Cass, Rob and Kira back in Disney - Food Reviews!! Completed 03/13/2010!

[Timon]

PB sucks and I am not redoing this photos, sorry! They are old pics anyway!

As of Feb 5th, 2018, consider this thread closed and done with!



Well since my trip report is now closed and locked, I figured it was time I started my dining reviews

I will start my review in the next post so I can use this post for links to each review.

Just to give you a little background, I am a very picky, plain eater. I grew up eating burgers, hot dogs, fries, etc., and that's still what I like best. I don't eat like that all the time, when I am home I try to eat better but I hate veggies and a lot of other stuff so it's hard for me to find things I like. When I am on vacation, however, I eat only the things I want, which are all bad for me

Rob is a lot easier to please when it comes to food. He will eat almost anything but his favourites are fruit salads (fruit topped with honey and bathing in cream) and veggies. (

)

Kira is a pretty good eater although she is sadly like her mother and refuses to eat most vegetables. I am trying my absolute best to make sure that she grows up enjoying many different kinds of foods. I started her young on whole grains and fruits and I limit her intake of sweets and treats. Already, she eats better than I do so I am happy about that!


My WDW Reviews

The Mara

Rainforest Cafe

Flame Tree BBQ & Pizzafari

Restaurantosaurus

Boma Breakfast Buffet

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Aloha Isle

Restaurantosaurus (again )

T-Rex

Ghirardelli

50's Prime Time Cafe

Sci-Fi Dine In

Le Cellier

Crystal Palace

Chef Mickey's

Princess Storybook Breakfast

Casey's Corner

Earl of Sandwich and Wolfgang Puck Express

Kona Cafe Breakfast

Casey's

Kona Breakfast






My DCL Reviews

Free Breakfast Buffet at the Residence Inn

Embarkation Buffet and Pluto's

Animator's Palate

Topsiders Buffet Breakfast

Character Breakfast at Parrot Cay

Golden Mickeys

Topsiders and Lumiere's

Pirate Night Dinner

Room Service and Palo Dinner

Topsiders Dinner

Lunch at Castaway Cay

Till We Meet Again

.

 

[Timon]

Dinner at The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge - October 15, 2009




By the time we finally got to the villa, we were absolutely starving so that may have made a huge impact on this review

It had been 2 years since the last time we ate at WDW and we were a little nervous to try the "new and improved" chicken strips.

There was absolutely no reason to worry because they were divine!!!

We got:

2 orders of chicken strips with fries $15.38
watermelon $ 3.19
Mickey Milk $1.29
Zebra Domes $3.69
2 Resort Mugs $25.98

Total with tax: $52.76


Rating: out of



Like I said, we were absolutely famished and this was our first meal at Disney in 2 years so that might be the reason we loved it so much. The food was hot, fresh and soooo delicious. There wasn't a single crumb left on our tray.

Rob filled his resort mug with coffee, which he really enjoyed! This totally surprised me because most of the reviews I've read about Disney coffee are not favourable. Since Rob is very picky about his coffee, I was sure he wasn't going to like it but once again, he proved me wrong. He enjoyed it so much that he filled his mug twice before we even left our table!

I wouldn't know about that stuff....I am not a coffee person!

I normally drink iced tea at home but I can't drink it when I am in the U.S. because they usually only have brewed tea with ice. I like the Nestea stuff, I buy the 50% less sugar version for home but I am happy with the regular stuff in restaurants.

I was about to fill up my cup with Diet-Coke ( I used to drink this stuff by the gallon after Rob turned me from Diet Sprite but quit drinking it in 2004) when I spotted Coke Zero. I decided that I would give that a try and I ended up really liking it! Unfortunately for me, this was the only place I found Coke Zero in the fountain. I have since tried it in the bottle/can and do not enjoy it at all. But for some reason, the stuff at The Mara was delicious!

Kira shared with us and enjoyed the chicken strips, watermelon and the zebra domes.

It was my first taste of the much-talked about domes, and while they didn't quite live up to the amazing reviews they get here on the DIS, they were quite good. They were incredibly sweet and both Kira and Rob could only stand a few bites each but I took one for the team and finished them off.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
Count me in. I love reading your reviews!!! I read your trip report and really enjoyed it. Kira is so adorable!!

 

[Timon]

Breakfast at Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom - October 16th, 2009

We've had breakfast here many times before and it's always been so good that we decided to always stop here at least once per trip.

Unfortunately this time it wasn't as good as our previous trips.

First off, they got rid of Rob's favourite Paradise Plate. He was really bummed about that!

