[00:00:00] Dana Stanley: This past month, I’ve had a lot of things going on behind the scenes that have to do with stress, what it does to our bodies, what it does to our hormones, our minds, and just how we look at stress in general.

[00:00:16] Dana Stanley: And when you start going down this rabbit hole of exercise and cortisol, you eventually land on, you eventually land on a bunch of information about your nervous system. And one of the things you’ll read is how just simply looking at water calms your nervous system.

[00:00:36] Dana Stanley: And it got me thinking how I could be doing this more so at home. We live near the ocean. We have a pool in the backyard. And it’s true that there’s something about water, especially having a meal on. There’s something about being near the water, especially having a meal near the water that really can slow you down.

[00:00:58] Dana Stanley: Then you throw in your favorite cocktail and then you throw in your favorite cocktail or your favorite meal, and there’s few things that are better than that. And here’s some proof. In experiments, people who gazed at water for just one minute and 40 seconds had significantly lower heart rates and blood pressure compared to those staring at something less relaxing like a parking lot or a street sign

[00:01:25] Dana Stanley: hearing. That makes me think that we should all be looking for ways to be looking at water, especially when we’re in the middle of a Disney world trip. Which isn’t as boring or drab as a street sign or a parking lot, but it does give our brains a lot of input that isn’t necessarily relaxing.

[00:01:44] Dana Stanley: My husband, especially, has always been drawn naturally to this. No matter where we’re eating, he always prefers outside versus inside, or the porch versus inside.

[00:01:54] Dana Stanley: So, kind of accidentally I realized that we’ve eaten at a lot of waterside or water waterfront restaurants in Disney World. So today I thought I’d round up every restaurant we’ve eaten at that gives you some kind of water view. So like some overlooking the water. Some like down on top of the water, and I’ll tell you which ones I think are underrated, are favorites and why I think they’re worth your time.

[00:02:24] Dana Stanley: Formal intro. Today’s episode is for anyone that’s planning that one restaurant reservation that is just kind of more for the vibes than anything else. They’re not really trying to find. Something that’s close to a particular park. Maybe it’s like we need one dinner, like we’re missing one dinner on this day and I just don’t know where to go.

[00:02:48] Dana Stanley: Or somewhere nice to eat before we head home. Maybe you need dinner on the day. Maybe you just wanna grab lunch on the day that you’re flying home. This episode is perfect because there are restaurants where you can find just that little bit of calm. Maybe like if you wanna think of it as the calm before the storm of a Disney trip or after.

[00:03:13] Dana Stanley: So I’m gonna share all the ones we’ve personally tried and save my top favorite for last. Let’s start in Epcot with luck, Andina, Dessan, and Gel. So this is the quick service counter tucked right on the edge of the world showcase. In the Mexico pavilion. So quick service, meaning it is not a sit down restaurant where a waiter comes and takes your order.

[00:03:38] Dana Stanley: You’re going to order your food, wait for it, grab a tray, and then find a table.

[00:03:43] Dana Stanley: This is the only part where it can get a little less relaxing. Like if you get in line between 12 and 1230, it can be really busy and even hard to find a table. So if you can try to get there just a touch before 12 and you’ll be golden.

[00:03:57] Dana Stanley: That being said, once you find a table outside, you can sit under a covering that’s right on the water. So it’s actually like really, if you look at it from the side, it does have like an overhang that is going over the lagoon, which is really cool. And I usually end up timing our lunch if I can. Around being in New Mexico at this time because it’s just a spot that my family really likes.

[00:04:26] Dana Stanley: It’s easy. It’s not crazy expensive. You can get a margarita from there if you don’t wanna wait in line across the way At CHOA and my kids are just the type of kids, they go nuts for like rice and beans and guac and chips. So everyone’s happy and excited for it.

[00:04:42] Dana Stanley: And speaking of kids, I just wanna remind you, if you eat here, that you’re gonna have to park your stroller outside. So there’s like stroller parking across the way. When you get in line to order your food, they’re gonna say, Hey, park your stroller outside, and it can get pretty tight once you’re in there anyway, maneuvering around, so you’re not gonna want it anyway.

