10 Days of Disney Dining – TS, CS, & Snacks – LOTS of Photos! COMPLETE THROUGH DAY 10

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Another question: The bakery in France allows two items & a drink for 1 counter service credit. I didn't know that.

Do they have a place nearby to sit and eat? Do you know what their hours are? (Thinking of this place for late breakfast or evening meal (or snack).

The France bakery is open when the World Showcase is open (as far as I know) - we walked by first thing in the morning and last thing at night (right at Illuminations) and they were open both times. Don't miss this place - it's wonderful!! They do not have indoor seating, but there are a few tables right outside - that's where we sat. Great people watching location!

And a general question on any TS or CS (maybe i need to post this on the general food board) - Can we get a cafe mocha or expresso as our "drink" with meals?

I'm sorry - I can't help you on this one as we never tried those drinks. I would guess it would depend on your server - we were allowed non-alcoholic beverages other than soda a few times but it was hit and miss. Never hurts to ask! Maybe someone else who was tried this will have a better answer.

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Great reviews. Do you remember what was on the kids menu besides the "Dip It?"

The items I remember were pizza and chilled chicken strips. This information is copied from AllEarsNet.com:

For Ages 9 and Under
Served with choice of kid's juice, milk or soft drink

THE FOLLOWING 3 ITEMS ARE STANDARD ON THE NEW CHILDREN'S MENU:

Pita Pizza - with diced chicken and mozzarella cheese, served with shredded vegetable salad and brown-sugar apples $7.49

Just Dip It - assorted fruits, vegetables, chicken salad and yogurt $7.49

Chicken Strips - served with barbecue sauce, sweet potato sticks, green beans, carrots and yogurt parfait $7.49

KID'S PICKS:

The Items available under "Kid's Picks" may vary slightly among restaurants, but all include choice of one appetizer, one entree and one dessert:

Appetizers: Vegetable Salad OR Soup (type of soup varies, e.g. Vegetarian Minestrone; Creamy Tomato; Chicken Noodle)

Entrees: Two selections offered, vary according to restaurant (e.g., Macaroni and Cheese OR Hamburger with Fries; Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza OR Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce; Macaroni and Cheese OR Hot Dog with Fries)

Desserts: Fruit Salad OR Ice Cream

 

[01Sweetpea]

Entrees: Two selections offered, vary according to restaurant (e.g., Macaroni and Cheese OR Hamburger with Fries; Cheese or Pepperoni Pizza OR Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce; Macaroni and Cheese OR Hot Dog with Fries)

Desserts: Fruit Salad OR Ice Cream

Thanks!!! As long as there is pizza, spaghetti or hot dog on the menu I am good!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

We went to Typhoon Lagoon and Downtown Disney on 10/1. We only carried a water camera and when we got our pictures developed, all were ruined except for the first few – WATER got into our WATER camera!!! So, sorry no pictures for today – I will try to give detailed descriptions.

Day 9 Breakfast – Everything POP

This was our worst use of CS credits – we had a cinnamon roll, a Mickey waffle kid’s meal, and 2 bottled drinks. We were not very hungry this morning! The roll and waffles were very good – we never had a problem or complaint about Pop’s food. The only negative I have to say about the food court can’t be helped – it’s very CROWDED! It’s also annoying to stand in completely different lines for different types of food. The lines always moved quickly though and the food was always fresh, hot, & delicious.

Cost – 2 CS credits = $11.93

Day 9 Lunch – Leaning Palms

Me – Chili Cheese Dog with Fries
DH – Cheeseburger with Fries
DD2 – Grilled cheese pretzel kid’s meal; sides: grapes & goldfish crackers
DD7 – Hot dog kid’s meal; sides: grapes & applesauce

This lunch was surprisingly very good! We didn’t expect much and were pleasantly surprised. The chili cheese dog and cheeseburger were HUGE, hot, & very good. I did have to pick the beans out of the chili, but that’s my personal issue. The kid’s meals came in sand buckets with a shovel, which was great because we didn’t pack any beach toys as we were only doing the water park 1 day out of 10. They are also very reasonably priced if paying OOP ($4.49 each). Both girls enjoyed their grapes the most! We all really shared the meals between us, and I really liked the grilled cheese pretzel – this is a very novel idea! We got tokens to use for ice cream bars later as our dessert. We bought 2 Mickey bars later in the afternoon and didn’t have time to get the other 2 – so I have 2 Typhoon Lagoon ice cream tokens as souvenirs!

