Snow has arrived to much of the country, but only the simulated kind is falling on the Disney resorts (at least in the United States). Staff writer Steve Russo takes a break from shoveling the white stuff to answer readers who have written in to share their feelings on “The Best of Walt Disney World 2009 – Part 3” (December 3, 2009).
Fred writes:
You said: … Can you hold off until the next installment of the Best of 2009 publishes on December 4? Best Coffee in the world is discussed there.
In the meantime, … (snip) You can also get good coffee in the Polynesian. Happy hunting.
I am astonished that Kona coffee (from the Polynesian) gets such a minimal backhanded compliment, though I have zero tolerance for coffee in any form. Every 18 months or so we visit Walt Disney World; and we pack plastic bags so the family can purchase and pack four bags of ground (blended) Kona coffee for the return home. (The plastic bags are so everything in the suitcase doesn’t smell off coffee.) It doesn’t matter where we stay; we schedule a breakfast at the Polynesian’s Kona Cafe (a favorite, anyway) and make the purchase. Required.
What? A “minimal backhanded compliment”? Sheesh! I get in trouble these days for giving compliments. What’s a columnist to do?
Seriously, your points are well taken and I appreciate (and agree with) your choice of Kona coffee. My response in the Mailbag you referenced was to a specific individual who lamented the lack of anything not spelled Nescafe. I had asked him to hold on, until my next column appeared on December 4. That’s when the last set of “Best of…” results would be published – and that article contains the winners in the Best Coffee category. I then felt it necessary to offer a few locations where decent coffee could be had in the World. I mentioned the Polynesian specifically for the Kona coffee and, trust me, my intentions were not to slight it. But thanks for calling me to task… and thanks for taking the time to write.
Fred replies:
There’s laughter at this end, good-humored laughter.
- It was obvious in the letter you were withholding judgment (and plugging the upcoming article) so of course there was no slight. I’m not calling anyone to task, just maybe a subtle tweak; “minimal backhand compliment” was the best that came to mind.
- I will probably never purchase or drink coffee myself, so laughter is directed at family members that make Poly/Kona a required part of each trip. No different than the family member that has to ride ‘Pirates’ every time.
I look forward to your next article and wish you well.
Your family has the Kona coffee, others just HAVE to get a:
- Dole Whip
- Beaver Tail (long gone but missed)
- Wetzel’s Pretzel
- Casey’s Hot Dog
- Grand Marnier Slushie
- Mickey Premium Bar
- Beaches & Cream Sundae
- Harps at the Rose and Crown
… you get the picture. We all have something that just becomes traditional. I remember how tickled I was buying Twinings Breakfast Blend in the UK pavilion – until I found I could buy it at my local supermarket. And cheaper. Yet we continue to go back and buy our coffee, tea, etc. There’s just something about the place.
Nicholas S. writes:
Okay Steve, where in the world did that analogy come from? That’s way out of left field, even though I do get the point. I never drink coffee, so all I have to go by is the apparently universal hatred for Nescafe. *Someone must like it, since they’re still in business.
I don’t suppose you’re going to be at WDW the last week of January, are you?
I assume you mean the “bocce ball” analogy? I struggled with that but my distaste for Nescafe had me searching for something as far from a drinkable beverage as possible. Bocce ball worked for me.
Not this year… we’re going in early December. Assuming you’ll be there in late January, do me a favor: watch Illuminations with an open mind. I’m still trying to hook you.
Kristian S. writes:
Been loving the ‘Best of Walt Disney World’ series, you must do another one next year and compare the results! That will be interesting.
As the (probably only) person that put down Margarita Bar at Downtown Disney as my favourite place, I was surprised that you’ve never seen it! It was formerly called ‘Captain Jack’s Margarita Bar’ and has lovely views over the lake and marina. It’s a perfect place to kick back in the sunshine and watch the world go by.
My fiancé and I will be there in a couple of weeks (seems a long way from rainy Manchester), they do the best margaritas on property. Ask for Jim, if you look after him he’ll look after you! He pours them stiff.
Here’s a picture for you, notice Captain Jack in the background. Promise me that you’ll give it a go. Keep up the good work!
