The wife and I took a 3 day trip to DLR last week. We are AP'ers and always go mid-week. We've stayed at all the Disneyland hotels and always go back to DCR for the accomodations and convenience. This time was no let down. Beautiful room with a slight view of DCA. We flew in early and the room wasn't ready so we dropped our luggage, donned our lanyards and headed for DCA. Thanks to all who responded to my last thread about the Cove bar as that was our first stop to get the lobster nachos! Yes it wasn't the greatest amount of lobster but what a great dish in itself that there was more cheese than nachos. The thai chicken wraps were very good and the strawberry lemonade was pretty refreshing as well. As we are adults and we are foodies the majority of this thread is about food. We spent the afternoon circumnavigating the park taking in our favorites, little mermaid, toy story mania, Mater's junkyard, soaring etc. We also love to shop buena vista street and see whats new. The new vera bradley bags were in and the wife talked me into one.
I received a text from DCR that our room was ready, nice move there disney, and we headed back to the hotel first taking a stroll arround DTD. We stopped in at Napolini and had a slice. Another off the bucket list and not bad at all. I was suprised. A starbucks stop later and we were back at the room. I love DCR! what a great hotel. We changed and headed to Steakhouse 55. We were seated quickly and our waiter greated us. He seemed a little put off that we did not want wine or cocktails but we do not drink. The appetizers had changed and they no longer have the calamari so we opted to go for entree's alone. I love their prime rib so that was me. The wife had the filet minion. Here's where things took a downturn. It was about 45 minutes before our meal arrived as did our waiter. We actually had to ask another waiter to get a refill on our diet cokes. The food was great as always. This was our 5th time there. But it was another 25 minutes before our waiter resurfaced with dessert menus. We decided against the 24 layer cake and paid the bill and returned again to DTD for some on-the-fly desserts.
The next morning was early admission to DL and we took full advantage. Here is something I don't get, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland were open? So whats the advantage of early admission I ask? I had really had my heart set on River Belle Terrace and biscuits and gravy for breakfast only to have a CM tell me to wait. So we hopped the monorail back to DTD and got a bagel, egg and bacon at Earl of Sandwich. Then it was back to DL where we walked ourselves silly taking on as many rides as possible. By the way, what happened to the Submarine ride? It used to be a scientific journey under the polar ice caps and now its,"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Ugh another childhood dream quashed by the youth of today. We got a lobster roll at the Harbor Galley for lunch. Roll, not so good. Chips, really good. Later on we split a turkey sandwich at Carnation Cafe. Always a great sandwich. a little shopping on Main St. and we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
On night 2 we chose to dine at Carthay Circle. As we were walking into CC the poor guy in front of us had 3 uncontrollable kids beating him like wild animals attacking prey. I asked the CM to be seated anywhere but next to them. The CM smiled and minutes later we were escorted through the sun room and out onto the patio overlooking Buena Vista street. Wow! Thats all I can say. We dined off the WoC package. I had the duck confit soup and could have had just that alone! The grilled angus steak and chocolate raspberry tart were all home runs! Service tonight was exceptional and my ice tea never ran out. My tip also reflected this. A+. WoC area is always good from CC. Again we headed back to DTD and snacked a little more.
Day 3. Our last day is make up day. First thing, head to RSR. We were on in 20 minutes. A new record. Over to Flo's for some breakfast. So there we were eating powdered eggs and paper thin bacon when they announced the park was open, we had early admission, and the flow of people going past the window was like a freight train going by. Like Walking Dead and we were the last two alive. I sat there casually drinking my coffee, opened my ride time app and watched it jump from 20 minutes to 30-40 like a hot rod running the 1/4 mile! We did our favorites and then headed to DL to do the same. Now here is something I've never noticed. Next to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is a gallery with the coolest gift store from the Haunted Mansion. I picked up a couple things for the mancave. We rode Star Tours a couple times but kept getting the same missions. Grabbed a coffee and brownie on Main St. and it was off to the airport. Another trip successfully done. We will return in the spring.
