We're bringing DoleWhip back...again! COMPLETE: Sanaa and Yachtsman!

[Schoolbread]

Wow, you don't see that often--bluezoo. I need to add it to my list if I ever go when there's not free dining. It really limits my choices and I keep saying, "Well, do one out of pocket" but I'm too cheap! LOL!

Looks like a Top Chef final dinner! YUMM!

 

[cg83109]

all this food looks so yummy

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We are doing the Haunted Carriage Ride at FW in October so a quick stop at WL for a sugary treat will be essential

That carriage ride sounds fun, and I'm glad you'll get to stop at WL!

Thanks for the review! Sorry about your entrees, but that dessert sounds amazing! I'm a huge chocolate fan, so any new spin on it is always welcome in my mouth! I love the idea of a new take on s'mores and pop rocks with chocolate. I don't think we are going to do the DDP next time, so places like this may be on our list to try. What I was wondering if you could tell me was what exactly is TiW? And how can we get it? Thanks so much for your help.

TiW is Tables in Wonderland. Florida residents can purchase it for $100, and $AP can purchase it for $75. It's a 20% discount on table service restaurants and some CS locations, and it adds an automatic 18% gratuity to TS meals. If you eat a lot of table service meals during the year, TIW can make it worth it to buy an annual pass. I hope you get to try that chocolate dessert eventually!

Wow, you don't see that often--bluezoo. I need to add it to my list if I ever go when there's not free dining. It really limits my choices and I keep saying, "Well, do one out of pocket" but I'm too cheap! LOL!

Looks like a Top Chef final dinner! YUMM!

Agreed on the resemblance to Top Chef food - a lot of the food seemed like something Marcel or Richard might make (especially Marcel). And most of it tasted great! I'd actually love to try more restaurants with a molecular gastronomy focus, such as Alinea in Chicago. Maybe one day

all this food looks so yummy

Most of it was delicious - I'm craving the thai chilled lobster right now.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

TiW is Tables in Wonderland. Florida residents can purchase it for $100, and $AP can purchase it for $75. It's a 20% discount on table service restaurants and some CS locations, and it adds an automatic 18% gratuity to TS meals. If you eat a lot of table service meals during the year, TIW can make it worth it to buy an annual pass. I hope you get to try that chocolate dessert eventually!

Thanks! So you don't have to pay the tip? And can you get it if you don't have an AP?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Thanks! So you don't have to pay the tip? And can you get it if you don't have an AP?

Unfortunately, you have to be either a Florida resident or AP holder to get it. But if you plan on eating a lot of table service meals (and if you take at least 2 trips over the year), then it could easily be worth it.

Regarding tip, here's how it works:

Without TIW:

The food costs $100
Tax is about $7
If you add an 18% tip, the tip would be 18%. You might tip more or less, but 18% is one of the recommended amounts on Disney receipts.
So the total cost of the meal would be about $125.

With TIW:
The food costs $80.
Tax would be about $5.60
18% of the original food price ($100) is added automatically, meaning $18 automatic gratuity. You can add more if you want.
So the total cost of the meal would be about $103.60.

Hope this explanation helps! If you normally tip less than 18-20%, then it isn't as good of a deal. Otherwise, I think it's a good discount.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Unfortunately, you have to be either a Florida resident or AP holder to get it. But if you plan on eating a lot of table service meals (and if you take at least 2 trips over the year), then it could easily be worth it.

Regarding tip, here's how it works:

Without TIW:

The food costs $100
Tax is about $7
If you add an 18% tip, the tip would be 18%. You might tip more or less, but 18% is one of the recommended amounts on Disney receipts.
So the total cost of the meal would be about $125.

With TIW:
The food costs $80.
Tax would be about $5.60
18% of the original food price ($100) is added automatically, meaning $18 automatic gratuity. You can add more if you want.
So the total cost of the meal would be about $103.60.

Hope this explanation helps! If you normally tip less than 18-20%, then it isn't as good of a deal. Otherwise, I think it's a good discount.

