windycitymom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2006
- Messages
- 607
Just returned after staying the Dolphin & Swan for a conference so most our of meals were onsite. Dont' forget to check out the Boardwalk which is walking distance from resort.
The first thing I did was purchase the refillable mug for $12.99. The mug is a "coffee mug" so it will fit in your car's cupholder. This was great as I could easily get coffee and diet coke anytime. Even though there is a coffee maker in the room, I'd go and get the coffee in the Picabu Cafe (open 24 hours). The mug was accepted everywhere onsite.
Picabu Cafe - This cafe is open 24 hours! This is also where you purchase your refillable mug. Because I was there with a conference, the mugs quickly sold out as everyone was buying them. This cafe takes the AAA discount so you get 20% off of all FOOD purchases. They had a good kids menu, prepackaged salads and sandwiches to go, and you could order hot dogs, burgers, kids nuggets, soup, meatballs, nachos, chicken, pizza,etc. I thought this was very reasonably priced.
Kimonos - I purchased a Restaurant.com certificate ($25 off for $2) which made the meal very reasonable. You only had to spend $35 to get $25 off. You order ala'carte so you can order a variety of sushi. There is even cooked sushi for those who don't want to eat it raw, and tempura shrimp. The food was very good! They also have karaoke which is alot of fun - especially with a group. I would go here again.
Il Mulino - We also had a $25 Restaurant.com certificate here. You have to order two entrees to get $25 off. We ordered a pizza ($17) and pasta ($20) so our bill came to $19 including tip. They also bring you a complimentary appetizer plate of eggplant, and other things. Plus a basket of bread. The service was outstanding. We would eat here again. Your server may give you 10% off if you ask about the AAA discount
Didn't eat in Blue Zoo or Shula's...even with the $25 GC it was really expensive. I have no desire to eat a $50+ steak.
The Fountain - simple lunch items and wonderful desserts. Also take's the AAA discount.
Garden Grove - this was the biggest surprise of all! It being a "character restaurant" I wasn't expecting really good food; however, the food was outstanding and worth the money even if the characters didn't come around! We ate here for Seafood night so the cost was $31.99 each. With the $25 GC, our bill came to $54 including the 18% tip. This was a buffet. There was a chef making fresh risotto with your choice of ingredients (I got shrimp, scallops, mushrooms and garlic). The salmon was tender and fresh; the steak was tender; the mash potatoes were creamy (I could go on and on.... ) The desserts were great. They had peel and eat shrimp, crab legs - totally worth taking a trip here. If you don't have a Restaurant.com GC, they will accept the AAA discount for 20% off. By 8 pm, it wasn't crowded and practically empty. Out of any of the restaurants in the Dolphin/Swan, I'd come here first.
The Cabana This is a cool place to eat by the grotto pool. In addition to tables, they have couches and lounges outside with huge pillows so you can relax - nice ambiance. The food was really good.
Overall, I was very impressed by the food and the prices were very decent considering you are in a WDW resort.
The first thing I did was purchase the refillable mug for $12.99. The mug is a "coffee mug" so it will fit in your car's cupholder. This was great as I could easily get coffee and diet coke anytime. Even though there is a coffee maker in the room, I'd go and get the coffee in the Picabu Cafe (open 24 hours). The mug was accepted everywhere onsite.
Picabu Cafe - This cafe is open 24 hours! This is also where you purchase your refillable mug. Because I was there with a conference, the mugs quickly sold out as everyone was buying them. This cafe takes the AAA discount so you get 20% off of all FOOD purchases. They had a good kids menu, prepackaged salads and sandwiches to go, and you could order hot dogs, burgers, kids nuggets, soup, meatballs, nachos, chicken, pizza,etc. I thought this was very reasonably priced.
Kimonos - I purchased a Restaurant.com certificate ($25 off for $2) which made the meal very reasonable. You only had to spend $35 to get $25 off. You order ala'carte so you can order a variety of sushi. There is even cooked sushi for those who don't want to eat it raw, and tempura shrimp. The food was very good! They also have karaoke which is alot of fun - especially with a group. I would go here again.
Il Mulino - We also had a $25 Restaurant.com certificate here. You have to order two entrees to get $25 off. We ordered a pizza ($17) and pasta ($20) so our bill came to $19 including tip. They also bring you a complimentary appetizer plate of eggplant, and other things. Plus a basket of bread. The service was outstanding. We would eat here again. Your server may give you 10% off if you ask about the AAA discount
Didn't eat in Blue Zoo or Shula's...even with the $25 GC it was really expensive. I have no desire to eat a $50+ steak.
The Fountain - simple lunch items and wonderful desserts. Also take's the AAA discount.
Garden Grove - this was the biggest surprise of all! It being a "character restaurant" I wasn't expecting really good food; however, the food was outstanding and worth the money even if the characters didn't come around! We ate here for Seafood night so the cost was $31.99 each. With the $25 GC, our bill came to $54 including the 18% tip. This was a buffet. There was a chef making fresh risotto with your choice of ingredients (I got shrimp, scallops, mushrooms and garlic). The salmon was tender and fresh; the steak was tender; the mash potatoes were creamy (I could go on and on.... ) The desserts were great. They had peel and eat shrimp, crab legs - totally worth taking a trip here. If you don't have a Restaurant.com GC, they will accept the AAA discount for 20% off. By 8 pm, it wasn't crowded and practically empty. Out of any of the restaurants in the Dolphin/Swan, I'd come here first.
The Cabana This is a cool place to eat by the grotto pool. In addition to tables, they have couches and lounges outside with huge pillows so you can relax - nice ambiance. The food was really good.
Overall, I was very impressed by the food and the prices were very decent considering you are in a WDW resort.
