Trip Report Complete! No, we are not on the dining plan. Tales of the Grimm, Grinning Ghosts

Thanks for joining in! If you missed my Pre trip report enjoy it below
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/these-grimm-grinning-ghosts-are-out-to-socialize.888398/

Universal

September 18th below Post #1
September 19th Post #3
September 20th Post #4
Review of The Royal Pacific Resort Post #5
Universal Overall: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly Post #6
September 21st -Here we come Bay Lake Tower Post #9
California Grill Post #10
Magic Kindgom Days 1 & 2
The Plaza lunch Post #13
Magic Kindgom Cont. Post #14
Wolfgang Puck dinner Post #18
Seven Dwarfs Mine Ride! Post #19
Epcot Post #22
Via Napoli Lunch Post #23
Citricos Post #25
Hollywood Studios Day 2 Post #26
Mama Melrose's Post #27
House of Blues Post #28
Kona Cafe Breakfast Post #29
Magic Kingdom Post #30
Tony's Town Square Post #31
Artist Point Post #32
Animal Kingdom Post #33
Wolfgang Puck Express & DTD Post #34
Tutto Italia Post #35
Beach Club Review Post #36
Hollywood Studios 2nd Day Post #38
Brown Derby Post #39
Teppan Edo Post #40
Epcot: The Last Day Post #45
Via Napoli Post #49
Les Chefs de France Post #50
Captain's Grill Post #44
Boat Transportation Post #51
The way home... Post #52
Overall Impressions & Closing Remarks Post #53

September 18th

The wake up call went off at 5:00 AM and the 3 of us managed to be ready to hop on the airport shuttle in under an hour. CLE was bustling for this time of time, but with all of the business travelers it can be buzzing at this hour. The trip was smooth sailing-beautiful weather and no delays.

The flight arrived in Orlando a little after 10, we grabbed the bags then debated about which rental car to take. A red mini van seemed to have the most space for our suitcases and the captain’s style chairs in the back seat, which are more comfortable than your typical bench style seat. After packing her up we were off to I-Drive.

A bagel doesn’t hold your appetite too long, so we stopped at IHOP for some breakfast. Not an experience I’d like to repeat ha ha, just very crowded and so so prepared food. We usually have pretty good luck at IHOP, but nothing grosses me out more than runny egg white and hair on my toast plate!

We arrived at the Royal Pacific Resort a little after 11 and just parking the car to pre check in was a pain. There isn’t a lot of space for leaving your car a few moments, but you can’t even self park your car unless you had a ticket from the front desk. So how the heck can I go check on my room quick if there is no place to leave my car. Then they want your keys, which I understand if they need to move your car, but flagging someone down after check in was another pain in the bottom. They always want to unload your car and take your luggage to storage-we aren’t really sold on that idea ever. I like to have my things where I can get them when I need them, not locked up out of my sight.

So check in was a long painful process. I didn’t expect our room to be ready at that time, but I thought we could have used the gift cards at that time. Nope, so now we have to carry them around at the park. Ok so they will text you when the room is ready, that’s fine.

My DF had purchased tickets on line to save $20 as they advertised. Well he couldn’t print them out off the PDF, not that wasn’t something we could have remedied at home-like say- how about I take care of it? So printing out the park tickets took forever. Then you have to take your room key and get the express pass ticket with your picture on it. So, you have to have your room key, your park ticket, and your express pass with you to and fro. I couldn’t wait to get a Magic Band! OMG it is so much easier than having to pull out your park ticket, tuck it back in your wallet or pull out your lanyard that has the express pass safely stored.

That afternoon we managed to get over to Universal Studios and hit a few favorites like Men In Black, Minion Mayhem and explore most of Diagon Alley. The line for Gringott’s was over 40 minutes and I figured we would hit it first thing in the morning Friday. After a few hours of fun I got the text notification that our room was ready. After unloading the car our luggage was handed off to bell services, which grinds my gears, but for a resort of that size I can see the need to have different staff handle outside and inside bagged carts. The gentleman that brought the bags to the room was awesome-friendly and courteous.

