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Tag Archives: Boardwalk Resort
Disney Quick Tips – Christmastime at the Resorts
This is the last article in my Christmas in July series, so better get to planning your trips! If you would like to see my past articles click the link here. With all the things to see at the parks during the holiday season, many people forget at the resorts the atmosphere is just as magical. Many have special displays like gingerbread houses or giant Christmas trees. Here is a rundown of where to go when taking some time away from the parks.
SPECIAL DISPLAYS-The deluxe resorts have the most elaborate displays and are worth a trip on the monorail or bus to check out. Below are what the resorts have offered in the past but who knows if they may surprise us this year so check with your hotel concierge before you head out.
- The Grand Floridian boasts a life-sized gingerbread house which they actually use as a Bake Shop. Visitors can purchase Christmas Delights and watch Gingerbread House Demonstrations. The Victorian charm of their decorations brings one back to a more elegant time.
- The Contemporary Resort offers a 17 foot tall Gingerbread Christmas Tree and a huge lighted wreath (Mickey shaped of course), visible as you take the monorail through the resort. We did Chef Mickey’s for dinner here on Christmas Day.
- Beach Club has a working gingerbread carousel with white chocolate horses and Yacht Club features a miniature train set running through a candy and sugar-coated landscape. The decor here is light, airy and most decidedly nautical.
- The Boardwalk has a gingerbread and chocolate gazebo display and a gingerbread bake shop. Don’t miss the chocolate seaside amusement park display in the Lobby!
- The Polynesian is decorated throughout and has small gingerbread displays in the Ceremonial House. They do a great job working with their tropical atmosphere so it doesn’t seem tacky.
- Wilderness Lodge boasts homey decor and a cozy, rustic feel the Christmas traditionalist will love. There is a huge tree in the center lobby with plenty of pine cones. Fireplaces grace the main areas and make you want to curl up in front with a hot cocoa and a copy of The Night Before Christmas.
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 10 Romantic Walt Disney World Restaurants
Holding hands over a table in a quiet restaurant while you savor a delicious meal with the one you love…sounds perfect, right? Who wouldn’t want that while on vacation, especially since for a lot of people romance and spending time with your significant other is the main point of going on vacation in the first place!
Walt Disney World isn’t always the first place people think of when it comes to ‘romantic vacation getaways’, and what people don’t realize is they really DO cater to adults and couples as much as they do families, and when it comes to your restaurant options, there are a lot of places where you can enjoy a romantic, relaxing, quiet meal (well, relatively quiet anyway – there will most likely be families, children, and babies almost anywhere you go in WDW, it comes with the territory!)
So here are the Top Ten places to enjoy a romantic meal at Walt Disney World:
1.Hollywood Brown Derby – Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and modeled after the original Hollywood Brown Derby in Los Angeles, it’s classy and classic, with it’s old time-y Hollywood decor and caricatures all over the walls. It’s really like stepping back in time to vintage glamour and old movie charm, and it has great food too! Be sure to try their signature Cobb salad with grapefruit cake for dessert
2.Coral Reef – Head over to the Future World area of Epcot for some amazing seafood, and a gorgeous view of their huge aquarium, its full of beautiful aquatic life and provides a perfect backdrop for your night of romance! All the seats have great views of the fish and other creatures (the seating is tiered to allow for optimum viewing!), but if you can snag a table right next to the action then that’s even better! Try an “appetizer for two”, the lobster ravioli, and the famous Chocolate Wave dessert and you are in for an evening you AND your taste buds will enjoy!
3.Tutto Italia – Grab an outdoor cafe table at this Italian restaurant in the Italy area of the Epcot World Showcase , and do some people watching while you enjoy a leisurely meal. The setting makes you feel like you are really dining in one of Italy’s villages, and the food is authentic Italian too, dishes like fried calamari, lasagna, risotto with lobster and shrimp, plus amazing cannolis and gelato for dessert. They also serve some delicious italian cocktails, as well as some strong but delicious coffee. As far as I am concerned, nothing says ‘amore’ like an amazing Italian dinner!
