Category Archives: Epcot

Disney Drinking – Rose & Crown’s Scotch Flight

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RM-Epcot-Food&Wine-Landscape2Back in 2014…When my husband, Raymond, and I were planning our 25th anniversary trip to Walt Disney World, mainly to enjoy Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival, we had a nearly unobtainable to-try list.  We armed ourselves with lists of foods we wanted to try and dining experiences we’d reserved – mostly, we were going for the limited, special offerings only found during Food & Wine.  Except for one.

Thanks to my friends on the Mighty Men of Mouse Podcast (great, unique show for Disney World fans) I’d heard about an incredible deal and fantastic treat offered as part of the regular menu at the Rose & Crown Pub in Epcot’s United Kingdom pavilion.  It’s the Single Malt Scotch flight – an incredible experience for a relatively great price ($18 as of 1/15).  We are huge fans of single malt scotch and our absolute, hands-down favorite is Lagavulin.  When we heard the flight’s line-up, (Glenkinchie, Oban, Lagavulin) we knew we could not pass up the chance to give it a try.RM-Rose&Crown-Bar

First of all, we love the atmosphere in the Rose & Crown at any time, but during Food & Wine, the place is hopping!  And in a great way.  We were making our way around the World Showcase, having started with the first food booths closest to the Canada pavilion.  We were pacing ourselves, moving with purpose and knocking a bunch of dishes off our must-eat list.  Then – I said, “There’s the Rose & Crown – we’ve got to do the Scotch Flight!”.  We were grinning like crazy as we practically ran through the door.RM-Rose&Crown-Bar-Menu

We were able to step right up to the bar even though there was a big crowd of some pretty happy Epcot guests already there.  We didn’t have to wait long to place our order, but had enough time to strike up conversations with the Texans on our right and the friendly young couple on our left.  When the bar tender asked what he could bring us, we explained the draw was the scotch flight and the Lagavulin, in particular.  Like any well-trained bar tender during Food & Wine, he offered to bring us glasses of ice water to keep us hydrated.  Within a couple of minutes, the scotch flights arrived.RM-Rose&Crown-Scotch-Flight2

We took our time with our samples.  Sipping, savoring, we moved from left to right.  Each scotch had its own personality.  The Glenkinchie was the lightest in color and flavor and very smooth.  The Oban seemed richer, with a smokier aroma and taste, it had more complex layers of flavor to me than the Glenkinchie, but if you’ve ever fallen in love with Lagavulin, you’ll understand why it was our favorite part of this experience.  It’s not for everyone.  Lagavulin has a very strong aroma (or nose, if you prefer) and the smell and flavor of peat smoke (with subtle hints of many other flavors) is what we love about it.RM-Rose&Crown-Scotch-Flight

We stayed in the Rose & Crown for close to an hour chatting with our bar-mates and slowly sipping our scotch.  Yes, this stop did slow us down in our pursuit of the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Food & Wine Festival that day.  But we didn’t mind one bit.

Have you tried a beverage flight at Walt Disney World?  What was it and would you recommend it to us for our next visit?

 

Joy! Gelato in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

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RM-Epcot-Italy-Gelato-CounterAs I’ve mentioned many times before, I’m kind of ambivalent about desserts.  I don’t crave sweets like most people do and while I will enjoy an occasional cookie, slice of pie, or ice cream cone, those are not items I’d put at the top of my “must have” foods while on vacation.  Sometimes, though, I’ll find something sweet that really makes an impression on me – something I like so much, that I’d make a point of eating it again.  This is the story of one such discovery.

Back in October, as Raymond and I were making our way around the World Showcase sampling the different flavors in the food booths and kiosks, he said, “When we get to Italy, there’s something that you’ve got to taste!”  Sneaky guy – he’d managed a visit to this particular eatery on his own back in May and had found a wonderful treat.

Espresso Gelato “Affogato” ($9.75) “Italian Espresso poured over Fior Di Latte Gelato, topped with chocolate coffee beans.

