Resort Loop Pub Crawl-Mizner's Lounge

 

 

By Lisa Green

 

When we find ourselves with a few minutes to spare before a dinner reservation in the Magic Kingdom resort area, we like to choose a spot along the monorail route to enjoy an adult beverage and relax for a while.  Once in a while we hit more than one lounge in a single day, so we call this habit the Resort Loop Pub Crawl (others call it the Monorail Bar Crawl).  Recently we found ourselves with a good 30 minutes we could use for just such an endeavor and chose Mizner’s Lounge at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa.

We decided on Mizner’s for three reasons:  Our dinner reservation was at Citricos (also at the Grand Floridian), we’d never been to Mizner’s before, and the awesome Grand Floridian Lobby Society Orchestra (long name, amazing sound) plays literally just outside of Mizner’s doorway.  We’d gone back to our room at Bay Lake Tower to clean up after a busy day that started with rope-drop at the Studios and ended with an afternoon in the Magic Kingdom.  By the time we boarded the monorail in the Contemporary, we were more than ready to sit down and be still for a few minutes.   We arrived to find Mizner’s only about half-full and were able to find a table for two by a window.

 

Like everything in the Grand Floridian, Mizner’s is open, airy and bright with an upscale, fancy-feeling atmosphere.  Seats are available in well-cushioned chairs at the bar and in big, comfortable club chairs at tables situated throughout the lounge’s interior.  We were starving, but resisted ordering a snack from Mizner’s very tempting menu to save our empty stomachs for the delights at Citricos (review here).  We chose a Cabernet from the impressive (and expensive) beverage menu and settled back to enjoy our glasses of wine and listen to the Orchestra play some of our favorite Disney tunes.

As far as Disney lounges go, Mizner’s was more family friendly than most and had a hushed, subdued crowd.  Like us, the other guests appeared to be there for relaxation and quiet conversation.  Maybe Mizner’s is livelier later in the evening, but for a place to enjoy a pre-dinner cocktail, it was perfect.

What’s your favorite lounge on the resort loop?

This article was originally posted on Lisa's Living a Disney Life Blog.
She can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/LivingaDisLife and on Twitter at @life_of_green

Please be sure to check out Lisa along with me and David Hodges on The Disney Exchange Podcast!

5 Great Things About Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

By Lisa Green 

 

One of the best things about vacationing at Walt Disney World is the unbelievable selection of accommodations!  Where else on Earth can you visit Saratoga, Key West, Polynesia, New Orleans, the Caribbean, a National Park or an African savannah – all in a single location!  There is literally a place for every person’s taste and style from campsites to ultra-modern luxury.  How great is that?!?

If early 20th Century Victorian is your thing, you’ve got to love the Grand Floridian!  Romantic, charming, and brimming with delightful Disney details and whimsical touches, the Grand Floridian offers guests the perfect retreat from the busy and crowded parks – a place to relax in undeniably elegant style.

The Lobby – One of the most stunning to be found!  Soaring ceilings, intricate details, ornate birdcages, spectacular floral arrangements…and music!  The Grand Floridian Lobby Society Orchestra – Yes!  I said Orchestra!!!  The tunes they play are anything but ordinary – you’ll hear ragtime, jazz, Dixie melodies, and familiar Disney tunes.  This special detail is one of the very best reasons to visit the Grand Floridian.

The Shops – Stroll among the Grand Floridian’s shops and find both the familiar and unique.  The usual sundries and souvenirs are available (Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry Shop) and so much more!  There’s a Basin White store for bath and beauty, the Summer Lace shop for women’s apparel, Commander Porter’s for menswear, and M. Mouse Mercantile for children’s clothing, toys, and more.  Browsing or buying – I always enjoy the Grand Floridian’s shops!

The Restaurants – For a variety of dining experiences and flavors, the Grand Floridian cannot be beat!  Casual quick service, character meal, signature restaurants, and the very best in gourmet dining experiences can all be found at the Grand Flo!  Find the complete list here.  Most recently, our family enjoyed an evening with Cinderella, the Prince, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella at 1900 Park Fare.  Those details are here.

