Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Calling all Disney Foodies! On April 1, 2023, Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa will reopen in a beautifully reimagined space with a refreshed menu created by Chef Noah Estabrook and Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer. This signature dining location is known for its glorious waterside location, spectacular views, and delicious dishes. According to Disney:

The new space incorporates the concept of “land and sea” and that’s exactly what the culinary teams drew inspiration from when developing the new menu. Upon sitting down for your meal, you’ll be greeted with a recipe created by Chef Kristine specially for this location – an Artisan Boule of Sourdough made with a perfectly toasty crust and baked daily in the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa bakery.

As you enter your first course, you’ll continue to be met with masterfully crafted dishes. For years, the Bisque has been a mainstay on the menu, so flavor connoisseurs will be thrilled to see it return, but now with an enhanced tableside presentation. The culinary team has also created two new starters. First up, the Beef and Ricotta Tortelloni accompanied by luscious brown butter, parsnip puree, and sultana raisins.

Next, the Ocean-inspired Charcuterie Board is a fresh take on a classic featuring ahi tuna pastrami, charred octopus, and house-made sausage from the sea. This plate is a true collaboration, with each component representing the style of a different chef on the Narcoossee’s team.

Moving on to the main course of your dining experience, the team has sourced sustainable seafood from both local waters and around the globe, including Chef Noah’s signature dish, the Blackened Redfish. This meal is served with a crispy chorizo-sunchoke hash with hominy, Florida sweet corn, and red pepper rouille. What makes this fish a standout is the secret blend of blackened spice which has been passed down from chef to chef of the location, with each culinary mastermind finding their own unique way to feature it on the menu.

Plant-based diners will be delighted with the Roasted Vegetable Paella featuring market vegetables, cannellini beans, and preserved artichoke finished with charred Meyer lemon. Those looking for land-based fare will savor the new Dry-Aged Pork Ribeye Chop served with creamy goat cheese-potato pave and turnips with onion jam and a touch of fig jus.

Of course, chef has kept Narcoossee’s guest favorites like the Plancha-seared Scallops with Parisian Gnocchi and Surf and Turf featuring tender filet mignon and butter-poached lobster tail on the menu for new and returning guests to indulge in.

The dessert course also features a favorite that has garnered near legendary status over the years amongst diners of Narcoossee’s – Chef Kristine’s incredible Almond-crusted Cheesecake with Lambert cherry sauce and Chantilly cream.

When developing the new additions to the dessert menu, the pastry team was inspired by bright flavors that really complement the overall experience. The Berry Pavlova, for instance, is artfully crafted with Florida fresh berries and citrus delicately placed over meringue and yuzu crémeux and finished with a tableside pour of anglaise. The Pineapple Bavarois is truly a work of art with a roasted-pineapple center and house-made blackberry-buttermilk ice cream. These dishes make for a perfect and sweet finish to a memorable evening.

This waterfront hideaway is the ideal spot to wind down with a fabulous cocktail or zero-proof beverage. The wine list has been refreshed to reflect a diverse portfolio of varietals, with Proprietor Matt Cristi and the sommeliers on his team available to help you create the perfect pairing for each dish. Our team of mixologists have also thoughtfully curated a new cocktail program, inspired by the Victorian era. A must-try is the signature Empress Lime Gimlet, a modern twist on a classic gimlet with Empress Gin, Rockey’s Botanical Liqueur, and cold-pressed lime.

There is a dress code for this Signature Dining experience. Dinner pricing varies from approximately $35 to $60 per person and is served nightly from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Reservations can be made 60 days in advance and are strongly recommended. For dress code requirements, pricing, the latest menu, to check availability or to make reservations, please click here.

Will you be dining at Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort? Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Citricos At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

More dining options have recently reopened at Walt Disney World including Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. According to Disney:

Citricos 1You can now dine “underneath the lovely London sky” in the newly reimagined Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which pays homage to the whimsy and elegance of Mary Poppins Returns. Taking subtle cues from the movie’s animated sequence, the dining room brings guests into a fanciful garden setting where you can “trip a little light fantastic” as you experience the restaurant surrounded by the glow from decorative lamps and chandeliers.

Chef Andres Mendoza crafted a new menu with starters like Sweet Corn Bisque with pickled fennel, popcorn, and fennel oil and a colorful Strawberry Salad with chamomile-infused goat cheese, frisée lettuce, bacon vinaigrette, and spiced sunflower seeds.

