Disney Dining Deluxe Doesn't Do Us In -- a week in heaven with photos

[Lynn5700]

Awww cute pics!! CP is a great breakfast.... that picture of the puffed french toast is making me drool!!

I love the mac and cheese at Chefs and the French onion soup!!! YUM!

 

[TiffinyKC]

I love your reviews...and you have a fantastic looking family.

I am envious, I wish my DS were a more adventurous eater.

 

[bleeps]

I love your reviews...and you have a fantastic looking family.

I am envious, I wish my DS were a more adventurous eater.

You're so kind! thanks so much.

What we've found has worked over the years is encouraging DS to try some of whatever DH and I order; part of our family tradition when we go out to eat is to have a taste of each other's meals. This has been how DS has discovered that the liked things like lamb and duck and all kinds of fish/seafood -- he never would have ordered any of those things for himself initially, but once he'd tried them he found that he liked them. The other great thing about WDW is that the restaurants make it SO easy to adapt a dish; if it is possible for them to serve something without a sauce, or with sauce on the side, they'll do it. At times when DS used to look at a menu and think at first there was nothing he liked, we'd just point out -- well there's chicken, and beef, and pork -- just focus on the main item, ask about switching sides, and ask about the preparation/sauces.

My DH used to have it in mind that we couldn't go to a certain place (WDW or otherwise) unless we knew they had a kids' menu or had something we knew for sure DS would like. I didn't agree with that -- my feeling was that we can sometimes eat at places that cater to kids and sometimes eat at more adult type places, and that we just needed to encourage DS that there would always be something he *could* eat. I know so much depends on an individual, but I think that being reasonable about the mix of places where you eat, and expecting your child to be reasonable about trying things, can result in better experiences all around. Kids are pretty amazing at stepping up to challenges and opportunities if they have safe opportunities, I think.

 

[bleeps]

CP is a great breakfast.... that picture of the puffed french toast is making me drool!!

Yeah -- I kind of wish I hadn't posted it this morning because I can't stop thinking about it.... Honey nut Cheerios with a sliced banana just didn't quite do the trick as the replacement

 

[Symans3honeybees]

I am really enjoying your report. Can't believe that we both share quite a lot of favorite restaurants and dishes in WDW.

 

[bleeps]

I am really enjoying your report. Can't believe that we both share quite a lot of favorite restaurants and dishes in WDW.

Love that! Thanks for reading

 

[janeapplemeadow]

Again I must say, your pictures and reviews are just great. I dare say you seem to be raising a potential Disney nut in a perfect way. I love that you encourage him to be adventurous in his dining selections. I'm sure he'll grow up to be the "proper" disney nut like the rest of us. All the trips I took my nieces and nephews on, I always encouraged the to try whatever they liked and if we had to, we could always get something later if they were still hungry. I'm proud to say, on our Aug. trip they each enjoyed the ostrich at Cali Grill and they are now certified Disney nuts.

 

[tinacaplan]

Love your reviews...I'm excited to read reviews from more adventerous eaters.

 

[bleeps]

Captain's Grille

This review will primarily be about the lunch we had on our last day, before heading over to the airport

We did, however, have a breakfast here one morning. Our cm was Clark, and although we were considering ordering from the ala carte items because we weren't all that hungry, he steered us all to the breakfast buffet. He said it was the best value, esp. on the DP, since the entrees were all priced just a tad below the cost of the buffet and we'd have our pick of things like fresh fruit, eggs, yogurt, granola, etc. This was a case where we all ended up feeling that Clark did right by us -- we did end up enjoying the meal more because we could graze at the buffet, and it was nice being able to get in and out on our own schedule. I didn't mark down the cost so I can't share that. This buffet, while nowhere near as extensive as the one at CP, was still fresh and appealing.

Lunch, then.

Oh dear.

So here's what happened: as we were being seated, DS asked for a trip to the restroom. So we told DH we'd both like ice tea and I took DS off (the restrooms are slightly hard to find but I knew exactly where I was going). As we were walking back to the table, we could see immediately that something had gone terribly wrong....

