You'll definitely want to add a visit to Disney Springs to your vacation plans!
I’ll be sharing tips and tricks that could help you on your next Disney vacation – especially if you plan on visiting Disney Springs on a rest day!
A great start to any rest day is breakfast at your resort hotel. If you're unable to get an Advance Dining Reservation the walk-up waitlist is an option at many restaurants. Shortly after Topolino’s opened at 7:30 am I joined the list – my estimated wait time was only 5 minutes!
Topolino’s Terrace – Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends is prix fixe and all-you-care-to-enjoy with a twist. Everyone can order one entrée and additional sides – the sides are just entrées without the fixings.
To start, I ordered a non-alcoholic Peach Repose and an Espresso Martini style concoction with alcohol, and my server brought over pastries. I ordered the sour cream waffle as my entrée, and it came with a choice of bacon, ham, sausage, or plant-based sausage; as a side I ordered the secret menu item Mickey waffles which were served by themselves – had I ordered them as my entrée they would have come with a protein as well. I thought to ask my server what he recommended – he suggested the quiche gruyère, so I asked if I could have that as my side instead of the Mickey waffles. He told me I could have both – and when the bill came both were included in the $42 prix fixe price! Everything was delicious!
Given the popularity of Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends, you must order everything you want to eat the first time your server comes to your table. You won’t have the chance to order more food later in the meal. If your eyes are bigger than your stomach they offer to go boxes.
You’ll meet Mickey the painter, Minnie the author, Donald the sculptor, and Daisy the dancer! Be prepared to take pictures and ask for autographs the first time the characters come to your table, as a second stop at your table isn’t guaranteed. Daisy did stop by while I was ordering, so she made sure to come back for a full visit after my server left the table.
Character dining is a GREAT way to enjoy a good meal and meet several characters at once, especially if you have kids who would rather wait in line to meet Mickey Mouse rather than ride Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway. This way everyone can have a moment with their favorite character and still have plenty of time to experience your favorite attractions once you get to the park!
I’ll have a full review of Topolino’s Terrace and Disney’s Riviera Resort on Thursday – be sure to follow along on Facebook and subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss it!
I made my way to Disney Springs – the shopping, dining, and entertainment district located within the Walt Disney World resort. My first stop was Gideon’s Bakehouse for a peanut butter cold brew and some cookies to take home. Gideon’s is a MUST if you love cookies!
Gideon’s is very popular on weekends, and you may have to enter a virtual queue. If you can visit on a weekday your wait should be much shorter – I only waited about 10 minutes on a Thursday. Cast Members are outside to pass out menus and to answer any questions you may have about the offerings, too! I'm glad had a chance to look the menu over while waiting, because there was so much to look at once inside.
If you're a foodie you'll love Gideon’s Bakehouse, Wine Bar George, and Chef Art Smith's Homecomin'.
If you’re into Disney merch World of Disney and Marketplace Co-Op should be on the top of your must-do list. The Marketplace Co-Op is a collection of shops within a shop – you can find The Dress Shop on Cherry Tree Lane and WonderGround Gallery here!
It was time for my lunch reservation at Wine Bar George – a wine bar featuring wine and food masterfully paired by Master Sommelier George Miliotes. I ordered the Steak Frites – skirt steak cooked medium rare, served over fries with caramelized onion aïoli, and a Frosé – rosé blended with vodka and strawberry. My entrée was mouthwatering, and surprisingly filling. You'll want to make a reservation, and if you want the Steak Frites you'll have to go during the week for lunch!
Whatever time you dine at Wine Bar George, you’re sure to find something delicious – and you might even be lucky enough to meet George himself!
You'll want to spend all day exploring Disney Springs – it's so relaxing!
Glossary
walk-up waitlist a convenient way to dine at restaurant you don't have a reservation for; at Topolino's aim to walk-up before 8:30 or after 10:00 am
all-you-care-to-enjoy Disney speak for all you can eat
Spirit Jersey a brand of oversized long sleeve shirts
Comments