According to Wkipedia, “An affogato (Italian, “drowned”) is a coffee-based beverage. It usually takes the form of a scoop of vanilla gelato or ice cream topped with a shot of hot espresso. RM-Epcot-Italy-Gelato-AffogatoSome variations also include a shot of Amaretto or other liqueur.”  According to the Culinary Institute of America, Fior De Latte (Italian, “Flower of Milk”) gelato is “a simple gelato, very versatile; enjoy it plain, with fresh fruit, or to accompany a cake. This gelato is often used in the preparation of affogato al caffè, where the gelato is covered with brewed espresso and topped with whipped cream.”

So now that we know what it is, technically speaking, let’s talk about how it tasted – incredible!  I’d be remiss if I didn’t add that as far as a cup of ice cream is concerned, this one’s about as adorable as one could ever find.  Possibly, mere words cannot describe the subtle nuances of flavor, the well matched textures, the sophisticated combination of creamy gelato, espresso, cookies, and chocolate coffee beans, but I’ll try:  This stuff was mighty tasty!!!  Very delicious!  Scrumptious!  A festival of flavors for your taste buds! …get the idea?

RM-Epcot-Italy-Gelato-EspressoBecause we were working our way around the Food & Wine foods and wines, we split this little paper bowl of deliciousness – which actually turned out to be a bit dicey.  We each got one “ear” cookie, we broke the pirouette cookie in half, used two spoons for the gelato, but there were only three chocolate coffee beans (and those babies are incredible).  There were a few tense moments once we realized the situation.  We each contemplated the potential outcomes of being the one to selfishly consume that third, and last, tiny morsel.  Then I came to my senses and ate it.  Problem solved!

If you like the flavor of coffee and are in the mood for a sweet treat, next time you’re in Epcot, making your way around the World Showcase – stop at the gelato stand, lay down that $10 bill and prepare to be amazed.

Have you tried a gelato in Epcot?  Which one did you get?  How was it?

Epcot’s Lumberjack Show

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RM-Lumberjack-Stage-CastI said I wasn’t going to do it.  I wasn’t going to write a review of the Lumberjack Show in Epcot because I didn’t like it and I don’t usually write negative reviews.  I try my best to write balanced reviews that highlight the good and, if any exists, the not-so-good about rides, resorts, restaurants, shows, and so on.

But every single time I look at the shattered screen on my brand new iPhone 6, I think about the Lumberjacks.  Weird, but true.  See, it all started like this……

Raymond and I found ourselves with a few spare minutes to leisurely stroll through Epcot one morning.  I checked the times for the Lumberjack Show since we were very close to the Canada Pavilion and I was very curious about this new and, well, somewhat controversial show.  The stage’s curtain was down, but we could hear show preparation noises going on behind it and decided to see what all the fuss was about – but on that day, there were no benches in front of the stage.  Those showed up the next day, oddly enough, but in the absence of seating, we moved to the far right of the stage and sat on the edge of some sort of landscaping wall.  I was wearing new pants – really adorable (if I do say) camo crops from Anthropologie and when I sat down, I set my phone on my lap.  Well the fabric of my new pants was actually more slippery than I anticipated and my phone slipped right off my leg and onto the concrete.  UGH!  I’ve had an iPhone for at least the past 5 years and have never ever even cracked a screen.  To put it mildly, I was really sad.  Raymond bought me that phone and I’d had it a month – now it was still usable, but marred.  Sigh.RM-Lumberjack-Show-Epcot

Not one to let my day be ruined by a mishap, I turned my still open-minded attention to the beginning of the show.  The show opens with a host who introduces a couple of two-man lumberjack teams – the blue team and the red team as indicated by the color of their plaid flannel shirts.  It was very hard to see!  The interior of the stage is small and quite dark; shadowed by the canvas cover that surrounds it.  I could hear the dialog just fine – the script was written so that the host and the lumberjacks are supposed to say things that are meant to be funny.  Sadly, the lines were delivered as if they were being read with poor timing and not a hint of comedy.  It was painful to watch!RM-Lumberjacks

The premise of the show is for the two teams to compete in lumberjack events like axe throwing and two-man sawing.  All conducted with those unfortunately delivered lines and in the dark recesses of the stage.  We watched in stunned silence.  THIS?  This is an actual show in a Walt Disney World park?  With all sincerity, we’d never seen anything like it anywhere before.

