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Showing posts with label disney dining. Show all posts

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Disney World's Free Dining Plan Is Announced, And The Verdict Is In

The OrlandoTastic Team April 27, 2017 0

Each year Disney World comes out with some sort of dining plan offer, and this year it involves the word "FREE".

To qualify for the free dining plan, the visitor must be staying at a Disney World hotel. Additionally, the visitor must also upgrade to a Park Hopper ticket.
However, some people are looking at the deal, and depending on which hotel they are staying at, the deal might not be all that it's cracked up to be. For the lesser expensive Disney world hotels, this deal could make sense for a family (especially if they had already planned on purchasing the park hopper option, which many people do). For the more expensive and luxurious hotels, it might be worth it to pay your own way from restaurant to restaurant.

For a more detailed look at the offer, and analysis, click here.

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Monday, October 05, 2015

Buying Disney World Dining Reservations - Don't Do It

The OrlandoTastic Team October 05, 2015 0

There's 351 restaurants found throughout the Walt Disney World Resort, and, of them, 115 accept reservations. It seems like finding a nice spot for a fun dining experience at the end of a day shouldn't be too hard, right? Well, as anyone who has tried in the past couple of years, it's getting quite a bit harder. Securing a reservation at Disney World's most sought after restaurants is nothing new. Although a bit frustrating, it wasn't much of a surprise if a last minute reservation wasn't available at Victoria and Albert's, 1900 Park Fare, or Cinderella's Royal Table. But, with the introduction of MyMacic+, which includes online MDE (My Disney Experience) accounts, getting reservations has become a whole new ball game. The issue is that non-Disney affiliated companies aren't playing by the rules. They are securing dining reservations, and then turning around and selling them to vacationers that weren't able to get one on their own. The good news? Disney is starting to crack down on them.

MyMagic+ was recently introduced by Disney, offering a suite of technologies and services that are meant to improve and enhance a Disney vacation (click here for more info on MyMagic+). One of those technologies is My Disney Experience, which, among other things, enables vacationers to make their dining reservations beforehand. How far in advance? Up to 30 days in advance, or, if you're going to be staying at a Disney property, up to 60 days in advance. It sounds like a wonderful feature, and it can be. But, there's always going to be people who take advantage of a good thing.

So, how are they doing this? DiS Dining Agent was a site that was creating fake My Disney Experience accounts, booking reservations, and then selling those accounts for a price. Or, they would create a reservation, and then give a customer the exact time when they will cancel that reservation, allowing the customer to quickly pick it up. Fortunately, Disney has already started cracking down on these practices. When we last checked, the website was telling its customers that they were in the process of changing their model, and that "all current customers will be receiving an email".

There are still other companies who provide services that may still fall in a gray area, but not so deep. Disney Dining Scout and Disney Dining Buddy provide services where they won't make reservations for you, and don't have reservations to offer you, but they will monitor a restaurant where you want to dine, and notify you as soon as a reservation becomes available.

So, what do we think of all this, and what do we suggest? Our best advice would be to plan ahead as much as you possibly can. If you're able to start making your dining reservations 30 days out, then make sure to open your account a few days before that. Planning your Disney World vacation, including which days you want to go to which parks, which shows you need to see, which characters you want to run into, etc., is almost just as fun an experience as the vacation itself. And, all of this is made easier and more exciting with My Disney Experience.

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Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Survey Results : The Best Places to Eat and Drink at Epcot's World Showcase

The OrlandoTastic Team July 15, 2015 0

(Via Napoli at the Italy Pavilion)

A couple of weeks ago we launched a survey hoping to gain some insights into where our readers ventured at Epcot's World Showcase.

Here are the current results:

Where is your favorite place to go to grab a quick snack?

1st Place - Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe - Norway - 12.7%
2nd Place - Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie - France - 11.7%
3rd Place (tie) - La Cantina de San Angel - Mexico - 10.1%
3rd Place (tie) - Liberty Inn - America - 10.1%

Where is your favorite place to go for a refreshing drink or cocktail?

