Top 10 Spots to Stop on an Empty Stomach

This morning I was looking through a friend’s Facebook photos from their recent trip to WDW, when my stomach started to growl. I had just eaten breakfast, but my tummy still screamed out for attention. Taking a second look at my computer screen, I realized why. There, in brilliant Technicolor, was the adorable image of my friend’s two kids sharing a cup of pineapple ice cream, freshly scooped from Adventureland in Magic Kingdom. Man, what I wouldn’t give for just one lick of that spoon….

Anyway, thinking about that ice cream got me to thinking about all the other great food you can get at the Walt Disney World Resort. I honestly haven’t eaten anything there that I didn’t like (and that includes the muscles I tried in Epcot). Just like the attractions, there’s something for everyone. Here are my top 10 favorite places to eat on Disney property:

Brandon and I eating at Cinderella's Royal Table on our honeymoon. That cake was AMAZING!!

10. Electric Umbrella, Epcot — This place is a burgers-and-fries (or chicken fingers!) kind of joint. The menu is simple and the food tastes great. I’ve been eating here since my earliest visits as a kid and love it. Most everyone else does too, so it tends to be really crowded during lunchtime.
Price range and type: Quick-service meal (think something like gourmet fast food), about $6 per person.

9. Earl of Sandwich, Downtown Disney — We discovered this little gem on our last trip in December. It has great Panini sandwiches and gourmet coffees and teas. It reminds me of my favorite little café that went out of business a few years ago. If you love that quaint coffee shop atmosphere, you’ll love this place.

Price range and type: Quick-service meal, about $6-$10 per person.

8. Tony’s Town Square, Magic Kingdom — You know that adorable scene in Lady and the Tramp with the spaghetti? Yeah, this is that Tony and that spaghetti tastes pretty darn awesome. I love the elegant, yet casual décor that pays tribute to a classic piece of Disney animation. Everything I’ve tasted of the Italian cuisine was outstanding. And yes, I ordered the spaghetti :).

Price range and type: Sit-down meal, about $15-$30 per person.

7. Sunshine Season Food Fair, Epcot — This place is like five restaurants in one. It will remind of a college cafeteria the way it is set up. Choose from several different types of cuisine, then grab a drink and pay the cashier on your way to the dining area. This is another spot we always seem to stop by if we’re in Epcot around lunchtime. Like the Electric Umbrella, it’s very popular, but very tasty.

Price range and type: Quick-service meal, about $6 per person.

6. Boulangerie Patisserie, Epcot — Whenever we get hungry for an afternoon snack at Epcot, we always seem to be in the France area of World Showcase. Coincidence? Probably not. This pastry shop has plenty of fabulous ways to satisfy your sweet tooth, or even your not-so-sweet tooth. I recommend the ham and cheese croissant or anything with “chocolate” in the name.

Price range and type: Quick-service meal, about $3-$6 per person.

5. ABC Commissary, Disney’s Hollywood Studios — Looking for a great place for breakfast? This is it! They’ve got everyone’s favorite morning starters. Dad gets his sausage and eggs; Mom gets her bacon and biscuits; I get my pancakes, and Brandon gets a big sampler of everything. It’s also a great place to relax and enjoy your meal. I haven’t found any big crowds here in the morning so far.

Price range and type: Quick-service meal, about $6 per person.

4. Aloha Isle, Magic Kingdom — Remember that pineapple ice cream I told you about earlier? That stuff is Heaven in a cup, and this is where you’ll find it. They also have other fruit flavors like orange (also yummy!). But beware, the line is almost always ridiculously long, even in cold December.

Price range and type: Quick-service, about $3-$6 per person.

3. Cinderella’s Royal Table, Magic Kingdom — Eating dinner at Cinderella’s castle is something every little girl in Disney World longs to do, and I have to say, it definitely doesn’t disappoint! You are treated like royalty the moment you walk in the door. After a chat with Cinderella herself for a bit, you ascend a red carpet spiral staircase into the gorgeous dining room overlooking Fantasyland. The attention to detail here is exquisite! The Fairy Godmother and Cinderella’s mice make appearances and talk with you as you enjoy a three-course gourmet menu. The food is excellent, but the price is much more than I would normally ever pay for a meal. That’s why I’ve only eaten here once, on my honeymoon, because it was a very special occasion. The price for dinner is a little over $100 for two people, which includes drink, an appetizer, main course and dessert. Breakfast and lunch are a little less expensive.

Price range and type: Sit-down meal, about $40-$50 per person.

2. Le Cellier Steakhouse, Epcot — On our 2007 trip, I chose this restaurant for my dad (he loves anything with “steakhouse” in the title), but we all ended up falling in love with it. It’s French-Canadian cuisine in a wine cellar/castle setting. It’s absolutely beautiful! The main courses and desserts here are to die for (I recommend the whiskey cake!)

