REVIEW: New “Out-Of-This-World” Menu Items at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

The Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant is likely in my top 10 favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World, and I often bounce between this location and the Brown Derby as to which is my favorite at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you want a burger and some good desserts, there isn’t anywhere much better in my opinion, and the atmosphere is the most unique of any eatery at any Disney theme park anywhere. For a few bucks more than a counter service meal of a similar style, the atmosphere and superior sweets menu here make it an easy decision to splurge on table service over counter at this park.

Guests sit in “cars” and dine like it’s an old-school drive-in at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater

The seating style is different from any other restaurant at Disney theme parks as it has “cars” parked in front of a screen, with two-by-two seating facing the rotating kaleidoscope of classic cartoons, movie trailers, and more.

With all this being said, Sci-Fi is obviously a fan favorite. Being a beloved eatery, when the menu was changed a few days ago, many were concerned if the changes were for the better. Here’s a look at the new menu in question:

New to the menu are the following items:

The Boneless Chicken Wings now have 3 sauce options, rather than just the usual buffalo. The bone-in wings are now removed completely.
The Sci-Fi Salad is now a Wedge Salad.
The Build-Your-Own Angus Burger option is gone, but there are new burgers added.
The Salmon BLT Sandwich, Vegetarian Shepard’s Pie, Grilled Marinated Salmon Salad, Southwest Vegetarian Burger, and Sci-Fi-Fi Angus Burger were removed from the menu.
New entrees include the Classic American Burger, Southern Burger, Chili-Lime Fajita Salad, the Vegetarian Falafel Burger, and the Drive-In Barbecue Burger.

As you can see, it was a pretty major menu overhaul. So let’s find out how it is…

Boneless Chicken Wings ($10.00)

Boneless Chicken Wings ($10.00) with Buffalo Sauce

Boneless Chicken Wings ($10.00) with Sweet Chili Sauce

Your choice of Spicy Buffalo, Chipotle Barbecue, or Sweet Chili Sauce served with Celery Sticks and Blue Cheese Dressing

The Sweet Chili Sauce moved over from the Oasis Canteen, where these were available for a short period last year. Both sauces are great, but I recommend the buffalo if you want these to be spicier, and the sweet chili if you like a more flavorful taste. Funny enough, the buffalo sauce version was a staple at Backlot Express a few years ago as well, so both of these were available at counter service locations previously. Yes, these are basically just the chicken breast nuggets with sauce, but does that mean that we can’t enjoy them? I end up ordering these every time I come.

Classic Southern Burger ($19.00)

Our Signature Blend of Beef on a Brioche Roll, topped with a Fried Green Tomato, House-made Pimento Cheese, Bacon, and Lettuce

Classic Southern Burger ($19.00)

If you like fried-green tomatoes and pimento cheese, this is worth a try. The brioche bun on all of the Sci-Fi burgers enhance them nicely, while the beef patties are good enough to be at least more enjoyable than any Disney counter service location.

As always, the burgers come with the delicious steak fries, which you will also find for dinner now at the ABC Commissary next door.

Chili-Lime-Salmon Fajita Salad ($16.50)

Mixed Greens tossed with Roasted Corn, Peppers, Shredded Cheddar Cheese, Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette topped with crispy Tortilla Chips and House-made Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

This salad is filling, fresh, and has quite a lot going on in it. If the dressing wasn’t so bland, this would be something we would order again. The salmon is surprisingly good and again, the portion size is more than fair.

Drive-In BBQ Burger ($19.00)

Our Signature Blend of Beef, BBQ Spice, Brioche Bun, House-made BBQ Sauce, Bacon, and Cheddar served with Crispy-fried Jalapeño and Onion Straws

Drive-In BBQ Burger ($19.00)

I really enjoyed the Drive-In BBQ Burger, likely my favorite of any burger I’ve had here in my life. As you all know, I enjoy a lot of spice, and I thought the crispy fried jalapeños delivered while the other toppings were nice and flavorful. While I might try to switch the cheddar cheese for Swiss next time (more of a personal preference than a suggestion), I was still more than happy with this entree.

