June, July, August PLANNING thread

[mkymouse4ever]

I thought they cut it but not sure if it came back sans characters.

EE22, It snowed here lightly today, nothing stuck, but it fell.

mky

 

[tripplanner2]

You are exactly right. DH and I sat BEHIND the kids. They were quiet because they had a movie to watch and noone asked me to cut their food or fought with their sibling. We thought it was one of the best meals. We were thinking of going even if we just had ice cream and appetizers. Cool and relaxing, just wonderful.

I have to admit that something about CM does not appeal to me, which is why we never ran there. We have had reservations but they always get cancelled. It just seems so loud, even with kids I don't like chaos. My kids are pretty well behaved and if they are not in the mood, we either get our food to go (if already seated) or get take out.

Question about Garden Grille. Is it right in the open when you go ride Soarin? That is the location I always thought it was so I have never been interested. I have been reading a lot of nice comments about it and now I am thinking that it is someplace else in that building that is more private.

 

[tripplanner2]

You guys are killing me with the snow.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

TP2, When you walk into the land at epcot > You go down a large ramp toward the back and then you take an escalator or stairs down another floor to soarin, or the food court. Garden grille is at the end of the 1st ramp before the stairs / escalator. You just see the sign in area, and it is a circular revolving resturant. Has 2 floors booth [circular] on bottom and tables on top. It is very private in the booth area. The GG rotates and you over look a little of the "living with the land ride". and walls in the back. It is only open for about 5 minutes at the front as you rotate. You cannot tell your moving, only if you watch the walls change. The character come to you, and seat in the booth, or you get up and take pictures. They seem to take there time here and are not rushed. Last time we saw the characters come thru twice. Usually farmer mickey, minnie, chip and dale, and pluto. I heard donald duck was coming?

mky

 

[tripplanner2]

Oh...see you learn something new every day MKY! Maybe that is one we should add to our list. There are always so many great places to eat in Epcot. I think that was another reason, we don't park hop. Too much work with 3 young kids. We shall see. First thing we need is a discount so we can find a place to sleep. Still nothing for January so July or August is going to take awhile.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

TP2, We don't even park hop much. Sis, said this year she wanted to do epcot or mgm after pool time, so we could eat dinner there. The mk really has the worst resturants, in comparison.
Here is the menu and info on garden grille: http://allears.net/menu/menu_gg.htm

We don't eat catfish, so we just asked: could we have mac n cheese instead of catfish, "no problem". It is pricey as much as other character buffets, but if you want more [family style] they refill and wait on you. Very relaxing, and fairly quiet. Never been rushed.

mky

 

[tripplanner2]

See, while the menu looks nice, for $29 we can all eat cs. It would cost us $120 plus tip to eat there. Unless free dining, we probably won't go. I would much rather put my money into the room than food. Others disagree but for us, we eat to not be hungry. The room makes a difference in the experience though. I will keep it on the free dining list but I don't think we will end up it when we want to travel. DD9 will be 10 by the time we go and the price difference is huge when it comes to food.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

I agree, we are only looking at it for our "character experience" for the trip. Since we skip the princess. I agree, the room gets our vote too.

Not sure why wdw, really has made these dinners so expensive. and for buffets or character, you pay that price and the kids won't eat much. At the castle last year, max was acting poorly > and didn't want to eat, I ordered the prime rib for him. He ate 2 pieces, but since I had to pay for him on adult > no way was I switching it for a hotdog. I ate his asparagus, and sis and I ate a piece of his meat. It was ridiculous to pay so much for his meal. Put it on the room, and just do the princesses at norway.

mky

 

[EEyorelover22]

I agree with CM...too loud and the last time DD and I were there, the food was not very good either.

My friend loves the Garden Grill and I did check and they did away with lunch...still a character dinner. I can't eat much, if anything, on the menu so we have never gone there.

