Two adults take on Flower & Garden & Spring Training (w/photos) New! 5/9:THE END

[wiigirl]

Love all the pics!

 

[poison ivy]

Love all the pics!

Thanks so much!

 

[poison ivy]

Last Day Last Park - Part II

Dinner at the ABC Commissary

Whose idea was this??

We left off with a new plan devised for the evening:

Check out the ABC Commissary for Counter Service
American Idol Experience - Finale 7 pm
Standby or FP ToT ( if possible) our next FP availability window was after 7pm
RnRC - 8:55 pm
Fantasmic - 10 pm

First, let me start by saying DHS is not a place we typically dine.

Given the innumerable amount of times we have visited this park over the past decade
(and they are countless!!), here is the short list of where we've ever eaten:

Lunch - Starring Rolls Bakery - 1 time
Dinner - 50's Prime Time Café - 2 times

So I started to think how did this happen? And realize a few things:

a) nine times out of 10 we hit rope drop or early am to FP Toy Story Mania and leave by noon.
b) otherwise, we show up early evening to catch Idol or the Osborne Lights
c) we typically stay at an Epcot Resort which provides endless food options
d) and every time we visit, we stop at Scoops and get a pretzel or popcorn at this park.

In other words, "we don't eat here". We tend to come and go and just grab a snack or two.

Safe to say, we are in unfamiliar territory at this point.

And whenever that happens, we are forced to apply the old Trial and Error Method!!
Meaning, we risk trying unfamiliar food items - good, bad or indifferent.

As I mentioned, first thing I did was photograph the menus at the Sunset Ranch Market to show JQ what they had.

I am reposting them here to demonstrate how CS food is described in the Park Map vs. the actual menu boards
This will help to understand our challenge:

The description in quotes is from the park map - followed by an actual photo of the real menu.

1) Fairfax Fare: "House smoked chicken and ribs, hot dogs and salads": BLD



Overall this listing was the closest to reality, absent a few items - the bbq pork sandwich and turkey leg. And those gourmet hot dogs deserve a much better description on the park map. (These weren't just "hot dogs" as I'll prove in a photo later)

2) Catalina Eddie's: "Caesar salads, pizzas and deli sandwiches": LD



Ok. this one I had a problem with. They have a 4 item menu - 2 pizzas, a salad and a sandwich.
Yet on the park map each item is listed in the plural implying there are multiples of everything.

3) Rosie's All-American Café: "Angus burgers, vegetarian burgers and chicken breast nuggets": LD

[

Close - but there's only 1 vegetarian burger and they offer soup.

For the record - here's what The Map displays as the remaining counter service alternatives: (This is throughout the entire park)

Sunset Blvd - along with the above food options were:

1) Toluca Turkey Legs Co.: "smoked turkey legs"
2) Anaheim Produce: "fresh fruit, pretzels, frozen lemonade and margaritas"
3) Starring Rolls Bakery: "pastries, sandwiches, sushi and coffee" (CLOSED!)

Echo Lake - two options:

1) Min and Bill's Dockside Diner: "specialty sandwiches": LD
2) Backlot Express: "Angus burgers, salads, sandwiches and chicken breast nuggets": LD

Streets of America - two options:

1) Pizza Planet Arcade: "pizza, salads, meatball subs and beer": LD
2) Studio Catering Co: "sandwiches, wraps and salads ":LD

Commissary Lane -

1) ABC Commissary: "Angus burgers, fried seafood platters, chicken sandwiches and asian salad": LD

Pixar Place -

1) Hey Howdy Hey Take Away:" hot dogs, ice cream and frozen carbonated beverages"

We see a pattern of plurality here and render the Park Map unreliable at best. We don't have the time to walk the park and check all this out.

Basically, we're on our own.

So picture two seasoned Disney vets sitting there, mulling all these mediocre options over a cup of ice cream.

I tell James, "I don't know what we're doing". "Starring Rolls is closed and we don't have a backup plan" "I have no idea about any of this stuff". "All I see are Angus burgers and salads". "This is not good".

JQ says: "I know one thing, I don't want to eat here. Let's go."

So we decide to check out the ABC Commissary.

We get to the end of Sunset Blvd, and I ask JQ "do you know where this place is?"

He tells me he's not sure.




