Why Is It Called That? The Stories Behind Disney’s Best Restaurant Names!
We’re often struck by the interesting names Walt Disney World devises for attractions, rides, and restaurants, and we know lots of you are, too. So we’re taking a look at some of the most clever Disney World restaurant names — and why they’re called that!
Cinderella Castle
‘Ohana — Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
If you haven’t visited this popular table service restaurant in the Great Ceremonial House at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, you might think the name comes from Disney’s animated hit Lilo & Stitch, but in truth, the restaurant came first! (Although you can meet Lilo and her ‘dog’ Stitch at breakfast!) And at ‘Ohana, it’s all about family. That’s because ‘ohana means family in Hawaiian!
Lilo at ‘Ohana
Not only does ‘ohana refer to your immediate family, in a broader sense it means your extended family, your cultural family, and your global family. So at ‘Ohana, your waiter is your cousin, and the family style service echoes the sentiment of togetherness and shared experiences. (Also there’s ‘Ohana Bread Pudding, which we find really brings people together!)
‘Ohana Bread Pudding with Sauce
Get the recipe for ‘Ohana Bread Pudding here!
Whispering Canyon Cafe — Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
You know where we’re going with this one! Whispering Canyon sounds like a peaceful spot to explore in the wild, right? But at Walt Disney World’s Whispering Canyon Cafe, whispering is not on the menu. Though the restaurant’s antics have a bit of a hit-or-miss quality right now (see our dinner review for our take on this), traditionally Whispering Canyon Cafe has been loud, raucous, and full of fun. Ask for ketchup, and you get all.the.ketchup.
Someone Asked for Ketchup . . .
Turns out irony is not dead — and Whispering Canyon is keeping it alive! From pony races to giant cups of soda, when the antics are on, this restaurant’s name becomes part of the joke!
Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ — Disney Springs
When Homecomin’ came to Disney Springs, that meant one thing for lots of guests: Fried Chicken. That staple comfort food is a Chef Art Smith specialty, and we knew it would be delicious. Less certain: the restaurant’s name! It started as Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming (with Florida Kitchen Southern Shine tacked onto the end). Here, the Florida Native and James Beard award winning Chef Art was literally coming home to launch this new Florida restaurant. But just over half a year later, the ‘g’ was dropped, an apostrophe added, and Homecomin’ was born.
Homecoming Sign — back in the day!
The new moniker was a dialectical and tonal change, bringing the name more in line with the restaurant’s overall style and vibe. The laid-back atmosphere and menu full of comfort food mean you can drop your ‘g’s and relax!
Beaches & Cream — Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Beaches & Cream is a popular, old timey soda shop that specializes in classic food like grilled cheese and tomato soup and wows diners with massive sweet treats like the No Way Jose sundae. Beaches & Cream is a play on peaches and cream, a simple, soul-satisfying dessert that provides comfort and familiarity to those who love it.
No Way Jose’s Close Up
Beaches & Cream manages to evoke that comfort while also identifying its location (at the Beach Club!) and giving a hint to its signature treats (ice cream galore!). That’s three connotations in one clever name!
Victoria & Albert’s — Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Victoria & Albert’s is a historically interesting name, inspired by Queen Victoria and her husband, Albert, Prince Consort. The Victorian Era, named after England’s second longest-reigning queen, was the height of power for England and was characterized by richness, exclusivity, and conservativeness.
Main Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s
Disney’s award-winning Victoria & Albert’s is all that and outstanding food. Dining here is pricey even by Disney standards, but the service, food, and overall experience are top-notch — not just at Walt Disney World, but in the actual world (we’re talking AAA Five Diamond Award, James Beard Foundation Award nominations for Best Chef South, etc!).
Bittersweet Chocolate Dome on Praline Crunch
Like the queen for whom the restaurant is named, Victoria & Albert’s strives for prominence in the world and finds it. Click here to read our most recent review.
Interestingly, for years the restaurant referred to all of their servers as either “Victoria” or “Albert” depending on their gender. The practice has, thankfully, been dropped.
Le Cellier — Epcot’s World Showcase, Canada Pavilion
Le Cellier, je t’aime. In this case, the language and the translation matter. Le Cellier reflects Canada’s rich French Canadian heritage, but it uses a term that won’t scare anyone off because this isn’t a fancy French restaurant; it’s the cellar!
Inside Le Cellier
Le Cellier matches the expectation set by its translation in the decor, which plays with arches, light, shadow, and stone to create a moody dining space. The food, we’re happy to say, is typically good, which is why this restaurant is so popular (despite the steep prices and two-credit requirement on DDP!).
Poutine at Le Cellier
And, bien sur, there’s plenty of poutine. See what we thought in this review of three types of this Quebecois delicacy!
Tangierine Cafe — Epcot’s World Showcase, Morocco Pavilion
Tangierine Cafe is another wonderful place name that provides a frame of reference for the restaurant it identifies. Tangier is the third most populated city in Morocco with nearly one million residents, and it’s been an important port for centuries. In fact, the fruit tangerine took its name from this city. And now you see how Tangierine Cafe is more than a clever place name; it’s a play on words, too.
Tangierine Cafe
The food at Tangierine Cafe reflects the popular foods of Morocco (and the wider region) and has a freshness that is, perhaps, also implied by its fruit-themed name. And we are big fans of this quick service spot as an alternative to more traditional theme park fare.
Vegetarian Platter at Tangierine Cafe in Epcot’s Morocco Pavilion: is it right for you?
Dining at Walt Disney World is exciting for so many reasons, not the least of which is the thoughtful design from restaurant names to dining rooms to menus. With so many new restaurants still to come this year, we look forward to decoding the names and eating all the things. 
Click here to browse through our 2019 Disney Restaurant Ultimate Guide!
Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!
Don’t Miss Out on Any Disney Fun!
The 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is now available!
With more than 750 pages, the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
With mini-reviews of every single restaurant, bar, lounge, kiosk and more; an entire chapter on the best snacks in Disney World; full Disney Dining Plan analysis (and how to get FREE dining); and a full chapter on discounts and deals; you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to order your copy of the 2019 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-book with code WDW2019 to save 25% today!
Use code WDW2019 at check-out for a 25% off the cover price!
Our guides are backed by a 100% money-back guarantee, so you have nothing to lose. 
Which restaurant name is your favorite at Walt Disney World? Let us know in the comments!
from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/2VLhemq
Post a Comment