disney dining – Page 3 – WDWNT Archive

Disney’s Contemporary & Yacht Club Resorts Testing New “Express Fresh” Dining Service Starting Today

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

While many guests still enjoy traditional in-room dining, consumer preference for quick and casual dining is on the rise. To address the evolving needs of Guests, beginning February 7th and running through April 1, a new option added to in-room dining programs, Express Fresh, will be piloted at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. This pilot will complement the existing in-room dining program by offering select quick and casual meal options to Guests.

The meals are presented at the Guest’s room door in disposable containers and no set up is required. Disney is stating that the meals will arrive within 30 minutes of ordering as the menus are comprised of quick-to-prepare items. Express Fresh will be offered in the menu guides as a separate insert along with the traditional in-room dining options.

PHOTOS, VIDEO, REVIEW: Geyser Point Bar and Grill Opens; Counter service Meets Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

WDWNT on February 16, 2017

The first major piece of the ongoing expansion of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge opened on Monday: Geyser Point Bar and Grill.

The new lounge and counter service location is nestled on the shores of Bay Lake where a beach line once stood.

The fire pit just outside of the main entrance will be a nice spot to enjoy some warmth and food & drink.

The bar and lounge portion of the establishment is under a large, open air structure.

Adjacent, guests will find a counter service location for if they are in a hurry.

A rather pleasant lounge surrounds the bar, offering a full service dining experience with a waiter or waitress.

The bar has plenty of seats, which is good, because they are going to need it…

The views of Bay Lake from here are gorgeous (even though Monday wasn’t exactly the most picturesque day in Central Florida).

The new location will be just steps away from many of the Copper Creek Cabins that are nearing completion at the resort.

If you take a walk around the corner, there is still much work to be done.

However, the themed elements here are fantastic. as the backstory goes…

Such rejuvenating transformations were common in the Pacific Northwest following the mid-20th-century fading of the Transcontinental Railroad, as locals turned rails into trails – repurposing everything from bridges and tunnels to cranes and quarries. A nearby “Boulder Ridge Railway and Mining Co.” water tower will be among the pool area’s landmark reminders of its pioneering past, while a vintage mine cart supports the mining theme with an affectionate nod to Disney history.

While not confirmed yet, the Reunion Station sounds like it may be home to the new activity center and childcare amenities for the resort (since the Cub’s Den is now closed).

The water tower and other themed elements nearby are stunning, fantastic pieces that go a long way to make this area feel special and envelope you in the resort’s fantastic theme.

They sure do love years ending in 71…

Train tracks in the ground and a nearby mine cart further the story.

We have a short video tour if you would like a better sense of how everything here is situated:

An updated map can be found nearby, featuring pieces of the resort that have yet to open.

Temporary stickers cover the items that are not yet open.

Alright, now let’s head on in and have a bite (and a few drinks, I suppose)…

Geyser Point Bar and Grill Menus

What instantly puts Geyser Point over many of the other establishments at various resorts is the variety of options. Not only does the lounge offer a huge menu of drinks and a few unique edible options, but you can also order from the full counter service menu as well. This is spectacular. This is one of the reasons why I love Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar at Disneyland so much more than the Polynesian Village Resort version, because I can enjoy the specialty beverages, but also a quick service meal from the Tangaroa Terrace next door.

We start below with the lounge-only menu:

The featured cocktails are completely unique to Geyser Point Bar and Grill.

Below, the full counter service menu:

Below is the breakfast offerings (which we will be back for):

OK, now let’s get down to business…

Featured and Specialty Drinks

Let’s dive on in to the alcoholic beverages that we tried on our first visit, shall we?

Whippersnapper Sour ($11.25)

WhipperSnapper Whiskey perfectly mixed with Sweet-and-Sour

This is something fairly unique to this location and I thought it was pretty tasty too. I was concerned when ordering it as I don’t often like drinks with sweet-and-sour, but I would honestly order this again.

Cascadia Sangria Cocktail ($11.00)

Zodiac Black Cherry Vodka, fresh Lime Juice, and Orange Juice topped with Columbia Crest H3 Merlot

Warning: this won’t stay this pretty as you do have to mix it after this, but it does offer a pretty picture before you do. This was honestly my favorite of all the drinks that we tried and a fun twist on your average sangria.