Out-of-This-World Turtle Cheesecake ($7.50)

with Heath Bar, Pecans, Chocolate Chips, Caramel Sauce, and topped with Whipped Cream

It may not be the largest dessert, but it makes up for it in taste. This is basically a small cheesecake piece wrapped in Heath Bar, pecans, chocolate chips, and caramel sauce; and yes, it is as good as this description sounds. I love anything with Heath Bar, and if you do too, then I implore you to order this.

Milk Shakes ($6.00)

Sci-Fi Specialty Shake, Oreo Cookie, Chocolate, or Vanilla

My favorite dessert at Sci-Fi is still the simplest, and it’s the milkshakes. Pictured above is the current specialty shake, which is marshmallow and caramel over vanilla, and it is absolutely fantastic. The specialty shakes never disappoint, but you can’t go wrong with the Oreo Cookie version either. Sure, you can settle for chocolate and vanilla too if you wish. For $6.00, these are a great value as they are more than large enough to share between two guests after a full meal here.

OVERALL

In review, I think the menu changes here are quite positive. While the Build-Your-Own Burger option is gone, you can likely customize something to your liking between all of the burgers currently on the menu. I would like to return with someone who eats vegetarian options to see how the falafel burger holds up, but otherwise, Sci-Fi-Fi Dine-In is still an enjoyable, and often underrated table service restaurant you should try out if you have never been to it.

REVIEW: Cheshire Cat Tails & Cold Brew Coffee Magically Appear at Cheshire Cafe at the Magic Kingdom

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Located steps away from The Mad Tea Party attraction in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, the Cheshire Cafe (formerly the Enchanted Grove) has always served a selection of coffee drinks, and from time to time, some pastry desserts as well. Starting recently, the menu at this counter service window location was updated with two new offerings.

Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails, new at the Cheshire Cafe in the Magic Kingdom

Allow me to introduce those new items to you: Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails!

Cold Brew Coffee and Cheshire Cat Tails, new at the Cheshire Cafe in the Magic Kingdom

Cheshire Cafe Menu, June 2017

The remainder of the Cheshire Cafe menu remains pretty much as it was, long gone are the themed cake Cups you may remember from a few years ago. Guests were really big on those, but I had never had much success with them.

Cheshire Cat Tail ($4.49)

Cheshire Cat Tail ($4.49), Cheshire Cafe at the Magic Kingdom

The Cheshire Cat Tail is very similar to the “chocolate twist” treat that you will most commonly find around Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park, available as Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery and Thirsty River Bar & Trek Snacks. However, while I do enjoy the Animal Kingdom offering, this was far superior in every way.

The pastry was fresh, soft, and flaky, filled inside with chocolate chips and a cream filling. The colorful icing here added an extra sweetness which made this (most likely) the best theme park pastry I have ever eaten. If you acquire one of these as fresh as we did, you are in for a real treat. This is seriously my favorite snack in all of the Magic Kingdom as of right now.

Cold Brew Coffee ($3.79)

If you like Cold Brew Coffee, then you can now find it at the Magic Kingdom now at the Cheshire Cafe. I don’t know what else to say about this except that it was Cold Brew Coffee and it was what you would expect it to be. The picture above is of the drink as it is served, but cream and sugar and such are available just around the corner from the service window, so guests may make this beverage to their liking.

REVIEW: Crazy Churro, Apple Pie, and Berry Explosion Ice Cream Sundaes Debut at Epcot’s Taste Track

WDWNT on June 12, 2017

Taste Track at Epcot, just steps away from Test Track in case the name didn’t give it away, has had a tumultuous history. Since it was constructed in 1998, it has more often than not been closed. In recent years, Disney has rotated through a few different menus at the location, including a short lived lineup of grilled cheese sandwiches. Well, the location is now open daily once again, but is now serving some crazy ice cream sundaes in addition to more traditional fare.

If you know us here at WDWNT by now, then you know that we had to try all 3 of these new sundaes out. Let’s see if they live up to their menu pictures…

Berry Explosion Sundae ($6.50)

Vanilla Ice Cream layered with Berries and Pound Cake, topped with Whipped Cream, Strawberry Pearls, and Cotton Candy

If you like strawberries and pound cake, do yourself a favor and get one of these. It is filled with generous chunks of strawberries and a nice piece of pound cake towards the bottom, which goes perfectly with everything in here. The cotton candy on top is probably unnecessary, but I’ll be damned if this isn’t just about the most photogenic dessert at Walt Disney World because of it.

