Gone But Not Forgotten – My Family's 10 Days of DDP (with Pictures!) - Updated 4/7

IckyMickey

Mouseketeer
Joined
Sep 22, 2006
Hi Everyone,

We were fortunate enough to return to WDW 2 years in a row because of an airline credit. Time flew by so quickly last year that I never did a dining review, so I made up my mind, I will do one this time. We were at Disney for 10 days – November 18 – 28th with the VISA free dining promo. I scheduled a few extra breakfasts as I wanted to try them and we paid OOP for them. We stayed at the CSR (Coronado Springs Resort) for a second time, although I’m not sure we’ll be back there.

I scheduled dinner at everyone’s favorite places and tried some new ones too. Parks and ADR’s had been planned for a long time which makes our trips a lot easier. However, we were flexible about adding in Blizzard Beach, swimming at our hotel and trips to Downtown Disney / DisneyQuest depending on the weather and the kids wants. I did try and schedule online but it would only let me do one day not 90+10 so I had to call in my ADR’s. Fortunately, I got everything I wanted!

In the end, this was our best trip yet. :love:

Here’s the family:
DH – 39 – eats anything but enjoys steak on vacation, usually won’t order seafood.
Me – 39 – eats anything but enjoys steak & seafood, and wanted to try “fish” on this vacation
DS 13 – will try anything, burgers are his favorite, dislikes tomatoes (but loves salsa), can eat an entire lg bag of chips in one sitting :rolleyes:
DS 7 - thinks he’s 13 sometimes, standard kid’s food is fine with him

We all love bread and salad.

Our family picture:
1003730_1.jpg


Here’s our line-up:

Day 1 – Arrival & AK
Pizzafari - Page 1
‘Ohanas & a Brush with a DIS great! - Page 1
A Few Extras - Page 2


Day 2 – MK & Blizzard Beach (BB)
Cosmic Ray’s - Page 2
Snacks - Page 3
Chef Mickey’s - Page 4


Day 3 – HS
Starring Rolls - Page 4
Pizza Planet - Page 4
Snacks - Page 5
Mama Melroses - Page 5
Mama Melroses 2008 bonus pict's - Page 5


Day 4 – Epcot
Tangierine Café - Page 7
LeCellier - Page 7
LeCellier 2008 bonus pict's - Page 9
Snacks - Page 9

Days 1-4 DDP Cost Analysis - Page 10

Day 5 – AK, CSR Pool & DisneyQuest
Donald’s Safari Breakfast - Page 9
Snacks & Drinks by the Pool - Page 10
Yak & Yeti - Page 10


Day 6 – HS & BB
Pepper Market Breakfast - Page 11
Sci-Fi for lunch - Page 10
Pepper Market for dinner - Page 11
Snacks - Page 12


Day 7 – MK

Cosmic Ray’s
Kona Café
Snacks

Day 8 – MK (rainy) & DTD
Crystal Palace for breakfast
WPE for an early dinner

Day 9 – Epcot - Thanksgiving!
Pepper Market for breakfast
Teppan Edu
Lots of snacks


Day 10 – Epcot
‘Ohanas for breakfast
Tonga Toast
Biergarten
Lots of snacks!

Day 11 – Home
Pepper Market breakfast
Café RIX items for the airport.

Follow along and see how these restaurants rated in our book. Some that don’t get a lot of positive reviews were loved and others that get raves didn’t from us!

Let’s finally get this show on the road! :goodvibes

Michelle
 
We flew out at 7:40 am and landed about 11:15 am Florida time. We did share 2 Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and sodas at the airport and then had some PB&J Uncrustables on the plane that I had brought with us. We landed, cruised right through ME, and didn’t have long to wait for a bus to take us to CSR. After checking in at CSR, we changed into our summer clothes and were off to AK!

