Best seafood at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Resort has some great seafood, despite being home to Ariel and her under-the-sea friends.

Let’s start off with the best seafood in the theme parks. Magic Kingdom has two options: Columbia Harbor House is a counter-service restaurant inside Liberty Square, near the Haunted Mansion (it’s actually my favorite quick-service place at the park). Highlights of the menu include Grilled Salmon, a Grilled Shrimp Skewer, and classic Fried Shrimp – a staple of Columbia Harbor House. I suggest heading up to the second floor to dine; it’s quieter and has some great views of Fantasyland and Liberty Square.

For table-service inside Magic Kingdom, my favorite is Skipper Canteen in Adventureland. The venue’s story is that it is run by Jungle Cruise skippers so they can have extra income (kind of an edgy backstory, if you think about it). I absolutely love the atmosphere – there are so many details to explore, and lots of Jungle Cruise-appropriate puns, too. The menu has seen some changes over Skipper Canteen’s relatively short lifetime, but, currently, there are three seafood entrees: Fried Whole Fish, Seafood Stew, and Fresh Sustainable Fish. If you really, really love seafood, you should try a whole fried fish (at Skipper Canteen or elsewhere) – it’s a lot of work navigating an entire whole fish with your fork, but nothing compares to the flavor.

Over at Epcot, you’ll find Coral Reef Restaurant, where you can immerse yourself into the wonderful world under the sea. Located at The Seas with Nemo & Friends, you’ll dine right alongside the second largest aquarium in North America – which provides some spectacular views and an unbeatable ambiance. The menu is a little limited compared to other Disney restaurants, but the Lobster Seafood Boil and Seared Mahi Mahi are great for aficionados.

A hidden gem for seafood is located at Animal Kingdom. Tiffins Restaurant is an explorer’s paradise, with an atmosphere that is sophisticated and that contains tributes to the beauty of world travel. Highlights of the menu include Charred Octopus as well as Thai Curry Mussels for appetizers and Whole Fried Sustainable Fish for an entree. And the wine selection and cocktail list are among the best in all of Disney World.

At Disney Springs, you will find two incredible venues dedicated to seafood: The Boathouse and Paddlefish, which are located pretty close to each other. It is hard for me to decide which I prefer, but I could give a slight edge to Boathouse – I enjoy its atmosphere, especially at its Dockside Bar right on the water. Really, though, you cannot go wrong with either one – since both of their menus are dominated by fresh seafood, I highly recommend either one for a true seafood fan.

It would be remiss of me to not include Todd English’s bluezoo at the Swan hotel. The eatery has an atmosphere all its own, located in a resort with a style all its own. Offering the largest raw bar in Walt Disney World, bluezoo has some of the most beautifully presented seafood you can find – and creatively prepared, too. A dinner here is costly, but it is sure to also be unforgettable.

Best seafood at Universal Orlando

At Universal Orlando Resort, you can find great seafood inside the theme parks, at CityWalk, and at some of the hotels. Within the parks, Lombard’s Seafood Grille is your best pick, as the name implies; overlooking the Universal Studios Florida lagoon, Lombard’s is one of the park’s original restaurants, so going here is a little like stepping back in time to Universal Studios’s original days. The menu is impressive – highlights include the Fisherman’s Basket (full of fried seafood goodness) and the Cioppino Ocean Bowl (with mussels, calamari, little neck clams, Atlantic cod, shrimp, tomato fennel broth, and fusilli pasta).

For something much more casual, head over to Springfield: Home of the Simpsons for the fried seafood specialties of The Frying Dutchman. As a big fan of The Simpsons, I love the this area of the theme park, and I think Fast Food Boulevard, where Frying Dutchman is housed, has some of the best quick-service food in all of Universal Orlando. Here, you can order the Battered and Plattered Fish Combo and Basket o’ Bait, which consists of fried cod, coconut-crusted shrimp, and fried calamari.

It is hard to argue against Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. being the best place for seafood at CityWalk. Of course, there is shrimp galore, like the movie says – options include Shrimp Cocktail, Shrimp Mac and Cheese, Shrimp Gumbo, Coconut Shrimp, Shrimp New Orleans, Shrimper’s Heaven, and more. This casual and energetic restaurant is a guaranteed fun time; life may be like a box of chocolates, but at Bubba Gump, you know you’re going to get some great seafood.

If you want a high-end experience, consider The Palm at Hard Rock Hotel. Throughout the country, The Palm has locations at the most popular cities, and here at Orlando, you can savor delicious seafood specialties like Branzino and Chilean Sea Bass. The venue is also a well-known steakhouse, so if you’re dining with someone who would prefer an excellent steak while you’re in search of excellent seafood, you will both be happy here.

Best local restaurants for seafood in Orlando

We are so fortunate here in Orlando to have so many great restaurants throughout our area. When in search of the best seafood, you can, of course, head out to either coast for ocean-side dining, but there is also actually plenty of places for great seafood in Central Florida.

Most locals rank High Tide Harry’s as the best seafood in the City Beautiful, and this come-as-you-are eatery is packed to the gills with tasty catches from the sea. The menu is massive, and there are specials based on whatever is fresh from the ocean that day – essentially any seafood you can imagine coming out of Florida’s oceans can be found here. There is a raw bar, you can get a variety of crab legs, or you can try a Florida favorite: rock shrimp. High Tide Harry’s is located near the Orlando International Airport, so consider it to either kick off your Orlando vacation or end it on a great note. (Oh, and don’t forget to order a cocktail or a beer served in a fish bowl!)

