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Wild Africa Trek: Snacking on the Savanna

Update: Current pricing is $189 – $249.Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster finds a surprising end to her recent Wild Africa Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom…

I signed up for Disney’s brand new Wild Africa Trek at the Animal Kingdom because I wanted to check out the nifty new rope bridge and get up close and personal with crocodiles and hippos; I wasn’t in it for the food. The booking agent on the phone mentioned something about a snack, but that barely registered with me. I had taken other backstage tours at the Animal Kingdom and the snack was serviceable but unremarkable granola bars and pretzels.

Atmosphere
Because of this, I was taken by surprise when we arrived — after two hours of hiking and animal observation — at the tour break point and found a meal being set. We were on a new boma (not to be confused with the restaurant Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge) constructed in the middle of the African savanna, in full view of the Kilimanjaro Safari jeeps. The boma is a covered, stage-like private animal viewing area with bathrooms, comfortable chairs, binoculars, and best of all — amazing food.

The presentation couldn’t be lovelier. Our wonderful tour guides (thank you Megan and Laura) set our chilled metal camp cups and carafes of cool water and tropical juice. I believe this is the same blend they [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 16, 2011

By AJ 1 Comment

Bruce Might Entertain Diners at Animator's Palette on the Disney Dream

Woo-hoo! I’m off to WDW today, everyone! We’re starting the DFB DISNEY DREAM WEEK today, so expect a liberal peppering of cruise-related info as we “sail” through the next few weeks.

I’ll be embarking on (is that how you say it? embarking on? or is it just embarking?) the Disney Dream on Wednesday, but watch our twitter and facebook accounts for updates from WDW over the next three days, too!

Now, here’s the news!

Be sure to listen in to the WDW Today Podcast where we preview the restaurants on the Disney Dream!
There’s a new menu at Village Haus in Disneyland! We’ll have a review soon!

And now, on to the round-up!

Yesterland, one of my favorite Disney sites on the web, is just back from Aulani with gorgeous photos and a back story for the AMA AMA Beachfront Restaurant!

WDW for Grownups details some fun, unique wine experiences in Disney World.

A Wedding Cake Blog does Disney again with a peek at some red velvet wedding cupcakes!

Studios Central reports on dining vegetarian in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Main Street Gazette goes to Babycakes NYC and samples some of the delicious products from this gluten-free bakery in Downtown Disney Orlando!

Hostess Blog has some great pics of an UP themed birthday party, complete with cute foodie favors and a balloon-tastic cake.

The Sacramento Bee ran a story about 5 UC Davis students who created a new snack for Disney called Mickey’s Pocket Pies; check out the recipe here!

Disney Parks Blog lets us know what it’s like to be a sommelier in Disneyland!

Guest Review: Epcot’s Electric Umbrella

By AJ 7 Comments

Roving reporter Sarah Holodick is back with her review of Epcot’s Electric Umbrella!

While waiting for a culinary demonstration during the Food & Wine Festival, I started to get a little hungry. Yes, I was fully aware of the numerous kiosks stationed all around World Showcase. The truth is, [Read more…]

Tables in Wonderland Accepted at Several Quick-Service Spots and Lounges

By AJ 13 Comments

This update in from DFB columnist Erin Foster, who’s walking the World right now!

Disney World’s Tables in Wonderland discount program (formerly the Disney Dining Experience program) is available to Florida Residents and Annual Passholders for a fee, and offers a 20% discount on food and beverage at select locations.

Tables in Wonderland Membership Card

You can now get your Tables in Wonderland discount at the following quick service locations and lounges. There is no gratuity charged at the quick service restaurants, so the 20% off is pure savings.: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Disneyland’s Golden Vine Winery Port and Bleu Cheese Tasting

By AJ 7 Comments

Thanks again to Chelsi Murphy, who wrote our great review of the Flying Fish Chef’s Counter, for providing yet another interesting look at a Disney dining experience. This time, she takes us to Golden Vine Winery at Disney’s California Adventure. Take it away, Chelsi!

Golden Vine Winery, the Wine Bar connected to the Wine Country Trattoria at Disney’s California Adventure, is a great place to take a break from a busy day at the parks. My husband and I love to stop by and take a look at their ever changing menu and speak with their knowledgeable staff, a few who came from Mondovi when Robert Mondovi built the original restaurant.

Click for larger image

One of the best ongoing deals the wine bar has to offer is the Port and Bleu Cheese tasting. Price for this is $12.50 plus tax, and you receive 3 one-ounce pours of port paired with 3 different blue cheeses, fruit compote and crackers. They also do the pairing with 3 types of chocolate, but we were told the cheese out sells the chocolate 10 to 1.

Port and Bleu Cheese Tasting

The first Port poured was Sandeman Founders Reserve Ruby Port, paired with Point Rayes Blue Cheese
from California. The Second was 2004 Sandeman Late Bottle Vintage Ruby Port, paired with Maytag Blue Cheese from Iowa. The third pour was Sandeman Tawny, aged 20 years, paired with Gorgonzola Dolce.

