Archive for the ‘Disney Dining’ Category

Having braved the lines for Toy Story Mania! in Pixar Place at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you deserve a snack!  Amble on over to Hey Howdy Hey Take Away for popcorn or chips, ice cream, a cold drink, or maybe Wheezy’s Breezy Freezy!  If you’ve dashed over early in the morning to grab that FastPass, you’ll also find Danish, cinnamon rolls, granola bars, and coffee.

Views of the beautiful courtyard at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge with its winding creek, waterfall, and wildflowers, provide an enchanting backdrop for Artist Point, one of Walt Disney World’s Signature restaurants.

The room has a casual feel with its murals and Mission furniture. Woods and Craftsman-style lighting lend warmth to the soaring space. Interesting game meats are a standout on the Pacific-Northwest-inspired menu. Best known for cedar-plank-roasted salmon, Artist Point is one of the few restaurants which serve Copper River Salmon during its short season; typically around the end of May.

Review: The bare tables and casually-dressed clientele belie the formal and attentive service at Artist Point. A cheerful and knowledgeable waitstaff is always well-versed on both current menu items and a wine list that features wineries from Oregon and Washington State.

This lovely restaurant has managed to retain its distinctive flavor through the years, continuing to offer a thoughtful and interesting menu which changes to reflect the seasons. Even the signature dishes are continually served up in creative new ways. One of the best features here, which has been adopted by some of the other restaurants at Walt Disney World, is a wine flight which allows diners to choose three wines from the list to enjoy during their meal. At $28.00, it’s not the bargain it was just a few years ago, but it includes all wines available by the glass and is a nice opportunity to sample some less-familiar bottles.

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Dinner
Dessert
Wine
Drinks

Artist Point

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Business Casual dress code

Nostalgia reigns at the Hollywood Brown Derby, appropriately located on Hollywood Boulevard in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  It’s a recreation of the famous California restaurant – the walls covered with caricatures of the stars and the menu featuring some of the original  items, served by a crisply-attired staff.

The main dining room has a warm and clubby atmosphere with dark woods and dozens of wonderful drawings.

A meal at this Signature Restaurant is available as part of the Fantasmic! Dinner Package and the special experience, “Lunch with an Imagineer,” is held here in the small and private Bamboo Room.

Review: Disney has gone to great lengths to replicate the design and detail of the original, but the elegant ambiance of that Tinseltown icon, where diners dressed to impress, has been lost in a sea of shorts and sandals.  The “business casual” dress code of the Signature restaurants, never really enforced, truly falls by the wayside in this venue, the only one located inside a park.

Although I’m not personally blown away by the highly-touted grapefruit cake, the Cobb Salad, made from Bob Cobb’s original recipe, is a reminder of the reason this dish has endured.  Overall, the menu has escaped the homogenization that’s befallen so many other Disney restaurants and still features distinctive choices.

While the food is probably the best available inside the parks, the dining experience itself feels decidedly un-Disney.  This may be a plus for many but in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which boasts the most amazingly-themed venues imaginable in the Sci-Fi Dine-In and 50’s Prime Time Café, it seems a bit colorless by comparison.

Currently, Disney has chosen to offer the same menu for both lunch and dinner which makes it a wonderful dinner option, but a rather expensive and heavy meal for lunch.

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Lunch and Dinner
Dessert
Tea
Wine

Hollywood Brown Derby

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

11:30 a.m. to time depending on park closing

Park admission required

Overhead, a “kindness” of kanus wings its way across a sky of deepening blue, curving gently toward the sunset.  Legend has it that fortune smiles on those touched by the shadow of these mythical birds, and lucky indeed are the diners who walk beneath them at Disney’s wonderful restaurant, Jiko.

The room glows with the colors of nightfall and firelight:  cobalt, shimmering bronze, ember, and coal.  Ringed pillars represent the long, elegant necks of tribal women, encircled with necklaces in a cultural display of wealth and beauty.  Towering wood-burning ovens demand attention.  The floor, finished in African woods, is inlaid with the symbols of a bountiful harvest.  Seats at the bar in front of the open kitchen invite interaction with the chefs, while tables along the windows overlook a peaceful stream.

