Archives for 2014

Photo Tour and Review: NEW Polynesian Village Resort Lobby, and Tiramisu Cupcake at Captain Cook’s

Happy New Year!!

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

We don’t know a better way to celebrate than with this gorgeousness! OK, OK, we know you’ve probably got all kinds of resolutions for 2015. But, as far as I’m concerned, those start on MONDAY!!! Let’s take a look at one last indulgence, shall we…?

On a recent visit to the Polynesian Village Resort, I stopped by Captain Cook’s and peeked in the refrigerator, expecting to find the Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cupcake, as per usual.

However, something unexpected caught my eye that I decided to pick up: the Tiramisu Cupcake.

Tiramisu Cupcake

Now, typically I might take you on a little tour around Captain Cook’s before we dig in, but the big news at the Polynesian is the recent reopening of the lobby at the Great Ceremonial House, which has been closed off for refurbishment for much of the year.

Polynesian Village Resort lobby

So, instead, I thought I might show some of the pictures of the refurbished lobby since the Polynesian is such a major dining destination at Disney World no matter which resort you choose to stay in. Obviously, our focus on this site is food, and since the Polynesian is home to such popular restaurants as ‘Ohana and Kona Cafe, we know that many DFB readers loved seeing the lobby upon arrival for their Advance Dining Reservation, whether they were preparing to enjoy breakfast with Stitch and Lilo at ‘Ohana, or the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show.

Entering from the main downstairs entrance, the signature large waterfalls have been removed. Now this area features open space, lots of seating, and a small water feature (which differs from the original artist renderings for now, but I understand that the Tiki statue previously featured in the artwork may still become a part of the structure next year).

Polynesian Village Resort lobby

Seating in the lobby

Water Feature

Without the presence of the large waterfalls, the new light fixtures become a major focal point.

Lighting fixtures

Moving upstairs, the natural light seems to stream more to dining areas such as Kona Cafe and Kona Island (although I really don’t know if that’s more due to the fact that construction walls have been cutting off much of the light in recent months, so my eyes may just be readjusting).

Kona Cafe

The seating area near Tambu Lounge and ‘Ohana has new furniture and carpeting as well.

Seating area near the Tambu Lounge

Captain Cook’s, however, remains unchanged (well, since the reopening from its own refurbishment in August, that is), so now that we’re there, why don’t we get straight to the cupcake?

Captain Cook’s sign

Captain Cook’s dining room

When I spotted the Tiramisu Cupcake, the first thing I noticed were the peaks of frosting all over the top. I assumed it might be a marshmallow or whipped cream topping to mimic the light texture of tiramisu.

But it was actually — to my happy surprise — rich, dense peaks of cream cheese (I assume as a play on mascarpone), all dusted with cocoa like a proper tiramisu.

Tiramisu Cupcake

The white cake base resembles [Read more…]

Cast Member Gingerbread Displays at Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts

By Wendy 4 Comments

Yes, the Christmas holiday has come and gone… So you might think it must be time to halt all the gingerbread chat for the year. However, just a few days after Christmas I stumbled upon two gingerbread displays that I’d never seen before.

Sure, we’ve taken you on tours of the Grand Floridian’s famous Gingerbread House, and this year’s new Frozen-inspired Gingerbread Display at the Contemporary Resort. But I must say, these smaller displays have a charm all their own. I’m talking about the Gingerbread Houses created by Cast Members at the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts!

Art of Animation Christmas Tree

Pop Century Christmas Tree

Pop Century Christmas Tree

Much like the Cast Member Pumpkin Carving contests happening at resorts all over Disney World for Halloween, various teams joined together to create their own gingerbread masterpieces. Guests placed their votes to determine a winner.

Gingerbread House Contest Display

Over at Pop Century, the Food and Beverage Team took home the prize for this colorful Gingerbread Minnie Mouse House.

Minnie Mouse Gingerbread House

I love the Krispy Treat Chimney!

Minnie Mouse Gingerbread House

The other entries were pretty great, too 🙂 . From this Gingerbread Pixie Hollow by the Merchandise Team…

Pixie Hollow Gingerbread House

… to a more traditional display by [Read more…]

The Year in Review: Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2014!

