We were enjoying EPCOT in Walt Disney World with out-of-town family and wanted them to enjoy Garden Grill inside The Land pavilion. We had all dined here before, but it had been years. We were able to make a reservation just the day before and kept looking for an earlier time.
Did you know the restaurant was originally called The Good Turn Restaurant? Then it became The Land Grille Room, before becoming the Garden Grill.
We had several people with allergies and were curious how they would handle it with an all-you-care-to-enjoy menu. They presented us with an allergy-friendly menu also.
Did you know that the restaurant rotates? It is supposed to take an hour for one revolution. I have also heard it rotates quicker during breakfast, the thinking is that you don’t take as long for your meal. You will be able to enjoy views of the Living with the Land attraction. Our server pointed out a “hidden Mickey” and several other items as we rotated.
The menu places an emphasis on fresh ingredients that reflect the Living with the Land theme you are circling.
The restaurant serves the meal family–style with a large meat platter of turkey and grilled steak. They had a second platter for those with allergies at our table. We were offered the option of having the chef come to the table to make sure all the food was allergy-friendly when we ordered. They had sides of carrots and green beans. They also brought a bowl of mac and cheese with Mickey head crackers. We also received a bowl of mashed potatoes.
The current cost is $62 per adult and $42 (plus tax and gratuity) for children for lunch and dinner; they do ask if you have the Dining Plan. They also offer an Annual Passholder discount.
Have your camera ready while you are dining. Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip ‘n’ Dale will typically make several stops at your table. Mickey Mouse appears in his farmer gear.
For dessert, we enjoyed an apple crumble with vanilla ice cream. Depending on your allergy, they didn’t have a substitute for dessert. The chef did say he could make something and our table totally enjoyed it.
We enjoyed the meal, and we all remarked on how good it was. The only disappointment was the mac and cheese. It looked creamy, and we loved the Goldfish Mickey crackers on top, but the flavor was lacking. The mashed potatoes were a big hit. They were served hot, which surprised everyone. The grilled steak with the sauce was tasty; the turkey was moist and delicious. The food was so good, we all forgot to take pictures of it.
They did do a good job at keeping the plates separate for the allergy-friendly items.
The only downside is the table. We had a booth for four people, and by the time they put all the bowls and platters on the table, there wasn’t much room left. If you have more than four people in your party, prepare to feel crowded.
My recommendation is to book early, because it does get busy. We will be visiting this restaurant again. ‘Til next time, see you in the parks!
