food IS a theme park
Today, we’re hearing news of a brand new offer available when you book a stay at Walt Disney Value Resorts. Called the 2016 Disney Summer Quick Service Meal Plan, this new plan is an abbreviated version of the Quick Service Disney Dining Plan. It entitles each guest of your party to one FREE quick service meal per day of stay.
Is Breakfast at Be Our Guest on YOUR List?
Here are the details: [Read more…]
So… Frozen Fun ends in Disneyland on May 15th, and Frozen Summer Fun LIVE won’t return to Disney’s Hollywood Studios until June 17th. That’s one full Frozen-free month… What’s an Anna, Elsa, Kristoff and Olaf fan to do?!?
What will we do when there’s no Frozen Fun?!
Fret not, Frozen fans! In the downtime between the two events, Disney is releasing a few treats in honor of “Frozen Fever,” the film short that can currently be seen on the big screen prior to showings of the live-action “Cinderella” film.
As in the film short, these treats go about the task of celebrating Anna’s birthday… and what’s a birthday celebration without a little cake? Anna’s Happy Birthday Cupcake is a vanilla cupcake with blue buttercream frosting, topped with marshmallows, snowflake candies, and a white chocolate Olaf.
Anna’s Happy Birthday Cupcake ©Disney
At Disneyland, you’ll want to check spots like the Jolly Holiday Bakery, Market House, Pacific Wharf Cafe, Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe, and The Coffee House.
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe
While the cupcakes are already available at Disneyland, starting April 8th, Disney World guests can check various eateries scattered across property, in parks and resorts alike. Altogether, twelve restaurants will carry the cupcakes in WDW, including Main Street Bakery and Gaston’s Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, Starring Rolls Cafe and ABC Commissary in Hollywood Studios, and Sunshine Seasons and Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in Epcot.
Resort restaurants that will carry the cupcake include BoardWalk Bakery, Beach Club Marketplace, Contempo Cafe, Gasparilla Island Grill, Landscape of Flavors and The Mara.
BoardWalk Bakery
Looking for something a little more frozen to celebrate the cast of Frozen? Olaf’s Perfect Sundae Day features birthday-cake flavored ice cream topped with hot fudge, mint marshmallows, brownie pieces (!), whipped cream, and sprinkles.
Olaf’s Perfect Sundae Day ©Disney
Those mint marshmallows look a lot like the ones currently available to enjoy with your Warm Hugs Hot White Hot Cocoa over at Olaf’s Snow Fest in Disneyland!
At Disneyland, the Sundae is available at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor and Clarabelle’s.
Clarabelle’s in Disney California Adventure
And again, starting April 8th, Disney World guests will find it at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor, Hollywood Scoops, and Beaches & Cream.
Beaches and Cream at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
In a new twist, even a few Table Service restaurants are [Read more…]
Yes, the Christmas holiday has come and gone… So you might think it must be time to halt all the gingerbread chat for the year. However, just a few days after Christmas I stumbled upon two gingerbread displays that I’d never seen before.
Sure, we’ve taken you on tours of the Grand Floridian’s famous Gingerbread House, and this year’s new Frozen-inspired Gingerbread Display at the Contemporary Resort. But I must say, these smaller displays have a charm all their own. I’m talking about the Gingerbread Houses created by Cast Members at the Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts!
Art of Animation Christmas Tree
Art of Animation Christmas Tree
Art of Animation Christmas Tree
Pop Century Christmas Tree
Pop Century Christmas Tree
Pop Century Christmas Tree
Much like the Cast Member Pumpkin Carving contests happening at resorts all over Disney World for Halloween, various teams joined together to create their own gingerbread masterpieces. Guests placed their votes to determine a winner.
Gingerbread House Contest Display
Over at Pop Century, the Food and Beverage Team took home the prize for this colorful Gingerbread Minnie Mouse House.
Minnie Mouse Gingerbread House
I love the Krispy Treat Chimney!
Minnie Mouse Gingerbread House
The other entries were pretty great, too 🙂 . From this Gingerbread Pixie Hollow by the Merchandise Team…
Pixie Hollow Gingerbread House
… to a more traditional display by [Read more…]
We recently made a side trip to swing through Landscape of Flavors, the notable counter service restaurant at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
The spot is one of our favorites for their innovative menu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner all offer both comfort food and international flavors. But we also love their out-of-the-box snacks and sweet treats.
