Dining reveiw for Mar 2~7th, 2008

[jenseib]

Well I thought I would reveiw our trip. I did not take pictures this year though.
I hope I can remember all the places and what we ate too! LOL!

The cast was Me , DH , and DD3 .

We ate at the following places

Cosmic Rays
Garden Grill
Pop Century's foodcourt
Whispering Canyon
Hoop Dee Doo Revue
Columbia House
1900 Park Fare
Earl of Sandwich

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
I would love to hear about the Garden Grill and 1900 Park Fare. Thanks!!

 

[jenseib]

I wanted to add too, we were on the dining plan.

Day 1, March 2
We arrived at Pop around 5 PM. We got checked in and headed over to MK, since they had EMH's that night.
We had decided to just do a coutner service that day, since we weren't for sure how long it would take to get checked in and over to the parks. It actually went pretty fast, but we wanted as much park time as possible too. At around 10 PM we decided were getting hungry. DH took DD on the race cars, while I went into Cosmic Rays and ordered. We decided on burgers. So I got DH a double bacon cheeseburger, fries, coke and carrot cake. A qtr pounder, fries, diet coke, and triple chocolate cake for me, and DD had chicken nuggets, applesauce, sprite, and a cookie.
I thought mine was great. I love the triple chocolate cake there. They met up with me soon and of course we had to sit in front of Sonny Eclipse. DH said his was great as well. DD loves Sonny Eclipse, and I worried she wouldn't eat becuase she would be too much into him. But she ate very good. (she also goes through phases/days where she doesn' eat much or anything) She ate all the applesauce, some of our fries, most of the nugggest, and we took the cookie back with us, which she at a later time before bed one night.
We like this place, and also went last year. I think you get a good portion too.

My only complaint, and this is with most Disney resturants, is that the kids menu is very limioted. It only had the options of Chicken nuggets, PBJ sandwich ( I think it was the uncrustables kind) and mac & cheese. (I also think a salad of some sort was offered too, but I wasn't sure if DD would eat it) Of these options, DD will only eat nuggets. She hates PB&J and Mac and cheese. They neeed to add hot dogs. The number one kid food. LOL! I just flet bad becuase DD didn't have much variety to chose from for the most part.

 

[jenseib]

Day 2, March 3

We went to Epcot this day. We had brought some breakfast type items to eat in the room, like breakfast bars, etc, so I had one before we left. DD didn't ant anything nor did DH.
We had a reservation for 4:30 at Garden Grill, so decided to skip lunch.
We got a sanke early afternoon of Miceky bars and DD chose a popsicle. Of course, as I predicted to DH as soon as she saw our Mickey bars she wanted that, so DH traded her. She ate a bit of his and then traded back. LOL!

I do have a picture of DH and DD eating their snack.

A little before 4 we headed over to the land pavillion. We did the Cicle of life movie and then checked in at Garden Grill. We were early,(they don't open till 4:30 for dinner). After about 10 minutes we were called in. But I noticed ONLY us. Even though there were others waiting. We were seated, and shortly the waiter came over and told us we were family of the day! We got to see the characters first, and all together, we al lgot these light up ice cubes, got a feee appetizer (which is a salad with ranch dressing) and got to try a new dish that was going to be put on the menu the next week (or at least thats what they said.) So we were bit excited.
The salad was wonderful. I'm not big on ranch dressing, but found it really good. The new dish was (I think called) risotto in Asparagus sauce. It was really good as well. Though I'm not sure everyone would like it.

The characters came over right away and we got a pciture and they signed DD's book. DD decided this year, that she really didn't want to be too close to characters. I was surprised, as last year she couldn't get enough of them. So in our family picture DH is holding her off to the side.

I had told our waiter that we didn't want the turkey with cranberry, as none of us like it.
We got a couple of platters with the different foods to serve family style. DD's meal was chicken nuggets and mac&cheese. (I think fries too) She barely ate anything. She did try the mac & cheese, but I knew she wouldn't like it and she didn't.

The turkey was dry, but OK. The catfish was wondeful and we got seconds on that. The beef was in a msuhroon sauce that I didn't care for much. It was OK, but not the greatest, and I only ate one peice. The potatoe casserole was really good. The greenbeans were great as well, though they are steamed and kind of crunchy, so some may not like that. I think we also got carrots, but DH ate those.

Chip and Dale kept coming back over and playing around with DH. DD thought it was funny. Chip even came over with straws up his ears, then mouth and nose.

For desert we got applecrisp. That was really yummy and we totally pigged out on this, even though we were really full. DD got a cup cake to frost and decorate, but she mostly nibbled at the decorations and the tip of the cupcake. Who wants a cupcake when you can eat frosting!

