Our thoughts on our Disney Dining Experience plus Pictures!

timandheather

Earning My Ears
Joined
Oct 20, 2010
Messages
63
We had the DDx dining plan
Day 1 Breakfast @Wispering Canyon Dinner@ CRT in the Castle
-Both where OK, CRT the food was not worth 2cr but the experience was worth it plus you get a photo.

Day 2 Breakfast @1900 PF Lunch@Tony's Dinner @Liberty Tree
-Breakfast was great, great character interaction Mad Hatter was a hoot, plus an omelet station.
-Lunch at Tony's Food was not good cold! but the service was great. However based on the food I do not recommend this one
-Liberty Tree this one was DH's Fav as he is a big eater! He felt as if it was Thanksgiving all over again. Myself I thought the food was just your basic comfort food, plus we felt rushed by our server.

Day 3 Breakfast@Tusker house Dinner@Chef Mickey's
-Breakfast was good, it was a fun atmosphere plus our server was a sweetie. Food was ok found the hot food to be a little cold but the pastries where great and the jumbo juice yum. Our server sent some of it to go with us:thumbsup2
-Dinner @Chef Mickey's was bad. We had better food/service at a 5 dollar Vegas buffet. Food was cold and where consistently out. Our server was non existent and when you asked for a drink refill it was like asking for gold. We where lucky enough to sit right by the a waitress station we got to hear some of them rant about tips! and guest!
I do have to say the Desserts at Chef Mickey’s where yummy!

Day 4 Lunch in Epcots Italy "TT" Dinner at Cali Grill
-Lunch Italy was great. We both had the lasagna that was delicious, I only could finish half of it, DH cleaned his plate. Desert was great so was the service.
-Dinner at Cali Grill, This was defiantly worth the 2 credits food, view and service was great.

Day 5 Breakfast @Ohana's
Food was ok a little salty IMHO but we where seated by the window looking over the lagoon, plus our server Mike was great.

Day 6 Lunch at 50's prime time, Dinner @ Narcoses

Lunch at 50's prime time was great, DH got picked on by the server that was great. P&J milk shake was great, the meal was good too, oh almost forgot the O-rings where the BOMB.

Dinner @ Narcoses was a disappointment. We arrived for our 8 O'clock ressie and was not seated until 8:30. We felt rushed! the food was OK but we felt it was a 1cr meal. DH ordered the Surf and Turf as he likes lobster and did not care for the lobster at all.

Day 7 My birthday Lunch @Tappen endo Dinner@Maya grill

-Lunch @Tappen endo was very good. Food was yummy but very similar to any Japanese steak house but it was fun doing it in Disney. Chef and the Waiters where great! For desert I had the chocolate ginger cake, DH had the green tea pudding those deserts themselves where worth the trip. Our Chef and Waitress got everyone to sing happy birthday to me, this meant allot to me.

-Dinner @ Maya Grill. This was one of the only two really rotten experience along with Chef Mickeys we had on our Disney Dining excursion. We where really looking forward to this one for a nice prime rib birthday dinner. We first ordered an adult beverage along with our appetizers. 15 min later here come appetizers no drinks! Waitress then said oh I will get them but asked for our order 1st so we ordered Prime rib cooked medium. Here comes our Prime Rib NO DRINKS, finally a runner came with our drinks. Now on to Prime Rib dinner. We started to cut into our prime rib it was rare! Our server disappeared to where my DH had to ask the hostess to rectify our meal. Prime rib came back well well done and cold so we just ate it, plus our baked potato was rock hard, veggies where gross. Now for the desert we had the churros those where rock hard over melted ice-cream! yuck. oh BTW Mexico in Epcot has great Churros.
Now our bill came DH was going to pay for the drinks/Tip with cash. So all that got settled then came the portion for him to sign for room change and DDP credit a 20% tip charge was added! That took another 15min to correct that. All of the other servers on this trip acknowledge my birthday and our anniversary this one did not. Enough ranting on that experience!

