Where we ate 2/12 - 2/18 - LONG

[jel0511]

O.K. here we go... Cast of characters, DH 33, Me 33, DD 4 and DS 22 months. We tried to be a little economical on this trip, and I think we did pretty well. Rating scale 1 - 10.

2/12

Lunch was at Roaring Forks, traditional counterservice fare, nothing special. Score: 6

Dinner was at Wispering Canyon Cafe, antics here were good, not too much and we had the all you can eat skillet. They've seemed to get a little chintzy on the amount of food the first bring to the table, amounting to us asking for more twice. But the food was GREAT and we all left filled and happy. Score: 8

2/13

Breakfast was at Cinderella's Royal Table. Everytime I get into the lobby and see the throngs of people, I wonder why I'm even there. Oh right, DD 4 is a princess freek!!! Anyway, the food was ok. They've stopped the apple sauce on the french toast, and it seemed like a blueberry sauce. I didn't care for it, but DH liked the "improvement" DD only talked to the princess she liked, Cindy, Snow White, and Aurora. She ignored Alice and Belle. The princesses also seemed rushed. Oh well, I've gone to this breakfast now 4 times. I'll skip it in July. Score: 6

Lunch was a quick bite at Casey's. I love their hotdogs!!! Score an 8.

Dinner was at Chef Mickeys. A favorite of everyone in our family. It's always one of our best meals and this time it didn't disappoint!!!! Score: 10!!!

2/14

Breakfast was at Crystal Palace another family fav. I love the food here, especially the French Toast!! DS is probably the biggest Pooh fan, he tried to tackle him!!! Again, this is a must for us everytime we go to WDW. Score: 10!!!

Lunch was at the counter service place in Mexico. I can't remember the name, so I'm sorry. DH and I shared the chicken Taco Salad and DD and DS shared the child's plate. The food was suprisingly good!! Nice place to relax during a long Epcot day!!! We'll probably eat here again. Score: 8.

Dinner was at Kona Cafe. DH said this was his best meal of the trip, mine is later on. DH had the mahi mahi, and LOVED it!! I had two appitizers and both were GREAT. The ceasar salad and the sticky wings!!! YUMMY!!!! We then had desert. This is my sole reason for coming to the Kona Cafe, desert!! DH had the cheesecake and proclaimed it unbelievable, I had the banana creme brulle, the best!!! We love the atmosphere of the Poly and this restaurant is one of the hidden gems of WDW. Score: 10!!!!

2/15

Breakfast was a quick bite in the villa.

Lunch was at another family fav Hollywood and Vine. This was our first trip for lunch, we usually do dinner, and it didn't disappoint. The addition of the characters made this place!!! DD loved seeing Minnie dressed in her finest!!! Again, another place we can't miss!!! Score: 10

Dinner was another quick bite from Casey's while we waited for Spectromagic. Score: 8.

2/16

Breakfast was at Whispering Canyon Cafe. DH proclaimed this to be the best breakfast deal on property!!! He had some sort of egg dish that he LOVED!!! I had the flapjacks and they were good too. We'll eat here on our next stay at VWL. Score 8.

Lunch was at Tusker House and was it a suprise!!! We've never liked any of the food at AK, so we figured we'd try this place out. The food was GREAT!!!! We've finally found a good place to eat at AK!! I actually look forward to going back here!!! Score: 9

Dinner was at Jiko, my favorite meal of the trip. We started with the BBQ Chicken Flatbread, OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! I had the Filet with the mac and cheese and it was as AWESOME as everyone had reported!!! I ate every last bite!!! DH had the Chermoula Roasted Chicken and he liked it!!! I tasted it and it was a little too spicy for me. We shared the Chocolate sampler dessert and it was GREAT!!! I had to mention DD's PB&J. It came out on the most colorful bread!!! It was so pretty!!!! Everyone around us was commenting on the bread!!!! Score: 10!!!!!

2/17

Breakfast was brought back from concierge to our room, since DS was sick.

Lunch was again brought back to our room since DS was sick and resting.

We did venture out for dinner to the Crystal Palace. They really need a better system here for getting people seated. We had a 6:45 PS, and the place was a MOB scene!!!! We finally got seated around 7:15, and the characters were great, but the food was lacking. Definately not the same quality of Chef Mickeys or Hollywood and Vine. We'll stick to breakfast here. Score: 5

2/18

Breakfast again in the concierge lounge at AKL.

Lunch was a quick bite at McDonalds at DTD. You're average Mickey Dee's fare. Nothing special, just a quick bite on the way to the airport. Score: 5.

Any questions, just ask!!!!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

Thanks for the reviews.


I feel the same way about CRT. IMHO there are much better character breakfasts, but I have 2 princess freaks so I guess we will still be going for awhile.

About Jiko did you feel it to be "kid friendly"..We are staying AKL Concierge for part of our Nove trip and I'd like your thoughts on kids at Jiko. My kids will be 2,4, & 6 at the time. Also how was the concierge offerings at the AKL..

Thanks.

 

[jel0511]

Jiko kid friendly, well, here is my opinion. My kids are VERY used to eating out, and they are well behaved in restaurants. I had a 5:50 PS and we didn't get out of there until 7:30. It was a VERY long dinner for my kids, especially my almost 2 year old. I also didn't see that many children, but that would NEVER sway me from taking my children to any WDW restaurant, with the exception of Victoria and Alberts. They did have a children's menu and my kids liked it. Also, my DS (the almost 2 year old) ended getting VERY sick that night)(bronchitis), which might have contributed to his slight crankiness during dinner. I'd take my kids there again, but only with an early PS. I didn't get any stares from diners around me, since my kids were relatively quiet. Unforunately, except for a brief view of the breakfast offerings, I didn't get to the concierge lounge much. Again, DS got sick on Sunday, and after that, DH did most of the running upstairs for our breakfast and quick snacks. I did take a quick peak on Saturday, and the appitizers looked AWESOME!!! DH wanted to eat dinner there, instead of Jiko and I had to explain to him that there wasn't enough for him to eat dinner, it was just appitizers!!!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

My kids are VERY used to eating out as well, the 2 DDs are really well behaved in restaurants, its the baby I'm a little concerned about. He will be just 2 when we go and I think I will make the earliest PS they have. We really love BOMA so I am looking forward to Jiko as well. I share your opinions on dining out with kids, and since it is a family vacation, why should they be excluded.

I am also looking forward to the AKL concierge lounge.

 

[jmkst58]

Great reviews. I love Kona too. I'll have to try Jiko soon.

 

[bunnyfoo]

Thanks for the great reviews!

I'm debating whether to go to the Crystal Palace for breakfast or dinner... Were the crowds much different? Sounds like dinner is a lot more hectic ... how about the character interaction during dinner ... I'm starting to think that breakfast or a late lunch might be a better option.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Enjoyed your reviews--especially Jikos and Kona.

 

[4forDis]

Thanks so much for the helpful reviews. We're going in two weeks and it sounds like we have all of the same restuaraunts planned. We're staying at WL and I'm very glad to hear that WCanyon is good. Thanks.

D

 

[BCV23]

Thanks for posting. I love the mahimahi at Kona, too. Our eldest ordered that BBQ chicken flatbread in Dec and loved it. I tasted it and it was better than the filet that night! How was the service at Jiko?

Sounds like a great trip overall.

 

[Planogirl]

I agree with your assessment of The Crystal Palace. This is one of my favorite restaurants but only for breakfast. I can easily skip this one for later meals.

I think it's great that your kids do so well at the quieter dining establishments. Mine would have behaved but his squirming would have driven me to distraction so I normally omitted him from such places much to his own relief! Truth be told, I tend to feel impatient myself if I dine in such restaurants too often. After all, there's rides to be ridden and shows to see.

 

[Krissalee]

Thanks so much for the reviews! I whole-heartedly agree with your assessments of Kona and Jiko!

 

[bobcat]

Tusker House is one of our favorite places to eat. Much better than many counter service places. By the way the PB&J at Tusker House is also served on the rainbow bread.