Just Back from 10 Days of Regular DDP

[Rich271]

Well let me start by saying that I was a little unnerved by the removal of the tip and appitizer, and the great price reduction of a whopping dollar. On the whole my family enjoyed having the DDP, the OOP tips were not as big a deal as I originally thought. Sure we had to budget our money a little differently but it all worked out well. All of the CS meals we ate were great, Cosmic Rays, Yorkshire Fish Shoppe, ABC commisary, etc.

TS meals:

Le Cellier - After much hype and anticipation we found this one to be just average. Patrick, our server made the experience pretty good. Would I return? No.

Narcoossees - Best Meal of the trip!!! Surf and Turf was excellent and got to see Wishes too. Would I return? A BIG YES!!!

Crystal Palace - Just average Disney Buffet, DW and MIL didn't find much they liked there so deserts were a big hit. DD loved the character interaction wich was very good. We got to see Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet at least twice. Would I return? Maybe.

Hollywood and Vine - Same buffet but they had peel and eat shrimp. Fantasmic was Awesome!!! Would I return? No.

Whispering Canyon Cafe - FIL, DD and I thought it was really good food and alot of fun, ketchup anyone? MIL and DW didn't care for the food but the staff was nice enough to refund both TS credits for them. Would I return? Yes, but I would have to go alone.

Coral Reef - Very good. Everyone liked it. Would I return? Yes.

Boatwrights - DW and I ate here alone and loved it. The wait staff was great and the food was delicious. Would I return? Yes.

California Grill - Great food! Great Service! Great view! Was NOT worth 2 TS credits though. We got a main course and a desert nothing more. I think to make it worth 2 TS credits it must include some sushi or an appetizer. Would I return? Not for 2 TS credits.

Chef Mickeys - Best buffet of the trip. I enjoyed the food alot here. DD was so excited to see all the characters she didn't eat much but had a great time. Would I return? Yes. Great for the whole family to enjoy.


I think the DDP is still a good deal for some. It worked very well for our family.

Any Questions please feel free to ask...

 

[Bride In The Attic]

Thanks for the report! So glad you enjoyed Narcoossee's - it is our must do of every trip and we feel the best use of 2TS credits.

 

[stephensmum]

How old is your DD my ds is a 10 year old Adult!!! Little worried that he will have to order adults meals on our aug trip.

 

[Rich271]

DD is 3 all most 4. The dining plan was perfect for her. She is a bit picky but we always found something she liked everywhere we went. I think that 10 years old is WAY too young for an "adult" dining plan.

 

[becca011906]

what meal was Chef mickey's we are going there for dinner and there just aren't to many reviews of it just b'fast reviews!

 

[Rich271]

The Chef Mickeys Buffet was Mickey Ravioli, Prime Rib. Ham, Noodles with Shrimp, Fried rice and veggies. I'm leaving alot out I dont remember at the moment. For the kids it was Mac & Cheese (Mickey shaped of course), Chicken nuggets and other veggies. Lots of deserts too...

 

[mariaJ.]

Thanks so much for the update!
I'm glad you wrote about CA Grill. We leave in 10 days (yippee!) and I'm very conflicted about the 2 adult TS credits each for this meal. We are 3 adults since my son is 11 and also we have my DD, 5.
It just seems that for 6 TS credits we should get more than and entree, bev and dessert. I have been trying to work it out in my mind if we should pay OOP for everyones meal, or just some combination.
We, (including my son) are "foodies" and love, love good food--but I also am clear on what that is worth--and I'm thinking it's not worth the 6 credits.
any thoughts?

 

[familyS]

Thanks for writing and posting your reviews. Glad to hear everyone like Coral Reef

 

[JoanneNC]

Great reviews

 

[Rich271]

More on CG. I think going into it we expected more and were disappointed when we got just a Entree, desert and drink. The way the DDP works CG should not be a 2TS credit restaurant.

 

[septbaby]

At Narcoossee's did you get an appetizer or just the Surf & Turf, dessert and non alcoholic beverage?

When we went in Aug on the DP we were told 3 courses, so I could have had soup, salad and entree. I got crab cakes, surf & Turf and ended up sharing a kids banana split with my nephew as I was too stuffed for an adult dessert.

Is it clearly just an entree and dessert?

 

[KatMark]

Thanks for the great reviews. Sorry you didn't enjoy Crystal Palace--it is our must do every trip--but we do breakfast which is much better than the dinner. I think from reading reviews lately that we will have to try Coral Reef this year--haven't been in probably ten years. I was surprised how much you liked Boatwright's--it was our worse meal of our trip this past September and the service was terrible when we were there--45 minute wait past our ADR because they skipped over us twice!

 

[Rich271]

At Narcoossee's did you get an appetizer or just the Surf & Turf, dessert and non alcoholic beverage?

When we went in Aug on the DP we were told 3 courses, so I could have had soup, salad and entree. I got crab cakes, surf & Turf and ended up sharing a kids banana split with my nephew as I was too stuffed for an adult dessert.

Is it clearly just an entree and dessert?

Narcoossee's was very specific. One entree, one desert and one non-alcoholic drink. We split the Fried calamari appy between 4 adults and all of us were stuffed after the meal.

 

[CharmedLife]

Thanks so much for the update!
I'm glad you wrote about CA Grill. We leave in 10 days (yippee!) and I'm very conflicted about the 2 adult TS credits each for this meal. We are 3 adults since my son is 11 and also we have my DD, 5.
It just seems that for 6 TS credits we should get more than and entree, bev and dessert. I have been trying to work it out in my mind if we should pay OOP for everyones meal, or just some combination.
We, (including my son) are "foodies" and love, love good food--but I also am clear on what that is worth--and I'm thinking it's not worth the 6 credits.
any thoughts?

I'm having the same dilemma. I just can't believe it's 2 TS credits without the appetizer. We have a reservation to celebrate my parents' 60th birthdays. They are not on DDP so we will be paying cash for them either way, but trying to decide if DH and I should use our credits or not. If we don't, I'm not sure where else we'll use them. But if we do, then we're definitely losing money on the DDP that day. I wish that Disney would have left in the appetizer for the 2 TS places.

 

[JimMIA]

California Grill - Great food! Great Service! Great view! Was NOT worth 2 TS credits though. We got a main course and a desert nothing more. I think to make it worth 2 TS credits it must include some sushi or an appetizer. Would I return? Not for 2 TS credits.

I agree. CG is our favorite Disney restaurant -- the food is always outstanding and the service is great. The loss of the appetizer is no big deal at some of the restaurants, but it's huge at CG. One of the prime attractions at CG is the appetizer. Without the appetizer, not only is the food diminished, but the whole dining experience goes drastically downhill.

CG is a waste of 2TS to me on the current DDP.

 

[wezee]

DH and I also love Narcosee's...since we have upgraded to the Deluxe dining for Sept. bounceback.....I get to eat here 2 times next trip!!! I am also glad to hear you enjoyed Coral Reef. Last time we went about 1 yr. ago it was just so-so. But we are planning to give it another chance.

 

[phisigprincess]

Did you do the Fantasmic Dinner Package with Hollywood and Vine? I noticed you mentioned seeing F afterwords. I wasn't sure if it was still available on the 2008 DDP.

 

[Rich271]

Yes you can still get the Fantasmic package with H&V on the DDP. Best show in Disney. In my opinion.