Bleu Cheeses and Fruit Compote

Our favorite was the Tawny –- it tasted like butterscotch in the glass! But all three were excellent ports and pairings with the cheese. We also thought that it was an excellent price to get to try three amazing cheeses and a flight of port.

Port Varieties

The Wine Bar opens at 11:30 AM and also has beer and sodas for those who don’t drink wine. The staff is always happy to help you out with any questions you may have if you want to try something new.

New Caramel Apples in Disney Parks

By AJ 18 Comments

Well, maybe they’re not new to you, but they sure are to me! I found these caramel apples at the Main Street Confectionery in Disney World on a recent visit… . Don’t forget, the cast members will be more than happy to cut these up for you and put them in a small container for easier eating.

Chocolate Oreo Caramel Apple

Just from a commentary standpoint, I think it’s interesting that Disney World has started using this “Fresh” packaging, which we saw first in Disneyland. More evidence that the two parks are merging their product lines even further?

For more info on Disney caramel apples, check out our previous post all about ’em!

White Chocolate Caramel Apple Pie Apple
We first saw these at Pooh Corner in Disneyland (where they were only $7.95 last April…hmm…), and I was SO excited to [Read more…]

Disney Food for Families: A Holiday Without Dining Reservations

By Erin 13 Comments

The next installment in the Disney Food for Families Column by Erin Foster:

I had the good fortune to be able to spend the week leading up to and including Christmas Day at Walt Disney World. Because I knew this was a high-traffic time of year, I was diligent about making my Advance Dining Reservations the full 180+ days in advance of our trip.

I booked family favorites like the character breakfast at the Crystal Palace and special treats like a holiday dinner at the posh Victoria & Albert’s. Disney geek-and-a-half that I am, I even typed up all our confirmation numbers on a wallet-sized card and laminated it. I had planned for us to eat well. And we did.

Merry Christmas at the Magic Kingdom

We were scheduled to return home the day after Christmas, just as a blizzard was descending upon the East Coast. Needless to say, our flight was canceled. We were stuck at Walt Disney World. You’re feeling sorry for me, I know.

Once we got our accommodation situation settled, my kids started asking me, “Where should we eat?” Since this was now the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, notoriously the busiest week of the year, I assumed [Read more…]

Disney’s Nostalgic Candy Items

By AJ 19 Comments

One of the Disney Theme Parks’ main goals is to make you feel like a kid again when you’re visiting, and a great way to do that is to offer you some favorite candies from your childhood! Let’s take a look at a few of the sugary sweets you can find in the parks that will surely bring back memories…

Lollipops and Taffy
Two seashore sweets that you can surely remember begging your parents to splurge on for you during the summers as a kid, the Disney lollipops (which we covered in detail in our previous post, “Sucker Punch“) and taffy in Disney Parks remain as bright and alluring as they were when you were six-and-a-half.

Disney Lollipops

While you probably still couldn’t finish a whole lollipop, there’s nothin’ sayin’ you can’t try! And with [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 9, 2010

By AJ 3 Comments

Lady and the Tramp Cake Topper

Howdy, all! We are firmly ensconced in 2011, and I hope it’s treating you well. First up, as always, the news! But stay tuned — lots of great new sites in the round-up this week!

New “Designer” Burgers” have shown up at Disney World!
New food-related merchandise has shown up in the Disney parks. Check out these cupcake kids clothes and Disney food keychains!

And now — on to the round-up!

A Wedding Cake Blog showcases some gorgeous and whimsical Disney Wedding Cake Toppers! Belle, Cinderella, Bride and Groom Ear Hats, even Lady and the Tramp!

WDW for Grownups has a fun primer on couponing in the Disney World area — check it out and save some cash on meals and entertainment the next time you’re in Orlando!

Two Boos Who Eat takes us to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland!! YUM!

Jessica Loves Cupcakes gives us an overview of cupcakes in Disneyland — including a fun Minnie Mouse cupcake antenna topper I hadn’t even seen before!

Main Street Gazette takes us on a tantalizing tour of The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

RoriTravel’s Florida takes us out to Rix Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort!

WDW Radio focuses on the UK pavilion with guest stars Mark and Emma (my new friends from the UK!)

A Taste of Wonderland covers a few of the new dining spots in WDW!

Guest Review: Orlando’s Downtown Disney Pollo Campero Beverage Bar

By AJ 4 Comments

Thanks again to Leigh Caldwell of Theme Park Mom for this great review of the new beverage bar at Orlando’s Downtown Disney Pollo Campero.

The beverage bar can be accessed from both outside and inside the restaurant

A new bar has opened at Downtown Disney as part of the renovations at the former McDonald’s on the edge of the Marketplace area.

It offers beverage menus from both Pollo Campero, a chicken restaurant with Latin flair, and Fresh A-peel, which brings some new [Read more…]

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