Three Generations on the DDP--our 11 day dining adventure! 3/11 update Tokyo Dining

LOVE your review of Beirgarten, it is one of our favorites and I am planning on working it in for our Oct trip.

So glad the kiddos loved the Princess Breakfast, it was alot of fun when we took the nieces.

If you ever get the chance to do the Segway tour, go for it! Totally worth the money but go for the 7:50 am one so the park is empty and you can ride around without people in the way. There are 2 tour guides and they do trivia with you and educate you on the countries in Epcot...you do get 15 minute free time in Italy, take pictures, drive around etc...DH loved it!
 
I hope the wait at Akershus is not that long when we go!

I'm wondering if it was extra busy because it was President's Day week and all of the parks were overloaded and many restaurants were not accepting walk ins. I think it would probably also help if you have an earlier ressie. By 10 a.m., the ADRs start getting stacked up...we saw that at 'Ohana, too.

:lmao: ...until we got to WDW and he witnessed so many people getting shut down when they asked to get into a restaurant...then he was singing my praises! :rotfl:

Exactly! After two months of my family thinking I was nuts, it was sweet justice!
 
LOVE your review of Beirgarten, it is one of our favorites and I am planning on working it in for our Oct trip.

Thank you! I've learned a lot from your awesome reviews...now if I only had pictures!

If you ever get the chance to do the Segway tour, go for it! Totally worth the money but go for the 7:50 am one so the park is empty and you can ride around without people in the way. There are 2 tour guides and they do trivia with you and educate you on the countries in Epcot...you do get 15 minute free time in Italy, take pictures, drive around etc...DH loved it!

I'll put the tour back on my list! I'm wondering if the duck effect (all the Segway-ers in a line) occured because the World Showcase had just opened? Free time in Italy would be a blast.
 
Great reviews! I can't wait for Biergarten in....less than 3 months now. I am a huge German food fan (as it was one of the things I grew up on). Thanks for reviewing everything.
 

Great reviews! I can't wait for Biergarten in....less than 3 months now. I am a huge German food fan (as it was one of the things I grew up on). Thanks for reviewing everything.

Thanks so much! I thought Biergarten was awesome because I could sample so many different dishes...my Grandma (DPopPop's mom) cooked German food and DPopPop cooks a bit of that, too, so I also have some great childhood memories of German dinners.
 
So this was the day that we really took off on the snack front. After meeting up at Akershaus, we walked to the boat launch by Mexico to take a boat to Morocco. Just beyond the line for the boat, there is a kiosk that serves coffee, pastries and slushies. I got to the line first and then watched as the kids and DPopPop walked right past me to the kiosk! They had to have slushies. DD12 and DPopPop had raspberry and DD9 had strawberry kiwi, I think.

About an hour after that, after nearly falling asleep at The American Experience (DPopPop and DG'ma both wanted to go and both fell asleep! :rotfl2: ), we had to have funnel cake. Yum-O! It was delicious, hot and fresh, a bit crisp on the outside and soft inside, it was a lovely vanilla flavored cake and it was covered with powdered sugar. Word to the wise: Do not stand down wind of a funnel cake while wearing black shorts! I'd also note that funnel cake is not a DDP snack.

We then walked toward England where we stopped for a...beer! I had wanted a Harp, but had to settle for a darker beer that I didn't love. DH was fine with it, but he does like dark beers.

Then, at 3:30 p.m., because we'd had such a late breakfast/early lunch, we were hungry again so after we rode Soarin' we stopped at the snack carts at the intersection of the pathways for The Land and The Seas to use our daily allotment of DDP snack credits. I had to have the sugar coated almonds, I love how they smell and they taste delicious. DH wanted them, too, so I picked those and he picked popcorn. Popcorn was a daily snack...it's just so fresh and crunchy at WDW and covered with the perfect mix of salt and butter flavor. DD9 had a Strawberry Minnie Bar, also a daily event. It was filled with fresh fruit and very yummy! DD12 had nachos with cheese. She used the DDP for the nachos and paid $1.00 for the cheese (she worked that out on her own with the cart vendor since we were at the kiosk on the other side of the garden).

