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 #201: Our Top Over, Under and Properly Rated Attractions and Restaurants in Walt Disney World
Zach and Brittany break down their top over, under, and properly rated attractions and restaurants in Walt Disney World based on personal experiences and family preferences.
• Peter Pan's Flight unanimously chosen as most overrated attraction due to consistently long wait times despite short ride duration
• Animal Kingdom trails and Living with the Land recognized as underrated gems offering unique experiences with minimal crowds
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind and Remy's Ratatouille Adventure praised as properly rated experiences delivering on their promises
• Ohana at the Polynesian and The Edison at Disney Springs identified as overrated restaurants not living up to their hype
• Skipper Canteen and Geyser Point Bar & Grill highlighted as underrated dining options with exceptional food and atmosphere
• Tusker House and The Boathouse earn spots as properly rated restaurants consistently delivering quality experiences
• Zach shares updates from his recent research trip to Walt Disney World, documenting locations for his upcoming book
• Their sons Ryan and Nolan contribute their own opinions on Disney's best and worst experiences
• Interesting Disney trivia about Hans Scharf's mosaics in Cinderella Castle and the Land pavilion
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hello and welcome to circle of Parks podcast, episode number 201. Today we are going to talk about our top over under improperly rated attractions and restaurants in all of Walt Disney World. There is far too much to see and do. We are here to help guide you through.
Speaker 2:Just roll with it, we must talk Disney merch.
Speaker 1:So this week's Disney merch go check out DisneyStorecom for different new Star Wars merch. That's right, may the 4th is right around the corner Today. At the time of this recording, it is April 28th, so again, may 4th is just around the corner. So Disney time of this recording it is april 28th, so again, may 4th is just around the corner. So disneystorecom has released a lot of new star wars merch from dresses, shirts, pins, magic bands and more.
Speaker 2:So go check that out so this goes to show how non-professional this podcast is because I was giggling, because the dogs, the dogs are playing and fighting in the background, outside of our podcast room.
Speaker 1:Yeah, the boys are calm yeah, but now it's the dog we have two golden retrievers that are our forever toddlers yes so yes, so sorry for the laughing through all that, but they're really just right outside the door barking and if you're looking for a very amateur podcast, here we are.
Speaker 2:There's no real studio or nothing. All right, thank you everybody for joining us. Episode number 201 we're doing top over, under and properly rated attractions in restaurants in walt disney world this Walt Disney. World.
Speaker 1:This is big, yes, so it can be parks, Disney Springs, all over.
Speaker 2:And the restaurants. We're only talking about the ones we've been to. We're not going to try to rank Things we haven't done, things we haven't done. We're not going to do that Because I could easily say Space 220 is overrated, just by what everybody else is saying. But, we've never been. We've never been, so I can't say that. But that did pop in my head, so thank you everybody for joining us. If you're new here, I'm Zach. I'm Brittany and those are our dogs, Ryder and Ruby.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:If you just heard in the background, and we do this show every single week and our goal. We have two goals. One take goals. One take you to walt disney world every single week, break your week up and help you have a better walt disney world vacation. And it helps us. It really does. It does and I actually went to walt disney world last week. It was my last book research trip that I had to go.
Speaker 2:I had to quote unquote had to and it was a little sad but it was. I want to do a quick recap cap. And it was a little sad but it was. I want to do a quick recap cap on it. It was a day trip and if you followed us on Instagram throughout the day, thank you, I appreciate that. And that was a Zach day in Walt Disney World, Was it not?
Speaker 1:No, it for sure was for sure.
Speaker 2:Started the day at the magic kingdom and kind of went around and got a lot of just content, pictures of attractions, because we don't have a lot of stuff, for some reason, when we actually go on vacations we just don't do anything we enjoy the vacation.
Speaker 1:We yeah, we don't do work. Quote well, and it's harder with the kids, like they don't want to stop every couple of minutes and hang on. Hang on, let me get a picture right.
Speaker 2:Hang on, yeah and then so I did research in Tomorrowland and the castle and the hub and the Walt statue, and those are the last two lands that I'm going to be writing about. I am about a quarter of the way through Fantasyland, writing wise, so there's still a lot more to talk about, but we've gotten this far. It's only taken two years. Okay, that's all right and I did not renew my annual pass, although it was very, very tempting.
Speaker 1:Yes, he called me and told me about a special offer they were having and all that I would be $300 off if I renewed it that day.
