Archive for the ‘Disney Dining’ Category

It’s the beautiful lamps, strung like pearls down the length of the bar, that make Victoria Falls such an inviting place.  Down a curving staircase off the main lobby of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, past gently flowing water, the intricately-themed space is the perfect choice for a drink before or after a wonderful dinner at Jiko or Boma.

As the sun begins to set in the late afternoon, this cozy lounge welcomes patrons, serving cocktails and light snacks.  In addition to cheese and fruit, crisp breads and dips, and nuts with African spices, guests can enjoy a taste of South Africa with wines by the glass from Jiko’s outstanding cellar, or sample teas and coffees.  Those on Disney’s Wine and Dine Plan can redeem wine entitlements at this location.

Since it is open to Boma restaurant, it can seem a bit noisy during dining hours or when entertainment is being featured in the small lobby below, but it becomes peaceful and intimate later in the evening.  With its comfortable seating, it’s also a pleasant retreat during the day before it opens for service.

Victoria Falls Lounge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge; Jambo House

Daily 4:00 p.m. to midnight

There are some traditions worth keeping wherever you may find yourself during the holidays.  At Walt Disney World, the familiar Christmas dinner is served as an option at many restaurants throughout the parks and resorts on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Of course, the Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom celebrates this favorite meal year round with turkey, mashed potatoes, and stuffing as part of the everyday menu.  Turkey is also regular fare at the Garden Grill in EPCOT.

A number of venues, including many of the Signature restaurants such as the California Grill, Artist Point, and Citricos, have a special prix fixe holiday menu.  Some offer holiday items as well as a la carte, while others serve only the holiday meal on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Most buffets feature holiday items in addition to the usual array of choices.  Those looking for “tradition” with a twist can find the enormous turkey legs at carts located in the parks.  If you’re planning a visit over Christmas in 2009, contact your travel agent, or call 407-939-3463 (407-WDW-DINE) for more information.  The 90-day window will still be in effect for the holiday this year, and it will open up in just a few days.  These reservations go very quickly, so be sure to make your plans early.

While you may come across some mistletoe growing in the water oaks of Florida, we suggest you bring along your own.  Holding a sprig over the head of a character makes for some great holiday photos, and decorations brought from home add a bit of Christmas cheer to your hotel room.  You can also order a Christmas tree from the Disney florist which arrives complete with lights and decorations.  Disney will pack it up and ship it to your house at the end of your vacation.

If you’re lucky enough to be staying in a suite at a Walt Disney World Resort over the holidays, most will already be decorated in keeping with the themes of the hotel.

It’s the most amazingly-themed restaurant in all of Walt Disney World.  It may be the most amazingly-themed restaurant on earth.  Guests enter the building and walk around the corner and straight into a summer evening at the drive-in.

Taillights glow from rows of cars lined up under the stars.  Vehicles sporting sleek fins and cool paint jobs in vintage colors like candy apple red, metal flake silver and Metropolitan turquoise, invite diners to slide in and enjoy film clips from old sci-fi movies.  Window speakers hanging on posts, a “snack bar” at the back, and the famous on-screen intermission clock with dancing food, add to the authenticity.  Smaller parties can expect to find “hitchhikers” seated with them in their cars.

Making advance dining reservations will help ensure your seating in one of the parked cars rather than tables at the back of the room

Review: It’s the most amazingly-themed restaurant in all of Walt Disney World.  It may be the most amazingly-themed restaurant on earth.  It boasts the worst table-service food in all of Walt Disney World.  It may be the worst table-service food on earth.  Having said this, I return to the Sci-Fi Dine-in at least once a year.  Admittedly, this is a sentimental favorite of mine, but few would not be delighted by the ambiance of this one-of-a-kind restaurant.

I had the good fortune to visit for the first time  during pre-internet days and was unprepared for the incredible sight of the twilit theater, but even those who know what to expect will be happily surprised.

Consider lunch or dessert here, rather than dinner, for two reasons.  Firstly, the effect is more dramatic coming in from the sunny day to the nighttime atmosphere.  Secondly, you will be kicking yourself if you pay too much for the meal; even a good burger doesn’t usually cost $12.00.  Plan on taking advantage of the less-expensive lunch menu, or enjoying a hot-fudge sundae or one of their “out of this world” specialty drinks.

