food IS a theme park
Let’s face it: sometimes it’s just nice to bring a little bit of Disney home with you to help you get over those post-Disney blues! And if you have a handful of Disney Dining Plan snack credits left over at the end of your Disney World trip or you’ve got friends and family you’d like to surprise with a treat, Disney foods make some terrific souvenirs!
Honey Lemon Cupcake Topped with Edible Glitter & A Chocolate Bee
I have a LOT to share with you today, so bear with me! We’ll start with Disney news, then head over to the e-Book update, and finally, the round-up!
Here are a few of the fun newsy things that happened this week:
In other news, don’t forget to join me on the WDW Today monthly live show, where you can call in with your questions and comments. The special guest will be yours truly! Tune in tonight, Sunday, March 27, at 8:00 pm Eastern time!
And after a week at WDW filled with fun (and food!), I look forward to sharing lots of restaurant reviews and photos with you guys! Best of all, positive reviews on our e-Book, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, continue to pour in. If you are undecided about purchasing the book, check out these insights:
WDW For Grown-Ups
shares a delicious glimpse of the tempting caramel work done by a Karamell Küche cast member. My insight? I want to enjoy the fruits of their labor on my next visit!
Main Street Gazette zeroes in on a fun menu item in the Magic Kingdom that not many folks even know is there!
Watch Me Eat stops by Orlando’s House of Blues restaurant in Downtown Disney for some Cajun cuisine.
Cookie Madness reviews a voyage on the Disney Dream and gives the cookies served on Castaway Cay a thumbs up!
Food and Drink Digital reminds us to check our produce aisle for a new line of Disney fruits and veggies. Disney Consumer Products calls them “new and refreshed Disney-branded products that capitalize on synergistic promotional opportunities tied to Disney entertainment content and beloved characters.” Yum.
Whew! And that’s all she wrote! See ya next week!
I have a confession. Until this past week, I had never actually eaten my very own sweet cream cheese pretzel in Walt Disney World. So when my husband and I decided to throw caution to the wind and head into the Magic Kingdom at 11pm on a Saturday during Spring Break, we figured it was high time to make a change.
Sweet Cream Cheese Pretzel at Lunching Pad
After riding everything we possibly could, we headed over to the Lunching Pad and purchased one of these yummy treats. They look like regular soft pretzels, but they have a faint dusting of what seems like [Read more…]
Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers shares her review of the brand new Hungry Bear Restaurant menu today!!
After weeks of renovations, the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Disneyland’s Critter Country has reopened with a brand new menu. We had seen the tarps and boards up for some time; we even took a sail on the Columbia to see if we could get a sneak peek at what was going on behind the scenes. No such luck. So, when the restaurant opened back up this past week, we headed over for an early dinner to check it out. Hungry? Why yes, we are!
Eager Beaver Welcoming You to The Hungry Bear
Location and Atmosphere
Let me start by telling you that Hungry Bear is in the way way way back of Disneyland. I mean, we’re talking outskirts. If you’re looking for a semi-quick way to get there, hop on the train and get off at the New Orleans Station, head left, pass the Haunted Mansion & Splash Mountain, follow the curve around to the left and you will find the Hungry Bear just before the Winnie the Pooh ride on your right side.
When we first walked up to the restaurant, we were a little nervous. There were ZERO people in line, which isn’t really a great sign for a restaurant. Especially for a Saturday evening during Spring Break. I’m going to assume this was because people really didn’t know it was open. There are still lots of walls up around the area due to the Splash Mountain refurbishments in progress. So at the moment, Critter Country doesn’t look too inviting. Though, as soon as [Read more…]
Traveling to Disneyland soon? You’ll want to add these resort restaurants to your dining list! We give a foodie shout-out to the winners of the Southern California Restaurant Writers awards!!
With a 36 year history, the Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. selects winners from south Santa Barbara to the border of Mexico. With such a large region, it’s a testament to the food quality at Disneyland that so many awards were presented to Disneyland restaurants at the annual banquet Sunday night.
Join me in congratulating Executive Pastry Chef Jean-Marc Viallet named the Pastry Chef of the Year! For the last ten years, Viallet has been dreaming up creative pastries for Disneyland guests.
