Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Because there's far too much to see and do. We're here to help guide you through. We are a married couple with two boys age 9 and 6 talking all things Disney World. This podcast will cover the tips and tricks we've learned along our journey, history of the parks and attractions, and most importantly why and how Disney makes us feel how we do while in the parks and that it's ok to feel that way.
Circle of Parks Podcast: Talking all things Walt Disney World
Episode #179: Unique Eats in Walt Disney World Resorts
Craving a culinary adventure through Disney World resorts without leaving your seat? Get ready to uncover some of the most delightful and unique food offerings around. From the iconic Zebra Domes at the Animal Kingdom Lodge to the mouth-watering Tonga Toast at the Polynesian Resort, we promise a flavorful journey filled with insider tips and personal favorites. Whether you're a fan of sweet treats or savory surprises, this episode serves a delicious dose of Disney's culinary creativity.
Ever wondered if a $39 ice cream dessert is worth the splurge? Join us as we tackle this tantalizing topic, debating the value of its indulgent flavors and elaborate presentation. Our discussion doesn't end there; the episode is sprinkled with insights into festive holiday treats like the s'mores cookie at the Art of Animation and the famous gingerbread roof shingles at the Grand Floridian. We also dive into Disney's sustainability efforts, like turning gingerbread into honey, and share our culinary curiosities about the Indian-style bread service at Sanaa, guaranteed to intrigue any foodie.
Prepare to be surprised by some hidden gems and savory delights that may just become your new favorites. We celebrate the unexpected pleasures of quick-service dining, raving about pulled pork nachos and vibrant jerk chicken island bowls. With a nod to future adventures at Coronado Springs and a sprinkle of Disney trivia for good measure, we bring you a feast for both your imagination and taste buds. Join us on this delicious journey, and let’s savor the magic of Disney dining together.
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Hello and welcome to Circular Parks podcast, episode number 179. Today we are going to talk about the unique food offerings there are at the resorts in Walt Disney World. There is far too much to see and do. We are here to help guide you through, but before we do that we must talk Disney merch. So this week, disneystorecom. They are featuring bluey plush slippers that are super cute, adorable. They are embroidered, floppy arms and soft padded construction, comfy cuties, non-slip soles, so your little pup can safely wear them from playtime to bedtime, and they are priced at $19.99. So that is this week's Disney merch.
Speaker 2:Thank you for joining us. Episode number 179. Unique food in the resorts Now we've done the parks. Weique Food in the Resorts Now we've done the parks, we haven't done the resorts. And there's some really cool stuff here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I'm sure we are possibly leaving some out as well.
Speaker 2:Oh, I'm sure, if we miss any that you would like to add, please let us know. Yes, you can send us an email or message us on Facebook or Instagram. But yeah, so I know. Last week I said we were going to talk about the unwritten rules, but the more I got to thinking about it, a if you're listening to this podcast, you're not going to be one of those people, right?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Two, I didn't want to be preachy.
Speaker 1:Right, right.
Speaker 2:And C. I'm just going to say one thing. See what I did there with the A2. Home alone reference. Anyway, I'm going to say one thing If you're moving in a crowd of people in one direction, do not stop. If you have to slow down and look at your phone, move out of the way. Over to the side and then stop out of the way. And then stop Because I'm going to run you over.
Speaker 1:Right, it's just like driving guys.
Speaker 2:Just come.
Speaker 1:Like pull over to the side Be mindful.
Speaker 2:That's all I'm going to say. But yeah, y'all know, if you've listened, if you're listening to this, you know the people we're going to talk about, or the rules, or whatever. So we decided not to do it. We just decided not to do it. Food at the resorts and there's a lot of them, but we found our favorites.
Speaker 1:So, britney, let's start us off all right, we're starting off at animal kingdom lodge at the mara, which is a quick service place there, and zebra domes. They are priced roughly at four dollars, 59. This price has changed a little bit in the last couple of years from right under $4 to that $4.59 price, and I mean they are just so cute and delicious and not overly sweet either, and it's been a longtime favorite. To those who are familiar with Animal Kingdom Lodge you can even at lunch and dinner get them at Boma when you're eating there, but you can get them anytime at the Mara Quick Service and I believe there are five to a pack as well when you get them at the Mara and it's basically a thin layer of cake and Amarillo liqueur, mousse coated in a white chocolate ganache with a dark chocolate ganache drizzle. And again, it sounds like a lot, but I did not find them overly sweet. They were very good.
Speaker 2:And they're not boozy, so your kids can have it. It's just that the liqueur is cooked off of it.
Speaker 1:It's just flavored, right.
Speaker 2:So I particularly don't like these. That's just me. But they are unique and a lot of people do talk about them, and the Mara is at Jumbo House.
Speaker 1:Oh yes, not Kidani Village. Yes, sorry, specifically at Jumbo House.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so if you go to Kidani Village, you may not find them, and I think you can find them somewhere in Animal Kingdom too, right Is it? Zuri's Possibly, I don't know, I don't know if it's all the time, though.
Speaker 1:But here's the thing Even if you're staying at Kidani Village, they have an internal little shuttle that takes you between Kidani Village and the Jumbo House, or it's like a seven-minute walk.
Speaker 2:It's like a 10-minute walk. It's nice and peaceful, just walk. Yeah, it's a good chill walk. It's a good chill walk.