We figure out it's behind The American Idol Experience. They have some great
billboards on the side of that venue as you walk by.

Love this show!!



We arrive and check the menu posted outside:






Looks ok so we go in. (sorry for the blur)



All childrens' menu items are $ 5.99. (including the power pack)

There are 8 illuminated menu items as you walk in. Listed the same on both sides.





Beverages: (again sorry for the blur)



We order:

The Chicken Blue - $ 8.99 (w/ fries).
This may not be much to look at but its a whole chicken breast w/crisp lettuce and tomato cooked fresh to order.

It was a very good choice. Sinple. Well prepared. Not dry at all. We Really liked it and wouldn't hesitate to order it again.



Kids Cheeseburger - $5.99 (incl. substituted fries and sm. drink)



I know I know - that kids burger is not the most appetizing. But the truth is, it isn't really meant for an adult.
So why order it? Heck! Because it comes w/ fries and a drink for 5.99!!

That's right - after 3 days of deluxe dining indulgence, we suddenly became frugal.
Seriously, I think Angus Burger was flashing thru our brains as a subliminal and we convinced ourselves this would be a "mini Angus". Wrong!!

Total price for this "exquisite" meal: $15.96 (tax incl.) no discounts avail.

In hindsight, we should have gotten an Angus burger. Given the frequency it's on a menu in this park, it probably has a decent track record.

Wow! Were we missing that Deluxe Meal Plan!?!?

next up: our final evening at WDW in the Studios

 

[Johnny Quest]

Yep, I should have ordered the redneck surf n' turf. The angus burger with 3 fried shrimp stuck in the top. That kid's burger wasn't very tasty but it filled a void. We went from 4 star to no star overnight.

 

[Johnny Quest]

It's amazing how we stay at Caribbean Beach Resort, then report on how horrible the rooms are and weeks later we hear they're going to remodel the place. Wow, we must have alot of pull down there! I think they saw the sad picture of me sitting in that room like I was being held against my will and felt guilty. Good job PI!

Truth is...I won't stay there even after the remodel. It's just not my style.

 

[poison ivy]

OK time to wrap this up since we leave in 17 days to drop off Iron Man at Disney's college program. So I'll be back with a final installment.

tentative plans for our upcoming trip:

dates: 5/23-6/1 = 9 nts

4 nts pop - AP rate memorial day weekend
5 nts SSR - studio just me and JQ
5/23 arrive via Auto train Lorton VA to Sanford FL.
- visit splitsville
5/24 - hit the 24hr MK promo
- lunch at Plaza / dinner at Liberty Tree
5/25 - recoup at Blizzard Beach or Typhoon Lagoon
w/picnic lunch from Boardwalk Bakery.
5/26 - Star Wars weekend at the DHS
- 6:30 am breakfast at Fresh Mediterranean Market
- 8:15 dinner at Citricos
5/27 - iron man checks in for the DCP. We check into SSR.

This is all I have so far. the rest are just dinner reservations.

New places we plan to dine: (in no particular order)

Monsieur Paul
Citrico's
Flying Fish
Joe's crab shack
Splitsville
tutto italia
Sci-Fi drive in (maybe)

Not sure if anyone would be interested in a report on this one (or if we'll manage the time) but I'll take photos just in case!

 

[nutz2notz]

Found your report today and just finished reading all of it. Awesome job on reporting and lovely pictures.

I would definitely love to read a report on your May trip and hear about the DCP for your son.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

Found your report and just read it all. Loved it. A couple (ok multiple) comments:

DH and I travel frequently to DW and DL by ourselves. Love reading about other adult only trips.

We also own DVC and like the occasional split stay with deluxe dining in there. DH and I sometimes (often) share meals as it is way too much food sometimes.

Your trip to WWOS made me sad. The last time we were there was back in 09 when DD played hoops at AAU nationals after her junior year of high school. Now she is finishing up her junior year of college (and somehow she switched over to playing lax). It was a great trip and but it makes me sad that she is so grown up.

For our October trip we are deciding between Yachtsman and Flying Fish. Such tough decisions.

