Last Minute Magic

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village

Hotel | "Clean hotel in a good location"

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My husband and I booked a last minute vacation package via Travelocity to Orlando in September 2010. We were looking for a destination with a direct flight from Dallas with inexpensive accommodations and lots of touristy activities. Orlando met all of our criteria. We ended up booking the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village ("Fairfield Inn") after reading the favorable reviews on the IGOUGO website. We were looking for an inexpensive hotel that was clean and in close proximity to the Disney parks. Location: The Fairfield Inn is located on Vineland Avenue which is directly adjacent to Exit 68 on I-4. Disney World and Epcot (the two parks we visited dur...Read More

My husband and I booked a last minute vacation package via Travelocity to Orlando in September 2010. We were looking for a destination with a direct flight from Dallas with inexpensive accommodations and lots of touristy activities. Orlando met all of our criteria. We ended up booking the Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village ("Fairfield Inn") after reading the favorable reviews on the IGOUGO website. We were looking for an inexpensive hotel that was clean and in close proximity to the Disney parks.

Location: The Fairfield Inn is located on Vineland Avenue which is directly adjacent to Exit 68 on I-4. Disney World and Epcot (the two parks we visited during our stay) were located at Exit 67. The driving distance (without traffic) was approximately 15 minutes or less. We had read some reviews that mentioned congestion on Vineland when trying to access I-4W via FL-535N and Vineland Ave; however, we never experienced any difficulty. The only time I noted congestion was around 7pm on Vineland Ave when we checked into our hotel on Saturday night; however, it was in the opposite direction from where we were driving and we did not experience a wait. The remainder of the time, we arrived at the Disney Parks approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to opening and left the park at closing time. During those times, we experienced no traffic during our commute. Further, the hotel is located within close proximity to many "chain" dining establishments. When we arrived late that night for dinner, the front desk provided us with a list of these restaurants with specific driving directions. All of the following restaurants are located less than 10 minutes from the hotel: Ale House, Bahama Breeze, Carabba’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, Perkins, Friday’s, Chevy’s, Johnnie’s Hideaway, Red Lobster, Uno’s Pizzeria, Landry’s Seafood, Lone Star Steakhouse, Macaroni Grill, Olive Garden, Outback Steakhouse, Chick filet, and Wendy’s. We dined at Outback Steakhouse on Vineland Ave just one mile from the hotel and were happy to note a large Publix grocery store where we purchased some snacks and water for our two days at the Disney Park. ** One Tip ** There were two gas stations located off of FL-535 (7-Eleven, and Chevron) which priced their gas SIGNIFICANTLY less (by $1!!!) than the gas station located on Vineland Ave (Shell). Finally, the hotel was located just a few exits from a large outlet mall. Overall, the hotel’s location was its best asset.

Complex: The Fairfield Inn is located in the Marriot Village which also includes a Springhill Suites and a Courtyard Marriott. Each guest is permitted access to the common areas (mainly pool and lobby) of the other hotels included in the complex. During our stay, we walked through the common areas and checked out the pool of each hotel. Comparatively, the Courtyard Marriott clearly had the nicest common areas and pool, but does not include a free breakfast like the Springhill Suites or Fairfield Inn. The Springhill Suites and Fairfield Inn appeared to be fairly comparable with the Springhill having just a little bit nicer finishing. Overall, I would not pay more to book the Springhill or the Fairfield – go with the cheaper option, IMO, as both give you about the same in terms of amenities. Connecting the Courtyard Marriott and the Fairfield Inn was a paved walkway with benches and little tables that was called the "Village Green". This area included a Video Arcade, a Pizza Hut, and a shop that served ice cream, boars head luncheon meat sandwiches, and Starbucks coffee. It was not overly exciting, but did offer a place for guests to grab a bite to eat without having to leave the property.