[00:05:01] Dana Stanley: But again, just get there a touch before 12, and it’s one of my favorite quick service spots in general. And because it’s kind of extended over the water, even if it’s crazy hot, there’s always a nice breeze, which is a plus.

[00:05:17] Dana Stanley: Now, right next door is La Hacienda Dessan gel. Just to make it super confusing with the names. This is like the table service version of the Cantina. So if you wanna think of it as like the cantina is like the bar, and then hacienda meaning house, so it’s bigger. It gets a little easier to think of it that way.

[00:05:40] Dana Stanley: And while it’s not outside, so it loses a little bit of points for being over the water, it does have a water view with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lagoon.

[00:05:50] Dana Stanley: This is better if you wanna get some air conditioning, but still have a water view. The food is a solid good. Nothing that I have, nothing I’ve had my mind blown about, but it’s good, it’s good food. And one of the cool places about La Hacienda is at night, if you time it. It’s one of the best indoor spots to watch the Epcot fireworks too.

[00:06:19] Dana Stanley: And I’ll be honest, it’s been a very long time since I’ve done that, but from my very fuzzy memory, I remember that the lights were dimmed when the fireworks start. So that was really cool. And I believe they pumped the music into the restaurant too.

[00:06:35] Dana Stanley: While we’re still in the World Showcase area, there’s another one nearby that gets overlooked all the time, and that’s Spice Road Table. So this is the second time I’ve mentioned Spice Road Table in the podcast after my Hidden Gems episode. And this time it’s because of its views across the water and it has a similar setup to the Cantina where it’s kind of like over the lagoon.

[00:06:58] Dana Stanley: But this is a sit down restaurant, so like table service, meaning you’ll wanna get a reservation beforehand or during the walkup list. It’s usually pretty empty, to be honest. Hardly anyone ever books it. You’ll have top is there Sangria, really good wine list and just a very laid back meal. There is some indoor seating as well, but I don’t think it gets busy enough that it matters.

[00:07:27] Dana Stanley: You’ll most likely be able to sit outside. Now, this one actually has a dessert package where you can stay sitting and watch the fireworks during dessert along with the restaurant rose and crowned over in England. With a similar view, but I haven’t eaten there, so I can’t touch on Rosen crown or the dessert package, but that’s something to know.

[00:07:54] Dana Stanley: Okay, now let’s jump over to Disney Springs, which has tons of waterside restaurants, but I’m going to mention my favorite when it comes to not just being on the water, but in general, and that’s the boathouse. When we’re with my in-laws or like our bigger family vacations, this is the one I always book to just keep everyone happy.

[00:08:17] Dana Stanley: They really like it. They have upscale things like. Lobster and steak. But you can also just get a burger, which is really good by the way. And while the inside is really fun with the theming, like it’s very truly a boathouse. And that makes it great for little kids to just look around at all of the details and to look at all the details and just has a really good theme.

[00:08:43] Dana Stanley: But you can also sit out back on the porch, or if you wanna say it’s a dock, I think it’s more of a deck. So while the inside feels really big, the outside tables kind of feel like tucked in the back, which is nice. And you’re getting the whole, like we are on the water in every way from the theming to the dock slash deck to the most unique part.

[00:09:08] Dana Stanley: And that’s the amfa cars next door. So right next to the boathouse, you’ll see these cars that are also boats. So you will see them literally driving cars into the water, which is very entertaining to watch, and the kids go nuts for it. And if you can see them from your table, that’s great.

[00:09:29] Dana Stanley: But even better than that, just while you’re waiting for your table. You can sit and watch the boats go out, or maybe you’re waiting for your food and one of you wants to take the kids for a walk. It’s just happy, it’s fun. My father-in-law, every time we ate at the boathouse, would do the classic like, oh, we should do that one time.

[00:09:50] Dana Stanley: And so on our last trip together, I was finally like, you know what, let me just ask like how this all works. ’cause it was very kind of elusive, like, did you need a reservation? Who can get on these, like is this like a special thing? And it was very easy to do there and it was very easy to do . It is $125 for the actual car ride. And I wanna say it was like a 15 to 20 minute lap around the water. It was just a fun time and the kids loved it. Actually, my youngest daughter, it was like our travel day, we had flown in. She fell asleep, so it was very relaxing to her and just a fun ride. I, So I will leave a link to more details about this, but from my memory it can fit up to four riders.

