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Signature Restaurants – Are They Worth It? Part 1
When it comes to planning your Walt Disney World vacation, there are so many things to think about, and one of the most important (in my opinion anyways!) is where to eat while you’re there. Chances are good you may want to have a special meal to commemorate your vacation, and that’s where WDW’s Signature Restaurants come into play. This group of restaurants are the cream of the crop, the finest food (and drinks!) available at Walt Disney World.
So the big question is, are they worth it? Are they worth the extra money/2 dining plan table service credits apiece? Are they really that much nicer than the other restaurants at WDW? Hopefully the information below and in parts 2 and 3 (coming soon!) will help you make that determination when it comes to planning your meals for your next WDW vacation!
Here we go:
Jiko – The Cooking Place – Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, this multi-cultural menu includes dishes like oak fired filet mignon, grilled wild gulf shrimp curry, and coconut bread pudding. They also have some amazing wine options, and the interior of the restaurant is uniquely decorated and the perfect setting for a celebratory dinner
Survey says? If you are looking for something different, this is your place! Wine lovers will also love it here, while the less adventurous eaters might want to pass on Jiko
Flying Fish Cafe – Take the trip to this restaurant, located at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, for some of the best (award-winning!) seafood at WDW. Start out with an assortment of artisinal cheeses, follow it up with their signature potato wrapped red snapper, and finish off the meal with their ‘trio of concession sweets’ – fancy name for desserts that look like popcorn and french fries but taste like dessert!
Survey says? Seafood lovers rejoice and make your ADR’s for Flying Fish Cafe! For those non seafood lovers out there (like myself!), they have some non seafood dishes on the menu. Are they as good as the seafood dishes? In my opinion, not really, and as a non seafood fan, I would probably skip eating here again, but for those who like seafood it’s a must-do for sure!
California Grill – A special elevator takes you up to the 14th floor of the Contemporary Resort where you step out into the lobby/lounge area of the California Grill, which features an extensive wine list, an open kitchen, and a large sushi selection as well as flatbreads, an oak fired filet mignon, and fish options. They have a few observation decks where you can get an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom’s nightly fireworks show, and the view from the restaurant is amazing.
Survey says? I ate here for the first time on my last trip, and maybe I was expecting too much, but overall I was disappointed in the California Grill. I wanted it to feel intimate and upscale, but mostly it felt loud, crowded (with lots of families and children), and like it was trying too hard. The food was good (but in my opinion not worth the money), the wine list was extensive, and the desserts were delicious (I am a sucker for desserts!). If you are a wine enthusiast who wants an amazing view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks, then the California Grill is for you. Otherwise, you might be better off skipping it
Citricos – One of two Signature Restaurants at the Grand Floridian Resort, Citricos serves up European inspired dishes (think Tuscan and Spanish influenced!) like braised veal shank, pan seared grouper, and a trio of gelatos and tropical fruit crème brulee for dessert. The restaurant itself has an upscale but casual atmosphere – with comfortable chairs and an overall relaxed aura that is sure to make you feel comfortableSurvey says? If you are looking for a relaxing, delicious meal then this is the place for you. But if you’re looking to be impressed by a restaurant’s location or fanciness, then you may end up slightly disappointed (as Citricos isn’t as fancy as Victoria and Albert’s, and it can’t offer the views like California Grill can). Personally, I love it here, and would go back in a heartbeat. The food and service were some of the best I have had at WDW
Narcoossee’s – The second Signature dining experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian is found here, with many seafood dishes like lobster corn bisque, steamed whole lobster, and crispy whole snapper. Non seafood lovers can feast on chicken, gnocchi, or filet mignon, and after you’re stuffed full of delicious food, you can head out to the wraparound porch and get a great view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks.
Survey says? If you’re looking for a great view of the fireworks with a chill, relaxed atmosphere and great seafood, then Narcoossee’s is the place for you
Artist Point – Located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, this restaurant draws its inspiration from the Pacific Northwest, with choices like cedar plank roasted salmon, roasted pork tenderloin, and an amazing berry cobbler for dessert. It tends to be less crowded than other Signature Restaurants, and Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort and the perfect setting for a romantic-post dinner stroll.
Survey says? This place gets mixed reviews, but I think they have improved immensely over the last year, and it’s a great place for a delicious, quiet meal
If you think any of the above Signature Restaurants sound good to you, then I highly recommend you make your Advance Dining Reservations, or ADR’s, 180 days in advance so you don’t miss out on experiencing all that these eateries have to offer!
And stay tuned right here at Chip and Co for parts 2 and 3 of this series where I will review the rest of WDW’s Signature Restaurants in search of the answer to the question “Are they worth it?”
