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Disney World Dining Reservation – Do I Really Need One?

April 28, 2013 by 1 Comment

Disney World Dining Reservation

Do I really need a Disney World Dining Reservation? The quick answer is most definitely yes if you want to eat in a Disney World restaurant. How do you make a Disney World Dining Reservation? As the restaurants are so popular in the parks and resorts it is very important that you know how to make a Disney World Dining Reservation. For the most part gone are the days when you could simply walk up to the restaurant of your choice and get a table.

All photos by Expressmonorail

Of course the ease or difficulty of getting reservations depends upon how busy the parks are. You will find it much easier to get a reservation the first two weeks of December than you will on Christmas Day for example!

Here is everything you need to know about making a Disney World dining reservation. Or in Disney speak, make an Advance Dining Reservation.

How Far Ahead Can You Make Advance Dining Reservations?

Disney World Dining Reservations

Disney World Dining Reservations for the table service restaurants can be made 180 days in advance. If you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort hotel you can make dining reservations for the length of their stay (for up to 10 days) at 180 days before the start of their stay. This gives Disney World hotel resort guests a head start. Another advantage of staying in a Disney Hotel Resort.

Disney World Dining Reservations Online

This is our preferred method of booking these days. Simply go to

Disney World Dining

We always find this much quicker than phone reservations.

Disney Dining Reservations By Phone

Call 407 WDW DINE and speak with a Disney dining reservation specialist. The waits can be long and frustrating. But at least you do get a (usually) helpful reservationist to talk to. They can help you with different choices if you first isn’t’ available. The online system can also help you with this (and it sometimes more helpful than the real person)!

Disney Guest Services or Resort Concierge

If you are at the Disney parks you can make a reservation with Disney guest services. This helps with last minute decisions about where to dine! If you are staying at a Disney Resort you can of course make reservations with the concierge.

Disney Dining Walk Ins

These can sometimes work. If you don’t have a Disney Dining Reservation try a walk in. Ask at the restaurant if there are any tables available. This used to work so well. Now your chances are limited. Disney dining is very popular!

Tips for Getting The Disney Dining Reservation of Your Dreams

Some Advance Dining Reservations are more difficult to get than others. The are two Disney restaurants renowned as almost impossible to get a reservation for. These are for Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom and Le Cellier in Epcot Canada Pavilion. You have to call or get online the second the reservation window of opportunity opens.

If you have a large party then you may have a much better chance of getting a Disney dining reservation if you can be flexible. It may be easier to book 2 tables. Cast Members at Disney restaurants are as accommodating as they are able to be. They may be able to seat you together when you arrive. Just don’t be upset if this is not possible. They will try their best to help most of the time.

Don’t give up if you are not successful with your first choice of restaurant. Keep trying. Sometimes there are cancellations which free up a table. If you do not want to keep your reservation then cancel the reservation. This helps other guests by freeing up reservations.

Try a walk in. Sometimes you are pleasantly surprised with success!

Some Disney Dining Restaurant Advance Dining Reservations Need A Credit Card Guarantee

Walt Disney World dining reservations

Some of the Disney restaurants need a credit card guarantee to make a dining reservation.

The list of these restaurants needing a credit card seems to get longer. It used to be rare but now the list is getting longer. If you do not cancel the Disney World dining reservation within a certain time ahead you will be charged a fee per guest. Usually this is $10 but can be higher so be sure to check. The cancellation window is usually a day but some are 2 days. Be sure to check.

Here are the restaurants currently needing a credit card guarantee:

1900 Park Fare at The Grand Floridian Resort
Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Artist Point
Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom
California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Chef Mickey
Citricos on The Boardwalk
Crystal Palace in Disney Magic Kingdom
Flying Fish Café
Garden Grill in Epcot
Hollywood & Vine at Disney Hollywood Studios
Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge
Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot
Narcoossee’s
‘Ohana
Tusker House Restaurant in Disney Animal Kingdom Park
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Hotel and Resort
All Fantasmic Dinner Packages
Pirates League

Some restaurants require payment at the time of booking unless you have purchased the Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan. These include:

Cinderella’s Royal Table
Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
Mickey’s Backyard BBQ

We know that making a Disney World Dining Reservation up to 6 months in advance can seem like way too much planning. But when you get to Disney World you will be very glad that you did!

