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Author: Erin

Review: Be Our Guest Restaurant FastPass+ System

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UPDATE: Please note that as of February 25, 2015, FastPass+ is no longer available, as Be Our Guest Restaurant began to accept Advanced Dining Reservations for lunch. For further information, please click here. 

I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World last week and had the opportunity to experience several new technological initiatives related to Dining at Disney World.

I’ve written these up in several posts for DFB, and today we’ll cover my review of the new FastPass+ system being rolled out at Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Stay tuned over the next week to see more new technology innovations that are affecting Disney dining in Disney World!

Be Our Guest FastPass+

First up, I was invited to test a FastPass+ reservation to the Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest restaurant at lunch. The invite came via email with a link to the WDW website.

The email told me to log into my My Disney Experience account and enter my resort reservation number. Once logged on, I was allowed to choose which day I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.

Choosing which day to dine at BOG.

Then we were allowed to choose whether we wanted “FastPass+ Expedited Arrival” or “FastPass+ Direct to Table.”

Expedited Arrival allows you to skip the line into the restaurant. “Direct to Table” allows you to completely order your meal in advance so that it is ready for you when you walk in the door. I chose “Direct to Table” — more on that in a sec.

Then we selected which of the available dining times we wanted. The only times presented to us during the test were early (before 11:50 a.m.) or late (after 1:45 p.m.) My guess is that Disney is trying to offload guests to less popular times.

Because I had selected “Direct to Table,” I was brought to a new set of screens where I could choose to order meals for my husband (my traveling companion for this trip) and me individually or as a group.

We then saw the restaurant’s menu, just as if we had been ordering from one of the touch screen kiosks in the standby line.

I ordered the Tuna Niçoise Salad and a helpful screen popped up asking me if I wanted my dressing on the side or tossed into my salad in the kitchen.

There was even a link to [Read more…]

Review: NEW Disney World MyMagic+ Touch To Pay System — and MagicBand Disney Food Bling!

By 27 Comments

I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World last week and had the opportunity to experience several new technological initiatives related to Dining at Disney World.

I’ve written these up in several posts for DFB, and today we’ll begin with the new Touch to Pay system that accompanies the unrolling of MyMagic+ in the parks — as well as take a look at some fun foodie bling that you can add to your MyMagic Band!

Stay tuned over the next week to see more new technology innovations that are affecting Disney dining in Disney World!

Tableside Touch To Pay Pads

In addition to the previously installed “Tap to Pay” pads located at the WDW quick service and snack locations, Tap To Pay Pads are now being used in many table service venues at the parks and resorts.

During our stay, some of the restaurants we dined at were Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Citricos, Raglan Road, and Tutto Gusto. At each of these locations, when we asked for our check, our server appeared at our table with a small touchpad, about the surface area of an iPhone, but much thicker.

Our server with a Touch to Pay device at Raglan Road.

When it was time to pay, the server scanned my MagicBand to link our restaurant bill to our WDW charge account. You could also use the Touch to Pay pad with an RFID-capable Key to the World Card.

Our server at Artist Point scanning my Magic Band for payment.

After the MagicBand or KTTWC is scanned, you enter your personal PIN code.

Hubby entering PIN at Raglan Road.

That was all super fun and easy. However, there were two points in the process that needed a little work. First, the system is [Read more…]

A New Batch of Mystery Vinylmation Cupcakes is Fresh Out of the Oven

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A few years back the oh-so-clever merchandise makers at Disney cooked up something special when they combined two of my mostest favoritest things ever, cupcakes and Vinylmations, into the Vinylmation Bakery series of collectibles. Disney characters hiding under Disney-themed faux frosting – delicious to look at!

They’ve done it again with a new series, Mystery Vinylmation Cupcakes, now available at disneystore.com, Disney Store retail locations, and in the parks for $12.95 each. Here’s the packaging. Note the bakery string printed on the boxes, such a sweet detail.

