Conference koolit::disney

    I guess I'll start this one...
    
    Magic Kingdom:
    
    	Liberty Tree Tavern: Very good. They even have New England Clam
    		Chowder that isn't bad. My wife and I had a great steak
                there. And its convenient. Just make sure you reserve
    		ahead of time.
    
    	Town Square Cafe': You gotta try the Monte Cristo!
    
    	King Stephan's: Great atmosphere...the food is so...so.
    
    	Crystal Palace: I've never eaten there personally, how about
    		some input.
    
    	
   EPCOT Center:
    
    	Alfredo's: Very good food, and nice atmosphere.
    
    	Coral Reef: I've been here three times, and each time,
    		the food has been great, and not too expensive.
    		You can't beat the view of the marine tank, especially
    		around feeding time. Try the seafood fettucine!
    
    	Chef's d' France: I'm not into French food that much, but the
    		food is very good, and the waiters are friendly, and
    		they will talk with you, if they are not too busy.
    
    	Le Cellier: Cafeteia Style dining, and the food is real good!
    		The atmosphere is interesting, low ceilings, and dark
                wooden beams, etc... Not crowded usually. A good place
    		to try if you don't want to wait too long.
    
    	Mexican Restaurant (I forgot the name): Very good Mexican food.
    		On par with what is available here in New England, maybe
    		a bit better. Great atmosphere. Its like eating outdoors
   		at night by candlelight, but your really indoors!
    
    
    Contemporary Resort: The Gulf Coast Room. This was the first restaurant
    		my wife and I ate at on our honeymoon. Excellant veal
    		dishes. Quiet atmosphere...only seats approx. 50 people.
    		Reservations are recommended. Strolling guitarist. Very
    		good. Somewhat expensive.
    
    
    Grand Floridian Beach Resort: Victoria and Albert's. This is a gourmet
    		restaurant and reservations are required. VERY EXPENSIVE!!!
    		It takes about 2 - 2 1/2 hours to complete your dinner.
    		They do not rush you at all. Open bar is included in
   		the price of your meal (for standard drinks and wine).
    		Specialty wines may be extra...If anyone tries this
    		restaurant, I would appreciate some feedback. Great
   		Service. A concert harpist plays in the outer waiting
    		room by the fireplace. A nice touch!
    		

       Polynesian Revue: Great entertainment, but the food was a dis-
     		appointment. I can get better Polynesian food at home.
    
       Hoop-de-doo Revue: Great entertainment and GREAT food! This show
    		is a MUST! You'll love the strawberry shortcake.
    
       Buena Vista Palace - Disney Village: Outback Restaurant: Australian
    		down under atmosphere. Great Steaks. They had Maine
    		Lobster on the menu - 1 1/2 lb. lobster - $45.00! This
    		place was a little over-priced, but the food and service,
    		from what I remember, was very good. A nice change away
    		from the inner sanctums of the parks and Resort hotels.
    
	I could go on and on. These are just some of the places that
    my wife and I have tried on our visits to WDW. I will add more as
    other folks reply. I will be happy to answer questions if I can,
    as this is one of my favorite things to do when we vacation in Disney
    World. Bon appetite'!
    
    

    I forgot one...the Empress Room, aboard the Empress Lily Riverboat.
    
    Excellent food! This was THE expensive dinner my wife and I had
    on our honymoon. We had a great waiter. He did everything but shine
    my shoes. Try the Lobster Thermador and the chocolate souffle' for
    dessert. This will have to be ordered when you order your main course
    so it will be ready by the time you want your dessert. Reservations
    are required (can be made up to 45 or 60 days (I'm not sure) ahead, if 
    you are staying at one of the Resort Hotels). Jackets are required
    for men. This was one of the most memorable of all dining experiences
    we had. Very Romantic.
    
    	Try it, you'll like it!!!!
    
    

    We were impressed by Bennigan's just about opposite The Sheraton
    World on International Drive.  There is another one down the busier
    end of the same road.  In fact, I believe it's a part of a chain.
    
    We went there once or twice.  It had a nice atmosphere and good
    food from Italian to Mexican to burgers to New York Strip steak,
    not forgetting the delicious bread sticks and gooey deserts....
    
    ....mmmm...can almost taste the fresh strawberry cheesecake...
                                                                    
    It's not fast food but neither is it mega-expensive.
    
    Karen

    The Crystal Palace - MK

    This is cafeteria style service with moderate prices. The food is
    very good. We usually eat there at least once a visit. Good selection
    of restaurant (as opposed to routine cafeteria) quality foods.

    Adventureland Terrace - MK

    Fast food service teriyaki style food. This one is sponsored by
    Kekkoman (the Japanese soy sauce people). The chicken is good
    as is the steak or hamburgers. If you like teriyaki you'll probably
    like the food here. I love it.

    Akkerhouse - EPCOT Norway

    Kaltborg (sp) - Literally cold table but most of the food is hot.
    There is a big table and you serve yourself. My family is Norwegian
    so I'm a bit biased but this is my favorite place in EPCOT. There
    are all kinds of cold fish, hot fish, and hot meats. The breads are
    good. If you haven't had Lefse (a bread made for potatoes) try some.
    This is an all you can eat affair. Service is great. The desserts
    are downright sinful. Make a reservation.

    I honestly don't think there is a bad place to eat in the World
    Showcase though. If I lived close enough I'd buy an annual passport
    just so I could eat regularly in EPCOT.

    				Alfred

    After hearing and reading about all the great international restaurants
    in Epcot I was somewhat surprised when I actually got there.  I kind
    of expected small to medium size restaurants with excellent food,
    and outstanding service.
    
    While there are exceptions, what I found was large dining rooms,
    with very good food, and good service.
    
    The dining rooms tended to be about the size of a cafeteria in a
    good size DEC facility, with lots of tables close together, and
    not much to break up the room into smaller sections.  (Germany might
    be an exception.)  Clearly these places are set up for VOLUME.
    
    I ate at Alfredo's in Italy and The Nine Dragons in China.  While
    the food was very good, I've had better Italian and Chinese food
    here in New England, including better Fettucini Alfredo.  I did enjoy
    the tempura in the Tempura Kiku in Japan, (see my note elsewhere), but
    that is not the main restaurant. 
                                                     
    The overall impression I had was Disney was trying to provide a
    taste of international cuisine for the tourists from Podunk who
    might not have the opportunity to try it at home.

    I wouldn't advise anyone not to try eating in the world showcase,
    I fully intend to do a lot of it on my next trip in November.  Just
    don't get you hopes up for the best meal you've ever had.

< Note 39.1 by FRIEZE::FRATTURELLI "I'd rather be at Disney World" >

>    	Crystal Palace: I've never eaten there personally, how about
>    		some input.


    I love to stop at the Crystal Palace for breakfast.  I get to
    the park just before it opens, pick up the schedule of special
    events at City Hall, and head for the Crystal Palace. 

    It is so big that first thing in the morning it isn't crowded.
    I can sit there and sip my morning tea.  Usually I finish just
    after the rest of the park has opened so I can head to my
    favorite attraction.  

    I haven't travelled with kids before and haven't tried this during
    the busy season.  It might not be advisable then.  (I'll be doing
    both this summer so there may be an update.)  Doing this also means 
    that you will NOT be at the front of the line when the rest of
    park opens.  (Normally it doesn't bother me to be a few minutes behind
    the rest of the crowd.)   I'd recommend trying this at least once
    unless you have a goal of getting as much down in as little time
    possible.
    

    The Village Restraunt in the WDW Shopping Village - very good prime
    		rib (my personal favorite), good service, view of the
    		lake.                
    
    King Stephan's	- good atmosphere, food could be better for
    			   the price.
    
    Lily Marlene's (sp?) at Church St. Station in Orlando.  When we
    			bought our bus tickets to go to Church St. Station
    			at the Viscount, the consierge recommend that
    			we eat here and then enjoy the rest of the clubs.
    			We were glad we took his advice.  Lily Marlene's
    			has a good atmosphere, good food and good service.
    			I don't remember the prices on the food because
    			the meal was part of a package deal (bus,admission
    			and meal) but the drinks were a little on the
    			high side which is typical of a place like this.
    			
    			Lily's wasn't as crowded as the rest of the
    			places in Church St. so it was easier to enjoy
    			your meal.   Once you ate you were then free
    			to enjoy the entertainment/dancing at the 
    			other places in Church St.
    
    	For those of you who may not know, Church St. Station is a one
    block section of a street, no cars allowed, that has about 8 (I
    think) clubs/restraunts.  You pay one admission price to get on
    the street and are free to go back and forth to whatevere club you
    want all night until closing.  Each place has a different theme;
    CW, late 1800's, Barnstorming planes, disco etc.
    
    dv

    My favorite's are
    
    Magic Kingdom
    
        Town Sqaure Cafe  - try the Monte  Cristo,  my choice for underated
                            lunch in the MK  in  the awards note.  Also try
                            the crepes angelica for desert.
    
        Liberty Tree Inn  - good chef salads etc.
    

    Epcot
    
        Germany's Beirgaten - great smoke pork loin for two.
    
        France's Les Chefs De France - great atmosphere and food.  The also
                              had a Dinner for two but I forget what it was.
    
        Japan's Teppanyaki Dining Rooms -  Good Steak/Seafood combo's
    
        Canada Le Cellier - for the  Tourtiere  pie  (Mom was canadian) and
                              the maple syrup pie.
    
        The Lands Good Turn Restaurant - great  chees  breads,  salads, red
                              snapper, prime rib.
    
    Resort hotels
    
        The Disney Inn's - large  breakfast  buffer similar to the  others,
                              red snapper and french fried ice cream.    
    
        The  Polynesean's Papeete bay Verandah for the breakfast and  lunch
                              buffets,  plus good views of the MK and seven
                              seas lagoon.
    
        The Polynesan's Tangora Terrace - nice and  quite, verry little day
                              tourist, good food and macadamia nut pie.
    
        Empress Lilly's Steerman  Quarters  -  good prime rib and other red
                              meat.
    
        Contemporary's Top Of the  World  Dinner Show, good food, views and
                              entertainment.
    
        Fort Wilderness Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show - good food, entertainment
                              and stawberry short cake.
    
    
    Claude
        
    

    When we went to EPCOT we had dinner in Germany's Beirgarten.
    I loved it, the atmosphere was fabulous....the beer mugs were extremely
    big!!!  The food was very good.  A really fun place to eat.
    
    Lynne S.

    Last time there [jan 89] we ate at the Chineese restraunt.  Food
    ok.  Menu included only three choices of meals!  NO pupu plater.
    Family was disappointed in selection.  Would not go back.
    ed
    

    I'd have to agree with Ed. When my wife and I ate at the Nine Dragon's
    (CHINA), the food was so...so. However, the biggest complaint we
    had, was that they did not give you a whole lot of food. Very small
    portions for the price paid. 

	If you really want oriental food, the Japanese restuarant(s)
    were better. There was also a nice view World Showcase Lagoon in
    EPCOT from the lounge.
    
    
    		JJF
    

>    The dining rooms tended to be about the size of a cafeteria in a
>    good size DEC facility, with lots of tables close together, and
>    not much to break up the room into smaller sections.  (Germany might
>    be an exception.)  Clearly these places are set up for VOLUME.
 
  How else could it be done? I would rather have enough space to accommodate
a large crowd than to have to make reservations days in advance. Norway's
restaurant, though large, was broken up into several sections.
   
>    the food was very good, I've had better Italian and Chinese food
>    here in New England, including better Fettucini Alfredo.  I did enjoy

  I agree that here in New England we've been spoiled by having lots of ethnic
restaurants. But there aren't many Norwegian restaurants and I don't think 
there are many German restaurants with an atmosphere comparable to what I've
heard described in this file. 

    Nobody has mentioned the sit-down restaurant in the Mexican pavillion,
    yet.  Does that mean it's no good?
    
    Anybody eaten there?
    
    Regards,
    
    Vinzenz
    

>    Nobody has mentioned the sit-down restaurant in the Mexican pavillion,
>    yet.  Does that mean it's no good?
 
	I haven't eaten there but friends who have say it is very good.

			Alfred

    I haven't eaten there either (I hate Mexican food), but my daughter
    and her boyfriend had lunch and they seemed to like it very much.
    It was kind of expensive, $34.00 with no liquor. They are 15 and
    16.

    We ate there last October.  It was expensive IMO, food was OK,
    but not memorable.
    
    Another time I'd eat at the Cantina outside by the lake...same food,
    lower prices.
                      
    
    We liked the Trail's End Buffet at Fort Wilderness.

>>>                -< What About The Mexican Restaurant??? >-

I've eaten at the restaurant in Mexico (the San Angel Inn??) and it is
first-rate.  I would say the service (which is good everywhere) is the best here
and the atmosphere is excellent.  It seems like an outdoor cafe, by a lake, with
a pyramid and a volcano in the distance.

The food is also excellent.  I've never been to Mexico, but I've been told that
this is authentic Mexican food, as opposed to what is represented as Mexican
food in the Northeast.  But I tend to like anything that has "Mexican"
seasoning.  One of my favorite restaurants when I visited Amsterdam was a
Mexican restaurant.

--Jay

    I ate at the Mexico restaurant (I believe it *is* the San Angel Inn)
    a couple years ago, and I agree with everything .17 said.

							-- Nina

    re: .17 & .18  San Angel Inn
    
    Different strokes for different folks.
    
    We made reservations there because the resturant was reccommended
    to us by folks that had been there before.  There were 11 of us
    in the group, including 5 kids ages 6-12.  Perhaps it wasn't the
    best place for family dining, in our case.  Service was good, although
    we did have to wait longer than I liked to be seated, and our waiter
    did destroy a tray of food by dropping it on the floor right beside 
    our table.
    
    Also, that tape of the volcano and tigers growling got monotonous
    after a while.  But the visual special effects were neat, I really
    felt I was outdoors.
    
    Maybe it was a bad day at the SAI, and it was not a place to take
    kids...I dunno...not my favorite dining experience at WDW.
    

    
    Lobster, steamers, and a yard of beer at Narcoossee's (Grand
    Floridian).  Yum, yum! :^)
    
SEAN/BEER=LABATTS

    Has anyone  been  to  the Fort Liberty Dinner Show in Orlando/Kissemee?
    (not sure of location)
    
    I'm thinking of going to this if/when I go in August, and was wondering
    what people had to say about it.  I've been to Medeival Times and loved
    it and would recommend this  to  anyone,  but  was  wondering  how Fort
    Liberty compared etc, and would like  to  try  another  show outside of
    WDW.
    
    Claude

    RE:21
    
    CLAUDE:
    
    I HAVE BOOKED A 7:00 DINNER SHOW FOR WEDNESDAY, MAY 10TH AT
    FORT LIBERTY.  I WILL LET YOU KNOW HOW IT IS WHEN I GET BACK.  3 DAYS
    LEFT AND COUNTING.

    Current prices for the Hoop-Dee-Doo dinner show are,
    
        Adult (18 years or older)  $28/person
        Junior (ages 12-17)        $23/person
        Child (11 or under)        $15/person
    
    Claude

    Rather than paying that much, I recomend going to the Diamond Horseshoe
    Review in Magic Kingdom (Frotierland)  I feel that the food and
    entertainment are just as good as the Hoop-Dee-Doo and a LOT cheaper.
    
    But use your own judgement, don't let me talk you out of a fun evening
    in Fort Wilderness.
    
    45 Days and Counting...
    Steve O

    Please note that prices for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue do not include
    gratuities.  I expect the same is true for the other dinner shows.
    
    If I remember correctly, they cleverly worked this fact into the
    show itself.

    Is this a good show for the kids (ie: under 8)?
    
    Bill

    
�   Rather than paying that much, I recomend going to the Diamond Horseshoe
�   Review in Magic Kingdom (Frotierland)  I feel that the food and
�   entertainment are just as good as the Hoop-Dee-Doo and a LOT cheaper.

    Well, as a fan of Hoop-De-Doo, I'll have to dispute this a little.
    
    At Diamond Horseshoe, your food choices are a limited set of sandwiches
    and cold drinks, which you pay extra for (addmission is free).  At 
    Hoop-De-Doo, you get *all you can eat* of buckets of fried chicken, 
    biscuits, corn on the cob, salad and desert included in the price.
    Plus you get plentry of free drinks, or free beer if you'r partial to that.

    And the food was very good, if I don't say so myself.....
    
    While the entertainment may be similar, it is a little more risqu�
    at Hoop-De-Doo.  Enough to be more interesting to adults, but probably
    not enough to offend any families.
    
    Gratuities are included if you're on the World Vacation or Grand
    Plan (as are all gratuities everywhere).
    
SEAN/BEER=LABATTS

re: .26
    
�    Is this a good show for the kids (ie: under 8)?

    Absolutely.

    
     Re: .24
    
       I went to the DHR in Disneyland. Although I enjoyed the show,
    the food items I viewed as pretty poor. A couple of sandwich choices,
    bowl of chili, cookie for desert. My tastebuds were not dancing.
    But, I may be wrong, and the DHR at WDW could be great. The cookie
    was pretty good. 8^)
    
     Re: .27
    
       Doesn't the Hoop-Dee-Doo menu also include ribs? Also, has anyone
    had any luck staying off sight and getting a reservation greater
    than 30 days before ?
    
    George

    	When my Wife and I went to WDW for our honeymoon in 1986 we
    stayed off property (Sheraton World) and got reservations for the
    Hoop-De-Doo 3 or 4 days before the show and had the best seats in
    the house, center stage front row.  I would also recommend this
    show for kids as well as adults.  On the same trip we also went
    to the Sea World Luau and found it to be pretty boring, especially
    since we went there after we had been to the Hoop-De-Doo.
    
    Tom 

    I woudn't missthis show, hop de do, lon any trip down.  Prices seem
    high [but aren't they all at WDW] but you have to factor in the
    entertainment.
    On more than one night I've heard the whole crowd depart singing
    Hop De Do.....!  boy is that funney.
    ed
    

    
    We went to the Hoop Dee Doo both times we went to WDW. My Father-
    in-Law got picked to be in the show both times. We also went
    to the Polynesian Luau twice once with the Disney characters and
    once without. We went to the Breakfast with Melvin the Moose, and Chip
    and Dale,   Breakfast with the Disney Characters on the Empress Lily. 
    All were great and would do it again. Got lots of great pictures.
    
    Cliff

    RE: 29
    
         Yes, Hoop-de-doo menu does include ribs! The best ones ever!
    
    dave

    
  >       						Also, has anyone
  > had any luck staying off sight and getting a reservation greater
  > than 30 days before ?
    

I couldn't even get reservations for mid-June 2.5 months ago ... they were
already booked up, so we're going to go the wait-list route and hope for
the best.

How is the Polynesian dinner show (I can't remember the name)?

Elaine

    
      Re: .34
    
       Elaine,
    
          The Poly Review is OK.... I went last year in May. The show
        was good but the food was fair to poor. I'd probably opt for
        the Fort Liberty Show that everyone in here keeps mentioning.
    
        George

    
    the "fort liberty show" ?
    
    I suspect you're referring to the HOOP-DEE-DOO in Fort Wilderness.
    
    Elaine, the Hoop-dee-doo is a far better show and food ....... but
    for the flip side of my opinion, you'll be there long enough to
    try both and judge for yourself. You can catch a "late" version
    of the Polynesian review, and I suggest a late one as it assures
    the show is in the "dark" which is a bit more impressive than the
    daylight hours (mid summer sunset around 9-ish). Generally you eat
    for about 45 minutes or so before the flame and sword dancers start.
    
    The Luau is essentially "outdoors" but under a covered pavilion
    somewhat like the large group shelters in picnic parks. The atmosphere
    is pretty nice and the food was fine to me, not as bad as some may
    suggest. 
    
    The hoop-dee-doo is all indoors and generally speaking a lot of
    fun and all you can eat. (hear that John ?)
    
    Mark
    
    

    
    Well,....... open mouth..... insert foot...... !  8-(
                                            
    I messed up. There IS a Fort Liberty (outside WDW)
                                          
    I guess my itis-itch is deteriorating my brain. 
                                          
    No I don;t no anything about it, but those who do or are going soon
    should let us all know when returning.

    
    Mark
    
    

    We ate lunch at Fort Liberty 2 years ago,  1.49 for good size chicken,
    potato salad, biscuit, soda, and ice cream cone.  Location not far from
    Disney, 1870's Army Fort, with troopers and Indians, small shops,
    museum, and shows.  The First Sergeant shot the cook when he failed to
    put a biscuit on a guests plate, and you had better like the meal
    or else.  The food was not bad and about as cheap as we ate in Florida,
    and it was fun, there were ads about evening show and reservations were
    required.
    We also tried King Henry's Feast on International Drive, and had
    a ball, around 25.00 a person, everything included, all you can eat 
    and a great show.

    
    
     While I know about most of the restaurants in the 'World', I have
    never approched them from this viewpoint:
    
     My girlfriend is a vegetarian and we are going Mem. Weekend to
    Disney.  Do any of you  have any suggestions?  I figured on The
    Land and on The Living Seas as starters but was hoping some of you
    might know better...
    
    Rich.

    I do not know if this has already been addressed since it has been
    a while since I read all the replies, so here goes.....
    
    We are planning on going to the French restaurant that is located
    right in Epcot (can't remember the name, but it's suppose to be
    $$$) and we plan on bringing our girls (ages 3 and 4 1/2) who are
    pretty well behaved at restaurants 99% of the time.  The question
    that I have is whether they  frown upon having small kids patronizing
    the restaurant.  (I'm assuming that the restaurant is more formal
    than most within WDW and they may find kids to be disruptive to
    the other diners.)  
    
    I would appreciate any comments/observations as to how the restaurant 
    treated customers who brought their kids.
    
    Jean 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

>   The question
>    that I have is whether they  frown upon having small kids patronizing
>    the restaurant.  (I'm assuming that the restaurant is more formal
>    than most within WDW and they may find kids to be disruptive to
>    the other diners.)  

    Jean,
    
    If your  talking  about  'Les  Chefs de France', even though it's $$$'s
    thay do cater  to  families and there is no dress code. After all there
    are a lot of  families  touring  Epcot,  and  unless  it  was a special
    dignitary I've yet to see suit and  tie,  so  all  the  restauraunts in
    Epcot  cater to families (otherwise they probably wouldn't  make  much)
    and have no dress codes other than shirts/shoes required.   When I went
    the  last  time,  I was wearing short/sneaks/Epcot T-shirt/Mickey Mouse
    hat, and had no trouble getting in ;^) .
    
    Claude

RE: .40

I was just recently at LES CHEFS DE FRANCE with my wife and 2 small children and
we had no problem.  We often bring food along for the children in a back pack,
as well as coloring books and so forth.  As soon as we have ordered for
ourselves, we bring out the children's food, and no one has ever said anything
to us.  On this particular trip, my wife and I were on a diet, so we often
shared an entree.  At LES CHEFS DE FRANCE, we had a table for 4 and ordered 1
meal, with an extra salad.  Nothing was said to us, but we had extremely
efficient service, and were served in record time.

--Jay

    We had a very nice experience in the French restaurant about three
    years ago. We went on the World Vacation Plan, and on the first day,
    we had been to the MK in the morning and swimming in the afternoon, and
    was checking out EPCOT in the evening. (had to sample it all the 1st
    day) We had late reservations for the French restaurant and we were all
    very tired. Well we got in there and the waiter was just wonderful. The
    Illuminatons show was about to start and the waiter suggested we take
    the kids outside to see it, and he would hold our table and order until
    we got back. The kids enjoyed this tremendously. When we got back we
    had our meal served and my 6 year old son took a couple of bites, laid
    down and went to sleep. There were no frowns or comments made. I find
    that all the restuarants in WDW seem to give kids the special treament.

