We Dined Around the World 9/28 - 10/4

[MomsOf2boys]

What great reviews! Thanks for sharing with us all.

 

[oybolshoi]

great reviews so far and happy anniversary!

 

[KatMark]

Happy Anniversary. Great reviews so far--we're going to try Cali Grill next year; nice picture of you and your DH at Jiko.

 

[LoraJ]

Day 3:
Hi all!!! I am about to collapse, but will try and get my reviews in.

I started the morning off at Captain's Grille at here at the Yacht Club. I got the buffet and found it to be similar to what I had at Cape May, minus the characters. Just about everything was good, but I think my Mickey Waffle sat out way too long.

After breakfast, we headed over to Blizzard Beach for some fun in the sun. Then we were off to Downtown Disney to find some lunch. We ended up at Paradiso 37.

For starters, we got the chips and trio of salsa. my favorite was the green salsa, DH's was the pineapple. We both thought the diablo was too hot!!!

For entree's, DH got the shrimp salad which he said was good, just not enough shrimp.

I had the baja burrito with steak. It was very good!
And huge. I could not finish it all.

Our service was good, once we had a server. We were ignored for a long time at first. Just when i was about to say something, Anthony came and saved the day. He was very friendly and helpful in explaining the menu.

After that, we were so stuffed and could barely move, we headed back to the resort to rest up for Halloween Horror Nights at Universal. We had the Express Pass and it was so worth it. We got all of the houses and rides done in just over 2.5 hours. We then made our way out to Citywalk where we had a nice dinner at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Service was prompt and friendly.

For cocktails, I got the Trick-or-Treat special in a souvenir glass. It was fruity delicious.

For our meals, DH had the coconut shrimp which he said was very good.

I am not big on seafood, so I had my usual here, Mama's Southern Fried Chicken. i loved it!

And now I must get some rest. Hopefully my feet will be ready for more walking tomorrow.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I have never even heard of Bubba Gumps!

Sounds like one heck of a busy day... I hope you slept in a little today.

 

[LoraJ]

I have never even heard of Bubba Gumps!

Sounds like one heck of a busy day... I hope you slept in a little today.

It's a chain and we've been to a few of them.
http://www.bubbagump.com/

We slept in a little this morning and had a nice relaxing time at the resort today.

 

[LoraJ]

Day 4:

I really hate the resort internet right now!!!!! i wrote up my review, put in the photos, hit submit and it said our time had expired. I was C&Ping throughout since it had been resetting before while I was posting, but of course when I restarted the post, and hit paste it was just a photo on the clipboard. Dh just brought me a Magical Star cocktail so I can chillax!

Anyway, I will make this one less long-winded.

For breakfast, I had a blueberry muffin from the lobby downstairs. It was good, I think they are the same ones you get at the Boardwalk Bakery.


We went to the Magic Kingdom today. It was so crowded. While the ride lines weren't horrible, the park just felt packed. Wen it is free dining, do people just walk around in circles until it's time for their ADR's? I had heard in the past that during free dining. the restaurants are crowded, but the parks aren't. Well this year, the restaurants are packed as well as the parks, but the ride wait times are manageable.

For lunch, we went to Pecos Bill. It was a zoo!!!! Wow! We ate here last year fr dinner during MNSSHP and it was fine. No issues at the toppings bar, easy to get a table. Today was just, UGH! Can you wait a minute so I can get my crap together before you jump on our table? Do you really have to leave your trays and family blocking the taco salad toppings part, when no one in your family has taco salads so you can grab more cups?

Anyway, DH had the BBQ pork sandwich which he said was okay.

I had the taco salad, which was good.

I think we will be trying out a different CS next time, or going back to Cosmic Rays.

We headed back to the resort and I relaxed by the pool and had another Strawberry Guava Sunset. Refreshing! I love SAB. After the pool I grabbed a scoop of chocolate mint ice cream from Beaches & Cream. yummy!

For dinner, we went to Fulton's Crab House at DTD. This is DH's must do restaurant. I am not a seafood lover, but I still enjoy it Our server was George and he is wonderful. We have had him before. His assistant Dave was great too. The couple at the table next to ours were big fans of George. They request him every time they visit.

They give you a basket of crackers and crab dip. Even though I am not into seafood, I enjoy the dip.

For appetizers, I had the portobello fries, my usual:

DH had the seared tuna which he said was very good.

For our main entrees, DH had the Alaskan Crab Claws and lobster tail combo. He loved it, although he has not eaten the lobster tail yet. It is in the fridge, maybe he'll have it as a midnight snack.

I had the free range chicken and loaded potato. The chicken was nothing special, but still good.

For dessert I had the cherry cobbler. It was so so so so so so GOOD!!!!!

Ever since the dining plan became so popular, I noticed that Fulton's has become less crowded. Good for us because we no longer have to wait so log to be seated, but not so good for them.

After dinner we went to Goofy's Candy Co. where I got a chocolate covered marshmallow covered in M&M's. Photo to come later...

Now I will finish my drink on the balcony and hope my post goes through this time.

Nope didn't go through. Guess it times out while typing long posts. This time I am editing the photos in. .

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

I don't know why I keep checking this thread every morning. It just makes me hungry!!!!

I'm glad you guys are having such a nice time. And eating lots of great food. I am a bit jealous, but it will be my turn in 5 weeks!!!!

