Tag: dining

REVIEW – Rose and Crown Continues Its Reign of Quality and Value

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 29, 2020

Dining at World Showcase in EPCOT is usually a fantastic experience no matter which restaurant you choose. But, there are some that are EPCOT classics. One such classic is the Rose an Crown Dining Room. Our team revisited this popular pub-style restaurant to make sure its quality continues to be brilliant.

The Rose and Crown stands proudly on World Showcase promenade in the United Kingdom Pavilion. There is a proper pub in the front, and a dining room in the back with outside dining as well. The outdoor dining offers some relaxing views of World Showcase and the lagoon.

REVIEW – Rose and Crown Continues Its Reign of Quality and Value — ©Rikki Niblett

The menu at Rose and Crown consists of classic fare from the United Kingdom including favorites like Fish and Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, and Bangers and Mash. It mustn’t be easy to be a British themed restaurant and pub in the United States that’s a popular destination for guests actually from the United Kingdom who are very familiar with the real deal. But, Rose and Crown Dining Room generally satisfies most guests.

We have listings and ratings for all Walt Disney World restaurants on our site and our readers give Rose and Crown an 89% thumbs up rating. It is ranked 33 out of 106 table service restaurants at Disney World. So while it is not in the top tier, it is still a solid choice.

Chrissy on our team, and our junior researcher Gigi stopped in for an early dinner and ordered some of the classics on the menu:

Fish and Chips – “Rose & Crown’s Signature Dish” Beer-battered and served with Tartar Sauce – $25.00
Shepherd’s Pie – Ground Beef, Seasonal Vegetables, English Peas, and Mashed Potatoes with McCall’s Irish Cheddar – $22.00
English Trifle – Layers of Strawberries, Vanilla Custard, Graham Crackers, and Whipped Cream – $8.00

The Fish and Chips are indeed the signature dish. Although you can get a serving of fish and chips from the Yorkshire County Fish Shop outside for half the price, the quality of the fish is lesser and the serving is smaller. At the dining room the Fish and Chip are thick Cod and fried to perfection. The chips are tender and fluffy, with a crispy exterior. It is near perfection for being in a theme park.

On a rare chilly Central Florida Day a piping hot dish of Shepherd’s Pie is just the thing. Our team’s serving was rich and decadent. The Irish Cheddar on top added a delightful tang, and it’s hard not to be jealous of the perfect preparation and presentation of the mashed potatoes.

It was hard for our team to decide between the Sticky Toffee Pudding or the English Trifle, but with the heavy entrees, the English Trifle won out. This generous serving of strawberry and vanilla custard was still light enough to not feel like a brick on top of a heavy meal. Refreshing and sweet, it can make you feel like a child again as it resembles an ice cream sundae so many Americans are fond of.

Like so many other restaurants since the July 2020 reopening, the menu at Rose and Crown has been reduced a little. The Corned Beef and Cabbage, Grilled Scottish Salmon, and Savory Vegetable Crumble are currently not on the menu. The Vegetable Crumble is replaced by an Impossible Savory Hot Pot, which is very similar to the Shepherd’s Pie.

Have you dined at Rose and Crown before? What’s your favorite item on the menu?

The post REVIEW – Rose and Crown Continues Its Reign of Quality and Value appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Drinking, Epcot, disney dining, Epcot Restaurants

Tags dining, disney dining, Drinking, epcot, Epcot Restaurants

Disney Food Disney Parks Disney Reviews

The Top 3 Burgers at Walt Disney World in 2020

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 28, 2020

Researching the Walt Disney World theme parks every day makes our team hungry. One of the staples of theme park food is the hamburger. We’ve had quite a few this year and thought it would be fun to recap some of our favorites.

Note, these are all quick service burgers. Generally the burgers served at any table service restaurant will be better quality, but there are still some gems to be found at counter service locations.

Angus Bacon Cheeseburger at The Sand Bar
Backlot Burger at Backlot Express
Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream
Honorable Mention: Turkey Holiday Burger at D-Luxe Burger

It’s hard to wholeheartedly recommend The Sand Bar at Disney’s Contemporary Resort considering there are more interesting options on the monorail loop, like Caption Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian. However, with the Contemporary being right next door to Magic Kingdom, it is a convenient place to have a nice break.

The Angus Bacon Cheeseburger, is served with a generous amount of French fries. This burger is better quality than the standard cheeseburgers served inside Magic Kingdom. Priced at $12.99, which is pretty standard for a Disney quick service cheeseburger, this Angus Bacon Cheeseburger is a better value than the standard burgers inside the parks because of the quality.

The Top 3 Burgers at Walt Disney World in 2020 — Backlot Burger at Backlot Express

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios you can take a step back in time at Backlot Express, which has not changed too much since the park’s opening year. The Backlot Burger is a specialty burger that offers so much more than the standard Disney quick service burger. This something extra is indicated in the price of $13.99, but the serving is pretty large and the 1/3 lb. Angus beef burger is loaded with barbecued pulled pork, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato, and pickle. The brioche bun holds this big pile of tasty food together, and you can have apple slices or fries as the side.

