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2013 Holiday Snacking Around the World!

Merry Christmas from DFB! It’s the most wonderful time of the year at Walt Disney World… and we’ve got the goodies to prove it!

Just take a look at some of your favorite snack stops around the World! From Magic Kingdom’s Big Top Treats and Main Street’s Confectionary, to Downtown Disney’s Candy Cauldron and Goofy’s Candy Company, to Sweet Spells at Hollywood Studios… signs of the season are everywhere :).

2013 Holiday Bakery Case

I’m loving these gorgeous Candy Apples, created to look like ornaments!

The merry Mickey and Minnie Candy Apples are back this year, too, as is the Snowman.

Holiday Minnie and Mickey Candy Apples

Holiday Candy Apples -- the full line-up!

Krispy Treats take a festive turn with Santa Hats… and how cute are the glittering marshmallow pom-poms?

Santa Krispy Treats

Even the pretzel rods and a few of the marshmallow wands have a touch of holiday spirit!

Pretzel Rods at Big Top Treats

Decorated Marshmallow Wands

The Cake Pop trend shows no signs of slowing down. Snowmen and Reindeer Cake Pops steal the show this year.

[Read more…]

Disney Recipe from the Vault: French Toast Loaf from Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery

By AJ 8 Comments

Sigh. We just hate it when our favorite foods fall off the menus of top spots around Walt Disney World. Sure, it’s awesome to see new things. But can’t we just keep them all???

I’ve been feeling a little nostalgic lately, and that, coupled with the chilly temps that everyone is experiencing…well, that has me dreaming of comfort food, big time. So today, I thought I’d share with you a recipe for one of my favorite Disney breakfast items of all time — French Toast Loaf from Main Street Bakery!

French Toast Loaf from the Main Street Bakery

I love this one so much, in fact, that I named it one of my Most Missed Extinct Disney Foods! (The Cheese came back…maybe this one will too!)

While it’s great that many coffee lovers can now get a great cup of Starbucks coffee on the way to it’s a small world, I do miss all the lovely treats that you used to get here. Time to get into the kitchen and make a few for myself, I’m thinking!

Main Street Bakery’s French Toast Loaf

Yield: 7 servings

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Coffee!

By AJ 2 Comments

Aaaaaahhhh…Coffee

. Some of us simply can’t get the old motor cranking in the morning without it! And there have been some changes to the coffee world in Disney parks these days!

We thought it would be fun to show off some of the pictures that YOU have captured of java in our regular feature, Disney Food Pics of the Week. Thanks to those readers who shared with us a little of their Disney trip by posting on Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr group!

If you’d like to get in on the fun, head over to Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza on Flickr and join the group. We’d love to see even more of your great food shots! Let’s see what you’ve found!

Iced Pumpkin Spiced Latte at Main Street Bakery

The real victory for many coffee lovers at Disney parks has been the opening of Starbucks in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World. The first location opened at Walt Disney World transformed fan favorite Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom to a mix of part bakery, part retro coffee shop.

While reviews have been a somewhat mixed, many guests are super happy to stroll down Main Street USA with their favorite Seasonal Iced Latte in hand!

Photographer: ernobrn0918

Pumpkin Spice Latte from Main Street Bakery

Vacuum Pot Coffee at Victoria & Albert’s

But then, if you are looking for the most prestigious pot of coffee anywhere in all of Walt Disney World…well, you just knew it would be Victoria & Albert’s that delivered, right?

This is coffee as theater, my friends, and it’s just as dramatic and delicious as it looks.

Photographer: Spikey1967

Cona Vacuum Pot from Victoria and Albert's

Press Pot Coffee From Kouzzina

Kouzzina

is Chef Cat Cora’s Greek-leaning restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn. In relatively short order, this [Read more…]

Recipe: Glazed Almonds from Walt Disney World

By AJ 15 Comments

I know you can use a fantastic recipe right about now for holiday noshing and gift-giving! Well, look no further than these killer Glazed Almonds!