Cost – 4 CS credits = $39.55

Day 9 Dinner – Captain Jack’s

We took a cab from Typhoon Lagoon to Downtown Disney to save the bus transfer hassles (best $6 we spent on the trip!). This restaurant is located at the end of the pier and the view of the water is absolutely beautiful. Our ADR was for 5:35 and we arrived around 5:50. They were turning lots of people without ADRs away. We were seated around 6:05 and our server was Amy. She was great – just not very talkative; but they were busy so I understand. We used our last 2 TS credits here and paid OOP for DD7’s meal:

Me – Spinach & Artichoke dip, twin lobster tails, white chocolate raspberry cheesecake
DH – Crab cakes, twin lobster tails, chocolate lava cake
DD7 – Mac & cheese kid’s meal with fruit and goldfish crackers (OOP $6.22)
DD2 – shared with everyone

I had been looking forward to this restaurant all week, and it didn’t disappoint. I have read very mixed reviews here on the Dis, and I was a little worried, but I rarely get to eat lobster and this was the main draw. This is the ONLY 1 TS credit restaurant on the dining plan that serves lobster tails. They were good sized and DELICIOUS!! I think there was a potato or vegetable side dish, but all I remember was enjoying every butter drenched bite of my 2 beautiful lobster tails! DH thoroughly enjoyed his as well, but DDs did not like lobster. Oh well, more for us!! The appetizers and desserts were also fabulous. This was the best spinach and artichoke dip I have ever eaten!! Very creamy and cheesy with just the right amount of vegetables. This is topped with chopped tomatoes, but I’m not a fan so I had them leave those off. The crab cakes were wonderful as well – I think there were 3, very artfully arranged with the sauce and some greens on the side. DDs ate every single bite of the fruit and mac & cheese and pronounced it “the cheesiest”. We all polished off the cheesecake and lava cake and left full and happy.

Captain Jack’s is definitely on my must do list for our next trip as long as they don’t take the lobster away!

Cost – 2 TS credits = $120.55

On the way out of Downtown Disney, we stopped at Goofy’s Candy Company for the “make your own” Mickey Rice Krispie treats. This is another GREAT use of snack credits – these are $3.50 each with unlimited toppings:

#1 – dipped in chocolate, rolled in Oreos and sprinkles, & drizzled with caramel

#2 – dipped in white chocolate, rolled in Reese cups & pecans, & drizzled with caramel; here’s a pic I took later:

Cost – 2 snack credits = $7.65

COMING UP NEXT - OUR LAST DAY - A VERY SPECIAL COSMIC RAY'S

 

[Good Ol Gal]

I have really enjoyed reading your report!!

I can't wait for your VERY SPECIAL COSMIC RAY report

 

[Hound 109]

This was my favorite food report thread even before Day 9 came out. I just booked my March trip & this afternoon (or weekend) I was going to make DDP ressies. And then you post Day 9.

Capt Jacks (which I don't remember reading hardly any posts on).....

Romantic boat trip from POR to DTD (well a boat trip anyways).

Lobster Tails -

Crab Cakes -

1 TS credit meal -


You made my day, K&L's Mom.


Thanks again.

hound

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

This was my favorite food report thread even before Day 9 came out......

You made my day, K&L's Mom.

WOW! I'm so glad you're enjoying my report. That's for the wonderful compliments.

 

[bbangel]

You aren't the only one that has issues with beans in chili. I can't eat beans but I love chili. It always bums me out that most people put beans in their chili.
Thanks for the great reviews!

 

[tinkamom]

I'm loving your dining report! I just made all my ADRs and now I'm thinking of changing some!

 

[swankybeth]

Great reviews and pictures, thanks for taking the time to post. Your DD's are absolutely adorable.

 

[Hound 109]

You aren't the only one that has issues with beans in chili. I can't eat beans but I love chili. It always bums me out that most people put beans in their chili.
Thanks for the great reviews!

I feel your pain. If it has beans in it....then it it's not really chili.

hound

 

[angelkk]

On the way out of Downtown Disney, we stopped at Goofy’s Candy Company for the “make your own” Mickey Rice Krispie treats. This is another GREAT use of snack credits – these are $3.50 each with unlimited toppings:

#1 – dipped in chocolate, rolled in Oreos and sprinkles, & drizzled with caramel

#2 – dipped in white chocolate, rolled in Reese cups & pecans, & drizzled with caramel; here’s a pic I took later:

Hi Kaylie&laurensmom,

so, we can use DDP Snack credits to get "Mickey Rice Krispie" from Goofy's Candy Company?

