If you ever wondered about DDP...

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Greetings!

I have watched and read this forum for a long time, but waited to post until I could report on a recent visit. Background: my DH (53) takes his band and choir every four years to perform, but last year just the two of us (I am 52) went alone for our 25th. It was wonderful!!!!
So when they offered the three free nights plan this summer, we decided to celebrate one last family trip: DS (23) + his financee (DDiL-22), and DS (21). We told them we would pay for the trip since a wedding and oldest son college graduation happens next summer.

We stayed at POPS (last year at All Star Music) and loved it!!!

So the posts to come are our ADRs and CS with reports:

Day One: arrived at resort about 2PM and headed for EMH at Hollywood. This is not our favorite park, so we planned only the remaining part of the day. We ate at Mama Melrose and absolutely LOVED it!!!!
Dh and DS (23) had Spicey Sausage; DS (21) and DDiL had Chix Parmag; and I had the Wood Grilled Chix with added Shrimp. The only problem was that we could hardly finish the food, there was so much!!!! For desserts we had Crema Lemon, Gelato, and warm choc truffle cake.

Since we were all wearing badges/pins (birthday, anniversary, and newly engaged), they were very kind and wished us the best. Days 2-7 coming soon. Sorry, we did take pics but can't post them yet.

 

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I didn't add that all of our meals were coverd by our basic DDP and the only cost was the tip. We added up all the meals each day and figured that the cost of meals was a savings of over 50% each day!!!

 

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Day Two Food Porn:

DS (21) has a problem waiting to eat in the morning, so we had to get something each day at the resort restaurant. Usually we got a CS and I ate a fruit cup with a muffin as their dessert. This worked for us very well. I had also sent "packages" to the rooms for father's day, delayed birthday, and happy engagement that all contained food, so DS didn't go totally without. We did purchase the mugs and one of us went for hot chocolate/coffee runs to start the day.
For this specific day though we waited to pick up sticky buns at the bakery at AK. We love this park, but it was VERY humid and hot that day. We love Flame Tree and waited to CS there. We ordered Mixed Green Salads with BBQ Chix (2), BBQ Ribs (2), and BBQ Chix (1). For desserts we ordered Key Lime Pie (3) and choc cake (2). We also made a point after reading reports here, for the frozen chai later in the day. It was WONDERFUL!!!!

That night we left and went to Boma's. This is our first trip to a resort restaurant and we couldn't have asked for a better choice. One of the chefs saw DS (21)'s birthday pin and had the CS behind the line sing "Happy Birthday." Then the waiter brought a special plate with "Happy Birthday" written in frosting on the plate. We were stuffed! Some of our favs were the zebra domes, the prime rib, the roasted chix, and the coconut curry chix stew. We didn't try anything that we didn't love

Service was wonderful and the atmosphere was quiet (probably because people had their mouths full). We waddled home thinking we wouldn't need or want to eat for days.....silly us.

 

[catne]

nice reviews...sounds like you really enjoyed using the dining plan (we're big fans also!)

 

[natalielongstaff]

great reviews

 

[butiflfeet]

Thanks for your reviews! We love the DDP also. When else can you try such a variety of food and not have to worry so much about the cost? I think it's absolutely worth it

 

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Day Three - Epcot

My DS (21) is a fan of Remy, and he didn't know that he was "appearing briefly" at Chefs de France. When I read about it, I called and cancelled our Teppan Edo and got a lunch TS for there. I told the "kids" that there was a problem and Disney had cancelled the reservation.

That morning we ate breakfast at the resort (waffles, pancakes, eggs, etc) which gets a bit heavy for me, but I managed with a fruit cup and a muffin.
Our ADR was for 2:20 and the wait staff was very prompt and seating was very quick. We all ordered from the three tired plan which offers soup as an appetizer.

We had lobster bisque (2) and onion soup (3). I didn't care for the bisque and would not order it again. The kids thought the onion soup was delicious and said it was a lot of soup for one course.

Most of us had the Quiche Lorraine with salad on the side. (Oldest DS had the ham/cheese sandwich)It was DELICIOUS!!! Large portions that are sure to fill almost anyone up.

Dessert was three creme brulee and two choc puffs. There was also the visit from the CS with a special song and cake for DS (21) for his birthday.

Remy came around about half way into the main course. The "Armand" CS looks like the character aged about 15 years. The show was wonderful and the waiter entertained all of us. For those with kids or just kids at heart, it was great.

We spent the rest of the day sampling things (beer, choc, ect) but no real meals. It was raining that night, but I had brought cheap ponchos, so we stuck it out for Illuminations.

 

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Magic Kingdom/Downtown Disney

We knew that we would hit downtown Disney if only for the experience. Besides the new stage is up for the March Magic Music Days (being moved from Epcot) and that will affect my DH's next trip with students.

We hit Magic Kingdom, if only because I don't feel complete until I've seen the castle, so everyone got up early and we saw the opening of the park for the first time. It was really cute. We then went to Main Street Bakery and feed everyone (before DS (21) was preparing to roast a mouse over a pit to eat something. We ended up with apple turnover, and four carmel rolls and drinks. Again all covered on the DDP. The only drawback is the limited seating, but we waited patiently and a family waved us over to take their table when they left.

We got fast passes for the two open mountains and then did Haunted Mansion and Pirates. Got wet and did the Thunder. By then it was time to head downtown. It was VERY hot/humid, so no one had much appetite. We even skipped Ghiradelli as the choc purchases would have been a puddle.
our reservations for Planet Hollywood were for 7PM, but we were running out of steam and had too much time, so we stopped at 5 to ask about getting in early. They said that was just fine and we were seated in less than 10 minutes.
They did let us use our money vouchers that came with the rooms for apps and then we got the main meal.
We ordered: Bacon Cheesburger with fries, Fajittas, 2 New York Strips, 1/2 roasted chicken. All were incredible portions and the CS there just kept filling our glasses with more drinks. My one son finally put his hand over the glass because he was afraid he would float out of there before he finished. The food was incredible and was one of the larger portions of our week.

