For my first post, I wanted to write about a place that holds a special place in my heart. Whether planned or unplanned, I've been lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World (WDW) in Florida just about every year of my life. As such, I've had the opportunity to eat at a majority of the restaurants at WDW. As this blog was started in 2011, I will try to limit my opinions and descriptions to the most recent opportunities with my last trip in Feb 2011. The trip I planned in Feb was special in itself as my son was more connected with the characters and it was also a present for my sister in law who had not been to Disney in ~15+ years. As such, I wanted to select what I thought the best of the best would be when planning our dining schedule. The areas of WDW will include the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM), selected resorts, and the Downtown Disney area.
Magic Kingdom
Cinderella's Castle
Why go there: The experience - If you are going to Cinderella's castle, with a kid or a kid at heart, you are sure to see smiles from ear to ear. Just for the fact that you are eating in the castle is one thing. However, you get to take pictures with approximately 5 or 6 princesses with your own camera and you don't feel rushed, you can participate in a special wishing ceremony, and each girl gets a wand and each boy gets a sword. The portions of food are not huge but make up for it in taste. I have been there for lunch twice and have not been disappointed in the quality or flavor of the food. I particularly recommend the short ribs and the chocolate dome.
Why skip it: The price & availability - While the price is a little higher than you would want to pay for lunch (~50 pp as of 2011), this price includes drinks (non-alcoholic), an amuse bouche, a lunch entree, and dessert as well as the experience described above. To top it off, the price of the meal also includes a photo package with Cinderella. The photo package included 1 5x7 and 4 - 4x6 which in itself is worth a pretty penny at Disney. Additionally, I booked this reservation ~2-3 months in advance and still did not have an optimal seating time. Reserve your table as soon as you know you are going.
Overall Recommendation: Go there at least once in your life if you have kids or are a kid at heart
Main Street Bakery
Why go there: The coffee is the best in the park. It also has an affordable quick style breakfast. The croissant and danishes are very good and the fruit is fresh. As the location is on Main Street, it's the perfect place to stop before waiting on line for rides.
Why skip it: Seating is first come first serve as this facility is more of a quick service style dining option. While they do have about 10 small tables, this place is great to "Grab and go."
Overall Recommendation: Go there daily
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe
Why go there: This quick service (seat yourself) dining option is located right by thunder and splash mountains. They have great pulled pork sandwiches with a tangy bbq sauce. The burgers are good for a theme park but the best part is that they have an extensive array of fixins to which you can help yourself (i.e. pickles, sauteed onions, mushrooms, and cheese sauce for your fries). Personally, they are the best quick dining service in the park.
Why skip it: This again is a first come first serve wait on line to order type of dining option. While they do have computers set up that you can place the order yourself, you still will be waiting to get your order. Additionally, if you have a sleeping child, it's best to skip the indoor seating. When it's someone's birthday, they have everyone yell & scream and they shake a bell or some other really loud musical object. Of course, the birthday individual gets a cookie and all is good in the world again.
Overall Recommendation: Go there for quick dining.
Other places in the Magic Kingdom worth noting
Casey's Corner: Great for corn dog nuggets. Of course a little more expensive than what you would want to pay for a hot dog. Located on Main street.
Cosmic Rays: Great for a quick hamburger (in fact it's one of the better hamburgers in the Magic Kingdom). This location is open later than some of the other quick service dining options. Located in tomorrow land
Epcot
Les Chefs de France
Why go there: The food is delicious. It's buttery an cooked to perfection as you would expect from a good french restaurant. They have a great kids menu that does not limit kids to the stereotypical pasta and chicken fingers, but offers them the option of fresh fish. We ordered the filet of fish for my son (18 months at the time) which came with string beans and he licked his plate clean. As for me, I recommend the duck. It was juicy and not gamey. My husband and I went to Bistro de Paris two years earlier which is one of Epcot's most expensive restaurants. While we remember having a nice meal overall, I found that I actually liked the food better at Les Chefs de France. Reservations are a must!
Why skip it: None, unless cost is an issue. While I do not feel they are overpriced for what you are getting, ~35 per person for dinner may not be in everyone's budget.
Overall Recommendation: Go there every time you go to Epcot
Restaurant Marrakesh (Located in Morocco)
Why go there: The lamb falls right off the bone. The chicken kebob and cous cous are also prepared well. They have music and belly dancing while you eat. Recommendations are recommended
Why skip it: The tomato sauce used in their pasta dish (particularly as it relates to the kid's meal) leaves a lot to be desired. It was pretty watery and unflavorful. The Morocan coffee is also not for everyone.
Overall Recommendation: Go there if you like lamb and cous cous
Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe (Located in Norway)
Why go there: the pastries are great for breakfast. I recommend the goat cheese quiche or the waffles with strawberries.
Why skip it: If you are going for breakast, prepare to eat a pre-breakfast option as the bakery opens ~30min to an hour after the park opens.
