Tag: Dining

The service allows guests to go to the Artist’s Palette dining location and pick up a pre-prepared ingredient box to take back to their resort room and cook utilizing their villa kitchen. The service is being primarily marketed towards DVC members, but anyone can book villa accommodations at the resort through Disney and other DVC points buying services across the internet (If you’re interested in booking a villa and having someone walk you through that process, check out Destinations to Travel and tell them Guide4WDW sent you). 

The box itself includes a “meal kit for four featuring Rigatoni Fiesolana (Rigatoni pasta with creamy tomato sauce, sausage, portabella mushrooms, parmesan and fresh basil) and comes with a large garden salad, garlic bread sticks and baking instructions” according to a Disney Parks Blog post earlier this morning. The service, all things included, costs $49 and is listed as a limited time offering. 

Personally, I see this as a test of the dining option to see what the guest demand for it may be. Many guests utilizing the villa rooms, which always include the kitchen (any one bedroom villa or larger – deluxe studio rooms do not have the kitchen necessary to prepare this meal offering), frequently use external food prep and grocery delivery services to create meals in their resort rooms. Many of those grocery delivery services are a bit more budget friendly than this new option, but the convenience factor is certainly a bonus. 

So, what do you think? Will this be something that catches on and rolls out to other villa resorts (my guess is that it will in time) or will guests shy away from the new service. Personally, I see this as an outstanding way to get families together for a quiet meal and a fun way to get involved with your food preparation while on vacation. Also, for the price, this is a much cheaper offering than what you may pay at table service dining locations across property.      

For many of you, the Disney Dining Plan has always been and will always be a part of your Disney vacation experience. However, it may not be quite the “good deal” some guests believe it to be. Personally, I’ve used the dining plan many times, and to be quite honest we really enjoy using it when we travel. It is worth noting though that while it is incredibly convenient (and convenience is worth a lot in many circumstances), it may not be saving you any money in the long run and you may very well be paying more for your Disney dining.

First and foremost, I just want to say that we are in no way criticizing the dining plan. It’s an outstanding service that really simplifies the Disney dining experience for so many first time and returning guests while offering an upfront price and a flawless booking experience. With that being said, if you are trying to save as much money as you can (as many of us are), it may not be the best option in your individual scenario. To really illustrate the point, let’s take a quick look at a typical day in the Magic Kingdom.

When we travel as a family, we’ll typically make a reservation for Crystal Palace at some point throughout our day in the park. It’s really become a tradition over the years and is a great way to get a break from the heat, enjoy some great food, and the iconic Main Street theming. Of course, this is certainly not a budget friendly dining location. Lunch and dinner rates are typically $42 for adults and breakfast comes in quite a bit cheaper at $30. Of course, these rates can fluctuate due to Holidays and special events where Disney sees it fit to raise prices.

Later on in the day we tend to either grab a snack of some sort. An ice cream cookie sandwich at the parlor on Main Street or even something as simple as a dole whip over in Frontierland are excellent snack options both on and off of the dining plan. No matter how you use your snack credit for the day, you’re likely going to make a selection that costs less than $6. After a few somewhat recent changes, just about anything that is single serve is a portion of the dining plan options. 

Towards the end of the night, we tend to use our counter service offering. Counter service does tend to vary in cost fairly substantially by location, but a good example in this situation is Columbia Harbour House. The location features a vast variety of seafood and non seafood offerings, but everything on the menu comes in at or around $14 for an entree. It’s plenty of food for most adults, but what really starts to add up are the drink and dessert costs which are automatically included in the dining plan. Drinks will run you $3.29 and desserts (which many guests may or may not order without the plan) will add another $4 or so to your dining experience. All in all, using the prices from Disney’s website, you’re looking at roughly a meal that costs $21.29 for one adult. It’s a nice meal, but when you break it down, it really doesn’t have to be that expensive. If you simply drink the free water (non-bottled) given out at the counter, and avoid the dessert, your price drops to simply $14. For most guests, that’s a much more manageable priced meal for one adult. 

