Mobile Order Service Expands to More Dining Locations

Did you know the mobile order service is now available at more than 35 locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort theme parks, Disney Springs and select Disney Resort hotels?

This popular service, available through the My Disney Experience app*, lets you order ahead from wherever you happen to be and pick up food and beverages at your convenience – from DOLE Whip at Magic Kingdom Park to Blue Milk at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and even some of our new, flavorful plant-based dishes. If you purchased a package with a Disney dining plan, you can also redeem meal and snack credits directly through the service.

Over the past several months, Disney has expanded the mobile order service to even more Disney Resort hotel dining locations, including Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, The Artist’s Palette at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, and Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. With these latest additions, the service is now available at 14 Disney Resort hotels, a great option whether you are looking to start your day with Mickey Waffles or enjoy dinner and dessert after returning from a fun-filled day at the parks.

So, if you are ready to spend less time waiting and more time playing, be sure to use the mobile order service during your next Disney visit!

*Message, data and roaming rates may apply. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset, service provider or otherwise. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first.

App Store is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC.

New Plant Based Options Coming to DisneyWorld and Disneyland

Exciting news for our foodie fans! Disney announced that ALL of their major quick and table service restaurants will soon be serving up plant-based options at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort – along with a new plant-based menu icon coming to Disney dining. Guests will be able to choose from hundreds of sweet and savory creations, including many brand-new dishes destined to become fan favorites!

Disney is always looking for ways to bring more flavor, innovation, and creativity to the Disney dining experience – and guest feedback is first on the menu when Disney evolves their menus and develop new dishes. Guests have embraced Disney's plant-based offerings at the parks around the globe, inspiring  Disney to expand their menu and introduce a new menu icon, a green leaf, that will make it easier than ever to find these creations during your visit.

These fun and flavorful options are made from plant-based ingredients like vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, seeds, and legumes – and are made without animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey. From comfort-food classics to exciting new dishes for the adventurer in all of us, everyone will find something to delight their tastebuds.

On October 1 at quick-service locations and October 3 at table service locations, Walt Disney World Resort will launch the plant-based menu icon and introduce new options at our theme parks and resort hotels. If you’re craving tasty plant-powered snacks and treats during your visit, you can explore more than 400 craveable dishes!

• Steamed Asian Dumplings from Le Cellier at Epcot – You’ll love these plant-based meat dumplings, served with bok choy, Chinese long beans, red peppers and radish in a delicious and fragrant Asian broth.
• Shiriki Noodle Salad from Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen at Magic Kingdom Park – This refreshing salad is made with noodles, edamame beans, mushrooms, green mango and cucumber, tossed with a sweet chili sauce.
• Felucian Garden Spread from Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge (Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort) – Made with plant-based “kefta,” herb hummus, tomato-cucumber relish and pita, this is the perfect bite for your visit to a galaxy far, far away.
• Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl from Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom – This taste of Pandora features crispy tofu, seasoned with chili-spice and topped with a crunchy vegetable slaw, boba balls and your choice of base and sauce.
• Plant-Based Cashew Cheescake from California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort – Just one of many scrumptious plant-based desserts available at Walt Disney World Resort.

We can’t wait for you to discover hundreds of delectable plant-based options at Disney parks and resort hotels. Whether you’re visiting Magic Kingdom Park, tasting your way across the globe at Epcot’s World Showcase, or grabbing a bite in a galaxy far, far away, you’re sure to find a plant-powered dish to enjoy.

Don’t worry, Disneyland fans – the menu icon and many new plant-based options are coming in spring 2020, so you won’t have to wait long to savor exciting new flavors. And across the world, we’re serving up delicious plant-based cuisine, including Risotto-style Spelt with Mushrooms at Disneyland Paris, Pan-fried Vegetables with Plant-based Dumplings at Hong Kong Disneyland, or Caramel Mix Nuts Banana Cake at Shanghai Disney Resort. When sailing the high seas with Disney Cruise Line there are bites to find, from a Plant-Based Chili Dog and Plant-Based Eggs to Chocolate Truffle Cake. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more foodie news!

Details on Enchanted Rose – A New Lounge Coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Disney recently announced a new “Beauty and the Beast”-inspired lounge coming to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Today, we're excited to share the official name as well as menu details.

