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Dining in Disneyland: New Holiday Desserts at Disney California Adventure!

I know I am not alone in believing that there is nothing like a visit to the Disneyland Resort during the holiday season.

Their spectacular decor adorns every nook and cranny of the parks. The sights, the scents, the holiday cheer; it’s really an amazing experience. The Disneyland Resort goes above transforming both parks into “The Merriest Place on Earth.” They transform everything from Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to the menu boards at many of their eateries.

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

This year, I had the pleasure of meeting two very special people that help create the magic that happens on those menu boards. Karlos Siqueiros & Mechelle Miller both play important roles in Disney Food & Beverage Concept Development. This past Saturday night, I attended a special event (courtesy of Disney) that showcased their latest holiday delights.

Karlos & Mechelle from Food & Beverage Development

After enjoying an amazing dinner, fun activities, and special photo opportunities, Karlos & Mechelle took the stage with Chef Goofy to share the Resort’s special holiday dessert menu items.

Holiday Chef Goofy

Brand New Holiday Desserts to Be Revealed at Disney California Adventure Restaurants

Although I know both Anaheim resorts offer special holiday menu items, these particular goodies are brand new to the parks and are only available at California Adventure.

The presentation was creative and fun, and as each item was described Cast Members dressed in their holiday best pranced out to show off each dish.

Almond Cookie Sandwich Presentation

When the dessert “show” was over, we turned around to find that some Disney Magic had taken place behind our backs and a beautiful buffet featuring all of the presented dishes had been set up! I decided an organized right-to-left situation was necessary so I wouldn’t miss anything… [Read more…]

Special Disney Holiday Eats and Experiences Page on the DFB

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Gingerbread Mickeys

Disney food-lovers have lots to be excited about during the holiday season at Walt Disney World and Disneyland!

From life-size Gingerbread houses to Candy Cane Fudge, the parks and resorts celebrate with sweet treats and special dining experiences!

You may have noticed a new little holiday icon on our sidebar!

That links to a page where we’ll be compiling all of our Disney World and Disneyland Holiday information, so if there’s anything you need to know — check there!

For the third year in a row, we’re sharing the yummy offerings found only at the holidays, including some awesome reader suggestions for seasonal dining.

Boardwalk Gingerbread Display

We’re covering all the news about holiday-themed eats and we’ve already seen some fun and decorative treats this year. They almost look too pretty to eat! 😉

The Gingerbread Displays are beginning to appear, too. All our favorites have returned at the Contemporary, Boardwalk Beach Club, and Grand Floridian resorts. We’ll tour them in the coming weeks!

In Disneyland, the annual Candy Cane frenzy has begun. Dates can be found here! Also, sign up now to work on your holiday construction skills. Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will be holding gingerbread house workshops!

From gift ideas to information on Holiday events, we’ll keep you up-to-date on our 2011 Holiday Dining Page.

What’s your favorite WDW or Disneyland holiday experience? Let us know in the comments section!

And if you’re in a Disney park or resort this holiday season and find something yummy, let us know and send over a pic!

WDW Swan and Dolphin Restaurants Offer Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Dining

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Il Mulino in the Swan Resort

The fabulous restaurants at the WDW Swan and Dolphin have released Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas dining options. From buffets, to regular menus to specialized offerings, the holidays are sure to be delicious at any of these restaurants!

Thanksgiving, November 24

Il Mulino 5-11:00 p.m. Regular and Holiday Menu

Specialty menu option will include: Braised Stuffed Turkey Breast, “Italian” Turkey Sausage, Sweet Potato Parsnip Puree, Brussel Sprout Leaves, and Warm Cranberry Sauce.

Garden Grove 1-9:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Buffet
Adults $35.95, Kids 3-9 $15.95
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Roasted Turkey, Herb Crusted Grouper, Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato with Marshmallow Brulee, Green Apple and Chestnut Stuffing, and more! There will also be salads, and of course, an assortment of pastries. Kids can dine on familiar foods – nuggets, corn dog, mac & cheese – too!

