Cheap(er) Disney Stuff! Twice Upon a Year 40% Off Sale Happening Now...

Cheap(er) Disney Stuff! Twice Upon a Year 40% Off Sale Happening Now…

There is just a little time left to get in on some great online deals at the Disney Store!

Sale items have been marked up to 40% off for the summer version of the Twice Upon a Year Sale. We couldn’t resist peeking around and checking out some of the cuteness.

As per usual, some of our favorite items come from the Home & Decor section, since that’s where all the kitchen goodies reside online…

Mickey Mouse Dimensional Mug

Um…super cute. I simply couldn’t pass up showing this Mickey Mouse Mug to you. They also have Goofy, Minnie, and Pluto versions! Adorable.

Summer Fun Mickey Mouse Pitcher

Just in time for all those cold beverages you crave on hot summer days! I don’t know which part of the Summer Fun Mickey Mouse Pitcher I like best. The front… [Read more…]

Spotted: Jerrod Maruyama Disney Film and Park Mugs

By AJ 12 Comments

So. much. cute.

Have you seen the latest Jerrod Maruyama mugs on any of your own Disney trips this year? I most recently noticed these in Epcot’s Mouse Gears, but you can also find them in Magic Kingdom’s Emporium — or just about anywhere on Disney property that sells mugs, basically.

Jerrod Maruyama Mugs

Jerrod Maruyama is the artist behind the Hipster Mickey line, among others, and he’s super fun to follow on Instagram. But what I really like about these mugs in particular is the way his designs pick up on some truly iconic Disney moments and images.

For instance, the Pinocchio Mug features so many memorable moments from the film. I can’t help but think of the artwork in Pinocchio Village Haus when I look at it.

Pinocchio Mug

Like the others, the amount of detail packed into the Bambi Mug is pretty incredible. Plus, it’s somewhat hard to find Bambi merchandise in the parks, so points for that, too!

Bambi Mug

I know it’s inspired completely by the film, but the colors of the Dumbo Mug remind me of life under the circus tent at Big Top Treats.

Dumbo Mug

I’ve saved my favorite for last: the Disneyland Mug. It shows Disney characters enjoying [Read more…]

Review: California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ 46 Comments

Time to check in on one of Walt Disney World’s most popular signature dining spots — California Grill.

Learn About:California Grill

Disney World Restaurants

Located atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grill has become nearly as well known for its stellar views as its market-inspired food. And those two factors can make this a tough table to book.

My last visit here, however, when the restaurant had just reopened after an in-depth refurbishment, was somewhat disappointing. At the time, I chalked it up to the kitchen having an off night; after all, I had enjoyed incredible dining here many times before.

I decided it was time to check in again. So we booked an early Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) on a recent visit, and up we went.

Atmosphere

If you’ve never visited California Grill, then there’s one thing you should know: you don’t just head to the 15th floor. Your journey actually starts on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary where you check in. Even if you’re just heading to the first-come, first-served Lounge, this is your first stop.

Second Floor Check In Desk for California Grill

You’ll then be escorted via a private elevator to the 15th floor. In this way, staff act as gatekeepers for the popular spot. If left unattended, it would get pretty busy up there, especially around Wishes-at-Magic-Kingdom time.

Once you make your way upstairs, a bank of Wine Fridges greets you straight ahead.

Entrance and Wine Fridges

You walk through the Lounge and Bar to get to the restaurant’s main seating area. That sounds as though these are different spaces; they aren’t. Basically, with the exception of a few private dining rooms, the restaurant features an open floor plan, accentuating the sweeping views and retro-meets-modern vibe.

California Grill Bar

If you find yourself without an ADR, there’s still hope. You can sit in the Grill’s Lounge and order from the menu, or just enjoy Drinks, Sushi, and Appetizers. Be forewarned, though: it’s not uncommon for this area to reach capacity as the night goes on. Here at 5PM, though, it was pretty bare.

California Grill Lounge

Wrap around to the main seating area, and you see that nearly every table commands an excellent view of the surrounding landscape, including Magic Kingdom and the Resorts situated around Seven Seas Lagoon.

Seating varies here and includes both tables and chairs and booths.

Seating

There are also a selection of tables that mix banquette and chair seating. Note that white tablecloths and cloth napkins are the norm here, lending to the upscale air of sophistication.

Table for Two

Booths are somewhat unique in that they are located in the middle of the floor. That means that you can enter from either side, and there will be traffic on both sides of your table, similar to what you find at Jiko. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it does mean that your booth won’t be as secluded as you might like.

But the view outside of the windows isn’t the only thing you have to look at.

California Grill Kitchen

The well-orchestrated, professional hustle and bustle that’s happening behind the counter in the on-stage kitchen can be fascinating as well.

Prepping for Dinner Service

Although we will focus today on the food here, the sweeping, panoramic vistas certainly bear mentioning. You can see for miles!

