Second Star to the Right and Straight on to Dining - 7 Days of Dining

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Good morning and to this Dining Review - I believe this is my third review - four of you count the old “Live from” thread that Barb used to keep running for us. If you’re really interested my other reviews can be found on here and are called May the Fork Be With You and Boathouse, Brunch and Boondoggles Oh My.

A bit about who you will hear from - I am Dawn.

I am a Disney Nerd who loves the history of the parks, the story of Walt, and the details and nooks and crannies and hard to find treasures. So you may find me wandering into trip report territory from time to time. I probably will tell more stories but promise to try to stick to food. No guarantees. I am also a compulsive planner. The mug does not lie.

I am fortunate to get to do Disney once a year because my husband works hard and has a convention at the Gaylord that we will sandwich with a little bit of Disney Magic on either end.

This is Jesse - the provider of boondoggles and hubby willing to work at the Gaylord while I play.

This particular trip includes two nights at Pop Century with the Deluxe Dining Plan giving us 6 table service credits we stretched over three days. I think this might be the best way for us to do the DxDDP because if it was a longer period it might be too much but three days to use six credits works for us.

We had no dining plan the last part of the week and that worked out pretty well. We talked about next year and think we may try to use the counter service plan just for a change to see how well we can eat using only counter service meals just for a different experience.

This trip we also did three backstage tours - Behind the Seeds, the new Taste of the Magic Kingdom Tour and Marceline to Main Street and they were pretty magical. We also did the Disney After Hours at DHS

Our dining experiences included -

Friday 3/15 Arrival Day - Magic Kingdom
lunch - Jungle Navigation Skipper Canteen (1TS Credit)
Dinner - Be Our Guest Prixe Fix Menu

Saturday 3/16 Animal Kingdom and After Hours at DHS
breakfast Pongu Pongu
Lunch - Yak and Yeti (Landry credits + cash)
Snacks - Nomad Lounge
Dinner 50s PTC (1TS credit)
After Hours Snacks

Sunday 3/17 Epcot
Breakfast- Garden Grill (1TS Credit)
Snacks F&G Festival
Dinner Chefs de France (1TS Credit)
Move to Gaylord

Monday - MK Solo Day
Taste of Magic Kingdom Tour -
Included breakfast and lots of snacks
Late Lunch - Pinocchio’s Village House
Dinner - Room service at Gaylord

Tuesday rest/pool day turned into solo DAK day due to rain
Lunch - Satu’li Canteen

Wednesday- Solo Day with Character
Breakfast- Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria Al Forno
Lunch - F&G snacks
Dinner - Storybook Dining at Artist Point

Thursday- Marceline to Main Street Tour
Snacks - Cosmic Rays and kiosks
Lunch- Crystal Palace
Dinner - Room Service at the Gaylord

So there you have it? Ready? Think of a happy thought and Let’s Go!

 

[wannabee]

Sounds fun..cant wait to read your thoughts on the tours

 

[jacksmom]

Sounds like a great plan, can’t wait to hear all about it.

 

[ariane37]

Joining in!

 

[MaleDisneyBeliever]

Looking forward to following along

 

[DLo]

Following along. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. I have the food tour booked next month as well as DAH so want to see what you think about those .

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Day 1 - We few in super early from DFW to MCO and landed at 10:45 am and upon landing we got the wonderful text our room at Pop Century was ready.

Great! I haven’t stayed at Pop before and it had been late 90s since we stayed value so I was excited to see it. It was warm and sunny when we arrived and the pool was hopping. I was grateful to find we were in room 5151 on the back side of the 50s building. It was opposite of the pool on the second floor so we were in the Jungle Book Building. The room was amazing and I love the Murphy Bed and how much room you have and I thought if you had a family it would be great to have play space as well and the table for in room breakfast etc. It was great to have USB ports in 3 different locations. It was adorable. I am shortish at 5’3” and the bed is tall! I had to hop to get on it. The Murphy bed is lower. We were well located for getting to the bus and food court. I was awfully happy with this room.

Wish we could have stayed all week here. The view was of green space and lovely and the only downside to this room was to walk to the stairway to go down the stairs we passed a Designated Smoking Area and got a whiff each time. It’s tolerable but if you are super sensitive maybe go back to the elevator not the yo-yo stairway.

The two original Mousekateers caught a bus to the Magic Kingdom (love the arrival time boards!) and we were in the Magic Kingdom by 12:50.



