Showing posts with label Disney World Resort Restaurants. Show all posts
Review: Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White
The newest Character Dining Experience at the Walt Disney World Resort is called Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White. This is a re-imagining of the previous Signature Dining restaurant Artist Point that is located within Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort. As the name implies the meal is themed around the story of Snow White with a chance to meet Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and even the Evil Queen.
The best way to report on a restaurant is to go there and experience it for yourself, which is exactly what we did recently to see how this Character Dining experience stacks up again the others that you can find at the Walt Disney World Resort. This newly added meal just started during the month of December and our visit was within the first 3 weeks of operation.
The Dining Review in 3 Parts
Since this is a Disney Character Dining meal let's break the review into 3 distinct parts:- Character Interaction
- Restaurant Presentation and Theming
- The FOOD and Beverages!
Character Interaction
During the meal there are 3 forms of character interaction that you will find: Characters coming to your table to meet you, whole restaurant character entertainment, special photo opportunity with specific characters with backdrop.
During your meal Snow White, Grumpy, and Dopey will individually come to your table. Snow White was very friendly and carried on a conversation with us. Dopey and Grumpy did not talk,but they were extremely expressive and provided a fun interaction and photo opportunities. If you are a fan then this is a rare opportunity at Disney World and definitely a fun experience. These 3 interactions were the highlight of the meal. Very well done!
The broad-based character entertainment involved music and inviting those celebrating a birthday to come dance with the dwarves. This was fun, but very short and the tables on the perimeter of the restaurant (where we were seated) did not have a good view of the happenings. For those of you used to the music during meals at Chef Mickey's this did not impress as much.
The last character interaction was to meet the Evil Queen and get your picture taken against a special backdrop The queen did talk to each group and stayed true to character during her conversations. This provided a great photo opportunity that is hard to get. The only downside was that the timing for getting your picture with the queen did not appear to be well organized.
Restaurant Presentation & Theming
The make-over to transition from the original Artist Point to the woods that Snow White calls home fortunately was an easy one. There were additional trees incorporated into the restaurant decor that blended well with the original Arts & Crafts themed decor. Overall a nicely themed area.
One of the drawbacks was the table arrangements. The tables at the extreme ends and the perimeter definitely were at a disadvantage compared to the ones in the middle. Having been seated at the extreme end, this did negatively impact the overall experience.
The tables have a unique 3 tiered tree serving attachment that made presentation of the different courses easy to display, but it made conversation across the table more difficult. The look is cooler than the actual use during dining.
There were also special themed touches during the meal that involved simple special effects such as smoke, but the timing was off somewhat for our server and we never really got to see the full effect of these "touches" as intended.
The FOOD and Beverages!
The key to any dining experience is great food. The better the food, the more memorable the dining experience. This meal is somewhat unique to other Disney meals. There is a pre-set appetizer selection that is brought to every table, followed by an entree that each individual orders off of a menu, and the meal is completed by another pre-set selection of desserts that is brought to the table to share.
This meal is only a 1 Table Service Credit Dining Plan option which includes all of the above plus the addition of one alcoholic beverage for those of age.
The beverages included a number of specialty cocktails and non-alcoholic concoctions that were created for this Snow White themed meal. Other more traditional wines, beer, soft drinks, milk, and juices were also available to choose from.
For our beverages we selected some of the specialty drinks to take full advantage of the theming. Although they were not what we would normally try, it was part of the fun of being at a Disney Character meal. We tried the Enchanted Apple, Evil to the Core, The Smoking Mirror and the non-alcoholic Through The Forest.
All of the drinks were good, but The Smoking Mirror, which is a presentation drink infused with rosemary smoke at the table, is quite smoky and may not appeal to most. We got it for cool appearance.
The Appetizers
The trio of appetizers with portions for every include: Hunter’s Pie, Winter Squash Bisque and Wicked Shrimp Cocktail. Of the 3 choices by far the Winter Squash Bisque with Marshmallow stir was the star of the course. It was great, the Hunter's Pie was good and the Shrimp Cocktail was forgettable. Overall it was a nice beginning to the meal that differentiated it from other Disney Character meals.
