A Few Dining Thoughts

[CamColt]

We (me, DH, 2 DSs, 10 & 13) are just back from 10 days of dining in WDW and while I haven’t had time to do in depth reviews I do have a few thoughts.

Barbara at Mama Melrose was probably the best server we have ever had anywhere. She was just on top of everything. This surprised me as I have often heard when waiters know guests have the TIW card, they don’t try so hard, but she knew and was awesome!

Tusker House was new to us. I enjoyed it but still prefer Chef Mickey’s, however DH and 1 DS thought this was better. I caught Mickey sitting down with his feet up, taking a break and when I went to take a picture he jumped up. I’m guessing that’s not allowed. It was late and the breakfast crowd was clearing out by then.

I originally had Le Cellier booked for 2 as Grandma was going to come and watch the kids that night, but she cancelled. I tried a LOT to change that over the course of months and had no luck at all. So, that day we walked up early in the day and asked if it was possible to change from 2 to 4. The girl at the podium sent us in to ask there. They changed it right there on the book no problem. I was shocked. I certainly didn’t expect it to be that easy, if possible at all. Another surprise I had here was they now have a full bar. When we dined there in 03 there was just beer & wine. I enjoy a mixed drink so this was great news to me…I couldn’t believe I hadn’t heard it here before.

CA Grill for our 15th anniversary was awesome. We had never taken the kids here before, but as it turns out, this was their favorite meal and they want to go back. The Sushi Dessert was a big hit with them. I thought the magic may not be there since we were far from a window and we have only ever had window seats, but it was still a wonderful meal and we went back up to watch the fireworks on the deck. Service here was perfect too!

Just when I thought I couldn’t find anything better than Tonga Toast, I tried the Pineapple Macadamia nut pancakes at Kona Cafe….OMG! So different and so good!

A change that I noticed was the breakfast sandwiches at the Boardwalk Bakery. They no longer offer Bacon which was a minus to me, but the egg/cheese is almost like an omlette now, and there is a ton of cheese melted in there, not just a slice. This was a plus to me, but DH and DS thought it was way too cheesy for them.

The wait at the counter service place at Typhoon Lagoon (sorry, forget the name) was one of the longest lines we waited in the whole trip. So much so, people in front of us were complaining. It wasn’t a long line as much as it just didn’t move. I’m not sure if they were having issues or if this is typical or what, but it was pretty bad and seemed unusual.

I tried the Taco Salad at Pecos Bill for the first time, and was very happy with this. It was a nice change from the typical burgers and hot dogs we usually get at CS.

TIW saved us $194.72 on this trip alone. I will miss not having this card next year. Over the course of the year it saved us about $450.00 ($375.00 minusing the $75 fee). (we ate that much????) This is well worth it if you are making a few trips and have APs

Our TS meals were ESPN, Mama Melrose, Yak & Yeti, Tusker House, Le Cellier, Kona Café (lunch & breakfast), Trails End, CA Grill, and Tony’s. Any questions just ask.

Overall we had 10 great table service meals, a lot of good counter service options, and many yummy snacks and drinks. Service was really good over all too. I can’t really say anything was bad…except I have a lot of work to do on the treadmill now.

[Nadjalu]

Sounds like you had a very good trip.

The extra cheese sounds devine for me...never to much cheese in my opinion. LOL

[k&a&c'smom]

Thanks for the review. We love the mac nut pancakes at Kona, one of us has to order them every trip!

I've been wanting to try Tusker House, but I often send the kids (adults) to AK without me, so I'd have to make the journey there.

[pooch]

We have ressies for breakfast @ Kona and I am looking forward to pineapple macadamia nut pancakes!! Also might ask for Barbara at MM as our last waitress there was less than wonderful.

[CamColt]

Originally Posted by Nadjalu

Sounds like you had a very good trip.

The extra cheese sounds devine for me...never to much cheese in my opinion. LOL

I agree. I used to love the nachos at ESPN, but they changed the cheese to that cheese sauce (velveeta type stuff). My first thought was if I could get the cheese from this breakfast sandwich on those nachos, they would be great again!

I couldnt believe how big the pancakes were too...or how much I actually ate of them. They were that good I did quite a job on them.

Pooch, funny you say that. On our trip in May our waitress brought us the wrong drinks(regular soda, not diet) and she brought DH the wrong entree, which he ended up keeping. So, yeah, we weren't overly impressed with the service that night, but this time it was perfect!

[Eeyore's Pal]

Originally Posted by Nadjalu

The extra cheese sounds devine for me...never to much cheese in my opinion. LOL

Ditto! Looking forward to trying that later this month.

[jblrn2b]

Thanks for your review but your making me hungry - LOL. Congrats on your anniversary.

[Cibahwewah]

I agree, our waiter at MM was the best we had the entire trip--maybe it was Barbara too--we went in feeling rotten (DD was running a fever, we were tired) and came out feeling refreshed and happy

[JerseyJanice]

Welcome home! Sounds like you had some pretty great dining experiences. How were the parks?

[Pooh&OurHunny]

thanks for the review. I'm glad the kids loved California grill

[CamColt]

Thanks, jblrn2b!

Maybe it was her Cibahwewah. I can see how she would have that affect on you. She just made the meal go so smoothly and drinks were filled constantly, etc... Everything was relaxed.

Pooh&OurHunny, I'm not. Now they want to go back to the most expensive meal we've done! No really I was a bit worried because my 10 yo is very picky. He will eat pizza but certain kinds he doesnt like once he gets them, and I was afraid that would be the case here, but nope, he loved it!

Thanks, JerseyJancie! We really did! Midway through the trip I realized we have left every meal saying how great everything was...really no complaints at all. The parks were crowded but manageable. Of course we use FP and EMH, and get there for opening other days, but we got to do everything we wanted. One day we happen to hit all the tour groups in AK, and I have to say, I have never experienced them like that before. There were mobs upon mobs of them. But the other days we hit smaller gorups or not as many at the same park, so it wasn't bad. Weather was great too...hot, but great!