In contrast to its more casual neighbor, Boma, which features a number of authentic African dishes, Jiko offers a fusion menu with a signature blend of perennial favorites and “of the moment” elements; the tastes of Africa – tribal, Mediterranean, and Indian – with a contemporary twist.  Influenced by indigenous ingredients and methods, spiced but not spicy, the food often incorporates the customs and culture of the continent.  For example, goat and sheep cheeses are used almost exclusively, since much of the African population is lactose-intolerant and does not consume cow’s-milk cheese.  Food presentation is considered and attractive without being fussy.

Vegetarians will be tempted by novel and delicious appetizers, salads, and entrees.

Many members of the waitstaff are also capable sommeliers and are happy to suggest wine pairings from Jiko’s amazing cellar, which boasts the largest collection of South African wines in North America.

Arriving guests are welcomed by traditionally-clad cultural representatives; warm towels are offered to refresh and relax; a memorable meal awaits.

With its low lighting, well-spaced seating areas, relative quiet, and knowledgeable, attentive service, Jiko is an excellent choice for a special-occasion dinner.  The Cape Town Wine Room is available for private parties and open to diners during busy times.

Review: I find myself returning to Jiko again and again, for the beauty of the space and the pleasure of the food.  I’m still trying to figure out how to get my own flock of birds, the most beautiful lighting installation in all of Walt Disney World, for a high-ceilinged room in my house. A tradition of imaginative cuisine and award-winning excellence has earned this restaurant the AAA Four Diamond rating and I always look forward to dining here.

Although the entrees are simply wonderful, a selection of several of the phenomenal appetizers can stand alone as a delightful meal.  If last-minute reservations are not available, arrive early and snag seats at the bar where you’ll enjoy an up-close view of all the activity and the possibility of “samples” from the chefs.

Dinner at Jiko is part of the Wanyama Safari, a special experience available to guests of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, and gives diners the opportunity to savor a great variety of dishes from the menu.

For those staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge with a hankering for the oak-grilled filet but a plan to stay in and enjoy the animals from their balcony, most items on the Jiko menu can be ordered through room service.

Menus

Dinner
Dessert
Teas

Jiko – The Cooking Place

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

After a year of declining sales of travel to virtually all destinations around the world, and strong discount offers on Disney products, changes are expected for 2010.

Disney C.E.O. Bob Iger recently announced the company’s plans to “dial back” specials during the upcoming year.  As we mentioned in the post Family Values the company has viewed promotions not only as a means of keeping attendance high, but as a tool to attract a new demographic of people who might otherwise not have taken a Disney vacation.  As most visitors know, once bitten, there is generally no cure for the Disney bug!  Guests can expect not just the usual rate increases that each new year brings, but fewer deep discounts than they may have seen in the past.

Whether you’ve chosen concierge-level accommodations at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, or are traveling on a budget for a stay at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort, you want the best value for your vacation dollars.  Here are some recommendations to help minimize the impact of increasing prices:

Pay attention to the season. The price for the same room fluctuates hugely over the course of the calendar year.  Room rates are affected by weekend dates, holidays, special events, and the Disney “season.”  If your travel dates are flexible, your Concierge will inform you about the differences in pricing from one season to another.  Often, moving your plans forward or backward just one week can save many hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars.

Consider a Disney Dining Plan. There are three major costs associated with a Walt Disney World vacation:  accommodations, park tickets, and food.  While transportation costs will vary from guest to guest, these three will be major components of just about everyone’s trip.  Although most guests find food prices very much in line with their expectations, they still add up quickly. A Disney Dining Plan is a wonderful way to plan ahead for this expense and saves most visitors money.

