I'm having fish tonight!!! 6 nights DLX DDP with pics! UPD: final thouhts 3/24

[mossyflossy]

A trip of firsts! We were visiting the big Mouse the last week of October and had 6 nights on the deluxe dining plan.

It was our first time staying onsite;

First time doing DDP;

First time doing MNSSHP.

we were celebrating our 11 year anniversary

A bit about us ....we are British, living just outside London, England, and we don’t eat meat, poultry or shellfish, so the food you’ll hear about/see is fish/veggie options.

Look away if you’re only interested in steak because there won’t be any of that here!

We are in our early 40’s with 2 girls aged 9 and 8. We love USA, and Florida in particular, and dream of living in Ft Lauderdale/Boca/Naples one day!

DD2 has a peanut allergy, and there is also a shellfish allergy in the family, although none of us eat shellfish anyway.

The restaurants we went to:

Olivias (D) page 1, post 10

Chef Mickey (B) page 1, post 11
Grand Floridian Cafe (L)page 1, post 13
Raglan Road (D) page 2, post 17

50’s Prime Time (L) page 2, post 28
Narcoosees (D) page 3, post 34

Crystal Palace (B)page 3, post 39
Kona (L) page 3, post 40
Tutto Itallia (D) page 3, post 41

Yak n Yetti (L)page 4, post 50
Sci Fi (D)page 4, post 53

Chefs de france (L) page 4, post 55
Coral Reef (D)page 4, post 57

Cape may (B)page 4, post 59
Wolfgang Puck cafe (L)page 4, post 60
California Grill (D)page 5, post 65
Final thoughts page 5

 

[NuttyDisneyMom]

I'm in!

 

[SGMCO]

Sounds like my diet but I do include Shellfish.
I'm ready for the dish on the grub (no pun intented--well maybe a little one).

 

[cheshirefan]

I'm in! Can't wait! Sounds like a great lineup.

 

[adsrtw]

I'm always very curious about veggie options. Looking forward to your reviews!

 

[pigletforever]

need a WDW food porn thread. spent 5 days at DL and it doesn't compare in the least to the amazing food at WDW.

 

[iluvpluto27]

Count me in!

 

[dizneeat]

I'm in too! Looking forward to your reviews!

 

[mossyflossy]

I'm in!

welcome welcome, Olivias is coming up shortly

Sounds like my diet but I do include Shellfish.
I'm ready for the dish on the grub (no pun intented--well maybe a little one).

welcome, LOL at the pun!

I'm in! Can't wait! Sounds like a great lineup.

welcome, it was a great line up, each time I look at the photos I can't believe how well we ate for those 6 days!

I'm always very curious about veggie options. Looking forward to your reviews!

welcome along.

need a WDW food porn thread. spent 5 days at DL and it doesn't compare in the least to the amazing food at WDW.

welcome welcome. yep the food was amazing!!!

Count me in!

aaah, what an honour to have you here! welcome!

I'm in too! Looking forward to your reviews!

welcome welcome. love all your reviews too!

 

[mossyflossy]

After a long travel day we arrived at OKW about 6.45pm, checked in, found we had been upgraded and then walked back to Olivia's for our ADR.

We were seated immediately and a chef came out to discuss the various allergies (peanut and shellfish) and menu options open to us.

We ordered milkshakes (included on DDP) and drinks for the girls, and both had a caesar salad as an appetiser, coconut encrusted mahi with a citrus glaze, and a key lime tart and cheesecake for dessert "to go".

first up, the milkshake:

Milkshake ($4.29) @ Olivia's Cafe at OKW

you can see this was a syrup milkshake...not as good as ones we were to try later in the week, but fine nonetheless.

the caesar salad was simply enormous, like 2 romaine lettuces on a plate...the photo doesn't convey how enormous this was! it was very tasty, good dressing, tasty large crouton

Caesar salad (appetiser) ($5.49)@ Olivia's Cafe at OKW

I don't have a picture of the mahi...the fish itself was very nice but both of us found the glaze overpoweringly sweet and we both wish we'd thought to ask for it to be on the side.

as to the desserts, the cheesecake was excellent as was the key lime pie, but I only had a few mouthfuls and like many other treats it resided in the fridge until the last day when they were thrown away...too full to properly enjoy!

the girls both had carrot and celery sticks to start, DD1 had kids grilled fish of the day (which was mahi) with french fries and kids sundae and DD2 had the pizza and fruit salad "to go". they both really enjoyed their meals.