PIZZAFARI – 1:34 PM
We were STARVING when we arrived at AK! I had wanted to go to Yak & Yeti counter service and I still don’t know why we didn’t. Probably because Pizzafari was closer and we needed food! I was very disappointed to see the menu changed from last year and they no longer had the little apple pies. :confused3 My first dining experience and I was already disappointed. Uh oh!

Oddly enough DH, DS13 and I all had the same thing.

The Italian Sandwich with chips, a Chocolate Mousse for Dessert and a Regular Sweet Tea for DH, Coke for DS13 and a Diet Coke for me. We all liked the sandwiches and they were quite large, DS13 said the sandwich “was pretty good” but that was after he took off the tomatoes and half the lettuce. DH didn’t like the sweet tea. We shared 2 bags of chips and took one back to the room. We were eating at ‘Ohanas and I wanted the family to be hungry.

Hot Italian Style Sandwich with Chips - Turkey, ham, Swiss and Provolone Cheese topped with Caesar salad and pesto marinated tomatoes.
1003537_1.jpg


1003539_1.jpg


The Chocolate Mousse was delicious :lovestruc - although this picture is a bit overexposed.
1003540_1.jpg



DS7 had a Kid’s Cheese Pizza, grapes, chocolate chip cookie and apple juice. No complaints from and he ate most of it. Here's a picture of the pizza. The grapes were bagged and I'm not sure where the cookie went!
1003538_1.jpg


4CS used
Total cost covered by the DDP was $50.59
 
Oh good, more dining reviews....can't wait to read them. You have a great group of restaurants. Sorry you won't be back to the CSR, though. :-)
 
Looking forward to the reviews! I especially like seeing different opinions on the favorites/favorite hates.

Ahh, I just like ANY dining review to help me last these nine months until my trip.

Can't wait for the first one!!
 


I'm along for the ride! I'm looking forward to your reviews as I have ressies for many of these restaurants in August.

Thanks for taking the time to write your reviews.
 
We were suppose to stay at AK for their EMH that night and eat at Yak & Yeti for dinner. However, 2 weeks before our trip I got a call from the restaurant saying that they cancelled the EMH and giving me some earlier times to eat. I took an earlier time, but was really unhappy as it was taking time out from our day at AK. I decided to switch my Sunday ‘Ohanas and this Yak & Yeti. I was able to get the Yak & Yeti for Sunday but was having problems getting ‘Ohanas. They had a ressie for 5 on the computer, which I took but then called the next day and asked them to change to a 4 person. They did it with no problems and all was good in my Disney planning world although I was very unhappy Disney made the change so late.

As you will read below, I was also surprised that I couldn’t get a ressie for 4 as the restaurant was half empty that evening. It really pays to come down the week before Thanksgiving! The parks were empty and the restaurants were half full – that included both Kona Café & 'Ohanas. They were taking walk-ups with 10 minute waits.


My brush with DIS greatness….
We arrived before our ADR at the Poly as I had wanted to watch the flame / lighting ceremony at the Poly. We were late and I was hurrying to see the ceremony when what do my wondering eyes but appear, but MickeyNicki hurrying right past me with Todd following. I whipped by head around as I recognized her and stuttered to my DH who had just ran past me. He was not as excited as I, but I still thought it was cool. Nicki looked like she was on a mission and I wasn't going to be the crazy DIS stalker running after her calling out her name especially if it wasn't her! I hadn’t realized Nikki was going to be there and checked her posts when I came home. Sure enough it was her! I know, I’m a name thrower!:)


'Ohanas
With all the mixed reviews about ‘Ohanas I was a bit worried but this place did not disappoint! Everything was DELICIOUS!

