Seriously? You want me to eat again?

[cmesq61]

This will be my first attempt at dining review for the Boards. Alas, no photos, although i did obsessively write in my little notebook at every meal, and saved every receipt with notes as to who had what, cost, server, etc.

By way of background, the family is me (age? Who asks a lady her age?), BF 60 (celebrating his birthday), DS 15, DD 14. We had the DxDP (which we paid for, stupid me, really, really stupid and negligent and lazy TA that I will never use again and can give the name of to anyone who PMs me--wouldn't wish her or her company on anyone), 6 nights, 7 days, Polynesian Resort, all but 2 meals were ADRs made 180 days out even though my BF, a WDW vet, thought I was crazy. Who's crazy now, I say.

Restaurants to be reviewed:
Kona Cafe (twice)
1900 Park Fare (twice)
CP
Plaza Rest
WCC
Akershus
le Cellier
50s PT
Bistro de Paris (not a DDP place but we went for our anniversary)
CM
GG
Ohana (twice)
Rose & Crown
The Wave
Coral Reef
Marrakesh


Tipping: We did not have room charging privileges on any KTTW card. We put a 0 with a line through it on the tip line of the charge ticket, wrote the meal total on the meal line and signed the slip. When the server returned the receipt we left cash for all tips.

General thoughts: The food at WDW is OK. If I had paid the menu price I would have felt gipped. For the DxDP price, I got my money's worth because we ate primarily at buffets and my family likes to eat. I would call WDW food high end cafeteria food. And, given the amount of people WDW moves through the eating venues during a given meal time, they do a good job. If, however, you go there really expecting that for $200 you are going to get the meal you would get in a private restaurant for the same price, you will be disappointed.

First up: Kona Cafe, Day 1, lunch. We arrived early. After checking in, getting my ECV deliverd, checking out the room and a quick look at the pool, we walked up about 2:30 and were seated immediately. Great service from Lori. Good food: crab cakes, sticky wings, pot stickers--all yummy. Very yummy. Salad--it was a salad. Burger cooked as ordered & my DS liked, pork taco my DD liked and I tasted it--very good, fish taco for me--OK, steak for BF-cooked as ordered and very tasty. Ice cream sunda, kahlua torte a la mode, creme brulee, Kona kone for dessert. The Kona Kone was a hit and we all wished we had gotten it. Glowtini--fun but a bit sweet for me. My BF did not like the Kona Cool Sundown. Exclusive of alcohol=$144 (we paid cash & gave a separate tip)

More to follow...I want to go back already!!

 

[John's Mom]

Great start! Count me in!

 

[TigerKat]

Signing on, can't wait for the Bistro review, we're trying it next month!

 

[Avojeo]

I am in...

 

[MickeyNicki]

Count me in

 

[Disney owl]

great start

 

[HonnyDipp]

I'm in!

 

[tink6137130]

I'm in!

 

[cmesq61]

Guess I should have posted all of Day 1 at once. Oh well. I'll perfect this review thingy as I go...
Still Day 1: Supper 1900 Park Fare:
We had a fabulous table. We really lucked out at all but one restaurant for table placement. We were right in the middle of the room, one of the tables for 4 near a post, but not blocked by it, so we were one of the first tables.

Great character interaction, Cinderella, Prince Charming, the Wicked Step Mother and Step Sisters. They were awesome...the step mother and sisters were freakin hilarious. When the step mother came to our table I introduced my daighter and said this is my Princess, Emma...she's had quite a few of you step mothers (which she has). Anyway, the characters were great.

Food was good. Yummy: mashed potatoes, strawberry soup, panzanella salad. The rest of the food was Ok. My DD liked the pizza, the prime rib was too rare for my BF but my DS liked it. My BF took 2 of the little chocolate mousse cups. he said first one was terrible, 2nd one much better. I know, why'ddya eat the 2nd one if the first one was bad.

Service--just OK. Lucy was our waitress. Took us about 70 minutes. I was a bit worried aboyt all the table service ressies we had cause people have complained about how long it takes, but that was not too much of a problem for us. And I liked sitting down in the air conditioning and checking in with everyone and seeing if we needed to adjust our plans, etc. Total was $127.76.

Day 2, MK Day: Only took us 15 minutes to get to the MK from the Poly. Then we waited a bit in line to get in early for the breakfast
Breakfast CP So awesome walking up Main Street for the first time when it was virtually empty. Anyway...CP was my favorite breakfast.

