Let Your Taste Buds Be Your Guide *Pre-Trip* Dining Report

[Sappermont]

Hey there fellow Disney Foodies!!!

I've read SO many dining reports and reviews over the last few weeks. In addition to making me hungry, they've been insanely fun and helpful to read. Thank You!

With my trip just a few weeks away, I thought I'd take a stab at a dining trip report. So exciting!!

I love to eat, eat, eat and EAT some more. So, getting the dining plan (for the first time) is both fun and stressful. One of the biggest debates I've had is whether we should stay with the DDP or upgrade to the DxDP. I think that the final verdict is that we are staying with the DDP and seeing how that goes.

Anyways, on to the Cast of Characters.

This picture is from a surprise trip to DL. We used to live in So. Cal. and one day I came back from work to find DH home early from work with Disneyland tickets in his hands. Awesome.

DH (36): DH is in the front of the SM flume. This will be his first EVER trip to WDW. I am beyond excited for him to see it and to eat at all the amazing restaurants. He's starting to get excited but I don't think he can fully grasp WDW until he sets foot on the property. His favorite rides at DL & DCA are SM and Soarin' Over California. In terms of food, he's asked to go to T-Rex. He also wants a Bratwurst from Sommerfest and he loves marinara sauce!

Me (35): I'm a freakin' out over this trip. It's been a really intense few weeks of planning. I've been to WDW about 15 times, however I haven't been in nearly a decade. My sister was a CM for years so I've followed along with some of the changes but am just too excited to get down there and see for myself!! I'm really looking forward to trying 'Ohana. I could eat an endless amount of dumplings and chicken wings. I am also really excited to eat my way around the World Showcase! If I had to pick a favorite ride it just might be the Haunted Mansion. My favorite restaurant was Alfredo's. I was surprised to see that it was gone , but I hear great things about Tutto!

Anyways, on with the food! Here's our line-up! I'd love to hear what you think about our line-up and I look forward to reporting back with pictures galore.

Day 1:
Dinner: Tutto Italia

Day 2:
Breakfast: Captain Cook's
Lunch: Yak & Yeti
Dinner: Liberty Tree Tavern

Day 3:
Breakfast: Captain Cook's
Lunch: Sci-Fi
Dinner: Garden Grille

Day 4:
Breakfast: Captain Cook's
Lunch: Saana
Dinner: San Angel Inn

Day 5:
Breakfast: Kona Cafe
Lunch: T-Rex
Dinner: California Grille

Day 6:
Breakfast: Tusker House
Lunch: Garden View Tea Room
Dinner: 'Ohana

Day 7:
Breakfast: Captain Cook's
Lunch: Sunshine Seasons Food Court

Today I was reading a thread on Trail's End Buffet and now want to fit that in. We'll see.

In just a few short weeks I'll be using

as my guide as I eat around the world!

Thanks for all of your reviews and I'll see you in a bit with a full stomach and lots of food pics!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I'm in for your report! Your plans look great! I am wondering though with all the meals planned if the DxDDP makes more sense for you? Seems that you will be paying for quite a few meals out of pocket?

 

[Sappermont]

I'm in for your report! Your plans look great! I am wondering though with all the meals planned if the DxDDP makes more sense for you? Seems that you will be paying for quite a few meals out of pocket?

Hi GoofySon'sMom! A reader - v. cool!! Thanks for following along.

I know! I've been tossing and turning about this decision. There are two X factors that make it difficult to decide. Given the time difference (I live in mountain time) I'm not sure we'll make it to breakfast every day and given the heat maybe we won't be so hungry. I guess I have a few more weeks to decide!!

Thanks again for reading and I'll be back soon with a ton of pics!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Hi GoofySon'sMom! A reader - v. cool!! Thanks for following along.

I know! I've been tossing and turning about this decision. There are two X factors that make it difficult to decide. Given the time difference (I live in mountain time) I'm not sure we'll make it to breakfast every day and given the heat maybe we won't be so hungry. I guess I have a few more weeks to decide!!

Thanks again for reading and I'll be back soon with a ton of pics!!!

True on the breakfasts. I know we don't eat breakfast every day. We do a lot of signatures though so the DxDDP is always a better deal for us. Did you get the free dining? We paid the different to upgrade to deluxe so it realy was a no brainer for us. Hope you will follow along our report as well!

 

[Sappermont]

True on the breakfasts. I know we don't eat breakfast every day. We do a lot of signatures though so the DxDDP is always a better deal for us. Did you get the free dining? We paid the different to upgrade to deluxe so it realy was a no brainer for us. Hope you will follow along our report as well!

I just subscribed to your thread!!! Your plan look awesome and now I'm leaning back towards DxDP. No, we didn't get free dining but I want the free mugs that come with DxDP

I see that you got the Wishes Dessert Party for 8/26!! So cool. I can't wait to hear about that. I'm trying to get it but no such luck so far. I will keep trying!!!

I see that you are all Red Sox fans. Are you from MA?

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I just subscribed to your thread!!! Your plan look awesome and now I'm leaning back towards DxDP. No, we didn't get free dining but I want the free mugs that come with DxDP

I see that you got the Wishes Dessert Party for 8/26!! So cool. I can't wait to hear about that. I'm trying to get it but no such luck so far. I will keep trying!!!

I see that you are all Red Sox fans. Are you from MA?

Nope, in fact we live in the heart of Yankee country. Just love the Sox!

Keep trying on the Dessert Party ... you never know. Just today I was able to get a Cali Grille ADR for a perfect time to see Wishes and a CRT breakfast! I really have to stay off the Disney dining site! I just can't help trying to make things even more perfect!

 

[Sappermont]

Nope, in fact we live in the heart of Yankee country. Just love the Sox!

Keep trying on the Dessert Party ... you never know. Just today I was able to get a Cali Grille ADR for a perfect time to see Wishes and a CRT breakfast! I really have to stay off the Disney dining site! I just can't help trying to make things even more perfect!

Oh, I was just curious - I'm from MA.

I will keep trying. Wow, I can't believe that you were able to get Cali Grille & CRT. That's awesome. It gives me hope!!

 

[Coopers2006]

Sunshine Seasons is the best place to eat lunch at Epcot because it has so many options and the variety of desserts is crazy good! My husband and I ordered from the Asian section and we got Ginger Mongolian Beef and Sweet/Sour Chicken. Very good. For dessert, he had Chocolate Crumb Cake and I had Strawberry Short Cake. Once again, very good. Going back in October for more Enjoy ur trip.

 

[Sappermont]

Sunshine Seasons is the best place to eat lunch at Epcot because it has so many options and the variety of desserts is crazy good! My husband and I ordered from the Asian section and we got Ginger Mongolian Beef and Sweet/Sour Chicken. Very good. For dessert, he had Chocolate Crumb Cake and I had Strawberry Short Cake. Once again, very good. Going back in October for more Enjoy ur trip.

So glad to hear that!! I'm excited to eat here. I remember eating here when I was young. I'm curious to see how it's changed. Are the facades of each part of the food court still themed in a garden/farm style?

The chocolate crumb cake sounds delicious!!

Thanks and I hope that you have an awesome trip, too. Are you going for F&W?

 

[MickeyNicki]

Count me in!

 

[Sappermont]

Count me in!

Hi MickeyNicki!! Thanks for joining in!!

 

[iloveeeyore]

I'm in! And I'll have my PTDR up soon too, we leave 3 weeks from tomorrow!!

Are you staying at the Poly? It looks like you will have many meals there. The Poly is our favorite, and we love all the restaurants there, with CCs being our favorite CS spot.

Enjoy!

 

[Sappermont]

I'm in! And I'll have my PTDR up soon too, we leave 3 weeks from tomorrow!!

Are you staying at the Poly? It looks like you will have many meals there. The Poly is our favorite, and we love all the restaurants there, with CCs being our favorite CS spot.

Enjoy!