    Norb (64 days)

    
    
    re: .39
    
    Rich,
    
    Well, doesn;t seem to be to many vegetarians around so I'll take
    a stab at this.
    
    Your selections of THE LAND and CORAL REEF (Living Seas) would also
    have been my initial choices too. Additionally, the "Launching Pad"
    in Tomorrow Land, MK is listed as having "natural foods, frozen
    yogart, and fresh fruit".
    
    Chefs de France has a variety of vegetable-like entree's incuding
    "leek" an onion like vegetable.
    
    Mitsukoshi Restaurant has a variety of vegetable tempuras
    
    The Rose + Crown Pub and Dining Room (UK) has leek pie and vegetable
    platters with cheese and walnut dressing.
    
    Most of the major restaurants throughout the WDW have Chef's salads
    and seafood the major restaurants at Polnesian have some unusual
    varieties of non-meat entree's.
    
    Best I can do at the moment.


    Mark
        
    

    Went to the Fort Liberty Dinner Show last Wednesday night (May 10th),
    it was very good.  I found the food better than the Hoop Dee Do but
    the show was not as good as the Hoop Dee Do.  We had reservations
    for the 6:30 show and the cost was $25.00 per person.  After paying
    and finding our seats we were met by our mess Sgt.  He was very
    funny and very attentive to everyone at the table.  The meal consisted
    of Beef Stew, Rolls, Salard, Chicken and Pork.  The dessert was Apple
    Pie and Ice Cream.  The show itself was good but not up to par with
    the Hoop.  What kinda of ruined it for me was that they had an Indian
    Chief there who was describing the dances they do and asked that
    his picture not be taken.  Well of course there is always one in
    every crowd who does not listen and he went to take the Chief's
    picture and boy did this Chief let into him.  Now, I don't blame
    the Indian but the way he yelled and some of his remarks about the
    white men ruined it for me.  Unfortunately, this was in the
    second act of the show.
    
    If you can't get into the Hoop Dee Do, Fort Liberty is a very good
    alternative
    

    Any recommandations for a good brunch restaurant around WDW?
    
    Thomas

rep to < Note 39.46 by MUNICH::MOMBERG >

>    Any recommandations for a good brunch restaurant around WDW?
    
    Thomas,
    
    Althought I've  yet  to  sample the Grand Floridian, so far my favorite
    place to eat  a  buffet/brunch  is  at  the Papeete Bay Verandah at the
    Polynesean (nice views of  Seven  Seas  Lagoon  and  the  MK)  followed
    closely by the Disney Inn's Garden Galery.
    
    Claude

    
    
    	Having just come back about two weeks ago, and having also
    	been on a VERY tight budget, I'd like to let you in on the
    	current price for a 12oz. can of soda in the park...
    
    	$1.05!!!!!!!!  ...I guess I'll make sure I drink PLENTY of
    	liquids before going in the parks again!
    
    	Tigga~~

    
    Has anyone taken in the Sunday Brunch at Contemporary
    (Top-of-the-World) ??
    
    Any gotcha's, how'd it rate, cost (est)

    How'd it compare with the "other" Sunday brunches ?
    
                 
    Mark     
             
    (67 days)

How does the park react to people bringing in water with them?  I prefer water
(expecially with lemon in it!) to ANY other beverage and my family has a 
tendancy to drink a LOT of it (slosh, slosh).  Do you suppose they would be 
ever so upset to see us drinking from one of those plastic bottles with the 
built-in straw?

Elaine
(leaving in 17 days !!!)

rep to   < Note 39.50 by COMET::INDERMUEHLE >-< "drinking" in the kingdom >-

>> Do you suppose they would be ever so upset to see us drinking from one of 
>> those plastic bottles with the built-in straw? 

I don't see why they should be upset.  We always bring juice packets for the
kids and that's never a problem.  In fact, we usually feed the kids with our own
food and drink in the restaurants.

--Jay

    Reply to .49
    
    The Sunday Brunch in the Contemporary was very good and worth the
    price as long as you go with a LARGE appetite.  I think the price
    the last time we were there was $8.50, but I can't swear to it.
    I don't remember the price for kids.
    
    When we were there, a little girl about 4 was arguing with her mother
    because all she wanted was a bowl of cereal and her mother wanted
    her to eat more.  I know I would be upset if I had to pay Sunday
    Brunch prices for a bowl of cereal!
    
    I really love the Top of the World rest. for the view alone.  

    
    
    re.52  Thanks !
    
    Mark
    
    

We were just there last week.  I think the $8.50 you're thinking of is for the
normal Breakfast buffet (Monday - Saturday).  I think the Sunday Champange bruch
was more in the range of $18.00 (I remember thinking it was very high anyway).

-Jer  

P.S.  If the prices are too steep, you can still go up and take in the view
at the observation platform.  When you exit the elevator there is a lounge area.
Just walk through the lounge and there are doors to the outside.

 The cover of Bon App�tit magazine usually features a photo of some 
 dessert designed to make you drool just passing by at the news stand, and 
 cost you 5000 calories just picking up the magazine.  Imagine my surprise 
 when opening the mailbox yesterday, and finding not only my Disney News, 
 but the July Bon App�tit featuring a cover photograph of Mickey and Minnie 
 in formal attire dining at the Chefs de France in Epcot Center, and 
 flanked by said chefs.
 
 The first part of the article deals with accommodations and general 
 information on WDW, which is pretty well covered in this conference.  The 
 rest deals with eating well in the World, and is reprinted here.
 
    "Dining with Mickey and Minnie"
    By Jefferson Morgan
    Bon App�tit, July 1989, p. 32.
    
    THE WORLD ON A PLATTER
    
    There are advantages to staying at one of the Disney World resorts 
    rather than one on the outside.  Guests have free access to the 
    network of monorails, boats and busses that link all the attractions, 
    and can make advance reservations for dinner shows and restaurants.  
    Otherwise, dining reservations can only be made the same day, an 
    exercise than can mean rising at the crack of dawn and trying to outrun 
    thousands of the younger and swifter.
    
    Feeding 20 million people a year, some of whom stay for up to a week, 
    is no snap.  Visitors consume more than nine million hamburgers and 
    four million pounds of french fries alone.  Still, the options a Disney 
    World, with over 110 restaurants and snack shops, are surprisingly 
    sophisticated.
    
    For international fare, nothing compares with the World Showcase in 
    Epcot Center.  It's sort of a permanent world's fair of pavilions 
    representing 11 nations -- France, Canada, the United States, the 
    United Kingdom, Japan, Italy, Germany, China, Mexico, Morocco, and 
    Norway -- located around a lagoon crisscrossed by riverboats.
    
    In the French pavilion, Gallic culinary superstars Paul Bocuse, Roger 
    Verg� and Gaston Len�tre have created the restaurant Chefs de France.  
    Flowers, brass fittings, etched glass and parquet floors recall 
    nineteenth-century France, but the menu is built upon nouvelle cuisine.  
    Dinner might start with baked oysters with spinach and Champagne sauce, 
    move on to halibut with mushrooms, pearl onions and peas served in puff 
    pastry and finish with pastry filled with caramel and vanilla ice cream 
    and topped with chocolate sauce.  Let's face it: This is a far cry from 
    a corn dog on a stick.
    
    SHOWSTOPPERS
    
    In Disney World there's a show going on -- somewhere -- every minute.  
    That's because a significant proportion of the 25,000 or so employees 
    are professional entertainers (even Mickey and Minnie belong to the 
    union).  In addition, most are young, many are students,, and all are 
    enthusiastic and efficient.  hey *have* to be -- just to keep up with 
    the sheer energy of this place, where so many culture have been 
    imported and exist side by side.
    
    This fact truly hit home when, on a terrace overlooking a plaster 
    volcano, I experienced Mexico as I sat beneath an artificially starlit 
    sky.  I was in the Disney branch of Mexico City's famed San Angel Inn, 
    enjoying the sophisticated and delicious cocina t�pica.
    
    Between France and Mexico in geographical logic that is Disney's alone, 
    I came across the serene gardens of Japan, one of the most restful 
    spots in the entire park.  When I went upstairs, though, the scene 
    change.  Here the Mitsukoshi Restaurant, operated by the Japanese firm 
    of the same name, has a number of dining rooms.  The menu offers both 
    tempura and teppan-yaki (the living theater of flashing knives and stir 
    fried meat and fish).
    
    Some time later, I strolled past a replica of Ottawa's Ch�teau Laurier 
    Hotel and discovered a cozy, low-ceilinged cafeteria with stone walls, 
    called Le Cellier.  During the day, it serves fairly fast meals of 
    Canadian regional dishes like tourti�re (Qu�bec's pork and potato pie), 
    Gasp� salmon with dill, and chicken and meatball stew from 
    Saskatchewan.  Table service in he evening offers some unusual 
    entr�es, such as beef and maple dumpling stew.
    
    THE GRAND TOUR CONTINUES
    
    Foot-weary grown-ups can find some solace in the United Kingdom's Rose 
    & Crown Pub, which pours English, Scottish and Irish lagers, ales and 
    stouts by the 20-ounce imperial pint.  (Smaller glasses are available 
    for sissies.)  Lunch might be a Scotch egg with Stilton cheese and 
    fruit, of chicken and leek pie.  Traditional dinner entr�es range from 
    fish and chips to prime rib, with old-time deserts like raspberry fool 
    and Sherry trifle.
    
    Or you can try Germany's Biergarten, where Beck's is served by the 
    liter.  The food here is traditional, hearty German fare for lunch and 
    dinner.  Patrons enjoy smoked pork, sauerbraten and grilled sausages in 
    the roistering atmosphere of a year-ling Oktoberfest of yodeling, 
    singing and oompah music.
    
    China, one of the more recent pavilions, contains the Nine Dragons 
    Restaurant, which has Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunan, Szechwan, and 
    Kiangche regional cooking styles represented on the menu.  Mainland 
    Chinese teas, excellent beers and wine are also available.  And don't 
    miss the authentic red bean ice cream for dessert.
    
    The newest nation to grace the shores of the lagoon is Norway, right 
    next door to China -- which isn't as weird as it sounds, because Norway 
    is also one of the oldest nations on earth.  In the Akershus, inspired 
    by the great wooden fourteenth-century fortress at Oslo, there is a 
    traditional Norwegian cold and hot buffet, which you can wash down with 
    a glass of wine or Ringnes Norwegian beer.
    
    A TIME MACHINE
    
    Epcot Center, then, is a permanent world's fair.  In addition to its 
    national pavilions, it has theme areas focusing on science.  One such 
    area, Future World, is a fascinating array of attractions.  Just one 
    example is Spaceship Earth, a giant "geosphere" created by AT&T, which 
    details communication from cave drawings to satellites.
    
    Up until not too long ago, serious time travelers had to hike from 
    Future World around the lagoon to World Showcase to find a square meal.  
    But no more.  The Coral Reef offers a wide variety of fresh seafood 
    prepared with simplicity and innovation.  You can get everything from 
    grilled sword fish to shrimp mousse baked with goat cheese and Brie.  
    The wind list is extensive, and every month a number of sometimes hard 
    to find American vintages are selected and made available to diners by 
    the glass or bottle.
    
    The Land Grill Room , which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner 
    specializes in regional American cuisine.  At first I was suspicious:  
    The place revolves, violating one of Morgan's Basic Tenets of Eating 
    Out.  (Some others are: Avoid restaurants on ships that don't move; 
    stay away from those on top of any building over two stories; do not 
    dine within 25 miles of either side of the U.S.-Mexican border; and so 
    on.)  But I'm happy to say that the place got me on its side 
    immediately when I sat down for lunch and found that their extensive 
    bar has San Francisco's Anchor Steam beer -- without argument one of 
    the best brewed on the planet.
    
    I was not disappointed.  Among the entr�es such as mesquite-grilled coho 
    salmon served with orange walnut butter, and Navaho lasagne (layers of 
    corn tortillas with goat cheese, cummin-spiced beef and guacamole 
    served with red and green pepper sauces), there are also pizzas that 
    would challenge the imagination of Wolfgang Puck.
    
    SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS
    
    Until the Grand Floridian opened last year, the most impressive and 
    prestigious restaurant in Disney World was the Empress Room of the 
    220-foot four-deck riverboat Empress Lilly (named after Mrs. Disney).  
    The opulent Louis XV-style decor includes a huge brass and crystal 
    chandelier that fills the dome of the ceiling.  The � la carte menu is 
    French as that of Chefs de France, but more classical and more 
    extensive.  I started with saut�ed oysters with garlic-wine butter, 
    followed by chilled avocado soup and mushroom salad.  Then I dived into 
    three fillets, of lamb, veal and venison, all the while using a 
    Pouilly-Fuiss� as solvent.  I turned down dessert, even though, 
    earlier, I'd had my heart set on the crepes filled with nuts and honey 
    and flamed with Grand Marnier.
    
    You get the idea, anyway.
    
    Victoria and Albert's the signature restaurant of the Grand Floridian, 
    is no more ambitious or attractive than the Empress Room, but it *is* 
    more exclusive.  It seats just 54, and each table is attended by a 
    waitress and a butler clad in nineteenth-century-style service 
    uniforms.  The interesting menu offers seven courses that change 
    nightly, each diner is presented with a personalized engraved copy in a 
    sealed burgundy envelope, a neat little conceit that surely helps keep 
    the print shop busy.
    
    Listening to the harpist playing in the anteroom, I decided on the 
    smoked trout with apple horseradish cream, followed by plum tomato soup 
    with peppered vodka and pasta shells and for the entr�e, breast of duck 
    with green peppercorn sauce.  The night I was there, the salad was 
    greens with St. Andr� cheese dressing, and the cheese course was 
    Stilton with a poached pear served with a beaker of good vintage Port.  
    I elected to have the chestnut and rum souffl� for dessert, which made 
    a nice prelude to the petits fours that came with coffee and Cognac.  My 
    butler was kind enough to help me to my feet so that I could stagger 
    off to bed.
    
    KUDOS FOR COOKING
    
    All in all, the cuisine prepared under the Disney banner has come a long 
    way since I met with the man himself a quarter-century ago at the 
    Disneyland Hotel in Anaheim, where "surf and turf" was then regarded 
    as being on the cutting edge.  The American Culinary Federation has 
    approved Disney World as one of 84 locations in the U.S. and Caribbean 
    to operate it apprenticeship program for chefs.  The Florida and 
    California parks combined have received so many request from visitors 
    for recipes (50,000 alone for the Polynesian Village Resort's stuffed 
    French toast, the recipe for which follows [see note 42.1]) that the 
    company hired cookbook author Margaret Deeds Murphy to compile _Cooking 
    with_Mickey_Around_Our_World, sophisticated in spite of its title. [The 
    book is available from WDW mail order for $10.95 plus $3.95 shipping.  
    See note 55.8 for ordering information.]
    
    It might appear that the word *magic* is overused in the context of 
    Disney World, but the place is one of the world's greatest examples of 
    technological sleight of hand.  Visitors don't see the vast works 
    behind the scenes that make the Haunted Mansion or Space Mountain seem 
    so thrillingly real.  But maybe, along with the computers and 
    compressors and gears, and the miles of electrical cable that make it 
    all go, there *is* a little real magic.  What ever is, it brings back 
    millions of visitors each and every year.
    
    I know I'll go again -- only not alone.
    
    [The article is followed by three recipes, Stuffed French Toast,
    Salmon in Puff Pastry, and Tarragon Beurre Blanc.  I will post them in
    note #42] 

    

    Well I just tried to make resverations for the "Broadway at the Top"
    dinner show at the Top of the World restaurant for our trip in July and
    they told me they will be closed from July 7th to August 11th. I am not
    sure if they meant the restaurant or just the show. Oh well I'll just
    have to find something else to do. 

    Norb (25 days and we are out of here)

    We just made Hoop Dee Do reservations on Saturday.  We made them
    for Saturday, April 21, 1990.  We are staying at the Carribean Resort.
    The woman on the phone said that all 3 times for the Hoop were
    available for that day.  We chose the 5:30 dinner show.  I can't
    wait!

    	Do they allow you to request a specific table??  If so I would
    ask for the table directly in the first row center stage.  The Wife
    and I sat there when we saw the show, and it was great!  You're
    so close that you get some inside jokes that the people sitting
    in the balcony or in the back don't see, winks and such.  
    
    Tom

    Claude:
    
    Is it possible to make a separate topic for just dinner shows?

    If it's  ok  with Len (The real Moderator/Owner of the File) it's ok by
    me ;^)
    
    Have at it.
    
    Claude

    RE: .58; Center Satge.
    
    We had the table next to the piano.  My younger daughter could rest
    her elbow on the stage.  Great seats !  We made reservations 7 months
    in advance.  Didn't request a specific table...don't know if you can.
    
    Next time I think we'll try for a balcony table...get to watch the
    crowd interaction...see the show from a different perspective.
    
    GR

    
    We just got back from WDW. The best food we had was at the Coral
    Reef in Living Seas.  I am into fish (the kind you watch, not eat)
    and to combine a wall of fish watching with Handel's Water Music
    and seafood with pasta was just wonderful.  A great place to eat.
    We will do it on all future visits.
    
    Jim
    

                <<< INDMKT::DUA0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]DISNEY.NOTE;2 >>>
                                 -< DISNEYANA >-
================================================================================
Note xxx.x                        Bubble Room                        No replies
DROPIT::BENHAM                                        8 lines   9-AUG-1989 07:00
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Has anyone been to or heard of the Bubble Room in Orlando.  My
    sister-in-law has a son that lives in Orlando and takes her to
    the Bubble Room whenever she goes down to visit.  My family has
    reservations for our trip to Disney in November and she said
    to make sure to have dinner at the Bubble Room one night.  Any
    one else been there?  Is it any good?
    
    Carole

    Any suggestions from the cognoscenti for eating on Christmas Day.
    We will be a party of 5 adults, 4 kids, and our normal Christmas
    Dinner would be Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding, followed by
    Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce!!!
    
    My Annual Passport booklet mentions the right to make advanced 
    reservations at Flaglers in the Grand Floridian. Where and what
    is it, and how do you rate it.
    
    Another "rule bending" question. Some of our party will be staying
    on property until Sat 23rd December. Is the Disney "system" clever
    enough to detect that a reservation has been made for a date shortly
    AFTER the Resort ID expires i.e. 25th December??
    
    Sorry to get you all thinking of Christmas in the middle of the
    summer, but I've got to plan my next 'fix'.
    
    Mike B (+37 days, -114 days) 

    My wife, 6 1/2 year old son, and I will be spending this Thanksgiving
    at WDW.  We are wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to a good
    place to have a "traditional" Thanksgiving dinner?  Preferably it will
    be somewhere within WDW.
    
    Thanks

    I spent all of Labor Day Weekend reading all the notes in this
    conference - they were great - thanks.  I am planning to go in Nov,
    and as I understand it the park closes around 6 (give or take).  The
    question is "when the park closes do the restaurants in Epcot stay
    open?"  Also, we are staying on site, can we reserve restaruants 2 days
    ahead before we check in?

    When we went in November '87 the Magic Kingdom closed at 6 or 7, and
    Epcot at 8.  The Epcot restaurants would make reservations up until
    closing time.  

    We had 7:00 or 7:30 reservations one night, and got out after eight. 
    All the attractions were closed, and they kind of hustled us out of the
    park.  The buses were running on World Showcase Promenade picking up
    people as they went.  One driver told us it usually took them a couple
    of hours after closing to shoo everyone out.

    I don't know if you can make reservations before your arrival, call the
    CRO and ask.  (407) W-DISNEY

    For our trip to WDW next month we purchased a Vacation Kingdom Holiday
    package from the Magic Kingdom Club.  Among other things it includes
    coupons for four breakfasts or lunches at "a wide variety of WDW dining
    locations."

    The bad news is that the "wide variety" does not include any restaurants
    inside the theme parks.  It also does not include Sunday brunches.  I
    had hoped to do the 50's Prime Time Cafe at the studio, and some of the
    restaurants in World Showcase.  I guess I'll save them for non-plan
    meals.

    (The good news is that this will force us to take a break from the parks
    in the early afternoon, and allow us to rest up for the late afternoon
    and evening activities.)
    
    I've already booked Chip and Dale's Country Morning Jamboree for one
    breakfast, so that leaves three coupons.

    My question is this: Where in the World, (resorts, Disney Village
    Marketplace, etc.)  can I get the best lunches, (or breakfasts for that
    matter), cost being no object?  I'd like to get my money's worth out of
    this package.

    Our party consists of two adults who love to eat good food, and two
    four-year-olds who are sometimes willing to try new things.

    Len,
    
    If you like to eat big breakfast, I recomend the Character Buffet
    at the Contemporary. Plenty of good food and you know your four
    year olds will love the individual attention they receive from the
    characters.
    
    As far as lunches go, I can't help because all our lunches were
    done in the parks.(The best being at the Land Grille.)
    

    Another vote for the Land Grille at EPCOT in "The Land" by Kraft. We
    had the BEST breakfast there, excellent food and excellent service. The
    fun thing about it is the seats which are arranged on a moving wheel
    and slowly you rotate looking down on the "Land" ride scenery. Very
    slowly.. for about 1 hour we went around only 2 times.
    
    There is also a very nice restaurant at the Grand Floridian called
    Nickoleanos or something like that.. not exactly that name. Its the
    only one that starts with an "N"... very nice selection and atmosphere.

Len,

For your best value, go to the character breakfast buffets at the Polynesian or
at the Contemporary.  They are also the ones that your kids will like best.
Also, it's a sin if you don't go to breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace to have the
fruit-filled French Toast.

--Jay

    Thanks for all the tips so far, keep them coming.

    As I said, we've already booked one character breakfast (C&DCMJ).  It
    may not be a bad idea to do another if the kids get off on the first.

    The banana French toast is absolutely on the agenda, but I probably
    won't use a coupon for that meal.  

    Remember these coupons are prepaid, and are good for anything on the
    menu (except booze).  Lets hear some ideas for meals that I might not
    go for if I were paying cash.  In other words, if you could have a free
    lunch anywhere in the World, (with the restrictions mentioned in 39.68),
    where would it be?

    Len,
        For a good "free" lunch outside of the parks I would go for;
    
    1) The restaurant at the Disney Inn, nice atmosphere, good food.
    
    2) I am not sure of the rest- name but it has already been mentioned
       here it is at the Floridian the name starts with an "N". It is
    located on the left most section of the hotel grounds near the launch
    to the MK dock. It has a great view of 7 seas lagoon, and good food.

    3) If pleasure island is included as an option you might try the
     Portobello Yacth club, which is directly opposite the Empress lilly.
     They have a great menu if you like unique northern Italian, my
     wife went crazy for the lobster stuffed ravioli.
    
    4) Crockets tavern at Fort wilderness serves up a good lunch, nothing
       extra special so you might want to use this only if you are at
     the brink of starvation.
    
    5) The Empress lilly, the atmosphere is a little stuffy but the
     food is usually good.
    
    
                                 Thats all folks...
    
                                                      -Rob
    
    

    Len,
    
    Here are my picks based overal on value ($/atmosphere/menu).
    
    Resorts
    
        Any of the Character Breakfeast and the Supper Buffets
    
    MK
    
        Crystal Palace and Town Square Cafe
    
    Epcot
    
        The Good  Turn in the Land and Le Cellier in Canada followed by the
        Teppanyanki Dining Rooms in Japan and Germany's Biergarten.
    