Top 3 Snacks at Magic Kingdom
Been awhile since lunch and too early for dinner? Snack time! There’s one thing you definitely won’t have to worry about on a Disney trip—going hungry. In fact, there are so many options, it’s often hard to choose. Some fan favorites, like the Mickey Premium Bar ice cream treats, are available pretty much anywhere on property. Other goodies can be found only at select locations. Here are our top three snack picks at Magic Kingdom:
1) This relatively new treat debuted just last year an instant crowd pleaser. It’s somewhat nutritious and very much delicious! The Nutella Waffle Sandwich can be found at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, which is just to the left of Cinderella Castle as you enter Liberty Square from the Hub. This one’s easy to replicate at home when you need to satisfy that homesick-for-Disney longing. Other waffle “sammies” are available as well.
Nutella Waffle Sandwich
2) With over a million-and-a-half of these sold annually across Walt Disney World Resort, the Giant Smoked Turkey Leg is certainly satisfying. Each weighs about a pound-and-a-half—yes, I said a pound-and-a-half! It used to be sold as a Disney Dining snack credit, but is now charged a full Table Service credit, as it is indeed a meal of its own. You can get them at kiosks in Frontierland along the Rivers of America.
TV's Andrew Zimmern enjoys Giant Turkey Legs too!
3) And of course, the Dole Whip. You didn’t think I’d leave that one off, did you? Aloha Isle at the entrance to Adventureland is one of very few WDW locations that offer this delightfully refreshing pineapple softserve. It’s creamy and smooth, yet light and fluffy. You can also get it as a Dole Whip Float—the famous ice cream served in pineapple juice. It comes in other flavors too, but who gets those?
Dole Whip, photo courtesy Focused on the Magic
Were your favorite Magic Kingdom snacks on this list? If not, tell us what you like!
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Top 10 Table Service Meals at the WDW Parks
Having a delicious meal at a sit-down restaurant is the perfect way to decompress after a long day of touring the Walt Disney World Parks. Luckily, you don’t have to go too far to get the relaxation you deserve – WDW has plenty of table service restaurants located throughout all of the 4 Theme Parks , and here are the Top 10:
1.Hollywood Brown Derby- Modeled after the original Hollywood restaurant, this spot is classy and classic . It’s fun to check out all the star’s charicatures on the walls, and it’s even more fun sampling the delicious menu offerings – the Cobb Salad is a must try (it was invented by Bob Cobb, the owner of the California Brown Derby Restaurant), and for dessert the Grapefruit cake is light and delicious. They also have an exclusive wine list and can do pairings to help make your meal even more perfect! This is the perfect place to dine after a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios , with it’s “Old Hollywood Glamour” theme, its like you’re stepping back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood!
2. 50′s Prime Time Cafe- With menu items like meatloaf, pot roast, and fried chicken, this Hollywood Studios spot is full of down home cookin ‘ just like mom made, with colorful “characters” to boot. No, it’s not a character meal, but the staff really gets into character by welcoming you into “Mom’s Family”, and making sure you mind your manners (be prepared for a punishment if you can’t keep your elbows off the table or if you don’t eat all your vegetables!). It’s a fun time for all, and if you’re lucky enough to snag a “TV Table” you can be entertained by clips of classic 50′s sitcoms. Don’t forget to follow up your meal with a Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake (you’ll be glad you did, they are out of this world!)
3.Crystal Palace- There are a lot of good things to say about this one, like the food – they serve breakfast lunch and dinner buffet style here, and everything is delicious and fresh, from the warm Mickey Waffles at breakfast to the salads at lunch and the carved meats at dinner, it is all delicious. The characters that circulate for pictures and autographs are some of my personal faves – Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet are loved by adults and kids of all ages. The other amazing thing about the Crystal Palace is it’s location – right at the entrance to Main Street in the Magic Kingdom , its an ideal spot to grab a meal, and if you’re lucky enough to be eating an early breakfast there, some amazing pictures of an almost empty Main Street! This is a must do on every trip for me, and I think the best part about it is they serve all 3 meals daily, so your chances of getting a reservation there are pretty good!
4.The Plaza Restaurant- This lesser-known spot is located on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, and they are serving up burgers, sandwiches and salads for lunch and dinner, as well as some super yummy ICE CREAM treats for dessert. The restaurant is less popular than other Magic Kingdom spots, why this is I am not sure, considering that their Plaza Club Sandwich followed by a Banana Split make for an amazing meal (…or late afternoon snack…). All of their food is fresh and delicious, and its a great place to grab a quiet, relaxing meal complete with an ice cream treat!