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Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lunch 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dinner 4:00 p.m. to park closing

Assistive listening devices available

Park admission required

As the 14th annual EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival draws near, guests are reviewing the schedule and making plans.   One event with a loyal following is the Party for the Senses.  Despite hefty price increases over the years, this program continues to draw enormous crowds.  The Party is held every Saturday night during the Festival in the World ShowPlace venue and offers an embarrassment of gastronomic riches.  Attendees are presented with a wine glass and plate at check-in and set loose to wander, cocktail-party style, throughout the massive space.

It’s a grazer’s paradise and an opportunity to sample many imaginative creations, savory and sweet, at dozens of tasting stations.  There are also more than 50 wines and beers on offer, representing both famous and less well-known wineries from around the world.

A central stage features entertainment though, sadly, it is no longer provided by members of the cast of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba.

Changes for 2010 include the debut of the Wine View Lounge.  For an additional fee, guests can enjoy a private area with reserved tables and some extra amenities and menu items.  The Party will also feature different themes each weekend:

• September 26    Spanish Cuisine, Chef Douglas Rodriguez
• October 3    Comfort Foods with a Twist
• October 10    South American Cuisine, Chef Jeff Tunks
• October 17   Classical Cuisine
• October 24   Asian Cuisine, Chef Alan Wong
• October 31   The Fall Harvest, Chefs Cat Cora and Tory McPhail
• November 7   Italian Cuisine

While a number of the other special events held during the Festival sell out quickly, this large-capacity extravaganza offers many more guests the opportunity to participate in a truly unique wine-and-dine experience.

If I have made it sound like a must-do affair, let me say that, despite its popularity, I heartily dislike this event.  Tickets include preferred seating at the early performance of that night’s Eat to the Beat concert.  The suggestion is for guests to enjoy the music and then make their leisurely way around to the World ShowPlace to attend the Party.  In fact, regular attendees know full well to avoid the concert and head straight for the Party to line up early for entrance.  Many will be waiting an hour or more before the doors open, for one reason – to get a seat.  When guests are allowed to enter, there is a mad dash to grab a table; a somewhat unfortunate contradiction to the sophisticated ambiance that the elegant food is meant to evoke.

Amazingly, a good number of the guests, who have paid $135 each to attend, will never find a place to sit.  They will be reduced to roaming around on tired feet, trying to juggle a wine glass, a plate, a napkin, the little dish holding the food sample of the moment, and any personal items they’ve carried in, while attempting to “enjoy” the food.  It’s not unusual for arguments to break out throughout the evening as people vie for precious table space, or a place to rest a park-weary body.

The last time I attended, there was a large area just inside the entrance devoted to a display of table settings.  I found this very interesting and spent at least ten minutes walking around, but did not see one other person stop to look during the entire time I was there.  I can’t help but think that guests would have been better-served if this space had been used for additional tables and chairs.  I have been told that some steps were taken this past year to address the issue.  That the “solution” for 2010 is to offer a guaranteed chair for an additional $75.00, boggles the mind.

I was ready to leave after a half-hour of wandering around looking for any flat surface and finding none, and I won’t be attending again until Disney rethinks their approach to seating.  Happily, there truly is something for everyone at Walt Disney World, and the Party for the Senses seems to be the “something” for quite a few visitors.

Party for the Senses

World ShowPlace, EPCOT

Every Saturday during the Festival 9/26 to 11/7, 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

$135.00 per person

Wine View Lounge additional $75.00 per person

Reserved seating at 5:45 performance of Eat to the Beat Concert included

Park admission required

It’s twilight in the village and the sky has turned a deep cobalt blue.  A Mayan pyramid looms close by and in the distance, a volcano glows and smokes.  In the courtyard just beyond the cheerful evening marketplace, colorful tables and chairs beckon hungry shoppers to sit by the river and enjoy the local fare.  The beautiful San Angel Inn, located inside the Mexico pavilion at the World Showcase in EPCOT, serves lunch and dinner in south-of-the-border style.

Review: This restaurant always garners mixed reviews for its highly Americanized and recently pared-down menu.  While certainly a cut above the local fast-food offerings, many of the items, although arguably more authentic, will seem bland to lovers of true Mexican cuisine.  The popular Plato Mexicano has been removed from the menu, and a very nice ceviche is only available intermittently.

The  atmosphere is truly stunning but the dining experience is marred somewhat by tables which are far too close together, making it difficult for the wait staff to move through some areas, and for diners to enjoy a private conversation.  Service seems very hit or miss; sometimes outstanding, sometimes slow and uninspired.

