In September 2015, I took my first trip to Disney World. Being a big Disney fan, it was a fantastic experience checking out the four parks after years of dreaming about going. I really did walk away with so many memories that I still talk about very often! After going to Disney World, I have also stayed up to date on current news and blog posts about the park, now that I can actually envision what everything is. While I did come to the conclusion that my heart is still with Disneyland in California as my favorite Disney Park that I have been to, in the year since I went, I was longing to go back to Disney World as soon as I could to explore more.
So my mom and I took advantage of a 20% discount towards lodging and went on a four day birthday/Christmas trip in mid-November!
And I must say, Disney World is a wonderful place to celebrate both birthdays and the Christmas spirit. Although it technically wasn’t my actual birthday until a couple weeks later, this was how I was celebrating. So, my mom got me a free birthday pin from the front desk at our resort (I was too nervous to ask for myself), which I attached to the strap of my purse. That pin brought me magical moments like free mini desserts, extra friendly greetings, and even a full on “Happy Birthday” song (beautifully) sung by a kind employee at the World of Disney store.
The biggest plus was the weather though. I have been to Florida in July and September, and November’s weather was such a huge difference from the previous visits. I was able to enjoy so much more when I wasn’t drenched with sweat and could finally see why people would want to live there. The sun and warmth was wonderful. We also didn’t encounter any rain this time around.
The biggest plus was the weather though. I have been to Florida in July and September, and November’s weather was such a huge difference from the previous visits. I was able to enjoy so much more when I wasn’t drenched with sweat and could finally see why people would want to live there. The sun and warmth was wonderful. We also didn’t encounter any rain this time around.
Along with whimsical Christmas trees and holiday decorations, it felt like a perfect few days away. While our trip was short, I formed quite a few new memories and checked out many of the things that I didn’t get to the year before. Because of this, it honestly felt so different from our first visit! I wanted to share a few of the things I enjoyed the most and would recommend to others traveling to Disney World.
Before I get into these new items, check out what I liked best during my first trip:
Also check out:
Port Orleans Riverside Resort
During our first trip to Disney World, we stayed at the Art of Animation Resort. I was really happy with our stay and loved how colorful and truly “Disney” the theming was, making it almost feel like a park of its own. We stayed in The Little Mermaid-themed rooms, which was a dream come true because Ariel was one of my favorite characters as a child. The walk to and from our room each day was exciting because of the different Disney characters in each area and I enjoyed the offerings at the food court, Landscape of Flavors.
That being said, during the times my mom and I discussed taking a trip to Disney World throughout the years, we thought we would stay at one of the New Orleans-themed resorts. So when we finally planned a trip, and ended up staying at the Art of Animation (which is still the newest resort), I felt that whenever I made my way back, I would have to stay at one of the two Port Orleans resorts. The Art of Animation is considered a “value” resort, while the Port Orleans resorts are “moderate.” We took advantage of one of Disney World’s hotel discount periods, actually making each day's hotel rate a little bit cheaper this year than the last. We ended up choosing the Port Orleans Riverside Resort over the other option, French Quarter, and were very happy with our stay.
I would first say that Port Orleans Riverside had a more relaxing vibe than the Art of Animation, and the resort itself was really beautiful. It felt on the verge of being one of the more expensive resorts because of how pretty and comfortable it was. I especially liked how it was lush with the trees and a river. The three bus stops around the resort also made it easy to get going in the mornings. A boat that goes to Disney Springs was also a plus to have around. While the resort doesn’t “shout” Disney, it still had subtle touches in the decor (including a hidden Mickey on the book shelf in our room).
Inside the lobby
(left) A bird posing outside near our room (he stayed like that for at least an hour)
(right) The building we stayed in, called the "Alligator Bayou"
One of two queen beds in our room. I loved the lantern lights!
The lobby decked out with holiday decor (this was put up the day before we left, so I was excited to catch it in time)
Riverside Mill Food Court: While we never ate at the sit down restaurant, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, we had three meals at the Riverside Mill Food Court. All of our meals were good, but nothing hugely memorable. I will say that overall, I enjoyed the food and variety at the Art of Animation much more (I felt an urge to go back there just for a meal). I did find this food court more peaceful (the Art of Animation food court was always very loud and busy), and we managed to find a quiet area here each time we ate.
