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Author: Wendy

Review: Pumpkin Spice Pretzel at the Pretzel Garden in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By 11 Comments

If you are spending any part of this holiday season in Disney World (which has already officially kicked off with events like Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party), I’m just going to assume that a visit to the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights is on your vacation itinerary.

Learn About:Pretzel Garden
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

This special holiday event has become even more of a Must-Do this year, with the fact this holiday season is the final chance to watch the Lights dance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Before the Lights even come on, though, lots of folks like to stake out their spot on the Streets of America to wait for the moment when the Lights begin to shine. Fortunately, there are some snacking opportunities to help you pass the time with some tasty treats!

As always, the Pretzel Garden opens up in advance of the show, serving up… well, pretzels, of course. Churros, glazed almonds and pecans, and a few beverages round out the list.

I spotted the ol’ standbys at this little kiosk right away: the Cream Cheese Pretzel and the Mickey-shaped Pretzel.

Pretzel Garden

Pretzel Garden

But there was also an addition to the pretzel selections on the menu: the Pumpkin Spice Pretzel. [Read more…]

Review: NEW Minnie’s Holiday Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By 49 Comments

It’s time to Eat, Drink, and BE MERRY at Hollywood & Vine for MINNIE’S HOLIDAY DINE!

Learn About:Hollywood and Vine Restaurant
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

This past weekend delivered the debut Minnie’s Seasonal Dine Character Meals in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. From now through January 3, 2016, dinner at Hollywood & Vine is a holiday meal, offerings guests the very unique opportunity to celebrate the season with a few of our favorite Disney pals!

Once the holidays wrap up, dinner parties with Minnie Mouse and friends will continue; however, the theme will change with the seasons! Starting January 4, 2016, Minnie and the gang will host a celebration of Hollywood and the movies. Spring, summer, and even Halloween will have themed celebrations of their own; and decor, music, and even certain menu items will change along with the party theme.

This isn’t the first time Hollywood & Vine has changed things up from its typical non-character buffet dinner (breakfast and lunch, it should be noted, will continue to feature Disney Junior pals at Play ‘n Dine). Hollywood & Vine has played host to themed, seasonal character dinners in the past with Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine, held in conjunction with Star Wars Weekends for the past two years.

Hollywood and Vine

Hollywood and Vine

But the only Force involved in Minnie’s Holiday Dine is a whole lotta of HOLIDAY SPIRIT… [Read more…]

Sneak Peek: Festive Treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

By 8 Comments

Are you attending Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year?

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

If so, it’s time to get ready for SNOW on Main Street, U.S.A…

Main Street Magic Kingdom

Main Street Magic Kingdom

[Read more…]

Review: Boston Cream Cupcake at Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

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Welcome back to the Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

Learn About:Contempo Cafe
Disney World Restaurants

The last time we paid a visit to Contempo, we checked out a line-up of five new desserts that had hit the almost-famous Contempo Cafe bakery case. At the time, these included the Strawberry Blondie Banana Split, the Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich, the Cream Horn, the Swirl Cone Cupcake, and the Peanut Butter Pie.

Yes, that fabulous Peanut Butter Pie is still there (confession: my main motivation for stopping by more recently was to make sure that it indeed was)! In fact, the only one of the five that hasn’t remained on a longer-term basis is the Swirl Cone Cupcake. Of course, that’s not altogether unexpected, seeing as Contempo Cafe has a great reputation for changing up cupcakes quite often. Which is exactly why it’s fun to stop by… you never know what you might find.

This time, my search resulted in finding the Boston Cream Cupcake.

Boston Cream Cupcake

Boston Cream Cupcake

Taking inspiration from the famous Boston Cream Pie (which, in actuality, is a cake as opposed to a traditional pie), this yellow cupcake has a pastry cream filling and is topped with chocolate buttercream icing. The garnish is a chocolate ganache, with an added touch of white and dark chocolate swirls as a bit of decoration. [Read more…]

News: More Orange Bird Merchandise Coming to Disney Parks (Including a MagicBand!)

By 5 Comments

Every morning is a great morning to “Think Orange Thoughts!”

©Disney

©Disney

And the new Orange Bird merchandise on the way to Disney Parks should help you do exactly that :). The little Orange Bird makes his official home at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, and you can see him when you stop by to pick up your Citrus Swirl. [Read more…]

A Week’s Worth of Gourmet Hot Dogs Debut at Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Island Grill

By 13 Comments

You know how we love our over-the-top gourmet HOT DOGS here at the DFB!

Learn About:Gasparilla Island Grill
Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

From the Barbecue Slaw Hot Dog and Chili-Cheese Dog at Casey’s Corner, to the Coney Island Dog at The Lunching Pad, to the fun assortment at The Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge (the Mara BLT Hot Dog, the Reuben Hot Dog, and the African Chili-Cheese Hot Dog)… well, the bigger the variety of toppings to choose from, the better!

