Welcome to those of you joining me from Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 3rd stop on our Magical Blogorail. This week’s loop is about Hidden Treasure at Walt Disney World.
The Disney Dining Plan is an often debated perk of staying on Walt Disney property. While it can save you money on your trip, as well as give you an easy way to budget your dining expenses, many feel the dining plan has caused a decline in food quality throughout the park. Certainly, many of the table service restaurants continue to provide exemplary dining options; however, the quick service options can at times be underwhelming. Especially inside the parks, a lot of the quick service locations not only lack variety, but don’t exactly provide the most “bang for your buck”. That’s why finding a location that is both tasty and on the dining plan can certainly be a hidden treasure.
Living so close means that I rarely stay on property; however, the last time I did, I made sure to study the dining plan options. I was quite surprised when I glanced passed the usual in-park spots and saw that Wolfgang Puck Express was listed under Downtown Disney. Not to be confused with the larger table service restaurant, Wolfgang Puck Express is tucked between the mighty Earl of Sandwich and the Christmas Shop at Downtown Disney’s Marketplace. It is a fantastic way to use your quick service credit. The restaurant itself is sleek and modern, with an open patio that’s perfect for spring days. It was nice to get out of the hectic parks, stop by the restaurant and enjoy a quiet meal at a much less crowded location.
The menu at Wolfgang Puck Express is considered “New American” as many of the options are American standards, yet with slight variations and twists. Mainly, the dishes add a heaping dose of bacon to almost every item, causing me to give Wolfgang Puck Express the title of the Epic Meal Time of Restaurants (something Wolfgang Puck himself is quite proud of). I ordered the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf and could not have been more pleased. Please read that again: Bacon. Wrapped. Meatloaf. Topped with crispy onion strings, rested on a bed of mashed potatoes, and smothered in succulent sauce, its a carnivore’s dream. As I ate it, I wondered why I had settled for Cosmic Rays for so long.
Bacon-Wrapped Meatloaf. Not for the faint of heart.
My girlfriend ate the Alfredo (which also has bacon) and we shared creme brulee and delicious cheesecake and again, the food was several notches above most of what you usually spend your quick service credit on. Featuring delicious sandwiches, tasty pasta, and fresh Wood Stone Oven Pizza (not to mention a respectable wine list), Wolfgang Puck is one of the best quick service spots in all of Walt Disney World. While it may take some time to get over to Downtown Disney, its certainly worth it. Also, the casual atmosphere is a nice break from the usual chaos at some of the busier in-park restaurants.
Kudos to you, Wolfgang Puck, the Epic Meal Time of Gourmet Chefs. Kudos to you indeed.
Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is Disney Living.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ A Disney Mom’s Thoughts
2nd Stop ~ Walt Disney World: Not Just for Kids
3rd Stop ~ Your Highway in the Sky
4th Stop ~ Disney Living
Final Stop ~ Adventures of a Disney Princess
