Erin | the disney food blog

Fun Find: Goofy’s Candy Company Periodic Table of Elements

I’m sure it will come as a surprise to exactly no one that I pay a visit to Goofy’s Candy Company during every Walt Disney World vacation.

In addition to the candy, and the cupcakes, and the fudge, and the create-your-own-snacks, one of my favorite parts about this shop is the wall decor, specifically the Jelly Belly portrait of Goofy and the Disney Periodic Table of Elements.

Goofy's Sign

I’ll tackle the bean art in a future post, but today I’m going to share with you the wonders of the Goofy’s Periodic Table, which is located in the store just below the candy making observation window.

In case the learnings from your 10th grade chemistry class have gone on a vacation of their own (mine are off enjoying the beach with the Latin verb conjugation I once knew), I’ll refresh your memory about [Read more…]

The Caramel Apple Stick Dilemma, SOLVED

By Erin 20 Comments

I’ve been a HUGE fan of the Walt Disney World caramel apples for many years.

My obsession grew to a new level when, on a recent trip to Disneyland, I saw that the West coast Disney snack artists have turned this formerly simple treat into a true art form.

Not only are the Disney caramel apples delicious, they are also beautiful, creative, and just plain fun.

But all of that begs a practical question. How do they get so many sticks into so many apples? I mean seriously, have you ever tried to shove a pop stick into an apple?

It’s hard, and messy, and after doing three or four of them, you’re ready to stop and just pour the caramel through a funnel into your mouth, bypassing the apple altogether. (Don’t try that at home folks. :-))

Well, as I was perusing the Disneyland treat offerings, I happened upon a caramel apple prep area and, mystery solved, I learned how they get the sticks into the apples. A handy-dandy gadget comes to the rescue… [Read more…]

The Most Expensive Meals in the “World”

By Erin 41 Comments

On the Walt Disney World Moms Panel, we field several questions every day from guests looking for ways to economize on their Disney food budget. These are meaningful and important questions, and we’re happy to help.

But every once in a while I find myself wishing that someone would send in a question like, “My rich uncle has died and left me a gazillion dollars. What’s the most expensive meal I can buy at Walt Disney World?” (Or maybe I’m just wishing that I had rich uncle in poor health :-).)

V&A's caviar. Yummy (and expensive).

The quick answer to the expensive meal question is Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian. This posh-beyond-posh restaurant will set you back at least $125 in the main dining room, or at least $200 in the even-more-posh-beyond-posh Queen Victoria Room or Chef’s Table.

And that’s not including tax, tip, booze, and supplementary extra caviar. I’m sure Uncle Moneybags would approve.

Disney World’s Priciest Meals

But I found myself wondering if there were any “regular” restaurant meals that would inflict nearly this much damage to my shiny red Disney Visa. I decided to figure out the most expensive non-V&A’s meal you could find at Walt Disney World (not counting special event or private event meals).

And as an added bonus, I realized that this would be a good tool for a guest on the Disney Dining Plan who was REEEEALLY looking to get his money’s worth.

So in order to compare apples to apples, or more accurately steak to steak, I decided to construct the most expensive standard three course meal at each Disney World signature restaurant: one appetizer/starter course, one single-serving entree, and one dessert.

Flying Fish, Boardwalk (DDP = Yes)

Chardonnay-steamed Mussels, $18
Black Angus New York Strip Steak, $42
Trio of Concession Sweets, $9

TOTAL: $69

Bistro de Paris, Epcot (DDP = Yes)

Smoked Salmon Pastrami, $16
Maine Lobster, [Read more…]

Disney Food for Families: Getting Kids to Try New Foods at Walt Disney World

By Erin 19 Comments

It’s no secret that my daughter Louisa is more than a little produce averse. There was a period of about four years when NO fruit or vegetable crossed her lips, and even now at age 12 she still has to be cajoled into having more than a bite or two of something as innocuous as sweet potato or banana.

Frozen bananas, a gateway fruit.

So you can imagine my surprise when, on a recent trip to the Animal Kingdom’s Yak & Yeti restaurant, she consumed nearly the entire plate of wok-fried green beans we had ordered for the table. It was one of those parenting moments where you hold your breath and move slowly so as to avoid breaking the spell.

Yak & Yeti wok-fried green beans. My hero!

Those Yak & Yeti yummies didn’t turn Louisa into an inveterate bean eater, but she is now occasionally willing to nibble on a tempura string bean if we’re out for Japanese. Based on our prior track record with legumes, I’m going to count that solidly in the win column.

The Theme Park Food Effect

What was it about the Yak & Yeti beans that made Louisa such a fan? Yes, they were quite tasty, and yes, the green part was handily obfuscated by a crunchy, yumtastic fried breading coating; but we had tried similar ploys in the past to no avail. My theory is that the Yak & Yeti beans were flavored by the spice of (cue the orchestra) The Theme Park Food Effect.

Much like campers will say that meals eaten on the trail are the BEST, you know that their experience is colored by the fact that their senses are overwhelmed and they’re starving from an [Read more…]

New in Disney World: Mickey Ear Hat Brownies, Chocolate-Covered Pineapple, and More!

By Erin 17 Comments

During my recent Walt Disney World visit, my first stop in the Magic Kingdom was, as always, the Main Street Confectionery.

