DW and I (both mid-30s) were at WDW for a week, stayed at BWV.
Restaurants that we tried for the first time:
Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - Disney Springs - this was the first meal we had on the day we arrived. We had a 3:30pm ADR, but showed up a half hour early and they were able to seat us. Had the fried chicken sandwich and mac and cheese side. Meal was very good and the restaurant atmosphere was very laid back. Would definitely recommend.
California Grill Brunch - The Contemporary - The food, service, atmosphere and view all excellent. However, still not sure it is worth the price tag. Was a little disappointed that the unlimited mimosas were not traditional mimosas. Instead they were champagne with pearls filled with blueberries and juice. It was hard to get a good taste of the champagne and berry flavor mixed. I did not think to ask if we could substitute those for traditional mimosas, so I do not know if that was an option.
Yak & Yeti - Animal Kingdom - This restaurant ADR was booked because we were going to Animal Kingdom that day, but we weren't really excited by the menu. However, it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. This was an early dinner on the same day as California Grill Brunch, so we were not extremely hungry. So we shared an order of the Lettuce Cups and an order of the House Fried Rice. Even if we had been really hungry, it would have been plenty of food. Both items were really good and we got to sit upstairs by a window which allowed for good people watching. Only downside was the meal-long attempt by our waiter to get us to sign up for a Landry's restaurant card.
Coral Reef - EPCOT - The best thing about this meal was being able to watch the sea life and scuba diver in the aquarium. The food was good but not exceptional. The restaurant itself seemed a little outdated. Was glad to do it, but not sure I would make it a routine stop.
50's Prime Time Café - Hollywood Studios - I loved the theming of this restaurant and the interaction with the staff. DW and I both had the chicken pot pie. It was good, but there was a lot of chicken. I think next time we would think about splitting it so we would have room for a shake or dessert.
Paddlefish - Disney Springs - We were still relatively full after the lunch at 50's Prime Time Café that day. We thought about canceling this ADR, but really wanted to see the restaurant. I am glad we did. The atmosphere and theme of the restaurant was great. I had the Pork Osso Bucco. The pork and gravy that was on it was amazing. The cheese grits were a little bland. I had better cheese grits at the Boathouse on our last trip. Would like to go back to this restaurant when I am appropriately hungry.
1900 Park Fare Breakfast - Grand Floridian - The food was what you would expect for a buffet breakfast. The atmosphere was nice. DW enjoyed meeting Alice, Pooh, Mary Poppins, Mad Hatter and Tigger. The only question we had is, in what world would those 5 characters be found together. A random grouping indeed. The characters who came to the table did not have any "handlers" so there were no CMs to take pictures for you. You meet Tigger at the end in a separate room where there is a photo pass photographer.
Big River Grille - Boardwalk - I had high hopes for this place, as the lunch menu looked good. The general consensus between DW and I and the friends we met there was that it was just ok. I had a chicken quesadilla where, inexplicably the cheese and chicken didn't mix, so it was either a bite of cheese or a bite of chicken. Service was also slow and a little inattentive.
We also ate at Trattoria al Forna at the Boardwalk, which we have done every trip because we like it. Excellent food, great service each time we have been there.
We also had food from the Boardwalk Bakery and pizza window. I know the pizza doesn't get great reviews, but each time we have stayed there we have had at least one lunch or dinner where we got a whole pizza and just relaxed and ate in our room or on our balcony. Not the best pizza, but still good for a easy meal. The service at the bakery was off this time, the two CMs seemed to be confused. With us and the party before us, one would take the order and the payment, then the other came over and tried to ask for payment again. But the food has always been good.
Restaurants that we tried for the first time:
Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - Disney Springs - this was the first meal we had on the day we arrived. We had a 3:30pm ADR, but showed up a half hour early and they were able to seat us. Had the fried chicken sandwich and mac and cheese side. Meal was very good and the restaurant atmosphere was very laid back. Would definitely recommend.
California Grill Brunch - The Contemporary - The food, service, atmosphere and view all excellent. However, still not sure it is worth the price tag. Was a little disappointed that the unlimited mimosas were not traditional mimosas. Instead they were champagne with pearls filled with blueberries and juice. It was hard to get a good taste of the champagne and berry flavor mixed. I did not think to ask if we could substitute those for traditional mimosas, so I do not know if that was an option.
Yak & Yeti - Animal Kingdom - This restaurant ADR was booked because we were going to Animal Kingdom that day, but we weren't really excited by the menu. However, it turned out to be one of the best meals of the trip. This was an early dinner on the same day as California Grill Brunch, so we were not extremely hungry. So we shared an order of the Lettuce Cups and an order of the House Fried Rice. Even if we had been really hungry, it would have been plenty of food. Both items were really good and we got to sit upstairs by a window which allowed for good people watching. Only downside was the meal-long attempt by our waiter to get us to sign up for a Landry's restaurant card.
Coral Reef - EPCOT - The best thing about this meal was being able to watch the sea life and scuba diver in the aquarium. The food was good but not exceptional. The restaurant itself seemed a little outdated. Was glad to do it, but not sure I would make it a routine stop.
50's Prime Time Café - Hollywood Studios - I loved the theming of this restaurant and the interaction with the staff. DW and I both had the chicken pot pie. It was good, but there was a lot of chicken. I think next time we would think about splitting it so we would have room for a shake or dessert.
Paddlefish - Disney Springs - We were still relatively full after the lunch at 50's Prime Time Café that day. We thought about canceling this ADR, but really wanted to see the restaurant. I am glad we did. The atmosphere and theme of the restaurant was great. I had the Pork Osso Bucco. The pork and gravy that was on it was amazing. The cheese grits were a little bland. I had better cheese grits at the Boathouse on our last trip. Would like to go back to this restaurant when I am appropriately hungry.
1900 Park Fare Breakfast - Grand Floridian - The food was what you would expect for a buffet breakfast. The atmosphere was nice. DW enjoyed meeting Alice, Pooh, Mary Poppins, Mad Hatter and Tigger. The only question we had is, in what world would those 5 characters be found together. A random grouping indeed. The characters who came to the table did not have any "handlers" so there were no CMs to take pictures for you. You meet Tigger at the end in a separate room where there is a photo pass photographer.
Big River Grille - Boardwalk - I had high hopes for this place, as the lunch menu looked good. The general consensus between DW and I and the friends we met there was that it was just ok. I had a chicken quesadilla where, inexplicably the cheese and chicken didn't mix, so it was either a bite of cheese or a bite of chicken. Service was also slow and a little inattentive.
We also ate at Trattoria al Forna at the Boardwalk, which we have done every trip because we like it. Excellent food, great service each time we have been there.
We also had food from the Boardwalk Bakery and pizza window. I know the pizza doesn't get great reviews, but each time we have stayed there we have had at least one lunch or dinner where we got a whole pizza and just relaxed and ate in our room or on our balcony. Not the best pizza, but still good for a easy meal. The service at the bakery was off this time, the two CMs seemed to be confused. With us and the party before us, one would take the order and the payment, then the other came over and tried to ask for payment again. But the food has always been good.