Rooms: We had read a number of reviews on IGOUGO which mentioned the cleanliness of this hotel and booked based upon these comments. Overall, we were looking for a basic room that had a clean bathroom and linens. Upon entering, the room was decent sized and contained a credenza and desk along one side of the wall which held a small refrigerator and a television (not flat screen). The bed was adjacent to the television with two nightstands and a chair with a footrest. The linens were clean on the bed and the mattress was comfortable. The bathroom area contained a small vanity and small closet area which housed an iron (which worked) and ironing board (in good condition). The toilet and tub area were also clean with no mold or dirty areas. The hotel provided the standard travel soaps and shampoo bottles. Previous IGOUGO reviews commented that they experienced noise during their stay at the Fairfield Inn. Our room overlooked the Village Green and remained quiet during our stay. However, the room also contained a basic ‘window’ A/C unit which was quite noisy during the nighttime when we were trying to sleep. This is standard, though, for a hotel that does not have ‘central A/C’ as all units of this type put out such noise. Overall, we were pleased to confirm that the room met our expectations in terms of cleanliness and comfort. It was a basic, clean room and a good place for us to lay our head after an exhausting day at the parks.

Food: We did not purchase any food items at the Village Green area, but did partake of the complimentary breakfast each morning. In fact, we booked the Fairfield Inn over certain other nicer hotels so we would not have to search for breakfast each morning. Overall, the breakfast was the most disappointing part of our stay at the hotel and the reason I can only "Recommend" the hotel versus "Highly Recommend". The breakfast is basic … and I mean BASIC! Here are your options: Cereal, bagels (white, wheat), packages of oatmeal, bread (white, wheat), muffins (blueberry, bran), a hard-boiled egg, a banana, or some basic yogurt. The "hot" option included a ‘make your own’ waffle, which by itself was tasty. However, the syrup that was served with it was not palatable. It tasted like the plastic cup that it was poured into and ruined the waffle entirely. Everything was dry and tasteless. By the third day, I settled on the white bagel (toasted) with butter and cream cheese as the best option. Further, the drink options also disappointed. They were the standard Minute Maid dispenser of orange juice, apple juice, and water, which is fine in itself -- Except that when I poured the apple juice, it was so extremely sickening sweet that I could not drink it. When I tried the drink dispenser again the next day, all that came out was thick syrup. It was as if the dispenser only released the concentrated syrup and did not mix it with the water. I ended up making a bag of tea using hot water. Overall, the fact that the breakfast was free made it edible, but next time, we will probably find a nicer hotel for a similar rate and stop by Starbucks for a good coffee and flavorful muffin. Even the hotel must know that the breakfast was not that great because conveniently located at eye level in the elevator of the Fairfield Inn was a large sign advertising the breakfast buffet offered at the Courtyard Marriott. This appealing sign only made the Fairfield breakfast even more depressing as every time you walked into the elevator after breakfast, a gorgeous looking fried egg, sausage, and glistening bacon taunted you mercilessly!

Pool: After booking the hotel because of its three pools, we actually never found the time to use them. However, the pools were nicely sized and appeared to be clean. Towels were also available for use.

Service: The Fairfield Inn contained a travel desk where a guest could purchase tickets to local Orlando tourist attractions with no additional fee. We utilized this service to purchase our two day tickets to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot upon arrival. It was fast, convenient and allowed us to avoid the ticket desk upon arrival at the parks. Further, the front desk was very helpful by providing us directions to the park and restaurant suggestions. We had no issues with check-in or check-out and did not experience any problems with the Fairfield Inn staff.

