25eels
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2011
- Messages
- 73
No photos
no menu descriptions
no real back story. 
But Im writing this because in the weeks before my August 1-5 trip, I scoured the DISboards, second-guessing and double-checking my ADRs and hoping I was going to be pleased with my choices. The more recent reviews meant more to me than anything else, because I thought theyd be the best indication of what to expect during our vacation.
Naturally I came away with some pretty strong opinions and impressions, so Id like to return the favor by sharing some of these thoughts with all of you, especially those of you traveling in the coming weeks. And perhaps Ill have my act together for the next trip and write a real trip report!
A very quick introduction to the diners:
Me: Age 41, a lover of food. I like trying new things, enjoy most foods and am generally pretty adventurous; it helps that I live in a very multicultural area (DC) and am surrounded by wonderful ethnic restaurants. I do not always believe the adage that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. Favorite foods: fresh chips and salsa, sourdough bread, cheesecake.
DH: Age 42, one who eats to live vs. living to eat. Can easily leave ¼ of a sandwich on his plate without worrying about it being separated from its friends and thinks baked chips are a fine alternative to the real thing. Somehow weve stayed married 18 years anyway! He can be adventurous when he wants to, but prefers the basics: a good burger, Caesar salad, apple pie.
DS12: Your typical preteen bottomless pit, DS12 is learning that hunger can drive you toward trying (and enjoying) new things, but generally prefers sticking to the basics. His favorites: Steak, burgers, wings, most desserts.
DD7: Eats like the proverbial bird. Her opinions will not mean much to this dining report, as she had to be coaxed to eat the kids pizzas at almost every meal. Her favorites: Fruit, sweets, rice.
***
A bit of history:
I hadnt been to WDW since childhood when in 2010 my in-laws kindly arranged a gathering of all the kids and grandkids. While not a first-timer, I was a neophyte all the same, not to mention a little contemptuous of the Disney mania Id seen grip my friends. Little did I know Id be swept up in it too!
During the 2010 trip, we stayed at the Contemporary garden wing. At the last minute, my in-laws upgraded everyone from QSDP to the regular dining plan, which meant we ate at the few places Disney Dining could get us reservations for 10 on a few days notice! Even so, we got to sample some good restaurants (The Wave loved it!), some interesting experiences (50s Prime Time, Princess Lunch at Norway) and a couple of ho-hum options (Capn Jacks, Grand Floridian Café). After that trip, I became addicted to reading WDW dining reviews and had a pretty good idea of where Id go if I could be in charge of ADRs and that time came just a year later!
Setting the scene for this year:
Yacht Club Resort, Park Hoppers, regular dining plan. Although determined not to overplan, I did set up our ADRs the day I booked the trip and made just a few changes along the way (including a few at the last minute). For the most part, everything worked out pretty well, including this sweet upgrade to YC water/park view when it turned out our original BC assignment included men on scaffolding as our balcony view:
Nice, eh? Certainly a magical setting to a long-anticipated trip.
Now, about that dining ...
Day 1:
Lunch: Beaches & Cream (out of pocket)
Dinner: Coral Reef (DDP)
Day 2:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Lunch: Sci Fi (out of pocket)
Dinner: Whispering Canyon (DDP)
Day 3:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Dinner: Kouzzina
Day 4:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Lunch: Earl of Sandwich (CS credits)
Dinner: Liberty Inn at the American Pavilion (CS credits)
Day 5:
Breakfast: Cape May Café (DDP)
Lunch: Beach Club Marketplace (CS and snack credits)
Snacks sampled:
Mickey ice cream bars, Cloudberry Horn from Norway, popcorn at MK, ice cream floats at MK, Grey Goose Slushie (OOP, of course)
Ill rate our dining experiences using a standard A-F scale, taking everyones enjoyment and satisfaction into the final grade.

But Im writing this because in the weeks before my August 1-5 trip, I scoured the DISboards, second-guessing and double-checking my ADRs and hoping I was going to be pleased with my choices. The more recent reviews meant more to me than anything else, because I thought theyd be the best indication of what to expect during our vacation.
Naturally I came away with some pretty strong opinions and impressions, so Id like to return the favor by sharing some of these thoughts with all of you, especially those of you traveling in the coming weeks. And perhaps Ill have my act together for the next trip and write a real trip report!
A very quick introduction to the diners:
Me: Age 41, a lover of food. I like trying new things, enjoy most foods and am generally pretty adventurous; it helps that I live in a very multicultural area (DC) and am surrounded by wonderful ethnic restaurants. I do not always believe the adage that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels. Favorite foods: fresh chips and salsa, sourdough bread, cheesecake.
DH: Age 42, one who eats to live vs. living to eat. Can easily leave ¼ of a sandwich on his plate without worrying about it being separated from its friends and thinks baked chips are a fine alternative to the real thing. Somehow weve stayed married 18 years anyway! He can be adventurous when he wants to, but prefers the basics: a good burger, Caesar salad, apple pie.
DS12: Your typical preteen bottomless pit, DS12 is learning that hunger can drive you toward trying (and enjoying) new things, but generally prefers sticking to the basics. His favorites: Steak, burgers, wings, most desserts.
DD7: Eats like the proverbial bird. Her opinions will not mean much to this dining report, as she had to be coaxed to eat the kids pizzas at almost every meal. Her favorites: Fruit, sweets, rice.
***
A bit of history:
I hadnt been to WDW since childhood when in 2010 my in-laws kindly arranged a gathering of all the kids and grandkids. While not a first-timer, I was a neophyte all the same, not to mention a little contemptuous of the Disney mania Id seen grip my friends. Little did I know Id be swept up in it too!

During the 2010 trip, we stayed at the Contemporary garden wing. At the last minute, my in-laws upgraded everyone from QSDP to the regular dining plan, which meant we ate at the few places Disney Dining could get us reservations for 10 on a few days notice! Even so, we got to sample some good restaurants (The Wave loved it!), some interesting experiences (50s Prime Time, Princess Lunch at Norway) and a couple of ho-hum options (Capn Jacks, Grand Floridian Café). After that trip, I became addicted to reading WDW dining reviews and had a pretty good idea of where Id go if I could be in charge of ADRs and that time came just a year later!
Setting the scene for this year:
Yacht Club Resort, Park Hoppers, regular dining plan. Although determined not to overplan, I did set up our ADRs the day I booked the trip and made just a few changes along the way (including a few at the last minute). For the most part, everything worked out pretty well, including this sweet upgrade to YC water/park view when it turned out our original BC assignment included men on scaffolding as our balcony view:

Nice, eh? Certainly a magical setting to a long-anticipated trip.

Now, about that dining ...
Day 1:
Lunch: Beaches & Cream (out of pocket)
Dinner: Coral Reef (DDP)
Day 2:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Lunch: Sci Fi (out of pocket)
Dinner: Whispering Canyon (DDP)
Day 3:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Dinner: Kouzzina
Day 4:
Breakfast: Boardwalk Bakery (CS credits)
Lunch: Earl of Sandwich (CS credits)
Dinner: Liberty Inn at the American Pavilion (CS credits)
Day 5:
Breakfast: Cape May Café (DDP)
Lunch: Beach Club Marketplace (CS and snack credits)
Snacks sampled:
Mickey ice cream bars, Cloudberry Horn from Norway, popcorn at MK, ice cream floats at MK, Grey Goose Slushie (OOP, of course)
Ill rate our dining experiences using a standard A-F scale, taking everyones enjoyment and satisfaction into the final grade.