Here is what the Paradise Plate looked liked in 2007:

Kira was a little freaked out with the animals sounds at first but eventually she got used to it and enjoyed it. She knows all the names of the RFC animals, which helped her get comfortable. I kept pointing and saying "Oh look, there's Tuki! And there's Rio!" It helped that she has plates with the characters on them and we made sure to memorize all the names before we left.

I had my usual, Breakfast of Bandits and Rob ordered the Cha Cha Waffle and I asked if he could get a side order of some fruit.

We also asked for a plate for Kira so we could share our food with her. She was happy when our server brought her a plate just like the ones she has at home.

My plate

Rob's stuff

While we enjoyed the experience, the food was just mediocre. My eggs were really dry and the potatoes were kind of tasteless. Rob said his waffle was OK and the fruit was pretty good.

We got:

Coffee $2.99
Cha Cha Wild Waffle $9.49
Milk $1.99
Side of fruit $2.49
Breakfast of Bandits $8.99

We used our Safari Club Card to get 10% off

Total with tax: $25.41

Rating: out of

I would have rated it only but Kira ended up loving the whole theme and we danced in our chairs to the music

 

[JESW]

Yay! Another Cass report! )Why was your trip report locked? I missed it!) Are you doing any scrap booking these days? Looking forward to reading more.

Jill

 

[Timon]

Hi
Count me in. I love reading your reviews!!! I read your trip report and really enjoyed it. Kira is so adorable!!

Thanks!

Yay! Another Cass report! )Why was your trip report locked? I missed it!) Are you doing any scrap booking these days? Looking forward to reading more.

Jill

Although I wasn't technically finished (I wanted to do a final thoughts post) it was moved to the finished reports page by the mods.

You can still read it, you just can't comment on it anymore.

Here's the link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2324431

As for scrapbooking, haven't done much lately. I finished our 2007 WDW/DCL digital album just before we left on this trip so when I am done this food report, my next project will be the 2009 WDW/DCL scrapbook album

Good to see you around Jill

 

[cntkg1]

$53.00?????? I hope the ketchup was free.

BTW, what are Zebra Domes?

(Glad to see you started this review Cass! I'll finally get my DIS fix).

 

[cntkg1]

That fruit plate Rob ordered in 2007 looked divine Cass!
So you no likey dry eggs, huh? Did you opt for the pancakes at my house then last year? My eggs are always dry...actually, "browned" is the only way you'll see me eat them. Sorry kiddo. Next time, I'll be sure to pull out some runny eggs for ya.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

$53.00?????? I hope the ketchup was free.

BTW, what are Zebra Domes?

(Glad to see you started this review Cass! I'll finally get my DIS fix).

Looks like that included two mugs though. (I hope that cost includes the mugs, otherwise is right!)

I really want to try the Mara sometime. Maybe in the fall since I think I'm going to be skipping Boma, and I'll need a zebra dome fix.

 

[Timon]

$53.00?????? I hope the ketchup was free.

BTW, what are Zebra Domes?

(Glad to see you started this review Cass! I'll finally get my DIS fix).

Hahah, yup, good thing ketchup was free LOL! $25 of that bill was for the refillable mugs, which we definitely got our money's worth out of

Zebra Domes are very sweet mousse type dessert, shaped into domes. They get a lot of attention here on the DIS. Here's the recipe:

http://keyingredient.com/recipes/71553/zebra-domes-bomas/ (click on the recipe tab)

That fruit plate Rob ordered in 2007 looked divine Cass!
So you no likey dry eggs, huh? Did you opt for the pancakes at my house then last year? My eggs are always dry...actually, "browned" is the only way you'll see me eat them. Sorry kiddo. Next time, I'll be sure to pull out some runny eggs for ya.

I don't recall your eggs being dry. I don't like runny eggs either, I like them moist. I'm not one to eat something I don't like and I remember eating your eggs, so they couldn't have been that bad

Looks like that included two mugs though. (I hope that cost includes the mugs, otherwise is right!)

I really want to try the Mara sometime. Maybe in the fall since I think I'm going to be skipping Boma, and I'll need a zebra dome fix.

Yes, definitely included the two mugs! And yeah, if you don't want to go to Boma (although I don't think I would ever skip the chance to eat at Boma again!) you can find the zebra domes in the cooler at Mara

 

[MickeyNicki]

I have never wanted chicken strip so badly! Yummy!

 

[Belle5]

I have never wanted chicken strip so badly! Yummy!

You and me, both! I have probably never ordered chicken fingers in all my trips to WDW--but I might be heading over to the Mara for that and some honey-dijon dipping sauce instead of my usual African stew in a bread bowl! (Ok, maybe not--but I'll make sure my kids order those and I get to sample!)