Overall, we enjoyed our stay at the Fairfield Inn. It met our expectations in terms of cleanliness and location, but did not meet our expectations in terms of their complimentary breakfast. However, we would still recommend this hotel to those visiting the Orlando area, if it is appropriately priced.
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Member Rating 3 out of 5 on September 25, 2025

Fairfield Inn & Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village
8615 Vineland Avenue
Orlando, Florida 32821
(407) 938-9001

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Walt Disney World

Attraction | "Pros and Cons of Disney Resorts"

Quote:

My husband and I visited Walt Disney World ("the World" or "Disney") twice as adults -- Once on Disney property at the Port Orleans French Quarter and once off property at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village. Both properties were comparable in terms of amenities. So, should you stay on or off property? Here are our thoughts:On-Property Observations:* Extra Magic Hours – On certain days, Disney resort guests are permitted access to a particular theme park beyond its regularly scheduled operating hours.* Magical Express – Free shuttle service from the airport to your Disney resort. Further, Disney resort guests can check their baggage ...Read More

My husband and I visited Walt Disney World ("the World" or "Disney") twice as adults -- Once on Disney property at the Port Orleans French Quarter and once off property at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Lake Buena Vista in the Marriott Village. Both properties were comparable in terms of amenities. So, should you stay on or off property? Here are our thoughts:

On-Property Observations:
* Extra Magic Hours – On certain days, Disney resort guests are permitted access to a particular theme park beyond its regularly scheduled operating hours.
* Magical Express – Free shuttle service from the airport to your Disney resort. Further, Disney resort guests can check their baggage at their departure airport, and Disney will transport it directly to their hotel room at check-in.
* "Key to the World" Card – Upon check-in, Disney resort guests are provided with a plastic card which is connected to your Disney reservation. This card acts as a guest’s room key and park ticket. It tracks Disney’s Fast Pass system, Disney Dining Plan credits/reservations, and purchases of merchandise throughout the Disney Parks. If lost, Disney resort guests can visit the customer service area within the Park and immediately cancel their card and receive a new one linked to their reservation.
* Disney Dining Plan – Disney resort guests may participate in the Disney Dining Plan, which can result in cost savings for those planning on dining exclusively on Disney properties.
* World Transportation – Disney resort guests are provided unlimited access to Disney’s bus, water, and monorail transportation system which transport guests to/from the parks. World Transportation proves extremely helpful for return visits to your resort for a nap/swim and is efficient and generally easy to use. However, during high-traffic hours, guests may be required to wait for significant amounts of time in long lines to pile onto a sweaty, hot bus, at the end of a long day. Further, bus delays can result in late arrival times to a park opening or a dining reservation.
* Accommodations – Disney has a strong reputation for offering clean and well-maintained resort properties. Each Disney resort is themed to create a magical experience, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Disney 24/7.

Off-Property Observations:
* Transportation – Many off-property resorts may offer free shuttle service to Disney; however, it is more likely that guests will need to rent a car. Renting a car provides increased flexibility to non-Disney attractions and restaurants. During our stay off-property, we were able to visit a local grocery store and purchase snacks/water for the Parks. We also dined at a nearby restaurant the evening we arrived. Further, we allocated one day of our trip to drive to Tampa and visit a friend. Parking at the Disney Parks is easy marked and within close proximity to the Park entrance. However, Disney does charge for parking which can bust the budget and discourage guests from returning to their hotel in the afternoon to rest. (HINT: Get to the park over an hour prior to opening and they will not charge you for parking).
* No Room Charge Privileges – Off-property guests are not provided a "Key to the World" card. Therefore, off-property guests will be required to carry identification, cash, credit card, tickets, and Disney dining reservations which can be cumbersome and increase the risk of lost property. Further, Disney park tickets which are lost cannot be replaced.
* Dining – Guests staying off-property may purchase grocery items which can be used to prepare lunch, snacks, or dinner in lieu of dining at the Parks. Bringing your own meals into the park is less expensive than dining in the Parks. Further, many off-site hotels offer free breakfast options which are not available at a Disney Resort.
* Accommodations – Generally, off-property accommodations are less expensive than Disney resorts. For guests seeking an escape from the "Disney Magic", an off-property resort may be a nice option.

