OFFICIAL Disney Cake Chatter Thread - Part III

[TiggerTrigger]

Originally Posted by iheartjuppy

We are surprising DS with a trip to WDW for his 5th birthday in May. My SIL, MIL and FIL live in Florida, and my mom is flying in for the big day, too, so birthday dinner will be quite the surprise celebration. We have ADRs at Chef Mickey's and I am planning to order a cake but am totally out of my depth! I am a great planner, list-maker, etc. but pretty low on creative vision. Knowing my own limits, I am hoping that I might be able to get some idea help from the DISers in this thread. Your cakes have blown me away! It looks like we are lucky in that we will have Chef Brian as our chef, and I want to make the most of that privilege! The only request DS has made is for a "Jake" cake, which really can be any combination of characters from Jake and the Neverland Pirates/Peter Pan as long as Jake himself is represented somewhere on there. We areren't HUGE dessert people and are checking out the next day, so don't want to go way overboard, but would rather not just do the sheet cake with screen printing, since that seems like what we could get at the grocery store at home. Any ideas or examples that might help? We will be 6 adults and 2 kids. I would like to keep it under $100, if possible.

Any and all ideas are appreciated!! Thank you in advance!!

There have been some pretty neat pirate themed cakes on here. I think you may be able to take some of those elements and pair them with a 2D standup edible image of Jake...i.e. skulls, treasure chest, pirate ship, etc.

Now, if I were to go a slightly different direction with Jake...I might consider a gold doubloon themed cake. You'd still have to do a 2D standup edible image of Jake standing in a whole bunch of edible gold doubloons, and you might want a treasure chest as well, but have that treasure chest overflowing with gold doubloons all over the cake. Edible palm trees and rocks/boulders could be added for scenery. My daughters are also big fans of Skully the parrot, so they'd probably suggest the addition of a 2D standup image of Skully on the other side of the treasure. You could even come up with a saying for the bday boy- so it could go on a piece of white chocolate that looks kind of like a scroll...i.e. some kind of bday message about him being "treasured"

[Wanna be Ariel]

Originally Posted by lovingeire

As I mentioned we will be at WDW for youngest DS's 3rd birthday in August. I'd like to get a mini cake delivered to our room at WL for his birthday. I don't want anything huge since DH insisted on the DxDP so I can only imagine how stuffed we'll be, but thought it might be nice to have a cake when we go back for our post lunch break. So now I'm trying to think of a theme. I don't have an ounce of artistic ability, but I'm thinking of a Peter Pan theme. I was hoping they could do a Captain Hook hat on the top where I've seen some Mickey ears and then maybe a croc on the bottom layer? I know they're not very big so I have no clue what would fit! There are so many creative people here I figured I'd throw out my idea and see what the experts had to say! TIA!

Bumping this up just in case anyone has anymore ideas.

[Wanna be Ariel]

Originally Posted by cmcadoo66

I wish I could help you with the info about picking up at the Wave but I don't know the answer to that. I just wanted to let you know that you are not the only one to have a bad time dealing with Pat! I had to work with her to order my DS's birthday cake because I wanted it delivered to our dinner at O'hanas. I asked for white cake with a cookies and cream filling (which I had seen on here already) and she was not flexible at all! The cake turned out beautiful but had I gone with the bakery that would have delivered to our resort, I would have gotten what I wanted. I find the Boardwalk bakery and the Y&BC bakery are very flexible and more accommodating. Boardwalk made me a chocolate with peanut butter mousse filling and Y&BC made me a red velvet with cream cheese filling. Not even a hesitation on their part. I hope you can work it out with Chef Brian to get what you want.

Another thought though.........could you ask IPO if they would be willing to pick it up for you? They might be willing to do it. It wouldn't hurt to ask anyway. Good luck!! :D

I just could not believe how she was not willing to work with me. I was more made that she just wanted me to buy the standard cake. I was sick all weekend thinking about this. I am going to try and contact CR and see what they can do for me. If I have to pick it up I will, but I think if I have to pick it up I will ask IPO if they could. Like you said worth a shot. Sorry to hear that you had problems too, but glad to know I was not the only one. I guess it is a good thing that I started now.

