My Top V Table Service Restaurants!

MY TOP V… RESTAURANTS!!

COUNTER-SERVICE EDITION!

Hey guys!

So, I’m back again, with our favourite counter service restaurants in The World! We eat at counter services A LOT while we are there, and these our hands down the ones that we make specific plans to go to whenever we are there!

If you are staying with the standard DDP (Disney Dining Plan), then each counter service offers one main meal, one drink, and one dessert for one counter service credit, which is always nice- and very filling- to know. Disney probably have the widest variety of counter service fast food options of all the theme parks that I have ever visited, including Universal and places in England, such as Alton Towers.

Aaaand, I am rambling again! And so, without further ado, in no particular order, on with the show!

1. Cosmic Rays, Tomorrowland, The Magic Kingdom
   This is one of the most versatile quick services on property, with separate bays for chicken, burgers and sandwiches & salads, meaning that they have a much wider variety than most other places on property, especially in the parks. This means that you can find someone for everyone, but it can be awkward at peak times is everyone in your party want different things, as you all have to get in separate queues, or queue up several times, which can be quite a pain, although it is worth it, as the quality of the food is very good and OH MY DAYS, the portion sizes are HUGE. Turns out that Disney counter service portions are around 30% bigger than McDonald’s, which is, well, frankly insane. And kind of glorious.
   FAVOURITE ORDER: ½ rotisserie chicken, Diet Coke, triple chocolate cake.
   
   NOTE: Cosmic rays no longer serve my ACTUAL favourite, which was a ribs and chicken platter, although you can still get this at varying other quick service locations in the Magic Kingdom, according to DisBoards!
2. Yorkshire County Fish Shop, UK Pavilion, Epcot
   Now, I am English, we have a chippy down the road from where I live, and this tastes nothing like that (I’m planning on doing a post on Disney vs. Universal when it comes to Englishisms, so more on this story later), but it is still good, and one of the better American imitations that I’ve ever tried! It’s a little saltier than we’re used to, but the fish is good, the chips are good, it’s one of the only places that you can get sachets of malt vinegar (I like it on my fries, okay?), and the portion size is sufficiently very large.
   Just thought I’d say that the “shortbread” served, is a biscuit, which in England is a sugar cookie. I’m just putting this in here, so that we’re all on the same page, because what Americans call a biscuit confuses the Heck out of me! :P
   We probably love this because we’re British, and it’s all very idealised, but also because it’s not another burger and fries meal, and so is a very, very welcome change! Also, if you can get a seat in the courtyard eating area just before Illuminations, then do! It’s an excellent spot J
   FAVOURITE ORDER: Fish and chips, Diet Coke, packet of shortbread biscuits.
3. Wolfgang Puck Express, Marketplace, Downtown Disney
   I CANNOT EXPLAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE THIS PLACE. It’s basically a sit down counter service, which serves pasta, salad, burgers, sandwiches, and possibly the World’s best mac and cheese. It can get horrendously busy at peak times, but if you can get in, DO. It’s good, proper food, which you eat off of actual plates, with actual silverware, and their frozen yoghurt with sprinkles is just amazeballs. It doesn’t get much better than this, trust me! This is probably my family’s all-time favourite place to eat, despite the queues, and this trip we plan on trying the sit down Wolfgang Puck Café.
   Also, the man’s name is Wolfgang. How can you not love that?
   FAVOURITE ORDER: Gah, so much choice! Check AllEars for the latest menu choices, but mine is probably Diet Coke, Frozen Yoghurt with sprinkles (100s and 1000s) and the barbequed chicken pizza, although frankly, I don’t have a favourite. IT’S ALL THAT GOOD.
4. Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Café, Frontierland, The Magic Kingdom
   Pecos Bill’s serves THE best pulled pork sandwiches that I have ever tasted in my young life, all in a very stylised, western setting, with seating a-plenty, and the wildest fixins' bar in the wilderness! It’s very Disney in the fact that absolutely EVERYHTHING is stylised, and although the service can be a little sluggish-as with everywhere else- it’s worth it for the sandwiches!
   FAVOURITE ORDER: Duh, the pulled pork sandwich. Although I hear the salads are also particularly good.
5. The Mara, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
   AKL is one of my family’s all-time favourite places to stay onsite, and is possibly the best resort counter service that I’ve encountered yet (although I hear that the one at POFQ is excellent also). The Mara offers mixed African and American cuisine in a stereotypical food court dining setting, with a lovely animal mural on the wall, and a small TV playing old Disney cartoons. It can get busy at peak times, but the food is excellent for quick service, and when you’re staying in the hotel and just need a quick bite to eat, it definitely hits the spot.
   Oh, and you can find zebra domes and paw print brownies from Boma in the fridge section. Which is just… wow.
   FAVOURITE ORDER: The African stew, which, alas, is no longer served in its delicious bread bowl, but still tastes just as good!