In conclusion, travelers must weigh the expense of both options against their travel plan. For those seeking a vacation which includes Disney and other Orlando attractions, an off-property resort may be the better option due to cost and accessibility to all attractions. For those seeking to immerse themselves in the Disney experience, a Disney resort may be the likely choice due to ease and convenience to the Parks.
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on October 19, 2025

Walt Disney World
Interstate 4 at US Highway 192
Orlando, Florida 32830
(407) 934 7639

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Via Napoli

Restaurant | "Lacks Mickey's Magic"

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During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW" or "Disney")’s Epcot theme park in September 2010, we stumbled upon Via Napoli for lunch. We had finished riding Soarin’ in Future World, but were not yet hungry for lunch. So, we passed by the nearby Sunshine Seasons (a great counter service restaurant) and headed over to the World Showcase. Our intention was to eat lunch at Kringrla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion. However, once we arrived at the bakery, the selection of sandwiches did not look appetizing. So, we traveled deeper into the world showcase looking for a place to eat lunch. By the time we hit the Italy Pavilion, we were starving and hot. While researching our trip, I had read that...Read More

During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW" or "Disney")’s Epcot theme park in September 2010, we stumbled upon Via Napoli for lunch. We had finished riding Soarin’ in Future World, but were not yet hungry for lunch. So, we passed by the nearby Sunshine Seasons (a great counter service restaurant) and headed over to the World Showcase. Our intention was to eat lunch at Kringrla Bakeri og Kafe in the Norway Pavilion. However, once we arrived at the bakery, the selection of sandwiches did not look appetizing. So, we traveled deeper into the world showcase looking for a place to eat lunch. By the time we hit the Italy Pavilion, we were starving and hot. While researching our trip, I had read that WDW had recently opened a new table service Italian restaurant called Via Napoli that served wood-fired pizzas and some selections of Italian specialties. So, we decided to stop in and try the food.

Reservations: We did not have a reservation for Via Napoli. We arrived around the twelve-o-clock lunch hour and were immediately escorted to an available table. However, as with all Disney table service restaurants, reservations are recommended to ensure that guests secure their chosen dining time.

Atmosphere: Via Napoli’s atmosphere lacks "magic" when compared to other Disney dining experiences. Upon entrance, the space is a huge cavernous two to three story high room separated by arched columns. The high ceilings removed any intimacy from our dining experience and created an echo effect that amplified bustling noise. The stucco walls are painted various shades of warm gold and yellow. At the left side of the restaurant, servers move throughout the open kitchen and huge wood-fire ovens. We were seated on the right-hand side of the restaurant, which removed us from any "action" that might have been created from watching cooks prepare and bake the Neapolitan pizzas. Overall, there was nothing memorable about the interior of the restaurant and it did not evoke the feeling of dining at a restaurant in Italy.

Service: As with most, if not all, WDW dining establishments, the service at Via Napoli met our expectations. Most of the service staff are native to the country they are employed at the World Showcase, enhancing the experience of visiting that particular ‘world.’ Our server, of course, was Italian. He was friendly and helpful in explaining the menu items and allowed us the appropriate time to review the menu. When we asked for suggestions of ‘favorites’ on the menu, he was quick to recommend certain choices, helping us narrow down our selection. Our food was properly paced and arrived hot and in a timely manner. My only concern regarding our server was that he was unable to articulate the size of the pizza properly. We questioned the size (diameter) of the pizza so we could determine whether we needed a small/medium/large for two people. He was not able to tell us the relative size and instead could only recommend that we order the medium which typically serves 2-3 people. After receiving our food, we determined that we could easily have eaten a small pizza rather than a medium. If we had known the diameter size, we would have known that a medium was too large for two.

Menu: Via Napoli’s menu selection is decent. They offer a nice selection of appetizers and salads. Because the restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizzas, other Italian options like pasta and meat dishes are rather limited. The pizza selections range from simple to complex flavors which allow even the pickiest or most adventurous diner to find something interesting on the menu.

