8 days of DxDP with 3 adults and 3 boys ages 4, 6 and 10. here's my quick reviews by meal.
Breakfast:
Kona Cafe: ate here twice, nice and not crowded. Food is good, service was great the first time, the second time was served with the most unhappy CM in all of Disney. Would return.
The Wave: LOVE this place- great homemade Muesli, they offer whole grain but can do regular pancakes for the kids too. Only thing we didn't like: the paper straws (environmentally friendly). tip: bring your own from Contempo- just take them with you when you leave, the servers do get in trouble if they are found on the tables.
Contempo Cafe: quick service- however, they need to streamline the process. The computer where you enter your order are SLOOOWWWWW. then, since the dining plan isnt explained at all, you then go to the register and she basically re-enters your whole order to fix it.
Chef Mickeys: really mediocre buffet. Parties of 6 or more forced to add 18% gratiuity for a server who filled coffee once, cleared plates once, and was never seen again.
Lunch:
Liberty Tree Tavern: it started to rain (the only daytime rain during our stay, not complaining!) so I went and asked if we could be seated early- 45 min early. They were happy to seat us and I was shocked to see PLENTY of empty tables despite the fact that people were getting turned down for ADR's. We didn't have any of the traditional meals, choosing lighter salads which were very good and fresh. Only comment is on the gross bathrooms- desperately in need of remodel!
Comtempo: quick service. see review of breakfast above. Flatbreads were great. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
Mama Melrose: a pleasant surprise- place was EMPTY. Food was very good as was the service. Portions not huge but appropriate for lunch.
Tutto Italia: the shining star of our trip. Everything - from the children's pizzettes to the linguine with clams to the gelati for dessert was fantastic. Again, only about 50% full.
Yak and Yeti: we had no ADR for AK b/c we didn't think we'd be there that long, however we started talking to a CM who turned out to be the manager of this (non disney owned) restaurant. We then got a walk in table in about 20 minute wait (this, during a time when ADR's were so hard to come by?). Fried green beans, tuna, and lo mein got raves. Would go again.
Rosie's (quick service- DHS)- it was fine burgers and fries. nothing to write home about, but certainly not bad.
The Plaza: this was a GREAT find. What a cute restaurant- great sandwiches, the creamy tomato soup was superb. Huge, expansive desserts. if you are on DxDP they are very lenient and will let children order adult desserts.
Dinner:
Whispering Canyon: NEVER EVER AGAIN. Loud. Crowded. Waited about 30 min for our table. then they tried to seat us at a makeshift 6 top- two round tables, which we refused. We decided to try this place because everyone said it was so amusing for kids. Our server did nothing special and the only "hijinx" we witnessed was the beaten-like-a-dead-horse ketchup joke. it was done at least 15 times during our meal. Saw 1 large fork handed out. Food was mediocre. service was slow.
Chefs De France: our dining experience can be summed up in two words: COLD and SLOW. The food took forever to arrive and the food, though on hot plates, was all cold. we could not find one warm item on any of 6 plates. After waiting so long, couldn't really send it back- also feared what would be done to it!
Flying Fish: another empty restaurant. Excellent service, food was very good. Kids particularly liked the dessert which included a white chocolate Mickey puzzle with edible paints.
California Grill: another great meal at Cali Grill. though crowded, wait time for table was less than 15 minutes and we saw empty tables sit for quite some time. Appetizers in particular stood out- the sushi and rock shrimp salad. SErver was great and brought kids goldfish crackers and chop sticks to entertain before the meal.
'Ohana: we LOVED this meal! Seated in less than 10 minutes from check in. To answer questions I see asked frequently- there is not 1 size of table here- I saw 2, 3, 4, and larger round 6-10 seating tables. We had a nice table at the window, far towards the right which was away from some of the action (you could hear and see it just fine though) and the kids got up to participate. The food is served rather rapidly, which to us was a GREAT thing after eating so many 2-3 hour meals! Loved the pineapple break, pot stickers, noodles, grilled shrimp and banana bread pudding. Would definitely go back.
Le Cellier: badly overbooked, every night according to their staff. We had a 6:45 ADr. Checked in at 6:40 (after waiting in line) and were seated at 7:45. Meal was VERY rushed, and I guess I just don't see the hype. Dishes were good but I had better filet at Cali Grill, the risotto was undercooked and raw. Apps are were good. Kids loved the s'mores desserts.
The Wave: we enjoyed breakfast here so much we asked for a dinner ADR and they accomodated. It is really nice inside- large bar, huge waiting areas with cocktail tables, nice booths to seat larger parties. Our server Claudia was the best in our trip. Enjoyed the lettuce wrap apps, salads, filet, and the linguine with clams and shrimp. Wonderful dessert trios as well. AGain, see the note on breakfast, may want to bring your own straws for the kids.
Overall, we had some good eats at WDW! We enjoyed the deluxe dining plan. We found that entrees were not huge and we did have room to eat some apps and desserts as well, without being too stuffed (well, at least not at every meal
). the new ADR system is apparently not going well and there is rumor they are going to ditch it soon. We encountered so many empty restaurants - despite the fact that the computers were saying no ADR's available- they think it's a combination of people booking multiple ADr's for themselves and the computer not catching them, and glitches in the system.