Speaker 1:It's not too far out of the way. If you are like I really want to try those, but it's all the way at Jumbo yeah.
Speaker 2:And Jumbo House is amazing.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so All right, moving on, probably my favorite on this whole list. You know where we're going.
Speaker 1:I roll. We're going to the Polynesian Resort for breakfast Love the Poly and for breakfast Love the Polly.
Speaker 2:And we're getting Tonga Toast at Captain Cook's. It's all right, there's nowhere else. Okay, I will say this one thing you can find it in one other place. Okay, outside the Polynesian. The Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom has.
Speaker 1:A different version.
Speaker 2:It's a different version, but it's kind of like the Tonga Toast. However, it's not the Polly it's version, but it's kind of like the Tonga Toast.
Speaker 1:However, it's not the poly, it's not the real deal right and you can get it at.
Speaker 2:Captain Cook's and what's the place. I'm going blank right now. On the upstairs, sit down restaurant upstairs anyway. Yes, the one upstairs you get like a strawberry compote and it is more. It's probably close to twice the amount. So Tonga Toast if you are new here or don't know what it is, it is banana-stuffed sourdough bread, battered, deep-fried and dusted with cinnamon sugar, served with bacon or sausage. And at Captain Cook's, a quick-service restaurant in the Polynesian, it is $10.49. And let me tell you, for $10.49, you're not going to find a more filling meal breakfast, lunch or dinner than that.
Speaker 1:It is very filling. The place upstairs at the Polynesian that has it with the strawberry compote is Kona.
Speaker 2:Kona Cafe. I know, and how much is it at Kona Cafe?
Speaker 1:I didn't pull that up, yet it's probably like $18 or something like that. It's going to be a little on the pricier side. Yeah, just keep talking.
Speaker 2:So anyway, yeah, side, yeah, uh, just keep talking. So anyway, yeah, tonga toast I. I don't get it every trip, but if, if it's convenient to go and get it is very good. It's a very delicious. I use breakfast. I usually don't finish all of it because it is a very filling breakfast and I usually don't like overly sweet things, but this is, to me, is not overly sweet.
Speaker 1:See, this is weird for me, because for me it is, and you don't like desserts very often, but for me I find it too sweet.
Speaker 2:So I'm a breakfast food guy and I think my brain probably just is like hey, it's breakfast food, You're good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, maybe, I don't know. Now at Kona Cafe it is $17.50.
Speaker 2:$17.50. $17.50.
Speaker 1:It's the same thing, except you're getting a strawberry compote, so Probably get it from Captain Cook's.
Speaker 2:Captain Cook's. It's $10.49. They have syrup. They always cover it in syrup. Get it with bacon. The bacon's always delicious and if it's not super hot and humid before in the morning, go sit outside. I've done that before. It's nice and peaceful, then you take the boat over to the Magic Kingdom. That's how you start a Walt Disney World day right there. That's how you start it.
Speaker 1:I do the bounty platters, but you know.
Speaker 2:Starting at the Polynesian and then taking the boat across Seven Sea Lagoon to Magic Kingdom. After eating a phenomenal breakfast in Captain Cook's, I mean, come on, you can't go wrong with the bounty platter or which is just scrambled eggs, bacon and toast.
Speaker 1:And Mickey waffles. You can't go wrong.
Speaker 2:Alright, where are we going to next?
Speaker 1:Next we are heading to Wilderness Lodge, geyser Point.
Speaker 2:One of my other favorite restaurants at resorts and this is something else that's sweet.
Speaker 1:Sorry guys, but the Campfire Moose.
Speaker 2:I did not have this.
Speaker 1:Oh, me and the boys, especially Nolan, loved it, loved it, loved it. And the way it is presented to you on the plate. I mean it looks exactly like what it says. It looks like a campfire, and they've got these little like hard candies on there that are made to look like rocks and stuff and they're just as unique and delicious as well. It was a lighter dessert, even though it is very chocolatey, but I think the fact that it's a mousse, it's on the lighter side and definitely recommend it. We would get it again. I mean, they still talk about it to this day.
Speaker 2:Nolan still does yes.
Speaker 1:Yes, I mean, he did for the longest time after the trip, and then he's starting to talk about it again now because it's been almost a year and oh, we got to go back and eat that sometime. I almost a year, um, and oh, we gotta go back and eat that sometime. I'm like we will, we will, but it is very good, very delicious, and it is priced at seven dollars and fifty cents I like here the apple cider sorbet.
Speaker 2:I'm a sorbet guy and it's with berries it was different it was good, it was. 6.75 is what it is and it's a little bit on the lighter side. I don't like thick, heavy ice cream stuff, you know I mean I'll eat ice cream, but I prefer not to this. Had a. I was kind of iffy on it being apple cider, but it wasn't overpowering. It was very light, like a sorbet is delicious. 675 for the apple cider sorbet. I'd get it again. Okay, all day, all right. Where are we going to next?
Speaker 1:is it your turn to start the talk this is all you on this one all right, so this is a unique dish and we're going back to animal kingdom lodge you're gonna find a rhythm with some or a pattern with some of these places here.
