Third Time's a Charm PTR - May 2012 - I should give up on planning trips.

[kmedina]

I am glad you had some Disney time Alison. A nice lunch, Disney time and the spa sounds like a perfect day.

 

[franandaj]

Now you've made me crave a burger!!!


Nice update....nice food porn.

And I want me some spa treatment too!


(Can you tell I just want, I want, I want?????)

Treat yourself! You deserve it! Just have turkey burger. Less calories!

 

[rentayenta]

You burned in hell. I love Mr Toad! Great choice. I haven't been to Catal but the UVA Bar used to make these insane garlic fries. Mmm.....everyone would have to eat them because you smell like high hell after but there are so worth it!



Your day sounds perfect, just wonderful, and well deserved. I haven't been to the spa at the GCV but one day I will. I've been to the lounge though a bunch.

The 15th would be perfect. We are still at BCV and are planning on doing all our meals from the kiosks, just sort of "eating around the world".

The 17th we plan on doing the same after checkout. I made a reservation for CA Grill for dinner that night since we'll be at the VWL. We were going to be at CA Grill Friday night, but I'm thinking that I want to do the dessert party on Friday night.

I saw a Dining review where they went to the Dessert Party (that I was supposed to attend last year) and it looked awesome. The only thing is that the Swan and Dolphin classic is happening the first weekend we get there and the Jamborinis are attending that and have said it is really great, better than PFTS. I'm planning that for Friday 10/12 when we check into BCV, I'm up in the air about whether or not to do it again Sat 10/13 or actually go to PFTS.

However, I saw a review of Artist Point (which was our original plan for dinner 10/17 when we check in at VWL) and there was nothing on the menu I really wanted to eat. That's when I kind of thought we should change to CA Grill for the first night at VWL and go with the dessert party for the last night of our trip. Right now I just have a bunch of reservations under mine and Fran's name, so I have to cancel some before the new fees kick in, but I will go over all this again in the "Cheating PTR".

Long and short, it would be great to plan to get toether on the 15th, and perhaps walk around the world and eat at a few different kiosks while we do so. We are planning on doing that for the day, so we are flexible. Those are our only plans for the day and we are staying at BCV so if Fran wants to go back to the Villa and rest, we can continue to stroll, savor and chat and be silly.

That sounds great! With Fran just starting to heal, that's a good idea to go when you're at the BCV. I'll PM you my cell and we can coordinate that way. Our plan on the 15th is to sleep in a bit after what I think will be a long yet magical EMH at DHS the night before. The 15th will be our first trip to Epcot on the trip and first F&W so I might be a little excited. I'll check your other report for changes. I've literally got the hard copy of our plans in hand as I type this because my plate runneth over right now. Are you doing the MNSSHP? We've never been but have tickets for the 18th. We're going to make a tri tip and have some wine before heading over. I've got to make use of that THV grill.


What's the dessert party? Is it a F&W thing?



Maybe we outta move this conversation to the Cheatin' report? I'll meet you there.

 

[franandaj]

I am glad you had some Disney time Alison. A nice lunch, Disney time and the spa sounds like a perfect day.

Thanks, I could use to do it again now!

Your day with Arline sounded wonderful Love all the pictures.

Can't wait to hear about your cruise plans

I can't wait to share them, we really went all out on this so I hope it doesn't fall through!

You burned in hell. I love Mr Toad! Great choice. I haven't been to Catal but the UVA Bar used to make these insane garlic fries. Mmm.....everyone would have to eat them because you smell like high hell after but there are so worth it!

Your day sounds perfect, just wonderful, and well deserved. I haven't been to the spa at the GCV but one day I will. I've been to the lounge though a bunch.

