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Category Archives: Top Eats

WDW’s New Fantasyland Opens December 6th, Including “Be My Guest” Restaurant!

Wednesday, August 8, 2012 Tara 4 Comments

It’s been the news WDW fans have been waiting for…and yesterday Walt Disney World announced that the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom will open on December 6th of this year!

Included in the opening will be the attractions Under The Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid and Enchanted Tales with Belle as well as the Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern!

The Be Our Guest Restaurant will start taking reservations in late August. Guests will have two dining options for the Be Our Guest restaurant - a counter service option during lunchtime as well as a sit-down table service for dinner…so the best of both worlds! An interesting twist about the counter service for lunch is that your meals will be served to you at your table on China, not paper plates…so definitely a step up for the normal Magic Kingdom counter service. The restaurant has 3 dining rooms and room for over 500 guests.

The menu will feature a French Bistro flavor. According to Head Chef Michael Deardorff as reported by the Disney Parks Blog “It’s all about simple, fresh ingredients,” says Deardorff. “Just like your favorite quick-service restaurants across Magic Kingdom Park, you’ll be able to enjoy sandwiches and salads at Be Our Guest Restaurant for lunch, but all with a twist that transports you to the French setting of ‘Beauty and the Beast.’”

As more details become available we will let you know!

Fantasyland Set to Open December 6th! (chipandco.com)
New Be Our Guest Restaurant Pictures from Disney World (disneyfoodblog.com)

WDWs New Fantasyland Opens December 6th, Including Be My Guest Restaurant!

Disney Dining Plan tips to help you Think Outside the Box

Friday, August 3, 2012 dana 6 Comments

When planning a Disney Vacation where to eat can be very high on the list of priorities, but where to use your DDP Credits can have even the best Disney Planner thinking and re-thinking there best laid plans.

Character Dining- This is not just for kids, some of the best buffets or family style meals can come with your favorite Disney Pals hanging around during your meal! Don’t be afraid to try them just based on Character alone. Most Disney Characters are very good at telling weather you are a “smile, wave and pass me by” type of table or an “I need a picture with Goofy” type of table. So put your Mouse Ears on and try Character Dining!

Signature Dining- 2 Credits Restaurants on the DDP most of the time will mean, well more time! Whether it be Jiko over at Animal Kingdom Lodge or the Yachtsman Steak House at the Yacht & Beach Club Resort, dinner will have you and your party at their place, for at least 2 hours. Plan accordingly with time in mind, and you might just have one of the best evenings of your vacation!

Top 5 Favorite World Showcase Pavilions

Saturday, July 7, 2012 Savannah 6 Comments

World Showcase is one of the most popular areas at Disney World and at the top of our list when we visit. Who doesn’t like traveling around the world in an afternoon, experiencing different cultures, cuisine, products, architecture, and dining experiences!

Of the nine different Epcot World Showcase Pavilions, which are packed full of things to see and do, everyone has their own favorite; but today, we are listing my Top 5 favorite pavilions and why we love them!

1. Norway Pavilion-This pavilion is our favorite because there is so much great stuff here! Norway transports me to a Norwegian village and back in time to the days of the Vikings! Norway is home to Akershus Storybook Dining, it’s one of my favorite character meals and restaurants. Here adults can experience delicious Norwegian fare while their own little princesses meet a variety of Disney princesses! Norway also has an attraction, Maelstrom, a boat ride through Norway‘s history and mythology. It’s actually pretty good too! In addition to this pavilions shops, there is also the Stave Church to explore; and if you get hungry, visit the Kringla Og Bakeri for some famous school bread and then enjoy it at the nearby seating area with grass growing on the roof!

