Disney World Dining – Yak & Yeti Table Service

RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Restaurant-ExteriorNot long ago, we tried (and loved) Yak & Yeti’s counter service eatery.  The really special thing about Animal Kingdom’s Yak & Yeti?  It also boasts a very unique table service restaurant!  Yes!  In the Asia section of the park, you’ll find TWO great dining choices – quick-serve on the outside, sit-down-dining on the inside.  Pretty neat, right?

Knowing we’d be heading to Animal Kingdom post-Princess Half Marathon and knowing I’d probably be starving, I booked an ADR (Advance Dining Reservation) for lunch.  Normally, we are strictly dinner ADR people, but I’d been wanting to try Yak & Yeti’s table service option and eating there guilt-free, having burned a few calories over 13.1 miles, it seemed the perfect time to give it a go.

We arrived a couple of minutes late – we try never to do this, but I was moving uncharacteristically slow.  No problem for the kind Cast Member at the check-in podium and we were seated after only a very short wait.  RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Table-Service-SeatingI was a bit apprehensive about our table’s location – right in the very middle of the first floor’s dining area, but then I realized I could take in all of the atmosphere and see details of the restaurant’s unusual décor without having to move.  Not moving was a very nice option that day, I assure you.

The Pan-Asian menu offered a surprisingly broad range of options and our server, who seemed very busy, was sweet and attentive.  We started with the Pork Pot Stickers (the choice was tough because so many dishes sounded great!) and were happy with our selection.  We also ordered some sake to enjoy with our meal.  The cocktail/adult beverage menu was amazingly full of a huge variety of drink options – one of the best you’ll find in any Disney park, I’ll bet.RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Table-Service-Menu

Now that I was sitting down, sipping sake and had put the worst of my hunger pangs at bay with a couple of pot stickers, I had more time to look around and soak up the ambiance.  RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Table-Service-AppetizerThe décor was very ornate and I felt a bit like I was eating in a museum.  In a good way.RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Decor-FigureRaymond and I, after studying the menu for quite a while, went for completely opposite ends of the food spectrum.  He chose the Kobe Beef Burger.  I chose the Chicken Tikka Masala.RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Table-Service-Burger RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Table-Service-EntreeWhen our entrees arrived, there was very little conversation at our table!  We both thought the food was great – especially for an in-park table service restaurant at Disney World.  Perhaps this is because the Yak & Yeti is not Disney-owned.  It’s true – it’s a Landry’s establishment (see the website here).RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Decor-Figure2 RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Decor-Details

Relaxed, rested and satisfied, we passed on dessert in favor of hitting some of our favorite Animal Kingdom attractions.  Lunch totaled around $70 with tip, but we felt the service, food, atmosphere, and convenient location made this a reasonable price for our meal.  Would we eat here again?  Absolutely.RM-Yak&Yeti-Printout

How about you?  What’s your favorite table service restaurant in Animal Kingdom?

 

WDW – Cars Suites at Art of Animation

Hello Saturdays with Nick!  Today I’ve chosen a picture-heavy review to share with you – and I think you’re gonna like it!  Nick and Barbie had an awesome vacay in 2013 at Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort in a Cars Suite and you have GOT to see the details!  If you’re in the trip-planning stages and you have kids (especially boys), you will want to consider Art of Animation’s Cars area.

WDW – Cars Suites at Art of Animation

By: Nick

On our last trip to Walt Disney World, my wife and I had the great pleasure to stay in a Cars Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Some background. I love the movie Cars. When Cars was released in June of 2006, I had just the month before driven a portion of Route 66 from Flagstaff, Arizona to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and had seen many of the sites that are referenced visually in the film, including staying in a Teepee (or cone) Motel (not as cool as you’d expect, by the way). I’d also seen many a lovely small town now abandoned, as Radiator Springs is at the beginning of Cars. In other words, the film really connected with me on an emotional level.

Jump to 2012, and we visited Disneyland, and I was absolutely enthralled with Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, and actually spent a very large portion of our 4 days in “Radiator Springs”.

Now, you can actually STAY in Radiator Springs at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

The theming of this section of AoA is extensive.
As you approach, you are greeted by billboards, and the Sheriff, to let you know to keep your speed down.

You then travel up Route 66, to one of 3 themed buildings, or the Cozy Cone pool area.

The building to the left is themed after Luigi’s Tires, where you’ll find the proprietor and Guido.

To the right is Tow Mater’s Towing and Salvage.

At the far end is The Wheel Well Motel, where Sally and Lightning McQueen can be found. This is where we stayed!

The theme extends inside as Red welcomes us.

On to the room. The family suites can easily sleep 6. There is a dining /sleeping area (yes, you read that right, more on that in a bit), small kitchen area, 2 bathrooms, a living room, and a bedroom.

