Down by the Boardwalk - 5 days of family dining fun

[jknepfle]

subscibing. . .nice report so far! Loving the specifics.

My family is going in Sept. and will be trying some of the restaurants you are reviewing. We've never done to many TS in Disney before so this will be new for us. Have always loved the CS meals and eating around the world in Epcot is a special time when we send our big ones off with the little ones so we can relax and graze a bit.

Our youngest two are the same ages as yours and actually have the same costumes!! so cute!

Keep the reviews coming.

Cool!!! Have a great trip! Where are you staying?

Well, we were originally going to drive, but we just found some fairly cheap flights on Southwest out of Columbus, so we decided to fly. I was originally looking forward to having a car while there, to use when the disney transportation would be inconvenient. So we thought maybe we'd rent a car, but I think we've decided we won't and we'll just pay for a cab for the few times that the transportation would be a pain. I did some research, and I think it will be definitely cheaper than renting a car for the week.

Still loving the report, and by the way your kids are so cute.

Awesome!!! Other than the luggage logistics with a 2 and 4 year old, we loved flying!

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds like you really enjoyed Garden Grill - I think you might be right about the veggies being grown there. I am sure I have read or heard that somewhere before.

 

[jknepfle]

Earl of Sandwich

DW loves to go to Downtown Disney to check out World of Disney, Once Upon A Toy, Disney's Days of Christmas, etc. So, this afternoon we headed over there for the afternoon. We had been trying to decide where to eat for a long time. We've eaten at Rainforest Cafe there a couple times, and we like it, but we don't love it. The theming is pretty cool in there, but the food is kind of mediocre, IMHO. Plus, our kids got a little scared of the storms and animatronics the last time. So, we decided to go the quick service route.

We couldn't decide between EOS and Wolfgang Puck Express, but ended up going to EOS. There was virtually no line, which was a bonus! I hear the line can get pretty long in there.

I decided on The Original 1762 which is described thusly: "fresh roasted beef, cheddar and creamy horseradish sauce." It's not the typical kind of thing I'd get, but it just sounded good at the time. It was just fine. There was an awful lot of sauce on it and the beef seemed a little squishy and not very well cooked. Now, I like my beef pretty medium rare, but this just didn't seem to have the right texture. The bread on the sandwich was good, but I don't think I'd gush over it.

DW got The Scuddeto, which is "salami, capicola, ham and mortadella with fresh sliced mozzarella, roma tomatoes and marinara." She liked it pretty much. I tasted it and it was good...just like any italian sub you'd get at a pizza place or similar. The meat seemed pretty fresh and good and the sauce was pleasant, too.

The kids shared the Pizza sandwich, which was what you'd expect....a hot toasted sandwich with sauce and cheese. I think they liked it, but didn't love it.

In all, we were pretty underwhelmed here. Maybe we just didn't make the right choices or maybe it just doesn't appeal to us. It was fine, and I'm not saying we'd never go back, but it just wasn't great at all.

Overall: C


Goofy's Candy Company
After we did a little shopping, it started to downpour! So, we headed on over to Goofy's Candy Company and let the kids pick out a treat. We had heard so much talk about the "create your own treat" that we couldn't pass it up. Basically, you can choose from pretzels, marshmallows, rice krispie treats, etc, and have them dipped (chocolate, white chocolate, etc) then covered in a topping (sprinkles, nuts, cookies, reese cups, etc) and then a drizzle (chocoloate, caramel, etc). Now, I don't know where they get it, but our kids love marshmallows. So, that's what they chose. They got it covered in chocolate then sprinkled with chocolate chips and sprinkles.

Here are some pics:

The kids seemed to like it, although it wouldn't have been my choice. I don't think DW or I tried them, so I can't give a good review other than their reaction. This kept them content for a pretty long time inside World of Disney, so I suppose it must have been good.

I will say one thing....Goofy's may not be the best place to ride out a storm. It's rather cramped in there and there's not really a whole lot of stuff to look at. I'd say your best bet is either WOD or Once Upon a Toy if you run into our problem (or...run from store to store thru the rain like we did!).

 

[disneyjunebug]

I'm not sure we will do EOS, but I definitely know we will do Goofy's, since my DS is a marshmellow fiend also! Where do these kids get this stuff? I can't stand to eat them! Maybe chocolate covered would taste better!

 

[ufgator]

WARNING!
<DIGRESSION>
Has anyone noticed that channel 96 on TV shows old-time Disney cartoons? We found this last year when we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside, and it quickly became a favorite of our kids. This year, it even included one of those old Goofy cartoons where he's trying to ride a horse. If you haven't checked out channel 96 in the resort hotels, put it on your list for next time. As far as I know they don't advertise it, but it's just one of those "hidden gems" that is SO Disney.
</DIGRESSION>

I love this channel and the old Disney cartoons.

Thanks for your reviews!

 

[wilma-bride]

We love EOS - what a shame you didn't enjoy your experience.

And your kids have excellent taste - you can't beat chocolate-dipped marshmallows

 

[lgcountry]

Great job on the dining reviews. I don't think you would have a problem on a full fledged trip report. I for one would love to read it.

Waiting for more!

