What did WE celebrate? .. 30 days of Disney fun and food! Update 04/02

[cbg1027]

Did someone say Valrhona?????
It's real good chocolate and I LOVE dark chocolate! Here in Europe we go for Lindt - which has wonderful chocolate treats.

I like dark chocolate too. Milk chocolate has way too much milk and sugar and not enough cacao!

When I'm in Europe I like Leonidas chocolates.

 

[englishrose47]

Hi Karin!!!

 

[Minnie&Nana]

Good Mornin', Karin! Be back soon to catch up.

Rosie, are you followin' me around??

 

[LockShockBarrel]

Karin you should be proud of me! I got to WPE twice, and used my food setting on my camera! I added more to my pre trip report and I'll get around to my actual trip stuff soon.

 

[dizneeat]

Love it love it love it!

Thank you!

Those are some crazy comma's you've got going there!

Hm, where we live we seperate Euros/Dollars from Cents by using commas!

I am sure you would enjoy AP! I can really recommend the salmon - so good! And the Chocolate Terrine is to die for!
Even better, if just the two of you could sneak away there!

I do not care for salmon but dh loves it. I have seen plenty of other great things I would eat there though! I was suprised to see neither you or Tom had the mushroom soup - that seems to be a popular choice!

There are plenty of other yummy things on the menu! Yes, I know that the mushroom soup is one of their signature dishes, but I am not a huge fan of mushroom soup and it felt too heavy in such hot weather too!

Karin,
Pure torture, why do I do this to myself, everything looks so good. I need to read your reports after a very big meal. Great post, and pictures.

Sorry, for making you hungry - prepare yourself ......... I have a few more yummy updates to post!

 

[dizneeat]

I like dark chocolate too. Milk chocolate has way too much milk and sugar and not enough cacao!

When I'm in Europe I like Leonidas chocolates.

Leonidas is good too! You should try the dark chocolate truffles the local confectioner makes! Sooooooooooooo good!

Hi Karin!!!

Hi Rosie! Hope you are having a fun day!

Good Mornin', Karin! Be back soon to catch up.

Rosie, are you followin' me around??

Hi Christine! Did you catch up? I get confused by my own threads sometimes!

Karin you should be proud of me! I got to WPE twice, and used my food setting on my camera! I added more to my pre trip report and I'll get around to my actual trip stuff soon.

I am VERY proud of you!!
Very well done, going to WPE twice! ........ and taking photos as well!
Can't wait to read more!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 24, September 6

A snack at the Portofino Bay Hotel

We wanted to try the balloon at Downtown Disney, but it was too windy and so we decided to take Mary Ellen and Joe to Universal Citywalk.

When we arrived there we ran across that fun photo option!

We took the resort launch to the Portofino Bay Hotel

where we played around a bit!

It looked a bit like rain so we went into one of the restaurants for a snack.

Joe had a brownie sundae! That was a supposed to be a "double" serving! It was tiny! They should go over to to Beaches and Cream and have a look at what a decent sundae looks like!

Mary Ellen just wanted some strawberry ice-cream.

Tom and I shared a strawberry tart, which was quite nice, but nothing special.

We got some Orangina to drink, which we remembered from "the real" Italy. Unfortunately it tasted different to what we remembered!

In the meantime a Florida rainshower had started and we had to use the bus back to Citywalk and after a short shopping spree at Fossil and Fresh Produce we hit Bubba Gump's for dinner.

How much did we actually cost Disney?
54 dining credits
36 snack credits
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe ...... 84,90 (2 DC ......... 30 DC remain)
2 Refillable Mugs ...... 29,80
Goofy's drinks ...... 10,00 (4 snack credits ......... 26 snack credits remain)
Cost altogether ..... 941,80 $

420$ - 856,90 $ = 521,80 $

Next up - Dinner at Bubba Gump's Shrimp Company

 

[dizneeat]

Day 24, September 6

Dinner at Bubba Gump's

Once we had made it back to Citywalk and done our shopping we headed over to Bubba Gump's for dinner.

I had to start this off with my favourite drink there, Strawberry Speckled Lemonade. Definitely yummy!

Joe thought we all needed a starter so we ordered their Mama Gump’s
Garlic Bread Basket, which was nice, hot and garlicy!

Joe decided he didn't like anything on the fish/shellfish menu, so he stuck with ribs, but Mary Ellen and I had the

Dumb Luck Coconut Shrimp, served with Cajun Marmalade and Fries. I just LOVE those! The crisp, slightly sweet coconut batter and the juicy succulent shrimp make for a real excellent taste, which dipped into the Cajun Marmalade is even better. As I said before I love them. It didn't look like Mary Ellen liked them. She kept peeling the batter off and just had them "plain".

Tom had Shrimper’s Heaven, Hand Breaded Coconut Shrimp, Chilled Shrimp,
Fried Shrimp, and Japanese style Tempura Shrimp with Fries. And of course great Dippin’ Sauces like Tangy Asian, Cajun Marmalade, and Zesty
Cocktail.

Coconut shrimp

Tempura Shrimp

Fried Shrimp

Chilled Shrimp

He LOVED them ALL!!