We also were presented with the family of the day book, which we filled out a card and put in it.

That was it for food for us for the day.

We did buy refillable mugs at Pop, which I found to be a great deal as well.

 

[jeminni]

Great picture of your daughter. You'll be able to blackmail her with that when she is older.


Looking forward to more of your review.

 

[jenseib]

I wanted to add, that we also had cornbread and biscuits. I didn't eat the biscuits, but the cornbread was really good. And the butter the yhad was super delicious.

I don't know if we would ever go back for the food though. It was jsut OK. If we do go back, I would only ask for catfish. The character interaction was good though. It would've been better if DD was more into it though. They came around SEVERAL times. We were at a time that was NOT busy at all.

 

[sunny04]

Love the picture in your signature!

Congrats on being the family of the day. We were the family of the day on the very FIRST day they did it! There was a family before us at lunch, but we were the family at dinner on Oct. 1 of 06. If any of you ever win, check it out! I know you guys had fun with that, it's one of the best experiences we ever had.

 

[jenseib]

Thanks guys. She was not doing much smiling for any cameras this year. She did end up getting sick later in the week too.

 

[PEANUT1]

love the pout.... sometimes the best pictures are when they are not smiling.

 

[jenseib]

Day 3, March 4

This day we went to Animal Kingdom. I ahd gotten up early and went over, while DH and DD slept in. I came back and the nwe got lunch at the Pop Century's food court. Claire got Pasta Penne, applesauce, and pudding. DH got a meatball sub and carrotsticks for his dessert. I got the chicken Alfredo and tie dye cheese cake.
Mine was excellent. DH loved his. Claire only ate a litte. I tasted it, and it was OK, but not wonderful, but I knew it was something she likes. DH ended up eating the rest of hers. She did eat the applesauce pretty much though. She didn't want her pudding, again DH ate that, becuase she was much more interested in my cheesecake. LOL! From the moment I put it on the tray she said it was hers. And I think that is why she didn't eat much, she was worried about it. So we shared the cheesecake ,and she ate at least half of it. I loved it, but the "crust" is red velvet cake, which I don't care for. So we just ate the filling and left the crust.

We did animal kingdom for awhile (rain was due in) and the parade was to strat early, so we got a pop corn snack to share (yeah right DD ate most of it. LOL) and watched the parade. We headed back to POp to freshend up, as we did get a little rained on, (but not bad as we were o nthe safari ride when most came through). We had 8 Pm Whispering Canyon reservations.
So we made our way there.
The Wilderness Lodge is just gorgeous! I would love to stay there some day.
We had to wait a bit, but we got there early. Claire found a friend to dance with while waiting.

We got called in. We had a great waitress. She did the "rude" thing, but was still nice, and didn't go to extremes, which was good, becuase I think DD might have got upset if it was too harsh. LOL! Our waitress did pick on the table next to us pretty hard, but in good fun. They were really laughing hard.

She told us that the all you can drink milkshakes and one time smoothie were included in the dining plan. As soon as DD heard that, that's all she wanted. Her and I both got strawberry milkshakes. They were good. And DD's lips were glued to her straw.
We ordered the skillet dinner for all 3 of us.
I thought it was good. I didn't eat the chicken, but DH did and said it was good. The ribs were pretty decent. the shrimp yummy. The cornbread yummy.
Salad was really good. DD got watermelon with hers, which is normally her favorite, but the shake was much more important and she never ate any to my knowledge.
Our veggie was corn o nth cob. That was good, and another of DD's favorites. That is the ONLY thing she ate. Severel peices too. It was a really good meal, and we had alot of fun there too. A waiter came up to DD and kept telling her how pretty she was, but she was shy, and he finally came over and made her a sash made of stickers. She also did a ride in the Pony Express, which was a highlight for her.

I got the samores cheese cake. It was really good. DD had appleslices with cinnamon. Again she didn't touch them. But I ate one. LOL!
I can't remember what DH got. It was something unusal, I think and I think it came with icecream. If I remember I'll post it.
I will definately go back here. It was fun, and the food was good.

 

[disnut1149]

Hi
Thanks for your reviews!! Your daughter is adorable. I wanted to know about Garden Grill since I haven't been there in years and years and was thinking about trying it in August. I don't eat any meat, so the new dish sounds pretty good. It looks like you had a really good time!!

 

[Disneylvr]

Your daughter is so beautiful!!!!! Thanks for your reviews, I am really enjoying them.

