Help us plan our trip

[Morticia]

My DH & I are planning on going to WDW for the F&WF. Our dilemma, Oct. or Nov. ?
We have decided on BC & either Poly or CR. This will be our 3rd trip. We have stayed @ Poly, AK & YC.
We are from Socal, so we don't want to be the slightest bit cold.
Last year we were there in Oct. but didn't go to MNSSHP. W/just the 2 of us, should we go this time?
Also, restaurant suggestions are always welcome. We have been to V&A's, Jiko, CA Grill, Yachtsman, Ohana, Bistro de Paris, Akershus, Les Chef de France, San Angel Inn, Nine Dragons, Coral Reef, Teppan Yaki, Cindy's, Tony's, Liberty Tree Tavern, Sci-Fi & Trails End.
A long list I know, but we like to eat & need suggestions for next time.
Anything else, you helpful people can think of would be appreciated.

 

[Plan Man]

We two like to eat out when we go. We have 4 children but it is so nice to be able to sit down for dinner and know the food will be good. We have been to many of the same rest. that you have but here are a few ideas.

We like Les Cellier in Canada. It is a steak house - I noticed you didn't have any on your list so maybe it is not your first choice. the service has always been so-so but the staff is freindly.

Now - for some fun - we had a blast at Hoop Dee Doo. The kids laughed and laughed. The food was not on the same as many of the rest. but we wern't going for the food.

If you are looking for the best of the best I have heard that Victoria and Alberts (I think that is the name) at the Grand Floridian is incredible. (The kids won't join us for that one)

 

[Pat_Elliott]

A second on La Cellier, an excellent experience. I'd also suggest the 50's Prime Time Cafe in MGM. Some like this, some don't. I think it's killer. Excellent food, and plenty of Disney Magic.

As for November vs December, simply put either time will be excellent crowd-wise, although up until the week of Thanksgiving, November will be better. And colder. Near the end of October, you start seeing 50 degree nights. We found late October, around Halloween, to be excellent, but had some cold days. One day my wife was wearing a windbreaker and jeans. The next day, it was 85.

If you look at October, watch out for the Funai Golf Classic. This always increases crowds, and if Tiger Woods plays again, it can get nuts. If you have the chance, try Pleasure Island on Halloween Night. What a hoot...

Pat

 

[Morticia]

Gosh,
I knew I could get help from the Dis!

Plan man - We ate @ the Yachtsman steak house last time. Loved it! We both enjoy a good rare steak. I was thinking either Canada or England for that this time. I grew up in CO so the Hoop de doo would be a remembrance of things ran away from. When I go home I see things like that all the time, so I want something new. We have no children, so it would be the 2 of is. We ate at V&A's last time & $$ willing we will again.

Pat - a second for le Cellier, We will have to try. I was thinking of the 50's PT. I didn't like the food @ the Scifi, but the atmosphere was most excellent. We went in Oct. last year & are considering Oct. again or Nov. 2, when off season starts. We are still waiting to see the discounts for fall/winter. It was quite warm & humid last year. Sweet! And the crowds were not bad. I can't handle crowds.

Thanks

 

[Plan Man]

Morticia -- What was it like at V&A - was it worth the money? How many do they seat and what is the general feel and flow? How long was dinner and were there enough choices?

As far as the 50's Prime Time Cafe. I can't imagine that I will ever go there again. I get the concept and I have a sense of humor but to me it was just rude service. It might be that the waiter just couldn't pull it off. He basically just said "no" when we wanted something - extra napkins, more water, a little change in the serving style of the food, etc. Sometimes he would do what we asked but sometimes he didn't or did it at his own pace. I kept thinking to myself - Ha Ha very funny now can you please find someone to help us.

I did not realize the Yachtsman Club was a steakhouse - Given the name I should have guessed. It sounds like you would recommend it?

 

[Morticia]

V&A's is an experience. It is a night out when you want to celebrate or have a special dinner. Unless of course you can afford$300.00 meals all the time. We have somrthing similar in the vintner's meals here Napa Rose @ the GC. That is my fav restaurant!
Similar in menu format only. I would highly recommed V&A. Upon arrival you are seated in a dining room, elegantly appointed I must say, that seats about 50. The women are given roses & V or A your server gives you a custom menu w/your names hand written in gold ink.
Your food choices are limited, but believe me it doesn't matter. The food & service are well worth the $ IMHO. Prix Fixe $ 85.00 & optional wine pairings @ $42.00 pp.
Here is our menu:
7 courses starting w/an amuse bouche & Iron Horse "Fairy Tale Cuvee" Brut, Green Valley 1997.
Salad: Jumbo lump crab w/sherry-hazelnut vinaigrette - Pouilly Fume Pascal Jolivet, Loire Valley 1999 or Kobe beef carpaccio w/fennel & hearts of palm - Steele Pinot Noir, Carneros 2000 or Iranian golden osetra caviar for an extra $70.00 p/oz. I had the beef & my DH had the crab.
Appetizer: Mushroom ravioli, porcini & chanterelle w/truffle emulsion - Tarragona Mas Donis Barrica Capcanes, Spain 2000 or Mustard marinated venison W/spatzle & wine kraut, huckleberry jus - Riesling Trocken "Herrenberg" Maxin Grunhauser, Ruwer 1998. I had ravioli, my DH had venison.
Soup: Gamebird consomme' or sweet potato-amaretto cream. We both had the consomme'.
Main course: Snapper over beets, onion & wild rice - St. Veran Verget, Maconnais 1999, prime filet over potato turnip gratin & cabernat jus - Gainey Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley 1999, Roasted Duck w/sweet potato & pomegranate jus - Coteax du Languedoc Chateau Gres Saint Paul, Languedoc 1999 or searecd veal w/ cauliflower - Chianti Classico Reserva Borgo Pretale, Tuscany 1998. I had the filet, DH the duck.
Course 6: Passendale, Humboldt Fog & Stilton w/burgundy poached pear - ferreira Tawny Portugal or sorbet w/fruits - Brachetto d'Acqui "Rosa Regale" Banfi, Piedmont 2001. We both had the cheese.
Dessert: Pyramid chocolate mousse w/strawberries, black forest "purse" w/cherries, Kona chocolate souffle, carmalized banana gateau, creme brulee or Grand Marner souffle - Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise Domaines de Coyeux, Rhone Valley. I had the GM souffle, dh had mousse.
The feel is very formal. A coat is required for men & ladies do where a nice dress. The service is one-on-one. If our servers had another table, I wouldn't have known. They only take 2 seatings a night, so you can take your time. You will need it, about 2-3 hours. This is not a quick bite. It is an event in fine dining. The coffee service is a show in itself.

