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

[emmysmommy]

Wonderful updates, Brenda.

First, Mark is feeling better. He goes to the doctor tomorrow for his follow up visit and I'm anxious to hear what they have to say.

Your dinner at Crew's Cup looks wonderful. I did not know they served food there. I'll have to remember that since we are spending part of our time at the Boardwalk in September.

LOVE LOVE LOVE Crystal Palace as you know. I can't go on our annual trip wthout having the puffed french toast.

I think the Mayor has a thing for you, my dear.

Mark and I were thinking of doing the Illuminations Cruise in September. Maybe we could do it together the night we are having dinner together at Via Napoli? We will have to talk or email prior to my ADR date.

Lovely pictures of you and Em with the characters.

I saw your FB update for Mark. Glad to know the therapy starts soon. I wish him well.

I didn't know about food at Crew's Cup until I saw someone post something on the DISboards about it. I learn a lot here! I think we'll be at BW in Sept too... I have us currently booked at AKL and BW. That could change.

We would love to share a boat and do the Illuminations cruise. That would be the ultimate KatMark evening!! Let's chat more about that great idea.

I have been trying to decide if I should book a breakfast at Crystal Palace for my family's June trip. After seeing your pictures, it's official. I AM making ADRs for CP! So many things looked so delicious!

So glad I could be a [positive] influence! CP is not short on options and then adorable characters on top of that, you practically can't go wrong. I hope you enjoy it.

Great CP review and superb job getting those buffet shots
Mmm, I think I would be wheeled out of the restaurant in some kind of sugar induced trance with so many yummy options

Thank you Linda. I think there is a period of sluggishness after eating breakfast at CP. They need to issue warnings that until your blood sugar levels return to normal use caution.

That's a very extensive menu at Crew's Cup, even without the YSH offerings!! I was unimpressed with the limited selection at Territory Lounge, and I have no idea if they offer Artist Point's food, as our waitress totally ignored us. I wish it was better, as I'm looking for a place to go for a quick, light bite before the Wishes Dessert Party in September! (We're about 90% we want to book this.)

Ah man! That's right, your YSH experience was sucky. For a quick bite this seems like a good option. I think most of the lounges at the resorts offer at least a limited menu.

I think when we did the Wishes dessert party I made that my meal. Oh my gosh, so many things I wanted to try.

I'll have to remember the Crew's Cup Lounge when we at at the BC next month. We have three evenings without a dinner ADR, so it could be a good option. The menu for the food booths at the Flower and Garden Show just came out, and we are excited about eating our way around the World Showcase. And there may be a drink or two, too.

Where is the event entrance for MK? We signed up for the Keys to the Kingdom Tour and need to be there early.

You just reminded me that I need to check the menus for F&G, I have a few blank spots for lunches that would be great to fill with the booths. Since I've not been to F&W this is the next best thing.

Ha ha! So you are saying that you'll be eating AND drinking around WS!

A lot of the deluxe lounges have some pretty decent food offerings...nice to know!

I think the Mayor needs to seriously check in for therapy......just sayin'.

Ah, there you confirmed. Yes, I agree, at least the ones that I have tried like CC, TL, Victoria Falls, and Belle Vue (? BW's lounge I think only has breakfast items.)

Yeah, I already signed him up! He was tame that last day.

I love the Crew Cup lounge, I'm not sure however if you can order from YSH there. I know you can only order certain things from AP at TL and it depends on how busy AP is. Since YSH is almost always busy I imagine it is likely not possible. I actually think the Crew Cup Lounge's food is cooked in the Captains Grill kitchen and not the YSH kitchen..

I'm also a CP fan but due to the extreme high number of carbs at the meal Hunter is not... Want to ditch the men for a girls CP breakfast in April/May? Lol

I think you are right Paula, I think it depends on how busy the restaurant is. At Territory Lounge we were told we could get the full menu but this last visit nothing was said... didn't ask either. At CC we didn't ask. The kitchen being with CG makes sense too.

Hmmmm... Michael would want CP because they have salmon and eggs, the only things he really likes for breakfast. I'd have to tell him that I'm doing a character breakfast with you just so I don't lie!

