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Old 11 Nov 17, 08:34 PM  
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Scotscraig
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OH MY GOD, EVEN MORE SNACK CREDITS TO USE - 2017 food report with DDP - *NOW COMPLETE*

Welcome to our latest effort at a food report.

This was our 6th trip to WDW and third doing the DDP. As per previous years it was way too much food and made worse by two snacks now being available per day - hence the title!

Being resourceful we managed to use all 70 TS, 70 QS and 140 snacks! I feel quite proud (and eh quite fat)…..

This year for the 1st time we were a fivesome as joining us (me, DW and DS) were my mother and father in law, who were visiting for the 1st time. We had all put in preparation for the trip, collectively slimming down for the expected weight gain…

We had originally planned to go with just the 3 of us and had booked at the Animal Kingdom Lodge and the in-laws planned to go in 2019.

However the more we thought about it, the more it seemed like a good idea for us all to go this year. With some jiggery pokery, I managed to get them booked on the same flights as us and they booked a savannah view room with full DDP.

All set off we go….
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 05:10 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 08:41 PM  
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Day 1 - pre travel day

As we were flying again from Edinburgh (via Gatwick) with BA we booked overnight at the Premier Inn near the airport. Not wanting to overdo the food on the first day(!) we had a light lunch of sausage rolls from a local bistro near us which does amazing food and some of their traybakes to wash it down. Magic!





We took some baguettes for tea and nibbles to go with it and then had an early night, given we were to be up at 4 the next morning.



__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:29 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 08:55 PM  
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Day 2 - travel day, BA food, The Mara, Publix

Up and about early, we got to the airport which was much busier than we have experienced previously (which caused a bit of panic) however after some tutting and bickering we made it through bag drop and security and on to our 1st flight with 20 mins to spare!

We hit our 1st surprise when we found there was no compo food on the internal flight to Gatwick (BA cost cuts it would appear) and so we ploughed on until Gatwick where some supplies were bought – some breakfast sandwiches from Boots



and coffee



and a bacon roll
for the boy who was toiling somewhat which he scoffed along with the nutella sarnie we had brought for emergencies!



This kept us going until we boarded the main flight. Our experience of BA food is that the standard is pretty low (to say the least) so had gone prepared with plenty of snacks on board, however the food wasn’t too bad. Sausage and mash all round, other than DW who had the pasta. Pretty average but filled a hole.



Sandwiches were brought around before landing which were OK



Our early arrival at MCO was cancelled out by an hour and half to clear immigration. However after collecting the car at Alamo we were on our way to AKL where we checked in. Delighted by our rooms we floated on air to the Mara to get the Dining plan started……

We picked up our cups and we ordered the following…..

Chicken BLT for everyone with fries other than DS who had a pepperoni flatbread.



The in-laws were instantly a bit intimidated by the dining plan (which became a bit of a theme…)

Food was fresh and tasty and we took some Zebra domes and Orio cheesecakes away for later and a cookie for DS


(zebra domes were pretty good and I have added a quick pic of the inside below, Orio cake was pretty sickly and went in the bin).



I had quickly discovered in the queue (sorry line) that all the Resort QS restaurants were allowing the sub of any drinks for snacks (holy moly, like we needed them!).

We then had a quick run to Publix on the 192 for some supplies – milk, cereal, beer (oh and had a look at all the ice cream tubs – always a cause of amazement for us when you see ice cream containers the size of dustbins…..)

A good start to the holiday…..
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:32 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:04 PM  
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Day 3 - Garden Grill, Deluxe Burger, Ghirardellis

A gentle start at Epcot today (we still made rope drop) and our 1st ADR at the Garden Grill for breakfast.



We have had dinner here before and had mixed results however thought we would give brekkie a try.

Given we were starving, the warm cinnamon bun was wolfed down a bit too quickly as was the fruit and then we tore into the breakfast offerings (including some Mickey waffles – with chocolate sauce!)



OK it wasn’t the greatest breakfast we have had at WDW but it was a good start. Chip & Dale (or Chas & Dave as they are known to us – courtesy of my poor old mum who couldn’t remember their names) are always good value and are our favourite characters.

After buying DS his popcorn bucket (which is still a great saving) we had a flying visit to MK (seeing it was the 1st day) where we had our 1st Starbucks for three large lattes (using 3 snacks).

Tea tonight was at Deluxe Burger



which was pretty quiet and the food arrived pretty sharpish and it was goooooood!

3 Diablos, a BBQ burger for MIL and a cheeseburger for the laddie and using 3 snacks 3 portions of fries. We tried all 6 of the dips – the Chipotle is the stand out!