Thanks for following along, i loveeeyore!!! I will keep a look out for your PTDR!!! I can't wait to see where you guys will be eating!!! Yes, we are staying at the Poly!! So glad to hear more good things about it. It will be my first time staying there!! We used to go for church services there when we were on vacation and it seems like a great place. It's my husband's first trip to WDW so I wanted the trip to be perfect. I'm so excited to get my mug from CC's!!! Where will you be staying???? Your just 11 days from online check in, then? Awesome!!!!! Thanks again for reading!!

 

[Schoolbread]

Sounds like an AWESOME report! I'm in....

 

[Sappermont]

Sounds like an AWESOME report! I'm in....

Another reader!!

Hey, welcome, Schoolbread. Thanks so much for following!!!!

 

[iloveeeyore]

Thanks for following along, i loveeeyore!!! I will keep a look out for your PTDR!!! I can't wait to see where you guys will be eating!!! Yes, we are staying at the Poly!! So glad to hear more good things about it. It will be my first time staying there!! We used to go for church services there when we were on vacation and it seems like a great place. It's my husband's first trip to WDW so I wanted the trip to be perfect. I'm so excited to get my mug from CC's!!! Where will you be staying???? Your just 11 days from online check in, then? Awesome!!!!! Thanks again for reading!!

Your husband is in for a real treat, and I hope he doesn't get too spoiled, LOL! Our first family trip to WDW, we stayed in one of the DTD hotels but on our first night we took a monorail ride over to the Poly to watch EWP and the fireworks from the beach. DH and kids fell in love with the Poly then and there and vowed our next trip we would stay there. We have been hooked ever since. We manage to tear ourselves away once in a while, and this trip to keep costs a little lower we are staying at CSR (and we're actually pretty excited about it).

We are 11 days from online check-in, but I'm not sure we're going to use it. We arrive at the resort around 10am, so typically lines are short anyway, and we have some requests attached to our reservation so I want to make sure they are honored. IDK I'm torn. We have always had good results from regular check-in.

 

[Sappermont]

Your husband is in for a real treat, and I hope he doesn't get too spoiled, LOL! Our first family trip to WDW, we stayed in one of the DTD hotels but on our first night we took a monorail ride over to the Poly to watch EWP and the fireworks from the beach. DH and kids fell in love with the Poly then and there and vowed our next trip we would stay there. We have been hooked ever since. We manage to tear ourselves away once in a while, and this trip to keep costs a little lower we are staying at CSR (and we're actually pretty excited about it).

We are 11 days from online check-in, but I'm not sure we're going to use it. We arrive at the resort around 10am, so typically lines are short anyway, and we have some requests attached to our reservation so I want to make sure they are honored. IDK I'm torn. We have always had good results from regular check-in.

So cool!!! I can't wait. My first character meal was at the Poly about 30 years ago. I've been through it a few times but don't remember too much. I'm really looking forward to it. Thanks!!!!

I LOVE, absolutely LOVE CSR. I've stayed there a few times - years ago now and I really enjoy it. I think that it's beautiful, the layout is nice, and I love the theming. I've heard mixed reviews of the Pepper Market lately but honestly I really enjoyed it and it felt "Disney" to me. It is my favorite food court. Our decision came down to AKL, CSR, and Poly. We went with the Poly for the location and it was my DH's first trip!!

I'm torn about online check-in too, but I know when the time rolls around I won't be able to help myself. Just too exciting. We'll be checking in later in the day - so we'll see.

Have an awesome trip!!

 

[jedijill]

Howdy neighbor! Can't wait to read your report.

Jill in CO

 

[Sappermont]

Howdy neighbor! Can't wait to read your report.

Jill in CO

Woohoo another reader!!

Thanks so much for joining in JediJill! And, a fellow Coloradoan to boot!

Do you have a trip coming up?!?

 

[jedijill]

Woohoo another reader!!

Thanks so much for joining in JediJill! And, a fellow Coloradoan to boot!

Do you have a trip coming up?!?

Sure do! Taking my niece and nephew to their first trip to "Mickey's Castle" in October. (My DN4 is obsessed with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.) Meeting friends for a little adult time before my brother, SIL, and the kids fly down.

Jill in CO