Signature Dining: Yachtsman Steakhouse

This post was originally featured on MouseBuzz.

On my family’s most recent trip to Walt Disney World, we chose the Deluxe Dining Plan. To make the most of this experience, we chose a few Signature meals.

Signature meals are among Disney’s most delicious – and expensive – options. In fact, for the Plus Dining and Deluxe Dining plans, two table service credits are required to “pay” for your meal. It does seem a bit steep, but in many cases, they are very much worth the expense.

Photo courtesy of Alex4981 on Flickr

My personal vote for a Signature meal? Yachtsman Steakhouse.

Now, I wouldn’t advise anyone that’s averse to meat to go to Yachtsman … because thick, juicy, delicious steaks are their calling card. Quite possibly, Yachtsman cooked up the best steak I’ve ever had. My husband and I are “foodies”, so that’s saying a lot.

Upon arrival, we checked in at the hostess stand. Our table wasn’t quite ready, so we were shown into the Crew’s Cup Lounge. This full bar offered not only the typical bar seating, but several comfortable booth-and-table setups. They also had several flat-screen TVs on the walls for your viewing pleasure.
Our table was ready quickly, and we were escorted to the dining room. There are several “rooms”, with many tables. There was a mix of family tables as well as those clearly on a kid-free night out.



Photo courtesy of Dilbertian on Flickr

We quickly chose our meals, including my daughter who is still a Disney Child (for one more year). The kid’s menu included some steak, so of course she was happy. The server guided us through the menu; including pointing out some of the more adventurous choices, since we had mentioned that we liked to try new foods. He deftly suggested the charcuterie plate, the cheese sampler, and the escargot. My daughter, not nearly as adventurous as the rest of the family, went with the safe-and-tasty chicken noodle soup. For our entrées, each of us ordered steak. My husband, his daughter, and I all ordered the filet mignon; my daughter had the children’s steak meal. For dessert, I chose the crème brulee, my husband had the lemon dessert, and my stepdaughter had a chocolate concoction. However, our desserts all pared in comparison to my daughter’s. She got the Mickey Puzzle … a white chocolate puzzle with a paintbrush and three delicious sauce “paints”. We all had a great time putting the puzzle together, and helping her paint it.

Now that we’re back home, we are still talking about our delicious meal at Yachtsman. It was one of the culinary highlights of our vacation. I highly recommend making reservations at Yachtsman Steakhouse if you have the opportunity – it was delicious!

How many more days, my-mommy?

So my daughter's a Disney junkie.  This should not shock you.

But she's been asking "my-mommy, how many more days till MICKEY WAFFLES?"

Yes, my daughter is a Mickey Waffle junkie.  Every morning, it's gotta be Mickey Waffles.  Now, sometimes I can talk her into some eggs, or maybe even some Tonga Toast.  But if she had it her way, it would be all Mickey Waffles, all the time.  Silly kid.

Now, for those folks that are gluten free, never fear.  Just talk to the chef at your resort or at the restaurant where you dine.  They likely have some gluten free mix that they can use to make these tasty treats.  Just ask!

And to answer her question ... just 107 more days till Mickey Waffles.

Aloha to the Spirit of Aloha dinner show!

One of my favorite dining experiences at Disney is the Spirit of Aloha dinner show.  Now, I know that it's much maligned with die-hard fans.  It's often derided as "kitschy" or even sometimes "silly".  On both counts, I must agree.  It's very kitschy and silly!  But that's what makes it fun.

On the dining plan, this is a two table service credit meal.  And with the dining plan, you can only sit in section 2 or 3 (section 1 is "front and center").  Your table placement is decided by your party size and your reservation time (180 days out with a 2-person party is going to yield the best seat).

So, there are two questions here:  1, is the SoA show worth the time commitment on a busy trip; and 2, is it worth the price (cash or dining credits).  Each one is separate, I think.