I guess you could say this is only a partial review because the moment those lumberjacks fired up their chainsaws we made a hasty retreat.  If I want to see someone use a chainsaw, I can go outside while Raymond trims low tree branches or cuts down a dead tree for firewood.  I do not, at any time while I’m on a Disney vacation, want to see or hear power tools in use.  How this is considered entertainment, I’ll never understand.RM-Lumberjack-Show2

So, there it is.  Epcot’s newest “talent” offering in the Canada Pavilion was not for us.  And every time I use my cell phone, I’m reminded of that sad fact.  I sure hope our local iPhone repair shop offers service on the 6 soon!  Then I can put the whole ugly mess out of my mind once and for all.

Have you seen the new Lumberjack Show?  How did you feel about it?

Walt Disney’s World Showcase – The Maelstrom Matter

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Mural in Maelstrom / World Showcase / EpcotYesterday I wrote about why Walt Disney World must change.  I discussed the need for change in a broad, general scope.  Today, I feel the need to weigh in on the Maelstrom Matter.

I don’t feel the outrage I thought I would.  Initially, when the rumors were just a whisper, I was heard to say, “And so begins the utter ruination of the World Showcase.” but then I took some time to consider.  Does this really mean World Showcase is doomed?  It could certainly be the beginning of the end for the initial purpose of the World Showcase.  Conversely, it could be the start of a new era for Epcot.  Time will tell.

Before I go much further, let me add that I am what I would classify as extremely neutralEpcot's Norway Pavilion about Maelstrom at this particular moment in time – I am in no way going to attempt to sway your opinion about this issue one way or another.  It’s the duty of every Disney devotee to feel passionately about their most valued Walt Disney World parks, rides and attractions.  Maelstrom is, soon to be was, a ride I rode and enjoyed on nearly every visit to Walt Disney World.  I sincerely and deeply love the Norway pavilion (I professed my affection here and here).  At the same time, I also have wished for many years now that Disney (or Norway) would pour some much needed resources into updating this special little corner of the World (Showcase).  Alas (oh, yes, I did), beggars can’t be choosers.  Be careful what you wish for?

Buildings in Epcot's Norway PavilionSo, now we’re getting a major change.  While I liked the movie and found it entertaining, I’m not a huge Frozen fan (gasp!).  Here’s what I believe will be the best case scenario and what I’m strongly hoping for at this point –  Norway will continue to be all about Norway.  Frozen‘s characters will be integrated in a way that is strictly in keeping with the traditions, vision, and values of the original World Showcase concept.  It would be ideal if Hans-Kristoff-Anna-Sven (the movie’s nod to Hans Christian Anderson) and the other characters would guide guests through the history, folklore, culture, and customs of Norway.  Hey, a girl’s gotta have hopes, right?

I know what you’re thinking. This thing could go the other way completely – and you’d have a very valid point!  Disney could go all “Little Mermaid” on it and replace Maelstrom with nothing Norway Pavilion's Viking Statuebut a series of movie scenes, some big, in-your-face animatronics, music, and some colorful props.  The World Showcase will be packed with children and their parents willing to wait five hours for a trip through Arendelle.  Norway, the country, will be completely lost in the melee.  I know!

Naysayers will say nay.  Little Mary Sunshine types (like me, in this case) will hold on to our belief that the Disney Company will do the right thing for everyone and amaze us with a new and improved Norway Pavilion.  Only time will tell.  Come 2016, we shall see.  I will be there, with an open mind.  I’ll be visiting the actual country of Norway on Disney Cruise Line in June (2015) and I’m pretty sure the experience will only make me wish for a happy ending all the more.

I’ll leave you with this:  “I would rather entertain and hope that people learned something than educate people and hope they were entertained” – Walt Disney

Troll Topiary in Epcot's Norway PavilionWhat about you?  How do you feel about the matter of Maelstrom?