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Category: Cult Favorites

Grand Launch! The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book

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We’re thrilled to announce that the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book is now available!

And in honor of our grand launch, you can get the new Guide for $3 off the regular purchase price for a limited time — just use code SNACKS13 at the check-out!

With over 250 pages of delicious snacks, the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks will be the third — and long-awaited — book in our DFB Guide Snacks Series!

As always, you will enjoy an instantly downloadable PDF guide with comprehensive information and advice on well over 200 delicious snacks that you can savor at the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks in the Walt Disney World resort.

The DFB Mini-Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book will include:

  • Full-color photos of well over 200 of our favorite snacks
  • Over 260 pages of great information, tips, and insider info
  • Current prices and Disney Dining Plan snack credit status
  • Disney Food Blog reviews of all snacks
  • Special Bonus items you’re going to love! (Of course…how could we not include these?!)

DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks Sample Page

Know what you’re getting BEFORE using a precious snack credit or spending limited vacation dollars. Whether you want sweet, salty, crunchy, healthy, or something in between, The DFB Mini-Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book tells you where to find a snack to match your craving!

Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or tablet!

DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks sample page

Get Yours At a Discounted Price for a Limited Time!

To celebrate the grand launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the brand new Guide for $3 off its standard rate for a limited time! Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code SNACKS13 at the check-out.

Or Bundle For Even More Savings!

Headed to Disney World and want the whole scoop on snacks? Bundle four of our most popular Disney Dining Guides and SAVE!

Pick up our DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle for over 40% off! This includes our critically acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks along with the brand new DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks. All editions have been updated for 2013!

Check out how you can have the best Disney vacation ever…and pay even less!

For more detailed information and sample pages [Read more…]

What Disney Restaurant Do You Want In Your Kitchen?

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Who’s up for a little kitchen reno? My brain’s clearly going a little haywire today, and I was thinking: if I could choose one Disney restaurant to remodel my kitchen after, which spot would it be?

So my fun question to you today is: Which Disney restaurant would inspire your dream kitchen makeover? I’m always happy to kick off the discussion, so I’ll share a few of mine, too!

50s Prime Time Cafe: Mom’s Kitchen!

Nostalgia abounds in what would be my “modern kitchen with a nod to the past!”

One of the 50s Prime Time Cafe Dining Rooms

While I might not go full-on formica, I’d definitely have some fun, retro elements in there like a 50s style fridge (with all the bells and whistles of today!).

Add in a couple of awesome garage sale finds as decor, and some killer wallpaper, and you’re all set!

Cinderella’s Royal Table: Medieval Castle with a View, Please

Looking to get your prince or princess on? For sheer grandeur, Disney-style, how about a kitchen based upon our favorite fortress, Cinderella Castle?

The dining room at Cinderella’s Royal Table offers plenty of inspiration: suits of armor, intricate tapestries, and family crests adorn the space.

Dining Room Windows at Cinderella's Royal Table

Fancy a kitchen with a gothic arch or two? How about mullioned windows? Check out this awesomeness!

Gothic-y Castle Kitchen!

Book a table during your next visit to get lots of ideas.

‘Ohana: Unlimited Meat, Bread Pudding, and a Killer Fire Pit

Why not build a Polynesian hideaway in your house? ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort is a perfect inspiration, and this kitchen would involve tradewinds, lava rock, and a fire pit! [Read more…]

Walt Disney World Pot Roast Throw Down

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What makes for a good pot roast is a very subjective set of criteria in my opinion. What passes for Best! Pot Roast! Ever! for some might just be meh for others.

Dearly departed Sunday Roast at Rose & Crown

So today we are entering this hallowed comfort food ground. We are throwing down the gauntlet to decide, once and for all, where to find the BEST Pot Roast in all of Disney World! See what you think, and be ready to tell us all about your favorite!

50s Prime Time Cafe

Who makes it better than Mom? We have to kick off this homage to pot roast with a trip to 50s Prime Time Cafe!

The atmosphere here is pure 1950s sitcom kitsch, and servers are your cousins, demanding that you behave like the nice young person you were raised to be. That means NO elbows on the tables, and you had BETTER know the color of that soap if you go to the bathroom.

50s Prime Time Sign

To be sure, Mom’s Old-Fashioned Pot Roast is a reader favorite. This one is slow-cooked until there’s no need for a knife, and served on a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes. Smothered in a rich gravy, the roast is topped with carrots, celery, and onions for some good nutrition. And you best eat all your veggies!

