Category Archives: Quick Service

The Delicate Art of Disney Dining Decisions

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Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. Snacks, snacks, snacks!!! Oh the plethora of culinary options. While there are definitely snacks I think you should make a point to hunt down at WDW, and quick service options I recommend over others, only your table service meals really need planing. We usually have 1 table service a day, and typically it’s dinner. This is for a couple of reasons:

  1. Mornings are the best time to be in the parks. If you arrive at rope drop you can enjoy 2-3 hours of reduced crowds before the late sleepers start arriving.  It’s also cooler in the morning. I don’t like to waste that time eating breakfast. An apple & trail mix on the go, or a cinnamon roll and coffee from Joffrey’s works for me.
  2. Table service meals tend to be more filling. It’s harder to run around enjoying attractions in the hot sunshine with a full belly.

Andy and I love food. Maybe we’re even “foodies.” Trying new flavors and textures of cuisine/wine/beer/cocktails/coffee excites us and we love sharing these experiences together, as well as with our family and friends. Our passion for food and my desire to plan a fluid vacation mean I spend a lot of energy considering our table service reservations during our trip. (Andy would probably claim I obsess, but isn’t planning half of the fun!?)

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Confession: I have trouble committing to my dining plans at Disney World. There are so many choices! I make initial reservations as soon as I can.  (180 days out if you’re staying at a WDW resort hotel.) Planning is essential and you’ll hear me say that one million times over. But, I often end up tweaking and changing what I have – chasing the dream of the perfect dining reservations combo. (Is this zeal or obsession?)

It’s a game of strategy. Sort of an algebraic equation:

cuisine type preferences + dining time + restaurant performance + location ÷ favorite must haves + new experiences   = PERFECT DINING PLAN!!

Eureka!

You must balance the type of cuisine you enjoy with the reservation time making sure it’s in the park you’re visiting (or not visiting) that day. I’m constantly combing my favorite Disney sources like Disney Food Blog, for their latest opinions which influence my decisions. Which restaurants are performing consistently high? Which offer amazing service? Finally there’s the pull of old favorites, or forgoing somewhere I had a positive experience a couple of years ago to try something new.

I realize that for some people table service restaurants aren’t that important. Plenty of people are happy to grab quick service for their entire trip. I’m not judging! There are plenty of delicious quick service options. Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom, for example. Or, Earl of Sandwich in Disney Springs. Yummy. (And many more!)

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But if you’re going to make dining reservations, and you’re like me, you want to make sure your choices are optimal. So how do you apply that magic formula to your planning? I let the Extra Magic Hours guide when I visit what parks. Depending on the park and its proximate locations (i.e. The Contemporary is just outside Magic Kingdom), I decide the best cuisine location in that area. It’s hard to curtail Epcot and Disney Springs restaurants because of their numerous choices. That’s when I turn to sources like Disney Food Blog, who are eating in the parks frequently, to assist in my decision.

Sometimes I still end up changing my mind. For example, we were planning to dine at Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom on our upcoming trip where dinner is sort of Thanksgiving traditional. Liberty Tree has a fantastic reputation for consistently delicious food. Though it has great ratings, there’s something about the pot roast, turkey and stuffing vibe in June we couldn’t get past. So we opted to try out the Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen instead, Magic Kingdom’s newest table service spot. The Jungle Cruise theme has high appeal and the food is reportedly pretty good.

And don’t get me wrong – most table service spots are going to provide you with some tasty chow.  I can’t recall a truly lousy meal on any of my trips. But each trip some spots stand out above the rest.

So my advice? You do you! If you want to go crazy and research – go for it! Or perhaps you want to just roll the dice and choose a spot. Either way, here are the ESSENTIAL THINGS you should do:

1.) Make reservations!! I really can’t say that enough. And make them as early as you possibly can. Trust me.

2.) Ensure your location is convenient. Due to the size of Disney World it can take a couple of hours to get from one point to another. Don’t pick a restaurant in Animal Kingdom if you plan to spend the day in Magic Kingdom.

3.) Make reservations a time that works for your schedule. If a big lunch makes you uncomfortable, skip table service then. Don’t schedule dinner at 5:00 if you normally eat late. Do what makes sense for you and your family.

4.) Have an open mind. Remember you’re on vacation. Wherever you end up dining, relax, enjoy, and savor the experience!

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See ya real soon!

The Epcot “Can’t Miss” List

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DSC_0311This blog post is brought to you by… yet another snow day. March has settled in and I think everyone is longing for spring. Epcot’s International Flower and Garden Festival started up yesterday. If I close my eyes and wish really hard, do you think I could transport myself there among the topiaries, special outdoor kitchens, and illuminated nighttime gardens?

Nope, I don’t think so either.

At least I have some beautiful pictures to brighten the gray sky.

