FINAL UPDTD 8/16 - The "Don't mess with the CMs/take less photos TR" Jun14 @ BWV

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 9)

The reserved area for the dessert party was the same roped off area for the parade. Unlike the Wishes Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom, here there is no place to sit down and there are not enough tables for all the people attending this private event. The food is not covered so when it rains, as it did, guess what….DUH….it gets wet!! In addition, I think they oversold this package because it was pretty crowded with not a lot of room to move around. We should not have scheduled our ADR at Kouzzina prior to this because we were still quite full and barely tried any of the desserts. I did get a Mickey bar and it was enough for me. Others attending were chowing down pretty good as is expected when it’s one price for unlimited food and drink. Here are a few pics of some of the dessert offerings











The moon decided to appear from behind the clouds at one point



(Continued in next post 10)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 10)

As you can see from this pic, we were real close to the stage and sorcerer’s hat



To entertain while eating, DJ Lobot was spinning a few tunes



Some shots of the stage show



A young Luke and Leia along with the return of James Arnold Taylor were hosting the show



The big hairy guy along with shiny and squeaky decided to join in



But then the man in black decided to crash the party



Things got a little testy for a bit



In the end, they put aside their differences



(Continued in next post 11)

 

[saintstickets]

(Continued from previous post 11)

After cooler heads prevailed, they decided to leave the fireworks for the skies

















The fireworks were pretty good but we were almost too close to get a good view. If we were closer to the parade route or directly in front of the stage like so many people were, the stage itself would block a great portion of the fireworks show.

After the fireworks, we were ready to get back to the room. It sprinkled a couple of times during the dessert party so we were wet. I’m glad we did the Feel the Force special event but unless they make changes, we will not do it again. The cost is $54 per person (adult) and that seems a bit high for what you get. Others raved about it though so it might just be me.

A quick boat ride back to the resort and we were ready for bed. It has been an eventful 1st day at WDW with ups and downs. How will the rest of the week go? Stay tuned!

 

[archdandy]

It's really too bad that Kouzzina is closing, it gets a lot of great reviews, especially for breakfast. DH and I have never been as Mediterranean food is not our favorite but I will be sad to see it go just because I used to love watching Kat on Iron Chef.

It seems really odd that they wouldn't have had anything to cover the food if it rained, its summer in Florida.

 

[KatMark]

So much to comment on...let's see if I remember it all.

We aren't big fans of any of the counter services at the Studios except for Starring Rolls. I can't remember the last time we went to Studio Catering.

I was at the photos on Tower of Terror. Good thing your glasses landed in the young lad's lap.

Great photopass picture.

No text again? Seriously? What is the issue with these people. This has happened to us three of our last four trips.

Oh those scary chairs. We are staying at the BWV for the second time in September, and I have to avert my eyes with those chairs and the pool.

We have never eaten at Kouzzina's. And now your review has me seeing if I can shuffle something in September.

I want one of those Darth Vader desserts with all the chocolate.

Great firework pictures despite not being the best spot.

 

[annmarieda]

Wow! You did some serious updating!!

Studio Catering - I have never gone because I suspected it would get a C rating. Sorry it was not good. Thank you though for confirming my suspicions.

ToT - Holy moly! I think I would surely have died on that last ride. I am a baby when it comes to this ride and I know I would not have survived. You are brave souls.

Your room - We have a one bedroom standard view room booked in the fall. I don't hate the view that includes the trees and the waterway in the background. I wouldn't love being able to see the driveway though. Any suggestions on a room request?

Kouzzina - I am so sad this restaurant is closing. So glad you had a good meal.

Dessert Party - I think some people like them more than others. I have done the Wishes (didn't care for... too many "soft" desserts) and 3DDD (which I did like) Both cost about the same but the 3DDD was much better. I know that some people really love the wishes one though. If nothing else though, your pictures really make it look really good. Plus who doesn't like fireworks and a show...so at least if the food wasn't great there was that.

 

[cstorm65]

Good updates. I'm enjoying your report. We ate at Kouzzina on our trip last summer and loved it as well. The lamb shank and feta mashed potatoes were as you said excellent. Can't wait to read more!

 

[disneybarbie]

great updates! I've eaten at Kouzzina twice - great food both times but found service a bit slow. Sad to see it go but interested to find out what Disney replaces it with.

The desserts look delicious but I agree you have to go hungry to get the value!

Emma x

 

[saintstickets]

It's really too bad that Kouzzina is closing, it gets a lot of great reviews, especially for breakfast. DH and I have never been as Mediterranean food is not our favorite but I will be sad to see it go just because I used to love watching Kat on Iron Chef.

Keep reading...we might just return for breakfast!