Breakfast:
Kona Cafe: ate here twice, nice and not crowded. Food is good, service was great the first time, the second time was served with the most unhappy CM in all of Disney. Would return.
The Wave: LOVE this place- great homemade Muesli, they offer whole grain but can do regular pancakes for the kids too. Only thing we didn't like: the paper straws (environmentally friendly). tip: bring your own from Contempo- just take them with you when you leave, the servers do get in trouble if they are found on the tables.
Contempo Cafe: quick service- however, they need to streamline the process. The computer where you enter your order are SLOOOWWWWW. then, since the dining plan isnt explained at all, you then go to the register and she basically re-enters your whole order to fix it.
Chef Mickeys: really mediocre buffet. Parties of 6 or more forced to add 18% gratiuity for a server who filled coffee once, cleared plates once, and was never seen again.
Lunch:
Liberty Tree Tavern: it started to rain (the only daytime rain during our stay, not complaining!) so I went and asked if we could be seated early- 45 min early. They were happy to seat us and I was shocked to see PLENTY of empty tables despite the fact that people were getting turned down for ADR's. We didn't have any of the traditional meals, choosing lighter salads which were very good and fresh. Only comment is on the gross bathrooms- desperately in need of remodel!
Comtempo: quick service. see review of breakfast above. Flatbreads were great. Everyone enjoyed their meal.
Mama Melrose: a pleasant surprise- place was EMPTY. Food was very good as was the service. Portions not huge but appropriate for lunch.
Tutto Italia: the shining star of our trip. Everything - from the children's pizzettes to the linguine with clams to the gelati for dessert was fantastic. Again, only about 50% full.
Yak and Yeti: we had no ADR for AK b/c we didn't think we'd be there that long, however we started talking to a CM who turned out to be the manager of this (non disney owned) restaurant. We then got a walk in table in about 20 minute wait (this, during a time when ADR's were so hard to come by?). Fried green beans, tuna, and lo mein got raves. Would go again.
Rosie's (quick service- DHS)- it was fine burgers and fries. nothing to write home about, but certainly not bad.
The Plaza: this was a GREAT find. What a cute restaurant- great sandwiches, the creamy tomato soup was superb. Huge, expansive desserts. if you are on DxDP they are very lenient and will let children order adult desserts.
Dinner:
Whispering Canyon: NEVER EVER AGAIN. Loud. Crowded. Waited about 30 min for our table. then they tried to seat us at a makeshift 6 top- two round tables, which we refused. We decided to try this place because everyone said it was so amusing for kids. Our server did nothing special and the only "hijinx" we witnessed was the beaten-like-a-dead-horse ketchup joke. it was done at least 15 times during our meal. Saw 1 large fork handed out. Food was mediocre. service was slow.
Chefs De France: our dining experience can be summed up in two words: COLD and SLOW. The food took forever to arrive and the food, though on hot plates, was all cold. we could not find one warm item on any of 6 plates. After waiting so long, couldn't really send it back- also feared what would be done to it!
Flying Fish: another empty restaurant. Excellent service, food was very good. Kids particularly liked the dessert which included a white chocolate Mickey puzzle with edible paints.
California Grill: another great meal at Cali Grill. though crowded, wait time for table was less than 15 minutes and we saw empty tables sit for quite some time. Appetizers in particular stood out- the sushi and rock shrimp salad. SErver was great and brought kids goldfish crackers and chop sticks to entertain before the meal.
'Ohana: we LOVED this meal! Seated in less than 10 minutes from check in. To answer questions I see asked frequently- there is not 1 size of table here- I saw 2, 3, 4, and larger round 6-10 seating tables. We had a nice table at the window, far towards the right which was away from some of the action (you could hear and see it just fine though) and the kids got up to participate. The food is served rather rapidly, which to us was a GREAT thing after eating so many 2-3 hour meals! Loved the pineapple break, pot stickers, noodles, grilled shrimp and banana bread pudding. Would definitely go back.
Le Cellier: badly overbooked, every night according to their staff. We had a 6:45 ADr. Checked in at 6:40 (after waiting in line) and were seated at 7:45. Meal was VERY rushed, and I guess I just don't see the hype. Dishes were good but I had better filet at Cali Grill, the risotto was undercooked and raw. Apps are were good. Kids loved the s'mores desserts.
The Wave: we enjoyed breakfast here so much we asked for a dinner ADR and they accomodated. It is really nice inside- large bar, huge waiting areas with cocktail tables, nice booths to seat larger parties. Our server Claudia was the best in our trip. Enjoyed the lettuce wrap apps, salads, filet, and the linguine with clams and shrimp. Wonderful dessert trios as well. AGain, see the note on breakfast, may want to bring your own straws for the kids.
Overall, we had some good eats at WDW! We enjoyed the deluxe dining plan. We found that entrees were not huge and we did have room to eat some apps and desserts as well, without being too stuffed (well, at least not at every meal
). the new ADR system is apparently not going well and there is rumor they are going to ditch it soon. We encountered so many empty restaurants - despite the fact that the computers were saying no ADR's available- they think it's a combination of people booking multiple ADr's for themselves and the computer not catching them, and glitches in the system.
