Just back from Memorial Day W/E...my reviews(Very Long)

[Steve on LI]

We came back from a 5 night Memorial Day Weekend, and I have a bunch of reviews. Also if anyone has questions, comments or advice, please feel free to post.

We are: myself, DW, DS15, DS10, DD6. We tried the Dining Plan for the first time. My biggest concern was that it forced us to overeat.

Wednesday 5/24 - we arrived kind of late and headed over to the ESPN Club.
Both me and DW had the Championship Chicken Sandwich which I thought was great, but DW thought was too thick and chewy. DS15 had the Home Run Hot Dog, which is huge, but he finished it. DS10 had the Hot Dog n' which was normal sized. DD6 had the Pass Bunt and Jam, which she took 3 bites of and we took back to our room. I didn't use the dining Plan for this meal as i had other plans for my credits. It was getting late so we skipped dessert.

Thurday 5/25 - MK day.
Lunch = Pecos Bill Cafe
I had the BBQ pork sandwich which never disappoints. DW had the Chicken Wrap which she enjoyed. DS15 had the 1/4 Cheesburger with Bacon. DS10 had the 1/4 Burger. DD6 had the chilled chicken with carrots and celerey. We usually don't order dessert, but the cashier said "do you know you get dessert" I said yes, so she said "take 4 Peanut Butter Brownie Mousse". I was better off without them. It had a fake Peanut butter taste, needless to say they were awful.
Dinner = Liberty Tree Tavern. This is always one of our favorite dinners! It has never disappointed and we always have a great dinner there.

Friday 5/26 - MGM day.
Lunch = Backlot Express (because my DW despises ABC Commissary).
I had a Chesseburger, which was good. DW had the grilled Turkey and Cheese (she enjoyed it). DS15 and DS10 both had Chicken Strips, though DS10 would have rather had the kids nuggets. DD6 had the chicken nuggets which her bother decided to help himself to. We again went with the trend and ordered dessert. We went with 2 Double Chocolate bundt cakes and 2 Strawberry Parfaits (better choices then the previous day, but still we were clearly overeating).
Dinner = Mama Melrose = We started a new trend and ordered a bunch of apetizers, dinner, and dessert.
I had the Calamari which were tender, Chicken Parm which was good but sauce is a bit tangy, and tiramisu for dessert. DW had the Caprio cheese which she didn't care for (because it was goat cheese), Eggplant Napoleon which she didn't stop raving about, and the Happiest celebration on Earth which she liked. DS15 had Mozzarella and tomatoes but he didn't like the dressing, Chicken parm which is how he judges all restaurants, and the Happiest celebration on Earth. DS10 had a minestrone soup, Chicken parm, and tiramisu (he liked everything). DD6 had a minestrone soup, Mini Chicken parm, and Spumoni.

Saturday 5/27 - Epcot Day
Lunch = Electric Umbrella
I had Roast Beef and Provolgne which when dressed up with lettuce and tomato was good. DW had a whole wheat turkey wrap. DS15 and DS10 Both had chicken Strips. DD6 had Turkey and Cheese Pinwheels. We ordered some Chocolate Chip cookies for dessert.

Dinner = Coral Reef
We were looking forward to this meal and basically had it ruined by one of the food servers.
To start we all ordered Shrimp Cocktail except for DS15 who ordered a Chicken Ceasar. However when the server brought out everything he dropped one of the Shrimp Cocktails on the table, and glass was shattered all over the table. The Server and waiter both went in panic mode and started picking up glass, wiping the table, bringing new utensils (twice) bring new bread (twice). In the mess of things my DS15 got a tiny piece of glass in his finger. We didn't want to make a huge issue of it because DS15 actually felt bad for the server who was in panic mode (If i didn't know better I thought he was afraid he'd get fired) We all regained composure and both me and DW had Martinis.
I ordered the Crab Cakes which were excellent. DW ordered the Salmon which was good. DS15 ordered Chicken Breast over penne. DS10 had the NY Strip. DD6 had tritons Pasta.
For dessert we had 3 choclate waves (FANTASTIC) DS10 had butterscotch brulee, and DD6 had build your own sundae.
Our tab for the Martinis and cappucino was $35, but the waiter or server showed ZERO class and didn't offer to pick up the tab. The only thing they offered was a band-aid to my DS15. So instead of enjoying the views and atmosphere we spent the time having the table cleaned a few times.

Sunday 5/28 -
DW and DD6 attended the My Disney Girl Tea Party. My DW thought it was priceless and DW had a wonderful time! me and the boys went to AK to ride Everest. AK was packed! Between 10:30 and 2:30 all's we did was ride Everest and have Lunch at Restaurantosaurus. The 3 of us had Mickey D's Chicken Nuggets and Fries. The boys were in Heaven.

Dinner - We had a reservation at JIKO but cancelled as we were totally fooded out. Instead we went to the Big River Grille. We had Humuus (surprizingly good) a Chicken Quesadilla (just okay) and 2 Beer Cheese soups ( quite good)

Both me and DS10 had the NY Strip which was prepared nicely, DW had Hazelnut Crusted Chicken, DS15 had the Meat Loaf which he raved about because they use sausage in it, and DD6 had a hot dog.
It was running late so we got desserts to go. We put them in our fridge but forgot to eat them as we checked out EARLY Monday morning.

