We ate here, there, & way over there, deluxe style...6/20 to 6/27 **Final ANALYSIS**

[jenseib]

Still catching up, but just read the CM review. We did it in 2007. We liked it, but it wasn;t as super as everyone says...and I didn't think the food was fab...but that being said, DD was so little when we went that I may try to get it next trip, but for dinner.

About the french toast. Is it a southern thing to soak it in custard? I have never heard of that before. I don't eat the stuff, but my family likes it. The way we make it is to soak the bread in a egg/milk mixture. Maybe thats custard and I just don't know it. LOL!

Also the napkin dance is a very traditional thing at CM's. I had read about it before going, so I knew to expect it..but I was amazed at how many other resturants do it too.
Ok, back to read more.

 

[jenseib]

MMMM! EOS. I love that place. We have taken sandwiches to go twice from there and they are awesome! Even cold.
I've become obssessed with getting there now, and want at least one each trip.

 

[TxRabbit]

Still catching up, but just read the CM review. We did it in 2007. We liked it, but it wasn;t as super as everyone says...and I didn't think the food was fab...but that being said, DD was so little when we went that I may try to get it next trip, but for dinner.

About the french toast. Is it a southern thing to soak it in custard? I have never heard of that before. I don't eat the stuff, but my family likes it. The way we make it is to soak the bread in a egg/milk mixture. Maybe thats custard and I just don't know it. LOL!

Also the napkin dance is a very traditional thing at CM's. I had read about it before going, so I knew to expect it..but I was amazed at how many other resturants do it too.
Ok, back to read more.

I meant the egg/milk mixture when I said custard. I think of eggs and milk as the base for custard, although I've never made custard myself.

It's normal to use day old bread or some other such dried out bread that will readily soak up the eggs/milk. They must have used newer bread. I generally only eat French Toast in a restaurant. Somehow, I can't ever seem to get it to taste right at home. You got a good recipe?

And EoS was very good. That would be my go to place for a to go sandwich too!

 

[Happydog]

Household duties??? WHAT household duties? After all that food we ate in Disney...we don't need no stinkin' dinner!!

OH! And it's soo incredibly HOT outside...we don't need CLOTHES!!

I like your logic...

 

[TxRabbit]

I like your logic...

Works for me :

I couldn't stand it any more...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2225522

 

[angelmav]

Great reviews! But as a fellow lover of the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte how could they not be? Loved all the backstory and pics too!

 

[frdeb1999]

Wonderful reviews and pics!!

 

[TxRabbit]

Great reviews! But as a fellow lover of the Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce Latte how could they not be? Loved all the backstory and pics too!

I can't begin to describe to you how happy DH and I were to get into the first Starbucks on that drive home! LOL! Thank you!

Ok. So I don't get your signature quote, but I'm totally curious because it says Texan. What is that from? DH went to high school in the Springs. We are headed up there twice this year for two SIL's weddings. Pretty place. My SIL just moved to Monument. I'm not super familiar with that area, but DH and I lived in Loveland for over 3 years.

Wonderful reviews and pics!!

Thank you so much!

 

[TxRabbit]

Goofy's Candy Company is a sweet lover's delight.

There are bulk bins.

The walls are lined with bags of prepacked candy, nuts, and popcorn.

There's just about every kind of candy you can think of available.

Our plan was to stock up on fun treats that would travel well and last for a while. Bring some of the magic home.

It's just too bad that the new restrictions on the use of snack credits totally foiled the plan.

DH couldn't believe that the bag of caramel popcorn that was under $4.00 didn't count as a snack credit.

"I get more popcorn than this in the theme park. And that's a snack credit."

Yes. But the prepackaged variety says, serves more than one. Anything that serves more than one doesn't count as a snack credit. That would be just about everything that hangs on the walls that would be worth buying to bring home.

A little frustrated, we made our way to the candy counter. We would be taking Doesn't Travel as Well goodies home. Just about everything in these glass cases works for a snack credit. These pictures are from our last trip, so some items may be slightly different, but many are the same:

I took these pictures at home.

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie:

Sure, it had hardened a bit. Heat it up in the microwave for a bit and it softened right up. I don't know if this caused the cookie to be a bit dry, or if it would've been dry fresher. It would have been GREAT with a Cinnamon Dolce Latte.

Chocolate Peanutbutter bar:

Sizewise, this was almost 4 inches by 4 inches.