We had a 1:20 ADR at Skipper Canteen and we worked our way through some pretty insane crowds and found a seat in the atrium. It’s Spring Break at WDW! Waited maybe 10 minutes and were escorted in to the main dining room. I visited the restroom to wash my hands and peeked into the SEA room. I wanted to see Lillian Disney’s butterflies.

If you didn’t know the butterflies used in the butterfly booth are from Lillian Disney’s personal connection.

It’s such a cool place.

We were on the Deluxe Dining Plan for our two nights at Pop so our meal included a cocktail or specialty beverage, appetizer, entree and dessert.

We didn’t really want a cocktail so early in the day though I saw some faces around the dining room who looked like they needed one! We decided to split a Schweitzer Slush and then get normal soft drinks and water.
We had a 1:20 ADR at Skipper Canteen and we worked our way through some pretty insane crowds and found a seat in the atrium. Waited maybe 10 minutes and were escorted in to the main dining room. I visited the restroom to wash my hands and peeked into the SEA room. I wanted to see Lillian Disney’s butterflies. It’s such a cool place.

We were on the Deluxe Dining Plan for our two nights at Pop so our meal included a cocktail or specialty beverage, appetizer, entree and dessert.

We didn’t really want a cocktail so early in the day though I saw some faces around the dining room who looked like they needed one! We decided to split a Schweitzer Slush and then get normal soft drinks and water.

Schweitzer Slush - Frozen Apple Juice and Passion Fruit topped with Bursting Green Apple Boba Balls, first concocted by the noted explorer and humanitarian, Dr. Albert Slush - $6.50
It’s really really sweet but I am still on board with whoever at Disney Food and Beverage said “I declare boba balls a fun food and shall put them in everything!” They are fun.


Jesse ordered the S.E.A. Shu Mai
A legendary blend of Pork, Shrimp, Edamame Beans, and Spices wrapped in Gyoza Skin then steamed. $12.00

It’s much like a pot sticker. I had half and the veggies were crunchy and the spices were subtle. It was tasty. I would order it again.


I had the Orinoco Ida's Cachapas
House-made Corn Pancakes, Mojo-braised Pork, Black Bean Salad, and Avocado Cream
$11.00

It was not quite what I expected- I thought it was more like a mushu pancake but it’s more an open faced sandwich and it was wonderful. The pork is flavorful and the spices warm and the crema balances it. It was my favorite part of the meal.

I only had less than half of it in an attempt to be able to have my entree. If I had been paying OOP for this meal I would have just ordered appetizers and maybe share a dessert.



Jesse and I both ordered the "Hardy Har Char" Siu Pork
Char Siu-marinated Pork served with Seasonal Vegetables and Jasmine Rice
$24.00

It was a little disappointing. It was tough and stringy. I think maybe the faith in the teriyaki bbq glaze was optimistic. I understand they slice it and then sauce it and serve it. Pretty sure the seasonal veggie was Bok Choy and it wasn’t really a side but a big flavorless stalk. I don’t like to be harsh but I will just say I would suggest you order something else and I am thinking maybe I got a bit of an off plate. It just didn’t work for me but my appetizer was so good I wasn’t leaving hungry. And this meal was redeemed by the amazing desserts!



Jesse ordered the Bertha's Banh Bong Lan Cake with Mango-Lime Sorbet
Vanilla Chiffon Cake soaked with Lemon Grass-Ginger Syrup
$8.00

Isn’t it beautiful? And it was delicious with a little ginger heat and the acidic lime balancing it so it wasn’t too sweet. It was a gorgeous presentation too.


And I had to have it! It’s required! Adventurer’s Club requires an order of the Kungaloosh!
An African-inspired Chocolate Cake with Caramelized Bananas served with Cashew-Caramel Ice Cream topped with Coffee Dust
$8.00

I love that these desserts are small and a perfect sweet treat. This was amazing if you can get all the flavors on the spoon for a perfect bite. I got that and Jess laughed and said “what was that? I just saw your eyes roll back in your head” because it was that good. Of course I love coffee so the coffee ice cream and the crispy brittle was delicious and the cake is dense and fudge and the bananas have a brûlée crust. Just delicious if you like deep dark intense chocolate flavors. Oh my gracious it was good.

We are coffee with dessert people so we lingered and enjoyed the calm and conversation and that probably made it better.

