Sneak Peek: 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

Wow! I anticipated that some of the merchandise for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival would be better-than-average, considering that 2015 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Festival. But I can’t say I was expecting all of this! Disney has provided a sneak peek at some of the items on tap for the celebration… and you may want to settle in, my friends, because there is LOTS of it.

I don’t even know where to start, so I guess I’ll just point out a few favorites. For instance, “Voila! You’ve got a (Chef) Figment” on the Chef Figment Mug and 20th Anniversary Ornament below! And you Dooney and Bourke fans out there will want to check out the bag on the bottom right (as well as a few other bags throughout the collection).

©Disney

I’m also loving that Chef Mickey Appetizer Plate, too — it’s an example of one out of three different art programs that set the tone for the merchandise. Chefs Mickey and Figment make up one line, so you’ll spot them on several pieces throughout the images. [Read more…]

Review: New Bakery Items at Contemporary Resort’s Contempo Cafe (Did Somebody Say “Peanut Butter Pie”?)

By Wendy 18 Comments

In our wanderings in Disney World earlier this month we spotted some new goodies at Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!

Learn About:Contempo Cafe

Disney World Restaurants

Contempo Cafe has long impressed with the variety of options available in the ol’ bakery case. The main standouts, though, have typically come in the form of cupcakes. After all, Contempo Cafe has been home to a rotating cast of cupcake greats like the Black Forest Cupcake, the Dulce de Leche Cupcake, the always festive Birthday Cake Cupcake and — my personal favorite — the (deeply missed) Chocolate Covered Coconut Cupcake.

Now, for you diehard cupcake aficionados like myself, rest assured that we’ve got one more of those for you today. But we’re also taking a look at FOUR other new items in that case… and a couple of them may tempt you to veer off the cupcake path, at least for a little bit.

So get your sweet tooth ready for a few new gems! But let’s take a super quick look around first, shall we?

Atmosphere

You’ll find Contempo Cafe on the fourth floor of the Contemporary, right next to Chef Mickey’s. It feels like things are always buzzing right around this area, especially since Chef Mickey and the gang are now hosting brunch as well as breakfast and dinner.

Contempo Café Entrance

This Counter Service spot featuring hot meals (they still serve up a mean Pot Roast for dinner), baked goods, and grab-and-go items is perfect for having a quick bite before or after hitting the Magic Kingdom, which is within walking distance of the Contemporary. [Read more…]

News! Epcot’s Garden Grill to Begin Serving Lunch AND Breakfast

By AJ 13 Comments

Exciting news! According to DisneyWorld.com, Epcot’s Garden Grill Restaurant will be even more available for guests to spin-and-dine beginning November 8, 2015!

Garden Grill Sign

Check out the screen shot below! [Read more…]

Review: Territory Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

By AJ 13 Comments

We are heading back to one of my favorite spots to grab a quick bite and drink — Territory Lounge.

Learn About:Territory Lounge

Disney World Restaurants

I really, really recommend this place. It’s comfortable, has a fantastic staff, is just a boat ride away from Magic Kingdom, and usually has a pretty incredible menu.

While my “love” for neighboring Artist Point waxes and wanes, I’ve enjoyed the majority of my visits to Territory Lounge. And with the recent installation at Artist Point of a new chef, who also covers Territory Lounge, I figured it was as good a time as any to visit again.

Atmosphere

The decor of the cavernous Wilderness Lodge lobby area echoes the same Craftsman style as the outside of the resort. But as you begin to explore different corners, you see that there’s more here than just Arts and Crafts. [Read more…]

Recipe: Chickpea, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad from Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Brooke 3 Comments

We have a recipe for the perfect, cool-you-down side dish from one of Disney’s newest dining spots.

“It Is Hot Today”

Harambe Market, the new counter service food court-style walk up eatery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, features a variety of hearty main dishes and interesting sides. The focus is on the traditional, complex use of herbs and spices in African cuisine.

Harambe Market

If you’re looking for something a little out of the ordinary to take to a summer picnic, this fresh salad of Chickpeas, Cucumber, and Tomato comes together in a snap and requires only minutes of cooking. At Harambe Market, the salad is served with the Dreamy Spice-rubbed Karubi Ribs, but it would be pair nicely with any meat. Or it would make a hearty, vegetarian entree on its own.

Chickpea, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad

Be prepared to hunt down a few exotic ingredients, and give it time to marinate so that the flavors mix and deepen.

Chickpea, Cucumber, and Tomato Salad

Harambe Marketplace at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Serves 8 as a side dish or appetizer

Ingredients: [Read more…]

News! and Review: Food Trucks In Testing at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts

By AJ 20 Comments

So, you’ve heard us mention Food Trucks quite a few times here on the DFB, and typically we’re referring to the four Disney Food Trucks most often found at Exposition Park in Downtown Disney’s West Side (though we’ve also had the chance to visit the Truckeria Rolling Taco Truck when it has appeared on occasion).

Well, today we’re visiting four more Food Trucks… but they’re not the ones you’re accustomed to seeing (like Fantasy Fare or Namaste Cafe), nor are they in the place you’re used to hearing them mentioned. Nope… we’re excited to bring you news of the Food Trucks that can currently be found on the weekends at the Causeway of Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resorts!

Swan and Dolphin Causeway

I say “currently” because — as is pretty common for food trucks of any sort — schedules (as well as locations –what with being mobile and all 😉 ) are apt to change. And these food trucks are actually in a testing phase as well. So while we’ll list some info about hours and availability with every truck below, please note that [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 26, 2015

By Brooke Leave a Comment

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

No, I’m not talking about Christmas in July. Instead, we’re excited to have nearly all of the details about the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival in place!

It’s been a week full of news gathering where this year’s Festival is concerned, as we’ve also been busy putting the final touches on the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! More about that in just a bit.

First, let’s look at all the Disney Food News — there’s a ton of stuff happening!

Disney Food News

New Salads and Drinks have debuted at the Gardens Kiosk at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and we’re offering you a first look and review.
Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers can book three exclusive events at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Speaking of Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers, we FINALLY have early booking details for Festival [Read more…]

Review: New Salads and Beverages at Animal Kingdom’s Gardens Kiosk

By AJ 4 Comments

Just a couple weeks ago, we went on a trek that took us all over Disney’s Animal Kingdom to check out the recently refurbished Flame Tree Barbecue as well as the various locations that were serving Flame Tree dishes while the popular restaurant was closed.

Learn About:The Smiling Crocodile

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

That included the Gardens Kiosk, which was previously known as the spot to find allergy-friendly snacks and information regarding dining with special diets in the park. (By the way, you can still find those resources in their updated location. The Allergy-Friendly Kiosk is now located at the spot that was previously known as Discovery Island Ice Cream, just across the way from Creature Comforts outside of the entrance to the Africa section of the park.) [Editor’s Note: Since the writing of this post, the Gardens Kiosk has had a name change; it is now The Smiling Crocodile.]

Not only did the Gardens Kiosk return with an all-new menu… it also returned with a different look. The new paint colors are shades of brown and green as opposed to the previous orange and yellow hues. And with an updated focus on salads, I’d say the earthy colors fit the bill quite well!

New look for the Gardens Kiosk

That’s right… Gardens Kiosk now features vegetarian and better-for-you fare in the form of two new salads: the Trek Power Salad and Farmers Salad. Rounding out the small menu is a [Read more…]

News! Three New Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events Exclusively for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers

By AJ 3 Comments

So, earlier today we brought Disney Chase Visa Cardmembers the good news that Cardholders are eligible for early booking for Special Events and Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival on July 28th.

Well, now we have even MORE good news for Cardmembers. It has just been announced that THREE unique events have been added to the Food and Wine Festival, and they are EXCLUSIVELY for Disney Chase Visa Cardmembers!

The special events include:

Brews, Breakfast and More

On September 28 from 8:30 – 10:30 am, guests at Brews, Breakfast, and More will enjoy a three-course breakfast utilizing beer as both an ingredient and a pairing, while learning about “beer styles and brewing processes that date back to ancient Babylon and Egypt.”

An element of the dishes will be the use of Passport 20 Belgian Tripel Ale, a “complex beer featuring 20 ingredients to celebrate 20 years” of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This brew offers the distinction of including 11 ingredients to represent each one of the World Showcase countries along with one ingredient representing Florida. Among other courses, the menu will include Liquid-Nitrogen Fried “Smoking” S’mores.

Cost: $89 per guest (plus tax)

The Making of Party for the Senses

On October 27th from 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, guests will enjoy learning [Read more…]

News! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Early Booking Details for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers

By AJ 13 Comments

We have some good news today for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers who are traveling to Disney World during the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers will be able to book ALL Food and Wine Festival Events beginning at 7:00AM on Tuesday, July 28th. This includes Special Events such as the Party for the Senses and the brand new Rockin’ Burger Block Party as well as Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations.

For complete details on all the events to choose from, be sure to visit our Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations Page as well as our Special Events Page.

Please keep in mind that a limited number of seats will be released for the pre-booking opportunity, and as far as we know Cardmembers must have a Chase DISNEY Visa. All details are subject to change, but this is very similar to last year’s early booking offer. Interested Cardmembers must [Read more…]

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