1st Place - La Cantina de San Angel - Mexico - 15.8%

2nd Place - Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room - United Kingdom - 14.5%

3rd Place (tie) - La Cava del Tequila - Mexico - 10.5%

3rd Place (tie) - Refreshment Cool Post - Outpost Area - 10.5%

Where is your favorite place to go and sit down and enjoy a nice lunch or dinner?

1st Place (tie) - Le Cellier Steakhouse - Canada - 10.1%

1st Place (tie) - Via Napoli - Itlay - 10.1%

3rd Place - Chefs de France - France - 8.9%

Please tell us your favorite way to experience Epcot's World Showcase...

Eating around the world - purchasing a dish or two at each country and sharing
Wandering around searching out vegetarian friendly stalls and shops.
Sober!
Sampling all the wonderful food& drinks from all the countries.
Epcot is our favorite disney park. We enjoy being able to walk around and taste all of the different foods and beverages from around the world! It makes you feel like you are truly on vacation.
We love the fall Food and Wine Festival
We enjoy going to each country whether we start from left to right or vice versa. the hands on activities are fun for the whole family!
On a cool day, sitting on a bench!!
Take the time to stroll instead of run through the park. Try to experience Epcot during the International Flower and Garden exhibit.
Start counter clockwise, stopping at Liberty Inn for lunch.
We love the garden and flower festival as it changes Epcot into a beautiful paradise. Love the butterfly farm. We love taking a slow walk round all the world's.
Over several days. We aren't interested in too many rides there so we like to eat!
Watching the fireworks from the Japanese pavillion
With vodka freezes in France, finding a table to look over the lake while imbibing
I really like visiting all the countries and eating and having a drink or two.
Trying different foods from all over the world. We have eaten at most of the restaurants in EPCOT and love them all.
Try a little bit of food and drink as you walk all the way around.
By walking "through the world" and taking in all the sights and sounds at the individual country's locations. Browsing the shops and eating at the various dining locations "across the globe."
ENJOY ALL COUNTRY EATERIES. TRY AND CHANGE AROUND TO ENJOY THE TASTES OF ALL TH COUNTIES
Food and wine festival!!!!!
Pub crawl
My husband and I have never been there. We are 80 and afraid we could not keep up the walking and standing in line for the events.
Via Napoli is our favorite lunch spot
My husband and I love to sample all around the world at a very leisurely pace.
Start at one end and begin walking and enjoying everything - when you get to the other side- turn around and do it again!!
Leisurely over a few days. Try the food in some of the less expensive places and then splurge on one expensive meal. Tokyo dining has a great view of Illuminations during a late dinner.
Food and Wine Fall Event
During the food and wife festival going to each country and trying all the interesting new flavors in each area

Than you again to everyone that participated. We'll be putting out a new survey later this week. (survey results)

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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Free Dining Plans at Walt Disney World? Yes, Please!

The OrlandoTastic Team April 29, 2015 0

A trip to Orlando's theme parks came be quite pricey, whether you're going as part of a couple or with your whole family. After travel and lodging has been worked out, sometimes there isn't much left over to pay for tasty meals. Wouldn't it be great if that was already thrown in?

Well, Walt Disney World has released a special promotion offering free dining plans. Purchase select non-discounted tickets by June 10th, and receive a free dining plan along with each ticket. Each ticket will allow for 2 free meals, plus a snack, each day.

For full promotion details, check it out here.

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Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Can't get enough of the Epcot Food and Wine festival? GOOD NEWS!

Dawn Nikithser February 18, 2014 0

Finally, the popularity of the annual Epcot International Food and Wine Festival has been given a boost -- an entire extra week to nosh and nibble!

