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Dining in Disneyland: The Mickey Coconut Pattie

Perusing the goodie case at Trolley Treats in Disney California Adventure, I stumbled across something that could potentially be a new favorite treat.

I’m a huge fan of coconut and I love Mounds and Almond Joy candy bars (they are the first to be stolen from my kids at Halloween), so I figured I’d better check out the new “Mickey Coconut Pattie.”

Mickey Coconut Pattie

I’m not sure why the treat is called a “Mickey” Coconut Pattie, because in no way does it resemble Mickey. It’s a big circle; no ears!

Anyhow, I will forgive Disney for this due to the fact that that it tastes amazing. The Mickey Coconut Pattie is $3.99 and is very generously portioned. Plenty big for sharing — or if you don’t want to share, it’s a great treat for eating a bit and saving the rest for later!

Generously Portioned Mickey Coconut Pattie

A thick dark chocolate coating on the outside topped with [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Award Wieners Serving Up OZ Themed Menu Items

By Heather 4 Comments

With Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful still in theaters, Disney California Adventure’s Award Wieners is offering two Oz themed menu items.

Disney California Adventure's Award Wieners

Wizard Blizzard

The Wizard Blizzard is the featured “Oz” drink. For $6.25 you can get yourself a glowing glass of green apple-ish lemonade that Disney calls “A Whirlwind of Flavor.”

Wizard Blizzard

With an official description of “Mysteriously glowing Minute Maid Light Lemonade with a breeze of Granny Smith Apple Flavor topped with Citrus Foam,” the lemonade to me was just OK. It was more bitter than sweet, and I didn’t really taste the citrus in the foam.

My kids however, loved it. The color, the glowing ice cube and the taste; they totally went for it.

Wizard Blizzard

Yellow Brick Roll

The featured Oz hot dog was the “Yellow Brick Roll, Your Pathway to Oz the Great and Powerful.” Or, depending on your stomach strength, it may be your [Read more…]

Easter Egg Hunting in Disney California Adventure

By Heather 2 Comments

Happy Easter Everyone! On this treat filled day, we wanted to share a fun event that happened recently in Disney California Adventure. As part of the Limited Time Magic campaign, Disney has been introducing special activities for guests including a handful of Annual Passholder events.

My boys and I headed over on a Friday after school for an Easter Egg Hunt around the park. The event was very well organized. Egg Hunt Maps were available for purchase inside Elias & Co. on Buena Vista St.

Disney California Adventure Easter Egg Hunt Map

For just $4.95, you got a map and a sheet of stickers to place on the map as you found each egg. Upon finishing or not finishing the hunt (because everyone’s a winner!) you turn your map in for a fun prize.

The maps had 10 “clues” on them; each corresponding to an area in the park where an egg was hidden. The goal was to travel to each spot, search for the egg, and then place the corresponding sticker on top of the clue.

We were already near Carthay Circle, so we went hunting for that one first. Since we weren’t sure about the size or look of the eggs, we really were a bit lost. However with one hint from a fabulous cast member, we were able to get the hang of it real quick. All we had to do was look up to spot a big Mickey Egg perched right on top of Carthay Circle Restaurant’s balcony.

Mickey Egg

After finding Mickey, our next clue was “Award Wieners.” This is where we found [Read more…]

Chili “Cone” Queso Now Available in Walt Disney World

By AJ 7 Comments

It’s become more and more commonplace for Disney parks to introduce similar new food items on BOTH coasts — case in point: Red’s Apple Freeze at Cozy Cone Motel and Le Fou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern.

And it’s happened again now that Disney World’s Downtown Disney is serving another big Disneyland hit — Chili Cone Queso!

WDWDowntown tweeted about the new menu items today

Introduced first at the Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land at its landmark opening in 2012, the Chili Cone Queso — along with other savory food-in-a-cone options — has been delighting Disneyland Resort visitors.

Once they order the Chili Cone Queso, diners discover a meaty chili topped with shredded cheese and corn chips all tucked into a hand-held, thick bread cone.