Mom's Old-Fashioned Pot Roast

A way cool thing about the pot roast at 50s Prime Time is that you can [Read more…]

Review: The Tambu Lounge in Disney’s Polynesian Resort

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Today we’re headed to one a lounge that’s achieved cult favorite status among Disney fans in the know like you guys — The Tambu Lounge!

Located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, this is one of my favorite spots in the entire resort to kick back, relax, and enjoy an adult beverage while awaiting my table at ‘Ohana. But what you might not know is that Tambu also serves up some tasty island-inspired pub grub as well.

It had been a while since I’d indulged in the menu here, so when the opportunity arose (in the form of a huge impending rainstorm) I knew just the place to hide away!

Atmosphere

Tambu Lounge is located in the open air atrium lobby of the Polynesian Resort. It actually serves as the waiting area for Disney guest-favorite restaurant ‘Ohana, and it’s also a stone’s throw from Kona Cafe, the resort’s other table service restaurant. This makes Tambu the perfect place to indulge in before dinner cocktails. But I had another idea in mind.

Since the space is open, the same decor that serves for the rest of the resort is found here as well. Dark walls, tikis, thatched roofs, and folk art serve to signal that you’ve traveled to Polynesia. And because this is Disney, you’ll often see guests of all ages here.

Tambu Lounge at Disney's Polynesian Resort

The comfortable, airy lounge features floor-to-ceiling picture windows that look out on the lush garden paths of the resort, and you can just catch a glimpse of the water through the trees. If you haven’t started the relaxation process by the time you hit Tambu, this spot is likely to get you moving in the right direction.

Eats

As I said before, normally Tambu is a Disney first day tradition for me. Either I’m awaiting my table at ‘Ohana, or I’m grabbing a Lapu Lapu before heading to the Polynesian’s beach to watch Wishes from my favorite spot. 🙂

But today, I was all about noshing, and I couldn’t wait to check out the menu. We started, of course, by taking a look at the Specialty Drink Offerings.

Tambu Specialty Drink Menu

Although Disney has switched to a resort-wide beverage list for many of their bars and lounges, you can find some unique specialty cocktails at several of the resorts…and I’m so glad Tambu has kept several of theirs!

All the drinks are delicious, but nothing says “kicked back and relaxed” to me like that Lapu Lapu!

Lapu Lapu at the Polynesian's Tambu Lounge

This is one of my all-time favorites in Disney World. Served in a hollowed-out pineapple, it’s a delicious blend of dark rum and tropical fruit juices. In my opinion, it’s [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Chocolate Desserts On the Go!

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I’ve been looking through all of the incredible pics that readers are sharing on our Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza Flickr page and they’re AWESOME! Thank you for sharing your memories with us!

Today, all the chocolate love caught my eye — and there’s a lot to share. I thought we could focus on some truly mouth watering On the Go Chocolate Treats. Yum!

Chocolate Mickey Tart

The very first time I had the Chocolate Mickey Tart at Jolly Holiday Bakery in Disneyland, it was love at first bite. The shortbread crust and creamy ganache filling is out of this world!

Photographer: V No Privacy

Chocolate Mickey Tart from Jolly Holiday Bakery

And now, I’m craving another one. And so are you! 🙂

Triple Chocolate Cake

In need of a Disney chocolate cake fix? Don’t shy away from the Triple Chocolate Cake that you’ll find at counter service spots all over Disney World! Fudgy icing covers a rich cake below, and the Mickey sprinkles are a perfect topping!

Photographer: Daniel Staten

Disney Counter Service Chocolate Cake

I had it at Tortuga Tavern, but you’ll [Read more…]

My Favorite Food Kiosks at Walt Disney World! What Are Yours?

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I get lots of emails and questions about the food I personally love in Disney World, and today I’m sharing some of my favorite Disney Food Kiosks!

You know the ones — those cute little structures that are almost restaurants, but not quite? Here are a few of the BIGGEST TASTES you can get at the smallest places in Disney World! 🙂

I hope you’ll share some of your favorites in the comments, too!

Aloha Isle

There is no way I could have a list of favorite kiosks without putting Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle right up front! The welcoming little stand, located in Adventureland, is home to one of Disney’s most beloved treats, after all.