Speaker 1:And Boma, because Boma it's flavors of Africa, and when I had it it was the breakfast version of baboti. Now baboti is like a it was kind of like a breakfast quiche, but with like African spices and meat and stuff. I don't know, it's hard to explain, but it was delicious. I say it is definitely worth a try. At least take a bite of it. It is basically a South African quiche, is what it's referred to, and so I wasn't hesitant to try it. I wanted to try it. I'd heard a lot of good things about it, but I do think it's one of those you're either going to like it or you're not going to love it or hate it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so, but very, very good. I definitely would say try it. I think they do a different version of it later in the day. That's not as breakfasty and it's still like a South African casserole later in the day with ground beef and stuff. Now in the morning it's like ground beef and a thin layer of egg custard.
Speaker 2:Okay, all right. So next we are heading to Beaches and Cream Brittany. What are we going to get here?
Speaker 1:Well, we did not get this, but I wanted to put it on the list because a lot of people that love ice cream and stuff and have heard of beaches and cream, this is what a lot of people, especially with, like, a bigger family, even will go here for, and that is the kitchen sink.
Speaker 2:I'm out 100% on this.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I don't think our family would do it. It says it serves four people and it's scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry cookies and cream, mint, chocolate chip topped with hot fudge, peanut butter, snickers pieces, fresh baked brownies smothered in every additional topping that they have. And it's also available as a chocolate lovers version or neapolitan, instead of just scoops of the vanilla, chocolate, strawberry cookies and cream and mint, but it's priced at 39 and they put a whole can of whipped cream on that oh yes, on the top that's right so okay, if you're doing this as a group, 39 is you know, I don't think that's outrageously expensive, right?
Speaker 2:If I wanted ice cream soup, then you know, I don't want to share it with four other people. That's just everything about this.
Speaker 1:Just no, I'm 100%, completely out on this Melted ice cream and everyone else is slobber.
Speaker 2:And you're just sharing it. It's just, and everyone else is slobber and you're just sharing it.
Speaker 1:It's just Now. Another one that is smaller that is just as popular on their menu is no Way Jose and that is priced at $13.50. And it's a peanut butter and hot fudge delight featuring chocolate and vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and chocolate morsels, whipped cream and a cherry. This a lot of people go there because they've heard so much about this. This is another favorite for those that do love beaches and cream and love ice cream yeah, I just, and we were there.
Speaker 2:I thought they were gonna make a much bigger deal about it than they did when somebody ordered it right they didn't? It was like okay, the thing like the little lights flashed for a second and that was really about it, it Right, and I was like that's it, that's it. That's all they're doing, yeah.
Speaker 1:Like we were expecting something as loud as like Goofy's Kitchen.
Speaker 2:Oh gosh, I'm traumatized from Goofy's Kitchen.
Speaker 1:No, but I'm just saying but that's what you had in mind, like where the whole restaurant's like whoa them making a big you know a ruckus, but it was just a little bit of light splashing in, the server talking somewhat loud, but not too loud, uh, as they're walking over to that table, but anyway, I was like man, if I'm paying 40 bucks and I'm gonna be eating everybody else's ice cream, I want a bigger deal made about this than than what they're doing.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I want everybody to know that those people, they're crazy. I'm not. I'm not judging, but I'm judging. You know what I mean yes maybe if I liked ice cream more.
Speaker 1:I don't know well, but I mean, the thing is like I like ice cream but I have to be in a mood for it and even then, like I'm good with, just like a scoop, you know yeah and and not with tons of toppings and everything either.
Speaker 2:And a whole can of aerosol whipped cream. Yeah, I'm out. No, nope.
Speaker 1:All right you take the next one.
Speaker 2:I don't know anything about this one.
Speaker 1:Oh fuck, okay, so this is back to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Speaker 2:Oh, we're skipping one. Oh wait no.
Speaker 1:I messed up. No, we're not.
Speaker 2:That's why I was trying to get you to take the lead. So we're going back to Animal Kingdom Lodge and we are going to go to Kidani Village now, to a place that I do not know why, for the life of us, we have not been to eat here Sanaa yeah, we have not been to eat here, and I do not know why we stayed, and do not know why we stayed here for seven full days. Well, like we went with like two off days, it was the only restaurant open besides the mara when we were there and we did not eat there I know we like walked into the entrance area we walked down to it, that's all.
Speaker 2:And they were like are you looking for a table? We're like.
Speaker 1:No, we're good, like no, I think it was one of those. If it was just you and me, I think now I would definitely feel comfortable, because the boys palette has expanded, so to speak. Yes, um, but go ahead and talk about what's on this list well.
Speaker 2:So there's a lot of very unique items on the list, but probably the most famous one, and then what you've heard of the most is going to be the Indian-style bread service, or the Sanaa bread service. It's five breads and all nine accompaniments traditional naan, garlic, ginger naan, spiced naan, onion, kuchla or paneer. You said this stuff a lot better.
Speaker 1:Onion kuchla or paneer paratha, and the accompaniments are cucumber, raita, roasted red pepper, hummus, mango chutney, tomato, tomato, date jam, tamarind chutney, coriander chutney, garlic pickle, red chili sambal or spicy jalapeno lime pickle. So again, we haven't tried it. But when people talk about Sanaa it's immediate. You've got to get the bread, you've got to get the bread service, you've got to get the bread service, you've got to try those chutneys and the pickles.