2. United Kingdom Pavilion-This pavilion is interesting to me because of the history and variety of architecture and detail found here, particularly in the different buildings. Also, who doesn’t enjoythe popular Rose and Crown Pub and Yorkshire Fish and Chips! I like to shop too and the United Kingdom is a great place to do just that. There is also a vast variety of merchandise available here ranging from the Beatles to perfume to British toys and even tea. Tucked near the back of this pavilion is a quiet sitting area which provides a nice escape from the crowds; and you can often find entertainers performing on the street! Also, if you’re a big Disney character fan, as I am, the United Kingdom is a great place to find a vast quantity of Disney characters such as Winnie the Pooh, Mary Poppins, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit, and sometimes more!

3. France Pavilion-This beautiful pavilion is full charm and detail, and who wouldn’t enjoy seeing the Eiffel Tower in the background? The shopping here is great by the way. I always have to do some browsing while I’m here. I especially like the home decor, mini-Eiffel Towers, and perfume. There’s also two table service restaurants here: Les Chefs de France and Bistro de Paris. Les Chefs de France is one of my favorite WDW restaurants; and throughout the day, Remy from Pixar’s Ratatouille stops by! Be sure to France thoroughly on your visit as it goes back farther than many realize to reveal another shop and one of World Showcase’s best bakeries, La Boulangerie Patisserie. I also enjoy this pavilion due its location next to the International Gateway, where you can hop on a “Friendship” boat to visit the Epcot Resorts or continue on to Hollywood Studios.

4. Germany Pavilion-This is a popular pavilion with many guests, including myself. The Germany pavilion takes you into the pages of a classic fairytale with it’s clocktowers, turrets, and German village design. Here you can grab a meal at the Biergarten Restaurant or Sommerfest and do some serious shopping! There is a variety of German merchandise, such as Christmas ornaments, steins, toys, cuckoo clocks, soccer gear, and crystal jewelry. If you have a sweet tooth, like me, you must drop in the new Karamell Kuche for traditional caramel candies or some unique, caramel treats! Also, take some time to enjoy the minature train village nearby, kids and adults both enjoy it.

5. China Pavilion-I like Canada because it’s different than most World Showcase pavilions. Tucked behind its shops, which represent both Canada‘s rugged, Northwestern culture and elegant, European architecture, is a little piece of the Canadian Rockies. Several paths and bridges take you over little streams and by a waterfall on your way to a tribute film about Canada starring Martin Short, and it’s totally cool that the theater is nestled inside of a replica mine! For fellow shoppers, like myself, be sure to spend some time exploring The Northwest Mercantile; and everyone should walk through the peaceful and picturesque gardens. Need another reason why this pavilion is my favorite? Le Cellier! This is seriously one of the best restaurants at WDW property. Plus, one of World Showcase’s most popular entertainment groups, Off Kilter, can be found here!

So those are my Top 5 choices for my favorite World Showcase pavilions. What did you think? What is your favorite World Showcase pavilion?

Drink Around the World Showcase – Germany Pavilion (chipandco.com)
Disney To Do List: How to Have the Total WDW Experience at Epcot (aglassslippervacation.com)

Top 5 WDW Theme Park Activities That Adults Will Love

Wednesday, May 30, 2012 Catie 4 Comments

Growing up, I was lucky enough to get to travel to Walt Disney World almost every year for vacation. And now, as an Adult Who Loves WDW, I find that there are some things that I loved as a kid that I still love doing, but I also have discovered some new and exciting things that might be right up your alley too!

So here are my Top Five Walt Disney World Theme Park Activities For Adults (In no particular order!)

1. “Behind The Scenes” Tours – There are a few of these out there, including the “Keys To The Kingdom Tour” where you can actually go UNDER the streets of the Magic Kingdom and find out how the magic happens! Each Theme Park offers their own unique tours/experiences, from Segway tours and under the sea diving at Epcot, or a backstage safari at Animal Kingdom, there is something for everyone, and while most cost extra/require a separate ticket purchase, I think they are well worth the money!

