The $2,088.47 Disney Dining Experience! Update 9/29 - Everything Pop

[suzimar57]

enjoying your reviews - still smiling over your daughter's "comment" on asparagus/odor!

 

[onejellyshelly]

Can't wait for more. Just a few more days and we will be at the Pop. How did you like the resort?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

Can't wait for more. Just a few more days and we will be at the Pop. How did you like the resort?

We loved the resort, clean, a bit busy in the dining area at times, and buses ran perfectly and on time for us. Side note though if you plan on doing wash they are up to $2.00 per wash and $2.00 per dryer.

Welcome to everyone else who joined along the way, and am going to try and get a few more reviews out today and then I will look to see if there are any pictures to attach.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We had a 6:30 ADR for this restaurant and arrived around 6:05pm. The place was hopping. The young lady behind the counter would not allow me to sign in as it had to be "15" minutes prior to your ADR time. I just waited a minute until another young lady was there and checked in. We got seats next to the pass and watched the cooks/waiters and waitresses. It was fun kind of a "Hells Kitchen" episode in front of you. We also were able to look at the different types of food coming out and that helped with making our final decisions. We were seated at 6:35pm and I enjoyed our table seating.

Drinks: We are quite boring in this portion of our dining but did "spruce" it up at a few meals. DH and DD had a coke, DS a rootbeer, and I had an unsweeten tea. The waiter was very nice and offered to make DD a cherry coke with grenadine from the bar and also brought us a whole bowl of lemons. Both of my children love lemon in there pop and also plain. Shortly after receiving the drinks we were brought some very lovely warm, fluffy, and very fresh rolls with both olive oil and butter. The olive oil was a bit bitter but the butter was better (hey that sounds really familiar). To those who love to dip their bread in olive oil I am sure that is was good, but we are spoiled by the dipping at Mario Batali's restaurant. I definetely made the mistake of giving my family "high end" culinary changes from the start instead of working them up. Oh well, hopefully I will get a Doctor and a high paid business manager from the deal.

DD and I both ordered the Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana. Halfway trying to pronounce it, the waiter winked at DD and said just say chicken parm. DH had the Spicy Italian Sausage, and finally DS had the Charred Butcher Tender Steak (medium).

I'll started with DS. At first he was put off by the menu stating it had gorgonzola butter on roasted red pepper polenta and grilled asparagus with a red wine reduction. I had to tell him that each item listed would bring more flavor. He is really a meat and potato boy. The steak was cooked to perfection. Very tender and the reduction created enough flavor that DS never even asked for steak sauce. I was allowed one bite and he ate the rest. He was allowed to eat the asparagus as it does not affect his odor and even tried the polenta. He doesn't like my polenta (states it is to dry and bland) but thought this was a little bit better. I thought it was very flavorful and took the liberty to finish it for him.

DH love the spicy sausage and was happy to have something different from the same ole' that he would be comfortable ordering. (also meat/potato kind of guy). The sausage was spicy but it was cooked to perfection. The rigatoni was cooked a bit more than I like but it was just the way he wanted it. He said that there was just the right amount of peppers and onions in it to balance out the meal perfectly. In the end, he won as there was nothing left in the bowl.

DD and I really liked the Chicken Parm. The coating was very good. Not just your average bread crumbs and the chicken was thicker than a normal cutlet and very juicy but cooked to perfection. The cheese and sauce were good but a bit more like mine than a real Italian red sauce. This was actually a good thing as DD enjoyed it very much. DD tackled over 1/2 of her meal almost to 1/3 complete and I ate 1/2 and gave the rest to DH. This is very normal for me though. They offerered freshed shaved parm to each of us and I snuck a peak at the block and it definetely was a higher end piece of cheese. The main course was an A+ for all of us. We have now tackled 3 of the TS at HS's and I must admit, this was our favorite. The level of noise was a tad bit lower than 50's Prime time and Sci-Fi and the waiter never rushed us out. It was really nice to have a place for the kids at there age where they could still color on the menu's but enjoy a meal that they liked...

Now I know you are all thinking it... Come on admit it.... Where's dessert?

