The 12 days of... the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan! 11/16 Update ...Complete!

[disney_princess_85]

I'm loving your reviews and I can't wait to read more.

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Thanks for another marvelous review! I love love love LTT! I always order the burger when we go there for lunch and it is always cooked to perfection. I have never tried the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake, but it looks to die for!

 

[MrBean]

Day 6: Dinner at Artist Point

On a previous trip to the World, my DW and I stayed at the Wilderness Lodge, which gave us occasion to try the Artist Point restaurant. We had a fantastic meal with very memorable and unique dishes which bring back some good memories of the great Pacific Northwest, especially for my DW. From that point on, Artist Point became one of our favorite signature restaurants. That, and any opportunity to take a boat ride from the MK to the breathtaking Wilderness Lodge are reason enough to visit!

This visit we were treated to a very magical evening by an extraordinary server. I had read previous topics about a delicious sparkling red wine called Magicale which I really wanted to try this trip. To our surprise, our server treated us to a toast of Magicale to start off our meal!! Definitely two thumbs up

There was no question as to which appetizer we would get this time. Although my DW had enjoyed her Venison potstickers last time we were here, nothing compares to the Smokey Portobello Soup (with Roasted Shiitakes and Chive Oil). It.. is.. fantastic! Complex flavors and textures that dance in your mouth! We even asked for the recipe, but after taking one look at how complicated it is to make, it's a little beyond our culinary skills, haha.

For my DW's entree, she tried the Pan-Crusted Black Cod (with wild mushrooms, onion, and bacon ragout). Light and delicious.

For my entree, I had get the Buffalo Striploin (with goat cheese polenta, ancho-cherry compote, baby golden beets, asparagus and dark chocolate red wine reduction). Last time we were here, it was huge, very lean, cooked to perfection, and just overall amazing. Unfortunately this time around, it was fatty, gamey, and just not appealing. Luckily everything else on the plate was great, but looking back now, it should have gotten sent back to the kitchen.

Don't forget the sides while your here, usually they include them as part of the dining plan, this time we had to ask whereas last time it was automatically part of the ordering process. The Sweet Potato Hazelnut Gratin was yummy!

For dessert, I learned from our last visit not to get the extremely dense cheesecake, and instead opted for the yummy Artist Point Cobbler (with Seasonal berries and housemade black raspberry ice cream). Nice and light and delicious.

My DW got a Fruit Mousse with Vanilla icecream and berries.

Our server gave each of us mickey straws with our drinks and lighted character with our deserts. My DW got Tinkerbell, and I received Buzz Lightyear. Just a nice touch from a thoughtful server

The Ratings:
Food

Summary: Magicale toast, amazing appetizer and dessert. Disappointed by the cut of buffalo meat. Overall very good.

Decor

Summary: Very high ceilings with views of the Wilderness Lodge courtyard. Rustic NW feel.

Service

Summary: Excellent!! Went above and beyond for us with little touches that spread the magic

Cost
$124.70 (2 credits per person)

Overall

Summary: Even with the disappointment of the entree, top to bottom everything else was amazing!

On Deck: Day 7: Lunch at Tusker House (Nemo!)

 

[PrincessBetsy]

Yum, your meal looks delicious! Too bad about the Buffalo Striploin though. I have never tried Artist Point before, but it looks like a very good option for an upcoming trip!

 

[MarieA]

Loving your reviews!!!

 

[Jozymouse]

Loving your review!!!! We will be doing the deluxe plan for the first time in September! Just wondering, when you say 'Don't forget the sides while your here, usually they include them as part of the dining plan, this time we had to ask whereas last time it was automatically part of the ordering process"

Do you mean that you can order sides at all the restaurants or just Artist Point? Also, at some point you mentionned getting a cappuchino, can you always get that as your non alcholic beverage? Even for breakfast at a TS instead of regular coffee? THANKS ALOT!!!!

 

[scanne]

Just caught up with your Kona, Liberty Tree and Artist Point reviews. I have those three restaurants lined up for my trip next week and reading your reviews and seeing your pictures have made me even more excited than I already was!

My DH is either going to get the buffalo or the scallops at Artist Point and I'm looking forward to the mac and cheese side dish. Yummy.....

Anyway, thank you so much for your awesome reviews!

 

[LuccaDrake]

Mmm...that soup looked delicious. Too bad Artist's Point isn't on our list this year! Thanks for continuing to do all the great reviews even with the little one coming soon.

~Beka~

 

[Jiminy_78]

Do you mean that you can order sides at all the restaurants or just Artist Point? Also, at some point you mentionned getting a cappuchino, can you always get that as your non alcholic beverage? Even for breakfast at a TS instead of regular coffee? THANKS ALOT!!!!

Artist Point was the only Deluxe restaurant where the sides were included. Our first time eating there, the server asked us specifically which sides we wanted and told us that they were included. When we ate at other Deluxe restaurants (Yahtsman, etc.) the sides weren't included. When DH asked our server at AP on this trip she didn't say they were or they weren't, she was more of "they'll just take those off when they run your card" and they did. So I'm not sure what they're official policy is.

As far as drinks go, for breakfast on the DxDDP you are allotted two non-alcoholic beverages. So if you want coffee and juice you can get both since there aren't usually appetizer and dessert choices for these meals. Each restaurant offers different non-alcoholic choices. Kona, for example, has great espresso drinks that you can order as your non-alcoholic beverage. Other places offer smoothies or milkshakes that you can order. You just have to ask and get creative.

 

[Jiminy_78]

Mmm...that soup looked delicious. Too bad Artist's Point isn't on our list this year! Thanks for continuing to do all the great reviews even with the little one coming soon.

