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The Crystal Palace: Magical Place in the Magic Kingdom Park American Review

As I've probably mentioned before, one of the special things you can do while at Walt Disney World is to pick a few very special restaurants to enjoy your meals and dining with Disney characters is a very special thing to do. Crystal Palace in the Magic Kingdom park is not only beautiful architecturally but a wonderful place to eat breakfast, lunch or dinner buffet style. The very pleasant interior design is warm and welcoming and comfortable, there are always special flower arrangements or dsiplays which follow the seasons. There is a very large variety of food choices for all meals served here, but the lunch and dinner offerings are really special, and everyone should find something they like.

Try the Mickey-shaped waffles for breakfast along with some of your favorite American breakfast classics. For lunch you will find everything from appetizers to salads, to entrees and all types of desserts. You'll have to try a little of everything in that department IF you have any space left in your stomach after you'vd had one of the following: citrus marinated flank steak, BBQ tenderloin, flame roasted chicken, atlantic salmon, green thai chicken curry, vegetable pasta, pizza, etc. I'm sure you'll have room for Chocolate Marble Cheesecake, Mango Flan, Double Chocolate Brownies, Tres Leches Cake, Apple Cobbler, Banana Bread Pudding with Bailey's Irish Cream Sauce, soft-serve ice cream, etc., etc.,

Breakfast Buffet is served 8 - 10:30 am; $18.99 for adults; $10.99 for children 3 - 9
Lunch Buffet is served 11:30 - 3pm; $20.99 for adults; $11.99 for children 3-9
Dinner Buffet is served 4pm to park closing; $27.99 for adults; $12.99 for children 3-9

Favorite Dish: You wouldn't particularly call the food here gourmet, but they do a very nice job of offering a well-rounded menu and very good food. Reservations are strongly recommended and I can tell you from experience you will definitely need reservations unless you are prepared to wait for a while to get in.

Disney characters from Winnie the Pooh and most all of Winnie the Pooh 's friends such as my favorite, "Tigger" they will come around to delight your children, and you too! Love those Mickey Waffles!!

Address: The Magic Kingdom Park

Comparison: about average

Directions: After entering the Magic Kingdom, follow Main Street to the end where the shops end and bear left you BEFORE come to the walkway encircling the Walt Disney & Mickey statue.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: American

The Rose & Crown Pub: Visit Merry Old England in Epcot British Review

Epcot is my favorite Disney park and in particular, I love the "The World Showcase" featuring buildings and restaurants from around the world such as Mexico, China, Norway, Italy, Morocco, England, Canada, Japan, etc. Each "country" has distinctly styled buildings, stores, gardens, pools, fountains or whatever.

We chose to have a British lunch in "England" and so did alot of Britains who were visiting Epcot that day. From the accents you would have thought we really were in England. We were lucky to eat on the garden terrace of the Rose & Crown Pub overlooking the lake in "England" for lunch one sunny afternoon and it was marvelous! The service from our cute Irish server, and the presentation & preparation of food made it a very memorable meal! Because we were on the meal plan, we all ordered appetizers, our choice of entrees, a non-alcoholic beverage and dessert. All gratuities & taxes are included under the meal plan.

Favorite Dish: The waiter started by putting a basket of exquisite rolls on the table with butter. I had shrimp cocktail for an appetizer with a good number of the tasty little delicasies. My entree was simple called "Chicken Pastry"($12.99). I can't tell you how delicious the 2 seashell-shaped chicken in pastry dish was--crispy, thin layers of pastry, thick chunks of chicken, fresh garden peas & carrots and the delicate cream sauce was to die for! For dessert I had the apple crumble with vanilla ice cream ($4.99).

My husband had fish & chips ($15.99) which was a huge portion, and my son had the Guiness Stew ($15.99) topped with mashed potatoes and a crispy, lacey cheese "fan." A side salad was $3.99.

While more expensive than quick service meals, the meal here was similarly priced and maybe less expensive than some of the other sit-down restaurants in the park.

We all truly enjoyed the meal and thank heaven, we did alot of walking afterwards!!Our server, "PeeWee" was a real delight to speak to & as well as listen to with his cute Irish accent.

