INTERCOT Insider Disney Newsletter

Brought to you by INTERCOT's network of sites:
INTERCOT - Walt Disney World Inside & Out
INTERCOT's WebDisney - Guide to Disney on the Internet
INTERCOT's MousehutMail - Free Web Based Email

<<Introduction>>

Chestnuts may be roasting on an open fire, but another edition of the INTERCOT Insider has arrived in your mailbox. With Christmas and the Holiday season upon us, friends and family gather to share good times and good food.  In this edition; check out how to save some Christmas green,  we wrap up dining reviews, find a new reason to say mele kalikimaka, and ring in some new dining in the New Year.  Hang on to them hats and glasses, cause this here's the most informative ride on the internet!

<<Disney Deals>>

with Magical Journeys Travel Agency

-- Saving Some Green--

Don't forget, Disney has released a Stay, Play and Dine package for Winter 2015.  Stay, Play, and Dine Can be booked for arrivals most nights January 5 - March 7, 2015. This package requires a 3 night minimum and a 2 day base tickets. Hurry, this deal must be booked by December 29, 2014. And Remember, these discounts can be combined with Magical Journeys' Power through the Parks Promo.  Contact Magical Journeys today to save money, support Intercot and Power through the Parks!

>>Contact Magical Journeys Today!

>> Power through the Parks

 <<A Taste of the World with Mickey'sGirl>>

Cast: There are four of us; Jennifer, my Dear Husband, our Dear Son 16 and our Dear Son 10.

--Epcot--

Via Napoli - Dinner

We ate at Tutto Italia in December and really enjoyed it. We decided to give Via Napoli a try since it gets such rave reviews here on INTERCOT.

Food: 4 out of 5

Harry and I shared a pizza, Brian had the Veal and Euan had spaghetti and meatballs. We shared some arancini to start. The arancini were very very good, as was Euan’s spaghetti and meatballs (especially the meatballs … they were fantastico!) Brian’s veal was fine, but a little dry. Harry and I liked our pizza well enough and the sauce was very very good, but we both thought it did not live up to the hype.

Atmosphere: 1 out of 5

I have been all over Italy, on several different vacations, and I never, ever sat in such an acoustically accosting venue, nor was there anything outstanding or particularly authentic about the look or feel of the place. Both of my sons became overwhelmed by the din from the tables around us (both boys are autistic and sensitive to sound), and I was not able to hear my tablemates when they spoke (I have hearing issues when there is extreme ambient noise).

Service: 3 out of 5

Our server was fine, but she was far more concerned with the tables around us who were ordering liquor in addition to their food. We had to flag down another server to get some water.

Overall: 2 out of 5

Honestly, we were not impressed. Not by the food and not by the restaurant itself. The fact that my kids, especially my older son, became so overwhelmed probably didn’t help my opinion any. We will not return.

San Angel Inn – Lunchtime

We had planned a dinner at San Angel Inn, but cancelled it earlier in the week. We decided on an ad-hoc lunch after doing an Agent P adventure in Mexico.

Food: 4 out of 5

The boys both had Steak Tacos and Brian and I had Chicken Enchiladas. It was very good food, especially the black beans. Euan was hesitant to try anything new, but was very happy to learn that Steak and cheese in tortillas is a good thing. So much so that he requested them at home the day after we arrived! Servings were a good size.

Atmosphere: 3 out of 5

The setting of the restaurant is BEAUTIFUL. Unfortunately, they have rejigged the seating since we ate there last (about a decade ago), and the small tables are placed almost one on top of the other. I do not like being squished into a table.

Service: 3 out of 5

Again, the service was fine but not noteworthy.

Overall: 3 out of 5

The food was good, but we are not in a rush to go back.

Restaurant Marrakesh - Dinner

Euan really wanted to go to Teppan Edo or Tokyo Dining this night, but nothing was available until 8:45 or something like that. So we continued back through the World Showcase toward the International Gateway (and our resort, the BoardWalk) when we decided to give Marrakesh a try. Sure enough, they could take us.

Food: 3.5 out of 5

We started with Goat Cheese with Crispy Bread for Two and Seafood Bastilla to share. The Bastilla was just OK, and Euan did not like either of the appetizers. For his main, Harry had the Mussels Casablanca for Two which he really enjoyed, Euan had the Chicken Kebabs, Brian had the Tenderloin Kebab and I had the Lamb Shank and couscous , which was fabulous. Brian thought his was overpriced for the serving.

Atmosphere: 3.5 out of 5

The inside of the restaurant looks how I expect a Moroccan restaurant would look, and the musicians and the belly dancer were terrific.

Service: 4 out of 5

We had terrific and attentive service from two waiters. We did have to wait a bit for our entrée’s , but overall, service was great.

Overall: 3.5 out of 5

I think I enjoy Restaurant Marrakesh more than the rest of my family, but we all left well fed and happy. We do enjoy returning to dine here from time to time.

Tokyo Dining - Dinner

We hadn’t formally planned on dining at Tokyo Dining, until Euan decided he wanted to eat in Japan a few days earlier. We decided to cancel our Puck’s Café ADR (Downtown Disney logistics) in favour of Tokyo Dining two days before we dined there, and we were not disappointed.

Food: 4.5 out of 5

The food at Tokyo dining is fabulous, and it is wonderful to see the Sushi chefs preparing food as we sat at our table. We are a sushi loving family and ordered a wide assortment to share, the highlight being the spicy tuna (as always).

Atmosphere: 4 out of 5

Tokyo Dining is impeccably clean, both in terms of design and hygiene. The staff is so very respectful and polite, and we love the open window to where the chefs prepare the sushi. There was a demonstration while we were eating; ending with a contest to see which customer would get to eat the sushi created during the demonstration. My super shy Harry was the first one up to the counter in an attempt to win the prize, but was eliminated before he could.

