DizMe
Here we gooooo...
- Joined
- Jun 4, 2007
On our last day, I went over and checked us into DLH at 6:30 am (I like to see what I'm getting so prefer to check in in person). Our room was on the 10th floor, directly below the entrance to the concierge lounge. We just had to hop on the elevator and go up one floor and there we were! We had a gorgeous view out over DTD, DCA, DL, and the distant hills. We stayed in our room that night for fireworks and were amazed at what we could also see of WOC in the distance. Now I want to do the dessert party next year! Believe it or not, I've never seen WOC except in little flashes from afar. I had no idea it was so spectacular!
The room we had was nice but I definitely prefer GCH. DLH seemed a little...tired. It wasn't quite as posh (no robes and the bathroom was definitely dated), but the view was spectacular! It's a lovely hotel with so many fun things to see. However, I miss the big fancy lobby and gathering place at GCH when I'm at DLH. There really isn't an indoor gathering place at DLH that isn't a dining venue. I don't find the DLH lobby, such as it is, very inviting as it's only intended as a place for family to wait during check-in. The lack of dining options is also odd for such a large hotel and I'm puzzled as to why they closed Steakhouse 55 and have yet to replace it.
On our arrival day, we got to LGB (so quick and easy to get in and out of), deplaned, got our bags, and were in our Lyft to the resort in no time at all. Checked in to GCH with no one else in line (!) and had a fun chat with the front desk lady I mentioned before, who told us to call her Auntie Linda. We were able to check into our room right away and get our bags sent up (around 11 am) and then we headed to DL for our 11:45 Blue Bayou reservation.
FOOD
Day 1
BLUE BAYOU When we arrived at check-in, we requested waterside and were told it would be about 50 mins. We said fine and sat down inside but were immediately called, so don't necessarily believe what they give you as a wait time for waterside. I've never had it take as long as they say, and I've been going for many years. Our table wasn't *quite* waterside, but it was right there where we could easily see the boats and the bayou. It was lovely! We shared the Monte Cristo and salad (our favorite) and we each had a hurricane. The drink is really good but cost about as much as the food
. Even though we split the MC, we still only ate half of it so we took the rest with us. And yes, we enjoyed it later! No dessert for us then.
Grade: A-
CARTHAY CIRCLE RESTAURANT We had a lot of fun playing around and riding rides and then went to change for dinner. It was fabulous! Staff was excellent and the food was, too. I find it a little chilly in there and the 2-person tables tend to be in the less desirable spots, but it's still beautiful and fun. Had a blast taking those silly pics, then hopped over to DL. What a great day!
Grade: A-
Day 2
LA BREA This was our only ADR for breakfast. It was good, but not like it used to be. We got the same server we've had for years (Kim), who is a hoot. Shared the pecan stuffed French toast and it was yummy, but we miss the lox and bagel with giant capers and the variety of the old menu.
Grade: B+
MAGIC KEY TERRACE Had lunch there with a friend and it was delightful! Great servers, quick prep, and very friendly people. We all shared the sliders plus the cheese board. We all had Shipwrecks (yummy drink). Big thumbs up to MK.
Grade: A
NAPA ROSE We went for dinner. I love the lounge, but I don't love the restaurant. They're kind of snooty. This time, they were especially snooty and we were rather rudely treated, which did not go over well with either of us. We dressed up and were not demanding but we find that 2 older women are often invisible or ignored in such places. On top of that, the food was greatly lacking compared to how it had always been. If I'm paying a premium price, I expect a premium product. It was very good, but far fewer options and it was no longer GREAT. Very pricey for the lower quality product and combined with the service, we decided we were done with Napa Rose unless we hear that the standards have improved. I did leave comments with Disney about our experience. Ordered diver scallop, pork chop, and I don't remember what else, plus the Valrhona hot chocolate dessert. The dessert was a huge disappointment. We order it every year and this year it was lukewarm, not as tasty (not sure why), and the house-made pastry trio was 2 mostly tasteless chocolate madeline things that looked like turds. I'll post a pic and you can see for yourself. We had ordered drinks, and they came with an orange rind garnish, which fell off or into the drink and was, well, ugly. Just a chunk of orange rind. The drink was good, though
I was wondering if the regular chef was on vacation or something because the next day we went to Club 33, which I believe is also Chef Sutton, and surprisingly, we had the same disappointment in the food quality.
