Let me begin by, once again, thanking everyone for the tremendous response to this poll. Your participation was huge and is what makes this survey work (if only six of you had responded, these results would be a bit more suspect).
We’re back for more of the “Best of Walt Disney World” for 2009. In the last column, the focus was on resorts and the theme parks. This week, we’ll post the results in the topics that are near and dear to my heart—and stomach: food!
Here we go…
Nothing beats breakfast with Mickey. Photo by Steve Russo.
Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary Resort edged the Crystal Palace (which had a slight advantage over Whispering Canyon at the Wilderness Lodge and ‘Ohana). Others receiving votes were 50's Prime Time Café, the Liberty Tree Tavern, Boma, the Biergarten at Epcot’s Germany pavilion, the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, Tusker House, Cosmic Ray's, the Garden Grill, Teppan Edo, the California Grill, Coral Reef, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Jiko's, McDonald's at Downtown Disney, the Plaza Restaurant and T-Rex.
Is anyone else wondering how the California Grill received more votes as a family restaurant than Cinderella’s Royal Table?
Sunset from the California Grill. Photo by Steve Russo.
Neither surprises nor arguments here. Artist Point made a late run and caught Victoria and Albert’s to tie for third place. Many, many other establishments received votes including Boma, the Yachtsman Steakhouse, ‘Ohana, Teppan Edo, Flying Fish, Jiko, San Angel Inn, The Wave, Bistro de Paris, the Hollywood Brown Derby, Citricos, Coral Reef, Cinderella’s Royal Table, Crystal Palace, Liberty Tree Tavern, Restaurant Marrakesh, Narcoossee’s, and Raglan Road.
I think it’s interesting that so many restaurants made both lists. It’s a good thing when folks think a restaurant is good for adults and for families.
My personal favorite, Narcoossee’s, finished well down on the list but I blame none of you for that. You’re just doing your job.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my readers, they like their meat. Many of your ballots contained open items. For example, you never have stayed in a Moderate resort or eaten sushi at Disney World so you left those items empty. But no other category had fewer votes than this one. Nevertheless, I believe we have a statistically relevant sample that revealed the winners as:
Others receiving votes included Columbia Harbor House, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (Norway), Artist Point, the Hollywood Brown Derby, Chefs de France, Crystal Palace, Saana, Tony's Town Square, Yak and yeti and the Yakitori House.
The fourth place finisher, Columbia Harbour House, is an interesting choice as a vegetarian restaurant. They have a Vegetarian Chili on the menu (I’ve had it and it’s quite good) but almost every other item contains chicken, fish or bacon.
I’m betting that I’m like a lot of you in that I usually don’t give breakfast a lot of thought. I know it’s the most important meal of the day but I’m typically rushing off to work and breakfast consists of wolfing down a banana and a cup of coffee. However, while I don’t do it often, I really do enjoy a nice sit-down breakfast—especially when on vacation and especially at Walt Disney World. Your selections for the best are:
All worthy of your attention, the sit-down Kona Café came in between what are arguably the two best character meals on property—although you’ll have to keep reading to see which establishment won. Other popular breakfast choices were Boma, 1900 Park Faire, Donald's Safari Breakfast, Boatwrights, the Boardwalk Bakery, Cape May Cafe, Cinderella’s Royal Table, ‘Ohana, Trails End Buffeteria, the Main Street Bakery, Riverside Mill Food Court, and Tusker House. One of my favorites, the Captain’s Grill at the Yacht Club, didn’t get any of your love.
I certainly can’t argue with the first two but, I would’ve moved the Columbia Harbour House up into the top three—probably replacing Cosmic Ray’s. Nevertheless, your vote rules and you also supported Columbia Harbour House (a close fourth), Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Café, Casey’s Corner, Tangierine Café, Wolfgang Puck Express, Yak and Yeti, Captain Cook's Snack Company (Polynesian), the Electric Umbrella, Everything Pop, Lotus Blossom Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Yorkshire County Fish Shop, Beaches and Cream (does this really qualify for counter service?), Boulangerie Patisserie, the Earl of Sandwich, Kringla Bakeri og Café (Norway), Pizza Planet, Roarin' Fork, the Cantina de San Angel, and Sommerfest. Phew! We certainly have varied opinions on counter service.
I know I asked you to select which meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner) you were voting for but, I received so many non-specific votes that I decided to simply tally this category by the restaurant.
