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REVIEW! We Found BEER CHEESE…at Morimoto Asia in Disney World?!

Disney Springs began its phased reopening on May 20th to welcome guests back to its third-party restaurants and stores.

Morimoto Asia

Since there are plenty of new health and safety procedures in place across Disney Springs, restaurants are limiting capacity and implementing social distancing measures. And, while we gave you ALL the details on dining in Disney Springs, we’re back again for more food! But, this time, we’re heading to Morimoto Asia for some Japanese cuisine.

Check In

When you first arrive at the restaurant, there are is a line for guests with reservations to the left, with distancing stickers on the ground.

Morimoto Asia Line

And, there’s a separate line for drop-in guests to the right of the restaurant.

Morimoto Asia Distancing Signs

Atmosphere

Every time we walk into Morimoto Asia, we can’t get over how BEAUTIFUL the atmosphere is! It feels like you’re walking into a magical fantasy with its string light chandeliers (which fit right into Disney World!).

Morimoto Asia

Although we noticed that the cocktail bar and sushi bar were both closed, you can still order both of them at your table! So, don’t worry — you can get that Sake with your meal!

Morimoto Asia Sign

Annnd, you’re going to want to pull out your phone to check the menu since Morimoto Asia is only using a QR menu for the time being.

Morimoto Sign

If you don’t have a compatible device, notify your servers and they will be able to assist you! But know that Morimoto Asia is operating with a limited menu, so your favorite meal might not be available at this time.

Drinks

As we were deciding what to get, our server told us that two new drinks were debuting at the restaurant!

Forbidden Highball and Sparkling Belvedere

The Sparkling Belvedere is Morimoto’s twist on a Cosmo made with belvedere vodka, yuzu, cranberry, and topped with sparkling rosé for $18. Just like a regular Cosmo, the Sparkling Belvedere was delicious and SUPER refreshing. But, the most unique part of the cocktail was the citrusy yuzu — which added some tartness to the otherwise sweeter flavors!

Sparkling Belvedere

The Forbidden Highball is a simple combination of Toki Japanese whiskey and soda water, but don’t be fooled — it packs a lot of flavor! We were actually surprised that the drink was made with whiskey since it is so light. Our server told us that Morimoto is actually one of the few restaurants in the United States that sells Toki. So, in order to make the Forbidden Highball, Morimoto had to get a special machine called the Toki Highball to mix the drink properly.

Forbidden Highball

You can grab the Forbidden Highball for $16!

Eats

After we ordered, we were given disposable plastic silverware and chopsticks to use. We started our meal off with the Cauliflower and Cheese Spring Rolls for $16, which actually surprised us by how much of a treat they are!

Cauliflower Spring Rolls

While most restaurants with Asian cuisine might leans towards a more traditional Spring Roll, Morimoto’s unique twist was extremely good with plenty of cheese packed into the flaky rolls.

Inside the Cauliflower Spring Rolls

The Cauliflower and Cheese Spring Rolls also came with a side of Buffalo Beer Cheese Sauce, which is SO GOOD. We won’t pass up an opportunity for some extra cheese with a spicy kick! ?

Buffalo Beer Cheese Sauce

After all that cheesy goodness, we decided to try the Buri Bop and Beef Lo Mein for our main courses. And, if you have never had Buri Bop, it’s basically a little show as it’s prepared in front of you for $36 ! Iron Chef Morimoto actually won Japan’s Iron Chef Competition with this recipe, so it’s one of the restaurant’s favorite things to serve up. (We stan an iconic dish!)

Buri Bop Being Made!

The chef started with raw Japanese yellowtail and a raw egg with rice and veggies (including chili curls that look BOMB). It was presented in a 550 degree hot bowl (!!!) and the chef seared the fish on it while he stirred the other ingredients and cooked the egg.

Anybody Else Super Hungry Now??

If the show doesn’t sound interesting enough, the flavors of the dish were AH-MAZING. Even if you aren’t normally a fan of fish this Buri Bop might just change your mind!

Yellowtail Fish

The bowl was packed with flavors of ginger and soy in every bite of the yellowtail and rice. Since the Buri Bop sat in the hot dish, the rice at the bottom got all crispy, which was a great texture contrast to the other soft ingredients.

Buri Bop

And, believe it or not, our meal got even better since the Beef Lo Mein was also incredible! The dish was made with stir-fried noodles, beef tenderloin, napa cabbage, carrots, bean sprout, mushroom, and scallions for $25.

Beef Lo Mein

Although it may seem like a more typical meal to find at a restaurant like this, it was a stand-out against other lo meins that we’ve had! The beef tasted like very good quality and was cooked well. The flavors of the mushrooms and scallions added to the tender beef. Plus, that beef and veggie to noodle ratio was ON POINT, so you get enough of each part when you take each bite!

