Showing posts with label World Showcase. Show all posts
Review: Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot China Pavilion
The World Showcase in Epcot is home to 11 different countries with each offering the opportunity to not only sample the culture, but the cuisine as well. Today we visit the China Pavilion to dine at the Nine Dragons Restaurant.
Nine Dragons Restaurant
The Nine Dragons Restaurant is located in a building that has stunning architectural features that make it look like it belongs in China. There is detail everywhere to be found and you should definitely take the time to notice.
The namesake dragons are quite evident in the detail as seen in the ceiling panels and the large glass partitions located within.
The dark woodwork with intricate carvings is also amazing to look at. Look closely and you will find dragons there also.
The restaurant itself is one of the easiest to get last minute reservations for in all of Epcot, so if you find yourself looking for a place to eat on short notice, give Nine Dragons a try.
Nine Dragons Menu
The menu had many familiar dishes for Americans that enjoy Chines Restaurants. Compared to other Epcot Table Service Restaurants the food was very reasonably priced with most entrees to be found between: $15 - $22.Appetizers:
- Diao Yu Tai Cucumber Appetizers
- Fragrant Chicken
- Spicy Beef
- Pot Stickers
- Walnut Shrimp Toast
- Shrimp and Taro Lollipops
- Shrimp and Chicken Egg Rolls
- General Tso's Chicken Dumplings
- Hot-and-Sour Appetizers
- Chicken Consomme with Pork Dumplings
Entrees:
- Nine Dragons Family Dinner Set
- Honey-Sesame Chicken
- Sweet-and-Sour Pork with Lightly Spiced Spinach Noodles
- Peppery Shrimp with Lightly Spiced Spinach Noodles
- Canton Pepper Beef
- Kung Pao Chicken
- Spit-Roasted Beijing Chicken
- Fragrant Five-Spiced Fish
- Shrimp and Steak
- Zha Jiang Noodles Sampler
- Nine Dragons Fried Rice
- Chinese Chicken Appetizers
- Vegetable and Tofu Stir-Fry
Review Of Dinner At Nine Dragons Restaurant
Our party of two scheduled our dinner early and we found ourselves in an almost empty restaurant. The servers were attentive and quick to respond to our requests.
We chose two different entrees to try during our meal.
The Kung Pao Chicken was prepared with peanuts and dried chili peppers and comes with rice for $17.98. The dish was tasty, but we would not consider it to be outstanding or special beyond anything that we would get at a neighborhood Chinese Restaurant.
The Canton Pepper Beef is stir fried with onions, green peppers and red peppers in a classic savory broth served with rice for $18.98. Again, this dish was tasty, but not special. We enjoyed it, but it was not memorable.
Review Summary
The Nine Dragons Restaurant served very good Chinese cuisine with dishes representing Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan and Kiangche-styles.
The restaurant itself was stunningly beautiful with ornate wood carvings and dragon detailing everywhere.
The service was excellent and the pricing was very reasonable by Disney standards, but at the end of the meal we felt that we were deprived of the special Disney World uniqueness that comes with dining at most of the restaurants.
The meal was fine, but it just didn't feel like a Disney World dining experience.
If you are either looking for a relatively inexpensive Table Service meal or looking for a Disney World restaurant on short notice during the busy season, Nine Dragons is certainly worth visiting. If you are looking for a memorable Disney Dining experience keep looking and try one of the many other Disney World Table Service choices.
Nine Dragons does accept the Disney Dining Plan, Tables in Wonderland discount, and Annual Passholder Discount.
Magic Of Epcot World Showcase At Night
Everyone has a favorite place at Disney World, mine is the Epcot World Showcase at night. The combination of the illuminated Spaceship Earth serving as a backdrop to the international settings make for a magical stroll around the world.
Stunning Epcot World Showcase At Night
Strolling the 1.2 miles around the World Showcase lagoon becomes a completely different experience at night. Each of the 12 international pavilions take on a different feel at nights versus their daytime persona.
The Germany Pavilion becomes even more realistic looking at night, transporting you to Oktoberfest!
The stunning architectural features that are displayed in the Japan Pavilion take on a different appearance as the lights come on and the sun goes down.
The details that are part of the temple in the China Pavilion are quite striking under the night time lighting.
Italy shows off the towers and sculptures, which gain extra authenticity under the night sky.
The giant torches the surround the World Showcase Lagoon provide the majority of light for those that choose to stroll around enjoying the evening. This creates a wonderful ambiance that is such a departure from the typical hustle and bustle that is associated with a Disney World Vacation.
There really are no bad places to watch Illuminations: Reflections Of Earth, but each vantage point certainly gives a different perspective on the show. I always liken it to the different views on life that you get from different countries and cultures. This is played out in the microcosm of the 12 international pavilions of the Epcot World Showcase.
