Polynesian Resort | the disney food blog

The Evolution of the Kona Kone!

Happy Memorial Day! It’s time to talk ICE CREAM!

I’ve got some interesting news for those of you who lurve the Kona Kone at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort!

Now, if you don’t know what a Kona Kone is, this is what it used to look like…

Past Life of the Kona Kone...when it was actually a cone

A real cone, stuffed with ice cream, topped with sprinkles and a little chocolate Mickey, and surrounded by clouds of fluffy cotton candy.

But apparently that long-standing favorite needed a change — and they’ve made some updates…

NOW, they’ve taken away the [Read more…]

News! Spirit of Aloha Dinner Menu Update at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By Kim LaPaglia 27 Comments

You’ll find south seas flavors at the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show featured at Disney’s Polynesian Resort! And we’ve heard about a few menu updates!

The Luau-style feast offers all-you-care-to-eat goodies along with a Hawaiian themed dinner show on the stage in front of you.

Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show Menu Updates

We got word recently of some menu changes and updates, which don’t sound half-bad! Here are the deets… [Read more…]

56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets from Disney Food Blog

By AJ 94 Comments

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…]

The Most Popular Disney World Restaurants (and Alternatives When They’re Full)

By AJ 29 Comments

Many Disney guests agree that the most important Disney Dining Tips lists include one specific piece of advice:

Making Advance Dining Reservations is an absolute must when it comes to planning.

While many seasoned Disney travelers are aware of this, there are lots of folks who visit the parks and are stunned to find no tables available at their top restaurant choices. Don’t worry, it happens to all of us at one time or another…and we’ve got solutions for you!

Today, we’ve updated our list of the most popular Disney restaurants and terrific alternatives if you can’t score a table at your coveted spot!

Let’s take a look at the most elusive restaurants to book these days…

Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant

Scoring an Advanced Dining Reservation at Be Our Guest Restaurant for their table service dinner can be a daunting task.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Ballroom Dining Room

From the time that they first announced the restaurant’s soft opening until now, we have heard from many readers who haven’t been able to secure a spot at Magic Kingdom’s other castle restaurant (the first being Cinderella’s Royal Table, of course!). Here are a couple of reasons why:

Newness: The biggest reason for this remains the relative novelty of the place. Be Our Guest and all of New Fantasyland are still a hot ticket in Walt Disney World since the expanded land’s grand opening in December 2012.

Incredible, Immersive Themeing: The impeccable themeing means that stepping into Beast’s Castle is truly like climbing through a portal into Beauty and the Beast (the original or the live-action version!). You almost expect to look down and find your plate come to life!

The Grey Stuff — It’s Delicious!

Novelty: The French-inspired cuisine that’s served at Be Our Guest is unlike anything else available in all of Magic Kingdom. In addition, Be Our Guest was the first place in formerly-dry Magic Kingdom to order beer and wine, and that added to the location’s novelty.

So, what to do if you can’t get a reservation at Be Our Guest? [Read more…]

News! Menu Updates at Disney Restaurants

By Kim LaPaglia 8 Comments

It’s that time of year again!! Disney World restaurants are updating menus left and right!

Thankfully, we have wonderful readers who help keep us all up-to-date with these changes. Here are a few of the updates… . And stay tuned for our review of the NEW Le Cellier Steakhouse menu coming up soon!

Beaches & Cream

According to a server, menu changes took place approximately two weeks ago at the Beach Club’s Beaches & Cream Soda Shop. Check out the addition of a Vegetarian Falafel on flatbread which replaces the Grilled Vegetable Sandwich.

Beaches and Cream Menu. Click image for larger version.

Here’s a pic of the new Falafel sandwich, thanks to ThatMattLynn on twitter!

Falafel Sandwich at Beaches and Cream

Also, prep for a Kitchen Sink Sundae price increase by $2 — it now costs $28.99. Thanks to Brent Hannon for the info!

Ice Cream Menu at Beaches and Cream. Click image for larger version.

Artist Point

Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has a few menu updates this Spring, according to DFB reader Elyssa Henry!

She says, “My husband and I just ate at Artist Point for the first time and it was AMAZING! Thanks for the previous reviews. They helped guide our choices. I also wanted to let you know that they just added two items to the menu and our server, Paul, told us tonight was their debut.”

Artist Point Cedar Plank Salmon

It sounds like the Wild Columbia River Cedar Plank Roasted King Salmon is back on the menu, and there’s also a seasonal dessert to sample: pistachio coffee cake and sea salted caramel vanilla panna cotta.

Kona Cafe

The Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe has a new dinner menu, which features a new cheese plate as an appetizer.

For entrees, a pan-seared chicken with [Read more…]

What’s Your Disney “First Day Tradition?”

By AJ 171 Comments

It’s time to talk Disney trip traditions!!! Over the years, my “first day at Disney” traditions have changed and evolved. But there’s nothing like looking forward to that thing you love to do first when you get to Disney World or Disneyland.

So my question for you today is this: Do you have a favorite “Welcome to Disney” tradition that you always look forward to? Let us know in the comments below — I might just have to change mine once I get inspired by a few of yours!

In the interest of fairness, I’ll share one of mine, too… 🙂

Take a Deep Breath and Enjoy the View

One of my favorite “first night traditions” in Disney World is shaking off the stress of travel with a deep breath and a relaxing view. The best place to do this in my opinion? Disney’s Polynesian Resort!

