Dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot's Mexico Pavilion

La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot's Mexico Pavilion 

By Nick Maglio: Co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

Located across from the Aztec Pyramid in the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase, La Hacienda de San Angel has a prime location on World Showcase Lagoon.

Open from 4:00pm–9:00pm for dinner each evening, this is, and please, don't spread this around, as we don't want EVERYBODY knowing, a GREAT spot to watch Illuminations! Let's get to our experience, and I'll be making suggestions along the way.

We had an 8:00pm ADR, and arrived a few minutes early. Suggestion 1- Make a later ADR within an hour of Illuminations.

We were immediately called, and escorted to a dining area nowhere near the large windows looking out over the lagoon.

 I asked if there was anything available by the windows, and was told it may be a few minutes. We waited only about 10, before we were again called, and this time we were brought into a much lovelier dining area overlooking the water. Suggestion 2 - Ask for a window seat.

The regular menu. Our friend Kandi is a vegetarian, and asked for vegetarian suggestions.

 

Our server brought a Vegetarian Menu. Suggestion 3, if you have a special dietary needs, don't hesitate to bring this to your server's attention. This one really applies to ANY Walt Disney World restaurant.

My friend John and I shared the "La Hacienda," $49.95. It came with New York strip, chicken al pastor, chorizo sausage, vegetables, rice and beans. Everything was perfectly cooked, and flavorful. The corn was amazing!

My wife had Tacos de Vegetales, grilled vegetables and queso fresco on flour tortillas served with roasted corn $18. She really enjoyed it, and says she can't wait to go back.

Our friend Kandi had the Enselada de la Casa, Spinach salad with queso fresco, tomatoes, pomegranate, pine nuts, and avocado with mustard vinaigrette dressing for $14.

Just as we were finishing dinner, the lights dimmed and the music from Illuminations began to play.
We had front row seats for one of the most beloved shows at Walt Disney World.

After a great show, we had dessert. Our friends shared the Corn Ice Cream. Yes, Corn ice cream! It came with popcorn, and was sprinkled with paprika. I cannot recall the cost or exact name. We had a taste, and it was very good.

My wife and I shared the Empanada de Manzana, puff pastry filled with sauteed caramel apples, served with dulce de leche ice cream and cajeta (caramel sauce) $7.95, which was also very good.

This was a really great meal, and a really great location from which to view Illuminations, and look forward to our next trip and visit to La Hacienda de San Angel.

This review was originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer as well as his blog, Disney Musings.

Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, 50s Prime Time Cafe

Great Food and Fun at Downtown Disney's Splitsville Luxury Lanes

There is a new bowling facility, or, some may say- a new restaurant- in town. Splitsville Luxury Lanes, recently opened in Walt Disney World's Downtown Disney West Side.

With 2 floors, 30 bowling lanes, several bars, pool tables, live music, and plenty of seating, Splitsville offers Walt Disney World guests entertainment from 10 a.m. until 2 a.m., 7 days a week.

On Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, adults can party kid-free on the second floor, reserved for guests 21 and up from 10:30 p.m. until closing.

My wife and I decided to check out the food and fun on a damp and chilly afternoon during our trip in January.

I haven't gone bowling in years. We have a few lanes within a 10 mile radius, but they are usually crowded, noisy, and smelly.

This was not like any bowling alley I've ever been to. In fact, if I was a local, this would be a regular hang out.

The equipment is state of the art. I am used to having to wait for what seems like an eternity to get my ball back, and have the pins reset. No issues here. I would turn around, and the ball would be back! 

And then there is the food!

Throughout the day, there is a full menu, and you can be served at booths, the second floor balcony, or at tables at your bowling lane. There is a wide variety of food, including standard bar fare such as nachos, pizza, and sushi. Yep, sushi.

My wife and I ordered a Spicy Tuna Roll.

Now, I won't say it was the best roll I ever had. I have to confess, I'm not a fan of the sushi I've had in Walt Disney World. There are several excellent sushi restaurants within 5-10 minutes of where I live in New Jersey, so I never see a point in getting it in Disney World.

But I would absolutely get sushi at this bowling alley again!

 
But the real standout was the pizza! We got the Margherita, which is Mozzarella cheese, Roma tomatoes, basil, and tomato sauce on a honey wheat crust.

This was the best pizza we've had in Disney World.

Yes, better than Via Napoli!
On a side note, we also ate at Via Napoli on this trip, and feel the quality has slipped. The pizza was not nearly as good as on previous visits.

The pizza at Splitsville was reasonably priced, and easily (along with the tuna roll) filled us up.

There is even a little shop inside, called "Memory Lanes".

Now, you might ask, is bowling something you should do on an expensive vacation?

Good question. 

And I see your point. 

But, if you need a break from the parks, want to get out of the rain or extreme heat, or if you want a good meal while visiting Downtown Disney, I absolutely recommend stopping by Splitsville Luxury Lanes!

Portions of this article were originally posted on Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife Barbie, and on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.

A Feast with Character at Epcot's Garden Grill

By: Nick, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

How many of you know that there is actually more to The Land Pavilion located in Epcot's Future World than Soarin'?

 

Well, there is! Honest!

On our trip this past January, we ate at the Garden Grill which is located in the Land.

If you've only been to the Land in the morning, you may not even know this is a functioning restaurant, as it is only open for dinner, when it hosts Chip and Dale's Harvest Feast.

The characters:

Farmer Mickey, here with our friends Kandi and John. As far as I know, this is the only place in Disney World where you can get Mickey in this outfit.

Pluto is seen here with my wife Barbie.

 Chip and me.

 

Dale, with our check. There is a great story to go along with this picture.

Our bill came just as Dale walked up. Dale grabbed our check, and tried to give it to Mickey to pay. Mickey passed! 
Then he tried to give it to a family at a neighboring table, but they, of course, also declined! 
He then proceeded to attempt to throw it over the side of the restaurant, but our server stopped him! Oh well. 
It was hilarious. 
The characters spent plenty of time at each table, and this was easily the best character interaction we've had in a long while.

Throughout the evening, the restaurant itself rotates very slowly, so you can see different scenes of the "Living With the Land" boat ride below.

The menu:
Basket of Warm Breads with Maple Butter
Harvest-inspired Farmer's Salad
Char-grilled Filet of Beef with Red Wine Butter
Roasted All Natural Turkey Breast with Lemon Caper Sauce
Sustainable Fish of the Day with Roasted Tomato and Pepper Compote
Garden Fresh Vegetables
Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes
Artisan Bread Pudding
Fresh Baked Harvest Fruit Cobbler with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream
Non- alcoholic soft drinks are included.
 

The food was very good. My favorite being the Beef. Our fish this evening was Talapia.

A couple things of note.
If you want the meat cooked a bit more, like our friend John, they are happy to bring you more cooked however you'd like it.
Our friend Kandi doesn't eat pork, and the stuffing that comes with the Turkey has bacon. Our server brought out a plate of stuffing minus the bacon.
And when we wanted more of anything, there it was. We were stuffed.
And then dessert came! We didn't get the Artisan Bread Pudding, not sure why, but the fruit cobbler was more than enough!
This was a great meal, and a lot of fun, so I highly recommend it.

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog which Nick co-writes with his wife, Barbie, and on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.