scjo68
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 17, 2002
- Messages
- 1,540
I know, the title is boring, but maybe this will help someone.
DH and I have a 10 yr old DS, and 3 yr DS. So, we had to pay more for meals (and tix) this trip, now with three "adults" and having to pay for the 3-yr old's food. One year makes a big difference in price when both your kids move "up" at once!
1) We had 8:05 a.m. ADR's for CP on Wed., 1/22. We always eat there each trip and always love it. (Buffet)
We were seated within 5 minutes from checking in, and I was surpised to see many tables remained empty throughout our meal. This was a pretty crowded week at the parks (week of MLK day) but CP was not crowded while we were there.
As usual, food was hot, fresh, delicious, and with plenty of variety. Our server was nice, and the characters came by soon after we were seated, allowing us to meet all the characters, then go to the buffet, knowing we wouldn't miss any. We like the character interaction there, but we typically don't demand lots of interaction. For us it's usually greet, autographs, photo, hug, goodbye. My kids love characters, but they can be pretty shy, so typically they won't feel insulted if one doesn't launch into a whole dramatic presentation. They really enjoy the little parade the kids get to do with characters.
We were out of the restaurant by 9:00 rope drop.
So: CP, we loved it, as always!
2) Garden Grill at EPCOT, ADR for 1:30, Thurs., 1/23. (first time we've eaten here). Family style.
We had to wait for about 20 minutes.
I don't usually mind waiting to be seated, especially if we are someplace like CP, or Akerhaus in Epcot, where you wait outside where it is pretty. The waiting area for Garden Grill was a crowded little area to the side. Folks seemed kind of grouchy, there was a crying child irritating people, including me. OK, it was my child who was crying. (I'm sorry other waiting people!)
OK, I got him calmed down pretty quickly, and we finally got seated. We were told the restaurant was not revolving today, due to technical difficulties. So, we were seated on the back side, overlooking the desert section, I guess. The biscuits were very good, as well as the turkey with cranberry.
Character interaction was very good, Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale came by several times. In fact, the familes around us finished and left, and then Chip seemed bored. Literally acted bored, sitting in a chair a couple tables behind us, yawning, looking at his imaginary watch. It was cute, I should have taken a pic of it.
As far as the restraurant's atmosphere, I think I was let down a litttle. I've heard descriptions of it, and many folks love it. Also, every time I was in the Land in previous trips, I would see the GG customers revolving slowly by, and I guess I imagined them rotating back into this lush garden.
During our meal, it seem kind of dark and dreary. Probably because the restaurant wasn't moving, so our scene never changed.
It was a nice meal, we may do it again, but I don't think it will become a must-do for every trip.
3) Our departure day, Sat., 1/26. 10:00 a.m. ADR at Ohana (family style). Also, this is our first time at Ohana. We were told at check-in that the wait would be 15-20 minutes. However, our pager went off after just a minute and we were seated. We saw a picture taking area, and some folks were getting their picture made. They did not offer to take our picture. Maybe you have to ask, maybe it's just for DDP people, I don't know. But we wouldn't have bought it so I didn't ask.
The restaurant was really attractive, we had a view of the MK. Servers were fine, not too terribly overly friendly, but not bad. Biscuits and pineapple bread were very good. I found the scrambled eggs a little undercooked, runny. But my DH likes them that way, so he was happy. Eggs at neighboring tables looked more more thoroughy cooked, the way I like them.
I'm not sure what the deal is with the leis. Half the kids had them, other half not. Our kids didn't have any, which is fine. I thought maybe the leis were only for folks staying at the Poly, maybe they get them when they check in. We were not stayng there. Or, I thought maybe they were purchased in the gift shop. Anyway, the table next to us asked for leis, and though we didn't ask, the cm brought our kids some too, at the same time. So I don't know if they had just forgotten us originally, or what.
Character interaction was good, Micky, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch, were there, and there was a little character parade that the kids joined in.
We liked the Setting so much, we wil probably go back to Ohana.
Hope this helps anyone trying to plan meals.