The first item we tried was a Caprese flatbread that we shared after arriving. It had basil pesto, mozzarella, tomatoes, arugula, and a balsamic glaze. It came with a cookie and apple slices, which at first I found a bit silly, but it also hit the spot for our snack. Maybe it was because I was starving (which added to me forgetting to take a photo), but I really enjoyed it at the time.
The Cajun Chicken Sandwich was probably my favorite of the items I tried though. It was a grilled chicken sandwich, with cajun seasoning. It wasn’t overly spicy, but had just the right amount to make it different. It came with some basic fries, but overall the meal happily filled me up. I topped the meal off with warm apple blossom, which was the only dessert I tried there. I really appreciated that it was warm.
Cajun Chicken Sandwich
Warm Apple Blossom
The final item I tried was a create-your-own pasta. I chose penne pasta, chicken, broccoli, and marinara sauce, topped with parmesan. They put it together and sautéed it right in front of me. It came out nice and warm with a breadstick (which I could have had an extra one of). I thought the pasta was a good option, especially because you can make it your own, but the downside was that I did find it a little bit too salty.
I went with this sandwich, because while I’m not a big fried chicken person, I do love a good crispy chicken sandwich. The menu touted the “famous” fried chicken in a few dishes (including a fried chicken and donuts plate), so I was hoping the flavors of that would come out in this sandwich. I put a lot of hope into it and was not disappointed. It was delicious! I honestly wanted more of the chicken after I finished. The menu said that the chicken is “buttermilk-brined for 24 hours and double-battered," and it was perfectly crisp. In addition to the chicken, the sandwich also came with a bit of hot sauce, aioli, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. The side it came with was house-made barbecue chips with an icebox dressing drizzle. Usually, I’m not overly fond of chips as a side when at a restaurant, but I found these to be quite good and they at least required a bit more effort than plain chips.
Disney Springs
When I was last at Disney Springs, a large portion of it was under construction. I was actually at Disney World the day they officially re-named it from Downtown Disney to Disney Springs. Because of all the changes it was going through, and construction walls up all around, we just spent a few hours there. This time around, it was so nice to walk around and see all the new offerings. Honestly, I definitely could have used more time here! We spent almost a full day here, but still missed quite a bit.
ATTRACTIONS:
My favorite store in Disney Springs is the WonderGround Gallery. I loved it last year, and was excited to return. The shopping area it is located in is called "Marketplace Co-Op." What I like about this area is that the items are more artistic, unique, and usable in everyday life. I especially love the gallery because it features Disney-themed artwork from a variety of artists. This comes in the form of postcards, prints, magnets, mugs, tea towels, and other uncommon items. The products change fairly often and new pieces are brought out from the featured artists. The shop also has artist signings and demos throughout each month.
As for other shopping, I also enjoyed stopping at ZARA, which was in the new shopping area called "Town Center." The store was really clean and organized when I was there, which made it so fun to walk through (I was recently at a new one at the Mall of America, and it felt like the opposite of the one at Disney Springs). There was also a large UNIQLO, where they had a nice selection of Disney t-shirts and sweatshirts at a reasonable price (I got a cute black sweatshirt with a fuzzy flocked Mickey on it).
Since it was the holiday season, I really enjoyed the holiday decor around Disney Springs. They also had a Christmas Tree Trail, featuring themed trees decked out in different Disney ornaments. The trail is free to walk through and it was fun to look carefully at each tree to see all the details in the decorations.
Since it was the holiday season, I really enjoyed the holiday decor around Disney Springs. They also had a Christmas Tree Trail, featuring themed trees decked out in different Disney ornaments. The trail is free to walk through and it was fun to look carefully at each tree to see all the details in the decorations.
On our last day of our quick trip, we returned to go to the first showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them at the AMC Dine-In Theatre, which was also a lot of fun. We got free posters and enjoyed a vanilla latte while we watched the movie. It was hard to be in Orlando and not go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios (I have been there the previous two times I was in Florida), but I was still able to experience something from that world.
