"Golden Corral was our best meal" says my Sister. 8 days of yum for us, not them!

[guinness408]

Joining in and looking forward to your reviews! Always tough to come home from Disney!

 

[buckeyebill1995]

I'm in! My trip with my sister and BIL did not go well. On the other hand, I expected the worst when we took my in-laws and it was fine. So we're trying again soon with my mom in a week, and I'm praying all goes well.

 

[jenjersnap]

I am sad I never got to try the original tie dye cheesecake, it was always on my list but we never did get to Pop. The new one doesn't look good at all.

 

[NuttyDisneyMom]

NOT a Golden Corral fan and LOVE the title....can't wait to read more

 

[DisneyJo]

I've never been to a Golden Corral but love your title and can't wait to read all your reviews

 

[familyabgar]

Oh my...sounds like quite a trip! I'll be following along!

 

[partyof2]

I'll be reading this report with interest as we're planning to take my mum on her first trip. I've planned our dining line up to suit her rather than us and I'll be so sad if she doesn't get Disney!

 

[huggiebear23]

I'm in!! I'll be at pop in august. How can they not have pizza?? That's insane..

 

[Minnesota!]

We absolutely LOOOOOOVE the Poppin Nachos - one of our faves at Pop. The serving is HUGE so it feeds us both. Love the taste and texture of the chips, too. It's our first night dinner at Pop

But, you are right, the chili leaves a lot to be desired...very bland and SWEET! Not a fan.

You sister sounds like a treat!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

subbing

 

[ClendeninHouse]

Subbing. Although I've never been on a vacation with my sister and brother in law, I have a feeling it would end like this. Can't wait to read about it.

 

[Smiling Cheshire Cat]

Great review of Everything Pop! I didn't know they had changed the tie-dyed cheesecake. So sad: it doesn't look nearly as good as it used to.

 

[jcmaro]

Can't wait to hear more! I loved the tie-dyed cheesecake before and have no plans to get this new version.

 

[Amanda999]

Count me in. Disney food porn and family drama wrapped up in one. Who can't relate?!

LOL! I'm in too - same reason as gonemousein'! (And, I've failed at the same thing: trying to show a family member the best, and just hearing complaining.)

 

[lilandvisma]

Joining in and looking forward to your reviews! Always tough to come home from Disney!

Totally suffering from a case of Disney Depression. Its been difficult just to get back into the "normal" life mode back home!

I'm in! My trip with my sister and BIL did not go well. On the other hand, I expected the worst when we took my in-laws and it was fine. So we're trying again soon with my mom in a week, and I'm praying all goes well.

Glad to hear! Hopefully it'll be 2 out of 3 for you Hope you guys have a great visit. I should have known better with them...but live and learn i guess!! Thanks for reading !

I am sad I never got to try the original tie dye cheesecake, it was always on my list but we never did get to Pop. The new one doesn't look good at all.

It wasn't good At least you won't "miss" the old one never knowing though! There are plenty of great desserts at WDW to make up for this boo boo they did...but I still miss the old cheesecake! lol

NOT a Golden Corral fan and LOVE the title....can't wait to read more

Me either

I've never been to a Golden Corral but love your title and can't wait to read all your reviews

You aren't missing out there! Thanks

Oh my...sounds like quite a trip! I'll be following along!

It was! Looking back I only recall the GOOD stuff...er, try to! lol. Thanks!

I'll be reading this report with interest as we're planning to take my mum on her first trip. I've planned our dining line up to suit her rather than us and I'll be so sad if she doesn't get Disney!

We started off that way...trying to please everyone. Found out that wasn't going to happen so mid way into the trip we just made the ADRs for US. Totally unable to please them! Hope you have better luck! Which places do you have planned??

I'm in!! I'll be at pop in august. How can they not have pizza?? That's insane..

They had french bread pizzas I believe. And the regular size pizzas that cost more $$$. But not the little personal ones that used to come with the salad Those were yummy LOL.

We absolutely LOOOOOOVE the Poppin Nachos - one of our faves at Pop. The serving is HUGE so it feeds us both. Love the taste and texture of the chips, too. It's our first night dinner at Pop

But, you are right, the chili leaves a lot to be desired...very bland and SWEET! Not a fan.

You sister sounds like a treat!

They were good, wish the chicken was there to try as I'm not much of a pork fan but we were HUNGRY and I didn't want to wait lol.

subbing

Thanks!