By AJ 9 Comments

We are standing on the cusp of a brand New Year, and we can’t wait to see what 2015 holds in store for us — and Disney!

But we can’t wave goodbye to the old year without looking back on some of the biggest food news that happened throughout Disney Parks.

Most of this year’s big news happened at Walt Disney World, but we have a few memorable moments to share with you from Disneyland as well as other Disney Parks around the globe.

Today, we bring you a look back at 2014’s Biggest Disney Food News Stories! We have a LOT to cover — let’s get started!

First up, a little something I like to call…

The Beginning of Finally Doing Something with Pleasure Island

It’s the story we feel like we’ve been watching for years — what’s happening at Downtown Disney Orlando’s now defunct Pleasure Island??

Well, 2014 finally saw some solid progress, and the Disney Springs story seems to be coming to life.

An Artist’s Rendering of Disney Springs

Lots of changes have made a trip to Downtown Disney a challenge in the last couple of years. But as the year draws to a close, the parking garages are open, and we are seeing some of the plans take shape!

2014 kicked off with a surprise restaurant opening of sorts — the House of Blues added a new counter service offering, The Smokehouse. We say surprise because we told you about the restaurant for the first time just days before the walls came down and the doors opened for business!

The Smokehouse at The House of Blues

The Smokehouse is strictly a walk-up window venue. But the covered outdoor seating is pleasant, and you can often take in live music as you enjoy barbecue favorites, like their Beef Brisket Sandwich, St. Louis Ribs, or Smoked Turkey Legs.

Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich with House-made Cole Slaw from The Smokehouse

But it wasn’t all good news for Downtown Disney this year. Guests at T-Rex Cafe last Spring were in for some decidedly unpleasant dinner excitement, as one of the restaurant’s humongous fish tanks sprang a leak during dinner service!

However, no one was injured and all of the fish were reportedly rescued. We’re glad that all turned out happily in the situation, but we’ll never look at those huge fish tanks quite the same way again!

Also in the Spring, we said hello to a spot that’s quickly become one of our most favorite spots to shop in all of Walt Disney World — the Marketplace Co-op!

Disney Centerpiece

We have found some totally awesome stuff in the store’s Disney Centerpiece Section, including dishes, glasses, and other tableware that celebrate all of our Disney cult favorites. Whether you’re a Dole Whip fan or love memorabilia celebrating Tomorrowland, chances are you’ll find something that you’ve just gotta have!

Orange Bird Section

Starbucks also continued to [Read more…]

Guest Review: Lunch at Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby

By Kim LaPaglia 11 Comments

Join us in welcoming Claire Gregory as a DFB guest reviewer.

Learn About:Hollywood Brown Derby

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

She brings us to the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World.Let’s do lunch…

This signature restaurant celebrates the golden age of Hollywood. And since it’s inside a theme park, there’s no need to dress up!

Main Dining Room

Here are some pictures from my recent lunch at Hollywood Brown Derby.

First up: Butternut Squash Soup. Very nice!

Butternut Squash Soup

Then three words that make me smile — Venison Osso Bucco — and it was good as it sounds or even better.

Venison Osso Bucco

Followed by pick your own dessert.

Dessert Menu

You can pick whatever you want you, so my three choices were: [Read more…]

Snack Series: Mickey Cupcake at Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ 1 Comment

We’ve hopped the monorail for another fun check-in at the Contempo Cafe!

Learn About:Contempo Cafe

Disney World Restaurants

On a recent jaunt through the Contemporary to view the Frozen Gingerbread Display, I couldn’t resist checking out the pastry case at the Contempo Cafe. More often than not, I usually find a new-to-me cupcake there!

Now, at first glance, this one doesn’t seem all that interesting. But let’s dig a little deeper. First off, the cupcakes featuring Mickey Mouse’s likeness at the Contempo in the past have been topped with a Chocolate Mickey — like this Red Velvet Cupcake. This one features a Souvenir Ring. SWAG! 😉

The top of the cupcake is crowned with a light Buttercream Frosting, and it’s finished with cute Mickey-shaped Confetti in classic colors. But we know the Contempo well enough at this point to figure there’s a surprise inside.