Located on the second floor of the lobby, this re-imagined lounge will be called Enchanted Rose and will celebrate the magic and romance of Disney’s popular live-action movie. Featuring four unique spaces inspired by Belle and the Beast, Guests will find charm and elegance around every corner. The lounge includes a chandelier inspired by Belle’s flowing ball gown as well as a formal library that will showcase classical baroque designs and French furnishing. A garden room will take its inspiration from the enchanted forest surrounding the castle, and an outdoor patio will evoke the romance of Beast’s garden terrace.

Enchanted Rose will feature a delicious menu with a variety of shareable bites. Guests can snack on an artisanal cheese selection with pine nut bread and raisins or enjoy an exquisite dish of white sturgeon caviar served with egg timbale, crème fraiche, and chives.

In addition, you could try the Mini Smoked Short Rib Sliders with glacier blue cheese and onion marmalade on brioche buns. Or if seafood is more their style, also available to order is the Espelette Pepper-Spiced Shrimp or Octopus a la Plancha with black olives, blistered tomatoes, and fingerling potatoes. There’s also the Crab and Gnocchetti Gratin, which comes with jumbo lump crab, gnocchetti sardi, robiola bosina mornay, and citrus breadcrumbs.

Other options include truffle fries as well as a house-made flatbread pizza featuring charred broccolini, seasonal mushrooms, fennel sausage, ricotta salata, and tomato confits.

On the beverage menu is a variety of beverages including cocktails and martinis as well as spirits, beer, cider and even a few non-alcoholic options for guests of all ages. Featured cocktails include beverages such as the Island Rose with grapefruit and rose vodka, lime, orgeat, pineapple, bitters, and rose water. You can also sip on the Lavender Fog (dry gin, crème de violette, English breakfast tea, vanilla, and cream) or the Garden Daisy (tequila, midori, lime, egg white, and cucumber). The lounge will also be pouring an extensive collection of wine and Champagne by the glass.

Non-alcoholic options include a Garden Cocktail (non-alcoholic spirit, lime juice, agave nectar, and soda) as well as the B&B (fresh-brewed iced tea, lemon, blueberry, and basil) and the Rosemary Cooler (Odwalla lemonade, vanilla, and rosemary).

Enchanted Rose will open this fall at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Stay tuned for more details!


Source: Disney Travel Agents

Mobile Order Service Now Available at Additional Disney Resort Hotel Food & Beverage Locations

Walt Disney World has delicious news to share ... mobile order service is officially available at select Disney Resort hotels.



With a few taps of the screen, you are now able to use the mobile service to save time and skip the line to order at seven newly-participating quick-service restaurants, including Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter, the World Premiere Food Court, the End Zone Food Court and the Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Resorts, as well as Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

These locations are the latest additions to the mobile order lineup, joining Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, as well as over 20 other quick-service locations throughout the four theme parks and Disney Springs area. And there’s more on the way, as Disney plans to expand the service to additional Disney Resort hotel locations soon!

The mobile order service offers the convenience and flexibility of ordering, paying for and picking up fresh meals and snacks directly from the pick-up counter where Cast Members deliver the food – saving you time to enjoy all there is to see and do at Walt Disney World Resort. To see the full list of participating locations, just tap “order food” in the My Disney Experience app. And don’t forget, if you have a Disney dining plan you can now redeem your meals and snacks through the service.

Be sure to download the My Disney Experience app, available via the App Store and Google Play, to mobile order during their next visit!

Bongo's Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs Closing

Earlier this year, Gloria Estefan confirmed that Bongo’s Cuban Cafe at Disney Springs would be closing for good this month. The final day of operation for both the restaurant and the walk-up window has now been confirmed as Sunday, August 18.

Estefan and her husband and business partner Emilio reportedly have future plans to open a nightclub in Miami.

New Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge Cookbook to be Released This Fall

Visitors to Batuu will soon be able to bring its farm-to-table style of cooking home when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook is released this fall.

Based on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland Park and at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, the book features new recipes from Strono “Cookie” Tuggs, the former head chef at Maz Kanata’s castle on Takodana, who is now the proprietor of Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo.

The cookbook, written by Chelsea Monroe-Cassel and Marc Sumerak, will include delicious intergalactic recipes for all skill levels.

Here’s just a sample:

Look for Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge – The Official Black Spire Outpost Cookbook on store shelves in November.

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is already open at Disneyland Park and officially opens at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on August 29th.


