Short reviews of our 13 day Disney Dining Adventures - Complete!

[vinotinto]

This was the dinner menu. There was a red snapper fish dish, but I don't recall if there was lamb on the menu, sorry! The beef was the last thing listed and it didn't have the english translation underneath it (the only one like that) I had to ask what it was, so I wonder if they did that in preparation for free dining?

LOL! A little Italian will not dissuade me from ordering some manzo.

Anyways, thanks for the response. Red snapper is worthy of me keeping my ADR.

Looking forward to the rest of the reviews.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Another favorite repeat - The Rose and Crown! We had lunch reservations here and - shocker - we all got to eat together without too much loud noise!

They had a new appetizer which my DH had. It was a plate of two yorkshire puddings with a different topping on each. One had a creamy mushroom topping and the other was a sausage topping in a beefy type sauce. My DH loved both of them, but preferred the mushroom topping. I had a bite and it was very good! I had the scotch egg and, eh, it was okay but not as good as the the ones I remember eating as a child. DS(12) had the butter poached shrimp over the barley risotto. He ate and enjoyed all the shrimp, but didn't touch the barley. For the main course, I had the fish and chip staple - always a must do for me. DH had the Sunday Roast dish (forgot the official name) which was roast beef and yorkshire pudding (again!). He really enjoyed this dish and declared it one of the best things he has had in all of WDW. DS had the house cheeseburger and it was humongous. Now this kid can eat, but even he couldn't finish it! I had my requisite sticky toffee pudding (not as good as years past, slightly cold), DH had a lemon tart but was disappointed he didn't get what I got. DS ended up with another sundae - kid loves donuts and icecream

 

[Mom2Elliot]

A fun and hokey time - 'Ohana Dinner!

We didn't even attempt the 2 yr old here, DH stayed with him and I got to take the older kids. I forget what time our reservation was for, but we arrived a little early and had a very long 40 minute wait for our table. The kids and I were feeling a little punchy by the time we got to eat. As soon as we sat down, they started a parade so my DD got up and left us. Our waiter was great (Mike, I believe.) He brought over the bread - hello, delicious! We ended up eating 3 rolls worth. The salad I thought was good, but my other 2 didn't touch it. I also enjoyed the pot stickers. I had two of the chicken wings, but they were a little messy for my taste. Speaking of messy, my DS devoured lots of shrimp but I peeled them for him. My plate was covered in shrimp peels. Neither of us cared too much for the beef and the chicken had a funny taste to it, not bad, just not for us. We declined the pork. It was a long time until we got the noodles and broccoli and by that point we were full. I did manage to eat some noodles and wished I had received them sooner. The broccoli we didn't even touch which was a shame as my DS loves broccoli (strange kid ) My DS drank his coke fast, so Mike brought him a refill in a huge pitcher, which DS thought was really funny. The dessert was good, the kids received extra icecream so I got to the bread pudding to myself

What I don't think I have read much about in 'Ohana reviews is just how hokey this little dinner event is. Backing up a little, we were in the Poly lobby and this lady in Hawaiian dress comes out, gives us each a lei, and very very enthusiastically invites us to see "Chief so and so" do the torch lighting ceremony at 6pm in the lobby. I don't know why, but Hawaiian Chief conjured up images of some old, slightly pudgy man to me. Imagine my surprise then when this half naked totally buff young man is standing there. He runs outside, we obligingly follow, and starts playing with fire (now I get why he isn't an old, slightly pudgy man) while the lady sings. Anyway, I tell you all this, because the very very enthusiastic lady is the same lady who runs the events at 'Ohanas. And boy, did she call people "gorgeous" about as many times as I have referred to donuts in these reviews! She sounded so serious about all these gorgeous people doing the parade, limbo, and learning how to hula, but then she would sing and play the Ukelele while throwing in these jokes about the "genuine Hawaiian silk leis, made in China!" There was semi awkward laughter because she was being so serious about everything else no one knew whether they should laugh or not! It was pretty darn hokey but very fun all at the same time. I probably wouldn't go back for awhile, but my DS absolutely loved it and really wants to take my DH there. My DD is so picky she didn't eat much, but she liked the activities and would go back.