Margarita Bar in Downtown Disney. Photo by Kristian Scott.
Now that you’ve sent the photo…. but I’ve never had a drink there. I’ll add it to my list for the next trip (leaving in 2 days). Thanks for educating me.
Beth writes:
I enjoyed your column; I have a couple of other “favorite” ideas:
- Favorite quiet spot in Magic Kingdom: I enjoy Storybook Garden but also Tomorrowland Transit Authority.
- Favorite pool: Port Orleans Ol’ Man River is great.
- Most nostalgic attraction: Riding Haunted Mansion with my parents. Dad died 7 years ago, and I still get overwhelmed with great memories when I step into the stretching room.
- Best kept secret at Magic Kingdom: The shops and bakery close an hour after “closing time,” so you can finish the day with an ice cream sandwich with friends and replay the best times.
- Best underrated restaurant at resorts: Kona Cafe. Awesome volcano smoothies (you have to request it, it’s not on the menu).
Thanks very much for those suggestions. I particularly like the “Best Kept Secret” angle – we could all learn a lot from that one.
Joel R. writes:
I really enjoyed your “Best of” Lists for 2009. I came a little late to the party and didn’t get to vote. In most places my favorites made the top three or five. I really hope you do this again next year and will def vote!
I have to make one shout out for best wings in Walt Disney World. The Caribbean jerk wings from the Gruggling Suitcase at the Old Key West Resort are hands down the best in all of Disney. A dry wing with a great taste that is hot enough to make you want more…but not so hot that you stop eating. They are a great size with lots of meat and go perfect with a beer from the tap there at the bar. Just had to throw in my 2 cents…for what it’s worth!
Thanks for the tip… next time I’m at Old Key West, I’ll try a few.
I think Le Cellier came in first for Best Steak only because most of the voters have never been to the Yachtsman Steakhouse. Consider Le Cellier is right in Epcot and very well known. Yachtsman is over at the Yacht Club and it’s likely most people have never heard of it. Those who have heard of it probably consider it too expensive.
I went to school in Oklahoma and I think I know a good steak. Forget Ruth’s Chris and Shula’s (yawn). The ribeye at Yachtsman was the best steak I’ve ever had.
I agree on the Yachtsman Steakhouse but I haven’t tried the ribeye. You’ve talked me into it.
Susan S. writes:
I enjoyed reading your Best Of choices. For Best Milkshake we go to Fountainview Cafe in Epcot. They make great vanilla shakes and noticed it wasn’t even a mention in your list. For Best Buffet, we like Crystal Palace, with Chef Mickey’s being a close second. For the best single food item we like the creme cheese stuffed pretzel in the Magic Kingdom (Tomorrowland), and the Mickey Bar is a close second. You hit it on the head with Off Kilter and Jammitors being your favorites, as they are ours too. We watched three shows of Off Kilter in a row one time – just couldn’t get enough of them.
I’m glad you enjoyed the series and thanks for sending in your favorites.
Robin B. writes:
Just wanted to say great job on the best list. We got great entertainment reading it. Comparing our favorites with everyone else’s and seeing where they fit in. Hope you decide to do it again next year!
Thank you. I agree that the fun in any poll like this is to determine where your favorites fit and what everyone else is thinking. Hopefully, we all get to learn about a few things we haven’t tried before. The next poll is on my to-do list for next Fall.
John B. writes:
I loved your three-part series on the tops of 2009. We did not go this year due to the economy and uncertainty about what was going to happen with our jobs. This list got us in the Disney mood again and we are planning our May 2010 trip using this Best Of list as a guide.
I’m glad you enjoyed the series. Thanks for writing and good luck on the next trip.
Bob B. writes:
Best Burger and Best Fixin’s I still have to go with Peco’s. The fixings are why I voted it Best Burger, or at least I think I voted for it. Also, in response to a comment you made, if I am going to a sit down restaurant I darn sure am not ordering a burger, so of the counter service burgers I have had, I’m still going with Pecos Bill’s.
I would say yes lets do it again next year. There were categories that I didn’t vote for that I should have after reading what other folks voted for. Just have to be careful that some folks don’t remember the funny votes and try to raise them higher like Yuck! for sushi; I thought that was hilarious.
