Zero Forky's Given - An August 2019 Dining Report - Completed 8/18

[anniebean]

As a member of the Type A Over-planners of Disney, I say welcome. Welcome to Hell? Possibly, but welcome.
(Can I say Hell on here?)

 

[ncc1701]

Welcome to the ADR Dark Side . I am sorry I didn't get to let you know about the 6:00am booking window.
On the bright side you can always cancel or move things around. I always make the few ADRs we want then tweak when needed, even the day before. Now if you start making color coded daily plans an intervention may be in order.

 

[Avery&Todd]

WELCOME!! We're so glad that you could join us!!!

and now you get the pleasure of adjusting your ADR times to the exact minute that you want them!! The time tweaking possibilities are endless!!

*insert evil laugh here*

and I'm obsessing over my ADRs since now DH and I have a kid-free trip in August *fingers crossed*, we moved the family graduation celebration to December and another kid-free trip in February!!

WAHOO!! bring on the Disney!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Just back from checking but there are definitely no pigs flying today so what the heck has happened ya girl!! Get you being all grown up and planning ahead!!
Sounds like to made some good reservations so I suppose we will let it go this time

 

[partofthatworld]

I do not blame you one bit in the least. Who knows what restrictions will be in place when our beloved Disney reopens and at least you have the reassurance of a few ADRs.

 

[ncc1701]

Compared to other table service restaurants in resorts whose decor is I describe as “lobby adjacent chic” (Kona, Grand Floridian Café, Ale and Compass I’m looking at you) Sebastian’s was a welcome change.

Wow they paid attention to the Caribbean theme , light & bright . How did it escape the new WDW den of darkness look? Personally I think GF Lobby & Cafe are 1980/90s English Country Magazine chic run amuck & needs a redo .
Back to the food both Jason's steak & your meal look great & I am glad the food lived up to the photo. However goat is something I have yet to try . Maybe someday . Based on your experience if we are in the area of CBR I will have to check them out.

 

[ariane37]

So I set my alarm for 7am yesterday so I could get a reservation on our 180+2 day. Are you impressed I learned fancy new lang

This is why you use a TA! 7:00 for dining
Oh wait....
But thanks for letting me sleep in yesterday

Oh and I cannot forget Flying Fish where 7 of my nearest and dearest DIS friends dined in January with 0.2 seconds notice. B

Lmao we didn't need no stinkin ADR, but a Kari would have been nice

Perhaps an intervention is in order before you break out the color coded spreadsheets!

No no no she loses ALL street cred if she uses ANY spreadsheet whatsoever lol!

 

[Dis_Yoda]

Is your brunch post half marathon? If so, see you there!

we also made 10 days of reservations on Sunday. They are subject to change if f&w events happen

 

[kastoney]

I have one each of those too... And - get this - I've been dating a Jason for about 8 months. Maybe the key to happiness is to lose the jerks (except in the food variety) and find a Jason

Now that is either wonderful or eery. Not sure which Though if you've now got a Jason I'm gonna 100% endorse him! With a name like that you can't go wrong.

*slow clap*

"slow bow"

I can't even believe what I just read!!!!!!

Imagine me not believing what I've actually done. But I have the credit card receipts to prove it every time I don't believe myself.

But you're absolutely right about this, and I hadn't even thought about it that way. Good call, my friend!!

Who knows if I'm very right or very wrong or somewhere in between. Regardless it was have a little bit of Disney realness in my life

Well if this report didn't make me want to eat at Sebastian nothing will! I almost want to book it for November!

You are staying there, right? Definitely should go if you are right there. Promise it is worth it!

But i hear you on the ADRs, my day is tomorrow... and while i am not trying for Cali Brunch which makes me VERY sad. I am kinda excited to do it, because of all the reasons you mentioned! possible reduced capacity, and well being able to plan a trip cause i am sick of being in this house and cooking my own food!

You and me both!!! I love to cook but its a thoroughly uninspired situation these days when its a game of chopped to see what I can make from our few ingredients. So imagining eating brunch or heck even fried chicken was everything my Disney soul needed.

How'd your ADR day go? Hope you at least knew when to wake up

Also we are booking HDDR! Which i'm interested to see if we can actually end up doing!

This is the one I"m most on the fence about. I know Casey loves it but I hated having to pay for it already knowing there is a likelihood that we'll either change our minds or Disney will change it for us. Our reservation is for Halloween night b/c I thought it would be fun to check out the Fort Wilderness campsite decorations afterwards.

