It's a Merry Engaged Christmas! - 11/10-16 DxDDP! 12/8 Grand Floridian Cafe - Lunch

[LuvLuvLuv]

Well we've been back for a week so I figured I'd get this started!! Does anyone who went in November feel like their trip WAS Christmas and that it's already over?? I seriously felt like Christmas was happening from November 10-16 and I'm in a January funk. Thanks to my new digital camera, I magically turned into Disney paparazzi and have ALL the details to share!

This is our second trip in 2010 and we tried a bunch of new experiences!! Our previous dining review was "Two Delicious Birthdays" May 8-15. When we got back, we had decided on a whim to go back in May 2011 and stay at the Grand Floridian, so we've spent the past week nailing down a few ADRs that we couldn't live without. Now I'm ready to get this underway! Lets start by introducing the newly engaged cast!

I'm Deena. I'm 27, I work 2 jobs and pretty much do nothing else but work. I spend the entire day at one job planning for my next Disney trip and our Disney wedding.

He's David. He's 30, he also works 2 jobs and he likes to plan ADR's with me He puts up with me being indecisive and I love him for that.


We had changed ADR's hundreds of times from May when our window opened up until we were actually on the resort buses on property! It's very hard to see into the future as to what you'll be hungry for on... oh, November 12, lol. We also changed up the times we were eating. In May I scheduled our ADRs for lunch around 1/1:30 and dinner around 8:30-9:30. Well this was a fail because we were starving by 11:30/12 and ready to eat our arm off by 7:30. So this time I decided to be a ninja. I scheduled lunches around 12 and dinners around 7. Too bad we were still stuffed at 7 The DxDDP defeated me this time, but it was still sooooooo good. I also only gained 2 pounds compared to the 7 that I put on, on each of our past 2 trips. (and I've already lost them yay!) We're just not big on counter service options and we will for sure continue to use the DxDDP.

So when we left for vacation here were our final ADRs:
We only made 2 adjustments while we were there!

Mama Melrose - Lunch
California Grill - Dinner
Kona - Breakfast
Grand Floridian Cafe - Lunch
Citricos - Dinner
Chefs de France - Lunch
Captain's Grille - Dinner
Turf Club - Lunch (Changes to 1900 Park Fare - Breakfast)
Pecos Bill
Ohana - Dinner
San Angel Inn - Lunch
Garden Grill - Dinner
Hollywood and Vine - Breakfast
Le Cellier - Lunch
Boulangerie Patisserie
Yachtsman Steakhouse - Dinner
Liberty Tree Tavern - Lunch (Changes to Cinderella's Royal Table - Breakfast)
Casey's Corner


So there's the lineup! If you have any immediate questions before I get to the full review, feel free to send me a private message! I will add as many of the snacks as I took pictures of. I used most of my snacks for drinks when I left the park. I was always parched by the end of the night and I knew by the time we got back to the resort that the refillable mug station would either be closed or I'd be too lazy to walk there

Ready... Set... Here we Go!! Who's coming with me?

First Up:
Arrival and Mama Melrose!

 

[pinkxray]

I'm in. I loved your last review and I am thinking of trying many of the places you tried. I know you won't get there soon but I am wondering how you liked Garden Grill? I can wait for details.... I'll take a simple yes or no?

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm in. I loved your last review and I am thinking of trying many of the places you tried. I know you won't get there soon but I am wondering how you liked Garden Grill? I can wait for details.... I'll take a simple yes or no?

I'm going to go with a no.
A solid no.

 

[athenna]

I'm in

 

[pinkxray]

I'm going to go with a no.
A solid no.

Uh-oh. That doesn't sound good.

 

[TigerKat]

Sign me up!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Count me in!

 

[jabead]

Count me in too!

Does anyone who went in November feel like their trip WAS Christmas and that it's already over?? I seriously felt like Christmas was happening from November 10-16 and I'm in a January funk.

I know exactly how you feel. We were there at almost the same exact time, Nov. 9 - 16. Unfortunately, we won't be returning for quite awhile so all I have are these boards for my Disney fix. Anyway, we dined at some of the same restaurants so we will have to compare notes. I've just started my review as well...Join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary - DeLuxe Style!

 

[EeyoreEma]

Count me in! Sounds like a great report - I'm looking forward to it!

 

[Cinderella94]

I'm ready!

 

[Disneyshosh]

I'm in can't wait to hear all about it!!

