Disney World Blog Discussing Parks, Resorts, Discounts and Dining | Only WDWorld

Disney World Restaurant Guide: Disney's Hollywood Studios Table Service Restaurants

2012-02-13T06:14:00.001-05:00

Only WDWorld presents the Disney’s Hollywood Studios:Table Service Restaurant Guide to provide Disney World guests a quick reference for their dining options at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
For each Table Service restaurant we give a brief rating in categories such as:

Cost per Adult Diner - Cost for an entree and a non-alcoholic beverage
Child Favorite - Theming, characters, or food that kids will love.
Large Groups - Can your group of 6 to 8 sit together?
Romantic Couple Meals - Place for a meal just for two to get away.
Food Quality - One of the most important aspects of a restaurant.
Disney Dining Plan Value - Is the cost of the meal more than what I paid for the DDP credit?
Overall Rating from Only WDWorld - Restaurants with an overall rating of 3 or higher should be on your list to check out during a future Disney World Vacation.

50’s Prime Time Diner

Restaurant Type: Casual American Diner Cuisine – Order from Menu
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Cost per Adult Diner: $15 - $25
Characters: No
Child Favorite: 2 (out of 5)
Large Groups: 1 (out of 5)
Romantic Couples Meal: 1 (out of 5)
Food Quality: 2 (out of 5)
Theming: 3.5 (out of 5) 50’s Diner with Wait Staff acting in Character
Disney Dining Plan Value: 2 (out of 5)
Only WDWorld Overall Rating: 2.5 (out of 5)

Snapshot:
The 50’s Prime Time Diner has a fun, well themed décor that takes you inside Mom’s kitchen. It has decent, but not great food. Think comfort food, nothing fancy. Depending upon your waiter or waitress you can really have a fun meal. The specialty of the house is the fried chicken.

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

Restaurant Type: Casual Italian Cuisine – Order from a Menu
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Cost per Adult Diner: $12 - $30
Characters: No
Child Favorite: 2 (out of 5)
Large Groups: 3 (out of 5)
Romantic Couples Meal: 2 (out of 5)
Food Quality: 3 (out of 5)
Theming: 2.5 (out of 5) Italian Restaurant in Hollywood that caters to the stars.
Disney Dining Plan Value: 2 (out of 5)
Only WDWorld Overall Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Snapshot:
Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano provides reasonably priced Italian cuisine. The theming is not special by Disney standards, but the food quality makes this one of the best dining options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Enjoy watching the food being prepared in the show kitchen while you wait to be seated.

Hollywood Brown Derby

Restaurant Type: Signature Level Restaurant – Order from a menu
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Cost per Adult Diner: $26 - $50
Characters: No
Child Favorite: 1 (out of 5)
Large Groups: 1 (out of 5)
Romantic Couples Meal: 4 (out of 5)
Food Quality: 4 (out of 5)
Theming: 2.5 (out of 5) Matches the original Brown Derby Restaurant in Hollywood, CA.
Disney Dining Plan Value: 1 (out of 5), Requires 2 Tables Service Credits per person.
Only WDWorld Overall Rating: 3 (out of 5)

Snapshot:
The Hollywood Brown Derby is the only Signature Restaurant in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It’s high prices, even during the lunch meals (only one lunch/dinner menu) means that you can usually get reservations on short notice. They carry forward some of the Hollywood Brown Derby’s signature items such as the Cobb Salad and Grapefruit cake on a varied menu that includes seafood, duck, chicken, pork, beef, and vegetarian options .

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

Restaurant Type: Casual American Cuisine – Order from a Menu
Meals Served: Lunch, Dinner
Cost per Adult Diner: $13 - $25
Characters: No
Child Favorite: 3 (out of 5)
Large Groups: 1 (out of 5)
Romantic Couples Meal: 2 (out of 5)
Food Quality: 2.5 (out of 5)
Theming: 5 (out of 5) Excellent theming mimicking a Drive-In theater in the era of “B” grade Sci-Fi Movies.
Disney Dining Plan Value: 2 (out of 5)
Only WDWorld Overall Rating: 3.5 (out of 5)

Snapshot:
The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is the best Hollywood Studios’ Table Service Restaurant to check out. It gives a truly Disney Dining Experience that you won’t get at home. The atmosphere is fun, as you dine in special cars and get to watch clips from Sci-Fi Movies and 50’s era commercials. You may even recognize some famous actors in their not so famous roles. The food is good, but not the reason to dine here.

Hollywood & Vine

Restaurant Type: Casual American Cuisine – All You Care To Eat Buffet
Meals Served: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cost per Adult Diner: $31 - $36
Characters: Yes for Breakfast & Lunch – Jo Jo, Little Einsteins, Disney Playhouse Pals
Child Favorite: 3 (out of 5)
Large Groups: 3 (out of 5)
Romantic Couples Meal: 1 (out of 5)
Food Quality: 2 (out of 5)
Theming: 2 (out of 5)
Disney Dining Plan Value: 3 (out of 5)
Only WDWorld Overall Rating: 2 (out of 5)

Snapshot:
Hollywood & Vine is the only Character Meal and Buffet option inside of Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The buffet features chilled salads, carved and grilled meats, vegetables, pasta, fresh fruits, breads, and a selection of desserts. If your kids love these characters then by all means try it, otherwise there are better buffet and character options at Disney World to try.

Disney World Character Dining: Magic Kingdom's Crystal Palace

2012-01-14T08:54:00.000-05:00

When you are planning your Disney World Vacation, you should definitely consider eating at one or more of the Disney World Character Dining experiences. When you add Disney Characters to one of the Walt Disney World Resort themed Restaurants, you create a memorable experience that will endure long after your vacation is over.

Crystal Palace At The Magic Kingdom

One of the most popular Disney Character Dining venues is the Crystal Palace, which is located within the Magic Kingdom Theme Park. Not only will you be treated to a marvelous buffet meal, but you will also encounter Winnie The Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood.

The Crystal Palace is a beautiful Victorian Styled building with a multitude of windows that makes it very bright and airy during the day and an almost magical feeling at night. The Victorian choice of architecture fits in well with the English roots of its star inhabitant Winnie The Pooh.

The Crystal Palace sits at the juncture of Main Street U.S.A. and the entrance to Adventureland. The Disney Imagineers took this into consideration during the design of this restaurants using elements of the San Fransisco Conservatory Of Flowers, Kew Gardens of England, and the Crystal Palace in New York. These elements were all combined to create a gateway to the Colonial Inspired Visions of Asia and Africa that form the basis of the design of Adventureland.

Disney Character Dining - The Characters

The Disney Characters, in this case Winnie The Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and Eeyore, play an important role in the Dining Experience for children and adults (children at heart) alike.

During the meal each of the characters makes their way around the restaurant stopping at each table to interact with the guests, signing autograph books, and posing for pictures.

Each character has his/her own personality and it comes out during their interactions with the guests.

You can't help but smile when the life-sized lovable Winnie The Pooh comes to your table.

Piglet is so cute that you want to hug him, and here you can!

Even the adults can't wait to pose for pictures with Tigger. Make sure that you bring your camera, because there will be plenty of photo opportunities during the meal.

Disney Vacation Tip: Don't be afraid to ask a Disney Cast Member to take a family group shot on your own camera. Even Disney PhotoPass Photographers will take a picture on your camera if you ask.

Disney Character Dining: The Meal

The Crystal Palace serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with characters appearing at all three. The buffet style meal works well for families as the large variety offering allow even the pickiest of eaters to find something that they like. It also makes it easier to time your trips to the buffet with the appearances of the characters at your table.

The Crystal Palace Buffet for breakfast includes traditional items such as: omelets, cereals, freshly baked pastries, fresh fruit, breakfast pizza and cheddar cheese potatoes.

The Lunch and Dinner Buffets include a variety of salads, vegetables, and American favorite entrees like: carved flank steak for lunch and sirloin for dinner, rotisserie chicken and Atlantic salmon. Many of the along dishes have a delicious hint of curry, cinnamon, mango and papaya to give the menu a touch of uniqueness.

The Crystal Palace also features a show kitchen where you can watch the dishes being prepared and have the chefs served the freshly carved meats.

The dessert stations are also a treat including bread pudding, a variety of tarts, pies, cakes, and pastries.

For children there is even a special buffet station with their favorites like: fried chicken nuggets, macaroni & cheese, pizza, and peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Adults may also get food from this area and children may choose any of the other dishes. These are just provided so that the more selective eaters have something that they may enjoy.

Summary Review of The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace is a great place to enjoy a Character Dining Experience at Disney World. Advance Reservations are highly recommended and are a must during most of the year. The buffet is wonderful and the quality of the food is much better than any typical buffet you will find. the food is fresh, hot, and very tasty.

The interaction with Winnie the Pooh and his friends was delightful and was something that everyone enjoyed, even the grumpy adults. Who can resist the playful charm of Pooh or Tigger? If you only have one Character Dining Experience to try, you will not be disappointed with trying the Crystal Palace. Even with the large number of families and the Disney Characters the environment was much quieter than expected and the surrounding are beautiful.

Disney World Dining: Yak & Yeti Restaurant

2011-12-18T18:33:00.000-05:00

There is a hidden gem within Disney's Animal Kingdom that is often overlooked when discussions turn to Walt Disney World Resort Restaurants. It is a fairly recent addition to the animal focused theme park and it wins for both incredible theming and great Asian inspired food.

Yak & Yeti Restaurant
The Yak & Yeti Restaurant is one of only two Table Service Restaurants that can be found within Disney's Animal Kingdom. When this theme park opened, there were none and Disney recognized that they needed to correct this oversight. Disney World Theme Park Guests have become accustomed to experiencing great themed restaurants in addition to the normal park attractions.