Epcot Flower & Garden BedEpcot is Hubby’s favorite park. He likes the mix of culture from the World Showcase with the action of Future World. Epcot also has wide open spaces that he finds appealing. For us, Epcot means a blended day of attractions and culinary samplings.

The Epcot list includes attractions, snacks and quick service food. Table Service restaurants are so numerous at Epcot that I won’t address them on the list. Items with an asterisk are “super favorites,” or things we tend to do multiple times.

The Walt Disney World Blog 2015 “Can’t Miss” List:

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(By area) Future World East, Future World West, World Showcase

  • Spaceship Earth * – This attraction mixes history with the technological future. Interactive touch screens in the vehicles give you a personalized experience on the ride. You can have a different touchscreen experience every time, which is one of the reasons this is a super favorite.
  • Ellen’s Energy Adventure – What do Ellen Degeneres, Bill Nye the science guy, and Alex Trebek all have in common? They are all stars of this attraction, along with some dino animatronics. This ride lasts about 45 minutes and you will most likely exit knowing a sciency thing or two you didn’t know before.
  • Test Track * – True confession: When this attraction first premiered, it didn’t really thrill me all that much. I liked it, but it certainly wasn’t going on my “can’t miss” list. However, in 2012 it was remodeled with a few fresh ideas that not only bumped it onto the “can’t miss” list, but also into super favorite status. Sponsored by Chevrolet, you will travel through an interactive queue, build a custom vehicle on touch screens, and then have those specifications applied to your ride to see how your design performs. It’s really fun.
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends * – This ride is adorable and clever. Climb into a clam shell and travel through the Finding Nemo story. As you exit the ride you will have a chance to roam the aquarium and view a variety of salt water dwellers. An added bonus: the queue is rarely very long and it moves swiftly.
  • Turtle Talk with Crush – If you have little ones, this is a must. Using technology developed by Steven Spielberg, Crush appears and chats with the humans who have dropped in to visit him.
  • Living with the Land * – This boat ride is all about growing and raising food. That may not sound all that exciting, but it’s really neat to glimpse the direction agriculture is taking. You’ll see plants growing in unusual configurations and in super sizes. Fun Fact: The Land produces substantial amounts of produce and much of it is used in kitchens at Epcot.
  • Soarin’ * – Oh how I love this attraction. Love it. This hang-gliding simulation transports you to California. You’ll experience stunning views, scents, and music. I recommend getting a FastPass+ for this ride  The stand-by queue time quickly climbs and stays lengthy.
  • Sunshine Seasons – This quick service spot is located in The Land. It offers a variety of fresh, tasty delights that will suit anyone’s palette. This is one of our favorite Epcot lunch spots.
  • Gran Fiesta Tour – Head inside the Mexico pavilion to hang out with Donald and his amigos on this charming boat ride.
  • Journey Into Imagination with Figment – It’s hard not to love Figment. This whimsical ride celebrates your senses and imagination.
  • Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – We love wine. If you do too you should head to the Italy Pavilion in the World Showcase. This cozy little corner offers a substantial selection of Italian wines. We’ve had some great wine flights here. If wine isn’t your speed there is also beer. If you feel peckish, check our their small plate menu.

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  • La Cava del Tequila – Located inside the Mexico pavilion of the World Showcase this bar offers a wide variety of tequilas, tequila based cocktails, and my personal favorite – margaritas!
  • Yorkshire County Fish Shop – If you like fish n’ chips, this is your place. We love to grab a cold beer here on a hot afternoon. Cheers!

Welcome to Epcot Epcot Day

M. M. – Sunshine Seasons at Epcot

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Hello hungry people! For MUNCHY MONDAY this week we are visiting one of the best Quick Service spots in Walt Disney World – Sunshine Seasons at Epcot.

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The Land If you’re in Future World in Epcot and your stomach starts to rumble, head to The Land Pavilion and make your way downstairs to quiet your hunger in this delicious eatery.

Part of what makes Sunshine Seasons so charming is it’s bright decor. Vibrant greens, warm yellows, and oranges are the focus of the color scheme, making you automatically imagine warm sunshine and lush grass. The Land is designed with an open floor plan, so that the seating area of Sunshine Seasons has a view of the ceiling overhead. Suspended above are whimsically painted hot air balloon sculptures and draped ribbons. The globes of the hot air balloon sculptures each represent one of the 4 seasons, centered around one that is painted as the earth.

The Land CeilingSunshine Seasons serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. As far as breakfast is concerned, Sunshine Seasons is one of the few spots in Epcot that offers this meal. The menu is minimal, but you’ll find the basics such as pastries, breakfast sandwiches, fruit, bagels, yogurt, and even french toast for kids.

Lunch and Dinner offer much more extensive and variant menus. But here’s what is really great about it – Sunshine Seasons offers yummy, flavorful, HEALTHY food. Let’s be real. When you’re at WDW, you’re on vacation and for many of us that means indulgence. We tend to eat less carefully and there’s nothing wrong with that. But I find I get to a point where I really want something more than a burger and french fries. Sunshine Seasons is a fantastic spot to grab something tasty and healthy to give your body some much needed fuel. (Epcot is huge – you do a lot of walking!!)

Sunshine SeasonsThe lunch & dinner food choices all fall into categories: Sandwiches, Asian Flavors, Soup and Salad, and Wood-fired Entrees. Each category has it’s own station, where you order what you like. In the sandwiches station you can expect to find something such as a turkey sandwich with monterery jack cheese and chipotle mayo on ciabatta bread, served with potato salad. I have that delicious sandwich for lunch more than once. Salads offer classics like chicken cesear, or try one with roasted beets and goat cheese.The grill features oak-grilled chicken and fish entrees served with veggies. If you want something with Asian flair, try the Mongolian Beef with veggie fried rice, or the Spicy Cashew Chicken with vegetable stir-fry noodles. Kids have a range of choices such as a chicken leg with mashed potatoes or rice and grapes. Or perhaps they’d macaroni & cheese with carrots and grapes. And let me tell you – that mac n’ cheese is darn good.

If your sweet tooth happens to strike, fear not. Just because there are healthy choices here doesn’t mean dessert isn’t at hand. A big, beautiful case displays a myriad of dessert choices so you can find just about anything you’d like. (Think cheesecake slices, mini fruit tarts, cookies, strawberry shortcake, brownies, and plenty of cupcake choices.)

After you finish eating, don’t leave The Land right away! Soarin’, Living With The Land, and The Circle of Life attractions are also in this pavilion. The Garden Grill restaurant calls The Land home as well, but that’s another yummy story for another MUNCHY MONDAY.

Just like anywhere in WDW, the menu may change with the seasons. But overall, Sunshine Seasons is focused on offering healthy choices with some Asian flavors. I know you’ll find something there that will make you smile.

Disney Springs is Announced!

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Disney is dynamic company that has managed to stay on top of the game for decades. In my opinion, Walt Disney was probably one of the most imaginative humans to ever walk this earth. But it wasn’t his imagination alone that made him successful. It was his ability to adapt, change, and pursue his dreams with tenacious fervor his entire adult life. Walt Disney World maintains his principles, for the most part, and that is why his legacy still exists. You can walk into Walt Disney World, no matter your generation, and be struck by wonder and feel completely free and happy. The parks and resort hotels house a few treasures from its start in the 1970’s, but much of what we know and love today as vacationers has been adapted, recycled, and added to what Walt Disney originally planned and built. These changes allow Disney to bring new and exciting experiences to guests, year after year.

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On Thursday Disney announced one of those changes. A multi-year renovation and expansion of the Downtown Disney Area will occur, transforming the area into “Disney Springs.” As of now, I have yet to even write the Downtown Disney information segment of this website & blog, but that certainly doesn’t mean it isn’t worthy of any attention. I’m just a one-woman-show, and there are only so many blogging hours in a week.

Currently Downtown Disney is a three part shopping and dining area arched alongside a lake. There are currently 13 table service restaurants, 7 quick service restaurants, and plenty of places to find a snack. Cirque de Soleil’s La Nouba calls Downtown Disney home, as well as an AMC Theater, a bowling alley, and a plethora of specialty shops that include a mega Disney Store and a Virgin Records. This general concept: leisure, shopping, and dining will be the mainframe of the new Disney Springs. It will just be on a much grander, more homogenous scale.

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As with everything that Disney creates in the parks, there is a story line. These stories are sometimes fantastical concepts that transport you nevertheless. One of my favorite examples is the story of Typhoon Lagoon: One day a typhoon wreaked havoc upon a beautiful tropical paradise. The storm tossed ships, surfboards, and fishing gear everywhere on this paradise. “Miss Tilly,” was a shrimp boat that got marooned on a mountain peak. And this chaos that was left from the typhoon, created this water park paradise. The story of Disney Springs is a bit more authentic, but still charming. A turn-of-the-century lakeside settlement has blossomed into a thriving town. There is a Town Center and three communities: The Landing, The Marketplace and West Side. Each of the three communities will have its own flavor and personality. With over 150 establishments in the new Disney Springs, there will be plenty of entertainment, dining and shopping to be found as well as a beautiful setting with a focus on water.

Construction is set to begin in April, just a few weeks from now and projected to be completed in 2016. Big changes like this at Walt Disney World often stir the pot, but I think this is a very positive and exciting announcement. Downtown Disney will be taken to an entirely new level and give years of delight to guests of all ages.