I usually choose one of two options once I get there: Either lounge in a comfy, wicker chair at the Tambu Lounge, or head to ‘Ohana for a sunset dinner! (And sometimes I do both!)

Tambu Sign

“The Poly” offers lots of choices for [Read more…]

Top 5 Disney Dessert Recipes!

By AJ 22 Comments

I know you’ve got a big event planned soon and you’re looking for the perfect recipe to try out…right?

OK, even if you’re not, I think today’s post might inspire you to start planning a dinner party! Let’s check out my top 5 favorite Disney dessert recipes! Which ones have you sampled in the parks?

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding at ‘Ohana

Alrighty — it’s time to start out with a BANG! There are few things that I love to eat in all of Disney World more than the Bread Pudding at ‘Ohana.

This Polynesia-meets-churrascaria restaurant can be somewhat unpredictable in terms of quality. But one thing is always certain: the dessert is PERFECT. Seriously…every single time!

The bread pudding is served warm with a heaping scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, and the most incredible sauce ever. I could easily eat a bowl full of it.

Bananas Foster Bread Pudding at 'Ohana

It was a happy day when I discovered the ‘Ohana bread pudding recipe, and with it, the power to make this one at home!

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake at Liberty Tree Tavern

Say what you will about Liberty Tree Tavern, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is a must-order!

While Liberty Tree Tavern dinner is served family style and consists of roasted meats and traditional sides, lunch features an a la carte menu…and it’s awesome. There are many dishes on the menu that I look forward to having when I visit, but I never leave without ordering dessert, and it’s always Ooey-Gooey Toffee Cake!

Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake at Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

Less a cake and more like a rich, shallow, muffin-shaped chocolate chip cookie, I fell in love with this treat the first time I tasted it! And I could have kicked myself for having passed on it before then. The flavor combo of [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Dole Whips!

By AJ 8 Comments

It’s getting hot out there, my friends, and it’s time to start talking Dole Whips.

Today, we feature this perennial Disney Foodie fan favorite through the lens of our awesome readers who post on our Flickr Disney Photo Food Extravaganza!

Dole Whip Vanilla Swirl

One of the things I love best about Dole Whips is that there are so many awesome ways to enjoy them. Here, photographer Kelly Tressler has captured one great way to enjoy the treat – swirled with vanilla soft serve!

Photographer: Kelly Tressler

Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip from Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom

We’re gonna assume Kelly snapped this pic at Magic Kingdom, where Aloha Isle in Adventureland is the place to grab this refreshing treat.

Dole Whip Float for Two

Next, we move into new drink+snack territory! Behold, the Dole Whip Float.

Photographer: Mandy Jansen

Dole Whip Float for Two

But the real question is…would you share? Mandy Jansen looks to be [Read more…]

Guest Review: PB&J Cupcake at Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By AJ 6 Comments

Welcome Guest Author, Wendy, with a review of the PB&J Cupcake at Captain Cook’s Snack Company in the Polynesian Resort. Classic PB&J lovers — this one’s for you!

Learn About:Captain Cook’s

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

I was on the hunt for the Chocolate Beer cupcake at Captain Cook’s, which sounded heavenly when I learned about it on the Disney Food Blog.

That article also mentioned the PB&J cupcake… though at the time I was too distracted by the words “chocolate” and “pretzels” and “beer” to take much notice.

Alas, on my recent visit the Chocolate Beer Pretzel was unavailable. So after about five minutes of staring at it through the case (I have to admit, I wasn’t sure about this one), I grabbed the PB&J Cupcake.

PB&J Cupcake in Bakery Case

PB&J Cupcake

A vanilla cake base topped with white vanilla frosting, the “PB” is in the chips on top -— and they don’t skimp! I was able to taste peanut butter in every bite.

PB&J Cupcake Close-Up

So, where is the “J”? It’s all in the middle. Sorry, strawberry jam fans -— this is GRAPE JELLY all the way!

Jelly in PB&J Cupcake

I had assumed, what with the GIGANTIC pile of sweet vanilla frosting over the cake base, that the PB&J flavors would almost be an accent, or even an afterthought.

But, not at all… in fact, it was hard to [Read more…]

Best Disney World Restaurants for First Time Disney Visitors

By AJ 212 Comments

UPDATED May 23, 2024

Everyday we receive lots of messages from you, our awesome DFB readers, asking for restaurant suggestions and recommendations. And while we certainly have our favorites, we know that you do, too!

So when a Disney first-time visitor asked what restaurants we would recommend for their upcoming trip, we couldn’t think of a better panel of experts to ask than YOU!

When I originally put the question out on the Disney Food Blog Facebook page, I was overwhelmed by the huge and immediate response that I got! (P.S. And we update this post regularly to make sure we’re still giving you the BEST and most up-to-date recommendations!)

Let’s take a look at your recommendations for the restaurants first timers must experience on that inaugural Walt Disney World trip!

If you have other thoughts or ideas — or, better yet, stories of your favorite restaurants during a first-time visit — please share them with all of us in the comments section! More suggestions are always better!

[Read more…]

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED

The Evolution of the Kona Kone!

News! Spirit of Aloha Dinner Menu Update at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show Menu Updates