Not far from Universal Orlando is an area known as Restaurant Row, which is home to Big Fin Seafood Kitchen. For over a decade, Big Fin has been serving Orlando with a fantastic raw bar, sushi, and creative seafood specialties. During the months of mid-October to mid-May, Florida enjoys stone crab season, so be sure to order that here if you visit during this time. Its Happy Hour runs Monday to Saturday, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and on Sunday, 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm – you can enjoy great drink and food specials, and I suggest sitting at the open-air bar if the weather is nice.

Finally, Grills Lakeside is the absolute best option if you don’t want to drive out to the beach but still get the feeling you are there. There are two Grills locations on the East Coast, and one new one in Orlando. About a 30-minute drive from the attractions area, along the shores of Lake Fairview, Grills Lakeside Orlando has incredible views of the water. Locals quickly fell in love with this place thanks to its tropical atmosphere and locally sourced food. Offering live music in the evenings, Friday though Sunday, Grills Lakeside is a great place to kick back, enjoy a few drinks, and nibble on delicious seafood like Peel and Eat Shrimp, Seared Tuna, Bahamian Fish Chowder, or a Fish Reuben Sandwich.

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There are a few things you can do, however, to best prepare for a Magic Kingdom day, and the most essential of them all is to make sure to have breakfast. Breakfast is, indeed, the most important meal of the day for many reasons, but for the world of theme parks, eating in the morning will set your day up for success. If looking for something on the lighter-side – best for those who prefer to sleep in on vacation, or for those days where it feels too hot to eat anything – there are a few quick-service options that can be found in and around the park to help jump-start your day. 

Breakfast inside Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom itself offers quick-service breakfast options for those who want to make the most out of their park time. Main Street Bakery welcomes guests before the official park opening time, and it serves a collection of pastries and breakfast sandwiches. It also is the official Starbucks location of Magic Kingdom, serving Starbucks-branded coffee and teas. The best part about getting breakfast at the Main Street Bakery is its location: you can grab something to start your day, then bring it to the hub to watch the Let the Magic Begin welcome show on the Cinderella Castle stage – a perfect beginning to any Magic Kingdom morning.

If Starbucks isn’t your thing, however, there are a couple of other options available to you for a morning meal. Sleepy Hollow is an exterior walk-up counter found just over the bridge from the hub, on the way to Liberty Square. It opens with the park and has a lot of great options available throughout the day, like a Mickey waffle or a sweet-and-spicy chicken-and-waffle sandwich. It also has a special egg-and-cheese breakfast waffle sandwich, served only until 12:00 pm. There is some covered outdoor seating for you to enjoy your food, but if you want to walk around the park while eating, the sandwiches are designed to be enjoyed on-the-go!

Gaston’s Tavern, located in New Fantasyland, also opens with the park and offers a few options for breakfast. One of the most popular items is the giant cinnamon roll (perfect for sharing!), served warm. They also have some healthier items, like hummus and chips and a cheese and fruit platter. Additionally, they serve coffee, tea, and fruit juice. Don’t forget to try LeFou’s Brew, frozen apple juice topped with passion fruit-mango foam – a cool way to start any day at Magic Kingdom. 

Breakfast at the Disney resorts

If staying on Disney property, one of the best places to get breakfast is right in your hotel. Each resort has a quick-service option, and they tend to be some of the best breakfast choices to be found anywhere at Disney World (just ask the front desk or concierge for more information about each venue’s specific offerings). Additionally, each hotel has a gift shop, which sells snacks and drinks for a quick and easy breakfast that can be eaten on the bus or monorail on the way to the park. 

If you’re not staying on Disney property – don’t worry! The hotels are open and available to anybody. The monorail hotels – the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, and Contemporary Resorts – would be the most logical choice, as they are easy to travel to from the parking lot at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian or Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian should be your first choices, as they are directly on the way to Magic Kingdom via the monorail; eating at the Contemporary would require you to pass the park to get to the hotel, which isn’t the best or wisest use of time.

Non-Disney breakfast options

There are also many options available that are outside of Disney property. Due to the popularity and size of Walt Disney World, many different areas have developed around the resort itself, and there are quick-service breakfast options in all of them! The closest area would be Crossroads, a shopping center located on 535 off of Hotel Plaza Boulevard near Disney Springs. This center has a McDonald’s and a Taco Bell for easy drive-through eating, and it also has a Wafflehouse – not exactly counter-service, but they’re fast enough that eating there will not impact your schedule in any significant way.

192 is an area located near Animal Kingdom, and it can be easily accessed from I-4 or Sherberth Road. There are so many options to choose from on that road, it’d be impossible to name them all, but a few that are closer to the parks are McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A (closed on Sundays) and Cracker Barrel. Again, Cracker Barrel is not a counter-service restaurant but boasts quick enough service that it won’t take much longer to eat there than anywhere else.