Incredible Theming
The Yak & Yeti Restaurant does not disappoint when it comes to theming. It is anything, but your typical restaurant and it is worth dining there just to get a chance to explore the restaurant and look at all of the artifacts and decorations you will find within. There are two stories and multiple rooms with each adding a different flavor of decor to enjoy.

Great Asian Cuisine
The Yak & Yeti is not just a greatly themed restaurant, the food is definitely a great reason to visit also. The Asian themed food here gets better guest reviews than the Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot. During a recent visit my family of four tried four different entrees on the Yak & Yeti menu.

The Dim Sum Basket for Two is listed as an appetizer, but it also makes a great entree. True to its name the food comes inside a basket that contains Pork pot stickers, shrimp siu mai, cha su bao, and pork sie mai steamed on a banana leaf, soy lime dipping sauce. All for only $13.99.

The Lo Mein dish includes Lo Mein noodles, carrots, cabbage, green onions, bean sprouts and Chicken for $17.99. This was a very tasty dish with a large portion, certain to quench the hunger of exploring jungles, battling Yeti's, and time travelling to see dinosaurs.

The Wok based dishes include the above pictured Crispy Honey Chicken. This tasty dish includes: tempura chicken, broccoli, carrots, & honey sauce for $17.99.

The fourth entree that we tried was Lo Mein with Shrimp, which is the same as the Lo Mein described earlier except it includes Shrimp instead of Chicken for $18.99.

The menu also includes the following entrees:

Baby Back Ribs
Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp
Maple Tamarind Chicken
Kobe Beef Burger
Seared Miso Salmon
Crispy Mahi Mahi
Duck with Anandapur Glaze
Tempura Shrimp
MalAsian Seafood Curry
Stir Fried Beef and Broccoli
Sweet & Sour Chicken or Pork
Bourbon Chicken

There is a wide variety to the menu featuring Steak, Chicken, Pork, Seafood, and Vegetarian items. There is certainly something that everyone in your group will enjoy.

Yak & Yeti Secret

One special Yak & Yeti Restaurant secret that Only WDWorld will reveal here is that there is a full service bar with bar-side seating located within the air conditioned comfort of this restaurant. This is a great way for adults to escape the heat of Disney's Animal Kingdom and take a break to enjoy their favorite beverage.

Yak & Yeti Restaurant - Recommended!
If you are looking for a place to dine during your day at Disney's Animal Kingdom strongly consider eating at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant. This air conditioned oasis not only provides great food at reasonable prices compared to other Disney World Table Service Restaurants, but the theming is incredible. It is like an attraction itself with all of the artifacts and decorations that you will find inside.

Disney World Dining: Le Cellier For Lunch

2011-11-10T23:12:00.000-05:00

Dining at the Walt Disney World Resort can be a big part of your Disney World Vacation experience. There are so many different dining experiences to enjoy, that you never have to have the same vacation twice.

Today at Only WDWorld we take a look at the most popular of the Epcot restaurants, Le Cellier. Located in the Canada Pavilion, Le Cellier Steakhouse recently made the move to the rank of Disney Signature Restaurant status. This included an overhaul of the Dinner menu and a dramatic increase in prices.

For those more value oriented you can still get a great meal there during lunch with a wide variety of choices and more reasonable prices for this top notch restaurant. The lunch menu and the lunch time dining experience is what we will be reviewing here.

Lunch At Le Cellier
Le Cellier continues to be the most popular restaurant in Epcot and reservations are a must. This is especially true during lunch hours of 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, when you can still dine at this great restaurant without paying the Signature Restaurant prices that you will see during Dinner hours. Disney World has put the Le Cellier Lunch Menu online which makes it easy to see your options.

Le Cellier literally means "The Cellier" aka basement, providing a somewhat darkened setting with stone walls. Although it is suitable for families, it also makes a great place for couples to dine.

During our review lunch, my family of 4 tried different entrees ranging from soup & salad to Le Cellier's Signature Filet Mignon.

Soup & Salad at Le Cellier is certainly not your typical fare, especially when it includes a bowl of the famous Le Cellier Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup. The basic salad was also a work of art. Although billed on the menu as "Soup & Salad" if you order a bowl of the Cheddar Cheese Soup and ask for the "House Salad" to accompany it, you will get one of the best and most economical meals at a Disney World Table Service Restaurant.

The most difficult part about this meal is that you are ordering soup & salad when there are so many tempting dishes on the menu. The Soup lives up to all of the hype and is highly recommended. Forget the tiny portions that you can get at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and opt for an entire bowl!

My son opted for the Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken. The is a great entree salad that he thoroughly enjoyed. The portion was large and it was very filling.

Both my wife and daughter opted for their favorite item on the Le Cellier menu: Le Cellier Mushroom Filet Mignon served with Wild Mushroom Risotto and finished with a White Truffle Butter Sauce. For a lunch price of $26.99 versus the $41.00 price for this dish during dinner hours you can't beat it.

This is truly an amazing dish and is also highly recommended.

Don't forget that any meal at Le Cellier includes their complementary bread service including Sourdough, Multi-Grain, and Pretzel bread sticks.

Review Summary
Le Cellier provides the Disney World Guest a chance to have an excellent lunch with a range of price points from around $15 for steak sandwiches, entree salads, or soup and salad options to $27 for their signature filet mignon.

The food is incredible and this is definitely one restaurant that is worth making the reservations way ahead of time to enjoy. Even if the new Signature Dinner Menu is out of your price range, don't be afraid to dine here for an incredible lunch.

Changes To Disney World Dining Reservation Process

2011-10-19T05:50:00.000-04:00

Starting on October 26, 2011 there will be some changes to the Disney World Dining Reservation Process. It will still be just as easy to go on-line to see your Dining options and make your reservation, but for many restaurants there will now be the requirement to enter a credit card to complete your reservation.

The credit card will only be charged if you do not show up and had not cancelled the reservation at least a day in advance. The amount charged will be $10 per person for the size of the party on the reservation.

This new policy appears to be put in place to reduce the number of no-shows at popular restaurants and eliminate the double-booking that has been occurring .

Here is the Disney Press Release with the list of affected restaurants:
New Dining Cancellation Policy

To provide consistent Guest service, adjustments will be made to the Walt Disney World® Resort dining cancellation policy beginning on Oct. 26, 2011. At that time, additional table service dining locations will begin using the cancellation policy already in place at select restaurants on property. When booking a reservation at these restaurants, your Clients will be required to provide a credit card to hold a reservation and will be charged $10 per person if a cancellation to this reservation isn’t made at least one day in advance.

This policy will not apply to dining reservations made before Oct. 26, 2011. However, any modifications made to these dining reservations after Oct. 26, 2011, will then be required to provide a credit card to hold the reservation, regardless of what date the reservation was originally booked.

Dining locations participating in the credit card guarantee policy include:

• 1900 Park Fare
• Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
• Artist Point
• California Grill
• Cape May Café
• Chef Mickey’s
• Cítricos
• The Crystal Palace
• Flying Fish Café
• The Garden Grill
• Hollywood & Vine
• Jiko – The Cooking Place
• Le Cellier Steakhouse
• Narcoossee’s
• ‘Ohana
• Tusker House Restaurant
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
• Victoria & Albert’s (cancellation policy is $25/per person)
• Yachtsman Steakhouse

Disney World Dining: 50's Prime Time Cafe

2011-09-14T19:49:00.000-04:00

At Disney's Hollywood Studios you can have a real dining experience that transports you back to the 50's into the world of Mom's Kitchen and when the TV was still a relatively new invention. The 50's Prime Time Cafe combines detailed theming to go with a menu filled with comfort food and family favorites like Fried Chicken and Meatloaf.

"TV at your table"

The 50's Prime Time Cafe is certainly not your typical restaurant. You get that sense before you even walk in the door. In neon lights above the door is the sign "TV at your table."

Televisions are apparent everywhere in this restaurant. From the lobby, to the waiting area, to the dining rooms. These black and white beauties only play shows and clips from 50's era programming, so get ready for wholesome family entertainment.

Relaxing waiting area that is just off of the main entrance. Decorated like the family room in a 50's era home.

One interesting note is that all of the TV's are Disney brand.

You can find this kitchen mock-up just inside the main entrance near the hostess stand.

Lucky groups of 4 or less may get one of the tables that has their own TV to watch. The decor is designed to make you feel right at home, literally. Of course you would have to transport 60 years back in time or live on the Carousel Of Progress.

Here is another view inside the restaurant and the seating arrangements.

Yet another TV for diners to watch.

Mom Makes The Rules

The theming for the 50's Prime Time Cafe extends beyond the decorations. The talented wait staff is in character and will let you know if you go astray of the "House Rules." Remember to eat your vegetables and keep your elbows off of the table or you will hear about it. You also will be asked to set your own table. Have fun and enjoy the interactive theater of sorts.

Mom's Favorite Recipes

The cuisine is homemade American Comfort Food as the stereotypical Mom would have made them in the 50's. The specialties of the house are: Fried Chicken, Meatloaf, and Pot Roast. Don't expect fancy, gourmet cuisine, but you will get a good meal. You may also want to try the famous PB&J Milkshake that everyone raves about.

The Tune-In Lounge is connected to the 50's Prime Time Cafe and has a fully stocked bar that you can enjoy while you are waiting for your table or you can order an alcoholic beverage ( beer, wine, and mixed drinks) during your meal.

Our party of 4 tried four different dishes at a recent lunch visit to the 50's Prime Time Cafe to get a good sampling of what they have to offer:

Dad's Traditional Meatloaf ($14.99) is pictured above. It is a "blend of beef and pork topped with tomato glaze served with mashed potatoes and green beans." It was a good, comfort food meal, if not the best meatloaf ever.

