12 days in WDW, where we ate...part 2

[Erikarate]

Recap places and players:
Me, DH, DD 8, DS 6
4 days at AKL Concierge, 8 days at BWV (1 BR unit)

Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!

Originally I could not get a PS for Chef Mickey, which was DD's choice as a reward for a good report card. When we arrived at AKL concierge they gave me a printed copy of all my PS's and sure enough on it was a PS for Chef Mickey on the day and time I requested!!! I was so happy...this is just one of many extras the wonderful staff there did for us...

7/13/03- Dinner, Chef Mickey
OK, I'll admit I was less than thrilled when DD requested this place. I am not a big fan of buffet dinners, and one visit to California Grill we strolled through Chef M. to see what the food looked like. It was mayhem. Kids running everywhere...loud...etc. I was scared...

But considering it was a reward for DD, I wanted to remain open-minded. I'm glad I was as it ended up being a very nice experience. Yes, it was still loud, but fun. At intervals during the dinner they sing a special song and kids dance and wave napkins over their head etc. The food was pretty good...I ate prime rib au jus (end cut also available for people who like more well done), parmesan mashed potatoes (good, but I swear they tasted like instant), mixed veggies, smoked pork loin in a gravy served over egg noodles, cheese ravioli, seafood pasta (had scallops, shrimp, and mussels in a lobster alfredo sauce...very good). There was also flank steak, roasted red potatoes, glazed carrots, potato soup, and salad bar. Kids items icluded chicken tenders, mini hot dogs, pizza, and mac and cheese (IMO these were the worst items on the menu...very bland and/or undercooked esp. the pizza and chicken).

Desserts were key lime pie, cheese cake, and other pies/cakes I can't remember. Build your own sundae as well...

Kept the picture that they took of us upon entry to the restaurant...it's priceless.

Service was very good, esp. for a buffet where sometimes you're forgotten. Character interaction was a little rushed, but they were great with the kids.

Overall rating: 7 1/2 - very good, I wouldn't rush back, but would do it again if the kids really wanted to. Made nice memories...glad we did it.

7/14, Breakfast, Cinderella's Royal Table
I purposely tried for an early PS on a day without early entry so we could get in before park opening. I was VERY lucky and did so on the first try!!! It was surreal walking through the park with no one around...esp. considering how mobbed the parks were during our trip...

DH opted to just have coffee, after stuffing himself at Chef Mickey's the night before. Our server, Gustavo was AMAZING!!! No problem for my DH...he took the prepaid deposit off our charge. He joked with the kids, and gave us impeccable service, such as bringing DD well-done eggs the way she likes them. Overall he made our experience memorable.

The food was not as good as last time we were here (July 2002). Chocolate chocolate chip muffins were not included in the pastry basket they bring out before the meal. Also fruit salad (melon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries) was brought to the table. The adult breakfast (although no one ordered it) was pancakes whereas last time it was eggs, bacon, sausage, stuffed french toast etc. I had again the health breakfast which is granola, fruit and peach yogurt...very good. Large mugs of coffee and juice also served.

Princesses were Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Belle. There was also Alice and Prince Charming. Cinderella was kind of a dud...as well as Prince Charming. Belle was especially friendly and did not rush.

Overall experience: 8 1/2 (service a 10...food and less than great character interaction brought the rating down a bit) Always a pleasure dining in the castle...

Next up:
Grand Adventure in Cooking
California Grill
Electric Umbrella
Beaches and Cream

 

[pennyplanner]

We did Chef Mickey's for breakfast and like you, I was pleasantly surprised with the experience.

The food wasn't terrific and it was noisy but the memory will linger forever. Our photo sits atop our piano and I have NEVER purchased a photo like this EVER!

Funny how when you least expect it, you have a good time.

Thanks for the reviews,
penny

 

[Minniespal]

Thanks for sharing ~ Wonderful reviews!!!!

 

[marybdisney]

You said it was pancakes. Was it just pancakes, or was there other items as well? That sounds completely different than what the online menu (and other folks) say the menu should have been. I sure hope they haven't changed the menu permanently

 

[Erikarate]

As I said, no one in our party actually ordered it because DH was too full and I had the health breakfast (which was the same thing I had in July 2002). But I definitely recall our server saying "pancakes" and I believe he also said sausage (for the adult b'fast). I remember making a comment that that was different than last time (DH had the adult breakfast with the stuffed french toast 7/02).

Also I forgot to mentiuon the kids had eggs and french toast sticks with bacon, whereas last time I believe they had pancakes...


Maybe someone else who's been to Cindy's lately can confirm this...

I definitely thought the food was not as good however...

I missed those chocolately gooey muffins as well...

 

[Chip126]

Thanks for the reviews! I have enjoyed both Chef Mickey's and CRT in the past and I am looking forward to both of them again in December.

I hope the menu has not changed at CRT. Also, I have tried the mashed potatoes at Chef Mickey's. Can anyone confirm whether or not they are real or instant?

I'm glad you enjoyed these meals!

