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Ali



Have I eaten everywhere on Disney property? No. But I have eaten at enough restaurants to create my top 5 Table Service locations at Disney World. In case you're confused by Disney terms, Table Service is a full sit down restaurant where you are served by a waiter and your food is bought out to you - so basically a proper restaurant, I just thought I'd clarify before going any further.

So, here are my top 5 Table Service locations at Disney World.

Honourable Mention
Afternoon Tea at Garden View Tea Room - Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

So this is sort of speciality dining as it is just afternoon tea, but it's amazing afternoon tea! Beautiful tea, cute little sandwiches and sweets and an amazing experience. It's so nice to take time out from the parks, visit Disney World's most fancy resort and sit down and relax.

So I added this as an honourable mention because it's sort of a restaurant but sort of not, I don't know it deserved to be here in my opinion. 
Note: This can not be used as a table service credit.


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#5
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria - EPCOT, World Showcase

I'm not a big fan of Italian food but I loved this place and I can easily see how it would appeal to families. The meals are massive and filling, service was great and I really enjoyed the atmosphere - some people might think it's a bit noisy but I didn't find this an issue.

Food was very well priced for what you get and I'd definitely eat there again - the pizza and sorbet was so good!
Note: You can eat here for 1x table service credit.

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#4
Sanaa - Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Kidani Village

Firstly this restaurant is located in such a beautiful resort, get there early and walk around. Go see the animals on the savannah, explore the lobby and just sit in the rocking chairs outside taking it all in.

Now, onto the food. Sanaa is African cooking with Indian flavours - the bread service = AMAZING, the Butter Chicken (my favourite Indian dish) = AMAZING, the whole restaurant is just amazing, even the theme of the restaurant is amazing. 

Okay I know I need a better word than amazing but it just was okay guys and I 100% recommend, especially if you love Indian food - it's a must! TIP: Maybe go here for lunch and get a table by the window, you can watch the animals while you eat.
Note: You can eat here for 1x table service credit.

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#3
Teppan Edo - EPCOT, World Showcase

Japanese food with a show, that's what Teppan Edo is. I'd never been to a Teppan-yaki-style restaurant before so I didn't know what to expect but I was pleasantly blown away.

Our chef who cooked right in front of us on the grill was hilarious and kept us entertained the entire time. I loved watching the food be cooked right in front of me and then I could eat it straight away, no sitting in the kitchen and waiting for the waiter to pick it up, it comes straight to your plate. 

I ordered Nihonbashi, which was steak and chicken and both meats were so good! The noodles he cooked as well were extremely tasty. You don't feel like you over eat at this restaurant, which can easily happen at many other restaurants on Disney property, so you walk away feeling content and pleased.
Note: You can eat here for 1x table service credit.

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#2

Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue - The Campsites at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

Now this isn't something you'd do every trip, but it's great to do it at least once, or for a special occasion. Hoop-Dee-Doo is dinner served family style and a show. The menu is set, you get served everything on the menu and you can ask them to keep bringing as much as you want.

The food is southern American comfort food, corn bread (which we don't get in Australia and I'm obsessed with!), salad, ribs, fried chicken, corn, beans, strawberry shortcake and more - just good hearty food. Also, drinks are included! Yep draft beer, wine and sangria are all included in the price - of course you can get soda/soft drinks, water or juice too.

The show alone is worth the money in my opinion. I've seen it twice now and both times I was in stitches of laughter, I laughed so much my mouth hurt and my stomach hurt. It's rowdy, it's fun and it's great for a sing along.

In case you're wondering, there is audience participation but I honestly believe if you didn't look like you wanted to be part of the show they probably would pick you.  
Note: You can eat here for 2x table service credit.

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#1

'Ohana - Disney's Polynesian Village Resort

Well, I used to think why do people talk about this restaurant so much and last year (2017) I finally decided to book it for dinner - and I have no regrets! How had I not eaten here earlier? Why don't I eat here every night? They were the thoughts going through my mind while eating here. 

Firstly, it's located at my favourite resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Secondly, it's my favourite style of food, Asian inspired. And thirdly, if you book at the right time of night you can watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks while you eat - yes, they pipe the music through the restaurant.

