I’m So Excited, I’m Gonna Die! A September 2016 PTR

[Soopafly]

We're trying breakfast at the Garden Grill too next time.

I love breakfast at Ohana

I thought the Hoop De Doo wouldn't be for us, but we decided to go and had a lot of fun.

We have seen videos and it does look pretty fun and it's something we haven't done before so will be good to try out. We know they rotate the people playing the different roles, but there is one guy in particular we are hoping to see (He plays the "comic relief" type of role, but I couldn't tell you his name).

 

[iheartbelle87]

I'm loving all of your selections! I've never been to Jiko (because I'm obsessed with Boma), can't wait to hear about your experience this time!

 

[snoopygirl79]

Sorry I'm late to your PTR!! I'm loving it so far!! I haven't been to most of the restaurants you're going to but we loved Be Our Guest and the Crystal Palace for breakfast as my girls love the Winnie the Pooh characters!! Oh and we enjoyed Tusker House for breakfast!!

We've only stayed onsite once at WDW and we stayed at the Beach Club as we knew it was walking distance to Epcot and a boat trip to DHS. We loved it there and Stormalong Bay was amazing for my girls!! But I'd love to try the Polynesian one day so I'm looking forward to hearing all about it!!

Can't wait to read more of your plans!!

V xxx

 

[skier_pete]

Wow - that's a LOT of dining. I don't enjoy spending that much time eating at WDW - but that's just us - we used to use the DDP - but cut it out when we went to DVC and we eat at a lot less TS and we actually enjoy our trips more for it.

But this isn't about me: We've been to most of the choices over the years- except Rose and Crown (english food holds zero appeal to me) and Kona Cafe. We are doing Kona in October. Here's my initial thoughts on your choices since you asked for opinions:

Jiko and California Grill - YUM! Probably prefer Jiko marginally.
Love CP!
Love Tusker House!
Boma - meh...we prefer Tusker House's choices. Zebra Domes though!
HDDR is really fun - and the food is very good too.
Via Napoli is quite good - but if you think it is amazing you need to find a better pizza joint. I had better pizza last night.
Garden Grill and Ohana - good, not great. Character interaction was good. Haven't done GG breakfast since they just restarted it after being closed down for years.
Brown Derby - it's been too long - we want to get back. Not this trip. Want to try that Cobb! Ended up canceling back in 2014 because plans change.
Hollywood and Vine - haven't been there in probably 8 years but probably the worst food we've ever had TS. One of the few restaurants we actively avoid. Hopefully better nowadays. I wouldn't necessarily say skip it, but if you were to dump a TS I pick
Le Cellier - like it, but since they went to 2TS credits, I would 100,000,000X pick Yachtsman's Steak House at Yacht Club over Le Cellier. It's less than a 10 minute walk (or 5 minute walk + 10 minute boat ride) from Le Cellier and OMG the steaks are so much better. Le Cellier steaks = Good. Yachtsman steaks = Divine.

 

[Soopafly]

Wow - that's a LOT of dining. I don't enjoy spending that much time eating at WDW - but that's just us - we used to use the DDP - but cut it out when we went to DVC and we eat at a lot less TS and we actually enjoy our trips more for it.

But this isn't about me: We've been to most of the choices over the years- except Rose and Crown (english food holds zero appeal to me) and Kona Cafe. We are doing Kona in October. Here's my initial thoughts on your choices since you asked for opinions:

Jiko and California Grill - YUM! Probably prefer Jiko marginally.
Love CP!
Love Tusker House!
Boma - meh...we prefer Tusker House's choices. Zebra Domes though!
HDDR is really fun - and the food is very good too.
Via Napoli is quite good - but if you think it is amazing you need to find a better pizza joint. I had better pizza last night.
Garden Grill and Ohana - good, not great. Character interaction was good. Haven't done GG breakfast since they just restarted it after being closed down for years.
Brown Derby - it's been too long - we want to get back. Not this trip. Want to try that Cobb! Ended up canceling back in 2014 because plans change.
Hollywood and Vine - haven't been there in probably 8 years but probably the worst food we've ever had TS. One of the few restaurants we actively avoid. Hopefully better nowadays. I wouldn't necessarily say skip it, but if you were to dump a TS I pick
Le Cellier - like it, but since they went to 2TS credits, I would 100,000,000X pick Yachtsman's Steak House at Yacht Club over Le Cellier. It's less than a 10 minute walk (or 5 minute walk + 10 minute boat ride) from Le Cellier and OMG the steaks are so much better. Le Cellier steaks = Good. Yachtsman steaks = Divine.

For us paying out of pocket would cost more than the dining plan so we always get it. For us, not having to cook every nightis a huge bonus and dining in general is always a big part of our vacation.

Maybe amazing was too strong a word for stef to use haha. Their pizza is as close to authentic italian pizza as we are going to get in Disney World. We go to Italy every year or so and love their pizza, always so fresh and delicious.

I think we are trying Garden Grill because we haven't ever eaten there and thought why not. If it's terrible then we can just go eat somewhere else instead

I never would have gone to Hollywood and Vine but we have heard good things about the seasonal dine options and we do like to meet characters in different outfits so thought why not give it a try.

