Just back- a quick review

[brown eyed girl]

It seemed we could have walked in without reservations for most places with a couple of exceptions.

Beaches and Cream - a 40 minute wait for counter, but then we got a table.
Bahmma Breeze (outside park) - packed, one of the better meals eaten
Ohanna's breakfast (packed) - Go for the characters, not for the food- had told in advance that I was celebrating a birthday yet nothing happened.
Tony's - we waited but there were few tables occupied - I knew what to expect so even though it was on a par with Olive Garden, I knew I was in for a mediocre meal-Again, had told them in advance we were celebrating a birthday and nothing happened. To make matters worse, we were hoping to catch Spectromagic from there but parade was cancelled due to weather that night.
French Bakery - we went here like 5 times - we all could not get enough of the quiche, napoleons, eclairs, crossiants and raspberry shuss! Plus the workers were very nice
Roys (outside park - empty) - very upscale, expensive - wonderful meal, get the chocolate souffle not to be missed
Coral Reef (place was empty) - We went to celebrate a birthday. Though we got the custom menu's right, they messed up the Mickey Cake and instead I got a pitiful looking cake that made your average grocery cake look great. To their credit they did not charge me and brought dd a free wave dessert but still I was disappointed. The food here was nothing special, would not go back.
Yachtsman Steakhouse (empty) - great meal.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango (outside park) - what a great fun place! Crazy music, art, flamenco and belly dancers and even fortune tellers. Little bites of everything. Even the little ones will like it. Wish there was one in my neighborhood.
1900 Park Fair (breakfast) - comfortable room, loved the characters, especially the Mad Hatter and Mary Poppins. Not crazy for the food but again we didn't come here for the food but for the characters. Finally, dd's birthday was acknowledged with a crown and a special placemap. I also ordered the mini castle cake. Nice experience.
Crystal Palace - again, not crazy for the food. Beautiful room, fun characters, birthday was acknowledged. Magic Kingdom needs some better quality restaurants for sit down. 4th of July fireworks amazing.

Overall, I do not regret my choices. Park attendance definitely seemed to be down for such a popular holiday week. Our routine was commando from early straight through 6:00 so many times when we ate outside park we had no intention of coming back to park at night. We had a great time and I can't wait to go back again.

 

[suzimar57]

thanks for the mini reviews!

 

[matt&jakesmom]

Thanks for sharing. I was surprised when you said that the it was not crowded. Maybe the price of gas has put a damper on plans.

 

[brown eyed girl]

That is what we believe. Both of my friends who go every year at this time said it was remarkably less crowded. One friend who says she has been there 27 times said the crowd on the 4th of July was the sort of crowd you would expect on a typical June day. The 4th was truely the only day you could say it was crowded. My other friends walked into Biergarten with no reservations.

 

[MissFitt]

I just got back last week and also noticed that it wasn't very crowded. We were able to get a table right away at Rose & Crown less than an hour before Illuminations.