Uncommon Magic Kingdom Menu Wins!

Walt Disney World lately overhauled the menu at Pecos Invoice Tall Story Inn and Cafe, which we thought-about an enormous win even previous to consuming any of the brand new dishes. It’s apparent simply from the photographs and descriptions that they’re way more bold than the outdated menu, which prompted us to pen “The Demise of Pecos Invoice.” Suffice to say, that isn’t a puff piece about how a lot we liked the outdated menu.

Someway, Pecos Invoice was not the worst counter service restaurant in all of Magic Kingdom even when it was “lifeless to us.” That’s actually saying one thing…and never a great factor. Quite, Pecos Invoice was the eating spot with probably the most squandered potential. A high-capacity venue that might’ve been good and, at one time within the not-too-distant previous, truly was the #1 counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom. We ate there typically.

The reader feedback to that put up had been a great reminder of why Magic Kingdom’s eating scene is subpar. Whereas the sentiment was largely optimistic, there was a higher-than-expected variety of feedback lamenting the modifications. Paradoxically sufficient, Walt Disney World followers had been mainly saying that Pecos Invoice was now lifeless to them as a result of it’s too adventurous and doesn’t supply something for the choosy eaters of their households.

Whereas I can sympathize to an extent with this angle, I can also’t assist however assume that actually each different counter service restaurant in Magic Kingdom (save for possibly Columbia Harbour Home?) caters particularly to choosy eaters, and just about solely choosy eaters. It doesn’t appear to be an excessive amount of to ask to get one restaurant with a mildly bold menu of meals that isn’t bland and boring.

However this was a great reminder that Walt Disney World’s culinary workforce has to cope with precise visitor preferences and conduct. If the response amongst higher-knowledge Walt Disney World followers is disappointment (moderately than pondering, “I’ll simply go to one of many different dozen spots serving customary theme park fare”) then it’s doubtlessly even worse amongst common visitor demographics.

This might clarify why Magic Kingdom can’t get Disneyland or EPCOT-caliber delicacies–as a result of it’s merely not what the overwhelming majority of visitors need. Anyway, I’d love for that to be flawed–and for the precise rationalization to be that it’s a vocal minority of followers complaining concerning the new menu at Pecos Invoice–however worry that menus could be mediocre in Magic Kingdom as a result of that’s what “regular” visitors need. Just a few meals for thought.

Additionally as beforehand lined in our overview of the brand new Be Our Visitor Restaurant menu for Halloween, the seasonal choices there are markedly higher–and there’s extra selection–than the common prix fixe menu.

The all-day prix fixe menu at Be Our Visitor Restaurant has turn into a bit drained. It’s additionally extremely lazy given the costs they’re charging, in addition to its standing as a 2-credit Signature Restaurant on the Disney Eating Plan. We’ve had typically optimistic experiences at Be Our Visitor Restaurant, nevertheless it must be extra bold given the price.

My hope is that there’s a repeat of this for Christmas, and that these new seasonal menus show so well-liked that Be Our Visitor Restaurant sees everlasting modifications in early 2025. It’s not that well-liked anymore and can’t proceed resting on its laurels that had been established again in ~2012 to 2017. It hasn’t been that restaurant for some time now…and has gotten much more costly in the course of the intervening years!

Shifting alongside, now we have extra optimistic meals information from round Magic Kingdom…

The highest replace comes courtesy of one other menu tweak (not a fully-fledged change) at Sleepy Hole Refreshments.

As you would possibly recall, there was a Scandal at Sleepy Hole over the summer time. In case you missed it, some brainiac at Walt Disney World determined to mess with the one (and doubtless solely!) Magic Kingdom menu that didn’t want any modifications, and determined to make some main ones.

Out went the waffle sandwiches, in got here Mickey Mouse formed waffles. However that wasn’t all. The Recent Fruit Waffle Sandwich got here with bananas, berries, and chocolate-hazelnut unfold, whereas it was changed by two separate Mickey Mouse waffles: one with the berries, and one with the don’t-call-it-Nutella and bananas. It was either-or, not each. And that was an actual downside, as a result of what’s even the purpose of consuming fruit if it’s not slathered in Nutella?!

The actual answer to this was merely hitting the “undo” button and going again to the outdated handheld waffle menu at Sleepy Hole. Don’t repair what isn’t damaged and all that. If Walt Disney World had been actually listening to visitor suggestions, that’s what they might’ve executed, as a result of subsequent to nobody was proud of that change.

