Rob: In this episode of the Earscouts podcast, we're starting a brand new series about the most delicious food at the most magical place on Earth, and we're beginning with the Magic Kingdom. Hi-ho everybody, this is Rob with Ear Scouts coming to you from our makeshift studio here in Celebration, Florida. Joining me as always is the other half of Ear Scouts, Eric. Hi-ho, Eric.

Erick: I hope everyone.

Rob: Eric is also here in celebration and he's going to be keeping up with the live chat over on Patreon. If you'd like to join us live as we record each and every episode of the Ear Scouts podcast, head on over to patreon.com forward slash Ear Scouts. Also, you get to take part in our Patreon exclusive after party, which is going to be extra fun tonight. Also joining us from the great state of Indiana is our good friend and resident Disney trivia guru Quizmaster Craig. Hi, ho, Craig.

Craig: Hiho everybody.

Rob: And also with us from the lovely state of Connecticut, where she is also the host of Jessica Scraps on YouTube. It's our good friend, Jessica. Hi-ho, Jessica.

Jessica: Hello everyone, and I am just wishing everyone tomorrow morning on the Patreon who's listening to this, tomorrow morning is Princess Run Disney Event, Log On and Try to Get. So I know we have got a lot of Patreon people watching right now, so good luck and may the force be with you. So we will log in tomorrow together at 10 o'clock and then we'll get on the Patreon to see who actually got into the Princess. So.

Rob: Is there a Princess Leia ⁓

Jessica: There's not, if there was this would be a lot more stressful for me, but there is Princess Tiana, which is John's favorite movie, is Princess, one of his favorite movies, Princess and the Frog, and he'd really like to do the Tiana 5K. So we are hoping to get in the Tiana 5K. So that'll be fun.

Rob: Mm-hmm. Good luck. You guys have been really bitten by the run Disney bug, because you just did your very first run Disney race and already you're like, you're ready for the next.

Erick: Yeah.

Jessica: Well, is, yeah, this is the first time we can actually sign up for another one. And it doesn't mean we'll get in. It just means I'm willing to sit in the virtual queue with all the crazy people and try. So I'm willing to give it a try.

Rob: Good luck. So in today's episode, we are starting a new series where we're going to be talking about our favorite foods at Walt Disney World. And as soon as we started talking about doing this, we were like, OK, there is way too much food at Walt Disney World for us to be able to talk about our favorites all in one episode. So we're actually going to make this a series. And we're beginning with what I think is probably the most challenging part. when it comes to picking your favorite foods and that is Magic Kingdom because there's a lot of things to love about Magic Kingdom. And as we're gonna talk about today, there are some delicious food items to love at Magic Kingdom, but there's also a whole lot of places that it's just gonna kind of be your garden variety, chicken tenders and hamburgers. There's not as many creative and adventurous food items at Magic Kingdom as you're gonna find at some of the other parks. But there are still some very delicious things and some hidden surprises if you know where to look. So we're going to start by sharing our favorite places to look. Jessica, why don't you start us off? What is your first favorite food item when you're at the Magic Kingdom?

Jessica: So my absolute favorite and the one I get almost every trip are the make your own popcorn in the Main Street Confectionery. I believe it's called Colonel Kitchen. And for those of you that are unfamiliar, ⁓ if you enter the confectionery and you go to the right, all the way back, of upper ramp is a, ⁓ it might be down a ramp. I'm trying to remember if it's up or down. But ⁓ upper ramp, there is a station where they have different popcorns.

Rob: I think it's upper ramp.

Jessica: and then different toppings and different chocolate sauces, and you can make your own popcorn treat. it can be, they're all pretty sweet, but they have different popcorn options. ⁓ And it's just a really fun thing to bring home. The other thing I really do like is for just about every holiday you can imagine, they have a pre-made design that typically is, is within the range, either less than or less than you would pay if you got all of those ingredients yourself. And it's usually fun themed to Easter, spring, summer, Halloween, whatever it is, and it's a fun little treat. So that's the one that I bring home quite a bit. I love the fact that you get pretzels and Snickers on butter popcorn with dark chocolate. It's just, to me, it's just like, it's a top 10. So. I absolutely, I absolutely love that. Have you all, I'm assuming everybody's had it, but you all had that one?

Craig: Mm.

Rob: That's one of our favorites too, Craig.

Craig: Well, no, just because I don't do popcorn and sweets. But I did, was, one of the things we're going to talk about are things that we've missed that are not no longer available at the Magic Kingdom. And I had asked, do they still have caramel corn and cheese corn mixed? Because that's like my favorite. I never used to get it. And then unfortunately Robin informed me that cheese corn is no longer available at the Magic Kingdom, which is very sad.

Rob: ⁓ huh. Yeah.

Jessica: Yeah, see in the chat people are asking if it's messy. Here's the thing, it is messy. It is messy. What we usually do is we take it, we get it at the end of the night. We eat a little bit while we're watching the fireworks or waiting for the fireworks. And then we take it back to wherever we're staying and we put it in the refrigerator so that it kind of hardens. And then we eat it slowly over the trip. Maybe break off some, put it in a plastic bag, take it with us. You can kind of make it a little less messy that way.

Rob: Yes.

Erick: A little bit.

Rob: Thanks.

Jessica: I will say it can survive an entire flight home to Connecticut and last for about two weeks. Like I ate on one of those for a while.

Rob: Hahaha. That's interesting because for me, it's never made it past the monorail or ferry. It's gone before I get to the other end of one of those. Yeah.

Jessica: ⁓

Erick: Yeah.

Jessica: Well, because of the way my family is, it's me and Drew are the two that really, really love it. And so if he's not with me, like it can last a lot longer. And then Drew and I can make it disappear when we get home. So if you haven't given it a try, to me, it's one of the best sweet treats in the heart.

Rob: It's one of those things too, that you kind of make it your own, right? Everyone's going to have a different favorite popcorn mix that they do there. you know, I think sometimes I'm behind someone in line and I hear all the things that they're putting in there and I'm like, wow, that definitely doesn't sound like something that I would want to eat. But, you know, for them, that's the perfect popcorn mix. So that's the beauty of this treat. ⁓

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: So I'm to start with another sweet treat that is one of my favorites. And this is also, think, one of Eric's favorites, the pineapple upside down cake at Aloha Isle. But there's a secret. You do not want to order it as it comes. By default, it's going to come with pineapple, dull whip or vanilla or a swirl. And I don't know, to me, the pineapple, dull whip on top of the pineapple upside down cake is just pineapple overload.

Erick: Yes.

Rob: What I like to do instead is get the coconut Dole Whip. And I don't know why they don't promote that as an option because they have coconut Dole Whip there. The downside, I will say, to coconut Dole Whip, it is the one that is not dairy free. So it is not vegan. If you're avoiding dairy, then you would want to go with the traditional pineapple Dole Whip. But if you just want a creamy, sweet, delicious treat, coconut Dole Whip all day long.

Jessica: Mm.

Rob: I love sometimes just getting coconut and dole it by itself. the other thing I should mention about the pineapple upside down cake, it does matter whether it's fresh or not. We've had it when it was clearly a fresh batch and it's just heavenly. And we had it other days where it's just kind of okay because it's been sitting for a while. But even when it's been sitting a while, it's still good. All right, Craig, what is your first pick for the Magic Kingdom?

Craig: Okay, well this should not be much of a surprise for our loyal listeners because every time we talk about food I seem to bring up the Orinoco Aida's Kachapas from Skipper Canteen. So here's the basics from the menu. And the other nice thing about Skipper Canteen, if you haven't been, ⁓ they tell corny jokes just like they do on Jungle Cruise. very... it's associated with the Jungle Cruise. So on the menu it says, and you thought our jokes were corny, haha. ⁓ But it comes with house-made corn cochapas, soffito braised pork, grilled corn salsa, queso fresco, and avocado crema. And basically, they're just these little corn cake discs with shredded pork, very tender spices, avocado crema that helps cool things down a little bit. It's not very spicy, but it just adds a nice level to the stronger flavors from the corn. Yeah, people ask me what else have I had there, and I'm like, nothing. That's not true. have had a few things, but normally it's like I don't try a lot of new things there because I like them so much. I love trying new things, but when there's something I love that much, it's hard to order something else.

Rob: So it's funny, I've had almost everything on the menu at Skipper Canteen. That is one of the few items I haven't tried. So definitely next time I get there, it's going to be on my list to try.

Jessica: Yeah, and I wish they did a chicken version of this or even a, I wish they did something, because if I just took the pork off, it wouldn't probably work. But ⁓ I wish they did something because every word in that except for pork, I love. So.

Craig: I know.

Rob: Eric, what are we hearing over from our friends on Patreon? Any early picks for their favorites in Magic Kingdom?