Here are some reviews of Disney restaurants for you:

Epcot Rose and Crown Pub

Disney World Character Dining

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney World Hotels, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Restaurants, Restaurants Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Epcot Rose and Crown Pub

March 9, 2013 by 1 Comment

epcotroseandcrownpub

If you are looking for traditional British dining in Walt Disney World then look no further than Epcot’s Rose and Crown Pub. Located inside the United Kingdom Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase the Rose and Crown is a popular place to dine on such British favorites as Fish and Chips, Cottage Pie and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Photo by lorenjavier

The decor of the Rose and Crown is very authentically British. I am from The United Kingdom and can definitely say that this looks just like a traditional British Pub. The food is also very authentic and certainly the menu has many items which you would usually find on a British Pub menu.

There are 2 parts to The Rose and Crown. The pub area where there is a bar and you can order from a bar menu. You can just walk in here through the front doors and grab a table or a seat at the traditional bar. The restaurant area is for reserved seating only. There is a small area of seating inside but the bulk of the seats are outside.

The Rose and Crown outside patio seating area is one of the best places to view Epcot Illuminations which is the spectacular fireworks show which runs every day at Epcot at 9pm. These seats are highly sought after and competition for a view table is fierce! If you want one of these tables then you have to make an Advance Reservation by calling 407 WDW DINE or booking online up to 180 days ahead. Book for around 7.30 to 8pm to ensure that you will still be seated when the show starts at 9pm.

The Rose and Crown menu has recently been updated. The menus for dinner and lunch in the restaurant and the pub menu are largely the same. Here is a guide to the menu:

Epcot Rose and Crown Menu

Appetizers

Appetizer Trio of Scotch Egg, Mary and the Lads, Frisée and Apple Salad $16.99

Roasted Sea Scallops Wilted Baby Spinach, Tomato, and Olive Vinaigrette $10.99

Frisée and Apple Salad featuring Ocean Spray ® Craisins®
with Blue Cheese Crumbles, Candied Nuts, and Cranberry Vinaigrette $7.99

Trio of United Kingdom Cheese with Accompaniments $9.99

Mary and the Lads Roasted Shrimp Cocktail with a Spicy Bloody Mary Mix $9.99

Scotch Egg – Golden-fried Hard-boiled Egg wrapped in Sausage Meat with Mustard Sauce $8.99

Seaonal Soup Bowl 5.49

Entrees

Beef Sirloin Steak with Seasonal Vegetables, Fried Onion Rings, Cashel Blue Cheese Butter, and Red Wine Sauce $22.99

Bangers and Mash – Traditional English Sausages with Braised Cabbage and Bacon served with Mashed Potatoes and Shallot Gravy $14.99

United Kingdom Pub Burger -Angus Beef Patty with Applewood-smoked Bacon, Cheddar, crispy Shallots, and House-made HP Sauce $13.99

Fish and Chips – “Rose & Crown’s Signature Dish” Beer-battered and served with House-made Tartar Sauce $17.99

Mashed Potatoes $4.29 Green Beans $3.99 Mushy Peas $3.99

Grilled Salmon with Rustic Potato Salad and Tomato Chutney $20.99

Cottage Pie – Ground Beef, Onions, Carrots, Mushrooms, Creamy Mashed Potatoes, and Cheddar Cheese $16.99

Vegetable Stone Pie – Mushrooms, Onions, Spinach, Cheddar Cheese, and a Side Salad $14.99

Corned Beef Sandwich – Warm Corned Beef on Toasted Sunflower Bread with Cheddar, Cabbage, and Horseradish Mayonnaise served with House-made Crisps $12.49

Farmhouse Ploughman’s Lunch – Carved Ham, Cheese, Roast Chicken, Egg, and Traditional English Accompaniments $17.99