Food: Because we were dining at lunch, we only ordered a pizza and two soft drinks. With our server’s recommendation, we chose the more adventurous Piccante which contained Italian spicy sausage, broccoli-rabe, tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella. The medium sized pizza, which was supposed to serve two people, was enormous. Even though we were starving, we still were not able to finish the pizza. The pizza was hot and tasted fresh. The crust was nicely baked with a golden toasted edge. It was slightly chewy and held up to the pizza sauce without getting soggy. The toppings were amply applied and filled with flavor. We enjoyed the combination of the spicy sausage juxtaposed against the bitter broccoli-rabe. The mozzarella had a nice flavor and was a soft compliment to the stronger flavors. The sauce, however, had a basic tomato flavor, and when compared to the toppings, it fell short. Further, after eating the broccoli-rabe on a few slices, my husband and I both found ourselves removing it from the pizza as the bitter flavor slowly overpowered our palate.

Value: At the time of this review, the cost of a wood-fired pizza ranges between $15 for a small to $36 for a large. Our entire meal cost approximately $40 with tax and tip. Overall, the pizza was tasty, but not worth the cost. I mean, it is still pizza.

Overall, Via Napoli provided us an air-conditioned location to rest our weary feet within the World Showcase at Epcot. It provided good service and decent pizza. After dining here, we concluded that the pizzas do not justify their cost and would likely dine elsewhere on a future trip. However, if you are attempting to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters, this pizzeria may be a good option. If you are looking for Disney’s characteristic ‘Magical’ dining experience, Via Napoli will fall short of your expectations.
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Member Rating 2 out of 5 on November 12, 2025

Via Napoli
Walt Disney World - Epcot World Showcase
Orlando, Florida

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Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe

Restaurant | "School Bread - Your tummy will thank you!"

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This hidden gem located in the Norway Pavilion within Epcot Theme Park’s World Showcase serves traditional Norwegian pastries and sandwiches. We discovered this little shop on our first visit to Epcot a few years ago and had to return during our trip in September 2010 for the delicious desserts. Kringrla Bakeri og Kafe ("Kringrla") is a little difficult to find within the Norway Pavilion. When facing Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will be on your right, the Maelstrom Ride will be directly ahead, and Kringrla will be located on your left. For those dining using the Disney Dining Plan, this is a must have stop to use your ‘snack’ credit. For those paying out of pocket, Kringrla offers reasonab...Read More

This hidden gem located in the Norway Pavilion within Epcot Theme Park’s World Showcase serves traditional Norwegian pastries and sandwiches. We discovered this little shop on our first visit to Epcot a few years ago and had to return during our trip in September 2010 for the delicious desserts. Kringrla Bakeri og Kafe ("Kringrla") is a little difficult to find within the Norway Pavilion. When facing Norway, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall will be on your right, the Maelstrom Ride will be directly ahead, and Kringrla will be located on your left. For those dining using the Disney Dining Plan, this is a must have stop to use your ‘snack’ credit. For those paying out of pocket, Kringrla offers reasonably priced pastries that delight the taste buds (around $3). The small shop is no more than a long counter with a display of simple pastry and sandwich selections. It offers a tiny patio just outside the shop with a limited view of surrounding Epcot scenery. What it lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for in flavor. This tiny little shop offers a dessert treat that is not offered anywhere else at Disney World - School Bread. School bread is a sweet yeast bread filled with cold vanilla custard and topped with a sugar icing dipped in fresh shredded coconut. Upon first glance, school bread does not look as appetizing as some of Kringla’s other scrumptious treats – kind of ordinary, in fact. However, appearances can be deceiving. It is the most delectable and delicious snack we have yet to try at Walt Disney World and we would highly recommend it to all IGO UGO travelers. Every bite of your School Bread oozes flavorful custard. Sweet icing and coconut enchant the taste buds as you chew the custardy sweet bread. Many Disney guest quickly walk past this delightful snack at Kringla in Norway in lieu of the typical ice cream cone or cotton candy options. But for IGOUGO guests seeking something new and unique, order a School Bread at Kringla in Norway - I highly recommend it! Your tummy will thank you! Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 17, 2025

Kringla Bakeri Og Cafe
Norway Pavilion At Epcot
Orlando

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Biergarten Restaurant

Restaurant | "Meet your neighbor!"

