Jessica Holmes, Author at Neverland Press

Restaurant Review: Yak & Yeti

Before discovering the Yak & Yeti table service restaurant last year, my family had always eaten at the Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe (which is quick service). Both of these are located in the Asia section of the park (near the Flights of Wonder pavilion), and are beside one another. Once I experienced Yak & Yeti, it became my “must-eat” restaurant at Animal Kingdom. Three words: cream cheese wontons. But more on those later.

On our most recent trip, we ended up dining here twice. Once was a planned visit with an ADR, and the other was an evening when everyone except my husband and toddler decided to stay back at the resort. There is seating both upstairs and down, and some of the upstairs tables have a great window view. The restaurant really is beautiful, and I realized that I failed miserably in not getting pictures of the interior (looks like I found a reason to go back – I need a do-over!).

On the first visit, I had the Seared Miso Salmon, which comes with coconut-ginger rice, baby bok choy & shitake mushroom stir-fry. This is deeeee-licious! The glaze on the salmon had such a good flavor, and the salmon had a nice consistency, as well.

My more adventurous husband tried the Malaysian Seafood Curry, which includes Mahi Mahi, scallops, little neck clams, mussels, shrimp, as well as some veggies and rice. This was a new dish for him, and he thoroughly enjoyed it. He said it had a medium spice, and he would definitely eat it again.

The other members of our party had the Crispy Honey Chicken (more on this later, since I ordered it on the second trip) and the Lo Mein with Shrimp. Both were hits – everyone raved about this meal.

The service was also great – our server was extremely friendly and helpful. He was taking a trip to our home state the following weekend, so we were able to chat about the area a bit. Now, on to my favorite part of the meal: dessert! I had been dreaming about the Fried Wontons for months, so my choice was easy. What is this magical creation, you ask? It consists of skewers of cream cheese wontons and fresh pineaple, drizzled with a delicious honey vanilla sauce, and a side of ice cream. It is as amazing as it sounds.

Fried Wontons: this is the stuff dreams are made of…

Other desserts were ordered, as well – Pineapple Upside Down cake (served warm and covered in ice cream and caramel sauce), and the Chocolate Pudding Cake. The Pineapple Upside Down cake was very good, but the Chocolate Pudding cake was too much, even for our biggest chocolate lover (ahem, that’s me). Neither one stood a chance against my wontons, though!

Chocolate Pudding Cake with Raspberry Sauce

Our second dining experience here was a spur-of-the-moment decision. I made an ADR about 2 hours in advance, as we were on the bus to the park. We sat downstairs this time, and had a long, relaxing dinner. I started with a Kiwi Kimono, which was light and delicious.

This time I opted for the Crispy Honey Chicken, and it was great. Crispy on the outside with a sweet-but-not-TOO sweet flavor, it was perfect.

My husband opted for the Kalbi Steak & Coconut Shrimp, and he loved it. It came with a pineapple-mango salsa, chili plum sauce, wasabi mashed potatoes, and stir-fried veggies. I sampled the mashed potatoes and they were wonderful! We were both extremely happy with our meals, and the service was again great, as well.

For dessert, we both got…you guessed it, the cream cheese wontons! Have I mentioned how delicious these are? So, so good.

One more wonton picture, because I can’t get enough!

If you’re looking for a table service restaurant in Animal Kingdom, I would definitely recommend Yak & Yeti. And bonus tip: right across the street is a little kiosk called Drinkwallah. Inside, you will find my favorite drink in this park: Coconut Lychee Lemonade! It’s perfect for a hot day, and goes down way too easily.

Exploring the Parks: Animal Kingdom After Dark

I love Animal Kingdom. I know that for a lot of people, it’s a half-day park, a place to go knock out a couple of rides and be on your way. But I love it. I love walking around and taking pictures, I adore the Tree of Life, and I could ride Everest and Kilimanjaro Safari over and over (and I have, on several occasions). I admit, I would be happy if DinoLand were completely demolished, but that’s another story.

As long as I have been going to the parks, I have always wished that I could ride Everest at night. So when I heard that Animal Kingdom was getting nighttime entertainment, I was thrilled! I scheduled two nights of our trip to make sure we got to do everything. The thing that really struck me on both nights was that the park seemed relatively empty. Wait times were low and the only huge crowds seemed to be around the time that the Jungle Book show was letting out. So did the nighttime entertainment meet my high expectations? In some ways, absolutely! In other ways, not so much. Let’s take a look at all of the things I experienced.