Now, Marketplace Snacks in Downtown Disney Orlando offers the same “cone”-coction along with a Meatball Cone version as well. Some would say that this is just the long-awaited return of the “handwich” to [Read more…]

Review: Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure

By AJ 5 Comments

Today, we are heading west for a visit to Wine Country Trattoria at Disney California Adventure! Located within the Pacific Wharf section of the park, Wine Country Trattoria is part of the Golden Vine Winery, celebrating the bounty and goodness of California wine country.

Wine Country Trattoria Plaque

Located centrally within the park, this spot makes for a beautiful haven during a busy day of park sightseeing. And if you’re planning to take in the spectacular World of Color light show, then you may also be interesting in booking a Dining Package for viewing the show later in the evening. The package includes a three-course prix fixe meal as well as access to a special viewing area for World of Color.

But would the food measure up to the beautiful surroundings? We wondered, too. Time to find out!

Atmosphere

I love the look and feel of WCT. It has a relatively big footprint, with lots of indoor and outdoor seating. Your first view is this hand-carved limestone fountain and a low, wide arch into the dining room.

Fountain at the Entrance

Cool and rustic touches are all around you, with tile floors below and beamed ceilings above. The variegated plaster walls give way to murals depicting California wine country.

Indoor Seating with a Wine Country Mural

There’s ample seating indoors, even if tables are situated a bit close together for my preference.

Additional Indoor Seating

But unless it is extremely hot, I heartily recommend that you [Read more…]

Snack Series: The Disney Jumbo Turkey Leg

By AJ 35 Comments

Everyone who’s been to Disney World or Disneyland has probably seen them. The giant, meat-on-a-stick, Jumbo Disney Turkey Leg.

It’s a true park icon that’s been immortalized by t-shirts, wallets, air fresheners, and even boxer shorts! Love ’em or hate ’em, we think they’re going to be around for awhile…

While you can find turkey legs in all of the domestic Disney parks, one of our favorite places to score one is Trilo-Bites. Located in Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand, turkey legs are the star of the show at this little snack shack.

Trilo-Bites in Disney's Animal Kingdom

In fact, other than a handful of fun drink options, that’s just about all you can get here. There are no other food items to be had. (I personally think that frozen Blueberry-Mango Rum Lemonade sounds like a pretty great accompaniment, however!)

Dino Land Menu at Disney's Animal Kingdom -- Click to Enlarge

Smokey, salty, juicy, and meaty, this snack isn’t just a snack — it’s a meal. You’ll definitely need to do some laps of the park to walk off the [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Gourmet Marshmallows at Trolley Treats

By Heather 18 Comments

When you’re looking for a tasty treat (which, of course, you ARE on Mardi Gras), a must stop shop on Disney California Adventure’s Buena Vista Street is Trolley Treats.

Trolly Treats on Buena Vista Street

The aroma of the candy kitchen entices you as you pass the picture window where you’ll often see candy makers creating one of their signature Trolley Treats items: The Gourmet Marshmallow.

Marshmallow Making at Trolley Treats

Sold either individually for $3.49 from the counter, or in packs of two for $5.95 from the store’s display, the hand made fluffy squares are available in several different flavors.

Trolley Treats Marshmallow Display

The flavors I went with were Banana Split, S’mores, Luscious Lemon, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Madness. I have to say all of them were great, but it was a serious sugar overload.

Normally I’d say just get an individual one and share it with someone, but hey, I was “working.” Let’s take a look at them all:

Banana Split Gourmet Marshmallow

First up, let’s go with the Banana Split. Topped with a cherry, this fun marshmallow is adorable and delicious. In fact, I think I’d call it my favorite. I love banana flavored items though, so this was right up my alley.

Banana Split Gourmet Marshmallow

The banana flavor reminded me a bit of banana flavored Laffy Taffy — sort of artificial, but the added chocolate drizzle, caramel & cherry on top made it the perfect combination to impersonate a mini banana split.