With all meals and snacks considered (using Disney’s listed pricing), here’s the breakdown: 

• Table Service Meal (typically one table service dining credit): $42 
• Counter Service Meal (as ordered if you were on the dining plan using one counter service credit): $21.29
• Snack (one snack credit on dining plan): $6 

Total: $69.29 for one guest for one day 

Here’s the kicker on the whole system, the Disney Dining Plan will cost you $69.35 per day for each adult. Essentially, if you ordered everything as listed you would break even on your dining plan purchase. Meal strategies for each guest do tend to vary drastically, but as a general rule of thumb, you may end up paying even slightly more for your dining plan and it’s convenience factor than if you simply paid out of pocket for the same selections (out of the 100’s if not 1000’s of snack and meal combinations there may be exceptions but this is generally true). There are certainly merits to both options, but to be completely honest, if you’re looking to save money, the dining plan typically isn’t the way to go. Most guests wont order the amount of food on their own that is included in the dining plan automatically and you also don’t have to limit yourself to strictly dining plan accepting locations. Plus, if you plan on eating at the Yachtsman or other high end dining options, you won’t have to use two table service credits on your plan to experience the meal (a great experience but one you may not want to lose another meal for).

As mentioned, I have absolutely nothing against the dining plan and have used it many times, but it’s not always the best option for every budget. Sometimes you’re better off using a good travel agency to help you book your must-do dining experiences (we recommend Destinations to Travel: Free quote request form down below) rather than simply purchasing the dining plan and trying to find a meal for each and every day. They may be able to help you find new ways to save money and will likely help you decide whether or not it is the best option for your unique situation. When you narrow it down to a few of your favorites, you’ll be surprised at how much money you may be able to save and have an equally enjoyable vacation experience. 

As alway, this is simply my opinion. Every guest figures out what works for them in their given scenario. However, this is a great way to configure your budget in a new way to potentially save some money along the way.

by: guide4wdw – Collin


In the early days of our Walt Disney World vacations, we stumbled across perhaps one of the most unique “performers” in all of the Epcot World Showcase, Miyuki. As a hidden gem of the Japan pavilion experience, Miyuki set up a pop up stand a few times per day and shared the incredible art of Ame Zaiku. 

While most guests to Walt Disney World have no idea exactly what that means or even what that is, Miyuki transfixed audiences with an incredibly interesting close-up performance. The demonstration put on display one of the most exclusive candy making art forms in all of the world. Using nothing but small wooden sticks, tweezers, small scissors, and a few other rather simple tools, Miyuki took a rice based candy (similar to a saltwater taffy consistency when warm) and quickly turned it into a priceless, yet completely edible dessert for guests to enjoy. (photo: labeled for reuse) 

The craft is truly amazing to witness first hand. The candy material itself is heated to well over 200 degrees to transition it into a malleable state. However, given the heat of the product, it takes quick movements and a trained eye to develop this medium into a true work of art before it hardens upon returning to air temperature. As each show progressed, guests would call out their favorite animals and one by one she would create the object before your very eyes in a few short minutes. Once it hardened she quickly added a candy paint to finish them off. A short time later, through the use of a small fan, the candy was cooled and then given out to the particular guest who offered up the animal idea. Unfortunately, during the final years of her time at Walt Disney World, the candy was no longer given away to guests (likely due to some type of sanitation law). 

Personally, this simple exhibition of incredible talent and artistic ability was something I looked forward to each and every trip. Considering the vast majority of my visits to Walt Disney World were during her time in the park (1996-2013), it was tough to see the simple show disappear after its long run. Miyuki was one of a very select group of artists in this craft limited to less than 20 trained individuals in the entire world. Even her own daughter, who would have continued the family tradition, chose not to continue in her mother’s footsteps due to the incredible heat of the candy. 

I didn’t realize until many years after our early viewings of the show, that the craft was so very limited and how incredible of an opportunity it was to see the production of this edible artwork. 

We made it an effort every year to visit this simple little aspect of the Japan pavilion, but unfortunately we arrived one day and were informed she was no longer performing in the parks (of course, that was long before we started covering info like that on the site). Somewhere, I still have images of the dragon, koala, and sea serpent we requested from the many shows we had the opportunity to see first hand. In those particular cases, I can remember carrying the hard, lollipop style, candy contraption through the park and can even fortunately remember the sweet and slightly gritty texture of the candy. 

