Headed back in Jan -- Tell me about Oliva's

[sam08223]

New DVC memebers -- My DW and I are returning to BCV Jan 20th for 6 nights. Last trip in Oct (our 1st as DVC members) we visited all the DVC Resorts. OKW seemed to have the most "at home" feel and Oliva's looked like a good place for a relaxed evening meal. Interested in any feedback and if there are any "don't miss" specialities at Oliva's. Thanks

 

[Chuck S]

A salad w/key lime honey mustard dressing
The grits they serve for breakfast are outstanding, even if you don't normally like grits, try these!

Service is "relaxed" don't be in a hurry if you eat here - as the oldest, and only DVC on-site resort that doesn't share facilities with a regular WDW hotel, most people staying there are returning members, and many of the servers have been there for a long time - so everyone is friendly and chatty. Service has always been great - just not superfast (there is a difference - fast service isn't always GOOD service - and vice-versa).

Olivia's food is generally good, it varies some from trip to trip - ranging from just OK (occasionally) to outstanding (most of the time).

If you eat there for breakfast and don't order grits - be aware that the potoatoes are seasoned - if you don't want seasoned potatoes they are available - just let your server know when you order. I don't remember if the French Fries are seasoned or not (can you tell I always order unseasoned potatoes Their burgers and sandwiches are very good, but pricey. Buttermilk Chicken and mashed potatoes is a dinner time favorite.

 

[EROS]

I wouldn't write home about the food there, but it's a step above most of the fast-food junk in the parks .......

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by EROS
I wouldn't write home about the food there, but it's a step above most of the fast-food junk in the parks .......

Just curious, when was the last time you dined at Olivia's? The cook staff and menu have changed recently, so if your opinion is based on an earlier experience, you may need to try the place again- you might find you'd like it!

Try the Mahi-Mahi and Key Lime pie- a great combo!

 

[anniet]

I have no idea about Olivia's- just wanted to say I'll be checking in to WLV on 1/21 for 10 nights and I hope to see you round the parks!

 

[ZerasPride]

We're just back from OKW and enjoyed two dinners at Olivia's. One on Thanksgiving night and another later in the week. I had the Shrimp Alfredo one night and a burger and fries the other night. They were both very good. The wings my husband and son had looked very good. They had them both times we ate there. I am looking forward to enjoying a meal or two (hopefully breakfast too) on our next trip!

 

[Figment2]

If you like chocolate, order the fudge cake. Then ask your server to put the cake into the microwave so the fudge runs. Add some vanilla ice cream and whipped cream....out of this world.

C.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The french dip and club sandwiches are very good. My husband loves eating breakfast there and sitting out on their patio drinking his coffee.

 

[rbuzzotta]

We have been staying at OKW now for 3 years. We havent' had a bad meal at Olivia's yet.

My favorite is the Mahi-Mahi!!!!

 

[KyBill]

I can't imagine anybody not liking GRITS.

 

[mb168]

Get an order of shrimp fritters and a citrus cooler to drink .

It doesn't matter where we stay, DW wants to drive to Olivias for at least one meal... Fortunately this weekend, we'll be in OKW !!!

 

[Pa@okw95]

I would not drive from anywhere to eat at Olivia's, you may be a first not counting when they had a character breakfast. Olivia's has improved on their food. It was real bad a few years ago. I would come over for lunch if you would like to visit, I would never venture into that place for dinner again. A RELAXED dinner is an oxymoron at Olivia's, then again since it is January you might get lucky. The last time I ate dinner there, it was a zoo, or more accuarately a school cafeteria at lunch. I won't tell you the story because it is too long and you would not believe it. From that dinner on I always ask not to be seated anywhere near kids at WDW when out dinning. Now Olivia's has one big problem, when you get a lot of out of control kids eating in there the noise bounces around like a rubber ball, the acoustics in that room is awful. I beleive that the floor has a lot to do with but at any rate a quite dinner in that place, well like I said in January you might get lucky, it should be slow and not so crowded. It is a family restaurant now that seems to have impoved its food at any rate.