As a substitute, they made two successive half-measures. First, they added a Cell Order possibility to purchase a aspect of berries for the Nutella waffle, thereby making a ‘construct your individual’ waffle like they one they took from us. Extra lately, they simply made this a standalone menu possibility, presumably resulting from visitor complaints and/or as a result of so many individuals had been ordering the aspect. (Both method, that ought to’ve advised them every part they wanted to know concerning the menu change and the way it was being obtained by visitors!)

The tip result’s a waffle similar to what they took with us, besides formed like Mickey Mouse.

Truthfully, the Mickey Waffle with Chocolate-Hazelnut Unfold, Bananas, Berries, and Whipped Cream is ok. Downright scrumptious, even!

If I by no means had the outdated waffle sandwich and this Mickey Mouse Waffle had been merely added to the menu at a funnel cake stand, I’d truly be enthusiastic about it. The mix of fruit and Nutella is ideal, as-always, and including a Mickey Waffle to the combo makes it subsequent degree. And possibly that is what Walt Disney World is relying on–first timers making an attempt and loving this extra photogenic snack. (Is it extra photogenic, although?!)

The issue is that I’ve the burden of data, so to talk.

This isn’t my first waffle rodeo. I ate dozens (and dozens) of the outdated waffle sandwiches.

If this new Mickey Mouse Waffle is an 8/10, these had been each 10/10 snacks. Don’t get me flawed, 8/10 is magnificent by Magic Kingdom requirements, the place all meals is graded on a curve and every part above 5/10 is sweet. (Grade inflation is an epidemic, and sadly sufficient, the world’s hottest theme park isn’t immune.)

The massive downside right here is that batter or one thing concerning the waffle has modified. The sandwiches had been way more sturdy, and had a chewy high quality (in a great way–it jogged my memory of ube minus the flavour) completely befitting of a handheld snack. The brand new Mickey Mouse Waffles haven’t any springiness. I’m undecided what’s up with them, however they get soggy and collapse shortly. They’re not even just like the crispier mini-Mickey Waffles served on the breakfast buffets, which might be higher for this as they’d face up to the toppings higher.

The underside line is that it is best to nonetheless give this Mickey Mouse Waffle a shot, because it’s properly above-average by Magic Kingdom snack requirements. Simply don’t go in anticipating the outdated waffle, however within the form of Mickey Mouse. It’s not that–no less than, not but. Right here’s hoping extra tweaks to the recipe or preparation are on the best way.

For the following possibility, we head again to Primary Avenue to cease at Casey’s Nook.

Casey’s Nook has added just a few new gadgets which can be all comparable (there are additionally sizzling canine and french fries). Above is the Chipotle Barbeque Pork and Avenue Corn Mini Corn Canine Mini Corn Canine topped with Fireplace-roasted Corn, Queso Fresco, Jalapeño Ranch, and Cilantro.

I like elote, and the toppings right here approximate it fairly properly. With that mentioned, there’s merely an excessive amount of occurring with all of this added to the corn canine. They’re nonetheless good, don’t get me flawed, however this isn’t the optimum order.

As a substitute, I’d suggest doing the recent canine or french fry varieties.

I discovered the foot lengthy sizzling canine model to be a lot better. The Chipotle Barbecue Pork was nonetheless pointless and there was an excessive amount of occurring, however not as a lot because the corn canine. (Disneyland did an elote sizzling canine just a few years in the past that was implausible–I’d like to see that easier possibility come to Casey’s Nook.)

I didn’t order the french fry variant, however I did find yourself scooping up a number of the toppings with the fries. That was additionally implausible. I used to be additionally higher in a position to management the BBQ pork bites and the elote bites with fries, which I discovered to be the superior possibility.

On a associated observe, it’s been some time since I’ve “plugged” Casey’s Nook at park closing.

Like the remainder of Primary Avenue, Casey’s Nook is open after park closing. Formally, that is half-hour most nights, however I’ve seen them shut the door barely later every now and then.

Considered one of my favourite pastimes is heading to Casey’s Nook proper round final name after using Seven Dwarfs Mine Practice on the finish of the evening (which I assume might be TRON Lightcycle Run going ahead), ordering some corn canine nuggets, and having fun with my fourth meal (or fifth…or sixth…) whereas gazing at Cinderella Fortress and ready for the crowds to filter for empty park images.

That is one in every of my all-time favourite Magic Kingdom experiences. It’s such a satisfying technique to decompress on the finish of a protracted day and absorb the late evening ambiance, and I swear these nuggets style higher late at evening. Phrases can’t do it justice.

