Tag Archives: WDW

Disney Dining: Worth Two Table Service Credits?

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RM-California-Grill-MenuIf you’ve chosen a Disney Dining Plan (or are thinking about it), you may be wondering – WHY do some “signature” dining restaurants, character dining experiences, and dinner shows require the use of TWO table service credits?  I get asked about this quite a bit and let me tell you – if you select some dining package other than the one for just quick service dining, you might find yourself puzzled and perplexed by the restaurant choices!

Yes, you could totally save time and money by avoiding the restaurants/experiences that burn two of your table service credits for one meal, but then again, some of the most popular and highly coveted reservations are at these two-credit places.  What to do…how to choose…  Ah, once again, the beauty of having my own blog is a place to express my own opinions!  However, I’d love to start a discussion here, so go ahead and share your opinions along with mine.  I’m pretty thick-skinned, so if you don’t Citricos-Windowagree with me, shout on out.  For the benefit of readers that don’t have a lot of (or any) dining experience at Walt Disney World – your opinion matters!  All points of view are welcome.  Plus, I’m only talking about restaurants in which I have previously dined.  If I haven’t tried a particular dining experience, it won’t be on the list.

For ease of understanding, I’m using three categories to discuss the two-credit dining choices I’ve experienced.  These are:  Definitely Worth It, Might be Worth It, and NOT worth it at all.  Ready?  Let’s go!

Disney Dining: Worth Two Table Service Credits?

Definitely Worth It:

California Grill (Disney’s Contemporary Resort):  This place is fabulous.  The food, the service, the atmosphere – all top shelf.  The big bonus though, is the ability to watch Wishes from the outdoor viewing area no matter what time your dinner reservation was for.  It’s a pretty grown-up place, but is surprisingly kid-friendly.  My own experience can be found here.

Hoop-Dee-Doo-Musical-ReviewHoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review (Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground):  Dinner (all you care to eat) and a show!  Adult beverages included!  It’s basic food (fried chicken, ribs, sides, strawberry shortcake), but filling and tasty.  The show’s good with singing, funny skits, and great characters.  Full review here.

Might be Worth It:

Jiko – It’s one of our most favorite places to eat and it’s got the added bonus of being at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.  If you’re looking for a romantic evening out OR your children have more sophisticated palates, Jiko might be a great choice.  Animal Kingdom Lodge is not only gorgeous, but the savannah viewing area just off the resort’s lobby is a wonderful place to hang out before dinner.  Arrive early to allow plenty of time for exploring and animal watching.

Citricos (Grand Floridian Resort and Spa)– The food and service are amazing.  This is a place I’d The Flying Fish Cafe / Walt Disney World Boardwalkpick for a romantic dinner for two or for a grown-up evening out.  Get to the Grand Floridian early and enjoy a cocktail in Mizner’s Lounge before dinner.  I love the restaurant’s décor and quiet elegance. (Review here.)

Flying Fish Café (Boardwalk) – Like Citricos, but in a completely different setting.  Food and service are excellent and the Boardwalk is a great place to visit.  Arrive early or stay late – the Boardwalk has a lot to offer by way of street performers, shops, lounges and bars. (Review here.)

Le Cellier (Epcot’s Canada Pavilion) – You may have noticed that, up until this point, all my recommendations have been outside the parks.  Le Cellier is extremely popular and some people find it overrated.  We like it, though, and have never had a bad meal there.  It’s dark and cozy inside, which is often a great respite from the Florida sun and Epcot crowds.  If you’re going to be in Epcot and want the convenience of enjoying a pretty good steak dinner without leaving the park, Le Cellier’s a good choice for dinner.  Try the cheese soup!

NOT Worth It:

Magic Kingdom / Cinderella CastleFairytale Dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table – If you want a character dining experience, there are tons of 1-credit choices!  Unless you feel you must burn two credits just to say you ate in Cinderella Castle, it’s not worth it!  If you want to eat in a castle, chose Beast’s abode in Fantasyland and dine at Be Our Guest.  If you must dine with princesses, head on over to Epcot and enjoy Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall.  Personally, I’m particularly fond of dining with the Fab Five at Chef Mickey’s (Contemporary Resort) or with Cinderella, her Prince, Lady Tremaine and the Step Sisters at 1900 Park Fare (dinner / Grand Floridian Resort and Spa).  And, if I’m NOT at Cinderella’s Royal Table, I at least have to option of buying (and enjoying) an adult beverage if I choose.