Contrary to the majority of our lists here on Guide4WDW.com, today’s will actually be in reverse order starting with the number five selection and working our way to our most recommended dining option. 

5. Flame Tree Barbecue
Starting things off right, we’re headed to Animal Kingdom for perhaps the most recognizable meal on our list, Flame Tree. The location itself has been a guest favorite for many years. The menu consists of mostly pulled pork, barbecue chicken, ribs, and even smoked turkey. While the seating area is nearly all outdoors, the covered patio areas feature fans and offer a nice view of the surrounding area in the heart of Animal Kingdom. To be quite honest, the barbecue is very good and utilizes a sweet yet slightly spicy sauce which has become synonymous with the Flame Tree name. It certainly won’t take the top spot on our list, but it is an incredible option at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The portions are great and the food is always hot, served quickly, and a good change from typical “fast food” fare. 

4. Captain Cook’s 
For this particular meal, you’ll have to leave the parks for a short while and head over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Personally, I recommend this pick for a quick lunch or dinner option on a Magic Kingdom or “resort hopping” day. Captain Cook’s is a short monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom and a great way to escape the heat for a few minutes. On the ground floor, just off of the lobby, you’ll find a small quick service dining establishment with a fairly broad menu including: coconut meatballs, the aloha pork sandwich, a hot beef and cheddar, and much more! The atmosphere is outstanding and just around the corner you can grab a dolewhip to complement your meal. 

3. La Cantina De San Angel
Over at Epcot, this simple waterfront dining location has become one of our “must-do” counter service options. While the menu offerings are not all that “authentic,” it is certainly a great place to pick up a quick nacho, or an order of cheese Empanadas while enjoying the waterfront seating! Also worth noting is that if you decide to dine before the neighboring location begins seating for their first meal of the day, you can also utilize a door directly around the corner from the order window to enter an inclosed seating area with window views of the World Showcase lagoon. The best time to try for the indoor seating is right when the order windows open up until around 11:30-12:00.    

2. Geyser Point
As the newest dining option on this list, Geyser Point is a new and unique dining concept. At the walk up window counter service option you can enjoy large cheeseburgers, smoked turkey, and assorted salads all in a waterside lounge setting at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort. Personally, I highly recommend eating here as the sun goes down. The views from the seating area are second to none and while it is all outdoors, fans and circulating air create a quite pleasant atmosphere even in the hottest summer months. The food is outstanding and features high quality toppings like Tillamook Cheddar cheese! All around, while it is a bit pricey, this is one of your best counter service offerings on property and it’s just steps away from one of the greatest hidden gems at Walt Disney World, The Carolwood Room.    

1. Floatworks             
If you’ve read this site before in the past, you may already be aware of how much we enjoy Floatworks over at Port Orleans French Quarter. The food is truly outstanding, and the desserts are simply some of the best on property. As a counter service offering, the meals could easily be featured at many table service restaurants, and really bring a small piece of New Orleans to central Florida. Beyond the food, the atmosphere of the resort itself is quite classy, while remaining casual in a way that encourages guests and visitors alike to take a few minutes and roam the grounds. Headed to Disney Springs for the night? Jump on the resort ferry and after a leisurely ride down a river and across the lake you’ll arrive at the center dock right next to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar. The ride takes about 20 minutes, but it’s quite an experience at or around sundown and a really neat journey back to the resort after dark. If the property is not your home resort, head to the Disney Springs station and you can catch a bus back to your resort. 

After dinner, be sure to try the beignets! If you want to learn more about the experience, be sure to check out our full post about the experience: Disney Dining Hidden Gem: Floatworks 

Personally I’ve fallen into this same mindset time after time. You get to the parks and think, “Wow, I’ve got a snack credit to use, but I may want something at (insert your favorite snack location here) tomorrow.” My highest recommendation is that if you see something that sounds good to you at the moment, grab the snack and enjoy it. At the end of the week I can nearly guarantee that you’ll have an extra counter service meal or an abundance of leftover snack credits. It happens to every guest, so why not use them in the park and enjoy it rather than scrambling to use them on the last day. 