Source: Disney Parks Blog

Food Offerings at Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in WDW

Are you ready to eat your way through Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge at Disney's Hollywood Studios? When you visit Black Spire Outpost on the planet of Batuu, you'll be greeted with a variety of food and beverage options that you won’t want to miss!

Oga’s Cantina
If you are thirsty for a taste of adventure, then Oga’s Cantina might be just the thing to quench your thirst! This notorious watering hole serves as the hangout spot for all of the locals as well as smugglers, bounty hunters, and the groovy droid, DJ R-3X! Here you will find a variety of specialty beverages with and without alcohol. For the fully-grown Jedi and bounty hunters out there, the specialty beverages with alcohol are served throughout the day. There’s even a few morning specialties like the Bloody Rancor made with vodka, chile liqueur, spicy Bloody Mary mix, and a rancor bone cookie.

The afternoon and evening specialties include options like the Outer Rim featuring silver tequila, açai liqueur, lime juice, pure cane sugar, black salt, and exotic fruit purée. There’s also the Yub Nub made with pineapple rum, spiced rum, citrus juices, and passion fruit as well the Fuzzy Tauntaun. This fun drink comes with peach vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice with tangerine, pure cane sugar, and “buzz button tingling” foam.

Younglings and travelers of all ages can also enjoy an array of family-friendly concoctions like the Blue Bantha. Offered all day, this beverage features blue milk served chilled and topped with a bantha-inspired vanilla-butter sugar cookie. During the afternoon and evening, sip on concoctions like the Hyperdrive (Punch It!) with Powerade Mountain Berry Blast, white cranberry juice, black cherry purée, and Sprite or the Jabba Juice featuring Simply Orange with pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, and blueberry popping pearls.

You can also try a new provision with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort) the Rodian Ration. This comes with vodka, sour apple liqueur, Sprite, and green apple popping pearls. Of course, there’s also a version without alcohol called Oga’s Obsession with Odwalla Lemonade, cotton candy flavor, and blue popping pearls. For snacking, you can order Batuu Bits – a trail mix featuring different seasonal crunchies and crispies that pair perfectly with any of the drinks on the menu!

Docking Bay 7 Food & Cargo
Guests can step into a working hangar bay where they’ll find that Chef Strono “Cookie” Tuggs has docked his food freighter, “Tugg’s Grub: A Traveling Diner for Diners Traveling,” right on the roof. He’s serving up a variety of dishes prepared with ingredients from across the galaxy. You can sit down in the spacious hangar (or grab a table in the rustic outdoor seating area) and chow down on eats like the Felucian Garden Spread (plant-based “kefta” with herb hummus, tomato-cucumber relish, and pita) or the Yobshrimp Noodle Salad with chilled shrimp, marinated noodles, and seasonal vegetables. To drink, you can sip on specialty beverages without alcohol like the Moof Juice with Simply Fruit Punch, Simply Orange with pineapple, and chipotle-pineapple. For a specialty beverage with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort) – guests can try the Takodana Quencher with dragon berry rum, blue curaçao, Simply Orange with pineapple, and kiwi.

And to satisfy their sweet tooth, you can indulge in the Batuu-bon featuring chocolate cake with white chocolate mousse and coffee custard or the Oi-oi Puff – a raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse.

Milk Stand
Guests can stop by the Milk Stand to try Batuu’s legendary blue and green treats. Both the Blue Milk and the Green Milk feature a plant-based blend of coconut and rice milks and can even be ordered with alcohol (exclusive to Walt Disney World Resort). You can sip on a Blue Milk Cooler with rum or a Green Milk Cooler with tequila! And be sure they don't forget to order their Bubo Wumba Family Farms souvenir drink vessel.

Ronto Roasters
Roasted to perfection by pitmaster droid 8D-JB, the Ronto Wraps are a great grab-and-go bite served at Ronto Roasters. They come with roasted pork, grilled sausage, peppercorn sauce, and tangy slaw wrapped in pita. You can also take a bite out of some Nuna Turkey Jerky, offered in sweet and spicy flavors.

To quench their thirst, guests can try the non-alcoholic Tatooine Sunset with Gold Peak Unsweetened Tea, Odwalla Lemonade, melon, and blueberry. Or they can enjoy the Walt Disney World Resort exclusive specialty beverages with alcohol: Trandoshan Ale (a spiced wheat ale) or the Coruscant Cooler featuring Kentucky bourbon, cherry liqueur, fortified wine, cranberry, and lime juice.