Just teasing, I ordered coffee (no extra charge) and the rest kept their drinks filled.

My DS had the Tiramisu, DD vanilla gelato, DH the Warm Chocolate Truffle Cake and I asked for the waiters opinion as I wanted both the Crema Limone and the Honey-Hazelnut & Ricotta Cheesecake. The waiter and blood orange sauce (with an extra serving promised by the waiter) swayed me to the cheesecake.

DS devoured the tiramisu and I would have to say it was excellent, but I didn't get to try it. DD wasn't really that hungry and ate most of her gelato but did state this is was "vanilla ice cream" and not actual gelato. Good ice cream, but definately ice cream. DH enjoys chocolate as much as *** and he really enjoyed the cake. It was not dry at all as I have seen reported and he put some of DD's ice cream on it.

My cheesecake. What can I say the combination of one of the best cheesecakes I have had in a very long time along with the blood orange reduction almost reduced "me" to tears. I offered bites to everyone than ate small bites enjoying every second it was on my tastebuds. Excellent!! Small but oh so good. I had left over orange sauce and I only had two options. Lick it out or mix it with the ice cream. To risk embarrassing the family I finished it with the ice cream. I would have asked for the name/recipe of the sauce but I am sure I would eat way too much at home and the special treat wouldn't have its appeal next year. Yep, we loved it all so much, we will be back.

It took me a while to think about my favorite quote of the meal, but here it is...

From the mouth of DS.... (ps. he is my foodie child) "If Mama married Mario, dinner would have been perfect".

So there you have it the only downfall was a small bowl of olive oil in some bitter oregano/basil.

 

[kato0627]

Great TR!! Looking forward to hearing the rest of your meals. We did MM in August and we were very pleased as well.

 

[disneybound31]

Love the reviews and the humor!

 

[letstalkboutdisney]

So glad you had a great dinner, we are planning on going to MM on our next trip.

 

[DLo]

Thanks for taking time to review (even if there aren't any pics). Love yur writing style . looking forward to more.

We have eaten at GF for b'fast , lunch, and dinner. We have enjoyed all three meals there.

 

[natalielongstaff]

great review of MM, i think it gets a bad press on here sometimes !

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

A big hello to everyone who is joining in. I read your replies. Yes it is funny how bad some of the Mama Melrose reviews were. I almost cancelled. I had originally tried for a Fantasmic Package but never could get it. I am really glad I kept the ADR...

Funny thing though, I am really glad I didn't ask about the orange blood reduction, my jeans are a tad, okay toooo tight a LOT, and I am still dreaming about flying down and having it. I think deep down inside that I would never win the lottery because I would constantly be "flying down" for this or that. I would seriously, fly down on days that the kids have late days for school.... I am bad that way. Food is such a draw for me... Okay enough of the fluff (haha, love the sandwiches), back to the reviews....

 

[WETWHISTLE]

Looking forward to more reviews!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I need to explain a few things before I jump into this review. This was the second time we went to Tusker House. We went last year free dining and loved it. It was a favorite for the whole family. I tried to mix in a lot of new places to eat this year (why not it's free dining) but this was a must do. I even worked the day exactly as I had last year. The schedule was 10:15am breakfast Tusker House, one day at Animal Kingdom w/one snack, then Hoop-De-Doo at 7:15pm.

So we got to Animal Kingdom a little after 9 (we aren't rope drop type of people) and rode the Safari, just like last year. It is right near Tusker House and that works out perfectly, EXCEPT, we had 3 animal stoppages on the tracks. Great photo ops, but it slightly and I do mean slightly put us behind. We showed up at Tusker House at 10:25, were taken in at 10:40ish, opted out of the pictures since we had one last year and were immediately seated in the main room. Phew, this should go easy now! Not. Our waiter came over and stated that he was going to take our drink orders, but to stay put as Daisy and Mickey were coming very shortly our way. Okay, we listened. Our drinks came. DD and DS, chocolate milk, DH OJ and coffee, and much to my surprise I was the only one who ordered the Jamba Juice and coffee. The Jamba Juice is sooo good. While very sweet somehow my brain and taste buds see it differently. I think this is the best juice. Not too sweet and so refreshing. Everyone else at the table looked at me like this... So here is how it went down, we waited 10 mintutes without any food and Daisy came. So now it is about 10:50ish. We scrambled along with the eggs quickly to the buffet so we wouldn't miss Mickey and so it wouldn't look like we ignored the waiters request, but we were hungry...

