Wendy | the disney food blog

New Year’s Eve Events at Walt Disney World to Ring in 2016

Have you made your New Year’s Eve plans yet???

New Year’s Eve Toast

Yeah, me neither. But believe it or not, it’s not too soon to start making plans… if you’re planning on ringing in 2016 at Walt Disney World, that is!

In addition to regular dining opportunities in the parks and resorts, special dining events will once again be offered for guests looking for some unique ways to celebrate, and the options appear to have expanded from last year’s offerings.

As you might anticipate, Epcot tops the list for most guests hoping to ring in the new year in one of the parks, thanks to extra special entertainment throughout the day as well as an extended version of the Illuminations Nighttime Spectacular, so the bulk of special New Year’s options take place throughout World Showcase.

However, a few of the Resort restaurants are planning celebrations of their own as well. Here’s the festive rundown (so far! It’s always possible that other events may yet be in store…)

New Year’s Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace

Returning to Epcot this year is the New Year’s Eve at Epcot World ShowPlace dining event. Once again, the event will feature buffet dining set to classic Disney music, and will also feature vignettes for fun photo opps to remember the celebration. [Read more…]

News: Enhancements Coming to Epcot Food and Wine Festival Chase Lounge

By Wendy 7 Comments

With the return of the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival THIS WEEK comes the return of the Chase Lounge exclusively for Chase Visa cardholders.

Once again, the Lounge will make its home in the American Adventure Pavilion, offering complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and a device charging station (and — as always — air conditioning 😉 ).

The Lounge will be open daily from 11:00 am to park close. Cast Members will be stationed outside to check your card and direct you into the Lounge for a bit of rest and relaxation as well as some great views of World Showcase and Spaceship Earth from the third floor of the Pavilion.

This year, a few new features will be added to the amenities as part of the 20th Anniversary celebration of the Festival. These enhancements will include

a desk dedicated to Festival Information,
a social media photo booth, and a station where Lounge visitors will be able to email recipes from the Festival
periodic animation sketch classes as well as caricature artists throughout the run of the Festival

Chase Lounge in the America Pavilion

To learn more about other Special Events for the Food & Wine Festival exclusive to Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers, click here, or visit our Special Events page for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. [Read more…]

Sneak Peek: Special Treats Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World

By Wendy 8 Comments

Sure signs of autumn have officially come to the Magic Kingdom… Main Street U.S.A. is all decked out with scarecrows and pumpkins in anticipation of the 2015 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, kicking off on Tuesday, September 15th!

Halloween at Disney!

On select nights through November 1, 2015, guests attending this extra ticket event will enjoy trick-or-treating all over Magic Kingdom, along with special happenings like Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and the all new Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. [Read more…]

News! Ferrytale Wishes Fireworks Dessert Cruises Coming to Magic Kingdom

By Wendy 15 Comments

Looking for a new way to enjoy the Wishes Nighttime Fireworks Spectacular at the Magic Kingdom? Well, here’s a new option for you… how about by boarding a Magic Kingdom Ferryboat to see the show right from the Seven Seas Lagoon?

©Disney

The brand new Ferrytale Wishes Dessert and Fireworks Cruise will set sail on select nights beginning October 5, 2015, and will feature plenty of treats to cap off your Magic Kingdom night, along with specialty beverages in a glowing glass (such as sparkling wine and a signature punch) and terrific views of Wishes. [Read more…]

What’s New Around Walt Disney World: Animal Kingdom Mini Edition

By Wendy 5 Comments

When it comes to Disney’s Animal Kingdom lately, it seems the more things change, the more they… keep on changin’!

We all got pretty excited about the announcements from the D23 Expo about the BIG changes coming to Hollywood Studios, as well as the Skipper Canteen on the way to Magic Kingdom. But Animal Kingdom got a share of the spotlight, too, with further details announced regarding attractions that will be part of the upcoming new land of Pandora — The World of AVATAR, and the Rivers of Light Nighttime Spectacular as well as sunset adventures for Kilimanjaro Safaris on the way.

Good Eats!

But, as usual, we’re keeping our eye on the small changes, too! Let’s take a walk around Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a mini edition of “What’s New!”

