We Came, We Saw, We ATE! - A TiW Dining Report - Update 6/29, Ghirardelli

[MickeyNicki]

Hmm...that doesnt look like any avocado citrus salad that I have had from the Wave. It was always baby lettuce with avocado, orange and grapefruit segments in a citrus vinagrette...

That really bums me out that they changed it.

 

[hurleysweety]

I have been going back & forth about returning to The Wave for our upcoming trip. DS and I had a great meal there in '08 and DH has never been. For some reason I just couldn't settle on it until last night ... I finally made an ADR to keep our MK day simpler. Then this morning I saw your review! I don't know why I have been so hesitant. That short rib looks like something DS will love. And I remember everything being so fresh.

Thank you for the reassurance that I made the right decision!

I'm so happy I was able to reassure you. We actually had an ADR at the Wave in May 2010, and for some reason ended up cancelling while on the trip in lieu of something else. But we're so glad we kept it this time around - it was actually DH's pick!

When we went in October, 2010, the Wave was our 2nd favorite meal of the trip (we had deluxe, so we ate at a lot of restaurants). Then, when we went in February... it was not good at all. I don't know what happened but we even both ordered the same things and there was a huge difference in quality of the food... down to appetizers and desserts and especially entrees. I was really disappointed and haven't wanted to try it again.

Bummer! This has happened to us before with Boma. In 2008, it was our most favorite meal. We went back in 2010, and it was completely awful - service, food quality, variety...just not good. Makes it hard to go back, even when we see a good review. So I understand completely!

Subbing............your first 2 reviews were great

Thanks! And welcome!

Great start! We have TIW too and love the savings we get from it. And we have more freedom to order what we want than on the dining plan.

Thanks and welcome!

Freedom is key! I also love being able to split things like desserts and not worry about splitting credits or keeping track.

Subbing...We leave in 8 days and going to some of the same places. Great reviews so far. Can't wait to read more.

Thanks for reading! Eight days away, that's awesome - have so much fun!

Hmm...that doesnt look like any avocado citrus salad that I have had from the Wave. It was always baby lettuce with avocado, orange and grapefruit segments in a citrus vinagrette...

That really bums me out that they changed it.

I think I'm totally wrong on the salad. Sorry! I was just copying and pasting things from allears.net menus when I looked at the actual description and got really confused while writing the report. I consulted my receipt and it says avocado salad so thats what I went with. So weird.

However, the 5/11 updated wdwinfo menu for the wave says that the Avocado & Citrus Salad is still available - so I am sure they will have it for you next time!

 

[hurleysweety]

I wasn't too sure about our ADR at Sci-FI, but after skipping it for two trips, and hearing all about it, I knew we had to try it. I was also considering changing it since it was Mother's Day and reportedly, TiW wouldn't be accepted on this holiday. (Turns out later that it was accepted, no restriction!). We chose lunch because it fit into our plans together, and because it was less expensive looking than the dinner menu.

We walked in about 20 minutes before our ADR, and the entrance lobby was dead. The CM who checked us in was joking with me telling me he didn't have our ADR and I almost freaked out, thinking that maybe in some late night confusion I had cancelled it. DH got a great laugh outta that! But they indeed were joking, asked about the dining plan, and then handed us a buzzer. Soon after we sat down to wait for our table, about eight different groups showed up for reservations. Our peaceful A/C lobby turned into a crazy, albeit still cool, but definitely crowded place. Soon our buzzer went off.

We haven't been here before so I wasn't sure what the layout was - but apparently the lobby is the backside of the movie screen. The waitress led us towards the back, and I was afraid for a bad table, but we ended up middle back, on the right, in the third row of the car. An average seat, but it could have been worse, so no complaints.

Our waiter came right away, once again asking about the Dining plan, and then taking our drink order. He kept suggesting, to what seemed like to me, the expensive entrees - the appetizer for two, the shrimp pasta, reminding us of their alcoholic drinks. He was fast and efficient, and nice too, but wasn't the friendly type who try and have any sort of actual conversation. Oh well, he was busy, we were pretty laid back on this day too, so we didn't mind too much.

When he came back with our waters we decided to order the Spinach and Artichoke Dip for Two - A blend of Monterey Jack, swiss, and asiago with spinach, artichokes, and corn tortilla chips $7.99.

I knew it was on the menu and had been thinking about it all morning and couldn't wait.He also took our entree order at this point too - felt a tiny bit rushed. Maybe five minutes later our appetizer arrived.

I was a little worried since it came out so fast. Obviously it is pre-made at some point. But it was still warm and gooey. I wouldn't say its the best I've ever had, and its also something that I have a killer recipe for -- but for a lunch appetizer in a theme park, it hit the spot. I couldn't taste all the cheeses that the menu description claims, but it was still good. I think it could have used more artichoke, but I love artichoke! The chips were warm and crispy, with a touch of salt. Yum.

While waiting for our entree, I took note of the atmosphere. It was clean, relaxing, and definitely a nice break from the sun. The tables, or cars I should say, were pretty full, but it never seemed loud. If anything, it was almost serene. I thought sitting in a car with another family would be weird, but it wasn't at all.

Pic from our car

Soon after, our entree arrived. Angus Chuck Burger - flame broiled beef patty topped with cheddar or Swiss cheese, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and crispy bacon, lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes, served with a choice of cucumber salad or french fries $13.99

This was delicious! The burger was cooked just right for us, medium (often we order medium and get medium well). The mushrooms were mouthwatering, mostly because I never get to have them since DH hates them, and seasoned well. The onions were perfectly sauteed and the bacon was also deliciously crispy. I think we might have ordered cheddar cheese instead of swiss, but other than that, this burger is as good as it sounds on the menu(and maybe looks - light made it hard to take good pics, sorry!). Bun was also good, not the crumbly fall apart kind, the kind that you might eat by itself. Two thumbs up for this burger, even just half of it!

