Our Dining from the World Aug 24 - Aug 31 - updated - dinner at CRT

[KPLC]

We traveled to Disney 24 - 31 August and stayed at the POFQ. We had an amazing time with little waits for rides, perfect weather and fantastic dining which for the most part was FREE! My husband is an adventurous eater - more so that me - but the children ( 8 and 5) are your typical fussy kids!
We ate at the following restaurants which I hope to review in the next few days:
Chef Mickey's
Akershus
Coral Reef
Crystal Palace
Tuskerhouse
CRT
Sci - Fi
O'hanas

 

[KPLC]

Chef Mickey’s
This was our first Disney Meal. Since this was the kids first time to Disney I wanted them to meet Mickey at the start of their trip and not have to stand in time to do it. We had a lunch reservation for 12:50 ( our plane landed at 9:30) and we arrived for lunch around 12:35. We were seated within 5 mins – we elected not to have the photo they offer even taken since I knew we would not purchase it. Our server was good – she kept the drinks filled without any prompting and the selection for lunch was good. The lime chicken was excellent. There was salmon (DH said was good ) ribs ( not bad ) and roast beef and potatoes which were also tasty. The salad selection was good but it was not refilled that quickly – having said that there were not long waits. Kids selection was pizza, mac and cheese and chicken nuggets.The fruit was fresh was great and then there was the FANTASTIC dessert topping bar. The soft serve ice cream was great and the toppings were AMAZING – everything from oreo cookies to sprinkles to gummy bears – you name it it was there! There was also a selection of cheese cakes, carrot cakes, Krispy Kremes and rice crispy type treats.
The character interaction was good. Mickey, Goofy, Donald and Pluto came out quickly – Minnie started on the other side of the restaurant and she had still not made it round to our side by the time we had eaten. We did not wait to see her as the kids wanted to get to MK.The characters were not rushed and happily posed for photos and signed autographs. The napkin twirling was fun for the kids and the characters always returned to the right table to carry on their rounds.
This was a good start to our Disney trip. There was no noise from the construction and I would eat there again.
7 out of 10!

 

[MickeyNicki]

Cant wait to hear about Sci Fi, we are headed there next month!

 

[suzimar57]

good review - looking forward to more, especially coral reef, CRT, and sci-fi!

 

[TigerKat]

I'm in....

 

[KPLC]

Akershus Breakfast Aug 25th

We had breakfast reservations for 8:35 am. My DD loves her princess and DS was good enough tag along! He decided that tagging along was enough and asked not to be in the princess photos! I had to grant him that request.
We got up early and went to the bus stop and waited and waited and waited for a bus! This was the only time that we waited and of course we were getting worried about our reservation. It was EMH at AK and about 5 busses arrived while we waited for out EP bus. We asked the CM working the bus stop and she said that the busses start running an hour before so the bus should be there – well it was at least another 20 mins before a bus arrived and it them make 4 stops at POR before going to EP. This was also the only time that we had a bus from POFQ not to directly to any of the parks. We arrived at EP and ran to the gate already 15 mins late and we had not even started out walk to Akershus! The CM at the game assured us they would keep our reservation and we did not have to run anymore!
We arrived at Akershus and were seated about 10 mins later. The photo package is great – we let our daughter take her picture alone with Belle for this. What is nice about this package is that it can also be added to your photopass account so it can be edited. Our server was good and the coffee and juice was always replenished. The hot food brought to the table was delicious – the potatoes were so yummy and the scrambled eggs were fluffy. The bacon was good too – the sausages were ok – a little spicy for the kids. The buffet had a small selection of fruit, a small selection of pastries and a few cheeses – the cream cheese is to die for! The selection is not great for kids. There are no waffles / pancakes and no plain bread. So while it is great for adults not good for children or fussy ones at least! The princesses were great. We had a super table (to the left of the restaurant) so we got to see the princesses as soon as they came out and we did not have to wait long at all. We saw Mulan, Belle, Aurora, Snow While and Jasmine and of course Belle. While having the photo taken with Belle – she is also willing to sign autographs and there is a little table at one of the walls that she uses. The tables are a little close together so it is hard to get a good photo without having lots of others in your shots!
While we did enjoy this – I would not do this breakfast again since the kids really did not eat much at all but it is a must do once for little ones who love princesses. Also, it is a good breakfast to have the children get dressed up for as it is early and since it uses only 1 TS a good deal with the free photo.

6 out of 10
Up next Coral Reef Lunch.

 

[Minniespal]

Excellent

 

[dsmaynard]

Great reviews... looking forward to more!

 

[butiflfeet]

Thanks for sharing! I can't wait to hear about Crystal Palace!