3. Don’t Forget To Use Your Credits!
This one really tends to blow my mind. I’ve seen guests time after time say they have 10+ credits to use and instead of utilizing them they wait too late and think they have no way to spend them. If you get to that very last day of your vacation and have an abundance of credits, counter service or snacks, head to a resort gift shop if all else fails. Nearly every shop has something that is shelf stable, travels well, and will be great to take home with you. We even did an article about many of the different last minute offerings available so that you don’t completely abandon your prepaid food. (See: 5 Quick and Easy Ways to Use Left Over Dining Plan Snack Credits)

4. Pick Quality Snacks
When you’re in the parks and not trying to use your credits last minute, try and make the most of the money you spent on the dining plan. When you’re looking for snacks be sure to check out the bakeries scattered across property for a freshly made treat rather than purchasing packaged off the shelf options. The example I tend to use more than anything in explaining this point is the ice cream cookie sandwich. Did you know that the packaged ice cream sandwiches from carts across property are purchased with the exact same snack credit as the hand made cookie sandwich prepared at the Parlor on Main Street U.S.A.? Th two options are incomparable in quality, but essentially cost the same when utilizing the dining plan. Of course, certain packaged treats are quite good including the Minnie’s Bake Shop cookies and many others, but its truly amazing some of the things that count as a snack credit. Even the iconic Beignets at Floatworks at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort are on the dining plan. Personally, I’d much rather have this (see picture) than a packaged cookie or something of the sort. 

5. Pick Quality Counter Service Offerings  
While many of us have eaten at Starlight Cafe or grabbed a quick bite at the Electric Umbrella, there are much higher quality counter service offerings you can enjoy by simply planning your selections a bit more than the average guest. Head over to Captain Cooks at the Polynesian for an Aloha Pork Sandwich or a Big Kahuna! If Polynesian isn’t your thing head over to Floatworks (mentioned above) and grab a shrimp or catfish Po’ Boy sandwich! We tend to prefer the resort counter service offerings and as an added bonus you get the chance to quickly run back to the room or lobby area to relax for a few minutes before heading back out to an afternoon or evening in the parks. More than anything, I simply recommend that you don’t just stop at the closest counter service restaurant when you get hungry. We always try to find something unique and different than the run of the mill cheeseburger and fries and it really keeps you from getting burnt out on fast food by the end of your vacation. 

As always, this is imply what I do and have had success with in the past. There are many different ways to do dining at Walt Disney World, but these are simply a few recommendations and things to avoid when utilizing the dining plan option. 

As many guests prepare for a Walt Disney World vacation, a lot of different thoughts roll through their mind. Do you get the dining plan, do you purchase a park hopper, what tier resort do you want to stay at, and much much more. However, today we hope to take one obstacle out of the way by sharing what we do if we only have one day at Epcot. To be quite honest, we’re typically the Disney guests who tend to bounce from park to park utilizing the park hopper option as much as possible, but over the years we’ve formulated a plan that has really helped us accomplish as much as possible in a single day at each of the Disney parks. 

As many of us returning Walt Disney World guests tend to overlook, many first time Disney parks goers tend to plan simply one day for each of Disney’s four parks. Of course, that is certainly not always the case, but for many it is. In such a case, or simply if you have only allotted one day in the Epcot park, we’re laying out a simple plan which you can follow to get a true taste of the vast Epcot experience. 

First and foremost, I would highly recommend getting to the park when it opens for this plan to be as successful as possible. I completely understand those of you who enjoy sleeping in and casually making your way to the parks when it is convenient, but it may not quite work for this type of a day at Epcot. 

Before you even arrive at the gates, you’ll want to book your fastpass+ selections rather carefully. Personally, we’ve had the most success booking one of three attractions early on in the day: Soarin’, Test Track, or Frozen Ever After. Essentially what you have to consider is that you will be guaranteed a ride on one of these attractions as long as there are no unforeseen circumstances or extended length breakdowns. So, you’ll want to pick that one must do attraction from that list of three. These select attractions listed are best booked at the farthest out booking window available (resort guests 60 days, non resort guests 30 days). As many of you may know, you also receive two other fastpass+ selection. Unfortunately, Epcot uses a tiered system so you can book one main “E-ticket” (Disney speak for popular and exciting based off of the early ticket based attraction pricing.) pass and then two other passes for less popular attraction like Figment, The Pixar Short Film Festival, and a few others. Personally, we tend to op for those particular two attractions mentioned. Both attractions are capable of producing 30+ minute waits during peak operating seasons, yet are still fun and entertaining parts of the Epcot experience we never want to miss. 