This next burger is delicious, even if you’re not that into plant-based options. The Plant-Based Burger at Beaches and Cream, at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, is one of the most flavorful burgers we tried this year. The plant-based mayo and the balsamic-onion jam elevate this plant-based burger. The sweetness of the onion jam is addicting. The plant-based mayo is a little tangy and adds a little bit of creaminess. The multigrain bun is flavorful and fluffy, and solidifies this burger as one of the best plant-based burgers at Walt Disney World.

This last burger is only available during the holiday season, but it is included as an Honorable Mention in this list because it showcases the great seasonal items that are available at D-Luxe Burger. If you enjoy checking out seasonal or new flavors at Disney Springs, D-Luxe Burger should be on your list. The Holiday Turkey Burger is a Turkey Burger patty topped with Bacon-Cranberry Jam, Butternut Squash Risotto Cake, Lettuce, and Tomato. Both the Bacon-Cranberry Jam and the Butternut Squash Risotto Cake elevate this burger to gourmet status, the flavor and quality is high. Our team was tempted to harass the cooks for the recipe of the Butternut Squash Risotto Cake. Here’s hoping this holly jolly burger is back on the menu next holiday season.

Did you visit Walt Disney World this year? What’s the best burger you had?

The Top 3 Burgers at Walt Disney World in 2020

The post The Top 3 Burgers at Walt Disney World in 2020 appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, kids, Resorts, Trip Planning, disney best restaurants, disney burger, disney cheeseburger, disney dining, Disney Springs

Tags dining, disney best restaurants, disney burger, disney cheeseburger, disney dining, Disney Springs, kids, Resorts, Trip Planning

Disney Food Disney Parks Disney Reviews

REVIEW – Characters Return to Chef Mickey’s and It is Magical

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date December 26, 2020

A few months ago Chef Mickey’s reopened, but with one very important ingredient missing: there were no characters. Our team visited during that time. The food satisfied, and the lack of characters was welcomed for those looking for a hearty breakfast without the kinetic craziness of typical character dining. Now that the characters are back we have to say, Chef Mickey’s may be our current favorite for Disney character dining.

Chef Mickey’s Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Chef Mickey’s can be one of its greatest features for some guests, and the worst part for others. It is located on the concourse level of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, in a multistory atrium. The iconic monorail whooshes by every few minutes and thanks to its atrium setting the voices of all the guests and the music bounce all around. This is not the place to be if you are not a morning person. If, however, you are looking for a high-energy experience that is undeniably Disney, this is your place. You can’t help but feel excited. There is no denying that you’re at Walt Disney World when you’re at Chef Mickey’s.

REVIEW – Characters Return to Chef Mickey’s and It is Magical — Chef Mickey’s Food Service Station and Monorail

There is no more buffet. Everything is served on platters, family style, and your server will gladly bring you second helpings, or thirds or more, of any of the food, which is included in one flat price. The characters, which are Mickey and his pals, come out and greet guests by section rather than coming to each individual table. All character dining is currently done this way, with social distance, but Chef Mickey’s has been the most energetic that our team has experienced since the parks reopened. As each character came to the section that our team was dining in, they danced a little and were very cheerful.

Chef Mickey’s Food and Beverage

If you love breakfast food, you’re going to be in heaven at Chef Mickey’s for breakfast. Here you won’t find anything too fancy, just elevated versions of American breakfast classics. The meal starts off with a select of breakfast breads with honey butter, as well as fresh fruit and yogurt. Then the feasting continues with a bountiful breakfast platter of bacon, chicken sausage, beef brisket, scrambled eggs, and Mickey waffles. This platter is bursting with classic breakfast items.

A few specialty dishes are served which include “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole; a “Celebration” Mickey Pancake; and Banana Bread French Toast with Espresso-Mascarpone Cream, Toasted Bananas, and Chocolate Crumbles. Of the three our research team enjoyed the Potato-Cheese Casserole the most. But all three dishes really elevate the whole meal. It is a lot of food, so if you’re going to do this for breakfast, consider having a very light lunch.

Our team felt the meal was worth the $42 per adult and $27 per child, plus tax and gratuity. Considering the quality of the food, the fact that you can have as much as you like, and the distinct atmosphere, it is worth it. Our team, and many of our readers, are reporting that they enjoy the family-style service much more than the buffet. Having the food brought to your table makes it more of an enjoyable meal, and you don’t have to run the risk of missing the characters while waiting in line at the buffet.

Chef Mickey’s Character Appearances

Thankfully the food at Chef Mickey’s is good and the entire experience doesn’t hinge on the characters alone. But the great news is the character interaction here is high energy and tons of fun. Each character dons a special chef’s outfit that matches their personality. You won’t need that second cup of coffee once you see Donald shake his tailfeather and Goofy’s flap his ears as he skips around. Although the chance to have one-on-one interaction and photos at your table is temporarily gone, it is still a fun experience. Just practice the art of composing a selfie beforehand.

Each guest receives a souvenir postcard. This Chef Mickey’s postcard has each of the characters autographs on it, and features great artwork on the front with the characters in the monorail as it pulls through the Contemporary.