Grade: C-
Day 3
We didn't eat breakfast out but had panettone we'd brought with us and Starbuck's coffee, which I mobile ordered and ran down and picked up immediately. Easy from GCH.
HEARTHSTONE TERRACE (?) I'm not sure of the name, but it's next to/part of the little bar and grill by the pool. We ordered a margherita pizza to share, which was quite good. The service was slow but I think that our server was either new or just young and a bit apathetic. He was very quiet and just sort of drifted around, but it was still a really great place for a quick bite.
Grade: A-
CLUB 33 We went for dinner. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas, which is always so fun, and we were entertained by the strolling carolers, who visited each table and asked if you had a request. The food, though, was similar to Napa Rose and was surprisingly less inspired than usual. It was good, but many of my favorites were gone and I actually had trouble choosing courses I would like. Worst of all, the dessert wasn't even good!! That's my favorite part of the meal. We ordered the sticky toffee pudding and it was none of those things, it was like banana bread without the banana. Now, I've had it when it was delicious, so I know what it should have been. We also got the peppermint chocolate yule log, and it was good but not the usual quality, either. Most of the servers were extremely nice, but our main waiter was a bit surly but did eventually thaw a little. There was nothing in the merch cabinet that was interesting, and no eggnog set (purchase with purchase) as in the past 2 years, though I suppose I don't really NEED another. They'd also advertised a cocoa mug with cookie slot which had not arrived before we left. I was really hoping it would show up but sadly, it did not. So, fun experience, lovely setting, fun people, but disappointing in a few ways.
Grade: B (it's very hard to grade a place like Club 33, so I'm only using previous club experiences as a guide)
Day 4
We had leftovers and junk (gingerbread, etc) mostly.
TRADER SAM'S We went in the early evening and shared a big green bowl of Monster's Embrace and some panko beans. Delicious and fun! Not overly crowded, fun people.
Grade: A+
The room we had was nice but I definitely prefer GCH. DLH seemed a little...tired. It wasn't quite as posh (no robes and the bathroom was definitely dated), but the view was spectacular! It's a lovely hotel with so many fun things to see. However, I miss the big fancy lobby and gathering place at GCH when I'm at DLH. There really isn't an indoor gathering place at DLH that isn't a dining venue. I don't find the DLH lobby, such as it is, very inviting as it's only intended as a place for family to wait during check-in. The lack of dining options is also odd for such a large hotel and I'm puzzled as to why they closed Steakhouse 55 and have yet to replace it.
On our arrival day, we got to LGB (so quick and easy to get in and out of), deplaned, got our bags, and were in our Lyft to the resort in no time at all. Checked in to GCH with no one else in line (!) and had a fun chat with the front desk lady I mentioned before, who told us to call her Auntie Linda. We were able to check into our room right away and get our bags sent up (around 11 am) and then we headed to DL for our 11:45 Blue Bayou reservation.
FOOD
Day 1
BLUE BAYOU When we arrived at check-in, we requested waterside and were told it would be about 50 mins. We said fine and sat down inside but were immediately called, so don't necessarily believe what they give you as a wait time for waterside. I've never had it take as long as they say, and I've been going for many years. Our table wasn't *quite* waterside, but it was right there where we could easily see the boats and the bayou. It was lovely! We shared the Monte Cristo and salad (our favorite) and we each had a hurricane. The drink is really good but cost about as much as the food
. Even though we split the MC, we still only ate half of it so we took the rest with us. And yes, we enjoyed it later! No dessert for us then.Grade: A-
CARTHAY CIRCLE RESTAURANT We had a lot of fun playing around and riding rides and then went to change for dinner. It was fabulous! Staff was excellent and the food was, too. I find it a little chilly in there and the 2-person tables tend to be in the less desirable spots, but it's still beautiful and fun. Had a blast taking those silly pics, then hopped over to DL. What a great day!
