Dining Extravaganza 9/23-10/3/06, Free & otherwise-Pics. Updated 10/16/07 Last Meal

[hmillerbarilla]

I'll make a note of that. Thanks! Really enjoyed your reviews. Great job!

 

[TyRy]

Checked in about 5 min late – hey imagine how late we would have been had we not just had to ride the elevators down a couple of floors. I thought for sure DH’s perpetual lateness would kill us this trip with our ADR’s. So after we check in, and notice that once again the waiting area is just packed and crazy we figured we were in for it. Well, we only had to wait about 10 minutes to sit. Now the crazy thing was there was a LOT of open tables – kind of makes you wonder if they did not enough servers.

Our server, Nancy, was pretty prompt and brought DH coffee – just the regular kind, and our juice pretty quickly. The juice was awesome! And I always worry about juice as I HATE (yes I really feel that strongly) pulp and was worried this might be full of it. Well at least mine wasn’t. I asked Nancy if it was the Frunch juice she said yes but they call it Jungle Juice, easier to get kids to eat it. I didn’t think Frunch was that bad a name to begin with. Jungle Juice scares me more, but maybe that’s cause I’m not 12.

DH went up a couple of times. One of the in his first trip had Quinoa – Nature’s Finest Source of Plant Protein – took that right off the sign He also had oatmeal, and something that looked like grits.

I started with something very exotic – Belgium Waffles which were just your normal everyday Belgium waffles which I love and these were no different.

And also grabbed bacon (I will just state up front – my name is TyRy and I LOVE bacon!!) and ham. Ham wasn’t as great as I was expecting – not that anything was wrong with it, just didn’t taste all that great to me.

It was then time for a second trip – DH went back and got some pastries, biscuits and carved turkey – at least I think that was (can’t remember). He also had some time of green thing – now that reminds me more of Jungle Juice than the Frunch juice!

My next plate consisted of eggs, bacon (surprise surprise ,) cinnamon roll, and fruit. Yes I actually put a couple of bites of something healthy on my plate! But I'm pretty sure that the butter I popped onto my cinammon roll negated the good effects

I was getting full – think I was starting to have bacon tummy - but no worries – DH was going to sample everything they had on the buffet. He then came back with a sausage, eggs, bacon (wasn’t giving him any of mine!), hash and some type of bake.

OH - this was the first place to see little card come w/check saying gratuity not added but it is customary to tip 15-20%. First and only time we saw that during our entire stay.

Overall I would say this was a good meal….would I go out of my way if I were not staying at AKL….mmmmm, maybe not. BUT, if you are more adventurous and looking for something besides waffles, bacon and eggs, it is probably a good bet for you!

Up next – YEAH – it’s Castle time!!!

 

[TigerKat]

Just read your entire review and enjoyed it very much!!

 

[DisneyJo]

How did you not go pop?

 

[tiggerbell]

Seriously, green glop for breakfast????????? Ugh...

Maybe I'll stick with the food courts...

 

[Disney owl]

Great photos thanks

 

[TyRy]

Just read your entire review and enjoyed it very much!!

Well thank you - trying very hard to get the rest up!

Seriously, green glop for breakfast????????? Ugh...
Maybe I'll stick with the food courts...

He must have like it cause he had two servings of it...as for me - I'm just glad I wasn't fighting a hangover that morning having to look at that!!!

How did you not go pop?

Looking back at all that, I'm not exactly sure - I will say this - we snacked very little this trip. The one picture I wish I had was everything we bought with our snack credits on the last day of our DDP. I think we ended up with 12 bags or boxes of things....I'm just now finishing the last bag of pretzels at home.

Just read your entire review and enjoyed it very much!!

Thank you very much!

 

[TyRy]

I’m going to do something on this that I really haven’t done so far – and that is copy a LOT of my TR dealing with CRT – I think that’s because CRT is a whole experience so I’ll try and give an overview of that, plus the food (of course!)