I just love those snacks! More snacks to come!
 
I'd made the ADR for Tokyo Dining because I thought it looked like an interesting place to try and because my family really loves Asian food. I eat Japanese food for lunch at least once a week, I'm lucky to have a great Japanese restaurant near my office. I was also trying to expand our World Showcase restaurant experience in an effort to sample every WS restaurant.

DH, DD12, DD9 and I arrived a little early for a 6:45 p.m. ressie because we were really hungry! DG'ma and DPopPop had gone back to the room for an afternoon siesta and weren't there when we arrived. World Showcase was packed and we were worried that they were having a tough time finding the restaurant, since it's on the second floor of the Mitsukoshi shop. Turns out, DG'ma and DPopPop were separated boarding the boat at Mexico...let's just say they were a little late. The waiting area was very busy and packed all night. That night, it was diffucult to even get a seat on the couches that flanked the waiting area.

We were finally seated and given TD's extensive menu. Our CM was very clear about what was and was not included on the DDP. We had a little bit of a tough time explaining to her that while we were ordering our DDP included items, we were also ordering appetizers, soup and sushi that was not included.

DPopPop, DH and I started with a Sapporo, one of my favorite beers. It was cold, crisp and perfect! DD9 and DD12 ordered iced green tea. DG'ma ordered hot tea. Everyone was happy with their drinks, later on the kids also ordered Cokes.

We all started with the Miso soup, which was made the way it should be, it was flavorful with a bit of seaweed and a bit of tofu. We also ordered edamame and cucumber sushi as an appetizer. DD12 liked the cucumber sushi and the edamame was steamed and salted and good.

DH and I ordered salads, we were not given a choice of dressing (contrary to allears' menu), but it came with a delicious ginger dressing so we were happy. There were fresh greens, tomatoes and cucumber. DG'ma ordered a salad, too, after she saw how delicious they were!

For dinner, DPopPop, DG'ma and I ordered the tempura and sushi combo which included shrimp tempura, scallop tempura and sweet potato tempura with a california roll, tuna sushi and salmon sushi. This was served with rice and seaweed salad. The tempura was delicious, hot and fresh, I especially liked the scallop tempura. The sushi was very good, the fish was fresh and firm and not fishy at all. I also liked the seaweed salad, it tasted of sesame and was sprinkled with sesame seeds. We all liked our choice, it's a great deal on the DDP.

DD9 and DD12 decided to trade dinners because DD9 is a big sushi fan and DD12 liked the kid's meal selections and was able to supplement her meal with the cucumber sushi, miso soup and edamame. DD9 had a sushi combination plate that included a california roll, salmon sushi, ebi (shrimp) sushi, and tuna sushi. She ate it all and then entertained offers of tempura and sushi from DG'ma and DPopPop. DD12 had the teriyaki chicken kid's meal. Imagine her surprise when she was served her meal in a monorail dish! Of course we threatened to take a picture to text to her friends! DD12 devoured the meal in about five minutes, turns out she was really hungry. The kids meals are not enough for a 12 year old.

DH ordered the Japanese style breaded chicken breast cutlet. It was...dull. DH was not thrilled with this, it was pretty basic and looked a little dry. He did eat it all along with the steamed veggies and rice.

We all ordered tea after dinner along with dessert. DD9 had the ice cream from the kid's menu, and the rest of us had the chocolate ginger cake. What an interesting cake! It wasn't too sweet, and it was chocolaty. There were layers of cake and frosting and a creamy ginger filling. I liked it a lot.

We were all exhausted by the end of the meal, it was 8:40 and Illuminations was about to start. Yes, it was a long meal! Here's the kicker and the straw that broke DH's back...dealing with the DDP bill was a major challenge. DPopPop made a simple inquiry as to the amount the meal would have cost if we didn't have the DDP so that he could determine the tip (which was not included or suggested on our bill--other restaurants in WS did that, but TD did not). We first asked our CM and she was unable to figure it out. She then asked the manager who had to go back and reprint the bill, there was confusion because we had two families, yet DPopPop wanted to pay the tip for both of us. Then the manager couldn't explain the bill. DPopPop finally just estimated the tip. It must have taken at least 12 minutes in the middle of a very open restaurant.