But before I continue, I must mention the awesomeness that is the side dish - cucumber salad. Since we split the meal, we each got a side of this fresh, tasty, refreshing treat. Next to the rich, decadent burger, this is the best thing at Sci-Fi diner (little did we know at the time, we could get this other places too). Yes, its something so simple as cucumber, onions, vinegar, sugar, and some seasoning. But I'm pretty sure if we go back I'll order an extra side of this cucumber salad...and by side, I mean plate full!

We skipped dessert, and also realized we never mentioned either DH's birthday or our anniversary - oh well, no surprise treat for us.

We really enjoyed the fun of this restaurant. The dim lighting, fun shows, and laid back atmosphere is just what we were looking for in our mid-day lunch break. We were happy, and against DH's wishes, I took a flash pic before we left! Not a great pic of us...oh well.

For being a lunch meal in a theme park, this was a great pick. I'm not a fan of the CS restaurants in HS, mostly due to the inconsistent reviews and some personal experience. But using TiW, this was about the same price, and better quality than yakatori house as our only comparison at this point. We were also totally full and satisfied, even with splitting. I think it'll make the cut for another lunch ADR in October.

Sci-FI stamps your receipt, just another one of those cool Disney details:

TiW Breakdown:
Spinach and Artichoke Dip for Two - $7.99
Angus Chuck Burger - $13.99 (no split plate fee, woohoo..they do this at some TS in DLR)
=$21.98
- 4.40 - TiW discount
= $17.58
+ automatic gratuity & tax
=$22.69

Running Total Saved = $13.89

 

[mamaboogie]

Glad you enjoyed Sci-fi - it's one of our favourites. And you're right - despite being a very busy place it's so calm and serene inside - a real haven from the busy park and the heat.

Also very interesting about the Wave - we've never been there and tend to forget it's there! But you make it sound very tempting!

Great reviews!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Loving your reviews!

 

[chocolateMinnie]

great reviews so far - we tried Sci-Fi for first time last trip and I loved it but the kids hated the food and loved the place.

 

[hurleysweety]

Glad you enjoyed Sci-fi - it's one of our favourites. And you're right - despite being a very busy place it's so calm and serene inside - a real haven from the busy park and the heat.

Also very interesting about the Wave - we've never been there and tend to forget it's there! But you make it sound very tempting!

Great reviews!

Definitely a haven. Thanks for the compliments. And yes, I'm surprised we liked the Wave so much considering it isn't really a cult favorite, I can definitley recommend everyone to give it a try at least once. I think it would be a great ADR for an MK day for lunch or dinner by just hopping on the monorail.

Loving your reviews!

Thanks! I loved eating them...well most of them!

great reviews so far - we tried Sci-Fi for first time last trip and I loved it but the kids hated the food and loved the place.

Thanks for the compliments.

Too funny that they hated the food but loved the place. I was afraid the same would happen, but that darn cucumber salad pushed DH over the top. And with him being the pickier eater, we're destined to eat there again! Its a fun, themed, inside a theme park restaurant. Are you going to find the best pasta, sandwich, salad, or burger here? No. Will it be 1000% better than a CS pasta, sandwich, salad, or burger? For sure! Do most kids care or know the difference? Probably not...

The family in front of us had a girl that ordered the mac and cheese and it looked so yummy to me. But she barely touched the stuff, I noticed, when the server came to clear the plate. She was 8 or 9, so unless she was super picky, the mac and cheese didn't look like it was a great choice here. When I was 8, I loved mac and cheese more than pizza, very shocking to me!

 

[klacey1]

Love your reviews so far!! Can't wait for more!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Loving the reviews!

 

[hurleysweety]

Love your reviews so far!! Can't wait for more!

Thanks for reading!

Loving the reviews!

Thanks! More to come soon!

 

[hurleysweety]

A quick apology. I haven't updated in a couple days since its my anniversary today (three years, yay!!!), and with the holiday weekend, we were celebrating with some relaxing time away from everything. Columbia Harbor House up next.

 

[Sazzo'sMommy]

You are doing a great job! I am really enjoying your reviews...keep up the good work!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

 

[DancinDaisyDuck]

Joining in! I think you and I have many similar tastes by the look of your reviews so far and your list of places to review coming up! Looking forward to reading more!

 

[Mrs. Sojourner]

Enjoying your reviews so far; can't wait to read more.

 

[LJD2143]

Happy Anniversary!

The minute I saw the Brewer shirts, I was in...

Plus we'll be trying SciFi for the first time in October - the cucumber salad looks delish!

 

[sunnysideup3]

I see from your picture you're Brewer fans! YAY! Go Brew Crew

 

[jakenjess]

Happy Anniversary! Loving your reviews, thanks for sharing!

 

[Tracerr00]

I'm in too! I'm so glad to see that you loved The Wave - we have ADRs for my sisters trip in August! The majority of the reviews I've read for it are great. And I plan to do Sci-Fi with my daughter in January so your reviews are very helpful. Excited to read more!

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

We're going in a few days and are planing to use TIW. We've changed our diet so the dining plan may be too much food for us. We're Seattle Pilots fans but that's long ago and far away.(We're going to SWW while we're at WDW.)
Enjoyed your reviews so far and are looking forward to the rest.