While many refer to the ambience as “very romantic,” there’s nothing romantic about the constant camera flashes near the front of the restaurant from those hoping to capture a photo of the beautiful interior.   Arrive early for your reservation and request a table by the river to enjoy the boats drifting by.

San Angel Inn

Mexico, World Showcase, EPCOT

Lunch 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dinner 4:30 p.m. to park closing

Park admission required

One of the dividends of choosing the Magic Your Way package is the ability to add dining.  Food can represent one of the major expenses of a vacation at Walt Disney World, and there is a dining plan option to suit almost every visitor.

• The familiar standard Disney Dining Plan includes one Table Service meal, one Quick Service meal, and one snack per person, per night of stay.

• The Quick Service Dining Plan includes two Quick Service meals, two snacks, and a resort refillable mug per person, per night of stay.

• The Deluxe Dining Plan includes three meals, 2 snacks, and a resort refillable mug, per person, per night of stay.

• The Disney Wine and Dine package can be added to any of the Magic Your Way packages that include Table Service dining.

For the first time in 2010, there was a seasonal price change for the standard plan with an additional charge assessed for peak season.

Consider your itinerary and your group’s preferences when choosing a dining plan.  If you will be enjoying character meals with the kids, the standard Dining Plan, which offers a Table Service meal each day, can quickly pay for itself.  Those who prefer to grab and go rather than taking the time for a sit-down meal may find the Quick Service Plan best suits their needs.  Returning adults contemplating a more leisurely approach with a focus on fine dining will appreciate the Deluxe Plan and the Wine and Dine package.  Remember that multiple table-service meals can consume a significant part of each day.  If you hope to maximize your park and recreation time, the standard Dining Plan or Quick Service Dining Plan may be the best choice.

There are so many wonderful restaurants and snack venues throughout the parks and resorts of Walt Disney World, and Disney dining plans are a cost-effective way to try something new or revisit old favorites.

On October 27, 2009 Walt Disney World will return to its previous format of accepting reservations 180 days in advance.  The dining reservation system has long been a source of confusion for many visitors due to multiple changes through the years.  Currently set up for 90 days in advance, this was a departure from 120 days in place for several years.

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resorts have been allowed to make all of their reservations, up to ten days worth, beginning from the date of arrival, known as the 90 plus 10 rule.  It hasn’t been formally announced whether this on-site perk will continue when the new 120-day format is adopted.

With the advent of the Disney Dining Plans, obtaining dining reservations has become a bit more challenging than in the past.  Those hoping for some of the more popular venues, such as breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table, need to be up bright and early on the first day their window opens, ready to dial just before 7:00 a.m. Eastern time. As one cast member said, “If there are Princesses involved, the earlier the better!”

The popularity of the free-dining promotions, which have added an entirely new demographic to the mix, make it even more important to secure reservations early. Over the past year or two, it’s become increasingly common to see signs placed outside many of the restaurants, advising guests that they are fully-booked and no seating is available on that day.

There is a rumor that a credit card guarantee may be required for all dining reservations when the new system debuts.  This would certainly help avoid a lot of the current abuses by those who make multiple reservations for the same meals and then decide which to use at the time of the meal; leaving a trail of unused slots that could have been used by another party.  However, it will also further erode any attempts at dining spontaneity.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to make those reservations:

• Call 407-WDW-DINE  (407- 939-3463)

• Access the online dining reservation system at http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/restaurants/?forceDomestic=true

• Use a travel agent specializing in Disney Destinations who will advise you about all the different dining venues and book your reservations for you

• Take advantage of the concierge staff.  Guests staying in club-level accommodations can contact the Itinerary Planning Office by phone or email and have them arrange all reservations.

As mentioned in our recent post, 5 Top Tips for a Walt Disney World Vacation, we think it’s important to have a basic itinerary and this includes dining reservations.  Plans can be changed, but they can’t always be made at the last minute.

No Disney vacation would be complete without ice cream and we’ve compiled a short list of favorite frozen snacks.

• Step into the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom for an old-fashioned cone, ice cream float, or our favorite, the Plaza Ice Cream Sundae.  You can watch them making the waffle bowls that will be filled with all the fixings for a perfect sundae including hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry.  Just down Main Street there’s a small side “street” with tables and chairs at the back; seldom busy and the perfect spot to enjoy your treat. 

• Don’t forget the classic – Mickey’s Premium Ice Cream Bar.  Every Disney  vacation should include a minimum daily requirement of this traditional favorite.  With its hard chocolate shell and creamy vanilla center, it’s the quintessential taste of Disney.

