Have you ever wanted a chance to slowly walk through The Great Movie Ride attraction at Disney World to be able to take in all of the great details?  How about the chance to spend an entire evening inside this amazing attraction while enjoying dinner and special entertainment?  This can really happen if you are a Tables In Wonderland card holder.

Here are all of the details about a great opportunity to spend an amazing evening inside one of Disney's Hollywood Studios' most loved attractions while enjoying a wonderful meal with a relatively small group.

The Walt Disney World Resort provides a wide variety of dining experiences.  They range from formal to fun.  If you happen to be in the mood for some fun then you should definitely take your group to the Pecos Bill Cafe in Frontierland of the Magic Kingdom.


Pecos Bill Cafe
At the Tall Tale Inn (aka Pecos Bill Cafe) the prime attraction is the remarkable hot toppings bar for the burgers.  Here in the midst of the authentic looking western motif is where the fun starts.


Although there are other items on the menu here, the burgers are why you should come.  Whether you choose the "normal" Angus cheeseburger or the deluxe cheeseburger that includes onion rings and bacon, it is the customization that happens at the Toppings bar that separates the timid from the brave.


You get to choose from such items as: Sauteed Onions, Sauteed Mushrooms, Pickle chips, tomato slices, banana peppers, nacho cheese sauce, lettuce, and more!  The goal is to build your ultimate burger.  Don't forget to grab a fork because if you built it right, there's no way all the toppings will fit between the buns.

Take the unofficial Disney World Burger Challenge and built your best burger.  Post pictures of your best efforts at the Only WDWorld Facebook Page to share with the world your awesome burger building skills!

Epcot continues to be the destination for great culinary and libation choices at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Following the success of the La Cava del Tequila Bar in the Mexico Pavilion, a new Wine Bar is being added to the Italy Pavilion.

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar
Epcot Guests will be able to visit a new dining location starting in May 2012 called Tutto Italia Wine Cellar.  This location that is nestled between Tutto Italia and Via Napoli in the Epcot Italy Pavilion will be able to seat 96 patrons.

Here wine connoisseurs will be able to choose from over 200 wines, Italian beers, and Grappas while they peruse the small plate menu of food offerings.

The small plates will cover six categories: Affettati (cured, sliced meats); Formaggi (Italian cheeses); Panini (sandwiches); Piccoli Piatti (small plates); Cavatappi (a type of pasta), and Dolci (sweets). There will be over 2 dozen menu choices in all to enjoy.

From 11:30 am - 9:00 pm each day Epcot guests will get to enjoy this new place to eat, enjoy, and expand their knowledge of Italian wines and cuisine.

On March 15th to open their special St. Patrick's Day Festival, Raglan Road is hosting a special Luncheon and Culinary Demonstration with their award winning Celebrity Chef Kevin Dundon.  This Downtown Disney Restaurant in the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort will be home to an incredible array of Irish Recipes Chef Dundon prepares an exclusive four course afternoon luncheon.  The James Beard Foundation award winning chef will be performing a live demonstration as the guests enjoy the meal.


Details:
Four course lunch with wine pairings plus culinary demonstration, $45.00 plus tax and gratuity.

Tables in Wonderland discount accepted.

To book your reservation at this prestigious event and kick start your St. Patrick’s celebrations,

Call 407-938-0300 or 407-WDW-DINE
Or log on to http://www.raglanroad.com/


Menu
Starters
Darne of Hickory Smoked Irish Salmon served warm on buttered leeks with mead cream reduction

Soup
Espresso of Roasted Tomato and Gin Soup

Main Course
Loin of Traditional Irish Bacon with Irish Mist Glaze served on Colcannon Potato with a parsley cream sauce

Dessert
Jam Jar of Rhubarb Jelly Pannacotta


Don't miss your chance to enjoy this great meal and demonstration by Master Chef Kevin Dundon!

The James Beard Foundation has announced that Disney World Chef Scott Hunnel has been recognized for the 6th consecutive year as a finalist for their prestigious "Best Chef: South" award.

Chef Scott Hunnel
Disney World fans may have recognized Chef Hunnel (pictured above) as the head Chef for Disney World's much honored Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  This restaurant has been awarded the AAA Five Diamond Award for 12 consecutive years.

Here is the Disney Press Release announcing the exciting news:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., February 24, 2012 – For the sixth year in a row, The James Beard Foundation has named Chef Scott Hunnel of Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as a finalist on its annual list of top chefs in the country.


Nominated for the prestigious “Best Chef: South” award, Chef Hunnel is familiar with earning recognition as one of the nation’s best. He also received nominations from the Foundation in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

“The amazing creativity of Chef Scott Hunnel helps make Victoria & Albert’s restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa an unparalleled experience for our Guests,” said Norm Noble, general manager of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. “For 12 consecutive years, Victoria & Albert’s has been the recipient of the prestigious AAA Five Diamond Award, celebrated the world over thanks to Chef Hunnel’s exquisite culinary creations. Scott’s nomination in the prestigious James Beard Awards for ‘Best Chef: South’ is well deserved.”

Chef Hunnel finds great joy in delivering a ”wow” factor with his culinary creations. He enjoys taking gastronomic journeys around the world for inspiration and ideas. In recent years, his search has taken him to the kitchen of George V in Paris, truffle hunting in Italy, and to markets and restaurants in Hong Kong, Bangkok and London.

“To me, the James Beard recognition is such an honor because the nomination comes from your peers,” said Hunnel. “There are so many talented chefs out there and to be nominated by them is very special.”

Chef Hunnel takes a refreshingly contemporary approach in the kitchen, with a straightforward cooking philosophy: fresh, seasonal ingredients from around the globe with a focus on local markets including seaports in Florida and area farms.
The James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and emphasize the Foundation’s mission – celebrate, preserve, and nurture America’s culinary heritage and diversity. Each year, the Foundation holds an online open call for entries beginning in mid-October.