We recently told you about the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake, served in an extra-fun way — on a Mickey Straw. We wouldn’t quite pick it up and eat it like a lollipop…but seriously! How fun!
Today, we are back to share with you another sweet that we couldn’t resist…
So, as you can see, the Everything Brownie is topped with, well, a little of everything. This is from the same general genre as the white chocolate chip brownie over at Starring Rolls, and you’ll also find this one in several other resort bakery cases (just found it a The Mara this week).
The Everything Brownie
Out of the brown paper wrapper, you can get a better idea of what you’ve got. Yep — it’s more than just a wrapper full of M & Ms, and Marshmallows, Chocolate Chips, and Nuts! You can begin to see the Brownie Base, and it has that yummy, gooey chocolate ganache-y type frosting as well.
The Everything Brownie — Out of the Wrapper
Though it doesn’t look like it in the photo, the brownie is [Read more…]
— the food court at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – developed a reputation early on for being a step above your average food court.
With options such as the Surf and Surf Burger, the World of Flavors Tandoori Station, and a Create-Your-Own Pasta bar, it’s been one to watch from the beginning for some fun and appetizing entrees.
It also introduced something unexpected to the realm of food court desserts: Landscape of Flavors has its own Gelato Bar — a feature that has since been added to the recently refurbished End Zone Food Court at All Star Sports Resort.
Today, though, our search for sweets is focused on a different area… Who’s up for raiding Landscape’s pastry case?!
Pastries and Desserts Case
Two recent additions here caught our attention: the Toffee Shortbread Bar and the Seven Layer Bar.
Toffee Shortbread Bar and Seven Layer Bar
So, let’s grab [Read more…]
We’re staring down the last of the dog days of summer as Disney World gears up for Fall… Join us on a tour around all four east coast Parks as we check out What’s New!
With September upon us everyone is anticipating autumn and special seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (currently underway) and the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (more on that a little later in the post :). So it’s not surprising to see Magic Kingdom all decked out for the occasion!
Magic Kingdom autumn decorations
(Love seeing this sign pop up [Read more…]
Today, we are taking in lunch at one of Disney’s newer counter service locations, Landscape of Flavors at the Art of Animation Resort.
Landscape of Flavors took Walt Disney World by storm when it opened a couple of years ago. It was similar to other value resort counter service spots and food courts, in that it offered quick service food from various stations. But right from the start, Landscape of Flavors offered fresh flavors and customizable options that set it apart.
And with it, there came a bit of a wait.
Today, we’re heading back to see what is the same, what has changed, and if the wait times for food that we feared have come to pass.
Let’s head in!
One of the most interesting things about Landscape of Flavors is its entrance. You actually access the restaurant through the Ink and Paint Gift Shop.
You Shop Your Way Through the Ink and Paint Shop to Get to Landscape of Flavors
Go past the wares, and here you are!
Landscape of Flavors Sign
Seating is ample, to say the least. More than 500 spots await you once you receive your food, and there are more tables and chairs outside.
Seating
The beautiful lights overhead are painted to represent scenes from each of the four films highlighted at the resort: Finding Nemo, Cars, Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.
Overhead Lights
I know that was a pretty quick tour of the surroundings, but I promise you there’s a lot to look at in the ordering area! So let’s get to it.
Like many other Disney food court-type counter service spots (think Everything Pop or Sunshine Seasons), Landscape of Flavors offers different stations for different types of food. The difference here is that the options have an international flair that’s a little more interesting than some other spots.
But don’t worry; there are flavors to appeal to picky and discriminating eaters alike.
During breakfast, stations change up with morning meal options. Today, we’re taking a look at a few of the stations you’ll find for lunch and dinner. I was visiting for lunch at the time.
The name of the game here is customization! Nearly everything can be made according to what you like. You can order a custom salad from the Salad Station.
Salad Station
I absolutely love their Create Your Own Pasta Station! I had one of my favorite meals here on a recent trip.
Create Your Own Pasta Station
I also snapped a picture of the [Read more…]
We’re sharing another great tip from our critically-acclaimed e-Book, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2014!
Today, we’re talking about a common conundrum: How do you satisfy all of the people, all of the time?
We’ve all been there. You have a picky eater in your group. No problem, right? Hamburgers, pizza, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets are all available throughout the parks and resorts.
