Four Months of Disney Dining! Final Updates 5/18

[bellebookworm9]

May reviews are listed in orange!
April reviews are listed in purple!
March reviews are listed in green!
February reviews are listed in pink!
January reviews are listed in blue!

Hi, I’m Gretchen! On January 10, 2012 (exactly one month from today!) I will be moving to Disney World for 4 months to participate in the Disney College Program as a Main Entrance Operations Cast Member. I don’t know where I’ll be working for certain, and won’t find out until I get there, but I do know that I’m going to eat a lot of Disney food while I’m there!
Here are some places I’ve already eaten at, and the reviews to them if possible.

ANIMAL KINGDOM PARK
• Dino Bite Snacks: May 2010
• Flame Tree Barbecue: Lunch, January 2012;Lunch, February 2012
• Margarita Stand: April 2012
• Restaurantosaurus: Lunch, March 2012
• Yak & Yeti CS: Lunch, January 2012
• Yak & Yeti TS: Dinner, February 2012


DISNEY’S HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
• 50’s Prime Time Café: Lunch, May 2010; Dinner, January 2012
• ABC Commissary: Lunch, February 2007; Lupper, March 2012
• Catalina Eddie's: Dinner, April 2012
• Pizza Planet: Dinner, February 2012
• Sci-Fi Dine In Theater: Lunch, February 2012
• Starring Rolls: Snack, February 2012
• Studio Catering Co.: Lunch, May 2010
• Writer's Stop: Snack, January 2012; Snack, January 2012 x 2

EPCOT
FUTURE WORLD
• Electric Umbrella: Dinner, February 2012
• Sunshine Seasons: Lunch, February 2007; Lunch and Dinner, May 2010; Snack, October 2011; Lupper, October 2011; Lunch, January 2012; Dinner, January 2012; Lunch, February 2012; Dinner, April 2012

WORLD SHOWCASE
• Boulangerie Patisserie: Dinner, March 2012
• Cantina de San Angel: Lunch, March 2012
• Chefs de France: Lunch, March 2012
• Espresso, Coffee, and Pastries: Snack, January 2012
• Kaki Gori [Japan]: Snack, May 2010
• Karamell Kuche: Snack, October 2011; Snack, January 2012; Snack, February 2012
• Kringla Bakeri og Kafe: [Norway] Dinner, May 2010; Snack, October 2011; Snack, January 2012
• La Cantina de San Angel: February 2007
• Le Cellier Steakhouse: Lunch, May 2010
• Liberty Inn: Dinner, February 2007
• Lotus Blossom Cafe: Dinner, March 2012
• Rose & Crown: Dinner, February 2012
• Food & Wine Festival (October 2011): Australia Caribbean Hawaii, Desserts & Champagne, Greece, & Ireland Scandianvia, South Korea, Cheese, Poland, Hops & Barley, New Zealand, & Belgium China Germany, Italy, & France

MAGIC KINGDOM
• Aloha Isle: May 2010; October 2011; January 2012
• Casey’s Corner: May 2010; October 2011
• Columbia Harbour House: Dinner, May 2010
• Cosmic Ray’s: Lunch, February 2007; Dinner, May 2010
• Crystal Palace: Dinner, February 2007; Breakfast, May 2010
• Frontierland Pretzel Cart: Snack, January 2012
• Liberty Tree Tavern: Lunch, May 2010; Lunch, April 2012
• Lunching Pad: May 2010
• Main Street Bakery: Breakfast, May 2012
• Main Street Confectionary: Snack, January 2012
• Pecos Bill: Dinner, February 2007; Dinner, January 2012
• Plaza Restaurant: Dinner, January 2012
• Sleepy Hollow: October 2011

RESORTS
ALL STAR MUSIC
• Intermission Food Court: Breakfast x5 and Dinner, February 2007; Breakfast, May 2012