 

[jenseib]

Day 4, March 5

This day we were going to Mk for the day. When we got up, we let DD swim. (our room was right across from the baby pool, so she was obsessed with swimming each day) DH got a breakfast dish from Pop while DD swam. He had eggs, biscuit, sausage, & bacon, I beleive. He siad it was good, and the little nibbles I took tasted good as well.
We headed over to Mk then. After the parade I was getting hungry. DD was in a no eating at phase. We went into Columbia house and I got a fish and chicken combo with apple slices and triple chocolate cake. DD did eat all the apple slices. Refused the other food though. I ate about half the ckae and DH finished it. He had gone off and got something to eat somewher too. But I can't remember what. It was like a snack. I think a fruit/yogurt parfeit, but I really can't remember for sure. What ever it was, he paid out of pocket, becuase he doesn't understand the meal plan at all. I had to remind him not to pay for stuff. LOL!

We had reservations at the 9:30 show of the Hoop Dee Doo Revue. (DD is a latenighter and sleeps in every day)
We were told to get there at 9. And I thought that was becuase we would be seated that early.So we got there about 8:30 or so. We weren't let in till 9:30, so there was no need for us to be there that early.
This was an awesome experience, and I would tell anyone to try it at least once.
When they opened the doors, they asked DD if she would ring the bell to tell everyone to come in. And surprisingly, she got over her shyness and did it. We got a certificate for doing it too.

We were seated up front (third show on the dining plan you can be seated in catagory 1) The only down side was were right next to the piano and banjo player. It didn't really hinder our view, but it was a bit louder than if we sat somewhere else, so sometimes it was hard to hear the actors. Nothing too bad though.
They start you out with salad and cornbread. YUM! The salad reminded me a bit of Olive Garden ,but much better! DD loves Olive Garden salad and pigged out on the salad. I would say she ate almost 3/4 of one bucket herself. That is also the only thing she ate. DH and I had a few beers, which are included as well.
The show was really entertaining. DD LOVED it. There is an actress named Claire in the show. So Claire was excited about this. We had to go to the potty at one time during the "break", (they come in and out through out the dinner) and when we came back in, the show had started again. Claire and one of the guys were sitting in the back.
We said Hello, and the guy saw her name on the back of her mouse hat and said "Hey she is Claire too". So actress Claire made a big deal, and talked to my little Claire a bit, and then said she would talked to her later on too.

She came back then during a break and talked to her a bit. This was a highlight for DD.

The main food came at some point, and you kind of don't realize it ,and there it is. Fried chicken, delicious...Ribs, good, cowboy beans, not my favorite, but DH likes them. (they were served at whispering Canyon as well). Mashed potatoes, were great.
Byt the time dessert was served, we were so full. But I wanted to taste the strawberry shortcake. And so did DH. It was awesome. The best strawberry shortcake I have ever had. We ended up eating almost all of it, instead of just a bite. LOL!

Through out the show the actors mingle in with the crowd and even bring up a few volunteers. Claire seemed to really liek the actress named Flora for some reason and kept talking about the Princess with the yellow bow. When it was over, Claire started crying, saying "someone didn't see me." Meanoing Flora, who was the only one who didn't come to our table at some point and time. She was heart broken about it for some reason. DH even asked if she was still around to come out again, but she wasn't. (they change out of costuem immediately. So I had to get my camera out and show the pictures I took, and assure DD that Flora had looked at her several times. LOL!

This was by far our favorite meal. It was really good and worth the two table credits. Tip is included i nthe price too, so we didn't have to leave a tip.
Also our show was only about 1/4 full. Most of the place was empty. So that was kind of nice having the place to ourselves.

 

[mimi'sgirl]

Love your review- thank you. Your daughter is beautiful.

 

[jenseib]

Day 5, March 6
Today was Hollywood Studios day. DD wanted t see Daisy the whole trip and we had yet to find her, so we got up early and went over for opening. We we were first in line and this was the highlight for her.
We did a few shows and then DD seemed really cranky and then threw up. So I said I would take her back, but she cried and said she was OK and wanted more rides. We did the Great Movie ride, and Muppets movie, but she was just not herself. I got a pretzel, which is one of her favorite things, and she refused to eat it.
So I took her back and picked up lunch at the Pop food court. Nachos supreme. YUCK! They were not that good at all. I would've beeen better off getting just the Nachos with cheese. The other stuff was kind of gross. I also got the wonderful tyedye cheese cake and that is mostly what I ate.
DH came back after awhile and I went over to the park then and he stayed with DD who slept most of hte afternoon.
He called me and said she was doing good and they were going swimming. When I got back she was sleeping again, and he said she was feeling bad again. But he never gave her anymore motrin either. (Men just don't think about these things I guess)
WE had reservations for 1900 Park Fare, and were debating what to do. DH fianlly said I should go and he would get food court food and stay with DD. But we knew DD was looking forward to NOT Cinderella, but Prince Charming. LOL! So I could take the pictures for her. Well he went up to the food court, and it was packed ,so he came back empty handed. (our reservation wasn't till 8:30) So we decided to wake DD and ask her. She wanted to go. So I gave her a dose of Motrin, and dressed her in her Ariel dress. ( she had a cinderella one, but it got a little dirty when she threw up, and even though I had washed it, it was still air drying)
She seemed fine once again. But not totally herself. So we headed over and she was very excited.
We had to wait a little bit before getting called. She saw a peak of Prince Charming when the door opened and she was mad she couldn't go right in.