Day 8 Lunch @mama Melrose Dinner@Olivias Cafe

Lunch at Mama's Melrose was great, DH had the steak and loved it, he also was a big fan of the mixed greens salad. I had a vodka penne dish and it was to die for! our Server Cathy was great only downfall was the deserts where so so. The neat thing with Mama Melrose the kitchen is right inside so you know you are getting hot fresh food.

Dinner at Olivia's Cafe- This made up for our Maya grill experience. DH had ribs for his appetizers he loved them, fell right off the bone. I had a salad that was yummy. We both had the Chipotle grilled pork chop WOW that was very good, it came with a yummy mac and cheese. Dessert I had Cheese cake, DH had the bread pudding. very good! What made Olivia’s so great was our server a guy from Morocco named Habine he rocked. We where just chatting with him about where we where going the next day he we said DHS. At the end of our dinner Habine came out with a cup cake and had everyone sing happy birthday to me, then he asked for our name. He said he going to get us fast passes for TSM! When the bill was settled he came out and said there will be 4 TSM fast passes waiting for you at DHS guest service. What a nice treat. I would say this was our best Disney Dining Experience.


Day 9

Breakfast @Boma's, Lunch @Garden Grill Dinner@ Hoop dee Doo

Breakfast at Boma's was good made to order omelets was a plus


Lunch at Garden Grill another one the DH liked for the food, I thought it was so so, the salad was great. Our server Clark was great! sang happy birthday and he surprised us with Sorin' fast passes.

Dinner at Hoop Dee Doo, food was nothing special kind of cold actually but the entertainment was great. We had a nice time at Hoop dee doo.


Day 10 Lunch @ Coral Reef Dinner@Le Cellier


Lunch at Coral Reef food very good love the atmosphere! Service was hit and miss. We did the Candle light Dinner package with this one!


Dinner at Le Cellier.
Both of us ordered the Cheddar Cheese soup DH loved it, I hated it. Both ordered the Felit Migion that was very tasty but the wild mushroom risotto was not good. DH was mad that the mashed potatoes came as a side dish! Desserts where nothing too special. Our server Paul was great but what we noticed he was the only good server that night. In the waiting area two of the cast members where hosting trivia that was fun, they seem to have a passion for Disney. Over all Le Cellier was worth the CR but not retail price of $60-70 a head.


Our top 3 would be
1. Olivia's Cafe
2. Cali Grill
3. Mama Melrose

Bottom would be
1.Maya Grill
2. Chef Mickey’s

Other ones we would return too would be TT in Epcot, Tappen Endo, Liberty tree, Garden Grill, 50's Prime time, Coral Reef and Hoop dee doo.

We probably will not return to Maya Grill, Chef Mickey’s, Tony's, CRT, Ohana's or Narcosses.

I will be posting pictures on most of our dinners as time goes on.
 
Thanks for the dining review. Too bad Maya Grill wasn't that great, but it sounds like you enjoyed your trip!

Were the characters at CRT at dinner? On some places, I read that they are not there. However, when I book my reservation through Disney Dining, it said that all the princesses would be there. I'll be there with the blocked view of Fantasyland, but really wanted the princesses to be there for my cousins' first visit.
 
Thanks for the dining review. Too bad Maya Grill wasn't that great, but it sounds like you enjoyed your trip!

Were the characters at CRT at dinner? On some places, I read that they are not there. However, when I book my reservation through Disney Dining, it said that all the princesses would be there. I'll be there with the blocked view of Fantasyland, but really wanted the princesses to be there for my cousins' first visit.

yes the princesses where there!

I forgot to mention along with a free photo package $35 value and the tip is included thats another 20-25 dollar value.

You will have a great time!
 

What a great assessment of all the restaurants.. I am sorry for the not so great experiences.. But, 2 out of all the ones you went to weren't bad right?
 
yes the princesses where there!

I forgot to mention along with a free photo package $35 value and the tip is included thats another 20-25 dollar value.

You will have a great time!

That's good to hear--I'm so glad tips are included! Where is Olivia's? Do you think kids would like it?
 
What a great assessment of all the restaurants.. I am sorry for the not so great experiences.. But, 2 out of all the ones you went to weren't bad right?