The trick with fastpasses at Epcot is to try and get the earliest faspass+ times as possible so that you can rebook a 4th and continuing pass after you have used your original three. The fourth is simply a rotating fastpass selection. If anything is available after your allotted 3 have been utilized, a fourth pass that can be replaced after each use until fastpass+ distribution has ended for the day. The planning portion for this part of the system is a bit tough to predict, but you’ll likely be able schedule at least one more guaranteed attraction for later in the day for one of the less popular attractions. In our experience, the best way to utilize these additional selections are to book one more attractions that you may have missed or simply want to ride again about an hour and a half before Illuminations begins. 

Once you’ve sorted out your fastpasses before arriving at the park, you’ll have at least a general plan in place. Our best results have been on days when we secured either a Soarin, Test Track, or Frozen Ever After pass for around 45 minutes to 1 hour after park opening. As a result, you can head straight to one of the other two big name attractions you don’t have a fastpass selection for before the crowds build, while still having plenty of time to make your reservation window. 

Upon arriving at the park by means of the front gate or rear, International Gateway, entrance prepare to head to your number one pick non-fastpass selection. The International Gateway is a truly simple yet quite successful way to enter the park and avoid the crowds for guests staying at the Swan and Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Club, and Boardwalk resorts. If you have yet to book your vacation, this is certainly something to look into if you plan on spending a lot of time at Epcot during your trip. The Epcot area resorts mentioned are within walking distance to the rear entrance of Epcot and even provide boat transportation free of charge to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios. While these three resorts are quite pricey and are deluxe tier accommodations, it’s worth checking with a travel agency like Destinations to Travel (free quote form below) for available Disney discounts or even looking into teacher discounts, Military, or AAA rates at the Swan and Dolphin Resorts (they are not owned by Disney so the discounts do vary). 

The International gateway is a huge perk that shortens your wait time getting in and gives you unparalleled access to the park. Of course, it is a longer walk to Future World for the main E-ticket attractions most guests scramble for, but you do bypass a vast majority of the crowds giving you a faster route to the attractions and a resulting shorter wait time.

Starting your day:

So, as you enter the park (it amazing it’s taken this far into the article to actually get “in the park”) head to your favorite “E-ticket” attraction. Following that experience, we found this timeframe as a great time to hit a few smaller attractions like The Seas with Nemo, or even The Land if you chose a different fastpass+ selection. The attractions will have incredibly short lines early in the day and it will cross one more attraction off of your list if you are waiting for your reserved fastpass+ time. At this point in the day, stick to the attractions of Future World and be sure to watch out for your early morning fastpass+ selections we talked about earlier. Also, The World Showcase doesn’t open (beyond a few select attractions) until 11:00am on a typical park day. Attractions you’ll want to check out for short wait times are The Seas With Nemo (which may take some time with the really neat aquarium exit), Journey into Imagination with Figment, The Land, Mission Space (if your stomach is up for it), The Pixar Short Film Festival, and possibly a short stop in MouseGear for a quick browse through at some souvenirs. 

Heading to the World Showcase:

Around 11:00am, as the World Showcase officially debuts for the day, we recommend you leave the Future World area and head to the countries. There are a few select experiences you wont want to miss in the World Showcase and the crowds will really start to build in Future World as mid-day approaches. The Showcase is quite a unique experience. Even on the busiest of days, there’s plenty to do without having to spend hours in line. My personal recommendation, and what has worked well for us, is to plan a table service dining reservation for lunch or dinner at Epcot at one of the many incredible offerings. We’ve had the best luck using this plan when we arrange for a late afternoon lunch or early dinner. Reservations are typically plentiful at these less typical dining time frames and still afford you the opportunity to eat your way around the countries without over doing it and being too full for your table service meal. 

World Showcase Dining:

Epcot is truly full of dining opportunities, but a select few really stand out above the rest. We typically try to dine (table service) at one of three locations: Le Cellier, Teppan Edo, or Garden Grill (not in the World Showcase). All three locations are family friendly and accommodate a variety of fairly picky eaters. To be quite honest, all three are quite expensive, but the price is often well worth it as the heat of the day rolls in late in the Florida afternoons. 