FOOD:
Fried Chicken Sandwich at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin’: When we went to Chef Art Smith's Homecomin’, it was still called “Homecoming," but now there is no “g” at the end of the name. It was a bit hard to choose where we wanted to eat our first full meal on our trip, since there were so many new choices at Disney Springs (we also strongly considered D-Luxe Burger and Morimoto Asia). We went with this restaurant because we thought the menu would offer some memorable comfort food. Additionally, we also recognized the chef behind the restaurant, and thought it would be fun to check out some of his creations. The food is touted as a “Florida-inspired kitchen," and the restaurant was in one of the new areas of Disney Springs called “The Landing.”
Fried Chicken Sandwich at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin’: When we went to Chef Art Smith's Homecomin’, it was still called “Homecoming," but now there is no “g” at the end of the name. It was a bit hard to choose where we wanted to eat our first full meal on our trip, since there were so many new choices at Disney Springs (we also strongly considered D-Luxe Burger and Morimoto Asia). We went with this restaurant because we thought the menu would offer some memorable comfort food. Additionally, we also recognized the chef behind the restaurant, and thought it would be fun to check out some of his creations. The food is touted as a “Florida-inspired kitchen," and the restaurant was in one of the new areas of Disney Springs called “The Landing.”
We made a reservation, but at 4:00 p.m., it was pretty quiet. It was a perfect way to get out of the bustling shops and enjoy a yummy meal. The atmosphere was really pleasant and comfortable. It was quite relaxed, but also clean and comfortable. There was a homey feel to it, with big windows and repurposed materials used in the decor.
I went with this sandwich, because while I’m not a big fried chicken person, I do love a good crispy chicken sandwich. The menu touted the “famous” fried chicken in a few dishes (including a fried chicken and donuts plate), so I was hoping the flavors of that would come out in this sandwich. I put a lot of hope into it and was not disappointed. It was delicious! I honestly wanted more of the chicken after I finished. The menu said that the chicken is “buttermilk-brined for 24 hours and double-battered," and it was perfectly crisp. In addition to the chicken, the sandwich also came with a bit of hot sauce, aioli, lettuce, tomato, and pickles. The side it came with was house-made barbecue chips with an icebox dressing drizzle. Usually, I’m not overly fond of chips as a side when at a restaurant, but I found these to be quite good and they at least required a bit more effort than plain chips.
Chopped Pork Barbecue Sandwich at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin’: My mom tried this sandwich. I can’t really speak to its yummyness myself, but my mom said she liked it a lot. It had chopped pork, topped with slaw, on a brioche bun. The sauce on the sandwich was a bit sweet and spicy and it was served with the same barbecue chips my sandwich came with.
It was hard to pass up the Hummingbird Cake on the menu, but we had other plans for dessert (see the next item on this list). I was surprised though (because of my birthday pin) with a mini bowl of house-made sugar doughnuts and vanilla ice cream, with a candle on top.
Petit Mickey Domed Cake (Mickey Mousse) and Opera Cake at Amorette's Patisserie: I was looking so forward to seeing Amorette's Patisserie, based on photos I had seen, and it was definitely worth a visit! All the choices looked so beautiful, and the shop itself looked like an artist’s nook. The wall was colorfully filled, with jars arranged by color creating the look of artist's paints, and the desserts looked like perfection.
I had mostly seen photos and videos of the Mickey Mouse and other character cakes, but hadn’t seen that they had started making smaller versions. So, when I walked into the shop and saw the mini varieties, I couldn’t believe it! Since I never would have been able to have a large one (which costs $55), I was so excited to be able to try one of these tiny works of art (at a cost of $8).
When we ordered ours, the man retrieving the cake for us bumped his hand into one of the Mickey’s next to it, smudging the side of the red dome. He then removed that one and threw it in the trash, which has haunted me to this day. haha. It still looked nice enough to not be wasted, so it was a shame it couldn’t have been offered to someone instead of thrown away.
Anyway, the cake that we got (no smudges included) was delicious. The description said it was a chocolate chiffon cake with dark and white chocolate mousse. Honestly, I didn’t really recognize any of those things, other than that it was soft, spongy, and very creamy. It was so good! Besides being tasty, it was also adorable. I initially felt terrible that we were going to cut into it. It was certainly the cutest, and most magical, little cake I have ever had.
