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Category: Table-Service

News! Tables in Wonderland Food and Wine Festival Sneak Preview Event

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Tables in Wonderland has announced a “Taste Your Way Around the World” Sneak Preview of the 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!

As we count down the days to the Festival, which begins September 28, the Sneak Preview is the place to sample new dishes and learn more about the upcoming events!

Location: Odyssey Pavilion at Epcot®

Date: Saturday July 28, 2012 6:30pm – 9:00pm

Price: $110.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.

This exclusive event allows guests to sample the food and learn about the new things in store for this year’s Festival! Get the scoop on the new Epcot Food and Wine Festival marketplaces as well as new special events.

The event is limited to 150 Guests, and is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members. Park admission not required.

Food and Wine Sneak Preview - click image for larger version

For reservations:

Visit www.disneyurl.com/SneakPreview for self-booking and instant confirmation.
Note this is a new booking process. The website will go live and begin taking reservations on Monday July 2, 2012, at 10:00am.

When you go to the website please have the following information ready: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Kona Cafe Dinner at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

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Learn About:Kona Cafe
Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

Guest author Aaron Crum returns with a review of the Kona Cafe. Let’s join him now for dinner where he shares some great eats and exciting news (Congrats!!) at this Polynesian Resort restaurant in Walt Disney World. Pass the bread, please! 😉

For those of us who frequent Walt’s playground, we know that there are endless possibilities when it comes to dining. Each trip usually requires a new adventure or a new experience.

However, every now and then, you find a “diamond in the rough” (yes, Aladdin pun intended). With that being said, I find myself booking at least one meal every trip at Kona Café. This well-kept secret inside Disney’s Polynesian resort is, in my opinion, one of your “Disney Must-Do’s” (you know, that little park infomercial that is on a constant loop in your hotel room?).

Atmosphere

Kona Café is on the second floor of the lobby in Disney’s Polynesian resort. And upon entering, you find yourself quickly transported to a tropical oasis. The foliage from the lobby is ever-present and really leads you to believe you are no longer in central Florida.

There is hardly a “waiting area” specifically designed for Kona; rather, it shares a waiting space with ’Ohana. While Kona often gets busy, you can sometimes dine there without the expense of an advance dining reservation. In fact, we were there celebrating a special occasion (I will elaborate!) and we were told by the manager that they keep several time slots open in order to accommodate walk-in guests.

Seating Area

Eats

Let’s get to the good stuff, the FOOD!

First to the table is a loaf of bread, accompanied by a side of macadamia nut butter. The bread was [Read more…]

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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

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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

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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 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 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…]

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