News and Rumors: Potential Updates to the Disney Dining Plan

Disney World guests utilizing the Disney Dining Plan will want to be aware of some rumored changes taking place to the popular plans available for Disney Resort guests starting today, May 31, 2015 (though it is rumored that Disney will not post the changes officially until June 4th).

Please note that at this time we have not received official confirmation from Disney regarding any of these changes. We just wanted you to be aware of the rumors in the case that you’d be able to put them into practice this week in the parks.

Participants on the Dining Plan will be able use their dining credits in the typical ways (i.e. guests on the standard Disney Dining Plan will still receive 1 Table Service Credit, 1 Quick Service Credit, and 1 Snack Credit per night of stay and can use those credits accordingly at designated locations); however, there may be additional opportunities that will allow for more flexibility.

Snack Entitlements

The most commonly rumored change says that a “snack credit” will now include all single-serve items and beverages such as Caramel Apples — not including Character designs — and large Mickey Cookies among other previously ineligible items. Also included may be Quick Service restaurant side items and breakfast items, like sides of bacon or sausage.

Caramel Apples

These may include: [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: May 31, 2015

By Brooke Leave a Comment

Wow! There is just so much going on in the world of Disney Food this week that I bet you’ve had a hard time keeping up!

Not only did we publish the first big news about the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival — in its 20th year!! — but we also now have the complete line up for the uber popular Eat to the Beat Concert Series!

Well, the good news is…that’s what we’re here for! And after a busy week covering the latest and greatest in California, Florida, and Ireland, we’re back, sorting through all of the biggest stories to keep you informed.

We have a ton of stuff to share. Let’s get right to it!

Disney Food News

We have our first big news about the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, including new dishes that will debut!
We have a FIRST LOOK Photo Tour and Review of the brand new Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
The full Eat to the Beat Concert Series Schedule for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival has been announced!
We offer a review of the Disneyland 60th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Cake Pop.
Cooking Classes and Demos for kids and grownups are coming to Downtown Disney Orlando (soon to be Disney Springs).
In news from our trip to Ireland, we learn that Raglan Road will soon be adding Irish Grass-Fed Beef to its regular menu!
We review some fun specialty Star Wars drinks at Star Wars Weekends!
The Orange Bird is back in Magic Kingdom, and to celebrate his return, OB merch is making a comeback for a limited time!
Bacon Mac and Cheese in a Bread Cone is BACK — but this time, you’ll find it in Disney California Adventure instead of Hollywood Studios, as it was last summer.

Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events,
and more!

We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

In honor of Star Wars Weekends, happening now through June 14, we’re featuring some treats commemorating all the fun!

Jacqueline Melanson kicked her day off right with a Darth Vader Waffle at Sci Fi Drive In.

Darth Vader Waffle at Sci-Fi Dine In Restaurant

But Disneyland fans — you aren’t left out of the fun! JD Boo-won grabbed himself a Hans Solo Popcorn Bucket in front of Pizza Port at Disneyland!

Han Solo Popcorn Bucket in Disneyland

Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us!

Deal of the Week: 2015-2016 Disney World Vacation Must-Have E-Book Sale!

Do you have a Walt Disney World Trip on the books for this year? Woohoo!! There’s nothing more exciting than counting down the days to your next Walt Disney World Trip!

But, even the most spontaneous Disney fan knows that planning ahead is the key to a stress-less vacay. And that mantra is absolutely true when it comes to dining.

If you really want to dine in the hottest restaurants, you pretty much have to plan ahead. Be spontaneous, of course. But get a couple Advance Dining Reservations in place.

But which ones?

That’s where Disney Food Blog comes in, because we are all about the planning!!

You already enjoy our reviews, news, and tips daily on our Blog. But did you know — that’s JUST the tip of the iceberg. Because we have lots more to share with you in our complete line of DFB Guides.

If you’re ready for a fun, easy way to personalize eating and drinking your way through Disney, then check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book.
Fully updated for your 2015-2016 adventures, the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 490 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subject — Eating Your Way Through Disney! So you save time and money as you enjoy planning one of the most important parts of your trip. 😉

And to thank all of you for your support of DFB, we are offering extra savings on our most popular DFB Guide right now. Just enter promo code 2015 at checkout and you’ll save $4 off of our cover price of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book!

But if you’d like to enjoy even more detail, check out another great offer.

DFB Everything Bundle SALE!

If you’d like even more great information, pictures, and tips, then the DFB Everything Bundle is the right fit for you.