Speaker 2:And it's $22, which, from what I gather, it's a lot of food.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, you're getting five different types of breads. Yeah, yeah, so that's what they're known for. Just to give you an idea, though, of some other things on their menu, this is the dinner menu that we're looking at. They do have other menus, but they have for appetizers, besides the bread service. They have lamb kefta samosas if you're familiar with Indian foods, then for entrees they have grilled lamb chops. They have different vegetable curry with chicken dishes and fragrant rices.
Speaker 2:But then they have like some steaks and some other curry dishes as well.
Speaker 1:I would like to get the butter chicken.
Speaker 2:That's what I would like to get.
Speaker 1:Yeah, yeah. So that's just an idea of some of the stuff that they have, and they do have several different desserts, one being a giraffe tower mousse, and so, yeah, for kids they have fish of the day, butter chicken cheese, pizza or grilled cheese. So, yeah, so, looking at that right there, why didn't we go? Because at the time, they were both the kids menu and they could have gotten pizza or grilled cheese.
Speaker 2:I have no idea. We literally were right there like, oh, y'all want to go eat and we're like, no, we're good yeah we just like, we're like, no, and then the.
Speaker 1:Then they have even beverages. Um, one of the beverages, uh, for indian food and stuff that's well known is mango lessee. It's a mango puree smoothie with nonfat yogurt and it's a frozen blend that is priced separately at $6.50. But anyway, that's just an idea of some of the food that you can get at dinner, but they do serve breakfast and lunch as well.
Speaker 2:So let me ask you this For our couples trip in February, do we do Gico or Sednot? Because Gico screaming my name with a veal steak sorry, a deer, like a venison steak. And their palate cleansers are sorbets.
Speaker 1:Oh, of course, that's all you, of course.
Speaker 2:But that's on as far as price goes. Jiko is, I mean, it's a signature dining.
Speaker 1:Right, so it's going to be quite a bit more.
Speaker 2:It's a lot more, but it's, or do we go to Sanat?
Speaker 1:We'll have to think about that.
Speaker 2:Because that first night we're there, we're ending with Animal Kingdom and then we're. You know, it's like six o'clock.
Speaker 1:I'll have to think about it.
Speaker 2:Okay, that'd be a. Would you rather? How about that?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'm trying to look up Gico right now and it's not coming up.
Speaker 2:The menus today on Disney's website has not been cooperative, so.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Cause that's what I was trying to. I was trying to go ahead and give you an answer, but that one's not wanting to pull up at the moment.
Speaker 2:Well, it's okay, we've got plenty of time.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, it'll be here before you know it really All right, Moving on.
Speaker 1:Moving on Now. We have not been here either, but I have heard so much about this, not only from people we know, but also just like Instagram and vloggers, and all of that. At Pop Century, in their food court, there is this tie-dye cheesecake that pops color for sure, looks like tie-dye and the what I was able to find. Typically it's in the price range of about 359 um, and so people are like don't let all that food coloring deter you. The taste is delicious and for three dollars and 59 cents it's a great snack.
Speaker 2:So I don't like cheesecake, so I'm out, let's I like cheesecake Okay. All right, moving on to a place we haven't been to yet either, but we'll be changing that with our trip in February. We're going to go to Scat Cat's Club Cafe at Port Orleans Riverside, not Port Orleans Riverside, french Quarter. You always do that Because I love Riverside.
Speaker 1:Riverside's, where we stayed at before but this is just right there, it's Port Orleans French Quarter.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and this is where you get your Mickey Beignets which we've had in Disneyland, which I've heard. They're probably the same.
Speaker 1:Close to it, I think, but then they do a twist on these too, okay well, you talk about the twist because that doesn't interest me whatsoever.
Speaker 2:But here you can get six of them for 12.99 or three of them for 7.99 and I think that's worth worth it completely. They are so delicious.
Speaker 1:Now the ones you want to talk about I don't know enough detail about them, though they just they have more of a bougier uh fancier adult versions the baton rouge beignets yeah, and they're boozy, meaning there's alcohol involved, and uh, you know, that might be something.
Speaker 2:Maybe that I wouldn't mind trying so there are two beignets jazzed up with choice of bait. That's what you like bailey's yes, I wasn't going to. Or Kahlua or Rum Chata for $12.99. I'm out.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think I could do it with Bailey's, and Bailey's is one of those I really enjoy more in the colder months, and it'll be still cooler in February.
Speaker 2:A hot chocolate with Bailey's before bed. Brittany's out, you're not waking her up.
Speaker 1:It's only every once in a while, but anyway, so you can get the Mickey-shaped beignets, like Zach was saying, and I mean I think having six of them for $12.99, that's a great price.
Speaker 2:Yeah, for me. Yeah, I'm not sharing All six for you. Okay, I'm not sharing.
Speaker 1:So I'll just get six Mickey beignets and we'll be good Right Now. But I mean, but I do like how they offer even just three regular Mickey shaped beignets for $7.99 too. So I like the different options there.
Speaker 2:Yeah, looking forward to doing that in February.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm. So the next items we're going to talk about is located back at the Polynesian.
Speaker 2:Told you, there's a pattern here.