[00:10:37] Dana Stanley: So you have your group of four plus the captain driver who’s on the boat with you.

[00:10:43] Dana Stanley: And at the time, they were giving small discounts if you were also eating at the boathouse, so you could show them your receipt from dinner and they would give you a little bit of a credit back, which was awesome because we were eating there. So grandpa got to take his granddaughters on the amfa cars.

[00:11:04] Dana Stanley: He was able to bring his beer with him from the little beer cart next door to Boathouse, and it was probably like a 15, 20 minute lap before dinner. Just a fun time, like if you’re really into that stuff or you are a boat family, I think you should add it to the list. I think you should add it to your list.

[00:11:28] Dana Stanley: And just a little tip, if you can’t find a reservation for the boathouse on Disney’s website. It’s also on OpenTable, since it’s not opened by Disney. So you can go to eight and you can usually find a reservation on OpenTable. Okay.

[00:11:43] Dana Stanley: Okay.

[00:11:45] Dana Stanley: Now let’s go from one of the busiest dining spots like Disney Springs to one of the calmest, and that is Nomad Lounge and Animal Kingdom. So right off the path, on your way to Pandora world, you’re gonna see Nomad Lounge just past Tiffins. And honestly, you might miss it if you’re not looking for it. And it sits above and it sits along the river.

[00:12:10] Dana Stanley: So not like a huge body of water. So I’m

[00:12:13] Dana Stanley: not like a huge body of water, I’ll admit. But it is water nonetheless, even if it’s like a little swampy, but it’s water. Okay? So it counts and it does truly have a porch. So it’s shaded outdoor seating. They have these really big booths, which is what I always request when we eat there. If you are a toddler parent, you know that sometimes kids do really well in booths and not in a highchair.

[00:12:42] Dana Stanley: So me and Colton will sit on the ends of like the three-sided booth and then put all the kids in the middle so they can’t get out. I bring stickers and coloring books, and I need to go back. I haven’t been there in a while and just talking about it, I’m like, Ugh. We are definitely doing that next time.

[00:13:00] Dana Stanley: They have signature cocktails, gluten-free churros, gluten-free churros, okay, that are better than the regular, like gluten filled churros anywhere else in Disney World. So the good and bad news about this place is there are no, is that you can’t make a reservation ahead of time. So you have to kind of time it early, or the wait can get a little long.

[00:13:29] Dana Stanley: But it’s also kind of nice because you can get a little, but it’s actually kind of nice because what I usually do is I will have, let’s say like a lightning lane for Navi River journey around lunchtime and on our way into Pandora world. I’ll go up to the cast member and join the walkup list. I actually like to talk to someone in this scenario.

[00:13:52] Dana Stanley: You can do it from your phone. And avoid a cast member. But I wanna talk to them about being outside and in particular in a booth because there is indoor seating as well, which is fine and lovely, but not the vibe I’m going for. Especially with the three kids.

[00:14:09] Dana Stanley: And usually, and I know this is risky, but usually by the time we ride Navi River Journey, I get a notification that our table is ready and we can head back. But sometimes if you go and it’s kind of a slower day and it’s before lunchtime, sometimes they can see you right away. So definitely try to talk to someone if you can.

[00:14:28] Dana Stanley: Now, we’re going to leave the parks for a second and head over to the resorts, starting with a pair you’ve probably heard of, and that Citrico and na Susis, I think that’s how you say it. Narciss Susis. And these are both over at the Grand Floridian. So Citrico technically has a water view if you’re sitting in the right spot.

[00:14:50] Dana Stanley: It has tons of floor to ceiling windows and just a really great view. That being said, Citrico is still my favorite out of the two. I think both are really good, but citrus, I just like a little bit more and has the upper hand. When it comes to the menu, just for me and what I like, and since they’ve updated it with like subtle Mary Poppins themes, like it’s really pretty

[00:15:15] Dana Stanley: because Citrico is inside the main building on a higher floor, so you’re getting like a water view, but not necessarily waterside. Whereas Narcissi. Is like all the way out onto the lagoon in its own building, like it’s truly overhanging the water. I think if you like seafood, I think if you’re crazy about seafood, you might like narcissi a little more.

