Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos

By Nick

I didn't have any idea I'd be going to Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos – Breakfast and Brunch with The Disney Princesses until just a few days before our wonderful breakfast at my favorite resort, Disney's Grand Floridian.

The breakfast, usually held in Cinderella Castle, has been relocated to Citricos while Cinderella's Royal Table undergoes refurbishment.

We attended this grand affair with our friends Kandi and John, and their children Jazzlyn and Grayson.

Barbie, me, Jazzlyn, Cinderella, Kandi, Grayson, and John

I'm very glad we went, not only for the experience, which starts with a photo with Cinderella herself, and continues into the lovely dining room of Citricos, where we also got to meet Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, and Ariel...

...but also for the food, because we were all very pleasantly surprised by the selection!

To start, we were brought coffees, teas, sodas, and our specialty beverages of choice, which were Mimosas, along with a basket of freshly baked multi-grain croissants, blueberry muffins and apple pastries.

For an appetizer, I had the charcuterie, while Barbie asked if it was okay to order 2 items, the charcuterie and the chicken noodle soup, and our wonderful server said "Yes!" Both were very good.

During the meal, wishing wands and swords were brought to the table for Jazzlyn and Grayson to use in the Magical Wishing Ceremony, where, with a little Disney magic "your prince’s or princess’ wish can come true!"

For entrées, both John and I ordered the steak, but instead of the slow-poached egg, we asked if we could substitute scrambled eggs, and were told that was not a problem. I ordered the steak medium rare, and it was more to the medium side, while John asked for his well done, and it was VERY well done, but still good. In the future, I will have to remember to ask for rare, as apparently, steak prep errs to the side of caution.

Barbie had the grilled ham and biscuits.

Kandi had the scrambled egg whites with hot ten-grain cereal, Greek yogurt topped with granola, a whole-grain croissant and fresh fruit.

Jazzlyn had Mickey waffles with sausage and bacon.

Desserts were a trio of a piece of cake they called crème brûlée, chocolate-raspberry cake, and a vanilla bean cream puff, the standout being, perhaps not surprisingly the chocolate cake.

The experience is not inexpensive, being $50 plus tip, but as far as character meals go, we felt it was absolutely one of the better experiences, and the food was a notch above a buffet.

Reservations for Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos—Breakfast and Brunch with the Disney Princesses can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com, or calling 407-WDW-DINE.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings blog, which Nick co-writes and edits.

Favorite Food Friday: Breakfast at The Grand Floridian Cafe

By Nick

On our trip to Walt Disney World this January, we tried to eat at several restaurants we hadn't previously visited at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort. We hit Narcoossee's, Citricos, and Gasparilla Island Grill.

On our last day, I decided we needed to try the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast. We'd passed this restaurant just about every day of our trip, but had never stopped for one reason or another.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Grand Floridian Cafe is located off the main lobby of the GF, and offers beautiful views of the courtyard pool and rose garden.

 

 

Barbie wasn't in the mood for a large breakfast, so only ordered a bagel with cream cheese with a side of bacon.

I had the Citrus Pancakes which are roasted pecan and sundried cranberry pancakes served with house made orange butter and a choice of bacon or sausage. I had bacon.

I'm not going to lie. These were maybe my favorite pancakes. Ever. The flavors were excellent. The citrus, cranberry and nuts reminded me of a cranberry muffin, but sweeter and less flaky.  My stomach is growling as I write this. The bacon was not the typical "Disney bacon" (thin and not very flavorful) that you find at a buffet, but rather a really nice smokey bacon. -growl-growl-

I look forward to returning for more pancakes, and to try other meals at the Grand Floridian Cafe in the future.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog which Nick co-writes and edits.

Review of Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney's Grand Floridian

By: Nick

In January, while staying at the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort, Barbie and I ate several meals at the resorts quick service restaurant, the Gasparilla Island Grill.

Gasparillas is a convenient and quiet spot to start the day, and we had breakfast here before heading to the parks on a few occasions. Breakfast is served until 11am.

It does get crowded, but we never had a problem finding an open table. Actually, we had a regular booth that we sat at during every visit.

Interestingly, this wasn't always a quiet spot. While looking online at Disney's Official Site, the photo that is featured shows several arcade games along the wall, so I was not expecting it to be as nice as it turned out to be. The games have been moved to their own separate arcade space located adjacent to the Grill during a refurbishment that took place starting back in 2012. I bring this up in case you do research and find that photo. Odd that Disney hasn't updated their site.

The food offerings are standard Disney fare. There is an assortment of bagels and pastries to choose from.

The menu board will help you make other choices, such as the Bounty Platter, Croissant Sandwich, or...

... Mickey-shaped Waffles!

There are healthy choices as well, which can be found in the refrigerated section, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and yogurt. My wife Barbie inexplicably chose some of these one morning. (Who eats healthy on vacation, really?!)

On another morning I had the pancakes, and they were very good.

We also had dinner here one evening.

The offerings include made to order sandwiches, such as the Grand Turkey, Ham and Swiss, and Roast Beef, burgers, pizzas, soups, and the aforementioned grab 'n' go items.
You can also create your own salads by choosing from Romaine Lettuce or Baby Greens and a variety of your favorite ingredients, adding Flank Steak or grilled chicken

I had a Angus bacon cheeseburger that was very tasty, one of the better quick service burgers in my opinion. And the homemade potato chips are terrific. You can get cucumber salad instead of chips.

Barbie had the Margherita Flatbread, which is made with Mozzarella, Tomato, and Basil, which she really enjoyed.

For dessert they offer cookies, brownies, cake, soft serve ice cream, and a selection of frozen treats like the beloved Mickey Premium Ice Bar.

There is also seating outdoors, and if you time it right, you can catch Wishes from the Magic Kingdom!

Gasparilla's is open 24/7, if you are hankering for a snack after a long day at the park.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife and friends.

English trifle available during Afternoon Tea

English trifle available during Afternoon Tea in the Garden View Lounge at the Grand Floridian.

Cheese plate, Victoria & Albert’s

Cheese plate (Sottocenere al tartufo, parmigiano reggiano, colston bassett stilton, gouda reypenaer XO) from Victoria & Albert’s located in the Grand Floridian.

Nutty Irishman, Citricos

Nutty Irishman (Bailey’s Irish Cream and Frangelico liqueur) from Citricos located in the Grand Floridian.

Poulet rouge with hedgehog mushrooms & gnocchi from Victoria & Albert’s

Poulet rouge with hedgehog mushrooms & gnocchi from Victoria & Albert’s located in the Grand Floridian.