Aloha Isle

Aloha Isle

That’s right — we’re talking Dole Whips!

And whether you like yours in float form, swirled with vanilla, or are you’re a purist, most Disney fans don’t consider their trip complete until they’ve made at least one stop here.

Dole Whip Float! A Must-Eat snack for every Disney guest.

As for me, I prefer about one visit to Aloha Isle for each day I’m at Disney. 🙂 No kidding, even though I’m usually eating non-stop on every Disney trip, this is one snack I never skip.

Fife and Drum

At the midway point while you’re walking around Epcot’s World Showcase, you’ll encounter another of our favorite stops, Fife and Drum.

This unassuming little stand looks like just another drink stop, but be sure to swing by and check out the menu for some seriously fun eats. Fife and Drum is home to some items you won’t find anyplace else! But there are not-to-be missed classics here as well, like the cult favorite Smoked Turkey Legs.

Fife and Drum Tavern

If you’re a pretzel fan, you have three different varieties to choose from. The stuffed Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel has a great spicy kick! And you’ll also find the sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel (decadent!) and the Mickey Soft Pretzel (cute!) here, too. This is one of the few places in Disney World to find all of these kinds of pretzels sold in one spot.

UPDATE: Please note, you can still find all these pretzels in the American Adventure Pavilion; however, they are now located at the Block and Hans Craft Beer kiosk.

Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel!

There are also some amazingly tasty drinks here as well. We’ve told you about the Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade, a wonderful little frozen drink with a punch, thanks to black cherry-flavored bourbon.

You can get your root beer float fix here, too, made with vanilla soft serve.

Root Beer Float

But the piece de resistance of slushies can also be found in this humble spot: I give you the American Dream! This incredible frozen drink combines [Read more…]

The Evolution of the Kona Kone!

By 14 Comments

Happy Memorial Day! It’s time to talk ICE CREAM!

I’ve got some interesting news for those of you who lurve the Kona Kone at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort!

Now, if you don’t know what a Kona Kone is, this is what it used to look like…

Past Life of the Kona Kone...when it was actually a cone

A real cone, stuffed with ice cream, topped with sprinkles and a little chocolate Mickey, and surrounded by clouds of fluffy cotton candy.

But apparently that long-standing favorite needed a change — and they’ve made some updates…

NOW, they’ve taken away the [Read more…]

The Most Popular Disney World Restaurants (and Alternatives When They’re Full)

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Many Disney guests agree that the most important Disney Dining Tips lists include one specific piece of advice:

Making Advance Dining Reservations is an absolute must when it comes to planning.

While many seasoned Disney travelers are aware of this, there are lots of folks who visit the parks and are stunned to find no tables available at their top restaurant choices. Don’t worry, it happens to all of us at one time or another…and we’ve got solutions for you!

Today, we’ve updated our list of the most popular Disney restaurants and terrific alternatives if you can’t score a table at your coveted spot!

Let’s take a look at the most elusive restaurants to book these days…

Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Scoring an Advanced Dining Reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant for their table service dinner can be a daunting task.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Ballroom Dining Room

From the time that they first announced the restaurant’s soft opening until now, we have heard from many readers who haven’t been able to secure a spot at Magic Kingdom’s other castle restaurant (the first being Cinderella’s Royal Table, of course!). Here are a couple of reasons why:

Newness: The biggest reason for this remains the relative novelty of the place. Be Our Guest and all of New Fantasyland are still a hot ticket in Walt Disney World since the expanded land’s grand opening in December 2012.

Incredible, Immersive Themeing: The impeccable themeing means that stepping into Beast’s Castle is truly like climbing through a portal into Beauty and the Beast (the original or the live-action version!). You almost expect to look down and find your plate come to life!

The Grey Stuff — It’s Delicious!

Novelty: The French-inspired cuisine that’s served at Be Our Guest is unlike anything else available in all of Magic Kingdom. In addition, Be Our Guest was the first place in formerly-dry Magic Kingdom to order beer and wine, and that added to the location’s novelty.

So, what to do if you can’t get a reservation at Be Our Guest?  [Read more…]

DFB October 2nd, 2013, Snack Attack IllumiNations Dessert Party Tickets On Sale Now!

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THIS EVENT IS NOW SOLD OUT.

TO JOIN OUR WAITING LIST, PLEASE EMAIL [email protected]. THANK YOU!

