A TS newbie takes on ADRs & TiW for 10 days of Disney Dining COMPLETE

[Angeejoe]

DH & I love the Brown Derby, especially the Cobb Salad! I'm sorry your entree wasnt good DH had the same dish & loved it. It sounds like yours was overlooked! I got the Margaritta Flight (great deal, like $10 for 3 drinks), the Cobb & had an appetizer as my entree the Crispy Phyllo Napoleon on Blue Affinee & Cream Brûlée. I had the grapefruit cake in the past & did not like it.

I can't wait for more!

 

[StayAwake]

Today was my attempt to see all 4 parks in one day. I'm no ultimate tourer, but this little challenge was set up with a friend: 1 E-ticket in all 4 parks, plus at least 1 additional ride/show in each park, 3 TS meals (one in each of 3 parks), and all 3 forms of Disney Transport (Bus, Boat & Monorail).

So I started off my day at Rope Drop at Animal Kingdom. After riding Expedition Everest (x3) and the Safari, I was a hungry girl. Luckily, Tusker House was close by for my Safari Breakfast.



Tusker House was a new restaurant to me, and I found it to be delicious. From the top of the plate (12 o'clock) there are fried plantains, sweet potato bake, beef bobotie, omelette, Mickey waffle, bacon, hash, & freshly carved ham with spicy mustard sauce. Also a bowl of yogurt with granola and nuts and the special Jungle Juice, of which I drank 3 or 4 glasses, it was so yummy!

The beef bobotie and sweet potatoes were both outstanding and unusual. The ham with the spicy mustard sauce was also a standout. This is a character meal, so the prices reflect that, but I love being able to get something different- I really felt that the value was there with this meal. There are more traditional breakfast options if you'd prefer them.

This was my first experience with character dining, but I soon got the hang of it. My server looked out for me and made sure I got photos with the characters, since there isn't a photopass photographer.

Tables in Wonderland saved me $6 on this meal, bringing my total TiW savings to $71.05

 

[Angeejoe]

You're making me so hungry! I tried Tuskers House on my last trip & really liked it. If you like this type of food with out the extra cost for Characters, try the Boma Breakfast Buffet. It's much of the same food at Boma as Tusker. We tried it in our Oct trip & were really surprised how much we loved it at Boma!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Huge anniversary congratulations and great initial reviews

 

[DisneyJo]

Your V&A meal looks absolutely amazing but so much food and so many bread services, I think I'd be full after 2 courses

I love the sound of your challenge

 

[StayAwake]

You're making me so hungry! I tried Tuskers House on my last trip & really liked it. If you like this type of food with out the extra cost for Characters, try the Boma Breakfast Buffet. It's much of the same food at Boma as Tusker. We tried it in our Oct trip & were really surprised how much we loved it at Boma!

Thanks Angeejoe- that's a great tip. I haven't tried Boma yet, but if it's similar food to Tusker House, I'm sure I would love it!

Welcome and thanks to all the new readers and commentors. This is my first time doing a dining report, so I'd love your input and thoughts.

 

[StayAwake]

Your V&A meal looks absolutely amazing but so much food and so many bread services, I think I'd be full after 2 courses

I love the sound of your challenge

Well, luckily most of the V&A courses are small, and the atmosphere of the restaurant really made me slow down and try to savor every bite. So I didn't start to feel full until around dessert. And, of course, you are eating over 2.5+ hours, which helps!

Worse was all the liquid. Between the wine pairings and the 3 carafes of water I drank... I can confidently report that the Ladies room at Victoria & Albert's is quite lovely as I saw it several times.

 

[StayAwake]

Park 2 of the challenge was Hollywood Studios and my E-ticket ride of choice was Rockin Rollercoaster, both because it's my favorite of the E-tickets at HS and because of the single rider line, since I arrived around 11 am.

After rocking out with Aerosmith, I headed for another fantastic vehicle at Sci Fi Dine In Theater- another new restaurant to me.

Here's where I began to notice a pattern that had started the night before at the Brown Derby. I've come to love the planning that goes into choosing an ADR- reading restaurant reviews, checking out menus- until I'm sure before I leave home that I don't even need to see a menu because I've already chosen what I'm going to eat. And then when I'm sitting in the restaurant, I end up choosing something different. Am I the only one this happens to?

I had planned to try the All-American Picnic Burger, and what did I get instead?



The Smoked Turkey Sandwich- Turkey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, with avocado mayonnaise on multi-grain bun, with a side of sweet potato fries and an iced tea.

This was a refreshing sandwich, similar in quality to those available at restaurants at home at a cheaper price, so while good it was nothing special. The atmosphere of the place is what makes this restaurant a delight, not the food. I'm just old enough to remember going to the drive-in as a kid, and this brought back some great memories. I'm really looking forward to how it's going to be at the Star Wars breakfast.

