food IS a theme park
Disney World’s NEW Island Tower at the Polynesian Village Resort hotel is officially OPEN!
Island Tower at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
As of December 17th, this hotel expansion is now welcoming guests so you know we had to be there to check it all out. The Island Tower is home to brand-new hotel rooms, a new pool and splash pad, gorgeous terrace gardens, and an all-new restaurant — Wailulu Bar & Grill. We had our sights set on this menu for a while, and now it’s time to finally dig in!
What do Mickey Bars, Dole Whips, and Cheeseburger Spring Rolls have in common?
Columbia Harbour House
They are all pretty iconic Magic Kingdom snacks. Whether you’re looking for a sit-down meal or would prefer to eat on the go, there are lots of food options in Disney World’s most popular park to choose from. Columbia Harbour House, a quick service location in Liberty Square, typically is a great spot when you’re trying to please a variety of tastes. How did that reputation hold up on a recent midday trip? Let’s find out.
We’re at ‘Ohana!! And ‘Ohana means FAMILY.
From the moment you enter ‘Ohana, you’re informed (or reminded, for returning guests) of the meaning of the restaurant’s name. This family-friendly spot is perched atop the Great Ceremonial House at the Polynesian Village Resort, and it’s become a must-dine for guests of all ages — including Disney World first timers!
The warmth of the atmosphere at ‘Ohana really makes you feel like you’re part of a massive extended family (where your server is your cousin), and that’s a really good thing.
‘Ohana has two dining experiences. Breakfast features characters with Lilo, Stitch, Pluto, and the Main Mouse himself. Dinner, on the other hand, is not a character meal, but still includes entertainment (which I’ll show you in this post). In either case, meals are all-you-care-to-enjoy. And while I really do love breakfast here, my most recent visit was for dinner.
‘Ohana
You are very welcome here at ‘Ohana! [Read more…]
Ahoy to Rachel Gardner! She brings us a delicious review of the exclusive table-service restaurant, Palo, aboard the Disney Fantasy.
Warm tones of reds, greens, and taupes; elegant wood paneling; large spacious dining rooms with sweeping ocean views; the smell of Italian food wafting from the plates around you as you make your way to your table: this is Palo.
A warm chandelier welcomes diners!
Meaning pole in Italian, Palo is named after the pole to which the gondoliers tie up the gondola when docking.
Palo’s Dining Room
Today we’re visiting the newest Disney dining establishment on the high seas… Carioca’s!
The Disney Magic is Disney Cruise Line’s original ship. After fifteen years of sailing, she recently underwent her first lengthy renovation (referred to as a “re-Imagineering” by Disney Cruise Lines 🙂 ). Several of the dining and adult lounge areas were refreshed and enhanced, while others received a complete redesign.
With the ship’s launch in 1998 came the introduction of Disney’s unique approach to dinner seating known as Rotational Dining. Instead of gathering in one large dining room every night, guests aboard Disney Cruise ships are assigned to a rotation among three different dining rooms. Their table servers rotate with them, getting to know their likes and dislikes (as well as any special dietary needs), allowing for a more seamless dining experience.
Welcome to Carioca's
With the Magic’s recent post-renovation relaunch, what was formerly Parrot Cay in the dining rotation has become Carioca’s!
Carioca’s is inspired by and named after Donald Duck’s pal, the one and only José Carioca
! You may know José from two Disney films from the early 1940s: Saludos Amigos and The Three Cabelleros.
Mural
Even if you aren’t familiar with these films, you may have enjoyed sailing and singing along with José, Donald, and their third amigo, Panchito, on the Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion!
Gran Fiesta Tour
“Where one, two, and three goes, [Read more…]
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