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17 days of Deluxe Dining With Two Adults, One Disney Adult, One Child, And A Platypus
- Thread starter tyandskyesmom
- Start date
Mich123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2009
I completely agree with you that the "upgrade" is worth it. In January, we upgraded from free DDP to DxDP and we loved it! I had analyzed our tipping point (the point where it seemed the OOP was just as much as the upgrade), which came about because we had planned to have TS dinners every night for 5 nights, but we also wanted to have 2 TS lunches (Yak n Yeti and 50's Prime Time), 2 character breakfasts and one 2 credit dinner (Cali Grill) AND because we often order appetizers, because they're fun and because we're hungry. I did the math and it seemed to make sense. It completely worked out. We had so many delicious meals and I don't think it really took much longer than CS--all of our meals were an enjoyable break. We were able to have Kona for breakfast, Rose and Crown and Marrakesh for lunch and the previously mentioned lunches and character breakfasts in addition to our planned dinners.
We had an all snacks breakfast at Main Street Bakery, which was our plan to save credits for Cali Grill. And we did have CS twice, once for a quick breakfast and once for lunch--our first lunch of the vacation, at Cosmic Ray's, where the cast member advising my confused DH as to what he could get said, "Oh. You're the first deluxe dining plan we've had today." It was 12:30 p.m., and that was the moment that the plan *clicked* for DH and he realized why I'd been advocating for The Wave instead! After that, he was totally with the program and started scouting out TS for lunch.
One difference for us may have been that because it was January, it wasn't too crowded so we were able to make a couple of last minute eating decisions. We did have ressies, though, for most of our meals.
And, I am totally with you on the vacation/DxDP theory that it's vacation and part of the fun is the splurge and having all the goodies that you might want.
Love the trip report so far and look forward to the next stage of your vacation!
We had an all snacks breakfast at Main Street Bakery, which was our plan to save credits for Cali Grill. And we did have CS twice, once for a quick breakfast and once for lunch--our first lunch of the vacation, at Cosmic Ray's, where the cast member advising my confused DH as to what he could get said, "Oh. You're the first deluxe dining plan we've had today." It was 12:30 p.m., and that was the moment that the plan *clicked* for DH and he realized why I'd been advocating for The Wave instead! After that, he was totally with the program and started scouting out TS for lunch.
One difference for us may have been that because it was January, it wasn't too crowded so we were able to make a couple of last minute eating decisions. We did have ressies, though, for most of our meals.
And, I am totally with you on the vacation/DxDP theory that it's vacation and part of the fun is the splurge and having all the goodies that you might want.
Love the trip report so far and look forward to the next stage of your vacation!
Can't wait for Part II. Great reviews so far.
kimpup
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2011
I'm begging for more!!!
I agree with the deluxe dining plan! my mom and I upgraded to the deluxe since for us the food is all part of the experience and if we didnt get it we would not have the same trip since we wouldnt enjoy all that disney has to offer! Also we cannot wait to do our own reviews with pics too! Bring on the reviews!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
I agree with the deluxe dining plan! my mom and I upgraded to the deluxe since for us the food is all part of the experience and if we didnt get it we would not have the same trip since we wouldnt enjoy all that disney has to offer! Also we cannot wait to do our own reviews with pics too! Bring on the reviews!!!!! PLEASE!!!!!
*sarah*
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2010
woo hoo, so excited to read more! I'm loving your reviews!!tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
So we headed over to check in for our 10:00am breakfast at....
We had a seat on the porch for a few minutes.
We were a little early but there hadn't been enough time to actually ride through The Great Movie Ride so I am guessing it was about 9:45am when we were seated.
We were seated just on the other side of the half wall from the buffet. Great place to be so the kids would go up by themselves. It was pretty uncrowded, as usual.
Shortly after we were seated, June showed up...
Tyler had decided not to get pictures with the characters here...but don't let him fool you, he still will watch if they are on!
So here's Skye's fist trip...
Bacon, Eggs, Ham, Watermelon, Mickey Waffles, and Tater Tots.
Oatmeal, Crossiant with Whipped Butter, Cheese Danish, Eggs, Corned Beef Hash, Hashbrown Casserole, Banana, Ham and Bacon.
Tyler's plate...
Toast, Bacon, Eggs, Mickey Waffle...
Lou's plate...
Coffee, Crossaint, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes...
More of mine...
Breakfast Burritos and Frosted Flakes.
Skye's Breakfast Ice Cream...
