Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

Disney Dining – Olivia’s Cafe at Old Key West

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Relaxed Dining at Olivia's Cafe / Old Key West / Walt Disney World“All in all, we found Olivia’s Café an unexpected, hidden treasure.  Our experience there seemed pixie-dusted since it was a spur-of-the-moment restaurant choice and the evening turned out to be one of the loveliest of our trip.” – Me, once again channeling my inner restaurant critic.

While Staying at Old Key West, we found ourselves with an open evening – no reservations booked, no major plans.  Our vacation was winding down and we returned to the resort after a long day that had started at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and ended in the Magic Kingdom.  We had intentions of making sure our transportation on the Magical Express to the airport the next morning had been arranged, scheduling someone to collect our luggage from our room then returning to the parks for a last night out at Walt Disney World.

We’d just gotten off the bus at Old Key West’s Hospitality House to check on our morning Dining room at Olivia's Cafe / Old Key West Resortdeparture schedule (sad, so sad) and we realized we were starving!  That’s when I remembered having heard good things about Olivia’s Café and suggested we stop in and see if any tables were available.  We checked, a table was immediately available, and we had a fantastic dinner with delicious food and terrific service!

The atmosphere in Olivia’s is laid-back and very old-fashioned-Florida-Keys.  It’s open and airy as one would expect, yet homey and comfortable – very welcoming.  You can dress very casually here and be yourself.

One thing you can count on at Olivia’s (I’ve read this over and over and our own experience Olivia's Tomato-Mozzarella Saladconfirms it) is outstanding service.  It felt to us as if, knowing they’re a bit out of the way for many Walt Disney World guests, the staff at Olivia’s goes above and beyond normal Disney service.  They seemed genuinely appreciative of having us there.  Our server was Moe – super friendly and attentive (without hovering).  Moe started us off by bringing us some bread and butter.  Fans of ‘Ohana over at the Polynesian will recognize Olivia’s delicious pineapple-coconut bread.  SO unexpectedly scrumptious!  Even the super-picky one among us enjoyed it.

Olivia’s menu is made up of “home-style American cuisine with a Caribbean twist” (as Olivia's Cafe / Conch Chowderdescribed by Disney World’s web site) and is full of abundant choices sure to satisfy any diner (view the entire dinner menu here).  Raymond started off with the tomato-mozzarella (with mixed greens and balsamic syrup) while I had the Conch Chowder (reminded me of Manhattan-style clam chowder) which was hearty and delicious.  I don’t recall if either of our children had an appetizer – I believe I may have been too busy enjoying the bread and the chowder!

Main courses for the four of us were:  Raymond and Megan both had Shrimp and Grits (“Sautéed Shrimp with Vegetables, Tasso Ham, and fresh Herbs served over Olivia’s Famous Shrimp and Grits at Olivia's Cafe / Old Key WestGrits”) while Joseph and I both ordered burgers.  His was plain, mine…not so much.  I ordered what has to be one of the most delicious, extravagant, decadent burgers in all the World – The Duval Street Burger.  This behemoth burger described as being “topped with Grilled Shrimp, Pepper Jack Cheese, Avocado, and Pico de Gallo on our Pineapple-Coconut Roll” was unbelievable and I’m sorry to say I could not do it justice – I managed to finish about half.  The burgers were served with fries, coleslaw, or chips.  Joseph and I both chose the fries which were nicely crisp on the outside.  Old Key West, Olivia's Cafe / Duval Street Burger

Full as we could be, we excused Megan and Joseph so they could hit the parks for their last night of vacation.  Raymond and I lingered a while over coffees (mine of the “Irish” variety) and were a little bit sad that we had no room for dessert.  The Banana Bread Pudding Sundae and Mascarpone Cheesecake sure looked tempting.  For our last meal at Walt Disney World, we couldn’t have asked for a more enjoyable one.

Olivia’s accepts the Tables in Wonderland discount card and is one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

Have you eaten at Olivia’s?  What was your favorite part of the meal? 