Aunt Liz's Golden Fried Chicken ($15.99) was definitely the most popular dish. It is "served with mashed potatoes, chicken gravy, and southern greens." This was a very filling meal, so bring your appetite.

The Fish Sandwich ($11.99) is a "beer-battered fillet served on a crusty roll with lettuce, tomato, and tartar sauce served with a house salad or french fries." I personally had this for lunch and was very pleased with my choice. It was a very tasty sandwich and it was quite filling.

Cousin Eric's Char-Grilled Chicken Sandwich ($13.49) is "marinated chicken breast topped with cheddar, grilled onions, barbecue sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a kaiser roll served with a house salad or french fries." This is a healthier lunch option, especially when you opt for the salad instead of the fries. Again the food was tasty and the portions were large and filling.

To view the full menu: 50's Prime Time Cafe Lunch Menu

50's Prime Time Cafe Dinner Menu

Desserts Via Viewmaster

If you want to see the dessert menu at 50's Prime Time Cafe just check out the Viewmaster at the table. You can then check out each of your options.

Here is the current dessert line-up:

Dad's Brownie Sundae
No Sugar Added Cheesecake
50's Boston Cream Parfait
Seasonal Cobbler
Ice Cream Sundaes
S'Mores

Review Summary

The 50's Prime Time Cafe is not the place for a gourmet meal or a romantic dinner, but it is a fun and entertaining dining option for the family when visiting Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is one of the best themed meals at Disney World.

The waiter or waitress that you get can make the difference from having a good time or having a great time dining there. They play a key role in the experience and the fun.

The food is good, comfort food. Know that going in and you will be fine. Most families will have no problem finding something on the menu that each person will enjoy.

Overall this is a restaurant that everyone should experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. This truly qualifies as an attraction as well as a restaurant. Take our advice and check it out!

Disney World Dining: Raglan Road

2011-08-27T13:00:00.000-04:00

When it comes to great dining experiences at the Walt Disney World Resort don't forget to look beyond the Theme Parks and Disney Resort Hotels to check out the restaurants at Downtown Disney. One great option is Raglan Road, an Irish Pub that is designed to make you feel you were transported to Ireland when you walk through the door.

Raglan Road
Raglan Road prides itself on bringing you the authentic Irish feeling by having Irish owners, an Irish Master Chef, Irish Entertainment, and even a large portion of the Pub itself is from Ireland. The bars are 130 years old and the stages for the Irish Dancers are 150 years old and come from Ireland also.

Once inside you will get the friendly feeling of the Irish Pub. There are several different rooms that you can be seated in, including the main area that includes the dancing stages and stage for the in-house band that plays 6 nights a week.

This is a family friendly place, but it is open late and is a great option for adults to visit to enjoy a pint and take in the great entertainment.

Raglan Road - The Food
Like all great restaurants, it has to have great food, and Raglan Road is no exception. Master Chef Kevin Dundon has designed a menu that has re-invented some Irish Classics and updated many Irish flavors to create this spectacular menu. The food uses only fresh ingrediants and even the fish is flown in daily from Boston for famous Fish and Chips.

The presentation of the food is just as impressive as the taste. You find yourself watching the waiters and waitresses walk by with each plate admiring the almost artistic creations.

During our recent visit, our party of four tried four different entrees to check out the offerings from the Raglan Road Dinner Menu. You will find the "tongue in cheek" names for the dishes to be interesting as well. It all emphasizes the fun that you are supposed to have during your dining experience.

Chieftain Chicken - Certainly not your ordinary chicken dish! This was a pan seared breast of chicken with roasted baby carrots, mashed potatoes, a port wine jus, and a mushroom spinach cream sauce. This was an incredbile dish and may have been the favorite for the table.

Meatballs a la liffey luv - A Irish take on "Spaghetti and Meatballs." Guinness meatballs & spaghetti in a red wine jus with tomatoes & shaved parmesan cheese. This was also a hit and would be a good choice for the less adventurous diner.

Pie In The Sky - You can't have Irish fare without trying one of their signature pies. Here is a chicken & wild mushroom pie served with a rocket lettuce salad. Call it "eclectic comfort food," another great choice to try.

Sod the Stew - This is a beef stew infused with a hint of Guinness and served with green beans. Although this was also good, it was our least favorite only because the others got such high marks.

Raglan Road Desserts
When you dine at Raglan Road you must save room for the desserts. After careful deliberation and input from our server, we choose two desserts for our table to share and we certainly not disappointed.

Dunbrody Kiss - This is Chef Dundon's gift to America. If you are a chocolate lover, you will certainly enjoy this dessert as we did. Highly recommended.

Ger's Bread & Butter Pudding - This was an amazing bread pudding! If you a fan at all of bread pudding you will absolutely love this.

We could not pick a favorite amongst these two desserts, so we recommend you try both!

Raglan Road Entertainment
The food and wonderful Irish Pub atmosphere are only part of the Raglan Road Experience. You should definitely make sure that you visit on Monday through Saturday to see the Irish House Band - Creel and the Irish Dancers. (They have different entertainment on Sunday evenings, so you won't be totally left out.

Creel - They start playing around 7:00 pm Monday through Saturday starting the evenings off with acoustic traditional irish music and then progressing into more electric charged music as they get later into the evenings.

Irish Dancers - Danielle, Ivor, and Amal are the award winning Irish Dancers that will entertain you with traditional Jigs and fast paced, newly composed Irish Reels. They do an incredible job and it is definitely worth it to wait a little longer to get a table in the center of the restaurant to get a good view.

Great Disney World Dining Experience
Raglan Road provides a great Disney World Dining Experience whether you are dining as a family, couple, or group of adults. The restaurant gets high marks for the authentic Irish Pub atmosphere, great food created by Master Chef Kevin Dundon, and wonderful entertainment. Like any great Pub it is also the place to get a pint of your favorite beverage (Black & Tan anyone?).

When you are making your choices for dining during your Disney World Vacation don't forget this gem found in Downtown Disney.

Tonga Toast: Disney World Ultimate Breakfast Treat

2011-08-10T22:46:00.001-04:00

When it comes to dining at the Walt Disney World Resort there are many choices for breakfast to be found, but only one can be the Ultimate Disney World Breakfast Treat.

Disney World Breakfast
Breakfast at Disney World is anything but ordinary. There are many special breakfast experiences to enjoy. You can travel to Disney's Port Orleans French Quarter to enjoy the freshly made beignets, or you could have the Mickey Waffles at many locations throughout Disney World or enjoy the simple pleasure of the tasty Cheese Danishes that are served.

Magic Kingdom guests can partake in the warm Cinnamon Rolls with the gooey frosting or other treats in the Main Street Bakery. There are a multitude of character breakfasts throughout the Walt Disney World Resort that each provide tasty breakfast items and a chance to meet and interact with Disney Characters.

Tonga Toast At Disney's Polynesian Resort
The ultimate Disney World Breakfast treat can be found at Disney's Polynesian Resort. The Tonga Toast can be obtained at either Captain Cook's Quick Service Restaurant or in the Kona Cafe Table Service Restaurant.

The Tonga Toast is a thick slice of sourdough bread that is stuffed with bananas and then deep fried and coated with cinnamon sugar. It is served with syrup and makes a wonderful, tasty breakfast.

Tonga Toast has almost as much of a following as the Dole Whip. This Disney World creation is one that people crave and talk about when they are away from Disney World and can't wait until they return to be able to taste it again.

For under $6 you too, can enjoy the wonderful, sweet goodness of the Tonga Toast. One serving is incredibly filling. At Captain Cook's it can be ordered ala carte or with your choice of breakfast meats.

Finding The Tonga Toast
To make your pilgrimage to the Polynesian Resort to enjoy the Tonga Toast, just take a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then hop aboard the Resort Monorail and take it to the 3rd stop, which is the Polynesian Resort.

Once you arrive at the Polynesian Resort travel to the ground floor to find Captain Cook's. After you place your order and pay at the cashier you can choose to eat either inside or outside depending upon your preference.

Tonga Toast Is A Disney World Must Do
Just like experiencing the Dole Whip, the Tonga Toast is a must do experience for frequent Disney World visitors. This special treat is one that will have you hooked once you give it a try.

Beaches & Cream Kitchen Sink: The Ultimate Disney World Family Activity

2011-07-24T08:05:00.000-04:00

For families who are looking for something special to do that the entire family will love during their Walt Disney World Vacation consider visiting the Beaches & Cream Soda Shop to take on The Kitchen Sink!

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop
The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is located in the Beach Club Resort which is a short walk from the International Gateway for Epcot and Disney's Boardwalk.

It is a relatively small, old fashioned, Soda Shop that serves burgers and sandwiches, along with a variety of ice cream creations. There is one item on their menu that brings families and groups of friends together and makes this a favorite evening location: The Kitchen Sink.

The Kitchen Sink

The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop Signature Creation is called the Kitchen Sink, because this behemoth ice cream concoction is literally served in a kitchen sink!

After you order the Kitchen Sink be prepared for the fanfare and excitement to follow. After it is prepared, the staff turns on the flashing light and asks for the attention of the entire shop. Then they loudly announced that your table has ordered the Kitchen Sink and start to detail all that goes into this monstrous ice cream creation: 8 scoops of ice cream, all of the toppings in the house (all I do mean all), and an entire can of whipped cream. Finally they deliver it to your table and it is time to dig in.

By all means have your server take a family picture before you dig in. This also gives you a moment to let the daunting task in front of you sink in. It is all smiles before the real work begins. The gauntlet has been laid down and the entire place is curious to know if you have what it takes to consume this dessert masterpiece.

This is where the fun begins. It is time to begin the challenge. It is also time to discover what "all the toppings in the house" really means. We discovered: maraschino cherries, hot fudge, angel food cake, brownies, oreo cookies, peanut butter, pound cake, a banana, sprinkles, 3 Musketeers Candy Bar, Strawberry topping, and more.