Erick: Yeah, well, ⁓ this disrupt was hoping for you, Craig, to mention the favorite treat from Skipper Gantin, which you just did. and also Paula mentioned that the favorite food of Magic Kingdom equals to the best of the worst. So

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Rob: Yes, yes, I would I would concur it is it is the worst of the parks but it does have some best of items for sure ⁓ Jessica what is our what is your next pick for your favorite food items at Magic Kingdom?

Craig: Yeah

Erick: Exactly.

Jessica: So I'm going to just talk about, this is kind of, it's a unique thing and it's maybe it's just me, but ⁓ I really enjoy Columbia Harbor House ⁓ as a quick service location. I think they have some really good, they have a salmon that's pretty healthy. They have ⁓ some, it's not quite as good as the UK, but they have what I think is elevated fried chicken fingers and fried shrimp. But to me, the thing that I love and I will get a side of is hush puppies. ⁓ Being a Southern girl that has moved to Connecticut, don't get me wrong, I love a lobster roll. It's great. Connecticut lobster roll is awesome. But you know we don't have in Connecticut? We don't have hush puppies. You know what you can't get in Connecticut is hush puppies. I can't find them anywhere. I know, it's ridiculous. They don't fry fish and they don't fry.

Rob: Wait, what? What?

Craig: That's insane.

Jessica: Hush puppies, it's the weirdest thing. Like, it's very distressing. ⁓ But, ⁓

Rob: ⁓ okay. Because Columbia Harbor House is themed to New England, right? mean, it's like a, it's a, yeah, yeah. Okay.

Jessica: Well, I know and it's not real. I don't, yeah. It is, yeah. Cause I grew up, mean, my great grandmother, hush puppies. I mean, we did that from Texas. But anyway, so Columbia Harbor house has this, has hush puppies. I mean, you can't get them in anywhere else that I can think of in Walt Disney World. And there have been multiple times with John, I'll be like, I just want a side of hush puppies. You can do whatever else it is you want to do.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Erick: Yeah.

Jessica: We'll get hush puppies and eat somewhere else, so.

Rob: There are some other places you can get hush puppies. Homecoming has the really delicious ones with the the yeah. ⁓ yeah. In the parks.

Jessica: ⁓ really, where else?

Craig: I'm homecoming.

Jessica: ⁓ Homecoming, yeah, I was thinking in park, yeah. Yeah.

Rob: don't know. they do they not have them?

Jessica: Yeah, Homecoming is an elevated, is a really good hush puppy. I don't disagree, but that's not a fast food hush puppy, which the Columbia Harbor House is a really good fast food hush puppy in my opinion.

Craig: Mm-hmm. Right? ⁓ I mean, yeah, hutch puppies is one of my favorite things in the world as well. I, unfortunately, they're not good for me, but it's good to know they're, it's good to know, right? It's good to know they're, it's good to know they are, you know, good and flavorful and not hard rocks.

Rob: Yeah.

Jessica: Yeah. ⁓ they're not good for anybody.

Rob: Hahaha!

Jessica: They're very flavorful. They're very good. I think, and like I said, in general, Columbia Harbor House for me is a really good quick service in Magic Kingdom. I think it's one of those places you can go and kind of be, it's consistent, ⁓ at least with the fried food and the salmon. I know I've not had their lobster roll, but I've had some, most of the other food. So that's mine, Hush Puppies.

Rob: And it's an option. I mean, if you avoid the fried things, there are some healthy things. As you mentioned, there's the salmon. I actually really like their green beans there. It's a really good, ⁓ well seasoned green bean side that I sometimes get. But.

Jessica: The salmon. But I don't think they're vegetarian. I think they're really good because they're seasoned with bacon. Don't quote me on that, but some of the fast food green beans in quick service, I'm fast food, quick service green beans, just if you are an actual vegan or vegetarian, make sure you ask because some of those are cooked ⁓ with meat product that makes, and that's why they taste good. And that's why they taste good.

Rob: ⁓ well. Mm-hmm. Well, that would explain why I like them so much. So for my next pick, we're gonna go back to Skipper Canteen. Skipper Canteen is, think, most people will tell you who have eaten at all of the different restaurants at Magic Kingdom that Skipper Canteen is probably the best of the table service restaurants in terms of quality of food. And the curried vegetable crew stew is one of my favorites, because I'm not a huge meat eater. I mean, I eat meat, but especially on like a big like hot park day, just kind of, don't usually want a big heavy meat meal. I usually want something a little bit lighter. And the crew stew ⁓ is as described on the menu, a favorite of the crew, stew crew, especially stew. ⁓ It is pineapple tofu, seasonal vegetables, house-made curry sauce and coconut rice. And yeah, it's the... It's got the the tofu is fried, so it's not completely healthy, but it is compared to most of the things that you're going to find on the menus at Magic Kingdom. You can get a lot of vegetables. It's going to be a well balanced meal, and it's pretty tasty. And that's kind of for me. I'm always looking for what's a meal that's not going to make me feel blah for the rest of the day. Now, as you can see with the rest of this list. There are some things that I just get because they're delicious. But when I'm looking for a meal to power me through my park day, crew stew is one of my favorites. Craig, what is your next ⁓

Craig: my next pick is the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls at the Spring Roll Cart just beyond the entrance to Fantasyland, sorry, Adventureland from the Hub. ⁓ Now Disney doesn't publish these ingredients anywhere, but I did find them on the internet, so they may not be exactly correct, but ⁓ the ingredients ground beef, diced onions, cheese, dill pickles, yellow mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire, Worcestershire sauce in an egg roll wrapper and that's deep fried and it comes with a dipping sauce very similar to Big Mac sauce. I'm sure anyone who has heard about snacks or studied the snacks at Disney World or Magic Kingdom know about the Cheeseburger Spring Rolls. They're exceedingly popular. Here's one thing, there's always a huge line outside this little cart. However, it moves so fast, so do not be daunted by that. But yeah, these are just hot little delicious things. I tried to eat four of them once and that was a mistake. Not because they weren't delicious, but my stomach was not happy with myself after that. yeah, I guess I should qualify. I am type 2 diabetic. mean, it's very well in check. I don't even take any medicines for that now. It's just diet and exercise. on vacation, carbs don't count from what I've been told. So that's a good thing for me. ⁓

Jessica: You

Rob: Hahaha! part of the Disney magic.

Craig: But yeah, so you'll see a lot of things that I shouldn't be eating, but I do, and I'm fine with that.

Rob: So the cheeseburger spring rolls I love. also pretty much I love any of the spring rolls they put on that cart. I mean, there's usually that and there's usually the pepperoni pizza spring rolls. ⁓ And if you want, you can get them to give you one in one. That's an option. So there's usually two on offer. You can pick one in one for the different parties. They'll have special spring rolls. think Eric, one of your favorite things you've had ever at Magic Kingdom was from the spring roll cart. Wasn't it one of the parties?

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Erick: Yes, there was like ⁓ during the Halloween parties they have I I honestly I can I can't remember the name of it, but it was ⁓ what it yeah, it was made out of pork, which in Mexico you will call it like chicharrón prensado, which basically is like the skin of the pork with with salsa. And wow, it was really, really good. I I told Rob that I wanted to go back just just to buy that. Like that was one of my favorite things.

Rob: It was porn. Yeah, and we, don't think we, unfortunately we didn't make it back, but hopefully it will return this year. And if so, we will make a beeline for the spring roll cart.

Erick: I mean late lately, like in the Magic Kingdom, I have seen the line going all the way back ⁓ almost to the old Christmas shop. So it it's I I was surprised yes, I was surprised of how long the line was for the for the spring rolls. It was crazy.

Rob: Wow. Yeah, for those of you who are not familiar with the layout of Magic Kingdom, basically that means the line is going from the entrance of one land of Adventureland all the way to the entrance of another land, is Liberty Square. So yeah, that would be a very long line.

Erick: ⁓ very quickly, Jules asked if ⁓ well, Jules said that ⁓ she heard that they are at the resort now. Does anyone know if that's true?

Rob: Yes, yes, they're at, ⁓ where, which resort? It's there. It was one of the resorts started, started to carry them. Yes, I did see that on because they're they're doing this weird thing. I think it's weird where they take they're taking these items that have been exclusive to certain places forever and ever. And they're bringing them to resorts. ⁓ I don't know if the goal is to get.

Craig: She said Saratoga has him, she said.

Rob: people to eat more at the resorts, like to draw people who would normally be eating somewhere else. But it's interesting because like the churro waffles, for example, have been exclusive to the cruise line and to a restaurant that think Jessica's going to speak of in Magic Kingdom. ⁓ But now you can get them at Caribbean Beach at the Spyglass Grill, which is that sort of kind

Erick: Mm.

Rob: glorified pool bar that's kind of off on its own away from the rest of the dining there. ⁓

Erick: So Jules just replied back and she said that she found it and they are they they do have them in Saratoga Springs. So mm-hmm.