That would be a wonderful news for us! Last year, we stayed at POFQ, and we have almost 20 snack credits left. The first day CM (Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory) allows us to get Beignets with snacks credits, but since the 2nd day onwards, they don't allow. So finally we use snack credits for those chocolate dipped Mickey head Rice Krispie......I DS3 enjoyed so much after we brought them home!

We are going in early Jan...this time we will have 35 CS, so I may plan to get different Mickey Rice Krispie from DTD!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Hi Kaylie&laurensmom,

so, we can use DDP Snack credits to get "Mickey Rice Krispie" from Goofy's Candy Company?

That would be a wonderful news for us! Last year, we stayed at POFQ, and we have almost 20 snack credits left. The first day CM (Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory) allows us to get Beignets with snacks credits, but since the 2nd day onwards, they don't allow. So finally we use snack credits for those chocolate dipped Mickey head Rice Krispie......I DS3 enjoyed so much after we brought them home!

We are going in early Jan...this time we will have 35 CS, so I may plan to get different Mickey Rice Krispie from DTD!

YES!! You can get the custom rice krispie treats or anything else at Goofy's Candy Company that's <$4.00. The snack options have really expanded since last year - just about everywhere, as long as it's under $4.00, it's a snack. Our favorite uses of the snack credit were Dole Whip Floats at Aloha Isle & Funnel Cakes at Sleepy Hollow (Magic Kingdom), stuffed pretzels, & the Goofy Candy Co. treats! Have fun on your trip.

 

[learnhome]

Thank you thank you thank you! First of all, I really enjoyed your positive upbeat reviews, and even when things were not exactly the way you wished, you still remained upbeat! You see, I am going on our first family trip to Disney in about 5 weeks.....I purchased the dining plan for our family of 5 and have been reading the dis boards for months. I do get alot of interesting info here, however, I find alot of negative, spoiled people here who I think complain alot.....it was making me nervouse about even going to disney, wondering if it was going to be worth our money!! But, reading your post assured me that if you are a positive person, have a positive outlook - no matter the circumstances, you will have a fantastic time !!

I love the pictures with the food....and your family is beautiful!!
thank you for your time and effort! Did you bring a journal with you to remember everything??????????? GREAT IDEA IF SO!!

Chris

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

Did you bring a journal with you to remember everything???????????

Thanks Chris! I did bring a journal but never had time to write in it!!! I kept all my receipts and wrote totals on them, and I used those to "jog" my memory.

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

DAY 10 – OUR LAST DAY

Sorry everyone I’ve taken so long to complete this report!! Again, thanks for all the great comments and feedback. It really was a joy to relive our trip eatin’ while writing this report and it’s something I can share with friends and family who want to know “What’s the food like at Disney? How expensive is it? Should we do the dining plan?” etc. etc.

We started our trip with 27 credits each for table service, counter service, & snacks (1 per person per night, 9 nights, 3 people). On the morning of day 10, we had 6 counter service and 6 snack credits remaining. Now those of you who have read this report know that we have NEVER went hungry. Everyone always had something to eat, and most of the time TOO MUCH to eat. And don’t forget, DD2 didn’t even have credits!! We did spend a few $$ out of pocket, which I will recap in my next post, but that was mostly for alcohol. DON’T WORRY, YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF CREDITS if you purchase the dining plan. DON’T HOARD YOUR CREDITS!! Anyway, back to the review.

NOTE: TODAY WAS DAY 2 OF THE YEAR OF A MILLION DREAMS. We began the day by finishing up our packing, checking our bags at the Magical Express counter (love that Magical Express), and checking out. While we were in the lobby at Pop, a cast member came up to DD7 and told her she had been chosen to be “Pop Star of the Day”. She gave her 3 pink balloons and took her to a special velvet roped-off area right outside the front doors. She had her hand traced in chalk and her name written down as Pop Star of the Day. They took her picture and made a special certificate we picked up later as well as a Pop Star of the Day pin. Great way to start our last day!:

BREAKFAST - MAIN ST. BAKERY

We headed to Magic Kingdom and stopped at Main Street Bakery again – we got an almond bear claw, a rocky road brownie, & 2 french toast loaves (as well as 2 bottled drinks) to go. We snacked on these throughout the day and even had some for breakfast at home the next day! Great way to burn 2 CS credits (2 items plus a drink for each credit)!!

