Best Part of the Trip: Disney Dining!

[princess_momma]

Our next meal was San Angel Inn. I knew Garret was dying for Mexican food and had thought we were going to the Cantina. But then he sees it and says he thought we were going to a sit down place. Well, lucky for us, we were able to walk into San Angel Inn. The wait was maybe about 15 minutes and I think if it had been any longer impatience would've won out. But we made it!

It was actually my first time inside the pyramid. Sinful, I know. Only took 5 trips to WDW!! But for some reason, EPCOT does not mix well with my travel groups? Maybe it's because we don't go in!!

Anywho...we really enjoy the atmosphere. It was set to twilight, next to the water with a volcano off in the "distance". Unfortunately, I was lame and didn't get any pictures of said atmosphere but you'll have to take my word for it that it was lovely.

They started us out with chips and salsa.

We had a preference of salsa, but I can't remember which one. Neither is very spicy but both are flavorful. I think the red had almost a smoky taste.

Landon ordered the kids quesadillas.

He wasn't thrilled with it, even though he usually loves quesadillas. Didn't even touch the sides. Food wise, he didn't love San Angel Inn but he did love inside the pyramid.

I got Pollo A las Rajas - grilled chicken breast served with red peppers and onion, cream sauce, poblano rice and queso fresco.

OMG...this chicken was so well cooked! I really, really enjoyed it. It was very moist and very flavorful! The sauce was amazing too. The only problem (for me) was that it had huge pieces of onion in it, but I just ate around those, so no big deal. It was still really good. I would get this again maybe 2 trips from now. (I really want to try the Tacos de Carne next time!)

Garret got the Enchiladas Verde de Pollo - Corn tortillas filled with pulled chicken, covered with green tomatillo sauce, topped with sour cream, queso fresco and onion, served with black refried beans.

He really liked it, thought it was very good and would get this again next trip!

Overall, we really liked San Angel Inn. What really sealed the deal for Garret is that the DVC discount here is 20%!!! Awesome!!

He was so excited he even circled it, just to emphasize the point for you DR readers!! We love a good DVC discount!

 

[princess_momma]

We opted for a lighter dinner this night...I was very excited for this one. We were heading to France for Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles!! I have not been here since it was a tiny, little cramped space!

Landon and I both got the Croissant Jambon Fromage - ham, cheese and bechamel in a croissant. A real bargain for $4.75 each! And we loved them...very delicious pastry with delicious meat and crazy delicious cheese! How can you go wrong? Garret got the Jambon Beurre - ham and cheese, dijon mustard on a demi baguette. I think he was a little underwhelmed, but he isn't much of a sandwich person.

The most expensive thing we got was the smaller of macarons! (I thought they were spelled "macaroons" but that's not how it is on the receipt! I'm so confused!) I've never had any and what better place to try them than France?!

Aren't they gorgeous? These were all very good! We preferred the pistachio, vanilla and chocolate over the fruiter flavor but that is our general dessert preference anyway! We ate them over a few days and it was nice to have a little sweet treat back in the room. I would probably just get one or two next time instead of the whole sampler.

Another great deal that filled our whole family...Imagine it being more like only $22 without the macarons!

 

[princess_momma]

Another highly anticipated meal took us home! Our first home we've ever bought together - the Grand Floridian!! We are DVC owners here although we haven't stayed here yet! We still love it and have to make it over every trip to visit! (We just purchased last trip so this is really the first trip we've done this - but the tradition is there!) We were heading to Grand Floridian Cafe, and hoping we liked it because I wanted to be sure to have a delicious, non-signature, sit-down place at our home!

Landon got a pizza. Boring looking to me, but he liked it more than he did the quesadillas yesterday so there's that.

I went with the Grand Floridian Burger - Angus Chuck Burger, Butter-poached Lobster, Red Onion Marmalade, and Arugula on a Brioche Bun with Chips. I am boring and got mine without the arugula and put the red onion marmalade on the side. I had expected it to be onions and the red sauce together but they came separately. (Sorry for the blurry pic!)

I LOVED this. But I love lobster on just about everything. I dipped this and the red sauce and it was just divine. A good burger with the addition of lobster pushing it over to great. I would get it again.

Garret got the Grand Sandwich - Open-faced hot Ham, Fresh-roasted Turkey, Bacon, and Tomato with a rich Boursin Cheese Sauce and Fried Onion Straws.

I remember that he didn't seem to like having to eat this with a fork and knife, but what can you do with open faced sandwiches? I showed him the picture again though and he didn't remember that! Just remembered how delicious it was and how much he loved it! Definitely a winner in his book!

We were back to the usual 10% DVC discount, but hey! That's WAY better than no discount!