Address: The Mercado shopping Centre, International Drive

Comparison: about average

Directions: When entering the World Showcase in Epcot, bear to the right around the lake. The British showcase is very near the "back" entrance of Epcot.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Other

Plaza Pavilion Among Others: Perfect Lakeside Table Setting for Quick Service

One of the great things about eating in the Disney parks are the tremendous amount of choices for dining: quick counter service, table service restaurants, character dining, and quick snacks. Another great thing is the myriad choices of beautiful settings in which to enjoy your meals. I particularly love eating "al fresco" when the weather is sunny and not too hot and in the accompanying picture you can see one of my favorite places in the Magic Kingdom park. This table setting right on the water is a very beautiful and peaceful setting and is avvery convenient place to eat when you bring food from one of the several places a few steps away.

You might try the "Plaza Pavilion" which is located right on the edge of "Tomorrowland". From the counter you can order pizza, deli sandwiches, salads, fried chicken, beverages and a few other small selections.

Please help keep this area beautiful by throwing the remains of your meal and any other garbage in the receptacles provided there. There are many groundskeepers whol will do this, but show your appreciate for the park by doing it yourself.

Just a few steps away on Main Street is the Main Street Bakery" where yo can make your dessert selection of Toll House cookies, cake & pastry and other sinful confections. Or how about the The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor"? Both of these last two food venues are hosted by Nestle's so you know they are good.

All of these choices are under $10 which is average for counter service menus and snacks.

Favorite Dish: The friend chicken from the Plaza Pavilion is very good, and I particularly like Nestle's ice cream. But the real treat here is the scenery!

Comparison: about average

Directions: When you enter the park, follow Main Street to the end of the shops and bear right and down when you see the tables with yellow umbrellas next to the little lake.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: American

Le Cellier in Epcot's Canadian Pavilion: Great Cuisine a la Canada!

Getting a reservation to Le Cellier, the Canadian Pavilion's sit-down restaurant in Epcot, is like booking your favorite famous restaurant in New York City. If you want to be sure to get the day and time you want, BOOK AS FAR IN ADVANCE AS POSSIBLE!! Le Cellier is that popular and for good reason--the meals here are some of the best at Disney World!

Leading up to the restaurant is a beautiful garden, pond and walkway in the very distinct style of Butchart Gardens on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The hanging baskets ( a symbol of Victoria, Vancouver Island) and the Victorian streetlights are glorious additions to this garden. It really is a feast for the eyes!! The interior of the restaurant is styled as a wine celler, hence the very apropos name--Le Cellier! It has a very cozy & smallish eating area with wooden tables and a few recessed boothes. It lacks somewhat in decor, but this is made up by the food.

Le Cellier is billed as a steakhouse, but steaks were not overly represented on the menu. In fact, I only remember seeing one and that is the VERY EXPENSIVE Petit Filet Mignon at $21.99 for lunch!! The steak was actually very petite, being about the size of the palm of my hand. My husband & son said the steak was delicious. But first, thanks once again to the current Disney meal plan, everyone had a "Niagara Refresher" drink ($4.29) or Chocholate Raspberry shake (($4.29) and appetizers which ranged from $4.99 for soups to $9.99 for a shrimp cocktail.

My daughter had the chicken caesar salad ($10.99) served on a long & rectangular plate! My choice was the seasonal pasta with seafood ($19.99) and it was excellent. Once again this proves that the meal plan at $37.99 per day per person which covered everything except our second beverage, is a spectacular deal!!!

Favorite Dish: Before everyone had even ordered their meal, our waiter brought us a selection of sourdough, pretzel and whole grain bread sticks. They were so fabulous we asked for more as did everyone else within sight! The soft pretzel bread was my family's favorite.

Everyone in the family thoroughly enjoyed their meal. I thought my "seasonal" pasta with seafood was absolutely fantastic. If and when I am at Disney's Epcot park and have the meal plan again, I will absolutely be sure to book Le Cellier in advance.

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: In Disney's Epcot park, when entering the World Showcase, bear right around the lake. It is the first country pavilion you come to.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Steakhouse

Cantina de San Angel: Mexican Dining al Fresco

Feel like some Mexican food while strolling around the lake in the World Showcase at Epcot in Disney World? Try the "Cantina de San Angel", a colorful little quick service place with outdoor seating right on the lake. You can't help but be drawn to the building with Spanish architecture and bright colors of the umbrellas there and you can't beat the view! At night it is a great place to watch the "Illuminations" light show & fireworks if you can get a table as close as possible to the lake. All umbrellas will be lowered for a view of the sky. Just make sure you secure a table in time to hold your place.