Rob: Saratoga, yeah. Interesting. And the nice thing about Saratoga, though, you can walk to Saratoga Springs very easily from Disney Springs. So if you don't have tickets to the Magic Kingdom and you really want to try some of those spring rolls, just head over to Disney Springs and take the walk over to Saratoga. And you can apparently now try them there. That's very exciting news for those of us who love delicious Disney food that is starting to branch out. Jessica, what is your next pick for ⁓ Magic Kingdom treats?

Jessica: next treat is available from sunshine tree terrace, and it is the iLava U Float. Now. It is a weird thing for some people to love, I know, but it is strawberry soda, strawberry Fanta, and that takes me back to childhood. It is orange Dole Whip, which makes it like a float. And then the most important part of this whole thing, after you put some passion fruit syrup on it, is it's topped with Pop Rocks. It is topped with Pop Rocks. And I'm that person, I love Pop Rocks. I used to like spoon Pop Rocks in everything when I was a kid. And there's something about having a treat that has Pop Rocks in it. They've done it a couple times at the special holiday parties. They've added Pop Rocks to things. And I am the person that will go and get the Pop Rocks. I just love that it has Pop Rocks. And I will go and get this. I love that you float. And then go to do Tiki Room. Instead of getting the pineapple Dole Whip, I will get this one and take it in there. And I just absolutely love it. But it's a lot of it has to do with the Pop Rocks. And if you would bring me extra pop rocks, I would have extra pop rocks. I just think they're awesome. So ⁓ love it, love it, love it.

Rob: There was actually a, it was kind of like a lava cake that was at the American Adventure Pavilion for one of the festivals. And it had pop rocks inside of it, which I mean, you know, lava like exploding. I get the connection there, but it was the funniest thing that was watching people eat it who had no idea that it was going to be in. Cause I mean, you just don't expect.

Jessica: Mm-hmm. Yes, there was. It had pop rocks. It was so good!

Rob: you know chocolate lava cake to start popping in your mouth. That's not what your you know people were very startled.

Jessica: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. They were startled, and yet it was the best thing ever. I'm telling you, you add Pop Rocks to anything, I'm happy.

Rob: So my next ⁓ treat is really, it's more than treat. It's actually the whole darn restaurant I love. But specifically, my favorite thing about this restaurant is the dessert. And it's actually not one restaurant, it's two because they have the exact same menu. I'm talking, of course, about Liberty Tree Tavern and the Diamond Horseshoe. So right now, unfortunately, well, fortunately, there is entertainment at the Diamond Horseshoe. There's a sort of a Jesse's Roundup show. And when they announced that I was so excited because I thought finally we're going to have dining and entertainment at the Diamond Horseshoe again. But no, the dining has ceased while there is the show. in the summer, you will not unfortunately able to have this menu at the Diamond Horseshoe, but it will be at Liberty Tree and it'll be back at Diamond Horseshoe in the fall. But ⁓ the menu is basically Thanksgiving dinner ⁓ with some extra bonus ⁓ meat ⁓ because ⁓ there's turkey. ⁓ It with a salad. It's a very nice salad with cheese and cranberries and it's very kind of a Thanksgiving-y salad. Then there's turkey, pot roast and pork loin served with mashed potatoes, gravy, seasonal vegetables, which to me, I think are always green beans. I don't think I've ever seen anything that's not green beans, but it says seasonal vegetables. So they have some wiggle room there. And there's stuffing, the herb stuffing. And I'm a stuffing junkie.

Jessica: You Mmm.

Erick: Okay.

Rob: It's rare that you can find stuffing when it's not Thanksgiving season. So I love that that's there all year round. And they also have mac and cheese, which I found to be a little hit or miss. But when it's good, it is good. But the star is the ooey gooey toffee cake served with ⁓ it's a vanilla toffee cake served with chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream. I'll be honest, I don't remember there being chocolate sauce, but that's what the menu says. I just remember the gooey toffee. and the ice cream. And this is one of those restaurants where they will keep bringing you more of whatever that you want. So if you finish off all of the turkey and you want more turkey, they'll bring you more turkey. And I always, I try to resist. always end up getting a double serving of the ooey gooey toffee cake, because it is so good. It's so delicious. Eric, you've had the the ooey gooey toffee cake and can you will you concur that it's.

Erick: I love it. I love the flavor. love the texture. ⁓ And just it's ⁓ I I will eat it. I will eat like ⁓ multiple of those I I just have to control my th my my myself. But it's really, good.

Rob: Yeah. Craig, what is your next pick for Magic Kingdom deliciousness?

Craig: Okay, so my next pick is kind of a cross between Jessica's I Lava You float and Rob's Pineapple Down Cake with Coconut Dole Whip, and that is the Tropical Serenade float that you can get at Aloha Isle. Now that is, ⁓ basically it's the coconut soft serve in a float with Pog Juice. ⁓ And if you're familiar with Pog Juice, it's passion fruit.

Jessica: Mmm.

Craig: orange juice and guava juice all mixed together. You'll find that at several ⁓ restaurants throughout property. And it also comes with a pineapple upside down cake, ⁓ cake pop garnish. ⁓ And yeah, it's, ⁓ gosh, it was so good. First time I had one, I knew I was in trouble because I ate the whole thing. Luckily, I'm not a fan of cake pops, so at least that part I was able to put aside, but.

Rob: Hahaha.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Craig: Yeah, it's just the coconut with those juices. It's fresh, sweet, not overly sweet, but yeah, just the combination is pure heaven for me.

Jessica: Does it have pop rocks?

Rob: Yeah.

Craig: It does not have Pop Rocks. I'm sorry, but you can eat it in Enchanted Tiki Room and not disturb your neighbor because of all the popping. So there is a plus.

Rob: Ha ha ha ha.

Jessica: Darn it.

Rob: Yeah. ⁓ do the coconut Dole Whip. ⁓ just ⁓ think it is the ⁓ the greatest all the Dole Whips. ⁓ And I that that's a sacrilege because pineapple Dole Whip is the official Dole Whip but ⁓ I'm coconut the way.

Craig: Mm-hmm. I'm with you 100 % on that. Not everyone loves it. I mean, I think it's one of those love-hate things. I don't know if anyone is ambivalent about it, but you gotta love coconut for sure.

Erick: Yeah. I agree.

Jessica: Well, I think as you have to like coconut and also you have to be okay that it's not vegan.

Craig: call it coconut soft serve. do not call it coconut dole whip. ⁓ People do, but yeah, officially it is soft serve. Yeah.

Jessica: ⁓ they do call it coconuts officer. Okay.

Rob: Yeah.

Jessica: Okay, good. Then that makes me feel better. That makes me feel better.

Rob: All right. I learned something new because I always order it as coconut dole whip. But Eric, you do not typically care for coconut, right? Yeah. But you love coconut soft serve, not dole whip.

Erick: So there are some types of coconut that I don't like. The chewy ones and the one that leave traces on your mouth. Like I I hate that kind of coconut flavor. Yes. Yeah. ⁓ but like ⁓ in in the the one in the Dole Whip, I I really, really like it a lot. And especially with the with the upside down pineapple cake. That's just perfection.

Rob: Like the sawdust sensation.

Jessica: Mm.

Craig: texture can be a problem.

Rob: Mm-hmm, which is those like Craig was saying it's that combo the fruit and the and the fruit flavor and the coconut creamy Dole Whip well soft serve

Craig: Yeah, they used to call it a cockamore afloat and then they changed it to tropical serenade for whatever reason, guess. Moana was not as popular and I was waning in popularity.

Jessica: Ha ha.

Rob: Well Eric do we have any any suggestions questions or tips from our friends on patreon?

Erick: ⁓ so actually someone is suggesting that ⁓ one of the favorite things is vignettes. Although ⁓ well that's from Rachel. ⁓ that vignettes beignes are her favorite, although the French quarter ones are cooler.

Rob: Okay.

Erick: her her favorite thing is the sticky bubble bread for breakfast at the launching pan. Which

Rob: ⁓ yeah, we have that one. It was good. It was very good. I forgot about that. That's one of the newer additions to their menu and it is very good.

Jessica: not had those yet.

Rob: Yeah, agree. the so the beignet thing, I will say, yes, they are better at Port Orleans French Quarter, but that's because their beignets that they serve their number one, they have someone on staff making them all day long. That's all they do is like make the beignets because they have they take 24 hours for that for each batch of beignet to like kind of rise and do all the things it needs to do. And they just can't.

Erick: Yeah. Also.

Rob: they can't do that at Magic Kingdom. The volume just wouldn't allow 24 hours of rising for anything. that's why they're not quite as good at Magic Kingdom, but they do have delightful beignets.

