Four Months of Disney Dining! Final Updates 5/18

[MelindaRuns]

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!

I love your thread Gretchen! Sounds like you will have lots of fun! I have had that veggie sandwich at Earl's and I LOVED it! Happy eating and CP'ing!

 

[jenanderson]

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.

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.

Hi Gretchen! You hit 2 of my favorite in 1 day.

My family always eats at the Earl of Sandwich. I think the portions are decent and I am often able to split one with DH if we are there for lunch.

The Poly is the best place to get your Dole Whip fix because you get to fill the cup yourself. My kids are experts at filling every little bit of the cup and swirling it up into a massive Dole Whip experience! Then, taking that treat to the beach to watch Wishes is the best!

I am so glad that I get to "experience" all of this through you!
Jen

 

[chocolateMinnie]

What a dream to work at WDW - looking forward to reading your reviews

 

[BMC423]

Hey Gretchen,

Good start, that EoS veggie sandwich looks delish... might try that on our next trip!

 

[bellebookworm9]

On Thursday night we got together with the boys in the apartment next door and headed to Downtown Disney. Since we were all looking for something cheap, back to Earl's it was. This was around 7pm and it was very busy. We put together our tables and eleven chairs outside on the patio, then half of the group saved the seats while the rest of us went in to order, and vice versa.

Tonight I ordered The Original 1762. It was much better than last time and was ready fairly quickly.

I decided to try something new and get dessert. I wanted to try a brownie creme sandwich, but didn't see them at first, so I ordered a triple chocolate brownie instead. It was so good; moist and chewy and chocolaty.

The big disappointment of the evening was the Earl's Grey Lemonade. I really like iced tea and lemonade mixed together and that's what I was expecting. But this was a really strong tea that seemed to be a hot tea and just chilled, and it really overpowered the lemonade. Wasn't sweet at all and I just didn't care for it.

Total cost including tax was $10.52.

January 13th
Today I went to Magic Kingdom with two of my apartment-mates, one of the boys next door, and four girls from across the hall (who we didn't really get along with at all, but that's another story). I really wanted to try a Mickey shaped pretzel so we stopped at a Frontierland cart so I could get one. I had a bit of sticker shock: $4.50 for the pretzel, $1.00 for some cheese sauce, and $2.75 for a bottle of Sprite, bringing the total to $8.75 (included tax) .

The pretzel was really very good, but the cheese sauce was just okay. But really, how can anything shaped like Mickey's face not taste good?

Before we left the park, one of my apartment-mates and I stopped into the Main Street Confectionary. She is allergic to wheat and dairy so had some trouble finding spots throughout the park to eat. But she went ahead and ordered an M&M rice crispie treat and declared it delicious.

I took a picture of these turkey leg rice crispies because turkey legs are kind of a running joke from my townhouse this past semester.

But I decided to go with the chocolate fudge with peanuts and M&Ms. I ate about 3/4 of it and it was very good.

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Before we left the park, one of my apartment-mates and I stopped into the Main Street Confectionary. She is allergic to wheat and dairy so had some trouble finding spots throughout the park to eat. But she went ahead and ordered an M&M rice crispie treat and declared it delicious.

I took a picture of these turkey leg rice crispies because turkey legs are kind of a running joke from my townhouse this past semester.

But I decided to go with the chocolate fudge with peanuts and M&Ms. I ate about 3/4 of it and it was very good.

Whenever I go into the Confectionary with intentions of getting a treat, I usually leave empty handed because of all the choices and I get overwhelmed! But your fudge looks a-ma-zing!

 

[BMC423]

I love the turkey legs!!!! I'm not a big fan of turkey so those giant turkey legs have never ever caught my eye. But now that they come in the rice treat variety sign me up

 

[bellebookworm9]

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!

Things have definitely gotten better! And now I have my CM discount, so most TS places will definitely be cheaper!

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.

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.

I canceled Coral Reef, because when we re-read the menu nothing really appealed. I want to try the Strawberry Chicken Salad from the Plaza. Rose & Crown's Shepherd's Pie sounds really good to me.

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!

I want to go back to WPE, but I was looking for cheap, so Earl it was. I highly recommend the Dole Whip! The floats from Aloha Isle are very good, but mix up the whip and the pineapple juice, otherwise you have very sweet whip and not sweet juice.

I love your thread Gretchen! Sounds like you will have lots of fun! I have had that veggie sandwich at Earl's and I LOVED it! Happy eating and CP'ing!

The sandwich was very good. I don't think you can go wrong with Earl's-we went there again with a total of 11 people and no one complained!

Hi Gretchen! You hit 2 of my favorite in 1 day.

My family always eats at the Earl of Sandwich. I think the portions are decent and I am often able to split one with DH if we are there for lunch.