We got called in and seated. The stepsisters were first to see us. (each seperately) DD wanted nothing to do with them. They called her fishy girl, and she thought that was funny. (becuase she was wearing the Ariel dress)

These two were really funny, and at one point they had kids come dance with them, and they were right in front of us. DD loved it but wouldn't join in.

The highlight of course was Prince Charming. He came over and swirled her around. He talked to her and told her how beautiful she was, and he hugged her too. DD still is talking about how "cute" he is. LOL!

Lady Tramaine came over, but DD wanted nothing to do with her, and mostly DH talked to her.

We were the last people for Cinderella to see that night. Claire was excited too with her. Cinderella was wonderful with DD and talked to her eye to eye, and it was so precious.

Claire actually ate too. She had two peices of pizza.
The buffet was OK, Everything I ate was good, but I really didn't know what alot of it was, and didn't try alot. The prime rib was good. They have this tomato & mozzerella salad that was really good. Mash potatoes. The soups were good. I really didn't eat a ton as I didn't want to go up and miss the characters. LOL! So I acutally sent DH up once for me. The deserts were good too. I had a rice crispie, chocolate mousse, and cheese cake. (can you tell I love cheese cake?)
I liked the food, but I wasn't super impressed with the selection, mostly becuase I had no clue what alot was. But I would go back. What I ate was good.

DD did end up getting sick again later on after we had left. It was also pouring on the way back and we got stuck on the monorail for about 1/2 hour, so it became a long trip back to Pop. But she kept talking about Prince Charming the whole way back.
We went to bed and hoped that the next day would be better for her.

 

[Disney owl]

Great photos

Thanks for reports too

 

[jenseib]

UGH! I made my fianl reveiw and posted it, but it got lost in internet land!

Here goes another try.

Day6, March 7

This was our last day. We got up and i went and got two kids waffle meals. I knew we had several counter service credits to use up. It was really good, But DD only nibbled at it. She was still not her self, and we weren't forcing it on her. So her and I headed over to DTD becuase she had a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique appointment and she said she wanted to go. DH stayed back and got everything taken up front to leave and also had ate her breakfast and then went and got some more for himself. LOL! I think he got an omelet.
We got to DTD and DD decided she was too scared to get her hair done and cried. The ladies were really nice and we decide it wasn't worth tramatizing her over it. We shopped and she was horribly grouchy. DH met up with us later on. We did a few more last mintue things amnd I went over to the Goofy candy store to use up snack credits. I bought a couple of lollipops and ricecrispies and still had credits left. I'm not sure if htey were being taken off or not, becuase it seemed like so many left. DH wnet and bought a coke on a credit then and shared it with DD as she was grumpy and wanted "special diet coke". Which meant she wanted coke in a bottle. I went to Earl of Sandwich and got us some sandwiches to use up the last of the CS credits.
I got a tunamelt and chips. It was wondeful, but I did burp tuna for hte rest of the day. Got DH a BLT and chips. He ate the chips but saved the sandwich for the plane sicne he ate so much breakfast. DD won't eat sandwiches, so I just packed that away for the plane too (Turkey and Swiss), but she ate her chips.
We headed back to Pop to get ready to head off to the airport. I went into the gift shop and spent the rest of the SC on lollipops.
We still had 4 left? I couldn't believe it. But we used them all and I brought the stuff home for Easter baskets.
And that was the end of our Magical trip. We had a wonderful time, even though DD did get sick.
I msut say too, I don't think That Disney's food is super terrific no matter where yo ugo, but it is good and some palces better than others. I definately love the dining plan. We eat at places that we wouldn't if paying out of pocket, as we would be conscience of what we were spending. We would probably do more CS if we didn't do the plan. I really love the expereince of going to different resturants and I the DH realizes this is a good deal too. I wish the tip was still included, but it was still a good deal for us.
Here is a link to my review from last year. We visited different resturants. I think I liked this years better, but I would definately go back to some of hte ones last year as well. I just wanted to try different places.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1404605

 

[PISCESANGEL]

Thanks for sharing your reviews!

 

[Princesswanabee]

Enjoyed reading your reviews. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Momof2princess]

Great reviews!!!! Thanks for taking the time to post.
Your DD is sooooo cute!!!!