We didn't have dessert, we were stuffed and drove back to WDW, as Mickey still didn't approve that we ventured offsite to UO! It was still raining!

How much did we actually cost Disney?
54 dining credits
36 snack credits
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe ...... 84,90 (2 DC ......... 30 DC remain)
2 Refillable Mugs ...... 29,80
Goofy's drinks ...... 10,00 (4 snack credits ......... 26 snack credits remain)
Cost altogether ..... 941,80 $

420$ - 856,90 $ = 521,80 $

Next up - and another Krispy treat

 

[darthtatty]

Bubba Gumps is on my list for August.
Im a big shrimp fan and after your many food reports about there I cant wait to try it. I will probably order the shrimper's heaven
Do you make a reservation or just walk up?
we're staying a night at the HRH and would like it our 1st night but we're doing Blue man group so not sure we can fit it in. If not will make a reservation for the next day-if needed

keep up the great work.xx

 

[podsnel]

I always hear good things about Bubba Gump's, but the one in NYC, in Times Square. I'll have to get myself there someday soon!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I've never been to Bubba Gump's, but there is one in Gatlinburg that we need to try. We go to Gatlinburg quite a bit. That Shrimp heaven looks wonderful!

 

[Swalphin]

Hi Karin,
Great update!
They were a little chintzy with the ice cream, they do have a few things they could learn from Beaches and Cream.
Bubba Gump's is fabulous, we have eaten a few times at the one in Charleston, SC. I do not like fish but, I love seafood, go figure
Coconut Shrimp is my fave, with the spicy marmalde yummy. Now I want shrimp
Thanks for writing such a great report I really love reading along.

 

[iluvpluto27]

Really enjoying your reviews. Bubba Gumps looks good, I love the look of that coconut shrimp.

 

[dizneeat]

Bubba Gumps is on my list for August.
Im a big shrimp fan and after your many food reports about there I cant wait to try it. I will probably order the shrimper's heaven
Do you make a reservation or just walk up?
we're staying a night at the HRH and would like it our 1st night but we're doing Blue man group so not sure we can fit it in. If not will make a reservation for the next day-if needed

keep up the great work.xx

You really should give it a try.
No need to make reservations - you might have a short wait when you sign in, but we never had to wait more than 5 - 10 minutes.
Shrimpers heaven is wonderful - it is just a bit too much for me, but I LOVE those coconut shrimp!

I always hear good things about Bubba Gump's, but the one in NYC, in Times Square. I'll have to get myself there someday soon!

Ellen, if you loves shrimp you NEED to give it a try - it is a FUN, FUN, FUN experience!

I've never been to Bubba Gump's, but there is one in Gatlinburg that we need to try. We go to Gatlinburg quite a bit. That Shrimp heaven looks wonderful!

You really should give it a try! It is so much fun to eat there, be prepared to be asked a few fun trivia questions on Forrest though!

Hi Karin,
Great update!
They were a little chintzy with the ice cream, they do have a few things they could learn from Beaches and Cream.
Bubba Gump's is fabulous, we have eaten a few times at the one in Charleston, SC. I do not like fish but, I love seafood, go figure
Coconut Shrimp is my fave, with the spicy marmalde yummy. Now I want shrimp
Thanks for writing such a great report I really love reading along.

We all kept staring at the icecream servings! Joe had only wanted a single serving, but because Tom and I had to go to the counter to order, we thought that he needed a real treat and got him the double order! Imagine what a single would have looked like!
Yeah! Another Coconut Shrimp lover! They are the best, especially with that yummy marmalade!

Really enjoying your reviews. Bubba Gumps looks good, I love the look of that coconut shrimp.

It is such a fun restaurant! All the memorabilia from the Forrest Gump movie and the servers really kick into high gear when playing their trivia games with everybody!
We really enjoy that experience a lot!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 24, September 6

another Krispy treat

Can you believe that after that dinner we could still fit something in? Well, after we had chilled at our villa for some time we decided we needed another sweet treat and went to Kissimmee!

It was that sign we wanted to see and we DID see it!!!!!!!

We got a dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts and a diet Coke to share and sat down there and then to have some of those hot, soft, sweet, melt in your mouth goodies!

And while doing so, watched this Hidden Mickey go by!

Before we left, with still a lot of doughnuts in the box , we picked up another dozen to deliver to the guard at the entrance to OKW. That is something we always do, get them some doughnuts and deliver them for welcoming us home every time we drive through those gates!
It is so sweet to see the surprise on their faces once they realize that THEY are on the receiving end of "pixie dust" for a change!

How much did we actually cost Disney?
54 dining credits
36 snack credits
Wolfgang Puck's Cafe ...... 84,90 (2 DC ......... 30 DC remain)
2 Refillable Mugs ...... 29,80
Goofy's drinks ...... 10,00 (4 snack credits ......... 26 snack credits remain)
Cost altogether ..... 941,80 $

420$ - 856,90 $ = 521,80 $

Next up - Hollywood Brown Derby for lunch

 

[Linda67]

Morning Karin

Great updates as always

Love the presentation at Bubba Gumps

What a wonderful and thoughtful idea to take the guards some Donuts back with you

 

[dizneeat]

Day 25, September 7

Hollywood Brown Derby

Another day and yet another restaurant! By that time we were already tired of eating out, can you believe that!