 

[Dani&TJsMom]

Really like the unique way you're writing the reviews. Love seeing all the character meals compared in one listing and then CS...etc. Sorry you have "baby swap" at your meals. I can fully empathize with you. My ds (now 7) did the same thing when he was 2. I remember one night we had taken the boat from DTD back to our resort at POFQ and my dh and dd were sitting behind my ds and I. One of them started teasing my ds and he went into a high pitched squeal that lasted the entire ride! I couldn't get him to stop and there was no where to go because we were on the boat. I was mortified. Everyone on the boat kept looking at me and the woman in front of me kept asking "can't you make him stop". Absolutely nothing worked, no bribe, nothing. My ds and dd still talk about that ride and laugh hysterically. (because they pretended not to know us). 5 years later, I guess I can bring myself to laugh too!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Really like the unique way you're writing the reviews. Love seeing all the character meals compared in one listing and then CS...etc. Sorry you have "baby swap" at your meals. I can fully empathize with you. My ds (now 7) did the same thing when he was 2. I remember one night we had taken the boat from DTD back to our resort at POFQ and my dh and dd were sitting behind my ds and I. One of them started teasing my ds and he went into a high pitched squeal that lasted the entire ride! I couldn't get him to stop and there was no where to go because we were on the boat. I was mortified. Everyone on the boat kept looking at me and the woman in front of me kept asking "can't you make him stop". Absolutely nothing worked, no bribe, nothing. My ds and dd still talk about that ride and laugh hysterically. (because they pretended not to know us). 5 years later, I guess I can bring myself to laugh too!

Thanks so much for reading, and more importantly, making me feel like I am not alone with having a squealer! I can't wait for him to grow out of this (although I am probably jinxing myself by saying he hasn't done it since we got home!) I am sure one day my DH and I will be able to laugh about it too - it will probably take him the full five years though, he is less tolerant than I

 

[E-P-C-O-T]

First of all, I want to thank you for writing this dining review, as I was seating here debating about wether to do the DDP or QSDP. I also have an almost 2 yr old and the description of you DS squealing throught your meals have certainly convinced me that the QSDP is for us (for the next year or two ).

 

[gigi1313]

to the OP... who are the characters currently at H&V? we have a b'fast ressie there in two weeks (my main reason for going is i've never been inside DHS before rope drop and want to see the empty park! LOL!)

 

[Mom2Elliot]

First of all, I want to thank you for writing this dining review, as I was seating here debating about wether to do the DDP or QSDP. I also have an almost 2 yr old and the description of you DS squealing throught your meals have certainly convinced me that the QSDP is for us (for the next year or two ).

Yes, the QSDP sounds like a good choice Actually, I took the kids by myself over Easter (DS was just about to turn 2) and we had the QSDP - we loved it! We were staying at Pop that trip, so we had a good selection at the food court that helped! Thanks for reading.

 

[Mom2Elliot]

to the OP... who are the characters currently at H&V? we have a b'fast ressie there in two weeks (my main reason for going is i've never been inside DHS before rope drop and want to see the empty park! LOL!)

Handy Manny, Leo and June, and Jo Jo the Clown. It definitely is nice not to deal with the crush of people pushing past you to get to TS at rope drop! I hope that you have a good trip!

 

[gigi1313]

Handy Manny, Leo and June, and Jo Jo the Clown. It definitely is nice not to deal with the crush of people pushing past you to get to TS at rope drop! I hope that you have a good trip!

woohoo, handy manny! LOL! now i know ds (also 2yo) will be happy
thanks!

 

[Disney owl]

I am enjoying your reviews, thanks

 

[JerseyJanice]

Great reviews! Your little one is adorable, although it's a shame he picked this trip to test out his voice. I hate to tell you this, but I have a life-long fear of birds because of an incident like yours when I was around 3. I'm in my 40s now and never got over it!

 

[Tara]

For main course, we both had the mushroom filet. It was good, but it wasn’t as amazing as some of the reviews around here suggest. Plus we had just had the best steak of our entire trip the night before, and Le Cellier just couldn’t compete.

I'm guessing that best steak was at Citricos? That's where I had the best steak I've ever had on property! I'm starting to feel a twinge of regret that it isn't on my itinerary in 3 weeks, but I *did* just eat there 5 weeks ago...though I didn't have the steak!

Thanks for posting your reviews - I look forward to reading about the rest of your experiences!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

I am enjoying your reviews, thanks

Thanks for reading!

Great reviews! Your little one is adorable, although it's a shame he picked this trip to test out his voice. I hate to tell you this, but I have a life-long fear of birds because of an incident like yours when I was around 3. I'm in my 40s now and never got over it!

Oh no! I hope he will be okay with birds! My friend has a bird, maybe I will take him over so he can see birds can be okay

I'm guessing that best steak was at Citricos? That's where I had the best steak I've ever had on property! I'm starting to feel a twinge of regret that it isn't on my itinerary in 3 weeks, but I *did* just eat there 5 weeks ago...though I didn't have the steak!

Thanks for posting your reviews - I look forward to reading about the rest of your experiences!

