Christmas Dinner - I-Drive/City Walk

[IndianaMac]

Morning fellow Dibbers.

Whilst we're still a bit up in the air about whether we'll get away this Christmas, with the Bahama's stance on vaccination driving Disney Cruise Line's policy for all 12 - 18 year olds to be "fully vaccinated" (ie, two jabs) and our by then 15 y/o daughter only being single jabbed, we realise our place on the Merrytime Cruise is in jeopardy. (fingers crossed for a Bahama's policy change and a DCL response)

Obviously, Christmas Day at sea in the world of the Mouse would be awesome, but as a back-up, we've booked three nights refundable accommodation on I-Drive.
We have a week in Disney from the 27th, but we have live Universal tickets from the week before the cruise dates.

Any thoughts/recommendations on Christmas Day lunch/dinner, I-Drive or City Walk? The missus has pencilled in Toothsome, but open to other suggestions. I appreciate, we're not going to be getting a roast (that's more Thanksgiving over the Pond)

[EatandPlay]

I could see Jack's Place in the Rosen Plaza and Coopers Hawk at the corner of I-Drive and Sand Lake both having something special for Christmas.

[Vanillapod]

Apparently Gaylord Palms is excellent for Christmas lunch/dinner.
I’ve never been so can’t vouch for it but I’ve often seen it recommended.

I’m sure we usually see the sign near IDrive so I’ve assumed it’s nearby

[mick]

Originally Posted by Vanillapod

Apparently Gaylord Palms is excellent for Christmas lunch/dinner.
I’ve never been so can’t vouch for it but I’ve often seen it recommended.

I’m sure we usually see the sign near IDrive so I’ve assumed it’s nearby

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International Drive is around 11 miles long and Gaylord Palms is indeed on I-drive at the junction with Osceola Parkway.

We had Christmas Day lunch at the Villa de Flora in GP back in 2010. Lovely location in the atrium with real alligators in the Everglades section. Massive buffet choice and really good quality. It cost us around $60 back then and it seems to have gone up a bit

Found this menu from last year but not sure if they are doing it this year.

modules.marriott/resourc...stmas-menu.pdf

We had to pay for parking so make sure you get your ticket stamped by the maitre'd to get it free.

Mick

[Holiday time]

Originally Posted by mick

International Drive is around 11 miles long and Gaylord Palms is indeed on I-drive at the junction with Osceola Parkway.

We had Christmas Day lunch at the Villa de Flora in GP back in 2010. Lovely location in the atrium with real alligators in the Everglades section. Massive buffet choice and really good quality. It cost us around $60 back then and it seems to have gone up a bit

Found this menu from last year but not sure if they are doing it this year.

modules.marriott/resourc...stmas-menu.pdf

We had to pay for parking so make sure you get your ticket stamped by the maitre'd to get it free.

Mick

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That looks absolutely amazing! Almost worth flying to Orlando just for that 🤤

[Vanillapod]

Originally Posted by mick

International Drive is around 11 miles long and Gaylord Palms is indeed on I-drive at the junction with Osceola Parkway.

We had Christmas Day lunch at the Villa de Flora in GP back in 2010. Lovely location in the atrium with real alligators in the Everglades section. Massive buffet choice and really good quality. It cost us around $60 back then and it seems to have gone up a bit

Found this menu from last year but not sure if they are doing it this year.

modules.marriott/resourc...stmas-menu.pdf

We had to pay for parking so make sure you get your ticket stamped by the maitre'd to get it free.

Mick

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Ah, yes! That’s exactly what I’ve seen reviewed before.
What a total bargain in comparison to on-site too! (which I I do still love I might add)

[DonnaD]

Originally Posted by mick

International Drive is around 11 miles long and Gaylord Palms is indeed on I-drive at the junction with Osceola Parkway.

We had Christmas Day lunch at the Villa de Flora in GP back in 2010. Lovely location in the atrium with real alligators in the Everglades section. Massive buffet choice and really good quality. It cost us around $60 back then and it seems to have gone up a bit

Found this menu from last year but not sure if they are doing it this year.

modules.marriott/resourc...stmas-menu.pdf

We had to pay for parking so make sure you get your ticket stamped by the maitre'd to get it free.

Mick

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Their huge ICE exhibit is back on this year. That requires a seperate (expensive) ticket but the free stuff was worth seeing last year even when ICE was replaced with a Christmas Movie exhibit.

I don't know anything about the buffet this year but the lights etc in the atrium are incredible.

[mick]

Originally Posted by DonnaD

Their huge ICE exhibit is back on this year. That requires a seperate (expensive) ticket but the free stuff was worth seeing last year even when ICE was replaced with a Christmas Movie exhibit.

I don't know anything about the buffet this year but the lights etc in the atrium are incredible.

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Never done ICE but here's a poor photo in the atrium. I guess we ate a late lunch/early dinner so it wasn't quite dark enough.

[DonnaD]

Gaylord Palms atrium last year. The sheets of lights are moving images. The small Cirque de Soleil style show was excellent too. It does have to be booked and isn't free.

[stanleycamel]

I stayed in the hotel one year over Thanksgiving and the room was OK but the buffet meal at Villa de Flora was truly one of the worst I have ever had in all the time I have been in Florida.

Rosen Shingle Creek for Thanksgiving was so much better but with all things it can change.