Erick: Also well for Sherry, the whip in all its forms and flavors all day long. And well, a lot ⁓ some other things that came to the chat, we may or we may not talk about them, so I'm going to keep them for a little bit.

Rob: Okay, all right, all right, all right.

Jessica: Excellent.

Rob: Well, Jessica, what is the next thing that we may or may not talk about?

Jessica: So the next thing that we may or may not talk about is the Cheshire Cattail at Cheshire Cafe. ⁓ So this is just a, it's a quick kind of fun thing to me, much like a Mickey pretzel or Mickey bar. To me, the Cheshire Cattail with that purple and pink icing is kind of quintessential magic kingdom. ⁓ It's super fun. It is lighter to me than some of the other pastries that you get. It's lighter than a cinnamon roll. It has good flavor. ⁓

Rob: Mmm.

Jessica: And it's something, if it's not a thousand degrees outside, you can, it's not as messy. So I really, I really like them. They're just one of those things I would, I like to get in Magic Kingdom if I can. They also serve Joffrey's iced coffee there at the Cheshire Cafe, which is a really good place to go. And then we're going to talk a little bit about this later, but they have, sometimes they have a holiday version of the Cheshire Cattail.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: at parties, so sometimes they have, and it's really, guys, it's just different color icing. I don't wanna ruin it for anybody, but it's still fun. It's still fun. So I really like the Cheshire Cattail. It's one of those things that to me is quite essential. It's like getting a Mickey pretzel. It's something you should do.

Craig: Hehehehehe

Rob: Hahaha

Erick: Yeah.

Rob: So the funny thing about the Cheshire Cattail, it's popping up all over property. In fact, Joffreys now makes their own kind of version of the Cheshire Cattail. I mean, it's not decorated like the Cheshire Cattail, but it's the same concept. And I got to say, there's something about the original. None of the others are as good as the original Cheshire Cattail that you get at Magic Kingdom. So I concur. ⁓ So my next... ⁓

Jessica: ⁓ really? Mm. Yeah. Mm-hmm.

Rob: favorite food item is actually right around the corner from Cheshire Cafe. You're going to go from Fantasyland into New Fantasyland. And I'm cheating because I'm doing a double from this one. But Gaston's Tavern ⁓ recently added some things to their menu. By recently, I mean the last year or so. It's not that recent. But if you haven't been there in a while, they've updated their menu and they have a ham and Gruyere They used to have an old version of the ham and Gruyere sandwich, which was also delicious, but this new version is decadent. It is basically a ham and Gruyere croissant because they, instead of doing it in traditional bread, it's like croissant bread. And it is just delightful. And then they also have a creme brulee croissant, ⁓ same croissant crust, but it's got a creme brulee style vanilla filling. These are both, mean, neither one of these is a healthy choice for your Magic Kingdom Day, but they are both delicious choices for your Magic Kingdom Day. And I always forget about Gaston's because it's kind of, if you do the loop and you don't have a reason to go back into New Fantasyland, you just kind of forget about it. Do not forget about it. If you've never been, go check it out. It's also just really cool in there because I don't know if you know this, but He likes to decorate with antlers, Gaston does. And ⁓ it's a spectacle to see. I know, I think we're going talk some more about Gaston's later as well, aren't we?

Jessica: Think a little bit.

Rob: Little bit. Yeah, but Craig. What is your was your next pick for? favorite food item

Craig: OK, well after being in the park for a while, I think it's time to settle down. Maybe have a nice cocktail. So we're going to go to the Beacon Barrel and my favorite is called the Barrels Ablaze and that is Jack Daniel's whiskey, honey, lemon and chili. ⁓ Basically it's a spicy whiskey sour and it really is my. I think it's my favorite pre made cocktail on property, ⁓ which puts a step below a lot of other things available.

Rob: ⁓

Craig: But as far as the pre-made ones that you get at like Ogas Canteen, Bink and Barrel, ⁓ the Barrel's Ablaze is my favorite. like that nice little spice. I'm a whiskey drinker. ⁓ I like the tartness. don't think it's not too sweet either. So it just hits all the notes for me. I wish they had better food. That's my only thing. I really wanted to bring up something from there that I loved.

Jessica: Yeah, I you've...

Rob: Okay, I some news on that front, but you go ahead, Jessica.

Jessica: Oh dear. I was gonna say, I think you hit on it, Craig, 100%, which is normally when you go to the theme park, particularly the theme park, Kitchie, I'm looking at you, Ogus Canteen, restaurants, the cocktails, the pre-made cocktails are so sweet for real cocktail drinkers, they're not necessarily the best thing. But I completely agree with you. The Barrels of Blaze was probably one of the best. one of the best pre-made cocktails I've had anywhere, not just at a theme park, but it was really good. So that was a great choice. I completely forgot about Beacon Barrel, because I've only been there a couple of times. So good pull. I like it.

Rob: So we were just doing our new Magic Kingdom Lightning Lane video and we needed a big finish and the big finish was going to be happily ever after, but it was raining and we were like, you know, I don't think I want to do happily ever after in the rain. doesn't that's doesn't sound like a very fun finish. And we were able to get a last minute reservation for Beacon Barrel and we were just going to get a couple of things, you know, just a little some light bites and it was so good.

Jessica: You

Rob: that we ordered more and the food has really, it's the same menu, it's just the quality is way better than it was when it first opened. Yeah. ⁓

Jessica: ⁓ wow.

Erick: Yeah. Yeah.

Jessica: Did either of you have the dessert with the cake pop and the popcorn? Because I liked it. Is it still just okay though? I mean, is it much better? Okay, good. Okay.

Rob: We did. We had that.

Erick: Mm-hmm.

Rob: No, was was good. the the but the my favorite thing, I can't remember what it's called, but it's sort of like a corn. It's like a it's like a it's like an actually it's an arepa. think it's a corn arepa. And man, that thing was delicious this last time. They also have I think what they call the provisions, but it's basically their version of bread service. And that was also very, very good. The first time we had it, everything was just kind of

Erick: It it's better. It's better.

Craig: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Jessica: Yeah, it's a bread, like.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Erick: Okay.

Rob: meh like it wasn't great but this last time everything was firing on all cylinders really good

Erick: You you have to mention that the arepa that you like ⁓ better is the one without the meat though.

Jessica: Yeah, we've been there a couple.

Craig: Did you?

Rob: Yeah, that was a surprising thing. They're both good. But what's surprising, there's one with chicken and there's one that just has like corn and other vegetables. believe it or not, the vegetarian one was far and away the better of the two. It was really, really good.

Jessica: Yeah, we've been to Beacon Barrel a few times now, and the time we went with Craig is still like the best. We had the best time. And I don't know if it was just the company and the people at our table, and we were all talking and vibing. And I don't know if that was it or if it really was that much better. But I haven't been able to match that time, Craig. I haven't been able to match that. We'll get there. We're going to have to go back again. We have to go back in June.

Craig: Well, you and I are going to have to go in June then. We're going to have to go back and have a great time. I've always had a great time there,

Rob: Hahaha especially since you love the kachapas. Try the ⁓ arepa, one without the chicken. Delicious.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Erick: They repeat the thing.

Craig: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I think I did the chicken one time I did try it was and it was with Jessica and John but I did was Yeah Yeah, it everything is fine. Nothing's bad, but I just want something to be spectacular

Jessica: Mm. Yeah, we split it. wasn't bad. It just wasn't amazing.

Rob: Mm Yeah.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: Yeah. Eric, anything, what else is going on over on Patreon? Any?

Erick: is from Debbie G ⁓ G V. ⁓ I have heard that the food at BR is bad, but maybe it's just depends on the taste. love French food and wine. Rachel was ⁓ mentioning that for an unpopular opinion, ⁓ but I like ⁓ be our guest as experience and the wine flight. Although it was a few years ago. And Debbie was mentioning that it it was nice to posit positive reviews of be guests. ⁓ she's a big b ⁓ b ⁓ huge beauty and the bees fan, so we love to go, but ⁓

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Erick: She heard a lot of negatives, which I don't know, what what do you guys think?

Rob: Well, Jessica, you've had a positive experience at Be Our Guest, right?

Jessica: Right, I mean, we took, and as reminder, my child is named Belle. So just as a reminder, I'm predisposed to like the Beauty and the Beast restaurant. It was on my bucket list, I wanted to go. the food, we really enjoyed the food. The kids, and I say kids, they're all in their 20s. So ⁓ all the adults loved the food that they had there. I think John had a steak ⁓ and in the...