In the end, DH was not thrilled with TD and probably would not choose to go back to TD based on his food and the billing issue. I'd go back, but I think I'd try to go at a less crowded time, and maybe I'd try lunch. Comparing TD to other Japanese restaurants in our area, it was similar. The quality of the food was good, it wasn't extraordinary though.

Next up: Riverside Mill breakfast, Yak and Yeti CS and Boma!
 
Thanks for the TD review. We're eating there in a little over a week and I was wondering about the sushi dining plan options. I have a DD 10 who I am sure will be ordering that sushi platter. :)
 
This review is fabulous! You don't even need pictures as you are very descriptive in your wording!:thumbsup2

Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement!

loving your reviews so far! thank you!

You're welcome!

Thanks for the TD review. We're eating there in a little over a week and I was wondering about the sushi dining plan options. I have a DD 10 who I am sure will be ordering that sushi platter. :)

Have fun! The sushi platter was great--I was surprised that DD9 (who just turned 10) polished it off so quickly--I think your DD10 will be happy with it. She might also be glad not to be getting her meal on a monorail plate!
 
This was a crazy morning, I woke up super early to do laundry--the only downside to a long trip is that laundry is inevitable! I snuck out of the room and to the laundry area and there was...DG'ma! Genes are a funny thing. Yeah, re-read that, it's a terrible pun. Afterwards, DG'ma, DPopPop and I headed to RM for breakfast.

I had a list of demands, ok, breakfast orders, from the family and DG'ma and DPopPop were planning to eat at RM. You have to really love your family to get them four different breakfasts at RM. I mean, really, really, really love them, 'cause it's crazy at the food court and they will have no appreciation for the lengths you have gone to to bring them a delicious, warm breakfast in the comfort of their room.

The list:
cereal with a side of fruit
chocolate croissant
kid's breakfast bounty plate
egg, bacon and cheddar sandwich (called in while I was midway through the list)
adult's breakfast bounty plate
juice
water
tea

So, the challenge was to pick up requests in an order that would allow me to dash back to the room with warm meals and in such a way that I could carry everything! I did it! First the croissant, then the cereal, then the drinks, then the sandwich and kid's plate, and, lastly, the adult plate. whew! :scared: After making the tea, I dashed out of RM, but not before observing DG'ma and DPopPop chatting it up with a few friends their own age--cute. Afterwards, DG'ma said they had wanted me to stop by to meet their new friends since they were talking about me.

I reviewed some of the items previously, but I wanted to make two notes:
1. DH had the breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon. The bread was the same bread that they use for the muffaletta and it's big, it almost looks too big and too bready. The reason I mention it is because DH reported that the bread is actually light and fluffy and the sandwich is delicious. So, don't be scared of the big egg sandwich like I was!

2. As I sit at my desk on cold winter mornings eating my boring breakfasts of oatmeal or granola bars, I dream of that bounty platter. It was perfection. The eggs are soft and delicous, not overcooked at all (they have such fast turnover of food that everything was always fresh). The bacon was crisp, even though it didn't look it and the sausage was tasty. The red potatoes were divided into eighths and were seasoned with salt, pepper and paprika. They were crisp at the edges and soft inside. The only item I didn't care for was the biscuit which was a bit heavy and I learned that you could substitute a second Mickey waffle for the biscuit which was awesome because I love the Mickey waffles. The hint of vanilla, the crisp outside and the doughy inside--yum-O!

Next up, Yak 'n Yeti CS...
 
For some reason, this was the most confusing CS set up ever! The ordering area was a zoo and the eating area was not clearly defined. Now, it's not that different from other CS, but it is out in the open, so the lines were a bit of a mess.

DD9 seemed to have the most difficult time with the choices (this is one of those places that allows substitution of sides in small print) and DD12 was all over the place with her choices, changing her mind again and then again so that besides having to deal with the line, I had to deal with an order that kept changing.

