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Author Archives: Debra
Drink Around the World Showcase – Classic American Beer at Fife & Drum Tavern
- Fife & Drum Tavern at American Adventure, Epcot
In many ways, the American Adventure in Epcot is located perfectly for a quick, palate-cleansing stop on a “Drink Around the World Showcase” (DAWS) day. Located halfway around World Showcase, the American Adventure focuses as much on comfort food and non-alcoholic beverages as it does on its beer selections.
All this may be a polite way of saying that there’s a limited selection of alcoholic drinks at the U.S. pavilion. The Fife & Drum Tavern, the drink and snack kiosk at the American Adventure, isn’t much of a tavern at all. It’s a snack shack that serves two draft beers: Bud Light and a Sam Adams seasonal beer that changes with the time of year.
Samuel Adams Beer. Bryan Rosengrant. Flickr.
So with those choices, I order up a Samuel Adams. After all, it is a classic and, for my taste buds, the better of the two selections. And the seasonal beer selection allows Disney to shift the to lighter beers during the hotter seasons and heavier, darker beers during cooler periods. But really, given the ubiquity of the two beers, just pick your favorite brand.
The limited selection of beer, representing two of the most familiar American breweries, might be cause for some mild complaints about the American Adventure on a DAWS day. The beer, however, does represent American brewing traditions. Budweiser have been brewing beer since the 1870s, roughly the same period that the family of Jim Koch, the founder of Sam Adams, had been brewing beer. (As a brand, Sam Adams debuted in 1985.)
If you look at DAWS as participating in Epcot’s cultural-entertainment mission, then –focusing on gastronomical tourism – the beer selections make sense.
There’s an added benefit or two from the menu. The Fife & Drum Tavern offers a number of hearty foods to complement the beer, and to encourage Disney guests to balance out their consumption of alcohol. At the tavern you can enjoy some cult foods favored by Disney regulars: the turkey leg, the bucket of popcorn and the funnel cake kiosk also located in the American Adventure area.
Also consider using the American Adventure for A DAWS non-alcoholic drink, where there’s a wider selection. Try the frozen lemonade or, better yet, the slushes at Fife & Drum Tavern that come in blue raspberry and strawberry; that’s right, patriotic colors.
Liberty Inn offers the same beer selections, if you’d prefer to enjoy your beer with a cheeseburger or chili-cheese dog, among its menu of American fast food classics. It somehow seems appropriate to do so, if you’re going for a DAWS beer-focused tour of Epcot World Showcase.
Photo credit: Samuel Adams Beer. Bryan Rosengrant. Flickr, Creative Commons License.
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Drink Around the World Showcase – UK Pavilion
If you’re touring Epcot for Chip & Co.’s Drink Around the World Showcase (DAWS) challenge Epcot’s World Showcase offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for adult guests seeking do a global tour of the various tastes of its 11 pavilions. At the United Kingdom, guests who like both beer and liquor can quench their respective thirsts, while cocktail lovers will find some Disney specialties.
The Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room is one of my favorite places to stop for a drink year-round. The dining area offers a full bar, perfect to go with a hearty meal and – if the timing is right – a view of IllumiNations.
But if you’re mostly interested in a Drink Around the World Showcase (DAWS) experience, I highly recommend the Rose & Crown Pub. This cozy place captures a pub atmosphere, from the friendly staff bustling around a full bar of patrons to crowded nooks to its dark woods and brass finishes. And its motto, “Otium Cum Dignitate” conveys the Rose & Crown’s overall feel – “Leisure with Dignity.”
There is a limited Rose & Crown Pub menu for food – something to take advantage of on your World Showcase tour. It’s a good idea for guests who enjoy small meals and to avoid drinking on an empty stomach.
Beers at Rose & Crown Pub.
At the Rose & Crown Pub, beer lovers order from a selection of beers – ales, lager, and stouts – with such familiar names as Bass Ale, Boddingtons English Pub Ale, Harp Lager, and Guinness Stout and Stella Artois Pilsner – and Strongbow and Woodpecker ciders. The bartenders will also serve up blends, including the Black & Tan (Half Guinness and half Bass) or the Snake Bite (cider topped with Harp).
Debra’s DAWS recommendations: Harp or Bass. The menu offers many solid beer choices, but for a full Drinks Around the World Showcase experience, stick to something lighter.
Like lingering over your liquor? The Rose & Crown is the place to go for scotch whiskey, my drink of choice at the United Kingdom. You can get a 2 oz. pour of such quality labels as Glenkinchie, Johnnie Walker, Macallan, and Oban. Cognacs and ports are also on the drink menu.