Our ADR was for 5pm – figured we would be out just in time for MNSSHP that we were attending that night. We checked in and were called pretty quickly. That meant we had to get a long SLOW line to get the picture with Cinderella that came with dinner. Now I know why we got called so quickly – they said to get the photo done and then come up. Well – it looked like we were in for at least a 20-30 minute wait.

We checked in and were called pretty quickly. That meant we had to get a long SLOW line to get the picture with Cinderella that came with dinner. Now I know why we got called so quickly – they said to get the photo done and then come up. Well – it looked like we were in for at least a 20-30 minute wait.

So we wait – and then off to our side, a dad is trying to get back into line with his family and trips over the velvet ropes that they have us walking through…so my DH goes to grab him before he hits the floor. He did mange to grab him, but somehow while helping DH got his had caught in the twisted rope right by where it clips to the post, and yep – you guessed it – totally pulled his fingers out of joint. It was instant pain and DH was in a lot of it. I’m the weenie in the family with pain, so if DH is hurt, you know it is bad. At first I thought – and I think he did too – that he would just shake it off. But nope – it’s getting worse. OK – time to get to first aid and I happen to know exactly where that is thanks to the trip with my dad two years ago (hmmmm – maybe I should do a really late TR on that) huh – ok, back on topic.

So I walk up to the hostess and ask if there is anyway they can hold our ADR and explain what happened. Well they are more than happy to hold it if we want to go to first aid. But now DH is saying it’s not so bad and could he maybe just get some ice. He wants to see if ice helps before going to first aid. So not only do they bring him ice, they throw us into the front of the line to get our picture so we can get to dinner sooner and then decide if we want first aid or not. Well, DH is in no mood to have his picture taken – he is still in pain, I tried to coax him a little but knew he really didn’t want to be in the picture. OK twist my arm – I’ll do it by myself

Now only about 5 or 10 minutes had elapsed during everything that took place above. Hey I know DH is in pain, BUT it got us out of waiting in the line that still looked like it hadn’t moved. That was a bright side

So up to dinner we go. When we get to our table – yeah! It has Cinderella confetti on it! On some of our ADR’s when we were asked if we were celebrating anything, I said yes – this was our 15th anniversary trip (no where did I ever say wedding anniversary, just anniversary – this is important later) So I then CAREFULLY pick up all the castles and carriages and put them in my purse (where I think they still are) Not sure what I’ll use them for, but I do know I’m keeping them!!!

So our server comes by - don’t you just love how they refer to you as Lords and Ladies…c’mon I know that’s not just me. He explains how it all works now – ours was paid on a CC – so we make our choices. We then proceed to take a couple more shots of the inside (cause I can never have enough)

I must add I also have my video camera with me, so we have plenty on the castle.

Our appetizers come and whoops he brought an extra one – he had written down three things for the two of us…we probably confused him as we were debating what we wanted. No worries – he leaves us with the extra one. Fine by us. I actually had the BLT salad – which was good but tiny

DH had the Corn & Crab Soup which he enjoyed

And the mistake appetizer was the Spring Rolls – also pretty good.

Our main courses came – we both had the prime rib - and were surprised at how good it was. We both ordered them medium and as you can tell by the picture, it once again came out med-rare – which if you’ve read this whole report you know we wanted.

DH declared it one of the best meals of the trip. Maybe it was because we weren’t expecting much – I mean you go to CRT for the atmosphere not the food necessarily right? But I have yet to be disappointed and this was my third time dining for dinner at CRT.

Oh – and here’s a random picture we ended up with…perhaps DH was planning for next time? It’s the braised lamb shank.

So after dinner, the show with the Fairy Godmother and the Mice started. Very cute and more interactive than I expected.

The Fairy Godmother then asked if anyone in the restaurant was celebrating an anniversary. Well it was our 15th anniversary (ok technically it was like ten days earlier) so DH raised his hand.

