Leaving Soon & Live reports, cruise updates pg19

[UKDEB]

Those portions are the perfect size for me. As much as I love eating, I find huge plates full of food offputting. I do like to take my time over dinner, but two hours for two courses is not good!

 

[irongirlof12]

love the piccies of OKW rooms

food looks yummy, but I agree, I'll only be eating on site as it's free, wouldn't pay out that much

hope Karen's pain eases off

 

[natalielongstaff]

free dining is the perfect chance of finding out where to go when you have to pay

 

[scojos]

free dining is the perfect chance of finding out where to go when you have to pay

or where to avoid next time its free

 

[disneyholic family]

Not been to Clearwater yet, just relaxing a few days to see how Karen's back goes - not great right now.

Would go to Manny's any day over Cali Grill if I was paying.

2 more things about Cali Grill, coldest place I have ever eaten in, and took 2 hours for 2 courses, a little too long.

we didn't like CG at all when we ate there. We were expecting so much given all the rave reviews but were very disappointed.
The service was the worst we experienced at any disney restaurant - signature or otherwise.
definitely NOT worth two table service credits.
we much much much prefer Citricos at the Grand Floridian, but we won't be eating there this time either. We're sticking to the non-signature restaurants.

However, i'd definitely be willing to have that little volcano cake in the picture! yum!!

 

[gemmybear83]

free dining is the perfect chance of finding out where to go when you have to pay

Thanks for the tip about Cali Grill being cold will make sure to take a cardigan with me! Love the photo of the boat through the hidden mickey railings

 

[T16GEM]

Great updates Wayne!
That meal at CG wouldn't touch the sides for my DH after a day in the parks! We would end up popping out to McD's at midnight to fill up!

When do you go on the cruise?

 

[gaylie]

these are brilliant updates Wayne......especially the Cali Grill. We're off to Victoria and Alberts next month, for 30th Anniversary really glad not going Cali now.....
Hope Karen starts to improve......keep the reports coming, so informative. Enjoy the rest of your time out there....

 

[heatherbelle]

Thanks for posting Wayne

The room pics reminded me of our room last year. Keep an eye out for frogs in the room. Honestly we found one just before we went to sleep one night.

Do you like the resort?

I bet you will be sold on free dining once you have eaten your way through the parks and resorts.

looking forward to our jolly next year, as we will be back to the free dining plan, but travelling cattle class with Virgin I'm afraid.

 

[Lizzybear]

Sorry to hear CG wasn't a hit, we enjoyed it but my bf is vegetarian and they were really accomodating which i'm sure swayed us a bit

 

[wayneg]

Someone asked where our room was, I forgot to answer. We were offered a room near the hospitality house but it was ground level, after having rooms before with lizards and roaches in them we always want higher floors. So we were given room 5520, about furthest place away but makes no difference to us where we are.

Last night ate at GF Cafe. All enjoyed our meal. Alot better value than Cali Grill. Pics below.

Today ate at POFQ for lunch. All had chicken parm and was very nice. Tonights meal at 1900 Park Fayre.

This afternoon had a few hours in Universal Studios, very busy.

View from our balcony.

 

[Portugal1000]

Thanks for report and pictures. We arrive Tuesday at Saratoga Springs. Hows the weather? Usually go at Xmas and weather has been great last 3 years.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

 

[Netty]

More fab food pics!
great view from your room too

 

[StitchMad]

Posting on behalf of Dad because I won't let him have the laptop.

Thanks for report and pictures. We arrive Tuesday at Saratoga Springs. Hows the weather? Usually go at Xmas and weather has been great last 3 years.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

Since we arrived Thursday, we have only had a couple of downpours. Mostly between 90 and 95 - nice and hot.

We ate at 1900 Park Fare this evening - didn't bother with photos of food as it's a buffet. Just a couple here with me and the characters.

We all enjoyed the food. Salmon, beef and pork carvery, stir-fry, paella, salads, soups, and loads more.

Chef Mickey's tomorrow morning for breakfast - and tomorrow evening SSR Turf Club.

 

[Pootle]

Lovely photos Matt and Wayne. Building 55 is one of my favourites and I love the pool next to it. I was in that building twice last year; once in a studio with a friend and once in a 1 bedroom with DH - great huge balcony with water views.

Worried about your Cali Grill being cold comment. This drives me up the wall about Florida dining - but I've always found Cali Grill not too bad so if it's gone the way of the others for freezing temps, it will be off my list.

Lovely to have regular updates - thanks

 

[iluvtot]

Posting on behalf of Dad because I won't let him have the laptop.



Since we arrived Thursday, we have only had a couple of downpours. Mostly between 90 and 95 - nice and hot.

We ate at 1900 Park Fare this evening - didn't bother with photos of food as it's a buffet. Just a couple here with me and the characters.

We all enjoyed the food. Salmon, beef and pork carvery, stir-fry, paella, salads, soups, and loads more.

Chef Mickey's tomorrow morning for breakfast - and tomorrow evening SSR Turf Club.

Hi Matt,

How's your mum doing?
That sounds like my kids! I'm only on now because they are all in bed!!
We've got 1900 Park Fayre on our list of ADR's. We did the breakfast a couple of years back, and want to try the eve.
Who's the young lady with the blue bow?? Must be slipping with my Disney character's, but can't work out who she is!
Oh! and did you try the strawberry soup?!
We're on countdown down, got the suitcases down yesterday!
Enjoy your day, hope your mum doesn't feel too rough after her day at Universal. Is she able to go on any of the rides?

Jules x

 

[disneyholic family]

GREAT pictures and posts Matt and Wayne!!!!

you got building 55!!! that is THE best location in all of OKW!!!!!!!!!!!!

that's the one we always ask for when we're there (and by the way, i was the one who asked where you're located)...that is the best view (in my opinion) and the most secluded and the quietest AND you have your very own private pool right outside your door - brilliant location!!!!!

we love that building!!!! and with a car, it really doesn't matter where you are..
and that's another thing i love about OKW - you get to drive right up to your building!! if you have a car, there is pretty much zero walking through the resort!

have you visited the little shop in the main building? the souvenir/food shop?
usually the people working in there are very very nice (they do that whole welcome home bit).

By the way, remember that since you're staying onsite, if you buy anything in the parks, you can have it sent to your resort - then you pick it up the next day at that little souvenir shop in the main building. Although i know you don't buy anything, but in case you do.

as for the GF Cafe, I also think it's quite good. The bread and deserts there are to die for (but then again, i die for deserts anywhere..mmmmm )

keep that food porn coming!!!! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Pegasus928]

Great reports and pics coming in.
Shame about CG - when we went with the kids in Feb we loved it. Great service and the food was some of the tastiest I had ever had. I suppose it is like anywhere else in the world, you can have 2 totally different experiences on 2 different nights - which makes it hard for everyone else who is wondering whether or not to dine there.
Who is the character in the 2nd pic with Matt

 

[Chilly]

All that food porn is making me hungry.

 

[aaronandterri]

great updates keep them coming....food porn not helping my diet im soo hungry now!