We broke in the Deluxe Dining Plan...with lots of PICTURES! I finally finished one!!!

[tyandskyesmom]

Subbing! I am going to be alone with my two boys on my trip and we have the Deluxe DDP (which a lot of people are saying is not the wisest choice with kids) and my oldest's name is Tyler too! I've already got some good info I asked about Citrico's earlier and whether or not its a stuffy snooty place for kids thanks for the review!

We did not think Citricos was snooty at all...in fact the kids missed it on our next trip (but that's another dining report all together!). How old are your sons? We have been to almost all of the signature dining places and we have never felt out of place with the kids. But the kids enjoy the dining experience even if they don't eat that adventurously. I think that the wait staff at most places does a good job of recognizing th ekind of service you are looking for and provides it. I mean, we generally do not linger over meals too long and we are not wine drinkers or cheese plate eaters and I don't think we have felt like we were treated poorly because of it. I think we were given what we wanted. It is Disney World after all and if you and your kids will enjoy a nice meal, go for it!

 

[BreTyPres87]

they'll be 3 and 5 (turning 5 while there) a lot of people complain about the kids menus but after looking at them i'm happy to see the classics since my 4 year old has eaten cheeseburgers every night for a week because he refuse to taste anything else
i'm a huge foodie but not big on the wine and cheese either I can't wait to have my own food adventure!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

they'll be 3 and 5 (turning 5 while there) a lot of people complain about the kids menus but after looking at them i'm happy to see the classics since my 4 year old has eaten cheeseburgers every night for a week because he refuse to taste anything else
i'm a huge foodie but not big on the wine and cheese either I can't wait to have my own food adventure!!

As long as your kids enjoy the experience and are behaved, which I am sure they are if you are even thinking about fine dining with them alone, I think that's great! The kids menus are very similar all over but that is what kids like...and we found them very, very flexable. Like even though the pizza at most places is set up as a complete meal already, you actually generally have an option of one entree and two sides of any listed on the menu. My kids would not like any whole meal if they could not re-arrange them to get things they like. And who wants to be forcing their kids to eat while on vacation.

Hope you have fun and let us know how it went when you return!

 

[PrincessTrisha]

Your reviews are wonderful - great pictures and very descriptive.

I have to admit, I want to do the deluxe plan (I am very much a table service kind of girl) but there's just something holding me back.

Your kids are super cute. It's funny how when we're young we can eat the same thing day after day, meal after meal and not get tired of it. At least it must make making ADR's easy - pizza? Check! Noodles? Check! - okay, we're good to go.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Your reviews are wonderful - great pictures and very descriptive.

I have to admit, I want to do the deluxe plan (I am very much a table service kind of girl) but there's just something holding me back.

Your kids are super cute. It's funny how when we're young we can eat the same thing day after day, meal after meal and not get tired of it. At least it must make making ADR's easy - pizza? Check! Noodles? Check! - okay, we're good to go.

DO IT! If you love Disney and eating then it is a great plan...I have not completed my analysis of the money spent yet but I think both times we have come out ahead.

Thanx about my kids...they are cute! But I am a bit biased.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

So the following morning we had 8:20am ARDs at Crystal Palace.

We have never been here for breakfast before. We arrived early and had to wait to be let in. It was pretty empty and it was neat to be there early.

We were seated pretty quickly to the same side that we had lunch on earlier in the trip and almost in the same seat. Our waitress was Debbie and she had a man training with her. The was good...friendly and refilled drinks a lot. When we arrived at our table it was decorated with shiny Mickey head confetti (the kids love that stuff).

We were visited by Piglet first...

...and then we went up for some food.

Here's Skye's plate...

She loves her carbs! No, really, she really loved the Tigger waffles! She ate almost all of them. And the crossaint was huge and soft.

Once again, I don't seem to have Tyler's plates but think more of the same.

But here are some of my plates...

Scrambled eggs, blueberry muffin, and strawberries and fresh whipped cream. MMMMM, I am drueling just thinking about the cream! It was so good!