    WDW Village
    
        The restauraunt I  used  to  like  is  not  there  anymore (Village
        Restaurant?) it was turn  into  an Art shop back in '87, it used to
        be near the Village Ice Cream Palor toward the Empress Lilly.
    
    Claude

re: .73

    > 2) I am not sure of the rest- name but it has already been
    > mentioned here it is at the Floridian the name starts with an "N". It
    > is located on the left most section of the hotel grounds near the
    > launch to the MK dock. It has a great view of 7 seas lagoon, and good
    > food.

    You are of course referring to Narcoosee.  So far this recommendation
    seems to top the list.  Pat Campbell used one of her coupons there for
    a great lunch worth over $150 for her family.

    > 3) If pleasure island is included as an option you might try the
    > Portobello Yacht club, which is directly opposite the Empress Lilly.
    > They have a great menu if you like unique northern Italian, my wife
    > went crazy for the lobster stuffed ravioli.

    The 1989 package does not include Pleasure Island.  If they have
    updated the deal by the time we get there, it might.  I'm planning a
    dinner at the PYC, and will use one of the Dinner coupons if they
    accept it.  Are any of the Pleasure Island restaurants open for lunch?

    > 5) The Empress Lilly, the atmosphere is a little stuffy but the food
    > is usually good.

    Again, which restaurants here are open for lunch?  We might try the
    Fisherman's Deck or the Steerman's Quarters.

    We just returned two weeks ago from WDW. We ate three of the four
    prepaid breakfast/lunches at Narcousse's in the Grand Floridian. The
    food and service was excellent. The bill each day was in the $125.00
    range(all free) for two adults and one child. They serve Maine lobster
    every day but it is not on the menu so if you like lobster make sure
    you ask if they are serving it. The strange thing about the prepaid
    meals is that they state on the tickets that you cannot order lobster
    at dinner, but we had no problem at lunch time. They serve lunch until
    3:00 p.m., so we would take a break from the parks around 1:30 and the
    lunch was so filling that we never ate dinners(except for the kids).
    
    Kathy

    Re:.75
    
      Len,
           Portobello's is open for lunch, atleast is was in July. Also
      both Fishermans and Steermans on the Empress should be open, they
      were in the summer.
    
                                -rob
    

    	I've had good luck for breakfasts and lunches at the Golf Clubs. I 
    remember one Breakfast at the Club in the Village: Pancakes in Vanilla
    sauce.  Yummm! (Since we were staying in a treehouse and used the free
    golf cart to get over there, maybe I'm a bit prejudiced...) - Chris
     (ps. golf cart free under Gold Key plan)

When we went to WDW last April we stayed at the Hilton Inn Gateway
on rte 192 near the WDW main ramp on rte 4.

Almost across the street was a Bob Evan's restaurant. 
For those that are budget restricted like we were, it is
a very good place to eat (2 adults, 3 kids had light dinner
there for $15.00 total). It has a western motif.

The food was very good and reasonably priced.

    Do the WDW restaurants run a special menu over Christmas, and has
    anyone any recommendations for lunch or dinner on Christmas Day?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike in Warrington, UK <(-: 29 days to go! :-)>

rep to <<< Note 39.80 by WARDER::BATTY "So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish!" >>>
 
>                            -< Christmas Dinner? >-
>    Do the WDW restaurants run a special menu over Christmas, and has
>    anyone any recommendations for lunch or dinner on Christmas Day?
    
    Mike,
    
    Never being  there  during  the  Xhristmas holidays can't say about the
    Menu.
    
    But  my  picks  for  lunch/Dinner  if  I was there would be one of  the
    following;
    
         Top of the World (Contemporary) for brunch or Dinner Show
         Garden Galleria (Disney  Inn) 
         Tangoroa Terrace(Poly) 
         Lake Buena Vista Club (WDW  Village)
    
    I'm  not  familiar with the Grand Floridian (not open last time I went)
    but I  have  eaten  at those mention above, the food is excelent (by my
    standards), atmosphere is pleasant with good views and quiet since not
    to many day visitor  go out of thier way to find these places, make the
    necessaary reservations, pay some of the prices etc.
    
    Claude

    We had a lunch and a dinner at Narcossis (sp) at the Grand
    Floridian and they were both excellent.  We weren't to impressed
    with 1900 Park Ave. for breakfast.

    We have tried the following restaurants:
    
    The Land Grille - We liked our meal and didn't mind the scenery but
        it takes soooo long to complete that revolution!  My kid brothers
        (age 9 and 10) were getting extremely fidgety and so was I.  We
        had one of those gold key cards but didn't eat in any more Epcot
        restaurants that time because the kids couldn't sit still.  We
        opted for the cafeteria style places instead.
    
    The Chinese restaurant - The food was ok but not great I don't know
        what the prices were but I think they were higher than I'd want
        to pay (we had a gold key card).
    
    The take out Chinese restaurant - Terrible food (and that's being
        polite).  We won't eat here again.
    
    The Mexican restaurant - I think the food was ok (I can't remember
        it being bad so it must have been good!) but the atmosphere
        was great!
    
    The outdoor Mexican restaurant - Go for it!  The food is good and
        the view is great.  My daughter loved chasing the birds
        around.  She didn't eat her nachos so I literally handed them
        to the birds.
    
    The Crystal Palace - The food is pretty good but probably too expensive.
        We have eaten here quite often, using the gold key card method.
    	This kind of place is good if you want decent food and are in a
        hurry (or your kids are).
    
    The Plaza Restaurant (not sure of the name) - We love to eat here. We
        usually have to wait a few minutes to get a seat but the milk
        shakes are great!  The meals are good too, we usually get the
        chicken pot pie.
    
    For breakfast we tried the character breakfast at the Polynesian
    and the Tangaroa Terrace - tried the banana French toast for the
    first time.  Boy is that stuff sweet.
    
    When we don't have a gold key card we tend to eat lots of hot dogs
    and other junk food.  This time we tried handwiches and dole whip
    for the first time.  Before you faint... we had tried the
    citrus flavored whip before.
    
    A couple of things to note, when our daughter was 8 months old, none
    of the restaurants had a problem with us feeding her either from our
    plates or from a baby food jar.  I was pleased with this attitude.
    On the down side, we used to get a quick meal at the Terrace Buffeteria
    in the Contemporary.  This has now been converted to what seemed to
    be an expensive sit down restaurant.

     Having just returned from WDW a few comments about the food there....
    
    "The good"
              - Dole Whip (as always)
              - Chocolate flavored yogurt (in tomorrow land, healthy
                choice snack bar)
              - Monti-christo sandwiches
              - the "handwiches" and salads at the "land" pavillion
                food court.
              - Any of WDW's frozen goodies in it's various street carts
              - Popcorn (my kids vote)    
    "The bad"
              - Burgers and dogs at the "american" pavillion cafe type
                resturant.
      
                                      
    "The Ugly"
              - The foot-long hot dogs in MGM.  This was at a street
                cart across the reflecting pool from the Dinosaur ice
                cream stand.  The price was $3.05 per dog.  They were
                NOT hot, the rolls were stale and crumbled when picked
                up which allowed the dog and/or additives to fall out.
                Not an easy thing to eat for a young child.  
                I had wanted the "brown derby" for lunch but my wife
                thought  the dogs would be a better "quick" lunch. 
                Boy was she wrong!!!!!!!                
                WDW should be ashamed of serving such poor quality at
                such a premium price.
                                     

    re: .84
    You're not kidding about those foot long hotdogs!  They are
    really bad.  We felt rotten for the rest of the afternoon
    after eating them.
    
    re: .83
    I forgot to mention the Prime Time Cafe.  We were standing in
    front of this place when we discovered we had committed a major
    Disney sin... we hadn't brought any money with us.  Thinking
    quickly (with my charge card), I snagged a reservation for lunch.
    
    We ordered some sort of club sandwiches, mac and cheese for the
    little one, onion rings and chocolate milk shakes.  The food was
    great and there was more than plenty of it.  I told "mom" I was
    glad she didn't make me eat everything on my plate.  What really
    makes the meal here is the "mom" bit and the decor - it was like
    wandering into my grandmother's kitchen again.  There is also a
    special treat for children.  They are given crayons and a picture
    to color.

    RE: .84

    Where are/who serves the Monte Cristo sandwiches at WDW/Disneyland?


    David.

rep to <<< Note 39.86 by HUB::SEAGLE "Disneyland junkie!" >>>

>    Where are/who serves the Monte Cristo sandwiches at WDW/Disneyland?

    David,
    
    The Town  Square  Cafe in the MK at WDW, not sure if they are available
    at Disneyland in California.
    
    Claude

    ref.   .84   "The Ugly"
    
    But the hot dogs at the New York Cityscape lot tasted just like being
    in the CITY.   Now I have to think if that was good or bad.
    
    We sure found them just when we were the most hungry.

    
    
      As far as I know the *only* sandwich at Disneyland is the Monte
      Cristo.  (Actually, it's the only restaurant/sandwich I go to/
      have).  I don't remember the name of the restaurant, Blue ?.
    
      The restaurant overlooks the beginning of the Pirates ride.  It
      is supposed to be New Orleans style house, I believe, so it 
      probably is located in New Orleans Square.  Except for the noise, 
      this is the most romantic, fantastic restaurant, I never miss it
      when I go.
    
      The fireflies, the moonlight... let me outta here, I gotta go now...
    
      --Sharon

    RE: .89

>     I don't remember the name of the restaurant, Blue ?.

    That would be the Blue Bayou in "Pirates...".  Figures that this is the
    place with the Monte Cristos...in my 30-some-odd trips to Disneyland I
    have *never* eaten here (usually because it is too crowded and now I
    know why!).

    Thanks,
    David.

    Oh yea, we ate at Disneyland restaurant in the "Pirates ..." last
    summer (1988).  As I remember the food was good enough for the
    price, but we sat next to the water and the atmosphere was great. 
    The >1 hr wait was the pits at the time (that was longer than I
    collectively waited for many space mountain trips) but doesn't
    seem to interfere with the memory of a nice romantic dinner.

    mike

        My family just returned from a 9 day trip and we really
        enjoyed dining within WDW.   All of our meals were in WDW as we
        never left the property.

        We expected the fast food restaurants to be less expensive than
        they actually were, and we expected the full service
        restaurants to be more expensive.  Since we ate at a lot of
        full service restaurants, we ended up spending less than we had
        planned on.

        On most nights, we had a babysitter take care of the kids.  We
        were usually up early (about 7:00 AM) and the kids really
        needed to go to bed early.  They are too young to really enjoy
        eating nice meals so we fed them fast food in the early
        evening, put them to bed with an in-room babysitter, and then
        went to the restaurants by ourselves.  It worked out nice and
        allowed my wife and I do have our own vacation.  A couple of
        times we let our oldest daughter (7 years old) come out with
        us and she enjoyed that.  She is an adventurous eater and
        enjoyed trying new things.  We would let her sleep extra late
        the next morning.  

        We ate at all of the EPCOT full service restaurants except for
        China and Living Seas.  We had reservations to eat at the
        later but decide to skip it (we were in the MK at the time).

        Our overall impressions were as follows:

        Breakfast:

           Tangaroa Terrace (Polynesian)- Our absolute favorite.  We
           ate here most mornings.  The Banana stuffed French toast
           was great.  Thick Sourdough bread, stuffed with bananas,
           dipped in egg, fried and rolled in cinnamon and sugar. 
           Very sweet and addicting.  Moderate at about $25 for five.

           Pueblo room (Contemporary) - A close second to Tangaroa
           Terrace.  This restaurant had Blueberry stuffed French
           toast prepared the same as above.  Moderate at about $30
           for five.

           Papeete Bay (Polynesian) - Minnies Menehune character
           breakfast.  The characters were OK, the breakfast was a
           buffet, good, but not great.  Expensive at about $46 for
           2 adults 3 children.

           1900 Park Fare (Grand Floridian) -  Buffet breakfast was
           OK, but not great.  No characters in this restaurant, no
           banana French toast, and  expensive at about $46.00
           for five.  This was our least favorite breakfast.

           Starring Rolls (MGM) -  Coffee, juice, big cinnamon rolls,
           bagels etc.  OK for a quick breakfast.  Inexpensive at
           about $15 for five.

           Tony's Town Square Cafe (Magic Kingdom).  OK, moderately
           priced but not memorable.


        Lunch:

           Rose and Crown (UK - EPCOT) -  I especially enjoyed the pub.  It
           really reminded me of some of the UK Pubs that I visited,
           except the beer was cold.  I had read that the beer was
           available both warm or cold but they must have changed
           recently. I had fish an chips and my wife had a fruit plate
           with Stilton cheese.  Both were good.

           Prime Time Cafe (MGM) - This was great.  My wife and I were
           in shock,  it made us feel like kids again.   The
           atmosphere is great.  Totally 50's.  Many of the
           decorations brought back memories.  I was a bit
           disappointed that the aluminum Christmas tree didn't have
           a revolving color wheel. Still I strongly recommend going
           if you lived in the 50's.  I had the chicken pot pie which
           was good.

           Akershus (Norway - EPCOT) - Our favorite lunch.  I
           generally do not like buffets at all, but this was
           exceptional.  Strongly recommended.

           Diamond Horseshoe Jamboree (Magic Kingdom)- Excellent show,
           cheap food.  Highly recommended.  Make reservations first
           thing (early) in the morning.  They will also assign seats
           when taking reservations.  Ask for a front center seat.

           Coral Island Cafe (Polynesian) -  The food was Ok but not
           memorable.

           The rest of the time we ate fast food (Monte Christos, PB&J
           sandwiches, salads etc). 


        Dinner:

           Teppanyaki (Japan) -  Nice.  Similar to the
           Benihana chain of Japanese restaurants.  We had a nice meal. 
           All five of us went and the kids were really tired from the
           flight down.  The people were very good about keeping the
           children entertained.

           Alfredo's (Italy) - My wife and I had a very enjoyable
           dinner.   We each had the special which included any pasta
           and any veal entree.  The addition of an excellent bottle
           of wine made this a great evening.

           Hoop-de-do review - This was OK, but I was expecting more. 
           I will say more in the dinner show note.

           El Marrakesh (Morocco) -  This was our favorite dinner in
           the World Showcase.   We ordered their dinner for two
           (about $44) which included everything except alcohol.  The
           atmosphere and food were wonderful.  Highly recommended.

           San Angel Inn (Mexico) -  We asked for a table by the water
           and we got one without any wait.  In fact, I think they
           bumped us ahead of others who had arrived earlier because
           we had specifically asked.  The atmosphere is romantic, a
           bit phony, but still nice.   My wife's entree was
           excellent (Cochinita Pibli) but I did not really enjoy mine
           (Mole Pablano).   The chocolate sauce was too overpowering
           for the meat in my opinion.  It wasn't terrible, and I ate
           most of my entree.   I will go back again but will try
           something different next time.  We had a nice time
           regardless. This night we had Dos Equis beer instead of
           wine with dinner.

           Les Chefs de France - This was my wife's least favorite
           dinner.  I wasn't very hungry so I didn't finish my entree
           and we didn't order dessert.  I think the problem was us,
           not the restaurant.  Next time we try France, I hope we are
           in a better mood for a good meal.

           Biergarten (Germany) - We had a front row table which was
           nice.  This was by accident but next time we go we will
           request one.  We brought my oldest daughter with us
           and we had a great time.  The atmosphere is that of
           Octoberfest and they serve full liter steins of beer.  I
           chickened out and ordered a half liter stein (twice).

           Land Grill (EPCOT) -  This was one of the nicest meals we
           had while on the vacation.   We requested a lower tier
           table (as per advice from this conference).   The five of
           us ate here and enjoyed dinner very much.  Highly
           recommended.  They had delicious specialty drinks here. 
           One had vanilla ice cream and peach, the other had banana
           and orange.  We usually do not go for these types of drinks
           but these were delicious.


        I hope this helps those of you planning a vacation.  Enjoy!

        /Jim Pappas
    

    I've heard good things about a place called the "Olive Garden" in
    Orlando.
    
    Any comments?
    
                                         cj *->

    
    There are three or four Olive Garden restaurants around the WDW area (I
    know of one right next to International Drive and one on Rt. 192 in
    Kissimmee).  They have Italian food, but I can't comment on that, as I
    have never had it.  But they do offer a rather extensive
    all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at a very reasonable price.  We
    usually go there on days when we go to Wet'n Wild and we enjoy it very
    much.  But as a result, we usually have to wait to go swimming because
    we are so full.
    
    --Jay
    

    The Olive Garden is an "upscale" Italian food restaurant chain.  I've
    eaten at various ones in Florida.  The prices were very reasonable and
    the food was good.  The pasta is made fresh at each site.  You can
    view this if you like.  I believe salad and fresh baked bread sticks,
    both "all-you-can-eat", are complimentary with all meals.
    
    Hope this helps.....
    
    Tony
    

>      <<< Note 39.93 by AKOV12::CJACQUES "Everything's coming up roses" >>>
>
>    I've heard good things about a place called the "Olive Garden" in
>    Orlando.
    
    There is an Olive Garden located at Church Street Station in Orlando. 
    As I highly recommend visiting Church Street Station one evening, you
    may wish to start things off by dining there...
    
    -Andy

The Olive Garden is an Italian rest. where they make and sell all 
their own pasta etc. We've eaten there once and it was very good food
and nice atmosphere.

    Some of you who aren't from the South might find this a humorous
    question, but it is surprisingly important to me...
    
    Does anyone know if the restaurants in MK/EPCOT/MGM serve sweetened
    iced tea?

    I'm not 100% positive, but I believe they serve it unsweetened.  I ate
    at the Land in Epcot in February and I seem to recall trying to stir
    my tea with a drinking straw.  No iced tea spoons . . . . 
    
    Maryann
    

    In March I got an iced tea in the area near Space Mountain, and it was
    definitely unsweetened - which is the way I like it!  --Susan

    
    Rest assured, in the perfect World the sugar's in the packets and
    the tea is in the glass. (And iced tea is available ALL YEAR 'ROUND.)
    Ah, the pleasures of perfection....

    Thanks for the replies, looks like the tea's unsweetened.
    
    This is actually a disappointment to me. Having grown up in the South
    and lived there until a move to Colorado 3 years ago, I was hoping that
    the iced tea there *would* be sweetened.

    I just called "Dining around the world" to be certain that as an annual
    passport holder, that I could make dinner reservations in advance of
    arriving.  The receptionist said that you could make reservations up to
    3 days in advance.  It used to be 1 or 2 days only.  I asked if this
    was the same as on-site guests and she said yes.
    
    So,  It looks like you can now make your reservations up to 3 days in
    advance.
    
    /Jim Pappas
    

    That's really wierd!  I called this week-end and asked the same
    question and was told that holding an annual passport made no
    difference.  I still had to be staying at a Disney property in order to
    make reservations BEFORE the day of dining!!!
    
    Wonder if time of year makes a difference!!!  We're going the end of
    June (18 days, 22 hours and 10 minutes to be exact!!!)
    
    Maryann
    

    
    re: .104
    
    Annual passport holders definitely have the same
    Dining-Around-The-World privileges as resort guests.  In fact, just
    about the only thing that a resort guest can do that an annual passport
    holder can't do is charge to their room.
    
    --Jay
    

    We leave in a couple of weeks (tick tick tick) and my wife has said
    that she'd like to eat in one of the restaurants on board the Empress
    Lily.  The Empress Room is probably way out of our budget, but I was
    wondering what you folks could tell me about the other two restaurants,
    the Steerman's Quarters and the Fisherman's Deck.
    
    I'm interested in things like average cost for a meal for two,
    reservation policy, dress code (if any), atmosphere, view, and most
    importantly, quality of the food.
    
    Thanks in advance,
    - Skip

You're probably talking about dinner but...

The only meal we've taken on the Empress is the Character breakfast.

We (2 adults, 2kids) found the food quality was very good, and there was
plenty of it, seconds were offered. I forgot the room we were in but 
it was elegent, victorian type of decor, very nice with views over the water.
Service was excellent. I believe the cost for all of us was about $50 incl
tip.

Of course you are also paying for the show put on by the various
characters, very funny. The kids liked seeing the adults roughed up
by Goofy and Pluto.

We really enjoyed it.

Doug

    
    The Steerman's Quarters was good, all in all.  I remember having
    long waits usually, and I also remember some conlficting stories about
    whether you could get reservations or not (some people said yes, others
    no, we never made any - waited about � hour, but it was nice walking
    around the boat).
    
    The food was nice - beef, lobster, other specials, fairly expensive,
    but no more than other sit-down places at WDW.  There are some seats
    that aren't very good (too close to others), and the atmosphere is
    open, big, and talkative.  Service was great.
    
    SEAN/BEER=LABATTS

    Keep in mind that most resturants have their menu posted outside,
    allowing you to determine if the menu suits your taste and pocketbook. 
    If there is not one posted, asking to see a menu isn't that difficult. 
    If something doesn't suit you it's easy enough to leave.
    
    The *DRESS* at the Empress Lily was coat and tie the last I was there. 
    We were o one of the vacation plans so the $500.00 bill for 4 of us
    didn't feel bad.  Love that one stop/one price shopping.  We literaly had
    *EVERYTHING* from soups to nuts.

    Hi all !
    
    I'm still very curious about Victoria and Albert's.  From the bits
    and pieces I've been able to stick together from this notes file, 
    I've come to the conclusion that
    
    1) It's rather expensive ... a set $75.00 per person.  An early reply
       to this note mentions that this includes an open bar (for normal
       drinks and wine).  Is this still true ?  I've also seen somewhere
       that this price does not include dessert.  Am I right ?  
    
    2) It's a nice relaxed, intimate atmosphere seating only about 50-70
       people at a time.  Expect to spend 2->2-1/2 hours for this dinner. 
    
    3) The service is very good.
    
    From those of you out there that have been to this restaurant, would
    you go again on your next trip ?  Is the expensive price worth it ?
    My husband and I are going down in September of this year and like to 
    go out for at least one very nice/splurge dinner during vacation.  There 
    are a number of choices in WDW and we're trying to decide where to go.  
    I've heard that the Empress Lily is also very good. How does Victoria 
    and Albert's compare ?  Input, input ... need more input.
    
    Diane
                                                            

    Well, my wife and I have been to both the Empress Room and Victoria
    and Albert's, and both times were memorable. The service was excellent
    in both restaurants, and both places were on the expensive side,
    with V & A's being the most expensive, I think. The food is gourmet-ish
    in both places, and the atmosphere is either restaurant is superb.
    You may also want to check into Les Chefs d'France in EPCOT, if
    you prefer French food. The EMPRESS ROOM usually had Cajun specialties
    from what I remember. 
    
    	One nice touch in V & A's was the Harpist playing in the waiting
    area by the fireplace, a real classy touch. Oh yea, just to let
    you know, that ALL the waiters and waitresses in V & A's are named
    Victoria and Albert!
    
    	If I had my choice, I'd choose both on separate nights!!!!
    
    	Enjoy.

    Both Victoria and Albert's and the Empress Room are very good and
    only seat a small number (20 tables max). Both serve  gourmet food
    with people standing discreetly nearby watching in case you take a
    sip of your water glass. The Harp in waiting room is a nice touch
    at V&As.  Some drinks are not included in V&A price, and it is a
    little more expensive than ER. 

Empress Room $128.67 ****
    crepe, shrimp & crabmeat
    pete-veal/pork
    salad 
    lamb chops
    peppered beef 
    souffle (2)
    soft drinks,coffee,tea
    at the table preparation of both the salad and entree
    "fixing" coffee (what does this mean?)
    tea selection
    chef walked the room and stopped to discuss the meal
    rose for the lady

Victoria & Albert's $181.50  *****
    (lost the meal contents)
    rose for the lady

    My wife rated V&A 5 stars and ER 4 at the time.

    mike

    Has anyone ever eatten at Caruso's Palace on International Drive.  I
    just got a booklet from AAA on it and it sounds good but.......
    
    

re: -1

We went to Caruso's the first week in July.  It was great.  It's a beautiful
restaurant, the entire place is circular, with tiers that descend into the 
center of the restaurant where there is a piano and a woman singing.  (Also
some other people playing various other instruments now and then.)   They
have booths and tables on each tier, and the booths face the center (of course)
There's alot of marble and statues for decor...

The whole deal is that you get a 4 course meal, but the price is associated
with the entree only.  I almost panicked when I looked at my menu and didn't
see any prices, I thought it was one of those places that only give the
prices to the GUY!  But I just hadn't gotten to the entree page yet.

You get antipasto PLUS: a choice of soup or salad (a few of each to choose 
from), a choice of a pasta dish (I think this was my favorite course) and this
wasn't just ziti and tomato sauce, things like lobster, pasta primavera, don't
remember any others...,  choice of entree (which comes w/ potato and veg), and 
then choice of dessert.  The entrees ranged from about $20 to $35.  Steaks, 
seafood, vegetable lasagne, lamb, etc. I had the swordfish and my boyfriend 
had the lamb.  We both enjoyed our meals.

The entertainment (woman singing plus other instrument players) eventually
walked around the restaurant and sang to some of the tables.   Rose for the
lady.  Valet parking (didn't bother w/ this)

Again, I liked this place!
-c.

        "Dining Around the World" has definitely changed to a 3 day
        advance reservation policy (previously 2 days).  You can use
        this if you are a WDW resort guest, or if you have an annual
        passport.   The telephone numbers are different; 828-4000 for
        resort guests, 824-3400 for annual passport holders.

        On our first day, I called to make a next day lunch
        reservation at the 50's prime time cafe.  All that was
        available was a table at 4:30 (a tad late for lunch).  At that
        point I realized that we really needed to make reservations 3
        days in advance if we wanted to be assured of getting the
        restaurant and time desired.

        I kept an itinerary in a notebook with entries for daily
        restaurant reservations.   Each day, I would determine our
        itinerary three days out and call for reservations. A couple
        of times, if we were not too sure what we wanted to do 3 days
        later, I would book reservations at more than one place (ie,
        Brown Derby @ MGM and King Stephans @ MK).  I would then
        cancel one of the reservations once our plans became firm.    

        You can make lunch or dinner reservations for most full
        service restaurants in EPCOT, MK, or MGM.   "Dining around the
        world" only gets a portion of the available tables to reserve
        in advance.  This enables day guests to make same day
        reservations as part of their morning rush.

        /Jim Pappas
    

        We have made 2 trips to WDW now.  The first, in Nov/Dec '89
        was a no-holds-barred vacation.  For our second trip, this
        June/July, we tried to economize a little bit since we were
        there for a much longer stay.  There are five of us in our
        family (3 kids ages 4,6,8).

        The most significant cost savings on this recent trip was to
        eat breakfast in our condo or hotel room most mornings.  This
        was nothing fancy, just cereal w/milk and juice boxes.  We
        only ate out 3 mornings (in 3 weeks). This also was faster
        than going to a restaurant.  On our first trip, we averaged
        spending $29/day eating breakfast at WDW so this was quite a
        savings.

        We still ate most lunches and all dinners at sit down
        restaurants.  We enjoy this MUCH more than the fast food
        places.  It gives us a chance to relax, and since kids meals
        are extremely inexpensive in WDW we find them to be a good
        value.

        For the most part, we ate in WDW but we did leave for some
        meals, especially the first week when we were staying at the
        condo off property.  We found the WDW restaurants to be much
        better overall; the rest of the places seemed too ordinary.
        The only off-site restaurant we really liked was the Hard Rock
        Cafe.

        Many of the restaurants are much less expensive for lunch than
        they are for dinner, while others are about the same price for
        either meal.  We took advantage of this by eating at the
        cheaper places for lunch.  For example, Japan entrees range
        $7-$11 for lunch and $12-$25 for dinner, even though the two
        meals are very similar.  In contrast, Italy's prices are more
        constant at $9-$19 for lunch and $11-$20 for dinner. 
        Therefore, we think that Italy is a better candidate for a
        dinner meal.  Some restaurants such as the Land Grille, Canada,
        and the 50's Prime Time Cafe have the same menu for lunch and
        dinner.  We ended up eating at those places for dinner.

        The following are the entree price ranges for each restaurant
        extracted from "The Unofficial Guide to WDW".

        Restaurant		Lunch		Dinner		

        EPCOT:
        Canada			$ 7-14		$ 7-14
        Rose and Crown (UK)	$ 7- 9		$10-18
        Les Chefs de France     $ 7-14		$14-19
        Le Bistro do Paris	$10-15		$16-23
        El Marrakesh (Morocco)	$ 8-13		$ 9-22
        Mitsukoshi (Japan)	$ 7-11		$12-25
        Alfredo do Roma (Italy)	$ 9-19		$11-20
        Nine Dragons (China)	$ 8-13		$ 9-23
        Biergarten (Germany)	$ 7- 9		$11-18
        San Angel Inn (Mexico)	$ 7-13		$10-20
        Akershus (Norway)	$ 6-10		$10-15
        Land Grille		$ 7-20		$ 7-20
        Coral Reef		$ 9-23		$16-30

        MGM:
        Hollywood Brown Derby	$ 7-14		$11-20
        50's Prime Time Cafe	$ 6-15		$ 6-15
    

        On our most recent trip to WDW (6/22-7/5), we visited several
        additional WDW restaurants.  This is an update to my last
        report (note 39.92) in December 89.

        Fisherman's Deck (Empress Lily Riverboat) -  My wife Debbie
        and I ate dinner here without the kids.  We each had the
        seafood combo which was excellent.  We were not planning to go
        here but got hungry while at Pleasure Island on our first
        night @WDW.  We went in at 10:00 just as they were admitting
        the last customers for the night.  We turned to leave and the
        restaurant manager came over and ensured us that we could stay
        and that we would not feel rushed.  Everything about the
        restaurant was superb and was an excellent way to start a
        vacation.  This was my favorite meal.

        Diamond Horseshoe Review (MK) - The meal here only consists of
        cold sandwiches but the show is a lot of fun.  This is a "must
        see" attraction.  Make your reservations as soon as the MK
        opens in the morning.  Request a front center seat.

        Rose and Crown (UK) -  We like this restaurant for lunch. I
        especially like having a pint of English ale with my meal.

        Biergarten (Germany) - Six of us went there for dinner and had
        a great time.  The dinner show is much better than the one at
        lunch according to a Biergarten employee.  We requested a
        front row table and were seated without a wait.  The food is
        OK, and the entertainment makes the place a lot of fun.

        Golden Train (outside of WDW on 192) - Average Chinese
        restaurant.  I can't remember more.  Went here one night when
        we were at the condo and didn't want to drive back to WDW.

        Mitsukoshi (Japan) - We went here for lunch twice; once to the
        Teppanyaki dining room and once to the tempura bar.  We
        enjoyed both but liked the Teppanyaki better since it is more
        entertaining, especially for the kids.  This was probably
        their favorite place for lunch.

        Streets of London (outside of WDW in Old Town) - Not
        memorable.  Go the Rose and Crown instead.

        Aunt Polly's (Tom Sawyer Island - MK).  This is a great place
        for a cheap lunch.  They have PB&J sandwiches for $1.  We like
        to sit on the porch and watch the riverboat go by while the
        kids explore a little of the island on their own.

        Portobello Yacht Club (Pleasure Island) -  Debbie and I
        brought our oldest daughter (Jennifer) here the night the
        three of us went to Pleasure Island. We really liked this
        restaurant.  Jennifer liked her small pizza with a very thin
        and crispy crust.  I had pasta with seafood (mussels, lobster
        shrimp etc), Debbie had a seafood brochette.  Both were
        excellent.

        Les Chefs de France - We went here for dinner twice, once was 
        just my wife and I having a night out by ourselves.  The
        second time all five of us went.  We were a little nervous
        bringing the kids here but they were good and we had a nice
        time.  The food is excellent especially the peach crepe for
        dessert.

        Brown Derby (MGM) - The five of us went here for lunch. 
        Gregory (our youngest) loved his triple decker PB&J sandwich
        w/ fluff. I had a Cobb salad for the first time.  It was
        really good.  This is the MGM flagship restaurant but is
        fairly inexpensive for lunch.  We spent less than $35.00 for
        the five of us including tip; this is less than we spent for
        lunch at the 50's Prime Time Cafe last year.

        Land Grille (EPCOT) - This is a revolving restaurant which
        overlooks the "Listen to the Land" ride down below. The five
        of us had dinner here and the food was very well prepared.  Be
        sure to request a lower tier table since they face outward
        overlooking the scenes below.  The upper tier tables face the
        center of restaurant.

        Hoop de do Review - See note 116.46

        San Angel Inn (Mexico) - My wife and I had another one of our
        "kid-free" evenings here.  We requested a waterfront table and
        had to wait about an extra 10 minutes before one became
        available.  We didn't mind, we just had a margarita while
        waiting.  I have heard complaints that this restaurant is too
        crowded because they jam in too many tables.  A waterfront
        table helps to alleviate that feeling since you are not in the
        middle.   I had a filet mignon prepared Mexican style.  Our
        waiter insisted this was the best meal on the menu.  It was
        excellent,  much better than the Mole Pablano I had last year.

        Columbia House (MK) - A fast food restaurant which I think is
        a cut above some others.  We went here for lunch one day to
        get the Monte Cristo sandwiches.

        Polynesian Review - See note 116.47

        El Marrakesh (Morocco) -  This is Debbie's favorite
        restaurant; we went twice on this vacation.  First, all five
        of us went for lunch; the other time my wife and I had another
        "kid-free" evening.  The appeal to us is a combination of
        unique food and outstanding atmosphere.  When we went for
        dinner, we had their dinner for two which includes everything
        except alcohol.  We really liked finishing the meal with a
        glass of mint tea.

        Le Cellier (Canada) - All five of us went here for an early
        dinner one day (4:00 or 4:30) and we had the restaurant to
        ourselves.  It is a cafeteria and the food is better than the
        fast food places, but not as nice as most sit down restaurants
        in WDW.

        King Stefan's Banquet hall (MK) -  This is in Cinderella's
        castle.  It was OK, but was not one of our favorite meals. We
        can't even remember what we had.

        50's Prime Time Cafe (MGM) - Highly recommended, more for the
        atmosphere than the food (which by itself is OK).  The five of
        us had dinner here.  Side note:  During dinner we heard what
        sounded like a powerful thunderstorm outside.  We were a
        little worried since we did not bring our umbrellas.  Our
        waiter told us it was not a thunderstorm.  He said "dad" was
        really upset at those new noisy next door neighbors.  We
        looked perplexed and he said, "You know, the Jones' from
        Indiana".

        Red Lobster - (Crossroads outside of WDW) - The same as any
        other Red Lobster in the world.

        Fireworks Factory (Pleasure Island) -  Debbie and I had dinner
        here (no kids) when the two of us were at Pleasure Island one
        night. The menu consists of excellent barbequed ribs, chicken
        etc.  The restaurant was nice, but we would recommend the
        Portobello Yacht Club or the Fisherman's Deck next door over
        the Fireworks Factory.

        Hard Rock Cafe (Universal Studios) - We wanted to take the
        kids here because they have never been to a HRC before.  It
        was a lot of fun, with lots of rock & roll memorabilia
        everywhere.  We only had burgers and such, and we probably
        spent more on T shirts than we spent on food.

        TGI Fridays (Crossroads outside of WDW) -  The same as any
        other TGIF.  Debbie now has a set of those red/white stripped
        TGIF sunglasses.

        Papeete Bay (Polynesian) - We went here on the 4th of July. 
        This restaurant is the nicest at the Poly and they were
        advertising "kids eat free". Everything was excellent,
        starting with the coconut rolls.  The service was impeccable.
        
        /Jim Pappas
    

We arrived a little early for our lunch reservations, but fortunately didn't
have to wait too long.  The design of the restaurant makes it seem very cramped;
don't eat here if you're claustrophobic.  We got a corner table, which made 
watching TV a little awkward, but possible.  There is a common theme in all of
the clips they show on the TV; it shouldn't take you too long to figure it out.
The TV's are actually color TV's, rigged to look like old B&W sets with the
rounded screen corners.

For lunch, I had the Chicken Pot Pie, which was probably the best choice of the
three of us, although I found it a little too rich.  Bob had Dad's Chili, which
he reported was less spicy than the chili at ZKO, but not bland either.  We've
rated both the chili and the pot pie very good.  My mother ordered the turkey
burger, as did Bob.  This didn't agree with either of them.  We don't know
whether it was a bad batch, or just a bad choice.  Bob had the Peanut Butter
and Jelly Milkshake, which is much better than it sounds.  

My rating is that it's worth the experience, and I'd certainly go back there
if I were planning on eating at MGM, but it isn't near the top of my list for
WDW restaurants overall.

   Gary

    Could some of you tell me please for which restaurants (bf/l/d)
    I will have to make reservations in advance? I knew it has to be
    done for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Show, so I did two weeks ago - and was
    glad to get something! Can you imagine, they had only two dates
    available for our 10 days in October ....
    
    Are reservations only necessary for shows or for all restaurants
    in WDW? What about inside the parks?
    
    Thanks for the info!
    
    Billie

    I'm sure I'll miss a few but here's some info...
    
    
    In the Magic Kingdom you will need to make reservations for King
    Stefan's Banquet Hall and Diamond Horseshoe Revue.
    
    For EPCOT you should (sometimes you can walk right in) consider
    reservations for all sit down restaurants in World Showcase and in
    Future World.
    
    In MGM the same goes for Brown Derby and Prime Time Cafe...don't recall
    others offhand (don't have The Bible with me).
    
    All character breakfasts and dinner shows at the hotels also should be 
    reserved in advance.
    
    Did I miss anything?
    
    Mike

    Mike, do you mean I should do it now for October or can I do it
    when I go there (1 or two days in advance)?
    
    
    ????
    Billie

    Dinner shows and some character breakfasts can be reserved far in
    advance.  How far depends on where you are staying.  Resort Guests� can
    reserve when they book their rooms,  Hotel Plaza guests can typically
    reserve 45 days in advance, when they have reserved through the CRO�. 
    Other guests can reserve 30 days in advance.

    Resort & Hotel Plaza guests can also reserve tables at most sit-down
    restaurants 1 or 2 days in advance by calling Dining Around the World
    between noon and 9 P.M. (see note 179.7 for the phone numbers.)  Other
    guests may make only same day reservations.

    The Birnbaum Guidebook has a table that lists who can make reservations
    where and when, along with the phone numbers.
    --------
    � See glossary, note 89.*

    Billie,
    
    I just happen to have my WDW Resort Vacation Handbook here with me. 
    All Epcot, MK and MGM restaurants need to have reservations made on
    same day that you are planning to dine. If you happen to be staying on
    WDW property, however, you may make reservations at least 1 day in
    advance and up to 2 days in advance (I think I heard that 2 days has
    recently been changed to 3 days but I'm not positive).  To do this,
    call 828-4000 between 12 noon and 9pm.  Dinner shows can be reserved up
    to 30 days in advance (45 days for on-site guests).  Also, the
    character breakfasts are 30 days.  
    
    What I'm not sure about and would be very interested in finding out is
    how far in advance reservations can be made for the resort restaurants
    ... Papeetee Bay Verandah, Victoria & Albert's etc. ... and also for
    the Sunday Brunch at the top of the Contemporary.
    
    Diane
    

    Billie,
    
    If you are an early bird at the parks you shouldn't have any trouble
    getting dinner reservations for that day/evening. Just be sure to to it
    before you get into anything else.
    
    Here's a question. Has anyone who has stayed on property ever made
    reservations IN PERSON a day or two in advance?
    
    That is, can I pop into EPCOT and tell the person on the monitor that I
    want reservations in Morroco for tomorrow? Of course I would need to be
    an on the property guest.
    
    This information could be helpful to Billie and others going soon.
    
    Mike

    re: .124

�   Here's a question. Has anyone who has stayed on property ever made
�   reservations IN PERSON a day or two in advance?

    I don't think their system is that sophisticated.  You must call DAtW
    for reservations 1,2, or 3(?) days in advance, and use World Key or
    show up in person for same day reservations.  The systems are mutually
    exclusive.

    Note: This applies to Epcot restaurants only.  The Resorts may have a
    different method.

    re: .124
    
    We were resort guests and reserved at Germany 2 days in advance.  When
    we showed up for our reservation, somehow it wasn't recorded.  When we
    explained to the restaurant that we had reserved 2 days prior, they 
    didn't even KNOW you could do that.  Gave us a real suspicious look and
    said something along the lines that 'same day World Key was the only
    way to get reservations...'.  They did get us in but this makes me
    believe that the restaurants have no means of taking any advance
    reservations...
    

    re .123
    
    Diane, I called the "Victoria & Albert's" to make a resevation 4
    weeks ago but was told that I have to call again exactly 30 days
    prior to the day I'd need the reservation, i.e. for October 10 I
    should call September 10.
    
    I guess my main problem will be day first (Oct. 8) as we will arrive
    on Oct. 7 somewhen around midnight and maybe won't be up the next
    day that early to make reservations for the same day. 
    [Remember, its our honeymoon, too ;) ]  So, I think I should make 
    reservations for this first day, shan't I?
    
    Well, I hope I will receive my Birnbaum Guide soon, although this
    file is real great help!                           
    
    Greetings from sunny Vienna to everybody,
    Billie

        Thanks for the response, Billie !
    
        When I called to make reservations, I also inquired about the other
        restaurants in the resort hotels and the Sunday Brunch at the
        Contemporary.  The person I spoke with told me that any time up 
        to 30 days in advance is fine.
    
        Diane

    {from: Central Florida Business, Week of Aug. 6-12, a supplement to the
    The Orlando Sentinel.  Courtesy of Bill Morrison}

    SKIPPING MEALS.  Top of the World, the restaurant atop Walt Disney
    World's Contemporary Resort hotel, soon will stop serving breakfast and
    lunch and, instead, concentrate on dinner.  The reason: Slow business
    in the early part of the day, employees say.  Disney is mum on its
    plans.  The restaurant has long been a favorite because of its fine
    dining.

    Here is a situation that I am putting myself in... and I need some
    advice.
    
    I am heading down to WDW in May with my wife ( aw geeez Don't you just
    hate when that happens)  Anyways We are looking at the Caribean Magic
    Plan which includes 1 dinner.  Now the question?  My wife and I would
    like to go out for a really unforgetable steak dinner, money is no
    object, since MICKEY is paying.  Where do we go, and what is usually
    inluded in the supper.
    
    We went 2 years ago but stayed out of the expensive restaurants (we
    were a happy but poor couple back then ;-).  Any feedback greatly
    appreciated.
    
    BTW are the restaurants going to be busy for the first two weeks in
    MAY.
    
    Regards,
    JP

    
    Steak Dinner:  Steerman's Quarters (Empress Lilly) - known for steaks,
                        fun time, fairly crowded and bustling
                   Garden Gallery (Disney Inn) - great food from an
                        unknown place, nice setting, choose-your-own-size 
                        steaks
    
                   possibly Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian) - yards of beer

    More Steaks:

    Narcoosee's at the GF has a great looking T-bone on the menu (~$19.00). 
    I had Surf & Turf which was the special last Friday lunch time which
    included � 2+lb. lobster plus an excellent fillet mignon (39.95).

    The best beef menu I saw was at the Yachtman's Steakhouse at the new
    Yacht Club Resort.  Lots of steaks and chops.  I wanted to go there for
    lunch but my wife had her sights set on the buffet at the Cape May Cafe
    at the Beach Club.  We should have done the steak house, and got more
    ($$) for our coupons.

    Thanks for the last couple of suggestions, however it now looks like I
    won't be getting the package deal because there no longer is a
    Carribean Magic Package.  There is however a new package which is the
    Vacation Kingdom Holiday package which now includes the Carribean 
    Beach hotel,in this package you get 2 dinners, 1 breakfast and the
    early-bird character breakfast.  This package however is very expensive
    and would not be of value to me and my wife.  We will probably still
    check out the Yachtman's Steakhouse though.
    
    Regards,
    JP

    Has anyone ever eaten at Arthur's 27 on the top floor of the Buena
    Vista Palace Hotel.  I've heard good things about it and would like to
    consider it for a nice meal outside of the Magic Kingdom/Epcot/MGM
    routine.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bob

    What is the dress code in the restaurants that are part of Epcot
    for dinner and what is price range.  I've heard that these restaurants
    are quite nice and on the expensive side.  If you had to chose only
    one, which one would it be?
    
    As I'm leaving for Florida on Saturday, a quick repsonse would be
    greatly appreciated.
    
    Thanks!
    

Dress code is the same as the rest of the park:  shoes and shirt required.

Having said that, I must admit to having felt a little underdressed when I wore
a slit-side shirt to Alfredo's for dinner on my last visit.  But it was our last
day, hot enough to justify the shirt, and I wasn't about to get the luggage out
of the car just to change shirts.  Shorts are just fine.  You can expect to
see some people dressed up, and many will be dressed for evening weather instead
of daytime weather (i. e., in August, they'll still be in shorts, but in May,
many will have changed to long pants).

Prices vary from restaurant to restaurant.  I'd guess $10-$15 is the norm, but
some average higher.  If I had to choose, I'd narrow my choices down to Norway,
Mexico, France, Morocco, and maybe Germany.  You can get better Chinese, 
Japanese, and Italian food in New England, so no point in bothering with them.
(Better French food too, but you have to pay more for it.)  The restaurant at
the Mexico pavillion is surprisingly authentic.

   Gary

    Gary has pretty much explained the dress code.  The only restaurants at
    WDW that require jacket and tie type attire are Victoria and Alberts at
    the Grand Floridian,  The Empress Room on the Empress Lilly, and
    perhaps the Broadway at the Top dinner show at the Contemporary (I
    think that this show is now defunct so it doesn't matter anyway).

    As for where you eat it is largely a matter of taste.  I agree that you
    can get better Chinese food in New England.  The Italian at Alfredo's
    is very good even by North End standards.  I haven't eaten in the
    "Bennihana" type dining room at Japan, but the tempura in the Tempura
    Kiku is better than I've had anywhere.

    Also don't forget the table service restaurants in Future World.  This
    conference gets good reviews about the Land Grille Room in The Land and
    the Coral Reef Restaurant in the Living Seas.

    And a few steps from EPCOT's back door in Disney's Beach Club is the
    Cape May Cafe, where they have a nightly clambake, and Ariel's.  Next
    door at the Yacht Club is the Yachtman's Steakhouse.

    Makes it hard to chose, huh?

I don't recall whether I did my somewhat negative review of the Coral
Reef at the Living Seas pavillion, but our conclusion was that while
the food was good, it was vastly overpriced.  It's real easy to get
good seafood in Florida without
paying exorbitant prices.  Even if the prices were reasonable, I'd
rather reserve my Epcot dining experiences for food that isn't so
easily available outside the park.

