Tag Archives: Walt Disney World

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Yak & Yeti Restaurant

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Happy Labor Day! There are only 47 days until our trip to Walt Disney World!

On our third full day in Florida we will go to the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival. No restaurant reservations that day. Click the link to check it out:   https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-food-and-wine-festival/?CMP=KNC-FY18_WDPR_WDW_ACT_EROC_WorldProduct_EFW-EXACT|BR|G|4181003.WW.AM.01.01|NA_NA_NA_NA&keyword_id=kwd-314822540590|dc|epcot%20food%20and%20wine%20festival|274602075041|e|5084:3|&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi-iRiZif3QIVARtpCh1bpw-XEAAYASAAEgIQcfD_BwE&s_kwcid=AL!5084!3!274602075041!e!!g!!epcot%20food%20and%20wine%20festival&ef_id=UpEK6wAAAEDUVH3i:20180903155050:s&dclid=CKe1oIuYn90CFY_CwAodVukI1w

On our fourth day we’ll head to Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It will be fun to check out the new Avatar section of the park, and to ride Na’vi River Journey, a boat ride through Pandora. We are scheduled for lunch at Yak & Yeti Restaurant. Here’s what Disney has to say:

Travelers can relax and replenish with a pan-Asian feast in this beautiful Nepalese-style restaurant. 

Another perspective of the restaurant with more Asian artwork

Family-Friendly Feast

Discover exciting pan-Asian cuisine at a quaint village home that’s been transformed into a restaurant. At the base of Expedition Everest sits Yak & Yeti Restaurant, a table-service eatery serving delicious dishes from various regions across Asia.

Decorated with the proprietor’s collection of Southeast Asian artifacts, this eclectic eatery offers a menu of sweet-and-sour chicken, ahi tuna nachos, pork pot stickers and Kobe beef burgers. Vegetarian options abound, as do kid-friendly choices like egg rolls, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders.

Unique alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages include cocktails, chilled sake, Asian beers, wine and an assortment of hot teas. Those with a penchant for exotic tastes might try a specialty drink from our full-service bar. 

Be sure to save room for one of our sumptuous desserts—chocolate cake, mango pie or fried wontons served with fresh pineapple and ice cream.

Reservation Information Reservations are highly recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit. Please note that reservations can be booked online until one hour prior to closing.

We ate there three years ago and really enjoyed it. That Mango Pie is no joke. It is absolutely delicious!

I have spent a total of approximately eleven hours in Disney’s Animal Kingdom in my life, so I’ve spent many more hours in the other three parks. I am so excited to put in another day here!

So, that’s it for today. Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Artist Point

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Forty-eight days to our Walt Disney World vacation. Woo hoo!

On our second full day at Walt Disney World, we are taking a day out of the parks. A day to relax by the pool, scoot over to Disney Springs for a little retail therapy, and generally relax and recover from our travel day. That evening Mike will treat us to dinner at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Here’s what Disney has to say:

Savor an exceptional menu inspired by the wonders of nature while reveling in stunning waterfront views. 

Oak furnishings, wood beams and large windows with forest views in the Artist Point dining room

Rustic Elegance

Relax in the warm ambiance of a dining room imbued with the spirit of cherished National Park lodges. Ornate iron lanterns—suspended from tremendous timber columns—add to the picturesque charm.

Dine inside while admiring panoramic views of Bay Lake and Copper Creek Falls, or retreat to the outdoor terrace and soak in the beauty of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.

TBD

Pacific Northwest Cuisine

Savor regional flavors created with the finest seasonal ingredients available. Our “farm-to-fork” menu is ever-evolving to offer Guests the freshest and most innovative dishes.

Begin your meal with a selection of enticing appetizers, from artisanal cheeses to handcrafted charcuterie to steamed mussels. Soups and salads include smoked mushroom bisque and our Land Greens blend—an exquisite mix of hand-picked lettuce from the Epcot greenhouses, seasonal fruit, seed granola and vinaigrette.

Next, choose from a variety of mouthwatering entrees—with house specialties like wild caught cedar plank king salmon, hanger steak and grilled filet mignon highlighting our diverse Pacific Northwest-inspired menu. For an ideal accent to any entrée, we suggest a side of crispy Brussels sprouts or roasted cauliflower, each featuring their own sophisticated flavor notes.