When we were called in for our ressie the CM noticed my cane and said we were going to be in the back of the room but would I like something closer to the buffet line. That was so great of the CM to ask and I took him up on the offer.

Again, great character interaction. Pooh, Eyeore, Tigger and I forget who else.
Food--can you say PUFFED FRENCH TOAST IS SO DELICIOUS!!! OMG. It tastes just like the home made donuts my Dad used to make on Sunday mornings after church. I waddled out of breakfast. My BF had a made to order ommellette he loved. Everything--except the PUFFED FRENCH TOAST--was a bit salty. Very good: scrambled eggs, veggie frittata, yogurt, granola. No one liked the sausage. Excellent service from Kathy S. Total $80.90.
Out in time for the 9AM rope drop. Except CMs kept stopping the line as everyone was walking toward to the rides. Kindda seemed to defeat the purpose of EMH if we get stopped at a rope and made to wait 3 times between Main Strret and BTM. Anyway....MK was awesome. 2 CMs noticed my BF's Vietnam War hat and thanked him for his service. I almost cried becasue he came home he got spit on, not thanked, so I am so glad those CMs did that.

Lunh--Plaza Rest I would not go back here except for the ice cream. Lots of flies (flying around). I had the strawberry & chicken salad. It was soggy. Ick. Pastrami sandwich w/ potato salad, veggie sandwich & club sandwich with potato salad were all reported as good. Dessert--BF=banana split, loved it. DS=milk shake, yummy. DD=strawberry ice cream yum. Total $86.24. Wendy was the waitress and was very nice.

I am kind of only giving the down and dirty but feel free to ask questions and I'll check my notebook for you!

 

[cmesq61]

Day 2, Dinner WCC

I was very excited about WCC and read some great reviews on it more than 180 days out. After the ressie was made I read some bad ones but we kept the ADR and went hopiong for the best. Also because I wanted to see the WL. The hotel was very beautiful and I liked the grounds. The store had some really neat things in it. Don't think it's for me because with my ECV, if the boats were not accessible due to water levels I would be dependent on buses, which I try to avoid.

Anyway...WCC...never again. To start off, we were told upon checkin that they were running 30 minutes late. OK. We wait patiently only to be seated in the anteroom that overlooks the lobby rather than in the main restaurant. Others have commented on this. It really ruins the whole "fun" atmosphere purpose of going there in the first place. WDW should reserve ask people if they mind sitting there.

After being seated, we waited a long time for the waiter and an even longer time to get our drinks.

Kids both had the chips and salsa appetizer. They were good. BF and I had the skillet, so the appetizer was salad. I liked the dressing.

As for the skillet, the chicken was not good. I couldn't decide if it was too heavy on rosemary or oregano, but yuck, we didn't eat it. the ribs were OK. Pulled pork was OK, nothing special. The cornbread was good. The beans were just beans. Mashed potatoes were very good. On the whole disappointing.

DS had the ribs. He said they were good. DD had the chicken/pasta dinner. She liked it. Neither of them ate too much, though. Both had bottomless milkshakes. DD cotton candy that she wants to make sure I tell everyone was "awesome."

My DS asked for a refill on his milkshake. it took forever, and when it came, it was a thimble sized cup. OK. We all laughed, it's part of the fun atmosphere. It was goo cause the kids were disappointed that we saw no antics cause we were seated "outside." But, the waiter never came back with another shake and never came into the little room we were in to even grab him. After we had all finsihed eating we sat there for 20 minutes. Finally the waiter reappears with dessert menus, at which point I remind him that DS wanted another milkshake. No one wanted dessert as we were falling asleep in our plates so we asked for the check.

Again, we wait...and wait...and finally the check comes. BF signs it and we wait...and...you get the picture. Finally brings back the receipt with a milkshake for my DS in a paper cup to go. This was by far the longest meal of the trip. It made me see why many people have commented that they don't like TS as it takes too long.

The waiter was Gino Casino. Total w/o dessert was $129.40. Other than WCC, an awesome day at WDW in the MK. Seeing that castle for the first time. Boy oh boy.

 

[cmesq61]

Day 3--Epcot Day:
Princess breakfast at Akershus. It was really nice going through part of the world showcase with the park empty. My kids and I had never been and i think the breakfast was worth it just for that. Just beautiful.

