Calling all Disney mug collectors!
From fan-favorites to obscure characters, there’s a Disney mug to fit just about everyone’s preferences!
food IS a theme park
Calling all Disney mug collectors!
From fan-favorites to obscure characters, there’s a Disney mug to fit just about everyone’s preferences!
Wanna take home a Disney character come to life?
We’ve seen a lot of mugs at the theme parks and online. Mickey mugs, Stitch mugs, and attraction mugs! You name a Disney icon and it’s probably on a mug. The mug that makes the most sense (and has one of the most endearing designs) is Chip from Beauty and the Beast. Over the years, Chip has been brought to life as an actual cup and we think we found one of the best versions yet!
It has been fall for 24 hours, so obviously, that means HOLIDAY SHOPPING! To help us get finished as early as possible Disney has started releasing their 2020 Holiday plush and there are already some that we know you’re going to want to have under your tree!
For kids and kids at heart, this batch of plush has a little something for everyone, regardless of fandom or favorite characters! Let’s jump right into the Disney plush cuddle puddle!
Where are all my Disney patch lovers at?
We already know you’ll be rocking out with your ol’ Kermit strumming a banjo patch while watching Muppets Now on Disney + after work today! But hold onto your Muppet denim jackets — you’ve gotta see these adorable character and Disney World patches we spotted today!
Prepare yourself for some major cuteness. The newest Wishables collection has been unveiled and we’re just about ready to book a flight to Hawaii just so we can buy them all.
Aulani, Disney’s Resort and Spa in Hawaii, often features exclusive merchandise that you can only find at that location and now they have new Wishables!
By AJ 14 Comments
Walt Disney World’s Land Pavilion
is home to one of our go-to quick service spots in Epcot’s Future World — Sunshine Seasons — but upstairs from Living with the Land is one of my favorite underrated character meals: Garden Grill. It’s here, in a rotating restaurant, that diners meet Disney character friends, dine on some really great grub, and get a bird’s eye view of the attraction below. It’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Remember, at Garden Grill, always ask for a booth versus a table. I just think they’re more fun, plus your view of the Livin’ With The Land attraction scenes below is much better with a booth!
Before we get into the food, let’s say hello to some friends. Garden Grill is home to Farmer Mickey who always looks sharp in his overalls and plaid!
By AJ 20 Comments
News came out last month about big changes coming to Dinner at Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant, beginning July 27, 2018. We learned about dinner becoming a new prix fixe meal, and that the experience will require 2 Table Service credits on the Disney Dining Plan. We also received all sorts of menu details, which you can read about in full and see pictures of by clicking here.
One thing we didn’t learn, however, is what the Beast will be serving for dessert after dinner in his Castle. While guests will order their choice from the appetizer and entree selections, the final course remained a mystery… until now!!
By AJ 15 Comments
Today, we’re sharing with you our latest visit to Garden Grill Restaurant for Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast Dinner!
Garden Grill is basically one of my favorite character meals. First, it’s a character meal with really great interaction. And while Chip ‘n’ Dale are the headliners, here, you also get to hang out with Farmer Mickey and Pluto!
But beyond the characters, we enjoy the unique ambiance that Garden Grill offers. If you’ve never visited the restaurant, wait ’til you see what it does! Yes — DOES!
We’ve also had some pretty fantastic meals here. Breakfast is virtually a tradition for my family.
But today, we’re visiting in the evening. We’ve enjoyed past dinners here. Let’s see if the trend continues.
Looking for Garden Grill Restaurant? Hang a right after Spaceship Earth and head toward The Land Pavilion in Future World West.
Walkways line the perimeter walls inside the building and lead you down to the pavilion’s three levels, which hosts Living with the Land, Soarin’, and Sunshine Seasons (one of our favorite counter service spots) on the bottom. There’s also an elevator if you’d prefer it to walking.
You’ll find the Garden Grill directly across from the entrance.
And here’s where we talk about what Garden Grill does: it rotates. In fact, it’s the only restaurant in Orlando — and only one of a handful in the world — that spins.
