Blog Posts Tagged Dining

Carthay Circle Restaurant Review

3/26/2018 • Disneyland, Reviews • In 1926, the Carthay Circle Theater opened in Los Angeles and quickly became one of the most famous movie palaces in the Golden Age of Hollywood. A decade later, on December 21, 1937, Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs”, the world’s first full-length animated movie, premiered at this theater to a sold-out audience. This was the start of a new life for Walt Disney and the beginning of a dream that resulted in Disneyland’s opening in 1955. Disneyland will forever remember the Carthay Circle Theater and has featured this theater in California’s Adventure Park as its signature building. It’s no surprise then that inside this building is one of the best dining experiences you will find on the property. Featuring décor of the 20s and with pictures lining the walls of the famous stars that once graced the screens of the theater, you feel like you are walking into […]

Dining at The Kitchen: Universal Orlando’s Hard Rock Hotel

3/23/2018 • Reviews, Universal Studios • For the common Disney fan, Universal Orlando may not appear to have as many great table service options as Walt Disney World, however, I was pleasantly surprised on my recent visit.  The Kitchen at Universal’s Hard Rock resort was fantastic!  With cool theming, great food, reasonable prices, and a convenient location, The Kitchen is a fabulous option for Universal Orlando-guests. First of all, when you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted with cool, laid-back, rock star décor.  Since we had an early lunch reservation, we were just arriving as the restaurant was opening so being able to see the restaurant without anyone it in, makes you really take in the ambience.  One of the most unique decorations there are the personalized chef jackets of all of the musician guest chefs who come in to cook in The Kitchen.  That’s right! Famous musicians randomly come and cook at the restaurant in the open area […]

Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show – A Review

3/21/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Wanting that unique and unforgettable family-style entertainment Walt Disney World is famous for? Look no further than the“Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show” located at Luau Cove in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort...just a short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom! Offering 2 shows a night, Tuesdays through Saturdays, the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show is one to not only satisfy your hunger, but also excite you while you dine with an authentic Polynesian Luau! Fully immersed in the theme, you really feel like you’re on an island! It’s an experience our family cannot wait to try again! Upon arrival at the Polynesian, families will want to check in at the kiosk on the main floor to obtain their dining tickets, roughly 30-45 minutes prior to your show time. Groups are ushered to an area near Luau Cove where traditional leis are given to all, and a PhotoPass photographer will snap your […]

Quick Service Mobile Ordering

3/19/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • Lines and Disney World go hand in hand.  They are unavoidable for the most part.  Disney recognized this and has put things in place to help guests skip lines on vacation.  One of the most well-known Disney perks is the FastPass (allowing guests to avoid ride lines).  They have since taken it one step further and have introduced online mobile food ordering. Mobile ordering allows guests to avoid standing in line at their favorite quick service location.  Whether you are on the dining plan or paying out of pocket, you can take advantage of this convenient service. How do you do it? Tip:  Have the My Disney Experience Mobile App downloaded before you arrive in Disney World.  When viewing the app, ensure you’re viewing the details of your stay (click the Mickey head in the bottom of the app). Under My Plans, select Order Food. A list of participating mobile […]

What is Club Level at Disney?

3/16/2018 • Reviews, Tips, Walt Disney World • Disney Club Level rooms are available “exclusively” at Deluxe Disney Resorts. The following resorts offer the opportunity to stay in a Club Level room, those include Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’sWilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. When staying in a room on Club Level, you will be pampered with additional amenities that you would not have access to when staying in a regular room. Many of the Club Level rooms are located to offer guests amazing views. Lounges also tend to have awesome views. My family loved the Club Level lounge at the Contemporary Resort. We were able to watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks on the balcony of the Club Level lounge, while enjoying desserts and beverages. This was such a magical experience. Each night you will receive turn-down […]

Restaurant Review: Le Cellier Steakhouse

3/13/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • If you are looking for a delicious steak while vacationing at Walt Disney World, please be sure to head north to the Canadian Pavilion for a visit to Le Cellier Steakhouse located in the World Showcase at Epcot. Lunch and dinner are served in this quaint wine cellar modeled after a Canadian chateau-style hotel.  My experience when dining here is you will be able to sit back, relax and feel pampered by your server.  I have always found my servers to be polite, friendly and ready to make dining here an experience to remember for me and my family.  The servers are natives of Canada and love to discuss their native country.  During each visit, I have been fortunate to engage in interesting conversations with the servers who enjoy sharing fascinating facts on what it is like to live in Canada. Baskets of rolls are served upon arrival.  I cannot […]

Top Character/Themed Dining with a Special Needs Child

3/9/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • As I have mentioned in previous entries, my oldest son, is living with Fragile X Syndrome.  A genetic condition that causes intellectual disability, behavioral and learning challenges.   Even my “typically” developing children have struggled with some behavioral challenges while visiting Walt Disney World.  Although the parks are amazing, there are so many amazing dining options throughout the property.  Character and/or themed dining is often as exciting as visiting the parks! Character dining offers an opportunity to have a meet and greet with characters without the long lines, nor the pressure of someone waiting in line behind you!  In many locations, the characters circulate table to table to ensure you have 1 on 1 time with them!  In our many trips, although we love the different locations and themes, often times we found the locations didn’t work for my family.  I won’t go into all of the various challenges we have […]

The Ins and Outs of the 2018 Disney Dining Plan

3/5/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World • One of the many perks of staying at a Walt Disney World resort is being able to add Disney’s Dining Plan onto your package.  While there are a couple of different dining package options, let’s talk about the Disney Dining Plan!  This dining plan has a lot of great features that works well for everyone. This plan includes one quick service meal, one table service meal, and 2 snacks per person per night of stay.  One the day that you arrive at Walt Disney World, your dining plan starts and all of the dining credits for your entire stay are now in your account.  This allows you the freedom to use them anyway you’d like.  If you’d like to use 2 quick service credits in one day, that’s totally fine! The quick service credits can be used at any grab and go type of dining location.  This would include meals […]

The Mara

2/16/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Located in the heart of Africa is quick service restaurant, The Mara! OK, so you don’t need to travel that far to enjoy the amazing food this restaurant has to offer…although the scenery within its proximity is reminiscent of African lands. This restaurant is easily located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Resort. What makes this hidden gem stand out the most? The taste of course! The Mara is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Your breakfast offerings can range from the traditional fare (like bacon, eggs, and waffles) or you can be adventurous and try something beyond what you’re accustomed to. The bounty platter and Bobotie platter both offer Pap and Chakalaka as part of the meal. I also have never had a breakfast flatbread before, but it sounds amazing with sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, tomatoes, and cheddar. A perfect twist on traditional breakfast foods. Lunch and dinner options, […]

The Edison @ The Town Center, Walt Disney World

2/14/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World • Innovation and change is a constant throughout Walt Disney World.  The Edison, recently opened at Disney Springs is the bee’s knee’s!  It is surrounded by 3 other recently opened venues as well.  Each with their own unique offerings, but the focus of this review is the largest of the group! A larger than life clock tower greeted us as we entered the dining area. There was so much to take in as we were seated.  Even the uniforms of the cast members were reminiscent of a 1920’s Speakeasy!  We were greeted quickly once we sat down and our server pointed out interesting areas throughout the venue to enjoy.  There were tables throughout the upper and lower area of the restaurant.  She quickly pointed out that in the evenings, the lower area tables are removed and that area is used for dancing.  Although families are welcome for lunch and early evening […]