out and about: holidays at disney

Totally unapologetic disney family over here. We love it. We go whenever we can (minus the ‘vid years) and have since our youngest was 3 months old and her oldest brothers were 4.

As old as our teens get, and we are boardering on 17 at the oldest, they still love to go. It’s the one place we can always have family time. Even when we branch off in smaller groups, as we can do now with older kiddos, its always in pairs or trios; and we always come back together for family favorite rides… and for the food.

It will always be our family’s special place. And to have something like that? Where our whole family lets go, loves hanging out together, and wants to make memories? I am forever grateful.

Our first stop, is always naples. Especially since of late, we come in a day early to avoid having to wake up at 4am if we want to leave home and make an 8am rope drop. If we come in the day before, we get to wake up when ever we (the teens) want; drive up without traffic, grab lunch, fit in some family bowling (our other fav), and shopping, and get an early sleep, so we can wake up at 7:30 without issue. It’s kinda the best.

Back to naples. It’s an italian pizza joint in downtown disney where you can make your won pizza, get basic pasta, have a salad, an italian soda, and some yummy drinks. It’s always a win, and family request.

Family pizzas are the way to go, especially since 4 out of 4 boys in our fam love pepperoni, olives, and sausage… then we just pick sides for the ham and extra cheese. #winning

It also allows for us ladies to make our own pasta, and order a salad.

tuk tuk: blanco tequila, ginger syrup, tamarind syrup, and lime juice shaken on the rocks and garnished with a lime wheel and chili-lime seasoning rim

Oh em gee you guys; the tuk tuk seasonal drink at naples? Not to be missed. It was amazing. Everything I look for in a cocktail, and also fun to try on the limited menu. Here’s to hoping they bring it back next year.

moscow mule: tequila, lime juice and a splash of ginger beer

Speaking of cocktails… our second must go-to family activity is bowling at splitzville. We actually discovered this during our first (and so far only) trip to disneyworld in florida, before bowling in downtown disney was even a thing. We bowled twice there. Everyone loved it.

But, what we love most about bowling now, in downtown disney, is that we can eat while we do it. And by eat, I mean drink tequila mules, and eat sushi rolls and fry cones, by the boatload. I can’t do vodka, so I always sub out tequila, and this one is just perfect.

loaded fries: fries smothered in queso blanco, bacon, ranch, and scallions

We tried the new loaded fries this go-round and immediately added it to the family favorite list. It’s now a ‘must-have’ while bowling. So, so good.

Depending on the number of days we go, and the availability of reservations via the new system, there is no set rhyme or reason as to when you will find us in each park.

This trip, we spent one day in disney proper, and the two following in california adventure, soaking up as much holiday spirit as we could.

the outer rim: patrón silver tequila, stirrings pomegranate liqueur, lime juice, and pure cane sugar, topped with exotic fruit purée, rimmed with black salt
bad motivator ipa: (abv 6.0%) tropical india pale ale with galaxy and comet hops (sierra nevada brewing co.)

We always hit up oga’s cantina over in batuu (star wars land) for a mid-morning snack and out-of-this-world beverage. The outer rim is my fav - without the fruit puree (because depending on who you talk to it may (or may not) contain pineapple- which I’m allergic to). The hubs always gets the ipa. And the kids get a variety of snacks and drinks.

prime rib: roasted winter vegetables and gruyere & pepper mashed potatoes with au jus

Another must-have for the entire family is the blue bayou. Located inside pirates of the caribbean, the ambiance is everything. It used to be the best restaurant at disney; then for a few years it was sorely lacking. It was recently overhauled and rebranded as the “new” blue bayou, and along with now serving actual alcoholic beverages, the food is actually back up to snuff.

We’ve been going every visit this year, and won’t miss out. This trip the menu was completely revamped for the season, so we were all able to try new dishes.

I got the prime rib (always a fav of mine) and the meat itself was cooked perfectly to order. I was a little disappointed that the au jus was more gravy-like, and the mashed potatoes were almost too spicy to eat or to carry much flavor. But I’d have it again, just for the meat, no question.

We ate lunch at blue bayou and branched back out into downtown disney for dinner at one of our new found favs - tortilla joes. The margaritas need a little work, but the mexican food itself is excellent.

jo's baja salad bowl: grilled chicken or steak, black beans, mexican rice, lettuce, monterey jack cheese, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole, corn, sour cream, mexican romesco dressing

I ordered my salad with grilled chicken and no beans — because, hello? do you know me? It was excellent and may or may not have been devoured.

seasonal margarita: watermelon margarita served over ice

Speaking of margaritas that don’t suck, and you’d be speaking about bayside brews in california adventure. We love the little beer stand snuck in under the swings, just past goofy’s sky school. They have a variety of beers on tap for the hubs, giant pretzels and baby bell cheese for the kiddos, and a seasonal margarita that has yet to disappoint. I get one every time we are in ca. Tangerine, grapefruit, apple, and this seasons selection - watermelon, i’ve tried them all. All good, and not too sweet. Taking a picture of them, has also become a thing, and you’ll find shoe/margarita pictures all over my ‘gram.

seared salmon salad: spinach, mixed greens, roasted tomatoes, pine nuts and avocado, with honey balsamic vinaigrette

Another family favorite is the gch craftsman bar located inside the grand californian. It’s located right at the hotel entrance to california adventure; which makes it the perfect place for the grown-ups to sit and relax while the kids do all the crazy things in redwood trails or get soaked riding the rapids.

I tried the salmon salad this go round, which was new on the menu, and it was delicious. I’m already plotting my next trip to get more… which is typically how I feel after any dish I have eaten at this restaurant. It always leaves me want more. In a good way.

Since it was the holiday time; california adventure was filled with booths of festive foods to try. The kiddo’s favorite hands down was the gingerbread mickey.

spicy apple cider margarita: reposado tequila, apple cider, house-made ghost pepper-cinnamon syrup, raspberry syrup and lime juice, garnished with an apple chip

While I was initially skeptical about this one, due to the booth attendants asking me several times whether I was okay with spice (I am), it turned out to be my favorite taste of the festival. Yes, it was spicy, but in a really good way. So good, in fact, this is one of those that I will be converting to a sangria style drink, stat.

You know, if it’s good enough for me to want to remake it, it’s definitely worth a try. Stay tuned.