Welcome, Foolish Muggles! IoA/US/MK/SW *July 2013 Trip Report Link*

[bubba's mom]

You can buy soda anywhere in the park BUT WWoHP.

Doesn't mean you can't walk around and drink it.

It's just not sold in WWoHP. So you don't have to "smuggle"

 

[DrMomof3]

What does the ticker say???

Ticker??? What ticker???
First up is the Jewish Holidays. Next, I have a work trip to Boston in October followed shortly by a 40th birthday cruise (my birthday, not Disney World's). Then Halloween and Thanksgiving. And then I get to see Hogwarts!

Amanda

 

[Marlton Mom]

Thought so!!! You'll have to let us know!

Well, I still have lots more to go, so I won't get home in September, it may be October, but most likely November.

But I promise, I'll be home for Christmas!

I'm Dying, DYING I tell you!!!
FasterFaster!

~MM

 

[natebenma]

According to the sundial in the Lost Continent it was 5:20 PM.

One of the restaurants I wanted to try during this trip was Mythos, which has been voted the Number 1 Theme Park restaurant a number of times. Since we we weren't sure when we might eat there, I didn’t make a reservation. Coming from a Disney mentality, this worried me a lot despite assurances on the Universal forums that reservations to most restaurants would probably not be required.

We had been drifting a bit aimlessly for the past hour, and nothing annoys Mark more than not knowing where we are going or what our next move would be, so it was not going to be pretty if we had to come up with a Plan B restaurant.

We were about to check to see if the proclaimed “Best Theme Park Restaurant” was taking walk-ins.

The boys wait outside while I approach the hostess desk. I must admit that I was more than a little nervous…

“About 10 minutes” they tell me.

PHEW!!!

I hope this isn’t a prophecy of bills to come…


While we are waiting for a table, I thought I should get a park map so we could figure out what we were going to do next, after dinner. There was a shop across the street, so I went in and asked the guy at the counter if I could have a park map. He reached into a drawer and joked

“That’ll be a dollar”

“I paid at the entrance”, I replied.

He smiled, gave me the map and I rejoined my family just in time to be seated.

Here is the description of Mythos from the Universal/IoA website:

Lying offshore a craggy grotto on The Lost Continent®, the cavernous interior of the restaurant looks as if it’s been carved from the rock by the very gods whose images are etched into the walls. In addition to the dining room there is also outdoor seating offering a spectacular view of the park’s inland sea and vistas of the park’s colorful islands.

The food itself far exceeds the fare normally enjoyed by mere mortals... let alone theme park visitors. Enjoy such dishes as blueberry and pistachio crusted grilled pork, cedar planked Bay of Fundy salmon, gourmet hamburgers and imported pasta. Mouth-watering desserts and a full wine list are available. There is also a separate children’s menu.

Here are some assorted pictures of the interior of Mythos:

Some of the tables have windows with views of the theme park:

I asked our waiter to take a picture of us:

And now, our meal:

Months before our trip, I knew I was going to order this:

Tempura Shrimp Sushi - With soy and wasabi drizzle

You may recall that the night before, we had a similar appetizer at Kona Café:


Shrimp Tempura Roll - tempura shrimp, fresh mango served with lilikoi sauce

So, which restaurant won the Tempura Shrimp Sushi throwdown???

KONA!

The sushi at Kona was lighter and the tempura batter on the outside of the roll at Mythos made it more difficult to eat.


Ben ordered from the children’s menu:

One Fish Two Fish Ravioli
(the filling is cheese, not fish)

Nate got:

Mythos Hamburger - Topped with Cheddar Cheese and applewood bacon and served with French fries.

Mark and I shared these two entrees.

Mythos Pad Thai with rice noodles and mixed vegetable in a sweet and sour peanut sauce with BBQ roasted plum pork

Pan Seared Blackened Mahi Mahi with baked plantains, cilantro cream sauce and tomato salsa.

Portions were huge, I’m not sure if we finished everything. I don’t see any pictures of desserts, so I don’t think we ordered any.


However, this is the signature dessert at Mythos:

Warm Chocolate Banana Gooey Cake - with foster sauce, plantains and peanut butter ice cream

Next time!

Although everything was excellent, I don’t think it was the best meal that we had during our trip (that was Kona). But it was not the most expensive either (that was Kona, too), and I was really happy we ate there.


Part of our discussion during dinner was about where we were going to go next.

Any guesses?

Next up: Well, that would give it away, wouldn’t it???

 

[DrMomof3]

Yum. Your meal at Mythos looks good. Do you think a solo traveler would be able to eat a sit-down meal there? Or am I better off sticking to counter service?