This was, essentially, a two-horse race with Chef Mickey’s coming out on top. This was also one of the more focused categories as your votes reached only nine restaurants including the Cape May Café, 1900 Park Faire, the Garden Grill, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall (the Princess’ Storybook Breakfast), the Liberty Tree Tavern and ‘Ohana. Oddly enough, the Liberty Tree Tavern stopped offering character meals some time ago but will bring them back on a short-term basis in January 2010, while the Crystal Palace closes for refurbishment.
The Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue. Photo by Steve Russo.
There are only a few to choose from here and your selections are:
The Hoop Dee Doo was the runaway winner here and my own personal favorite. Your other votes were split among Mickey's Backyard BBQ, the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater, the California Grill (??? OK, you got me on this one but I assume the “Show” is Wishes) and Restaurant Marrakesh.
Not unexpected were several responses lamenting the lack of really good pizza at Disney World. I would have to agree but many of your selections are at least passable. The winners are:
This was a close race between Pizza Planet and Pizzafari. I’ll need to withhold judgment because, to date, I’ve tried neither. Your other votes went to, Spoodles’ Take-Out Window (is it still there with the new Kouzzina?), Everything Pop, none (yes, “none” actually got enough votes for seventh place), Pinocchio Village Haus, Beach Club room service, California Grill (the flatbreads), Captain Cook's, the Caribbean Beach Resort Food Court, Crockett's Tavern, Giordano's (isn’t that either frozen pizza or a restaurant in Chicago?), House of Blues, the Rainforest Café, Port Orleans - Riverside room service… and one vote for “Beau Jo's in Idaho Springs, Colorado; Disney pizza sucks”. ‘Nuff said.
C’mon, folks. Pecos Bill’s? Really? I would have been OK with Beaches and Cream. Even better with Big River Grill and Brewing Works. I’m thinking that many of you connected Best Burger with counter service and voted that way. I’m hoping that’s the case, anyway. If not, I’d urge you give a shot to one of the sit-down spots. Also getting votes were the ESPN Zone, Sci-Fi Dine In Theater (a lot of folks downgrade the food here but you should try the burger), Big River Grill and Brewing Works, the Plaza Restaurant, Rainforest Café, Backlot Express, Electric Umbrella, Everything Pop, the Grand Floridian Café, Le Cellier Steakhouse, McDonald's (WHAT?!?!?!), Pinocchio Village Haus, and Sanaa.
I guess this goes hand-in-hand with Best Burger and, not surprisingly, there were only three places earning your votes (are there any more Fixin’ Bars on property?). Pecos Bill’s was the clear winner here.
Overall, you’re not very fond of Disney World’s choices in Italian restaurants. This is another category where more than a few responses were variations on “None." A few others were a bit stronger but this is, after all, a family-friendly column. (Author’s Note - There’s one more to come – can you guess which other Category also elicited many votes of “None”?)
Others drawing votes were Portabello’s at Downtown Disney, Il Mulino New York Trattoria at the Swan, and Wolfgang Puck’s Café.
I didn’t offer any guidelines here so you were free to interpret “theming” as you wished—character theming, cultural theming, etc. Your top choices are:
You’ll also notice that the top three selections only received 51% of the vote. Walt Disney World offers a lot of choices in this category and your tastes on theming varied far and wide to include:
When I came up with this category, the first, and only, thing that popped into my head was the Rose and Crown. As usual, you folks have educated me.
There’s two clear “winners” there. The rest of your votes went to the Cantina de San Angel, the Boardwalk Bakery, Mickey's Backyard BBQ, Big River Grill and Brewing Works, the International Food and Wine Festival (now that’s a creative choice), Olivia’s Café, Tangierine Café, Tutto Italia, Yak and Yeti, Yakitori House and the Yorkshire County Fish Shop.
That will wrap up this edition—Part 2 of the Best of Disney World 2009. Waddaya think? Agree? Disagree?
The next column represent the third, and final, installment of this year’s “Best of…” list, offering more of your choices in food and drink categories. Thanks again to everyone for your help and participation.
(Send an email to Steve Russo)
Steve's a Disney Vacation Club member that has been planning Walt Disney World vacations since 1984. Along the way, he's tried to learn everything he could about the Disney resorts, restaurants and theme parks. He brings you that knowledge via tips and insights in his bi-weekly column - often delivered with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
His three children are now grown but still vacation at Walt Disney World with Mom and Dad. The clan has increased to include a son-in-law and two grandsons. Between his Disney World vacations Steve works as an Information Technology Consultant. He and his wife, Barbara, live in Upstate New York with their Black Lab, Gunnar, and anxiously await their next visit to the World.
Steve is the author of So... You're Going to Disney World: How I learned to stop worrying and embrace the planning process.