Speaker 1:And you can get this specific item at Ohana at the end of your whole meal experience. Or you can go to Tambu Lounge. Now, they're not going to feature it on the menu, but your servers will usually kind of whisper to you. It's a secret that hey, we have servers will usually kind of whisper to you that hey, we have some of these items from Ohana over here too, and they list them, and so Ohana bread pudding is one of those.
Speaker 2:It's not on the menu though.
Speaker 1:Yes, it's not on the menu. I just said that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, but other items are on the menu, but the bread pudding is not At one point in time, the other items were not always on the menu. Yeah, if you go, look on their menu, like the chicken wings and the pot stickers and those that's on the menu now. Okay, but the Ohano bread pudding is not on the menu. It's like shh, okay, when you ask for it. It kind of was like hey, hey.
Speaker 1:Hey, hey, hey. Can I get some of that bread pudding? Yeah, reason why this bread pudding stands out a little more is oh gosh, it's just, it is so delicious. Okay, you've got that cinnamon and nutmeg flavor in it, but you've got some pineapple and coconut. Then you get that ice cream and then this delicious. Now it does sound overly sweet, but somehow it's just magic in your mouth. Uh, it has this delicious caramel syrup that you pour over it, and it is just so good okay, I'll take your word for it.
Speaker 2:All right, so we're moving on next to the art of animation, and they have a s'mores cookie here, and I'm not big on s'mores cookies, so so, brittany, why don't you talk a little more about this?
Speaker 1:Yeah, the s'mores cookies. So I put this on here because I think, if we ever stay at the art of animation, that Nolan especially, he has a thing for s'mores Not that he's huge on the actual s'mores that you do at campfires, but he just likes things he likes the flavor of s'mores.
Speaker 1:He likes everything that goes into it, just not always so melty and all over his hands kind of thing. But they have a really big s'mores cookie at art of animation that has all of the toppings that you think about in it. So you've got the cookie but you've got chocolate chips crumbled up, gra graham crackers on there and like some marshmallows melted in and it looked really good. Everything I've heard about it is like, hey, if you've got someone in your family that loves s'mores, this is what you need to get. So yeah, I couldn't find a price on this one, so I don't know if it's in that three, four, four, five, six dollar range. Um, that's. I know that's a broad range, but that's kind of how these desserts, and especially cookies, go. So but everyone again, if you're staying at art of animation, people have ranted and raved about this s'mores cookie well, here's the thing about disney the prices are always going to go up, so that's true be expecting that yeah.
Speaker 1:So even if we know today that a certain item we talked about is the price we told you, you know it could it could change next week.
Speaker 1:So yep yep, now moving on. This is at grand floridian and this time of year, so around the holidays, so like second half of november, uh, through end of december time frame, when they have the gingerbread house in the lobby at Grand Floridian they have like a little kiosk section attached to it where you can get different types of gingerbread and they are known for the gingerbread roof shingles this time of year. Gingerbread roof shingles this time of year.
Speaker 2:Yeah, we did not get these because when we were staying there the line was so long that we just didn't feel like we wanted to wait 45 minutes or an hour to get these. It's just basically gingerbread. I proposed that, if you're staying at the Grand Floridian, they did a line just for guests.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like hey, we're staying here, we florida, and they did a line just for guests. Yeah, like, hey, we're staying here, we're paying this much money. I don't think we should have to wait in line an hour for people that are just here visiting.
Speaker 1:I know that's greedy of me to say no well, I've heard I don't know if it's for sure, for sure true facts, but I've heard, like people that are wanting to come this year and see these gingerbread houses, like, if you're, say, driving and trying to see them, they're going to advise like you can't park at the resort to go and see it. They are advising people for, like Grand Floridian and like Polynesian and all these other resorts, like during the holidays. What I've heard is they want you to park at the ticket.
Speaker 2:So they want, they want you to pay to park and then walk over. I guess, I get it because these resorts are destination resorts to begin with, without it even being Christmas time, people just want to go see them, and for good reason. They're beautiful resorts, beautiful hotels.
Speaker 1:People want to go see them because that's what you you think when you think of disney, you think of these resorts right on the monorail but I think they're trying to cut back a little bit, like they want you to come see it, but I think they're trying to cut back on quite as many people there.
Speaker 1:So it's still a pleasant experience for the guests that is a deterrent if I had to go and park at the ttc and pay to park at the ttc and then walk or take like that's, that's, that's an ordeal, like you really have to want to go do this stuff yeah, if, if you're doing that, you know, unless you're like already at, say, magic Kingdom and you take the monorail over, you know right, yeah, no, I mean I get it because as a guest it did kind of take away from the experience I thought, which I kind of expected that going into it, yeah, but that that kind of expected that going into it yeah.
Speaker 2:But that kind of did take away from it a little bit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I'll have to like don't 100% quote me on that, but I feel like I read it two or three different places earlier in the week, but I think there was a more date-specific time frame for it as well, and maybe more this week, because it's Thanksgiving. Yeah.
Speaker 2:I can definitely see that it may be like the week of Christmas or something maybe.
Speaker 1:So I'll see if I can find out more on that and share more on next week's episode.
Speaker 2:What I think is so cool about this stuff is not that they it's cool that they build gingerbread like real life gingerbread houses, that's cool, but what they do with them afterwards, they don't keep the same ones year after year right, that would be gross yeah but they take it to their tree farms and let bees naturally dispose of it and take their honey and use it on, so like to have a recurring source of honey on property.