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During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW" or "Disney") in September 2010, we revisited certain restaurants that we enjoyed during a prior visit. One of those restaurants was Biergarten Restaurant (the "Biergarten").Location: The Biergarten is located in the Germany Pavilion within Walt Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park.Reservations: Due to the Biergarten’s large dining space and buffet style menu, tables are turned rather quickly resulting in little, if any, wait. While other table service establishments in Epcot are booked months in advance, travelers will typically find a table at the Biergarten. However, reservations are always recommended at any Disney restaurant to e...Read More

During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW" or "Disney") in September 2010, we revisited certain restaurants that we enjoyed during a prior visit. One of those restaurants was Biergarten Restaurant (the "Biergarten").

Location: The Biergarten is located in the Germany Pavilion within Walt Disney World’s Epcot Theme Park.

Reservations: Due to the Biergarten’s large dining space and buffet style menu, tables are turned rather quickly resulting in little, if any, wait. While other table service establishments in Epcot are booked months in advance, travelers will typically find a table at the Biergarten. However, reservations are always recommended at any Disney restaurant to ensure a table at a specific time.

Atmosphere: The Biergarten restaurant has been designed to replicate the feeling of a traditional Biergarten in Germany. Per its description on the WDW website, the Biergarten "celebrates Oktoberfest all year long." Disney cast members are dressed in traditional German attire and the interior walls mimic German architecture seen in small towns along the Rhine river valley. The restaurant is darkly lit, but the atmosphere is boisterous and joyous. Communal tables in a u-shaped pattern on three levels of decking surround a small dancing area and stage holding a German ‘oompah’ band. This four piece Bavarian-style band plays a selection of foot stomping, thigh slapping German tunes throughout the evening which gives the restaurant a real 'Hofbrauhaus' feeling. Children and adults will both enjoy the atmosphere at the Biergarten. The communal tables encourage adult conversation as diners socialize with other travelers. On this occasion, we dined with a couple from Boston who visit the Biergarten every time they come to WDW to satisfy their love for German food. After chatting about baseball, travel, and Disney, we found ourselves happily clanking glasses with our new ‘friends’ in time with the band. If you visit the Biergarten, please make an effort to introduce yourself to your table companions! You won’t regret it! Children will also love the atmosphere at the Biergarten as they are encouraged by the band during the meal to gather on the dance floor and dance their feet off! It was a blast watching all the children and their parents swish around the dance floor to the happy oompah music. Due to the communal dining, the atmosphere at the Biergarten is one that can’t be found at most other dining establishments in WDW.

Service: Service at the Biergarten is rather uncomplicated as cast members are merely required to manage drinks, clear dirty plates, and provide the check. Overall, the service met our expectations, but did not exceed them. Our drink glasses were filled, but not always often enough. Our server managed to clear the dishes, but was not overly attentive to notice when they needed to be cleared. IE. It may have taken longer than we would have expected to clear the plates or fill the glasses, but not long enough to generate frustration or leave us unsatisfied with our server.