That sounds great! With Fran just starting to heal, that's a good idea to go when you're at the BCV. I'll PM you my cell and we can coordinate that way. Our plan on the 15th is to sleep in a bit after what I think will be a long yet magical EMH at DHS the night before. The 15th will be our first trip to Epcot on the trip and first F&W so I might be a little excited. I'll check your other report for changes. I've literally got the hard copy of our plans in hand as I type this because my plate runneth over right now. Are you doing the MNSSHP? We've never been but have tickets for the 18th. We're going to make a tri tip and have some wine before heading over. I've got to make use of that THV grill.


What's the dessert party? Is it a F&W thing?

Maybe we outta move this conversation to the Cheatin' report? I'll meet you there.

The fries were wonderful, they called them Uva Fries, did they have garlic? I just really liked them!

I've been to the lounge too!

We should definitely continue this discussion on the Cheating PTR as I'm going to wind this one down soon.

The dessert party is a F&W thing, adults only, it is desserts and cordials with a few savory items like cheeses and stuff thrown in so we all don't go into diabetic comas.

 

[Leshaface]

Hey! Did they not make you get off the monorail? One time, a long time ago though, we wanted to do a roundtrip thing, and they made us get off, exit, scan our tickets again, and wait in line.

I always forget about dining at this place! I must try this burger, whenever i'm not pregnant...can't have Feta but wowzers that looks good. And prices are pretty decent right??

Okay, you got all those treatments for $99?! Ever since you told me that there are specials ran on travelzoo, I signed up for these emails, but still have not seen anything for the Grand Californian spa. I know I get OC deals too, because I've seen things for Costa Mesa, so I don't know how I missed this deal. What a bummer. Please let me know when there is another one, since i'm apparently not receiving these deals.

Oh, please tell me this local BBQ chain was Lucille's, so I can drool right now!

 

[dgbg100106]

late but here..... Now to try and catch up!

 

[dgbg100106]

I am here...... let the party begin.

ok so I was here... I am not losing my mind... But how did I lose my subscription?

 

[dgbg100106]

I got a jumbo margarita

Jumbo might be an understatement here.....

 

[dgbg100106]

The Rib Eye was 22oz, split three ways and we still didn't finish it! They sent us home with another full loaf of bread, we could make sandwiches with it!

that was nice of them....

That was one thing I noticed while we were out in Vegas is that the food portions were HUGE>>>>

 

[dgbg100106]

Friday, after a snack at Panda Express (sorry no pictures) and resting in the room we headed off to the South Point Casino for Debbie Reynolds show. I didn’t take any pictures of the casino so I found these online,

This is a picture I stole of the interior of the casino

Most of the restaurants are off the casino floor. This place is huge so they have about a dozen or more restaurants. Some are “open air” to the casino, others have doors and walls separating them from the Casino itself. Last time we came here was to enjoy the Steak and Shake, this time I had my eye on the Oyster Bar that I noticed last time. Not that I necessarily wanted oysters, but they have an entirely seafood menu.

Now I know this isn’t all that exciting, but the rolls were actually pretty good! I didn’t finish because I wanted to eat my dinner.

We shared a lot of things between us. I got a salad and split it with Arline, this is the portion after the split.

Fran got the New England Clam Chowder and let me have the crouton which I ate dipping into the soup.

Arline got the Manhattan Clam Chowder and ate it herself.

I ordered linguine and clams, they made it very similar to my home recipe, but with a few different seasonings.

Once I doused it with parmesan cheese it was excellent.

Fran and Arline split a Grilled Cheese and lobster sandwich.

Look at all the Lobster in there!

That’s it for the dinner update. Next up Debbie Reynolds!

We did not make it to South Point Casino but the food there would have made DH very happy, the Lobster Grill Cheese sounds like it was very rich and filling.

 

[dgbg100106]

we decided that Red Rock Canyon wasn’t as far away as Fran thought, so I got us organized to head out there. I knew we couldn’t do any hiking, but I figured we could at least enjoy the scenic beauty from the car.

We went to red Rock Canyon, but it was after we had been to Hoover Dam and I think we were just too tired to enjoy it, so I loved seeing your photos...

 

[franandaj]

Hey! Did they not make you get off the monorail? One time, a long time ago though, we wanted to do a roundtrip thing, and they made us get off, exit, scan our tickets again, and wait in line.

I always forget about dining at this place! I must try this burger, whenever i'm not pregnant...can't have Feta but wowzers that looks good. And prices are pretty decent right??

Okay, you got all those treatments for $99?! Ever since you told me that there are specials ran on travelzoo, I signed up for these emails, but still have not seen anything for the Grand Californian spa. I know I get OC deals too, because I've seen things for Costa Mesa, so I don't know how I missed this deal. What a bummer. Please let me know when there is another one, since i'm apparently not receiving these deals.

Oh, please tell me this local BBQ chain was Lucille's, so I can drool right now!

It was pretty pricey, but it might have been the fact that I had two glasses of wine and Arline had one as well. I know the food prices are on allears, but the wines were $12+ per glass! And sort of a stingy pour.

What you should do is sub into the Villas at the Grand Californian Owners and Lovers Thread. It doesn't get a lot of action so you won't be bombarded with updates, but that's where I saw the post about it. I will try and remember to tell you the next time I hear about one.

Yes it was Lucille's, they are soooooo good!

ok so I was here... I am not losing my mind... But how did I lose my subscription?

I find that I tend to lose my subscriptions when I am DISing from my phone, it's really easy to hit that "Unsubscribe" link when you are aiming for "reply" or "last page".

We did not make it to South Point Casino but the food there would have made DH very happy, the Lobster Grill Cheese sounds like it was very rich and filling.

South Point is really a nice casino, they have tons of restaurant options there. I would be a happy camper to stay there, rooms are $49 midweek and they have blackjack tables with low limits.

Jumbo might be an understatement here.....

This margarita picture is going to haunt me forever!

 

[dgbg100106]

That's too funny, I did audibly gasp about Fran disliking Jiko! We love Jiko so much I've made us two reservations for a four day trip.

Thanks for including the Culinary Tour posts. That looks like it could be worthy.

we love it too, one of our favorite places to go....

 

[dgbg100106]

Sometime while we are at Epcot, we will venture into this tasty little spot.

Thanks Brandi!

I have to tell you that David and I can't go to Epcot without stopping here... It is one of our favs, the pecan bar is amazing! The Carmel is so soft and milky and wonderful, wow my mouth is watering right now just thinking about it....

 

[Leshaface]

It was pretty pricey, but it might have been the fact that I had two glasses of wine and Arline had one as well. I know the food prices are on allears, but the wines were $12+ per glass! And sort of a stingy pour.

What you should do is sub into the Villas at the Grand Californian Owners and Lovers Thread. It doesn't get a lot of action so you won't be bombarded with updates, but that's where I saw the post about it. I will try and remember to tell you the next time I hear about one.

Yes it was Lucille's, they are soooooo good!

Yikes, $12 a glass? I'd be willing to pay that at Napa Rose, not sure i'd want to pay that there though.

Okay, off to find that thread. My brother just paid close to $300 for his wife, for the exact same treatments that you got Not going to mention this to him.

I'm not a BBQ gal, but oh my, Lucille's is just amazing! I don't care if it's a chain restaurant, I love that place and their sauces are fantastic.

 

[franandaj]

Yikes, $12 a glass? I'd be willing to pay that at Napa Rose, not sure i'd want to pay that there though.

Okay, off to find that thread. My brother just paid close to $300 for his wife, for the exact same treatments that you got Not going to mention this to him.

I'm not a BBQ gal, but oh my, Lucille's is just amazing! I don't care if it's a chain restaurant, I love that place and their sauces are fantastic.

You might like to be in on that thread just because they talk a lot about views and other stuff, and when local stuff come up they mention it. I was fairly stressed when the info came out which is why I probably forgot to let you know, it was right around the time when we canceled the trip and I sort of got Fran to agree to it because we weren't going to Florida.

I barely got in on it because I started the night I read about it, but was too tired to finish the reservation, I was lucky there were some left the next morning!

 

[dgbg100106]

I know, thats what I said.







We got there shortly after 2PM. It opens at 11AM for tea. We pretty much had the place to ourselves.



I wish I had another stomach! There is too much good food here, and I'm getting full so quickly!



Most of my lunch was fruit. Hopefully we'll go back there again today to have a snack.

That lounge experience is amazing.... I love being at CL and I wish DVC had more CL options...

 

[dgbg100106]

WOW!! That is some VIP tour. I'm trying to imagine me being back in the 1950's and feeling that the apartment was the most up to date and modern of its time. Right now...the decor just seems nostalgic. I guess it would have been an oasis in the crowds at Disneyland for Walt and his family.

I agree completely , this is amazing...

 

[dgbg100106]

Do the CM's ever look around for children when you ask for a kids meal? Sometimes the kids meals just sound good at the time, but wasn't sure if I needed to have a child with me in order to get one. Because that spaghetti and meatballs meal looks pretty big with the applesauce and milk.

I'm not a huge fan of the swinging vehicles either. I used to back in the day, but now ferris wheels just scare me. I think i'm afraid that the entire wheel will tip into the water and i'll be stuck in the cage and drown (dang i've been sounding morbid lately! )

Ooh! I love that pin! So neat. Wonder how much they're going for on ebay. What is that pin next to it? Looks like a cup of coffee or something? Don't think i've seen that one.

If they ever ask about kids when I order I just tell them that they are holding the table... No one ever questions it...

 

[dgbg100106]

So this will be the last of my off topic updates for a while, but since everyone loves food porn, I’m sure you’ll indulge me in this last diversion. We went to our favorite restaurant for Valentines Day. We had a party of five and it was quite a lot of fun. I really didn’t get any shots of our dining companions, just the food!

So here was our table setting. Each course came with a wine pairing so there were plenty of glasses!

They started us off with a glass of champagne, but my picture didn’t come out. I also ordered a Belvedere Gibson Up.

I also forgot to take a picture of the goody bag that they gave us, but it had a champagne flute with the logo and date etched on it. We also got a box of chocolates, four truffle style chocolates, which I have eaten almost all of them now!

Here is the evening’s menu

It’s nice and a blessing when you have choices, sometimes you can’t decide and others it’s obvious. We all started off with the same first course.

Strawberry Gazpacho, Pistachio Crusted Rhubarb, Dehydrated Fromage Blanc accompanied by a Rucsak, Sauvignon Blanc, Santa Ynez Valley 2009

For our next course we got a choice, Maine Lobster Cocotte, Heirloom Tomato Nage

Or Oregon Mushroom & Asparagus Croquette, Salted Cholate Froth, everyone but Fran got the Lobster. I took one bite of hers and thought it was nasty, seemed to be OK for her, but she got part of both mine and Arline’s Lobster thingy. Both were served with a Williams Selyem, Chardonnay, Chalk Hill Vineyard, Russian River 2007.

On the Main, we had three choices no one chose the vegetarian, but again the table chose the Beef Short Rib.

Fran wants you all to be proud of her for being healthy and ordering the vegetarian appetizer selection and the Salmon. This was served with the Flora Springs Trilogy, Napa Valley 2007.

Next up was the dessert. This time Arline was the odd one out. Everyone else went for the Minted Valrhona Dark Chocolate Fondue, Milk Chocolate Orange Madeline. The chocolate was awesome, in fact once I ran out of cookies and things to dip in it, I just dug in with my spoon. Not pictures because it wasn’t pretty!

Arline did the Angel Sponge Cake, Crème Choud-Froid, Raspberry Coffee Anglaise, both were accompanied by an Edge Hill, Vintage Point

We got all kinds of yummy truffle chocolates on exit, and we left definitely full and happy!

We will return to your regularly scheduled pre-trip report programming after this.

my mouth is watering so much reading this... Yummy!