Disney: Restaurant Recommendation: Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Tucked away in the Magic Kingdom is one of my favorite quick service restaurants. What can I say I'm a sucker for singing green aliens.  Today I'll talk to you about Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe.

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: Tomorrowland

View Menu Here

We discovered this place in our usual fashion - it was night extra magic hours at Magic Kingdom, we got hungry and this place was open.  What we weren't banking on was the delicious food we were served.  Cosmic Ray's has a variety of food from chicken, burgers, and sandwiches. Everything has been well seasoned and juicy. Definitely a pleasant and welcome surprise.  Also the break you need to finish using those magic hours.   There is also a topping bar here which means you can customize your own sandwich.  In the past they've had a delicious tomato soup as well.  It's not listed on the menu on the website but I'm not sure if it ever was.  It's usually listed at the cash registers as a special thing and you can make it your side. We also love to sit down where Ray is and listen to his corny show. We do love it though.  Superman has recently returned from his solo trip and said Ray was gone.  Not sure if he's gone for good or if he's being refurbished.  We'll check it out when we return (in under 60 days!).  Go give it a try. 

Disney: Restaurant Recommendation: Rainforest Cafe at Animal Kingdom

When you're at Disney, you are inside what is commonly referred to as the "Disney Bubble." Basically, when you are in Disney - nothing else exists, except princesses, pirates, fairies and whatever experiences Disney can create with their magic.  It's the reason I write to you about princess makeovers, eating in castles and what to do should you meet a pirate.  So why wouldn't they have a place where you can sit down, take a rest and enjoy a meal in the rainforest?  I think it would be weird if they didn't

Rainforest Cafe @ Disney's Animal Kingdom

Park: Disney's Animal Kingdom

Area: Front of Park (right before the turnstiles)

Type: Table Service

Dining Plan: 1 Dining Credit

View Menu Here

First, this restaurant is not owned or operated by Disney.  They have a contract with Disney and they still do accept dining plans. Rainforest Cafe also has 2 locations.  1 here at Animal Kingdom and the other is in Disney Springs over in the Marketplace.  We have only eaten at the one at Animal Kingdom ('cause that's how we roll) and have enjoyed each time we have gone.  They have a wide variety on the menu (typical American fare) and we've tried different things each time and we've enjoyed every meal we've had. There's enough variety to keep us all happy and the service has lived up the standard we expect from anywhere we go in Disney.  And what a place to eat at Animal Kingdom.  The jungle animals go crazy every 15 minutes or so.  It's a dependable place we look forward to going to.  Give it a try - you just might like hanging out with the animals as you eat. 

Disney: Restaurant Recommendation: Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Today we are going to talk about one of my top 5 restaurants in all of Disney World and definitely my favorite Hollywood Studios Restaurant. Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano will not disappoint - it redeems where Tony's Town Square disappoints. Read on to find out how delicious it is and if you book the right dining package a huge perk that goes along with eating here. 

Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano

Park: Disney's Hollywood Studios

Area: Streets of America (by The Muppets 3D)

View Menu Here

I've never had a bad meal at this place. They have all kinds of Italian dishes from pizza to pasta.  I love the atmosphere in the restaurant with the hanging grapes and twinkling lights.  You could be eating outdoors in Italy. The food has always been cooked well, nothing over done or under cooked. My favorite meal here has been the New York Strip Steak that comes with a side of mac and cheese. I've also tried the Chicken Parmesan.  I have nothing to say about anything I've tasted a bite of, it's always been spot on.  The staff has always been really nice and helpful.  The one visit Cupcake couldn't decide on what dessert she wanted and they brought her both.  The biggest perk about eating here is it's one of the restaurant you can book with the Fantasmic! Dining Package. You can choose from 3 different restaurants to eat at and then you get VIP seating at the first showing of Fantasmic! (like center section VIP seating).  Also, no matter what dining plan you are on you get an appetizer, entree and dessert.  There is no downside to not booking this package. This is a must eat at Disney. 

June 2014 - with the biggest steak ever.  Note the Cupcake giving me a hand with my expression

Disney: Recommendation: Restaurant: Coral Reef

Ever wanted to dine under the sea?  Well in Disney, you can!  Today, we're going to talk about one of my favorite places to dine - Coral Reef

Park: EPCOT

Area: Future World West
Coral Reef Menu

My first trip to Disney was in June of 1988.  I actually turned 5 while we were there.  I don't have many memories of that vacation but some are still crystal clear.  One such memory was exploring the giant aquarium at EPCOT.  I could have stayed there all day.  I love the water, I love the ocean and for the longest time I wanted to be a marine biologist.  To my happy surprise for dinner my parents took us to the restaurant at the aquarium!  I don't remember a thing about the meal, but I do remember being right next to the aquarium and watching all the fishies swim by.  I rediscovered Coral Reef on our 2013 Disney trip.  The food is delicious!  Whether you are having something from the sea or from the land they've got something you're looking for.  I love the decor with its blues and greens and mosaic tiles.  It's just a great place to rest your feet and fill up on delicious Disney.  Superman has had the seafood and always says "this place knows how to do it right." (He's picky about his seafood).  I've had both the chicken and steak and both were fabulous, tender and juicy.  Cupcake loves getting pizza off the menu but has recently discovered shrimp so it'll be interesting to see if she'll try something new on our next visit.  And your dinner is just the beginning because the dessert is mouthwatering.  My husband swears by the Chocolate Wave while I love the Turtle Cheesecake that comes out as a sea turtle.   Point being you can't go wrong here.  Go and try it - you won't be disappointed.

Enjoying Coral Reef in 2014

Disney: Restaurant Review: Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom)

There are many, many options for delicious, tasty eats at Disney World.  One of my VERY favorites is the Be Our Guest Restaurant. 

Park: Magic Kingdom

Area: New Fantasyland

This place is just amazing to eat in.  The food is superb.  The decor and ambiance is amazing - you are in the Beast's Castle.  You can eat there for all 3 meals.  Breakfast and lunch is considered quick service.  You order your food from a kiosk, you get a rose to put on your table.  You pick a seat, put the rose down and wait for them to deliver your food right to your table. It's awesome.  Dinner is a table service and a reservation you need to have at the 180 day mark.  This is our first night tradition.  Ever since it opened we've had dinner here on our first night.  The coolest part that we discovered last time is if you pick the right time, when you come out you can see the Wishes fireworks from the bridge.  It's the best place I've ever watched the fireworks on and you can only get on the bridge if you are having dinner at Be Our Guest. They even have the grey stuff and it's so delicious!  They have a great selection.  My little already knows she's getting the tomato soup and grilled cheese dippers again.  You can check out the menu here.  We've not had anything bad here at all.  We've had dinner and lunch here.  They started breakfast after our last trip but we plan to go 3 times next trip so we can have all 3 meals. For us, this is a Disney must do. 

The little dressed up in a Belle like dress the first time we went and she had a blast dancing with the waitress and the Beast.  Here are some pictures of our times there. 

 They even have the rose in the West Wing

 Delicious lunch

 A mountain of grey stuff on top of a chocolate cupcake