The Poly is the best place to get your Dole Whip fix because you get to fill the cup yourself. My kids are experts at filling every little bit of the cup and swirling it up into a massive Dole Whip experience! Then, taking that treat to the beach to watch Wishes is the best!

I am so glad that I get to "experience" all of this through you!
Jen

Mom and I normally share all our meals, so we've shared at Earl's and found it to be good portions. The Dole Whip was really good, and I learned from Lisa H. that 1/2 cup is only 80 calories!

What a dream to work at WDW - looking forward to reading your reviews

Thanks for reading. I think I'm really going to like working here.

Hey Gretchen,

Good start, that EoS veggie sandwich looks delish... might try that on our next trip!

I definitely recommend it!

Whenever I go into the Confectionary with intentions of getting a treat, I usually leave empty handed because of all the choices and I get overwhelmed! But your fudge looks a-ma-zing!

There was a teen ahead of me who asked to look at every cookie before he ordered. His English wasn't great though, so the CM would hold one up and say "This is X type of cookie" and he would say "Oh, well I don't want that". If all else fails in there, go for a piece of fudge!

I love the turkey legs!!!! I'm not a big fan of turkey so those giant turkey legs have never ever caught my eye. But now that they come in the rice treat variety sign me up

I'm not crazy about turkey either, but I've never had a turkey leg and I feel like I should try one. I cracked up at the confectionery ones though!

 

[want2bamommy]

I <3 soft pretzels and haven't noticed the mickey pretzel before. I'm going to HAVE to have one on my next trip.

I'm so excited to read the rest of your reports. Thanks for writing them.

 

[KateB]

Oh My! That pretzel looks AMAZING!!! I make things in the shape of Mickey at home. hehe It does make everything taste sooooo much better!

 

[pumba]

thanks for the reviews..
I love Earl of Sandwich and always get the Full Montagu...that is delishish and I can hardly wait to go back...it is our favorite sandwich place in Disney...

I have never had a dole whip in the 28 visits to the House of the Mouse...maybe...just maybe you talked me into it...

Thanks again

 

[cbg1027]

I've never seen those Turkey Leg Rice Crispie Treats! That is too funny.

The veggie sandwich at EoS looks really yummy!

Do you know when you'll start working? I'll be visiting Epcot sometime in the coming weekend, so if a stranger says hello, I read your blog...that's me!

 

[bellebookworm9]

I <3 soft pretzels and haven't noticed the mickey pretzel before. I'm going to HAVE to have one on my next trip.

I'm so excited to read the rest of your reports. Thanks for writing them.

The Mickey pretzel is a relatively new thing. They've been at Disneyland for awhile and only came to WDW within the last year or so, I think.

Oh My! That pretzel looks AMAZING!!! I make things in the shape of Mickey at home. hehe It does make everything taste sooooo much better!

I agree, Mickey shaped food automatically tastes better.

thanks for the reviews..
I love Earl of Sandwich and always get the Full Montagu...that is delishish and I can hardly wait to go back...it is our favorite sandwich place in Disney...

I have never had a dole whip in the 28 visits to the House of the Mouse...maybe...just maybe you talked me into it...

Thanks again

The Full Montagu sounds interesting, may have to try it. You really should try the Dole Whip! If you like pineapple, you will probably like it.

I've never seen those Turkey Leg Rice Crispie Treats! That is too funny.

The veggie sandwich at EoS looks really yummy!

Do you know when you'll start working? I'll be visiting Epcot sometime in the coming weekend, so if a stranger says hello, I read your blog...that's me!

I've never seen the crispie legs either! I'm working Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and start official training Friday. Don't know past that yet, but I'll let you know!

 

[bellebookworm9]

Yesterday one of my roommates and I went to Animal Kingdom for the afternoon. Arriving around 1:30 we headed to Flame Tree Barbecue after getting FPs for the Safari.

I had really wanted to get the fruit plate, but it was kind of chilly yesterday, so then right up until the moment I ordered I debated between the ribs or the pork sandwich. I ended up choosing the Pulled Pork Sandwich served with Coleslaw ($8.99). I really wanted to try the Key Lime Mousse ($3.59) as well, so I got that and a bottle of water ($2.50).

The food was served up pretty quickly, and then Marissa and I went to find seating. I knew one of the pavilions had a beautiful view of Everest so we wound towards the back and found it. This was the view from our table.

And this was our food. (Marissa also got the sandwich.)

I knew that the sauce wasn't already on the sandwich so we went over to the condiment station to remedy that problem. They were out of regular BBQ sauce. so instead I went with the Sweet and Spicy variety. I was afraid it would be too spicy but it was fine.

The sandwich itself was delicious and I basically inhaled it. The pork was so tender and wonderful. Coleslaw was also very good, which kind of surprised me.