We also tried the Opera Cake, which featured an almond sponge, chocolate ganache, and coffee buttercream, a mixture of some of my favorite flavors. While it was not as good as the Mickey cake, it was still quite good. Plus it had a nice little gold leaf accent on the top, which made it feel more special. I found that the coffee flavor was stronger than I anticipated, and the texture a lot heavier, especially when compared to the springy and soft Mickey cake. It was more filling, but I appreciated the overall flavor combination.
Epcot
The first park we visited this time was Epcot. I was excited to spend more time at each of the countries in the World Showcase, as well as checking out the new Frozen Ever After ride. Last time we were here, the Food and Wine Festival was taking place, so it got extra busy as the day went on. Combined with the heat, we got really exhausted pretty quickly. The weather was so pleasant this time around, and we were able to explore with a bit more ease, trying out a few new foods in the process.
I think Epcot needs a lot of updating in the first section of the park (Future World, The Land, The Sea, etc.), which we hardly spent any time during this visit. It just feels older and not in the charming or classic way that certain rides or attractions at Disney Parks are (like the opening-day rides of The Haunted Mansion, Enchanted Tiki Room, Peter Pan’s Flight, The Hall of Presidents, etc.). For me, Epcot is all about the World Showcase, because of how thrilling it is to feel like you are seeing a little piece of different countries all in one walk.
ATTRACTIONS:
Frozen Ever After: The first attraction we went to during our day at Epcot was Frozen Ever After. I had a FastPass for later in the evening, but felt it was the primary ride we wanted to see in the park, so if we could go twice, it would be worth it. We went there right away in the morning, in an attempt to beat an extra long line.
Since I never went on the Norway-themed ride that Frozen Ever After replaced, Maelstrom, I can’t compare the two, but based on some things I read, quite a few people did not want the World Showcase extra Disney-fied. I personally like the idea of incorporating Disney characters into the countries they come from, but I know fans of Epcot’s original vision may not be on board. I suppose the World Showcase also skews more “adult” and has more for older visitors to be interested in. With me being a such a big Disney animation fan though, I love to see the characters wherever they make sense and can be used (mostly this is just me wanting a Mulan ride in the China Pavilion or a Ratatouille ride in the France Pavilioin).
Back to Frozen Ever After though, I really liked it! It isn’t groundbreaking, but it is cute and pleasant. The story itself that the ride shows maybe could have used a bit more tightening up (the trolls sort of re-tell the tale of what happened in the movie Frozen, but very loosely, as the villain Hans never shows up). The most memorable part of the ride features Elsa singing “Let It Go." The boat you sit in for the ride ends up hurtling you backwards as she sings, sending you through the water under the beautiful icy castle. I thought the animatronic characters were well done (my favorites being the non-humans, Olaf and Sven), and overall the attraction is a solid addition to the classic Disney dark-rides. Like most rides these days, the queue where you wait in line is also charming, filled with Frozen items (including a stroll though Wandering Oaken's Trading Post and Sauna) to keep your senses interested as you wait. The whole Norway Pavilion is pretty, and the new updates make for a very welcoming vibe.
The other new attraction that was new from when I visited the previous year was Soarin’ Around The World. I have been a fan of Soarin’ for many years, and it is one of my mom’s favorite rides. The regular California-themed ride was one we always made a stop at (especially at Disneyland). I was interested to see some new locations, but I must admit, I was not very thrilled with the new ride. I felt like it missed too many spots around the world, making it feel like a pretty lame journey. As soon as it was over, I felt like I had already forgotten it all because it wasn’t very memorable. My mom didn’t care for it either, so we are pretty bummed a once-favorite ride is now gone, replaced with a not-so-great alternative.
We did also check out The Seas with Nemo & Friends, the Disney & Pixar Short Film Festival, and Journey into Imagination with Figment, all of which we didn’t see on our previous visit. I was hesitant to check out Journey into Imagination because I know there is a large following of fans that love the original ride, and are less than impressed with the current version (probably similar to my feelings on “Soarin”). I knew the theme song a bit, so I enjoyed it for what it was, but it could definitely use a major update. It would be a shame to completely remove it, because Figment is a popular character amongst many park fans, but the ride does stick out as very outdated (especially due to the Flubber and Honey I Shrunk the Kids references).
