food IS a theme park
While dining at Flying Fish this evening, moms panelist Kathie F. and I noticed this sign (click for larger image):
Dine With an Imagineer is available at Flying Fish, and though the price has gone up, it still sounds like a wonderful experience!
Upcoming dates are: May 4th and 18th; and June 1st, 15th, and 29th. Cost is $85/person plus tax and gratuity. Call 407-WDW-Dine for reservations — seating is limited to 10 people.
Reporting LIVE
Hi all! As you might know, I’m in Walt Disney World this weekend attending a Disney Media Culinary Event called:
I didn’t think I’d be back in Orlando until the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, so this is very exciting! Big thanks to those at Disney who extended such a gracious invitation to us to dine with them throughout the World!
I’ll be reporting here on the blog about the gourmet (and not-so-gourmet!) adventures of our little group — I know we’re headed to Flying Fish Cafe, Hoop Dee Doo Revue, Cape May Cafe, and Kouzzina, to name just a few!
If you want to follow along, be sure to find me on twitter and facebook to see the latest updates there as well! Also, those of us attending the event will be tweeting with the hashtag #DisneyMedia, so you can see updates from the whole group by following that tag!
Looking forward to sharing with you even more from the wonderful world of Disney food as we go through the event this weekend!
Also, don’t forget that I’ll be reporting live from Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival next week, so stay tuned for those updates as well!
In accordance with FTC guidelines, please note that my transportation, lodging, and food have been provided by the Walt Disney Company for this Media event.
The Magic Kingdom Parade is a rite of passage for every Walt Disney World guest, and with a little planning, you can save time by dining and watching the parade at the same time!
Here are a few of my favorite ways to combine two “must-do” activities — eating and parade viewing — in the Magic Kingdom:
Casey’s Corner Outdoor Tables
Grab a Hot Dog at Casey’s
The location of Casey’s Corner, a counter-service restaurant specializing in hot dogs, is just about perfect for parade viewing. Situated on the end of Main Street right next to the hub and the Castle, the main outdoor dining area of Casey’s will provide a fantastic view of the parade floats going by.
You’ll need to snag a spot early, so head over to Casey’s about 15-30 minutes before the parade is scheduled to begin, order your food, and commandeer your red-and-white striped umbrella table. The closer you are to Main Street, the better. While crowds of people might block your view of some of the characters on the street, this is nice, shaded spot from which to see the floats. I especially like this spot for watching SpectroMagic (or the Main Street Electrical Parade). Keep your spot to watch Wishes.
If you don’t like the idea of holding a table, grab your dogs and dine while holding your spot on the curb!
Get an Outdoor Table at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
…but it has the be one of the correct outdoor tables! This counter-service eatery located in Frontierland has several outdoor dining areas, but the one you want will be closest to the front door. This dining area butts up against a slatted fence, which you’ll be able to [Read more…]
Note: See answers to last week’s photo quiz at the bottom of this post!
One of my new favorite restaurants on Walt Disney World property is one I’d never set foot in during all my trips to Disney World: the Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
I’d always looked at the menu and figured, “Too expensive. Too hoity-toity,” and never gave it a second thought. But since starting the Food Blog — and embarking on an adventure of eating in every Disney restaurant I could — I was excited to finally have a reason to try this place out. After all, I’ve always heard glowing reviews. And, let me tell you, they’re deserved.
Atmosphere
Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby is a replica of the famous Vine Street Brown Derby, originally built in 1928 and home to dozens of famous Hollywood rumors and stories, including Clark Gable’s proposal to Carole Lombard in booth #5 and Lucille Ball’s dinner roll food fight. Disney World’s Brown Derby is an officially licensed Brown Derby Restaurant, and is the fifth Brown Derby Restaurant to be built.
Brown Derby History -- Click Image for Larger View
The likeness to the original restaurant is uncanny — the covered entryway, signage, dining room, and even decor are identical to the namesake. And those well-known caricatures grace [Read more…]
Lots of Disney food news this week, including:
And don’t forget to check out the awesome posts over on the Disney Blog Carnival! There’s a new one up this week!! Now, on to the round-up!
