Cabanas or Enchanted Garden for lunch on embarkation day?

[wehavesix]

Sailing on the Dream in May. We've always had lunch at Cabanas but I'm wondering if we should go to Enchanted Garden instead. How does the buffet compare to Cabanas? Is it less crowded?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sailing on the Dream in May. We've always had lunch at Cabanas but I'm wondering if we should go to Enchanted Garden instead. How does the buffet compare to Cabanas? Is it less crowded?

Lunch in Enchanted Garden is less "hectic" feeling. But, in my experience, the buffet isn't as expansive in the MDRs as in Cabanas. We prefer Cabanas/Beach Blanket, primarily for the better chance of getting a window view.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

I have been on the Fantasy and I would say Cabanas far more choice there and people move faster in, get food, go to the pools. In EG there is more choice of sharing a table, as they crowd you in, Cabanas has all types of size of table you are more likely to be on your own or or eat outside near the pools.

 

[darkwing818]

Sailing on the Dream in May. We've always had lunch at Cabanas but I'm wondering if we should go to Enchanted Garden instead. How does the buffet compare to Cabanas? Is it less crowded?

We've have done both, when sailing on the Dream & definitely agree with PPs Cabanas is our choice. We usually grab our lunch & then head over to Quiet Cove to eat & order our pre-cruise BBC .
I'm sure we'll be following the same routine when we sail in May as well.

 

[perditax]

Interesting, I'd seen a lot of "insider" advice recommending EG to avoid crowds and chaos, so that was my tentative plan. Plus, if I have the dining rooms figured out, someone at EG will bring me a real iced tea vs. "Fuze". (I did pick up on fewer options at EG, but calmer atmosphere is a net positive to me.)

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Interesting, I'd seen a lot of "insider" advice recommending EG to avoid crowds and chaos, so that was my tentative plan. Plus, if I have the dining rooms figured out, someone at EG will bring me a real iced tea vs. "Fuze". (I did pick up on fewer options at EG, but calmer atmosphere is a net positive to me.)

You get help with drinks yes, but they can do that if you wish in Cabanas, EG IMHO is far more chaotic than Cabanas.

 

[Dug720]

Pretty sure they also have real iced tea in Cabanas as well.

 

[perditax]

Pretty sure they also have real iced tea in Cabanas as well.

Hmm, maybe I'm confused about Cabanas in general. Does it have its own drink station? I guess I assumed that if you ate at Cabanas you got your drinks at the pool deck beverage stations (which I've been told have Fuze).

Real iced tea is a thing for me.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Hmm, maybe I'm confused about Cabanas in general. Does it have its own drink station? I guess I assumed that if you ate at Cabanas you got your drinks at the pool deck beverage stations (which I've been told have Fuze).

Real iced tea is a thing for me.

There are many drink stations all around Cabanas, if your in difficultly they often offer to help.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Pretty sure they also have real iced tea in Cabanas as well.

They had Fuze in the drink station in Cabanas (difficult to see, but it's the 3rd from the left):

 

[hbg4]

I prefer Enchanted garden especially if you go after 1pm. Cabanas is usually so crowded we have to hunt for a table and then the suitcases are in the way. I prefer EG because it is much quieter, less rushed feeling. You will always have a table immediately and the food is more or less the same.Plus there's room for your suitcase or carryons.

 

[Drusilla99]

I always prefer cabanas over MDR buffets, even for breakfast. So many more food choices, & even if you can't get a window seat, there's a view. I did think I remembered getting real ice tea at the drink station, like in the some type of dispenser at the middle part.

 

[perditax]

They had Fuze in the drink station in Cabanas (difficult to see, but it's the 3rd from the left):
View attachment 83774

View attachment 83775

Thanks, I thought I remembered Cabanas as being no-real-iced-tea.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Thanks, I thought I remembered Cabanas as being no-real-iced-tea.

You're welcome

 

[perditax]

I always prefer cabanas over MDR buffets, even for breakfast. So many more food choices, & even if you can't get a window seat, there's a view. I did think I remembered getting real ice tea at the drink station, like in the some type of dispenser at the middle part.

Basically, if it comes out of its own big metal decanter, like a coffee dispenser, it's brewed (real) iced tea.

If it comes out of a nozzle alongside sodas, as part of the soda machine, it's some godforsaken mix or bottled thing.

(I don't like soda, iced tea is my drink of choice, so I get a little particular.)

 

[mylittlebuttercup]

We have only been on one cruise so far, and we did Enchanted Garden. It was pretty calm in there, and I thought the food options were pretty decent. That being said, I can't compare it to Cabanas because we haven't eaten there on embarkation day.

 

[Dug720]

They had Fuze in the drink station in Cabanas (difficult to see, but it's the 3rd from the left):
View attachment 83774

View attachment 83775

Huh. I could have sworn I saw the metal tea containers in there.

Clearly I don't drink tea. Unless it's a peppermint skim matcha latte.

 

[mickeyhereicome]

Basically, if it comes out of its own big metal decanter, like a coffee dispenser, it's brewed (real) iced tea.

If it comes out of a nozzle alongside sodas, as part of the soda machine, it's some godforsaken mix or bottled thing.

(I don't like soda, iced tea is my drink of choice, so I get a little particular.)

I can't remember if real iced tea or not, but I know I have made my own with hot water and a tea bag and then added ice.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I can't remember if real iced tea or not, but I know I have made my own with hot water and a tea bag and then added ice.

That's what I finally wound up doing. I gave the Fuze junk a try first, as I'd never had it. Personally I think the Nestea was better than that, and it wasn't all that great.

 

[wehavesix]

Ok. Since we are in a concierge room next cruise, we will likely stick with Cabanas. We do love the view up there! And speaking of the drink stations, those dinky little glasses are precisely why we always bring larger Tervis cups. It's a pain to be constantly refilling the small glasses.