The bathroom to the right is a full bath with a tub.
The bedroom has a queen size bed. The mattress was a bit on the firm side for me.
It has a flat screen TV.

The bath off the bedroom has a shower and no tub. Water pressure was great, and this was easily my favorite shower of all the resorts we’ve stayed in at Walt Disney World.

The cars theme is everywhere in the suites, with cone lamps, a fold out sofa bed that looks like a car seat, a table with a map of Radiator Springs, etc.

The kitchenette has a small refrigerator, sink, coffee maker, and microwave.

Our view was terrific as well, but of course, this is not a guarantee. One evening my wife made the mistake of asking how one family enjoyed the rooms and view, and the father replied in a rather churlish manor “The room’s great, but we’ve got a fantastic view of the parking lot.” Oops.

We were on the 3rd floor, and one evening we were able to see the higher fireworks from Wishes at the Magic Kingdom (left) and Illuminations at Epcot (right) at the same time!

I mentioned the dining/sleeping area earlier. Here we see a table. There are usually 4 chairs around it, we are in the process of moving them here.

Why are we moving the chairs? To pull the murphy bed down of course! We actually found this bed more comfortable than the the one in the bedroom, and slept here a couple of nights!

Overall, the room was fantastic. The one and only complaint I have is that you cannot lower the temperature below 68 degrees. And, you could possibly get a view of the parking lot.

The pool is themed after the Cozy Cone.

The cones, are cabanas, which is first come, first serve. Also, bring towels. We were not aware you needed to do this, and I had to run back to the room on our first swim.

It’s well lit at night.

Speaking of night, the place is really magical in the evening.

This is easily the best themed resort on Disney Property.
Don’t forget to get your pictures taken with some of the citizens of Radiator Springs!

Barbie with Flo, owner of one of our favorite eateries at Disney California Adventure.

Me and Mater.

What do you think?  Have you stayed at Art of Animation?  Would you consider a visit?

For more amazing Disney adventures, follow Nick (and Barbie) at Disney Musings Blog / Disney Musings on Twitter / Disney Musings on Instagram / Disney Musings on Facebook

For Love of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth at Sunset / Epcot / Walt Disney WorldThe iconic heart of Epcot’s Future World, this much-photographed geosphere is a beloved park favorite at Walt Disney World.  Spaceship Earth is both a weenie and an attraction – and adored by legions of Disney fans around the world.  The ride inside Spaceship Earth takes us on a slow and easy journey through time for a peek at various innovations in communications technology and how those discoveries influenced human lives through the ages (and will shape our future, perhaps).

For my family, this 16 minute tour of both past and future never gets old and we’re not alone in our love for this attraction!  We’ve been known to ride Spaceship Earth many times during aRM-SSE5 single vacation – even multiple times in a single day.  Is it the animatronics?  The narration?  The smell of Rome burning?  The peek into our personalized future on Earth?  No!  I believe there’s no single moment of the experience, but the perfection in the combination of all the components, the small details and the expansive scenes.

Once again, I asked and you answered.  Twitter followers and Facebook friends were happy to respond to my request for shout-outs, in Haiku form, expressing feelings for Epcot’s icon.  I’m happy to share these gems of poetic beauty with you now…

For Love of Epcot’s Spaceship Earth

From Facebook, there were only two entries, but both were highly creative!

DSCN2870Submitted by Anastasia:

Golf ball cool and dark
Invites me to sit and rest
I can haz nap now

Gaylin posted her fondness this way:

Bright golf ball of love
Beckons all to ride away
Past to future slow.

On Twitter, the response was overwhelming! (If you’re looking for Disney friends on Twitter, you should follow all of these awesome folks!)

From @BerryMary92, a beautiful poem:RM-SSE1

One of Disney’s icons
beautiful site to behold
stands proud in Epcot

From good friend (and occasional guest writer) @AndrewCfran:

At Epcot Center
Lies a geodesic dome
Called Spaceship Earth

@bscala1986 composed this very touching entry:

Grand and miraculous.
A symbol of immortality.
Tomorrow’s child awaits.

RM-SSE4@WDWParkHopper captured Spaceship Earth’s best moments:

Thank the Phoenicians
I can smell the fire in Rome
Time to head back home

@Bekka_C writes of her own Spaceship Earth memories (Bekka – stay awake & you’ll remember it better!):

Every time I ride.
I swear it is new inside.
What a great sleep ride.

@HLebischak also captured the spirit of Spaceship Earth with:

Time traveling sphere –
in the center of EPCOT –
thank you, Phoenicians.