Guests 21 years of age and up can complement their meals with over 90 carefully selected wines from the Pacific Coast—many served by the glass. Sommeliers are available to offer suggestions for the perfect pairing.

Finally, conclude your culinary adventure on a sweet note, courtesy of rich vanilla bean crème brûlée, white chocolate crémeux or one of our other indulgent desserts.

A chandelier suspended from a wood bean ceiling consists of several identical frosted glass boxes designed in a geometric pattern that hang by chains from concentric iron hoops

Dress Code

Guests are asked to adhere to the minimum dress code requirements at this Signature Dining experience. Dressier attire is also welcome. Please explore the minimum dress code requirements:

Men must wear khakis, slacks or dress shorts and collared shirts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition. Sport coats are optional.

Women must wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses or dress shorts. Jeans may be worn if in good condition.

Not permitted are tank tops, flip-flops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.

This is a restaurant that Mike and I have used as a date night place on our last few trips to Walt Disney World. We love the ambience, the food selections, and the location. This is Mike’s favorite restaurant in all of Walt Disney World. [Mine is Olivia’s Café ;)] It’s even fun to get there. We take a Disney bus to Magic Kingdom, then transfer to a boat to ride across Seven Seas Lagoon to Wilderness Lodge. It’s a fun journey to a scrumptious meal. Mike treated Jake, Eliza and me three years ago, and it was so much fun! I am so looking forward to being here with our whole crew this time: Mike, Jake, Eliza, Linnie, Emi, James, Ida and me.

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

 

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Breakfast at The Crystal Palace

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Only 51 days until our vacay. I have got to do more walking now, so I’m not so miserable then. 🙂

On our first morning at Walt Disney World, we will head to Magic Kingdom for breakfast with the characters at The Crystal Palace, It’s our tradition, and we love it!

Here’s what Disney has to say about it:

Feast with some favorite friends from the Hundred-Acre Wood at this whimsical, all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet.

Main dining floor with round tables and banquette tables along the wall

A Buffet with Character

Join Winnie the Pooh and a few of his Pals for a willy, nilly, silly good time!

Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace brims with light, topiaries and tropical palms—and is an enchanting spot to meet some favorite Disney Friends!

Plus, while you dine on scrumptious fare, Disney Characters stop by for laughs, photos and autographs.

Puffed French toast, sausage links, bacon and scrambled eggs on a plate

An All-You-Care-to-Enjoy Experience

Bountiful buffets feature American favorites prepared before you in the onstage kitchen.

Start your day with delicious omelets, freshly baked pastries, fruit and more.

For dinner, choose from mouth-watering favorites like roasted carved meats, freshly prepared pastas, peel-and-eat shrimp and beyond.

Delight in such desserts as warm bread pudding, key lime pie, coconut flan, brownies, fruit cobbler and soft-serve ice cream. It’s the perfect ending to any meal!

It’s a perfect start to a day at Magic Kingdom, and I can’t recommend it enough! Honestly, who wouldn’t want a hug from Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger, and even Eeyore? It’s a Jarvi family tradition , and I so look forward to it again this trip.

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Olivia’s Cafe

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Well, fellow Disney fans, I only have 52 days until my Old Key West family reunion. Today I want to talk about my favorite Walt Disney World restaurant, Olivia’s Cafe. I will have dinner there on the first night, and probably a breakfast or two there during the following eight days. Here’s what Disney says about it:

Savor hearty home cooking with a taste of the Florida Keys at this hidden gem at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. 

Outdoor patio seating for 4 at Olivia's Café

As Breezy and Relaxed as Key West Itself

A longtime resident of Conch Flats, Olivia welcomes diners with Island-inspired dishes. This nautical-themed eatery has the friendly, familiar feel of a neighborhood institution and is a perennial favorite of many a Guest.

A must-visit spot for breakfast, Olivia’s Cafe serves up traditional favorites as well as several of Olivia’s own specialties: the Sombrero Beach Omelet and the Banana Bread French Toast.

Come in and Conch out
Conch Fritters, Conch Chowder, an array of stacked sandwiches and the signature Duval Street Burger make for a leisurely and fully loaded lunch.