So she now singles us out as we are the only people celebrating an anniversary. It was all very cute and I have great video of it. She then asks how many years of wedded bliss. Well DH – who may I add is usually the quiet one of the two of us and who I did not think would get into this at all – is suddenly quite into it. He says 15 years in response to her question. She says some nice comments about how we don’t look like we could be married that long and such. But I don’t remember because I am in shock that he gave the Fairy Godmother the wrong answer. I think basically my reaction after kicking him under the table was “You lied to the Fairy Godmother!!” Yes I realize how goofy that sounds coming out of my thirty-six year old mouth – but hey he did. He said it just slipped out…since we were celebrating fifteen together. But she said wedded, so that answer should have been for four years.

The mice then came around for a very quick photo op – so quick that when it was DH’s turn I couldn’t get to the camera fast enough…so I have a picture, but have him on video.

Our desserts came after the performance and were also good. In fact they were so good – we inhaled them and then remember to take the pictures!!! I had the Raspberry Sorbet

and DH had the Blueberry Buckle. If you look really close you might actually see a blueberry left on his plate.

Since I never did figure out between the cost of the meal and taxes what kind of automatic tip was figured in, we said the heck with it and asked. We were going to leave extra anyway (as we had all trip) and our server said it was about 13% - ouch. He was getting a nice tip anyway, but if that’s the case, I’m shocked they still have people willing to work at CRT. Maybe someone can clear that up for me. I make DH take one more picture that we always take and we are on our way.

So on our way out, we stop to take pictures of the inside of the Castle that is not CRT – and I bet if I go back and look at old photos we have some of the exact ones from past trips!

We had a great time at CRT and yes, I’m one of those people who will probably continue to pay for it, no matter what it ends up costing – although DH would probably disagree. Dinner did last about two hours so it was perfect timing for us to get outside just in time for the beginning of MNSSHP.

 

[Cinderella's slipper]

Thanks so much for a mouthwatering dining review. I really enjoyed it.

Linda

 

[312.Duck]

9/23 - Our first meal on the FREE dining plan.
The Contemporary Steakhouse was where we were going to have dinner that first night. Now I know some hate it, some love it, we fall somewhere in between.

DH had the lobster bisque, which he liked.
httx://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/tracycip/Food/P9230161.jpg

DH had the prime rib with mashed potatoes, which he said was ok –
httx://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m172/tracycip/Food/P9230167.jpg

Total Free DDP – 85.21

I now understand the opinions of those who "hate" (OK, strong word, let's say any form of "dislike?") the Contemporary Steakhouse. If on a normal evening I paid $85.21 for that level of quality, I would certainly feel gipped . I've had better meals at Outback Steakhouse for $50. We've eaten at the CS before, and I was probably taken more by the atmosphere than anything we ate. This time, the Prime Rib was about as bland as they come, and I liked the "lobster bisque" only because it was edible, and I needed something in my tummy fast! I liken it to tomato soup, with a drop of yellow dye and a bit of crab juice for flavoring.

With that memory in tow, would I eat there again? HELL YES!!!!!!!!!!

They could serve coffee & biscuits for dinner and it'd be well worth it!
Did I say something about ATMOSPHERE?? I can't put into words how neat-o it is to be eating, and having the MONORAIL silently pass overhead! The lighting, the structure, Chef Mickey's off in the distance, and that fantastic bar just outside the CS? Fuggedaboutit!!!
There's no shortage of at the CS, and a Disney trip is likely not complete (for us) without a stop there...

...MORE TO COME! -DH

 

[312.Duck]

Today we had ADR's at Chefs de France.....
I am in search of French Onion Soup.

I then had just the house salad with the balsamic vinaigrette and DH had the Crepe Basquaise.

Well...the wife and I are Baked French Onion Soup (BFOS) nuts, and we grade BFOS using what we consider to be THE baseline for BFOS quality - a place near and dear to us called The Golden Steer. Few to none match The Golden Steer's BFOS in terms of flavor, consistency, cheese flavor & consistency, baked cheese drippage down the side of the bowl, crouton style & thickness, onion (both quality and quantity). Size doesn't necessarily matter...too large can spoil your appetite, but I'll never complain!

