Quick Trip, Quick Fix, Quick Service! -Final Thoughts QSDP/Complete 8/25

[onelilspark]

My AP was about to expire...

I was having withdrawal symptoms...

I was dreaming (and drooling) thinking about my corn dog nuggets...

Oh what's a girl to do!!


...plan a short weekend getaway to WDW of course!

Welcome everyone to my "quick" everything trip! I just returned late last night from 3 action-and food-packed days at the 'World. Come with me as I explore the World at a dizzying speed!!

First...the cast!

There's me:

I'm 24 and while I'm pretty picky, I'll try most anything once. I'm a huge fan of pastas and breads. I'm Dr. Atkin's worst nightmare!!

And my little brother:

He's 21 and I'm pretty sure he's still growing...he eats a lot! He doesn't really dislike any foods either. Typical boy I suppose!

And the guest stars (featured on earlier episodes):

My Mom & Dad. My Dad's got a thing for cheese & pretzels. And coffee. My Mom doesn't like things that are too sweet.

The rest of the family lives in FL, I live in Rochester, NY...when they visit, they bring coats...even in the summer

On this trip, since my brother and I were staying on property, we added the Quick Service Dining Plan to our package. We both have AP's, but since I booked through the AP website, I was able to add it.

Here's where we'll be reviewing (and I'll add links as I review them!)

Starring Rolls
Chefs de France
Sunshine Seasons & drinks in the World Showcase
Columbia Harbor House
Siestas Bar
Pepper Market
Casey's
Rix Cafe
Yak & Yeti CS
Goofy's Candy Shop
Final Thoughts on the QSDP

Come along and join me as I eat around the world at a breakneck speed!!

Trip Report

[onelilspark]

My flight out of Rochester Saturday morning was at 7am. By the time I got checked in and over to Hollywood Studios, it was close to 11:30 (really not too shabby considering my flight landed at 9:30 and my room was ready, so we checked in!) But the only Table Service meal I had planned was at 2:30. I was hungry, but not starving. However, it was hot and I didn't want to give myself a headache...what to do...what to do...

Use a snack!!

We were passing Starring Rolls, so we ducked in and checked out all the delicious offerings









My brother wasn't really hungry, but if you place food in front of him, the boy will eat it...so I persuaded him to split something with me.

We settled on a cinnamon roll:


Yum! It was much larger than the picture suggests, and perfect for a snack to hold us over for lunch.

It's well known that HS is lacking in the CS department, but I must say, these sandwiches looked excellent:


And I'm keeping it in my back pocket for an option for lunch in October! The only thing about Starring Rolls is that all the seating is outside. This weekend was hot! (It was August after all!) So it would have been quite lovely to eaten that roll in some A/C, but the umbrellas and shade were alright.

Overall, a pleasant start to our QSDP!

[Pooh&OurHunny]

Great start, can't wait to read more.

[KatMark]

Wonderful start...I'm here for the duration.

[butiflfeet]

Those pastries look so yummy! Thanks for sharing your pics! I'll be back for more

[TigerKat]

Great start, I'm in!!!!!

[Halloweenqueen]

Count me in!

[onelilspark]

Originally Posted by stace1214

My absolute most favorite thing on my most recent trip was the cinnamon bun from Staring Rolls. Yum! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Can't wait to read more!!

Welcome aboard!

Originally Posted by DisneyFaeriePrincess

Haha, I figured you wouldn't be done by the time I left but thank for that lovely summary!! Good to know!! I pretty much looked at the menus on allears and kinda figured out what we'd want to eat but of course that could change. I don't have an iphone but to be honest I've been there so many times I know which restaurants I like and pretty much what they're menu is!! I know, it's horrible!!

I knew most of the menus, it was helpful to hand the iPod to my brother and go, "I'm thinking of eating here, what do you think?" And he could say yay or nay.

Originally Posted by supersuperwendy

subscribing!

We are doing nothing but CS in 11 days...so tell me more!

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Halloweenqueen

Count me in!

Hiya!

Onward: Next up...Chefs de France, our only sit down meal!

