January 2012

[janabananas]

Just wanted to add, thanks for the heads up on the reservations. I am usually a little apprehensive about talking to people on the phone (ok mostly I dislike being on hold and listing to muzak) but I got a pre-trip email from the Disney guys, and they had a nice online link to make reservations, so no talking to anyone! My wife and I looked through all the participating 2011 restaurants and after spending a couple hours doing that, decided that just about any place would be good. Although she really got interested in 'Ohanas since it sounded like a fun place, there was exactly 1 reservation during dinner time, luckily it's on a Friday at 5pm, which is fine, so at least we'll be eating at one place

Now to see if there are a couple more "musts", we really like to play it by year, since we don't know what park we'll be in, etc.. and won't have park hopper passes too! It'd stink to have to choose the park you're going to based upon where you're going to eat dinner :frown:

I must say CONGRATS on Ohana!! I have been trying to get an ADR and no luck for the days I will be in town and I refuse to make a special trip just for Ohana.

Good luck with playing it by ear. Maybe (hopefully) with the new "ADR no show policy", walk ups or same day ADR's will be easier to get.

Also there are lots of interesting and unique CS choices. We went last month and not once did we eat chicken nuggets/hamburger/pizza.

If you have any questions on this or anything else, please ask. I got opinions about everything.

 

[MikeSF]

Well since you offered, I am curious about the no-processed animal parts quest you were successful at! While I like a good burger, I think after one I'll have had my fill for the entire trip

 

[janabananas]

Well since you offered, I am curious about the no-processed animal parts quest you were successful at! While I like a good burger, I think after one I'll have had my fill for the entire trip

These are just a few CS options we saw or tried.

EPCOT:
Norway cs has a great bakery that not only makes the yummy baked goods, but has fantastic sandwiches. Dbf had a really good smoked salmon open face sandwich and I had a ham & apple sandwich. Dbf still raves about that darned sandwich.

Sunshine Seasons:
I didn't eat there for lunch/dinner but saw that the menu had many choices, like rotesserie chicken w/rice and roasted pork chops.

Most of the WS counter service places are really unique. I am looking forward to some fish and chips from the UK for my next trip.

AK:
Flametree BBQ had decent smoked chicken w/baked beans. I wasn't a fan of the ribs or the turkey sandwich, but it may appeal to you. The turkey was advertised at smoked, but it was roasted. The ribs were dry.

There are side carts around that serve egg rolls & chicken wings.

DHS:
We had chicken salads at Pizza Planet and Arcade that we quite good. It had a nice amount of chicken with a light and flavorful dressing and veggies & cantaloupe. Starring Rolls also has large ham & turkey sandwiches that could be shared, as well as the yummy cupcakes and pastries.

MK:
I think MK is the one that need the most help. Most of the CS places have the same generic crap. But at Columbia Harbor House near the Haunted Mansion, they have some really good choices. Dbf got the lobster roll and I got the shrimp w/fries basket. I am fries-addict and I hadn't had any our entire trip so I went for it. They were not great but they did the job.
CHH also has salmon & couscous & broccoli and a "Lighthouse" sandwich w/hummus and veggies.

Hope this helps!

 

[Colleen27]

These are just a few CS options we saw or tried.

EPCOT:
Norway cs has a great bakery that not only makes the yummy baked goods, but has fantastic sandwiches. Dbf had a really good smoked salmon open face sandwich and I had a ham & apple sandwich. Dbf still raves about that darned sandwich.

Sunshine Seasons:
I didn't eat there for lunch/dinner but saw that the menu had many choices, like rotesserie chicken w/rice and roasted pork chops.

Most of the WS counter service places are really unique. I am looking forward to some fish and chips from the UK for my next trip.

AK:
Flametree BBQ had decent smoked chicken w/baked beans. I wasn't a fan of the ribs or the turkey sandwich, but it may appeal to you. The turkey was advertised at smoked, but it was roasted. The ribs were dry.

There are side carts around that serve egg rolls & chicken wings.

DHS:
We had chicken salads at Pizza Planet and Arcade that we quite good. It had a nice amount of chicken with a light and flavorful dressing and veggies & cantaloupe. Starring Rolls also has large ham & turkey sandwiches that could be shared, as well as the yummy cupcakes and pastries.

MK:
I think MK is the one that need the most help. Most of the CS places have the same generic crap. But at Columbia Harbor House near the Haunted Mansion, they have some really good choices. Dbf got the lobster roll and I got the shrimp w/fries basket. I am fries-addict and I hadn't had any our entire trip so I went for it. They were not great but they did the job.
CHH also has salmon & couscous & broccoli and a "Lighthouse" sandwich w/hummus and veggies.

Hope this helps!

To add to this:

There is a great bakery in France at Epcot, and the Moroccan CS location has huge share-able platters of falafel, couscous, and your choice of chicken or lamb.

At Animal Kingdom, Yak & Yeti's take out stand is basic food court Chinese but good if you're looking for something a little different. If you're craving salad, Pizzafari's antipasto is pretty good (I don't, however, recommend the pizza - like most Disney pizza it isn't very good).