here's a pic of the kids menu as the one on allears is inaccurate:

overall we had a very positive experience at Olivias. the service was good, and the restaurant had a nice laid back feel to it. the food was good, and we would go back if we were at OKW again.
__________________

 

[mossyflossy]

Chef Mickeys breakfast Oct 2009
we had a breakfast ADR on our first morning since I hoped to get autographs from the "big 5" out of the way and we were not visiting a park today.

so, armed with autograph books, 5 different colours of sharpie pens, a plain white and plain pink t-shirt and fabric pens from Tesco, we checked in on time for our ADR.

there was a short queue and we were given a pager, and pointed towards a photo opportunity in front of a figurine (which we declined in favour of the man himself later!).

about 15 mins later the buzzer went off and we were led straight ahead to one of the 3 breakfast areas.

the waitress was quickly over to take our drink order and said it would be a good time to visit the buffet as the characters came round by section and we had a while.

we quickly visited the buffet, sorry no pics, which was pretty standard fayre.

the girls both had mickey shaped waffles with syrup, a selection of cubed/diced melon, watermelon, grapes and strawberries and a banana each. DD1 also had a breakfast pastry and DD2 had a chocolate croissant.

I really like the way that Disney has a large fresh fruit selection. Both girls love fruit and it makes it so easy when they have a large portion of it first thing because I'm then far less bothered about all the unhealthy items that follow throughout the day!

DH had 2 bagels with a selection of smoked salmon (lox?) and cream cheese and red onion, some fresh fruit, a banana, a blintz with hot cherry sauce, and a few bites of a cinammon roll.

I had a bagel with salmon, cream cheese and red onion, lots of fresh fruit, a blintz with hot cherry sauce and a bite of cinammon challah french toast.

the food quality was very good...all tasty and fresh....but I cannot speak for the buffet items as we don't like/care for lukewarm food that's been sitting in hot trays.

you could have had handfuls of sweets (candy) too, like gummy bears etc, but thankfully neither daughter asked so I didn't have to say "no"....personally don't see why the sweets were on offer.

next a bit about the atmosphere and character interaction.

i'm not quite sure how to put it, other than to repeat the word I have written down in my notes, which is "frenetic". whilst it was all very well organised, it was loud and somewhat manic, a kind of organised chaos. there really wasn't time for the characters to do any more than take a quick pic, sign the autograph book, and in our case the girls' t-shirts, and be on their way. Of them all, goofy was the funniest by far. he took a little boy's shoes from the table next to us and tried to put them on DD2's feet...she was laughing hysterically saying they don't fit her and she already has shoes. It was lovely to see, and it made me feel so happy that I'd gone to all the effort to plan as she clearly had a fab time there.

at one point a halloween chocolate birthday cupcake was brought out for DD2's unbirthday, and the characters all got the entire section to twirl their napkins above their heads!

both girls really really enjoyed their breakfast, so much so that they each asked if we would be going back every day!

Compared to our other character breakfasts at Crystal palace and cape may later in the week, this was our least favourite because of the "hysteria"....definitely recommend it once, but not sure we'd rush back, despite the girls' repeated requests to do so.

BTW, service was fine, we left the 18% tip here as elsewhere even though it was a buffet and it was a 1TS credit on DDP, but I wouldn't be too chuffed paying for this breakfast OOP....

 

[Symans3honeybees]

I am going to have fish tonight too(in my kitchen, sadly ) Desperately looking for some pick-me-upper until we go next year..

 

[mossyflossy]

Grand Floridian Cafe October 2009
We arrived on time for our lunch ADR and were taken to a table straight away. What a beautiful restaurant: so light and airy. It was not busy, and there was a lovely feel to it....relaxed and easy.

As soon as we had sat down Chef Scott came out to discuss the menu (peanut and shellfish allergy) and we were all set.

DH ordered caesar salad ($5.49) and fish of the day, which was seared tilapia served over potatoes with red onion, green beans and a beurre blanc sauce, ($15.99).

He said that the caesar salad was excellent, and has since commented that it was the best of the holiday, and he had a few!

As to the fish, this was an absolutely outstanding dish. It was cooked beautifully, the fish was moist and flaky, and the combination with the beans, potato and sauce was delightful. He loved it!

I ordered the strawberry salad (field greens, with crumbled feta, cashews and strawberry vinagrette) ($5.99) and fish of the day too.