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Calling all Disney food fans! I’m pleased to announce that tickets for this year’s DFB SNACK ATTACK Illuminations Dessert Party are now available for purchase. Scroll down and click the ticket button to snag your tix today! 🙂

Watching Illuminations from a VIP location and eating Disney desserts? Yes, please!

About Snack Attack

The DFB Snack Attack is an exclusive, VIP event featuring a menu full of our favorite Walt Disney World snacks — all in one place AND an incredible, private view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth in Epcot! Click here to read more about this event!

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

The event features a dessert buffet with some classic Disney Food Blog favorites including…

Epcot Norway School Bread for everyone!

Starring Rolls’ Butterfinger Cupcakes
Classic Disney Popcorn
Animal Kingdom Lodge Zebra Domes
Mickey Ice Cream Bars
Norway’s School Bread
Writer’s Stop’s Carrot Cake Cookies
Boardwalk Bakery’s Cheesecake Brownies
Starring Rolls’ Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcakes
And MORE!

Cheesecake Brownies from Boardwalk Resort Bakery

While Snack Attack ticket-holders will certainly appreciate the one-of-a-kind menu, you’ll also be able to relax and enjoy a VIP view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, Epcot’s outstanding fireworks spectacular!

How to Buy Tickets

Here are the details! Click the ticket button below to purchase.

The event will take place at the UK Pavilion in Epcot from 8:30pm-9:30pm on October 2nd, 2013. Families are welcome! Each member of your party will need their name on the list for entry (children under 3 are free). Tickets are $60 per person, and include:

*Entrance to the event

*Access to an all-you-care-to-eat, specialized menu dessert buffet (plus popcorn!)

*Access to the private IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth viewing area

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT.

Add to Cart

Only guests with their full names on our roster will be admitted to the event, so please pay attention to the instructions you receive after purchasing to send us the names of the people in your party. Tickets are limited and will be sold first-come, first-served.

Should the event be sold out, you can join our waiting list by emailing us with your name, email address, and the number of people in your party at Support @ DFBGuide.com.

Tickets are non-refundable. Weather may impact location of the event. Extreme severe weather may cause for cancellation of Illuminations.

Hope to See You There!

We’ve had such a great time at our last three Snack Attacks; I can’t wait to do it again! I’m looking forward [Read more…]

Review: New Lunch Menu at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion

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Since Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion is one of my favorite places to dine, I take any change to the menu pretty seriously.

Learn About:Le Cellier Steakhouse
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

We recently reported the news that the steakhouse would be changing their lunch meal to a signature (i.e. expensive!) meal, meaning they’d be featuring the same menu for lunch that they have for dinner.

The change in the menu was pretty hotly contested by most readers who are Le Cellier fans. Those of you who routinely use the Disney Dining Plan expressed disappointment that you couldn’t opt for the one credit lunch (now both lunch and dinner are “signature” meals, thus requiring two credits on the Disney Dining Plan.)

But many of you who don’t use the DDP also expressed exasperation, as the prices were steep for lunch. Still others were upset that beloved items like the Le Cellier Burger didn’t make the cut.

With all of this in mind, we decided to stop by Le Cellier for lunch and take a look at some of the new menu items. I was also interested to see how we felt about eating our large, most expensive meal midday, rather than in the evening.

Atmosphere

Le Cellier Steakhouse is located in the “cellar” of the chateau that you’ll find in the Canada Pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Modeled after famed chateau-style hotels, the restaurant is themed to give you the impression that you’re dining in the wine cellar.

When you arrive, you’ll check in at the podium on the main thoroughfare, then proceed down the path and into the small lobby. Le Cellier has historically been a very tough ticket to get when it comes to Disney dining reservations. I’m interested to see if it will be easier to dine here now that both meals are on the expensive side.

Le Cellier -- Outside

When we entered the lobby, we noticed that there have been some new landscape portraits added to the walls.

New Landscape Portraits in Lobby

This plaque details the history of The Group of Seven and its importance in bringing Canadian landscape art into its own.

Description of New Lobby Decor

Before the group of artists — also sometimes known as the Algonquin school — began capturing the Canadian countryside on canvas, many thought the country not worthy of artists’ attention. The paintings are a welcome addition to the lobby, and really serve to further this spot as a real taste of Canada’s beauty.

Another View of New Lobby Artwork

Once you leave the lobby area, you enter the small dining room, which is [Read more…]

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