REVIEW: Bourbon & Candied Bacon Enhance Chocolate Milkshakes in Dino-land at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Trilo-bites in Dinoland U.S.A. at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a favorite stop of ours, mostly for the delicious Buffalo Chicken Chips dish you can find at this location (when it is actually open). The stand is located just over the bridge from Discovery Island into the area, right next door to the “Olden-gate Bridge”.

2009 photo I took of the booth, around the time they kicked McDonald’s out and changed the name.

New to the menu as of Sunday is a Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake, a chocolate milkshake made with bourbon and candied bacon.

Trilo-Bites Menu, April 2017

To preface this review, we discovered this item on the menu over 2 weeks ago, but were informed the ingredients were not there yet to make it. When we returned on another day to get it, it was then gone from the menu. Finally, on Sunday night, I happened to find the booth open and with the items in stock, so I decided to order it. Animal Kingdom is dark at night, so I apologize for the pictures, but I have been DYING to try this and I wasn’t going to wait another day for it to possibly disappear again. That being said, I was informed that it should be sticking around for a bit.

Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake ($10.00)

The cast members working at Trilo-Bites were as nice as could be and willing to show off the ingredients for the shake. The bourbon is Knob Creek Single Barrel Reserve, Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, aged nine years and 120 proof. Not to be outdone, there is also a big bin of candied bacon ready to be be dunked into a shake.

Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake ($10.00)

Disney has rolled out a nice lineup of alcoholic shakes over the last year or so, with the options at Beaches & Cream at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts coming to mind. That being said, the Smokey Bones Chocolate Shake at Trilo-Bites my favorite of any of the alcoholic shakes I have ever had in my entire life. You could taste the bourbon, which is good, and it mixed really well with the chocolate ice cream. The candied bacon was absolutely fantastic with the bourbon-laced ice cream on it, but the drink is still enjoyable even once the bacon has been devoured. The whipped cream was tasty as well, providing for some nice, sweet flavor in the last few sips towards the bottom. The serving size was large enough to be satisfied with, but I expect sharing to be difficult based on just how good this is.

With this milkshake and the Buffalo Chicken Chips offered, Trilo-Bites is a true hidden gem of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. While it doesn’t open on most days until 3pm (no matter what the MyDisneyExperience app will tell you), it’s a nice spot to stop for a quick snack before heading to see Rivers of Light or indulging in the other evening activities at the park.

REVIEW: Buffalo Chicken Chips Replace Waffle Slider Sandwich at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on November 8, 2016

The Buffalo Chicken Waffle Slider at Trilobites, located in the Dinoland U.S.A. area of Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park has been a personal favorite of mine since it was introduced a while back. Needless to say, I was a little upset to see the dish removed from the menu at the establishment last week, but I was intrigued to see that a new Buffalo Chicken dish had replaced it.

Trilobites menu, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park

The menu consists otherwise simply of ice cream treats and some drinks, so it does seem a bit odd to find Buffalo Chicken Chips on the menu. Somehow a waffle sandwich makes more sense here, but let’s see how the new dish stacks up.

Buffalo Chicken Chips ($7.99)

First off, the serving is massive for the price. Sitting next to our more expensive items from Restaurantosaurus, I couldn’t help but notice that the Buffalo Chicken Chips dish just looked much bigger. Other than that, it is the same buffalo chicken that was served in the slider, now placed over house made chips with arugula, bleu cheese, tomato, and celery.

This was surprisingly amazing. If you like buffalo chicken and the chips served at quite a few locations around property, you are going to enjoy this. The chicken was tender with a good, spicy kick from the buffalo sauce and all of the other ingredients tasted fresh and as they should.

This certainly isn’t Victoria and Albert’s, but it is a big, filling meal that hits the spot if you’re going to do counter service dining at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I don’t need to go over why you shouldn’t eat at Flame Tree Barbecue or Pizzafari again, right?

This is for sure a dish I will be ordering again should I feel the need to dine quick at the park. While I do miss the buffalo chicken waffle sandwich, I guess I can always have the sweet and spicy chicken and waffle sandwich when I go to the Magic Kingdom.

REVIEW: New Menu Items at Restaurantosaurus in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

WDWNT on October 31, 2016

Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Recently, Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom underwent a slight menu change, so we decided we should head on over and check it out.

