Dec.19-28 DINING REVIEW (DDP) - FOOD Segment 1

[Dchef]

Our first Christmas at WDW trip report: FOOD SEGMENT ONE

I thought I would share our thoughts and experiences in segments—since so many people have questions about particular things. Instead of boring you with little personal details—I thought this way would be more helpful to some.

We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge—you can almost smell the home fires burning when you walk in. Its warmth and coziness is what keeps us coming back to this beautiful place. The pictures here on the Dis are true to form. Seems the room had an overhaul since our 2005 trip, the beds are much nicer.

Disney Meals and such
> Our first night we had dinner at O’hana’s. We really enjoyed the food—the Salad was super yummy and I could have made a meal of that alone.

> Second Night we had buffet at the Crystal palace…once again the salads blew away the rest of the item. I was surprised, but there was a variety of cold items and very delicious.

> We went to Jiko’s our 3rd night and like always for us, it wasn’t disappointing. The food there is just so good in everyway you feel like it was money well spent. The Atlantic Char was like Butta' and the Pistachio Brulee' was one of the best I have ever had--when the sugar crust is done correctly...it can't be beat!!

> Can’t say the same for the time spent the next night at Marrakesh. This was our worst meal during our 8 days. No menu variety…I really had hoped for some exotic food choices. My DH and I ordered the Shish Kabob and it was over cooked and dry and didn’t have much flavor. At 26.99 per entrée, I would have done better at the Sunshine Seasons in the Land. The only thing we thought were good, were the appetizers! I wouldn’t recommend it at all. The entertainment was a bit over the top – NOISY. I knew it would be noisy, but when you can’t even talk to the person next to you…that is a bit much.

> The next night we spent at the Hoop De Do Revue. We REALLY enjoyed that show—loved the Fried Chicken and the salad, not crazy about the ranch beans though. I would recommend it highly. At first we weren’t sure it was “our kind of thing” but we are glad we went now.

> 1900 Park fare was somewhat of a disappointment, but then again I don’t know what we were expecting really. We just didn’t care for the food on the buffet much—Turkey. Dressing, yams, prime rib, Caesar…I know menus here at the Dis are subject to change, but maybe only a very few items were actually on the buffet and non of the things I was hoping for, it was more like a Thanksgiving dinner. We took a walk down to Narrcoosees and wished we had made reservations there after looking at the menu.

> Christmas Day we didn’t do any parks. We went to DDD and to Disney Quest and decided to just grab some Sandwiches at Earl’s and I grabbed a salad at Wolf Gang. I wish I had waited in line at Earl, but instead I caught up too late after standing in line at Ghirardelli for a Mocha (it was worth it) but then the line for Wolf Gangs was shorter—Earl was better food.

> Hollywood and Vine for Fantasmic-I thought had a pretty descent buffet, but we had early resy’s and had eaten a late lunch at Sunshine Seasons (awesome BTW), so we didn’t eat too much there.

> Last Night and we had dinner at Yak and Yeti’s—YUMMY, we loved it. The dim sum appetizer combo is FABULOUS and then we both did the shrimp and steak (enough for two) it was cooked perfectly. A word of caution…be careful ordering the BROWNIE ala mode dessert…it’s entirely too big for one person to handle BUT, the brownies are some of the BEST ever.

HIGHLIGHTS:
Our Jiko’s Meal, Fried Chicken at HDR, The fresh TUNA salad and sushi rolls at Sunshine Seasons Epcot, The Popcorn - of course, Polenta at Hollywood, Sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich, Ghirardelli Mocha’s, Salad at O’hanas, variety of cold items at Crystal Palace……Everything at YAK and YETI’S


But I need to put in a MUST HAVE here—TEA LATTE at the Tea Cart in Animal Kingdom right before Everest!!! WOW-WOW-WOW….I must have drank 10 of them if not 20 . They are pricey, but worth it—don’t bother with the smaller one, you will want another—get the Grande!

LO LIGHTS:
Marrakesh most everything, 1900 Park Fare for dinner, Wolf Gang Puck Express knife and Fork salad—not good, Hollywood and Vine nothing special.

Hope this helps you make informed decisions—everyone has their own taste though I guess- My biggest hope for Disney Dining in the future—get some decent COFFEE will you!!!

 

[Nedebpats]

Thanks for the great food report. I liked your style, easy to read and to the point.

Debbie

 

[familyS]

Thanks for posting the dining reviews.

I was thinking Wolfgang Puck Express over Earl of Sandwhich. Hmmm, I may have to rethink that.

 

[BCV23]

Can you describe the tea latte?

The cafe mocha at Ghiardelli's is amazing isn't it?!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I noticed your username. Are you a chef?

 

[Dchef]

From what I could tell they use loose tea and press it with a machine just like espresso, then add vanilla powder to it which gives it the milky taste--In a "world" where good coffee wasn't even a possibility--The Tea Latte at the tea cart was a life saver. Most everything there is equally good, but I just zoomed in for that. The tea they use to make it is Rooibos Tea. Hope that helps...I wish I had asked more when I was there, but everytime I reached the front--there was a huge line of people waiting and I didn't want to make them wait longer because of me.
I would love to know more so I can make it here

 

[Dchef]

I noticed your username. Are you a chef?

Yes, I went to Culinary school and graduated--moved on to work in some nice restaurants here and elsewhere...I ended my stint doing Pastry work, but then got pregnant with twins. Life just took a different turn and I am not sure if there is a place for me now in the world of food, but time will tell.
I have about 15 years of Culinary experience (almost forgot how old I was) in all food areas and I really miss it. Thanks for asking.

 

[daisy_77]

Great reviews. Thank you for sharing!

 

[Calgary DISHeads]

Thanks for posting the dining reviews.

I was thinking Wolfgang Puck Express over Earl of Sandwhich. Hmmm, I may have to rethink that.

It's funny, because it's so true what the poster said - it really depends on your tastes and exp. on that particular day. We really love WP - ate there twice - pizzas and knife and fork salads - loved, loved them! My mouth is watering right now... we got Earl of Sandwich to go as we had credits we had to use but they were pretty yucky next day and ended up in the garbage. As alwasy, to each his own.

 

[Dchef]

It's funny, because it's so true what the poster said - it really depends on your tastes and exp. on that particular day. We really love WP - ate there twice - pizzas and knife and fork salads - loved, loved them! My mouth is watering right now... we got Earl of Sandwich to go as we had credits we had to use but they were pretty yucky next day and ended up in the garbage. As alwasy, to each his own.

So true. I think I would have been happy with the pizza for sure. I was expecting a better beef choice than what I got, which was basically deli meat with some lettuce. My family had Earls sandwhiches and ate them right away--I had a bite then and they were warm and super delicious.

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent