September 2016 – Page 11

REVIEW: Morimoto Asia Street Food Introduces New Daily Specials at Disney Springs

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

Introduced in May, Street Food is the counter service component of the Morimoto Asia restaurant located The Landing at Disney Springs. Recently, the location introduced a line-up of daily specials that rotate day-to-day in and out of the menu. To celebrate the changes, we were invited to a small media event to try some of the items.

Morimoto Asia Street Food Menu

A number of the menu items were put on display for pictures.

Morimoto Asia Street Food

For this review, we will be focusing on some of the new special available at Street Food. If you would like a full review of the regualr menus, please refer to our first review of Morimoto Asia Street Food from back in May.

New Daily Specials Menu at Morimoto Asia – Street Food

Specials Menu at Morimoto Asia Street Food

While they rotate through different special items on a daily basis, we decided to try two of these new specials to see how they are (and because we’ve had most of the regular menu at this point).

Specials at Morimoto Asia Street Food

Singapore Slush ($8)

A lemonade with lime vodka, the Singapore Slush is a unique and refreshing offering. This is a great drink for a particularly hot day in Central Florida (which it was), with none of the flavors really overpowering the others. A well-mixed concoction that you may not even realize is alcoholic until after you finish it, if you know what I mean.

Menchi Katsu Sliders ($12)

The sliders are a real stand out from the other specials. People love sliders; maybe it’s the cute size or maybe they just seem trendy, but these will probably be the most popular item off of the specials menu.

Menchi Katsu Sliders ($12)

An award winning recipe of Chef Morimoto’s, they are unique from the ones offered in the Forbidden Lounge (review to come). They had a really good, unique flavor to them that I really enjoyed. The crunchy exterior on the burger makes them a strange, yet satisfying take on the slider.

Spicy Pork Pho Ga ($12)

The spicy pork pho ga was my second choice, simply because I like spicy. That being said, this wasn’t particularly spicy, but it did pack in a really nice flavor over the large tub of noodles. This is an ungodly huge portion and probably can easily be shared between two people.

Spicy Pork Pho Ga ($12)

The noodles were tender and the broth added a somewhat spicy, yet pleasant pork flavor tinge to every bite.

Spicy Pork Pho Ga ($12)

Overall

I thought both specials were great. Street Food has a really strong menu, and other than me not enjoying the octopus, I have felt like every other dish I have eaten here is one I would order again. Morimoto Street Food is a solid counter service option worth exploring at Disney Spring son your next visit.

Disney Trying to Prevent Guests from Taking Pictures & Video of AVATAR Construction

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

Over the last nine years, we have certainly made a name for ourselves at WDWNT.com by taking photos and video as often as possible of ongoing construction projects around the Walt Disney World Resort. In that time, I don’t recall ever being asked not to take pictures or video of such a sight. That being said, I’ve seen photographers from other websites asked to get down off of trash cans or nearby planters, but in fairness, those are things that violate park safety guidelines.

At this point in time, we have received several reports of guests being asked not to photograph or video record the Pandora: The World of AVATAR construction site from inside the front gates of Animal Kingdom. I myself have been asked twice to stop recording, but after asking why, the case was typically dropped by the cast member who clearly didn’t want to have a discussion about it.

The location in question where guests are being asked not to take pictures or video

Why is this happening? Well, a meeting was held with front gate cast members at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park just a few weeks ago where they were instructed to ask guests to not photograph or video record in the direction of the AVATAR site when entering through the Rainforest Cafe entrance to the park. The cast members were not given a direct reason for this.

Other cast members at the park were not given such instructions, so don’t be surprised if no one says a word to you if you are taking pictures by the construction walls next door to Tiffins and Nomad Lounge on Discovery Island.

Other locations don’t seem to care as much if guests are taking photos or not

Most believe this is an attempt by Disney to curtail the continuing narrative that the project is taking too long to complete. Some believe the reason is that there may be something Disney doesn’t want the public to see, or perhaps it is just a mandate by James Cameron, creator of the AVATAR franchise. If this was the case, I’m not sure why a slightly taller wall wouldn’t be installed. I also can’t imagine why WDWNT.com would have not been contacted regarding our aerial footage and pictures of the site just a few days ago.

Whatever the reason is, don’t be surprised if you hear a polite throat clearing behind you the next time you try to take a picture or video of Pandora: The World of AVATAR, still scheduled to open sometime in 2017.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Tour “The Living Seas” Private Lounge at Epcot

WDWNT on September 2, 2016

The Living Seas name may have gone away 10 years ago, but it lives on in a secluded space inside of the Seas with Nemo and Friends pavilion at Epcot. Through a set of nondescript doors near the entrance to the Coral Reef Restaurant, lies the passageway to an exclusive lounge, now only open to private events.