| Commissioner's Academic Challenge - 2008 |
| April 10-12, 2008 |
| Monday, April 7, 2008 |
| The 23rd Commissioner's Academic Challenge, Tom's 12th, was at the Contemporary Resort at Walt Disney World. This annual event is a competition among the school districts of Florida and affords us another opportunity to enjoy the fine WDW cuisine. To learn more about the tournament,
click here. We secured the convention room rate and drove down to WDW on Saturday, April 5, for a few days of frolic before the tournament. |
| We went to
EPCOT in the morning and took a Segway tour of World Showcase. We had lunch in Mexico and rode the Mexican boat ride. This was followed by a ride on the Maelstrom. After a rest in the room, dinner was at the Yachtsman Steakhouse. |
| Segway Tour |
| We reported to Guest Relations at 0900 and met Ann, our trainer, and Isis, our tour guide. After an orientation and practice, we finished the two hours in a ride through World Showcase, which didn't open until after our ride. This was a magnificent experience and we have resolved to purchase at least one Segway to use in Salisbury. |
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We finished our training at Segway Central and we're ready to go.
After riding one of these for 10 minutes, you feel like you have been on one all
your life. |
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| We're out in World Showcase near Italy. |
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Isis (pronounced EE-sis) is from Sao Pablo, Brazil and was our tour guide for the morning. |
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Isis took this picture of Tom and the Lady and the Tramp. |
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Ann, our trainer, and Isis, our tour guide |
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| San Angel Inn, Mexico |
| Whereas we were only interested
in a light lunch, we each had a margarita (8.95) and a sope traditional (7.50) |
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| EPCOT |
| EPCOT is always a wonderful place. The Flower Festival is in full swing and we enjoyed a flyover by the USAF Thunderbirds. |
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| The topiary is always magnificent. |
The Thunderbirds flew over the Monorail station |
The monorail arrives to take us home. |
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Yachtsman Steakhouse |
| The Yachtsman Steakhouse is located in the Yacht Hotel in the Boardwalk area of WDW. We have been here twice before,
but we were disappointed this time.
menu |
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| We started with drinks. Lyd ordered a gin martini (7.25). And I ordered my standard Manhattan (7.25). Well, that Manhattan was the palest nothin' I have ever been served. I followed that with a Maker's Mark Manhattan (8.00), but it was little better. This bartender needs
real help. |
We each had the Caesar Salad with crisp Romaine lettuce, aged Parmesan cheese and Ciabatta Crouton (9) and pronounced it excellent. The dressing was creamy and very good.
The roasted garlic was excellent. |
Lyd selected the Yachtsman Filet Mignon 8-oz filet with mashed potatoes and red wine sauce. She pronounced it very good. |
With her dinner, Lyd selected a glass of Woop Woop Shiraz, South Eastern Australia, 06 (9.50) That is not a 4 ounce pour.
It was quite less. |
Tom chose the New York Strip Steak 12-oz strip steak with peppercorn brandy sauce and potato gratin with diamond white cheddar (42).
It was good. |
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| This was not one of our best dining experiences,
though Al, from Brooklyn, served us well. Whereas we can get so much more from other places, Yachtsman Steakhouse will be dropping from our best list.
Why choose B+ when A is available! |
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