Menu, Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

New to the menu is a Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwich, but there were a few things on the menu here that we had never tried before (which we will review below).

Menu, Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

If you are interested in hearing more about the Double Angus Bacon Cheeseburger that is not pictured on the menu, we have an entire review dedicated just to that item that you should check out. Also,m Flights of Wonder is not a menu item and I’m not sure exactly why it has a strangely placed ad on the back of the menu…

Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwich ($12.99)

I subjected myself to the new Chicken BLT sandwich. You can’t see the chicken in the picture above because the sandwich is topped with 1/4 of a tomato essentially.

Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwich ($12.99)

The bun was soft and flaky (again, why don’t they just have this bun everywhere?), the bacon was cooked nicely, the tomato piece was large, juicy, and very fresh, and the chicken was cooked well enough. I know Disney seems to be overusing gate arugula lately (it is also on the Buffalo Chicken Chips we reviewed yesterday), but I really enjoy it. This sandwich was good and filling, and I would order it again if I was dining here.

Grilled Chicken BLT Sandwich ($12.99)

Chicken Breast Nuggets with Fries and Southwest Salad ($10.49)

Someone join our party ordered the ubiquitous Chicken Breast Nuggets, so I took a picture. The Weird part is that it now comes with a Southwest Salad. The Chicken and the fries were fine, but the Southwest Salad was bit on the unpleasant side and completely different from what we had experienced with the baked potatoes at Fairfax Fare.

Chili-Cheese Hot Dog ($10.69)

First off, the mushrooms do not naturally come with the hot dog, but were added at the rather large toppings bar you can find at Restaurantosaurus. This thing was terrible. The bun was flavorless, the hot dog itself was fairly standard, and chili-cheese topping left a lot to be desired. This is probably not what you want to eat here.

Chili-Cheese Hot Dog ($10.69)

Chili-Cheese Fries ($4.99)

We also had an order of Chili-Cheese Fries, which as you would guess after reading about the hot dog, were also pretty bad. I don’t enjoy Disney counter service french fries and the chili-cheese topping didn’t improve upon them at all.

Overall

I like Restaurantosaurus typically. The interior and music loop are a lot of fun and there is certainly enough on the menu to please, you just need to be careful what you order. If you like chicken, the chicken sandwich and the chicken breast nuggets are fine options, and if you like burgers, the single or double cheeseburger won’t steer you wrong. Unlimited fountain beverage refills and a sizable toppings bar help out a lot too. I would easily go here over Flame Tree Barbecue and Pizzafari currently, but I would probably prefer Yak and Yeti’s counter service offering if I’m going that route.

Dirk Wallen’s 1/15/14 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on February 18, 2014

WDWNT Reporter Dirk Wallen visited Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom last week and has some newsworthy photos (and video) to share with us, so let’s take a look:

Banners for The Jungle Book on Blu-Ray now hanging in the Animation Courtyard

A billboard up as well

A billboard for Maleficent is also up near PIXAR Place, and yes, the horns stick out of the top…

The scanner boards at Star Tours have still not been activated to work with MagicBands yet

There’s also a new sign that will interact with guests installed in the pre-show area at Muppet Vision 3-D

The Etch-A-Sketch in the queue at Toy Story Mania was finally turned on last week, here’s a video showing the device in action:

Osborne Lights are coming down

All clear on this end of the street

The AFI exhibit is quietly being updated at the exit of the Backlot Tour

A few props have been switched out and moved around

Among the new additions is a costume from Batman

There are also now some items from E.T.

The croissant doughnut (or Cronut) is our only photo from Epcot, but you can pick up this incredible snack at the Refreshment Port

The Let The Memories Begin signage has been removed from the front of Animal Kingdom

Some walls are up near Island Mercantile where FastPass+ kiosks once stood… not sure if they are moving this help desk or not

Walls now up blocking guests from Camp Minnie-Mickey as it transforms into AVATAR

Camp Minnie-Mickey signage around the park has been removed

Work continues on the new home for Festival of the Lion King and the former Dawa Bar has now been absorbed by walls to accommodate queue construction

A look at the theater construction from far away

Not too long ago, Dug and Russell got some permanent signage for their meet and greet

Since Camp Minnie-mickey is closed and Animal Kingdom is down one show, Dinoland is now hosting a dance party

Here’s a short clip of the new offering that is full of obscure characters:

Justin “The Mayor” Heyman’s 9/19 – 9/26 Photo Report

WDWNT on October 29, 2012

While Tom and the rest of our cast are down at WDW Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Epcot, I have just returned from a trip and bring you a rare Mayor’s Photo Report! Beware this report contains photos from inside Enchanted Tales with Belle! I also have brought you back some video from inside the attraction which we will be posting soon so stay tuned!

