Category Archives: Walt Disney World

Our 2019 Strategy – Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

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We’ve never had a bad visit to Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival. It sometimes gets a bad reputation for rowdy crowds and over-imbibing merrymakers, but our experiences have always been positive. Bear in mind that we are firm believers in that early to bed, early to rise adage – especially at Walt Disney World, so we may be inadvertently avoiding the worst festival guests. That being said, we’re well into the planning homestretch for this year’s Food & Wine visit and I’m getting pretty stoked!

Our 2019 Strategy – Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

While I don’t do as much extensive pre-festival planning as some, I always make sure to start my research on the Disney Food Blog’s festival pages. I find I rarely have to look anywhere else for the scoop on all things delicious and entertaining. This year I’ve got two major considerations as I build my must-try list: Limited festival time and a big appetite.

Our 2019 Strategy - Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival

Limited Festival Time

Because we’ll be at Walt Disney World for slightly less than four days, We’ll need to be strategic about making the most of our Epcot time. Fewer attractions and more World Showcase is the plan. The Eat to the Beat Concerts during our visit will feature Sheena Easton, Kris Allen, and Boyz II Men. Personally, of the three, I’d pick Sheena Easton if there’s enough time to watch a bit. In the 80’s I loved her music and for a time Sheena and I even sported the same hairstyle. (I’m humming the morning train song now as I type.)

Our 2019 Strategy - Epcot's International Food & Wine Festival

Big Appetite

As you may already be aware, our favorite son, Joseph, and I are running the Wine & Dine Challenge for the first time this year. Nothing like running 19.3 miles in two days to make a body mighty hungry! Also, burning lots of calories makes me feel less guilty about the food booth indulgences. Some of this year’s choices are outstanding and my wish-list top five include (in no particular order):

  • Brazil – Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions
  • The Alps – Venison Stew with Crushed Potatoes
  • Flavors from Fire – The Steakhouse Blended Burger: Blended Beef and Mushroom Slider with Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula, and a Truffle and Blue Cheese Potato Chip on a Brioche Bun
  • Spain – Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar and Smoked Paprika
  • Thailand – Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice

The only repeat is the Crispy Pork Belly – Raymond and I both love it so much that we once stopped in at Epcot and made our way to World Showcase just to split an order on a super-crowded Saturday night. We were on our way to dinner someplace like Yachtsman Steak House, but had to make time for that one dish. It was the only thing we did in Epcot that day. Even saying the words…crispy. pork. belly. Makes me happy.

While we may not get as much time at Food & Wine as we’d like this time, I plan on making the most of this limited opportunity. If I can manage to squeeze in an order of Morocco’s Spicy Hummus Fries or a bowl of Refreshment Port’s Duck Confit Poutine with Fig Demi Sauce and Brie Cheese Fondue, I’m going for it.

Are you a fan of Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival? What are your favorite dishes?

Thoughts on Story Book Dining at Artist Point

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Our friends, Nick and Barbie, scored a dinner reservation at Artist Point for the new-ish Story Book Dining and invited us along (’cause they’re super nice that way). Here’s a recap of our experience including my usual honest feedback.

Thoughts on Story Book Dining at Artist Point

Overall, we had a wonderful time. The lateness of the reservation (8:30-ish if I remember correctly) was both good and bad. The restaurant was amazingly uncrowded, quiet, and virtually kid-free, but we were also very tired. After a day at the parks, I thought we might be too exhausted to enjoy this experience but I worried for nothing. I think I’ll recap our dinner in two parts – 1. Characters and Service 2. Food/Dining Experience. Hopefully, if you’re considering whether or not Story Book Dining would be a good fit for your family’s plans, this review will help you decide.

Characters and Service

We were seated promptly upon check-in and shown to a table in the back of the dining room – this location was perfect for us. Our server was excellent. Unhurried in a good way, she made us feel like her only guests. We noticed right away there was a multi-tiered tree-like stand in the middle of the table. Our server explained that appetizers and desserts are served to be shared (and the presentation is certainly unique) more on that later. Like other character dining experiences, we could expect the characters to stop by our table throughout our meal.

Because the restaurant was not busy, we got to spend what felt like extra time with each character (Snow White, Dopey, and Grumpy) as they came around. Snow White was lovely and spoke to us adult-to-adult making her visit extra enjoyable and not a bit cheesy (which can happen occasionally with some face characters). Grumpy and Dopey were adorable and managed to communicate well with everyone at our table without speaking – Disney characters are typically excellent at this and the dwarfs were no exception. Grumpy gave lessons on being…grumpy.

The Queen is also at Artist Point for a meet-and-greet, but rather than visiting each table, the Queen is available to guests on their way out of the restaurant. I think this is clever and not only adds a special treat at the end, but also allows families to adjust for children who might find her a bit intimidating. There’s a special backdrop for pictures and for me, this was one of the best character interactions EVER. The Queen is one of my all-time favorite characters and I was fangirling like crazy. She was absolutely wonderful in appearance and attitude. Her condescending sneer, her regal bearing, her disdain for our presence – perfection! I was impressed beyond description.

Food / Dining Experience

Because this was a character meal, I automatically had low expectations about the food. I find most character meals entertaining, but the food is rarely the draw. Artist Point’s menu is creative and as I mentioned, the appetizers and desserts are presented in a unique way for sharing. While cute, I was not a fan. I don’t mind sharing, but the offerings were more dramatic and showy than tasty. Here are a few pictures of the appetizers and desserts. They weren’t horrible, just not great.