This meal without the dining plan would have been in the $120 range for two adults. I think out of pocket I would have skipped the entree round. The appy course is heavy enough. I’d go back in a heartbeat and liked it. Jess wasn’t as pleased. It was a little exotic for him.

I may also have been in love with the decor and theming too. Whew! That was a lot!

We might do this again. It was nice to kick off the trip. I’d book it at a bit more of an off time for a quieter experience.

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

Sounds fun..cant wait to read your thoughts on the tours

Welcome! We had a grand time the tours. Some are older and run like clockwork. Some need some time to work out some kinks.

Sounds like a great plan, can’t wait to hear all about it.

Thanks and welcome. Hope I can give you some info you can use!

Joining in!

Oh I am so glad you’re here! I hope I can do a good job and pass on something helpful!

Looking forward to following along

Welcome and thanks for coming along!

Following along. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures. I have the food tour booked next month as well as DAH so want to see what you think about those .

I have some thoughts- it’s good but needs some time to work out some things. I think with time it will improve. Wear those walking shoes! You cover a lot of ground!

 

[AuroraMeansDawn]

One Table Service used we toured the MK a bit and as dinner hour struck we headed to Be Our Guest to use two more credits for the new prix fix dinner. This sure was a pain to book. I’m not sure I would again.

This is also where our experience took a bit of a weird turn.

I stopped to wash my hands before we ate and the bathroom was crowded and a lady was wrangling a 3ish princess who was in full BBB regalia and a baby somewhere around 9-10 months by my guess - chubby and wiggly and unable to be told to be still - and she had the baby on the changing station and her daughter was splashing water everywhere at the sink and soaking her princess gown and as I walked in.

She turned her back on the baby to grab her daughter and the baby rolled and I saw it going over the edge of the table and lunged forward and caught it and yelled “oh crap” or perhaps something a little stronger and less Disneyish.

The baby was crying and I was shaking and mom didn’t see what happened and turned and yelled “Get your hands off my kid.” And I started stammering and trying to say “he almost fell” when two other women in the bathroom lit into her and told her what happened - I believe the worlds “She just saved your kid, you idiot,” were used.

I certainly would never put my hands on someone’s kid in most circumstances but my instinct kicked in. And thank goodness it did.

The poor mom was embarrassed and started crying and the baby was crying and I was shaking and had emotional whiplash from her going pissed to embarrassed to begrudgingly grateful.

Mom did apologize and thanked me. She was flustered and I get it I am just glad I was there and I felt bad she was so upset.

By the time I sat back down I was pale and shook and Jess asked what happened. I told him and he waved over our server and changed my iced tea order to a glass of wine. It was what I needed to laugh again and I guess I earned that glass too. So much so I had two

So that is the start to our meal. It got better. He went to wash his hands next. It wasn’t as exciting.

So we began our meal with some excitement and both chose the Lobster Bisque.

It was velvety and soothing and rich. The base was balanced and a tiny hint of red pepper gave it a bite.


We also both chose the filet and it was the best choice for me! It was small, tender, atop a creamy rich potato purée softer than a mashed potato. It was delicious. And I didn’t want a bigger meal but if you have a big appetite you may.


We were celebrating our 33rd wedding anniversary this trip so we were brought some “Gray Stuff” with dessert which seemed a little repetitive especially with two plates of it as we also had gray stuff in our dessert trio. Also it’s kind of a mess. I think if you’re going to charge as a signature that’s the should behave as one and while this was free, so I am appreciative of the effort, it is just seems a little lacking that elegance a signature should present. I feel crummy pointing it out but if no one says anything nothing changes.



Our dessert trio was adorable- Almond Macaron
with Lemon Jam and Raspberries
White Chocolate "Chip" Cup
with Grey Stuff and Crisp Pearls
Dark Chocolate Truffle
filled with Dark Chocolate Grand Marnier Ganache.

Even the paper lining the plate is edible but why would you eat that other than it would be a great dad joke to crumple it up and down it to amuse the littles! I liked the macaron the most. The lemon and raspberry balance with the light almond cookie and it was great. The gray stuff is fine. It reminds me of a whipped mousse with a cookies and cream flavor and the Chip cup is precious but it’s just white chocolate and plain. The truffle is dense and intense and a little bitter. I enjoyed all of them and it’s a nice trio with a bit of all the classic dessert flavors. The presentation is the big show stopper.



Here is the size of Chip - isn’t he cute?


