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News! Disney Food Merchandise Coming to Downtown Disney’s Marketplace Co-op

As Downtown Disney begins its transformation in earnest to Disney Springs, there are already oodles of changes taking place. Just last week, Disney announced the closing date for Pollo Campero and NYC Babycakes in the Marketplace for March 19^th.

But we’re not just saying goodbye to things, thankfully. There are already some “hellos” on the way in the not-too-distant future! Specifically, the Marketplace Co-op — formerly Team Mickey — will open its doors in just a couple months (no official opening date yet!).

Former location of Team Mickey

Disney recently provided a glimpse at some of merchandise that will make it’s debut at this location. According to Disney, the Marketplace Co-op will feature six boutiques and “serve as a testing space” for new retail shops and products. I gotta say, the first glimpse of some of the dining and kitchen merchandise coming to the Disney Centerpiece boutique has already passed the test with me…

I love the Dole Whip air fresheners that showed up at Disney World several months ago, but now it looks like we’ll be able to bring home 3-D versions of this treasured treat in a miniature ceramic! How cute would that be on a desk or shelf? (You’ll notice right next to the Dole Whips is also a ceramic Orange Bird 🙂 .)

You know the last thing I need in my home? Another glass. Still… you know what I totally need? Those colorful Adventureland glasses… or perhaps the Aloha Isle hurricanes! What?!??!?!?!?!

Every time I look at this picture I notice something new. For instance, our friend, the Orange Bird, is perched on top of an Adventureland napkin or placemat.

I love the rest of the line inspired by Adventureland, and those nods to some of the details – and our favorite birds! – found in Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. All the plates you see in these images, by the way, are [Read more…]

News! Closing Date Announced for Pollo Campero and Babycakes NYC at Disney World’s Downtown Disney

By Brooke 70 Comments

News on the Disney Springs front!

The mega food outlet occupied by Pollo Campero, Bodie’s All-American, and Babycakes NYC has an official closing date now. The Downtown Disney Marketplace spot will shutter its doors on Wednesday, March 19.

Pollo Campero at Downtown Disney Orlando

The combo restaurant will close to make way for the continued re-imagining of the Downtown Disney area as it morphs into Disney Springs.

Speculation has abounded regarding what businesses and restaurants will survive and make it through to Disney Springs. Already we have seen the rollout of four food trucks — portending the closure of some restaurants while capitalizing on a hot trend at the same time.

Fantasy Fare Food Truck

Pollo Campero, Bodie’s All-American, and Babycakes NYC join the casualty list that also includes [Read more…]

2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Food Booth Menus, Photos, and Reviews

By AJ 33 Comments

The 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival started yesterday and runs through May 18. We now have food photos and reviews for EVERY food item (and most of the drinks!) at the 11 amazing Outdoor Kitchens! See our Overall Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Food Booths Page for details!

Simply click on the links for each booth to see photos of the booth, the full menu, and every single food item!

And the festival isn’t resting on its laurels from last year. We were in Epcot for the better part of opening day, trying lots and lots of new things! We have lots to show you, so let’s get to it!

NEW!: Urban Farm Eats

Urban Farm Eats is brand new to the festival this year. Featuring a bevy of farm fresh foods and sustainably farm-raised fish, we didn’t quite know what to expect.

Urban Farm Eats Menu

The Ghost Pepper-dusted Tilapia with Crisp Winter Melon Slaw and Mint Oil featuring The Original Sauce Man’s Kick It Up Rub was a real winner, though! The fish was cooked to perfection, and the spicy ghost pepper lent a kick to the plate.

Ghost Pepper-dusted Tilapia

The Eggplant “Scallop” wasn’t our favorite dish of the day, though. Our serving was way too salty. And even though the eggplant was a miss, the spicy Romesco sauce on the side was great!

Land-grown Eggplant “Scallop”

Huge kudos to the staff for using LAND-grown produce, though! Be sure to check out the Urban Farm Eats page for additional photos and reviews!

Intermissions Cafe

, located at the Festival Center in Future World, will open at 10 a.m. throughout the festival. It features several light and fresh food options.

Intermissions Cafe Menu

This year, they’re showcasing a fun TRYit! food item again for the kiddos — a Push Pop!

Caprese Push Pop

This year, the 1-bite treat features a traditional Caprese Salad mix — with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Balsamic Vinegar.

Pineapple Promenade

If there was one thing that we heard from plenty of you last year, it was the suggestion that Dole Whips served at the festival should be spiked with Coconut Rum. Well, guess what? Disney clearly agrees with you.

Pineapple Promenade Menu

This year’s festival debuts not one, but TWO different [Read more…]

First Look! 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival MUST-EAT Treats!

By AJ 16 Comments

We’ve been touring the 2014 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival all day, indulging in the gorgeous views and good eats! See the full menus for this year’s booths here!

As many of you remember, the Flower and Garden Festival added multiple food booths to its offerings last year. They’re all back this year — including one extra addition — to tempt the tastebuds of Springtime visitors to Epcot this time around!

Don’t forget to grab your Flower and Garden Festival passport and keep track of all the eats!

