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Category: News

News! Cone Sandwiches Spotted at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By 19 Comments

The cones are back!

Learn About:Dockside Diner
Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Yep, in addition New cone sandwiches were recently spotted at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World.

Bread Cone Sandwiches Spotted at DHS

After debuting in Disney California Adventure at the Cozy Cone Motel last year, the portable, almost-handwich cone sandwiches have now popped up at Disney World in a big way! First, we reviewed the Meatball Cone at Downtown Disney, and now there are even more to choose from!

The cone sandwich trend has made its way to Disney’s Hollywood Studios with three NEW menu items to choose from at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner.

Min & Bill's Dockside Diner

New Bread Cone Sandwiches!

Bread Cone choices include: [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Old West Cinnamon Rolls in Downtown Disney

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Cruising Downtown Disney, heading back to our car to go home, a cart that I had never seen before caught my eye.  Old West Cinnamon Rolls? Hello!

Old West Cinnamon Rolls Downtown Disney

According to my 12 year old son, I stopped in my tracks “to get the breaking news.” Yes, he was making fun of me; and he did a whole running commentary while I stopped to get the scoop on this new-ish spot in Downtown Disney. After that nonsense, which was actually quite hilarious, he’s lucky that I still shared my cinnamon roll with him!

Atmosphere

Located right next to the Pin Traders store, Old West Cinnamon Rolls has apparently been there for about 6 or so weeks. I obviously don’t cruise Downtown Disney enough to let this place exist for so long without knowing about it. Going to have to change that I guess, because the cinnamon rolls here are amazing.

Inspiration...

The plastic cinnamon roll display (which reminded me of the gelato stand nearby) gives you inspiration to choose the cinnamon roll that’s right for you!

After quizzing the poor guy working at the stand I learned that the cinnamon rolls are a “design your own” situation. The menu consists of a base price of $4.75 for a plain cinnamon roll (and by plain they mean NO frosting). Additional toppings are $1.00, so you can build the designer cinnamon roll of your dreams. Toppings include [Read more…]

News! Lava Lounge Opens at Rainforest Café in Disney World’s Downtown Disney

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Woo!! After a lengthy renovation, the Lava Lounge recently opened in the Rainforest Café in Disney World! Here’s another great “no-reservation-needed” location to pick up a full meal in the World…

Lava Lounge

The big draw here is the possibility of having NO wait to dine. While it’s truly a jungle in the dining room, the Lava Lounge is equally appealing.

Lava Lounge underneath the erupting volcano!

With waterfront views, a quieter ambiance, and a family-friendly atmosphere, it’s a place for the whole family to unwind outdoors. In fact, it might just be the place for your family if you have kids that are timid about the simulated thunderstorms and loud animals inside the dining room.

Gorillas can get loud inside!

Of course, your crew will have to be somewhat adventurous as you’ll hear the volcanic “eruptions” that take place each evening.

Recent exterior renovations added an erupting volcano that puts on a mighty display in sync with a light and sound show. Don’t be surprised if your kids ask to dine here while wandering Downtown Disney! And without a reservation, you now know to head to the Lava Lounge!

Eats

And we love that not only can you order from the full restaurant menu, but the Lava Lounge also has some exclusive menu items! We can’t wait to try the Volcanic Sliders or Tectonic Tacos. And the Jungle Runner is one of the more popular adult beverages!

We already know that a meal at the Rainforest Café is made more memorable when ordering the Sparkling Volcano for dessert. (Seriously — this thing is awesome! You can see our [Read more…]

Grand Launch! The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book

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We’re thrilled to announce that the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book is now available!

And in honor of our grand launch, you can get the new Guide for $3 off the regular purchase price for a limited time — just use code SNACKS13 at the check-out!

With over 250 pages of delicious snacks, the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks will be the third — and long-awaited — book in our DFB Guide Snacks Series!

As always, you will enjoy an instantly downloadable PDF guide with comprehensive information and advice on well over 200 delicious snacks that you can savor at the Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios parks in the Walt Disney World resort.