   Gary

    The last time that I ate at the Biergarten in the Germany pavillion, it
    was outstanding, and very authentic.  Several of the dishes, most
    notably the goulash and the cucumber salad, have significant Hungarian
    influence, and were wonderful.  I couldn't help but notice that most
    people seemed to get the dishes that were more familiar to most
    Americans, but that didn't let them try some of the better alternatives
    (like ordering a regular green salad instead of the "gerkin salat".
    It is also one of the few restaurants in EPCOT where you can get a
    great free show during the meal (as well as 33oz steins of Beck's Dark).
    
    I'll be there with my family this coming Saturday night!
                                                                           
    Cheers,
    Ken

    The German restraunt did indeed have German food and German
    personal serving us.  We ordered and talked to the Waiters in German.
    As to the floor show, it was a more romantic view of the Germany we
    read about in the past, not a reflection of modern day Germany.
    Beer was very good also.  Price, expensive.  But it was the best place
    at EPCOT to eat.
    ed
    

    Anyone been down recently who has tried out that new Sci-Fi restaurant
    in MGM?
    
    I understand you dine inside of a convertible and some of the
    waitresses/servers are on roller skates.
    
    Mike

    Mike, it wasn't open when I was there in April. I can't recall the
    date it is supposed to open.
    
    Ron

    I've just returned last Friday, it's not open yet.  I'll hopefully have
    a trip report in this week....
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    [from USENET rec.arts.disney]

From: [email protected] (Chris Allison)
Subject: SCI-FI drive in restaurant
Date: 21 May 91 14:01:31 GMT
Organization: Miami University - Academic Computer Service
 
 
     This is an interesting place to eat.  The set is a drive in theater just
after dark.  You sit in a model car that seats four, two each in the front and
back seats.  A table ledge is attached to the back of the front seat and also
replaces the dash.  The license plates say '55.  Free popcorn is served shortly
after you sit down.  The drive in theater plays 50's monster movie preview
clips and news shorts. Waiters and waitresses some on foot and some on roller
skates serve the cars.  The food comes from an area made up to look like a
drive-in popcorn/candy counter.  Scratchy sound from the movie comes out of
drive-in stile speaker boxes attached to metal poles by wire hangers.  When
your order is taken the waitress punches some buttons on a hand held computer
terminal and the order is transmitted back to the kitchen by radio.
    It took me a while to realize that the clips on the movie screen was
Sci-Fi in the 50's and not just bad entertainment. Radioactive giant people,
Monsters from space and giant radioactive lizards seem to have been the rage.
    The food?  Well it is better than the hamburger and hot dog fare but no
where near the food at the 50's Prime Time Cafe (still my favorite at MGM).
 

    The Sci-Fi (Drive In Theater) was open when my daughter and I were
    there in late April -- maybe it was a soft opening . . . we just went
    in and looked around as we weren't hungry then!  It was VERY appealing
    to my teen-ager and smelled good to me!  
    
    I also want to respond on the STEAKS question.  My favorite steak is
    the Japanese Steak House (Benihana style) in Epcot Japan.  I grew up in
    cattle country and like RARE meat.  I can tell him when to take it off
    the grill, since he's cooking it right in front of me (light brown on
    the outside; RED on the inside!)  Even eating it this rare, the meat
    has always been EXCELLENT and we've eaten there at least 6 or 8 times,
    over the last 8 years, all seasons of the year.  I'd highly recommend
    it!
    
    MAH
    

    Is there a place called Tony's in TMK.  If so what kind of food is
    served and is it a sit down or fast food type place.
    
    Thanks,
    JP

    Hey Robespierre, any idea as to when Donatello's Pizzeria will open?
    
    Mike

�   Is there a place called Tony's in TMK.  If so what kind of food is
�   served and is it a sit down or fast food type place.
    
    From Birnbaum:

    MAIN STREET

    Full Service

    Tony's Town Square Restaurant:  This is one of the best bets for Magic
    Kingdom meals.  The menu offers Italian specialties, steaks, and
    seafood.  Pizza and burgers with selected toppings are perennial
    favorites.  Other lunch specialties include fresh pasta salads, a deli
    platter, and a fresh fruit plate.  At dinner there are grilled fresh
    fish, New York strip steaks, lasagna primavera, chicken with basil and
    spaghetti with meatballs.  For dessert: Italian pastries, orange
    cheesecake, and spumoni complement a cup of freshly brewed espresso or
    cappuccino.  Children's menus and menus for guests with special dietary
    needs are available.  The decor comes straight out of Walt Disney's
    film, "Lady and the Tramp."  It is genteelly Victorian, with plenty of
    polished brass and curlicued, beautifully painted woodwork.  The
    terrazzo-floored patio gives diners a fine view over the action in Town
    Square.

    Full breakfasts are also served: eggs, pancakes, Mickey Mouse character
    waffles, [actually they are now Lady and the Tramp waffles], cold
    cereals (with skim milk on request), cinnamon biscuits, and Danish
    pastry. B, L, D.

    
    Thanks Len,
    
    I'll have to make sure my wife and I drop in.  She just loves Lady and
    the Tramp.  

    I can vouch for the Lady and the Tramp waffles at Tony's!  Well worth
    it!  I've eaten at Tony's a few times and prefer breakfast (I've never
    been for lunch, only dinner and breakfast).  It's a fun place, too.

        The following are the entree price ranges for each restaurant
        extracted from 1991 edition of "The Unofficial Guide to WDW".

        Restaurant		Lunch		Dinner		

        EPCOT:
        Canada			$ 7-15		$ 7-15
        Rose and Crown (UK)	$ 7-10		$11-18
        Les Chefs de France     $ 9-14		$10-20
        Le Bistro do Paris	$ 9-15		$14-25
        El Marrakesh (Morocco)	$ 8-14		$10-19
        Mitsukoshi (Japan)	$ 8-14		$13-26
        Alfredo di Roma (Italy)	$10-21		$12-21
        Biergarten (Germany)	$ 8-10		$12-18
        Nine Dragons (China)	$ 8-14		$10-21
        Akershus (Norway)	$   10		$   15
        San Angel Inn (Mexico)	$ 8-14		$10-21
        Land Grille		$ 8-15		$12-24
        Coral Reef		$10-35		$16-37

        MGM:
        Hollywood Brown Derby	$ 7-14		$13-22
        50's Prime Time Cafe	$ 7-15		$11-17

    Opinion time!

    Where is the best Sunday brunch to be had in the World?

    The 1991 Birnbaum only lists brunches at the Top of the World in the
    Contemporary, and at the Papeete Bay at the Poly.  
    
    Are there others?  I seem to remember good things being said about the
    spread at the Garden Gallery in the Disney Inn.  How about the EPCOT
    resorts, or any of the Village or Theme Park restaurants?

    
    Garden Gallery - great brunch (great everything).
    
    - Sean

    The Sunday Brunch at the Top of the World was excellent when we went
    last September.  Great view, great food & variety, glass of champagne
    which mysteriously filled up fairly frequently.
    
    

    Has anyone been to one of Disney's newest restaurants at the
    MGM Theme Park called "Sci-Fi Restaurant" (I think)?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Tracy

	Yes we did eat here; It is an interesting place to eat...

	First it's a non-smoking restaurant!

	Second; you sit in cars; the cars are set up either with
	three rows of seats with small eating surfaces, we had the
	back seat; each seat holds 2 people; maybe three if they are kids;
	so if you have four people in your party you'll probably get two
	seats,

	Then they also have cars set up with a table and 6 chairs ( three
	on each side) so you are sitting sidewards;

	It is in the shape of a drivein movie ; even with the speakers
	on the poles; and they show clips of si fi movies....

	There menu contains a good variety of foods; they had a chicken
	dish and a fish dish; theses were in the 12.95-14.95 range; then
	they had mostly meat and potatoes type dishes in the $7-9 range;
	and then they had some salads and a pasta/vegetable dish in the
	$5-8 range.... I'm not a big meat and potatoes person; so I was
	rather limited; it's also not meant for relaxing....

	I beleive the clips they show repeat every 1/2 hour or so; and
	the food appears to be somewhat prepared ahead as it comes
	quickly.... we were slow to order and took our time eating;
	all seats around us filled at the same time we did were done eating
	and the next group of people were in and eating their meals by
	the time we left.

	They have a car-hop or two roller-skating around leaving
	pop-corn for each seat;

	Don't drive faster than 5mph and dim your lights....NO flashing
	your headlights.....

		- Annie

	

    Apparently, Dining Around the World has changed the way in which
    advance reservations are made.  We are leaving for our trip on
    Saturday, and we want to eat at the Brown Derby on Saturday night. 
    When my husband called the advance reservations number, a recording
    informed him that the number was not operating, and that he should
    enter a certain two digit code from his resort room phone.  Obviously,
    this was no help to him, as he was calling from Maryland.  He then
    called the WDW information number [ (407) 824-4321 ] to find out what
    had happened.  The person at that number asked him for our confirmation
    number, and took the reservation for him.  When my husband asked what
    he should do tomorrow (Thursday) to make reservations for Sunday night,
    he was told to call the information number again.
    
    It would appear that this change was made in order to make things more
    convenient for hotel guests making advance reservations. 
    Unfortunately, it cost us an unnecessary phone call to Florida, and it
    seems odd to me that they would want you to make reservations by
    calling the general information number.
    
    Do any recent visitors have any more info on this?  (Hey Jim, this means
    you!!!)  
    
    Ellen
    

    They indeed have a new system, and it was just going into operation
    when we were there.  From the Beach Club, we would dial:

    	55 for same day reservations.
    	56 for advance reservations (up to 3 days).

    The reservationist's screen will have your name and room number on
    his/her screen, but for some reason, they did not know what resort we
    were calling from and would always ask.

    I am not sure if the old system is still in effect for AP holders. 
    Last year we would call 824-3400 to make reservations with our Annual
    passports prior to us moving on-site.

  I received this in the mail last week.  I won't be attending but thought
somebody else might be interested.

                BUFFALO JUNCTION
                THANKSGIVING
                  RONDAYVOO
                   at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort
                      Thursday November 28, 1991

Yull be tossed smack dab inna middle of a whole passel of pioneer fun, food
and fables... befriendin frontier folk like mountain men, pioneer women,
traders, soldiers, honest injuns...chompin down on lip smackin food cooked up
pioneer style!

WILD WILD SHOPPIN
Blaze a shoppin trail thru SUTTLER'S ROW!  Frontier tradesmen displayin ther
authentic aryfaks fer yer purchasin er fer jest eyeballin.  See a hunnerd 
years worth of fassinatin stuff!

REEZUNNBLE PRICES
GROWED UPS $14.50
YOUNG WHIPPERSNAPPERS
ages 3 ta 11 $6.50
tippin an taxin not includin

Lil dogies unner 3 kin sneek in free
"TIME"
11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
CRANK UP YER PHONE TO CLAIM YER REZERVASHUN NOW!
407/824-2605

                     GAMES O SKILL & DERRING-DO
   Win pie and cake fer yer proud frontier family by testin yer skills at the
- good ol fashion CAKE WALK!
- no-risk no-money BLACKJACK GAMBLIN!
- fast and floppy fabricated FRON FLINGIN CONTEST!
- high-velossity SEED SPITTIN COMPETISHIN!
- champeen HORSESHOE TOSSIN!
- and of course the BUFFALO CHIP SLINGIN CONTEST!

                         VATS O VITTLES
                 Eat yer Way Round The Prairie!
			.garden salad bar
			 country vegetable soup
			 slice roast turkey
			corn bread dressing
			wild game stew
			baked trout
			ham with raisin sauce
			fresh green beans
			yams and squash
			mashed potatoes
			cranberry relish
			corn bread and other assorted breads
			pies and puddings
			beverages and a cash bar available...
FRONTIER FESTIVITIES
ENNERTAINMINT FOLKS PREFORMIN RIGHT IN FRONT OF YA!
	-Geetars a strummin!
	-Banjos a pickin!
	-Mountain men amazin ya!
	-Regimental String Band stringin!
	-Frontier Militia marchin and formashunizin
	-other frontier preformin by other preformers!
	- and YOU, clappin an whislin an laffin up a ruckus!

    There are *lots* of wonderful restaurants listed in here.  I have two
    problems, however.  1) *I* want to try all of them, and 2) I'm going
    with my mother and grandmother, who are 64 and 83, respectively, and
    have the "traditional Irish tastebuds" (i.e., blander foods preferred). 
    I actually have a third problem, of sorts:  Gram is losing her sense of
    taste, so is more willing to experiment on heavily spiced foods - at
    least she can taste those!  This causes a much worse "generational
    war," in my opinion (brings to mind that saying about grandparents and
    children having a common enemy:  the parent in the middle).
    
    *My* plan to spend one day in MK, one day in MGM, and two days in
    EPCOT.  MK and MGM are not going to be big problems, food-wise
    (besides, I'm *telling* them where we're going to eat! ;-).  EPCOT,
    which presents wonderful international dining opportunities, will be
    the problem.  Most likely my mother will flat-out refuse to eat in
    Mexico, China, or Italy (the last because we eat it all the time!).  I
    *don't* want to eat in the American pavilion, but may not get my way.
    
    Do any of you have specific suggestions?  I might get them to do
    Germany or Japan (leaning heavily on teriyaki (sp?)).  I know I can get
    them to do tea in England (a must for us, actually) and breakfast in
    France.  I'd love to try some of the other restaurants, though.  Like
    Norway.  I don't even know what kind of food they serve there (I've
    never had Norwegian food, except for a pastry I bought at EPCOT in
    '90).  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
    
    
    Susan  

Susan,

For breakfast, both France and Norway offer pastries and other interesting
foods.  

As best I can remember, the American pavilion offers typical burger 
and fries type food.  I couldn't settle for it when there's so much 
else to choose from.

I prefer bland foods myself, and have always found good food at Mexico,
China, Germany, and Canada.  Dinners in Italy and France are outstanding.
I'm too chicken to try Morocco.

Make a reservation or two you all can agree on for the first day at EPCOT.
Then, have them quiz the receptionists at other restaurants during your
first day... you might convince them to try something new for the second day.


Bill

    Thanks, Bill!  I hadn't thought of Norway for breakfast.  And my mother
    has already agreed to Germany!
    
    Can't wait to go - hope I don't gain back all the weight I've been
    losing!
    
    
    Susan

My recollection is that the food at the Morocco pavillion is pretty tame (but
not quite as good as the other Moroccan restaurants at which I've eaten).

The only sitdown breakfast at Epcot is at The Land, and we've always
enjoyed it.

I'm not sure what dinner at the Norway pavillion is like, but for lunch they
have an excellent sm�rg�sbord (and I've probably just offended someone by
using the Swedish spelling, that being the only one in my dictionary). 
Typically you start with the cold items, and then move to the hot ones
(temperature, not spice).  The meats are likely to be hearty and bland
(meatloaf, perhaps the Norwegian version of Swedish meatballs, baked
ham, etc.).
I think I actually passed on the hot food, and filled up on the cold items, 
salads and many varieties of fish.  The fish tends towards salted or pickled:
herring prepared several ways (one of which, the curried version, is easy to
spot and may exceed your mother's spice criteria), and I believe smoked salmon,
and probably some others, as well as chicken salad and other items.  I believe
there's enough there that you can feel quite satisfied, even if you don't
try everything.  

   Gary

Dinner at Norway is much like lunch with the additon of a few more hot items.
Lunch was $10.75 per adult, dinner $15.something.

One of the best values in EPCOT Center.

        The following are the entree price ranges for each restaurant
        extracted from 1992 edition of "The Unofficial Guide to WDW".

        Restaurant		Lunch		Dinner		

        EPCOT:
        Canada			$ 8-15		$ 8-15
        Rose and Crown (UK)	$ 7-10		$12-20
        Les Chefs de France     $ 7-14		$ 9-21
        Le Bistro do Paris	$ 9-15		$19-25
        El Marrakesh (Morocco)	$ 8-18		$10-24
        Mitsukoshi (Japan)	$ 8-18		$13-27
        Alfredo di Roma (Italy)	$ 9-22		$12-22
        Biergarten (Germany)	$ 8-10		$11-19
        Nine Dragons (China)	$ 8-17		$10-22
        Akershus (Norway)	$   11		$   16
        San Angel Inn (Mexico)	$ 8-14		$11-25
        Land Grille		$ 7-18 		$12-25
        Coral Reef		$10-35		$16-37

        MGM:
        Hollywood Brown Derby	$ 7-14		$13-22
        50's Prime Time Cafe	$ 7-15		$11-18
        Sci-Fi Dine in          $ 6-13		$ 6-13
    

        We spent 19 days in the WDW area this past August.  Like we
        have in past, we ate most of our lunch and dinner meals at
        full service restaurants.

        We went to many of our old favorites again,  including
        Concourse Grill (Contemporary), Hoop-De-Doo (Fort wilderness),
        Rose & Crown (UK), Columbia Harbor House (MK), Leaning Palms
        (Typhoon Lagoon), Prime Time Cafe (MGM), Mitsukoshi (Japan),
        Biergarten (Germany), Diamond Horseshoe Review (MK), Farmers
        Market (Epcot), San Angel Inn (Mexico), L'Originale Alfredo de
        Roma (Italy), El Marraketch (Morocco), Land Grille (Epcot),
        Coral Isle (Polynesian).  See 39.92 and 39.117 for lots of
        reviews.  

        In addition, we tried a few new restaurants this time
        including: Mel's Drive-In (Universal Studios), Yacht Club
        Galley (Yacht Club), Room Service (Beach Club), Sci-Fi Dine In
        (MGM), Narcoosee's (Grand Floridian), Steerman's Quarters
        (Pleasure Island), Cape May Cafe (Beach Club), Liberty Tree
        Tavern (MK), Bistro de Paris (France), Victoria and Albert's
        (Grand Floridian).

        For the five of us in my family (including 3 children ages
        5,7,9), we averaged about $91/day for food and snacks.  This
        was somewhat less than I was expecting to spend.  One place we
        really saved money was by eating breakfast in our room each
        morning.  We would eat cold cereal/milk, yogurt, etc for
        breakfast.   In addition to saving money, eating breakfast in
        the room really helps us to get an early start.  In the past
        we have found it difficult to travel to a restaurant, order,
        eat, travel to the parks, and be there when they open.  We
        never had a problem if we eat breakfast in the room.  We did
        eat breakfast out twice.  Once at the Contemporary for the
        Blueberry Stuffed French Toast ($38.50) and once at the
        Polynesian for the Bananna Stuffed French Toast ($36).

        Reviews:

           Mel's Drive-In (Universal Studios) - This place is a lot of
           fun for lunch.  It is only fast food, but the atmosphere is
           nice.  Wolfman Jack was there as the DJ and was taking
           requests.  ($22, lunch for 5).

           Yacht Club Galley (Yacht Club) - This is a best buy within
           WDW.  We went twice!  The restaurant is nice and the food
           was excellent.  Their brown bread is a specialty (don't
           pass it up). Plus you can get Leinenkugel beer here
           (although it is steep at $3.40/bottle).  I had been told
           that Leinenkugel was the best beer in the world.  I am
           convinced!  There is a small 3 - 4 piece band that strolls
           around the Yacht and Beach Club resorts.  They were playing
           here one of the times we ate here. The price is very
           reasonable.  Dinner for 2 adults was about $28 including
           tip and that included a couple of bottles of Leinenkugel.

           Room Service (Beach Club) - The kids ate here one night
           (in-room babysitter) while Debbie and I went out to dinner. 
           It cost about $18 for the 3 kids meals.

           Sci-Fi Dine In (MGM) - We went once for dinner ($47) and
           once for lunch ($43).  The atmosphere is great, the food is
           so so. It is not a good deal, but still a nice place to
           try. 

           Narcoosee's (Grand Floridian) - We went for dinner one
           night with my folks, while we left the kids in the GF's
           Mouseketeer Clubhouse.  The food was very good, and the
           service was great too.  A bit steep at $60 for two adults
           (including tip).

           Steerman's Quarters (Pleasure Island) - We has
           reservations, but when we arrived we found the place was
           empty.  I think there were a total of 3 tables occupied. 
           They sat us in their premier seats which are in the back of
           the boat, next to the large windows.  Through the windows
           was the large paddle wheel spinning around.  It was a bit
           overbearing, and distracted from the dinner.  The food was
           good "steak and potatoes" fare.  The price was about $46
           for two adults.  I would prefer to go upstairs to the
           Fisherman's Deck or next door to the Portobello Yacht Club.

           Cape May Cafe (Beach Club) -  Highly recommended, best
           buy...  It is a New England Clambake with a central area
           with all of the clams, mussels, lobsters, steaming and
           crackling.  They also had corn on the cobb, shrimp, several
           hot dishes, etc.  They also had a large dessert table.
           Everything is included except for the lobster, which is
           extra. The Y&BC band was in there playing which added to
           the fun.  We had a very long, relaxed dinner that I would
           estimate at about 2 hours.  Cost was $53 for the five of us
           including tip.

           Liberty Tree Tavern (MK) - This is a sit down restaurant in
           the MK.  We went here for lunch when we wanted to get away
           from the crowds without leaving the MK.  The food was good,
           but not too memorable.  It was a bit steep at $40 for lunch
           for the five of us.  You could do better at the
           Contemporary or Poly.

           Bistro de Paris (France) - We had been to Les Chefs de
           France several times and liked it very much.  Everything I
           had read was that Les Chefs was their flagship restaurant,
           and that the Bistro was more casual.  I was pleasantly
           surprised when I went upstairs.  It is very nice, and the
           menu was excellent.  It was not as busy as downstairs. 
           They said that of the two, the Bistro is more elegant.  I'm
           not too sure, but I would rate them about the same.  Cost
           was $64 for 2 adults and 1 child including tip.

           Victoria and Albert's (Grand Floridian). - We went for our
           15th anniversary and it was incredible.  I will enter a
           reply in note 226.
    

    One of the (only?) super cheap places in WDW to grab a bite has gone up
    quite a bit.  It used to only cost $1 for a peanut butter and jelly
    sandwich at Aunt Polly's in the MK.  Last summer it went up to $3.08.

Can anyone help with information about places in to eat in WDW (or 
nearby) that cater for a gluten-free diet? I'm the wrong side of the 
"pond" to call and ask. The general rule seems to be that the more expensive 
a place is,the more likely it is they'll have a choice of flour-free food. 
A quick lunch is another matter though - any suggestions? 

Thanks!

Chris Billington

    Chris,
    
    	Call the WDW info number, which I believe is 407-824-2600.  Because
    of my daughter (diabetes) I've called done a couple of times.  What I
    have received is that if you go "fast food" ask at the counter
    (yeah-right!).  They do have a food services supervisor for each park
    who should be able to assist you with broader questions though.
    	And, if you do go to a "sit-down-n-order" resturant I have been
    assured the chef will prepare as requested.
    
    Tony

    I saw an add on a Boston Station the other day for Olive Garden
    restaurants.  Are there any located this far up north now?  IF so
    where?

RE: >>                      <<< Note 39.170 by AIMHI::JUTRAS >>>
>>                         -< Olive Gardens in N.E ??!! >-
>>
>>    I saw an add on a Boston Station the other day for Olive Garden
>>    restaurants.  Are there any located this far up north now?  IF so
>>    where?

I don't know specifically about New England, but my family is from upstate 
New York and they've had an Olive Garden there for many years.