Pizza Delivery – There are absolutely times when in-room dining holds a certain appeal, but Pizza Delivery at WDWblowing two table service credits to get a pizza, two single-serving, non-alcoholic beverages, and two desserts is a very poor use of those credits.  The pizza at Walt Disney World is notoriously awful.  Grab some snacks from a quick-service place or sundries shop (if one is handy) to take back to your room and save the table service credits for something truly extraordinary.  No food delivered to your resort room will be extraordinary in a good way.  Ever.

Your turn!  Agree with my assessment?  Have places to add?  Tell me what places you think are two-credit worthy!

 

 

Vacation Rewind: Fort Wilderness Cabins

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This week’s “Saturdays with Nick” is actually with Nick and his better half, Barbie!  Barbie’s trip report from 2011 gives great details about the cabins at Fort Wilderness! (I’ve always wondered about them!)  For lots more great Disney stories, visit Nick and Barbie at Disney Musings and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Trip Report from November, 2011: Fort Wilderness Cabins

Who? Barbie, Nick and our friends Josh and Jill. (As told mostly in Nick’s words)

Where? The Cabins at Fort Wilderness.

Friday, Nov. 11th

We flew into Orlando from Philly, and took Magical Express to Fort Wilderness, checked in, and proceeded to our cabin. We were in cabin 2768, which is very close to the main road, and one of the many bus stops throughout the grounds. It is a fairly short walk to the Outpost Depot, which is where you get a bus to Downtown Disney and all the parks except the Magic Kingdom, which is reached by boat.

Our cabin:
Upon entering the cabin, you walk into the kitchen area straight ahead. To the right is the living room. There is a Murphy bed hidden in the wall, which is where Nick and I slept. This is a very comfortable bed, perhaps more comfortable than other resorts beds. It is a double however, so some may find it a little small. The bathroom was very roomy, and Nick and I both felt the water pressure was stronger than at many other resorts.

A couple of things of note. I think this may have been one of the cleanest and most well kept of the rooms we’ve stayed in! Mouse Keeping was exceptional. Also, one of the things I got the most feedback about was the bus service. Many people suggested we rent a car, but we talked it over with our friends and decided that wasn’t necessary. It turned out that the bus service was the best of any other resort we’ve stayed at, with the exception of one late evening, after returning via boat from the Magic Kingdom, when we had to wait about 20 minutes for a bus. Even the internal bus service was often arriving just as we would approach both our local bus stop or the main Outpost stop. On only a couple of occasions was a bus not at the ready, and we opted to simply walk either to the main depot, or our cabin.

Nick and I and our friends all agree, we would absolutely stay at the cabins again. A big thank you to Jill for getting the interior pics for us after we left, hers are better than ours.

Back to the trip report: We dropped off our bags, and headed right to Epcot to enjoy the Food and Wine Festival. The weather was absolutely perfect. The Christmas decorations were already appearing, and the Christmas loops were playing.

Having made our way around World Showcase “eating around the world,” we headed for Future World, and rode Imagination and the Seas with Nemo, and explored the Seas. By now, it was almost time to head back to World Showcase. We were attending the 3D Dessert Party that evening, which was at 8:00pm. On the way there, we ran into my (Barbie’s) co-worker, Mary! From New Jersey! And this wouldn’t be the only time!! How crazy is that?

The Dessert party:
We lined up about 7:30, and were admitted shortly afterwards. We waited in front of a curtain, which was parted at 8:00, and all the people there rushed for tables, which really wasn’t necessary, as there were plenty. The rumor was that people would have to stand if they couldn’t get a table! Nick plowed ahead of the rest of us and picked out a table, and next to our table sat my co-worker, Mary! Again! What are the odds?!

