Best. Noms. Ever. A SOLO DxDP Review with Pictures COMPLETE

[creativeamanda]

In December, I was in Disney for 7 nights by myself on the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan. This was a solo trip that as a mom and educator, has been a long time in coming. For 2 years I have dreamed of a solo trip. This year, after working extra all summer and living with a very understanding dh, I make my dream come true.

You might ask--Why the Deluxe Plan? The simple answer is I wanted as much prepaid as possible when I got there. Prepaid it is, lol. I stayed at Port Orleans-French Quarter with the buy 4, get 3 free deal.

But, onto introductions. . .

This is me, Amanda, with my youngest child. I'm a 35-year-old mom of three, special education administrator, and Disney enthusiast.

I am excited about my chance to review many locations.

So, on to my dining choices:

Breakfasts:

• 
  Sassagoula Floatworks done
  Riverside Mill done
  Boma done

Lunches:

• 
  Sassagoula Floatworks done
  Grand Floridian Cafe done
  Earl of Sandwich done
  Coral Reef done
  Flame Tree BBQ done
  Pecos Bill's done
  Cantina de San Angel done

Dinners:

• 
  Yachtsman done
  Cosmic Ray's done
  Chefs de France done
  Narcoossee's done
  Flame Tree BBQ done
  Flying Fish done
  Cape May Cafe done

 

[creativeamanda]

Day 1--Breakfast and Lunch at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory--Port Orleans-French Quarter

Day 1--Dinner at Yachtsman--Yacht Club

Day 2--Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory--POFQ

Day 2--Lunch at Grand Floridian Cafe--Grand Floridian

Day 2--Dinner at Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe--Magic Kingdom--Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Day 3--Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory--POFQ

Day 3--Snack at Sunshine Seasons and Lunch at Coral Reef--Epcot

Day 3--Not a Dinner at Les Chefs de France--Epcot

Day 3--Dinner at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory--POFQ

Day 4--Breakfast at Boma--AKL

Day 4--Lunch at Flame Tree BBQ--Animal Kingdom

Day 4--Dinner at Narcoossee's--Grand Floridian

Day 5--Early Lunch at Earl of Sandwich--DTD

Day 5--Snacking in Epcot

Day 5--Dinner at Flying Fish

Day 6--Breakfast Beignets, Lunch at Pecos Bills, and Snack at Main St Bakery

Day 6--Dinner at Flame Tree BBQ--Animal Kingdom

Day 7--Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (POFQ) and Lunch at Cantina de San Angel (Epcot)

Day 7--Dinner at Cape May Cafe--Beach Club

Day 8--Breakfast at Riverside Mill--POR

 

[creativeamanda]

So, after a long trip down to Disney, I decided first to pop into Sassagoula Floatworks for a Cheese Danish and retrieval of my mug. Now, truly the case for this was not really to get a cheese danish, but to test and make sure my key card worked properly with the dining before dinner. And that's exactly what I did.

Of course, I totally forgot to take a picture of the danish, but I did not miss a picture after. My thoughts on the Danish? Dry, and although the cream cheese part was tasty, I was disappointed. Should have gone with beignets.

Overall:
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Wait Time: 5 out of 5
Food Quality: 3 out of 5
Overall: 3.6 out of 5

After a trip to Magic Kingdom, I came back to the resort for a lunch. My plans were to see the Osborne Lights before Dinner at Yachtsman, so I got lunch before a good nap at Sassagoula Floatworks.

I had Chicken Parmesan:

The chicken was tasty, as was the roll, but the sauce was really salty. I was forewarned that this might be the case, but this really surprised me still.

For my drink, I got a Smart Water to take with me. This became my common theme--I'd take a water for my drink for the park and use my mug for my meal drink. I also got a cupcake that I wanted because of the Mickey sprinkles on it.

The cupcake was great--nice and moist and the frosting was just the right amount of sweetness.

Overall:
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5
Service: 5 out of 5
Wait Time: 4 out of 5
Food Quality: 4 out of 5
Overall: 3.6 out of 5

Coming up. . .dinner at Yachtsman.