Speaker 2:It is. But we have some other adult things that we have to do around the house. But in the animal kingdom and if you followed us you got to meet Doug he's going to be doing the audio book whenever the book's done. Hopefully it's time next year, but it's going to be him Interesting story how we met. I was trying to figure out the settings on Adobe Audition where we edit. I do the sound editing. Yeah.
Speaker 2:And I was having some issues with just a couple of settings. And I went on this Reddit thread and was asking questions and he responded and I told him I was doing a podcast and he's like, oh well, you need to have the luffs set on this. And then this, you know all this technical stuff. And he was like, by the way, what podcast do y'all do? And I told him, circle of Parks. He goes oh, I listen to y'all. And so we just kind of became friends after that, right? And so when I came to writing a book, I knew he did audio books and I was like he's my go-to guy.
Speaker 2:He's got a really good voice too. Yeah and again, uh, doug, want to wish a happy birthday to your daughter.
Speaker 1:It was great yes, happy birthday, I hope you had a great trip, uh, anyway.
Speaker 2:So we're gonna move right into this. We were just gonna do attractions, but we're like man, that's gonna be a short episode right?
Speaker 1:yeah, because we're just doing the overrated, the underrated, improperly rated, so it's just a few things to talk about. Yeah, all right, because we're just doing the overrated, the underrated, improperly rated. So it's just a few things to talk about.
Speaker 2:Yeah, all right, so we're going to get right into it Attractions. This is going to be, in any Walt Disney World park, the most overrated attraction in Walt Disney World Brittany. I don't know what she put.
Speaker 1:No, people are going to be mad at me.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, what did you put? It's mad at me okay, well, what did you put?
Speaker 1:it's located in the magic kingdom okay.
Speaker 2:It is in fantasy land okay, peter pan's flight I don't think anybody's gonna be mad at you about that I mean, it's just it's so there's always such a long, long line.
Speaker 1:And don't get me wrong, the ride I enjoy it, but I am not gonna wait an hour or more for this ride and so I put that it's just overrated so when I was in the magic kingdom last thursday, it was a 65 minute wait it's usually over an hour it's a small road, was 45 minutes.
Speaker 2:I was like what is going on here?
Speaker 1:right. But yeah, and again, you know peter pan, I get it. And plus, it's one of those rides you can be any height you know. So I mean all ages can ride. I mean I get it, and it's peter pan and away we go, and all of that here we go or here we go sorry, sorry, sorry. At school I was reading a book that says away we go.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm sorry sorry.
Speaker 1:So yes, here we go, but I just yeah, an hour plus. No, even with going through the queue, because, we've said before, the queue really enhances this ride, not for an hour. But not for that long. Yeah, I agree, is that?
Speaker 2:what you put to. That's what I put to, and I don't think anybody's really going to argue about this.
Speaker 1:Well, maybe some diehards.
Speaker 2:Because Johnny and Erica on their podcast Once.
Speaker 1:Well, maybe some diehards agree, most overrated attraction, not only in magic kingdom, in all of walt disney world. Right, I think if most people would agree with that, yeah, so that's, that's where I went, yeah, all right, what is your most underrated attraction in all of a? Minute ago you said rides and I didn't do a ride for this.
Speaker 2:Okay, it's attractions and I asked you earlier okay, so what is your most underrated attraction in walt?
Speaker 1:disney. Okay, so I kind of put two because they're similar.
Speaker 2:You're just well, since we're just making stuff up now making the rules, I asked you as I was filling this out. I just didn't tell you what I did well, I got honorable mentions when we get to the restaurant, so okay, so most underrated attraction.
Speaker 1:I am looking at the trails in animal Kingdom Gorilla Falls in the Marajahaja jungle.
Speaker 2:All right, didn't see that coming.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just because I mean it can be a little busy in certain sections of these trails, but overall it's not. You know, and for as many people say for Gorilla Falls that you know it's right there after, after the safari, there's as many people say for Gorilla Falls that you know it's right there after the safari, there's so many people that just skip it yeah. You know, and then the Maruah.
Speaker 2:Maruah yeah.
Speaker 1:That one. You know it gets a little tight, you know when you're around, like for the tigers and stuff, but other than that you know there's not again. Not a whole lot of people are doing these trails.
Speaker 2:So I did do the Maraha Jungle Trek, no back, so.
Speaker 1:I know he was away for the night. No baby tiger I saw.
Speaker 2:Daddy. Yeah, but that was all. No, yeah, I know.
Speaker 1:But I just put, I just I don't think they get enough credit. And for we've talked about how beautiful the Gorilla Falls area is, especially where the bachelors are. You know just the what's the term. I'm trying to say, like the foliage and foliage foliage, thank you.