ASIA

Royal Anandapur Tea Company

Thanks to the excitement over the new Tea Trader’s Cafe by Joffrey’s in Downtown Disney, we know there are more than a few of you tea fans out there! So, you may want to take note of some new offerings at the Royal Anandapur Tea Company…

Royal Anandapur Tea Company

New and seasonal additions for hot brew choices include Black Currant, Jasmine, Lemon Ginger, Morrocan Mint, Green Dragon Oolong and Honeybell Orange. [Read more…]

Updates: Downtown Disney Transformations

By Wendy 6 Comments

There is so much happening in Downtown Disney as it moves forward in the transition towards becoming Disney Springs, the landscape seems to be changing by the day!

Disney Springs sign

Thankfully, the @WDWDowntown Twitter account has made it easier to keep track of all the goings-on, and here are just a few of the most recent updates, from construction happenings to a menu change. (Editor’s Update: Downtown Disney is now officially Disney Springs! Therefore, the official Twitter account is now: @DisneySprings.)

First, signage is now in place for Morimoto Asia, slated for a fall opening in The Landing of Disney Springs! [Read more…]

Exploring Edibles on the New Shop Disney Parks App

By Wendy 22 Comments

UPDATE: We have learned that most edible purchases from the Shop Disney Parks app are NOT eligible for shipping. It appears that food items may be added to the electronic shopping carts erroneously, and attempts at purchasing edibles will likely be blocked. Guests can continue to utilize the in-Park food finding options in the app.

Have you had a chance to check out the new Shop Disney Parks app?

Shop Disney Parks app screenshot

‘Cuz it’s actually pretty cool! At a quick glance, it doesn’t seem much different from the online Disney Store.

Shop Disney Parks app screenshot

But it turns out there’s a lot more to it… like, A LOT. [Read more…]

Review: New Cocktails at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By Wendy 7 Comments

It’s almost September, but everyone knows that we’re still looking at summertime temps to continue in Florida — expanding well into October (at least). So you may find it good to know about some cold adult refreshers that have popped up in Disney’s Hollywood Studios in recent months!

The Cold Front

Let’s start on Commissary Lane at the ABC Commissary.

The ABC Commissary

The Cold Front not only promises a relief from the heat, but it’s also well in keeping with Frozen Summer Fun (which won’t conclude until September 7th, so you’ve still got time a little time to catch it!).

[Read more…]

Review: Lunch at The Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland

By Wendy 8 Comments

The last time we visited the rarely-open Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland was last summer.

Learn About:Diamond Horseshoe

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Since The Diamond Horseshoe is only open seasonally for lunch (and very rarely for its buffet dinner during the absolute busiest weeks of year) it can be tricky to try it out. But with Liberty Tree Tavern closed for its current refurbishment — and therefore taking one Magic Kingdom lunch option off the table — it has been a wee bit easier to stop by the ol’ (dry 😉 ) saloon these days.

True, by and large folks are getting ready to head back to school if they haven’t already (Where the heck is this summer going, by the way???), so the peak crowd days of the this summer season are suddenly behind us. But you never do know when The Diamond Horseshoe doors will open again, and you’ll want to be ready when they do!

So, back inside the Horseshoe we go!

Diamond Horseshoe

Because even a place that depicts a bygone saloon era still goes through some changes now and then… it’s magic, you know ;). [Read more…]

Review: Italian Ice in Downtown Disney

By Wendy 4 Comments

Amidst all the construction and general day-to-day bustle in Downtown Disney (not to mention some big name restaurants on the way as the Disney Springs transformation moves forward), it’s easy to forget there are a lot of little stands and kiosks dotting the area, including stops like Wetzel’s Pretzels and the Downtown Snow Company featuring shaved ice.

There are a few, though, that don’t have a brand name of any sort. They’re simply marked as “Italian Ice” stands, and you’ll find one on the West Side (next to the Characters in Flight balloon experience) and one in the Marketplace, just by the main stage where guest musicians (often school bands and choirs) perform.

Italian Ice kiosk sign

The kiosks are small, but the one on the West Side is especially noticeable thanks to all the bright colors.

Italian Ice Kiosk

The main sign tells you ice cold treats are the headliner, but it just so happens you’ll find a variety of Churros here as well: typically Bavarian Cream, Dulce de Leche (caramel), and King Cinnamon and Sugar. (Alas, those Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches in Disneyland never made their way to the east coast). [Read more…]

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