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Category: All-Star Resorts

First Look and Photo Tour! Disney World’s All Star Sports End Zone Food Court Reopens after Renovation

By 16 Comments

The End Zone Food Court at All Star Sports has just reopened after a lengthy refurbishment — four months, to be exact! We were thrilled to be on the scene for opening day, and are excited to have you join us for a FIRST LOOK!

End Zone Food Court Atmosphere

The first sight to greet you is nicely familiar… the entryway sign remains the same, so as to make the transition from the hallway seamless.

End Zone Food Court Entrance

But in no time you start to notice that things have indeed changed, thanks in part to this sleek “Now Serving” marquee immediately to your left at the entrance.

“Now Serving” Board

Then things really kick into high gear! Gone are the primary colors and life-size cutouts of football and baseball players. In their place are earthy tones and clean lines.

The changes are most notable in the dining area.

End Zone Dining Area

End Zone Dining Area

End Zone Dining Area

But they extend throughout the Food Court [Read more…]

Review: Disney World Resort Quick Service Pasta Options

By 13 Comments

Thanks to DFB Author Wendy for a look at some great counter-service carb-loading options for your runDisney races this year!

Are YOU running the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler (or any of the other runDisney races this year)? If so, you might be interested in participating in a good old-fashioned carbo-load before your race!

Even if you’re not tackling those ten on October 5th… odds are good you’ll be putting in plenty of miles at the Parks at some point, no matter what.

It’s time to fuel up, people ;)!

Spaghetti time!

For those running one or more of the east coast races this season, there are plenty of places all over Disney World property where you can take part in the time-honored runners tradition of a pasta “carbo-load.”

Today we’re going to focus on some of your pasta options in the resort Quick Service restaurants.

Counter Service Pasta Options at Walt Disney World Resorts

Let’s start with this terrific trend: Create-Your-Own-Pasta stations are cropping up in a few of your favorite Quick Service restaurants!

Create Your Own Pasta

Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors already has a reputation for innovative and delicious dining, and you can read a full review of the Create-Your-Own-Pasta experience here.

Add-ins for Create Your Own Pasta at Landscape of Flavors

Spaghetti Carbonara with Broccoli

The Riverside Mill at Port Orleans Riverside also offers this fun option!

Riverside Mill

Create Your Own Pasta Options at Riverside Mill

Unique to the Grand Floridian’s recently refreshed Gasparilla Island Grill is a [Read more…]

End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Closed For Renovations

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As we reported earlier on our News Pin Board, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is currently renovating their End Zone food court. And today we’ve got some pics of the state of things over there currently, thanks to DFB reader Galloping Gourmand!From August 5 – December 20, 2013, the End Zone Food Court at the All-Star Sports Resort in Walt Disney World will be closed for refurbishment.

Guests looking for made-to-order food may take a bus to the All-Star Music or All-Star Movies resorts. Two motor coaches will run during mealtimes. Guests will board buses from the porte-cochere outside the lobby and will be dropped off under the porte-cochere at the All-Star Movies or All-Star Music resorts.

During this closure, grab-and-go food items will be available at the Game Point Arcade. Guests looking for arcade games may also travel to the other All-Star resorts. Let’s take a look at the resort map so that you can plan accordingly!

All-Star Sports, Music, and Movies are within walking distance.

On my last stay at All-Star Music, I easily walked over to the All-Star Sports and All-Star Movies resorts by cutting through the parking lots. Of course, this would be less than convenient when trying to get your family ready for an early day of touring or after a long day in the parks.

And while the Team Spirits Pool Bar and the Pizza Delivery service are still open, guests are reporting [Read more…]

News and Review!: Rapid Fill Refillable Mugs for Walt Disney World Resorts Now in Use

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Welcome back DFB author Wendy with an informative report on the new Rapid Fill Resort Mugs in Walt Disney Word. Rapid Fill intro photo

At the time of this writing, the mugs are in use at Disney’s All-Star Music Intermission Food Court and All-Star Movies World Premiere Food Court. (Disney’s All-Star Sports End Zone Food Court is currently closed for refurbishment). They will be rolled out at the rest of the Disney World resorts shortly.