'Ohana Welcome Bread: The bread was delicious and we ate it all!
1003585_1.jpg


Mixed greens with a honey-lime dressing: My family loves salad and we all enjoyed it! Sorry for the blurry picture!
1003591_1.jpg


The dipping sauces: Peanut, Spicy Mustard, and Sweet n Sour. I couldn’t remember which was which then and I certainly can’t now. However, they were great though and added to the flavor of the food. (Hey - it's a hidden Mickey!)
1003590_1.jpg


Honey-Coriander Chicken Wings & Pork Dumplings (pot stickers.) Both were delicious! I especially liked the dumpling with one of the sauces. DS13 LOVES the pot stickers and finished what was left.
1003593_1.jpg


We then got warm wash clothes to clean off our hands.

Here are the Lo mein Noodles, tossed in a Teriyaki sauce and Broccoli & other veggies. This was the least eaten, but it was still good. DS7 loved the noodles.
1003594_1.jpg


Mesquite Grilled Turkey, Asian BBQ Pork Loin, Marinated Sirloin Steak & Spicy Grilled Peel n Eat Shrimp. The meats were great. The steak was very good. The pork was wonderful especially with the BBQ sauces grilled with it – SOOO good! The turkey was my least favorite but with the dipping sauces it was tasty too.

Pork on the left, 1 pc of turkey on the right.
1003595_1.jpg


More pork on the left, steak on the right.
1003596_1.jpg


The shirmp. I enjoyed the shrimp, but the rest of the family wasn’t into peeling it so I got most of it. When they brought the skewer around for 2nd’s I asked for 4 more and they gave me the rest of the skewer – about 9. I somehow managed to finish them all though.
1003598_1.jpg



'Ohana bread pudding served a la mode with Bananas and Caramel Sauce. This was as divine as always and might be the best dessert I ever ate. :lovestruc Last year we actually had 2nds!
1003599_1.jpg


My DS13 loves to take pictures and here are a few of his:
1003589_1.jpg

1003587_1.jpg

1003588_1.jpg


My DH is sitting next to me and is salivating over the pictures and memories. He says this was his favorite meal of the trip.


Ressie time: 6:35 pm
Bill time: 7:43 pm

4 TS Used
Total Cost covered by DDP $107.30
 
Oh good, more dining reviews....can't wait to read them. You have a great group of restaurants. Sorry you won't be back to the CSR, though. :-)

Hi Kat,
I actually started writing this during the hour car ride to a wrestling meet for the boys this morning. CSR is beautiful and we love going there cuz we know it so well, but we were unhappy with several things. Maybe we'll have forgotten it or at least lessened the unhappiness by the time we go again. I'll have to keep watching the CSR thread and see what everyone else thinks! ;)

Looking forward to the reviews! I especially like seeing different opinions on the favorites/favorite hates.

Ahh, I just like ANY dining review to help me last these nine months until my trip.

Can't wait for the first one!!
Thanks! It's always amazing how one person can dislike a restaurant and someone else loves it. I guess it shows you just have to try places you want and go in with an open mind! Have fun planning!

I'm along for the ride! I'm looking forward to your reviews as I have ressies for many of these restaurants in August.

Thanks for taking the time to write your reviews.

Welcome! I wish I was going back soon!
 


Hi Kat,
I actually started writing this during the hour car ride to a wrestling meet for the boys this morning. CSR is beautiful and we love going there cuz we know it so well, but we were unhappy with several things. Maybe we'll have forgotten it or at least lessened the unhappiness by the time we go again. I'll have to keep watching the CSR thread and see what everyone else thinks! ;)

I understand. There have been some great reviews of CSR lately and some mediocre ones as well (unfortunately, this seems to be a trend of all the resorts lately). But a change of scenery is sometimes just what is needed.

And you were VERY smart not to stalk running after Nicki. After having met her on our trip in September, you certainly don't want to stop Nicki when she is on a MISSION! Actually, you probably should have stopped her -- she is as absolutely delightful in person as she is on her reviews.

Hope wrestling went well. After 12+ years, wrestling is no longer a part of our lives. :sad1:
 
Great start!

My family (well... at least hubby and I) really enjoy 'Ohana too! We love unlimited meat! And the sticky wings and fried wontons we fell in love with!