 

[jknepfle]

I'm not sure we will do EOS, but I definitely know we will do Goofy's, since my DS is a marshmellow fiend also! Where do these kids get this stuff? I can't stand to eat them! Maybe chocolate covered would taste better!

Hahaha...I'd definitely say the chocolate must have helped!

I love this channel and the old Disney cartoons.

Thanks for your reviews!

I was so happy when I found that channel. We watched it the whole time we were there! Glad to have you reading the reviews!

We love EOS - what a shame you didn't enjoy your experience.

And your kids have excellent taste - you can't beat chocolate-dipped marshmallows

Yeah...I'm sure we'll try it again at some point...I'll just have to try something else when we do!

Great job on the dining reviews. I don't think you would have a problem on a full fledged trip report. I for one would love to read it.

Waiting for more!

Cool! Maybe I'll get motivated to do it!!!

 

[jknepfle]

Pecos Bill's
This was one crowded day in the Magic Kingdom! We saw the Country Bears about 11 and decided to hit Pecos Bills' right next door immediately after. Apparently we weren't the only ones trying to avoid the crowds by going early, cause it was CROWDED!

Does anyone else remember when, attached to Pecos Bills, there was a place called the Mile Long Bar with windows on either side? I just vaguely remember it, but my parents talk about it all the time. Apparently, when I was young, we got chili there and it was really good....at 10:30 in the morning!!!

But, I digress...

I was in the mood for something a little different at this point, so I went with the BBQ Pork Sandwich with baked beans and fries. I didn't have high hopes, tho...like I said, I wasn't looking for anything spectacular, just something different. Boy, was I suprised!!! This was a GOOD sandwich! The roll was nice and big and soft without being too soft, plenty sturdy enough to hold in all that barbeque sauce and meat. I was very pleasantly suprised. Now, was it the best bbq I've ever had? No way. But, it's all about expectations...I expected cafeteria barbeque and got something significantly better. I was pretty happy with it! The beans it was served with were just fine...pretty mushy with a really sweet barbeque-y sauce, and the fries were good, as always. DW had a cheeseburger, but added bacon. The reason we like this place is the toppings bar....just like CR's, it's really good! She seemd pretty happy with it. The kids shared a cheeseburger, too, and seemed to like it well enough.

In all, we like this place. It's usually got plenty of seating, with air conditioning, and the toppings bar is great. Now, I like it even more since I know they have a good BBQ sandwich!

Overall: B


Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
By this time, we had done everything we really wanted to do, so we decided to do some shopping on Main St. We looked thru the Main Street Bakery, but nothing really struck us, so we headed to the Plaza Ice Cream parlor for some ice cream. It was really hot out so this sounded really good. We got 2 "Plaza" Ice Cream Sundaes which are described thusly: "Hot Fudge, whipped cream and a cherry served in waffle bowl".

They were pretty darn good! Nothing earth-shatteringly good, but good nonetheless. I was feeling pretty thirsty, so I was wishing I had gotten a float instead, but there's always next time, right!?

Overall: B-

 

[TigerKat]

I love a good BBQ sandwich, glad to know I have another option at Pecos!!

 

[DisneyJo]

They all sound great, my DD's have already decided we're spending some SC's at Goofys

 

[agentpleakley]

Just wanted to say how much I'm enjoying your reviews. Awesome descriptions just awesome

 

[Booknut]

You know I usually drool over the photos but your reviews are so descriptive that they're doing the trick! Excellent reviews and your kids are adorable!

 

[kileybeth]

aw, to bad about Earl. . .I stopped in 2 seperate times (alone, DH working while I hung around resort a couple days) and I honestly can not remember which sandwhich I chose (although not the roast beef I do know that) but I truly loved it. I also had a cup of soup one day that really hit the spot and I think a fruit type dessert cup thingy? (yeah, real discriptive I know) but all had me wanting to return to try more. Sometimes you just never can tell ya know?

Goofy's is on my Itinerary this trip. What cute faces on your little ones. Note to self: bring extra baby wipes this day, napkins will not suffice!

I do believe I vaguely remember chili at the mile long bar! wonder when that changed? like what year? anywho, also like Pecos for wraps myself and DH gets BBQ and kids burgers. A standby for my family each trip right before parade time usually.

Ice Cream on Mainstreet is a mixed memory for me. So tired by end of day and it usually finds me waiting for DH and older kids with a baby asleep in stroller while I indulge. . . 2 trips ago the night ended badly as my DS2 at the time (me 6mos. pregnant) had a seizure right in front of here. So my last memories are of someone pushing my stroller as someone else carried my child and someone else tried to locate my famiy and then we were in an ambulance. . scary stuff and altho we've been back since, I haven't eaten ice cream on Mainstreet again, probablly time to rectify that!

sounds like your family made some good choices and it's fun to read about your specific selections!

 

[OhioTony]

Maybe it's a Cincinnnati thing but we have either already eaten where you are reviewing and totally agree with you or we will be eating at some of the places you have reviewed when we go in December.
Great reports so far!

 

[TruBlu]

You have me wishing we'd eaten at Garden Grill! We are going to replace our LTT character meal with GG next year. My boys LOVE cranberry sauce.

Thanks!