Finally, a newer location that has developed in recent years is the outskirts of Windemere, north of Magic Kingdom, off of the other 535 (yes, Florida is that confusing!). Along with a bunch of new housing, new shopping centers and food establishments have been built. There are a lot of options, and this area isn’t too far from the back entrance to Disney property (which will eventually become the main entrance to Magic Kingdom). Here, you can find Panera Bread, McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, and a family-owned cafe called My French Cafe, which is counter service and serves French cafe cuisine, like crepes and quiche.

Honorable mention

You just can’t mention breakfast at Magic Kingdom without talking about Be Our Guest, arguably the best breakfast option in the park. While it is not a traditional quick-service restaurant (it’d be categorized as fast casual, because you have a server bring your food to your table), it is still faster than a full table-service breakfast at Cinderella’s Royal Table or the Crystal Palace. For Be Our Guest, you order your food via the My Disney Experience app, then get seated inside Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast. Reservations are required to eat breakfast here, but that can be used to your advantage – reservations can be made before official park open, so those that eat quickly can be in a better position to ride popular attractions, like Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, before the crowds get there.

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Clearly, some “scientific research” is in order, and I’m just the academic to take it on. As your trusted adviser, my study’s concern is with the return on investment of your hard-earned dollar. Especially given Disney’s slightly higher average of $13 per drink, I consider the cocktail’s craft, pour generosity, and flavor, as well as its overall enjoyment, in my published report’s rankings (and don’t worry about the prices – I have your best interest in mind and will keep us in a safe range).

With that said, let’s expand that “world” you’ve drank around and take a short stroll over to some often-overlooked potential located just next to Epcot: here are our top six drinks at Disney’s BoardWalk.

6. Beer Flight

Venue: Big River Grille and Brewing Works

Location: Disney’s BoardWalk

I’ll say it first: it’s hard finding anything inexpensive at Disney, especially in the “Disney while drinking” department. I also don’t typically suggest chain restaurants over a less-common venue without good reason. With that said, there are plenty of reasons to visit Big River Grille and Brewing Works, such as its floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow you to watch as the brewmasters make their specialty beers. The true eye-catcher, though, dear readers, is their menu’s Beer Sampler.

The sampler consists of six three-ounce glasses of beer – four are predetermined, and two are your choice. The sheet that comes with them gives a brief description of each sample and pairing suggestions from the menu, such as the Citra Grove Double IPA and the Classic Mac & Chicken. Impressively, there’s enough information about each beer’s profile that it’s almost a crash course.

Even the most novice beer drinker can have a great experience with it – not to mention that the variety you get for less than $10 will leave you feeling like a world-renowned thief!

5. S’mores milkshake

Venue: Beaches and Cream Soda Shop

Location: Beach Club Resort

Yes, this is, by definition, an ice cream parlor, and if you force me to explain myself, I will simply say that we’re at Disney World – what better way to fulfill our goals of feeling like a kid again than with ice cream and milkshakes? Especially when they’re infused with a little extra spirit! This brings us to my next recommendation: the S’mores adult milkshake.

S’mores is a shake made from vanilla and chocolate ice cream, Amarula cream liqueur, and dark creme de cacao. It’s then topped with chocolate syrup, marshmallow fluff, and a dusting of graham cracker crumbs. If the first words that come to mind describing this dessert cocktail are “decadent” or “indulgent,” they’re clearly understatements we should make note of and immediately brush aside. This is for both you as an adult and for your inner child, so grab a straw or spoon and treat yourself!

4. Sagely Wisdom

Venue: Il Mulino Trattoria Lounge

Location: Swan Hotel

Given their proximity, it’s reasonable to include Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Hotels on our list. While Il Mulino Trattoria, located in the Swan, is another chain, it’s still an excellent experience, and it still offers one of the best drinks to be found on-property: the Sagely Wisdom.

This spirited cocktail mixes mulberry gin, creme de mure (a blackberry liquor), and lemon juice, then is garnished with sage and fresh raspberries and blackberries on a pick. I was hesitant at first, since I’m not a gin fan; however, the flavor surprised me by being more berry-and-citrus-forward rather than herb-heavy. I should mention that it does list “raspberry and blackberries” as part of the drink, but I only received a blackberry. Nonetheless, it was still a tasty beverage.

If you end up getting stuck on this one, don’t worry – it’s understandable.

(I also want to say I received the best service here during my “research.” While that didn’t impact my drink experience, it did add to the overall visit.)

3. Smoked Turkey

Venue: Belle Vue Lounge

Location: BoardWalk Inn

Walking into the Boardwalk Inn, we make our way to the Belle Vue Lounge. A passed-around phrase accurately describes this hideaway as “relaxed sophistication,” but the lounge’s quiet sophistication changes at 5:00 pm, when the bar opens and becomes its social space. Guests from all walks of life mingle with one another over their freshly-made cocktails; after absorbing the atmosphere, I chose mine: the Smoking Turkey.

This potable is best described as a “smokey punch.” To create it, the bartender mixes two kinds of bourbon (one with black cherry flavoring), lemonade, and grenadine, with a hint of hickory-smoke flavoring added in. The glass is then garnished with a pick of Luxardo gourmet maraschino cherries. I’ll forewarn you that the fruity flavor makes this temptation dangerously easy; the hickory smoke adds a bit of “craft” flare as it dances with the cherry and citrus taste while providing some interesting aromatics. (Pro tip: I’d suggest soaking and eating the cherries with this one.) Typically, garnishes are mostly cosmetic; however, in this rare occasion, the flavor of the cherries wrap up – and, dare I say, make – this cocktail’s experience.

