Just back with 30+ meals to talk about...

[Belle5]

We are just back from a mostly wonderful 15 day trip to WDW. The down-side to our vacation is that we were stricken with several illnesses while in Orlando. This really cut into some of our plans. DH and I never were able to slip away for a romantic meal together as we had planned. We were just too busy taking care of our six sons as they became ill or nursing ourselves. Even that didn't stop us from enjoying many fine meals together, however.

Our list included:

Boma breakfast
Boma dinner
50's Prime Time
Hollywood and Vine
Cinderella's Royal Table
LTT-lunch
Nine Dragons
Rose & Crown
Le Cellier
Boatwright's
Kona (twice) for dinner
1900 Park Faire (breakfast)
Gardenview Lounge for tea
Donald's Breakfastasaurus
Yacht Club Galley
Coral Reef
Whispering Canyon dinner
Trail's End breakfast




Tusker
Pizza Planet
Columbia Harbour House
Liberty Inn
Yakatori
Tangeriene
Ghirardelli
Beaches and Cream
Roaring Forks
Cotton Mill
Pepper Market
kids had lots of counter service that I haven't asked them about



Chevy's at the Crossroads
Sea World (Italian Place for pizza--can't think of the name right now)

Feel free to ask any questions you may have. I will write some opinions as I get the chance.

DDE saved us a fortune!!!

 

[Minniespal]

You sure did eat at some fab places ~ Can't wait to here more.

 

[BCV23]

Hi Belle, Sorry to hear of your illnesses. We had the same thing happen to us this month as well. Also sorry to hear you missed your romantic dinner.

What did you think of the tea? My daughter and I did it for the first time this trip and I'm not sure I will do it again although it will be a pleasant memory.

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Wow, you all ate at a ton of places, can't wait to hear your reviews.

 

[chop456]

Could you give a short review on:

Donald's Breakfastasaurus and Whispering Canyon (dinner)? I am debating these 2 locations for myself and DS6.

 

[byoung]

Glad to hear you had a good vacation even with your illnesses.

 

[bjakmom]

Glad you still managed to have some fun - six sick kids on vacation - you and DH deserve gold medals!

How was Coral Reef? I just made ADR here for trip with DNeph(8) - we had dinner there in Dec 04 and it was one of the highlights of that trip - wondering if your crew enjoyed it? Also how did your boys like Bomas (dinner)?

 

[Belle5]

Hi Belle, Sorry to hear of your illnesses. We had the same thing happen to us this month as well. Also sorry to hear you missed your romantic dinner.

What did you think of the tea? My daughter and I did it for the first time this trip and I'm not sure I will do it again although it will be a pleasant memory.

Hi BCV23! I wonder if you and I crossed paths a few times and didn't know it!
How was your trip? We passed around a horrible high fever virus with awful cough thing (DH has bronchial pneumonia from it right now--just diagnosed at the hospital a few hours ago), a stomach virus and a sore throat thing. So much for traveling during cold/flu season! What kind of illness did you experience? I think everyone who was at WDW for more than a few days was ill!

Anyway, about that tea... My mother and her DH had experienced the tea previously as had I-- with a couple of my younger sons. BCV23, I would be curious to know which tea you and your daughter ordered. How was your service?

We arrived at the Gardenview Lounge and noticed that the tea wasn't as crowded as it had been on my last visit. Most of the window seats were taken and that was about it. (Last time I had a window table and hadn't even noticed the couch/chair style communal seating arrangement that lined the perimeter of the area) I asked if it were possible to have a window table and was told they were all taken. Now, I must tell you that ninety percent of the communal style seats were untaken when we arrived. Wouldn't you know that our hostess seated us smack up next to the only other ladies dining at that style table so we had only like a foot of space between our party and theirs? I hind sight I wish I had insisted on having one of the other seats of that style that lined the restaurant as most of them remained unoccupied for the first hour we were there. (They did fill up eventually) I felt unable to enjopy an private conversation with my mother in such a set-up. Actually, my cheeks were stinging with irritation over the situation and I must say it nearly ruined the first part of my time there.