Chocolaty Churro Sundae ($6.50)

Chocolaty Churro Sundae ($6.50) at Taste Track, Epcot

Vanilla Ice Cream and Hot Fudge, topped with Whipped Cream, Chocolate Curls, and a Churro

I had such high expectations for this and it did not live up to them (and it wasn’t nearly as photogenic as the sundae above, nor the one pictured on the menu board). Don’t get me wrong, if you want ice cream on top of a churro, this is great, but it just isn’t very exciting. It’s just vanilla ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream. I would at least throw some caramel sauce in here to make it a little more interesting, but again, it’s not a bad option for a couple of dollars more, if not just to get some ice cream with a churro during these hot summer months.

Apple Pie Sundae ($6.50)

Vanilla Ice Cream and Caramel Sauce, topped with Whipped Cream, Caramel Popcorn, Salted Caramel Pearls, and Warm Apple Pie

Basically a caramel sundae with a McDonald’s Apple Pie broken in half and shoved in it, this is enjoyable, but nothing to write home about. The flavor is mostly just vanilla, similar to the Churro Sundae above. This isn’t a bad option if you want a caramel sundae with apple pie in it, but based on the menu photos, I think we just expected much more out of these and the Berry Explosion was sadly the only one that delivered. Save your ice cream money for Beaches and Cream or Ample Hills.

REVIEW: The Daily Poutine Introduces Cheeseburger Poutine

WDWNT on May 31, 2017

You may remember that we were not enamored with our first visit to the Daily Poutine at Disney Springs, finding many of the offerings to be lackluster. While this first experience doesn’t leave us rushing back, we did once we saw a new offering at this outdoor stand.

Cheeseburger Poutine, The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs

So, you know that we had to try this, so let’s see how it was…

Cheeseburger Poutine ($9.39)

Cheeseburger Poutine, The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs

Crisp fries topped with ground beef, beer cheese sauce, lettuce, tomato, onion, house-made pickles, mayo, mustard, and ketchup. Finished with fried cheese curds.

The cheese curds are fried as compared to the usual melted cheese on the other dishes here. There’s a great tasting beer cheese slathered across the fries before any of the other toppings are applied, so it has time to soak up into the fries before you bit into them.

The beef is ground and mixed with onions, giving a nice hamburger meat flavor (which you might expect with something that has cheeseburger in the name). There’s ketchup and mustard and all of the cheeseburger essentials, so it’s kind-of-like Canadian and American foods had a cheesy baby.

They’re able to accommodate and remove toppings if needed or wanted as well, just in case there’s a few things in here that you may not want.

This is the perfect mix of comfort foods and far-and-away the best option at the Daily Poutine. Give it a try the next time you are looking for a snack at Disney Springs!

REVIEW: Alcoholic Oatmeal, Breakfast Pods, and Other Unique Eats on Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu in Pandora: The World of AVATAR

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

Earlier this week, we reviewed lunch and dinner at the Satuli Canteen, but today, we review a menu of far greater interest, breakfast. Why is breakfast so interesting at this eatery in Pandora: The World of AVATAR? Well, you clicked this story based on the headline right? Alcoholic oatmeal? Breakfast pods?

With a menu sounding so interesting, I couldn’t wait to try breakfast here.

Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu

Satuli Canteen Breakfast Menu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Satuli Canteen Allergy-Friendly Breakfast Menu – Pandora: The World of AVATAR

Entrees

Steel Cut Oatmeal ($7.49)

Steel-cut Oats, topped with Caramelized Brown Sugar, Bourbon-soaked Raisins, Marcona Almonds and Goji Berries. This item is prepared with alcohol and can only be ordered by Guests 21 years of age or older.

At the end of the day, this is an $8 oatmeal dish, but I really enjoyed it. The caramelized brown sugar mixed with the bourbon from the raisins makes for sweet and satisfying bites, and the other assorted toppings are worth a try. There was enough bourbon inn here to make the dish smell like a glass of it, so I think you’ll be happy with the results. I don’t often crave oatmeal, but even just writing this review, I have the urge to eat this dish again.

Disney actually won’t let anyone under 21 order this, but you can get a non-alcoholic version instead. My suggestion would be to skip this if you are under 21 because the bourbon is where most of the desired flavor comes from.