Contempo Cafe’s Mickey Cupcake

…And right we are! This cupcake features the same structure of others sold here; the center plays host to [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 29, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Before indulging in the holiday treats that we featured this past week, take a look at the 21 Royal Street news out of Disneyland. It’s quite intriguing!

Grilled Treviso at Trattoria al Forno

For guests heading to Walt Disney World soon, you’ll want to read our review of the NEW Trattoria al Forno — a restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn.

And if you’re still in the mood for seasonal goodies, we have those too. Just click on the links below!

Disney Food News

21 Royal Street, adjacent to Disneyland’s members-only Club 33, is set to open in 2015!
Dig in! Our full food review of Trattoria al Forno — the new BoardWalk Inn restaurant — is ready to savor!
We checked out the seasonal Savory Turkey Waffle at Epcot’s Promenade Refreshments.
This year, we gave the Pecan Maple Bark in Epcot’s Canada pavilion a try.
A new version of Bûche de Noël is in the bakery case at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France pavilion.

Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, and more!

We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

We love celebrating special occasions in Walt Disney World. And we know you do too!!

Facebook Friend Susan ordered a Disney Christmas Cake for her 2014 fireworks cruise. Are those the Osborne Lights?!?

Disney Christmas Cake

Or maybe you’d rather feature Jack Skellington?! Check out this cake sent in by Facebook Friend Melissa.

Jack Skellington Cake

Do you have a favorite find? Share your Disney food photos!

Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Today for $5 Off!

Want a big discount on our most popular DFB Guide in time for the new year? Or, you know, just cause you want to start planning your 2015 Disney trip TODAY? ;-D

It’s yours! Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code SANTA for $5 off!

We know that when it comes to your Disney vacays, planning ahead is practically essential these days. And if you can save time and money in the process — even better!

And that’s why today, when you pre-order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and enter promo code SANTA, you’ll save $5 off of the already low cover price!

But the really cool part? You get two books for the price of one! We’ll deliver the 2014 Guide to you immediately, and email you the 2015 Guide as soon as it is available early next year.

Here are a couple of sample pages for you — just click to enlarge!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Sample Page

Samples Pages of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013

What’s in the DFB Guide?

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is stuffed FULL of helpful features to help make your trip go smoothly, like:

A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from [Read more…]

Review: New Year’s Eve Dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Dinner inside the Magic Kingdom’s quintessential castle at Walt Disney World is a remarkable experience any night of the year!

Learn About:Cinderella’s Royal Table

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

But imagine hobnobbing with Cinderella and feasting inside the royal dining room at Cinderella’s Royal Table on New Year’s Eve. Last year, my family crossed this adventure off of our bucket list — right before the clock struck midnight!

New Year’s Eve Tips

First, make your Advance Dining Reservation as soon as possible. For the most popular restaurants (especially during holidays!!), you’ll need to book 180 days prior!

You’ll find recommendations to arrive the Magic Kingdom early and stay all day and night. Without a break. In the massive crowds. This commando touring is not my family’s style. So I researched when the Magic Kingdom had closed and re-opened to guests for the past several years.

I found that the Magic Kingdom historically reached crowd capacity in the early morning and afternoon with re-openings by late afternoon/early evening. Even with our pre-paid dinner, we took our chances and it worked perfectly! Tip: You do not have to stay in the Magic Kingdom ALL day and night unless you must have a view of the castle forecourt for fireworks time. By 8PM on December 31, 2013, the Magic Kingdom had re-opened to all guests, including families staying off-site!

We spent the morning at the Animal Kingdom (late breakfast at Tusker House!!) and rested at our hotel the rest of the day. Arriving the Magic Kingdom about 6PM, we were admitted with no problems. Once inside, we experienced the thickest crowds that we’ve ever encountered anywhere. We formed a family chain by holding the back of each others’ shirts and somehow made our way to the back of the park.

