(no subject)

[heidi]

So we spent the weekend at Disney! And I went on new rides, tried new restaurants and, most importantly, got a candy apple! Here're my reviews of the New Things We Tried:


Philharmagic was amazing. I love Disney's 3-D movies like Honey I Shrunk the Kids & the Muppets, and this was just one degree better. It was great to just watch Harry try and touch the 3-D things as they came "out" from the screen, and given that he's addicted to the SPY KIDS 3D movie on tv, to let him see a great 3D experience and compare it to that was terrific.



Mission: SPACE changed my view of the universe. No, seriously. The graphic of the stars is so amazing - even compared to Disney's other "star" scenes - that you really do feel like you're in outer space. I'm not prone to nausea or motion sickness, so the centrifugal force and the g-forces thrilled me, and the sensations from the simulator were indescribably glorious. I want to go on this ride again and again. And again. I think I could be hooked on it. ETA: Oh! And on the way out, the air is scented with licorice, which is an antinausea scent, I guess to calm the queasies in anyone who has them.



epicyclical, I finally got to go on it! Harry's finally tall enough to go, so Aaron and I took him before dinner on Friday night. It was exciting, thrilling and I loved the whole car-setup with the unexpected roller coaster bit at the end. I was uncomfortable about the lap-belt-only in the middle seat, though, as it's where little kids are prone to sit, and it didn't feel as safe as it should've.



Fun, roller-coaster-in-the-dark-esque, and Harry enjoyed naming all the dinos, but the asteroid bit was too loud for him - and for me - and while he could've gone a second time with Aaron, he said it was too loud and gave him a headache.



Tarzan was too musclebound, the music was a little too loud, but the overall structure was fun, the rollerbladers didn't remind us *too* much of the (much despised by us) Starlight Express, and the acrobatics were amazing. And Aaron commented on how Disney, the place which caters to Middle America, still featured both Ellen and Rosie among their "properties", and how cool/sensible/good that is.




Wow, what a rollercoaster! I think you're only 50 feet in the air at most, and thru a lot of it, you're moving at only tiny angles, but the spinning of the cart and the harepin turns make it very exciting in a very tiny space. Kudos to the imagineers!




Now...

Jiko's at Animal Kingdom Lodge was amazing (great South African cabernet! amazing poached pears!), as was Citrico's at the Grand Floridian, where I loved the saboyan fruits at the end, but found the onion tart to be more like a quiche than we'd expected. The Rainforest Cafe at the Disney Marketplace took far too long to seat us, and their high chairs don't go up to the table, which was annoying. And, as usual, the sticky toffee pudding at the UK's Rose & Crown was a once-a-year treat. Luckily, we walked a lot a lot a lot, so even with ignoring much of Weight Watchers for the weekend (I just kept my fries & chocolate to a tiny minimum, and avoided all popcorn) I managed to drop almost two pounds, whee.

Now, if only we can find an excuse to go back again later this year...

Comments

[thistle-chaser.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the write-up! One day I'll go back myself, but until then I make do with reviews from people. :)

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

Ahhhhh....Jiko's.......we still have to try Artist's Point at the Wilderness Lodge and the Hoop Dee Doo Review at Ft Wilderness. And, if I may suggest, Victoria and Albert's in the Grand Floridian for an Anniversary or Birthday. Best restaurant in Central Florida.....

Did you see all the animals in the back of the AK lodge?

Did you get a chance to see the Mickey Statues before they removed them?

Just saw Philarmagic about two weeks ago. It was good. Liked the little boxes in front of the seats that spit out air, etc... to give a more realistic feel to it. Think I still like 'It's a Bug's Life' best though...

"Now, if only we can find an excuse to go back again later this year..."

Hey, it's WDW. Who needs an excuse! :-)

Ya'll come back now, ya hear! :)

[powersh20works.livejournal.com]

Ditto on Victoria & Albert's. Perhaps the best meal I've had anywhere, and that includes here in LA.

[galeotti.livejournal.com]

Oooh, the Hoop De Doo Review! I went to Disney World about three years ago now with my aunt and uncle and we stayed at Ft. Wilderness. Hoop De Doo Review is definitely worth checking out. Very fun.