While a 2 oz. pour is sufficient for a Drink Around the World tour, a more leisurely stop at the United Kingdom for whiskey drinkers calls out for my favorite: the single-malt scotch flight, with three 2 oz. pours: 12-year old Glenkinchie, a mild, light scotch; a 14-year old Oban, a rich, smooth scotch; and a 16-year old Laguvilan, a strong, peaty scotch.
Debra’s DAWS recommendations: Try the Macallan 12 year or Glenkinchie 12 year scotch.
Prefer cocktails? The pub serves such classics as an English Rose and Pimm’s Cup as well as the Leaping Leprechans cockail with rum, vodka and Jameson Irish Whiskey mixed with melon liqueur, sweet-and-sour and Sprite.. But the signature drink is the Welsh Dragon, with peach schnapps, melon liqueur, Crème de Menthe, orange juice and pineapple juice.
Debra’s DAWS recommendation: The Welsh Dragon.
Wine drinkers can also enjoy a glass at Rose & Crown, with a variety of wines from around the world. The choices aren’t representative of United Kingdom, which isn’t known for its winemaking, but there are several good wines for those who choose to indulge.
Debra’s DAWS recommendations: Your personal favorite of what’s available.
Non-alcoholic beverages at the Pub include sodas, featuring Coca-Cola products and ginger ale.
DAWS Alternative – Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Although the Rose & Crown Pub is my recommended stop on a Drink Around the World Showcase tour, or any walking tour of Epcot’s World Showcase, those on a tighter schedule might consider stopping at Yorkshire. The quick-service shop serves Bass and Harp, and coffee, tea and soft drinks. It’s also a quick stop for fish and chips or shortbread.
Worth noting: The Rose and Crown Pub and Dining room have different menus; to enjoy the Rose & Crown Dining Room menu, Advance Dining Reservations are recommended.
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Drink Around the World Showcase – China Pavilion
China's Joy of Tea at Epcot
If you’re touring Epcot for Chip & Co.’s Drink Around the World Showcase (DAWS) challenge, China is a promising quick drink stop. China provides two convenient locations for drinks and a nibble, the Lotus Blossom Café, the pavilion’s counter-restaurant, and the Joy of Tea stand.
While either place works well for DAWS, I’m partial to China’s Joy of Tea stand. Not only is it one of the most attractive kiosks in the World Showcase, with a picturesque view of both the lagoon and the China pavilion, but Joy of Tea offers some satisfyingly unusual flavor combinations. Equally refreshing is its variety, as the stand serves several different alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to appeal to different tastes.
Green Tea Plum Slush, Epcot's China pavilion.
Although I’m not convinced a slush cocktail is particularly authentic to China, I recommend trying the Green Tea Plum Slush, made with plum wine. The plum wine itself earns authenticity points even if it’s not unique to China. Plus, the slushie has the advantage of letting you say that you enjoyed an alcoholic beverage with green tea, a combo which is bound to provide some health benefits.
While the slush mix itself isn’t incredibly thick or sticky, the Green Tea Plum Slush is a very sweet drink. Its taste alone almost earns the “sticky” descriptor and its plum wine creates the drink’s predominant flavor. If you prefer, try plum wine on its own as a less expensive and smaller DAWS drink option.
Another cocktail I would recommend for those who like their drinks with more spice to balance the sweet – admittedly more to my personal taste – is the Mango Gingerita. The drink, made with vodka and rum and served over ice, features the taste of (you guessed it) sweet mango and the bite of ginger. If you like a strong ginger flavor, this is a must-taste.
I’ve also had the opportunity to taste-test two other specialty slushie cocktails available at the Joy of Tea: the Canto Loopy, made with vodka and cantaloupe juice, and the Peach Snap! made with schnapps and Oolong tea. The former is lightly fruity, while the latter is definitely for those who like their drinks on the tooth-achingly sweet side.
More joy at the Joy of Tea may be found in its non-alcoholic slushies – pleasant options for those who don’t drink alcohol or who simply want to balance their round-the-world consumption on a DAWS tour. The stand offers both the Strawberry Oolong Tea Slush and the Mango Green Tea Slush. Of course, iced and hot teas are available here for lighter, less filling, non-alcoholic beverages.
While my DAWS days generally don’t include beers, beer drinkers can order Tsing Tao (Tsingtao), a smooth and easy-to-sip lager that tastes of malt and hops. It’s light and a solid option on a hot day or with spicy food.