It wasn't Citrico's! We loved that place though, going to do my review of that coming up! Thanks for reading!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

A delicious meal: Kona Cafe

The last night on our Deluxe dining plan we had four credits left for all of us and we know without a doubt that the little one would have no part of it. So I pushed the other kids and DH out the door at our reservation time and I put the toddler to bed early! Then when they got back, I headed out and asked for a lonely table for one. It was 9pm at that time and I got seated at 9:30. Wow, that was late to eat, but it was worth the wait!

DH had the pot stickers and then the ginger crusted ribeye for his entree. Enjoyed both, but the highlight of that meal went to my DS's Shrimp and Scallop entree. He fell in love with scallops and DH said he was so excited to find something he liked so much. Who knows what DD had, she probably didn't eat it anyway!

So by the time I got to eat, I wasn't very hungry, but by gosh, I was NOT going to let that last remaining deluxe dining credit go to waste! For app, I had the pot stickers. They were tasty, a little better than the 'Ohana ones, though I am sure they are the same thing. And because I wasn't overly hungry I decided to take a chance on the oft touted Tuna Oscar. Oh my word, this was delicious!! It was such an unusual dish for me to eat - fried green tomatoes and tuna are not things that I would ever order, but together it was absolutely yummy. When I got back and told my DH, he was so disappointed he hadn't ordered it! Additionally, I was seated next to some local Orlando folks, so I thought that was neat that locals would come just to eat there!

So would we go back? Absolutely!! Probably about the time that DS(2) can be put in the kids club for the night!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

My new favorite: Citrico's!

We had plans for Garden Grill this night, but we knew DS was over tired and seems as we had just done this character meal in April, we wanted something different. Plus because of our dining fiasco's, we had a few extra dining credits. DH decided he would take the little one, and I would take the older kids to a fancier place. So I called the reservation number and landed our choice of times at Citrico's. I was frankly a little worried that I wouldn't be very good as I didn't understand why that restaurant would have such availability and Narcoossee's was completely full. We chose an early reservation and when we walked in, we were the only people in the place. We had a nice window table and the kids liked the atmosphere. Service was really good as well. Attentive, but not hovering.

The bread, oh my goodness! So delicious. One had some olives in it and it was to die for. The best bread I had from the trip. To start I had the Arancini - crispy mushroom risotto balls. Very very yummy, it had just a little spice to it. For main course, I chose the restaurant speciality - braised veal shank. Again, delicious! The server pointed out the speciality spoon in case I wanted to try to marrow. I couldn't quite bring myself to try it, but I'm sure it was good.

My son had shrimp followed by a steak, I was enamored by my meal I didn't pay too much attention to his! I can say he ate every bite, so I know it was good!

I ended the meal with the chocolate banana tart. It was a delicious ending to a lovely meal. Hopefully I will get to enjoy it next time with my DH!

 

[Mom2Elliot]

Hands Down, all agreed upon, BEST MEAL OF THE TRIP!! The Wave

We had eaten at the Wave last August for lunch and enjoyed it, so we were all eager to try the Wave. And enjoy it, we did! And amazingly, all five of us were there and - hear that - sounds of silence from my DS(2). I think he was in awe of the blue tunnel

The three adult mealers all ate the same thing - The crab cakes followed by the beef tenderloin. The crab cakes were devoured by all of us! But the absolute highlight of all of our eating adventures was the beef. It really was cut with a butter knife tender. All that was heard was the satisfied noises from our table that night!

Quite frankly, my DH loves the desserts here. I enjoyed them, but like most WDW desserts, they always sound better than they taste. But by far, this was the meal that we compared all others. It was just so good. I hate to even write this as I don't want to to become the "it" place!

Thanks for letting me relieve our WDW eating adventures! I will go to bed dreaming of that filet from the Wave!!

 

[vinotinto]

We loved the Wave too! I've been debating switching our Narcoossee's ADR for Citricos. food quality is more important to us than atmosphere, but DS is only 5 and DD will have just turned 3, so we though Narcoossee would bemore child-friendly. But the menu looks great at Citricos...decisions, decisions.

Thanks for all the reviews!

 

[kerri0616]

We just did DDP in July and OUR fave restaurant was The Wave!

The service was exceptional and the beef tenderloin was the best! We also really enjoyed our desserts...I had the sugar free and the creme brulee was mmmmmmm.

I'm worried too many people will find out about our secret best restaurant!

Kerri

 

[simonmunro]

When I saw the breakfasts listed I said to myself "PLEASE report on if they offer donuts & pastries". Thank you! I have a sweet tooth & IF I can graze on dessert I'm a happy breakfast person. If I have to sit without dessert for an hour while my group fiddles with eggs I'm disappointed.