The Pools – I like space and the pool areas at the Grand Floridian feel extra-spacious to me.  The main pool (Beach Pool) boasts a 181-foot long water slide and adjacent children’s play area and lounge for beverages and snacks.  The Courtyard Pool offers a quiet, serene swimming area with a nearby whirlpool spa.

The Location – Yes, I love that it’s on the monorail loop!  Easy access to the Magic Kingdom and the other monorail resorts for shopping, dining, and FUN!  One new, very cool additional perk of staying at the Grand Floridian is the walking path between this resort and the Polynesian!  How fun would it be to take a leisurely stroll over to the Poly for some Tonga Toast?!?  Or a Dole Whip (if you like those).


Some people think the Grand Floridian is too formal or fancy or pink – I think it’s just right.  The perfect blend of relaxation (hello Senses Spa!), luxury, and amazing amenities – it’s also an absolute must-see during the holiday season!  The decorations will leave you speechless.

 Have you visited the Grand Floridian?  What did you enjoy there? 

 

Wordless Wednesday: Disney's Grand Floridian at Christmas

Photos: Barbie and Nick

 

The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 51 ; Monorail Resort Loop and Epcot Resort Lounge Hopping

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

A little background info on this week's show. This was recorded several weeks ago during one of our experimental Blab shows. Blab is a Twitter App that allows for live video interaction. There are several references throughout to us interacting with people watching us recording live as well as reacting to each others antics. Also, there are several references to Dave not being able to see. That's because he had just THAT DAY had Lasik eye surgery!

This is me recording live.

We launch directly into the show's topic, bar or lounge hopping around the Monorail Loop at Walt Disney World, which takes us to the Contemporary, the Polynesian and the Grand Floridian where we pick a snack and alcoholic beverage at each location of our choice.

The Lounge at Citricos at Disney's Grand Floridian

We then continue over to the Epcot Resort area, which includes The Boardwalk, The Yacht and the Beach Club, and the Swan and Dolphin.

 The lovely seating area outside the Belle Vue Lounge

 at Disney's Boardwalk Resort.

The Wheel of Distiny topic: Turkey Leg, yes or no?

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exchange, the smoothest, most professionally organized podcast on the interwebs.

If you have a show or a wheel of Distiny topic, please let us on on our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/disneyexchange  or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange

The Disney Exchange Podcast, Episode 44 ; Deluxe Resorts at Walt Disney World

By Nick

Podcast: Play in new window | Download 

The Disney Exchange is David Hodges, Lisa Green, and me, Nicholas Maglio.

Dave begins the show telling us he could have been a professional athlete, if only he was better at sports, (yea, me too) and then shares info about the "flex" building that is between Tower of Terror and Rock 'n' Roller Coaster at Disney's Hollywood Studios. Club Disney, a dance club for kids premiers December 5th. Lisa reminds Dave he is not 6.

Have you heard the Lumberjack Show from Epcot is so popular that it is expanding over into Disney's Hollywood Studios? Spread the word.

Dave enjoys chewing food. And soup.

The main topic: Pros and Cons of the Deluxe Resorts of Walt Disney World. These pros and cons are in relation to other deluxe resorts.

 Lisa, Dave and I each tell our top 3 favorite deluxe resorts and share anecdotes, experiences and opinions.

I have trouble keeping out of DVC territory because I was born to break rules, baby! Unless Lisa doesn't like it, then I tow the line. She scares me.

Listener / reader Poll:  How do you feel about the pool at The Boardwalk Resort?

Wheel of Distiny topic : Favorite non fiction Disney book.

Thank you for listening to The Disney Exstrange, er, Exchange Podcast.

Our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/thedisneyexchange

Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyexchange

Or email us at: info@thedisneyexchange 

Citricos and Narcoossee's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

By Nick 

On Episode 23 of The Disney Exchange Podcast, we talk about our choices for a progressive dinner, which is a group meal where each course is served at a different venue, around the Walt Disney World Monorail Loop. 2 of my choices were at Narcoossee's and Citricos at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort.

My wife Barbie and I had dinner at both of these venues in January of 2014, and enjoyed both meals, so I thought I'd share what we had as well as a look inside each.
Let's start at Narcoosee's.