Don't attempt this right after dinner. You do not appreciate how much food this is until you get into it. Make sure you have fun while you are eating it! This really is a great family activity. Enjoy the ice cream and the family togetherness time.

You can either eat directly from the "Sink" or transfer a portion to your personal bowl and then refill when you are ready for more. Technique is entirely up to you. Remember the fun is in the journey, not the destination.

Hopefully you will finally reach the bottom of the sink. We were amazed that there were no fewer than 7 families or group that were in some process of conquering their own Kitchen Sink while we were there.

Other Kitchen Sink Items Of Note
Here are some other items to keep in mind when planning your own Kitchen Sink Experience:

Beaches & Cream does not take reservations. Waits can be lengthy in the evenings, so plan accordingly. They do have a pager system so you can wonder around a bit while you wait.
The Kitchen Sink costs a whopping $23.99, but that is no more than a family of 4 coming in and each ordering a hot fudge sundae.
They do accept the Tables & Wonderland Discount which will save you 20% off your entire bill.
If you do have allergies make the staff aware and they will review the entire topping list with you.

Disney World Family Fun
Tackling the Kitchen Sink is a great family activity to do during your Disney World Vacation. If you are not staying in one of the Boardwalk Area Resorts, then you may wish to stop by when you are visiting Epcot. It is a short walk from the International Gateway Entrance to Epcot located between the Great Britain and France Pavilions. Any Disney Cast Members would be happy to give you directions to Beaches & Cream.

Lastly, don't worry if you don't eat it all. Enjoy the experience. Take lots of pictures, and don't forget to share plenty of laughs while you enjoy your Kitchen Sink. The memories will last long after the ice cream has all melted.

Disney World Dining: Sci-Fi Dine In Theater

2011-07-03T15:16:00.000-04:00

When it comes to dining at the Walt Disney World Resort the experience is usually much more than the food. At Disney's Hollywood Studios, the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant provides a dining experience that the entire family will enjoy.

Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant

Situated near Star Tours, the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant looks like many of the other "Sound Stage" buildings that you at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The building is even labeled Stage 14. Inside you will find the recreation of a classic Drive In Theater, complete with specially made cars for you to dine in, and a giant movie screen playing clips from a variety of B Grade Sci-Fi movies. If you watch the clips closely you will notice some big name stars in these not so famous movies.

The majority of the seating in the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater takes place in 6 passenger cars that seat 2 passengers per row. The lighting is dim and as you look around it will bring back memories of being at a Drive In Theater for those of you old enough to remember.

The kitchen is located at the back of the restaurant, cleverly themed to be the Snack Bar.

Each of the cars shows a "Disney" model emblem on the hood.

Each car also has a license plate. You will only find Western states represented, since we are supposed to be in Hollywood.

Sci-Fine Dine In Theater Menu

The menu at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater ranges from Sandwiches to Steaks and Pasta. There is a separate Lunch and Dinner menu with the Lunch Menu including a couple of additional sandwiches and the Dinner Menu adding a Steak.

Some of the entrees on the Menu include:

Butcher Steak with Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Vegetable with Red Wine Sauce $22.99
Shrimp Pasta - Bow Tie Pasta and Sauteed Shrimp with Olive oil, Garlic, Basil, and fresh Tomatoes topped with Parmesan $21.99
Beef and Blue Salad - Sliced Butcher Tender Steaks with a Wedge of Iceberg Lettuce topped with Blue Cheese Dressing, Tomatoes, and Bacon $16.49
Smoked St. Louis style Ribs basted in Barbecue sauce and served with Coleslaw and choice of Baked Beans or Cucumber Salad. $21.99
The Reuben - Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, Swiss Cheese, and Thousand Island Dressing on Marble Rye Bread served with a Pickle Spear and choice of Cucumber Salad or French Fries $12.49
Italian Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Provolone and Bruschetta Topping served on a Kaiser Roll with Cucumber Salad or French Fries. $14.49
Angus Chuck Burger - Flame Broiled Beef Patty topped with Cheddar or Swiss, Sauteed Onions, Mushrooms, Crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Vine-ripened Tomatoes served with choice of Cucumber Salad or French Fries $13.99
Smoked Turkey Sandwich - Smoked Turkey, crispy Bacon, Lettuce, and Vine Ripened Tomatoes with Avocado Mayonnaise on Multigrain Bread served with Cucumber Salad $12.99

The Review

During a recent meal we started out with the milkshakes, which were large, and very tasty. The Oreo Cookie Milkshakes are pictured above and certainly hit the spot on a hot Florida day.

One entree we tried was The Reuben. It was a very good sandwich and the accompanying french fries were crisp and tasty.

The other entree we tried was the Beef and Blue Salad. Although it did not photograph well in the low light, it was much better than expected. Instead of the typical steak salad, this dish had the salad next to the steak. This way the steak was hot and the salad was cool. It worked well and made a great meal. Definitely recommended.

Great Disney World Dining Experience

The Sci-Fi Dine In Theater Restaurant is a recommended dining location to consider when choosing a place to eat at Disney's Hollywood Studios. The highly themed dining experience certainly differs from anything else you will enjoy at Disney World. This is a place that my family enjoyed and I am certain that yours will too. The food was better than expected and the setting made for a fun time that was as enjoyable as any Disney attraction.

Disney World Hidden Treats: Angus Burger Crowned With Shrimp

2011-06-11T19:49:00.000-04:00

The Walt Disney World Resort is filled with literally hundreds of restaurants and food service counters that offer so much more than Theme Park Food. In this edition of Disney World Hidden Treats we look at the Angus Burger Crowned With Shrimp found at Disney's Hollywood Studios in the ABC Commissary.

Disney World Hidden Treat: Angus Burger Crowned With Shrimp
Angus burgers are all the rage now, so it is not surprising that restaurants are trying to find out how to "Plus" the Angus Burger. Disney World, which has had Angus Burgers on the menu at several locations for over a year, now has a new Hidden Treat that got our attention. This new creation takes the 1/3 pound Angus Burger to a new level. It adds three fried shrimps attached to the top of the bun with a spear.

This new sandwich certainly gets your attention when you see it and it was very popular during our visit to the ABC Commissary at Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is only the menu for $10.29 with Fries or you can use a Disney Dining Plan Quick Service Credit.

The shrimp certainly outdoes the previous attempt to "Plus" the Angus Burger by adding an onion ring under the bun instead of raw or sauteed onions.

The only knock we have is that the shrimp really doesn't become part of the sandwich and needs to be eaten separately. Regardless, we give this new sandwich high marks for getting our attention and showing creativity in a restaurant that is not considered on the cutting edge of Disney World Cuisine.

If you want to turn heads at Disney's Hollywood Studios try the new Angus Burger Crowned With Shrimp at the ABC Commissary.

Disney World Dining: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

2011-04-19T05:22:00.082-04:00

If you are in the mood for Italian food while at Disney's Hollywood Studios then Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano is the place for you. As one of five Table Service Dining options at Disney's Hollywood Studios, it provides you the opportunity to have a relaxing sit down meal without leaving the Disney World theme park.

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Mama Melrose's is a 280 seat Italian Restaurant that is located near the Streets of America section of Disney's Hollywood Studios. It is themed to be a Hollywood based restaurant where Mama Melrose cooks for the Stars. You will quickly notice the picture of the Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star for Mama Melrose.

The walls are adorned with pictures of the stars that have frequented Mama Melrose's as is the Hollywood tradition.

Once you get past the entrance you will notice the small, but very busy show kitchen that is quite visible. Here you will see them building flatbread pizzas to cook in their wood fired brick ovens or prepare the various pasta dishes on the menu.

When you are seated you are taken to one of the dining rooms. Here the lighting is dimmer, as befitting a family Italian Restaurant. The atmosphere is casual with the mixture of Italian and Hollywood based decorations.

The Menu

The menu at Mama Melrose's is filled with reasonably priced (for a Disney World Table Service Restaurant) Italian fare.

Amongst the entrees you will find a variety of different flatbreads (thin crusted pizzas designed to serve one person), pasta dishes, steak, Oak-grilled Pork Chop, and Wood Grilled Tuna. Prices range from $11.99 to $12.99 for the Flatbreads and $16.99 to $19.99 for the Pasta dishes. The Steak, Pork Chop, and Grilled Tuna range from $21.99 to $28.99.

Dining Review

During a recent visit to Mama Melrose's two of us (my 14 year old son and I) ate there for lunch. Their Lunch and Dinner Menus are identical. Fortunately with the variety on the menu you can choose to either have a full meal or enjoy one of their flatbreads for a lighter "Lunch."

They accept both the Disney Dining Plan and the Tables In Wonderland dining discounts.

We were in the mood for pasta so we order the Oven Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana ($16.99) and the Penne alla Vodka (also $16.99).

While we waiting for the pasta, we were served fresh baked rolls with Olive Oil for dipping. They were very good.

The Oven Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana comes atop spaghetti with a real chicken breast and plenty of mozzarella cheese. The portion was good sized and the dish was tasty. My son really enjoyed it and ate every bite.

I had the Penne alla Vodka. I was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portion. The dish tasted great and exceeded my expectations. This ended up being one of the best meals of my trip.

Summary

Mama Melrose's is a great dining option for a Table Service Restaurant within Disney's Hollywood Studios. The atmosphere is relaxed. The restaurant is themed to be an Italian Family Restaurant that serves the Hollywood Stars, but the food is the star of the "show" here.

The flatbreads make an excellent lunch or you can choose from their pasta or other options for more of a dinner. The two pasta dishes that we sampled exceeded expectations.