Speaker 1:The foliage and the waterfalls and all of that is just beautiful, and you know even where the family is might not be quite as beautiful, but it's just so fun to watch them interact and uh, and then the marajah jungle trek is just it's beautiful as well do I need to remind the listeners of what joe rody had initially wanted for the Animal Kingdom Park? That's up to you.
Speaker 2:No maps and no signs.
Speaker 1:Get lost yeah.
Speaker 2:And I think the trails are really good. We like to come on Jarrah Safari, not just Safari. Marajah Jungle Trek there's not really any signs for it. You kind of have to know where you're going. Yeah, even Doug was like hey, where's the Marajah Jungle Trek at when we were talking and I was like, oh, you, you know, go to Asia. And then at Yak and Yeti there's a little intersection, hang a left, go past the.
Speaker 1:Uh oh the falls, yeah, what is it called the?
Speaker 2:water ride and just keep going back and he's like, oh okay, thanks like what is that right? Cali river yes, there we go and so they are kind of tucked away and hidden for a reason, right, that's not that they don't want you to go find them, they want you to get lost and just stumble upon it, right?
Speaker 1:yep, so, so anyway.
Speaker 2:So that's what I put all right, I went with, uh, my trusty old most overrated, underrated, I'm sorry, most underrated attraction in all of walt disney world, and then I went back and listened to our old episode, like number 30, whatever it was sticking with it, living with the land. Every dad's favorite attraction. This is the embod, embodiment of what Walt wanted Epcot to be Edutainment, but a place where scientists can come and find new ways of making things better.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And that's what this is Okay. It's not just a boat ride Like there's actual science going on here. Do the behind the seeds tour which we did. You'll learn so much more about it and it's very reasonably priced very reasonably. Probably was like 30 bucks 30 or 40. Yeah, it was an hour loved it, you get some legal cucumbers.
Speaker 1:Don't jump off the boat yeah, and you can definitely tell a difference in how they taste.
Speaker 2:But I, I think this just embodies everything that Walt wanted Epcot to be. It may not be what Epcot's, not what Walt wanted, but this attraction, I think, embodies that.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And it is every dad's favorite ride, yep, and it's just a peaceful, relaxing yeah, definitely relaxing Educational attraction.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm, even our boys love it. Yeah, and most of the time it's walk on, or five minutes, maybe 10. Some days you know it's busy if it's like 30 minutes.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, all right. What is your most?
Speaker 1:properly rated attraction in all of Walt Disney World. So this one was tough.
Speaker 2:It is tough. I was going between two.
Speaker 1:Yeah, this one was tough. You probably didn't pick the one I picked.
Speaker 2:I am going to Epcot.
Speaker 1:Okay, and in the France Pavilion.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:In Remy's Ratatouille Adventure.
Speaker 2:Didn't see that coming Okay.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because in the mornings, like rope dropping stuff, if you are entering the side entrance, the World Showcase side, the, what is it called? The? Side entrance. No, but there's a name.
Speaker 2:The side entrance no.
Speaker 1:I don't know. There's a name the side entrance.
Speaker 2:No, I don't know there is a Something Gateway. Yes, international Gateway, international Gateway, that entrance, nobody calls it that. It's the side entrance.
Speaker 1:Anyway.
Speaker 1:So that's where people most of them are going to go there or to Frozen, but just everything about it.
Speaker 1:I think people are really loving it, not just for the location, but just the France Pavilion in itself and the music playing as you get up to that ride and that waterfall in front of it. And once you are inside, like the queue, like when it's set up, like the town and Gusteau's sign, and you know it's got some, some sounds like you're in the city, and then the ride itself. They did such a good job like making you feel like you are the size of Remy and you know the 4D experience getting a little splash here and there. When we recently re-watched the movie, the details that match the movie was like wow, okay, yeah, they really did do a great job of this and so I think it's properly rated. The hype around it, I think is properly rated and, for those of you wondering if you haven't listened to past episodes, you can be any height, it's for all ages this ride is growing on me every time we go on it, right, like the music, the cue.
Speaker 2:When we first did it I was like, yeah, okay, it's cute, that's a Ewan Nolan attraction, but I don't need to go on it. Then I went on it again and I'm like, okay. Yeah. And then I went on it again and I'm like, okay, I'm really starting to like this.
Speaker 1:Right. And then when you pair the music with it, I'm like you know what? This is just like a really good attraction, yeah. And then you agree, when we saw the movie, it was like a like a couple months ago.