Breakfast Steamed Pod ($8.49)

Steamed Pods filled with Scrambled Eggs, Bacon, Spinach, Cheddar Cheese served with Pickled Slaw

As exciting as these sounded, they were fairly standard and again had the problem of too much breadÂ and not enough substance. Also, no one is going to be full from this dish. It needs a real side, not this pickled slaw that already comes with every lunch and dinner dish.

Steak and Eggs ($9.99)

Vegetable-Goat Cheese Frittata and Wood Fired Herb Crusted Beef, with Chimichuri sauce.

Another winning dish, the frittata is loaded with vegetables, but is still light enough to be enjoyable, while the steak is pretty much the same as what comes in the lunch and dinner bowls (which is good). Opposed to lunch, the Chimichuri sauce actually paired well with everything in this dish.

Pork Hash ($8.99)

Slow Roasted Pork and Potato Hash topped with Grilled Chorizo Sausage, Green Onions served with Natural Jus

Probably the best breakfast dish overall, this meal is also quite sizable. The potato hash is similar to the one at lunch (minus the sweet potatoes), mixed with well-cooked pork and a tasty grilled chorizo sausage. I like this type of dish spicy, so it is nice that there is tabasco at the nearby condiment station.

French Toast ($7.99)

Cinnamon Swirl French Toast topped with Blueberry Cream Cheese Dollop, Passion Fruit Anglaise and Pork Sausage

This sounded like it would be so good, but it was a complete letdown. The blueberry cream cheese dollop (because everything from the lunch and dinner menu has to appear at breakfast I suppose) blends horribly with the french toast, but I think the problem is all with the toast. It’s mostly flavorless and was kind of tough honestly. The sausage was good and the plate was of a good size, but this just isn’t something I would order again.

OVERALL

The Satuli Canteen breakfast menu goes 3-for-5 in our experience, with those three dishes all being ones we would order again. Based on the overall weakness of breakfast options in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, this would certainly be my go-to.

Don’t forget to check out our lunch and dinner review of the Satuli Canteen in Pandora: The World of AVATAR, which also includes a rundown of the drinks and desserts offered here, in addition to every one of the entrees.

REVIEW: Satuli Canteen Lunch and Dinner, Pandora – The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on May 18, 2017

The Satuli Canteen is the quick service dining location in Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, offering a fairly unique menu compared to other counter service offerings at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Discover healthful dishes and familiar flavors from another world—wholesome grains, fresh vegetables and hearty proteins.

Between your aerial adventures on Avatar Flight of Passage and family-friendly voyages aboard Na’vi River Journey, tuck inside the Quonset-hut structure called Satu’li Canteen—long ago an RDA mess hall, now a peaceful dining facility adorned with Na’vi art and cultural items.

Owned and operated by Alpha Centauri Expeditions (ACE), Satu’li Canteen supplies travelers all the comforts of home—courtesy of a unique, fast-casual menu that’s been crafted from Pandora’s natural abundance.

Featuring international-inspired cuisine, vegetarian options and specialty libations, it’s the perfect place to refuel as you venture through the Valley of Mo’ara.

I would best describe the inside of the restaurant as an Animal Kingdom Lodge restaurant located in an abandoned hangar. That’s pretty much what it is. It’s a strange blend, but it isn’t unpleasant. There isn’t much indoor seating, but the outdoor seating looks to be comparable in size, so it should work out when crowds descend upon the land.

The ordering area is massive, featuring a number of bays utilizing what remains of a former RDA commissary (in storyline).

Entrees

Chopped Wood-Grilled Chicken Bowl ($11.49)

Wood-Grilled Chicken Thighs marinated with Garlic and Olive Oil topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

As you may notice in the photographs, the ubiquitous Disney Parks plates are not to be found here, instead, you get a “real” plate and silverware to dine with. A nice touch that we have seen at some of the nicer counter service locations in recent years.

This particular dish has the Creamy Herb Dressing, which ended up being my favorite, especially mixed with the Red and Sweet Potato Hash (which is also a winner). The chicken was cooked well enough and mixed with the sauce and base in a nice way. The vegetable slaw and yogurt boba balls are fine, which is good, BECAUSE IT COMES WITH EVERYTHING.

