What can you do at Downtown Disney and Raglan Road for St. Patrick's Day?

You might think that corned beef and cabbage is the traditional St. Patrick's Day meal. Think again! It's actually loin of bacon and cabbage, and there will be plenty to go around at Raglan Road if you want to have a full meal.The restaurant features a wide variety of Irish dishes, and all of them come with delicious soda bread and sweet Guinness-based dipping sauce on the side. The appetizers are meals on their own, with choices like a Scallop Forrest served up on fork "trees," sweet and spicy Nom Nom Wings, Mighty Mussels, and Soul Soup.Dinner options go far beyond the loin of bacon and cabbage, with traditional Irish taste treats like fish and chips, a mixed grill, chicken curry, and shepherd's pie.Yes, it's hard, but try to save room for desert. The bread and butter pudding is the most popular option, and you'll know why when you taste it. If you're almost full, split an order with someone in your party.Raglan Road is always a great place for Irish themed entertainment. Locals and guests who come down to Walt Disney World regularly know the house band, Creel, and of course they'll be on hand for St. Patrick's Day.But when there's a holiday, it calls for an even more elaborate entertainment schedule. One of the most lively acts is the Willis Clan, a talented team of 12 youngsters, ranging in age from two to 20, who celebrate their Irish roots through playing and singing music (and they write the music, too). This multi-talented family will also dazzle you with Irish dance.Another exciting offering for St. Patrick's Day is famous U2 tribute band Elevation. They're always a huge draw when they appear at Raglan Road.Other entertainers coming out for the Mighty Festival at the restaurant and pub include Girsa, Three Dollar Band, Johnny & Justin, and the Farrel Brothers. Look for entertainment both indoors and out.What kind of entertainment can you expect at Raglan Road? Well, it wouldn't be a true St. Patrick's Day celebration without Irish dancing, would it? You'll marvel as the dancers take the stage and even do some table top performances. Keep an eye on their feet and marvel at the speed with which they move.Have you ever wondered if you could do that sort of dancing yourself? You'll get a chance to find out with the Irish dance workshops being led by Ronan McCormack, who was part of the original Riverdance cast. Even if you've got two left feet, you'll enjoy learning more about this Irish art form.Dublin multi-instrumentalist Declan Masteron is also holding workshops on Sunday, and if you want to see a huge spectacle, watch the Electric Ceili Sunday evening on the Waterfront Stage. It will feature more than 50 musicians and dancers. It's a spirited performance you won't want to miss.View the list »
Raglan Road is in the Pleasure Island section of Downtown Disney, between the Marketplace and the West Side. It's very easy to find because you'll hear the Irish music marking the celebration before you even see the restaurant.While Raglan Road is the center of the fun, the whole area is actually participating with a waterfront stage, street entertainers, face painting for the kids, and various food options if you want to grab a quick bite rather than having a full meal in the restaurant.Raglan Road is in a convenient spot because you can park near either the West Side or Marketplace if you can't get a spot right by Pleasure Island, and then it's just a quick walk from either side. You'll need to do some extra walking to turn off the calories if you opt for a full meal (and there's plenty of loin of bacon and cabbage if your mouth is watering for a traditional St. Patrick's Day meal.

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Sunday is St. Patrick's Day, but the celebration at Raglan Road and Downtown Disney has been rolling along for several days now. Raglan Road is an Irish restaurant and pub, with a bar that was literally imported from the Emerald Isle, so it's the perfect spot to celebrate the holiday.

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What exactly will you find, and what can you do, if you head over on Sunday? This list has some scenes from the Mighty Festival celebration that culminates on St. Patrick's Day. You have everything that makes a holiday great, like feasting, drinking, music, dancing, and singing. There's even fun for the kids if you decide to bring them along.

Parking at Downtown Disney is free, but it's sure to be busy on St. Patrick's Day, so head over early to avoid the crowd. Walt Disney World hotel guests have the convenient option of hopping aboard a bus from their resorts (and they have a ride home if they indulge in a little too much Guinness).