Aw to your last morning breakfast. It's always sad to be leaving Disney World! The Crystal Palace breakfast looks delicious though, and your character pictures are adorable. I've been to CP for breakfast but I was supposed to have my first pre-park opening breakfast earlier this month for my nephew's birthday trip. Unfortunately, we elected to cancel it, due to a ridiculously late dinner at Ohana the night before and being too tired. Maybe next time!

- Juanita

Hi Juanita. Ahhh those late night dinners can mess with you the next day. Pre-park open breakfasts are great if you are up at the crack of dawn. You're right, there's always next time.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Like Em, I was not a fan of the cinnamon roll at Gaston's. Mine lacked that ooey-gooey quality that I loved so much about the ones from Main Street Bakery. Enjoyed your CP breakfast review. We've only done lunch there and breakfast is on my list!

 

[wilma-bride]

All caught up once again. Crews Cup looks like a nice option for dinner if you don't have a reservation (kind of last minute sort of thing).

Crystal Palace breakfast is always a winner, as far as I'm concerned

 

[IheartDDuck]

Haha, nice for Dean and Linda to present their plates for you to take a picture of. I've been training everyone well over the years too.

My Mom totally takes those condiment bottles! She's obsessed with them. If they come to the table, lookout. She's putting them in her purse.

We have never done the Illuminations cruise before. It just never comes up in conversation. LOL. It looks awesome though!

Ooohhh, the OCD side of me wants to do the same thing with those cups!

That bacon was so depressed that it was so limp that it felt it needed to just end it all.

Wow....we are a lot alike! I hate mixing cold with hot and sweet with savory at buffets too! However, sometimes I will, because I don't want to look like "that person" going back and forth from the buffet.

 

[sunnysideup3]

Crystal Palace is one of my favorite breakfasts, I enjoy it so much. I think the food is great, the character interaction is always fun and we LOVE to get in the park early.

I'm glad your experience was great, too!

Hopefully the mayor wasn't as handsy as he usually is with you

 

[Wood Nymph]

Ha ha! So you are saying that you'll be eating AND drinking around WS!

I like those fruity drinks which fool you into thinking there isn't any alcohol in them, and they have several of them on the menu. And I've wanted to try shrimp and grits since I heard about the entree last year, even though I have no idea what a grit tastes like. It looks good, though.

 

[emmysmommy]

Like Em, I was not a fan of the cinnamon roll at Gaston's. Mine lacked that ooey-gooey quality that I loved so much about the ones from Main Street Bakery. Enjoyed your CP breakfast review. We've only done lunch there and breakfast is on my list!

Disney needs to improve their cinnamon roll recipe. They should have open auditions for all future bakers to try their hand at a new and improved version. They need some icing love if nothing else!

One day I'd like to try lunch or dinner at CP. I believe they have a lot of comfort food favorites.

All caught up once again. Crews Cup looks like a nice option for dinner if you don't have a reservation (kind of last minute sort of thing).

Crystal Palace breakfast is always a winner, as far as I'm concerned

Hi there Joh! Crew's Cup is definitely a great option around the Boardwalk area.

If anyone likes breakfast they should find at least one thing amazing at CP!

I need to get your Oct/Nov dates since I'm ready to book that trip.

Haha, nice for Dean and Linda to present their plates for you to take a picture of. I've been training everyone well over the years too.

My Mom totally takes those condiment bottles! She's obsessed with them. If they come to the table, lookout. She's putting them in her purse.

We have never done the Illuminations cruise before. It just never comes up in conversation. LOL. It looks awesome though!

Ooohhh, the OCD side of me wants to do the same thing with those cups!

That bacon was so depressed that it was so limp that it felt it needed to just end it all.

Wow....we are a lot alike! I hate mixing cold with hot and sweet with savory at buffets too! However, sometimes I will, because I don't want to look like "that person" going back and forth from the buffet.

I think it is quite the accomplishment when your travel party no longer needs to be reminded to not dig in until your food has posed for a photo! Great job with the training. Or would that be conditioning?

I've probably got a few mini condiment bottles in my pantry. I'm just now realizing that I don't really end up using them so I'm better off leaving them. However, tiny soaps and shampoos - that's another story!

