Did you know that on every day of your Disney cruise, there’s a sit-down option available for breakfast and lunch? I was made aware of this several months ago, and after having a heck of a time at Marceline Market on the Disney Wish last year, I decided to try the sit-down restaurant option 1923 instead. Logic being that it would be more quiet (it was), less hectic (it was), and thus more enjoyable! (it was!)
After sleeping through breakfast, I eagerly waited for 1923 to open for lunch and happily walked in shortly after they opened. Unlike dinner, they do not seat you by your table number, but by the number in your party, and what sections are open.
They even give you bread!
Any place that starts with bread service is a-ok in my book! A basket of rolls and some butter balls? Don’t mind if I do! We’re off to a great start already!
Soup fiend strikes again!
If you’ve learned anything from my dinner reviews on this site, it’s probably that I love soup. Me and soup are besties. Of the two soups available at 1923 for lunch, I chose the Mexican Tortilla Soup, with black beans and tortilla strips.
My goodness, am I glad I chose this over the French Lentil soup, because this thing had a spicy kick to it! I wasn’t expecting a spicy tomato-ish soup, so I was pleasantly surprised. Heck, I could have had a second one! Bring me a bowl of this stuff! The only disappointment with this soup was when the cup was empty. (true story!)
I broke my own rule.
I swore off calamari last year after being disappointed time and time again. After browsing the small plates section of the lunch menu, and really not wanting to try marinated artichokes, I reluctantly decided to give calamari one last try. Would calamari taste better while in the middle of the ocean?
Much to my surprise, this was very tender and delicious! The aioli was okay but not necessary, and the cherry pepper will probably be avoided by many, but the calamari itself was nicely fried, had a good flavor, and it was tender! My faith in eating fried squid has been temporarily restored! For now.
Not Mom’s meatloaf.
Meatloaf is a classic comfort food, with so many variations. This meatloaf at 1923, served with Yukon mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans was good despite not having a ketchup glaze that I’m used to. The flavors were there, and overall it’s a good comfort food choice. I would have felt guilty asking for ketchup, though. The gravy does help, but if you’re used to ketchup this is a variation on a standard classic. It’s not bad, it’s just different.
Pasta!
Thinking the meatloaf wouldn’t be enough, I also ordered the Penne Rigate which comes with ricotta, spinach, and mascarpone cream. This is a lighter dish, being vegetarian. Simple and light is how I can best describe it. I wanted a second entree that wouldn’t be too heavy, and this fit the bill perfectly.
Chunky pecan pie!
I love a good pecan pie! But I’m also spoiled because I had an aunt who’s pecan pie was pretty much chocked full of pecans. Sadly, many pecan pies today have a layer of sweet goo with pecans on top. I want a pecan pie with pecans throughout the whole slice! Luckily for me, this pecan pie was right up my alley! Here’s a cross-section so you can see yourself.
So. Many. Pecans! If you love a chunky pecan pie, you’re going to love this! I asked if I could request a pie to go. My server reminded me this isn’t Perkins. Alas, I’ll have to cruise again to enjoy this dessert again. Maybe next time I’ll order two! Oh, yeah, it comes with whipped cream and butterscotch sauce. Not like it needs it or anything.
“Meal full?” Am I saying this right?
The other dessert I wanted to try was the one I couldn’t pronounce. As is habit when dining at Chefs de France in Epcot, I just point at the menu item and then butcher the pronunciation and hope the server knows what I’m talking about.
Such is the case with the Strawberry Mille Feuille. ‘Meal fool’? ‘Meal full’? I know: MILLEY FOO-ILLEY! I don’t know. (Editor’s note: We here at Disney Rover would like to apologize to all of our French readers.) Name aside, this was surprisingly light! Flaky dough, light vanilla pastry cream in the middle, and then complimented by whipped cream and strawberries.
While I totally preferred the pecan pie, because I’m biased, I can see this being a light option for anyone who doesn’t want a heavy dessert, or had a heavy lunch and wants something lighter for balance. It wasn’t terrible, by any means! Interesting use of a chocolate square for decoration, cutting out the middle and then also using the leftover square as well. Resourceful!
1923 is a Disney fan’s dream!
The best part of 1923, though, is the decor. The best part of having lunch at 1923 is having the chance to walk around and look at all the decor! (something difficult to do at dinner) All around the restaurant are display cases of concept art and drawings from iconic Disney films. When I had lunch that day, I was seated behind Bambi concept art.
Absolutely adorable drawings and sketches of Thumper and Flower!
And Thumper expression drawings! Unfortunately these are difficult to photograph behind glass, but I tried to avoid glare as much as possible. Still, how cute are these?! And this is just one section of one of the two dining rooms. These display cases are all over the restaurant, in both the Walt dining room and the Roy dining room. Bambi, Peter Pan, Beauty and The Beast, Little Mermaid. The list goes on and on. So much to look at, and so little time without feeling like you’re intruding or being in the way.
I don’t know how well-known this Disney Cruise tip is known. I’m reluctant to call it a hack because it’s not a secret. I’ve heard great things about Marceline Market, the buffet on the Disney Wish. However, the few times I did try the buffet, it was so crowded and chaotic that even as a party of 1, I had a difficult time finding a place to sit down.
Instead of fighting the crowds and walking all around Marceline Market looking for a place to sit, hoping some overly excited little kid doesn’t bump into me and cause me to spill my plate, I decided instead to try the sit-down option at whichever restaurant was open for lunch. I found this to be way more quiet and peaceful, and thus more relaxing. The restaurant wasn’t very crowded, either. In fact, the most hectic part of lunch was walking past the servers as they were bringing plates in and out.
If you’re like me and looking for a place with not a lot of people, not a lot of noise, and not a lot of stress, have lunch at whichever dining room is open and enjoy the serenity.
Important detail to remember.
Lunch at 1923 is only served from 12 noon to 1:30pm. Before or after that time, you’ll have to visit Mickey and Friends Festival of Foods if Marceline Market is unavailable.
Also important to note is along with knife and fork meals for lunch at 1923, they also have burgers! But don’t expect a bottle of ketchup for your fries. They’re fancy at 1923 and will scoop some ketchup from a gravy boat onto your plate for you.
Disney Rover 