� �ori �

    	There is one on Rt 2 in Warwick R.I. a little past Lechemeres on
    the left (if you're coming from RT295).  There's a Red Lobster and an
    Olive Garden right next to each other.
    
    Tom

    	Sorry, it's on the right if you're coming from RT295.
    
    Tom

    Just got back last week, and since we found some very good info in this
    note, wanted to add what could.

    We had several good dining experiences that I would like to pass on.

    Olive Garden - was very good, fast, and reasonable.

    The Crab House - is located in the first mall if you tern by the Olive
    Garden.  The guy in the gift shop recommended it, and it is very good. 
    It was the closest place to the hotels that served fresh fish.  Entres
    ran $12-$16.

    Tony Roma's - located on 192 in Kissimee.  They specialize in ribs, and
    they are great.  Entres run $10-$12, and kids eat free!

    Black Angus - just down the road from Tony Roma's.  They specialize in
    steaks, with big portions.  Good food, great service.  In fact, we
    noted that the waiters were outstanding everywhere we went.

    Bon appetit

    There is a Olive Garden in Portland Me. along with a Red Lobster. Just
    past the Portland Mall. Exit 7 off the Maine Turnpike. go past the mall
    and take a right at the lights. Go a few miles down, they are both on
    the right hand side, you can't miss them.
    
    Happy eating
    

    
    
    
       Has anyone eaten at the resturant at the Living Seas? I've seen
    it, but have never been in. What's it like, how's the food and the
    prices.
    
    
                                         thanks Phil...f

    
         I believe the restaurant is called the Coral Reef.  I ate there
     last March.  The atmosphere is nice, the fish swimming by always give
     you plenty to keep you entertained.  The food was very good, I love 
     seafood so it is perfect for me.  The prices are kind of high for the
     better dishes, the daily specials are usually around $17-19 dollars.
     The standard entrees are from 10 to 15 dollars if I remember
     correctly.  If you go have fun trying to identify the fish!!!
    
                                  Hope this helps,
    
                                                -Rob
    
      

    
    
    
       Thanks Rob,
    
     We're definatley going to go this time. I'm a seafood "freak" too.
    Also, I'm big into fish tanks (have a large saltwater tank in my family
    room), so my family has a tough time getting me out of "Sea Base
    Alpha".
    
    
                    thanks again, Phil...

    
    	See lund trip report posted in April. We ate there inlate
    	MArch. We had swordfish which was excellent and the dessert
    	was also. We ate early 5:30 pm and the view of the aquarium
    	was really nice. The small children really enjoyed it. If
    	you're sitting up against the glass; the kids spent more
    	time staring at the fish and trying to figure out what they
    	were rather than eating.... - Annie
    

    We had a pleasant breakfast experience in EPCOT I wanted to share.
    
    We took the notesfiles advice and when we arrived at EPCOT first thing
    in the AM we took the ferryboat over to the showcase.  It was 8:00am. 
    We went right to France - to the small bakery - bought sample sizes of
    a few things - croissant - quiche - some pastries that were gooey and
    yummy, coffee for us - juice for David and shared all the little things
    - sitting outside in the early morning sun.  It was very nice, quiet
    and peaceful.
    
    Just thought others might like to try it.
    
    Kathy
    

    By far the best supper meal we experienced in our 5 days there was at
    the Port Orleans Hotel at Bonfamille's.  Great food, lots of it, good
    service, and reasonably priced.  We had drinks, appetizers and dinner
    and with tip it was about $50.00.  My husband has been to New Orleans
    and said the food was close, toned down a bit.
    
    Kathy
    
    

    It's taking me a long time to finish my trip report so as I think of
    things I'll enter them in the appropriate note.
    
    Eat at Tony's (TMK) during the day and not at night (unless you want to
    eat and watch Spectro at the same time. The lunchtime menu offers more
    for your eyes, tummy, and wallet.
    
    Visit the Concourse Grille (Contemporary) for lunch. If you like Banana
    Splits try their "Spectromagic banana split".
    
    If you love carrot cake they offer a huge piece (could feed 2-3
    people).
    
    Best buffet around is the Contemporary Cafe nightly buffet. Call
    beforehand to find out if it's Oriental, Italian, Mexican, German, or
    International Night. Prime Rib every night.
    
    Beaches and Cream had the best burgers but I like the Plaza Restaurant
    (TMK) for the best ice cream.
    
    The Land Grille in The Land Pavillion is topnotch. Ate there for the
    first time and found it well worth the price. It rotates.
    
    Mama Melrose in MGM is prety good. I think Tony's has the best Italian
    food for the money (not Alfredo's). Mama's was not the greatest but it
    was good enough for me to go back.
    
    I did not try Sci-Fi...many people mentioned the food was so-so....and 
    when you see the prices it kinda turns you away.
    
    Don't go to WDW without a visit to the Tangarora Terrace...especially
    for breakfast.
    
    Mike_who_has_written_700_lines_in_his_trip_report_but_is_only_5%_done

    Kathy,
    
    If  I had to rate the meals  I  had  at  Disney  based  on  all  around
    atmosphere/$$/quality  of  food,  these  would  be  my  top  10  in  no
    particular order based  on my previous trips (notice I don't go for the
    type of atmosphere that V&A/Empress Room  strives for so I didn't cough
    up that kind of dough $$$$)
    
        1. Portobella Yatch Club (Pleasure Island) - Dinner
        2. Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian) - Dinner
        3. Papeete Bay Verandah - (Ploynesian) Breakfast/Dinner
        4. Garden Gallery - (Disney Inn) Breakfast/Dinner
        5. Bonfamilles Cafe - (Port Orleans) Dinner
        6. Land Grille - (The Land/Epcot) Lunch/Dinner
        7. Chefs de France - (France/Epcot) Dinner
        8. Akerhaus - (Norway/Epcot) Dinner
        9. Teppanyanki Dining Rooms - (Japan/Epcot) Dinner
       10. Tangoroa Terrace - (Polynesian) Dinner
    
    Due  to  time  constraints I never had a chance to try out  Ariel's  at
    Y&BC, maybe next time, and we look over the menu/layout of Boatwright's
    at Dixie but decided we like the menu/layout of Bonfamilles better.
    
    Claude

    
    4 of Claude's are among my most favorite:
        
        1. Portobella Yatch Club (Pleasure Island) - Dinner
        2. Narcoossee's (Grand Floridian) - Dinner
        4. Garden Gallery - (Disney Inn) Breakfast/Dinner
        8. Akerhaus - (Norway/Epcot) Dinner
    
    Those are great choices.  If I had to finish my top 10 I'dd
    add to that:
    
        - 1900 Park Fare for breakfast (Grand Floridian)
        - Living Seas restaruant (Epcot)
        - Brown Derby (MGM)
        - Steerman's Quarters
        - English Pub for fish and chips (England/Epcot)
        - Victoria and Alberts (I don't want to pick this 'cause its so
          expensive, but... it *is* worth it).
    
    I did find some well-recommended restaruants to be a little overrated,
    among them The Land Grill/Epcote, Italian/Epcot,and  hinese/Epcot.
    
    I'm really looking forward to trying some places that are new since
    I last went - Yacht and Beach Club, Port Orleans/Dixie Landings - when
    we go in October!
    
    - Sean
    
    

    A question for all those who have returned from WDW recently....
    
    My husband and I visited a restaurant at Disney-MGM last September
    called the Studio Pizzeria.  We enjoyed it a lot and had planned to go
    back again this year.  Unfortunately, we can't find any references to
    it in the current guidebooks or in anybody's recent restaurant or trip
    reports.  I have a sneaking suspicion that the restaurant called "Mama
    Melrose's" is in fact the place that I am looking for.  When we were
    there, only pizza was on the menu, but it did look like the decor was
    meant for a full service Italian restaurant.  Can anybody confirm this
    for me?  The Studio Pizzeria was in the backlot area of the Studios,
    not far from the exit from Muppet Vision and the outdoor Muppet
    Meet-and-Greet area.  Is this the same place?  Hungry Disneyholics want
    to know!
    
    Ellen

    
    	Your suspicions are correct, Ellen. Mama Melrose's Pizzeria is
    the Studio Pizzeria you know and love -- with perhaps a minor change
    in the menu and decor. So " mangia, mangia " and -- afterwards --
    check out Disney re-themed that studio back street that leads to
    Mama's. It's * DEFINITELY * beginning to look a lot like Christmas !

    Ellen,
    
    We ate at Mama Melrose's. They have extended the menu to include
    various pasta dishes. They'll be more in my trip report (later this
    year at this rate).
    
    That street that Jim Hill mentioned has a Xmas theme to it with snow
    and sleigh....and if you're real lucky you'll get to take photos of
    Santa Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy.
    
    This Italian boy still rates Tony's as the #1 Italian restaurant in The
    World.
    
    Mike

     Qucik question re Mama Melrose's:
    
    Can you recall if the Pasta and Pizza dishes had suitable variants for
    non-meat and non-fish eaters?
    
    Thanks in advance.
    
    JohnK

    I'm pretty sure they did.
    
    You can always check the menu posted outside the building or check at
    the desk inside.
    
    Mike

    Like Mike S., my Trip Report is taking too long, so I thought I'd 
    dump my food thoughts here too.
    
    My daughter has now become more adventurous about food, so this 
    year for the first time we could eat without wondering if they did 
    chicken and a baked potato(e) for her.
    
    We ate several times at the Olive Garden at Crossroads. I think 
    it's excellent value for money, and this year I discovered their 
    Chocolate Mousse. About 5 different types of chocolate all in one 
    dessert - Chocolate base filled with chocolate mousse, with cubes 
    of chocolate hidden in the mousse, chocolate decoration topped 
    with a big curl of....CHOCOLATE! Hmmmm! Why were my pants tight 
    when I put on my work suits???
    
    Had one meal at Mama Melrose's. Nice atmosphere (I think they 
    slipped up on our table. We actually had two plates and three 
    knives that matched!), good food, but the service was slow. The 
    kids and I went up to the counter and watched while they built and 
    cooked our pizzas, and still had time to color in the place mats 
    before they were delivered to the table.
    
    Sci-Fi Diner and Prime Time Cafe. Both excellent atmosphere, food 
    OK but the price was for the experience not the meal.
    
    Land Grille. Good meal, excellent service (drinks always refilled 
    before glass or cup was empty!). My impressions may have been 
    coloured by the Anchor Steam Beer...but everyone else thought it 
    was good too!
    
    World Showcase was a feast (Sorry!) of variety. Had dinner at the 
    Teppanyaki in Japan. Very skillfully done, good food and very 
    entertaining. The balcony was a good place to watch Illuminations 
    from, if you can select a spot between the trees and the 
    ornamental arch.
    
    Couple of other places that never seem to get a mention. We ate 
    lunch at Le Cellier in Canada. Clean, cool and practically 
    deserted. Limited, self-service menu, but the meatballs and rice 
    were excellent. The Nine Dragons Restaurant in China is also great 
    for lunch. Impeccable service, never crowded at lunchtimes and 
    varied menu - authentic too, judging by the fact that there were 
    only two non-Chinese families eating there against about 10 
    Chinese groups including a party of about 15 celebrating an old 
    lady's birthday.
    
    My daughter was 9 during our stay, so we took her and Jim Pappas's 
    daughter Kim to Chef Mickey's as a treat. Very enjoyable entrees 
    and kiddies cocktails, but the high point was when Chef Mickey 
    brought in a Birthday Cake in a basket with helium filled ballons 
    flying up above the handle. The server announced her name, and 
    everybody around had to sing Happy Birthday conducted by Mickey, 
    she blew out the candle, and then it was hugs, kisses and photo 
    sessions. The five of us only managed half of the cake, so they 
    wrapped the remainder to take out. We found when the bill came 
    that the cake and associated ceremony were compliments of Chef 
    Mickey!!
    
    Tried out Beaches and Cream at the Y&BC. Another great experience 
    for a chocolate lover like me! After a round of Double Burgers (We 
    didn't think we could handle the quad burgers for lunch!), we got 
    an Old Fashioned Banana Split and a Fudge Mud Slide between four 
    of us. My son and I attacked the FMS, each intending to get the 
    lion's share, but by about halfway down we were giving way and 
    hoping that the other would take a double spoonful! We finished 
    them without too much discomfort, but these were by no means the 
    biggest sundaes on offer!
    
    The gourmet high point was the meal at V&A's, and I'm ashamed to 
    admit that I can't remember much about it! The surroundings and 
    setting were perfect, service was impeccable with details like a 
    new napkin whenever you left the table. There were four of us 
    dining, and our selections were all different, which made the 
    choice of wines difficult. We were offered what V&A's called a 
    Royal Pairing. For $25 a head, they would provide a glass of an 
    appropriate wine for each course. Seemed like an ideal solution, 
    so we went for it. What actually happened was that at each course 
    they needed up to four different wines, and having opened the 
    bottles they seemed determined not to have any left over at the 
    end of the course! I'll refresh my memory from the souvenir menu, 
    and enter the details in the V&A topic, but I don't remember much 
    after the entrees. Not surprising when you consider that we each 
    had the equivalent of 2 bottles of extremely fine wine plus the 
    port!
    
    I'll sign off now and try a humble sandwich from the canteen.
    
    Mike B.

    
    Can someone confirm that Askerhaus in Norway is a reservation
    restaurant?  The unofficial guide lists every restaurant's name
    with reservations required/not required by it, except for this one.
    The fact that it is buffet style doesn't make it any clearer.
    It definitely makes a difference in the touring plan if it's not
    a reservations restuarant, like Canada's....
    
    thanks,
    
    --bert

I have never made a reservation there, but there is a 
woman (usually) outside at a desk when the park opens.

I'd bet it does take reservations.

			Nigel

    If you mean the main restaurant in "norway" they do indeed take
    rrservations - John.

    
    Norway has what is considered (Akerhaus) one of the dinner restaurants 
    where you should make a reservation (I think every pavillion has one 
    except American Adventure?).  In theory, you don't *have* to make 
    reservations anywhere.  You can always *try* to walk in for dinner.
    
    But... there are places where that generally works (maybe wait 20 
    minutes) I've gotten into Norway and Morocco like this.
    
    And there are places where it *never* will work - Italy, France,
    Germany, for instance.  I always make a reservation for these places.
    
    If I know I'll be in Epcot for dinner time, I make the reservation
    anyway - even for Akerhaus (I love that place!).
    
    - Sean

    I've eaten at Akerhaus three different times, never with a reservation,
    and only once (lunch Labor Day weekend, where the others were dinner)
    did I have to wait to be seated.

    the two places that always seem to have availability are Norway and
    Morocco. (this experience is by just walkin in and trying to
    reservations at the reservation center at dinner time...probably about
    5 times).  I've eaten at the El Marrakesh (Morocco) and thought it was
    great!
    
    -Jay
    

    
    thanks, guys....
    
    Morocco and Norway are definitely on our list this time!
    
    --Bert

    A few notes back there is a small reveiw of Chef Mickeys by our old 
    friend Mike Batty. Has anyone else eaten here? My son will be cel-
    ebrating his 10th birthday at WDW in August and we are looking for 
    somthing special!
    
    All comments will be appreciated.
    
    John

	>Has anyone else eaten here? My son will be cel-
    	>ebrating his 10th birthday at WDW in August and we are looking for 
    	>somthing special!
    
	>All comments will be appreciated.
    
    	Okay, John, you said *all* comments!  I have not eaten there, but
	I sent my brother, sister-in-law, and two nieces to Chef Mickey's
	for Emily's 8th birthday during their visit to the World in October.

	My sister-in-law wrote a postcard to me while they were having 
	dinner.  She said it was the best food of the trip, and detailed 
	what they were having!  They all loved it.  Then Chef Mickey himself
	brought out a chocolate birthday cake and the entire restaurant
	sang happy birthday to Emily!  My sister-in-law wrote, "PS: You
	are in really big trouble!!!  EVERYONE just sang to Emily!!"  (Emily
	hates attention!

	It was definitely their most memorable dining experience on the
	7-day trip.  And Emily forgave me, since it was a chocolate cake!


	Susan

    Great,
    
    That's 2 positive votes. Sounds like a winner.
    
    Thanks,
    
    John

    re: .198
    
    I have not been to Chef Mickey's, but my daughter Kimberly has good
    memories.  She went with Elizabeth Batty (her penpal) to celebrate
    Elizabeth's 9th birthday last summer.  Kim still talks about it.
    
    BTW, for those of you interested.  I gave Mike Batty a call last month. 
    He and his family are doing fine.  He has a new job but he misses the
    DEC gang.  Next time I get across the pond I would like to visit them.
    

    We've been to Chef Mickey's a few times. Some comments:
    
    1. I don't think Mickey appears at LUNCH times - can't be totally sure
    - but advise you to take a DINNER reservation to avoid disappointment!
    
    2. Make a reservation - early in the day. It gets full very quickly.
    
    3. Don't be surprised if, even armed with reservation, you have to wait
    for 10-15 minutes when you appear to claim your table! I tend to take
    the positive view - that they are really busy, and this is a good sign!
    - however, I do find this a bit annoying when it happens.
    
    4. Food is good - a little expensive, but we've generally enjoyed it.
    
    5. Chef Mickey is terrific! Watch him 'direct' operations in the
    kitchen, directing the waiters, etc.! He'll appear at your table, and
    this produces great excitement.....
    
    6. BIRTHDAYS are SPECIAL! Chef Mickey will appear at table, big fuss
    made of 'birthday guest', and Happy Birthday sung with gusto!
    
    Hope you enjoy it.....we'll be back, regardless of some of the minor
    annoyances I noted earlier!
    
    John.

We have eaten at Chef Mickey's several times while at WDW.  Last time we
were there, we just happened to check on when Chef Mickey is and is not at the
restaurant.  He doesn't appear at the restaurant at lunch time.  They told us
that of course, in the daytime he is at the park and can't be everywhere at
once :-).  They were very serious about maintaining continuity in regards to
Mickey's whereabouts so it wouldn't appear he was in two places at once. 

One of the nice things about Chef Mickey's (besides the food, which is good)
was that when you had to wait awhile they gave you a pager so you could shop
in the Village while waiting.  I thought it was great!  We took a walk along
the waterway and before we knew it, it was our turn!  They also have children's
drinks in the lounge (if you want to call it that) along with a large screen
TV that continuously plays Disney animated films and cartoons.  Children were
very welcome, even though there was a full service bar.  My son (who was 7 the
last time we were there) hates waiting to eat, but he actually enjoys waiting
at Chef Mickey's.

One last note, everytime we have eaten there we have always been seated in
less time than they told us we would have to wait.  They also never made us
feel hurried about vacating our table.  I would highly recommend Chef Mickey's.

    So if I want to eat at Chef Mickey's on my birthday and meet the big
    cheese himself I better plan for an early evening birthday meal. Is
    this true?
    
    Of course this would throw a wrench into any plans for yet another 
    HDD birthday bash.
    
    Mike

On our visit (in only 13 days!) we had planned to have breakfast one morning
at Tangaroa Terrace in the Polynesian.  I just looked in the latest Birnbaum
book and I couldn't find it listed in there.  Has it closed?  If it has, it
looks like the Coral Isle Cafe is the place to go for banana-stuffed french
toast!

                                               Tracy

    Has the Tangaroa Terrace ever been listed in Birnbaum? I don't have
    mine handy to check this fact.
    
    Mike

>    Has the Tangaroa Terrace ever been listed in Birnbaum?

Yes, it's in the 1991 version at least.  My 1992 is at home, so I'm not sure
about that one.  In the 1991 book, it's listed with the Polynesian Village in 
the Transportation and Accommodations section, and in both the Restuarant 
Directory and with the PV in the Good Meals, Great Times section.

                                             Tracy

Just in case Tangaroa Terrace is not an option, does anyone have any
recommendations for their favorite breakfast spot?  So far we're going to

	Cape May Cafe  (character breakfast with Admiral Goofy)
	Yacht Club Galley
	Coral Isle Cafe
	The Land Grille Room
	1900 Parke Fare (character breakfast with Mary Poppin's)
	Papeete Bay Verandah (character breakfast with Minnie Mouse)
	Tony's Town Square Restaurant

The Disney Inn for Mickey-shaped Museli is a possibility too.  Since we've 
already got a bunch of character breakfasts planned, I'm just looking for 
ideas for regular restaurants that have great breakfasts.  Thanks!

                                           Tracy 

    The Tangaroa Terrace IS my favorite breakfast spot.
    
    Mike

    ...and it was in the 1992 "Bible".
    
    Mike

Well, it's definitely missing from the 1993 Birnbaum, but I bit the bullet
and called down to the Polynesian Village.  The Tangaroa Terrace is
still open and serving breakfast from 7:30 - 11:00.  Sorry for the scare!

						Tracy

    What do you think is the BEST food in Disney World?  The best quality
    or the best value or an outstanding environment?
    
    What is the "don't miss it" food, in your opinion?  (What is this Dole
    Whip you guys keep mentioning?????)
    
    I'd appreciate it if you could include prices, locations, times, and
    anything else you've learned along the way.
    
    THANKS!
    
    Jane

    
    .212: What is the "don't miss it" food, in your opinion?  
    
    I can give you a "beef-lover's" point of view of my "can't miss"
    restaurants:
    
    - at the San Angel Inn in Mexico, get the Filete Ranchero.  IMHO, the
      San Angel Inn is the best restaurant on the property (I've never
      gone to Victoria and Alberts or to the Empress Room).  It has the best
      atmosphere and the best service.
    
    - at Les Chefs de France and at Le Bistro de Paris, get the filets they
      offer.  One (Les Chefs?) has a filet au poivre and the other has a
      filet with raisin sauce.
    
    - at Crockett's Tavern, get Georgie Russell's Bourbon Tenderloin, but
      don't fill up on bread, it's huge.
    
    - at Beaches 'n Cream, get the Fenway Park burger as well as one of
      their thick milkshakes.
    
    For my non-beef favorites:
    
    - at Alfredo's in Italy, I love the Fettucine Alfredo.
    
    - at the Bierhaus in Germany,  I love the sausage sampler plate.
    
    - at the Portobello Yacht Club, there is a pasta meal I love.  The
      pasta is long tubes (like hollow spaghetti) and the sauce is made by 
      filling a tomato with herbs and spices and baking it with the pasta 
      until it becomes soft enough to be like sauce.  Yummy.
    
    
    These are my favorites.  My wife's are different, but we tend to prefer
    the restaurants I mentioned.  I'll bet that you can find a "favorite"
    at most of the restaurants on the property.
    
    --Jay
    

    For some reason I thought the French Onion Soup in Tony's was about the
    best I ever had. I'm a big salad and antipasto fan and they served a
    topnotch antipasto.
    
    Prime Time has a great Pot Roast.
    
    If you're a Prime Rib fan try the Contemporary Cafe buffet.
    
    And then there's the French Toast at Tangaroa Terrace at the Poly.
    
    Beaches 'N' Cream and The Plasa Restaurant are my two favorite spots
    for Ice Cream.
    
    If you are in to "Decadent Desserts" try D-Zerta on Pleasure
    Island...it's a great place to test your willpower.
    
    Mike 

    Does every place in WDW have kid-food available?

    I love the blueberry muffins in the bakery on Main Street!
    
    Regards,
    
    Karen

    My son and I loved Tony's on Mainstreet in Magic Kingdom for dinner but
    they are expensive! 
    
    Also agree about the milkshakes and burgers at Beaches and Cream!
    Excellent food/value IMO.
    
    The character buffet at 1900 Park at the Grand Floridian around
    11 a.m. is excellent and lots of characters show up towards the end of
    the buffet time.
    