And now we’re excited to have SEVEN new gourmet hot dogs to add to the list at the Grand Floridian’s Gasparilla Island Grill! But there’s a little twist: the menu rotates. There are seven different hot dogs, with a different one featured each day of the week. Each hot dog is inspired by a different city or state in the U.S. So, let’s take a Hot Dog Tour of the country — courtesy of Gasparilla Island Grill — starting in…

Cleveland — Available on Sundays

The Cleveland Dog is topped with coleslaw and hot sauce. And the fries? Don’t look on the side for for this natural pairing, because they’re on top of this dog, too!

©Disney

©Disney

Seattle — Available on Mondays

The Seattle Dog is topped with cream cheese (now, why didn’t I think of that?), but you’ll have to look under a huge — and SPICY! — pile of jalapeños, cabbage, and Sriracha to find it! [Read more…]

News: Frontera Fresco Restaurant by Chef Rick Bayless Coming To Disney Springs

By 2 Comments

Thought we were all caught up with new restaurants coming to Disney Springs, did you?

Not so fast! 🙂 Earlier this month, Disney announced that Chef Art Smith will open a brand new restaurant in the summer of 2016 by the name of Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine. Well, today brings news of another celebrity chef bringing a new venue! Chef Rick Bayless — winner of “Top Chef Masters” and host of National Public Television’s “Mexico-One Plate at a Time” — will showcase authentic Mexican cuisine at Frontera Fresco in Disney Springs. [Editor’s Update: Please note that the anticipated dining venue headed by Rick Bayless has undergone a name change since the original posting of this article. Frontera Cocina will open in the summer of 2016.]

©Disney

©Disney

No opening season has been announced for Frontera Fresco, but we do know that the menu will feature tacos, salads, hand-crafted tortas, fresh guacamole, and Mexican braised beef entrees. And we may see a margarita or two as well 😉 . [Read more…]

Review: All That Jazz from the Big Easy Splash Menu at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort

By 2 Comments

Raise your hand if you love Port Orleans!!

Learn About:Muddy Rivers Pool Bar
Disney World Restaurants

Sure, people may look at you and wonder why your hand is in the air, but pay them no mind. It’s all for the love of the Port.

I’ll take any opportunity I can get to head over to the Port Orleans Resorts, be it Riverside or French Quarter (though I have a slight bias towards Riverside, what with the River Roost and all). So I was excited to finally have a chance to stop by recently to check out the specialty drinks that debuted earlier this summer. These sips are specific to the pool bars at Port Orleans — Muddy Rivers at Riverside, and Mardi Grogs at French Quarter.

I made the stroll to the Ol’ Man Island pool area and Muddy Rivers over at Riverside. Where Mardi Grogs celebrates the colorful Mardi Gras vibe of the French Quarter, Muddy Rivers offers the rustic Southern charm of Riverside. (You can’t go wrong either way.)

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar

Muddy Rivers Pool Bar

Before I even reached the bar, though, signs showing guests the Big Easy Splash — the food and beverage selections currently available poolside — led the way. [Read more…]

News: All-New Barbecue Menu Coming to Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern

By 17 Comments

Hot on the heels of the menu changes at Pecos Bill’s comes a shift at another Magic Kingdom Counter Service option: Tortuga Tavern will introduce an all-new Barbecue menu tomorrow!

Learn About:Tortuga Tavern
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Tortuga Tavern — a seasonally open restaurant in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, located across from the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction and themed as a hangout for pirates to grab some grub and grog, previously featured Mexican fare such as Burritos and Rice Bowls.

However, those options — along with a few new dishes such as Fajitas — moved over to Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe earlier this month, replacing the burger-and-barbeque eats the popular counter service spot was known for.

So, what’s a pirate haunt whose menu has been plundered to do but debut a new menu all its own? Beginning tomorrow, October 14th, Tortuga Tavern will reopen with a barbecue-focused menu.

Tortuga Tavern sign

Tortuga Tavern sign

Options will include a Pulled Pork Sandwich served on Texas Toast with Baked Beans and Coleslaw for sides. [Read more…]

News: Chef Art Smith Restaurant in Disney Springs Confirmed

By 7 Comments

Well, it’s official! The rumor that Chef Art Smith is opening a restaurant is Disney Springs has been confirmed at last!

Earlier this summer, Chef Art Smith (BBQ Pitmaster Judge, author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort and other cookbooks, founder of Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. and Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, and former Chef to Oprah Winfrey), posted a message on his Facebook page stating that Chef Art’s Florida Fish Camp would be coming to Disney Springs. However, that post was quickly deleted, and we’ve been wondering about possibilities for his upcoming venture ever since.

Chef Art Smith

Chef Art Smith

The originally proposed name of the restaurant has changed and the spot will now be called Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine.

The name is inspired by the fact that Chef Smith is a Floridian, raised in Jasper, Florida (his family still lives and runs their farm there). Not only that, but the Chef — a former student of Florida State University — even completed a Culinary Internship with the Walt Disney World College Program!

[Read more…]

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