Mama Melrose's would be considered a "normal" Italian Restaurant along the same lines as Tony's Town Square in the Magic Kingdom. Based upon this recent meal, I would rate the food quality ahead of Tony's.

Elsewhere at Disney World there are several upscale Italian cuisine choices: Tutto Italia Ristorante and Via Napoli in Epcot, Portobello in Downtown Disney, and Il Mulina New York Trattoria at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels. If you are looking for more of a fine dining experience I would recommend one of these, if you are looking for very tasty "basic" Italian dishes then you will be more than happy with Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano.

I would have to say that I was very pleased with the overall dining experience. The atmosphere was relaxed and suitable for families to converse. The food tasted great and exceeded expectations. The prices were very reasonable by Disney World standards. I would definitely recommendd Mama Melrose's to any who are seeking a Table Service Restaurant inside of Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Best Disney World Late Night Snack

2011-03-30T12:03:00.000-04:00

There are a multitude of snacks to enjoy at Disney World, but only one deserves to be crowned the "Best Disney World Late Night Snack." After a long day enjoying all that Disney World has to offer, one late night snack that you will find in the Magic Kingdom will satisfy your sweet tooth and bring a happy conclusion to your day.

Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll

The winner of the 2011 "Best Disney World Late Night Snack" award can be found at the Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom. As you peruse the line of tempting treats you will soon realize that they have saved the best for last.

Unlike any of the other treats you will find, the Cinnamon Rolls are kept warm in order to preserve the gooey goodness and serve them with that "fresh out of the oven" taste.

Bold Disney Guests have been known to ask the Cast Members to pile on extra melted icing for that extreme sugar rush.

As an added bonus, this incredible snack is considered a Disney Dining Plan Snack Item. If you are using the Disney Dining Plan, it only takes one snack credit to enjoy all of this sugary, gooey warmth.

All Day Treat - Best At Night

Although you can obtain the Main Street Bakery Cinnamon Roll all day, it is best at night. Whether you grab one while waiting to watch Wishes or are looking for a little extra energy before you tackle the late night Extra Magic Hours at the Magic Kingdom, this snack cannot be beat.

Agree Or Disagree?

Let's hear whether you agree or disagree with the Only WDWorld choice for "Best Late Night Snack At Disney World," leave a comment or post on our Only WDWorld Facebook Page.

Disney World Secrets: Great Dining Views In The Magic Kingdom

2011-03-04T06:08:00.000-05:00

Disney World has many unadvertised secrets that can greatly enhance your Disney World Vacation. Today we look at some of the best views while dining that few people know about.

Best Dining View In The Magic Kingdom
The best view while dining in the Magic Kingdom is actually at a location few people even know exists. The amazing thing is that this view is at a Quick Service Restaurant, so you don't need reservations and you don't need to break the bank to eat here and enjoy the incredible views.

The Pinocchio Village Haus
Fantasyland has it all and you can see it from the 2nd floor outside balcony at The Pinocchio Village Haus! Very few people realize that there is upstairs seating available at Pinocchio's Village Haus. There is seating available both inside and outside, but the outside tables are the ones that have the incredible views.

You can get to the outside balcony from the inside of The Pinocchio Village Haus or you can arrive from the outside stairs. Either one will get you to this realtively small area with approximately 5 tables on a narrow balcony.

From this vantage point you can see almost all of Fantasyland, including great views of Cinderella Castle, Prince Charming Regal Carousel, Dumbo, & Mickey's Philharmagic. On a clear day you can even see Space Mountain.

This may be the best place to sit, enjoy a meal, and just watch all that transpires in Fantasyland. It is very relaxing and you canot find a better vantage point to take it all in.

Pinocchio Village Haus Menu
The menu at The Pinocchio Village Haus pays tribute to the Italian setting of the story with a selection of Italian entrees:

Pepperoni Pizza with Caesar Salad $8.29
Meatball Sub Sandwich with Apple Slices $8.19
Cheese Pizza with Caesar Salad $7.99
Chicken Parmesan with Orzo Pasta $8.79
Caesar Salad with Chicken $7.79
Mediterranean Salad $8.49
Chicken Breast Nuggets (for that picky eater) with apple slices $7.69

The food is good and tasty, better than normal fast food, but is typical with what you will find at other Disney World Quick Service Locations.

Enjoy The Meal, But Love The Views
Take advantage of this little known Disney World Secret and eat at The Pinocchio Village Haus and enjoy your meal from the outside balcony. It reallly is hard to top the experience of looking out at Cinderella Castle and the rest of Fantasyland while you are enjoying your meal.

Disney World Dining: Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café

2011-02-17T20:26:00.000-05:00

Disney's Animal Kingdom has some great choices when it comes to Quick Service Dining Options and the Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café is one of the best.

Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café

When you are in the Asia section of Disney's Animal Kingdom it is only fitting that your dining choices even at the Quick Service Restaurants are appropriate for the region. At the Yaki & Yeti Local Foods Café the menu features foods that you might get from a typical Chinese Food Carryout location complete with trademark box.

The Menu

The menu includes a choice of 6 entrees:

Honey Chicken
Sweet and Sour Pork
Shrimp Lo Mein
Kung Pao Beef
Asian Chicken Sandwich
Mandarin Chicken Salad

You can also purchase Pork Egg Rolls and Chicken Fried Rice as side dishes or use Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits.

The desserts include: Chocolate Cake, Mango Pie, Frozen Lemonade, or Chocolate Chip Cookie.

There is also a Children's Menu that includes 3 options:

Cheesburger
Chicken Bites
Pork Egg Roll

With the Children's meal you can get the usual sides or opt for Fried Rice.

The beverages available include fountain soft drinks and draft Bud Light or Safari Amber Beer.

Sweet and Sour Pork

Kung Pao Beef (tasted so good that we could not slow down for picture until most of it was gone!)

Pork Egg Rolls

Disney Dining Plan

The Yak & Yeti Local Foods Café participates on the Disney Dining Plan as a Quick Service Food option providing great value for your Quick Service Dining credits. As mentioned earlier the Pork Egg Rolls (2) and the Chicken Fried Rice can both be had for Disney Dining Plan snack credits. This can make a great snack or a light lunch.

Great Theming

Although the Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe is a small walk-up restaurant, the themed area in which it resides adds to the experience.

Disney Imagineers make the most of the space and add props that are authentic to the region in order to magically transport you to Asia to enjoy your lunch.

Favorite Quick Service Option

The Yak & Yeti Local Food Café gets high marks for a Disney Quick Service Dining location by offering a non-typical theme park food option and great theming to blend in seemlessly to its location and "story'"

The food is tasty and will be sure to please those in your family that enjoy take-out Chinese Food. This is yet another great example of why there is so much more to experience beyond burgers and pizza when you dine at the Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks. It will not be your best meal ever, but it is enjoyable and a way to escape the ordinary.

This dining location also rates highly as a Disney Quick Service location that you get your money's worth when using the Disney Dining Plan.

Disney World Dining: La Cantina

2011-01-17T23:06:00.001-05:00

Our look at Disney World Dining takes us to Epcot's World Showcase where we visit the Mexico Pavilion's Quick Service Restaurant: La Cantina de San Angel.

La Cantina de San Angel
For those of you previously familiar with La Cantina, you will notice that there have been dramatic changes to the building, the seating areas, and the menu. These have all happened when the original building was torn down and the new La Cantina and La Hacienda - Epcot's newest Table Service Restaurant were built in an expanded area on the waterfront. Both restaurants are operated by the same company that runs the San Angel Inn Restaurant in the Mexico Pavilion.

The new building is much more ornate than the previous one and fits well with the architecture of the pavilion. The seating now extends out into the water much more and was designed to give excellent views of Illuminations at the end of each evening.

Although La Cantina now shares a building with La Hacienda the entrance is well marked and easy to find. It is located on the northern side of the building which is closest to the Future World part of Epcot.

The Menu

The new menu is limited, but comes with authentic Mexican choices. The entrees are:

Tacos de Carne - Grilled beef tacos served on fresh handmade corn tortillas with Pico de Gallo, lime and corn tortilla chips.
Empanados de Queso - Fried corn mesa (dough) filled with Chihuahua cheese topped with green sauce, served with corn tortilla chips.
Tacos de Pollo - Grilled chicken served on fresh homemade corn tortillas with Pico de Gallo, lime and corn tortilla chips.
Nachos - Corn tortilla chips topped with ground beef, nacho cheese, tomatoes, jalapenos, black beans, and sour cream.
Guacamole con Totopos - Corn Tortilla chips accompanied by handmade guacamole.

There is also a Children's menu that offers a choice of Cheese Empanada or Chicken Tenders for children aged 3 - 9.

During a recent visit I tried the Tacos de Pollo. The food was true to the description. The chicken was freshly grilled and served in a fresh handmade corn tortilla. The Pico de Gallo was excellent and tasted like it was freshly made. Although I considered the food to be overpriced even compared to other Disney World food I could not fault the quality of the food which I thought was excellent.

Others dining nearby were enjoying the nachos and other dishes on the menu. I did not hear any complaints about the quality of their food and it all looked great.

La Cantina Is Worth Visiting

La Cantina de San Angel has made many changes from the previous incarnation. The new and improved version is certainly worth visiting if you enjoy authentic Mexican food or are interested in trying authentic Mexican food. If you are not sure if you are ready to try either the San Angel Inn or the La Hacienda de San Angel this would be a good way to introduce yourself to the Mexican cuisine.

In addition to soft drinks, bottled water, and coffee you can also get Dos Equis Draft Beer and Margaritas here to go with your meal.

The seating areas are much improved and the views of the water, especially at night are wonderful. This is probably the nicest eating area of all of the Quick Service Dining locations at Epcot.