Side Orders

Cauliflower and Cheese Gratin $5.49 English Chips $3.19
Bubble and Squeak $4.99

Desserts

Mandy’s Mess – Freshly-baked Pound Cake with Berries and Ribena Syrup $6.49

Cheesecake with Mocha Cream and Caramelized Bananas $5.99

No Sugar Added Lemon Custard with fresh Berries $5.49

Sticky Toffee Pudding $5.49

Jaffa Tarts -Orange Cream-filled Cakes with Chocolate Ganache, Raspberry Sauce, and fresh Oranges $5.99

There is a huge selection of both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks in the pub and the restaurant. If you want to try some authentic British beer and lager this is the place to be! Bass Ale, Stella Artois, Harp, Boddingtons English Pub Ale, Strongbow Cider, and Guinness Stout are particular favorites.

Favorites from the menu include Fish and Chips, Cottage Pie and Bangers and Mash. These are very typically British dishes that you will most likely not have sampled elsewhere. For dessert you have to try the Sticky Toffee Pudding!

Have you dined at the Rose and Crown in Epcot? Leave us a Comment below to let us know what you think!

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Filed Under: EPCOT, Restaurants Tagged With: , , , ,

Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth

January 30, 2013 by 1 Comment

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth celebrates it’s 25th year anniversary today. The spectacular fireworks, laser and pyrotechnics show debuted on 30th January 1988. Illuminations:Reflections of Earth is one of those ‘must see’ experiences at Walt Disney World. Weather permitting the show runs nightly at the Epcot World Showcase Lagoon.

Photo by armadillo444

What is Illuminations:Reflections of Earth? IT is a little difficult to describe as it will be unlike anything you have ever seen before. More than just fireworks the 12 minute long show combines lot of different effects and an inspiring sound track to produce this amazing show.

Where is the Best Spot to View Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth?

Photo by expressmonorail

Where is the best place to watch Illuminations? There are many good spots and only a few bad ones (make sure that a tree is not blocking your view). One of my favorite places is in the Rose and Crown restaurant. There you are very close to the side of the lagoon – it is noisy and can even get quite warm when the pyrotechnics really start! The timing of your reservation is important here. Try and snag a reservation at the Rose and Crown for around an hour before the start of the show. That should mean that you are just about starting the desserts when the show starts. Be aware though that you are not guaranteed a view. Even if you have a reservation you have to ask for a lagoon side table and these are of course the most popular.

Viewing is also possible from La Hacienda the restaurant in the Mexican Pavilion. There are some tables with a great view of the lagoon – but also many with not much of a view at all.

If you aren’t able to get a restaurant reservation then another fine spot is on the bridge between the United Kingdom and France. This also has the advantage of being close to the World Showcase exit if you are leaving to go to an Epcot or Disney Boardwalk location.

Another one of my personal favorites is on the platform of the Japan Pavilion. This has a good central location and of course also has the different perspective that height will give.

How far ahead do you need to stake out your viewing spot? At busy times this can be 2 hours before the show for a prime spot.

Another important thing to think about when picking a viewing spot is how important to you is it that you exit quickly out of the park when the show is over? This may seem like a strange point but remember that tens of thousands of people will be leaving the park at the same time as you are, and there are bottle necks created at certain points, and it is a long way back to the main entrance and parking lot! This can be a lot to deal with, particularly if you have young children with you. At very crowded times it can be better to wait just 5 or 10 minutes to let some of the crowds leave first.

If you want to plan a quick getaway then the viewing areas between Mexico and Canada are the best from this point of view. The bridge between the UK and France is a great choice too, particularly if you are leaving via the World Showcase Exit.

Epcot Illuminations Cruise

There is also a very special way to see Illuminations – on a boat! $325 plus tax for up to 10 guests.
You can hire a pontoon boat for up to 10 people for an Illuminations cruise and costs from $325 plus tax. Price includes pontoon boat, driver, water, soda and bagged snack. You can order private dining too for an additional charge.

.Getting a reservation for an Illuminations cruise does need planning well ahead. As you can imagine demand exceeds supply. To reserve call 407-WDW-PLAY, between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m EST up to 90 days in advance. You have to give a credit card guarantee and your card will be charged unless you cancel 24 hours in advance. You get an amazing view of the fireworks underneath the International Gateway Bridge and you will get an amazing view of Illuminations. If you want a unique special experience then this is one that most say is well worth it.