When we got the dessert, it was all mine, :cloud9: except for a little ice cream that we gave to our younger son. (Hubby doesn't like fruit - so didn't have any because of the pineapple or banana; and it contained nuts - so the chef made my older son a special separate nut-free dessert.)

That was our first time on the dining plan when we went there, so we felt free to try some new places. It was great!
 
My brush with DIS greatness….
We arrived before our ADR at the Poly as I had wanted to watch the flame / lighting ceremony at the Poly. We were late and I was hurrying to see the ceremony when what do my wondering eyes but appear, but MickeyNicki hurrying right past me with Todd following. I whipped by head around as I recognized her and stuttered to my DH who had just ran past me. He was not as excited as I, but I still thought it was cool. Nicki looked like she was on a mission and I wasn't going to be the crazy DIS stalker running after her calling out her name especially if it wasn't her! I hadn’t realized Nikki was going to be there and checked her posts when I came home. Sure enough it was her! I know, I’m a name thrower!:)

OMG! I just posted before I started reading and I cannot believe I missed my chance to say hi to you and your family! So me running ahead and Todd trailing behind is very common as his legs are much longer and he can walk much faster so I try to get a jump on him...now where the heck were we going and why was I rushing?? :lmao::rotfl::rotfl2:
 
Welcome Mike from Philly!:wave2: I might need your opinion later when we go to Cosmic Rays on Day 7!

Great start!

My family (well... at least hubby and I) really enjoy 'Ohana too! We love unlimited meat! And the sticky wings and fried wontons we fell in love with!

When we got the dessert, it was all mine, :cloud9: except for a little ice cream that we gave to our younger son. (Hubby doesn't like fruit - so didn't have any because of the pineapple or banana; and it contained nuts - so the chef made my older son a special separate nut-free dessert.)

That was our first time on the dining plan when we went there, so we felt free to try some new places. It was great!

HI Jenny, I had just started reading your newest dining review. Great job! 'Ohanas is a family favorite and it will always be on the list.

:wave2: I'm in!

Great reviews so far! :thumbsup2 Waiting to read more!
Welcome and thanks for reading! :)

Awesome review so far and I love your pictures! Can't wait to hear more :cool1:
Thanks! It takes a lot longer than I remember doing them! Lucky I've finally committed some "me time" and the rest of the family knows it.

great reviews - count me in popcorn::
Hello! Is that Disney popcorn you're eating? Mmmm. LOL

Great Reviews! I am looking forward to more we leave in 19 days:)
19 days, how exciting! That's going to fly by!

OMG! I just posted before I started reading and I cannot believe I missed my chance to say hi to you and your family! So me running ahead and Todd trailing behind is very common as his legs are much longer and he can walk much faster so I try to get a jump on him...now where the heck were we going and why was I rushing?? :lmao::rotfl::rotfl2:

Hi Nicki, I was wondering if you missed that part. I read your review and it didn't really say but you were cruising out right before the chief came out to do the fire lighting ceremony. Your reviews are wonderful, and I hope someday to be able to stay in the CL Lounge. I did see that we were at Mama Melrose's the same night, but we were there at 4:00 because we had the Fantasmic package. Thanks for reading!:goodvibes
 
Hi Nicki, I was wondering if you missed that part. I read your review and it didn't really say but you were cruising out right before the chief came out to do the fire lighting ceremony. Your reviews are wonderful, and I hope someday to be able to stay in the CL Lounge. I did see that we were at Mama Melrose's the same night, but we were there at 4:00 because we had the Fantasmic package. Thanks for reading!:goodvibes

Ok I know where we were going now, Jiko for dinner and we were driving our own car and stopped to watch the torch lighting and as soon as they removed the ropes I was moving!

We were at Mama Melrose and ate early, around 4:15 so I bet we saw each other there too! LOL too funny!

Loving your reviews so far and great pics!
 

GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE

Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.

Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!






Top