Posts Tagged ‘Grand Floridian Cafe’

While many guests focus on restaurants in the parks, a number of the best dining venues, including all but one of the Signature Restaurants, are actually located in the resort hotels.  Along with the wonderful Kona Café in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, the Grand Floridian Café offers quality that’s several notches above that of most other “one-table-service-point” venues.

A wall of Palladian windows floods the room with light during the day with views of the gardens and pool.  In keeping with the Victorian theme, there are the requisite florals and intricate woodwork that are found throughout the resort.

Overlooked by most visitors, it’s not unusual to be seated as a walk-in. Its close proximity to the Magic Kingdom makes it a great choice for those who are unable to obtain a reservation in the park or prefer a more serene and relaxed dining experience.

Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Grand Floridian Café features dishes that range from traditional favorites to more contemporary creations, presented with an upscale flair.

The atmosphere is inviting, with pleasant, knowledgeable service and consistently excellent food.  It’s not fine dining, but it’s some of the best moderately-priced table-service fare to be found at Walt Disney World.

Review: The wonderful thing about Walt Disney World is that there is, indeed, something for everyone.   From chicken nuggets to fois gras, vegan to kosher; the dining staff makes every effort to cater to food allergies, religious and cultural requirements, and the preferences of all age groups.

Since up-to-date knowledge about all facets of Disney vacations is a requirement of my job (yes, yes, it’s challenging but it must be done!), I try to squeeze as many dining experiences as possible into each visit.  Some I enjoy more than others.

During a recent one-night stay before a cruise on Disney Wonder, I decided to get breakfast since I knew I would have a long day ahead.  Normally a tea-and-toast type, I opted to run over to the Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort since it was the closest to Disney’s Bay Lake Tower where I was staying.  While I’ve had other meals here, this was the first (and last) time for breakfast.

No, this is not a review of the Wave – be patient; I’m making a point here!  The Wave’s menu, which promises “American Flavors,”  leans toward food with a light touch; even the heartier proteins are typically paired with more health-conscious substitutes for the traditional side dishes.  The breakfast offerings are heavy on whole grains and egg whites.

I would have been thrilled with a good Mickey waffle, but they were not to be had. Not wanting eggs, muesli, or multigrain pancakes, I decided on the Continental Breakfast which included juice, tea, and “assorted pastries.”  The “pastries” turned out to be a dish of granola with yogurt, some tasteless fruit, and a frightening multigrain muffin of indeterminate origin.  One look was enough – I paid the server and left – total dining time including seating and the wait for service, 7 minutes.  Might be your American Flavor; definitely not mine.

Unwilling to give up on breakfast, I made my way to the Grand Floridian Café.  No reservation?  No problem!  Sunshine, fresh flowers, and a real breakfast menu.  Dismayed by my earlier attempt, I decided to go with what I know and splurged on pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream.  A brief wait and the server returned with heaven on a plate.  Perfectly-cooked pancakes; light, fluffy, with strawberries tucked inside like a gift rather than tossed on top; a dusting of cinnamon-sugar and a big bowl of whipped cream. They were the best pancakes I have ever had. If there is truly something for everyone, then this is the something for me.

Menus

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Dessert

Grand Floridian Café

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Breakfast 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Lunch 11:45 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

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

 

 

Disney’s flagship resort offers plenty of opportunity to enjoy restaurants, refreshments, and retail therapy.   Boasting a greater number of dining and shopping options than any other Walt Disney World resort, there’s something for every age, every mood, and every pocketbook:

Table Service

• Narcoossee’s:   Seafood selections in a relaxed atmosphere with views of the Seven Seas Lagoon
• Citricos:    Inviting ambiance and imaginative dishes with a Southern European inspiration
• Grand Floridian Café:   Casual dining room serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at moderate prices
• 1900 Park Fare:   Charming character meals accompanied by the amazing organ, “Big Bertha”
• Garden View Lounge:   Afternoon tea with all the accoutrements
• Victoria & Albert’s:   Extraordinary fine-dining experience in elegant surroundings

Lounges

• Mizner’s:   Intimate room featuring vintage ports and brandies
• Citricos Lounge:  A well-kept secret tucked away on the second floor

Quick Service

• Gasparilla Grill and Games:   Pizza, sandwiches, and salads, with some arcade fun

Shops

• Basin White:  Bath and beauty in black and white
• Commander Porter’s:  Gifts and gear for men
• M. Mouse Mercantile:  Souvenirs and Disney-themed apparel and toys for little pirates and princesses
• Sandy Cove:  Sundries and daily necessities, Grand Floridian logo merchandise
• Summer Lace:  Women’s apparel, jewelry, fragrance, and gifts