The View

And that’s one of the biggest draws of California Grill — this view, especially when it comes to [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 7, 2015

By Brooke 1 Comment

It’s been another busy week in Disney news!

Vivoli Gelateria Opening Soon in The Landing Area of Disney Springs

As we look around and see friends and family celebrating the kickoff to Summer, we are also ramping up to another busy season of fun in the Parks.

Hold onto your hat as we check out more breaking news on the Disney Springs front as well as updates to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine schedule. Read on to learn the latest!

Disney Food News

Vivoli Gelateria is opening later this month in The Landings at Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs)!
Also on the Disney Springs front (can we just commence to calling it that??), The NBA Experience (and Restaurant) has also been announced.
More Booths and Special Events have been confirmed for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Testing of an all-inclusive, one price for Disney World Refillable Mug is currently taking place at Port Orleans Resort.
We’re discerning fact from fiction was rumors swirl around upcoming Disney Dining Plan changes.

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!

Today, we’re featuring some lighter eats at the Parks!

@CosplayForJedi shared this delicious dish and tweet with us about his vegan meal at Yak and Yeti: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Yak and Yeti hooks it up for the vegans.”

Vegan Options at Animal Kingdom’s Yak and Yeti

@TheRaz2007 also checked in with some fresh flavors from Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern (yep, it’s opened right now!)

Lunch at Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern

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…]

Recipe: Celebrate the 60th Anniversary of Lady and the Tramp with Bella Notte Sangria!

By AJ 1 Comment

Those lovable pooches, Lady and the Tramp, will celebrate their 60th Anniversary next week! And they still look so young!

And to kick off the event the right way, D23, the official Disney Fan Club, will be launching their very first Fanniversary, Home Edition.

If it sounds like big fun to you, then head over to [Read more…]

News! Vivoli Gelateria Coming Soon to The Landing in Downtown Disney

By Wendy 6 Comments

Things got pretty exciting a few weeks ago when Disney announced more future Disney Springs dining spots.

Concept Art for Disney Springs’ Town Center

After all, some of the names on the list were already familiar to plenty of DFB readers, based in many cases on their location in the country. Some folks may be lucky enough to live near a Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza, and The Edison in Los Angeles already has quite a name for itself. Sprinkles Cupcakes? Yeah, I know that place! There’s one not too far from me, and it’s pretty rad.

However, there was a name on the list that didn’t ring quite as familiar… and there’s a pretty cool reason why. Vivoli Gelateria is a family-run business that only has one other location — and that’s in Florence, Italy.

Silvana Vivoli of Vivoli Gelateria ©Disney

Disney has announced that its second-ever storefront will be opening soon at The Landing of Disney Springs (the same area that The Boathouse and Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC now call home).

In fact, during a walkthrough of Downtown Disney the other night, we happened to spot the signage for ourself, right across from where Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar will be located. Here are a few shots of the brightly lit sign and the list of flavors posted outside the door. (Apologies for the not-great shots. 🙂 )

Vivoli Gelato Sign at Night

Vivoli Gelato Menu — Click to Enlarge

The new location will use the same recipes from its original location (the business itself was founded in 1932). And it will also [Read more…]

Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival…and Get the 2014 Guide FREE!

By AJ 4 Comments

Happy 20th Birthday, Epcot Food and Wine Festival!!

Can you believe it? 2015 will mark the 20th Consecutive Year that Walt Disney World has hosted this event. What started as a way to draw crowds during a slower part of the year has officially become a huge draw and destination in its own right.

And even though it’s only (ONLY?!?) April, it is NEVER too early to start the countdown to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’re already sharing who will be playing at the Eat to the Beat Concerts, so it’s definitely time to start booking your dates…

This year’s Festival will once again run a record number of days — more than seven full weeks of food, music, and special events! But with so much awesomeness to enjoy, my number one piece of advice remains the same: Plan, Plan, Plan. And then Plan some more.

And we have a fun and easy way for you to get started, even before the first menu or culinary demo is announced!

The DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is now available for pre-order. (Expected publish date is mid-Summer 2015.) And when you enter discount code “CHEFS” at checkout, you’ll enjoy $3 off the cover price!

But AJ, Why Do I Want to Order the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Now?

I’m really glad that you asked! The biggest and best reason for you to pre-order your 2015 DFB Guide to the Food and Wine Festival is that you’ll get the 2014 Guide immediately for FREE!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Brazil Marketplace Booth

Find out our best tips for visiting the World Showcase booths in the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book!

That means that you can start planning today! And I promise, that is something that you totally want to do. Because when Culinary Demonstrations, Seminars, and Other Special Events are announced, it’s usually just days before booking opens — and then they book up super fast. Time is of the essence when you’re ready to book.

And with the Festival celebrating its 20th year, we already are expecting that it’s going to be truly over the top.

Events with Celebrity Chefs, Like This One with Chef Gale Gand, Book Up Extra Fast

We expect an expanded Marketplace offering, plus all kinds of Special Extras.