For more pictures and discussion go to Epcot Illuminations

Where is your favorite viewing place for Epcot Illuminations:Reflections of Earth? Leave me a Comment!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, EPCOT, Restaurants, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Win a Walt Disney World Vacation

January 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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Up to four (4) Park Base Tickets for four (4) days.
Keepsake luggage tag (one per person).
Dining package includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack per person/night of package.

Certain nights are excluded.

Click Here to Enter

The estimated retail value of the vacation package is $3,230.00 US.

The sweepstakes ends on January 31, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 states of the United States aged 18 and over. You can find the Official Rules Here.

Good Luck!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Epcot Candlelight Processional 2012

October 22, 2012 by 1 Comment

The Epcot Candlelight Processional is one of the most beloved and popular of all the Walt Disney World Holiday traditions. Every year this musical Holiday celebration is staged in the America Gardens Theater in Epcot World Showcase.

Every night a different guest celebrity narrator is featured and the music of a huge choir and 50 piece live orchestra is played. In 2012 the dates are Nov. 23 – Dec. 30, 2012 with three performances nightly: 5:00, 6:45 & 8:15 p.m.

The Epcot Candlelight Processional 2012 narrators are:

Nov. 23 – 25; Geena Davis
Nov. 26 – 29; Neil Patrick Harris
Nov. 30 – Dec. 1; Whoopi Goldberg
Dec. 2 – 4; Andy Garcia
Dec. 5 – 7; Blair Underwood
Dec. 8 & 9; James Denton
Dec. 10 – 13; Jodi Benson
Dec. 17 – 19; TBA
Dec. 20 – 22; Trace Adkins
Dec. 23 – 25; Gary Sinise
Dec. 26 – 28; Amy Grant
Dec. 29 – 30; Marlee Matlin / Jack Jason

All schedules are of course subject to change. We have seen many of the narrators at the Epcot Candlelight Processional before and they are all fabulous.

The event is free for all Epcot guests. It can be very difficult to get a seat as it is such a very popular event. It is standard for the lines to start forming 2 hours before the Candlelight Processional starts, particularly for the busy dates and popular speakers.

You can ensure that you get a seat if you purchase an Epcot Candlelight Processional Dinner Package.

The later shows are my favorite as they have a little more atmosphere simply because they are in the dark and it seems easier to get into the Christmas spirit!

Even if you are not interested in seeing the Epcot Candlelight Processional it is good to be aware when they are scheduled. The one down side of the event is that it gets incredibly, and sometimes scarily crowded around the World Showcase Theater. Plan your visit to World Showcase accordingly and be aware that there may be a big crowd in from of the United States of American Pavilion which is difficult to get past!

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Top 10 Disney World Snacks

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Photo by Harshlight

Filed Under: EPCOT, Restaurants, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With:

Epcot Thrill Rides

October 14, 2012 by 1 Comment

Are there really any Epcot thrill rides? Epcot does have a couple of rides for thrill seekers out there! Whilst Disney’s Epcot does not have any traditional roller coasters, what it does have is some very innovative rides which will entertain all the family – and may even get the adrenaline seekers out there interested.

Epcot Test Track

Epcot Test Track is a very popular Disney World ride – and rightly so! The idea is that guests board a ‘Test’ Car to be put through it’s paces on a track. It goes through various tests including, heat, braking and of course the most fun one, speed.

Of course what everyone is really waiting for is the outdoor High Speed Test at speeds reaching 65 miles per hour around a 50 degree banked curve. This is a ride which is suitable for all ages – although it does have a 40 inch height requirement.

If you want to cut down time spent waiting in line make sure that you get a Fast Pass for Test Track.

For more details go to Epcot Test Track

Epcot Mission Space

It may put you off a little to know that Epcot Mission Space was the first ride, and is the only Disney ride anywhere in the World to offer vomit bags as a convenience for it’s riders! But this really shouldn’t put you off from trying this very unique experience.

