Random Report of My Disney Dining History

[Disney_traveler]

It's been a slow, boring, but extremely relaxing weekend. After following the musings and planning of @JustCor 's upcoming trip, I was reminiscing about all the places I've eaten. I decided to write up a random quick restaurant report. It's isn't very detailed and I apologize for bad grammar, spelling, punctuation as I'm typing on my iPad and prefer a computer keyboard.

About Me
Hi! I'm Samantha! I have itchy feet (metaphorically speaking) and there is always some kind of travel on my radar. Being a teacher at a school with a traditional calendar, my travel is limited to Spring Break, Christmas Break, and Summer Break.

My Disney Trip History
I now have a total of 7 WDW trips to my name. My first was as a high school band student at a school where the band travels every 4 years and it is paid for by each kid. We split our stays between Disney and Universal and are always offsite. This first time was at Renaissance Worldgate Hotel. The second and third times were also with the band but now as a chaperone and employee at that same high school. We now stay at Lake Buena Vista Resorts, which I love, and are prepping for our Spring Break 2018 trip. After the 2014 band trip I decided it was time for my parents to see the World. They were skeptical thinking it was a kiddie theme park, but now are hooked. Mom is my travel buddy so we have been back 3 other times. Her second time was the first time she was ever on an airplane. We are planning to go back for a Universal only trip in a couple summers which will be Dad's first airplane trip.

My Food Flaws
I'm by no means a foodie. I lean more towards the familiar and am only mildly adventurous. I have a weird sensitivity to all seafood, shellfish, basically any water dwelling creature. I'm from Texas where chili does NOT include beans and if it is cooked correctly, BBQ does NOT include BBQ sauce. Well, I like beans in my chili and I like my BBQ either cooked by my Dad (mesquite smoked) or Mississippi sweet, sticky and saucy. I can't stand raw coconut, but like coconut flavoring or toasted coconut. I also hate any form of pecans (sorry Texas!). I will also unapologetically claim I love me some Taco Bell. I know it isn't real. I know we have much better in our local taquerias or in my house if I want to cook, but there's something just so sinfully yummy about it. I also didn't start eating steak until a few years ago, but that's because prior was the Texas way of cooking steak...salt, pepper and knock the moo off of it (rare). I also can't stand eating lamb or uncured pork. I'm an Ag teacher....I've washed sheep and clipped pigs. To me the flavoring of the meat hints of the washing or clipping and I can't get around it. Dad and I actually tried lamb for the first time together at a Brazilian steakhouse and I took a bite first and said what it tasted like and he agreed. He is a hunter....he eats deer, quail, wild hog, etc etc.....he is not new to strange meats.

Anyways......here are my thoughts on the various places I have tried.....enjoy! If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

ADR places
Trail's End supper---great ribs and fried chicken

BOG lunch---really like the croque monsieur and roast beef sandwiches, potato soup and French onion soup

Liberty Tree Tavern dinner---I'm always a fan of Thanksgiving style meals at non-Thanksgiving times. We all enjoyed this.

Biergarten supper---good food, what we are used to in Fredericksburg, apprehensive sitting with strangers

Hollywood & Vine (non character supper)--- horrible, dirty, worse than a kids' cafeteria

Boma supper---we are adventurous but didn't care for this, didn't even like zebra domes

Akershus supper---I tried the traditional meatballs and didn't care for them. Something in the seasoning just didn't suit me.

Le Cellier late lunch---I booked this JUST for poutine and beer cheese soup. I LOVED both. Looking forward to doing this again someday.

1900 Park Faire supper---traditional buffet food reminded me of a better quality Golden Corral

50s Prime Time lunch---I got the sampler and this would be what brought me back to eating fried chicken "on the bone" it was a huge plate of food and being on the dining plan we had dessert too. I remember getting some kind of chocolate cake and it was sooooo good but I was so full I was almost sick eating it.

