The Wave Restaurant Review
I was fortunate enough to dine at the brand new Wave Restaurant within Disney’s Contemporary Resort about a week ago. This was the restaurant’s third week being opened and I could not wait to give it a try. I am so happy to report that Walt Disney World has another winning dining experience within its repertoire of dining establishments with The Wave.
Upon entering the restaurant, you emerge into a brushed silver tunnel, with glass walls encasing “bubbles” on either side. You’ll notice that as you move on, the tunnel declines ever so slightly, giving you the subtle feeling that you are descending into a watery wonderland. The soft, blue lights that permeate the tunnel, also lend their ambiance to the “watery wonderland” that awaits you at the end of the tunnel. At the end of the tunnel, you’ll find the podium, with a huge, gorgeous, frosted glass wall as its backdrop. This glass wall encases ”waves and bubbles” within, leading you to imagine that the wall itself contains flowing water throughout.
The two lounge/waiting rooms are to the right of the restaurant as you exit the tunnel. These semi-circular rooms, with their long comfy couches aligning the entire wall, are quite dark, with a soft glow of blue light radiating from a circular “tray” in the ceiling. These rooms are so relaxing in nature, that you almost don’t mind the wait to be seated. While waiting, you’ll look on as glowing drinks are brought to guests, permeating the darker, soft blue glowing area and adding to the relaxing overall ambiance.
The bar itself is another beautiful area of the restaurant. Darker, warm, woods with lots of glass so the soft lighting, perfectly placed, plays off of the glass and lend its own brand of soft glow. Upon the ceiling are golden twinkling lights adding to the warmth of the ambiance. At the very end of the bar area you’ll see the hundreds of wine bottles through the windowed wall, allowing you a glimpse into one of the restaurants “quirky” claims to fame; the largest collection of fine “screw top” wines in the US. It is told that experts are now finding that the freshest and tastiest of wines are to be found beneath screw tops; not the long believed corks that generally top our possibly outdated idea of the finer wines of the past. You’ll also find organic wine and beer as a unique offering to sample, as well.
Moving into the dining area, you’ll find that this area takes on more of warm golden glow. It’s as if you’re transported from the watery wonderland into an underground mysterious cave of golden walls and waves flowing freely above. This is accomplished with very modern, contemporary touches such as interesting use of lighting, along with golden waves of metal, encasing the entire ceiling of both rooms. In the center of each table, you’ll find that the salt and pepper shakers lend their own artistic touch to your table. Circular brushed silver “pucks” settled into a brushed silver holder will have you initially wondering “what in the world?” Upon closer inspection you’ll find the tiny openings atop the “pucks” leading to the revelation that you’ve discovered the salt and pepper shakers. Contemporary art of soft golden colors adorns the walls in a conservative way, careful not to overdue and take away from the feeling of “calm” you’ll experience during your time within The Wave.
The food, mostly of organic nature, is extremely fresh, with vegetables arriving every other day from local farms. You’ll find nothing battered and dripping with grease here. Everything is either grilled, pan seared, or baked. As a southern girl and huge fan of all things battered and fried, I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive. However, upon the arrival of our food, we were more than pleasantly surprised. My filet bathed in a wonderful cabernet sauce, I’ll venture to say, was the best that I’ve had in quite some time. It was served with fresh warm, dressed greens, and roasted tomatoes and fingerling potatoes hiding beneath the filet itself. My companion for the evening, (my 9 year old son), opted for a linguini dish, adorned with shrimp, baby clams and a wonderful light tomato broth. We requested the broth on the side, and the server was happy to oblige. In all honesty, I was tempted to dig into the remaining broth in the bowl and enjoy it as a soup. It was that good. My son and I were both extremely pleased with our choices and were eager to give 2 very hearty thumbs up.
