Another August Adventure: Fun, Family, Friends and Firsts - COMPLETED 11/2 with Final Thoughts! - Page 26 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Sorry that I have been so slow with the updates, it has really been crazy at work lately and by the time I get home I have not had a moment to update. So I post an update now to finish off day 4 and then hopefully get to day 5 over the weekend. I also got my photopass CD today so I will try to upload those this weekend as well so I can post some of those to catch up.
Onto our dinner at Raglan Road.
Our server, who was wonderful and I really though I wrote down his name got us our drinks while we waited for the chef. The chef was great, a lot of their food is cooked in the fryer, especially their appetizers and even though they use a dedicated fryer it is in the same kitchen as the ones they use for seafood so that was off the list for her and I. The girls wanted some appetizers so we let them order some, he asked if there was anything I really wanted to try and when I told him the ribs he said that he could skip putting them in the fryer so I was able to eat those.
So for appetizers we had the Heaven and Earth (ribs in guiness and honey glaze), Jasmine ordered the Dalkley Duo, she really enjoyed these and Isamar ordered a shrimp or crab spring roll which she said was out of this world. There was just so much food, we could not finish it off.
The main course proved a bit tricky when it came to Angel's dairy allergy. So she and the chef had a nice talk and they settled on some plain rice and grilled chicken. She picked at it but I think in being concerned over what she could not eat he really did not add any flavoring to the chicken so it was pretty bland and the rice was well it was rice. She ate enough to fill her and I think she had her mind made up that she would snack on some of her brownies when we got back to the resort later.
I had Kevin's Ham glazed in Irish Mist with cabbage and a potato and apple pancake. At first I found that the ham was a bit dry, I think it might have just been one piece because the other pieces were more tender. The stand out part of this meal for me was the potato and apple pancake. Basically it was firm mashed potatoes with an apple baked inside of it. I did not think much of it until I took a bite, the combination was amazing
Jasmine had her meal picked out beforehand as it was what she had been wanting to try since she first saw the menu. She had the Portobello Mushroom Cap with Dubliner Cheese, tomato relish and a salad. She said it was pretty good, and she said the cheese blended well with the mushroom flavor.
Isamar had the Salmon of Knowledge, she said that the maple glaze was really good. I think it was served with potatoes, but she must have enjoyed her meal because she cleaned her plate.
Last up was Juana who ordered the Meatballs a la Liffey Luv, guiness meatballs with spaghetti in a red wine glaze with tomatoes and cheese. She loved it!!! She said it was so different then the traditional meatballs and pasta that we eat but she said the flavors were wonderful. She could not finish, they gave her a huge portion but this was one of the meals that stood out for her on the trip.
Everyone was so full but our server tried to convince someone to try dessert, I think Jasmine had the apple and berry tart, I don't think she made much of a dent in it but she said it was really good. Isamar said she could not eat anything but the server convinced her to take something to go so she ordered the Bread & Butter Pudding....if I remember correctly this did not make it back to the resort because it leaked all over the bag
Our final rating: 3.7
We were all mixed here, Angel I know wasn't too happy, grilled chicken is the usual for her but I think some of the other places we ate added a bit more flavor or had other options to "spice" up her meal so she enjoyed it more. I liked my meal, not sure if there would have been something I would have enjoyed more, the potatoes were stand out for me but the rest....it was good, no doubt just nothing I would run back for. Juana and Isamar really enjoyed their meals here and so did Jasmine. I think if they really wanted to come back I would probably let them go and do something else with Angel as there really wasn't much else for her to order and I am not too sure she would want the grilled chicken again.
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When we made it out of the restaurant we decided to finish up any shopping we wanted to do at DTD in case we did not make it back again. We took a nice leisurely walk back to work off all that food from dinner.
As we walked back towards the Marketplace there were tons of birds flying in the trees....it was so cool. The pictures do not do it justice but here are a few.
Now Angel has really not spent any of her birthday money, she had her list and she was really to start on it now so we headed to Once Upon a Toy.
Now on the past few visits Angel (and Jasmine but she will never admit it) have been wanting a Mr. Potato Head that they could dress up but they just never got around too it, so this year it was a must-do for her (and Jasmine). They were each going to get a box and then they decided to just go for it and get one of those big Mr. Potato Heads so they could fit even more in...and boy did they do that. They must have reorganized the box 10x's until they could fit every little piece in there. Of course they left some other items to pick up when I go back on my first "Mom Only" trip in February. Guess they are using the "you are going without us" guilt and it is definitely working
Once they made that purchase Juana and Isamar walked to take another look in Trend-D. As the girls and I took a break on a bench they ended up going back in for another thing that has been on her Wish-List. The Disney Wheel of Fortune Game.
