Hillbillies eat big! Dining report March 3-10 COMPLETE 7/1

[sandym718]

We've been back over a month and I'm finally starting my dining report!! Hopefully I can remember all the details!!

Instead of repeating all the background details, I'll just give you a link to my PTR/TR. If you're interested in reading more about us and our trip, please see here: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2874385

If you just want to read about the food, then don't worry about it!!

But just a quick bit of info: Our group ranged from 13 at its smallest to 15 at our largest. My family of 4 is who you'll hear the most about, as far as what we ordered and ate. When I can, I'll also share the details for the others, but that's more "miss" than "hit".

We were on the regular DDP. We got free dining and I upgraded both kids (ages 8 and almost 10) to the adult plan, mostly for the Quick Service meals. Those 4 measly chicken nuggets, grapes and a pudding just wouldn't cut it. Plus their palates are growing a bit (particularly DS), so it was nice to have more options. It only cost me around $40 total for the entire 7 night trip to upgrade them BOTH. ***Disclaimer - I know there are some on the DIS who disagree with doing this. But the fact is, Disney is fine with it. They knew exactly why I was changing my kids' ages in the system and they were 100% fine with it. So let's leave that discussion for another thread***

Sorry I don't have food photos. DH and the kids already think I'm photo crazy, they'd probably have me committed if I took food porn, LOL!!

Here's a list of where we ate and the reviews you can expect:

Table Service
Crystal Palace dinner
Ohana dinner
Mama Melrose F! pkg lunch
Hoop Dee Doo (2nd seating dinner)
Chef Mickey's dinner
1900 Park Fare breakfast (OOP)
LeCellier lunch

Quick Service
Captain Cook's
La Cantina de San Angel
Contempo Cafe
Pepper Market lunch buffet
Earl of Sandwich
Columbia Harbor House
Casey's Corner

And of course Miscellaneous snacks!!

 

[sandym718]

I'll go ahead and get started with the first review!!

We knew long before we left where we'd be having our Arrival Day lunch...Captain Cook's. We've stayed at the Polynesian 4 times now, and in 2011, we discovered the joy that is the Aloha Pork Sandwich!! I had read that the sandwich had changed, but we didn't notice a difference. Still huge, and still as good as ever. Delicious pork, coleslaw, cucumber...it's so good!!

My sister and her boyfriend joined us for this lunch. DH, BF (boyfriend, to make it easier) and I all got the Aloha pork sandwich with chips. Dsis got the Adult Grilled Cheese with fries (I think??). This was the kids' first experience with the adult dining plan and they weren't sure what they wanted. I encouraged flatbreads or burgers. DS got the Bacon Cheeseburger with Fries. DD really wanted Grilled Cheese, but not the Adult one. So she ended up getting a kids' meal anyways. We all enjoyed our sandwiches and sides - more than enough to eat!! Drinks were all various soft drinks, lemonade for DS, chocolate milk for DD.

As for dessert....something I had been waiting for for a year....the wonderful chocolate chip croissant!!!!! Seriously, this is THE best pastry ever!! In the world AND the World. No ordinary chocolate croissant that can be found throughout WDW, this is made with teeny, tiny chocolate chips, so there is glorious, soft chocolate in every bite. And there is a glaze on the pastry that makes it so moist. It is heaven in pastry form!!! It's also quite large. I only ate half my sandwich to save room. You'll see that I will have several of these over the trip...one of my favorite uses of a snack credit.

For the rest...major disappointment. The Dole Whip machine was out of order!!! WHAT?? This is DH's favorite thing about WDW I think. Especially since he can pile it high in the self-serve cup! but, alas, he would have to wait a couple days. DD had a chocolate chip cookie with the kid's meal. I think DH ended up eating this and both kids, plus DSis and BF all had ice cream - either Mickey bars or the sandwiches.

