DisneyDotty
Oops, no more!
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2005
Just returned from two weeks at WDW (with a Clearwater Beach appetizer). First, for anyone venturing to Clearwater Beach--Frenchy's is a must-eat. The fried fish sandwich is excellent.
Now, here is what I can remember of WDW...Cast includes me (41), DH (also 41), DD (12) and DS (8). We were NOT on the DDP (though I highly recommend the plan).
Artist Point --not at all crowded--we did have an ADR, but if dining there before 7 p.m., you probably wouldn't need it. I had the bison sirloin--tender and sweet. DH had the chef's selection--mushroom soup-delish, salad, salmon, blueberry cobbler--very tasty. DD is a vegetarian, and chef made a nice pasta with mushrooms and broccoli for her. Also good. Both kids enjoyed their special Mickey white chocolate puzzle they could paint for dessert.
Bluezoo --what a treat! DH and I did this while kids were in Camp Dolphin (2 hours free with dinner at Bluezoo!). We split the seafood sampler appetizer--interesting dipping sauces (red wine, a cucumber, French cocktail and traditional cocktail) for our lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams and oysters. I had the fried Cantonese lobster (a lot of meat--2 lbs!) and DH had the surf and turf. Both excellent. Shared the molten chocolate cake with lemon grass filling dessert--amazing combination of tastes.
Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea --a lovely break from the crowds and heat. I actually had hot tea--some of the finest dejarling I've ever had. The sandwiches were tiny but tasty--a good lunch size. And the scone with Devonshire cream--out of this world. I could eat that stuff everyday!
Lovely dessert selection, too--I had eclairs, kids had chocolate covered strawberries.
Sci Fi Drive In --Hadn't expected much of this one--only booked it because DD had requested it--but we all enjoyed ourselves. DD and DS, especially. DH and I had the ribs--a generous portion, a bit dry. But nicely washed down with excellent shakes!
1900 Park Faire Breakfast --made ADR for later in morning (maybe 11:10) and place was empty. Excellent omelettes and bacon (nice and crispy). The food tasted fresh and was the right temperature. I really enjoyed the place--maybe because there were so few people that the buffet never had a line and the characters came around at least 3 times!
Garden Grille --Love the return of the new-old menu! Catfish was fresh, beef was juicy, potatoes garlicky and yummy. Too bad DH still gets nauseous with the revolving restaurant... Great character interaction here, too. I love Chip and Dale.
Pinocchio Haus (or is it Gepettos) at Fantasyland --Don't get the antipasto salad unless you love sour salad dressing. Way too much dressing on this one!
Pecos Bills --Do get the chicken salad here. Dressing is light and just right.
Columbia Harbor House --What a great place to get a tuna sandwich! Very tasty and filling. Also, go upstairs--lots of seating and not as crowded.
Funnel cake stand on the Boardwalk --ohhh my---heaven. Get it drizzled with chocolate. Won't be able to move for an hour after eating it.
Plaza Restaurant --Another great break from the heat and crowds at Magic Kingdom. Get a shake--it can be the meal!
Boma --One of our family's favorites for its variety of unique foods. I really hope TPTB never mess with this one. We enjoy sampling just about everything, which never leaves us room for desserts--which is okay, because the one time I tried them, I thought the zebra domes to be highly overrated!
Tusker House --Yum! Loved the salmon, the rotisserie chicken, the garlic green beans, the veggie wrap sandwich. Some of the best counterservice food in WDW.
Fresh at the Dolphin --We had breakfast and lunch here, and enjoyed both meals. Kind of a buffet/sit down combo. Good salads/sandwiches. Bonus--DS ate free.
San Angel --DH loves the chicken mole. I had the tilapia--very good. Excellent margaritas!
Rose and Crown --excellent fish and chips, although DH could have done without the peas. DD loves the potato and leek soup. Wonderful beer--very refreshing!
Some overall observations: Restaurants in the parks were crowded. Go earlier during the meal hour (11-11:30 for lunch, 5ish for dinner) to beat the crowds. Have an ADR for sit downs. Out of the parks, restaurants weren't nearly as busy the times we went. Resort restaurants provided a nice break for us.
Disney has done a fine job of providing a varied menu in it CS places. Try several. You don't have to eat hamburgers for every CS (unless you really want to!)
