food IS a theme park
Today we bid a sweet farewell to the Magic Kingdom and Disney Parks before they closed tonight due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Happily Ever After
We posted up in front of Cinderella Castle in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to catch the last showing of Happily Ever After… for now (we’ll be back in this same spot right when the parks reopen)…and it was truly something special.
Last September Disney announced that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the beloved nighttime spectacular on Epcot’s World Showcase, will end in the second half of 2019. (Click here for more on that announcement!) And now we know when crowds will be “moving forward now as one” — AND when IllumiNations’ replacement will begin!
IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth
At the start of Inside Disney Parks’ live stream of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth tonight, it was announced that the final showing of IllumiNations will be on September 30, 2019! [Read more…]
Cue the waterworks (and not for the usual reason!)! After months of speculation on the interwebs, Disney Parks Blog confirmed today that Epcot’s beloved IllumiNations Fireworks Spectacular is coming to an end!
IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth
Whether you’ve been to Walt Disney World one time or one hundred times, there’s always something new to do. And right now, there’s a ton! Besides the opening of Pandora, the World’s newest land located at Animal Kingdom, there are seven other fun and functional new experiences you’ve gotta try!
has been offered since May 2017, and now it’s expanded to more locations! Mobile Ordering allows guests to use their My Disney Experience app to pre-order and pre-pay for meals at counter service locations.
Mobile Ordering lets participating guests bypass the ordering queue and go directly to the Order Pick-Up window. No more waiting in long lines to order your nuggets, y’all!
“We’re all mad here…”
But where, exactly is “here,” you ask? Why, it’s just outside Gasparilla Island Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort, which has brought back the Gone Mad Party on Wednesdays during the month of June!
Gone Mad Party sign
This Alice in Wonderland-themed shindig made its limited-run debut in 2016, and its return gives guests the opportunity to view the new Happily Ever After Fireworks Spectacular from the Grill’s outdoor seating area from 7:00 – 9:30 pm. [Read more…]
The California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort has re-opened with a new menu and revitalized decor. This week, guest author Paul Kuconis returns with a review from this Walt Disney World restaurant.
My daughter and I last ate at California Grill in May 2012, seated in the Wine Room overlooking Wilderness Lodge and Epcot in the distance. The meal, as usual (and expected) was superb! Soon after this the restaurant was closed for a remodel. And the wait began.
When I found out (in early September, I believe) that California Grill was accepting Advance Dining Reservations I thought I would give it a shot for our October visit. I was able to grab the date and time I wanted. AWESOME!!
So off we head on the boat from Wilderness Lodge to the Contemporary.
From the Boat Dock
You can’t beat this view of the Contemporary right around dusk! Red sky at night, Sailor’s delight. We are in for a nice day tomorrow.
The reception desk is now on the right of the elevator banks, moved from the left.
Reception Signage
Right off the elevator — the first new element I saw was the immense wine cooler.
The Wine Cooler
As we waited for our table we took in the sights.
A Nice Spot to Watch the Fireworks
The results of the remodel look fantastic and the contemporary theme was carried throughout. The bar has a nice clean look to it with illuminated shelving and neatly arranged bottles.
The Bar
The open concept seating remained, providing good views out all the windows.
The Dining Area
Even the light fixtures carry the ‘contemporary theme’, right down to different colored globes!
Contemporary-Themed Light Fixtures
It was nice to see that the open kitchen concept was maintained through the remodel. I enjoy watching the chefs prepare the offerings. And it is done with Military precision. No ‘Hells’ Kitchen’ theatrics here!
Open Kitchen
You can’t beat white tablecloths and sharp, branded linen napkins. Classy!
A nicely set table
OK, enough of the Atmosphere. We came to eat!
Now the fun begins. The menu logo mirrors the signage we saw at the reception desk.
The Menu
My daughter and I selected a bottle of Landmark Vineyards Overlook Chardonnay. The vineyard is located in Kenwood in the heart of Sonoma (along with Napa and Mendocino) in the North Coast wine region of California. Also in keeping with the California theme.
Chardonnay Choices
We made a nice choice. We noticed aromas of dried pit fruits, melon, honey, and tarragon. It was very fruity, with a nice finishing warmth and lingering spiciness.
The Wine
A Nice Pour
Luckily we got rolls and butter and that gave me something to eat while I perused the menu.
Rolls and Butter
As usual with Disney, they are not just ‘rolls and butter’. We had a choice of sourdough rolls (my favorite and a staple of San Francisco) and focaccia. The butter was topped with sea salt and a lavender blossom. Visually, perfect! This is important as we ‘see’ the food before we eat it.
The crunchiness of the salt worked well with the butter and spread that on the sourdough roll — it doesn’t get any better. At least until the appetizer arrives!
Appetizer and entrée selections proved to be very difficult. To me, that is the sign of a well thought out menu. So many choices, so little time!
I like to try items I have never had and the [Read more…]
The Grand Floridian Resort is home to several fine dining experiences. Today, guest author Rebecca Dolan reviews the resort’s Citricos restaurant.
I can’t believe I’ve been missing out on Citricos all these years.
My family and I tend to shy away from Disney’s fine dining experiences. Truth be told, we’re often just too tired (read: lazy) to put on “real” clothes after a day at the parks. But, this meal is even worth putting on your nice khakis for.
Citricos is set on the second floor of Walt Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort at the back of the main building, where it shares a check-in foyer with Victoria & Albert’s.
A set of iron gates is an artistic touch to delineate the waiting area from the bar and dining room.
The gates to Citricos
Fun gate detail
Past them is the first dining area and bar. This is bordered by large windows overlooking the rest of the hotel and the Seven Seas Lagoon to the right, with a large wine room, bar, and display kitchen to the left. A bit further back is a glass-and-wood enclosed “chef’s domain” — a private dining rom.
The bar
Front part of the dining room, with tons of natural light
Entrance to the glass-enclosed private dining room
The rear part of the dining room is perhaps what Citricos is known for architecturally. The round room is enclosed by what are essentially floor-to-ceiling windows, offering an amazing view of the property, the lagoon, and even part of the Magic Kingdom.
Round dining room, again with no shortage of a view
Looking out over the Grand Floridian
Though it’s a bit obstructed, you can even catch a glimpse of the [Read more…]
Today we are welcoming guest author Rebecca Dolan with a dining review of the Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room. Read on…
When it comes to Epcot’s Rose & Crown, the mantra should be “come for the fireworks, stay for the food.” Sure the menu of British comfort classics has always been on point, but the real draw here has to be the restaurant’s back patio, which offers one of the best fireworks views on the shores of the World Showcase Lagoon.
This combination of no-frills British food and fireworks made Rose & Crown both one of my mother’s favorite Disney spots, and the bane of the Epcot trips of my youth. (Ugh, do we have to watch the fireworks again? I want to eat in Morocco!) But, Rose & Crown and I have come a long way over the past years. And, I now fully support adding it to a Disney dining itinerary.
The first thing you’ll probably notice about Rose & Crown is that it isn’t built in just one architectural style. Instead, the building is a mash-up of three different, popular pub styles.
The building’s three sides at Rose and Crown.
The main entrance leads into a full-service pub where you can belly up to the bar for traditional beers, ciders, and scotches from the UK. A handful of tables provide a much-needed respite from the afternoon sun.
Stopping in for an evening pint.
Outside the pub entrance, to the left, is the check in booth for the dining room. Seating is either on the outdoor patio overlooking the lagoon, or inside the main dining room. Try your best to score an outdoor table if you can (back patio is better than side patio) for the fireworks view.
This will likely prove to be a difficult endeavor, however. After close to three decades of dining here, this trip was the first time our family was actually seated outside.
Get a load of that view!
Now, don’t let that get you discouraged! Even if you can’t get the coveted front row seats, those eating inside are allowed [Read more…]
Update:
Scroll to the end of the Eats section (yep, waaayyy down there!) for a mini-review of opening night, courtesy of one of our favorite DFB guest writers, Julie B!
We are headed back to the fifteenth floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort today, as we take a closer look at the brand new California Grill!
The outpouring of Disney food fan love has just been astounding throughout the last eight months as we’ve continued to watch the newly re-imagined California Grill take shape. Folks who love the restaurant and its amazing menu have been anxious for news. Would it retain its panache? Would beloved dishes from the old menu make the cut? How would we survive with no Yoshie??
We are happy to report that, if possible, California Grill is even more spectacular than before. We were happy to show you a first look at all that was new after last Thursday’s media event. Today, we’re unveiling more details. If you haven’t already, get ready to make those advance dining reservations. I think you’re going to like what you see.
Menus
Settle in. This is going to be a long one!
Immediately, as you step out of the elevator onto the fifteenth floor, you are enveloped by the cool vibe of California Grill. You know at once that you’re in for a special experience.
If you weren’t aware of it already, now you know: wine matters in this restaurant. A lot. Wine coolers aren’t dressed up to be anything else; they’re unapologetically part of the decor here. This makes sense, as the restaurant now boasts 1,600 bottles of wine in the state-of-the-art wine display.
You’ll find around 250 wines on the list, with 80 available by the glass. And with more than 20 sommeliers on staff, you are literally enveloped in a wealth of wine knowledge.
Wine, Anyone?
Straight ahead, you’ll find the trademark view of Seven Seas Lagoon. With any luck there will be a spectacular sunset over the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa during your visit like there was for ours.
This area continues to serve as the lounge for the restaurant. You can still score a table here with no advance dining reservation, and the full restaurant menu is available for ordering.
Entrance and Bank of Wine Fridges
The bar area continues to be highlighted by the ceiling’s circular cutout. While the shape is the same, the whole bar has been overhauled with new finishes. Comfortable seating beckons you to relax and have a cocktail or two.
Bar
To quote one of my Disney friends, nothing here is the same as it was! The lights are wonderfully whimsical. While modern, there’s still a retro feel here. In fact, the lights remind me a lot of old pictures I’ve seen of the Contemporary from the 1970s.
Seating Area is Ready for Guests
Tables are set for service. I was glad to see that the [Read more…]
It’s time to talk Disney trip traditions!!! Over the years, my “first day at Disney” traditions have changed and evolved. But there’s nothing like looking forward to that thing you love to do first when you get to Disney World or Disneyland.
So my question for you today is this: Do you have a favorite “Welcome to Disney” tradition that you always look forward to? Let us know in the comments below — I might just have to change mine once I get inspired by a few of yours!
In the interest of fairness, I’ll share one of mine, too… 🙂
One of my favorite “first night traditions” in Disney World is shaking off the stress of travel with a deep breath and a relaxing view. The best place to do this in my opinion? Disney’s Polynesian Resort!
I usually choose one of two options once I get there: Either lounge in a comfy, wicker chair at the Tambu Lounge, or head to ‘Ohana for a sunset dinner! (And sometimes I do both!)
Tambu Sign
“The Poly” offers lots of choices for [Read more…]
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