  • Winter Squash Bisque
  • Hunter’s Pie
  • Wicked Shrimp Cocktail (Jar)
  • Miner’s Treasures
  • Fairy Tale Gooseberry Pie, Poison Apple, Miner’s Treasures

While the appetizers and desserts met my low expectations, the entrees did not. My entree was absolutely delicious and a very pleasant surprise. The menu has changed since our visit early in 2019, but I believe the flavor and quality will still be excellent no matter what dishes make up the entree selection.

I ordered Bashful’s Butter-poached Snapper (Root Vegetable Risotto, Wild Mushroom, Citrus Butter Sauce) and Raymond had the Royal Prime Rib Roast (Horseradish Mashed Potato, Hay Smoked Carrots, Popover, Jus) – we were equally happy with our choices. Well seasoned and cooked to perfection, our entrees were the highlight of the meal.

As of this writing, the meal’s price is posted on Disney World’s website as $59.99 for adults per three-course meal and $35 for children. While Artist Point does not accept Tables in Wonderland, this experience requires only one Table Service credit on the Disney Dining Plan – a good bargain!

Practicing my evil sneer

Bottom Line

As far as character dining goes, this is a pretty good choice for families who like a more upscale experience. It felt quite a bit fancier than Chef Mickey’s or Tusker House and we enjoyed not having to get up and down to select food from a buffet. As it’s not too princess-heavy, the characters have appeal for all audiences and our party of four adults didn’t feel out of place. (Note: If you want both fancy and a buffet, try 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian.)

Would we visit Story Book Dining at Artist Point again? We would! I’ll be watching for an opportunity to bring our family here in the future. How about you? Have you tried this new character dining experience? What did you think about it?

The Road to runDisney 2019 & 2020

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My past runDisney experiences look like this: Princess, Princess, Star Wars, Princess. As hard as it was to pass on those early-in-the-year events this year, Joseph and I are registered instead for the Wine & Dine 10K and Half-Marathon in November. Why not try an entirely new race experience? AND Food & Wine Festival calories would never seem less fattening after all that running. But wait! There’s more! In January 2020, we are also registered for the Dopey Challenge. Crazy? Maybe. Let’s discuss.

Seems like it’s my destiny to run a full marathon once every 10 years or so. My first was in early 1999 (Austin, Texas) and I thought once was enough. I ran 26.2 miles in a respectable 4 hours 20 minutes and didn’t feel compelled to repeat the experience. Ever. Until 2010 when I inexplicably wanted to run the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. It was December, the course was hilly and painful, and those miles took a good bit longer at 46 than they did at 34. I actually cried when I found Raymond after I crossed the finish line, vowing never to do it again. Which brings me to The Dopey. For those unfamiliar with this challenge – runners can enter all four races held during the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend and earn six different finisher medals. One each for the 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon. Then separate medals are given for completing Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge (half and full marathons) and the Dopey Challenge (all four events). Yes, that’s 48.6 miles in four days, but let’s not dwell on pesky details.

Why would I (I’ll be 55 in November) want to do this now? The answer has many layers. Joseph is all in, so I won’t be alone. It’ll be his first full marathon and I’m thrilled he wants us to do it together. Ten years is obviously how long it takes me to forget how difficult it is to train for, complete, and recover from a marathon (I’m avoiding thinking about four days of events right now and how little sleep that means). I’m feeling fantastic – I just had a checkup and all the routine tests indicate I’m in good shape health-wise. In the back of my mind I’ve always wanted to do the Dopey and I’m not getting any younger. I’m kind of feeling like it’s now or never. But who knows? In another 10 years I may be ready to go again.

Are you a runDisney fan? What events are in your future? Will you be at Wine & Dine or the WDW Marathon weekend?

Toy Story Land – Breakfast at Woody’s Lunch Box

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An early morning FastPass for Toy Story Midway Mania left us hungry in Toy Story Land. Rather than fight the crowded walkway to an alternative, we found an uncrowded Woody’s Lunch Box open for breakfast. Was is good? Did we love it? Would we eat there again? Let me tell you about…

Toy Story Land – Breakfast at Woody’s Lunch Box

We were with our friends Nick and Barbie and Nick’s mom, Frieda. The whole Lunch Box set up is adorable (hello, giant thermos!). Umbrella tables are available and the seats look like they’ve been made from pieces of Babybel Cheese (a clear sponsor). The menu is limited but interesting.

Raymond and I were trying not to overeat (to have room for lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby) so instead of the breakfast bowl, “Hearty portion of Potato Barrels smothered in Smoked Brisket Country Gravy, Scrambled Eggs and a sprinkling of Green Onions” which sounded amazing yet filling, we each opted for a turkey sandwich. It sounded great: “Thick-sliced Smoked Turkey Breast, Melted Swiss Cheese, and Scrambled Eggs on Grilled Sourdough” and was indeed delicious. The sandwich size is a pretty generous portion. We probably could have shared one and been satisfied. Tip: Raymond found some spicy sauce packets (buffalo-style) and the addition of this sauce elevated our humble turkey sandwiches into an even higher level of deliciousness.

As you may already know, we’re not huge fans of quick service restaurants in the Studios in general. Having been pleasantly surprised by our breakfast at Woody’s Lunch Box, we may have to reconsider other places in the future. Maybe it’s an indication that Disney’s working harder on their quick service game as the park’s expansions open? Or…maybe we were so hungry that anything would have tasted good? We’ll definitely give Woody’s another try and let you know for sure.

Have you eaten at Woody’s Lunch Box? How was your experience?