The Disney Parks blog announced that the 2014 festival will be extended to a record 53 days this year. That's terrific news for those of us who want to return again and again, but don't always dig the crowds during the busiest days. The official dates are September 19-November 10, 2014. No other details have been announced (such as pavilions, special dinners and tastings, Eat to the Beat line-up, or special guests), but we will be keeping ears (and mouths!) open and let you know as soon as we do.

Mmmmm. I can taste Fall already. Can't you?

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Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Better than Wursts: EPCOT's Biergarten brightens their menu

Dawn Nikithser August 20, 2013 0

As it happens, I am a big fan of traditional German foods, but they can be a bit heavy for a hot, sweaty, Orlando theme park day. Also, if you are traveling with picky kids, vegetarians, or people with dieting issues, a whole plate of vinegary potato salad and five different kinds of sausage can be a problem.

But no longer! EPCOT's Biergarten restaurant in the Germany pavilion has done a menu refresh, along with sister eatery Sommerland as of September 1, 2013.

"Guests often think of German food as one style," says EPCOT Executive Chef Jens Dahlmann. "We want to show the diversity of cuisine from Germany's many regions."

New buffet menu offerings include Bavarian leberkäse (meatloaf) with sweet mustard, saurbraten (sweet and sour pot roast) with potato dumplings. Seasonal soups will also be offered, such as the current summery asparagus soup and likely mushroom bisque for the fall. There will also be a wider selection of smoked meats, real pickles important from Germany, and apple strudel made in-house and fresh every day.

Young guests will also find much to love, such as nudel gratin (a German take on mac n cheese that you can try at home with this official EPCOT recipe) and the chef's personal childhood fave, chicken fricassee. There will also be more seasonal fruits and vegetables, including traditional salads and the regular kind, for the non-adventurous.

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Wednesday, January 23, 2013

EPCOT's Bakery Bargain

Dawn Nikithser January 23, 2013 0

I love a Disney bargain, and the re-opening of EPCOT France's Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie is my new favorite one. It's the PERFECT place for a light lunch, delicious snacks, or indulgent desserts, or -- the best option, in my opinion, all three.

Some of the menu items here are the very same ones that you can get in the far more expensive and time-consuming restaurants in France, making the bakery a delightful time-saver as well. The menu features sweets and savories, so there should be plenty here for everyone you're traveling with, except possibly strict calorie-counters. My favorites are the cheese plate (three cheese plus a mini baguette), the Croque Monsieur (only the best grilled cheese sandwich in the history of sliced bread), the Sacristain (pastry filled with cream and chocolate chips), and the perfect Cream Puff.

Plus now there is much more room inside in case you want to savor snacks while taking a load off your tired feet. I love it here. I wonder if they'd let me set up a cot...

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Wednesday, June 08, 2011

Another year, another Five Diamonds -- Congratulations Victoria and Alberts!

Dawn Nikithser June 08, 2011 1

Image courtesy Disney Parks Blog, June 7, 2011

The flagship of Disney -- and some would claim all of Orlando-- dining has been honored once again with the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond Award for Dining. Victoria and Albert's at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa has received this award for the ELEVENTH year in a row. Wow!

V&A's is one of only three restaurant in Florida and the ONLY one in Central Florida to receive Five Diamonds. As a matter of fact, only 55 restaurants in North American (US, Canada and Mexico) received the designation for 2011, making V&A's consistent receipt of this honor a Very Big Deal.

Here's a quote from V&A Executive chef Scott Hunnel, direct from the Disney Parks Blog:

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the work that the entire team does,” said Chef Scott Hunnel. “It’s all about the consistency of what we try to do, and the continuous evolution of the restaurant,” he continued. “We all work together to achieve that goal, and continue to search for ways of doing things better.

OrlandoTastic congratulates Chef Hunnel and the entire team at V&A for another year of outstanding cuisine, exceptional service and truly incredible dining. The award is well-deserved.

