Go Big or Go Home! 17 Days of Disney Dining! COMPLETE & Food & Wine Fest Index

[jerseytinkerbell]

Wow - you had a heck of a time finding a place to eat!

I am loving the pics of B&C. It’s so cute in there! I had intended that we might try it on our August trip, but with all the food we were constantly eating, it just didn’t happen.

Maybe it’s just because I’m really hungry while reading this, but that burger and those fries look so good! : Actually, the pot roast sandwich looks pretty darn good too!

Great review!

We really did have a heck of a time finding a restaurant that night. Sometimes having no reservations and just winging it works out great, but this was one of those times where definite plans and a reservation would have helped. It all worked out in the long run though since we found Beaches & Cream.

B&C never seemed to work out for us on previous trips either. I'm glad we finally got there this time. The burger and fries were excellent! Very quality and the portion was huge!

After reading your review, I suggested to my dad that he try the breakfast pizza at WPE since we decided to go there for breakfast instead of lunch - he loved it! He was hesitant to order it considering the price for a QS meal but the pizza was HUGE!

And Ghirardelli- well, is there ever anything that ISN'T good there?

That is awesome! I am so glad that your dad liked the breakfast pizza! I crave that pizza. I wish I could get it at home.

Ghirardelli never fails to impress. Normally I would be hesitant to pay $10 for a sundae, but it is totally worth it there!

Hi there Been lurking for awhile and love your food porn and the report so far. My fam and I have been trying to hit Beaches & Cream for the past 3 trips and have never hit it right (ALWAYS a 2-hour wait after some awful transportation issues each time ) - with that being said, after seeing the pot roast sandwich and the burger, we are definitely going in 2015.

Thanks for the wonderful reviews so far!!!

Hi! So glad you are joining in! Something always kept us from getting to B&C too. It was always hard to get our timing right for a meal there for some reason. My husband said, definitely get the pot roast sandwich! I hope you make it there on your next trip!

joining in

Hi there! Thanks for joining in!

I am just joining in...

Love your reviews! Looking forward to reading more!

Beaches and Cream looks fabulous! Maybe I should try it on our next trip.

Thanks so much!

I highly recommend Beaches & Cream. It is definitely a new favorite for us.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Phew, the holidays have been kicking my butt this year! I have not had much time to dedicate to this thread the last few weeks. I have been doing lots of cooking for the fam this holiday season and launched a weekly video series at my new job, so I have been running around like a mad woman lately. The last of the madness is over now, so I will be back with lots of regular updates in this new year.

I hope you all have a very happy, healthy and Disney-filled new year!

More updates coming right up!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After our late night at Beaches & Cream we headed back to OKW for some shut eye. We woke up really early the next morning and made it to AK a minute or two after rope drop. We wanted to have breakfast in the park after a ride or two, but the lines were instantly insane. We went straight back to the safari and the line was already the entire way through the regular que and then stretched all the way back to Tusker House! Seriously! It was crazy. We had Fastpass+ booked for the following hour, so we grabbed regular Fastpasses for it too and went in search of breakfast goodies. I wanted to eat at Tamu Tamu for breakfast because it said on the online menu that they served french toast sticks for breakfast and I REALLY wanted french toast sticks. But for some reason, Tamu Tamu wasn't open for breakfast yet. Oh well, Pizzafari it is!



When we got here it was totally empty. Everybody else was making a mad dash for the rides and ignoring food stops entirely. I had my heart set on french toast sticks, but I guess I would have to make do with the menu here.



And just now as I'm looking at my picture I see that the Kid's French Toast is french toast sticks. I missed out! Doh! *slaps forehead*

We ordered our food and had it in a matter of seconds. Now if only we could find an empty table...


We were total pigs here. Rob and I both got a cheese danish.


Yum! I can't get enough of these!

We also both got the breakfast panini.


This thing was huge! It was way too much ham. I know what you're thinking, there is no such thing as too much ham, but really, it was too much ham. Rob ended up finishing about half of my panini too. It was really good, but we probably should have split a panini.

