Party of 3 on the DDP - April 2012 *Updated 5/15: CHH and Final Thoughts*

[wilma-bride]

I am sure that we would love Biergarten - schnitzel and strudel, what's not to like

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

thanks for your reviews....i am anxious to go to Biergarten again ....always pleases everyones likes ....enough choices for sure..
Thanks again

Thank you for reading!

Glad to hear you all enjoyed BG. We have a dinner reservation there next month, this will be my DH first time for dinner as we always do lunch. Also it is a great use of the dining plan as the prices have gone up a lot over the years at this place.

I hope you have a great dinner at Biergarten! I agree about the prices - was glad we were on the DDP for this one.

Loving your posts so far!! I got that tuna/noodle meal at Sunshine Seasons last year. We had always opted to eat in WS before that and were pleasantly surprised!

We are trying Biergarten for the first time this year. I'm looking forward to it. We'll be a party of 7, so I'm hoping it will just be us at the table. I tend to be uncomfortable in those situations. I have no problem talking to other people, but would sit there and wait for the other people to talk to me first.

I bet you will get your own table, I seem to recall alot of 8 tops.

Great reviews so far! Thanks for sharing!

We haven't been to Biergarten in years! Love the atmosphere, we need to go back soon. Thanks for sharing the pics!

Thank you both for reading!

We just got back, as well, and I cannot wait to read your reviews of Columbia Harbour House - we ate there twice, as well, and we regretted the times when we didn't eat there

I love CHH - one of my faves that I have to go to every trip!

I am sure that we would love Biergarten - schnitzel and strudel, what's not to like

And don't forget the spatzle!

I'm working on my next installment (Mama Melrose) - hope to have it up later today.

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Before I get into my Mama Melrose review, a side note about breakfast. DD had the muffin and juice from the previous night to hold her over until we got to DHS. Once at DHS, we got FPs for TSMM then hit Starring Rolls. I wanted cereal, which I didn’t realize they don’t sell at Starring Rolls, so I hoofed it over to Fairfax Fare and back while DH and DD used 3 snack credits at Starring Rolls for a chocolate croissant, juice and a muffin (would've been about $10 total OOP). Those stinkers gobbled up almost everything before I got back so no pictures again.

Our ADR at Mama Melrose was at 1:50 p.m. I had changed this at the last minute (from noon) for a couple of reasons. First, we had decided to do the Wishes dessert party that night and weren't planning on a big dinner, and second, I was worried that a noon ADR would conflict with our TSMM FPs. I was correct on the second count – we ended up with a 12:10 to 1:10 p.m. return, which would’ve been a problem with our original ADR but worked perfectly with the new time.

We arrived about 10 minutes before our ADR and the lobby was packed! There was no line to check-in, however, so that went quickly and we were called to our table at exactly our ADR time (we noticed this was a trend this trip). Our table was in the back room.

Our waiter was prompt and efficient, but not very chatty - just all business, which is fine. He explained what was included on the DDP, took our drink orders and dropped off some nice warm rolls with herbed olive oil.

For entrees, DH ordered the Seafood Cioppino.

He really enjoyed it. I took a bite and thought the flavor was nice as well. I liked the pasta it was over – reminded me of the little round pasta in Italian Wedding Soup.

I ordered the gnocchi with seasonal vegetables.

This was very, very good. The gnocchi appeared to be homemade (it was a different shape than the pre-made gnocchi you get in a lot of restaurants). The seasonal veggies included many of my favorites – brussel sprouts, tomatoes, broccoli rabe, mushrooms and zucchini. It was mixed in a very flavorful pesto sauce. Our server offered me parmesan cheese but he forgot to come back with it. That turned out to be a good thing because there was enough salt in the pesto that I think the cheese would’ve pushed it over the edge.

DD got the kids’ pizza.

Now I have to admit, one of the main reasons I booked MM was because I’ve been drooling over one of their dessert options – the chocolate cannoli cake. As the waiter handed me the menu I held my breath that they hadn’t taken it off the menu but there it was! DH and I both ordered it.