5. Tusker House – The only buffet available in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park , breakfast (and now lunch!) are Character meals starring Donald and friends in their safari gear! The breakfast buffet includes the usual yummy waffles/pancakes/eggs/meats etc, and also has biscuits and gravy as well as yogurt and oatmeal options. Lunch and dinner include some more African themed dishes including various carved meats, salads, hummus, and cous cous. The characters here are great, but to me its really the food that I go for, its a step above your average buffet when it comes to selection and freshness
6. Le Cellier Steakhouse – This is a very popular spot, so while I recommend ADR’s for all WDW Table Service Meals, I would HIGHLY recommend one for Le Cellier! Why, you might ask? Well, as it states in the name, they serve up a mean steak, along with some amazing seafood and prime rib as well. Their signature dish is their Canadian Cheddar Cheese soup, and they also serve up a chocolate “moose” for dessert (it really is shaped like a moose!)Le Cellier is located in the Canada pavillion of Epcot’s World Showcase , and the restaurant itself sort of feels like a wine celler, dark but warm and inviting. Dinner can get pricey, so I recommend grabbing a lunchtime meal here, where many of the dishes are similar to the dinner menu, but the prices are slightly lower
7.Tutto Italia Ristorante – I am a sucker for a good Italian Pasta Sauce, and lucky for me I can get that along with an authentic Italian dining experience at Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy. Serving up all the classics, from lasagna, to spaghetti with meatballs to veal and braised short ribs, you are sure to find something here that will have you saying “That’s Amore!”. Plus they have a decent wine list and some mouth-watering Italian dessert items (like Tiramisu, Gelato, and Cannolis!). You can choose to dine on the outdoor patio at an umbrella covered cafe table, or in the beautifully themed dining room complete with Italian “Old World” ambiance
**One thing to note: the restaurant is currently closed for renovations, but will reopen in May of 2012!
8.Liberty Tree Tavern – This colonial themed restaurant in the Magic Kingdom serves up lunch as an ala carte meal, and dinner as a ‘family style’ meal (meaning you can finish all your food and they will bring you more!). The Lunch menu includes soups salads and sandwiches, and a dessert menu that includes the drool-inducing Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake. Dinner is a set menu that is basically a Thanksgiving Feast that starts off with salad and rolls, and then continues to include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, mac and cheese, and green bean casserole. The food is nothing fancy, but it certainly hits the spot and is a must do for all Thanksgiving lovers out there. History buffs will love all the historical artifacts decorating the restaurant, and kids will love the coloring pages and crayons provided while you wait
9. Rainforest Cafe – There are two locations of this chain restaurant located at WDW – one in the Animal Kingdom Park and one at Downdown Disney. Now, I realize it may seem strange to include a chain restaurant on a top ten list like this (especially when there are so many amazing WDW restaurants!), but I promise you, my reasons are good – First, its great for kids – the kids menu is bigger than some other Disney restaurants, and the theming is perfect for little ones, they love the fish tank, animals, and overall jungle feel of the restaurant. Second, the menu selection may not be gourmet, but it is pretty large – they have a lot of different types of entrees, from burgers to salads to pasta to seafood and chicken dishes, theres a really good chance you’ll be able to find something you like on the menu. Oh, and all the menu items have rainforest themed names, which may seem corny but I think is fun and adds to the atmosphere of the restaurant
10.Wolfgang Puck Cafe - If you don’t know much about Chef Wolfgang Puck, then what you should know is that he likes to be different, to try new dishes, and as a result, you won’t find anything boring on the menu of this Downtown Disne y restaurant! Some of my faves: The bacon wrapped meatloaf, the wood fired pizzas (especially the Margherita!), and the pumpkin ravioli. The Cafe also has an extensive sushi menu, and many yummy-fruity-delicious specialty drinks! If you are looking for something new, different, and unique, I would highly recommend a meal here, Wolfgang Puck has a way of taking things we know and love and making them even more delicious (like putting bacon on meatloaf – a seriously genius concoction!)
I would highly recommend Advance Dining Reservations for ALL of the above restaurants, since they are “the best”, that means they are popular and without an ADR, you run the risk of getting stuck eating Mickey Ice Cream Bars for dinner (wait…that’s supposed to be a bad thing but I am having trouble seeing how…)
Don’t agree with my choices? Everyone has their own favorites, and I would love to hear where YOU like to eat your Table Service Meals at the Walt Disney World Parks!
Related articles
- Top 10 Table Service Meals at the WDW Resorts (chipandco.com)
- Top 3 Places To Get An “Adult Beverage” at WDW (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
Disney World Planning – Picking the Resort & Time of Year
Currently I am planning a Disney trip for September 2012. Since planning is half the fun I decided to bring everyone along on my planning journey. Follow this series of articles for some fantastic planning tips and ideas and feel free to share your ideas with me to help me on my way!
Today is March 6, 2012. I leave for Orlando September 27, 2012. This leaves me a little over six months to plan my trip. The first thing I had to do was choose a resort and a time to travel. I was recently at the Wilderness Lodge to celebrate “One More Disney Day.”
