A Birthday Trip without a Birthday - 2/16: Conclusion and Bonus Birthday Tea

[mom3sonstt]

Your ADRs look interesting. I've only eaten at 3 of them....well 4, but we ate at cape may for supper, not breakfast so I didn't count it. We love prime time and have gone there several times, kona we tried for breakfast for the first time last trip, we used to eat at olivia's at least once a trip when we stayed at old key west all the time.

You have eaten at jiko before....does it have like a bar area that you can just get an appetizer or something?

 

[All7OfUs]

WHOA! Mega-update is right!! I won't comment on every one of them, but here are the ones that I do have something that struck me on:

Jiko- is a lovely,lovely place! I love how you will start here, as it seems to say, "let's pick up where we left off last time." Cool how that worked out!

Kona- I"ve heard great things about the lunch and dinner menus too, so if you don't get a breakfast timeslot, you should be good at a later time as well for something yummy! I am excited for Katharina getting to see the Poly for the first time!!

I had never even considered Olivia's!! I intentionally also made a bunch of ADR's specifically for the purpose of seeing new resorts that I otherwise would never get to. There are still MANY on that list!

HBD- Yes, I think there were many business lunches going on in that era, but more often those kinds of establishments, I think, were used as afterhours enterainment kinds of places. The rich and famous would go there to dine and dance, and there would often be a band playing for that. I still think that would be an AMAZING addition to HBD (a band playing 40s big band style) later at night where you could go for an after park hours drink.

FF- that is definitely one that I consistently see super reviews on. At the time of planning our trip, it wasn't on my list, but certainly is now!! A MUST do for next time, and i can't wait to see your review on this one!

I think you have a super- well thought out mix of places- both repeats and new, dinners, lunches and breakfasts. Great line up, Ladies!

 

[Flossbolna]

Your ADRs look interesting. I've only eaten at 3 of them....well 4, but we ate at cape may for supper, not breakfast so I didn't count it. We love prime time and have gone there several times, kona we tried for breakfast for the first time last trip, we used to eat at olivia's at least once a trip when we stayed at old key west all the time.

You have eaten at jiko before....does it have like a bar area that you can just get an appetizer or something?

Olivia's looks really nice! I am excited about this. It was actually Katharina's suggestion and after I had looked at the menu, I was all for it. It reminds me of quite a few local casual restaurants that I have been at when travelling to other parts of the US. I love to ask at the hotel reception for advise on where to eat and try to avoid chains. It does not have to be something special, I rather would go to a place where the locals love to go for a meal with the family.

Jiko has a bar where you can order food and there is also a counter at the open kitchen area where they prepare the appetizers where you can sit. But I really think it is ok to go for a solo meal at any of the WDW restaurants. And if you are just ordering an appetizer that is fine as well. I know that other DISers do that! In this picture http://allears.net/acc/akl_jiko8.jpg you can see the counter where you can sit and watch the chefs while you eat. I think that would be a fun experience!

WHOA! Mega-update is right!! I won't comment on every one of them, but here are the ones that I do have something that struck me on:

Jiko- is a lovely,lovely place! I love how you will start here, as it seems to say, "let's pick up where we left off last time." Cool how that worked out!

I just hope that I won't be so sad that I am not staying at AKL. I know that I will miss staying there even though I am excited about the Boardwalk. They have changed the menu quite a bit recently and I read a review from someone who was from South Africa (or had lived there for quite some time) and he was full of praise that they have introduced some very authentic dishes. So I am looking forward to new experiences!

Kona- I"ve heard great things about the lunch and dinner menus too, so if you don't get a breakfast timeslot, you should be good at a later time as well for something yummy! I am excited for Katharina getting to see the Poly for the first time!!

Visiting the Poly will be such a treat! And we will be there twice for a meal since we have 'Ohana as well!

I had never even considered Olivia's!! I intentionally also made a bunch of ADR's specifically for the purpose of seeing new resorts that I otherwise would never get to. There are still MANY on that list!

