Week 33 - Port Orleans Riverside Mill Food Court (Aug 16)

This afternoon we decided to cool off at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort. Since it was a little early for lunch, for we first picked up some cold drinks and then headed over to the River Roost Lounge.

The lounge doesn't officially open until late afternoon so we had the whole place to ourselves to just sit back and relax.

After time at the River Roost, we decided to grab some lunch at the Riverside Mill food court. Today we shared a Muffaletta sandwich. I've always shied away from this sandwich, but my husband has always wanted to try it so I finally gave in.

Let me list the reasons I'm not attracted to this sandwich. First, the name. Muffaletta. Really? What is that? It sounds completely unappetizing to me. There's no description on the menu board so I guess I'm just supposed to know what this is. I've since looked it up and this is what I found...

New Orleans is home to the Muffaletta. So, I guess that makes sense since we're at Disney's Port Orleans resort. It is filled with Italian meats and cheeses plus (and this is the unique part) a special olive salad. The sandwich is also made with Muffaletta bread - a dense round loaf. Sandwiches are traditionally served as one-quarter or one-half of the loaf.

If you've ready my other blog entries, including my Disney pizza reviews, you know that I don't like a lot of bread. And, every time I have looked at this sandwich, I see a meat to bread ratio that just doesn't appeal to me. My husband, on the other hand, loves bread. Which is why he also ordered the breadsticks and marinara.

The breadsticks look awesome, but they are hard as a rock. I didn't even try one. My husband much prefers the soft breadsticks and sauce available from Pop Century. OK... getting back to why I don't like the Muffaletta sandwich. I'm also a very picky eater and I don't like stuff I can't identify in my food. I actually like olives quite a bit, but there is much more than olives in the special "olive salad". It is an Italian marinated blend of olives, celery and cauliflower along with some spices and other things I couldn't identify. If it were only marinated olives, I'd be in business. Instead, I cut a small piece off the back-end of the sandwich which had just a little meat and no "stuff".

Since we shared a sandwich, there was room for dessert. I went for the chocolate cupcake and my husband went for the chocolate cake.

Both were yummy, but the icing on my cupcake looked like someone had already taken a bite out of it. My husband picked up the desserts while I sat at the table, so I did my best to ignore the missing icing and assume nothing icky happened to it.

Finally, after an afternoon of eating and drinking we dropped by the Riverside Mill restrooms before heading out. To our surprise, they were completely renovated:

While I'll never complain about a brand new bathroom at Disney (this one had a lot of beautiful and quality tile work), I'm a little disappointed that they didn't maintain the rustic "old South" theming this restroom once had.

Week 23 - Paddle Fans at Disney Riverside Resort (June 9)

Port Orleans Riverside resort at Walt Disney World is one of the best places to be on lazy summer day. And, even though it is not quite summer, it certainly was hot enough today to appreciate the perfect escape from the heat that Port Orleans Riverside offers.

The waterside location and the shady mature trees make a hot day feel more bearable. It feels just a little cooler as you make your way down the winding paths along the river banks between the French Quarter and Riverside.

I have always loved the charm and attention to detail in the lobbies at Port Orleans. Each time we have stayed at the Port Orleans resorts (previously known to us as "Port/Dixie" or Port Orleans and Dixie Landings) I immediately feel transported to a southern vacation destination.

The lobby at Disney's Riverside has the most unique paddle fans that genly sweep across the high vaulted ceilings:

If you click on the photo above for a closer look, you'll notice there are hidden Mickeys on the fan brackets that are attached to the blades. In this picture, you'll be able to see a total of 4 hidden Mickeys on the fan blades.

I can't tell you how many times I've stood in the lobby watching those fans glide slowly back and forth and not once noticed the hidden Mickeys. No matter how many times we revisit a Disney park or resort we always manage to see something new!

Week 12 - Fulton's General Store at Disney Riverside (Mar 24)

At Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort the hotel gift shop is themed as an old-time general store. Fulton's General Store is an adorable little shop bursting with 1880's nostaglic details from the outdoor decor to the interior theming.

If you look high on the walls, you'll notice so much attention to detail. Everything from old-time tools to baking and canning supplies adorn this adorable store. Everything else, though, is what you'd expect to find in your typical modern Disney World gift shop - souvenirs, snacks, magazines, postcards, sundries and more.

We spent most of our time in the store checking out this super cute Mickey Mouse luggage. The overall design is white with comic strip styling including Minnie Mouse and Pluto. The luggage is a rolling bag and somewhat hard-sided. It rolls beatifully... the handle it even has two pull-out positions.

My husband and I look at this comic strip Mickey luggage almost every time we visit a Disney World gift shop. We look at the price tag (it is over $100 for a carry-on size piece) and know that we would just be crushed if it were damaged by airline travel.

If you can't make it to the parks for a Disney vacation, this luggage (and its big brother) are both currently available for purchase at The Disney Store online. Maybe one day...   

Week 8 - Shuttle Launch at Disney's Riverside (Feb 24)

While we were at Disney, Space Shuttle Discovery launched into the sky over Florida on February 24. Unfortunately, there was too much cloud cover to see.

We really had hoped to see the shuttle launch from Disney along with about 2 dozen other folks who had gathered just outside the Riverside Mill food court at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside resort. We had our iPad with us and watched the live streaming broadcast of the launch instead from the NASA website. The launch was running a few minutes behind schedule. Four minutes after launch, the crowd dispersed realizing we had missed it.

We've watched the shuttle launch from our backyard many, many times (about 10 miles from Disney). For daytime launches, we just get to see the contrail, but night launches provide an amazing orange glow.

I guess we'll just have to wait until the shuttle returns for the last shuttle experience - the sonic boom. We've only heard one really loud sonic boom (it woke us out of bed early one morning). It's a scary noise if you're not prepared. Whether or not we hear it depends on a variety of factors... starting with landing back in Florida!

Week 8 - Beignets at Disney's Port Orleans (Feb 22)

We celebrated Mardi Gras 2011 at Disney just a little early by enjoying beignets at the Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter resort. Wow... that was a mouthful (I'm talking about the food court name, but the beignets were too).

Many people describe Beignets as somewhat of a donut. They're dough, they're fried, they're covered with sugar - LOTS of sugar. But that's the end of the similarities. If you're looking for a donut replacement, this really isn't it. I wouldn't even say it is similar to funnel cakes. I would say, though, they are worth a try. I mean, you're on vacation at Disney - treat yourself!

The beignets at Disney's Port Orleans are hand-formed and fried at the the time of order. Because of this, they are very hot - so be very careful with that first bite. The "pillows" of dough are filled with hot air. One bite lets out enough steam to give you a mini facial.

Next piece of advice... spread out the napkins. The powdered sugar goes everywhere. I bet the Disney cast members at this resort clean up more sugar than any other dining location.

I highly recommend creating your own Fat Tuesday celebration at Disney's Port Orleans. Just don't forget the napkins...