You first get in line for photo taking with Belle--i love Belle. She's my favorite so I admit this was a highlight of the trip for me! Then on to breakfast...Richard was our waiter. he was very cute and very earnest and serious. Good service.

The food--cold buffet your run of the mill pastries, smoked salmon, pickled herring--pass. It was extremely sparse. The hot food comes in a platter family style. The potatoes--delicious! My poor BF had to wait for the 2nd platter as my DS, 15, dove into the potatoes! Eggs good, bacon yum, sausage--not so much. We didn't find any sausage all week that we liked.

Coffee was good. I was worried about the coffee before we went having read the comments here, but most places it was OK. Richard was great in keeping the coffee full and the food coming.

The, the Princesses. Just beautiful. My teenage daughter is at the -too-cool stage and even she was jumping up and down. We had a great table so didn't have to wait too long for visits. Great photos. I had so much fun watching all of the really little girls.

It was great for children if all ages so don't miss it! Total for 4 $123.50

Le Cellier--Lunch: the glowing reviews here really nailed it. Great. One of our favorites for the week. We were seated timely. Our waiter was Billy--it was only his second day. He did great. Although he looked about 12 with his shy smile. He did a great job explaining the symbolism of the bread. OMG--the bread--to die for. Seriously.

Appetizers: duck confit for me--OK. BF--cheese soup was "super" and my boyfriend rarely says super in a restaurant. DD--tomato stack--very good. DS--shrimp cocktail--yum.
Entrees: DD-mushroom ravioli, very good. DS--NY strip, perfectly cooked, so good, very tender, nicley flavored (as the reviewer I, of course, must taste everyone's). Then my boyfriend's halibut comes--it's a tiny little 2X 3 inch piece--he called it a finger--and the look on his face was hilarious. We all laughed. As my BF said--there's more to a hot dog and bun. But he said it was delicious & perfectly cooked. I had the prime rib sandwich--so good!
Desserts: My mouth is watering right now: smores--just OK; cheesecake--very good; creme brulee was yummy but was better at the Wave and Bistro de Paris; chocolate mousse--yummy.

A great lunch. We would definately go back. Total $173.75

Supper: The kids went to 50s PT Cafe and we adults celebrated our anniversary at Bistro de Paris, which I have reviewed separately on this board.
Kids loved 50s PT. They had a great waittress--Claire--who really gave them the treatment--don't think just becasue your Mother's not ehre that you can forget your manners or not eat your vegetables. And apparently there was a very funny group of adults next to them that Claire really gave the business to and they enjoyed seeing the adults get tormented very much! they both had fried chicken, ice cream floats and smores for dessert and loved everything. Before they went my BF taught my son about the DxDP and how to fill out the slip and to leave the tip in cash and explained he could decide how much tip to leave, so much if it's not good service, leave it all if the service is fabulous. So my son really enjoyed being in charge so to speak. And it was good experience for him, too. Total for 2 $97.94

 

[jeminni]

Enjoying your reviews. I'm kinda confused on the last one though, how can 2 kids just getting fried chicken, floats and desserts spend $97 at prime time cafe?

 

[SunnieRN]

Looking forward to more!

 

[cmesq61]

Enjoying your reviews. I'm kinda confused on the last one though, how can 2 kids just getting fried chicken, floats and desserts spend $97 at prime time cafe?

You're right! I was looking at the wrong receipt. Thank you. The bill for the kids, including the appetizers and desserts was $63.92.

 

[Avojeo]

Great reviews so far....

 

[cmesq61]

17 days I've been home? I am so slow with these reviews. Apologies to all!
Day 4--Goof Off Day: we had originally billed day 5, Sunday, as a hang around the pool and goof off day but changed our minds. The kids wanted to go back to DHS for RnRC and I did not want to spend hours on the bus (due to my ECV) so the kids went to DHS in the AM and the man and I went shopping at Epcot and I rode Soarin (I loved it!) but only after breakfast at--wait for it--Chef Mickey's!

We all liked Chef Mickey's. The food was good. A very nice fruit bar, eggs were good. None of us liked the cheesy hashbrowns with bacon in them, though. They looked good and we all came back to the table with a big scoop but the taste did not gel with the appearance.

Fabulous character interaction. Again, we had a good table so did not h ave to wait long for Mickey and crew. Got some great photos.

Great service from Rajae. She kept the coffee filled, the juice flowing, and no dirty plate pile ups on the table. Total $97.94--apologies for my earlier typo.