. Thank you much! We where expecting 2-4 bad ones but over all most exceeded our expectations the service is what made this Dining experience so special. Most of the Servers where great and deserve at least 18% tip, they love Disney and guests we where treated like there friend.
We really noticed it when we went to Olive Garden the next day!
 
Thanks for the quick and concise review! Very informative! WeI've not been to Maya Grill (no real desire) and we're trying Chef Mickey's for the first time next month...kind of nervous with all the bad reviews lately, but we're doing breakfast, and I hear that's a little better than dinner. :confused3 Here's hoping! :thumbsup2 (And Cali Grill is a HUGE favorite). We're going for hubby's birthday!
 
That's good to hear--I'm so glad tips are included! Where is Olivia's? Do you think kids would like it?

Olivia's is kind of off the beaten path, its at Old Key West. There was lots of kids at Olivia's when we dined with them! Everyone including the kids seemed to enjoy there meal.

There was family with children who we chatted with frequently at our resort we suggested Olivia's, they where able to get in the next night. They loved Olivia's too.
 
Thanks for the quick and concise review! Very informative! WeI've not been to Maya Grill (no real desire) and we're trying Chef Mickey's for the first time next month...kind of nervous with all the bad reviews lately, but we're doing breakfast, and I hear that's a little better than dinner. :confused3 Here's hoping! :thumbsup2 (And Cali Grill is a HUGE favorite). We're going for hubby's birthday!
Thanks!

We kind of knew what we where getting into with Chef Mickey's based off the reviews but did not imagine a dinner branded around the king of WDW "Mickey Mouse" to be that bad! Walt would of been furious! I have heard breakfast is the better choice I am sure your kids will have a good time.


Cali Grill is awesome what a perfect birthday spot for your DH.:thumbsup2
 
I have some pictures! Unfortuanlly due to DH diving into some of his meals and leaving the camera in the car some of our meals will be missing.

I am going to start with our Best Experience and that would be Olivia’s. As stated above not only the food was great the service is what really made this place special.
Drinks I got a Diet Coke DH a Coke

For my App. I had the soup of the day that was a homemade patato and cheese soup! That was great after a chilly day.
Oliviasappy.jpg


DH had the Island BBQ Pork Ribs - with Jicama Slaw, he loved them! The portion was enought for a meal in its self. I recommend to order them for 2.
OliviasAppyDH.jpg


For our main Dish both ordered the Grilled Pork Chop with a Chipotle Barbecue Sauce with Cheddar Mac and Cheeze! This was problay the best Pork Chop dinner either of us have ever had and DH loves grilled Pork Chops. The Sauce is not too spicy FYI. Mac and Cheeze was not your typically mac and cheeze it was yummy, It also came with spinnach that was very good.
oliviasentree.jpg


For Dessert DH had Banana Bread Pudding Sundae - served warm with Banana Foster sauce topping with vanilla bean ice cream. He still dreams about this! here again the Portion size could easly satisfy 2.
OliviasDessertDH.jpg


I had the Key Lime Tart - with Mango and Raspberry Sauce, very good!
Oliviasdes.jpg


Meal was 2cr. total retail cost for this meal around $80. Pork Chop dinner it self was $21 a plate! prices where very fair!

Next up Mama Melrose
 
Thank you so much for taking the time to post reviews and pics! I have really enjoyed them!
 
Now mama Melrose! This was another good one and highly recommend this one. Great food good service and a fun atmosphere.
This was a Lunch.

Drinks Me Diet Coke, DH Beer then a Coke.

For my Appetizer I had Mozzarella and Tomatoes. Very good, shared with the DH and he approved of it too.
disney086.jpg


DH had the Mixed Greens - Made with Balsamic vinaigrette and Gorgonzola cheese. The dressing had a bite to it, he loved it. I had a taste and did not care for it. Sorry no picture!

