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Disney Dining Review of Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Disney Dining Review of Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

I have to start this review off by saying that I have become quite a Disney Dining snob.  As I thought back on all of the times that I have been on property and the number of times I have thought about going to Captain’s Grille, it is truly weird that I never did end up there.  I like signature restaurants, though there have been times I have like a moderate table service meal more.  I like buffets because I have a hard time selecting one scrumptious meal and I like eating to the point where I feel like I may burst (only at Disney, I am pretty moderate at home!) I like themes and whimsy and characters and the Disney-ish feel.  So, when I have walked through the Yacht Club resort, I often feel like it is slightly less Disney than other places due to the high faulting décor and feel.  I am so glad that when we met some friends who were staying at the Yacht Club that we were all too exhausted to walk to Epcot because I loved Captain’s Grille.  LOVED.

The Yacht Club Resort, opened in 1990, is a true Disney beauty.  Rich nautical décor and theming transport you to the heyday of the yacht scene in Martha’s Vineyard.  Attached to its sister resort, Beach Club resort, you can distinguish Yacht Club by its grey siding and red striped awnings.  Out of the two resorts, Yacht Club is often requested by business people using the attached convention center, while families tend to prefer the DVC location of the Beach Club.  Located within a 5 minute walk from Epcot, a 10 minute walk around to the Boardwalk , one of the coolest pools (Stormalong Bay, one of the nation’s largest sand bottom pools), it’s no wonder that Yacht Club is a high sought after reservation.  Yacht Club boasts a beach, a marina with rentals, a spa, health club, arcade and the sand castle club (drop off services for kids 3-12) If you love food, you are in for a real treat!  Within walking distance is the World Showcase and restaurants at the Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin and Beach Club.  The Yacht Club offers 3 dining options.  The Signature Yachtsman Steakhouse, Hurricane Hannah’s and of course, Captain’s Grill.

When checking into the restaurant, ask for a seat near the moving artwork.  I was simply fascinated by the moving boats in a cartoonish type ocean. The hostess actually had to ask me about 4 times to continue following her.  I felt bad, but I was totally mesmerized.  If you have kids, you MUST ask for these seats, as there really only are about 6 tables with this very cool view.  Once we were seated, we had a tough time picking out an appetizer, due to the nice selection.   I would try the Lump Crab Cake with  Fire-roasted Corn Succotash and Lemon Emulsion ($14.99).  The  Farmers’ Market Salad with Walnut Granola, Granny Smith Apples, Dried Cranberries, Marscarpone-Blue Cheese Cream, and Champagne Vinaigrette ($ 7.49) was fresh, flavorful and would have made me very happy to have more of!  I also noticed the Seared Scallops with Roasted Cauliflower, Arugula, Watercress, and Cauliflower Purée ($11.99).  Hubby and I split the Pot-braised Mussels and Clams Tomato-Fennel Broth with Toasted Foccacia ($10.99).  While the broth was very delicious with big chunks of onions and tomatoes, the clams and mussels were not too plentiful.  We were also served a few closed shells. It’s not that I was looking for an endless amount, but I definitely did not think that it was large enough to truly share.

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Our server highly recommended the Cabernet-braised Short Rib with Corn Risotto, Pan Jus Reduction and Corn Cream ($24.99), which I immediately agreed to. Hubby really wanted to have the same dinner, but hates ordering the same thing.  This is either genius on his part because he tends to be a better selector than I am or it is disastrous because he ends up eating more of my meal than I do.  He ordered the Chef’s Pasta Creation ($19.99) which changes frequently.  On this night, it was a short rib stroganoff with freshly made pasta.  The short rib was so tender it melted like butter in your mouth and the pasta was among the best pasta we have ever tasted.  But, it figures that he liked mine more and our server laughed as he tried to distract me by telling me to look at things and when I turned, stuck his fork into my meal.  The corn risotto was perfectly prepared with a mild, yet creamy consistency that paired perfectly with the pan jus reduction.  The short rib was so tender and moist that I tried to take really small bites so the delicious would last longer. Actually, this dinner ranks in my top 5 favorite dinners on property! I sincerely wish I had not talked myself out visiting sooner!  Other favorites include the New York Strip Steak Candied Marble Potatoes, Roasted Vegetables, Charred Onion Vinaigrette, and Cabernet Reduction( $29.99) and the Snow Crab Legs with New Potatoes and Corn on the Cob ($29.99).

For dessert, you face tough decisions between Hazelnut Gianduja Chocolate Cake with Salted Caramel Sauce and Chocolate Crispies($ 5.99), the Braeburn Apple Buckle with Toasted Almond Streusel and Yogurt Gelato($ 7.49) and Marshmallow Chocolate Tart with Graham Cracker Crust and Chocolate Sauce ($4.99).  I was pretty full, so I didn’t expect to indulge in dessert, but my husband ordered the Bananas Foster Cheesecake with Candied Walnut Tuile and Rum-Caramel Sauce and homemade chocolate gelato($7.49).  After taking one bite, he gave me his spoon and told me that it was an order that I taste it.  I really don’t like cheesecake, but he insisted…and then was very sorry.  I did to his dessert what he did to my dinner!

With beautiful décor, fun theming, great service, DELICIOUS food and a wonderful location, I highly recommend the Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.  For those of you traveling soon, a special Christmas menu will be offered on Christmas Day, spots will be limited!  Get your sailor’s cap on and head on over to the Captain’s Grille…you will thank me!  4 ½ out of 5 stars with ½ point deduction for the appetizer.

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Food: A delicious treat making me wonder why I hadn’t been there sooner!  Try the chowder for a special treat and make sure you order the Short Rib dinner, if you like amazingly delicious food.  They also make their own gelato, not to be missed! Nautically themed, you will be selecting between surf and turf options.  Very allergy friendly, so if you have a seafood allergy, you will still enjoy the fare!

Atmosphere:  Decorated like you are dining on a ship, anchors are the main theme here!  Ask for a table near the animated, moving ship scenes.  It is very cool for the kids, even big kids like me!  Casual dining, so wear what you will, just make sure it’s not total pool attire.

Service: We were delighted with our prompt, friendly service.  Managers were highly visible, along with food runners.  There was a major sense of urgency, something I appreciate.  I would ask for Amanda at the check in desk, she made our experience fun and was extremely knowledgeable about all things Captain’s Grille.  Actually, we talked about Amanda for days after and that is somewhat rare for us.

Tips: Accepted on the Disney Dining Plan for one table service credit.  One of the easier places to get a table without a reservation, so if you can’t get in to a restaurant you want, I’d head over!  You may not park in the lot at this time of year without a reservation, though, so you may want to consider that if you have a car.  Ask for a seat near the animated ship scenes! I have been told by other enthusiasts that you must stop there for Breakfast.  I can’t wait!

About Lauren Wallis

Lauren Wallis was destined to love Disney. Her Mother found out that she was pregnant with Lauren after her honeymoon at WDW. After moving to Florida in 1990, every school trip, family vacation and weekend getaway was at Disney World! Lauren attended the University of Central Florida and spent her weekends looking for the most delicious restaurants on a college budget. She and her husband have relocated and now live in Central Florida, just minutes from Walt Disney World. She has stayed at every single resort and is currently working on eating at every single restaurant! She has been on WDW property over 400 times…lucky Floridian!