ANIMAL KINGDOM LODGE
• Boma: Breakfast, May 2010
• Mara: Dinner #1, May 2010; Breakfast, May 2010; Dinner #2, May 2010
• Maji Pool Bar: Dinner, May 2010
• Sanaa: Lunch, February 2012

BEACH CLUB
• Beach Club Marketplace: Breakfast #1 and Snack, October 2011; Breakfast #2, October 2011; Dinner, March 2012
• Beaches & Cream: Lunch, October 2011; Dinner, January 2012; Kitchen Sink, April 2012
• Cape May Café: Dinner, October 2011; Breakfast, October 2011
• Hurricane Hanna's: April 2012

BOARDWALK
• Boardwalk Bakery: Breakfast, October 2011

CARIBBEAN BEACH
• Old Port Royale: Lunch, April 2012

CONTEMPORARY
• Chef Mickey's: Breakfast, April 2012
• The Wave: Breakfast, March 2012

CORONADO SPRINGS
• Cafe Rix: Breakfast, February 2012; Breakfast #2, February 2012; Lunch, February 2012
• Pepper Market: Dinner, February 2012; Breakfast, January 2012

FORT WILDERNESS
• Trail's End: Dinner, March 2012

GRAND FLORIDIAN
• 1900 Park Fare: Breakfast, March 2012

OLD KEY WEST
• Olivia's Cafe: Lunch, January 2012

POLYNESIAN
• Captain Cook's: Snack and Breakfast, January 2012; Dinner, March 2012; Dinner x2, March 2012
• Ohana: Dinner, May 2010; Dinner, May 2012
• Tambu Lounge: April 2012

POP CENTURY
• Everything Pop!:Lunch, March 2012

PORT ORLEANS RIVERSIDE
• Riverside Mill: Lunch, March 2012

SARATOGA SPRINGS
• Artist's Palette: Lunch, March 2012

WILDERNESS LODGE
• Whispering Canyon Café: Lunch, October 2011

DOWNTOWN DISNEY
• AMC Fork & Screen: Lunch, April 2012
• Earl of Sandwich: Dinner, May 2010; Lunch, October 2011; Dinner, January 2012; Dinner x2, January 2012
• FoodQuest: Snack, May 2012
• Ghirardelli Soda Fountain: May 2010
• Goofy’s Candy Co.: May 2010; October 2011; January 2012; Snacks, February 2012
• Wolfgang Puck Express: Lunch, May 2010; Dinner, January 2012; Lunch, February 2012

BLIZZARD BEACH
• Frosty the Joe Man Coffee Shack: May 2010
• Lottawatta Lodge: Lunch, January 2012
• Mini Donuts: January 2012

TYPHOON LAGOON
• Happy Landings Ice Cream: Dessert, April 2012
• Leaning Palms: Lunch, March 2012

 

[Sappermont]

Sounds exciting! I can't wait for all your reviews! Enjoy the program.

 

[NOLA_Tink]

Have an amazing time! I'm sure you'll love every minute!!!

 

[carly chloe]

You're pics won't show for me.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Sounds exciting! I can't wait for all your reviews! Enjoy the program.

Thanks! Reviews will officially start on January 10th. I'm staying it Old Key West the night before the program, so will probably have a meal (or two) at Downtown Disney.

Have an amazing time! I'm sure you'll love every minute!!!

Thanks, I hope so!

You're pics won't show for me.

It should be straightened out now, I'm not sure what happened with the links before.

 

[cbg1027]

Oh congrats on getting to the CP! Sounds like you will be in for an exciting semester!

Can't wait to hear all about the food.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Just a quick update: I have booked a lunch at Olivia's for my arrival day. My roommate and I also plan to meet up at Downtown Disney in the evening, so I'll be getting dinner and probably snacks there.

For February when Mom comes to visit, I also booked Rose & Crown for 7:45pm, hoping we can stay for IllumiNations. We will probably end up canceling our Coral Reef meal.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Oh my gosh! How exciting! I'm subbing to your thread so I can keep up with your restaurant reviews! Take lots of pics, bc I'll be planning future visits and places to eat with your help.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Subbing-- 4 months of Disney Dining how lucky am I ---- err you .

