Counter Service – Page 2

BREAKING: Disney Removing Large Cups from Counter Service Locations, But Why?

WDWNT on December 26, 2016

In a strange turn of events, several counter service locations at Walt Disney World recently removed large drink cups from their menus.

A large drink cup I acquired at Pecos Bill’s just a month ago, now gone from the menu.

The confirmed locations so far include Sleepy Hollow Refreshments, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Casey’s Corner, Westward Ho, and Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, all located at the Magic Kingdom.

Now, many counter service locations at other parks do not have large cups because the establishments feature self-serve soda fountains where guests are able to get refills on their own. The Electric Umbrella, Sunshine Seasons, Restaurantosaurus, and Backlot Express are examples of these types of counter service locations. Almost all counter service locations at resorts have these self-serve fountains as well, most sporting the Rapid Fill technology which limited the time and amount of refills the cups can be used for.

We have been unable to confirm why this is happening and if the trend will continue, but there are several possibilities here. The first is that Disney is trying to up-sell guests on souvenir cups. Westward Ho and Pecos Bill’s offer a fairly large souvenir cup shared like a jug, but even the souvenir mugs at Casey’s Corner and Cosmic Ray’s are much smaller than a large fountain beverage. That being said, Sleepy Hollow does not currently sell a souvenir cup.

From my personal collection: as you can see, the Country Bears jug is quite large, but the other souvenir cups are considerably smaller.

The second is that it is a cost cutting measure since most locations don’t even need to stock the large cups since they use a self-serve drink fountain. In addition, guests could be ordering just one large fountain drink for $3.69 and sharing it rather than buying one drink for each guest in their party. Disney could make a lot more money at $3.29 a drink if everyone in the group buys one.

With the busy holiday crowds, it could also be a way of streamlining service at some of the resort’s busiest eateries.

For those hoping self serve fountains or Coke Freestyle machines will be added, I wouldn’t hold your breath. Most of the locations mentioned above are far to small for either of these things to be installed.

Whatever the reason, we will have to keep our eyes peeled to see if the large cups return to these locations or begin to vanish from more around Walt Disney World.

REVIEW: Liberty Inn at Epcot Revamps Menu; Changes to “The Safety Restaurant”

WDWNT on October 24, 2016

Epcot is Walt Disney World’s dining park. From the bounty of fantastic worldly table service restaurants, to the annual festivals filled with food and drink, there is always a plethora of exciting and unique dining options in the park. Lost in the shuffle is often counter service, and more so counter service eateries that serve American-style cuisine. I often refer to the Liberty Inn at the American Adventure as “The Safety Restaurant”. If there is a picky eater in the bunch, perhaps afraid of the international cuisine found elsewhere, this or the Electric Umbrella are probably where you are going to end up.

Liberty Inn, located inside The American Adventure at Epcot

Recently, the menu at the Liberty Inn was altered, so we decided to head over one evening and try out the new entrees.

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Among the new options on the menu are a “Surf and Turf” meal and the Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon.

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

While they don’t get pics on the main menu, there is a classic cheeseburger and the ubiquitous chicken breast nuggets.

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Counter service steak is scary. To me, it’s scarier than the Exorcist house at Halloween Horror Nights this year, and that’s probably the one that freaks me out the most. In fact, the only thing scarier than counter service steak is counter service seafood. This dish combines both for what I would likely consider my most avoidable dish at Walt Disney World. That being said, I didn’t think it was terrible. The steak was fine, although a little tough and the shrimp was pretty much what you would expect if you have ever been to Columbia Harbour House. It’s a lot of food for $14.99, but probably not my number one choice.

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

I love anything and everything buffalo chicken, so I was excited to try this. The buffalo flavor comes from the sauce, which is accompanied by a rather strange carrot apple slaw. The bun was pretty perfect, reminding me of the bun we had last week at Min and Bill’s. The chicken was a sizable piece and cooked nicely. I expected the apple and carrot slaw to ruin it, but it didn’t detract from what I feel is a really solid option if you are going to dine here. Oh, and there’s bacon too.

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Overall

For me personally, this isn’t a place I typically dine at Epcot, but if someone asked me to go here, I would have no problem getting the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich again. The burgers here are fine as well, as is the chicken salad, and it is nice that there is a vegetarian “chicken” dish too. If you have a picky eater in the group, Liberty Inn is a counter service meal that at least won’t ruin your vacation.

REVIEW: “Secret” Double Bacon Cheeseburger Now Offered at Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

Did you know that there is a new item that isn’t even on the actual menu boards at Restaurantosaurus? Well, it seems Disney’s Best Kept Secret isn’t the Vacation Club, it’s actually a double cheeseburger at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

Ordering two of these bad boys set us back $34.58, so yes, just one of these meals is $17.29.

