food IS a theme park
Polynesian Village Resort
is a relaxing tropical getaway — with some great dining and drinking to boot! And since it’s on the Resort Monorail Loop, it’s easy to stop in any time of the day or night on your way to or from Magic Kingdom.
Polynesian Village Resort
You know how sometimes we tell you about a slightly out-of-the-way place and say it’s totally worth the effort to get there? This will not be one of those times. Hurricane Hanna’s Waterside Bar and Grille is located adjacent to (the stupendously awesome) Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts and offers alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and a small menu of snacks for hungry swimmers (and any hungry passersby).
Hurricane Hanna’s
The style of this outdoor bar is slightly nautical, with clean lines and neat hanging lanterns. There’s seating at the bar, which is covered and provides some shade.
Bar Seating
There’s just something completely perfect about eating an ice cream sundae on Main Street, U.S.A., in the shadow of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle. The simplicity and innocence of that moment is sort of what Walt’s parks are all about: leaving today and entering the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
What better way to seize that moment than with an All-American Sundae from the Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor?
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor All-American Sundae
in the Discovery Island area of Walt Disney World’s Animal Kingdom has long been a favorite quick service spot for DFB and our readers, viewers, and followers.
The fairly central location — just between Dinoland and the big tree — makes it convenient to most lands in this sprawling park. There’s typically lots of available seating (albeit some of it uncovered). And the food is consistently satisfying and delicious. (Plus the massive portions give us some options with regard to sharing and maximizing Disney Dining Plan credits!)
And there are so many fun details in the decor here, with brightly colored, playful animal carvings providing interest (as well as identifying different seating areas). And there’s always plenty of real wildlife around to entertain the kiddos during the meal — there are some very hungry birds around.
But birds and squirrels aside, let’s see what Flame Tree Barbecue is cooking up!
Flame Tree Barbecue Menu Sign
I know it’s hard to believe, with so many truly delicious bread puddings available at Walt Disney World Resort (‘Ohana Bread Pudding at Polynesian Village Resort, Butterscotch Bread Pudding at Plaza Restaurant, Ger’s Bread Pudding at Raglan Road — to name a few crowd pleasers!), but we totally have a new favorite! You can find it at House of Blues in Disney Springs’ West Side!
House of Blues
We hear it again and again (and we’ve said it ourselves): Cinderella’s Royal Table is a must at least once in your Disney World vacation life.
And most guests who’ve dined in this hard-to-book restaurant inside Cinderella Castle agree that you’re really not there for the food. But the ambiance! The princesses! The views! The whole dining experience (did we mention it’s inside the castle?!) is the draw, even if the food is… a little hit or miss.
And it’s that experience that keeps Cinderella’s Royal Table hopping — with Advance Dining Reservations (ADR) ideally being made right at the 180 day mark — 180 days before the first day of your vacation. (Learn more about making dining reservations at Disney restaurants here.)
If you do get an ADR, prepare to be dazzled by the decor and wooed by the energy in the restaurant. You definitely get the sense that you’re in a special space, and with princesses swooping in for a chat and wishing stars waving in the air, it’s a one of a kind meal.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
You already know that Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is, well, magical. From sunrise to sunset and beyond, it’s beautiful from almost any angle.
Cinderella Castle
And now our icing wishes have come true (naturally!) at Gaston’s Tavern.
at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is a classic.
From its prime location at the Cinderella Castle end of Main Street, USA, to its elegant decor and moderately priced menu, The Plaza Restaurant is a truly great value. And the menu is family friendly (including those bottomless milkshakes!), so it’s easy to enjoy a meal with your whole crew.
But flashier dining options have relegated The Plaza to the realm of hidden gems.
And, honestly, we’re kind of okay with that. Because when Be Our Guest is booked solid, The Plaza is often a gettable alternative. And with a few new menu items, my most recent visit was a total home run.
Plaza Sign
Last June when Walt Disney World announced updates to the 2018 Disney Dining Plan, many guests were thrilled to discover that beginning this year, all three plans include Specialty and Alcoholic Drinks! This means that diners can order delicious milkshakes, fruity smoothies, and tasty adult beverages without having to pay out of pocket.
Southern Sangria and Not Everyone’s Margarita
Just in case you haven’t heard about the mayhem surrounding Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears in Disney Parks (on both coasts!), here’s the skinny…
Rose Gold Minnie Ears!
The minute Rose Gold Minnie Ears hit Disney Parks merchandise locations, the shops could not — and still can not — keep them on the shelves! Folks spent time hovering online waiting for updates about their return and scarfing them up in numbers. You could say they’re kindofa BIG DEAL. [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