HA! Well, if it makes you feel better, CG Brunch is 100% worth selling your "non-ADR" soul for. And I have to say, even after swearing off ADR's after our last trip, I think it's a good idea to at least book restaurants you KNOW you'll want to eat at. I think you'll see changes in capacity and even restaurant options in general down there next fall.

You've got that right. I'll sell just about anything for that brunch and still hand over almost $100 for it!!!

And even if they don't reduce capacity, I think the minute WDW opens up, it's gonna be like the flood gates opened and you will see level 10 crowds consistently. I think it's going to be an absolute ZOO down there for a year or so after it reopens. Maybe I'm wrong

Who knows. I'm sure they will control crowds in some way, at least originally, but how you do that is beyond me. It will be interesting to see how many people want to go through. I'm sure safety and health concerns will keep some away. And with the economy downturn it is likely just not affordable for others. In my Disney bubble I'm hoping that translates to less crowds. But however it goes down I know I'll be eating like a queen.

I have never been impressed with the food at WDW resorts or parks but that California Grill brunch looks mighty enticing - please promise me it would be worth the $95+ dollars to eat!

Worth and $95 is awful hard to put into the same sentence but its an experience that we love. For the adults we think it is worth it especially with unlimited mimosa's they serve. On the other hand I do have a hard time swallowing a $50+ charge for the kiddo. Now she has a better palate than most adults, but she eats like a bird. But in the end its just an additional price we pay for the experience

I am also thinking that ADRs may be a good safety net when Disney reopens. Because with decreased restaurant capacity, I’m thinking there will be much less last minute availability. Plus I’m thinking fall will be busier than usual with people rescheduling their spring trips.

Oh I hadn't thought about the rescheduling factor good call! Now I'm off to make more ADRs

Perhaps an intervention is in order before you break out the color coded spreadsheets!

If it comes to that skip the intervention and put be directly in lock-up.

 

[Tracy161]

I MADE A DINING RESERVATION!!!!!!

Not for tomorrow. Not for next week. Not for next month even. I made a dining reservation for 180 days from yesterday.

I didn't just make one reservation like I'd intended. I made 7! S-E-V-E-N!

Who am I even?

Or Casey's request of Hoop Dee Doo because post global pandemic who doesn't want strangers singing all up in your grill and sitting on your lap.

And as abnormal as making dining reservations that far out felt, just making dining reservations restored some normal in this Disney girls heart.

And that sure counts for something. I think whatever can bring a piece of Disney to us right now, we just gotta embrace! Abnormal or not

Now that is either wonderful or eery. Not sure which

Right?!

Though if you've now got a Jason I'm gonna 100% endorse him! With a name like that you can't go wrong.

My thoughts exactly!

 

[NJlauren]

You are staying there, right? Definitely should go if you are right there. Promise it is worth it!

Not staying there but we will have a car, so I feel like why not its the same as driving to another hotel!

You and me both!!! I love to cook but its a thoroughly uninspired situation these days when its a game of chopped to see what I can make from our few ingredients. So imagining eating brunch or heck even fried chicken was everything my Disney soul needed.

How'd your ADR day go? Hope you at least knew when to wake up

Same! The idea of eating anything someone else didnt cook! I mean i got Mexican take out last night with Margaritas and well it was fabulous... even if the food was like 2.5 forkeys

Yesterday was my day to wake up with Maren and she slept late 5:50 so i was up right on time! But i do think i made only 6 reservations... so if my math is right you actually made more ADRs then me! I may end up changing most of them... but who knows with how things are going.

The only think i could get was breakfast at Topolino Terrace at the time i wanted for 10 people! so we will either do that a different day or skip it.

This is the one I"m most on the fence about. I know Casey loves it but I hated having to pay for it already knowing there is a likelihood that we'll either change our minds or Disney will change it for us. Our reservation is for Halloween night b/c I thought it would be fun to check out the Fort Wilderness campsite decorations afterwards.

Same we have it for 11/5 and i figure i can move it or cancel if i want, i don't even know if this will be the same experience with the way things are, but we haven't been before so we wont know what we are missing?

 

[kastoney]

Sorry, I know we are only virtual acquaintances but I feel the need to tell you we just cannot be friends any longer. Reservations...we don't need no stinkin reservations whatever happened to that person we all know and admire. Next you'll be saying it's alcohol free and Casey will only eat hot dogs, Jason has given up beer. What is happening????

Please, please, please can we still be friends? Look here's a cherry on top too And I promise just last night we had beer, margaritas, and topped it off with some wine and Casey made guacamole with extra jalapenos in it

I really do see the need for reservations but I have to do my breathing exercises to cope.