DisneyGeek, our favorite Disneyland photographer, has some fun photos of the opening days of Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival! (Start at the linked page and click through the next few pages for more pics.)
The Unofficial Guide to Disney’s Contemporary Resort takes a look at breakfast options at the Contemporary Resort.
The OC Register is reporting from Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival! Check out the latest from Guy Fieri’s appearances!
Theme Park Insider has a “What’s On Your Funnel Cake?” poll with some great opinions in the comments section!
The Disney Chick walks us through the recipe for Jarlsberg and Leek Soup from Akershus.
Disney Parks Blog shares some photos of great Disneyland Food and Wine Festival merchandise!
Main Street Gazette has a photo blog of the decor over at the Adventureland Veranda in Disney World.
The Daily Disney posts the recipe for one of the most popular items at the 2009 Epcot Food & Wine Festival — seared beef tenderloin with sweet potato puree!
@Marcomboy sent the best twitpic ever. Seriously. I love this. Where can I get one?
Touring Plans takes a look at Trail’s End in Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
Updates:
To see our other coverage of the new restaurant:
Via Napoli First Look! Pictures from the Restaurant
Via Napoli Full Menu
Via Napoli Reservations
Via Napoli menu
Via Napoli Tasting and New Info Revealed at D23 Flowers and Fireworks Event!
Naples Review: Is this What We Can Expect From Via Napoli?
Our Guess on the Italy Pizzeria Menu
Italy Pizzeria Construction Pics
Disney Parks Blog Confirms Pizzeria
According to wdwnews.com:
Via Napoli, operated by the Patina Restaurant Group, is coming to Italy in Epcot World Showcase in time for fall 2010. Shown here in a concept rendering, the 300-seat restaurant will feature a menu inspired by the famous pizzerias of southern Italy.
We talk a lot about food around here (can’t imagine why), but we don’t pay nearly enough attention to some of the great entertainment that Disney provides in and around its restaurants during mealtimes. I thought it’d be interesting to take a look at a few of the Epcot World Showcase restaurants — Chefs de France, Restaurant Marrakesh, Biergarten, and Teppan Edo — that offer not only great food, but also fun entertainment!
Chefs de France
One of my favorite “acts” in World Showcase is just outside Chefs de France in the France Pavilion. This hilarious duo has a couple of different “schticks” — one in which the acrobat is dressed as a tourist and comes into the act from the audience, the other in which he’s dressed as a Chefs de France server as he is in the photos below. The basic gist is that he’s just trying to clean the chairs, but the Chef continues to push him into climbing higher and higher onto the balanced mountain of furniture! The finale is breathtaking!
The second of two guest posts this week comes from one of your favorite Disney Food Blog guest writers. A special thanks to Chef BigFatPanda for sharing this review with us! He recently met up with two of our other favorite friends for a meal at 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Take it away, Chef!
50's Prime Time Cafe Sign
Hello! Chef BigFatPanda here! I recently had the pleasure of accompanying Amanda Tinney and Suzannah DiMarzio for dinner at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Atmosphere
As usual, the atmosphere was relaxed and I noticed everything appeared to be sparkling clean. We were seated right away, and our server, Mandy, immediately knew we were going to be a handful. On this visit, the theme of 1950’s nostalgia was vibrant. And, as servers at 50’s Prime Time Cafe work in “Mom’s Kitchen” and play the part of your relative in line with the restaurant’s themeing, Mandy was our “sister” for the afternoon. [Read more…]
Celebrate YOUR Mrs. Incredible
Wondering how to celebrate Mom’s Day during your trip to a Disney Park? Here are a few options that have come across our path…
Walt Disney World Mother’s Day Brunch
Where: Epcot® – Living Seas Salon (Located on the 2nd floor of The Seas with Nemo & Friends pavilion)
When: Sunday, May 9, 2010. First seating is at 10:30am; second seating is at 2:00pm
Price: $95.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.