Some of the rock work in the queue of the Magic Carpets is getting some work done

The Rainy Day Cavalcade was out due to some rain earlier in the day

Drizella and Anastasia aren’t thrilled about the rain either

A Trio of Cranes now looms over the Magic Kingdom

Be Warned Enchanted Tales Spoilers Lay Ahead!

As you enter the area behind the walls you see a expertly themed entrance to Maurice’s Cottage

Cottage Light posts

Looking out from just outside the front door you can see the gargoyle lamp posts that line the entrance to Be Our Guest and in the distance Prince Eric’s Castle

More of the Cottage

Be Our Guest!

Signage for the Restaurant

A close up of the entrance to be our guest

Maurice’s water wheel not turned on yet

Picture inside the cottage of Belle and her Mother inside the first room of the cottage

This room is loaded with tiny details

Thanks to my wife for playing photographer but she forgot to hide in this picture!

More details in the first room

A book Belle has left out

Clearly a favorite of Belle’s

Moving into the workshop we see different items including this curious gift from the Beast to Maurice

Other Items in the workshop

Soon we will have full video from this experience but here are a few shots from inside the attraction after the pre-show casting room with the wardrobe and I was lucky enough to get a unique view of the show!

Is that a guard or our own Mayor?

Belle and the FANTASTIC Lumiere who plays host to us in the Castle

Belle finding her “father” locked in the dungeon

Pictures don’t do this justice

Before we move over to Animal Kingdom (Yes there is news in that park too) Let me just say how great this small attraction is.If WDI continues to put this much work and effort into everything they do we are all in for a lot of high quality fantastic attractions! The story is there, the kids (and adults) love it and the special effects are amazing.

Near the Local Foods Cafe (Yak and Yeti counter service) Anandapur Travel and Tourism was presenting Bhangra Dance Party with a Live DJ

Beastly Bazaar is closed

Though the signs say that this is only temporary we know that this is making way for a new Meet and Greet location

The queue at It’s Tough to Be a Bug is completely covered by the new netting though I don’t think it takes away much

Area’s that haven’t been covered by the netting are walled off

Wilderness Explorers Meet and Greet near the old bug fastpass machines

Rockwork near the entrance to Dinoland is getting a refresh

Thanks for reading!

Robert Ashburn’s 4/20/11 WDW Photo Report

WDWNT on April 24, 2011

WDWNT Reporter Robert Ashburn made a visit to Disney’s Animal Kingdom and took a peek at the construction on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort construction on Wednesday, so let’s taker a look at some photos from his trip:

The test of “Truckosaurous” dance party will still going

Animal Kingdom Tests “Truckosaurous” Dance Party

WDWNT on April 18, 2011

With the success of the Club 626 Dance Party in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney Imagineering has decided to test a similar concept at Animal Kingdom. The Truckosaurous dance party with DJ Dino-mite began its test run on Sunday and will continue daily through Thursday from 4-8PM in the Dinoland/Dino-Rama area accross from Primeval Whirl. We have video of the first test taken by WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee to share with you:

With the incredibly well-themed truck and the selection of songs from the DJ (including “Another Part of Me” from Captain EO and the Mickey Mouse Club Alma Mater), I think this is a wonderful addition to a park that most complain does not offer enough to do. We’ll have to wait and see if the public agrees and if WDI will make this a permanent addition.

Banks Lee’s 9/10/10 Animal Kingdom Photo Report

WDWNT on September 11, 2010

What’s going on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park? It’s a question often asked by Walt Disney World regulars. To answer that question, WDWNT Reporter Banks Lee went to the park to take a few newsworthy photos:

All of the kennels are gone thanks to the Best Friends Pet Resort