2. Pepper’s Ghost

Venue: AbracadaBar

Location: Disney’s Boardwalk

Descending the stairs to Disney’s Boardwalk, we encounter AbracadaBar. This former magician’s lounge is intricately detailed with wall-to-wall theming, complete with its own backstory. Aside from the magic and mystery within the bar’s scenery, plenty of “uncanny concoctions” can be found on the menu – and the one to amaze me as a less-generic recipe was Pepper’s Ghost.

This ghastly libation is pineapple vodka mixed with habanero-lime syrup, sprinkled with black pepper and garnished with a pineapple slice. Visually, it resembles a delicious specter, haunting the martini-style glass. Its sweet and fruity taste finishes with a very mild heat, playfully tingling down as you swallow. Much like a foreboding spirit, the black pepper is omnipresent in this inebriant elixir, from the tantalizing aromatics down to the nose-tickling finale.

This is second-best on my list not just due to the fun from your consumption, but also its Disney flare – the cocktail’s name is a direct nod to the Haunted Mansion and the technique used to project the ghosts within the attraction’s ballroom scene.

1. Burnt Orange

Venue: Todd English’s Bluezoo Lounge

Location: Dolphin Hotel

Venturing to the Dolphin Hotel, we turn our possibly-hazed sights to the Bluezoo Lounge. Walking in, I felt like I’d entered a trendy, underwater club. Along the windows, the lighting plays with the curtains, evoking swaying seaweed. Patterns of orbs and rods enhance the lounge as if to imitate swirling bubbles. Behind the bar I sat at, a school of abstract fish seemed to be frozen in time as they swam past.

At the server’s suggestion, I opted for the Burnt Orange, which can be playfully thought of as “an artisan’s take on arson.” Its preparation infuses a tequila with bruleed orange and muddled agave syrup. This is mixed with orange juices and orange liqueur, poured into a glass, then topped with a flaming orange. Visually, the libation is a craft, all the way from its preparation to the glass it’s presented in to its blazing top. While the flame doesn’t last long after being served, the bruleed aroma lingers seductively as it invites you to take your first, long-awaited sip. It’s an excellent drink to nurse on, though I should warn you: its effects could sneak up on you. This fiery temptation delivered the highest value since it was still a reasonable (within the realm of Disney) cost of $16.

If you find yourself at the BoardWalk and faced with decisions, make this priority numero uno on your list.

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Nine Dragons: First impressions

On our way to World Showcase’s China Pavillion, I was concerned about locating Nine Dragons, since the Asian area has a lot of little hidden entranceways toward the back. Fortunately, the restaurant can be found on the left of the archway at the pavilion’s entrance, making it easy to locate.

While the outside of the venue is pretty standard, the inside is very attractive; the music, lanterns, and the artistic wall designs are wonderful to look at. The cast members at the front desk were very attentive, helping us when some of our party was late, as well as offering a menu while we waited to be seated.

But while the restaurant itself was great to look at, the table settings were very simple in comparison; the placement mat was made of paper, and the general appearance was anything but immersive. On the plus side, however, our waiter was a very witty man and was happy to answer all of our questions. He also was quick to refill our water glasses and make sure we had everything we needed.

Nine Dragons: The meal

Nine Dragons’s food options are typical for a Chinese restaurant. And although most of the dishes are familiar, there is a spin put on some of them – something I could tell by both their descriptions in the menu and by their arrival on my plate in front of me; the fried rice, for example, not only included shrimp and chicken, but also ham.

I ordered two appetizers: the Pot Stickers and General Tso’s Chicken Bao Buns. The Pot Stickers were very underwhelming in their appearance, and the only taste I could find came from the accompanying soy sauce. They could’ve easily been store-bought and frozen.

The bao buns, fortunately, were just the opposite. They surprised me right away by their appearance – bao buns are one of my favorite dishes, and I had never seen them prepared like this, served open instead of closed, so that you can see all of their contents. The buns were delicious, possessing many flavors that harmonized into one delectable appetizer, and they quickly became a favorite at the table.

For an entree, I ordered the Honey-Sesame Chicken, which came with fried-egg-and-vegetable rice. The chicken tasted very good, but the fried rice didn’t provide much in the way of taste, which meant that the chicken was left as the sole source of flavor for the entire meal. This trend carried over to the rest of my dining party, but everyone still seemed to enjoy their meals overall – especially my one friend who cannot have glutten, who said she was very pleased with the gluten-free menu and the quality of those dishes.

Nine Dragons: Final thoughts

Nine Dragons was great to be in. It has windows that overlook the rest of World Showcase, and taking a break from the crowds in such a peaceful atmosphere was wonderful to experience – the decor and ambiance, in particular, are terrific to be immersed in, especially after a long day.

But then there’s the food. Generally speaking, it was delicious, though sorely lacking in its ability to create a unified and tasteful combination. Even worse, most of it, I feel, can be found at any Chinese restaurant – not to mention for much cheaper. My fried rice and chicken entree cost $22 – you can get just as much food for half the price elsewhere. Since most people visiting Walt Disney World Resort want a unique experience and are already paying a lot of money to make that happen, spending so much on a meal you can get almost literally anywhere else would definitely be a disappointment.