I really enjoy the decor at Pizzafari, so it was nice to have a chance to eat here this trip. Here I am with my favorite statue in the lobby.


And here is a bonus shot Rob took of me inside Pizzafari on my phone (Who, me?!?! On the phone?!?! Surely not!) But in my defense I was texting Barb pictures of our breakfast for the live thread.


Up next, a snack I totally didn't need, but got anyway.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After breakfast we rode the safari back to back and got some great shots of the animals. Here are a few of the best ones from our two rides.









After that we did the two trails and then headed toward Everest for our Fastpass+ we had booked. On the way I wanted to stop for a snack. I wasn't hungry, but I really wanted a snack.

I wanted to check out the new selections at Mr. Kamal's. They used to serve boneless chicken wings here, but now they have a nice selection of vegetarian items.




I tried the Samosas. Fried pastry filled with potatoes and peas.





These were delicious! They were fresh from the frier too, so they were really warm. The mango salsa that was paired with it was really tasty too. They were also able to give me a free cup of ice water here. It was really hot out, so that really helped. I will always take the free ice water wherever I can get it.

Not a bad view I got to take in while I was enjoying my snack.


After snacks it was time for a ride on Everest and Dinosaur. And of course, Rob had to play the carnival games again.



I have a whole closet full of these silly plush animals! Kids.

Up next, we return to our new favorite spot.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After our morning in AK we headed back to OKW and then hopped in the car. I drove us over to Beach Club so we could have a late lunch at our new favorite place.


Once again we only waited for a few minutes. During this time I was people watching everyone enjoying Stormalong Bay. I also saw a CM scanning MagicBands to gain entrance to the pool area. They're not messing around at that pool now.

We were taken inside and given a seat at the counter. This time we were all the way at the left side of the counter. Our waitress and one of the other waitresses that kept coming and going from behind the counter were super friendly and they were chatting with us the entire time. It was really fun!

Rob and I both ordered the Grilled Cheese and Tomato Bisque. I also asked if we could get pickle spears too, because we love pickle spears whenever we eat sandwiches. They were more than happy to provide us with pickles.


Rob loved this! He is a sucker for grilled cheese and a good tomato soup. I really like the soup and I liked the grilled cheese, but I didn't love it. There were a lot of different cheeses in there and one of them just seemed a little pungent for my tastes. It was still good though and a really good value at only $8.99. Not bad for Disney property.

Today I had saved room for dessert and so had Rob. Rob had been eyeing up a big chocolate cake they had under a glass dome on the counter the night before. He knew that was what he wanted.


He isn't much of a dessert eater, but he loves chocolate cake and this was a little slice of heaven for him. He devoured it!

I had been waiting for awhile now to try the No Way Jose. I was really hoping it lived up to the hype. A Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge Delight with Chocolate and Vanilla Ice Cream, Peanut Butter and Chocolate Morsels, Whipped Cream and a Cherry.


This picture does it no justice whatsoever. It is ginormous! And amazing! So much yummy peanut butter and gooey hot fudge. *Drool* Worth the wait and worth the hype.

While we were here I really wanted to see what a Kitchen Sink looked like, and as luck would have it one of the servers made one as we were sitting at the counter.





When they took it out to the table that ordered it, they dimmed the lights and put on strobe lights and made a big announcement as they delivered it. It was really cute! The next time we go with a larger group I definitely want to come here and order a Kitchen Sink!

Up next, good drinks, good snacks and a really weird server.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

Hi Jeri, and Happy New Year! I love your photos from Kilimanjaro Safaris, and agreed on the samosas - they're a really nice option.

Am actually in WDW right now, and I ordered the crab cakes at Captain's Grille after seeing them in your live update. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

 

[LiloH]

Phew, the holidays have been kicking my butt this year! I have not had much time to dedicate to this thread the last few weeks. I have been doing lots of cooking for the fam this holiday season and launched a weekly video series at my new job, so I have been running around like a mad woman lately. The last of the madness is over now, so I will be back with lots of regular updates in this new year.

I hope you all have a very happy, healthy and Disney-filled new year!

More updates coming right up!

This is the most amazing thread ever! Subscribing...