Bridge from MIB looking towards Diagon Alley
Diagon Alley by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

King's Cross Station by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Disaster by liverpoollover8, on Flickr



We took the boat back over to City Walk for dinner and it had started to rain, much like everything other day on the trip. We all voted for Antojitos since we love Mexican food. There was a bit of a line, but we check in and gave our number so they could text us when the table was ready. After waiting about 20 minutes and seeing a huge line get smaller and smaller, DM went to check on our table. We they had been seating people! Like why did you bother taking our number and what did you think I gave it to you for?! So finally we were seated and we waited. And we waited so more. Finally one of the hosts happened to catch DM’s evil eye and a server came running over to help us.

He was a great server and our food was very good. The mariachi band did a mix of traditional and cover songs like Call Me Maybe and Rude. They were entertaining for sure! The food could have been hotter, but everything was delicious. I just can’t figure out why the service is so lacking.

Coming up next Friday Sept. 19
 
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LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Last Day Epcot

Captain’s Grill-breakfast 3 mornings

We ate here every morning and the food is service is okay. It’s nothing special even though they have a lobster dish at breakfast. The food may or may not be hot when served. It seems like they have all of the food for the buffet in the back and serve a la carte dishes from that. Yes I am slagging the food- when you are paying to order off the menu I expect the food to be freshly prepared. I could go and get the food off the buffet myself, but I chose not to so make my food to order. The Wave is guilty of this as well with the hashbrowns-I just want hot food.

The eggs were uncooked one morning and the sweet potato in the hashbowns makes them sickeningly sweet.

I am definitely looking forward to the new restaurant across at Boardwalk to see how their breakfast stacks up to the competition.

Captains Grill: tailored eggs by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Captains Grill: Oatmeal by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Captains Grill: Blueberry pancakes by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Captains Grill: Chocolate chip pancakes by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Your best bets here are pancakes that you can have a number of toppings added and the salmon plate was a huge bargain. There was a large portion of smoked salmon and all of the tasty accompaniments along with a toasted bagel.

**Meh Captain’s Grille
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Epcot

Epcot by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Epcot by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Our last day was to be packed with fun! We have lunch scheduled for Via Napoli again and dinner at Les Chefs de France, one of my all time favorites. We luckily obtained FP for Test Track and that’s where we headed first. We didn’t wait long to design our car and the overall wait was minimal. While I don’t miss the wait for the pre show, after a few designs the customizing gets a bit old. However I think the line flows much smoother and you don’t have guests coming out of a room into a confined queue area like the prior design. That was poorly thought through when they designed it! The ride itself is still enjoyable although the really did dumb it down visually.

Test Track by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Test Track by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Afterwards we bumbled around Future World a bit killing time till the World Showcase opened. Eventually we went to Club Cool and waited for it to open. They had to find a family of the day to help open..I really just wanted to check out the merchandise and sip on the new sodas, but we had to wait lol. We were among the first folks of the day in the place and the floor was sticky! Don’t they mop it up?! Some of the new sodas were tasty and then there will always be Beverly. No obligation refreshment!

Club Cool by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Attractions: you’re doing it wrong and if you do this a cm will arrive shortly! The WS just opened so unless they were drunk from the night before we cannot blame F&W lol!

United Kingdom: brave guest by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

The World Showcase was dead at opening, but the crowds would arrive soon with it being Sunday! We enjoyed the extra elbow room for the time being. This is a great time to do your noshing-the lines are not long yet!

United Kingdom by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

France by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

We finally took some time to explore Morocco and France more extensively. France had some new merchandise and layout with the split seating area and store now. Morocco seems to have the same merchandise year to year. Most of it is nice, but how many brass lamps do you need and the Habibi shirt is still around too.
 
mrdrift

mrdrift

Well-Known Member
What a great trip report. All of the food pictures are really making me hungry and I just finished my sandwich for lunch. Really all the pictures are beautiful in all the different parks. Following along.
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
mrdrift said:
What a great trip report. All of the food pictures are really making me hungry and I just finished my sandwich for lunch. Really all the pictures are beautiful in all the different parks. Following along.
Click to expand...

thank you! Glad you are enjoying. This tip is about wrapping up, but heading back in January :). Be on the lookout for a new Pre Trip soon ;)
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Via Napoli lunch again

It wasn’t long after then that it was time to stuff our faces at Via Napoli again. We were seated within a few minutes like the last time we were here a few days ago. Pizza is one thing we can all agree on it not being a heavy meal if you don’t push your belly envelope.