As you may recall from a previous post on Rapid Fill Refillable Mugs, Rapid Fill allows Disney Resort guests to buy (or receive as part of the Disney Dining Plan) a Resort mug which can be refilled for a certain period of time as designated at time of purchase. These mugs are enhanced by an RFID bar code which enables the mug to deactivate when the designated time is complete.

Perhaps you have some questions… I know I did! So, let’s get started!

Rapid Fill Refillable Mug Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not on a Disney Dining Plan, so I’ll be purchasing my mug separately. How much do they cost?

$8.99 for 1 Day
$11.99 for 2 Days
$14.99 for 3 Days
$17.99 for Length of Stay (If you’re staying longer, “Add-1-Day” or “Add-2-Day” options can be added.)

Rapid Fill Prices

Rapid Fill Prices

What do the new mugs look like?

For now, just like the previous mugs. You’ll still see Mickey and a few of his pals enjoying some poolside fun. You’ll notice a few differences, however…

Guests can now choose from orange, purple, and green lids for the mugs (previous choices included blue, black, and bright pink).

Green, purple, and orange mugs

Green, purple, and orange mugs

The Rapid Fill logo has been added to the mugs.

Rapid Fill Logo

Rapid Fill Logo

You may notice a tiny bit of text to the right of the handle. It reads: “Refills available at no additional charge at [Read more…]

News! Update on Disney’s New Rapid Fill Refillable Mug

By 117 Comments

According to sources, Disney World will soon be bringing the new Disney Rapid Fill Refillable Mug program to Disney resort hotels.

Tested at All-Star Sports Resort a while back, and much like the process currently in use at Disney’s Water Parks, the new system would use an RFID bar code on each mug to give Disney guests access to refills for a pre-purchased period of time. The mug will then deactivate itself at the end of the purchased time frame.

But as of today, it’s looking more and more like the rumors may be true. Although at this time the Rapid Fill Refillable Program has not been confirmed by Disney, we have news today that the fountain machines at some beverage refilling stations at Walt Disney World resorts have been replaced with new machines that resemble those in a demo video by the company ValidFill.

The first set of photos are from the Beach Club Marketplace, where the machines were installed earlier this week.

Newly Installed Beverage Refill Station at Beach Club Marketplace

Newly Installed Beverage Refill Station at Beach Club Marketplace

In this photo, you can see the small screen that provides the customer detailed information about their refill as it dispenses, as well as the trays below the fountain taps that reads the cup’s sensor.

New Beach Club Marketplace Refill Station -- Up Close

New Beach Club Marketplace Refill Station — Up Close

The same set up is in place at All-Star Music Resort’s beverage refill station. The screens here are [Read more…]

56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets from Disney Food Blog

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Disney may be The Most Magical Place on Earth, but nothing can wreck the happy faster than poor planning.

This is especially true when it comes to one of the most important parts of your trip — eating! After decades of Disney dining, we’ve perfected some expert tips and advice to get the most out of  your Disney World visit.

Today, we’re sharing our 56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets to ensure that you have the magical visit of your dreams!

Top Disney Parks Dining Secrets

Let’s get started!

1. Make dining reservations. Even if you don’t follow any other piece of advice, we can’t say this emphatically enough. To fully appreciate the truly entertaining and delicious array of Disney Dining offerings, you must make Advance Dining Reservations. If you wait until you arrive at Disney to make table service arrangements, you may miss out on many of your top picks because they will be booked.

Book Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant 180 Days in Advance to Guarantee a Table

2. BYOP (Bring  Your Own Pepsi). Yep. Those of you who are die-hard Pepsi drinkers will be sad to note that any and all Disney establishments will not carry Pepsi products. It’s a Coke-only zone here! So either bring your own Pepsi, or plan to take a trip to a nearby gas station, convenience store, grocery store, or drug store to pick up your stash. You can also order it and have it delivered directly to your hotel from Garden Grocer.

No Pepsi Here.