Since, I don't have pictures and we really did take a quick trip just to get our breakfast favorites, all combined on all 4 plates we had:

Mealie Pap - oh I love my pap, creamy, cheesy, not at all gritty like grits. It was smooth and I savored each and every bite - yeah I only took around 4 bites full, we were in a hurry!
Biscuits and Sausage Gravy - also on my plate. Very good. Not my favorite dish, but it reminds me of my father who passed. He loved it. Thinking back this may be the reason why he is no longer with us, but by GOSH, he loved it. Tusker House does it better than anyone other than my Grandmother. You should try it if you get a chance. Jimmy Dean has NO clue what the real stuff tastes like...
Vegetable Frittata (potato and leek) and Ham and Cheese Frittata - This was on DD, DH and DS's plate. Very good. Flavors melted together in your mouth. Very moist, not a bit of runny and if 3 out of 4 must have it on their first plate, it has to be great!
Last but not least there were sightings of Oven-roasted Yukon Gold Potato Wedges, Bacon, Sausage, and fresh carved Ham. All were very good. Then we ate the little we had on our plates, and waited for Mickey. He came and right after him we saw Donald near our table. So we sat and waited as per instructed by our waiter. Donald was very much in "character" that morning and we waited. So much that a very friendly waitress stopped by our table and asked why were not eating. She looked very worried. We told her what the waiter had recommended and she agreed, well at least the first time. WE waited. Now it was around 11:05am and our waiter said just a few seconds more and the waitress ran over and said, "if you want breakfast, you have around 5-10 minutes before they change over to get lunch!". She promised to get the characters to our table and off we went for breakfast.... But alas my friends it was all GONE!! We went back to our table empty-plated. We really were unsure what to do. So here comes the characters, now doing the fast track as they were way behind. Lunch diners were trying to get pictures, managers were calming crying children, it was a mess. And we just sat there. We looked like deer in headlights. Nothing could change what happened and we didn't know what to do. BUT WE WERE HUNGRY!

So they took our plates, took our drinks, and started over. We were offered lunch. Now I am going to admit that even though it was only 11:20am and we there less than an hour, we weren't ready for lunch. So my reviews are very sketchy and none of us really ate much and I am ashamed to admit, we took without regards to what would be thrown out.

So no funny quips in this review. Sorry, but for our limited lunch review.... No further ado!

DS took only the Curried Basmati Rice and Fresh Fruit Salad. He said it was the best rice he has ever eaten and to be honest he had a huge plate of rice.
It was fluffy and really did have a great flavor. Not over-bearing, but very flavorful for rice.

DD had mashed potatoes and tator tots. What really can I say. I didn't even try them. The mashed potatoes looked good and she enjoyed them.

DH had carved beef, some potatoes wedges and a few desserts. The beef was very tender and the potatoes were crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside.

Now I opted to pout and just got some desserts. Well not just some desserts. A huge plate full of desserts. , enough to feed the whole table. And I think somewhere in the back of my mind, I really thought the family would "appreciate" some of them. They were beautiful and tasted wonderful. Little pastries with fruit, cream pastries with chocolate, chocolate with chocolate. They were cute, they were good and they were overtaking the table because of me. Lesson learned.

Ultimately, we really, really enjoyed the breakfast and will be back again. A bit earlier and without regards to the characters. I think the waiter was so worried that we would miss the characters that he forgot about the meal. We were there for the meal. As for the lunch, it did confirm what we already knew. WE are not adventurous and fish is NOT a main staple nor will it ever be in our diet.

Favorite quote of the meal....

DH to me... "You are crying over porridge, isn't there a saying or something about that?", and DD to DH, "No I think that's about spilled milk, and Mom is spilling tears, not milk".

