The “World” According to Jack

Wolfgang Puck Express at the Marketplace is currently closed and undergoing a major rehab. According to their sign, they will reopen sometime in the spring.

I don’t have any details, but as you can see from the photo, a substantial bit of construction is taking place.

When Wolfgang Puck’s first opened at the Marketplace in Downtown Disney, they had no indoor seating. This simply wouldn’t do in hot, humid, and rainy Florida. Eventually, they rearranged what little indoor space they had and added a few tables. This helped, but it wasn’t the solution they needed. So a couple of months ago they closed up shop for a major rehab and reopened today, Saturday, March 15.

I visited their remodeled venue for lunch today and was happy with what I saw. The first thing I noticed was a new, large, indoor dining room had been added. Approximately fifteen tables are spaciously arranged in an airy room surrounded on three sides by floor to ceiling windows. The atmosphere has a clean modern feel but the wooden tables and chairs add some warmth.

Outside you’ll find another twenty or so tables, most under a large roof. The tables here are made of brushed metal and the seats are wicker.

The area where you order your food has also been completely redesigned and continues this modern theme. To the right of the ordering area is another, smaller seating area with two large tables for eight, a beverage station, and an open kitchen.

After ordering, you’re given a plastic table-tent with a number printed on it. You are also given flatware that is wrapped in a high-quality paper napkin. If you’ve ordered beverages you’re given plastic (not paper) glasses and told to get your drinks, find a table, and display your number.

As it was opening day, every cast member was working and it would be impossible to complain about service. Shortly after Donald and I were seated, we were greeted by a young man who told us he would be our server. A few minutes later, he brought our food to the table and asked if we needed refills for our drinks.

I ordered the Roast Beef & Cheddar Sandwich on Focaccia for $9.95. It was quite good. The serving of beef was more than adequate and it was topped with cheese, tomato, and greens that have been tossed with a light vinaigrette dressing. A side of home-made Yukon Gold Parmesan potato chips rounded out the meal. I was please with my choice.

Donald ordered the Rosemary Rotisserie Chicken for $11.95. He couldn’t have been happier. He has always enjoyed Wolfgang Puck’s rotisserie chicken and he wasn’t disappointed today. First, the serving is large – a half chicken. Next, the finished product was attractive to look at. And finally, it was juicy and delicious. It was served with a side of garlic mashed potatoes smothered in butter.

Another thing I liked was that the entrees were served on plastic (not paper) plates. This helps give a slightly more upscale feel to the place.

Since your order is brought to your table and drink refills are also fetched by a cast member, I would say that Wolfgang Puck Express at the Marketplace is a cross between a counter-service and table-service restaurant. When we finished our meal, we left our server a tip as it was certainly warranted.

I didn’t frequent the old restaurant because of their lack of indoor seating and I didn’t feel their food and atmosphere warranted the prices. But I would certainly rethink this opinion as I was most pleased today.

I asked a manager if the Disney Dining “Card” was accepted and was told yes. I forgot to ask about the Disney Dining “Plan” – sorry.

Wolfgang Puck Express is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Takeout is also available.

A reader asked me for a list of my ten favorite Disney World restaurants. He also asked me for a list of my LEAST favorite Disney World restaurants. I’ve decided to answer half of his question, sort of, by telling you my favorite counter service and full service restaurant for each park, Downtown Disney, and the resorts as a whole. Now there are some Disney World eateries that I don’t like, but for the moment I’m going to keep that list to myself.

Of course, this list is purely subjective and could change tomorrow, depending on my mood. Also, since I’m listing restaurants by location, some selections might make this list, but wouldn’t necessarily make a true, “top ten” list. But here are my choices as of this moment.

Magic Kingdom:

Counter Service: Columbia Harbour House
Table Service: The Plaza Restaurant

Epcot:

Counter Service: Yakitori House
Table Service: Bistro de Paris

Disney's Hollywood Studios

Counter Service: None of them
Table Service: Brown Derby

Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Counter Service: A tie between Flame Tree Barbeque and Pizzafari
Table Service: Yak & Yeti

Downtown Disney:

Counter Service: Earl of Sandwich
Table Service: Portobello Yacht Club or Raglan Road

Disney Resorts:

Counter Service: Everything Pop Food Court
Table Service: Flying Fish, followed closely by Citricos

Best Buffet Property Wide: Boma, followed closely by Cape May Café

Best Character Meal Property Wide: I don’t do Character Meals!

You may have wondered why I didn’t select Victoria & Albert’s as my favorite resort table service restaurant. There’s a reason I didn’t. You see, I put Vickie & Al’s (as I like to call it) in a class all by itself. You can’t begin to compare this restaurant to anything else at Disney World it is so outstanding. I try to restrict my visits to once every three years or so. The reason, I want to keep this experience extra special and if I ate here too often it would lose some of its charm.

Now remember, my list of restaurants is just that, MY list. If you don’t agree with some (or all) of my choices, that’s great. Your selections are every bit as valid as mine.

While I was out and about, I took a few pictures of the Bay Lake Tower under construction.

This is a rumored DVC that sits prominently next to the Contemporary Resort. It appears that the structure has reached its ultimate height as finishing touches are being added to the top of the building.

At the Contemporary, I took a few pictures of the construction going on where the Concourse Steakhouse once stood. The Tempo Grab & Go will be permanently located in a portion of this space and Chef Mickey’s will expand into the remainder of this area.

And finally, I drove over to Downtown Disney and snapped a few pictures of the T-Rex restaurant that looks ever closer to completion.

I was at the Marketplace at Downtown Disney recently and visited the Disney’s Days of Christmas Shop.

While browsing, I noticed a cute sign with one of the “12 Days of Christmas” printed on it. It piqued my curiosity so I started to search for all twelve. To my dismay, I couldn’t find them. So I asked a cast member and was told that there are only eight. Strange, but I took pictures of them to share with you.

If you’re collecting the Disney Christmas Village pieces, two new buildings have been added. First there is the DV LDG Castle for $44.95. Also available is the Ivory Castle for $65.00. This piece features the same Mickey and Minnie that can be found on a Christmas stocking, Big Fig, tree skirt, and several other pieces.

While visiting the Art of Disney Shop, I noticed that they have a new Big Fig for those of you who like to decorate for Halloween. This Mickey and Minnie pumpkin set sell for $175. It’s approximately 8 inches high and 15 inches wide.

For those of you who like to take your lunch to work or school, I found a new Lunch Tote for $19.95 at Mickey’s Pantry. It was reasonably thick (insulated) and had a shiny, metallic-like finish on the inside to help keep items hot or cold.

And finally, I snapped a few pictures of the construction taking place in front of the World of Disney. The stage that occupies this area is being completely redesigned and improved. From what I understand, it will be covered when complete.