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Thursday, March 04, 2010

Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The OrlandoTastic Team March 04, 2010 1

Hello all! I'm Dawn and I will be your new DW Tickets blogger. I'm a long-time visitor and former resident of Orlando, so I have a whole lot of love for the place, and all its many forms and functions and fantasy. I'll be blogging about all things Orlando, from the theme parks and big news events to smaller travel secrets and places and things you might not know about without my help. I hope you'll use my tips and enjoy my suggestions on your next visit to Orlando, whether you're hardcore for the Mouse or not.

The first piece of news I'd like to share is about a truly once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa has been considered a culinary treasure since its opening. The restaurant has been awarded the the prestigious AAA Five-Diamond Award for 10 consecutive years, the most of any restaurant in the state. For a long time now, V&A's has served two menus, both prix fixe, both changing daily, and both at over $100 per person: the 6-course menu in the main dining room and the 7-course Chef's Tasting Menu in the kitchen itself. These experiences last 2 to 3 hours, on average, and are worth every penny if you love food and exquisite preparation. It's not for everyone, certainly; the price point and the dress code--jackets for gentlemen and pants ensembles or dresses for ladies--do scare some away. But if you can do it, it's worth doing. I've been lucky enough to try it a few times and I can't wait for more.

Well, now there is more--more food, more experience and, yes, more money. V&A's recently announced a third dining experience. It is their most amazing and their most exclusive yet -Queen Victoria's Room. The room has only 4 tables with one seating time each night. It features French gueridon service, where a rolling cart travels from table to table, offering the most superb cuisine with incredible touches (like a sprinkle of Himalayan sea salt, mined from the mountains themselves, or perhaps a plate of exceptional cheese from all over the world). The experience lasts four hours and features TEN courses of Chef Scott Hunnel's most creative offering, such as "perfectly seared Kurobuta pork tenderloin and belly, or butter-poached lobster with bisque and lobster roe foam." And if that's not enough, why not have the sommelier pair wine to each course? Or choose your own bottle from V&A's well-respected and very impressive wine list. The experience will set you back $200/person for the food, plus $95 for the optional wine pairings--the bottle of your choosing could most a lot less or a lot more than that, depending on your personal taste. And if you have children, you'll also need to pay for a sitter--V&A's does not serve children under 10 years of age. It's an intimate, adult dining experience, an evening worth savoring and enjoying, worth lingering over as long as possible. You'll head home from any of the three dining options with a personalized menu and a rose for the ladies. You'll also remember the meal for a long time, like a perfect mental souvenir you'll ttreasure for years to come. Especially if you opt for the Kona chocolate souffle at desert time, which you definitely should. Save a bite for me, too.

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Friday, July 17, 2009

Satisfy Your Junk Food Fix in the Parks

The Blogster July 17, 2009 0

Working up an appetite in Orlando theme parks is easy. After hours of waiting in line and walking from one end of the park to another, you’ll surely want a nice meal and a break. If you’re in the parks during the hot Florida summers, then you’ll most definitely want to sit down in the air-conditioning—believe me, it gets really hot here! There is rarely time for a fancy sit-down dinner, and after all that activity you need a little bit more fuel than a salad. So here is a small list of our favorite places to grab some junk food at the parks.

A lot of times you’ll see visitors to the parks munching on turkey legs as they walk from one attraction to the other, but we would rather take advantage of the amount of detail put into the décor of some of the restaurants the parks have to offer. At Universal Studios, check out Mel’s Drive-In, located in the Hollywood section of Universal Studios. This 50’s style diner will send many down memory lane and give 50’s enthusiasts a great place to rest their feet and fill their stomachs. Mel’s offers, you guessed it, diner food. Milkshakes, burgers and chili-cheese fries are all available along with the classic root beer float.

