Fantasy Swashbucklers take on MNSSHP and the Western Caribbean…. About This Page:

[cubfancolleen]

Can't believe all the computers were down! Hope the lunch cost was worked out. Lunch sounded, and looked, delicious!! As did dinner. So glad the cake worked out this year! I haven't eaten at Fulton's or Yachtsman before, but based on your review and pictures, I am ready!!

[JKnott17]

Seems to me that the middle of the day is not a good time to put all of the computers down for an upgrade, I can't even imagine the amount of chaos that had to cause for the front desk! Great day at DTD and Fultons, I remember when it was the Empress Lily too Your Anniversary looked absolutely delicious, I loved the mini cake!

[Tigger71]

Ohhh that cake looked devine! Congrats on 23 years!

[shadowryter]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Sorry about the computers being down, but what a great time at DTD and great meals as well! Love the cake! I too remember when Fulton's was the Empress Lily!

Just our luck and how many others? We always like to start off our stay by hanging out at DTD. Empress Lily seems so long ago...my baby was 6...now she's 22...

Originally Posted by lfredsbo

Sorry you had to deal with the computers being down But looks like you had a great day in DTD!!! Fultons - YUM!!!
WoW! thought we had a vinylmation craze!! We usually bring about about 5-6 new ones per trip!
How sweet on that menu!!! And that cake looks devine!!!
Happy Anniversary!

Problem is now I'm collecting vinylmations.We honestly came home with about 2 dozen of these between all three of us.I really loved our cake and the surprise menu...so nice. Thanks.

Originally Posted by chezp

What a pain about the computers being down but apart from that, it sounds like a great day with some nice eats!

Computers aside it was a pretty good day...and no accidents.

Originally Posted by Coop

Wow 2 of our favorites! Yummy pics! Glad they made your anniversary special!

I'm glad that we finally got to go to Yachtsmans...it was so worth the wait and a great place to celebrate something special.

Originally Posted by mpwife153

Other than the computers being down, it is a great start to your trip. The cake you ordered looks yummy!

Thanks so much...it was very yummy.

Originally Posted by MayraLR

Wow, computers down, that must've been chaos.
Lunch and dinner looked delicous! And the cake was adorable.

Thank you! Y&B bakery did a fantastic job.

Originally Posted by Cam22

We had a similar problem in June 2011 when the computers all went down for an upgrade. I wonder why they don't do that kind of thing in the middle of the night. Your room looks beautiful! Both your meals looks so delicious!

Night time upgrade makes more sense but who knows. This was our first stay at POFQ and we really loved it.

Originally Posted by OneLittleSpark

Sounds like a great first day, even though the computers were down and that made it a little weird.

I am pysched to see all your pics of POFQ, it's our top choice for the next family trip in 2014. DD keeps saying I want to stay where the dragon slide is. Which made me happy, bc POFQ was my top pick for a mod.

So that Peach Sangria, looked and sounded fabulous!!!

I didn't know that they made little cakes like that....that small. That is awesome! Yellow and orange were my colors...my fave colors.

Can't wait to hear more!

Loved POFQ...Peach Sangria was so refeshing on a hot afternoon. The two tiered mini cake is small...think bottom around 3 or so inches and top around 2 but they can pack so much flavor into these little guys and it was perfect for the 3 of us.

[shadowryter]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Can't believe all the computers were down! Hope the lunch cost was worked out. Lunch sounded, and looked, delicious!! As did dinner. So glad the cake worked out this year! I haven't eaten at Fulton's or Yachtsman before, but based on your review and pictures, I am ready!!

Ahhh, you remember from last year. It was nice to finally see a cake arrive but notice it wasn't from GF. You would love Fulton's and Yachtsmans...highly recommended.

Originally Posted by JKnott17

Seems to me that the middle of the day is not a good time to put all of the computers down for an upgrade, I can't even imagine the amount of chaos that had to cause for the front desk! Great day at DTD and Fultons, I remember when it was the Empress Lily too Your Anniversary looked absolutely delicious, I loved the mini cake!

Cast memebers looked really stressed. Kept apologizing over and over. I kept telling them it wasn't their fault just bad timing.

Originally Posted by Tigger71

Ohhh that cake looked devine! Congrats on 23 years!

Thanks.