First of all, I do think the SoA show is worth the time.  A wise man once said that your vacation shouldn't exhaust you to the point where you need to rest when you come home ... and really, I think SoA is a great bit of down time for a family.  The food is good and plentiful, the show is interesting (at least the second half, in my opinion), and it's fun to meet families from all over the world.  And, if you're staying at the Polynesian, it's a lovely (and short) walk back to your room after the show.

Upon arrival, you'll check in and receive a lei.  They're the simple silk-flower type, and the kids love them.  Well, until they start making your neck itch.  The cast members herd you over for the obligatory photo (not included with the price, don't worry they'll print it and stalk you during dinner) ... but you can graciously decline, of course.  Then you're herded into a large waiting area, all in a group.  There is a mobile bar available that serves wine and beer and some limited mixed drinks (cash bar, room charge wasn't accepted both times we visited).  At your reservation time (usually either 5:15 or 8:00 PM), you are then herded down a ramp toward the entrance point for the theater.  It feels disorganized and very confusing (and as my daughter says "hurry up and wait"), but when you make it to the front of the line you realize that they have this chaos very well orchestrated.

You'll be escorted to your pre-assigned table, and given a drink menu.  Soft drinks, beer, and wine are included with your meal, but of course there are other drinks available for a nominal charge.  While you wait for the show to begin, your server will bring some bread (which tastes a lot like Ohana's welcome bread).  It is worth noting that if you have a finicky eater, you can always request a na keiki (the child's) boxed meal.  This is usually a PB&J Uncrustable and some other kid-friendly fare.  However, I think that most kids will like what's offered and should really give it a try.

Shortly after the bread, a most delicious salad appears.  It's served with fresh pineapple, and topped with mandarin oranges.

 

photo courtesy of user pauliek on DisBoards

If you're anything like us, you'll tear through the salad quickly.  The dressing is sweet yet tangy, and the fresh sweet pineapple is the perfect complement to the crunch of the salad.  Try not to fill up on the salad, because there's even more delicious food coming.

After the first "act" of the luau (as part of the show), your server will then bring out your main course ... family-style. On one of the trademark pewter serving plates, you'll be presented with delicious barbeque pork ribs, rotisserie chicken with the most lovely seasoning, and sides of polynesian rice and veggies.  I'm not ashamed to admit that my 51 pound daughter and I tore through the ribs and had to ask our server for more.  The sauce was delicious, and the ribs were well-cooked.  Neither my daughter nor I were huge fans of the chicken either time we visited, aside from eating the seasoned skin and a bite or two as a change of pace from the massive amount of ribs we consumed.  The rice was acceptable, but not memorable.  Honestly, we may have eaten a small spoonful each.  The ribs were just that good.

The show continues, and before the traditional dance showcase portion begins, dessert is brought out with great fanfare.  The name "volcano delight" is a bit misleading, as the dessert that's served isn't the sparkler-laden attention grabber that's presented.  However, the single-serve chocolate mousse pyramids are certainly tasty.  Nestled on a bed of pineapple syrup and drizzled with sweet raspberry syrup, it's a diabetic's nightmare.  Sweet, rich, and oh-so-good. 

 

photo courtesy of Chip & Co.

After dessert is served, the best part of the show begins.  The cast members share dances from several different islands - all are beautiful and evoke feelings of the islands, but all are different and interesting.  From the hula of Hawaii, to the careful poi ball acrobatics of Tahiti, to the beautiful courtship dance of Samoa ... the dances are well choreographed and interesting.  But the highlight (and finale) of the evening is the Fire Dancer.  He is legendary amongst children and grown women alike ... for different reasons.  He is very skilled, and suffice it to say he's easy on the eyes.  He's my daughter's favorite performer, for sure.

All in all, it's a great night to kick back, have a good meal, and relax.  Cash prices are currently listed on AllEars, and vary based upon seating choice and age.  This is a two-credit dining experience if you are on the Dining Plan.