There are six types of characters represented in this series: Mickey, Stitch, Figment, the Toy Story alien, a Snow White Dwarf, and a Haunted Mansion ghost.

As this is an open-window set, where you can see which character (or character family) you’re getting, you can choose your favorite. But in a twist that’s new to the Vinylmation World, hidden in each open character is one of three mystery facial expressions. So you know, for example, that you’re getting Mickey, but you don’t know which of the three Mickeys you’ll receive. You have control and surprise in equal measure.

I purchased two of each of the six characters and was lucky enough to get two of the three variants for five of the characters. Confusing, eh? In other words, I bought 12 and got 11 different ones.

First I pulled the frosting off Figment.

Then Mickey.

Stitch [Read more…]

The Troll Horn Conundrum

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At her urging, I recently made a visit to one of DisneyFoodBlog guru AJ’s favorite spots, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Epcot’s Norway pavilion.

While I LOVE the Maelstrom ride in Norway (“Those who seek the spirit of Norway face peril and adventure!”), I must confess that I rarely stop into Kringla when I’m at the pavilion. Depending on which way I’m traveling, my hands are usually already occupied by a margarita from Mexico or a bag of caramel popcorn from Germany.

AJ’s motivation for having me visit Kringla Bakeri was to investigate the mystery of the disappearing Cloudberry Horn. She had heard (gasp!) they were off the menu.

The Cloudberry Horn is one of those Disney cult classic items that a squadron of devotees defend with zeal. MUST HAVE CLOUDBERRIES! (Say that with a troll voice and you’ll tremble slightly.)

Indeed, when I got to the pastry counter I found that there were no “Cloudberry Horns,” but instead there were Troll Horns available. (Do trolls even have horns?)

This troll has no horn, or maybe she chopped it off 🙂

The menu lists Troll Horns for $3.89, same price that the Cloudberry Horns had been.

And look, those cone-shaped sweets are labeled “Troll Horns” in the case.

Upon closer inspection of both a horn and the menu, the difference between a Troll Horn and a Cloudberry Horn is the flavor of [Read more…]

New! Goofy’s Candy Company Disney Vinylmation

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Two of my absolute favorite parts of Disney are Goofy’s Candy Company and collecting Vinylmations. You can imagine my utter delight when I learned that worlds have collided and there is now a Vinylmation series entirely devoted to Goofy’s Candy Company.

Take a look at the box. Even the illustrations look good enough to eat.

Once you open the wrapper, you’ll find a surprise Vinylmation Junior (these are the mini 1.5 inch size) depicting some form of [Read more…]

Fun Finds: More Obscure and Awesome Disney Food Merchandise…

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During our recent travels to Walt Disney World, AJ and I ran into some weird and random food-related merchandise in many Disney shops. Here’s a little tour of what’s for sale in the World these days (descriptions are our humble opinions…).

Ceramic 1971 Magic Kingdom Tumbler

Nostalgia is big when it comes to Disney merch right now, and there’s nothing out there quite like this ceramic 1971 MK tumbler. It even comes with a swirly straw and rubber cap.

Magic Kingdom 1971 Ceramic Tumbler

Kind of Creepy Mickey Bottle Opener

I’ll be honest — this bottle opener creeps me out in the same way the BoardWalk Inn clown slide does. BUT, it’s for sale all over the parks on both coasts, so people must love it!

Mickey Bottle Opener

Princess Fascinator

This Ariel fascinator (tiny hat) displays a dinglehopper disguised as a fork. Note the coral-esque “feathers” on the left.

Diva Pot Holders

This new kitchen series features a potholder/dishtowel combination. The Tink version says “Domestic Diva,” the Cinderella version says, “I don’t do dishes,” and the Minnie version says, “Desperate Housewife.” Hmmmmm.

Japanese Cosmetics/Pencil Bags

I always love scoping out the bags at Mitsukoshi Department Store in Epcot’s Japan, and these were a great find. This one says “Hansel and Gretel go to the sweet house in the forest.”

