Watch the Chefs of Walt Disney World!
There are over 90 sit down restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort and countless more quick service stops. If your family is in the mood for a certain cuisine, that narrows the playing field down substantially. When you finally force your family to make a decision and you’ve decided on Mexican fare, the hard part is over. Wrong!
Now that you’ve chosen a cuisines, seemingly even more questions surface than when you started thinking about dinner! Do you want to dine in a Park? Will you use dinner as a time to check out the new Disney Springs? Do you want dinner with a show, or a quiet secluded booth? What about a meal that, as you sit and relax, is prepared right before your very eyes?
If your family is in the mood for a meal (or snack!) that they’ve watched a Disney-trained chef prepare right in front of them, you’re in luck! Recently, I visited three Walt Disney World Resort restaurants that practically included a dinner show but…drumroll please…without the price tag!
Meals
Via Napoli
My first pick is somewhat unique and definitely not rendered a restaurant you visit when you want a side of entertainment with your hand-tossed pizza pie. On my most recent visit to Via Napoli, I was seated at what I now deem the perfect table. Really, any table situated within view of the big, stone-carved wood burning ovens would classify as ‘perfect’, and before I even sat down to my meal, I knew I was in for a Via Napoli meal like I’ve never experienced!
They might not know they’re being watched, but the pizza-tossing chefs behind the counter sure put on a great show! High-flying dough is coupled with the fastest pizza assembling in World Showcase. I’m not kidding when I say the clearest photo I could get of this man making pizza is below…because that’s how quickly he was moving! With dozens of pizza flying out of those ovens every 10 minutes, Via Napoli is at the top of my list! Plus…that pizza just can’t be beat- and that’s coming from a die-hard New Yorker!
Teppan Edo
Teppan Edo is widely-regarded as the best Hibachi in Central Florida, and you won’t find an argument here. Situated on the second floor of the 360 degree glassed-in structure, the walk up the massively grand staircase that provides you with sweeping views of World Showcase lagoon is impressive enough. And then the show begins.
These Hibachi chefs are just as there to perform for your group as they are to cook your food. Fast-flicks of knives and flying shrimp are just a taste (pun intended) of what you can expect from this dinner show in Japan. As far as the food goes, it’s one of the best the Showcase has to offer.
Kona Café
Teppan Edo is certainly known for its showmanship, but the same cannot be said for Kona Café. Located on the monorail level of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Kona Café is the ‘middle child’ of the Resort. Not the most popular (Ohana) nor the most unique (Spirit of Aloha), Kona Café usually always has a table or two to fill…but I’m here to change every misconception you’ve ever had about this hidden gem!
Well, it’s not really hidden since you have to walk past it to both board and disembark the monorail, yet it’s still so often overlooked. The sushi at Kona Café is some of the best and freshest on Property, and anyone who raises an argument needs to sit at the bar. Trained sushi chefs create from-scratch rolls by hand with daily fresh-caught, sushi grade fish. You can watch them do their work on your food, and then reap the tasty benefits!
Snacks
Candy Cauldron
A day spent exploring Disney Springs always leaves me hungry for a little pre-dinner snack. When you’ve tuckered out your kiddos with hours of shopping, a treat from Candy Cauldron is absolutely in order!
I love to pick up a specialty apple from Candy Cauldron because I know they’re fresh and haven’ been sitting in a hot, sun-drenched window for days on end. How? Because you can watch the Cast Members create these treats right before your eyes! Step up to the window for an up-close look at how your favorite specialty desserts are created!
Big Top
You’ve definitely seen the giant, yellow circus tent in Magic Kingdom. I mean, its sheer size makes it impossible to miss, but have you ever been inside? One of my favorite merchandise shops in Magic Kingdom, the Big Top is also home to my favorite candy counter in all of the Parks!
This is a great spot to watch Cast Members create specialty treats. This is also a great place to bring your kids because, not only is the candy-decorating done at what is eye-level for them, the Cast Members are on full display and can see- and hear- everything you say!
If your son or daughter has a question about the candy-dipping process, just ask! A young girl was asking a Cast Member dipping krispy treats in white chocolate about the process, and he was so sweet and more than willing to take the time to chat with her. Not on ly do they stock my favorite Magic Kingdom snack on a stick (dark chocolate pineapple skewers!), but the immersive experience can’t be beat!
Are you to book a Disney vacation for you and your family? I’d love to help! You can find me over on Facebook, or contact me directly at msalerno@mickeytravels.com, or 800-308-6257