Dinnertime is delicious time with Pan-Seared Sea Scallops, Southernmost Buttermilk Chicken and New York Strip Steak.

If you have any room left, you can’t go wrong with the Key Lime Tart or the warm Banana Bread Pudding Sundae with bananas foster topping.

Olivia’s also offers a cavalcade of Island cocktails for Guests over 21. Wines and draft beers are also available, as are milkshakes, smoothies and glowing character punch— featuring a light-up Disney character.

Reservations are recommended and can be made up to 180 days prior to your visit.

A wall filled with photos labeled

Who Is Olivia?

Olivia Farnsworth lived in a small cottage along Turtle Krawl, upwind of the strip. Almost daily, she would invite curious passersby who smelled her cooking to come on in and pull up a chair. People loved her vibrant flavors and earthy personality, and, before long, she found herself setting more tables.

Eventually, Olivia opened the doors to her eponymous cafe, which has been a haven for locals and a must-visit for out-of-towners ever since.

That’s it in a nutshell. I always feel at home dining there, and I have never had a bad meal there. I can’t recommend it enough. I hope you get to try it, and I hope you like it as much as I do.

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Fasspass+ Victory

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We are just 60 days out from our trip to Walt Disney World! This morning I woke up to an email from Stephanie, my travel agent from Destinations to Travel. She  was able to schedule every FastPass+ that I had hoped for. That is major! We scored Frozen Ever After, Toy Story Mania!, Na’vi River Journey, and Peter Pan’s Flight, plus eleven more that we requested. I am beyond excited now!

Sometimes the stars align, or pure luck sets in, or God intervenes and things just fall into place. That’s how today feels. I don’t really know about star’s aligning. I don’t really believe in pure luck. I do believe in God’s intervention. So I’ll just thank God for his mercies. Thank you, Lord!

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

 

 

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FastPass+ Anticipation

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We head to Walt Disney World in just 65 days. This means I’m just five days away from scheduling our FastPass+es. We are choosing kid friendly rides so the grandkids can go on them. Rides/attractions like Dumbo the Flying Elephant and Peter Pan’s Flight, Na’vi River Journey and Festival of the Lion King, Frozen Ever After and The Seas with Nemo and Friends, Toy Story Mania and Voyage of the Little Mermaid.

I sure hope we get them all. Although my favorite thing for this trip will be sitting in the same general area as Mike, the kids, their spouses and the grandkids. What a joy it will be! I’m especially looking forward to hanging out at the pool together at Disney’s Old Key West Resort. Ahh… Instant stress relief.

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Pixie Dust Delight

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With 66 days to go until our Disney vacation, I worked on a little surprise for the grandkids. I just love a company called Pixie Dust Delivery Service. I have ordered Walt Disney World treats from them many times. I always receive the items in top shape and very quickly. So when I saw the ad below on the Pixie Dust Blog, I couldn’t resist ordering:

“Pixie Dust Delivery Service-It’s time to think FALL! Visiting WDW late August through October? I can deliver extra special HALLOWEEN Pixie Dust fit for any ghoul or boy! Everything is custom designed – from Jack and Sally, to the Haunted Mansion, to those dastardly Disney Villains, and even your favorite mice – the only limit is your imagination (or mine) “

Fun, right? So tonight I perused what is on offer and placed my request with Amy from Pixie Dust Delivery Service. She will put my order together and deliver it to Disney’s Old Key West Resort when we are there.

Happy Halloween, Dear Grandbabies!

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Grandma…Donna

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Vacay Day One

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In just 67 days, we leave for Walt Disney World. I’ll be so excited to get to Disney’s Old Key West for eight nights. Here’s what’s on the agenda for the first day:

  1. When we check in, our first stop will be Gurgling Suitcase for an order of Conch Fritters to share.
  2. Then we’ll pick up drinks from Good’s Food to Go.
  3. We’ll sit at one of the picnic tables on our mini-boardwalk, breathe in that vacation air, and feel all stress melt away.
  4. Next we’ll freshen up in our room, and enjoy our Three Bedroom Grand Villa for a few hours.
  5. Then maybe we’ll go for a swim.
  6. Later it’s back to the front of the resort for dinner at Olivia’s Cafe, while we wait for the rest of our party to arrive. We’ll bring some food back to the room for our English family who get in later in the evening.
  7. Once they arrive we’ll hug and kiss them, and visit with them while they have a bite to eat.
  8. Then it’s off to bed so we can get up early and make it to the Magic Kingdom for an 8:15 am breakfast at The Crystal Palace.

