We just returned from our trip, Sep 24- Oct 1. As we expected the restaurants were packed but we never waited more than 5-10 minutes to get seated for any of our ADR's. We had some really great meals and a few not so great meals.
Chef Mickey's (Dinner) - This is a regular that we do because the kids enjoy it. The place gets a lot of bad reviews. We have eaten both breakfast and dinner before and always found it just ok. We were pleasantly surprised. The food on the buffet was pretty good, better than we have ever had. They offered prime rib, ham, nice selection of side items, nice salad bar, and yummy desserts. The characters were great as always too.
Liberty Tree Tavern (Dinner) - Another one of our family favs and it did not disappoint. The all you can eat family style dinner included different meats, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salads, and rolls and butter. They have a new dessert was to die for. It was some kind of sweet cake with crazins in it served with ice cream. The cake tasted like a sugar cookie. It was delicious. We could hardly walk out of there we were so full.
Tusker House (Breakfast) - Another buffet with characters. You will see Donald for a picture op (you must purchase the picture for $30) and then inside there is Mickey, Goofy, and Daisy. I think this is the only meal with Daisy Duck too. Lots of choices too. They had the typical breakfast food along with different items. The place is loud and congested, but overall was a good experience. They have a parade through the restaurant every 30 minutes or so where the kids get noise makers (they have to give them back) and follow Daisy around the restaurant to music. Fun. The characters seemed rushed and didn't spend much time at the tables like other places.
Rainforest Cafe (Dinner) - We ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at the Animal Kingdom park. I thought the kids would enjoy the atmosphere. I have been at several RC's before an while this may have been one of the larger ones, it certainly wasn't too entertaining. They didn't have the rain turned on for the storms, not alot of the animals made noises and moved around, and the storm came every 30 minutes and lasted about 30 seconds. The food was just ok. They had a very limited menu, but the prices weren't priced as high as I though. The Rainforest Cafe does not accept the regular Disney Dining Plan, only the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.
Kona Cafe (dinner) - This place was excellent. I gotta love a restaurant that before they seat you they take you over to a counter and show you all of their yummy desserts. I had one of the best steaks ever there. The bread they give you is very good with some kind of nut butter. This was a first time for us and we really enjoyed it. The desserts were insane here.
Cinderella's Royal Table (Breakfast) - I opted to pay for this meal since we were already over our dining credits. THIS WAS THE BIGGEST RIPOFF OF THE ENTIRE VACATION!!!!. Can't stress that enough. We have been before when it was all you can family style and it was pretty good. They did away with that and it is now preplated meals now. Adults get a choice of 3 different meals and the kids get french toast sticks with eggs and bacon. We had the french toast. All of our meals tasted like they were those microwavable meals you buy in the frozen section of your grocery store. It was such a disappointment to have to shell out $240 for that. Yes the princesses were there and you pay for that, but they should give some kind of good quality food for what your paying. They don't have the cheesy potatoe caserole anymore either, you get fried homefried potatoes. I would choose the Princess breakfast in Epcot over CRT anyday; better food, same princess interaction, and half the price.
1900 Park Fare (Dinner) - This was another bad meal for us. That entire place is crazy chaos. So loud our waitress couldn't hear our drink order. We had a hard time walking to the buffet because there are so many people. The food selection on the buffet was spare. They had soup, a few sides, and prime rib, and desserts. I have heard this is suppose to be a step up from Chef Mickey's but I don't agree. The stepsisters and stepmothers were very funny and entertaining.
Mamma Melroses (Lunch) - This place was fantastic. We purchased the Fantasmic package and with that you get your meal, dessert, and an appetizer. The chicken parm was delicious and so was the chocolate canoli cake. They have the same lunch and dinner menu too.
Le Celier - (Lunch) This is one of our favs too and must do for us. We opted for lunch because they increased it to 2 dinner credits. Our steaks were fabulous. The pretzel rolls they serve are warm and delicious. We had the Campfire smores dessert which is delicious too. Not a complaint, Le Celier continues to please.