Overall, a GREAT start to our Disney dining. We love Captain Cook's. I find the ordering kiosks to be very convenient. We like both the indoor and outdoor seating (this time we ate indoors, outside looked full). The selection is great, I've tried many things and have never been disappointed. Overall, a great QS choice.

 

[Christine9125]

We ate there for the first time last year, we loved the Pork Sandwich, so much so, we went back for a second time. We were staying at the Beach Club and it was well worth the trip

 

[DaisyMaisie]

I didn't know hillbillys ate croissants : )

Great review so far. First I have heard of the chocolate chip croissant, have to get one for my husband who loves the chocolate ones.

 

[sandym718]

We ate there for the first time last year, we loved the Pork Sandwich, so much so, we went back for a second time. We were staying at the Beach Club and it was well worth the trip

I only had the one this trip. But I think BF had 3 and DH had 2 or 3.

I didn't know hillbillys ate croissants : )

My husband, his brother and his friend were the hillbillies on this trip. Not this city girl, LOL!! Move me to the farm, but I'll never be a hillbilly!

 

[Lidian]

I've been trying to sub all night ... stupid DIS kept breaking.

Anyway, I'm here!

 

[chinarider]

subbing, looking forward to reading more- thanks for sharing

 

[chocolateMinnie]

The sandwich at Captain Cooks sounds great - we're familiar with the location of Ohanas at the Poly but where is the cs locaton?

 

[sandym718]

I've been trying to sub all night ... stupid DIS kept breaking.

Anyway, I'm here!

It has been nutty lately!

subbing, looking forward to reading more- thanks for sharing

Thanks for reading!

The sandwich at Captain Cooks sounds great - we're familiar with the location of Ohanas at the Poly but where is the cs locaton?

CC's can be hard to find! It's in the first floor kind of under Ohana. But you have to follow a hallway to the left (from the main hallway area, near Boutiki) to get to it.

Hope to have more updates tomorrow!

 

[oopsiDAISY]

I have subbed! I just love talking about, drooling over and dreaming of Disney food!

 

[vettegirl]

When we stayed at the Poly back in 09 the dole whip machine wasn't working the whole time, it drove me crazy lol.

 

[Linda67]

Aaargh - out of order dole whip machine

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm following along! Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews! We are dining at many of the same places in August.

Thanks for taking the time to write a review!

 

[sandym718]

Oh my, I did NOT forget about this Dining Review!!! REALLY!! Things have been sooooo hectic around here, I've hardly been on the DIS. But one of our major events happened yesterday (DD's First Communion), so hopefully I'll have a little more time. Still crazy busy with baseball, softball, lots of school activities, DS's bday on the 14th and a Pig Roast Memorial Day weekend for DH's 40th. Oh, and um, work!!! LOL!! But I will get moving on this, I promise.

Right now, how about a Crystal Palace review??

This was our first ADR of the trip. It was DD's choice. Her birthday was March 1st, we left home in the wee hours of March 2nd and checked in at Disney on the 3rd. The whole group decided that she could pick the first meal and we would celebrate her birthday that night. Also, since MIL was already in FL for the winter, this was her time to celebrate with DD. She chose Crystal Palace. Not so much for the characters, though she likes those, but more for the food and fun...and probably because it's in the MK too!!!

We checked in a few minutes early - party of 14! We had a 4:30 ADR. Earlier than we would have liked, but all we could get with such a large party.

I had secretly ordered a cake for DD and they confirmed when I checked in that they had it ready to go. We only had to wait maybe max 10 minutes, we watched the castle show from afar while we waited:

This restaurant is so gorgeous, inside and out.

We had eaten dinner here 3x before and loved it every time. Regardless of DD picking it for the first meal...it was definitely a must-do on our list.

When they called our name, we went in and we were given 2 round tables next to each other. Unfortunately, they were 2 different servers. Kind of odd and caused a little confusion with the bills because DS sat at the other table from us. We ordered drinks and visited the buffet.

I hate to say it, but we were disappointed. We've always thought the selection here was just great. Not your typical buffet. But this time, it seemed more ordinary. 2 of my most favorite dishes were gone - the Adobo Pork and the Pasta (not sure of the name, but it had chicken, in a cream sauce). The food was definitely adequate, but nothing so fabulous to make us say "we have to come back". The bread pudding was delicious as usual. I only like bread pudding in Disney, they do it best!!

We enjoyed the characters, saw them all, and in a "normal" rotation, I'd say. We weren't waiting on anyone I mean.

Our table was also decorated with some streamers for DD's birthday. Only 1 table was, luckily that was the one we sat at, because we didn't notice them right away.

Our server brought out the cake. It was great!! Really cute and tasted good too, though very rich. We finished almost all of it, but some was left. We opted not to take it with us, as we weren't heading back to the rooms for awhile.

DD got a card "signed" by the characters too. Overall, she loved it, the cake was cute, so it was worth the (high) cost. I think it was $48? Trying to remember. Plus, since we had a large group, gratuity was added onto that too.

Crystal Palace? Lost it's luster a bit for us. We're not planning it for next time I don't think.

 

[CanadianPaco]

That cake is gorgeous!!!! Can't wait for more

 

[KBecks]

Beautiful cake and thanks for the great restaurant info! We will look into Captain Cooks!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I agree the cake is gorgeous...looks yummy, too! The photos of your DD with the characters are adorable.

I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience at CP this time. It is getting a lot of really bad reviews lately and I am getting really nervous about giving it a shot for breakfast in August!

Please keep the terrific reviews coming!

 

[sandym718]

So sorry for the lengthy delay. This May is turning out to be crazier than ever!!

Our next Disney meal, on Sunday, March 4th, was lunch at La Cantina de San Angel. DD and I visited this CS back in 2011 for the first time. It was a cool, really rainy day and just she and I were in Epcot mainly to see the Fairies. It was so nice to get out of the rain and sit in this beautiful space. We loved our meals, too. So I knew we would return this trip!!

This was an early lunch. We knew we had a big, early dinner coming up that we wanted to have plenty of room for All 4 of us ate here this time, along with my sister and her boyfriend.

I knew long before that I'd be getting the Nachos - with no Jalapenos. These were just as good as before, a huge portion, lots of beans, beef and cheese. Delicious!! DH and my sister also got the nachos and enjoyed them as well. DSBF got the chicken tacos. He said these were on the dry side, but not bad.

Onto the kids. DS is not a fan of Mexican food and was not happy to be here. We would've got him something else along the way (we were in The Land before coming here), but nothing much was open yet. I think we arrived here just after opening at 11 or so. Both kids were on the adult meal plans, but DS decided to get the Chicken tenders anyways. They were fine.

Now DD...last trip she had the Cheese Empanada from the kids' meal. She was nervous about ordering it, but absolutely loved it. So this time I ordered her the adult version - without the green sauce. Unfortunately, there was other cheese on top that she didn't care for. She still ate them, but wasn't as impressed. Next time I'd just ask for them plain, like the kids' version.

All of us got churros for dessert, with the caramel sauce. And they were DELISH!!!!! Love these!!

Another note...on the DDP you get the large fountain drinks here. DSis and I noticed this. We drank most of ours and then proceeded to stop in every restroom for the next few hours

I didn't take any pictures of the seating area this time, but here's one from 2011. I love these lights!

Coming up next....where were we saving our appetities for???

 

[TheNewMrsB]

How is it that I've stayed at the Poly three times and have yet to hear about the chocolate chip croissant???

No worries, though - we'll be there in a few months. This travesty shall be rectified!

 

[sandym718]

How is it that I've stayed at the Poly three times and have yet to hear about the chocolate chip croissant???

No worries, though - we'll be there in a few months. This travesty shall be rectified!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!! They're in the bakery case at CC's.