Lunh--GG: Second only to WCC on the the worst of the week. The restaurant itself is cool, a great concept. We were on the first level with a great view and we all enjoyed the changing scenery of the Land.

Great character interaction. My DD loves Chip n Dale and she had a wonderful time with them. They were a hoot with her, which is so nice to see that the characters are awesome whether you're a big kid or a little kid.

Food--not so great. The platters were small and the food was COLD. OK--maybe lukewarm is nore accurate. But really. Food should not be lukewarm.

Service was SLOW...very slow. Yalila was the waitress. We sat so long that Mickey made 4 complete circuits of the restaurant! And this was the only time all week that a server said anything about the tip. The service had not warranted a generous tip anyway, but when she picked up the receipt on which my BF had written zero with a line through it (which we did all week as we paid cash for tips) she said do you want to charge the tip to your room. Just kinda icky.

I know this is a hot topic here and I think it's awful that people would leave no tip for good service merely because they are mad that the plan no longer covers the tip, but this really irked me. Cause you don't know that people are not tipping merely becasue they do not charge it. Moreover, the KTTW card said right on it "no room charging". Anyway, she was not tipped generously becasue she did not do a good job, and, in fact, did a poor job.

Supper-Ohana We cancelled ressie at H & V and got into Ohana at 4:05. A bit early but it worked out OK as we hung at the pool all afternoon and then just strolled into dinner. Gary was the waiter--awesome service! Very friendly and fun guy. Dinner was yummy. OMG--the banana bread pudding was too die for. I'm sorry that I don't have anything written in my notes about anything else except that the sticky wings here were not as good as at Kona cafe. I remember though that my BF found the steak particularly good.

On a side note--the Poly pool bar, where we spent the afternoon...manga magarita--good. Gold margarita--not so good.

After supper we watched the electric water pageant but I was too tired to make the fireworks. It was a great evening, though, with the kids enjoying the pool and us just hanging out.

I think it's important at WDW to keep your plans somewhat flexible so you can just have fun and hang out as a family.

 

[frdeb1999]

Great reviews so far! Looking forward to the rest!

 

[cmesq61]

Day 5 Breakfast Kona Cafe: In a word--great! The food was good. My DD and I had the famed Tonga Toast. It was very good but a bit sweet for me. BF--Big Kahuna, which he got casue I also wanted to try the macadamia nut pancakes. They were good, too. DS had steak and eggs, cooked to perfection. Since we had 2 extra meal credits due to us having our anniversary at Bistro de Paris we used an extra credit and got a fruit plate for the table, which everyone devoured. Gary was our waiter, who coincidentally grew up in Lowell, MA where I went to college. Small world. He was fabulous. Kept the drinks filled and very nicely brought dear BF and I papercups to go for the coffee left in the pot. Total, including the extra meal=$80.55.

Kids went off to DHS--again. RnRC and Aerosmith stuff in the store were like a magnet for them. Each day we gave them a spreadsheet with the day's itinerary on it so they would know where and when meals were. Worked really well. BF & I lingered over coffee & then back to Epcot. Did some looking around the World Showcase. Don't really rememerb where the morning went.

Lunch--Rose and Crown: Very good. A place I would return to. The waitress--Alison R.--was very pleasant but the service was slow. We were seated outside, which was hot and I hate the heat, but the view was just gorgeous, so I used my little mini fan and enjoyed the view. My grandparents were British and it was fun telling my kids about malt vinegar on the fries, and why the fish comes in newspaper, etc.

This is one of my BF's favorite places (unlike me and the kids he's been to WDW a lot ). He had the cheese plate for appetizer and shepard's pie for entree, and raved about both.. I had smoked salmon appetizer--not so great, and fish and chips for the entree. I was disappointed in the fish and chips. I had read so many great things about it here, but it was just OK. We live on the north shore of Boston and so maybe my standards for fish and chips are too high. the FF were good. DS--pea soup and fish & chips. He loved both. DD--poor thing she had the Samosa appetizer and it was too hot for her to eat. She usually likes spicy stuff but it was too hot for her so she ate some of my smoked salmon. She had the chicken salad thing for an entree and again, quite hot.