Beef Lo Mein Noodles

The only thing that could have made our meal better was dessert. BUT, Morimoto Asia isn’t serving dessert right now since the company that makes their ice cream hasn’t opened yet.

Overall

Morimoto Asia is one of those spots in Disney Springs that consistently serves up amazing food, even if you’re just trying the Street Food quick-stop outside!

Morimoto Asia

If you’re looking for a place to have traditional Japanese cuisine or try something new, check out Morimoto Asia the next time you’re in Disney Springs. Plus, that Buri Bop turned our dinner into dinner with a show!

Have you eaten at Morimoto Asia before? Let us know your experience in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney restaurant, disney springs, disney springs crowd levels, disney springs dining, disney springs re-opening, disney springs reopening, Disney World, health and safety measures, highball, lo mein, Morimoto, Morimoto Asia, reservation, Tori

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Disney Parks Other

The Full GUIDE to Decoding Disney World’s Social Distancing Stickers

Disney Springs has finally re-opened to guests so they can enjoy dining and shopping locations all around the property.

Disney Springs

While we’ve taken you with us LIVE to check out the reopening, given you the deets on new health and safety procedures, and our overall experience, it can be a little bit confusing to navigate Disney Springs right now.

Since stores, restaurants, and the property in general have put up distancing signs and stickers, it’s a lot to take in (especially since it’s so new!). We totally understand that things can be a bit tricky to figure out when every place has their own way of promoting distance! There’s no set method for how signs or stickers should look quite yet, so it’s not as simple as hopping from one restaurant to the next and expecting the same stickers.

Disney Springs

Even though we know it can be a bit overwhelming to see all the new procedures, we’re here to help you navigate Disney Springs like a pro by giving you a guide to the new distancing measures!

Please Stand With Your Party Here

Many locations across Disney Springs have been using stickers on the ground to indicate where guests should and shouldn’t stand while they are waiting to enter an area. We’ve spotted a lot of different restaurants and stores using these pretty standard red and white indicators that ask guests to stand with their party on the stickers.

Pizza Ponte

But, a couple places like The Polite Pig

Polite Pig

…and Basin have their own special stickers. But the concept is the same.

Basin Reopening

Group your part together, stand on a marker, and wait for the sticker in front of you to clear before you move forward.

Please Stand With Your Party Behind This Line

However, a couple of locations around Disney Springs are using social distancing indicators that ask guests to stand behind the safety line instead of on it! These are typically placed at the start of a line and ask you to stand behind the line before the next register or temperature check station are cleared for you to approach — or to remind you to leave distance between you and the Cast Member assisting you.

Distancing marker

Some of the places we’ve noticed this at include Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, Sunshine Churros, and Häagen Dazs.

Sunshine Churros Marker

Just be sure to keep an eye out for the difference between the “please stand here” and “please stand behind this line” stickers as they look very similar!

Behind the Line? How Far Behind the Line?

Since Disney Springs is making sure to keep guests and Cast Members safe, it’s important to remember to distance yourself 6 feet apart from another person! And when a sticker says “stand behind this line,” guests could use a little direction about how far back they can actually stand while keeping distance from the party behind them. So Disney is also using markers to clarify where NOT to stand while you’re in Disney Springs.

World of Disney

When you first enter Disney Springs, the temperature check areas will have some of these signs to distance the guests waiting from the guests going through the temperature checks at the time. You’ll make your way through the line hopping from one “please stand here” sticker to the next, but right before you have your temperature checked, you’ll leave your “please stand here” sticker and walk forward until you reach a “stay behind this line” marker. You will pass over a “do not stand here” marker on the ground that reminds the guests behind you not to approach the temperature check until yours is complete.

New Protocols to Enter Disney Springs

Don’t be nervous, the “do not stand here” signs aren’t hot lava — you can walk over them. But please be respectful to other guests and make sure you’re not camping out on them or breathing down someone’s neck in line. ?

There are other forms of “do not stand here” stickers like at the Amphicars at The Boathouse. You are free to observe, but make sure your party stays outside of the “do not stand” zone to give other groups enough space.

The Boathouse Amphicar Do Not Stand Markers

Restaurants like Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza have their own methods to show where visitors shouldn’t stand. We’d like to note that, during our visit, we perceived some of the “X” patterns on the ground as social distancing indicators. However, there might need to be some clarification to guests about what the safety protocol means and how to enforce it. We imagine the extra tape on the ground is to encourage guests to leave space between themselves and the sneeze guard for some extra protection.

Blaze Pizza

But in a case like Blaze Pizza, if the stickers don’t give explicit instructions, you may be better off asking a Cast Member for direction or defaulting to a little game of Frogger.