Speaker 2:You're like, oh yeah, that is accurate it does really line up with it and one of my favorite things about it is in that opening scene. If you look up to the right, you'll see a pizza planet truck oh yeah, you pointed that out to me. I like that yeah, I know I think that's a good one. Yeah it, uh, it's a really good attraction and looking forward to going on it when we go in a month.
Speaker 1:We'll be there in a month.
Speaker 2:Yes, oh my gosh, right. Exactly a month, the 20, today's 28th, yeah, that's right, yep.
Speaker 1:No, that is not our anniversary. You got yourself I get confused, so much. A day off. 27th, no 29th, oh, my word.
Speaker 2:I know it's Labor Day weekend.
Speaker 1:Yes, the 29th. Yes, how many years? This will be 15 years, yay, you got that right.
Speaker 2:And we're going to be eating at Three Bridges Bar and Grill for our anniversary dinner If you're still married to me after this All right. My most properly rated attraction. I was really torn between two.
Speaker 1:Okay, In the same park. Where are they no different?
Speaker 2:parks Okay, but ultimately I went with the newer one, just because there's nothing else like this anywhere, so you went to Epcot. We're at Epcot, we're going. Guardians of the Galaxy, cosmic Rewind. It's just so much fun. Like it's okay, so it's between this and Flight of Passage, right, okay, yeah, but Flight of Passage can get like two plus hours, right.
Speaker 1:I don't think it's worth that. Right.
Speaker 2:Right, but Flight of Passage, which I did do last week, they're both very different experiences. Yeah, but you picked Cosmic Ruin I picked Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Ruin as the most properly rated attraction. I think this is the most beloved attraction. There's not really any negative or people genuinely love it and if they don't like it, it's not because of the attraction, it's because they get motion sickness.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's not hated because of that they understand it.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So I think, universally, everybody can say that this is probably the best attraction that Disney has done lately. Right, yeah, so that's why I went the most properly rated in all about Disney.
Speaker 1:World Right. Yeah, and I see that and yeah, I haven't heard anything either, and I mean, and even for me it was more the motion sickness, you know, but the hype leading up to it and the queue and the pre-show and all that was great, and even literally right before the launch, and stuff too. So I mean I get it. So, yeah, I think I could agree to that.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think universally everybody loves this attraction.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and then you don't know what song you're going to get, and all that too, it's so much man, so much fun.
Speaker 2:Disney nailed it with the Guardians of the Galaxy attractions Mission Breakout at DCA in California, and then this one they're just a party.
Speaker 1:And then how the vehicles move and all that.
Speaker 2:It's just so well done, so that's my most properly rated attraction. Planning a Disney vacation can be overwhelming, but that's where our new sponsor comes in. You've heard us talk about her for a long time and now she's the official sponsor of this podcast, travel planner Erica with Wishes Co Travel Planning. As a travel planner specializing in Disney destinations, she takes care of every detail, from finding the best resort options for your family booking, dining reservations to park strategies and now offers a special, lightning-ling booking service to your park days. She truly offers top-tier service from start to finish and the best part is her planning services are free when you book your room and ticket package with her.
Speaker 1:We're thrilled to have Travel Planner Erica as the official sponsor of this podcast, and exclusively for Circle of Parks listeners. When you plan your next Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacation or your next Run Disney World or Disneyland vacation or your next run Disney racecation with Erica, you'll receive a Disney gift card based on the value of your trip on your arrival day to put towards your Disney snacks.
Speaker 2:So if you're dreaming of a magical Disney trip, she's the expert you want on your side, ready to plan? Reach out to Erica at TravelPlannerEricacom or follow her on Facebook and Instagram at Travel Planner Erica. All right, moving on to restaurants.
Speaker 1:Yes, restaurants. And again, this can be in parks, resorts, Disney Springs, wherever.
Speaker 2:What is your most overrated restaurant? Again, these are just the ones we've been to. We're not going to try to judge others that we haven't been to.
Speaker 1:Correct, so I'm at Disney Springs.
Speaker 2:Wow Okay, didn't see Disney Springs coming.
Speaker 1:And I put the Edison. Okay.
Speaker 1:So overrated just because people that talk about it or have just been like, oh my gosh, you have to try this and you have to try this and what is it that talk about it? Or have just been like, oh my gosh, you have to try this and you have to try this and the what is it? The clothesline, bacon and all of that, and okay, yeah, you know the presentation, whatnot? All right, I get it and the atmosphere of it. You know things hanging up on the wall, the decor, all of that like I get it.
Speaker 1:But when it came to the actual food itself, like I just felt like it was hyped up too much. Now, you know, maybe if it was like you and me there and like a full date night and experience, like the people that are performing and just having several adult beverages, maybe I would have a different take on it. But as far as all of us going and eating and based on on that, I just felt like it was overrated because I just didn't feel like the food lived up to the hype yeah, I didn't think the food was that good.