Menu: The Biergarten serves an "all you can eat" buffet of traditional German food selections. During our visit, we paid a fixed price at dinner totaling $35.99 which also included soft drinks or iced tea (alcohol is extra). The buffet is rotated on a daily basis, but typical items include the following:
* Cold Options: Mixed Green Salad, Bavarian Cabbage Salad, Cucumber-Dill Salad, Pickled Red Beet Salad, Macaroni Salad, Bavarian Sausage Salad, Warm German Potato Salad, Sausage Selection - Ham Bologna, Landjager and Ring Bologna, Mustard Pickles, Cold Meat Patties
* Hot Options: Rotisserie Chicken, Pork Shank-Gratin with Fried Onions, Roasted Potatoes , Homemade Spaetzle, Sausage Platter with Grilled Bratwurst, Meat Patties in a red wine Sauce, White Veal Sausages with Sweet Mustard and Pretzel Rolls, Breaded Pork (or Chicken) Schnitzel, Red Cabbage, Sauerkraut, Salmon filet with a Lemon Dill Cream sauce, Glazed Carrots, Frankfurter Sausage, Macaroni and Cheese, Pork Roast carving station served with German Mustard, Apple Sauce and Apricot Compote, Mashed Potatoes, Braised Beef Roulades, Sauerbraten, Potato Dumplings with Bread Crumb Butter, Herring Salad
* Dessert: Black forest Cake, Bavarian Cheese Cake, Vanilla Pudding with Chocolate Chips, Freshly Baked Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce

Food: The Biergarten is a hearty meal of simple, but tasty food. For "meat and potato" lovers, this is the place to visit. The Biergarten has a plentiful variety of meats, sausages, and potato dishes to leave any diner stuffed silly with starchy goodness. Avid lover of German food will find themselves immersed in a world of vinegar soaked bliss. On this occasion, we attempted to sample as much of the food as possible. Of particular note, the potato dumplings were a favorite of ours. An interesting texture of doughy goodness that tastes like potato was surprisingly enjoyable. The bread crumb topping created a nice contrast to the dumpling. Further, the sauerbraten (basically a pot roast) was a favorite as it contained the perfect amount of vinegar to create flavor without overpowering the tender meat. Since our first visit to the Biergarten, we had found a local German food restaurant in our hometown which we enjoy on a regular basis. In comparison, the second visit to the Biergarten was not ‘as good’ as what we can now find at home; however, it still holds its own. We were not disappointed with the selection of food at the BiergartenFurther, the desserts were a nice end to the meal. We found the Bavarian cheese cake and apple strudel to be our favorites from the offered selections.

Overall, we would recommend the Biergarten to other IGOUGO travelers. For those looking for a quiet sit down dinner with attentive service, fresh vegetables (other than potatoes), and white tablecloths, the Biergarten may disappoint. However, the Biergarten is a great option for travelers seeking good German food, friendly conversation with other diners, and a joyous atmosphere. Read Less

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on October 29, 2025

Biergarten Restaurant
Bavarian Village, Epcot, Walt Disney World
Orlando, Florida
(407) 939-3463

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Liberty Tree Tavern

Restaurant | "A Belly Full of Tasty Comfort Food!"

Quote:

During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW") in September 2010, we revisited certain restaurants that we enjoyed during a prior visit. One of those restaurants was Liberty Tree Tavern ("Liberty Tree"). Location: Liberty Tree Tavern ("Liberty Tree") is located in Liberty Square within Walt Disney World ("WDW")’s Magic Kingdom Park which is the smallest of all the WDW parks and usually the most crowded. On both of our visits as adults, we found it difficult to avoid lines on the most popular rides. Accordingly, guests who visit Magic Kingdom should maximize every moment they have in the park. Dining at Liberty Tree in Magic Kingdom allows guests the opportunity to have a restful "sit ...Read More

During our visit to Walt Disney World ("WDW") in September 2010, we revisited certain restaurants that we enjoyed during a prior visit. One of those restaurants was Liberty Tree Tavern ("Liberty Tree").

Location: Liberty Tree Tavern ("Liberty Tree") is located in Liberty Square within Walt Disney World ("WDW")’s Magic Kingdom Park which is the smallest of all the WDW parks and usually the most crowded. On both of our visits as adults, we found it difficult to avoid lines on the most popular rides. Accordingly, guests who visit Magic Kingdom should maximize every moment they have in the park. Dining at Liberty Tree in Magic Kingdom allows guests the opportunity to have a restful "sit down" meal without spending time hassling with WDW transportation to dine at another park or resort.

