Disney Divas Xmas 2009 - Day 1

[chechas]

Cast:
Myself - Disney nut especially during the holidays
DD (14) - Even bigger Disney nut

Dates: Dec 19- 24, 2009

Hotel: Coronado Springs

Date: Saturday, December 19

Weather: windy, temps - 65 during the day and in high 40s at night

We arrived at Coronado Springs around 11:30am and the check in line was so-so. I did notice that the line for those who did on-line check in was longer than the regular line and did not seem to be moving quickly. That made me glad I had opted not to do online check-in ( I wanted to make a room request at the desk). I asked for a room in Casitas 1,2, or 3 and was told no problem but that it was not ready yet but should be ready in the next hour or so as most of the rooms in that section were already cleaned and mine should be done soon. So we decided to head to Pepper Market for some lunch and first meal on dining plan. I wasn't real hungry and neither was kiddo so we just split a chicken quesadilla (which was cut into 3 rather large triangles) and each got a drink and split the dessert. - so I just had to pay for the drink. The quesadilla was very good. Nice flavor in the chicken and very cheesy. Would definitely try it again. For dessert we got their version of Strawberry shortcake which was really just 2 layer white cake with strawberry filling and icing....but man was it good! The cake was very light and the strawberry cream filling was great..not too sweet, same for the icing. It was so good that we ended up getting a second one LOL! Hey we are on vacation after all!

I called at 1pm to check on the room but it wasn't ready so we went into gift shop and I surprised DD with a Tinkerbell Disney gift card for her use on this trip as an early Xmas gift. We then decided to walk over to the arcade and use the 30 minute play card that came with our package. Could not get it to work so we stretched out on loungers by the pool and relaxed a bit while reading. It was very breezy which made it chilly but we were right in the sun which felt so nice and made the breeze tolerable for us as we had on fleece jackets and jeans. I did have to wonder at the number of parents who were all bundled up in sweatshirts and jeans and scarves etc and their kids were not only in the pool swimming which was fine but running around on the playground in nothing but their wet swimsuits in the cold...i see some sick kids this week.

Anyways. I called back around 2 and the room was still not ready..hmmm what happened to ready in an hour? LOL. But it was fine. check in is not officially until 3. But then I remembered that I had parked in the 30 minute parking spots out front OOPS! so we headed back so I could move the car. Decided to move it to Casitas 3 as the check in CM had said that was where our room would be. We sat there reading and joking around and finally around 3:15 the room was ready. we were able to get everything upstairs in 1 trip since we opted not to bring the Christmas tree and all the decorations this year along with all the gifts etc. We did bring a wreath for the door and a string of lights for the window though.

We then headed to Winn Dixie to get breakfast foods and snacks as I had not had a chance to shop before leaving home that morning. We got back to the room around 4:30 and since we had 7:30 ressies for Kouzzina at the Boardwalk, we just decided to unpack and relax a bit before heading out. I made the mistake of deciding to use Disney Transport to get to the Boardwalk instead of driving...it is basically right down the road from us so that was a bonehead move. But I commute a good distance for work every day so when I go on vacation I like to just park the car and not use it unless we are going off site...big mistake! LOL We left the resort at 6pm just to allow plenty of time on a bus headed for Hollywood Studios (planned to catch the boat from there to the Boardwalk).

Of course the bus had to go to the other stops in the resort and then we hit some traffic jam so did not get to Hollywood Studios until almost 6:45!! When I say it is right down the road..I mean it...it is a straight shot on the opposite side of road. Crazy! The line for the boat was almost to the big Xmas tree! We had to wait through 2 boats to get near the front of line and it was as the 3rd boat was pulling in that I remembered the walkway to the Boardwalk. DOH! I am choosing to blame it on all the cold meds and antibiotics I have been on this week for my total brain freeze LOL!. I am usually more organized and on the ball than this. But it was all good. We boarded the boat around 7:15 Yikes! Ressie was for 7:30. It took 8 minutes to get to the first stop - Swan/Dolphin. We decided to get off there and walk over the bridge to the Boardwalk instead of staying on the boat as it had to stop at the Yacht/Beach Club before getting to the Boardwalk and the captain said that would take about another 15 minutes. It was about a 5 minute walk to the Boardwalk and we went in to doors of Kouzzina with 1 minute to spare!