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

From this angle, the burger look rather unassuming, but I assure you, there is a lot of cholesterol hiding under that bun.

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality (outside of the bun of course). The bacon was crispy, the burgers were fresh off the grill, and the cheese was melted nicely. This was not one of the worse counter service burgers I have ever had at Disney World.

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

It’s still no D-Luxe Burger, but it really wasn’t bad. I just wish the counter service bun would change to something like they have at D-Luxe.

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

If you would like to curtail your cardiac arrest a little longer, the fries can be substituted for apple slices.

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

So, there is a really good value to be had here. If you ask (upon ordering the double burger) for a second hamburger bun, Restaurantosaurus will provide it at no additional charge. That means that this meal can be split rather easily, making the $17.29 a very good value as opposed to ordering an entire separate meal. There is also a full “fixins bar” filled with condiments and other goodies you can add to your burger to bulk it up.

While not my first recommendation for counter service dining at Animal Kingdom (but neither is Flame Tree Barbecue), the secret double cheeseburger at Restaurantousaurs is a surprisingly decent double cheeseburger that packs as much value as it does hamburger meat.

REVIEW: B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. Introduces Oktoberfest Special

WDWNT on October 5, 2016

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. opened back in May along with many new eateries at Disney Springs, so it is pretty easy for it to get lost in the shuffle as it is just a kiosk. That being said, this little kiosk isn’t just blowing hot air. Per my original review (which you should check out if you have not):

Two of the three items we enjoyed at B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. are things I would order again, but the main problem here is seating. These aren’t items you can walk around and eat. They are too large and have to many toppings to be comfortably eaten walking through shops and such. While there are about 3 standing tables here, I’d like to see a few seats placed in the alcove off to the right of the restaurant, where there is plenty of room. Otherwise, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. is a sturdy addition to Disney Springs former “stick and straw” lineup of food offerings during the Downtown Disney days.

While strolling through Disney Spring the other day, I was looking for something quick to eat before I made my way out. I was originally thinking of visiting either Blaze Pizza or D-Luxe Burger, but then I saw this sign…

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.

B.B. Wolf’s offers an Oktoberfest special. I personally always fall for special “impulse buys” like this when I’m hungry. I almost always order the limited time offering when I visit any fast food establishment.

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.

The menu itself was updated to include pretzel bread with cheese fondue and mustard.

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co.

Thankfully, they did also add plenty of seating nearby.

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. Oktoberfest Special – Bratwurst with Cheese Spatzel, Pretzel Roll, and Pickles ($9.39)

This honestly is one of my favorite counter service entrees at Walt Disney World right now. It is a HUGE portion of the cheese spatzel (popular side dish originating in Germany, spaetzle are little noodles or dumplings made from basic ingredients), which will fill you up alone. The sausage was also cooked well and packed a lot of flavor. If all of that wasn’t enough, there’s pretzel bread, which I especially enjoyed dipping in the cheese below. At $9.39, it is also cheaper than a considerable amount of much smaller counter service entrees around the parks. I certainly hope this stays past Oktoberfest.

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. Oktoberfest Special – Bratwurst with Cheese Spatzel, Pretzel Roll, and Pickles ($9.39)

Special Oktoberfest beers are also available just for the season.

REVIEW: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Cheese Sauce Returns, New Sauces Added Along with Falafel Burger

WDWNT on September 17, 2016

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at the Magic Kingdom serves more food to more guests everyday than any restaurant on the planet earth. That doesn’t mean it is good though…

While I have never been a fan of the food here, the daily performance by Sonny Eclipse, his amazing astro organ, and the Space Angels is typically what brings me into the place, even if I know I’m not going to have a particularly good counter service meal. Sometimes you just want chicken nuggets, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

My most recent trip to the establishment wasn’t prompted by a urge to see “the biggest little star in the galaxy,” but rather to see the return of cheese sauce to the restaurant after a few years, the addition of another new sauce, and a new vegetarian option.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Menu

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar

Of course, one of the reasons many guests like Cosmic Ray’s is the toppings bar that is offered.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar

A sriracha spicy aioli sauce was recently added to the toppings bar. More on that later.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar

Cheese Sauce ($1.00)

While the return of cheese sauce is a nice gesture, there just has to be a better way. In olden times (a few years back), hot cheese sauce was complimentary and offered at the toppings bar both here and at several other locations around the Walt Disney World Resort. It now is a pre-warmed container you can buy for $1.00.