You know ’em. Because when you’re in the parks, you can smell them before you even see them. Rich, warm, and spicy-sweet, they are an awesome snack option when you’re looking for a little punch of protein between FastPasses!

Cinnamon Glazed Almonds

These are addictive, delicious, and a must-have on your holiday snack table. You’re welcome. ;-D

Disney World Glazed Almonds

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients:
1/3 cup butter
2 egg whites [Read more…]

Disney World and Disneyland Thanksgiving Treats!

By Wendy 4 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving (tomorrow), DFB Readers! Maybe you are having a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Or, if you’re spending your holiday in a Disney park, perhaps you’ve made an Advanced Dining Reservation at one of the Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving.

Well, be sure to leave a little room, because Disney World and Disneyland have some extra treats out this week for Thanksgiving guests :).

Disney World Thanksgiving Treats

Hollywood Studios has topped this Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Icing at several counter-service locations

throughout the park!

Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Icing

I snagged one at my favorite spot for cupcakes in the Studios: Starring Rolls Cafe. This is a very lightly spiced pumpkin cake topped with an intensely maple-flavored frosting, dusted with crushed walnuts and topped with a milk chocolate pumpkin.

Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Icing

Seriously – the frosting tastes JUST like maple syrup!! It’s also very dense. I was impressed with the flavor, but found it to be very sweet. After a few bites it was a little much, so I’d recommend sharing this one.

Inside the Pumpkin Cupcake with Maple Icing

If you’re craving something a little stronger ;), stop by Tune-In Lounge or High Octane Refreshments and check out one of the specialty cocktails mixed for the holiday: a Smoked Turkey or a Spiced Jack (with a Graham Cracker Crust rim). [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Disney Pretzels!

By AJ 5 Comments

We are back with another installment of Disney Food Pics of the Week! It’s so much fun to pop in on the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr group, and see what you guys have posted!

Today, I found some awesome pics over there of one of my favorite snack foods — Pretzels! But not just any pretzels…Disney Pretzels!

We all have our favorites — made from scratch soft pretzels in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion…sweet cream cheese or jalapeno cheese stuffed (awesomeness!)…or those killer pretzel breadsticks at Le Cellier!

There’s no shortage of interesting pretzel versions in the ‘Land and the ‘World, but wait til you see these! You’ll have a couple of brand new pretzel treats to add to your list for sure!

Mickey Pretzel

So many choices…but I couldn’t resist starting with one of my favorites, the Mickey-Shaped Pretzel! Available now on both coasts, seeing that cute/creepy little face rendered in puffy soft pretzel dough just makes me smile every. Single. Time.

Photographer: V No Privacy

Mickey Pretzel

Chocolate-Dipped Pretzel Rod with M&Ms

Stop the presses! Looking for the perfect salt + sweet combo? Ladies and gentlemen, I believe we’ve found it in this [Read more…]

News! Sleepy Hollow’s Presidential Sweet in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

By AJ 9 Comments

Headed to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World?

Learn About:Sleepy Hollow

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

You’ll always want to add a stop at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in Liberty Square to your snack itinerary! This hidden gem seems small and simple, but in fact, you’ll find some seriously unique eats here that you can’t find anywhere else in the “World!”

We love the waffle sandwiches, funnel cakes, soup, ice cream sandwiches, and more; but now you’ve got another treat to sample!

DFB friend Daniel Wanderman was wandering (I couldn’t help it!!!) around the Magic Kingdom and spotted this…

Presidential Sweet at Sleepy Hollow

Similar to the Liberty Swirl Slush, the new Presidential Sweet is made by swirling together raspberry and strawberry slushes (usually these are fanta slushes) and adding a topping of soft serve ice cream!

A toast to freedom

Fans of The American Dream at [Read more…]

Review: Tony’s Town Square at Magic Kingdom

By AJ 24 Comments

Time for a visit to a great little table service stop in the heart of all the magic — Tony’s Town Square in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Learn About:Tony’s Town Square

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

This spot has it all — Disney history, beautiful themeing, and if you play your cards right, some of the best views in the entire resort!

But while I love the restaurant itself, the food hasn’t always been the main draw in the past.

We’re checking in today for lunch to see what’s new, and if my love affair with that the patio seating remains firmly intact!

Atmosphere

Tony’s is located right on the Town Square (natch) of Magic Kingdom — as soon as you pass below the train station and enter Main Street USA. You can’t miss it.

Tony's Sign

Pass by the Town Square Theater where you can meet Mickey, and you’re there!

Tony's Entrance

Inside, you’ll check in at the hostess stand and await your table. While a walk up spot isn’t unheard of, it’s best to make an advance dining reservation here — especially if you’d like to take advantage of Tony’s biggest draw. We’ll get to that in a few minutes.

Tony's Check-In

The waiting area was given a bit of a refresh last year, when the Town Square Theater opened as the new spot for Mickey’s meet-and-greet.

The space retains its turn-of-the-century charm, but the finishes are newer. You’ll also get your first dose of the restaurant’s star characters and theme! The animated classic Lady and the Tramp plays continually on the flat screen television.

Tony's Waiting Area

Once your table is ready, you’ll be shown to one of three main seating areas. The restaurant is [Read more…]

Review: Columbia Harbour House at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By AJ 47 Comments

Today, we are enjoying lunch in one of my very favorite corners of Magic Kingdom — Columbia Harbour House!

Learn About:Columbia Harbour House

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

This restaurant is an original fixture of Magic Kingdom, although it opened way back in 1971 as Nantucket Harbour House. It was soon re-christened Columbia Harbour House, which echoes references to both Disneyland and the film 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (Pause for sigh of nostalgia.)

Without knowing better, you may be tempted to pass right by this quick service spot, thinking that it’s a garden variety bastion of fried food. But while there are some battered options here, you’ll also find some lighter fare that’s worth a closer look. (Actually, I think the fried stuff is pretty rad, too.)

Menu Posted at the Entrance

Today, we’re exploring that fabled upstairs dining room, and we’re ordering up one of the eatery’s classic combos!

Atmosphere

With its long-standing history and incredible attention to detail, Columbia Harbour House should not be dismissed as just another counter service spot.

One of the most interesting things to note about the restaurant is, in fact, its outside view. From the Liberty Square Side, it appears to fit in perfectly with its environs. It reminds me of a spot right on the harbor of some quaint New England town.

Outside View

But be sure to approach the restaurant from its Fantasyland side as well for a completely different view, which is decidedly more European. From that side, it looks like something straight out of Bavaria.

Columbia Harbour House -- Fantasyland View

Once inside, you definitely feel like you’ve [Read more…]

Guest Review: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom

By Kim LaPaglia 15 Comments

Learn About:Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Atmosphere

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café is a great counter-service option available in the Magic Kingdom. The portions are heaping and the food is pretty good (for quick-service).

In general, Cosmic Ray’s is a pretty chaotic place to eat. There are always people zooming in and out; and trying to get to the toppings bar with your tray of food is sometimes more dangerous than when Simba was running with the wildebeests.

Word of advice: if you’re traveling in a party with more than 1 person, send 1 person off to find a table for everyone!

Cosmic Ray’s Sign

It can be nuts trying to find a place to sit during busy mealtime hours. Almost as nuts-y as trying to find the entrance doors to this restaurant!

Cosmic Ray’s Seating — and Sonny Eclipse!

Something new to me was the graffiti wall in the restaurant that patrons liked writing their hometowns on! I wonder if they start fresh every day? Maybe every hour with the traffic this place gets!

Graffiti “Wall” …with very surprised photo subject!

Eats

There are three different areas, or “bays,” which people can order from; Chicken (#1), Burgers (#2), and Sandwiches (#3).

Ordering Area at Cosmic Rays

There aren’t very many main dish options at each station (4-5), but considering there are [Read more…]

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2013 Holiday Snacking Around the World!