Two first timers take on free dining...was it a success? 13-27 Sept 2011- Complete...

[Queenofallthings]

OMG...how did I miss that you had this started I am a horrible friend...but I'm here now....

 

[TanzUnited99]

Anxiously awaiting your reviews! I can't wait to hear how your trip went and to see if you were able to try all of the snacks that you wanted to taste!

Thanks! I'm hoping to get started tomorrow - was going to start today but have spent much time catching up with all the TRs/DRs I am subscribed on.

I can't wait to share all the details and let you all know how we got on with our snacks list!

Hope you had a great time Looking forward to hearing about it!

thanks we had a great trip and I can't wait to share all our dining reviews!

 

[TanzUnited99]

OMG...how did I miss that you had this started I am a horrible friend...but I'm here now....

You are DEFINITELY NOT a horrible friend and are here now..that's all that matters!

I can't wait to share all the details with you

 

[TanzUnited99]

Hi everyone! Think it's about time we got this dining review up and running! We had a great time with many treats along the way!

Departure day

We did not have time to eat anything before leaving for the airport but knew we would have breakfast once we had checked in. We went through bag check etc and saw a coffee place the other side. We were hungry by then so decided to stop here. We got a cappucino each and a croissant to share. They did not have many options suitable for us - all the rest of the croissants contained ham and cheese. Oh well had sweets on me to keep us going until later.

When we went further on we noticed Starbucks and I was bummed that we didn't see it first as my plans included having a Starbucks coffee to start our trip.

We got on the plane and at 10.30am UK time we were given breakfast. I do not have any pics of this meal - sorry, took a pic but accidently deleted it later on. I did take notes on what we ate and promise there were pictures of food later on in the flight.

Cereal - was plain but with sugar was more to my liking.
Orange Juice - was fresh and nice.
Mini blueberry muffin - loved this though being a desserts person this is no surprise!
Coffee - was very strong even for me.
Fruit - didn't eat mine as was full with the other food however Zaheer said he enjoyed this.

Overall was nice and filling and kept us going until lunch time.

At 2.15pm we were given lunch - have a couple of pics of this meal.

We had requested the vegetarian option which was pasta in tomato sauce. This was okay but the sauce was a bit too sweet.
We were also given a roll with butter - enjoyed this.
Chocolate caramel mousse - was nice but too sweet at the bottom. Was a bit sickly.
Fruit bag - nice and fresh.
Crackers with cheese - this was very yummy! Enjoyed it a lot.
Again coffee was too strong but I still had some.

Coming next - where will we use our first set of dining credits?

 

[Caretames1]

You win the prize for having the first pictures ever (that I've seen) of plane food in a Dining Review!

I suppose, since you're flying for 9 hours they have to feed you.

I can't wait to see all that lovely Disney food!

 

[TanzUnited99]

You win the prize for having the first pictures ever (that I've seen) of plane food in a Dining Review!

I suppose, since you're flying for 9 hours they have to feed you.

I can't wait to see all that lovely Disney food!

Lol I had to include them as they were part of the experience! A 9 hour flight means you get fed though there were slight differences on the return leg...as if leaving Disney isn't depressing enough!

I will get to the lovely Disney food tomorrow but just wanted to get started and share some type of food today!

 

[IheartDDuck]

That's awesome that you reviewed the plane food. I think it's nice to see though, because it's something you don't really get anymore unless you fly first class or international.

 

[Queenofallthings]

Great update girl! Love that you started right from the get go!! I miss plane meals...the last time I had one was when Jasmine and I flew to Toronto to see our family when she was a year and a half! I miss it!! Can't wait for the first Disney Food Update!

 

[Linda67]

Yay, you've started

Can't wait to hear all about your yummy eats and treats

 

[TanzUnited99]

That's awesome that you reviewed the plane food. I think it's nice to see though, because it's something you don't really get anymore unless you fly first class or international.

Thanks! We only get food on long haul flights as well - when we went to Malta a couple of years ago we were only given snacks and drinks. Have some Disney food coming right up

Great update girl! Love that you started right from the get go!! I miss plane meals...the last time I had one was when Jasmine and I flew to Toronto to see our family when she was a year and a half! I miss it!! Can't wait for the first Disney Food Update!

Thanks hun! Yeah, I wanted to document the whole experience and not leave anything out. I made sure I took notes of everything but think I have to leave some bits out just so this DR and my TR stays interesting You just have to plan a trip to Scotland so you can get the meals and when you do that let me know so I can arrange a meet with you guys. Btw can't imagine Jasmine being a year and a half!

Disney Food Update coming right up with your favourite CS place!

Yay, you've started

Can't wait to hear all about your yummy eats and treats

Yay, your here!!

I have a pic of a cupcake coming right up for you

 

[TanzUnited99]

We arrived in Orlando and headed straight to Pop Century Resort - loved our stay here! We were very hungry by the time we had got to our room so decided after a quick change to head to Everything Pop for our first meal.