Desserts are served in 3 miniature bowls offering various samplings of delectable and interesting sugary delights. Samplings are grouped in various categories such as “Creamy Indulgence”, “Decadent Flavors”, “Crisp and Crunchy” and “Freshly Crafted Sorbets”. You are also welcomed to mix and match to create your own personalized, 3 miniature bowl, samplings. We opted for the cheesecase with raspberry coulis, coconut panna cotta with passion fruit drizzle and vanilla braised pineapple spears on one sampling “plate”. Then we decided on a second sampling of the homemade and freshly crafted sorbets (pineapple, strawberry, and lemon basil); Again, a “homerun” for The Wave in the dessert department. I’d say our favorite was the cheesecake and coconut panna cotta, with the vanilla braised pineapple spears coming in last. Not that they weren’t good……it’s just that for our sweet teeth, this choice didn’t quite offer the sugar-laden dessert that we have personally become accustomed to. However, this along with the sorbets make for a delightful choice for those desiring something subtly sweet.
Our dinner for 2 with desserts was around $70.00. However, I can tell you with confidence that it was money well-spent. We enjoyed every minute of our hour and a half within The Wave.
In wrapping up my review of The Wave, I must speak briefly about the service. Our server was Ali, a delightfully cheery fellow, whose disposition was a bit contagious, I must say. He seemed as if he had found his dream job in serving others at The Wave. He exuded just that much authentic “happiness” which honestly should be a necessity for all Walt Disney World cast-members. He was extremely attentive without being overly so. My son had ordered coke to drink. After several minutes into our meal, Ali brought over a drink and instructed my son to “just try this one…. on me….it is our own raspberry lemonade”. My son and I both agreed that this was one of the most heavenly drinks we’d had. After letting Ali know how much we enjoyed the drink, he continued to bring them to both of us. When the bill came, the lemonades were nowhere to be found. Ali is pure perfection when it comes to food service and I would highly recommend that you request a table in his section.
In summary, I suppose you’ve already concluded that The Wave has become a new favorite of mine and I absolutely can barely wait to visit again.
Note: The Wave serves breakfast, lunch and dinner
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Adventures by Disney – Not Just a Tour, but a Tour Experience
I admit, when the Adventures by Disney first came out, I was not impressed. I just could not imagine the average family spending as much for a vacation as what it would cost to go on an Adventure by Disney vacation. I was not allowing myself to get past the prices, and start investigating the actual tours. Once I did investigate, I found what I should have expected all along. Disney always seems to create an experience with their vacation itineraries. I found that the details, of each Adventure by Disney itinerary, are put together with great care for each guest’s needs. I found that it was not just a tour, but it was a tour experience.
The Adventures by Disney itineraries are not value itineraries, but when you take a close look at them, you will find they actually are deluxe tours that are value priced. Once you look at what Disney offers, you see that you do get your money’s worth, and then some. For starters, the size of your group will be smaller than you might expect. The average adventure by Disney has 30 to 40 guests, and each Adventure has two Disney tour guides. Disney has gone out and searched for hotels, and attractions, that are top notch. Hotels are 3, 4, and 5, star hotels, and the many private tours offered within each Adventure are truly above and beyond the tours you will find within other tour companies’ itineraries. Most of your meals are included in each Adventure by Disney. With Adventures by Disney you get what Disney calls The Disney Difference, a variety of Disney magical surprises, and Disney touches.
Looking at the 2008 itinerary for the Adventures by Disney Southwest Splendor, you will find yourself immersed in the history and lifestyle of the Southwestern United States. This specialized itinerary will take you from Arizona to Utah, with stays in three different locations. Your hotels, Amara Creekside Resort and Spa, The Grand Hotel, and Red Cliffs Lodge, will all provide you with their own southwestern flair. Each day of the Southwest Splendor Adventure Itinerary is filled with specialized tours, and experiences.
I think if Walt Disney were alive today, he would be pleased with the Adventures by Disney. Walt was very creative, and he had a knack for creating one of a kind experiences. That is what Adventures by Disney does with each Adventure, creates a one of a kind experience.
Creating magical memories one vacation at a time!
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Adventures By Disney: Quest for the West
This Adventures by Disney tour is my favorite one so far of three and counting (I’m booked for two in 2008; >). Really, I think the name could easily be changed to “Quest for the Best”, and then I would say we found it!