The Entrees
There were several entrees to choose from that spanned the gamut from beef, to fish to vegetarian. We tried 3 of the entrees in our party to evaluate. We tried the Prime Rib, the Snapper, and the Veal Shank.
Although they all photographed well we came away somewhat underwhelmed by the flavors. They were all good, not great and certainly not what you would be hoping for coming from a kitchen that was producing Disney Signature Dining meals. For example the Snapper dish featured flavors that were all one noted and nothing really stood out from the dish. The Prime Rib just did not stand out from something that you would get in a local buffet restaurant.
We went into the meal looking forward to the menu descriptions of the entrees and came away feeling that this did not stand up to the standards that we had come to expect from our Disney Dining meals.
The Desserts
Of all of the courses, this unfortunately was the most disappointing. From a creativity and presentation standpoint it gets high marks, but the actual desserts were not choices that we enjoyed tasting. There is the “Poison” Apple; Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie; a sponge cake with chocolate gems and buttercream icing called Miner’s Treasures. Of the 3 the Poison Apple was our favorite.
The last part of the dessert is called The Hunter’s Gift to the Queen, which features cracked maple popcorn with a ganache heart. This is another special presentation part of the meal that should have a special smoke releasing reveal, but got lost in the shuffle because our server brought it to the table while we were getting our picture with the Evil Queen.
Review Summary
The Storybook Dining At Artist Point with Snow White does provide an excellent reason to visit Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort which we are always in favor of. The Character interaction was excellent and we really liked the ability to meet and interact with Dopey and Grumpy which rarely happens elsewhere at Disney World.
The theming was nice and there was a real attempt to create a cohesive thematic feel to the meal that transports you to the realm of Snow White. Fans of Snow White and the movie will treasure this special dining experience that allows Snow White to be the star of the show. Also Disney Villains fans will also enjoy the chance to interact and get special photos with the Evil Queen.
Although a pricey $55 per adult if you are paying cash, it is a great deal if you are using the Disney Dining Plan, which also includes an alcoholic beverage for only 1 Table Service Dining credit.
If you are going for the food, this may be a disappointing meal. The food was good, but not great. This was not a memorable foodie meal by any means.
All told this is a meal we would recommend trying at least once if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. It is a great value and provides character interactions that you cannot normally get elsewhere. If you are not on the Disney Dining Plan there are certainly many other place at Disney World where you can get better food for the money.
Disney Springs Continues To Grow With New Restaurants & Shopping!
The Disney Springs Dining and Shopping Entertainment Center at the Walt Disney World Resort continues to grow with a recent addition of a multitude of Restaurants and Retail shops opening to add to the already impressive collection of new additions.
Dining at Disney Springs
Within the past year we have seen the addition of:- Morimoto Asia
- The Boathouse
- Jock Lindsay's Hangar Bar
- Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC
It is now being joined by:
- Amorette’s Patisserie
- Daily Poutine
- D-Luxe Burger
- Sprinkles
- Yesake
Even with all of these new additions, there is still more to come this year, including STK and the transformation of Fulton's Crab House to Paddlefish.
Disney Springs, aka Downtown Disney, has always been a dining destination, but now more than ever it is becoming a place with a multitude of top notch dining options to fit whatever type of dining experience that you are seeking.
It will be hard to plan a multi-day trip to Disney World without including a visit to Disney Springs now that there are so many new dining experiences to enjoy.
Not Your Average Shopping Destination
Disney Springs is also upping its game for shopping experiences. Ever since the addition of the Marketplace Co-op and Tren-D that upped the game for cool Disney themed merchandise, shopping has stepped it up a notch at Disney Springs.