And to get you ready for that next big trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for $15 off the already low price! It’s like getting an entire book for free. Just enter promo code Everything15 at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: [Read more…]

It’s Back! Bacon Mac and Cheese Bread Cone at Disney California Adventure

By AJ 9 Comments

Well, I’ll be dipped.

So there I was, walking around Disneyland taking in all the sights and tastes for the 24-Hour Kickoff of the Disneyland Diamond Resort Celebration, when I stumbled upon THIS piece of gorgeousness.

Bacon Mac & Cheese Cone sign

The Macaroni & Cheese Bread Cone is BACK! Well, at Disneyland, that is! And you can find it at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure.

Cozy Cone Motel Sign

Cone Queso at the Cozy Cone Motel

So, why is this such a huge deal? Well, in case you missed it last summer, a little backstory: last August we reviewed the Macaroni and Cheese Bread Cone at Disney WORLD found in Hollywood Studios at the concession stands for the Fantasmic! nighttime spectacular.

And it was quite a hit. Because it’s a HUGE pile of MAC AND CHEESE. Topped with BACON. Stuffed in BREAD. Like this…

Macaroni and Cheese Bread Cone previously served at Fantasmic!

However, probably no more than two days after we reviewed it, it was pulled from the Fantasmic menu.

Gone. Vamoose. Finito!

No big drama or anything, just a regular menu change and pretty much par for the course when you’re scoping out food at Disney World. But a major bummer nonetheless, what with it being MAC AND CHEESE. Topped with BACON. Stuffed in BREAD and all.

So when I saw that sign last week, I knew I had to grab it. Lesson learned: far be it from me to let a moment with the Mac and Cheese Bread Cone slip through my fingers. Pay no mind to the fact that [Read more…]

News! The Orange Bird Returns to Magic Kingdom — With SUPER Limited Time Merchandise

By AJ 8 Comments

As you may know, there was a little switch-up in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland a few months ago: Aloha Isle (home of the Dole Whip) and Sunshine Tree Terrace (Citrus Swirl haven) changed places to accommodate construction — it is widely believed — for an upcoming Jungle Cruise-themed restaurant.

New Sunshine Tree Terrace location

On the day the “new” locations opened, however, there was one obvious thing missing: the Orange Bird could not be found at Sunshine Tree Terrace (to learn a little more about the Orange Bird’s long Adventureland history, check out the video in this post!).

Disney assured fans, thankfully, of his impending return, and it seems it has now come to pass. The original Orange Bird figurine returned today — Friday, May 29th — to Sunshine Tree Terrace (and he is going to be honored on the location’s sign as well).

Welcome back, Orange Bird!

To celebrate his homecoming, the Disney Parks online store is selling a LIMITED RUN t-shirt and poster featuring our little orange pal! Through June 4 only, this Orange Bird T-shirt will be available in an Adult and Youth size:

©Disney

A print featuring the same design is up for grabs, and so is [Read more…]

News! 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule!

By AJ 8 Comments

It’s finally here! We have more information to share with you from the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which runs September 25-November 16, 2015.

The Eat to the Beat Concert line-up is in the books! There are lots of exciting returning acts like Hanson, Wilson Phillips, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. And as always, a few new acts freshen up the mix a bit. We look forward to seeing Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest, and Chaka Khan this year!

Here’s the full list. Don’t forget to check out our 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for all the latest details on the festival!

2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Line-Up

David Cook – September 25-27, 2015
Wilson Phillips – September 28-29, 2015
Christopher Cross – September 30-October 1, 2015
Starship – October 2-4, 2015
Smash Mouth – October 5-7, 2015
The Pointer Sisters – October 8-9, 2015
38 Special – October 10-11, 2015
Rick Springfield – October 12-13, 2015
Sugar Ray – October 14-16, 2015
The S.O.S. Band – October 17-18, 2015
Air Supply – October 19-21, 2015
Fuel – October 22-23, 2015
Tiffany (NEW!) – October 24-25, 2015
Dennis DeYoung – October 26-28, 2015
Jo Dee Messina – October 29-30, 2015
Everclear (NEW!) – October 31-November 1, 2015
Boyz II Men – November 2-4, 2015
Sister Hazel – November 5-6, 2015
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy – November 7-9, 2015
Hanson – November 10-12, 2015
Maxi Priest (NEW!) – November 13-14, 2015
Chaka Khan (NEW!) – November 15-16, 2015

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Performing at Eat to the Beat

Eat to the Beat concerts are free with Epcot admission throughout the festival. You can catch up to three shows per night at at 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM and 8:00 PM in the America Gardens Theater, located in the America Pavilion. Check out our Eat to the Beat Concert page for details and times.