Chef Mickey's (Dinner) - This is a regular that we do because the kids enjoy it. The place gets a lot of bad reviews. We have eaten both breakfast and dinner before and always found it just ok. We were pleasantly surprised. The food on the buffet was pretty good, better than we have ever had. They offered prime rib, ham, nice selection of side items, nice salad bar, and yummy desserts. The characters were great as always too.
Liberty Tree Tavern (Dinner) - Another one of our family favs and it did not disappoint. The all you can eat family style dinner included different meats, potatoes, stuffing, veggies, salads, and rolls and butter. They have a new dessert was to die for. It was some kind of sweet cake with crazins in it served with ice cream. The cake tasted like a sugar cookie. It was delicious. We could hardly walk out of there we were so full.
Tusker House (Breakfast) - Another buffet with characters. You will see Donald for a picture op (you must purchase the picture for $30) and then inside there is Mickey, Goofy, and Daisy. I think this is the only meal with Daisy Duck too. Lots of choices too. They had the typical breakfast food along with different items. The place is loud and congested, but overall was a good experience. They have a parade through the restaurant every 30 minutes or so where the kids get noise makers (they have to give them back) and follow Daisy around the restaurant to music. Fun. The characters seemed rushed and didn't spend much time at the tables like other places.
Rainforest Cafe (Dinner) - We ate dinner at the Rainforest Cafe at the Animal Kingdom park. I thought the kids would enjoy the atmosphere. I have been at several RC's before an while this may have been one of the larger ones, it certainly wasn't too entertaining. They didn't have the rain turned on for the storms, not alot of the animals made noises and moved around, and the storm came every 30 minutes and lasted about 30 seconds. The food was just ok. They had a very limited menu, but the prices weren't priced as high as I though. The Rainforest Cafe does not accept the regular Disney Dining Plan, only the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan.
Kona Cafe (dinner) - This place was excellent. I gotta love a restaurant that before they seat you they take you over to a counter and show you all of their yummy desserts. I had one of the best steaks ever there. The bread they give you is very good with some kind of nut butter. This was a first time for us and we really enjoyed it. The desserts were insane here.
Cinderella's Royal Table (Breakfast) - I opted to pay for this meal since we were already over our dining credits. THIS WAS THE BIGGEST RIPOFF OF THE ENTIRE VACATION!!!!. Can't stress that enough. We have been before when it was all you can family style and it was pretty good. They did away with that and it is now preplated meals now. Adults get a choice of 3 different meals and the kids get french toast sticks with eggs and bacon. We had the french toast. All of our meals tasted like they were those microwavable meals you buy in the frozen section of your grocery store. It was such a disappointment to have to shell out $240 for that. Yes the princesses were there and you pay for that, but they should give some kind of good quality food for what your paying. They don't have the cheesy potatoe caserole anymore either, you get fried homefried potatoes. I would choose the Princess breakfast in Epcot over CRT anyday; better food, same princess interaction, and half the price.
1900 Park Fare (Dinner) - This was another bad meal for us. That entire place is crazy chaos. So loud our waitress couldn't hear our drink order. We had a hard time walking to the buffet because there are so many people. The food selection on the buffet was spare. They had soup, a few sides, and prime rib, and desserts. I have heard this is suppose to be a step up from Chef Mickey's but I don't agree. The stepsisters and stepmothers were very funny and entertaining.
Mamma Melroses (Lunch) - This place was fantastic. We purchased the Fantasmic package and with that you get your meal, dessert, and an appetizer. The chicken parm was delicious and so was the chocolate canoli cake. They have the same lunch and dinner menu too.
Le Celier - (Lunch) This is one of our favs too and must do for us. We opted for lunch because they increased it to 2 dinner credits. Our steaks were fabulous. The pretzel rolls they serve are warm and delicious. We had the Campfire smores dessert which is delicious too. Not a complaint, Le Celier continues to please.