 

[princess_momma]

Last trip, we fell in love with Raglan Road - the entertainment, the food, it was all just a home run. It was one of our must-do's to return to!

Getting there sucked. The bus ride was fun, but then it was an endless crowded walk, essentially through a crazy maze of construction walls. Which, whatever, it's not Raglan Road's fault!

We were seated quickly but were off to a side near a bar where we couldn't see the entertainment. This definitely made an atmospheric difference and made it just feel like a loud, cramped bar instead of a fun place with talented Irish dancers. But no worries...we still got good food coming our way!

We ordered the Dalkey Duo for an app because IT'S AMAZING!! Perfect little battered sausages with a perfect mustard dipping sauce.

For some reason...that was how this was served. Mind you, it's supposed to look like this.

I have no idea why ours didn't. They are a fried food and it is way easier and less messy to eat them with the forks, but whatever. It's not like presentation affects taste. I was extra disappointed when the table next to us ordered the same things and there's came out properly plated. Did they run out of forks for ours? I don't get it, but again a minor thing.

Landon got the Little Big Burger with mashed potatoes.

It was no ESPN Club burger (his favorite!), but he still liked it enough.

Garret and I both got the Braised Be Beef - Braised beef with horseradish mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and parsnips.

Very good! We loved this again and would get it again (which I did...this was my dish from last year!).

Raglan Road also offered the 10% DVC discount which is always welcome!

Over all...had this been our first trip to Raglan Road, I doubt we would've been dying to get back like the last time. It was still very good, but just didn't live up to last year. I think we may keep it in the rotation still though.

 

[vettegirl]

I was just telling someone today how good the pizza at the Boardwalk is! It was a nice surprise for us

 

[CupcakeLisa]

Nice report -we love Raglan road but have never tried the meal you had. Maybe try it this year

 

[Pfau]

Loving your report!

 

[MIGrandma]

Your "pomme frittes" at BOG didn't look anything like mine. Yours were what I was expecting, and I got huge steak fries, yuck! We had a dinner reservation there, ate in the rose room and it was one of our worst meals that week. I had the steak and ordered it medium rare, it was more well done. I found it odd that all week, in not one single Disney restaurant, did any server stop and ask how our food was once it was delivered. It was like they knew there might be someone disappointed and they didn't want to deal with it. We also had a reservation at Raglan Road and while we loved the atmosphere, singing, music and dancing (although we were seated by the bar, so couldn't see the stage) I ordered fish and chips and it was just okay. Your braised beef looked much better, I would try that another time.

 

[Danserusse]

The only thing they really have is a reservation where you have to spend like $60 or something per person, including alcohol. It also guarantees a spot in front of your game of choose.



Just starting to read all over that they are going to start taking ADR's for lunch? Haven't read about it too much yet but you should definitely look into that!

I was able to secure a dinner for all 6 of us, but I am certainly going to be greedy and try to get in on the lunch as well!

 

[JZCubed]

I've been known to stop in at ESPN in the middle of the afternoon (more so when our child was a baby) even before an ADR at a Signature.....the Nachos do it for me. Thank you for mentioning the Wings are served whole.

We prefer Be Our Guest for dinner because the ambiance is far more calm and the food cost for this sit-down meal is on par with just about most anyplace else. Dinner also makes for an alternative touring plan through the Magic Kingdom.

We may have to put Kona back on our to-dine list now that Polynesian lobby renovations are done.

 

[rizzo0904]

Macaroons are larger and made of coconut...they are white. Macarons are colorful cookies you purchased.

 

[princess_momma]

I was just telling someone today how good the pizza at the Boardwalk is! It was a nice surprise for us

It is a nice surprise! We saw some skeptics who would order one slice and then try it and order more!

Nice report -we love Raglan road but have never tried the meal you had. Maybe try it this year

I love it! I think next year I MAY venture out and try something different since that's all I've ever had there. It'll be hard though!!

Loving your report!

Thank you!

Your "pomme frittes" at BOG didn't look anything like mine. Yours were what I was expecting, and I got huge steak fries, yuck! We had a dinner reservation there, ate in the rose room and it was one of our worst meals that week. I had the steak and ordered it medium rare, it was more well done. I found it odd that all week, in not one single Disney restaurant, did any server stop and ask how our food was once it was delivered. It was like they knew there might be someone disappointed and they didn't want to deal with it. We also had a reservation at Raglan Road and while we loved the atmosphere, singing, music and dancing (although we were seated by the bar, so couldn't see the stage) I ordered fish and chips and it was just okay. Your braised beef looked much better, I would try that another time.

Oh man, that sounds awful. I don't like those huge steak fries either. That's CRAZY that no one even checked on your for dinner. What's the point of a sit down restaurant if you are fending for yourself? That restaurant is such a great concept that is executed poorly and in a disappointing way. But I doubt they will change anything for a while because it will remain packed for a while I bet.