Now, just in case the thought of a rotating restaurant doesn’t sound all that appetizing, we promise you that Garden Grill spins at a snail’s pace. We aren’t talking spinning teacups here.
Why does it spin? Well, there’s more than one way to check out the attractions within Living with the Land! As the restaurant rotates, guests are treated to scenes from the ride. This mural acts as sort of a gateway.
You’ll visit a farmhouse — or see it from above, anyway. I think this scene is particularly fun, because you get to look inside one of the windows from this vantage point!
You’ll also see extremes in landscapes. As you view a rainforest scene, and watch it morph into a desert scene as you travel.
Your vehicle for sightseeing is your table, of course.
Tables are arranged in a sort of stadium seating pattern on two levels around the restaurant. Top tier tables are your garden variety rectangular tables, like you see here.
On the lower level, semi-circular booths face out, giving you the best view of the scenes you pass.
And did you notice? Mickey makes an appearance before your meal ever starts! 😀
And that brings me to Reason Number Two that you might want to visit Garden Grill: the characters. Let’s check ’em out.
One of my top reasons for visiting Garden Grill is the character interaction. In fact, it’s one of my Top Two Favorite Character Meals in Walt Disney World! Of course, I love when I can see Mickey during a character meet and greet. And here, he’s dressed in his farmer finest.
Mickey is joined by his faithful pup sidekick, Pluto.
But this is, after all, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s gig. So you’re sure to see the playful pair as you enjoy your dinner.
And that’s one of the coolest things about Garden Grill — it’s not just the stellar character interaction, but the amount of interaction you get. The restaurant is fairly small in size, so that means you normally have the chance to visit with characters more than once during your meal.
So we’ve talked about the fact that Garden Grill rotates, thus making it something kinda special. And, of course, any day that you can share your meal with Chip ‘n’ Dale and Friends is gonna be a good one.
But how about the food? Well, the good news is — that’s pretty great, too.
Garden Grill serves its meals family style, meaning that shareable platters are brought to the table, and you can ask for more of anything you like. That also means that everyone dining has the choice of a non-alcoholic beverage as part of the prix fixe price of his or her meal. But if you’d like, you can also order from a list of special drinks, including cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine.
You don’t really choose what you’re getting at Garden Grill (unless you have special dietary needs; talk to your server in that case). The offerings are pretty much standard. You’ll start with warm Dinner Rolls, served with a side of Whipped Butter.
Next comes the Harvest-Inspired Farmer’s Salad. During our visit, the salad included greens, hard boiled egg, radishes, and grape tomatoes. It’s lightly dressed with a creamy dressing.
The main course is the combination platter with sliced Homestyle Pot Roast, sliced Turkey Breast, and Italian Sausage served with sautéed Peppers and Onions. Sides on the platter include Mashed Potatoes and Bacon and Leek Stuffing.
The Italian Sausage is new, having replaced the previously served Sustainable Fish of the Day.
But that’s not all. You get additional veggie sides, like Green Beans and Sweet Potatoes, plus Macaroni and Cheese.
For dessert, it’s a shareable Short Cake topped with Fruit Compote and Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream.
Some folks may call this a cobbler. Whatever name you give it, the rich cake and super saucy berry topping is a winner with everyone at the table.
You’ll enjoy Garden Grill if:
You may want to skip Garden Grill if:
After lots of visits, I still love Garden Grill Restaurant.
I think I’ve laid out a pretty convincing argument. When you visit Garden Grill, you’re getting a three-way combo of unique environment, great characters, and excellent (and plentiful) food. And when it comes to characters and kids, I personally lean toward a character meal where the food comes to you, because it’s so much easier to juggle kids, characters, and food when you don’t have to worry about visiting a buffet.
But even beyond the convenience of Garden Grill, the characters, and the novelty of the place, I think this place just offers really great food. It may be kind of standard fare, but it’s thoughtfully prepared. And when you’re paying Disney prices, it’s great when you can enjoy a character meal as much for the food as for everything else.
If you haven’t tried it before, book an advance dining reservation for Garden Grill Restaurant. I think you’ll be pleased.
Now, I’d love to hear from you! Is Garden Grill Restaurant one of your favorites? Let us know in comments!