food IS a theme park
You can never have too many Disney mugs.
If your kitchen cabinet looks anything like mine, it’s full of mugs and you’re still excited to find more that you “need.” And, I think you’re gonna need one of these new mugs from the Magic Kingdom’s Confectionery on Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street Confectionery entrance
Today we’re trying out a couple of drinks and a seasonal cupcake at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
When we’re imbibing at this beautiful resort, we’re usually paying a visit to one of our favorite bars in Disney World, Territory Lounge. Today, though, we’re stepping outside to enjoy some drinks at Trout Pass Pool Bar. Even if you aren’t going for a dip in Silver Creek Springs Pool, you can still stop by Trout Pass if you’re checking out Fire Rock Geyser or just exploring the grounds.
At Trout Pass, you’ll certainly find plenty of the pool bar drinks that are standards on the Disney Pool Bar Menu, like the Captain’s Mai Tai, the Banana Cabana, and the Pina CoLAVA. But, Trout Pass has also started following the fun trend at spots like the Polynesian Village Resort’s Barefoot Pool Bar, Pop Century’s Petals Pool Bar, and Muddy Rivers at Port Orleans Riverside, where specialty drinks themed to the Resort are available at the pool bars as well. This used to be the norm at the pool bars, but then things got all homogenous. I’m glad to see they’re coming back!
Only at Trout Pass, things work a bit differently.
Trout Pass Pool Bar
The specialty offerings rotate as part of the Daily Drink Specials, featuring a different specialty cocktail for each day of the week. You’ll find a nice variety of both iced and frozen drinks for a warm Florida day by the pool! The Northwest theme of the resort is echoed in the names of the beverages like the Lumberjack, Ponderosa Pine, and Silver Creek Peach. [Read more…]
When you stop by Fountain View in Epcot for your Starbucks fix, there’s a new sweet treat to try!
There are two ways to ride Soarin without a FastPass: groggily walk to park opening and make a mad dash to be first in line, or leisurely stroll into Epcot and stand in the hours-long line that’s waiting for you. So whether you make your coffee stop before or after, Fountain View will come in handy.
You can’t miss Fountain View on your way to the back of the park. It will be looking over Epcot’s amazing fountains directly across from Mouse Gears and right next to Club Cool.
Fountain View exterior
We’re continuing our coverage of the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival with a brand new special event at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!
That’s right… we paid a visit to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto to check out a new Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Event that’s NOT happening at Epcot. While Signature Dining Events have long been held in and around various restaurants on property, this year is the first time that Special Events have expanded to Disney World Resorts. These debut offerings include Brunch with a Twist at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, The Secrets of Flavor at Disney’s Yacht Club, Culinary Adventures with a Master Chef at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and the Special Event we’re reviewing today: Behind the Scenes of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.
Of all the new Resort Special Events, this sold-out option (at a cost of $99.00 per guest) was likely the most in demand, held on four select Wednesdays from 12:00 Noon – 2:00 PM. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto has been a HUGE hit with Disney World guests since it opened in March of 2015 due to its interactive Tiki-themed atmosphere, crafty cocktails and popular souvenir mugs. An added bonus for Disney fans is that this place is chock-full of nostalgia and Disney history… so much so that it can really help to have a cast of high-energy Skippers at hand to point some of them out (all while mixing drinks and serving up some delicious eats, of course).
So join us once again as we step inside the Grog Grotto…
Behind the Scenes of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
…to show you a little bit about what happens behind the scenes at Trader Sam’s! [Read more…]
Today, we’re heading back to Disney Springs for a lunch break at D-Luxe Burger!
With so many options newly opened at Disney Springs, sometimes it can be hard to make a decision. But we LOVE LOVE LOVED D-Luxe for their delicious Burgers, Hand-Cut Fries, interesting array of Dipping Sauces, and Gelato Shakes from our very first visit opening day.
Pricey? Yes, a bit. But we thought the uptick in quality made it WAY worth the pricetag.