Mission Space is a very sophisticated motion simulator ride which shows Epcot guests what an astronaut may experience on a journey to Mars.

There are 4 riders in each vehicle and everyone is assigned their own role (i.e potential buttons to press when instructed) either Commander, Navigator, Pilot or Engineer. The MIssion Space ride vehicle is very small. If you are prone to motion sickness or claustrophobia this is a ride where you really should observe the warnings. Riders experience up to 2.5 G Force. But of course that is the fun of it for most of us!

Mission Space is a highly intense and very unique ride. It is certainly one of the most thrilling Epcot rides and indeed one of the most adrenaline inducing of all Disney World rides. But be warned. For many it is a little too much. So Disney opened a second non motion version of the ride. This is also a lot of fun and does not have the G Force of the main attraction so is suitable for more people. But it is still in an enclosed space so be aware!

Soarin’

Soarin’ is an identical version of it’s west coast Disneyland cousin Soarin’ Over California. Again this is a very innovative Epcot ride. White knuckle it most certainly is not, but it can be described as a ‘thrill ride’.

This 4 minute 40 second simulated flight ride takes guests over the amazing sights of California including Yosemite, The Wine Country, Monterey, San Francisco, San Diego and of course Disneyland.

You would be forgiven for thinking that the ride structure looks like a giant Erector set – for that is exactly what it is modeled after. The Imagineers had to find some way of getting people safely in front of a giant movie screen in some kind of ride vehicle which could move in a way that made them feel like flying. They certainly did a great job with Soarin’.

You are safely strapped into your seat and then you ‘fly’ upwards into the air in front of a giant IMAX screen. There are 3 rows of seats and as your feet dangle in the air, the best view is on row 1 as your line of vision doesn’t have someone else’s feet in it! But this row is also the highest so if you are at all wary on your first ride on Soarin’ then ask for row 3.

Whilst there are no thrill rides at Epcot in the traditional sense of the phrase there are definitely some amazing rides in the park. Rides that thrill seekers and the more cautious amongst us will enjoy. Epcot has something for everyone!

Filed Under: Disney Tips, EPCOT, Rides and Attractions

Epcot Eat to the Beat Concerts 2012

August 19, 2012 by 1 Comment

Every year during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival there is a great line up of performers for the Eat to the Beat concert series.

All the Eat to the Beat concerts are free with your Epcot admission ticket. They are held at the America Gardens Theatre in Epcot World Showcase every night during the International Food and Wine Festival. There are 3 performances each night at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 p.m.

Photo by insidethemagic

Here is the 2012 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule:

September 28-30: Night Ranger
– October 1-3: Sugar Ray
– October 4-7: STARSHIP starring Mickey Thomas
– October 8-10: Boyz II Men
– October 11-12: Smash Mouth
– October 13-14: Javier Colon, winner of “The Voice”
– October 15-17: Air Supply
– October 18-19: Gin Blossoms
– October 20-21: Survivor
– October 22-23: Hanson
– October 24-25: The Pointer Sisters
– October 26-28: Sister Hazel
– October 29-31: Billy Ocean
– November 1-2: .38 Special
– November 3-4: Howard Jones LIVE
– November 5-6: Blues Traveler
– November 7-8: Dennis DeYoung, original member of the group STYX
– November 9-12: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, EPCOT, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , , ,

Epcot France Pavilion To Get a Makeover

August 14, 2012 by 1 Comment

One of our very favorite Epcot World Showcase Pavilions is to experience a makeover. Epcot France will experience big changes to the Bistro de Paris, the upscale restaurant on the first floor of the Pavilion. Changes are coming also to the Boulangerie Patisserie bakery and pastry shop.

There are 2 restaurants in the Epcot France Pavilion. The informal downstairs Chefs de France will continue in it’s present form but the formal upstairs restaurant Bistro de Paris will be updated. We are glad to hear of these changes – it is quite a while since we dined there as although in theory it is fine to take children there, we really didn’t particularly want to. Whilst we love formal sometimes, it just never seemed to quite fit in the context of the Epcot experience for us.

