Kimono

Went inside Swan Hotel on Disney Property to have dinner.

Technically Swan belongs to the Marriott group, but they are on the property, and can take advantage of the Magic Hour. And some rooms can see the fire works at Magic Kingdom.

To start, I got the seaweed salad. It came with some pickled cucumber, but what is hidden is crab meat.  It's underneath the greens.  Very light in flavor.

We also split some gyoza. 

Then here's our goodies.  Top clockwise: 2 Tamago (egg), Tuna, Salmon, Yellowtail, Shrimp, and Unagi.

Fish is fresh, service is quick and the staff are all super nice.  This is one that I like coming back to. 

Kimono

inside Swan Hotel

1200 Epcot Road

Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

https://swandolphin.com/dining/kimonos/ 

 

Hollywood Studios - Galaxy's Edge & Brown Derby

Last day at WDW - I was at Tatooine 

You can definitely get some local fare there.  

If you want sit down service, or special bar service like Oga's Catina, making a reso in advance is the way to go. 

But really you can get fully emerge in Star Wars land if you really want the experience. 

I'm good with a little Coke for now. 

Like I said, if you want to have a sit down meal, a reso is a must. 

At my friend's request, we booked the Brown Derby.  Mimicking the original Brown Derby in Hollywood, it is the pinnacle of the glamorous Hollywood era.

I am pretty sure there's nothing blue and glowing for a drink in the Glamorous Hollywood era.  But this is a Maliblue Beach, it has lemonade and blue raspberry syrup, and they drop one of those bling bling ice cube in there. 

Bread and butter and a pinch of salt. YUM!

Since this is lunch, I went easy.  Had the Prosciutto Croquette, which has the proscuitto inside.  It has pickled onion, herb gel, and aioli sauce all in one bite, it's pretty dang good.  Wish there's more on that plate. 

This is the Cream of Chicken and Asparagus soup. It's  pretty hearty.  Imagine the cream of chicken Campbell soup but elevated plus asparagus. It's that!

To top it off, for dessert, I got the Creme Brulee with citrus and cherry spiced compote on top.  It does taste very nice combined together. The big stick there, it's a biscotti, which is softer than it looks here. 

After lunch, we strolled and came to the Trolley Car Cafe which is a fancy Starbucks.  So got a Strawberry Acai Refresher with lemonade.  The staff were all smiles, joking with guests and making the entire place very light and fun.

Alas, this is the end of WDW Parks.  One more meal in Orlando to go!

WDW Hollywood Studio

Brown Derby

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/hollywood-studios/hollywood-brown-derby/

 

Magic Kingdom - Desserts!

One thing I got happy seeing is the Confectionary. 

Look at all these yummy goodness. 

Not only candied applies and cupcakes which you can get at Disney Springs.  But the cookies is to die for.   There's Rice Krispies in Mickey and Minnie's shaped, pretty good too. 

Of course, you cannot forget the Mickey's bar when you're there. 

Honestly, this is my first time having the Mickey's bar.  I was warned that it can get messy but I got away unscathed.  It's chocolate shell and vanilla ice cream inside.  It's $6.50 for one, so if you're on the meal plan, plan accordingly. 

Main Street Confectionary

on Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/shops/magic-kingdom/main-street-confectionery

 

Magic Kingdom - Dole Whip & Pinocchio Village Haus

Yay at Magic Kingdomm!

So if you have the new Magic Band, as you walk by these golden statues, it'll have different sound or music coming out.  It's pretty cool.  It will also buzz you so you won't miss it. 

in Adventureland, there's Aloha Isle.  So after Jungle Cruise, you go behind Aladdin's Magic Carpet Ride, and next to the Tiki Room.  You'll see a long line of people, that's it!  

I got the Dole Whip Pineapple Juice Float.  It might be a bit too much pineapple-y, but it's a must here!  You get your creamy goodness.  Mix the ice cream with the juice and the flavor is sweet, tangy and zing!  In a hot day, this is a great treat to help break up that heat.

That as it may, there is another spot in Magic Kingdom that you can get Dole Whip.  It's in Fantasyland, at Storybook Treats. 

Speaking for Fantasyland, came to Pinocchio Village for fast service.  You can use your mobile app to order food and just pick up.  But honestly, the service is fast enough that the timing is pretty even. 

As you arrive, there'll be a cast member that direct you to the line that's moving.   Look at how cute this inside decor is. 

I got the Lemon Pepper Parmesan Chicken Strips.  Honestly, fried chicken tender with lemon pepper seasoning and parmesan on top.  There's not a lot of shake to mix up the flavor, so some taste more lemon-y than others. But! I will say, it's very filling.   I got a half sweet tea, that was the ticket. 

I know everyone hates this one, but it's also a must!  Yes the song gets stuck in your head all day, but I feel like it's also the sign of a good time had. 

I just like how cute the dolls are.  The meticulous details that's been in place since the beginning, and the upkeep.  It's pretty amazing, as the ride continuously run throughout the day.