It seems really odd that they wouldn't have had anything to cover the food if it rained, its summer in Florida.

You'd think so...wouldn't you? I guess it's a rookie mistake since this is the first time for it but it's not like they don't know about the weather either!

So much to comment on...let's see if I remember it all.

We aren't big fans of any of the counter services at the Studios except for Starring Rolls. I can't remember the last time we went to Studio Catering.

We typically eat at Starring Rolls for breakfast on our DHS day. We won't be returning to Studio Catering anytime soon.

I was at the photos on Tower of Terror. Good thing your glasses landed in the young lad's lap.

That was the best ToT sequence EVER!! I wish there was a way to guarantee it every time!!

Great photopass picture.

Awww...thank you ma'am

No text again? Seriously? What is the issue with these people. This has happened to us three of our last four trips.

We are 3 in a row now for us. I made sure I pointed it out in the post-trip email survey we received. What's the point of online check-in AND giving them a phone number if they don't either have the room ready or let you know when it's ready? Sighhhhh

Oh those scary chairs. We are staying at the BWV for the second time in September, and I have to avert my eyes with those chairs and the pool.

I guess they keep them around for the photo-op and conversation starter? Kinda like the wall in Morocco?

We have never eaten at Kouzzina's. And now your review has me seeing if I can shuffle something in September.

I definitely would try if you can. It's a shame the lease was not renewed. I like Italian but I can walk to the Italy pavilion if I want that...the location of Kouzzina's is too close to EPCOT. I could see them doing something like that if it were somewhere else.

I want one of those Darth Vader desserts with all the chocolate.

I wish I could tell you what they tasted like but I didn't try even one. Judging by the kids oinking out next to us, they must have been pretty good!

Great firework pictures despite not being the best spot.

Thanks. You really need to be much further back but even then you can't get much of the Sorcerer's Hat in the picture like the Castle at MK because the stage blocked most of the hat.

 

[saintstickets]

Wow! You did some serious updating!!

Studio Catering - I have never gone because I suspected it would get a C rating. Sorry it was not good. Thank you though for confirming my suspicions.

It might have been "okay" if they had not burnt the bread in the panini press.

ToT - Holy moly! I think I would surely have died on that last ride. I am a baby when it comes to this ride and I know I would not have survived. You are brave souls.

I usually hang on tight for any of these rides and go along for everyone else but that sequence was a blast!

Your room - We have a one bedroom standard view room booked in the fall. I don't hate the view that includes the trees and the waterway in the background. I wouldn't love being able to see the driveway though. Any suggestions on a room request?

We were in 3073/3075 so you could ask for any room above X100 where X is the floor number. That puts you past where we were but much further from the elevator. We didn't have any problems with noise where we were though.

Kouzzina - I am so sad this restaurant is closing. So glad you had a good meal.

I guess we'll never know why the lease was not renewed but I suspect it's because it wasn't that utilized. There were plenty of empty tables when we were there.

Dessert Party - I think some people like them more than others. I have done the Wishes (didn't care for... too many "soft" desserts) and 3DDD (which I did like) Both cost about the same but the 3DDD was much better. I know that some people really love the wishes one though. If nothing else though, your pictures really make it look really good. Plus who doesn't like fireworks and a show...so at least if the food wasn't great there was that.

We liked Wishes as much for the location for the fireworks as we did for the desserts. We haven't done 3DDD during F&W yet. It hasn't been available when we were there. I look at the Star Wars Feel the Force party like any other Disney special event...they work for some people and not for others but it's something one should try at least once.

Good updates. I'm enjoying your report. We ate at Kouzzina on our trip last summer and loved it as well. The lamb shank and feta mashed potatoes were as you said excellent. Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for the kind words and ditto on Kouzzina! I'll have to drive to Jackson, MS now and try her father's restaurant to see if she learned from him!

great updates! I've eaten at Kouzzina twice - great food both times but found service a bit slow. Sad to see it go but interested to find out what Disney replaces it with.

Thanks. We really enjoyed the meal and with so few patrons in the restaurant, our service was not slow at all. The rumor on the replacement is that it will open up in the fall. Since Kouzzina's is closing at the end of September, that doesn't leave much time to refurb so going Italian would fit since it won't take much.

The desserts look delicious but I agree you have to go hungry to get the value!

Quite a few people obviously got their money's worth and made up for us too!

 

[MidnightParade]

What a full first day!

I'm reading in a lot of trip reports that rooms are ready but no ready texts are getting sent out! How frustrating!

I've been curious about the Buffalo Chicken sandwich at Studio catering, after your review though I'm thinking I won't be missing out too much (as we have ADR's elsewhere now)

I love the birthday pin greetings and shenanigans! It will be DBF's birthday on our trip and I think he will get a kick out of a possible 100 birthday greetings!!!