Craig: You

Jessica: problem we had and my kids will still tell you it was one of their favorite meals that they've had, their fancy meals at Disney World. It was great. But they didn't have to pay for it. My issue with Be Our Guest is the food was great. The food we had was good. It was good food. I could have saved probably $150, maybe more off the check and had just as good food at Steakhouse 71. And, and you know, it's, that's my problem. And it's not enough of an experience for our family just to have the beast walk through. So to me, the big issue is it's pre, it was prefix. It was very expensive. The wine was expensive. And although the food was good. So if you like the food and like me, beauty and the beast is your bucket list. I am so glad we did it. I am very glad we did it. It was a great experience.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: I have not done it again because I find like I can get the same quality food for less money at other places on property. ⁓ If Belle and the Beast actually were meeting guests, would pay that in a heartbeat. But because it's the character prefix cost without the real character interactions, bothers me a lot.

Rob: Hmm.

Craig: Yeah, I haven't been since like they first opened and then they had like a lunch menu and a dinner menu. It wasn't prefix. ⁓ We actually they tested the fast pass. This was soon after they opened and we got this an email saying we want you to try this fast pass for be our guest. So literally got us to the front of the line. And there used to be a huge line to to order for lunch because it was quick service. And that's in quotation marks. ⁓ But yeah, the food is great.

Rob: Yeah. ⁓ Mm-hmm.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Craig: Ambience was wonderful, but one and done. And yeah.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: So we went for the first time, we went shortly after the pandemic. So probably not a fair judge because everything was kind of off right then after the pandemic. But I the food was really not good. Like nothing we had was good at that meal. And I have heard from multiple people, though, like you said, Jessica, that that was not that may not be the norm, especially anymore.

Jessica: Mm.

Rob: ⁓ We did go back for one of the parties. We went for the not so scary Halloween party and we actually included it in the video that year. I don't know that I would recommend going there during the party just because there's so many party things to do that, you know, it takes a lot of time to eat there. ⁓ But the food that we had at the party was delicious. It was, we were both shocked at how good it was for the party. So Maybe that bodes well for the daytime menu as well. Maybe it's a we should we should go back. We should try it again. We should give it another shot.

Erick: Just to give you a heads up, the presentation during the parties is not the best because the beast is the one who served it. So you will you will get that caught mess. But

Rob: Yeah The the food is plated by the beast at the parties. That's kind of part of the that's part of the theming. Yes Yeah It's pretty funny though. It's Yeah, so Okay, we're Thank you for that question. That was great to kind of do a little aside there about be our guest

Craig: Yeah. Mm-hmm. Yeah, I saw that. That's very cute.

Jessica: ⁓ wow, the shtick.

Erick: So

Jessica: Mmm, love it.

Rob: Jessica, what is your next pick for favorite food?

Jessica: So I'm transitioning from favorite food and my last two are gonna be kind of favorite places ⁓ to eat and I'm gonna do something I've talked about multiple times, which is Crystal Palace. ⁓ I do believe, I'm a big believer ⁓ in a ⁓ protein and a savory breakfast and I do believe the breakfast buffet, not just the churro waffles, but the breakfast buffet at Crystal Palace is a very good breakfast buffet.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: They have a cold salmon. They have all the things you're expecting. They have a good eggs. They have good chicken. They have a salad bar. They have all the things you're expecting from. I think they have biscuits and gravy if you're like into that. So they have all the things you're expecting from a buffet. It is one of the few places kind of you can get breakfast early on at Magic Kingdom. So if you want to eat early and then get in the lines and start your lightning lanes, you're not waiting. on that. So I really give a huge shout out to Crystal Palace. ⁓ Even if they didn't have the Winnie the Pooh characters, I would probably eat there. And in fact, if they didn't have the Winnie the Pooh characters and they lowered the price, I would probably eat there more often. ⁓ And the only thing that keeps me from eating there more often is it is kind of, it's a character meal, so it's in the more expensive, but breakfast is pretty reasonable. I wish it was on the 40 % know, pass holder dining plan. It's not. But if it was, we would be eating there.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: So big shout out to Crystal Palace for breakfast specifically. ⁓ John and I have not been for lunch or dinner. ⁓ We just haven't been because we're a big breakfast people.

Rob: I'm not a huge fan of there for lunch or dinner, but it is beautiful inside. And I've got to say, ever since you've talked about breakfast, I cannot wait. And people agree with you. You can very easily find reservations for Crystal Palace for anything except for breakfast. Breakfast is really tough to get. I mean, it's like up there with getting Cinderella's Royal Table. You got to book it really far in advance to be able to get breakfast a lot of times at Crystal Palace.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: When I finally get around to being able to book it, I'm excited to check it out. Yeah. So my next pick is from a restaurant that has been, let's just say somewhat maligned over the years at Magic Kingdom. Many people have said that it is the worst restaurant at Magic Kingdom, possibly the worst Italian restaurant in the world, possibly the Olive Garden of

Craig: You

Rob: the Disney parks. I'm talking of course about Tony's Town Square restaurant and I have some good news to share and that is this restaurant has gotten better. It is not the Tony's that you remember from from years ago. Now is it amazing? Is it going to make you think you've been transported to Italy? No, but there are some delicious things on the menu and one of those delicious things is Tony's garlic bread for the table. And garlic bread, kind of hard to mess that one up, but they really up their game by adding a Parmesan fondue test. it's kind of like a, it's basically like Alfredo sauce, but it's a Parmesan fondue that ⁓ they kind of drizzle all over the top of the roasted garlic buttered ciabatta. And it's delightful. It's really good. The only problem with it is that you just want to eat a ton of it and then you're not really that hungry for your actual meal. But that's okay, because it's probably going be the best thing you eat during your meal. enjoy. And we're going to talk a little bit more about Tony's a little bit later. So I'm going to pass the baton to Craig. What is your next pick for Magic Kingdom?

Craig: Okay, so you might have noticed that everything I've talked about so far is in Adventureland and my last pick is also coming from Adventureland. And then we're going back to Skipper Canteen. And it is the and I quote, Niles and Niles of rice noodles. It's called Nile Nellie's noodle ball and it's stir-fried shrimp, tamarind sauce, toasted peanuts, crispy garlic, egg and fresh basil. ⁓ I love Asian food. I love noodles. ⁓ I really enjoyed this dish.

Rob: You

Jessica: Ha

Rob: Hahaha!

Erick: Ha ha ha

Craig: And I've tried pretty much, I lied earlier, I've tried like the Hardy Har Char Siu Pork, ⁓ tastes like chicken because it is. And they're very good, but the other ones I'd have to say the Nile Nellie's Noodle Bowl is my favorite entree for sure.

Rob: in general, ⁓ I think the food at Skipper Canteen is ⁓ of a pretty quality. So look at the menu, ⁓ whatever Suits your personal taste buds. Give it a whirl and you probably won't be disappointed because they got good stuff over there ⁓ Eric anything else from patreon before we move on to our final favorites?

Erick: From Raya and Lauren. we didn't go to Tony's previously when it was bad. But we

Rob: Hahaha!

Erick: But we were there in the last year and like it. And also, this is from the Wade family. ⁓ My son loves Fettuccine Alfredo at Tony's. He goes to Tony's every trip as a result. Which I don't have we tried, Rob?

Rob: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. I don't think we've had the fettuccine Alfredo there. ⁓ But yeah, I generally, I think because I always love to get that, the fondue to like with the garlic bread. I usually feel too guilty to get another heavy cream sauce for my entree. like, no, I should have something with some color in it, some vegetables or something. But yeah, I bet it is good.

Craig: Mm-hmm. Yeah, I mean, I have been there in the dark ages, so to speak, and I thought it was fine. mean, I guess I wasn't expecting a lot knowing that it wasn't the greatest, but it was was perfectly fine spaghetti meatballs, salads. mean, but it's good to know that they're stepping up and because that's a great space. It's such a lovely restaurant and great location, et cetera. But.

Rob: ⁓ yeah. I'll say if you're not aware, it's ⁓ themed to ⁓ Lady and the So if you loved that scene ⁓ where Lady and the Tramp are the spaghetti noodle, ⁓ that happened ⁓ right outside of Town Square And ⁓ there's some artwork in there commemorating moment. ⁓

Erick: Lady of the Trump. There is the footprint on the ground.

Rob: Mm-hmm. If you're a Lady and the Tramp fan, that's another reason I think to check out Tony's Town Square. Jessica, what is your final pick for your favorite food items Magic Kingdom?