 

[butiflfeet]

It all looks so good! I love your reviews, thanks for sharing!

 

[Timon]

Flame Tree Barbecue & Pizzafari Animal Kingdom - October 16th, 2009

Rob and Kira were getting hungry but I was still pretty full from breakfast so while Kira and I grabbed a seat at Flame Tree, Rob went and got the food.

We've only ever eaten at FTB once before and I didn't even realize there was seating behind this restaurant until I read a review with pics a few months before we left. Now normally Rob and Kira get a seat and I get the food, this works for several reasons:

1-I normally carry most of the US cash.
2-I always know what Rob would eat off of any given menu (as well as Kira)
3-Rob has a hard time finding me in a crowd (sorry babe, but it's true! )

So as I slowly walked through the MASSIVE seating area located behind this restaurant, looking for a quiet spot so Kira can run around a bit, I was getting a wee bit nervous. Well, we keep walking and walking...holy crap this place is big, Rob will never find us!

I find a decent place at the bottom of the very long stairs (Kira loved running up and down these while we waited for Rob) and proceed to text Rob very specific directions in order to find us

It seemed like an eternity before he finally showed up, he said the lines were ridiculously long.

I think the condiment area was top secret because they all seemed to be slightly hidden. Thankfully I had just walked through this giant maze of paths and seating areas and had spotted one close by.

Rob got:

Kids hot dog meal $4.99 (came with chocolate chip cookie and apple juice)
Half Chicken Meal $9.49
Safari Fruit Plate $6.99
Large Coffee $1.89 (how anyone can drink coffee in this heat is beyond me )
$5 donation to the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund

Total with tax: $29.88

Rating: out of




Kira devoured her hot dog (wiener only, she never eats the bun) as well as tons of fruit and Rob ate everything else but the beans. He said it was very good and they were both full.

A couple hours later while we were waiting for the parade, I got hungry and we were right next to Pizzafari so I figured I would go get my old favourite, the Hot Italian Style Sandwich. I've had this many times and it's always been quite delicious once I removed those yucky tomatoes

This time, however, it was rather gross! Kira ended up eating most of my chips and I nibbled on the sandwich before I decided I couldn't possibly eat anymore of that crud.

I lost that receipt but according to all ears it was:

Hot Italian Style Sandwich with chips $8.79
Large diet coke $2.49

Total with Tax: $11.96

Rating: out of

That might have been the worst $12 I spent! Even the diet coke was gross. It tasted really off, maybe it was at the end of the tank?

 

[Timon]

Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom - October 16th, 2009


A couple hours later, we were all hungry again and we couldn't get our minds off of those chicken strips from the night before. The only place I knew they served them was at Restaurantosaurus so off we went.

It's a good thing I've memorized all of the menus from All Ears

We weren't starving so we decided to split some chicken strips and Kira said she wanted some apple juice.

While I was getting the food, I could hear all the way into the other room that Kira was having a bit of a meltdown. When I got there she changed her mind and asked for milk, so I went back and got that for her.

While the strips were just as delicious as the ones at The Mara, Kira was at the end of her rope and her attitude kept us from really enjoying our meal. After that episode, we left the park tout suite!


We got:

Chicken strips with fries $7.69
Bottled water $2.50
Apple Juice $2.39

Total with Tax: $13.23

Rating: out of (it would have been 5 's without the meltdown



.

 

[cntkg1]

Flame Tree Barbecue & Pizzafari Animal Kingdom - October 16th, 2009

Kira devoured her hot dog (wiener only, she never eats the bun) as well as tons of fruit and Rob ate everything else but the beans. He said it was very good and they were both full.

I notice WDW is STILL using the crappy wheat buns too. No wonder you tossed it. Kira is a smart little girl.

 

[cntkg1]

Nice to see you posting the prices Cass. Makes us appreciate the "free" food on the cruise even more, doesn't it?

 

[cannp123165]

Great reviews and photos.

 

[Timon]

Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge - October 17th, 2009

Today was our 11th wedding anniversary and although we weren't doing anything extraordinary to celebrate, I did want to try something new. I have read countless wonderful reviews about Boma and although the dinner menu didn't appeal to me, the breakfast definitely caught my eye.

Rob just rolls with whatever I plan (I love him for that!) so I just told him we were going to try a new place over at AKL, he didn't care, he was just happy to be eating LOL!

We got there about 10 minutes before our PS time and they gave us a buzzer but it went off about 3 minutes later so it wasn't much of a wait after all.