Back to my initial questions:

1. Is the SoA show worth the time commitment on a busy trip?  Absolutely.  A well-planned trip should include a meal or experience that causes you to slow down and appreciate your good fortune to be at The Happiest Place On Earth.  I think that SoA does just that.  The first part of the show is kitschy and a bit silly.  But if you have a child with you, I promise they'll love it.  The second part of the show is very well-done, and the food is great.  I prefer the 8 PM show, because it is easy to do a park in the morning and swim in the afternoon.  Even with the 8 PM show, we were tucked into our beds in Samoa 3607 by 10:30 PM. 

2. Is it worth the price (cash or dining credits)? This is a personal choice.  My family enjoys a good meal, and we like to linger and talk when we're finished dining.   We were not opposed to the price tag, as we considered it the equivalent to a dinner at Cosmic Ray's (with a bit better side dishes), and a nice show.  As a deluxe dining plan family, we carefully budgeted our credits for this meal and decided that it was worth the expense.  Personally, I say "yes, it's worth it".  And when planning our trip this year, this (and Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast) were my daughter's only two requests.

Score: I give the Spirit of Aloha dinner show a 9 out of 10.  As the gratuity is included in the meal price, I've noticed that the service is not nearly as attentive as other places on Disney property.  Don't misunderstand me ... our server both times did an acceptable job.  But they didn't play the part well - simply brought food, dropped it off, and cleared plates.  I've had similarly attentive service at a buffet meal on property, and the price was half of this experience.  The food is always well-prepared and very tasty, the show is acceptable, and it's a great night to enjoy with your family.  Give it a try.

Club Cool

Club Cool is a fun little place in Epcot.  Tucked in the Innoventions Pavilion by the beautiful fountain on your way to the International Gateway, it's a nice place to cool off on a hot day.

Sponsored by Coca-Cola, this lovely little shop offers the usual souvenirs, but with a bonus:  free drinks.

There are samples of several different types of Coca-Cola branded drinks from around the world; from my personal favorite (Krest Ginger Ale) from Mozambique to my daughter's favorite (Smart Watermelon) from China.  This has been the subject of much discussion amongst families, sometimes rather heated too.  However, everyone agrees on one things:  Beverly is awful.  In fact, I think that many families have one of these photos:

 

That's my daughter, trying a sip of the very bitter Beverly soda (from Italy).  Clearly, she's not a fan.  Even after I tortured her this way, she still looks forward to a Club Cool visit whenever possible ... even on our World Showcase days.

My thoughts on 'Ohana Dinner

'Ohana is one of the table-service restaurants at the Polynesian.  'Ohana serves both breakfast and dinner. We had a chance during our recent trip to the World to enjoy both meals.  In Hawaiian, the word 'ohana is loosely translated into "family".  Meals are served family style, everyone's your "cousin", and it's a great deal of fun.

Due to my not-so-BFF Tropical Storm Nicole causing torrential downpours on our Not-So-Scary Halloween Party night, we decided to reschedule and hit 'Ohana for dinner instead.  We were tired and drained from our experience with the weather, but the lovely concierge got us a last-minute ADR (advance dining reservation, for you folks that don't know all the lingo yet).  And hey, according to CurlyKristen ... "MEAT ON A STICK! GOOD!"

 Upon arrival, they greet you and you walk in with one of your "cousins".  Stopping by the service counter, you are shown their special drinks (sadly, I was too tired to indulge), and you pick up a basket of "Welcome Bread".  I thought this a bit bizarre at first, but oh.  OH.  The bread.   It's this soft and delicious pineapple laced goodness.  It's crusty on the outside - but not TOO crusty.  It's smooshy on the inside.  Oh, so tasty.  You carry the loaf of golden brown goodness through the dining area, and past the grilling area.  There, you will see tens (close to hundreds, if they're busy) of stakes of meat.  I wanted to stop and marvel at the meaty goodness, but our "cousin" hurried us to our table.  I was annoyed, but then my stomach gently reminded me that A, my daughter was carrying delicious bread to eat, and B, it had been hours since I'd eaten anything.  So I sulked and followed along.  mmmm bread ...

