do that for everyone!!

Wow! The bed not being made up... really no excuse for that.. other than the fact that the housekeeping person may have had two broken hands, then I would excuse them.

Looking forward to hearing about your Dismeet.

 

[Yankeemouse]

Hi Scott its Margita. Finally got caught up on your report! I know what you mean about the palm trees, I have a special love for them too and have so many pictures, I should do a collage or something for my wall.

As far as the ball of sheets on your mattress, we had a similar thing at Bay Lake. My daughter was sick the week we were there and on our scheduled cleaning day, we were still in the room when the housekeeper arrived. I asked for new bedsheets, blankets, etc. and she just handed them to me. I asked her to make the bed but she apologized and said she couldnt! She told me to leave the dirty stuff out in front of my door when I changed the sheets. Must be some crazy policy for DVC. I put it in writing when we got back. Dont know if it will do any good but if they get enough complaints maybe they will change.

 

[scottny]

I can honestly say that I have NEVER seen pictures of the fireworks from the bus stop. That is totally awesome.

Your night shots are great. Seriously - some of them look like they belong on a postcard. What a nice evening in Epcot.

Yum - yeah - I would have been irritated about walking in and finding the bed like that. Yikes! Glad you were able to calm Vinny down.

it was fun seeing them there. It passed the time till the bus came.
Thanks. I am still learning on taking night pics.
I said it would be longer to wait.

I think it was cool seeing your pictures of the fireworks from the bus stops! I never knew you got an actually good view from there!

Wait...WHAT??? Okay, I would have been absolutely LIVID to walk into that room and not see the bed made up. That's ridiculous!!!

Either did I till I saw them.
I thought it was but het we moved on. it was annoying though.

Love your pictures & enjoying your report ! Sorry you had a bad experience at Kidani. They should have given you fresh linen and made the bed ! As a DVC owner at AKL that would have been my expectation.

Welcome.
thank you. We own at SSR and expected it to but oh well.
Thanks for joining in.

The topiaries are so beautiful!

You had some of the same things that we did at Sanaa. I love that place too!

Still behind, but I won't be able to catch up for a while, getting on a boat now.

They really were.
great restaurant.
I hope you have a great cruise.

Such great photos in WS. How cool that you got a fireworks show while you waited for your bus... you know, they don't do that for everyone!!

Wow! The bed not being made up... really no excuse for that.. other than the fact that the housekeeping person may have had two broken hands, then I would excuse them.

Looking forward to hearing about your Dismeet.

Thank you.
I thought it was special just for us.
that is good excuse that I will accept.

Hi Scott its Margita. Finally got caught up on your report! I know what you mean about the palm trees, I have a special love for them too and have so many pictures, I should do a collage or something for my wall.

As far as the ball of sheets on your mattress, we had a similar thing at Bay Lake. My daughter was sick the week we were there and on our scheduled cleaning day, we were still in the room when the housekeeper arrived. I asked for new bedsheets, blankets, etc. and she just handed them to me. I asked her to make the bed but she apologized and said she couldnt! She told me to leave the dirty stuff out in front of my door when I changed the sheets. Must be some crazy policy for DVC. I put it in writing when we got back. Dont know if it will do any good but if they get enough complaints maybe they will change.

Hello,
That is a good idea about the collage. maybe I will too.
I can see the policy for some reasons but for others they should really do it.
You might be a guest star coming up.

 

[scottny]

As day 3 starts we find ourselves getting ready for lunch. We woke up and I sat outside for a little bit and then got ready. We had lunch plans and did not want to be late. Here is the time we were leaving the room.


Walking out this is looking at the main entrance of Kidani.


I am fascinated by trees I guess.


Then we were where we were meant to be.


Our dining destination this afternoon would be.


We have eaten here 2 times before and the first time we loved it and then the second time it did not live up to the first time. I hope it does this time.
Here is the lobby and waiting area of the restaurant.


Unfortunately we got a table up on the third level but it was still a great table.


Looking at the tank.


Would you like to see what we had?

App:
Scott: Crispy-fried Shrimp - with Jicama slaw and spiced remoulade $11.99


Vinny: Creamy Lobster Soup - tarragon and brandy $8.49


Then in between courses I took more pics of the tank.


Ent:
Scott: Coral Reef Lobster Orecchiette Pasta - with White Cheddar Cheese and Basil Oil $26.49


Vinny: Grilled Mahi Mahi - with Laughing Bird Shrimp, Hearts of Palm, Jasmine Rice, Cilantro, and a Coconut-Lime Sauce $24.99


In between courses again we were treated to a sting ray. Sorry the pics are bad.


Des:
Scott & Vinny: Baileys and Jack Daniel's Mousse* - topped with caramel crisp $7.99


So the entrees and dessert were on the dining plan. The amount for these was $78.22.
The appetizers were on TIW and the amount was $ 21.82 after the discount.

Review:
The third time was a charm. The food was very good and we had no complaints at all. The pasta I had was so good. I do know we both could not finish our desserts. Definitely will go back.

After lunch we came here.


We did not go in but I did take video of Mine, Mine, Mine. Click below to see.
http://flickr.com/gp/scottenchanted/v65090

I love the way rocks look under water.


A fuller pic of the area.


And then we walked some more. I wanted to see some butterflies.

Guess what? You will have to wait to see them because of the photo limit.
My next update is full.

Up next,

Lets go see them.

 

[Lesprivate]

I love the Coral Reef's lobster bisque, we haven't been there in a couple of years but always had a good meal there.

 

[cheekypoppins]

i'm so glad you had a better time at coral reef this time,I love it there I really do.

 

[scottny]

I love the Coral Reef's lobster bisque, we haven't been there in a couple of years but always had a good meal there.