Whereas on Primary Avenue, let’s head throughout the walkway to the newly-refurbished Plaza Restaurant.

Right here we’ll begin with the Graveyard Milk Shake: Chocolate Milk Shake with a Dipped Graveyard Jelly Doughnut, White Chocolate Tombstone, Gummy Sweet, and a Haunted Mansion Straw.

Look, I’ll degree with you: I don’t know what I used to be pondering in ordering this. A type of inconsiderate “when the cat’s away, the mice will play” dangerous consuming selections. It’s not a part of the titular “uncommon wins” for Magic Kingdom. It wasn’t dangerous or something–simply precisely what you’d count on. A really indulgent, candy-laden, high-sugar drink aimed toward youngsters. I regretted ordering it instantly upon seeing it…and proceeded to eat all of it.

The actual cause I used to be eating on my own at Plaza Restaurant was for the Ghoulishly Connoisseur Burger: Two All-Beef Patties with Pepper Jack and Swiss Cheese, Candied Bacon, Balsamic-glazed Mushrooms, Onion Ring, and Truffle-Buffalo Aïoli served on a Black Bun.

That is an absolute monstrosity of a burger, and is totally wonderful. Oozing with tacky goodness, the truffle buffalo aioli is the actual star right here, giving it an ever-so-mild kick because the mushrooms, bacon, and onion ring add much more stuff to the double burger.

About the one factor these photographs do convey is simply how messy of a burger that is. In any other case, they promote it brief. I’d extremely suggest this should you like heavy and wealthy indulgences, and don’t thoughts getting your fingers lined in grease, sauce, cheese, and so on. (Additionally, there have been a number of events round me asking if the bun tastes humorous–it doesn’t; it’s a standard bun.)

Additional accolades for this burger in all probability received’t transfer the needle by some means, so I’m going to wrap this put up up on a special observe, ‘disclosing’ the underlying motivation for scripting this put up within the first place. As you’ve in all probability seen talked about, I do a variety of consuming on the parks for the sake of “Very Necessary Analysis.”

Very often, the consuming a part of that analysis occurs, however the writing half is skipped. Different issues come up, I overlook, don’t really feel like I’ve something compelling to say, and so on. Properly, going ahead, my questionable meals selections are going to be, ahem, scrutinized a bit extra. So after I do eat poorly, I’ve to justify it.

It is because I lately had my annual bodily and the LDL ldl cholesterol degree was, properly, let’s simply say…not good! I do know what you’re pondering: “properly yeah, dummy, this is the reason you shouldn’t get annual physicals!” Honest level. I additionally ought to’ve been smarter than to schedule the factor proper after the beginning of the EPCOT Meals & Wine Pageant and a bunch of different menu modifications at Walt Disney World. I truly made a really comparable mistake again in 2018, and it value me a couple of 12 months within the culinary doghouse.

The physician appeared considerably shocked by the outcomes, as all of my different stats had been stable. Like, I’m clearly no Olympian or something, however my numbers are “wonderful” for a center aged dude who works on a pc. Particularly since, after I defined my weight loss plan, I solely initially included particulars concerning the meals Sarah prepares for us at house. That ldl cholesterol quantity didn’t add up, until it was genetics.

Then I made the error of opening the can of worms that’s theme park running a blog. Do you need to understand how a 60-70 12 months outdated physician will take a look at you whenever you clarify that it might be an anomaly since you “had” to eat 8 sizzling canine final week, professionally, for the sake of analysis? Heck, for that matter, whenever you say you’re a theme park blogger, as if that’s an actual factor and never simply one thing you made up on the spot to justify the aforementioned consuming of that many sizzling canine?! Such as you’re loopy.

Because it seems, what you simply witnessed on this put up may need one thing to do with my excessive LDL degree. Or possibly it’s genetics. Who’s to say? However anyway, that is all a long-winded method of claiming that the steak, burger and sizzling canine evaluations could be scaled again a bit sooner or later, with extra of an emphasis on salads and stuff. Or on the very least, there might be extra restaurant evaluations and eating posts, and little or no purely leisure consuming for love of the sport at Walt Disney World or Disneyland going ahead. Additionally, don’t do that at house, I assume. The sort of consuming ought to solely be carried out by a practice skilled.

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YOUR THOUGHTS

What do you concentrate on the latest menu updates at Magic Kingdom? Are you excited for these modifications and additions? Ideas on any of the brand new or modified dishes mentioned right here? Do you agree or disagree with my evaluation? Any questions we will help you reply? Listening to your suggestions–even whenever you disagree with us–is each fascinating to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!