[00:15:42] Dana Stanley: Again, I don’t think you can go wrong with either. It’s just like the vibe that you’re feeling. Or if maybe you’re staying at Grand Floridian and you don’t feel like going outside to Nurse Susis and you wanna stay in the building, I would go with Citrics. But check out the menu and see which one speaks to you.

[00:16:00] Dana Stanley: Either way, it’s really nice, like before or after dinner, just a great spot to walk around the resort and again, be looking at water. They’re both on the pricier side since it’s signature dining, but at least for these, I feel like you’re paying. You’re paying a premium price. Yes. For the food, which is delicious at both places, but also the actual location of where you are.

[00:16:27] Dana Stanley: And speaking of views you’re paying for, my next two spots aren’t as on the water as some of the other ones I’ve mentioned and are more just for like crazy views. So we’re going literally like upstairs, starting at the very top of the contemporary at California Grill. You’ll literally take an elevator up all the way, like I was joking about the stairs, but we are going upstairs using an elevator.

[00:16:54] Dana Stanley: You’re getting this view through, again, the floor to ceiling windows, and you’re seeing all the way across seven seas lagoon two literally Cinderella castle in the distance. Actually, the last time we ate here, our table was against the window. It was like a really good table. We got very lucky. And the way I was sitting on my side, I could see I on my side, I could see it the whole time.

[00:17:20] Dana Stanley: It was just a really crazy view. Even though like we’ve already talked about, I don’t like heights. It didn’t scare me. Like I liked this kind of view. And while you do see water a little bit, it is more like of a skyline view, if that makes sense. And it’s. It’s amazing to watch the fireworks after dinner.

[00:17:45] Dana Stanley: So like for a date night or an anniversary, anything special and definitely for anyone that like appreciates a good view. California girl is fantastic. I,

[00:17:57] Dana Stanley: and if you’re more of a Crescent Lake person like me, which is the area around Epcot. You probably know what’s coming next, and that is Topos Terrace at the Riviera. Very much. Again, not on the water, but we’re going for a water view here.

[00:18:15] Dana Stanley: I wanna say you’re up on the seventh floor. I might be making it up, but it is the top floor and they actually have doors that you can walk out to a special balcony. And it’s really cool how much you can see from up there. My husband loves going out there, but the best part is it has a great character breakfast.

[00:18:34] Dana Stanley: And if you can’t make it for breakfast, please try it for dinner. I know there aren’t any characters, but if you’re looking for something upscale like in the same tier of California Girl Citrico, nurse suis, and even better if you’re staying at the Riviera. Give it a shot like we were pleasantly surprised by how good the food was at dinner.

[00:18:57] Dana Stanley: Now this next one is one of the most relaxed, probably on Crescent Lake, and I think it’s very underrated. That’s Traia Alfono over on the boardwalk. This is the only restaurant on Crescent Lake where you can actually sit outside on the actual. Boardwalk, like the boards and be served a sit down meal.

[00:19:23] Dana Stanley: Breakfast is the best way to do it here because again, you’re on the actual boardwalk, which is like prime for people watching, and it just feels nicer than like the regular patio furniture. Like they have, like, they have real white, like they have tablecloths like, like real cloth tablecloths. And just watching everyone walk to Epcot in the morning, it’s just very special and relaxed.

[00:19:51] Dana Stanley: And I love the morning on the boardwalk, and I will say it’s great for like a checkout day. Maybe you just wanna have breakfast before you leave, but it’s also really depressing because then you’re watching everyone like start their day in the park and you’re going home.

[00:20:06] Dana Stanley: And then because it’s on Crescent Lake too, it’s just more magical to begin with, with like watching the boats go in and out. The coffee is really good there too. Your kids can watch slash chase some ducks and it’s really good for just being able to take them for a walk. Like if you’re waiting for your food, it’s easy to pop in and out since you’re already outside.

[00:20:28] Dana Stanley: And let’s keep the resort theme going to our next stop, which is Sebastian’s Bistro over at Caribbean Beach Resort. And technically this one is steps from the water, not on it, but if you grab a window sea, you’re gonna see the lake. You’re gonna have a view of the lake and the skyliner going by. I really like the spot.