There was quit a crowd in the entry area but we got our pager and waited maybe 7 minutes to be seated. I now think some of those people came in to get out of the cold as it was very breezy and chilly on the Boardwalk last night. LOL! We were escorted to the table by Charlotte was was very friendly and chatty. Our table turned out to be right next to the open kitchen and DD got a kick out of watching the chefs though everytime they would yell Opa! She would jump LOL! I got a kick out of that. LOL.

Our server was Patrice and while she was very nice and friendly, she seemed stressed and out of her element. She would disappear for long periods of time and forget to bring things we asked for. She kept apologizing and saying it was crazy tonight. While yes the restaurant was doing brisk business, unless something was happening behind the scenes, it was no busier than any other restaurant I have been to on a Saturday night. Actually it was more calm. I decided on the Cat's Ouzu-tini (Absolut Vodka, Metaxa Ouzo, Pineapple Juice, fresh Lime Juice, and Pomegranate), though I was not sure how that would taste combined but it was actually pretty good. The black licorice undertone worked. DD ordered a Mega-Berry Smoothie (Raspberry Puree and Nonfat Yogurt blended with Odwalla Berries GoMega). We started with Kouzzina Spreads (Harissa Yogurt, Kalamata Fig, and Chickpea Hummus with Grilled Pita). We both loved the Harissa Yogurt...nice blend of spicy and sweet and sour. Second was probably the Fig. I usually love Hummus but this hummus was chunky and a weird consistency. The flavor was good but the texture was off. DD ordered the lamb shank and I got the pastitio (Greek-style Lasagna with Bucatini Pasta, Cinnamon-stewed Meat Sauce, and Bechamel). The pastitio was interesting flvor and very good. I am not a big fan of lamb but DD seemed to like it and she has never had lamb before but wanted to try something new. We were full and sleep so took dessert to go. I got Loukoumades which are greek donuts drizzled with honey and DD got Galaktoboureko which is semolina custard baked in phyllo dough which we ate later in the room. Both were just ok to us.

We caught a bus to DTD as it was after 9pm and HS was closed. It was very cold at this time and we ran into several ticked of New Orleans Saints fans as it was around half time and the Saints were down 17-3 to the Cowboys LOL. There were some very rousing debates and convos between them all at the bus stops and on the buses LOL! We finally got back to room around 10pm! Learned my lesson (yet again)...will be driving from now on to meals at other resorts!

On a side note ran into several people who had checked out of hotel already just to find out their flight back up north had been canceled and were having a mad scramble to get a room. This hotel is pretty much full up as most of the Disney resort is this time of year. I felt so bad for them and hope that everyone got accommodations and do eventually make it home safely.

DD Teen notes: I decided this year to try as many new things as I can at restaurants. Thankfully I am an adventurous eater, unlike my mom! lol. I liked the spread dips at Kouzzina, especially the Harissa. I am not a smoothy person really but that one was delicious. The lamb tasted like beef and it wasn't bad...not sure if I would have it again though. I loved the lighting and feel in Kouzzina. People have been very friendly and I talked to several other teens we have run into..met some from Texas, Lousiana and Pittsburgh. Very cool! Looking forward to Story Tellers at Epcot and Cali Grill tomorrow!

Tomorrow plans: EPCOT, DTD, Cali Grill

[KylesMom]

Thanks for sharing your first day with us. I'm glad you enjoyed Kouzzina's. I like your DD's notes, too. Looking forward to your next report!

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

thanks for the report

[faline]

Despite the wait for our room, you had a lovely day to begin your trip!

I am, however, getting quite hungry after reading your report!

[wildernesslady]

Sounds like a relaxing first day. We too enjoyed Koozina, also had the same time of service. The spreads were very good.

[princessgirls]

You are off to a good start! Thanks for the report!

Julie

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the Report!

[DisneyorBust]

Enjoyed your Day 1 report. Looks like you both had a great first day despite the dinner commute!

[yjgirl32]

Thanks for sharing.