The Year of Disney Trips: ***Update!!!! 8/20/08****

[LurrrvtheDuck]

We go in and the waiting area is fairly empty. There’s a couple ahead of us who are trying to get a walk-in table. I actually feel bad for them and hope that they get it and luckily for them they did.

I go and check-in and ask the CM hostess if it’s too early to check-in and if I can add another person to the ressie. She looks up me up and says not a problem. Wooohooo!! Really? Great!

She asks us to have a seat in their tiny lobby area and wait to be called.
I go outside to cancel our Cantina San Angel ressie, just in case someone else needs it.

I go back in and we’re being called to be seated; in the words of Crush, “Righteous! Righteous!!”

We don’t get a tank side table, but that’s ok I honestly didn’t care where we sat at this point and was just happy that I could keep this ADR. We’re given our menus and our drink orders are taken.
DDP tid bit: Some restaurants let you substitute a refillable drink (soda, ice tea, etc.) for one of their specialty drinks. The catch is, that type of drink isn’t refillable and you’d have to drink water or just drink from other people’s refills.

Our waitress comes around to get our orders and bring us bread (which was really good ) and the Minions have questions about some of the entrees. I have no clue what they’re going to ask and have a tiny little panic attack inside of me and pray that they don’t say something embarrassing . Now the Minions are bilingual and sometimes they get stuck on their words in English, especially Minion #1 because he’s just come back from a 6-month stint in Puerto Rico. Luckily for him our waitress happens to be from, well whaddya know! Puerto Rico! So to kinda help him out I tell him that and he proceeds to ask her his question in Spanish. Once all questions are answered without embarrassment, we order our food.

Here’s Bre and Minion #1 and #3 while we wait for our food:

Mom and Bre with their Martinis; mom’s was really yummy:

Our appetizers our brought and here's what we got:
Minion #2 and Mom ordered:
Chilled Shrimp - Served with seaweed salad.

Bre ordered:
New England Cod Cake - Served with Remoulade and topped with micro greens.

Minion #1, #3 and Myself Ordered:
Sea and Land - Grilled shrimp with cucumber salad and barbecued beef skewer with creamy Polenta.

Food Review: Minion #2 didn’t like his shrimp because he didn’t like the sauce stuff they put on it. Mom said the sauce was weird, but she liked it. Minion #3 didn’t like his food, he was also getting cranky at this point though. The beef skewers were delicious and I wish there would've been more. Everyone else enjoyed their food appetizers as well. I gave Minion #1 my shrimp because, uh I don’t eat seafood.

I know what you’re thinking, why did I book CR then? Well I booked it for Mom. She absolutely lurrrves seafood and since I wanted her to have a wonderful Disney experience as I did in April then I primarily kept her in mind when picking the restaurants for this trip. She’s never done Disney like this before and I wanted her to see the Disney light.

Continued in Next Post…


Next Installment: Click Here

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Continued from Previous Post…

The restaurant is starting to get busier and we had to wait a bit for our food to arrive. While we were waiting the diver started feeding the fish in the tank, so we got to enjoy that little show. Minion #3 ended up falling asleep

(Janet sound familiar? ), I guess the heat finally had gotten to him.

Our Entrée’s finally did arrive and here’s what we got:
Minion #1, #2 and Myself ordered:
Grilled New York Strip Steak - Served with Potatoes Au Gratin and Beef Demi-glace.

Mom ordered:
Grilled Mahi-Mahi - Served over Israeli Couscous and arugula with Honey-Soy glaze.

Bre ordered this (Uh, I don’t know what it is , it might be catfish):

Minion #3 ordered:
Grilled Chicken Breast - Served with Jasmine rice and chicken broth.

For some reason I didn’t get a pic of it though. Bre woke Minion #3 up for a little bit and he took a bite of his chicken and rice and decided he didn’t want it (still cranky) and went back to sleep.

Food Review: Mom loved her Mahi Mahi. Bre liked her entrée (whatever it was) and she ended up eating some of Minion #3’s entrée and said the chicken was really good. Minion #1 and I really enjoyed our steak and the Potatoes were yummy. Minion #2 didn’t like the way his steak was cooked and refused to send it back and became moody and didn’t eat his steak. So the motherly instinct in me ended up giving him half of mine though.

I also didn’t get any pics of our desserts, which I don’t know why.

We did end up ordering all the desserts on the menu though:
Me:
Baileys and Jack Daniel's Mousse - Topped with a ganache and chocolate cigar.
Bre and Minion #3:
Bavarian Cheesecake - Served with a berry sauce.
Mom:
Citrus Creme Brulee - Served with berries and citrus zest.
Minion #1 & 2:
The Chocolate Wave - Served with brandied cherries.


Dessert Review:

Mine was heaven on earth . Oh my goodness was it yummy and it had alcohol. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Honestly the best part of my meal.

