Trip Report Corn Dogs & Margaritas... Live!! *Complete!*

So I'm sitting here in the sunshine at the Boardwalk, after dropping our rental car off at the Dolphin (been in Orlando a week visiting the "other" parks- shhh! And the beach ) and after picking up strawberry margaritas and some corn dogs, whilst thinking what to name my live trip report... well I looked down and there you go!

So, I'll post more later and a bit about us and the trip from our resort (Coronado Springs! Yaaaay!), but for now I'll bid you adieu and hope you'll follow me along on my Disney (Birthday! ) adventure that will DEFINITELY involve many photos of food and drink and disney awesomeness!!

YAAAAAAAaaaaaaaayyyyyy...!!

 

[mrdrift]

Great report and pictures. Last year when my family finally made it to SWW its was the biggest thrill in a long time for the whole family. So glad you were able to experience it for yourself. Those drinks look really delicious and my kids saw them and asked why they can't have some them themselves. Will be following.

 

[ShookieJones]

Soooooooooooooooooo Jealous......My hatred toward you is building with each amazing fun (and food and drink) filled pic.



With that being said...I'm glad you're having a good time.

 

[Ariel1986]

Great report and pictures. Last year when my family finally made it to SWW its was the biggest thrill in a long time for the whole family. So glad you were able to experience it for yourself. Those drinks look really delicious and my kids saw them and asked why they can't have some them themselves. Will be following.

Ah thanks! Hope you enjoy! And yes SWW was awesome! We'll be going back again this Friday- can't get enough! The drinks were definitely not for kids! Although I'm sure you could get one without alcohol- it will be a fairly expensive ice cube then! Lol but hey, can you really put a price on a light up Death Star ice cube though?!

 

[Ariel1986]

Soooooooooooooooooo Jealous......My hatred toward you is building with each amazing fun (and food and drink) filled pic.



With that being said...I'm glad you're having a good time.

Ahh you are welcome for your jealousy! I know the feeling though, it's hard looking on from back home... Although... right now, Disney World IS my home! Sorry, sorry, rubbing salt in the wounds

Thanks for reading

 

[Ariel1986]

Coming up, some pics from today... at Animal Kingdom!

It was buuussy today! The most crowded I've ever seen Animal Kingdom! We had FP+ for Kilimanjaro Safaris and Everest though . Sidenote with FP- try to go at least 10 mins into your window- everyone seems to go at the very opening of their window causing a line! Although it still took us less than ten mins for each FP que when the standby lines were 30-45 mins each so still worth it- but half way into our window there was no line!

Anyhoo... photos!

Welcome to Africa!

A frozen cappuccino was NEEDED today!

Safariiiiiiii! And front row- score!

A lot of sleepy, hiding in the shade animals today (apart from the elephants!), but saw the Lion and Lioness more than I have before! Not so great a photo but if you look carefully... lol. The Lioness was VERY interested in a Zebra who was directly opposite her over the road in the other plain!

Next up, off to Everest! Hello Monkey!

Hello Everest!

Woo hooooooo!

We actually got a great ride photo- but couldn't buy it because two girls in front of us were posing by pointing at their chests. Thanks girls!!

More photos after the jump!

 

[Ariel1986]

I got to meet Doug and Russell! Yaaaaaaaaay! Russell also met Russell lol.

Up Selife!

Foooood! Flame Tree BBQ I had the Smoked Chicken Salad and Russ had the Chicken and Ribs Combo (although Russ says the ribs were a little dry. Chicken lovely though! And not bad for a quick service!)

Nice view and seating area too

Time to go back to the resort for some rest now though!

And coming up tonight... ADR at California Grill! Can not WAIT!! Will be my first time there

 

[DisneyDebNJ]

Pineapple filled with rum you say?

View attachment 54889

Sigh .... be still, my heart!

 

[Ariel1986]

OMG I will post in the morning as I'm sooooo full and sleepy right now- but California Grill was AMAZING. I'm not joking this was the best meal I've ever had. Can't fault a thing! And Wishes was just magical from the rooftop. Loved loved loved!! And now we both want to stay at The Contemporary lol! Soooooo gooooood....

 

[Ariel1986]

Wow wow wow. So what can I say, it was a magical evening!!

Our ADR was at 9.15 but we got the bus to MK at 8 and arrived about 15 mins later. Magical sky over MK tonight!

So we walked over to The Contemporary and up to level 2 to check in. And we were called up straight away! So we were seated by 8.40 which was a bonus . They had asked if we were celebrating anything so I mentioned my Birthday is in two days and I got Mickey Confetti on the table yay! We were seated on the left hand side of the restaurant by the window and in front of the dessert kitchen.

First up, bread! And a Sake Martini each!

Delicious bread- the square one tasted of cinnamon! And the Sake Martini was tasty- very light and fresh and fruity and you couldn't taste the alcohol!

