Food at Disney World: What to Eat Part 1

If you like food, then this post on what to eat at Walt Disney World is for you!

The most important thing for me to plan for, on a Walt Disney World vacation is where I’m going to eat!!!

I love food. And although I’ve heard that the food at Disneyland (California, can’t wait to go there again) is better than at Walt Disney World (Florida), I’ve still heard pretty good things about the options at the latter (Walt Disney World).

There are so very many food options at the parks. With the Epcot Food and Wine Festival coming up in a few days (August 31-November 13), the food loveliness will only get better during this time of year. I’m dying to take a trip just to taste all of the goodness. But alas, I’ll just have to settle for what I had in July.

On my latest trip to Disney I got to try some of the foods on my WDW Food Bucket List. Here’s what I had and some of my thoughts:

Disney’s Polynesian Resort-

Capt. Cooks

Capt. Cooks is what they call a Quick Service or Counter Service restaurant. This simply means you get on line, order your food and then eat at your table. All of the menus at “The Polynesian” (as they call it) are inspired by Hawaiian Flavors mixed with an Asian fusion. It’s the only place on WDW property (outside of Epcot’s Japan pavilion) where you can get sushi. Update: You can also get Sushi at California Grill in the Contemporary Hotel. (I didn’t try the sushi though).

Aloha Pork Sandwich

I had this the first day we arrived. Yum!We were staying at the Polynesian Resort (where Capt. Cooks is located) so we had some lunch as we waited for our room to be ready.

This is a sandwich with pulled pork on a pineapple-coconut bun with cheddar, Asian slaw, cucumbers, and tomatoes. It came with fries. The pulled pork sauce was sweeter than I anticipated. The slaw gave it a nice crunch and and balanced out the sweetness of the sauce. Overall it was a good sandwich.

 

Pork Fried Rice

I had this on another day when we took a park break. This was traditional fried rice topped with slow-roasted pork. It was the same pulled pork that they use for the Aloha Pork Sandwich. But, I actually liked this dish better than in the sandwich. The pulled pork and rice was delish. I devoured it!

 

Pineapple Lanai

Dole Whip Soft Serve Swirl

Ok, so I had heard tons of Disney fanatics go on and on about the Dole Whips at Walt Disney World. So I made it my mission to try one and judge for myself. There are only 2 places on WDW property where you can get them; Aloha Isle at Magic Kingdom or Pineapple Lanai at the Polynesian Resort.

I got the Dole Whip with vanilla soft serve swirled in. So. Very. Good.

I think next time though, I’m just gonna do the Dole Whip Swirl (sans Vanilla). I may even try the Dole Whip Float! (Although I’m not that into floats).

Side Note: I tried a similar soft serve Pineapple ice cream at another amusement park in Pennsylvania and it was terrible. It had some weird after taste. Yuck! Nothing like the Dole Whip I had at Pineapple Lanai.

‘Ohana

On our last day at Walt Disney World we had breakfast at ‘Ohana (a very difficult place to get reservations) also located at the Polynesian resort. Delicious. So good in fact, that I didn’t get many pics of our food. We were very hungry and at it all!

They served the following Family Style:

• Pineapple Coconut Breakfast Bread
• Scrambled Eggs
• Pork Breakfast Sausage Links and Hawaiian-style Ham topped with Pineapple Compote (This was gone by the end of the meal. All. Of. It.)
• Island Styled Fried Potatoes (Home Fries w/ unique seasoning)
• Seasonal Fruit
• Mickey & Stitch-shaped Waffles (Disney’s waffle batter is so good! Cooked of course.)
• POG Juice (Also called Lilikoi, Aloha Juice, Jungle Juice) It is made of Passion Fruit, Orange and Guava Juices. All around YUM (And I’m not even a big fan of Guava)!

‘Ohana breakfast is a character meal served family style. This means that they bring all the food to your table and you can take what you like from there. Characters come out to greet you and your kids at your table (Mickey, Pluto, and Lilo. And you meet Stitch just before you are seated in a special area). Characters also happily visited with adults with no children. They had just as much fun! You can take pictures with them and have them sign your autograph book or anything you’d like them to sign.

Kona Cafe

We had Breakfast here and will definitely come back to try their dinner menu. Here’s a couple of things we ordered.

Mickey Pancakes

I was expecting the ears to be attached to the head. So, I think this is kinda cheating. 🙂 But nevertheless Karis (8yrs old) enjoyed them. Yes, this is a kids serving of Mickey Pancakes. It was huge and totally Shareable.

 

Tonga Toast

I’ve heard so much about it, I had to try it for myself.

This is a Banana-stuffed French Toast rolled in Cinnamon Sugar and served with a Strawberry Compote as well as Maple syrup on the side (not pictured, sorry, but the compote was good) and your choice of Spiced Ham, Bacon, or Sausage.

I tried it and it was delicious. I wasn’t wowed by it like many others. But I did enjoy it. Rich, my husband, however LOVED it! He finished his breakfast and then devoured what was left of the Tonga Toast. For me it might have been the banana that I wasn’t a big fan of. But give me bread, cinnamon and sugar and I’m there!

Have you tried it? If not, please do try it and tell me what you think! Did you like it?

P.S. The flower is edible!

King Kamehameha Club

This is the Concierge Lounge for guests staying in a Club Level Room. It’s pricey to stay in a Club Level Room, but we love all the yummy food and drinks included in the cost of our stay and feel like it saves us a bit of money on food. All you care to enjoy hors d’oeuvres, snacks, drinks, wine, and beer.  Every Morning they have a continental breakfast spread, midday they had light snacks and sweets, in the evening they have light bites, and later at night they have desserts. Each Deluxe Resort has a Club Level Lounge with a food spread specific to their theme (for the most part). Here’s what I had in the lounge at our resort:

POG Juice

Delicious! Regular Disney goers love this juice that can only be found in a few places on property. Disney’s Polynesian Resort and a similar drink like this at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park and Lodge. And guys, they had it on TAP! Yes, please.

 

Seared Tuna

Look how pretty it is. Yum!

I saw cast members assembling some of these hors d’oeuvres. They are meticulous and take great pride in presentation. And if you know me, you know how much I believe that love is in the details! Suffice it to say, we felt very well taken care of during our stay.

 

Crab Deviled Eggs

Better than any Deviled eggs I’ve ever had!

 

Fried Dumplings

Crispy on the oustide, soft and tasty on the inside. I think I had a 2nd helping of these.

 

Chicken (with some kind of sauce) on a Skewer  & Pulled Pork (I think)

I forgot what they called each of these. All I remember is that they were both so very good.

 

Key Lime Tart

All i have to say about this is… OH. MY. GOODNESS. Changed my life. (I might have lost count as to how many of these I had.)

 

Carrot Cake

Meh. Basic.

 

 

Nathan liked and licked the frosting off of that cupcake though.

There are even more places to dine at Disney’s Polynesian Resort that I never got to:

• Kona Island
• Tambu Lounge
• Sam’s Grog Grotto (Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace)
• Oasis Bar & Grill
• and more…

Stay tuned to Part 2 of What to Eat at Disney. Coming soon!

So what do you think about what we had? Have you ate at any of the above places? Have you tried anything that I should try? What would you like to eat at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Restaurants? I’d love to hear from you!

UPDATE: Want plan your own Disney Vacation? I can totally help you book one! Visit my Travelmation Facebook Page to find out how.