Cyclonic

Yes, I have a few more food photos, this time from Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano.  We booked a reservation for here to also include reserved seating for Fantasmic.  With the booking you pay a fixed price for an appetizer, entree and desert.
 
I ordered the calamari, nothing really interesting there, but here is Becky's Seared Fennel-Crusted Tuna:
 

 
Both of us ordered the same entree, the Chicken Campanelle:
 

 
Finally, dessert was a medley of tasty treats that we shared:
 
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The food was excellent, and more then we could finish (note the take home bag).  We broke about even cost wise had we ordered everything separate, but it really paid for itself with the seats we got for Fantasmic:
 

We didn't get the kitchen sink either, but got a Mickey Pants Sunday - next best thing - and got to keep the bowl! 
 

 

No, we did not go for the Kitchen Sink, but did have a nice lunch:
 
Frozen Sunshine:
 
Vegetarian Falafel:
 
Pork Belly Cuban Sandwich:
 
And finally,
Fudge Mud Slide:
 
It was all excellent.

These are vintage slides my father took in 1977 at the Fort.  I had to digitize them so they are not the best quality but I thought you all might enjoy them.  I still have several slide trays and a metal box of slides yet to do but i believe these are the only Fort pics.  There are some River Country and a couple of the Fort Wilderness Railroad.  https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152211590549779.1073741837.686514778&type=1&l=8d3ff1e411
 
 
 

I still think we will see this thing again, they are being far too careful removing it.

Score another one for Fiends on the scene!

So for the momentous, and more than a little ridiculous, occasion of my 25,000th post (yeesh!) I figured what better than to pay homage to the place and the people responsible for all my blathering on.  Feel free to join in!
 
I love Fort Fiends because...
 
When I'm having a lousy day, I can always count on a laugh (or 7)
  I get to share my love (ok obsession) with the Fort and Disney parks with people who don't just roll their eyes and make looping motions with their finger alongside their head or ask me "are you going AGAIN?"
  If I have a question, I know someone will have the answer - and then someone will hijack the thread (see point #1)
  There is always a Fiend on the Scene to find out the latest information on what's happening at WDW and the Fort - often complete with photos - and those people aren't shy about texting me that info live as it happens!
  Super fun times ensue when things like a private party at the Fort happens and we get to share minute-by-minute reporting on said event - complete with hilarious commentary
  Two words... GRAND GATHERINGS
  If I want to plan a crazy park "mission," I always know where I can find someone to accompany me, and a bunch of people to cheer me on
  I'm continually amazed by the kindness and compassion of fellow Fiends - from taking up and delivering a pin collection for a little girl no one even knows, to hand delivering a special popcorn bucket to an adorable Fiend 1000 miles away, to dropping everything to come to the rescue of a Fiend that finds themselves in a medical or mechanical bind while at the Fort, to supporting a fellow Fiend that's going through a difficult time... the list goes on. There are so many more reasons, but I'll try and keep this to less than my usual "epic" length and cut to the chase. The number one reason...
 
I've made some wonderful, amazing FrIENDS with people that I never would have met otherwise - interesting, caring, fun, smart, loving, hilarious, fantastic people.
 
As my 5 year old nephew would say (in suitably dramatic fashion)... my heart is full.
 
:heartsmiley:

This place is without a doubt the best place I have ever had a meal. Shardi and I celebrated our 15th anniversary there. The first time that I was greeted at the door by name before introducing myself and the wait staff was always asking us by name what we needed. We will be dining there again Thursday of next week for Shardi's 39th Birthday, although it will be a few days late.
 
Kelly, you and Jason have to get there someday. Anyone that loves a BGE, will love the food at V&A.

The obligatory "Shoe Tree" picture:
 

Finally, for now, the dog run.  The embankment from the rail road runs right through it:
 

Also a part of the Fort I never knew, the Fort Wilderness Railroad.  Here is a bridge abutment:
 

Ah River Country... I never knew ya:
 

The obligatory "Shoe Tree" picture:
 

Finally, for now, amazing seats, thanks Jason!
 

A hidden Mickey?
 

From a morning walk:
 

As the sun sets...
 

An early morning boarding:
 

A nice look at the bridge to the swimming pool:
 

I did not take nearly enough photos at the fort, I'll have to do more next time.  Here are a few:
 

Finally, as a treat for Becky's birthday, hand made candies.
 

Becky's Caramelized Banana Gateau.
 

My dessert, Tanzanian Chocolate Timbale with Orange Scented Milk Chocolate Gelato.
 

The dessert before the dessert, Roasted White Chocolate Gelato with Candied Fig.  I think the fig is the only thing all night that I really did not care for.
 

Time for coffee, this is a Reverse Vacuum Coffee Maker, very neat to watch.  I would love to have one of these for special occasions.