Oatmeal, Egg casserole thing, potatoes, bacon, hash, a banana, glazed donut holes, crossaint, cofee cake, and something else I cannot make out. I know I tried the Breakfast Lasagne...one bite...that was all I could stomach...sorry! And I am afraid we missed the puffed french toast all together...I don't know how though because that is right up our alley...I guess I just completely forgot. As a side note though, I did make it this weekend and while I do not think is was up to par with Crystal Palace's, it was pretty good.

We saw Tigger...

And Pooh...

And before Eeyore came around, Debbie brought a cupcake for Tyler and a birthday card signed by the whole Pooh gang.

(What's with the strap around his nose???)

Then Eeyore came around...

(And I don't know how Chi-Chi got to come today but he did make the most of it, let me tell you!)

We had a really great breakfast and I have to say this is the best meal Crystal Palace serves. We will definately return here in the future. All the food was hot and fresh and the whipped cream is heavenly!

Our total bill would have been $43.64 but was only three meal credits. We left an $8.00 tip. We were actuall there for only about 45 minutes and were leaving just as the park was opening! What a way to start the morning!


On the way our we snapped this...

Best meal of the day at Crystal Palace! Enjoy...

 

[tyandskyesmom]

At this point in time, this review is probably not necessary but since we ate there, I am going to include it.

Ok, so this was a last minute ADR I made just before leaving home in an effort to maximize our dining plan...boy am I glad I did...and sorry I did all at the same time. Glad because it was wonderful and sad because it was closing for good shortly after our trip.

We had a 1pm ADR so after our fun filled morning of things like this...

We took the front car of the monorail over one stop to the Contemporary and arrived right on time. We were seated quickly at the first table inside the restaurant. We were about the only table in there...the wait staff was just dying to wait on us. Our waiter was Agueda. She was great! She was prompt and concerned that we liked our meals yet was not over bearing. Our drinks were always full and the kids had fun. Skye started with the Chicken Soup. She was just figuring out that the noodles could be removed from the liquid (eeewwweee, cause who wants soup in their soup?!?!?!?!) and that she liked it that way...I really think she was getting tired of the same things at every meal. Hey, I'll take it any way I can get it!

I had the Pan Seared Scallops...

They were really good. I ate them all...that is one good thing about having kids that won't try real food, when it is good I do not need to worry about sharing with them!

Skye had the mac & cheese...

It was good and she was happy.

Tyler had the pizza...

He ate it all, not that that is saying much, it was pizza after all. He had fries as his side.

I had the Cheesesteak Sandwich.

Ooohhh, it was good...different from the one at The Plaza...I guess more refined. It was very, very good. The fries were well seasoned. I really enjoyed my food.

The dessert came. The kids had make-your-own sundaes...

They were the same as everywhere but the real winner was mine...

The Carrot Cake!!!! Now this is Tyler's one odd love. He loves, loves, loves carrot cake and this was some awesome carrot cake. It was light and the frosting was sweet and creamy. It had nuts and caramel sprinkled around as a garnish...and oh, that was a wonderful addition! Of course, unlike my appetizer, I had to share my dessert.

Over all, we loved everything about our lunch at the Concorse Steakhouse and wonder at the reason for getting rid of it. I am really sorry we did not discover it earlier in out travels because now I am going to miss it.

We were there about an hour...and even though that is about average for us, this was actually a very leisurly meal. Everyone was friendly and extremely efficient. Our bill would have been $51.03 but was three meal credits. There was a "service charge" on the bill of 3% or $1.40 but after Yak & Yeti, it was nothing so I did not even ask about it. We left a $10.00 tip.

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Around 4:30pm we stopped for a snack at the Lunching Pad in Tomorrowland.

We got a 32 ounce Coke, a 32 ounce Orange Soda, and a Cream Cheese Pretzel. the kids woudl not touch the pretzel but I did and it was good! It would have cost around $9.00 but was three snack credits..

No pictures.

 

[BreTyPres87]

I have never heard of Concourse Steakhouse, I guess because most families go to Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary it looks really good though! Your review for Crystal Palace was good that breakfast did look tasty! I'm definitely going to keep that one on my ADR spreadsheet

Do you think that with Deluxe dining you were taken away from the attractions? This is what I hear, not that i'm going to change now, but what do u think?
Did you have any CS meals?

