Two hungry foodies vs $150 a day - Oct/Nov 2024 LIVE food report

[theCMG]

great report, thanks for sharing, I have written crumbl! down on a post-it. Voodoo Donut then watching Villa by the pool sounds like a great afternoon

[orlandoamber]

Originally Posted by fletchie148

What a great wrap for pool food, looked incredible
Mmm and yum lobster roll looked so good too

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The best pool food - it was outstanding! I just love lobster.

Originally Posted by Goldia

A fab sunset to go with your last meal! And what a banger. The yummy firecracker shrimp and of course the duck, duck! A brilliant and you did so well to come so close to your budget especially as it included the transport and activities and wasn't just the food and drink.

I've so enjoyed reading along. Hopefully we won't have too long to wait for your next trip!

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I've been making cocktails with a duck for garnish since I've been home - the only way to cure the Florida blues.

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

I’m loving the lobster theme Amber! A fab cocktail with a gorgeous view and your whole meal looked amazing. 😍 What a perfect last day, you really did go out on a high and how awesome you managed one last Salt and Straw. I’m so pleased that you were so close to your budget, you had so many wonderful meals and treats, so you definitely showed it certainly is possible to enjoy yourself and not spend a million dollars! I hope you are acclimating well after all that lovely warm weather. 💕 xx

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We were so lucky and actually landed to beautiful blue skies and it didn't feel too cold! The last week definitely put a stop to that feeling though... wow it has been freezing here in the Midlands and we had 3 days straight of waking up to snow! Not quite what I was hoping for when we were sunning ourselves by the Waldorf pool Xx

Originally Posted by Rescuer

Fabulous last evening at Disney Springs. That tuna at the Boathouse is hard to beat but your lobster roll looked really nice.

Totally agree with your sum up of Orlando holidays , “letting go of all your worries and having fun”❤️

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I must have the tuna one day - I love tuna so I'm not sure why I didn't go for it, but I was really happy with my choice of the lobster roll, so it's all good!

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

What a FAB last night glad you got in Boathouse at last
Beautiful views of the sunset
I think I’d like that “ duck” cocktail as I like sweet as you know
I’d go just for the rolls, look so yummy & great you finished off the night with your fav ice cream 😋
Hope you’re over jet lag soon & not too cold 😬🥶😳
Thanks for another fantastic trip report I’ve loved following along with all the good food & hot weather
X

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Thanks, Claire! I wonder if they'd still bring the rolls if we asked to just sit at the bar with a duck duck razz to eat copious amounts of honey butter rolls!? x

Originally Posted by Buggles94

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful trip Amber. The beginning and end of a Florida trip both include tears for me - it really is so magical to be there and as you say somewhere where you let your worries go... Unfortunately I had a disappointing meal at The Boathouse a few years ago so haven't returned but you and a few others have definitely made me think I need to put it back on my list! Thank you for testing out so many sweet treats and amazing that you came in under budget too - helps justify many future trips

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I've literally had to avoid thedibb for two weeks (I always do!) to adjust back to not having a Florida countdown anymore! It really is the most special place.

Originally Posted by theCMG

great report, thanks for sharing, I have written crumbl! down on a post-it. Voodoo Donut then watching Villa by the pool sounds like a great afternoon

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You must try Crumbl - 100%! It's quite cool that they regularly change their flavours too.

[orlandoamber]

As usual I’ve disappeared from thedibb for a couple of weeks after our return - blame the Florida blues!

I've just re-read my report and it was lovely to reminisce on all the wonderful memories and times we had. The weather was interesting for November - we’ve been a few times around the same time and have always had at least one or two cooler days, but this time it was 30 degrees and humid every day! ☀️ Lovely to get some real winter sun and heat. 🤩 We were really happy with all of our accommodation - Aventura is such good value, the Alfond Inn was gorgeous (we loved visiting Winter Park and going on the scenic boat tour), and we loved chilling out at the Signia (and the fact we could use the Waldorf facilities too). It was strange being so close to the Disney parks yet not visiting any, but we still feel like we got a little Disney fix with how often we were lucky enough to go to DS, and also our visits to the resorts and the Boardwalk. Of course, we did get a park fix at Universal with some great times in all 3 parks - we also had some brilliant luck with our front and back row rides on Hagrid's! HHN was also a great evening and I am still so impressed we got all 10 houses done without express pass - Insidious and Slaughter Sinema 2 being the two standout ones.

Food Summary

I wasn't sure how sticking more rigidly to a budget was going to go, but I actually quite enjoyed tracking it and the fact it made us try lots of different options! In particular, during the final leg of the trip, we tried so many quick service options at Disney Springs that we don't usually get round to going to as often as we'd like - Daily Poutine, eet, Everglazed (and our new discovery of their delicious savory options - seriously, try that donut chicken burger!), the Polite Pig (one of the best value for money options out there), Earl of Sandwich and Pepe. Of course, we also loved regularly having our favourite, Salt & Straw!

A standout meal during the first part of the trip (at Universal) was Mister 01 - it's so good to have somewhere we've enjoyed elsewhere in the USA pop up in Orlando, and I highly recommend pizza lovers check it out! Another standout meal was brunch at the Briarpatch in Winter Park - I can't stop thinking about the burger I had there, it was absolutely delicious. The best cocktail of the trip also came in Winter Park and was a complete surprise - not something I'd usually order, the Cetriolo at Prato was stunning and I could have drank several more than the two I had! Will would also like me to mention the Ahi Tuna & Watermelon Tostadas at Summer House on the Lake which were excellent, and of course he can't go near a Moe's without being lured in.