I think that is the great thing about dining at the resort restaurants, you get a break and see something new and can explore! I was really surprised by the menu of Olivia's. It seems to have a much greater variety than the normal non-signature resort restaurants. And some of those dishes are very ethnic for us!

HBD- Yes, I think there were many business lunches going on in that era, but more often those kinds of establishments, I think, were used as afterhours enterainment kinds of places. The rich and famous would go there to dine and dance, and there would often be a band playing for that. I still think that would be an AMAZING addition to HBD (a band playing 40s big band style) later at night where you could go for an after park hours drink.

That would be truly wonderful!! I think this is what Atlantic Dance Hall was meant to be at the Boardwalk, but it seems to never be open.

And for our purposes it works great as a lunch and we wanted to have some unscheduled evenings.

FF- that is definitely one that I consistently see super reviews on. At the time of planning our trip, it wasn't on my list, but certainly is now!! A MUST do for next time, and i can't wait to see your review on this one!

I will have such a hard time not to get the steak again at FF - I guess I won't be able to order anything else despite best intentions. I was even tempted to have two dinners there, but could not really onvince Katharina of that plan.

I think you have a super- well thought out mix of places- both repeats and new, dinners, lunches and breakfasts. Great line up, Ladies!

Thanks! We are really excited about it as well!

 

[jenbear123]

I finally found time to catch up on updates AND reply and what perfect timing too. I love talking about ADRs and Disney restaurants.

You have definitely put in lots of work to eliminate restaurants you don't really need to go to. It's so hard to choose with so many amazing choices on offer! One thing I noticed is no interest in Le Cellier. It's not that because I'm Canadian I'm suggesting this place but I'm just curious. Have you eaten there before? Since they have just switched over to Signature dining, I was wondering your thoughts on it.

I hope you like Kona Cafe for breakfast. If you're in the mood for something sweet, try the Tonga Toast

 

[Flossbolna]

I finally found time to catch up on updates AND reply and what perfect timing too. I love talking about ADRs and Disney restaurants.

You have definitely put in lots of work to eliminate restaurants you don't really need to go to. It's so hard to choose with so many amazing choices on offer! One thing I noticed is no interest in Le Cellier. It's not that because I'm Canadian I'm suggesting this place but I'm just curious. Have you eaten there before? Since they have just switched over to Signature dining, I was wondering your thoughts on it.

I hope you like Kona Cafe for breakfast. If you're in the mood for something sweet, try the Tonga Toast

We had Le Cellier on that list and we did not eliminate it because it is Canadian!!

If Bubba would have gotten the job, we would have actually kept it on the list. I have eaten at Le Cellier twice and have mixed feelings about it. The first time I had the famous steak with the risotto. It was good. But while the food seemed to be more fine dining, the place was crowded, loud and dark. I know that this can be said for many restaurants at WDW. But while outside was the loveliest sunshine, I was sitting in a basement. The second time I had the burger and this had been the best burger I ever had until very recently (you will get to see a picture of it soon in one of the DLP updates). For me that burger fitted the theme of the restaurant much better. And on that second visit I had a wonderful server - I think I mentioned her before, she was very excited that we were from Germany because she was from Kitchener and told us about the Octoberfest there, which is the reason for the pretzel bread being served there.

I had a look at the new signature menu and it just does not appeal to me very much. I think we will get to eat a few steaks at the restaurants we have picked already, so we don't need a steakhouse (as you see, Yachtsman did not make it either for a similar reason). I think it was also an issue of lots of dishes obviously not being dairy free, so not so good for Katharina. So we would have preferred lunch. But we also tried to keep our Epcot lunches free from ADRs because we rather wanted to hit the Food & Wine festival booths during lunch than for dinner to avoid crowds.

And then in the end we thought that while it was a maybe for us, so many other people are wildly excited about eating there, so why take their chance for an ADR from them.

I had breakfast at Kona before, I think we even went twice in 2009. I am in love with the Macadamia Nut pancakes. And I am sure Katharina will love the breakfast potatos they serve - most likely the only thing she can eat! Oh, yes and the meat and the eggs, so not too bad actually.

 

[glennbo123]

Popping in to say that I looked at your pictures a day or two ago, but didn't really have time to post. DLP looks beautiful.

Your ADR list looks great! Lots of really good places on there.

I just noticed Liesa's recommendation of a '40's band at the Hollywood Brown Derby. I think that's a fantastic idea! I wonder if it may be too costly? If they already fill it, they may not feel the need for the extra expense. But that would be so cool.

 

[Poolrat]

What a wonderful array of resturants. Some I have eaten at and some are still on the list.

Make sure you save room for Food and Wine!!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

I just hope that I won't be so sad that I am not staying at AKL. I know that I will miss staying there even though I am excited about the Boardwalk. They have changed the menu quite a bit recently and I read a review from someone who was from South Africa (or had lived there for quite some time) and he was full of praise that they have introduced some very authentic dishes. So I am looking forward to new experiences!

I am all for having authentic dishes at the restaurants who are aiming for that sort of thing. I know everyone doesn't like "authentic" foods, but if they are going to tout themselves as "African" then they really ought to have at least a few dishes that are truly African- spices and all!

I dont' think you'll miss it once you get settled there and begin to discover all the neat things Boardwalk has. It should have enough to entertain you and keep you from yearning for AKL.

Visiting the Poly will be such a treat! And we will be there twice for a meal since we have 'Ohana as well!

I think I'm more excited that you've built in watching fireworks from there beach into your plan!

I think that is the great thing about dining at the resort restaurants, you get a break and see something new and can explore! I was really surprised by the menu of Olivia's. It seems to have a much greater variety than the normal non-signature resort restaurants. And some of those dishes are very ethnic for us!

For me, if I hadn't have built those meals into our schedule, we'd have never left the parks- so in a way, it was forcing me to break away and see them. I am SO glad I did, and will always do that from now on!

That would be truly wonderful!! I think this is what Atlantic Dance Hall was meant to be at the Boardwalk, but it seems to never be open.

I think you're right. I don't know about in Germany, but here in the US, Ballroom dancing has seen a big upswing in popularity again. Bek's class was FULL of young guys and gals learning to swing, foxtrot, waltz, etc.... and they all had a great time. I think a band playing those tunes would really add a cool addition- they could play that awesome song from the end of Nemo- Somewhere, Beyond the Sea.

And for our purposes it works great as a lunch and we wanted to have some unscheduled evenings.

I don't blame you for that at all- dinners do tend to take up the whole timeslot from 7 on.

I will have such a hard time not to get the steak again at FF - I guess I won't be able to order anything else despite best intentions. I was even tempted to have two dinners there, but could not really onvince Katharina of that plan.

Then steak you shall have! There's NOTHING wrong with getting something you've looked forward to all year long, is there??

 

[nodnol]

Reading Magdalene's update I realized that having picked the restaurants some weeks ago, I'm still very happy with our choice

I espeicially look forward to re-visit some of my favourits from last year, but also to give some a second chance to enchant me, like California Grill. I liked the food, I liked the restaurant, but somehow it wasn't really the experience I wanted it to be. I think this was because I was in a cultural shock of being at WDW for the first time. This year will be different, but I still think it is good that we picked a kind of comforting restaurant at a very well known location for us for the first evening (or do you count it as second evening?).

6 months

 

[Flossbolna]

6 months

Yes!! 6 months!!

 

[lovealldisney]

Quote:
Originally Posted by lovealldisney
Oh and don't forget a trip to Wisconsin.

I have heard that they have good cheese there

We do have some yummy cheese here....

- and some pretty friendly people.

Awww... shucks


Nice update and I love all your restuarant choices! Poor Katharina with her food intolerances! I hope it all works out well for her. Remember if you don't like something send it back. You're paying a lot of money for those meals and you should get something you like.

