The last time around, I took a shot at naming a few of my choices for The Best of Walt Disney World (you can read about it here). I predicted, and accurately I might add, that I would get a number of responses from readers that might take exception to some of my choices and propose a few of their own. A number of your choices had me saying “Hmmmm” and scratching my head (which is what I do when I’m thinking) and agreeing that I liked your choice better than my own. But isn’t that the beauty of a topic like this? We can all offer our favorites and provide our rationale and, usually, understand completely why others have different selections than we do. After all, if we all had the same list of favorites, there’d be 90-minute waits at Soarin’ while Ellen’s Energy Adventure was a walk-in. Hey… wait a minute…
There are a few more categories to cover so let’s get to it. Here’s the continuation of my selections for the Best of Walt Disney World…
Best Pre-Show – Muppetvision-3D
This is really difficult if we include the attraction queues as pre-shows (as we should). There is the very impressive theming in the queues for Twilight Zone – Tower of Terror, Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest to consider. I also can’t neglect the queue for Pirates of the Caribbean, nor the pre-shows for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith and Ellen’s Energy Adventure. In my mind, however, the clear winner is Muppetvision-3D. I know it’s been there forever and a new film certainly couldn’t hurt but, the wealth of humorous artifacts in the “lobby” coupled with the laugh-out-loud video makes this my number one pre-show.
Best Parade – Spectromagic
I’m not a parade kind of guy. I’ll watch and enjoy, but you’ll never catch me staking out curb space an hour in advance. I’m content to stand in the back and see whatever I can see—and it helps being almost 6’ 3”. My favorite in this category is, unfortunately, no longer with us: Tapestry of Nations. I loved that parade with the puppet interaction and that infectious music (I still listen to the CD quite often). Looking only at the currently active parades, my number one is Spectromagic. I know there’s a lot of sentiment for the Main Street Electrical Parade, but to be honest, it’s been too long since I’ve seen it to rank it on top.
Best Pizza – Spoodles
Being that I’m an Italian-American from New York, I’m kind of a pizza snob. To be honest, I haven’t found a really good pizza at Walt Disney World. I have heard some positive comments about pizza from the Portobello Yacht Club (now just Portobello’s) and the California Grill (they must be talking flat-breads, right?). My favorite pizza, speaking only from personal experience, would have to be from Spoodles on the Boardwalk.
Best Burger – Beaches and Cream
Careful consideration went into this one and I’m giving the nod to Beaches and Cream in a close contest with Big River Grille and Brewing Company.
Best Fixin’s Bar – Pecos Bill’s
I’ve heard many stories of folks using these Fixin’ Bars, meant to provide toppings for your burgers and sandwiches, as salad bars to get the only free meal at Disney World. The two most obvious choices are the Fixin’ Bars at Pecos Bill’s and the Electric Umbrella. To be perfectly honest, neither sets my heart aflutter but, if I had to choose, I’d go with Pecos Bill’s—just try to get there before the bar has been completely trashed.
Best Italian Meal
Once again, I don’t think I’ve had a really good Italian meal at Disney World but I’ll keep trying. I have sampled Tony’s Town Square, Mama Melrose’s and the now-extinct Alfredo’s at Epcot (now Tutto Italia but will change the name again soon). Of that group, Alfredo’s would win but, it’s no longer there. I have heard some very nice things about Palio in the Swan but, that’s gone and the reviews on Il Mulino, it’s replacement, have not been great. I’m unwilling to award a winner to what’s left so I will take your votes. We’ll put a hold on this category for the time being.
Best Themed Restaurant – 50s Prime Time Café
There are lots to choose from here but I’ve narrowed it down to two and they’re both in Disney’s Hollywood Studios: the 50s Prime Time Café and the Sci Fi Dine-In Theater. I know many people rail against the food at Sci-Fi but, personally, I think it’s fine if you stick to the basics and, by basics, I mean burgers and shakes. They have a killer milkshake. That said, my choice is the 50s Prime Time Café for the combination of good, hearty food and terrific atmosphere if you play along with the wait staff.
