Are you ready for another trip around the World? We’ve got lots of new eats, treats, and Gaston-themed Feasts coming at you for this round of What’s New (along with a peek at a lot — and I mean A LOT — of stuff to come!).
We’re kicking off our latest jaunt at the most Magical of All Kingdoms…
Magic Kingdom
A recent visit to the Magic Kingdom revealed changes and additions — both big and small — to Counter Service spots all over the park.
But the one that might just take the cake (CUPcake, that is!) is the new Donald Duck Vanilla Cupcake at the Main Street Bakery!
Labeled simply as the “Specialty Cupcake” in Main Street Bakery’s case, it brings to mind the scene from the end (Bah DUM Pah!!) of the Mickey’s PhilharMagic attraction.
Remember the Ham and Cheese-stuffed Pretzel that made its debut earlier this year?
Well, look no more for it at its original location, The Lunching Pad. It now has two different homes: find it at Tomorrowland’s Cooling Station…
…or take a trip to New Fantasyland and visit Gaston’s Tavern.
The Tavern Beef Stew, by the way, is nowhere to be found on the menu. It seems that Gaston’s Tavern is still searching for a signature snack to go with a cold glass of LeFou’s Brew.
Speaking of Gaston (and shouldn’t we ALWAYS be speaking of Gaston… according to him, anyway?), you can now enjoy a feast in his honor for breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant.
Feast A La Gaston features Scrambled Eggs, Herb-Roasted Potatoes, Apple Smoked Bacon, and Chicken Sausage served with fresh fruit (like the other pre-fixe meals for breakfast at Be Our Guest, it’s also served with a selection of pastries).
The ever-changing menu at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe has had yet another update.
The Southwest Burger has returned, while the newer Taco Burger has kept its place on the menu.
If you’re paying a visit to our good pal Sonny Eclipse at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, you’ll want to take note of a few changes to the menu.
A Barbecued Pork Cheeseburger and Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog have joined the Bays at Cosmic Rays, and the Greek Salad now comes with Chicken.
Caesar Salad with Shrimp is now an option at Pinocchio Village Haus.
Change up your typical fountain beverage, tea or Frozen Slush at Columbia Harbour House by adding a flavor boost for 50 cents.
We enjoyed a Sprite with Watermelon, and a Lemonade Slush with Wildberry. Look for a review here soon!
Oh! You’ll also find a new Corn Cobbette side on the menu here, too… which you should totally order if for no other reason than it’s fun to say “Corn Cobbette.”
Better-for-You Fare spots such as Prince Eric’s Village Market and Liberty Square Market are the places you can now find Village Farms Snack Pack Tomatoes.
Keep an eye out for these in the other parks as well, in spots like Animal Kingdom’s Harambe Fruit Market and Anaheim Produce in Hollywood Studios.
What’s that? Did somebody say…
Hollywood Studios
WHOOPEEEE!!!! Four new Whoopie Pies are now gracing the bakery case at Sweet Spells on Sunset Boulevard!
Take your pick from Banana, Orange Cream, Cookies and Cream, and Maple Bacon (but not until you check out our full review here!).
Look for a S’mores Tart and the return of Raspberry Swirl Poundcake at in-park Starbucks locations such as The Trolley Car Cafe.
And just a reminder that Advance Dining Reservations are available for Minnie’s Summertime Dine — the next Minnie’s Seasonal Dine — at Hollywood and Vine, which will run from June 6th through Sept 11th.
Minnie should be sporting new beach duds that will be a bit different from the garb she dons at Cape May Cafe, as pictured below.
Remember… this means that the highly anticipated Halloween Dine featuring the Fab Five wearing some new Halloween costumes will start on September 12th, and is scheduled to run through November 6th.
Epcot
Be sure to stop by L’Artisan des Glaces to check out their newest flavor of house-made ice cream…
…Banana Lime!
Then continue your World Showcase stroll towards the American Adventure Pavilion.
New options at Liberty Inn include a Cup of Clam Chowder and the chance to bump up your Frozen Coke with a float of Buffalo Trace Bourbon Whiskey.
And fans of the latest Hard Soda rage will be glad to see the arrival of Henry’s Hard Orange Soda at Fife & Drum Tavern, along with the option to enjoy it in an Adults-Only Float.
Animal Kingdom
You didn’t think we forgot about Animal Kingdom, did you? Goodness, no! But you’ll have to stay tuned, as the park makes its transition into an all-day park with nighttime activities beginning Memorial Day Weekend!