 

[MelMel11]

Count me in!! We ate at Earl of Sandwich the 1st time in November I am so hooked..

 

[maryr1oz]

Really enjoying your report - it's fantastic!

 

[RGirl]

I always forget that some of the AK CS places offer breakfast - it just doesn’t compute for me! I’m kind of shocked that Pizzafari has a pretty extensive breakfast menu. Who knew??? Not me! I have to say - the food looks pretty darn good! But I understand what it’s like to have your mind and heart set on something and not be able to get it (even worse to realize you COULD have gotten it! ).

OMG - I love that lion-sleeping-on-the-rock picture! Holy cow! How did he not fall off???

I am dying at your “I wasn’t hungry, but I really wanted a snack.” Isn’t that the worst!!?? Why do we do this to ourselves!? It can’t be helped at WDW though!!!

Oh, samosas are so good! Where is this place? I love edamame so much! I would love to be able to stop and get some. I am REALLY clueless about the AK CS places - I never quite know where I am in that park.

Oh, the B&C grilled cheese looks wonderful. Mmmmmmm We are definitely going to have to find a way to make this place happen next time we are at WDW! You chose exactly the dessert that I would choose. If we go, I hope I can talk DD into that one!

 

[emmysmommy]

Hi Jeri! Happy New Year to you!

I love your new favorite restaurant as well. We ate at the counter and loved being seated there so we could watch the cooking and ice cream making action.

I loved the tomato soup but was a little less thrilled with the grilled cheese the second time I had it. In any event, I love this place.

 

[jabead]

And here is a bonus shot Rob took of me inside Pizzafari on my phone (Who, me?!?! On the phone?!?! Surely not!) But in my defense I was texting Barb pictures of our breakfast for the live thread.

HAPPY NEW YEAR JERI & ROB!!!

I know I've said it before, but I want to again thank you for the truly outstanding job you did. From start to finish, it was live reporting at its best. Your coverage of the Food & Wine Festival booths was the best ever for the live thread. Bravo!!!

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

Hi Jeri, and Happy New Year! I love your photos from Kilimanjaro Safaris, and agreed on the samosas - they're a really nice option.

Am actually in WDW right now, and I ordered the crab cakes at Captain's Grille after seeing them in your live update. Thanks for steering me in the right direction.

Hi there Mr. DDW! Happy New Year to you as well! Looks like you are having a great time in WDW. Although your picture of the NYE crowds scares me a little bit. How did you manage to brave those masses?!

I'm so glad you were able to try the crab cake at Captain's Grille. Your photos on the live thread were actually what made us decide to go there that night. I also tried to samosas thanks to your live thread pics as well, so thank you for steering me in the right direction as well!

Enjoy your vacation!

This is the most amazing thread ever! Subscribing...

Thanks so much! So happy you are joining in!

Count me in!! We ate at Earl of Sandwich the 1st time in November I am so hooked..

Thanks for joining in! EoS is addictive. I want to try everything!

Really enjoying your report - it's fantastic!

Thanks so much! There is a snow storm headed my way, so hopefully I can get some more updates in over the next few days.

I always forget that some of the AK CS places offer breakfast - it just doesn’t compute for me! I’m kind of shocked that Pizzafari has a pretty extensive breakfast menu. Who knew??? Not me! I have to say - the food looks pretty darn good! But I understand what it’s like to have your mind and heart set on something and not be able to get it (even worse to realize you COULD have gotten it! ).

OMG - I love that lion-sleeping-on-the-rock picture! Holy cow! How did he not fall off???

I am dying at your “I wasn’t hungry, but I really wanted a snack.” Isn’t that the worst!!?? Why do we do this to ourselves!? It can’t be helped at WDW though!!!

Oh, samosas are so good! Where is this place? I love edamame so much! I would love to be able to stop and get some. I am REALLY clueless about the AK CS places - I never quite know where I am in that park.

Oh, the B&C grilled cheese looks wonderful. Mmmmmmm We are definitely going to have to find a way to make this place happen next time we are at WDW! You chose exactly the dessert that I would choose. If we go, I hope I can talk DD into that one!