I would definitely not suggest having dinner here; there are plenty of other Disney restaurants to choose from that give you the chance to try something new and different while still providing a great atmosphere. However, if you’re looking for something light but a bit filling to hold you over, I highly suggest going for the General Tso Bao Buns. I know I will again!

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We hopped the boat from Magic Kingdom and took the relaxing, approximately 15 minute, trip to Fort Wilderness (this boat ride is an awesome way to see the lakes near Magic Kingdom, and remember, it is complimentary for all guests). Now I’ll admit, for the most part, I’m really not in to the whole camping thing, which is probably why I’d never bothered to visit Fort Wilderness before. But I was pleasantly surprised by the tranquil setting and rustic atmosphere of this unique Disney World “hotel” property, whose residents rely primarily on tents and campers for accommodations. After enjoying the sights and sounds of camping at Disney, we headed to the Trail’s End Restaurant.

Pioneer Hall, where the Trail’s End Restaurant is located, is a short walk from the boat dock. If you’re trying to get here by bus, you’ll need to take a bus into the Outpost Depot, and then make a connection to another bus which will take you to the Settlement Depot, which is also a short walk to Pioneer Hall. (While we didn’t take the bus in to the resort, we did take this transportation option out, and they seemed to run quite frequently between the two stops.)

My husband and I hadn’t made a reservation for lunch, as I didn’t think we’d need one for lunch as guests are often at the parks at that time of day. Fortunately, I was right. Our server, Donnell, was at our table shortly after we sat down to take our drink order, and this is where the tale of some of the best customer service I have ever experienced at Walt Disney World begins.

As you likely know by now, I manage the Drinking Disney blog. Because of that, I usually make it a point to order a cocktail of some sort to try when I dine at Disney’s table service restaurants. So here, at the Trail’s End, I proceeded to order a Scottish Lemon Drop.

At this point, Donnell hesitated for a moment. Then he proceeded to apologize and told me the bartender wasn’t there yet. Of course, I immediately told him that that was no problem (it wasn’t), and I’d just have a Coke instead, which was something that I know I professed at least half a dozen times during the ensuing chain of events. But Donnell said that if I wanted that drink, then he was going to make sure I got it.

Our server attempted to find the book to make the drink himself (I’ll be honest… when he told me he didn’t know how to mix drinks, I was a little scared). Then Donnell conversed with the manager on duty, and the two of them tried to figure out how to make the drink together (neither of them knew what it meant to “muddle”). They then asked around to see if someone who used to work as a bartender was working in the kitchen that day (she wasn’t). And then finally, as if the Patron Saint of Cocktails had smiled down upon me, the bartender decided to come in hours ahead of schedule that day.

At that point, the best Scottish Lemon Drop EVER was procured.

It was absolutely delicious, and I’m not even a big gin fan.

The version of the story I’ve shared here doesn’t fully relate the lengths to which Donnell went to get that drink made for me. But I do hope it relates what a fine example of “old school” Disney customer service this was.

Now it was time to order our meal. The Trail’s End has a fairly good-sized lunch menu, filled mostly with southern homestyle cooking. We decided to start with an appetizer of Housemade Cornbread ($3.49), which arrived quickly, along with a generous portion of whipped honey butter. The butter was sweet, but not overly so, and complimented the cornbread well.

For lunch I decided to get the Angus Chuckburger, which comes with with Candied Bacon, Hickory-smoked Sharp Cheddar, and Piccalilli served with house fries ($13.99). My husband went with the Spicy Shrimp and Grits, served with Andouille Sausage and Red-eye Gravy ($16.99).

The burger was cooked to my specifications and came out hot, accompanied by plenty of options for toppings. And that candied bacon? Oh, hello! It was great. I’ve tried quite a few Disney burgers over the years, and I’d say this one qualifies as one my favorites. The “house fries” that accompanied the burger were a decent-size portion of regular and sweet potato fries mixed, which delighted my husband as he loves sweet potato fries.

We found the shrimp and grits to be a little on the greasy side, but we figured the andouille was the cause of at least some of that. Regardless, the shrimp and grits came out hot and while the dish was spicy, it wasn’t overly so. My husband said he would definitely consider ordering this dish again.

Neither of us could even entertain the idea of a dessert after this meal, though the restaurant did have some offerings that sounded delicious: Wilderness S’mores, a combination of dark chocolate mousse layered with graham crackers, topped with toasted marshmallows, and drizzled with chocolate sauce ($4.99); and Pecan Pie with Jack Daniels ganache and whipped cream ($5.99). Maybe we’ll have to start with dessert next time and work our way backwards to see if we have room for the meal!

Throughout the course of our meal, Donnell checked in on us to see if we needed anything and made sure everything was good. We assured him it was and thanked him again for such wonderful customer service. After the meal we went on our way with smiles on our faces.

Our experience at Trail’s End turned out to be the highlight of this trip to Walt Disney World. Needless to say, I recommend it to all — and combined with the boat ride and a walk around the Fort Wilderness campgrounds, you can easily make an afternoon out of it. Take a trip off the beaten path at Disney, and if you go, say hi to Donnell for us!