My mother and I were both irritated at the loooong wait to be acknowledged of by our server. I reminded myself that this same thing happened last time I was there and it must be part of the "long, leisurely" experience that is supposed to be part of having "tea". (I mention this to give a heads up to future guests)

We both chose the Grand Tea. Previously we had ordered the Buckingham Palace. I enjoyed the Grand Tea much more! I had so loved the Cinnamon Spice tea last time that I chose that flavor once again. (Mother and I both took a box home, as well --$10)We started the tea out with a flute of chilled sparkling apple cider.(Yum!) We were allowed to swich from the sparkling wine to this. I think the little sandwiches are fun, but I wonder if they were offered on some sort of buffet if anyone would really take any. I think they are only "good" in the context of "tea". I was able to switch out a little shrimp sandwich for a second pear sandwich. There was also a little chicken salad sandwich which was unremarkable. I think the other was some kind of cream cheese and walnut sandwich but I am not certain. The scones (w/ white raisins) are really wonderful and served with a lovely Devonshire cream and raspberry preserves. (I noticed those same scones are served at the GF character breakfast--but without the Devonshire cream). The jam tarts were nice--reminding me of those Pepperidge farm cookies with the jam in the middle--only fresher. Last time I had the tea I really enjoyed the pastries--but you are allowed only two small pastries if you choose that option. My mother and I both decided to opt for the English Trifle this time. What a wonderful decision that was! Not only do you enjoy a much larger portion of dessert than if you opted for the pastries--but it was HEAVENLY. I would do tea here again just to partake of this dessert! The layers of berries and custard and cake and cream were just perfect!

Something to note about ordering the same flavor tea as your tea partner is that your table is only brought one pot of tea. If my mother had ordered a different flavor we would have been brought two pots. I am sure we would have been brought another pot upon request but our server was so difficult to find that we would have been waiting a long time... Also, it was never offered.


Hot Cinnamon Spice - A mixture of Black tea, orange peel, three types of cinnamon, and sweet clove


The Grand Tea - The classic English tradition of Afternoon Tea, Grand Floridian style. We offer you a variety of tea sandwiches, scones and jam tarts, followed by your choice of our freshly baked tea pastries or English trifle, accompanied by a glass of sparkling wine and your choice of tea. $24.50 per guest

 

[sunny04]

I'd like to hear about Kona. We have this one booked for my birthday and I like hearing about everyone's experiences here.

 

[zippehsmom]

Belle What was your favorite meal of the trip?

BTW, when we were there in December a stomach virus made it's way through our family too .

 

[1stTimeDisneyer]

I can't wait to hear about your dining places. I am getting ready to put adr's in for our trip.

 

[Belle5]

Could you give a short review on:

Donald's Breakfastasaurus and Whispering Canyon (dinner)? I am debating these 2 locations for myself and DS6.

Let me begin with Whispering Canyon. We dined here our first night at the WL so it was very convenient. I ordered the
Mixed Greens - tossed in apple vinaigrette dressing with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions $5.19
Meatloaf - meatloaf served with gravy, Yukon Gold mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables $16.49

I must say my food was delicious! The antics, however, got on my last nerve. We were dining with my late brother's family and they, too, were very anxious to get out of WCC by the middle of the meal. There must have been twenty calls for ketchup during our dinner. I actually was embarrassed for the servers that they had to keep participating in such a charade. Please, please don't ask for ketchup! It is the most annoying thing I have ever observed! We have dined here several times throughout the years and I can't imagine eating here again because of the forced antics. That's such a shame because the food was good!!! I think every time we walked through the lobby to go to our rooms we also heard the calls for ketchup.
Oh, yeah...I found the s'mores cake to be "okay". Not really that special...

 

[Belle5]

Now onto Donald's. I have nothing but rave reviews for this breakfast! (Ok, the biscuits and gravy might have been a little wimpy) The food was great! The service by our waiter and handling of the characters was top notch!

 

[Belle5]

Glad you still managed to have some fun - six sick kids on vacation - you and DH deserve gold medals!

How was Coral Reef? I just made ADR here for trip with DNeph(8) - we had dinner there in Dec 04 and it was one of the highlights of that trip - wondering if your crew enjoyed it? Also how did your boys like Bomas (dinner)?

I just can't tell you how much we enjoyed our dining experience. Our server, Kelly, was the best we encountered during our stay. She was a true professional (although I must mention she kneels when she takes your order--Outback style) She memorized the names of my two youngest children and referred to them by name often. She went above and beyond to help us enjoy our meal.

I ordered the Corn chowder made with fresh corn and bacon. With a little salt added by me this was scrumptious! I also had a blue crab cake served on fresh corn salsa with sour cream and chive sauce. Honestly, this was not one of the better crab cakes I have eaten. I can't explain it other than to say I actually enjoyed my crab cake at Boatwright's a lot more. Those of you who really know your crab cakes would really be put off by these, I think.
For salad I chose the mixed greens with blue cheese dressing. It was a nice, fresh salad.
DH and the boys ordered the BBQ Salmon sandwich with pepper jack and just loved it!!!!

Because of a mess up I was also brought a bowl of the famed Lobster Soup. Well, I HATE lobster so the smell of this just made my stomach turn but I did appreciate the gesture.

The chocolate wave was very good. I believe the Kileau Torte at Kona is better, though. If you like the one you should like the other, I think. The Grand Marnier filling gave this cake a unique flavor. I remember reading the old menus describing the cake as being served with some kind of cherry compote. I really felt that would have made this a better dessert and mentioned this to the manager as she came by. Still, very yummy!
STARTERS

Creamy Lobster Soup - chervil, brandy $6.00

Corn Chowder made with fresh corn and bacon $6.00


Blue Crab Cake - served on fresh corn salsa with sour cream and chive sauce $10.00

Mixed Greens - topped with Blue Cheese dressing or key lime herb vinaigrette $6.00



Barbecue Salmon Sandwich - seared salmon filet served on a multi-grain roll, topped with housemade barbecue sauce and pepper jack cheese $16.00

Dessert

The Chocolate Wave - Warm dark chocolate with a white chocolate Grand Marnier center with chocolate ganache and white chocolate ice cream $8.00

One of the most unique Disney Dining experiences, the Coral Reef restaurant allows you to dine with the fishes. Among those you might see include: Brown Shark, Stingray, Grouper, Tarpon, and the Green Sea Turtle.

Please take the time to enjoy this meal. It is such a beautiful place to dine! The server mentioned how the lunch crowd in particular seems to rush through and want everything in a hurry. The beauty of the place is totally lost on many of them...

My DS loved his build your own sundae dessert! Make sure to buy the kiddos a blue glow cube here. They are so cool with the watery environment!

 

[Belle5]

Also how did your boys like Bomas (dinner)?

The boys liked Boma just fine! It was their mama that wasn't overly impressed. I actually mentioned this fact to one of the chefs a few mornings ago at the Boma breakfast. I really enjoyed the breakfast this time and not the dinner. Our party of nine had plans to meet up with another party of twelve later in our vacation but after our Boma experience earlier in the trip I cancelled our plans. First of all, I did not like the salmon. It was the nut encrusted version. VERY PLAIN! I preferred the coconut curry version or the red/ green/ yellow pepper version by far. I just don't get the fascination with the desserts in this place. I really do not like the zebra domes very much and the only dessert I really liked (tried 'em all) was the banana bread pudding w/ vanilla sauce. The prime rib was good. I like it served with the mustard sauce. (NOT the tamarind BBQ!)

I must tell you, with the exception of the desserts, my family was surprised to find that we really enjoyed the buffet at Hollywood and Vine (Fantasmic package) much better than Boma! The desserts at H&V were sub par, even worse than Boma's, IMHO.

 

[Belle5]

Belle What was your favorite meal of the trip?

.

Overall experience--Coral Reef
Best dessert-Kileau Torte at Kona
Biggest surprise--Nine Dragons (great beef appetizer, wonderful sesame chicken, but nasty dessert)
Biggest disappointment--Le Cellier
Best steak--Kona terryaki steak

 

[slk537]

I would love to hear more about Kona Cafe, please! And any other details you have.

TIA!

 

[pepperw23]

You sure did eat at some fab places ~ Can't wait to here more.

Off subject, I saw your counter and I just had to stop and tell you this:

CONGRATULATIONS!!! That is awsome, you must be very proud!!!

for you:

 

[swankybeth]

Thanks for the reviews you've posted so far. Sorry to hear that everyone wasn't feeling well this trip. How was Yacht Club Galley?

 

[Belle5]

Thanks for the reviews you've posted so far. Sorry to hear that everyone wasn't feeling well this trip. How was Yacht Club Galley?

Swankybeth,

We loved dining at Yacht Club Galley!!! My oldest son ordered the Hoist the Flag red white and blue layered beverage and really enjoyed it! Made me wish I had ordered one, as well!

Complimentary rolls were brought to the table and were delicious.

Service was a bit of a problem because of a serious language barrier.

I loved my dinner salad and herb chicken with mashed potatoes. They melted in my mouth!

The burgers ordered by some family members were a hit!

The maple infused creme brulee was absolutely heavenly! It blew the maple creme brulee offered at Le Cellier out of the water!

My 8 yo DS ordered the white chocolate puzzle dessert that you paint with different colored blobs of chocolate! What fun! He loved it!

We will absolutely return.