Everything is changing in Epcot Bistro de Paris. There will be a new name, new decor, new costumes for the servers, and of course, a new menu. The Chef was brought in a year ago from a Michelin 3 Star restaurant so you can be sure that the menu and food will be of the highest quality.

Another major change will be to the bakery. This is one of our favorite snack places in Epcot but the lines are always so long (and we have to say that the service is often not that friendly either)! But we will tolerate anything to sample the fabulous desserts inside. We are told that this will now become the Glacier ice cream parlor.

A new bakery is to be built in the existing exit area from the theater. This has been an underused area for as long as we can remember, with a lot of open space, some limited seating and a relatively small selection of goods. Hopefully the changes will provide a much better place to sit down and enjoy a quick French treat. They are expanding the menu to include salads and sandwiches, and the new seating area will provide seats for 90 guests.

One thing we would love to see in the French Pavilion. Decent coffee! That the French people are made to service the appalling tasteless brand they presently serve in the bakery may be the reason why some of them are not so cheerful! Let’s get a decent coffee maker in the new bakery. Please!

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Filed Under: Disney World Dining, EPCOT, Restaurants Tagged With: , , , ,

Ellen’s Energy Adventure

August 8, 2012 by 2 Comments

Ellen’s Energy Adventure is one of the attractions in Epcot Future World. Of course we know that many may disagree with us but really it is not one of the ‘must see’ attractions. But if you do have some extra time whilst visiting Epcot park then this attraction which features Ellen Degeneres is worth a look. This show has been running since 1996 and in our opinion should be high on the list of attractions in need of an update at Walt Disney World, but if you have time, and a taste for nostalgia then gee it a go.

Photos by lorenjavier

Ellen’s Energy Adventure is located in the Universe of Energy Pavilion in Epcot. It is rather hidden out of the way as it is not on a walk way to any of the other attractions. If you walk towards Test Track (with all the other crowds of people heading there) but turn left and head towards the futurist looking silver building then you will see that his houses the attraction.

The first thing that you really need to know is that you do have to commit quite a lot of time to this attraction. It is a total of 45 minutes long and after the 7 minute pre show there really is no turning back!

The show starts every 17 minutes and there is rarely a line which goes outside. If you can see that the line has just gone in and the doors are shut then you probably don’t need to commit to staying in the line for the whole 17 minutes. This is very much a minor attraction and as such the lines don’t usually get that long.

You will enter a large pre show area. It is pretty dark in there. In front of you is a huge screen which will soon start to play the pre show. This is a parody of the show Jeopardy which has Ellen pitted against Jamie Lee Curtis and Einstein. An interesting combination of course.

Ellen doesn’t know much about energy. So she needs to travel back to prehistoric times to find out just how energy was created in the first place.

The doors will open at the end of the pre show and you will walk into a room filled with a huge vehicle (and yes we mean huge as it holds 600 people). Guests sit in long rows in the vehicle which moves very slowly through the attraction.

It is dark inside. Very dark. Our middle son was terrified when he first went on the ride aged around 2, and it seems most times we ride this there is a toddler who is not appreciating the combination of the dark, and the huge animatronic dinosaurs.

The whole ride does seem quite dated. When we first rode many years ago the technology was impressive. Things have moved on so much now that the animatronic dinosaurs really aren’t so impressive any more. Ellen Degeneres is great as always but once you have heard the script once there really isn’t a compelling reason to hear it again!

Our advice. Skip it unless this is at least your second visit, or you really need to sit down in the shade for a long period of time. Oh and we have used it to take a nap sometimes too – although the seating is not that comfortable!

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, EPCOT, Rides, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , , , ,

Epcot Restaurant Marrakesh

July 24, 2012 by 2 Comments

Restaurant Marrakesh in Epcot World Showcase is one of our favorite places to dine in Disney World but it is one of the most overlooked restaurants. The reason for this is probably two fold – the location is rather hidden, and perhaps guests think that the menu will be a little unusual for their taste. Our advice is to give it a try and you won’t regret dining at this Epcot hidden gem of a restaurant.