 

[mb168]

I don't believe I have ever eaten there when more than 5 tables had customers at any meal. You need a reservation a McDonalds worse than Olivia's. This was as recent as July, Aug, Labor Day, and Halloween. I'm waiting for the 11 month window to get ressies for next Thanksgiving at OKW and my wife was already talking about Turkey Day at Olivias...

 

[rbuzzotta]

Pa@okw95.....I'm just curious about you asking to be seated in restaurants not near children when at WDW!! The must be difficult (unless you dine at Victoria and Alberts).

I am not be sarcastic, but do you have to wait longer to be seated not next to children??? I am curious in case DH and I decided to have dinner out one evening without the girls.....

 

[dianeschlicht]

When we first became members, Olivia's was not a great place to eat. We heard last year that things had improved, so we tried it again, and LOVED it! We didn't even have a long wait for food either. I would do it again any time. It isn't "special" like some resort restaurants, but just homey and nice.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Every table was full for dinner when I ate their last. I did not check the moon but my guess it was a full moon. That was a few years ago, since that time Olivia's has made a big improvement on its meals. For example my wife has some kind of salad the last time we ate lunch there, it was outstanding even the presentation of the salad was beyond what you would expect, also everything was fresh. I was sorry I did not order one myself. So they are trying at any rate. I eat breakfast and lunch there at least once every trip. The potatos at breakfast came with some kind of cheese mixed in with it. It really showed me they are trying.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Rbuzzotta---On our last visit-we ate dinner at Yachtsman Steak House, California Grill, Artist Point-lunch at Olivia's, Mama Melrose, Liberty Tree Tavern and Capt Jacks. We go out to dinner when the restaurants just open up as a rule, some just sit us where there are no children without being asked, for example California Grill always sits by the window where there are only two seats at each table, and I believe is where they sit adults only. At Yachtsman they sat us in the room that is circled shaped there was no children , but near the end of our meal they did sit a family with two lovely girls who were angels near us. At Artist Point, I said, I know you must do this as a rule, but we would like to be seated away from children, they did, got a nice seat in the pack by the window, no problem, the place was loaded with kids by the time I left. There were no kids at Mama melrose, Olivia's, and Capt Jacks. At Liberty Tree there were children but that can not be helped after all it is MK. I got there when they just opened as we do at most places, that is part of the trick. What also helps big time is that I am 60 years old and look it. They know my wife are there not just eat but to enjoy the meal to its fullest. My guess is that my all grey hair has more to do with it and the way we dress for dinner at any rate. We look old, I should say I look old, I robbed the cradle. People in the restaurant business know without being told most often.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

I'd contend that Olivia's is great for a no-fuss meal; it's not an "event" -style dining experience like some of the higher profile dining rooms can be, but plenty nice enough.

At lunch, for instance, they have (or at least had recently) a soup/salad/sandwich combination... nice, spicy conch chowder, a house salad, and a half sandwich. All very fresh and nicely presented. Less than $10 - one of the best WDW deals around, I thot.

 

[sumessefui]

I have found the food to be good at Olivia's on our last 2 trips. I have had worse meals at some of the "better" resturants than at Olivia's. This is not to create any controversy, but I notice that a lot of the negative comments about Olivia's come from people who are also usually negative about OKW in general.

 

[DeeP]

This is not to create any controversy, but I notice that a lot of the negative comments about Olivia's come from people who are also usually negative about OKW in general.

I can't agree with this statement, because out of all the DVC resorts OKW is definitely my least favorite resort to stay at and yet I enjoy the food at Olivia's very much. I especially like their conch chowder because it is something that I can not get very often and it is quite tasty. I also had a very good london broil type sandwich when I ate there in May, my friend had a very good sandwich also, I think it was a club sandwich. All in all everything we had was very good. We will often go to Olivia's for lunch and then take the boat to DTD for the afternoon.