As the saying goes ... "But wait!  There's more!"  Why, you ask?  Because shortly after being seated, the parade of food began.  And I do mean a parade of food.  We literally ran out of room on our table.

I have dreams about the salad dressing ... oh my.  I piled it HIGH on my plate, knowing that sticks-o-meat were coming.  It's a lovely version of sweet and sour - with a bit of a honey-lime kick.  I may or may not have licked my fingers a few times.

And then ... it ramped up.

The most delicious honey-barbeque chicken wings showed up, accompanied with one of my weaknesses:  dumplings.  Steamed dumplings that had been gently browned a bit on each side on a griddle.  Delicious!

After I'd considered lying these items on the table and making snow (food?) angels, even MORE food showed up!  Steamed veggies, dipping sauces, and lo-mein noodles were brought to our table, along with our first serving of meat.   Through the meal, we were offered:  steak, chicken, shrimp, and pork.  All were adequate, but a bit dry.  They were well-seasoned, but a bit overdone for my tastes.  That's not to say that we didn't eat more than our fair share though.

We had several "rounds", and finally said "no more".  The dishes were cleared from our table, and the heavens opened.  The angels sang.  One of the most amazing things happened to me.

'Ohana. Bread. Pudding.

This amazing concoction is mooshy challah bread soaked in caramel and sunshine.  It is topped with a scoop of cool vanilla ice cream, and placed on a plate with a serving of bananas foster topping.  When they brought it to the table, I think I heard the sound of my rear end growing larger.  And I just didn't care.

I may or may not have consumed the entire plate alone, while my daughter finished her birthday cupcake and the bowl of ice cream with sprinkles (also pictured).  You can also see the remnants of our second loaf of Welcome Bread in the back of the shot.

If you're interested, you can find the full recipe (with a video to help) for the bread pudding over at A Taste Of Disney.  I am planning to make some of this stuff here pretty soon.

During dinner, the entertainment abounded.  There were conga lines, shaking of maracas, limbo contests, and more.  There also was a sighting of a buttoned-down corporate dad wearing a coconut bra and grass skirt over his clothing.  It was fun, but got loud at times.  It's a great place for kids, that's for sure.

Would I suggest 'Ohana for dinner?  Yes.  I think that it's a good use of a table service credit.  However, I don't know that I'd schedule my day around it.  If I were staying at the Polynesian and / or was having a "slow" day (park in the morning, relaxing dinner in the evening, early to bed for rope-drop the next day), this would be a great fit and one of my top choices. 

Score:  I give 'Ohana dinner a solid 8 out of 10.  If the meat were juicier (and included sausage), it may have been a 9.  However it was a good value for the price, and a great meal.

A Magic Kingdom Meme

According to Wikipedia, "...the term "Internet meme" (pronounced /ˈmiːm/, rhyming with "cream") is used to describe a concept that spreads swiftly via the Internet."  Many times, I've participated in memes to combat writer's block or to just be part of the cool kids' crowd.  And from time to time, one pops up that's even - gasp - FUN!

So when I ran across this one on MousePlanning, I had to do it.  I'm having serious Disney World withdrawals (specifically Magic Kingdom), so this is helping a bit.  May I present ...

Hilary's Personal Magic Kingdom Quiz

What are your top 3 favorite attractions in each land in the Magic Kingdom (MK)? (note - I picked out my favorite THINGS from each place, not necessarily a ride or attraction.)

Main Street USA:
1. The Fire Chief that comes out at Rope Drop
2. The view of the castle as you enter the park - nothing quite like that feeling
3.  The Emporium, much to my bank account's chagrin

Fantasyland:
1. It’s a Small World
2. PhilHarMagic
3. Dumbo (I'm a recent convert)

Liberty Square:
1. The Haunted Mansion
2. Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe
3. The Liberty Bell replica (rumor has it that it's from the same mold as the original famous bell)

Frontierland:
1. Splash Mountain
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Briar Patch shop

Adventureland:
1. Aloha Isle (must we delve into my Dole Whip psychosis again?)
2. Pirates of the Caribbean
3. Magic Carpets of Aladdin 