~Beka~

The soup is amazing and we are still laughing over the recipe they gave us. It calls for several different kinds of mushrooms and requires the use of a smoker, it is so complicated they don't mind giving it away.

Thank you guys for continuing to read our reviews! We'd still write them even if no one was reading them but the feedback is always fun. I told DH today that we really need to focus and get all our reviews written before baby arrives... I wrote two this morning that he's working on editing. Hopefully we'll get them all done before our lives change forever!

 

[Jozymouse]

Thank you Jiminy_78!

 

[englishrose47]

Great review of Artist's point !!

 

[kyhardy]

What a great reviewing job! I can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip!

 

[Jiminy_78]

Day 7: Lunch at Tusker House (Nemo!)

Day 7: Lunch at Tusker House (Nemo!)

After a long day of fun and food at the Magic Kingdom, we were ready to sleep in on Monday. It was funny because once we made it to the Animal Kingdom we heard a lot of people talking about the rain storm that morning and we were like “huh, guess we slept through that!” We did some exploring around AK before heading over for our lunch at Tusker House. This was our first time eating here and we weren’t sure what to expect, but we knew that we loved Boma and since they didn’t serve lunch we figured we would try TH out. We were also getting the Finding Nemo package that included seating in the preferred section for the 3pm show. We were given our voucher when we checked in for the FN show which told us to arrive thirty minutes prior so we could access the special entrance.

Once we checked in we waited a few minutes for them to call our name to be sat. Following a quick tour of the food items and an explanation of where the restrooms were, we were shown our table. Our server came by to take our drink order (DH got a coke, and I got a sprite) and told us to go help ourselves to the food.

DH’s notes say that he ate “pork loin, roast beef, saffron veggies, orzo with feta, and olives”. I think we’ll just post some pictures of our various plates so you can see what we ate. Sorry I don’t have descriptions for all of it, but it was rather tasty!

I was super excited to try their samosas and they did not disappoint. I actually went back for seconds on that in addition to all the other yummy food I tried.

(Looking back, the pictures make me laugh because of the pickle on my plate. It doesn't exactly match the theme of the rest of the meal but all during my pregnancy I have not been able to resist pickles with just about any meal when they're offered. Luckily, I haven't craved them with ice cream!)

In my opinion, the dessert selections at Tusker House were better than those at Boma. We both tried the baklava, chocolate cake, and bread pudding and all were wonderful! DH also had some of the macaroons and enjoyed them immensely.

The Ratings:
Food

Summary: There was a good selection of food items to choose from. It seemed that there should be something for everyone’s pallet. We may have preferred more ethnic choices or flavorful varieties.

Decor

Summary: The restaurant is set with an African safari/expedition theme. There are several rooms off of the main room that held the food and the room that we sat in was very noisy. The ceilings were lower and seemed to just bounce the sound around even more.

Service

Summary: Our server was very attentive and stayed on top of our drink refills and kept our dishes cleared when we were done eating. Our only frustration was with the Nemo package we needed to be at the theatre by a certain time and we had to flag down our server so we could pay and speed walk over to the theatre for the show.

Cost
$55.36 (1 credit per person)

Overall

Summary: It was a nice dining experience, we are always happy to try new places and this one did not disappoint. The Finding Nemo package helped a little in that we were able to make it to the theatre in time for show and got a seat in the “preferred section” we were one of the last to show up for that section (since we were eating) so our seats were off to the side a little. It’s still a great show!

On Deck: Day 7: Dinner at Citricos

 

[Miriade]

Day 7: Lunch at Tusker House (Nemo!)


I was super excited to try their samoas and they did not disappoint. I actually went back for seconds on that in addition to all the other yummy food I tried.

Hello Jiminy_78! Congrats on your 'almost here' son!!!
I loved all your reviews and I think it's clever to have the little book pre-made and ready for your and your DH notes about the dining plan!
I hope I can remember to take pics and notes not just globing food down! We are going for the first time to WDW in September and some of your reviews are simply the best I've been reading about some of the places we made our ADR!!! Thanks a lot, both of you!

What are samoas???Is that little triangle pastry in your plate?


TIA!
Gigi

 

[Tink03477]

Awesome reviews and I love the book too. I wonder if my son would have a problem doing that on our next trip. He'd probably shoot me! Thanks, can't wait to hear and see the rest!

 

[Jiminy_78]

Hello Jiminy_78! Congrats on your 'almost here' son!!!

What are samoas???Is that little triangle pastry in your plate?


TIA!
Gigi

Thanks for the well wishes! I admit I had to laugh when I read the part of my review that you quoted, because samoas are girl scout cookies! I had to look it up again and what I was referring to are actually called samosas, that's what I get for typing late at night.

Samosas are "stuffed pastries with a savory filling, which may include spiced potatoes, onions, peas, coriander, and lentils, or ground beef or chicken. The size and shape of a samosa as well as the consistency of the pastry used can vary considerably, although it is mostly triangular. Samosas are often served with tamarind chutney or curd." The samosas at TH had a mango chutney served on the side...they were yummy!!

 

[disney_princess_85]

Great Tusker House review. Looks like there are some interesting offerings!

 

[DJFan88]

samoas are girl scout cookies!

Samosas are "stuffed pastries with a savory filling, which may include spiced potatoes, onions, peas, coriander, and lentils, or ground beef or chicken. The size and shape of a samosa as well as the consistency of the pastry used can vary considerably, although it is mostly triangular. Samosas are often served with tamarind chutney or curd." The samosas at TH had a mango chutney served on the side...they were yummy!!

Yum!!!!! I love girl scout samoas! And Now I know I can't wait to try the Samosas!!!! So glad I made a res. at Tusker House! Love your reviews!

 

[Linda67]

Loved your Tusker House review

I'd like to try lunch there as the breakfast is wonderful