Hello and welcome to my third dining review!
I am Alby, an Italian 30 something mother of 2 . I have never gone to Disney World with my family (this will soon change I hope!), but I have managed quite a few solo trips when I was in the US for business reasons.
I will be in the World from January 4 to 10, 2015 (plus 2 Universal days attached at the beginning) and will hopefully cover 14 wonderful meals .
I looove reading and writing Disney dining reviews!
I hope you find this helpful, and to this aim here is a bit of context about my likes and dislikes: I could live on pizza and pasta, but when I am abroad I prefer avoiding Italian food and trying local things. When I am in the US I like breakfast food that cant usually be found in Italy (such as French toast and pancakes), steaks (which are definitely tastier than the European ones) and Cajun food. But basically I eat and enjoy everything!
Theres not much I really dislike, but I can say I am not a fan of American BBQ (too different from home), in particular ribs, and it is rare that I order fish (while I love shrimp).
I work far from home a lot and I am therefore sick and tired of standard, banal hotels and restaurants, and prefer themed experiences and beautiful views to spotless and rigorous service. Luckily, Disney dining (and hotels) fit the bill perfectly!
So, whats the deal with the title of this review? Why a Chakalaka, Churro and Cheeseburger Challenge?
Its because I feel a bit conspicuous dining solo, and I let this fact condition me a lot during my past trips: I often chose to have a very early TS breakfast every day, and eat snacks or CS that could be brought to my room during the day. With very few exceptions, I avoided both TS and CS in - restaurant lunches and dinners this made also easier having to go back to the room and work some during the day.
It meant that I did not enjoy the dining opportunities offered by the resort I was staying at (although they always offered appealing restaurants), and missed several fundamental Disney experiences, like dining in the World Showcase (with the exception of things that could be taken out).
But in the last couple of trips, I started to realize I was missing out, and on this trip I am going to make up for it! So, here comes my Challenge:
Chakalaka: on this trip, I am staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge . I will spend more time in the resort in comparison to previous trips, and distance from the parks (which has deterred me from trying AKL till now) is less important. I want to try Boma (dinner, not only breakfast!), Jiko and/ or The Mara, and chakalaka reminds me of this intention.
Churro: this reminds me to try at least a couple of World Showcase meals during my trip!
Cheeseburger: what would you say if I told you that the only cheeseburger I have eaten in the past 25 years has come from the Beach Club Private Dining, and was a dry and tasteless cheeseburger at that? Everyone says that I really should change this, and try a good specimen of THE American staple.
In the next post, the lineup I have tried to come up with to fulfill my challenge!
I am Alby, an Italian 30 something mother of 2 . I have never gone to Disney World with my family (this will soon change I hope!), but I have managed quite a few solo trips when I was in the US for business reasons.
I will be in the World from January 4 to 10, 2015 (plus 2 Universal days attached at the beginning) and will hopefully cover 14 wonderful meals .
I looove reading and writing Disney dining reviews!
I hope you find this helpful, and to this aim here is a bit of context about my likes and dislikes: I could live on pizza and pasta, but when I am abroad I prefer avoiding Italian food and trying local things. When I am in the US I like breakfast food that cant usually be found in Italy (such as French toast and pancakes), steaks (which are definitely tastier than the European ones) and Cajun food. But basically I eat and enjoy everything!
Theres not much I really dislike, but I can say I am not a fan of American BBQ (too different from home), in particular ribs, and it is rare that I order fish (while I love shrimp).
I work far from home a lot and I am therefore sick and tired of standard, banal hotels and restaurants, and prefer themed experiences and beautiful views to spotless and rigorous service. Luckily, Disney dining (and hotels) fit the bill perfectly!
So, whats the deal with the title of this review? Why a Chakalaka, Churro and Cheeseburger Challenge?
Its because I feel a bit conspicuous dining solo, and I let this fact condition me a lot during my past trips: I often chose to have a very early TS breakfast every day, and eat snacks or CS that could be brought to my room during the day. With very few exceptions, I avoided both TS and CS in - restaurant lunches and dinners this made also easier having to go back to the room and work some during the day.
It meant that I did not enjoy the dining opportunities offered by the resort I was staying at (although they always offered appealing restaurants), and missed several fundamental Disney experiences, like dining in the World Showcase (with the exception of things that could be taken out).
But in the last couple of trips, I started to realize I was missing out, and on this trip I am going to make up for it! So, here comes my Challenge:
Chakalaka: on this trip, I am staying at the Animal Kingdom Lodge . I will spend more time in the resort in comparison to previous trips, and distance from the parks (which has deterred me from trying AKL till now) is less important. I want to try Boma (dinner, not only breakfast!), Jiko and/ or The Mara, and chakalaka reminds me of this intention.
Churro: this reminds me to try at least a couple of World Showcase meals during my trip!
Cheeseburger: what would you say if I told you that the only cheeseburger I have eaten in the past 25 years has come from the Beach Club Private Dining, and was a dry and tasteless cheeseburger at that? Everyone says that I really should change this, and try a good specimen of THE American staple.
In the next post, the lineup I have tried to come up with to fulfill my challenge!