 

[zurgswife]

Thanks for the review....so sorry you skipped Jiko...that is my families favorite restaurant right now...

 

[lexmelinda]

RE: "Our tab for the Martinis and cappucino was $35, but the waiter or server showed ZERO class and didn't offer to pick up the tab."

I seriously doubt if it had anything to do with class. It sounds like it was just an accident and although the manager in any other restaurant in the country would have been happy to buy your drinks to make sure you were happy, I doubt if Disney feels they need to comp anything to guarantee your return. The server could obviously have paid out of their own pocket but I suspect that most servers simply cannot afford to do that when they have kids to support or college tuition to pay.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I've worked as a waitress for about 17 years and I have to tell you that no restaurant will comp alcoholic beverages because of the liability issue---Now the cappucino would have been different but you would have had to pay for your liquor regardless----Great food report though!!

 

[jezebella]

Not exactly true----on our last disaterous trip to PYC the manager comped our beer and even brought one over himself to me.

 

[irishbosoxfan]

I guess you got lucky then!! I know for me and where I've worked (5 states) alcohol was a big no-no! Maybe because you were a guest on site and utilizing their transportation they felt differently--I don't know I just wrote what I knew to be true from my own experiences!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Thanks, Steve. I'm always intrigued by Coral Reef reviews - sounds like you would've had a decent meal had it not been for the server fire drill. Y'all ate at several places we've frequented (but I've shied away from the Big River Grill), and I agree with your DW ... it'll be a while before I brave the ABC Commissary.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I agree with you, they should have comp'd your drinks. The server should have reminded the manager of what happened and have requested your drinks be comp'd and Disney is no exception!

 

[jezebella]

Got them again!! We live in Celebration--not staying on property.

 

[johnvree]

I've worked as a waitress for about 17 years and I have to tell you that no restaurant will comp alcoholic beverages because of the liability issue---Now the cappucino would have been different but you would have had to pay for your liquor regardless----Great food report though!!

Maybe it's a NJ thing, but it is common for the bartender to buy a round when you spend a lot of time/money at the bar.

By the way, Steve, great review. You have me thinking about the Big River Grille, which I have never had any interest in before your review.

 

[swankybeth]

Thanks for sharing your reviews.

 

[susy]

Oh, now I get why you see people with trays piled high with food and everyone also has a desert....you can imagine how this looks to those who don't know about the meal plan (it looks like people are stuffing themselves silly- in VERY hot weather at times), but it's because it comes with their plan-makes sense now. Mystery solved!!!!!
Sorry you got rained out of Jiko's-that's such a great place-BRG can't compare

 

[Aurora63]

Not a flame, but why would you expect them to pick up the tab for your drinks? It was just an accident, I wouldn't expect anything free, just a new shrimp cocktail.

 

[dbal]

Nice reviews! I'm kinda suprised that they didn't comp the drinks too. I used to waitress in college and we always comped something when there was some type of accident; either server related or food related. It's good business and you leave the customer feeling - ya know- the way they should feel when they leave your establishment.

 

[ufgator]

Thanks for your reviews. Sorry about what happened at Coral Reef.

 

[nurseypoo5]

Not a flame, but why would you expect them to pick up the tab for your drinks? It was just an accident, I wouldn't expect anything free, just a new shrimp cocktail.

I have to disagree. I would expect them to comp something, however since most of us are on the dining plan, comping meals or parts of them seems obsolete. I wouldnt expect them to comp alcohol either.

When wierd things happen like this most restaurants will do something to insure that your lasting thought of the restaurant is a good one, not on a sour note. I'm wondering if the manager atleast apologized?

 

[magicmouse2]

I would have expected them to comp something. If the manager had seen what happened that probably would have been the case. Maybe your sons meal at least as he cut his finger. It would have been at least courteous to offer something sorry to har about the mishap, but glad you still enjoyed the chocolate wave desserts

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your reviews ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[jazznms]

I've worked as a waitress for about 17 years and I have to tell you that no restaurant will comp alcoholic beverages because of the liability issue---Now the cappucino would have been different but you would have had to pay for your liquor regardless----Great food report though!!

I work in a casino restaurant and yes i comp alcohol all the time
My favorite line is if he is not happy with the service or food buy him a bottle of wine and desert never let them leave without make an effort at least
love the report

 

[blondie34]

great review. i just returned from there as well. it was sooooo crowded. AK was a nightmare to me.

jiko was my fav and california grill was 2nd. i was not impressed with les chefs de france.

also i was not impressed with the disney dining plan. too complicated. if you don't know what all is included you are not going to get it or get any help with your questions. i found ONE helpful cast member that helped me sort out one meal. but i definitely agree you eat more on the dining plan because i would have never ordered all those deserts or probably even all the snacks. so in the long run, if you just pay as you go and eat as you normally would, i'm not sure the ddp would save you any $.