[onelilspark]

When I was planning this trip and trying to plan meals, I realized that since I came in early and left late on my arrival and departure days, I'd probably fall about one meal on the Quick Service Plan. So I decided a nice sit down lunch in the afternoon on the first day would be a nice respite from the heat! I scheduled it for late afternoon just in case there was a problem with flights getting in on time (I was actually early, so no problems there!!)

My parents joined us for this meal, so we had 4 of us. I picked Chefs de France after seeing the price fix menu on MickeyNicki's report a while back. It looked like it would be a great deal for my brother and I...then my parents decided to join and I knew they'd still enjoy the menu, so all was set!!

We booked it over from HS and arrived just a couple minutes after our ADR time of 2:30. Not a problem...the restaurant was empty. I was shocked. So we were led to the table and had a very pleasant waitress.

My brother and I decided to do the price fix menu for $20. The choices for that were a choice of soup: French Onion or Lobster Bisque. A Choice of entree: Macaroni Gratin, Quiche Lorine, or Croque Monsieur. A Choice of Dessert: Profiteroles or Creme Brulee. My parents went off the regular menu. I know what you're thinking...soup! When it's 190 degrees out?! It actually helped bring my body temperature back to normal oddly enough. That, and I downed probably a pitcher of water sitting there.

So let's begin the meal, shall we?
My brother and I both chose the Lobster Bisque


IMO, this is easily the best Lobster Bisque...ever. It's fantastic. And if I were to get married at Disney, this would be on the menu. I love it. The tough part is, my favorite soups are Lobster Bisque and French Onion, so it's a tough choice, but I'd chose this particular one every time. It's that good. Nice chunks of lobster in it...YUM!

My Dad opted for the cheese plate to start his meal:


My Mom shared it with him. I didn't try it...I was too busy with my soup to really care. My Dad loves mild cheeses and liked all the cheese on the plate. I'd venture to say that they were all mild. I don't think there was any left when he was done with it!

For my main course I chose the Macaroni Gratin off the price fix menu:


I had my eye on this for a while. Everytime it appeared on someone's report, I'd have to clean up drool. So I had to get it. It did not disappoint. It's certainly a grown-up version of Mac & Cheese...easily one of my favorite foods and I consider myself a bit of a Mac & Cheese snob I don't think a kid who's used to the blue box would like this, but someone who likes stronger cheeses would. The flavors were excellent, not overly creamy, just enough. I couldn't finish it, but it was heavenly

My brother chose the quiche off the price fix menu:


He really enjoyed the quiche part, but thought that the lettuce lacked enough dressing. (He said it tasted like "grass.") I tried a bite of the quiche and it was very good.

My Mom had the Croque Monsieur:


She really enjoyed her sandwich. She didn't have the same problem with the salad as my brother did. So either hers had more dressing or she's okay with less dressing on a salad!!

My Dad had the Mahi Mahi sandwich:


My Dad likes to play along with my reviews more than anyone else, so he'll tell me what he thinks of it He said he really liked the sandwich, it was perfect for what he wanted that day. And the french fries were really good too. (You can't get much more French than that!)

As we were eating, this little fellow started making his rounds:


I had apparently forgotten to tell my Mom about it. (Or I did and she forgot about it ) So she got really excited all of a sudden "Is that Remy!!" It was funny, she was about 5 again!

He made his way over to our table, and I went to take a picture with Remy and the maitre d' says, "you want to take a picture?" And closes the lid, so I took a picture of him instead...I called his bluff:


And I got one with Remy:


Now, reading some of the reviews on here, I've read that Remy could dance...so I said, "I've heard Remy can dance." The response? "Mademoiselle wants to dance with Remy?!" ...so I danced...much to the delight of my family.


It was quite embarrassing, but also such a Disney moment... I'm really one who shirks away from the spotlight, so I didn't really enjoy dancing in front of everyone (the dance was LAME!) But it was so funny. Where else but Disney can you go to a French restaurant and dance with a rat?

So then as he went throughout the restaurant, he kept turning Remy around to look at me, "No Remy, she doesn't want to dance with you again." Oh my parents thought it was just lovely...