Speaking of food, remember the Chip and Company DAWS challenge includes food as well as drink, with points earned for each. The Joy of Tea offers some fitting snacks to accompany your DAWS beverages: Chinese BBQ pork buns, curry chicken pockets, and pork and vegetable egg rolls. Of these, try the curry chicken pockets, unless you’re a vegetarian or want something more substantial. Then I recommend heading over the Lotus Blossom Café.
One last note for the Disney foodies who are doing the full-on DAWS with dining experience. The Joy of Tea also has two flavorful ice creams, Strawberry Red Bean and the Caramel Ginger. They are both well worth sampling, but don’t go particularly well with the specialty cocktails or beer. Enjoy them on their own.
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Drink Around the World Showcase – Japan Pavilion
Sake at Japan, Epcot's World Showcase. D.K. Peterson
If your tour of Epcot includes participating in the Chip and Company’s Drink Around the World Showcase (DAWS) experience – our drink and food challenge – Japan is always a welcome stop. Especially if you’re participating in the spirit of an international DAWS day by sipping some sake, or another Japanese beverage.
A convenient stop for DAWS is Japan’s outdoor food cart. It offers three drinks in addition its cold Kaki-Gori treat (see below for more on Kaki-Gori). There you may order
- a glass of plum wine,
- Kirin Draft Beer (Japanese Rice Lager), or
- Ozeki sake (sake is rice wine that is brewed, like beer, rather than fermented) that the Cast Member will serve either hot or cold.
These are some of the same options you’ll find at the restaurants in the Japan pavilion.
Japan’s sake bar at the Mitsukoshi Department Store
For me, though, DAWS is as much about the entire experience as it is about the drinks. So I’d bypass the outdoor drink stand and head straight to the sake bar inside the Mitsukoshi Department Store. There, you can be served a variety of sakes from aperitifs to traditional sakes as well as their recommended sakes. It’s an intimate experience, and educational, and a stop there always results in a new discovery each time I visit.
The bar’s descriptive menu and Cast Member can help you select a sake for your preferred tastes, from a light sparkling sake to versions more akin to bourbon. Be sure to ask about alcohol content as sake can be much stronger than people expect – my recent tasting of three sakes featured examples that ranged between 7% – 15%, with the higher end being more representative of the beverage (to, say, 20%).
Suggestions: Never tried sake or don’t drink much wine? Try a sparkling sake as they’re very mild. Enjoy whiskey? Go bold. Or consult this guide to sake for beginners.
Or if you’re in the mood for another other stand-out option at Japan’s sake bar, try the plum wine at the bar (don’t forget to eat the plum).
And if you’re not doing a full-on DAWS day, but focusing on one or two stops around Epcot’s World Showcase, I highly recommend trying the sampler at the sake bar. The small bar, located in a corner near the back of the store, offers guests a three-sake sampler that’s well worth the $17 (current) price. Offerings that change on a regular basis.
Japan's sake bar, Epcot.
Explore at eat your way through the Japan pavilion on an Epcot DAWS day
In addition to the sake, why is Japan one of my favorite stops for DAWS?
First, it’s a good location to explore with a drink in one’s hand, whether that’s to enjoy serenity of the koi ponds and streams outside in the beautifully landscaped grounds or to take advantage of the air-conditioned comfort of the Bijutsu-kan Gallery or Mitsukoshi Department Store.
Touring in the afternoon and early evening, which are the times you’ll likely be moving through this pavilion, also means there’s a good chance to see some of Japan’s entertainment. While I enjoy the Matsuriza, the Japanese Taiko drummers, Miyuki the Candy Artist remains my personal favorite. And Japan’s overall atmosphere makes a DAWS day seem more like a stroll in the park than a binge-drinker’s dream.
Second, Japan’s location and its food options make for a good place to enjoy the dining aspect of our challenge. (Remember, you earn points for both drinks and food in our game.) Japan is home to
- a Disney fan favorite, Kaki-Gori (a shaved ice dessert flavored with fruit syrup that tastes noticeably different than an American snow cone – my flavors of choice are melon or rainbow).
- Epcot’s largest selection of candy – even more expansive than Goofy’s Candy Company in Future World – and certainly its most diverse.
- Japan offers three choices for more substantial meals: Teppan Edo (teppan-yaki steakhouse– tableside preparation- and its sushi), Tokyo Dining (sushi and tempura at a table-service atmosphere with a great view), and Yakitori House (familiar food, think take-out or strip-mall quality, in a beautiful quick-service restaurant).
The next time you’re in Epcot for me, stop by Japan and raise a glass of sake for me. Kanpai!
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Take Five at Walt Disney World: Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Of all Walt Disney World theme parks, Disney’s Animal Kingdom perhaps offers my favorite “Take Five” moments – those little breaks in a touring plan that are opportunities to relax, enjoy some unscripted fun and appreciate details that make up the Disney Difference.
