Carved Turkey Sandwich, Be Our Guest

How I Plan For Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival

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

It seems that every year Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival gets bigger and requires more forethought and planning. The dates for the Festival are September 27th- November 11th.
I usually check out what the Disney Parks Blog, the Disney Food Blog , the Food Festival Blog, and The Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, have posted for the latest information and tips for planning.

Here's what we do to plan.

To start, there are several tastings, seminars, and special events, many of which require reservations.
Pick which ones you'd like to attend, and call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378).
I check out park hours during my visit. I'm a morning person, so the plan is to go to one of the other parks with early Extra Magic Hours, have lunch at that park, and take an afternoon break. We'll then visit Epcot during the evening. If possible, we avoid the weekends. That's when a lot of locals go and it gets VERY crowded.
On 2 days, usually Friday and whichever day Epcot has early EMHs, we'll hit the food booths early, and visit another park in the evening.

Also, as soon as the menus come out for the booths, we'll go through it and decide what interests us.
I make a copy of this paired down list, and pair it down even further by highlighting the must haves.
Pacing yourself is key, for a variety of reasons, which is why I pick those must haves. 

Financially, this is an expensive event if you plan to try a bit of everything. Sure, on the surface, $3-$7 for a sample may not seem like much, but this adds up quickly!
As for paying at the booths, we get gift cards. It's quicker than cash, and an easier way to keep track of what you are spending. They sell little ones with wrist bands, so they are also convenient.

Then there is the alcohol, which can add up even faster than the food.
I have tried the suggested food and wine pairings in years past, and then had a beer or 2, and then a mixed drink. This is a bad idea. Trust me!

We'll be at the Festival during it's opening week, so stop by the Disney Musings, Disney Food Love, and the Epcot Food and Wine Addicts Facebook pages for photos and reports.

I hope some of these tips help, and perhaps we'll see you at the Festival! Enjoy!

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog.

Storyteller's Cafe at Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian for Breakfast

By Nicholas Maglio, co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog

My wife, Barbie, her cousin Jill, Jill's husband Zach, and I had breakfast at the lovely Storyteller's Cafe at Disneyland Resort's Grand Californian this past February.

We all chose to partake in the Farmer's Market Buffet which was $25.99 for adults. The children's price was $11.99.
The buffet included bacon, sausage, an omelet station, scrambled eggs, potatoes, fresh fruit, and a "baker's bonanza", cereal, salmon, etc., waffles are available from the kitchen upon request.

There are also entrees such as The American Breakfast: Two Eggs, Country Potatoes, seasonal Fruit, and Toast with choice of hickory smoked Bacon, Ham or spicy Chicken Sausage. Served with a glass of Juice, Steak and Eggs, several omelets, pancakes, french toast and waffles.

The characters are rotated out, and only a couple are out at a time. While we were there we saw, Chip, Terk from Tarzan, and, Koda and Kanei from Brother bear.

Barbie, Chip and me

Terk and me

Sadly I missed one of my favorite characters, Meeko. We also missed Dale and Pluto.

While the characters here are not as well known and numerouse as those at Goofy's Kitchen at the Disneyland Resort, the food is much better.

Final analysis, if you want a very good meal, in a beautiful restaurant, with a smattering of characters, this buffet is for you. Stop back soon for a look at Goofy's Kitchen.

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

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.