Fun, flowers and firsts THREAD 2 OF 7 About This Page:

[chezp]

Please be aware that this is thread 2 of this report. If you're starting afresh with this report, you may want to read all the previous installments in thread 1 first



Thursday 29 April – part five: Mark’s first encounter with buffalo and my first encounter with beets…



We made it just in time and opted for valet parking, as it was free to DVC members at the Wilderness Lodge. When we got to the podium, Mark asked if it was possible to have a window seat, but the CM warned us that we could be waiting for up to 30 - 40 minutes. We both agreed that we were happy to wait, as neither of us was that hungry. Amazing, as we hadn't eaten anything since breakfast that morning at around 11.00.



We went for a look around the Mercantile and then walked down to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge, which we were due to be staying in this Christmas. I knew that Mark wasn't that keen on them, but after having a look around, he agreed it was very well themed.





The entrance to the Villas at Wilderness Lodge



The lobby



The Iron Spike Room



The exterior



The quiet pool at VWL



After taking some photos of them and their swimming pool, we walked back to the main building via the geyser and although we waited for it to go off, we were out of luck. However, we did see a lovely baby duck with its my mum and watched them for a while.





Mummy and baby



While doing that, our pager went off. So much for 30 minutes, it was less than that, only about 20 minutes.



We got a perfect window seat, so it was worth the wait.





The view from our window seat



We had a great server, Rick, who really knew his stuff. He took us through the menu and even informed me that the smoky Portobello mushroom soup was made with chicken stock, so that was out for an appetiser for me. Instead I went for the chilled beet with goats’ cheese and Champagne vinaigrette. I wasn't even sure what beets were. I asked Rick to describe them as I thought they were what we Brits call beetroot, but when he told me that they came in different colours, that threw me. I decided to give them a go anyway, after he told me that they could always get me something else if I didn't like them.



The entree I opted for the pan seared scallops with crushed butternut squash and truffled honey brown butter. Mark went for the crispy venison rolls with hot sweet and sour sauce as appetiser, followed by the grilled buffalo sirloin with sweet potato hazelnut gratin and sweet onion jam. He had never tried buffalo before, but again Rick was very knowledgeable and explained the best way to have it cooked.



When the appetisers came out, I realised in fact that beets were beetroot, I had just never seen them come in different colours before. My appetiser was superb and although the combination of flavours seemed a bit odd, they did all blend together very well. Mark felt that his appetiser would've been better served as just venison without the filo pastry of the rolls.



When entrees came out, I did look at the them and think “We’ll still be hungry after this”, but not a bit of it. I had four scallops and Mark had a huge lump of buffalo.





Mark preparing for his buffalo!



Me with my main course



We both agreed that the meal was superb, but we were both absolutely stuffed, so the dreams we had of the Artist Point Cobbler had to stay as just that, a dream. Rick kept telling us that Artist Point was open until 10.00, but there was no way that we were going to be up to dessert by then. The total for the meal, including tip and our 10% DVC discount, came to $89.94. My headache was getting worse as well and I knew I needed to take something and probably go to bed quite soon.



As we left the Wilderness Lodge, Mark asked if I wanted to go to Downtown Disney to do some more shopping, but I decided to be sensible and suggested we should just go back to the room. After all, we had a backstage tour booked in the morning and I didn't want to miss that. So at about 8.30, I was in bed and fast asleep, the second night we hadn't even made it past 9.00. Of course that meant we missed both Wishes and SpectroMagic, but we would have to just catch them another night, as we were just too tired to do them justice tonight.



Today we walked 8.23 miles

The weather was cloudy, but hot and in the low 80’s.

The best thing today was meeting my donkey and riding Splash Mountain.

the worst thing today was us both having headaches during the day and missing Wishes and Spectromagic.

The funniest thing today was meeting the girl, who was celebrating her birthday at Crystal Palace.

Today we tried Mickey’s PhilharMagic

And the result was it was the best 3D film I’ve ever seen.

The most magical moment today was meeting my donkey again!



Next: going backstage on safari

[D&G Miller]

Your dinner sounded very interesting, my DW and and I will need to see if we can get into Artist Point in December.

[Mel & Richard]

I'm glad you had such a wonderful dinner. Too bad you were to full for the cobbler. May you can manage it at Christmas.

Mel

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures of the dinner and WL Cheryl Glad you liked the beets, but I'll have to stay with Tara on that one, BLECH!! My dad eats them too, I guess I didn't inherit that gene But those scallops look yummy, and I love those Glad Mark enjoyed the Buffalo. I too had it for the first time at AP, and I'm not an adventurous eater at all. It was fantastic!

Can't wait to hear all about the backstage tour

[joyjoy]

You and Mark are very adventureous when it comes to meals - good for you! The villas look lovely, can you imagine what that'll look like at Christmastime? Lucky you!

Great idea on splitting up the report. I wasn't having trouble opening it but it was getting huge so this is a better way. Great update!!

[GATechGal]

Great report. We loved Artist Point as well and I had the same entree as Mark. In fact, I have the recipe for the sweet potatoe gratin if you really liked it.

[TeacherKim]

Great report, as usual!

[OffKilter_Lynn]

Your view from Artist Point was our room view! From where you were looking out, we were up on the left - 5th floor! It was an awesome view!

Thanks for the review of Artist Point - it's the last place we're dining and I'm looking forward to it. But I really want the berry cobbler!!

[luvnwdwgal]

Nice update Cheryl! Your dinner sounded wonderful.....except for the beets.....Yucky!!!
Looking forward to your next installment.

[statelady01]

What another awesome installment- loving it!

[MickeyMAC]

Cheryl
Thank You, Thank You. Your trip report is great. I don't want to miss a single installment. You make me feel like I am right there with you. Very good descriptives.

[JenS]

So glad you enjoyed your meal at Artist Point; and now you have an excuse to go back....to have the cobbler!

[loobyoxlip]

Great report, Cheryl. Maybe in Dec. you guys can just get the berry cobbler to go one night and bring it to your room to enjoy. Then you won't have to worry about filling up on Artist Point entrees before that

[Joy J]

Cheryl, I just caught up with your trip report and it's fabulous! Glad to hear you enjoyed dining at Artist Point - it's one of our faves. Actually Artist Point managed to accomplish the impossible for me. Normally I detest all fish and seafood but when my husband talked me into tasting his cedar plank salmon, I fell madly in love with it. So now I know what I'm ordering on our next visit to A.P. Oh, and the berry cobbler too of course. Somehow I always seem to find some way to manage to stuff it in.

I'm anxiously awaiting your report on the Backstage Safari at A.K. as this was my favorite of all the Disney tours I've taken so far.

Joy

[karmic]

Enjoying every word and love the pictures- thanks!