food IS a theme park
We have some fantastic — or Fantasmic! — news for anyone planning a visit to Disneyland. The nighttime spectacular Fantasmic! returns to the park on July 17th, and reservations for Fantasmic Dining Packages are now available for booking.
©Disney
Each package offers reserved seating for the show, and three new options are available. [Read more…]
Do you remember our recent trip to the new Market at Ale & Compass Counter Service and grab-and-go location in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort?
The Market at Ale & Compass
Well, that isn’t the only change we can expect in regards to dining at the Yacht Club! First: you may already be aware that Captain’s Grille is currently closed for a refurbishment.
But it seems that the changes will result in much more than your typical refurb. The Grille will reopen with a whole new feel AND a new name! Look for the re-imagined Ale & Compass Restaurant (part of the overall Ale & Compass concept) to present a “gastropub ambience” and offer “New England-inspired comfort food” for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. [Read more…]
We’ve all been there, right? You try to score that coveted Advance Dining Reservation, and it just doesn’t happen. So what should you do? Fortunately, that’s what we’re talking about in our latest DFB Video!
Today, we’re sharing the most popular restaurants in Walt Disney World — and what to do when they’re totally booked!
Be Our Guest Restaurant
So — what do you do when you can’t score dinner at Be Our Guest? [Read more…]
Wow! What a fun surprise to see so many Disney Restaurants participating in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month for 2017!
September is Orlando Magical Dining Month sponsored by Visit Orlando, and it begins with a preview week on August 25th and runs through October 1st. Magical Dining offers Orlando locals and guests the chance to enjoy the Orlando culinary scene at a significant savings: $35 for three courses at participating area restaurants. This year, the tally is over 100 restaurants offering the prix fixe dinners, which include appetizer, entree, and dessert.
In keeping with tradition, one dollar from each meal goes to support local charities. Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation are the two charities for 2017.
For a complete list of participating restaurants and Magical Dining Month menus, head over to Visit Orlando’s website. And to see all of the restaurants at Disney World and in the immediate Lake Buena Vista area, click here.
This year, an unprecedented number of Disney restaurants are participating, and we are happily surprised to see several Disney owned and operated spots on the list! Among them are The Turf Club, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Grand Floridian Cafe, Jiko, Olivia’s Cafe, and The Wave… of American Flavors.
Inguday Tibs in Brik at Jiko
Disneyland is keeping a secret that you’ve GOT to know about!
S.S. Mark Twain Collectible Card
Disneyland is undergoing lots of changes and improvements these days. Y’all know that the Summer of Heroes is underway until September 1o, and we’ve had lots of chances to try the yummy heroes-themed eats. Oh, and Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout opened, so there’s that. 😀
Groot at Disney California Adventure
Back in June we gave you a little heads up that Bengal BBQ is getting indoor seating — and it’s officially happened!
Bengal Barbecue sign
In fact, two shops — Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost and South Seas Traders — have both closed, creating an open space for a decent amount of covered and cooled seating.
South Seas Traders Seating Conversion
We love a Disney Prince who knows his way around a kitchen, so when we spotted a new menu item at Prince Eric’s in Disney World’s New Fantasyland, we were all over it.
Prince Eric’s Village Market is a small counter service spot located — no surprise! — across from the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. This tucked-away location is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to seeking out some eats.
Here’s the thing: the Village Market started out as a better-for-you-fare stand focusing primarily on grab-and-go fruits along with ice cold bottled drinks and Shaved Ice, which you can currently find in Tomorrowland instead.
And though the Prince is still dishing out grapes, pineapple chunks, pickle spears and bottled beverages, we’ve learned more recently to expect the unexpected from this small snack location.
Prince Eric’s Village Market
Case in point: our this-week discovery of Honey-Breaded Fried Chicken! [Read more…]
We’re back at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen for another visit today!
So…I’m noticing we’ve been there kind of a lot. It’s turning into my go-to restaurant — the place that pops to mind if I have a meeting, or a date night, or just get kind of hungry. And, you know…that’s saying something.
From the surroundings, to the service, to the food (and drinks!), this place is…pretty great. They offer fantastic cocktails and a decent counter service menu; and their table service options are some of the best in Walt Disney World.
I was recently in Disney Springs on a family trip, and decided that my traveling companions needed to check out this place for themselves. Wanna come along? I thought you might. 🙂
And oh, hey, it’s Homecomin’ now, y’all. Not Homecoming. To drive home that down-home, rural Florida feeling, Chef Art Smith officially decided to drop the “g”. Just FYI.
Outside View
We’ve shown you around a couple of times, so I’ll just give you the highlights during this visit. For a full look at the space, inside and out, be sure to check out our very first review of Homecomin’ that shares our first impressions from our first two visits. [Read more…]
Cat Cora Fans
, it looks like you’ll have a reason to rejoice for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
You’ll also want to keep a close eye on DFB and plan to be up extra early the morning that booking opens for 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events!
Chef Cat Cora has listed on her website that she will appear at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival twice for “cooking demos and meet and greets.”
We think that points squarely to the fact that Cora will be featured as part of the popular “What’s Cooking With” series.
“What’s Cooking With” events include cooking demos by chefs and other celebrities. After the demonstration is complete, the chef sits down with a host and shares a little about his or her story and the demonstrated dishes.
The audience has the opportunity to try a menu of dishes that the chef has prepared, along with beverage pairings. We’ve had the chance to enjoy several similar events, including demos by Chef Norman Van Aken and Chef Rick Bayless.
Currently, the dates to watch for Chef Cora are Friday, October 20, and Friday, October 27, from 9:45AM to 11:45AM. These are subject to change.
In the past, Chef Cora has also participated in the daily low cost cooking demonstration line up, so we’ll be anxious to see if she returns for a few of those as well. We hope so! (Check out a review of one of her cooking demos from a previous Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!)
Chef Cat Cora at an Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demonstration
And don’t forget — you don’t have to attend any of the events that chefs are appearing at for a chance to get in on a meet and greet.
Chef Cat Cora Book Signing at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
Just visit the Festival Center on the day that your favorite appears (the earlier the better!) to request a wristband, and line up for your chance to chat with your favorites and get their autographs.
News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!!
This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever.
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!
Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST!
Here’s what we know so far…
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations
2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule
Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page
2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon
2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic
Food and Wine Festival 101
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS
2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items
To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting TBD. Join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to find out as soon as we do about details and booking dates! Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone.
Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents may be eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. These members will be able to book seminars and demos TBD. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details.
Chase Disney Visa Cardholders can book select special events, demos, and seminars on TBD as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date.
Are you excited to see Chef Cat Cora return once again to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Leave a comment and let us know if you’ll be attending one of her cooking demos!
Happy 4th of July, Everyone!
For those of you here in the States and around the world who are celebrating, we hope you have a fabulous, fun, and SAFE holiday!
And if you’re like me, Summer means one thing — it’s time to plan a Disney trip! (Let’s be honest…it’s always time to plan a Disney trip.)
Ready to go?
Are you planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the busy summer season? Or do you have your eyes set on a fall Food and Wine Festival Trip or a Holiday Extravaganza? Whenever you visit, we know one thing for sure: today’s the day to pick up the DFB Guides! We’ve got an awesome deal…but it’s expiring soon!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