Passing people sleeping on blankets as they saved their coveted spots in front of the castle for the evening’s fireworks display — we made our way to New Fantasyland. And the crowds were… gone! We practically had Big Top Treats and the area behind it all to ourselves. We got a snack and relaxed at an outdoor table. Tip: there were barely lines for the character meet and greets in this section of the park!

New Year’s Eve Snack in New Fantasyland

Our advance dining reservation was for 9:30PM. It was especially crowded waiting to be let in to the castle; and believe me, we weren’t allowed to approach the podium even a minute before our reservation time. There was only a small area in which we could wait as the back of the castle was already roped off for the fireworks. Once inside though, we experienced pure magic!

Holiday Decor

After photographs with Cinderella, we waited in the lobby to be beckoned to the dining room.

Grand Hall

Among the last diners of the night, we witnessed Cinderella playing with children. She actually played hide and seek with them all throughout the lobby. It was an intimate moment with a fairytale princess that we reveled in watching, and I’m sure the children and their parents cherished the experience.

Hide ‘n Seek with Cinderella!

After our meal, we had to wait by the outdoor podium for the castle show to end. Once done, we were able to exit into Fantasyland. We found a place to sit on the pavement in front of Mickey’s PhilharMagic and waited for the fireworks. And they were amazing!

New Year’s Eve Fireworks

Ringing in the New Year at the Magic Kingdom was an amazing experience. We continued to walk around the park allowing the crowds to disperse. We found very few crowds in Frontierland where a DJ was still spinning tunes!

DJ Entertains on New Year’s Eve

So, let’s check out our meal…

Atmosphere

Cinderella was holding court next to a Christmas tree decorated in rich silver, gold, and blue!

Christmas Tree

Once you ascend the winding red-carpeted stairway (or take the more modern elevator), you’ll step in to a medieval dining room with a vaulted ceiling.

Vaulted Ceiling at Cinderella’s Royal Table

The table setting was enhanced with purple napkins and a gold table runner. The silver cutlery resembles crossed swords!

Table Setting

Gentlemen (young and young-at-heart) receive swords as souvenirs.

Souvenir Swords

The menu’s cover echoes the jaw-dropping stained glass features found throughout the castle.

Regal Menu Cover

Eats

The bread basket and accompanying butter were delivered promptly.

Bread Basket

With a choice of appetizers, hubby and son went with the Royal Tasting of Cheeses and accompaniments. Both of them enjoyed sampling the different options and gave it a thumbs up as a starter!

Trio of Cheese

For my picky palate, I requested a garden salad with ranch dressing (from the kids menu!).

Garden Salad

For entrees, note that the accompaniments change up frequently.

The guys had no difficulty choosing the Beef Tenderloin. Again, they both found the steak to be a delicious option but not nearly as good as previous steak entrees at [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: The Holidays!

By AJ Leave a Comment

Season’s Greetings and Merry Christmas! We hope that the season is treating you well, and that you’re taking time out to enjoy all of the little blessings it holds.

And speaking of treating…why don’t we chat about some Disney treats! See? I can bring anything right back to the Disney and the eating.

Swirled Ice Cream at Storybook Treats May Be Available

Who Can Resist Soft Serve in Seasonal Colors?!?

Today, we’re sharing another fun installment in our Disney Food Pics of the Week Series, which features you, our wonderful readers, and all of the great images you capture and share with us!

If you’d like to get in on the fun, we’d love to see your photos, too! Just head over to the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza — our Flickr Page — and join up to share!

Since we’re enjoying the holidays at present, I wanted to share a few more shots that you’ve captured from the season of Merry and Bright. Let’s take a look!

Holiday Tamales from Rancho del Zocalo

Photographer: jingorokitty

Isn’t it awesome when we get to enjoy our holiday favorites? In some parts of the country, tamales are a beloved holiday food, and I love that Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland honors that. Now I know what I’d like to have for dinner…

Holiday Tamales from Rancho del Zocalo

Snowman Marshmallow Pops

Photographer: Kirsten Marie Hutton

These Snowman Marshmallow Pops, which were spotted at Marceline’s, are crazy cute! If the little scarves around their neck don’t charm you, I know their Mickey Ear Hats will!

