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Dining in Disneyland: New Menu Items at Carthay Circle Lounge & 1901

We’ve got new eats over at Disney California Adventure! Two new dishes have arrived at Carthay Circle Lounge & 1901, and we’re very excited to share them with you here on the blog.

Carthay Circle Lounge can be found at the entrance to Carthay Circle Restaurant in Disney California Adventure

Although the shared menu at Carthay Circle Lounge/1901 is limited, the items available are pretty amazing.

1901 Lounge Menu Cover

Carthay Circle Lounge is open to all Disney guests, and can be found at the entrance to Carthay Circle restaurant. You don’t need a reservation to dine here! However, 1901 Lounge is an exclusive lounge open only to Club 33 Members and their guests.

Carthay Circle Lounge

Updates to the Carthay Circle Lounge/1901 Lounge Menu

Sharing a menu, these two fabulous lounges serve up Bites & Snacks, Rolls, Small Plates, and Carthay Signature Desserts

. The menu has barely changed from its opening almost exactly one year ago, but now we’ve got some updates!

Since opening, they’ve ditched the [Read more…]

Disney World Tests Be Our Guest Restaurant FastPass+ and Pre-Order System

By AJ 38 Comments

UPDATE: Please note that as of February 25, 2015, FastPass+ is no longer available, as Be Our Guest Restaurant began to accept Advanced Dining Reservations for lunch. For further information, please click here.

Finally! A FastPass for Food!!!

For those who aren’t huge fans of waiting in 30-90 minute lines for a quick service lunch, there may be relief on the horizon — at least for Be Our Guest Restaurant patrons in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Line to get in to Be Our Guest Restaurant for Lunch

For the past several months, the restaurant has been testing out a new FastPass+ Pre-Order system so that guests are able to bypass the monstrous lines that form as early as 10AM for a quick-service lunch at New Fantasyland’s popular Be Our Guest Restaurant.

Be Our Guest Restaurant Ballroom Dining Room

This is part of the new MyMagic+ program that is being rolled out in Disney World this year.

To date, Disney has chosen testers randomly — usually from the Magical Express line at Orlando International Airport or while checking in to a Disney World resort hotel.

The system is currently not open to all guests — only to those randomly selected for the testing process. It does seem that you need to be staying at a Disney resort hotel to be chosen.

Be Our Guest Restaurant FastPass+ Process

So here’s how the whole thing works:

Be Our Guest Restaurant Pre-Order System
when a guest is selected to take part in the testing process, he or she is given a card with a registration website and reservation number. The guest logs into [Read more…]

Matterhorn Macaroon Available at Disneyland’s Edelweiss Snacks for Limited Time Magic

By AJ 6 Comments

While this sweet, unique treat is usually available all year round at Jolly Holiday Bakery in Disneyland, it’s debuting this week at Edelweiss Snacks for Limited Time Magic!

Matterhorn Macaroon

The Matterhorn Macaroon first made its appearance at Blue Ribbon Bakery way back when, and has delighted coconut-loving Disney guests ever since!

Matterhorn Macaroon

Basically a HUGE, moist coconut macaroon, this treat is topped with melted white chocolate and sugary “snow” to represent the iconic Disneyland Matterhorn attraction. Read our Matterhorn Macaroon review here!

From July 8-14th, guests will be able to find the [Read more…]

News! More 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu Items and FOOD PHOTOS!

By AJ 24 Comments

SO exciting! We’ve got several more 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival menu items to share with you today!

Be sure to check out the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu page for all of the menu items we’ve gathered so far!

MORE Select 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu Items Announced

Yep — 15 more menu items have been announced for this year’s festival! This is in addition to the several items we showcased last week!

Let’s check them out…

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Scotland Booth

The Scotland Booth is BRAND NEW at the festival this year, and it will feature a Salmon dish in addition to

Scottish Banoffee Tart
This creamy tart is made from banana, toffee, and Glenfiddich Whisky Cream!

Banoffee Tart at the Scotland Booth

Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties
7-10-13 UPDATE! The Scotch Egg has been removed from the Scotland menu and replaced with…VEGETARIAN HAGGIS with Neeps and Tatties (Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes)!! We don’t currently have a photo of this, but we’ll get one as soon as we can! 🙂

Loch Lomond Cocktail
This sharp drink is made with Scotch, Drambuie, and dry Vermouth. It will join other beverages at the Scotland Booth this year.