[00:20:50] Dana Stanley: Again, I mentioned this also in my Hidden Gem episode

[00:20:54] Dana Stanley: because it’s a very easy reservation to get. The food is like family style, Caribbean food. It’s never too crowded. It’s never too crowded and you can kind of just like walk around the resort before or after dinner and have a view of the water. Last time we were there, the kids played on the playground and then we headed to like a, and then we headed to like a grassy area that was.

[00:21:25] Dana Stanley: Right on the water with the skyliner in the background. And they had just some lawn chairs and we were sitting with a bunch of other parents while the kids just were like running and chasing and playing tag. And it was wonderful and very chill. I, and finally the one that shocked me how much we loved it, and this is my favorite on the list.

[00:21:51] Dana Stanley: And this is my new favorite on the list, and that is Y Lulu Grill over at the Polynesian Resort’s New Island Tower. Because if we’re talking about good food and water views, I ha I have to talk about why Lulu from our last trip, I thought about doing a separate episode on this, but I think it wouldn’t be long enough to just tell you.

[00:22:17] Dana Stanley: To go and that the food is very good and to get the burger.

[00:22:20] Dana Stanley: So this is just a cool view because you’re, it’s a cool spot because. There is an actual, like sandy beach front. We hung out in a hammock before dinner. We had sand in our toes, which is, you know, always like a, just a fun vibe before dinner. Makes me a little anxious, but the kids really liked it. And again, just like nomad lounge, the good and bad thing about the spot is you can’t make reservations ahead of time.

[00:22:51] Dana Stanley: So we got there pretty early. And put our name in. I wanna say it was maybe 4 35 o’clock and we were seated within five, 10 minutes. There is indoor seating, which I believe they call the reef. And then outside is beyond the reef, which is like very cute, like Moana. So we were beyond the reef and we had a circular table kind of all the way on the end.

[00:23:20] Dana Stanley: But they have really beautiful booths as well. And it was really easy with the highchair and just everything about the restaurant just feels nice and brand new, like the bathrooms are very nice and the silverware was heavy and it was just a beautiful resort and restaurant. It was just a beautiful restaurant in general, and I’m not saying this lightly, that the smash style burger that I had there I think is tied.

[00:23:51] Dana Stanley: With the quote, best burger I’ve ever had in my life. I’m saying that it’s tied because I have to go back and try the other burger that I think was the best in my life to have. ’cause it’s been a while, and then I’ll be able to say for sure. So I’ll report back. But even if it’s not, I mean just such a good burger.

[00:24:16] Dana Stanley: So I’m on the menu now. To read to you what it is. So this is the Wayfinder Burger. It’s two pressed patties, AKA smash, burgers, American cheese, onion jam, volcano sauce, sweet bun, served with mac salad or sweet potato fries, which is what I got. I got sweet potato fries. Those were also good. I got the burger just the way it comes.

[00:24:39] Dana Stanley: I didn’t have any modifications. It was excellent. It was so good. I ate the whole thing. I think I let Colton have one bite.

[00:24:47] Dana Stanley: And then Colton got the grilled fish of the day. I do not remember what style of fish it was that day, but it comes with a green curry broth, jasmine, rice, chickpeas, sweet potato. If you like curry and you like fish, that would be my second pick next to the burger.

[00:25:06] Dana Stanley: Now for cocktails, no surprise, I got the margarita, which was a hibiscus margarita and it was good. Solid, fine. Nothing that made me go crazy. Now I’m wondering like, did recording this episode convince me to like only eat on the water in Disney? ’cause it might have, and I’d love to know about certain spots that are on my list that I haven’t tried.

[00:25:29] Dana Stanley: So that is Summer House on the Lake. Which is on the lake in Disney Springs, Geyser Bar and Grill over at Wilderness Lodge, which I have heard very good things. And also the three Bridges bar over at Coronado and also the three Bridges bar at Coronado.

[00:25:48] Dana Stanley: So let me know which one of those on the list I should add for our next trip. And if there’s something that you love to get, definitely let me know so I know what. Definitely let me know so I know to order well and I will report back. Okay. Thanks for listening to this week’s episode, and I will see you next time.