The characters: me (24), DM, DF and DB all on our last big family trip before DB and I have to leave school and start work. We were on the dining plan.
5 stars = excellent
4 stars = very, very good
3 stars = okay or pretty good
2 stars = wouldn't go there again
August 7
Lotus Blossom Cafe 3.5 stars
DM and I shared the Shanghai Grilled Chicken, DF had the Twice-Cooked Beef, and DB had the Orange Chicken. For dessert, we had red bean ice cream. We all thought the food was surprisingly good for a counter service place. The portions were big (we could not finish the ice cream!) and the grilled chicken was a little salty but flavorful. My DM was fairly happy with the rice (and she's usually very picky about rice).
Rosie's All American Cafe 2 stars
DM, DB and I all had the All American Cheeseburger. DF had the chicken strips. We all had apple pie for dessert. The cheeseburgers were tasty but very greasy. Negative points because the apple pie tasted processed and for the lack of anything but greasy food on the menu.
August 8
Tusker House 5 stars
DB and I had the salmon with green beans and rice. We had carrot cake for dessert. The food was so fresh and so good, and the portions were just the right size. DB raved about it and we both wished DM and DF were there with us. DM and DF were at the Earl of Sandwich and they said it was very good. Kudos to Animal Kingdom for having such great counter service; I can't decide whether we should go to Flame Tree Barbecue or Tusker House on our next visit.
California Grill 4.5 stars
We were 1/2 hour late for our 5:30 reservation, but we were still seated with no problem, probably because everyone tries to book for fireworks time. I didn't ask for a table with castle views, figuring we were too late, but in hindsight I should have, because the restaurant was still practically empty at 6:00. We were seated at a table in a smaller room at the end of the restaurant, overlooking the Swan and Dolphin. Even though we didn't have a castle view, DM and DF thought the atmosphere was gorgeous. DM, DF and I all had the Snake in the Grass appetizer, and DB had the Big Bang Roll. This sushi was amazing...probably the best sushi I've had or will ever have in my life. I've been to a couple of Japanese restaurants since our trip, and it all pales in comparison. Our server, I think his name was Billy, was great. He told us that the sushi chef Yoshie personally oversees the fish delivery every day, and if she sniffs out any bad fish, she'll send the entire load back. The portions were also huge, and I was only able to finish it because it was so good. For my entree, I had the pork tenderloin. I thought it was good, but not excellent. DB felt the same way about his yellow-fin tuna. DM had the salmon and she loved it. DF had the deluxe sushi platter, and while it was good, he didn't like it as much as the Snake in the Grass. For dessert, I had the warm valrhona chocolate cake, and it was delicious. DM, DB and DF liked their peaches and cream dessert; DM thought the peaches were very fresh and ripe. DM says the California Grill is a must-do every time we go back to Disney. I took off half a star because the entrees weren't quite as good as I expected; maybe I'll have better luck next time with the banana leaf halibut!
August 9
I don't remember the name of this restaurant, but glancing over the menu at
allears, it must have been Lowtide Lou's 3 stars
DM and I split a tuna sandwich, DF also had a tuna sandwich, and DB had a chicken wrap. The sandwiches came with chips on the meal plan. Normally I would say this place was only okay, but it really hit the spot after a morning at Typhoon Lagoon! The portions were just right, and while the tuna sandwich wasn't the freshest ever, it was tasty enough.
Boma 4 stars
The atmosphere at this buffet was beautiful, with its combination of low lighting and warm colors. Because we were on the dining plan, we got yummy smoothies, in addition to non-specialty drinks, with our meals. I absolutely loved the food here. The salmon and prime rib were especially amazing. I would say more about the dessert, but honestly, I was pretty stuffed by the time I picked up a dessert platter, and couldn't fully appreciate it all. But even I, in my food-induced stupor, could tell that the zebra domes were excellent. I only took off one star because my DM and DF thought there wasn't enough selection.
I guess they're just too used to Vegas buffets.
August 10
1900 Park Fare 4 stars
I think the castmember who made our reservation made a mistake because when we arrived at 1900 PF at 11:30, the cast member told us our reservation was for 8:30. It was all fine because the restaurant was practically empty at that time of day! I think there were maybe 4 families besides us. Which meant lots and lots of character interaction! Alice, the Mad Hatter, Pooh and Eeyore were there. Mary Poppins was supposed to be in the lobby, but because there were so few people, she ended up visiting tables inside the restaurant too. The characters were all great. They each visited our table 3-5 times, and they had the cutest interactions with each other. The food was pretty good, with a good selection, although I didn't have a chance to try the strawberry soup. It was really just an above-average breakfast selection. I gave up a lunch reservation at CRT for breakfast at 1900 PF, and I keep second-guessing my decision, but I know we would not have gotten all the character interaction and great pictures at CRT.