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Gretchen! Congratulations! I have been MIA from these boards for a couple months and didn't even know you had applied for CP, and now you're going there in a couple days! I am so excited for you and am looking forward to reading about your CP experience!

A quick edit: I was reading your blog (because when it's the first week of January and no students are on campus there's NOTHING to do at work!) and you mentioned the housing process. I'm following another Trip Report from a CP cast member, and she just posted a very detailed explanation of how to select your apartment and how roommates are placed together. It's very different from the old Geneseo process for sure!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Oh my gosh! How exciting! I'm subbing to your thread so I can keep up with your restaurant reviews! Take lots of pics, bc I'll be planning future visits and places to eat with your help.

I definitely will take a ton of pictures and I hope I'll be able to help you make some choices!

Subbing-- 4 months of Disney Dining how lucky am I ---- err you .

Well, you're pretty lucky too, since you can live vicariously through me!

Gretchen! Congratulations! I have been MIA from these boards for a couple months and didn't even know you had applied for CP, and now you're going there in a couple days! I am so excited for you and am looking forward to reading about your CP experience!

A quick edit: I was reading your blog (because when it's the first week of January and no students are on campus there's NOTHING to do at work!) and you mentioned the housing process. I'm following another Trip Report from a CP cast member, and she just posted a very detailed explanation of how to select your apartment and how roommates are placed together. It's very different from the old Geneseo process for sure!

Thanks! I'm very excited-less than a week left now! Thanks for the link-now I'm a little nervous that we won't all be able to live together, but I'll hope for the best and at least we'll be going in prepared!

 

[dvccruiser76]

Subscribing

Gretchen,
Have a wonderful trip I am saving this thread in my favorites, so I can catch up while you are away

Sue,

 

[bellebookworm9]

Subscribing

Gretchen,
Have a wonderful trip I am saving this thread in my favorites, so I can catch up while you are away

Sue,

I will be updating on Tuesday-from what I understand, Olivia's has free wi-fi so I might even be able to post while I'm eating! If not, I'll definitely update in the evening.

 

[iloveeeyore]

Congratulations, Gretchen!! You remind me of my DD(17). She is a Belle fan and a bookworm and aspires to participate in the CP. And I dream of being the mom who visits her in February!!

I can't wait to read all about it. Safe travels!

 

[jillbur]

Cannot wait to read all about your time at Disney and the yummy food. Can you say JEALOUS lol?

Jill

 

[bellebookworm9]

I arrived at Old Key West around noon and after I checked in and changed into shorts, I decided I wanted to eat lunch. I walked up to the podium and explained that I had a reservation for 2pm, but if they had availability I would like to eat then. It was no problem and I was seated right away. My server was J'nette.

I was trying to keep costs down for this meal so ordered water to drink (plus I was really thirsty). I knew pretty much right away what I wanted to order, and chose the Traditional Club Sandwich - Layers of Smoked Turkey, Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Mayonnaise, served with Honey-Lime Fruit Salad for $11.99. It arrived in a short while later.

It was a pretty average sandwich. I thought the bread would be toasted but it wasn't. The fruit salad was good but tasted simply of honeydew and cantaloupe, not really any honey or lime flavors that I could detect. It was a very large sandwich so I ate only half and a few bites of the other half. I did finish all the fruit salad.

Several minutes passed before J'nette came out to see if I was through and when she did she admitted that she had been "chatting in the back" and then worried that I was waiting for her.

I decided to try the famed Key Lime Tart-with mango and raspberry sauces ($5.49). for dessert. I expected either a slice of key lime pie or something like the Sunshine Seasons key lime tart, but this is what I got instead:

I ate half of the crust, which was very good, then dug out the middle key lime filling. I ate a couple bites of the meringue but scooped most of it off-nothing against the meringue there as it's not something I care for in general.