I'd like to make mention that I made up for my last trips wrong doing. On my last trip a little dude wanted to pin trade but my lanyard was all DCA opening day pins which were about twice as old has him. This trip I had the same lanyard but had a couple pins in my pocket from DW and DCL. So strolling through DTD I hear a little voice say,"Excuse me sir." It was a couple little pin traders. I explained I couldn't trade these pins on my lanyard but I have a few from Disneyworld and Disney Cruise Line that I'd be willing to trade. I asked if they'd been to either. They said no and we made the trade. I also remarked that now you have to go to DW and Castaway Cay. Its nice to make someone's day.
I received a text from DCR that our room was ready, nice move there disney, and we headed back to the hotel first taking a stroll arround DTD. We stopped in at Napolini and had a slice. Another off the bucket list and not bad at all. I was suprised. A starbucks stop later and we were back at the room. I love DCR! what a great hotel. We changed and headed to Steakhouse 55. We were seated quickly and our waiter greated us. He seemed a little put off that we did not want wine or cocktails but we do not drink. The appetizers had changed and they no longer have the calamari so we opted to go for entree's alone. I love their prime rib so that was me. The wife had the filet minion. Here's where things took a downturn. It was about 45 minutes before our meal arrived as did our waiter. We actually had to ask another waiter to get a refill on our diet cokes. The food was great as always. This was our 5th time there. But it was another 25 minutes before our waiter resurfaced with dessert menus. We decided against the 24 layer cake and paid the bill and returned again to DTD for some on-the-fly desserts.
The next morning was early admission to DL and we took full advantage. Here is something I don't get, only Tomorrowland and Fantasyland were open? So whats the advantage of early admission I ask? I had really had my heart set on River Belle Terrace and biscuits and gravy for breakfast only to have a CM tell me to wait. So we hopped the monorail back to DTD and got a bagel, egg and bacon at Earl of Sandwich. Then it was back to DL where we walked ourselves silly taking on as many rides as possible. By the way, what happened to the Submarine ride? It used to be a scientific journey under the polar ice caps and now its,"Just keep swimming, just keep swimming." Ugh another childhood dream quashed by the youth of today. We got a lobster roll at the Harbor Galley for lunch. Roll, not so good. Chips, really good. Later on we split a turkey sandwich at Carnation Cafe. Always a great sandwich. a little shopping on Main St. and we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
On night 2 we chose to dine at Carthay Circle. As we were walking into CC the poor guy in front of us had 3 uncontrollable kids beating him like wild animals attacking prey. I asked the CM to be seated anywhere but next to them. The CM smiled and minutes later we were escorted through the sun room and out onto the patio overlooking Buena Vista street. Wow! Thats all I can say. We dined off the WoC package. I had the duck confit soup and could have had just that alone! The grilled angus steak and chocolate raspberry tart were all home runs! Service tonight was exceptional and my ice tea never ran out. My tip also reflected this. A+. WoC area is always good from CC. Again we headed back to DTD and snacked a little more.
Day 3. Our last day is make up day. First thing, head to RSR. We were on in 20 minutes. A new record. Over to Flo's for some breakfast. So there we were eating powdered eggs and paper thin bacon when they announced the park was open, we had early admission, and the flow of people going past the window was like a freight train going by. Like Walking Dead and we were the last two alive. I sat there casually drinking my coffee, opened my ride time app and watched it jump from 20 minutes to 30-40 like a hot rod running the 1/4 mile! We did our favorites and then headed to DL to do the same. Now here is something I've never noticed. Next to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is a gallery with the coolest gift store from the Haunted Mansion. I picked up a couple things for the mancave. We rode Star Tours a couple times but kept getting the same missions. Grabbed a coffee and brownie on Main St. and it was off to the airport. Another trip successfully done. We will return in the spring.
I'd like to make mention that I made up for my last trips wrong doing. On my last trip a little dude wanted to pin trade but my lanyard was all DCA opening day pins which were about twice as old has him. This trip I had the same lanyard but had a couple pins in my pocket from DW and DCL. So strolling through DTD I hear a little voice say,"Excuse me sir." It was a couple little pin traders. I explained I couldn't trade these pins on my lanyard but I have a few from Disneyworld and Disney Cruise Line that I'd be willing to trade. I asked if they'd been to either. They said no and we made the trade. I also remarked that now you have to go to DW and Castaway Cay. Its nice to make someone's day.