Amanda

 

[natebenma]

Yum. Your meal at Mythos looks good. Do you think a solo traveler would be able to eat a sit-down meal there? Or am I better off sticking to counter service?

Amanda

Wow! That was a quicky reply!

I think you would be fine eating solo. The restaurant has lots of nooks and crannies so you could cozy into a booth and be nice and comfy and not in sight of other diners. The restaurant wasn't even half-full when we were there. If that is the case while you were there, you wouldn't be holding up a table from a family.

Prices at Mythos did not seem ridiculous for a theme park. I didn't post the cost of each of the meals because I couldn't find my receipt, but you can find the menu posted on the dining sticky of the Uni/IoA Theme Park forum. (Edit to add: Total check was $65.15 before tip)

On the other hand, there are a few decent counter service places, too.

 

[DrMomof3]

Wow! That was a quicky reply!

I think you would be fine eating solo. The restaurant has lots of nooks and crannies so you could cozy into a booth and be nice and comfy and not in sight of other diners. The restaurant wasn't even half-full when we were there. If that is the case while you were there, you wouldn't be holding up a table from a family.

Prices at Mythos did not seem ridiculous for a theme park. I didn't post the cost of each of the meals because I couldn't find my receipt, but you can find the menu posted on the dining sticky of the Uni/IoA Theme Park forum. (Edit to add: Total check was $65.15 before tip)

On the other hand, there are a few decent counter service places, too.

I'm stalking you. Actually I just happened to be here updating when I saw you had posted.
I think I would prefer table service to counter service. More relaxing for me! I might try Mythos, especially since reservations don't seem to be important!

Amanda

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Mythos does look good!! We were thinking of eating there- now I wish we would have. Vacations are just not long enough lol. I would just say maybe next year but sadly I'm not sure we will make it to Orlando next yr, b/c DH and the boys wanna go on a cruise instead of Disney!!!! It saddens me I don't know what I'll do I think I'll be going through withdrawals. (sp???) lol

The portions are kinda like the building- HUGE. Is it that big inside too?

Deb

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't do well with just drifting around either so I can feel Mark's pain. Thank goodness you were able to get into Mythos with so little wait. I don't think you'd ever be able to do that with one of the Disney restaurants unless it was super d'dooper slow season.

The inside of the restaurant looks so cool and the food looks excellent. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal there even if it wasn't as good as Kona.

 

[bubba's mom]

Part of our discussion during dinner was about where we were going to go next.

Any guesses?

Next up: Well, that would give it away, wouldn’t it???

okay...I'll bite....

either Hulk or Spidey? Last guess is Suess Landing.....

Another recommendation at Mythos is risotto of the day. We haven't been there in yeeeaaarrrssss.... Thanks for bringing back that memory!

 

[natebenma]

I'm stalking you. Actually I just happened to be here updating when I saw you had posted.
I think I would prefer table service to counter service. More relaxing for me! I might try Mythos, especially since reservations don't seem to be important!

Amanda

I should be stalking YOU!!! You go to Orlando more often than I do!

Mythos at IoA and Lombards in Universal were the only TS restaurants we tried at the theme parks. I have read great things about Finnegan's too, an Irish-pub type place in US. I can't remember if you are just going to IoA or US, too.

Mythos does look good!! We were thinking of eating there- now I wish we would have. Vacations are just not long enough lol. I would just say maybe next year but sadly I'm not sure we will make it to Orlando next yr, b/c DH and the boys wanna go on a cruise instead of Disney!!!! It saddens me I don't know what I'll do I think I'll be going through withdrawals. (sp???) lol

The portions are kinda like the building- HUGE. Is it that big inside too?

Deb

Oh, believe me, my mantra is so many restaurants, so little time!!!

That's too bad that you may not make it to Orlando next year, but on the bright side, a cruise is a pretty nice consolation prize!!! I'd love to hear the details as your plans materialize.

I didn't do too much exploring inside Mythos. It was difficult to tell how many tables, since a lot of the seating is blocked from view by the rock formations.

I don't do well with just drifting around either so I can feel Mark's pain. Thank goodness you were able to get into Mythos with so little wait. I don't think you'd ever be able to do that with one of the Disney restaurants unless it was super d'dooper slow season.

The inside of the restaurant looks so cool and the food looks excellent. I'm glad you enjoyed your meal there even if it wasn't as good as Kona.

I don't mean to disparage Mythos in any way. The comparison to Kona may be unfair, but was inevitable since we got an almost identical appetizer. I will say that the meal at Kona was almost DOUBLE the price at Mythos, since we had 3 appetizers and 4 desserts.

okay...I'll bite....

either Hulk or Spidey? Last guess is Suess Landing.....

Another recommendation at Mythos is risotto of the day. We haven't been there in yeeeaaarrrssss.... Thanks for bringing back that memory!

Not even close! (That is a hint) If you really want to know before my next update, the answer may be found in my Table of Contents in the second post.

There are definitely a lot of things I would love to try at Mythos!

 

[bubba's mom]

Not even close! (That is a hint) If you really want to know before my next update, the answer may be found in my Table of Contents in the second post.

There are definitely a lot of things I would love to try at Mythos!

oh..I was thinking what we'd do....

didja hit the Studios?

 

[natebenma]

oh..I was thinking what we'd do....

didja hit the Studios?

Ding Ding Ding!

But I like your suggestion! We should have split up and had Nate/Mark ride Hulk and Ben/me Spidey on our way out.

I think I only made it onto Spiderman once!!!

Blasphemy- I know that is your favorite!

 

[bubba's mom]

We should have split up and had Nate/Mark ride Hulk and Ben/me Spidey on our way out.

^ that is what it always ends up being with us "...on our way out"....

Spidey is at least twice a DAY when we go....since it's close to the front of the park and always "on the way out"...

 

[ddluvsdisney]

Spidey was ds14 favorite!!! Not many rides really excite him except for Spidey and FJ. He must have gone on that ride 6x almost in a row one day. DH and ds10 went on Hulk again- ONCE was enough for me lol! Well while they were on Hulk, ds went in the single rider line and was done in less than 15 min.! So he kept going until ds10 and DH got back. I have a pic of him in front of the ride with the biggest grin on his face.

I almost forgot- I meant to tell you we did eat at Lombard's too. It was good, but didn't get as good a seat as you. Was hoping to sit next to fish tank.

 

[aprilisis]

Mythos looks good! I love the decor. Thanks for the awesome food photos!!

 

[pixarmom]

Yay for sushi! Is there any tuna in there? You know I appreciate these photos - and along with the beet/goat cheese salad on the BC/YC thread - it's too much! Will NYC be able to compete next month? I'm not so sure!

And to MM: As always, I'm still laughing . . .

 

[eandesmom]

Sounds like we had a similar experience at Mythos. Very good but best theme park restaurant? I can't say I'd agree with that. Very cool, I'd eat there again but best?

Not that I know what I'd put there instead...if it had to be IN a theme Park, based on food alone, I'd give it to Brown Derby I think.

 

[saintstickets]

Actually, Bistro de Paris was voted the best theme park restaurant and Mythos was runner-up...

July, 2011
Orlando theme parks fared very well in this year’s Theme Park Insider Awards, scoring victories in three of the four categories. For the second consecutive year, Universal’s Islands of Adventure won best theme park, while Star Tours at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (and Disneyland) was named best new attraction. Epcot’s Bistro de Paris earned the best theme park restaurant nod for the second year in a row.

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim, Calif., repeated as best on-site theme park hotel.

The Theme Park Insider Awards are based on average reader ratings on www.themeparkinsider.com over the past 12 months.

The popularity of Wizarding World of Harry Potter contributed to IOA getting top reviews from the website’s readers. Busch Gardens in Tampa and Disney California Adventure were runners-up for best theme park. Cheetah Hunt, the new coaster at Busch Gardens, and Texas Giant, the revamped wooden coaster at Six Flags Over Texas, fell just short of the new attraction prize.

In the restaurant category, multiple winner Mythos at Islands of Adventure, and Epcot’s Via Napoli were runners-up.

Universal’s Portofino Bay and Disney World’s Beach Club Resort were voted runners-up in the hotel division by the website’s readers.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/fe...-of-adventure-wins-best-theme-park-award.html

 

[natebenma]

^ that is what it always ends up being with us "...on our way out"....

Spidey is at least twice a DAY when we go....since it's close to the front of the park and always "on the way out"...

Spidey was ds14 favorite!!! Not many rides really excite him except for Spidey and FJ. He must have gone on that ride 6x almost in a row one day. DH and ds10 went on Hulk again- ONCE was enough for me lol! Well while they were on Hulk, ds went in the single rider line and was done in less than 15 min.! So he kept going until ds10 and DH got back. I have a pic of him in front of the ride with the biggest grin on his face.

I almost forgot- I meant to tell you we did eat at Lombard's too. It was good, but didn't get as good a seat as you. Was hoping to sit next to fish tank.

Now I'm totally bummed out that we didn't go on Spiderman a few more times!

Yeah, we really scored on the seat at Lombards. I was having so much fun watching the fish, I forgot I was there with my family!