Loving the report and the pictures!

 

[annmarieda]

We were in 3073/3075 so you could ask for any room above X100 where X is the floor number. That puts you past where we were but much further from the elevator. We didn't have any problems with noise where we were though.

Thank you!

We liked Wishes as much for the location for the fireworks as we did for the desserts. We haven't done 3DDD during F&W yet. It hasn't been available when we were there. I look at the Star Wars Feel the Force party like any other Disney special event...they work for some people and not for others but it's something one should try at least once.

Hopefully you will get a chance to try 3DDD someday. It is odd how little it is offered. It barely worked for us last year. I am hoping that it might this next fall, but doubt it as it is only on select saturdays.

 

[saintstickets]

What a full first day!

I'm reading in a lot of trip reports that rooms are ready but no ready texts are getting sent out! How frustrating!

I don't understand it because its something the computer should do once a command is given. It's not like someone has to actually make the call.

I've been curious about the Buffalo Chicken sandwich at Studio catering, after your review though I'm thinking I won't be missing out too much (as we have ADR's elsewhere now)

It wasn't bad but the turkey club sandwich was. It's an open area too so other than being shaded, it can get kinda warm in there as well. We won't go back anytime soon.

I love the birthday pin greetings and shenanigans! It will be DBF's birthday on our trip and I think he will get a kick out of a possible 100 birthday greetings!!!

It gets better. Wait until tomorrow!

Loving the report and the pictures!

Thanks so much....more to come.

Thank you!

De nada

Hopefully you will get a chance to try 3DDD someday. It is odd how little it is offered. It barely worked for us last year. I am hoping that it might this next fall, but doubt it as it is only on select saturdays.

It's an odd schedule because last year it wasn't every Saturday night either.

 

[MEK]

I am multiple updates behind. Ugh! I am so used to looking for an update date that I have completely overlooked your TR. Decided to check this morning on a whim and - oh crap - multiple updates that I can't even finish now because I have to go to work.

So - glad your drive was uneventful.

Boo to the pink eye - but yeah for quick service and a quick pharmacy start.

Have to go back and look at the star war pics.

Fun pic of you guys outside ToT - well except for your pinch. Definitely not the look!

The ToT ride pics are hysterical. You look like you are going to puke on the second one and those people on the first one are hysterical.

Room view - not bad. You were pretty close to the main entrance, but at least you didn't have mega hallways to walk through. Maybe you posted room pics, but I didn't get that far yet with my power reading.

Love the food rating system.

Same thing happened to me with BWV checkin. I swear they don't text.

shout our to Todd & Paul!

I'll check up fully tonight or tomorrow!

 

[saintstickets]

It is now official what will be replacing Kouzzina's...

Trattoria al Forno to replace Cat Cora's Kouzzina at Disney World

With opening planned for December, we’re sharing the first details for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant for Disney’s BoardWalk.

A “trattoria” is an Italian restaurant serving simple food, and “al forno” is Italian for “food baked in an oven,” and this new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, cavatelli (small dumpling-shaped pasta) and a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens. Neopolitan pizzas, by the way, are pizzas in the classic style of Naples, Italy, with simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella.

A beautiful Italian flywheel slicer slices paper-thin Italian meats, served with a variety of olives and caponata. Satisfying pastas, velvety seasonal risottos and fresh seafood and vegetables will celebrate the delectable diversity of Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions.

Italy is just half the size of Texas but has wonderfully diverse cuisine, and Trattoria al Forno will showcase dishes from Italy’s various regions – for instance, braised beef Bolognese with house-made cavatelli from Bologna, semolina tagliatelli carbonara from Latium (more specifically Rome), pork chop alla Milanese named after the city of Milano. And you’ll find classic Italian favorites: chicken breast alla Parmagiana with tagliatelle pasta; shrimp with garlic, capers and anchovy butter with polenta; whole roasted fish with roasted vegetables; baked lasagna; grilled steak; slow-cooked lamb shank with polenta; and eggplant rollatini.

A seasonal risotto will always be on the menu, and vegetarians will appreciate the ruffled campanelle pasta with green beans, roasted potatoes and Genovese pesto.

Add a classic Italian dessert with an after-dinner cappuccino for a perfect ending. Look for tiramisù, lemon panna cotta with almond crunch and berries, gelatos, and the signature bomboloni (Italian donut holes) with dark chocolate and vanilla gelato.

