Narcoossee's x California Grill x Jiko plus DDP question

[LucyK]

Here's a little background: I went to Narcoossee's last February on arrival day after spending a few hours at MK. Big mistake; we were so tired we couldn't properly enjoy our meal, my mom had a terrible headache from all the travel, I was cranky and tired. The meal was a total bust, we ended up wasting our DDP credits and leaving during the fireworks (another colossal mistake).

Now that we're planning our return trip, I'd like a do-over. But at the same time I'd also like to try new places and new cuisines. Initially I had Narcoossee's, California Grill and Boma picked out but Jiko has always been on my mind as a strong possibility. I know Boma is a shoo-in primarily because of the delicious vegetarian options it offers plus it's just one credit on the DDP.

My problem is deciding which should I keep next: California Grill is a novelty, it had just closed when we were there this past February, which made me very upset. Narcoossee's for the do-over, the cheese plate app, the lobster and the fireworks. Jiko, also a place I haven't been before, offers the african inspired cuisine, the cheese plate app and a full vegetarian menu.

I can't keep three signature restaurants on my current budget, so what do you guys think?

In a related question, does DxDP covers appetizers for all meals or just signature restaurants? I've read conflicting reports about this one.

 

[RandomPrincess]

It includes apps, entree, non alcoholic drink and dessert for all TS meals.

 

[englanddg]

It includes apps, entree, non alcoholic drink and dessert for all TS meals.

Yeppers, exactly.

 

[71dsp]

It includes apps, entree, non alcoholic drink and dessert for all TS meals.

+1 Correct.

LucyK, sorry I cannot help you much with your decision. We have never been to Jiko or CG, but we have CG booked for this upcoming trip. We've done Narcoossee's every trip and always had a great meal (and enjoyed watching the fireworks).

If you decide to drop Jiko, give Sanaa a try. We've eaten there twice, and I love it. My wife is only so-so on it. However, I have no clue if they have a vegetarian menu.

 

[Mukta]

I have been to all of those. I think you should do Cali Grill and Jiko.

 

[Bob]

That's a tough one as those are probably my 3 favorite signature restaurants. They're all amazing and on our "must do" list every time we visit The World. If I had to rank them it would probably be in the following order:

1) Jiko
2) Cali Grill
3) Narcoossee's

no wait, it would be

1) Jiko
2) Narcoossee's
3) Cali Grill

no wait........

 

[englanddg]

Are you doing Deluxe Dining?

Why not just skip a breakfast and pay out of pocket? Then you can easily scrape up the extra credits for another signature dine.

Also, signature dines and TS are the ONLY way to make the Deluxe Dining actually pay off (and, with two adults...it is gonna be a LOT of food!)

 

[shmmrname]

If you haven't done Jiko yet, do it. It's amazing, you won't regret it. It's something you haven't done, so I'd give it the 'new experience' edge too (I like to try new things each trip).

Narcoossee's vs California Grill is a bit more difficult. I liked Narcoosee's, it was a special dinner with a great view (non-fireworks that meal though). I've never done California Grill (first time will be this Thanksgiving), but to me, it seems like one of those 'must-cross off the list' restaurants. If you've done it all before, I'd always suggest trying something new, sorry!

 

[englanddg]

If you haven't done Jiko yet, do it. It's amazing, you won't regret it. It's something you haven't done, so I'd give it the 'new experience' edge too (I like to try new things each trip).

Narcoossee's vs California Grill is a bit more difficult. I liked Narcoosee's, it was a special dinner with a great view (non-fireworks that meal though). I've never done California Grill (first time will be this Thanksgiving), but to me, it seems like one of those 'must-cross off the list' restaurants. If you've done it all before, I'd always suggest trying something new, sorry!

You summed up my thoughts perfectly...so, no reason for me to re-hash!

Jikos is a must do for me. Try the Boar Appetizer and the Duck! You will not be disappointed!

 

[shmmrname]

You summed up my thoughts perfectly...so, no reason for me to re-hash!

Jikos is a must do for me. Try the Boar Appetizer and the Duck! You will not be disappointed!

I don't even remember what I had, but Jiko just blew me away. I really liked Boma, enough to make us go back to it on consecutive trips. But, Jiko just really hit me. It was one of those meals where the wife and I talked about "how good the food is" from appetizer to the time the check came. (Also, I personally loved the more muted lighting / quieter seating. It worked a lot better for our honeymoon trip.)

 

[englanddg]

I don't even remember what I had, but Jiko just blew me away. I really liked Boma, enough to make us go back to it on consecutive trips. But, Jiko just really hit me. It was one of those meals where the wife and I talked about "how good the food is" from appetizer to the time the check came. (Also, I personally loved the more muted lighting / quieter seating. It worked a lot better for our honeymoon trip.)