Rose & Crown supper---tried the steak and it was very tasty and cooked perfectly to my liking. Loved the loaded Yorkshire pudding. Really wanted to try Bubble and Squeak but forgot to order

Garden Grill supper---now my FAVORITE meal in all of Disney. I loved the pot roast and the mac n cheese with goldfish crackers on top. They could get rid of the characters and I would still eat there. It also helps that I love Living with the Land. If only the restaurant rotated over the greenhouses.

Akershus lunch---mom loved the food. I looked at the menu and said I could try the chicken, it would be okay. Well I ended up with the beginnings of a migraine this day and smell really affects me. I kept fighting it and fighting it, took medicine, tried to ignore smell of restaurant and queasy stomach. Set down food and it was grilled chicken on the bone and the bone was looking at me. I attempted to eat and fought it for mom's sake and to see the princesses. Then we asked if we could dessert to go as I needed to lie down in a dark room if i was going to make it to JBJB dessert party that night.

1900 Park Faire holiday brunch---I liked it better this time as I had a combination of breakfast food and "regular food"

Cinderella's Royal Table dinner---I will agree with others that say it's all about characters/ambiance of eating in castle. I'm glad we did it but I'm in no hurry to go back.

Crystal Palace breakfast---this I would do EVERY trip. I really really enjoyed the puffed French toast and breakfast potato casserole (that I shamelessly stuck cheese cubes in)

QS places
Magic Kingdom
Aloha Isla---I love pineapple so I like the dole whip float. I've been known to eat them for breakfast lunch or dinner.

Sunshine Tree Terrace---tried the citrus swirl, ill stick with pineapple

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor---my band friends introduced me to the cookie ice cream sandwich, now a Disney trip ice cream staple (with Mickey bar and dole whip float)

Columbia Harbor House---stopped here because it was near "my mansion" even though I can't eat seafood of any kind, I enjoyed the pot pie and broccoli (and opportunity for broccoli is good to me!)

Pecos Bill---the first time I ate here was the old menu and I got ribs, which were good, but I'm a fan of the new menu. For some reason I LOVE the seasoning of the taco meat on the nachos. I crave it! I'm hungry for it now. I mix the roasted corn with the guacamole and I'm a happy camper. If we are in MK this is my go to. I will eat there multiple times during a trip.

Friars Nook---whoever thought up pot roast Mac n cheese is a GENIUS!

Pinocchio---I just go for the garlic bread knots. Do they still have them? I don't mind walking across the park to put together a meal, so don't be surprised if you see me toting pot roast Mac n cheese to get garlic bread knots or vice versa.

Tomorrowland Terrace---pretty forgettable to me. Not bad but not a craving place either.

Epcot
Electric Umbrella---my band friends ALWAYS want to eat here and I'm just not a fan. Why eat here when there is all that awesomeness that is world showcase

Joy of Tea---Dad and I wanted to split the drink around the world challenge. Some places we both got something. First time I tried Tipsy Ducks in Love and Dad got Cantaloopy . We tried each other's drink and I'm now hooked on them! The funny thing is we both don't like eating cantaloupe!

Kringla---whyyyy did they have to get rid of the waffles? Not a fan of School Bread see above about coconut

Les Halles---I can't think of anything here that ISNT good. I do miss the Brie aux Pomme though. This is a must do for me every trip.

Lotus Blossom Cafe---kids meal pot stickers and spring roll

Sunshine Seasons---I've tried the ginormous sandwich and loved it and also gotten a kids meal that was like cheese bread and marinara dipping sauce. I like all the options

Tangierine cafe---we like to share a chicken shawarma plate.

Can remember the name, but there's a drink kiosk outside of Mitsukoshi where I get s Tokyo Sunset which is very refreshing

Hollywood Studios
Backlot express---we wanted to try Vader chicken and waffles and Dark side burger. I REALLY enjoyed the burger. Waffles were same as Mickey waffles just different shape. It's nice to know there is someplace to get a waffle fix later in the day. I'm also surprised with their chicken nuggets. They weren't just bland soggy things.