DH and I have a 10 yr old DS, and 3 yr DS. So, we had to pay more for meals (and tix) this trip, now with three "adults" and having to pay for the 3-yr old's food. One year makes a big difference in price when both your kids move "up" at once!
1) We had 8:05 a.m. ADR's for CP on Wed., 1/22. We always eat there each trip and always love it. (Buffet)
We were seated within 5 minutes from checking in, and I was surpised to see many tables remained empty throughout our meal. This was a pretty crowded week at the parks (week of MLK day) but CP was not crowded while we were there.
As usual, food was hot, fresh, delicious, and with plenty of variety. Our server was nice, and the characters came by soon after we were seated, allowing us to meet all the characters, then go to the buffet, knowing we wouldn't miss any. We like the character interaction there, but we typically don't demand lots of interaction. For us it's usually greet, autographs, photo, hug, goodbye. My kids love characters, but they can be pretty shy, so typically they won't feel insulted if one doesn't launch into a whole dramatic presentation. They really enjoy the little parade the kids get to do with characters.
We were out of the restaurant by 9:00 rope drop.
So: CP, we loved it, as always!
2) Garden Grill at EPCOT, ADR for 1:30, Thurs., 1/23. (first time we've eaten here). Family style.
We had to wait for about 20 minutes.
I don't usually mind waiting to be seated, especially if we are someplace like CP, or Akerhaus in Epcot, where you wait outside where it is pretty. The waiting area for Garden Grill was a crowded little area to the side. Folks seemed kind of grouchy, there was a crying child irritating people, including me. OK, it was my child who was crying. (I'm sorry other waiting people!)
OK, I got him calmed down pretty quickly, and we finally got seated. We were told the restaurant was not revolving today, due to technical difficulties. So, we were seated on the back side, overlooking the desert section, I guess. The biscuits were very good, as well as the turkey with cranberry.
Character interaction was very good, Mickey, Pluto, Chip and Dale came by several times. In fact, the familes around us finished and left, and then Chip seemed bored. Literally acted bored, sitting in a chair a couple tables behind us, yawning, looking at his imaginary watch. It was cute, I should have taken a pic of it.
As far as the restraurant's atmosphere, I think I was let down a litttle. I've heard descriptions of it, and many folks love it. Also, every time I was in the Land in previous trips, I would see the GG customers revolving slowly by, and I guess I imagined them rotating back into this lush garden.
During our meal, it seem kind of dark and dreary. Probably because the restaurant wasn't moving, so our scene never changed.
It was a nice meal, we may do it again, but I don't think it will become a must-do for every trip.
3) Our departure day, Sat., 1/26. 10:00 a.m. ADR at Ohana (family style). Also, this is our first time at Ohana. We were told at check-in that the wait would be 15-20 minutes. However, our pager went off after just a minute and we were seated. We saw a picture taking area, and some folks were getting their picture made. They did not offer to take our picture. Maybe you have to ask, maybe it's just for DDP people, I don't know. But we wouldn't have bought it so I didn't ask.
The restaurant was really attractive, we had a view of the MK. Servers were fine, not too terribly overly friendly, but not bad. Biscuits and pineapple bread were very good. I found the scrambled eggs a little undercooked, runny. But my DH likes them that way, so he was happy. Eggs at neighboring tables looked more more thoroughy cooked, the way I like them.
I'm not sure what the deal is with the leis. Half the kids had them, other half not. Our kids didn't have any, which is fine. I thought maybe the leis were only for folks staying at the Poly, maybe they get them when they check in. We were not stayng there. Or, I thought maybe they were purchased in the gift shop. Anyway, the table next to us asked for leis, and though we didn't ask, the cm brought our kids some too, at the same time. So I don't know if they had just forgotten us originally, or what.
Character interaction was good, Micky, Pluto, Lilo, and Stitch, were there, and there was a little character parade that the kids joined in.
We liked the Setting so much, we wil probably go back to Ohana.
Hope this helps anyone trying to plan meals.
ooh:
I do hope the GG is revolving when we dine.