[shadowryter]

Day 2 ~ Oct 10th

Dan and I were up and about fairly early but Heather??? OMG does that girl love to sleep in. I knew that she did it at home because she’s a night owl but people we were in Disney. Up and at ‘em baby girl!!! No. It didn’t happen that way. She finally stirred at around 10:30 and that was due to mine and Dan’s persistence. She was not a happy camper but we had a reservation for Mama Melrose’s in a little more than 2 hours. Now in hindsight if I could do it again I think I would have told her, “Here’s your key to the world. You have your cell, when you’re ready give me a call and I’ll tell you where we are,” and then Dan and I would have been able to ride some rides before lunch. I’ll have to think about that next time because this was standard procedure almost every day of our vacation.

On our way out we had to make a stop at concierge about our tickets, DxDP and the money we had spent so far and I caught this guy out for a walk.

There were 3 windows and they were all filled. After waiting for about 20 minutes a nice cast member approached us and said he could help at registration. He gave us our key to the world cards and in return we presented him with our receipts. It took him only about 15 minutes to reimburse us for our meals and then subtract them from our dining plan but it wasn’t until I was home that I realized we were also reimbursed for our anniversary cake at Yachtsman. One our way to the bus stop we were again presented with more beads. These were already beginning to pile up but nice souvenirs so we happily accepted them, Dan piling his onto me and Heather and we were off.

Well by the time we arrived at the Studios it was time to head for lunch so that is what we did. We dined here for the first time last year and absolutely loved it and tell you the truth this was our only repeat. I checked us in and we were seated immediately. I love the ambiance of this restaurant with it’s dark wood and ceilings adorned in small white lights.

We ordered our drinks and appetizers with the intention of holding back on entrees but our server Julie said she would make sure that everything did not arrive at the same time. As we enjoyed our drinks a young newlywed couple was seated at the table next to us. (They wore Bride and Groom t-shirts…so cute) They kept turning and staring at us as well as some other passers by and kids. I guess not many have seen the Magical Star cocktail with it’s glowing multiple color ability. The young couple turns out were too young for alcohol. Right after our apps were served Julie came to the table with 2 glasses of sparking wine for our anniversary. Turns out this was Asti, our favorite and such a nice gesture on our cast members part. When our entrees arrived they were huge. Not just a big bowl but a big serving. At home around 4 or more Weight Watcher portions. Lol….and yes…we did make room for dessert which is when I reached into my glass for my glowy cube and thus solved the mystery for the newlyweds.

Rolls and butter

Citrus Infusion

Magical Star Cocktail - X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube

Crispy Calamari for Two - topped with grilled peppers and onions, served with dipping sauces

Oak-fired Mussels - cooked in a spicy tomato butter with grilled onions and herb croutons

Fresh Mozzarella and Vine-ripened Tomatoes - with marinated sweet onions, balsamic drizzle, basil-scented olive oil and fresh sweet basil

Surprise champagne toast

Not so flattering pic of anniversary couple

Our server took this pic of all of us

Penne alla Vodka with shrimp - with Pancetta and Sweet Onions finished with Tomato-Basil Sauce, Cream, Vodka, and Pecorino Romano

Chicken Campanelle - wood-grilled chicken over Campanelle pasta tossed with four-cheese sauce with broccoflower, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach and sweet onions

Grilled Chicken Flatbread - with housemade ricotta cheese, spinach oil, and sweet onion relish

Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake - Chocolate-flavored Cheesecake with a Cookie Crust, Almond Cream, and Italian Amarettini Cookies

Chocolate Cannoli Cake - Chocolate Cake filled with Cannoli Filling topped with Nutella Ganache and served with a Chianti Red Wine Sauce

Tiramisù Semifreddo - Layers of Mascarpone Cheese, Lady Fingers, and Marsala Wine over Coffee Sauce served “Half-frozen”

To be continued...time to hit some rides

[shadowryter]

After our leisurely lunch we headed over to Star Tours. There were no plans to ride 10 tens like last year but after two in a row I had enough especially on a full stomach. While Dan and Heather went for a third I decided to sit down and just rest and digest. I found a table under an umbrella and patiently waited for a text. Not too long after I found myself in a crowd waiting for something. I thought it was the Jedi Training Academy but soon realized it was a parade. It was a Pixar parade and I figured that I was on one side and Dan and Heather were on the other. Which they were. So once the parade passed we reunited and pushed on to the Light’s, Camera, Action Stunt Show followed by the HTH which we rode only one time before it was time for our dinner ressie’s at the Hollywood Brown Derby at 7 pm. Another first.
Star Tours

