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Too often we find ourselves showering the blogosphere with criticism instead of praise, but a preview of a dining journey yet to come has the benefit of bliss.
Like so many who frequent Disney, making ADRs for the princesses is where we begin. For our family, we always include one princess experience and, thus far, only decide on having a meal at either Akershus or Cinderellas Royal Table. Prior to the announcement of Anna & Elsa getting a new location inside Magic Kingdom, the current strategy of having 8am breakfast at Akershus is appealing enough to try to get a reasonable spot on the long MeetnGreet line. My wife informs me that a 2-3 hour wait is doable for her; Im not so certain our child really wants to wait for Anna & Elsa when there are rides to be enjoyed. Anyhow, we have nothing other than waiting for the MeetnGreet scheduled until our first FP+ at 12pm. Finishing out our first day at the Flower & Garden Festival, the plan is to head back to Italy for what will be our third (and hopefully, the charm) attempt at trying to gain a seat at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. If we get turned away again (two private events, seriously), then Spice Road Table offers another small plate alternative, albeit, without use of Tables in Wonderland (TiW).
When Toy Story Mania is in the mix, breakfast being served by way of room service is an excellent option to be exercised. Its true, room service is pricey. But when you look at the cost of room service against the cost of a non-character buffet - the end result is about the same price. Regardless, one reason to select morning room service is to enjoy your vacation and make it seem as if youve arrived at the Park with less hassle. Oh, I know that you get more food for the price at a buffet, but all that food may not be necessary with a Toy Story Mania challenge of, Loser buys the ice cream!!
[Note for users of Deluxe Dining Plan (DxDP): room service is a relative value.]
Breakfast before Hollywood Studios is a must for us since my wife finds this to be the most disappointing Park for food she dislikes meatnpotato meals at Prime Time (although the margaritas are a welcomed treat, even to-go) and she is not a burger kinda gal who enjoys a milkshake at Sci-Fi either. However, if were lucky on this trip, maybe we can grab a quick taste at the newly opened outside lounge at the Brown Derby. Either way, a large lunch is hardly what we want before dining at our favorite place that same evening.
Sounding like a shill for BlueZoo is a badge I wear with honor its the best food, and certainly best fish at Disney. Since we typically have a split-stay that includes Swan & Dolphin (because we have a great affinity points program), dining at BlueZoo is convenient for us too. The appetizers and raw oysters change just enough to keep us interested for our twice per year visits, the plain grilled fish and sticky lobster entrées are menu mainstays that we always enjoy, and we can never get enough fennel butter with the best bread basket at Disney. BlueZoo also serves flaming, smoking, or otherwise amazing cocktails, along with fantastic desserts that are not to be missed.
Not only do Swan & Dolphin Signatures take TiW, they also have their own affinity dining program that pays back more than 15% after just a few visits; some of the Casual restaurants offer DVC or AAA discounts. More importantly for some of us, in spite of the goodie-bag our child has brought home from some of the Disney-run dinner-time Camps that you pay for out-of-pocket, the soft-serve ice cream from Picabou, provided to children at Camp Dolphin, is a far bigger highlight. AND, if you purchase one entrée at any Swan & Dolphin Signature, your child is provided with these complimentary (free) 2-hours of childcare at Camp Dolphin. Between TiW, Swan & Dolphin Signature affinity program, Starwood American Express, and the free childcare discounting for food & beverage is about 40% - a $35 fish costs ends up costing $21. One more thing, Cabana poolside dining is the best at Disney - try the crab & watermelon salad along with fantasticly fresh chicken fingers.
Maybe BlueZoo is second best food if you count Victoria & Albert. My in-laws are kind enough to provide my wife & me with time for a real date night by staying at a different hotel with our child. With the impending loss of TiW benefit at Victoria & Albert this summer, we are taking one last bite of the discounting apple. Our last meal here was wonderful, however, I have to try and figure out a way to consume less wine with pairings provided during the multi-course meal. We will be happy to share a completed review after returning from Disney in a few weeks.
Payback to my in-laws for watching the child comes by way of dinner at Il Mulino for my Italian father-in-law. As often as we go, it always seems as if we split the gigantic Veal Milanese topped with Arugula Salad after at least one plate of fresh pasta and appetizers of mussels & clams. And if youve never ordered it try the Italian ricotta Cheesecake (versus NY-style cream cheese cake). Remember to benefit from free ice cream for the children while they also play for free at Camp Dolphin.
This will be our first stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani). And since we rarely travel far for food at Disney, this will be our first opportunity to try Jiko, Saana, & Boma. There is no question that we are excited about trying to compare the Savannah views between Saana and all of the other viewing spots. And because of the animals, Saana is one meal when our child will look forward to chowing with mommy & daddy and eating more than just ice cream. The flavor of Africa on the menu at Jiko makes this a place for us, and the same can be said of the buffet breakfast we expect at Boma. We enjoy bold flavors and have modestly good hopes for Boma, Saana, and Jiko.
Just to top it all off: EPCOT has the most table services spots we enjoy (i.e., Coral Reef, Akershus) and quick spots (France), Animal Kingdom has the hidden gem in Tamu Tamu, Hollywood Studios has great margaritas at Prime Time and is walking distance to Swan & Dolphin Signatures, Magic Kingdom has coffee drinks along with spicy chicken w/ waffles at Sleepy Hollow & Lighthouse sandwich at Columbia Harbour House. Food Tents at Flower & Garden and Food Trucks (La Nouba) and Ghirardelli at Downtown Disney are just a few more of our food favorite things.
There are many ways to enjoy your journey.
Like so many who frequent Disney, making ADRs for the princesses is where we begin. For our family, we always include one princess experience and, thus far, only decide on having a meal at either Akershus or Cinderellas Royal Table. Prior to the announcement of Anna & Elsa getting a new location inside Magic Kingdom, the current strategy of having 8am breakfast at Akershus is appealing enough to try to get a reasonable spot on the long MeetnGreet line. My wife informs me that a 2-3 hour wait is doable for her; Im not so certain our child really wants to wait for Anna & Elsa when there are rides to be enjoyed. Anyhow, we have nothing other than waiting for the MeetnGreet scheduled until our first FP+ at 12pm. Finishing out our first day at the Flower & Garden Festival, the plan is to head back to Italy for what will be our third (and hopefully, the charm) attempt at trying to gain a seat at Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. If we get turned away again (two private events, seriously), then Spice Road Table offers another small plate alternative, albeit, without use of Tables in Wonderland (TiW).
When Toy Story Mania is in the mix, breakfast being served by way of room service is an excellent option to be exercised. Its true, room service is pricey. But when you look at the cost of room service against the cost of a non-character buffet - the end result is about the same price. Regardless, one reason to select morning room service is to enjoy your vacation and make it seem as if youve arrived at the Park with less hassle. Oh, I know that you get more food for the price at a buffet, but all that food may not be necessary with a Toy Story Mania challenge of, Loser buys the ice cream!!
[Note for users of Deluxe Dining Plan (DxDP): room service is a relative value.]
Breakfast before Hollywood Studios is a must for us since my wife finds this to be the most disappointing Park for food she dislikes meatnpotato meals at Prime Time (although the margaritas are a welcomed treat, even to-go) and she is not a burger kinda gal who enjoys a milkshake at Sci-Fi either. However, if were lucky on this trip, maybe we can grab a quick taste at the newly opened outside lounge at the Brown Derby. Either way, a large lunch is hardly what we want before dining at our favorite place that same evening.
Sounding like a shill for BlueZoo is a badge I wear with honor its the best food, and certainly best fish at Disney. Since we typically have a split-stay that includes Swan & Dolphin (because we have a great affinity points program), dining at BlueZoo is convenient for us too. The appetizers and raw oysters change just enough to keep us interested for our twice per year visits, the plain grilled fish and sticky lobster entrées are menu mainstays that we always enjoy, and we can never get enough fennel butter with the best bread basket at Disney. BlueZoo also serves flaming, smoking, or otherwise amazing cocktails, along with fantastic desserts that are not to be missed.
Not only do Swan & Dolphin Signatures take TiW, they also have their own affinity dining program that pays back more than 15% after just a few visits; some of the Casual restaurants offer DVC or AAA discounts. More importantly for some of us, in spite of the goodie-bag our child has brought home from some of the Disney-run dinner-time Camps that you pay for out-of-pocket, the soft-serve ice cream from Picabou, provided to children at Camp Dolphin, is a far bigger highlight. AND, if you purchase one entrée at any Swan & Dolphin Signature, your child is provided with these complimentary (free) 2-hours of childcare at Camp Dolphin. Between TiW, Swan & Dolphin Signature affinity program, Starwood American Express, and the free childcare discounting for food & beverage is about 40% - a $35 fish costs ends up costing $21. One more thing, Cabana poolside dining is the best at Disney - try the crab & watermelon salad along with fantasticly fresh chicken fingers.
Maybe BlueZoo is second best food if you count Victoria & Albert. My in-laws are kind enough to provide my wife & me with time for a real date night by staying at a different hotel with our child. With the impending loss of TiW benefit at Victoria & Albert this summer, we are taking one last bite of the discounting apple. Our last meal here was wonderful, however, I have to try and figure out a way to consume less wine with pairings provided during the multi-course meal. We will be happy to share a completed review after returning from Disney in a few weeks.
Payback to my in-laws for watching the child comes by way of dinner at Il Mulino for my Italian father-in-law. As often as we go, it always seems as if we split the gigantic Veal Milanese topped with Arugula Salad after at least one plate of fresh pasta and appetizers of mussels & clams. And if youve never ordered it try the Italian ricotta Cheesecake (versus NY-style cream cheese cake). Remember to benefit from free ice cream for the children while they also play for free at Camp Dolphin.
This will be our first stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge (Kidani). And since we rarely travel far for food at Disney, this will be our first opportunity to try Jiko, Saana, & Boma. There is no question that we are excited about trying to compare the Savannah views between Saana and all of the other viewing spots. And because of the animals, Saana is one meal when our child will look forward to chowing with mommy & daddy and eating more than just ice cream. The flavor of Africa on the menu at Jiko makes this a place for us, and the same can be said of the buffet breakfast we expect at Boma. We enjoy bold flavors and have modestly good hopes for Boma, Saana, and Jiko.
Just to top it all off: EPCOT has the most table services spots we enjoy (i.e., Coral Reef, Akershus) and quick spots (France), Animal Kingdom has the hidden gem in Tamu Tamu, Hollywood Studios has great margaritas at Prime Time and is walking distance to Swan & Dolphin Signatures, Magic Kingdom has coffee drinks along with spicy chicken w/ waffles at Sleepy Hollow & Lighthouse sandwich at Columbia Harbour House. Food Tents at Flower & Garden and Food Trucks (La Nouba) and Ghirardelli at Downtown Disney are just a few more of our food favorite things.
There are many ways to enjoy your journey.