Oh my, this is one of the best Disney desserts I’ve ever had. The cake was moist and chocolately, the cannoli filling was spot on in authentic flavor (some places use a whipped-creamy concoction as cannoli filling, I prefer the marscapone variety like this was) and the nutella ganache added a nice extra layer of chocolate. I wasn’t sure what to expect of the Chianti sauce but it was a nice addition – tasted almost like a raspberry sauce to me and I soaked up some of it with the cake.

I was hoping DD would order the meatball cupcake just for the photo op, but she wanted to save her room for the dessert party so she got the yogurt parfait (and who am I to stop a 7 year old from making a healthier choice?!!!).

All in all, I was happy with our meal at MM. Honestly, I’d read some not-so-stellar reviews and went in prepared for a long wait, bad service, etc. but we didn’t experience any of that. Would I go back? Yes, because I have to have that cannoli cake again! But I will say, we prefer the more highly themed options at DHS like Sci-Fi and 50s PTC. They are unlike any other eateries around here, while we can get good Italian food pretty readily here.

Cost OOP for this meal (not including tip) would’ve been $75.

 

[MickeyNicki]

I would be all over that gnocchi...looks amazing!

 

[vettegirl]

We have yet to MM as we are in love with the PT 50's cafe. However your review is making me change my mind!

 

[MsHershey]

Enjoying your review. That cannoli cake looks amazing!

 

[Disneymama5816]

Great reviews so far. I am glad you had a great experience at MM. We might have to give it another try next time!

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

Great reviews! I'm in!

 

[Ginamarie]

Loving your reviews so far!

 

[wilma-bride]

Sounds like a great meal at Mama Melrose. Gotta say that the only sit-down meal we've ever had at DHS was at 50s Prime Time. The last time we ate there, though, we were a little disappointed so might give MM a try next time. Especially if that Chocolcate cake is still on the menu

 

[hogwartsdropout]

Great reviews, looking forward to more!

 

[Tink03477]

Excellent reviews. In the many times that we have been to WDW we have never eaten at Biergarten or seen the inside. It looks pretty cool. We have to go look now! Can't wait to hear the rest. Thank you for sharing.

 

[CatNipRules]

Great start so far! I can't wait to read more! We are going to be trying some of the same restaurants and can't wit to hear about your experiences....

 

[TwistGrl101]

I have always enjoyed my meal at MM...your reviews are great so far; I'm looking forward to reading more!

 

[jm106]

Jumping in to read along. I am happy to see a nice review of mama Melrose. I have it booked for August and was hopeful we enjoy it. The gnocchi looks really great.

 

[Linda67]

Great reviews so far - sorry I am soooooo late

I just have to get some of the strawberry shortcake at SS, it looks delicious

Love the look of the gnocchi at MM

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

I would be all over that gnocchi...looks amazing!

It was really good!!!

We have yet to MM as we are in love with the PT 50's cafe. However your review is making me change my mind!

We are Sci-Fi diehards so it was hard for us to try something new as well. When we walked by Sci-Fi DH said he felt like he was cheating.

Enjoying your review. That cannoli cake looks amazing!

It was sooo good, still dreaming of it!

Great reviews so far. I am glad you had a great experience at MM. We might have to give it another try next time!

Thank you for reading!

Great reviews! I'm in!

Loving your reviews so far!

Thank you both!

Sounds like a great meal at Mama Melrose. Gotta say that the only sit-down meal we've ever had at DHS was at 50s Prime Time. The last time we ate there, though, we were a little disappointed so might give MM a try next time. Especially if that Chocolcate cake is still on the menu

I hope you enjoy MM if you decide to try it!

Great reviews, looking forward to more!

Thank you!

Excellent reviews. In the many times that we have been to WDW we have never eaten at Biergarten or seen the inside. It looks pretty cool. We have to go look now! Can't wait to hear the rest. Thank you for sharing.

This was my 20th trip to WDW and my first time at Biergarten! Not sure why it took me so long!

Great start so far! I can't wait to read more! We are going to be trying some of the same restaurants and can't wit to hear about your experiences....