These posts are a little older, but if you’d like to learn more, visit:

A full day of free activity around Disney’s Magic Kingdom resort area

Scenes from Disney’s Fort Wilderness & Wilderness Lodge – photo gallery, video

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Fort Wilderness Transportation: Tips and help

Trail’s End Restaurant – map & links

Click any marker to display the attraction or venue name. To scroll or zoom, use the controls on the top-left of the map. You may also switch to different map views by using the buttons on the top-right of the map.

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Official website: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/…/trails-end-restaurant/

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Via Napoli is located in the back section of the Italy Pavilion at Epcot. Opened in the summer of 2010, the restaurant is owned and operated by Patina Restaurant Group, which also owns the other eatery at the Italy Pavilion, Tutto Italia, as well as the wine bar, Tutto Gusto. Though the restaurant has been open for a while, somehow I had not managed to dine there yet. So during my recent visit to Walt Disney World, I knew it was time.

My party arrived at Via Napoli about thirty minutes before our reservation in hopes of escaping of a mid-day thunderstorm that was starting to roll in. Our early arrival was pleasantly accommodated by the hostess, and we were quickly seated.

Our server stopped by our table to greet us and shortly thereafter we were brought a bread service that was ample for our group of four.

We had made the reservation for Via Napoli for the sole purpose of trying some their pizza. But figuring out what kind we wanted to order was taking some time, so we went ahead with ordering drinks and and an appetizer.

The drink menu features a few specialty drinks, wine, and a small selection of Italian beer. Now, Italy is known for many things, but I’m afraid great beer isn’t one of them. So my suggestion is that, if you’re in the mood for a beer, forego the Italian ones and stick with the Sam Adams. It appears to be the best of the choices they have available. (We had the summer seasonal brew, which turned out to be pretty good.)

My husband chose an antipasti, the Salami e Provolone, for his appetizer. Unfortunately my photo of it appears to being missing from my camera disk so I am not able to share that. Though he enjoyed both items, the portions for each were rather small. In the future we would probably skip this and order the salad for two instead, as there really wasn’t enough of this appetizer to share.

Via Napoli offers several specialty pizzas, in three sizes: Individual, Large (serves two to three), and Mezzo Metro (serves three to five), or you can choose to build your own from a list of ingredients. We went with the Mezzo Metro, which we decided to do half plain pepperoni and half specialty pie, the prosciutto e melone (mozzarella, fontina, prosciutto, cantelope, and though not listed on the menu, arugula).

Via Napoli cooks its pizzas in wood-fired ovens which each have been named after an Italian volcano: Stromboli, Vesuvio, and Etna. It’s fun how each is “personified” with a face.

Our pizza arrived at the table piping hot, and was sliced into 16ths. The pepperoni had a good amount of spice to it and there was plenty of the topping on the pizza. The prosciutto slices were large, large enough in fact to bury the cantaloupe underneath (but it was there). This flavor combination might seem odd to some, but the prosciutto, cantaloupe and arugula really worked well together.

Here’s a shot of the pizza lengthwise in the pan (a little blurry, sorry!), followed by a shot of the pepperoni and one of the prosciutto e melone:

For those who might wonder if the serving sizes advertised are accurate, I can say that each member of our party ate three slices of the pizza, and so we ended up with four slices left over, which we took back to our room. No one left hungry, so I feel we would have been fine with this pizza for a party of five.

While I did not personally order dessert, I was able to try one of them. The Gelato Frizzante is an Italian style ice cream soda made with vanilla ice cream and San Pellegrino Aranciata. I don’t recall the exact flavor this drink was supposed to be, but it was citrus in nature and quite sour.

Personally, I didn’t really care for it, but the member of my party who ordered it seemed to enjoy it. Next time I’d like to try the gelato or tiramisu.

While there are a few restaurants around Walt Disney World with some pretty great tasting flatbreads, for an authentic wood-fired pizza experience, Via Napoli can’t be beat. From the simple to the unusual, you’ll find something for everyone. It’s worth noting that the prices might surprise you at first — paying $41.00 for a pizza sure seems a little crazy. But when factor in that the pizza is feeding four to five people, it doesn’t seem so bad after all.

Via Napoli – map & links

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View Via Napoli in a larger map

Official website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/via-napoli/

Via Napoli – photo gallery

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So a few weeks ago I decided I really wanted to go to Food & Wine Festival this year, and I got the pass for myself as a birthday gift. Since I’m a Florida resident I was able to make a down payment and setup monthly payments after that. The site navigation was super easy and within minutes I had completed my purchase and my confirmation e-mail was in my inbox.

My roommate and I decided to head to Epcot this past Monday and experience Food & Wine Festival for my first outing as a Disney passholder. We had a fantastic time, and we were only there for four and a half hours! We went from booth to booth sampling food and drinks from countries all over the world and we got to see Boys II Men (AAAAH!!) perform at the American Gardens Theatre. The whole evening was an absolute blast, and I felt like the pass was already starting to pay for itself.

Truly, the only downside to the pass is that you can’t gain access to the park with it until 4 pm and there are summer and some holiday block-out dates. However, the park doesn’t close until 9 pm on weekdays and it’s open until 10 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. Also, the block-out dates don’t interfere with most of the events and entertainment offered at the park. The pros absolutely outweigh the cons in my opinion. I’m already planning my next outing to Epcot with my pass.