You get that deep dark place inside that compels you to straighten things. Which brings me to your other point.... My plate arrangements sometimes look silly because I'll juggle 4 plates but they are not full. The kitchen staff probably loves me for giving them more dishes to do.

Yeah, the bacon did it alright... it was looking for a pan to finish cooking.

Crystal Palace is one of my favorite breakfasts, I enjoy it so much. I think the food is great, the character interaction is always fun and we LOVE to get in the park early.

I'm glad your experience was great, too!

Hopefully the mayor wasn't as handsy as he usually is with you

All those are reasons we love CP as well. Thanks, it was a great breakfast.

It was about time he behaved.

I like those fruity drinks which fool you into thinking there isn't any alcohol in them, and they have several of them on the menu. And I've wanted to try shrimp and grits since I heard about the entree last year, even though I have no idea what a grit tastes like. It looks good, though.

I've not had grits either but the shrimp and grits sounds like something I need to try. I've seen the photos from F&W.

 

[emmysmommy]

Day 15: Friday August 30, 2013: Plaza Restaurant Lunch​

We had a 1:25pm ADR at Plaza Restaurant which was a great final meal at WDW since we have always been in MK for our final hours before catching the Magical Express bus back to the airport.

When we checked in for our reservation the hostess was distracted by something that had caught her attention so it took quite awhile to acknowledge us. I decided to play it super sweet instead of snippy since what if she was solving a major glitch in the reservation system or other very important task? So we patiently waited…. And waited… and finally she looked up and we gave her our name for check-in. She ended up being friendly and smiled back so I’m glad that I didn’t go for the “do you know how long we’ve been standing here?” declaration. I like to ascribe to the 'assume innocence' perspective in life.

We were seated after a short wait on such a lovely last day in the park.
I took a photo of the menu for the live dining thread but I don’t think it is useful since it is rather small. In reality, neither of us needed a menu since we already knew what we were going to order….

As usual, Em and I split a cheeseburger. Em wanted chips instead of fries so I ended up ordering a side of fries since they have the BEST fries in all of WDW! Em chose the cheese (Swiss) and asked for the grilled onion and bacon on the side.

Angus Chuck Cheeseburger: served on a flour dusted Kaiser Roll with lettuce, tomato, onion – Choose from the following toppings: Cheddar, American Cheese, Bacon, grilled mushrooms, or grilled onion ($13.99)

Side of Fries ($3.19) which came with the side of bacon and grilled onion we had ordered on the side

Condiments on the side:

The burger and fries were delicious as always! This is why we continue to stick with Plaza Restaurant as a final meal.

One of Em’s favorite desserts is the Plaza Restaurant’s banana split – without the pineapple topping. Which bums me out since I love pineapple topping but I can’t coerce her into adding that on if I’m only stealing a few bites of banana with toppings. I have asked for some on the side but it’s such a waste since it really doesn’t get eaten. Em’s so generous and gave me the cherries.

Banana Split ($7.99)

Then she proceeded to tie the stem in a knot. How do people to this? I suppose my talents lie elsewhere like being able to walk and talk at the same time but for those more evolved than me, I am quite impressed.

Using our TiW card we saved $6.23.

This concludes the “official” Disney dining portion of my Dining Review. However, I have one more quick “meal” update with a story and a wrap up which includes a look back at some favorites.

Next Up: Dinner at 30,000 feet

​

 

[JulieODC]

Oh man, that sundae looks amazing!!!

I'm sad that your report is coming to a close --- but I suppose one can only eat so much

 

[wilma-bride]

The Plaza is a favourite of ours also. Their 'fries' are good but they are not a patch on 'chip shop chips' over here. They do make a nice change from the generic skinny fries found pretty much everywhere else though.

I love a good banana split and, like Em, I would have left off the pineapple topping. My youngest daughter, Rhiannon, can also tie a cherry stem into a knot in her mouth - clever clogs

 

[jedijill]

Yum! The Plaza is such a gem at the MK. Table service dining for QS prices with the TIW card.


Jill in CO

 

[Roma]

Long time no commenting on my part, Brenda . I have missed reading your reviews these past two months!