Overall the meal did fill me up and I was pleased but I wasn't wowed. Both the service and the food were just average. I would recommend it if you are staying at the resort, but wouldn't say you should make a special trip over there just for the restaurant. I'm in no great hurry to go back.

Total cost for the meal including tax and tip was $21.77.

 

[cymbaldiva]

Can't wait to read all your reviews - sounds like you have a wonderful few months ahead of you!

Hope things pick up for you foodwise - that does not look like the yummiest way too spend 20 bucks!

 

[lovethattink]

New reviews will be listed in blue!

Of course, there’s no guarantee I’ll eat at any or all of these places, but I’m going to try! I also have ADRs at the following places in February when my mom comes to visit:
• Coral Reef (Dinner)
• Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (Lunch)
• Plaza Restaurant (Dinner)

I’d also love recommendations of places to try, or requests for places you want to see reviewed!
[/COLOR]

Coral Reef, Sci-Fi and the Plaza Restaurant are the 3 restaurants we go to the most! I love the battered shrimp at the Coral Reef and their vegetarian entree! At Sci-Fi it's the onion rings and spinach dip that do me in. At the Plaza Restaurant, I enjoy either the strawberry, chicken salad or the tuna sandwich on a croissant!

I seem to be one of the few people who really enjoy eating at Coral Reef. Illiana is our favorite server, but she is only part time and has started back at school.

Just a quick update: I have booked a lunch at Olivia's for my arrival day. My roommate and I also plan to meet up at Downtown Disney in the evening, so I'll be getting dinner and probably snacks there.

For February when Mom comes to visit, I also booked Rose & Crown for 7:45pm, hoping we can stay for IllumiNations. We will probably end up canceling our Coral Reef meal.

I hope you had a great time with your roommate at DTD!

Rose & Crown is one place I've never been brave enough to try.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Tuesday evening I met my roommate at Earl of Sandwich for dinner around 6pm. We went in and there was no line and a lot of open tables. I was kind of shocked because it was prime dinner time. I ordered the Veggie - Feta cheese, lettuce, roma tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, roasted red peppers and Mediterrean Dressing minus the red peppers. My roommate got the All American - roast turkey, buttermilk ranch, cranberries, cheddar cheese, lettuce, and roma tomato.

I also picked up a bottle of water and then headed to the cashier. We grabbed a table for two right near the pick up counter and seconds later our pagers went off.

My sandwich was very good. The dressing was not overpowering and the feta cheese was delicious. Plus with all the veggies, I felt healthy eating it. I only ate half and had a bit of the other half for lunch the following day. My roommate enjoyed her sandwich as well and she was glad I introduced her to Earl's. Total cost for my meal including tax was $9.04.

A little while later we headed off the Polynesian to get a Dole Whip before watching Wishes from the beach.

The Dole Whip was just as good as I remembered! And it was my roommate's first time having one and she loved it as well. Cost was $2.89 without tax.

I also picked up a breakfast parfait from Captain Cook's to eat the next morning. It had yogurt, some sort of granola, and raisins I think. It was big and filling. I don't have a picture of it; it was just over $4.29 without tax.

 

[readytogotodisney]

Tuesday evening I met my roommate at Earl of Sandwich for dinner around 6pm. We went in and there was no line and a lot of open tables. I was kind of shocked because it was prime dinner time. I ordered the Veggie - Feta cheese, lettuce, roma tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, roasted red peppers and Mediterrean Dressing minus the red peppers.

A little while later we headed off the Polynesian to get a Dole Whip before watching Wishes from the beach.

The Dole Whip was just as good as I remembered! And it was my roommate's first time having one and she loved it as well. Cost was $2.89 without tax.

Oh that sandwich looks really good! We'll be in DTD on Saturday and I usually head straight for Wolfgang Pucks Express, but that sandwich is making me second guess that!

And the dole whip, I've never had one before, but I've heard everyone rave about it! Since Main Street Ice Cream Parlor is closed for refurb, I think I might go for the dole whip instead this trip!

I'm going to love to follow along with your thread!