 

[KPLC]

Coral Reef Lunch - Aug. 25th

We arrived on time for out lunch reservation and were seated within 5 minutes. We had a table on the upper most level so while not close to the tank we did have a good view as there was not another table in front of us. I had arranged the personalized menus for the kids and when they were brought to them they were speechless – that is really a nice touch that the restaurant offers and Debi was a pleasure to deal with. A great souvenier from the trip for the kids.
Our server was good – not great. She seemed to have a few too many tables to deal with but she did an adequate job. I was still full from our Akershas breakfast but the kids were really hungry. Kids ordered the Chicken breasts with French fries only to be told that they had run out – I wish servers would just let patrons know when they sit down if they are out of something rather than wait until you have ordered. Anyway DS ordered the mash potato and DD ordered the rice. Once again, I wish the rice was plain instead of rice pilaf for the kids. The mash was very good the rice a little much for a 5 year old but she did OK. The Chicken breasts were OK for the kids – a little tough but about the best meal from the Kids menu’s at Disney! The loved their dessert - A make your own Sunday!
My DH had the Grilled Mahi Mahi with pineapple and cashew rice. The rice was DELICIOUS! The fish was good too ( I tasted both)! The portions are small - if we had not had a big breakfast my DH would have been starving a little while later. I was still full from breakfast so I did not order a meal but I had the yummiest granny smith apple type smoothy I have ever had. I can’t remember what it was called but is really great.
I was glad that we had the break in the day to sit down and take a rest as it was REALLY hot outside. The kids ate well and we were well rested and ready for the afternoon. If I were to go again, I would ask when we checked in if it was possible to have a table right next to the tank and I would wait for that – I think that the wait would be worth it. The restaurant is quite dark . We paid OOP for this and the total was around $ 50 for 3 since I did not eat. My DH also had a beer with his meal.
6 / 10 – Towards the bottom of my repeat list should we go again.

 

[KPLC]

Our ADR for Crystal Palace was 8:10am. We arrived at MK early and it is lovely to walk on Main St. and up to the castle without crowds of people. We were able to take a few beautiful pictures - I wish the Photopass people were out early so we could get family shots of the castle without all those strangers in the background!
We were seated exactly on time to the left of the restaurant along the wall. It was away from the buffet and we never had anyone have to walk past us to get their food which was a bonus and also it makes for a good photos as there is somewhere for the characters to pose. The food was great. My DH loved the omelet station and at that time there were not too many guests in line. The kids had their Mickey waffles for the first time and DS quickly made that his staple food at Disney. The biscuits and selection of cream cheeses and yogurts was good as was the fruit and cereal. Our waiter was attentive and kept our juice and coffee filled while we were there.
The restaurant is just beautiful and the entrance with the characters is stunning. The character interaction was good and they came out fast at at that time of the morning there are lots of empty table so you have to time your trip to the food well so you don't miss anything! The servers were good about letting you know when you were seated if you should get your food now or wait as the characters would be at your table soon. I found the characters here at Crystal Palace not rushed at all and other than O'hanas they spent the most time at each table.
I would put this towards the top of our list of to do's if we are lucky enough to get back to WDW again.

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Great reviews so far, we are heading to CP for breakfast again next time and Akershus for breakfast for the first time (we did dinner there last time and DD is desparate to meet Mulan!)
Looking forward to more.

 

[KPLC]

We had a 8:10 reservation for breakfast at Tuskerhouse. This was one of the meals I was most looking forward to as we are originally from South Africa
(left there in 2001) and when I looked at the menu on AllEars there were some traditional meals that I had not had for a long time! We were up really early and caught what must have been the first bus to AK. Not only were we the only people on the bus but when we arrived at AK we were the only people there. My daughter had started to collect Stitch pins and one of the CM'S at the park had one she wanted. She traded a pin with him and was then given a special TInkerbell pin that cannot be bought since she was his first trade of the day! We lined up at the gate and once allowed in headed over to breakfast. We were 10 minutes early but we were seated right away. We were in the room immediately to the left when you walk in. It is a small room and a perfect location to the food and also for the Characters. The juice that is served there is YUMMY - possible the same as the one at O hana? Our server was excellent - our plates were cleared quickly and she kept the coffee and juice full. She even brought the bill out half way through the meal with no pressure to pay but so that we could be ready to go as soon as we had finished eating - which I thought was great.
I loved the buffet! Since we were almost first to eat - it was quiet and we were one of the first to eat that morning so the food was hot. I was not dissapointed with the traditional African meals - the Mealie Meal ( a maize meal porridge ) was different as it was topped with melted cheese which is not how it is served at home but still yummy. I had to look for the brown sugar which we usually to top this and did find it at the buffet. The Baboetie was also delicious. This is a traditional meal made with ground beef, spices, eggs and raisins - a good version for sure. The fruit was fresh, the potatoes good and the biscuits were hot and the jam fresh and tasty. I loved the whipped butter and cream. There was a type of fruit cobbler pie that was hot and delicious and of course for the kids Mickey waffles and Krispy Kremes! The characters are cute in their Safari Gear - while they were out quickly and did pose for all requested pictures they did seem to be in a little bit of a rush. I did not realize how large the restaurant was until we got up to leave and they really do have alot of people to see. The Parade was cute and I found the restaurant not too loud at all. The location was perfect since as you exit the restaurant you are steps away from the Safari.
I really enjoyed this meal. The selection was different and to me seemed to be a little more home cooked! I would definately do this meal again and it is a bonus getting to see Daisy without having to stand in line for her in the Hot August Weather. We ate lunch at a counter service place near Dino Land - I can't remember the name - it was SUPER crowded but the burgers and hot dogs were good. There was a fixings bar with fresh tomatoes, lettuce, fried onions which was a nice touch. This was one of the only CS'S that I was able to get apple slices for dessert ( maybe I missed them elsewhere ) but the kids actually devoured them! We enjoyed the rest of the day at AK. To me the park is SUPER hot and does not really hold the crowds well as everyone seems to be going in different directions around the same path. I had had enough and we left around 3pm for a rest at the hotel and to get ready for our dinner at CRT!
Next up our much anticipated dinner at CRT!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