These experiences will include TWO new street parties — the Discovery Island Carnivale and the Harambe Wildlife Parti. Also watch for the Tree of Life to Awaken each night, and the debut of evening journeys on Kilimanjaro Safaris. Of course, we here at the DFB are most excited about the openings of Tiffins, which will bring Signature Dining to Animal Kingdom, and the Nomad Lounge!
The Discovery River will also play host to the “Jungle Book: Alive with Magic,” as we await the Rivers of Light evening spectacular debut. Check out the seating arrangements!
Resorts
Beach Club
There is even more of a reason to make a trip to Beaches & Cream (aside from the Kitchen Sink, of course 😉 ), with the arrival of the new Adults-Only drink menu featuring Hard Floats and a variety of Shakes made just for grown-ups!
Contempo Cafe
The current seasonal cupcakes at Contempo Cafe include the Watermelon Cupcake and the Churro Cupcake (oh, my YUM!).
Get ‘em while the gettin’s good, my friends… the Watermelon is only available through May 28th. Thankfully, you should be able to find the Churro Cupcake through July 2nd. We’ll have a review coming soon (get the CHURRO ONE!!).
Boardwalk
The construction walls have come down that were surrounding the soon-to-be-open Ample Hills Creamery on Disney’s BoardWalk!
Be sure to take a sneak peek here, before the spot’s rumored May 15th opening!
More to Come… VERY Soon!
Well, that seems like plenty, doesn’t it? But hold onto your hats, folks, because you ain’t seen nothin’ yet… there’s a LOT more new stuff on the way with the brand new Town Center opening in Disney Springs on May 15th!
With Town Center’s opening will come the arrival of SEVEN new eateries on that very same day! Amorette’s Patisserie will feature classic and contemporary pastries in a Disney owned and operated location…
…while D-Luxe Burger will feature gourmet burgers and artisanal gelato shakes!
Sprinkles will be serving up cupcakes… and some of them will come straight from their famous Cupcake ATM!
Three new kiosks will also hit the scene on the 15th: The Daily Poutine, B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co., and YeSake.
And don’t forget… AristoCrepes is also set to join the new Disney Springs party in May as well! Look for it to open on the 22nd.
And, yep… we’ve still got ONE MORE for ya! Have you heard the news? Reservations are available NOW for STK Orlando, opening on May 25th!
Click here to find out how you can score your reservation before they open up via the Disney World Advance Dining Reservation system.
So be SURE to tune in next week… it’s gonna be a BIG one here on the DFB! In the meantime, though, thanks for joining us! And until next time, Eat and Be Happy!
Have you spotted anything new during a recent trip around the World? We’d love to hear about it in a comment!
Kirsty says
Wow! The “What’s New” posts are always my favourite. 🙂
Another bumper instalment of exciting changes. Thanks for the hard work scoping all this out.
Beth W. says
Thanks for the awesome “Round Up”, Wendy! Sooooo, does the addition of the “Corn Cobbette” at Columbia Harbour House mean that the steamed broccoli has gone the way of he dodo bird? SAY IT AIN’T SO!!!
We’ll be there June 2-6, and I was looking forward to the Grilled Salmon and Broccoli to counteract the 30 Mickey Bars I’ll have during vacation!
Matt says
Why is Gaston’s Tavern looking for a signature snack? They already had one. Two Words. Pork and Shank.
Michelle says
Thanks for the heads up on what’s new! It would be nice to hear what’s gone missing too. The waffle sandwiches and loaded waffle fries are both gone from Magic Kingdom, which totally bums me out!
Madoka says
The “burrito” at Pecos Bill’s looks rather… unique. 😛 And they should have kept the pork shank at Gaston’s!
Essie says
I love these types of reports too, Wendy! It’s like getting treats from every park, DTD, and the resorts, too! Thanks for all the work they take (although it’s work I’d love to do!).
Jeff says
I think the Gaston’s would’ve kept the pork shank if it had been more popular, and you know…….tasted better.
Jean Anderson says
Wow, I am always so impressed with these great rundowns of all things new!! Excellent work! Thanks for keeping us all up-to-date. I wish I’d been able to try the beef stew at Gaston’s… dang! The s’mores tart and churro cupcake look delectable. And I’ve never seen a pulled pork + BACON cheeseburger before. Nice one, Disney.
Can’t wait for all the great updates about Town Center coming soon!! FYI, I went to Ample Hills tonight to see if they were still doing a soft opening, and… nope. Closed. Excited to try the butter cake flavor soon, though!