Northwest Iced Tea ($11.25)

Rogue Dark Rum, 44° North Idaho Potato Vodka, Aviation Gin, Cointreau, and Sweet-and-Sour with a splash of Coca-Cola

Rum and Coke is probably just about my favorite adult beverage, and this is an interesting and delicious take on that.

Black Cherry Mule ($10.75)

Crown Royal Regal Apple, DeKuyper Pucker Sour Apple, and fresh Lime Juice topped with Fever Tree Ginger Beer

I wasn’t crazy about this and I think it is because it needs a little more of the black cherry vodka. I would say that I don’t usually like ginger beer drinks, but as we learned at the Paddlefish with the Gold Rush, it turns out that I do. So maybe stay clear of this one.

Huckleberry Punch ($11.25)

44° North Mountain Huckleberry Vodka, Bols Crème de Cassis, fresh Lemon Juice, and Cranberry Juice

This is yet another viable option here, especially if you like a good fruity cocktail. Huckleberry vodka is very unique, which again separates the drinks here from many other places at Walt Disney World.

Blue Wilderness ($10.25)

Black Cherry Zodiac Vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, simple syrup, and Curacao.

I could not for the life of men remember what was in this, so credit to The Dis for the ingredient list and for the discovery of the drink (my arm and head also pop up a few times in that video as I was sitting behind them). I do enjoy myself a fruity beverage, so this was rather enjoyable to me. You almost can’t taste the alcohol in this (“that could be dangerous, very dangerous” to quote the Indiana Jones Adventure), but that doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of this nice fruity concoction.

Appetizers & Entrees

Below is a mix of items from both the counter service menu and the lounge-only menu.

Lump Crab Cake Sandwich ($13.99)

with House-made Canadian Bacon and Spicy Cabbage-Carrot Slaw

This sandwich was spectacular, stacked with plenty of crab cake and a nice, thick piece of Canadian bacon. Even the slaw blended well, being something I would usually remove before consuming the rest. The bread was fresh and I LOVED the waffle fries. This is seriously one of my favorite counter service meals I have had.

House Smoked Salmon BLT ($12.49)

with Lemon-Caper Mayonnaise

Giant, thick pieces of salmon with bacon, lettuce, and tomato on this perfect multigrain bread make for another fantastic option here. I hate to sound like a broken record, but this was awesome as well. A filling and well prepared meal for sure.

Cheesy Barbecue Brisket with House Made Chips ($11.00)

Alright, I know I just told you how much I loved the last two dishes, but this was our overall favorite. This cheesy brisket dip has a wonderful flavor and a nice dose of house made chips to dip in it. This is absolutely a must-order if you will be dining here!

Edamame with Chili Salt ($5.00)

These make for a really good, cheap lounge appetizer. The portion is very sizable and the chili salt gives them a favorable kick.

Crispy Fried Oysters with Miso Tartar Sauce ($12.00)

I also enjoyed the crispy fried oysters, which paired perfectly with the Miso Tartar Sauce.

Classic Bacon Cheeseburger ($12.49)

with Tillamook Cheddar, Lettuce and Tomato

As I would at most Disney counter service locations, I’m going to advise you to stay away from the hamburgers. These are not of the quality of a D-Luxe Burger and will not hit the spot. They are typically dry and almost flavorless. Steer clear at all costs. And yes, that is the full side of fries…

Smoked Turkey Sandwich ($9.99)

with Lettuce, Tomato and Cranberry Mayonnaise

Another viable option, the turkey sandwich is a solid substitute for the salmon version if you are not a big seafood eater. The quinoa salad was also pretty solid if you don’t want to order the waffle fries.

Chocolate Brownie Mousse ($5.99)

REVIEW: Gasparilla Island Grill Returns with Exquisite Entrees & Desserts, Quick Service Goes Upscale

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Following a short refurbishment, the Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa reopened recently featuring a number of interior changes and a drastically new menu.