Much like Hoop-Dee-Doo the food is served family style. It's a set menu and you can ask for as much as you like. You get pineapple coconut bread, salad with passion-fruit dressing (amazing!), dumplings, chicken wings, sweet and sour chicken, shrimp, steak, noodles and for dessert bread and butter pudding! The meat was also served on massive skewers which was cool as well. I couldn't fault any of the food, it had so much flavour, the meat was tender and everything was perfection.

We loved it so much, we booked it twice for dinner for our upcoming trip this year. Yes, you need a reservation! This restaurant gets booked out so make sure you are onto your 180 day mark to book advanced dining reservations.
Note: You can eat here for 1x table service credit.


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What are your favourite table service restaurants at Walt Disney World? I'd love to know!




Love, Ali
10:43 AM No comments

When I was younger going to Disney World meant rides and characters, but the past couple of times I've visited I've come to appreciate ALL THE DISNEY FOOD! You can literally eat around the world and don't get me started on all the amazing snacks.

Anyway, a couple of weeks ago my sister and I hit our 180 day mark until Disney World. For those of you who don't visit Disney World often you probably have no idea why this is significant. Well let me enlighten you, it's the day you can start booking your Disney Dining Reservations. Yes, you have to book your dining this far in advance otherwise you probably won't get into some of the very popular places.

So I thought why not share all the places I've planned to eat at in Disney World! Just to clarify, these are all table service reservations, I haven't actually planned what I'm eating at every minute of every day. Let's get started!

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' - Dinner
Disney Springs

I've heard so many amazing reviews about the chicken at this place. It's still relatively new and my sister and I thought we might as well give it a shot on the day we are at Disney Springs.


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Chip 'n' Dale's Harvest Feast Breakfast at Garden Grill
Future World, EPCOT
This was one of those restaurants my sister and I wanted to tick off the bucket list. We checked the lunch/dinner menu and we really weren't big fans. So breakfast it was! Plus, how good does Chip's Sticky Bun Bake sound!

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Teppan Edo - Dinner
World Showcase, EPCOT
We've eaten here one before and we absolutely loved it! So we decided to head back this time, plus I'm a sucker for asian food.


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Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano - Lunch
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Another restaurant we've never eaten at but decided this time round we really wanted to try the Fantasmic dining package. So you eat at a participating restaurant and you get reserved seating at the Fantasmic the night time show. I'm not the biggest italian fan but my sister loves it so I guess this is a compromise?  


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O'hana - Dinner x2
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Your eyes don't deceive you, that says dinner times two - yes we are eating there twice. I dream about this food and can honestly say it's my favourite meal I've ever had on Disney property, it's also at my favourite resort.


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Bon Voyage Adventure Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno
Disney's Boardwalk
Another on the list that we have never done before. We've never been to the Boardwalk either so really it's two firsts at once. This is also a character breakfast, I'm mainly excited to meet Ariel because she is my absolute favourite!


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Kona Cafe - Breakfast & Lunch
Disney's Polynesian Village Resort
Wait a second Ali, aren't you already eating at the Polynesian twice? Why yes I am, and I'm eating there twice more - that's right four times! We've never eaten at Kona Cafe but my sister is a big breakfast fan and wants to try their famous Tonga Toast. I then decided to look at the lunch/dinner menu of Kona Cafe and decided the food looked so good we are eating lunch here too.

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Donald's Dining Safari Lunch at Tusker House Restaurant
Disney's Animal Kingdom
Believe it or not, we have never eaten at a table service restaurant at Animal Kingdom. We've seen so many people rave about Tusker House in vlogs and blogs we thought we'd see what the fuss was all about and book in for lunch. I'm mainly excited to see Donald in his safari gear.

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Sanaa - Lunch
Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge
I still swear to this day I had the best Butter Chicken ever at Sanaa, so naturally I have to go back. We are doing something different this time though, we are going for lunch! We are hoping to get a table near the window so we can see the animals out on the savannah. I also can't wait to order the bread service again, yes I'm at my desk typing this nearly drooling - okay maybe not but close.

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And there you have it! All the table service restaurants we booked for out trip later in the year. Let me know in the comments what your favourite restaurants are - I can possibly check them out next time!


Love, Ali
5:00 PM No comments

Let me start off by saying I haven't eaten everywhere on Disney World property, maybe if I lived there it'd be a different story, but I have been enough times to be able to give people a good idea of where I like to eat.