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef Bowl ($12.99)

Slow-Roasted Sliced Grilled Beef marinated in a blend of Garlic, Herbs, Red Pepper Spice, and Red Wine Vinegar topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce.

You’ll see two unique orders of the beef above, one with Mixed Whole Grain and Rice, and another with the Red and Sweet Potato Hash, but both have the Charred Onion Chimichurri. The chimichurri is pretty bland and adds almost nothing to any dish, and especially in this case with the rice, which is flavorless to begin with. The beef itself is a real winner, tender with a lot of flavor for a counter service offering.

Sustainable Fish Bowl ($12.99)

Panko Breaded Sustainable Fish topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

The fish in this case was mahi-mahi and I thought it was solid, crunchy on the outside with a flavor in the vicinity of sweet and flaky inside. Again, the rice and the chimichurri are under this and I just would not recommend this combination.

Chili-Spiced Crispy Fried Tofu Bowl ($11.49)

Crispy Fried Tofu seasoned with Chili-Spice topped with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Boba Balls served with your choice of Base and Sauce

The chili-spiced fried tofu was possibly my second favorite to the beef, offering a good flavor with a little kick if you aren’t in the mood for meat. It mixed really well with the Creamy Herb Sauce and the Red and Sweet Potato Hash, a combo I would have again. One thing worth mentioning is how huge these dishes are. I had a hard time finishing this dish and I usually can clean a plate pretty well.

I also spiced this dish up with tabasco, which is available at the condiment station.

Cheeseburger Steamed Pods – Bao Buns ($10.99)

Steamed Cheeseburger Pod stuffed with Ground Beef, Ketchup, Mustard, Pickle, and Cheddar Cheese served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips

These were good, but I think a bit overhyped. Don’t get me wrong, I like them, but the meat to bun ratio is way too uneven. If they loaded some more meat and cheese in here, it could be one of my favorite entrees at a quick service, but the flavors just don’t even out right now. The meals are also a little on the small side, so don’t get these if you are starving. They might actually work better as something to share as a quick snack or something to split between your entire party should you all just want to try them.

My favorite part of the meal was the vegetable chips which have a really pleasant flavor palate with a salty tinge.

Vegetable Steamed Curry Pods – Bao Buns ($10.99)

Steamed Vegetable Curry Pod with Eggplant, Cauliflower, Sweet Potato, Carrots, and Shallot Cilantro Cream served with Crunchy Vegetable Slaw and Vegetable Chips

While the cheeseburger pods are getting all of the attention, I actually think that these were just as good, if not better. There is a curry spice sprinkled over the pods, but on the chips as well, adding quite a bit of spice to the plate. The vegetable mix in the pod makes for a unique and tasty flavor. If the cheeseburger version isn’t of interest to you, these are a good option.

Kids Menu

“Teylu” All-Beef Hot Dog Wrapped in Dough ($6.79)

All-Beef Hot Dog wrapped in a Parker House Dough served with Vegetable Chips and Grapes, and Small Dasani Bottled Water or Low-fat Milk

A big step over the usual kid’s hot dog dish, the wrap-around bun is quite good and a vast improvement. The delicious vegetable chips are included with this as well.

Cheese Quesadilla ($6.49)

Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheese in a Tortilla served with Vegetable Chips and Grapes, and Small Dasani Bottled Water or Low-fat Milk

Back in the day, I used to really enjoy the cheese quesadillas when they were located at Pizzafari, and these are very similar and pretty good if your little guy or girl are in the mood for such a thing. Quesadillas aren’t complicated, but these were made with quality ingredients and you could taste it. AND AGAIN THERE’S THE VEGETABLE CHIPS.

Desserts

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse ($5.29)

Blueberry Cream Cheese Mousse with Passion Fruit Curd

The most discussed dessert leading into the opening of Pandora, this item is no longer even a cheesecake and has already been greatly reduced in size. It’s good enough, but personally not something I would order again. It did prove popular with others at the table, so maybe it’s just my taste on this one, but it has such a weird, gelatinous texture and the flavor wasn’t what I expected at all. Way too much passion fruit for me.

