Find Out How They Make Mickey Bread!
While touring attractions and riding rides is the main reason why many folks visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland, there are quite a few little-known adventures that might not be promoted on the front of the guide maps, but are still just as fun to experience.
Today we’ve got a few of our favorite food experiences that might be a little “dark horse” when it comes to the popular vote, but we’ve never heard any complaints from folks who tried them! See if they might fit a time slot in your next vacation!
Miyuki the Candy Artist
Miyuki is an incredible performer and artist who makes teeny-tiny sculptures out of rice candy, right in front of your eyes! She is one of only 15 people in the world who are professionally trained in the art of Japanese candy-making — a trade she learned from her grandfather.
Miyuki and her Candy Art
Watch as Miyuki turns a ball of hot rice candy into an incredibly beautiful tiger, peacock, unicorn, or other gorgeous creature. It’s truly an amazing sight to see. Read more about Miyuki and see photos and videos of her creations here.
Miyuki's Pink Leopard
In past years, Miyuki has been able to give her creations to the children who requested particular animals. However, Disney has recently put a stop to this practice for health and liability issues. But children can still request to see certain animals made, so be sure you arrive early to catch the show — and stand up front!
Miyuki performs at variable times during the day in Epcot’s Japan pavilion; be sure to check your Epcot Times Guide or Steve Soares’ Entertainment site for times.
World Showcase Wine Walk
Visiting Walt Disney World with wine fans and want a fun activity? The World Showcase Wine Walk costs about $20 and takes you through three World Showcase countries well known for their vino!
Simply stop into the wine shops in Italy, Germany, or France and pick up a World Showcase Wine Walk passport, then spend the day wandering the World Showcase and stopping into these three countries to sample two wine pours each.
Epcot Wine Walk Passport Side 1
This adds some nice structure to your World Showcase touring, and gives you a fun education to boot! Don’t forget, you don’t have to do the entire walk in one day — feel free to spread it out on multiple days in the World Showcase. Read details about the World Showcase Wine Walk here. Wines may change based on availability.
Disneyland Boudin Bakery Tour
In Disney California Adventure, the Boudin Bakery Tour is an interesting and educational walk through a working bread bakery.
Mickey Bread Resting
Guests are walked through the process of making the delicious sourdough bread that’s served in so many of Disneyland’s restaurants. It’s fun — and free with admission — so be sure to stop by on your next visit to Pacific Wharf!
Bread Bridge Conveys Bread Overhead
Goofy’s Candy Company Make-Your-Own Treat
Over at Goofy’s Candy Company in Orlando’s Downtown Disney, guests can build their own snack from the bottom up!
Goofy's Sign
Themed as a little factory, the “make-your-own” section at Goofy’s allows guests of all ages to choose a base treat (marshmallow, rice krispie treat, pretzel, apple, etc…), and then choose toppings to layer onto the treat!
Ordering Sheet Options -- Click for larger version
On our recent visit, I created a monstrous Mickey Rice Krispie Treat covered in white chocolate, oreo cookies, and milk chocolate drizzle. I KNOW! See my review here.
finished krispie treat 2
Behind the Seeds Tour
In Epcot’s Future World, one of the biggest bangs for your buck is the Behind the Seeds Tour, located in The Land pavilion.
Teaching about hydroponics
This tour will cost well under $20 per person and takes guests through Disney’s hydroponic gardens, fish farms, and greenhouses to showcase some of the incredible experiments Disney is doing in futuristic, sustainable food creation.
Be sure to check out Erin Foster‘s review of the Behind the Seeds Tour here. The Behind the Seeds tour can be booked in advance by calling 407-WDW-TOUR. Or if you’re looking to get worked in at the last minute you can stop by the tour registration desk which is located near the entrance to Soarin’.
Have you experienced any of these fun tours and opportunities? Have your own favorites to add? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
Note that some of these experiences do require theme park admission.
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My husband and I did the wine walk last year. I wish they had had more dry wines on the list, they were almost all sweet, but it was a fun and different way to explore World Showcase. I loved the little building representing each country that they stamped on the passprt. It made for a nice souvenir!
I made my own marshmallow confection last June at Goofy’s Candy Company with dark chocolate and M&Ms. It was huge and insanely delicious. Highly recommended! It’s fun to just watch them make your creation too!
I have to try a few of these. Also, don’t forget the FREE tour over at the Animal Kingdom lodge.
Our family loved the “Behind the Seeds” tour!
One of our favorite things to do at Disney California Adventure is the bakery tour! We also love getting fresh tortillas from Mission Tortilla Factory.
We love Miyuki – she is so talented!!
Behind the Seeds is up to $18 for ages 10+ & $14 for ages 3-9. They also offer 15% off to DVC members, AP holders, AAA Diamond cardholders & Disney VISA cardholders – so make sure you ask for the discount when you book.
Three things…
1. Im jealous we dont have the bakery tour here in Fl!
2. Mark, what is the free AKL tour? (And do you have to stay there.)
3. Okay, what is it that makes the Behind the Seeds Tour so great? My 5 year old LOVES that ride. And while we love our veggies, seems hard to pay $15-20 a person to learn about some plants. I’m intrigued, I just don’t understand what it is I guess. I’ve read on the blog here but it just sounds like a walk through learning how they grow their plants.
I did the Behind the Seeds Tours many years ago. It was worth the price. The chocolate covered marshmallow concoctions at Goofy’s Candy Co are my favorite.
I wanted to do the Boudin Bakery Tour when I was out in Cali a few years ago but I knew my girlfriend with me would think it was boring… unfortunately I don’t know when I’ll be back out there again now too! ah well. All of these are awesome though.. I love building my own treat at Goofy’s Candy Co.!
So many visitors to the parks are busy running from ride to ride that they fail to find these “hidden ” gems. Except for Goofy’s and the seed tour, these were all new to me. Good work getting the work out!
I may have to breakdown and take the wine walk (twist my arm).
I went to California Adventure and went to the Tortilla shop and got two fee packs of tortillas. Made the best banana and peanut butter wraps for the rest of the trip. It was cool to get the free food. I also really enjoyed the sample of the mickey mouse bread. Yum-o!
I’m so happy that you talked about the Wine Walk. I had heard of it but don’t know where to get the passport. I will be trying it next month when we go. Thank You.
Bonnie,
You do not have to stay there. It is a culinary tour where they tell you about the decor of Jiko and Boma and you get to sample some food. Here is address to one of AJ’s articles on this:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2009/05/27/culinary-tour-boma-and-jiko/
The Wine Walk is fun and let us try wines we probably wouldn’t have chosen to taste on our own.
The Mission Tortilla factory at DCA is closed. 🙁
When we were at Disneyland last week, the Boudin Bakery tour was closed both days we were at California Adventure. Does anyone know if the tour is ever open?