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  • Raglan Road is in the Pleasure Island section of Downtown Disney, between the Marketplace and the West Side. It's very easy to find because you'll hear the Irish music marking the celebration before you even see the restaurant.While Raglan Road is the center of the fun, the whole area is actually participating with a waterfront stage, street entertainers, face painting for the kids, and various food options if you want to grab a quick bite rather than having a full meal in the restaurant.Raglan Road is in a convenient spot because you can park near either the West Side or Marketplace if you can't get a spot right by Pleasure Island, and then it's just a quick walk from either side. You'll need to do some extra walking to turn off the calories if you opt for a full meal (and there's plenty of loin of bacon and cabbage if your mouth is watering for a traditional St. Patrick's Day meal.
  • What kind of entertainment can you expect at Raglan Road? Well, it wouldn't be a true St. Patrick's Day celebration without Irish dancing, would it? You'll marvel as the dancers take the stage and even do some table top performances. Keep an eye on their feet and marvel at the speed with which they move.Have you ever wondered if you could do that sort of dancing yourself? You'll get a chance to find out with the Irish dance workshops being led by Ronan McCormack, who was part of the original Riverdance cast. Even if you've got two left feet, you'll enjoy learning more about this Irish art form.Dublin multi-instrumentalist Declan Masteron is also holding workshops on Sunday, and if you want to see a huge spectacle, watch the Electric Ceili Sunday evening on the Waterfront Stage. It will feature more than 50 musicians and dancers. It's a spirited performance you won't want to miss.
  • Raglan Road is always a great place for Irish themed entertainment. Locals and guests who come down to Walt Disney World regularly know the house band, Creel, and of course they'll be on hand for St. Patrick's Day.But when there's a holiday, it calls for an even more elaborate entertainment schedule. One of the most lively acts is the Willis Clan, a talented team of 12 youngsters, ranging in age from two to 20, who celebrate their Irish roots through playing and singing music (and they write the music, too). This multi-talented family will also dazzle you with Irish dance.Another exciting offering for St. Patrick's Day is famous U2 tribute band Elevation. They're always a huge draw when they appear at Raglan Road.Other entertainers coming out for the Mighty Festival at the restaurant and pub include Girsa, Three Dollar Band, Johnny & Justin, and the Farrel Brothers. Look for entertainment both indoors and out.
  • You might think that corned beef and cabbage is the traditional St. Patrick's Day meal. Think again! It's actually loin of bacon and cabbage, and there will be plenty to go around at Raglan Road if you want to have a full meal.The restaurant features a wide variety of Irish dishes, and all of them come with delicious soda bread and sweet Guinness-based dipping sauce on the side. The appetizers are meals on their own, with choices like a Scallop Forrest served up on fork "trees," sweet and spicy Nom Nom Wings, Mighty Mussels, and Soul Soup.Dinner options go far beyond the loin of bacon and cabbage, with traditional Irish taste treats like fish and chips, a mixed grill, chicken curry, and shepherd's pie.Yes, it's hard, but try to save room for desert. The bread and butter pudding is the most popular option, and you'll know why when you taste it. If you're almost full, split an order with someone in your party.
  • Nothing says "Happy St. Patrick's Day" like a glass of Guinness. Order one if you want to be traditional, or try one of the many other imported beers if you're feeling more adventurous. You'll find options from Ireland, England, Germany, and Denmark.Raglan Road has plenty of domestic brews, too. Try a Sam Adams variety, or down some Blue Moon or Orange Blossom if you enjoy American craft beers. Otherwise, opt for Miller Lite, Killians Red, or Yuengling. There's also a huge variety of bottled beers and other craft brews too.If you're overwhelmed by the choices and not sure what to pick, don't despair. Raglan Road offers beer flights that let you sample several selections.Beer isn't the only available libation. Raglan Road has a full menu of wines, whiskeys, and other specialty drinks. The Irish and Scotch whiskeys pack a punch, and you can opt for a flight if you'd like to try more than one.
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, Orlando Theme Parks Examiner

Barb Nefer lives in the thick of the Orlando attractions area. She has an annual pass to all the major theme parks, from Disney and Universal to Legoland Florida, SeaWorld and Busch Gardens. Besides the parks, she covers a wide range of Florida tourist attractions, restaurants, and hotels. You...

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