 

[msce2]

How fun! Looking forward to hearing more! We are going to be visiting a lot of the same restaurants in June. As a Mom of 3, was it strange having time to yourself?

 

[TigerKat]

Count me in!

 

[creativeamanda]

How fun! Looking forward to hearing more! We are going to be visiting a lot of the same restaurants in June. As a Mom of 3, was it strange having time to yourself?

The first day was strange being by myself, but after the first couple of days, I got into a great rhythm!

Count me in!

Welcome here and over at my TR, as well!

 

[ClareH37]

Great start (I've also just started reading your trip report), look forward to reading more, especially Yachtsman and Flying Fish, they're both on my solo dining list next May.

 

[pixiedust1125]

Love the reviews cant wait to read more

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Symans3honeybees]

Amanda, your review is awesome. I envy you but I don't think I can overcome the separation anxiety by going solo like you.

 

[creativeamanda]

After an eh breakfast and lunch, I had 8:30 reservations at the Yachtsman Steakhouse.

By the time dinner had rolled around, I was starving. I drove over to the Yacht Club, knowing where it was, and decided to tour the resort for a while first. I enjoyed my trip, especially listening to carollers in the lobby at the Beach Club (I walked over there), and reported for my adr at 8:00pm so I could sit down for a while. It had been a long day.

I waited.

And waited.

And waited.

For 45 minutes past my ADR time. Yes, I was seated at 9:15pm. By that time, I was not hungry anymore. I was tired and just wanted to get through dinner. I ordered my app quickly. I had:

Lobster Bisque - Maine Lobster and Creme Fraiche finished with Brandy $9.00 (courtesy allears website)

Oh, my, goodness. This was heavenly. I could have meade a meal out of this and the bread.

But no, my entre was this:

Yachtsman Filet Mignon - 8-ounce Filet with Mashed Potatoes and a Red Wine Sauce $39.00

THe mashed potatoes were wonderful. The filet was tender. But it was NOT cooked to order. I asked for medium. I got well done. I was so tired, I did not want to even wait for another entre, so I ate it. And got my dessert to go.

Mango Cheesecake --with raspberry foam and artisan ganache $8.00

I did eat the cheesecake for breakfast a couple of days later, and I enjoyed it a lot.

I think the extreme wait, the fact that I was so tired, and my filet not being cooked correctly made my experience at Yachtsman less than magical. I'll try it again someday, but not anytime soon.

Overall:
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5
Service: 3 out of 5 I sat with an empty drink glass for a long time
Wait Time: 0 out of 5 Waiting 45 min after the adr time is not acceptable in my book. Others who waited that long reported to me later they were at least compensated in some way. I did not want compensation--I wanted and apology. I did not get one.
Food Quality: 3.5 out of 5 Thos would have been a 5 if my filet had been cooked properly.
Overall: 2.3 out of 5

I'm sorry to all of those who love the Yachtsman who loved it. I did not. Perhaps under different circumstances I would have, but that is a moot point now.

 

[creativeamanda]

Great start (I've also just started reading your trip report), look forward to reading more, especially Yachtsman and Flying Fish, they're both on my solo dining list next May.

I am looking forward to your reading my Flying Fish review. It's tied for the best meal of the trip.

Love the reviews cant wait to read more

And thanks for reading!

Can't wait to read more!

Thanks for visiting!

Amanda, your review is awesome. I envy you but I don't think I can overcome the separation anxiety by going solo like you.

It's not hard, when you have a daughter like mine who sends text messages and video messages 2-3 times a day, lol.

 

[ClareH37]

Such a shame re yachtsman I last ate in May this year with my parents and the service wasn't great then either, we had to wait a while to be seated (the restaurant was not full), then the whole meal was rushed - such a change to previous years, and the steak was not such great quality either.

I was thinking I maybe hit it on a bad night so was in two minds whether to give it another go but after reading your review I'm still not sure. I think maybe I'll keep the ADR and see how I feel on the day.

 

[onelilspark]

I'm in!

Shame about the steak

 

[angel26]

count me in!

