~First we eat, then we do everything else!~ May 2014 Dining Report UPDATED AUG 29th

[TinkerBelle_325]

INTRODUCTION​

"First we eat, then we do everything else!" - M.F.K. Fisher​

Welcome to the second installment of "First we eat, then we do everything else!". Some will remember my September 2013 Dining Report of the same name. Well, we are going back to the World in just 18 short days! This HAS to be the latest I have ever started a Dining Report, but that's good news for you all!

Not sure about all of you but when it comes to planning a WDW vacation the very first thing my family sets in order is where we want to eat and when. I know some people look at crowd calendars and others review park hours, but we go by dining reservations.

Example: Is Via Napoli available at 7 that night?....No?....Oh well that is going to throw off the entire schedule!

For me, a WDW itinerary is like a giant game of culinary tetris

For those interested, I will also be writing a Trip Report - ~Without knowing why, they always say "We must go!" May 2014 ~

And because I love my social media, you can follow me on Twitter @wdwdestination and Instagram wdwdestination to watch for live updates from the parks

WHO?

Myself

I'm Megan and I am 29 years old. I completed a 16 month Master of Business Administration program in October. It was one of the most challenging and rewarding things I have ever done. I was fortunate enough to land a dream job in December, as a Marketing & Communication Specialist at one of the largest accounting firms in the world. I love my job but it has been an intense 4 months. I am desperate for a vacation. I have been to WDW more times than I can count. Actually, that's a lie...this will be trip number 47 for me!

I am a foodie at heart and have been taking pictures of food for years (well before Instagram made it cool ). I will admit that I am a Disney Commando, but I have started to appreciate the more laid back aspects of a vacation. For example: On vacation I love trashy magazines (Us Weekly, People, Star etc.), reading my Nook by the pool, afternoon naps (which are so much better at Disney for some reason), and simply taking pictures and enjoying the background music at the parks.

My favorite parks are the Magic Kingdom and Epcot. It is very hard for me to name "a" favorite ride because I love so many! My top 10 are Splash Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Haunted Mansion, Under the Sea, TTA, Spaceship Earth, Soarin, Tower of Terror, Star Tours and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

DMom

DMom works for her father's family business. She also works with my DDad. So basically she is one of the busiest and most efficient people I know. She could organize any room, any time. She loves WDW because it is the place where most of our best family memories have been made. And she desperately needs this break. Her only criteria? Stay at Coronado Springs and give her lots of down time by the pool. Done

DDad

DDad works in financial services. He loves WDW just as much as me but he hides it better LOL. He also loves challenging me with obtaining impossible dining reservations. In fact....in my dining review I wrote this: "NOTE TO DDAD: California Grill is CLOSED. So there really is no way I can get us that reservation this time." And guess what.....NOW THE CALIFORNIA GRILL WILL BE OPEN SEPT 9TH....ugh I am *never* going to hear the end of it. I swear he has some psychic dining reservation power He would be content to only visit MK once and spend some evenings at Epcot, but he visits the parks a bit more often than that for me

WHAT?

This is a really special trip (aren't they all? ) because of the way it came about. Originally we were only planning one WDW vacation in October 2014. However, I had other plans. This year marks a milestone birthday for both of my parents (Shh....they are turning 60...and I didn't just tell you that ). They aren't much for large parties, which was my original plan. Once I started looking into banquet halls and catering etc...I realized that a trip to WDW would cost about the same and suited our family much better!

So back in February I booked a reservation at Coronado Springs, bought an adorable card about travelling the world and wrote them a "surprise we're going to Disney!" note. I can say I have only seen DDad cry a handful of times in my life and this surprise was one of those moments They were floored and beyond thrilled!

WHERE?

Well, Walt Disney World of course! Staying at Disney's Coronado Springs

WHEN?

May 18th - May 25th

TABLE OF CONTENTS: PRE-TRIP

Leaving in 12 Hours!

TABLE OF CONTENTS: **LIVE** TRIP REPORT
Sunday, May 18th
BREAKFAST: Buffalo Airport
BRUNCH: Boma
DINNER: Flower & Garden Outdoor Kitchens & Chefs de France
Monday, May 19th
BREAKFAST: Main Street Starbucks
LUNCH: Liberty Tree Tavern
DINNER: Spice Road Table
Tuesday, May 20th
BREAKFAST: Starring Rolls
LUNCH: 50s Primetime (Meg) / ESPN (Mom & Dad)
DINNER: California Grill
Wednesday, May 21st
BREAKFAST: Sunshine Seasons
LUNCH: Teppan Edo
DINNER: Via Napoli
Thursday, May 22nd
BREAKFAST: Cracker Barrel
LUNCH: Garden View Tea
DINNER: Monsieur Paul
Friday, May 23rd
BREAKFAST: Kusafiri Cafe
LUNCH: Flame Tree BBQ
DINNER: Jiko
Saturday, May 24th
BREAKFAST: Main Street Starbucks
LUNCH: Columbia Harbour House
DINNER: Les Chefs de France
Sunday, May 25th
BREAKFAST: Café Rix
LUNCH: Pepper Market
DINNER: Orlando Airport
​

 

[tinkerbells mum]

Really looking forward to reading your review. 47th trip WOW!! I've just booked my 4th trip and have got some of the restaurants on my must do list that you are going to, some of them are new to me so can't wait to hear all about them! Xx

(Edited to say....yeah I'm first to reply!!)