Still not totally convinced? Just think of all the things you can gain access to during the year with an annual pass. You can attend the International Flower & Garden Festival, the International Food & Wine Festival, and Holidays Around the World. I’ve also heard the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is amazing, and I plan on being in attendance next summer. They also have an extensive list of daily, weekly and monthly entertainment events that park goers can attend regularly. There’s also the excitement of getting to shop and eat around the World Showcase, and, if you’re over 21, you can go drinking around the world.

Epcot has a lot to offer visitors, whether you’re a local or from out of town, and the annual pass is a great way to save money on your visits. A pass for Epcot for just one day is $89.00, and the annual pass is just $175.73 (including tax) for the whole year. If you visit the park twice you’ve made your money back. If you visit three times it’s as if you’re getting a whole 1-day admission for free. Local resident or out of town visitor, it doesn’t matter. If you plan on visiting Epcot at least two or three times in a year, it is more than worth it to purchase an annual pass. If you’re a Florida resident you have the option of paying up front for the pass or setting up a monthly payment plan. It’s so easy.

Go to http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/ to purchase an annual pass. Upon completion of your purchase they’ll send you a confirmation e-mail with e-tickets attached. You’ll need these to redeem your pass at the Epcot ticketing booths. When you pick up your passes you need to have a printed copy of your e-tickets, the card you purchased the pass with and a valid ID. If you are participating in the Florida resident monthly payment program you will need to show a valid Florida ID when you pick-up your passes. Once you’ve done this meet me over in the UK for a pint at the Rose and Crown Pub and enjoy going around the world after hours!

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We got there around noon and were quite excited to visit the new location. It was cozy, but there was enough space to still be comfortable. It is next door neighbor to the newly reopened Tutto Italia, Italy’s premier dining option in Epcot, with direct access between the two restaurants. There was some room at the bar, a few larger tables for bigger parties, and some high tables for smaller groups. They also had a section with a fireplace and more comfortable seating.

After evaluating our options, I went with the Blue Point beer on tap and my wife chose a Chardonnay. We also ordered the Cozze (mussels in white wine and tomato), Rughetta e Patate (pasta with arugula, potato, pancetta, pecorino cheese and tomatoes), and two paninis (prosciutto di parma, and bufala mozzarella & pomodoro).

We had to wait a little longer than we expected for our food and drinks, but considering the wonderful surprise we were about to get it was well worth it! When our food was brought out, not only did the three small plates we order arrive, but multiple other items were delivered as well — compliments of the house! They brought out three additional plates: a cheese, meat and cracker platter; a Bruschetta di Capri; and Insalata di Mare Trapanese. This came completely unexpectedly and we were thrilled to get the opportunity to try so much of the menu at half the cost.

One thing to keep in mind about the food portions is that they are not exactly cheap and the portions are not big, they are indeed more of a snack sized portion of food per plate.

Now for the food! Everything we ordered was wonderful and we were happy with our choices. The Cozze (mussels) were delicious, tender and flavorful, and a crouton was waiting, absorbing the juices in the bottom of the bowl; it was a delightful surprise. The Rughetta e Patate was well seasoned and the pasta was perfectly al dente. The combination of flavors and textures — chewy pasta and tender potato, salty pancetta and romano, spicy arugula, slightly sweet tomato — was divine. My wife won’t stop talking about it! The panini was tasty — the ingredients were fresh and well paired (though don’t expect a pressed hot sandwich, these are on an interestingly shaped Italian-style roll).

The food that was brought out as compliments of the house was also fantastic, and while I don’t know if any of it was definitively better than our choices, it is all definitely worth ordering. The cheese, meat and cracker plate was basic looking, but the flavors of the meat and cheese went very well together. The Bruschetta di Capri was typical of what you would expect of a caprese-style dish- wonderful and flavorful. The Insalata di Mare was probably the best of the complementary items. It was a truly delicious combination of tender shrimp, squid, and octopus, complemented by lemon, olive oil, parsley, basil and capers. Many other items on the menu looked equally wonderful, and we look forward to trying them on our next visit!

All in all it was a delightful experience. We truly enjoyed Epcot’s newest offering and will absolutely be returning. It’s a wonderful way to get out of that hot Florida sun and enjoy that homey feeling Italy is famous for. If you find yourself at Epcot feeling the need for a break, small bite to eat, or a refreshing drink in a cozy Italian atmosphere be sure to check out Tutto Gusto wine cellar.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar – map & links

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Official website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/tutto-italia-ristorante/

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Drinking at Walt Disney World can be expensive, but there are a few ways to minimize the damage to your wallet. Here’s some tips for keeping the costs down while still having a good time!

Tables in Wonderland

I’ve written about Tables in Wonderland before, but just to recap: If you’re a frequent visitor to Walt Disney World and you enjoy a cocktail with dinner or a few drinks at your hotel lounge, this is something you’ll want to look in to. Tables in Wonderland saves you 20% off of food and alcohol at several locations throughout Walt Disney World Resort. (See my earlier article on the benefits of the card vs. the cost of it to see if it’s a good deal for you. Personally, TIW has saved me plenty over the past year.)