If you’re looking for a more fulfilling restaurant experience, we love heading to Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, located in Universal’s CityWalk. The menu here is more extensive compared to the restaurants inside the park, and therefore healthier options are available for those watching their waistlines. But if you aren’t, then feel free to indulge in the Cheeseburger in Paradise. Named after Buffet’s famous song, this has to be my favorite burger in the Orlando area. Feel free to sing along to the music playing in the background as your Heinz 57 on your burger.

As for dining in the House of Mouse, there are two locations we always have to go when in the Walt Disney World Resort. Our “old faithful” location in the Magic Kingdom has to be Casey’s Corner on Main Street. This Main Street classic is a baseball-themed restaurant that highlights the glory days of America’s past time. It’s great to check out the classic baseball-themed cartoons on the bleachers with younger members of the group as well. No matter what we do when visiting Disney World with our families, we have to stop at Casey’s. If we don’t make it for lunch, then it’s the last thing we do before getting back to the hotel. There is nothing fancy about their hot dogs, but who needs fancy when they’re so good?

Hopefully you’ve worked up a craving for these classic eats after reading the blog. Make sure you keep them in mind when you’re heading out to the parks with your discount Disney tickets and your Universal Studios tickets.

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Thursday, July 09, 2009

Eat Up at Animal Kingdom

The Blogster July 09, 2009 0

Disney’s Animal Kingdom first opened its doors in 1998 with the popular “Not a Zoo” slogan. It is one of the most popular Orlando theme parks and a favorite with the Disney crowd. Animal Kingdom is always packed, so make sure to get discount Disney tickets to Animal Kingdom before your visit. The $1 Billion dollar park contains the Animal Kingdom Lodge, an African-style lodge located in the Animal Kingdom area. The Animal Kingdom Lodge sits on Disney’s 33-acre wildlife preserve and is one of 8 Disney Deluxe Resort Hotels. Where else in the United States could you open your windows to see zebras and giraffes walking by?

Walt Disney World is making sure to keep their visitors happy by adding great things to their parks year round. Food is always an important part of a theme park visit, especially in larger parks like Animal Kingdom that require tons of walking. Any chance to take a rest and have a snack is appreciated while on your own animal adventure! The latest culinary addition to the Animal Kingdom family is the Sanaa restaurant. Sanaa, pronounced “sah-NAH”, is named after the Swahili word for “artwork.” This sit-down restaurant features African and Indian foods including Tandoori chicken and lamb Kefta, all creatively presented with an artistic touch. Sanaa sits 150 visitors and is located within the Kidani Village resort, which is part of the Disney Vacation Club Family.

If a restaurant setting doesn’t fit your sense of adventure, Animal Kingdom is also offering Picnic in the Park. This feature, which debuted in April, offers visitors to the part a chance to picnic in 16 spots throughout the park. Picnic lunches can be ordered at the Island Mercantile Store on Discovery Island and picked up at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery. Picnic lunches can be ordered for groups of 2-6 people at prices ranging from approximately $20-$60 US dollars. Each lunch brings utensils and condiments. Keeping with the nature-friendly theme of Animal Kingdom and the Walt Disney World Resort, the picnic lunches come in reusable green bags with the “Every Tree Has Character” slogan.

Like in all Orlando theme parks, there are various restaurants and snack shops to fulfill your thirst and hunger at the Animal Kingdom. But Sanaa and Picnic in the Park provide two brand new options that will fit the personalities of any Disney-goer. Bon Appétit!

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Eat in the Wild at Animal Kingdom

The Blogster April 14, 2009 0

Only at Walt Disney World can you get up close and personal with animals like zebras and lions at Animal Kingdom through attractions like the Kilimanjaro Safari and Habitat Habit! and the savannah at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. And soon, through a new dining option offered at the park, guests will have the opportunity to eat among the animals for a wild dining experience with an ambience no other restaurant can provide.