Angel was complaining of a headache and Jasmine's stomach was bothering her a bit. We were planning on heading over to the MK just to see the MSEP so Jasmine said would it be ok if she headed back to the resort and that if Angel wanted to lay down she would take her with her. I didn't want to leave them and go to the parade but she said "mom you have been wanting to see the parade, I will have some one on one time with Angel, go to the arcade and stuff, you guys go". Jasmine has just become such a mother hen with Angel, she is just growing up so fast. I asked if she was sure and she insisted so off they went on the boat and Juana, Isamar and I headed towards the buses. The first bus to come was a Contemporary so we hopped on that and instead of walking to the MK we decided to take Juana on her first monorail ride (she admitted that on the past 4 trips that she had been on they never took the monorail ).
She enjoyed the ride around seeing the other resorts and we stepped off with about 30 minutes until parade time. We stopped off in a shop or too and then as we wandered towards Main Street we saw a nice spot right towards the curb in front of the Candy Store....perfect luck.
There were a few kids in front of us but they were small so we were able to sit and enjoy the parade.
Now I enjoyed the parade, I really enjoyed seeing the different floats and seeing some other characters being highlighted...I will admit the music kind of did me in after a few floats. So I think that I liked the parade, but the music just did not do it for me as much as Spectro does. I know everyone has their own opinions but I think for me Spectro....when I hear the music I just get goosebumps. Not so much with the MSEP, but leaving the music out I really thought it was a fun, high spirited parade. I would like to see it again so I wonder if it will still be running in February.
We headed right out of the park then, we knew that we would see Wishes later in the week and we wanted to try to get in front of the crowds. The wait for the bus was not bad at all and we found Angel and Jasmine relaxing in the room. Angel was busy playing (her headache much better) and I guess some quiet alone time was all Jasmine needed because she said her stomach felt much better.
The girls relaxed as Juana and I took a walk around the resort. We headed over the bridge towards the mansions and walked full around back to the food court where we probably stopped for some refills.
All in all it was the perfect day, everyone agreed that planning a day like this, just a water park, or just DTD, and either relaxing at the resort or heading to a park in the evening is a great way to get our energy back for the parks again. I think they want even more because they are already talking about wanting to do both water parks next trip....guess this day was a winner for all.
Up Next: The girls get the surprise of their trip and how we pulled it off (we have some gullible children )
We've not been to Raglan Road. We may have to try it some time. I am so slow on my TR, I can't say anything about anyone else! I'm just enjoying seeing "the World" with "the Girls"!
Great update Meg! I have no desire to try RR, but maybe one day way down the line! I am in complete agreement with you about MSEP - Spectro gives me goosebumps, not so much MSEP.
__________________
Stacey
Why do these kids look so pathetic?
Find out in: A New Grade, A New House, and A Surprise!Final Thoughts 01/30
So I resized some of our photopass pictures so I figure before continuing on with the TR I would backtrack a bit and post some of the photopass pictures from the days that I already posted.
First up are a few from Angel being Princess for the Day at the BBB at DTD
Some from our first evening at the parks....The Magic Kingdom
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Great updates Meg! Dinner sounded yummy! Great pictures from the parade!
I was really glad we tried out RR, there were a few other things on the menu that sounded wonderful so I would like to try it again on another trip in the future.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenny
We've not been to Raglan Road. We may have to try it some time. I am so slow on my TR, I can't say anything about anyone else! I'm just enjoying seeing "the World" with "the Girls"!
It does seem to be a fun place to eat, next time if we get there again I would like to have a later meal so we can enjoy the entertainment , I am sure the girls would have had fun with that.
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Great update, Meg! Glad you got to see the MSEP!
I am glad that we were able to fit it in, I felt bad that Angel and Jasmine missed it but I was even more glad to get to the room and hear they were both feeling better.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sc507
Great update Meg! I have no desire to try RR, but maybe one day way down the line! I am in complete agreement with you about MSEP - Spectro gives me goosebumps, not so much MSEP.
The music was definitely it for me, I love the music from Spectro but the floats were pretty cool and I was glad that at least I can say I saw it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
What a great evening. I can't wait to read the next installment.
Thanks for reading along, should have another update tonight, now that I have caught up with the photopass pictures.
Ragland Road sounds so ! I bought two Mr. Potato Head boxes in June and I've already made a list of more stuff to get in a third box in November. I liked MSEP floats, too, but like you the music just doesn't get me all teary eyed like Spectro does. Glad you got to see it! Awesome PP photos! Every one of them is so good! You have such a beautiful family!
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I can't wait to read the next installment. 
I liked MSEP floats, too, but like you the music just doesn't get me all teary eyed like Spectro does. Glad you got to see it! 
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