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Five days in Orlando in September 2024, split between Universal and Disney: shrimp at CityWalk, an all-you-can-eat lobster dinner, tiki drinks at Trader Sam’s, Iron Chef Morimoto’s Disney Springs restaurant, the Hogwarts Express and a Portillo’s stop on the way out.
Day 1: Bubba Gump at Universal CityWalk
We started at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. at Universal CityWalk with a cold beer, a bucket of peel-and-eat shrimp and a shrimp plate with rice. Afterwards we found a huge scale model of a theme park on display at CityWalk.
Day 2: Boston Lobster Feast
Dinner was the all-you-can-eat Boston Lobster Feast on the Kissimmee side of town, with whole Maine lobster and snow crab legs.
Day 3: CityWalk lunch
A lighter day: flatbread pizza and wings at CityWalk.
Day 4: Trader Sam’s and Morimoto Asia
In the afternoon we went to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. It’s a tiny, packed tiki bar with carved figures everywhere and a porthole window effect, and the drinks come in collectible mugs and a glowing nautilus.
Dinner was Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s pan-Asian restaurant. We had shumai, sushi rolls with tempura shrimp, lettuce cups, crispy glazed wings and a bowl of ramen.
Day 5: Universal Studios, the Hogwarts Express and Portillo’s
Our last morning was at Universal Studios Florida, starting on the London street with its red phone box and then riding the Hogwarts Express to Hogsmeade. Lunch in the park was a burger with curly fries.
On the way out we stopped at Portillo’s for an Italian beef and a Chicago-style hot dog.
Where to stay
We stayed at Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando. It’s a short walk or water taxi ride to CityWalk and the parks, and hotel guests get Universal Express Unlimited, which saves a lot of time in line.
Drinks and dinner at Morimoto Asia in Disney Springs at Walt Disney World, the pan-Asian restaurant from Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto.
The menu covers Chinese, Japanese and Korean dishes, from sushi and dim sum to Peking duck, served in a large, dramatic two-level dining room. The photos show some of the cocktails and dishes from this visit.
Disney Springs doesn’t need park admission, so Morimoto Asia is a good option for a night off from the parks.
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Nine days at Walt Disney World in September 2023, planned around food and drink: EPCOT’s International Food & Wine Festival, Galaxy’s Edge, tiki drinks at Trader Sam’s, a backstage greenhouse tour and fireworks from two different angles. Here’s how each day went.
Day 1: Arriving at Disney Springs
We checked in and headed to Disney Springs for a burger and fries to start the trip.
Day 2: EPCOT, Food & Wine and a Lobster Feast
First stop at EPCOT was the queue for Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Then we grazed around World Showcase during the Food & Wine Festival: tacos, frozen drinks, brisket, onion rings, a shepherd’s pie and baked oysters. More in EPCOT food.
Dinner was all-you-can-eat seafood at Boston Lobster Feast: lobster, snow crab legs and mussels. We ended at Amorette’s Patisserie in Disney Springs for Mickey-shaped mousse cakes.
Day 3: California Grill at the Contemporary
Dinner was at California Grill on the top floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. We had sushi, sliders and dessert, then watched the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the restaurant.
Day 4: Hollywood Studios and Galaxy’s Edge
We walked through Toy Story Land, then into Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to see the Millennium Falcon and grab a Ronto Wrap. Drinks were at Oga’s Cantina, the galaxy’s busiest bar, with the creature tank behind the counter.
On the way back we stopped at Portillo’s for a Chicago-style hot dog, then went back to EPCOT for an evening of Food & Wine booths: an herb-butter croissant, berry cheesecake, a rice bowl with a soft egg, a bao bun and more oysters.
Day 5: Nomad Lounge and Trader Sam’s
Afternoon drinks and small plates were on the terrace at Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom.
At night we went to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at the Polynesian Village Resort for tiki mugs, potstickers and the Uh Oa! bowl, which they light on fire at the table.
Lighting the Uh Oa! bowl at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Day 6: Behind the Seeds, Shiki-Sai and Cirque du Soleil
We took the Behind the Seeds tour at The Land pavilion in EPCOT. It goes through the greenhouses and labs you see from the Living with the Land boat ride: hydroponic towers, a coffee plant, giant squash hanging from vines, and fish tanks.
After a look at the Cosmic Rewind building, we had sushi, gyoza, tempura and skewers at Shiki-Sai in the Japan pavilion. The night ended at Cirque du Soleil’s Drawn to Life at Disney Springs.
Day 7: Magic Kingdom, The Polite Pig and Rise of the Resistance
At Magic Kingdom we did the Haunted Mansion and rode the PeopleMover past the Progress City model. Splash Mountain was under scaffolding while it was being turned into Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Lunch was at Skipper Canteen, plus egg rolls from the Adventureland snack cart.
We had barbecue at The Polite Pig in Disney Springs: brisket, sausage and mac and cheese. In the evening we went back to Galaxy’s Edge for Rise of the Resistance and Smugglers Run.
Day 8: 50’s Prime Time, Jock Lindsey’s and Fireworks
Lunch was at 50’s Prime Time Cafe, where the dining room looks like a 1950s kitchen: deviled eggs, a crab cake, shrimp and grits and fried chicken. Then one more Galaxy’s Edge visit to see the X-wing and fly Smugglers Run.
We finished the night at a fireworks dessert party in Magic Kingdom, with desserts, mimosas and a view of the castle, then saw the TRON Lightcycle / Run bike on the way out.
Day 9: One Last Lobster and One Last Grog
Before flying home we went back to Boston Lobster Feast for another round, and stopped at Trader Sam’s once more to catch the show effects.
The show effects going off at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Where to stay
We stayed at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, a Disney Vacation Club resort across the lake from Disney Springs. You can walk or take the boat over to Disney Springs for dinner.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs is an Indiana Jones-themed bar named after Indy’s pilot from Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The bar is set up like Jock’s aircraft hangar, filled with props, maps and nods to the films, and serves themed cocktails and small plates. The photos show the bar’s decor, including an Air Pirates Circus banner, along with drinks from this visit.
It has both indoor seating and a waterfront patio overlooking the lake at Disney Springs, and it’s a relaxed spot for a drink without needing park tickets.
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs, during a September 2022 trip to Walt Disney World.
Named after Indiana Jones’s pilot, the bar is decorated as an aircraft hangar full of adventure props and film references, with a menu of themed cocktails and small plates. The photos show the bar’s interior and some of the drinks.
There’s indoor seating plus a waterfront patio, and no park ticket is needed to visit Disney Springs.
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