Starring Rolls cafe---I popped in here once to grab a butterfinger cupcake. Mom and I had eaten breakfast and were hopping taking pictures, but holding off to eat at Epcot. While in line the sandwiches started calling my name. I ended up with a sandwich to split, 2 drinks and 2 cupcakes and carried it all the way across the park to the smoking section by Gertie the Dinosaur where mom was. The sandwich was a really good

Animal Kingdom
Flame Tree BBQ---I always get the turkey sandwich. See above regarding BBQ
Pizzafari---we usually eat here or Flame Tree on our band trips. It's ok pizza, usually we are at AK later in the trip, so by this time I'm craving a salad.
Trilobites---miss their buffalo chicken waffle sandwich

Resorts
I haven't tried many QS places at resorts outside of the ones I have stayed at (Pop Century, Art of Animation, Coronado Springs & All-Star Music), but I can say I enjoy the flatbread pizzas at all of them. During a Christmas decoration resort tour we grabbed a sandwich and homemade chips at Beach Club Marketplace and I would go back just for those homemade chips!

 

[JustCor]

You have some really good food places on there! I really enjoyed Biergarten and would love to go again, but like you, I'm not too fond of the communal seating arrangement, especially since I tend to solo most of the time. I'm not a social butterfly, especially while eating. I wasn't fond of Boma dinner, but I do like the breakfast. It seems like the rate of food turnover is good and everything seems to taste better than many buffets. It used to be a fairly regular thing until I tried The Wave for breakfast. I like their smaller buffet more, and the location tends to suit my needs better. And I'm a HUUUUUUUGGGEEEE fan of Friar's Nook and the Pot Roast Mac and Cheese. That stuff is just ridiculously good. It's so cream and full of flavor, and it's incredibly filling. I could easily eat that as an early lunch and have it take me through until late night. It's just so delicious!

 

[minoh]

Great, succinct reviews!

 

[Disney_traveler]

You have some really good food places on there! I really enjoyed Biergarten and would love to go again, but like you, I'm not too fond of the communal seating arrangement, especially since I tend to solo most of the time. I'm not a social butterfly, especially while eating. I wasn't fond of Boma dinner, but I do like the breakfast. It seems like the rate of food turnover is good and everything seems to taste better than many buffets. It used to be a fairly regular thing until I tried The Wave for breakfast. I like their smaller buffet more, and the location tends to suit my needs better. And I'm a HUUUUUUUGGGEEEE fan of Friar's Nook and the Pot Roast Mac and Cheese. That stuff is just ridiculously good. It's so cream and full of flavor, and it's incredibly filling. I could easily eat that as an early lunch and have it take me through until late night. It's just so delicious!

Thanks! Biergarten was on my parents' first trip. When planning those reservations I had to compromise because I was worried mom and dad might not enjoy parks and needed SOMETHING to look forward to. Dad picked that and I stressed about it and who we would be sitting with. We were put at a table for 8 with a family from Arkansas and it felt like we knew them from back home. I remember getting knopfle (noodle buttons) and putting some kind of like pot roast on top.

I don't know why I freaked out about people at meal times. I chat with/make friends when people start talking to me in lines, at the bus stops, when mom stops for a smoke, etc. Of all my family, I'm also the only one that will go into a sit-down restaurant and eat by myself.

Boma breakfast, Tusker House breakfast and Sanaa bread service are all on my to do list. And from reading various reviews (including yours) The Wave and Cape May.

 

[Araminta18]

I love Starring Rolls sandwiches too--surprisingly yummy.

 

[Disney_traveler]

Addendum

I guess once I cleared all those out of my head I completely forgot 2016 Flower & Garden booths, 1 2016 Holidays Around the World booth, MVMCP cookies, JBJB dessert party, and a stop at the Polynesian.

2016 Flower & Garden booths----copying descriptions but adding my thoughts
Cider House-- House-made Potato and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare. I watched how it was being played and saw the biscuit was split in half with a scoop of tartare on one piece. Luckily mom and I split it. I could eat that biscuit for breakfast.

