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#OnTheList: The King Cupcake at Disney World’s Pop Century Resort

This post is part of the DFB #OnTheList series, where we feature eats you’ve GOT to have while you’re at Disney! Let us know what’s on YOUR Disney Food Bucket List @DisneyFoodBlog #OnTheList!

Are you ready for one huge hunka-hunka cupcake? Because THAT’S what you’ll get with the King Cupcake, our latest #OnTheList item found at Disney’s Pop Century Resort!

#OnTheList King Cupcake

Elvis Presley has no shortage of diehard fans to this day, but it appears he was quite the fanboy himself… particularly of a good ol’ peanut butter and banana sandwich. But it didn’t stop there — he was also known to enjoy this classic combo with bacon. [Read more…]

Food and Wine Festival Review: Food for Thought with Chef Norman Van Aken

By AJ 2 Comments

We’ve finally made it! The 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is opening next week!

Soon, it will be time to Dine Our Way Around the World, as the World Marketplace Booths begin serving dishes inspired by flavors throughout the world! And with more than seven full weeks of Special Events, Culinary Demos, Beverage and Mixology Seminars, and special exhibits, this event is a food lover’s paradise.

While we anxiously count down these last few days until all the fun starts, we’re taking a look at some of the events we enjoyed from last year.

In 2014, one of the Special Events was Food for Thought, an event where celebrity chefs shared favorite recipes while sharing their personal stories. (Read our review of the event featuring Chef Rick Bayless last year here.) During these events, guests also enjoyed three dishes from one of the featured chef’s cookbooks. In 2015, you’ll find a similar event called “What’s Cooking With”.

I had the pleasure of attending one of these events last year, and I learned some great tips and techniques from Florida-local Chef Norman Van Aken. Let’s check out some of the delicious dishes we enjoyed.

Food for Thought with Chef Norman Van Aken

I arrived at Festival Center for this event a few minutes early. It actually took place during brunch hours.

The Festival Stage was decked out as usual. Located at the back of the Festival Center, this is where all festival Culinary Demonstrations as well as many Special Events take place.

Ticket

It’s a neat venue, because it’s actually open to the rest of the pavilion; if you happen to be passing, you can actually take in the presentation from outside of the dining area for free. 🙂 Of course, you won’t get to try any of the goodies. [Read more…]

NEW Snack: Apple Pie a la Mode at Epcot’s Fife and Drum Tavern

By AJ 5 Comments

Time to dive into a new sweet snack at Epcot’s American Pavilion!

Fife And Drum

At the Fife & Drum, a counter service spot located at the front of the pavilion where we love to pick up our American Dream Slush and other assorted goodies, you can now indulge in a new snack item: Apple Pie a la Mode.

Fife & Drum Menu

Now, don’t get too excited. This is basically the same counter-service apple pie “pocket” that you have always been able to get over at Liberty Inn next door, and at Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom. And that’s OK, since it IS pretty good. But with this option, they’ve added vanilla soft serve ice cream to make it “a la mode.” [Read more…]

News! Walt’s Restaurant, and the Neverland Tunnels, Slated for Disney Springs

By AJ 19 Comments

We are getting more details about possible restaurants coming to Disney Springs soon, thanks to Scott Joseph’s Orlando Restaurant Guide.

Concept Art for The Edison at Disney Springs ©Disney

Reports say that two more projects with Disney pedigrees will join the ever expanding list of offerings in the overhauled shopping and dining district. [Read more…]

News: Details and Booking for 2015 Osborne Spectacle of Dancing Lights Dining Events

By AJ 34 Comments

Last week, Disney announced that 2015 will be the last year for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The popular show is wrapping to accommodate construction for two new Lands coming to the park in the future: Toy Story and Star Wars.

The festive synchronized holiday lights and music show will be on display from November 6, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

The announcement also revealed that two new extra ticket events will be added this year to celebrate the final run of The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights. Details have been released for each of these events, which are now open for booking.

Merry and Bright Dessert Party

The Merry & Bright Dessert Party will take place from November 6 through December 30, 2015. Please note that the hours change based on the date you choose:

from November 6-December 24, the party runs from 7:00 – 8:30 pm,
and from December 25-30, the party runs from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm.
Excluded dates are: November 17, December 9, and December 18.

Guests will enjoy a reserved viewing area, and will also receive a custom stadium blanket as a souvenir.

Price to attend is $69 for adults, $39 for children (including tax and gratuity).

Guests Enjoying the Seating Area

Guests can book by calling (407) 939-3463 or online via the Walt Disney World website.

Osborne Lights — Peace On Earth

Merry and Bright Dinner Reception

From January 1 (8:30 to 10:00 pm), and 2nd, 3rd (7:00 to 8:30 pm), the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception will offer a chance to ring in the new year by enjoying small plates (turkey, beef, and shrimp dishes among them) along with specialty drinks, wine, and beer, all from an exclusive reserved viewing area. At evening’s end, each guest will receive “a custom shadow box keepsake featuring their own Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights!”

Seating at Dusk Before the Lights Come On

The price to attend is $99 for adults, $54 for children (including tax and gratuity).