 

[lilandvisma]

Subbing. Although I've never been on a vacation with my sister and brother in law, I have a feeling it would end like this. Can't wait to read about it.

Yessss, I seriously wouldn't recommend it ! Especially if you have any doubts ahead of time

Great review of Everything Pop! I didn't know they had changed the tie-dyed cheesecake. So sad: it doesn't look nearly as good as it used to.

I didn't either and believe me, I am sharing in your sadness

And it is not nearly as good as what it used to be which is even more sad !

Can't wait to hear more! I loved the tie-dyed cheesecake before and have no plans to get this new version.

Yes, this is now crossed off my list of must eats

LOL! I'm in too - same reason as gonemousein'! (And, I've failed at the same thing: trying to show a family member the best, and just hearing complaining.)

It makes you feel like a failure for sure! I cried several times over our vaca because of it all but still refused to let it get to me because the hubby and I deserved to have a GREAT time. I figure if they want to be miserable go ahead. We were not going to let them bring us down

 

[chocovrdmicears]

I am joining in!
Don't kill me (or ban me from your review) but I thought the original tie dye cheesecake was terrible. Based on your review, I clearly will not be giving it a second try just in cased I missed something!

*I have never eaten at Golden Corral - but secretly want to try it.

 

[amandaC]

I feel your pain.

We took my mom to Le Cellier. Halfway through her filet she said "This is really tender but my favorite steak from Friday's has so much more flavor."

 

[lilandvisma]

I scheduled a 9:30 Dinner reservation for our arrival night at Cali Grill thinking it would immerse my Hubby, Sis and BIL into a magical Disney mode. Checked in without incident, as I have been here before and knew where to go and what not. I have NOT been here since the renovations took place so I was quite excited to check out the changes.

I love the feel of the Contemporary. One day, I will stay there. There is just something classic about it that I never thought I'd be drawn to, especially prior to visiting this resort.

Anyway, 5 minutes after being handed the pager it was buzzing and we were escorted to the elevator up to the restaurant. I immediately noticed the changes and loved what I was seeing! We were seated in a booth in the corner right by the doors to the viewing area, a nice view and the table was covered with Mickey confetti Sure seemed like the start to a PERFECT vacation!



Our waiter was THE BEST. I cannot remember his name for the life of me but he was SO patient with the BIL and Sis with all of their "issues" and questions on the food. He really did everything to make it all perfect. Very personal and friendly. It was a 4 letter name, something simple and durrrgh I just can't recall it right now. I remember him saying he was the only one there with that name lol. I will mention it once I find our original receipt because he was just incredible!

The inside of this place was just beautiful. Doesn't feel congested at all, and the view is just amazing!





Bread service was SO YUMMY! As was my adult beverage that the waiter recommended to me I told him something girly and something sweet! He hit this one on the nail. All I know is that I sipped little by little throughout the dinner because it was STRONG. Good though!



We had two different types of bread served with room temperature butter topped with a lavender leaf...sprig...?? lol one of these two is right! Whole-Grain Sourdough Rolls and Focaccia, featuring California Lavender.
Both were yummy. The sourdoughs were crusty and slightly hard on the outside by warm and soft on the inside. These were good but once I tried the Focaccia they paled in comparison. O.M.G. I love this type of bread but these were SOOO SOOO good. Soft, light and airy. Fresh, warm and coupled with the butter and a lil bit o salt these were MAGIC. They just about melted in my mouth. Everyone enjoyed the bread service here....except...yah, you guessed it. Sis and BIL did not like either. However they still ate both. They complained that the sourdoughs were much too hard and that the focaccia bread tasted funny. SMH.

We did manage to get a picture taken of us before our orders were placed. Hubby and I knew almost immediately what we were going to order. BIL and SIS were still figuring things out.

Anyway, here we are



DH would kill me lol but IDC.

The fireworks were just about to start when we placed our orders. DH and I ordered the Seared Jumbo Scallops with Grits. Sis ordered the Pork Tenderloin with Polenta and BIL had the Filet with Risotto on the side. After our orders were placed, the lights soon dimmed and WISHES started !!! Sigh....a part of me still couldn't believe we were really here!

You just can't beat the view....


Soon after wishes was done and my tears were shed ...Dinner was served. WOW.