But we still had a whole load of credits to use up, so this morning, we just had a quick bite for breakfast, then headed over to DHS to have some fun and fit in some rides to work up an appetite for lunch at the Hollywood Brown Derby.

Our ADR was shortly after they opened and the place was empty! We were seated immediately at a small table to the side of the restaurant.

Our server was quick at hand and introduced himself. And even though he was very nice and accommodating, it was a bit of an awkward feeling, sitting there in your theme park clothes and these overly overdressed waiters waiting on you hand and foot!

We ordered Diet Cokes, but since the server insisted we had a bottle of water included with our meal we ordered a bottle of Pellegrino as well.

There was a wine list and on it there was something that caught our eye!

A glass of white wine, you ask? ........ A glass of Silverado Vineyards, Chardonnay, Napa Valley ‘08. Now as most of you know the Silverado Vineyards belong to Diane Disney Miller and this is as close to Disney as it gets. We visited the Silverado Vineyards in 2006 and tasted some wines, and really loved them. So whenever we can lay our hands on them we get some!

Tom ordered the Spicy Sashimi-grade Tuna Tartare with Cucumber, Daikon and Pepper Salad, Avocado Wasabi Sauce, and crisp Lotus Root Chips. This came out in a flash, but was really top notch tuna and was a refreshing new taste for me!

I order the Famous Cobb Salad‖ with Finely-chopped Greens, Turkey Breast, Bacon, Egg, Tomatoes, Crumbled Blue Cheese, Avocado, Chives, and Cobb Dressing. Honest opinion? I didn't like it and I DO like ALL of the ingredients in it!
It was badly mixed (tableside) and I had to do some more mixing myself, but it was very salty and tasted like there was WAY too much blue cheese and bacon in it. Tom had a bit, but most of it was left on the plate.

While we were still eating appetizers we were brought some rolls, which were very pale and your standard little bread roll. They were warm though.

I didn't make any notes about the butter, so I guess it must have been just that ....... butter!

I ordered the Char-grilled Filet of Beef over White Truffle Whipped Potatoes, topped with Julienne root vegetables and a tomato/red wine reduction. Now that was far more up my street than the salad.
The whipped potatoes were smooth, silky creamy and very good, even though they didn't taste much of the truffle, just a VERY light scent and the beef was perfectly cooked and melted in your mouth.

Tom had the Sterling Silver Pork Chop topped with Smoked Gouda and Apricot Preserve served over Napa Cabbage, Bacon, and Potato Hash with Apple Cider Jus. Another good choice. The chop was cooked perfectly, it was juicy and well flavoured and went perfectly with the Gouda and preserve.

Being on the DxDDP we had to try dessert.

Tom had the Double Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with Dark Chocolate-dipped Biscotti. The Creme Brulee was nice and creamy and had just the right crunch, when breaking through the sugar crust on top. The Biscotti was nice and crisp and HUGE!

I had the Chocolate Three Ways – Dark Almond-Buttermilk Cake Layered with Milk Chocolate Truffle Crème and White Chocolate Chambord. This was a new addition to the menu according to the server and it sounded good - it was outstanding. Very moist cake, lots of yummy chocolate truffle creme and it went so well with the slightly tart raspberry coulis!

How much did we actually cost Disney?
54 dining credits
36 snack credits
Hollywood Brown Derby ...... 134,20 (4 DC ......... 26 DC remain)
2 Refillable Mugs ...... 29,80
Goofy's drinks ...... 10,00 (4 snack credits ......... 26 snack credits remain)
Cost altogether ..... 1076 $

420$ - 1076 $ = 656 $

Next up - a MK treat

 

[dizneeat]

Morning Karin

Great updates as always

Love the presentation at Bubba Gumps

What a wonderful and thoughtful idea to take the guards some Donuts back with you

Morning, Linda!

Thank you for your kind words! We love surprising the guards there - they are SOOOOO friendly and nice!

Have a wonderful time at DLRP! The crowds should not be all that bad at the moment and I hope the weather stays nice!
Enjoy yourself and have fun!

 

[dizneeat]

Day 25, September 7

A MK treat

In the afternoon we spent some time at the MK and came across a cart that sold THIS!!!!!!!!!!

Yummy freshly popped corn! ...... and a snack credit too!

How much did we actually cost Disney?
54 dining credits
36 snack credits
Hollywood Brown Derby ...... 134,20 (4 DC ......... 26 DC remain)
2 Refillable Mugs ...... 29,80
Pop Corn Cart ...... 3 (1 snack credits ......... 25 snack credits remain)
Cost altogether ..... 1079 $

420$ - 1076 $ = 659 $

Next up - Dinner at Cinderella's Royal Table

 

[darthtatty]

Looking forward to CRT its on our list for August.

mmm popcorn, sure we'll use a few snack credits on that.