Thank you sooo much! This is so helpful! We do usually tip between 18-20% so that could work. We usually only go once a year, but we're looking into DVC, so that could change! One last question: Where do you go to get TiW? Thanks again!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Thank you sooo much! This is so helpful! We do usually tip between 18-20% so that could work. We usually only go once a year, but we're looking into DVC, so that could change! One last question: Where do you go to get TiW? Thanks again!

If you want to get TiW, you can go to guest relations at any park and buy it if you're a Florida resident or AP holder. Or you can apply for it from home, but I don't think it's really worth the effort of doing that. It can definitely be a good deal!

 

[Disneyfreak616]

If you want to get TiW, you can go to guest relations at any park and buy it if you're a Florida resident or AP holder. Or you can apply for it from home, but I don't think it's really worth the effort of doing that. It can definitely be a good deal!

Thanks! I'll definitely keep it in mind for the next trip.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Thanks! I'll definitely keep it in mind for the next trip.

Glad to help. It was definitely worth it for us, since I have an AP anyway and we eat a lot of table service meals, but obviously it depends on your individual needs.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

Glad to help. It was definitely worth it for us, since I have an AP anyway and we eat a lot of table service meals, but obviously it depends on your individual needs.

I wish I had an AP! I usually only go once a year, but this year I ended up going three times. One was with the military tickets, and another was paid for for me, so an AP wasn't worth it. If DVC works out for us, though, an AP may be in my future. In which case Tables in Wonderland would definitely work if we don't do the DDP. My Dad's a Florida resident though, so if I ever go with him then TiW may be worth it as well. We like to try all the TS places though. I went to CG in July and am now hooked on the signatures. I really want to try AP and FF.

 

[cbg1027]

Glad you finally made it to bluezoo....wish it could have been better for you. It was so dead when I went! In the 2.5 hours I was there, there were only TWO other parties in the whole restaurant!

I'll to try some of the dishes with the molecular gastronomy on my next visit to bluezoo. The only thing I got in my 5 course tasting menu like that was the soy foam on some sashimi.

 

[aml3679]

I love this thread. Not only pictures of the food with reviews but menus as well. We have the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan for next November and these reviews are making it easier for me to decide where to do.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I wish I had an AP! I usually only go once a year, but this year I ended up going three times. One was with the military tickets, and another was paid for for me, so an AP wasn't worth it. If DVC works out for us, though, an AP may be in my future. In which case Tables in Wonderland would definitely work if we don't do the DDP. My Dad's a Florida resident though, so if I ever go with him then TiW may be worth it as well. We like to try all the TS places though. I went to CG in July and am now hooked on the signatures. I really want to try AP and FF.

I hope you get to try the other signature restaurants soon!

Glad you finally made it to bluezoo....wish it could have been better for you. It was so dead when I went! In the 2.5 hours I was there, there were only TWO other parties in the whole restaurant!

I'll to try some of the dishes with the molecular gastronomy on my next visit to bluezoo. The only thing I got in my 5 course tasting menu like that was the soy foam on some sashimi.

Soy foam with sashimi sounds delicious! I would be willing to try the bluezoo tasting menu in the future, and I hope it'll be slightly less busy whenever we return.

I love this thread. Not only pictures of the food with reviews but menus as well. We have the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan for next November and these reviews are making it easier for me to decide where to do.

I'm happy you like the reviews - deluxe dining is a great way to sample the various signature restaurants. Otherwise, you're basically eating 3 full meals a day. Even for us, that's difficult.

 

[Colleen27]

Wow, now I want to go to bluezoo just for that tuna tartare! I love sriracha and the nitro preparation sounds absolutely intriguing.

Sorry to hear the entrees weren't better. I agree with you about wanting the chef's preparations/flavor combinations rather than choosing my own, particularly since I'm not familiar with some of the fish commonly served around WDW that are rather rare here in the midwest. I can tell you what goes well with trout or perch, but not with wahoo or snapper!

 

[Krissalee]

I stopped at Karamell Küche to try a dark chocolate caramel with sea salt. Great combination of flavors - the crunchy sea salt is lovely with the chewy caramel.