Review the inclusions for each package. The most commonly requested Disney vacation package is the Magic Your Way package with the standard dining plan, park tickets with the Park Hopper option, and Disney’s Magical Express transportation.  Guests often forget that there are several different types of packages and the Magic Your Way package is almost infinitely customizable.  Try to avoid paying for the elements you don’t need and spend those funds on the things that are important to you.

First-time visitors or those with very young children may not need the Park Hopper option but might really appreciate the convenience of private car service with a stop at a grocery store.  A couple celebrating an anniversary may find the Deluxe Dining Plan suits their wishes for a relaxed and indulgent experience.  The park-commando group may not want to take the time for a table-service meal and choose the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Golfers often discover that the Premium Package offers them the best value.  Your vacation is unique and your travel arrangements should suit your own style.

Some careful planning will help you put that Disney vacation on the calendar for 2010!

An elegant reception area leads to one of the most inviting dining rooms on Disney property.  Citricos, located on the second floor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, welcomes diners with warm colors and crisp linens.  An entire wall of tall Palladian windows offers expansive views of the grounds.

The menu changes often to highlight seasonal ingredients, imaginatively prepared.  Many dishes feature flavors of the citrus for which the restaurant is named.  Originally open from Wednesday to Sunday only, it now serves dinner seven days a week.

A private room, the Chef’s Domain, is available for parties of up to twelve.  For a minimum charge of $650.00, guests have an up-close view of the show kitchen while dining a la carte or enjoying a menu customized for the group.

Review: I remain puzzled by the relative lack of interest in this restaurant.  One might argue that its location, tucked away down a secondary walkway off the main corridor, is a factor.  Yet, it’s far more accessible than its sister, Narcoossee’s, which is not even in the main building, but located off on its own down by the boat dock.  As part of the recorded message, monorail passengers are reminded of Citricos every time the train approaches Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.  Nonetheless, it’s still fairly easy to obtain a last-minute reservation here.

Those who have dined at Citricos generally give it high marks, but it has never generated the buzz that other venues enjoy.  I’ve never found it memorable and it’s not on my list of must-do’s, although I can’t say exactly why.  Unlike many other dining rooms at Walt Disney World, the upholstered chairs, carpeting, and drapes make for a particularly serene atmosphere, which is a delight.  I have had excellent experiences here, both in terms of food and service, yet it always seems to fall short of intriguing.  Perhaps it lacks a signature style or special dish that would set it apart.

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Dinner
Dessert
Children
Wine
Drinks

Citricos

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Chef’s Domain – one seating nightly at 6:00 p.m.

The octagonal building hovers serenely over the Seven Seas Lagoon, its façade frosted with gingerbread, its verandahs offerings exquisite castle views.  It’s the lovely Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.  Located on the water’s edge, this pleasant restaurant features outstanding seafood in keeping with its oceanside theme.

Diners can enjoy both the Magic Kingdom fireworks and the Electrical Water Pageant from tables by the window, or step out onto the expansive verandahs for perfect outdoor viewing.

The menu is a crowd-pleaser with perennially-appealing items, nicely presented.  The preparation is imaginative without being abstruse, which probably contributes to its ongoing popularity.

The spare but attractive interior has a seaside-cottage ambiance with louvered shutters, casual woods, and accents of blue.  Pillars supporting graceful arches add architectural interest to the two-level dining room.

Review: I have never had anything less than an exceptional meal at Narcoossee’s, and always look forward to dining here.  One of Walt Disney World’s Signature Restaurants, the menu prices make it well worth the two-point cost for those on the Disney Dining Plan.  Those hoping for a reservation should make plans early as this venue books very quickly.

While I have often heard it referred to as a good choice for a romantic dinner, I can’t really agree.  The interior finishes of wood, glass, and marble make this an extraordinarily noisy room, and its family-friendly ambiance attracts many more young children than some of the other Signature locations.  It’s also generally very crowded, with lots of people jammed into an undersized waiting area.  Although these features don’t necessarily interfere with the enjoyment of a wonderful meal, they aren’t conducive to the romantic moment!