I haven't been to Le Cellier for a few years and used to go Yachtsman instead, but since they got rid of the single serve porterhouse and I happen to lvoe the mushroom risotto with fillet from Le Cellier, we thought give it another go.

Really looking forward to hoop dee do though, should be real fun

 

[skier_pete]

For us paying out of pocket would cost more than the dining plan so we always get it. For us, not having to cook every nightis a huge bonus and dining in general is always a big part of our vacation.

Maybe amazing was too strong a word for stef to use haha. Their pizza is as close to authentic italian pizza as we are going to get in Disney World. We go to Italy every year or so and love their pizza, always so fresh and delicious.

I think we are trying Garden Grill because we haven't ever eaten there and thought why not. If it's terrible then we can just go eat somewhere else instead

I never would have gone to Hollywood and Vine but we have heard good things about the seasonal dine options and we do like to meet characters in different outfits so thought why not give it a try.

I haven't been to Le Cellier for a few years and used to go Yachtsman instead, but since they got rid of the single serve porterhouse and I happen to lvoe the mushroom risotto with fillet from Le Cellier, we thought give it another go.

Really looking forward to hoop dee do though, should be real fun

No big - you asked for opinions I gave mine...certainly there's all sorts of ways to travel at WDW. As I said, we used to always travel with the DDP, and trying lots of restaurants, but we found by halfway though the trip we were enjoying the food anymore because we were just eating too much. When we bought into DVC we had to cut the budget elsewhere and decided to drop dining at TS every day and we are happier for it. We still do 5-6 TS per trip, but just not every day. Our upcoming trip we are going during food and wine, so we prefer that over TS as well, so I think we only have 4 TS restaurants booked for our 9 day trip. Debating about adding Jiko though since we are AKV - but still trying to find the best place to fit it on the schedule. (Not sure which we prefer - cruising F&W or Jiko - leaning towards the former.)

And again - I was just giving honest opinions - I thought I gave a positive review of Garden Grill. We've eaten there 3 times and enjoyed our meal each time. The service was a bit slow, but the character interaction is great - it was our daughters favorite when she was little. I would definitely go back again. We haven't tried the breakfast - I was tempted to give it a try in October, but I tend to be disappointed in the breakfasts except Crystal Palace because I prefer a light breakfast and I'm paying $30 a person for eggs and waffles.

I did always like the sides at Le Celiier - the pretzel bread, the risotto, the yukon gold au gratin potatoes are also awesome - so I can see doing it if you've done Yachtsman a bunch of times.

 

[Soopafly]

No big - you asked for opinions I gave mine...certainly there's all sorts of ways to travel at WDW. As I said, we used to always travel with the DDP, and trying lots of restaurants, but we found by halfway though the trip we were enjoying the food anymore because we were just eating too much. When we bought into DVC we had to cut the budget elsewhere and decided to drop dining at TS every day and we are happier for it. We still do 5-6 TS per trip, but just not every day. Our upcoming trip we are going during food and wine, so we prefer that over TS as well, so I think we only have 4 TS restaurants booked for our 9 day trip. Debating about adding Jiko though since we are AKV - but still trying to find the best place to fit it on the schedule. (Not sure which we prefer - cruising F&W or Jiko - leaning towards the former.)

And again - I was just giving honest opinions - I thought I gave a positive review of Garden Grill. We've eaten there 3 times and enjoyed our meal each time. The service was a bit slow, but the character interaction is great - it was our daughters favorite when she was little. I would definitely go back again. We haven't tried the breakfast - I was tempted to give it a try in October, but I tend to be disappointed in the breakfasts except Crystal Palace because I prefer a light breakfast and I'm paying $30 a person for eggs and waffles.

I did always like the sides at Le Celiier - the pretzel bread, the risotto, the yukon gold au gratin potatoes are also awesome - so I can see doing it if you've done Yachtsman a bunch of times.

No biggie, I came across as defensive for some reason, apologies. Yeah that's the beauty, everyone can tour differently. We would certainly be able to go more often if we could just stick with QS plan but we haven't quite got there yet. We would save a fortune overall if we did and could maybe go for much longer than 14 nights. Garden Grille looks good and the characters have unique costumes so it's like ticking them of our list.

I agree on the breakfasts, they don't do a huge amount for me whatever the restaurant we choose. I guess im not awake enough to appreciate any of it, just give me the coffee haha.

I love Yachtsman, just wish I didnt have to share a porterhouse, who wants to share a steak?! Good food though, best meal i've ever had at Disney was the lobster bisque, porterhouse with paprika fries and the vanilla bean creme brulee.....heaven.

Not sure if you have kids or not, but if you don't and want a nice relaxing adult meal then book Jiko for sure. The food is great, the wine is excellent and the ambience is awesome. Just try to get a table as far away from the entrance as possible so you don't hear constant banging of drums from Boma.

 

[skier_pete]

Not sure if you have kids or not, but if you don't and want a nice relaxing adult meal then book Jiko for sure. The food is great, the wine is excellent and the ambience is awesome. Just try to get a table as far away from the entrance as possible so you don't hear constant banging of drums from Boma.

We have a 13 year old DD, who has reached the "Disney is boring" age and as such might just stay home with grandma (ya- crazy right?). Either way we would do Jiko without her - she would rather hang in the room anyways.

Good advice on the drum banging! The time we ate there we were pretty far in the back so I didn't notice.