Everest After Dark

I’m a big, big fan of coasters, and Everest is my favorite at any of the Disney parks. Riding in the dark has always been on my Disney Bucket List, and I was extremely excited to check it off. Everest at twilight was actually my favorite – seeing the sky and all of the twinkling lights below. Riding in the complete dark didn’t disappoint, either! It felt like you were better able to see the Yeti, probably because your eyes were already adjusted to the dark. Over the course of two evenings, I probably did 6 rides. Lines were extremely short and the single rider line was almost nonexistent. This was definitely a highlight – it was just as amazing as I had always imagined it would be. If you’re a fan of this ride, then riding at night is an absolute must-do!

Kilimanjaro Safari: Nighttime Edition

The Safari is one of my favorite things to do at Animal Kingdom, because it is always different, and sometimes you get a really unexpected and up-close view of an animal. I was excited to try it at night, and we went on at a few different times to see what the best time might be. We went on around 6:30 (still light), 7:45 (dusk), and 8:30 (fully dark). The ride at dusk was definitely the best. It seemed to be feeding time for a lot of the animals, so we got a good look at a lot of them, but it also felt different being out there slightly later than usual. The lions were even up and about at this time! When we went in the complete dark, we didn’t see nearly as many animals. It was also nearly impossible to get any pictures, at least using my iPhone. It was really cool to get a different experience on an attraction that we have been on so many times, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you’ve never been on the safari during the day. They have lights on the jeep, and lights strategically placed in the trees throughout the ride. Another thing that I also noticed in the evening: they were only loading from one side, so this slowed things down a little. It operated that way both nights we were there, but the line was still pretty short compared to the wait during the day. I’m glad I got to experience this, even if the nighttime safari wasn’t all I had hoped it would be. Now I just need to check off the Wild Africa Trek, and my AK Bucket List will be complete!

A giraffe came up to say hello on our earlier safari.

Tree of Life: Awakening

Around sunset each night, the animals on the Tree of Life begin to “awaken”. Sometimes they just slightly move, but there are also four different entire animated sequences (lasting around five minutes each) that are accompanied by music. Imagine something similar to the “Celebrate the Magic” projection on the Castle, but with animals. I thought this was really charming, and since it happened at various times throughout the evening, you could walk up and catch it at any time. We stood and watched for quite awhile, and everyone seemed to really enjoy it. I would love it if new sequences were eventually added, but I consider this a hit and a definite must-see. Please note that since it is a projection, it’s only visible from the front of the tree.

A little fox “awakens” on the Tree of Life.

I loved the colors and music that were used.

The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic

By now, you’ve probably heard all the bad reviews about this show. Let me just add: they’re all true. This show was unbelievably awful. I was so excited about Rivers of Light, and I was bummed that it was delayed. The theater that was built for it is absolutely gorgeous, and seeing all the lights right at dusk is breathtaking. Thankfully, the Jungle Book show has now ended and if you haven’t seen it yet, you’ve missed your chance (September 5^th was the last show). It was basically Indian-style music and dancing to the Jungle Book soundtrack, while scenes from the movie were projected onto water in the background. There were also some cast members that danced up and down the aisles. It was painful. It was boring. And every single person in our party hated it. Most of them had no idea of the bad reviews going in, and I didn’t say anything because I didn’t want to influence their opinion. It was surprisingly bad for a show put on by Disney, which just speaks to the fact that it was quickly thrown together as a replacement. Fingers crossed that Rivers of Light arrives quickly!

The floats were pretty. That’s the only nice thing I have to say about this show!

Overall, I loved being at Animal Kingdom after dark, and I can only imagine that it will get even better once Rivers of Light debuts and the expansion is finished. While we were there, the park felt fairly empty, and it was really fun to walk around and just enjoy the views. It seemed like a good deal of the vendors were open late, as well. I stopped to ask what time they would stop serving drinks in the Harambe Market, and the answer was 10pm.

Unfortunately, Animal Kingdom began to cut their nighttime hours right after our trip. They are currently still open until 9pm, so you can still enjoy lots of nighttime activities, but you’ll have to hurry. The hours scale back to 8:30 in October and then to 6:00 in November. I’m looking forward to experiencing Animal Kingdom at night even more once the new show and expansion are ready!

Restaurant Review: Be Our Guest Lunch

I still remember how excited I was the first time I walked into Be Our Guest and got a glimpse of the ballroom. We managed to score a dinner reservation during a Christmas party when it was first opening, and it was (and still is) absolutely breathtaking. We have been back several times and have tried all three meals. Breakfast and lunch are quick service, but dinner transitions into a table service. It’s also worth mentioning that dinner at BoG is currently the only place in the Magic Kingdom where alcoholic drinks are available for purchase. Due to the overwhelming popularity, reservations can be made for all three meals, and these go FAST! I definitely recommend booking this one at 180 days if you plan to dine here. The food at lunch is my favorite, but during dinner, you are able to meet the Beast (I love that hairy guy!).