Fresh Mediterranean Market 12-6:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Buffet
Stations will include Salads, deli meats and cheeses, soup and more! The griddle will serve up Seared Salmon. Traditional food will include Cider Glazed Virginia Ham, Roasted Organic Tom Turkey, Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes, Rolls, and Bread Stuffing. A selection of desserts will be offered.

bluezoo 5-11:00 p.m. Regular and Holiday Menu
Specialty menu option will include: [Read more…]

Thanksgiving Meals at Fort Wilderness and Magic Kingdom’s Diamond Horseshoe

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Fort Wilderness Restaurants

Howdy! Round up your crew for the annual Thanksgiving at the Fort! Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground will host countrified meals on Thursday November 24, 2011. And the Diamond Horseshoe will open its doors for table-service and counter-service meals on Turkey Day as well! Yee-haw!

Thanksgiving at the Fort

Mickey & Minnie (and some of their favorite friends) invite you to dine with them at the ranch. Look for Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Donald, Pocahontas, Meeko, Country Bears, and Chip & Dale. (Characters are subject to change.) At this hoe-down you’ll hoot ‘n holler with the live entertainment including a country band and Trevor the Trick Roper.

This outdoor event rolls out an all-you-can eat buffet of comfort foods in an outdoor, covered pavilion where you’ll be seated family-style with other guests. After you wrangle up some good grub, kick up your heels and dance away those calories!

Location
Fort Wilderness Pavilion (Home of Mickey’s Backyard BBQ)

Seating Times [Read more…]

Walt Disney World Gingerbread Holiday Displays for 2011

By AJ 12 Comments

Holiday Chef at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…in Disney World, anyway! And it will be looking even more so very soon!

As we look forward to the holidays in our favorite Disney parks, let’s take a look at when to expect the artful decor to go on display this year. And we’ll look back to the gingerbread displays from past holidays to warm our spirits (and appetites) for now!

These displays will be created by the WDW Food and Beverage team. Sometimes you can even watch the chefs put on the finishing touches! And don’t forget to check out the limited edition Gingerbread Display pins coming out this year!

Please note that information is subject to change.

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House

(Gingerbread House was scheduled to open on November 14th)

As your eyes try to take in the enormous Christmas tree in the lobby, your sense of smell will lead you toward the 16 foot tall Gingerbread House located in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Resort.

Grand Floridian 2010 Gingerbread House

It takes over 400 hours to bake the 10,000+ pieces of gingerbread! Last year’s house was amazing, and one of our colleagues snapped some pics of the construction this year! Thanks to Carla at Hoperatives for these!

Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Construction 2011

Don’t forget that you can purchase a treat made from a classic Austrian gingerbread recipe right inside the Gingerbread House!! Freshly baked items will include [Read more…]

Holiday Food and Fun at Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Spend your holidays at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando or Hilton Bonnet Creek. There are special menus and events that food-lovers and their families are sure to appreciate!

A Toast to the Holidays

Thanksgiving at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek

Thanksgiving Dinner at La Luce restaurant

Thursday Nov. 24 5-11pm
Savor the ala carte menu at this award-winning restaurant, with features from Chef Donna Scala We’ve got a review of La Luce’s menu here!

Thanksgiving Family Dinner Buffet at Harvest Bistro
Thursday Nov. 24, 4-10pm
$39 for adults (excluding tax and gratuity)
Children under age 12 eat free (up to two children per paid adult)

This all-you-can-eat Thanksgiving feast includes hand-carved roasted turkey, and other traditional holiday fare. View menu here. For your memorable ending, enjoy the homemade dessert finale. Reservations are recommended at 407-597-3600.

Bonnet Creek Activities

Football Fun

What’s Thanksgiving without football? Enjoy the weekend’s NFL and college football action at Zeta Bar, where feature drink and food specials will win big points!

Celebrate Fall Festival
Nov. 24 – Nov. 26 12:30-5pm
Poolside
Even the kids will be thankful after spending time at the [Read more…]

Feed Our Small World

By Erin

In recent months, there have been a number of It’s a Small World-themed food items spotted in the parks, most notably an absolutely gorgeous teapot and mugs set.

Teapot

Disney Partners with Charity to Help End Child Hunger

But beyond just decoration, Disney is now using the It’s a Small World brand to help a wonderful food-related charity: Feed Projects.