There is something about the combination of immersing ourselves in an environment, while at the same time having all transitions and excursion decisions handled by fantastic tour guides, that makes an already amazing destination (ie:Yellowstone National Park and the Tetons mountain range) purely divine!
I’ve put together a narration of pictures of this adventure here: Quest for the West
And if you’d like to ask questions about any of the Adventures by Disney tours or how to plan for them, please feel welcome to join me here at the Adventures by Disney community forum I’ve already signed up for Discovery Down Under (Australia) and Sacred Valleys (Peru). I’d love to have you come plan with me!
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Walt Disney World For Couples and Adults (part 1)
Part 1: How Could Walt Disney World Really Appeal To Adults? Come On Now!
Walt Disney World is no longer the families-only getaway we remember from our childhoods. One never thinks of WDW as the perfect spot for a honeymoon, people looking to reconnect and “recharge” their relationship, single friends wanting to take a vacation together, or as a great getaway for couples who are dating. For many people without children or looking to take an adults-only vacation, Walt Disney World may not come to mind immediately or it may be ruled out quickly. Talks of a cruise to the Bahamas always come up as does other locales such as Europe or Hawaii. These are all great travel destinations in their own right, but the fact of the matter is couples traveling without children don’t always give Walt Disney World the consideration it deserves. Another problem is it’s difficult to find information meant for couples or adults only. I’ve spent countless hours looking for vacation options for my husband and me. Most travel articles regarding Disney vacations are family oriented; when I first started looking into Disney vacations years ago, I learned how to do Disney World with young children, but I couldn’t find anything regarding what Walt Disney World could offer couples (or singles) traveling without children. So, over for the next few months, I’m going to be delving into Walt Disney World Vacations for couples.
Getting There
By “getting there”, I mean coming to the decision that a Disney trip is right for you and your someone special. I know what you’re thinking; “Character meals? Meeting princesses and mice? That can’t possibly be romantic nor could it appeal to adults traveling without children!” That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Walt Disney World is one of the best domestic honeymoon destinations according to WeddingChannel.com. Disney World also boasts some of the best restaurants in the Orlando area according to many online sources. Tempted yet?
What’s So Great About Disney?
Ok, it may take a lot more than a nice restaurant and a wedding site to win you over. No problem! When you start thinking about a Disney vacation, you may be hesitant at first if you’ve never experienced the resort as a whole or at all. I don’t mean the theme parks, water parks, and things people generally associate with Disney World. Those aspects are amazing, however, there is so much more to it than just a few rides. It’s an experience like no other. When you’re staying on property at Disney World, you can’t help but be overcome by a feeling of sheer joy. You feel your stresses melt away and your care free self tends to emerge. (“Hey! Who’s that person wearing my pajamas?” you ask yourself as you look in the mirror one morning. “I haven’t seen you since high school!”) You smile a little easier and you’re more likely to strike up a conversation with the Dad from New Jersey sitting next to you on Main Street USA holding spots for his family for the parade. Every muscle in your body relaxes and you feel like a kid again.
My husband and I have made repeated “homages to the mouse” for the last few years. We go at least once a year. We call it therapy; Walt Disney World really can be a romantic place. We always stay at the Wilderness Lodge and spend every evening after returning from the parks sitting on our balcony, ordering mixed drinks to be delivered to our room or putting on a pot of coffee and talking. We’ve also started our own tradition of secretly purchasing a pin or other trinket for the other person that reminds us of something about that day. It’s usually a huge feat to get my husband on the “big boy rides” so I usually get him his “wings” in the form of a pin from that ride. All of these things may seem minor, but when we return home, we still have that sprinkling of pixie dust over us. We feel like a newly dating couple all over again because we’ve let our worries disappear and we have learned how to reconnect again.
Disney World also helps people not in a relationship connect. My mother-in-law was skeptical when we took her for her birthday last year. The last time she had been was 1983. My husband was 7 at the time and my brother-in-law was only a couple of years old. She only grudgingly agreed because, well, we gave her no choice! It took a whole year of convincing her she was going.