Now I'm wishing Tuskerhouse was one of my ADRs but I don't know how I'd trade one of the others in. Maybe we just need to book a second trip for next year.

 

[KatMark]

Our ADR for Crystal Palace was 8:10am. We arrived at MK early and it is lovely to walk on Main St. and up to the castle without crowds of people. We were able to take a few beautiful pictures - I wish the Photopass people were out early so we could get family shots of the castle without all those strangers in the background!
We were seated exactly on time to the left of the restaurant along the wall. It was away from the buffet and we never had anyone have to walk past us to get their food which was a bonus and also it makes for a good photos as there is somewhere for the characters to pose. The food was great. My DH loved the omelet station and at that time there were not too many guests in line. The kids had their Mickey waffles for the first time and DS quickly made that his staple food at Disney. The biscuits and selection of cream cheeses and yogurts was good as was the fruit and cereal. Our waiter was attentive and kept our juice and coffee filled while we were there.
The restaurant is just beautiful and the entrance with the characters is stunning. The character interaction was good and they came out fast at at that time of the morning there are lots of empty table so you have to time your trip to the food well so you don't miss anything! The servers were good about letting you know when you were seated if you should get your food now or wait as the characters would be at your table soon. I found the characters here at Crystal Palace not rushed at all and other than O'hanas they spent the most time at each table.
I would put this towards the top of our list of to do's if we are lucky enough to get back to WDW again.

Loved your review of CP. It is our ALL TIME favorite Character Breakfast at Disney (we were there on September 4). We did try Cape May Cafe this year as well and it didn't come close to CP.

 

[KPLC]

Our reservation for dinner was at 8:20pm. I was worried that this would be to late for the kids but they surprised me the entire trip with their stamina and endurance. I had read so many bad reviews about CRT and was hoping that this was not going to be the biggest dissapointment of our trip.We arrived and were taken in to have our photo with Cinderella. We decided to let the kids have the photo alone and the CM took one of us all with out camera. We did not have to wait long for the photo or to be called up to eat. We were given wands and swords and sent upstairs. The decor is beautiful and the atmosphere is wonderful.Our server was great and she kept the drinks full all the time. The children started off with Chicken Noodle soup which then enjoyed and I must say it was rather tasty and definately a change from the standard Kids menus at Disney. I had the salad with bacon, tomatoes and nuts. I asked for it without the egg and they were happy to oblige. The Salad was delicious - fresh and crisp. DH had the soup. He said it was good. For the Main meal I had the Prime Rib, asparagus and potatoes. I asked for the meat to be medium rare and it was cooked to perfection. I am a meat and potatoes girl and grew up eating some of the best red meat in South Africa - the prime rib was excellent! DH had the lamb and said it was a little over cooked and tough but not that bad. For dessert DH had the sorbet and said it was also OK. I had the yummy chocolate cake. The show was cute and the mice posed for photos and did autographs. It was nice to sit and watch the characters interact with the audience. The Fairy Godmother is super and very funny. I loved the dinner here at CRT. I think it is a once in a life time experience and a must to once at Disney. I did not mind using 2 credits on the Dining plan and was happy that the tip was included. The children really enjoyed eating in the castle and it was perfect timing to walk outside and have Wishes just about to start. If there are any people out there wondering if it is worth it - realize that you are paying for the photo opportunity with Cinderella, a keep sake in the form of a wand or sword, dinner and a show, and the bragging rites to all at home that you got to eat in Cinderella's castle - the most famed Disney Landmark. For all that included in the package it is worth it. If you are not interested in all of the above and only want to eat and get out then perhaps you should try another restaurant. I for one am glad that we got to experience this once in a life time treat!