Finally, for Epcot’s attractions, I must say that I enjoy spending the most time at the Japan Pavilion. During my first visit I didn’t get to spend loads of time exploring it all, because I was just taking in being at Epcot for the first time. This visit, I spent a quite a bit of time in the pavilion, and loved seeing all the items offered in the stores (candies and tea sets!), as well as the nice garden areas to sit. They also had an exhibit I enjoyed at the Bijutsu-kan Gallery which celebrated the “cute culture” in Japan, showing off kawaii items and the evolution of the style.
Similarly, at the China Pavilion, they had an exhibit on the newest Disney Park, Shanghai Disneyland, which I really enjoyed seeing. My favorite part were some adorable Ratatouille-themed outfits that employees wear at a dining option called Remy’s Patisserie (I really wanted to buy one of the aprons!).
The Ratatouille-themed apron
FOOD:
School Bread at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe: (Norway Pavilion) I had heard about this School Bread before, and with that have seen mixed reviews. It is described as a “sweet cardamom bun filled with vanilla crème custard and topped with glazed and toasted coconut.” The first bite was unique, but as I continued to chew, I really loved it! Because of the cardamom in the bun, and the not overly sweet custard, there is an almost savory aspect to this treat. It feels both sweet and savory at the same time, making for a perfect snack to satisfy both cravings. I definitely would have it again and thought it was a good value for how large it was.
Shrimp Fried Rice and Caramel-Ginger Ice Cream at Lotus Blossom Cafe: (China Pavilion) For a quick lunch, we tried the Lotus Blossom where I had the shrimp fried rice with egg roll. While it wasn’t anything amazing, it hit the spot and there were surprisingly quite a few shrimp in the rice. Mostly though, I enjoyed trying the caramel-ginger ice cream, which was a nice little treat to cool down with. I love ginger, and it isn’t as common to find when it isn't a seasonal item. There were little bits of golden ginger in the ice cream, making for a nice, slightly spicy flavor. Caramel lovers may be disappointed, because it wasn’t abundant in it, but the flavor combination was really pleasant.
Green Tea Ice Cream at Katsura Grill: (Japan Pavilion) Later in the day, we stopped and got a green tea ice cream at the Japan Pavilion. I like green tea desserts, and again it isn’t as super common to find. The ice cream tasted like a creamy vanilla and matcha mixture. The vanilla aspect made it less strong, or potentially grassy tasting, creating a sweet and vibrant flavor. This was a nice treat to have in the middle of the day while taking a break from the crowds.
Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L'Artisan des Glaces: (French Pavilion) Continuing the ice cream trend of my day, I also stopped to pick up one of these macaron ice cream sandwiches. I had been here during my previous visit, trying the seasonal peach flavor. This time, I had an inkling they may have another seasonal flavor, pumpkin spice. At this point in the year, I was starting to get a little burnt out on pumpkin, so it wasn’t as thrilling as I had hoped. Pumpkin ice cream is one of my favorite fall treats and pumpkin-flavored things, so couldn’t pass it up. I think overall, I did prefer the peach flavor more, but the combination of the crisp, yet soft, macarons, surrounded by the flavorful ice cream is awesome. It is one of my favorite things I have tried at Epcot (obviously, since I made a point to have it during both my visits!)
Crema de Elote at La Hacienda de San Angel: (Mexico Pavilion) We decided to make one reservation for our day at Epcot. Last time we went to Chefs de France (in the France Pavilion) for our “big” meal of the day. This time we wanted something really different, so we chose La Hacienda de San Angel. By the time we went there though, we weren’t actually very hungry since we had been snacking a bit throughout the day. So we just ordered off the appetizer menu and shared a few items together.
Inside La Hacienda de San Angel
My favorite thing we tried was this soup. It was described as “corn cream soup served with julianne spicy tortillas, roasted corn kennels and Mexican sour cream.” When our waiter brought it out, each bowl had the tortillas and corn on the bottom. Then, from a small carafe, he poured the soup on top in front of us. It was so delicious! The flavor was so rich and flavorful (and a tad bit spicy, leaving my lips tingly), and it was incredibly creamy. It was one of my favorite soups I have had. The portion looks small, but it was very filling.
