Hey! You had your trip, this time I'm in charge! Nicki & Todd LIVE!! Completed :(

[KatMark]

Sorry I've missed some updates (this cold is kicking my butt). Everything looks yummy, and Mark and I really need to get to Beaches & Cream on our next trip. Sorry you slept through Flying Fish...so unlike you, but I love the picnic idea.

Have a great last morning/early afternoon tomorrow and drive home safely. Text me when you get home so I know you arrived safely.

Love you.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Mmmm, Tokyo Dining. I tried it for the first time on our last trip and really liked it. With a window table overlooking the lagoon, excellent service, and simple, relatively healthy food, I was in heaven. Plus, the restaurant was very quiet and peaceful - that played a huge role in creating a pleasant atmosphere for me. Sounds like I wouldn't enjoy dinner as much if it's crowded and noisy.

 

[jabead]

Hope you have a great trip! I notice you split with the Poly alot...we might do that next year, 5 nights Poly and 5 at the BWI...we love them both but I like sticking with one place too. Why do you like to split?

After having stayed at all of the Deluxe resorts (except for the Swan), we have finally figured out that our two favorite Disney resorts are the BWI and the Poly. So whenever we visit for at least a week we do a split stay between the two resorts. Rather than splitting evenly though, we tend to spend only 2 or 3 nights at the Poly and the rest of the week at the BWI because now that our kids are older we spend much more time at Epcot and DHS than at MK. With a split stay you get the best of both worlds. At the Poly you can take the resort monorail to MK and to the great restaurants at the Contemporary and the Grand Floridian. You can also walk to the TTC and catch the monorail to Epcot. From the BWI you can walk or take a boat to Epcot and DHS. This means very little time is spent on the busses...which is a huge plus for me. Anyway, since our upcoming trip is a shorter one (only 5 nights) we are staying put at the BWI. We will miss the Poly (might have to pay a visit for breakfast at Kona, after seeing your review) but if I have to choose just one then it's got to be the Boardwalk.

I must admit I was a little disappointed that you didn't make it for dinner at the Flying Fish. If you happen to think about it tomorrow as you are walking by there, could you do me a huge favor and snap a pic of the current menu? I would be eternally grateful.

 

[CrystalCastle]

As much as I love your dining reviews, I want to say THANK YOU for posting pics of your room at BWI! I'm staying there for the first time in Jan and it's so nice to see what the rooms look like!

Sorry you missed FF but the in room picnic idea sounds so sweet and nice! Loved the review of B&C! The No Way Jose is my favorite and it's been 2 years since I've had one. It's really good to know they can make it smaller since there is no way I could finish one myself. Okay, maybe I could.

Have fun tomorrow! F&W sounds like a great plan!

 

[dizneeat]

Pumpkin pancakes! I never knew they had special menus!

Those treats at the Bakery look yummy. And you are so right about the apples, you never see someone eating them

 

[laura74]

Where are all the pickles on Todd's plate at Beaches and Cream? So funny that he has pickles with taco salad but not a hot dog!

Please be hungry for Kouzzina this morning because your demanding reader wants to hear how the food is.

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Nicki, Loved your idea of a picnick in your room. Sometimes the simpliest things are the best ideas. Too bad it's your last day. You're right, it wnt by quickly. But you could always be here digging out from 18 inches of heavy wet snow, and no power to boot. Last night's storm was a doozy. I wish I was in Disney right now.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I've always done the first lunch seating at Tokyo Dining, and I've never had a problem with noise. I have Tokyo Dining on my list for next year for dinner, but maybe I'll do lunch again instead since the menu is the same either way and I'd rather avoid the noise.

I had the veggie tempura too, and the shredded veggie cake was my favorite part too! I spent a few minutes trying to figure out what it was, but I think it was shredded carrots and zuchinni, and then I don't know what they did to it to make it taste so good. I think next time I'm going to try the shrimp and scallops though. I'm just so glad there's a place on property we can get good tempura.

 

[AshClan]

I can't believe your trip is over!! Wow, those 10 days went fast. I'm sure they went even faster for you.