We got the fish of the day with green beans, cornbread and rice. Sorry but once again I do not have any pics of this meal (I really need to get better at this!) The meal was very nice and got eaten very quickly! We also got a tie dye cupcake (if you look closely in the photo you can see some of the cornbread) and refillable mug of which I do have pictures to share.

The cupcake was very yummy and a great first treat to start the trip with. We used the refillable mug for coffee and fizzy drinks. It got used quite a lot and was worth the $14.49 plus tax.

Later on we went to DTD and did some shopping. We also used another CS at WPE, which is my favourite pizza place at Disney! We never ate at Via Napoli so have nothing to compare this to but I totally get the positive reviews for WPE.

We ordered the Roasted Seasonal Vegetables Pizza and wanted the Creme Brulee but they were all out. Instead we got the cheesecake and boy was this yummy! We actually got the creme brulee later and I preferred the cheesecake! I would rate this dessert very highly!

Coming next: Our first full day of Disney food! (will be posting this in a couple of minutes)

 

[TanzUnited99]

The next morning the time difference meant I was up at 4am! I went back to sleep and woke up again at 6am. We got ready and went to Everything Pop. We had the French Toast platter with orange juice. I also got coffee in the refillable mug.

We headed to AK and after our two week safari and walking through Pangani Trail we decided to get a Jalapeno Cheese Stuffed Pretzel - this was sooo yummy! Remember, I said I did not really eat pretzels...well I loved this one! We sat down and enjoyed this treat whilst people watching - it was a lot of fun!

During the day we also got a cookies n cream ice cream sandwich - this was okay and did it's job of cooling us down but I wouldn't spend another snack credit on it.

Once we left AK we came back to Pop, rested and got ready for California Grill. We checked in at CG and were seated at a window table.

We got a view of the sunsetting and it was very pretty

Our server was very nice and we mentioned that we had a special request for halal meat. She took our drinks order and said the chef would come and see us. Chef Jason came to see us a couple of minutes later and said he had some ribeye steak for us. We were able to choose sides from the menu. I opted for mushrooms, beets and stir fry vegetables whereas Zaheer went for the seasonal vegetables and snap peas.

The main course was going to take a short while - in the meantime our server bought us some bread (I didn't write her name but she was very good in making sure we had everything we needed).

This was our first bread at Disney World and it was very yummy. We managed to get through all of it. After this we went out on the balcony as the main course was still being prepared.

The main course arrived and it was soo good - loved how the meat was prepared. We had asked for it to be done medium/well done and it was just right. Zaheer also asked for his to be spicy and Chef Jason made sure it was perfect. He came back out again to check that it was okay for us. We loved the service at this place and enjoyed our meal immensely.

For dessert I had the chocolate valrhona chocolate cake with vanilla icecream. I remember Abby (cbg1027) recommending it and it didn't disappoint! I think I can even go as far as saying this was my favourite dessert that I had during our trip. My mouth is watering thinking about it now! If you eat at California Grill get this dessert - you will not be disappointed!!

Zaheer got the chocolate creme brulee but liked my dessert more - I let him have a taste.

After our meal and settling the bill we went outside to watch Wishes. This alone was worth eating here for and was our first glimpse at Wishes! We loved it and it was a perfect way to end our first full day!

Overall California Grill is our favourite signature restaurant now and gets an A+ for service, food and the atmosphere - am so glad we used our first TS credits at this place.

 

[Tracerr00]

Excellent start! We are staying at Pop after our cruise in January and can't wait to read more.

By the way, I think I've seen a few other reviews with plane food as well and for some reason I love to see what they serve on international flights! Glad your trip has started out so well with the Cali Grill meal. That dessert sounds heavenly!

 

[PixieMama]

Mmmmmm, that pizza from WPE looks yummy!

Love the sunset photo... what a view!

Your CG dinner sounds lovely. Not sure I'll ever have a chance to go there myself, though. I don't see it as being a place the kids would want to go to, LOL!

 

[cbg1027]

That pizza from WPE looks amazing! I love it there!

I'm so glad you got to experience CG as your first WDW TS! I think it's an essential WDW experience everyone needs to try at least once.
Glad you liked my cake suggestion. I've been to CG five times and haven't been able to bring myself to order any other dessert besides that cake!

 

[Caretames1]

Well now I want a cupcake and a steak! You meal at CG looked vey good! And the view...Beautiful!

We didn't get mugs, but now I wish I had.

 

[Queila]

This meal at CG looks amazing!!! This restaurant is definitely on my Disney wish-list. The chef seems so attentive and you cannot beat that view!

Even though I remember the tie-die cheesecake from Everything Pop I don't think I had ever seen the cupcake. It looks cute.

Cannot wait to read more.
Q

 

[IheartDDuck]

Mmmmm, food.

Okay, so on our trip in July, Jason and I were looking around like crazy for the jalapeno pretzel because we smelled them and for the life of us, we could not find them! Oh well. Glad you enjoyed it.

California Grill looks really good. I'm glad that you liked it. I have to admit that I've never eaten there before, but it's definitely on my list.

 

[discnewbie]

Just found this one and I'm definitely subbing!

 

[Disneybrenda]

Subbing for more really good dining reviews. Thanks.