Mom and Bre loved their desserts too (Minion #3 didn’t want his, so Bre ate it for him).

Minion #1 & 2 didn’t really like the chocolate wave. I tasted it and I really didn’t like it either , it was waaaay too chocolatey and bitter for me.


Overall CR was a nice restaurant. I don’t think I personally will be going here again because:
1) I don’t like seafood
2) The food was good, but there are other restaurants in WDW that are better in IMO.
3) I don’t like seafood.

Bre woke Minion #3 up and with no more rumbly in our tummies we headed back out to seek more adventure.


Next Installment: Click Here

 

[Disneyolic]

No pictures on that other update? Why bother? Oh, you wanted to do a DM-type update....well, then, by all means! Those kinds of updates are the bestest of all!

But I haven't read the next one yet so now I'll have to see what happens...

 

[Disneyolic]

Well, that was fast of me to catch up. So glad you were able to get in early at CR! And your table looked like it had a fine view. Your food pics look very yummy. I wish I could comment more but we went there on our trip and I can't give it away....not like some other people....not naming any names but they are a very pretty color!

 

[Lifelong_Dreamer]

That is great that you were able to check in early at Coral Reef and that they were able to accommodate your increased group size.

Sounds like for the most part you guys enjoyed your meal. Too bad Minion #3 wasn't into it.

 

[scottny]

Great update. I think CR looks great. May have to book it. I have 26 days till I can make my ADR's.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[jcc0621]

Continued from Previous Post…

The restaurant is starting to get busier and we had to wait a bit for our food to arrive. While we were waiting the diver started feeding the fish in the tank, so we got to enjoy that little show. Minion #3 ended up falling asleep

(Janet sound familiar? ), I guess the heat finally had gotten to him.

I agree with you about CR. Good, but there are other places that are better.

 

[ILMICKEY]

Those meals look great!! My hubby picked CR as one of our ADR's (after I told him it was his job to pick them). I changed his mind!! Now I don't know if I did the right thing??

Oh well. Maybe I'm just hungry right now and EVERYTHING looks good!

Going to the food porn section now. See ya!

 

[PrincessAlways]

I know what you’re thinking, why did I book CR then? Well I booked it for Mom. She absolutely lurrrves seafood and since I wanted her to have a wonderful Disney experience as I did in April then I primarily kept her in mind when picking the restaurants for this trip. She’s never done Disney like this before and I wanted her to see the Disney light.

That is so sweet!!

The restaurant is starting to get busier and we had to wait a bit for our food to arrive. While we were waiting the diver started feeding the fish in the tank, so we got to enjoy that little show. Minion #3 ended up falling asleep

Now that's funny!

Minion #2 didn’t like the way his steak was cooked and refused to send it back and became moody and didn’t eat his steak. So the motherly instinct in me ended up giving him half of mine though.

Again...so sweet!

We've been to CR a couple of times. The first time we really liked it. Last time, we said it will be the last time for awhile.

 

[blue_river]

Mmmmmmmmm...my mouth was watering looking at that steak!

Looks like you got a great view to me

We really enjoyed CR on our last trip and kicked our butts for not going again this year.

 

[HomeschoolMama]

We have an ADR for CR... I love seafood and we're studying Aquatic Animals this year in Science., so I thought it was a good choice.

I'm just sitting here eating my South Beach meal pretending I'm eating the shrimp and steak... Yummy!

 

[luvfigment]

Another great update!!! I am sorry that the meal wasn't the "best" at Coral Reef but I am glad you dessert was really yummy! Can't wait to read more.

 

[DisneyJo]

So sweet of you to book that for your Mum and great that they allowed you to add minion on And motherly instinct hey

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

So sorry haven't updated, it's coming up though!

First some responses though:

So glad you were able to get in early at CR! And your table looked like it had a fine view. Your food pics look very yummy. I wish I could comment more but we went there on our trip and I can't give it away....not like some other people....not naming any names but they are a very pretty color!

I was actually surprised that we were able to get in early, since this is one of the "hot" restaurants the DIS loves. The food was good, but I don't see myself visiting it again anytime soon. The dessert was yummy though.

Sounds like for the most part you guys enjoyed your meal. Too bad Minion #3 wasn't into it.

Yeah, he was getting cranky. I think it was the heat.

Those meals look great!! My hubby picked CR as one of our ADR's (after I told him it was his job to pick them). I changed his mind!! Now I don't know if I did the right thing??

Oh well. Maybe I'm just hungry right now and EVERYTHING looks good!

Going to the food porn section now. See ya!

Ya know you still have time to try to get a ressie.

Mmmmmmmmm...my mouth was watering looking at that steak!

Looks like you got a great view to me

My steak was yummy. We did have a good view, we were on the top level on the side right before the lower level part. So we did get a good view of the tank.

We have an ADR for CR... I love seafood and we're studying Aquatic Animals this year in Science., so I thought it was a good choice.