Specialty Directions

Since there is no set standard for how stickers should look, a few spots around Disney Springs have specialty indicators specific to their stores. At Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea, there are coffee beans on the ground for each party to stand on. One party is allowed to stand on each of the 6 bean spots in the coffee shop and must stay there until the bean in front of them has cleared. Note that guests can’t stay inside Joffrey’s to drink their coffee, though!

Joffrey’s Coffee Bean Distancing Markers

Blaze Pizza also used similar stickers, but with little flames to go along with their “Fast Fire’d Pizza!” Guests were asked to do the same as Joffrey’s by standing on a flame until the one in front of them cleared.

Blaze Pizza Line

We also noticed specialty stickers at Chicken Guy!

Chicken Guy!

…and Earl of Sandwich. So when in doubt, hop on a sticker like these.

Earl of Sandwich

While Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC may not have cute little cookie stickers (suggestion, maybe??), the store is practicing a different form of distancing by only allowing one party into the bakery at a time. Guests are asked to stand behind the red tape and inside the square boxes while they wait for their order.

Erin McKenna’s Tape on the Ground

Physical Distancing Reminders

Since many guests are excited to be back in Disney Springs, it can be easy to forget to distance yourself when you’re walking through an open area. Stores and restaurants throughout the property have reminders on the ground to stay 6 feet apart whether you are waiting in line or not.

Pizza Ponte

Distancing Stickers

Ron Jon Surf Shop

The restrooms across Disney Springs also have signs out front that ask guests to keep the minimum distance between themselves and others.

Restroom Sign

Social Distancing may not be the firs thing on your mind as you’re roaming the open air pathways around Disney Springs. That’s why the dining and shopping district has put some arrows on its bridges to show the flow of traffic. Instead of risking bumping into opposing traffic, each side of the bridge has a marked direction to walk as you’re crossing.

Disney Springs Bridge

In short, treat it like you’re driving (in the U.S., that is), stick to the right side of the road!

Table Distancing

As a part of the social distancing measures in restaurants, seating and capacity have been limited. While the Cast Members have been trained to know where guests can go, there are also reminders on the tables about which spots are currently unavailable — in case you’re at a seat-yourself location (like Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza).

Blaze Pizza

Table Stickers Wolfgang Puck

Note that seating at some to-go dining locations, such as The Basket at Wine Bar George, has been removed and reclaimed for dine-in guests of Wine Bar George restaurant only.

The Boathouse is even using black and white tablecloths to show which tables are open! Guests are seated at the white covered tables, while the black tables are off limits for the time being.

The Boathouse Reopening Interior

In summary, we know you are very capable of following basic directions…but once you actually get to Disney Springs, it can be a new experience and might take some getting used to. Know that everyone around you is also getting used to it at the same time, so it’s okay if you need to ask a Cast Member for extra guidance (there are plenty of them scattered all throughout Disney Springs). Most spots are using some sort of “please stand here” marker, whether it be little feet, dots, or rectangles. But be sure to steer clear of the big “do not stand here” rectangles and give the Cast Members a little extra space once you get to the front of the line. Remember to “be safe” and “be kind,” friends! Also, be sure to let us know if you still have questions about the reopening of Disney Springs or about the new distancing stickers!

Have you been to Disney Springs since its re-opening? Let us know your experience in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney dining tips, Disney News, disney parks, Disney Springs, Featured, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, 4 rivers cantina barbacoa food trick, Basin, Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, disney dining, disney news, disney restaurants, disney springs, disney springs reopening, disney stores, Disney World, Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Haagen Dazs, joffrey’s coffee, social distancing, social distancing signs, social distancing stickers, Sunshine Churros, temperature checks, The Boathouse, The Polite Pig, Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill

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Disney Parks Other

Terralina Crafted Italian and Paddlefish will be reopening on May 29

Terralina

There’s more exciting news regarding Disney Springs! Both Terralina Crafted Italian and Paddlefish will be reopening on May 29, 2020. Disney Springs began it’s phased reopening earlier in the week.  We witnessed the first wave of stores and restaurants resuming business operations at Walt Disney World. Now we’re seeing more life gradually return!

Terralina Crafted Italian offers an exquisite dining experience. When visiting, guests will drift into a tranquil escape inspired by the lifestyle of Italy’s famed Lake District. The Terralina restaurant is an upscale-casual Disney venue with patio dishes, rustic Italian dishes, and wood-fired pizza.

Next is Paddlefish, which is a wonderful establishment for guests at Disney Springs to visit. We encourage people to make reservations in advance to guarantee seating for their party.

Paddlefish is a restaurant aboard a faux riverboat. It offers fantastic views and top-quality menu items such as seafood and steak. Even their wine list is exquisite. The seafood-centric restaurant is one of our personal favorites and it’s a great choice for date night!

If you’re debating where to eat at Disney Springs, then consider making reservations to one of these establishments on your next trip to Walt Disney World Resort! Both Paddlefish and Terralina Crafted Italian are amazing dining choices. We hope take a look at their menu and give them a try!