The restaurant is tucked in the back of the main building, towards the marina area, so many guests are not even aware that it exists. This often makes it a quiet getaway from the rest of Walt Disney World, but it can get busy from time to time.

A completely new station was built featuring desserts, pastries and sweets from the Grand Floridian Bakery, as well as a selection of coffee and specialty beverages.

The self serve dessert case is well stocked with amazing looking treats.

There are also assorted pastries available.

A look at the overall menu.

Next up is the sandwich and pizza station.

And of course, there is the much improved sandwich bar. No more hot dog served in a baked potato here…

Gasparilla Island Grill is the latest counter service establishment to receive Coke Freestyle machines and they have tow of them which work using the Rapid Fill technology in Disney cups.

Coffee, hot cocoa, iced teas, and more are also available.

Not much has changed over at the condiment station.

Some quick grab and go options by the registers.

You can sit indoors and outdoors here and they will bring your food to when it is ready either way.

I prefer outdoors if the weather is nice as the atmosphere in the marina area is always really enjoyable.

OK, enough of that, let’s talk about the food!

Sausage and Mozzarella Pizza ($11.29)

One of the big selling points of the new Gasparilla Island Grill is the new pizza-making process…

Each pizza—which cooks in 90 seconds at 840 degrees—is served on pizza dough made in-house daily by Chef Erich’s team at the Grand Floridian Bakery.

You could really taste the difference here and this was a big step u in quality for counter service pizza at Walt Disney World. The sauce was really sweet, so don’t expect New York-stlye here, but the overall flavors of the personal pie were really good. The distribution of the toppings could have been a little better, but really I’m just nitpicking here. If you want a quick pizza, I would highly recommend getting one here.

Chicken and Brie ($12.99)

Described as “Grilled Chicken and Ham on a Brioche Bun served with French Fries”, there is actually a whole lot more going on in this sandwich. There is also some sort of strawberry jam in here and a good amount of arugula. Jam of any sort isn’t my favorite thing to eat, but overall I thought this sandwich was really good. The bread was nice and fresh and the ingredients in the sandwich all blended together really nicely. Grilled chicken sandwiches at Walt Disney World’s counter service restaurants aren’t often very good, but this is one that I would order again.

Coconut Pot de Creme ($4.29)

Now, for what you have all been waiting for… dessert! This coconut pot de creme might be my favorite dessert I have ever had from a quick service establishment. I love coconut, so if you don’t, obviously don’t order this, but I can’t imagine a scenario where anyone wouldn’t think this is amazing. The crust holds together a rich coconut creme, which is accented nicely by the whipped cream and coconut shavings on top. I will be back for this over and over again. Grand Floridian Executive Chef, Scott Hunnel personally recommended this to us as his favorite when we were picking out desserts, and I can see why.

German Chocolate Cupcake ($5.49)

As good as this cupcake looked, it did not have a taste that matched. Overall, I found it to have little chocolate flavor and the coconut material in the middle did little to enhance it. Next time, I think I’ll have to go for the Minnie Mouse Cupcake, because this just did not deliver the promises made by its beautiful exterior. It wasn’t dry or poorly made, it just didn’t have any flavor.

Overall

I have always loved Gasparilla Island Grill, but this new menu is a giant leap forward in quality, putting this restaurant towards the top of the list for the absolute best counter service eateries in all of Walt Disney World.It is also one of the few that offers some sort of late night menu and remains open 24 hours a day. I am anxious to try more of the new menu soon, so expect another review (if I can keep up, there are literally dozens of reviews I have in process waiting to be posted) in the not-too-distant future.

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “POP Eats!” kiosk, which is located at the front of World Showcase, just off to the right side towards the Canada pavilion.

POP Eats!

Food:

Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00
Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50
Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25
Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00
Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

Beverages:

Cloudem Silver Sparkling Wine – $9.00, In a Souvenir Glass – $16.50
Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50
Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

This is the only booth that has the festival’s souvenir cup, available only with the sparkling wine.

Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50

The vision was cooked well and tasted great, but some in our group felt there was too much salt on this dish. I thought that the butternut squash puree went nicely with it. If you like venison, this is a solid option, but it is nothing out of this world.

Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00

While a little on the strange side, the shrimp ceviche with lime mint foam was pretty good. The foam flavor doesn’t overpower anything in the dish and the shrimp tasted fresh. Not the best shrimp dish I’ve ever had, but not the worst either.

Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25

This dessert is brilliant in its simplicity. The chocolate icing, exquisitely moist cake, and raspberry jam mix for one of the best festival treats I have ever had. I know it probably sounds dumb to enjoy a fairly regular cake item at an event with rarer dining delicacies, but it was just made so perfectly. I will be ordering this over and over for the next few weeks.

Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00

This item is the same as the one we reviewed from the one offered at The Painter’s Palate, which we already reviewed, but with a different decorative icing on it.

It looks like a Pop Tart, but it’s a sugar cookie… I’m sure kids will like this, but this dessert just confuses me. It wasn’t bad, I’m just not sure why it exists. It even has a filling like a Pop Tart (chocolate hazelnut flavored) but again, it has the flavor of a sugar cookie filled with icing.

Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

This is essentially the same as the Figment version which we reviewed already, but this version has Goofy featured on the white chocolate puzzle.

Perhaps the most fun item of the festival is this white chocolate Figment puzzle. Not only do you get to put the Puzzle together, but you can than create your own edible art with it. This should be something that any child will just have a blast making (and eating). Plus, how adorable is it?

The chocolate was of a good quality too, so you’ll be happy to know that it tastes as good as it looks.

This time, we were given a paint brush to decorate the chocolate, but the sprinkles and candy were simply thrown underneath instead of in little containers like the “paint”.

Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50

The Popping Bubbles cocktail is a dry sparkling wine with flavored “bubbles” dropped into it. That’s it. The wine itself wasn’t sweet, but whenever you get a sip with the “bubbles” in it, it makes the wine taste just way too sweet. This was just OK, but if you like a sweet wine, you will probably enjoy this.

REVIEW: New Menu at Tony’s Town Square in The Magic Kingdom, I Think I Liked It…

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

I have had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom over the years. As a kid, I loved our winter-time meals that would overlap with SpectroMagic, allowing us to hear the music and see the sparkling lights of the parade while we dined either on the patio or in the glass “solarium” room of the restaurant. Also, with Lady and the Tramp being one of my favorite Disney animated films, I fell in love with the charming interior that evoked scenes from the movie while mixing in the feel of Main Street. Thematically, the restaurant blends seamlessly with the world around it, but the menu has always been another story.

I have fond memories of the flatbreads and seasonal desserts, but in recent years, a noticeable decline in quality has been evident. Now, I’m not saying Tony’s was ever a fine-dining establishment, but I could concoct a really enjoyable meal here. On a visit in early 2016, even the chicken caesar salad was inedible. After that experience, I did not return to Tony’s for several months. With family visiting me in December, I was “forced” to return to Tony’s as that is where they had booked a dining reservation. I begrudgingly went along, with the vivid memories of a warm salad filled with tough grilled chicken bites dancing in my head. Upon arrival, I was greeted with a menu (which serves both lunch and dinner services) with several noticeable changes…

New to me on the menu was an Italian cheese dip appetizer, a grilled pork chop, and baked rigatoni. Based on my previous experience, none of these seemed like a good idea… but then my “blogger senses” kicked in, realizing my duty to our readers to inform them of menu changes and new items. I decided I would take one for the team…

The allergy friendly menus for those who wish to check them out…

Below is the regular kid’s menu.

Alright, let’s start with the appetizers…

Italian Cheese Dip ($11.00)

Creamy Ricotta with Roasted Garlic topped with Tomato Jam served with Crostini.

This description almost sounds like an entirely different dish. The ricotta was passable, but the “tomato jam” was basically a thicker version of the “red sauce of death” typically served at Tony’s. Stick with the complimentary bread…

House Salad ($10.00)

This was surprisingly good, which is probably what I would say whenever I enjoy any sort of dish at Tony’s. It’s a giant portion, it is fairly unique for a in-park Disney restaurant, and the flavor is good. I loved the mix of the salami and peppers in here, taking it from ordinary house salad to something a little more interesting (albeit normal to me growing up in an Italian household). You could easily share this among a few people before a meal as a nice, light starter.