I absolutely love those fries at the Plaza. I have no clue what they do to them but they need to replicate it elsewhere in the park.

Going to catch up now .

 

[jabead]

Sadly, I haven't been to the Plaza since 2006. Somehow it just fell off my Disney Dining radar , but then your many great Plaza reviews came along and caught my interest in this place once again. For the last couple of trips I have scheduled lunch at the Plaza but for various reasons I never made it there. Reading your latest review has me again kicking myself for not making it happen. So, as God is my witness, I am determined to have lunch at the Plaza on my next trip! That burger, fries, and banana split are soooo mine! (Though I will probably be dining there solo and won't be able to finish any of them, I'm going to give it my best shot!)

 

[Linda67]

We've only been to the Plaza once before Brenda and we loved it. I have no idea why we have never made it back!
I'll be in WDW at the same time as Joh - I feel another meet coming on

 

[wilma-bride]

Sadly, I haven't been to the Plaza since 2006. Somehow it just fell off my Disney Dining radar , but then your many great Plaza reviews came along and caught my interest in this place once again. For the last couple of trips I have scheduled lunch at the Plaza but for various reasons I never made it there. Reading your latest review has me again kicking myself for not making it happen. So, as God is my witness, I am determined to have lunch at the Plaza on my next trip! That burger, fries, and banana split are soooo mine! (Though I will probably be dining there solo and won't be able to finish any of them, I'm going to give it my best shot!)

Barb, a) if you are travelling solo you would be more than welcome to join our group whenever/if ever you would like and b) I would happily have lunch with you at the Plaza and share a banana split with you (as long as we can 'hold' the pineapple topping)

We've only been to the Plaza once before Brenda and we loved it. I have no idea why we have never made it back!
I'll be in WDW at the same time as Joh - I feel another meet coming on

I couldn't remember the dates you were actually at WDW (in between cruises and Universal ) when I messaged Brenda earlier but I thought it was the 27th you arrived

I would love if we can arrange some meets - I know we have already toyed with the idea of a slushy meet at Epcot (which I absolutely think we should do now they have introduced the supersize slushy)

 

[Linda67]

Yep, we get into WDW on the 27th and would never miss a slushie meet

 

[WDWaddictt]

Crystal Palace looks so yummy! I have been there a few times before and have never had the breakfast lasagna or poohs puff toast. I know right?... Anyway I think this will be a must do on our next trip in September.

All of your reviews have been fabulous! Thanks for sharing all the awesome photos and your reviews!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[jabead]

Barb, a) if you are travelling solo you would be more than welcome to join our group whenever/if ever you would like and b) I would happily have lunch with you at the Plaza and share a banana split with you (as long as we can 'hold' the pineapple topping)



I couldn't remember the dates you were actually at WDW (in between cruises and Universal ) when I messaged Brenda earlier but I thought it was the 27th you arrived

I would love if we can arrange some meets - I know we have already toyed with the idea of a slushy meet at Epcot (which I absolutely think we should do now they have introduced the supersize slushy)

Actually my next trip to the World is a solo birthday trip in late April/early May. (My husband was right, I couldn't wait until October. ) Lucky for me though, Brenda & Michael and Paula & Hunter have taken me under their wings and I'll be joining them most every night for dinner. I will though probably be doing some solo meals, such as lunch at the Plaza.

But I am definitely still in for October! As of now, I've booked a room for Oct. 23 - Nov. 4 but will probably end up going for only 7 - 10 days (at the most) since again I will most likely be going solo. There is a slight chance my husband might join me for a few days at the end of my trip, but he won't know until pretty much the last minute. So anyway I'm up for any or all DISmeets. Whether it be slushies in France, Afternoon Tea, lunch at the Plaza, dinner at Citricos/Cali Grill, noshing at the Swan & Dolphin F & W Classic or all of the above ...count me in!

 

[DisneyJo]

What a lovely way to end your dining at WDW. The burger and fries look lovely and although I don't like bananas the split looks delicious too

 

[fabulousfive]

Sad here too the report is coming to a close! I'm going to have to track back and look through it all again. Your trip makes me so happy! Also as a mom to much littler ones, it inspires me to do fun things and trips together as they get older. Thanks for sharing your special trip with us!