Cheese Sauce ($1.00)

While it is a generous portion, it is mostly flavorless and adds nothing to the french fries.

Cheese Sauce ($1.00)

While this might be something good for nachos or pretzels, it just doesn’t work here. I would save your dollar and not even bother with this.

Sriracha Spicy Aioli

While the loss of the cheese sauce so long ago was devastating to some, the addition of this complimentary sriracha aioli is a pleasant addition. Again, as said in every review, I enjoy spicy, and as the name states, this is spicy. That being said, it is still flavorful and not overly spicy to the point where many guests will not enjoy it. This sauce goes really well with the fries.

Falafel Burger ($11.99)

Recently added to the menu is a vegetarian option: a falafel burger. $11.99 is a little pricey for a meatless burger, but it is a specialty offering that is likely not made in-house and is ordered in low quantities, so it is nice that it is even offered.

Falafel Burger ($11.99)

It isn’t the prettiest thing, but it is pretty decent. If a bun the quality of D-Luxe Burger was offered, I think this would be a really solid addition, but the horrid bun currently offered at Cosmic Ray’s really holds this back.

Falafel Burger ($11.99)

The burger itself is a little dry, but that is why the Tzatziki sauce is offered.

Falafel Burger ($11.99)

Again, it isn’t terrible and it’s still a viable option for any vegetarian who is being made to dine at Cosmic Ray’s, but on the other hand, the Falafel dish at Skipper Canteen is a little heavier and a little cheaper at that.

Hostess with the Mostess – Top 5 Counter Service at Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on June 7, 2016

As a Disney fanatic, talking about all things Disney is one of my favorite things to do. I’m sure the majority of you can totally relate. Not only do I love to talk about Disney, but I also love sharing my park tips and helping everyone with their Disney planning and questions. I am your WDWNT Hostess with the Mostess.

I am very excited to announce that I will be posting weekly and talking about my favorite Disney attractions, restaurants, foods, shows, characters, etc! But the fun doesn’t stop there! I want to hear from YOU! Sure, it’s really fun to talk about what I like, but it’s more fun to hear about what you like! At the end of my posts, I will have a poll where you can vote for your “Disney favorite” on that topic. Then, the next week I will post what you voted for! I’m so excited to share my love of Disney with you and to see what all of you other Disney fanatics think.

Picking my first topic was not easy. There is so much to talk about and I really wanted the first post to be simple and fun. I chose my Top 5 Favorite Quick Service Locations in the Magic Kingdom. Simple right? I was wrong! I thought it would be easy since there are just so many great places to eat. But that was the problem! Let’s just say it took some time for me to decide.

So after a lot of thought and consideration on food and theming, here are my Top 5 Favorite Quick Service Locations in the Magic Kingdom.

Gaston's Tavern 5. Gaston’s Tavern

Gaston’s Tavern is my number five pick for, you guessed it … cinnamon rolls and LeFou’s Brew! The warm and gooey goodness of those giant cinnamon rolls paired with the marshmellowy mango amazingness of LeFou’s Brew cannot be beat. It’s just a little taste of heaven! And on top of those scrumptious snacks, the theme is what really brings this Tavern to the top five. Gaston did not embellish when he said he used antlers in all of his decorating. Complete with Gaston’s chair (perfect picture opportunity) you feel right at home in this poor provincial town.

Casey's Corner 4. Casey’s Corner

Casey’s Corner made it to number four on my list. It might have made number three if it wasn’t for the terrible cheese sauce debacle of 2015. For those of you who don’t know, they had amazing cheese sauce that you could add yourself right onto your hot dog or even your fries. And in 2015, they took it away. Sad day for Disney fans everywhere. But, let’s get back to why I still love this place! The hot dogs are delicious. Every single one of them. Even with all of the great options, I still prefer the plain hotdog where I can add my own condiments (unfortunately no cheese sauce) and sauerkraut. And there is nothing like eating your hotdog on Main Street U.S.A while listening to the famous and dearly loved ragtime pianist Jim.

Peco's Bill 3. Pecos Bill’s

I love Pecos Bill’s! There was no doubt in my mind that it would make my top five and here it is at number three. I have a lot of family members that miss the old menu. Yes, the hamburgers and the topping bar were great, but the food they have now is even better! The menu’s Southwest-Mexican vibe is a better fit for The Tall Tale Inn’s theme and the food is so delicious. I could eat the Southwest Chicken Salad with the Chipotle Ranch sauce everyday … yes, I mean it, everyday. With my salad stacked with toppings from the new topping bar, I go and grab a table in my favorite room (the left side seating area with the hanging lanterns) and enjoy my meal with my fellow cowpoke before riding off into the sunset.