Narcoossee's is located on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon, at the end of the Grand Floridian transportation boat dock.

It has an open "show" kitchen and a wonderful staff. Be sure to say hello!

 

I was impressed with the beer menu, not overwhelming but a nice selection.

 

 

 

We asked the bartender for a food suggestion, and he said his favorite was the scallops.
As we were being brought to our table, Barbie spotted a man wearing a vest covered in Disney pins. She approached him, and they spoke at length. He came over to introduce himself and his wife. They were locals, and they also suggested the scallops, as well as the calamari.

If you time it right, and have a table facing Cinderella Castle, you can see Wishes at the Magic Kingdom. I made our advanced dining reservation at 180 days out for 8:00 pm, thinking the fireworks would be at either 8:00 or 9:00 pm. They were at 10:00 pm that evening, and while I could have changed our ADR, we both agreed that was rather late for dinner.

The menu is somewhat limited.

 

 

As our bread was being set on the table, we asked our server for an entree suggestion, and weren't really surprised when she said the scallops.

 

The bread was very crunchy with a soft center, almost a sourdough. I love butter with course salt!

 

 

We shared the  Crispy Rhoade Island Calamari with pepperoncini-olive relish and tomato coulis appetizer. In fact, I enjoyed these so much, I chose these as my appetizer course for the progressive dinner on the Podcast episode.

 

 

The calamari was very light and crispy yet tender, not chewy. The relish was just the right kick, and the tomato coulis was the perfect acidic addition. Barbie thought they were the best Calamari she'd ever had! With a salad, this could easily be an economical choice for an entree.

 

For dinner, we both ordered the Pan-seared Georges Bank Day Boat Scallops with Trofie pasta with Sultana raisins, Marcona almonds, young string beans and herb creme with wild mushrooms, lemon-thyme-mustard au jus and arugula.

 

 

We both agreed these were the best scallops we'd ever had. They were perfectly prepared, and as good as they were, the pasta and mushrooms in the lemon-thyme-mustard au jus was even better.

We would have loved dessert, but were too full!

There is no doubt we will return to Narcoossee's in the future, and we will try to choose different food selections, but it won't be easy!

 

Let's go inside Grand Floridian now, and head up to the second floor, which is where you'll find Citricos.

 

 

 

A very nice bar is immediately to the left as you enter.

Like Narcoossees, the kitchen is open and lovely to behold.

 Hidden Mickey?

 

 

The beautiful dining room. While this is a large upscale space, it manages to feel warm and cozy.

 

 

 

We didn't even realize we'd have a terrific view of Wishes, which was at 8pm on that evening!

 

 

On to dinner.For an appetizer, I had the Lamb Albondiga. a lamb meatball cooked in curry tomato sauce over herb polenta with crumble Feta.

 

Unlike some meatballs which can be very dense, this was a light, flavorful start.

For my entree, I had the Berkshire Pork Two Ways, which is Sumac rubbed tenderloin and slow braised belly accompanied by a shishito and and sunchoke hash with natural reduction.

I'm going to admit, I have no idea what shishito and and sunchoke hash is, but I love pork. But I'm sorry to say, I thought this dish was somewhat uneven. I felt the tenderloin was somewhat lacking in flavor, though Barbie thought it was juicy and tasty. As for the pork belly, one piece was a bit dry and chewy, while the other piece was much more tender and savory.

Barbie liked my meal more than mine, which is good, because I preferred her Madeira Braised Short Ribs, Strozzapreti pasta with hand harvested mushroom ragout and Piccante Gorgonzola. This was much more flavorful than my selection, the short ribs moist, and the pasta perfectly cooked, and I would absolutely order this on a future visit. So, we switched meals!

 

 

For dessert Barbie had the Lemon Scented Cheesecake. She would have preferred it to be more lemony, but she loved the overall combination of flavors.

 

 

I had the Warm Chocolate-Banana Torte with vanilla ice cream and hancrafted Belgian couverture chocolate crown.

 

 

 

Was it as awesome as it looks? Yes!

I love bananas. And, well, love isn't a strong enough word to describe how I feel about chocolate. I would return to Citricos JUST for this.

 

Have you eaten at either of these restaurants, and what was your experience?