 

[tyandskyesmom]

We arrived as the Polynesion for our 8:15pm ADR for our first experience at Kona Cafe. We checked in on time and had to wait about 15 minutes. We never really realized this place was here. This is also one of those places that does not get a lot of advertisement so we went in completely blind. We were seated right along the railing.

It was a great place to sit because we had no neighbors to that side. Our server was Maria. Tyler found a hidden Mickey.

Maria took our drink orders and brought bread.

Skye had the Chicken Soup again.

See her plate of Chicken Soup minus the soup nearer to her?

And then dressed herself up a bit with the unbrella from her drink...

The bread was delicious. Can you guess what I had? Let me give you a hint...there are crab cakes on the menu...yep, Crab Cakes.

They were right up there in goodness as all of the other ones and I practically licked the plate. Skye has the Chicken Strips and Pasta Kids Meal...

...this was a lot of food! She ate a lot of it and Tyler helped her with the rest. She really liked it. Tyler had a ot dog and fries.

I guess this was at least something new for this trip...all though Hot Dogs are one of his main food groups. He ate it so it must not have been over cooked, burnt, or had lines on it. Ya, the kid is picky about his lips and buts (it htat allowed here??? I used a less offensive term than what we usually call them around here!).

I had the Filet Mignon with mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Oh, it was really good! Simple, yet fabulous. Does that make sense? Even after a big day of eating (three table service meals today) I still licked the plate...well, not really but I could have! We had three meals today but either we planned them out spaced apart enough or we had just worked up an appetite all day because we had three great meals today.

For dessert the kids had make-your-own sundaes again. While these were a mainstay, they always had fun with them and ate at least some of it.

And I had the Kona Cone.

I believe they come set up a little differently now but this is how it was brought out to me at the time. I was so full that I did not finish it but I did have some and it was fun. The kids could not believe their eyes when they saw it. I think they ate more of it than of their own ice cream.

Our service was good even considering how busy it was in there. e had full drinks and everything was served with good timing. The steak was a great medium rare as ordered and I cannot think of anything else that could have made it a better meal.

We were there for about an hour. Our bill would have been $72.50 had we not been on the DDDP. It was three meal credits for us.

This was a great meal and we woudl recommend it to anyone!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

I have never heard of Concourse Steakhouse, I guess because most families go to Chef Mickeys at the Contemporary it looks really good though! Your review for Crystal Palace was good that breakfast did look tasty! I'm definitely going to keep that one on my ADR spreadsheet

Do you think that with Deluxe dining you were taken away from the attractions? This is what I hear, not that i'm going to change now, but what do u think?
Did you have any CS meals?

Concourse Steakhouse is not there anymore but it used to be in the open area next to/attached to Chef Mickey's. I can now say I am sad it is gone...it was really good!

I do think it would take away from the attractions but we looked at the dining plan as an attraction. Plus, we have been there so much in the past eight years that we did not feel like we were missing a lot. Also, Tyler is a chicken and really only likes a couple of the "big" rides. Skye is still only 39 inches at almost 5 years old so she was too small for the "big" rides...even though she cannot wait...go figure! So while a lot of peole would be spending time waiting in line and riding the "big" rides, we did not do that...with just the three of us there, it was not even an issue. And being that is was just the three of us, the meals were usually a welcomed slow down during the day...I mean my kids are not difficult all day but being the only adult with the two of them did get a bit overwhelming sometimes and the break was a chance for everyone to rest up and re-group for the next round! So we did not end up feeling like we were missing anything. I guess it just depends on your outlook. With the ages of your kids I would think it should work out well for you with breaks and if you're not all 40 inches, that would leave you time. We were also there for 13 nights...and that helped too.

Having said all of that, when my DH gets to come back, it may be a different story...but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it!