I will address the other questions in another post. This one is quite long.

 

[Morticia]

Plan Man
The service @ 50's sounds awful. I wonder if that was just bad luck? But I get really annoyed if I have to ask for a drink refill after someone has been by my table & not offered. You sound like my DH -"Ha Ha very funny now can you please find someone to help us."
The Yachtsman (in The YC) is a steak house. We stayed @ the YC in Oct. & we got last minute PS. It was filled w/famiies & noisy, but we had avery good steak & a nice last minute meal. It is NOT a quiet & relaxing place, but sometimes you want noise. And the food was very good. High quality meat.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Pat_Elliott]

I think what happend to Planman is a shame, and it can happen, so I'm not belittling it. But I've been to PT for six meals and never felt that way. I've been in many Disney restaurants when service drops below expected standard due to excessive crowds.

I'll say this: Part of the charm of the 50's PT is the theme of having your mom pushing you around while you eat. Some like this, some don't. I've seen people really riled at the whole thing. We get into it. It's a matter of personal preference.

When the PT gets crowded and the waiters and waitresses are busy, it looses some of that, the the whole "keep your elbows off the table" thing can get rushed and perhaps also not as enjoyable. Also, some of the CMs are "into it," others go through the motions. It helps if you and your server are "into it." We've had a server that was marginal, but simply enjoyed those around us who were putting on a great show.

I think the food is fantastic, and the "show" is a hoot. Many of WDW restaurants are more about theme, this is a show. And I like it! To each his own, but don't avoid the restaurant from a negative review (or go there based on my opinion!). Get several reviews. It's definately not a matter of "is the food good" and "how was the service." It's a different beast entirely.

As an addon, I'd also second The Yachtsman. It's a very nice place, the beef is top rate (so are the prices, though). I had a Bourbon Strip Steak there that I can still taste.

Pat

 

[Plan Man]

I will say that the 50's was very busy when we were there. It was pouring rain and people were going anywhere for cover. We had a PS so we were seated pretty quickly.

Like I said it may be that the waiter just couldn't pull it off or was too busy to do the theme justice. I still probably will not go back - too many other places to eat.

Morticai - Thank you for the very complete review of V&A. I know we will go on one of our trips. It sounds wonderful and worth the money. One of my favorite things to do is to go to a nice restaurant with good service. I would rather spend my money on that then many many other things.

 

[gottaluvpooh]

We've been to Prime Time twice. WE LOVE IT!
I was afraid the first time thinking it would be rude, but it wasn't.
It was a blast. My kids (young and teen) loved it!
I can't wait to go back.
Probably was your waiter.

 

[Morticia]

Anyone else going in Oct.? I think we have decided on dates: 10:21-11:3. Will anyone else be there? Am I crazy or would it be fun to arrange a diser meet?

 

[poohangel]

Morticia, we are going Oct 23-30, have a great time.

Oh, we also have tickets to halloween party for the 26.

poohangel

 

[Morticia]

We have settled on the dates, Oct. 21-Nov. 3. We are splitting our stay between BC & either CR or Poly. We have previously stayed @ the Poly on our Honeymoon. We are staying Concierge @ both resorts.
I have a short list of must do eats:
Le Cellier
Akershus
Kringla Kafe
Chefs de France
Biergarten
Contemporary Grill
I was thinking of the Fliying Fish our 1st night there.
Any suggestions?

 

[Morticia]

Oh boy! We made our ressies. We are staying 10 nights @ the Poly Concierge.
So, our plans are changing a bit. Night 1 I think we will just nible in the CL & crash. Coming from Socal, it's a long day.
Day 2 we are going to hang out @ the hotel, sail, lounge, get over our jet lag & adjust to the time difference. Either eat @ CG or V&A's that night.
The next day is up for grabs. We bought 7 nights on the FTV package & will either buy water park tickets that day or con a friend who is a CM out of a one day park pass.