For those of you who don't know quick service is the equivalent of fast food or grab and go food as you'd say. It means there is no waiter, and you order at a counter and collect your food, much like McDonalds I guess.

Now, onto my top 5 quick service locations at Disney World!

Honorable Mention
Blaze Fast-Fire'd Pizza - Disney Springs

I had to have an honourable mention okay, mainly because there are so many wonderful places to eat at Disney I couldn't just pick 5. 

So, Blaze pizza - best pizza on property in my opinion. You can order off the menu or build your own, greatest thing of all is it's really quite cheap! I've only eaten there once, but that one time has left an impression and I can't wait to go back.


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#5
Landscape of Flavours - Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Best. Food court. On property. HANDS DOWN!

This food court has so much variety it actually makes it quite hard to choose what you want to eat. Every meal I had there was fresh and delicious and sure they serve your normal fast-food type options but they also serve great healthy options. Also, if you are staying at Disney's Pop Century Resort it's just a quick walk across the bridge.

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#4
Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes - Disney's Animal Kingdom Park

Firstly, don't be fooled there are actually 2 Yak & Yeti's at Animal Kingdom. One is a quick service location and the other a proper restaurant, both serve the same type of food - Asian, although I've only ever eaten at the quick service location.

Let me start off by saying I love asian food! It's my favourite type of food, so maybe I'm a little biased. I've not once had a bad meal here and I've eaten here every time on my last 3 trips, and I'll probably eat there again next time. I also love that the portion sizes aren't that overly massive, like most other meals in America, so for once when you finish you feel satisfied not stuffed.


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#3
Wolfgang Puck Express - Disney Springs

This one may surprise people but it makes the list because if you are on the dining plan it is a great deal! I've eaten here on my past 2 trips and both times had an amazing meal. Best of all, it works a little different. You order at the counter but then sit down so your food is bought out to you, so it's a little of quick service and a little table service - like I said, great use of dining credits and the food is great too.


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#2
Be Our Guest - Disney's Magic Kingdom Park

You may be confused thinking, isn't this a proper restaurant? Well yes it is, but for breakfast and lunch it's quick service. Much like Wolfgang Puck you order at a screen actually and go take a seat and then your food is bought out to you - like magic. 

Breakfast can be a little expensive, but once again a great use of a dining credit and I really enjoyed the food. Lunch isn't as expensive but still a bit more than your usual quick service. I actually preferred breakfast and lunch, dinner I wasn't that impressed with. So if Be Our Guest is on your list - go when it's a quick service at breakfast or lunch, I think you'll enjoy it more.

Also, yes the atmosphere and theming on the inside is amazing! And yes it's probably the best part.


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#1
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - Disney's Magic Kingdom Park

I freaking love this place!! Eaten here on my past 3 trips to Disney World and I'm definitely eating here again. The food is delicious and in my opinion one of the best value for money options on property. It's Mexican food, it's so yummy and you definitely get far too much but you can't stop - it's that good.

They have a full condiments bar as well, you can pretty much make a whole side salad just from that - this is how you can easily eat too much. I always order the chicken fajitas because they are so good, and so filling! You can guarantee I'll be visiting this on my next trip.

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And there you have it! My top 5, plus an honourable mention, quick service locations. Do agree? Are any of these your favourites? Comment below and let me know!



Love, Ali
5:00 PM No comments
I first found out about Hello Fresh while watching one of my favourite YouTubers, The Tim Tracker. At the time I thought, wow, wouldn't it be cool if they came to Australia, I checked online and couldn't see anything so forgot about it. 

A couple of months later something appeared in my letterbox, a Hello Fresh brochure! This was in 2016 and I kept mentioning it to my family but we never got it. So, after moving houses and since we are all over grocery shopping we decided to give it a go.

We ordered 1x Classic Box for 4 people for 5 nights and we also ordered a small fruit box to try. When our Hello Fresh box arrived (which I forgot to grab a photo of as we were too excited and starting unpacking it, sorry) we were all so happy with the quality of the food. All the vegetables and fruit they gave you were ripe and to be honest looked too perfect. I loved how the rice, spices etc were all in individual little packets so you always use the right amount for the meal. When you unpack the box the recipes tell you which meals to eat first otherwise we just figured out what meat was expiring first to sort out in what order we should eat the meals.