Speaker 2:Yeah, not for what we paid for it right exactly for the price? Definitely not I would like if just me and you to go there, have like a drink at the bar. I think that would be cool.
Speaker 1:The theming is really really good there yeah but uh yeah, okay, yeah, but yeah, the food and and again like presentation of some of it was good, but for what you're paying? I don't want to pay for the presentation of the hanging bacon. I want the bacon to taste good too.
Speaker 2:There's so many other better restaurants in Disney Springs.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:That the food quality is on point and probably cheaper, mm-hmm.
Speaker 1:So Okay, all right, yeah what's yours.
Speaker 2:We're going to a resort.
Speaker 1:Mm-hmm. Overrated.
Speaker 2:Overrated, okay, and people are either love this restaurant or they hate this restaurant.
Speaker 1:Are you at Pauly?
Speaker 2:We're at the Polynesian Mm-hmm, we're talking, ohana.
Speaker 1:We need to give it another try, though we do.
Speaker 2:So I'm going to put this with an asterisk. We need to give this another try. I agree, yeah, but the time that we went we were rushed. The steak was not good, it was chewy.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And I just did not think it was that good. The best part about it was the ukulele player with the almonds. And the bread pudding. So, with all that being said, I was not that impressed. I do agree we need to go back and give another chance, but I think this may be the most, based on our experience, the most overrated restaurant in Walt Disney World. I think this restaurant has the most hype of any restaurant anywhere on property.
Speaker 2:When you tell people you're going to Magic Team, they go oh, you have to go to Ohana, no, you do not. Yeah, now they go oh, you have to go to Ohana, no you do not.
Speaker 1:Yeah, Now our experience it was right after it opened back up after the pandemic and everything. So we're wondering if that was some of it, you know, because they were sitting more limited tables still. So was the rushed experience due to that, so they could get the next parties in? I don't know. The food was all right, but it wasn't like what people make it out to be Well, and I get it's mass produced and it's hard to make it.
Speaker 2:I get it right, yeah, and I think but for the price we paid it was not worth that, right, I think you maybe don't need to focus on the steak, though, even when we try it again, because there's so many I thought the chicken was the best.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because there's so many different meats to try and the steak's going to be kind of hit or miss or like some of the pieces that are served to you might be a little overcooked and then others are going to be like what you want again, I like, I think, the chicken with like a chimichurri sauce on it that was the best part for me.
Speaker 1:Yeah, honestly now I've had some of that same food not all obviously, but some of that same food at the lounge next door to it, like a year later yes or two years later? It was just as good, and I thoroughly enjoyed the flavoring of all of that food. So that's what I'm saying. I think we really do need to try it again.
Speaker 2:I agree, yeah, all right. What is your most underrated restaurant in all of Walt Disney World?
Speaker 1:Yes, so we are going to a resort. Oh okay, and we are going to Wilderness Lodge.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:And Geyser Point Bar and Grill. Yes, so Geyser Point Bar and Grill it is. It's a poolside eatery featuring explorer-worthy bites and spirits and stunning views of Bay Lake. You know, they do have like a just pick up your order and take it and eat it kind of thing, like a quick service part to it, I guess you could say. But then you also have like a sit down and bar area and that is where just it's. It's got some like rustic feel to it, you know, and it's nestled in the heart of Wilderness Lodge. Again, you're right there on Bay Lake. If you're there around the firework time they pump in that fireworks music for Magic Kingdom. You can see some of the fireworks and I think that added to our experience, obviously. But the food I think we all thoroughly enjoyed what we ate. The dessert, like there's one Nolan, like every time he sees a picture of it. We have to go back. When are we going back?
Speaker 2:I love the campfire s'more or whatever it was, the campfire moose thing, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:And like he just yeah. So that is something that, unless you're staying at Wilderness Lodge or you've had friends that have told you to try this place, I think it definitely gets overlooked and people don't know about it. So that's why I picked it for underrated I'm going to talk more about.
Speaker 2:Guys are point in a minute. Okay, my most underrated restaurant in all of walt disney world. We're going to the magic kingdom and we're going to a restaurant that you may not have heard of skipper canteen yeah that was my runner-up one I think this is the most underrated restaurant, not only in the magic kingdom but in all of walt disney world.
Speaker 2:The food here is really really good, really good. You may not think it is going to be good. It is delicious. I think this may be the most the the best food at a sit-down restaurant. That is not what you expected it to be.