Start Your Planning Today! The DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is now available for Pre-Order!

This 200+-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. Pre-order your 2015 edition today, and download the 2014 guide for FREE — immediately!

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!

Use code Chefs at check-out for a $3 discount!

Is YOUR favorite act [Read more…]

Photo Tour and Review: The New Harambe Market in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Wendy 24 Comments

Karibu! Welcome to the new Harambe Market in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Harambe Market Entrance

Harambe Market

This brand new Counter Service location in the Africa section of the park features four distinct serving stations offering dishes based on African street food, and plenty of beverages.

Harambe Market sign

Harambe Market

You have to look for it a bit —it’s tucked behind Tamu Tamu Refreshments, and this new section creates a continuing path from the Kilimanjaro Safaris attraction to the road leading from Africa to Asia. Once you get there, the surrounding area begins pulling you into the setting and story even before you set foot past the official entrance….

Atmosphere

The new Harambe Market area is ready to welcome guests from all around the globe.

Harambe Guest House outside of entrance

Surrounding area

Just outside the Market

You walk into the official Market through this entryway.

Harambe Market

Harambe Market gate

Side entrance to Harambe Market

When Disney released the first info about the marketplace to come, they shared a bit of its story as well: the marketplace serves as a center of commerce serving food and goods to world travelers who have come to the town as a respite before or after their safari adventures seeking out the animals of Africa. Of course, we’ll be getting to the food :), but here are a few glimpses of the market.

Best Baskets

Market Goods

Hidden Mickey? Or do I just see them everywhere now?

Market Goods

The water tower stands tall as a landmark over the marketplace.

Water Tower

Whenever the Wildlife Express Train goes by on its trips to and from Rafiki’s Planet Watch, it’s even more believable that you’ve stepped into a place that hosts traveling guests. It’s truly transportive.

Set near the train tracks

My third or fourth attempt to capture the passing train

If you’re like me and could spend all day checking out the detailed signs and wall art all over Animal Kingdom, get ready to have an absolute field day in here.

Signs and posters

Signs

As always, some of the posters and bits of art make you smile while others are more thought-provoking, but all [Read more…]

Raglan Road (In Ireland!): How Recipes are Born

By Brooke 5 Comments

We are a couple days back from the Raglan Road Master Chef Class in Ireland! And after recovering a bit from the go-go-go pace and jet lag, I’d like to share with you a few more glimpses into my time there.

The Cooking School at Dunbrody House Hotel

Today, we step into the kitchen to get behind-the-scenes insight into how Chef Kevin Dundon and his team create the recipes that we enjoy on Raglan Road’s menu and during special functions.

Creating the Recipes

If you followed along during our coverage of the #RaglanRoadTrip, then you know that Master Chef contest entrants were tasked with creating a three-course menu that would be featured at Raglan Road’s upcoming tenth anniversary celebration this October.

Sancerre and Irish Butter — How Could We Go Wrong?

As it turns out, this exercise set the stage for the curriculum in cooking school this week!

Chef Dundon took each of the finalists’ menus, chose one dish, and refined it. The resulting collaboration turned in five dishes that were at once original and recognizable — but also over-the-top delicious.

Chef Dundon Creates and Heather Takes Notes

Watching the process was interesting in that it gave each of us the chance to see how recipe development for Raglan Road takes place.

Starting with the seed of the finalists’ recipes, Chef Dundon and the finalists experimented with the dishes and tweaked until they were just right. He cooked as the finalists took notes. And at the end of the day, each person tested how well they paid attention by cooking the dish all over again. (They all did great, by the way.)

One of the Dishes -- Flash Fried Oyster Butter Soup with Honey Foam

One of the Winning Dishes — Flash Fried Oyster Butter Soup with Honey Foam

I think the biggest takeaway for all of us was the concept of [Read more…]

News! 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Confirmed Booths, New Dishes, and More Details!

By AJ 22 Comments

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015, and today, we’re starting to get an idea of what this year will include.

We have updates on everything from food to new attractions, so let’s get to it!

NEW Booths and Dishes

While we anticipate lots and lots more announcements about new food items, we’re getting our very first glimpse of some eats that will debut in the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booths!

The Scotland Booth is back and will debut a brand new drink, the Scottish Citrus Thistle!

A Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Peppers, Onions and Snap Peas will be a highlight at the Australia Booth, and the New Zealand Booth will tempt guests with a Seared Venison Loin with Wild Mushroom Ragout and Kumara Dumpling.