Cost – 2 CS credits = $16.76

We then stopped at the Confectionary and got 3 Mickey rice krispie treats ($2.50 ea) and a bag of Goofy’s sugar free jelly beans ($4) to take home for gifts.

Cost – 4 snack credits = $12.25

LUNCH – COSMIC RAY’S STARLIGHT CAFÉ

Note: we wore our matching shirts again today (I did laundry the night before) so I’m thinking that may have had something to do with this, but you never know – it’s the Year of a Million Dreams.

We were standing in line getting ready to order when a cast member came up and told us we had been selected as “Cosmic Ray’s Family of the Day”. We placed our order and were escorted to our special table directly in front of Sonny Eclipse:

They pulled our chairs out for us, put cloth napkins in our laps, and brought all our food out to us (including condiments). They gave us a certificate and an autographed photo of Sonny Eclipse. What a nice treat!!

We used up our last 4 credits:

Me – ½ rack of ribs, mashed potatoes, carrot cake
DH - Chicken strips with fries, carrot cake
DD7 & DD2 – chicken nugget kid’s meals with applesauce & grapes, chocolate cakes

Everything was very good, and there was plenty of it. We had WAY too much food and ended up throwing out about ½ of it. The girls enjoyed their nuggets, these were hard to find at other CS places. The ribs were very tender and DH enjoyed his chicken strips. What a great way to end our Disney Dining Experience!!

Cost – 4 CS credits = $41.22; Overall experience = PRICELESS

On our way out of Magic Kingdom, we had to stop and use our last 2 snack credits on our favorite treats – 2 Dole Whip Floats. FABULOUS!!!

Cost – 2 CS credits = $7.44

COMING UP NEXT - RECAP & FINAL THOUGHTS

 

[momof2disprincesses]

I just finished reading your entire trip report and now I have to go make dinner. You made me hungry!

Dinner at WDW is always better than dinner at home though. Wish I was there.

I know how time-consuming it is to do such a thorough dining report with pictures.

We all thank you for taking the time to do such a wonderful report! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

RECAP AND FINAL THOUGHTS

• FAVORITE Table Service Restaurants: Kona Cafe & Whispering Canyon Cafe
• FAVORITE Counter Service Restaurants: Tusker House & Boulangerie Patisserie
• FAVORITE SNACK: Dole Whip Float (Aloha Isle~Magic Kingdom)
• LEAST FAVORITE Table Service: Coral Reef

Dining Plan Points:

• YES, you can pay out of pocket for kid's meals (we did twice - WCC & Captain Jack's)
• YES, 18% tip is added to all out of pocket items (alcohol, kid's meals, milk, etc.)
• YES, you can use your credits for those not in your party (at least, we did - at Akershus)
• YES, you can share food (as long as it's not buffet/family style) - we shared at almost all CS places and a few times at TS with DDs
• NO, do not hoard your credits - you will have plenty!

We ended up with approx. $105 in out of pocket costs ($41 alcohol, $25 birthday cake, $16 sodas, $13 kid's meals, & $10 misc. ice cream, muffins, etc.) With the expanded snack list, we didn't want to use snack credits for drinks & ice cream!

We had a wonderful trip and have never eaten so well!! With a little planning, you can really get a lot of value from the dining plan. We did NOT pick restaurants or menu items based on price, but rather what we wanted. Sometimes it was the most expensive item, most of the time not. We were able to dine at 10 TS restaurants and enjoyed every one except Coral Reef.

Please post or PM me if you have any questions and thanks again for reading my report!

 

[JamesMom]

Great report! Thanks for sharing.

OT: Noticed you took a cab once w/your 2 yr old. Did you need a car seat? Plan to use cabs especially if it is only $6 to avoid the hotel transfer business. TIA

 

[kaylie&laurensmom]

OT: Noticed you took a cab once w/your 2 yr old. Did you need a car seat? Plan to use cabs especially if it is only $6 to avoid the hotel transfer business. TIA

We did not USE a car seat (not to say we didn't NEED one). The ride from Typhoon Lagoon to Downtown Disney is VERY short - less than 5 minutes. We just buckled her in tightly between us. To me, I actually felt safer than on the Disney busses we took the rest of the time! The $6 was for the ride from TL to Downtown Disney - plan on a lot more $$ for other longer routes. I'm glad you enjoyed the report!