We’ll have a full review of ALL the goodies for you tomorrow, but let’s take a peek at some of the must-try items this year!

Ahhh, Epcot in the Spring.

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Waffle with Dole Whip at Pineapple Promenade

This awesome combo of sweet potato waffle and everyone’s favorite pineapple deliciousness is a must-try for Epcot guests. We were really surprised how much we enjoyed the cinnamon + pineapple combo!

Find it at the Pineapple Promenade booth at the front of the World Showcase!

Sweet Potato Cinnamon Waffle with Dole Whip

Piggylicious Cupcake at The Smokehouse

If you woke up this morning thinking you should really have bacon AND cupcakes for breakfast, well, we’ve got the ticket! Just head over to the Smokehouse booth!

This Piggylicious cupcake gives you a bacon cupcake topped with maple frosting AND pretzels! Where do the pretzels come from? Who cares? Yum. Our team says the cake has lots of salty, smoky bacon; and the cake base is less sweet than normal yellow cake.

The maple frosting is much better than we expected, and altogether, this treat really works! Pancakes and bacon in a cupcake? Shore!!

Piggylicious Cupcake — Bacon cupcake with maple frosting and pretzels

Kumquat Pie at Florida Fresh

New at the Florida Fresh booth this year, guests can partake in a Kumquat Pie!

We found the texture a [Read more…]

News! 2014 WDW Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Dates and Seminars

By AJ 17 Comments

Back by popular demand, The Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World has announced that it will hold its Fifth Annual Food and Wine Classic this Fall!

Coinciding with the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic offers even more great food and drink for Disney fans!

This event is always amazing and very well done. We can’t wait to go again this year!

2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Details

Mark your calendars for Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1, 2014. Seminars begin at 4:30 p.m. and the Causeway is open from 5:30-9:00 p.m.

Dining al fresco on the Causeway at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!

This year’s event continues the tradition of fun and informative food and beverage seminars that focus on wine, cocktails, sake, beer, pasta-making, and more. The seminars are conducted by experts in each field and last for approximately 60-90 minutes.

At 5:30, the Causeway between the Swan and Dolphin comes alive as the staff of the Resort’s award-winning restaurants host tasting booths. In addition, there is live entertainment as you sample and stroll around the beautiful grounds!

Wine Seminar at the 2012 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Seminars

You can see details on all of the 2013 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Seminars here!And new for this year, the Classic is adding a Cheese seminar!

Seminars this year include:

Wine Blending;
Let’s Make Caipirinhas!;
It’s Better to “Wine” in Italian;
TQU: Tequila University;
Base to Bubbles (see our Base to Bubbles review here!);
Beer, Please!;
Modern Mixology (see our Modern Mixology review here!);
The Fine Art of Sushi and Sake;
The Cheese Course (NEW!); and
Pasta Making with Chef Cib!

Causeway Tasting Booths with Optional Beer Garden Upgrade!

The Causeway between the Swan and Dolphin Resorts will have tons of great offerings again this year. And we can’t wait to see the menus! We’ll be back soon with full details for you!

Want a little more than just the standard tasting experience? Upgrade to the [Read more…]

Review: Blue Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Balsamic at Friar’s Nook

By AJ 7 Comments

It’s a good, good day — it’s a Mac and Cheese day!!!

Learn About:Friar's Nook

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We’re heading back to the new menu at Friar’s Nook in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom to pick up another of the debut mac and cheese goodies.

When Kim was there before, she and her fam shared the Bacon Cheeseburger Macaroni and Cheese! YUM!!

Recently, Disney Food Blog columnist Erin Foster put another new dish to the test.

NEW Friar’s Nook Mac and Cheese

Atmosphere

In Fantasyland, Friar’s Nook is a small counter-service location offering an interesting selection of eats. Known for keeping odd hours, check your Times Guide to see if Friar’s Nook is open on the day of your visit.

There’s not a lot of seating here, and what’s there is all uncovered and open to the elements; so on a busy day (or a super hot or super cold day) you may want to take your food to the nearby Pinocchio Village Haus.

Seating at Friar’s Nook

Eats

With the addition of new mac and cheese options, the menu has been refreshed once again.

New Friar’s Nook Mac and Cheese Menu

Erin compared the Blue Cheese and Bacon Cheeseburger versions. Which one does she highly recommend? Let’s find [Read more…]

News! and Review: Las Ventanas Makes its Debut at Disney World’s Coronado Springs Resort

By Wendy 15 Comments

UPDATE: Please note that as of February 2015, Las Ventanas also serves dinner. Advanced Dining Reservations are also accepted.

Guess what! Disney World opened a new restaurant, and we’ve got all the details for you! 🙂

Nope; you won’t find it at the parks. You won’t even find it at Downtown Disney! Nope — it’s at Coronado Springs, a Mexican-themed moderate resort!

Coronado Springs has a few aces up its sleeve when it comes to dining. The Pepper Market has a great reputation for lots of delicious choices in its unique station-style food court, and no one can argue with the margarita flight available at Rix Lounge and Maya Grill. Today, we’re excited to present the Resort’s brand new restaurant: Las Ventanas!