I was pleasantly surprised by Pizzafari's breakfast menu. Hollywood Studios needs to take note because they are seriously lacking in the breakfast options.

I was so glad I snapped that pic of the lion when I did because a second later he got up and laid down in a spot where you couldn't see him.

I am so bad about eating when I'm not hungry. Stuffing my face should not be a hobby!

Mr. Kamal's is on the path from Africa to Asia. If memory serves, I think it is across from Flights of Wonder. It's just a small booth without any real signage. I didn't even see anything that said Mr. Kamal's other than on my receipt. The options there were fantastic! I hope they stay the same for awhile.

We're addicted to B&C. There may even be one more stop there this trip...

Hi Jeri! Happy New Year to you!

I love your new favorite restaurant as well. We ate at the counter and loved being seated there so we could watch the cooking and ice cream making action.

I loved the tomato soup but was a little less thrilled with the grilled cheese the second time I had it. In any event, I love this place.

Hi Brenda! Happy New Year to you too!

B&C was awesome! I actually think sitting at the counter is more fun. There is so much more to see.

The tomato soup is really good. I'm with you on the grilled cheese. It wasn't bad, just... off.

I'm looking forward to reading all about your latest WDW trip. Looks like all of you fabulous ladies had a great time!

HAPPY NEW YEAR JERI & ROB!!!

I know I've said it before, but I want to again thank you for the truly outstanding job you did. From start to finish, it was live reporting at its best. Your coverage of the Food & Wine Festival booths was the best ever for the live thread. Bravo!!!

Happy New Year to you and yours Barb! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

Thanks Barb! Live reporting was a blast! Your thread helped me so much on this trip, so it was awesome to hopefully be able to return the favor for other upcoming vacationers. Rob got so used to me being on my phone this trip that every time he saw me looking at my screen he would just say, "Barb?"

 

[rodeo65]

I'm loving your report!! Really well written and great info - like Beaches and Cream take reservations now. I've really wanted to try this but last time with no reservations and two kids under 10, it just didn't seem like something I wanted to do to myself. After reading your B&C update, I snagged a reservation.

Your thread is really getting me excited for our trip in 30 DAYS!!!! I'm sooo tempted after seeing all the yumminess, to go find some New Years' Eve leftovers, but instead am using tea to try to drop few lbs before the gluttony that will soon begin.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I've really enjoyed reading your report tonight I am up to date now! The ice cream at Ghiaradelli takes me back to our October holiday, I think we went about 5 times, no wonder I put on 1/2 a stone then

Looking forward to more

 

[Couchy]

Great pics from the Safari ride

I love the No Way Jose... so good but soooo big

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

I'm loving your report!! Really well written and great info - like Beaches and Cream take reservations now. I've really wanted to try this but last time with no reservations and two kids under 10, it just didn't seem like something I wanted to do to myself. After reading your B&C update, I snagged a reservation.

Your thread is really getting me excited for our trip in 30 DAYS!!!! I'm sooo tempted after seeing all the yumminess, to go find some New Years' Eve leftovers, but instead am using tea to try to drop few lbs before the gluttony that will soon begin.

Thanks so much! That is awesome that you got a reservation for B&C! I really hope you and your family enjoy it.

I do not have your willpower. I wanted to try and eat a little better before my trip too and I ended up doing the exact opposite. I told myself I was in training for all the food I was going to eat on vacation.

I hope you have a great time on your upcoming trip!

I've really enjoyed reading your report tonight I am up to date now! The ice cream at Ghiaradelli takes me back to our October holiday, I think we went about 5 times, no wonder I put on 1/2 a stone then

Looking forward to more

Thank you! Glad you are all caught up. Ghirardelli is amazing. Two stops at Ghirardelli was not nearly enough. Five sounds a lot better!

Great pics from the Safari ride

I love the No Way Jose... so good but soooo big

Thanks! I always take a million pictures on the safari. I think I must have about 900 pictures of elephants from the last 12 trips.

The No Way Jose was ridiculously huge! You definitely need to save room for their sundaes because you can easily fill up just on that.