Lastly, La Cantina de San Angel participates on the Disney Dining Plan for one Quick Service Credit.

Disney World Dining: Capt. Cook's

2010-12-13T23:01:00.000-05:00

When it comes to dining at Disney World, one off the beaten path place that everyone should try is Captain Cook's at the Polynesian Resort. Not because it's fancy or glamorous, but because it offers the Disney World famous Tonga Toast.

Captain Cook's
Although you can visit Capt. Cook's for breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Disney World's Polynesian Resort, it is a great way to start off your day when you are planning on visiting the Magic Kingdom. Since the Polynesian Resort is accessible by monorail, you can either drive to the Magic Kingdom Parking lot and walk or take the monorail to the Polynesian Resort. If you are staying at a Disney World Resort just take the bus to the Magic Kingdom and hop on the Resort Monorail to get to the Polynesian Resort.

Once you have arrived at the Polynesian Resort take the time to enjoy the surroundings as you make your way to the ground level to find Capt. Cook's. Like most of the other Disney World Resorts, the Polynesian Resort has a Quick Service Restaurant for resort guests and visitors.

For breakfast, Captain Cook's has a full selection of choices to meet your family's needs. From eggs, Mickey Waffles, pastries, fresh fruit, to the Polynesian Resort specialty Tonga Toast that can only be obtained at Captain Cook's and the Kona Cafe.

Tonga Toast

For the uninitiated, Tonga Toast is a variation of the more commonly known French Toast. The Tonga Toast starts with a thick piece of sourdough bread, it is then stuffed with bananas and then deep fried. Cinnamon sugar coats the outside and it is ready for syrup to added to give it the full effect.

It is hard to capture the delectable goodness that is found in the Tonga Toast with a picture. It is very filling and can be shared if you dare.

The Tonga Toast is one of those Disney World creations that you will find yourself craving once you have returned to your home and counting the days until you can have it again.

By getting your Tonga Toast at Capt. Cook's you save about half of the cost of getting the Tonga Toast at the table service Kona Cafe, but you get the same sweet, sticky goodness in a less fancy surroundings.

You can choose to eat indoors or out, whatever you preference. You can get the Tonga Toast ala carte for only $5.09, which is one of the great Disney World bargains after you have had a chance to taste it.

As mentioned earlier you can also get a full range of breakfast selections if for some reason you decide you are not in the mood for the Tonga Toast (I have heard it could happen.)

Disney World MUST DO Experience
Travelling to Captain Cook's to experience the Tonga Toast for breakfast on your way to the Magic Kingdom is a MUST DO experience. This is one of those things that you try it once based upon the recommendations and you will find yourself craving it for each future vacation.

Caption Cook's is a new Disney World attraction to add to your must do list, so plan on getting up a little early to make sure that you have time to travel to the Polynesian Resort to have breakfast before you visit the Magic Kingdom. You won't be disappointed!

Disney World Dining: Tony's Town Square Restaurant

2010-11-18T21:26:00.000-05:00

Dining at Disney World can be a magical experience. Dining within the Magic Kingdom makes it even better. Tony's Town Square is one of 5 Table Service Dining Options that can be enjoyed without having to leave the Magic Kingdom.

Tony's Town Square Restaurant

If you are in the mood for Italian food in the Magic Kingdom, then Tony's Town Square Restaurant is the place to go. This Magic Kingdom Favorite is based upon the Italian trattoria seen in the Disney Animated Classic "Lady and the Tramp."

Throughout the restaurant you will see artwork and reminders of the movie. One of the most memorable is the Lady and the Tramp Fountain near the center of the restaurant.

Tony's is lively and noisy, as to be expected with all of the families dining there. This is not the location for a romantic dinner, but it is a great place for families to dine. The atmosphere is casual, as most people are dining after a long day spent exploring the Magic Kingdom.

The Menu
At Tony's Town Square you will find mostly Italian fare. Current entrees from their Dinner Menu include:

Seafood Diavolo -Linguini Pasta with Clams, Mussels, Calamari, Shrimp, and Salmon served in a Spicy Tomato Sauce $22.99
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Marsala Wine and Mushroom Sauce and Angel Hair Pasta $19.99
Chicken Parmigiana - Lightly Breaded Chicken Breast with Marinara Sauce topped with Melted Mozzarella over Spaghetti $16.99
Mushroom Ravioli filled with a seasonal Mushroom blend made in-house daily with a Mascarpone and Mushroom Cream Sauce and topped with Sautéed Spinach $16.99
Braised Boneless Beef Short Rib with a Chianti Demi-glace topped with Balsamic-roasted Cipollini Onions, fresh Oregano, Whipped Butternut Squash, and seasonal Vegetables $20.99
New York Strip Steak with a Red Wine Butter, Roasted Potatoes, and seasonal Vegetables $27.99
Spaghetti with choice of Meatballs or Sweet Italian Sausage with Marinara Sauce $16.99
Catch of the Day served over Orzo Pasta tossed with Pancetta, Roasted Garlic, and seasonal Vegetables topped with Balsamic Maple Glaze $21.99
Vegetable Lasagna Layered with Vegetables and Mozzarella $16.99
Shrimp Scampi - Linguini with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Asparagus tossed in a Garlic Sauce $18.99

During a recent visit to Tony's my family was able to try 4 different entrees from their menu: Chicken Parmesan, New York Strip Steak, Seafood Diavolo, & Spaghetti with Meatballs. All of the entrees were good, but none would be considered exceptional. There are certainly other Italian Restaurants within Disney World that have better food, but none of them have the luxury of being located within the Magic Kingdom.

Above is a close-up picture of the Spaghetti and Meatballs. This is a great choice if you are looking to recreate that magical scene from Lady and the Tramp.

The Seafood Diavolo had plenty of seafood in this spicy pasta dish.

Tony's also has a nice selection of available desserts. Pictured above is the Ice Cream Bomb and the Tiramisu.

Magic Kingdom Favorite

Tony's Town Square is a great place to dine after a long day enjoying the Magic Kingdom. It is often considered the best Magic Kingdom Table Service Restaurant. It's location on the Square off of Main Street gives it a great view of parades, especially the Main Street Electrical Parade at Night.

Tony's has good food, if not great. If your main concern when choosing a restaurant is getting the best food, you may wish to pick a restaurant outside of the Magic Kingdom. If you are looking for good food, great family atmosphere and stellar location, then Tony's Town Square is a restaurant you should definitely consider for your next trip to Walt Disney World.

Having the ability to enjoy a nice Table Service meal in the evening before you watch the fireworks at the Magic Kingdom makes for a truly magical Disney World evening!

Disney World Dining: Sanaa

2010-10-28T21:18:00.000-04:00

A Disney World Vacation is not complete without dining at one or more Disney World Restaurants. The restaurants at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge all provide a unique dining experience that is sure to be remembered.

Sanaa
The newest Table Service Restaurant at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge is located in the new Kidani Village section of the resort. It is called Sanaa which means "work of art" in Swahili is just that. The restaurant is an amazing visual treat with an impressive collection of authentic works of African art. Previously Only WDWorld explored the artwork at Sanaa in an article called: "Touring Sanaa At Disney's Animal Kingdom."

The food at Sanaa is a combination of African and Indian inspired cuisine. Like the other Animal Kingdom Lodge Restaurants, Sanaa is a dining experience that is not like your ordinary restaurant in your home town. This is certainly one of the benefits of the Disney Dining Experience.

One of the most popular appetizers at Sanaa is the Indian Bread Service. You can choose three types of bread and three dipping sauces. My family's favorite bread is the Naan bread baked in the special ovens on-site, so we choose to get three portions of this bread and three widely different dipping sauces: Mango Chutney, Red Chile Sambal, & the Roasted Red Bell Pepper Hummus. This gave us a good variety of sweet and spicy and different textures. This was certainly enough for my family of 4 to share for $8.99.

The dinner menu had entrees priced from $14.99 - $27.99. They accept Disney Dining Plan Table Service Credits and also accept the Tables Of Wonderland Discount.

My wife and son chose the Slow-Cooked Combination meal where you choose 2 different meats and your choice of rice to accompany it.

They both chose the Chicken with Red Curry Sauce and the Shrimp with Green Curry Sauce along with the Five-Grain Rice Pilaf. The meal was well presented and the sauces were very tasty. The level of spices enhanced the food, but did not overwhelm it.

Throughout the restaurant you will find authentic African works of art. Each has a marvelous story behind it. There is a daily tour of the restaurant that allows you to learn more about the artwork and the design of the restaurant itself.

For my entree I opted for the slowed cooked Chicken with Red Curry Sauce and Beef Short Ribs (pictured above). The flavors were very good. The meal was different that what we would see at our normal restaurant stops and the flavors were wonderful. The meats were very tender from the slow cooking process.

My daughter opted for the Tandoori Lamb (pictured above). This is lamb that is cooked in the specially designed Tandoor Ovens. She enjoyed the dinner, although the lamb was very chewy.

Sanaa Dining Experience

The Dining Experience at Sanaa is top notch, although the prices are not. The entree prices are actually low enough that it is not a good value for use of a Disney Dining Plan Table Credit. You would be better off paying cash or using the Tables in Wonderland discount to dine here.

The setting is amazing. Between the artwork, the design of the dining room and the view of the Kidani Village Savannah, this restaurant deserves to be on your list of ones to strongly consider. The meals had flavorful spices, but the were not considered strong. You can ask you server to have the chef increase or decrease the level of spices to your liking.

In conclusion Sanaa gets high marks and is worth visiting during your next Disney World Vacation.

Disney World Dining: Portobello

2010-10-12T22:53:00.000-04:00

When you are looking for Italian Cuisine there are many choices at Disney World. One that gets overlooked that should be considered is Portobello located in Downtown Disney.

