Orlando next week

[swquilts]

I will be going to Orlando for a conference next week. I'm staying at the Walt Disney Dolphin resort.

Are there any foodie type places nearby? Just in case I get some free time to jaunt off and check things out. Thanks!!!

[claire797]

How about some Selma's chocolate chip cookies? *Someone* from this board keeps telling me how great they are, but I just can't bring myself to order them on-line because it costs about $18.00 for 6 cookies. Apparently, these cookies are the yardstick by which all chocolate chip cookies should be measured.

www.selmas.com

[beacooker]

Anna, you should have told me about Selma's. There is one right by my house, I have never tried them. But, now I know what one of my stops will be while I am out on errands today. Hopefully I can buy just one cookie at a time. If I can, one of these days I will get one for you and mail it.

Susan, sorry, but I live about an hour away from the Disney area, so don't know much about foodie hangouts there. I will be eagerly checking this thread, to see if I learn anything!

[Gracie]

Why can't I go to Orlando? :( :( :(

I'm off to Chicago on business in 2 weeks (see other thread requesting help) and other than that it's Philadelphia in December.

Both nice cities, of course, but I wish we'd get sent to warmer more "conferency" locations with palm trees. :rolleyes:

Loren

[claire797]

Originally posted by beacooker
Anna, you should have told me about Selma's. There is one right by my house, I have never tried them. But, now I know what one of my stops will be while I am out on errands today. Hopefully I can buy just one cookie at a time. If I can, one of these days I will get one for you and mail it.

Susan, sorry, but I live about an hour away from the Disney area, so don't know much about foodie hangouts there. I will be eagerly checking this thread, to see if I learn anything!

Would you??? Oh, Anne. You are so sweet.

If you mail me a Selma's cookie, I'll mail you something from Austin.

I really want to try one. Every day I go to the website, put 6 cookies in my virtual shopping cart, prepare to check-out, then cancel everything when I consider the insanity of paying $18 (inclues shipping) for 6 cookies.

[swquilts]

I have a sneaking suspicion that WDWorld Resorts are out in their own little "city" nowhere near any regular type stores. I'm sure this is to insure you buy everything at the resort at inflated prices.

Hmmmm....wonder how I'll smuggle a bottle of wine on the plane?? ;)

[claire797]

Originally posted by swquilts
I have a sneaking suspicion that WDWorld Resorts are out in their own little "city" nowhere near any regular type stores. I'm sure this is to insure you buy everything at the resort at inflated prices.

Hmmmm....wonder how I'll smuggle a bottle of wine on the plane?? ;)

You can buy Selma's at Disney World....or so I'm told. I don't know exactly WHERE in Disney World.

[beacooker]

Just for Anna's sake, I had to go get some Selma's cookies today. The sacrifices I make for fellow BBers...

To me, the ideal chocolate chip cookie is homemade (I usually make Toll House, but I am not really picky on the recipe), made with butter NOT margarine, fresh out of the oven. I have never had any 'store bought' (meaning bought at a restaurant or bakery) chocolate chip cookie that I like half as much as I like fresh homemade ones. The Selma's cookie didn't change my mind a bit. To me, it tasted like most store bought chocolate chip cookies I have had. Too sweet, not enough flavor (I think they need to cut back on the amount of white sugar, and maybe add more brown sugar), and had the kind of taste that - this will sound weird - builds up in the back of my throat. After two bites, I had had enough. The cookie was huge, which to me isn't a good thing, and made the cookie seem more cake-like than cookie-like. I like my cookies mostly crisp, with just a bit of softness in the center.

Yours will go out tomorrow, Anna. I can't wait to hear your review.

Editing to say, I think my review sounded like I ate two bites of cookie, and then I didn't eat anymore, because I disliked the cookie so much. I don't want anyone to think I would ever abuse a cookie that way. I ate the whole thing, it just took DS and I all afternoon to do it. And, while it wasn't anywhere near the *best* chocolate chip cookie to me, it was a chocolate chip cookie, so I didn't dislike it.

[claire797]

Originally posted by beacooker
Just for Anna's sake, I had to go get some Selma's cookies today. The sacrifices I make for fellow BBers...



Thanks for taking one for the team, Anne!

And thank you for the review. Can't wait to try the cookie myself. In return, you will get a surprise treat from Austin.

Susan, I guess you don't have to worry about seeking out Selma's cookies.