Sci Fi...love to have a milk shake and onion rings for lunch.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Good Morning Guys !
OK...since we`re discussing "FOOD IN THE WORLD".....I`ll have to chime in and say that ......A- When we we`ren`t DVC owners, it was definately about where we wanted to stay....(that`s my oppinion ....BUT....with Mr. Tomar and the boys....it was ALWAYS..........ALL....... about the FOOOOOOD !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!! )
B- My World holds all of my guilty pleasures.....I treat this oppurtunity each year like when I was PG with my boys............." I HAD A LICENSE TO EAT EAT EAT "!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you gals that some restaurants give more of a variety and less on the skimping....others just give you the character interaction ...and OUT YA GO....before you can figure out what you ate and paid a gazillion bucks for !!
Here are some of the restaurants that are certainly worth the money spent for thier fare .......
Ohana - Mr. Tomar`s all time fav....ressies 2xs a trip...Window table gives you the added pleasure of viewing Wishes if you time your ressie right
Narcoossees- MKY ...you and Mr. Tomar love the same dish...Surf and turf
Grand Floridian Cafe`- Not too over the top...but good food and GREAT atmosphere
Spoodles- Another favorite with Mr. Tomar ....(Simolina Pasta - he can have that with having diabetes)
Yachtsman Steakhouse- Ya gunna pay...but the food is Grrrrrrrrrrreat !!! plus if you ask for a window table ...your overlooking SAB ...AND....Illuminations
Cape May Cafe`- this is a great Breakfast with characters in my point of view...not to noisy ...and they will make egg white omelets for you besides the nice buffet items....
The Turf Club at SSR- Good Food....Quiet atmosphere...great view of the Lake....
Here are some of the restaurants that I wasn`t nuts about and were ....in my humble oppinion ....waaaaaay overpriced for what you get to eat....
Hollywood Brown Derby- although we`re gunna give it one more chance this year
Cali Grill- If your going for the view.....GO FOR IT ....its the best....but.....Not crazy for the food...(I may be the only one...with that oppinion don`t know.. )
Chefs De France- NEVER again !- for at least the near future.....tooooooooooooo crowded ...we ended up paying... for ok food that people were stareing at...from the next table which was "Inches away"
Mama Melrose- All I can say is.............
I guess I can go on and on here. ...as you can tell...we love our food in the world. ....but each and every experience is different...and mabe...what I may love...someone may not...and visa versa....but it at least our oppinion gives all us "FOOD" for thought....

Happy Tuesday everyone !!!!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: I love hearing the honest and unbiased reviews. We also love Spoodles. One of our favorate meals the year we had the dining plan for 2 weeks. Yet, there are a lot of complaints and bad reviews on the boards. Like you said, what is good for one person. That is why there is vanilla and chocolate. I went to Cali Grill back in 1997 with work and and I was terribly disappointed when we walked in. We were there for a site inspection and we were being smooshed by staff. Very nice but I was disappointed, feeling like this is the best ya got? But then the fireworks show started, of course they made reservations for us so we would be there in time for the show. We watched from the balcony and my god, I think that is what started my obsession. To me, Cali Grill has nothing to do with the food but the experience. The food was fine but that is not what I remember. I remember the room being a bit run down and out of date but the view was just amazing and the music was piped in. I was crying and wishing DH was there. We did not have kids yet and all I could think of was when I would be able to get back and bring them.

We hit a lot of character meals and you are right, they charge a fortune and the food it alright but nothing special. I actually think the castle was the worst. Two of my girls had to go to the bathroom and when we got back the lunch was over. I had not even taken a bite and they wanted to clear my dish. I said no and the waiter got annoyed. I just remember looking at my bills and thinking there is no way I would lay out all this cash for what we got. We are good with a decent meal every 3 days. Otherwise, the food courts and cs work fine for us. I will say that I was not impressed with the FC at Pop but I was very happy with it at both POR and CS.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

TP2- When we stood at (then called) Dixiie Landings ....now POR.....the 4 of us used to eat everymorning at the Food Court there with the big water Mill......it is a good one....we also had a few meals at Boatwrights....not too bad either, but at that time we could have eatten everything that we Can`t now...LOL
Your emotional side sounds like me TP .....I still get teary eyed every single trip for something or other .....the World is my secret paradise. ....my garden of eden if you will .....I find peace...and happiness and all the rest of the world is far far away from my mind for 2 whole weeks each year ......
However you guys choose to dine...and whereever you choose to dine....it`s all still in the world.....and the only thing you have to do...is your homework (which I know you do )... on how a restaurant`s prices /verses thier rep for service and quality of food compare with what your looking for !!
I hope and pray a great code comes down from Uncle Walt himself for you !!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: Thanks so much. You are always so sweet. I guess we all have a soft spot for that place. I am so bad that I have dreams all the time that we are there. I can't wait to go back. I am also praying for a wonderful code. I would love POR again but we really need 2 rooms there. The trundle really does not cut it and the room is small. The resort is wonderful though.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Tomar: Thanks so much. You are always so sweet. I guess we all have a soft spot for that place. I am so bad that I have dreams all the time that we are there. I can't wait to go back. I am also praying for a wonderful code. I would love POR again but we really need 2 rooms there. The trundle really does not cut it and the room is small. The resort is wonderful though.

TP2- Right back at Cha !
Hang in there .......The special code for the "Tripplanner2" family is in the works !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: I sure hope you are right about the codes.

 

[candizfan]

Wow, you guys were burning up the boards while I was out of touch.