DD9 and DD12 ordered the chicken bites and chicken fried rice. DD12 really liked the fried rice and I think she ate both orders. DD9 ordered a chocolate chip cookie to go with hers and DD12 ordered chocolate cake. Both liked their meals, but they weren't really anything different from the usual kids' meals, except for the rice.

DH and I both ordered the Mandarin Chicken Salad which was more interesting than it originally looked. There were crisp greens, mandarin oranges, crunchy noodles and chicken. I think that there also may have been almonds in the salad as well. The dressing was good, it had some ginger in it. I did not like the chicken, it was the chicken you read about on these boards: overcooked and chewy. I gave up on the chicken and after this meal, I actually tried to avoid chicken. DH did not seem to have the same problems and he polished off his salad.

I have to mention that the containers for the entrees at Yak & Yeti were interesting, the bottoms of the continers were round, like cups, but the tops of the containers were like Chinese take out containers and were folded and closed. If you wanted to get something to go here, you definitely could.

For dessert I had the frozen lemonade and DH had chocolate chip cookies. I liked the frozen lemonade, but it's just the Minutemaid variety that you can buy at the grocery store.

I can't say that it was the most exciting CS at Disney, but it wasn't bad.
 
DD12 was on a quest to eat churros...she really likes them and saw them at various places, but her timing wasn't right. Finally, at AK, she passed a churros stand (located across from the outside bar at Tusker House) and she was hungry! Both DD9 and DD12 used their DDP snack credits for a churros and they liked them. They were crisp and covered with sugar and the two probably could have shared one, but they each did manage to finish their own. It wasn't a snack that either went back to, but they were both happy to try the churros.

While the kids were on the churros quest with DH, I race walked back to the Anandapur ice cream truck (between Expedition Everest and Kali River Rapids) for a soft ice cream. I love that stand and think it is a work of art! What a great imagineering idea! AND, the ice cream is the best. I got a soft ice cream twist in a waffle cone. It was cold, creamy and perfectlly sweet--delicious! I went back for another one later in the trip.

After that we rode Kali River Rapids and then DD9 needed another snack so she had her Strawberry Minnie bar for the day! About an hour later, DD12 launched a protest against a second trip up Everest and then took a needed break at the same ice cream stand for a Mickey bar. Those Mickey premium bars are the best! I had had one at MK on the second day (did I mention that?) and it was awesome, the chocolate is so thick and rich--LOVE IT!

Next up...Boma!
 
So after our long day at AK, we headed for AKL and Boma. DPopPop and DG'ma had opted to return to the room for the afternoon and had arrived at the Victoria Falls Lounge a few minutes before we did. First off, I'd made and cancelled reservations for AKL in 2007, eventually opting for the less expensive POR. For this trip, I didn't consider AKL because it just seemed too remote. Here's the thing: it is remote, but it is beautiful, relaxing and there are great restaurants at the resort and it's very close to AK. I am now hoping to spend a few days at AKL on my next trip to the World.

We walked into the Lodge via the gift shop, since the bus stop dropped us off by that entrance. The front doors to the Lodge are really big and made of dark wood, they are imposing and didn't seem to be used much. I think the design element with the dark doors is that it forces you to look across the entire lobby and note the beautiful savannah view. I would love to have a few hours to sit in that lobby! It is gorgeous! Small areas of couches down the middle section, an indoor firepit at the far right, an educational area on the far left and along the right side, a level lower, the beautiful Victoria Falls lounge. DPopPop and DG'ma were settled in nicely at the lounge, DH and I went to freshen up and by the time we arrived in the lounge, the kids were enjoying apple smoothies. DH and I had drinks, a margarita for me and a mint julep for DH. They were good, but the only drinks we had that were on the weak side. We skipped appys at the lounge, because we were saving ourselves for Boma.

We walked down the stairs to Boma and were seated almost immediately (but not before DH and I checked out Jiko, also on our "must do next time" list". Boma is a very large restaurant, with tables laid out in rows perpendicular to the buffet area, which spans the entire length of the restaurant.

(just been kicked out of my post three times...will add more later!)
 














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