[danceintherain]

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

I am so mad. I just got of the phone with Pat at the GF about the cake I would like to do for a surprise for my DH birthday. IPO from the Poly emailed her the info I sent them. I asked for the following: 2 tier one 3inch other 5inch( I saw that someone had it on here from somewhere. I also asked for almond flavor with the tropical mousse filling. And I was looking for the cake to be covered in buttercream. As far as decorations I wanted a party looking theme with streamers and cofetti and a picture of the Fab 5 (maybe a party picture) and then something that said Happy Birthday.

Well she told me they dont do that size. They could do a 6inch on top of 8inch but that would start at $200 They said went on saying that they could only do the tropical mousse filling if they had a wedding at that time and they had any left. So i asked about the passion fruit mousse, she said it was the same. WHAT the heck I am so mad. She also went on saying that the chef will not do anything smaller than the 6/8inch tier cake, but she could maybe get him to do a 3/6 inch tier but she was not sure. And then gave me the list of basic flavors. She also tried telling me I could do the Mickey face cake. I am so mad. What do I do.

Should I call Chef Brian and see if I get the cake from them. Problem being I would have to go pick it up somehow (without DH knowing what I am doing) then I would have to ask IPO at the Poly to hold it til we leave for dinner and then have them put it in the room. Can I even pick it up at the Wave anymore. I know we dont leave til September, but I am so mad that it is that hard to get a cake. I read so many good things that I was shocked at this. Ideas PLEASE

What you have to remember here is that Pat is not the pastry chef, and actually has very little control over your final result. It's possible that the pastry chef doesn't want to "waste" time working on the smaller cakes when he has bigger fish to fry (wedding cakes etc). An alternative filling takes extra time and effort, especially for a smaller cake which won't use a whole batch. Keep in mind that pastry chefs are artist's in their own right, and most artists have certain parameters in which they'll work, and yes, ego sometimes gets in the way.

The 3inch on 5inch cake was done at the Contemporary resort, which seems to be more flexible with people and I expect Chef Brian can see the benefit of accommodating lurkyloo's wishes (he knows she runs this thread over here and orders cakes regularly).

The ability to pick up a cake at The Wave hasn't been tested yet. Someone was simply offered that option when they called to order their own cake.

It is annoying that you can't seem to get what you want.
If I was in your position, I would either plan on ordering from the Contemporary, or adjust my expectations into the parameters of the Grand Floridian.
In my case, I made all my dining reservations before I thought about ordering a cake. I only have a few potential options, unless I want it sent to my room.
So, since this is the first cake I'm ordering, I'm planning on keeping the actual cake very simple - white cake with chocolate buttercream - I may ask about something else first and see what kind of reaction I get, but I'll be happy with the basics. I'm planning on a 6 inch, even though I'm fairly sure that it's too much cake, because a mini wedding cake would be too small. I've seen several cakes that size that have been customized by the GF, so I know it's possible.
My thoughts are a bit different than average though, so I may end up compromising a bit. If for some reason, they won't work with me at all, then I will alter my plans slightly and order through the Contemporary resort.

Originally Posted by TiggerTrigger

This may wind up being something that I have to ask Chef Brian about, but I figure I'll ask here first...

For the white chocolate toppers, I know they can do all kinds of things with them...but here goes...

Can they "Dress" the toppers?

More specifically, do you think they'd dress the Donald topper like one of the IASW girls in the South Pacific room- i.e. fondant grass skirt, gumpaste flower lei, etc.

I mean, I had a moon and star put in Mickey's hands for our last cake, but that's a far cry from turning him into a hula girl. It's going to be an IASW themed cake, but I still don't know if they'd go to these lengths to incorporate the Donald topper into the theme. I mean- it seems very Donald, but not sure if they'd agree. Any thoughts?

I expect they probably can, but it probably goes along with the "no monorail with an over the hill theme," they can only pair things that are true to the nature of the Disney icon.
Maybe you'd have better luck with a Three Caballeros Donald along with the IASW theme?

Originally Posted by lovingeire

As I mentioned we will be at WDW for youngest DS's 3rd birthday in August. I'd like to get a mini cake delivered to our room at WL for his birthday. I don't want anything huge since DH insisted on the DxDP so I can only imagine how stuffed we'll be, but thought it might be nice to have a cake when we go back for our post lunch break. So now I'm trying to think of a theme. I don't have an ounce of artistic ability, but I'm thinking of a Peter Pan theme. I was hoping they could do a Captain Hook hat on the top where I've seen some Mickey ears and then maybe a croc on the bottom layer? I know they're not very big so I have no clue what would fit! There are so many creative people here I figured I'd throw out my idea and see what the experts had to say! TIA!

