lcborn2run
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2003
- Messages
- 327
Hi all...we returned yesterday (9/1) from a 10 day trip. I planned diligently using these boards, and here are my reviews of WDW restaurants:
Chef Mickey: We went here on our arrival night. The buffet featured very good quality food for both us and our kids. We saw Mickey, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Minnie and Donald. All came to our table except Donald-he was in the lobby. Kids had a ball and we really enjoyed the food. Save room for dessert-awesome selections!
Donald's Breakfastsourous: We did this on my son's 5th birthday. They gave him a card signed by the meal's characters (Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pluto) and the entire restaurant sang Happy Birthday to him. The food quality was very good..it's a breakfast buffet with plent of things to choose from. The only bad thing is we had 8:00 priority seating and didn't sit until 8:20 or so, so things were a bit rushed as I had an itinerary to stick to! There are boxes of dry cereal and bananas that you can put in your backpack to snack on later..the waitress encouraged it.
Le Cellier (Canada-Epcot): I had the DELICIOUS cheese soup and a salad. They give you this awesome bread on your table..some are like hot pretzels. The burgers my son and husband ordered were overcooked..the waitor offered to return them, but the service was pretty slow, so we didn't feel like waiting for the meal to be recooked. I would go here again..nice atmosphere.
Coral Reef: We had dinner here. Very pricey, but excellent quality of food. I had fish with oriental seasoning (I forget what kind) but it was excellent! My husband had steak and was very pleased with it. The highlight was seeing Mickey Mouse swimming by in the tank..he posed for many pics. Request a table on the lowest level if you can. Yes, the aquarium is visible from all tables, but the little ones won't appreciate it unless they are up close - I learned the hard way
Boma: I LOVED it here! First of all, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is absolutely the most beautifully decorated hotel in WDW (imho). I thought story hour was 6:30, so I made 7:30 ps. Well, they moved Story hour to 7:30; however, they played a fun educational game about animals with the kids in the lounge..my sons had a ball.
The food is spicy, so my husband who has plainer taste than me wasn't as crazy about the selection as I was, but I loved it. I tried a bit of everything. Save room for the dessert..those "zebra" concoctions were excellent! Typical Disney buffet for the kids. I will definitely return here.
Crystal Palace: Lunch with Pooh and friends. We always do this meal, and the quality of food was once again very good. Nice selection for both kids and adults.
--General note: In the three years since my last visit, the buffets now include many different and delicious dishes. Whereas in the past, most things such as pasta and fish were smothered ina cream sauce..not so anymore. Definitely more gourmet.
Ohana: Atmosphere and service would be A+. Food, just a B. The appetizer plate was delicious..especially the wontons and fried rice. The main meal consisted of shrimp (tasty, but you had to peel it), beef (terribly rare..though they did cook it further upon request, it was still a bit tough); pork-very good; turkey-very good. The pineapples with caramel sauce at the end was really tasty; you are so full at that point, it doesn't pay to order additional dessert (at an extra cost). The drinks were really good and really strong, which was most welcome after a day in the Magic Kingdom with three hot kids!
The best part...as the fireworks began, they dimmed the lights, piped in music, and we had a great view of the show. My 5 year old LOVED it as he HATES the sound of fireworks..you are too far away to hear any "booms". The kids enjoyed hula hooping and coconut racing.
Prime Time: Probably would skip next time. The "kitch" factor was lost on my kids..they thought we just had a cranky waitress. Sandwiches we had (some chicken with melted cheese concoction) were delicious; however we made the mistake of ordering chocolate shakes--absolutely delicious, but way too filling! Order 1 for two people..they fill a glass and leave the leftover in the silver mixing glass. It's enough to fill another entire glass. A bit expensive for lunch, but wanted to experience it. (had been there 12 years ago, but forgot). Strangest thing: no cheeseburgers on the menu..quite a blow to my 8 ds.
Hoop de Doo: GREAT show and atmosphere. If you like fried chicken and ribs, it's definitely worth it. We really don't eat that, so it was a bit of a waste. However, the strawberry shortcake, entertainment, and unlimited beer and wine made up for that
The rest of our vacation was spent at the HRH and Universal. I'll post to those boards. Feel free to post any questions!