Tangierine Cafe 4 stars
DM, DF, DB and I had chicken and lamb shawarma platters and baklava for dessert. Huge portions, lots of meat. Maybe a little salty, but good. The baklava was very sweet.
August 11
Le Cellier 5 stars
For an appetizer, DB and I had the mussels, DM had the beef tenderloin kebab, and DF had the cheese platter. We all agreed that the mussels were by far the best dish. There were bits of bacon and corn and tomato mixed in with the mussels, and they were so flavorful and so delicious! The beef kebab was good but not anything special. DB and I had the petit filet mignon with sour cream mashed potatoes which was very good. DF had the soft shell crab sandwich. It really was soft shell crab, with the legs sticking out and everything. DM absolutely loved her fish entree (I forget what kind of fish it was, but it was cooked Asian style over bok choy). We each had the dessert sampler, which was incredible! There was a raspberry sorbet inside a crispy cookie shell, maple creme brulee, and a chocolate cake. It was all too much for us to finish, but soooo beautiful and delicious! DM told me we should have eaten at Le Cellier every day.
Tommorowland Noodle Terrace was closed, so we went to Columbia Harbour House for dinner. 3.5 stars
DM and I shared half a tuna sandwich and a cup of clam chowder. The tuna sandwich and clam chowder were very good. DF and DB had the Captain's Special -- a combo of fried fish and chicken strips. We all had the apple pie for dessert, and it was much, much better here than at Rosie's. The pie came in slices (as opposed to the round, personal pies from Rosie's) and the apples were much more fresh-tasting.
All in all, we had a great time and got to try restaurants we never would have tried without the dining plan. Also, it was much easier to just tell all our servers that we were on the plan, so they could tell us what we could and couldn't have. There was a benefit to doing this: at Boma, for example, the waiter told us that we could order smoothies on top of the non-specialty drinks because we were on the plan. We saw absolutely no change in demeanor after telling the servers we were on the plan; in fact, every server was extremely friendly.
5 stars = excellent
4 stars = very, very good
3 stars = okay or pretty good
2 stars = wouldn't go there again
August 7
Lotus Blossom Cafe 3.5 stars
DM and I shared the Shanghai Grilled Chicken, DF had the Twice-Cooked Beef, and DB had the Orange Chicken. For dessert, we had red bean ice cream. We all thought the food was surprisingly good for a counter service place. The portions were big (we could not finish the ice cream!) and the grilled chicken was a little salty but flavorful. My DM was fairly happy with the rice (and she's usually very picky about rice).
Rosie's All American Cafe 2 stars
DM, DB and I all had the All American Cheeseburger. DF had the chicken strips. We all had apple pie for dessert. The cheeseburgers were tasty but very greasy. Negative points because the apple pie tasted processed and for the lack of anything but greasy food on the menu.
August 8
Tusker House 5 stars
DB and I had the salmon with green beans and rice. We had carrot cake for dessert. The food was so fresh and so good, and the portions were just the right size. DB raved about it and we both wished DM and DF were there with us. DM and DF were at the Earl of Sandwich and they said it was very good. Kudos to Animal Kingdom for having such great counter service; I can't decide whether we should go to Flame Tree Barbecue or Tusker House on our next visit.
California Grill 4.5 stars
We were 1/2 hour late for our 5:30 reservation, but we were still seated with no problem, probably because everyone tries to book for fireworks time. I didn't ask for a table with castle views, figuring we were too late, but in hindsight I should have, because the restaurant was still practically empty at 6:00. We were seated at a table in a smaller room at the end of the restaurant, overlooking the Swan and Dolphin. Even though we didn't have a castle view, DM and DF thought the atmosphere was gorgeous. DM, DF and I all had the Snake in the Grass appetizer, and DB had the Big Bang Roll. This sushi was amazing...probably the best sushi I've had or will ever have in my life. I've been to a couple of Japanese restaurants since our trip, and it all pales in comparison. Our server, I think his name was Billy, was great. He told us that the sushi chef Yoshie personally oversees the fish delivery every day, and if she sniffs out any bad fish, she'll send the entire load back. The portions were also huge, and I was only able to finish it because it was so good. For my entree, I had the pork tenderloin. I thought it was good, but not excellent. DB felt the same way about his yellow-fin tuna. DM had the salmon and she loved it. DF had the deluxe sushi platter, and while it was good, he didn't like it as much as the Snake in the Grass. For dessert, I had the warm valrhona chocolate cake, and it was delicious. DM, DB and DF liked their peaches and cream dessert; DM thought the peaches were very fresh and ripe. DM says the California Grill is a must-do every time we go back to Disney. I took off half a star because the entrees weren't quite as good as I expected; maybe I'll have better luck next time with the banana leaf halibut!