Snowman Marshmallow Pops from Marceline’s

Holiday Cupcakes with Mickey Flair!

Photographer: Hilary JW

Sometimes, nothing but a big, frosting-topped [Read more…]

Guest Review: Jiko at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

We’re welcoming Alex Freeman today as she shares a review of one of our favorite spots – Jiko in the Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Learn About:Jiko -- The Cooking Place

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney World Restaurants

Atmosphere

Jiko – The Cooking Place

, a signature dining restaurant, is located at the Jambo House at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Before you even walk into the restaurant, you are enchanted by the expansive lobby. The minute you walk into Jambo House, you definitely feel as though you have entered into an African savanna lodge. The best part of the lobby is the huge window at the back where you can see the savanna and the walk leading to the African animals.

To get to the restaurant, you must go downstairs. On the way down the stairs, you will walk right past Victoria Falls, a bar/lounge that overlooks Boma, Flavors of Africa. Once you reach the bottom of the stairs, you can either turn left and enter Boma or if you go right, you will come to Jiko. Jiko is a breathtaking restaurant with an open kitchen, a wall of different varieties of wine, and a memorable ambiance. My favorite part of the interior design is the light fixtures.

Love Jiko’s Ambiance!

Dining Room.

Escape to Jiko!

Eats

When we checked in at the front desk, we only had to wait a few minutes before we were seated. The hostess that led us to our table was extremely friendly and polite. I wish I remembered her name because she was absolutely wonderful. Once we were seated, I could not wait to start reviewing the menu to see what had changed and what had stayed the same since the last time I was at the restaurant.

While deciding upon which entrees to order, we enjoyed a delicious bread basket which consisted of Dabo Bread and Flaxseed Focaccia. The bread came with a Tandoori butter. I absolutely love the Dabo bread with the Tandoori butter. The honey taste of the bread and the garlicky flavor of the butter is a perfect mixture. I was not a huge fan of the Flaxseed Focaccia. I found the bread to be too salty to mix with the butter.

Dabo Bread and Flaxseed Focaccia.

I was eating with my entire family, so I was able to review four different entrees. We decided to order Guinea Hen, Maize-crusted Atlantic Black Grouper, Oak-grilled Filet Mignon, and the [Read more…]

Holiday Snack Series: Savory Turkey Waffle at Promenade Refreshments in Epcot

By AJ 7 Comments

Merry Christmas Everyone!!! I hope you’re having a fantastic day!

Here at DFB, we couldn’t let the day pass without showing you one more stop on our Holidays Around the World tour! Today’s stop takes us back to Promenade Refreshments.

Holidays Around the World Menu at Refreshment Port -- Click to Enlarge

Holidays Around the World Menu at Promenade Refreshments — Click to Enlarge

There are some fun holiday options available at this stop just outside of World Showcase, including Seasonal Beer, special Hot Chocolate, and even Frozen Yogurt dressed up for the festivities. But we are, of course, here for the Waffle! Let’s take a look.

Savory Turkey Waffle at Promenade Refreshments

Last year, Promenade Refreshments featured two different holiday waffles — a Stuffing Waffle with Turkey, Cranberries, and Gravy, provided savory flavors. A Sweet Potato Waffle with all of the ingredients of the popular holiday casserole served as a dessert option. This year, they (sadly) decided to simplify and offer only one waffle, but with elements of both. (Don’t worry. They left out the marshmallows.)

Why do we say sadly? Well, because we really liked both of the holiday waffle entries last year.

Holiday Waffle from Epcot's Refreshment Port

Holiday Waffle from Epcot’s Promenade Refreshments

And this year’s is a decidedly different animal, with both good and not-our-favorite components. The 2014 version features a Sweet Potato Waffle with Turkey, Green Bean Casserole, and Crispy Fried Onions.

So — Sweet Potato Waffle: Really Awesome. Turkey — Awesome. Green Bean Casserole — Ummmm?

Holiday Waffle — Another Angle

I can think of many, many ways Disney could have gone with this. The Cranberry Relish on last year’s waffle was brilliant. And there’s always [Read more…]

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