Source: Disney

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Disney Food, Disney Springs, News, Parks & Resorts, Walt Disney World, Disney Dining, paddlefish, Terralina Crafted Italian

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Disney Parks Other

Disney surveying guests about the new COVID-19 policies at Disney Springs

Disney surveying guests

Disney is surveying guests who visited Disney Springs asking them about the new COVID-19 policies they have in place.

As you can see from the survey it is all focused around the new health and safety guidelines at Disney Springs.

No word on if this is going to change any of the policies they have in place or if they are just checking to make sure they are making guests feel safe and comfortable.

We were there on the opening day of Disney Springs. Check out our posts below for photos and video!

From our friends at chipandco.com
Filed Under: Parks & Resorts, Disney Springs, Walt Disney World, disney, Disney Survey, Disney surveying guests, Disney World

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Photos and Review: How Do Morimoto Street Food’s Bao Buns Compare to Pandora’s Cheeseburger Pods??

Morimoto Asia Street Food is now reopened in Disney Springs!

Morimoto Asia Street Food

Select third-party shops and restaurants began reopening at Disney Springs on May 20th. We were there on reopening day to share our experience, and we’re continuing to drop in to check out locations as they reopen. Today, Morimoto Asia Street Food joined the list of reopened locations at Disney Springs, so we stopped in to grab some lunch!

Ordering Process

Similar to other locations around Disney Springs, Morimoto Asia Street Food has social distancing markers set up to show guests proper spacing as they stand in line to order their food.

Social Distancing Markers

We noticed that the large overhead menu which used to be placed above the counter was missing. Instead, there was a copy of the temporary menu, with reduced offerings, displayed in front of the register.

Morimoto Asia Street Food

It wasn’t yet set up when we ordered, but by the time we left, a plexiglass guard was installed in front of the register.

Plexiglass Guard

They were accepting cash payments, although the Cast Member informed us that they are encouraging contactless credit card payments if possible. The self-serve condiment station has been removed, so the Cast Member handed us sauces, napkins, and silverware after we placed our order.

Morimoto Asia Street Food Cast Member

They informed us that they’ve placed an order for packaged silverware and napkin kits, but they hadn’t arrived yet.

Seating

The restaurant removed some tables and spaced out the seating to allow for social distancing while dining.

Seating at Morimoto Asia Street Food

There was also a hand sanitizer station set up by the seating area.

Hand Sanitizer Station

As we were eating, another party finished their meal and left, and a Cast Member immediately wiped down the table at which they were sitting. So, in our experience, the team was on top of sanitation procedures!

Eats

Okay, now for the fun part — FOOD! The restaurant was offering a temporary menu with reduced options.

Morimoto Asia Street Food Menu

First, we tried the BBQ Pork Bun. We were curious to see how it compared to the Cheeseburger Pods from Satu’li Canteen in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!  This was a soft bao bun filled with a creamy pork mixture for $7.

BBQ Pork Bun

We really enjoyed this BBQ Pork Bun! The texture was nice and fluffy, and the flavor was a bit sweet. So this might be a good choice if you’re trying to avoid excess spice! The bun by itself wasn’t super filling, but it would be great as a snack or a light lunch. It’s safe to say, in our opinion, this bao and Satu’li Canteen’s don’t disappoint! Both are filled with rich, meaty mixtures — it may just be a matter of whether you’re craving pork or beef!

BBQ Pork Bun

We also tried the Spicy Chashu Ramen, which had Soy Flavored Pork Broth, Roasted Pork, Scallions, and a Soy Marinated Egg. And as much as we enjoyed the bun, the ramen was the real winner for us! Fair warning, it was pretty spicy, so it’s probably best to avoid this one if you’re not a fan of heat.

Spicy Chashu Ramen

But, in addition to the spice, there was a ton of great flavors in the ramen. We really enjoyed the pork which was sliced super thin and cooked perfectly. The noodles did help balance the spice a bit, and we liked that we could taste the soy in both the egg and the broth. So, the ramen gets two big thumbs up from us!

Overall Experience

We really enjoyed our time at Morimoto Asia Street Food. Both of the menu items we tried were awesome (especially the ramen!) and we took notice of the many precautions the restaurant and its Cast Members were taking. As usual, it was an absolute delight dining at Morimoto Asia Street Food! We’ll definitely be back again soon — we’re still dreaming about that ramen! You can check out our pre-closure review of Morimoto Asia Street Food here!

Have you eaten at Morimoto Asia Street Food? Share your experience in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Counter-Service, disney restaurant review, Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, bbq pork, bbq pork bun, disney springs, disney springs dining, disney springs reopen, disney springs reopening, Morimoto, Morimoto Asia Street Food, pork buns, Ramen, spicy chashu ramen