4.Bistro De Paris – Above Epcot’s other French table service restaurant, Les Chef De France, sits Bistro De Paris, a quiet, intimate place for you and your significant other to experience an amzing 4 course tasting menu (with or without wine pairings), or you can order off of the a la carte menu as well – choose from seared scallops, roasted duck breast, and grilled beef ternderloin, and finish off your meal with a warm raspberry souffle. Another element that adds to the atmosphere here is the decor, which is reminiscent of early 20th century Paris, and what can be more romantic than that?
5.Plaza Restaurant – The < ahref=http://www.chipandco.com/planning/guide-to-disney-world/around-the-disney-world/hollywood-studios/>Magic Kingdom is a magical, amazing place full of rides, restaurants, and attractions. It is my favorite park in all of WDW, and that being said, I must admit – it isn’t exactly the most romantic place in the World. It tends to be crowded, loud, and full of screaming children (and adults!) having temper tantrums. Romance is not totally lost at the Magic Kingdom though, in fact it can be found right on Main Street, at the Plaza Restaurant, where you can grab lunch or dinner from a menu that includes mostly sandwiches and burgers. The food may not be fancy, but it is delicious (especially the Plaza Club sandwich, that’s my personal fave!), and they have some of the best ice cream at Walt Disney World – you and your love can linger over a banana split and simply enjoy each other’s company, I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon at WDW
6.Flying Fish Cafe – This restaurant serves up some amazing sushi and fish dishes, as well as a pretty good New York strip steak. The best thing about this place has to be it’s location, its located at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, which is the most amazing place to take a post dinner stroll at night time – there are performers and lights and games and it is a beautiful setting for a romantic evening for two
7.California Grill – You definitely feel like a VIP as you ride the special elevator up to the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort and enter the beautiful California Grill with it’s amazing views of the Magic Kingdom and Cinderella’s Castle. If you are lucky enough to get a window seat and a later dinner reservation, you will get quite the show as the fireworks show appears right in front of you! The California Grill specializes in fresh sushi, brick oven flatbread pizzas, and they have an extensive wine list too
8.Narcoossee’s – Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to this restaurant serving up an amazing selection of fresh seafood (like a super creamy lobster/corn bisque, crab crusted mahi mahi, and a delicious seared grouper served over stir fry vegetables and rice), along with some unique desserts – my personal fave being the key lime creme brulee! The restaurant sits on the Seven Seas Lagoon, so you’ll want to make your dinner reservations for after dark so you can take full advantage of the breathtaking view of the nightly Wishes fireworks show from the Magic Kingdom.
9.Victoria and Albert’s – This is by far the ‘fanciest’ restaurant at Walt Disney World, and they are an 11 year recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Award, and their wine cellar is highly rated and award winning too, so when you dine at this restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you really are getting the best of the best. The menu is different each night and is a 6 course ‘prix fixe’ menu of contemporary American creations. Amazing dishes like Holland White AsparagusAlaskan King Salmon, Minnesota Elk Tenderloin, Hawaiian Kona Chocolate Souffle have appeared on the menu, and at over $100 a person (plus an additional $60 per person for wine pairings), this is a truly special, once in a lifetime experience, and what better place to celebrate your love with your significant other than at the best restaurant at Walt Disney World?
10.Yachtsman Steakhouse – Head over to Disney’s Yacht Club Resort for arguably the best steak on WDW property, or if you aren’t into beef, try their king salmon or free-range chicken. But seriously, the steak is what you want to try when you come to this New England themed steakhouse. Enjoy a delicious and romantic meal in this elegant restaurant, and then share a creme brulee before taking a stroll around the beautiful Yacht Club Resort.
I included a variety of restaurants from around the World on the list, and I included both 1 and 2 Table Service credit meals so you can find something that suits your budget (not sure what a Table Service Credit is? Check out this information on the Disney Dining Plan to learn more)
Parents traveling with children to WDW are not out of luck when it comes to planning a romantic dinner for 2- Childcare/Babysitting services are available at various WDW locations – reservations are required so be sure to plan ahead!
