Expert Reviews

A Hidden Gem – La Cava del Tequila

2/5/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • As much as I enjoy the tradition and nostalgia of long-standing attractions at Walt Disney World, I also enjoy trying something new!  Somehow, over the many trips, I missed the opportunity to enjoy, until now! I was planning a girls' weekend at the Food and Wine Festival and stumbled upon information about this hidden gem!  I was instantly intrigued! We knew this would certainly be at the top of our list! The entrance is just inside to the right in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot. When we arrived, there was a lengthy line, but after all of our research, we knew it was worth the wait.  After being in the line for only a minute or two, we realized we were in the line to get a margarita to go!  We then noticed there was a cast member near the entrance, and she was seating guests inside.  We were immediately seated! […]

Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar – A Casual Place for Eats and Drinks

3/13/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • After a busy day of exploring the parks, sometimes it’s nice to take a break with a relaxing dinner, unique drinks and great atmosphere.  Jock Lindsey’s Hanger Bar is just the place.  Not only does it not take reservations and has a waterfront view, but the menu of eats and drinks are specially themed as the ex-home of Indiana Jones’ side kick. Located in Disney Springs, the family friendly Hanger Bar is for walk-ups only.  There are no reservations taken and none needed.  While it has a waterfront location, there are plenty of tables inside the building as well as outside on the water.  If you’re lucky, you may be able to sit inside the helmet of a scuba diver or sit in the boat that’s on the side of the Hanger Bar that’s lifted above the water.  If you are sitting outside, you will be able to take in […]

Sanaa – A Unique Dining Experience

4/3/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • With all the wonderful kid-friendly dining options at Disney World, why should your family choose to eat at Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Resort? The answer is, for the unique cultural dining experience, of course. You won’t find Disney character dining here, but you will have a dining experience with “character.”  From the moment you arrive at the Kidani Village lobby at Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort, you will understand what I mean.  As you enter, take a moment to take in all Animal Kingdom Lodge has to offer, you will be in awe of the grand lobby with an African safari-theme.  It has an inviting, comfortable, casual, warm, and cozy feel the moment you enter.  It tends to be a little quieter than some of the resorts and is the perfect place to unwind. Sanaa serves lunch and dinner offering unique themed dining.  African cuisine with an Indian flavor is served.  Don’t […]

Adventures in Africa – Dining at the Tusker House

10/4/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • If you headed to the far-east corners of Asia or have plans to explore the savannas of Africa, you will want to stop in Harambe for a delicious meal with your favorite Disney friends at the Tusker House Restaurant as you explore Disney's Animal Kingdom park.  It's Perfect for the Entire Family! This character meal is one of our family's "must-dos" every time we visit Animal Kingdom park.  The meal is hosted by Safari Donald Duck and you will find more Disney friends, typically Daisy, Mickey, and Goofy, all dressed up in their Safari outfits there too.  We have always found the character interaction at this restaurant to be fantastic and not rushed.  The buffet is 1 table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan and advance dining reservations are highly recommended.   The Tusker House is a fantastic choice for any family! Their dishes include family favorites, as well as specialty […]

‘Ohana Restaurant – Review

11/21/2023 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • ‘Ohana Means “Family” and Families love ‘Ohana' One of my family’s favorite sit-down restaurants at Walt Disney World is ‘Ohana located on the second floor of the beautiful Polynesian Resort, which offers monorail service, with direct access to Magic Kingdom. Please note breakfast and dinner are offered and have a set price and menu. 'Ohana is extremely popular, and reservations are required. Breakfast at ‘Ohana with Lilo and Stitch is a great way to start your day!  Enjoy a relaxing breakfast served family style with all-you-care-to-eat offerings of island-style fried potatoes, scrambled eggs, Hawaiian pork sausage, smoked bacon, Mickey-shaped waffles and a variety of fresh fruit and breads.  Disney characters stop at your family’s table to visit, sign autographs and pose for pictures.  Each family gets to take advantage of some quality one-on-one time with their Disney friends.  Watch out for Stitch – he likes mischief! Hidden Disney Secret:  If […]

