WDW Dining News and Updates
*New Dining Options at Disney's Animal Kingdom:
Guests traveling to Asia in Disney's Animal Kingdom are in for an exotic treat as the parks newest restaurant, Yak & Yeti, is open. The restaurant features an atmosphere inspired by the Himalayan foothills, blending in with the surrounding Himalayan village and nearby attraction -Expedition Everest. The restaurant features both indoor sit down dining (with seating for up to 250) and outdoor counter service dining (with seating for up to 350), both with menus filled with Asian-Fusion offerings.

Elsewhere at Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Tusker House (located in Africa) is now a buffet restaurant, (rather than a counter service eatery). In addition to the new look, a character breakfast - Donald's Safari Breakfast is offered in the morning (from 8 am -10:30 am) replacing Donald's Breakfastosaurus (located at the Restaurantosaurus in Dinoland). Restaurantosaurus, located in the DinoLand U.S.A., no longer offers a character breakfast however remains open as a quick-service restaurant (open from 11:30 am until park closing). For detailed reviews and menus of these and other Animal Kingdom eateries, Click Here.

*Disney’s testing out an all new automated ordering system in order to help alleviate the lengthy lines often found at the theme parks counter service eateries. Currently, Pecos Bill (in the Magic Kingdom) guests will find several ordering screens located just to the left of the regular lines. They can simply plug in their order (though at the moment only a partial menu is available – it is after still in testing phases), pay (by credit card, Disney gift card, or Room Charge, or Disney Dining Plan only – no cash), and pick up their order at the counter. While the machines are currently incapable of accepting special orders(and again, only a limited menu is available) it wouldn’t surprise me to see the automated systems make their way into more counter service eateries in the very near future.

*Dining with the parks most popular princess has, as of November 11th, 2007 increased. The cost of dining with Cinderella (and the Fairy Godmother) at Cinderella’s Royal Table now costs:

Breakfast: Adults (ages 10 and up) $32.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $22.99
Lunch: Adults (ages 10 and up) $35.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $23.99
Dinner: Adults (ages 10 and up) $40.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $25.99

*Princess Storybook Dining at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall as of April 27 2008 includes a photo package ( similar to the character meal offered at Cinderella's Royal Table).

Breakfast: Adults (ages 10 and up) $28.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $12.99
Lunch: Adults (ages 10 and up) $30.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $13.99
Dinner: Adults (ages 10 and up) $35.99, Kids (ages 3-9) $14.99

As for all character dining experiences, holiday pricing is in effect during select times throughout the year. Meals will cost approximately 5 dollars more during this time.
For details go to www.disneyworld.com


Thirsty kids? Free drink refills (milk, juice, water, and soda pop – not including specialty drinks) are now available for kids ages 3-9 at Disney’s various sit down restaurants.

*After a day at the parks, parents in need of a trendy tea-infused cocktail can now sit and sip the latest in designer drinks at select Disney restaurants and lounges. Exotic combinations include concoctions like the Zen-tini with Skyy citrus vodka and green tea liqueur; the Lemon Verbena Martini with Ketel One Citroen and lemon verbena tea, and the Iced Chai Tea Latte with Malibu coconut rum, chai tea and half & half. Hot afterdinner drinks are available as well and include the Cassis Infusion with cassis tea and Chambord, and the Vanilla Rooibos Soother with Navan vanilla cognac and vanilla rooibos tea.

*New Dining Options at Epcot: Replacing the popular L'Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante (located in Epcot’s Italy pavilion) is Tutto Italia. Tutto, however, is only a temporary replacement. A permanent restaurant, yet to be named, is slated to debut in the fall of 2008. Both establishments will be run by the Patina Restaurant Group. For detailed reviews and menus, for these and other Epcot eateries, Click Here.

Japan, China and Mexico have also updated (and are still in the process of updating) their various dining experiences. Japan's Tempura Kiku and Matsunoma Lounge has been replaced with Tokyo Dining, a restaurant featuring traditional Japanese cuisine, with an emphasis on sushi, all served in an innovative and creative style. The teppanyaki dining room, after having undergone extensive renovations, has now reopened as Teppan Edo. While retaining its original appeal - chefs expertly slicing, dicing, and preparing your meal right before your eyes, it now features a far more chic and upscale interior. China’s Lotus Blossom Café has been renovated and now features an updated menu. New items include Beijing barbecue chicken, sesame chicken salad and rou jia mo (sliced beef served in a toasted wheat flatbread). The Nine Dragons is a work in progress, slated to close in the spring of 2008 for renovations. Improvements are said to include the addition of an all new exhibition kitchen which will allow guests to interact directly with the restaurants chefs.

In Mexico, a new tequila bar will be added to the indoor courtyard in the summer of 2008 (located next to the existing restaurant) while outside, the ever popular outdoor Cantina de San Angel has expanded and now includes additional seating. A new menu will be offered at the Cantina in the summer of 2008.

For detailed reviews and menus, for these and other Epcot eateries, Click Here.

*Il Mulino recently opened its doors at the Walt Disney World Swan. This chic Italian eatery (the original a favorite New York City hot spot for over 25 years), features an extensive and tasty menu filled with fresh pastas, meats, and seafood - a sampling of which include seared red snapper with cherry tomatoes, garlic, pancetta and white wine served over broccoli rabe; sauteed veal scaloppini and prosciutto with spinach and sage served in a white wine sauce; and baby shrimp with clams, mussels, scungilli and calamari served in a spicy red or garlic white wine sauce among others. The warm and welcoming interior mixes exposed brick, wood, and stainless steel to create a trendy upscale feel. A bit pricier than most of Disney’s dining options, this one may be best saved for an evening out on the town without the kids.

Other WDW Restaurant News:
* At Downtown Disney, guests will be able to dine face-to-face with a dinosaur at T-Rex:A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place to Eat, Shop, Explore and Discover, which combines table-service dining and retail in an interactive prehistoric environment built around water, fire and ice.