This year, more than 57,000 entries were received. Semifinalists in 19 awards categories are determined by a governing committee and placed on a nominating ballot sent to more than 550 judges across the country.

Winners will be announced in May during a gala in New York City.

When it comes to dining at the Walt Disney World Resort there are many choices for breakfast to be found, but few are considered Disney World Classic Creations.  One such breakfast entree is the famous Tonga Toast at Disney's Polynesian Resort.


Tonga Toast At Disney's Polynesian Resort
The always tempting Tonga Toast can be found at Disney's Polynesian Resort.  It can be obtained at either Captain Cook's Quick Service Restaurant or in the Kona Cafe Table Service Restaurant.


For under $6 you too, can enjoy the wonderful, sweet goodness of the Tonga Toast.  One serving is incredibly filling.  At Captain Cook's it can be ordered ala carte or with your choice of breakfast meats.

Finding The Tonga Toast
To make your pilgrimage to the Polynesian Resort to enjoy the Tonga Toast, just take a bus to the Magic Kingdom and then hop aboard the Resort Monorail and take it to the 3rd stop, which is the Polynesian Resort. 

Once you arrive at the Polynesian Resort travel to the ground floor to find Captain Cook's.  After you place your order and pay at the cashier you can choose to eat either inside or outside depending upon your preference.

Tonga Toast Is A Disney World Must Do
Just like experiencing the Dole Whip, the Tonga Toast is a must do experience for frequent Disney World visitors.  This special treat is one that will have you hooked once you give it a try.

Now You Can Make It At Home Also
Disney has created a special video featuring one of the Chefs from Disney's Polynesian Resort demonstrating how you can make Tonga Toast at home.  Enjoy!

There is more to life for kid's cuisine than chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese.  Disney World has recognized this fact and is changing the menu in several of its Table Service Restaurants inside of the Magic Kingdom Theme Park.  Each of these new menu items allow children to broaden their culinary boundaries while maintaining a relatively healthy approach to eating.  You can still get some of the old favorites, but your children may enjoy trying these new options.

The title picture shows a new menu offering at the Plaza Restaurant, which can be found at the end of Main Street USA.  Here you can get a kid's plate that include grilled chicken, cous cous, and a fresh fruit skewer.


At one of the Kid's favorite restaurants, Tony's Town Square, you can now find a steak skewer “spiedini” with roasted sweet potato fries and fresh fruit (spiedini refers to cubes of meat cooked on a skewer, an Italian specialty). Also at Tony’s, a grilled cheese sandwich on multigrain bread (pictured above) sliced into “dippers” with tomato sauce on the side should appeal to just about any child.



At traditional favorite Liberty Tree Tavern, found in the Liberty Square Land of the Magic Kingdom, there is a new barbecued chicken and pineapple flatbread pizza with a side of crisp veggies and apples, or oven-roasted turkey with mashed potatoes, veggies and fruit.



For those feeling in a royal mood, you can now order a new chicken drumette with rice and broccolini (pictured above), grilled beef skewers with mashed potatoes and corn, or a chicken pot pie topped with a biscuit crust at Cinderella's Royal Table.
Widen Your Food Horizons
Let your children explore some new food horizons while you enjoy dining at Disney World.  You may discover that your children have new food favorites after your vacation!

When you are planning your Disney World Vacation, you should definitely consider eating at one or more of the Disney World Character Dining experiences.  When you add Disney Characters to one of the Walt Disney World Resort themed Restaurants, you create a memorable experience that will endure long after your vacation is over.

There is a hidden gem within Disney's Animal Kingdom that is often overlooked when discussions turn to Walt Disney World Resort Restaurants.  It is a fairly recent addition to the animal focused theme park and it wins for both incredible theming and great Asian inspired food.


Yak & Yeti Restaurant
The Yak & Yeti Restaurant is one of only two Table Service Restaurants that can be found within Disney's Animal Kingdom.  When this theme park opened, there were none and Disney recognized that they needed to correct this oversight.  Disney World Theme Park Guests have become accustomed to experiencing great themed restaurants in addition to the normal park attractions.


Incredible Theming
The Yak & Yeti Restaurant does not disappoint when it comes to theming.  It is anything, but your typical restaurant and it is worth dining there just to get a chance to explore the restaurant and look at all of the artifacts and decorations you will find within.  There are two stories and multiple rooms with each adding a different flavor of decor to enjoy.



Great Asian Cuisine
The Yak & Yeti is not just a greatly themed restaurant, the food is definitely a great reason to visit also. The Asian themed food here gets better guest reviews than the Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot.  During a recent visit my family of four tried four different entrees on the Yak & Yeti menu.

• Baby Back Ribs
• Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp
• Maple Tamarind Chicken
• Kobe Beef Burger
• Seared Miso Salmon
• Crispy Mahi Mahi
• Duck with Anandapur Glaze
• Tempura Shrimp
• MalAsian Seafood Curry
• Stir Fried Beef and Broccoli
• Sweet & Sour Chicken or Pork
• Bourbon Chicken

There is a wide variety to the menu featuring Steak, Chicken, Pork, Seafood, and Vegetarian items.  There is certainly something that everyone in your group will enjoy.



Yak & Yeti Restaurant - Recommended!
If you are looking for a place to dine during your day at Disney's Animal Kingdom strongly consider eating at the Yak & Yeti Restaurant.  This air conditioned oasis not only provides great food at reasonable prices compared to other Disney World Table Service Restaurants, but the theming is incredible.  It is like an attraction itself with all of the artifacts and decorations that you will find inside.