The not so live version of dining w/ Disers, in Castles & on Safari! The Wrap! 2/26

[nfggirl5454]

Aha! Awww man! I would have loved it if we ran into each other. You must live only a few hours from WDW. (My grasp of geography is bad but I'm thinking you are not too far.)

I finally ordered the pot stickers this last time and they were very different from the 'Ohana version. Not bad just different but I do prefer the Yak & Yeti ones. And I completely agree, that bread is SO wonderful! Worthy of a return trip alone.

Thank you and I hope you had a great Christmas as well!

Yes! I'm only 2 hours north of Disney, so I go there frequently with my sister and two year old nephew. I don't fault you for bad geography - most of us only are really familiar with our own states If anyone in your family is into college sports, Gainesville is home to UF (go Gators!).

I've only been to Y&Y once, and I can't remember if I tried the pot stickers there, but I'm sure they'd be tasty. I have yet to find a bad pot sticker! I really need to talk my sister into returning to Y&Y and to Kona for dinner.

The strawberry cupcake at BoG is half the reason I like to go there! I've been there for dinner 3 times now, and I don't think I'll return again soon - too many other places to try. The first time was amazing (perhaps due to the novelty), the second was a disappointment, and the third was good. The food and service is just too inconsistent.

 

[scottny]

Sorry you had a bad meal. I had that soup too but I cannot reveal as it will ruin my tr. LOL

 

[RGirl]

Hi Roni! Thank you! I finally got caught up with your TR and DR and saw the Christmas photos with Willow. She was one happy adorable little girl!  I'm glad the meds worked so quickly.

WOW - Thanks for taking the time to catch up with that looooong TR. And, yes, I was so glad that she rebounded as quickly as she did - I was very worried to get a flu diagnosis just a couple of days before Christmas!

Now I am surprised - two visits to BoG and the West Wing both times! That has to be unusual given the amount of seating in the ball room. We were in the ball room, as I think you know , so it would be interesting to sit in the West Wing.

I’m sorry you didn’t have a great experience at BoG as far as food. But you know I’m not surprised. I so want to love this place! It is gorgeous! And the Beast! I love the Beast! So we will go back, but come on - they have to improve the food (and, at least in our experience, the service). It really isn’t asking a lot - it doesn’t have to be fine dining - I don’t think anyone would need some kind of amazing food experience here because of all else it has to offer; but something decent would be much appreciated.

 

[emmysmommy]

We ate lunch twice at BOG on our last trip. I had gotten a fp for lunch on our arrival day, and found the braised pork to be delicious. I was able to get another lunch fp for our departure day because I wanted that meal again. We ate in the library the first time and the west wing the second time. I have another lunch fp scheduled for our impromptu trip in three weeks (gotta love those annual passes). I really don't have any desire to eat dinner there. But it makes a great place for lunch if you have the fp.

DH had the soup and he would agree with your review of it. I think he only ate a third of his, too.

I didn't realize it was gluten-free. I'll have to try it. I will cheat a little bit for things like Ooey Gooey Toffee cake, concentrating on the Ooey Gooey parts, but mostly I need to avoid gluten.

Wow! Another trip? That's awesome. Oh how I wish that I could return sooner than April but even with an AP I can't justify it right now.

I would actually like to try lunch at BoG so I can compare the meal experiences. Plus the roast beef sandwich sounds really good. I'm not making the mistake of ordering the French onion soup again.

Em really lliked the GF option so hopefully it's something that you would like as well.

I agree with you about BoG. We have eaten lunch there many times and dinner once and all I can say about the food is just blah. I agree with your statement about the themeing, they hit a grand slam here. I'm afraid especially dinner that it is just not that great. I'm think that they except the guests to be so overwhelmed by the inside that they will just eat anything no matter how it tastes. I have never been to France other than Epcot , so maybe that's how everything is supposed to taste. Thanks for another great review.

