One cake order placed successfully, one in the works.
Cake #1, Attempt #1: Maleficent inspired cake for a 9th birthday. Tried to order this for Wilderness Lodge (lunch at Whispering Creek). Couldn't get horns, only a 2D image so I decided to try Yacht & Beach Club. Now this was just speaking with Jane. She said she'd have to email the Contemporary and do the back and forth with them. If this had been my only option, I would have pursued it more. Given we had a reservation at Ale & Compass on my son's actual birthday - and that everyone has had such great experiences with the Yacht Club bakery recently - I simply moved on.
Cake #1, Attempt #2: Same as above but called Yacht & Beach and spoke with Yamira. We chatted about the cake for a bit and she was writing down all my details (including reservation #). I asked if I could email inspiration pictures so she gave me an email to use for Amador (I think this is the head baker - or at least the decision maker). I wanted a marble cake with the grey stuff (cookies & cream). That filling wasn't an option when we spoke but I included it in my email along with a note of what to do if that filling isn't possible. Not a deal breaker for me. I also stated that I'd like to keep to under $125 as that was the price for Cake#2. (I'd ordered Cake #2 before sending my email as I wasn't certain how that would go and I could have switched cake 2 to another place served by Y&B if needed - AoA or Toledo.)
Ordered: Maleficent inspired cake with 3D horns
Location: Ale & Compass (Yacht Club bakery)
Flavor: marble cake with the grey stuff (cookies & cream)
Cost: TBD but budget is $125
Update: Confirmed cake will be marble with the grey stuff filling and then a layer of chocolate buttercream under the fondant. Expecting cake to look like the one in the second (right) picture. I also added a hidden Mickey to the cake. Total price $70! I had to call with my credit card so I'm expecting to be charged in advance but forgot to confirm exactly how that will work.
Cake #2 Pirates of the Caribbean inspired cake for a 7th birthday. Called the Grand Floridian using the # from the first page and spoke with Pat. At first she seemed to be doing the standard cakes before she quickly got that I was going for something more. I led with "I'd like to order a custom, fondant covered cake." I think I could have cut to the chase a bit more if I'd added "without 2D images" or maybe "with a 3D item". IDK. Doesn't matter - we got there in the end and it didn't really take that long. I also pushed a bit on the cake flavor and she accommodated a carrot cake with cream cheese icing (I think this was an easier ask due to it being a wedding option at the GF bakery). I am trusting her description of the cake and not sending inspiration pictures. The son getting this cake isn't as hard to impress and honestly, her description sounded great. We shall see.
Ordered: Pirates of the Caribbean inspired cake with a 3D treasure chest filled with worms and gold coins.
Location: 1900 Park Fare (GF bakery)
Flavor: carrot cake with cream cheese icing
Cost: $125 (which I'm told will be added to my bill)