Kat Saka’s Kettle
Guests can pop into this eclectic food stall (run by grain merchant Kat Saka) in the Black Spire Outpost Marketplace for a unique taste of Batuu. The Outpost Mix is a combination of sweet and savory popcorn and is the perfect snack for the traveler on the go!

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney World Resort opens Aug. 29, 2019, at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

First Look - Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs Resort

The Walt Disney World Resort has shared photos of the gorgeous interior of the brand new Gran Destino Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort including the magnificent two-story grand lobby, the beautifully appointed guest rooms, as well as the restaurants and lounges.

Celebrating the rich cultures and vibrant landscapes of Spain, Mexico, and the American Southwest through contemporary design and Old World traditions, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort shines with renewed luster. On July 9, 2019, the resort will complete a multiyear re-imagining focused on today’s travelers, marking the official debut of a new tower, new restaurants and a new arrival experience.

The new Gran Destino Tower rises dramatically on the southeastern shores of Lago Dorado (“Golden Lake”), the resort’s 22-acre lake. The tower – opening to the public July 9 – offers 545 modern guest rooms (including 50 suites and club-level services), a grand two-story lobby, new meeting venues, and a rooftop restaurant and lounge with spectacular views. The distinctive tower becomes the stylish new gateway to the 2,385-room resort.

Gran Destino Tower takes its name from the classic Disney film “Destino.” Drawing inspiration from the surrealist animated short, the tower is a whimsical, magnificent visual feast, diverse in its design and execution. The tower’s outdoor Destino Plaza are also ideal for weddings, business receptions or other special events.

Past its grand entrance and signature ribbon-patterned design that climbs up the side of Gran Destino Tower, guests step into a stunning lobby – an homage to the Catalan Modernism style. On their way to check in, new arrivals pass intricate wooden screens with rows of beautiful Moorish hanging lanterns, while decorative bronze screens inspired by Spanish tile patterns accent the rear wall of the lobby.

The warm colors and patterns of Barcelona inspire the sun-filled Barcelona Lounge on the lobby’s lower level, offering plenty of casual seating and lake views. Beneath a magnificent chandelier framed by sculpted plaster columns, guests can enjoy coffee in the morning and cocktails as the day progresses.

The Catalan theme extends to the tower’s stylish new guest rooms and suites. A wall covering in each room is inspired by Spanish tile medallions, adding an Old World touch to a contemporary design. The new tower also offers club-access rooms for guests who want to enjoy the benefits of the Chronos Club. The club boasts commanding views of Walt Disney World Resort and cast members who can assist with vacation planning. Light refreshments are available throughout the day.

Now let's take a look at the rooms ...

Each tower guest room also offers a new interactive television system that provides a more customized and Disney differentiated in-room experience. This new television system will enhance the guest experience with Disney-quality services, content and personalization. For example, guests can view their Disney PhotoPass images on the large screen and stream their entertainment services from their personal devices to the in-room television.

Gran Destino Tower is crowned by dramatic rooftop dining locations; Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood and Dahlia Lounge, offering breathtaking views of Walt Disney World from the tower’s 16th floor. Named for the storied Spanish city home to avant-garde writers and artists of the 1920s and ’30s, Tolédo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood is a table-service dining experience. The Spanish-inspired menu features entrees like chuletón, a 32-ounce, Spanish-style ribeye for two, as well as sustainable seafood and classic Spanish sides. It’s all served in a setting that features live olive trees, vibrant colors and an intricate vaulted ceiling with stained-glass accents. There’s also an onstage tapas kitchen inspired by the flavors of Spain, specializing in small plates, charcuteríá, and cheeses.

The adjacent Dahlia Lounge takes its mesmerizing shapes and swirling patterns from Spanish Modernism, inviting guests into an intimate, artful space where they can enjoy signature cocktails and panoramic views.

As part of the broader re-imagining of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, three new pedestrian bridges now extend across Lago Dorado, allowing for quick and convenient passage to and from all parts of the resort. In the middle of the lake at the nexus of these new pathways is Villa del Lago (“Lake Villa”), home to a new outdoor restaurant, Three Bridges Bar & Grill. The open-air, waterfront dining location offers delicious entrees and shareables, along with refreshing cocktails and signature sangria pitchers. Three Bridges Bar & Grill features a rustic, Old World charm anchored by a large stone hearth behind the central bar.