It was nice dining at the same place twice because we could order something that caught our eye the first time, but were hesitant. Luckily with pizza there are few bad choices. Although if you had a bad experience the first time, it may not be something you want to deal with again.

Virginia arrived with Francesco in tow. He was the understudy today and he was walked through taking our order. We went with pepperoni pizza and Caesar salad to change it up today. Unfortunately Francesco rang up the wrong salad in the POS so a pollo salad arrived and we sent it back. Of course the Caesar salad didn’t arrive 5 minutes before the pizza came out to the table. That was really annoying, but I wasn’t about to send back a hot pizza pie!

The food was delicious and I thought the Caesar was one of the best I had ever tasted. It had a creamier dressing and the cheese was chunky in the dressing. The anchovy was not overpowering, but added just the right touch of saltiness. You could probably get away with a chicken Caesar salad and an indy pie for 2 people or 3 light eaters, it’s still a lot of food! I think I actually enjoyed the pepperoni more than the sausage and I am a huge sausage fan. Although I have to eat less of it more and more due to it giving me wicked indigestion.

Via Napoli: Caesar by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Other than the service issue with the timing, everything was great. We enjoyed another order of zeppole to end the afternoon meal. Ciao for now!

**** 4 Stars Via Napoli

We decided to head back to the room and begin to pack up our belongings for the trip home tomorrow. Really it was to make sure there was more room for last minute souvenirs J
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Les Chefs De France

LCDF is one of my all time favorite restaurants at WDW. The culinary school I graduated from relied heavily on classical French techniques and cuisine for its curriculum. The menu is very familiar and fun to me, plus I love a good pate and duck confit. The food isn’t comparable to anything we can get near home, although we do have one French restaurant in Erie, but I have yet to venture there since it is in town.

We checked in early hoping they could take us sooner and it wasn’t a problem. This was pretty common during our stay either because the crowds or low or people bail on their adrs after stuffing themselves at F & W booths. It was great for us to dine a little earlier and have time to digest our food more before bed.

We were seated in the area along the side by the fountain. This side is okay, but there are always a few guests that have to stare or try to play jokes on you from outside and unfortunately you are seated lower than ground level and are subject the happenings walking by. I prefer to sit in the center section or in the front room, the people watching there is grand! Back where we are you feel like everyone is watching you lol.

Les Chefs de France by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Les Chefs de France by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Virginie came by just a few moments after we were seated to let us know she would be right with us. I knew what I was having for dinner, but I needed to hammer out the details for the appetizer. I stuck with water, DF ordered a beer and mom ordered a cup of coffee, which was ice cold! They brewed a fresh pot for her though. Who drinks coffee with dinner anyhow? I guess that is why it was cold lol!

DF and I went splitsies on the assiette compagnarde and DM ordered the cheve salad. The salads are a good size and I would say most appetizers except for the soup perhaps are large enough for two to split. The cheve is coated with breadcrumbs and toasted till the cheese just starts to melt once it is cut into. The cheese is served atop dressed field greens, toasted walnuts, baby tomatoes and grapes.

Les Chef's de France: cheve salad by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

The assorted charcutiere are served on a rustic wooden board with faux newspaper for whimsy. The salamis are good-one is more spicy the other more bland like a bologna and there is a dried ham that is like prosciutto to add a salty note to the dish. The larger of the slice of pate or terrine is more of a country style with larger chunks of meat and the smaller pate is covered with aspic and has a very fine creamy texture. I think it is chicken or duck liver pate-very delicious my favorite bite on the plate, especially with a slice of the cornichon smeared on the crusty baguette. The round of the tastes there is a slice of walnut toast with caramelized raisins and cornichons for that salty flavor. That and a coup of soup would make a marvelous lunch.

Les Chefs de France: assiete campagnarde by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Our plates were cleared and we talked about the oh so sad end of our vacation, but it is always fun to reminisce even if it was only a few days ago. The flight was scheduled in the afternoon so there was no need to feel rushed or worry about sleeping too late tomorrow, just a lovely relaxing evening ahead of us.