Turns out that as the cm approached the table with a large tray holding 3 large glasses ice tea, she lost balance of the tray and I'm sorry to have to say that all three glasses of ice tea ended up spilling all over DH. Glasses smashed as they hit the table and floor.

If it had been any other day of the trip, this would have been less of a big deal. DH could simply have gone back to the room and changed. But we'd already checked out of the room early that morning, and our bags were being held at bell services. AND, because it was the last day of the trip, DH didn't have the full assortment of clean items available in his bag that he would have wished for.

Now, accidents can happen. We all know that, and DH did, even in his sodden, upset state, realize that it was not the cm's fault. What was kind of weird was that they didn't move us to another table, even though the place was fairly deserted. So they had all these people sweeping up glass and getting us fresh napkins, which just kind of added to DH's feeling kind of upset. We, truly, could have just asked to move to another table, but when I suggested this to DH he wasn't interested.

You know how sometimes when you get into a miserable situation you just aren't ready at first to be helped out of it? That was the case for him.

The tea had also sloshed into our bags, where DH's most favorite baseball hat (very light colored, naturally) was, and where the one toy DS had bought for himself that morning was.

DH said that as soon as the accident happened, a manager had come over to ask if he was all right. No one said anything about comp'ing the meal and honestly since we were using our last DP credits anyway that didn't matter. This is such a sticky kind of situation rolleyes1) -- we are not people who are going to get all nutty and start demanding things, but it would be nice NOT to have to do that and still feel taken care of. Oh well.

So we ordered lunch instead, DH sitting there just sopping. wet.

DH and I both had lobster rolls:

DS had fish & chips

The meals were fine, but we didn't enjoy them as we might have. I did get DH to get up and leave the table as soon as he finished, and sent him to check the gift shop for the items he knew he didn't have clean things available to replace. Should I leave a tip, I asked him? Do what you think you should do, he said. I will say that the cm brought the bill without the slip that they normally bring you for adding a tip. She was profusely apologetic through the entire meal. I did give her $5 because it wasn't her fault and she clearly felt awful. I do wish the manager had dealt with us a little differently, but I guess this is a case where NOT being a squeaky wheel means they figure you're fine, and we could have been more direct. I'm not sure, even, what it was that I was expecting.

He ended up changing into an assortment of dry but not entirely clean clothes after we got our bags from bell services. We always use Tiffany Town Car to and from the airport, and he was fine once we got into the car and were off. We got to the airport and I asked DH if he'd like a coupla three ice teas and he laughed, so already it was behind us and not a factor in how we felt about the fabulous trip.

I didn't record the cost of the meal, but I'll say that it's a quiet place to have lunch and that the food was good....

So that's our story! We had some cs meals in there (hot dogs at Typhoon Lagoon, for one) but I didn't photograph or record those.

If you've been several times and are wondering how to make it special/different for your older kids, I do have one suggestion:

DS knew that his class would be studying transportation when school started, and he had a summer assignment of investigating some modes of public transportation. He decided to chat up a bus driver while we were waiting, that last morning, for the bus back to YC.

Not only did DS learn so much about the bus system (and gain a major new respect for how challenging that job is), he also made a friend for life! That cm was so utterly delighted to chat with my son -- it clearly made his day. I recommend you encourage your kids to talk to the cm's who aren't in the spotlight, to learn more about how WDW works behind the scenes. It's going to be a theme for our next trip!

In the meantime, do feel free to ask questions, and thanks for reading! I loved the opportunity to remember our trip and I encourage you to take food photos; whether you end up writing reviews or not, it is another fun way to capture details about your wonderful WDW vacation!

 

[bleeps]

Again I must say, your pictures and reviews are just great. I dare say you seem to be raising a potential Disney nut in a perfect way. I love that you encourage him to be adventurous in his dining selections. I'm sure he'll grow up to be the "proper" disney nut like the rest of us. All the trips I took my nieces and nephews on, I always encouraged the to try whatever they liked and if we had to, we could always get something later if they were still hungry. I'm proud to say, on our Aug. trip they each enjoyed the ostrich at Cali Grill and they are now certified Disney nuts.