Lisa
Chef Mickey: We went here on our arrival night. The buffet featured very good quality food for both us and our kids. We saw Mickey, Goofy, Chip, Dale, Minnie and Donald. All came to our table except Donald-he was in the lobby. Kids had a ball and we really enjoyed the food. Save room for dessert-awesome selections!
Donald's Breakfastsourous: We did this on my son's 5th birthday. They gave him a card signed by the meal's characters (Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Pluto) and the entire restaurant sang Happy Birthday to him. The food quality was very good..it's a breakfast buffet with plent of things to choose from. The only bad thing is we had 8:00 priority seating and didn't sit until 8:20 or so, so things were a bit rushed as I had an itinerary to stick to! There are boxes of dry cereal and bananas that you can put in your backpack to snack on later..the waitress encouraged it.
Le Cellier (Canada-Epcot): I had the DELICIOUS cheese soup and a salad. They give you this awesome bread on your table..some are like hot pretzels. The burgers my son and husband ordered were overcooked..the waitor offered to return them, but the service was pretty slow, so we didn't feel like waiting for the meal to be recooked. I would go here again..nice atmosphere.
Coral Reef: We had dinner here. Very pricey, but excellent quality of food. I had fish with oriental seasoning (I forget what kind) but it was excellent! My husband had steak and was very pleased with it. The highlight was seeing Mickey Mouse swimming by in the tank..he posed for many pics. Request a table on the lowest level if you can. Yes, the aquarium is visible from all tables, but the little ones won't appreciate it unless they are up close - I learned the hard way
Boma: I LOVED it here! First of all, the Animal Kingdom Lodge is absolutely the most beautifully decorated hotel in WDW (imho). I thought story hour was 6:30, so I made 7:30 ps. Well, they moved Story hour to 7:30; however, they played a fun educational game about animals with the kids in the lounge..my sons had a ball.
The food is spicy, so my husband who has plainer taste than me wasn't as crazy about the selection as I was, but I loved it. I tried a bit of everything. Save room for the dessert..those "zebra" concoctions were excellent! Typical Disney buffet for the kids. I will definitely return here.
Crystal Palace: Lunch with Pooh and friends. We always do this meal, and the quality of food was once again very good. Nice selection for both kids and adults.
--General note: In the three years since my last visit, the buffets now include many different and delicious dishes. Whereas in the past, most things such as pasta and fish were smothered ina cream sauce..not so anymore. Definitely more gourmet.
Ohana: Atmosphere and service would be A+. Food, just a B. The appetizer plate was delicious..especially the wontons and fried rice. The main meal consisted of shrimp (tasty, but you had to peel it), beef (terribly rare..though they did cook it further upon request, it was still a bit tough); pork-very good; turkey-very good. The pineapples with caramel sauce at the end was really tasty; you are so full at that point, it doesn't pay to order additional dessert (at an extra cost). The drinks were really good and really strong, which was most welcome after a day in the Magic Kingdom with three hot kids!
The best part...as the fireworks began, they dimmed the lights, piped in music, and we had a great view of the show. My 5 year old LOVED it as he HATES the sound of fireworks..you are too far away to hear any "booms". The kids enjoyed hula hooping and coconut racing.
Prime Time: Probably would skip next time. The "kitch" factor was lost on my kids..they thought we just had a cranky waitress. Sandwiches we had (some chicken with melted cheese concoction) were delicious; however we made the mistake of ordering chocolate shakes--absolutely delicious, but way too filling! Order 1 for two people..they fill a glass and leave the leftover in the silver mixing glass. It's enough to fill another entire glass. A bit expensive for lunch, but wanted to experience it. (had been there 12 years ago, but forgot). Strangest thing: no cheeseburgers on the menu..quite a blow to my 8 ds.
Hoop de Doo: GREAT show and atmosphere. If you like fried chicken and ribs, it's definitely worth it. We really don't eat that, so it was a bit of a waste. However, the strawberry shortcake, entertainment, and unlimited beer and wine made up for that
The rest of our vacation was spent at the HRH and Universal. I'll post to those boards. Feel free to post any questions!
Lisa