Hansel and Gretel and the Sweet House Bag

And this one depicts Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter tea party…complete with [Read more…]

Disney and Star Wars Valentine’s Day Treats at Target

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I made my bi-monthly trek to Target and encountered a staggering amount and variety of Disney-themed Valentine merchandise. Not surprisingly, a fair amount of Mickey and princess goodies graced the shelves. Very surprisingly, the Mickey and princess treats were far outnumbered by Star Wars Valentine candy. Apparently residents of a galaxy far, far away have quite the sweet tooth. Who knew?

Here a photo tour of what I found in the seasonal Valentine shop:

Star Wars Valentine’s Day Goodies

Goblet mugs filled with Star Wars conversation hearts. Chewie needs me, I know he does.

R2 and Darth heart-shaped boxes, filled with conversation hearts.

R2 and Darth boxes.

Take a close look at the back of the R2 heart box and you’ll see that the “conversations” appear to be somewhat Star Wars related.

The ones I can make out say, “Mine will U B,” (like Yoda texting?) and “Luv Machine.” Machine! Get it! I need to find out who makes this stuff and steal their job because it is awesome beyond belief.

Yoda and Vader heart box [Read more…]

Fun Find: A New Form of Gummy Bears at Epcot

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I have a bit of a gummy bear addiction.

During a Walt Disney World visit in December, I was distressed to find that the epic giant gummy bears had completely vanished from Epcot’s Germany pavilion. Yes, I know that they’re readily available elsewhere, but I found it comforting to walk by and admire their shiny, sugary smiles each time I walked the World Showcase.

RIP Giant Gummy Bears -- now no longer available in the Germany pavilion

Fast forward a few weeks later to another trip and another loop around the Showcase. Still no giant gummies, but in their place was a new product, Choco Gomis, a dual layer chocolate bar with embedded gummy bears. I had never seen anything as glorious as this, even on my recent trip to gummy-centric Germany.

Obviously this was a must purchase item.

I bought both the blue and pink packages, thinking that they were different flavors, but as it turns out, they were exactly the same.

Opening the wrapper reveals a thin sliver of milk chocolate, topped by a more substantial layer of white “yogurt” chocolate. Nestled in each square is one perfect glossy gummy bear.

For the amount of candy you get, the bars are a little pricey, but the [Read more…]

Fun Find: Phineas and Ferb Treats at Epcot (“The Doofenslurper!!”)

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Several Epcot kiosks, including Promenade Refreshments where these came from, have some special offerings for Phineas and Ferb fans.

The three special items include an Agent P sugar cookie on a stick, a kids’ “Power Pack,” and the “Doofenslurper.”

The Power Pack, $7.99, includes an Uncrustables sandwich, carrot sticks, a Danimals yogurt, and a juice box, all served in a souvenir Agent P lunch box. This is a relatively healthy child’s lunch plus a great takeaway for one reasonable price.

But the thing I really wanted for me was the Doofenslurper, because how could you not want something called a Doofenslurper?

The Doofenslurper is frozen lemonade (more like a slushie) topped with a now ubiquitous fruity foam.

Doofenslurpering at Epcot!

As for the actual consumable, the lemonade plus foam concoction tasted like [Read more…]

Review: Boardwalk Bakery Temporary Location

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As we reported earlier this month, the popular Boardwalk Bakery is now closed for a winter refurbishment. You can see more details about the bakery refurbishment here!

While work is going on inside the shop through Friday, April 26th, a temporary tent has been erected on the Boardwalk to serve the some of the quick service needs in the area.

Boardwalk Bakery with the entrance behind a work wall.

Temporary quick service food stand on the Boardwalk.

These temporary site is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

It is serving some, but not all, of the Boardwalk favorites. Notably missing are many of the cake and pastry items.

Breakfast offerings.

Everything at the temporary location is “Grab and Go.” And there’s a refrigerator case offering drinks, fruit, salads, and other grab and go items.

Temporary refrigerator case.

There are some cookies and prewrapped baked items, but not the [Read more…]

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