Craig: You

Jessica: So this is kind of less than of a favorite, more of a surprise. And that is Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe. ⁓ The last, I would say three or four times we have been to Magic Kingdom. I have been surprised at how good the quick service food has been from Starlight. ⁓ I am not, and John too, whether it's a random burger or in my case, ⁓ you know, the kids chicken sandwich. The food has been really good there and I remember before and the french fries were really, you know, fresh and good. I remember in the dark ages, much like Tony's, we would never go to go there because it was soggy fries and it wasn't great. And I just wanted to give him a shout out because the last few times we've been, it's been really good. And particularly for me, the kids grilled chicken sandwich. which is just, it's just the right size. The kids version is just the right size. comes with cuties and french fries and it's just like this perfect, like perfect park meal that's not too big. And I love that they have the grilled chicken sandwich. Not all the places have grilled chicken. A lot of them will give you ⁓ chicken fingers or mac and cheese. This is a solid, healthy, you know, meal that you can get. and you can order it off the kids menu and I think it was only $8. Because John and I both, we went separate ways that day to get food and then came back and I was like, I paid $8 and got all of this and he paid like $15 and got a hot dog. So it was like, I won that competition. So just a shout out to Cosmic Race, plus it's a dinner show, it's music and it's a dinner show is there. So if you hang out with Sonny Eclipse, you get a good show.

Rob: Hahaha!

Craig: Hehehehehe

Erick: Yeah.

Rob: love sunny eclipse and If you're you're not down to eat at cosmic rays one thing that you should know You are invited to bring your food from any of the nearby restaurants including lunching pad outside You can take that tray and bring it right in and sit down and enjoy the show with sunny eclipse and that is perfectly okay I will agree, though, that Cosmic Rays has been good the last couple of times we've been.

Craig: Yeah, I was just there in April. I hadn't been in a long time, but they had a black garlic truffle burger that it was very good. I mean, I don't know. It wouldn't take me back there, but if I was back there for whatever reason, yeah, I would order it again.

Rob: my final ⁓ similar to is about ⁓ a healthier that you can get in the parks with quick service. This is my go-to, really, now for when I'm getting lunch at Magic Kingdom. I love Pecos Bill, Tall Tale Inn and Cafe, because yes, they do have some unhealthy things on the menu, if that's what you're aiming for. You can get a ⁓ big plate nachos if that's what you want. but they also have a really pretty good, ⁓ it's the Citrus Chipotle Chicken Southwest Caesar Salad. It's romaine tossed in a creamy salsa Verde dressing with pepitas, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and tortilla strips. And you can actually choose the protein you want. I always get the Citrus Chipotle Chicken with it, but they also have like a cola braised ⁓ beef that's really delicious. And they have a

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: pork as well. So you can choose what protein you want on that salad. But for me, I just as I mentioned earlier, when it's hot and it's summer and I'm in Magic Kingdom, I don't want something heavy. That's just going to make me feel like I want to take a nap in the middle of the day. This is the perfect light meal. You're going to actually get some vegetables in the Magic Kingdom, which is a rarity. And it's good. I mean, I think this is another restaurant that I think

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: Pecos Bill has always been pretty good, but they revamped the menu. All the proteins have been redone, and they're all really good. I love that cola braised beef as well. ⁓ But yeah, so I would say ⁓ put Pecos Bill on your radar if you're looking for a quick service meal and you want to have some healthy options for some members of your crew.

Craig: ⁓ Yeah, that's definitely on my list for my next trip to try that.

Rob: Yeah, it's really good. we want to switch gears now, though, and talk about some of the things that are no longer with us at Magic Kingdom, some snacks that have moved on to ⁓ maybe they're they're somewhere in the Haunted Mansion now. But we want these snacks to come back. ⁓ Craig, ⁓ why you start us off? What is what are the snacks that you miss from the Magic Kingdom?

Craig: You Okay, well I have a sweet snack and then I actually have an entree that is no longer with us. and this was I had this two years ago at the not so scary Halloween party and it came from any gravities and they had this sweet corn soft serve ice cream which they also made a candy corn Sunday out of. So it does. It's a soft serve and yes it just tastes like corn and I'm an Indiana boy. You know I love my corn so.

Rob: Hmm.

Jessica: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Mmm.

Rob: Hahaha

Erick: Ha ha

Craig: It was fantastic. liked I actually like the saucer better than I liked the Sunday with the candy. I'm not a huge. I'd like candy corn. It's OK. But with the butterscotch shell, I believe it was. Yeah, it was. I got that and we watched the fireworks from there and just ate that thing up. I don't know if it was there last year. I can't remember if I saw it or not. I didn't go to the party, but. That's sad. And then my next pick is from Liberty Tree Tavern before they went.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: I don't recall it from last year. Yeah.

Jessica: Mm-mm.

Craig: for the all you care to eat one menu thing. And it was called Amber Waves of Grain. And Rob, you would love this because it was ⁓ on grains. I think they used quinoa, which back then was kind of a new, no one ever heard of it kind of grain. And it was just roasted vegetables, all kinds. ⁓ just the flavoring, it was not your boring plate of vegetables whatsoever. Like they were so perfectly seasoned, perfectly cooked.

Jessica: Hmm

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: Mm.

Craig: And at that point, especially, it's like you would never catch me eating a full vegetable dish like that. But I remember that and it was just wonderful. I miss it.

Rob: Nice. I hope it comes back, because that's definitely something I would love to try. ⁓ Jessica, what are your dishes that you miss?

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: So the two things that I have are both from parties. ⁓ The first one is from Columbia Harbor House. There was a gingerbread cake. It was shaped like a little triangle and had a little gingerbread man on it. It was the best holiday dessert I've ever had. It was so good. And I wish they would have that all year round in some version of it. They needed, they need to have that. And then the second one, yes.

Rob: Hmm? That one has come back though for the last. I feel like the last two parties they've had it. So it's a good chance that we'll see that again for very Merry Christmas party this year.

Jessica: Yeah. Yeah. And I think they, one year they had it out, not just for very Merry Christmas. They had it out for Christmas season. Okay, good. Yeah.

Rob: Yeah, they have it. They have it the whole they have it all day long there because that one doesn't stay open very long into the very merry party. Yeah, it becomes a cookie location.

Craig: Mm.

Jessica: Yeah, was, it was, yeah, it was good. And then the other one is from the Halloween party, which is the grilled masa flat bread from Paco's Bills. And it was like pumpkin or sweet potato puree with like chicken on corn flat bread. And I know we have a lot of these kind of dishes tonight, but apparently they do that kind of corn flat bread very well at Magic Kingdom.

Craig: Hmm.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: But it was so good. It was probably the best savory thing I've had at a party. So it was so good. Yeah, so I hope they bring that one back.

Rob: Yeah, I remember that one. That one was very good. And that was actually one of the few ⁓ gluten free ⁓ party party items that year. folks who are gluten sensitive, if that one comes back, you do have to let them know you want it gluten free because it has to go down a special line. But the flatbread itself was gluten free. I do want to ask our friends on Patreon if there's anything you miss from the Magic Kingdom, let Eric know, because I'm going to I'm going to hand off to him next. But first, I'm going to share. my two things that I most miss from Magic Kingdom. The first one, I think there's a good chance of this coming back, but the Make Your Own Popcorn, the Colonel Kitchen that Jessica was talking about, used to have cheddar popcorn as part of the mix. And it was my favorite thing to add into the popcorn because I'm just a big fan of the salty, savory, and sweet all mixed together. And they took it away. I think it's mainly when they... They started doing this extra special mix for Starlight, the nighttime parade. And so it's like blue popcorn. So I think the cheese popcorn slot was lost to the blue popcorn, which I've tried the blue popcorn. It's kind of weird. It's not my favorite. I think it's supposed to be like a white chocolate maybe. It's very sweet. was not, yeah, we didn't dig it. But bring back the cheese popcorn, please.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Craig: What is it? I

Rob: The other thing that I missed going back to Tony's town square. So when they revamped their menu and they were like, they were, they were serious about their Italian food. They were going to do some like serious Italian dishes and they had an or a ketty with spicy Italian sausage. And this was real spicy. It wasn't Disney spicy. wasn't like, Ooh, that's got a little bit of heat. This thing you needed to take a sip of water after you took a bite of this pasta. It had some kick.

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Rob: It was delicious. It was so good. I would put it up there as among the better ⁓ pasta dishes I've had anywhere, not just at Magic Kingdom or Disney World. Sadly, they took it off the menu pretty quickly, actually. It didn't last long. And my theory is just because it was the spice level. think probably they probably got a lot of complaints from folks who just weren't expecting, you know, you might expect that spice at Epcot.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: But at Magic Kingdom, people aren't expecting something to be seriously challenging their taste buds. I hope it comes back, though. Bring back the Orchety. It was really, really good. ⁓ Anything that folks miss from Patreon, Eric?

Craig: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Erick: Yes, ⁓ Laura is with me and she misses the old sleepy hollow waffles. ⁓ actually the the chicken talking about the spicy things, the chicken and waffles that they used to sell there, it was it had a cake over there, like ⁓ it w it was spicy.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: It was like a slaw, and it was like a sweet and spicy glazed chicken. I think it was like a broccoli slaw before, maybe. Yeah.

Erick: Yeah.

Jessica: I don't know if it's, it's not the same. Okay, Laura says it's not the same. Okay. Yeah, I used to have a slaw. I

Rob: delicious. agree.

