Spring Break Sparkles...And We Get Stuffed! 3 Ladies Dining Through Disney

[somethingblue]

Thank you everyone for reading, and thank you those who said I seem mature! I certainly feel like the adult in my family, as I juggle work and school with a bit of fun too. I appreciate everyone's comments!

Let me start off this bit of the review by telling you all that 1900 Park Faire holds a very special place in my heart. Before ever going to any parks, this was the first Disney experience I had my very first trip, and it was by chance despite not having reservations. Because of this, I think I'm a little partial toward 1900 Park Faire. The food that other people complain is mediocre seems just fine to me, and it really is probably the most magical dining experience for me.

So! Just know that as you read our opinions. =)

1900 park faire supercalifragilisticexpialidocious breakfast

Yes, this is Maggie's plate, seen here with whopping portions of ham, a danish, watermelon, a slice of bread, and a rice crispy treat. Anyone who read my last dining review knows that I picked up that exact same danish my first trip and never touched it...and Maggie did the exact same thing! Like I said, girl eats like a bird...
Positive: "Fresh watermelon, love the characters"
Negative: "The crust on the bread was stale"
Score: 4

Ma's plate consisted of scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, hashbrowns, french toast, and pancakes. Mom complained that the food was "just okay", something I had warned her of before coming. Her biggest complaint was that the scrambled eggs...just didn't taste like eggs. She said they were "powdery", and later regretted not doing the make-your-own-omlette station.
Positive: "Awesome bacon, beautiful atmosphere, great characters"
Negative: "Gross eggs, not impressed with the food"
Score: 4

Honestly, I am not a breakfast eater. Except for this day, and the very last day, I never ate breakfast, preferring to work up an appetite in the parks. At home, I also don't eat breakfast. But, on my plate I have an omlette from the custom-station with cheese, onion, and mushrooms. I also got bacon, and later went back and grabbed a piece of cinnamon raisin toast and some french toast. Somehow I didn't photograph that second plate. =( I had a bit of a tummy ache this morning, so I didn't eat much of anything I picked.
Positive: "Still amazing bacon, good raisin toast"
Negative: "French toast was too chewy"
Score: 4

In my humble opinion, 1900 Park Faire is one of the most interesting character dining experiences available. Now, I haven't done all of them, but I really like the fact that they have a little more "unusual" characters, such as Mary Poppins and the Mad Hatter. I've never eaten here for dinner, but might try next time. =)

Next up is counter service at ABC Commisary.

 

[ckdsnynt]

Loving your reviews. Very interesting to hear how others rate the same things I have had or things I am thinking about ordering the next time. The pictures really help too. Keep up the good work.

 

[somethingblue]

ABC Commissary is definitely not my favourite counter service restaurant. I've never really had another counter service meal in Hollywood Studios, but I would have preferred to try something new...unfortunately, Maggie had very low blood sugar when we reached the Studios and needed something to eat...NOW. Closest place? You guessed it...

abc commissary

Maggie got an "Ugly Betty" cheeseburger, plain and dry, with french fries...big surprise! She also got chocolate mousse for dessert and a coke to drink. Let me apologize in advance for the terribly unappetizing photos...the food didn't look that great to begin with, and the lighting didn't lend itself to good pictures.
Positive: "Meat had a nice, peppery flavour"
Negative: "Cheese not melted"

The chocolate mousse she got for dessert came in a little plastic tub with chocolate shavings on top. Her only real comment was "very creamy", and she only ate a few bites.

Total Score: 3

Ma chose the "Lost" fish & chips which came with...you guessed it! Fish and chips. She chose the strawberry parfait for dessert and a Diet Coke to drink. As I said before, my mom is really not a dessert person. If she had the option, she would have gotten a cookie or brownie to give to us later. Unfortunately, the options were very limited!
Positive: "Tasty batter"
Negative: "Overcooked"

Dessert was a strawberry parfait...yeah...I don't know what this is. It's certainly not like any parfaits I'm familiar with. She said it was basically strawberry pudding with something weird on top. About two bites in she set it aside and blamed her not liking it on "not liking dessert"...but it looked pretty gross!