Our naughty meal at Bull & Bear certainly blew the budget, but was incredible as always (in particular the amazing chicken, and the fabulous wagyu carpaccio and beef tallow fries). If you're prepared for a little splurge, Bull & Bear is most definitely worth your time and money. While Bull & Bear's bread rolls were delicious, I do however have to say though that the best of the trip were those amazing honey butter rolls at The Boathouse - I could just go there for those!

I also think the pool food at Aquamarine at the Waldorf is worth a special mention. The service around that pool is wonderful on its own, but the food and drink options really make it a great experience. Both the chicken wrap and the lobster & shrimp wrap were excellent options and far surpass what I'd usually expect to be served at a sun lounger! I would order them again in a heartbeat. The frozen drinks on offer are also delicious, if not expensive, and being able to take them into the pool (and lazy river at the Signia) is such a bonus!

I very much enjoyed our cookie research throughout the trip. I was completely shocked that Crumbl came out on top, but I now can't wait to get back to the USA and have some more Crumbl cookies! Summer House on the Lake were also surprisingly good, knocking Gideon's into third place! Although let's be honest, they're all exceptional and would be my favourite cookies in the UK. 😂 An honorable mention to the Gideon's red velvet cake too - our first time trying cake at Gideon's and I was very impressed, it was so good and I loved the addition of the walnuts on the frosting (it also lasted us about 3 days it was so big!).

So, what's next?

Honestly? We don't know! Our Universal annual passes are still active until July, and with Epic Universe opening in May, we might try to squeeze one final trip out of them in June if we have the time. However, we both have big '0' birthdays next year - I'm in March and Will is in December - so I think our plans next year will revolve around those. We did plan to go to Hawaii for our honeymoon in 2022, but ended up switching to the Maldives, so Hawaii could definitely be an option for Spring 2025. We were also considering Australia for either March or December, but I think that might fall to sometime in the next 2-3 years instead as ideally we'd like to dedicate more than just two weeks to it. I'm sure I will be back with a full trip report if we go somewhere like Hawaii anyway, and possibly a food report if we do make it across to Epic Universe.

Thank you again as always for following along with our adventures, I love having my dibb foodie cheerleaders along with me for the ride!

[ClaireNJ]

Awww Amber I loved your report, well especially the cookies & glad you did loads of research for us
Can’t believe the red velvet lasted 3 days though 🤷I seriously need to teach you how to eat better
And I want you to go to Hawaii please as I’ve tentatively told Dave for our 60th in 2026 we should go there & LA 🙈 he loved Steve McGarrett & there’s Cheesecake Factory at Waikiki too, obviously I’ve looked
I’ve already checked & there’s Crumbl in Los Angeles 😋😋I have looked at your California TR
Thanks again for a fantastic report & I’ll look forward to the next one

[Sparksy72]

Amber you really did have a wonderful trip! Lots of delicious treats, I’m pleased you love Crumbl as much as we do. 😍 I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience at Signia, you really did make the most of your time there! I love that you have so many exciting holiday options, I would happily go on any one of them but I have to warn you December in Australia is hotter than the surface of the sun! 🥵 Thanks again for another fabulous report, I thoroughly enjoyed following along. 🥰🩷 xxx

[eeyore]

I have really enjoyed reading along with your report thank you so much for sharing. We discovered crumbl cookies in California this year and will definitely be on the look out for them in Florida too, appreciate the cookie research.

[orlandoamber]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

Awww Amber I loved your report, well especially the cookies & glad you did loads of research for us
Can’t believe the red velvet lasted 3 days though 🤷I seriously need to teach you how to eat better
And I want you to go to Hawaii please as I’ve tentatively told Dave for our 60th in 2026 we should go there & LA 🙈 he loved Steve McGarrett & there’s Cheesecake Factory at Waikiki too, obviously I’ve looked
I’ve already checked & there’s Crumbl in Los Angeles 😋😋I have looked at your California TR
Thanks again for a fantastic report & I’ll look forward to the next one

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Thank you, Claire. ❤️ I’ve been researching Hawaii lots, it’s definitely the front runner at the moment. I can’t believe we didn’t go to Crumbl in LA last year, what a mistake! 😮 Hopefully we will have a new countdown soon enough. Xx

Originally Posted by Sparksy72

Amber you really did have a wonderful trip! Lots of delicious treats, I’m pleased you love Crumbl as much as we do. 😍 I really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience at Signia, you really did make the most of your time there! I love that you have so many exciting holiday options, I would happily go on any one of them but I have to warn you December in Australia is hotter than the surface of the sun! 🥵 Thanks again for another fabulous report, I thoroughly enjoyed following along. 🥰🩷 xxx

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Thank you, Michelle. 💗 I will have to pick your brains when we eventually book Australia… it is certainly coming in the next few years! I bet you are so excited for your trip now, I can’t wait to follow along. 😍🥰 xxx

Originally Posted by eeyore

I have really enjoyed reading along with your report thank you so much for sharing. We discovered crumbl cookies in California this year and will definitely be on the look out for them in Florida too, appreciate the cookie research.

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Thank you for following! Crumbl cookies are just so good, I’m glad you agree! 🍪