Speaker 1:We've ever had yeah it really blew you away and me away it did, and they have some items that aren't listed that are really good too, like the ponte casio. I was waiting for you. Yes, that, thank you, annalini uh, so like brazilian cheese bread? Um, and just the descriptions, I think, on the menu sometimes might throw you off and be like, oh, I've got a picky eater in the family.
Speaker 2:Don't worry about it.
Speaker 1:But don't worry about it. And they can make exceptions like, hey, we have this side instead if a picky eater or your child would prefer to have. So, yeah, that was my runner up spot too, because it definitely surpassed what I was expecting.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and it tastes like chicken, because it is chicken, maybe the best chicken I've ever had in my entire life. Oh, wow, the, the, how it's fried Beautiful. It's so well done. The chicken's very tender, very flavorful. Again, I think this may be the best chicken I've ever had in my entire life. It is so good and I will get it every single time because we will be going back not this trip, but but another feature trip, another trip we will be going back to this, the theming in here.
Speaker 2:I don't care if you like jungle cruise or not. I went on record saying jungle cruise is overrated now, but the story and the theming here is amazing yeah, they, they did so amazing they did it so well, and I think when you give imagineers freedom to explore what they can do, you get skipper canteen gotcha and I I think it is the most underrated restaurant in all of Walt Disney World. Now, since we're making up rules as we go, I know we are not. I have three honorable mentions.
Speaker 1:Well, I know we could do that, go ahead.
Speaker 2:All right. First one Geyser Point Bar and Grill Well, I brought that up. Geyser Point Bar and Grill Well, I brought that up. Geyser Point Bar and Grill, I think, is the most confusing restaurant on Walt Disney World property. It's a pull bar. Yes, it's a quick service restaurant. Right, it's a sit-down restaurant and it's a lakeside lounge. Yeah, yeah, right, right, it's everything right. Mm-hmm, maybe the best burger on property, with the bison burger. Yeah, so good. We all loved it. Go during fireworks. Oh my gosh, everything here is delicious. The atmosphere is on point. It's amazing. It's gonna be a little chilly on bay lake if you're there in the wintertime, like we were don't matter, suck it up, enjoy it amazing.
Speaker 2:Yes, yeah, just dress properly. If you're there in the wintertime, like we were, don't matter.
Speaker 1:Suck it up, enjoy it amazing yes, yeah, just dress properly if you're there in the evening time.
Speaker 2:All right now. The most overrated restaurant I said was Ohana in the Polynesian right. We're going back to the Polynesian for another honorable mention Kona Cafe oh, yeahstairs. You get away from the chaos at Tohono Not really chaos, but it's quieter. And that burger they had was delicious. It's not.
Speaker 2:Geyser Point burger Very, very good and, I think, kona Cafe. If you're looking for a great sit-down restaurant outside the Magic Kingdom to break your park day up, I think this may be one of your best options. There's another one I'm not talking about, but I think Kona Cafe has a good chill factor to it, right, and they have a good variety on the menu as well. Yeah. Don't you think? Mm-hmm. Also staying in the Polynesian, Captain Cook's.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because you love that place.
Speaker 2:The Tonga Toast. I've talked about it over and over and over again, but that pulled pork nacho oh my gosh, I still have dreams of that thing. It's so delicious. Their food there is not your typical. They do have the typical quick service stuff, but they do have very unique items here that are delicious. So I'm adding that as an honorable mention for most underrated.
Speaker 1:Okay, all delicious, so I'm adding that as an honorable mention for most underrated.
Speaker 2:Okay, all right. So I want a couple of honorable mentions then. Well, all right.
Speaker 1:Yes, I haven't had as much time to think about it, obviously but I will say for breakfast at the Riviera Topolinos. Okay, because there was more that came with it than I thought we didn't.
Speaker 2:You're going underrated.
Speaker 1:I'm just naming them in general Okay. Okay.
Speaker 1:Yeah, but yeah, I guess it could fit underrated. You know, because you're, if you look initially at the website, you're thinking, wow, I'm paying this much for this and this and this. But then, yes, it's character dining all of that. Yes, it's character dining, all of that. But I think the fact that they added like a big thing of pastries and stuff to it too and there were some other little surprises here and there and it wasn't like crazy character dining, I think, you know, not enough people maybe know about this one yet.
Speaker 2:Okay, yeah, what are your most properly rated restaurants?
Speaker 1:My most properly rated. I picked Tusker House in Animal Kingdom it's a good one.
