Le Chefs de France: Restaurant Review

Name: Le Chefs de France
Location: Epcot, in the World Showcase France Pavilion
Cuisine: French
Type: Table Service
Good For Those Who:  Like things made with gruyere cheese and lots of cream.
Price Range: Listed in the $$ range, which is about $15-$35 per person. Lunch entrees are $20-$25 ish, and dinner entrees are closer to $30.
Times: Lunch from 12:00pm to 3:00pm, dinner from 4:30pm to 9:00pm.
Reservations: Strongly recommended. You can make one on the Walt Disney World website.

An outside view of the restaurant.

Walt Disney World Railroad: Ride Review

Name: Walt Disney World Railroad
Type: Ride, Train (like an actual legit steamtrain)
Location: The Magic Kingdom. Circles the entire park. You can board at one of three stations, in Main Street, in Frontierland, and in Fantasyland (the new circus area, near the Barnstormer).
The Gist: An actual train takes you on a scenic tour around the park. A great way to get from one end of the park to another, or for just a nice view of the sights.
A Must-Do For: Train enthusiasts, people who want a ride you can stay on as long as you want (since there are 3 stops, they don't make you get off).
Avoid If: No reason to, really.
Fear Factor: 1/10.
Lines and Other Tips: Trains arrive at stations every 4-10 minutes. You typically won't have to wait longer than that, unless it is crowded, then you may have to wait for the next one.

My grandfather worked as a conductor on the trains here for many, many years, so I'm partial to it for sentimental reasons. But it is also a good way to get around, and take in the sights of the Magic Kingdom. Also, its a pretty good way to get a sneak peek of the New Fantasyland areas they are building!

xoxo, Lily

Impressions de France: Attraction Review

Name: Impressions de France
Type: Short Film
Location: Epcot, in the World Showcase France Pavilion
The Gist: An 18-minute widescreen tour of France, set to the music of French composers such as Saint Saens and Dubussy (thanks, Google!). Features some of the most scenic and famous locations in France.
A Must-Do For: Francophiles, classical music fans, people who need an air-conditioned space to sit for 18 minutes.
Avoid If: You have small children who are likely to randomly start crying. Be nice, don't ruin the show for others. Kids don't care about this one, anyway. Its for adult tastes.
Lines and Other Tips: Not a line, really, but you have to wait until the next show is over, which would at most be 18 minutes, I guess. Btw, this is the one World Showcase film (out of France, Canada and China) that lets you sit down. In actual seats. If you've been walking all day, it makes a difference.

I love Impressions de France, I honestly do. Almost my favorite thing in the World Showcase (almost). The music is wonderful, the the scenes are beautiful, and it always makes me wish I could afford to go to France. I guess I will just have to settle for watching this over and over, getting pastries from the bakery next door, and staring at the fake Eiffel Tower. *Sight*.

xoxo, Lily

The Barnstormer: Ride Review

Name: The Barnstormers
Type: Ride, Kiddie Coaster
Location: The Magic Kingdom, in the recently opened Storybook Circus section of Fantasy Land
The Gist: Take a quick (I'm talking like 30 seconds quick) flight with Goofy- a known terrible pilot-in this newly redesigned coaster that used to be part of the now-gone Toontown area of the park.
A Must-Do For: Kids who want to experience their first "fast" ride. If you think they might like roller coasters but aren't yet ready for Big Thunder Mountain and the like, take them on this. If they hate it... well, it is over in less than a minute, so they'll live.
Avoid If: You have a thing with heights. The top of this ride, while not really that high, is a bit exposed in a way that Big Thunder isn't. My mom, a serious acrophobe, can do it, as long as she doesn't look down.

Boulangerie Patissirie: Food Review

Name: Boulangerie Patisserie
Location: Epcot, in the World Showcase France Pavilion
Cuisine: French
Type: Counter-Service
Serving: French pastries (this is essentially a bakery), along with coffees, quiches, and sandwhiches for a light snack.
Good For Those Who: Like flaky pastry and things with lots of cream.
Price Range: Listed in Disney's $ range, which is technically $15 or less. Most things her run about $5-$8, seeing that they serve snack-type things.
Times: All day (well, from 11 a.m. on, since that is when the showcase opens). Good place for a light lunch, snack or dessert.
Reservations: None taken.
My Recommendation: I always get the chocolate mousse (not even a pastry, I'm aware, but I like it!). But, the napoleons come highly recommended by my mother and sister.
Healtheir Option: Um... it's a bakery, I mean...

Don't ask me how to pronounce it, I don't know either. But anyway you slice it, this is always my go-to place for dessert at Epcot. It smells heavenly, and they have a ton of options. You really can't go wrong.

xoxo, Lily

*Note: Food prices and menu options are subject to change at any time, so I can't guarantee my information will always be accurate.

**Also, the "healthier options" I give are simply based on my knowledge of healthy eating and nutrition. I am not a doctor! For specific information regarding calories and such, I suggest contacting the individual restaurants via the Disney World website.

Casey's Corner: Restaurant Review

Name: Casey's Corner
Location: The Magic Kingdom, on Main Street, U.S.A.
Cuisine: Ballpark food, namely, hot dogs. A few other token things like nachos and fries as well.
Type: Counter Service
Good For Those Who: Like fancy hotdogs
Price Range: In the $ price range, which means everything is less than $15.
Times: Lunch, dinner, snacks
Reservations: None taken, since it's quick service
My Recommendation: Well... here's the thing with this place. Their specialties are the hotdogs, which, are, admittedly, several steps above what most places boil and slap on a stale bun. What I'm saying is, if you like hotdogs, this is a good place to go. However, I hate hotdogs, even "good" ones like they have here, so I can't exactly personally recommend them. The nachos, though, I have to once again give props to Disney and say, are pretty decent. When you are expecting those hard round chips drenched in disconcertingly-yellow shiny cheese, they are actually a nice surprise. Good chips, beef, actual cheese- and you can put the toppings on yourself. It's the little things, guys.
Healthier Option: If you want healthy, your only option really, is to go someplace else. This isn't that kinda place.

It is a lucky soul who happens to be passing down Main Street and gets hit with a whiff of fresh waffle cone from the ice cream parlor on the right, and a whiff of saurkraut from Casey's on the left. At the same time. I am only half being sarcastic.

xoxo, Lily

Living With the Land: Ride Review

Name: Living With the Land
Type: Ride, Slow Boat Ride
Location: Epcot, in the World Showcase Land Pavilion
The Gist: Learn about human interaction with nature and ride through actual greenhouses to see some newfangled eco-friendly techniques for growing food (the food they grow here is actually served in the restaurants at Epcot).
A Must-Do For: People interested in plants, agriculture, and/or being environmentally friendly.
Avoid If: You are adverse to being educated while at Disney World.
Fear Factor: 1/10. A calm, slow, educational experience- nothing scary.
Lines and Other Tips: Usually, the wait times for this are easy, probably the longest I have ever waited is 15 or so minutes. Keep in mind that this ride does not usually run long after dark, so if it is a must-do for you, don't put it off.

Ok... so, I know this one sounds totally boring, and yeah, it probably will be for kids, but I personally love it. Just a nice, easy, and interesting experience at Epcot. It actually is sorta fascinating to see some of the crazy ways they grow food.

xoxo, Lily