 

 

Epcot’s Test Track for the Technologically Impaired

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Epcot's Test TrackI drive a Toyota Prius and her odometer just rolled over 200,000 miles.  My car is 8 years old, has a few dings and scratches and still gets me from points A to B very well – I like it because its a pretty Disney-looking red and allows me to display my considerable number of Disney antenna toppers.  I’m not a car buff and I care not at all about the automotive technology involved in HOW I’m getting well over 40 miles to the gallon on every tank of gas.  I know to get the oil changed at regular intervals.  I could maybe change a flat if there were an extreme emergency, but I live in the South where a woman with a flat tire somehow magically sends out a “damsel in distress” beacon and the tire immediately gets changed by a stranger who calls you “Sweetheart”.  But ratherChevrolet Design Studios at Epcot than making you feel the pitiful, frail and helpless female, you somehow end up feeling like a cherished family member and wind up with a new friend – who you will very likely see again at the grocery store, ballpark, or local 5k race.

So…Epcot’s Test Track doesn’t seem much like something I’d like, does it?  Once again, I have to hand it to those Disney Imagineering geniuses – it’s actually fun!  Guests get the opportunity to design a virtual vehicle – based on a number of options like efficiency, power, aInside Epcot's Test Track Buildingppearance, and so on.  Then the designs are put through a series of tests as you ride along on the Test Track – which involves both indoor and outdoor simulated test situations.

On our last visit, Megan and I teamed up to design a car while Raymond and Joseph worked together on their own.  Megan and I were primarily concerned with our car’s appearance while our family’s other team was concerned strictly with their vehicle’s power.  Sure, their virtual ride outperformed ours in the tests, but we couldn’t have cared less – our car was adorable!Display Vehicle in Epcot's Test Track

And if, when I’m in Test Track and I see those shiny new display vehicles, I’m giving them mental make-overs involving Disney decals and antenna toppers, well…that’s just how I roll.

For a feel about what to expect on Test Track, watch my Test Track POV video on Living a Disney Life’s YouTube Channel.

What about YOU?  Do you like Test Track?  What makes it fun for you?

Disney World Attraction Vehicles – Which Would You Own?

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Disney's Test Track CarA while back, one of my favorite Disney podcasts, Mighty Men of Mouse, had a debate over the merits of owning a Disney World ride vehicle as transportation.  Which one would it be?  Why would one pick that particular vehicle for the daily commute to and from work?  I liked that idea!  It got me to thinking….  Lots of times, I tweet what I’m pondering and this time was no exception.  Last night while I was mentally tallying the pros and cons of Clammobiles, service elevators, hang gliders, flying elephants, magic carpets, mine trains and the like – imagining the merits of each for going to work, tooling about town, leisurely exploring country roads, off road riding through fields and turn-rows (we DO live in the country, after all) – I threw out the query to the fun Disney community I hang out with on Dinoland's Primeval Whirl Twitter…

The answers were GREAT!  But….they were as all over the place as my thoughts on this topic.  If I were going to own a Disney ride vehicle as a mode of transportation….which would I choose?

Before I announce the winning vehicle, let’s see who weighed in with a vote:

DisneyPrincess83 (@OzGoofyPrincess) instantly jumped right in! (I can always count on her to play along with my “what-if” questions!)  Her initial thought was the Friendship Boats because she’s from Australia “so they might come in handy.”  I’d hear back from the SevenDwarfsLoadingPrincess later in the debate…

Jason @JasonLiving was decisive with his choice of Doom Buggy (Haunted Mansion).  Now, since I know Jason in person (and have since he was about 6), I can say there’s no better or more suitable choice for him.  Doom Buggies are a bit creepy yet edgy and fun at the same time.  Jason likes stuff like that.

@CaptainAlabama just wanted to know if the cars at SciFi Dine-In would count as an option.  I’m guessing the Cap thinks the colorful retro convertibles (with fins!) would be a standout on the roads where he lives.  They would be eye-catching just about anywhere!

Rob @singleriderline also favored the Doom Buggy, but also thought perhaps the Kilimanjaro Safari truck would make good transportation.  I suggested Rob would be happy with BOTH sinceSailing on WDW Jungle Cruise Doom Buggies would be perfect for solo or duo travel while the safari trucks would allow you to take a whole bunch of friends out on the town….or on safari.

Safari Mike (@JamboEveryone) piped up with a vote for the WEDWay PeopleMover (a.k.a. the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover).  Cars propelled by linear induction (moving along by magnetic force) produce no pollution and are environmentally safe – Mike is all about conservation (Radio Harambe podcast), so this transportation choice makes perfect sense.

