Orlando/Disneyworld Thread (Part 3)

KarenG

blue_monkey wrote: »

That is what we do with our snack credits We go to the villans shop in HS where they sell loads of fudge blocks and we bring them back with the intention of giving them out as gifts..... LOL

So pleased you had a wonderful time.

Our planner is done and we have 9 weeks to go now so I'll post it up later if anyone cares, LOL. I do!! Tickets pretty much bought now, just a few odds and ends we will buy when we are there as we are not sure on timings. I'll bore you all with it later!!

The fudge wouldn't make it as far as the UK, with us
My favourite snack credits have to be pretzel rods, the Carrot Cake Cookie (has to be the one from the Writer's Stop, nowhere else is as good), or a Dole Whip. Or anything from Karamel Und Kuchen

jeanniebeanie_2

On our last couple of trips we have had some truly dreadful meals in some of the Disney restaurants. A few years back we had some fantastic food and service in Epcot, in particular Mexico, which was our restaurant of choice for birthdays etc., but we also loved Morocco, Japan, France and another favourite was Coral Reef over in Epcot.

Two years back we excitedly booked San Angel for a special birthday evening, and my 'grilled Mahi Mahi' was actually served raw! Because it was under a sauce and because the lighting was so low, I had put a forkful in my mouth before realising!

Ok, could be a one off, but on the same trip we went back to Restaurant Marrakesh for our favourite Roast Lamb Meshoui and this time it was dried up and unappetising.

The following trip I had a terrible Cassoulet in France –full of gristle- and a disappointing meal in Coral Reef which got off to a bad start when although we had stated on our reservation it was our (adult) daughter’s birthday, they tried to seat us (4 adults) on the same round table as another family with two young children. Again, after being re-seated, which was awkward for us and the other family, the food was not great despite the $300 plus bill. We also had to send very overcooked steak back in Japan.

For the first time this year we are staying on site just for a couple of days (not long enough for dining plan) and are considering just eating counter service. After all, it may not be that good, but at least it is a third of the price.

Have they lowered quality? Is it because of the popularity of Dining Plan and so the drop in profits? Or have I just been very unlucky?

I have never eaten in a resort restaurant, just the parks and Downtown Disney, where we even had a meal plagued by flies in Wolfgang Pucks.

I am not a ritual complainer, I USED to love the restaurants. What’s happened?

tylerlewis

We're going to Orlando in June for 2 weeks and staying on I drive.
It'll be my sons 8th birthday while we're there and I'd like to do something nice on that night
We'll be going to Universal/IOA during the day but need some ideas where would be nice to eat for him.
We've not got tickets for WDW but would be open to ideas for anywhere else??

jeanniebeanie_2

Depending on your budget, a couple of ideas:

1. Makahini Luau at Seaworld. Good show, average food TBH, but if you book the show which starts at 6pm you get free parking and free park entrance from 5pm. It also covers you until park closing, so if you can tie it into an 11pm close it's great value.

2. I know you aren't doing Disney, but there are a couple of Disney resorts that have restaurants with firework views and music piped in. I think the Polynesian and Contemporary resorts do, so not cheap restaurants, but anyone can dine there and you don't need a park ticket to see the fireworks.

3. Cheaper option. We have been in Olive Garden restaurants a few times when the staff have brought out a sparkler dessert and have sung their own style birthday song to the birthday guest. I think a few other chains do this too. Worth a call ahead.

4. Oooooh just thought of another. If he is into dinosaurs, how about an evening stroll in Downtown Disney and a meal in the huge T Rex restaurant -haven't eaten there myself, but it looks amazingly themed. Again free entry and free parking. Huge Disney store, giant lego figures and free boat rides across. Another Disney fix for free! Pop into the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop for a free choccy too!

curlylou1986

We saw the fireworks at Hollywood studios that night too - was really good with the live music!! :j
Hubby wasnt sure on bringing fudge etc back through customs, as would have loved to have got a few bits from the same shop in hollywood studios! Just had them as a treat there...didnt think we would fit in the plane seats on the way back! haha. The dolewhips were amazing!! had pineapple and vanilla swirl and was so nice on a hot afternoon!