Details and Menu below — Click the Image for a Larger Version
Come celebrate mom with an “Under the Sea Garden” Brunch at the Living Seas Salon. This breathtaking hideaway is one of the most unique locations for private events at the Walt Disney World® Resort. The venue allows you the opportunity to get up close with over 3,000 varieties of sea life in the 5.7 million gallon aquarium. This is definitely an event to make mom feel special, and one she’ll always remember!
For reservations, e-mail [email protected] with the following information: your interest to book, your name, daytime phone number, home address, and the number of people in your party. You will be notified on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Your credit card will be taken over the phone once your reservation is confirmed. The event is limited to 108 Guests per seating.
Disneyland Mother’s Day Royal Buffet with Cinderella and the Disney Princesses
Where: Grand Ballroom of the Disneyland Hotel
When: May 9, 2010; 10:00am – 3:00pm
Price: Adults (10 and over): $69.00, Children (under 10): $18.99 Prices do not include tax and gratuity: a 15% service charge (gratuity) and 8.75% tax will be added.
This Mother’s Day, join Cinderella and her princess friends for a Royal Buffet. Mom can enjoy the royal treatment with spectacular entrées, tempting side dishes and delectable desserts. In addition to a delicious brunch buffet, you can enjoy live musical entertainment and a meet-and-greet opportunity with Cinderella and her princess friends.
The menu is scheduled to include a selection of brunch items fit for a queen, such as beautiful spring salads, artisan cheeses, smoked and chilled seafood, cured meats, traditional breakfast selections, seasonal fresh fish and free-range chicken. In addition, have your brunch customized [Read more…]
Chocolate Fondant With Praline from Remy - (c) Disney Cruise Line
Bonjour, my foodie friends! This weekwe heard about the Disney Dream’s exclusive adults-only restaurant — Remy! If you’re booked for a Disney Dream cruise, I’d love to hear if Remy will make the cut for your dining arrangements. (Check out the full press release and photos at StitchKingdom)
And don’t forget — Disneyland’s Food and Wine Festival starts THIS COMING WEEKEND! (Check out DisneyGeek’s cool pic of the Festival Showplace banners!) You know I’m gonna be there in just two short weeks to start my reporting, but in the meantime, check out all the exciting events that are scheduled to take place: Disney’s 2010 California Food and Wine Festival.
Finally, I want to take a moment to thank and “toast” a brilliant person, Alain Littaye, who has written one of my favorite Disney-related blogs, Disney and More, for three years. I’m sad to see the blog end, Alain, but I look forward to seeing your stamp on many Disney-related projects in the future. Thank you for sharing your immense knowledge of and interest in Disney with your readers.
And now, on with the Round-Up!
The WDW Today Podcast kindly brought me on as a guest last week to discuss Food Quality vs. Atmosphere in Disney World Restaurants. I clearly need to take some public speaking lessons, but the discussion is still very interesting!
Disney World Basics looks at one of Disney’s strategies to create healthier options for dining in the parks — Kids’ Picks!
Main Street Gazette heads over to the Rose and Crown Dining Room for a delicious dining review!
The DVC Life takes a look at whether Jiko in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth the $100+ price tag.
Chef Druck Musings shares some secrets about her favorite character meals in Disney World.
Thanks to Zannaland for posting this very cool interview about a fellow blogger! (Wink, wink) The ensuing comments about tart-n-tiny candy is my favorite part.
The Disney Blog reports the potential shuttering of the final Goodings Supermarket near Disney World.
Disney Parks Blog celebrates the top honors received in Orlando Magazine by several Walt Disney World restaurants.
The Disney Chick makes Gourmet Double Chocolate Chunk Cookies from the Main Street Bakery. Go on. You know you want to click. 😉
OC Register has a fun story about what Disneyland’s doing with the leftover fry oil from their kitchens! Here’s a hint: it has to do with Park transportation… .
Chip and Co shares some dessert options for people with Diabetes dining in Disney World restaurants.
DisUnplugged heads to Disneyland’s Plaza Inn for dinner!
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