If it can be done, I imagine the Contemporary will be the place to get it.
However, the Croc may be trickier. I haven't seen very much customization of the actual mini-wedding cakes past creative piping. They probably can do an edible image to put in front of the cake, but I doubt putting it ON the cake will be possible.

Originally Posted by iheartjuppy

We are surprising DS with a trip to WDW for his 5th birthday in May. My SIL, MIL and FIL live in Florida, and my mom is flying in for the big day, too, so birthday dinner will be quite the surprise celebration. We have ADRs at Chef Mickey's and I am planning to order a cake but am totally out of my depth! I am a great planner, list-maker, etc. but pretty low on creative vision. Knowing my own limits, I am hoping that I might be able to get some idea help from the DISers in this thread. Your cakes have blown me away! It looks like we are lucky in that we will have Chef Brian as our chef, and I want to make the most of that privilege! The only request DS has made is for a "Jake" cake, which really can be any combination of characters from Jake and the Neverland Pirates/Peter Pan as long as Jake himself is represented somewhere on there. We areren't HUGE dessert people and are checking out the next day, so don't want to go way overboard, but would rather not just do the sheet cake with screen printing, since that seems like what we could get at the grocery store at home. Any ideas or examples that might help? We will be 6 adults and 2 kids. I would like to keep it under $100, if possible.

Any and all ideas are appreciated!! Thank you in advance!!

There are lots of pirate themed cakes around. I think if you told Chef Brian at the Contemporary what theme you want and your budget, he would probably run with it. You can easily get a nicely decorated 6 inch cake for under $100.

[Colleen27]

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

I just could not believe how she was not willing to work with me. I was more made that she just wanted me to buy the standard cake. I was sick all weekend thinking about this. I am going to try and contact CR and see what they can do for me. If I have to pick it up I will, but I think if I have to pick it up I will ask IPO if they could. Like you said worth a shot. Sorry to hear that you had problems too, but glad to know I was not the only one. I guess it is a good thing that I started now.

We've found the CR to be much more flexible and accommodating, and in fact that's why we didn't get a cake for our most recent trip - because with California Grill closed we didn't have a meal that would have been serviced by the CR bakery. The GF seems less willing/able to "bother" with small custom cakes and more interested in focusing only on weddings and other large orders.

[lovingeire]

Originally Posted by TiggerTrigger

Awww, thanks! To give you a better idea of what I had in mind...I'm thinking of the visuals between Hook & the croc in the following Peter Pan scenes:

1. interior Skull Rock just after Pan rescues Tiger Lily and Hook & Smee are in a row boat and suddenly dealing with the croc
2. end of the battle scene towards the end when Hook is fleeing on the rowboat from the croc

We have done an 8" cake while on the DxDP. It did make for a lot of extra food and I can say that we didn't finish the cake (even with taking the cake back to our room), but I really try not to think about cake from a practical frame of mind. I guess it would be best to see what Chef Brian says. I know they prefer working with at least an 8" for more detailed design concepts...but ya never know if he can accomodate your idea for a smaller cake.

Yeah, those are both good scenes! Lord knows I watch Peter Pan daily right now! His birthday is the day before we leave and we're only about 5-6 hours away so I guess we could take any extra cake home with us, since we drive, and continue the celebration! Maybe we'll just eat cake for lunch on the road!

[KELLY]

Does anyone know the closest public to order a cake and a number? I was going to go threw disney but figure I could save a ton doing it this way.

[MomofDisneyLoversx3]

Venting a little here. After the hassle I had with Yatch Club, I finally was able to order the Mickey 'pants' cake. Unfortunely the person I was ordering for was already in WDW so I (obviously) did not have her credit card. I gave the Yatch Club my card and was told it was for confirmation ONLY, or if they no showed for their ADR. I was quoted a price of $87 plus tax and was told the cake would be added to their dinner bill.
The cake was delivered Thursday night, and looked great. Imagine my surprise this am when I saw a charge on my AMEX for $109 from the Yatch Club. I'm so frustrated!!! Not the amount quoted, so obviously a gratuity was added which I know my friend paid at dinner.