Citricos 5Entrées include Butter-poached Florida Cobia with mashed fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and local mushrooms with a grapefruit beurre blanc or a delicious Guava Barbequed Short Ribs with aged cheddar creamy grits, roasted poblano, curtido slaw, and Brussels sprouts.

For a sweet ending to your meal, Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer created some truly delicious and decadent desserts such as Warm Apple Rose with seasonal apple, marzipan layers, and frozen coconut milk and the Chocolate Torte, a dark chocolate financier, dark cherry compote, and vanilla bean mascarpone cream.

The wine and cocktail program, designed by Sommelier Israel Perez, is exceptional. For those who enjoy an elevated food and wine experience, the new and exclusive Sommelier Room at Cítricos will allow Israel and his team to source boutique wines that pair with special creations from Chef Andres.

There is a dress code for this Signature Dining experience. Dinner pricing varies from approximately $35 to $60 per person and is served nightly from 5:00pm to 9:30pm. Reservations can be made 60 days in advance and are strongly recommended. For dress code requirements, pricing, the latest menu, to check availability or to make reservations, please click here.

Will you be dining at Citricos soon?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Disney Family Night Dinner Now Available At Select Resort Hotels

If you will be visiting Walt Disney World this summer, and are looking for more dining options, you are in luck. Disney is offering a to-go family meal at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels you can enjoy while relaxing in your room after a busy day in the parks. Perfect for rainy evenings or when everyone is exhausted and just needs a little downtime.

According to Disney:

We have a new summer offering the entire family will love – Disney Family Night Dinner. This playful, family-style dining bundle includes a take-out shareable meal, sweet treats, and an original card-type game inspired by some of your favorite Disney friends for your family and friends to enjoy. 

Family Night Caribbean BeachAvailable from Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

  • Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls with Onion Jam and Guava Butter
  • Roasted Jamaican-style Chicken
  • Fried Yucca, Rice and Seasonal Vegetables
  • Decorate-Your-Own Mickey and Minnie Cookies

Family Night Grand FloridianAvailable from Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Garden Salad
  • Three-cheese Lasagna
  • Two Mickey-shaped Pizzas (cheese or pepperoni)
  • Minnie-shaped cheesecake with strawberry sauce, whipped cream and fresh berries

This family-style, 3-course shareable meal to-go (serving 3 to 4 people) also comes with an original activity game inspired by classic Disney characters, including keepsakes. It’s a great way to stay in—enjoying a magical meal together and playing into the night!

The Disney Family Night Dinners are available for a limited time nightly from 5pm to 10pm. They can be ordered through mobile ordering or onsite at the dining location. Pricing is $79 at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and $89 at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

Will you be trying the Disney Family Night Dinner?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Christmas

Festive Fun Facts About Walt Disney World

No place does Christmas quite like Walt Disney World, and this year the resort has plenty of festive fun in store for resort guests. I am eagerly counting the days until my visits in anticipation of all of the seasonal experiences and decorations. Here’s a brief run down of some festive fun facts to get you in the holiday spirit, courtesy of Disney:

Magical holiday experiences and beloved traditions await Walt Disney World Resort guests during the most wonderful time of the year. Starting today, theme parks, resort hotels and Disney Springs come to life with holiday charm and excitement as dazzling décor and a flurry of fun immerse guests in a festive fantasy.

Check out these holiday fun facts and discover how Walt Disney World Resort becomes a winter wonderland!

Disney Parks Frozen Christmas Celebration TV SpecialWalt Disney World Resort

  • The Walt Disney World Holiday Services team provides décor for 780 locations within 41 different properties, including Disney theme parks, resorts, Disney Springs and recreation and shopping areas. The team also decorates Disney Cruise Line ships and Disney Vacation Club resorts in Florida and South Carolina.
  • 41 cast members work year-round to make the holiday transformation a reality, with an additional 119 cast members added during the installation period.
  • Décor installation begins Halloween night and is finished by Thanksgiving.