3. Don’t miss the must-eat items! After years of eating Disney goodies, we here at Disney Food Blog have amassed quite a list of “must-eat” treats in Disney parks and resorts. Cult favorites like Dole Whip Floats, Zebra Domes, School Bread, and Mickey Bars are high priority when you’re visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth. To read up on our favorites, head over to our Best Disney World Restaurants Page for some great “Best Of” posts like Best Cookie Snacks in Disney World, favorite Disney ice cold snacks, Disney’s best grilled cheese, and more! And if you’re headed to Disney World for the first time, you must read our Best Disney Restaurants for First-Timers article — very helpful!

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

4. Make your reservations 60 days prior to your visit whenever possible. Nope — it’s not enough to just make reservations; you need to make them as early as possible. For most restaurants, that’s 60 days prior to the date you’re seeking. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, you can book all of your reservations for up to 10 days beginning exactly 60 days before the first day of your trip.

5. Don’t pay for food you don’t want. One of my favorite Disney Dining tips is to be a squeaky wheel when you need to be. Disney is very good at customizing meals, and at counter-service restaurants, your customized meal might even save you some money! For example, [Read more…]

Tip from the DFB Guide: Disney Resort Pizza Delivery

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Join us in celebrating our updated e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 — as we share fun and useful info from the guide!

Disney Resort In-Room Pizza Delivery

As many of you know, room service is available at Disney’s deluxe resorts as well as the moderate resort, Coronado Springs. Yet, for those guests staying at value, most moderate, and select villa resorts, you’ll have to fetch your meal from the quick-service restaurant or order pizza delivery!

Disney resorts with In-Room Pizza Delivery include: All-Star Movies, All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, Caribbean Beach Resort, Old Key West, Pop Century Resort, Port Orleans Resort French Quarter, Port Orleans Resort Riverside, and Saratoga Springs Resort. Note that deluxe resorts and Coronado Springs often offer pizza options on their room service menus as well — so you can pretty much get some sort of in-room dining pizza anywhere you stay in Disney World.

In addition to pizza delivery, Disney’s Art of Animation, does have a few room service entree options after 4pm like pasta and Buffalo chicken wings/nuggets!

Extra Room Service Options at Art of Animation Resort

Disney Dining Plan pizza delivery meals consist of two non-alcoholic beverages, 1 pizza entree, and two desserts, which will cost two DDP table-service credits. This charge is per meal rather than per person.

Payment is made via cash, credit card, or your Disney room charge. Gratuities are included!

But Be Wary of Ordering from Under-The-Door Pizza Flyers

Just a quick note for those planning on pizza in your room at your Disney resort. The options we’ve mentioned above are all Disney-run pizza delivery options through the resorts’ dining systems and restaurants. The menus for these delivery options will be in your room on a cardboard placard with Disney logos when you arrive.

However, for years now guests have been receiving flimsy paper flyers for [Read more…]

Guest Review: Intermission Food Court Breakfast at All Star Music Resort

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Please welcome back guest author Sarah Gurung with a review of breakfast at the Intermission Food Court at the All-Star Music Resort!

Learn About:Intermission Food Court
Disney World Restaurants

As a longtime reader of the Disney Food Blog, I am excited to continue contributing to the site. My family started visiting Disney World before the value resorts existed, but when they were built, All-Star Music was the first that we called “home.”

During this visit, I traveled with my mother and my one-year-old daughter as well as my sister and her two-year-old daughter.

In my “real” (non-Disney) life, I eat vegetarian. While on vacation, I considerably loosened my self-imposed food restrictions and ate what sounded good. I will add details about vegetarian options where appropriate, because many are delicious.

Atmosphere

Intermission Food Court is located in Melody Hall, the resort’s main building for check-in, concierge, check-out, shopping, and dining. The food court is open from 7 am to midnight (breakfast ends at 11am), and food is counter service or grab-and-go.

Intermission Food Court Entrance

As one might expect, Intermission Food Court is a colorful and boisterous place. Upon entering, the food court counter and grab-and-go stations are to your left. The cashiers are straight ahead and serve as a buffer to the seating area. Beverage/utensil/topping bars are on the right.