With Tables in Wonderland, I saved $3.40 for a total TiW savings of $74.45.

 

[bangzoom6877]

I love your reviews so far! DH and I are going to V&A's for the first time this July, and it will be just days before they stop accepting the TIW card. We are very happy we will get to use the TIW card there this summer. Friends of ours recommended it to us, and said it was the best meal they had in their entire lives. And they've been to a few Michelin rated restaurants in NYC and they still feel that way!

We also have Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner the night after V&A's. I never thought about it until you said it...that meal will be a very tough act to follow! We have the Fantasmic package there, and we're looking forward to it. The desserts are now a sample of any three mini desserts you choose...I'm going to choose the grapefruit cake as one of them out of sheer curiosity. I figure if I don't like it, I will have two others to enjoy.

Congratulations on being cancer free! May you have many more healthy and happy years ahead of you!

 

[CupcakeLisa]

Congrats on being cancer free!

Thanks for sharing, looking forward to more

 

[princess aleya]

Everything you had a VA looked so good. I have always wanted to try it, maybe I can convince DH. Can't wait to hear more about your trip.

 

[StayAwake]

I love your reviews so far! DH and I are going to V&A's for the first time this July, and it will be just days before they stop accepting the TIW card. We are very happy we will get to use the TIW card there this summer. Friends of ours recommended it to us, and said it was the best meal they had in their entire lives. And they've been to a few Michelin rated restaurants in NYC and they still feel that way!

We also have Hollywood Brown Derby for dinner the night after V&A's. I never thought about it until you said it...that meal will be a very tough act to follow! We have the Fantasmic package there, and we're looking forward to it. The desserts are now a sample of any three mini desserts you choose...I'm going to choose the grapefruit cake as one of them out of sheer curiosity. I figure if I don't like it, I will have two others to enjoy.

Congratulations on being cancer free! May you have many more healthy and happy years ahead of you!

Thank you so much! You're lucky to get in before V&A's stops taking TiW; with the two of you, it will practically pay for itself during that one meal. Although, to be honest, I ended up leaving an extra tip on top of the mandatory 20% gratuity because I felt the service was so excellent that it deserved something extra. I'm sure you'll love it, and can't wait to hear your review.

And yeah, just knowing you should temper your expectations will help on the day after. And reminding yourself of the price tag. And how cool that you'll get a little dessert sampler. You're sure to find something you like.

And hello & welcome to my new readers & commentors. I feel like giving the "You like me, you really like me!" speech. But enough about me- let's get to more food!

 

[StayAwake]

Stop 3 on my 4 park adventure was EPCOT. I added a few new firsts- the first time taking the friendship boat from HS to EPCOT and the first time entering the International Gateway. I knew exactly where I had to go while I was waiting for my FP+ return time for Soarin- the newly opened Artisans de Glace.





Does this look like one of the greatest ice cream shops you've ever seen? So much deliciousness packed into such a small space. One quibble, I wish they would have had Cassis (Black Current) which was my favorite flavor when I lived in France, and the ice cream truck would swing by our apartment building every few days. Still, plenty of delicious choices. So what did I pick?


Coconut White Chocolate in a waffle cone. So delicious, I'm drooling just remembering it.

In case you haven't guessed, I would highly recommend stopping off for a treat while you're strolling through World Showcase. My only sadness is that I didn't make it back here again during my trip. France, why must you have so many delicious treats??

 

[StayAwake]

Being fairly new to this world of ADRs, it came as a stressful surprise to find out that I hadn't planned things quite right for dinner. I "Mickey'd" in for my Soarin Fastpass+ and had gotten almost to the part where you are put in your row for the pre-boarding when the ride broke down. As I waited and waited, watching the minutes tick by, I realized that soon I would hit the point of no return- ditch the ride or ditch the dinner reservation?

Thankfully, before I had to make that fateful decision, the ride was fixed and I was able to join Patrick in having a nice flight. And then, after landing, I put it in gear. I didn't run- just power walked my way to Italy from the land, cursing myself the entire way that I had picked the country furthest away from where I started for dinner. It turned out that I needn't have rushed- I checked in with 1 minute to spare before my ADR time, but didn't get seated until 20 minutes after. (and yes, I still would have had to rush a little so I didn't get counted as a no show, but you all know what I mean.)

Having composed myself, I was shown to my table and waited on by a gorgeous Italian man. My night was looking up already!

This time, I stayed true to my pre-planning and ordered something I probably wouldn't get anywhere else:



The Prosciutto e Melone pizza. This was delicious- the thin crust still cooked thoroughly without being burnt- and the sweet melon, salty prosciutto, and peppery greens made an excellent combination. My only complaint is that it was very difficult to cut and eat. The individual size was large enough for 2 people to eat, making this another great value if paying OOP.