Thanks Mary, for getting this very crazy pic of me hogging all the desserts on the table while nobody was looking! That’s what co-workers are for.

The room was beautifully decorated. There was a live band playing songs such as “Sweet Caroline,” “Sweet Child of Mine,” “Sweet Home Alabama,” you get the picture. They were cheesy and extremely loud. They were also a lot of fun. There was a lot of beverage choices, coffees, teas, and many adult beverages including wine, punches, etc., and Josh ad Nick’s favorite, the DeKuyper liquors. Also available was also a savory station of dried meats and cheeses, as well as fresh and dried fruits and beautiful berries, which was my favorite section.

Sadly the most disappointing thing about the dessert party were the desserts. The best thing, and almost worth the price of admission alone, was the Flambeed Cinnamon Doughnuts with Red Stag Infused Sundried Cherries served with Red Stag Ice Cream. Thanks to Mary for pointing us to that lovely concoction! Most of the rest of the desserts were disappointing. We all agreed the dessert trio from the Food and Wine Dessert and Champagne Booth was far superior. Such a shame that wasn’t an offering. Out of all the desserts they offered, not a one had any lemon in it. (always my preference!)

Around 9:30, there was an announcement that we would be going to the Illuminations viewing area, located between the two shops at the entrance of World Showcase. On the way out, we were each handed a gift bag with a Merci Chocolate assortment, as well as some other goodies. We were also provide special glasses that made small Mickey heads out of the fireworks. All in all, it was absolutely worth experiencing once, but we agreed we wouldn’t do it again!

 

 

Five Ways You Must Not Be at Disney World

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RM-Fantasyland-CrowdYou know I love a good list.  Most of the time I’m preaching to the choir when I make lists like this.  You’re probably here because you love a Disney vacation as much as I do.  Many of you could teach me a thing or two about Disney travel.  Just in case you’ve stumbled upon this post today and you’ve not yet enjoyed that first trip to Walt Disney World or if your friends and family accuse you of being a grumpy jerk, this post may be for you.

Five Ways You Must Not Be at Disney World

1. Don’t Be In a Hurry – This one’s my biggest downfall. I was born in a hurry. I want to get from points A to B in as little time as possible. Always. Allowing yourself to be rushed is a big problem at Walt Disney World. Crowds will not part for you, lines will not shorten, and running after rope-drop has been banned. There are actually Cast Members in Magic Kingdom who escort the first park guests to rides and attractions after park opening. There is no walking quickly as these Cast Members, by their own admission, specialize in “mosey”. If you’re using Disney transportation, busses seemingly go slower if you’re trying to get somewhere quickly. Over-planning is the biggest cause of this first item on today’s list. Underestimating how long it takes to get somewhere is also common.  Attempting to squeeze just one more ride into the plan often results in being tardy for an important event – I’m guilty!RM-Russell-Animal-Kingdom

2. Don’t Be Unprepared – We all need to make like a good Boy Scout and be prepared for the Florida sun and heat, sudden rain showers, hunger and thirst, and coping with allergies. But we also need to be prepared for unanticipated vacation-happiness-killers like high prices, long waits, major crowds, closed or broken rides, and changes in plans. Flexibility is a virtue anytime, but on a Disney vacation, it’s an invaluable skill! One last thought before I move on – ALL kinds of people vacation at Walt Disney World, including not-so-nice and dishonest ones. There’s no magic bubble of protectiveness around your stuff. Do not leave valuables unattended in a stroller and watch your bags, backpacks, and purses. Being the victim of a crime will never be a fun or happy vacation memory. Oh, and use that in-room safe at your resort when leaving anything important behind in your room.Walt Disney World Summer Crowd