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I really need to come in and apologize for the review above. Here I want people to read without pictures with my words alone. I had the hardest time putting into words the breakfast without the situation. Without the situation, the breakfast would have been dull, and it is the farthest point from that. The food is absolutely great. We are going back for a few reasons and getting my breakfast there is one of them. I don't want to scare anyone away from the meal and or the experience. So please take my review with a grain of salt. Tongue in cheek humor did not come across as it should have. My tears were for a lack of porridge. I needed to get a grip, but I really, really, wanted more. I guess food can be addicting.

So that would probably make food review addicting also. Either you love it or hate it. I prefer to love it.

The dining experience comes with just that the whole experience. I promise the rest of the reviews will be much better!

 

[Becx N Gav]

Your reviews are excellent, it's almost like we were there with you .......waiting

Keep them coming, love the quotes from each meal too I can easily picture the food in my head too, you're doing a great job of writing with description (I need pictures to emphasise my words )

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am now a charter/gold member of the Hoop-De-Doo. It was our 3rd. visit. We have now officially sat in all three sections. I guess that makes me an expert on "how will my seats be in section XX". My family loves this show. Yes it is corny, yes it takes 2 dining credits, yes you are somewhat rushed, but ultimately it can be electrifying**, yes you are removed from all that is evil in the world, the aches and pains go away, and laughter being the best medicine takes over. After my review in another post, I'll prove it to you...

We left Animal Kingdom with enough time to actually shower before our show. When we entered our resort room, it was hot and steamy, and when we left for the show, it was hot, steamy, and starting to rain just a tiny tiny bit. So off we went to Magic Kingdom to get the boat to Ft. Wilderness. We were under cover but the the little sprinkles were now large rain drops. The early evening air was filled with booms - not coming from fireworks. The lightning started **see above, and my DD16 started screaming. She is NOT ever going to be a weather person. Hates it, was cursing me left and right (in a Catholic girls best cursing effort). The boat ride was so amazing. The lightning was touching down into Bay Lake right next to us. Okay, so maybe I am a little crazy cause it could have been dangerous, but it was sooo cool. We ran to the building and all was well under there. Outside the wind picked up. The night was a mess for those at the parks, but we were safe.

For those who have never gone, usually a nice dressing lad/lass comes out with a checkered bandana, checks you in and you get a spiffy picture at $31something for a souvenier. They pick the cutest little ones to ring the Dinner triangle and call all the family to dinner. Make a note though, this DOES not happen during lightning storms. We were quietly walked into the hall and seated. I was not a great fan of our seats. We were section 2 in the back on the floor. The view was just fine, but I felt like the person who has to get the last table at a wedding. But it was the Hoop, we let it pass. Our waiter was an older gentleman, very nice though. DH and I started joking with him from the gitco... DH about getting his beer and me making sure that each of the kids had their own container of mashed potatoes. He took the drink orders, should I even type it... Heck yeah! Sweet tea for me in a Mason Jar and a cup of coffee to kill the rain chill, DD and DS had root beer and coke (both for each), and DH had beer and coke. I know, why so much to drink.... Once the show gets going, even though the waiters are very attentive, you are having fun. Why waste it ordering? So the show began... The fun and excitement and all our worries started to melt away....

The cornbread and butter was already placed on the table with the salads and we were told to dig in. We did. The cornbread while not warm is excellent. I keep it close to me and cut pieces sparingly for the family. I am the keeper of the cornbread. Always was, always will be. Trust me, you will know us if you see it...


And then, CLUNK, CLUNK, CLUNK, as loud as could be and the waiter started us with the ribs and chicken placed loudly onto the kids plates. Followed with baked beans and mashed potatoes.

The ribs: very tender on the bone, yes there is actually meat on them, yes some have more fat than others and need to be thrown back in, and the bbq is very good. Not to sweet, not too smoky.