Speaker 1:I think that's really, really cool yeah, I agree, you know, and that way it's just not being thrown in the trash or anything either. I don't know if we ever shared the price Again, it could change, but the gingerbread shingle is $11.79. Now they do have other things, such as gingerbread mickeys and peppermint bark brownies, cake pops, things like that, even just a gingerbread man cookie, and that one is priced at seven dollars and 79 cents. So again, these prices could change and you know, maybe, maybe one day we'll get one of the roof shingles. But maybe.
Speaker 2:Yeah, all right, we are going back back to captain cook's at the polynesian. I told you some good stuff here yeah and we're going for dinner, or going for lunch or dinner, doesn't yeah, and we're going for dinner, or we're going for lunch or dinner, doesn't matter. But what we're going to get here is the pulled pork nachos.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:Brittany, have you ever heard me talk about nachos? No, ever, until I've had these no.
Speaker 1:I have not Never.
Speaker 2:Never. These are pulled pork nachos topped with cheese, spicy mayonnaise, pico de gallo and pineapple salsa.
Speaker 1:Now they have regular chips, but they also have wonton chips in here as well yeah, and I I didn't have it, but I found that very fascinating when you said that it is 10.99 and it is so good, so good.
Speaker 2:Yes, I man, yeah, I mean guys, seriously, like he never talks about nachos. So good, so good. Yes, I man.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean guys seriously, like he never talks about nachos.
Speaker 2:I could care less about nachos. I'm not a nacho guy, yeah, I'm just not.
Speaker 1:Even if we not that these are necessarily nachos, but like just chips and dip and stuff as an appetizer at restaurants, like he kind of dips at it the cheese dip, and I mean I eat some of it, but he's not like oh yeah, we have to have it all the time, you know, but he did not hush about these nachos for the longest time.
Speaker 2:You were like shut up about the nachos. I've heard enough.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so, yeah, so they must be pretty good.
Speaker 2:The barbecue is. I like a little bit of a sweeter barbecue taste and most places that do barbecue and like make it in mass quantities, mess it up Like it's just not good, right, like. That's why I'm really particular when we go to barbecue places outside of like the mom and pop joints we have around here in middle tennessee. Right, right, this is so. It's just, it's tender, it's juicy, it's got a little bit of that sweetness to it.
Speaker 1:Oh my gosh and then with the nachos they can specify, like, if you just want the meat and cheese, yeah, you can, you can yeah, you can when you mobile order or just tell them when you go up there, but just mobile order you can select or deselect, it's so good.
Speaker 1:If you don't, it's going to come not only with the pork and the cheese, but also a spicy mayo pico de gallo and that pineapple salsa. So like if you have someone like zach or like pick your kids or something as well, and they just want meat and cheese, you can do that but for 10.99 again.
Speaker 2:This is another very delicious filling item for 10.99. This is not your typical cheeseburger or chicken strips which cost more or the same.
Speaker 1:This is so delicious yes, I would, man, man, man yeah all right, all right moving on back to wilderness lodge see the pattern keeps repeating here uh, going to roaring fork, their quick service place, um, at breakfast, although sometimes I think they're still in the pastry warmer later in the day. But they are known for these massive grizzly bear claws and you can just get them out of the uh like pastry warmer case yourself. Um, but they, I mean, I saw them. I mean they. They're not kidding when they call them massive. They are huge. They have mixed nuts and raisin filling. It kind of looks like a cinnamon roll icing on top and they are, I think, $9.99, right around $10.
Speaker 2:Yeah, $10.79. Oh, I'm sorry, $10.79.
Speaker 1:I had lost my page for a minute $10.79. Oh, I'm sorry, $10.79. I had lost my page for a minute $10.79. But I mean you could probably split it with like three people. That's how big they are.
Speaker 2:It's massive.
Speaker 1:Yes, so again, that's something that they have at Wilderness Lodge that they're known for. But while we're at this restaurant, Nolan got that, didn't he? No, I thought he got.
Speaker 2:no, he didn't get that oh no, while we're at roaring fork, do not get the barbecue here. Yeah, it's not good.
Speaker 1:No, nolan got this really good mickey shaped um brownie oh okay, sorry, y'all were already there yes, I was. It was a glorious morning. No, hey, you know no, just because of where we were at, we were waiting for you to get there.
Speaker 1:I know, so, um, but I mean this quick service, like if you're there for breakfast, it's going to have like your Mickey shaped waffles, you're the bounty platters, except they do a little twist on the biscuit and it's a cheese biscuit. Uh, but you know. So they're going to have a lot of that stuff. They're going to have a loaded tacho bowl with potato barrels, scrambled eggs, cheddar, sausage, gravy, bacon and green onions, and then they serve things at lunch and dinner as well, and it's not like our favorite place to eat at or anything, but for quick service. And if you're wanting to see this huge, gigantic grizzly bear claw, that's where you go to get it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, don't get the barbecue here. No this is your crock pot barbecue. It was not good.
Speaker 1:And anytime you hear the word potato barrels in Disney they're tater tots.
Speaker 2:Tater tots. They gotta be different, you know, they just have to be different. I get your Disney. Yeah, it's a tater tot. Yeah, come on, I know.
Speaker 1:Now you're the one that's gonna know more about this next one.