Photo by expressmonorail

Epcot Restaurant Marrakesh is of course located in the Morocco Pavillion of World Showcase. The location is a little out of the way as it is hidden at the very back of the Morocco Pavlion – a place where few visitors actually walk around, but really should to see the beautiful small courtyard area. There is a podium located at the front of the Pavillion where a menu is shown.

The one area in which the menu is rater lacking is in vegetarian options as really the only option is the Vegetable Couscous. The different menu options may be a little too exotic for children, but of course as with all Disney World restaurants there is a children’s menu available with the usual favorites available.

One of the things that makes Restaurant Marrakesh special is the entertainment. There is belly dancing, and if you are really bold you can even join in! The atmosphere and decor of the restaurant are very welcoming.

Appetizers

Harira Soup – Traditional hearty soup with tomatoes, eggs, lentils and lamb $5.99

Beef Brewat Rolls – Baked layers of thin pastry filled with seasoned minced beef, fried and sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar $7.99

Chicken Bastilla – Baked layers of thin pastry filled with minced chicken and almonds, sprinkled with cinnamon and powdered sugar $8.99

Seafood Bastilla – Baked layers of thin pastry filled with grouper, shrimp, and mushrooms $9.99

Assorted Mediterranean Salads for Two – Falafel, sundried tomatoes hummus, roasted eggplant puree and tabbouleh $13.99

Goat Cheese with Crispy Bread for Two – A mixture of cheese and kalamata olives served with tabouleh, red pepper sauce. and balsamic vinegar reduction $13.99

Appetizer Combination for Two – Beef Brewat Rolls, Chicken Bastilla, and Jasmina Salad $16.99

Entrees

All Entrees are served with rice mixed with vegetables

Shish Kebab - Grilled tenderloin of beef with rosemary roasted potatoes and vegetable medley $28.99

Chicken Kebabs – Brochettes of chicken breast, olive salad and dried fruit sweet couscous $24.99

Roast Lamb Meshoui - Lamb shank braised in natural juices served with roasted eggplant puree, zucchini, capers lemon confit and tomatoes $27.99

Mogador Fish Tagine – Marinated fish with olives, lemon confit, potatoes, green peppers, and chermula sauce $27.99

Lemon Chicken – Braised half chicken with garlic, green olives, and preserved lemon $25.99

Couscous- Couscous teamed tiny semolina pasta; with Beef $27.99; with Lamb Shank $27.99; Chicken Couscous $26.99; Vegetable Couscous $20.99; Couscous M’Rouzia: braised beef served with prunes, balsamic vinegar, honey, sesame seeds, and eggs $28.99

There is also a choice of 2 different Feasts for a shared entree option

Marrakesh Feast

Royal Feast Available for $45.00 per person

Choice of one appetizer:

Jasmina Salad
Lettuce, tomato, olives, feta cheese in mustard vinaigrette

OR

Seafood Bastilla
baked layers of thin pastry filled with grouper, shrimp, mushrooms

Choice of one entree:

Lemon Chicken – braised half chicken with garlic, green olives, and preserved lemon

OR

Roast Lamb Meshoui -lamb shank braised in natural juices served with roasted eggplant puree, zucchini, capers lemon confit and tomatoes

OR

Couscous with Seven Vegetables

Assorted Moroccan Pastries for dessert

Marrakesh Feast for $42.00 per person

Harira soup; Beef Brewat Rolls; Marrakesh Mixed Grill (Tenderloin of Beef Shish Kebab, Lamb Merzuez Sausage, Marinated Chicken Kebab) served with roasted potatoes. Assorted Moroccan pastries for dessert

Desserts

Moroccan Symphony – Assorted Moroccan baklavas $6.99

Marrakesh Delight – Fresh fruit salad topped with mint ice cream, toasted almonds and orange blossom water $5.99

Bastilla – Crispy leaves of pastry topped with vanilla cream and sprinkled with cinnamon, powdered sugar and toasted almonds
For Two – $8.99; For One – $7.99

Whichever options your choose from the Marrakesh Restaurant in Epcot World Showcase you are sure to have an entertaining experience. It may even become one of your favorite Epcot restaurants.

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Filed Under: Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, EPCOT, Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,
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