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5 On Property Restaurants for Active Kids
Active kids are a part of parenthood, especially when out dining. If one child is calm and happy to sit at the table, another is likely chomping at the bit to leap out of their seats, run around looking for adventure, and maybe even cause a scene or two, if you’re lucky. Parents, we’ve all been there, right?
At the same time, there are several dining experiences as anticipated as a Disney dining experience. You plan your advanced dinner reservations months in advance. You read review after review of table service restaurants, quick service locations, and even small food stands across Disney property that you feel like you’ve eaten that Tonga Toast from ‘Ohana or steak from Le Cellier.
Now throw your active kid into the mix, and you have a whole new ballgame to try and anticipate. What will my child eat? Will they stay at the table? Are there characters around to greet them? There are so many variables to consider that it can be difficult to choose the best dining experience for your family if your children are ready to move on. With this in mind, here is a list of one restaurant recommendation, and a backup, for each Walt Disney Park and a resort-based restaurant perfect for families with active children.
Magic Kingdom: Pinocchio Village Haus
Pinocchio Village Haus isn’t exactly known for its Exquisite and refined menu, nor for its outstanding and immersive atmosphere. What it lacks in these areas makes up for having a kid-friendly menu, space to explore and run around, and the understanding that there are about a hundred other kids doing the same as your active little one.
This Fantasyland counter-service spot offers staples like pepperoni flatbreads and chicken fingers, and it’s big, loud, and active all on its own. There’s an upstairs with added seating, the option to watch people loading onto the It’s a small world right next to the restaurant, and the wish book you can fill out with your child to add a little magic to the meal. It’s not an exquisite dining experience, but there certainly are things to do.
Backup: The Crystal Palace
The Crystal Palace is a Magic Kingdom mainstay that is also pure anarchy. It’s big, and Winnie the Pooh characters are milling about meeting you at your table. The food is nothing to write home about, but you’re not really paying for the meal. You’re there to meet Winnie the Pooh and the gang and watch your child light up, jump from the table and hug their favorite characters.
Epcot: Biergarten
The Biergarten in the German Pavilion at Epcot is a wonderful location to bring an active child for a number of reasons. With a live German band on stage playing throughout the restaurant and an open dance floor, there is room for your child to run around and dance off the energy they may have pent up from waiting in line around Epcot.
The music, dancing, and buffet-style serving makes for a loud environment ideal for those little ones who want to blow off some steam without their parents feeling like their children are the only crazy ones. And, for parents, there’s air conditioning and beer, of course! It’s perfect for a midday or end-of-day reprieve from the heat and congestion of the largest park at Disney. The only downside is the grouping of tables where your family of 3 or 4 may be saddled right next to another family or couple, but remember, there’s beer!
Backup: Coral Reef Restaurant
I would typically recommend families head to Garden Grill at Epcot as it is a very solid character meal experience, but the restaurant is naturally designed to enjoy while sitting. The Coral Reef Restaurant in World Nature allows your children to watch the more than 4,000 sea species on display in the tanks right in front of you and gives your active child a chance to walk around and see even more.
Hollywood Studios: Backlot Express
Hollywood Studios has gone through an evolution that added Toy Story Land and Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. These two areas have contributed more dining offerings to guests, but the Backlot Express is still a solid option for active kids. With indoor and outdoor seating, you have the option to let your active one get up and walk around without disturbing everyone around you. You also have a nice view of the Jedi Training stage, they are feet from some of the outdoor seating.
As a quick-service dining option, Backlot Express also gives you a little more freedom to up and leave when your child is ready to head out.
Backup: Woody’s Lunch Box
Before standing in line for Slinky Dog Dash, grab a bite, or watch the Green Army Corps march by from Woody’s
Columbia’s Peak Drift Brewing starts production on drinks
A large-scale brewery project in north Columbia has up production and running on some of its drinks.
Peak Drift Brewing Company, which is developing a multi-faceted production brewery and entertainment facility at 3452 North Main St. in Columbia, has launched its inaugural run of beer and hard seltzers, which will start popping up in select Midlands bars, restaurants and stores as soon as this week.
“Peak Drift is committed to celebrating everything that makes the Southeast special — the mountains, the oceans, the rivers, and most of all, the people,” Peak Drift co-owner Sara Middleton Styles said in a release. “Through our innovative production facility, award-winning products and new brewery coming to the North Main area, we are dedicated to industrial collaboration and strengthening our local communities.”
The Peak Drift Brewing project is a nearly $50 million deal that is still under development on North Main. The building at 3452 North Main was originally built in the 1940s and was operated for years by Stone Manufacturing. It was a garment factory for decades. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2020.
Aside from the now up and running production side, the Peak Drift site on North Main will also eventually include restaurant space with indoor and outdoor dining options, a members-only gym, an entertainment stage, a duckpin bowling alley, a merchandise shop and much more. The larger complex is expected to open in 2023.
There are a number of launch events for Peak Drift drinks at local bars scheduled for this week. Those include events at 5 pm Dec. 6 at WECO Bottle and Biergarten, 5 pm Dec. 8 at Craft and Draft Irmo, 5 pm Dec. 8 at Green’s Beverage Warehouse on Fernandina Road, and 6 pm Dec. 9 at The Grand on Main. For a full list of launch events, visit www.peakdriftbrewing.com/events.
