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Unique Dining Outside of the Parks – Part II

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Tired of the same old restaurants in the parks at Walt Disney World, or just looking for something new?  Check out the first installment check it out here to learn about unique dining options in the Magic Kingdom and Epcot Resort areas. **LINK** 

Animal Kingdom Resort Area:
Landscape of Flavors located in the Art of Animation is one of the few quick service restaurants on my list of unique dining.  It makes the list due to its lunch and dinner menus where you can custom make any different types of meals such as pasta, omelet, burgers, and salads.  It is fun to custom make your own pasta with sauce and meat choices.  It is sure to win over even the pickiest of eaters.

 Dine with Animal Specialist with in the Animal Kingdom Lodge is a 4 course lunch at Sanaa where you can learn all about the animals that are just outside the windows of the restaurant!  This is a truly intimate lunch that is limited to 12 guests.  Once you are finished eating you will head into a secure area for and up close and personal encounter with radiated tortoises. 

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Photo via Disney.com

Wanyama Safari is available only to guests of Animal Kingdom Lodge and features a 90 minute tour with unique vantage points for observing the animals.  It is limited to 12 guests so you will have a very personalized tour.  Prior to the safari you will have a reception with the chefs and cultural representative from Jiko and then conclude your safari with a fabulous dinner at Jiko.  This is a one of a kind dining experience.

Disney Springs:
If you are in the mood for some fantastic food by a famous chef you will want to see Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs.  There is a large sushi menu and plenty of Pan-Asian food for every palate. The menu is extensive with lots of seafood but plenty of steak, noodle and chicken dishes.  Don’t miss this fantastic restaurant.

Wolfgang Puck Express is an easy choice for a single table service credit with amazing food.  People always rave about the macaroni and cheese as well as the bacon wrapped meatloaf.  Not to be mistaken with Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, the express is just a smaller version of the main restaurant by the celebrity chef. Here is a great review we have!

Boathouse

Photo via Disney.com

The Boathouse is another recent addition to Disney Springs, right on the water front.  You cannot beat the location and ambience at Disney Springs and the food is pretty darn amazing too.  They feature American, seafood and steaks and have gotten a reputation for the gigantic Gibsons S’mores Baked Alaska that serves four!

What other restaurants would you add to the lineup of unique offerings outside of a Walt Disney World park?  Let us know!

Unique Dining Outside of the Parks – Part I

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Sometimes when planning dining reservations for a Walt Disney World vacation people focus on restaurants in the parks.   Fortunately, there are many, many choices outside of the parks and if you plan correctly going to a dining reservation outside of the parks doesn’t have to take a lot of time out of your day.  Of if you aren’t planning to visit a park you can still have plenty of fun and even meet some Disney friends!

 Magic Kingdom Resort Area:
Grand Floridian Resort has two very unique character meal options both at the same restaurant, 1900 Park Fare.  For breakfast you can meet Mary Poppins, Alice, the Mad Hatter, Tigger and Winnie the Pooh.  For dinner you can meet up with Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine and her daughters Anastasia and Drizella.

Also at the Grand Floridian there is Victoria & Albert’s a very upscale restaurant, having an AAA Five Diamond rating since 2000.  There is also the highly coveted Chef’s Table at Victoria & Albert’s which features 13 courses and the chef personally conversing between courses.  This is definitely a bucket list item!

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Photo via Disney.com

Citricos Dining with an Imagineer is a very unique option outside of the park.  Who wouldn’t love to pick the brain of a Disney Imagineer?  This is your chance to ask questions and learn about the behind the scenes of Walt Disney World. 

Within the Wilderness Lodge you will find the Whispering Canyon Café, a buffet with some shenanigans.  If you love great food, a neat atmosphere and sassy and fun cast members you will want to make the trip to Wilderness Lodge for this family style bottomless platters!  Just be careful when you ask for ketchup or straws!

 In the Polynesian Village Resort there is a unique character meal featuring Lilo and Stitch as well at Mickey and Pluto in Hawaiian gear.  Lilo is not featured anywhere else so if you have a person who loves Lilo and Stitch this is THE place to go!

 Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is located at the Campsites at Fort Wilderness and boasts an amazing dinner show with great food, fun, vaudeville comedy, singing and dancing.  And of course Strawberry Shortcake!  There are multiple shows each day in different price categories based on your seat.  You can read Tara’s review here.

Epcot Resort Area:
Another great character meal option is at the Beach Club, Cape May Café!  This is a character meal for breakfast only and features Minnie and friends in their beach attire!  So if you are in Epcot or Hollywood Studios or staying at an Epcot are resort this is a fantastic option that isn’t as well-known as other character meals.  You can read a review right here! 

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Photo via Disney.com

Beaches and Cream in the Beach Club boasts more than just ice cream.  This old-fashioned soda fountain has a full menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches, and soup.  But most people are coming for The Kitchen Sink.  This creation has scoops of 5 different types of ice creams, every topping imaginable plus a whole can of whipped cream.  You will need the whole family to finish this monster!  But beware when you order it you will cause some heads to turn since the whole restaurant will light up as this treat makes its way to your table.

 Todd English’s bluezoo located in the Dolphin Hotel is a sleeper choice.  It is a pricey dinner, so maybe for a special occasion this is a great choice.  It has won numerous awards and does awesome seafood as well as plenty of beef, chicken and pork dishes to keep everyone happy.  They even feature a pretty great kid’s menu if you are bringing the whole family.  The restaurant itself is beautiful and you will want to get dressed up for this dinner.

bluezoo

Photo via Disney.com


Check back soon for more  dining suggestions on the Animal Kingdom Resort area and Disney Springs!

 

Yachstman Steakhouse Review

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When planning my last trip, I was on the search for a steakhouse. But not any steakhouse, one that would knock the socks off my steak loving husband as we celebrated his 30th birthday at Walt Disney World. I am happy to report I was successful!

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The Yachtsman Steakhouse located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort is something special. A New England Style steakhouse, the Yachtsman is one of Disney’s signature restaurants. Signature restaurants are more expensive than other disney restaurants (and use 2 table service credits on the Disney Dining Plan) but the quality of food can’t be matched. Signature restaurants do have a dress code where tank tops, bathing suits, cover-ups, hats, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language or graphics are not allowed. Men should wear collared shirts (jeans or dress shorts are ok).

On to the food! At the Yachtsman “grain-fed beef is aged in-house and prepared on an oak-fired grill in the open kitchen”.

We were seated and served some delicious bread with salted butter and roasted garlic. I’m a big fan of carbs and this bread did not disappoint! Perfectly crispy outside, soft and warm inside. Yum!

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My husband started with one of his favorites, the French Onion soup. Yachstsman’s version got two thumbs up. I got a side of Truffle Macaroni and Cheese and OH my. It was hands down the best macaroni I’ve ever had in my life. I looked heavy but somehow managed to not be. The crispy onions on top were perfection on top of what was already a masterpiece. I could have eaten it for my entree and been perfectly happy!

On to the entree. I’ll admit right off the bat that I am not a steak person. Give me a piece of chicken or salmon any day, but I’ll pass on the steak. However! I figured since we were in one of the best steakhouses on Disney property I’d at least give it a shot. My 6-oz Black Angus Filet Mignon with Mashed Potatoes and Cabernet Wine Sauce was delicious, and I’m glad I tried it. My husband barely spoke at all while enjoying his 18-oz Kansas City Strip Steak with Malt Vinegar Fries, Black Garlic Aïoli and Chimichurri. Needless to say, it was a hit.

Feeling gluttonous, we decided to top off our amazing meal with dessert. We were stuffed so we decided to split the  Chocolate-Peanut Cakewith Pretzels, Salted Caramel Gelato and Liquid Ganache. It’s not in the description but that powdery looking substance tasted like peanut clouds. It was out of this world. The perfect way to end our meal!

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Have you eaten at the Yachtsman Steakhouse? What did you think? Is there a better steakhouse on property you want to tell us about? Hit up the comments and let us know!