Loch Lomond at the Scotland Booth

Interestingly, there are some Scots who are [Read more…]

2013 Disney World Candlelight Processional Dining Packages on Sale July 9th

By AJ 19 Comments

Many folks who are visiting Disney World during the holiday season have been eagerly awaiting news of when they can book a Disney World Candlelight Processional Dining Package.

Well — get your credit cards ready, because 2013 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages will be available on July 9th, 2013!

Candlelight Processional

Disney World’s Candlelight Processional

This year, the Candlelight Processional will be performed three times nightly (5:00pm, 6:45pm, and 8:15pm) from November 29 – December 30, 2013.

The popular show includes the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator who is accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, and a choir composed of Disney cast members and guest choirs from around the country.

Candlelight Processional Dining Package

Guests who’ve been there, done that, know that seating for the Candlelight Processional is first-come, first-served, and you do need to get in line at least an hour in advance to get a seat.

However, if you book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, you have guaranteed seating as well as guaranteed VIP viewing of Epcot’s fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth, after the show! All this in addition to a lunch or dinner meal at a select Epcot restaurant.

Candlelight Processional Package Info

The package includes your choice of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic, non-specialty beverage or 1 full buffet from the restaurant’s menu.

Candlelight Processional Dining Package Price
Prices vary depending on the restaurant chosen, and whether you’re having lunch or dinner.

Prices for 2013 range from:
Lunch Packages $35.14-$63.89 for Guests 10+, $13.84-$19.16 for Guests 3–9
Dinner Packages $53.24-$74.54 for Guests 10+, $18.10-$29.81 for Guests 3–9

Disney Dining Plan and the Candlelight Processional Dining Package
Guests can use the Disney Dining Plan to pay for [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: NEW! Handmade Candy Sticks from Candy Palace

By Heather 3 Comments

The Candy Palace is always one of my favorite stops when visiting Main Street USA at Disneyland.

Candy Palace

On a recent walk through, I noticed an exciting new addition to the check out counter; Candy Sticks!

I immediately gravitated toward them because they reminded me of a very special holiday treat. Yep, Disneyland’s famous handmade candy canes. Same width, same patterns, and same packaging, but less than 1/2 the price!

Candy Sticks from Candy Palace

Candy Sticks

New for Summer, the candy sticks are made in the Candy Palace kitchen using the same process as the Disneyland candy canes. Each stick is generous in size, basically one of the giant candy canes minus the hook!

They are $4.99 each, and come in three flavors: orange, lemon lime, and cinnamon. Unfortunately, because they are handmade, you may not use your annual pass for a discount on these puppies. There is however no limit on how many you can buy.

Orange, Cinnamon & Lemon-Lime

Of course I had to buy one of each flavor and take them home for experimental research! When I got them out of their packages, I noticed that they had the same light and airy feel to them as the holiday Candy Canes.

Candy Sticks Unpackaged

Because they are handmade, you will notice that [Read more…]

Reader Question: Is Dole Whip Vegan and Gluten Free?

By AJ 31 Comments

For guests visiting Walt Disney World or Disneyland with a special diet, the popular Dole Whip treat is now just about the perfect snack! Dole Whip’s fruit flavors are now vegan! And Dole Whip has always been gluten free.

Dole Whip fruit flavors are now vegan!

At least, they are according to the official Dole Whip Mix website — Unified Enterprises Corporation. You can now enjoy any fruit flavor of Dole Whip on your vegan and/or gluten free diet!

Taken From Website of Unified Enterprises Corp

At Disney, you’ll find pineapple Dole Whips! There’s also an option for a Dole Whip Float, which adds pineapple juice to the mix. (The vanilla flavor that has been offered at some locations is not considered vegan at this time.)

Disneyland Dole Whip Float

Dole Whip Nutritional Information

Vegan (no dairy)
Less than [Read more…]

Review: New! All-American Sundae at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

By AJ 16 Comments

It’s National Ice Cream Month, everyone!!!

Learn About:Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

And one of our favorite stops for ice cream at Walt Disney World is the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in the Magic Kingdom.

And today, we’ve got another brand new addition to share with you! Especially those of you who love all of those Disney peanut butter treats.