We did do a couple of CS meals but they were usually breakfast or a late night snack. Not many though. On our trip after this one we did do a bit more CS because we had gotten free dining and then upgraded to the DDDP so by the thrid day of our 14 night trip we had borken even. I don't think it works to do too many CS meals if you are trying for the best value...unless you got part of it free. Plus, they now have kids meal pizzas at the CS locations and for Tyler that dinky pizza was like 2 bites. He wanted an adult pizza. Even Pizza Planet which used to be an awesome stop on the dining plans is now a tiny pizza for the kids...bummer! We won't have the problem on our next trip because Ty will be ten and then he is a Disney adult as far as ticket and dining plan go so our problem will be getting him to eat enough to justify his price or re-arranging the credits to our advantage. We'll deal with that when we come to it!

Hope I helped...anything else you want to know...bring it on!

Thanx for reading along...

 

[BreTyPres87]

Yeah I just went on allears and was thinking where the heck is the menu for that restaurant , what a shame that meal looked good!

I think my kids are going to be too small for the big stuff too and I know when we went to six flags in October last year we rode about 3 rides and they were satisfied , plus since my youngest has autism being able to sit still and rest (while doing his favorite pasttime EATING) is a must for him away from all the noise (even though I know some of the restaurants are noisy lol) and I know that overwhelming feeling you mean!
Your daughters about the same size as my Tyler he's a tiny one he was 35 inches at his well check up (just turned 4 on 12/26) so I guess he'll be restricted by most of the rides and even if he isn't he would be restricted by his little brother and chicken mother . I still can't believe that a 10 year old is considered an adult by Disney standards that seems a little crazy to me they're still in elementary school!!
I think it will definitely work out for us thank you!!
**If you want a good crabcake u have to come to MD we're the crabcake experts lol **
Oh your princess is just a pretty little girl i'm green with envy because i've got pirates lol

 

[momofdbsdc]

Great updates Sherry!!!! Your children are adorable!!!!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Thanx for reading guys!

I am feeling kinda sad this morning becasue my parents called early this morning and let us know they spent the night in Boling Green, Kentucky on their way to The World...without us!

So I aam planning to rip out a few more reviews this evening to try to cheer myself up...and probably read through some more.

 

[sisaaliyah]

Just wanted to say Hi and let you know I'm enjoying your reviews. We're planning to do 1900 Park Fare for both breakfast and dinner on our next trip and wondered if it would be too much of the same even though the meal is completely different. I can't pick just one though as I want to see the characters at both.

We also went to Concourse Steakhouse on our last trip shortly before they closed. We went for dinner and really enjoyed it! I'm glad we were able to go before it was gone .

Your kids are adorable. They look like the sweetest angels. Kudos to you for being able to do 13 nights with them on your own.

 

[packerbeth]

...

 

[Girly_Qs]

THANK YOU!!!

We'll be doing the DlxDDP for the first time for our upcoming December quickie-visit (3 days) to the World before our Disney Cruise. Opted to go Dlx this time to take advantage of some of the signature character meals that we've always skipped (since it would require requisitioning credits from another day on the 'regular' DDP) - we'll be doing the Hoop Dee Doo Revue (my parents are *determined* that the grandkids see it, since they took my sister and I there when we were kids!), and CRT. I've been really looking forward to eating so well, but your reviews and pics have me *especially* anticipating the 'treat' (for us, anyway) of the DlxDDP!

THANKS!

 

[tyandskyesmom]

Thanx everybody! It really does make it more fun doing these when you know people are reading...I got a few readers on my yet unfinished trip report but you guys have made me feel so much more welcome!

I'm going to start another day....

 

[Angelrose]

Can't wait to read it.

 

[bama4ever]

Great reviews! Wow, that is tons of food! Your children are adorable. I know all about having a "petite princess." My Gracie will turn 6 at the end of April and she was only 39" when we went to the Dr. last week. She had STREP! YUK! I had them measure her because I knew she was close to the dreaded cut off of 40". Anyway, I told my husband that we had to find platform shoes for her to wear to Disney next month! Maybe, she can pass for 40" with big shoes! LOL Anyway, great reviews! I can't wait to eat my way around the "World!"