Some of the Peak Drift drinks debuted in area restaurants and stores, per a release, including NEIPA, Golden Ale, a rotating series of Red IPAs, Berry Crumble Fruited Sour Ale and a rotating series of Fire Pit Dark Ales. A number of hard seltzers are also part of the initial run.
Peak Drift is being developed by siblings Greg Middleton and Sara Middleton Styles, whose family has been a key player in the Columbia hospitality scene in recent years, particularly in the area of the 1600 block of Main Street, where the family owns the tony Smoked restaurant and Grand on Main restaurant and bowling alley. The family also runs The Venue dueling piano bar, which this month has been transformed into a Christmas pop-up bar for the holiday season.
Ashley Kinart-Short is the master brewer at Peak Drift, and is one of the few female head brewmasters in the nation.
“Between the support and collaboration from others in the industry, as well as the cutting-edge technology, this has truly been a special project. We can’t wait for the public to enjoy the great products we’ve been brewing,” said Kinart-Short.
Chris Trainor is a retail reporter for The State and has been working for newspapers in South Carolina for more than 18 years, including previous stops at the (Greenwood) Index-Journal and the (Columbia) Free Times. He is the winner of numerous South Carolina Press Association awards, including honors in column writing, government beat reporting, profile writing, food writing, election coverage, social media and more.
The Type of Smoothie You Should Drink, Based on Your Zodiac Sign
Looking for a little morning pick-me-up that you can take on the go? Whether you wake up early or hit snooze a few times, nothing beats a delicious, healthy smoothie to start your day off on the right foot. But unlike more simple things like eggs or toast, there are seemingly endless smoothie combinations, including everything from fruits and veggies to healthy add-ins like chia seeds and protein powder. That’s why we consulted Best Life’s resident astrologer to find out what type of smoothie each zodiac sign should drink. Keep reading to see if you’ll be more green matcha or strawberry banana.
READ THIS NEXT: The Fruit You Should Eat, Based on Your Zodiac Sign.
Lauren Ash is a celebrity astrologer and lifestyle writer. She writes weekly columns for Best Life and Glam, and hosts the weekly astrology and pop culture podcast Birth Chart Pls. Follow Lauren on Twitter and Instagram or subscribe to her blog for monthly horoscopes.
Aries: Ginger Orange Smoothie
Rise and shine! As the first sign of the zodiac, Aries is the bright-eyed, adventurous go-getter. You have a cool confidence and competitive spirit, so you give everything your very best effort—which is why you need a smoothie that matches your level of intensity and passion.
Starting your morning (which will undoubtedly occur before the sun rises) with a drink made of fresh-squeezed orange juice and zingy ginger will have you wide awake and ready to conquer the day. This bright and spicy blend also helps boost your immune system, so you won’t miss a beat.
Taurus: Banana Oat Smoothie
Grounded and practical, Taurus likes to keep things simple. Sure, you enjoy life’s little luxuries, but you’re more concerned with the big picture and getting things done. You’re not looking to make your morning more stressful with a complicated breakfast, so a simple smoothie is perfect for you.
With just three ingredients—banana, oats, and milk of your choice—this recipe will have you out the door in no time. But, for those days when you need a little something extra, you can add fun extras like cinnamon, honey or peanut butter.
READ THIS NEXT: The Breakfast You Should Order, Based on Your Zodiac Sign.
Gemini: Mocha Protein Smoothie
You’re not a morning person, Gemini, but you do get a second wind that keeps you going all night. As the social butterfly of the zodiac, it’s easy for you to lose track of time while you’re out making new friends. So, your ideal smoothie is easy to throw together when you finally roll out of bed.
This rich breakfast does double duty after a long night—the coffee and cocoa will perk you up, while the protein powder, almond butter, chia seeds, and banana will keep you full and supply you with the antioxidants needed to do it all over again .
Cancer: Piña Colada Smoothie
Though Cancers are known for being sensitive and sweet, you don’t always wake up on the right side of the bed. You have a crabby side that shows up if you haven’t had enough sleep (or food), so you need to prioritize self-care as part of your morning routine.
And what better way to give yourself a little vacation from the day-to-day than with a piña colada smoothie? This refreshing combination of pineapple, coconut milk and banana comes together for a creamy treat that feels like a tropical island getaway (without ever booking a flight).
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Leo: Chocolate-Peanut Butter-Banana Smoothie
Leos like to make a statement, which also means you hate the idea of being boring. This applies to everything from where you shop to what you eat. Since you enjoy putting on a performance more than anything, you’re likely to skip the fruits and veggies and choose a smoothie packed with bold, rich flavors instead.
To achieve this show-stopping recipe, blend creamy peanut butter, cacao powder, banana and almond milk. For an encore, add dates, maple syrup, or even some dark chocolate pieces. It’ll feel more like dessert than breakfast.
Virgo: Green Matcha Smoothie
As the perfectionist of the zodiac, your morning routine is sacred. You like to spend the first few hours of the day doing something productive, so you don’t have time to waste on anything that isn’t already on your to-do list. Ideally, you’d prepare your breakfast the night before.
A delicious and nutritious matcha smoothie can be assembled ahead of time, so all you have to do is blend it in the morning. Matcha is packed with antioxidants and has a healthy level of caffeine. Plus, it tastes great with any leafy greens you might throw in for an added health boost.
READ THIS NEXT: The Salad You Should Order, Based on Your