Urban Farm Eats---Vegetable and White Bean “Naanwich” with Arugula Pesto and Oven-dried Tomatoes featuring Seeds of Change® Quinoa, Brown & Red Rice. Mom ate this a total of 3 times she liked it so much.

Pineapple Promenade---Spicy Hot Dog with Pineapple Chutney and Taro Chips---I had this twice! Something about the heat of the hot dog, the sweet, cool pineapple and the crunch of the taro chips (they remind me of baked lays!). I also obviously got the pineapple soft serve with coconut rum.

The Smokehouse---Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños. I broke my BBQ rule for this one because burnt ends are my favorite. If you ever come to Texas and try The Salt Lick, they are a second to my Dad's . Anyways it was good but NOT burnt ends, just crispy brisket.

Hanami---Chicken Edamame Bun: Steamed Bun filled with Chicken and Edamame and topped with Curry Sauce---I like chicken, edamame, steamed buns. Not a big fan of curry and that was overwhelming to me.
Beef Teriyaki Udon: Thin-sliced Beef, Onions and Noodles tossed on the grill with Soy and Ginger---this I really enjoyed I just wish it was served in a cup or bowl. Mine was on a plate.

Taste of Marrakech---Harissa Chicken Kebab with Sweet Couscous Salad---I could eat the kebab all day. Couscous....meh....I'll eat it but it's something with the texture/mouthfeel that gets to me.

Flour de Lys---Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne: Alsatian Onion Tart with Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme and Rosemary on a Flaky Puff Pastry Crust---this was really good. I felt like I was having an oniony breakfast pastry.

2016 Holidays Around the World---didn't accomplish as much as we wanted but...
Holiday Eats & Treats---Holiday Sandwich made with Cranberry Bread, Roast Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy---this was amazing. I've already mentioned the Thanksgiving dinner hang up I have...well I've had this type of sandwich and rank as follows: 1st Earl of Sandwich, 2nd Jason's Deli, 3rd Panera Bread. This one best them all. We have made them 3 times since,
Peppermint Sundae made with chocolate ice cream, whipped cream, and peppermint candy —soft serve with crushed candy cane. Simple and good!

MVMCP cookies---I'm not going to list where just the what...
Large and small snowman cookies---we have them in the grocery store, they are crumbly, remind me of sand....

Ginger molasses cookies---soft, chewy, gingerbready...wish I'd gotten more!

Peppermint bark cookies---chocolate chip cookies with some candy cane bits thrown in. A very innovative idea! I loved them! Then when I came home and Sprouts had a big after Christmas sale on similar cookies with a chocolate dough!

Blue snow cone----I was expecting a blue coconut flavor but it must have been blue raspberry or mango or something.

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bam dessert party
Meatballs----sweet and spicy, a little too saucy
Antipasto salad---yummy, I could have done with the meat/cheese on a skewer and no shredded iceberg, but any green is good green, right?
Nitrobites----I didn't fully understand what it was, just ok to me
Gingerbread martini----this is what Heaven must taste like. I should have skipped food and just had these the entire time.
I know I tried a lot of the sweets but all I remember are the gingerbread Mickey cookies you get as you leave and the rice krispy bonbons. Which was all good, but not as memorable as the others. This was our supper and I was STUFFED when we left.

Polynesian resort
Capt. Cooks---I have no idea why we ended up here one evening but we ate here and watched the MK fireworks. I had beef pho/udon. It was called one thing on the menu and the other on the receipt. The soup and noodles were great, the beef tough and chewy. Maybe this was after a day at Epcot and drinking around the world, because the next thing I knew I was at the Trader Sam's outdoor counter wanting a drink in a souvenir glass. I ordered a Nautilius not knowing what exactly it entailed or how much it was. I just knew it was a glass shaped like the ship and I wanted it! First the bartender questions me about it being a 2 person drink. I played it cool and said sure like I'd done this before. Then he told me that since we were outdoors I'd have to take my receipt inside to get my packaged glass. Sure thing, not a problem. Then he brought my tab of ~$70. It was harder to play it cool this time but my head said that it was Disney and I should go big or go home.