Feed is an organization that works to support programs and organizations dedicated to eliminating hunger and malnutrition in the world, particularly among children. It’s a Small World is a perfect fit for this mission. A percentage of sales of special Feed/Small World items goes to supporting projects to end hunger.

Back in July, Disney Food Blog mentioned one of the Feed merchandise items, the Feed Our Small World cookbook. Sales of the cookbook will allow Feed to provide Vitamin A supplements for 450,000 children for a year. The book is available in the parks and through Amazon.com.

The Disney Store retail locations are carrying tee-shirts for children and tote bags for mom, embellished with the [Read more…]

Boardwalk Pizza Window Now Accepting Disney Dining Plan Credits

By Kim LaPaglia 11 Comments

Next time you’re strolling by the Boardwalk pizza window at Disney World, feel free to stop by for a meal using your Disney Dining Plan credits!

Pizza Window

Here’s the breakdown…

One Quick-Service Credit
You can get: 1 slice of pizza and 1 soft drink, plus 1 dessert

Pepperoni Pizza Slice

Two Quick-Service Credits
You can get: 1 whole pizza and 2 soft drinks, plus 2 desserts

Dine at nearby outdoor tables or get your Boardwalk meal to go.

Let us know if you’ll use your dining credits at the Boardwalk Pizza Window! We want to hear your comments — chime in below!

Dining in Disneyland: New Recipe Request Forms Pop Up in Disneyland

By Heather 14 Comments

Thanks to our friend Lynnette Johnson, we were alerted to a new way of requesting recipes at Disneyland! On a recent trip to the Carnation Cafe, Lynnette asked for a recipe and was handed one of these from Chef Oscar himself!

Food & Beverage Recipe Request Form

This is the first form we have seen and it is specific to the Carnation Cafe. It does say “Walt Disney Parks & Resorts” so, it leads me to believe that they are available throughout all of Disney’s parks.

From the looks of the form, there seems to be no guarantee that you will get the recipe that you ask for, and they add a disclaimer that the recipes have been converted from large batches to small ones for home kitchen use. So basically if the dish doesn’t come out the exact way it tasted at Disney, that’s your problem, not theirs!

Personally, I liked when Chef Oscar wrote down the recipe by hand and gave it to you on the spot, but I do see how these could come in handy. Have you filled out a Food & Beverage Recipe Request Form yet? If so, I’m wondering what [Read more…]

New! Waffle Sandwiches at Magic Kingdom’s Sleepy Hollow

By AJ 50 Comments

Learn About:Sleepy Hollow

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

You heard me right! Waffle sandwiches!!!

But before we go off on a tangent, let’s start at the beginning…

Sleepy Hollow, the small counter-service location in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Liberty Square, has long offered some of our favorite snacks, including the large Mickey-shaped waffles (one of the last places you could get these!), and the filling and delicious chicken and wild rice soup.

We’ve heard through the grapevine (Thanks, Laurie!) that the menu has changed significantly and asked one of our colleagues, Brooke Fehr from DisZine.com, to investigate during her recent WDW visit!

New Waffle Sandwiches

The new menu at Sleepy Hollow has introduced what we think will be a new Disney food classic — waffle sandwiches. And these are true waffle sandwiches — as in a giant waffle with stuff crammed into it, then folded over!

There are three new offerings: A sweet and spicy chicken waffle and a ham, prosciutto, and Swiss cheese waffle, both for $6.99; and a Nutella and fresh fruit waffle for $5.59. None of these are currently listed for a snack credit.

Here’s Brooke’s report:
“The waffles were huge. Both sandwiches were full-sized, round waffles, folded in half with the filling in the middle. Think ‘waffle taco.’ While neither sandwich came with any sides, they were more than enough food for a heavy snack or meal. They were served in those tiny baskets, so they were [Read more…]

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Dining in Disneyland: New Holiday Desserts at Disney California Adventure!

Brand New Holiday Desserts to Be Revealed at Disney California Adventure Restaurants

Special Disney Holiday Eats and Experiences Page on the DFB