I love watching the candy makers in action and happened to get some [Read more…]

Review: Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disney California Adventure (+ Disneyland Lunar New Year Menu Details!)

By AJ 9 Comments

This spot might elicit a “wha?!? where’s that?!?” reaction for some since it really doesn’t get its share of the spotlight. But I really enjoy heading to the Lucky Fortune Cookery once in a while when I’m in Disney California Adventure!

The counter service location is a great thematic fit for the Pacific Wharf area of the park and offers some pretty tasty, customizable goodies for those who stumble upon it.

Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disney California Adventure

After the review, we’ll also have some awesome info for you about what Lucky Fortune Cookery and other dining spots are serving for this year’s Lunar New Year celebration in Disneyland — so scroll down for that! OK — Let’s dig in!!

Atmosphere and Themeing

Lucky Fortune Cookery is teensy. The outdoor location is nearly an afterthought — or so it seems. There are three main ordering windows and just a few tables scattered around.

Lucky Fortune Cookery Ordering Area

You’re clearly in an industrial section of town here at the Wharf, and the fun lanterns hanging from the rafters give this a sweet “downtown” vibe I think! It’s such a great way to soften an otherwise harsh space.

Lucky Fortune Cookery Ordering Area and themeing

Tables are scarce, but don’t forget that you’re surrounded by about three other huge restaurants here at the Wharf.

There’s a ginormous seating area just across the way, so if there are no seats available at [Read more…]

Limited Time Magic Dinners at Disney World and Disneyland Just in Time for Valentine’s Day!

By AJ 1 Comment

Love is in the air — especially at Disney!

As 2013 continues to be the year for Limited Time Magic Events, Disney is hosting True Love Week at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland complete with specialty menus at several restaurants!

It's Romance Time at Disney!

Walt Disney World

As a Limited Time Magic addition during February 11-17, romantic dinners for two will be offered with prix fixe menus at select restaurants.

Specially-created menus at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort make an ideal setting for a romantic evening.

Book online at disneyworld.com/dining, or call (407) WDW-DINE.

The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios is the Perfect Setting for Your Romantic Dinner

Disneyland

Also during February 11-17, choose romantic dinners with prix fixe menus at the following restaurants: Blue Bayou and Café Orleans in Disneyland, Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California [Read more…]

Review: Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure

By AJ 8 Comments

I’m not sure how beautiful a day it is today in your neck of the woods, but on my last visit to Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure, it sure did FEEL like paradise! Ah, the SoCal weather…

Paradise Garden Grill

Atmosphere

This dining spot is an outdoor eatery. It shares its Paradise Pier location and seating with Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta next door, and Bayside Brews nearby.

The whole group forms a little mini-town at the edge of the Pier, and its relatively remote location means that you could luck into an un-crowded eatery if you’re dining at the right times!

Paradise Garden Grill and Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta Seating Area

Available seating includes covered and uncovered outdoor seating, so if it’s unseasonably cold or warm, take that into consideration before dining here.

But, like I said, it’s SoCal, so it’s probably going to be beautiful. 😉 (Yes, I’m originally from Buffalo, and yes, I’m jealous.)

Paradise Garden Grill Covered Outdoor Seating

Once you’ve ridden Toy Story Midway Mania a few times and checked in with Ariel “Under the Sea,” it’s time to head on over for a relatively healthy meal!

Eats

The menu here follows the (I think) awesome trend of customizing your eats to your liking. It’s basically a mix-and-match Mediterranean menu where guests get to choose their skewer base: Steak, Chicken, Beef Kefta, or Veg/Tofu; and their sauce: Moroccan Chili, Chimichurri, Tandoori-Spiced Yogurt, or Tzatziki.

(Note that the price has gone up to $11.49 for the platters since this photo was taken.)

Paradise Garden Grill

Dessert choices include Baklava and a Brownie and Strawberry Skewer (not noted on the menu, but reviewed here!), and you can indulge in [Read more…]

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Dining in Disneyland: The Mickey Coconut Pattie