Complimentary Bread with Olive Oil Sauce (THE PRICE IS FREE)

I legitimately loved the bread. It was cooked nicely and was soft and fresh, and it perfectly soaked up the olive oil “dipping sauce”. Skip the Italian Cheese Dip and just enjoy this before your meal.

Alright, now on to the entrees…

Baked Rigatoni ($22.00)

with Ricotta and Bolognese filling topped with Melted Mozzarella

This sounded like a mistake… but it really wasn’t. Tony’s red sauce is still not the best, but they bake a pretty good ricotta cheese and the pasta & meat were pretty decent. I would take this over the spaghetti and meatballs for sure… just maybe don’t stare directly into it. That would be dangerous, very dangerous.

Pasta Primavera ($22.00)

Seasonal Vegetables and Pasta tossed in Garlic and Olive Oil topped with Balsamic Glaze and Feta

If you are looking for pasta, but need to avoid the Tony’s red sauce, this is the route to go. The vegan in our group ordered this without the chicken or shrimp (and sans feta) and was quite pleased with it.

Grilled Pork Chop ($27.00)

with a Mushroom-Bean-Pancetta RagÃ¹ and Marsala Reduction

At the time, we still did not know that alcohol was coming to Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, so I thought the presence of a grilled pork chop was insanely out of character for this eatery. It seems they added the pork chop to pair with some of the beverages, which now makes sense, but at the time simply did not. This dish peaked my interest as it was unlike anything I had ever had here and I immediately felt there was no way that Tony’s was going to pull this dish off. So of course, being a theme park restaurant – smart***, I ordered it.

I have to honestly say, this was the best dish I have ever had at Tony’s Town Square Restaurant. Maybe the constraints of trying to be a semi-Italian Restaurant in the world’s most visited theme park stifles them a bit, but stepping outside of their comfort zone, they have created a dish that is far and away their absolute best.

The Mushroom-Bean-Pancetta Ragu and Marsala Reduction pair absolutely perfectly with the nicely grilled pork chop for a unique taste that is more akin to a pork stew. The dish is of the perfect size and it isn’t insanely heavy like many of the pasta dishes served here. It might be the only meal at Tony’s that won’t make you feel bloated and gross, if I may be frank. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t the best pork dish I’ve ever had, but it’s the best table service entree I’ve had outside of Cinderella’s Royal Table and Skipper Canteen in this park.

OVERALL

Tony’s is still not in the top 3 restaurants I would send people to at the Magic Kingdom, but if the kids only want pasta or you just have to eat here, it is probably good to know that you still have some options that won’t ruin your day. I love Tony’s out of pure childhood nostalgia, but the current menu makes it possible to stomach it and feel good about it. I recommend the grilled pork chop highly (if you couldn’t tell), but I would recommend the garden salad and pasta primavera as well. If you happen to run into the “Italian Wedding Soup” as a seasonal soup, you should order it. The dessert menu is solid too, with the seasonal cheesecake always being a highlight.

Now, the alcoholic drink menu was added since my last visit, so I am including it below:

REVIEW: New Menu at Tony’s Town Square in The Magic Kingdom, I Think I Liked It…

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

The allergy friendly menus for those who wish to check them out…

Below is the regular kid’s menu.

Alright, let’s start with the appetizers…

Italian Cheese Dip ($11.00)

Creamy Ricotta with Roasted Garlic topped with Tomato Jam served with Crostini.

House Salad ($10.00)

Complimentary Bread with Olive Oil Sauce (THE PRICE IS FREE)

Alright, now on to the entrees…

Baked Rigatoni ($22.00)

with Ricotta and Bolognese filling topped with Melted Mozzarella

Pasta Primavera ($22.00)

Seasonal Vegetables and Pasta tossed in Garlic and Olive Oil topped with Balsamic Glaze and Feta

Grilled Pork Chop ($27.00)

with a Mushroom-Bean-Pancetta RagÃ¹ and Marsala Reduction

OVERALL

Now, the alcoholic drink menu was added since my last visit, so I am including it below:

Disney Testing New One-Day Quick Service Dining Plans at Theme Parks, “Disney-Dine-on-the-Go” to Speed Up Sales

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Beginning January 12th and running through February 22nd, 2017, guests at the Magic Kingdom will be able to purchase one-day quick-service dining plan of sorts, called Disney-Dine-on-the-Go. The test period will allow guests who purchase the package to receive certificates redeemable for the following:

One lunch quick service meal that includes one entree and one non-alcoholic single-serving beverage (must be used by 4PM)
One dinner quick service meal that includes one entree and one non-alcoholic single-serving beverage (can be used from 4PM until closing)

Certificates for both children and adults will be available.

The test will take place at the following restaurants:

Casey’s Corner
Columbia Harbor House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Guests can purchase the Disney-Dine-on-the-Go package at Magic Kingdom vacation planning booths or at Magic Kingdom guest relations only during this period.

Adult packages are $29 plus tax per person, and it is $12 plus tax for children ages 3-9.

REVIEW: Move Over Peanuts, Popcorn Brittle Makes Its Way to Walt Disney World

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

I enjoy peanut brittle whenever I visit the Disneyland Resort as it is my absolute favorite snack that they offer. In fact, my tradition isn’t to eat a Dole Whip in the Tiki Room, it’s to bring in some peanut brittle and enjoy it while the birds sing words and the flowers croon. Now, I don’t typically buy peanut brittle at Walt Disney World, but on my last trip to the Magic Kingdom, I discovered this…

It’s Popcorn Brittle. What is Popcorn Brittle? Well, just remove the nuts and add popcorn, and there you have it.

It comes in a pretty nice tin, which does help to soften the blow of the $14.99 price tag on 9 ounces of this stuff.

It should also last you about 6 months, which is nice if you want to bring it home and eat it later to bring back fond memories of “The Most Magical Place on Earth”.

So how was it? Check out my video review where I eat the Popcorn Brittle:

REVIEW: Bacon and Blue Burger Joins the Ranks at Disney Springs’ D-Luxe Burger

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

Disney Springs undoubtedly won the dining war of 2016, introducing the Disney World to Blaze Pizza, Frontera Cocina, Homecoming, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., and of course, D-Luxe Burger (We’re going to pretend that the Daily Poutine doesn’t exist, ok?).

When D-Luxe Burger opened back in May, the chef there informed us that they would occasionally be adding burgers and seasonal milkshakes to the menu. While we have had a few different milkshakes to try out, we finally have a new burger on the menu. Thankfully, nothing from the original menu was removed to add this one, so our original review of the restaurant (which includes every dish, so you should read it if you haven’t) is still good.

So let’s talk about what is new…

Bacon and Blue Burger ($11.99)

This new burger is a “Signature Blend topped with Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Bacon, Onion Jam and Bleu Cheese”. I’m not a fan of onion jam or bleu cheese, but they blend well on this and this burger works. I suspect anyone who enjoys bleu cheese will want this and I think they would be quite happy with it. Personally, I would still take the El Diablo, Barbecue Classic, Southern Classic, and Cluck Burger over this one though.

They already have a solid line-up at D-Luxe, and adding this kind of burger certainly only strengthens the existing array. If you haven’t been yet, be sure to make D-Luxe a must for counter service dining in 2017.

REVIEW: ABC Commissary Dinner at Hollywood Studios Introduces New Menu & Food Delivery; Could It Be Good?

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

As we reported last week, the ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has started a new dinner service with a new menu and the added service of your meal being delivered to your table after you order. Yesterday was the first day of the new dinner service, so we decided to head over and try it out.

The dinner service begins at 3:30pm and it is denoted as a different service on the menu board outside of the restaurant.

It wasn’t terribly busy when we visited, but this entire area can be filled with a queue of guests at times.

ABC Commissary Dinner Menu

The new dinner menu is largely different from lunch, but includes the chicken and ribs combo platter which moved over from Fairfax Fare and the Mediterranean Salad that is also available here for lunch.

A selection of appetizers are available as well.

The Autumn Harvest Cupcake is still available here if you are looking for it.