At this point, I heard from Dutch Lombrowski (@DutchLombrowski) which was GREAT since he happens to be one of the hosts of Mighty Men of Mouse – the podcast that inspired this discussion!  Dutch, like Mike, also favored the TTA.

Then the Princess (@OzGoofyPrincess) threw out another option – One that, I’m sorry to say,Animal Kingdom's Dinosaur Ride never occurred to me – the “Dinosaur Buggy” (as she called it).  I know many people don’t care for Dinosaur (the ride in Animal Kingdom) but the ride vehicles (exactly the same as used for Disneyland’s Indiana Jones ride) are brilliant.  They’re a technological marvel of highly programmable maneuverability that would, during home use, offer the owner a virtually unstoppable mode of transportation.  The Princess thought they’d be perfect for battling Sydney traffic.  Heck, they’d be perfect for just about anything!

So, while I’d been thinking about the blue Caddies from Rock’n’ Roller Coaster and the swinging cars from the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train as possible options, I must agree with the Princess’s second vote – especially once she mentioned not only the 100% all terrain maneuverability of the vehicle, but the possible advantage of time travel capabilities.  Mind blown, I salute the Princess and her imagination!

And the winner is….

The Dinosaur Cars!!!

Thanks to everyone who played along!

Your turn – which vehicle would you choose?

 

Disney’s Animal Kingdom – Pangani Forest Trail

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Animal Kingdom GorillaI’m a little perplexed about something.  (If you can clear up my confusion, please do!)  Why do so many people skip the exploration trails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom?  Is it because they think it’ll be too much like a typical zoo experience and they want more “Disney” things to do?  Maybe some folks are afraid there will be unpleasant animal smells? (There aren’t)  Is it because there are so many other things at Animal Kingdom to see and do they think they don’t have time? (That one I could sort of understand)  I have a theory about it…I think people skip the trails because they don’t think they’ll be exciting or that there’s nothing new or different to see.  Of course, if that’s the case, they’d be WRONG!  Perhaps I could dispel that nasty rumor once and for all…Naked Mole Rats at Disney's Animal Kingdom

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give to you, FIVE great things about The Pangani Forest Exploration Trail:  (Don’t worry, I will devote an entire future post to the Maharajah Jungle Trek).

1.  Naked (Nekkid!) Mole Rats.  Somewhat (okay, VERY) disgusting, always fascinating!  Along the trail you’ll come to a research building full of fascinating exhibits – none more interesting than those mole rats!  They’re like some sort of horrible oddity – you know what I’m talking about – the kind of thing you can’t look away from but you’re freaked out by.  Want to know more?  See these Fun Facts at the Smithsonian’s site.

Meerkat at Animal Kingdom2.  Meerkats – These little guys (and girls, I suppose) are so fun to watch!  Popping up and down, playing sentry for their mob.  They are cute and funny and wonderful to see.  Why would anyone pass up this opportunity?  Need more convincing?  Check out National Geographic’s Meerkat facts for kids here.

3. Hippos!  There’s an underwater viewing area.  You can see hippos in the water on Kilimanjaro Safari, but seeing them from below the water’s surface is just spectacular!  Really!Hippos at Disney's Animal Kingdom

4. The Aviary – Birds take so many different shapes and sizes!  They’re also smaller than some of the other animals on the trail, so the stroller set may find them more interesting.  Of course, if you’re scared of birds you should avoid this area at all costs!  Me?  I think they’re just ducky.  (See what I did there?)

5.  THE very best part of this experience – Western Lowland Gorillas.  Incredible.  Fascinating.  Also so fun to watch as they go about their day – and seem to be interested in watching you go about yours.  If you’ve ever Disney's Animal Kingdom Gorillabeen to a stinky primate house at a zoo, forget about it!  These amazing creatures are right there in front of you – with no bars or glass obscuring your view.  See the gorilla in the picture?  He had a metal dish/bowl for drinking water, but he stopped drinking to stare at me…while I looked at him.  I think we really connected there for a while.

So, those are my reasons for visiting Animal Kingdom’s Pangani Forest Exploration Trail on every visit.  You should give it a try!  Especially if you’re looking for any sort of educational opportunities on vacation (if you took the kids out of school to visit Walt Disney World, these trails are the stuff research reports are made of!)

Have you explored the Pangani Forest trail?  What was your favorite animal along the way? 

 

Western Lowland Gorilla at Animal Kingdom Disney's Animal Kingdom - Naked Mole Rat Sign