 

[pooh.kim]

We were also at CRT for breakfast on 7/14 and ordered the adult "regular" breakfast instead of the healthy. It came with eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and cream cheese stuffed french toast with blueberries on top. I did miss the chocolate chocolate chip muffins though, those were my favorite!
We had an 8:20 seating and also loved walking down an empty main street. Arrived at gate for opening about 8:00, walked to castle and went straight in with no wait.

 

[Chia Pet]

thanks for the reviews..

 

[holcomb-mania]

Thanks for the CM review. We're going in October for breakfast.

Do they take these pics of everyone prior to seating and have them ready by the time you leave? How does that work? And what is the cost if you don't mind my asking? We bought the pic of us in MGM with the hat as background last year for about $12.50, IIRC.

Thanks.

 

[Erikarate]

pooh.kim- That's so weird, since we were there at the same time...maybe I heard our waiter incorrectly...sorry to cause a stir...but the kids breakfast DID change for sure...

holcomb-mania- yes they take your picture before you are seated and come around with the photos during your dinner to review and decide if you want them. Ours turned out particularly good so we bought them. They offer several different packages. I can't remember exact prices, but we got the whole package which included (2) 5x7's, a bunch of large wallets (maybe 5?) 2 of which came in a plexiglass key chain and magnet. We also received (2) 5x7's of the characters (very cute). All this was around $26.00. We found it the best deal, as (1) 5x7 was around $12.00.

 

[Erikarate]

Bumping to keep together...

 

[ducklite]

They are real mashed potatoes at CM's. I have the recipe someplace, although I don't much care for them. I think teh cheese makes them kinda "gluey". The garlic smashed Yukon Golds at other WDW restaurants are the true potato gems at WDW.

Anne

 

[>>^..^<<]

Wow.. this CRT Breakfast menu thing is disconcerting...

Last summer the kids meal was pancakes and bacon

The adults was scrambled eggs, cream cheese french toast with apple topping, sausages and potatoes.

The muffins were chocolate muffins, not chocolate chip.

I would be disappointed not to get the nice french toast again.

>>^..^<<

 

[momxx5]

Thanks for the review of Chef Mickey's. We are going to have dinner there this coming Tues. I called yesterday and was able to get a 5:00 PS - the kids are so excited.

I didn't know that you can get your picture taken. That is a great surprise. Let's cross our fingers, that everyone (all 7 of us) will be looking at the camera - LOL. I would love to have a picture of all of us.

Thanks again.

 

[swankybeth]

As usual, thanks for the great reviews!

 

[billybaruch1]

Originally posted by Erikarate
Rating Scale:
10- everything perfect...food, service, atmosphere (very rare)
9- excellent, almost perfect
7-8- very good, overall great experience
5-6- mediocre, might not return
3-4- bad, not returning
1-2- should close this place down!!!

7/14, Breakfast, Cinderella's Royal Table
I purposely tried for an early PS on a day without early entry so we could get in before park opening. I was VERY lucky and did so on the first try!!! It was surreal walking through the park with no one around...esp. considering how mobbed the parks were during our trip...

The food was not as good as last time we were here (July 2002). Chocolate chocolate chip muffins were not included in the pastry basket they bring out before the meal. Also fruit salad (melon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries) was brought to the table.

Overall experience: 8 1/2 (service a 10...food and less than great character interaction brought the rating down a bit) Always a pleasure dining in the castle...

Thanks for your information! I do have three general observation comments that are not intended to reflect specifically on your own experiences.

1) Why do people make a rating scale of 1 to 10 and provide descriptions of what each number means, only to rate something, for example, an 8 1/2? Why not make the rating scale from 1 to 20 and rate it a 17?

2) That must be weird and surreal to walk though the park with no one around.

3) It may be just your writing style, but I found it amusing that in your paragraph about how the food wasn't as good as last time, you seemed to imply, although I'm pretty sure you didn't mean to, that having fruit salad brought to your table did not meet your expectations from your previous visit in July 2002.

 

[DeeP]

They are real mashed potatoes at CM's. I have the recipe someplace, although I don't much care for them. I think teh cheese makes them kinda "gluey".

I am always amazed when I hear rave reviews of CM's mashed potatos making them sound like they are some rare and exotic food. I do happen to like the mashed potatos but they are no different than what I've been making for years. All you have to do is add Parmesean Cheese to the potatos when you add the milk, butter and seasonings. It is no great mystery.
If they have a gluey consistency then there was either too much cheese added or not enough milk and butter, or maybe both.

 

[LAWalz23]

Thanks for the reviews! We enjoy Chef Mickeys on our 1st night and I agree the parmesan mashed potatoes taste like they are instant!

 

[Erikarate]

billybaruch1:

Found your comments very funny...
You may be correct in your suggestion to make it 1-20. However I find that sometimes a rating falls "in-between" categories, i.e. not quite excellent, but better than very good. Besides I LIKE the number 10.

It was surreal

No the fruit was good...I think I added that comment in afterward...

 

[billybaruch1]

Erikarate, I'm glad you took my comments in the spirit in which they were intended.