I highly recommend the braised beef from Raglan Road!

I was able to secure a dinner for all 6 of us, but I am certainly going to be greedy and try to get in on the lunch as well!

I don't blame you!! I'm glad you got a reservation. You should be okay though, especially during lunch as long as it's not a big sports day. We never had a reservation and went 3 times!

I've been known to stop in at ESPN in the middle of the afternoon (more so when our child was a baby) even before an ADR at a Signature.....the Nachos do it for me. Thank you for mentioning the Wings are served whole.

We prefer Be Our Guest for dinner because the ambiance is far more calm and the food cost for this sit-down meal is on par with just about most anyplace else. Dinner also makes for an alternative touring plan through the Magic Kingdom.

We may have to put Kona back on our to-dine list now that Polynesian lobby renovations are done.

The nachos are great! You'll have to try the wings next time too!

If I do go back to Be Our Guest, it'll definitely be for dinner!

I always seem to love the restaurants in the Poly best!

Macaroons are larger and made of coconut...they are white. Macarons are colorful cookies you purchased.

Good to know!! Hopefully I can remember that!

 

[princess_momma]

On our Animal Kingdom day, we had to return to one of Garret's favorite quick service restaurants from the prior year - Flame Tree Barbecue!

The lines here are always a mess. At least there's adequate seating, even if it can be a bit of a stroll. With all the construction, the lake wasn't as pretty a view as usual, but I'd still rather be there then here in the cold winter! Lol.

I ordered the pulled pork sandwich and added some of the BBQ sauce from the condiments stations. It was delicious. Not grilled cheese pulled pork from ESPN delicious, but still good. I would order it again. I'm not a cole slaw person so I can't say anything about that. I don't even remember if Garret ate it or not.

Landon got the kids grilled chicken sandwich with carrots and maybe grapes.

Garret got his favorite from last year - smoked turkey breast with cranberry mayo. He really enjoys this, says it's lots of flavor on a much lighter option then he usually gets in WDW.

Here's a second picture...it doesn't show the cross section of the sandwich as well, but shows the delicious fries we also got.

Overall, a good meal at acceptable Disney prices that left us all satisfied. We will most likely keep this in rotation.

 

[princess_momma]

Our next meal was a repeat from my very first trip in 2009! I enjoyed it then but somehow it was never convenient to get back. Since we were staying at the Boardwalk, we had a quick stroll to the Yacht Club to enjoy our dinner at Captain's Grille.

Landon got the kids picture and loved it. (Sorry for the blurry pic!) If you look and see the extra cup of fries in the back, it's because the food runner spilled most of his fries when he dropped it off.

Garret got the New York Strip with creme fraiche whipped potatoes, roasted mushrooms, oven-cured tomatoes and cabernet reduction. He enjoyed this. I had a few bites and enjoyed it also. Very good!

I didn't have too much of Garret's because I was way too into my meal! Snow crab legs!! YAY! This is such a treat for this normally land-locked girl. Not very easy for us to get delicious seafood. I really loved this again. I'm a huge crab legs fan though. I didn't really like the roasted potatoes, but the corn on the cob was good.

A slightly pricey dinner, but well worth it. Plus, there is a DVC discount!

We will definitely return here. I can't believe I left it out of rotation for all those years! It was every bit as good as I remembered! This was one of my favorite meals of the trip!

 

[princess_momma]

For lunch the next day, we returned to ESPN Club! It was football Sunday after all! Which turned out to be HUGELY disappointing. Our Denver Broncos lost to the Rams. They lost last year when we were in Disney at ESPN Club as well. Apparently the Broncos don't like it when we are in Disney. GRRR!! (And because of this, I don't have food pictures this time. By the time we started eating, the game wasn't going too well!)

Since it was game day, when they are seating you they ask what game you are there to watch. Then they did a lot of interactive stuff and hosted a "show" and went around getting the crowd pumped and what have you. I LOVE that stuff. We had the best time. When I went here on my first trip in 2009, we came for a Monday Night Football and when my dad and I answered questions, we got some special ESPN/Sportscenter glasses, which I still have.

This time they were doing some "trivia". It was very subjective trivia, but oh well. They were asking who the most underrated QB's were of all time. (According to who, I don't know.) But anyway, there were 5 slots and it was going around and around and around and NO ONE was getting any and then I went and I was the first one with a right answer! Woo! I went with Randall Cunningham!

This time I got a shirt!

We ordered the same things as last time (pulled pork grilled cheese) and wings, with a burger for Landon. Still very good, but tainted with the taste of the Broncos losing. I think we left early. No use missing out on precious Disney time to witness your team lose. We did sit next to some Broncos fans who lived very close to where we do! So fun!

