2 wks of WAY TOO much dining!!!

[candielips]

I have been meaning to write a review for our trip this past Sept 2010 for quite awhile. Sorry for the delay folks. We stayed at CSR for 2 wks and felt really rushed and constricted by all of the dining we had. We made a lot of late reservations figuring it would be better for our little ones by letting them have a aft. nap. But that never happened and we felt like we were always running from one reservation to another.
Let me introduce our family before I delve deeper into this review. There is myself 31, my DH 35, DD 3, DS 9months, and we brought our niece who was almost 12. We also had extended family staying at other resorts which brought our grand gathering total to 21 people!!!!
We didn't eat all of our meals together but enough that we were always having to wait for a table to become available to accomodate us all.
Here is a list of the TS restaurants we dined at:

1900 Park Fare - Dinner and Breakfast
Tusker House - Donald's Safari breakfast
Chef Des France - Dinner
Boma - Dinner
Crystal Palace - Lunch
Chef Mickey's - Dinner
Ohana - Dinner
Le Cellier - Lunch
Planet Hollywood - Dinner
Cinderella's Royal Table - Dinner
Mickey's backyard BBQ
Poly Luau
Coral Reef - Lunch
Teppan Edo
Wolfgang Puck Cafe

Our CS restaurants that we ate at, which I will briefly cover were:
World Premiere - ASM
Toy Story Pizza Planet - DHS
Yorkshire County Fish 'n' Chips - Epcot
El Pirata Y El Perico - MK
Cosmic Rays - MK
Main St. Bakery - MK
Pepper Market - CSR
Earl of Sandwich - DTD
Wolfgang Puck Express - both Marketplace and west side
Cookes of Dublin - DTD
Typhoon Tillys - Typhoon Lagoon

 

[candielips]

1900 Park Fare - Dinner

This was our 1st TS meal of our trip.
We arrived for a 6:40 reservation around 6pm, hoping to get in a little early. I think we waited over 1 1/2 hrs for a table to accommodate all 21 of us. I was getting ready to leave. We didn't end up getting out of there until 9:15pm.
Our server did absolutely nothing. It seemed like they stuck the slowest server with our table, which really isn't the best idea, since there were so many of us. Our plates were never cleared, we didn't get our drinks until we were about halfway through our meal, and even then half of them were wrong.
Near the end of the meal, she was more concerned with our bill, and kept telling us that we were sneaking someone in . She took an extra credit off of our bill, and continued to ignore the stacks of dirty plates on our table. Then she went ahead and charged the 18% gratuity to our rooms without even asking.
Needless to say, my DH went and spoke to a manager and explained that we do not mind paying gratuity for service, but felt we would be paying for nothing. We left there with everything finally sorted and left no tip. I felt so badly, as I have never not left a tip. I have been a server before and know how it feels, but the service was really that bad.
The food was alright. I didn't leave hungry. I really enjoyed the salmon. In fact, I went back up for more 2 x
The characters really are what make this place. It was one of the best interactions we have ever had. I love the step-sisters and the step-mother. My 9 month old almost cracked her cold exterior with his cute baby face.
My DD was dressed as Cinderella and Drizella told her that the dress looked better on her than someone else she knew.
We will most likely return as our DD is still quite princess crazy and we were entertained as well.

 

[Jonesloonybin]

Wow! 21 people!!! That is very brave of you.

I am sorry that your trip started out with such poor service. Hope it got better!!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Wow! That stinks about the awful service. So sorry that happened to your family. We have eaten there sooooo many times. We often go 2 and 3 times per trip and have never had bad service. Fingers crossed your next visit will be so much better. I agree, we love the step-sisters. The whole character experience is so fun!

 

[candielips]

It def got better and we didn't have service like that again. I am not the kind of person to let stupidness ruin my vacation. Although I must admit, after 2 wks I swore it would be a couple of yrs before we returned to WDW. I am happy to say that we are booked for this coming September
I will post some more reviews tomorrow.

 

[Microcell]

Thanks for the report! I booked 1900 Park Fair based on being a buffet for my DS who is at that age where kids meals offer no variety and in some cases are simpply not enough for an 8 year old! My DD 12 is embarrassed though.. so after this I may rethink my choice. Bad service and an embarrassed former princess may not make it a good choice!