Beyond table service, we typically eat our way around counter service locations throughout the showcase. Of course, we aren’t eating a full meal at each location, but grabbing a nacho in Mexico, some caramel corn in Germany, and/or maybe a dessert pastry over at Les Halles Boulangerie and Patisserie in France will really round off a “showcase of flavors.” In many ways these snacks compliment your table service experience. 

World Showcase Attractions and Shows:

As you eat your way around the showcase, we’ve found that a great way to stay cool and enjoy much of what there is to offer is to try each and every attraction including: Gran Fiesta Tour, Impressions de France, O Canada!, and a few others. Exploring the pavilion to find each attraction or unique experience is really the best way to cover a vast majority of what there is to offer. Each attraction/show is located back off of the main promenade forcing you to take a deeper look into the details of these elaborately themed and historically relevant country representations. You could really spend many days wandering and exploring every little nook of the showcase, but you’d be surprised what you can cover before a late lunch or early dinner. 

Winding Things Down:

After your meal, head back over to Future World and hit any attractions you may have missed along the way. As the night draws closer, most guest will start heading towards the World Showcase in preparation for Illuminations or dinner reservations, so the wait times start to slowly diminish most days. In the past this slight lull has provided shorter wait times for Spaceship Earth and even Soarin’ or Test Track in some cases. All you’ll really want to worry about is getting back to the World Showcase to stake out a spot for Illuminations about 30 minutes to an hour before the show begins. 

Finding a Spot for Illuminations:

Over the years, we’ve tried many different fireworks viewing locations for this spectacular pyrotechnic display, but only one has always been tired and true (and I’m a little hesitant to share it!). As you head back from Future World, grab a snack to better your fireworks viewing experience and head just past the United Kingdom pavilion where you’ll find a pair of bridges which connect the UK pavilion to France and the rest of the World Showcase. Find a spot along the left hand side of the first bridge closest to the UK pavilion. If you can see the huge flaming tower to your left and have a full view of the lake in front of you, you’re in the right place. 

The bridge provides an elevated viewing platform, keeps guests from jumping in front of you and/or putting kids on shoulders, and provides a place to sit as you wait for the show to begin (hence the snack pick up along the way). Below you, you’ll find a series of pontoon boats which will casually arrive from the lagoons near the Yacht and Beach Club. These are the chartered boats for fireworks viewing (an awesome idea for an Epcot day if the cost is not a problem). However, there are a few things to note about this viewing area. First, check the wind. If it is blowing in your face move on around to the Japan pavilion where you’ll find a larger open area for viewing and may even catch a last minute viewing spot on the second floor of the pavilions restaurant balcony (open to anyone, it just boarders the restaurant). Second, be aware that guests will crowd in around you and many will do it in a last minute fashion. Think “big” and claim your space, but also try and be courteous to young children and allow them to stand up front so they can see. 

The Final Minutes:

As your day comes to a close and Illuminations ends, take a few minutes and allow the crowds to disperse. There will be a mass exodus after the show, but if you wait and hang out in the pavilions for a bit longer, you can casually make your way out of the park. If you’re staying at the resorts mentioned backing up to Epcot, the exit is just a few steps away from the bridge down a brief hill. However, as the crowds disperse, it is a great time to take in the little details of many countries as you gradually make your way out. There are some great photo opportunities you wont want to miss and if you leave with the crowd you’ll likely just end up waiting in line for a bus, shuttle, or monorail so you might as well enjoy those last few minutes in the park. 

Alternate Options:

A few more things to consider throughout your day are, first and foremost, Hollywood Studios is a 20-30 minute boat ride away. So, if you have a park hopper it’s great to slip out the back of Epcot and catch a few shows or attractions at the Studios on your Epcot day as well. Also, the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, and Swan and Dolphin are a short distance away by means of the same boat, or a short walk. Each of the three resorts have an ice cream shop. The Dolphin has incredible soft serve at The Fountian, The Beach Club has the kitchen sink (a huge sundae!) at Beaches and Cream, and the Boardwalk has the somewhat newly debuted Ampel Hills Creamery. Each of these are an incredible break from the crowds and a way to beat the heat.  