Recently added shops include:
- ALEX AND ANI
- American Threads
- Edward Beiner
- Everything But Water
- francesca’s
- Johnston & Murphy
- kate spade new york
- Kipling
- L’Occitane En Provence
- Lucky Brand
- MAC Cosmetics
- Melissa Shoes
- Na Hoku
- Pandora
- Sephora
- Sperry
- Sprinkles
- Tommy Bahama
- UGG
- Under Armour Brand House
- UNOde50
- Vera Bradley
- Volcom
- ZARA
The Disney Springs Town Center has transformed the old Downtown Disney shopping into a totally new vibe and experience. If you have not been there recently you do not know what you are missing.
From the Amphicars to the new footbridges that cross the water. This Disney shopping and dining area is totally transformed. The Parking is now contained on multi-level parking garages, but still free.
Review: California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Dining atop Disney's Contemporary Resort at the California Grill is an amazing experience for far more reasons than just the spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom at night. This is truly one of the Walt Disney World Resort's Signature Dining Restaurants.
California Grill: The Experience
From the moment you are seated at this rooftop restaurant you get the sense that you are dining somewhere special. I have to admit that with all of the rave reviews of this restaurant that I had heard prior to my visit, I was actually skeptical if it could really be that good.
Location. Location. Location. Being on the rooftop of one of the first Resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort has its privileges. The views are amazing and the restaurant certainly catches your attention. The setting is family friendly, but also is fine for that special occasion such as a birthday, anniversary, or honeymoon night to celebrate.
California Grill: The Review
Being a skeptic, I came into this initial encounter with the California Grill believing that there was no way that this restaurant could live up to its hype. The menu itself seemed "too simple" to validate the high prices. It was going to be a tough sell to convince me that this restaurant was worthy of the prices it charged and would provide a "Signature Dining" experience.
The first difference we noticed was our server. He was pleasant, but has was also incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and most importantly, the extensive wine selection that the California Grill is known for. There is an amazing wine list, but it is overwhelming for most guest to navigate themselves.
Our waiter listened to what we kind of wines we liked and helped us decide upon a Rombauer Vineyards Zinfandel that we really enjoyed.
 |
| California Grill Heirloom Tomato Flatbread |
The appetizer list is daunting to say the least. Our waiter guided us with recommendations leading to the Heirloom Tomato Flatbread. The menu description was simple and straight-forward, the presentation was nice, but not over-the-top, What cannot be stressed enough is how incredible this unassuming appetizer tasted! U-N-B-E-L-I-E-V-A-B-L-E!!! The flavors that we enjoyed were amazing. What sounded overly simple had incredibly complex flavors that really worked well together. What I perceived initially as a boring choice for an appetizer produced mind-blowing results.
The other sharable appetizer that we tried was the Dragon Roll from their acclaimed Sushi menu. The Dragon Roll is made up of Spicy and Tataki Tuna, Shrimp Tempura, Avocado, Dragon Sauce, Hijiki-Shirataki Salad. This was another amazing dish of incredible flavors to enjoy It is hard to stress how the flavors enjoyed in this dish differ from a typical dining experience, but typical it was certainly not. This was another incredible dish that exceeded expectations.
It is almost hard to proceed onto entrees after the great appetizer and sushi offerings that can be found at the California Grill. We both tried the Oak Fired Filet of Beef with Heirloom Tomato Risotto, Baby Vine Tomatoes, Tiny Basil, Tomato Butter. Again this is another winning selection at the California Grill. Tender beef, cooked perfectly that was well presented. It is hard to compare this to the appetizers, but it did not disappoint and was thoroughly enjoyed
Like many people that visit the California Grill we had a special occasion to celebrate. This led to a complementary dessert with a placard in chocolate from the California Grill. This Vanilla Crème Brûlée did not disappoint and capped off a wonderful dining experience.
The only thing that could "plus" this experience even more was timing the dinner to conclude with the Wishes fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. There may be no better place to view these fireworks other than on Main Street USA facing Cinderella Castle.
Whether you are dining with your family or your significant other the views from the California Grill and the outdoor viewing platform of the Magic Kingdom are an amzing way to finish your day at the Walt Disney Word Resort.
