by Sean | Aug 29, 2011 | Adventureland, Magic Kingdom
UPDATE: Unfortunately Shrunken Ned’s closed on August 21, 2012. You are welcome to read what you missed below….
As you exit the Jungle Cruise with your kids, get ready to hear – “Can I drive one? Come on…. Please!?!” Do your best to keep walking, but I will admit that I have been pulled in. Shrunken Ned’s Junior Jungle Boats is the chance for you to drive your own miniature version Jungle Cruise boat. At a cost of $2 for a few minutes you’ll be able to steer your mini boat around a variety of obstacles, including a small volcano. Be sure to have a few $1 or $5 bills to purchase your tokens.
Let me start off by saying when I was a kid I loved the chance to drive anything remote controlled and this included the boats. Now that I have a son, I truly enjoy sharing these attractions with him and seeing his eyes light up. So, it hurts me to say that this area has been a major disappointment on our last few trips to the Magic Kingdom. Many of the boats are out of service; with their wheels covered. Others that we have put money into don’t work. Oh, and once you put your money in, if it doesn’t work, it is difficult to find an employee in the area to help out. On the off chance that you have the coins and your boat does work, your kids may find steering difficult. Good luck trying to get your boat turned around once you are trapped in a corner.
You have already had the thrill of seeing the back side of water and Da Nile river, so as you exit the Jungle Cruise be sure to walk swiftly and keep your child’s eyes from wondering to the right. You and your pocket book will have a much better day. If you enjoyed this blog then my name is Sean and this is the www.disneydaybyday.blogspot.com blog. If not, then my name is Bill and this was Pirates of the Caribbean. Enjoy the rest of your day here at DisneyDayByDay!
by Sean | Aug 16, 2011 | Epcot, Future World
Location: Epcot, Future World (Upstairs in the Land Pavilion)
Type: Table Service (Character: Farmer Mickey, Pluto, & Chip ‘n’ Dale)
Meals: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Reservations: Yes (recommended)
How many times have you entered the Land Pavilion just to rush to get on Soarin and didn’t noticed the dining possibilities? Well, next time how about going on a ride without waiting in a long line and getting a meal to go along with it? Try dining at The Garden Grill, Disney World’s only revolving restaurant. Don’t worry if you’re one that can’t take the spinning on the tea cups. The rotation is so slow it turns about 1 revolution an hour, so it is almost unnoticeable.
Atmosphere
Overall this is a character experience so don’t think that you and your significant other will be having a nice, quiet dinner. Though the layout of the round restaurant and the high back table booths cut down on some of the noise, it can get loud as Mickey and friends come around to the tables.
As the restaurant rotates your view will change from the inside of the land pavilion to some of the scenes from the Living with the Land ride. So if you don’t like your current view just wait a few minutes and it will change. Listen for the rooster as you go by the farm scene. Besides the view the atmosphere is not as ornate as you will find in other Disney restaurants.
Food
The Garden Grill is an all you can eat restaurant. Food is served family style with the first rounds coming out quickly after you place your drink order (unlimited fountain drinks are included with the price of your meal). Your meal will start with warm breads served with sweet maple butter along with a salad.
Adults will enjoy grilled beef strip, turkey breast with cranberry sauce, a fish of the day, fresh veggies, mashed potatoes, and turkey dressing. Dessert is a fruit crisp (similar to a cobbler) with a vanilla cream. This can be a welcome experience from a week of fried food and burgers.
Kids can enjoy a chicken drumstick, mac and cheese, broccoli, and crispy sweet potato fries. Dessert is a cookies and cream moose which both our son and nephew dearly loved on our last trip. Adults are allowed to steal from the kids plate, just don’t get caught by your kids.
Remember, if you want second helpings, or even thirds just ask and your server will happily get you more.
Overall Rating: (4 out of 5)
Rating Comment: Overall good food and a wonderful character experience for the kids. All you can eat but without having to get up from the table and stand in a buffet line. Let me know what you think and vote on the right.