Then it was time for the Key Lime Pie. This was surprisingly good. I really loved the little jellied lime on top. The gel-type stuff on top was a little weird, but the creamy part and the graham cracker crust were amazing.

I would definitely recommend this place and am so glad I finally got to eat here. I'll be back! Total cost of the meal including tax, but after my 20% CM discount, was $12.71.

Wolfgang Puck Express
We ended up at Downtown Disney that evening around 8:45, so while two of our roommates shopped, two of us went to get dinner. We didn't want Earl's again, so we headed to WPE. We decided to split the Cheese Pizza ($10) and each get a drink ($2.85). There was an issue with the Visa gift card I was using and that was a little frustrating bu not the restaurant's fault.

After that was all straightened out, Marissa and I got our drinks (I chose root beer) and got a table. Cesar came over a few minutes later to drop off our silverware and introduce himself. About 10 minutes later the pizza was delivered, and when he saw that we would be sharing, Cesar went to get two side plates and refill my drink.

The pizza was not as big as I remember, but we still got three slices each. The tomato sauce was legitimate tomato sauce and was so good. The pizza as a whole was good, but I have one complaint: a thin crust that quickly became soggy. I found the best way to remedy this was to fold the pizza in half and eat it.

Total after tax and tip (no discount here since it was after 4pm) was $18.73.

Goofy's Candy Co.
I'm sure many of you have seen "Minnie's Bake Shop" items around the property. I had the delight of trying two of the cookies in May 2010. Last night I found them in the case (not in a plastic bag on a shelf!) at Goofy's. When I discovered that Goofy's no longer sells the Carrot Cookie (not from Minnie's), I instead chose the White Chocolate Raspberry Cookie for $3.95.

This is not a cookie you inhale. It's so sweet and delicious that you have to savor it for a while. I think I made it last an hour and a hlaf. Highly recommend it, or any of the other cookies (the peanut butter chocolate chip is excellent too)!

Total cost including tax, after my 40% holiday merchandise discount was $2.53.

 

[exwdwcm]

loving all the updates. Earl is a favorite of mine. If only it had been open on my program, i would have eaten there like everyday! Plus it is such a good deal money wise!

Looking forward to all the dining adventures to come!

 

[Tara922c]

Just stopping by to say that I hope you enjoy your Disney College Program experience!!! I was a CP (merchandise/quick food) in Spring 2006! I loved it, and have been back almost every year since then. Just a warning, Spring Break is brutal! Enjoy the parks while you can because during that time you will not have the energy!

Oh how I miss hanging out at DTD! (we had Pleasure Island back then, tons of fun)

Good luck to you!!

 

[bellebookworm9]

This afternoon I went to Epcot and had lunch at Sunshine Seasons. I went out of my comfort zone and ordered the Roasted Beet and Goat Cheese Salad with Honey Sherry Dressing ($7.89). For dessert, I chose the old favorite of Strawberry Shortcake ($3.99). I also picked up a bottle of water.

The line to check out was pretty short and I found a seat at the long "bar" table that runs along the back/side wall.

The salad came with red and yellow beets (I'd never had beets before), candied walnuts, and a sesame seed flatbread breadstick type thing.

All together, the salad was pretty good. It was certainly flavorful. I love goat cheese and this was particularly creamy. The flavors were interesting, and I liked it, but I'm not sure I'd get it again. I couldn't even finish the whole thing as it was so big!

This stuff is the love of my life. Creamy, fruity goodness. If you are able to eat it, do so. You won't regret it.

Total cost including tax was $15.16.

Karamell Kuche
Before heading out of Epcot, I stopped into Karamell Kuche. The line was kind of long because there was only one girl working the case and getting items for guests. I decided to get the same thing I got last time, which is the Milk Chocolate Caramel Pecan Cluster ($4.49).

It was just as good as I remember.

Total cost after merchandise discount and including tax was $2.87.

Kringla Bakeri
I also stopped at Kringla Bakeri on the way out and chose the Berry Cream Puff ($3.99).

This was just okay. The berries were very good, but the cream was not what I was expecting. It wasn't sweet, and I expected it to be like a whipped cream. I wouldn't get it again.

Total cost including tax was $4.25.

 

[lovethattink]

It was nice meeting you today! Your food pictures look so good!

You know how I said we would not be eating 2 meals at WDW? Well, we didn't stick to that. We stopped at EoS on the way home and brought home tunamelts.

 

[cbg1027]

I am so jealous of the fact that you have been eating Disney food for a week! I know that will slow down once you really start work....but you'll be able to have it on your days off!!!

 

[Linda67]

I am really enjoying your reviews, if I ate Disney food for four months you would have to roll me back to England