Reservations: Unlike other theme parks within WDW, quality dining options at the Magic Kingdom are rather limited, particularly when it comes to table service. Accordingly, reservations for this restaurant are highly recommended. We used the online Disney reservations system to secure a table at this popular dining spot.

Atmosphere: The exterior of the restaurant blends with its patriotic neighbors with white columns and yellow shuttered windows. Upon entering, guests check in to a podium on the left-hand side of a large open waiting area which contains multiple benches surrounded by a cozy fireplace (which is not lit during hot summer months). Disney cast members move throughout the waiting area dressed in colonial attire, calling out reservations in a manner that mimics a "town crier". Each room is furnished with colonial décor, and our room was designed to look like Betsy Ross’ home. On our prior visit, Liberty Tree’s dining experience included Disney characters dressed in patriotic gear; however, this portion of the dinner has been eliminated. Overall, the atmosphere at dinner was still bustling and pleasant and a great place for both kids and adults. The only drawback of the interior of the restaurant is the sadly designed restrooms. The restrooms are located on a small upper staircase and contain two stalls sandwiched with a small sink and baby changing area in a space the size of a closet. The room is extremely small and can barely hold two adults which require other diners to awkwardly wait on the staircase outside of the restroom. I attempted to use the restroom on multiple occasions during our meal and found a line for the women’s restroom 4-5 people deep outside of the "closet" sized bathroom. When I finally gave up and waited, it took about 15-20 minutes before I actually got to the stall and the main course had arrived by the time I returned. IMO – for the size of the restaurant, WDW should really rethink the restroom facilities.

Service: After checking in at the hostess stand for our reservation, we were seated in a timely manner within one of Liberty Tree’s six dining rooms. Table service at Liberty Tree is not overly difficult due to the set menu. However, our server was friendly and very willing to bring us second helpings during the meal, and she was very attentive to note when our drink glasses required a refill. The meal was appropriately paced, and we never felt rushed by our server.

Menu: Liberty Tree has a fixed price menu during dinner hours. The WDW website boasts that Liberty Tree serves a "New England inspired meal", but I would consider the food to be closer to "home cooked American food". At the time we dined, the dinner menu offers "all you can eat" items for $35.99 per person served family style. We found the options on the menu to be satisfying and worthy of the cost per person.

Food: Liberty Tree offers a three course meal of salad, main course, and dessert. The Declaration Salad which was delivered with homemade yeast rolls and honey butter. The salad was a fairly basic mixed green lettuce served with Strawberry Vinaigrette dressing. It was fresh and tasted nice, but was the meal’s least interesting dish. However, the yeast rolls were hot and delicious. A pat of softened honey butter melted delightfully into their yummy warm goodness. Next, we were served the Patriot’s Platter which consists of roasted turkey breast, carved beef, and smoked ham with mashed potatoes, stuffing, green beans, and macaroni & cheese. All of the meats were tasty, but we both enjoyed the carved beef the best. The mashed potatoes were homemade (not instant) and the green beans were freshly sautéed (not canned); however, the stuffing and macaroni & cheese were most likely "processed". Overall, the Patriot’s Platter was a hearty belly full of traditional American favorites. Finally, diners are served a warm apple crisp for dessert topped with Vanilla Ice Cream. The crisp was delicious. Warm cinnamon apples were topped with a crumbled crispy oatmeal topping. We were stuffed, but managed to finish every last bite!

Overall, we enjoyed our meal at Liberty Tree Tavern and believe that the quantity and quality of the food is worthy of the cost when compared to other WDW options. Dishes that were fairly basic were combined with fresh homemade items, leaving us satisfied overall with the meal. For those looking for a classic American family-style meal, Liberty Tree is the place to go in WDW. For those looking for a ‘fine dining’ experience or character dining, Liberty Tree may disappoint. We would dine here again and recommend it to other IGO UGO travelers.
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Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 27, 2025

Liberty Tree Tavern
Walt Disney World Resort, Magic Kingdom
Orlando, Florida 32830
(470) WDW- Dine

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