Somehow we managed to eat pudding at Ghirardelli



although the 2 scoop tub is no longer a snack credit (probably for the best as it turned out!) as the 1 scooper was plenty enough. We bought a bottle of choc sauce next door (which also used to be a snack credit but is no more….)



and fired it on. Espresso all round



which is about as good as it gets…..

The in laws I think were now panicking a bit due to the calorie intake and were looking at de- tox plans for when we got home…We were sympathetic as ever. Only another 14 days of it to go…….he he….
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:33 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:18 PM  
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Good start, I'm impressed you were able to manage all of the credits so looking forward to seeing the rest!
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:19 PM  
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Day 4 - Roaring Fork, Yak & Yeti

As today was Typhoon Lagoon we decided to visit an old friend for breakfast – the Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge. We loved this place on our previous 2 trips when we stayed here.
Using QS credits, we had the following which were delicately wolfed down….

DW and I shared the banana bread French toast and pulled pork cheese grits (I liked the French toast and she the grits!)


Waffles for DS and MIL and bounty platter for FIL.



We subbed our drinks (we’ll never learn!) for the following to eat later…..
Cinnamon muffin for me


Bear claws for DW and FIL


and choc chip muffins for the others.


Seeing as we were here we also bought a couple of our favourite magic cookie bars for another day (which we ate for breakfast another day – well you are on holiday!)


In the afternoon it was on to AK where after a stop at the Dawa bar, it was a walk around to Asia. Incredibly we were peckish by the time our 5pm ADR at the Yak & Yeti arrived which is a 1st for us.



As this was my birthday month, I had taken my Landry’s card which had my $25 birthday bonus loaded and so we had appetizers to start – Spring rolls x 2 which were lovely….


DW and I then had the chicken tikka Masaala which was fantastic and surprisingly for Disney restaurants, was fairly spicy.



As we were both having it, one of us had rice and the other fries and we shared. Wish we had both had rice however and the lovely naan bread which was awesome….

The in laws both opted for the teriyaki chicken, which they both raved about



and DS had the Kobi burger which was devoured...


Somehow we managed a dessert – Pineapple upside down cake for me


mango pie for DW


chocolate cake for DS


and the in-laws who were clearly struggling shared the sorbet.


Absolutely stuffed we somehow managed to get up from the table. DW declared this the meal of the holiday and I found it hard to disagree. The food quality, service (which was 1st class) and atmosphere was spot on, together with a great table upstairs looking out over the park. Definitely on the list for next year and left us scratching our heads as to why we hadn’t dined here before…
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:35 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:32 PM  
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Day 5 - Backlot Express, Teppan Edo

Breakfast in the room with some snacks from the Mara



and then Hollywood Studios today and a dilemna given Starring Rolls is now closed. We opted for the Backlot Express and chilli dogs and fries were the order of the day. Not bad…


This was followed by a visit to Sweet Spells before we left the park for carrot cakes (rude not too….)


and a mammoth pecan


and a giant Mickey cookie


which were eaten back at AKL.

DS opted for a Mickey sandwich bar.


Tonight’s meal was at Teppan Edo in Epcot, which is an old favourite.

Our chef looked it was his first day and was clumsy to say the least (which is not ideal with a cleaver in your hand) and we shared our table with an American family (who said a lot…..NOT…).



Food however was as usual excellent and plentiful. Just to be outrageous, we all opted for the steak and chicken combo….



Puddings were decent enough. Mango cake for three of us and ice cream for the rest.


Always a good meal and a favourite of ours.
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:36 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:44 PM  
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Day 6 - Be our guest, Whispering Canyon

After magic cookie bars to share for breakfast(!) it was MK today.

We stopped at Gaston's where we shared a hot cinnamon bun with extra frosting.


Lunch was BOG which is always a good value option on the DDP. We had pre-ordered and our food was brought out pretty quickly. We had decided to do a big share around and had 2 croque monsieurs, turkey baguette and beef dip sandwiches between the adults.


DS had the croque. As always food was good if a bit heavy handed on the salt again…..

Amazingly by mid-afternoon we fancied a snack and MIL wanted to try the renowned dole whip float which she loved.


The rest of us shared ice cream cookie sandwiches from the Plaza with extra hot fudge (best use of snack credit at WDW in my opinion….)


We had a tour in the afternoon of the MK resorts including a very pleasant hour in the lobby at the Grand Flo listening to the band. We also used the snazzy fountain drink dispensers in the QS place here which had way more choice than any other resorts – Coke with lemon, lime etc…..