Erick: menu right now. Yeah.

Rob: I enjoyed that. It was one of my favorites. I ate that many times. Yeah. ⁓

Erick: And the other thing, ⁓ Melissa chose road. Bring back bring back the topping bars. Yeah.

Rob: Yes. ⁓

Craig: Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Jessica: Yes. Melissa, you get all our vote. Every vote.

Rob: I almost included that actually in my list. So especially at at Pecos Bill, they used to have a very nice and extensive topping bar. No matter what you ordered, you could go and like load it up with all of these extra things. And one of the things is I recall was you could load it up with case. So right like the the actual which you now pay a dollar for. I mean, it's still a pretty good value. because it's a pretty big side and it's actual real queso, not the scary bright orange genetically modified queso that comes with your pretzel. It's an actual ⁓ like restaurant style queso, but it used to come for free on the queso, on that bar. And I did ask a cast member, was like, when is that coming back? And they were like, never, because it was a real nightmare.

Craig: Gelatic. Gelatic engineered, yeah.

Jessica: Y'all.

Rob: for the cast to manage and maintain it.

Jessica: ⁓ I'm sure.

Craig: I wish would get rid of where they ⁓ used to those bars in Pecosville and at ⁓ Cosmic Rays and put in more seating. ⁓ I know have all the condiments there, but ⁓ you can that in a smaller space. It was not going to take up all that room. So if you're not going to bring it back, get rid of the reminders that used to be there.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: Yeah, do something.

Rob: Yeah. Yeah. Well, our final topic before we move on to questions of the week, we wanted to talk about things that we want to try. So these are some things that are still there, ⁓ but that we haven't tried yet, but we've heard good things about. ⁓ we figure we should mention them, even though we haven't tried them. It may be something you want to consider. Jessica, don't you start us off? What is something that you would like to try?

Jessica: Well, yeah, mine is Tony's Town Square restaurant. My first one is Tony's Town Square restaurant. I have not been since my kids, who I've already said are over in their late twenties, were like four. You know, that's the last time because they did want to eat at the Lady and the Tramp restaurant and because it was, it's the Olive Garden of Walt Disney World. So we knew they would eat there. You know, it was, it's good. So I have not been since then. And the feedback is so much more positive over the last, I would say year and a half. that it makes me want to get a reservation and try it again. So super excited to try Tony's Town Square. And then the next thing is the Lafouse Brew, which is the frozen, minute made apple juice. ⁓ I have not tried that. it's just like you were saying, Rob, it's like, I keep meaning to, I'm gonna go back to Gaston's Tavern and we just never seem to take that corner. Like we either go to Storybook Circus or we...

Rob: Hahaha

Jessica: go straight past Pinocchio Village House, we don't ever seem to take that corner back there. So we forget about Gaston and I really, I would really like to try Lefou's brew. So it's something that's on my list of things to try. And so those are my two that we kind of sort of talked about tonight that I'd like to give a try to.

Rob: I really like Lafou's brew. The only reason I wouldn't include it in my list is it is very sweet. I mean, it's super sweet, but it's tasty. It's good. I enjoy it. Yeah, it's very sweet. ⁓ Craig, what are the things you want to try at Magic Kingdom?

Jessica: ⁓ maybe I wouldn't like it then.

Craig: Okay, well, one is the Cheshire Cattail that Jessica talked about. I have to admit, I've been coming to Disney World since 1979, and I have to admit that it's taken me an embarrassingly long time to eat some of these treats like Dole Whip, those cheeseburger spring rolls, and the Cheshire Cattail feels like it's the one very famous one that everyone raves about that I still have not tried. So that's on my list.

Jessica: Mm.

Craig: Another one is an appetizer at Skipper Canteen, surprise surprise, that I had not seen before. And it's the Tirodito de Tuna. the description. You'll get hooked on Skipper Annette's latest catch. And it's a Togarashi Spiced Tuna, Avocado, Aji Amarillo Broth, Lotus Root Chips, and Corn Nuts. And that sounds something that I would try over getting the Cachapos.

Jessica: oof. looks good.

Craig: if I had to choose, but I'd probably just get both.

Rob: I love that. I love that even for the things he hasn't tried that he wants to try back in Adventureland. But you did venture out. You did venture out to Fantasyland for the

Craig: I know, right? I made it to... I did, yes. I went to Phanastaland and then I do have one more and that's back on Main Street and this is at the Plaza Restaurant and it's called the Shrimp Louie Salad. I don't know how good it is, but it just sounded really good to me. ⁓ It's just chilled shrimp, hard boiled eggs, tomatoes, avocado, and cucumber on romaine lettuce with a Zestue ruby la sauce. Shrimp Louie is usually like ⁓ Thousand Island and chilled shrimp.

Rob: Mm-hmm. ⁓

Jessica: Hmm.

Craig: that kind of dressing. They say it has a remoulade, yeah, that sounds really good to me if it's good.

Rob: Plaza used to have a Monte Cristo sandwich for the 50th anniversary. was kind of one of, was their special thing. And that was one of my favorite things. And I would have put it on the things, one of the things that I miss, but I was lucky enough to try what I think was the original version of that sandwich at Disneyland and at, yeah, the New Orleans, what's the name of that one? Orleans, it's the New Orleans themed,

Craig: ⁓ Cafe Orleans.

Rob: Cafe Orleans, thank you. So Cafe Orleans, that one was even better. So if you're at Disneyland, definitely try the Monte Cristo at Cafe Orleans. It lives up to the hype. But my thing at Magic Kingdom, it's actually the only restaurant in Magic Kingdom. It's one of the only restaurants in the parks that I have not yet tried, and that is Cinderella's Royal Table. I've heard very mixed things about the food. I have heard some people who say that they enjoy it.

Jessica: I've had a lint.

Craig: You

Rob: But usually people say it's kind of like cruise ship food or, you know, like wedding banquet buffet food. But I'm really excited to go ever since someone here on our Patreon family said that they love going during the fireworks and just what a magical experience it is to be inside the castle and to see the fireworks bursting outside the windows. And that really just does sound amazing. So even if I'm not wowed by the food. I feel like I would be wowed by that meal ⁓ So I've got my I've got my alert set if an evident reservation pops up for Cinderella's royal table during the fireworks hour I'm booking it and I'm gonna check it out and I'll let you all know ⁓ But that will be in a future episode That's all the time we have for food at Magic Kingdom and now it's time to move on to our questions of the week We've been doing just one question of the week in the last few episodes. We wanted to get back to doing a few because they're starting to pile up. We do have a lot of questions that come in. Thank you to everyone who asked questions. ⁓ Craig, why don't you start us off? What is your first question of the week?

Craig: Okay, so this is from Eric F on Patreon and he says, have a question about early entry. My mother is joining us on a trip for the first time and doesn't do roller coasters. If she wanted to stay back on Main Street while the rest of us head to an attraction like Seven Doors Mine Train, would we be able to pass through the cast member tap endpoint at the hub without her? My wife thinks she saw a group get stopped because they weren't all together. Is that actually a rule? So, ⁓ Basically, no, there's no problem with that. Your mother can stand back. What might have happened with that group is they all came up and there was maybe two people that weren't there yet, but they all planned on getting into early entry. In that case, yes, you do have to have your whole group together from your room. But if they don't want to go to the early entry rides, that's not a problem. They can wander on Main Street and...

Rob: And honestly, even if they're going to be significantly behind you, you know what mean? Like if they're not nearby, they can come in later too. Like you don't have to all be together. yeah, even if she wanted to come later, it would still be fine, I think. Yeah. the I think that what happened is because when you go through, they try to be efficient and not tap every single person that comes in. And so they say how many people are in your party. And if you say seven, but there's only five of you there, they prefer if it's if it's easy to have all seven go through at that one time, but it's not required. yeah. Jessica, what is your next question of the week?

Jessica: So I've got one from Brittany on Patreon and she says, know there's no right answer, but I'm really struggling with this decision. So I'm looking for opinions. If you had a choice between two preferred location rooms at Caribbean Beach or three standard location rooms at Pop and the price was nearly the same, which would you choose? Three adults, three kids were all related, extended family. And she said, we really love having connecting rooms for the kids at pop and not all having to share two rooms, but the perks of the moderate resort with CBR is calling to us too. So here's what I will say. I don't know what perks of the moderate resort you're looking at unless it's the swimming pool. There is nothing of the perks of the resort that you can't. Skyliner over and eat their food. You can Skyliner over and do the shopping. You can Skyliner to all the same places at Caribbean Beach. So unless you have kids that are just dying for that pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort, I personally believe you will be more comfortable with the three rooms at Pop. ⁓ John and I are on our mission to stay at every hotel at Disney World. We just stayed at pop for the first time and I think I immediately Messaged the pod squad here and I said, I don't know what we've been missing out on. This was great We had a great experience at pop Loved it loved our room loved our shower Loved the food was good. The cute little pool bar was good. It was not too spread out It was right there. We had a great experience at pop. So ⁓ my personal opinion is

Craig: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: The only moderate perk that you're really missing out on is that pool. I think everything else you're gonna get at pop. And I think you really need to decide how often you're gonna use the pool. if it, I know my kids, they didn't care if there was a slide and it was themed. If it was a pool, they were excited about it. So you got some really cute pools at pop. If they're gonna be as excited about the really cute pools at pop. you might be better off in three bathrooms, man. Just say to yourself, three bathrooms. I mean, you can't beat three bathrooms with that many people. So that's my opinion. You guys have feel a different way about it?