Dessert: OMG, I was like a scene out of When Harry Met Sally over the sticky toffee pudding. Swear to God my kids were like "Mom. Stop!" just so darn good! Others had apple crumble and choc cake, and everyone enjoyed them. Total=128.64

Supper--The Wave; We really enjoyed The Wave. While the food is a bit limited, the ambience is very nice--a bit of a step up from other places and the service was fabulous. Susan was our waittress. She was impeccably good. So much of the service in Disney restaurants not so great especially given the prices. She stood out. Also, the best cocktail we had all week, which people will kill me but I didn't write the name down. It was something with pomegranate juice. Just yummy.

Anyway--the meal. We had for apps we had: lettuce wraps--very good; squash soup--my BF and DS raved about it; mixed greens--DD loved the dressing. Entrees: flank steak--yummy; lamb shank--fabulous; filet minion--perfect. That's all I can say--perfect.
Dessert: They have 4 selections and we each got one so we could share. the sorbets were surprisingly good. The creamy indulgence was excellent, as were the other two. Oh--and the kids had milkshakes--very good. Total $200.25. An excellent meal.

Back to the Poly for fireworks, dole whips and a romantic stroll (well I ride and he strolls) along the beach. A perfect evening.

 

[cmesq61]

Day 5 Breakfast Kona Cafe: In a word--great! The food was good. My DD and I had the famed Tonga Toast. It was very good but a bit sweet for me. BF--Big Kahuna, which he got casue I also wanted to try the macadamia nut pancakes. They were good, too. DS had steak and eggs, cooked to perfection. Since we had 2 extra meal credits due to us having our anniversary at Bistro de Paris we used an extra credit and got a fruit plate for the table, which everyone devoured. Gary was our waiter, who coincidentally grew up in Lowell, MA where I went to college. Small world. He was fabulous. Kept the drinks filled and very nicely brought dear BF and I papercups to go for the coffee left in the pot. Total, including the extra meal=$80.55.

Kids went off to DHS--again. RnRC and Aerosmith stuff in the store were like a magnet for them. Each day we gave them a spreadsheet with the day's itinerary on it so they would know where and when meals were. Worked really well. BF & I lingered over coffee & then back to Epcot. Did some looking around the World Showcase. Don't really rememerb where the morning went.

Lunch--Rose and Crown: Very good. A place I would return to. The waitress--Alison R.--was very pleasant but the service was slow. We were seated outside, which was hot and I hate the heat, but the view was just gorgeous, so I used my little mini fan and enjoyed the view. My grandparents were British and it was fun telling my kids about malt vinegar on the fries, and why the fish comes in newspaper, etc.

This is one of my BF's favorite places (unlike me and the kids he's been to WDW a lot ). He had the cheese plate for appetizer and shepard's pie for entree, and raved about both.. I had smoked salmon appetizer--not so great, and fish and chips for the entree. I was disappointed in the fish and chips. I had read so many great things about it here, but it was just OK. We live on the north shore of Boston and so maybe my standards for fish and chips are too high. the FF were good. DS--pea soup and fish & chips. He loved both. DD--poor thing she had the Samosa appetizer and it was too hot for her to eat. She usually likes spicy stuff but it was too hot for her so she ate some of my smoked salmon. She had the chicken salad thing for an entree and again, quite hot.

Dessert: OMG, I was like a scene out of When Harry Met Sally over the sticky toffee pudding. Swear to God my kids were like "Mom. Stop!" just so darn good! Others had apple crumble and choc cake, and everyone enjoyed them. Total=128.64

Supper--The Wave; We really enjoyed The Wave. While the food is a bit limited, the ambience is very nice--a bit of a step up from other places and the service was fabulous. Susan was our waittress. She was impeccably good. So much of the service in Disney restaurants not so great especially given the prices. She stood out. Also, the best cocktail we had all week, which people will kill me but I didn't write the name down. It was something with pomegranate juice. Just yummy.

Anyway--the meal. We had for apps we had: lettuce wraps--very good; squash soup--my BF and DS raved about it; mixed greens--DD loved the dressing. Entrees: flank steak--yummy; lamb shank--fabulous; filet minion--perfect. That's all I can say--perfect.
Dessert: They have 4 selections and we each got one so we could share. the sorbets were surprisingly good. The creamy indulgence was excellent, as were the other two. Oh--and the kids had milkshakes--very good. Total $200.25. An excellent meal.

Back to the Poly for fireworks, dole whips and a romantic stroll (well I ride and he strolls) along the beach. A perfect evening.