Another unique thing about this restaurant is that for breakfast and lunch, you are able to pre-order your food online before your trip, and then you can skip the line once you arrive. We didn’t pre-order this time, so when we arrived, we got in line to order. There is so much to look at while you’re waiting that the time passes quickly. When it’s time to order, you are directed to one of the kiosks in the library (this room transitions to where you meet the Beast at dinner). Once your order is placed, you can proceed to any of the rooms and your food will be brought out to you. The ballroom is my favorite, but the West Wing has a really cool ambiance, as well. We quickly grabbed a table in the ballroom, and our food arrived shortly.

Kiosk for ordering lunch in the library at Be Our Guest.

My favorite thing to eat at Be Our Guest is the French Onion Soup – it’s delicious! But since we had been outside in the heat all morning, I wasn’t ready for soup. I chose the Carved Turkey Sandwich. It is served warm on a baguette with Dijon Mayonnaise and Pommes Frites. I’ve had this sandwich several times, and I always enjoy it. There was lots of turkey (actually too much for me!), and the sauce was delicious, as well. Two of the others in our party also got the same thing, and everyone enjoyed it.

The Carved Turkey Sandwich with Pommes Frites.

My husband is a huge fan of the Croque Monsieur sandwich, but this time he decided to branch out and try the Tuna Nicoise Salad. It includes warm seared tuna steak with chilled green beans, potatoes, olives, roasted bell peppers, tomatoes, and a hard poached egg. He enjoyed it, but said that he would’ve preferred more spice to the tuna.

My son chose the Mickey Meatloaf, and wanted me to be sure that I quoted him when he said it was “super yummy”. This is a turkey meatloaf with broccoli and Pommes Frites, with Orange “stuff” for dipping.

Dessert is the same for lunch and dinner, and it’s delicious! We went with the Strawberry Cream Cheese Cupcake (vanilla sponge cake, strawberry mousse filling, and cream cheese icing), the Triple Chocolate Cupcake (chocolate sponge cake, chocolate mousse filling, and chocolate ganache), and the Master’s Cupcake (chocolate sponge cake topped with Lumiere’s special “Grey Stuff”). The Strawberry Cream Cheese is usually my go-to, but this time I decided to try to Master’s Cupcake. The Grey Stuff is light and almost mousse-like, and it was very good. Tip: the easiest way to eat the cupcakes is with a spoon, since the wrapping is difficult to remove.

The staff was also very accommodating. Our 14-year-old initially ordered the Tuna Nicoise Salad, but was slightly disgusted when it arrived and wasn’t what she had expected. Our server quickly offered to bring her something different, for which we were very grateful.

I definitely recommend that any fan of Beauty and the Beast eat here at least once, to experience the beautiful surroundings. I already have an ADR for my next trip, and I’m hoping that the weather will be cool enough for soup!

Know Before You Go: Packing 101

Planning a trip to Walt Disney World is an event that starts months in advance for me. I love all of it – planning out our days, getting ADRs and FastPasses, and picking out new Disney-themed clothes (or ears, or accessories!) for my family. It all builds the anticipation and makes the trip even more magical. For my upcoming trip (11 days to go!), I even made one of Jacqueline’s spreadsheets.

I start packing for my family several weeks in advance. I make lists so that I’m not scrambling around at the last minute, and I can slowly buy the new things that we need. I figure out how many outfits each person will need (plus extras for unexpected weather), and then I pack each outfit in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag, complete with socks, underwear, and accessories. For our big trips, I may even coordinate which day the outfits are worn, and I will write the day on the bag. It makes those early mornings much easier! Don’t forget a laundry bag to put your dirty clothes in, because a pile of smelly socks in the corner is definitely not a magical sight to come home to every night!

There are several things that I never considered could come in handy until I had been to Disney several times. I also asked my co-bloggers to contribute some items that they find very useful. We have combined our experience to provide you with a list of less-obvious must-haves when packing for your next trip.

Ziploc Bags of various sizes – these can be used to hold anything, but my favorite use is for packing up snacks to take home! They’re also useful to hold spare trading pins, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom cards, or pressed pennies.

Power Strip – especially if you are traveling with several other people who have phones/tablets/computers, this can come in extremely handy in your room.

First Aid Kit – I make up my own first-aid kit in a case small enough to fit into a backpack. I include Tylenol, Immodium, Band-Aids, Moleskin, and a travel-sized sunscreen. Sure, all of the parks have a first-aid station, but I’d rather be prepared in the moment and not have to hike all the way across the park when someone is in pain. If you wear contacts, you may also want to pack a travel-sized bottle of solution. My eyes tend to get dry by the end of a long day, especially when I’m zipping around on rides with the wind in my face.