Pixar Parade

Stunt Show

New California

New York

Super-sized Vinylmation

Guess where this was taken

Sorcerer Mickey

We checked in and again no wait. Our server Stanley welcomed us and went about explaining the menu and his recommendations. Dan and I ordered drinks while Heather was still sticking to sodas or non-alcoholic beverages. I was sort of surprised when our server returned after we ordered our entrees and asked if Heather was 21. It was almost a friendly challenge until Dan pulled out her licensee to prove it. (one wallet…he was in charge) I thought it was odd. Maybe something we ordered had alcohol in it??? Doesn’t that burn off anyway??? The mystery was soon solved when he returned with 3 glasses of champagne and placed one in front of our daughter wishing her a happy 22nd then giving one to mom and dad. Another lovely surprise.
Hollywood Brown Derby



Cheryl’s Peach Tree Punch - Cîroc Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Orange Juice, Grenadine, and a Splash of Sprite

Hollywood Diva - The Diva Stoli Vanil Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and Frangelico Hazelnut Liqueur

Surprise Birthday Champagne

Rolls and herbed butter

Cobb Salad - with finely chopped greens, turkey breast, egg, bacon, tomatoes, crumbled bleu cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing

Blue Lump Crab Spring Rolls - snow crab claw and a Asian slaw with spicy miso aioli

Duck Two Ways - Duck pastrami over a pear and melon salad with white balsamic, honey and vanilla reduction and Duck Confit with farro risotto and spicy onion citrus jam

Spit-roasted American Bison with sautéed beets tossed in an herb-shallot vinaigrette, forest mushroom, white truffle croquette and a cocoa espresso barbecue sauce

At the end of our meal we all ordered dessert as Dan and I tried an after dinner coffee. No pic’s, it was just coffee but neither one of us really cared for it. Oh well…but they sounded so good.
Black Forrest Cappuccino - Godiva chocolate and cherry brandyand Café Henry III - Brandy, Kailua, Grand Marnier and Galliano with a cinnamon-sugar rim. Stanley soon appeared with another surprise for Heather…a cute celebration cake for her birthday. It was a perfect ending to a perfect meal.
Banana White Chocolate Toffee Tower - on Cocoa-Almond Cookie and Bananas Foster

Grapefruit Cake - Light Layers of Yellow Cake with fresh Grapefruit-Cream Cheese Icing

Surprise Celebration Cake

Heather with her champagne and cake

We slowly made our way out of the Studios taking advantage of the late hour. I love it when it’s like this. You kind of have the park to yourself…until you reach the shops of course. After a bit of shopping we hopped the bus back to our resort and settled in for the night. Our Studio Pic with my camera…noticed the empty street

Photopass pic - better than mine

I took these night time shots on our way to our room.
Our building

Our room view

A little towel doggie greeted us

Another room shot...Dan thought he was hiding

Artwork on the wall

Up next...Day 3 at Magic Kingdom as the Fantasy Swashbucklers take on MNSSHP

[Cam22]

What a great day at DHS! Luke and I love Mama Melrose's. Dinner at Brown Derby looked very delicious, too.

[Colexis Mom]

Great day at DHS with some great eats!! More please!

[cubfancolleen]

I am starving now! Both those meals looked delicious!!

[chezp]

Oh wow - all that food and drinks looks so good!

[taylan1]

All caught up! So sorry about the computer upgrades but I find it interesting that we had the same issue when we were there in Oct. 2010 around the same exact time. They must do there computer upgrades then. I know for sure that the CM's were working their tales off trying to help everyone as best they could with out the computers. I really felt bad for them. Love all your food pics! I must remember not to read your TR on an empty stomach. LOL What I am going to have for dinner will surely pale in comparison! Looking forward to MNSSHP!

[MayraLR]

Great meals!

[OneLittleSpark]

A great day! I just tried MM for the first time last week, and I really enjoyed it. I got the Flatbread pizza too, the italian. YUMMY! I am going to see if I can persuade DH to try it next trip. He is not a fan of italian food.

You always seem to find the most tasty sounding drinks. So far, my favorite drinks I have had have been the Cantaloopy at Epcot China and Dad's margarita at 50's Primetime Cafe. I hope to try some others while there next trip and you give me some ideas!

So cool that both restaurants brought you out champagne...I just love champagne!!

Can't wait to hear more!

[a&as mama]

Thanks for the pictures from the Brown Derby. We will be eating there a week from today! I can't wait. Great report so far!