[cangoss]

Back to the original topic...
I don't know of any foodie stores in Orlando/WDW, but there are definitely some foodie experiences. The main one that I would recommend is dinner at Boma, which is in the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It is a huge buffet of African food. There are all sorts of things that you aren't used to seeing, and because it's a buffet you can just take a bite. And the desserts are to die for!

[chefamy]

Boma rocks! And check out the other African restaurant (whose name I forget). Actually, WW is home to many fine dining establishments that I adore. There's Kona Cafe, California Grill, Flying Fish Cafe, Narcoosi's at the Grand Floridian, and my favorite, the Concourse Steakhouse at the Contemporary Resort. Eat well!

[claire797]

I don't know if you have all your dinners planned, but there's a really good Italian restaurant called Palio in The Swan, which is the hotel attached to The Dolphin. We stay at The Dolphin every time we go to Disney so I've eaten at Palio many times.

Here's a review:

http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2003/08/25/smallb2.html?page=1

[1MegMeg]

My personal favorite is Artist Point, which is located in the Wilderness Lodge. The food has a Pacific Northwest theme (i.e. cedar plank salmon, season game meats, etc.) Good stuff! :)

[HealthyinMN]

We had a great dinner at Wolf Gang pucks restaurant in Downtown Disney! Their 5 cheese and spinach dip is a must!!!

Hope you enjoy your stay!

[Mimeea]

Hope you have a great trip! :)

[sassysu3]

Orlando is my stomping grounds! I lived in the Disney designed community, Celebration, before leaving for the North.

I was just saying to DH the other day how I miis going to Boma's. If you do go, be sure to walk around out back afterwards, the "safari" backs right up to it and sometimes you can see the animals roaming around. It's a lovely walk!

Downtown Disney is a blast...there is also Rainforest Cafe, which hosts a fun atmosphere.

If you get a chance to venture off the grounds, Celebration is right next to Disney, and I recommend a drive through there. You'll feel like you are in the town of Mayberry. In the downtown area of Celebration, there's a wonderful Italian restaurant, D'Antonio's.

Honestly, I could go on and on with recommondations, however, these, plus the previous suggestions are good to start with.

Have a great time!
sassysu:)

[swquilts]

Most of our meals are included in the conference fees...:( . I think I have some time on Wed, but only at lunchtime.

We do get a pass for MGM Studios for Friday night!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I have to stay at the Swan for my first night then move to the Dolphin for the rest of the trip.

[avariell]

My bf has a conference in Orlando in early November, and I think I am going to tag along for some fun. I will be on my own during the day (weekdays), and I think we might add on a few days at the end of the conference for "us time". Any must see or must do experiences? Any good suggestions for things I should do by myself during the day?

Honestly, I have never been much of a disney person (I grew up near Cedar Point, so I measured amusement parks against it - and if you are into coasters, not many parks can measure up :) but that's another thread!). Anyway, I am willing to give Disney another try since I hear so many great things about it as an adult.

So I have been having a crappy couple weeks and I want something to look forward to... so I am planning my trip 2 months in advance :D Any advice is appreciated (oh, and I don't know where we are staying or if I will have a car but I will ask about the hotel and get back to you :)).
TIA!!
Josie

[1MegMeg]

Josie,

Will you have your own car? That will make a big difference on what sort of things I recommend. Also, where in Orlando are you staying? :)

Definitely though, if you are willing to give Walt Disney World another try, you must go to the Food and Wine Festival (http://www.allearsnet.com/tp/ep/foodwine.htm) at Epcot. There are all sorts of different "events' you can participate in, or it's lots of fun to just eat and drink around the world showcase at all of the different food/wine booths that are set up special for the festival.

[BeachBum]

Any must see or must do experiences? Any good suggestions for things I should do by myself during the day?
Josie


I just wanted to say that 2 months is certainly not too early to start planning. Reservations for Disney Restaurants open up 180 days ahead. Since so many families plan for years to visit Disney things do book up early.
IMO the best ones are typically at the luxury hotels. I haven't gotten to do much dining b/c of my toddler but we did eat at Jinko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. It was fantastic!
I've found the food at Epcot to be rather mediocre--but it is a fun experience walking around Epcot in the evenings. I haven't been to the food and wine festival, but have heard great things.

For a roller coaster experience (which disney is not) try Islands of Adventure at Universal.

[Grace]

We're going to Disney in 24 days! :D Woo hoo! Food and Wine Festival, here I come! LOVE that!

I agree that it's not too early to book. I made our dinner reservations last month and we can't get into O'Hana's for dinner until 9:10 pm (they were already booked up for anything earlier). :(

We are going to O'Hana's, Boma and Wolfgang Puck's in Downtown Disney for sure. We will be grazing at the Food and Wine Festival during the day.