This list may include some of the most romantic spots, and there are plenty of other places to have a romantic meal at WDW (heck even a character meal can be romantic with the right person!). So what are your fave spots to grab a romantic meal while vacationing at Walt Disney World??
Related articles
- Disney’s Magical Express – Helping Make Your WDW Vacation Easier (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
- Top 10 Table Service Meals at the WDW Parks (chipandco.com)
Show Your Romantic Side – With a Disney Flair!
Valentine’s Day is upon us – and it’s one of those holidays you either love or hate. But no matter how you may feel about V-Day, showing you love someone and being romantic is a great thing to do not just on February 14th, but on any and every day of the year! When you’re taking a Walt Disney World vacation, romance might not be the first thing on your itenerary – but it should be! Here are some ways you can incorporate romance into your WDW getaway and show your someone special just how special they are to you:
Wine and Dine Them: Thanks to the Advanced Dining Reservation, or ADR system that Disney has put into place, you can plan a surprise for your loved one by booking a romantic meal for 2. And the great thing about dining at Disney World is there are so many choices, so no matter what kind of cuisine they are into, you can make sure you pick the perfect place for your meal. Some top favorites for romantic dinners include: California Grill (which can also be a great place to view the nightly fireworks from the Magic Kingdom!), Victoria and Albert’s (an upscale, intimate dining experience), or Cinderella’s Royal Table (a character dining experience like none other that takes place in the perfect setting – Cinderella’s Castle)
Plan A Special Delivery: “If you can dream it, you can do it” – Walt himself said this, and the Walt Disney World Experience strives to embody this quote every day, and special occasions are no exception! The Disney Dream Makers can help you express your love with all kinds of gifts – from flower arrangements, to custom cake deliveries, to room decor, to gift baskets of all shapes an sizes – they do it all and more (check out this romantic “A Wish Come True” gift experience, which is just one of the many examples of gifting options)! If you know you want to celebrate but aren’t sure how to make it happen, check out the Dream Makers link or call them at 407-WDW-GIFT
Share your Love: Are you celebrating your engagement/wedding/honeymoon/anniversary, or even just your love for each other on your vacation? Show it with a pin – these are available at the guest services areas of each Park or at your Disney Resort – pins that announce you’re “Just Married” or “I’m Celebrating!” or “It’s My Birthday!”, and you can wear them while at the Parks. They definitely add to the magic, as Cast Members make a fuss over them, as do other guests – its a cute way that you can remind yourselves and the world about the love you share with each other!
Moonlit Stroll: There is nothing quite like a romantic walk after a delicious dinner in a setting as beautiful as Walt Disney World. I think every place is a great place for a romantic stroll in WDW, but some of the more beautiful ones include: The Polynesian Resort (the tiki torches light the pathways and make for a beautiful setting), The Boardwalk Resort (at night it comes to life and lights up in magical ways), and The Grand Floridian Resort (there is a reason this is the most popular place to have a wedding at WDW, its Victorian theming is charming and truly a sight to see!). In the evenings, people tend to flock to the parks to get a good spot for parades/fireworks viewings, so the Resorts are a great place for some quiet time to catch up and reconnect with your loved one
Carriage ride: There are few things more romantic than a horse drawn carriage ride, and Walt Disney World gives you two places where you can have this experience: ride through nature trails at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, or take a ride through old New Orleans at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Check out more info on the carriage rides here
Ultimate Relaxation: Surprise your honey with a couples massage or other spa treatments at one of Disney’s top rated Spas. This is vacationing at it’s finest – getting pampered, getting massaged and relaxing, all with your favorite person in the Happiest Place on Earth – Disney World!
Can’t afford a WDW getaway? Then get them the next best thing, something from the Disney Store that shows how much you love them – check out My Blog post for more info
Use these tips to make your magical Walt Disney World vacation even more special, and remember that while its definitely important to show your loved ones how much you care while you’re on vacation or on Valentine’s Day, its even more important to show them your love every day (so they don’t forget ha!)
