Grand Gatherings & more! 1 year of Disney Dining! Illuminations Grand Gathering 5/26

[sandybobandy]

My husband and I literally *just* added the Ohana breakfast and your pictures really solidified (sp?) my...err...our decision. Thanks!!!

 

[frdeb1999]

Love the pics and reviews! Sorry you had a bad experience at PTC. I have had hit and miss service there also....which should never happen with what prices customers are paying. Glad you enjoyed Ohanas....it's a family must do for us every trip!

 

[TPCShauna]

Sorry your 50s PT experience was so poor. There is no way I would have waited that long without service. You guys were way patient! Sadly, your review was not the first I've read detailing abominable service there. I'm starting to get concerned about our ADR.

Thanks for the wonderful photos and reviews!

 

[CanadianPaco]

Your pics are wonderful! Thx for the reviews!

 

[ireland_nicole]

WooHoo; finally caught up; glad to see you survived yur foray into dxddp; since we're doing it next time, could you tell me what you would change? Also, we were at CP the 13th and although our server was definitely better than yours, there wasn't nearly as much "magic" this time; we celebrated DS's B-day there last year, and there was confetti and streamers covering the table, plus a lovely card signed by all the characters... the table next to us had a b-day, and there was a little sprinkling of confetti... plus, the server actually came to the line to tell us we needed to go sit down b/c Tigger was coming. In the past, if you missed a character, they'd "fit you in" to the rotation b/fore you left. But he told us if we didn't go back and sit down, we'd have to wait an extra hour (yeah, like they want to waste a table for an hour, but, um, o..k..) Otherwise, it was fine. Not a ten, but o.k.- plus, it was the only place open for lunch on 2 days notice (thanks to Ike, we got an extra day). I'm really sorry now we cancelled Teppen Edo; we'll have to get it in next trip! Can't wait to see more

 

[disneyquilter]

Just found your food trippie, now going over to your TR Great job!! Can't wait to read more

 

[Treacle44]

Wow amazing reviews,how did you manage to eat all that food though??

xx

 

[zoie101]

thanks
still deceiding on wether to upgrade to deluxe or not!
dont want to feel rushed to each resturant

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

My husband and I literally *just* added the Ohana breakfast and your pictures really solidified (sp?) my...err...our decision. Thanks!!!

You'll love it there! Our fave breakfast places are O'Hana, Kona, Cape May Vafe, and Tusker House.

Love the pics and reviews! Sorry you had a bad experience at PTC. I have had hit and miss service there also....which should never happen with what prices customers are paying. Glad you enjoyed Ohanas....it's a family must do for us every trip!

Yeah us too. Sometimes I feel like the servers just expect the money and don't really care how they treat you. Then others are wonderful!?

Sorry your 50s PT experience was so poor. There is no way I would have waited that long without service. You guys were way patient! Sadly, your review was not the first I've read detailing abominable service there. I'm starting to get concerned about our ADR.

Thanks for the wonderful photos and reviews!

Well we were curious to see when and if she'd ever come back. Then when she did she acted like she'd done nothing wrong. That was the strange part if you ask me! I passed it over for years and we finally try it and get that! Oh well. Now I know. Never again.

Your pics are wonderful! Thx for the reviews!

Thank you.

WooHoo; finally caught up; glad to see you survived yur foray into dxddp; since we're doing it next time, could you tell me what you would change? I'd book a bunch of two service creadit meals. We did have the Luau and the Backyard BBQ on ours and still missed out on two breakfast meals and were stuffed. If you are going with 8 or more you can use the credits up easy doing the grand gatherings. Plus you have the signature restaurants, and those take 2. The other option....if you get there early enough to use all of your credits on your firsr day and stay sort of late on the check out day you could eat that last day too. It's like getting an extra day out of the plan. If nothing else you can get breakfast. We loved it but next time we have to do it different (or take a ton of people and share with them). Also, we were at CP the 13th and although our server was definitely better than yours, there wasn't nearly as much "magic" this time; we celebrated DS's B-day there last year, and there was confetti and streamers covering the table, plus a lovely card signed by all the characters... the table next to us had a b-day, and there was a little sprinkling of confetti... plus, the server actually came to the line to tell us we needed to go sit down b/c Tigger was coming. In the past, if you missed a character, they'd "fit you in" to the rotation b/fore you left. But he told us if we didn't go back and sit down, we'd have to wait an extra hour DH and I were doing an anniversary thing that night and they had our table decorated and gave us a card. Everything was there when we sat down though. Server never mentioned anything. I didn't care though. We were celebrating that night, not that day. I guess when they ask you about celebrations they type the stuff in for the entire day. We only saw one character the whole time! My husband stayed with the baby and caught the others but me and the older kids had to leave. We'd been in for close to an hour and only Eeyore had come by. He was a doll though! (yeah, like they want to waste a table for an hour, but, um, o..k..) Otherwise, it was fine. Not a ten, but o.k.- plus, it was the only place open for lunch on 2 days notice (thanks to Ike, we got an extra day). I'm really sorry now we cancelled Teppen Edo; we'll have to get it in next trip! Can't wait to see more

I think we're done with Crystal Palace too. We can always catch Pooh at 1900 Park Fare.

Just found your food trippie, now going over to your TR Great job!! Can't wait to read more

I'm adding 1900 in a few! Oh and thanks for stopping by my trippie. There's a lot more reading over there!

Wow amazing reviews,how did you manage to eat all that food though??

xx

We didn't...LOL But we had fun trying.

thanks
still deceiding on wether to upgrade to deluxe or not!
dont want to feel rushed to each resturant

Well you don't feel rushed at the restaurants but at the end of the day you feel like you've missed a lot in the parks. We really skipped out a lot but we're about to go back...so I'll get it this time. (And no I did not do deluxe this time)

Excellent

Thanks!

