Just back from a week on the DxDP

[Masonmj84]

Had dinners at Artist Point, Citricos, Jiko, Flying Fish, Cali Grill, and ‘Ohana.

Breakfasts at CRT, Crystal Palace, Tusker House, and Cape May.

Lunches at 50’s PT and Coral Reef.

Observations . . .

We really liked each of the signature restaurants and don’t know if we could rank one above the other (depends so much on your server and how much you like what you order). I suppose if I had to pick just one, I’d go with Jiko (although the snapper at FF rocked my world and, BTW, this is one dish where food porn does it no justice, it tastes much better than it looks. The mushroom soup appetizer at Artist Point also fits this category). There was definitely a marked difference in quality (in terms if food, service, and atmosphere) between the signatures and all of the other restaurants we ate at.

We ate at ‘Ohana on opening night after starving ourselves all day. Had a great experience (from now on, this will be our opening night destination). The bread pudding lived up to its billing (better than some of the signature desserts, too bad we were so full already).

Also had a good experience at 50’s PT. While I’d describe the food quality as that of a slightly above-average Cracker Barrel, the atmosphere and server made it very fun and memorable (we had Cousin Mark, who was great for dry sense of humor types like me). I was a bit skeptical about the PB&J milkshake but ordered it anyway. It was the best part of the meal.

Coral Reef was a disappointment. The bread was good but everything else was mediocre at best (think below-average Red Lobster). If I’d paid OOP, I would’ve had major buyer’s remorse (on a DxDP upgrade from free DDP it was less painful). Given all of the other choices at Epcot, I’ll never eat here again.

As far as the breakfasts, we liked each of the buffets better than CRT. Cape May was our favorite, followed by Crystal Palace, then Tusker House but they were all fairly comparable as far as the food went (we liked Cape May the best because it was the least frantic and rushed, yet the characters actually came around faster and spent more time with you). CRT felt too rushed and impersonal and I wouldn’t have chosen some of the pre-plated items (although the eggs were surprisingly good). Our server didn’t even bother to take our order (just assumed we all wanted the eggs, meat, and potatoes).

By mid-week the DxDP was seeming like too much food (even just doing 2 meals a day, instead of 3). However, as the week went on, I hit my eating stride and it ended up seeming on the somewhat heavy side of about right (although, I’d hate to think about what I’d look like if I ate like that all the time).

Overall, I would return to all of the signature restaurants, all of the breakfast buffets, ‘Ohana, and 50’s PT. I would probably only return to CRT if I was again on a DxDP upgrade from free dining AND I was going with someone who’d never before experienced eating in the castle (and would appreciate doing so). I would not return to Coral Reef, even if someone else was paying for it.

 

[Lynne G]

Thanks for this review. My DS wanted Coral Reef, but I said no. Seems you are not the only ones disappointed in that restaurant. I was thinking about doing Deluxe, but one TS meal is generally enough for us. I keep thinking about trying that level though.