- Mar 24, 2010
- 106
- 3
The Three Broomsticks
This is the only location that could be considered "spacious" (other than the street itself). Dozens of tables (that are movable and look rustic), country-style chairs, and circular booths give guests a lot of options. For the purpose of the preview, TMs were assigning seats -- my guess is that this was for practice, for the heavy loads of guests. Hopefully when it's calmer, they will let guests find a table of choice.
As the construction pictures will lead you to guess, the ceilings are high and dramatic, and the theming is elaborate and fun. Wizarding art dots the walls (they don't move), fun chalk-boards and postings are all over (mainly in the Hog's Head), and there is an "upper-level" that looks accesible, but is safely chained-off to restrict access. Massive fireplaces and kettles ready for boiling are all around, and I wish that it got cold enough in Florida that they would light those babies up (though I wonder if they are actually approved for use -- aren't there regulations for that?). Occasionally shadows of broomsticks or what looked to me like a butterfly pass over the walls. And in one upper corner is a window, with a view of a hotel room. Like everything else, wonderfully detailed.
The "moving menus" are similar to the menus at any other restaurant that uses screens to display their options...but as for movement, I personally saw little. After all, should prepared food really MOVE!? Like we've all discussed, no Coca-Cola brand -- however, there are a number of options: Pumpkin juice (amazing), Butterbeer (delicious), iced tea, lemonade, apple cider, pear cider, and...I think that's it. I remember seeing a lot of dispensers with options that were not soda, which was a little weird.
The Three Broomsticks will be a test for the management, because no one will want to eat anywhere else, except maybe Mythos. There was an army of people there at all positions, herding us in the right direction and to our tables. The Hog's Head is connected and much smaller, and I will post on that next.
This is the only location that could be considered "spacious" (other than the street itself). Dozens of tables (that are movable and look rustic), country-style chairs, and circular booths give guests a lot of options. For the purpose of the preview, TMs were assigning seats -- my guess is that this was for practice, for the heavy loads of guests. Hopefully when it's calmer, they will let guests find a table of choice.
As the construction pictures will lead you to guess, the ceilings are high and dramatic, and the theming is elaborate and fun. Wizarding art dots the walls (they don't move), fun chalk-boards and postings are all over (mainly in the Hog's Head), and there is an "upper-level" that looks accesible, but is safely chained-off to restrict access. Massive fireplaces and kettles ready for boiling are all around, and I wish that it got cold enough in Florida that they would light those babies up (though I wonder if they are actually approved for use -- aren't there regulations for that?). Occasionally shadows of broomsticks or what looked to me like a butterfly pass over the walls. And in one upper corner is a window, with a view of a hotel room. Like everything else, wonderfully detailed.
The "moving menus" are similar to the menus at any other restaurant that uses screens to display their options...but as for movement, I personally saw little. After all, should prepared food really MOVE!? Like we've all discussed, no Coca-Cola brand -- however, there are a number of options: Pumpkin juice (amazing), Butterbeer (delicious), iced tea, lemonade, apple cider, pear cider, and...I think that's it. I remember seeing a lot of dispensers with options that were not soda, which was a little weird.
The Three Broomsticks will be a test for the management, because no one will want to eat anywhere else, except maybe Mythos. There was an army of people there at all positions, herding us in the right direction and to our tables. The Hog's Head is connected and much smaller, and I will post on that next.
The Hog's Head featured a low, angled ceiling that was definitely reminiscent of an old Scottish pub. The TMs visiting were already building the atmosphere, throwing back many of the offered brews in circular booths or on barstools next to the large (but not lit) fireplace. The hog itself wasn't moving when I was there, but my eyes were focused on the beer taps which have been weathered to look old and well-loved. Fans of British imports will enjoy the selection which includes Boddington, Harp, Guiness, and others; for locals, there is Budweiser and Bud Light. I did not sample it, and I will get the name wrong, but there is an original beer (rumored to have been crafted by Annheiser Busch) specifically for the Hog's Head, called something like the Hog's Head Brew. The beer tap is a beautiful silver (you guessed it) hog's head, similar to the animatronic feature -- when I saw it, I exclaimed that I wanted one, even if it didn't pour beer! (Though the beer would be a welcome addition)