Chocolate Cake ($5.29)

Chocolate Cake with a Crunchy Cookie Layer and Banana Cream Topping

While the former cheesecake now mousse dessert received top billing, this was by far my favorite of the two. The flourless chocolate cake flavor of the airy dessert blends perfectly with the crunchy cookie layer at the bottom and the banana cream on top. This is a must order in my book, one of my favorite desserts in all of Walt Disney World.

Beverages

Pandoran Sunrise ($4.49, $13.49 with Navi Flute Cup)

Exotic blend of Tropical Juices including Pineapple, Mango, Lime and a hint of Melon with a Pineapple garnish served over ice (also served in a Na’vi Flute Cup)

The Pandora Sunrise is probably worth skipping for something at Pongu Pongu instead (namely the Night Blossom). It’s refreshing, but pales in comparison. For a better value, fountain drinks with refills provided by self-derive fountains are available, with many more options than you might usually expect, including Sprite Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, and Coke Zero in addition to the usual variety.

The Navi Flute Cup is pretty nice, including a flute that can be detached and played.

Dreamwalker Sangria ($9.50)

Refreshing White Sangria with a hint of Blue Curaçao

Carbonated non-boozey garbage honestly. It’s light and fruity with a grape tartness due to the ones placed on top, but I wasn’t able to fully grasp flavors over the blue curaçao.

OVERALL

Satuli Canteen is likely the best overall counter service restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, especially with mobile ordering offered (based on our experience). With a good variety of options with a number of customization aspects, it would be hard to not find something for everyone at this eatery. With the portion sizes leaning towards the larger and fountain beverage refills available, it also feels like a better value than many other options.

Satuli Canteen will open to the public on May 27th, 2017 inside of Pandora: The World of AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

REVIEW: Alcoholic Milkshakes & Floats Arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Just In Time for Summer

WDWNT on April 27, 2017

Just in time for summer, new alcoholic ice cream beverages have arrived at some of the outdoor food and beverage locations inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios at the Walt Disney World Resort!

In this review, we’ll stop at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner and Oasis Canteen in the Echo Lake area to check out some new offerings that might help you beat the heat (if you’re 21 years or older).

Kahlua and Cream Milkshake ($12.00) – Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Sadly replacing the Star Wars-themed Blue Milkshake, there is now chocolate and vanilla alcoholic shake offerings at Min and Bill’s. That being said, they now have both vanilla and chocolate regular shakes here as well (as you might guess), which may make some guests happy.

Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

In case you are unfamiliar, Min and Bill’s is the large boat sitting in Echo Lake near Hollywood Boulevard, just steps away from For the First Time in Forever – A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration.

Kahlua and Cream Milkshake ($12.00) – Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

While it may not look like anything special, a Bailey’s Irish Cream milkshake is a pretty wonderful thing. I opted for chocolate as I prefer it to vanilla, and I think I made the right choice (although I can’t imagine it would be bad with vanilla either). It has an alcoholic coffee flavor of sorts, so if you like such things, you really can’t go wrong here.

Dreamsicle Float with Stoli Vanilla Vodka ($11.50) – Oasis Canteen, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

New to the menu, there is also a Barq’s Root Beer Float with the very same Stoli Vanilla Vodka in it.

Dreamsicle Float with Stoli Vanilla Vodka ($11.50) – Oasis Canteen, Disney’s Hollywood Studios

This is basically Stoli Vodka, vanilla ice cream, and orange juice. The Dreamsicle Float is probably the perfect dessert option for summer as it is quite refreshing given the fruit juice and fairly plain ice cream. That being said, it was a particularly hot day when we enjoyed this and it was pretty perfect for such weather. I suspect this will be quite popular as the temperature rises in Central Florida.

It is available non-alcoholic as well, which may be a decent Citrus Swirl substitute for when visiting Hollywood Studios.

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: Amazing New Fort Wilderness RV Food Truck Isn’t Quite As Good As It Looks

WDWNT on March 6, 2017

Food trucks are all the rage at Walt Disney World these days, but I’m not sure there has ever been a cooler looking food truck than the vintage-style RV that’s now rolling around Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground…

The truck has a classic style, but also has some wonderful nods to the Walt Disney World of the 1970’s. It is located (currently) out by The Meadows and the recreation area. When we visited, it opened for business starting at 5PM.

The “earlobe” was the original logo icon of Walt Disney World, then referred to as the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

The level of detail is amazing, right down to the map sitting up in the driver’s area. Kids, ask your parents about a world before smart phones and GPS.