 

[princess_momma]

Since we ate so late in the day, we didn't really have a dinner. But we did have a...DESSERT PARTY TO ATTEND!! During Holiday Wishes, no less! SO EXCITED FOR THIS!

Check in was a breeze and our table was front and center.

I didn't get pictures of the buffet, but did get pics of our plates!

This was my plate.

Clockwise from the top left: Chocolate strawberries - yum, obviously. A cannoli thing - weird, too crunchy. Brownie - good, but very rich. Fruit cup - very tasty! Oreo bon-bon - very good! Some peanut butter thing - just okay...didn't taste how I expected and the peanut butter taste was VERY strong.

Next up is Landon's plate.

Clockwise from the top left: A cake cup type of thing, rice krispy treat, brownie, cannoli, cupcake, and some pastry with chocolate frosty and a banana. He loved all of it because it had sugar.


And then I guess I don't have a picture of Garret's because this next one looks like my 2nd plate.

I don't remember what any of these are now (besides the fruit tart), but I'm pretty sure Garret recommended them to me! I think the thing on bottom is strawberry cheesecake. I loved these items more than most of the stuff on my first plate.

I think we all also got ice cream with toppings! Delicious! I drank tea, I don't know what anyone else drank.

Overall, we LOVED this. It was amazing. We will do it again for sure. Our only problem we had was that it was possibly too much sugar. Garret especially didn't feel too hot after eating all those desserts. And we went to this the night of the MVMCP which was great because the fireworks were incredible, but we were way to sugar-ed out to enjoy our FREE hot chocolate and snicker doodles! Oh darn!

 

[princess_momma]

Lunch on our last day was super disappointing. We REALLY wanted some pizza from the Boardwalk but it didn't open until like noon! So we settled for sandwiches from the Boardwalk Bakery, which were pre-made and left us completely unsatisfied.

I got the Roast Beef with Provolone, Tomatoes, Lettuce with Honey Mustard Horseradish on a Kaiser Roll. This was pre-made so I couldn't customize it and had to scrape off the lettuce, tomatoes and the mustard. The mustard was completely overwhelming. The meat was a good quality but overall the sandwich wasn't what I wanted. Very unfortunate paying $10 or so for a meal you don't even like because you are starving.

Garret got the Smoked Turkey with Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Leaf Lettuce on Country White Bread. He wasn't thrilled with this either. I think he would've preferred my meat on his sandwich, but either way...this just wasn't what we wanted and didn't really fill either of us up.

Landon got the kids turkey sandwich, and he probably liked his best, but still not too much.

This was also our first meal where we forgot to take a pic of the receipt (except for that 3rd time at ESPN Club where we didn't take any food pics.)

But from looking on All Ears...Garret and my sandwiches were both $9.49, Landon's was $5.99, plus drinks at like $2.99. It was probably just under $30 for a meal we all hated. BOO!

 

[princess_momma]

Boardwalk Bakery should've been our last meal, but due to car troubles, we ended up with some more time in Disney!

We were all practically starving since those sandwiches did not do anybody any good! So...we got a pizza!!

Our favorite food deal...fills up the whole family for one of the lowest prices! Score.

We ate it underneath the big porch that's at the back of the Boardwalk lobby. It was very nice and serene to be sheltered outside while watching the rain fall. It was perfect.

 

[princess_momma]

To conclude, we had an amazing time eating in Disney! This was probably our most repetitive trip but it was great. The food really made us fall in love with the Boardwalk...can't wait to try that Italian place next time we stay there either!

Garret's favorites were the wings from ESPN Club. He also loved the open-faced sandwich from Grand Floridian Cafe. He was disappointed most in the Kona steak but he's not a fan of teriyaki steaks.

My favorites were the Snow Crab Legs and of course, that GRILLED CHEESE PULLED PORK!! YUM YUM YUM! I don't think I was disappointed in any actual food, but I was disappointed with the lunch atmosphere at BoG and the experience at Raglan Road.

Landon's favorite was all the burgers! HA!

Of course, the one thing we all agree on and can't stop talking about is the Wishes Dessert Party! A definite must-do!

Our next trip is just a quick weekend in July. We have dinner planned at Ohana and will definitely try out the Top of the World lounge, as we will be staying at BLT! I'll try to have a quick DR for then...after that, we should be going back in October for F&W Fun!! See ya real soon!

 

[vettegirl]

What a great update! Thank for the Captains Grille review, as I we are booked for the YC in September and I was thinking of trying this the first night for dinner. The dessert party looked like it was very nice, I am sure you were all on sugar overload after all that! I really enjoyed your dining reviews and glad you all had a good time.