Entree

I had the Penne Alla Vodka - Made with Pancetta and sweet onion, finished with tomato basil sauce, cream, Vodka, and Pecorino Romano. This was very good!
MMMyentree.jpg


DH had the Charred Serloin Steak - Italian roasted potatoes with carmelized sweet onions, aged Balsamic shallot butter and Chianti Wine reduction. The one thing neat is the kitchen is part of this restraunt so DH did see them cook the steaks to order he made his mind up soon as we sat down. He loved it! Next to Le Cellier Best steak meal he had on Disney! He had 4 here, Le Cellier Coral Reef and 50's.
MMDHentree-1.jpg


Sorry no pics for our desserts as they where not that impressive.
but DH had Tiramisu I had Gelato!

Overall we both enjoyed Mama Melrose

2cr used----Would of Retailed for $80-$90
Up next Tappen Endo
 
Great report!!! Its always refreshing to see a straightforward review on the food and service quality!!!
 
Now Teppan Edo in Epcot.
This was my Birthday lunch. DH and I love Japanese steakhouses so this was a must for us.

We both ordered Green iced tea for our drinks that was a nice break away from the SOS "Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Lemonade." Very refreshing!
Here is our chef-you know you will get hot fresh food here!
disney180.jpg


For my Appetizer I had the Garden Salad - withCreamy Sesame Dressing. It was good.
salad.jpg

DH Appetizers was the Beef Roll with green onion, these where awsome!
tteDH.jpg



For our entree we both had the Nihonbashi this was Sirloin steak and chicken breast with seasonal vegetables, Udon noodles, and steamed rice! Very tasty however it was the same quilty as our japanse steak house back home. Plus there was a down fall NO FRIED RICE!
entree.jpg


dessert. DH had the Chocolate Ginger Cake, sorry no pic but this was a dessert to die for. very good

I had the Green Tea Pudding this was very good too.
disney186.jpg



Over all we enjoyed Teppan Edo! Our Server and the Chef where amazing and the acknowledgement of my birthday was special. We had a great time with the fellow guests at our table! great people! For the overall Dining experience we both would say its in our top 5. Our only gripe vs our Japanese steakhouse back home is that they have mitso soup, salad and fried rice bundled with our entree.

2cr used, Would of retailed around $90

next up Coral Reef
 
Love the pics from Olivia's! I'm bummed because we were staying right there but had reservations for other restaurants. After reading your review and pics I would have loved to swap out for one of my not so fav dining experiences. Oh well, gives me a good excuse to hurry back to WDW!
 
Our last big trip yo WDW the best steak I had had that trip was at Tepan Edo... well not counting the Yachtsman!
 
Our last big trip yo WDW the best steak I had had that trip was at Tepan Edo... well not counting the Yachtsman!
We had reservations at Yachtsman on Day 5 but DH got his foot injured on the previous day and did not feel like walking so we canceled, stayed at our resort and had pizza. :sad2:

One of the other guests at our table had the Filet and he raved about his steak at Tepan Edo.

Love the pics from Olivia's! I'm bummed because we were staying right there but had reservations for other restaurants. After reading your review and pics I would have loved to swap out for one of my not so fav dining experiences. Oh well, gives me a good excuse to hurry back to WDW!
Thanks.
We had a free day after check out and our credits expired. We where in serious debate to return too Olivia's and pay OOP but we where too busy finishing up things in the parks we missed.
 
Well I did post that Coral Reef would be the next review, but its going to be Liberty Tree Tavern. Coral Reef will be later.

Liberty Tree Tavern is a all you can eat Family Style, you get Tossed mixed Greens, Roasted Turkey Breast, Carved Beef and Smoked Ham with Mashed Potatoes, seasonal vegetables, herb bread stuffing and Mac and cheese. Apple crisp with Ice cream. It was another Thanksgiving meal:thumbsup2.

Liberty Tree was one of Tims "DH" favs and yes he got seconds on the meat and Patatoes:rolleyes:
I found it to be nothing too special it was your basic confort food.
Salad was good with a stawberry vinigrette. Mac and Cheese was kind of gross.
I was too full for desert but DH Tim saved room for the Apple crisp and enjoyed it.

Our service was not the best at this one, refills on drinks where hard to come by We also felt rushed as our server left us the bill half way though our main entree.

2cr Used Retail is 60 28PP

I would say LTT is a good bang for your buck.

I only have a pic of the main entree!
libertytree.jpg

Garden Grill will be next
 















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