Sorry about the Tokyo Dining mob/noise. We noticed similar disasters in many restaurants during the heavy rains earlier in the month. Evidently (and not surprisingly), people are in no rush to leave their tables when it is pouring outside, so things get backed up. I also observed that many people who didn't have plans for a sit-down meal decided to wait for one of those hard-to-get tables just to get out of the rain. All that, plus the crankiness and mess that just goes with being rained on all day, evidently results in some very ugly waiting areas in the restaurants!

Hope your trip home was safe. Looking forward to your closing thoughts!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Here's another for kids meals! I've never had their ham & cheese sandwiches though and those are my favorite! I'll add that to my list of items I want to try

 

[lovethattink]

Glad to know Tepan Edo is loud. Definately something we would have to take into consideration. Wow, 4 bottles each! Your room looks great! A studio, right? I never knew you could get a 2 dip no way jose!! My husband always has to do einey meiney meiney mo to decide if he's getting a burger OR the No Way Jose. He can't eat both, but this way he probably could!! So good to know!!!

 

[Linda67]

I can't believe it's nearly the end of your trip

I demand you stay at WDW so we can all keep on enjoying your updates

 

[englishrose47]

Awesome food porn as usual Nikki!!!I am with Kathy this cold is kicking my BUTT!!

 

[HomeSweetDisney]

I am finally all caught up & your trip is already almost over!

Where DID the last 10 days go?

I have really loved reading your reviews from the beginning & it sounds like you had a great birthday trip

Can't wait to see what your last day has in store for you!

 

[dvccruiser76]

WHERE..did you get a pumpkin bagel?? I have to know!! Yes they did have the adult grilled cheese on the menu boards but not on the touch screen order system. No, we have never used the dining plan, we do have TIW though. We like to wing it too much to be tied down to a plan and the way Todd snacks, well, we would blow through those credits in the first hours we are in WDW!

Thanks!

Unfortunately the pumpkin bagel is from Bagel World here in Mass. But since you're a pumpkin fan like I am, I'll fill you in on the picture texts that my Brother and BIL have been sending me.

The first was from my brother at Target. He saw a box of Eggo Pumpkin spice Waffles.

Do you think the guy would buy them? No, he tells me he doesn't like pumpkin. So this weekend I go to Target in Danvers, Saugus and Woburn and they're all out

Next my BIL texts me from Stop and Shop and he found pumpkin pie pop tarts which he picked up the last box for me and I will be getting them when they come to visit this month. Then he also sent me a picture of Pepperidge Farm pumpkin spice swirl bread.

I don't think the bread will last, so I'll be hitting up the Stop & Shop here in town and if that doesn't work, we have a Pepperidge Farm outlet in the next town over.

Finally, this one is odd, but my brother texted me a picture of pumpkin seltzer water I'm not sure about this one, but it does have me curious. It might be Poland Springs, but I'd need to go back and look.

Aside from that, I'm always on the lookout for pumpkin goodness. As are my family members since they must know me well

Before I start on the breakfast review I had to share this picture from the BC marketplace..these are ceramic mugs with little cupcakes in them...dont know how much they are but they are cute!

Those mugs are too cute

My husband calls me his little Energizer Bunny..I keep going and going and basically never shut up or turn off Trust me, he means this in a loving way, I think? Well my friends, I think my batteries are conking out on me because I am TIRED! The suprise that we all felt when Todd said he is full...thats the same thing for me to say I'm tired!

Time came to leave for dinner



Todd - Pumpkin Funnel Cake

Grabbed a cup of coffee at the stand by USA but just water for me. Then it was pumpkin time! The sign said it does contain dairy so I popped a pill and started in! Made fresh to order they take just a minute or so. The smell, oooh buddy the smell, think of being in a pumpkin dessert factory and time that by a million...yeah there you have it! Very very very good, tons of pumpkin and cinnamon flavors.

