Take a Ride on the Monorail - 01.26.26

Today was an extended day of vacation due to a massive northern snow and ice storm. Since we were able to get through the majority of what we wanted to do in the parks over the past two days we did not feel like an extra Disney Park day was worthwhile. We contemplated going to Universal’s Epic Universe but redirected after breaking down the logistics. We decided to spend our day sleeping in ever so slightly, getting brunch at Chef Mickey’s, completing the monorail bar crawl, and ending the day at Disney Springs to gather last minute gifts. 

It has been years since we all (individually) went to Chef Mickey’s. This is a character breakfast buffet with appearances from Micky Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald Duck, and Goofy. The price is set at $59.00 per adult, plus tax and gratuity. The breakfast buffet includes buttermilk biscuits and sausage gravy; waffles, house-made French toast, seasonal pancakes, croissant beignets; corned beef hash; charcuterie and cheese boards with accoutrements; selection of fruits; carved pit ham and andouille, peppers, and onions; and steak and egg scramble, omelets, and tofu scramble. We also ordered specialty cocktails - Jen and I ordered mimosas with pog juice (passion fruit, orange, guava) and Avery ordered the Sunrise Margarita (Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, Agave, Lime, Hella Cocktail Co. Smoked Chili Bitters) for $18.50. After much indulgence and fun character interactions, we continued with our monorail bar crawl to the Polynesian Village Resort. 

At the Poly we went to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto where we had a short wait (less than 10 minutes) until we were seated. Avery and I shared the Nautilus (Cruzan Mango Rum, Appleton Rum Estate 8 yr Reserve, Combier Creme de Peche de Vigne Liqueur, Tropical Juices, and Falernum) for $38.00. Jen got the Tahitian Torch (Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Tropical Juices, Passion Fruit, and Fresh Lime Juice) for $17.50. After Avery and I finished our shared drink we got our own drinks. I ordered the Hippopoto-Mai-Tai (Planteray Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, Bols Orange Curacao Liqueur, Orgeat (Almond), Organic Agave Nectar, and Fresh Lime Juice) with a souvenir mug for $31.50. Avery ordered the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum (Pyrat XO Reserve Rum, Cream of Coconut, and Pineapple and Orange Juices dusted with Cinnamon and Nutmeg) for $18.50. This was a super fun and interactive bar as certain drinks came with sound effects, staff performances, and guest participation. By ordering the Nautilus, we had the effects that simulates diving underwater with blue lighting and sound effects. By ordering the Hippopoto-Mai-Tai, we had the effects of the room lights turning red and a skipper firing shots into the air. Overall, this was a great first visit for me and I had a lot of fun as our drinks and other patrons’ set off interactive experiences. 

From the Poly we took the monorail over to our last stop, the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. At the Grand Flo we went to the Enchanted Rose. At the Enchanted Rose we shared an Artisanal Cheese Selection (Four Chef-selected Tasting Portions, Honeycomb, Quince Paste, Apricot Jam, Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Cranberry Bread) for $19.00. I enjoyed all of the selected pairings. I ordered the Floral Bitter Beauty (Hendrick’s Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Campari Liqueur, Aperol Liqueur, Lemon, and Soda) for $19.50 and the Island Rose (Ketel One Botanical Grapefruit & Rose Vodka, Lime, Orgeat (Almond), Pineapple, Bitters, and Rose Water) for $19.50. Avery ordered the French Martini for $18.50 and two Grand Cosmopolitans (Grey Goose Vodka, Grand Marnier Liqueur, and Juices of Cranberry with Lime) for $22.00 each. Jen ordered the Espresso Martini (Stoli Vanilla Vodka, Espresso, and Bols Creme de Cacao Liqueur) for $17.50 and the Grand Cosmopolitan for $22.00. We enjoyed ourselves in this elegant yet comfortable atmosphere. However, my favorite stop on the monorail bar crawl was Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian. From the Grand Flo, we took a bus over to Disney Springs. 

At Springs, we did some quick shopping as the temperature had drastically dropped and we were not prepared for the cold weather. We ended our night getting dinner at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. I ordered the Harvest Salad (Mixed greens tossed with fire-roasted red peppers and corn, shredded white cheddar cheese, heirloom cherry tomatoes and house-made balsamic dressing. Topped with grilled chicken, avocado, and hushpuppies) for $22.00 and a White Peach Sangria (Peach moonshine, La Perlina Moscato and fresh peach puree muddled with orange and mango. Garnished with a moonshine-soaked peach wedge) for $16.00. Avery ordered Art’s Famous Fried Chicken (Buttermilk-brined for 24 hours then perfectly fried and served with creamy mashed potatoes, a cheddar drop biscuit and love) for $34.00 and a Cucumber Cooler (Tito’s Handmade Vodka with lime juice, simple syrup, and crisp cucumber slices) for $14.00. Jen ordered the Fried Chicken Salad (Crispy fried chicken over mixed greens, pecan-smoked bacon, egg, heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber tossed with icebox dressing, house-made croutons, and fresh herbs) for $22.00. Our food was good and we enjoyed our last bits of Disney as we would be flying back to the arctic (Pennsylvania) come morning.