Chocolate Fudge:

Sizewise, this was about 3 inches by 3 inches.

Toffee Slab:

This was HUGE. Almost 5 inches by over 3 inches. Still, we got two, one for Dh, one for me.

Chocolate Caramel bar:

All the bars were about 4 by 4 inches.

We also got 3 rice crispy treats, which I didn't take a picture of. They were absolutely ginormous. And DS picked out a kind of lollypop that was tall and skinny and swirled with different colors. Only the small one counted as a snack credit. The big one was under $4.00, but it served more than one.

"Yeah. Two kids are gonna pass this thing back and forth." DH said. Me-ow! He was getting his dander up in Goofy's. He couldn't believe the changes to what constituted a snack for a credit.

10 snack credits.

And with that. We spent all our credits.

 

[TxRabbit]

Where did all the snack credits go?

I read so often about how people have a rough time using their snack credits and have so many left over at the end of their trip.

It's true that we also had snack credits in excess to spend, but I didn't think it was an outrageous amount. We had 10 that we spent at Goofy's Candy Company. If we had been more successful in getting lattes for DH, which I thought for sure would be easier, that number would have been far fewer.

We started our trip with 42 snack credits.

Here's where all the snack credits went:

MK Popcorn Cart in front of the castle: 3:01 AM, or park closing on PM EMH
Important note: If you are looking for popcorn when the park is closing, EVERY popcorn cart will direct you to this one, as if this is the ONLY cart that sells popcorn after the park is officially closed, but before it is totally empty.
42. Popcorn $2.50
41. Bottled water $2.50

Roaring Fork Snack Lunch (AK day naptime)
40. Mixed Fruit Bowl $3.39
39. Carrots & Celery & DIp $3.69
38. Bowl of Red Grapes $3.39
37. Side Salad $3.99
36. Side Salad $3.99
35. Big Grab Bag of Doritos $2.39
34. Big Grab Bag of Lays $2.39

Roaring Fork Late Night Snack (just before midnight)
33. Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream $2.89
32. Vanilla Soft Serve Ice Cream $2.89
31. Strawberry Soft Serve Ice Cream $2.89

Roaring Fork Breakfast (before Akershus lunch)
30. Chocolate Croissant $2.79
29. Cheese Danish $2.39

Refreshment Port, Epcot, located along the walkway between Mexico and Canada/UK. The cart with tons of coffee offerings didn't have anything listed as a snack.
28. Iced Cappaccino $3.19
27. Iced Mocha $3.19

Roaring Fork Breakfast Supplements
26. Croissant $2.29
25. Mixed Fruit Cup $3.39
24. Mixed Fruit Cup $3.39

DQ Foodquest, to go snack to eat later
23. Butterfinger Cupcake $3.50
22. Marble Cupcake $3.50
21. White Chocolate Cupcake $3.50

Enchanted Grove, Fantasyland, MK, by the tea cups before Plaza lunch
20. Cappuccino $3.19

Aloha Isle, Adventureland, MK, afternoon snack between Plaza and Narcoossee's
19. Pineapple Cup (Dole Whip) $2.89

Main Street Bakery, MK, afternoon snack between Plaza and Narcoossee's
18. Chocolate Croissant $2.79
17. Cinnamon Roll $2.79

Starring Rolls Cafe, Hollywood Studios
16. Chocolate Croissant $2.79
15. Chocolate Croissant $2.79
14. Strawberry Shortcake Parfait $2.79
13. Cappuccino $3.19
12. Iced Cappuccino $3.19

Earl of Sandwich
11. Bag of Chips $1.99

Goofy's Candy Company
10. Chocolate Peanutbutter Bar $3.95
9. Chocolate Caramel Bar $3.95
8. Rice Crispy Treat $2.69
7. Rice Crispy Treat $2.69
6. Rice Crispy Treat $2.69
5. Lollipop $2.00
4. Toffee Slab $3.95
3. Toffee Slab $3.95
2. Oatmeal Raisin Cookie $2.50
1. Chocolate Fudge $3.00

The dollar amount assigned to each snack credit was found online or is to the best of my recollection, or a good guestimate. All the receipts for the snacks have $0.00 assigned to the snack items.

Total: $127.80 before tax

Total: $136.11 after tax

An average of $3.24 per snack credit

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm posting this financial breakdown. It consolidates the information that I have posted throughout this dining report.