My DS and I shared a lot of meals, and never received any complaints/raised eyebrows from the servers.
Now, here is what I can remember of WDW...Cast includes me (41), DH (also 41), DD (12) and DS (8). We were NOT on the DDP (though I highly recommend the plan).
Artist Point --not at all crowded--we did have an ADR, but if dining there before 7 p.m., you probably wouldn't need it. I had the bison sirloin--tender and sweet. DH had the chef's selection--mushroom soup-delish, salad, salmon, blueberry cobbler--very tasty. DD is a vegetarian, and chef made a nice pasta with mushrooms and broccoli for her. Also good. Both kids enjoyed their special Mickey white chocolate puzzle they could paint for dessert.
Bluezoo --what a treat! DH and I did this while kids were in Camp Dolphin (2 hours free with dinner at Bluezoo!). We split the seafood sampler appetizer--interesting dipping sauces (red wine, a cucumber, French cocktail and traditional cocktail) for our lobster, shrimp, mussels, clams and oysters. I had the fried Cantonese lobster (a lot of meat--2 lbs!) and DH had the surf and turf. Both excellent. Shared the molten chocolate cake with lemon grass filling dessert--amazing combination of tastes.
Grand Floridian Afternoon Tea --a lovely break from the crowds and heat. I actually had hot tea--some of the finest dejarling I've ever had. The sandwiches were tiny but tasty--a good lunch size. And the scone with Devonshire cream--out of this world. I could eat that stuff everyday!
Lovely dessert selection, too--I had eclairs, kids had chocolate covered strawberries.
Sci Fi Drive In --Hadn't expected much of this one--only booked it because DD had requested it--but we all enjoyed ourselves. DD and DS, especially. DH and I had the ribs--a generous portion, a bit dry. But nicely washed down with excellent shakes!
1900 Park Faire Breakfast --made ADR for later in morning (maybe 11:10) and place was empty. Excellent omelettes and bacon (nice and crispy). The food tasted fresh and was the right temperature. I really enjoyed the place--maybe because there were so few people that the buffet never had a line and the characters came around at least 3 times!
Garden Grille --Love the return of the new-old menu! Catfish was fresh, beef was juicy, potatoes garlicky and yummy. Too bad DH still gets nauseous with the revolving restaurant... Great character interaction here, too. I love Chip and Dale.
Pinocchio Haus (or is it Gepettos) at Fantasyland --Don't get the antipasto salad unless you love sour salad dressing. Way too much dressing on this one!
Pecos Bills --Do get the chicken salad here. Dressing is light and just right.
Columbia Harbor House --What a great place to get a tuna sandwich! Very tasty and filling. Also, go upstairs--lots of seating and not as crowded.
Funnel cake stand on the Boardwalk --ohhh my---heaven. Get it drizzled with chocolate. Won't be able to move for an hour after eating it.
Plaza Restaurant --Another great break from the heat and crowds at Magic Kingdom. Get a shake--it can be the meal!
Boma --One of our family's favorites for its variety of unique foods. I really hope TPTB never mess with this one. We enjoy sampling just about everything, which never leaves us room for desserts--which is okay, because the one time I tried them, I thought the zebra domes to be highly overrated!
Tusker House --Yum! Loved the salmon, the rotisserie chicken, the garlic green beans, the veggie wrap sandwich. Some of the best counterservice food in WDW.
Fresh at the Dolphin --We had breakfast and lunch here, and enjoyed both meals. Kind of a buffet/sit down combo. Good salads/sandwiches. Bonus--DS ate free.
San Angel --DH loves the chicken mole. I had the tilapia--very good. Excellent margaritas!
Rose and Crown --excellent fish and chips, although DH could have done without the peas. DD loves the potato and leek soup. Wonderful beer--very refreshing!
Some overall observations: Restaurants in the parks were crowded. Go earlier during the meal hour (11-11:30 for lunch, 5ish for dinner) to beat the crowds. Have an ADR for sit downs. Out of the parks, restaurants weren't nearly as busy the times we went. Resort restaurants provided a nice break for us.
Disney has done a fine job of providing a varied menu in it CS places. Try several. You don't have to eat hamburgers for every CS (unless you really want to!)
My DS and I shared a lot of meals, and never received any complaints/raised eyebrows from the servers.