So we finished our food and dessert came. My parents didn't want any, but my brother and I had it as part of the price fix.

I had the profiteroles:

(I took a bite before I remembered the picture...Remy left me a little flustered ) These are ice cream with some pastry and lots and lots of chocolate sauce! I only ate one. The price fix gave you a lot of food!! I loved this dessert though, I mean, how can you go wrong with that much chocolate??

My brother had the creme brulee:

He liked it. Said it was a pretty basic creme brulee, nothing special though.

My Dad had a coffee...surprise!

We had a great lunch. It was really relaxed...air conditioned ...fun...tasty... Just made for a really enjoyable time! I'd definitely do lunch here again!

[PixieDustandEeyore]

mmm that meal looks yummy..especially the cheese to me

[MickeyNicki]

OH. MY. GOODNESS. I am in love with your Chef de France pics...I wish i was eating there right now but alas I must wait until Oct......

[disneyfav4ever]

Thank you for the review of CHH, I may have to eat there on my next trip.

[Macsfiveplus1]

We have eaten at CHH before and I never noticed the upstairs. We have been lucky enough to find a large table but only because half our party stalk the tables while the other half orders. Good tip!!!

I love the food pics, we have never tried the fish there. Now I will.

[onelilspark]

Originally Posted by eventamy

Love CHH too! My favorite is the Lighthouse Sandwich (hummus and broccoli slaw!!!), but the fish and chips and chowdah is good too!!! Love that there's a place with different options!

I'm slowly branching out to foods like hummus, broccoli, & "slaw." So perhaps by my October trip I might be up for trying it I hear lots of great things about that sandwich, but I'm slightly picky, so I've steered clear so far...though it intrigues the foodie in me

Originally Posted by ExtinctDino

Thanks for the entertaining and informative report. Well written too. you could be a professional writer.

Thanks...though that makes me laugh a bit. My boyfriend (an engineer) and my brother (an english major) are constantly correcting my grammar. I'll have to brag to them

Originally Posted by that's nice

Now I'll have to add HH to my list of possible CS meals in MK! I never realized the menu... it looks good!!!

I was really impressed. I can't believe I've never been in there! Especially for how many times I've gone in February! It's got a lot of great options for a cooler day IMO!

Originally Posted by disneyfav4ever

Thank you for the review of CHH, I may have to eat there on my next trip.

It's definitely worth stopping by!

Originally Posted by Macsfiveplus1

We have eaten at CHH before and I never noticed the upstairs. We have been lucky enough to find a large table but only because half our party stalk the tables while the other half orders. Good tip!!!

I love the food pics, we have never tried the fish there. Now I will.

I'm glad I saw the tip on here about the upstairs! It was so quiet and nice to sit away from people! And I was really surprised at the quality of the seafood!

Okay everyone...I work from home and I'm sitting on a boring conference call (that requires zero participation on my part! Just listening...) Which means it's time for an update!! ...Next update is small anyway

[onelilspark]

After lunch, the heat was really starting to kick up. It was pool time!



We took a dip, cooled down, and I spotted the bar...it was calling my name. Seriously. So I persuaded my brother it was time for a drink. We headed over and plopped ourselves down on a barstool.

A picture of the bar area:


Now, I had been stalking some dining reports...it's kind of what I do. And I had my eye on the Orange-Dream drink. I don't know if that's what it was called, but it supposedly tasted like an Orange Creamsicle. And that sounded yummy. So I decided before I even got to the bar, that would be my drink. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that Siestas doesn't have the standardized WDW drink menu I didn't know whether to laugh or cry! I mean, that meant no Orange drink, but it meant I had options! Shocking.

So I got the Raspberry Crush. I have a weakness for raspberry drinks and blue drinks. Raspberry won out. My brother opted for a standard Margarita.

My drink:


No picture of my brother's drink. He was getting tired of the picture taking...and well, it was a margarita! Same kind of glass, salt on the rim. I really liked my drink...it went down fairly easy. He still had half his drink left...so I had another

The bartender was very friendly. I rather enjoyed sitting there.

Two thumbs up!