[lurkyloo]

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

They said went on saying that they could only do the tropical mousse filling if they had a wedding at that time and they had any left. So i asked about the passion fruit mousse, she said it was the same. WHAT the heck I am so mad. She also went on saying that the chef will not do anything smaller than the 6/8inch tier cake, but she could maybe get him to do a 3/6 inch tier but she was not sure. And then gave me the list of basic flavors.

It sounds like you've decided to go with the CR for your cake, but I wanted to chime in here. I think you would have eventually gotten a yes on some of this stuff—the sizes, the filling flavors—after she'd actually spoken to the pastry chefs. I think sometimes there are assumptions made without any research to back them up, and it takes persistence to find out what truly is and isn't possible. For example, the various tropical flavors of filling are used all the time by Disney weddings and made available at wedding cake tasting sessions. With the number of weddings and planning sessions WDW hosts per week, I find it hard to believe those flavors wouldn't be available most of the time.

Originally Posted by MomofDisneyLoversx3

I gave the Yatch Club my card and was told it was for confirmation ONLY, or if they no showed for their ADR. I was quoted a price of $87 plus tax and was told the cake would be added to their dinner bill.
The cake was delivered Thursday night, and looked great. Imagine my surprise this am when I saw a charge on my AMEX for $109 from the Yatch Club. I'm so frustrated!!! Not the amount quoted, so obviously a gratuity was added which I know my friend paid at dinner.

I'd call Y&BC Private Dining back and ask them to back that part of the charge off the card. If your friend can provide the receipt showing how much gratuity she added, that might help too.

[Wanna be Ariel]

Originally Posted by lurkyloo

It sounds like you've decided to go with the CR for your cake, but I wanted to chime in here. I think you would have eventually gotten a yes on some of this stuff—the sizes, the filling flavors—after she'd actually spoken to the pastry chefs. I think sometimes there are assumptions made without any research to back them up, and it takes persistence to find out what truly is and isn't possible. For example, the various tropical flavors of filling are used all the time by Disney weddings and made available at wedding cake tasting sessions. With the number of weddings and planning sessions WDW hosts per week, I find it hard to believe those flavors wouldn't be available most of the time.

I just emailed CR today to see what they could do for me. It would be ALOT easier to get it from GF and have them put it in our room. I wont give up on them and I hope that she will email me back and tell me they can do it, but she made it sound like the chef would not do anything beside the basic stuff. I did not think I was asking anything special to be done. I just hate not having everything set and ready to go. I know I have 5 months til we are there, but it is really important to me that this is done right. Thanks for responding back I will keep everyone updated on what happens

[iheartjuppy]

I just spoke with the incredibly friendly Jerry at Contemporary Private Dining and he gave me the (insane) email address for the Chefs and let me know that either Chef Brian or Chef Donald would be getting back to me within a day. SO excited! I will keep everyone posted on what we decide and of course will post pics though our trip isn't until May.

[Keithsmomma]

Just wanted opinions on contemporary vs boardwalk inn. Which bakery is better or are both equal in to a way? The cake theme being pirate mickey.

Thanks

[Catira]

Originally Posted by KELLY

Does anyone know the closest public to order a cake and a number? I was going to go threw disney but figure I could save a ton doing it this way.

I am ordering a small custom cake through a disney personal shopper for my June trip. My friend ordered one for her grandaughter's bday last October and she said it was not only beautiful but the best cake she had ever had
If you would like his facebook page send me a PM. He has a couple posted there along with prices. MUCH less then going through a disney bakery.

[Scrappy_Tink]

Originally Posted by Wanna be Ariel

I am so mad. I just got of the phone with Pat at the GF about the cake I would like to do for a surprise for my DH birthday. IPO from the Poly emailed her the info I sent them. I asked for the following: 2 tier one 3inch other 5inch( I saw that someone had it on here from somewhere. I also asked for almond flavor with the tropical mousse filling. And I was looking for the cake to be covered in buttercream. As far as decorations I wanted a party looking theme with streamers and cofetti and a picture of the Fab 5 (maybe a party picture) and then something that said Happy Birthday.

Well she told me they dont do that size. They could do a 6inch on top of 8inch but that would start at $200 They said went on saying that they could only do the tropical mousse filling if they had a wedding at that time and they had any left. So i asked about the passion fruit mousse, she said it was the same. WHAT the heck I am so mad. She also went on saying that the chef will not do anything smaller than the 6/8inch tier cake, but she could maybe get him to do a 3/6 inch tier but she was not sure. And then gave me the list of basic flavors. She also tried telling me I could do the Mickey face cake. I am so mad. What do I do.

