Friday, February 21, 2014

{GIVEAWAY} Disney Gift Card and Mickey Salad Bowl

Let's do a giveaway! I reached 500 fans on Facebook this week and I want to thank you all. Just use the widget below to enter to win a $25 Disney Gift Card AND a Mickey Mouse Bamboo Bowl. 



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Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Be Our Guest Dinner Review

This past November I lucked into a dinner reservation at Be Our Guest only a couple weeks before my Walt Disney World agent education program. I invited along some fellow travel agents and I was so excited we would get to try out Be Our Guest for dinner! During Amanda and my “Very Merry Girls Getaway” the weekend before training we had lunch here and absolutely loved it. I’ll save that for another post though. 
 Our reservation was for 8:50pm - very close to the last reservation of the night. We were very hungry and ready to check in around 8:30. Luckily they let us in early! You check-in at the beginning of the gate. There you can request a dining room, but this may extend your wait.

Ballroom

West Wing

Rose Gallery

We decided to let them pick the room for us as we were hungry. After checking in they gave us a pager and we waited on the bridge until it buzzed and we were escorted by candelabra to our table.

We were taken to the Rose Gallery at first but apparently the table we were given wasn’t actually open. We were then seated in the Ballroom - no complaining here! The room can get sort of loud but we were seated at an end table and maybe that helped because I wasn’t bothered by noise.
I love the napkins folded into red roses - such a great deatil! 

If you are seated in the West Wing be prepared for some thunder. You will notice a portrait over the fireplace of Beast’s former prince self. As the last pedal on the rose falls you will hear a crash of thunder and the portrait will transform into the Beast! It’s very dramatic but some small children may be scared by the thunder. Maybe a reason to request the Ballroom, but if thunder is no big deal I might pick the West Wing over the Ballroom.


One of my favorite things about dining here is about every 30 minutes or so the Beast walks through the restaurant. It adds that extra special element to the experience.

After dinner you can head to his study to take a photo with the Beast!

Ok on to the food. I, as well as one of my dinner-mates, ordered the Thyme-Scented Pork Rack Chop with au gratin macaroni, seasonal vegetables and red wine au jus. The pork was a little dry but the macaroni was amazing. Pouring the au jus on the pork really helps the dryness. 
My roommate ordered the Grilled Strip Steak with garlic-herb butter and pommes frites. It looked amazing.

I think dessert was my favorite! They bring you a cart of options full of cupcakes and cream puffs and the infamous grey stuff! 

I chose the grey stuff and I believe someone else at the table got the Triple Chocolate Cupcake. The grey stuff is served on top of a sort of brownie. It was so good. I am glad they add the brownie because just the grey stuff mousse might seem too light.
Over all I enjoyed our dinner here and can’t wait to go back and try some appetizers and other entrees. You can’t beat the atmosphere in this restaurant. I would recommend it for the experience alone!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop - Disney Love

It's Wednesday again which means it's time for the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop hosted by Deb at Focused on the Magic. The theme today is Disney Love - totally appropriate since we are a couple days away from Valentine's Day. I chose a photo of the two Love Birds in Festival of the Lion King at Animal Kingdom. This is my favorite show at Disney and my favorite scene in the show. The two birds perform to Can You Feel The Love Tonight - just beautiful. 

Looking for more romance at Walt Disney World? Check out yesterday's post where I list my Top 5 Romantic Restaurants at Disney World! 



Focused on the Magic

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Most Romantic Restaurants at Walt Disney World


With Valentine’s Day coming up this Friday I thought it would be fun to talk about my favorite romantic restaurants at Disney. Today I am going to list my top 5 romantic restaurants at Disney World and Thursday I’ll post my top 5 at Disneyland.

To be honest, it was hard to narrow down my favorites at Disney World. There are so many great restaurants at Disney World and many of them can be very romantic - it just depends on who you go with! I tried to stick to ones that I have personally tried but I did throw one in that I have yet to eat at but hope to very soon. I even have a bonus restaurant that pushes the boundaries a bit on “romantic” (I told you I had a hard time picking five!)


5. Flying Fish Cafe


Flying Fish Cafe is a high-end restaurant on the Boardwalk. With the Disney Dining Plan it is considered a signature restaurant and uses two table service credits. I ate at Flying Fish Cafe for the first time in November. Though I was with a group of women and we ate at the open kitchen bar I couldn’t help but think I would love to be with my husband there for a romantic dinner. The ambiance is beautiful with the open air kitchen and flying fish overhead on parachutes with a cloudy sky painted above. Make sure you order a side of the Leek, Fontina and Truffle-laced Trofie Mac n Cheese - it’s beyond delicious. It’s a pretty large side so easily sharable. After dinner you and your honey can take a romantic stroll along the Boardwalk or head over to Jellyrolls for some dueling piano fun!


