Week 1 Update
This year’s tournament will pit many well-known Disney restaurants and fan favorites against each other to see who can take the 2019 crown of dining at Disney World. Of the 64 bids, 24 are from the WDW theme parks (including a leading 14 from Epcot), another 10 are from Disney Springs, and the remaining 30 bids are from dining establishments at the various Disney World resorts. Disney’s Grand Floridian takes the lead among the resorts with six bids, including snagging the overall
#1 seed in upscale Victoria and Albert’s as the highest ranked restaurant at Disney World.
Let’s take a look at some of the more interesting matchups in the first round.
(2) Sanaa vs. (15) Ohana [Mickey’s Region]
As two of Disney World’s more exotic dining locations in this year’s tournament,
(2) Sanaa, one of the three bids this year from Animal Kingdom Lodge, prides itself on an environment where African cooking, tandoori chicken, and coriander chutney meet expansive views of giraffes and other roaming animals of Lodge. Animal Kingdom Lodge is home to some of Disney World’s highly rated dining establishments in this year’s tournament, including
(1) Jiko (in the Goofy Region of the bracket), a more upscale and fine-dining option. If you care for something to satisfy your Hawaiian cravings,
(15) Ohana at the Polynesian can cater to your needs in a glorious mix of speed and festive creativity. Many also rave about Ohana’s breakfast. Which exotic experience will come out on top? Is there a volcanic upset in the works?
(1) La Cava del Tequila vs. (16) Le Cellier [Pluto’s Region]
Two of the 14 bids in this year’s tournament are in Epcot, including several from World Showcase, such as the 1-16 Epcot pairing of Mexico’s
(1) La Cava del Tequila and Canada’s
(16) Le Cellier. Can’t travel to Mexico but love tequila? Le Cava del Tequila is a must do for you (but please, don’t try all the tequila at once!). If you’re feeling more Canadian (eh) or just want to go to the Canadian pavilion as a psychological way to beat the Florida heat, many have commented that Le Cellier serves the best steak at Epcot. Look to Canada for the potential of a monumental first round upset. Which is more important to our voters, the need for a drink or the need for a steak?
(6) Tutto Gusto vs. (11) Artist Point [Mickey’s Region]
Are you waiting to meet Snow White, or are you needing a long break from her emotional dwarfs? This matchup features opposite ends of the spectrum when it comes to dining, as you can try several different Italian wines in the cozy and hidden
(6) Tutto Gusto at the Italian pavilion at Epcot, or you can head off to the Enchanted Forest at Wilderness Lodge to eat Brother’s Grimm Roasted Chicken and have a “poison” apple for dessert on the heavy wooden tables at
(11) Artist Point. Cocktails are also available at this #11 seeded Disney favorite (if you still need one and can’t escape to Epcot…).
(5) Boma vs. (12) Wave…of American Flavors [Goofy’s Region]
Lots of tasty flavors in this matchup, as
(5) Boma Flavors of Africa, another Animal Kingdom Lodge bid, tests their vibrant, diverse, and delectable buffet against
(12) The Wave…of American Flavors, one of three bids this year from the Contemporary Resort. While many have commented on the amazing breakfasts at Boma, reviews have been more inconsistent at Contemporary’s popular restaurant which likely explains the lower seeding compared to Boma. Which wave of flavors will win this round and potentially face a stronger Contemporary contender in
(4) California Grill in the next matchup?
(3) Starbucks vs. (14) Nine Dragons [Minnie’s Region]
In an unexpected pairing, we have a head-to-head matchup of two pricey places to eat and drink:
(3) Starbucks at Disney Springs Marketplace and China’s
(14) Nine Dragons at Epcot. Starbucks is popular, well-known, and some would even say a necessity to have the energy to stay awake from dawn to dusk at Disney World, but is it deserving of such a high seed, especially against the Kung Pao Chicken and tasty spring rolls of Nine Dragons? To win Minnie’s Epcot heavy region, the pricey coffee or the tasty Asian food may have to compete against several other strong Epcot contenders if they get far enough, including
(4) Monsieur Paul, (7) Teppan Edo, (10) Restaurant Marrakesh, or
(15) Biergarten. It’s debatable whether Starbucks will have the caffeine or sugar to last that long. In any case, sleep deprived voters will state their case in this curious first round matchup.
(5) Cape May Café vs. (12) Crew’s Cup Lounge [Minnie’s Region]
The only Yacht and Beach Club entries this year face head to head in Minnie’s Region the first round. Unlimited seafood, clams, shrimp, and a very appealing Character breakfast await hungry diners at
(5) Cape May Café at the Beach Club. While expensive, many have made it a point to eat at this New England style buffet during their trip and have noted it can be of good value if you want a large seafood feast (especially with only needing to use one
Disney Dining Plan credit). If you want a quieter and less gluttonous experience, you can order the savory baked cheese dip at
(12) Crew’s Cup Lounge within the Yacht Club. But the question for this tournament is can a cozy lounge at the Yacht Club upend all-you-can-eat crab legs?
(6) Garden Grill vs. (11) Grand Floridian Café [Pluto’s Region]
Another Epcot family staple meets Florida elegance in this matchup of two Disney favorites for two very different reasons. Families and kids love meeting Disney characters at Epcot’s rotating
(6) Garden Grill, while adults fancy the elegance, endless charm, and relaxed atmosphere of the
(11) Grand Floridian Café (one of six Grand Floridian bids this year). Some of the best deserts are found at this Grand Floridian staple. Will Garden Grill do circles around Grand Floridian Café’s charm and beauty? Should Grand Floridian Café manage to win against Garden Grill, another Grand Floridian contender,
(3) Narcoossee’s, may provide a much tougher challenge in the next round if the sole Saratoga Springs entry
(14) Turf Club takes a bow out of the first matchup.
(7) Flying Fish vs. (10) Liberty Tree Tavern [Mickey’s Region]
A tad bit more upscale than Cape May Café,
(7) Flying Fish at the Boardwalk earned a surprisingly lower seed to other seafood restaurants even with its more sophisticated signature seafood dining experience (compared, for example, to a #5 seed all you can eat seafood extravaganza at Cape May Café). Seafood is vastly opposite to the more American fare you would find at popular and family favorite
(10) Liberty Tree Tavern with its renowned colonial theme and quick paced service. Families find comfort here with classic dishes such as turkey, pot roast, mashed potatoes, and veggies family style in the heart of Liberty Square at Magic Kingdom. How far either of these contenders go will depend on whether the winner of this matchup can get past the exotic experiences of
(2) Sanaa or
(15) Ohana in the second round.