They have a decent menu too ranging from about $7.29 a platter to $7.99 (2006 prices) for choices such as a combination plate, Tacos al Carbon, Ensalada Mexican or the Wet Burrito! A plate of "Cantina Nachos" with the works is $6.99 (beef, cheese, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, sour cream, and refried beans). Childrens meals of a burrito , tortilla chips and a drink are $3.99.

Try a frozen Margarita ($7.50) or Conga fruit drink ($3.75) to wash it all down with!

Favorite Dish: I really like the Cantina Nachos or the Ensalada Mexicana myself with a churro for dessert. The Conga Fruit drink made of oranges, pinapple and lime juice is fantastic on a hot day!

Comparison: about average

Directions: On the lake front across from the Mexican Pavilion in the World Showcase at Epcot ~ Disney World

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Mexican

The Tusker House Restaurant: Dine in the Village of Harambe

The Animal Kingdom is Walt Disney World's newest park and is much different from the other 3 parks. It is much larger than it seems and is divided into at least 6 distinct areas. My favorites are the "Africa" and "Asia" sections. Once you pass through the park's entrance, go straight to Discovery Island and then take the left bridge which puts you into the African Village of Harambe, and Disney has done an excellent job of making all the buildings there appear to be in just such a village. Cast members are dressed in African-like garb, African music and performers are part of the street scene. Shops sell crafts & items made in Africa (and of course there are Disney souvenirs too) which are really attractive and unique.

So it is quite fitting that the quick service restaurant, the Tusker House, appears to be just what you think it might look like in some part of Africa. The inside will keep you in that African frame of mind and it is a nice place to get out of the sun and cool off, get lunch or an early dinner (the park always closes early).

The menu is a nice one for a quick service place---no burgers! It's not exactly an African menu but a very nice change. Prices run from $6.99 for the Tusker House Chicken Salad with balsamic dressing to $7.99 for grilled salmon with Jollof rice and veggies. The half rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes is also $7.99 Other choices are turkey wraps, veggie sandwiches, etc. Wash it down with a Safari Amber for $5.75 but soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, milk and bottled water are always available. Don't forget dessert!!

Children 3-9 can have a choice of chicken with mashed potatoes & applesauce or macaroni & cheese with apple sauce & Mickey cheddar crackers for $3.99. A soft drink, milk or juice is included in the price for children. Not bad at all for what you get!!

Favorite Dish: I have to go with the rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes as my favorite! But my husband really likes the salmon dish and that Safari Amber!!

If you like a later breakfast, Tusker House serves that as well although the choices are somewhat limited. If you've got an appetite, try the scrambled eggs with home fries, biscuits and sausage/bacon ($5.29); if you want a little something try the gravy & biscuits (yummm!); yogurt with fruit; cereal; cinnamon rolls; muffins; Danish or a combination of several. This is a good way to get into the park early, see the animals first and then stop for something to eat!

Comparison: about average

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

Flame Tree Barbecue: Best Fast Food in Animal Kingdom

(Many pictures to follow but for some reason they won't upload!??!)

My very favorite place to eat in the Animal Kingdom Park is the "Flame Tree Barbecue"!! Their dry-rub, spicy seasoned ribs are the BEST! I get the rib platter every time we visit there. The Flame Tree also has pulled-pork BBQ sandwiches; roasted, sliced turkey sandwiches; chicken; side dishes and desserts too. On our October 2006 visit we were on the Disney meal plan (see other tips and intro) --this meal is counted as a quick-service meal which covered whatever platter you chose plus drinks and dessert. Had we not been on the Disney meal plan, the tab for this lunch would have come to about $60 for the 4 of us! A hefty price to be sure, but worth it in my opinion. Each individual rib or sandwich platter is under $10 per person, but of course the drinks and dessert run the price up several dollars more. My rib meal was so delicious and it came with baked beans, corn on the cob, cole slaw and for dessert I chose the key lime pie. Everyone in my family enjoyed their meal too! No wonder we keep returning!