Grade: A-
Day 2
LA BREA This was our only ADR for breakfast. It was good, but not like it used to be. We got the same server we've had for years (Kim), who is a hoot. Shared the pecan stuffed French toast and it was yummy, but we miss the lox and bagel with giant capers and the variety of the old menu.
Grade: B+
MAGIC KEY TERRACE Had lunch there with a friend and it was delightful! Great servers, quick prep, and very friendly people. We all shared the sliders plus the cheese board. We all had Shipwrecks (yummy drink). Big thumbs up to MK.
Grade: A
NAPA ROSE We went for dinner. I love the lounge, but I don't love the restaurant. They're kind of snooty. This time, they were especially snooty and we were rather rudely treated, which did not go over well with either of us. We dressed up and were not demanding but we find that 2 older women are often invisible or ignored in such places. On top of that, the food was greatly lacking compared to how it had always been. If I'm paying a premium price, I expect a premium product. It was very good, but far fewer options and it was no longer GREAT. Very pricey for the lower quality product and combined with the service, we decided we were done with Napa Rose unless we hear that the standards have improved. I did leave comments with Disney about our experience. Ordered diver scallop, pork chop, and I don't remember what else, plus the Valrhona hot chocolate dessert. The dessert was a huge disappointment. We order it every year and this year it was lukewarm, not as tasty (not sure why), and the house-made pastry trio was 2 mostly tasteless chocolate madeline things that looked like turds. I'll post a pic and you can see for yourself. We had ordered drinks, and they came with an orange rind garnish, which fell off or into the drink and was, well, ugly. Just a chunk of orange rind. The drink was good, though
I was wondering if the regular chef was on vacation or something because the next day we went to Club 33, which I believe is also Chef Sutton, and surprisingly, we had the same disappointment in the food quality.Grade: C-
Day 3
We didn't eat breakfast out but had panettone we'd brought with us and Starbuck's coffee, which I mobile ordered and ran down and picked up immediately. Easy from GCH.
HEARTHSTONE TERRACE (?) I'm not sure of the name, but it's next to/part of the little bar and grill by the pool. We ordered a margherita pizza to share, which was quite good. The service was slow but I think that our server was either new or just young and a bit apathetic. He was very quiet and just sort of drifted around, but it was still a really great place for a quick bite.
Grade: A-
CLUB 33 We went for dinner. It was beautifully decorated for Christmas, which is always so fun, and we were entertained by the strolling carolers, who visited each table and asked if you had a request. The food, though, was similar to Napa Rose and was surprisingly less inspired than usual. It was good, but many of my favorites were gone and I actually had trouble choosing courses I would like. Worst of all, the dessert wasn't even good!! That's my favorite part of the meal. We ordered the sticky toffee pudding and it was none of those things, it was like banana bread without the banana. Now, I've had it when it was delicious, so I know what it should have been. We also got the peppermint chocolate yule log, and it was good but not the usual quality, either. Most of the servers were extremely nice, but our main waiter was a bit surly but did eventually thaw a little. There was nothing in the merch cabinet that was interesting, and no eggnog set (purchase with purchase) as in the past 2 years, though I suppose I don't really NEED another. They'd also advertised a cocoa mug with cookie slot which had not arrived before we left. I was really hoping it would show up but sadly, it did not. So, fun experience, lovely setting, fun people, but disappointing in a few ways.
Grade: B (it's very hard to grade a place like Club 33, so I'm only using previous club experiences as a guide)
Day 4
We had leftovers and junk (gingerbread, etc) mostly.
TRADER SAM'S We went in the early evening and shared a big green bowl of Monster's Embrace and some panko beans. Delicious and fun! Not overly crowded, fun people.
Grade: A+
