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Rumor: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Possibly Coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House

Are Dining Packages for the Rivers of Light nighttime spectacular coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House Restaurant?

Learn About:Tusker House Restaurant

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

It sure looks like it, if you have an Android device at least. Allow me to explain…

Currently, menus for Advance Dining Reservations for Rivers of Light Dining Packages are appearing on the My Disney Experience app on Android devices, though the meals are not bookable at this time.

(We assume these would operate the same as Dining Packages for Fantasmic! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: guests make a specific package reservation for a restaurant that offers Dining Packages, where the set price for your package meal also reserves those in your dining party seats at a select showing of the event).

Before the iFolks out there begin to worry, I want to stress again that these reservations are currently non-bookable. And, in fact, no official debut date has been announced for the new nighttime spectacular coming to Animal Kingdom. So these Dining Packages are, at this point, still speculation as well. But here are a few screenshots as they are displaying on android devices, so you can check it out…

Rivers of Light Dining Package options screenshots

You’ll notice that choices — at this time — come up as Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner for the first, second, or third viewing of the evening (which supports rumors that up to three showings of the spectacular per evening are possible). [Read more…]

Rumor: Is Star Wars Ice Cream Coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk?

By AJ 11 Comments

Well, if you’re bummed that Seashore Sweets has closed, removing your option for ice cream on Disney’s BoardWalk in Walt Disney World, then you may want to pay attention to this… umm, scoop.

Seashore Sweets

According to the folks at wdwmagic.com, it seems that Ample Hills Creamery products might be served in a new ice cream shop coming to the former location of the ESPN Club Arcade (the ESPN Club is still open, but the arcade section has been closed). [Read more…]

Review: Specialty Waffles at Roaring Fork in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By AJ 10 Comments

We’re starting the day with waffles, waffles, and MORE waffles at the Roaring Fork!

Learn About:Roaring Fork

Disney World Restaurants

Oh, and did I mention they’re MICKEY WAFFLES?

Now, we’re no strangers to Roaring Fork, the Counter Service restaurant at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Typically, though, we’re taking a look at their bakery case, which is known for adding some terrific cupcakes to the Disney Cupcake realm. Through the years, those have included the Carrot Cake Cupcake, the Chocolate Caramel Cupcake, and the S’mores Cupcake. And the Magic Cookie Bar, while not a cupcake, is certainly no slouch of a dessert.

But Roaring Fork has another claim to fame, thanks to a selection of Mickey Waffles available throughout the morning. And though they aren’t technically desserts like their bakery case counterparts (Captain Obvious says “You’re welcome” for pointing that out ;-D), each of the three selections offer, in their own ways, a decadent start to your day at Disney World.

So get ready to step in with me and say “Good morning!” to the Roaring Fork!

Atmosphere

The Roaring Fork naturally echoes the rustic Pacific Northwest vibe of its home, Wilderness Lodge.

Roaring Fork sign

The decor is so in keeping with the rest of the Lodge that the most surprising thing about Roaring Fork is not so much the ambience, but the size. Just a couple of ordering counters, refrigerators, and a place to refill your Rapid Fill Mugs make up the whole of the place. [Read more…]

News: Menu Details for Tiffins Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By AJ 11 Comments

Disney has kept most the the details of Tiffins Restaurant firmly under wraps. We can’t wait to hear more about this signature dining location, which is scheduled to open at Disney’s Animal Kingdom later this year!

Artist’s Rendering of Tiffins Restaurant ©Disney

While we await more news of both the design of the restaurant and the food they’ll be serving, we’re excited to share with you a first peek and a few impressions about some of the dishes! [Read more…]

Recommended Disney Dining Plan Quick Service Credit Values

By AJ 15 Comments

We are back with the final installment in our popular series sharing our picks for the Top Value Restaurants when it comes to using your Disney Dining Plan in Walt Disney World.

Previously, we shared our recommendations for the Recommended Disney Dining Plan Two-Credit Restaurants as well as our choices for Recommended Disney Dining Plan One-Credit Restaurant Values.

Today, we’re sharing our recommendations for Quick Service Restaurants when you’re using the Disney Dining Plan.

Remember — the name of the game here is finding the restaurants that hit the right balance: they have 1) a high average entree price, but they’re also 2) spots that we here at DFB would recommend.

Why is this important? Because we want to help you maximize those Disney Dining Plan Quick Service Credits. Note that we have plenty of our own favorites that don’t make this list because the average price didn’t put them at the top.

Here are our picks for the restaurants that give you the best overall bang for your Disney Dining Plan buck when it comes to quick service credit spots.

Wolfgang Puck Express

has been around forever, it seems. But one thing doesn’t change — even after all of these years, it still represents amazing quality and value, whether you’re dining on the DDP or not.

Wolfgang Puck Express Roast Chicken — One of My All-Time Favorites

That’s because the food here is easily on par with many table service spots. And when you consider that the average price of an entree here is just over $13, it also makes a lot of sense to spend your DDP credits here. [Read more…]

News: Disney Star Wars Land Restaurant Details and Concept Art!