Even if the food is blah, at least they pull off a stunning presentation of the restaurant theming and let's not forget the desserts... oh yes, so good!

I've not been to France either so maybe I shouldn't be so quick to judge but I would much rather eat at Chefs de France or Monsieur Paul. And not just because of Philippe!

 

[emmysmommy]

Just a few more replies tonight and then I'll be back tomorrow for more! it's late and I'm not going to make much sense!

Oh and....Mr. DDW - I knew it!!

Thanks again for the flowers.

Does this mean your dates MIGHT overlap ours towards the end? We arrive on the 19th and we depart on the 26th.

You are very welcome!

Yes, our dates will likely overlap. We're looking at arriving around the 24th.

You know my thoughts on BOG and their soup. I would have been better off with a soup on hand from the grocery store than that watery mess as that was all I had their as well. The west wing looks so amazing for dining, I wish we had sat in there,

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Hi Lori! Per your FB, you looked stunning on NYE by the way!

Yeah, the soup needs some love from the chef. Or some well heeded advice from the guests.

We love the West Wing since it has the rose and the changing portrait but I'm ready to try the ball room. Maybe I'll try lunch soon.

I hope you are feeling well and I want to wish you a happy new year!

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy your meal more at BOG. I have had the onion soup three times now and have enjoyed it each and every time. Perhaps it has changed since May? I had the same dish as Em in May; I liked it, but they could have gone a little less heavy on the sauce on top of it.

You can't beat the ambiance at the restaurant though...Disney went all out. I love the picture of the two of you with the Beast.

Nope, didn't like that soup but perhaps once she said that it had a veggie broth and not beef that set me up for disappointment. It could just be my tastes that make me go blah and you love it.

I agree, the theming and ambiance is fantastic.

Oh thanks, we just stood there and let the camera do all the work.

Couldn't agree with you more about BOG - the food just does not live up to the awesome interior of the restaurant
DH had the soup in December and totally agrees with your review
Just like you and Em, we had a wonderful server but our entrees were so salty we could barely eat more than a few mouthfuls
Lunch for us next time!

Hi Linda! The amazing details in the restaurant make me a little more forgiving that I've still not tried anything on the menu that I have adored... granted I've not tried that many things so I'm sure there is something that will earn my undying devotion.

I agree. Lunch is in my future.

Such a shame that the BOG food always gets bad reviews, I'm still booking it for our July trip though

Jo, go and try it. Honestly, it can't be a fail for everything of we'd hear more of an outcry. There must be good options on the menu. I'll look forward to hearing what you think in July.

The strawberry cheesecake was tops for me at BOG, too. SO good! Other than that, though...eh. I'm happy we went though, and am certainly willing to visit again if they do a major menu rehaul.

Hi Kylie! I have a similar attitude. The cupcake was good and the theming is awesome enough to draw me back. Listen to your guests Disney.

 

[francis6306]

We went during the grand opening time last year and it was WONDERFUL, so it pains me when I see people aren't getting the same fabulous food that we did at BOG! We decided to skip dinner there, but we are hoping for a FP for lunch in March. I'm hoping we get some Grey stuff though! We are celebrating everyone's birthday's a little early this year!

 

[emmysmommy]

Honestly, I don’t know the etiquette regarding returning these most gracious acts of respect; however, it is appreciated.

We dined at Teppan Edo for the first time last week. I love that they bow to for just about everything. I also don't know what the etiquette is in returning the bows. I used to work with a lady from Japan and she was sweetest person, she was constantly bowing.

I have read some of your reports before but first time replying. I still can't forgot about you seeing a rat in a restaurant. Thanks for all your reports

Hi there! Thank you for reading past and present reports. I'm seriously so glad that you are following along and providing comments/feedback.

O.M.G. that Brown Derby review was probably my most epic dining report ever. Hopefully, it will never be repeated.

All the Teppan Edo staff were so perfect. I feel silly doing half bows especially if that means something rude. But their graciousness is always appreciated.

