Tuesday 12/24
Start of the DELUXE DINING PLAN + Christmas Eve + checking into WL. Best day ever?
Yes is the answer! I have such ridiculously fond memories of this day.
We Lyfted from ASMovies to WL around 8:30 am to store our bags with bell services, check in to start the DxDP and then hop on a bus to Epcot. Much to our surprise they had a room ready for us. And it had a view of the castle. Thanks Santa! We dropped our bags and decorated the room which was fun. Guys there really is no place like the Lodge for Christmas. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. Considering it for 2020 as well.
After decorating we Lyfted to Epcot and Holy mother of god that security line. Bag check took almost an hour and was backed up like noting I had ever seen. People coming off the monorail were stopping to take pictures ad film because the lines were THAT crazy. Once through we had to haul to our first FP in the Land. We quickly hit
Sunshine Seasons where husband and I shared a bagel and a banana and our son had a croissant and then stole our banana. Twas okay with me, we had a hearty lunch ahead. We paid OOP for this breakfast.
Crowds were reasonable and after our FPs we bought a Chip & Dale scavenger hunt map and a stopped at Three Kings for a passport for the cookie stroll and what would be the only cookie stroll purchase of the trip - the chocolate crinkle cookie. This was large and very fudgey. Sadly we just never mustered enough energy to finish the stroll as there was so much else to do and see. But still, this one was decent. Next stop was a white ale from the Norway beer cart, a fave for us. We sipped this while searching for Chip & Dale wreaths - our son LOVED this by the way, great for kids.
After a busy morning it was time for our lunch reservation at a new to us place:
Biergarten. I read a lot of reviews on this place, and even ditched a reservation at Chefs de France in favor of it since it seemed like such a festive place to be on Christmas Eve. The food was exactly as advertised - heavy German fare. So many cold salads, cold cuts, different types of sausages, potatoes, salmon, chicken schnitzel, etc. My favorites were the meatballs, the sauerbraten with red cabbage, and the nudelgratin. It's hard to eat a lot here but we each had two plates and left stuffed. I didn't even bother with dessert. Don't tell anyone. But I did enjoy the 1/2 litre of Shofferhoffer grapefruit beer. My husband splurged for the whole litre of Becks and polished it off like a champ. Note the look from our table mate.
Pro tip: they will give you a plastic glass to go if you're struggling to finish your 1/2 or full litre. This restaurant is most likely one and done for us. Nothing bad about it just not our favorite. Fun to try once though! And a decent value on the dining plan. We used 3 credits and would have paid about $150 OOP.
We strolled through the rest of the WS, finding Chip & Dale in every land, and decide to head back to WL around 3 pm. But our day was far from over! We all had one thing on our mind and that was relaxing poolside. Much needed and always a highlight for me. By evening they were setting up a pajama & hot chocolate party around the campfire as well as Christmas movies playing. This scene was just so great but we couldn't stay long as it was time to get ready for our late dinner reservation at
California Grill.
Around 8:30 pm we jumped on the resort boat to Contemporary and were there in about five minutes. We checked in WAY early for our 9:35 pm reservation. We were seated at 9:55 pm. Luckily we were brought to our table just in time for the fireworks to begin. Not luckily, it was the worst table in the place for a firework view. And it was raining outside. So we sort of hovered in the middle of the restaurant to catch the fireworks. Then we got down to business.
I ordered a glass of
Pinot Noir and the
A Selection of Farmhouse and Artisanal Cheeses (Five Unique Cheeses with Accompaniments.) My husband ordered the
Sonoma Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned (Sonoma Brothers Bourbon, Vanilla Maple Syrup, Angostura Bitters, and Luxardo Cherries with an Orange Twist.) We are both bourbons lovers and really enjoyed all the balance in this one. For his app he ordered the
Braised Beef Short Rib Wontons (Doenjang Miso-Cola-Onion Sauce, Crispy Garlic-Chili Oil, Radish, Pickled Lotus Root.) Hot damn, both apps were fantastic, just lights out. I totally failed and forgot to take a picture of the cheese descriptions as a few of them were super impressive. The truffled brie was the best cheese I've ever had. And that sesame brittle! And the Pt. Reyes blue. Ahhh take me back...
And if you've had the wontons I don't need to tell you how flawless these are. I could have made a meal out of them. They come overflowing with tender short rib and have perfect heat from the chili oil. Drinks and apps came out quickly which was great because we were starving by this point. We also ordered a cheese flatbread for the kid and he ate every bite. He then ate the entire basket of bread they brought out. Such a good little carb baby.
We also loved watching the electric water pageant cruise the lake from way up high, such a cool view. From here things slowed way down. I ordered the
Jumbo Scallops (Lump Crab in Yuzu Vinaigrette, Carolina Gold Rice, Glazed Dragon Carrots, Shishito Beurre Blanc) and husband ordered
Oak-fired Filet of Beef (Aged Gouda Macaroni and Cheese, Grilled Sweet Onions, Sautéed Ice Spinach, 27 Steak Sauce). It took about an hour for the entrees come out. Everyone in the restaurant waited until after fireworks to order entrees it seems and the kitchen was slammed. Every server was standing around the pass just waiting for their food. At 11 pm the restaurant was still completely full and bustling. We finally got our entrees around 11:30 pm (our server made a comment about how she had to fight for them) and we had to scarf them down. Hence the blurry photo!
Which is such a shame because they were SO good. The scallops were the most quality, perfect seared and perfectly tender. I would order these every time. The citrusy crab vinaigrette and the smoky rice were such a great mix. Husband's filet was a little overcooked but had great oak flavor. He ate this and the spinach. Much to my chagrin we were both too full to eat the Mac and cheese but we each had a bite and you really get the aged gouda. I look forward to trying this again in the future when I'm not so full! In the middle of the entrees we placed our dessert order.
Peppermint creme brûlée for me and
Cheesecake, No Sugar Added Dessert (Sunflower Seed Crunch, Raspberry Gelée, Popcorn Shoots) for the man. Both were once again, scarfed down, with neither of us finishing them. Great end to a delicious meal which OOP would have been well over $200. We paid OOP for the kid because two credits for an $8 pizza is just bad business.
By now it was after midnight so we had to arrange transportation back to WL and quickly get to sleep so Santa could come. I wish dinner hadn't been SO late, our son fell asleep in my arms before we were even out of the Contemporary, but I really can't think of a better way to spend a Christmas Eve meal <3