 

[ilovepete]

Sounds like fun, I'm in.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

So here we are:

We arrived at POFQ and literally dropped our bags and had to run to our lunch ADR. When we dropped our bags off I took a quick look around and our room was well.... pretty messed up. I'm not going to go into detail because there's another place for that, but lets just say I was mad and trying to hide it from him. We did however... get our buttons

We were waiting for the bus and he knew I was unhappy. He knew that I did not want to stay there, but he doesn't like when I complain so I was trying to be a big girl and deal with our "place to sleep." I tried to put on a happy face on our way to Hollywood Studios.

If there was one thing that could cheer me up... it was Mama Melrose. I started to get excited when we walked in Sam was our waiter for the 2nd time this year. Is it bad when you start to recognize Disney staff??

Before I get to the food choices, I should preface our eating styles. I should have done this above, but since I didn't... I should now write a little disclaimer about this.

I am a picky steak and mashed potatoes or chicken fingers and fries type of girl. I could survive on McDonalds and Cherry Coke. I like everything plain, no sauce, no condiments except ketchup or melted cheese. I am highly allergic to tree nuts, and have skin allergies to pineapple, strawberries, tomatoes and pomegranate. I love strawberries and tomatoes and you will find that I will eat them in moderation. Those days I take lots of benedryl and use a little concealer I also do not like lettuce, salad or alcoholic beverages--I never got good at drinking .

He is not so picky, lol. David is way more adventurous and is a lover of sauces and marinades. He said he would be trying new things on the trip and he did just that! He likes a good steak, but is very critical--so if he says it's good... it's good!! He likes to go out to eat because he gets to eat things I would never allow in my grocery cart... like lettuce or carrots He does have a drink here and there, but mostly sticks to Iced Tea or Diet Coke.

So on with the show. Sam brought us our iced teas and some bread and we ordered our meals. We were on the DxDDP so we got a drink, an appy, an entree and a dessert.

I ordered the Minestrone Soup. This was very good... I do love soup and it wasn't heavy, especially knowing I had a heavier entree coming.

He decided to jump in and try something he never had... Calamari. He ended up liking it, and I even tried a little piece and found it to be okay. We have nothing to compare it to as it was our first time, but if I came in contact with it again, I would eat it

If you read the restaurant boards at all, you have seen me rave about Mama Melrose's Chicken Parm. So it was very obvious that I ordered this. It was great as always, and there is just something about the spaghetti and sauce that make me clean my plate every time!! It's so good!!

We had also read that the steak there was very good and had been compared to a few signatures. So he decided to take the challenge and order it. He said it was very good, very tender, good flavor--but not signature status. I had a bite and I thought it was good... but it was no Yachtsman.

At this point, we are ready to burst... but this isn't our first time on the DxDDP... we know dessert is coming!!

Last time, Dave got the tiramisu and loved it, but he wanted to try something new! The chocolate canolli cake was the winner! It was all fancy and he thought it was pretty good for being as full as we were, but he thought it could use a little more filling in it! I however knew what I was getting when I walked in. An amazing big dish of chocolate gelato. I live for that stuff. When there is gelato, ice cream or sorbet around... I'm all over it. I was in heaven

This is a solid meal and I do highly recommend it for a 1 table service credit. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed and is one of few options available in Hollywood Studios.

When we left, we were walking around and found Minnie Mouse with no line! We aren't much for taking pictures with characters, but it just felt right and we ran right up to her. She felt I should show this off:

This character thing was fun... so for the rest of the trip we got just about every character photo, lol!! We played around in DHS for a while and I continued to hint that I was unhappy about POFQ. We ventured back and I told him to go to the room that I was going to the lobby. I very nicely spoke my piece about our room, and the CM offered me a room in CBR or CSR. We had stayed at CBR before so we decided to go with Coronado Springs. The CM even kinda said she understood the rooms were in need of work. I know they're working on them now--but for the money I paid--I wasn't going to settle. I went back, grabbed our bags which was easy since we hadn't unpacked and a CM they took us to CSR in a van. OMG this place was an amazing haven compared to what we just came from!! Everything was beautiful and even better than I could have ever expected a moderate to be!! Sorry I didn't mean to go all "resort" here, but I was excited!! As I should be--I was in the Happiest Place on Earth!!

This was what we arrived to at our Casitas 4 room at CSR:

We only had a few minutes to get our stuff together, change and head to the Contemporary for our first time at the California Grill. So that's up next!!