Thank you again for following along!

Yep, I'm currently on break for another week (thank goodness). Funny you should ask - we're actually in WDW right now! We're meeting up with some friends off-property in a few days, so we flew down early and booked the Swan with Starwood points. I'm really tempted to start a dining 'report', but to keep myself from spending too much time on it, I might keep it really short. Oh well.

'Ohana bread pudding at Kona sounds like a perfect solution! And now I'm very intrigued to hear how your recent Kona meal went. I actually ate my last breakfast of 2013 at Kona - probably should've ordered the pancakes.

On a more important note, Happy New Year! And my mom says hi as well.

I KNEW IT!!!! My Mr. DDW intuition was right.

Seriously, I hope you had a great time (despite level 10 crowds!)
If you do a dining review that would be great. I saw some highlights on Barb's live thread.

Uh oh... you'll have to wait for my latest Kona breakfast review but I'm sad to say it was a departure from my usual...

Thank you for the new year greeting and I'm so glad to hear a hello from your sweet mom.

You're at Disney World now?!?! How fun! I kind of wish I was still taking live updates...at least for today anyway. I'm in Cabo for the week for our niece's wedding and today most of us (including all of my family except me) went scuba diving. I'm just hanging out at our villa by the pool for most of the day. I don't have a data plan for my cell phone here but you can iMessage me today (since we have wireless at the villa) with a few teaser photos for your dining report if you feel like it. Or you are welcome to post any of your pics directly to the thread if you want. The live thread could probably use a little "live from Disney World" pick-me-up.

I'm so glad that you chimed in Barb... it netted you some awesome highlights from Mr. DDW.

Your Cabo time sounds wonderful and I enjoyed your photos on your live thread. I need to pop over and see if I'm on deck for my arrival update.

I'm not running from your BOG review, no worries.

I enjoyed the food. And when I say that I mean....I'm no foodie and generally I'm easy to please. My Dad and I joke about the fact that our criteria are:

Is it edible?
Does it taste okay?
Is it edible?

I exaggerate. But I agree that it's mediocre from a dinner perspective. There was nothing I ate that I went WOW about. It's really more about the atmosphere. That said, we have a lunch FP+ in January, so I'm more hopeful for that.

I am a harsh critic of french onion soup though. Because I am fortunate and had the opportunity to eat it in France. It's hard to find a comparison. It has to be made correctly, otherwise, bleh.

Danielle you are hilarious!! Is it edible? Your standards are so low my friend!

I'm trying FP+ or even stand-by if not too bad next time. I'm determined to have a sandwich. I'm not asking for anything fancy - just a roll with some meat between the slices.

Now you're just making me jealous! French onion soup IN France - get out!

I've really enjoyed reading our reviews so far, you've ate in some great restaurants.

Looking forward to reading the rest.

Thanks :0)

Hi Andrea - joining from all the way in the UK! Welcome and thanks for reading! I've still got a couple new places for us to share as well as many old favorites.

Thank you again for reading.

 

[emmysmommy]

So sad your BOG meal wasn't so great. It was nice of your server to comp your soup. Chase had a potato leek soup when we ate there and he said it was wonderful. I totally agree with you about the strawberry cupcake. It was by far the best of the desserts we tried.

Hi Rachel! At least we had good service and the Beast was very cordial. I tried a sampler of the potato leek soup my first visit and decided to pass. I'm hard to please apparently. Now the strawberry cupcake is a different story - perfection!

I agree with you on BoG. The theme of the restaurant is awesome. I wish it was a little brighter so I could take pictures. I also thought the tables felt like a quick service venue not a sit down. Our food was horrible that I didn't even order dessert. The only good thing was the cheese platter we ordered as a appetizer. This place was a huge disappointment.

The theming gets a gold start for sure! Wow! Tell me what you really think of BoG. I think we're on the same page. However, you got my interest with the cheese plate. That sounds hard to mess up.