The first couple of days she was her “typical adult self”: she was self-conscious interacting with Brer Fox and was a little confused when he pointed out they were wearing the same color shirt and he thought it was the bee’s knees. It wasn’t until a few days later when she was finally able to break out of the 30-year long “Mom” mode and be a happy-go-lucky woman without a care in the world. She wasn’t worrying about how many Weight Watchers points she was eating per day– she had Toll House Ice Cream Cookie sandwiches and loved them. She was having a blast interacting with Tigger & the entire 100 Acre Wood gang. The furrow in her brow slowly dissolved and I saw my mother-in-law as another woman: she wasn’t just my mother-in-law. It was an amazing transformation. Having been in an environment where she and I could learn more about each other outside of our daily stresses (which let’s face it, people can be a bear to get along with when they’re stressed out) and we understand each other now. She understands my sense of humor, where before, it always fell short. I understand her more as well. Believe it or not, my mother in law and I connected in a way I didn’t believe possible! I actually call her now just to say “Hey what’s up?” and we chat for thirty minutes! She’s anxiously awaiting the next trip. It’s amazing what the power of Disney magic and pixie dust can do!
Coming Soon: Walt Disney World Resorts
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Disney Dining Changes Abound
Wow! There are some big changes happening at Walt Disney World in terms of dining! (For a complete overview, click here: Disney Dining Changes ) There are several new restaurants coming to Epcot, Animal Kingdom, The Swan Resort, and Downtown Disney. Chefs are changing restaurants. Kid’s meals are focusing on healthier options, and all meals will be trans-fat free by sometime in 2008.
It’s always fun to have new restaurants to review. In fact, writing Walt Disney World restaurant reviews is one of my favorite responsibilties
But, even more exciting to me, is Disney’s focus on healthy meals for the youngsters and the young at heart. I’ve appreciated Disney’s willingness to prepare special dishes for folks with allergies and diet restrictions since I started visiting Disney World regularly 10 years ago, but this new intention to provide a healthier quality of food in general makes me want to clap my hands and shout, “Hurrah for Disney!”
We can look for most of these changes to be in place by mid 2008… and I’ll be eagerly reviewing all of them as they happen. I promise!
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Disneyland Dining
For those of us who are “of a certain age”, memories of Disneyland include fast food, plain and simple. The purpose of the park was ride, not food, right? Well… that age has passed!
Disneyland Resort now prides itself on being a ‘dining destination’ as well as a “themed ride park”. Recently, we explored some of the eateries at Disneyland, and we came away amazed and delighted by some of the restaurants where we dined. In the Magic Kingdom, our favorite was Cafe Orleans in New Orleans Square. I got the vegetarian Monte Cristo — YUM! Over in the California Adventure park, we sampled Ariel’s Grotto, a character dining “event”. Again, we enjoyed the quality of the lunch we had there very much. Our favorite resort restaurant — hand’s down — is Storyteller’s Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel. And then there is Downtown Disney, walking distance from the parks and a vertible dining opportunity; >) Our favorite is the Italian Eatery, Naples Ristorante & Pizzeria
If you’d like to see all of the dining options available at the Disneyland Resort, head on over to Our Laughing Place and check out the Disneyland Resort section. Once you go, I’ll think you’ll agree with me that Disneyland isn’t just for rides anymore!
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Disney’s New Frontier: Adventures By Disney
I confess: I am a Disney addict. Disney art decorates every room in my house. I moved to Florida from Oregon so that I could get to Disney World more easily. I started a Disney web site (Our Laughing Place), and a Disney-focused travel agency (Our Laughing Place Travel)… all to support my Disney habit.
If there were a 12 step program, I would only join if the meetings were at a Disney resort.
Some might even go so far as to say, I’ve visited Disney World and Disneyland enough to last a lifetime. And — while it’s true that the Disney imagineers provide plenty of change to keep me coming back to check new venues — I was starting to think I might have to start traveling to other countries to get my Disney thrill.
Imagine my delight to discover the Disney company read my mind and developed an easy way for me to do just that!