We finished up at WL where tonights ADR was at the Whispering Canyon. We had eaten here last year and the food was great however wait for it….this year, not so good.

Some salad and corn bread to start along with some pretty tasty milkshakes...


We waited an age on the food arriving and were getting pretty cheesed off by the time it did. DW, MIL and DS had ordered the skillet to share and the food was stone cold.


Some farting about and a visit from a manager later and a fresh plate was brought out which was hot but by then the love had been lost…..

I had also finished my steak by then (which was reasonable, however the food which accompanied it was pretty ordinary).


The milk shakes were great and puddings (which again took a while) were lovely



but I’m afraid it was the first poorish meal of the trip. Ok I am maybe being a little harsh but it was one we will give a miss to next time. Sorry Whispering Canyon fans…..
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:37 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 09:51 PM  
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Day 7 - Tusker House, Blaze Pizza

Now fully acclimatised to the DDP, after breakfast in the room it was Tusker House at AK for lunch at 1120.

After getting the characters early doors we tore into the buffet which we knew contained both breakfast and lunch items…..

3 trips to the buffet later and we were all pretty stuffed. Food as ever was pretty good – (curry again was a stand out although my first try of the salmon was very good) although we felt that given we have done it three years on the trot we would give it a miss next year…
Here are some random photos of the grub…..



Character interaction is always good here too.

After a great afternoon in the park it was onto Disney Springs for tea. To be honest we weren’t ravenously hungry and therefore the review of Blaze, tonight’s choice may not be as positive as it would have been if we were starving.

Having eaten in our local Project Pie it was pretty similar really. You make your selections as you go along which are unlimited. It then became a game of ‘how many toppings can I get on one pizza!.’

After filling our drinks from the fountain dispenser we grabbed seats, and there was plenty of space and very quickly the food started to arrive via the individual buzzers. The pizzas were good and tasty enough. I somehow managed to eat all 6 slices – OK it was an effort but you have to don’t you….

Some photos of the fare….


No veggies in this party i’m afraid…
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:39 PM.
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Old 11 Nov 17, 10:02 PM  
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Day 8 - Trails End, Caseys Corner, Columbia Harbour House

Today was a rest day and a wee lie in.

Then it was off to Trails End for breakfast at 9.45, which has become a regular. We really like the laid back atmosphere and the service and food are always really good. And it’s a buffet!

After ordering the coffee and mason jars of orange juice it was straight off to attack the buffet.

I paced myself with some lovely yoghurt and granola before starting on the hot food. We did discover that the weekend breakfast is actually a ‘brunch’ and so the buffet was slightly different to past years but still really good. Loads of choice of hot and cold and sweet items.



Suitably stuffed we settled the bill before having a lie down….

We had a chilled afternoon back at AKL and had some time at the pool (about 15 minutes which was enough for us….) We then had a wee snack of some premium bars and frozen lemonade etc using snack credits.


We were doing Happily ever after at MK tonight which posed a dilemna as none of us are particular fans of MK’s quick service options.

DS and FIL to my disgust, decided they wanted foot long hot dogs from Caseys which is far and away my pet hate quick service given the service is always shambolic (and they didn’t disappoint with lines all over the place and clueless staff).


Anyway after sorting them out the rest of us wandered round to the relative calm of Columbia Harbour House.

I had the Anchors Aweigh sandwich which was a nice change and DW and MIL had the fish and chicken combo.


Decent enough…

I then made the schoolboy error of suggesting some ice cream from the Plaza whilst waiting for Happily Ever After as Main Street was now like Wembley Way and Hampden rolled together on cup final day…..3 tubs of double scoops (no photos I'm afraid) were shared around just before it started eaten in true style from the top of a bin whilst trying not to be run over by a stroller.

Pre-entertainment was provided by an American woman trying to keep spaces for her partner and 2 friends and getting ruder as the time ticked by on them returning….

For fans of Happily Ever After some random pics (taken by DW)...
[APP]

Good day all round...
__________________
Food Trip Report May 2014
Food Trip Report Oct 2015 Univ/Disney inc DDP
Food Trip Report Oct 2016 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2017 with DDP
Food trip report Oct 2018 with DDP

DL 1995, WDW 1998, 2001, Sheraton Vistana Villages 2012, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2014, HRH/WL 2015, WL 2016, AKL 2017, SSR 2018, Newport Bay DLP 2019, Sheraton Vistana Resort 2019

Edited at 01:41 PM.
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