I generally find Disney’s Animal Kingdom relaxing, particularly because of the wildlife and lush landscaping. But with E-ticket attractions as Expedition Everest and Kilimanjaro Safaris requiring some regimented touring, and the park’s extensive exploration paths, it’s useful have a few “Take 5” moments planned for your trek.
The Boneyard, Dinoland U.S.A.
I’m a fan of Disney’s unstructured play areas, and The Boneyard is the epitome. It’s an exploratory archeological dig site that offers climbing structures, rope ladder, slides and tunnels. Designed for kids ages four years and older, the young at hear can also explore many areas designed for full-sized fun. (Note: The Boneyard is wheelchair accessible.)
Kids can dig through the sand, searching for fossils, check out interactive displays, or burn off extra energy by climbing, sliding and tumbling on the spongy floor. Playing the xylobone, musical rib bones, appeal to the musically inclined. For tired parents, shady seats provide a welcome respite and time off tired feet. That is, unless you want to take advantage of the unposed photo ops that arise when children are let loose in this creative prehistoric playground.
Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama, Dinoland U.S.A.
Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama is a Disney experience that romanticizes the wacky places that populated the famed Route 66. As with most Disney attractions, this one has a story: Chester and Hester, in order to make a quick buck, transform their gas station into a delightful garish roadside attraction to attract tourists visiting Dino Institute, the “scientific” arm of Dinoland U.S.A..
While some guests find Dino-Rama off-putting because of its kitchiness, that’s precisely its appeal. Spend some time, and maybe some Disney dollars, among its marvelously cheap dinosaur “artifacts” and toys and note all the campy décor at Chester & Hester’s Dinosaur Treasures store.
Then, if you enjoy the “Take Five” tour, explore the whole of Dino-Rama, a mini-amusement park featuring with dinosaur-themed carny games that, according to Disney lore, emerged out of the store’s success.
Harambe Street Entertainment, Africa
While the wildlife is the park’s primary draw, Disney’s AnimalKingdom features some of Disney’s talented Cast Members. Be sure to pick up a Times Guide for the daily schedule of entertainment and “Take Five” with Tam Tam’s of Congo, for West African folk dance, or African percussionist Mor Thiam. While you’re in Africa, check out the Dawa Bar, next to Tusker House, for a refreshing adult beverage and some of the best subtle theming in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. With a few tasty drinks, you might find yourself dancing in the streets.
Tree of Life, Discovery Island
The icon of Disney’s Animal Kingdom, the Tree of Life has 14 stories and more than 300 animals carved into its roots, trunk and branches – including a rabbit, dolphin, lion, elephant, tortoise and armadillo.. Visiting the Tree of Life up close is to be struck by the mastery of the carvings. My personal goal is to identify as many animals as possible over the course of my trips. Because Discovery Island is often less crowded than other parts of the park, it’s also a very peaceful “Take Five” experience, particularly after seeing “It’s Tough to Be a Bug!”
Bonus “Take Five” Bonus, Rafiki’s Planet Watch
Many guests skip visiting Rafiki’s Planet Watchbecause it requires taking the Wildlife Express train. But it’s well worth short, quaintly scenic ride that fits the park’s theming, and there’s more to at Rafiki’s Planet Watch than you might expect. A small treat, for example, is the more than two dozen Hidden Mickeys present Conservation Station’s colorful mural.
But what’s so compelling about Rafiki’s Planet Watch is how it realizes the conservation ethos of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Guests of all ages will enjoy the Animal Cam that provides information about animals and include behind-the-scene shots of the theme park. The Hall of Animal Health and Care allows guests to see working animal care specialists, scientists and veterinarians, to learn more about the animals under Disney’s guardianship, and to ask questions.
Rafiki’s Planet Watch is also the site of the Affection Section, a petting zoo appealing for it hands-on experiences. The Disney Cast Members who work there are very knowledgeable, and the chance to get up close and personal with some very cute domestic animals and have an enlightening conversation make for truly memorable experiences.
With its emphasis on wildlife and settings that evoke a natural environment, it’s easy to enjoy Disney’s Animal Kingdom as one long “Take Five” opportunity. I often plan a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom as an deliberate break from my more tightly scheduled itineraries (envision me as a theme-park commando, minus the unfashionable camouflage make-up).
So take a minute to “Take Five” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. If you’re like me, you might find you enjoy these experiences so much fun that you’ll want to Take Ten! And don’t forget to “Take Five” at Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Debra Peterson is the National Disney Travel writer at Examiner.com.
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