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News! Be Our Guest Restaurant Menu and Reservations Update in Fantasyland

UPDATE: Read about the Opening Date for Be Our Guest Restaurant and Reservations Info!

The Imagineers have shared exciting details of the Be Our Guest restaurant opening later this year in the Beauty and the Beast section of the new Fantasyland in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

Finally — we have menu and reservation details to share with you! YAY!!! 😉 Scroll down for the deets…

Atmosphere

From a massive mural to three themed dining rooms, guests will be immersed in scenes from the 1991 animated film “Beauty and the Beast”. The model of the new Fantasyland shows the restaurant, Be Our Guest, nestled underneath the Beast’s Castle.

Beast Castle

Guests will enjoy one of three dining rooms – West Wing, Library, or the Ballroom – in this 550 seat venue. Guests will be able to dine counter-service during the day, and table service at night!

Rose Chandelier at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Here are a few more new details…

Menu and MORE

The menu, as we mentioned will include both counter-service (for lunch) and table-service (for dinner) eats! There are also some fun new details about how Disney is making counter service a bit more civilized. 😉 Read on…

Be Our Guest Restaurant Lunch Menu

This will be a bit different than what you’re used to with regular Magic Kingdom counter service. Touch-screen, automated terminals (like you can find at Pecos Bill and Contempo Cafe) will be available for guests to customize their orders. For special dietary requests and cash orders, cashiers will also be available.

Once your order is placed, you’ll sit down and your order will be delivered to you on real tableware — no paper and plastic around here. 😉 Guests who have eaten at Wolfgang Puck Express in Downtown Disney will understand the process here.

The counter-service menu itself will include [Read more…]

News! 2012 Candlelight Processional Lunch and Dinner Packages On Sale Now

By Kim LaPaglia 16 Comments

It’s time!! The Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages are finally on sale!

This coveted ticket provides guests with a lunch or dinner meal at select Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating to the popular Candlelight Processional holiday spectacular.

At the event, the Christmas story is told by a celebrity narrator while a 50-piece orchestra and choir accompany the re-telling. The event is held on select nights from November 23 – December 30, 2012, in the American Gardens Theatre at Disney World’s Epcot.

Package Details

The package includes your choice of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet from the restaurant’s menu. Guests also have access to an special Illuminations Fireworks viewing area.

Prices [Read more…]

First Look and Review! Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 39 Comments

After years of watching the progress of Disney California Adventure’s expansion, and in recent months being able to see the tower of Carthay Circle Theater from behind construction walls, it’s so surreal that I have now actually dined there…twice!

*Please note, the lighting inside Carthay at night is so dark. Many of my photos do not do it justice.

Carthay Circle Restaurant Marquee

Carthay Circle Premiere!

Atmosphere

Inspired by the original Carthay Circle Theatre in Hollywood where Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs premiered in 1937, the restaurant is about as close to a true replica as you can get.

The theming inside is true to the period as well. It features fabulous old photos of Walt as well as memorabilia from Snow White. From the moment you walk into Carthay Circle Restaurant, you feel as though you have stepped back in time; back to the “Golden Age” of Hollywood.

When facing Carthay, there are three doors. The two on the left are entrances to the restaurant, and the door to the right is the entrance to the private 1901 Lounge (for which we will soon have a review,too!). Lovely cast members are there to get the door for you and welcome you to Carthay Circle.

Welcome to Carthay

Upon entering there is a rather large lounge area. To the left is a spacious waiting area to enjoy after you’ve checked in for your meal, and to the right there is a separate room — The Carthay Circle Lounge — where the bar and extra seating is located.

Carthay Circle Lounge

In the lounge, you can get drinks and small bites. No reservations are needed to visit the lounge, and you are more than welcome to [Read more…]

Guest Review: Tables in Wonderland Great Movie Ride Dinner

By AJ 28 Comments

Welcome guest author Jamie with a once-in-a-blue-moon review of The Great Movie Ride dinner event offered by Tables in Wonderland in Walt Disney World. PLEASE NOTE: This dinner is offered RARELY and cannot be booked through Disney Dining.

Who doesn’t like to go see a good movie? But what makes it even better? How about dinner and a movie! But not just any dinner, a four course dinner while you’re actually IN the movie!

On June 16, 2012, my wife and I had the pleasure of attending a Tables in Wonderland event at The Great Movie Ride in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

Entrance to The Great Movie Ride in Hollywood Studios.

Atmosphere

Once we checked in and got our wristbands, we were able to walk around outside and look at all of the famous hand prints that decorated the pavement in front of the main entrance. You might recognize this one!

Minnie Mouse Impressions

Suddenly, a dapper looking figure comes bursting out of the main entrance. It was none other than Alberto Dante, the “famous” movie director himself. He proceeded to tell a few jokes and really got the crowd excited to see what the night had in store. I was extremely honored when he gave me one of his business cards.

Alberto Dante

Alberto Dante's Business Card

After about 10 minutes, we followed Alberto through the front doors.

Once we were inside, we were led to where the attraction begins. Through his megaphone, Alberto said to follow him, as he led us down to the main floor. We were now walking on the track that [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Downtown Disney’s UVA Bar is Back!

By Heather 5 Comments

After a short renovation, Downtown Disney’s centrally located UVA Bar, an extension of Catal, is back in biz with a fresh new look.

They were closed when I walked by, but I just had to snap a few photos for sharing! I love the bright colors and new seating. Can’t wait to try some of the new menu items as well.

Downtown Disney's UVA Bar

Sign me up for some Fried Chicken and an Orange 50/50 Shake please!

UVA Bar New Menu

The round booth style seats and long community-like tables are a [Read more…]

Disney Cruise Line: “Hidden Remy” Photo Tour and Food Review

By Kim LaPaglia 10 Comments

Disney Cruise Line’s Remy is a signature restaurant aboard the fleet’s newest ships — Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Inside this opulent restaurant, understated (and hidden) images of the “Ratatouille” Chef Remy have been placed throughout the dining room. Reader (and WDW Moms Panelist) Jonas Karp uncovers some of the hidden Remys before sharing his mini-review and food pics!

Atmosphere and Hidden Remys

When you arrive at Remy, there’s a LOT to take in!

But once you’ve scanned the room, you’ll start to see a familiar image peeking at you from some well-hidden places! Remy — the main character from Disney’s Ratatouille, is hidden throughout the restaurant!

Wait, don’t sit just yet! Did you check out the back of your chair?!

Back of Chair

Remy can even be found atop the chandeliers!

Remy Lighting

And just when you think this is just a squiggly form of modern art, you notice that Remy’s profile is popping [Read more…]

Review: The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ 28 Comments

Learn About:The Wave…of American Flavors

Disney World Restaurants

We hadn’t been back to The Wave for a couple of years, so we knew it was time to head back for dinner!

The Wave is a unique table-service spot at Disney, because their menu focuses on local and sustainable ingredients. Because of the ever-changing and seasonal local offerings, they are one of the few moderate table service restaurants I’ve encountered that changes up the menu four times per year. (Usually that’s only allowed for signature restaurants!)

Available for breakfast (which also features a buffet), lunch, and dinner, you won’t necessarily find the same dish here that you had six months ago. That can be good and bad, but it’s always an adventure to stop in and see what’s new!

Atmosphere

Located in the back left corner of the Contemporary Resort’s lobby (just past the concierge desks), you might miss The Wave altogether — except that they’ve dreamed up this groovy light tunnel for the entrance.

This gives you the feeling of heading below the waves for a culinary adventure. (Or it could also remind you of the dearly departed rainbow tunnel from the original Journey Into Your Imagination. Either way, it’s still cool.)

Wave Entry

The atmosphere is modern and contemporary, and the check-in and bar areas look a little “night-clubby,” actually! But never fear — this restaurant is very family-friendly.

Wave Check-In

You make your way around the beautiful and expansive bar as you walk to the dining area. Here, you’ll see more waves in the decor, like the backs of the comfortable bar chairs.

The bar features screw-top wines (more about that later) and fun organic local beers.

Wave Bar

As you enter the sleek dining room, the color palette changes from blue to harvest gold. Waves (amber waves of grain, perhaps?) continue to surround you, even from above.

Wave Dining Room

Although the look is decidedly modern, it maintains a comfortable feel, with padded seats and booths throughout. The finish also cleverly disguises [Read more…]

Review: Boatwright’s Dining Hall at Port Orleans Riverside

By AJ 30 Comments

Learn About:Boatwright’s Dining Hall

Disney World Restaurants

Um. Boatwright’s is awesome.

During a recent trip, we were SO glad finally to have a chance to dine at this seems-like-it’s-been-there-forever-but-we’ve-never-eaten-there restaurant at Port Orleans Resort, Riverside, in Walt Disney World. The warm, relaxed feel of the space, coupled with some menu items I definitely wanted to try, made this a spot that we couldn’t wait any longer to check out.

Atmosphere

Seriously, we loved it. This is the type of old school restaurant that’s right up our alley, so forgive me if I ramble on.

Since we were staying at Port Orleans French Quarter Resort next door, we decided to walk to Boatwright’s for our dining reservation. First up, we thoroughly enjoyed the easy, 10-minute stroll from the French Quarter portion of the resort to Riverside, where the restaurant is located.

Boatwright's Sign

And while this was our first official visit to Boatwright’s, Port Orleans has long been a favorite of ours. There is such a lovely “Disney Imagineering” feel to these resorts; there’s a lot of attention to detail, and there are so many activities that guests can enjoy. Plus, everything is contained in one compact space for ease of use.

You’re also really close to Downtown Disney while you’re here, so that’s definitely another big plus.

As you walk in, your eyes are immediately drawn upward to the huge, partially-built riverboat suspended above the check-in area. The boat (more about it in just a sec!) crowns the larger and more open of the two dining rooms.

The lofty space lets in plenty of natural light during the early evening of the dinner hour and truly appears to be the workroom of a shipbuilder.

Boatwright's Check In

The smaller dining room has a cozy fireplace and a more intimate feel, with [Read more…]

Guest Review: Fulton’s Crab House

By AJ 28 Comments

Learn About:Fulton’s Crab House

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Today, we’re welcoming Orlando native Matt Shealy with a guest review of Fulton’s Crab House in Downtown Disney. Matt shares a rave review of the seafood as well as the memorable ambiance of dining at Fulton’s at sunset.

My childhood memories of Disney include images of loveable characters like Mickey, Minnie and Pluto as well as care free roaming of the park’s lush grounds. Those memories were still vivid after an over ten year hiatus. Now that I am a proud father of a two year old girl, I made the 30 minute trek south of Orlando to that magical place called Disney. Other memories of Disney include long lines and Florida’s summer heat, so we headed to the park bright and early.

After a long day of rides and good times, it was time to grab some good food and relax. My wife and I are huge fans of seafood. After asking some of the cast members we settled on Fulton’s Crab House.

On our walk to Fulton's Crab House

Atmosphere

We arrived at Downtown Disney at dusk on a warm breezy Central Florida evening. As we strolled towards the larger than life riverboat style restaurant, the [Read more…]

Review: Dinner at Kouzzina by Cat Cora

By AJ 29 Comments

Learn About:Kouzzina

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

I’ve been writing this blog for a loooooong time (since early 2009, to be exact), and you know we make it our focus to visit and review any and all Disney restaurants on an updated schedule.

Well, it had been a while since we had been to Kouzzina for dinner (for breakfast, this is one of my favorite spots!); so on a recent visit to Walt Disney World, we took ourselves over for a lazy stroll on the Boardwalk to have dinner at this rustic, Greek-style family restaurant.

Atmosphere

Kouzzina is the first signature restaurant developed by Iron Chef Cat Cora. We visited for dinner when the restaurant first opened, back in Fall of 2009 (you can read that review here). There has been a mini-renovation in the dining room and lobby since we last visited, and there are a few new menu items as well.

And even though Kouzzina is branded with Cat Cora, you can still catch little Disney touches like this hidden Mickey we saw in the lobby. See if you can spy it the next time you visit!

Entryway Decor - Hidden Mickey

The first thing you notice when you enter the restaurant post-renovation is that the lobby is now actually less “waiting area” and more “gift shop,” with Kouzzina and Cat Cora’s wares throughout.

Entryway Sales - Cat Cora's Cookbooks

You’ll find cookbooks for sale here, as well as the types of olive oils and spreads you’ll find [Read more…]

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News! Be Our Guest Restaurant Menu and Reservations Update in Fantasyland

Atmosphere