[/
We had a seat on the porch for a few minutes.
We were a little early but there hadn't been enough time to actually ride through The Great Movie Ride so I am guessing it was about 9:45am when we were seated.
We were seated just on the other side of the half wall from the buffet. Great place to be so the kids would go up by themselves. It was pretty uncrowded, as usual.
Shortly after we were seated, June showed up...
Tyler had decided not to get pictures with the characters here...but don't let him fool you, he still will watch if they are on!
So here's Skye's fist trip...
Bacon, Eggs, Ham, Watermelon, Mickey Waffles, and Tater Tots.
Oatmeal, Crossiant with Whipped Butter, Cheese Danish, Eggs, Corned Beef Hash, Hashbrown Casserole, Banana, Ham and Bacon.
Tyler's plate...
Toast, Bacon, Eggs, Mickey Waffle...
Lou's plate...
Coffee, Crossaint, Eggs, Bacon, Sausage, Breakfast Potatoes...
More of mine...
Breakfast Burritos and Frosted Flakes.
Skye's Breakfast Ice Cream...
[/
Iluvjiminy
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 27, 2007
just found you and I'm hooked! Cant wait for more
MissMichelle
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Sep 9, 2005
Whew! I made it threw and now it's time to sub. Loving your reviews!!!
tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
So continuing on with breakfast...
Then Manny came around...
That is something I love about Skye...as mature as she is for her age, she is still in love with kiddie things. Sometimes, she is such a mature kid. I mean, she spends a lot of her time with the older girls at dance (She dances in classes and on a team where the next youngest is ten and they go up through high school) and she is in gymnastics where she is consistantly the youngest by a lot. She just has gotten to be much more mature than a lot of her friends that are her own age in a lot of ways...yet, she still loves meeting Manny and the Playhouse Disney gang!
So next was Leo...
And a dessert plate...
(peach cobbler and bread pudding with vanilla sauce)
Then Oso came around...and let me tell you, she will tell you everyday that Oso is for babies and she does not like him...but you be the judge...
I think she loves him just as much as any of the others! She's such a weirdo!
And on the way out we snapped this...
Tyler would not get in for the picture. I think he was afraid I'd post it to Facebook or something!
So in all, we still love Hollywood & Vine for breakfast. Anywhere that can put tortillas on the buffet gets my vote. No...but really, we come here on every trip. Sometimes early and sometimes later in the morning. Any time we have been there it has not been too busy. The food has always been hot and fresh. There is never any empty dishes waiting to be filled. The characters are friendly, we usually get to see them more than once, and the entertainment is fun...even if my kids do think they are too old to partake in that. They still like to sit and the table and sing!
We left around 10:38am after using 4 meal credits to pay for our $94.75 bill.
So we were probably there for about 45 minutes but that was by our choosing. We could have been done a while before that but did I nmention hot HOT is was out there???
Then Manny came around...
That is something I love about Skye...as mature as she is for her age, she is still in love with kiddie things. Sometimes, she is such a mature kid. I mean, she spends a lot of her time with the older girls at dance (She dances in classes and on a team where the next youngest is ten and they go up through high school) and she is in gymnastics where she is consistantly the youngest by a lot. She just has gotten to be much more mature than a lot of her friends that are her own age in a lot of ways...yet, she still loves meeting Manny and the Playhouse Disney gang!
So next was Leo...
And a dessert plate...
(peach cobbler and bread pudding with vanilla sauce)
Then Oso came around...and let me tell you, she will tell you everyday that Oso is for babies and she does not like him...but you be the judge...
I think she loves him just as much as any of the others! She's such a weirdo!
And on the way out we snapped this...
Tyler would not get in for the picture. I think he was afraid I'd post it to Facebook or something!
So in all, we still love Hollywood & Vine for breakfast. Anywhere that can put tortillas on the buffet gets my vote. No...but really, we come here on every trip. Sometimes early and sometimes later in the morning. Any time we have been there it has not been too busy. The food has always been hot and fresh. There is never any empty dishes waiting to be filled. The characters are friendly, we usually get to see them more than once, and the entertainment is fun...even if my kids do think they are too old to partake in that. They still like to sit and the table and sing!
We left around 10:38am after using 4 meal credits to pay for our $94.75 bill.
So we were probably there for about 45 minutes but that was by our choosing. We could have been done a while before that but did I nmention hot HOT is was out there???
tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
Lou went to the Stunt Show Food Cart at about 12:30pm for a Coke Icee and came back with a corn dog too. He paid out of pocket fo rthe corn dog...but used a snack credit for the Icee.