Intermission Food Court

The seating area extends the full length of the right side of the room and is abundant. Even during busy times, we had no trouble locating a table.

Seating is a mixture of both booths and tables (large and small to accommodate different size parties) and is a wash of peach, purple, and turquoise. The carpet is dark and dotted with resort-appropriate stars.

Intermission Food Court Seating Area

One long wall in the seating area features a mural of [Read more…]

Guest Review: Intermission Food Court Lunch/Dinner at Disney’s All Star Music Resort

By 8 Comments

Learn About:Intermission Food Court
Disney World Restaurants

Please welcome guest author Sarah Gurung with a review of the Intermission Food Court, at the All-Star Music Resort! This review will cover lunch and dinner; but stay tuned for Sarah’s breakfast review coming soon!

As a longtime reader of the Disney Food Blog, I am excited to contribute my review of a place I have visited many times: Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort. My family started visiting the World before the value resorts existed, but when they were built, All-Star Music was the first that we called “home.”

During this visit, I traveled with my mother and my one-year-old daughter. We also met up with my sister and her two-year-old daughter, so I was able to try a variety of dishes.

In my “real” (non-Disney) life, I eat vegetarian. While on vacation, I considerably loosened my self-imposed food restrictions and ate what sounded good. I will add details about vegetarian options where appropriate because many are delicious.

Atmosphere

Intermission Food Court is located in Melody Hall, the resort’s main building for check-in, concierge, check-out, shopping, and dining. The food court is open from 7 am to midnight (breakfast ends at 11am), and food is counter service or grab-and-go.

Intermission Food Court Entrance

As one might expect from a kid-friendly value resort, Intermission Food Court is a colorful and boisterous place. Upon entering, the food court counter and grab-and-go stations are to your left. The cashiers are straight ahead and serve as a buffer to the seating area and beverage/utensil/topping bars on the right.

Intermission Food Court

The seating area extends the full length of the right side and is abundant. Even during busy times, we had no trouble locating a table.

Seating, featuring a mixture of both booths and tables (large and small to accommodate different size parties), is a wash of peach, purple, and turquoise. The carpet is dark and dotted with resort-appropriate stars.

Intermission Food Court Seating Area

One long wall in the seating area features a mural of semi-recognizable singers in a variety of poses. Lighting is bright, and maneuvering around the space is relatively easy. On rare occasions, I [Read more…]

Where to Get Waffles in Walt Disney World

By 56 Comments

We’ve gathered all kinds of waffle choices in order to bring this Waffle Gallery to you! Whether you’re hankering for a Belgian waffle with fruit topping, a waffle with powdered sugar, a Mickey shaped breakfast waffle, or even a waffle sandwich – we’ve got the deets on where to take care of your craving.

There are some really creative waffle creations in the mix, so be sure to add one or more of these waffle choices to your next Walt Disney World visit.

Giant Mickey Waffle

Yes, Disney World menus are ever-changing so always check the most recent menus prior to your visit. The waffles listed below are in alphabetical order based on how they’re listed on Walt Disney World menus.

Bananas Foster Waffles

Roaring Fork

at the Wilderness Lodge is home to some comforting waffle creations on the regular and kid’s breakfast menus. You’ll find more to tempt you further down in this list. The Bananas Foster Waffles are covered with warm bananas in a buttered rum-flavored sauce. Plus, they are Mickey-shaped!

Bananas Foster Waffles

Belgian Waffle

  • A Belgian waffle with Maple Butter and Candied Pecan Topping is offered at the Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
  • Seasonal Fresh Fruit, Maple Syrup and Whipped Cream accompany the Belgian waffle offered at Wolfgang Puck Express, Downtown Disney Marketplace.

Belgian Waffle Sundae

Belgian Waffle Sundae

At the AMC Dine-In Theatre in Downtown Disney, a pair of warm Belgian waffles are infused with maple flavor, then topped with vanilla ice cream, drizzled in luscious caramel sauce and topped with a generous sprinkle of sweet and savory candied bacon. What a dessert!

Belgium Waffle

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