California Grill Review Summary
I have to admit that I was thoroughly impressed by the California Grill. I came into this dining experience expecting to enjoy it, but feel I paid Disney prices for a "good meal Instead I came away with one of the best dining experiences of my life.Of course, I cannot (and most people including Disney Cast Members I talked to cannot) afford this experience on a regular basis , I came away feeling that I had a great, memorable dining experience
At the end of the day, isn't that what we are all looking for?
The California Grill lives up to the hype! If you are looking for an incredible Disney Dining Experience, this is the place!
Review of Olivia's Cafe At Disney's Old Key West Resort
Casual Family atmosphere meets above average Florida Key's Seafood Cuisine when you visit Olivia's Cafe at Disney's Old Key West Resort. This is one out of the way Disney World Restaurant that you will be glad that you made the effort to find.
Disney's Old Key West Resort
It is hard to find a more picturesque setting than what you will find with Olivia's Cafe on the waterfront at Disney's Old Key West Resort. The resort is the original Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Resort and it exudes the laid back atmosphere of the Florida Keys. In fact, things are so laid back here, that you may find it hard to believe that you are so close to all of the Disney Worlds, but totally isolated from them in this relaxing retreat. The best way to get here is by taking one of the Disney Resort buses from any of the Disney World Theme Parks, or a bus or boat from Downtown Disney. If you have time we would definitely recommend taking the scenic boat ride to get here to get the full effect.
Olivia's Cafe
Inside Olivia's Cafe, you find decorations that you would expect for a long standing ocean side family favorite restaurant where families that have visited over the years have their pictures posted on the walls. These are not celebrities, but rather visitors who have come to treat this place like a 2nd home.
The decor really has a homey feel that instantly welcomes you. If you have spent any time visiting local restaurants along the Atlantic seaboard, this restaurant will have a familiar feel to you.
Olivia's Cafe - The Food!
At the end of the day, comfortable atmosphere and friendly waitstaff only get you so far, the food has to live up to the expectations. To start off our meal we went with their recommended appetizer, the Conch Fritters!The fritters were good, but they were not anything to get overly excited about. If the meal end here, we would have been disappointed.
The bread was freshly baked loaves with butter. Not overly fancy, but well done.
We tried four different entrees amongst our group to get a good sample of the 19 entrees on the menu.
The first dish was the Shrimp & Grits: Sautéed Shrimp with Vegetables, Tasso Ham, and fresh Herbs served over Olivia's Famous Grits. This dish was very tasty and would be highly recommended. There was nothing bad to say about it!
The 2nd entree was the Plantation Key Pork Chop - Pork Chop topped with Smoked Gouda Fondue served with Multigrain Rice and Broccolini. Again we were very happy with this dish and would recommend it.
The 3rd entree was the Duval Street Burger topped with Grilled Shrimp, Pepper Jack Cheese, Avocado, and Pico de Gallo served with choice of French Fries, Marinated Coleslaw, or Homemade Potato Chips. This burger satisfied the burger expert in our group and would be recommended.
The last entree was the Seven Mile Sea Scallops - with Creamy Polenta, Seasonal Vegetables, Prosciutto Crisp, and Roasted Tomato Sauce. Luckily with entree we were a successful 4 for 4 with our choices, with everyone satisfied with their meal.
Restaurant Review Summary
Overall we would definitely recommend Olivia's to anyone who would be looking for a new Disney World Restaurant to try. It was definitely worth the effort to get here to try it, even if you are not staying at Disney's Old Key West Resort. Just realize that you will probably need to plan for a minimum of 1 hour to get there and 1 hour afterward to return to your resort. Depending upon your point of view that can add to the charm of this remote restaurant, or be a source of aggravation.The meals were middle of the road as far as Disney World pricing goes with entrees ranging from upper teens to low twenties, but there are a couple steaks on the menu that are close to $30. They accept the Disney Dining Plan and Table In Wonderland Discounts.