So we knocked out three of our six table service credits that we had three days to spend. I booked this Be Our Guest at 180 days out and it was hard to get and I had tried to secure a later spot daily for 60 or so days before we went. Is it worth the 180 day out hard to get ADR status? It’s fine. I’d rather just eat at lunch to see the castle in the future but I do think it was a lovely experience. I might have been calmer and better able to enjoy it without the baby experience shaking me up at the beginning of dinner. Would I book it again? Maybe when I have grandkids but not for a while. I think it’s just the new Cinderella Royal Table experience with amazing atmosphere and a single character. I loved meeting the Beast and he is wonderful. It was fun but I don’t know that it had a high repeatable factor.

 

[Haygar2]

I love dining reports! Great one so far!! I was shaking for you. So scary when stuff like that happens. And it can happen quickly. Mom's lucky you were there. I have to say, the new menu at Be Our Guest makes it easy for us to skip it. Happy Anniversary!

 

[jacksmom]

Enjoying your review.

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Joining in! Sorry your entrees were meh at Skipper but the Kungaloosh is pretty awesome although I do like the alcoholic version more .

Good thing you saved that kid! Totally deserved that wine there!

 

[OasterP]

I'm glad I got to have dinner in the castle a couple of times before it was 2 TS credits - not thinking I will do a repeat. And amazing job catching the baby - I'm sure that was an awful experience for all involved. Glad you had some wine after!

 

[buteraa]

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience at Skipper Canteen. We've eaten there a few times and have had good luck with the meals, although we never ordered the pork. Maybe give it another try in the future.

 

[ariane37]

The baby was crying and I was shaking and mom didn’t see what happened and turned and yelled “Get your hands off my kid.” And I started stammering and trying to say “he almost fell” when two other women in the bathroom lit into her and told her what happened - I believe the worlds “She just saved your kid, you idiot,” were used

This would have seriously shaken me up so kudos to you for the save AND for not losing it!

We used to love BOG dinner when it was 1 credit and ate there 7-8x. It's not the price/credit increase that we don't like now, but we just didn't care for the food as much on our 1 post-change visit. It was good, certainly not bad. And yes that macaron was divine! Luckily both my boys let me eat theirs lol. But I now have no desire to go again which stinks since it was previously a real favorite.

 

[kastoney]

Hi Dawn. I'm late but here!

Sorry to hear Skippers was a little disappointing. We enjoy it but have found that appetizers are definitely their sweet spot We usually just share a bunch of them rather then getting entrees.

I can't believe what happened to you with the baby. Glad to hear the mother apologized, but she clearly was in a bit over her head.

We have never been big fans of BOG (think I'm in the minority) but I would love to try that chip cup sometime. Beyond adorable! Though I may have felt bad eating him

 

[auntfrannie]

You were just arriving at Disney as I was leaving. I was amazed at how busy it was so early in spring break season so I can't imagine what you had to deal with crowd-wise.

I also ate at Skipper's Canteen but went with the pad thai and it was pretty darn tasty. Not as good as what Nomad's Lounge had their menu a year or so ago but still good. I hope the rest of your dining adventures improved.

 

[MomtoLandK]

Hi Dawn, enjoying your report so far! I stayed at the Gaylord a long time ago for a tax conference. It really is a beautiful place. We ate at Skipper Canteen a couple of years ago and I was the only one that enjoyed it. My husband and oldest daughter disliked it so much that when I ask them if there is any place they want to eat at, they remind to definitely not book Skipper Canteen again! Which makes me a little sad, because I thought it was a beautiful restaurant and while I don't need to go every trip, I would like to try it again sometime.

So great that you caught that poor baby before it fell on the floor. I can't believe the mom yelled at you though. Glad she finally apologized. We have always enjoyed BOG for dinner. We are going there on in June again which will be the first time we've been there since it changed to 2 credits so it will be interesting to see if we still like it as much.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Joining in for the fun. I haven’t tried Skipper’s Canteen or BoG post-menu change but am considering both for a trip this fall. ADR day is next week so very timely! Oh my goodness on the ladies room experience. So lucky you were there! And glad there were “witnesses” to tell that mom what happened.

 

[JCMCM]

Really enjoying your review! I had no idea the Skipper Canteen butterflies were part of Lillian’s collection. We were lucky enough to eat in the butterfly booth at Skippers ...good thing I didn’t know then or Inwould have been the weirdo spending the whole meal wondering which ones were hers!

And major praise for your instinct fueled baby catch! You were in the exact right place and the right time ...and definitely earned that wine the hard way!