 

[ShortyNBug]

When we ate there, as a family of 4, we waited over an hour also. (And we were there just a few minutes early.) We took some pics by the Christmas tree and Gingerbread house and such but it still felt like forever. I finally went and asked if we would be called in the next 10 minutes or less or we would have to leave and they couldn't find that we had even checked in! I was so angry. I had the little box that lights up in my hand and everything. He took us in right then and everything was better after that but jeepers. Maybe they need to hire some new help! I agree that the characters make the meal. My girls cracked up the whole time over the step sisters. I think they liked them even better than Cinderella herself.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Joining in, wow 1 1/2 wait...I don't know if I have the patience for that. I understand 21 people. My son would just say lets leave. we have never waited longer than 15 mins for an ADR to any of our Disney trips.

 

[gardengirl628]

Count me in! I agree with PP, 1 1/2 hours is a super long time.....don't think I would have had the patience....well actually don't think my DH would have had the patience!

 

[candielips]

Thanks for the report! I booked 1900 Park Fair based on being a buffet for my DS who is at that age where kids meals offer no variety and in some cases are simpply not enough for an 8 year old! My DD 12 is embarrassed though.. so after this I may rethink my choice. Bad service and an embarrassed former princess may not make it a good choice!

One of the families with us had 3 boys ages 7, 12, and 17 and they all enjoyed it. It really isn't super princessy what with the step-sisters and step-mother.

And yes, I had a lot of patience on this trip with ADR's, as you will soon come to see. But I'm a "whatever" kind of person and was there to relax. Nothing you can really do to change things , so you might as well sit back and enjoy the ride.

Next I will review the breakfast at 1900 Park Fare.

 

[candielips]

1900 Park Fare Breakfast

We had a 9:30am reservation for just our immediate family, which is only 5 people, and were seated within 10 mins. Maybe 1900 Park Fare was going to be vindicated!

We had a great server that morning and were quite pleased with everything. The food was yummy with a ton of choices. My DD3 who is pickiest eater EVER was very pleased with the fruit loops and fruit. I got to try the strawberry soup, which is as yummy as I thought it would be. Mmmmm.....

The characters there that morning were Alice, Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Tigger, and Pooh. They all came quite quickly with the exception of Alice. We waited 1 1/2 hrs to see her. But she was worth the wait!

She chatted with my DD and niece, posed for pictures, did autographs, and then sat down beside my DH who had our DS9months. She spent forever with him. I wish I could upload our photos of it on photobucket, but it won't do it right now for some reason. She hugged him and kissed him and he was in all his glory. he's a big flirt

Overall, if I was going back for me or older kids, I would choose the dinner. But if you are going with younger kids, under 4, the characters are better in the morning. I'm not saying your 3 yr old won't like the dinner, I just found MY kids preferred the characters at breakfast.

 

[Dizney73]

I'm in for the reports here! we are going as a group of 10 this summer and that makes me nervous. did your family decide how many were going to each meal ahead of time?

 

[candielips]

This was our 2nd TS meal of our trip. While 17 of us were eating here around the same time, we all had separate reservations and checked in separately. Funny enough, we never told anyone we were together, but all of our 3 families were seated near each other.
Our reservation was for 10am and we waited 30 mins. When you get called in you are first taken to have your pic with Safari Donald. We saved them the time and told them that we would not purchase a photo. But they gladly used our camera for a few pics.
Please note: Donald did not come into the restaurant at all. This was the only chance you had to see him.
We loved the ambiance in the restaurant and the food was very yummy. My DH and DN were so excited that there were tater tots! I enjoyed the yogurt and fresh fruit as well as mickey waffles.
I found the character to be very rushed. We spent maybe 30 sec with each. It was enough for my young ones, but def some of the most rushed I have seen. But it was a very busy morning, so I am sure that had a lot to do with it.
While we were there, they switched over to the lunch menu. My DH was a little disappointed when he got up to get more tater tots, but one of my cousins happily came back with a plate of ceasar salad.

Overall, we will probably come back. I wish they had the characters at lunch or dinner as we would love to try them. But our next trip we are booking all of our restaurant choices on what will keep our little ones entertained. It was hard a lot of the times with 2 young kids. We were so thankful to have brought our DN to help.