 

Aloha Isles

inside Magic Kingdom - Adventureland

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/aloha-isle/

Pinocchio Village Haus

inside Magic Kingdom - Fantasyland

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/magic-kingdom/pinocchio-village-haus/

Ragland Road

Back at the Disney Springs area, is the awesome Irish spot, called Ragland Road.

Can't believe that last time I came here was 15 years ago. 

Definitely don't recall the pretty plates. 

Of course, have to get a pint first. And yes, there's zero proof of Guinness now, thank goodness. 

Alright, let's look at that menu. 

We started with the soda bread.  It comes with Guinness glaze and olive oil dip.  Definitely worth getting. 

This is the Teeling Blackpitts Pork Ribs.  It's a half a rack of ribs with Teeling Blackpitts Irish Whiskey glaze.  It has some sweet caramel flavor, with some woodsy nodes. 

This is the Dingle Whiskey Glazed Salmon Risotto.  It has Dingle Single Malt Whiskey glaze over the salmon over a bed of risotto and peas and zucchini.  The whole dish is pretty good.  The risotto was so buttery, and as much as I'm not a pea person, I lapped up all the peas in this dish.  It was well paired and the salmon was delicious. 

I totally did not get a good shot here, it was crowded and lots of people.  And we got sat in the side room, so we were not near the stage at any given time. So glad the performer came to the side so we get a bit of it.  The dancers are all top notch and they were able to dance in the smallest space and still have an excellent performance.  Definitely worth going.

A reservation is highly highly recommended. It' s not hard to get one, but if you rely on walking-in, it'll be difficult.  Much like the rest of Disney for sit-down service, a reservation is needed. But let me tell you, well worth it.  We get there 15 mins or so before our time and check-in, and within 5 mins, we were seated.  Service is great, but get that reso in the books before you go to Orlando.

Ragland Road

in Disney Springs

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/raglan-road-irish-pub-and-restaurant/

 

Coca Cola Rooftop

One of the fun things to do in the Disney complex is the Disney Springs.

For the old-timer like me, sometimes still call it Downtown Disney. But tons of neat things to see.

Like all the Lego stuff.

One thing I've never done before is the Coca Cola Rooftop bar.

There's no food, just drink.  They also have mocktails mix besides fountain drinks. 

Plus sitting up at the rooftop you get a decent view of Disney Springs from above. 

And yes, I got a flight of mocktail, that runs about $16.

And you get to pick 3. 

This is Berry Rose Sweet Tea, and it is sweet.  It has: Raspberry tea, strawberry rose syrup, raspberry & blueberry inclusion.  Which made it too much artificial sweetness. I know, I know, what was I expecting at a soda place, but this was too much and not the best blend here.

Then we have Lavender Lemonade, this one I loved! It's lemonade, Sprite, lavender syrup and crushed mint.  Light, refreshing, the bubbly helps, not overly sweet. 

The Sea Splash Punch sounded fun, so got one of those.  And it does look like under the sea.  It has Blue Raspberry Fanta, lemonade, and Swedish Fish in the there.   It is sweet, but not as artificially sweet like the tea.  But it's not as light as the lavender lemonade, but I would get this again.

I'm not going to lie, it was hot that day, so having these drinks helps keep the heat away. But should you want to brave the Around the World Flight, which is a sample of ALL of the soda own by Coca-Cola brand, be prepare for a headache, between sugar and different flavor palette, it's alot. 

They also have a Float Flight, which has 8 flavor of soda with ice cream. There's a Mocktail Flight which is what I got here.  And there's a combo Flight of the World Tray and the Float Tray.  There is a rumored Coffee Flight, but I didn't see it.  Doesn't mean it's not there, just that I didn't see it. 

They also have Mocktail of the month or other drinks and souvenir cups too.  The rest of the floor has various kinds of Coca Cola merch.  You can customize bottle, cans, and tumbler as souvenirs too.

Coca-Cola Rooftop Bar

in Disney Springs

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/disney-springs/coca-cola-rooftop-beverage-bar/

 

Epcot Flower & Garden - Farmer Fest

Took this pic for my friend who loves Donald.

Also was able to line up the famous Epcot Sphere behind it. 

Literally came in just as they're about to close due to waiting in line for rides that's on and off working, or not. 

The place is cute, has flower displays, the ones in the background actually open and closes.

This is Beef Tip with tomato beurre blanc with pesto on top.  Here's my take on that. The beurre blanc tasted more like a thicker tomato soup.  I can do without on that one.  The beef tip is great on its own and better with the pesto sauce. 

For dessert, I got the Peach Cobbler, because if you have cobbler on the menu, I would want to try it.  It came with Cinnamon ice cream.  At first I thought it was chocolate ice cream and was wondering how the pairing would go, but tasted it, it's light cinnamon, then I got it. The cobbler has a lot of crunchy bits thanks to the streusel topping, definitely gave texture.  Not too sweet, which did the trick for me. 

This is the last post on Epcot.

So pretty when lit up.   We'll go to the other parts of Disney and talk more food.

Epcot's Flower & Garden Festival

thru June 1st

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/epcot/epcot-international-flower-and-garden-festival/