What does all of this add up to? If you’re ever going to plan a trip to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, then 2015 is the year to do it!!!

So, What Do You Get in the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book?

As is the case with all of our DFB Guides, we’re making this edition downloadable for your convenience, and it’s a snap to install on all of your mobile devices. The 2014 version is a PDF guide with over 220 pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as photographs and customized bonus items, and we expect the 2015 guide to weigh in at a similar heft.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll love our advice on how to [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Cinnamon Crisps from Rancho Del Zocalo

By Heather 10 Comments

Looking for an amazing snack to munch on while perusing Disneyland? Then you must try the Cinnamon Crisps from Rancho Del Zocalo in Frontierland.

Cinnamon Crisps

Located in between Big Thunder Mountain and the Shooting Gallery, Rancho Del Zocalo is a counter service restaurant offering up Mexican cuisine in the wild wild west of Disneyland.

Cinnamon Crisps are a hidden gem that not many people know about, and Rancho Del Zocalo is the only spot in the park that sells them.

Cinnamon Crisp Close Up

Reminiscent of Taco Bell’s old “Cinnamon Crispas” (remember those!?!?!) this [Read more…]

News! The NBA Experience (and Restaurant!) Announced for Disney World’s Disney Springs

By Wendy 1 Comment

Attention sports fans!

More and more news continues to roll in regarding the future of Disney Springs, and today we’re adding one more item to the list: The NBA Experience at Walt Disney World Resort will be one of the additions to the area.

©NBA

So what exactly does this have to do with the Disney FOOD Blog? Well, The NBA Experience will include a basketball-themed restaurant, so that’s always big news to us! But that’s not all. Interactive experiences will allow guests — adults and kids alike — to feel like they’re “right in the middle of NBA game action,” according to Disney.

No timeline or exact location to share at this point, other than [Read more…]

Even More Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

By AJ 5 Comments

We are back with some great advice some of the best experts around when it comes to planning your Disney Dining — DFB Readers!

Seriously, you guys are the best, and I’m always excited to learn new things from your experiences! So when it came time recently to update our Top Tips for Disney Dining, we turned to you for input and advice. And you responded with tons of great suggestions.

Check out just a few of them below, as we offer you even more Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

Have a Plan…and Don’t Blow Those Snack Credits on Things You Can Get at Home!

It was important enough for several different DFB readers to mention — and expound on! Do not waste those precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits on something as ho hum and common as a piece of fruit or a bottle of water.

And…I have to agree here. You can get a banana and a Dasani in your supermarket at home. But when was the last time you waltzed into Kroger and picked up a Carrot Cake Cookie or Schoolbread?

Yep, they can sometimes pile up on you toward the end of the trip. So spend a little time planning beforehand so you don’t waste a single one. Here’s a TIP: DFB Snack Guides can come in handy for this endeavor; we have one for every park at Walt Disney World with our recommendations for the best snacks!

Carrot Cake Cookie at Writer's Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Make Those Snack Credits Count with a Carrot Cake Cookie

Get the Dining Plan…And Don’t.

One of the most interesting suggestions for stretching your Disney Food Budget came from @Greg_Crowder: he suggested that you go halfsies on the Disney Dining Plan. He writes: “2 of us had the free plan a couple of years ago and 2 didn’t. The snacks and counter [service] meals were plenty for all 4 people.”

Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are Totally Shareable!

It’s true that Disney portions can be pretty big, and eating lots of large meals and rich snacks and then walking 100 miles a day may be a tall order. So if you’re willing to share, this can be an excellent way to keep costs down. It also means that you pre-pay, so your spending money goes a little further.

Just note that if you’re all staying in the same room, you all need to be on the same plan; so this tip only works if your compadres are in a different room.

Don’t Forget About Resort Restaurants.

Many readers chimed in that visitors should never forget to check out resort dining options, saying that you should definitely venture out of the Park for incredible food. Resort restaurants offer some of the most amazing dining on property.

Slow-cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well-seasoned Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo at Sanaa — Be Sure to Schedule a Meal Here

Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was mentioned lots of times. For instance, reader David Mendoza says: “Whether you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or not, make the trip to the Sanaa restaurant. Wonderful food and such a picturesque setting, watching the beautiful animals as you dine on some of the most awesome food in Disney World! A real must see! And when you are done you can take a stroll and get even closer to the animals. Truly a wondrous place.”

I couldn’t agree more! (Read my latest Sanaa review here.)

Allergies and Food Sensitivities? No problem.

We’ve written about it lots of times — Disney is tops when it comes to serving guests with allergies, food sensitivities, and special diets. And our readers are eager to agree that Disney routinely goes above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best experience possible, regardless of their dietary limitations.

Jiko Allergy-Friendly Menu -- Appetizers -- Click to Enlarge

Example of Jiko’s Allergy-Friendly Appetizer Menu

Ann Hooghuis Dealy weighs in by saying, “If you have food allergies or sensitivities [Read more…]

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