Warning, this report contains images that some dieters may find distressing
If you have been affected by any of the memes, jokes, or gluttony raised in the pre-trip section of this thread you
may prefer to navigate directly to the restaurant reviews. These will be linked from the Menu section of this post.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scream if you want to go Fatter! Deluxe to Drive Thru -
FOOD PICS LIVE!
The Holiday
We're heading out in July for 3 nights in Orlando at the Hawthorn Suites/Lake Buena Vista. Then it's 10 nights at the Yacht Club with the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan aka the Triple D Plan and we finish up with 3 at the Hard Rock Hotel for Universal. We went for Yacht Club because of the amazing pool and because we love the walking distance to EPCOT, especially for evenings in the World Showcase (last time out we split between French Quarter and Beach Club). And DD is desperate to try the Hard Rock Hotel.
Last time we only made one very quick day at Universal on the first day of the holiday and it was too hectic with DW getting sick and everyone exhausted so we’ve booked in some shopping and chill time on arrival which explains the LBV nights. Last year’s summer holiday was staying with family to help pay for this so it feels well earned. We’re flying from Gatwick mid July with a pre-night at the Premier Inn. Orlando side we have hired a car to simplify the early rope drops and trips beyond EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (also buses don’t always agree with me) although we don’t intend to leave Orlando this time around.
3 Table Service Credits and 2 Snack Credits. Per person. Per day.
I'll describe places we eat and the food in some detail, what it tastes like and if we liked it. There will be the crucial food lust pictures, don’t worry, lots of those! Plus I’ll add a little bit about my family and the trip to fill in the gaps.
By the way, while I've booked a tonne of table service to take advantage of the 3 courses and the alcohol available on the deluxe we are not otherwise going to try to maximise dining plan value. Deluxe was one of DWs requirements, booked ultimately to avoid arguing about the price of lobster. I’m trying not to think about the tips bill at the end of Disney but it should be about what we’ll save from a drink each now included so...
The Cast
Me: 40 something chief
planner, notorious scruff and theme park enthusiast. Joining the site briefly as Alladineed I switched to theCMG (Crazy Milk Guy) after amusing our server at T-Rex on our last trip by drinking pints of milk. Will eat and drink most things
and try to order a variety of stuff then sample everyone else's
DW: lover of fine dining, seafood, steak and Italian. Fussy with food, always well dressed, cheats at mini-golf. Eats small quantities very frequently so deluxe is not ideal. Servers must never take her order from memory because she will change every element of a dish. Not as Disney-mad as me/DD and uses this to secure the exact holiday she wants. And she haggles like a Cairo taxi driver
DD: 12, she was 9 last time we went so has since moved up to Adult dining. Creative soul, roller coaster enthusiast, Harry Potter fan and emerging fashionista/teenage groot. Happily she’s starting to become adventurous with food. DD will taste most things but tends to order steak or Italian (and
crispy duck). Hopefully she will enjoy most meals including signatures. Lots of desserts and snacks are a given. DD loves Disney and like me has looked forward to this holiday for ages
12 year olds know everything is better in a rainbow unicorn version
The Menu
Appetiser - Orlando
yes Dear, that's a medium
Main - Disney’s Yacht Club
Served family style? I thought that was for me.
DW is likely to hit Spice Road Table, Coral Reef and Tutto Italia solo for lunches on days when she’s taking a break from the parks. She’s more likely to shoot a video of the inside of her handbag than take a picture of food so anything from these is a bonus
Plus there’s one morning when the girls are booked onto horse-riding at Fort Wilderness and I’ve booked a secret breakfast buffet at Trails End (shhh!
)
In case we’re still hungry after the above (!) we have our eyes on snacks like the Brioche ice cream sandwich (EPCOT France), Salted Caramel Cupcake (Germany), American Dream slushie (USA), Caramel Pretzel (Tomorrowland), Butterbeer fudge and Voodoo Doughnut (Universal). Not to mention ice-creams from Ample Hills Creamery, Emack and Bolio and Florean Fortescue.
We may not get through all of this
There’ll be some cocktails too! Looking forward to beer and cocktails including flights at the new Baseline Taphouse and checking out bars like Abracadabar and Nomad lounge.
Hope you can join us for the trip