Jean-Marc Viallet, Executive Pastry Chef, Disneyland Resort
Disneyland Resort received top honors in five categories! The Golden Bacchus is presented to restaurants with an extensive wine collection. The Golden Sceptre is considered the “top restaurant” award.
Special Award Category
* Pastry Chef of the Year: Jean-Marc Viallet, executive pastry chef, Disneyland Resort
Golden Bacchus Wine Award
* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
Golden Sceptre (Five Star)
* Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel)
* Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
Gold (Four Star)
* Ariel’s Grotto (Paradise Pier, Disney’s California Adventure park)
* Blue Bayou (New Orleans Square, Disneyland park)
Sterling (Three Star)
* Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
* Storyteller’s Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)
Source: Disney Parks Blog
Chef Photo copyright Disney
Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers spices things up at Tortilla Jo’s Taqueria in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney district!
When you’re in the mood for Mexican and don’t have the time or budget for a full sit down restaurant meal, the small Taqueria outside of Tortilla Jo’s is the perfect dining solution. My family and I LOVE Tortilla Jo’s, however, a meal inside the “regular” restaurant takes a minimum of one hour (worth it if you have the time) and that’s with a reservation or without a wait.
Tortilla Jo's Taqueria
The colorful Taqueria can not be missed as you are walking through Downtown Disney. It is located directly across from Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, closer to the hotels than the parks. Their outdoor-only seating consists of [Read more…]
Rose and Crown Pub
It’s been a busy week around here! I hope yours has been a good one! Welcome to Spring (hopefully those of you who lost an hour last night will catch up with a nice nap today!).
Don’t forget to plan some fun-ness for St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday! Here’s what’s happening around WDW and Disneyland this week!
This week in Disney food news:
And now, on to the round-up!
Progress City USA analyzes Herb Ryman sketches for the “World Buffeteria,” a dining establishment slated for EPCOT Center that never came about.
Bakerella shows us that a little “homemade love” can result in adorable Mickey and Minnie cake pops! I’d probably get as far as the silhouettes 😉
Main Street Gazette attempts a feat I myself have not — and possibly will not — attempt: to eat a Turkey Leg. Oh, and I love the title reference.
Zannaland reported a while back on Disney’s AMC Theatre 24’s plans to launch Dine-In movies beginning in May. Food, film and fun!
Studios Central shares the back story to Sunset Ranch Market in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One of our favorite spots for Imagineering detail!
Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers is scouting the parks and Downtown Disney for some St. Patrick’s Day treats!
St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and Disneyland has a few treats to help you get into the spirit o’ the green. Check out this yummy fun from Marceline’s & The Blue Ribbon Bakery.
Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows from Marceline's
And over at the Blue Ribbon Bakery, check out these yummy, green [Read more…]
We certainly don’t need a reason to celebrate (with beer!) while visiting a Disney park, however we’re really excited about the extra Irish-inspired fun that Disney is dishing up for St. Patrick’s Day. Below, we detail events and special menu items throughout Disney World and Disneyland!
Raglan Road, WDW Downtown Disney
Raglan Road opens their doors at 11:00AM on St. Paddy’s Day for a full day of festivities! The fun begins at Noon with musicians, dancers and face painting. While savoring the traditional Shepherd’s Pie, look for the house band, Creel! In the evening, toast your Irish friends and watch eLevation as they perform your favorite U2 songs. There is a $10 cover charge.
Raglan Road
Earlier in the week, Raglan Road is celebrating with a few more events! This Sunday, attend their first ever traditional Irish Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) and join in the Irish dancing! As Lorraine from Raglan Road says, “We’re pushing the furniture back and letting everyone join in!” Sounds like fun! Click the image for [Read more…]
Disneyland Hotel
Want to give mom the royal treatment this year? Reserve your family a spot at Disneyland’s Mother’s Day Royal Buffet!
Held in the Disneyland Hotel’s Grand Ballroom (check out what it looks like here), this amazing event takes place on Sunday May 8th between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm, with the last reservation being accepted at 2:45pm.
Dine in a beautifully decorated ballroom accompanied by all of your favorite Disney Princesses and live music. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance, which means today’s the day to call and get your family’s spot. Reservations fill up fast, so if you’re interested, contact Disney Dining at 714.781.DINE (3463).
Pricing is $20.99 for children ages 3-9 and $71.99 for ages 10 & up. Annual Passholders get [Read more…]
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