Category Archives: Disney Dining Reviews

Disney Quick Service – D-Luxe Burger Review

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Disney Quick Service – D-Luxe Burger Review

-By Joseph Green

Photo Courtesy of David Hodges

I’m a burger guy.  An aficionado of sorts.  Unlike it’s cook-out cousin, the hot dog, burgers should be more than just a venue for excellent toppings.  The texture and quality of the hamburger patty itself will make or break a burger for me.  So important is the patty, I learned to make my Grandpa Williams’ secret burger recipe by the time I was sixteen, thus ensuring I can get a great burger anytime I want.  A good burger cannot be undervalued and I look for new ones to try whenever I can.

Photo Courtesy of David Hodges

Photo Courtesy of David Hodges

When I saw D-Luxe Burger on the list of reviews my mom asked me to write, I was excited.  I should mention that Hades would have to be feeling pretty chilly for my mom to order a burger at Walt Disney World, but she knew I’d be up to the task!  I had received a D-Luxe Burger coupon in my Disney College Program welcome materials that would get me a meal for about $10.  Feeling thrifty and very hungry, I headed to Disney Springs.  The D-Luxe menu is narrow – it’s a hamburger stand (although you can get a buffalo chicken sandwich if you don’t want beef and a veggie burger if you’re going meatless).  I spotted what I wanted right away – The El Diablo Burger.  It was described as, “Chorizo and Signature Blend Beef, Fried Banana Peppers, Pepper Jack, Lettuce, Tomato, Grilled Onion and Chipotle Mayonnaise”.  The meat combination sounded delicious and the toppings were meant to compliment.  Of course I ordered a side of fries and a beer.

Here’s the scoop

The burger was cooked exactly right – not too rare, not overdone or dry.  The toppings were fresh and added just the right zip to kick the patty up a notch.  The fries were just the way I like them – crisp on the outside (not crunchy) and tender on the inside.  Not greasy, not too dry either.  Washed down with the cold beer, I was one happy guy!

When I got home, I texted Mom my review and the pictures I took…oops!  Mom told me to take certain pictures for these reviews.  I’m supposed to take a picture of the restaurant, the menu, the food I order, and me with the food.  All I had to show from my dinner at D-Lux Burger was three burger pics.  Honestly though, isn’t that an excellent testimony in and of itself?  The food was so delicious, I scarfed it down and forgot everything else.  (Thank you, Mr. David Hodges for coming up with some pictures Mom could use!)

D-Lux Burger…if you’re looking for a hamburger done right at Walt Disney World, I recommend it.

Rum Blossom in Pandora’s Pongu Pongu

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— By Joseph Green

When Mom asked me to try out some new Walt Disney World food and beverages and write some reviews for her blog, I agreed.  Enthusiastically!  I mean, win-win, right?  I get to eat and Mom gets to pay for it…what’s not to love?  She emailed me a list and I got busy.  What I didn’t expect on the list (Mom knows me and loves me and wants me to be happy) was a cocktail.

Rum Blossom in Pandora’s Pongu Pongu

This was the one item on Mom’s list that sounded unappealing to me.  I’m a craft beer and dry red wine kind of guy.  Occasionally, when I’m especially flush (or Mom and Dad are buying), I like a good single malt scotch.  A fancy, fruity cocktail is never on my radar.  Ever.

I thought I was taking one for the team.

Mom’s list is pretty long and my time at Walt Disney World is limited, so I dove right in by choosing the one thing I knew I’d like the least (to get it out of the way).  Billed as “Bacardi Superior Rum with layers of Apple and Desert Pear Limeade topped with Passion Fruit Boba Balls” – this drink was nothing I’d order on my own.The Rum Blossom proved me wrong!  It was incredibly delicious.  It was both sweet and tart, much like Sweet Tart candy.  The Boba Balls were just as tasty!  I loved it and would definitely recommend it.  This drink was very refreshing after having worked outside all day.  Let’s hear it for trying something new!  Okay, okay…I admit it was under duress, but still.

So far, this taste testing thing is working out even better than expected!  Next up?  D-Luxe Burger in Disney Springs!  If you’ve got any Disney food/beverage suggestions (hint-hint), I’m sure my mom will pay for me to try them and report back.

Thanks for reading…Joseph    

Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine with Jedi Mickey

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Last year, Nick and a couple of buddies went to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to for Star Wars Weekends – They had no way of knowing they were enjoying the LAST Star Wars Weekends ever.  The guys had an excellent trip and were making plans for a repeat in 2016 until the announcement was made that due to the Star Wars expansion coming to the Studios (after which all manner of special Star Wars attractions, shops, dining, etc. would be offered all the time) – Star Wars Weekends were over.  This made us very sad!  Let’s take a look at one of the special events Nick and friends attended last year…hopefully the new Star Wars experiences coming in the future will be just as fun!

Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine with Jedi Mickey

By Nick

On a recent trip with 2 friends to Walt Disney World, we went to Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine, which is in Disney’s Hollywood Studios through June 14th.

We started off this galactic dining experience getting photos with Jedi Mickey himself!

 Me, Mickey, Joe and Josh

As we were being brought to our table, we were handed our Lightsabers. Okay, they were pieces of paper that we rolled up, choosing either the blue side for the good guys or red for the bad, and securing this with provided rubber bands.

This is a buffet, and like the normal buffet at Hollywood and Vine, which my wife and I visited in January and enjoyed very much, there is a wide range of interesting choices mixed in with more standard fair. Several of the items are named in honor of Star Wars characters, such as the salad greens below, renamed “Greedos Fresh Green Mix.”

Continuing down the buffet, we get other items, such as Yoda’s Edamame Salad, Obi-Wan Insalata Caprese and, seriously, my favorite dish from the entire meal, R2-D2s Cantaloupe Salad, which had, obviously, Cantaloupe, pancetta, greens, and, I believe, a vinaigrette. I really need to contact Disney and try to get the recipe, it was terrific.

Moving along we get to entree items like Princess Leia’s Sweet and Sour Pork (a bit dry), and Ahsoka’s Orange Chicken (very tasty).

There is a carving station that served Kessel Run Roasted Strip Loin and Dexter Jettster’s (Obi’s diner owning friend from Episode 2) Herb Roasted Turkey.

The“Padawan Kid’s Buffet” serves Kanans Corn Dogs, Chewbaccas Chicken Tenders and other kid friendly foods.

As you dine, favorite Disney characters come around dressed like favorite Star Wars characters, like Chip and Dale as Ewoks.

If you miss one, don’t fear, they come around frequently, and a Cast Member will make sure you’ve seen everyone, like Darth Goofy…

…and Stormtrooper Donald!

On to what many consider the most important part of any meal, dessert! One of the best were the
Darth Vadar Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake.

I didn’t try the tarts as I was saving room for the cupcakes.

My favorite dessert was Aunt Beru’s Blue Milk Ice Cream. It tasted like cotton candy!

We opted for the Fantasmic package, which gave us guaranteed seats for the show, and cost $63.99 for adults, and $38.99 for children aged 3-9.

I highly recommend this experience. True, it is not cheap, but it’s a lot of fun, and the food is really very good. It’s 3 of my favorite things in one. Disney, Star Wars, and food! May The Force be with you!

Princess Leia Minnie and me

Want to read more about Nick’s Disney adventures?  Visit the Disney Musings Blog and follow Nick on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on Pinterest.  You can also listen to Nick, our friend Dave, and me on The Disney Exchange Podcast where we talk about….well, I bet you can guess.

Disney Dining – Hollywood Brown Derby Patio Lounge

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RM-Brown-Derby-PatioDid you know that the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a patio lounge?  Indeed, you can eat indoors at the Derby and experience signature restaurant dining (2 table-service credits on the Disney Dining Plan) OR you can dine al fresco and save both time and money.  The patio lounge is a great place to enjoy happy hour!  And that’s just what Raymond and I did on our last visit to Walt Disney World.

On the day we visited the Brown Derby’s outdoor eating area, we were spending only the afternoon in the Studios and were looking forward to our dinner reservations that night at The Swan’s Il Mulino.  We were having fun!  Riding rides, taking pictures of the very last bits of the Sorcerer’s Hat left to be disassembled and getting hungry!  We needed a snack, but not just any snack.  We didn’t want to spoil our supper and had only a few minutes before the start time of our FastPass for Rock’n’ Roller Coaster.  We thought an adult beverage would also be a welcome treat at that particular time.  Hmmm…we were making our way from Star Tours toward Sunset Boulevard and I had a craving for wine and cheese.  HA!  I remembered the Brown Derby’s new-ish outdoor eating area (opened in October, 2013).  Perfect!  I told Raymond I had the perfect solution (with a look instead of words, ’cause that’s how we roll after 25 years of marriage) and off we went!RM-Brown-Derby-Outdoor-Seating

We didn’t have much time and the place was crowded.  We were willing to forego the food and just have a glass of wine if we couldn’t be seated within about 5 minutes.  There’s a walk-up bar at the end of the patio, so we ordered our wine and inquired about the chances of getting a snack.RM-Brown-Derby-Patio-WineTurns out, we were in luck – a table opened up, we were seated, and our server arrived promptly.  Once we explained our time limitation, he was totally onboard with getting us on our way as quickly as possible.

If you’ve read any of my previous dining reviews, you’ll have noticed that we are a family of cheese-loving people!  The artisanal cheese plate at the Brown Derby was calling our names – and we thought that would be just the right snack…not too much, not too little.RM-Brown-Derby-Patio-Artisanal-Cheese-PlateWe were very happy with ourselves when our cheeses (and accompaniments) arrived.  Hungrier than we’d originally thought, we fell upon that plate of cheesy goodness and made short work of nearly every crumb.RM-Brown-Derby-Patio-Empty-Plates

It’s a story with a happy ending – our experience at the Hollywood Brown Derby’s Patio Lounge was everything we’d hoped for and more!  Good wine, tasty cheeses, and excellent service, we were soon on our way to G-Force Records for our limo ride & backstage passes.  If you’re at the Studios and looking for a fantastic, relaxing place to enjoy a cocktail and snack, look no further than the Derby’s patio.

What other places at Walt Disney World are great for happy hour?