Gorditas and Pork Empanadas at La Hacienda de San Angel: (Mexico Pavilion) After our soup, we split two appetizers. The gorditas were described as “corn cakes, stuffed with chorizo, potatoes and arugula, topped with chipotle sauce and sour cream.” Both my mom and I really like corn cakes (and other corn dishes, hence the corn soup we excitedly ordered), but were disappointed that these were a bit too dry. I think the potatoes inside added to the dryness. The flavor overall wasn’t bad, but they weren’t as good as I was hoping.
Gordtitas
We also tried the pork empanadas, which I enjoyed a lot more. Described as “corn dough empanadas stuffed with pork and black beans topped with mole sauce," these were nice and crisp on the outside. The filling inside was a nice combination. I liked the flavor of the pork, and it went well with the corn soup I had just had.
Pork Empanadas
For dessert, it was hard to pass up the Helado de Maiz (corn ice cream served with candied popcorn), but I was surprised with a free birthday portion of their “churritos with dulce de leche ice cream.” Topped with a candle (and a birthday song), it was a nice way to cool down after some of the spicy flavors, and I’m always up for a churro! Although, I was probably at my limit of ice cream for one day (haha). My mom and I had shared each of our treats though, so it didn’t feel as bad as it could have.
Caramel Apple Oatmeal Cookie at Karamell-Küche: (Germany Pavilion) As we walked around Epcot for our final few hours (and went back to Frozen Ever After with our FastPass), we picked up a caramel apple cookie to bring back to our hotel. This was a perfect cookie, with the right amount of uniqueness, as well as being so soft and chewy. The Werther’s caramel is what really makes it top notch though. I made a version of this around Christmas, and while it wasn’t quite as good as the original, the flavors of the cookie really can’t go wrong.
Magic Kingdom
We went to Magic Kingdom in the middle of our short trip, and I was mostly excited to see Main Street decked out in holiday decor. I have some old photos of when I went to Disneyland during the holiday season as a kid, but don’t remember much about it. Main Street is already magical enough, as you walk down the street and the castle comes into view, so to add Christmas decorations to the mix sounded sublime. It really was so festive! I loved the sparkling castle, wreaths, candles, and Christmas trees that welcomed us to the park.
ATTRACTIONS:
While I didn’t necessarily see any “new” rids, I did go to a few I ran out of time to see last time. I was able to see almost all the rides that have a similar counterpart in Disneyland, except a couple. The first I made sure to see was The Haunted Mansion, which I am always a fan of. Last time I was just too tired to wait in another line. In Disneyland, The Haunted Mansion is located in my personal favorite land, New Orleans Square, so it is something I always ride there. For some reason though, I don’t think I have ever made it through the mansion in my whole life without being stopped somewhere along the ride (I’m assuming to help those who need accessibility, since the ride has continuous loading into the “doom buggies.”) This time was not different! More than once I have been stopped next to the very skinny caretaker’s dog, which has now become my favorite thing to look for while on the ride. As for the Disney World version of the ride, I did not notice anything shockingly different, except that the Disney World ride felt longer, with a few additional rooms. The other thing I noticed was the mansion’s exterior itself. I much preferred the Southern style and setting of the mansion in Disneyland, versus the more gothic look of the Disney World version. At Disney World, you enter through the side of the building, instead of the front, which felt a bit odd to me as well. No matter the differences, the classic feel of the ride and the overall theming is so fun.
We also went to the Enchanted Tiki Room, which happened to occur at the point of the day when I was starting to feel a bit tired and delirious. So, the singing birds made me giggle a bit more than usual, but I also noticed that one of the birds was named Colette (my last name), which brought me some delight. Although this is an old attraction, it is magically silly and cute. My favorite part is when the storm starts to brew and the volcano erupts.
Another favorite spot is the Tangled-themed rest area. Tangled is one of my favorite films in the more recent Disney era, so this area filled with lanterns, hiding Pascals, and Rapunzel's tower is too adorable to not take a break for a bit at.
In the middle of the day, we found a spot to check out the Festival of Fantasy Parade. I always slightly dread parades at the Disney Parks though because of how cramped and uncomfortable the wait can be, but I thought this would be the best way to see a lot of the characters. Viewing the parade was definitely not the most comfortable time of my life, but I loved the array of Disney films highlighted and thought the floats were well designed.