These new experiences complement the wide array of amenities and experiences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, including floating gardens, scenic nature trails, and palm-shaped courtyards. All existing guest rooms at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort were updated with new fixtures, furnishings, and lighting. Guest feedback helped shape the room remodel that introduced an expansive desk space, hard-surface floors, platform beds and more. In addition, a fresh, sophisticated new color palette ties together the entire resort experience.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is now a celebration of Spanish, Mexican and American Southwest cultures, infused with a profound respect for the natural world – most notably water. These design motifs span centuries to form a common thread that connects the new with the newly re-imagined.

Takumi-Tei Restaurant Now Open in Epcot

If you are looking for a new and unique place to dine at Walt Disney World, then we have some exciting news for you: Takumi-Tei is officially open at Epcot!

Located in World Showcase, the new signature table-service restaurant is the latest addition to the Japan pavilion. Here you will enjoy an upscale dining experience with exceptional and specialized service tailored to the unique atmosphere this restaurant provides.

The entire Takumi-Tei experience is focused on giving Guests a better understanding of Japanese culture, as explained by the Japanese cultural representatives. From the moment you walk into the restaurant to the moment you put down your chopsticks for the last time, you'll feel as if you've been transported to the island nation and will learn about Japanese traditions and their connection to the natural world.

In addition to an incredible prix fixe multi-course tasting menu and a chef’s table experience, the dinner menu highlights wagyu beef in a sublime setting along with sushi, sashimi, unique desserts, signature cocktails, premium sake and much more.

Guests can start their meal with appetizers like Teien (meaning “garden” and featuring compressed watermelon and tuna sashimi), Nikomi Wagyu (braised wagyu short rib with roasted bone marrow), or Hama no Kani (“Crab on the Beach” featuring crab tossed in a light ponzu sauce as well whole toasted crab). For a vegetarian option, you can dine on the Agedashi Tofu with fried silken tofu, brown butter black rice and shimeji mushroom.

Entrées include exquisite dishes like Kamo Rosu and Takumi Gyuniku. The Kamo Rosu features roasted marinated duck with kabocha squash, edamame beans, Japanese mizuna, cured duck egg yolk, and a grape reduction. The Takumi Gyuniku, or artisan beef, shines the spotlight on a Japanese A-5 wagyu beef tenderloin with leek sauce, warishita, short rib gyoza, roast cippolini onion, curried potato, and seasonal mushroom.

For the sushi and sashimi lovers, there are some delicious options. On the Maki Sushi menu, you'll find Mozaiku (featuring tuna, yellowtail and asparagus). You can also try the Temari Sushi featuring a chef-selected assortment of oceanic delicacies. Or if sashimi is more your style, the Takumi Sashimi entrée features tuna, toro, salmon, yellowtail, uni and ikura.

Of course, there’s always room for dessert! Two choice selections include Kumo (yuzu cheesecake, spiced kabocha, orange yuzu gel and blackberry sake) or Suiren Dani (Water Lilly Valley featuring Japanese water cake, rose, kuromitsu and kinako crumb).

You will also find an extensive beverage menu with premium sake, wine, beer and cocktails. Specialty cocktails are themed to each of the five dining rooms and include Kochi (Joto Yuzu citrus sake, rum, fresh mint, yuzu juice and orange), Raiju (Haku Japanese vodka, spiced ginger beer and lime), Sakurajima (Japanese whisky sour smoked with cherrywood), and Kami (Roku gin, Sayuri “White Lilly” Nigori sake, calipco and lychee).

Walk-ups are currently being accepted, and reservations will be available beginning July 16, 2019.

Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Adults

I know that just being at Walt Disney World is quite a celebration itself, but if you're looking for a specific restaurant to celebrate a special day whether it's a birthday, anniversary or something else you want to celebrate, the following are my personal favourite locations to celebrate (keep in mind this list was made with adults in mind, so if you have a seven-year-old who wants to celebrate their birthday I would recommend Chef Mickey's or a different restaurant).


California Grill, Contemporary Resort
I personally recommend the brunch at California grill - it is fantastic with all-you-can-eat sushi. The dinner service is also fantastic - I've also had some amazing steak there and there's even a create your own Bloody Mary bar. Like most of the restaurants on this list it is a bit more expensive but it's for a special occasion so I feel like it's definitely worth it.