Price range and type: Sit-down meal, $15-$30 per person.

1. Flame Tree BBQ, Animal Kingdom — This is without a doubt the BEST barbeque I have ever tasted! The classic pork sandwich is my favorite on the menu. It comes with baked beans and a drink and literally melts in your mouth. My dad loves the ribs, my mom loves the turkey, and Brandon just loves anything from this place. A definite “must taste” for your next trip!

Price range and type: Quick-service meal, about $6 per person.

You can check out Disney's entire list of eateries under the Where to Eat menu tab on the Walt Disney World Resort website.

Now, if anybody's going to WDW soon and would like to bring me back a bbq sandwich and a pineapple ice cream, it would be much appreciated :).

Bon appetit!

Miranda

Goodbye Toontown :(, Hello Princesses!

An aerial view of the new Fantasyland construction during Spring 2011.

I know I should have blogged about this sooner, but I wanted to do my research before I threw my opinion around here. It may seem odd, but to tell the truth I’m still kinda on the fence about this whole “Fantasyland Expansion” thing. Weird? Yeah, I know. My favorite area in my favorite park is going to double in size and I’m still not too sure about it. As they say, I guess stranger things have happened. Anyway, here’s what’s going down in the Magic Kingdom.

Way back in 2009 Disney announced plans to do a major reconstruction on the Fantasyland area of the Magic Kingdom park. The overhaul would double the size of the area and create spectacular and permanent homes for the most popular Disney princesses, as well as bring brand new movie-themed attractions to the park. The original plan called for Belle, Ariel, Snow White, Cinderella and Aurora to have their own special areas and attractions. Tinkerbell and her fairy friends would also have their own home at Pixie Hollow, and the Dumbo attraction would be moved to a new location, doubling in size and capacity.

I’m not sure exactly when, but at some point before January 2011 the plan changed. Cinderella and Aurora’s areas were eliminated, most say because Disney was afraid there were too many girly elements to the plans. Instead, Cinderella and Aurora will join other lesser-celebrated princesses in Princess Fairytale Hall. The Pixie Hollow area was also scrapped, with Tinkerbell in friends finding a home somewhere in EPCOT (no real details on that yet). New attractions replaced these eliminated areas. There are now plans for a Seven Dwarfs’ Mine Train coaster and Goofy’s Barnstormer coaster is getting a makeover with a circus theme being added around the area that it will share with the Dumbo ride. Confused yet? Yeah, it took me a minute to sort through all that too.

Noticed I haven’t mentioned anything about Mickey’s Toontown Fair? That’s because Mickey, Minnie and Donald are now homeless :(. I think this is the biggest problem I have with the new expansion. When I realized Toontown had been wiped off the map, I almost wanted to cry. I loved this area as kid. I still love it. When you’re a little kid there’s nothing cooler than getting to walk through Mickey Mouse’s living room, or browse through Minnie’s refrigerator, or hop aboard Donald’s boat. If I had known our December trip would be my last time in Toontown, I would have taken a little more time and a few more pictures.

Not everyone shares my sentiments of course. My mom and dad are thrilled about the change. They had to all but drag me out of Toontown when I was little, and Mom was dreading having to go through the same thing with the grandkids (because you know any child of mine is going to be as much of a Disney kid as I was). Then I told her Dumbo was doubling in size, and she realized she wasn’t going to be totally off the hook :).

A rendering of the new expanded Dumbo attraction.

The meet and greet area for Mickey and the gang has been moved to the square on Main Street, in the old Exhibition Hall. They’ve been there since April and everything seems to be going well so far, or at least the photos look great. I know Walt always said move on to things bigger and better, but it’s still sad to see Toontown go. On the bright side though, I did get to see the neighborhood all decked out for Christmas :).

As for the rest of the new Fantasyland, I’m super excited about it! 

A rendering of the Ariel's Adventure attraction.

Work is well underway on the new Little Mermaid ride called Ariel’s Adventures. The ride will be similar to Disney’s other omni-mover rides (like Winnie-the-Pooh and Nemo), but something about this one just seems cooler. You start your journey on land and then dive down below the sea visiting all your favorite scenes from the movie.

A rendering of the Beast's castle and Belle's village.

On the other side of the construction site, crews are building the Beast’s castle, which will house the new Be Our Guest restaurant. Belle’s village and cottage will also be built providing new and unique ways to interact with Belle herself. 

A rendering of Snow White's cottage and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Across from Belle will be Snow White’s cottage and the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride. I’m not sure exactly what the plans are for this coaster, but I imagine it to be a blend between the traditional dark movie ride-throughs and the Thunder Mountain coaster. I don’t know about you, but that sounds absolutely AWESOME to me!

Well, that’s the basic idea of what’s going on behind that big construction wall at Magic Kingdom. Areas of the new Fantasyland will be opening from 2012 to 2013. Can’t wait!!