Other new dishes will include Pepper Bacon Mac ‘n Cheese (what WHAT?!??!?) at the Farm Fresh Booth. But I super hope that amazing Hash returns in 2015!

Farm Fresh Marketplace

Of course, we are crossing our fingers and hoping that plenty of dishes that we love return as well. We do know that the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup is returning to the Canada Booth!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup Will Once Again Join the Festival Line Up

So we can breathe a collective sigh of relief there. 🙂

New Special Events

We cannot wait to check out a brand new festival Premium Event — the French Family Meal Traditions Lunch, which will take place on Fridays and Sundays.

If the French Family Meal Traditions Lunch is Anything Like the Parisian Breakfast, We Can’t Wait!

A brand new premium party, the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, will also take place on select dates. More details to come about that one!

NEW Artists Debuting and Familiar Favorites Returning to Eat to the Beat Concert Series

Taking in an Eat to the Beat Concert as the sun goes down is a great way to enjoy your evening at the festival. And this year, we have some brand new acts to choose from.

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy Performing at Eat to the Beat

New acts Tiffany, Everclear, Maxi Priest, and Chaka Khan will take the stage at the America Pavilion in 2015. They’ll be joined by several returning acts, including Wilson Phillips, Smash Mouth, The Pointer Sisters, Jo Dee Messina, Boyz II Men, and Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

To check out the FULL official line up, click over to our Eat to the Beat Concert Series Page!

Celebrity Chefs to Appear at the 2015 Food and Wine Festival

One of the most fun aspects of the festival is catching a low cost culinary demonstration with celebrity chefs. 2015 will see the return of many favorites. Look for Cat Cora, Robert Irvine, Jamie Deen, Rock Harper, Kenny Gilbert, and Buddy Valastro at Culinary Demos and Special Events.

Cake Boss, 2011 Sweet Sundays Event

Chef Cat Cora Book Signing at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The festival will also welcome back chef and cookbook author John Ash, who appeared at the very first festival in 1996!

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt

Also new for 2015 — everyone’s favorite rat chef Remy will be joining the party with [Read more…]

Review: Disneyland 60th Anniversary Mickey Mouse Cake Pop

By AJ 2 Comments

I had an amazing time in Disneyland last week, celebrating the kick-off of their Diamond Anniversary year!

Sleeping Beauty Castle decked out for the Diamond Anniversary

And, of course, as is the case anytime a Disney park celebrates a big milestone, they brought out tons of special treats. From dressed up candy apples…

Diamond Celebration Minnie Apple

…to diamond glow cubes…

Specialty beverages with diamond glow cubes

…to the most incredible popcorn buckets ever…

Disneyland Balloon Popcorn Bucket

…it was a blast just wandering the park noshing on all of the latest goodies.

But, of course I had to see what the 60th Anniversary cake pops were all about!

Disneyland 60th Anniversary Cake Pops

These guys were just [Read more…]

Photo Tour: Streets of America “Restaurants” in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By Wendy 5 Comments

Typically when we’re talking about Streets of America at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, it’s because we’re reviewing some eats in that area of the park, including Pizza Planet, Mama Melrose’s, Studio Catering Co., High Octane Refreshments, and our beloved Writer’s Stop.

Writer’s Stop

But today we’re going to take a stroll around this part of the park that doesn’t typically get a whole lot of attention (unless it’s the holiday season when The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights takes over).

Many people pass through this area of false fronts and forced perspective representing street sets for New York and San Francisco on the way to or from the Lights! Motors! Action! Extreme Stunt Show. But I have always loved this section of the Studios as a great place to wander around and take in loads of those famous Disney details.

Streets of America

Among the shops and various business ventures lining these city streets, you’ll notice more than a couple of restaurants and food stops — lots of mom-and-pop-style operations that look like places locals would frequent if these settings were, in fact, real.

For instance, when you’re wandering down New York street, you just gotta love the sign that says it all… by saying next to nothing: the “Eat” sign.

“Eat”

I don’t care what they’re serving. I’d kinda like to try it.

“Eat”

And I can’t be the only person who wishes the Village Pizza Parlor was real every single time I walk past.

Village Pizza Parlor

Calzones and Pie by the Slice! And you have to respect a place that boasts “Macaroni” on the window.

Village Pizza Parlor

Looks to me like a place that could rival Via Napoli for Best Pizza in Disney World… if it actually existed, that is ;).

If you look up (and, as they say, you should always [Read more…]

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED