Today was Animal Kingdom. We got up early, headed to the Lounge, and almost emptied one of the bottles of water, since we filled our travel bottle with it. Then it was off to Tusker House for Breakfast.
As many of you know, this is my favourite of the Character Meals. Today didn`t disappoint, we got pictures with all of the characters, the food was good, we didn`t feel rushed, and we finished just as the last character (Daisy, I think) came around. Plus, Rin got a birthday cupcake. Yay!
Final Thoughts
Am I Glad I Ate Here? - Yes. Simply, yes.
Would I Go Back? - Again, yes. Although it has gone slightly downhill from last visit.
Rating: Me - 8/10
Rin - 8.5/10
Cost - $55.45
We did several things at AK, but I can’t remember the exact order. We hit up Expedition Everest, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Dinosaur, Kali River Rapids, Rafiki’s Planet Watch and Panganii Forest Exploration Trail.
On Kilimanjaro, we were right in front, and the driver immediately noticed Rin’s birthday pin. She had the whole truck wish her a happy birthday. Also, the shaking bridge effect wasn’t working. I’m not sure if it was down, or if we were running too ahead/behind to experience it.
On Dinosaur, Rin kept her eyes closed basically the entire time. We both got a kick out of Bill Nye narrating the beginning, then Hodgins from CSI being the scientist.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch was interesting, and we really enjoyed Affection Section, the petting zoo area. The donkey was quite vocal for a few minutes while we were there. We also got to meet Jiminy Cricket in the building near Affection Section. And a rather small corn snake that Rin wouldn`t go near. In fact, as we passed it, she almost broke my hand from gripping it so hard. She later told me that even though she was apparently terrified, she had the urge to touch it. There's something wrong with that woman.
Today, we ate lunch at Yak & Yeti. This restaurant is most definitely not Disney owned. They even have pamphlets in the lobby area about their other restaurants and their loyalty card. Rin got a Mango Iced Tea to drink, and I had a Berry Cherry Limeade. Turns out the Berry Cherry wasn’t included with the Dining Plan, but our waiter was sure to tell me that when I ordered. I went ahead with it anyway. I wish I hadn’t. It really wasn’t good, at all. Rin also wished she hadn’t gotten the tea (she works in a tea store now, so she can't stand bad tea), so she switched to Coke.
The one appetizer we both really wanted was the Dim Sum Basket for Two. This wasn’t included either. So I got the Thai Chicken Chili Wings. They were messy, but I wish I could have just made these into a meal. They were covered in sauce, but they were still crispy, and the flavour had pervaded not only the sauce, but also the breading and chicken itself. So good.
Rin had the Pot Stickers. The menu said they could be pan seared or steamed, but our waiter never asked which she wanted. We’re not really sure how they were prepared. They seemed to have sear marks, but looked and tasted steamed, as though they weren’t fully cooked. She wasn’t as happy with her choice as I was with mine.
When we ordered our mains, I was torn between the Crispy Honey Chicken and the Bourbon Chicken, so I asked our waiter about them. My answer was along the lines of “They’re the same chicken and both sauces are sweet.” I went with the Honey Chicken, but I think I made the wrong choice. It wasn’t actually crispy, and the sauce was just too overpowering.
Rin loves Beef and Broccoli, so that’s what she got here. She too was disappointed. The sauce didn’t quite seem right, and the beef was thicker than she’s used to. It had an odd texture to it as well, as though they were using low quality beef, or possibly stewing beef.
Then, dessert. I had the Chocolate Pudding Cake. I expected something like a lava cake, with a sauce in the middle. This was so much better. It was just regular layer cake, but it was all made with pudding ingredients mixed in. So rich, I actually wasn’t able to finish it. But it was so good. Rin had the Sorbet Trio of lemon, raspberry and mango. She really liked it, and thought that the lemon was the best. It tasted just like frozen lemonade.
Final Thoughts
Am I Glad I Ate Here? - Yes and no. Those wings were seriously amazing, and the dessert was good. But everything else, including the service was mediocre.
Would I Go Back? - Um. I think I would. I wasn’t too happy with my main, nor was Rin, but there are several other items that we’d both like to try. Plus the apps and desserts made up for the mains.
Rating: Me - 6/10
Rin - 5/10
Cost - $79.28
After we were done at AK later that day, we headed over to Downtown Disney. We basically went straight to Raglan Road, no time to look around beforehand. Unfortunately I lost my receipt on this one, but I remember what we got, just might not have the cost right.
Our waiter was great. I think his name was Joe, from somewhere in New York. Sadly, not Irish. But amazing, easily one of the most hospitable servers we had on the trip. He explained everything to us, and again, the appetizer platter we wanted wasn’t included in the Dining Plan. So I got the Drunk Chicken (after being assured by Joe that it didn’t taste like whisky) and Rin had the Scallop Tart.
My chicken was very good, and not only did it not taste like whisky, I could barely taste the Dalkey Honey Mustard sauce, which was nice, since I’m not a mustard fan. Rin had a foodgasm (yes, a foodgasm, look it up) when she tried her Scallop Tart. I tried it myself, and even I have to admit, it wasn’t bad. And I don’t like seafood. It was huge too, and she liked it so much, she finished the whole thing.
When our mains were brought out, they were brought by Jonathan, an authentic Irishman. When he spoke, Rin... well... this is a family place, so I’ll leave that one to your imagination.
I had the Burger’R’Way, which was quite tasty. And I just realized I forgot to include this one in my ‘Burger Report’ post. Sorry Chinners. Interestingly enough, it was topped with Canadian bacon as opposed to regular bacon. Nothing wrong with that, I was just surprised.
Rin had the Fish and Chips. They came out in an interesting dish, reminiscent of how you’d get it all wrapped in newspaper in England. She enjoyed it, the chips were a bit of a letdown though. The fish was good, but nothing to write home about.
On to dessert. This is probably the reason we ate here. Rin really wanted Ger’s Bread & Butter Pudding. She almost died, it was so big. And delicious. The people at the table next to us actually commented, and waited for her to try it just to see her reaction. It didn’t disappoint. It was possibly better than the Scallop Tart, but so big she couldn’t finish it. So we took it back to the room, but again, I don’t think she ever ate anymore because of all of the other food. I think there's a trend beginning here...
I had the Dunbrody Kiss. Like the description said, it was chocolaty. And good. Maybe a bit too dark. But I can’t remember much more than that.
Final Thoughts
Am I Glad I Ate Here? - Yes. I failed to mention the entertainment, but there was a band and dancers as well. The dancers were blocked by a pole, but the band was good. The food, service and entertainment all combined to create a venue that will likely be a regular spot for us in the future.
Would I Go Back? - Yes. In a heartbeat.
Rating: Me - 8/10
Rin - 8.5/10
Cost - $74.55
After dinner, we headed over to DisneyQuest for a bit. We played air hockey (which Rin destroyed me at both games) and Guitar Hero (where I gained back some of my manliness). We did the (new?) Comix VR game, where I placed first and Rin placed second (in a group of 5). We tried the Aliens game, which we both sucked at. And finally, we did two rounds out the Buzz Lightyear thing. Rin drove first, and we got some good shots in, although I’m not sure we actually hit anyone. Then when I drove, we spent the whole time spinning, since we could never get away from anyone. In think we yelled far too much those two rounds, we both came off a bit hoarse. At this point, DQ was shutting down, so we went back to the room for some sleep.
No comments:
Post a Comment