I am so adding this to my list. I take it the pumpkin one is seasonal

We were seated early, as soon as we checked in. I knew I wanted to try the Samoan, the pork eggs benedict...I was all set to do just that until they
plopped this baby down with the menus

As if you couldnt have guessed, I had the pumpkin pancakes with maple walnut butter and sausage. The sausage was very good and cooked to a well done crispy consistancy. The pancakes were out of bounds! Now I have had these before, not at WDW, but at Mimi's Cafe and other local places but none of them were SLAP YO MAMMA GOOD! as these were! Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, they were so tender and punchy with cinnamon and pumpkin flavors but the kicker, the real icing on the cake if you will, was the maple walnut butter! Its like, well, its like Maple Walnut ice cream but in butter form that melts into ever single pore of the pancake (how's that for a description??) Forgettabout the syrup..you need none of that stuff!

OMG indeedy

Been lurking for awhile....you had me at pumpkin pancakes. When I saw those, I had to run to IHOP tonight to get some....I know, they are not Kona pumpkin pancakes but it cured the craving! Enjoying your posts! You are adorable!

My DH and I were just talking about that today. We didn't go, so I made pumpkin spice waffles instead, but I'm hoping we get to IHOP for some pumpkin pancakes before they're gone. Wonder if they do take out

 

[janabananas]

You can never have enough F&W stuff right?

Todd - Its Wine Time...what do I want?

Me - Bubbles or flat?

Todd - Def bubbles, sweet with bubbles would be so nice

Lets try the apple ice wine from Canada...the CM was very generous and filled it just to the top. That prompted me to push DH back in line for another glass! It was very good, crispy and sweet and very cold....I had a few sips but he basically had both glasses. I think it was Neige Premiere

At Greece he tried the griddle cheese with honey and pistachios. This was not a favorite of his but he said its because it was ice cold throughout, like it wasnt cooked well enough

I had to have another kahlua pork slider from Hawaii...these babies are addicting!

In Argentina we had the grilled beef skewer with boniato and left off the chimichurri sauce (Todd hates that). I didnt care for this but Todd loved it, he is a real steak and potato man!

Backtrack a step to Brazil for a frozen Caipriniha cocktail...very good, not as strong as I would like and more of a bitter lemon taste.

In China it was pepper shrimp and noodle time! This is my favorite, super garlicky and tender and 4 large shrimp

What better to wash it down with than a Peach Snap!

Apple Strudel from Germany, not that great...mostly raisins and very little apple

Few treats from the caramel shop. Its the 1 year anniversary of the grand opening and they were giving little samples of the caramel apple candy suckers. They finally had the caramel chocolate pretzel rods that we love!

Back in the USA we had the lobster roll....yuck once again. Loved the roll, the lobster was full of dill and very rubbery. Later in the day I had a Red Stag Lemonade but I cannot find the picture I took....LOVED THIS!

In Japan the Pork Kakuni intrigued us, its pork belly with Asian sauces...Todd loved this! Super tender and full of soy/ginger/teriyaki flavors

Right on time for our Dismeet in France (this was so much fun and it was great meeting everyone!) The Coq au Vin, this was very good, Todd ate the mac and cheese part and said it was ok but the chicken and the sauce was incredible. Love my Cosmo slushie but DH doesnt like them as much as the Grey Goose

And our last little treat before leaving for a break at the resort was the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake from Ireland....first of all this thing is the size of a quarter...but it is OUT OF THIS WORLD! Who knew that something like this could blow your taste buds right out of your mouth??

We had the kakuni from Japan on our trip, and we really liked it. If not for the ribs at Tokyo Dining, the kakuni would have been our favorite app for our entire trip.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Crazy busy at work but I promise replies and last update tomorrow night!

 

[jedijill]

All the pumpkin talk made me make pumpkin bread last night. YUM!

Jill in CO

 

[TigerKat]

We miss you already!! Hope you had a safe flight home...Oct plans are 19-29 back at the BWI!

WooHoo!!! We're looking at 10/17-10/26!

 

[englishrose47]

Great Pix of F & W samples !!I always look but with the gang, it would be hard to find stuff that they all would like at one booth!! I have on my Radar a solo trip for F&W one of these years !!