food IS a theme park
Greetings from Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs, where we escaped a recent rain storm by popping into Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. Of course, one does not just pop into Jock Lindsey’s and not eat something, so we’re bringing you a review of some seriously fun tacos!
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar
If it feels like we were just here, well… we were! [Read more…]
Greetings from Disney’s Old Key West Resort! This week we stopped by to check out the lunch options at The Gurgling Suitcase! The Gurgling Suitcase is a relaxing respite in Disney World, and they didn’t always serve food (though you could order from Olivia’s). But for a few years now they have their very own menu!
The Gurgling Suitcase
It’s already super hot in Florida so we were excited to swing by for a quick bite and cold drink! By the way, did you know the Gurgling Suitcase got its name from people trying to smuggle alcohol from Cuba into Key West in their luggage? Inspectors would shake the suitcases to see if the “gurgled” — hence the name The Gurgling Suitcase. Always so clever, Disney.
One of the most exciting things about visiting Walt Disney World Resort is that there are constantly new things to experience — even if you’ve been hundreds of times.
Magic Kingdom
Here we’ve gathered 34 Things You Didn’t Know You Could Do at Walt Disney World — so let’s all go try something new!
When it comes to Disney World, bars and lounges aren’t just adults-only destinations — and they don’t just serve drinks.
In fact, here’s a Best Kept Secret in Disney dining planning — Disney bars and lounges can be great places to get a meal with the whole family. These hidden gems are often less crowded than standard restaurants, too!
In The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book, we have an entire section reviewing every single bar and lounge in Walt Disney World. It’s well worth a read to find out great spots to get a full meal or a snack — even with no Advance Dining Reservation!
Now let’s take a peek at a few of our favorites…
English Bulldog with Chips at Rose and Crown Pub in Epcot's UK Pavilion
A Disney World trip can be hectic (meeting characters, dashing to attractions, and racing off to dining reservations!), so finding a place inside the parks to escape the hoopla is key to a relaxing vacation!
With signature cocktails, cheese plates, fondue, burgers, donuts, pasta, and more, you’ll find some truly inspired menus at Disney World’s bars and lounges. Sometimes you’ll even be able to order from the full menu of a nearby restaurant.
In Epcot, we can highly recommend stopping in to Tutto Gusto in Italy, Rose and Crown Pub in the UK, or La Cava del Tequila in Mexico.
Fireplace Area Seating at Tutto Gusto
At Tutto Gusto, order from an awesome menu of meats and cheeses, paninis, pastas, and more. A relaxing atmosphere and full tables allow for an easy meal for the whole family.
Cheeses, Meats, and Shrimp Cavatappi at Tutto Gusto Lounge in Epcot's Italy
Rose and Crown Pub, attached to Rose and Crown Restaurant, features a fun menu that — gasp! — the kids might even like! We can highly recommend the Scotch Eggs and the British Bulldog sausage (see our review of the British Bulldog here — and the photo at the top of this article)!
Scotch Eggs at Rose and Crown
If you’re there on a weekday, seek out Carl the Bartender and ask him to show you his amazing magic trick!
Carl the Bartender and the tipping pint
At La Cava del Tequila, sample a few Mexican appetizers like chips and salsa, queso, and guacamole along with your margaritas!
Chips and queso at Cava del Tequila
Another favorite place to unwind in the parks and get a great meal is at Tune-In Lounge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Here, you can get great shakes for the kids, fun signature drinks for [Read more…]
Let’s face it. Sometimes a Disney vacation can be absolutely exhausting! That’s why we like to seek out bars and lounges in which we can share fun with family and friends or relax while enjoying good food and special beverages.
Schweitzer Falls at Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar
A while back, we took a look at our Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges, and now it’s time to take a peek at our favorites in the Disneyland Parks and Resorts!
Here are our picks for Top Six Disneyland bars and lounges — a list that includes a little help from our Facebook Friends! Thanks for your input!
Ready to jump in? Here’s our favorite place to while away some time at the Disneyland Resort…
should be your first choice for chilling out in Disneyland!
This is due to some great bartenders, unique drinks (often served in souvenir glasses), good food, and, of course, the interactive activities here. (Careful not to sit on the sinking bar stools!)
This place is an awesome tropical retreat located at the Disneyland Hotel. Check out our Trader Sam’s Review here!
Trader Sam’s Bar
While there is indoor and outdoor seating, all of the action is inside where there is limited seating (about 50 spots); so get here early as evenings may be quite crowded.
Located in Disney California Adventure, the Cove Bar (not to be mistaken for Cove Cafe on the Disney Cruise Ships or the Cove Bar at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort…) is your place to escape the long lines and hot sun while enjoying great water-side views.
View from Cove Bar
Leave the thrills behind and savor specialty drinks and craft beers. The Raspberry Rain is a memorable choice! Look for an attractive menu offering my favorite, Buffalo Wings, and Lobster Nachos.
Make the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian Resort a must-do in Disneyland.
Whether you are looking for some quiet alone time or bringing along friends, this cozy fireside lounge has a lodge theme and soaring ceilings that immediately relax you. And that’s before your first drink order!
Take a seat at the bar, on a cozy sofa, or at a [Read more…]
South African Wine at Jiko
When it comes to a happy hour beverage, a night out with your spouse or some friends, or — let’s face it — a margarita at the stroke of noon…there are a few spots in Walt Disney World that get the job done better than others!
FYI — The Disney Food Blog offers a full list of bars and lounges — complete with descriptions of each place — in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.
Now, let’s take a tour of our Top Ten Disney World bars and lounges — these are the places that really make us want to get up and dance. 😉
Don’t forget to check out our list of Honorable Mentions at the end! Many of these spots offer the standard Disney Parks bar and lounge menu should you be interested.
We were so excited when Trader Sam’s came to the east coast, and it has proved itself to be every bit as fun and exciting as its Disneyland counterpart. Located at Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s transports you to the tropics and slings some funky attitude along with its awesome drinks. Step into the whacky Grog Grotto, where some of the drinks come with a show.
[Read more…]
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