Craig: Hahaha! ⁓

Rob: Hahaha.

Craig: No, I just stayed at POP for the first time recently as well and it was great.

Rob: No.

Jessica: Yeah, pop, underrated.

Rob: The rooms, don't think are that great at Caribbean Beach. I mean...

Jessica: Mm-mm. They open to the outside. It's just like a motel. It's no, I don't think there are any better rooms than you get at Pop. I just don't. I think the rooms at Caribbean Beach and the rooms at Pop are similar quality. So, and you get three bathrooms. I'm gonna go back to three bathrooms.

Craig: I I mean, just to defend, ⁓ and I agree with you that pop is definitely the right choice in here, but it's also the build. I think the architecture, ⁓ just the landscaping at the moderates is a little better than I would say at the values as well. ⁓ overall, yeah, that's.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: Mm-hmm.

Jessica: ⁓ yeah. but you can get all of that walking over there. I think that was my point, is that the thing that you're not gonna get staying there is the pool. Everything else, I would go to Caribbean Beach. I would eat at Caribbean Beach. I would walk over there. I would skyline over. I would hang out. I would go to Sebastian's, or the quick service. I would hang out at Caribbean Beach, but you can't do the pool if you're not in the resort. So that's the one thing you couldn't do, but I agree with you, Craig.

Craig: Right. Right.

Rob: Yes, yes.

Jessica: architecturally and visually, Caribbean beach is still beautiful. But it's just, it's a hard sell for me not to have three bathrooms.

Craig: Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Rob: Yeah, anything you do on the Skyliner, you have to go to Caribbean Beach first if you're staying at Popper Art of Animation. That's your first stop. So as Jessica said, you're going to have ample opportunity to enjoy other than the pool, all the other amenities that are there. So yeah, I agree. The final question we have this week comes from Diana on Patreon and it's about dining. So kind of back on our original topic.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: ⁓ Diana asks, my friend and I are doing a trip in July. There is a chance another friend might come with us, but we won't know until closer. We want to do some character dining and the 60 day booking window opens soon. Is it better to book for three and show up with two if our friend can't make it or is it better to book for two and then ask for Forgiveness and to add one more person when you arrive. Can you modify it later any advice? So in this scenario You definitely want to book for three because I can tell you I've been in both of those scenarios where I've had a table booked for two and I tried to add a person at the last minute that almost Unless they just have availability period That's a very challenging for them to do because the tables for two generally are assigned to two tops, to two top tables. And so they have to be able to move things around to get you to a table for three. However, tables for three can always easily become tables for two and Disney understands. mean, things happen. People change their plans at the last minute. You know, they get stuck at a park, they get stuck on transportation, they're not feeling well that morning.

Jessica: Mm-hmm.

Rob: There's a million different reasons why not all of your party is going to make it to the reservation, and it's totally fine. So definitely make it for three, because that way you know that you're going to be able to get everybody who wants to eat there seated. But right now it is time to move on to our final segment, which we like to call happy thoughts because we like to end with a little positive thing at the end of the night ⁓ Eric, why don't you start us off week? What is your happy thought?

Erick: So lately ⁓ Chubi has been a lot of love from a lot of people ⁓ and have the

Rob: Chuby is the Ear Scouts puppy for those who are not aware. Chuby is the puppy, yes.

Erick: Yeah, and like ⁓ we have decided that maybe and hopefully he will become a a little ⁓ influencer as well. So we will be creating we will be creating his his ⁓ Instagram account. And ⁓ yeah, like it's it's pretty exciting just to be able to share like those happy moments that we have been having with the with this little puppy. Honestly, he's such a beautiful little thing.

Craig: Hehehehe

Erick: little piece of like little four that we have. ⁓ so yeah, I I can't wait to to share the the the love that the Chubi brings to to us with everyone. So

Rob: So I'm actually going to go next because my, this is funny, my happy thought is also indirectly Chuby related, but I, you know, I've noticed that sometimes when I'm with, when I see Chuby, I get a little kind of like a tickle in my stomach that feels the same as the tickle in my stomach that I get when I ride my favorite roller coaster at Disney World, which is Expedition Everest. If you've ever, that moment when you roll backwards and you get that tickle in your stomach, Well, I learned something that was fascinating to me. And that is the tickle in the stomach that you're getting is because your brain is releasing, I think it's it, is it oxytocin or it's one of those chemicals that, it's just like the joy, you know, when you, you experience a little moment of joy and that chemical reaction causes that little ⁓ stomach sensation that you feel. So I just thought that was so cool. I don't know why. I always just assumed it was something of the motion when I was on that roller coaster that was giving me that tickle in my stomach. But really what's giving you that tickle in the stomach is joy. You're feeling that's the feeling of pure joy. And I just thought that was a really cool thing. And it made me love my favorite roller coaster even more ⁓ because it does bring me joy, just like Chuby. So Craig, what is your happy thought this week?

Craig: So I had a doctor's appointment early this week and my blood work came back really well and I'm cancer free now for four years. So that's great news. Not that I was expecting anything less, but ⁓ it's always a good thing to hear.

Jessica: Excellent.

Rob: Wow. That's amazing. That's wonderful news. that's pretty tough to beat that happy thought. That's a very happy thought. But not that it's a competition. Not that it's competition. But Jessica, what is your?

Erick: Amazing.

Jessica: It's tough to beat. It's not a competition.

Craig: No, no, it's not a competition. That's the thing. That's what I love about these happy thoughts. They can be anything.

Rob: Yeah. Jessica, what is your happy thought this week?

Jessica: So my happy thought kind of starts with a sadder thought, but my daughter, my older daughter, I don't talk about Katie as much, because she doesn't live with us anymore because she's getting married, but she had, she was trying to do her save the date photos and her photographer couldn't make it. got the from my child of, ⁓ hey mom, can you, take some photos that maybe we can use for save the date. So I got out and you can see in the video, Eric would have been so proud of me. I got out my DSLR, my big Nikon. I had my Nikon out. I set it up, I cleaned it, I did everything and we went and we took about a hundred photos all over Hartford and had a great time. But I haven't had that camera out in a very long time. You one of the things about having us iPhone now is that you just take all your pictures there. But I used to lug that thing to the parks. I used to lug that thing everywhere. Yeah, I had my DSLR with me and I have the big huge, I have the zoom, the big zoom lens too. ⁓ And I used to take it everywhere and I haven't gotten it out and played with it in probably two years. So it was just a lot of fun just to get out and play with the camera and have a lot of fun.

Rob: Wow.

Jessica: And ⁓ not any of the pictures are Eric quality pictures, ⁓ but at this point we have about 10 that we're okay with. So ⁓ we're excited. ⁓ But...

Craig: Now Jessica sent us some of those pictures and she did an excellent job. They look great.

Erick: It was good, Jessica. Yes. You have to praise yourself. You did good. And yes, I'm very proud of you. I I was very excited when I saw when when I saw the photo with your camera.

Jessica: ⁓ thank you.

Rob: Yeah. Yeah.

Craig: Yes.

Jessica: I know I said, I said Eric, the picture of my camera hanging on the camera thing, but I will, I will put a couple of the finished ones in the, in the Patreon, but yeah, it's pretty exciting. And the next phase is I get to open up that Adobe Photoshop and actually edit and do some funky designs on them. So I'm excited about that, but it was, it was really fun for me to just play with that camera. So forgot what it was like. I'll probably be doing that a little bit more. I don't think I'm going to bring it to the parks because it is huge.

Craig: Yeah

Jessica: to carry around, but I might bring it to the resorts and maybe take some pics.

Rob: I used to always have a bigger camera and I, know, once Eric started taking all the photos in the parks, it was like, well, I have to bring that big camera anymore. Eric has to bring that big camera out. And I don't think I could go back to carrying the heavy camera around. So I get it.

Craig: You

Jessica: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

Rob: Thank you all so much for joining us for this culinary adventure through the Magic Kingdom. And we will have some more episodes soon about our favorite treats at the other parks and the resorts. So stay tuned for that. ⁓ Until then, however, we hope you all have a wonderful week filled with lots of happy thoughts.