Some alcoholic beverages available as well. If you want to see the full menu including all drink options, you can check it out here.

Food Delivery Service

After a guest orders, they receive a Table-Tracker device (which is now used at many Disney World establishments, including Captain Cook’s and more). The table-tracker links to the receipt, so there is some correspondence between your recipe and the device you place on the table.

You simply place the tracker on the table and your food and drinks will be brought to you when they are ready. While the tracking seemed to work perfectly as the server certainly knew where we were, it did take nearly 20-minutes. Now, this was the first night of the new dinner service, so I am more than willing to give them time to figure things out. Regardless, I was so happy to not be standing at the counter waiting, that it wasn’t a big deal to me. That being said, if you are on vacation and have some FastPass reservations to make, I can see where waiting 15-20 minutes could be frustrating. I’m sure they will figure it out in the weeks ahead… well, I hope…

The cast member who brought the food was nice enough to bring a selection of condiments and some plastic silverware wrapped in a napkin, which is a nice touch for a counter service restaurant.

Now on to the real story, how was the food?

Cheddar Jalepeno Poppers ($5.49)

When I read the description of the new Southwest Burger, I was excited about the Cheddar Jalepeno Poppers, but I wasn’t really in the mood for a burger and I’m slightly adverse to avocado spread in quick service form. When I saw these offered as an appetizer, I immediately knew I was ordering them. They did not disappoint.

A look inside a Cheddar Jalepeno Popper

Now, I have expressed my love for spicy food items on this site before, and because of that, I have ordered similar items t0 these at many a restaurant over the years. That being said, these types of snacks have always been disappointing, whether the cheese inside tasted bland or the peppers inside were a little off in flavor. None of those problems existed here as these Poppers had a perfect consistency, a good cheddar cheese flavor, and were perfectly accompanied by a ranch dipping sauce.

Mediterranean Salad ($9.99)

Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Kalamata Olives and Feta Cheese tossed in a Greek Vinaigrette and served with Hummus and Pita Chips.

This salad was pretty solid. The feta cheese gave it a nice flavor and everything tasted fresh. The hummus and pita chips were particularly good, which is good to keep in mind as that is also offered as its own side dish if you wish.

Chimichurri Steak ($17.49)

Sirloin Steak topped with Chimichurri Sauce and served with Fire-roasted Corn Medley and Steak Fries.

I want to start with my favorite part of the meal: the steak fries. While these are no longer located at The Plaza Restaurant at the Magic Kingdom, they are back in all of their glory here. I would stop here just for a side of these. They are painfully simple, but a million times better than the regular fries at all of Disney’s other counter service establishments.

The corn medley is good and the steak honestly wasn’t awful. It was a little hard to cut with a plastic knife, but the flavor was solid, certainly better than most other counter service steaks I’ve had at counter service establishments. They did bring me hot sauce along with the steak (without me asking for it), so take that for what you will.

Lemon Pepper Salmon ($14.99)

Seared Salmon served with Cous Cous and sautÃ©ed Green Beans.

The seared salmon is phenomenal. Great flavor and a generous portion that won’t make you feel horrible about your counter service decisions. The couscous and the green beans are both solid side options as well.

Overall

While ABC Commissary more often than not is a restaurant that I tell guests to avoid, I think the new dinner service is a vast improvement and makes the location a much more viable option when visiting Hollywood Studios. If you absolutely do not want to eat at a table service restaurant for dinner in this park, I think ABC Commissary is where you will want to go if you don’t just want chicken breast nuggets or a hamburger.

It is certainly better than Fairfax Fare’s new tex-mex menu, superior to counter service pizza, and more interesting than anything you can order at Backlot Express currently. While I enjoyed the new menu at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner, the ABC Commissary meals will offer you much larger portions with real sides that will make for a filling and enjoyable dinner. For a few bucks more, I would just go to 50’s Prime Time Cafe or the Sci-Fi Dine-In, but if that isn’t an option, you may want to find yourself here for dinner. But not lunch, you still probably shouldn’t do lunch…

ABC Commissary accepts the Disney Dining Plans and also currently offers a 20% discount for Walt Disney World Annual Passholders.