This place will come in handy then, they give you a little brochure with all the fish in the tank for you to spot. Of course that was after I figured out for everyone else that it wasn't part of the menu. Yes I had a blonde moment there, but it was only for a moment.

Another great update!!! I am sorry that the meal wasn't the "best" at Coral Reef but I am glad you dessert was really yummy! Can't wait to read more.

Yes the Mousse was Deeeeelicious!! I can't believe I didn't get a pic of it.

So sweet of you to book that for your Mum and great that they allowed you to add minion on And motherly instinct hey

We were originally supposed to do CR for her Bday and I was gonna do the Diver with the sign and everything, but yours and Tracy's lover recommended me not to go on that day. I didn't want to lose the ressie for mom so I just switched it to that day. Gotta get Mom to love Disney as much as I do!


Update coming up!!!

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Missed some replies

Great update. I think CR looks great. May have to book it. I have 26 days till I can make my ADR's.

Thanks for sharing.

I guess it didn't make your final list though Scott, unless you've decided to go there for your cousin's bday.

I agree with you about CR. Good, but there are other places that are better.

Yup, I'd go back for the dessert though, that was goooood!

We've been to CR a couple of times. The first time we really liked it. Last time, we said it will be the last time for awhile.

I guess if I were a seafood lover I'd love the place, but I'm not so not on the top of my WDW restaurants.

 

[LurrrvtheDuck]

Well after lunch and a bathroom break we didn’t really know what to do. So I figured we could head on over to WS.

On the way to WS though we passed Journey into Imagination or Figment as I call it, and since there was no wait I detoured us in there. It was a cute ride and I had missed it in April and wanted to see the changes they’d done since the last time I rode it way back when. I have no idea what the changes were though , so couldn’t tell you if I liked it better before. I do love that little purple dragon though. Bre, Mom, and Minion #3 and I liked the ride, but Minions #1 & 2 could care less. They had been asking me practically all day when we were going to MGM and if there were roller coasters in Epcot. I told them we were hitting MGM our last day and that there were no roller coasters in Epcot. That kinda bummed them out, but hey we’re not only here for them KWIM?

So after Figment we headed on over to Honey I Shrunk the Audience which was just starting. Here’s Minion #2 & #3 as we wait:

Don't they look happy to be there!

As we’re walking into the theater, we get separated from Minions #1 & 2, but at the end are rejoined with them. Everyone liked it fine. I missed this one last time I came in April too and it was ok for me. I think it’s time for WDW to put a new 3D show here though.

Anyway, as we’re walking out into the blazing heat I decide to take the Minions over to the Jumping Fountains just outside.

After they got cooled off we were on our way to WS, but Mom said it was too hot and she and Bre were tired and so were the Minions. So I had no choice but to give in to their lack of Disdrenaline and take a pool break back at the resort. I said we had to come back later to watch the fireworks and eat.

Here’s Minion #3 as we were leaving

Here’s the best shot that I got all week of the 3 Minions:

Awwwww they look so innocent don’t they? As the vendor in the beginning of Aladdin says, Do not be fooled by commonplace appearances….

As we’re waiting for our bus we notice that the sky is starting to get gray and I said, "Well I guess it’s a good thing we’re leaving ‘cause it looks like it’s gonna rain." To which the Minions, especially #3, were not happy.


Next Installment: Click Here

 

[ILMICKEY]

It really must be a "boy" thing. The testosterone. I love some of the fast paced rides, but Geez, stop and smell the roses!!

My kids wanted to go to that "other" park in Orlando this year. Just because of the coasters.

Maybe someday when they can fund their own vacation~~they can go!!

Those boys, however, are very nice looking kids. And they have a great Grandma and Aunt!!

 

[scottny]

My April trip coming up I promised to take the kids to Universal but I don't think I will be now. they said they r fine with that cause Disney is what they wanted to see. Was originally driving now flying so need to rent a car with the DME.

 

[Disneyolic]

On the way to WS though we passed Journey into Imagination or Figment as I call it, and since there was no wait I detoured us in there. It was a cute ride and I had missed it in April and wanted to see the changes they’d done since the last time I rode it way back when. I have no idea what the changes were though , so couldn’t tell you if I liked it better before.

I think they changed it way back when to get rid of Figment but then put him back in again. I dunno....needs an update!

I think it’s time for WDW to put a new 3D show here though.

Ditto!

Anyway, as we’re walking out into the blazing heat I decide to take the Minions over to the Jumping Fountains just outside.

I wish I got more pictures of these with my kiddos!

As we’re waiting for our bus we notice that the sky is starting to get gray and I said, "Well I guess it’s a good thing we’re leaving ‘cause it looks like it’s gonna rain." To which the Minions, especially #3, were not happy.

Oh no...not the dreaded rain!

 

[DisneyJo]

My girls loved those fountains and that last photo of the boys is really nice, although where's the one in the middles body