Surprise! Surprise!

[real mad hatter]

Have you ever walked past a restaurant,trip after trip,but decided to give it a try and were pleasantly surprised..I have always wanted to try Paradiso 57 or is it 37..But never have yet..This happened to us at Downtown...We missed Earls in 2004 then 2006 and once again in 2008 but in 2010 we decided to give it a try..OMG...What a big mistake..I think it was because it was just a sandwich place that we kept on walking..So have you done similar at WDW...

 

[wdwmagic]

Yep. The 50's Prime Time exceeded my expectations. It is no fine dining location, but does what it sets out to do very well.

 

[75disney]

No surprises for me. I have been there so many times and done so much research that I even know what the snack carts sell (just kiddin'). Every restaurant (CS and TS) are carefully planned well in advance.

And Earls... awesome. Recently traveled down South on I-95 to VA and noticed quite a few Earls. We didn't stop because we weren't hungry at the time. Wish one would open where I live.

 

[Spikerdink]

I have never eaten at 9 Dragons....and this trip it is one place a friend of mine wants to try....so it shall be....

Went to Marrakesh ten years ago...remember enjoying the experience, but wasn't in a hurry to go back. Same friend wants to do that restaurant, so will give it another go!

I bet there are at least 10 others I have walked past and never glanced back, but decided that I will give each one a shot in my future vacations....

 

[iYazmo]

For my last 7 visits, we walked past Marrakesh several times and just ignored it. When we visited last summer, we decided to give Marrakesh a try and we absolutely loved it. It exceeded our expectations and we now deeply regret walking past it 7(or more) times.

Same happened with Earl at Downtown and we tried it this year and we also absolutely loved it.

The only unpleasant surprise was when we decided to go to Bongos for the first time. Always walked past it, ate there last summer, never going there again. Coming from a Spanish family, the chicken was overcooked, the rice wasn't cooked all the way, etc. It was a real disappointment.

 

[durangojim]

Happened to us this past May with Paradiso 37. Found the food and service to be quite good.

 

[LucyK]

Mama Melrose's truly surprised me and made me take all reviews with a grain of fleur de sel. Service was great, food was very good and the portions are huge! I had a hard time finishing my penne a la vodka. I now suggest MM to everyone, specially if you're the DDP and are doing the Fantasmic package since an app is included on the price.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

Boatwright's Dining Hall was a pleasant surprise for us. Prior to our 2011 visit, we had only been there for breakfast (which in itself means that it had been a while). Our last-minute decision to have dinner there led to one of the standout meals of our trip. It's not that the food was fine dining or anything, but it vastly exceeded our low expectations.

 

[disneygirl76]

Have you ever walked past a restaurant,trip after trip,but decided to give it a try and were pleasantly surprised..I have always wanted to try Paradiso 57 or is it 37..But never have yet..This happened to us at Downtown...We missed Earls in 2004 then 2006 and once again in 2008 but in 2010 we decided to give it a try..OMG...What a big mistake..I think it was because it was just a sandwich place that we kept on walking..So have you done similar at WDW...

The Plaza. Always thought it was just an ice cream place!! But it was so yummy for dinner!! SO yummy!

 

[lunchbox1175]

Yes indeed, thats why we make it a point to try a different restaurant every day on each trip. Paradiso is fantastic, and they have realy Dr. Pepper....which is an added bonus!!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Yep, we decided to try San Angel Inn at Mexico and it was a pleasant experience.

 

[Disvillain63]

Mama Melrose...it's now a must-do every trip...

 

[Bparso87]

I have two places. Earl of sandwhices was not just a surprise but now my favorite QS. Trex surprised me a lot. I was expecting a cool place but the food was really good.

 

[jw24]

Before I read the reviews, I just walked past Sunshine Seasons on my past trips and that's probably because I thought there'd be better food in World Showcase. But last March, I ate at Sunshine Seasons and when all was said and done, I asked myself, "Why didn't I try this place earlier?!"

 

[coachwnh]

Have you ever walked past a restaurant,trip after trip,but decided to give it a try and were pleasantly surprised..I have always wanted to try Paradiso 57 or is it 37..But never have yet..This happened to us at Downtown...We missed Earls in 2004 then 2006 and once again in 2008 but in 2010 we decided to give it a try..OMG...What a big mistake..I think it was because it was just a sandwich place that we kept on walking..So have you done similar at WDW...

Paradiso it is for us! We went to WDW at the last minute a few summers ago. No ADRs, no anything other than our APs. We didn't even have a resort booked until we dropped of the dog at the in laws and started on our way after packing the car. We ate at Paradiso on our last day, and we loved it. They have an excellent bar and they make some funky drinks (including some different margaritas!!!!). Right up your alley. We have Yak and Yeti planned for our Christmas trip this year. We always say we are going to eat there, but never do.