But where do you go when you have both picky and adventurous eaters among your number?
How about a buffet or food court?
Disney excels at offering some truly interesting, all you care to eat options and food court choices, where the picky and the persnickety can both find satisfying options. Let’s check out a couple.
in Disney’s Animal Kingdom is one of our favorite stops for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The restaurant features a wonderful spread of African-inspired food. And at breakfast and lunch, you also have the added benefit of a character dining experience!
Goofy Strikes at Pose at Tusker House in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
If you’re feeling adventurous, start your meal off with the interesting array of Chutneys and Spreads, before moving on to interesting house specialties like Bobotie or Potato and Pea Samosas.
Beef Bobotie at Tusker House
And lovers of food and pickier eaters alike are [Read more…]
So, I’m strolling through Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation during my recent Walt Disney World trip. I can never pass up a visit here!
Now, remember when I told you about the shockingly yummo Strawberry Cheesecake at Electric Umbrella? It’s part of the “dessert in a cup” genre of counter service desserts you’ll find throughout the parks. But it’s actually pretty good.
AND…do you remember when I told you about the Frozen Cheesecake on a Stick in Disneyland? Just when I didn’t think they could make cheesecake any more interesting or delicious, they popped it on a stick and gave it the deep freeze — perfect for a stroll-and-eat treat.
Well…Walt Disney World has obviously gotten the memo. Because check out what I just found!
Yep — you guessed it — they’ve taken the Strawberry Cheesecake, popped it out of the cup, and made something altogether new. It’s Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake, Dipped in Chocolate, and served on a Mickey Swirly Straw.
Frozen Strawberry Cheesecake on a Straw
So there are a few positives about this. [Read more…]
For this round of “What’s New,” we’re heading to three Disney World parks and five Resorts to check out candy apples, menu changes, comfort foods, and oodles of cold drinks to help you cool down in hot temperatures! Welcome back to “What’s New!”
Magic Kingdom rang in the summer with the 24-Hour Rock Your Disney Side event. Several treats debuted that day, which were originally intended to be around just for those 24 hours; but a few made the cut to stick around a little longer, including these eye-catching Maleficent Krispy Treats and cake pops found in the Main Street Confectionery and Big Top Treats.
Maleficent Cake Pops and Krispy Treats
If you followed our coverage that day, you may have seen the Sunshine Tree Terrace’s Orange Bird join the candy apple ranks as well, but just in case you missed it, here he is!
Orange Bird Candy Apples
He’s too cute to not show twice 😉 !
Orange Bird Caramel Apple
And at Main Street Bakery, the Olaf the Snowman Carrot Cake Cupcake remains, alongside a Frozen-themed one as well.
Olaf Cupcake
Frozen Cupcake
In Liberty Square, Columbia Harbour House is offering two new dinner-only comfort foods: Seafood Macaroni & Cheese and Chicken Pot Pie. You can read our review here!
Columbia Harbour House
Seafood Macaroni and Cheese
Full entree
added a great-sounding choice to their list of entrees: a Beef Brisket Onion Burger.
Plaza sign
Plaza Entrees
At Tony’s Town Square, guests can now choose a Seasonal and Sustainable Fresh Catch Salad. And at lunch, a Meatball Trio has replaced the Meatball Sliders.
Tony’s Sign
Tony’s Town Square Lunch Menu
is serving up a new Cherry Slush topped with Lemon-Lime Fomz.
Cherry Slush at Cosmic Ray’s
Cherry Slush topped with Lemon Lime Fomz
Read more about it (and the mystery that is “Fomz”) by clicking here!
The Refreshment Cool Post (found in the Africa Outpost as you stroll around World Showcase) is offering a few summer treats: Pineapple and Coconut Frozen Yogurt (served solo or swirled together) and a Mango Rum Smoothie featuring African Starr Rum. Check out our review of the new Frozen Yogurt flavors here!
Refreshment Cool Post
Pineapple Coconut Swirl Frozen Yogurt
A couple of really fun new adult beverages have arrived in Animal Kingdom!
Head over to Asia’s Drinkwallah for a Coconut-Lychee Lemonade with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum. We’ll have a review on the blog soon!
Drinkwallah
Drinkwallah Menu
Or if you’ve really got to tame your sweet tooth, try [Read more…]
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