• At Downtown Disney, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain offers a fabulous selection of cones, shakes, and floats, and an irresistible menu of specialty sundaes including the Cable Car and Haight AshBerry.  Bring a few friends and dive into the eight-scoop Earthquake.

• We don’t know if it’s the best ice cream sundae ever, but it’s definitely the best place ever to enjoy that sundae; The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant.  Cool ice cream, cool cars, cool vintage movie clips – does it get any better than this?

• We’ve saved the best for last; yes kids, it’s the Kitchen Sink!  With eight scoops of ice cream, an entire can of whipped cream, and every cookie, cake, sauce, and sprinkled topping that’s available, this is not for the faint of heart.  Don’t expect to indulge without an  audience, either, as announcements will be made to alert  everyone in the place to your group’s gluttony.

Most people seeing the kids and their fathers galloping around the lobby at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge would be surprised to learn that they are having dinner.  It’s the delightful Whispering Canyon Café where fun is at the top of the menu.  Diners can expect the same type of basic, hearty foods as are found in neighboring Ft. Wilderness – barbeque, cornbread, and mashed potatoes are popular fare in this neck of the woods.  The big draw here is the interaction with the servers.  Men in particular seem to be the butt of jokes, much to the delight of the children.

Here are some of the ways to elicit a response:

• Chew gum
• Wear a piece of clothing from Universal or Sea World
• Ask for a drink refill
• Mention spending the day at a non-Disney attraction
• Tell your server who’s birthday or anniversary it is
• Have a male member of your group ask where the restrooms are
• Challenge your server to a gun fight
• Ask where you can buy some chewing gum at Walt Disney World
• Complain that your straw is too short
• Ask for ketchup
• Drop a utensil and ask for another one

The décor is rustic with chunky furniture, lazy-susans on the tables and wagon-wheel lighting fixtures. Down-home table settings include jelly jars and bandanas.  The main dining room is open to the magnificent lobby and tables closest the lobby side offer a pleasant view of the comings and goings.

Review: “Whispering” Canyon is a tongue-in-cheek name for this raucous restaurant.  Guests staying at the Lodge are often awakened by the early-morning greeting, “COOOOME AAAAND GEEET IIIT,” complete with triangle accompaniment and delivered by a server obviously chosen for her vocal talents.  In fact, after complaints from the poor souls trying to sleep in the rooms surrounding the lobby, management made the decision to open for breakfast at a slightly later hour.

Food is simple and plentiful, with “Canyon Skillets” at every meal offering the dine-till-you-drop option.  This is a restaurant that’s not for the shy, or anyone looking for a peaceful meal, but lunch is generally quieter than breakfast or dinner.  Those preferring a less “participatory” experience might request seating in the smaller dining room at the back of the restaurant.   Keep in mind that experiences will vary and not every server will be at the top of his game every day.   Make the decision to go with a happy heart and if your server isn’t as enthusiastic as you were hoping for, then enjoy the antics around you.  There’s always at least one table of diners who don’t know about the “theming” and they are fun to watch.

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Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Breakfast 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Lunch 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

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

Yes, we’re talking boomerang Formica and giant wooden wall cutlery; turquoise televisions showing black and white clips from 50’s sitcoms; copper jello molds and ceramic cookie jars.  Step back into mid-century America and enjoy mom’s cooking at the chrome kitchen table.  For kids, it’s a peek through the venetian blinds at the way life used to be.

The menu features familiar favorites like pot roast, meatloaf, and milkshakes.  The dessert selections with pictures of each item are loaded into vintage Viewmasters, to be passed around the table.

It’s an interactive dining experience, with servers in the roles of “Uncle Dale,” or “Cousin Tilly.”  Guests are “family” and good manners are key, with a price to pay for failing to join the clean-plate club or putting elbows on the table.  Diners may find themselves being fed their green beans with an airplane spoon, reciting “I’m a Little Teapot,” or standing in a corner.  Enjoy down-to-earth food seasoned with kitsch and garnished with fun.

Review: This is truly a delightful restaurant with basic, reliable food and a unique service style.  The level of interaction is dependent upon the individual server, with some being more playful than others.  I’ve found them generally to be very sensitive to guests’ personalities, seeming to know just how far to go, but overall, it’s probably not the ideal choice for the exceptionally shy.  Those who have the best time are the ones most willing to enter into the spirit of the storyline.

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50′s Prime Time Cafe

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Lunch 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dinner 4:00 p.m. to park closing

Park admission required