Theme Park Foodie
A Central Florida theme park blogger who loves all things amusement (and all things food)! Often journeys to theme parks just to enjoy the food offerings.
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Photo Courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog
This morning, the Disney Parks Blog announced that a new restaurant will be opening in Epcot’s World Showcase by late 2013. The Spice Road Table, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant that will be located in Morocco, will feature a small plate menu and refreshments and will offer indoor and outdoor seating. The new dining venue will be located on the waterfront of the Seven Seas Lagoon.
In this writer’s opinion, another small plate restaurant will be a wonderful addition to the World Showcase dining line up. I’m sure the Spice Road Table will become a fast favorite for IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth viewing, or for watching the World (Showcase) go by.
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Through April 6th, SeaWorld Orlando visitors will have the opportunity to try a new dining option offered for the Spring Break season. The Ocean Terrace Lunch Buffet, located at the Dine with Shamu venue in the park, if available from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The cost for adult attendees is $19, but children can dine for as a little as $9.
The adult menu includes turkey and gravy, beef stew, chicken cacciatore, an assortment of salads, an assortment of cookie and brownie desserts, and the children’s menu features hot dogs, mac and cheese, carrots with ranch dressing and pudding.
Although I am a big fan of SeaWorld’s food offerings and the high quality of its culinary options, I personally wouldn’t pay $19 to give this dining option a try. The turkey and beef stew entrees seem out of season and too heavy for the springtime Orlando sunshine, and the dessert selection leaves something to be desired. For $19, an adult can purchase a full meal of chicken, brisket, ribs and a side with a dessert and a drink at Voyager’s Smokehouse.
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Theme Park Foodie’s latest guest blog for Undercover Tourist is now live! In this blog post, we discuss some of our favorite budget dining options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
There are a number of delicious dining options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios®. When the main park activity involves waiting in line for a few high-demand rides, the high availability of restaurants offers welcome choices. While we will often pick a sit-down restaurant over a quick-service, there are a number of fast and affordable locales for snacks or dining on a budget. Our three favorite Hollywood Studios quick-service include…
Click here to view the rest of the blog post! Agree or disagree? Comment on the blog or send us a note through Twitter at @ThemeParkFoodie.
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Photo Courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog
Today, the Disney Parks Blog announced special dining options coming to Walt Disney World for the week of February 11-17. The meals will be a part of the park’s Limited Time Magic ‘True Love’ celebration. The Blog shared the following details:
“At Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll find fixed-price “Dinner for Two” at several spots. At The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, dinner starts with a colossal prawn stuffed with blue lump crab and continues with a filet mignon topped with Cabernet and shallot butter.
In the resorts, dinner at Artist Point offers a succulent Kumamoto oyster; heirloom beets; cedar plank roasted King salmon, filet mignon or crispy buttermilk-dipped chicken; and Valrhona Chocolate Indulgence with local strawberries. Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort gives you a choice of a New York strip steak, filet mignon, twin lobster tails, Long Island duck or butternut squash tortellini – and if you want a celebratory splash at the end, sip a glass of Champagne or chardonnay (extra cost).
The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort gives diners a taste of local farms with butter-poached lobster with Florida avocado-heirloom tomato salad; duck confit with Florida candied kumquats; rib-eye steak, and a sweet finish with a citrus-infused truffle torte. And Shutters at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is a trip to the islands with Caribbean conch chowder, seared rib-eye with plaintain and white sweet potato gratin, and a chocolate and strawberry sweetheart dessert.
For reservations, calls 407-WDW-DINE. Bon appetit!”
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Bands, Brew & BBQ returns to SeaWorld Orlando on February 9th and runs through March 17th. The event, included with park admission, features mouth-watering barbeque from SeaWorld and local restaurants. Guests can also enjoy a number of Craft Brews, available on the park’s Bayside Pathway.
2013 Bands, Brew & BBQ concert lineup:
· Saturday, February 9 Chris Young with Jerrod Niemann
· Sunday, February 10 Merle Haggard
· Saturday, February 16 The Beach Boys
· Sunday, February 17 Styx
· Saturday, February 23 Big & Rich
· Sunday, February 24 Third Eye Blind
· Saturday, March 2 Daryl Hall and John Oates
· Sunday, March 3 Darius Rucker
· Saturday, March 9 Michael McDonald
· Sunday, March 10 Josh Turner
· Saturday, March 16 Rodney Atkins with Uncle Kracker
· Sunday, March 17 Sheryl Crow
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Photo reblogged from I Dream of Disney
Monsters Inc Roll Cake, @ Tokyo Disneyland May 2011
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comment disney full service restaurants. they put on the check 18 percent tip. really come how r u going to tip. is it manadorty. I have also witness people asking to come in restaurant for appterizer only they were told no. really u could go broke in tipping alone what is there policy.
Asked by Anonymous
Hello! I think that you’re asking me about whether or not tipping at Walt Disney World restaurants is mandatory, and also about whether or not certain restaurants turn people away for only ordering an appetizer.
At most full-service restaurants at Walt Disney World, tipping is not mandatory. When your check comes to the table, it will have a suggested tip amount. Most checks come with both the 18% and 20% gratuity calculated as a suggestion. Still, you are not required to leave a tip in most situations. At prepaid dining experiences, including Cinderella’s Royal Table, Hoop Dee Doo Review, Spirit of Aloha Luau, and Mickey’s Backyard BBQ, an 18% tip is mandated on your bill.
That being said, tipping at restaurants is an expected practice in the United States. Though it may seem high, 18% is the typical amount tipped for good service. If you have exceptional service, it is a good practice to leave more than 18%. To not leave any tip is to be rude to your server. If you experience poor service, ask to speak to a manager and address the problem. When dining at a full-service restaurant in the United States you should account for an 18% tip in your budget.
While it is true that one “could go broke” through tipping, if you account for the tip in your dining budget, you shouldn’t have many problems.
As far as restaurants turning people away for an appetizer, that likely occurred on a day when the restaurant was only seating guests with Advance Reservations. I’ve never had a problem with only ordering an appetizer or dessert at a full-service restaurant as long as there was seating available or I had reservations.
I hope that I’ve addressed your questions! If not, please “Ask” again and I’ll be happy to help in any way that I can.
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Yesterday, About Theme Parks opened nominations for its annual Reader’s Choice Competition! Theme parks fans and employees may nominate for the following categories:
• Best New Theme Park Attraction of 2012
• Best New Theme Park Show of 2012
• Best New Roller Coaster of 2012
• Best New Water Park Ride of 2012
• Best Theme Park Halloween Event of 2012
• Best Theme Park Holidays Event of 2012
This year, there are two exciting NEW categories:• Best Full-Service Park Restaurant
• Best Quick-Service Park Restaurant
Nominations will be open through Feb. 11, and voting will run from Feb. 19 through March 19, with winners announced March 27.If you have a favorite theme park restaurant, this is the perfect way to let your voice be heard and share your appreciation for the dining location!
To nominate a park and to learn more about the awards program, visit The 2013 Readers’ Choice Awards for Theme Parks and Water Parks main page.