The classic Walt Disney World logo adorns the side, but there is also a map of the United States with decals for states visited. I’d love to know how they got to some states without visiting the ones in-between…

Many of the decals on the back are reproductions of the older bumper stickers sold at the resort. There are also references to Copper Creek and other places within Wilderness Lodge…

Let’s take a look at the menu…

There is also a selection of moonshine concoctions. Let’s try a few of the items out…

Fort Wilderness Smoked Pork Belly Tillamook Cheeseburger ($13.49)

This sounded amazing. It wasn’t. The ingredients were great, but it is the lower-quality Disney hamburger patties, not of a quality like D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs. The Chipotle barbecue sauce, the onion ring, and the onion kaiser roll were great, but you can’t have a good burger without a good beef patty. The french fries are of the usual quality as well, which I feel hurts the dish.

Pumpkin Spiced Tea ($10.75)

This was terrible. It tasted like moonshine with a sugar-free pumpkin flavor syrup, which is what I assume goes into making this thing. In fairness, the other options have been good whenever I have had them at Trail’s End or Crokett’s Tavern at this resort, so maybe stick to the others, or just go to either of those locations.

OVERALL

I’d be happy to give the Fort Wilderness Fresh Fixin’s food truck another try, but they did not leave a good first impression. Design-wise, it is top notch and super cool. The level of detail and how well it fits its surroundings is exactly what you expect from Disney, but perhaps that sets an unobtainable expectation for the food and drink. Either way, the menu can always be fixed, and at least we got something really cool-looking out of it.

REVIEW: Turkey, Salmon, and Pimento-Cheese BLT Sandwiches Arrive at The Smiling Crocodile, Disney’s Animal Kingdom

WDWNT on February 23, 2017

The Smiling Crocodile food kiosk on Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently introduced a new menu.

The former home of the wonderful smoky cheddar grits and the chicken drumstick is now serving up three varieties of “BLT Sandwiches”. Why did I put that in quotes? Because I’m still not sure that is how I would describe these dishes…

On the bright side, they are all snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan and sizable for such an offering.

Pictures of the three new dishes hang on the walls inside of the kiosk, just to assure that they turn out looking as they should.

With the proximity to the Flame Tree Barbecue seating area, there is always a nearby place to bring the food & drink from these stands and be able to sit in peace and quiet enjoying them.

If you don’t like birds, then you may want to go eat elsewhere. While we were taking these photos, several winged-creatures tried to eat the “sandwiches”. We probably should have let them in hindsight…

First off, I wouldn’t call them sandwiches, even if using the term “open-faced”. They are what you might refer to as tostadas: a crispy toast with a blend of cold toppings. With that out of the way, let’s try them.

Pimento-Cheese BLT ($5.29)

Open faced sandwich with hand-crafted pimento cheese, thick-cut, smoked, house-roasted bacon on ciabatta bread, topped with chives.

I wish I had some more positives other than these being sizable for snack credits, but there isn’t much else to say of a good nature. The bacon is too thick to bite and delivers almost none of the flavor you might expect for getting such a lengthy description on the menu. These aren’t terrible, but they aren’t something I would ever recommend to someone looking for a quick bite at Animal Kingdom.

Salmon BLT ($5.49)

Open faced smoked salmon sandwich made with thick-cut, smoked, house-roasted bacon on ciabatta bread.

The salmon quality isn’t bad, but the bread and other toppings do nothing to enhance that flavor. These are really hard to eat as the toppings simply do not stay on, often with most of the snack falling apart during your first bite. While these are meant to be a grab-and-go option, you will need to sit and eat these, otherwise the floor will be getting more of the food than you are.

Turkey BLT ($5.29)

Open faced turkey sandwich made with thick-cut, smoked, house-roasted bacon on ciabatta bread.

This was my favorite of the three, but that isn’t saying much. Again, the turkey is good, but the rest is nothing special. Despite not being advertised, the chives somehow ended up on this one as well.

OVERALL

I lament the loss of the really enjoyable cheddar grits here, especially with these offerings that simply pale in comparison. Hopefully these will be removed fairly quickly and replaced with something more enjoyable… or Disney can just bring back the cheese grits and we’ll pretend this whole thing never even happened…