The Country Bear Jamboree was something I was thrilled to see last time, and had made a mental note to make sure to do. When we returned to our hotel though, I realized I had forgotten to go! I was mad at myself for over a year, so when we were back, I made this a priority. Standing in the waiting area before the next show, I chuckled with delight looking at the portraits hanging on the walls, featuring the different characters. Big Al, the female bears, and the small bear cub were my favorites as a kid. As soon as the show started, and the taxidermy animal head trio on the side of the auditorium came to life, the memories flooded back of seeing this show as a kid. We would go to the Country Bears every time we went to Disneyland, and since they no longer have the attraction, it has been many years since I have seen it. It is cheesy, but in the best way. I have never been so delighted to see something so silly in my life! It’s amazing how something from your childhood can come back and feel so vivid again. I think overall, Frontierland is my favorite land in the Magic Kingdom, and the Country Bears is a highlight.
FOOD:
Lefou’s Brew and Giant Cinnamon Roll at Gaston's Tavern: (Fantasyland) I was excited to check this little spot out, especially because of the very Gaston-themed decor (obviously meaning antlers). The cinnamon rolls were huge, but so yummy. I hadn’t had a cinnamon roll for quite a while, and this more than hit the spot. As for the drink, I am fond of this style that Disney seems to commonly make (I have had similar versions at Cars Land in California Adventure and Maurice's’ Cart in Disneyland). Apparently, this brew was an "apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with all-natural passion fruit-mango foam."
Fountain outside Gaston's Tavern, featuring Lefou and Gaston himself
Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant: (Fantasyland) We continued our Beauty and the Beast themed morning with our lunch. We actually had a lunch reservation for the Jungle Skipper Canteen, but I was so excited to get a lunch opening at Be Our Guest a few days before our trip, that I was willing to let our other reservation go. While I would still like to try the Skipper Canteen in the future, I was excited to check out the Be Our Guest lunch menu, especially to finally try “The Grey Stuff.” Although the restaurant is quite loud, it is such a magical experience to sit in any of the three rooms (The Grand Ballroom, The Castle Gallery, and The West Wing). Last time during breakfast we ate in the gallery, so this time we ate in the ballroom. There was a Christmas tree up near where we were sitting, and with the snow falling through the windows, it truly felt like a fairytale scene.
For my meal, I tried the croque monsieur. I’m always pretty fond of this meal at any restaurant (I also had it at Chefs de France in Epcot last year, which is no longer available). This wasn’t the most amazing thing in the world, but it was satisfying and the ham and cheese was nice and warm. I also liked the skinny fries (or frites) it was served with. As a bonus, the lunch menu is much more affordable than the breakfast or dinner menus at Be Our Guest (the items we chose were around $13).
My mom tried the vegetable quiche for her meal. It was filled with mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, onion, chive, and served with a side salad. We both liked that there were options for a bit more healthy meal with vegetables, since that can sometimes feel a bit hard to eat much of when you are on a trip.
For dessert, my mom tried a lemon raspberry cream puff. I thought the whole dessert menu sounded good, but I felt like I had to try the Master’s Cupcake, because it featured Lumiere’s “Grey Stuff.” Basically, it was a chocolate cupcake with a cookies and cream mouse on top. I love cookies and cream flavored things, so it couldn’t really go wrong for me. I thought the sponge was very moist, the topping very yummy, and I really liked the little decorations on top. It was pretty small for the size, but worth it to have the experience once. I made a version of the Gray Stuff for my actual birthday, which I think went pretty well! It was nice to be able to actually compare it. I am jealous of the current Beauty and the Beast offerings at Disneyland though, including a different take on the Grey Stuff.
(left) Lemon Raspberry Cream Puff (right) Master's Cupcake
Animal Kingdom
With the Rivers of Light evening show finally open and Pandora: World of Avatar opening in May, there are quite a few new aspects of Animal Kingdom. Last time we were at the park, it was incredibly hot (where you feel drenched as soon as you go outside) and the jungle-esque environment of Animal Kingdom seemed to make it even more hot. It made our day quite exhausting, but this time around it was perfect, and it made me decide that Animal Kingdom is my favorite park at Disney World. Not only is it unique, it is beautiful, filled with distinct theming, and makes you feel like you transported to a different part of the world. Plus, I find it a bit easier here to take the day a bit more slow and at a relaxed pace.