I have always enjoyed my meal at MM...your reviews are great so far; I'm looking forward to reading more!

Thanks to you both! Another installment is comin' right up.

Jumping in to read along. I am happy to see a nice review of mama Melrose. I have it booked for August and was hopeful we enjoy it. The gnocchi looks really great.

I hope you have a great meal them!

Great reviews so far - sorry I am soooooo late

I just have to get some of the strawberry shortcake at SS, it looks delicious

Love the look of the gnocchi at MM

The SS was so good!!! Definitely check it out!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

After a break at the hotel, we headed back to MK around 7:30 p.m. for the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party. Since we’d had a big lunch at Mama Melrose, we decided to grab something light before the party and Columbia Harbour House fit the bill perfectly.

DD got the chicken nugget kids’ meal with grapes and carrots. DH and I shared the tuna sandwich. While DH waited for the food, DD and I headed upstairs to see if we could get one of our favorite tables overlooking the Fantasyland walkway. Unfortunately everyone else had the same idea so we ended up just outside that little room. It was about 8:15 p.m. at this point and while the restaurant didn’t seem busy it took a long time for our food to come out. When DH finally came up with the tray I noticed they’d forgotten the chips that are included with the tuna sandwich so back down he went. It was all worth the wait though because this is my favorite tuna sandwich. In fact, CHH is the only restaurant that I’ll order a tuna sandwich at (very picky about my tuna).

We got apple slices as our dessert since we were headed to the party. We had to gobble up our meal pretty quickly because it was getting towards 8:45 p.m. and we needed to get checked in over at the Tomorrowland Terrace. I believe the OOP cost for this meal would’ve been about $20.

We hot-footed it over to the Tomorrowland Terrace and got checked in just after 9 p.m. I captured this shot of our table while we were waiting in line.

I should mention that we booked this ADR pretty last minute – maybe two or three weeks out – so I was prepared to get a not-so-great table location. That still didn’t help me from being a tad disappointed when we got a table in the second to the last row, near the check-in podium and behind a pillar. The CM made me feel better though by saying the tables are just for eating and people go up to the railing for the fireworks.

We hit the buffet and there were tons of choices – cupcakes, chocolate covered strawberries, canolis, mango shooters, rice crispy treats, brownies, mousse cups, tarts, make-your-own sundaes and a variety of drink options (coffee, tea, milk, lemonade).

Here’s DD’s plate:

DH's plate:

And my plate:

I loved the cupcakes – just a simple vanilla/vanilla combo but so good. The canolis were excellent – definitely could’ve had a whole plateful of those but I restrained myself.

There was a PhotoPass photographer staked out for castle shots so we got a couple of pictures taken before settling in to watch The Magic, The Memories and You and then Wishes. The view was fantastic and we would’ve had a terrific view of Tink flying but it must’ve been too windy because she didn’t fly that night.

We decided to hang out for a while after the fireworks to avoid the stampede to the exits. The CMs had consolidated the remaining desserts onto one table and DH went up for seconds. I’d say the food stayed out for about 15-20 minutes after Wishes ended then they started rolling things away.

We really enjoyed our experience at the dessert party and I think we’d do it again. Next time I would try to book it as soon as the booking window opens in hopes of getting a better table. But either way, it was nice to have a comfortable spot to watch the fireworks and some tasty desserts to boot. This experience is not covered on the DDP so the OOP cost for 2 adults, 1 child was about $60.

 

[wallawallakids]

Ohh...that desert party looks so good!!! It is nice to see a review about it. I have been curious but yet to try it. Did they have any healthy desert options? (I know....oxymoron) but we might be traveling with my grandmother and she has diabetes. Is there any plain fruit or something like that? Thank you!!

 

[LittleStinkerbelle]

Ohh...that desert party looks so good!!! It is nice to see a review about it. I have been curious but yet to try it. Did they have any healthy desert options? (I know....oxymoron) but we might be traveling with my grandmother and she has diabetes. Is there any plain fruit or something like that? Thank you!!

They did have fruit!