Las Ventanas entry

Well…it’s not exactly new. Las Ventanas has always been the private dining room for Rix Lounge. I guess they just realized they needed more table service offerings for conventioneers!

Las Ventanas is open for breakfast and lunch. It’s tucked in a hallway next to Rix Lounge. Since it’s closer to the Convention Center, if you are staying at Coronado as a non-Convention guest, it could be easy to miss. Thankfully, there is a sign in front of the Pepper Market leading the way.

Pepper Market

Las Ventanas sign with operating hours

Atmosphere

Two things struck me upon entering Las Ventanas. First, the size. It’s small and intimate, due to previously being a private dining room. You’ll nearly be able to see the entire restaurant within these pictures.

Las Ventanas seating

Las Ventanas

There were only 14 or 15 tables in the whole place and, even though the room is small, they were very well-spaced with plenty of room in between each.

Las Ventanas Table

Second, it’s beautiful. Decor is minimalistic. Rather than being filled to the brim with details, things are kept rather simple. This serves to enhance the atmosphere, as you can truly take in the touches that catch your eye.

Las Ventanas Hanging Lamps

Fresh flowers on the table

Wall decoration

One thing I can’t share with you in pictures [Read more…]

News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule

By AJ 20 Comments

Great news, Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans!

We’ve got the latest on a few Eat to the Beat concert line-up listings ALREADY for 2014!

For those who don’t know, Epcot brings in several bands and musicians popular in the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, and 00’s each year to entertain Epcot Food and Wine Festival guests in the evenings. Concert-goers can start making festival plans to see their favorite group during the festival, which runs September 19-November 10, 2014.

Since this partial list is preliminary, you’ll want to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for additions and/or changes to the schedule!

Eat to the Beat concerts are performed three times per evening, so you have three chances each night to see your favorites — 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8:00PM!

2014 Eat to the Beat Concert Line Up!

Note that this schedule is subject to change

September 22-23: The Pointer Sisters [Read more…]

News! Casey’s Corner in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Reopens with Updated Indoor Seating Area

By AJ 36 Comments

We looooove telling you about news that can make your Disney trip even more comfortable and relaxing, and today we’re on a roll!

Learn About:Casey’s Corner

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We’ve all been there… walking around Casey’s Corner with an armful of cardboard trays filled with hot dogs, French Fries, and a couple of enormous Cokes, searching indoors and out for a place to sit while hoping we don’t drop anything.

Welp, after a refurbishment that started in January, the Corner has reopened and is sporting some brand new digs! Yep — as far as we can tell, there are no more bleachers and no more movies…now we’ve got real, honest-to-goodness indoor seating (not just a few scattered tables) at Casey’s!

Casey’s Corner

Let’s take a quick look at the refurbished restaurant first. The entryway welcomes guests as always (just polished up a bit), and the menu remains unchanged (hooray!).

Casey’s Entryway

Casey’s Corner

Casey’s Corner Menu

And, of course, all of those nods to vintage baseball that make Casey’s what it is remain.

Casey’s Baseball Memorabilia

The big surprise comes when you enter the indoor seating area.

This spot used to house a few tables, but the “Casey at the Bat” bleachers and a movie screen spinning old school Disney sports cartoons were the focal points of the area. The banners and scoreboards are still there…

Mudville Banners

Scoreboard

However, the bleachers have been removed to make way for more tables, and the movie screen has been removed.

Refurbished Indoor Seating

Refurbished Indoor Seating Area

Casey’s is a beloved spot for many reasons [Read more…]

News! 2014 Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events and Registration Announced

By Kim LaPaglia 12 Comments

Registration for the 2014 Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events opens March 4, 2014, at Noon!

Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club members — booking starts today! Click here for registration.

Once again, runDisney invites you to a nighttime race that takes place during the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Our favorite time of the year!

This year’s race weekend is November 7-8, 2014!

Pre-Race Taste Party

This year, the weekend kicks off again with a Pre-Race Taste Party on Friday, November 7, 2014, from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.! The party takes place at the Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show inside Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where guests can relax before the big race.

Wine and Dine Half Marathon!

The Pre-Race Taste will feature:

early entry into Disney’s Hollywood Studios at 6:00 p.m.;
a private party at Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show;
four tastes from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival;
one “signature sip” drink coupon;
cash bar;
and Disney character meet & greets.

Tickets will be $79 (ages 3 and up). Children under 3 do not need a ticket.

Half Marathon and Finish Line Party

Join the ultimate runners night out as you race a half marathon through three Disney Theme Parks. Throughout your journey, you’ll pass entertainment and characters. Imagine running a race that circles the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park, cruises down the Streets of America underneath the Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and finishes near Spaceship Earth at Epcot.

Then, the party gets started after you cross the finish line! Celebrate your achievement at the Finish Line Party – an exclusive, after-hours [Read more…]

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News! Disney Food Merchandise Coming to Downtown Disney’s Marketplace Co-op

News! Closing Date Announced for Pollo Campero and Babycakes NYC at Disney World’s Downtown Disney