[hermorrine.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks for the report on the new stuff - I can't wait to go again - maybe late this year or early next. I totally love WDW!!

[smilie117.livejournal.com]

For Mickey's Philharmagic and Mission: SPACE - thanks for reviewing those a bit! When I was doing my Orlando researching for going to Orlando for Nimbus ;) I had wanted to go to the Parks at least one of the days, which I did with some - and I was disappointed that those two things weren't ready at the time because it woudl've been something new to do! But anyway, just leaves something for me to do whenever I may next go back to WDW ^^ Glad you had a blast! :)

[powersh20works.livejournal.com]

Did they still have barf-bags in Mission: Space?

Was Dinosaur! quote like Indiana Jones in Anaheim?

Glad to hear you like Jiko-- we've got Priority Seating for Boma for my father's retirement celebration while we're down there.

We're still seeking a resort restaurant for my parents & I for a belated birthday dinner; would you suggest Citrico's? We're also thinking of California Grille. Any other suggestions?

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

Ah....

California Grille is good, especially if you get a window seat for the fireworks over the Magic Kingdom (can check the calendar at the WDW site to see what time the fireworks go off : Here )

If it is a more special event, I might suggest the Bistro which sits over Chefs de France in the French section of EPCOT. That is quite good. Jiko's is certainly a good choice as well. ((407) WDW-DINE) Also a good number to use in the mornings to make reservations for the day. Would avoid Rainforest Cafe. I know, it's fun for the kids, but it's such a pain. Didn't like the Brown Derby in MGM either, but only went once and can't judge only on that. For just a fun evening, try the Luau at the Polynesian or even 'Ohana inside where they bring out shrimp and meat on big skewers right off the grill until you can't get up. :) My wife and I go to Kimono's at the Swan about once a month and it is excellent. Also, during Nimbus we ate at Palio's in the Swan and it was good too. So, confused yet?

For casual dining (good shirt, shoes, service)

1) Bistro - EPCOT
2) Jiko's - Animal Kingdom Lodge
3) Palio's - Swan
4) California Grille - Contemporary Resort
5) Chefs de France - EPCOT

Formal (Jacket and tie)

1) Victoria and Albert's - Grand Floridian
2) Top Of The Palace - Wyndham Palace - Lake Buena Vista

We don't care if we go deaf or what the food tastes like: :)

1) Rainforest Cafe - Downtown Disney and Animal Kingdom (do either for lunch, not a special dinner)
2) Almost any restaurant in MK, AK, or MGM

If you don't mind some noise, there is:

1) Wolfgang Puck's - Disney Westside - Eggggggggcellent Sushi (other stuff too)
2) Fulton's Crab House - DD Marketplace
3) Restaurant Akershus - Norwegian Buffet - EPCOT (also, the bakery across the path from this has the best cheese danish....ever!!!) :)

We still haven't tried the Artist's Pointe restaurant in the Wilderness Lodge and that looks promising and the Hoop Dee Doo Review at the Ft Wilderness looks like the Luau with cowboy boots.

Ok, I have to go eat now..... :-)

[powersh20works.livejournal.com]

We're aiming for the "casual dining" collection of restaurants, I think; thanks for the suggestions! We're aiming for out-of-park spots for that night, as only my parents and I will be there (the rest of the 15-member family not arriving until the following day.)

This particular dinner isn't a huge celebration; even the occasion of my father's retirement only merits Boma this trip (well, when there are eight under the age of 12 you can hardly take them to Victoria and Albert's-- though, goodness, when I went for my graduation, I enjoyed the watercress soup more than any soup that's passed my palate!)

We may well hit the Grille; we haven't dined there in ten years, and other options (like Puck's restaurant) or similar offerings will be available when they visit me in Los Angeles this year.

Man. After reading your list, I'm a little drooly.

P.S.

[powersh20works.livejournal.com]

Hoop-de-doo Revue much like vintage "Golden Horsehoe" with tasty ribs and strawberry shortcake. Was a hit with the young'ins in 91.

