Panasonic Academic Challenge - 2006

The 19th Panasonic Academic Challenge, Tom's 9th, is at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. This annual event is a competition among states and territories of the United States giving us yet another opportunity to enjoy the fine WDW cuisine.

Saturday, June 10, 2006
A travel day for the teams

The readers and coordinating judges previewed all of the CD and DVD questions and Lyd and I then headed for MGM. Somewhere in the area, there are fires, as the morning air is smoky.

This was a Star Wars Weekend at MGM. They even had storm troopers atop the ticket booths

A very popular attraction is the Great Movie Ride, a slow moving ride through some of the wonderful movies from Hollywood.  Bob Hope's handprints are in the cement in front of the ride.

Muppet 3-D is a wonderful romp. With 3-D glasses, the movie  presents the muppet characters.  It's actually 4-D as the theatre itself gets into the show.

Star Tours is a simulator tied to a movie. A seat belt keeps you in your seat, but this is not a roller coaster.  Disney is great for entertaining you while you stand in line. Here, R2D2 is repairing one of the ride vehicles under the supervision of C3PO and other maintenance droids. The ride itself is a pleasure "tour" from Tatooine to Endor that has adventures on the way.
Lunch was at the Brown Derby, a recreation of the famous restaurant from Hollywood. Outside, topiary of Mickey as the Sorcerer's Apprentice is on the lawn.  Inside, a signature of the original Brown Derby are the walls covered with signed caricatures of Hollywood's greats.

 

We knew we had a big dinner planned, so we wanted a light lunch. Menu
Tom had Tortilla Soup with Chorizo Sausage and Avocado-Lime Cream ($6.29)
Lyd had Steamed Little Neck Clams in "Casino" broth with thick-cut bacon and fried herb bread ($7.89)

We split the signature Cobb Salad with chopped greens, turkey breast, bacon, egg, tomatoes, crumbled blue cheese, avocado, chives and Cobb dressing. ($13.29) At lunch, this is served as an entrée and easily feeds two. At dinner, in the same size, it is served as a side salad!

We tried to get into the Indiana Jones 1330 show, but it was filled so we let the heat and the smoky air send us back to the hotel.  At 1700, I read a Panasonic Demonstration round and we headed back to the California Grill.  There were no seats available at the Sushi counter so we settled for the pastry counter instead. I chatted with Yosie and Matty and he pointed out that the fires were about a mile from his home, so we were very pleased when, during dinner, there was a heavy shower which helped to push back the flames and the smoke. Ryan came by to visit. menu
The California Grill
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We started with Tom's Manhattan ($7.25) and Lyd's Clautiere Estate Viognier, Paso Obles 04 ($12.25)


Ryan stopped by, noticed my drink was on-the-rocks and wondered if I had changed my order or it had been a mistake. I mumbled something about a mistake.

Tom's Choices

Lyd's Choices
Unagi When she found out where we were seated, Yoshie asked me to send our server to her to receive his instructions. Takashi delivered, personally, this wonderful platter ($22) Castroville Artichoke and Lobster Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette, Mậche, Cucumber, and Crème Fraîche ($17)
My 2nd Manhattan, a masterpiece from Dennis, showed up during the Sushi Experience Dayboat Scallops with fennel pollen, warm escarole, Nueske's bacon, gnocchi, and grain mustard seed jus ($30)

The fireworks and boat show finished the evening.