 

[jerseytinkerbell]

After lunch we went back to our room and relaxed and rented another movie from the Community Hall. This time we rented the Tom Cruise classic, Cocktail! Don't make fun of me. The people running the DVD rental at Community Hall already did.

That night our friend who lives in Florida came to spend the next few days with us. Rob and our friend really wanted to watch the Thursday night football game. We didn't really feel like going to ESPN Club to watch the game, but we found out a few days before that Paradiso 37 would have it on the tv in their bar area. The three of us got on the bus and headed to DTD with our refillable glass in hand!



When we got there it was pretty busy, but there were plenty of open seats at the bar area. The hostess was accommodating with our request to be near a screen showing the game and seated us right away at a booth in the upper part of the restaurant that faced a tv. The boys were very happy.

This was our view of the lower part of the restaurant from our booth.


This is where our story takes an odd turn. Our server was... strange. At first he seemed nice and pretty cool, but then he almost seemed to become a little too comfortable with us and started to swear a lot. We heard this guy drop the F Bomb at least 5 or 6 times. Very unusual anywhere you go, but especially in WDW. I'm no prude and I wasn't particularly offended, but that is really improper for a server to speak to customers like that. He also kept talking about how he didn't need this job and does it just for kicks. Okay.

Anyway, we ordered drinks and food. Our friend ordered one of the refillable 21 oz pilsner glasses and a burger to start. I didn't get a picture of his food since I only subject my husband to my crazy food picture taking.

Rob and I refilled our 45 oz glass with a Rum Runner.


We ordered a couple of appetizers. We got the Mexican Dipping Trio. Chunky Guacamole, Chili con Carne & Spinach Queso Dips. Served with Corn Tortilla Chips.


The verdict? Chips were good, guacamole was okay, chili was pretty good and the queso was not great. I expect queso to be smooth and creamy not thick and chunky. I guess I have only had one type of queso dip before this. Not a fan of this kind.

We also ordered Quesadillas. Flour Tortillas Stuffed with Chicken. Topped with Imported Cheeses and Served with Sour Cream and Pico de Gallo


Now these were awesome! Simple, but very flavorful. One of the best chicken quesadillas I have ever had.

This is where I got annoyed. We sat there for maybe an hour and a half to two hours watching the game, eating and getting refills on our refillable cups. Our strange server was trying so hard to get us to leave. Rob and I never complain, but we got to the point where we were ready to get a manager. Looking back, we really should have. I could understand pushing us out if people were waiting for our table, but once we were there for about a half hour the place really emptied out. There was no wait whatsoever. Also, we were ordering drinks the whole time. We racked up a decent bill between the three of us. It's not like this guy was losing money on us. There was a table next to us with four people who were there before us, left around the same time as us and didn't order very much and our server seemed fine with them. Not sure what we did to upset him.

He kept saying, "I'll get you a lid for your cups and you are allowed to walk around with them." We said we already had a lid with us and that we weren't ready to leave just yet. Okay, once is fine. He's just trying to be helpful. After he said something about the lids 3 or 4 more times we got annoyed and left before the game was even over. He made it very clear that we should leave before we finished our drinks. It's one of those things where you really had to be there to hear the way he was talking to us. I swear, we weren't being obnoxious, or loud or rude to this man in any way. His attitude toward us off-putting. Then as we were leaving he came up to us and gave us his card and slapped Rob on the back and told us to call him next time we come and he will take care of us. What the heck?! Maybe this guy just didn't realize how pushy he was being. I don't know. Whatever the case may be, it kind of took a little of the shine off of this place for us after such a great first visit earlier in the trip.

I still really like this place and we don't let bad service put us off a place we like. Our other server was great, so sometimes you just get someone having a bad day. We will still be back next trip. Refillable glass and all!

Up next, breakfast at Hollywood Studios!

 

[DisneyMom2Boyz]

Hey jerri, that seems like a odd server! Maybe his shift was over and he didn't want to leave till he got your tip? Still very odd. Can't wait to hear about breakfast at Hollywood. Alicia

 

[wishspirit]

Joining up late! I am loving your trip report, really does sound delicious!