Speaker 2:Alright, next one, again, going back to the Poly. I think the Polynesian because as much as we talk about it, only on food may be the best.
Speaker 1:I don't know. I want to try a couple other restaurants at Animal Kingdom.
Speaker 2:I know, but I'm just saying as much as we talk about the Polynesian. I think it may be, as far as food goes, may be the best.
Speaker 1:And don't get me wrong, I love Polynesian as a whole, but I think I have a couple other favorites, right above it, I know, but we always.
Speaker 2:But I think I have a couple other favorites. That's a bold statement Right above it, I know, right above it. We always go back to the Polynesian though.
Speaker 1:Yeah, well, the location, yeah.
Speaker 2:All right, we're going to Trader Sam's Grog Grotto. This is a very unique themed tiki bar in the Polynesian, right next to Captain Cook's, and all kids can get in there until like eight o'clock and then after eight o'clock it's like 21 and up.
Speaker 2:But this is a tiki bar and they have one in disneyland. Uh, I think this one is much better. Yes, I said it, the one in disneyland. They're the same size, but the one in walt disney world to me just feels more intimate, which I don't necessarily like at the time, but it feels more, more immersive because you got the, the goddess in there and it just seems more, seems more immersive and seems more livelier than the one in disneyland does.
Speaker 1:It's that tongaroa terrace in disneyland yeah, but yeah and he has said that several times before he just felt like he enjoyed the whole experience more at the Polynesian because, like the effects and how excited the servers would get Well, they all do the same thing.
Speaker 2:They all do the same shtick at both. I mean, that's the experience, but I just am more partial to the one in the Polynesian than the one in Disney.
Speaker 1:Well, I just felt like, though you said like everyone was more woo about it.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because I think the one in Disneyland it's more. I don't want to say local. Yes, disneyland is a local park, but people that are staying at that resort, going to there, may not be as lively as the ones in Walt Disney World. Okay, does that make sense?
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, like you have bachelorette parties and like couples getaways and stuff like that, Like I don't think you're really getting out of Disneyland. Maybe I don't know.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Please correct me if I'm wrong. You know who we're talking to. Yeah, so here's what numerous different tiki bar and they all have different effects, but I always get when I go here the Spiced Island. Now I'm a bourbon guy, which bourbon and tiki bars don't really go along very good but they have a Knob Creek Disney Select Single Berry Reserve, bourbon, which I like. Specialty stuff just for Disney.
Speaker 2:So, this is a barrel just for Disney With St Elizabeth allspice dram, oragate, almond and pineapple juice. I like I tell them hey, chill out a little bit on the syrup, on the allspice, because I don't like it. It's too sweet.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:It's $18.50.
Speaker 1:There's no special thing that goes along with this drink I enjoy it, but you enjoy it, I enjoy it, and you get to watch everybody else order the other drinks and it's just a good.
Speaker 2:You know I don't want to sit there and hang out for a long time, but it is cool to go in there, have a drink, 45 minutes or so, you know. Get there early and get your name on the list, Because you can be waiting three or four hours.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Depends on the time Now if you're staying at, like that's what we did. We were staying here. It was our pool day as soon as it opened. I just wouldn't get my name on the list, you know, and it was like a couple hours later when I could get in, and and that's part of why I haven't gone um one of the, because you've gone twice there, right uh, no, I've only.
Speaker 2:I've been to the one in disneyland twice.
Speaker 1:I've only been to this one once so the one in walt disney world. So it was like when we were there for my birthday too. So him and Nolan went ahead and went there, while Ryan and I, for my birthday, went on to Tambu Lounge.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's weird, we did not eat together for your birthday.
Speaker 1:Because you wanted to experience.
Speaker 2:Trader Sam's and you wanted to go to Tambu, so we were like it's okay.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:We did family pictures. That was a good time.
Speaker 1:No, it was a great time and you know, and like ryan enjoyed tambu lounge and the in the chicken wings he likes pot stickers the pot stickers and the noodles, and he got a dessert. I'm trying to remember what it was, but anyway, I of course I had that bread pudding, but yeah, it was still a memorable experience. But that's why I didn't experience trader sam's. And then out in california I was just usually with the boys at the pool or whatnot when you were going.
Speaker 2:So yeah, well, maybe on this trip in february, maybe, maybe. All right, we're going back to geyser point at wilderness, at wilderness lodge and yeah, there's just so many delicious items here that are not just basic chicken fingers and burgers and stuff like that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, there's another thing I want to throw in after you talk about this All right, but you've heard about us talk about it.
Speaker 2:This is what it's known for the bison cheeseburger, served with bacon, sweet crispy onion straws, marian berry sauce and garlic aioli for $25. And I'm going to say it right now this is a $25 burger and it is worth every bit of it. I'm putting this up there. I'm going to say either this, the bison cheeseburger, or deluxe burger, best burger on property.
Speaker 1:Over Steakhouse 71. Over Steakhouse 71. Oh wow, I'm saying it all right. Yeah, he thoroughly enjoyed the burger I. I enjoyed it too.
Speaker 2:It was very good it's that bison has a very different flavor to it.