The quick service spot has been open for a few months now, and you might not be surprised to know we’ve been back a few more times 😉
Join us as we share photos and impressions of our follow up visits!
If you’re looking for D-Luxe, you’ll find it centrally located in Town Center, Disney Springs’ newest neighborhood. Park in the Orange or Lime Garage; the walk is about the same distance from both.
D-Luxe and That Gorgeous Florida Sky
As you’re looking at Guest Services in the heart of Town Center, D-Luxe is just to the left.
D-Luxe Burger
Step inside and you’ll see rustic finishes and lots of “evidence” to support D-Luxe’s backstory as the former site of a Florida cattle ranch. You can read more details and see a full tour here. [Read more…]
We have some news at the Magic Kingdom! No, our beloved plastic cheese isn’t back, but there is a new melty, cheesy goodness available at Pecos Bill’s!
If you’re not familiar, Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe is like a magical Chipotle serving fajitas, burritos, and rice bowls with a pretty extensive toppings bar in Frontierland. We also give it high marks for the delicious mini churros with a side of chocolate sauce!
It’s located right at the corner of Adventureland and Frontierland with a ton of indoor seating, so it’s a great place to relax and enjoy lunch — and maybe dry off after a trip through the Briar Patch at Splash Mountain!
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
They’ve done it again, my friends!
We’re back at L’Artisan des Glaces to check out their newest flavor of house-made ice cream.
Even the name is quite a mouthful (almost as much as the Cinnamon, Caramelized Apple & Crumble Crunch), but we think you’ll find it’s worth taking the time to place your order 😉 .
So, remember this name: because it’s time to try some Candied Peanuts with Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge Ice Cream!
First thing’s first, though. Let’s head into this lovely little ice cream shop in Epcot’s France Pavilion…
L’Artisan des Glaces sign
… and look for the new flavor listed on the menu among the 16 currently featured flavors of ice cream and sorbet, all made in-house. [Read more…]
My, how the landscape has changed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
“Please Pardon Our Pixie Dust”
As the park dives into construction for the future Toy Story and Star Wars Lands, one of the places where change is most noticeable is around Pixar Place. While it used to be that you could continue your stroll past Toy Story Mania and then head towards the Streets of America, when you continue your walk these days you’ll encounter… construction walls. [Read more…]
Let’s take a quick look at the Year So Far in Contempo Cafe Cupcakes, shall we?
Over the past several months, this Contemporary Resort Counter Service spot has brought us a rotating cast of cupcakes including — among many others — the Churro Cupcake, the Cherry Cupcake, the Banana Flip Cupcake, the Watermelon Cupcake, and — most recently — the Turtle Cupcake.
Well, now we’ve got one more to add to the list: the Candy Apple Cupcake.
Actually, make that two… Contempo Cafe currently has a Candy Bar Cupcake along with the Candy Apple Cupcake on offer. You’ll find them in the Cupcake Fridge (one of the self-serve refrigerators was recently dedicated entirely to cupcakes!) along with some of the more regularly available cupcakes like the Dirt & Worms Cupcake and a Frozen-themed Cupcake.
Cupcake Fridge!
They’re all in grab-and-go packaging these days since they’re no longer in the usual bakery case, but they’re still made in-house. They each run about $5.59 and are snack credit eligible on the Disney Dining Plan.
The Candy Apple Cupcake is vanilla cake topped with candy apple flavored buttercream, which is then covered in sugar and finished with a fondant-like leaf and a pretzel stick for the cute details. [Read more…]
It’s no secret that we think Morocco has some of the most intriguing options in Epcot’s World Showcase, so we’re going to take a closer look!
The juice bar outside the Spice Road Table restaurant in the Morocco pavilion has some refreshing options you might be interested in! The bar is basically a walk-up window serving some unique drinks. (They used to have house-made ice cream, but, alas, no longer.) While you wait for your table at Spice Road Table or walk around the World Showcase, stop by the juice bar for a pick-me-up!
Morocco Juice Bar
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