Fichwa! Fellow, meaning "Hidden Mickey" in Swahili
A black swan near the Animal Kingdom entrance
ATTRACTIONS:
Flights of Wonder: This was the one show at Animal Kingdom we didn’t see on our last trip, so I felt that we needed to give this a viewing. I really didn’t know much about the show before going in, but by the end of the performance, I was convinced I wanted to be a bird trainer. It was so fascinating to see the exotic birds and witness their talents, as well as learning more about each species (and the difficulties some face). The show was framed with an ongoing story about a humorous “tour guide” who is terrified of birds. The trainer shows him the birds and lets them do their tricks, as the tour guide slowly becomes more comfortable and amazed. It’s a great show, with some audience participation, as well as some special up-close moments.
It’s Tough to Be a Bug: I felt a little silly for not actually going up to the Tree of Life the last time I was at Animal Kingdom, and as much as I researched everything for our trip, I didn’t even realize there was an attraction in the tree until after. Naturally, with the new knowledge, I had to go explore. I loved being up close to the tree, and honestly, the show was awesome and hilarious! I truly think my mom enjoyed this attraction the most on our trip. Basically, it is a 3D show with live characters on the stage, celebrating the world of bugs. It feels more like 4D though, because of the interactivity and physical things you feel as the show is going it (some quite surprising!). It is pretty non-stop action from the beginning to the end of the show as well, making it very impressive and exciting. I’ve always felt A Bug’s Life was pretty underrated too, so I loved seeing the lead character Flik shine in this. This was a highlight of the day for sure!
(left) A poster spoofing "The King and I" as you near It's Tough to Be a Bug
FOOD:
Green Apple Iced Tea at Joffrey’s Coffee: (Royal Anandapur Tea Company location) This spot had quite a few refreshments I wanted to try, but I had to go with the green apple iced tea. I absolutely loved this and wanted a refill as soon as I finished it. I wish I could figure out how to replicate this at home, but have not managed to find a suitable green apple tea. While it had the flavor of green apple, it was definitely not super sour like most green apple items out there. The Joffrey’s Coffee locations throughout the parks are a great spot to grab a refreshment, and offer different choices than just the typical Starbucks stuff. In addition to the tea, I also had a blueberry muffin here, which was very good.
Later in the morning, we also split a Mickey Gingerbread Cookie. While this is obviously seasonal, it was one of my favorite treats we tried during our trip! The gingerbread was soft and chewy, and the small chocolate dipping was a nice touch. They also sold holiday kits to make these (with a cookie cutter included), which I am regretful I didn't purchase.
Ahi Tuna Nachos, Pork Egg Rolls, and Mango Pie at Yak & Yeti: (Asia)
The ahi tuna nachos were surprisingly a great deal for the price, as well as being very fresh and delicious. It felt more like a salad than nachos, and was very easily sharable. My mom and I split this between the two of us as our entree, and were more than full by the end of it. The nachos had ahi tuna, asian slaw, crispy fried wontons, wasabi aioli, and topped with a sweet soy glaze. There was surprisingly a lot of ahi tuna, something I was expecting to be just a small portion of. It really was a more unique dish to have, and I found the flavors to really be bright and flavorful. I would definitely go back again and have this in the future.
Along with our nachos, we shared a plate of pork egg rolls. They paired nicely with the nachos, and added an extra crunch to our meal. The chili plum dipping sauce they came with was also nice, and I was pleased with the overall flavor of the pork mixture.
(top) Pork Egg Rolls (below) Ahi Tuna Nachos
For dessert, we split a slice of mango pie, which was so refreshing and fruity! The shortbread cookie crust really pulled it together, and the raspberry sauce combined with the mango was top notch. I wish I could have had more!
These three items together made for my favorite meal of the trip. It felt very worth the price and left me very satisfied and ready to continue exploring the park. Whenever I return to Disney World, I would make a point to go have a meal here.
So that is my conclusion to my second trip to Disney World. I hope to have many more in my lifetime, and hope to one day have the opportunity to see more of Disney’s Parks throughout the world. While my heart is always with Disneyland the most, I have had two years of wonderful memories at Disney World. Here’s to the next Disney adventure!
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