Tag: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

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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.

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.

Afternoon drinks and snacks were at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs.

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.

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.

• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Other hotels near Disney Springs
• Hotels near EPCOT

Tips for a Disney World food trip

• Book California Grill around fireworks time. You can watch the Magic Kingdom show from the restaurant.
• Go to Trader Sam’s when it opens. The line builds fast and the room is small.
• EPCOT’s Food & Wine Festival booths are small plates, so sharing lets you try more.
• Behind the Seeds is a paid tour at The Land. Book it ahead of time.
• Oga’s Cantina is busy all day. Reserve ahead if you can.

We ate our way around Disney again the next year. See Five Days in Orlando, and our guide to Disney bars and tiki lounges. The day after this trip we also had dinner at Morimoto Asia.

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