Each of the resorts have their own table service dining as well, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for at Epcot, check out the menus at Cape May Cafe (Beat Club), The Yachtsman Steakhouse (Yacht Club), Espn Club (Boardwalk), Flying Fish (Boardwalk), Trattoria al Forno (Boardwalk), Blue Zoo (Dolphin), Shula’s Steakhouse (Dolphin), and a few others! 

The area these resorts sit on is truly beautiful and something you will likely never find at any other resort across the nation. I often wonder if business executives, or even random one night guests ever book on a whim and end up at one of these resorts shocked and blown away by the views and amenities available without even leaving the resort. 

So, there you have it, our tried and true “Epcot in a Day” touring plan, to be quite honest, there’s no way to do it all in a day, but this should at least get you well on your way to an outstanding Epcot experience or give returning guests something new to try out. Sometimes it’s amazing what a new perspective can help you discover at Walt Disney World. There is no perfect way to tour the parks, but certainly some tips that make all the difference. 

As the Downtown Disney to Disney Springs transformation slowly starts to draw to a close after many years of dedicated changes, a vast variety of new dining options have opened their doors. Perhaps one of the more popular options has been The Boathouse. On a recent trip, we finally got the opportunity to give it a shot. Here’s a closer look at our experience.  

The restaurant itself is truly one of a kind from a theming perspective. It’s unique position on the water lends itself to that “beach” look and feel that so many guests truly appreciate, while being quite a ways away from the ocean itself. On the water, The Boathouse features a gallery of boats that really are pieces of art along with an outstanding bar that quite literally sits on the dock. The entire restaurant’s position lends itself to a wonderful viewing of those iconic Florida sunsets. The reflection off of the water creates a look and feel that is honestly hard to put into words without experiencing it for yourself. On the rainy night we got to experience this beautiful location, the sunset was really remarkable, even with a few clouds thrown in the mix. 



The interior sets up a cozy feel on a rainy day and would be quite impressive to experience on a beautiful day. Each dining room is surrounded by windows looking out onto the water. Each and every table is prepared with white tablecloths staging a truly first class level of theming. Of course, the iconic aspect of The Boathouse is the boating influence. The classic dark woods, real life boat parts, and waterside viewing make for an impressive theming experience. 

As for the food, it was outstanding. However, you do pay a fairly hefty price for the portion size you do receive. Each and every item we tried was quite impressive and uniquely different than what you may expect. The focus of the menu is in fact seafood and steak, but there are many other wonderful options that will please a variety of paletts. We tried a few different items. We, of course, ordered the fried fish, along with filet mignon sliders, and a “side” of macaroni and cheese to share. 

The fried fish was absolutely delicious. The fried coating was light and crispy, and the accompanying fries were great as well. The filet mignon sliders were my personal favorite. It was a fairly strange concept to wrap your head around, but the taste was amazing. The beef was soft and incredibly tender, and the best way to describe the flavor is simply rich and creamy. Last, but certainly not least, was the macaroni and cheese. This was an enormous “side” portion. Two of us shared it as an additional side, and it was more than enough food. The flavor was rich and creamy once again, and the cheese was much higher quality and more bold in flavor than any of us expected. 

We had an outstanding experience, and it was a really great way to kick off our week long vacation. The atmosphere was perfect for a slightly rainy day, but it could be amazing on a beautiful sunny day as well. If you’re traveling with family, you can really find something for everyone here. I do recommend a reservation if you decide to add this to your itinerary. This is a high quality setting for a meal but, it is not a place where you should feel required to dress up. The dining experience offers everything from a casual bar style atmosphere to a classy sit down dining experience. It really checks a lot of different boxes for most guests and is likely why it is one of the top Disney Springs dining locations. We will certainly return in the future. Of course, it is a bit pricey, but the menu options lend themselves to a variety of budgets. 

As always, thanks for reading and don’t forget to check out our friends over at Destinations to Travel. Planning or thinking about planning a Disney vacation? Fill out the quote request form down below and one of their agents will get back to you soon! They’re one of the few authorized Disney vacation planners and the only travel agency we’ve used and will use!