A week of dining in the world with two little ones

[stace1214]

First off, I should warn you that I didn't take pictures...I had planned to, but eating out with my one and a half year old leaves little time to snap pics. Each meal, after ordering was like a circus act to keep her entertained and then a sprint to feed her fast before she lost interest. My four year old on the other hand loves eating out and loves the Disney theming. We didn't have the dining plan (we will definitely get it next trip). We ate at: Tusker House, ABC Commissary, Cosmic Rays, O'Hana, Backlot Express, Tutto Italia, Electric Umbrella, Boulangerie Pattisserie, La Cantina de San Angel, Chef Mickeys and a bunch of snacks along the way! Overall impressions, it has been about five years since our last trip, and I definitely didn't think the food was as good this time. Nothing was terrible by any means, but nothing was really great either. So, without further adieu- our first stop I on our first day Tusker House for breakfast.

We had ressies for 8:05 and were seated very quickly. I loved the theming- what a gorgeous restaurant! Both of my kids loved the food. They loaded up at the kid sized buffet with Mickey waffles, eggs, bacon and fruit. My husband I had much of the same. The food was really quite good, my one complaint was that not five minutes after we sat down the characters came out one after another. Mickey, Daisy, Goofy, and Donald had all been to us about 25 minutes after we sat down. As soon as they were done the waiter brought the check and stood close by until we paid and left. I couldn't believe how rushed we were. Definitely didn't feel like it was worth what it cost. I'm sure we could have stayed longer and ate more, but felt very pushed out by our waiter. The tables around us must have felt the same way, they all left at the same time. I should also say that this was my first character breakfast ever, maybe this is how it always is? We left AK before lunch, crowds were crazy and kids were getting cranky and had a nice lunch back at our hotel, Bonnet Creek.

Later that afternoon with the kids refreshed we headed to HS. We were near ABC Commissary around dinner time. The line wasn't huge, we ordered pretty fast but waited about 20 min for our food, once we got it, it was pretty good. My husband and I both had burgers, my son (4) had an uncrustable with grapes and carrots and my daughter (1 1/2) had the veggie sandwich. I've always liked Disney burgers, this one was just fine, my son had never had an uncrustable and loved it. My daughter wouldn't touch her sandwich, but I had a few bites and really liked it.

 

[MtMinnie2]

Thank you for your review. We will be in WDW from Dec. 13th-20th with 3 little ones. My nieces 3 boys will be 5,3, and 1. I am very interested in the character meals and other restaurants they might enjoy. With 3 little ones to get ready we are planning on late breakfasts or early lunches. We will be on the Basic dining plan with one sit down, one counter service, and 1 snack. Thanks again for any further input.

 

[stace1214]

Cosmic Rays and O'Hana

After a full morning at Magic Kingdom we tried for lunch at BOG, but found an enormous line. I'm sure it would have only been a half hour wait, but my hungry kids wouldn't be able to wait that long. We ended up at Cosmic Rays, more burgers for the adults, I just love the toppings bar there! My kids had yogurt and grapes and I brought cheese with us for them. Apparently the idea of chicken nuggets or burgers isn't as appealing to them, Later that night we went to O'Hana. It was fabulous! There was just so much food! We were started with salad with mandarin oranges and a really great dressing and bread that tasted like coconut. Then our waiter brought out wings and pot stickers which were just okay. After that we had noodles and veggies, both were so good. Then all the meats- the chicken was outstanding so was the pork. The steak was very very rare, we couldn't eat it and then shrimp, but we were just too full by then. The dessert was out of this world- bread pudding with sauce with bananas and ice cream on the side. It was such a great dinner. We will definitely go back,

 

[stace1214]

We headed to Hollywood Studios the next day and after way to long at the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground (gosh I hate that place) we stopped at Backlot Express for lunch. I had a veggie sandwich, I was hoping it would taste like the one my daughter had a few days before but it didn't. It had zero flavor. I ended up eating the chicken nuggets my son didn't finish. My hubby had yet ANOTHER burger. I don't cook red meat often at home, apparently he makes up for it on vacation! He thought the burger was great and the nuggets, were, well, chicken nuggets. Super fast service though!