The salad was light and refreshing, and quite a big portion, so a very good choice if you want a light lunch (say appetiser and dessert) and are paying OOP.

I too thought that the fish entree was a "standout" of the week, and we had lots of fish entrees this trip!

For dessert we were not offered the dessert sampler on the plan. We chose the Key Lime Tart with a chocolate crust topped with caramelised sugar $3.29, and the Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake, $3.29. Both were absolutely divine, a delicious end to a glorious lunch!

The kids menu at the Grand Floridian cafe also offers some good kids items in the all-inclusive price of $7.59 for 3 courses, which included grilled salmon, chicken breast and steak.

DD1 chose carrots and celery, followed by grilled salmon and french fries, and chocolate ice cream. She ate up every last scrap!

DD2 chose carrots and celery, followed by pizza and crisps (!) and vanilla ice cream.

Another point I have noted down was that smoothies were not included on the DDP here. It is a 1TS venue.

We enjoyed a very relaxed, leisurely lunch here (just over an hour) and would highly recommend it and return over and over for that delicious fish!
__________________

 

[SGMCO]

We're thinking about eating at
Grand Floridian Cafe' on our next trip.
I only saw the Fish of the Day listed on this site
--on the lunch menu. We may just take a small break
from MK to eat lunch here.

 

[dizneeat]

We the GFC! Such a hidden gem! We have eaten there for lunch and dinner and always had a wonderful experience. Guess what - we were offered the dessert sampler in August on the DDP - it was just that two guests had to share it! But it IS 4 desserts on one plate - so it was EASY to share!

 

[mossyflossy]

We're thinking about eating at
Grand Floridian Cafe' on our next trip.
I only saw the Fish of the Day listed on this site
--on the lunch menu. We may just take a small break
from MK to eat lunch here.

yes it's a pity it's only on the lunch menu but it really is a nice way of recharging by stepping away from the park for an hour.

We the GFC! Such a hidden gem! We have eaten there for lunch and dinner and always had a wonderful experience. Guess what - we were offered the dessert sampler in August on the DDP - it was just that two guests had to share it! But it IS 4 desserts on one plate - so it was EASY to share!

4 desserts has to be better than one! just seen your desserts buffet pics....am suffering serious withdrawals from all these tasty treats!

 

[mossyflossy]

we arrived on time for our ADR and were taken through to a table at the back of the restaurant (you could see the Irish band in the mirror) 2 minutes later.

We had simple smoked salmon to start:

Raglan Road Simply Smoked Salmon - Choice Irish smoked salmon served with capers, shallots and creme fraiche $12.50 (Appetiser)

The quality of the salmon was very good, and the combination with the other ingredients was really tasty. It was a big portion.

DH had fish and chips ($18.50). The chips were served in a paper cone.....it was hot, fresh and tasty, again a big portion of homely food.

I had Salmon of Knowledge - fresh salmon fillet topped with smoked salmon, baked and served with a maple glaze. $23.95

As you can see from the picture it was served over mashed potatoes, with leek and mushroom in the sauce. I really liked the smoky BBQ flavour of the smoked salmon on top of the fillet. Again this was a really tasty dish that I'd definitely order again.

The kids had the children's fish and chips...again a huge portion...see for yourself:

Kids' Fish'n'Chips - Fresh fish deep fried with a serving of tasty Irish chips $8.50

I remember reading that the dessert menu at Raglan had changed during free dining with more limited options. Judge for yourself:

For dessert, I chose the Ger's bread and butter pudding.

The pots contain vanilla sauce and butterscotch sauce. I could only manage about 3 mouthfuls of this becuase I was already full and this was a very dense, filling dish. Pity, as it was very tasty!

DH chose the Dundon's Delight (rapberry pavlova):

you can see how enormous this was! he enjoyed it but said there was too much of it.

The children chose a chocolate chip cookie "to go" which they ate the following morning for breakfast

Raglan Road is an excellent use of a 1TS credit on the dining plan. It is solid, well cooked, tasty food: it won't set the world on fire, but promises a good homely meal for those who venture in there. We will definitely return.

 

[eventamy]

Count me in! My daughters and I eat the same way, we have shellfish too though (or I do anyway!). Excited to see some more of your meals!
Thanks!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Am I the only one that cannot see pics?

 

[emmabemmainc]

I can't see pictures either.