O'Hana's is in the Polynesian Resort and that's among our favorites. We are also fans (like others here) of the Boma African buffet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The other restaurant there is called Jiko, but we've never been there.

There is lots of mediocre food at Disney, but also plenty of very good food. I think over the years they have really upped the quality of a lot of their food.

[Robyn1007]

I had a really yummy meal (two actually) at Tu Tu Tango (http://www.cafetututango.com/).

[beacooker]

I really enjoy the food at Epcot. Although I have to admit, we haven't tried many of the restaurants, since we fell in love with the shwarma (excuse my spelling) sandwiches at the cheaper Moroccan restaurant.

If you go to Epcot, a fun thing to do is watch the candy lady make different animal-shaped candies at Japan, based on audience requests. Her shows are from Sunday-Thursday at 12:55, 2:15, 4:00, 5:05, 6:15 & 6:55pm

I find Epcot to be the most enjoyable 'adult' park. There are tons of shows throughout the day at the World Showcase, and fun shopping.

[mikesmom]

If you are planning to eat at any Disney Table Service restaurants next week, you absolutely have to have an ADR (advanced dining reservation). Disney's Free Dining promotion is going on through September 22nd and the restaurants are packed. No walk-ins. They turn people away. We were there last week, so I know first hand. We had reservations for each night and had big fun. We ate $800 worth of food in four days - it was fabulous.

The # to call is 407 WDW-Dine.

[MISSINDI]

We went to Disney in April for a long weekend, and already I can't wait to go back. I second, third, fourth recommendations for Ohana and Boma. We did both breakfast and dinner at Ohana and loved it (and came away with a bunch of recipes from there). For such simple food, it tasted oh.so.good.

[avariell]

thank you all for the ideas. i am working hard at pinning my bf down about where we are staying and if we will have a car.. but it is easier said than done :)

if anyone lives in/around orlando and knows of any holes-in-the-wall that serve ethnic food, i would love that. i had amazing puerto rican food in the scariest dive near tampa (a hotel employee recommended the place to me when i said i wanted authentic). that is totally my style of eating :)

[cangoss]

It's not a hole-in-the-wall, but we have eaten at Columbia (http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/celebration.asp) in Celebration twice and really enjoyed it. The food is very good (Cuban and Spanish), and we always enjoy checking out Celebration too.

[mikesmom]

I just realized that the original post is four years old :p

[avariell]

I just realized that the original post is four years old :p

LOL sorry! I was just trying to keep all the orlando ideas in one place (although there are several other threads out there, this one just seemed like it applied to my interests :))

however - your rec for making reservations well in advance is a good one no matter when i am going to orlando :D

[1MegMeg]

Josie - Do you like sushi or BBQ? I can recommend some great sushi restaurants and a wonder hole of a place BBQ restaurant. :) Report back when you know where you are staying and I'll try and think of some more recommendations.

[avariell]

Josie - Do you like sushi or BBQ? I can recommend some great sushi restaurants and a wonder hole of a place BBQ restaurant. :) Report back when you know where you are staying and I'll try and think of some more recommendations.

absolutely to bbq! i love sushi, but my bf isn't a huge fan - so maybe that would be something i could do during the day on my own.

i promise to fill everyone in on our hotel when my bf actually *gasp* makes plans :rolleyes: ;)

[1MegMeg]

Josie,

Here is the map/addres for Cecil's (http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~C_Cecil%27s~STYPE_S~L_Orlando+FL~LID_nTp86 y6ubkdh8M%2Fk%2BGKqXA%3D%3D~lbp_1.htm). It's fantastic Texas-style BBQ, and you get free soft serve ice cream cones after your meal. :p

I know of quite a few great sushi places all over the city, so I'll recommend some after you know more of where you are staying.

Another really fun place, especially if you want to get away from the city and touristy theme parks is Wekiwa Springs State Park (http://yellowpages.superpages.com/profile~C_Cecil%27s~STYPE_S~L_Orlando+FL~LID_nTp86 y6ubkdh8M%2Fk%2BGKqXA%3D%3D~lbp_1.htm). It's a natural spring around 20 minutes northwest of Orlando. There is a big grassy area to hang out and small concession stand. The spring is pretty big, with lots of room to swim around...it stays at 72 degrees year round. Oh and they have canoe and kayak rentals there too. It's a really fun place, it's one of my BF and I's favorite places to hang out on the weekends.