Jeaniebeanie - we had the counter serve dinners and to be honest there was only one or two meals out of our 14 night holiday that we werent all impressed with. One was Pecos Bills in Magic Kingdom and i cant remember the other sorry!
We did have a buffet dinner in Germany at Epcot which was really nice and was something we paid extra for as was not included on the dining plan. Hubby loved it as he spent some time growing up in Germany so very happy to have food he remembered! Plus it being oktoberfest was great fun! :beer:

Cuffie - We got out universal tickets from Viator website,which was for a two day pass for two parks - we only did one day, but was same price. There was a group infront of us who had brought the wrong tickets online, 1 day 1 park tickets...so make sure you get a two park ticket to do both island and universal!
We spent one day there and was more than ready to be done by the time the bus was picking us up, were slightly dissapointed in the park, not sure why but wasnt how either of us thought it would have been.
Also i am not sure when you are going but check what water parks are open at Disney - only Blizzard Beach was open when we went the other week.
Again not sure on who you are going with, but we spent half a day at blizzard beach - i had horrible cold while away and hubby went off doing some of the slides etc.
Cant really help with the disney tickets as ours was done with our stay - but i know what you mean with the park hoppers etc. Again another time we went to go to Magic Kingdom in the evening a family got turned away infront of us as their ticket wasnt letting them leave one park and access another on the same day.
Depending where you are going for your sons birthday then i would prob say to book somewhere - like you say its booked and arranged then isnt it!

tori.k

tylerlewis wrote: »

We're going to Orlando in June for 2 weeks and staying on I drive.
It'll be my sons 8th birthday while we're there and I'd like to do something nice on that night
We'll be going to Universal/IOA during the day but need some ideas where would be nice to eat for him.
We've not got tickets for WDW but would be open to ideas for anywhere else??

How about heading down to Down town Disney and T-rex http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/t-rex/ or the rainforest cafe http://www.orlandoescape.com/attractions/rainforestcafe.htm is he a movie buff how about a fork and screen http://www.dineinmovies.com/

At universal there is mel's drive in a 1950 themed diner(US) or Mythos (IOA) that looks stunning..sports minded there the nascar sports grill and NBA city on the city walk

The one that would win in our house is heading to beaches & cream at Disney beach club resort for a Kitchen sink http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDwczHMhJFs just tell the guy on the gate your going for a kichen sink

tylerlewis

tori.k wrote: »

How about heading down to Down town Disney and T-rex http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/t-rex/ or the rainforest cafe http://www.orlandoescape.com/attractions/rainforestcafe.htm is he a movie buff how about a fork and screen http://www.dineinmovies.com/

At universal there is mel's drive in a 1950 themed diner(US) or Mythos (IOA) that looks stunning..sports minded there the nascar sports grill and NBA city on the city walk

The one that would win in our house is heading to beaches & cream at Disney beach club resort for a Kitchen sink http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDwczHMhJFs just tell the guy on the gate your going for a kichen sink

OMG!!! I'd like to see him try and work his way through the kitchen sink lol:eek: .............that things huge!!!

blue_monkey_2

Damn, the ground floor of our house flooded in the early hours. Have spent the day chucking stuff away and ripping floor boards up. I need an early night, I am exhausted.

lucie707

oh no blue_monkey i hope there was nothing ruined that cant easily be replaced

I came on to ask if anyone knows of any must go to resteraunts in Orlando. I've been told about Golden Coral and CiCi's....we go in 8 days (darn weather permitting) so im just jotting down places so i can easily ask the taxi drivers. Also need somewhere extra special for OH's birthday!

tori.k

Sorry to hear that Blue monkey, what a nightmare for you just have to try and see it that its better these things happen now while your at home, rather then when you are stateside.