food IS a theme park
The Disney Springs Christmas Tree Trail made its debut last year. Fitting, since 2016 was the year that Disney Springs celebrated its Grand Opening from the area’s transformation from Downtown Disney.
Christmas Tree Trail sign
And, just like Disney Springs itself, the Holiday Christmas Tree Trail itself has expanded this year, too! Last year’s Trail featured 15 Christmas Trees, themed to Disney films and characters.
Three words: Buttermilk Chess Pie.
And three more: The Polite Pig. That’s where you’ll find it!
The Polite Pig is a fast-casual dining location serving up “modern barbecue” in the Town Center neighborhood of Disney Springs. It’s got a fantastic pedigree, being owned and operated by James Beard-nominated James and Julie Petrakis and James’ brother Brian — all of whom own restaurants in Winter Park and Orlando.
One of their restaurants — The Ravenous Pig — is The Polite Pig’s hungry older sister. And the reputation earned by that restaurant followed to the smaller Disney Springs location. And if you’re wondering where the politeness comes in, it’s everywhere.
The Polite Pig Insists
Even on the walls!
The Polite Pig decor story is an eclectic mix of polished subway tile, industrial lights and rails, and colorful wood. It’s definitely the kind of place where you feel like you can kick back and relax. [Read more…]
Gingerbread displays at Walt Disney World
have become such an exciting part of the holiday celebrations that guests can literally plan an entire day around seeing them all. (We even include some tips on how to do so in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays!)
2016 Grand Floridian Gingerbread Store
And it is not hard to see why! Gingerbread is done bigger and better at the Disney Resorts, with literally HUNDREDS of pounds of ingredients being shaped and engineered — you might even say “imagineered” — in unbelievable ways that you just have to see with your own eyes! [Read more…]
We don’t know the opening date for Terralina Crafted Italian… yet.
Construction walls around Terralina Crafted Italian
But we do know a few things about this new restaurant coming soon to Disney Springs! Terralina is replacing what was once Portobello Country Italian Trattoria. Fortunately, Chef Tony Mantuano — James Beard Award Winner — is returning from Portobello to create Terralina’s menu, and will be joined once more by Chef Justin Plank who will run the kitchen.
We got word about Maria & Enzo’s (formerly rumored to be “Mario & Enzo’s) in August — it’s an Italian Trattoria that will be located adjacent to the upcoming Edison Complex this winter. Today, we’re excited to report that not only has Maria & Enzo’s been confirmed, but there is MORE news to share about restaurant and bar concepts coming to the location!
The Edison Complex construction
The three restaurants will form a complete complex, but each will feature their own unique menus, with a focus on Italian cuisine. Like The Edison, the concepts are being created by the Patina Restaurant Group (PRG).
You all know that my love of Sprinkles knows no bounds.
What may surprise you, though, is that this has just as much to do with the non-cupcake items as much as the famous Sprinkles Cupcakes. From Frosting Shots to Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches (have you SEEN my brownie, cookie, and Cap’n Crunch cereal ice cream creation?!?), there’s a LOT to dig once you step inside Sprinkles. But you’ve gotta bypass the Cupcake ATM for that… or just make a plan to stop by again later ;-D.
So today, I thought I’d share a little bit of both with you from my most recent trip to Sprinkles. So, we’ll check out some classic Sprinkles cupcakes (in a bit of a new way) AND a killer cookie. (Remember that you’ll find Sprinkles on both coasts — in Disney World’s Disney Springs, and in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney. Most menu items are found in both locations.)
Sprinkles
Seriously, you can always find something to satisfy your sweet tooth. And with lots of still-new stuff at Disney Springs, you’ll want to be over there anyway. (Plus, the holidays in Disney Springs are sure to be a massive hit in 2017, with ten new additions to Christmas Tree Trail and Santa in his Chalet!!)
Let’s cover the cupcakes first. Because when you’re standing before the glorious case of perfectly coiffed cupcakes at Sprinkles and not sure you can pick just one, the Cupcake Minis are a fabulous option. At $2 each, you can mix and match and get three for just over the price of one full-size cupcake. That’s what I did. Because more cupcakes is always better.
While the Dia de Los Muertos celebration continues in Disneyland with the new Plaza de la Familia seasonal event, Disney World is gearing up for its own taste of the festival with the Disney Pixar’s ‘Coco’ Family Celebration coming to Disney Springs!
©Disney
Starting Friday, October 27th, the Celebration — a “family friendly fiesta” — will run through November 26th. From 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm daily, Disney Springs guests will enjoy themed music, food, and decor inspired by the upcoming film, Coco. The movie will follow Coco and Hector on a journey through the Land of the Dead.
Just head to Exposition Park on the West Side of Disney Springs. Yep, that’s the home of the Disney Springs Food Trucks, and that’s where Springs’ Street Tacos Food Truck (formerly Namaste Cafe) will be serving Vanilla Flan along with their regular taco menu for the celebration. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings will also feature kid-specific activities like face-painting.
So get ready for the celebration if you’re heading to Disney Springs! And, no matter where you are, get ready for Coco when the film is released on November 22nd!
If you’re celebrating Halloween at Walt Disney World and you’re also a grown up who likes to try new things, Paddlefish in Disney Springs has exactly what you’re after. It’s called the Dark and Smoky, and it’s creeptacular.
Dark and Smoky Set Up
Now, you might be thinking, “Wait. What? That’s not dark OR smoky!” Stay with me. Because this drink is a trick before it’s a treat. The concoction of Mezcal and Pumpkin Spice Syrup is innocent enough. But beside it lays a sliver of darkness. [Read more…]
Care to join us for some honey, Honey 🙂 ? Then check out Savannah Bee Company with us!
Savannah Bee Company
Located near The Ganachery in The Landing of Disney Springs, Savannah Bee Company is an eco-friendly store selling all-natural honey!
Hey Guys! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and since Disney World is synonymous with SNACKING for us here at the DFB, we’ve got EVEN MORE Disney Snacks for you to check out to start your week off right!
No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream
Yes, we’ve covered Disney Snacks on our DFB YouTube Channel before. But there are SO MANY snacks to take in that we can’t possibly cover them all in just a video or two! So you should check out our newest installment and see if your favorite snack made our latest list! (And I’ll give you just one spoiler: the No Way Jose has landed on this one!) [Read more…]
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