Trip Report All Grown Up!!!

Well she did it! She graduated in December with Honors, a semester early from the University of Illinois. DD has missed a few of my mini trips to WDW over the last few years because of college. Late in March, during a particularly nasty winter here in Northern Illinois my DD borrowed a line I've used multiple times, I’m going to WDW are you in or out? And that started our fast passed planning for a trip in under a few weeks. It was Just Us travelling, my DD (22) and me (not as young as I use to be) last minute, escape Illinois trip to WDW.

Since there wasn't a plan or savings nor budgeting for this trip we quickly evaluated how we were going to pull off this trip. With DS on the phone we learned that if we were to take advantage of the CM discount we would have the choice of a discount at either the French Quarter or the Coronado, we had wanted to stay at a moderate, specifically POR. It surprised us since normally FQ for guests is the one that isn't discounted as much and often omitted from Dining perks. So FQ it was. Next surprise during that call was we had to have a King Sized Bed, Doubles not available for CM discount. Requesting and guaranteeing a King Bed is normally an up-charge for guests. We had a few of these surprises along the way. So a King room it was for Mom and DD. We also requested the QS dining plan, booked the Memory Maker and made our reservation for DME. Done, just under a two week vacation for Mom and Daughter, the second time we have done this. Last girls trip was in 2007 when she was in high school and her brother was doing a Disney CP stint. Next was airfare. Yep, no notice, we wound up at an airport over an hour away, SouthWest is far more forgiving for last minute travel, we also booked the priority boarding, done and at a more than fair price.

All that was left after a few hours of planning was to shop for what was needed and to arrange for care for Pup as my DH has been working some long hours. Friends lined up, keys handed out, all we had to do was wait…fortunately the anticipation was short-lived.

This report is going to be a compilation of events, since if I try to organize it as well as others do, it just wont happen.

Up next, We're leaving for WDW.

 

[jlsHouston]

Thank you. My DD and I have similar personalities so we basically just vacationed by the seat of our pants.

My favorite way to fly!

 

[Ellen Ripley]

great report!

 

[Gabe1]

Ahhh...OK.
I actually thought that might be the case 'cause of y'all's close family connection to POR over the years.
I honestly wish I would have made the connection sooner so, maybe, y'all could have met, if only for a moment.
Y'all would really love them and I'm sure they would have loved y'all.

Yep. I knew when they got married didn't think about honeymoon.

 

[donaldtoo]

Yep. I knew when they got married didn't think about honeymoon.

Yea, I wasn't payin' too much attention to the honeymoon thing, actually. Too many other things goin' on.
At one point, I couldn't even remember if they were goin' to the Parks or on the cruise first.

Lookin' forward to more TR...!

 

[Gabe1]

So were you ever so impressed with a restaurants food that you just knew you had to go back? Back in 2012 when I went to see my son on a short trip we got the grand pupa dining plan. I knew there were so many places he still wanted to try but really couldn't afford so we did. Via Napoli was one of the few that I picked and he did look very crossed eyed at me. We both loved it. The Margarita pizza was over the top as was our dessert Zeppole di Catarina – ricotta cheese fritters with whipped cream and chocolate sauce served in individual small gravy boats.

While my DS and I had many fine dining experiences that trip it was my standout that made my mouth so happy.

So on my DDs trip this was the 'must do' for me, I wanted her to try it. This kind of falls on the motto of you can't go home again. It started from the time we were being seated. We were eating a late lunch and it wasn't crowded yet we had to wait beyond 15 minutes past our ADRs. Then they took us through the main restaurant which was maybe half full and escourted us to that side room addition with the french doors. It was 90 degrees and doors were open. There were dirty, empty tables that hadn't been bussed. So dirty and hot I told the hostess I must have misunderstood. I thought we had made an ADR in a restaurant that had A/C as it was hot and I needed to cool off while dining and I couldn't do this. She brought us inside and talked to Mr. Suit. He sat us next to a large group of 12 year old girls having a Birthday party with Moms circling the table. Joy. So many more appropriate places to seat us, but no.

Our waiter was very nice and he shared his time was almost up and he was kinda missing home. We both ordered the Margarita Pizza, the Blood Orange Acqua Fresca, the signature, house made fruit chiller drink and finally we split the Ricotta Fritters.

Oh boy have they done some mighty big changes to their offerings.