Favorite Dish: Although I have been consciously trying to stay away from meat dishes more often, I love coming to the Flame Tree Barbecue and I love the rib platter!! But on top of that, this little "take-out" place has the most scenic seating area and I love that just as much as the meal! You can walk down to several different levels of seating areas, all covered by uniquely carved & painted pavilions, surrounding by pools, lush tropical plants & trees, or the lake. It's not uncommon at all to see ducks, a large white heron or other wading birds at the water's edge.

The views across the lake are spectacular! From most of the seating areas you have a fantastic view of "Expedition Everest," and some other rather cool sights. You've just got to see it for yourself!

Comparison: about average

Directions: In Animal Kingdom Park -- on the lake with views of Everest and the South Asia sections of the park

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 5

Theme: Barbecue

Jiko: Fine Dining at Animal Kingdom Lodge

If it hadn't been for a bad bee sting I got while visiting the Lodge, Jiko was definitely on my list of new places to try for dinner! The deep earthtone colors and decor of the restaurant certainly were enticing!

Making advance reservations is advised.

Favorite Dish: The restaurant features "new" African cuising and serves South African wines which I find are very good.

Address: On the lower level, Animal Kingdom Lodge

Comparison: more expensive than average

Phone: 407- 939-3463 (WDW-DINE)

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 0

Theme: African

Food & Wine Festival at EPCOT: Sample Foods From Around the World

You probably know by now that Epcot is my favorite Disney Park, and the World Showcase is my favorite part of Epcot! I love all the unique "country" pavilions surrounding the beautiful lake there. It's just a fantastic place. We love to try the speciality restaurants or their smaller, quick service dining options. So far we have had some great meals at Morocco (twice), China, the German Oktoberfest, England and most recently Canada.

The wildly popular "Food & Wine Festival" is held every October in the World Showcase at Epcot. During the Food & Wine Festival each country, plus many more countries without their own permanent pavilions at Epcot, set up kiosks from which you can purchase beers, wine and sample dishes typical of their country. (You might think it was similar to "Las Ramblas" in Barcelona where you sample tapas from different bars.) You'll find Ireland, Greece, Australia, Scandinavia, Poland, South Africa, and many more. You just step up and order a glass of wine or cup of beer, maybe a sampler of beers, and your choice of sample dishes from their country. The food usually costs you about $3.50 with beer and wines $5 to $8 dollars.

Be aware that to attend the Wine & Food Festival you must purchase a ticket for admission to Epcot park itself. Tickets to Disney can be purchased online through their website, from AAA, and other outlets. Prices vary based on many factors.

Favorite Dish: I particularly enjoyed a Carlsberg beer from Denmark! I also enjoyed samples from the Greek Kiosk. My husband liked his beer samples from Ireland, England, Canada, and Scandinavia. Everyone is strolling around enjoying theirselves, and enjoying the music and activities. If you like wine, beer, and international cuisine, you should visit Epcot in October!

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: The "World Showcase" at Epcot park in Disney World.

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Other

Planet Hollywood Orlando!: Movie Clips While You Dine Planet Hollywood Review

Some people don't like chain restaurants but I think Planet Hollywood offers entertainment and a pretty good meal for the money. I've eaten at quite a few Planet Hollywoods from London and Honolulu to San Diego and Orlando. Each restaurant has large screens throughout the dining areas showing a melange of movie clips and each different Planet Hollywood has its own large collection of movie memorabilia. I love movies so I can't help but love this place. The service is good and the meals are standardly good but certainly not gourmet.

Prices has risen at Planet Hollywood just as at other restaurants, but in comparison to similar fare inside Disney World, the prices might be considered very reasonable indeed! It's also a good place to bring children--they will definitely be entertained. The last time we ate at this particular Planet Hollywood, "Carrot Top" the entertainer was having dinner here.

Favorite Dish: I especially like the appetizers and pasta dishes.

Address: Downtown Disney

Comparison: about average

Directions: At Downtown Disney near International Drive. Within a few minutes of all parks and near a host of other interesting restaurants such as House of Blues, Gloris Estefan's Bongos, Rainforest Cafe, etc.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: American