That night just my husband and I went out for dinner and a night at Epcot. We had reservations at Via Napoli, but I had really wanted Tutto Italia. I tried for a month to get a spot with no luck. On a whim, I stopped in and they seated us right away! I was so excited! Our waiter was fabulous! He was so friendly and attentive. We started with focacia, bread stick and olive oil. I had the fresh mozzarella with roasted pepper and my husband had the caesar salad. Both apps were so yummy! I could have eaten a plate of the mozzarella! For our entrees I had the polenta with short ribs and meatballs and my husband had the ricotta ravioli. I loved the short ribs and meat balls but didn't like the polenta at all. I usually love polenta, but it had a very odd flavor. I thought my husband's ravioli was good, but he said it was bland. All in all, not a bad meal, but not the best we've had.

Later on we stopped in Germany for a chocolatey caramel snack. I had a salted chocolate caramel that was out of this world and my husband had a caramel drizzled brownie that was tasty, but very dry.

 

[OasterP]

Thanks for the review! I'll be going in September with a (then) four year old and a 40 year old who eats like a four year old (and that's being kind), so I think we'll do a lot of snack type eating.

Uh oh about not liking the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. I'm thinking my son will love it and we'll be there a while!

 

[hokieinpa]

Excited to find this! We'll be at WDW in October with 3 boys - 4, 2, and 1. Trying to find yummy but kid friendly food!

 

[stace1214]

Thanks for the review! I'll be going in September with a (then) four year old and a 40 year old who eats like a four year old (and that's being kind), so I think we'll do a lot of snack type eating. Uh oh about not liking the Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground. I'm thinking my son will love it and we'll be there a while!

My kids loved the playground, it was so cute, but very crowded. It was hard to keep track of my son.

 

[stace1214]

Our next morning and afternoon were spent at Epcot. We ate breakfast at our hotel, but wanted a little mid morning snack. My son and I shared a chocolate croissant and my husband had a cinnamon roll at sunshine seasons. It was very good, just what we needed. Early in the afternoon we found ourselves near Mexico and stopped at La Cantina de San Angel. I had the chicken tacos- they were pretty good, tasted a whole lot more authentic than the tacos I make at home! My husband had the barbacoa sandwich which he said was great with just enough spice. My kids shared chicken tenders (super Mexican! right?) and we also had chips and guacamole. The guacamole was good, but a little too spicy for me. We ate outdoors, it was the perfect place to take a little break. It was a good lunch, but I don't think we'll go back, there are too many other quick services to try in Epcot!

That night we headed to Chef Mickeys for dinner. We loved it! After our Tusker house experience, I was a little worried it would be as rushed, but it was so relaxed. There were so many choices, I really wish I had taken picture! My favorites were the roasted turkey and the Mickey dome dessert, YUM! Character interaction was fantastic, we had plenty of time with each character, the kids really had a blast. We will definitely be back!

 

[stace1214]

We're nearing the end! On our last full day we slept in a little and headed to MK to re-ride our favorites. My plan was to go to Casey's Corner for lunch, but they were closed. So instead back to Epcot to try to get to a few things we missed. My son was hungry and kept saying he wanted mac and cheese so we went to Electric Umbrella for lunch. I didn't find anything on the menu that sounded good, but my kids split the mac and cheese and kids chicken nuggets and my husband had a mac and cheese burger. He loved it (obviously, he's not picky, he loved everything he ate this week). Both kids liked the mac and cheese. We wandered around the countries for a while and stopped at France. I had the best lunch I'd had all week- the ham and cheese croissant with bechamel sauce. It was sooooo good! The kids each had ice cream- berry sorbet, so refreshing and tasty for one and vanilla for the other. Later on my husband and I shared a chocolate macaron ice cream sandwich. Wow! That was good!

 

[AKNOTTS66]

Awesome reviews!!! I'm trying to decide what character meals to so. What time did you happen to go to Chef Mickeys? I dont wanna be rushed either. I was originally doing tusker house but I dont like breakfast much and the lunch some of the options look just okay.

 

[pumba]

thanks for the great reviews...and I can imagine Ohana and can hardly wait to go back...I love the pot stickers and wings, and then the rest...the dessert was amazing and I usually do not care for bread pudding...YUM was the word from all of us

 

[suse66]

I felt the same way about your O'hana meal......so much yummy food goodness! I always think you should fast all day before that meal so you can do justice to all that yummy food! Add a Lapu Lapu to it and I am in heaven..............