    San Angel Inn in Mexico/Epcot was excellent at lunch, we both enjoyed
    it! 
    
    Every restaurant we walked into had a childrens menu. My son is 11.
    

    Go to Tony's for Lunch!!!!! It's less expensive and the menu offers
    more choices. Stay away from Tony's at night...it's like two different
    restaurants.
    
    Mike

    Do you need reservations for Tony's at lunch?
    
    Are there other good lunch spots for which you do not need
    reservations?  If so, are the lines long?  My family and I hate waiting
    when we're hungry.  Two of us get frantic, the other two just get
    annoyed.
    
    

    >>>Do you need reservations for Tony's at lunch?
    
    Not especially but if you are visiting the Magic Kingdom in the
    morning it wouldn't hurt to stop by Tony's and make a reservation.
    
    Mike 

    
    One additional item to note about dining in WDW... I will have more
    details about smoking, which I think some people will find interesting;
    
    But at this time all restaurants are now smoke free. This includes the
    food courts in Port Orleans, Dixie Landings, and CBR.
    
    This was a nice change to not have to worry about ending up in the
    non_smoking table that abuts the smoking area, and not having to worry
    about getting a non-smoking reservation!
    
    Also, there were more menus offering steamed vegetable plates with
    	different things like wild rice, etc. Many were very good. I
    	had a vegetable plate in Chef's de France, that included
    	steamed veggies, rice, sweet potato mousse, stewed tomatoes, etc.
        I don;t remember seeing so many items available in WDW, but then
    	again, I was not necessarily looking for them before.

    I love croissant at the French bakery (can't remember all names right
    now), lunch at the San Angel Inn (if you love margaritas, they make a
    good one!!), dinner in China (had a duck dish, with a filled wonton 
    appetizer), breakfast at Tony's (for some reason, I just love Lady and
    the Tramp waffles!!)...I'll have more for you after July!!
    
    I also liked the foodcourt at Dixie Landings for breakfast and I liked
    the restaurant (Boatwrights?  or is that the name of the food court?).
    
    Last October my brother took his family and I arranged for them to have
    dinner at Chef Mickey's for Emily's ninth birthday.  It turned out to
    be their favorite restaurant!  They liked it even better than the
    German Pavilion (which they loved), and thought it was quite reasonable
    (but then, they could have been referring to my treating them! ;-)
    
    Of course, one person's expensive is another's inexpensive, so it's
    hard for me to say.  Generally, I only think a place is too expensive
    if I didn't like the food! 
    
    
    Susan             
         

    Annie,
    
    Great news about the non-smoking policy and the increase in the
    vegetable dishes. I'd love to see them eliminate smoking altogether
    in the theme parks but I guess that'd be asking too much.
    
    Mike

    Quick highlights:
    
    - The Fritatta for breakfast at Tony's (while the kids have Lady and
    The Tramp waffles)
    
    - EVERYTHING at Portabello Yacht Club
    
    - The "Mexico City" Mexican cuisine at San Angel Inn in EPCOT (as opposed
     to the "Sonoran" Mexican cuisine, which I'm sure is also fine, but more
    readily available everywhere in the U.S.)
    
    - Banana stuffed French Toast at any of the restaurants at the
    Polynesian Resort (Papeete Verandah, Tangaroa Terrace)
    
    - If you like burgers, I've not had any that are better than those at
    Beaches & Cream (a close second would be the Cheesburger In Paradise at
    Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville in New Orleans...)
    
    - The Kalbschnitzel at the Biergarten in EPCOT
    
    - Blackened Grouper at Tangaroa Terrace
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    

    I've never really tried any of the seafood restaurants in WDW. I'd like
    some opinions on a few places. I'm particulary interested in:
    
           - Coral Reef Restaurant in The Living Seas
           - Ariel's in The Beach Club
    
    I know both are expensive places to go. Does anyone have any strong
    feelings as to which is the better of the two?
    
           - Bonfamille's Cafe at Port Orleans
    
    How's the quality of the food here? I'm sure the cost is less than the
    previous two mentioned.
    
    	   - Cape May Cafe in The Beach Club
    
    I mention this one because I understand this restaurant holds a seafood
    buffet. I don't recall ever going to a seafood buffet. Has anyone gone
    to this and if so was the food worth the cost?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike_who_continues_to_plan_plan_plan

    
    Mike,
    
    My husband and I love both Ariel's and Coral Reef, it's difficult to
    choose one over the other!  I'd recommend checking out the menus first
    and see which one you prefer.  Ariel's may be a bit quieter and more
    romantic feeling than Coral Reef.  With kids I'd pick Coral Reef, it's
    really something dining with that huge tank right there.  All tables do
    get a pretty good look at it too.  They also include a paper to
    identify the many creatures that you'll see swim by.  The only negative
    thing about the Coral Reef was the wait.  Even with reservations we
    waited an additional time to be seated.  Also, there was a rather rude
    person behind the desk, but our waitress that night was a sweetheart
    and made up for it! 
    
    One thing that I've found with WDW restaurants is that you can order
    almost anything and they'll make it up special for you.  At Ariel's
    they did not show anything Cajun on the menu and when I asked, I was
    given the BEST Cajun food I've ever had.  And their service was the
    BEST I've seen to date.
    
    Sorry I can't give you any info on Bonfamilles, with my love for Cajun
    I can't believe I haven't tried it yet.
    
    I also have not tried the Cape May Clam Bake but their character
    breakfast buffet is wonderful! (and expensive though)  Huge variety of
    food and great, friendly service.
    
    Have fun planning Mike!
    
    Rose

    Thanks Rose. I too am a Cajun nut....so I'll be leaning towards 
    any place that offers Cajun style entrees.
    
    I'm hearing that the Coral Reef Restaurant is overpriced and that
    Bonfamille's offers the same quality food at a lower price.
    
    Still that Cape May buffet....something to ask at the AOL Disney
    chat on Monday.
    
    Mike

I've never been to the Coral Reef, but I loved Ariel's.  The food was wonderful
and the atmosphere and decor are great.  There's a huge fish tank (though not
as big as the the Coral Reef!) and pretty fish and bubbles hanging from the
ceiling.  The rugs and dishes are pretty too and keep with the theme of the
restaurant.  I've still got the bib with Ariel on it from my lobster dinner.  
Also, they have very cute little lobster butters.  You can always judge a 
restaurant by its butter. :-)

                                               Tracy

Mike,

We had lunch at the coral reef a few years ago.

We really enjoyed the atmosphere...surrounded by fish...the
kids loved it. The food was very good but I forgot what we had.

It was a nice place to relax in.

Doug

    Mike,
    
       We went to the Cape May Clambake in Feb of 1992 and loved it.
    It was an "all-you-can-eat" buffet that had Mussels, Baked Fish,
    Pasta, Chicken, Corn-on-the-cob, and lots of other things that I 
    can't remember.  There wasn't any lobster or steamers (which of
    course it what I think of when I think of a clambake), but we
    enjoyed it anyway.  It also included a large selection of deserts.
    It was my Mother-in-law's birthday when we were there and they
    brought us a whole carrot cake with candles and singing.  We
    mentioned something about not being able to try out the deserts
    they had at the buffet, and our waitress told us to pick out the
    deserts we wanted and she would box up the cake for us to take with
    us (which worked out well as a snack back at the hotel).  I seem to 
    recall the price being something like 12.95 or 14.95 per person (our 
    daughter who was four at the time was free, I think it was free for 
    under 7).  They had a choice of two soups, Clam Chowder and Vegtable 
    but that was brought to you and you only got one bowl (which was
    plenty given all the other things that they had).
    
    We also had gone to the Coral Reef earlier that week and thought that
    it was overpriced (but the food was good).
    
    Gail 

    We ate at Coral Reef for the first time a couple of weeks ago and we 
    enjoyed it. We did not wait long to be seated and the service was
    excellent. The food was very good and my sons enjoyed identifying
    the various creatures in the tank.
    
    I ate at Bonfamilie's in 1992 and the food and service was very good.
    
    Ron

    I have eaten at both the Coral Reef AND Ariel's. Although I like both
    I would prefer Ariel's. I think the selection and food is better than
    at the Coral Reef. But, what I like the most is the atmosphere, much
    more relaxing. I guess it depends on what your looking for. If you
    looking for a restaurant to go to while your in EPCOT, then Corl reef
    is good. But, actually Ariel's is only a hop-skip-and-a-jump down the
    path!
    
    Marcie

    
    
    We will be at Disneyworld for our 6th weeding ann.   Any suggestions
    for a romatic dinner and evening..   Thanks,,,
    
    We leave on Monday (Staying at Ft. Wild..)
    
    Don 

    We stayed at Port Orleans, and ate a Bonfamilles last year.  I mostly
    remember being tired and hungry.  The food was good, and the bill
    didn't shock me.  I can't remmeber what either of us had, however.
    
    

    
    Has anyone eaten at the Sci-Fi Drive-In Diner at MGM?  If so, can you
    tell me how the prices are and what the food is like?
    
    Thanks,
    
    	-Todd
    

    We ate there a few years ago.  We did it for the atmosphere mostly.  I
    thought the prices were high (as compared to off-Disney food rates),
    and the food was basic american fare - hamburgers, bbq chicken, etc. 
    It was fun becaause the "tables" are old "chevy's" and the waitrons
    wear roller skates when they work.  There is a drive in that plays
    snipets of classic horror/sci fi flicks while your there.  My kids
    enjoyed it alot, and we were pleased with the atmosphere (but not the
    prices).  We only ate on Disney grounds twice (dinner once, lunch
    once).
    
    -s
    

    I'll talk about this in my trip report but I thought I'd report that I
    tried the Sci-Fi Restaurant and I felt that the price, service, and 
    atmosphere was very good...unlike what I had expected. Having a
    talented cast member wait on us helped a lot.
    
    I'll go back.
    
    Mike

    I've eaten at the Sci-Fi and had a good meal, ended up being the about
    the same price as the Prime Time for my family and for waht my kids
    wanted it was really the exact same meal as the Prime Time, same price
    just named differently [according to the theme of the two places].
    
    -Jay
    

    I've eaten there twice, and enjoyed it both times.  Some items were
    excellent, others fair, but the atmosphere and cast are what make the
    place.  My kids absolutely loved it, and rated it as one of their
    favorite places to eat at WDW.  I'll also second the comment that the
    quality and attitude of the cast can make or break your impression of 
    almost anything at WDW, and during our last trip the cast that waited
    on us at the Sci-Fi was outstanding.  Our main waitress had mentioned
    that she used to be at the Prime-Time, and thus had a VERY interactive
    approach.
    
    Cheers,
    Ken
    
    P.S. - Plus, you can get Leinenkugel beer at the Sci-Fi!!  :-)
    
    

    
    I've just finished reading all the notes in this topic (preparing for
    our trip this November), and I noticed the Flagler's was hardly 
    mentioned at all.
    
    This surprised me, becuase this was our favorite restaurant when we
    were down there last November.  We like it so much, we cancelled our
    reservations to Victoria & Albert's to go again.  
    
    Do all you seasoned noters know something we didn't?  It was expensive
    but not extremly expensive, and the food was fantastic.  The Atmosphere
    was perfect to start the first day of our honeymoon. 
    
    We were on the Vacation Kingdom Plan, and used both of our dinner 
    tickets here.  I couldn't decide if I wanted the Filet Mignon, or the 
    Fettucini Alfredo, so the made up a plate with both..and my husband
    had the Lobster tail and Filet...   
    
    So if people are overlooking Flagler's, it was by far our favorite!
    
    Christine  101 days and counting!
    

    
    We will be traveling to WDW this Saturday and would like to have Sunday
    evening (Easter) dinner at King Stefan's restaurant (mainly for the
    kids).
    
    Can you make reservations prior to the morning of the meal?  For
    example, can we call down there now and make a reservation?
    
    If not, do you make the reservation right at the restaurant, or is
    there somewhere else to go to make reservations?
    
    Also, we booked a character breakfast at the Contemporary hotel.  Any
    comments on this?  Is there one that would be better?
    
    - Gary

    If you are staying on the property you can make reservations now. If
    not, then make them first thing Sunday morning...it's gonna be
    difficult.
    
    Mike

    
    I had heard that the Tangaroa Terrace was closing down and becoming
    a new restaurant based on the concept of the Whispering Canyons Cafe.
    
    It would be set around a big "fire pit", and the food would be served
    family style (polynesian-type kabobs, and such), and they would bring
    out flaming skewers.  
    
    They also would have a "King Kemehameha" (sp) table you could reserve
    for special occassions in the center of the restaurant.   
    
    I had read an article in an issue of "Eyes and Ears" a month or so 
    ago, and had a pretty detailed article on it.  Needless to say, I 
    was surprised when I havn't read anything about it here (or I missed
    it)  
    
    Also, did I miss notes about the closing of the Empress Lilly? 
    
    Christine
    

<    Also, did I miss notes about the closing of the Empress Lilly? 
 
It is apparently closing for renovations.  It will be closed for a few
months, I believe.

    Carol   

I got the scoop on the Empress Lily.  Disney is in negotiations for selling it 
right now.  The cast member I talked to said that the purchaser is planning to
have one huge restaurant inside the boat instead of the several that are there
now.  She also said that 'Breakfast a la Disney' has been permanently moved to
Chef Mickey's.
					Tracy

    I tried to make reservations for the Empress Lily and was told by
    WDW-DINE that after the middle of May that it was closing down. What's 
    the story on that?

    Personally, I would not be disappointed about the Empress Lily being
    closed down for a bit...Hoping that it will improve.   We ate there once
    and for the $$$'s spent there were way to many service mistakes and we
    had to send back my wife's steak as it was not done to order.  The
    mistakes were things that you would probably overlook in a more
    standard place, but I expected different there....Now Victoria and
    Albert, *there* is a place.  It met all my hopes!  <looking forward to
    my next visit>
    
    Mark
    

Other than Victoria and Albert's, how much do you have to dress for the various
restaurants?  I imagine that my family will be in blue jeans (faded, but not
torn), except when we're in shorts.  Are we going to be out of place at many
of the various restaurants?

Are there some we should avoid, or bring better clothes for?

    Carol

The only places I've "dressed" for at WDW are Victoria and Albert's and
The Empress Room.  Everywhere else I've gone in shorts.  Generally, the
more expensive the restaurant the better I try to look (you know, the dress
shorts!), but I don't think it matters too much.  Last trip we all went into
Narcoossee's for lunch in damp shorts and t-shirts and watered down hair
after being caught in a rain storm.  As our pictures attest, we weren't the
best looking guests they've ever had!  [but they served us anyway :-)]

					Tracy

    
    For the Liberty Tree Tavern, we were dressed in shorts and t-shirts.  I
    certainly did not see a dress code anywhere in the restaurants.
    
    - Gary

I'm still interested in more input about any restaurant where I shouldn't
wear shorts or faded jeans.

However, I also need to know:  where is Chef Mickey's??  Also, do the
Odyssey and the Stargate restaurants still exist?  Where are they?

      Carol

    Chef Mickey's is at The Village Marketplace.
    
    I assume both Odyssey and Stargate restaurants (both Brazillian
    favorites) are still around.
    
    As far as which restaurants you SHOULDN'T wear shorts/faded jeans
    a few have been mentioned elsewhere, like V&A's and the restaurant
    on top of the Contemporary.
    
    So which restaurants will you be visiting?
    
    Mike

Oddessey is in EPCOT between Future World and the World Showcase.  I think that
Stargate is in EPCOT as well, but I'm not sure where.

					Tracy

    The Stargate restaurant was in Communicore East when there was a 
    Communicore East. 
    
    Mike
    

Well, I don't have many *planned* places to eat.  I want to go to Whispering
Canyon Cafe for dinner some night for sure.  Other than that, I only have
planned Mickey's Tropical Luau on Monday, Hoop Dee Doo on Tuesday, and the
Aladdin Character Breakfast on Saturday the 13th.

I assume that we will probably eat at the Grand Floridian restaurants 
occasionally - probably Narcoosi's at least once.  Flagler's seems to have
gotten mixed reviews.  

Other than that, I have a list of the restaurants that have been recommended
(that I've noticed) so that if we're hungry somewhere, I can just glance
through my list (or from memory) and say "oh, the xxx restaurant is here,
and it's supposed to be good."  :-)

Now, hopefully, there won't be a long wait...

Is this unrealistic?  Should I make reservations the night before, based on
the land we plan to start in that day?  

At this point, with 2 small children, I just don't know what the average
daily schedule is going to be like (times people will get hungry and/or tired).

      Carol

    
    The odyssy (SP?) at EPCOT is closed permanantly according to some
    discussion in the rec.arts.disney newsgroup.  They were talking about
    it being reserved only for conventions....
    
    Anyone who was there recently verify?
    
    --bert
    

The Odyssey was still closed last October, and last January.

The Stargate was renamed, I think, with the makeover to Innoventions.

The Top of the Contemporary is about to re-open as the California Grill,
and, based on the name, I would bet will be casual dress code.

Every restaurant inside a Park is casual.

Even Ariel's at the Beach Club is casual.

We don't pack anything dressy -- shorts or jeans has been fine every but
V & A's.

Bill A.

    re: .255
    
    Carol,
    
    You can make reservations, then not keep them if you change your plans. 
    But if you don't make reservations and then decide to go, you could
    have a long wait.
    
    --Jay
    

    Florida is a casual state, I can't imagine wanting to go someplace
    where I might worry about it.
    
    Mark

    
    I've been trying to call 407-WDW-DINE all week and it just rings
    and rings.
    
    Had to call general information to make all my dining reservations
    for next week.  

    I was in WDW in mid-May and the
    Odyssey was still closed.
    
    Every meal I had in WDW was excellent..
    really liked in Epcot, the Italian and
    Japanese restaurants (sushi/tempura bar)
    
    Flaglers was good, so was Narcosee (sp?)
    Narcosee's was noisy.  They put us in a
    non-smoking section, but right next to
    the bar where people can smoke apparently.
    
    Very bad; the person I was with has
    terrible asthma and we could barely
    get through the meal.  We did mention
    to them that having smoke blown in our
    faces while we ate was really not our
    idea of a non-smoking section.
    
    But, I had a very good surf and turf 
    meal.
    
    Actually, all the restaurants were 
    noisy except for V & A

    It's not true that ALL Disney restaurants are smoke-free...most are.
    
    It'd be nice to see a list of restaurants which are NOT smoke-free.
    
    I'd never visit them.
    
    Mike

    
    All the Disney-owned restaurants that I've been to are now non-smoking. 
    The Portabello Yacht Club and the Fireworks Factory are not
    Disney-owned and as a result, have smoking areas.  I've not had any
    problems at the PYC, but I have encountered smoke in the FF.
    
    There may be some Disney-owned restaurants that allow smoking, but my
    understanding is that they are supposed to be non-smoking.
    
    --Jay
    

The small guidebook I received (which lists all restaurants and resort
facilities) claims on page 5:

"All Disnet Theme Park and Resort restaurants are smoke-free environments."

Bill A.

>...but I have encountered smoke in the FF

Sounds dangerous to me ;-)

    Has anyone eaten here?
    
    I guess it's in FantasyLand.
    
    Mike

    
    Mike,
    
    It's a little drink stand between the Lion King Show and
    Peter Pan's Flight.  About the only food sold was popcorn I
    think.  I remember it because we were searching for the Fantasyland
    Collector cup and were told to go to Hook's Tavern.  Took us a little
    while to understand where it was at.
    
    Not really a sit-down or counter food place like the name might imply.
    
    --Bert

    The Garden Gill Restaurant at The Land Pavillion in EPCOT now offers a 
    "Dining...with "Character"" experience.
    
    You can have breakfast, lunch, or dinner with the Mickey and friends.
    
    Prices for adults are $14.95 (BR) $16.95 (L & D).
    Prices for kids are   $ 7.95 (BR) $ 9.95 (L & D).
    
    Mike

    
    posted by one of the CMs who's a regular on rec.arts.disney.parks 
    newsgroup:
    
    Effective Saturday, September 30, 1995, Chef Mickey's, located in the
    Disney Village Marketplace, will be permanently closing.
    
    Replacing Chef Mickey's will be a brand new "environmentally friendly"
    restaurant- Rainforest Cafe, opening summer of 1996.
    
    The Rainforest Cafe will be the third of its kind- the original is
    located in Bloomington, Minnesota's Mall of America and the newest in the
    Woodfield Mall just outside of Chicago, Illinois.
    
    Featured in the new restaurant will be cascading waterfalls, tropical
    rain showers, thunder, lightning and live tropical birds.  Interactive
    experiences will include animated talking trees, butterflies and 
    crocodiles.  A 17,000 gallon aquatic ecosystem and four 450 gallon 
    aquariums are also among the highlights.  There will also be a 5,000 sq ft 
    retail area featuring nature related merchandise emphasizing animal themes.
                                 

    We were planning to take our son to Chef Mickey's for Dinner on his
    birthday on 24th October.   I am so disappointed to learn that it
    will be closed by that time as it had been recommended as suitable
    for a 9 year old.
    
    Can anyone suggest somewhere else which would be suitable for us and 
    can anyone comment on the Garden Gill Restaurant mentioned in Mike's 
    note.
    
    I had this all planned, although obviously not booked, and now my plans
    are up in the air.  I wanted to be able to book it when I arrive,
    without Fraser knowing anything about it, so I don't want to be making 
    too many enquiries once we are there - hopefully just the one phone 
    call to make the booking.
    
    Thanks for any help anyone can give.
    
    Margaret
    

    Margaret,
    
    I'd take your son to Pairk Faire for his birthday. Go to the dinner
    buffet and mention your son's birthday to your server. You may find
    not just a birthday cake and a "Happy Birthday to You..." from several
    castmembers but also a visit from a couple of rodents who your son may
    recognize.
    
    You could also book Hoop-Dee-Doo for his birthday.
    
    Mike

    
    Mike,
    
    Thanks for your help.   
    
    Can you tell me where Park Faire is?  I have been reading this notesfile 
    for a long time but don't remember seeing this one mentioned before, 
    so I have no idea where it is.
    
    I presume from your note that I won't have to book in advance, just
    tell someone when we arrive, and they will do they rest.  I would like
    Fraser to get a REALLY big surprise when someone appears with a
    birthday cake as he is not going to have a birthday party with his
    friends this year with us being away.
    
    Thanks again for your help.
    
    
     

1900 Park Faire is at the Grand Floridian, in the back of the lobby building,
on the side toward the swimming pool (as I recall; we saw it but didn't
go in it).

    Carol

    For those going soon you may want to try out these two new restaurants:
    
     The 'Ohana Restaurant in the Polynesian Resort has a Pacific theme 
     decor. The restaurant has a "fire pit" and serves salads, flatbreads,
     grilled meats and seafood brought on skewers to your table.
    
     The California Grill is at the Contemporary Resort. The restaurant has    
     beautiful art deco design in blond wood and an open kitchen.
     Everything is prepared California-style and yes there is a sushi bar.
    
    I'm looking forward to reading some reviews on these restaurants in
    future trip reports.
    
    Mike

    DId you guys know that Chef Mickey's is now in the Contemporary?
    
    Mike

    
    Mike, I read a little topic on it....it's a cross between the old
    Contemporary Cafe buffet and Chef Mickeys.  It's like a character
    breakfast/lunch/dinner buffet now.  It's on the list next week, so 
    I'll let you know what we think.
    
    --Bert

    If you like the Crystal Palace and Winnie the Pooh I have some good
    news and some bad news.
    