2. Columbia Harbour House

Columbia Harbour House is where it’s at! Why did I chose this seafood eatery for my number two? Not only is the food super yummy, the nautical theming is very impressive. Let’s start with the food. Every meal I have eaten there has been consistently delicious. If you have not tried their coleslaw, you are missing out. And the cobbler is to die for! My mouth is watering just thinking about it! While you enjoy your fish, you can take in the seafaring sights. There are maps and nautical artifacts everywhere. This place was well thought out. As you walk through the restaurant it seems each section is dedicated to a certain ship. But my favorite part is one area in particular. Upstairs there is a window that looks right out to the Haunted Mansion. It’s my favorite place to sit because the area is upstairs away from the crowds and it’s very quaint. During one of my visits, I was sitting there enjoying my battered fish looking out at the Haunted Mansion when I noticed that all of the maps and artifacts in that section were dedicated to lost and ghost ships. Is that by chance? I think not!

1. Be Our Guest

This was a tough call. Columbia Harbour House is so amazing it almost tied for number one. But in the end, Be Our Guest is my number one pick. The menu is unique and everything I have ordered so far has been very tasty. Especially the Carved Turkey Sandwich and the French Onion Soup. Both are so good! And of course, you need to try the grey stuff, it’s delicious! You had to have seen that comment coming. 😉 But what this really boils down to is the overall ambiance. From the moment you step foot onto the castle bridge you are transported right into the movie. I love all three rooms inside because each one has it’s own special touch. But the ballroom does have a special place in the my heart. It’s just so beautiful. With Cast Members bringing the food to your table, the feeling that Beast or Belle could come around the corner any moment, and the overall Imagineering details, Be Our Guest is nothing less than magical.

Those are my Top 5 Favorite Quick Service Locations in the Magic Kingdom. Now I want to hear from you! The poll is below and don’t be shy to comment. I might even share your comment when I post the results next week. If you have another favorite restaurant that is not on the poll, please comment. I will include all comment votes in with the poll results next week. I can’t wait to see what all of you pick!

Before I go, I will be sharing an Extra Magic Tip after every post. What kind of Hostess would I be if I didn’t share tips and interesting facts?

Here is my Extra Magic Tip for this week: When a quick service restaurant has more than one service line, don’t just pick the first one you see. Check out the line furthest away from the entrance. I know from experience, it’s usually the shortest wait!

I’ll be back next week to share your results!

[poll id=”2″]

EDITORIAL: Liberty Tree Tavern and the Sum of Magic Kingdom Dining

WDWNT on June 5, 2015

Exposed wood, brick, masonry, and staples from the Revolutionary Era contribute to the theme in the primary waiting area.

During a recent trip to Orlando I finally made it to Disney’s Liberty Tree Tavern for a lunch. While this meal in-and-of-itself isn’t necessarily noteworthy, doing so completed my Magic Kingdom dining “cycle” — a meal at every restaurant in Magic Kingdom. We’ve been trying to make it to the Liberty Tree for years but it has always been trumped by another option — most recently Be Our Guest. Now that we’re approaching that magical 180 days out marker for holiday vacations, it seemed like a good time to explore Magic Kingdom dining.

It’s been my experience that, while the Magic Kingdom offers perhaps the best Counter Service options in Walt Disney World, the park itself comes up somewhat short in the Table Service category. While the recent addition of Be Our Guest changes this at least thematically, for me it didn’t really change my position culinarily. This is why knocking the last two out — Liberty Tree Tavern and Plaza Restaurant — emerged as such a personal objective.

Let’s begin this review with theming. It should come as no surprise to anyone that guests enter the Liberty Tree story by stepping into Colonial-meets-Revolutionary America. Hosts, hostesses, and servers are dressed in very believable period costumes. Exposed wood, old masonry, brick, a hearth, and staples from the late 18th Century and early 19th Century create an atmosphere that hearkens back to our nation’s Revolutionary Era. To a large degree it works. Admittedly, for some reason Liberty Square has always been hard for me to get excited about. It may be the transitions or perhaps the size. By contrast, I do not have a similar problem with New Orleans Square in Anaheim. Regardless, different rooms themed around quintessential Americans like Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, Benjamin Franklin, and Georgia Washington with artifacts and props unique to each contribute effectively. The Liberty Tree Tavern is a logical “next step” in the Liberty Square immersive experience. In fact, it may actually “complete” Liberty Square.