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

::passes a napkin:: :-)

Thanks for the Hoop info....we have lived here for 4 1/2 years and need to get our lazy you-know-what over there and see it..... :)

[bloodybrilliant.livejournal.com]

I got to go with my family a Loooooooonng time ago. When I saw it mentioned, I thought "Hey I went there!" and then I realized I was in 8th (?) grade then and I am now 27 (!) So it was *quite* some time ago and, while I am sure it has changed somewhat, I *loved* it! The food was great! The show was so fun! And, really, you should also camp out in the camp ground for a few days if you have not. It was one of my favorite Disney experiences. I went again after that, but I have not been in about 9 years. Wow. It really is a place I love to go so much! My aunt and uncle go a few times a year (they live in Pensacola). In fact, they are going in two days, with their 10 and 6 year old. I can't wait to bring my son, but he is only 2 1/2 now and toooo much of a handful to have to chase around the park all day. So in about 2 years, we will take him; it will be his and my husband's First Time. :) I can't wait to see all of the updates since I have last been. I am going to put this entry in my memories so I can keep up on the recommendations!

[hedwig-snowy.livejournal.com]

I understand that they've made a change or two in the last 19 years. :-) Have a great time!!!

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

They did have the barf bags - luckily, I don't need such things :)

I love the California Grille - the only reason we didn't go there is because we needed to eat a bit earlier because of Jon, so the 745 we could get at CG would've been too late for us. But the food there is always amazing, and check out wdwig.com to time it to the fireworks. You have to make it as quickly as possible, though, so you get in there...

[aome.livejournal.com]

Will and I, being marginal roller-coaster people at best, HATED the Dinosaur ride. Dark, lurch-y. Ack. Scared the bejeezus out of us. *wibble*

[harlequincy.livejournal.com]

*sigh* Disney. Love that place.

Next time you go, you have to eat dinner one night at the California Grill at the top of The Contemporary. Every time I've been there, the food has been delicious. And while you're waiting, you get to sit in this lounge area, and they serve you goldfish crackers.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

I love it there - the fireworks, the deserts, the cosmos. But we didn't want to stay late enough for the 9pm fireworks, which is why we did Citrico's instead.

[saucy-wench.livejournal.com]

If you do go, go to Epcot, and to that little moroccan place. The food was amazing.

We had this dough stuffed with sweet meat and topped with powdered sugar. And for desert fruit with mint ice cream.

So good.

I'm thinking of taking Jamie in a few years, actually. He's way too little now, and won't have fun.

[sugarjet03.livejournal.com]

I love that Moroccan place! When I went last year with my high school band, my friend Lee and I went to every country and split a meal. The Moroccan place was definitely my favorite :-)

~Erin

[saucy-wench.livejournal.com]

And the waitress was so NICE! It was my 13th birthday, and she belly danced.

So cool. Easily the best birthday I've had ever.

[sugarjet03.livejournal.com]

It's an awesome place, all right :-)

[sinisteral.livejournal.com]

Yay! Disney! The Roller Coasters are one of the best rides =)!

[awelkin.livejournal.com]

I hope to hit Jiko the next time I'm at Disney. I hear nothing but good things about it.

It sounds like a pretty cool trip. I too am a big Disney enthusiast.

Catherine

[allthatisgold.livejournal.com]

*grins* I was also (well, sorta) up in Disney this weekend, but unfortunately, was with a school group that was actually in Orlando for a Model UN conference, so we were only able to go to one of the parks (Epcot on Friday) for a few hours. I also LOVED Mission: SPACE for pretty much the same reasons you listed--I just thought it was amazingly realistic and very thrilling :). I was able to eat at Rainforest Cafe on Sat. night and only got in because one of my friends knew that if you bought a membership to their enviormental protection club (or something like that), they seat you almost immediately and give you 10% off your meal (the membership is only $15).

Glad you had fun! (and now I want to go see the Philharmagic so so much!)

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

How random is it that we were both in Epcot on Friday (although we didn't get there until pushing 6...)

I need to start carrying my FA bag again on my travels...

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

Hey, I meant to ask the other day - do they have the Pal Mickey things out yet? They are very excited about them, I think; they sound very cool.

[heidi8.livejournal.com]

They have them, but I'm so disneyfied that we didn't bother to get them this time. I think they're great for people who come every two years or so, not for the monthly-if-we-could obsessives like me...