You do those breathing exercises and I'll continue with my preferred coping mechanism

Holy crap! Here I thought I was the crazy one to spend 8...yes, 8...hours today trying to buy some mugs on shopDisney! And yet, I think you just out-crazied me! Let’s blame everything on the stupid pandemic!

I think we'll have to flip a coin for the crazy train. 8 hours for mugs?????? Does Harrison Ford deliver it to your house?

And by the way, I’m so happy you’re finally getting back to CG! I hope to do the same someday

I hope to do the same with you again some day ❤

As a member of the Type A Over-planners of Disney, I say welcome. Welcome to Hell? Possibly, but welcome.
(Can I say Hell on here?)

Thank you? I think

Sometimes they let you say that word and sometimes they edit it. I'm pretty sure they follow my choice use of language on the regular so I generally steer clear of my favorite curse words for fear of getting the boot.

Welcome to the ADR Dark Side . I am sorry I didn't get to let you know about the 6:00am booking window.
On the bright side you can always cancel or move things around. I always make the few ADRs we want then tweak when needed, even the day before. Now if you start making color coded daily plans an intervention may be in order.

The still serve alcohol on the dark side, right? I'm pretty sure I'll join the gotta change and tweak things club too but if even a black and white spreadsheet comes out just boot me right off the DIS

WELCOME!! We're so glad that you could join us!!!

and now you get the pleasure of adjusting your ADR times to the exact minute that you want them!! The time tweaking possibilities are endless!!

I'm not sure I'm glad but in the club I am. Though if I start twerking that may be a whole different story

and I'm obsessing over my ADRs since now DH and I have a kid-free trip in August *fingers crossed*, we moved the family graduation celebration to December and another kid-free trip in February!!

Awesome!!!!!!! If things start to open back up we may think about a summer trip too because it will have been a year since our last visit and that is just plain wrong. We had wanted to do our rescheduled April trip to Disneyland in August but pretty sure that is going to have to wait another year.

Just back from checking but there are definitely no pigs flying today so what the heck has happened ya girl!! Get you being all grown up and planning ahead!!
Sounds like to made some good reservations so I suppose we will let it go this time

Oh this was totally flying over DC on Sunday. You didn't see it in Ireland

I do not blame you one bit in the least. Who knows what restrictions will be in place when our beloved Disney reopens and at least you have the reassurance of a few ADRs.

That was definitely my thinking. Who knows is exactly right so just making sure I have all my bases covered.

Wow they paid attention to the Caribbean theme , light & bright . How did it escape the new WDW den of darkness look? Personally I think GF Lobby & Cafe are 1980/90s English Country Magazine chic run amuck & needs a redo .

Thank goodness they paid attention to the look of the resort for once. At least GFC does match the GF lobby whereas Kona just looks like they put a bunch of chairs in an empty space. Though totally agree a redo would be great for the old floridian gal. I actually hate the look of the whole hotel and as a result have zero interest in staying there.

Back to the food both Jason's steak & your meal look great & I am glad the food lived up to the photo. However goat is something I have yet to try . Maybe someday . Based on your experience if we are in the area of CBR I will have to check them out.

With the skyliner being open grabbing a bite at Sebastians is so much easier and definitely worth it!

This is why you use a TA! 7:00 for dining
Oh wait....
But thanks for letting me sleep in yesterday

I was appalled at myself for setting the alarm. Less I share my shame with someone else

Lmao we didn't need no stinkin ADR, but a Kari would have been nice

Yes it would have. I demand a redo!!!!

Is your brunch post half marathon? If so, see you there!

we also made 10 days of reservations on Sunday. They are subject to change if f&w events happen

I forgot our trips were going to overlap. Sadly its Sunday the 1st, not the race day. We actually changed our plans and Jason isn't going to do the race now. He figured the price was just too expensive and he didn't want to run alone. So we are going to leave on Friday now and drive up to Savannah and he's going to do a half marathon with my best friend there.

 

[kastoney]

And that sure counts for something. I think whatever can bring a piece of Disney to us right now, we just gotta embrace! Abnormal or not

You got that right. At this point I'm ready to book a reservation at All Star Sports, eat nothing but counter service the entire time, partake in every extra magic hour, and spend the whole trip in Dinoland just to get a little Disney in my life.

Not staying there but we will have a car, so I feel like why not its the same as driving to another hotel!

