Day 8
Today was the day we changed hotels from Riverside to the Rosen Plaza on IDrive. Originally I'd had some AK FPs booked for this morning as I thought we would want to go back for a second day, but as we'd ridden everything the first time I cancelled them so someone else could be happy picking up a FOP FP.
Instead we decided to spend a morning at Disney Springs, I think we both needed an off day from the parks and we hadn't had time for a proper look around when we were running late for Homecomin. So after leaving our luggage at Riverside we finally managed to get the boat to DS!
While waiting at the dock we saw this little guy underwater, anyone know what type of snake he is? It was funny as a little girl was saying 'mummy mummy there's a snake' and mummy was having none of it just looking at her phone, clearly she thought she was making it up. I had a look and was like 'oh, there actually is a snake!' and then everyone rushed over to look lol.
Enjoyed the ride down the river to DS, except when DH was convinced that a large wasp hanging out in the boat was trying to kill him. Had a good mooch round DS and was very restrained only spending $50 in Sephora. If we'd had any of the $200 gift card left I'm sure I'd have spent more! We ended up using it and the $60 card we got for declining mousekeeping on tips and Starbucks mugs. Be warned if you want all 4 parks Starbucks mugs you're looking at around $90 after tax. Ouch.
Anyway for lunch I have always wanted to try Poutine so we got a classic from the Daily Poutine stand.
We also used a snack credit on a powerade
We paid for the poutine out of pocket, I want to say it was around $9? Now I'm from Yorkshire originally and we all know Yorkshire invented chips and gravy. But I did really enjoy the addition of cheese curds, I was worried they'd melt into a mess but they stayed solid. The chips themselves were only okay but the gravy was very nice. Although it was roasting hot weather so we felt a bit silly eating hot gravy!
After that we got a mexican burrito bowl thingy from the 4 Rivers Cantina truck, which is behind the World of Disney store
The instagrammable thing to get from here is the huge taco cone, but they looked super difficult to eat and even more so to share so we got it in a bowl. I think we got beef.
It had rice, beans, salad, salsa, cheese, taco strips and came with guac and sour cream. I think it was around $11. Not the most mind blowing mexican I'd ever eaten but tasty and very fresh. I liked that Guac was included, a lot of places it costs extra which DH always complains about. Did you see the hidden mickey?!
We had 2 snack credits left and I was desperate to try a Joffreys Donut as I was missing the Big Pink from Universal. So 1 snack credit gone here
And then as it was roasting hot we got a frappe from Starbucks and sat in to drink it and eat the donut.
I think this was just a skinny caramel frappe. 1 snack credit used.
And that's the end of the dining plan-
0 Snacks left 0 TS 0 QS. I think I missed a snack credit somewhere in this report as I had 4 left at last count, so I've failed at an accurate dining report, oops.
Dining plan thoughts
We found the plan the perfect amount of food for us. We didn't over eat and we didn't feel the need to scrimp and save credits. However do keep in mind we got that pizza free on the first night- I think we'd have cut out one of the QS breakfasts if that hadn't happened. We used a lot of snack credits at the Flower and Garden festival so if that wasn't around maybe we'd have been left with snacks to spend on candy to take home or whatever.
Food was, as we all know, very expensive in Disney and I wouldn't want to stay on site without free DDP. We did end up coming back once or twice in the second week and bought some food OOP, and boy do those prices hurt without the DDP. Skipping ahead here, but generally speaking we find both the prices and quality of food better offsite, but what do you expect with a theme park really. If you go to Alton Towers you pay £10 for a sad looking burger- at least the Disney food is generally pretty good and varied.
We would consider staying onsite again with the DDP but wouldn't only want QS as we like an evening sit down meal. However we did find the
ADR times a little stressful and restrictive. So at the moment my thoughts are if we did Disney again we'd stay offsite and use some of the savings on accomodation to pay for a few onsite meals. I'm very glad we got to experience 'the bubble' at least once though!
Rosen Plaza
As we were near the bus depot we caught the bus back to Riverside, the driver was absolutley hilarious so made it just as enjoyable as the boat. Picked up the cases and Ubered over to the Rosen Plaza, we must have arrived about 3pm as we were able to check in straight away. We'd booked via Netflights and paid £400 for 7 nights which is very reasonable in my book. When we stayed at the Rosen Inn next door we paid £40 a night, and I think the extra is 100% worth it for the Plaza.
Despite the fact I'd booked a room category with 2 queen beds I sent a cheeky email asking for a king bed on a high floor and they gave us a king on the 6th floor. If we'd been willing to wait a couple of hours for the room to be ready they did offer us a king on the 14th floor but DH wasn't willing to entertain that (probably sensible but I sulked a little as I wanted the view).
The rooms are lovely, spacious modern and clean.
I adored the little light up pull out mirror- found doing my makeup in the quite dark room at Riverside a pain in the bum but this was great.
We had a view of Idrive as far as the Icon360. Feels like a luxury to have a window to look out of! I can live with motel style accomodation but this is so much nicer and brighter.
Okay so I know you're here for food not views. After a swim in the pool we headed out to one of our favorites, Bahama Breeze. This is a few minutes walk down IDrive.
DH had a zombie cocktail
I got right put off ordering a cocktail because very rudely they had all the calories listed on the menu next to them! Lol. Ended up choosing a non alcoholic frozen slush thing because it had the least calories next to it...
It was tasty but slushes are always a bit tricky to drink so probably should have just had a diet coke.
For mains DH chose the skirt steak churrasco. He was dithering between this and the Taste of Jamaica but as he had the latter last time decided to go for something new. He also ordered an extra side of plantains which wasn't on the menu but they charged him $3.29 for.
10-oz. skirt steak topped with chimichurri. Served with yellow rice, black beans and sweet plantains. $21.49
He really liked this but possibly preffered the sampler just because it had more going on.
I chose the Caribbean lobster mac and cheese because I saw this on someone else's food report (sorry I can't remember who!) and I NEEDED it in my life. Lightly fried lobster tail with griddled Bahamian mac & cheese. Served with roasted bell pepper sauce, homemade chimichurri and green beans. $22.49
Oh my god this was so good. The lobster was fried in a light batter like it was the best, sweetest fish from a chippy you've ever had in your life. The sauces were delicious and the mac n cheese good too. I'm normally someone who eats veg for function not pleasure but somehow even the green beans were really good.
Oh and the lobster shell was there for presentation only, the lobster wasn't attached to it. So not difficult to eat at all.
I think the meal was about $70 so not cheap but really good and worth the price (and we did choose some of the most expensive mains on offer!). Love Bahama Breeze every time we go.
Too full for dessert we decided to go down the road to the Regal cinema at the Pointe to see detective Pikachu. Did not expect that the seats in here would be super comfy leather electric recliners! (ignore the fact I'm pulling a dumb face in this photo) (and no comments on how pale I am even after a week in the sun... I'm well aware I don't tan lol)
You can also get loads of food to take in like pizza, churros, burgers, nachos all sorts of things. The tickets were only $12 so a bargain considering it costs you £12 here for a bog standard ticket at Cineworld.
And that's the end of day 8! Next time food at the Premium outlets, Citywalk food court and voodoo donuts