With Picnic in the Park, guests can turn any meal at Animal Kingdom into an adventure – and there’s no planning or sandwich-making required. All guests have to do is pre-order their picnic at a guest relations office or the Tusker House Restaurant in the Harambe Village in the Africa area. Guests can then come back to pick up their picnic at a time of their choosing (so long as it’s no earlier than two hours after the order is placed) at the Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery next to the Tusker House. Once they do, it’s time to chow down as guests can take their picnic to one of 14 designated picnic spots around the park.

Guests can choose from various picnic options, including rotisserie chicken or ham and sandwiches like Turkey Focaccia, Chicken Wrap, Ham Grinder, or Tuna Pita. The feast also comes complete with various side options, like chips, coleslaw, corn, green beans, mac & cheese, orza pasta, and various kinds of potatoes and salad dishes. Rounding off the wild meal are desserts like brownies, cookies, cornbread, crisped rice treats, and fruits.

Each picnic comes in a reusable bag with plates, utensils, and a map marked with the picnic locations, and guests can order their picnics for a minimum of three people and a maximum of six. Picnic orders have to be placed between the hours of the park opening and 1:30 pm; if you’re on a Disney dining plan, a Picnic in the Park can be used as a Quick Service Meal.

Since Animal Kingdom doesn’t have as many eateries as other parks in Walt Disney World, picnicking is a much needed and unique new option, in addition to being affordable – a picnic for three costs between $24.99 and $29.99, and a picnic for six costs between $48.99 and $56.99. And afterwards, guests can digest at a comfortable and fun indoor Animal Kingdom show like It’s Tough to Be a Bug! or Finding Nemo The Musical.

To go on an animal adventure and dine within the exotic environments of Animal Kingdom, check out Walt Disney World tickets today at DWTickets.com. Picnicking in the Park will definitely add a whole new level of fun to your Animal Kingdom visit, not to mention give you an extra burst of energy for seeing and experiencing the park.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Where to Watch the Big Game in Orlando

The Blogster January 27, 2009 0

Sports fans everywhere (and generally anyone with testosterone) are undoubtedly eagerly awaiting the big game this upcoming weekend, also known as the Super Bowl. And for those down here on vacation, figuring out where to watch the game might be a conundrum, especially if you’re used to enjoying it with pals at home, plenty of alcoholic beverages, and food. Thankfully, though, Orlando has no shortage of places where you can enjoy a Super Bowl party atmosphere that will rival anything you could have cooked up back home.

One easy place to go to is Universal CityWalk, one of Orlando’s biggest destinations for dining and entertainment. And you can guarantee that plenty of eyes will be set on the big game at the Nascar Sports Grille and NBA City. Don’t be fooled by their names; though NASCAR and NBA might be the sport of emphasis at these restaurant/bars, each place plays homage to all the major sports. The big game will be on the big screens at Nascar Sports Grille, and at NBA City, you can reserve a table for Super Bowl viewing. Better yet, you can even rent a private VIP room for an all-out Super Bowl party and invite 25 to 800 of your closest friends.

And over at Walt Disney World, the best place to watch the game is most likely the ESPN Club at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, a restaurant, bar, arcade, and shop similar to ESPN Zones found throughout the US. More than 100 video monitors here will ensure that you won’t miss a minute of the big game, with a 90-square-foot HD projection screen in the main dining room and several TV monitors installed in the bathrooms. Be sure to arrive early for all the Super Bowl action, as the fans pack the seats in droves here.

If you find the ESPN Club too full though, the All-Star Café at Disney’s Wide World of Sports is another good sports spot, especially if you plan to take the kids. The whole family can enjoy the game from 20 big screens while they enjoy classic American fare like burgers, buffalo wings, and chicken quesadillas.

Outside of the theme parks, one of the most popular places to watch big games is T.G.I. Friday’s Front Row, located a mile away from the Orange County Convention Center on International Drive. Not your average Fridays, Front Row features two stories of non-stop sports action, with over 140 televisions, a state-of-the-art game room, free wireless internet, and private banquet rooms. And on Sunday, the restaurant will host Orlando’s biggest Super Bowl party at 6 pm, featuring a packed buffet with plenty of beer and wine, and prizes and giveaways all night long. Be sure to call or email for a reservation if you plan to attend.

Finally, for a more laid-back Super Bowl experience, Miller’s Ale House is a casual and comfortable place to watch the game. There are eleven locations throughout Central Florida to choose from, and you can book early to get reserved seating. With an all-you-can-eat buffet, open bar, and prizes and raffles throughout the game, Miller’s will definitely be a popular spot to watch the game.

With so many places for sports fans to reunite, a Super Bowl party in Orlando isn’t hard to find – the only hard part is deciding which one you want to attend. No matter where you go, you’re sure to have a great Super Bowl Sunday.

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Thursday, October 16, 2008

New Downtown Disney T-Rex Café is Dino-Mite

The Blogster October 16, 2008 0

Downtown Disney, known to visitors from all over for its amazing restaurants and shops, now has a new reason to attract visitors, especially families. The T-Rex Cafe, which opened on October 14th, is more than just a restaurant; it is a complete attraction, with retail, dining, and fun activities for adults and kids alike.

T-Rex, which is owned by Rainforest Cafe owners Landry Restaurants, creates an interactive prehistoric environment, with décor centered on water, fire, and ice. The restaurant has been designed to make visitors say, “Wow,” with an exact life-size replica of a 140-foot long Argentinosaurus outside and a 5,000 gallon shark tank and robotic octopus on the inside. Kids will love the large animatronic dinosaurs ensconced in the walls along with real fossils, and the cascading waterfalls and bubbling geysers make it a nice setting for adults, too. The Geo-Tech and Ice Cave rooms are also particularly neat, with their flaming walls and glowing, color-changing ceilings.

Kids will be able to have fun before or after dinner with the restaurant’s many activities. In the fun and educational Paleo Zone, little ones can learn on interactive screens and play in multiple exploration areas. They can excavate in the "dirt" in the Discovery Dig area, or explore the mine and pan for precious stones, minerals, or fossils in Discovery Creek. T-Rex is a great place for children to act out their curious natures and have fun exploring and learning. And if nothing else, it’s also a great way to get them to burn off the sugar from dessert.

And though it might be easy to forget, T-Rex is, after all, a restaurant. So how is the food, you ask? T-Rex offers a surprisingly wide selection of American fare, including appetizers, soups, salads, pizzas, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, meat entrees, and dessert. Think T.G.I. Fridays, but with catchy dinosaur-themed names. The restaurant actually has a wood-burning pizza oven in its “Kitchen of Fire,” and guests have the option of designing their own custom pizza. The Mammoth Mushroom Raviolis are also quite nice, cooked in a lobster cream sauce with Roma tomatoes and fresh spinach. The most creative options on the menu, though, are the seafood and sandwiches, with unique offerings like the Tarragon Chicken Salad sandwich, which includes a Rotisserie chicken pulled and tossed with tarragon, celery, onions, toasted almonds, and mayo on a toasted hoagie roll. And herbivores need not worry – there are some vegetarian options available. There is also a separate menu for children.

T-Rex also features a wide array of souvenirs, apparel, toys, and other dinosaur-related merchandise. Children will especially enjoy building their own stuffed dinosaur friend with the first-ever Build-A-Dino, by the makers of the Build-A-Bear Workshop. It’s not all fun and games just for children, however. T-Rex features a full-service “Shark Bar.”

The 600-seat restaurant has been widely anticipated since its construction began in October 2007. With Walt Disney World’s recent closure of six Pleasure Island nightclubs and their family-oriented replacements nearly two years away, T-Rex is fulfilling a need for dining space in Pleasure Island.

So be sure to stop by T-Rex and have your own prehistoric adventure. And while you’re there, don’t forget to actually eat!

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