Speaker 1:Right, it's so delicious yeah, no, it was very good, but there are so many other items at this low at this restaurant that are very, very good and worth mentioning as well. We already talked about a dessert or two desserts earlier, but the one that really surprised us which it was under the small bites, kind of like an appetizer was the charcuterie flatbread oh my gosh, so good I didn't know what to expect from it and it was 17 salami, brisket, chorizo bacon, smoked gouda beer cheese and oh like oh, like that could have been my meal.
Speaker 2:Even it was so good. Oh yeah, yes, everybody loved it. Everybody loved it. Yeah, there's a reason we keep coming back to Geyser Point. It is just so delicious.
Speaker 1:And the location of it, not just because it's at Wilderness Lodge, but right there on the lake, and we've shared stories before of how you can see. You know parts, see parts of Happily Ever After fireworks and they pump the music in. Just all of that it's just a wonderful experience.
Speaker 2:All right, we got one more place we're going to go to.
Speaker 1:Yes, this one is Port Orleans Riverside, which is where we've stayed before, and Port Orleans. Besides beignets and things like that, when you think New Orleans, orleans, you might think of gumbo and jambalaya, and that is some two items that they have here in their like food court area and I was hesitant to try either one and I was trying to debate which one to get, because I like gumbo and I like jambalaya. I got the jambalaya and it was. It really surprised me at how flavorful it was. It wasn't just your like bland, throw it together, serve it to everybody, food court style. It had some wonderful flavor to it and a lot to eat too.
Speaker 1:I got full. It was $12.49. So chicken and dually sausage with vegetables cooked in a rich spicy sauce with rice. Now, if you do get the gumbo, the gumbo is a little bit cheaper at $10.99 and it's rice stew with the chicken, sausage, okra and spices, served with rice as well, and I saw some other people that evening that I had it eating it, and they seem to be really ranting and raving about it as well. So that is. You know, some more unique items that you're not going to see at just every quick service location, you know, at different resorts.
Speaker 2:I remember the portion being very large too. Yes, Like you were filled up on that.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, I don't even know if I finished it, yeah.
Speaker 2:So for $12.4949, that's a very good yeah.
Speaker 1:So I know dizzy's known for like high prices and stuff, but this just goes to show that not everything is as like you're getting a lot of food for what you're paying for it as well you are, and we didn't add this on the list, but just now talking about those two dishes reminded me, um, because there was one time when we stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort, where I ate at that food court area there Food court area, sorry Center Town Market and they had these really good like island bowls that were so filling as well. I definitely could not finish. I think I got the chicken with the rice and the vegetables.
Speaker 2:It was like a jerk chicken.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it was like I was surprised at how, how much food it was and how flavorful it was as well. It was a chicken jerk chicken served over rice and beans with a side of tomato and cucumber salad topped with cilantro, lime tofu crema and pickled vegetable slaw, and again, like I was sitting there eating it and I'm like I can't believe I'm just eating this from a quick service food court area style you know restaurant, like it would be something that you would think you would get at a sit down restaurant. It was. I was impressed.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So on your next trip, and you're at your resort, either if you're standing at a value, a moderate or deluxe, do not overlook the quick service places here. They have some very unique items and we even talk about coronado now?
Speaker 1:well, because we want to experience.
Speaker 2:But we, we have. They have a lot of good offerings at their quick service restaurant as well, in their food court area. So don't just think that it's going to be your typical breakfast and your typical chicken fingers and burgers at these places, because there's not there. You never know what they're going to have, even at the value resorts. Yeah, I was surprised when we stayed at um, uh, or what we say it uh, all-star, all-star movies, the food there like I had the salmon, it was delicious, delicious, like don't, don't, it's pretty good.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I want like hopefully we will stay at Coronado Springs sooner than later and we they have so many restaurants there, so I thoroughly want to experience those restaurants before really saying anything about them.
Speaker 2:Three Bridges has some good looking stuff.
Speaker 1:Yes, I mean because they've got Three Bridges Bar and Grill, They've got Rick's Sports Bar and Grill, They've got Toledo, which is a tapas, steak and seafood. That is a Spanish inspired cuisine. They have Dahlia Lounge. I mean, there's just so much that you know. Hopefully, once we have actually experienced it, then we can maybe do another show and add some of those items stay tuned, all right.
Speaker 2:So that brings us to this week's disney trivia. The nautilus drink in trader sam's grog roto at the polynesian is a nod to what former attraction in what disney world it makes sense that now that I know the answer but I didn't't know before- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and it comes in like a Nautilus cup, like it's a huge thing. It's like $30.
Speaker 1:Like a big Tumblr.
Speaker 2:No, it's like a big Nautilus looking boat thing. It's massive, yeah, so 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and this week's winner from Instagram is Britt Brooke.
Speaker 1:Woohoo, congratulations is Britt Brook. Woohoo.
Speaker 2:Congratulations. So congratulations, britt Brook. You are this week's Disney Trivia winner. Thank you so much for listening. If you want to support the podcast, the best way to do that is to share the show with your friends and go to Apple Podcasts and leave us a five-star rating and review. It really helps us. We really appreciate it. You can email us circleofparks at gmail dot com. If we missed something or you agree with us or disagree with us. Let us know Our website's wwwcircleofparkscom. We're on Facebook, instagram and X, all at Circle of Parks. And again, thank you so much for listening. Everybody, have a happy Thanksgiving. We'll talk to you next week.
Speaker 1:Talk to you soon, thank you.