To start, I had the House-made Charcuterie Selection

Droooool... this. was. DELICIOUS!!
Oh my gosh every piece was just outstanding and so flavourful. From (upper) left to right we have a shot glass of Pork Belly Rillettes (my joint favourite), Duck Pastrami, Bison Summer Sausage, Chicken Apple Sausage and finally my other favourite, Duck Liver Pate. Everything had the perfect amount of accompaniments which enhanced each ones flavour!

Russ had the California Combination Roll; Jumbo Lump Crab, Avocado, Cucumber and Shrimp Tempura, which he also said was delicious (I tried a bite too, it was! )

Up next another cocktail!

Pineapple Mojito for me (with awesome little Contemporary drink stirrers! . But a fuzzy photo sorry!) and a "Monte" Ray for Russ.

Coming up next... Entrees, Wishes and Dessert!

 

[Ariel1986]

So, up next, our Entrees!

Pork Two Ways; Grilled Tenderloin, Goat Cheese Polenta, Mushrooms, Lacquered Belly and Applesauce for me...

And for Russ... Bison Tenderloin; Herbed Semolina Cake, Sweet Baby Bell Peppers, Fava Bean Leaves, Ancho Demi-glace

Once again, seriously, this was the best food I have ever tasted. Hands down. And I have eaten at some very nice restaurants before, including a Michelin star one in London. This was AMAZING! Every bite was tender, delicious, flavourful, just melt in the mouth and insane. And again each component complemented the other brilliantly. Russ felt the same about his too ha ha!

After another round of "Monte" Ray cocktails we ordered our desserts and then the announcement for Wishes was made so we headed outside with our drinks (which, was allowed, bonus!). OMG the view is fantastic! I don't care about the naysayers, a Theme Park View room at The Contemporary is now a must! That view is amazing. My photos don't do it justice and also make it look further away than it was!

And then... Wishes with the music piped in- so clearly! The whole show was amazing, I would say better than when we saw it in our FP+ Rose Garden viewing area!! I teared up several times and it was just magical.

So after that awesomeness it was back inside for dessert which had just been placed for us. Perfect timing!

I had the Chocolate Pudding Cake; Luscious Chocolate Cake with Nutella Filling, Meringue Kisses, and Chantilly Cream and Russ had the Warm Homemade Fritters; Banana-stuffed, Cinnamon-dusted Fritters complemented with a Trio of Dipping Sauces. Needless to say, both were heavenly!

We finished up (and were not rushed out at all, they were perfectly relaxed there!) and left with VERY full bellies to have a meander round the concourse and then make the walk back to the MK for a bus home. I can honestly not fault this visit to the California Grill ONE BIT, it was perfect from start to finish, every element. AWESOME DISNEY MAGIC!!

 

[Ariel1986]

Typhoon Lagoon! And a Mango Margarita

 

[Disneygrl]

Really enjoying your trip report. Really wish I wasn't on a diet right now! All your food pictures are making me hungry! My trip can't get here soon enough!

 

[Ariel1986]

Thanks! Hey the food pics can be motivation to keep going for lol... Somehow that backwards mentality worked for me when I was trying to be good before the holiday! Be good and lose the weight I'll put on during the holiday!

Glad you're enjoying the report

 

[Ariel1986]

Work it Lilo!

Back at the resort... We found a turtle in the lake!

Pretty pretty lake

 

[Ariel1986]

Forgot food from today!

Lunch at Typhoon Tilly's; Fish & Fries & Pulled Pork Sandwich (bottle of Tylenol not available at the quick service lol!)

And dinner at Pepper Market; Chicken Nachos with Churros for dessert & an Aztec Burger (with fried jalapeños!) and a Chocolate Cake for dessert

Walk back to room

Now I'm off to bed as we've an early ADR at Crystal Palace tommo- for my Birthday! Yaaaaaay!

 

[mrdrift]

What a great trip report and Happy Birthday to you. The California Grill dinner look really great along with the Wishes fireworks on top of it. Will be watching for more.

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

This has been a great report. I booked Cali Grill based upon your pics and recommendation. Cant wait to see whats next! By the way, how many day trip is this??

 

[Ariel1986]

What a great trip report and Happy Birthday to you. The California Grill dinner look really great along with the Wishes fireworks on top of it. Will be watching for more.

Thanks for reading and thank you! California Grill was definitely a great experience! Few more days to go, so I'm sure more than a few posts and food pics to come!

 

[Ariel1986]

This has been a great report. I booked Cali Grill based upon your pics and recommendation. Cant wait to see whats next! By the way, how many day trip is this??

Thanks! And awesome re your booking! I hope you have just as an amazing time as we did, it really was magical- and of course, very, very tasty!!
We're here for 11 nights altogether... 3 left! But we'll make them count!

 

[CtDisneyGuy33]

Thanks! And awesome re your booking! I hope you have just as an amazing time as we did, it really was magical- and of course, very, very tasty!!
We're here for 11 nights altogether... 3 left! But we'll make them count!

Actually, a friend of mine was opposed to going to Cali Grille until I showed them your pics! So Thank You!!

Wow- 11 days is awesome. The most I've ever done was 8, but 11 sounds much better to me

And now I'm craving a Lapu Lapu!!