Portobello: Country - Italian - Trattoria
Portobello is located next to Fulton's Crab House in Downtown Disney. Recently my family decided to give it a try for lunch. It was not crowded. Although we could have been seated right away in the Dining Room, we opted to eat in the bar area instead.

The reason we chose the bar is because of the buzz that the Meatballs that they are serving in the bar have generated. I have read about them on serveral sites and heard a great podcast from Lou Mongello and WDW Radio discussing the new meatballs that are offered in the bar. They have even inscluded signage in teh bar area now referring to it as the "Meatball Bar."

We were pleased to find out that in the bar area we could not only order the meatballs that they featured, but we could also order anything on their Dining Room Lunch menu (pictured below.)

Each meal at Portobello starts out with their house made bread along with roasted garlic and olive oil (pictured below.) Again this was beyond what we expected to be served in the bar area. The roasted garlic was such that it spreadable on the bread and the taste was flavorful, but not overpowering. This was the first time that we had seen garlic served like this and we really enjoyed it.

Kat was our bartender/server and she did a great job recomending dishes and giving suggestions. Also like most Disney World Cast Members she was more than willing to take a picture for us.

Portobello Meatball Bar

There are four different types of meatballs that are offered at Portobello:

Beef & Veal with Parsley
Chicken with Sage
Spicy Pork
Salmon with Tarragon

Each meatball is hand made at Portobello and served with tomato sauce on a ciabatta roll. The Beef, Chicken, & Pork are $1.95 each and the Salmon is $2.95 each or mix and match any 3 for $5.00. The 3 for $5.00 is one of the best food deals at Disney World as 3 of these mini meatball sandwiches makes a pretty good lunch.

Both of my children opted for the 3 for $5.00 meatball deal and they enjoyed all of the meatballs. Between them they sampled all four types and did not have anything bad to say about any of them.

Although the picture above does not do it justice, the Gnocchi served with Nana's Sunday Pork Ragu was spectacular. The potato pasta (Gnocchi) was served with a pulled pork based sauce that was in a tomato/wine based sauce. The pulled pork in the sauce was something I have never experienced in an Italian dish and I absolutely loved it. At the lunch price of $11.95 this was a great deal. You can also get this on the Dinner menu , but the portion is larger and the cost goes up to $24.95.

My wife enjoyed the Chicken Farfalle (pictured above) with snow peas, asparagus, tomatoes, and parmigiano cream sauce. This is another entree that is available both on the lunch and the dinner menus.

The Portobello Dinner Menu offers the salads and pasta dishes the you can get at lunch and adds steak and seafood dishes as well. Everything that we saw being served while we were there looked great.

Dining At Portobello

We would definitely have to give dining at Portobello very high marks. It was one of the most enjoyable lunches that we have had at Disney World. The food was excellend and the little touches like the roasted garlic with the bread and olive oil made the experience even better.

I absolutely would recommend checking out the Meatball Bar. The atmosphere is such that you can bring your children or have a get together for adults. You cannot beat the 3 for $5.00 meatball deal. It makes a great lunch or snack.

Although Portobello is not included in the Disney Dining Plan it has been recently added to the Tables In Wonderland Discount which allows you to get 20% off you entire bill (alcoholic drinks also.)

The next time you are looking for Italian food at Disney World do not forget to include Portobello as one of your options.

Disney World Dining: Main Street Bakery

2010-09-29T14:33:00.000-04:00

For many Walt Disney World Resort guests the Main Street Bakery in the Magic Kingdom is the first place that they go to get food. The wondrous smell of fresh baked goods can be noticed from the sidewalk as you make your way down Main Street to start your day at the Magic Kingdom.

Main Street Bakery
The Main Street Bakery is a cafeteria style bakery located on the right side of Main Street as you make your way towards Cinderella Castle. The bakery offers: Sandwiches, Bagels, Danishes, Muffins, Cinnamon Rolls, and much more. For those using the Disney Dining Plan many of the items sold here can be obtained for Dining Plan Snack Credits!

The toughest decision is what to get when you are waiting in the line. Should I go for a cheese danish or hold out for the Cinnamon Roll? These are not easy decisions.

There is a combination of the sweet and the healthy available at the Main Street Bakery. There is a selection of fresh frui,t as well as, a tasty yogurt parfait. There are also premade sandwiches available if you so choose.

For the breakfast eater that is set in their ways there is cereal and uncrustable peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. With all of the wonderful baked goods available I would really have to question someone who would get the cereal. This is vacation at Disney World you know!

Now we are getting to the good stuff. Here are the bagels, croissants, and pastries. You can't go wrong, but it is still hard to choose. Tip: Disney World has the best Cheese Danishes. If you are a fan of Cheese Danishes this is the place for you.

At the end of the counter lies the infamous Cinnamon Rolls. These massive, gooey delights are wonderful treats for breakfast or a great way to end a long day. Don't forget to tell them to scoop up some extra icing for you!

The items that you will find do change during the day. After the breakfast hours are over, you will see more dessert style cakes and cookies added to the counters. Just another reason to come back later in the day.

Here is a picture of two happy children getting ready to enjoy their breakfast treats from the Main Street Bakery. There is plenty of outdoor seating available around the corner from the Bakery that has great views while you eat.

Main Street Bakery Review

The Main Street Bakery is a staple for many Magic Kingdom faithful. It serves up tasty breakfast treats for those who wanted to make it to the park for the Rope Drop and continues to over up fresh baked goods and desserts throughout the day.

A great way to cap off your day is to grab a warm cinnamon roll after the fireworks before you head back to your hotel for the evening. They serve the cinnamon rolls warm, which makes them extra delicious, and keeps the icing extra gooey.

There is nothing fancy about the Main Street Bakery, but for many it is as important as any attraction to their Magic Kingdom visit. Make sure you check out the Main Street Bakery for yourself on your next trip to the Magic Kingdom. Soon you will develop your own favorite Main Street Bakery craving that you cannot do without.

Disney World Dining - The Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant

2010-09-17T18:00:00.001-04:00

When you are looking to eat while visiting Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, the best place (for now) is The Pinocchio Village Haus Restaurant. This well themed Disney World Quick Service Restaurant provides good food and much to explore and see.

Pinocchio Village Haus Menu
The menu tends to favor those who like Italian food with Sandwiches, Pizzas, Pasta, and Salads. The prices are between $7 and $9 for an entree or combination meal. If you have not dined here in years you will notice that this menu is completely different than the Burgers and Fixing Bar that used to be featured.

Here are the current offerings:

Meatball Sub Sandwich with Apple Slices or French Fries $ 8.19
Pepperoni Pizza Combination with Caesar Salad $ 8.29
Cheese Pizza Combination with Caesar Salad $ 7.99
Chicken Parmesan with Orzo Pasta $ 8.79
Chicken Breast Nuggets w/ Apple Slices or French Fries $ 7.69
Caesar Salad with Chicken $ 7.79
Mediterranean Salad - Mixed greens, Chicken , & Mozzarella $ 8.49

The Food

Pictured above is the Mediterranean Salad with Chicken, Mozzarella Cheese, Red Onion, Black olives, and Tomatoes.

The Chicken Parmesan with Orzo Pasta was better than expected at a Quick Service Restaurant and tasted quite good.

The meatball sub which is covered in cheese in the pictured above also tasted good and is a great burger alternative. The meal comes with Apple Slices or French Fries as shown.

This is the Vegetable Pizza. It was not listed on the most recent menu, but appears to come and go on the menu as an offering. This is the standard Pizza that is available in multiple locations across Disney World. I like it, but it should not be confused with the Pizza that you can get at Via Napoli in Epcot.

The Pinocchio Village Haus - The Building

The Pinocchio Village Haus is quite large inside and can seat a lot of people in its multiple rooms. The counter area where you place your order makes you feel that you are in an outdoor courtyard. The architecture looks German in nature, but the entire "village" is supposed to share elements from all over Europe.

As you explore the various rooms you will see that they are each unique and involve various characters and scenes from the story of Pinocchio. Above the Stromboli Room is pictured. There are many details to notice throughout the rooms and it is worth your time to explore even if you are not in the mood to dine.

Enjoy the pictures below as we take a stroll around the restaurant.

Place Worth Visiting

The Pinocchio Village Haus has better than average food and it definitely provides an interesting building to explore. As mentioned earlier, I would highly recommend exploring the building even if you do not intend to eat there. Pinocchio fans will love all of the giant murals and subtle references to the story and its characters throughout.

If you are eating there, don't forget that there is a balcony with additional seating that provides an excellent view. There is so much to see here that cannot be captured with only a few photos. Make a point to see it for yourself during your next visit. If you are like most people, you have probably eaten here and never realized all of the theming and details that existed.

Disney World Dining - Narcoossee's

2010-09-06T16:51:00.001-04:00

Disney World offers a multitude of dining experiences from the snack cart to their Signature Dining Restaurants. Today's Disney World Dining Review takes us to one of those Signature Dining Restaurants at the Grand Floridian Resort: Narcoossee's.

Situated right on the waterfront of the Seven Seas Lagoon, Narcoossee's is an octagon shaped restaurant with a Victorian style on the outside to fit in with the rest of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Narcoossee's - The Ambiance
Inside the restaurant you sense a casual elegance that gives you a coastal feel that befits the seafood featured menu that they offer. At night the lighting level is low, which makes it an ideal place to share a romantic dinner or celebrate a special event. Although you will see families here, many of the tables were occupied by couples enjoying a special dinner.

The restaurant is set up so that everyone gets a great view of the water. From this vantage point on the Seven Seas Lagoon, the Magic Kingdom looks amazing, and watching the boats go from place to place is enjoyable. During late night dinners, you also have a prime seat for the Electrical Water Pageant and an incredible view of the Magic Kingdom Fireworks.

