food IS a theme park
has earned a reputation for phenomenal food and fabulous late-night fun in Disney Springs. With spectacular, quality eats like Japanese Wagyu Beef and Peking Duck, there’s just nothing like it anywhere else in Walt Disney World.
Seared Wagyu at Morimoto Asia
When we first visited The BOATHOUSE (caps official!) in Walt Disney World’s Disney Springs back in early 2015, it wowed us with its quality seaside eats and charming decor.
We enjoyed it so much in April of that year that we returned in November to see if The Boathouse was staying afloat in the ever-changing landscape of Disney Springs. And it really was!
Truth be told, we still got a little sticker shock when we perused that mostly-seafood-and-steak menu, but with the food being as good as it was, we sort of got over it. So much so that in 2017, we headed back for dinner!
Yeah, you could say we’re fans. But even when a restaurant proves itself to be consistently good (with the exception, maybe, of that crazily overpriced, not very good S’mores Baked Alaska!), it’s our duty to keep checking on things to, you know, make sure it’s still awesome. So put on your life jacket and hoist the sails because we’re hitting the high seas at The BOATHOUSE.
The Boathouse Sign
The World of Disney food is a complex and ever-changing one, and that makes keeping track of it all darn near impossible.
Cinderella Castle
Worried? Don’t be! That’s why you have us. ?Here we will unravel 20 of the most prolific Myths About Walt Disney World food!
We often hear from readers who want to know if DFB’s favorites of yore have still got IT.
You know what we mean: do they still have the mojo that keeps guests coming back year after year. For some restaurants at Walt Disney World, it’s killer food and a seasonal, ever-changing menu that draws in a crowd. For others, it’s an atmosphere that can’t be beat — like ‘Ohana‘s warm family feel or Sanaa‘s animal friends right outside the window.
For Beaches & Cream, it’s a sense of nostalgia paired with comforting eats that have been consistently good since the soda shop opened its doors almost thirty years ago. (Let’s just table that thirty years ago bit because there’s no way we’re that old…)
Beaches & Cream is tucked in between the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts on an outdoor walkway adjacent to Stormalong Bay — the fabulous pool shared by the resorts. That means Beaches and Cream is in the Epcot Resort Area (and just a stone’s throw from the International Gateway that serves as an entrance to Epcot’s World Showcase). This convenient location means that even guests not staying at the Resorts will make the short trip to this casual table service location for a bite to eat.
But you (and I!) wanted to know: does Beaches & Cream still have IT?
Beaches and Cream
You love your mom, and she loves Walt Disney World. So why not treat her to a delicious Mother’s Day Brunch at Walt Disney World? There are several locations to take Mom on her special day — just make an Advance Dining Reservation and prepare to be Mom’s new favorite!
Cinderella Castle
Lest you think Disneyland Resort’s Pixar Fest is just serving up snacks like Funnel Cake Fries topped with sugary, fruity cereal and Cocoa Churros with Mexican-Spiced Chocolate Dip, today we invite you to step into the past at Carnation Café. It’s here you’ll find two throwback entrées: a Pork Chop TV Dinner and a Fried Bologna Sandwich.
Carnation Cafe in Disneyland
These two Grandma’s kitchen-worthy dishes are inspired by the heartwarming (tear-jerking) Pixar film Up!, in which viewers watch sweet Carl and his love Ellie grow old together.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
at Walt Disney World has always been a destination for movie (and TV) magic.
And even though the park is in the throes of dramatic re-imagining, we’re happy that some favorite dining experiences have remained. One such favorite is 50s Prime Time Cafe, the totally immersive, throwback-Thursday-everyday table service restaurant where your Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins berate you for putting your elbows on the table and the menu is packed with comfort food.
We’ve visited 50s Prime Time Cafe several times over the years (most recently in 2016), and one of the best parts of the experience here is the consistency of the food. If you enjoy American comfort food, you won’t be disappointed by the offerings at 50s.
And if you’re not a fan of heavy classics like meatloaf and fried chicken, there are actually still some decent options for you — and you’ll get to experience the fun of mid-century family life straight out of a sitcom.
So set the table, keep those elbows off the table, and get ready to clean your plates!
50s Prime Time Sign
The immersive experience at 50s Prime Time Cafe is evident from wall to wall — and we mean that literally. You’ll find old timey collectibles ev.er.y.where. And we can’t get enough of them!
Open shelving and tchotchkes galore!
Retro busts and figurines
Everyone should have a Cookie Trolley.
Every shelf is packed full of fun stuff — so you’ve got to take a stroll to check it all out. Seating is in the family kitchen, where shelves of retro items are on display and everyone gets a television — black and white and flashing clips of old programs! (And yes, these are the SAME clips you saw on your last trip…even if it was in, like, 2005.)
Seating at 50s Prime Time Cafe
The wallpaper is seriously serious, with its classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern.
50s Prime Time Cafe Seating
And the TV styling? Space age, baby!
They should sell these things.
But here at 50s Prime Time Cafe, there are rules, family!
Stay out of Mom’s kitchen!
Remember that dining here, you’re being served by your cousin most likely, and they’re pretty straightforward! No special treatment for you, and if you can’t tell them what color the soap was in the restroom you may end up standing in the corner for not washing your hands. If you don’t want to take part in the shenanigans (like singing “I’m a little teapot” in front of the whole restaurant when you didn’t finish your veggies), let your server know when you are seated.
If you’d like to see some of the fun antics, click here!
So what’s Mom cookin’ up in there? Let’s check it out!
The menu at 50s Prime Time Cafe is a laundry list of classic American comfort food — with a few nods here and there to healthier eats that probably weren’t on Grandma’s table. But you’ll want to start with a glance at the Drink Menu, where you can pilfer something From Dad’s Liquor Cabinet (or select a Sparkling Wine or Craft Beer).