The DFB Mini-Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book will include:

  • Full-color photos of well over 200 of our favorite snacks
  • Over 260 pages of great information, tips, and insider info
  • Current prices and Disney Dining Plan snack credit status
  • Disney Food Blog reviews of all snacks
  • Special Bonus items you’re going to love! (Of course…how could we not include these?!)

DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks Sample Page

Know what you’re getting BEFORE using a precious snack credit or spending limited vacation dollars. Whether you want sweet, salty, crunchy, healthy, or something in between, The DFB Mini-Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book tells you where to find a snack to match your craving!

Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or tablet!

DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks sample page

Get Yours At a Discounted Price for a Limited Time!

To celebrate the grand launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the brand new Guide for $3 off its standard rate for a limited time! Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code SNACKS13 at the check-out.

Or Bundle For Even More Savings!

Headed to Disney World and want the whole scoop on snacks? Bundle four of our most popular Disney Dining Guides and SAVE!

Pick up our DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle for over 40% off! This includes our critically acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks along with the brand new DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks. All editions have been updated for 2013!

Check out how you can have the best Disney vacation ever…and pay even less!

For more detailed information and sample pages [Read more…]

News! Select 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu Items Announced!

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Great news!

We know a few more of the World Showcase booth menu items for the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menu Selections

While we don’t have full menus, yet, we do know a few of the dishes that will be served at the festival this year! Here’s the latest so that you can start your planning! Stay tuned to our 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for details when the full menus are announced!

We’ll start with the new and newly returning booths this year…

Scotland Booth — NEW this year!

Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette

Brazil Booth — Newly RETURNING this year

Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado, and Cilantro
Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery, Xingu Black Beer
Carnaval Moscato White Sparkling

Brazil Booth

Florida Local Booth

Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with White Cheddar and Sweet & Hot Pickles
Florida Orange Groves Hurricane Class 5, Florida White Sangria

South Korea Booth

Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce and Kimchi

Epcot Food and Wine Festival South Korea Booth

Terra Booth

The Vegan Vine Red Blend

Cheese Booth

Once Upon a Vine’s [Read more…]

New! Orange Slush at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By 6 Comments

I’m excited to share another new addition to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with you today!!

Learn About:Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We shared the scoop on the new Root Beer Slush at Pecos Bill’s a couple of weeks ago, and now guest favorite Tomorrowland counter-service spot Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe has a new beverage — an Orange Slush!

This is awesome news for those of us who loved the orange slush over at Sunshine Tree Terrace during the short time that it was available. I hope this one is just as good!

Served with whipped cream, the slush is currently priced around $3.69. It’s tart orange flavor is sweetened with a little bit of added whipped cream. This melds the flavors together so the drink resembles a creamsicle! Yum.

Orange Slush at Cosmic Ray's!

So far, the beverage seems very popular. According to cast members, [Read more…]

Review: The NEW Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

By 21 Comments

Today we’re headed to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort to check out the newly renovated Gasparilla Island Grill!

Learn About:Gasparilla Island Grill
Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

This counter service spot, tucked in a corner off of the first floor lobby, offers counter service fare.

Open 24 hours a day, it’s a great amenity for guests who arrive early or late in the day for their Disney visit. It’s also a good option for revelers who are enjoying late or early Extra Magic Hours!

The big news regarding Gasparilla, however, is the recently completed refurbishment that has changed the spot up a bit.

Gasparilla Sign

Let’s head in to see what has changed about this counter service oasis amid the finery of one of Disney’s most expensive resorts.

Atmosphere

The Grand Floridian is undergoing lots of construction and refurbishment lately. In addition to the new Disney Vacation Club villas being built and the Beach Pool Bar undergoing updates, Gasparilla was closed from late summer 2012 until early this year, as the space (and the name!) was given an overhaul.

From the outside, however, it still looks very much the same as before. You enter the restaurant through doors from an outside terrace.

Terrace Leading to Gasparilla Island Grill

One complaint guests had about the previous incarnation of this spot was the “Grill and Games” combo. An assortment of arcade games shared space with the seating area. Though convenient for parents, it could get a little loud at times.

