sullyfam
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2015
We just got back from a great 8 day trip to the World. For those considering going this time of year - the weather was great (high 80's most days and little to no rain). We had one chilly day at the end of our trip (60's) and it felt downright cold. So be prepared with warm clothes if you travel. It was CRAZY busy the weekend of Veteran's Day especially (to put it in perspective, Living with the Land had a 50 minute wait at one point, Small World was up to an hour). I would not go again during this time. Way too many people, lines for everything were super long, buses, rides, food, you name it. It was nuts. We navigated it though with FP and rope drop and made the best of our trip and had a great time.
This is my first time doing a dining review but thought it might help others as they plan their ADRs.
Day 1 - Breakfast at Crystal Palace
This is always a favorite for us. There are a lot of choices in the buffet and hello ... breakfast pizza! We once again enjoyed this very much. It's also an added plus that you can now get mimosas here. The one complaint was that the characters were SLOW to come around. We actually left before meeting Pooh and we were there for over an hour. I would have said something but nobody in our party was concerned as we have met him many times before.
Day 1 - Dinner at Landscape of Flavors (AOA)
This was great. We really enjoyed all the offerings and it was nice to eat at our own resort and chill on our first night. I had the chicken and rice bowl and DH had spaghetti and meatballs. Kids liked their food too. They made a special meal for my son who loves pasta with butter and shrimp. He ate every bit of it. This is one of the better food courts we've been to at a Disney Resort. Definitely check it out if you are staying at AOA or can walk over from Pop Century.
Day 2 - Sci Fi Lunch
This is also usually a must do for us at Hollywood Studios. My kids love sitting in the cars and the dark cool vibe in there is great on a hot day especially. I have to say that I'm never really wowed by the food though. This trip was no exception. I had the vegetarian lettuce wraps and they were just OK. Nothing special. DH had a burger which he enjoyed but again, nothing to write home about. This place for us has always been about the atmosphere.
Day 2 - Mama Melrose Dinner
I had been here 20 years ago as a kid with my parents but hadn't been back since. I know this place gets panned over and over again but we actually really enjoyed it. They give out nice bread to start with dipping oil which is really yummy and nicely seasoned. I had the shrimp and pasta dish and it was really tasty. DH had the chicken parm which was very good. Kids all enjoyed their food as well. It has a really cozy atmosphere inside too. We would definitely try this again.
Day 3 - Coral Reef Lunch
This is another place we almost always visit. Kids love to watch the fish in the tank and the food has always been pretty good for us. This trip wasn't as enjoyable though. I got the vegetarian plate and it was just OK. DH got the chicken and mushroom plate and he didn't enjoy it at all. The kids menu is also lacking here. They have no basic offerings (chicken fingers, pizza, etc.) so that makes it tricky. Something to keep in mind if you are considering dining there and have picky kids.
Day 3 - Via Napoli Dinner
This was a first for us. I've been wanting to try it for years. It was a bit disappointing. To start, it was super hectic getting in here. Even though we had an ADR the waiting area was packed. You could barely move. They would come out and in broken English attempt to yell out your last name. It was hard to understand them (no fault of their own) and so everyone was looking at each other saying "what did they say? did they call us?" We finally got seated and were given bread and oil dipping but it was straight olive oil. No seasoning added. It was pretty bland. DH got the lobster raviolis which he enjoyed but the portion was small. I got the prosciutto pizza and it was just OK. Big clumps of cheese that weren't eventually distributed. I was waiting to be wowed with how people talk about their pizza but it honestly fell flat for me. It was also HUGE and no way I could have eaten it alone. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also nothing unique. A lot of places at Disney don't have "oh my god" food but they get passes because they are so cool inside. This is not one of those places. It was probably a one and done for us but glad we at least tried it.
More to come ...
This is my first time doing a dining review but thought it might help others as they plan their ADRs.
Day 1 - Breakfast at Crystal Palace
This is always a favorite for us. There are a lot of choices in the buffet and hello ... breakfast pizza! We once again enjoyed this very much. It's also an added plus that you can now get mimosas here. The one complaint was that the characters were SLOW to come around. We actually left before meeting Pooh and we were there for over an hour. I would have said something but nobody in our party was concerned as we have met him many times before.
Day 1 - Dinner at Landscape of Flavors (AOA)
This was great. We really enjoyed all the offerings and it was nice to eat at our own resort and chill on our first night. I had the chicken and rice bowl and DH had spaghetti and meatballs. Kids liked their food too. They made a special meal for my son who loves pasta with butter and shrimp. He ate every bit of it. This is one of the better food courts we've been to at a Disney Resort. Definitely check it out if you are staying at AOA or can walk over from Pop Century.
Day 2 - Sci Fi Lunch
This is also usually a must do for us at Hollywood Studios. My kids love sitting in the cars and the dark cool vibe in there is great on a hot day especially. I have to say that I'm never really wowed by the food though. This trip was no exception. I had the vegetarian lettuce wraps and they were just OK. Nothing special. DH had a burger which he enjoyed but again, nothing to write home about. This place for us has always been about the atmosphere.
Day 2 - Mama Melrose Dinner
I had been here 20 years ago as a kid with my parents but hadn't been back since. I know this place gets panned over and over again but we actually really enjoyed it. They give out nice bread to start with dipping oil which is really yummy and nicely seasoned. I had the shrimp and pasta dish and it was really tasty. DH had the chicken parm which was very good. Kids all enjoyed their food as well. It has a really cozy atmosphere inside too. We would definitely try this again.
Day 3 - Coral Reef Lunch
This is another place we almost always visit. Kids love to watch the fish in the tank and the food has always been pretty good for us. This trip wasn't as enjoyable though. I got the vegetarian plate and it was just OK. DH got the chicken and mushroom plate and he didn't enjoy it at all. The kids menu is also lacking here. They have no basic offerings (chicken fingers, pizza, etc.) so that makes it tricky. Something to keep in mind if you are considering dining there and have picky kids.
Day 3 - Via Napoli Dinner
This was a first for us. I've been wanting to try it for years. It was a bit disappointing. To start, it was super hectic getting in here. Even though we had an ADR the waiting area was packed. You could barely move. They would come out and in broken English attempt to yell out your last name. It was hard to understand them (no fault of their own) and so everyone was looking at each other saying "what did they say? did they call us?" We finally got seated and were given bread and oil dipping but it was straight olive oil. No seasoning added. It was pretty bland. DH got the lobster raviolis which he enjoyed but the portion was small. I got the prosciutto pizza and it was just OK. Big clumps of cheese that weren't eventually distributed. I was waiting to be wowed with how people talk about their pizza but it honestly fell flat for me. It was also HUGE and no way I could have eaten it alone. The atmosphere of the restaurant is also nothing unique. A lot of places at Disney don't have "oh my god" food but they get passes because they are so cool inside. This is not one of those places. It was probably a one and done for us but glad we at least tried it.
More to come ...