While staying at the lodge I took advantage of the in room bounce back offer. This is an offer left in your room usually printed on a big cardboard stop watch. This particular offer was for 35% off my next room only reservation at a deluxe resort or villa. The savings are truly fantastic, but there are several black out dates. You also must book this offer while you are still a Disney Resort Guest. Once you check out the offer is no longer valid.
There will usually be some sort of promotion for the time period you are looking to book if you can be flexible. If you are dead set on going over Christmas break or another peak time, you may end up paying the rack rate or the non discounted rate for your stay. We originally wanted to travel during Columbus Day weekend as it would allow us to use fewer vacation days. Columbus Day is a black out period as it is a popular travel weekend. We settled on moving our dates up to accommodate the major discount. By doing this I saved close to $800.00!
Quick Tip – An Authorized Disney Travel Agent knows the best times to go, any specials available, and most offer you an incentive to book with them. Did I mention they are all 100% Free?
Now I knew my dates so I had to determine which resort hotel would best suite my needs. I knew our travel dates coincided with the start of The Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This was no accident. It was one of the reasons we wanted to come back in the fall as opposed to early winter. I called to discuss my options with a reservation specialist. I was given many options including great prices for a Garden View Room at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and a theme park view at Bay Lake Towers. I, however, settled on a standard room at Boardwalk Inn & Villas. Boardwalk is only a short 5 minute walk to the back gates of Epcot and I really want to get the most out of food and wine. This was my best option. I booked!
My next step is making advanced dining reservations. In just a few weeks I will be within the 180 day window and will be able to begin making reservations. This is perhaps the most exciting part of planning a trip! Before I can begin making reservations I make a rough list of restaurants I would like to try to arrange reservations for. After doing this I research park hours and try to see where each restaurant will fit into my plan. For example, we have a tradition of visiting the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort on each trip. I try to plan to be at that restaurant on a night when I am planning to visit the Magic Kingdom as I can hop aboard the monorail after dinner and be on Splash Mountain within minutes of dessert. My dining plans have to flow and in my next installment of this series I plan to show you how I get this done.
I have started my rough list of possible restaurants which include; The California Grill, ‘Ohana, Cape May Cafe, Beaches and Cream, Boma, Le Cellier, Via Napoli, and Citricos.
So here are my questions for you. How do you choose when and where to stay? Also, can you help me bulk up my list of restaurant possibilities? Which restaurant is your must do when visiting Disney?
Stay tuned for my next installment on planning my days and dining.
Related articles
- Top 10 Table Service Meals at the WDW Resorts (chipandco.com)
- What is a Signature Restaurant? (chipandco.com)
What is a Signature Restaurant?
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
There are 139 restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort. While many offer unique dining experiences featuring Character appearances and/or distinctively themed décor, only a handful are considered Signature Dining experiences.
Signature Dining restaurants provide unparalleled cuisine in upscale, elegant surroundings, sampling only the finest fare Disney chefs can prepare. Each meal includes an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage. Children’s menus are available. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, Signature Dining restaurants will require two of your table service credits. If not on Disney Dining, expect to pay $30-$60 per adult entrée. Appetizers and desserts are an additional expense and gratuity is not included.
Walt Disney World Signature Restaurants
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko-The Cooking Place (D)
Disney’s BoardWalk
Flying Fish Cafe (D)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
California Grill (D)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Cítricos (D)
Narcoossee’s (D)
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point (D)
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts
Yachtsman Steakhouse (D)
Epcot®
Le Cellier Steakhouse (D)
Bistro de Paris(D)
Disney’s Hollywood Studios®
The Hollywood Brown Derby (L,D)
Downtown Disney® Area
Fulton’s Crab House (L,D)
Wolfgang Puck®: The Dining Room (D)
(L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
Warm Banana-Chocolate Torte with Vanilla Ice Cream from Citricos
The dress code for Signature restaurants is resort casual. For men that includes dress slacks, jeans, trousers or dress shorts with short- or long-sleeved shirt with a collar or t-shirt. (Jackets are optional.) Ladies should wear jeans, skirt or dress shorts with blouse, sweater or t-shirt, or a dress. No tank tops, swimsuits or swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing of any kind, or t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics are permitted in the dining room.
Reservations for Signature Dining are strongly recommended and can be made 180 days in advance of your visit by calling (407)WDW-DINE. To view a full list of Walt Disney World Resort restaurants, their classifications and how many Disney Dining Plan credits they use, view the 2012 Disney Dining Plan brochure. Disneyland Resort dining options differ from those of Walt Disney World Resort. Only Napa Rose and Steakhouse 55 are considered Signature Restaurants at DLR.