I wasn't terribly hungry when we came in to ABC, but I figured I should eat something so I wouldn't be the only one starving later. The girl who took my order told me that if I got fries and a drink, it would count as a counter service...so I said okay, I'll do that, and add a dessert. But it didn't count as a counter service, it counted as three snacks. Very bizarre. I had the fries, chocolate mousse, and a coke. I honestly have nothing to say about this meal. The fries were greasy, the chocolate mousse tasted like nothing...only good thing was my coke!
Score: 2

The next place? Sunshine Seasons! Yay!

 

[tiggerunner]

OK, I'm going to be a spelling nazi. Park Fare doesn't have an i when looking at the official dining site. Is it spelled wrong there because I see people inserting the i in many reviews. Just my OCD.
Thanks

 

[angelsmith52]

thanks for the reveiws! I'm in!

 

[rznhal]

don't blame yourself...i don't think even the best of lighting could've helped those meals!!!!! they looked pretty bad..thanks for the warning...won't be eating there in the fall!!

 

[disnut1149]

Great reviews!! Can't wait to read more!! Thanks.

 

[somethingblue]

OK, I'm going to be a spelling nazi. Park Fare doesn't have an i when looking at the official dining site. Is it spelled wrong there because I see people inserting the i in many reviews. Just my OCD.
Thanks

Really? I never noticed that.
Maybe I'm just oblivious! I always thought there was an I...

 

[Kayleebug]

subbing

 

[cannp123165]

Great reviews and pictures!

 

[MinnieMom]

You're doing a fantastic job with your reviews. Can't wait for more!

 

[Later_Mater2009]

Very good job so far, i think im addicted to food reviews now.. lol

 

[skellingtonfreak]

Great job thus far! Can't wait for the rest!

 

[java]

I love seeing the food through the eyes of a teenager.(I have one right now myself) And you are a very mature writer! I am enjoying your reviews. Keep them coming.

 

[wilma-bride]

1900 Park Fare holds a special place in my heart, too, as it was my first ever on-site dining experience. We had breakfast there, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Whether that is because I don't normally 'do' breakfast so it was a rare treat, I don't know.

OK, I'm going to be a spelling nazi. Park Fare doesn't have an i when looking at the official dining site. Is it spelled wrong there because I see people inserting the i in many reviews. Just my OCD.
Thanks

You're gonna be kept pretty busy then - some of the best spelling errors ever are made on this board (my personal favourite is dinning instead of dining)

 

[somethingblue]

First off, let me say I am SO sorry for the ridiculous delay in the next installment of this review! Everything kind of hit me all at once, and I couldn't find my dining notes...but I've found them now! So now it's time for one of my favourite counter service places...

sunshine seasons.

Maggie went through the Asian line and got double Sweet & Sour Chicken with double White Rice, pink lemonade, and a rice crispy treat for dessert. I was sort of surprised that Maggie went through this line. I expected her to get a sandwich or something. But, she tried it out, and it's always exciting to try something new!
Positive: "Rice crispy was huge, food had a good consistency"
Negative: "Food wasn't very hot, didn't taste like what I'm used to"

Maggie's dessert. A giant rice crispy. Seriously, bigger than her face. She had about three bites...big surprise! Why are the rice crispy treats at Disney so massive? Not that I'm complaining...
Total Score: 3

Ma also went through the Asian line. She decided on Mongolian Beef and Thai Chicken with Udon Noodles and Stir Fry Vegetables with a Diet Coke to drink and a blueberry muffin for dessert. Ma isn't a real big Asian fan either...maybe it's just what they were craving today.
Positive: "Good flavour, moist muffin with good crumble top"
Negative: "Could be spicier, not very hot"
Total Score: 3.5

It seems that both Maggie and Mom had issues with the food not being hot enough. Maybe the heat-lamps in the Asian line aren't bright enough, or maybe the food had just been sitting out for a while. My food was warm enough for my tastes. Not piping hot, but hardly cold.

Of course, I got the Half Chicken with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Salad with a Coke and a cookie. My only real complaint was that the lady who served the food slapped the salad practically on top of my potatoes...and being the picky gal I am, I tried to separate them, and there were potatoes in the lettuce, and lettuce in the potatoes...ah, well. I sucked it up and scarfed it down. So tasty!
Positive: "Potatoes had great flavour, soft delicious cookie"
Negative: "Food too close together, chicken a little bland"

The cookies at Disney World remind me of Sunday School cookies...they're soft, and for some reason remind me of cornmeal. This one was no different.
Total Score: 4

Okay, so if you ever needed proof of how ridiculous I am, here it is. While we were at ABC Commisary the day before I noticed that they had little BBQ sauce packets. Now, they used to have this BBQ sauce at Sunshine Seasons, and the first time I ate there I used it with my chicken and it was so delicious. When I came back for my second trip, the BBQ was mysteriously gone...so, remembering this, I picked up a packet of BBQ from ABC and put it in my bag for the next day. But I was glad I did!!

So next up is our fancy dinner at Chefs De France! Thanks for all the comments, everyone.

 

[cannp123165]

Sunshine seasons looks yummy! That rice krispie treat is huge!!!!

 

[TruBlu]

I wouldn't like mashed potatoes on my salad either. But, it does look like a really good meal.

 

[somethingblue]

So, dinner that night was had in Epcot. Originally the plan had been to have an early lunch at Teppan Edo in Epcot, but we all wanted to sleep in, so I called later that day and set up the last reservation available for that night at Chefs De France. My comments on doing Chefs De France on the DDP is to know that your options are limited. The middle of the menu has a three course meal, with three or four options for each course, for you to pick from. Also, soda gets no refills. I didn't get pictures of dessert from this resturant because I was in the bathroom when they brought it and the ladies dug right in. Let me just say, however, that you're not missing anything. I'll discuss this disappointment in a moment.

chefs de france.

Maggie's first course was the Lobster Bisque. She'd never tried lobster before, or the soup, so she thought it would be interesting. The soup itself was very thin, and there wasn't much lobster, but that's to be expected.
Positive: "Good flavour"
Negtive: "Not much lobster"

For the main course she chose the Macaroni & Cheese. It was made with some fancy cheeses that I can't remember, but Maggie had never tried them before either. I was just glad they had something she liked!
Positive: "Not overly cheesey, cripsy on top, gooey on bottom"
Negative: No comment.

For dessert she chose the Creme Brulee. I had a spoonful of it and noticed the top was not crunchy at all. This was okay by Maggie, she liked the custard part, but it would have aggravated me.
Positive: "Tasted good"
Negative: "Not crunchy on top"
Total Score: 3.9

Mom's first course was the French Onion Soup, a dish she always enjoys. This was no different than usual. =)
Positive: "Delicious, perfect."
Negative: No comment.

Her second course was comprised of Roasted Chicken, Hand Cut French Fries, and Grilled Tomato. I considered getting this dish as well, but in the end chose something different.
Positive: "Tender, moist chicken with crisp skin"
Negative: No comment.

For dessert Ma chose the Lemon Tarte, which was like a tiny lemon meringue pie with a citrus sorbet. Her meringue, just like mine, was rock hard. The peaks seriously turned to power when you tapped them with your fork. The undersides, however, were soft and moist.
Positive: "Tart had a good flavour"
Negative: "Meringue sucked"
Total Score: 4.3

This salad was the best part of my meal. It contained walnuts, bacon, croutons, and blue cheese dressing, and was the highlight of my meal.
Positive: "Fresh, perfect portion, perfect amount of dressing"
Negative: No comment.

My main course was the Salmon with a Zucchini, Eggplant, and Tomato Ratatouille. Although I enjoyed the salmon, I would have preferred for the top to be just a little more crisp, and the ratatouille was really gross.
Positive: "Light, moist fish"
Negative: "Ratatouille was terribly mushy and had a strange flavour"

My dessert was the same as Ma's. The same dilemma was had with the meringue. I'm not sure what they did to make the peaks that way...they must have been sitting out for ages. I didn't care much for that thought at all.
Positive: "Little bit of meringue I could scoop out was tasty with the tart"
Negative: "Meringue mostly hard as a rock, sobert very mild."
Total Score: 4.2

So all in all, the food at Chefs De France was okay, but I wouldn't put it on my "must have" list, or even recommend it. The atmosphere was very fancy, but in my opinion, the food wasn't really up to par. Maybe if you order off of the "Dining Plan" menu, it's better.

Next in line is lunch at the fabulous Whispering Canyon Cafe!

 

[wilma-bride]

Reading what your Ma and Maggie said about the food at Sunshine Seasons not being hot enough, I have to say that wherever we've eaten (CS or TS) at WDW, we've never ever had piping hot food.

One of these days something will come to the table really hot and I'll burn my mouth

Chefs de France didn't look that great - shame about the meringue on the lemon tart - lemon meringue pie (as we have here in the UK) is my favourite ever dessert