 

So, that’s all for today folks! If you enjoyed it, leave a comment letting me know, or a suggestion for a post!

HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!!

 

Beth J xx

Top V Table- Service Restaurants!

MY TOP V… RESTAURANTS!

Table Service edition! J

 

Hi guys! It’s been a few weeks, I know, but I’ve been busy schooling and whatnot- it’s nearly the end of my school year, which means that, although I have finished my exams, I’m back at school, which has it’s pros and cons as does everything else: on the one hand, it’s really nice to see everybody again, without the whole “OH GOLLY GOSH EXAMS AAAAAAH”  pressure hanging over our heads, but at the same time, I have Further Maths homework. Which is okay now, but it’s going to get ridonkulous within a matter of weeks… Lol!

ANYWAY. DISNEY. Stop rambling Beth, Geez!

So, I thought, in order to get away from the whole school thing, I’d do another couple of Top Vs, on my favourite places to eat whilst in The World. So without further ado (as I am sure that the internet does not need my trials and tribulations to add to it’s troubles), let’s get into it!

(NB: These aren’t in any particular order, and is a collaboration of favourites with the rest of my family, as we tend to all enjoy the same types of places!)

1. Cinderella’s Royal Table, The Magic Kingdom.
   This is basically THE Disney meal to end all Disney meals. Situated in the dining hall of Cinderella’s Castle, and offering very scenic views of Fantasyland, gorgeous gothic architecture, and the prettiest princesses that I have ever seen, it’s wonderful for girl’s a women alike. The food is just… wow. It’s proper, actual food, which I know sounds rather daft, but when you’ve just spent a week only eating burgers and other assorted fast foods, to be able to sit down in such a gorgeous setting and eat delicious pasta and soup and simply heavenly desserts is somewhat of a godsend.
   Funny fact: the first time that I ate here was when I was sixteen, and celebrating my GCSE exam results (we were in Disney on the day that they were released, so I got to open them and celebrate in the happiest place on Earth!), and it was my “end of exams” treat so to speak. I am aware that to some people that sounds rather childish, but it is one of the best memories that I have of that trip! I went with my mum, and we had a princess dinner, just the two of us, and although we did feel kind of like the odd ones out (we had a reservation for 4pm, the start of the dinner service, and so the place was full of families with little children) we still had an absolutely AMAZING time, giggling like schoolgirls. I was also very impressed with the fact that the princesses still treated me like a little girl, which was just magical, and just MADE. MY. DAY.
   It is a character meal, and so is on the pricier side with a prix fixe menu, and is two dining credits on the regular Disney Dining Plan. There is a photo package included- details of which can be found on the official Disney website, or on allears.net –and I personally think that it is worth it, simply due to the Princesses. They are polite, magical, and very regal… Ariel was my favourite, simply due to how LOUD she was! Also, it is a sit-down meal, and so you do not have to worry about getting up to go to a buffet, and then missing your time with the characters.
   RESERVATIONS: For Cindy’s, the policy used to be 180 days in advance, at 9am EST, and that you had to shout down the phone at some poor cast member in order to obtain a reservation (a rather amusing step-by-step account of this can be found in the Unofficial Guide by Len Testa), but due to the new cancellation policies that have been implemented, reservations are easier to get hold of, although, as with anywhere, the sooner the better tends to be the policy.
2. Boma, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
   Boma is the more relaxed table service option available at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and has become one of our favourites, which we have to visit every trip, even if we’re not staying at that hotel! It is a buffet style restaurant, which is set up like an African marketplace, and has options ranging from authentic African dishes to mac and cheese and fries. They serve breakfast and dinner, and we tend to be drawn more towards breakfast, simply because of their sheer variety of food available, the “build your own” omelette bar, and the amazing speciality mixed fruits juice which they serve! (This is either called Jambo juice, or Jungle juice, we can’t remember which! If you know, comment below!)
   It can get quite busy at times, but the staff are always very friendly, and you can’t really go wrong with a restaurant that offers zebra domes and paw print brownies now though, can you‽