Wow! What a delightful day it will be!

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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2018 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival Choices

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Since it’s only 68 days until our trip to Walt Disney World in October, I’ve decided to investigate the 2018 EPCOT Food and Wine Festival offerings. I ordered the Disney Food Blog’s DFB Guide to the 2018 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival by AJ Wolfe and the DFB Team. I cannot recommend this resource enough! It is so comprehensive and contains more information than one can possibly need. Two thumbs up, for sure!!

After much investigation and elimination, (I mean, how much food can one person take in at one festival?) I’ve come up with the follow list for Mike and me. We will share all plates, which are quite small in general.

  • Wine & Dine Studio-Butternut Squash Ravioli
  • Active Eats-Loaded Mac and Cheese
  • Hawaii-Kahlua Pork Slider
  • Refreshment Port-Beef Brisket Poutine
  • Canada-Canadian Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll
  • France-Crème Brulee
  • Belgium-Belgian Waffle
  • Hops and Barley-New Brunswick Slider
  • Germany-Roast Bratwurst in a Pretzel Roll
  • Brazil-Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions

If we choose to attend the festival more than one day, than we’ll save some of the above for the second day and perhaps add:

  • Canada-Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon
  • Italy-Cannoli
  • Ireland-Roasted Irish Sausage

That’s a lot of choices, but like I said portions are small, and Mike and I will split everything. It’ll be just enough to get a taste of each item.

I also found in the DFB Guide to the 2018 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival a Vegetarian Crawl. We have three vegetarians in the family so I thought it was worth a look. Here’s what they suggest:

  • Chocolate Studio-Sweet Dark Chocolate Raspberry Tart with Whipped Cream
  • Earth Eats-IMPOSSIBLE “Burger” Slider with Wasabi Cream and Spicy Asian Slaw on a Sesame Seed Bun
  • Active Eats-Active Eats Energy Bar Bites: a mixture of Chocolate, Nuts, Dried Fruit and Dates
  • Cheese Studio-Maple Boursin Cheesecake with Maple Bourbon Cream, Caramel and Pecan Crunch
  • India-Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa and Coriander Pesto Dips
  • Greece- Vegan Loaded Greek “Nachos”: Pita Chips, Meatless Sausage Crumbles and Vegan Tzatziki
  • Ireland-Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread
  • Belgium-Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream
  • Africa-Spicy Ethiopian Red Lentil Stew with Vegan Yogurt and Quinoa
  • Brazil-Pao de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread

Not bad, if I do say so myself.

We are going to have a lot of fun at the 2018 EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival!

Meet you at the Kingdom.

Donna

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Dining Changes

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Just 69 days until our trip to Walt Disney World. Woo hoo! By the time we go, it will have been three years for me, Mike, Jake and Eliza. It will have been six years for Emi and James. And this will be the first time for Ida and Elinor. We’ll have to get them their free “First Time Visitor” buttons  when we get there. 🙂

Today I made a few dining changes to our schedule. It turns out that Minnie’s Halloween Dine is happening at Disney’s Hollywood Studios while we’re there. According to the Disney website: “Visit Minnie’s favorite happy haunt for a spooktacular Halloween feast that’s frightfully delightful.” Minnie Mouse just happens to be one of Ida’s favorites, so I booked us in and canceled our reservation at Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano. Then since we have more than enough character dining experiences, I canceled our Donald’s Safari Buffet at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. In its place I booked us in at Yak & Yeti Restaurant. (They have an amazing Mango Pie with shortbread cookie crust, whipped topping and raspberry sauce. And I hear delicious things about their Fried Wontons, which are skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream with honey-vanilla drizzle.) Yum!

I haven’t been eating sugar, so I am looking forward to a few sugary treats when we are on vacation. But we tend to order just two desserts and six forks/spoons. Just a taste is plenty and so satisfying when you’ve been sugar-free. My weight is back to just below my lowest point since my stroke. Now to just keep eating well and taking my daily walks.

Meet you at the Kingdom!

Donna