@scottquaile seems to feel the latest Disney technology has not been good for SSE!RM-Spaceship-Earth

My Magic Plussed
Long lines it has
EEHHHHHHHHH…

@TacoMan945 submitted this beautiful piece:

Jeremy Irons
Many think you’re a golf ball
Smell in burning Rome

@GoAwayGreen played along this time with a profound piece of art!

Most fragile transport
Of the knowledge collected,
Analyzed and shared

RM-SSE7In @YoPaulieNJ’s entry, Paulie weighs in on SSE’s most recent updates:

The last ride descent
Once so very inspiring
Now a dumb cartoon

Finally, I am proud to bring you the artistic talents of @AmyBethCombs, who didn’t just compose one poem – Amy’s obvious love for SSE could not be contained in a single Haiku.  Amy is the clear winner of today’s game (Congratulations, Amy) with this Ode to Spaceship Earth composed of several entries…

Spaceship Earth is cool.
Spaceship Earth is really cool.
Wow I love Epcot.

Look at those three guys.RM-Spaceship-Earth-Early-Backup-System
That guy’s hat looks like garlic.
I love Spaceship Earth.

Hey, do you smell smoke?
Oh no! Rome is on fire!
Well, there go the books.

Thank the Phoenicians.
You know what they invented?
The alphabet, chump.

How did they do that?
The cave painting on the wall.
It moves. That is cool.

When it turns backwards
That can be kind of scary
The angle is steep.

RM-SSE6Each entry was awesome – some of their expressions of love, others for their honesty.  How do YOU feel about Spaceship Earth?  Which attraction would you like to see tributes for next?

5 Things We Taught Our Kids at Disney World

5 Things We Taught Our Kids at Disney World

Dinoland-U.S.A.The Fam and I don’t consciously go on vacation to learn stuff.  Anytime we travel though, there’s an opportunity to experience new things – a byproduct of which is usually learning something.  Everyday life can be challenging.  Spending the time and money to travel, for us, means getting away from the stress of the daily grind and enjoying each other’s company in a way we can rarely experience at home.  This has been constant through the years and part of why we love to travel together.

1. Money is better spent on experiences – Even before this article hit social media, we whole-heartedly believed in this concept.  We weren’t going to be the family with a new car everyRM-Fun-on-the-Monorail couple of years – we drive a vehicle, on average, about 10 years (or longer).  The latest video games, a backyard pool or trampoline, dinners out every week, and expensive blue jeans were not in our budget.  It was easier to pass on things knowing we’d have incredible new experiences in our future.  We love Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.  The excitement of a new possession diminishes over time, unlike the memories of our collective vacation experiences (and the excitement of planning more of them for the future).

2. Waiting is easier when you learn to make it entertaining – Call us crazy, but some of ourThese Feet are TIRED best times have been in ride queues and on Disney transportation.  We look for hidden Mickeys, quiz each other on Disney trivia, search for tiny, magical details or special Disney touches (like footprints, funny signs and posters, sight gags).  We’ve learned to look up, look down, and just enjoy being in the moment.  Together.  At Walt Disney World.  (We also taught good manners at every opportunity, like giving up your seat on a bus for someone else.)

3. Eating dinner together as a family is one of the best things in life – and at are house, a rather rare occurrence.  We had super active kids!  During the early years of family DisneyRM-Meg-and-Joe vacations we realized that we loved having a sit-down meal together at the end of every day.  We could relax, recap the days’ excitements and highlights, discuss what we were most looking forward to for the next day, and enjoy some awesome Disney food and service.  If you asked, each of us would say that many of those meals are some of our most precious vacation memories.

4. Making friends with people from other countries and cultures is awesome – We were probably the most paranoid “stranger danger” parents on the planet, but we tried to demonstrate safe ways to interact with other guests and Cast Members while waiting in line, pin trading, sitting in a restaurant, or waiting for a parade or nighttime spectacular to start.  A common love for Disney usually brought us together and we had the pleasure of visiting a while and exchanging thoughts and opinions about favorite rides, attractions, shows.

wd008wdw2014146790617265. Facing and conquering fears is rewarding! – Megan was leery of heights and Joseph was mortally afraid of trying new foods.  Both were very unsure about character interactions.  When Megan learned to love the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), we were there to cheer her on and see the pride and amazement she felt at overcoming her fear.  Joseph learned to try, and in many cases love, all kinds of seafood, cheeses, and exotic flavors (like wild boar and buffalo).  Both of them RM-Character-Breakfastovercame their wariness about meeting Disney characters.  This might not sound like a big deal, but believe me, it was.  The ability to draw upon these experiences when faced with challenges in everyday life has been invaluable.

As you can imagine, there were many more things we all learned on our Disney vacations, but I’ll save those for another day.  What’s the best thing you’ve learned (or taught) at Disney World?