3. Don’t Be Uncomfortable – There might not be a way to avoid being at least a little uncomfortable some of the time, but there are things you can do before and during your trip that will make a huge difference! Low hanging fruit here: Wear sunscreen, comfortable clothing and shoes, bring pain-relievers and snacks, and drink plenty of water. Food for thought – if you are not used to walking long distances, you might consider using the weeks/months leading up to your vacation to get ready for the major amount of walking required to see and do all the great activities Walt Disney World has to offer. In October, we took it easy during our Disney vacation and still averaged over 8 miles of walking each day. I’ll confess I wore really cute sandals on our first day there. I’ve always subscribed to the old adage “it’s far better to look good than feel good”. Well, I’m an idiot. Don’t do as I do, do as I say. Please – protect your feet with sensible and comfortable shoes!Nighttime in the Magic Kingdome at WDW

4. Don’t Be Distracted – Sounds silly to mention this one, doesn’t it? There are a million awesome sights and sounds in the World! Distractions are part of the fun, right? I’m actually talking about being so distracted by your cell phone that you miss the amazing Disney details. So distracted working out the logistics of making that next FastPass on time that you don’t realize your child has wandered off (or is touching the bottom of the person in front of them in line. Repeatedly). The kind of distracted that allows you ram people in the backs of their legs with your stroller. For best Disney vacation results – pay attention to your travel party as well as what’s going on around you.Entrance to DHS

5. Don’t Be THAT Guy (or THOSE people) – If you insist on doing any of the following, expect to be reviled by your fellow Disney guests:

  • Hold your iPad up over your head to film parades and shows so the people behind you cannot see.
  • Use flash photography in dark rides like Pirates of the Caribbean or Spaceship Earth.
  • Walk three or four side-by-side and block anyone who may need to pass you.
  • Leave your trash behind on tables at counter service restaurants.
  • Stop or hang out in the middle of busy, crowded walkways.
  • Cut in line.
  • Stand by and pretend not to notice while your children misbehave.
  • Yell, scream, chant, cheer, or act in any other unnecessarily loud and disruptive manner.
  • Change your baby’s diaper in any dining area – especially on the table.

If there’s a time to be a friendly, patient, polite, prepared, glass-half-full kind of person, it’s at Walt Disney World. The point of going, after all, is to soak up that Disney magic and have some pure, old-fashioned fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disney World’s Resort Loop Pub Crawl – Mizner’s Lounge

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Grand Floridian Society OrchestraWhen we find ourselves with a few minutes to spare before a dinner reservation in the Magic Kingdom resort area, we like to choose a spot along the monorail route to enjoy an adult beverage and relax for a while.  Once in a while we hit more than one lounge in a single day, so we call this habit the Resort Loop Pub Crawl (others call it the Monorail Bar Crawl).  Recently we found ourselves with a good 30 minutes we could use for just such an endeavor and chose Mizner’s Lounge at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.RM-Monorail

We decided on Mizner’s for three reasons:  Our dinner reservation was at Citricos (also at the Grand Floridian), we’d never been to Mizner’s before, and the awesome Grand Floridian Lobby Society Orchestra (long name, amazing sound) plays literally just outside of Mizner’s doorway.  We’d gone back to our room at Bay Lake Tower to clean up after a busy day that started with rope-drop at the Studios and ended with an afternoon in the Magic Kingdom.  By the time we boarded the monorail in the Contemporary, we were more than ready to sit down and be still for a few minutes.   We arrived to find Mizner’s only about half-full and were able to find a table for two by a window.

RM-Mizner's-LoungeLike everything in the Grand Floridian, Mizner’s is open, airy and bright with an upscale, fancy-feeling atmosphere.  Seats are available in well-cushioned chairs at the bar and in big, comfortable club chairs at tables situated throughout the lounge’s interior.  We were starving, but resisted ordering a snack from Mizner’s very tempting menu to save our empty stomachs for the delights at Citricos (review here).  We chose a Cabernet from the impressive (and expensive) beverage menu and settled back to enjoy our glasses of wine and listen to the Orchestra play some of our favorite Disney tunes.

As far as Disney lounges go, Mizner’s was more family friendly than most and had a hushed, subdued crowd.  Like us, the other guests appeared to be there for relaxation and quiet conversation.  Maybe Mizner’s is livelier later in the evening, but for a place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, it was perfect.

What’s your favorite lounge on the resort loop?