Go without the glow cubes

Glow cubes, seen in the image at the top of the page, are a mainstay of several Walt Disney World drinks these days. Sure, they are fun, but did you know you can save about $3.00 per drink by getting a normally glow-cube infused drink without one? With as many drinks as they serve with these ice cubes in them, this can quickly add up. Instead, tell the bartender you don’t want the cube when you order. He’ll leave it out and discount the price for you.

(If you feel it’s just not a Disney trip without a glow drink — and trust me, I know that feeling — get one to kick off the trip and maybe one to end it, but skip the cube on the in-betweens. How many plastic ice cubes do you really need?)

Say no to souvenir cups

Along the lines of the glow cubes, you can save big when ditching the souvenir cups that normally come with some of the specialty drinks on property. Not only can these cups be pricey, carrying them around the park(s) the rest of the day can be a bit of a chore.

In particular, places like the Rose and Crown Pub and Restaurant, the Rainforest Cafe, and T-Rex often put their specialty cocktails and beers in souvenir glasses. If you’d like to skip it, just let your server or bartender know when you order that you don’t want the souvenir glass, or in the case of the Rose and Crown Pub specifically, I always request my drink in a to-go cup. By skipping the souvenir cup, your drink will at least be a few dollars cheaper and you won’t have to worry about carrying around the glass all day.

La Cava del Tequila’s “Margarita Monday” and fan specials

If you find yourself at Walt Disney World on a Monday and you’re a margarita fan, be sure to head over to La Cava del Tequila for Margarita Monday. All of their specialty margaritas are $10.00, which is $2.50 less than the normal price. If you haven’t had a La Cava del Tequila margarita before, these truly are specialty margaritas in flavors I doubt you’ll find anywhere else, like jalapeno, cucumber, and avocado.

La Cava del Tequila also has other specials for their fans on Facebook and Twitter, like free chips and salsa or $5.00 shots of tequila, which run every day of the week. Be sure to follow them on Twitter (@cavadeltequila) or on Facebook to get the special price.

Happy Hour

There aren’t a lot of places at Walt Disney World that offer happy hour, but if you’re spending some time in the Downtown Disney area, take advantage of special prices at non-Disney owned establishments like the Hole in the Wall Bar at Raglan Road and House of Blues. Most of the happy hour specials run during mid-to-late afternoon, but House of Blues also has a late night happy hour running from 10:00 p.m. to close, which is great for grabbing a drink after one of the shows at their concert venue.

So those are some of the ways you can save on drinks at the Walt Disney World resort. I hope you can put some of these tips to use on your next trip! If you have any more ideas, leave a comment below.

(Not a Walt Disney World venue, but if you make your way over to Universal Orlando Resort, another favorite happy hour of mine is at Cigarz at Universal’s CityWalk. Great prices and a laid back atmosphere. As one might guess from the name, they are a smoking establishment so it may not be for everyone.)

Editor’s note: If you like this article, be sure to check out our Disney drinking around the world guides.

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After eating lunch at The Earl of Sandwich and shopping at the various stores throughout Downtown Disney, we stopped at Ghirardelli’s around 4:30 on Saturday afternoon Memorial Day weekend. Indoor seating is available and additional seating at bistro-type tables is located just outside Ghirardelli’s. Seating is also available across the walkway next to the water at tables with umbrellas. It was a busy, sunny day at Downtown Disney but after a short wait, we were able to find an outside table that was also in the shade.

Ghirardelli’s menu offers sundaes, various flavors of ice cream, shakes, and floats; chocolate treats like brownies, several chocolate drinks and fountain drinks. My Dad ordered “The Word Famous” Hot Fudge Sundae which includes two scoops of vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream, chopped almonds, and a cherry. My Mom ordered a “Mint Bliss Sundae” which is one scoop of mint chip ice cream, one scoop of chocolate ice cream, dark chocolate hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and a square of Mint Bliss Intense dark chocolate on top. I ordered one scoop of Cookies and Cream ice cream in a dish. The sundaes were $8.95 each and the ice cream scoop was $3.95. After paying for our order, the cashier gave us a numbered sign which we put on our table. When our order was ready, a cast member found our table number and brought our sundaes and ice cream to us along with plenty of napkins and spoons. The scoops of ice cream in the sundaes and in the dish were very generous-sized and the sundaes could easily be shared if you didn’t want to eat a lot in one sitting. The verdict was unanimous! Our treats were scrumptious and worth the price and the drive to Downtown Disney.

After we finished our delicious desserts, we went into Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Shop and purchased a jar of bittersweet chocolate fudge to take home to my husband and son. If you don’t have the appetite for something from the Soda Fountain when you happen to be in Downtown Disney, there are plenty of delicious chocolate items at the Chocolate Shop you can purchase to enjoy later or as souvenir gifts for friends and family.

Ghirardelli’s Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney is a great place for an afternoon treat or a nighttime indulgence. While it is not cheap to eat at Ghirardelli’s, the prices are consistent within Walt Disney World’s resort food pricing and it is definitely worth the price in regards to portion size and taste. The next time you are in the area, make plans to visit Ghirardelli’s and you’ll probably agree it is a sweet spot for a treat.

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Downtown Disney – map & links

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Official website: http://www.ghirardelli.com/locations-events/ghirardelli-locations/orlando-fl

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Downtown Disney – photo gallery

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