Wines will be 100 percent Italian from historic wine regions including Tuscany, Veneto and Piedmont, with over 60 offerings by the bottle and more than 25 wines by the glass – Chiantis, Super Tuscans and fine Italian white wines such as Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Moscato. Signature cocktails and Italian beers and sodas round out the drink menu, with a signature-blend Italian coffee roasted just for Trattoria al forno.

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...l-forno-new-restaurant-for-disneys-boardwalk/

 

[TinksThree]

It is now official what will be replacing Kouzzina's... Trattoria al Forno to replace Cat Cora's Kouzzina at Disney World With opening planned for December, we’re sharing the first details for Trattoria al Forno, the new restaurant for Disney’s BoardWalk. A “trattoria” is an Italian restaurant serving simple food, and “al forno” is Italian for “food baked in an oven,” and this new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, cavatelli (small dumpling-shaped pasta) and a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens. Neopolitan pizzas, by the way, are pizzas in the classic style of Naples, Italy, with simple tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. A beautiful Italian flywheel slicer slices paper-thin Italian meats, served with a variety of olives and caponata. Satisfying pastas, velvety seasonal risottos and fresh seafood and vegetables will celebrate the delectable diversity of Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions. Italy is just half the size of Texas but has wonderfully diverse cuisine, and Trattoria al Forno will showcase dishes from Italy’s various regions – for instance, braised beef Bolognese with house-made cavatelli from Bologna, semolina tagliatelli carbonara from Latium (more specifically Rome), pork chop alla Milanese named after the city of Milano. And you’ll find classic Italian favorites: chicken breast alla Parmagiana with tagliatelle pasta; shrimp with garlic, capers and anchovy butter with polenta; whole roasted fish with roasted vegetables; baked lasagna; grilled steak; slow-cooked lamb shank with polenta; and eggplant rollatini. A seasonal risotto will always be on the menu, and vegetarians will appreciate the ruffled campanelle pasta with green beans, roasted potatoes and Genovese pesto. Add a classic Italian dessert with an after-dinner cappuccino for a perfect ending. Look for tiramisù, lemon panna cotta with almond crunch and berries, gelatos, and the signature bomboloni (Italian donut holes) with dark chocolate and vanilla gelato. Wines will be 100 percent Italian from historic wine regions including Tuscany, Veneto and Piedmont, with over 60 offerings by the bottle and more than 25 wines by the glass – Chiantis, Super Tuscans and fine Italian white wines such as Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Moscato. Signature cocktails and Italian beers and sodas round out the drink menu, with a signature-blend Italian coffee roasted just for Trattoria al forno. http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2014/07/first-peek-at-trattoria-al-forno-new-restaurant-for-disneys-boardwalk/.

I am kinda eh on this announcement. It sounds like so many of the other Italian places on site and Keith pretty much nixes Italian unless it is Via Napoli. I had been seeing the rumors for weeks but secretly hoped they would have a new innovative concept come in. But I will wait and see to form a real opinion!!

 

[annmarieda]

I am kinda eh on this announcement. It sounds like so many of the other Italian places on site and Keith pretty much nixes Italian unless it is Via Napoli. I had been seeing the rumors for weeks but secretly hoped they would have a new innovative concept come in. But I will wait and see to form a real opinion!!

I am kinda with you... seems like an odd addition when there is already so many Italian style restaurants on property. Does this make 5 or 6?

 

[MEK]

Finally back to re-read. A few more comments (what did you expect? )

Dinner looks really relish. I'm sort of sorry to see it turn Italian. I don't really get that unless its to cater to people who aren't going into the park and just want to enjoy the Boardwalk. I'd rather keep it the way it was. Breakfast there was always delish!

Not sure what I think about that party. The desserts look good, but I tend to agree with you that the price is high. But I think Disney will charge what they think you will pay and there certainly wasn't a shortage of people attending. We went to the Star Wars breakfast in May and I felt that was priced a little high as well. It was fun, but it was pricey. I can't imagine paying for an entire family.

 

[Nanaji]

So glad to have found your report. I can't wait for more. You all seem to have such a wonderful time. I am waiting patiently for my solo trip in October. I hate to wish the summer away. I agree with everyone, another Italian restaurant so close to EPCOT and DHS is too bad. I have only eaten at Kouzzina's once but the Greek/Mediterranean is a great option.

 

[heaven2dc]

I would love to go to WDW in May to see the Star Tours events but not sure $54/adult would be worth it either. Great pics of the event and fireworks!

I cant' believe that Kouzzina's is closing down for another restaurant. Although I love Italian restaurants and still haven't eaten at the Tutto Italia yet, I love Kouzzina's. We always stay at BWV and love the atmosphere of the boardwalk and the restaurants.

Hope your daughter's eye feels better by her second day! Good call on her part - glad she went to get meds for it.

Looking forward to reading about Day 2!