This Sunday, 5/20 was our most anticipated ADR: Brunch at the California Grill. We took the bus to the Magic Kingdom with the intention of transferring to the Monorail and riding one stop to the Contemporary.
As our bus drove in, I paid close attention to just how far the bus station is from the Contemporary Resort. It looked like, including the walk from the bus station to the monorail, the length of the walk to the CR directly isn’t many more steps. We tested out my theory on the way back, and it’s for real: the walk between the bus station and the CR is not long at all.
When the bus arrived at the MK bus station, the driver announced that he was going to the Grand Floridian if anyone wanted a lift there. I yelled out, “What about the Contemporary?” There were not many other people on the bus, and they exited before we could get our stuff together—we had two strollers and four babies—then the driver asked if we were all together. He said, “Stay on. I’ll drive you to the Contemporary.”
Yay! I hoped he would do that if I spoke up. He was a really nice guy and gave us advice on how to return without going through security. (Contemporary Resort bus to the Studios and walk or bus from there to the Swan.) I’ve sent an Email to Disney to compliment his great customer service.
We went up to the second floor of the Contemporary Tower to check in and get our private, escorted elevator ride up to the top. Maybe I’m a sentimental fool, but I love the Tower whenever I visit it. It holds a lot of memories.
Upstairs, we were greeted by a host who offered us their seasonal mimosa which was sparkling wine with blueberry Boba pearls. After getting our drinks from a big tray full of them, we were directed to the lounge while they put the finishing touches on our table. They checked our two strollers then.
There were two musicians, one playing a cello and another on the keyboard near a window and banquette where we went to enjoy our mimosas and the view. The musicians were friendly and smiled at us, and I whispered that the kids like Moana songs. They played one that I didn’t recognize, but the babies did and started singing and dancing along.
As added entertainment, there was a station there where a chef was preparing Crepes Suzette flambé. Omigosh! Every day of second grade, I watched reruns of the Patty Duke Show after school. A verse from the opening theme song:
“Where Kathy adores a minuet,
The Ballets Russes, and Crepes Suzette,
Our Patty loves to rock and roll,
A hot dog makes her lose control—
What a wild duet!”
Ever since, I have been fascinated by the idea of Crepes Suzette. I had a version of the dish at IHOP once, but it wasn’t authentic. (No flambe.) Now almost 50 years later, live right in front of me, a chef with a tall white hat prepared a sauce of butter, sugar, orange rind and juice plus Grand Marnier. He drenched fresh Crepes with the sauce, then flambéd them in brandy. Wow! So awesome!
We were there in the lounge for the length of a song or two. (I lost track of the exact time when the flambé got smoking.) We were then seated at a long table placed perpendicular to a broad expanse of windows facing the Magic Kingdom.
Coffee was brought in a few French press pots. It was pressed before they brought it, which made it kinda grainy. We ordered a pot later on where the waiter delivered the pot, then pressed it, and that made for a better Cuppa Joe.
My nieces ordered each type of pancake—carrot, blueberry and buttermilk—plus French toast for the babies. Many of us ordered eggs Benedict with lobster and hangar steaks. We hit the self serve and got all kinds of good stuff. Highlights for me include the sweetie drop peppers—I must find a place to buy these—blue cheese, candied bacon, and bacon and egg salad. Plus of course, those Crepes Suzette! They were beyond awesome.
We were there close to two hours. I can’t get over how much my family and I ate.
Everything was just so fantastic. The yogurt bar was a big hit with my group. (I didn’t bother with it—you just can’t eat everything.) Aside from the pancakes, eggs Benedict & lobster and the steak & eggs we ordered at first, between us, we got orders of Shakshuka, shrimp & grits, chicken & waffles, lobster omelette, and sides of bacon and sausage.
I knocked back 5 mimosas. Others in my group had 7 and 10 of them.
You could get them with peach Boba pearls instead of the blueberry Boba, or with OJ, or just plain sparkling wine that I think was cava.
Our table was brought two pedestal dishes filled with macarons, jelly cookies, housemade candy with nuts and dried fruit in chocolate plus some fine chocolate bon-bons. The waiter, who was wonderful, brought out four boxes so that we could take the sweets and whatever leftover food that we wanted.
I don’t have to say how gorgeous the view was. It’s a highlight of being there. The whole experience met or exceeded our expectations. The entire event was upscale, and we felt really special and pampered while we were there.
We got the Annual Pass discount and thought it was totally worth $72 plus tax and tip per person. I wholeheartedly recommend it for a big group too. We had a load of fun sharing each other’s company and food.
We did not eat again until Flippers Pizza late that night. (Though we did have Dole Whip floats at the MK later on that evening.)