Along with the pizza, I got a wine flight.



I think wine flights are a great way to try new wines without having to commit to a whole glass or bottle.

Then, while perusing the dessert menu, I got my first of the trip- a bonus dessert.



This was a cookie and ice cream with a raspberry sauce on the plate. And...


They may do this for everyone, but I choose to believe it was just for me! Cappuccino.

I did also order the Coppa dii Brutti Ma Buon- the cherry & vanilla sundae, but apparently I was in a food coma by that point and neglected to get a photo.

This was my first time at Via Napoli, and I can see why everyone raves about it. The only downside I can see is that it's at the far back of the pavilion, so there's absolutely no chance of seeing Illuminations if you have a late ADR.

Using Tables in Wonderland, I saved $11.20 on this meal, bringing the total saved with TiW to $85.65. This was the only place that not only requested to see my photo ID when using TiW, but also took it away from the table and got a manager's approval before running the discount. Not a big deal, but can be slightly off-putting if you aren't prepared for that.

 

[disneyquilter]

Great reviews so far!

I had the same meal at Brown Derby in 2012 and it didn't blow my skirt up either. Don't get me wrong, the pork chop was ok, but nothing fantastic. And I am in the same group as you with the Grapefruit Cake...it was very bitter and not lovely at all. I ended up stealing my husband's lemon/blueberry cheesecake. We are going back next June, so I will have to try something else

Via Napoli is also on our ADR list next trip. The pizza looks fantastic!

I have to try the carrot cake cookie. OMGoodness!! That looked like a dream!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[mousegear]

Congrats on your cancer free for 5 years!! It's a wonderful way of celebrating it in Disney. Loved your reviews of VA. I would love to eat there sometime! I also love Via Napoli and Tusker House. Sorry about your Brown Derby meal. I've been seeing lots of negative review of Brown Derby lately on the board and kind of on the edge about our coming ADR there.

 

[StayAwake]

Congrats on your cancer free for 5 years!! It's a wonderful way of celebrating it in Disney. Loved your reviews of VA. I would love to eat there sometime! I also love Via Napoli and Tusker House. Sorry about your Brown Derby meal. I've been seeing lots of negative review of Brown Derby lately on the board and kind of on the edge about our coming ADR there.

Thank you for the congratulations! While my meal at Brown Derby wasn't fantastic, it also wasn't terrible. It just had a lot to live up to after V&A's the previous night. I am also the type of person who is apt to order things just to try them, which sometimes leaves me disappointed- like the grapefruit cake. I would say stick to something you know you will enjoy, and you should have a very good dinner.

 

[StayAwake]

I did make it to Magic Kingdom on Sunday to complete the 4 park challenge, but by 1 am, I was done. Plus, I knew I'd be coming back very soon for breakfast and I wanted to be well rested!

This day was my actual 5th anniversary date, and I had wanted it to be special. What could be more special than dining in the castle?



I really appreciated how the CMs handled me being a solo diner- normally after you meet Cinderella, your name and the number of people in your party are loudly announced in the waiting area. Instead, a CM came up to me to tell me my table was ready. I really appreciated the discretion.

This truly was a magical meal. I was escorted to the two-top in the center of the windows overlooking the carousel, which is the best seat in the place, IMO. Then came the delightful breakfast pastries: another benefit to solo dining is not having to share.



I had debated back and forth over the caramel apple french toast, or the lobster and crab stuffed crepe, and finally chose the crepe.



I thought this was delicious- full of seafood and the poached egg and hollandaise combined to make a velvety sauce. I had followed the discussion about whether you could get seconds at CRT on the boards before I left, but I was pleasantly full after my entree and didn't ask about getting more or something else.

I had great fun participating with my wand and wishing star, but even better was my next bit of . The wonderful CM who had brought me to my table came back with a piece of paper giving me 1 free Fastpass to any ride in the Magic Kingdom. We had chatted while I was being seated about my cancer-free anniversary, and she told me that she wanted to be sure my day was magical, and this was a little something she could do to make it that way. I almost cried. I'm almost crying now typing this out. I had such high hopes for this day, and it really got my day started off right.

With my Tables in Wonderland card I received $9.27 back as my discount, for a total TiW savings of $94.92

 

[darthtatty]

Lovely reviews.
Coconut white chocolate ice cream, it looks lovely. Cant wait until August.

 

[StayAwake]

Is there anything to say? I'm just gonna leave this here:



There is no better Magic Kingdom snack IMO. Yes, I've tried the float, but just plain pineapple dole whip is my favorite. It's so refreshing, with that slightly acidic bite that is perfect for a hot day. Who am I kidding- perfect for any day!