 

[Aidensmommy22]

Joining in.... You went to 4 out of our 6 ADRs. Can't wait to hear about your experiences!

 

[candielips]

I'm in for the reports here! we are going as a group of 10 this summer and that makes me nervous. did your family decide how many were going to each meal ahead of time?

Everything was most definitely decided ahead of time. But there were some last minute changes as well once we were there. One family decided they didn't want to do Boma at the last minute. We decided to cancel Tutto Italia at the last minute for our family.

It was kinda crazy trying to organize meals for that many people at the same time. Next yr we are going with one other family, so there will be 7 in total, and we will simply tell each other which restaurants we all want to go and try to book as many together as possible. It's nice to have that break though and have some meals to just yourselves.

Next up, Chef Des France! As soon as get my DD in bed.

 

[candielips]

Just our family of 5 dining here on a Tues. night. We had a 6pm reservation and waited around 40 mins. to be seated. While we waited I enjoyed a Grey Goose Slushie from the France Kiosk. It was soooo yummy
I wish my DH would have gotten his own.

Me and my DN ordered from the Prix Fixe 3 course menu. I had the Salad De Bleu with house dressing instead of the blue cheese. One of my favourite salads in all of the park. My DN had the soup and even though she had never had onion soup before she thought it was quite nice.
For entrees, we had the beef short ribs and my DH had the beef tenderloin with rissole potatoes instead of potato gratin.
I love the beef short ribs here. Again it is one of my favourite meals. My DH isn't too fussy on this restaurant and says there is better steak on property at almost every other place.
For dessert, me and my DN each had the creme brulee, although since we were all sharing with my 2 young ones, my DS9months claimed our creme brulee. He couldn't get enough.
DH got the profiteroles au chocolat and loved them.

The service was very fast and efficient. Not overly pleasant, but we got everything we needed when we needed it, which is great in my books.

Overall, I love this restaurant but my DH does not. This was our 2nd visit and while the food is very yummy I will admit, it tastes like everything is already pre-plated.

Sadly, we will not be returning on our next visit, but I know that this visit was not our last.

 

[candielips]

Does anyone know how to make internal links in this post so I can make a link on each of the restaurants in my 1st post to the actual review in this thread?

 

[loganpaulsmom]

Hmmmm.. I think you copy the title of part of topic and then paste on the first page.. Don't quote me on it though..

 

[candielips]

There were 13 of us dining here on a Wed. night. I was a little reluctant to eat here as we have dined here once before and I didn't really like it. But I thought, hey I'll give it another chance. I'm glad I did because I loved it! Although I was the only one

We made an early reservation for 5pm and were seated almost immediately. We got there a little early and before checking in we noticed there was a photopass photographer taking photos in the lobby. Each of our families had some fantastic family pictures taken. If you are eating here I recommend getting there a little early so you can visit the animal viewing area outside and just checking out the resort. It is beautiful and def one resort I would love to stay at.

The lineups at the buffet do get quite long, especially when you only want one item all the way at the end. But everyone seems to lineup and wait. I really enjoyed the couscous and some spiced chicken along with the jasmine rice. Mmmmm. I really couldn't get enough.
I can see how the food is nto up everyone's alley. But if you like to try new things, I say go for it.

Overall, I have nothing bad to say about this restaurant. The service was great! I enjoyed the food and the ambience was very nice as well.

We won't be returning on our upcoming trip, but maybe someday in the near future I can convince my family to go.

 

[Dizney73]

It is definitely hard to decide on meals that make everyone happy. It would be nice to get together at least once a day. Gotta go catch up now... on to chef's des France!

][/B]

Everything was most definitely decided ahead of time. But there were some last minute changes as well once we were there. One family decided they didn't want to do Boma at the last minute. We decided to cancel Tutto Italia at the last minute for our family.

It was kinda crazy trying to organize meals for that many people at the same time. Next yr we are going with one other family, so there will be 7 in total, and we will simply tell each other which restaurants we all want to go and try to book as many together as possible. It's nice to have that break though and have some meals to just yourselves.

Next up, Chef Des France! As soon as get my DD in bed.[/UOTE]