By AJ 11 Comments

So, did ya catch The Wonderful World of Disney special celebrating the 60th Anniversary of Disneyland last night with your Mickey Ears proudly strapped to your head (or was that just me?)?

If so, then you may have seen Harrison Ford introduce new concept art for Star Wars Land! We were especially excited to see that these included a few renderings for dining options coming when Star Wars Lands open in both Disney World and Disneyland.

Star Wars Land Concept Art

After the D23 Expo this past Summer, we previewed a few of these experiences for you in this Disney Star Wars Land Cantina post, but now we have even more details! (And we made our case way back in 2013 for WHY Disney needed a Cantina here!)

Star Wars Land Concept Art

It all went by pretty fast, so here’s a chance to feast your eyes on some of the images a little longer. While we hope to have higher resolution images to share soon, here’s a batch of pics taken straight from the ol’ telly. [Read more…]

#OnTheList: Cotton-Top Tamarin Cupcake at Animal Kingdom’s Creature Comforts

By AJ 1 Comment

This post is part of the DFB #OnTheList series, where we feature eats you’ve GOT to have while you’re at Disney! Let us know what’s on YOUR Disney Food Bucket List @DisneyFoodBlog #OnTheList!

This Animal Kingdom park native now has a second home… on our Disney Food Bucket List! The Cotton-Top Tamarin Cupcake is #OnTheList this week!

#OnTheList: Cotton-Top Tamarin Cupcake!

When this cute cupcake made our “You Won’t Believe This!” snack list, its home was the Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery. These days, you can find it pretty exclusively at Creature Comforts, the Animal Kingdom Starbucks location.

[Read more…]

News! 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Menus!

By AJ 3 Comments

We have big news from Epcot today!

The 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menus are Finally Here!

With less than two weeks to go before the opening of the 2016 Flower and Garden Festival, we have the full list of menus for the super popular Outdoor Kitchens! Mark your calendars — the Festival lasts from March 2 through May 30.

These Outdoor Kitchens, which are similar to Marketplace Booths that dominate the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, feature delicious small plates and all kinds of refreshing beverages that allow you to taste fresh flavors from the garden.

Cinderella Topiary at the Flower and Garden Festival

We’ve Loved This Violet Lemonade!

There are lots and lots of new things to try. A brand new Outdoor Kitchen will debut in 2016. La Isla Fresca will feature food and drink with Caribbean flair.

And we’re excited to see plenty of our favorites return, like the Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños from the Smokehouse Outdoor Kitchen!

Beef Brisket Burnt Ends Hash with White Cheddar Fondue and Pickled Jalapeños from the Smokehouse Outdoor Kitchen

Although we said goodbye to Buttercup Cottage, the UK-inspired Outdoor Kitchen, in 2015, we have great news! The Cider House, which features a menu similar to Buttercup, will join the lineup this year! Find this new spot in the UK Pavilion. [Read more…]

Friday Happy Hour: Beet, and Blood Orange Margaritas at Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila

By AJ and the DFB Team 9 Comments

Looking for a unique margarita? Well, look no further than La Cava del Tequila!

Learn About:La Cava del Tequila

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Tucked inside Epcot’s gorgeous Mexico Pavilion, this cozy tequila house was once considered something of a hidden gem. While it’s definitely still a gem, it can no longer really be considered “hidden,” judging by the lines that can easily extend out the door. In fact, these lines were likely part of the recent change in hours for La Cava, which now opens at 11:30 am (as opposed to the previous Noon opening). AND you can grab a quick ‘rita after Illuminations if you’d like; closing time has now been extended to 9:30 pm.

La Cava has well-earned a solid reputation for its impressive selection of tequila, some freaking amazing Queso, and a staff with passion and knowledge about all things related to tequila as well as creative margarita concoctions.

And what’s better than a margarita from La Cava? Why, that would be TWO margaritas from La Cava!

So join me as I try an old favorite — the Blood Orange Margarita — along with a newer selection that was just begging for a taste test: the Beet Margarita.

La Cava del Tequila

But first… remember those lines I mentioned? These days, this joint is pretty much always jumpin’… the shot below serves as an example of the packed house on my recent visit. [Read more…]

Imagineering Fun: Construction Walls in Disney’s Hollywood Studios (This Post is Not as Boring as it Sounds in the Title)

By AJ and the DFB Team 9 Comments

Okay, let’s face it: construction walls covering up refurbishment areas in Disney World are something we’re pretty used to seeing. They cover everything from the upcoming Frozen Ever After attraction in the former home of Epcot’s Maelstrom to Avatar Land in Animal Kingdom to the ongoing transformation of Disney Springs, and then some.

Walls outside of Planet Hollywood’s refurbishment in Disney Springs

And we’re bound to spot more and more very soon as Disney’s Hollywood Studios expands to add both Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land.

[Read more…]

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Rumor: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Possibly Coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House

Rumor: Is Star Wars Ice Cream Coming to Disney World’s BoardWalk?