The only drawback to this place, and it would be enough not to go back, was the noise level. We could hardly talk to each other because the music was so loud. The tables were so close together, the kids couldn't walk around and see the memorabilia on the walls. But we were done early and went back to the resort early and got some needed sleep.

 

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Back to Epcot

I had called a number of times prior to get into LeCelliar since my husband really loves this place. We finally got lunch ADRs, so we knew this would be our big meal early, so we just got a snack for breakfast. It was again hot and humid, so we did as much indoor activities as possible , but we really did want to get into some of the countries (we picked pearls at Japan! Cool!) the kids hadn't seen before, and for the first time we were able to enjoy them as adults. We had margarittas at noon (in the heat and with a light breakfast probably not too smart, but it was good).

LeCelliar was it's usual incredible experience. The only thing I noticed different was that they didn't refill the bread.
We all ordered smoothies (are on the plan, but no refills) and then went to waters. DS (23) had the prime sandwich, the rest of us had the filet with mushrooms. We had various sides:mashed, fries, and something else that I can't remember. It is cool and quiet and the food is prepared to perfection. For desserts we had two choc moose, and three whiskey cakes. MMMMMMM

Again because it was so hot, we went back to the resort to swim and such. DS(21) saw they were serving Beef and Broccoli at the resort, so he opted to stay back that night. The rest of us went back to do some shopping and pick up a quick meal. DDiL wanted Asian, so we hit Japan first but the CS menu just wasn't that appealing, so we ran back to China and caught them at the end of service. We got two Orange Chix and two Fried Rice with Egg Rolls. It was "okay" but the drinks that came with the plan were only water (in a glass) or soda. I have never heard of an Asian restaurant that wouldn't be featuring one of their teas. We stayed to see Illuminations again as it was a clear night and we had a good view.

 

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Day Six - Magic Kingdom

This was to be a special day for me as we had ADRs at Liberty Tree (we went last year and loved it) and the Dessert Bar for the night (first night offered).

We started again at Main Street Bakery with light fare as we knew this was to be a calorie buster! We did some shopping and did some of the lighter rides (Riverboat, Jungle Cruise, Splash Mt-again, Tiki House). I knew they were having a special preview of Hall of Presidents for annual passholders, but I held out hope that I would get into see it as I worked on Obama's campaign. We went to the new store there and it is filled with some new items. When I tried to get into the show, they refused explaining that it would be available on July 4 for the regular guests. (Mixed messages there since the Disney site said it was July 1) but we were departing on June 30. But after another couple of rides, we noticed that there weren't that many people in front, so I took another chance and the CS that time told me that it was only the first showing that was reserved, so we got to go in and see it!

We then went around and snacked on frozen lemonaide (I floated a lot) and then we had early ADRs at Liberty Tree Tavern. First, the service was EXCELLENT and again our DS (21) was treated to a birthday song and cake. There was a family who had, as my sons referred, "demon child" as he cried at the top of his lungs throughout our dinner. Only twice did any adult take him outside to try to calm him down or to give the diners any relief.
The meal was served family style and there was ALOT of food! The only drawback that we noted later is that it was mostly food they get at home, to some degree: turkey, roast beef, roast pork, mashed potatoes (DS(21), who happens to call himself a mashed potatoe specialist, thought they were almost like cheese as they were so rich) and gravy, mac and cheee, green beans with almonds. Dessert was apple crisp with icecream. I think that in the future, with all the wonderful options, we might skip this one, even if we have to do two Counter meals that day.

That night we had the Fireworks Dessert Buffet - oh my!

I posted more details on this one on the dessert thread, but it was incredible. My DDiL took many close up pics so that we can try to duplicate some of the recipes we especially loved.

 

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Day Seven - Animal Kingdom/Magic Kingdom

We had planned for Animal Kingdom since we knew they had EMH and we like the rides later at night - less crowds. So we ate light fare again and headed out. First, we ordered our picnic in the park and then we did the Safari (all three of them),Lion King, and Nemo. The picnic was wonderful and again we ate by the water and enjoyed the environment. I love the feeling there, eventhough it seems more humid there with all the foliage. Our dinner was early at Yak and Yeti. We really like this place and it didn't disappoint us this time either. We ordered 2 Duck dinners, Beef and Broccoli, 2 Steak and Shrimp, 2 mango Pie, 2 cream cheese wonton, and sorbet. To be accurate, DS (21) had the Beef and Broccoli, some duck, 2 shrimp, wontons, some pie, coke and sprite....we never handed back a plate with food left.

While we had planned to stay do rides, we hadn't been able to see the light parade at Magic Kingdom after the Dessert Buffet as they only did it once, so we hopped over and picked up some popcorn (had some snack coupons left) and sat on top of the railroad and took pictures and then watched the fireworks. It was a perfect night and a perfect ending to a trip of memories. DDiL is a graphic designer with a real knack for photography so we have some incredible pictures of the parade and the fireworks. Enough that I will have to look at in the winters of Wisconsin and smile with memories.


The next morning our flight was scheduled for 11 AM so we needed to check out and get to the Magic Express. We ate up all of our remaining meals, and stash any remaining snacks in our bags. Unfortunately, when we got to the airport we found that weather had closed it and we didn't depart until after 3PM. We love Disney, but not so much Orlando airport!

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Enjoying your reviews

 

[dd50]

Sounds like you had a great trip with some good restaurants.