Loved your flower and garden food info segments. On 3/17/11 we were actually at DW and went to MK that morning. DH went back to BWV as he had a blister and wanted to rest. I took the monorail over to Epcot as I wanted to use a CS credit for a baguette and Napoleon in France. I only had my KTTW card and it did not have charging privileges on it. I could not get green beer as I had no cash or credit cards on me. Very sad. Of course I could have walked back over from BWV, but I was way too lazy. Green beer in England on 3/17 is on my to do list though.

Never stayed at CBR and never plan too. Thanks for the heads up.

Would love to read about your May trip. DD has a college friend that is going to be there this fall and we are planning on seeing her in October. Who know? Maybe she will meet Ironman.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Henlady]

JQ - When are they starting the rehab at the Caribbean Beach? DD is taking DGS in late October and ended up having to book at the Caribbean to get the bounceback rate. Hopefully they'll have something done by then, but not counting on it. She tried to book PO-R for then, but all of their standard rooms were booked, also all booked at PO-FQ. She didn't want Coronado so her only choice for a mod was Caribbean Beach. They won't be in the room much anyway.

 

[poison ivy]

JQ - When are they starting the rehab at the Caribbean Beach? DD is taking DGS in late October and ended up having to book at the Caribbean to get the bounceback rate. Hopefully they'll have something done by then, but not counting on it. She tried to book PO-R for then, but all of their standard rooms were booked, also all booked at PO-FQ. She didn't want Coronado so her only choice for a mod was Caribbean Beach. They won't be in the room much anyway.

Hi Kris,

We first read about it here. The discussion begins on post 356

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3032047&page=24

Love the new look!! I hope this prompts an announcement soon, but not sure about timing.

 

[poison ivy]

Found your report and just read it all. Loved it. A couple (ok multiple) comments:

DH and I travel frequently to DW and DL by ourselves. Love reading about other adult only trips.

We also own DVC and like the occasional split stay with deluxe dining in there. DH and I sometimes (often) share meals as it is way too much food sometimes.

Your trip to WWOS made me sad. The last time we were there was back in 09 when DD played hoops at AAU nationals after her junior year of high school. Now she is finishing up her junior year of college (and somehow she switched over to playing lax). It was a great trip and but it makes me sad that she is so grown up.

For our October trip we are deciding between Yachtsman and Flying Fish. Such tough decisions.

Loved your flower and garden food info segments. On 3/17/11 we were actually at DW and went to MK that morning. DH went back to BWV as he had a blister and wanted to rest. I took the monorail over to Epcot as I wanted to use a CS credit for a baguette and Napoleon in France. I only had my KTTW card and it did not have charging privileges on it. I could not get green beer as I had no cash or credit cards on me. Very sad. Of course I could have walked back over from BWV, but I was way too lazy. Green beer in England on 3/17 is on my to do list though.

Never stayed at CBR and never plan too. Thanks for the heads up.

Would love to read about your May trip. DD has a college friend that is going to be there this fall and we are planning on seeing her in October. Who know? Maybe she will meet Ironman.

Thanks for sharing.

Disneybuckeye - thanks so much for reading along. Your trips sound so similar to ours. There must be a whole group of us empty nesters visiting Disney by ourselves now, after years of vacationing with our kids.

Your story about the green beer made me laugh. I've run out with nothing but a room key myself. We don't do the charging privileges either. It eliminates any charging mistakes when using the meal plan.

But I do recommend that preloaded wristlet gift card they sold at the Flower and Garden festival. It was really a great convenience.

As far as yachtsman vs flying fish that's a tough call. We'll be reporting on Flying Fish on our May trip so stay tuned.

I hope Iron Man meets your daughter's friend too. He's a big Disney fan and hopes to make a lot of friends. He just booked the "make your own stromtrooper action figure" experience offered during the Stars Wars Weekends thru 407 wdw-tech. We're allowed access as spectators. I can't wait to check it out.

Found your report today and just finished reading all of it. Awesome job on reporting and lovely pictures.

I would definitely love to read a report on your May trip and hear about the DCP for your son.

thanks so much!! Would love to share a report from the May trip. Hope you join in.

 

[poison ivy]

Last Day / Last Park Part III

A Night at Disney’s Hollywood Studios………………

We left the ABC Commissary around 6:30pm

Here’s the plan for rest of the evening:

American Idol Experience - Finale 7pm
Standby or FP ToT ( if possible) – our next FP availability window was after 7pm
RnRC - 8:55
Fantasmic - 10 pm

First stop



This ranks among our top favorite things to do at DHS. There are so many talented guests
who pass difficult tests behind the scenes to get this opportunity.
It’s really awesome to be a small part of their journey.
Our favorite is the finale and we always try to make that
performance whenever we are there late in the day.