Tomorrowland (this is my favorite land):
1. Space Mountain
2. Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
3. Tomorrowland Speedway (it brings my daughter such joy)

Mickey’s Toontown Fair (my least favorite, due to lines)
1. Minnie’s Country House
2. The WDW Railroad Station
3. The Barnstormer

What are your top 3 favorite MK attractions?
1. Splash Mountain
2. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
3. Space Mountain

What are your least favorite MK attractions?
1. Stitch’s Great Escape - this made me want to hurl
2. The Enchanted Tiki Room (Under New Management) - Bring the old one back
3. Character visits (particularly Fairies and Princesses), due to lines

What are your favorite “extinct” MK attractions:
1. Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
2. Enchanted Tiki Room (original)
3. Storytime with Belle


What is your favorite table service restaurant in MK? 
Cinderella's Royal Table breakfast, prior to park opening.  The walk down an empty Main Street, USA is amazing.  And the food isn't bad either - they really do have the BEST scrambled eggs in the World.  A close second is Crystal Palace - I like the character interactions and the food choices.

What is your favorite counter service restaurant in MK? I have a tie for this one:  Either Casey's Corner, or Cosmic Ray's.  In a close second place to those, I'll say Columbia Harbour House.

I have seen heaven, and its name is Orange Leaf.

Really. Orange Leaf.

Let me back up a second here.

My love for Dole Whip is legendary.  I have an unnatural obsession with the frozen pineapple goodness.  One of the things I love most about the Polynesian is the dispenser at the Polynesian.

So, when I was so sad that I had to leave the Dole Whip behind, I vowed to find a way to get some of that frozen deliciousness for myself.

Would I have to order some from Hawaii? If I did that, I'd have to also buy an ice cream maker and make it myself.




So, seeing as how that isn't the optimal thing to do (but another month without my "fix" would have made it very necessary), I set out to find something similar.  Little did I know that the magical elixir that haunts my dreams would make an appearance in a most unexpected way.

See, my Panda is a gamer.  Like, to the point where he has Xbox jammy-pants that are threadbare (and essentially shredded in places).  So we often frequent our local GameStop for midnight releases of video games.  The most recent release, Halo: Reach, wasn't the most fun at our usual location.  So we sought another location to patronize.  We happened upon the Kingsdale branch, and realized we were home.  So, for the next release (Medal of Honor), we pre-ordered and picked up there.

Upon arrival, we had about 40 minutes to kill before midnight.  So we walked around the recently renovated plaza and looked at the new stores that we haven't patronized yet.  One was very curious ... it was called Orange Leaf.  A quick zip of the Droid revealed that it was a wonderful soft-serve frozen yogurt place.  Curious, I looked to see what flavors they offered. And there it was.

Dole Pineapple.

**squee**

I nearly fainted.

Seeing as how it was nearly midnight and this mecca of deliciousness was closed ... we vowed to wait until we had the kids (and time) to go investigate.  We went tonight, and BOY am I glad we did.  It was an awesome experience, and I got my "fix".  Everyone wins!

Now, the pineapple they offer at Orange Leaf isn't the creamy sensation that Disney has.  It's more of a citrus sorbet type substance than a creamy "whip".  I'm fairly sure that Disney's pixie-dust laden version is some sort of proprietary production method that whips more air into the raw mix than Orange Leaf does ... and I'm also not entirely sure that said Disney method doesn't involve Tinkerbell and a certain feeling of "if I tell you, I'll have to kill you."  But oh.  The Orange Leaf version?  A very acceptable substitute.  In fact, it was nothing short of amazing.

Here's my concoction.  It was delicious soft serve with raspberries, strawberries, pineapple, and the trademark orange shovel.

I'm now wondering if it's socially acceptable for me to show up there again tomorrow.  Maybe I can wear a disguise.  Maybe I can just pay one flat fee, put my head under the dispenser, and pull the lever.  A wise kitteh once said it best:  OM NOM NOM.