4. Jiko - The Cooking Place


Jiko is another signature restaurant that uses two credits on the Dining Plan. This is one of two restaurants on my list located at The Animal Kingdom Lodge. I love the decor in this restaurant. Describing it just does not do it justice - just check out the photo above! Jiko is known for having the largest selection of South African wines in North America so definitely plan on ordereding a bottle. Though there are some great adventurous choices, I admit my favorite item on the menu is the Oak-Grilled Filet Mignon. Share the Banana Bread Pudding for dessert! After dinner grab a seat next to the Arusha Rock Fire Pit to continue the romance.


3. Narcoossee’s


As it seems to be a theme with this post, Narcoossee’s is a signature restaurant. Located at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and tends to be rated as one of the best restaurants at Disney World. It is also one of the most expensive restaurants meaning if you have the Dining Plan you should definitely head to Narcoossee’s! If you are on the dining plan you will love the Filet Mignon and Maine Lobster Tail. At $71 it is quite pricey out of pocket but delicious. The decor is fairly simple with a coastal feel which is enhanced by the large windows overlooking the Seven Seas Lagoon. Make your reservation around thirty minutes before Wishes and you will enjoy the fireworks during your meal. You can’t beat that when it comes to romance! After dinner you can take a romantic walk around the Grand Floridian and the Seven Seas Lagoon.


2. Sanaa


Located in Kidani Village at Animal Kingdom Lodge, Sanaa is my first non-signature restaurant on the list! That means you can eat here using only one table-service credit on your Dining Plan. This is also the only restaurant on my list that I have never eaten at. We toured Sanaa during the on-site agent education program I attended in November and I fell in love. The decor is beyond stunning. Sanaa is Swahili for art - the perfect description for this restaurant. Known for African cook with Indian flavors the menu is a bit on the adventurous side. Though there are some “safe” items like the New York Strip. I am excited to try the Naan and the Sanaa Vegetarian Sampler! What makes this restaurant so romantic is the view of the Sunset Savanna. You will want to request a window seat when you check-in - it is worth the wait! Also try to book a reservation for before dark as the view tends to be hindered by the reflection in the windows after dark. Even better, try to make your reservation around sunset!


1. California Grill


Located on the 15th floor of The Contemporary Resort, California Grill is a signature restaurant and one of my husband and my favorites! The restaurant underwent a major renovation last year and the new decor is stunning. You can’t really go wrong with the food here. The sushi and flatbreads are known to be pretty great and you could just stick with those for your romantic meal. If you want to go beyond sushi and flatbread, my favorite entree is the Bison Center Cut Strip Loin - the madeira-fig demi-glace is amazing. Atmosphere and food aside, what puts this at the top of my list is the view. You just can’t beat looking out on The Magic Kingdom. Just like Narcoossee’s, make your reservation about thirty minutes before Wishes and you will enjoy the show from your table!


Now for something a little bit different…

Sometimes a romantic evening does not include getting dressed up and eating at a fancy restaurant. It can be just as romantic to share a milkshake and fries with your love after a fun day in the parks. That’s why I want to throw Beaches and Cream into the mix. This small restaurant, located at the Beach Club Resort, is adorably themed after a 50’s diner - jukebox and all! The menu includes burgers and sandwiches and of course - ice cream! You can’t beat the prices here for a romantic night out. You could also grab ice cream from the to-go counter and walk hand-in-hand around the Beach Club and Yacht Club Resorts enjoying a view of the Boardwalk across Crescent Bay.

Everyone has a different opinion on what is romantic. Did I miss your favorite date night restaurant at Disney World? Leave a comment with that restaurant - I'd love to hear everyone's opinion!

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop {February Calendar Shot}

Welcome! Today I am excited to participate in the Wordless Wednesday Blog Hop hosted by Deb at Focused on the Magic. It is the first Wednesday in February so the theme is February Calendar Shot. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast and I LOVE the show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. I think the love shown during this scene is perfect for a February calendar photo.



Focused on the Magic
Hop on over the Focused on the Magic to see the other blogs sharing their February calendar shots!