50s Prime Time Cafe Drink Menu
Beverages at 50s Prime Time Cafe
While these adult beverages are a fun addition to the meal (and included in the 2018 Disney Dining Plan!), there’s really one drink you’ve got to try — and it’s family friendly! The Peanut Butter and Jelly Milk Shake is front and center on the full menu, and it’s delicious!
50s Prime Time Cafe Menu
It’s served in a tall glass with the stainless milkshake cup so you can top off your shake throughout your meal. And you’re going to want to drink every last drop!
PB and J Milkshake at 50s Prime Time
On this visit, I asked to see the Allergy-Friendly Menu and received this two-page menu with allergens clearly listed in red.
50s Prime Time Cafe Allergy Friendly Menu
50s Prime Time Cafe Allergy Friendly Menu
The Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese is one of my favorite things on any menu anywhere in the World — and we celebrated hard when it returned to the menu years ago after disappearing for a period! It’s a wheel of fried cheese served with fruit, raspberry sauce, and a piece of crusty bread. You have to get this!
Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese Appetizer
Next up, entrees! Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop was a miss on my visit. I love the concept — and the flavors are good.
Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop
There’s great color on the outside of the chop, and the accompaniments are colorful and tasty.
Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop
But this pork chop was way too tough and a challenge to cut through — to say nothing of actually chewing it! Hopefully it was just poorly executed on my visit and is actually awesome for everyone else. But I wouldn’t chance it again.
Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop Interior
Rather, I’d go for a Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes! This is a definite yes if you enjoy the three components: Roast Beef, Fried Chicken, and Meatloaf (complete with ketchup squiggle).
Sampling of Mom’s Favorites
If you’re looking to choose just one of the three, though, the Fried Chicken is the bomb, followed closely by the Roast Beef. You can’t go wrong with either one!
Sampling of Mom’s Favorites
The Sustainable Verlasso Salmon is one of those menu items that likely wasn’t on everyone’s gran’s table. But it’s a terrific option for those looking to eat a little lighter (and more sustainably). This was well prepared and served with a great assortment of veggies.
Sustainable Verlasso Salmon
The final entrees of the day are actually two versions of the same dish: Adult and Kids’ Chicken Pot Pie. This creamy mix is a combo of chicken, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, and peas. It’s topped with a flaky pastry — which seems to be pretty much the only difference between the two sizes. The grown up version comes with a square of pastry…
Adult Chicken Pot Pie
…while the (way more fun) kids’ version comes with Mickey-shaped pastry! Really, the portion size was so similar that it’s worth it to go with the kids’ just for the fun factor!
Kids’ Chicken Pot Pie
The flavor on this is a little bit bland, but I’m not a huge chicken pot pie fan. If you LOVE pot pie, you’ll likely enjoy this one. It has several guest devotees.
Of course, there’s also a Dessert Menu, where Mom and Dad have listed some of their favorite sweets.
Desserts at 50s Prime Time Cafe
Dessert at 50s Prime Time Cafe features some classics — and we do love a classic dessert! Unfortunately, these were not really up to par. The Traditional Warm Apple Crisp was covered in plenty of sweet/buttery crisp.
Traditional Warm Apple Crisp
But the filling is a generic canned apple pie-type filling. So it was tasty, but it wasn’t special.
Traditional Warm Apple Crisp
Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake was disappointing (especially for lovers of chocolate/PB combos!). This was dry and unremarkable. Get the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake instead!
Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake
Pull up a chair in Mom’s kitchen if:
Change the dining channel if:
Family, 50s Prime Time Cafe is still the bee’s knees, with tasty eats and some of the best atmosphere you’ll find in the World! On my visit the service was truly amazing (shout-out to Mark and Elaine). It’s a must-do at least once in your travels to Hollywood Studios. And don’t forget: if you can’t score an Advance Dining Reservation for 50s (or the walk-up time is too long a wait for you), you can get the full menu in neighboring Tune-In Lounge!
Is 50s Prime Time Cafe on your Disney must-do list? Tell us what you love the most!
Welcome to the worlds of Tomorrow, Yesterday, and Fantasy — Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! We’re bringing you What’s New in the ol’ MK — from Spring Break week, y’all!
Welcome to the Magic Kingdom!
We’ve got all the latest in our What’s New at Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom
! Come along while we share lots of menu changes, loads of 20th Anniversary merchandise, and a few construction updates!
Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life
has dropped the Salmon BLT from the menu, but the Turkey BLT and Pimento-Cheese BLT happily remain!
No more Salmon BLT at The Smiling Crocodile
Animal Kingdom Lodge is a mecca for unique dining at Walt Disney World.
Whether you’re sampling the buffet at Boma, selecting stellar wines at Jiko, or digging into soulful food at Sanaa, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House and Kidani Village have always been destination eating.
And it’s clear to see why. From the moment that you set foot into one of these restaurants, you are embraced by the warm atmosphere and intrigued by the art of Africa all around you. And then there’s the aroma, which you know means amazing eats await.
Sanaa is the newest of the three Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurants, and it’s made its mark on guests since day one. We’ve loved the Indian-Style Bread Service every time we’ve tried it, and the Butter Chicken has stood the test of time.
But I’d been hearing from some of our readers and followers that Sanaa’s time was up. That the experience there wasn’t living up to the hype and the food just wasn’t what it used to be. So I made a reservation and headed over ASAP to experience it again for myself.
Sanaa
is themed and highly visual, with artwork greeting guests from the moment they arrive. The sign outside the restaurant is surrounded by woven baskets of various designs. And while they are stationary, something about their arrangement is still energetic.
Sanaa
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