The entrees arrived right about as we were starting to wonder where they may be. DF and I both had the duck and DM the a la flame alsacienne. We discovered this flatbread like tart a couple of years ago and find it wonderful. It is a crisp crust smeared with crème fraiche, caramelized onions and crispy bacon. The duck is a breast and leg confit- so you get the best of both worlds imho. The confit leg is tender and falls of the bone, while the duck breast is heartier and more filling. There is a demi glaze cherry sauce with brandied cherries that will knock you on your bum! A sweet potato puree and sauteed patty pan squash round out the dish. The plates are a little sloppy, I would expect a cleaner appearance, but I realize it’s more of a mass feeding than fine dining around here. A large portion, but it didn’t stop me!

Les Chefs de France: duck with cherry sauce by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Les Chef's de France: alsacienne flatbread by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

If there is one restaurant you must save room for dessert it’s this one! Or if you are totally stuffed get over to the boulangerie at some point. DM goes with her favorite crème brule and even though I am a chocolate mousse person, I fear it will be too sweet. I have moved from liking milk chocolate to loving dark chocolate! My daily snack is a Ghirardelli 86% cocoa square, so many times the chocolate is not chocolately enough for me. I go with my all time favorite profiteroles. Two cream puff stuffed with vanilla ice and doused with dark chocolate ganache. There is not going wrong here for you fellow chocoholics.

Les Chefs de France: creme brulee by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Les Chefs de France: profiteroles by liverpoollover8, on Flickr

Les Chefs De France has been consistently good over the years. We had a couple of okay services and a dish or two we wouldn’t order again, but in the long run it has been a favorite. The service was good and we will definitely be back for a lunch or dinner real soon.

****Good job Chefs De France

Well it’s time to say our goodbyes to Epcot and enjoy a slow moving walk to the Beach Club via International Gateway. Bonjur!

We finished packing and left out only what we needed for bed and the next day. I watched the Must Dos for a while to get my fill of course! Long day ahead tomorrow.
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The way home…

The next morning we had breakfast at the Captain’s Grill one last time and our server actually remembered us from previous years. I can’t tell if they are placating us, but this is like the third person that remembered us lol. We must be that memorable, but he did look familiar I think he waited on us last year. Anyway this was probably the best service morning, the only weird thing was that my dad’s bagel plate took a long time to come out, but he enjoyed it very much so it was worth the wait.

We wandered around the resort and shops one last time. Next we packed up and called the bell services for assistance. The car was stuffed full and we were on our way to the Florida Mall to kill some time. I rather enjoyed the trip to the mall picked me up a pair of jeans and a shirt as if I hadn’t spent enough money already, but hey I have to look good! We even visited the Disney Store lol. After a couple of hours we went to Chili’s and had a light lunch. We figured it was a better risk than at the airport. The airport is always a little sketch when it comes to food even though they have chains.

United’s check in is the furthest down from the car rental drop off, so that was a bit of a buzz kill. The wait wasn’t long since we had priority tags although the family in front of us had bags everywhere , but we were checked through to CLE lickety split. We paid for the priority mainly to avoid the craziness that is MCOs security lines. We tried to get pre check, but they never replied to us before the trip. We made it through easily, grabbed a drink and a snack and relaxed until the plane arrived.

After landing at 6 PM or so, we got the bags packed up the car and made it home around 8 PM. It was great to be home after our long trip. See you all in January!!!
 
LowesChevy

LowesChevy

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Overall, with the exception of our check in experiences and housekeeping the parks were great and fun till the last drop.

I think the one thing that reminds me it’s time to go home other than running out of money are the fellow guests who don’t follow the rules, those who leave garbage everywhere, and those that talk loudly on attractions and shows. To me that’s who can ruin the trip because we can put up with A LOT, but when my fellow guest annoys me, it’s time to head home lol. You know who I am talking about, you can only ignore them so long. ;)

The Good: Magic Bands still awesome, 7DMR, FP+, California Grill

The Bad: Checking in at Royal Pacific; Tony’s Town Square; Magic Kingdom widespread attraction fails one day; weather was rainy and I missed mister sun and brilliant blue skies

The Ugly: double person queue—to a free for all—to a single person queue? Why? How?

Checking in at Bay Lake, Mousekeeping or lack thereof at Beach Club

By the way if you are not on the dining plan-the questions gets really old!!!
 

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