   Boma can be a little on the pricier side, but it is AMAZING, and is only one credit on the standard Disney Dining Plan!
   RESERVATIONS: Boma is quite easy to get reservations for- when staying there we’ve strolled down and secured one for the next day- although, as always, if it’s something that you cannot not do, then be sure to book in advance!
3. Chef Mickey’s, The Contemporary Resort
   Often seen as one of THE character meals to do in Disney, Chef Mickey’s does not disappoint! Situated in a room which feels airy even when packed full, and underneath a monorail (which is exceptionally cool in itself!), it is a buffet style meal, with characters circulating for interactions. The problem with this is that you have to time your food fetching to fit around the characters, but if you pile your plate high, then I’m sure that you’ll be just fine! ;) We went for breakfast, and the food is very good- usual Disney fare, only, y’know, somehow better…- and is one of the only places which we are very excited about returning to on our next trip! The characters interact the same with people big or small, which is nice, and just adds to the overall Disney magic.
   This is also an excellent meal if you want to go to the Magic Kingdom, as you’ve already met Mickey and the gang- so you don’t have to queue later!- and it is one of the few places on property where you can actually walk to the Magic Kingdom, or take the bus, boat or monorail! Quick tip though- if you’re going to do this, don’t eat too many Mickey waffles first, otherwise that trip on Space Mountain will NOT feel like a very good idea.
   RESERVATIONS: Highly recommended, as it does get very busy in a morning, due to the whole “meet-Mickey-here-so-we-don’t-have-to-queue-later” mentality. It is two credits on the standard DDP, and there is a photo opportunity as you walk in, with a small Mickey statue, although this is not included in the price, however it IS included in the PhotoPass+ package.
4. Olivia’s, Disney’s Old Key West Resort.
   Aah, Olivias. How I love thee. On our last visit, we stayed at Old Key West for the very first time, and one of the things that made us want to go back was the experiences we had the twice that we ate at Olivia’s! It is a very quaint restaurant, quite small in size, with pictures of DVC members and their families absolutely EVERYEWHERE, making it feel like a local restaurant, with a real family feel. The food is just SUBLIME, especially the pineapple and coconut bread that you are given to start which is warm and sweet and just the best bread in the entire of Disney (yes, it is even better that the pretzel bread of Le Cellier). They have “Catch of the Day” specials, which was Florida Grouper whilst we were there, and not only was it cooked to perfection, but it was also very simple, very good food, which made a very pleasant change again from all of the burgers and pizza that we had been eating.
   Also, Olivia’s is home to the best desserts in the entire of Disney. If I could just eat their Key Lime tart for the rest of my life, I would be a very, very happy girl. VERY HAPPY. I hear that the bread and butter pudding is also just as good and, oh dear, now I’m drooling as I type. THE MEMORY IS JUST THAT GOOD.
   RESERVATIONS: Meh, if you can, do, but we walked up one day, and it was next to empty, as it only tends to be very popular with the “locals” (people staying at OKW), due to the fact that it is a pain to get to and from this resort! Oh, and it’s just one credit on the standard DDP!
5. Plaza Restaurant, The Magic Kingdom
   The Plaza has almost become our go to last night place of eating and enjoyment, simply because it is something light (it mainly serves sandwiches… although mind blowingly good sandwiches), and something a little bit different to eat! My favourite is the steak sandwich, as the steak is just beautiful, and not at all chewy or grisly, which is quite the achievement! It’s very ideally located in the hub of Magic Kingdom, and is ideal for Extra Magic Hours, as the food is not too heavy, so you don’t feel like sleeping after the meal, which is nice! J
   Also, as it is an extension to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlour (or maybe the Parlour is an extension of the restaurant… I don’t know…), their desserts are sublime, especially the banana split. Which is almost as good as the Key Lime Tart. But not quite.
   It’s only one standard DDP credit, and is one of the lesser expensive table service options, and for something a little different, it is really quite nice… and the service is always wonderful!
   RESERVATIONS: If you want to do it, then book, book, book 180 days out, as it is quite a small restaurant. Otherwise, try looking a little later J

 

So, there we go! My top V restaurants!! Any questions, comments, suggestions, comment down belooowwwww!!!!

See you real soon, and have a magical day!

