Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Disney restaurants - favorites and wish-listers

Through Lesley, I discovered that Deb has restarted her Disney-themed Wordless Wednesdays link-up! I'm jumping back into the fun today after a long hiatus.
  
This week's theme is Food Favorites.

I haven't been to any of the Disney parks for a few years (and am hoping to change that!) During my most recent visits, I didn't take any food pictures. Therefore, I am going to share a few restaurant favorites, plus several on my wish list.

Unfortunately, none of these pictures are my own - so obviously I have denoted my sources.

First, here are three of my favorites:

Tusker House at the Animal Kingdom
Source
Restaurant Marrakesh at Epcot
Source
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater at Hollywood Studios
Source
Now, moving on to my wish-list Disney restaurants. There are so many I want to try that I could write an entire thesis! But for the sake of brevity, here are five:

Ohana at Disney's Polynesian Resort
Source
Blue Bayou at Disneyland
Source
Sanaa at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas
Source
California Grill at Disney's Contemporary Resort
Source
Le Cellier at Epcot
Source
Disney dining aficionados - now it's your turn. I am always looking for thoughts, suggestions, and recommendations. Please tell me about your Disney food/restaurant favorites, as well as your wish-list items!

17 comments:

  1. My fave is Kona Cafe at the Polynesian for Breakfast. We usually do that after a race!

    I have only been to California Grill one time about 10 years ago and out waiter was SO snooty towards me that I never went back.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oooh, I've heard really good things about Kona Cafe! Anything Hawaiian-themed would be spectacular, especially after a race. Note to self for next time!

      That is a bummer that you had a snooty waiter at California Grill! But at least you got to experience the restaurant once - and heaven knows there are SO many options, that there's no need to go back unless you really want to!

      Delete
  2. When we went to WDW last time, we were underwhelmed by the food and so we ate off property a lot. Guess I need to go back...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. In general, I've only been to a handful of sit-down restaurants at Disney, too. Usually I either do the quick-service places where you get standard options, or I eat off property, too. Not to mention that it can be very difficult to get a table at the popular Disney restaurants!!!

      Delete
  3. I've never been to a sit down restaurant at Disney. I've only eaten at the park or the restaurant on property.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As I mentioned to Wendy, I usually either eat off-property or at the quick-service places, too. It's really hard to get tables at the popular Disney restaurants! I read they accept reservations 180 days in advance - and people set calendar notifications so they can make reservations the day they become available! It's crazy how much demand there is!

      Delete
  4. Oh my goodness - how cool that you got to dine at Blue Bayou! Good for you for taking the gamble on waiting for a table, and then scoring one right on the water after 15 minutes. That is perfect! I have also heard great things about the Yak & Yeti - it is another one on my wish list! In general, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the places at Epcot. Bummer about the Lady and the Tramp at MK, it sounds like it would be awesome in theory! Now I am hungry, too. Hurray for a few years from now when you'll be able to take Abel and Swede to Disney for the first time - that will truly be magical!!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I've really only done quick service at Disney. My last 2 trips were by myself (my trip to Disneyland and then Goofy) so usually just went for snacks/quick service. There are so many places I want to try! I want to try everything on your list plus Be Our Guest...but I didn't think about trying to make reservations until late so I probably won't be able to snatch one. That reminds me, they sent me referrals for that credit card for the $200 disney dollar deal. I'll see if I can find it back in case your interested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Was your last trip to Disneyland the one where we both ran the Disneyland Half??? That was so much fun!!! It is too bad the Disney races are so expensive, otherwise I would love to do another Disney race jaunt with you sometime! I actually don't know a whole lot about Be Our Guest so I'm going to research it now. =) Thanks for looking into the Disney dollar deal - I really appreciate it!

      Delete
    2. Yep. It is the only time I have been to Cali actually. It was definitely fun! I've heard a lot of good reviews about Be Our Guest and the inside looks beautiful! The cost is definitely making me rethink doing more Disney (after Wine and Dine of course)...it'll be interesting to see if they keep increasing prices now that races aren't selling out near as fast.

      Delete
    3. No better way to experience California for the first time than to run the Disneyland Half!!! I am curious what RunDisney will be doing, also, especially since they've introduced so many new races recently. The prices are already crazy high!

      Delete
  6. This isn't really a restaurant, but the Grey Goose Slushie in the Paris part of Epcot, outside of the main restaurant, is the best alcoholic drink I've ever had. It's pricey but so worth it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabulous! Thanks for the suggestion, Alexandra - I will definitely remember this the next time I'm at Epcot!

      Delete
  7. I've actually never been to Michigan looks gorgeous! I am so not a green thumb either which is pretty embarrassing for a vegetarian huh? Thanks for joining us for coffee today!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Michigan is such a diverse state! A lot of people think about Detroit when they think of Michigan, but the coastlines are filled with so many beautiful little beach towns. Green thumbs are much tougher than I realized until I tried growing things on my own! Thanks for cohosting the linkup, as always!

      Delete
  8. Happy birthday Emily! It's taken me so long to respond to this post but first off thank you as it was very timely! I just went to Disney over the July 4th weekend. The one that I suggest that's missing is Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It's an African buffet and it's amazing--if I had to have 1 last meal on earth that would be it. You'd love it! I also appreciated your list here--the sci-fi diner and Marrakesh restaurants look amazing! Didn't get to try them but it's on the list for next time. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, V!!! Much appreciate the sweet note on Facebook, too!!! AHHHHH - how cool that you were in Disney over July 4, that must have been an amazing vacation! I have heard great things about Boma and you are right, I need to add it to the list, too. There's a theme going here as this would total three Animal Kingdom restaurants (Boma, Sanaa, and Tusker House) on the awesome list. =) I want to hear more about your trip, and everything else, as soon as time permits!!!

      Delete