Most of the usual yummies were right where they should be (I’m talking to you Krispie Mickey Heads and mint chocolate fudge). But I did notice a few recent additions to the Confectionery offerings.

Mickey Ear Hat Brownies

First up in the refrigerator case, I noticed something labeled “Brownies $3.95.”

These cute-as-a-button treats are shaped like little Mickey ear hats. Fun! They come in four flavors: raspberry (red swirl), mint (green swirl), all chocolate (white swirl), or, gasp, English toffee (toffee bits on top). I opted to try the mint version.

Mint ear hat brownie.

As with all Mickey-shaped items, I opted to eat the ears first. Unfortunately, I was so busy eating the ear that I [Read more…]

Review: NEW Tipsy Duck Drink in Epcot’s China Pavilion

By Erin 34 Comments

There’s a new drink at the Joy of Tea stand in Epcot’s China Pavilion — Tipsy Ducks in Love!

Joy of Tea

The cast members at Joy of Tea were selling this VERY enthusiastically. It’s basically iced coffee and tea, plus whipped cream, plus a generous pour of Jim Beam, plus chocolate.

Tipsy Duck

I don’t normally drink bourbon, but the cast members were so, well, enthusiastic about it, that I decided to give it a [Read more…]

Vinylmations are SO TASTY!

By Erin 1 Comment

While there have been many foodie Vinylmations in the past, this week saw the first-time introduction of a Vinylmation series dedicated to food items: the So Tasty series.

These are currently being sold at retail Disney stores and through DisneyStore.com for $11.95 each.

And besides being uber-adorable, these vinyl cuties are embedded with the scent they represent, just like the Jingle Smells series that appeared last Christmas.

So Tasty Vinylmation Set

The So Tasty set includes: a mint chip ice cream cone, frozen lemonade, buttered popcorn, grape soda, root beer, and bacon cheeseburger.

Here they are, front and back:

Root Beer

Root beer, front.

Root beer, back.

Bacon Cheeseburger

Bacon Cheeseburger, front.

Bacon cheeseburger, back.

Grape Soda
I have to give a special shout out to the grape soda Vinyl, which smells so fabulously grape candy fake that I’m going to go order some Bottle Caps right now so I can really dive into the sensation. The grape soda also brings to mind the grape soda pin in the Pixar film “Up,” giving it an extra measure of [Read more…]

Art of Animation Resort: Kitchenettes and Room Service Menu

By Erin 52 Comments

Earlier this week, we brought you a very thorough review of the Art of Animation Resort Food Court, Landscape of Flavors.

Today, it’s time to check out the kitchenettes and room service menu at this brand new Walt Disney World hotel!

Three quarters of the rooms at the new Art of Animation resort at Walt Disney World are “family suites.” These rooms sleep six, and have two bathrooms and a “kitchenette.” Your big question now is, “What’s a kitchenette?” Here’s your answer.

Art of Animation Kitchenettes

The kitchenette is cabinet on top of a small tiled area, which includes a dorm sized refrigerator, coffee maker, bar sink, and a microwave oven.

Position of kitchenette in the living room.

Art of Animation kitchenette

You’ll find extra paper towels under the sink.

Extra paper towels under the sink.

The Avanti brand microwave is small, but manageable. Here, I’m using a one-foot ruler to give you an idea of capacity.

Avanti brand microwave. One foot ruler to give an idea of capacity.

The fridge is slightly larger than a [Read more…]

New! Ice Pop Stand in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

By Erin 21 Comments

Beat the Disney World summer heat at this kiosk in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion that is now serving Ice Pops…for a song!

Ice Pop Stand

These snacks are a pretty good size, and cost only $1.00 each (UPDATE: We’ve just had a note from a reader that these are now $2.00. Still a good price, but not as good as before…). Bargain! Flavor choices are lemon, melon, orange, grape, and strawberry.

Ice Pops in Freezer

They basically taste like good Popsicles. But the price is great! And the wrapper is a pretty sturdy plastic. It maintains its shape, even after the ice/juice is gone. This makes it a GREAT choice for kids because it [Read more…]

Food Photo Tour: Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors Food Court

By Erin 80 Comments

Life is a highway, and my pit stop this past weekend was Walt Disney World’s brand new Art of Animation Resort in Walt Disney World.

AoA is a value level resort, and like other WDW value hotels the main source of on-site nourishment is a food court, here called Landscape of Flavors.

I gathered dozens (hundreds?) of food photos to share, so you’ll be able to take a look at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert as well as pre-packaged goodies in the photo tour below!

Some of the elements of Landscape of Flavors will be familiar to those who have been to other Disney hotel food courts. There are multiple lines to order different types of food. There are self-serve soda and condiment stations past the registers, toasters for guest use, and a mug wash sink for rinsing your refillable mugs.

And the sides of the service area are lined with refrigerator cases of beverages and a limited selection of prepared items.

As for the actual food, Disney has tried to step it up a notch, offering fresher and more customizable options than in the other resorts. But before I get to that, here’s a tour so you can get the lay of the Landscape.

Overview Photos

You get to the restaurant through the Ink & Paint Shop gift store.

Ink and Paint Shop Gift Store

The seating areas are bright with blond wood tables and chairs.

Seating Areas

Overhead lights represent each of the four films highlighted at AoA: [Read more…]

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Fun Find: Goofy’s Candy Company Periodic Table of Elements

The Caramel Apple Stick Dilemma, SOLVED