Marathon Weekend Dining Adventures (updated 4/13 - The End)

[jessily]

Well, I just returned from the World yesterday, and I'm already looking for any way possible to prolong the experience. Lots of my dining choices in the past have been based on reviews I read here, so I thought I would share my experiences and hopefully help out someone else.

Who: Myself (25) and DBF (24)

When: Thursday 1/8 - Wednesday 1/14 (I was solo Thurs. and Fri.)
Why: I was in town to run the half marathon on Saturday... and celebrate accordingly afterward
Where we stayed: Dolphin Resort and Beach Club Villas (rented DVC points)
Where we ate:

Safari Pretzel Cart (L)
Studio Catering Company (D)
Earl of Sandwich (L)
Pop Century Food Court (D)
Le Cellier (L)
Tangerine Cafe (D)
50s Prime Time Cafe - ate at Tune In Lounge (L)
Min and Bill's Dockside Diner (S)
California Grill (D)
Biergarten (L)
Cantina de San Angel (S)
Boulangerie Patisserie (S)
Crepes des Chefs de France (S)
Main Street Bakery (B)
Wolfgang Puck Express (D)
Beach Club Marketplace (B)

On my past few trips I've tried to make ADRs at a few new restaurants each time. I worked in Disney World for 4 months back in 2005 and never ate at a single table service restaurant Just didn't have the extra time or money. Now I really wish I had taken advantage of the discount while I had the chance! On our last trip we tried Ohana, Jiko and Biergarten. New on this trip were Le Cellier and Cali Grill.

I tried to remember to take pictures, but sometimes forgot. We had a great trip, and lots of great food. I hope a few of you will join me as I relive our travels! First review coming right up...

 

[jessily]

Thursday January 8th - Safari Pretzel Cart
I may as well get my Spicy Cheese Pretzel fixation out in the open right now. I'm addicted It's a soft pretzel filled with melted jalapeno cheese. On our last trip we only visited Epcot and MK. I only knew of 2 places that sold Spicy Cheese Pretzels (The Launching Pad at MK and Min and Bill's Dockside Diner at DHS). Imagine my horror when I found out they no longer sell them at MK Well I posted on the Restaurant Board and much to my delight found out that they now sell them at the Safari Pretzel Cart in AK

My flight landed at 9:05 am on Thursday, and by 12:30 I was in AK enjoying the much awaited Spicy Cheese Pretzel. I was so excited I took a bite before I remembered to pull out the camera:

If you haven't tried one of these beauties yet, I highly recommend it! and I'm not as crazy as I sound (well, not quite as crazy anyway) Now that I've got that confession out of the way... on to the rest of the reviews.

 

[merrybee]

I'm in

 

[TigerKat]

I'm in too!

 

[jessily]

I'm in

I'm in too!

Thanks for joining in!

 

[christinou]

OK, now I want a spicy chessy pretzel, great start.

 

[jessily]

OK, now I want a spicy chessy pretzel, great start.

mmmm me too! Thanks for reading!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Great start - and can I just say - you two are just the cutest couple!

 

[jlcd]

No more spicy cheese pretzels in MK??!! They are my favorite snack there!! When did they go away?? Looking forward to the rest of your reviews.

 

[danalee]

sounds good

 

[MickeyNicki]

Count me in!

 

[jessily]

Great start - and can I just say - you two are just the cutest couple!

aw, thanks Thanks for reading!

No more spicy cheese pretzels in MK??!! They are my favorite snack there!! When did they go away?? Looking forward to the rest of your reviews.

Sometime between last December and September I'm glad they're still in DHS and AK though!

sounds good

Thanks for joining in

Next review coming up...

 

[jessily]

Thursday 1/8 - Studio Catering Company

So I kept the food and drink options pretty boring in the days leading up the Half Marathon. Since Thursday was one of the only 2 nights Fantasmic was being shown that week at DHS, the park was pretty busy when I showed up. I was hoping to see One Man's Dream, but it closes at 3 pm these days so I decided to just grab some dinner and wait around for Fantasmic.

DHS holds a special place in my heart since I worked there for a few months on the Disney College Program back in '05. I love just wandering around that park. My wandering led me to the Studio Catering Company (located back next to the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Playground) and the menu had changed significantly since the last time I was there. I remember it being a lot more interesting and now it's pretty standard chicken, hot dogs, salads, etc.

I was feeling not so hungry, and cheap, so I went with the Kid's Macaroni and Cheese with sides of grapes and applesauce ($4.49). This was tasty, but really really HOT! I had to wait quite a while to eat it and while I'm not about to complain about my food being hot, I was surprised since it was a kid's dish.

After Fantasmic I headed back to the Dolphin Resort and got majorly lost looking for a late night snack. That place is huge! I eventually found Picabu's (open 24 hrs) and ended up with some kid's chicken fingers which were quite tasty. The ketchup packets were adorable:

Up next: Lunch at Earl of Sandwich

 

[natalielongstaff]

great start

 

[bonnielynn]

i'm in

 

[MichelleTO]

Only a runner would drool over the thought of pretzels with spicy cheese, I had a pretzels in Fantasy land with a pot of cheese but wanted a cheese filled, I will look at the Studios next trip! Keep the report coming!!
Fellow Dis 1/2 Marathoner

 

[Tricia7]

Can't wait for more!

 

[jpmom97]

Sounds great so far! Can't wait for more!

 

[jessily]

great start

Thanks!

i'm in

Can't wait for more!

Sounds great so far! Can't wait for more!

Thanks all for joining in

Only a runner would drool over the thought of pretzels with spicy cheese, I had a pretzels in Fantasy land with a pot of cheese but wanted a cheese filled, I will look at the Studios next trip! Keep the report coming!!
Fellow Dis 1/2 Marathoner

Congrats on finishing the 1/2! It was a great weekend wasn't it?

 

[jessily]

Friday 1/9 - Earl of Sandwich

Earl of Sandwich is a favorite and I try to make it there at least once per trip. After going to the race expo on Friday I headed to Downtown Disney to do some shopping. I really should have paid more attention to what I was eating and how much I was walking the day before the half marathon... but I didn't do a very good job of that.

I showed up at Earl around 11:15 so the crowds weren't too bad yet. Earl of Sandwich tends to get pretty crowded They really keep the line moving along though I went with the Italian: salami, capicola, roasted ham, mortadella, mozzarella cheese, roma tomato and Zesty Italian dressing.

It was a beautiful day so I opted to sit outside and started out by the main entrance, but after a fight nearly broke out over a 3 year old having a temper tamtrum I decided to move over to the other side of the building. I never noticed this seating was here before. Right around the corner from the main entrace to Earl (by the store that sells cooking stuff) is a nice seating area and it was much quieter. Plus I enjoyed watching the carousel while I ate.

The sandwich was great as always! The bread is very good, the fillings are hot, and at $5.75 it's an affordable meal. I also like that you serve yourself drinks here so you can grab a refill to go. Lunch of course was followed by a chocolate sample at Ghirardelli. Yum!

Up next: Dinner at the Pop Century Food Court