 

[Cinderella94]

Love your first review! Glad you got to move to somewhere you'd be happier .

 

[TigerKat]

I'm so glad you were able to move to another resort! We had issues with POFQ two years ago and I was not a happy woman.

Can't wait to read about CG!

 

[mlaw]

Loved your last review and loving your new one already. I am also a little picky when it comes to food so I am looking forward to see what you enjoyed eating. The chicken parm looked really good! Keep the reviews coming.

 

[princessallegra]

Hey girl!!! I'm in for the ride! So happy for you guys and can't wait to read your reviews!! We just got back Sunday and I'm in the same funk you mentioned. It was such a magical Christmasy trip for us.

 

[amandadisney]

Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews. My fiance and I are are heading down in January to celebrate our engagement ala the DlxDDP and to meet our wedding planner. Sounds like you had a great time! Going to live vicariously through your reviews while I drag my way through law school finals.

 

[LuvLuvLuv]

I'm in

Sign me up!

Count me in!

Yay!! Thanks for joining in!

Count me in too!

I know exactly how you feel. We were there at almost the same exact time, Nov. 9 - 16. Unfortunately, we won't be returning for quite awhile so all I have are these boards for my Disney fix. Anyway, we dined at some of the same restaurants so we will have to compare notes. I've just started my review as well...Join us in celebrating our 25th Anniversary - DeLuxe Style!

these boards are an amazing fix! can't wait to check your review out!

Count me in! Sounds like a great report - I'm looking forward to it!

I'm ready!

I'm in can't wait to hear all about it!!

Sounds like fun, I'm in.

Woo Hoo!! With all these followers I'm glad I got my new camera!! It is much better than my May iPhone picture reviews

Love your first review! Glad you got to move to somewhere you'd be happier .

I'm so glad you were able to move to another resort! We had issues with POFQ two years ago and I was not a happy woman.
Can't wait to read about CG!

Thanks! I know right! I couldn't imagine enjoying myself if I wasn't happy where I woke up in the morning. Takes be back to the days of the Days Inn and Best Western when I was 5 and 6, lol. Pshhhh my family learned quick that those places weren't going to cut it, lol!!

Loved your last review and loving your new one already. I am also a little picky when it comes to food so I am looking forward to see what you enjoyed eating. The chicken parm looked really good! Keep the reviews coming.

I think it's important to show everyone how accommodating these places can be! (and warn if they're not!!) Sometimes I get frustrated when I look at a menu online thinking there is nothing for me there... but now I try to look a little deeper and see how I can try new experiences and make them work for me! I know I can't be the only crazy eater out there!!

Hey girl!!! I'm in for the ride! So happy for you guys and can't wait to read your reviews!! We just got back Sunday and I'm in the same funk you mentioned. It was such a magical Christmasy trip for us.

Ours was quite magical as well Everyone keeps talking about Christmas shopping this week... and I'm like--uhhh Christmas was last week. Um, seriously... Santa was there!!

Can't wait to read the rest of your reviews. My fiance and I are are heading down in January to celebrate our engagement ala the DlxDDP and to meet our wedding planner. Sounds like you had a great time! Going to live vicariously through your reviews while I drag my way through law school finals.

Yay for Disney Weddings!! We had our site visit when we were there and we can officially book on July 5th!! We chose the Wedding Pavilion and the California Grill's Napa Room at the Contemporary. Have fun in January! If you ever need Disney Wedding help from someone who "understands".... It looks like you're only about an hour and 20 minutes from me


Again... thank you everyone for joining in! I should have the CG review up later tonight! I have spent my day nailing, un-nailing and re-nailing our May trip. A new addition to our dining adventures besides trying at least 5 new meals everytime is adding a "second/last chance" meal. This is giving a meal that normally would get a good review, but we had a horrible experience at previously, a second/last try. This trip it was LeCellier--remember how bad we hated it? You'll have to stay tuned to see how it went this time! For our May trip, I decided our choice would be to try Narcoossee's again. We were NOT happy there last time, lol. We'll be staying at the GF so it won't be out of the way. We decided to play by ASA rules and start with a 1 and 1 count... so with 2 strikes--- You're Out!!

 

[OhioWDWDuo]

OMG! First of all, we share the same first name...spell it the same and everything! I've only ever seen our name spelled with 2 "e's" one other time!

Congrats on your engagement!

And can't wait to read the rest of your reviews too!