And don't forget the skyliner too! Easy jaunt from Epcot or MGM

Same! The idea of eating anything someone else didnt cook! I mean i got Mexican take out last night with Margaritas and well it was fabulous... even if the food was like 2.5 forkeys

We had the in house chefs take over yesterday and it was 5 forkys. Jason smoked a pork butt and we had tacos in adobo sauce. And Casey made extra spicy guacamole. The margaritas left a little to be desired as we had no agave or mix, but we powered through in the name of cinco de mayo.

Yesterday was my day to wake up with Maren and she slept late 5:50 so i was up right on time! But i do think i made only 6 reservations... so if my math is right you actually made more ADRs then me! I may end up changing most of them... but who knows with how things are going.

5:50 is sleeping late???? Yikes! Though glad you largely got what you wanted. And yes 7 is more than 6 so I "won" the ADR wars

Same we have it for 11/5 and i figure i can move it or cancel if i want, i don't even know if this will be the same experience with the way things are, but we haven't been before so we wont know what we are missing?

I went ahead and booked it b/c they assign seating based upon when you made the ADR. Even if the show isn't the same I know Casey would love it sit up front and be in all the action. We were in the balcony last time and she was not happy about it.

 

[Wood Nymph]

I made a dining reservation.
....
And as abnormal as making dining reservations that far out felt, just making dining reservations restored some normal in this Disney girls heart.

This was a very wise move considering the possibility of restrictions on available restaurant seating. It shows foresight and efficiency. You can now spend the next 180 days moving the reservations around as needed.

Our ADR date was April 27th and I haven't made any ADR's yet. I think I better get going on that before the good ones are gone.

 

[NJlauren]

5:50 is sleeping late???? Yikes! Though glad you largely got what you wanted. And yes 7 is more than 6 so I "won" the ADR wars

Ugh do not remind me! Today was 515 I think? But it was Robs day so I rolled over and went back to bed. I actually just went and shifted a day and made that Hollywood and Vine, which I will probably cancel! Haha

I went ahead and booked it b/c they assign seating based upon when you made the ADR. Even if the show isn't the same I know Casey would love it sit up front and be in all the action. We were in the balcony last time and she was not happy about it.

Yeah I had heard that so that’s why I wanted to book it and see what happens, we can always cancel. I should have a floor spot...

 

[Dis_Yoda]

I forgot our trips were going to overlap. Sadly its Sunday the 1st, not the race day. We actually changed our plans and Jason isn't going to do the race now. He figured the price was just too expensive and he didn't want to run alone. So we are going to leave on Friday now and drive up to Savannah and he's going to do a half marathon with my best friend there.

I get that! I'll be on the Boardwalk handing out my Jell-O shots alone during the 10K & Half then

We're from October 30th to Nov 9th so maybe we might actually meet for the first time!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Oh this was totally flying over DC on Sunday. You didn't see it in Ireland

 

[disneyAndi14]

You have taught us how nice it is to make a reservation on the fly so I am glad you learned something from us How fun it is to get up at the crack of dawn 180 days out to make a reservation!
I’m happy you got the brunch, I dream about that wonderful brunch, so worth the $$$ in my opinion!

 

[Niki Andiokno]

Haha Welcome to the world of super planners

 

[kastoney]

This was a very wise move considering the possibility of restrictions on available restaurant seating. It shows foresight and efficiency. You can now spend the next 180 days moving the reservations around as needed.

Wise I am. Just call me Yoda

Our ADR date was April 27th and I haven't made any ADR's yet. I think I better get going on that before the good ones are gone.

Yes you better get to it. If all of us non-planners start to think like me I'm sure there will be nothing left

Ugh do not remind me! Today was 515 I think? But it was Robs day so I rolled over and went back to bed. I actually just went and shifted a day and made that Hollywood and Vine, which I will probably cancel! Haha

I do not think I could handle an early rising child. I used to have to wake Casey up around 6 or 6:30 to leave for work and she went right back to sleep in the car.

I get that! I'll be on the Boardwalk handing out my Jell-O shots alone during the 10K & Half then

We're from October 30th to Nov 9th so maybe we might actually meet for the first time!

YES!!!!!!! I smell some food and wine in our future.

You have taught us how nice it is to make a reservation on the fly so I am glad you learned something from us How fun it is to get up at the crack of dawn 180 days out to make a reservation!

Well I clearly didn't learn what time to get up but at least I knew when my 180 day was. Baby planning steps.

I’m happy you got the brunch, I dream about that wonderful brunch, so worth the $$$ in my opinion!

It is expensive but worth it for us too. Only thing I hate is having to hand over $50+ for Casey who I'm sure will eat about $6 worth of sushi but I figure I'll just drink another $44 worth of mimosa's so we can call it even.

Haha Welcome to the world of super planners

Thank you????