I did it last year and this year, and both were great times.

Last year it blew me away. This year, not so much...but it had nothing to do with the restaurant itself (I don't think)...I think it was that I went in thinking it would be as amazing as last year, and the things that surprised and excited me last year, didn't this year...

But, I don't want to sound negative about it...it was NOT a negative experience at all. From the moment I was given the rose water washclothes until we walked out and visited those amazing restrooms (yes, I am going to rave about restaurant restrooms...)

I...just...wish I hadn't ordered the filet or the oysters.

It was an amazing meal.

 

[Jkata87]

I loved jiko . they give you a warm scented towel I thought it was cause I was sweaty from dak.... nope it's to wash your hands I think. I had the wild boar as an app and the filet on Mac and cheese for entree. sounds super weird but our server recommended it. said they were famous for the Mac and cheese.

 

[disneygirl76]

I would do Cali Grill for sure. Then do Jiko. I have tried to "redo" places before and I have found I need a little bit of time between experiences to forget the bad and have a good one. I would do Jiko and Cali. As for what comes with meal, i have asked a cast member this and i got the craziest answer. Here it is, right from the mouses mouth: the plan gives you an entree and a dessert and non alcoholic drinks. Whether it is deluxe dining or regular dining plan. HOWEVER, some places let you add the app. Very few. But more likely you will get a signature location to include an app.

So that is clear...as mud. This is the advice and information from a cast member.

But when you look at the brochure for the deluxe dining plan, you get the app included. And the brochure for the regular dining plan, you do not get the app even if you are at a signature location. But according to the cast member I spoke to, you might.

Its irritating to me that when you ask cast members this info, they don't give you accurate info.

 

[senor_jorge]

Jifo is booked for this trip, and we are looking forward to it. We'd have tried it sooner but the time it takes to travel from CR has always conflicted with other plans we have made (planned and budgeted round trip cab service this time). Narcoossee's is a favorite of ours (and booked for this trip as well). I'm not a huge lobster fan, but I can be if it's great. I've never had great lobster at Narcoossee's, but I've had good lobster...and I usually order the surf 'n turf. Cali Grill is another favorite, and we reserved a table for fireworks the day they became available. The menu has changed slightly, but we are looking forward to trying some new things and enjoying what we think is the best view on property. Narcoossee's isn't shabby in that area either. Even without fireworks there is a beautiful view of CR across the water if you are seated by the windows.

DxDP works for us. We usually snack in the morning which frees up a credit per day, so we usually have a signature meal per day. It is a TREMENDOUS amount of food. We are fortunate financially, but not swimming in cash. We also, both, put in long hours and usually only make it to WDW every other year but there are exceptions. This is a 'splurge' for us. We aren't frugal, but we are responsible. We splurge on the DxDP because we would more than likely revert to being responsible if we paid OOP. I've run the #s with the various plans, TiW/AP, etc. using past trips and what we ordered. DxDP comes out less than $50 cheaper vs. the next closest option, and that requires one signature meal per day on average.YMMV.

 

[LucyK]

I'm leaning towards CG and Jiko manly because I haven't done them yet plus Iagree with @disneygirl76, I'd like a few more visits between the bad stuff that happened. The only thing really weighing in my mind is the fireworks view and I'll have that with CG. I have a few more months before making my final decision and heck, I might book all of them and decide by the time I get there which one I really want.

Thanks for all the recommendations about the boar app, I'll be sure to pass that along to my mom since I don't eat meat

So far I'm not on the DxDP, I've thought about it but the amount of food we'd have to eat is staggering and we don't eat that much (despite what the scale says). The appetizer info had me tempted because we're big on appetizers, specially if there are cheese involved. If not all restaurants honor it becomes less appealing and I might just follow @englanddg suggestion and pay OOP for the cheapest buffet/breakfast. I'll have to break down costs and decide which it'll better fit with my budget.

Thanks all for replying, you guys are great!

 

[senor_jorge]

I can't remember not being able to get an appetizer on the deluxe plan at a participating restaurant.

 

[englanddg]

I loved jiko . they give you a warm scented towel I thought it was cause I was sweaty from dak.... nope it's to wash your hands I think. I had the wild boar as an app and the filet on Mac and cheese for entree. sounds super weird but our server recommended it. said they were famous for the Mac and cheese.

For the record, the Filet with Mac and Cheese is no longer on the menu (as of my trip a few weeks ago).

But, you can request it if you like.