That looks delicious! I have been soooooo obsessed by salted chocolate lately. How have I been missing that amazing flavor combination for so many years? I will have to stop by Karamell Kuche when I am at WDW in only 35 days!

 

[Krissalee]

DonaldDoleWhip - I have really enjoyed all your reviews. They are so thoughtful and honest, plus you take great photos. Thank you so much for sharing your reports, and taking the time to do so. It makes my time (anticipating my trip) so much more enjoyable!

 

[TigerKat]

We are huge bluezoo fans and make sure to dine there on every trip. We love to sit in the bar area and always try some appetizers but our favorite dish is the Cantonese lobster, it is incredible!!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Wow, now I want to go to bluezoo just for that tuna tartare! I love sriracha and the nitro preparation sounds absolutely intriguing.

Sorry to hear the appetizers weren't better. I agree with you about wanting the chef's preparations/flavor combinations rather than choosing my own, particularly since I'm not familiar with some of the fish commonly served around WDW that are rather rare here in the midwest. I can tell you what goes well with trout or perch, but not with wahoo or snapper!

I hope you can try bluezoo eventually! I'm hoping to go back because the menu is so good, and my new plan is to do one of the following:

-order all appetizers
-try the tasting menu
-pick one of their composed entrees instead of the "simply fish"

That looks delicious! I have been soooooo obsessed by salted chocolate lately. How have I been missing that amazing flavor combination for so many years? I will have to stop by Karamell Kuche when I am at WDW in only 35 days!

DonaldDoleWhip - I have really enjoyed all your reviews. They are so thoughtful and honest, plus you take great photos. Thank you so much for sharing your reports, and taking the time to do so. It makes my time (anticipating my trip) so much more enjoyable!

Thanks for reading the reviews! I agree with you about salted chocolate - it just works so well together! Chocolate is also surprisingly good with savory ingredients like bacon or peppercorn.

We are huge bluezoo fans and make sure to dine there on every trip. We love to sit in the bar area and always try some appetizers but our favorite dish is the Cantonese lobster, it is incredible!!

The Cantonese lobster sounds really delicious! Now I want to return to bluezoo ASAP...

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Our last meal of the birthday trip was breakfast at Kouzzina. I've been here before for breakfast and really enjoyed it. We've both been here for dinner, but this was my mom's first breakfast here.

To drink, I got a frappé, which is a tasty shaken blend of coffee, milk, and sugar.

We shared a fruit plate as an appetizer, since we knew we wouldn't have good food for a while. The fruit was okay, not the freshest we've had, but I liked that it was served with creamy, tart Greek yogurt.

My mom's entree was the stacked breakfast - two poached eggs, kalamata olive toast, artichoke spread, and sweet potato hash with bacon or chicken sausage (she chose chicken sausage). The eggs were runnier than she had asked for, but besides that she was happy with the food.

I chose the turkey-sweet potato hash with two poached eggs and arugula salad.

Here's a closer shot that shows some turkey and egg:

I've had this before, and once again I loved this dish. The sweet potato and savory turkey were great with the creamy egg and lemony arugula. The croissant on the side had a subtle flavor of cinnamon.

Overall, we both liked Kouzzina. I really like this place, and it's one of my favorite WDW breakfasts. I think I prefer Kona, where the Tonga Toast with strawberry compote is sugary Disney magic. But Kouzzina's food feels lighter and healthier, which I think is a better way to start a long day at the parks.

Now that I'm thinking about it, why not throw in some bonus pics of Kona breakfast food :

Tonga Toast:

Scrambled eggs on the side:

The Tonga Toast is perfect when the tart strawberry compote and pineapple cut some of the sweetness:

Lilikoi juice (orange-guava-passionfruit):

And the pineapple macadamia-nut pancakes with ham:

 

[Disneyfreak616]

MMMM, Kouzzina looks DELICIOUS, but nothing can beat Kona! Those Macadamia Pineapple Pancakes are a beautiful thing.

I have one more question about TiW for ya: When you go to Guest Relations and get the card, does it last for a year like the AP, or for the extent of the trip? Thank you so much for all your help, again!