Meals - the best way to not be rushed at the Character meals is to eat off the peak time. We had breakfast at the GF with Mary Popins this past July and at about 10:30 and they let us sit around for a good hour drinking coffee and relaxing. They were done with the breakfast rush and were not in a hurry. The Mad Hatter hung out "bugging" the kids and making me laugh.

We have great times at the Liberty tree if we ate late and the fireworks started after our desert. They let us stay as long as we liked and even Goofy took a seat and put his HUGE feet up on the table for a while.

I am with you guys on the food. I need some good meals to keep me healthy (a girl can only eat so many fries in a week) but otherwise, we share meals and I always pack a plastic bag to take the left overs back to the room if they won't spoil before we get back to our room. The micorwaves are great for eating leftovers in.

Happy Birthday EE22 - never stop celebrating! Aging is a good thing. Think of how much smarter you are than when you were 20. You can grow up, grow wiser but not grow old.

True story - we took mom to Cedar Point (roller coaster capital) when she was 70 and she rode all the rides. A couple of the ride attendants asked how old she was and she told them. Later I was in the kids area (without her) and hear staff talking about this incredible women who was 70 and still riding the coaster.....I just had to let them know it was my mom I have the best mom ever!

Happy birthday to TP2s DD7!

I hope the kids are feeling better.

 

[mkymouse4ever]

Hiya everyone!

I was thinking about the resturant thing, even on the same trip 1 resturant might be great and you think oh we are going again, then you go and think what where we thinking. Seems like the experience can be different by server, chef, crowd, atmosphere... ..... .... . You never know.

Tomar, I was interested in the one at SSR and spoodles. They seem like they would be unique, fun, and interesting. We tried to eat at SSR and could never get in, it was very popular.

TP2, We have never eaten at cali grille, menu never appealed to us. Agree, not sure what the fuss is. But the view of MK from CR is breathtaking. I can seat out there for hours overlooking the lake and castle.

Candi, Your move is 70 and fabulous. Good for her.

EE22, Your not getting older, your getting better.

Tomar or TP2 > where you guys in the 8 inches of snow that hit out there? We saw pictures of it on news. Wow. that was something already. News here: chicago, doesn't look so great with the murders lately. getting a bit rough up there.

Bug, bought my christmas present yesterday. new luggage of course, I had to be in on it and approve. We are all set now.
Happy wednesday. mky

 

[tripplanner2]

MKY: No snow here but plenty of hail. Thank goodness. Those murders are terrible. I know they are trying to say domestic violence but there is a lot more to that story. It is really so sad. I am sure you are hearing a lot more about it than we are. We are just getting news on the election, 24/7. I have had enough of it already. Looking forward to Tuesday so that we can be done with it.

New AP rate is pretty good. 40% off. May have to buy the AP if no GP or DV comes out. Time will tell. If I got that room at the Contemporary for 40% I would jump and go for 13 nights instead of 14. Being right there would give us so much more time in the parks that I don't think we will even miss the extra day. I WOULD hit CM if we were staying there. Probably on our first night. It would be perfect. But I am not going to count my chickens just yet.

Happy Thursday everyone. This is my Friday so I am a happy camper. One more day until Halloween!

.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Good Morning Ladies !
First let me say that the Princess is soooooo much better now....she is back to her playful happy self as of yesterday !! YIPEE !!!

Second - This is EE22`s Birthday week ....so Im sending wishes everyday to you EE..... HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY EE22 !!

mky The Turf Club at SSR is a very nice Restaurant...Good food...Quiet atmosphere....not an over the top restaurant where you`ll be impressed by the goings on....but a quiet retreat from all the action of the world.....you can sit outside under an awning...where you will be viewing the Lake that heads to DTD....and seeing the boats pass back and forth....AHHHHHHHHHH...Im thinking about it right now
Spoodles is Mr. Tomar`s 2nd favorite restaurant....He has made friends with one of the chefs that come out and talk with you about your dietary needs....and since then,......being able to have Simolina Pasta ...put Spoodles over in the "Must Do " List for us ....2xs a trip as well

TP2- Hope DD4 is getting better with the ear infection
Im thinking about her ...tomorrow is Halloween and Im sure she wants to go out and have fun trick or treating !!

Candi- Your trip is gettting sooooo close now....How Exciting !!!

 

[tripplanner2]

Tomar: So glad to hear that the princess is finally feeling better. Wow! almost 2 full weeks. Almost better you did not know that going into it or else they may not have done it. Now that it is over her overall quality of life will be so much better. I am sure you know that already but sometimes it is hard to see clearly when a loved one is involved.

Thanks for asking about DD4. She is doing much better but the medicine is bothering her belly. Never easy around here. We will survive though. Just knowing what the problem is makes things easier to cope with.