Day 7: Disney Resort Christmas Tree Trail Part 2 / H&H@TP 2017
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We had an Advance Dinner Reservation (ADR) for Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom for 7:30pm, and made our way over, via Monorail from the Transportation & Ticket Center (which is just a short walk from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and another reason why I love this Resort!).
I’d booked our ADR for this time so that we would have plenty of time to have dinner, and then go and watch Happily Ever After in front of Cinderella Castle – something we had yet to do on this trip.
Cinderella Castle is so pretty when lit up with the ice lights during the Holidays, and I snapped this photo on the way to Liberty Square – where Liberty Tree Tavern is located.
Liberty Square is one of the lands at Magic Kingdom and has a Colonial America theme, with a replica Liberty Tree (an actual 100-year-old oak found on the property and transplanted, with a younger oak grafted into the base) and a replica Liberty Bell (cast from the mould of the actual Liberty Bell in 1989. An urban legend falsely claims it is that it is one of two bells ever cast from this mold, however, there are many others also cast from it).
The big-ticket ride in this land is The Haunted Mansion, which we love. And there is also The Hall of Presidents, and Liberty Square Riverboat.
It was very crowded around the restaurant (and in Liberty Square in general) and while I went and parked up my ECV, Steve went to check us in. Turns out they were running a little late and we sat on the porch to wait to be called in.
When you book an ADR, you are not guaranteed an exact time, rather, you’re guaranteed a table around that time. Rarely will you be sat straight away – you could wait for anything from a few minutes to maybe half an hour – which is the most we have ever had to wait.
However, Liberty Tree Tavern was not just running a little late, but a LOT late. We actually ended up waiting for more than an hour! This was most annoying since it meant we would be cutting it fine to get a spot for the fireworks – but it is what it is…
Liberty Tree Tavern lets you step back in time to the days of Colonial Williamsburg, and has six historically themed rooms.
Rich wood panelling, candelabra chandeliers, large brick fireplaces, and walls lined with period portraits and curios welcome the weary time traveller. Each of the six rooms commemorates a pivotal figure in U.S. history:
- Benjamin Franklin
- Thomas Jefferson
- John Paul Jones
- Paul Revere
- Betsy Ross
- George Washington
We were in the Betsy Ross room. Who was Betsy Ross I hear you ask? Well, she was an American upholsterer who has been credited in the past with making the first American flag. So there you go, history lesson for the day complete!
It would be cool to go back when it’s less busy to take a look at the other rooms, as Disney’s website says: “Be sure to wander the rooms and see if you can spot the signature artifacts famously associated with each American hero.”
Liberty Tree Tavern
Given the location and theme of this restaurant, the food is all-American fare, with dishes such as New England Clam Chowder, Turkey Pot Pie, Pilgrim’s Feast, and of course a Bacon Cheddar Cheeseburger… Desserts do not include Apple Pie, which I am really surprised at!
However, the à la carte menu with [some of] the items I mentioned, is only available at lunchtime.
The dinner menu features an all-you-care-to-enjoy Bill of Fare which starts with a mixed salad, followed by Patriot’s Platter – a traditional Thanksgiving dinner – and finished off with dessert. Food is served family-style, which basically means all served in the middle of the table for everyone to help themselves. If you want more of anything, you can just ask your server and they will oblige.
Given that they serve just this one meal at dinner time, I’m surprised we had to wait so long for a table! Fortunately, the service once we were sat down, our server was awesome, and had a lot of time for us, even though he was clearly rushed off his feet.
Appetizer…
Declaration Salad – Tossed Mixed Greens with House-made Dressing
Salad – lettuce, red onion, cucumber, tomato, and carrot – was brought to the table first, along with some yummy dinner rolls and butter.
Beverages…
Coca-Cola, Diet Coke, Sprite, Barq’s Root Beer, Minute Maid Orchard’s Best Apple Juice, Minute Maid Light Pomegranate Lemonade, Freshly Brewed Iced Tea, 1% Lowfat or Chocolate Milk, Freshly Brewed Joffrey’s Coffee, Hot Cocoa or Hot Tea
The regular drinks that I listed above are included with your meal – and also refillable. There is a selection of beer, hard cider, and wine which are extra.
There are a few specialty beverages – Ariel or Pirate’s Punch – which is Minute Maid Light Lemonade Punch served in a souvenir Ariel or Pirates cup with a glowing Ariel or Pirate Skull Clip-on Light.