The view from our seats.



Tonight they had 5 contestants performing.
Here they are anxiously awaiting the results



Down to the final two. So nervous.





And the winner is?





He was excellent.
He confessed he made the journey to Disney and bought a park ticket just to get this opportunity.
He flawlessly delivered a Michael Jackson number.
It was one of the best performances we had seen in a long time. I hope he goes far.
He deserves it!!! The others were truly gifted and talented as well
but unfortunately stood against an impossible competitor.

Saying goodbye with such grace and dignity!



Can’t wait to go back!
Who knows what the future holds for this venue as Idol continues to fade.
Maybe the Voice will step in.

After the show, (which takes about 30 mins.) we arrive at the Tower to check the status.
I snap a few photos of this awesome stature transformed at night!
(too bad our camera is limited)





Wait time was 45 mins., so we grab fastpasses with a return time: 9:05 pm – 10:00 pm.

It around 7:45 pm. Our RnRC fastpass has a return of 8:50 pm – 9:50 pm.

So we’ve got an hour to kill. We take a walk.

We happen upon a confectionary display called “sweet spells” located in the Villians Store on Hollywood Blvd.
This is news to us!







We buy: (sorry, no photos)
Wht. Choc covered strawberry 3.99
Choc dipped marshmallow 3.99
Mickey Cookie in Red Shorts 3.99
(DVC 10% discount applied)

These were really good! That mickey cookie was awesome!
One day we’ll have to try those hand dipped apples. Love the creativity.

For some reason, we wandered over here. Wishful thinking.



Unfortunately, the rest of our photos are not the greatest since it’s now evening.
But I’ll share the best we’ve got.

Arriving back at RnRC.



Inside where FP and Standby merge



Our redneck photo.



Ok time to wrap up.

We get off the coaster and see a huge line for the 10pm Fantasmic already forming.
It’s around 9:10. JQ tells me “we should get in line now.”
I insist, “but I really want to ride Tower of Terror”.
He follows with. “Chris, look at the line." "It’s just going to get longer.”

Whenever JQ starts a sentence with my first name, I know he wants my attention. I cave.
We agree to hit ToT afterwards during EMH and get in line for Fantasmic.

It’s been years since we’ve seen this show. 6 yrs to be exact. Here are a few shots decent enough to share.

Our view - 4th row center











After the show, EMH was officially underway. The ToT wait time was still 30 mins.
We decide we’re too tired to deal with it and from the looks of the crowd, we’re too old to be hanging out
so we plan to leave. Since QS tends to play a vanishing act after hours
we figure we better grab something now.

We opt for Fairfax Fare – remember this place?
It’s right next to Scoops.



Fairfax Salad: tossed to order – chopped romaine, chili, tomato, roasted corn, roasted peppers,
monteray jack, and corn tortillas served in a jalapeno ranch dressing. $ 7.99



Chili Dog – $ 8.99 (served w/chips)



To be honest, these were very good. That salad is a hidden gem and the gourmet hot dog
was a meal in itself. (I didn’t touch it – JQ enjoyed it though)
If you’re looking for something different, this may be just the place.

I know, so sad that the “art” has dramatically faded from the word culinary here.
We’re dining in a whole different dimension now.
Thank goodness we were leaving tomorrow.
I don’t think these new eating habits could survive another day.

And on that note……………. I will officially end this report.

It was an incredible 4 day trip. I hope everyone enjoyed it.

Stay tuned for a May 2013 trip report coming soon.

 

[SMWfamily]

Hello fellow NJ Dis'er! Checking out your trip report and getting excited for my July 2013 visit! Also booking for a March convention, can't wait... it will be alot of work and a lot of fun.

 

[jwwi]

Enjoyed reading your TR. Thank you for taking the time to write it. I will try to watch out for your new TR too. Good luck to your son, I'm sure he will have an awesome time during his CP experience.
I had no idea that they are going to be doing a rehab on CBR. I love the large room size and tropical feel of the resort. But for mod I really prefer either POR or POFQ.