Beth J xx

My Top V... THINGS TO DO IN EPCOT

So, I thought that this could be a cool kinda series to do: my top five of a certain category... Kinda like Stacey's, although y'know, I'm not quite THAT cool. So, I figured I'd start with my Top V things to do in Epcot!
1. No matter how old you are, the Agent P mission thing around World Showcase lagoon is mine and my brother's favourite thing to do. It's a great way to keep kids entertained, and also to give you a whistlestop tour of the eleven countries on show, with the added bonus of Dr Doofenshmirtz. Who makes everything better. It's also nice because it means that my brother and I can explore countries, while the parents relax with a chilled German beer. Wins all around!
2. ILLUMINATIONS, REFLECTIONS OF EARTH. Just the way the guy says it makes it a total laugh and a chuckle that somehow manages to make me cry and reevaluate my whole life. It's by far, in my opinion, the best nighttime spectacular that Disney has to offer, is suitable for the whole family, and the fact that it's viewing area is so large means that the bottleneck to get out of the park afterwards is actually a little better.
3. Spaceship Earth: Yes, it's very cheesy. Yes, it's a little tacky. And yes, you are on your holidays, and so learning about technological advancements through the ages may not sound like the thrill you're looking for. But, at the end of the day, it is very quintessentially Disney, and you can't go to Epcot without being able to point at a picture and say "Yup! I went in that big golf bally thing!". Everyone loves Spaceship Earth, but ride it when there isn't a queue, because that's half the magic!
4. Just keep strollin', strollin', strollin'! Epcot it one of our favourite places as a family to just 'stop and smell the roses'. World Showcase is so diverse and a little thin on the ground when it comes to the big thrills, that it's okay to just spend an afternoon wandering in and out of gift shops, chatting to cast members from foreign countries, and even laughing slightly at your "home" pavillion- I particularly enjoy wandering around the Twinings shop in the UK pavillion, giggling because I know a total three people that drink the stuff! It's a relaxing day, and you'll find just as good memories chatting to CMs and taking in the pavillions as you would screaming on Mission Space.
5. Figment, the Three Caballeros, the Maelstrom: three of the cheesiest rides ever created, and so I shall dub thee the three Cheeses (kinda like the three mountains, only intended more to make you chuckle a little). Figment has Eric Idle of Python fame, the Three Caballeros has Donald and Mexican music, and the Maelstrom has trolls. All three are a good laugh and a tickle, and don't really take themselves too seriously (well, bar the Maelstrom. That has fastpass, don't y'know!), and, like Spaceship Earth are VERY Disney. Conquer all three and you will feel truly naff and a little giddy, but thats okay, because you're in Disney and thats what it's all about! Plus, saying Norway like the guy on the ride does is too fun for words.
So, that was my very first Top V! I know I haven't included the three "big things" that everyone else seems to love, but that is simply because, bar the fact that it has Mac from CSI, I'm a little claustrophobic, and so Mission:Space is okay, but not my favourite, I'm not a HUGE Soarin' fan (I'm a stationary one. Geddit?), although le mother is, and I haven't yet ridden the new Test Track, and so I cannot pass judgement!
Anywho, I hope you enjoyed, and I'll see you real soon!
HAVE A MAGICAL DAY!!
Beth xx

ITS ALL ABOUT MEEEE

Hello again!

So, as my first official 'thing', I figured an about me would be a good place to start! (And kudos to those who get the McFly title!)

Name: Beth
Age: Teen-age
Location: England!
Favourite park: Epcot
Favourite overall ride: Expedition Everest Favourite Disney foods: MICKEY WAFFLES.
Favourite Disney drink: Jambo juice from Boma.
Favourite table service: Boma for breakfast, Cinderella's Royal Table for dinner.
Outer-Disney Florida experience: Kennedy Space Centre (and lunch with an astronaut called Ken!), SeaWorld, Universal Studios, Universal Islands of Adventure, lots o' mini golf!
Favourite Disney Character: Goofy! Favourite Disney Movie: Hercules, although I've seen Peter Pan like 100 times.
Favourite Princess: Belle.
Favourite relaxing ride: The People Mover
Favourite specific thrill ride: Space Mountain OR Rockin' Roller Coaster Favourite Cheese Factor ride: It's a Small World.
Favourite Disney song: Digga Tunna from the Lion King 3.
Favourite Stacey moment: Expedition Everest. "There doesn't appear to be any tracks"
Favourite Disney character quotes: "Shame on you, shame on your cow! "Try clapping when you don't have any hands"- it's just the way Timone's dad says it in the song! Who do I go to Disney with?: My mum, Dad, and younger brother.
Which onsite properies have I stayed in?: Animal Kingdom Lodge (Jambo House) and Old Key West! How many times?: Five, but we've always gone for around two weeks, so that adds up to quite a bit of Disney time!
Ears: Two pairs. A pink Princess earhat, and my beloved pink leopard print headband pair.

Anything else I forgot?

LEMME KNOW!

Hope you enjoyed, and have a magical day!!

Beth xx

Howdy there!

Why hello there!

My name is Beth, and I'm known on DISboards as GoofyWithGlasses! I'm from the exceptionally rainy U of K, and even though I'm still a sprightly teenager, I've spent a rather large chunk of time in the happiest place on Earth! Now, I'm not claiming to be an expert, or anywhere near close, but I have a fair amount of knowledge that I think could help make anyone's stay at good ol' WDW that lil bit, well, more magical!  

So, I hope you're having a wonderful day, and I'll see you real soon!!!!!

Beth xx