I'm back on the boards and trying to get caught up on all the awesome reports I was following. I was away for an extended time due to family matters followed by the holiday season, but I'm finally getting back online. I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with your awesome dining reviews Brenda, and am now on my way over to your trip report. Just wanted to let you know I'm back (finally!)

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and I wish you and your family all the best in 2014.

Hi there Carol! I completely understand your absence! I was glad to stop by your DR the other day and see that precious photo of Lincoln. Welcome back to the boards. (I just saw your Jiko review - awesomeness for sure!)

I'm glad you are back and thanks for getting caught up.

Looks like BOG was good. Maybe next time we go we can get a reservation there!

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Go for lunch - pass on dinner! That's my best advice Charlotte! Unless of course you have not been for dinner yet in which case Olivia may enjoy it.

Yes! I'm only 2 hours north of Disney, so I go there frequently with my sister and two year old nephew. I don't fault you for bad geography - most of us only are really familiar with our own states If anyone in your family is into college sports, Gainesville is home to UF (go Gators!).

I've only been to Y&Y once, and I can't remember if I tried the pot stickers there, but I'm sure they'd be tasty. I have yet to find a bad pot sticker! I really need to talk my sister into returning to Y&Y and to Kona for dinner.

The strawberry cupcake at BoG is half the reason I like to go there! I've been there for dinner 3 times now, and I don't think I'll return again soon - too many other places to try. The first time was amazing (perhaps due to the novelty), the second was a disappointment, and the third was good. The food and service is just too inconsistent.

How awesome that you are a frequent WDW visitor!! Heck I live in a big state so don't ask me about places that are 8 hours north of my home town. Ha ha! I tested my DH about UF.. I asked what's in Gainsville and he responded the Gators. He knew.

I would like to think that if you had the pot stickers they would have been awesome. At least you don't remember then as horrid.

I would now go to back to BoG just for those cupcakes! Our first visit was awesome for everything but my entrée. Em liked her seafood entrée. To clarify for my reviews, the service has been awesome to pretty good. Other than no refills our last server was really good. Ok, so I think I just basically said what you did before.

Sorry you had a bad meal. I had that soup too but I cannot reveal as it will ruin my tr. LOL

Yeah, me too but live and learn. Or in this case go eat somewhere else.

Ohhh I'll need to pay attention and tune in.

WOW - Thanks for taking the time to catch up with that looooong TR. And, yes, I was so glad that she rebounded as quickly as she did - I was very worried to get a flu diagnosis just a couple of days before Christmas!

Now I am surprised - two visits to BoG and the West Wing both times! That has to be unusual given the amount of seating in the ball room. We were in the ball room, as I think you know , so it would be interesting to sit in the West Wing.

I’m sorry you didn’t have a great experience at BoG as far as food. But you know I’m not surprised. I so want to love this place! It is gorgeous! And the Beast! I love the Beast! So we will go back, but come on - they have to improve the food (and, at least in our experience, the service). It really isn’t asking a lot - it doesn’t have to be fine dining - I don’t think anyone would need some kind of amazing food experience here because of all else it has to offer; but something decent would be much appreciated.

Hi Roni! That was bad timing with the flu for sure!

Yep, I remember your Ballroom seating. I'd love to experience the snow animation and the grandeur of the ballroom.

I'm unsure if I'm so picky that this isn't the place for me or if I just haven't found the tasty dish that makes it a must do every trip. I agree that it doesn't have to be fine dining - just some decent choices. (Which is completely subjective because I may say "ick" and someone else may say it was truly awesome.)

We went during the grand opening time last year and it was WONDERFUL, so it pains me when I see people aren't getting the same fabulous food that we did at BOG! We decided to skip dinner there, but we are hoping for a FP for lunch in March. I'm hoping we get some Grey stuff though! We are celebrating everyone's birthday's a little early this year!

You certainly went during the magical honeymoon period of the grand opening. I'd like to think that nothing changed after that. I've heard the grey stuff is now on the menu. However, I looked and I don't see it so I think that was a bunch of hooey. It's their signature complimentary treat.