          The Crystal Palace has closed and will re-open in March. The
          reopening will see a buffett style dining experience and visits
          by Winnie the Pooh and friends.
    
    Mike

    
    
     Could someone post the latest price list of some of the more
     popular restaurants in WDW ? Maybe breakfast & dinner. The
     last one I saw in this note was back in 1992 out of the 
     "Unofficial Guide to WDW" 
    
      Going down this April, so this would be a great help.
    
    
      Thanks
      Dave 

    I made reservations for the Hoop-de-doo Review about 2 weeks ago for
    Jun 29. As I recall, the price for an adult was $36 and a child (3-11
    years) was $18.

    I'd like some feedback in two areas:
    
      - People are always asking me what to expect to spend on food while
        in WDW. In the past I've said that based on a two meal a day 
        schedule that you should budget about $25/day for children and
        $40/day for adults.
    
        Does anyone feel this is too high/low? I'd appreciate comments
        from recent visitors.
    
      - I heard that the Garden Grille restaurant in The Land Pavillion
        is getting better. I know that over the last few years it has
        not been one of the more popular restaurants. Does anyone have
        any recent experiences at this restaurant?
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike

Mike,

Our kids are not "big eaters"; we have  2 girls and a boy
ages 17, 13, 8. 

We actually spend about $80/day in meals except for
when we plan to go to one of the nice expensive restaurants
for a real blow-out dinner or lunch.

Example: Breakfast at the Crystal Palace about $30.00.
	 Light snacks/beverages $20.00
	 Late lunch/Early "dinner" at someplace like
	 Pinochio's or Minnie's Pizza Place $30.00.

Of course, if you have a couple of teenage football players
then I suppose you would spend double this amount.

Doug

PS We do carry disposable cups and drink a lot of water from
    the water fountains; quenches the thirst better than Coke.

    Mike, I figured out our food bill for 8 days (2/96).  This includes
    all ice creams bars, cokes, and a few other snacks.  We did eat a
    couple breakfasts in our room which I brought and two dinners
    outside the parks.
    
    Total for the week for 5 of us was $873 (109/day), not bad.  We are
    not big eaters (Kids ages 15-11-5).  Also, this includes Mickey/Minnie
    character dinner and 2 character breakfasts.  I did note about the Garden
    Grille in my trip report and in the character breakfast note.  I would not
    go there again (barf).  I didn't like anything about this restaurant.
    
    
    Julie
                                                                         
    
    

    The Rainforest Cafe is open.
    
    Gift shop opens at 9:30...restaurant at 10:30.
    
    Mike

    
    
    
    I pulled the following review of the Rainforest Cafe off the
    internet. It was prepared by Rob Maretsky. I've left his e-mail
    address at the bottom in case you'd like to send him mail.
    
    Mike
    
    __________________________________________________________________
    
    As promised, here's a review of the new Rainforest Cafe, in the Disney
    Village Marketplace (where Chef Mickey's used to be).
    
    The restaurant is currently in "soft open" so there is still some
    minor construction going on. There is some finishing work on the
    volcano, and the portion that faces the Sassagoula is being painted as
    I speak. Other than that though, it's pretty much done. They did a lot
    in the last week!
    
    On the outside, the most striking feature is the volcano, which erupts
    steam every now and then. There is a very loud bass sound system which
    lets you hear the eruption anywhere in the village - it's quite neat.
    At night, the colored lights add a lot to the eruption effect. Inside,
    the lights flicker/dim during the eruption.
    
    Also on the outside are an animatronic gorilla and crocodile, some
    nice waterfalls (Disney canned the mini fountain near the RFC), and
    real parrots to look at and talk to the trainer about. The outside is
    nice.
    
    Inside is amazing! The entire place, from eye level up is literally
    covered in leaves, and foliage to give a great effect of a jungle.
    Animals are strewn about everywhere, and quite a few are AA, coming to
    life frequently. There are large and pretty fish tanks everywhere
    (with fake coral, of course), and rock outcropping and waterfalls.
    
    The restaurant side is quite large, and we sat down almost
    immediately. Like all theme restaurants, we went through a gauntlet of
    hostesses before we were shown to our table. I would imagine that as
    more PR happens, the waits will get longer. As we left, the wait
    looked about 30 minutes - we must have lucked out.
    
    There are  (in my opinion) two main areas: the Gorilla room, and the
    Elephant room. Each room has an appropriate centerpiece. The Gorilla
    room has a large tree inhabited by a family of gorillas which come to
    life, making loud noises, and thumping their chests. The Elephant room
    has (duh) elephants which move their heads about and roar and whatnot.
    
    There are moving butterflies (flapping wings) Rhesus or Lemur monkeys
    hanging around, screeching every now and then, a cave of bats which
    squeak a bit (not the best effect), twinkling stars in the few
    non-leafy patches, and others.
    
    We sat near a waterfall which caused a few small problems. The
    waterfall was more "robust" than expected so our seats were soaked.
    They dried them and moved the table a bit back. The noise was pretty
    loud, so we couldnt hear the animal background noises and had to
    project to talk to each other. Finally, the waterfall was leaking,
    mostly into the restroom area.  Several management types were nearby
    giving the waterfall thought looks. But, thats what you get during
    soft open. We were told by the time the real opening rolls around,
    (Aug 5 or 6), it will be tamer, and dryer!
    
    The food was terrific - not typical theme restaurant "oh yeah theres
    food too!" fare. Go to the website at http:\\www.rainforestcafe.com
    for the full menu. I had the vegetarian lasagna, and it was great -
    even to this non-vegetarian! Bottom line - the food lives up to the
    surroundings. The service was fine, and the price are about average
    for a theme restaurant (is a little high).
    
    There is also a large store selling all types of RFC stuff. Its
    decorated the same and just as nice. There is not one mascot, but
    eight:  A croc, a gorilla, an elephant, an iguana, a jaguar (?), an
    orangutan (dont say monkey!), a tree frog and a parrot. You can get
    all sorts of stuff with one or more of them on it.
    
    In summary - this is a perfect addition to Disney and it fits in
    great. Highly recommended.
    
    'Nuff said
    
    
    -Rob
    
    ===================================================
    
    [email protected]
    
    http://www.netcom.com/~maretsky/disney.html
    
    
    

Note: If you cut & paste the Rainforest Cafe URL from the previous reply,
you'll get the following error:

>Proxy denies fulfilling the request
>
>Your client either is not allowed to access the requested object through 
>this proxy, or the proxy denies requests from your IP address altogether. 

This is because the slashes are wrong!  The pointer in the reply is:

> Go to the website at http:\\www.rainforestcafe.com

But it SHOULD be:

	http://www.rainforestcafe.com

Notice the direction of the slashes in front of "www."

Just fyi!

-- Nina (who hopes to eat there between Aug. 29 and Sept. 4! :-) )

    So...you'd like to see some menus from selected WDW restaurants?
    
    Check out...
                  http://www.wdn.com/dwills/menus.htm
    
    You won't find them all but there's at least 30 listed andseveral more 
    on the way.
    
    Mike 

    Rainforest Cafe number is (407) 827-8500.
    
    No breakfast...opens at 10:30.
    
    Mike

    RE: The Rainforest Cafe....
    
    I ate there last week for my birthday.  Not bad for an unplanned
    excursion from home ( I live in MA) (;-)
    
    Good news:
    
    The place was great!  I walked up to the front elephant(;-) and quickly
    got seated at 5 of 12 for lunch with no waiting.  We ate in the
    Gorilla room.  BTW the seats around the bar are a must see!
     
    For two adults and four children the bill, including tip,
    was $80.00 for lunch.
    
    	This included only soft drinks for all. (free refills)
    	Two of the kids split a HUGE club sandwich with waffle fries.
    	My youngest some had a pepperoni pizza of the kids menu.  He
        could'nt finish it.  Apx 7" diam.
    	My oldest son had country fried chicken.  
    	My wife had chicken pot pie.
    	And I had a burger.... called the Amazon Burger (1/2 lb)...
    
    	All the portions were plentiful.  It was well worth it.
    
    Bad news:
    
    	They refused my Disney Credit card and the MKC Gold card.  The
    waiter informed me that they hadn't been approved for either yet by
    Disney.
    
    Regards,
    
    Tony	

    	First off I've been an inconsistant Disney noter recently so if
    this information has been previously posted, I apologize.
    
    	During our impromtu "quick fix" of the MK in August we noticed a
    number of people walking around while munching on turkey legs.  More
    specifically some great smelling honey roasted large turkey legs!
    
    	We noticed that at least two concession counters, one in frontier
    land and one in tomorrow land offered this item.  It was priced at
    $4.50 +tax each and came wrapped so you could walk around and peel the
    paper down as you ate it.
    
    	Judging from the amount of people eating these they appear to be a
    hit.  My only question is what are they doing with all those legless
    turkeys (;-)...
    
    	Has anyone tried these?
    
    Regards,
    
    Tony

	Tony,

	I had one last time I was there and it was fantastic! I prefer
	white meat but this leg was delicious and well worth the
	money. Plus it filled me up which isn't a small task...

	Toby

    My wife and I also picked up a turkey leg in Frontierland when we were
    there in April.
    
    It was very good. It tasted almost like ham instead of turkey.
    
    
    Mark

    We just returned from Disney and had dinner at Rainforest Cafe monday
    night.  We were shopping and went over at about 5:00pm and were seated
    right away (there were lots of tables available).  I did notice that by
    5:45 there was a long line outside of people waiting...but there is
    lots to keep you occupied in the area while waiting. They do not accept
    reservations.
    
    The atmosphere is fun. Elephants, monkeys, leopards all moving and
    making noise and every 20 mins a thunderstorm.  Note the thunderstorm
    scared my 2 year old and he was crying (but I think it was more due to
    the fact that he was tired from a long day of traveling...by the 2nd
    thunderstorm he was asleep in his stroller).
    
    My husband and I both had pasta dishes which were delicious (my
    husband's favorite meal of the trip) and VERY garlicy - and we are used
    to eating garlic.  They had children's meals for about $5.  Actually I
    was pleasantly suprised at all the prices. Our entrees were $11.95, I
    was expecting everything to be much higher.
    
    I'd say the food is similar to TGIFridays.  Lots of variety to chose
    from.  They also had lots of specialty drinks.  I'd go there again just 
    for the atmosphere!
    
    
    Tracey

    We ate at Planet Hollywood during our trip in August.  We went on the day
    we flew into Orlando and schedule a later lunch, around 2:00pm.  We had
    no wait.  We found the food plentiful, good, but not cheap.  Since it
    was our vacation we did splurge on some of the speciality drinks and
    appetizers which I am sure help to increase the bill.  The atmosphere
    is great and do take time to visit the other floors.  As far as the 
    Rainforest Cafe, we only had drinks at the bar.  When ever we were at
    the Marketplace the wait was quite long.  Having a drink at the bar
    allows you to soak up the atmosphere, and explore the restaurant.
    We also went to Chef Mickey's and had a great time, the view at sunset
    was specatacular.  I was not there when it was the Contempary so I
    cannot compare.  We found the buffet plentiful and a lot of variety.
    We also really enjoyed the Character Dinner (it is served family style)
    at the Liberty Tree Tavern.  

We stayed at the Boardwalk and ate at the Flying Fish.  It was very good and
interesting food.  The cost was reasonable for a good dinner but it wasn't
cheap.  The service was also good.

The ESPN Sportsbar was almost always a mob scene, but they had good sandwiches
(we took them out 2 days for lunch back at the pool).  Also, the bakery had
very good desserts and the ice cream shop had good frozen yogurt (better than
the kind you get at the snack places in Contemporary or GF or the parks) and
excellent orange sherbert.

Spoodles (the pizza place) seemed to have a good menu but was crowded at
normal times.  There is one other restaurant there (forget the name) that is
basically an "interesting sandwich shop" but we didn't try it.

    After reading Bill's entry on waiting 2 hours at the RFC I thought I'd
    mention in here that at the end of my course I mention what I feel are
    the top ten tips for making the most of your time and money in Orlando
    and one tip is to go for an early dinner.
    
    If/When I visit Planet Hollywood and/or the RFC it will be between 1:30
    and 2:30 for lunch and between 3:30 and 4:30 for dinner. This has
    always worked well for me, even in July.
    
    Mike

    Mike, my nephew (also Mike!) and I did just that.  In August, the waits
    for RFC was always 2 hours, from 5:00 on, it seemed.  We went at 4:30 
    and practically walked in (a one minute wait isn't bad).  We loved the 
    food, and I thought it was reasonably priced.  The atmosphere was 
    a lot of fun!  Definitely worth the visit.
    
    I'll be going with my boyfriend on my next visit (yet another Mike!),
    and RFC is definitely on our list.  Planet Hollywood is on the "maybe"
    list.
    
    A place on the definite list is the restaurant at the Disney Institute.
    The "Unofficial Guide" folks are snobs about food, and they rated 
    that one highly.  They don't rate too many highly, and I think they 
    are way too harsh.  The menu sounded fabulous to both of us, so it's 
    on the list.
    
    We'd planned to eat only two meals a day to save money, but there are
    too many restaurants on our list to do that!  ;-)
    
    
    Susan

    There is a rumor going around that the Odyssey Restaurant in EPCOT
    may become a McDonalds.
    
    Mike

    Just heard from a cast member....add to that rumor that McDonald's may 
    replace the Liberty Inn at The American Adventure.
    
    * * * * 
    
    This time of year means sea gull problems at EPCOT. Even Seagull
    Distress signals don't work.
    
    Mike

RE last 2 - McDonald's at EPCOT?!?!?!?!  Nooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!

Sigh.....

- Nina

    I've seen some notes on this rumor in the newsgroups too.
    
    I dunno what the big hubub is about.  A McDees grilled chicken sandwich
    is better than any I ever got a Disney fast food stand.  Disney does
    a lot of things good (attractions, parades, sit-down restaurants).  
    Fast food is not one of them.  I've eaten chili dogs over by the
    Pirates of Caribean I wouldn't feed to my dogs....I already paid $12
    for them so I had no choice (2 dogs, 2 fries, 2 cokes).
    
    As for the magic....geez we got Delta's dreamflight, AT&T's Space
    Mountain, GM's test track, Carnation's Land PAviliion....this place
    is rife with corporate names.  I dont buy the 'it destroys the magic'
    argument...
    
    Ok, flame-proof vest on, head ducked.  8^}
    
    --Bert (a big mac at WDW is better than big mac at home ANYDAY!)
             

    you didn't think McD's would agree to simply include DISNEY stuff in
    the Happy Meals, did you?
    
    Mark

    Corporate sponsors are asked to be subtle with their logos....I just
    don't want to see the golden arches in World Showcase.
    
    Mike

My objection is that you can find McDonald's ANYwhere (and EVERYwhere).
The Disney experience should be special.  Not that their fast food is all
that great now, but I don't tend to eat it, anyway (too much GOOD stuff
around! :-) ).

It just feels out of place to me somehow.  Though the point about all the
other corporate sponsors already at WDW is a good one....

-- Nina

    "The Disney experience should be special."
    
    I'm sure the McDonalds people feel the same way.
    
    Mark

I think we "adults" are looking at the McDonalds issue the wrong way; certainly
not thru the eyes of our children.  If I were to ask my kids right now, where
they would like to go for dinner (or lunch), I know what the answer would be:
McDonalds!

From that perspective, having a McDonalds at WDW would only add to the special
Disney experience.

--Scott

yeah but will Big Macs suddenly cost 4 dollars for the extra magic????

I suppose having McDonald's there would be handy for parents whose kids
are finicky eaters (and, judging by my nieces and nephews, at least, a
lot of kids are!).  Still, it feels kinda like an invasion of some kind.
Ah, well....

- Nina

I dunno - I suppose its a win-win.

If you like McDonald's or have kids that do - there will now be a McDonalds
conveniently located inside WDW.

If you don't like McDonalds - then you should be glad because every customer
that they attract in WDW is one less customer for one of the WDW restaurants
that you *do* enjoy.

I think someone else said it before - for the most part, Disney fast food is
usually not that great.  If I'm going to have a hamburger - I'd rather get one
from McDonalds than from Disney (although I'd rather be at Disney than be at
McDonalds :^) ).  However, generally speaking, when I'm at WDW - I'd rather 
enjoy one of WDW's nicer restaurants than a fast food place anyway.

Gary

    
    I'm with Bert.  Disney fast food is already pretty awful, suprising since
    I love most of the sit down restaurants.  McDonalds probably doesn't
    make things much different.
    
    - Sean

    WDW Internal News
    
    Ariel's at the Beach Club will be closing for good on Saturday, May
    3rd. Here are the current rumors (in order of most likely to happen)
    regarding the closing:
    
       - Beaches and Cream will be extended.
       - A cigar and wine room will take its place.
       - A group activity (dunno what this means) food place will take 
        its place.
    
    The restaurant hasn't exactly been getting four star ratings lately.
    
    Mike

    Well, scratch one item off the do do list.
    
    I was really looking forward to eating at Aerials too :-(

    Has anyone eaten at King Stephan's within the last several years? I'm 
    thinking about trying out some different restaurants. I haven't been
    to King Stephan's in almost 21 years so I'm interested in some recent
    experiences.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mike

    Hi Mike,
    
    I ate lunch at King Stephan's when we were at WDW in August 1996, also
    we ate dinner there in August of 1994.  Both times we were on the Food and 
    Fun Card, so that was a plus.  We found the food good and plentiful but
    it is rather pricey.  The atmosphere is really carried out throughout
    the restaurant, with the dishes, server costumes, etc.  The one
    drawback is that I wish it had more windows to view the park.  It can
    be rather dark at times.  For my nieces and nephew it was a real plus
    to be eating in the Castle.  Due to the time of year we were there, you 
    really needed, I was thankful we had reservations.  If you were going
    to go, I would recommend the late lunch routine, that worked well for 
    us in 1996.  Another favorite of my nieces was the Stouffers Family
    Style Character Dinner at the Liberty Tree Tavern.
    
    Joan
    1996, we      

I ate dinner there last week!

It was pricey (~$20 for an adult entree) which included
soup or salad.  The name has been changed to Cinderella's
Round Table (or so they told me when I arranged for
priority seating.)

Little kids get a crown with the children's menu
and crayons.  Food was excellent.  My 4-year-old 
loved the idea of eating in the castle.  Either
Cinderella or the fairy godmother is available 
downstairs for pictures and/or autographs.    

    We had dinner there in June of 1995.  The food was excellent, but
    pricey as mentioned.  Because the Castle is in The Magic Kingdom, no
    alcohol is available, soft drinks, iced tea and milk are plentiful. 

    Outside of this conference I also hear of the high prices. Best point
    made (offline) by Julie was that you're eating in a cake and not the
    castle.
    
    Mike

    Looks like Chefs de France may be closed for June and July for rehab.
    
    Bistro de Paris will remain open during this time.
    
    Mike

    
    Can anyone speak to the differences between Chefs de France and the
    Bistro.  We went to Chefs and were pretty disappointed.  I know
    all the restaurants in Epcot generally rush you, but the food
    and atmosphere were only so-so as well (for the prices)...  seemed
    liked the Bistro may have been the better choice?
    
    - Sean

    Sean,
    
    Les Chefs de France is supposed to be an elegant French restaurant
    whereas Bistro de Paris is supposed to be a turn-of-the-century
    traditional setting restaurant.
    
    The menus are slightly different but the prices are pretty similar.
    
    Not sure I'd eat at either one. 
    
    Mike

    While on the subject of restaurants has the Tangaroa Terrace at the
    Poly change to a different name? I just noticed that it isn't listed
    anywhere in the WDW Guidebook (put out by American Express) and it's
    not on the WDW Web site either.
    
    Mike
    

    
    I was just wondering if Bistro was less hectic.
    
    Both me and Liz have mostly found that if you really want:
    
      o elegant dining
      o great gourment food
      o good service
      o interesting dishes
      o any of the above
    
    avoiding Epcot and sticking to the Resorts, etc. was the
    better bet.
    
    The Empress Lily room was *really* elegant French dining (okay,
    so now it's a big crab house).  Palio (Swan) had a better Italian
    meal and better service than Italy (so did Flaglers).  The seafood 
    at The Flying Fish was right on the money.  Overall, I'm very
    disiullisioned with the herd-'em-like-cattle seating and poor
    service at the (quite expensive) sit-down places in Epcot.  Although
    so far, I haven't found Morrocco or Norway to be too bad yet.
    
    Our service at Chefs de France bordered on rude - at most resort
    restaurants (Palio, Yachtsmen, Narcoosee's, you name it), we were
    treated like guest of honor.
    
    - Sean

    Sean,
    
    I'm with you...the Epcot restaurants just don't do it for me. We rarely
    eat in Epcot (check my trip reports).  For this year's trip the only
    EPCOT restaurant on our schedule is The Biergarten...and that's because
    we've never tried it before and we like German food.
    
    Mike

 >EPCOT restaurant on our schedule is The Biergarten...and that's because
 >   we've never tried it before and we like German food.
  
My wife and I also tend to skip the EC restaurants except the Biergarten.  
I hate to say it, but Mike, you may be disappointed.  The last reason we
go is for German food, which we both enjoy.  It is fair at best (like
most of EC).  We go because of the family style seating (we love meeting 
new folks), the entertainment (although it hasn't changed much in years) and
because its an all-you-can-eat buffet (I'm a big eater).  Oh yeah, the 
Becks help out a bit too ;^)

Brad

    It's been awhile since I've tasted German food so I may not be as tough
    to please as someone else. We'll see.
    
    Mike

RE restaurants in EPCOT - Gee, eating in World Showcase is one of my favorite
EPCOT activities.  I especially like Norway, Mexico (mostly for the atmosphere;
the food admittedly is overpriced), and Morocco.

My S.O. and I went to Chefs de France for lunch one day during our visit last 
August/September and were completely happy with it.  The food was wonderful 
(to start with, we had a seafood bisque that was to DIE for) and the service 
was quite friendly.  We did go on a Food 'n' Fun coupon, and I'm not sure we
would've eaten there without it because it's pretty pricey. But we liked it
quite a lot.  It was our first experience with any of the restaurants in
France (not counting the patisserie, which we've frequented often :-) ).

We also liked the tempura restaurant at Japan (again, thanks to Food 'n'
Fun).

I haven't eaten at Germany since the one time we went there some years ago.
I remember the food as being so-so, but the atmosphere festive and fun.

-- Nina

We also really enjoy the Epcot restaurants. We try a different one every time we
visit. We still have to hit Mexico, France, Japan, and Morroco.

We have always enjoyed the food and atmosphere there.

We are not connoiseurs but, one of the favorites was Norway.
It had a castle type atmosphere plus the food was somewhat
unique with both hot and cold dishes on a smorgasboard type
of service.

I am looking forward to trying Mexico mainly because I think
a table near the volcano over looking the river would be
enjoyable.

Doug

    
    Maybe I was too emphatic, but I did state some exceptions,
    and one is the restaurant many of you are citing:  Norway.
    That was a great experience.  Mexico is nicely done, and 
    Morrocco was pretty good.
    
    France, Italy, China, Japan - these are very popular ethnic cuisines
    and its seems to take its toll at Epcot.  The service is rushed
    and the menu selections are the least common denomintor of their
    respective styles (nothing too outrageous).  I don't even mind 
    paying the high $$$, but when the service and selection at Resort 
    restaurants overwhelmingly surpass them, it makes it tough.
    
    I dunno, I still love Epcot and whole World Showcase idea, but
    most of our restaurant $ are going elsewhere lately.
    
    - Sean