Florida (January 1997)

DisneyWorld

Hotel:
Dixie Landings Link to my review

Restaurant:

• Victoria and Alberts Link to my review
  (SEPTEMBER 1997)

• Tony's Town Square (Magic Kingdom) Link to my review
• Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room (Epcot) Link to my review
• Flying Fish Cafe (Boardwalk) Link to my review
• Bistro de Paris (Epcot) Link to my review
• 'Ohana (Polynesian) Link to my review
• Narcoosees (Grand Floridian) Link to my review

Orlando: Disney’s Dixie Landings (January 1997)

My spouse and I stayed at Disney’s Dixie Landings Resort for three nights in January 1997.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter and Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside are a pair of resort hotels that are themed to look like New Orleans and the Old South. Both resorts are located in the Downtown Disney area, and are connected to each other and Downtown Disney via the Sassagoula River.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter was designed to reflect the style and architecture of New Orleans' French Quarter. The resort opened May 17, 1991 as Disney's Port Orleans Resort with 432 guest rooms in three guest buildings and expanded to its current 1,008 rooms in seven 3-story guest buildings containing 144 rooms each.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside was designed to reflect antebellum south along the Mississippi River. The resort opened February 2, 1992 as Disney's Dixie Landings Resort, initially with rooms located in its Alligator Bayou section, and shortly afterward the remaining Magnolia Bend section was opened. Alligator Bayou consists of 1,024 guest rooms over 16 buildings styled as rustic, weathered lodges with 64 rooms per lodge. Magnolia Bend consists of 1,024 guest rooms over four buildings styled as southern plantation grand manor homes with 256 rooms per mansion.^[1]

Beginning March 1, 2001 road signage and other theming began to change reflecting the Disney's Port Orleans Resort and Disney's Dixie Landings Resort properties becoming "regions" of a united Disney's Port Orleans Resort. As of April 1, 2001, the regions became French Quarter and Riverside, respectively. Changes leading up to and after this period would include the French Quarter region losing Bonfamille's Cafe table-service restaurant, bike rentals, and boat rentals. French Quarter region guests would have to use the larger facilities in the Riverside region. Bonfamille's Cafe's is now only used occasionally as a meeting space for food and beverage management, and a training facility. Bonfamille's Cafe's kitchen is Disney World's test kitchen. Other theme changes took place such as Colonel's Cotton Mill food court becoming Riverside Mill.

In 2012, Disney transformed about a quarter of the 2,000 rooms in the "Riverside" section of Disney's Port Orleans Resort into "Royal Rooms."

Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside has a 3.5-acre (1.4 ha) recreation area called Ol' Man Island featuring the resort's 158,000-US-gallon (600 kL) feature swimming pool with a large rustic saw-mill themed water slide and a hot tub. The island also contains a children's playground and the Fishin' Hole, where guests can rent cane fishing poles and bait for a small fee.

There are also five smaller 'quiet' swimming pools at Disney's Port Orleans Resort Riverside, three located within the Alligator Bayou section and two in the Magnolia Bend area. Riverside also has a marina where guests can rent bicycles or surrey bikes. Rental of personal watercraft was discontinued in early 2014 from all Disney moderate-level resorts, including Riverside. Horse-drawn carriage rides are available in the evening.

Disney's Port Orleans Resort French Quarter features the Doubloon Lagoon 225,000-US-gallon swimming pool, which has a sea-serpent themed water slide named Scales that is jockeyed by King Neptune. This area also includes a hot tub and a children's playground.

Orlando: Tony's Town Square (Magic Kingdom) (January 1997)

My spouse and I dined at Tony’s Town Square at the Magic Kingdom in January 1997. Everyone loves Italian, but this is no ordinary Italian restaurant! It’s where Lady and the Tramp had their first kiss. Share spaghetti and meatballs and more at this fun eatery near the entrance of Magic Kingdom park. Step inside this charming turn-of-the-century trattoria on Main Street, USA., with its whitewashed balustrades, French doors and expansive front porch, which offers a fantastic view of evening parades. Take in the classic 1955 film Lady and the Tramp playing in the lobby and pictures of the two pooches gracing the wall. Hopeless romantics are bound to gush over the central fountain depicting the cute canine couple, and more characters and scenes from the movie get you in the mood for food, friends, fun times, and perhaps even amore!