Overall Recommendation: Go there once for breakfast or for a snack as a quick dining option.
Other places in Epcot worth noting
San Angel Inn (Located in Mexico): The restaurant is a nice Mexican restaurant with prices around $25-30 for entree. The best part of this place is the atmosphere. You feel like you are dining outside.
Coral Reef: This is a great seafood reastaurant to take kids to as they can watch the fish while they eat.
Le Cellier Steakhouse (Located in Canada): One of the best steakhouses in Disney. Recommend the mushroom filet. Caution: prices are high
Hollywood Studios
50's Prime Time Cafe
Why go there: The food, the blast from the past atmosphere and the experience of having your waitress point out to you every manner you may have forgotten. I recommend the meatloaf. Be sure to finish your food though so that you are able to have the smores dessert.
Why skip it: This is a place where reservations are necessary. However, most attractions at Hollywood studios are also on time schedules so you may have to sacrifice here or there.
Overall Recommendation: Go there so that you too can be a part of the clean plate club
The Resorts
Ohana (Located at the Polynesian Resort)
Why go there: Out of all the restaurants in WDW, this may very well by my favorite! You pay per person and the food is served Family style. They start you off with bread that has a hint of coconut. You are then served noodles and sticky wings that are out of this world. The chicken, pork, shrimp and steak are cooked on an open grill and come to each table in a similar manner to that of a Brazilian BBQ. The dessert is best Bread pudding that you could ever ask for. It's moist and has a hint of pineapple and coconut and is served with a Bananas Foster sauce. I don't even like bread pudding and I couldn't stop eating it. While this place is not cheap, you walk away full and definitely get what you pay for (if not more depending on how much you can eat). Another perk is that you can watch the Magic Kingdom's fireworks from the windows or from the beach below.
Why skip it: As I'm not the only one that loves this restaurant, this is one of the hardest reservations in WDW to get. I almost put it up there with getting reservations at the castle. Reserve early (2-3 months in advance) to get a table. Even then you may be eating at 9pm as we did.
Overall Recommendation: Go there! It's a MUST!
Sanaa (Located at the Animal Kingdom Resort)
Why go there: The cuisine at Sanaa is African with an Indian flair. I would recommend starting off with a mango lassi (similar to a mango yogurt shake). The beef short ribs were awesome as they melt in your mouth and are in a very flavorful sauce. I also recommend the bread service (choice of Naan) which comes with your choice of dipping sauces (I recommend the cucumber raita, the mango chutney, and the roasted red pepper hummus). I would recommend going for lunch or a dinner where it is light out as there are big glass windows that surround the restaurant where you can watch zebras, giraffes, and antelopes run around while you eat. It's also nice to go outside prior to or after your meal to check out all the animals. Tip: if you are with children, you may want to walk to the Jambo house pool area. Next to the pool area is a flamingo pond.
Why skip it: The cuisine here is not for everyone. A lot of the items that we selected were very spicy such as the cauliflour, the paneer with spinach, and the lamb kefta. Additionally, this is not a cheap lunch. Price will run around $35 p/p if you order a drink, appetizer, entree.
Overall Recommendation: Go there if you want to see animals without having to pay the admission of a typical Disney theme park.
Kouzzina by Cat Cora (Located at Disney's Boardwalk)
Why go there: The meal begins with bread that Cat Cora specifically created to compliment the top notch olive oil choices she serves with it. I recommend the trio which comes with Cat's take on the classic Pastisio which is similar to a Greek lasagna, a lamb burger (which is a bit on the spicy side), and a chicken and orzo dish that is fantastic!
Why skip it: You may need to take multiple means of transportation to get to Disney's Boardwalk to enjoy this restaurant. However, depending on where are coming from, you can go there by complementary boat or bus transfers. Just leave yourself an hour for travel.
Overall Recommendation: Go there if you have a non-theme park day.
Downtown Disney
Ghiradelli's Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop
Why go there: Really do I even need to say why?!?! Ghiradelli ice cream!!!! Their icecream sundae selections and flavors are delicious!!!
Why skip it: The price...I don't think I have ever spent $30 on 3 sundaes before.
Overall Recommendation: Go there to treat yourself and your loved ones!!!
Pollo Campero
Why go there: Casual environment with great fried or broiled chicken with a latin flair and great for keeping within budgets. They also have good yuca fries and plantains. This is a quick service type of eatery so seating is first come first serve but we did not have a problem getting a table.
Why skip it: Although they do have broiled style chicken, this place is not for caloriecounters. However, Fresh-A-peel is connected to this eatery and serves locally produced food options.
Overall Recommendation: Go there for the chicken. Stay for the plantains.
Also worth noting
Bongo's Cuban Cafe: Fun atmosphere, great Cuban food. I always am a fan of the fried plantains (tostones) and generally will order ropa vieja (shredded beef with peppers/onions) or picadillo (ground beef with onion/potato) if on the menu.