Magic Kingdom Park           

  • During the holidays, Magic Kingdom is home to 40 trees, 147 wreaths and 590 garlands that measure a total of 5,188 feet.
  • Guests can celebrate the season at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party on 23 select nights from November 8 to December 22. This year’s celebration welcomes the dazzling new nighttime spectacular, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks.”
  • Tomorrowland Speedway joins in the merriment of Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party for the first time this year with a new holiday overlay that glimmers with thousands of lights and stylized décor. It’s one of Magic Kingdom attractions to feature holiday overlays.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom will celebrate the holidays in full for the first time in its history, with enchanting entertainment and décor in new locations.
  • 148 animal-inspired luminaries will cast a warm and festive glow throughout Discovery Island as a merry menagerie of 10 artisan-sculpted puppets resembling winter animals roam and interact with guests throughout the land.
  • 2,600 light bulbs will adorn the DinoLand U.S.A. water tower, giving the land a festive new look for the holidays.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

  • The Christmas tree on Echo Lake is 65 feet tall, with a 25-foot-wide base.
  • Sunset Seasons Greetings at Disney’s Hollywood Studios includes 12 high-definition projectors used to visually transform the façade of the Hollywood Tower Hotel with holiday scenes.
  • 21 palm trees along Sunset Boulevard illuminate with programmable, color-changing LED fixtures.
  • Dinosaur Gertie is dressed in her finest holiday attire. Her hat is so big, four people could stand inside it!

Epcot

  • Epcot International Festival of the Holidays takes place November 29 through December 30 and celebrates holiday traditions from around the world through storytelling and music presented throughout World Showcase.
  • Holiday treats are also part of the festival, which includes 13 Holiday Kitchens serving more than 50 bites from around the world and 60-plus specialty
  • The Candlelight Processional will be performed 96 times at Epcot this holiday season with a 50-piece orchestra, mass choir and 12 different celebrity narrators.
  • The Candlelight Processional stage at America Gardens Theatre features Christmas trees that are each 18 feet tall.

Resorts

  • Guests will find a life-size holiday gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This elaborate 10-foot-wide,15-foot-long and 14-foot-tall structure is covered with more than 10,000 pieces of gingerbread and is the perfect place to pick up holiday sweets and treats.
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its iconic gingerbread Cinderella Castle. This 18-foot-tall display is crafted from more than 5,000 gingerbread shingles, 47 pounds of rolled fondant, 38 pounds of modeling chocolate and much more!
  • This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the Holiday Carousel gingerbread display at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. This life-size spinning carousel features 20 “Hidden Mickeys,” Peter Pan-themed horses and handcrafted gingerbread shingles.
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort is home to the tallest Christmas tree at Walt Disney World. This 70-foot-tall tree is adorned with 16,000 lights and more than 200 custom ornaments.
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to a 45-foot-tall tree featuring authentic African décor and reproductions of traditional African masks.

Disney Springs

  • Disney Springs is the epicenter of holiday shopping at Walt Disney World. It’s also the largest of all of the decorated Disney locations, with more than 2,000 pieces of individual décor, including a 45-foot-tall tree.
  • Each piece of décor was custom designed to fit the classic Florida town theme that carries throughout the entirety of Disney Springs.
  • Disney Springs is also home to the Christmas Tree Trail, a walk through wonderland featuring 23 unique Disney-themed trees.

Merry Christmas, and I hope to see you there!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World this holiday season?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Will you be visiting Walt Disney World this holiday season?
Please leave a comment; we would love to hear from you!

Thoughts About The Alligator Attack In Walt Disney World

Grand Floridian

Have you lost a baby and along with them the hopes and dreams of your future together? I have. Have you been to a child’s funeral and seen the anguish on the parents’ faces as they say their final good-byes to their little one? I have. Have you seen a father haunted by the memories of losing his child in a horrific accident until the day he took his last breath on earth? I have. There are truly no words to ease the heartache.

Cinderella Castle At NightPlease keep the Graves family, that lost their son Lane tragically in the alligator attack at Walt Disney World, in your thoughts and prayers as they begin their difficult lifetime journey to make sense of something so utterly senseless. And for those that are quick to blame the parents, I would ask that you please take a moment to consider if you would be willing to say the hurtful comments that you so freely type on the internet to the faces of this little boy’s parents.

If you are interested in helping in another way, Kingdom Strollers, a well-known and respected company in the Disney community that rented the Graves family their stroller for this vacation, has set up a GoFundMe page to assist the grieving family. Please click here for more information.

Statement from The President of Walt Disney World

George A. Kalogridis offered the below statement regarding the tragic accident that occurred yesterday at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

“There are no words to convey the profound sorrow we feel for the family and their unimaginable loss. We are devastated and heartbroken by this tragic accident and are doing what we can to help them during this difficult time.

On behalf of everyone at Disney, we offer them our deepest sympathy.”

George A. Kalogridis,
President, Walt Disney World Resort

My thoughts and prayers are with the Graves family during this difficult time…