August 9
I don't remember the name of this restaurant, but glancing over the menu at
allears, it must have been Lowtide Lou's 3 stars
DM and I split a tuna sandwich, DF also had a tuna sandwich, and DB had a chicken wrap. The sandwiches came with chips on the meal plan. Normally I would say this place was only okay, but it really hit the spot after a morning at Typhoon Lagoon! The portions were just right, and while the tuna sandwich wasn't the freshest ever, it was tasty enough.
Boma 4 stars
The atmosphere at this buffet was beautiful, with its combination of low lighting and warm colors. Because we were on the dining plan, we got yummy smoothies, in addition to non-specialty drinks, with our meals. I absolutely loved the food here. The salmon and prime rib were especially amazing. I would say more about the dessert, but honestly, I was pretty stuffed by the time I picked up a dessert platter, and couldn't fully appreciate it all. But even I, in my food-induced stupor, could tell that the zebra domes were excellent. I only took off one star because my DM and DF thought there wasn't enough selection.
I guess they're just too used to Vegas buffets.August 10
1900 Park Fare 4 stars
I think the castmember who made our reservation made a mistake because when we arrived at 1900 PF at 11:30, the cast member told us our reservation was for 8:30. It was all fine because the restaurant was practically empty at that time of day! I think there were maybe 4 families besides us. Which meant lots and lots of character interaction! Alice, the Mad Hatter, Pooh and Eeyore were there. Mary Poppins was supposed to be in the lobby, but because there were so few people, she ended up visiting tables inside the restaurant too. The characters were all great. They each visited our table 3-5 times, and they had the cutest interactions with each other. The food was pretty good, with a good selection, although I didn't have a chance to try the strawberry soup. It was really just an above-average breakfast selection. I gave up a lunch reservation at CRT for breakfast at 1900 PF, and I keep second-guessing my decision, but I know we would not have gotten all the character interaction and great pictures at CRT.
Tangierine Cafe 4 stars
DM, DF, DB and I had chicken and lamb shawarma platters and baklava for dessert. Huge portions, lots of meat. Maybe a little salty, but good. The baklava was very sweet.
August 11
Le Cellier 5 stars
For an appetizer, DB and I had the mussels, DM had the beef tenderloin kebab, and DF had the cheese platter. We all agreed that the mussels were by far the best dish. There were bits of bacon and corn and tomato mixed in with the mussels, and they were so flavorful and so delicious! The beef kebab was good but not anything special. DB and I had the petit filet mignon with sour cream mashed potatoes which was very good. DF had the soft shell crab sandwich. It really was soft shell crab, with the legs sticking out and everything. DM absolutely loved her fish entree (I forget what kind of fish it was, but it was cooked Asian style over bok choy). We each had the dessert sampler, which was incredible! There was a raspberry sorbet inside a crispy cookie shell, maple creme brulee, and a chocolate cake. It was all too much for us to finish, but soooo beautiful and delicious! DM told me we should have eaten at Le Cellier every day.
Tommorowland Noodle Terrace was closed, so we went to Columbia Harbour House for dinner. 3.5 stars
DM and I shared half a tuna sandwich and a cup of clam chowder. The tuna sandwich and clam chowder were very good. DF and DB had the Captain's Special -- a combo of fried fish and chicken strips. We all had the apple pie for dessert, and it was much, much better here than at Rosie's. The pie came in slices (as opposed to the round, personal pies from Rosie's) and the apples were much more fresh-tasting.
All in all, we had a great time and got to try restaurants we never would have tried without the dining plan. Also, it was much easier to just tell all our servers that we were on the plan, so they could tell us what we could and couldn't have. There was a benefit to doing this: at Boma, for example, the waiter told us that we could order smoothies on top of the non-specialty drinks because we were on the plan. We saw absolutely no change in demeanor after telling the servers we were on the plan; in fact, every server was extremely friendly.
Glad you guys had a great trip. By the way, how did you like the dining plan. 
thank you