Magic Of Disney World At Epcot
Although it may be designed for families, adults probably appreciate Epcot World Showcase the most. With its plethora of fine dining options and plenty of beverage choices to be found, the World Showcase provides the backdrop for a wonderful evening to be enjoyed at Disney World, that is distinctly different from what you will find at the other Disney Theme Parks.For me, there is no magical place or time than strolling around the Epcot World Showcase at night!
Signs of Disney World: Mariachi Cobre At Epcot
When you are wandering through the World Showcase in Epcot, one of the signs that you have entered the Mexico Pavilion are the sounds of Mariachi Cobre, the Disney World strolling mariachi band.
This set of posters plastered on a wall in Epcot are a great example of the creative genius of the Disney Imagineering staff to incorporate this detailing almost subliminally into the background. Check out not one, but three different signs incorporated together.
Disney World Dining: Biergarten Restaurant
In a pavilion that does not feature a traditional attraction, the Biergarten Restaurant is the main attraction here with live entertainment to enjoy while you dine.
The restaurant is designed to make you feel like you are outside enjoying the Oktoberfest. The tables are large, which makes it the best location to dine at with large parties. If you are a small party, you may be seated with another. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, so do not worry about being seated with another family at your table.
The Biergarten Restaurant serves both Lunch and Dinner with a very similar menu for both. If you are not using the Disney Dining Plan, you may want to consider visiting here during lunch hours, saving over $10 per adult. You will enjoy all your German favorites and see the same entertainment that you would see at dinner. The meal is an all you care to eat buffet for both meals.
At the buffet, you will see a wide array of options including salads, meats, breads, sides, & desserts. A special treat is the cheese soup, which compares very closely to the more famous one served at Le Cellier. German cuisine favorites are: Schnitzel, Spaetzle. Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut, and German Sausages. There is also a carving station served freshly carved meats.
SUMMARY
The Biergarten Restaurant in Epcot's German Pavilion is a great restaurant for the entire family. The atmosphere is fun for all ages with lively entertainment. It is also one of the best restaurants in all of Disney World for large families. This is not the restaurant for a quite romantic date night, the restaurant is noisy and has the joyous feel of Oktoberfest.
This restaurant is certainly recommended for you to try during your next Disney World Vacation. Although making reservations ahead of time is strongly recommended, this is one restaurant that can accommodate a large number of people and can usually fit you in.
Aztec Pyramid Rules The Skyline of Epcot Mexico Pavilion
For many who enter Epcot's World Showcase, the Aztec Pyramid is the first landmark that they encounter. What is not apparent at first glance is all that is contained within the pyramid. Disney World Guests will find shopping, dining, a tequila bar, and a wonderful boat ride through the history of Mexico.
The design of the pyramid itself is actually influenced by a combination of 3rd century A.D. Meso-American styles.
Epcot Mexico Pavilion
For all that the pyramid offers from the outside it is nothing to compare with what you will find on the inside. The Disney Imagineers have created a feeling of an outdoor marketplace housed within. They have successfully combined three different influences on the Mexican culture: Mayan, Toltec, and Aztec in addition to the Spanish influences.
It is a wonderful experience walking through the inside of the pyramid. By adding the element of night time to the setting it becomes even more special. The atmosphere seems to be even more festive.
As you stroll the plaza there are numerous items available for sale that were made by Mexican craftsman from various regions of the country.
La Cava del Tequila
One of the newest additions to the pavilion is called La Cava del Tequila. Inside you will find a very impressive Tequila bar featuring over 100 different tequilas served up by knowledgeable staff. You can also order "tapas" type foods while you are sampling the tequilas or trying on one their many specialty Margaritas. Here not only can you sample a wide variety of tequila, but you can also learn about the history and culture of tequila making.
The San Angel Inn
One of the most romantic settings for dining can be found at the San Angel Inn. Located within the pavilion along the shore of the River of Time the atmosphere and view is wonderful. Here you can dine on authentic Mexican cuisine in this beautiful setting.
Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
Lastly there is even an attraction to enjoy within the pyramid called the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. The attraction is a slow moving boat ride through scenes depicting Mexican history and culture. Throughout the attraction you will find characters from the 1944 Disney animated film Three Caballeros starring Donald Duck.
The attraction combines traditional animation superimposed over live-action film clips shot in such stunning locales as Acapulco, Chichen Itza, Manzanillo and Mexico City.
There is also part of the attraction that will make you believe that you have been transported to it's a small world with the use of colorful dolls and scenery.
Experience Mexico
While on your Disney World Vacation make sure that you venture inside the impressive pyramid that dominates the skyline of the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase. With all that it has to offer, this view of Mexico is certainly worth your time. This also makes a wonderful way to beat the heat of the Florida sun and relax for a while.