There are two things worth noting regarding the atmosphere and theme. One, everything slowed down considerably once inside. We all know how crazy a day at the Magic Kingdom can be. For whatever reason, all that slipped away when we stepped into the Liberty Tree Tavern. Life just seemed to move slower, more simply. And it was nice. Second, the interior seemed tired. The energy that I’m accustomed to feeling in one of Disney’s signature restaurants just wasn’t present. My guess is that the renovations scheduled for this summer have been scheduled to address this aspect as much as anything.

Regarding the food, I would say that the Liberty Tree Tavern is “good”. And if you’re looking for a bit of a change of pace and fare that you either normally wouldn’t expect in the park or non-Thanksgiving, it rates even better than good. A friend and I ordered an appetizer, two entrees, and a desert. (I’m not bold enough yet to try using my blog credentials to ask for additional samples.) First, the Crab and Lobster Dip for Two is outstanding as an appetizer. As seafood goes it was fresh and tasty. The dish itself was a perfect appetizer. I went with the standard New England Pot Roast and my friend opted for the Pilgrim’s Feast. We were both pleased. Other than the Angus Chuck Cheeseburger, the pot roast is Liberty Tree’s most popular dish and it’s easy to see why. The vegetables were cooked to perfection and the braised beef in Cabernet wine and mushroom sauce was tender and perfectly seasoned.

The New England Pot Roast at Liberty Tree Tavern. (The author is not a professional food photographer.)

I sampled the Pilgrim’s Feast of traditional roast turkey with herb bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, and vegetables but didn’t find it particularly tasty or unique, but then again it’s not necessarily trying to be. I mean, it’s turkey. But it’s still traditional New England fare prepared in a way consistent with the time period. Regardless I felt like I scored extra points in some way for eating at least semi-healthy in a theme park. In that same spirit, we chose not to go with the more popular Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake for desert, but the Fruit Crisp. Even though I’m sure the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is as good as its name would let on, and comes highly recommended, I would absolutely recommend the Fruit Crisp as well. Looking back on it, the better decision would have been ditching the whole “eating more healthy” approach and just ordering them both. Next time we will.

It should be said here that the lunch menu is a la carte while the dinner menu is much more limited. You can check out the lunch menu in various places and I would say, relatively speaking, it is very affordable with multiple options. The dinner menu ranges from $33 to $38 per person, and the Patriot’s Platter is the only entree option. It includes roast turkey breast, carved beef, sliced pork with traditional accompaniments, and mixed greens with house-made dressing.

The Pilgrim’s Feast is available for lunch at the Liberty Tree Tavern

It’s difficult to place the Liberty Tree Tavern within the hierarchy of Magic Kingdom table service options. Plaza Restaurant, Crystal Palace, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Be Our Guest, Tony’s Town Square, and to a lesser extent Tomorrowland Terrace and Diamond Horseshoe all have an upside. For me they stack up like this: Be Our Guest and Cinderella’s Royal Table are the most impressive and iconic, while Crystal Palace offers the best character dining. The Plaza Restaurant is far and away the best value and its soda shop vibe fits perfectly with Main Street. Tony’s Town Square, however, serves up a wonderful nostalgia. It may be said that, while Liberty Tree Tavern doesn’t blow you away in any one category, it scores well enough to be among the best overall in terms of theming, food, and value. And to reiterate an earlier point, the Tavern completes Liberty Square in a way other venues do not. Even though I have completed the Magic Kingdom table service cycle, I’m still wrestling with this one question: If I had to choose one Magic Kingdom table service to rule them all, which one would it be?

Tag: Counter Service

BREAKING: Disney Removing Large Cups from Counter Service Locations, But Why?

REVIEW: Liberty Inn at Epcot Revamps Menu; Changes to “The Safety Restaurant”

Liberty Inn Menu (October 2016)

Surf and Turf ($14.99)

Grilled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich with Bacon ($11.49)

Overall

REVIEW: “Secret” Double Bacon Cheeseburger Now Offered at Restaurantosaurus at Animal Kingdom

Double 1/3 lb Angus Bacon Cheeseburger ($17.29)

REVIEW: B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. Introduces Oktoberfest Special

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. Oktoberfest Special – Bratwurst with Cheese Spatzel, Pretzel Roll, and Pickles ($9.39)

REVIEW: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Cheese Sauce Returns, New Sauces Added Along with Falafel Burger

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Menu

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Toppings Bar

Cheese Sauce ($1.00)

Sriracha Spicy Aioli

Falafel Burger ($11.99)

Hostess with the Mostess – Top 5 Counter Service at Magic Kingdom

EDITORIAL: Liberty Tree Tavern and the Sum of Magic Kingdom Dining

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