Best Outdoor Dining – Rose and Crown Pub
The Rose and Crown Pub wins this hands down. Where is there a better view, particularly during and after sunset?
Best Seafood – Flying Fish Café
You couldn’t go wrong at Fulton’s Crab House or the Coral Reef—although reviews on the Coral Reef look like a roller coaster track. Currently, it’s trending upward so get there soon. I also enjoy the clambake at the Cape May Café but, my personal favorite would have to be the Flying Fish Café.
Best Wings – ESPN Club
The ESPN Club. Are they offered anywhere else on property?
Best Ice Cream – Beaches and Cream
Is there such a thing as bad ice cream? Not in my opinion. Here are some choices for you: The Plaza in Magic Kingdom; Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (Downtown Disney Marketplace); Beaches & Cream (Beach Club); The Fountain (Dolphin). I wouldn’t turn down a visit to any of them but Beaches and Cream just reminds me more of an old ice cream parlor.
Best Steak – Yachtsman Steak House
I’ve heard many great things about Shula’s Steak House, including the fact that it’s pricey, but I haven’t yet tried it myself. I have been to the California Grill on two occasions. The first time, I had a bit of my wife’s filet mignon and claimed it was the best I had ever tasted. On a subsequent visit, I ordered the filet and was disappointed because, even though it was an excellent cut and grilled to perfection, it was overpowered by an abundance of Teriyaki barbecue sauce. Not bad mind you—just not great. For that reason, my choice is the Yachtsman Steak House. Try the Chateaubriand and tell ‘em Steve sent you (like that’ll get you anything).
Best Sushi – Tokyo Dining
I’m not a sushi aficionado, but I do enjoy it occasionally. Most of the positive comments I hear and read center on Wolfgang Puck’s and the new Tokyo Dining in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. There have also been some very positive comments about the new Kona Island Sushi Bar at the Polynesian.
Best Sports Bar ESPN Club
The ESPN Club on the Boardwalk. Whether you’re watching your favorite NFL team or a Dodgeball tournament on “the Ocho”, this is the place to talk and see sports while you dine and drink. I know there’s an All-Star Café at Disney’s Wide World of Sports but, does anyone ever go there (OK, you got me. I have eaten there. Once.)
Best Place for a Cocktail – Belle Vue Room
If you promise not to tell anyone, the winner here is the Belle Vue Room at the Boardwalk. It’s a lovely room with sofas, easy chairs and tables. It offers a patio if you’d like to take your drink outside. Inside, it also has board games and old radios that play old radio shows. Very cool. Oh… it also has a nicely stocked bar and offers great service. But don’t tell anyone else. We don’t want it getting too crowded.
Best Coffee – Kona Café
Finding good coffee at Disney World is often an impossible task. Too many establishments sell that pseudo-instant stuff from Nestle that is to good coffee what the song stylings of William Shatner are to the Beatles. In the old days, you could count on a good cup of joe at Epcot’s Fountainview. Now, you pretty much need to find the Kona Café at the Polynesian or try one of the new kiosks on property operated by Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. I’ve heard it’s real coffee and pretty good.
Milk Shake – Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater
I’ve heard rave reviews for the shakes at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner but, I haven’t tried one there yet. I do rate the shakes at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater very high.
Muffins & Cookies – Main Street Bake Shop
You can’t go wrong at the Boardwalk Bakery or Starring Rolls at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. But, there’s something special about grabbing a muffin and coffee from the Main Street Bake Shop, then setting up camp to relax and watch the morning crowd hustle down Main Street.
OK, campers; I’m out of ideas for now. Hopefully, this has inspired you to try a few things you haven’t tried before. I’d love to hear your choices for these categories so I can try a few things I haven’t yet sampled. Similarly, if I’ve missed a category or two that you think merits inclusion, let me know and I’ll see what I can do. Thanks for listening.
That’s my opinion. What’s yours?