Now where was I?
Oh yes, the BFOS at Chefs de France was top notch, one of the few good quality Baked French Onion Soups available at Disney. There are some "passable" BFOS' we've found, but few that are really good. (the one other that was know of to this point is at Boatwright's @ Riverside, the other resort connected with Port Orleans FQ. They have a 3 or 4-cheese Baked French Onion Soup that's pretty damn good!

-- Roaring Forks at The Wilderness Lodge? lame
Others have mentioned that the "deluxe" resorts have lower quality counter service, and in this case, they were right!
I can see why, as they expect more to use the nicer retaurants in these, but that's not the reality here. Tons of mom's like to get the kiddie (finger) foods here...and the WL is a HUGE family drawing resort. Plus they don't have Mickey Waffles, and that's a travesty! Looking at what we had, I can't believe a cheeseburger and chicken strips were $23.88 !!! LOL...

...MORE TO COME! -DH

 

[__disneygirl]

Great dining report - my mouth is watering! I also like the DH opinions. It is rare to see two different insights in a dining report. Hope there is more to come!

 

[TyRy]

Great dining report - my mouth is watering! I also like the DH opinions. It is rare to see two different insights in a dining report. Hope there is more to come!

Thanks so much Lia - I need tell DH to start back up - he wanted me to wait for "his side" to catch up, so stayed tuned!!!

 

[ShooshBrat]

Found your link from another post....and am getting VERY HUNGRY with all those awesome pics!!

Wish I had more time to read/look.....but have to head to work, so subscribing so I can read later!!

Thanks for all the awesome info and pics!

 

[jenbierling]

Loving the reviews! I'm 180 days out from our next trip in Jan. These are a great help as I try to decide on ADRs. Thanks!

 

[TyRy]

Found your link from another post....and am getting VERY HUNGRY with all those awesome pics!!

Wish I had more time to read/look.....but have to head to work, so subscribing so I can read later!!

Thanks for all the awesome info and pics!

Welcome to the report ShooshBrat

Loving the reviews! I'm 180 days out from our next trip in Jan. These are a great help as I try to decide on ADRs. Thanks!

Hi jenbierlong Glad you like the reviews When we went I looked at a lot of pics as well and that pointed us to some places we had never eaten at before.

 

[TyRy]

Yes - FINALLY a year later - the last meal on the trip is here. As it turned out it was one of the best meals of the trip. We kind of snacked throughout the day today at the F&WF and we were supposed to go to O'Hana's for dinner. Toward the end of the day DH decided that we should skip it since we had to pack and get ready to leave in the morning. Fine with me, one more call to cancel the ADR and we were back at the AKL.

We decided to do room service for dinner from Boma. We both had the prime rib and it was out of this world!! The potatoes had a little kick to them, but were not overly spicy and yummy. We now will make time to get room service at least once during our trips and it was fast. We ordered and I ran down to grab drinks and dessert for DH and by the time I got back to the room, the food was already there.

Here are the pics:

We may have to try Boma for dinner next time as this was just so good!

The following morning we just grabbed a quick snack as we were headed out and started our drive home. However that night we stopped in Brentwood, Tennessee. We tried to go out for BBQ, but we just missed a couple of restaurants. We then headed next to the hotel to Mrs. Winners Chicken and Biscuits. THE BEST FRIED CHICKEN EVER…and my mom is from the South and makes a pretty good one. We did not have the camera with us, but it was really yummy and next time we drive down, I’ll be mapping this chain all the way to Florida.

Overall, we did not see any decline in service and left extra tips generally the first week when we had the free dining. We only had one semi-long wait to be seated; otherwise we were seated very promptly. The DDP did save us about two hundred dollars the first week, but it was a lot of food. I think next time I’ll hopefully have AP’s and use the DDE card as I think that will work out cheaper with the changes to the plan for 2008.

Thanks for sticking with the reviews and pictures, and I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. See you next time and there will be a next time!

 

[nextidiot]

Enjoyed your review. Great pics!

 

[TyRy]

Enjoyed your review. Great pics!

Thank you very much

 

[DisneyJo]

Thanks for finishing