During our visit we caught one of the last showings of the Summer Nightastic! Fireworks and enjoyed the show almost as much from Narcoossee's as we did when saw it standing next to the Cinderella Castle a night earlier.

Narcoossee's - The Service
From the moment we entered Narcoossee's the service was wonderful. After checking in and receiving our pager, we sat in the waiting area with full view of the open kitchen. While we were waiting one of the managers noticed that we had our camera with us and offered to take a picture of my wife and I out on their deck area overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. He even took a couple pictures to make sure that we got one that we liked. He was very friendly and engaging, which got our dining experience off to a great start.

We happened to be celebrating my wife's birthday and had included it in our reservations. I never had to mention another word about it, and they took great care of us and made her birthday very special.

Our waitress was extremely friendly and did everything that you would want. She had our table ready for us with tiny Mickey Head sparkles dusted all over to mark our celebration. The menu my wife received was customized for her and made a nice sovenier of the evening.

The best way to describe the wonderful service was to tell about the manager that stopped by our table at the end of our meal to ask how it was. When we told him that this was our first time at Narcoossee's he immediately and sincerely thanked us for entrusting such an important celebration to his restaurant.

For a Signature Restaurant, at the Grand Floridian no less, there was no sense of the staff being pretentious. It made for an amazing dining experience.

Narcoossee's - The Menu
The menu at Narcoossee's changes frequently, but remains with a heavy emphasis on seafood dishes. For the non-seafood eaters, there is always a Filet Mignon on the menu, as well as, a chicken dish and a vegetarian dish.

You can see a recent Narcoossee's Menu from Disney World, this will give you an example, but those particular dishes may not be available on the day you visit.

The entrees range in price from $22.00 for the Summer Vegetables - Vegetarian Dish to $59.00 for the Surf & Turf - with Filet Mignon and Lobster Tail. Most of the entrees are in the $33 - $39 range.

The seafood dishes that were available the night that we visited were:

Turbot with Rock Shrimp $34.00
Crispy Whole Snapper $35.00
Mixed Grill - with Lamb T-Bone, Spiny Lobster, & Chicken Sausage $39.00
Togarashi Spiced Ahi Tuna $36.00
Grilled Shrimp $33.00
Crab Crusted Flounder $35.00

Narcoossee's does participate in the Disney Dining Plan, but as a Signature Restaurant it requires 2 Table Service Credits per person. They also participate in the Tables in Wonderland discount program that entitles you to 20% off all food & drink during the meal.
Narcossee's - The Food
My wife decided to have the Crab-crusted Flounder (pictured below.) It came with crushed potatoes, hricots verts, and Meyer Lemon sauce. She loved the dish and thought that the Meyer Lemon sauce was amazing.

I ordered the Chef's Recommendation for the day which was the Turbot with Rock Shrimp. The Turbot was poached in a court bouillon with Fish Veloute, tomatoes, and parsely. It was also very good.

We both enjoyed our selections and the other dishes that we saw being served looked amazing as well.

For dessert, we decided to split the Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Dome with fresh berries (pictured below). This dessert was unbelievably good and is now my new Disney World favorite!

High Marks For Narcoossee's

Dinner at Narcoossee's may have been the best Dining Experience we have had at Disney World. There may have been a couple of meals that we have enjoyed elsewhere at Disney World, where the food itself was just as good or better, but the entire Narcoossee's experience gets the highest marks. The remarkable staff combined with the waterfront location with magnificent views of the Electrical Water Pageant and the Magic Kingdom Fireworks (Wishes), created an experience that is hard to beat and will certainly be remembered.

Disney World Dining: San Angel Inn

2010-08-26T23:05:00.001-04:00

One Disney World Restaurant with great ambiance for couples is the San Angel Inn located in Mexico Pavilion in Epcot.

San Angel Inn provides authentic Mexican Cuisine in a romantic setting. Although it is perfectly acceptable for families to eat here, the low lighting levels lend themselves well to special dinners for couples.

Housed within a giant Aztec Pyramid, the San Angel Inn resides in a perpetual state of night. The inside of the pyramid is set up to look like a Mexican marketplace under the lights in the evening. You can see what the marketplace looks like in the picture below. The flash from the camera makes it look brighter than it actually is. The lower lighting levels only causes a problem for taking good pictures. Otherwise it really adds to the festive ambiance.

The picture below shows the San Angel Inn looking up from the river below on the Grand Fiesta Tour Boat Ride. The simulated outdoor setting really adds to the charm of the restaurant.

San Angel Inn Review

The San Angel Inn has gotten mixed reviews over the years and frankly this has scared me away from dining here previously. With all of the great Disney World Restaurants to choose from, I purposely stayed away from the San Angel Inn due to some poor reviews. It was the fact that fellow High Point , NC resident Chip from Chip and Co Blog strongly endorsed San Angel Inn that I decided it was time to give it a try. I am really glad that I did!

Once you are seated at the colorful tables equipped with the candle lit lanterns the waiter will bring out a paper cone of chips and salsa for you to enjoy.

My wife decided to try the house salad - "Ensalada De La Casa" $7 that included: Mixed greens with jicama, spicy pumpkin seeds, orange wedges, cilantro, mint, and homemade honey-mustard dressing. She enjoyed the salad, but didn't consider it to be anything special.

For an entree my wife tried the "Mahi-Mahi A La Veracruzana." $23 This dish has Mahi-Mahi served over poblano rice, prepared with capers, olives, bell peppers, tomatoes and onions, seasoned with white wine. She really enjoyed this dish and would definitely try it again in the future.

For my entree I tried the "Tacos De Ribeye" $24. This ended up being 3 mini-tacos made of grilled ribeye served over flour tortillas topped with chipotle pepper sauce garnished with scallions and avocados. This certainly was a dish that I thoroughly enjoyed and would definitely recommend.

Other entree choices included:

Camerones Al Guajillo - Crispy shrimp with gaurjillo sauce served over potato relish.
Pollo A Las Rajas - Grilled chicken breast on a bed of poblano rice, served with a cream sauce of red peppers, onion strips and queso fresco. $24
Sirloin Con Chile Relleno - Grilled beef sirloin with chile ancho sauce served with a beans annd cheese stuffed pepper, poblano rive and fried plantains
Mole Poblano - Grilled Chicken Breast served over a bed of poblano rice with a classic mole sauce made of spices and a hint of chocolate, sprinkled with mixed nuts.

Great Dining Experience

My wife and I had a great dining experience at San Angel Inn. We loved the ambiance and the food was better than we expected with the mixed reviews that we had read. We would not hesitate to return in the future.

The San Angel Inn does participate on the Disney Dining Plan as a One Credit Table Service Restaurant and it also accepts the Tables In Wonderland discount.

If you enjoy real Mexican food then you should strongly consider dining at the San Angel Inn during your next Disney World Vacation.

Disney World Dining - Via Napoli - Now OPEN!

2010-08-17T22:51:00.002-04:00

The newest restaurant at Disney World can be found in the Italy Pavilion in Epcot and it is called Via Napoli. We have been blogging about this authentic Italian Pizzeria for months, savored it's menu, and watched it being built, finally on August 5th it officially opened!

Via Napoli
Just about a week after Via Napoli opened, I had the opportunity to dine there. They were not accepting reservations yet, so everyone was a walk-up. Because it is new and few people knew that it was there, the lunchtime crowds were light.

You can now make reservations either on-line or by calling 407-WDW-DINE for any date after September 10th up to 180 days out. Via Napoli does participate on the Disney Dining Plan as a one (1) Table Service Credit Restaurant. It also accept the Tables In Wonderland discount cards.

The inside of Via Napoli is very bright and airy. The high ceilings in the gigantic eating area feels very spacious. The restaurant consists of a large central hall with the pizza ovens and show kitchen at one end. The large hall is surrounded with dining areas, although they are not walled off making the entire restaurant one large area.

The open spaces made the ambiance very relaxed and enjoyable. I can imagine it could get noisy when it fills to capacity.

It was definitely a different atmosphere than Tutto Italia which is located next door.

While Dining at Via Napoli since there was just my wife and I, we were seated at the giant table in the center of the great hall with a great view of the entire restaurant. You are sitting next to and across from other parties, who are also seated at this table.

Stromboli, Vesuvio, & Etna

The 3 wood fired pizza ovens are named after the 3 active volcanos in Italy - Stromboli, Vesuvio, & Etna. The carved faces around each oven give the restaurant a unique feature.

Via Napoli - The Food

During my visit I had to try the pizza that they have talked so much about with the ingrediants from Naples and the special water with a pH level like that in Naples and the special wood burning pizza ovens.

My choice of pizza was the PICCANTE with ITALIAN SPICY SAUSAGE, BROCOLLI-RABE, TOMATO, & MOZZARELLA

The pizza was very good, but I am not so sure about the Brocolli-Rabe. I like brocolli, but I was not a fan of this vegetable. I did not let that ruin my overall impression of the pizza, which was very good.

My wife tried the Eggplant Parmigiana describe in the menu as: TRADITIONAL PREPARATION SERVED WITH TOMATO SAUCE TOPPED & GRATINÉED WITH PARMESAN & MOZZARELLA CHEESES. SERVED WITH SPAGHETTI TORTA.

The eggplant dish is shown in the above picture on the left and the spaghetti torta is on the right. Since we were there for lunch, my wife was pleased with the portion size. She thought the eggplant was very tasty and the Spaghetti Torta reminded her of baked macaroni & cheese.

We both decided that we enjoyed our meals and would not hesitate to order them again, although I may skip the brocolli rabe.

Great Dining Experience
Beautiful Setting, Great Food, and Attentive Service added up to a great Dining Experience and will definitely deserve a return trip (or more) in the future.