food IS a theme park
We hope you’re enjoying all that’s new at Walt Disney World this week! We’ve already visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney Springs this week, and now we’re journeying to Epcot! So come along as we explore what’s new in food, merchandise, construction, and… vikings?
Welcome to Epcot!
Every once in a while a menu change at Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World sparks a flame of excitement for the DFB — and this is one of those times! Our Disneyland correspondent Heather (keepin’ it tasty @DiningInDisney on Instagram!) headed to Tangaroa Terrace at Disneyland Hotel recently — only to discover that the new menu she’d been so anxious to try is basically the same menu that can be found at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar (also located at the Disneyland Hotel)!
Tangaroa Terrace
You already know that Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant is the place to go for innovative and classic takes on Irish cuisine. And that you can listen to rocking tunes while chowing down on fish and chips. And that there’s an extensive drinks menu here, making it a terrific night out for the grown ups.
Raglan Road
With so many dining options to try at Walt Disney World, it’s not every trip that I’m able to return to some classic Resort restaurants — particularly if I’m not staying at the Resort in question.
But on a recent visit, I had a meeting that was (thankfully!) at the Grand Floridian Cafe. Located off the lobby in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa’s main building, the Grand Floridian Cafe offers lovely views of the rose garden and courtyard pool beyond. It’s nice and tranquil, but not at all stuffy. So if you want to check out the Grand Floridian with your entire crew (including kiddos), this is a great place to try it.
The Cafe menu serves up traditional American dishes with a few nods to seafood and Southern fare in celebration of the Sunshine State, and our most recent trip here was for dinner. But a great feature at the Grand Floridian Cafe is the brunch-style menu offering breakfast dishes (in addition to the lunch offerings) through 2:00 pm. Hence the “Pancakes and Burger” mashup we’re reviewing today!
And there’s another big boon for the Grand Floridian Cafe: since it’s on the Resort Monorail loop, it’s easily accessible from Magic Kingdom and a terrific get-away if you need a little break from the park.
Like every restaurant at the Grand Floridian, the Cafe is simple and elegant. You won’t find over-the-top, Disney-fied theming in terms of characters or bright colors. But you will feel as though you’ve gone back to the Victorian Era (minus all the stiff social constructs). Check in takes place at a desk with white columns and great trim details.
Grand Floridian Cafe Entrance
Right away you’ll notice the lattice-and-flowers carpeting, which carries throughout the restaurant. The wood trim also continues into the dining room, where floral wallpaper and tasteful seating await.
Come with me as we head to the Big Easy – by way of the Downtown Disney District in Disneyland – and experience the party at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen!
View from our Window
Set in the heart of Disneyland’s shopping and entertainment district, the restaurant offers the perfect marriage of “N’awlins” jazz and flavorful Cajun cuisine – the two sensual experiences that put this famous Louisiana city on the map in the first place.
With a refined decor that is both understated and yet fun at the same time, you will swear that you have been somehow magically transported directly from Anaheim to the heart of the French Quarter. Several dining rooms on two levels of the restaurant surround a vibrant [Read more…]
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…]
Coming up soon — new Italian food in Disney World! Soon we’ll have even more news about the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, but first…
We’ve got a sneak peek at some of the eats you’ll be able to try at the newly re-vamped Tutto Italia!
As we await the re-opening of this beloved Italian eatery in Disney World’s Epcot, we can finally share with you the new lunch, dinner, dessert, gluten free (!!), and kids’ menus!
Ready to dive in??? Let us know what YOU can’t wait to eat at Tutto Italia!
NEW Tutto Italia and Tutto Gusto Signs
Appetizer Menu
Dinner Menu
As we get closer to the June 15, 2012 opening of the new Cars Land in Disney California Adventure, we wanted to take a look at what we know so far about the Radiator Springs’ restaurants.
Artist Rendering of Cars Land, copyright Disney
After all, we’ve come along way in gathering details about these venues since our earlier reports. And while we’re not holding our collective breath, we’re still crossing our fingers that someday we’ll see an announcement for a drive-in type restaurant similar to the Sci-Fi Dine-In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World.
For now… let’s take a look at what we DO know is coming in just under two months.
This is the hot-spot when traveling along historic Route 66! Resembling a giant air filter in Radiator Springs, Flo’s V8 Cafe will serve cuisine inspired by the Mom ‘n Pop Diners we all know and love. As a quick-service option for breakfast meals, lunch, and dinner, the cafe will also have an outdoor patio overlooking [Read more…]
Starting June 15, 2012
, Ariel’s Grotto at Disney California Adventure will offer character dining during dinner with Ariel and other princesses. Choose between breakfast, lunch, or dinner! While Ariel’s Grotto has offered fun character breakfast and lunch dining, princesses at dinner will be a welcome addition to this whimsical restaurant.
Each character meal will include music, yummy food, and Disney Princesses. Before you book, check out our Ariel’s Grotto review!
Dinner reservations are now available for booking via 714-781-DINE (3463) or email to [email protected].
NOTE: After June 14, 2012, “World of Color” dining packages will no longer be offered at Ariel’s Grotto.
Now that you’ve booked your 2012 Disney World vacation, it’s time to make your Advance Dining Reservations. Which restaurants are credit-worthy?
The vacation package add-on called the Disney Dining Plan is a meal plan with a set price in exchange for a certain number of credits. Many table-service meals in Disney World cost one credit, but are you getting the best value?
Stick to the one-credit restaurants, order the most expensive meal on the menu, and maximize your savings! Let’s get to my top picks for best value at “one table-service credit” Walt Disney World restaurants. I think some of them will surprise you!
When we looked at values, our main criteria was price. These restaurants offer a great bang for your buck when paying with the Disney Dining Plan.
We also looked at enjoyment level and food quality, but these criteria were secondary and tertiary to cost. Note that these aren’t necessarily our favorite restaurants, but they are good values for one Disney Dining Plan credit.
Tucked into the Italian pavilion at Epcot, Tutto Italia Ristorante boasts regional cuisines from Italy in an Old World setting. Table service is attentive, although the fine-dining atmosphere can lead to longer waits.
This restaurant serves up a Roasted Rack and Leg of Lamb ($34) as an entree. End your meal with Copetta Sotto Boscue, a dessert specialty comprised of berries, zabaglione cream, gelato, and chocolate sauce, which has an out-of-pocket price of $14. When both of these items are ordered, Tutto Italia becomes quite possibly your best one-credit table-service value in Walt Disney World.
There’s also a Veal Roast which would run you $31 out-of-pocket but… perfectly worth one dining credit!
Veal
Tutto Italia is closed for refurbishment until [Read more…]
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