What a great way to celebrate birthdays. I'm sadly going to not wake up on my birthday at WDW this year. I think I'll have to settle for DL Resort.

 

[emmysmommy]

Day 12: Tuesday August 27, 2013​

This will be a very brief update since the sum total of our experience was to pick our entrée and drink, run off to a tour, and 3 hours later have it awaiting when we broke for lunch for which we had exactly 25 minutes to eat, potty, and return to the tour.

Indeed, this counter service lunch is included as part of the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Before we started the tour earlier that morning we were presented with menus and asked to make a selection. I was a little skeptical that if I ordered the fried shrimp that it would be piping hot when we made our way to the restaurant. So I played it safe and chose the Lighthouse sandwich (hummus and tomato-broccoli slaw on whole grain bread) served with chips. Em chose the same thing so this will really be short and sweet!
At the appointed time we were ushered upstairs to a roped off area of the dining room. Our food was already set out with name cards at your assigned table. I can’t comment on if hot food was hot but I didn’t see anyone who looked disappointed.

As for our sandwich choice…. I loved it, Em didn’t. I thought it was perhaps a little too much hummus since it was oozing out but I loved everything about it. Em not so much. She said the hummus made the toasted bread a bit soggy. I suppose they may toast the bread for that very reason.

The chips were a huge hit with both of us. I wouldn’t have wanted anything else to accompany the sandwich. In fact, even though I could only eat half of the sandwich, I ate nearly all the chips.

See, I did pretty good. We definitely could have shared a sandwich. Chips not so much. We both loved those too much to graciously share the pile.

Our name tents on the table included a commemorative KTTK tour pin. Very cool!

Not the best photo but you get the idea - it's a pin

Now that we’ve tried this place I would definitely return. I didn’t realize how big the dining room is upstairs. Here’s a few photos of the restaurant.

Next Up: Afternoon Tea - Garden View Lounge at GF
​

 

[Samandmom]

Oh wow I do those half bows by instinct also.
My DH surprised me on our trip in 2007 with a KTTK tour (I had surprised him on the trip before in 2005). The pin is one of my most favorite souvenir from Disney! I keep it on the kitchen window sill and see it every time I am standing there washing dishes. It's my encouragement to do the dishes every night.
The sandwich looks really good.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I've heard the grey stuff is now on the menu. However, I looked and I don't see it so I think that was a bunch of hooey. It's their signature complimentary treat.

They grey stuff is in a cupcake called The Master's Cupcake. Here is the link to some info about it:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2013/...tes-at-disney-worlds-be-our-guest-restaurant/

Yep — the grey stuff (which is actually a cookies and cream panna cotta that’s been whipped into a creamy dessert) tops a chocolate cupcake in the Beast’s castle these days! It’s the same price and size as all lunch cupcakes: $3.19, and you can get it for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit. It’s now the top dessert item listed on the menu.

I haven't tried it. In fact, I haven't had any of the desserts there, yet.

 

[KatMark]

I cannot believe this was your first visit to CHH. It is one of our favorite counter services in all of WDW. I've never had the sandwich you did (I don't eat tuna or hummus), but Mark has and he loves it. I normally get the shrimp here and it's not bad at all for counter service. The place is very deceiving in size until you actually go upstairs.

We got those same cards and pins.

Cute pic of you and Em.

 

[jedijill]

CHH is a great CS area and love the upstairs where its normally quieter! I haven't tried the hummus sandwich but the tuna is a nice change from all the fried food.

Jill in CO

 

[Dislover1991]

Hi

I don't believe I have posted in your thread, but I have been reading your reviews for quite awhile now and just thought i'd finally say hi and let you know that I love your thread!

It definitely has given us ideas on places to visit on our next trip, which is sadly sometime in 2015. I believe we will be giving Whispering Canyon a shot on the next trip- i've heard great breakfast reviews but only thought they had the buffet. I'm glad to see that you can order from a menu & the buffet is just another option. It seems like they have a ton of yummy choices!