Have a great time at AK today!

 

[mefordis]

Great reviews! I'm baffled as well as to why the ride lines are not long while the crowds are heavy. You had me laughing at the walking around in circles comment. Thanks for taking the time to post on your vacation!

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Day 4:

For appetizers, I had the portobello fries, my usual:

.

I would try it there just for these They look fabulous!

 

[LoraJ]

We're home now!

I will finish off the reviews tomorrow. I am exhausted!!!

 

[cbg1027]

Are the Portobello Fries at Fulton's just deep friend mushrooms? Or is it cheese? They look good but I was wondering what exactly is in them!
Can't wait to see the rest of the reviews!

 

[lindsey clare]

We decided to skip dessert because we were so full. But Ron surprised us with an Anniversary dessert. The pistachio creme brule'. It was small, so we found room for it. Very very good.

We really enjoyed this meal and would definitely return to Jiko sometime.

pistachio creme brulee! that sounds delicious.

also, cute photo of you two i love your shirt!

 

[LoraJ]

Are the Portobello Fries at Fulton's just deep friend mushrooms? Or is it cheese? They look good but I was wondering what exactly is in them!
Can't wait to see the rest of the reviews!

They are friend portobello mushrooms with some sort of mustard dipping sauce. I wish I could remember exactly what it was. But it's very good.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Welcome back! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[LoraJ]

Day 5:

Another beautiful day!

For breakfast, I had a croissant from the lobby. It was delicious. So relaxing to sit on the balcony eating it while people watching.

We headed off to Animal Kingdom. Now the crowds here are more of what we are used to. We walked on just about everything. And I rode Primeval Whirl for the first time. I always thought it would spin around too much and I would get sick. But looking at it closely, it didn't seem so bad, and it really wasn't.

For lunch, we ate at Flame Tree BBQ. We just cannot tear ourselves away from this one. DH had the ribs and a side of onion rings, and I had the pulled pork sandwich.

Good as always, but they took away the main cart where you grab the BBQ sauce and plasticware. Not sure why they did this. The section we sat in only had one kind of BBQ sauce. I asked the CM if there was anywhere to get both, and she said the station below had both and she would get us some. I told her she didn't need to do that but she insisted. That was really nice of her. So if you are looking for both of the sauces, do not go to the first seating area. head down a bit.


After AK, we were trying to decide if we should go back to MK to ride what we missed the day before or go to Epcot. We decided to head back to the resort and relax at the pool.

For dinner, we went to Yachtsman Steakhouse. I checked in 20 minutes early and was told we would be seated around our ADR time, which we were. I guess our buzzer wasn't working because they hunted us down in the lounge.

Thomas was out waiter. He was very friendly and explained the menu to us.

The bread was delicious. I loved the roasted garlic they gave us to spread on.

For appetizers, DH got the Lobster Bisque:

and I had the Heirloom tomato mozzarella salad.

DH enjoyed his bisque. I liked my salad, but I think the heirloom tomatoes that I had at CG were more flavorful.


We both had the filet as our main course with a side of creamed spinach. The flavor was wonderful. I loved the potatoes!!!

We will definitely come here again. Loved it!!!! So much better than Le Cellier. Not as good as Shula's, but still wonderful.

Will write more later. Have to get to work.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Those onion rings sure do look good to me right about now....

Perhaps I shouldn't have had a boring salad for lunch....

Perhaps i should have planned a more exciting dinner...

But for some odd reason right now I am willing to sacrafice and find myself some very yummy onion rings in the name of Disney Food Porn Addictions.

 

[Nancy for Disney]

Great reviews. Thanks for sharing!

 

[LoraJ]

Day 6:

Our last day already. It went by too fast. We were booked on a 7:15pm flight, so we spent the day at Epcot.

But first, I started the day off with another croissant out on the balcony:

For lunch, we hit the booths at the F&W festival again. For some reason, I am missing a couple of pictures.

DH had the Grilled Beef skewer with Chimichurri sauce from Argentina which he liked.


I started off with, wow, I can't remember if this was the pork or chicken, I am thinking chicken? Whatever it was, it was very good. They had packets of sauce at teh stand. I just could not get it open. oh well.

Next we stopped at the India booth where I got the Rice & Lentil Crepe. This was delicious and a nice sized portion. I don't know what happened to the photo of it. I thought I took one. Ooops.


Then we stopped at Austria where I got the Beef Stew. The stew itself was wonderful. The meat was so tender. I did not care for the dumpling that came with it though. I think it had an overpowering nutmeg flavor.

Next was Hops & Barley where DH got the lobster roll. He said it was good.

Then we stopped at Japan where DH got the tuna sensation. he said it was okay, not sensational.

DH was going to get the lobster & scallop pie, but didn't care for the look of it. Instead he went over to New Zealand and got the scallop which he liked.

We then ended our food journey at Canada. I got the cheese soup. It was delicious as always!

We both got the maple candy. What a rip-off. I mean, it is exactly what it says it is, but the portion is tiny and it was over $2 for two little pieces of candy. You could probably get a better bang for the buck at the Canada gift shop. That's probably where the candy comes from. This was our only disappointment from the F&W fest. Canada had such a wonderful dessert last year.

Coming up...
Final Thoughts and why the DDP does not work for us.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I might have had to have a couple of those cups of cheese soup from Canada...