Should I call Chef Brian and see if I get the cake from them. Problem being I would have to go pick it up somehow (without DH knowing what I am doing) then I would have to ask IPO at the Poly to hold it til we leave for dinner and then have them put it in the room. Can I even pick it up at the Wave anymore. I know we dont leave til September, but I am so mad that it is that hard to get a cake. I read so many good things that I was shocked at this. Ideas PLEASE

I get so steamed every time I hear about Pat's rude discouragement of potential customers....here was my own experience....

Originally Posted by Scrappy_Tink

Okay, today I sent Pat an email with this picture,


and these specifics...

Good Morning Pat!!

I was hoping you could help me, my sister and I are having a reunion at Disney World (haven't seen each other for over 10 years!) and I've made reservations for us to have the Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea for October 27th at 2:00 pm. I've attached a picture of a mini-cake (or perhaps cupcake?) that I'd really like to have to celebrate the reunion. I've cut and pasted most of it, but you should get the general idea. This is specifics....

1. A mini tea-cup shaped cake or cupcake (something for the size of two)
2. Pastel colors.
3. Silver or gold tinkerbell stamp (or mickey if not available) around cup at baker's creative discreation.
4. Pastel flowers in cup.
5. Gold or silver platter with "Sister's are different flowers from the same garden" written on it.

Could you please see the attached jpg file to see if this is do-able, and give me a price quote?

Thank you so much!

Well, I called and talked to her later....and the price she quoted me.

Wait for it....

$500!!!!!!! I'm like "huh"? That's five HUNDRED? She says she'd have to show it to the chef, but that's what it would probably cost. I said "you realize this is a MINI cake for two, right?

Then I told her about my wedding cake, which the GF made for me and DH, that cost $160


Okay, is it just me, or is there something wrong with this "estimate"?

I finally caved and just ordered the slipper with flowers and the quote I wanted.

Originally Posted by Scrappy_Tink

Just returned from our trip to WDW. My sister and I had a wonderful Afternoon Tea at the GF...the tea sandwiches were sooooooo good (especially the cucumber, yum) Anyway, since the custom ($500 ) cake didn't work out...I ordered this:


I made my sister cry, which of course made me cry, so we're sitting in the GF blubbering. I <3 my big sis!!

I made her do the "princess" pose, and she bought us little tiaras for the lunch, it was such fun!! Here's a pic DH took of us before we left for lunch ...

I really wish I'd known about the mini teacup cupcakes that Lurkyloo posted about later, that would have been perfect!! I really wonder if Disney encourages Pat to act that way, because of they are so busy, or if nobody's really called her out on it. I just know if I ever want to order something from GF again, I'm going to go around Pat, I'm not going to put up with her nonsense any more

[TiggerTrigger]

Originally Posted by Scrappy_Tink

I really wish I'd known about the mini teacup cupcakes that Lurkyloo posted about later, that would have been perfect!! I really wonder if Disney encourages Pat to act that way, because of they are so busy, or if nobody's really called her out on it. I just know if I ever want to order something from GF again, I'm going to go around Pat, I'm not going to put up with her nonsense any more

I've wondered the same thing myself. I've dealt with her once and I had to steam roll her as soon as she tried to pull the stereotypical Pat attitude and unwillingness to help. She then proved to be equally difficult when trying to email and fax her sketches. I remember her saying she never got my email, and I laughed at her saying she'd better figure out who's checking her mail since I just got confirmation that she opened it.

If Disney is encouraging this from her...I'd say it's a pretty risky gamble. I mean, it would make more sense to just not offer cakes to the general public than have patrons greeted by someone with such consistently poor service levels and a notoriously bad attitude. So, I think those in charge aren't aware just how bad her reputation is and how her subpar service levels are pushing people to take their business elsewhere. If I had to have a cake at a Poly or GF meal, I'd probably look offsite before working with Pat.

In fact, if this Sept trip of ours works out- I will be having 2 cakes. Mine will be a Contemporary cake, but I wanted a cake for my mom's celebratory meal at 'Ohana Unfortunately, I don't trust Pat to get it right so I'll probably have the cake at Kouzzina or maybe even breakfast at Crystal Palace.