Also, we loved Columbia Harbor House! I ordered the salmon and I must say that it is some of the best salmon i've ever had. Definitely one of the best QS locations in Disney!

Keep up the great reviews! I can't wait to see more!

 

[wishspirit]

Sorry to be jumping in so late! Your reviews are fantastic, and have totally swayed some of my plans for our Disneymoon!

Keep the delicious reviews coming!

 

[RGirl]

How great that you got to do the KTTK tour!! I love the pin.

CHH is one of those places I always mean to try and then forget about.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Great updates! The temps here are in the single digits today and your description of the soup at LC is making me crave it badly - would sure hit the spot! I love the steak at Kona, I think that's the only entree I've ever ordered there. Still have yet to make it there for breakfast. DD loves the characters at 'Ohana still but someday when she outgrows that we'll be able to make way for a Kona breakfast...although that'll be bittersweet I suppose. I love the Lighthouse Sandwich at CHH and it has the side benefit of making me feel like I'm being healthy when I eat it!

 

[francis6306]

I have never been in CHH either, but that sandwich looks amazing! I wish I had someone in my family who might be willing to share it with me! MAN! I would LOVE to do that tour one day! I could see Corey and I loving that.

Thanks for the head's up that the Grey Stuff is in the cupcake!! Woohoo!

 

[Kathy Z]

Day 12: Tuesday August 27, 2013​

This will be a very brief update since the sum total of our experience was to pick our entrée and drink, run off to a tour, and 3 hours later have it awaiting when we broke for lunch for which we had exactly 25 minutes to eat, potty, and return to the tour.

Indeed, this counter service lunch is included as part of the Keys to the Kingdom Tour. Before we started the tour earlier that morning we were presented with menus and asked to make a selection. I was a little skeptical that if I ordered the fried shrimp that it would be piping hot when we made our way to the restaurant. So I played it safe and chose the Lighthouse sandwich (hummus and tomato-broccoli slaw on whole grain bread) served with chips. Em chose the same thing so this will really be short and sweet!
At the appointed time we were ushered upstairs to a roped off area of the dining room. Our food was already set out with name cards at your assigned table. I can’t comment on if hot food was hot but I didn’t see anyone who looked disappointed.

As for our sandwich choice…. I loved it, Em didn’t. I thought it was perhaps a little too much hummus since it was oozing out but I loved everything about it. Em not so much. She said the hummus made the toasted bread a bit soggy. I suppose they may toast the bread for that very reason.

The chips were a huge hit with both of us. I wouldn’t have wanted anything else to accompany the sandwich. In fact, even though I could only eat half of the sandwich, I ate nearly all the chips.

See, I did pretty good. We definitely could have shared a sandwich. Chips not so much. We both loved those too much to graciously share the pile.

Our name tents on the table included a commemorative KTTK tour pin. Very cool!

Not the best photo but you get the idea - it's a pin

Now that we’ve tried this place I would definitely return. I didn’t realize how big the dining room is upstairs. Here’s a few photos of the restaurant.

Next Up: Afternoon Tea - Garden View Lounge at GF
​

Hooray, you've answered a question I've had since we ate at Columbia Harbour House twice in November. We took our meals upstairs both times and noticed the roped off area on our first visit. I wondered who were the special people that came into that area and had their lunches brought to them there! The second time we went we used the other set of stairs and didn't notice whether the section you ate in was roped off again that day. BTW, I had the Anchor's Aweigh (tuna) sandwich with those yummy chips. My Friday sandwich was wonderful; the following Wednesday they were not as generous with the tuna salad and it was made with bread that seemed to be a few days old versus the wonderful bread I had on the first visit.

 

[vettegirl]

I just reviewed CHH as well I wish I had eaten the chips instead of the fries they gave us, they weren't very good.