Now, I'm going to be brutally honest with you guys. This was one of the BEST things I have ever put in my mouth. DH agreed. The flavors and all of the components of this dish were just incredible. Everything worked beautifully. The scallops were seared perfectly, just a lil bit of crisp on the outside and the insides were juicy, soft ...magic in your mouth GOOD! The grits were full of flavor, okra was a great surprise as its one of my FAVORITES! Cooked to perfection. The sauce was bursting with flavor. This was one of those dinners that you just don't forget about... It was rich and very filling. We have spoke about this many times since our visit!

Sis was clearly not happy with her choice in dinner. She had a list full of complaints but hers was beautifully presented and equally as flavorful and fresh. I've had this dish before and it was just as YUMMY as I remembered it. DH tried it as well and agreed, this was another winner in our book. NOT in hers though. She wasn't impressed with the polenta and said it looked gross. The pork she said was too rare for her so I suggested she tell them she'd like it cooked more. She wouldn't of course, because I'm thinking she'd rather complain?? Anyways...She was not happy and refused to even try our dish or her polenta! W/E we were in heaven with our own dish at this point. Her dish was done perfectly...as you all can see...



BIL wasn't complaining as much as the SIS. He enjoyed his filet, though complained about the size of it. He tried the risotto and said it was nasty. I believe he had that on the side per his own request...and maybe a sauce on the side as well but I cannot recall. I tried the risotto and it was creamy, fresh and very tomato-ee. It was good, but the tomato taste was fairly overpowering IMO. Cooked perfectly however. His filet was perfect. So much so that my Sis requested to eat some of his. Neither were too impressed with dinner at this point though.



So far everything had been perfect in our opinion. Dessert was most certainly on our to do list! BIL and SIS ordered the Chocolate pudding cake with Nutella filling, housemade meringue kisses and marshmallows, and mint Chantilly cream and DH and I were brought out a SURPRISE Creme Brulee.

I'm pretty sure this was one of the few things the Sis and BIL didn't complain about. Oh wait, no they did. They had to pay for theirs and ours was complementary. Gasp. Like, we seriously heard about that the entire night afterwards! How they should have gotten a free dessert as well. I didn't ask for it woman LOL. I was thrilled to have gotten it for free though, don't get me wrong Maybe the waiter felt sorry for us , who knows lol.

Anyway....the desserts...





DH had never had Creme brulee before this. He fell in love. This is a love affair I had been having for many years and I fell in love all over again with their version. Just perfect. The sugar on top was done perfectly, a nice layer coated on top of the creamy perfection inside. Rich, thick, custardy and just enough sweetness.....the chocolate kind of sunk into the cream and paired wonderfully with it. I am a dessert person. DH is not. He finished this one off willingly and still talks about how fabulous it was. I must agree. Just perfect!

I tried a small bite of the BIL and Sisters dessert and it was rich and decadent. Smooth and chocolatey...definitely yummmm but not as great as ours IMO. Ya know, only cuz ours was free... J/K

California Grill is a MUST DO for us. I LOVE this place, everything from the food to the service to the added bonuses i.e. wishes is top notch. I love the changes they have made and will return during our next visit. This was hands down our best meal of the trip. 5/5 rating. A beautiful evening was had for sure. DH agrees that this was also his favorite meal of the trip. We enjoyed ourselves and spent an evening together that we will cherish forever

If you are contemplating whether to do it or not....DO IT. It will not disappoint.

 

[lilandvisma]

I am joining in!
Don't kill me (or ban me from your review) but I thought the original tie dye cheesecake was terrible. Based on your review, I clearly will not be giving it a second try just in cased I missed something!

*I have never eaten at Golden Corral - but secretly want to try it.

lol, don't worry. I liked it...but can't compare it to NYC cheesecake Ya, you definitely don't want to try this new stuff if you thought the last was icky.

Golden Corral is mass produced food served in a crazy buffet setting. I will say that the salad variety there is fair-good. They do have usually fresh lettuce/veggies/salad toppings and a decent variety of dressings. But that would be where I draw the line. There is no way I am sticking a pretzel rod or marshmallow underneath a huge palmer tasting chocolate fountain where 223, 434 other hands have been lol.

I feel your pain.

We took my mom to Le Cellier. Halfway through her filet she said "This is really tender but my favorite steak from Friday's has so much more flavor."

Yahhhhh.....gross lol