Skye was mad at him for only getting one corn dog. It was a very good corn dog. And the Icee was cold and ice-y!!! And of course, he did not bring me the totals and the receipt is all zeroed out...so cost is a mystery.
Skye was mad at him for only getting one corn dog. It was a very good corn dog. And the Icee was cold and ice-y!!! And of course, he did not bring me the totals and the receipt is all zeroed out...so cost is a mystery.
tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
Oh no...I'm on page two...I am falling behind...Gotta catch up!!!
But really, we have just been so so so so so busy...pretty much more of the usual except that football has started as after two games Tyler's team is undefeated scoring an average of 55 points per game vs. 0 in one game and 6 in the other, Scholastic Bowl meets have started, both of which Tyler's teams lost. In their defense though, in our district honors classes or being advanced or promoting the above average kids is not a priority but they are going up against schools who have had gifted programs since grade 3 and have actual language classes in lower grades and things like that so pretty much, academically, they are behind...just an indication of what college will be like for these poor kids...but that is a topic for another discussion.
In addition to that, we have started de-wallpapering and painting at my parents house so that is taking up a lot of what ever free time I have.
So, that being said...I am hoping to get some updates done soon!
Oh, and another thing on our horizon is Skye's dance trip to Disneyland, Hollywood, and Las Vegas. All I know so far (and it is driving me crazy!!!!) is that we are going June 23 through July 2 and we are spending three nights in Disneyland, two nights in Hollywood, and four nights in Vegas. They are getting a workshop in Disneyland and competing in Vegas. Don't know anything else...I don't think the person organizing this realizes what no knowing does to a Disney planner...especially since we have never been to the Land before (well I was born in the Valley so I have been there but I was like 3 so that does not count!). We have not really been able to get excited about it yet and it's only 109 days away! So I have been spending time that normally I would be posting here trying to find useful info about Disneyland...you know, there really is not much out there compared to the info on the World...but I certainly feel like a complete newbee when looking at what is there...
So hopefully, I will get some more posted here very soon!
But really, we have just been so so so so so busy...pretty much more of the usual except that football has started as after two games Tyler's team is undefeated scoring an average of 55 points per game vs. 0 in one game and 6 in the other, Scholastic Bowl meets have started, both of which Tyler's teams lost. In their defense though, in our district honors classes or being advanced or promoting the above average kids is not a priority but they are going up against schools who have had gifted programs since grade 3 and have actual language classes in lower grades and things like that so pretty much, academically, they are behind...just an indication of what college will be like for these poor kids...but that is a topic for another discussion.
In addition to that, we have started de-wallpapering and painting at my parents house so that is taking up a lot of what ever free time I have.
So, that being said...I am hoping to get some updates done soon!
Oh, and another thing on our horizon is Skye's dance trip to Disneyland, Hollywood, and Las Vegas. All I know so far (and it is driving me crazy!!!!) is that we are going June 23 through July 2 and we are spending three nights in Disneyland, two nights in Hollywood, and four nights in Vegas. They are getting a workshop in Disneyland and competing in Vegas. Don't know anything else...I don't think the person organizing this realizes what no knowing does to a Disney planner...especially since we have never been to the Land before (well I was born in the Valley so I have been there but I was like 3 so that does not count!). We have not really been able to get excited about it yet and it's only 109 days away! So I have been spending time that normally I would be posting here trying to find useful info about Disneyland...you know, there really is not much out there compared to the info on the World...but I certainly feel like a complete newbee when looking at what is there...
So hopefully, I will get some more posted here very soon!
tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
We had 5:00pm ADRs at Mama Melrose for a Fantasmic! Package. We went to check in at about 4:45pm. It was a mad house in there! We were allowed to check in but told they were running about an hour or more behind. We were asked if we still wanted to keep the ADR. We said yes. She we were told we shoudl go on and do whatever we wanted and come back in about an hour. Before we left Skye snapped this...
Perry loved that hidden Mickey!
Well, after seeing Phineas and Ferb we went back to wait for our turn. We sat in that lobby for close to 30 more minutes and just about at an hour past our ADR time, we were called. We were seated in the far room, as usual.