CamelBak backpack (or comfortable cross-body bag) – I will admit, when my husband decided he wanted to buy a CamelBak for our trip, I was hesitant. It seemed like a lot of money to invest in a backpack. But it was a great investment! We have used it for several years, and we always have water with us at the park. It’s a lifesaver on those hot days, and it keeps me hydrated for race weekends. Tip: fill the bladder up with ice before you leave the resort. Then the water stays cold all day, and your back stays cool, as well! Don’t want to have to tote around water? You can get cups of it free anywhere in the park. In that case, I would recommend a comfortable cross-body bag that is just big enough for your essentials.

camelbak

Noise-Reducing Headphones – These are perfect if you have a child with special needs who may experience sensory overload during the fireworks. They are also very useful for a baby/toddler who is scared of the loud noises. We went through two pairs of these when my son was a baby – one pair was left in the Tiki Room, and the second pair he decided to toss through the fence while waiting for IllumiNations. Now, at three, he just holds our hands over his ears until he gets used to the loud noises.

headphones

Pump Foam Soap – Some people love the bars of soap that are provided in the resorts, but if you have a child who just doesn’t understand what to do with it (or an adult who likes a specific kind of soap), bringing your own can be an easy way to improve resort life. I have also heard of people who bring Lysol or Febreeze, because they want the room to smell a certain way, but I’ve never gone that far.

Misting Fans or Frogg Toggs – These can come in so handy on those hot summer days, especially when you’re sitting in the sun, waiting for the parade to start. Misting Fans go for about $17 in the park, so bringing your own can save a lot of money!

Mini M&M canister to hold coins for pressed pennies – Do you have a child (or a grown-up) who enjoys collecting pressed pennies? My son loves them, but I frequently find myself standing in front of the machine, rummaging through pockets for change. This time I’ll be prepared with a canister filled with quarters and pennies (I’ve started collecting particularly shiny ones). For you runners out there, a Nuun canister will also work.

Portable Phone Charger – You’ll be taking tons of pictures and video while you’re at the park, and probably posting them to social media. Make sure you bring a portable battery, and don’t forget your phone cable! You can also buy these in the gift shops, but you’ll be able to get a better deal if you purchase one (or two!) before you go.

Ponchos or Rain Jackets – As you probably know, thunderstorms tend to pop up without warning in Orlando. Be prepared by bringing your own rain jacket, or even a cheap poncho from the Dollar Store. Ponchos will run you $8 or $9 in the parks. We invested in nice rain jackets, and they keep us really dry. We throw them on and keep on going! If you have a stroller, bring an extra poncho and use it to cover your stroller. My son thought this was great fun, and it kept him – and the stroller – dry.

poncho

Familiar Snacks/Drinks– Do you have a child who is a picky eater? Or a toddler who may not be ready for his own Mickey Bar, but needs frequent snacks? Pack his favorite snacks, and lots of them! This will not only save money, but it also may save you from experiencing a meltdown when a hungry child needs a snack immediately. Also, if you are a fan of Pepsi products, you will need to bring your own, because once you’re inside the bubble, you’ll only find Coke products.

Pack a set of clothes/sneakers in carry on – If you’re flying, we always advise to pack an extra set of clothes in your carry on, just in case. Not that we don’t love buying new clothes at the parks, but in case there is a delay with your luggage, you’ll be set for an extra day.

Being confident about what you are packing will alleviate stress and start your trip off on the right foot. What unusual item do you pack? Share your packing tips with us!

Welcome to Neverland Press…Are You Ready to Fly?

Welcome to Neverland Press!

Neverland Press is a blog inspired by a love of all things Disney. Not just trips to the parks, but the entire Disney lifestyle. We are incredibly excited about this opportunity, and we have so many ideas that we can’t wait to share! We will be bringing you tips on planning your trip, ways to make the most of your time while on vacation, reviews on restaurants and events, runDisney race recaps, spotlights on our favorite accessories, and much, much more. Whether you are a Disney newbie or have years of experience under your mouse ears, we will have something for you.

The blog team is made up of five women who met online through a love of Disney and running. Between us, we have logged many different types of trips – solo trips, trips with newborns, small kids, teens, girls’ weekends, racecations, and romantic getaways – you name it, we’ve done it! And we are going to be sharing all of our knowledge, experience, and pixie dust with you.

We’d like to start by introducing ourselves. Click on each name to learn more about us and our personal Disney favorites.

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