Meals:
$103.94 Whispering Canyon Cafe dinner
$57.48 Boma breakfast
$50.16 Wolfgang Puck Express lunch
$167.21 California Grill dinner
$62.81 Donald's Safari Breakfast
$129.07 Jiko dinner
$96.89 Princess Storybook Lunch
$97.29 Chefs de France dinner
$26.89 Roaring Fork lunch
$166.14 Yachtsman Steakhouse dinner
$49.13 The Plaza lunch
$176.41 Narcoossee's dinner
$112.89 Hollywood Brown Derby lunch
$157.83 Artist Point dinner
$73.46 Chef Mickey's breakfast

$1527.60 Total


$1527.60 Total Meal Value
$136.11 Total Snack Value
$38.31 Unlimited Refill Mugs Value

$1702.02 Total Trip Value

$1154.79 Total Cost

($547.23) Difference

32% savings

 

[TxRabbit]

I'm posting this best guess-timate time breakdown based on ADR time and check out time on the receipt. It clarifies the information that I have posted throughout this dining report.

Arrival Day:

Whispering Canyon Cafe, Wilderness Lodge, Anniversary Celebration with personalized cake
This was an exception meal because of the cake. I can't find the receipt for it either. It was longer than normal.

Father's Day:

Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge, breakfast
9:10 AM ADR, late check-in
10:14 AM bill
Lapsed Time: About one hour

California Grill, Contemporary Resort, dinner
5:30 PM ADR, on-time-ish check-in
7:45 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just over two hours

Monday:

Donald's Safari Breakfast, Tusker House, Animal Kingdom Park
8:10 AM ADR, LATE check-in
9:18 AM bill
Lapsed Time: Under one hour

Jiko: The Cooking Place, AKL, dinner
6:00 PM ADR, SUPER early check-in
7:19 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just under two hours

Tuesday:

Princess Storybook Lunch, Akershus, Norway, Epcot
11:55 AM ADR, on-time-ish check-in
2:00 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just under two hours

Chefs de France, France, Epcot, dinner
8:00 PM ADR, on time check-in
9:32 PM bill
Lapsed Time: One and one half hours

Wednesday:

Yachtsman Steakhouse, Yacht Club Resort, dinner
5:30 PM ADR, on time check-in
7:17 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just under two hours

Thursday:

The Plaza, Magic Kingdom, lunch
11:05 AM ADR, on time check-in
11:56 AM bill
Lapsed Time: Under one hour

Narcoossee's, Grand Floridian Resort, dinner
5:45 PM ADR, on time check-in
6:57 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just over one hour

Friday:

Hollywood Brown Derby, Hollywood Studios, lunch
11:40 AM ADR, on time check-in
12:50 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just over one hour

Artist Point, WL, dinner
7:35 PM ADR, on time check-in
9:19 PM bill
Lapsed Time: Just under two hours

Saturday:

Chef Mickey's, CR, breakfast
9:10 AM ADR, on time check-in
9:56 AM bill
Lapsed Time: Just under one hour

All these times are approximate because I didn't mark exactly WHEN we arrived or WHEN we left. Also, keep in mind that different servers would bring the bill at different times. Some enterprising servers would bring the bill with dessert. Some would bring it after dessert.

Everyone talks about, or wonders about, the amount of time it takes to eat TS meals. Based on the above, I would sum up our experience like this:

A typical TS meal takes about one hour, give or take.

An exceptional TS meal, one with several courses, especially if the appetizers are cooked, as oppposed to salad, takes about two hours, give or take.

Just a reminder: These times do NOT include transportation time.

 

[NWOhioAngela]

A typical TS meal takes about one hour, give or take.

Thanks for this great info! Personally, these times work great for us for mid-day breaks and winding down in the evenings. I have never understood when people complain that TS takes away too much park time, but that's just us!

 

[mermaid&cinderella]

Your awesome I love seeing the time frames of restaurants!

 

[TxRabbit]

Thank you all for joining me in this dining review. There hasn't been too much chatter on this thread, but I hope that everyone has enjoyed the virtual meals.

If you are thinking about using the DxDDP, or are planning to use the DxDDP, maybe the following will also be of some benefit:

Choosing the DxDDP was not a decision made lightly. You look at the cost, and think, Wow, Am I really going to spend THAT much on FOOD in ONE WEEK?! Several factors contributed to our decision to use the DxDDP dining plan. Trying to be consise:

1. DS8: Kids meals are something of a joke a WDW, CS especially. Signature restaurants offered the best meal choices for my DS. Buffets too.

2. DS8: Extra food to share with a growing boy that is close to being an adult under the plan.

3. DS8: Is still a child under the plan, so in the last years of being much cheaper.

4. Disney Visa 0% financing for 6 months. For cash flow purposes, I needed a dining plan so that food expenses would be lumped in with the total cost of the vacation package.

5. Disney Reward Dollars: We had enough to cover the majority of extra OOP expense with the DxDDP plan.

6. Future plans: It's likely that our next trip to WDW will be with DH's family. With 4 couples, 2 with kids, we will likely stay off-site, so the dining plan won't even be an option for that trip. It's likely that we won't eat much on-site.

Will we get the DxDDP again?

Yes. But probably not for a while.

Was it too much food?

No. Generally, we chose lighter fare. Seafood, fish, salads, and sharable appetizers. Several fish entrees. We shared with DS. And we watched our side dish intake, trying to not eat too much bread and/or more filling foods like potatos and other similar side dishes. And we never left a buffet feeling overstuffed.

Was it too much time?

No. Two TS's a day worked well for our family. Most of our first day meals, buffets, were in our control. Our dinners were generally a nice pace and we were grateful to sit in the a/c because the heat index was 105+ for most of our stay.

Was our trip too structured?

Yes. While having two TS's a day wasn't horrible in terms of time, it was often rough business in terms of scheduling. It often felt like our evening was fully based around our dinner plans. And often it felt like dinner was too early or too late. With only one scheduled TS meal a day, more time FEELs freer. It just is too bad that you will have a hard time eating at TS WITHOUT an ADR. The only meal that ever felt GREAT to get to consistently was LUNCH.

Was it fun?

Yes. It was fun to experience all the new restaurants. To try new foods. To eat foods that we don't normally eat.

Any other thoughts?

Eating at all the signature restaurants inspired me to be more creative with meal presentation at home. A great part of dining at signatures is the environment and the plating of the food. These are things that made a difference in how the meal FEELS. We have eaten more meals in our formal (not super formal) dining room since coming back from WDW.

Any other questions?

 

[TxRabbit]

Thanks for this great info! Personally, these times work great for us for mid-day breaks and winding down in the evenings. I have never understood when people complain that TS takes away too much park time, but that's just us!

If you are always having to travel to eat at a TS, then it would take more time, I suppose. But I am with you. My favorite TS is a mid-day break. And a relaxing evening meal is just the thing on vacation!

Your awesome I love seeing the time frames of restaurants!

Thank you. Thank very much.

Time seems to be one of the main concerns people have. I realized that I had all the time info since I kept our receipts. It's interesting to see.

 

[danalee]

very nice break down!

I think it to depends on how long of a trip you have and if you have been before.
We did the DDDP on our last trip and loved it! That said, on our next trip we our taking another family with us that has never been to WDW and i'm thinking it would be a little overwhelming for first timers with 3 kids all under 10 just a thought!
So as much as we loved DDDP we will most likely do the regular DDP for our next visit~

 

[TxRabbit]

very nice break down!

I think it to depends on how long of a trip you have and if you have been before.
We did the DDDP on our last trip and loved it! That said, on our next trip we our taking another family with us that has never been to WDW and i'm thinking it would be a little overwhelming for first timers with 3 kids all under 10 just a thought!
So as much as we loved DDDP we will most likely do the regular DDP for our next visit~

Thank you.

I totally agree. I think it would be overwhelming for that family.

A lot depends on the make up of the people on the vacation. I would think that the more families you have, the less the DxDDP would be fun. Also because larger parties tend to take longer to serve. As a party of 3, we weren't too bad.

I would NEVER do DxDDP with DH's family. EVER.

 

[Ms. Heimlich]

I just wanted to drop in and say that I loved your reviews. I've never done the DxDDP but I think it would be tons of fun and full of new experiences.

Thanks for providing the break down of $$ and time. I found it very informative.

I agree about the Snack Credits... We've NEVER had a hard time using ours up!!!

Thanks again! Great job!

 

[ljcrochet]

Thank you for the great revies. I'm doing the deluxe dining plan when we go in August. I loved reading what your son ate.