Disney's Riviera Resort and Primo Piatto

As a piggyback off of my recent Topolino's Terrace restaurant review at Walt Disney World, I also wanted to share a fun tip that I heard on a podcast prior to our February Disney vacation.

Our plan for the day included an attempt at a boarding group on Rise of the Resistance, which we did obtain. Our boarding group was #78 and after watching the rate of groups throughout the day, we assumed our time would be called back around 2 p.m.

So, instead of dining for lunch at Hollywood Studios, we used the tip I mentioned earlier and took a Skyliner to Disney's Riviera Resort for lunch at Primo Piata, their counter service location.

This was our first time to experience the Riviera and it is gorgeous! We loved the grounds, the layout of the resort, the proximity to HS and Epcot, and the Skyliner access! If the opportunity arises, we would love to stay here one day!

The theming around this resort is spot on, too and was inspired by Walt Disney's travels across Europe.

 Look how gorgeous the views are!

Once inside, we took a tour through the lobby and hallways. The lobby was quaint but beautiful!

I absolutely loved the photos of Walt and Lillian on their European travels.

These photos lined the hallway on the way to the elevator.

We then took the elevators down to the first floor where Primo Piatto was located.

The size of this dining area reminded me a lot of the size of Roaring Fork at Disney's Wilderness Lodge Resort, maybe a tad bit bigger.

I ordered the tuna salad while Jason ordered the Riviera Burger.

Brayden of course had chicken tenders. :)

For dessert, we split a chocolate lava cake and it was divine!

Our lunch didn't take long and we were back on the Skyliner and at Hollywood Studios in plenty of time for our Rise of the Resistance boarding!

 I still can't get over those views!

Another perk to the Skyliner being so close is the Caribbean Beach hub which includes a Joffrey's Coffee booth. My favorite is the Toffee Flight latte (warm) and I might have ordered it a couple of times during our trip! :)

Have you tried any of the dining offerings at Disney's Riviera Resort? What were your thoughts?

Food Favorite: Whispering Canyon Cafe

Over the course of the past couple of years, I've shared my favorites about Walt Disney World. It's no secret that I'm slightly obsessed with Ohana and all things bread pudding with bananas foster sauce. However, I do have other food favorites around Walt Disney World - one of them being Whispering Canyon Cafe at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.

It's been a few years since I've eaten here, but I do love it for all three meals - breakfast, lunch, and dinner! 

Tucked just inside the grand lobby of the Wilderness Lodge is Whispering Canyon Cafe. If you happen to visit the lodge during meal times, you can't miss it!

Don't be alarmed by your server's name - they are in it to have a great time and you will too! The servers here are full of shenanigans and will leave you laughing until your side hurts!

Hands down, my favorite menu item is the "Skillet". It's an all-you-care-to-eat style option and comes with an assortment of great food items.

For breakfast, the skillet includes: Scrambled Eggs, Western Home Fries, Bacon, Sausage, Waffles, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Sausage Gravy.

For lunch, the skillet includes: Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Glazed Chicken, and Western-style Sausage served with Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, and Cowboy-style Baked Beans.

 
Finally, for dinner, the skillet includes: Mixed Greens tossed in an Apple Vinaigrette Dressing and Fresh-baked Cornbread (not pictured). Featuring Slow-smoked Pork Ribs, Barbecued Pulled Pork, Roasted Glazed Chicken, Beef Brisket, and Western-style Sausage served with Seasonal Farm Fresh Vegetables, Mashed Yukon Potatoes, Corn on the Cob, and Cowboy-style Baked Beans.

Apart from a slice of smores cake for dessert (which I don't have a picture of), I haven't tried any additional food options from this restaurant - although looking over their menu definitely makes my mouth water!

Another fun option here are the milkshakes - you can order a milk shake as your drink and it's also "all-you-care-to-enjoy"!

Not that anyone NEEDS that much sugar, but it sure is fun to order a refill! :) 

It's been a while since I've visited and this restaurant is included in our plans for February. I can't wait to go back!

Remember that "good time" I mentioned above? Well, if you need ketchup, your server might make you ask for it...really loudly...as in to the entire restaurant. You might end up with 12 bottles of ketchup on your table!! 

Also, if you've just run your very first full marathon that morning and can hardly move by the evening, they might make you stand and do the hokey pokey. Yep. True story.

The food options here make for a GREAT post-runDisney race meal, by the way!

We were told to "hold up our medals". Well, my husband thought he would be funny and hold up his "metal"...aka his fork. Lordy...see what I live with?! 

This restaurant is definitely best when visited with friends. Your servers will make sure you have a good time and laugh until your sides hurt! You won't leave disappointed, that's for sure!

Have you ever tried Whispering Canyon Cafe? If so, did you like it? What's your favorite meal to eat here?

Disney Food!

If you missed yesterday’s late-in-the-day post, please check it out! It’s a recap of the rainy 2014 Wine & Dine Half Marathon! :)

------------------------------------------------

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, today’s (Disney) Wordless Wednesday post is all about our favorite WDW snacks and desserts! See where my mind has gone? Straight to the desserts…

Host: Focused on the Magic
Theme: FOOD!

By the way, whoever introduced me to the caramel popcorn in Germany is my new best friend. I’ve tried finding your instagram account to thank you, but it’s no where to be found. So, if you’re reading this and you posted an instagram picture of your favorite WDW snack (caramel popcorn from Germany), THANK YOU!!! If you’ve never tried it before, you should…it’s amazing!

What’s your favorite WDW food/snack item?

-------------------------------------------------------------

Want to participate in an upcoming Wordless Wednesday? Click on the button below for more details!