The arcade has now been relocated to an adjacent space where the Grand Floridian’s kids’ club used to be. With the arcade gone, the restaurant has been rechristened “Gasparilla Island Grill.” As with many spots around the Grand Floridian, this one takes its name from a Florida locale, Gasparilla Island, a gulf barrier island located on the state’s southwest coast.

Gasparilla Island Grill Entrance

Guests familiar with the old layout of Gasparilla will immediately notice the change to the restaurant’s look. The green and burgundy palette has been replaced with a simpler, more modern green and blue combination.

The seating has been greatly expanded as well, although the actual ordering area remains very similar.

View of the Restaurant Through the Seating Area

Ornate touches remain, however, and these chandeliers are a nice new (almost steampunky) touch. Check out the [Read more…]

Review: Downtown Disney’s Italian Ice Stand and NEW! Taco Truck

By 11 Comments

It’s time to take a quick trip to Downtown Disney in Disney World to check out a great way to cool your jets while you’re in Orlando this Summer!

Downtown Disney Italian Ice Stand

You may walk right past this kiosk in Downtown Disney, but it’s worth stopping during those hot Florida days! The Italian Ice stand is located near the middle of Downtown Disney’s West Side between the Characters in Flight Attraction and the bridge to Pleasure Island.

Italian Ice!

They offer six different flavors of Italian ice in three different sizes. Don’t you just love when a treat is fat free AND delicious?!

Italian Ice Menu.

On our visit, we sampled the Tie Dye, which was a mixture of three different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, and Lime.

Italian Ice Tubs.

Not only was this very pretty — the ice had [Read more…]

News! Disney Dining Plan Price Increase

By 42 Comments

News on the Disney Dining Plan front! Disney has increased the cost of the Quick Service, Standard, and Deluxe Disney Dining Plans for all rack rate bookings made on or after June 17, 2013.

I’ve called Disney reservations about four times trying to get exact costs, but I keep getting different answers. The only consistent info is that, yes, the prices are higher than they were earlier this year. So please note that your mileage may vary within a few cents of the pricing listed below.

We’ve also heard that Disney may do away with seasonal pricing, but all of the reservations agents I spoke to still quoted me seasonal prices (i.e. the plans will cost more during busier times at the parks).

Disney Dining Plan Prices

Here’s what you can expect for Dining Plan costs going forward. Remember that seasonal pricing may vary by a dollar or two.

Quick-Service Dining Plan
$39.64 per night ages 10 and up (no seasonal pricing)
$15.75 per night age 3 to 9 (no seasonal pricing)
(Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $37.58 and [Read more…]

News! 2014 Disney World Free Dining Packages for United Kingdom Residents

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United Kingdom residents — we have GREAT news! Now’s the time to start planning your 2014 holiday to the Walt Disney World Resort. When you book a selected Walt Disney World holiday, you’ll receive free dining for your family!!

Disney Deal

Disney is offering a less restrictive Free Dining deal to United Kingdom residents, PLUS you’ll receive a $200 Disney Gift Card and 14 park days for the price of 7. However you’ll need to book prior to July 1, 2013, for select arrival between January 1 – April 8 and April 27 – November 30, 2014.

If you stay at a selected Disney Hotel for a minimum of 5 nights, you’ll benefit from these three magical offers:

1. FREE Disney Dining for your whole party throughout your entire stay at Walt Disney World.

2. FREE $200 Disney Spending Money.

3. Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket which includes unlimited entry to ALL six parks for a price of a Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate ticket.

PLUS save 35% on your accommodation by staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in a studio room.

Who doesn't want unlimited free Mickey waffles??

This offer is available on participating Disney Moderate, Deluxe Villa or Deluxe Resort hotel stays plus tickets.

Bookings must include 5 nights minimum stay at a Walt Disney World Hotel plus Disney’s 14 Day Ultimate Tickets for the whole party traveling to receive “14 day tickets for the [Read more…]

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