Fried Chicken: Absolultely wonderful. Crisp on the outside, moist on the inside with no middle yuck in between. It is what I envision when Alton Brown makes it on TV. You have to understand our family eats fried chicken once a year, yes once a year, while at the Hoop-De-Doo. Every year the kids say one little piece and every year we clear the bucket. Is it the best fried chicken ever? I can't tell you that. Is it the best fried chicken we ever ate, YES!

Baked beans: Not just out of the can beans. They are good. Spruced up with spices and some molasses, you can tell. We all eat them, but not too much to make a commotion later in the evening if you get my drift.

Mashed Potatoes: If you asked my kids, the best mashed potatoes this side of the continent. They love them. DH and I ate from the first pot and the kids ate from each of their own. Throughout the whole show, continuously. Until the very very end, and directly through dessert. They passed on dessert and continued to eat the mashed potatoes. I think they secrectly wished the secret service could watch over them so they could use the facilities and the waiter would not be able to snatch them back. All joking aside, they are very good. They are mashed with the skins, have real butter and probably sour cream or cream cheese incorporated in them. Smooth and creamy.

Dessert: Momma's famous strawberry shortcake. Good, not the best out there, but good. Just enough sweet to finish the evening, and since so much is going on, you don't feel bad if you leave some on the table on your way out.

The show was perfect as always, and as a family I am glad we came back. Will we do it again, definetely. But not next trip. We are going to take a year off. And for an added benefit, I am including pictures. Fun shows in pictures!

(Side note, it was still pouring when we left so we took the bus back to the resort. A long ride, but yes you can use this option if you need to - add an additional 20 minutes to your travel time)

And in the end, I handed our waiter an additional tip. Tips our included in the show price, but he was great. He kept in character and never once questioned our weird requests.

Favorite Quote: from all three other members in unison: "Mom, I can't belive you said that!!!!!" (see next entry for explanation)

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I can not stand the sight of people getting sick. I tolerate my husband and children, but the rest of the world, sorry, you are not exempt. I have quite a phobia about this and well, I guess I am not very compassionate.....

I told you the Hoop takes you away from everything, and this year it proved it.

**Apoligizes to the person I am about to talk about. If you are on the Dis, I couldn't help myself....

After we were seated at our table a couple came in with two children. One was around 6 the other 3. The three year old was clearly sick. He looked absolutely awful. Jacket on, bag in front of him. Head bobbing down, fever. As a mother you could see it. His family IGNORED it. Never would I bring a child sick. One parent stays in the room, other gets to go. Parenting 101 (in our family) This drove me to the place I never want to be. I was on edge, squirming, it was terrible. So out of the corner of my eye, I let it begin to ruin my night. Then the poor boy did start to get sick, and out of my mouth came.... "Do I have to listen to this ALL NIGHT!!" Okay, not very classy on my part. The poor child was sick, and it was definetely not his fault, but my phobia took over. Thus you get the comment from my family. DH moved his chair so that there was not physical way my eyes could drift over there. And I let myself get engulfed into the Hoop. It worked, I was fine other than being a jerk for a few minutes...

Needless to say DH said the boy looked absolutely awful throughout the evening and he could see the fever spiking even though the mom just checked his head once in a while. He was a bit listless and I said a prayer that he felt better.....


Favor please, hate me or debate me all you want for this, but do in a PM, I want to continue my food review... It really gets good and I am really excited about it!

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I would never take a sick child out like that! It's just common sense. I agree that someone should have stayed in the room with the sick child.

 

[Pooh&OurHunny]

The same thing happened to us when we went to 1900 Park Fare (a very sick girl was seating next to us and she can barely sit and almost lying on the seat and asked her parents if she can go back to their resort to bed) but the parents had to get all pictures with all the characters. I too don't like seeing other sick people even my husband...only one I can take care of is is my son. I couldn't eat my dinner b/c I can see in the corner of my eye she'll throw...which she did and the parents still had to get all the pictures before they left
Enjoying your review and can't wait to read more.

 

[ljcrochet]

Great food reviews.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I enjoy reading your review!

I think any good parent is going to agree with you...the sick child should have stayed home. Being out the money is worth far less than the child's health.

But hey, there is no test out there to determine if you will be a good parent before you actually get pregnant!