2. Fun(ky) Photos – Everyone has a million pictures of Cinderella’s Castle or of themselves with various characters, so why not try and think outside the box, and create some unique and funny memories of your Walt Disney World Trip? Here is an article on Disney Photo Travel Tips & Techniques, and there are some great suggestions on using scenery to create layered photos, capturing the moment using candid shots, and much more! If you aren’t that creative when it comes to photography (or if you happen to like having those pictures of the castle and characters – I know I do!), then you might want to think about utilizing Disney’s Photopass service, a free service where you can have your photo taken all over the Parks, some of the spots are nice like the ones in front of Cinderella’s Castle, but a fun activity would be to stroll around the Parks and find the Photopass photographers that are off the beaten path, for some unique and memorable photo ops! On our last trip, my husband brought an old Mick-A-Matic camera from the 70′s that he fixed up, and it certainly got some attention – even from Donald Duck – who just about threw a fit because it wasn’t a Donald camera ha! Pictures are my favorite trip souvenir, and I love spending time capturing trip memories!

Making the Most of Counter Service – EPCOT

Friday, May 25, 2012 Carrie 3 Comments

I think that EPCOT is an excellent park to get some variety in your meals while on the Quick Service Dining Plan. Where else can you have foods from around the world, for meals AND snacks? No where else but EPCOT. You can for sure skip the chicken nuggets and burgers while at EPCOT, because here you’ll find:

Boulangerie Patisserie - In France, you can have a ham and cheese croissant, quiches, and even some sweet treats.

La Cantina de San Angel - My kids LOVE having nachos or tacos anytime they can. We make sure we hit La Cantina de San Angel for at least one meal at EPCOT. I even like to splurge on a margarita!

Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe - Looking for an “elegant” entree for lunch? How about a smoked salmon sandwich in Norway? On our upcoming trip, I really want to try their Ham and Apple Sandwich. Anyone tried this? Their only kids selection for this restaurant is a PB&J sandwich. However, that doesn’t mean you couldn’t get your children something else in another “country”, or share part of your sandwich with them. Knowing my kids, they’ll want to cash in a snack credit for a cinnamon roll here, or some Cinnamon Sweet Bread.

Liberty Inn - Of course, we Americans like our bacon cheeseburgers. That, among wedge salads and chicken tenders, are what you’ll find at the Liberty Inn. If you time it right, you can enjoy the Fife and Drum Corps before, after, or while eating here. I have to say, the Grilled Chicken Flatbread at Liberty Inn is VERY good.

Lotus Blossom Cafe - Hit Japan for some of the country’s classics-pot stickers, sweet and sour chicken, egg rolls, and orange chicken. Even the kids selection here is Sweet and Sour Chicken. What a perfect way to introduce your kids to some Japanese food!

Sommerfest – Germany is known for its beer and bratwurst. Why not hit up Sommerfest for some German goodies? My personal favorite snack is a German pretzel. I ALWAYS cash in a snack credit for one of these. For some, a Disney vacation isn’t complete without a Dole Whip. For me, it’s a German pretzel in EPCOT.

Tangierine Cafe - Couscous anyone? Enjoy some couscous, or the Mediterranean version of sliders–pitas filled with chicken, falafel, and lamb. I have to say, I’ve not tried this counter service location. What are your opinions of it?

Electric Umbrella - Located in Future World, you can get your classic American foods here. Burgers, chicken tenders, salads all will keep you going during your day at EPCOT. You’ll for sure have a break from the heat in this spacious, air conditioned restaurant. If I’m not mistaken, this is one of the counter service venues that offers refills on drinks. You fill the cup yourself, and can refill it to go.

Sunshine Seasons – In The Land, you’ll find this just on the other side of the entrance to Soarin’. Have a fast pass for Soarin’? Stop here to eat while waiting to use the Fastpass. Half a rotisserie chicken, paninis, cashew chicken, fish, and pork chops are amongst the variety at Sunshine Seasons.

There you go! Do you see the wonderful variety you can have on the Quick Service Dining Plan at EPCOT? What are your favorites?

Magically Yours,

Carrie of My Favorite Finds