Related articles
- What should I do? More Rides or More Relaxing at Walt Disney World (chipandco.com)
- Visiting Disneyland – What to expect from a Disney World point of view (chipandco.com)
Adult Dining in Disney World – Top 5 Restaurants to try
Enjoying a Beer Flight at Big River Grille
Over the years, Walt Disney World has really worked on improving the dining experience for their guests, and they have done an amazing job, it really sets them apart from amusement parks where all you can get is burgers/fries/chicken fingers and the occasional grilled chicken sandwich. The problem they have now (if you can even call it a problem), is that they are so many choices, that a lot of people stick with what they know, which is the chicken fingers and burgers – which are still delicious, but not exactly adventurous.
One of the best things about going to Walt Disney World as an adult is the FOOD – now that you’re grown up you can decide where you want to eat, and what you want to eat, so to get you out of that bland theme park food rut, I have compiled the top 5 ‘different’ restaurants for adults to try at Walt Disney World, in hopes that you will get out there and experience some of the amazing food that WDW has to offer!
5. Via Napoli – This is a relatively new restaurant in Italy at Epcot’s World Showcase, and they are serving up some truly amazing and authentic italian dishes, like lasagna, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti with veal meatballs (yum!). They are also doing a variety of wood fired pizzas with everything from tomatoes and cheese to eggplant and artichokes. The smell of the pizzas is drool worthy for sure, and as if that wasn’t enough, they are serving a variety of wines and other italian inspired beverages to help you cool off after a hot day of touring the Parks.
4. Big River Grille and Brewing Works - Head over to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and have a casual dinner at this microbrewery, where you can sample flights of their beer made on premisis. The menu isn’t huge, but the items on it are delicious – start out with the beer cheese soup, then an entree of hazelnut crusted chicken, and finish with a rich dessert of chocolate confusion (chocolate cake, mousse, chips, and then more chocolate!). If you aren’t in a food induced coma at this point, you can take an evening stroll down the idyllic Boardwalk, which is nice in the daytime but is even more beautiful when it’s all lit up at nighttime
3. Cape May Cafe – This buffet at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a surf inspired character meal by day, and a surf-and-turf (character free!) seafood buffet by night. Enjoy a true New Englad Style Clambake with steamed clams, mussels, and other favorites, including chicken, ribs, salad bar, and dessert. What could be better than delicious all you can eat seafood in a beautiful resort setting?
2. Raglan Road – This Irish Pub is located in Downtown Disney and serves up Irish classics like Bangers and Mash, as well as crowdpleasers like New York Strip Steak. Their full bar has a wide array of beer and wine selections, and the Irish dancers and live Celtic tunes will keep you happy all night! OH and I can’t forget to mention their Bread Pudding Dessert, it is to die for, and worth going there just for that!
1. Boma – The bus ride over the Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth it for this buffet of African inspired dishes, including Bobotie – a spiced meat dish with an egg topping and the ever popular Zebra Domes, a dessert treat filled with a delicious custard with a hint of liquor in it! Boma has so many amazing dishes I had never tried before that it would be impossible to name them all, they were all worth trying (and most were worth going back for seconds too!), the meats and different salads and hummuses were out of this world! I wasn’t too sure about the ‘ethnic’ cuisine and if I would enjoy it or not, but I loved every single thing I tried and would go here again in a heartbeat, and that’s why it has received the coveted #1 spot on the list!
Honorable Mention:
Kouzzina - I just had to mention this little gem, with their Greek inspired dishes and ideal location at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, I would highly recommend breakfast here – as many of the dishes were updated and some new ones were added (think gooey baklava and fluffy omelettes stuffed with feta and spinach!)
Now, I know there are TONS of other amazing restaurants out there, these are just some of my personal favorites that don’t abide to the standard “theme park cuisine” code, and each one is unique and does things it’s own way, which I love!
Dining in Walt Disney World can be an amazing experience, and I urge you to try something new and different, after all, you’re on vacation!
Related articles
- Disney Acronyms. What’s It All Mean? (chipandco.com)
- Eats Outside the Parks – Why They’re Worth The Trip (chipandco.com)