What the pizza looked like in 2012

What the pizza looked like in 2014

While it was still fine, it was not amazing anymore. The sauce was runny, the cheese was not the thick mozzarella melted slices and where the first time it was this crispy crust, this was soggy and limp.

The Blood Orange Fresca was not the same either. It likely was the same recipe just watered down. Watered down to the point where you were hard pressed to taste the Blood Orange.

It color isn't even Blood Orange anymore which lead me to believe beyond the obvious taste it was watered down.

The glass was pretty though.

Now it was time for the Fritters. The Fritters were amazing. They are small and all better for dipping in melted chocolate and then whip cream both of which were amazing again. But the portions changed.
This time there were only 6 fritters and a dollop of both chocolate and the same with the whip cream. Much like that celebration dollop of Grey Stuff from BOG. Eventually I flagged our Server down and requested more.

2012 portion

and 2014

So for our out the door $75 lunch, I was sad. It wasn't awful, it just was good, far from great. It bothers me when they dumb down the ingredients and portions, this is what they have done here. It took me so long to get a reservation the first time then I finally got one, to now, where I was able to make the day before and the place was half empty and short on staff. Mess with the quality of pizza and folks are going to notice.

I'd be hard pressed to pay $75 for lunch for two again. The Sunshine Seasons was a better tasting meal for much less.
I went from reviewing Via Napoli as an A+ to a C-.

 

[Gabe1]

Goofy's Candy Company had to be my favorite store in DownTown Disney Marketplace lately. For one thing it was sheltered from most of the construction so it was a nice view. It still has all the old, very well imagineered brick planters outside that offer seating in the shade to devour your treat.

I went in the afternoon when these photo's were taken during a heat break from the parks. The CMs were creating candy apples, decorative cake pops that looked like ice cream when they were done and also in the area where they will make you a custom Mickey Ice Cream Bar. That was especially fun to watch, they used such care making these.

But what I liked most about this shop is it clever and not redundant. I went through many of these shops in the MarketPlace and kept seeing the same mugs, the same TShirts, you get the idea. This is one of the few shops that is all about Disney but had its own flare.

An A+

This was my favorite TShirt overall. While others made me smile this shirt kinda told it all.


Once Upon A Toy always has driven me a bit batty yet the Mr. Potato head area is also unique. I give them kudos for the Disney Specific pieces. If you choose to take Mr. Potato Head Home with you, make sure you pack pieces tightly into his belly. You get so much more that way for your per box price.

This is also a store that is far more pleasant by day. My DD decided to purchase a Potato Box but that was in the evening. It tried my patience. Parents turning their kids loose to do whatever they wanted as if they were on a playground. I should have visited the Margarita Stand outside. Oy.

 

[FlaggNL]

Thanks. We were really proud of her graduating early and with honors. She is a focused young lady. Good luck to your daughter, finals are so stressful followed up by all that packing.

That is something to be proud of and on this side of the Ocean I guess that everything will be fine .... But yeah it is stressfull..... For Sacha but also for us as parents hahaha

 

[Gabe1]

I am still torn on Blizzard or Typhoon. Deep down I believe I favor Typhoon but some of the slides at Blizzard are better. This is Day 3 of the trip and the day I got Sun Poisoning which I have not had since I was 14 years old (a long long time ago in Acapulco)

Odd that this back end of the park was never really themed.

The lazy rivers are my favorite. I favor Typhoons theme'ing though.

Summit Still Hurts!!!!

This slide is still my all time favorite slide in either park. Brings back State Fair memories and back in 2000 when we had may dad (70 then) with us for Christmas. First Dad put down his rubber mat and it left without him. (the mats are at the bottom of the staircase) I gave Dad mine and then the guard held it till he got on his knees. I watched before I walked down as I no longer had a mat. Well dear 'ole Dad missed the concept of laying on your tummy and went down doggy style, on his knees the whole way. Guards screaming lay down all the while laughing so hard they had to wet themselves. Good memories. That trip with Dad was our Christmas/New Year, 16 night trip bring in the Millennium at Epcot Trip.

Still a great slide.

These little guys are all over the place and I still love them. The hours my kids when little spent chasing them.

I saw this Blizzard mascot the Ice Gator, that has been around forever and I immediately clicked to StoryBook and how they lifted this imagineering for the Great Goofini (Barnstormer rehab.)

 

[mrdrift]

Great report with great pictures. I have the same feelings about the Fritters being half of what they used to be, oh well they are still great to eat. Will be waiting for more of the report.