 

[John's Mom]

Yes!! 6 months!!

Great restaurant choices! Sometimes you have to give a restaurant a second try.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Looks like you'll be eating very well! I don't have much experience at most of the places you listed--I tend toward the "comfort food" places rather than fine dining experiences. But I do know that we loved both the Kona Cafe and 50's PT for dinner. Of the "want to try" places you listed, the only one I've tried is Liberty Tree Tavern, which I liked quite a bit as well.

Or, you can cancel all of your ADR's and just gorge yourself on Dole Whips all week. I don't see anything wrong with this choice, either.

 

[Flossbolna]

I just finished making all our ADRs with the online system!! I am very happy!! Of course there was some drama involved at first. The system did not want to recognize my DVC reservation number, I had first to retrieve this reservation. But then, due to the fact that not all nights were available when we first booked it and we had to go through a waitlist, my reservation was split into three parts. And for whatever reason, the WDW reservation system thought that the leading segment was the one starting on October 14, so I would not have access to the 180+10 today... I was resigned to just call member services tonight - to be honest, I am sure we would have gotten everything then as well. But I did some more clicking, chose "update my reservation" and then tried again with the dining system and - voilá - there it was!! I could make my reservations!!

We got nearly everything for the times we wanted (a few are 5 or ten minutes off), only 'Ohana is for later than what I wanted. I think we will still be able to get out to the beach by 9:30 pm for the party fireworks. Otherwise we will just watch them from inside. Since it is an all you can eat, there is always the tip I learned about buffets: ask your server early on for the check, so you are free to leave when you feel like it and don't have to sit around waiting for it.

Afterwards I wanted to see the list of my reservations and had another brief annoyance... To retrieve the dining reservations, I needed my phone number. Of course I had entered my German mobile number including the country code for Germany starting with +49... But then the system does not recognize the + sign and the number was too long. Took me a bit until I realized that in the confirmations it actually listed the the part they took from my phone number, it was the last 10 digits and that's why it looked so different that I did not immediately recognize the phone number. What a strange system!

But now the ADRs are made!! I am very excited. I still need to add the Celebration to them (my birthday ) and then we will need to go through the process of contacting Disney Special Diets for Katharina's food intolerances. More on that topic in a future update!!

 

[jenbear123]

Woohoo! So happy for you that you got most of the ADRs you wanted. I agree the reservation system can have some kinks in it sometimes, especially for linking reservations and such.

 

[notaprincess]

Hi Flossbolna,

your PTR makes me wanna go tomorow

nice to see more German Disney fans...

I'm turning 40 next year, which is a year to late for the 40th anniversary celebration
But got the idea of doing my birthday, together with a cruise Disney-style as well.

I did my 30th in WDW as well and my parents came along too!

Viel Spass beim planen...
und warten.

 

[tiggrbaby]

Congrats on the successful ADRs!

 

[marvali]

Nice job on the ADRs!!! There is a mixture of ones I have done before, and those I haven't. We ate at Olivia's three times on our previous trip when we stayed at OKW and enjoyed it very much every time. We did dinner twice and breakfast once.

There is a link to my OKW trip report in my siggie, but you might struggle to get through it since I wasn't so well versed in adding Chapter links, (it is only about 4 pages long though, so......) I did it pretty much live while we were there and I talked about our meals, but no formal dining reviews or anything. But I'm pretty sure I told what we had and how everyone liked it, so maybe it will help a little.

 

[vamassey1]

Congrats on successful ADR scheduling! You've picked some great meal, many I have never tried so I'm really looking forward to your reviews. I hope they all do great with the allergy issues.

 

[3prettyprincesses]

Great news on your ADR's! It's ridiculous how excited I get over my ADR day, like it's Christmas morning or something!

Glad you were able to get everything you wanted and within the time frame you were looking for. What a special treat...going to Disney over your birthday AND it's Disney's 40th anniversay.