Speaker 1:Yes, because yes, it's a buffet. Yes, it's character dining. You do get to see them in like their safari type outfits, but it's like a marketplace eatery and you know it's family friendly. We've been for breakfast. We haven't been for lunch or dinner, but I've heard amazing things about those times of days as well, and while you dine, say jumbo to Donald, mickey and others. When we're there in the mornings you get that. What is it? Pog juice, yep, and yeah, I've, I've, we've gone twice, thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't feel too like it's too crazy in there no, I can tolerate this.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and I and again.
Speaker 1:I love that they're in their like safari attire and everything, and you know, not just mickey waffles, you get simba waffles, you get baboti, you get south african french toast, you know, and just some, some little additional things that you might not think breakfast, but they have things like even tandoori chicken in the mornings and stuff too.
Speaker 2:So All right, my most properly rated restaurant. We're going to Disney Springs.
Speaker 1:OK, and you were giving me a hard time about going to Disney Springs.
Speaker 2:I just didn't think you were going there for what you were doing. Oh, ok, sorry, disney Springs is open season, we're going to the boathouse, so there's usually a lot of hype around the boathouse, for good reason Delicious and it's so good and yeah, it's just a great experience all around. You're never rushed. The food's delicious, good variety here. You're never rushed. The food's delicious, good variety here. You're right on the lake there at Disney Springs. So I think this is the most properly rated restaurant in Walt Disney World. Okay, I have two honorable mentions.
Speaker 1:Go ahead.
Speaker 2:Topolino's Terrace. See, I'm doing a character dining that's properly rated.
Speaker 1:Come on, you should be proud of me for that one. Yes, that's a step in the right direction. Topo Nose Terrace for breakfast.
Speaker 2:I thought was really well done. I don't think it's underrated, because people do talk a lot about this. No, but still not a whole lot yeah, let's keep it that way. And then I also went Boma.
Speaker 1:Ah yes, Boma, and it's not character dining.
Speaker 2:It's not character dining, but it's in Animal Kingdom Lodge and it is very delicious, very well themed as well. So those are my most properly rated restaurants. Okay, alright, so we're going to skip down. So unfortunately, we had soccer tournament weekend this weekend, past weekend.
Speaker 1:All weekend long and we got one next weekend All weekend long, and then the next weekend all weekend, and then the next weekend all weekend long, and then the next weekend all weekend, pretty much until we go to Walt Disney World, right, so we apologize.
Speaker 2:We do not have any Instagram polls up, because we were at the field from 7 am till 7 pm pretty much well, even Friday night too.
Speaker 1:Friday night too, yes, all right.
Speaker 2:So what we did do was we asked Ryan and Nolan what their opinions were. So Ryan's most overrated attraction in Walt Disney World, he says, is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. He said the most underrated attraction in Walt Disney World is Expedition Everest.
Speaker 1:Underrated. Underrated Okay.
Speaker 2:Which I walked right through it when I did it Thursday.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's true, there's never a long, long line.
Speaker 2:I stopped in the queue to look at stuff and people were standing behind me like no, you can go, just pass me, just pass me, I'm enjoying this stuff. And he says the most properly rated attraction in Walt Disney World is Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind. Okay, so we agree on that. Yeah, uh, for restaurants, ryan said the most overrated restaurant is chef mickey's.
Speaker 1:Now you do have to keep in mind when we went it was family style dining. It wasn't the traditional buffet like it is now you're gonna be proud of this one.
Speaker 2:Okay for the most underrated restaurant in walt disney. What he said nomadounge.
Speaker 1:Oh good job. Good job, Ryan. Yes, yes.
Speaker 2:And for the most properly rated restaurant in Walt Disney World. He said Steakhouse 71. That's definitely his kind of restaurant, which I think this is another option, if you want a break from the Magic Kingdom, to go get some good food at a decent price. Steakhouse 71 is a good place too, because it's not over. The prices here are very reasonable and it's just a quick walk from the Magic Kingdom. True, very true.
Speaker 2:So Nolan, he said the most overrated attraction, and I think this is the first time our boys have ever agreed on anything ever. Nolan's most overrated attraction in Walt Disney World is Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.
Speaker 1:Wow Okay.
Speaker 2:I'm proud of him for this one. The most underrated attraction in Walt Disney World is Seven Dwarfs Mind Train. Wow, Okay, I'm proud of him for this one. The most underrated attraction in Walt Disney World Spaceship Earth. Yes, the most properly rated attraction for Nolan in Walt Disney World. If you've heard us talk about him, this should be no surprise to anybody. Toy Story Mania, otherwise known as Pew Pew.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that's his properly rated.
Speaker 2:That's his properly rated, that's his properly ready.
Speaker 1:He loves it now for restaurants.
Speaker 2:Nolan said the most overrated restaurant in walt disney world is steakhouse 71 of course he would say that right, yeah, they have. They have to like be, he said the most underrated restaurant in w Disney World is Skipper Canteen.
Speaker 1:Yeah, because he really enjoyed it. He really loved it yeah.
Speaker 2:And the most properly rated restaurant in Walt Disney World is Chef Mickey's.
Speaker 1:Yeah me and him will be doing it on our next trip. Just the two of us.
Speaker 2:All right, so I did two live Disney trivias from in the park last Thursday. Yes, you did the first one.
Speaker 2:I wanted to do it inside of Cinderella Castle in that the timing went right In the passageway there, but they were doing the castle show Not the parade but the show so I couldn't do it. So I went on the hub grass to do it Great spot to do it, and I can't exactly remember what I said, but anyway, the mosaic artist, hans Scharf, did the mosaics in Cinderella Castle. Beautiful mosaics Tells the story of Cinderella right. Mm-hmm. Where else on Walt Disney World property can you see Hans' mosaic work? Brittany, do you know?
Speaker 1:Was it at a resort? Nope.
Speaker 2:Okay then I know exactly what you were thinking then, but no.
Speaker 1:I don't know.
Speaker 2:The land pavilion in. Epcot.
Speaker 3:Oh, there is a lot of mosaic, the mosaics as you walk into it.
Speaker 2:So do you know what those mosaics represent? The different layers of the earth.
Speaker 1:Can you notice how it's?
Speaker 2:like layered, yeah, yeah, yeah. Also, if you notice, the mosaics curve onto the sidewalk because that's where I was picturing initially yeah, do you know why?
Speaker 1:no, do you think that the earth? No, I don't know.
Speaker 2:No, I'd like to represent, I don't know do you think that was by design or it just happened that way? I don't know. Do you think that was by design or it just happened that way? Design it was actually a mistake by the artist who designed the mosaic. So Hans did the mosaics right, but he didn't design the design right. Somebody else did that, and when he did it his measurements were off.
Speaker 2:Oh, just a little bit, and so Hans didn't want to not do the whole thing, so he's like I'll just curve it into the sidewalk.
Speaker 1:Okay, there you go, interesting, so we have a winner for that one. Who is it?
Speaker 2:Matthew J Trask. So congratulations, you are this week's Disney trivia winner for the first one.
Speaker 2:He's won several other times too, back when he used to do a little time all right, and the next one was in dino's uh, animal kingdom and dino land. I want to give dino land a little love. No, I know. So I went to go eat at lunch at restaurant of source and it got me. Per the story in dino land of restauranosaurus, the paleontologist bought this place and turned it into like their headquarters. They, they lived there, they were. That was their mess hall.
Speaker 2:That's why they turned it into a restaurant and that's why you see, like all the stuff, like someone will be living there, right like there's a basketball goal and bunks and like just so much theming in there. What was it before they bought it? I don't know. It was a fishing lodge in Diggs County. This week's winner for that is cast member Jose.
Speaker 1:Oh, okay, congratulations.
Speaker 2:Thank you, cast member Joseose, who probably is not listening because no one else got it right and he was outside holding the mobile dining order sign and he says I know because, he.
Speaker 2:He heard me doing it, you know right. And I said well, what is it? He goes, it was a fishing lodge. I was like you are correct, sir. Yeah, so congratulations, cast member jose, congratsats, you're that Disney trivia winner. So if you want to support the podcast, the best way to do that is to book your next vacation with travel planner Erica. Tell her we sent you, take advantage of that special gift card and go check out their podcast, her and her husband Johnny. They're really good to listen to like. It's a really informative, entertaining podcast, even when they're taking digs at us and that's okay yeah, it's all in fun it is.
Speaker 2:Uh, we'll be on there soon if we can work schedules out it's crazy with all this soccer.
Speaker 1:It might be a little bit, but go check it out.
Speaker 2:uh, once upon a park podcast. Uh, go check travel planner erica out wwwtravelplannerericacom. She's on facebook and instagram at travel planner er Erica, she's in Epic right now.
Speaker 1:Yes.
Speaker 2:She got invited to go to that, so that's awesome.
Speaker 1:Yes, it is.
Speaker 2:You can email us, circle of Parks at gmail dot com. Our website is wwwcircleofparkscom and we're on Facebook, instagram and X all at Circle of Parks. Thank you so much for listening. We will talk to you next week.
Speaker 1:Talk to you soon, thank you.