Forever Magical
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 The Sci-Fi Diner |
During our family trip to Walt Disney World in 1990 my mother had one request. There was a restaurant at MGM Studios she really wanted us to enjoy. We approached the large soundstage with the sign out front that read "Sci-Fi Diner". I wasn’t really sure what to expect but sci-fi and food seemed like a great combo to me. The hostess approached us asked us to “dim our headlights” and follow her. We traveled down a long corridor. Along the top of the wall was a scenescape similar to those back in California. It was twilight and the sky was a brilliant blue with twinkling stars and the silhouette of California hillsides; homes and palm trees dotted the landscape. As we turned the corner we saw dozens of old cars but those vehicles were actually the booths for dining. The soundstage had been converted into a large drive-in restaurant. Our server, who was wearing roller-skates, brought out baskets of popcorn to enjoy while we looked over the menu. While we waited for our food we watched the large movie screen which displayed previews of classic B movies such at Attack of the 50ft Woman and Tarantula. Mom remembered going to several of these films with her brothers. I remembered seeing a couple of them on the afternoon film festival when I was home sick from school. The drive-in setup itself reminds me of the Winnetka drive-in where my family saw many Disney films. I remember the double feature Cheetah and Honey, I Shrunk the Audience as well as Herbie films.
 Pushing coconuts with brooms |
At the Walt Disney World Polynesian hotel guests can experience a Polynesian Luau complete with hula dancing, fire dancing and food. But at the hotel restaurant 'Ohana you will be treated to a different slice of Hawaii. 'Ohana means family and once you enter this dining location everyone is a cousin. Our hostess led us to our table pausing for a moment by the large fires where our chef cousins were preparing various meats. Our table had a large lazy susan in the middle with various appetizers and condiments. Periodically a server would come by the table with long metal skewers full of chargrilled chicken, beef and shrimp and would slide however many pieces we requested onto our plates. Part way into our meal children in the restaurant were invited up for a game. It required them to push a coconut with broom around the center portion of the restaurant while we all sang. This was followed by several birthday and special occasion announcements. Then he led us all in a big “mahalo”, which means thank you, to the chefs and servers. The evening was topped off with a surprising dessert, pineapple with caramel sauce. It is not a combination I would have tried on my own but it was scrumptious and messy. Time your meal well and you can follow-up the tremendous feast by watching fireworks from the Polynesian beach area.
At Disneyland’s Pacific Hotel guests can enjoy teatime with the practically perfect Mary Poppins. Delightfully mismatched furniture decorates the tearoom. In one area is a large coffee table surrounded by a white wicker sofa and chairs with floral patterns plenty of room for a large family and in another corner is a small table with two chairs made of a deep wood perfect for a couple to enjoy a more intimate dining experience. Several of Bert’s chalk drawings are displayed on the tearoom’s walls and a carousel horse is on display, too. A smartly dressed gentleman in a pinstriped suit with an ascot and derby approached our table. The chap’s name was Daniel. He informed us that Mary Poppins was expected in “Just a spit-spot” and invited us to enjoy the scone and cookies on our table. I’m not an adventurous tea drinker, I usually stick with Japanese green tea, but I wanted to try something different. I nervously ordered the lemon tea but Daniel, apparently aware of my hesitation, highly recommended the Cinnamon tea instead. The tea was served in individual china pots. It was a loose tea blend, so to avoid getting the tealeaves in your teacup they provide a beautiful metal strainer with its own resting stand. Place it over your teacup and pour the tea and all the leaves are caught by it. After my first taste I had to agree with Daniel that the cinnamon tea was delicious.
As we enjoyed our tea Daniel announced the arrival of Mary Poppins. She entered singing A Spoonful of Sugar dancing around the room and greeting the guests. After completing the tune Mary addressed all of us in the tearoom and told a story about her good friend, Bert. The music started and Mary took a short break and walked around the tearoom greeting each table. Soon after she sang another popular tune Chim Chim Cheree. After performing this energetic number Mary stepped backstage for a few moments. When she reappeared she was attired in the Jolly Holiday white dress with red accents and was accompanied by the servers who carried delectable dessert items.