I do too. They call it soup. Not sure the difference.

i'm so glad you had a better time at coral reef this time,I love it there I really do.

it is a great place. I am glad we decided to give it another shot.

 

[emmysmommy]

Sounds like a solid meal at Coral Reef. I have to say that I almost prefer the 3rd tier seating... at least compared to being up against the tank which invites every person and their kid to stand at your table. Yeah, happened to us before... errr.... talk about that personal space issue!

If I were the fish in the aquarium, I'd be so nervous looking out that window at what is on the plates of the guests... yikes! I've heard that some of the smaller fish go missing in the tank in between feeding of the larger fish. Hmmm... sounds like they need a better dining plan.

Looking forward to more of your reviews.

 

[Johnny Quest]

Scott,
Great photos. I was wondering what camera setup you used. Pictures are very crisp. The evening shots are excellent.

 

[Stringbean&Wingnut]

We've never been to Coral Reef, but your meal there looks really good! We should give it a try sometime! That mousse looks awesome

 

[KathyRN137]

I love all the Epcot pix -- keep 'em coming!

Being a DVC member, I'm honestly not surprised that your bed was unmade because of their strict "housekeeping rules." That said, being that this was a special circumstance (needing the mattress replaced) I think the housekeeper could have used her common sense and just made up the new mattress.

Not exactly a "welcome home" at the end of a long day!

We haven't eaten at Coral Reef in some time; may have to remedy that!


Kathy

 

[disneyfan61]

Glad you had a good meal at Coral Reef. We have been there once. It just did not seem like a lot of food for the price but your lobster pasta looks wonderful!! I probably would have gotten that. The Mahi Mahi does not look like a big portion. That desert looks great!!

Love looking at the butterflies!!

 

[scottny]

Sounds like a solid meal at Coral Reef. I have to say that I almost prefer the 3rd tier seating... at least compared to being up against the tank which invites every person and their kid to stand at your table. Yeah, happened to us before... errr.... talk about that personal space issue!

If I were the fish in the aquarium, I'd be so nervous looking out that window at what is on the plates of the guests... yikes! I've heard that some of the smaller fish go missing in the tank in between feeding of the larger fish. Hmmm... sounds like they need a better dining plan.

Looking forward to more of your reviews.

I do agree about that. it was funny the 1st time we had next to the tank, 2nd was level 2 and then this time level 3. Next time will be the lobby I guess.
I am sure some of the small get eaten.

Scott,
Great photos. I was wondering what camera setup you used. Pictures are very crisp. The evening shots are excellent.

Welcome and thank you.
not sure. It is Nikon d3100 and for night shots I just put it on "no flash" mode.

We've never been to Coral Reef, but your meal there looks really good! We should give it a try sometime! That mousse looks awesome

You should try it some time. Delicious. The mousse is really good but very filling.

I love all the Epcot pix -- keep 'em coming!

Being a DVC member, I'm honestly not surprised that your bed was unmade because of their strict "housekeeping rules." That said, being that this was a special circumstance (needing the mattress replaced) I think the housekeeper could have used her common sense and just made up the new mattress.

Not exactly a "welcome home" at the end of a long day!

We haven't eaten at Coral Reef in some time; may have to remedy that!

Kathy

I agree. We are used to no housekeeping being DVC but when you get a new mattress I think it is an exception to the rule.
No but we moved on.
it was very good.

Glad you had a good meal at Coral Reef. We have been there once. It just did not seem like a lot of food for the price but your lobster pasta looks wonderful!! I probably would have gotten that. The Mahi Mahi does not look like a big portion. That desert looks great!!

Love looking at the butterflies!!

I walked out of there full and I am fat.
The pasta was really good. Might go back in December.

 

[mickeyfan71]

Glad to hear y'all had a better experience at Coral Reef! I'm planning on getting the pasta you had so I was glad to hear you liked it!

 

[scottny]

Glad to hear y'all had a better experience at Coral Reef! I'm planning on getting the pasta you had so I was glad to hear you liked it!

I hope you like it also.

 

[mickeystoontown]

Now was a terrible time for me to look at your Coral Reef lunch pictures 'cause I'm h-u-n-g-r-y! I usually order the steak for dinner when we dine there but your pasta looks really good. May have to give it a try or at least talk somebody else in the group into trying it so I can sample it too.

Your pictures inside the restaurant came out really good. Mine are always so dark and blah looking.

 

[scottny]

After leaving the Nemo area I wanted to see the butterfly tent. Vinny was afraid to go in because he said “they will attack me”. I almost cried laughing. He does not like anything with wings. We did go inside.


This is going to be a mostly photo post. I can say flower or butterfly but why really? So now I present flowers and butterflies.






Oh and the Fairies are in here to.






























I would tell you which Fairies they were if I knew myself. LOL








Looking at the tent. It is not that big of a place.


This is on the outside of the tent.


Then our tour was over. I do enjoy seeing the butterflies but there were so many dead on the ground. I did enjoy seeing the live ones and flowers and the fairy topiaries.

Like I said sorry for the lack of words but I thought the pics spoke for themselves.

Up next,

I try the dole whip with rum…

 

[scottny]

Now was a terrible time for me to look at your Coral Reef lunch pictures 'cause I'm h-u-n-g-r-y! I usually order the steak for dinner when we dine there but your pasta looks really good. May have to give it a try or at least talk somebody else in the group into trying it so I can sample it too.

Your pictures inside the restaurant came out really good. Mine are always so dark and blah looking.

I was surprised how good the pasta was.
I thought mine were blah.

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't mind the "almost no words" post at all. Like you said, those pictures speak for themselves. The pictures were beautiful! Poor Vinny! I can totally see him all hunched down looking all around him for flying creatures.

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

the meals looked really good.

and thanks for the pics in the garden, i have not seen that many before and it paints a good picture as to what is in there.