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

Really looking forward to reading your review. 47th trip WOW!! I've just booked my 4th trip and have got some of the restaurants on my must do list that you are going to, some of them are new to me so can't wait to hear all about them! Xx

(Edited to say....yeah I'm first to reply!!)

Welcome! Thanks for reading Sometimes I can't believe I've been 46 times either

Hope you enjoy the report!

 

[familyabgar]

We're there the exact same dates. None of our ADRs match up (we'll be at LTT the day after you for lunch!), but it will be interesting to see how your experiences go! This is my first trip as a mom, but we still planned much of it around our ADRs. Many, though, are character breakfasts this time around. Anyway, looking forward to your reports!

 

[BOG Obsessed]

Coming over from your new TR.
A combo of a TR and DR, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to read your dining reviews. You had me at Via Napoli.

 

[marryfrmtx]

Sounds like a great trip. I will be following along.

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

We're there the exact same dates. None of our ADRs match up (we'll be at LTT the day after you for lunch!), but it will be interesting to see how your experiences go! This is my first trip as a mom, but we still planned much of it around our ADRs. Many, though, are character breakfasts this time around. Anyway, looking forward to your reports!

That's so cool that we'll be there the same time! I love LTT for lunch, one of my favorite spots. Have a great trip and thanks for reading.

Coming over from your new TR.
A combo of a TR and DR, thanks for sharing. Can't wait to read your dining reviews. You had me at Via Napoli.

Thanks for reading both! Via Napoli is so yummy....the best pizza. I crave it so often.

Sounds like a great trip. I will be following along.

Welcome! And thanks for following along.

 

[letstalkboutdisney]

looking forward to reading your reviews and seeing your food pictures!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

can't wait for more sounds great

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Sounds like an fun trip! What a sweet surprise for your parents! I will be leaving on the 19th, but plan on being in Epcot for the F&G booths that night as well. Maybe we'll run into each other. Following you on Instagram too. That way I can follow along with your trip when I get home which will help pull me out of WDW withdrawal! Have an awesome time!

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Loved your story of how you surprised your parents. Hope it's a great trip and looking forward to reading your reviews

 

[poohangel]

Sounds like fun. Cant wait to hear all about it.

 

[Sweets McGee]

I'm here! Can't wait to follow along on your adventure!

 

[vettegirl]

What a delicious lineup enjoy

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

looking forward to reading your reviews and seeing your food pictures!

Thanks for reading!

can't wait for more sounds great

I'm so excited! We leave in just over 12 hours.

Sounds like an fun trip! What a sweet surprise for your parents! I will be leaving on the 19th, but plan on being in Epcot for the F&G booths that night as well. Maybe we'll run into each other. Following you on Instagram too. That way I can follow along with your trip when I get home which will help pull me out of WDW withdrawal! Have an awesome time!

Oh that's so cool! I'll be posting on twitter and instagram throughout the night so if you see me say hi! (I'll add a pic at the front of both reports)

Loved your story of how you surprised your parents. Hope it's a great trip and looking forward to reading your reviews

Aww thank you! It was so fun to surprise them.

Sounds like fun. Cant wait to hear all about it.

Thanks for joining in!

I'm here! Can't wait to follow along on your adventure!

Thank you!

What a delicious lineup enjoy

The lineup was painstakingly chosen and I know it will change slightly lol. Hope you enjoy the reviews!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

LEAVING IN 12 HOURS!!



Yup, you read the right....we are leaving here at 2:30am We live in the Greater Toronto Area and our airport is infamous for having some of the highest taxes in the world. As a result, we fly out of Buffalo. Plus, we love Southwest Airlines! The drive is about 1 1/2 to 2 hours and our flight is 6am, so we get to leave in the middle of the night.

I've got nearly all my carry on and toiletry items laid out and my clothes are ready as well. So I'm about to get it all in the suitcases. I'm playing area loops on youtube in the background (currently the International Gateway loop!).

Tomorrow we are eating at Boma, the Outdoor Kitchens at the Flower & Garden Festival and Chefs de France.

You may have noticed a few changes (marked in red) to our itinerary. I caved and added California Grill. I had been trying to get a reservation for weeks, with no luck, and then suddenly one appeared and I just couldn't resist. The last time we were there was opening night, so I'll cut them some slack. We have been dining at the California Grill AT LEAST once per trip since 2007. I couldn't break that tradition









I am literally drooling over that Spicy Kazan Roll....Tuesday can't come fast enough!

So, that's all for now! Follow me on twitter and instagram for live updates (starting at 2:30am)!

​

 

[dvc at last !]

Your trip looks great -


waiting for more !

 

[kastoney]

Subbing in in departure day. With a 2:30 am departure looks like u may be in the world already as I type (or at least the airport). Looking forward to the updates...

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Your plans look great. Have fun!!!

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

enjoy your time I can't wait for updates