Service: 3.5 out of 5

Considering this was a very late in the evening dinner reservation, the place was hopping! We were well attended by two servers, and while both were polite and helpful, I think it took a bit too long to come, and it all came together, even though some things were clearly starters. The warmed washcloths which are given when guests are seated have been replaced with thick disposable warmed washcloths. Fine, but not as nice in my opinion.

Overall: 4 out of 5

Although this rating does not reflect it very well, this was absolutely our favorite meal and evening of our entire holiday. Our dinner was topped off when exiting the restaurant, the lights dimmed and Illuminations started. We had a lovely, clear, uncrowded vantage point, and Euan was able to cover his ears and recoil at the fireworks without disturbing anyone around us. He even loved them!

Garden Grill - Dinner

We collectively decided that we wanted to go out somewhere, not too far from home (The BoardWalk) for our last night’s dinner at Disney. Choices were limited, as was what the boys wanted to eat, so we ended up with a 7pm dinner at the Garden Grill. It had been quite a few years since we had been, and the menu looked good.

Food: 3 out of 5

In the past there had been fried catfish on the menu, but that has been replaced with the less expensive tilapia in pesto. Unfortunately, I did not get to try this. I have tree-nut allergies, and a “chef” was sent out to discuss my allergies with me. He said there are no issues with anything except the almonds in the cobbler. I said “That’s fine then since they aren’t tree-nuts” and he looked back at me confused. I also was told that they couldn’t confirm that the dinner rolls were not exposed since they were prepared in an off-site facility. I told him that was fine, we would like the rolls. Next thing we know, we were getting the horrid gluten-free pucks and the pesto covered fish. My confidence in the kitchen had been reduced dramatically, so I avoided the pesto (since most pestos include some kind of nut). The turkey was tasty, as was the beef.

Atmosphere: 3 out of 5

The restaurant was rotating, and we had a table on the upper level. A bit squishy, but the characters still found us! Mickey, Chip and Dale and Pluto all dressed up for the farm. Very good interaction.

Service: 2 out of 5

Our waiter was fine, but the “chef” from the kitchen really left something to be desired. We were given refills of drinks without asking, but my son’s chocolate milk came with a lecture. “You shouldn’t have too much chocolate milk in this heat. It will make you very ill if you aren’t careful”. “Yes, this is why he was asking you for a glass of water instead”. The waiter did bring the kid “cupcake” cones out for both of my sons though, and got him some bonus points!

Overall: 3 out of 5

We enjoyed our dinner well enough, and it was nice to have a character meal, all together on our final night. I think we will be a little more pro-active next time, and book somewhere else in advance.

<< Ring'n In the New Year >>

2015 will offer a mix of refreshed dining locations and new character dining options.  Let's take a look at what's been announced so far:

Two popular quick service locations are planned to be refurbished for 2015. Flame Tree Barbecue is planned to be closed for refurbishment from January 5 through Early April 2015. The multi-month refurbishment will reportedly expand the location’s covered areas including seating, walkways, and ordering queue. Some menu items are planned to be offered at other Quick Service locations during the closure. Additionally, a new table service location is planned to be adjoined to the Pizzafari quick service location. A partitioned refurbishment will reportedly allow the quick service location to operate during the renovations. The new table service location is slated to open in Early 2015.

Disney's Animal Kingdom has announced that it will expand its current Character Buffet at the Tusker House restaurant to Dinner seatings. Donald’s Safari Dinner will be offered 4:00 pm daily beginning March 8, 2015. Pricing will be $41.99 per Guest Ages 10 and Up and $19.99 for Guests Ages 3 -9.

Disney's Hollywood Studios has announced two daily Star Wars Character meals May 4 - June 14, 2015. The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant will host the “Star Wars” Dine-In Galactic Breakfast from 8:00 am - 11:00 am featuring a rotating selection of Darth Vader, Stormtroopers, Greedo, Jawas, or Boba Fett. Hollywood & Vine will host the Jedi Mickey’s “Star Wars” Dine at Hollywood and Vine Dinner from 4:15 pm -8:00 pm featuring a rotating selection of Jedi Mickey, Leia Minnie, Ewok Chip & Dale, Darth Goofy, or Stormtrooper Donald. The Character Breakfast at Sci-Fi Dine-In is priced at $49.99 Guests Ages 10 and Up and $31.99 Guests Ages 3-9.The Character Dinner at Hollywood and Vine is priced at $57.99 for Guests Ages 10 and Up and $34.99 Guests Ages 3-9. Both Character Meals can also be redeemed for Two Table Service Credits per Guest.

Advanced Dining Reservations for these new experiences at Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Hollywood Studios are open up to 180 days in advance via 1-407-WDW-DINE and disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining.
 

<< INTERCOTee Polynesian Preview >>

INTERCOT was live on social media to give a glimpse of the newly refurbished Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Lobby.  Work on the new lobby concluded just in time for Guests to say mele kalikimaka on a warm Polynesian Village Christmas day.  In case you missed this update or if you just want to take a look back, check out INTERCOT's Facebook.

>> Disney's Polynesian Village Resort Lobby

<<Conclusion >>

The staff of INTERCOT would like to wish the best to you and yours this Christmas and Holiday Season. From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank each and every one of you for the more than 16,500 subscriptions to INTERCOT Insider. We'll be back in the New Year with more great tips, news, and deals.  See ya real soon!

<< Thank You To Our Sponsors! >>

The INTERCOT Insider and INTERCOT.com are supported by the following sponsors who in turn, help us bring the Magic to you!

Comments or questions may be sent to [email protected]