Introducing: the All-American Sundae! This new sundae at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor came to our attention thanks to DFB reader Miranda, and we couldn’t wait to dive in!

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor Sign.

Vanilla and Chocolate ice cream, hot fudge, peanut butter drizzle, whipped cream, and a cherry? Yes please! And you can get it for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

Note that this isn’t just a limited time treat — this is on the menu for the foreseeable future, so you should have no problem picking one up on your next Disney World visit!

All-American Sundae menu.

Let’s take a look…

All-American Sundae

The All-American Sundae comes by default with chocolate and vanilla ice cream, but feel free to request any of the flavors available.

We went with the “advertised” version. (Though I have seen peanut butter cup ice cream at the Plaza in the Flavor of the Month slot before, and that would be yum.)

All-American Sundae.

As a peanut butter lover, the hot PB topping was perfect. There was plenty of it on the sundae (though layers would be nice)…and that’s the most important part.

Peanut Butter!

The hot Florida sun and hot fudge helped to slightly melt the ice cream by the time I found a table. 🙂 The flavors were great together, of course.

And while this new sundae might not exactly rival the No Way Jose at Beaches and Cream, the setting and ability to eat it in the shadow of Cinderella Castle might just give it an edge in the race.

For more awesome Disney ice cream treats, check out our Disney World ice cream gallery!

What’s your favorite ice cream treat at the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor? Let us know in the comments below!

Review: 4th of July “Limited Time Magic” Treats in Walt Disney World

By AJ 5 Comments

It’s Independence Week in Disney World!

In honor of the celebrations, we’re highlighting the special “Limited Time Magic” treats you can find around the World this week.

These snacks are available only until July 7th; so grab one while you can! Included are an incredible Apple Pie Cupcake; a red, white, and blue Baked Alaska; and even a patriotic Strawberry Shortcake, complete with rich red strawberries and sweet blueberries!

DFB guest photographer Kara B. is there now, reporting live! Let’s dive in…

Apple Pie Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, look for the Apple Pie Cupcake for an all-American treat!

Stop by ABC Commissary, Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Starring Rolls Cafe, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Fairfax Fare for this limited edition cupcake priced at $4.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit.

Red, white, and blue sprinkles and a festive white chocolate Mickey Mouse add to the charm of this holiday cupcake. We love all of that caramel buttercream frosting with the extra apple crisp topping!

Mickey Mouse July 4th Cupcake!

Mixed in with the vanilla cake is an apple pie filling!

The cake gets great reviews, while the frosting is super-sweet. The apple pie streusel on top is the best part according to our reviewers!

Cupcake Cross-Section -- check out the apple pie filling!

Strawberry (And Blueberry!) Shortcake Sundae at Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is celebrating the holiday with the addition of a colorful strawberry blueberry shortcake sundae at Storybook Treats for $4.99.

We’re so excited to say that this sundae — pictured below — was the FIRST one to be ordered, served, and enjoyed by a Disney World guest!

4th of July Sundae!

Red strawberries and fresh blueberries on top of [Read more…]

New! Sushi Menu Items at Kabuki Cafe in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion

By AJ 7 Comments

Popular for the iconic chilly treat, kakigori, the Kabuki Cafe in Epcot’s Japan pavilion has once again added a few new items to the menu!

Epcot's Kabuki Cafe

Now, sushi fans can find Temari Sushi as well as a Sushi Combo. These items replace the Spicy Tuna Roll and Tokyo Sushi at Kabuki.

New Menu

Let’s first take a look at the side items. While the Edamame Beans have survived, the Miso Soup is no longer on the menu (though you should be able to get it up at Katsura Grill, Japan’s counter-service location).

Menu - click image for larger version.

Sushi

But the big story is the updated Sushi list! Kabuki Cafe goes through menu iterations seasonally, removing several items during less busy times. But now that the Summer crowds are coming to Orlando, we all benefit from a stronger menu here — including beer, wine, and sake!

And the Sushi items qualify for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

We got a couple of photos from our colleague Andy Jackson at Eating (and Drinking) Around WDW of the menu items. First up, here’s the California Roll. Fresh and flavorful, this is a great one to snag as you’re wandering around the World Showcase.

California Roll at Kabuki Cafe.

Next, the new Temari Sushi. Another great snack-sized portion that will fill you up and keep you going strong on your Epcot adventures! [Read more…]

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