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

This is a fun meal, especially for Cinderella fans! You get to see Cindy, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drizella, and Anatasia. (I hope I spelled that right) I like this set up much better than the old that included the mice and FG. The step sisters are a lot of fun.

The food is a buffet. It's packed with all kinds of stuff. Unfortunately for me, not much I liked, but for others it could be their dream buffet! This is the carving station.

Here are some dessert samples. They looked pretty good.

This is the celebration cupcake

We didn't take pics of our plates because we barely ate anything. We liked the old buffet better. There were several meals then we loved. Not so much now but the food presentation was very good if you liked the stuff and the service was okay. Our guy was busy trying to keep up with a big party but he got everything we needed.

We ordered DD a special treat. This is the chocolate slipper. I think it was $14 plus tax. My daughter LOVED it and the kids ate the whole thing! You can order these through the cake line.

The meal came to $98.51 and was one table service on the dining plan.

 

[scottny]

great update and pcs.

I suggested eating there but Biff will not eat with Cinderella. But did want to eat with Mary Poppins in the morning.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

great update and pcs.

I suggested eating there but Biff will not eat with Cinderella. But did want to eat with Mary Poppins in the morning.

Well, lets see....Mary Poppins in also at PSB and usually Cinderella is not. There's another option. Why no love for Cindy? So you're from NYC!? Have you ever been to a club called The National Underground?

 

[mickeysgirl17]

Great update.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

Great reviews thanks!

 

[lovedisneysincewas10]

just subscribing so I don't loose my place

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

This was our first visit to Tusker House since they changed over to table service and it was superb! This was one of the best Breakfast buffets we've ever had at Disney. I can't think of another that has a selection this big! We were there for about 45 minutes and some characters came by twice. They do move fast though. They also do conga line dances ever so often and kids love this! This is a new favorite. As a matter of fact I just booked the free dining offer that was recently sent out and Tusker House is on my list once again!

The characters...you get to see Donald, Daisy, Mickey & Goofy dressed in the cutest safari outfits!

This one gets a five star rating IMO. Great buffet, fun characters and good service. The total for this meal was $65.66 and was one table service on the dining plan.

Next up....we're ready for lunch at ~

Appetizers...Por Egg Rolls and Pork Pot Stickers. DH loved the egg rolls but there was enough for four people! It's a huge appetizer serving! The won tons were pretty good. A little bit tough but still okay. I will say the pot stickers at Kona were a LOT better.

For our meals I chose the Crispy Honey Chicken & Sidney ordered the Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp. All very good!

And the DS ordered the chicken bites w/ double white rice...

The best part of the whole meal was the dessert here. We ordered the Fried Wontons. It was amazing! OMG I can't even tell you how good this was! It's Gavin DeGraw good and those of you who know me...well, you know how much I love that man! This is one dessert you definitely want to try out at the Animal Kingdom! This is the description of this dessert.

Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey vanilla drizzle

The other dessert we ordered was the Raspberry, Lemon and Mango Sorbet (also very good!)

I don't know if we'll eat here again but we will order that dessert to go! The restaurant was very nice. Service was good. Food very good but at Animal Kingdom has the best counter service meals of any park and we kind of missed those this time around! The total for this meal came to $74.26 and was one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

 

[OneTreeHillAddict]

Last but not least for Dinner we went to the second seating of Spirit of Aloha. This was our first time doing this and although it had mixed reviews we wanted to try it anyway. The show was great! We were seated in level 2 seats to the left of the stage. The seats were okay. Had I been in that upper level I would have hated it! We were right there where level one is cut off from level two. The food, not my style but I knew this going in. I study the menus for months ahead of time when we're planning a trip to Disney. So I wasn't expecting a whole lot. But, the chicken I actually liked a lot. And the pineapple. The children ordered the optional meals. (Which were hot dogs, PBJ, and mac n cheese) I had a little bit of the mac n cheese but it wasn't very good. This shows what is on the table when you sit down (along with a pitcher of water...you pour your own)

Then they bring this platter out and if you need more of anything they bring it to you.

Your dessert is presented like this...smoking from a volcano

But you actually get served this

It looks very weird to me but it wasn't too bad. I'd hate to be stranded on an Island with nothing to eat but that but it was okay. I don't know if we'll do this again but I wanted to try it out for myself. I'd never pay out of pocket for it but since we upgraded from free dining to deluxe we gave it a shot. I would think with the perfect seat this could be amazing. (Front and center) Another thing they offer here are drinks served in the coconut. You can get anything added to these and they're so cute! They also make a bank for ya later.

The show lasts a really long time. The music and dancing are very good but the fire twirler steals the show! Everyone loved his performance. They also let the kids come on stage, which they really enjoyed.

And the adults are encouraged to come up and dance at times too. I say try the show at least once. Avoid that third level unless you bring a telescope! It looked liked that upper level went on and on up there. The meal here cost $163.95 for the four of us. Gratuities ARE included for everyone. It takes TWO table service credits when you use the Disney Dining Plan. I'd never recommend doing this unless you are on the deluxe plan, I'd hate to lose two needed credits on this. But, if you're on DLX it's hard to eat all that food so this is a nice break. That's it for now. Next up Cape May Breakfast, Le Cellier, and O'Hana.

 

[matthew&haleysmom]

Thanks for posting the review of Spirit of Aloha. We are going in June and are on the DxDP. This is the only place my mom has requested.

How long was the show? Did your child enjoy it?

 

[Lynn5700]

Ok your kids are sooo gorgeous OMG!!!! So cute!

Awesome reviews!! Can't wait for more!