Something to note, you do need pantry items. These are generally all things you can find in your house already such as oil, butter, water, soy sauce etc. Now onto the yummy meals we got to try!

Garlic & Rosemary Crumbed Lamb with a Warm Broccoli Salad


The lamb was delicious! So tender and yummy. I wasn't too fussed on the salad, mainly because I didn't like the dressing all that much, however my family loved it - so really that's just individual taste. My sister cooked the meal, it was a Level 1 meal and was estimated to take 40 minutes, she said it was rather easy, the hardest or most time consuming part was cutting all the vegetables.



Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Salad with Roasted Cashews

Firstly, sorry there is no photo of all the ingredients, forgot to take a picture. This meal was yummy, it just wasn't my favourite. I liked the flavours, we didn't add chilli as I can't eat really spicy food - my dad did add chilli to his because he loves it. We all thought there was far too much noodles. I'm not sure if we added too many or what, but it was probably my least favourite meal of the week. This was another Level 1 meal and estimated 30 minutes to cook.


Steak with Potato Medallions & Mustard Sauce


This was the first dish I cooked, it was a Level 2 meal and estimated at 45 minutes to cook. I did screw up the potatoes, I cut them too fine and therefore they burned a bit in the oven but still tasted delicious. The steak was amazing! I love a good steak with potato so perhaps I'm a little biased, but I really enjoyed this meal. The mustard sauce on top was really good too and this was my favourite until I had the next dish.


Chermoula Spiced Chicken with Zucchini Pilaf


To start with, this was a Level 1 dish and estimated 50 minutes to cook. I cooked this meal and found it quite easy compared to the steak the night before. Now I thought I wouldn't like this meal, but I loved it so much! The flavours were so good and the dish was incredibly filling, plus we even had leftovers for the next day. The entire family loved this one.


Fetta Stuffed Meatballs with Olive & Cucumber Salad


Start off by putting it out there, I hate fetta, so I definitely did not have any fetta in my meatballs. This was another Level 1 meal that was estimated 40 minutes to cook. So even though I had no fetta in my meatballs, they were still amazing and so yummy. I was also incredibly happy to get some sweet potato, I love it so much. And I thought the cucumber salad was really refreshing, so overall quite a yummy meal.


Overall this was a success. I got to try meals I'd never even think of cooking at home and best of all it's healthy, and made with fresh and local products. The recipes are easy to follow and the estimated cooking times are pretty spot on. I'd recommend everyone giving it a try, especially if you're like me and can't think of new meals to cook for dinner and really hate grocery shopping.

FYI I'm not getting paid or anything to promote Hello Fresh, my family and I just decided to try it and I thought I'd share my first week of meals with you all. If you are interested in trying Hello Fresh you can use THIS LINK - and get $30 off your first box! 

If you do order Hello Fresh using this link you do give me $30 off my next box also. Once you start using Hello Fresh everyone is given a link they can send to people to get $30 off their next box.

So go out and give it a try! I did and so far I'm loving it.

Love, Ali
6:00 PM No comments
I love juice! So much that I spent $400 on a cold pressed juicer because a normal juicer just wasn't cutting it for me. So I thought I'd share my favourite juice recipe with you all, it's pretty simple and you can change it up to suit your taste.


You only need 4 ingredients, and a juicer (obviously...) You will need:
  • 2 x Thin Slices of Pineapple
  • 2 x Oranges
  • 2 x Carrots
  • Small Piece of Ginger

Now you need to peel the oranges so all the skin is off and cut them into quarters, this is just to help them fit through the juicer. Peel the carrots, cut it in half and then half again, so you're left with long skinny pieces of carrot. Cut two slices of pineapple, cut the skin off and cut around the middle, throwing the middle hard bit of the pineapple out. And if you buy a lot of ginger just cut a small piece off, too much ginger can be over powering - but like I said it depends on the person.

So hopefully your fruit and vegetables should sort of look like my photo above. I've found this makes the perfect amount for a tumbler, or a big glass.

Now, throw it through your juicer and watch your juicer work it's magic until you're left with a beautiful, yummy, orange coloured juice - it's amazing! I've also occasionally added apple too.

Hope you enjoy!!



Love, Ali
6:00 PM No comments
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I'm Ali - twenty seven years young from Australia. This blog is a place where I want to share all my thoughts & the things I love with you!

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