We have listings and ranks for every Walt Disney World restaurant. Our readers give Chef Mickey’s an 85% thumbs up rating. It is ranked number 50 out of 106 table service restaurants. Reservations for character dining can be difficult to secure. Our Reservation Finder tool is free to use – give it a try!

Have you dined at Chef’s Mickeys before? What do you think of the new setup?

The post REVIEW – Characters Return to Chef Mickey’s and It is Magical appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com

Filed Under: Dining, Dos and Don’ts, kids, Trip Planning, chef mickey’s character dining, disney character dining, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, walt disney world mickey mouse

Tags chef mickey's character dining, dining, Disney character dining, Disney's Contemporary Resort, Dos and Don'ts, kids, Trip Planning, walt disney world mickey mouse

Disney Food Disney Parks

REVIEW – The First Holiday Exclusive Treat at Walt Disney World Has Arrived

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date November 2, 2020

The clock struck midnight on November 1, 2020 and for many it marked the beginning of the holiday season. Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not have the classic Christmas decorations that just arrived at Magic Kingdom, but it does have the first Holiday Exclusive treat of 2020. The Autumn Tree of Life cupcake just debuted at Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus. Here’s what we think of it.

The Autumn Tree of Life Cupcake may have an autumn theme, but it is listed as a Holiday Exclusive treat on the menu and when looking at the mobile order option. It is a pumpkin cupcake with cinnamon buttercream on top, and garnished with a white chocolate tree of life, and fondant pumpkins. Inside is a delightful toffee cheesecake filling. The pumpkin cupcake is very similar to the Pumpkin Cupcake that was available for Halloween. But the extra toppings and fillings in this cupcake elevate it. This is definitely a great way to prepare for the holiday season and we can’t wait to try more holiday treats as they debut this year.

Although it is not a Holiday Exclusive, you may be wondering about the Warm Caramel Chocolate Brownie listed in the mobile ordering above. We tried it on a previous visit and were disappointed it was not gooey on the inside. But, if you need a brownie fix, it will satisfy.

Do you prefer fall flavors or winter flavors like gingerbread and peppermint? Would you try this cupcake?

The post REVIEW – The First Holiday Exclusive Treat at Walt Disney World Has Arrived appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Christmas, Dining, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Snacks, animal kingdom snacks, disney christmas, disney cupcake

Tags animal kingdom snacks, christmas, dining, disney christmas, disney cupcake, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Snacks

Disney Parks

Is Now the Best Time to Bring Your Own Food to Disney World?

Post author By touringplans.com
Post date November 2, 2020

Like all theme parks, Disney World has a litany of prohibited items – things you can’t bring into the parks – but luckily, most food items are not on that list.

Is Now the Best Time to Bring Your Own Food to Disney World? — Closed restaurants mean there are more outdoor tables open.

With limited exceptions you’re welcome to bring food and beverages with you into the parks. If you’ve never brought your own food to the Disney World theme parks before, or only brought a modest amount of snacks, now may be the time you want to seriously consider bringing your own meals into the parks. Here’s why:

Park entrance procedures have changed: Prior to the pandemic, every guests bag was fully hand searched. If you brought, say, a large backpack filled with sandwiches, fruit, and other substantial eats, you’d have to go through a lengthy process of having a security guard see or feel all your items. In the last few weeks, the parks have transitioned to a more streamlined walk-through system, like of like at the airport, minus the part about putting your bags on the conveyor belt. Only a few items now have to be removed from your bag for scanning, notably umbrellas, making it much less cumbersome to tote multiple bags of food into the parks.
There are fewer restaurants open: Many restaurants in the theme parks are still shuttered due to coronavirus. This means that your favorite items might not be available, possibly making bring-your-own a more attractive option.
Quick service waits are trending longer: Depending on when you visit (weekends and holidays are worse), you may encounter longer waits to get at ready-access food or open mobile order windows that are a hour or more later than you want to eat. If you bring your own food, you can always dine on your schedule.
Outdoor table availability is high: When you bring your own food, sometimes the struggle is figuring out where you can comfortably eat. But with some restaurants currently closed, their outdoor seating is now up for grabs. For example, when Casey’s Corner is open, it can be a real challenge to find seating near the Hub, but with Casey’s closed, their tables are often open.
Disney quick service prices are, well, pricey: Buying a bottle of water in the parks will set you back $3.50. A single apple costs $2.29. Most in-park hamburgers cost between $10 and $13. Adding an order of fries sets you back an additional $4.50. Multiply that by several family members and you’re looking at a significant outlay of funds for a basic meal. Bringing your own can save you big time.
If you bring your own food, you reduce the number of people you’re interacting with in the parks: Everyone working in the WDW food service wears masks, so the risk of COVID contamination there is minimal, but for some folks, any reduction of contact with others is a win.

Have you ever brought meals into the Disney World theme parks? What have your experiences been?

The post Is Now the Best Time to Bring Your Own Food to Disney World? appeared first on TouringPlans.com Blog.

From our friends at touringplans.com
Filed Under: Dining, Walt Disney World (FL), food, saving money

Tags dining, food, saving money, Walt Disney World (FL)