We were seated in the very back corner of the restaurant, which was nice because it was really busy and really loud in the main seating area.

It took awhile for our server to show up and then as soon as she got our drink orders, I told Rob to hit the buffet for his and Kira's breakfast.

Coffee for Rob, of course

He came back and seemed really happy. Food makes Rob happy, especially a good buffet. It sounds a little strange but Rob can really pack away the food but he gets bored of a food easily and needs a lot of variety. It's one of the reasons he doesn't enjoy my casseroles or shepherd's pie...everything is all together, so he gets bored really fast.

He also eats the items on his plate one at a time. Sometimes this really irks me because his potatoes will sit there for 10 minutes, untouched. Then I gotta ask him if there's something wrong with the potatoes. He'll just smile and say "No, I just haven't gotten to them yet"

Needless to say, he was thrilled with this buffet because not only did it have the regular breakfast stuff but it also had some unique items with African flair. Rob is a rather adventurous eater so he was thrilled to be trying new items.


Here's his first plate(s):

Finally it was my time to grab some grub and I was happy with my usual breakfast selections, none of the African stuff appealed to this picky eater

By the time I got back, Rob was devouring his food with a huge smile on his face.

Apparently he was enjoying himself. Kira was also devouring her food and was quite happy too!

I am a huge potato girl so I was really looking forward to those potatoes with "afritude". I was a tad disappointed because they weren't as fabulous as everyone claims but then I took one bite of my eggs and was in HEAVEN!!!!

These were some of the best eggs I have ever tasted!!! I could go on and on about these eggs and how amazing they were but I won't Rob asked me if I had gotten some ham and I replied "They have ham?????" I'm also a ham girl so I was shocked that I totally missed the ham carving station!!

I ran up real quick and got me a few slices

Everything was so tasty! I totally loved the toast station where you can choose your own bread and toast it yourself. I'm also picky about my toast, I like it lightly toasted and buttered right away while it's still warm and when I eat out, I rarely get it that way. Usually it comes slightly burnt and cold and not buttered.

I had also been dying to try the chocolate croissants and they didn't disappoint!

The three of us were happy as clams! We sat there for almost an hour gorging ourselves on delicious food, enjoying each other's company and just soaking in the Disney atmosphere.

Here's Rob's second plate...

And here's mine...

If we had one complaint, it would be with our server. She had zero personality and seemed very very busy. She told us at the beginning of the meal that they had small forks and would bring one for Kira. Well, that never happened. After that, we never saw her. Thankfully we didn't need drink refills because we never would have gotten them.

Just as we were getting our stuff ready to go, the waitress decided to finally strike up a conversation with us. She found out that it was our anniversary and told us to stay at the table for a few more minutes.

Then she brought this out for us...

Honestly, I was about to explode and didn't want to eat another bite but I also didn't want to be rude. So we put our stuff down again and sat in our chairs had a few bites of the desserts.

While I appreciate the thought, we were all packed up and ready to go when she asked us to stay. Had I known she was going to bring out more food I would have politely declined and told her thank you but no thank you.

I don't know if she did what she did because half her tables were gone now so she had more time or because she knew we were leaving and realized that she hadn't paid attention to us all and she wanted her tip?

The reason I hadn't noted on our reservation that it was our anniversary was because I didn't want to make a big deal about it. Plus it was just a breakfast buffet, not a fancy schmancy sit down dinner.

Honestly I can't really remember what those desserts tasted like, I only remember that I wasn't really impressed by any of them but I'm not a big dessert girl either.



2 adult buffet breakfasts $33.98
Total with Tax: $36.19
(Kira was free) plus we gave her a 15% tip

Rating: out of

I think if the service was better, it would have been 5 's

 

[Timon]

I have never wanted chicken strip so badly! Yummy!

LOL, I know...I was drooling as I was posting that photo!

You and me, both! I have probably never ordered chicken fingers in all my trips to WDW--but I might be heading over to the Mara for that and some honey-dijon dipping sauce instead of my usual African stew in a bread bowl! (Ok, maybe not--but I'll make sure my kids order those and I get to sample!)

It is definitely the Ken's Honey Dijon that makes those babies so good! And you can always order both

It all looks so good! I love your reviews, thanks for sharing!

Thanks for reading!

I notice WDW is STILL using the crappy wheat buns too. No wonder you tossed it. Kira is a smart little girl.

I can't even talk about those buns right now! I will though, in my next review!

Nice to see you posting the prices Cass. Makes us appreciate the "free" food on the cruise even more, doesn't it?

It sure is hard to pay for food when you get off that glorious ship!

Great reviews and photos.

Thanks!