Victoria & Albert’s, Grand Floridian Resort
This is Disney’s best restaurant by a wide margin. The difference between Victoria & Albert’s and a restaurant that’s merely “very good” is that a “very good” restaurant is probably known for a few signature dishes it does well. At Victoria & Albert’s, every single menu item is exceptional. Each course — and there are 7 to 10 of them on the tasting menus — is prepared by accomplished chefs, using the best ingredients available regardless of cost, presented in innovative ways, by servers whose knowledge is frankly astounding. Also astounding is the price, which starts at $185 per person for the 7-course tasting menu, and goes to $235 per person for the 10-course menu. Add in a wine pairing ($65 to $150 per person), caviar, and gratuity, and dinner for two people will top $1,000. Formal attire is required to dine at Victoria & Albert's.

Boma – Flavors of Africa, Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Boma buffet has been one of our favourites since it opened more than fifteen years ago. The buffet is enormous — stretching down almost the entire length of the restaurant and continuing along one side. If the food at Jiko is a tempered introduction to African, Asian, and Indian cuisine, the food at Boma is even more so. For every pot of mulligatawny (a curry-flavored stew with meats and vegetables) there’s a tray of chicken nuggets and fries. My favorite here is the carving station with roasted meat and sauces. The dessert options are wonderful too. Both breakfast and dinner are buffet style.

Artist Point, Wilderness Lodge
Artist Point features food from the Pacific Northwest. Its house specialty for years has been salmon roasted on a cedar plank, which won’t steer you wrong. We've eaten at Artist Point many time and really enjoy the Braised Short Rib Bolognese, with thick egg noodles and mushrooms. If you’ve got a large group, the charcuterie board is stocked with boar, venison, and pork is a good option. Pair that with the cheese board of five samples, and you’re off to a good start. Another yummy entree is the buffalo strip loin, two perfect pieces of meat with just salt and pepper on top. The most popular side dish is a truffle macaroni and cheese.

Beaches & Cream Soda Shop, Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream serves old-fashioned hamburgers and fries, plus traditional American diner food, milkshakes, and sundaes. It’s not a fancy menu, but the burgers are cooked fresh and at $16 each are considerably better (and a few dollars cheaper) than many other table service places in Walt Disney World. Reservations are exceptionally difficult to get at Beaches & Cream because of its small size — it might hold a few dozen people, tops. If you can get your family in, try the Kitchen Sink sundae: scoop after scoop of ice cream served with every topping on the menu — it serves four people.

Monsieur Paul, France Pavilion, Epcot
Monsieur Paul is definitely one of the most grown-up of all Epcot restaurants. It’s a true fine-dining experience tucked away upstairs in the France Pavilion. It’s quite expensive, but is perfect for date night without kids. The menu is unique and the food is always excellent. Dinner is the only meal served at Monsieur Paul, so you can always expect a special experience. The prix fixe meal is the restaurant’s signature offering. The menu changes often, but always has a variety of top-notch choices. Appetizers range from fancy soups to crab legs. For entrees, you can always expect a good mix of beef, chicken, and fish. The Beef Tenderloin is my personal go-to. Also, the restaurant is known for commonly having a great Sea Bass dish on the menu. Dessert is a big highlight for Monsieur Paul, so don’t leave without it. There are a handful of the usual suspects- cake, ice cream, meringue, but I recommend the “La Sphere”. The La Sphere is a chocolate sphere filled with chocolate almond cake, chocolate cream, pralines, hazelnut biscuit, chocolate ice cream, and cognac sauce. The presentation is beautiful and the dessert itself is delicious.

Jiko - The Cooking Place, Animal Kingdom Lodge
Jiko is one of Disney World’s overall best restaurants. Jiko’s food is outstanding. It’s a mix of African and Mediterranean-inspired dishes that are unique, but not so out of the ordinary that a picky eater can’t enjoy a meal here. My personal favorite item on the menu is the Botswana Short Rib. You hear “fall-off-the-bone-tender” a lot at restaurants, but Jiko’s short rib is deserving of that claim. Lamb, steak, chicken, seafood- all of it is top quality and incorporates just enough African flair. Lots of imported wines to choose from too.


Did your favorite restaurant make the list? Are there any restaurants that you feel I missed? Let me know in the comments.