There was also the Patriot’s Slush, which lured me in with its souvenir mug (God knows I love a souvenir mug!), and the fact that it was cherry flavour, which is my favourite fruit. However, they had run out of the mugs… so I just got my drink in a regular glass…. booooooring!
Patriot’s Slush – Enjoy a refreshing combination of this Frozen Cherry and Apple Beverage ($6) With Mug! Available in a Souvenir Tavern Keeper’s Collector Mug ($14.50)
Entrée…
Patriot’s Platter – Roasted Turkey Breast, Pot Roast, and Carved Pork Roast with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb stuffing, and House-made Macaroni & Cheese.
The meat, stuffing, and cranberry sauce was brought out on a platter, with bowls of sides – mashed potatoes, green beans, mac ‘n’ cheese, and a gravy boat filled with, well, gravy…and place in the center of the table for us all to tuck in.
Unfortunately, for some reason, Disney does not like to serve piping hot food, at least that is our experience. So the food was very warm, rather than hot. However, everything tasted good. The pot roast was excellent, and it was the favourite part of the meal for all of us. If we visited for lunch, I would definitely have that again.
Our server checked in with us during the meal to see if we wanted more of anything, and we requested some more of that pot roast – honestly, it was delicious!
Dessert…
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake – Vanilla Cake with a Gooey Toffee Filling, Caramel Sauce, and Vanilla Ice Cream
Dessert was brought out in a mini cast iron skillet which I thought was so cute. The portion was to share, and seemed tiny between three of us – but it actually was just the right amount. When I say this was some good dessert, this was some gooooood dessert. It was a perfect way to end the meal.
Despite the long wait for our table, dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern was great. We really enjoyed it and would come back here again. At $35 per person, I also think it is great value too.
Bill for Liberty Tree Tavern » Magic Kingdom
Food: $111 + Tax: $5.78 + Tip: $19.98 = $136.76
TiW Discount: $22.20
Total Paid: $114.56
By the time we finished our meal and left the restaurant, Happily Ever After was just about to start. We couldn’t make it through the crowds to get to Main Street USA, so ended up stopping by Sleepy Hollow (a quick service location in Liberty Square), where other people had also gathered to watch the fireworks.
As you can see from the photos, we had a bit of an obscure view to start with, but eventually were able to shuffle around a bit for a fuller views. Whilst we couldn’t get the front view of Cinderella Castle, some of the light projections could still be seen from the side, so all was not lost!
Please excuse the funky angle of the photos – I had to very quickly set up my tripod, and need to try and get as much in the shot as I could!
This 18-minute show features more lasers, lights, and projections than any other fireworks spectacular in the history of Magic Kingdom park!
Throughout Happily Ever After, you’ll witness the many transformations of Cinderella Castle as it becomes a part of popular Disney stories—and is brought to life by:
- Awe-inspiring fireworks and rooftop pyro
- Supportive state-of-the-art projections
- Brilliant lasers and immersive lighting
- A stirring score featuring contemporary versions of popular Disney songs
It all comes together in a dazzling way—for a fantastical finale to your day at Magic Kingdom park. – Walt Disney World
Disney takes firework displays to a whole other level – Happily Ever After is an amazing show! Wishes will always have a special place in my heart though, and I will probably forever miss it.
At the time of writing this trip report, it’s been announced that HalloWishes and Holiday Wishes are also being changed, and I can’t take it! HalloWishes was my favourite fireworks at Walt Disney World… I’m so sad!!
With the fireworks over, we headed to Main Street USA so I could get a photo of Cinderella Castle, as well as one of the Walt & Mickey statue (called Partners), with the lit up Castle behind them. Patience is a virtue when it comes to taking some photos at Walt Disney World!
We then battled the crowds down Main Street USA towards the exit where we caught the Monorail back home to The Poly.
Tomorrow is Steve’s birthday, and a day for him to choose exactly what we do!
Read about the day after:
Day 8: Hubby’s 45th Birthday
Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail / Lunch at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ / Dole Whips from Pineapple Lanai / Christmas Wishes from Poly
Read about the day before:
Day 6: Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
Disney Springs / Lunch at Planet Hollywood / Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party
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The camera I use for my Disney photography is a Canon EOS 70D.
The two main lenses I use are Sigma 18-300mm F3.5-6.3 DC Macro and Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC Art. Both of these lenses will also fit Nikon and Sony DSLRs.
I also take some photos on my iPhone7 for sharing on social media – follow my Disney Instagram account – LoveDisneyPhotos
Pool photos are taken with a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5. A similar model is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT30EB-A
Videos are taken with Panasonic HC-V720, although the newer model is the Panasonic HC-V770.
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