Orlando: Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room (Epcot) (January 1997)

My spouse and I dined at the Rose and Crown Pub at Epcot for lunch in January 1997. This British pub features traditional favorites, waterfront dining and lively evening entertainment. Delight in such specialties as fish and chips, bangers and mash, vegetable cottage pie and so much more. In addition to British selections, the kids menu includes favorites like turkey meatballs and grilled chicken. Dine outside on the patio overlooking World Showcase Lagoon or inside. Just be sure to leave room for Jaffa tarts, sticky toffee pudding, or even Mandy’s Mess—pound cake with seasonal fruit! The Rose and Crown Pub features frosted windows, cold refreshments, and boisterous evening entertainment. Choose from a large selection of British beers, ciders, scotches, and signature cocktails, and raise a pint to the evening’s bit of brilliant entertainment—as performed by the Rose and Crown’s resident musician. Pop in and share a toast as you sing along to some smashing tunes, each hailing from the United Kingdom!

Ohana (Polynesian) (July 1995)

My spouse and I dined at 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort for breakfast in early July 1995. When the Polynesian Resort opened in 1971, this location opened as a restaurant as well. It opened as Papeete Bay Verandah, which served Polynesian cuisine and nightly featured Polynesian singers and dancers. The restaurant survived until September 1994. The space was then completely redesigned and reopened on April 12, 1995, as 'Ohana. Now it serves a character breakfast and a Polynesian all-you-can-eat (although not buffet) dinner.

Orlando: Narcoosees (Grand Floridian) (January 1997)

My spouse and I dined at Narcoosees at the Grand Floridian Resort for dinner in January 1997. Slip away to this elegant waterfront retreat for exquisite seafood specialties and spectacular views of Seven Seas Lagoon. Delight in superb seafood, steak, and more in this waterfront hideaway. Narcoossee’s serves a spectacular, innovative selection of fresh seafood from both local waters and around the globe, including the popular whole-steamed Maine lobster. For land-based fare, savor filet mignon or the New York strip, free-range chicken or delicious vegetarian selections. For the best of both worlds, select the pairing of steak and butter-poached lobster tail. For a perfect ending to any meal, treat yourself to such sumptuous desserts as the coconut-chocolate creme brulee and the almond-crusted cheesecake with Lambert cherry sauce. View the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant from the waterfront verandah.

Orlando: Flying Fish Cafe (Boardwalk) (January 1997)

My spouse and I dined at the Flying Fish Cafe at the Boardwalk Resort for dinner in January 1997. Feast on fresh seafood and sizzling steak in this jovial, high-energy cafe on Disney’s BoardWalk. The mouthwatering seafood, wondrous decor, and lively spirit evoke a festive and bustling Atlantic boardwalk. Dine amid parachuting fish, funhouse mirrors, decorative roller coaster tracks, and a whimsical, backlit Ferris wheel. Peer into the onstage kitchen, where chefs use uber-fresh ingredients to create such succulent specialties as potato-wrapped red snapper, crispy crab cakes, and char-crusted strip steak. Be sure to save room for such desserts as the caramelized banana napoleon and seasonal, house-made sorbets!

Orlando: Bistro de Paris (Epcot) (January 1997)

My spouse and I dined at Bistro de Paris at Epcot in January 1997. One of Disney’s most critically acclaimed restaurants, Bistro de Paris was the brainchild of three of France’s most decorated chefs: Paul Bocuse, Roger Verge, and the late Gaston Lenotre. The view is beautiful, the food is delectable, and the service is excellent. The finest French cuisine is on the menu here; give yourself the option to splurge. Choose from an a la carte menu of appetizers and entrees, including mussel soup, tuna tartar, rack of lamb, and filet mignon. A prix-fixe tasting menu is also available in 4-courses. Wine pairings are available. If you can snag a window seat, get ready for a fireworks view each night.