That's so cool about the ostrich; it's something we've all been wanting to try. I * thought * they used to offer it as Artists' Point (that, and buffalo?) but they had neither last time we were there.

Yes -- I forgot that I, too, have always said that if DS ended up getting something he really couldn't eat that we'd get something else. It never came to that, but I think for kids they relax a little when they have that insurance in their minds.

Disney nuts of the world -- unite!!

 

[bleeps]

Love your reviews...I'm excited to read reviews from more adventerous eaters.

Thanks so much!!

 

[auntfrannie]

Wow! I'm so sorry to hear about your poor experience at Citrico's! I've been there a few times and just love it.

 

[TiffinyKC]

You're so kind! thanks so much.

What we've found has worked over the years is encouraging DS to try some of whatever DH and I order; part of our family tradition when we go out to eat is to have a taste of each other's meals. This has been how DS has discovered that the liked things like lamb and duck and all kinds of fish/seafood -- he never would have ordered any of those things for himself initially, but once he'd tried them he found that he liked them. The other great thing about WDW is that the restaurants make it SO easy to adapt a dish; if it is possible for them to serve something without a sauce, or with sauce on the side, they'll do it. At times when DS used to look at a menu and think at first there was nothing he liked, we'd just point out -- well there's chicken, and beef, and pork -- just focus on the main item, ask about switching sides, and ask about the preparation/sauces.

My DH used to have it in mind that we couldn't go to a certain place (WDW or otherwise) unless we knew they had a kids' menu or had something we knew for sure DS would like. I didn't agree with that -- my feeling was that we can sometimes eat at places that cater to kids and sometimes eat at more adult type places, and that we just needed to encourage DS that there would always be something he *could* eat. I know so much depends on an individual, but I think that being reasonable about the mix of places where you eat, and expecting your child to be reasonable about trying things, can result in better experiences all around. Kids are pretty amazing at stepping up to challenges and opportunities if they have safe opportunities, I think.

Great advice!

 

[bleeps]

Wow! I'm so sorry to hear about your poor experience at Citrico's! I've been there a few times and just love it.

You know, I had the feeling that night that things just weren't quite going our way (for as much our own state of mind as anything else). I imagine we'll give it another try someday; there are places on this current list (like Tony's) where we once said 'never again!' and then realized it was worth another try (which worked out really well). Maybe now we know what we don't care for on the menu, we could try other things and see how it goes.

That room certainly is lovely!

 

[KatiJ]

Great reviews - makes me want to upgrade to the deluxe plan!

Wonder if I could use this as an idea to convice DH to start an annual tradition to WDW "the kids will be more adventurous eaters if we take them every year!"

 

[tinacaplan]

You know, I had the feeling that night that things just weren't quite going our way (for as much our own state of mind as anything else). I imagine we'll give it another try someday; there are places on this current list (like Tony's) where we once said 'never again!' and then realized it was worth another try (which worked out really well). Maybe now we know what we don't care for on the menu, we could try other things and see how it goes.

That room certainly is lovely!

I've read such mixed things about Tony's. But it is the only place at Disney that has much of anything to do with Lady and the Tramp and that's my favorite Disney movie! Wondering if we should try it on our trip?

 

[KatMark]

I totally agree with you -- the puffed french toast is worth the price at the CP. I love it and always fill my plate with it. We got very fortunate in we ended up having a "mini trip" last month that wasn't expected and at 40 or so days out, I was able to get an 8:05 ADR for Crystal Palace; I wouldn't have cared about any of the other places (including LeCellier) as long as I got my puffed french toast.

 

[maiziezoe]

Loving your reviews!!

PS... my 13 year old DD drinks cold cappuccinos all the time!! If that makes us bad parents, let's start a club!

 

[jeminni]

I'm really enjoying your reviews. Like your husband I was at disney for my 50th birthday. My kids were teasing me, everyone wants to have a party for their 50th birthday but you want to run away to disney.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Your review was a delight to read. Thank you!