I don't have anything to add at Studios. The menus have changed since we last ate counter service there but I'm not sure any of the options have improved.

Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom gets rave reviews for breakfast but we really like it for lunch. Their sandwiches are big enough to share, fresh-tasting, and they have some less standard options like turkey & brie and mozzarella & tomato w/fresh basil.

I don't eat standard hot dogs at all and seldom eat hamburgers or fried foods, so back when we used to do the basic DDP I made a point of getting VERY familiar with where to find the better counter service choices! It is entirely possible to never eat a single burger, hot dog, pizza, or chicken strip in a week of counter service dining around the World but you do have to know where to look.

 

[MikeSF]

Sounds good! I spent a couple hours with my wife looking through the sit down places, we really had no desire to look through the counter service locations, going to have to redouble our efforts it seems. Although the items mentioned do sound extremely yummy. For these places that have "enough for two" type sizes, can you share? I know you're not supposed to "pay" for other guests meals with your dining credits, but if its a counter service and we both have dining credits where we just want one item, seems like it would be ok?

Usually lunch is simply just a "little something" to help us make it through the rest of the day to dinner, so I have never typically eaten much for lunch at an amusement park.

Although I feel for this trip I'm going to have to loose 10-20 pounds or else I'm going to be coming back 10-20 pounds heavier! (really bad too because my family goes big with christmas food!)

 

[Colleen27]

Sounds good! I spent a couple hours with my wife looking through the sit down places, we really had no desire to look through the counter service locations, going to have to redouble our efforts it seems. Although the items mentioned do sound extremely yummy. For these places that have "enough for two" type sizes, can you share? I know you're not supposed to "pay" for other guests meals with your dining credits, but if its a counter service and we both have dining credits where we just want one item, seems like it would be ok?

Usually lunch is simply just a "little something" to help us make it through the rest of the day to dinner, so I have never typically eaten much for lunch at an amusement park.

Although I feel for this trip I'm going to have to loose 10-20 pounds or else I'm going to be coming back 10-20 pounds heavier! (really bad too because my family goes big with christmas food!)

Yes, you can share counter service. We very seldom order as many meals as we have people at counter service locations - more often we order 3 meals for the 5 of us. As long as you aren't trying to order more meals than you have guests (as noted on your KTTW) you won't have any problems. Even at most TS locations sharing isn't a problem, but there are a few exceptions to that... At CS it is always okay.

We do the deluxe dining plan which means a LOT of very good food. Usually we have a snack for breakfast, sit down lunch, and signature dinner. I have never gained weight at Disney! I guess it is all the walking and swimming.

 

[krd315]

We will be at Allstar Music 1/23 to 1/29 with free dining!

 

[lledman]

January 14-21 staying offsite - can't wait

 

[krd315]

saved money with Southwest air sale yesterday and got better flights

now if I could just get a LeCellier reservation for 5 during our trip!

 

[ocean134]

Booked for Jan. '12 and using free dining for the very first time! So excited!

 

[CrystalCastle]

I just changed my Jan trip once again last night. Now going Jan 4th - 14th and staying at Boardwalk Inn! I can't wait! Nice long trip and first time staying at a deluxe!

 

[sparks19]

88 days

so excited. I'm happy to be going back to OKW. I love it there but I will be missing that incredible view that we had from our Bay lake tower room.

For those who go exclusively in january... what's it like? I've been many times in early december. is it like that? weather wise, crowds wise etc

 

[LauriM]

1st January trip! Staying from 1-8 until 1-16 at POFQ. There will be 10 of us there, watching my youngest child perform at MK with her drill team. Can't wait!

 

[goofybabe]

Just think we'll all be there before you know it 70 days till I'm back where I belong The PolyLets hope for some warm days!

 

[lledman]

January 14-21 staying offsite - can't wait

we looked at the school calendar to see what days the kids had off but never to see what activites were going on - well the 20th is the end of the marking period so instead of having the kids not be able to turn in their make-up work we decided to take advantage of the free dining offer and book to stay onsite January 22-28 at Pop

 

[jensen]

I'm so excited!!! I just completed our booking for Jan 23-31!!!! It will have been 3 years since our last visit to DisneyWorld (did Disneyland last year). So, we are EXCITED to be going back!

 

[bjgrazi]

We are going January 22 - 28, 2012. Staying in Wilderness Lodge. First time stay onsite at Disney World. Traveling with my 5 year old son and my husband and can't wait!

We're going Jan 26-30, staying at WL with our 5 year old son. My husband thinks we're staying at POP. He's always wanted to stay at WL, so it's my surprise to him.

 

[ladyfoundhertramp]

Wow! It's 32 degrees and snowing in Maryland today!! Florida in January cannot come soon enough.

 

[goofybabe]

I live in NH and I guess were getting a Noreaster or as locals say "Noreasta ". lol Anyways on to better news we made our final payment this morning .Can't wait to get back to the Poly so excited!

 

[dis_guy]

We'll be at CBR Dec 31 (New Years Eve @ EPCOT!) to Jan 7!

As others have said, our northern fall weather has arrived and Florida, even in January, is looking pretty good.

Our final payment is going in next week and then...Mickey Mail!!

Can't wait!