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Dinner
Dessert
Cheese
Wine
Bar

Narcoossee’s

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Adjacent to Jiko sits a place of exploration, the Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar.  Warm and intimate, this small lounge celebrates the exceptional collection of South African wines that Jiko is famous for.

It’s a wonderful place to begin a tour of South Africa before continuing on to a memorable meal at Jiko.  Request to see the dinner menu, decide on an appetizer, then get some advice about pairings for it.  Guests may choose to order the wine in the Cape Town Lounge and bring it with them into the restaurant to enjoy with that first course, or have their appetizer in the Lounge before going into dinner.

The savory aromas from Jiko may prove too much for the patrons who had only planned to stop for a drink.  Diners will be invited to move to an available table in the restaurant, but if it’s busy,  food can be ordered from the menu for service in the Lounge.

For those choosing to eat in the Lounge, we recommend ordering appetizers only.  The wonderful food at Jiko deserves attention.  While the full menu is available at the bar, the stools there are second only to those in the main restaurant in the race for most uncomfortable,  so last-minute diners should consider patience, or a reservation on another night!

Cape Town Lounge and Wine Bar

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

The music drifts in from the nearby Grand Floridian Society Orchestra. Low ceilings and furniture clustered into small conversation groupings give the space a cozy feel.

Named for Florida’s “society architect” Addison Mizner, this delightful lounge features a full bar with a nice list of brandies and ports as well as a variety of specialty drinks.

Limited appetizers from Citricos’ menu include a selection of cheeses, a shrimp dish, and an onion tart.

It’s a pleasant place to have a cocktail before or after dinner at one of the property’s fine restaurants, and a favorite destination for many who enjoy the lovely ambience of this resort.

Mizner’s Lounge

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Second Floor

5:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

In Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, the new Sanaa is spicing up Disney restaurant fare with hints of India.

From the Swahili word meaning “work of art” Sanaa carries the theme throughout the restaurant, beginning with the stylized acacia trees which spread their branches and leaves over the ceiling.  The acacia leaf is often used as a base to display artworks in Africa.  Glowing wall niches showcase African handworks and the room is filled with colorful details and unique lighting fixtures that reflect both African and Indian influences.

The beautiful arched windows that grace many areas of the resort have found their way into this lovely space, bringing the savannah, which is on the same level, right into the room.

Perhaps not as spicy as might be expected but with more of a zing than some American palates may be used to, the menu features curries made with traditional spice blends that include cardamom, chilies, cinnamon, cloves, saffron, coriander, nutmeg, fennel seed, cumin, tamarind, and turmeric.  There are selections from the restaurant’s two tandoor ovens, Indian-style breads, and the ubiquitous sustainable fish. Guests can select a trio from five interesting salads, there is a vegetarian option, and several American favorites including steak and pork chops.  Specialty cocktails, as well as some interesting wines and beers from Africa and India, are available from the bar.

Dinner service opens with African entertainment and an attractive lounge adjacent to the dining area seats 24 guests.

Review: Indian food is not high on my list of favorites, so I was surprised and delighted when lunch at Sanaa turned out to be the best and most interesting meal I had during a recent visit to Walt Disney World.

Although periodically slow, my server was cheerful and friendly and I could see that every table seemed to be receiving the same helpful and enthusiastic, if somewhat sporadic, service.

Not wanting heavy meat for lunch, I opted for – yes kids – the oft-maligned (at least by me) sustainable fish!  It was truly outstanding, served with crisp vegetables in a lightly curried broth.  I could eat this three times a week; it was that good.  Three unusual salads were a pleasant change from the usual lettuce, and an excellent and beautifully-presented dessert was the perfect ending to a wonderful meal.

While there are still some service kinks to be worked out, this is a great choice for a memorable meal; well worth the travel time for those staying at a different location.  Kidani Village is a charming resort, peaceful and inviting with a spectacular savannah.

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Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Wine

Sanaa

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Dinner 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.