Interested guests may book this event online, or by calling (407) 939-3463.

Osborne Lights

Please note that seating for the events is outdoors and uncovered without assigned seating, and an alternate location will be used in the event of rain (usually this is Studio Catering Co.). It is anticipated that these events may book up quickly, due to the popularity of the Dancing Lights.

For more information, be sure to visit the Merry & Bright Dessert Party and Merry & Bright Dinner Reception pages on the Walt Disney World website.

Will you be seeing the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights during its final run? Please let us know with a comment!

Guest Review: Orange Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot

By Brooke 1 Comment

We’re welcoming back DFB Guest Author and good friend Joey Beyer with a guest review of the Orange Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Future World! Since we’re big fans of Disney Cupcakes, we can’t wait to show you this one!

Learn About:Sunshine Seasons

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Hello everyone! I am very excited to introduce the new Orange Cupcake that has popped up at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons. This cupcake can be found in the self-service cabinet adjacent to the dessert counter at Sunshine Seasons, so you can just grab your favorite!

I am a huge fan of the Sunshine Seasons, as it always has a great selection of foods and unique seasonal options. (And by the way — for those of you that are fans of the Warm Peanut Butter Brownie at Sunshine Seasons, there is no need to worry. As of 9/7/15 it was still available as the “Seasonal Dessert” at Sunshine Seasons.)

As you can see, the cupcake is topped with a gummy orange candy and orange frosting.

Orange Cupcake from Sunshine Seasons

The frosting is the standard Disney buttercream frosting and has a hint of orange flavor! The frosting is also topped with large granules of sugar. [Read more…]

Review: Les Chefs De France in Epcot’s France Pavilion

By AJ 14 Comments

We are enjoying a leisurely lunch today at Les Chefs de France, the table service restaurant in Epcot’s France Pavilion.

Learn About:Chefs de France

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This iconic eatery has been the location of many happy meals and memories for me through the years. But as with other Disney spots, it’s always good to check in occasionally. Disney restaurants can be wildly inconsistent; a place that’s spot-on during one meal can go south the next time you visit. So I always make it a priority to check back in at all of Disney restaurants to see if they’ve gotten better or worse, and to show you what they’re serving up lately. You get to choose if they’re worth your time and money.

Let’s go. 🙂

Atmosphere

I have very early memories of this restaurant. When you walk by at night, it just looks so cozy inside! And it’s honestly beautiful any time of day.

Les Chefs de France in Epcot

Little has changed here since the restaurant first opened when the park did. But that’s ok. Because the whole point here is to look like a classic French bistro that you’d find in Paris. And it really, really fits the bill. [Read more…]

Sneak Peek: Special Treats Coming to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party in Disney World

By Wendy 8 Comments

Sure signs of autumn have officially come to the Magic Kingdom… Main Street U.S.A. is all decked out with scarecrows and pumpkins in anticipation of the 2015 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, kicking off on Tuesday, September 15th!

Halloween at Disney!

On select nights through November 1, 2015, guests attending this extra ticket event will enjoy trick-or-treating all over Magic Kingdom, along with special happenings like Mickey’s “Boo-to-You” Halloween Parade and the all new Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular. [Read more…]

News: Dessert and Dinner Events Announced for the Final Year of Osborne Lights at Disney World

By AJ 20 Comments

Well, I don’t know if this is a huge surprise with all of the upcoming construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to make way for Toy Story and Star Wars Lands, but it is with some melancholy that we learned that it is — indeed — official: this Holiday Season will be the final year for The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights — the joyful and unique holiday celebration featuring millions of lights synchronized to holiday music at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The display will run from November 6, 2015 through January 3, 2016.

The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Two new events have been announced in conjunction with the final year of the Spectacle (a chance to “go out with a bang,” so to speak): the Merry & Bright Dessert Party will take place from November 6th – December 30th, and the Merry & Bright Dinner Reception will be available to book for the first days of the New Year, January 1 – 3, 2016. [Read more…]

SNEAK PEEK: New Disney-Branded Allergy Friendly Snacks

By Tina F. 16 Comments

Here’s a bit of news for ya — there are about to be some changes coming up with Disney-branded, pre-packaged snacks and we have a sneak peek for you today at one of the new varieties!

The parks and resorts will soon start selling a Disney-branded allergy friendly line of snacks!

Snacks With Character Allergy Friendly Snack

The new line will include Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies, Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies, and Mountain Mambo Seed & Fruit Mix. The allergy friendly snacks will be billed “Snacks with Character,” and each will feature a well-known Disney character. No exact date yet on when these will be officially released, but let’s check out the Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies! [Read more…]

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#OnTheList: The King Cupcake at Disney World’s Pop Century Resort

Food and Wine Festival Review: Food for Thought with Chef Norman Van Aken

Food for Thought with Chef Norman Van Aken

NEW Snack: Apple Pie a la Mode at Epcot’s Fife and Drum Tavern

News! Walt’s Restaurant, and the Neverland Tunnels, Slated for Disney Springs