 

[creativeamanda]

Such a shame re yachtsman I last ate in May this year with my parents and the service wasn't great then either, we had to wait a while to be seated (the restaurant was not full), then the whole meal was rushed - such a change to previous years, and the steak was not such great quality either.

I was thinking I maybe hit it on a bad night so was in two minds whether to give it another go but after reading your review I'm still not sure. I think maybe I'll keep the ADR and see how I feel on the day.

The difference between the Yachtsman and later Narcoossee's and Flying Fish are like night and day. I'd keep the ADR. I might have just sent the filet back if it weren't so late. Later on in the week, I sat and waited over 30 min for dinner at Les Chefs de France before I decided, "I don't want another repeat. I'll go elsewhere." And I did.

I'm in!

Shame about the steak

count me in!

to you both!

 

[creativeamanda]

So, after a dissapointing day the day prior dining wise, I decided to try for something everyone who stays at POFQ raves about. . .beignets. So, after sleeping in a bit, and getting dressed for shopping, I walked down to Sassagoula Floatworks. I had to wait a bit for the beignets, as they are cooked to order there. This put me out a little--I wondered if I was going to have to wait for everything.

Yet again, I decide that the clown-like things are too much for me. So I go sit outside with these. . .

Yes, there is a package of Starbucks Viva there. I can't bear to drink that junk they call coffee.

And Oh. My. Goodness. All thought of the wat for them, everything disappeared in a moment when I bit into those heavenly delights! Those things are the Best. Noms. Ever. Really.

Overall:

Overall:
Atmosphere: 5 out of 5--Really lovely out there that day.
Service: 5 out of 5
Wait Time: 4.5 out of 5
Food Quality: 5.5 out of 5--They were that good!
Overall: 5 out of 5

Maybe the New Orleans Christmas Jazz made them even better--I don't know, but that was my favorite. We'll be taking a trip up the river in July for these one morning, I assure you!

 

[MickeyNicki]

The Yachtsman seems to be having more misses than hits lately...hopefully the rest of your meals were more to your liking

 

[creativeamanda]

The Yachtsman seems to be having more misses than hits lately...hopefully the rest of your meals were more to your liking

I've noticed that. And everything (almost--with the exception of one) went uphill from here!

 

[creativeamanda]

Let me preface by stating that the Grand Floridian Cafe was my absolute favorite restaurant at Disney up until this trip. Not that I had a bad meal here this time, just that I had a better one.

I had a 1:30 ADR at the Grand Floridian Cafe, and I arrived for it at 1:00pm after checking out the decorations at the Grand Floridian.

When I checked in at the desk, they told me just to stand tot he side, I would be next. I must also say, I have NEVER had to wait at this restaurant, which is one of the reasons why I love it so much.

The one problem this trip was the fact that they are doing a great deal of construction in the foyers at the Grand FLoridian--installing new tiles. The result is a lot of noise. That's okay, though. It did not spoil my lunch, and they sropped for their own lunch while I was receiving my entre.

The server brought me the menu as I was seated at 1:10 for my 1:30 ADR.

For my appetizer, I had

Soup of the Day $5.49--a clam chowder.

This was tasty, but I did find the croutons to be rather salty. No matter. . .I ate it all, anyway

My entre was

Orecchiette Pasta of the Day - as a vegetarian entrée $13.99 with Shrimp $16.99 with Grilled Chicken $15.99

I chose the pasta with shrimp. It had red and green bell peppers in it as well.

Oh my heavenly goodness. This was one of the best entres for the entire trip.

Next was dessert: New York-style Lemon Cheesecake $3.29

This was easily the best dessert my entire trip! I thoroughly enjoyed it--it was light and refreshing.

The only real problem I had was the service. I sat for a long time with no drink refill. THis is quite foreign to me at the Grand Floridian Cafe, so the restaurant loses points for that.

So, in review, for the Grand Floridian Cafe. . .

Overall:
Atmosphere: 4 out of 5: this would have been a 5 if it were not for the
Service: 3 out of 5
Wait Time: 5 out of 5
Food Quality: 4.5 out of 5--Only because of the croutons being so darn salty.
Overall: 4.125 out of 5