Adventures By Disney takes Disney where the magic has never gone before… Land Tours around the World! The focus is – of course – on family fun, and the intention is to provide a quality experience with Disney’s magical touch along the way. The first year these tours were offered publically was 2006, and I sampled the Costa Rica Eco-tour. Here’s the pictorial review I wrote: Path to Pura Vida In 2007, I signed up for two tours: Fiesta Espana and “Quest for the Wild West” (I’ll write a review for this one as soon as we get back
) The 2008 itineraries are so exciting, I could barely whittle it down to three.
There IS a pattern here, and you can probably tell I am as enamored with the impeccability of the Disney style with their land tours as I am with the quality of 
I find in the Disney parks. What can I say? I’m hooked on pixie dust
With Adventures By Disney, I’m ready to travel with Disney to “Infinity and Beyond”!
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Walt Disney World Vacations through the years
I have a lot of people ask me what the BEST age would be for a family vacation to Disney World. I thought it would be fun to share the highlights of my family’s vacations.
We started our first family trip when my twin boys were 2 years old. Most people thought that we had lost our minds! It actually ended up being a fun filled trip! (On this trip, as well as all to follow, we were accompanied by my parents.) The most important thing was to keep the kids happy and their bellies full. That was an easy task. With all of the character dining, we accomplished both, at the same time. Their favorite place to dine was Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends in the Magic Kingdom. The loved Eyeore and Piglet visiting the table. There was constant movement and noise to keep their attention. The SpectroMagic parade was another favorite. From their strollers, they loved watching the lights coming down Main Street. That year, Disney featured a special stage show with all of the afternoon cartoon characters. Needless to say, we spent a lot of time at that show.
We rode Dumbo, It’s a Small World and Peter Pan about a hundred times! As you would imagine, the Magic Kingdom is where we spend a majority of our time. We came home with almost every character sold in the parks and DownTown Disney Market Place.
Our next few trips were during their grade school years. They still loved the character meals, but this time we expanded our horizons. They decided that their favorite was now Chef Mickey’s in the Contemporary Resort. They were out of the strollers and running from one attraction to another. During these years, our money was spent on play sets and figures. The pool at Port Orleans Riverside, which was at that time Dixie Landings, played a huge part in our vacation. The water slide was a huge hit!
The boys’ taste in rides changed dramatically. They headed toward the more daring rides like Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain. We started venturing over to the other parks. Epcot seemed to play a big part in our schedule during the elementary years. We headed to Innoventions and seemed to never leave! They loved the interactive attractions. The restaurant of choice during these years was Sci Fi Dine In Theater.
In 1999, we were chosen to be the Grand Marshall of the Magic Kingdom parade. What an honor!!! We were led to the backstage area and we were featured in the parade. We got to ride a shiny, antique firetruck. This was a special trip because it was our final time to travel with my father who passed away the next year.
As my boys turned to teenagers, I thought that our Disney days were over. To my surprise, they asked if we could return, once again. Of course, I was all for it! This time, everything was different. We ate at the fine dining restaurants. Their tastes had matured and Narcoossee’s (Grand Floridian) and Le Cellier (Epcot’s Canada Pavilion) had become favorites. We spent hours in each of the World Showcase pavilions, studying the artwork and building structures. They even tried out the German that they had been learning in high school at Germany in Epcot. Disney Quest was also a favorite. They loved playing the games, both virtual reality and the “oldies” that their dad and I used to play. When we offered to by souvineers, they headed straight for the magic shop, Magic Master, in Disney’s West Side.
I think the best part of our “teen” trips is that they are now old enough to stay in the parks witout our supervision. The buses assure them a safe way to the home resort. My husband and I can relax by the pool or take a closer look at the other resorts.
So, when someone asks me the best age to visit Disney World, I have to honestly say, “every age”.
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Disney Visa Card holders, want to cruise?
by using your Disney Visa Card when booking your Disney cruise you will get a $50.00 shipboard credit.
The cruise must be paid exclusively with your Disney visa, and can not be combined with any other offers. Good for sailing through December 30th, 2007.
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More Dreams To be granted
Disney has extended the year of a million dreams promotion thru December 2008.
So if you haven’t had a dream come true yet, you still have a chance.
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