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort- Review

3/18/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is a combination of Victorian Style and modern-day amenities. This Deluxe resort is located on the monorail loop outside of Magic Kingdom and provides quick access to the theme park by both monorail and boat transportation.  An exquisite 5-story-high atrium with glittering chandeliers, stained glass domes and grand piano welcomes guests when you arrive at the Grand Floridian resort.  Guests will enjoy live music throughout the day in the atrium.  Disney Royalty descends the grand staircase and greet guests daily in the lobby during the Princess Promenade.  During the Christmas season, guests will enjoy the sights and smells of the life-sizes gingerbread house and Victorian themed Christmas tree. Standard guest rooms at the Grand Floridian sleep 5 but the Grand Floridian Lodge Tower and Concierge Deluxe rooms sleep 4. Lagoon/marina/pool, garden, and theme parks views are all available. All rooms come with a mini fridge, ceiling fan, coffee maker with […]

​Resort Spotlight: Disney’s French Quarter Resort​

5/3/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • The fun and whimsy of Mardi Gras is gently mixed in with charm of the cobblestone streets of New Orleans at Disney's French Quarter Resort. This resort is the smallest of the moderate resorts on Disney property, which creates an intimate and unique experience that my family recently enjoyed for the first time. Disney's French Quarter is located along the banks of the Sassagoula River, offering boat transportation to Disney Springs as well as to its sister resort, Disney's Riverside resort. The moderate resort rooms have two Queen beds and can accommodate up to 4 guests, plus an infant under the age of 3. There are only seven buildings on property and each is equal distance to the pool, food court and the one bus stop on property. Buildings are three-stories high, but an elevator is available for your use if needed. Your family will enjoy spending time at the […]

Restaurant Review – Be Our Guest

3/13/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Be Our Guest. It is arguably one of the most popular restaurants in all of Disney World, and you will always see guests trying to sneak a peek inside the castle without a reservation. My daughter and I arrived slightly early for our dinner reservation, and they were quick to accommodate us. We were greeted outside the castle by a Cast Member carrying Lumiere. She gave us a brief tour of the castle as we were led to the West Wing, much to my daughter's delight. The ambience inside was perfect - dimly lit, the magic rose glowing softly in its glass case in the corner, beautiful tapestries that had been shredded in the Beast's rage, and a portrait that if you looked long enough, transitioned between the Beast and his true human form. Service was fast, but dinner was not rushed. Several guests were walking around the different dining […]

The Beach Club Resort

1/5/2016 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Disney truly captured my heart with the Beach Club Resort! This resort takes on the theme of New England with a Beach type feeling all around. The moment you walk into the amazing lobby of this resort, you will fall in love with the energy, look, smell, and feel that surrounds you. There are so many advantages to staying at this Resort, that it has been deemed my favorite amongst all on Disney property. Take a look at all the resort has to offer its guests! Location This perk has to be one of my favorites about the resort! You can take a brief 5 minute walk and be at the International Gateway entrance into Epcot (you will see France as you walk up). This is perfect for guests wanting to avoid lines for buses, avoiding heavy crowds when leaving Epcot at night, taking a mid-afternoon break, and saving some […]

Maya Grill, Coronado Springs Resort

3/13/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Who doesn’t love it when a last-minute dinner reservation, one of only a handful you are able to find with such short notice, turns out to be such a pleasant surprise? This was our experience with the Maya Grill at the Coronado Springs Resort at Walt Disney World. We had shuffled reservations around during the week to accommodate changes in plan due to the very hot weather. We were tired and worn out, so we ended up back at our resort mid-afternoon when we realized…..we’re going to be hungry soon! I quickly checked on MyDisneyExperience.com to see what was available for the evening and not too far away, and there were only a few options that popped up with dinner reservation at a reasonable time  for our family. The Maya Grill at our resort had looked nice when we peeked in earlier in the day, so we decided to give […]