Lou had not been here since our first time when Tyler was two and due to circumstances of that trip (not good ones mind you so we shall not discuss them here!) we were not impressed. The kids and I, on the other hand, had been back on each of our last three trips and love it here. We were on the Fantasmic! Package but that did not change anythign for us becuase we were on the deluxe dining plan but if you are on the regular one, this is a great option because you will get your appetizer included.
We quickly ordered our drinks and asked for a few more minutes to look over the menu.
Lou ordered a Magical Star Cocktail (Light up your celebration with X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube )...
Lou and Perry kept a running thread on Facebook about their drinking in The World. it was fun and a lot of our friends enjoyed it!
Our bread and olive oil were delivered...
And while they still had bread, the kids were disappointed that there was no butter.
Skye ordered the kid's salad with the dressing on the side (and it went untouched)...
She ate all the tomatoes, cucumbers, and carrots.
I had the Fresh Mozzarella and Vine-Ripened Tomatoes (with marinated sweet onions, balsamic drizzle, extra virgin olive oil and fresh sweet basil)...which is one of my favorite appetizers!
Tyler ordered the Clams Oreganatta (oak-fried clams cooked in oregano butter with Italian sausage over toasted focaccia) becasue there really was not anything else on the menu he wanted and he was being adventurous...
He tried it, so did I, but we coul dnot convince anyone else to try it. It was all right but try as I might, I cannot bring myself to like Clams. Maybe I have not found the right cooking method yet but I am looking!
tyandskyesmom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2007
Lou had the Vegetarian Minestrone with ditalini pasta...
He said it was very good. Lou does not do a lot of soups...no creamy at all...but he liked this one!
For my entree I had the pork chop with four cheese macaroni and brocollini. It is not on the current menu on allears so I don't know if it is still there or not but it was very good. And it was nice to have something different for a change.
Skye snagged some of the pasta but otherwise I had it all to myself...which was fine with me!
Tyler had the Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana over Spaghetti...
Which he loved. He said it was not as good as the one at Tony's though! He was not sharing and cleaned the plate!!!
Skye had the Kids Penne Pasta topped with tomato sauce with everything on the side...
What's not to like. My kids are pasta freaks and will sit and eat it like popcorn so we're all good at Italian joints!
Lou ordered the Carne D'Italia Flatbread with Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Pancetta, and Spicy Marinara Sauce...
He thought it was very good! Except for the darker crust...I assume that is part of the charm of a fire grilled pizza but it is not something we enjoy...but it was just the edge so he was ok. I did not have any but it looked good...
About this time a manager stopped by our table appologizing for the wait and asking what he could do to make it up to us. He did put some restrictions on what he could do. But while it was not what we planned, it did not really hurt our day any. We really were not that put out by it and had not even thought about complaining let alone compensation. So we were dumbfounded. He put out a suggestion of two free fast passes for each of us to be used any day we wanted for whatever rides we wanted. So we said ok. He said that all we had to do was go to guest services when we get to the park that morning and give them our name and we would have the fast passes printed. He said he could not do it the Toy Story Mania though...anything but that. So we were thrilled! He did not have to do anything but just the faxt that they were taking the time to appologize personally and individually to the people who had ot wait would have been enough but two free unattached fast passes each was awesome. That just moved Mama Melrose up our ladder of success!
So moving on to dessert.
Skye had the kids' fruit salad...and it was her most disappointing fruit salad of the trip!
Is had a little cantalope and some grapes...and it did not even come colse to filling the bowl. Luckily both things were on her favorites list and they were perfectly sweet so she was happy but the presentation was odd...if not more fruit, maybe a smaller bowl so it does not look half eaten?
I had the Chocolate Cannoli Cake with cannoli and nutella filling...
MMMMMMM....it was really good. I think Skye snagged a lot of it...but she's good for that!
Lou had the No Sugar Added Mascarpone Pound Cake - with linoncello-macerated berries and fresh whipped cream...
And it was good...not as good as mine but Lou is a lot more for the plain things than I am. We all tasted it but I don't think anyone was after it like they were the other ones.
Tyler ordered the Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake...
...and it was pretty good. But mine was the winner. Not that that stopped someone who shall remain nameless from attacking it too!
And one last pic of Perry...
All in all, we love Mama Melrose. We will not hesitate to make it our dining destination in this park. The service was great. While we were waiting to be seated they had a waiter walking around offering everyone ice water. The manager's appology was unexpected, unnecessary and awesome.
I do not agree though, that you don't pay for your seats for Fantasmic. We always seem to come out a little under the Fantasmic! Package cost if we had ordered all of that food out of pocket...especially with a flatbread. But, you cannot beat knowing you have a seat and not having to line up hours before hand.
Our total cost on the dining plan was $138.94...or 4 credits. We then had a $11.19 charge out of pocket for Lou and Perry's drink...wow, that's a lot of money! But they said it was good and you get a glow cube for your kids to fight over later so all's good!
Our receipt says we were out of there at 6:45pm. So our meal was not that long once we were seated. And we were not rushed, it just moved along nicely, which was great because that was exactly what we wanted!
He said it was very good. Lou does not do a lot of soups...no creamy at all...but he liked this one!
For my entree I had the pork chop with four cheese macaroni and brocollini. It is not on the current menu on allears so I don't know if it is still there or not but it was very good. And it was nice to have something different for a change.
Skye snagged some of the pasta but otherwise I had it all to myself...which was fine with me!
Tyler had the Oven-baked Chicken alla Parmigiana over Spaghetti...
Which he loved. He said it was not as good as the one at Tony's though! He was not sharing and cleaned the plate!!!
Skye had the Kids Penne Pasta topped with tomato sauce with everything on the side...
What's not to like. My kids are pasta freaks and will sit and eat it like popcorn so we're all good at Italian joints!
Lou ordered the Carne D'Italia Flatbread with Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Pancetta, and Spicy Marinara Sauce...
He thought it was very good! Except for the darker crust...I assume that is part of the charm of a fire grilled pizza but it is not something we enjoy...but it was just the edge so he was ok. I did not have any but it looked good...
About this time a manager stopped by our table appologizing for the wait and asking what he could do to make it up to us. He did put some restrictions on what he could do. But while it was not what we planned, it did not really hurt our day any. We really were not that put out by it and had not even thought about complaining let alone compensation. So we were dumbfounded. He put out a suggestion of two free fast passes for each of us to be used any day we wanted for whatever rides we wanted. So we said ok. He said that all we had to do was go to guest services when we get to the park that morning and give them our name and we would have the fast passes printed. He said he could not do it the Toy Story Mania though...anything but that. So we were thrilled! He did not have to do anything but just the faxt that they were taking the time to appologize personally and individually to the people who had ot wait would have been enough but two free unattached fast passes each was awesome. That just moved Mama Melrose up our ladder of success!
So moving on to dessert.
Skye had the kids' fruit salad...and it was her most disappointing fruit salad of the trip!
Is had a little cantalope and some grapes...and it did not even come colse to filling the bowl. Luckily both things were on her favorites list and they were perfectly sweet so she was happy but the presentation was odd...if not more fruit, maybe a smaller bowl so it does not look half eaten?
I had the Chocolate Cannoli Cake with cannoli and nutella filling...
MMMMMMM....it was really good. I think Skye snagged a lot of it...but she's good for that!
Lou had the No Sugar Added Mascarpone Pound Cake - with linoncello-macerated berries and fresh whipped cream...
And it was good...not as good as mine but Lou is a lot more for the plain things than I am. We all tasted it but I don't think anyone was after it like they were the other ones.
Tyler ordered the Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake...
...and it was pretty good. But mine was the winner. Not that that stopped someone who shall remain nameless from attacking it too!
And one last pic of Perry...
All in all, we love Mama Melrose. We will not hesitate to make it our dining destination in this park. The service was great. While we were waiting to be seated they had a waiter walking around offering everyone ice water. The manager's appology was unexpected, unnecessary and awesome.
I do not agree though, that you don't pay for your seats for Fantasmic. We always seem to come out a little under the Fantasmic! Package cost if we had ordered all of that food out of pocket...especially with a flatbread. But, you cannot beat knowing you have a seat and not having to line up hours before hand.
Our total cost on the dining plan was $138.94...or 4 credits. We then had a $11.19 charge out of pocket for Lou and Perry's drink...wow, that's a lot of money! But they said it was good and you get a glow cube for your kids to fight over later so all's good!
Our receipt says we were out of there at 6:45pm. So our meal was not that long once we were seated. And we were not rushed, it just moved along nicely, which was great because that was exactly what we wanted!
gardengirl628
Help, help, a Herrible Hoffalump!
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2009
That was so great of the mgr to offer you the FP's. And your dessert looks a-mazing!
dixonsontour
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2008
Food looks lovely and good service from the manager.
I'm enjoying all your reports - your children look so happy in all the pictures.
I'm enjoying all your reports - your children look so happy in all the pictures.
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