Welcome guest author Audrey B. with a review from Tokyo Disneyland!
When I recently had the opportunity to spend the day at the Tokyo Disney Resort, I was ecstatic but a bit apprehensive about the food situation.
food IS a theme park
By AJ 12 Comments
Welcome guest author Audrey B. with a review from Tokyo Disneyland!
When I recently had the opportunity to spend the day at the Tokyo Disney Resort, I was ecstatic but a bit apprehensive about the food situation.
By AJ 39 Comments
I’m gonna be honest. On my last few trips to La Hacienda de San Angel, the cost just wasn’t worth the experience.
But on this visit, things were a bit different. Maybe it’s because I ordered the things I was confident in, or maybe it’s because I had a killer window table and view of IllumiNations. Or maybe it was just the margaritas. (But I’m pretty sure it was the soup. More to come on that.)
But no matter how it happened, this was a night to remember! An expensive night to remember, but a night to remember nonetheless.
Wanna hear about it??
Start your adventure by heading into Epcot’s World Showcase and swing by the Mexico pavilion. Step up to the archway bearing this sign at the entrance, and you’ll have found the check-in podium. It’s hard to miss.
Once inside, you’ll receive a pager and take a seat in the waiting area if there’s one available. We were dining on a steamy day and would have appreciated a larger place to hang out. Our table wasn’t quite ready when we arrived, but that was probably due to the fact that we asked for a spot by the window.
We weren’t in a hurry, however. So taking a load off was kind of nice. We’d made a 7:30 reservation with the hopes of seeing the 9:00 fireworks, so we knew we had some time to kill. And we were seated soon enough.
One thing that La Hacienda got right straight from the beginning is the ambiance. Simply put, this is a gorgeous restaurant.
The soaring ceilings, heavy furniture, and warm-colored tile floors give a homey feeling to the spot, which totally makes sense. This is La Hacienda, after all. You’re dining in a residence-turned-restaurant. (For more of the backstory, you can see one of my earlier reviews.)
The whimsical hanging lights — both the punched metal star sconces and the paper lanterns — are just beautiful! As the light wanes, they become even more breathtaking, lighting the space with a candlelight-like glow.
Seating is a combination of booths and tables with chairs.
Booths line the center of the room, as you can see from an earlier pic. But some of my favorite booth seating is elevated and along the back wall. This is a cozy way to enjoy the view of World Showcase.
And speaking of the view…here it is! As I mentioned, we waiting for a little while to get this window-side table. And it was totally worth it. Check out our stellar [Read more…]
We hope your family has enjoyed a festive holiday weekend! And the celebration continues here at the Disney Food Blog with Christmas in July. That’s right, some of the 2014 Candlelight Processional narrators have been announced. See if your favorite narrator is on the list!
Are you headed to Disney World this summer? Check out the new Frozen Premium Package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a VIP Frozen-themed dessert party and more!!
You’ll find more Disney Food News by clicking on the links below!
Of course, there’s more!
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 restaurant closures, a Garden View Tea Room renovation this summer at the Grand Floridian, new summer dinner dishes at Carthay Circle, and more!
If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!
I’m famished. Let’s take a look at some mouth-watering entrees from Disney World’s Epcot. Here’s a delicious tweet. Tracey shared her Via Napoli pizza. YUM!
Seafood Fans, here’s one for you from DFB Reader, Andrew! This Broiled Salmon can be found at Les Chefs de France in Epcot.
Well, now I’m even more hungry. Still I appreciate the great photos. Keep ’em coming!
This week, we announced the Grand Launch of the Disney Food Blog Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book, 2014 Edition! And to continue the celebration, we’re offering a $3 discount for a limited time! Use code Epcot2014 at check-out!
We’ve updated our detailed snack guide to help you find the best eats (and treats!) in Walt Disney World’s Epcot. You’ll see some of your old favorites as well as some snacks that you might have missed. We’ve kept most of the snacks in the $1-5 range, but there are a few big spenders in there. (Yep, that turkey leg or frozen mojito is gonna cost you!)
There is absolutely no waiting to satisfy your snack cravings! This guide is an instantly downloadable PDF guide with over 290 pages of information and advice on over 150 delicious snacks that you can savor in Disney World’s Epcot. Download your copy right now, and start planning!
This guide is guaranteed to help you better plan your snacks and treats in Epcot, or your money back — we all know that treats in Epcot are just as important as a FastPass+ for Soarin!
The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book includes: [Read more…]
While Disney’s Polynesian Resort is undergoing extensive renovations (including Captain Cook’s), it’s still a good time to stop by ‘Ohana for the Best Friends Breakfast featuring the adorable Lilo & mischievous Stitch. Today, guest author Rebecca Elliott reviews her family’s morning meal at Walt Disney World.
‘Ohana, located in Disney’s Polynesian Resort, is an extremely popular dinner venue with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Its all-you-care-to-eat format of delicious Polynesian-inspired dishes and relaxed atmosphere earn it rave reviews from just about everyone that eats there.
But is the character breakfast equally as good? My husband, daughter and I decided to find out!
The Polynesian is one of Walt Disney World’s original resorts. I remember going to the luau when I was a kid back in the 70s and feeling like I was in another country.
As an adult, I recognize that there’s something decidedly kitschy about it. I half expect to see Elvis a la Blue Hawaii round the corner with Joan Blackman on his arm. The theming is fantastic, and consistent.
‘Ohana is on the second level of the lobby, just a stone’s throw away from the monorail. Guests are required to check in at the host stand before entering the restaurant. We found this a little confusing, mostly because there were a lot of excited children swarming the area.
We ended up walking right past the host stand. We were re-directed to the “cousin” in the lobby’s host area who was pleasant and efficient and whisked us to the photo area. (Cast members are called “cousins” to reinforce the feeling that everyone at ‘Ohana is family.)
We had our picture taken in front of a Tiki-inspired hut and waited for our buzzer to go off. When it did a few minutes later, we made our way to the host stand inside the restaurant, where we were greeted warmly by more exceptionally friendly “cousins.”
On the way to our table, our host gave us helpful information about the service for our meal and tidbits about the open kitchen and some of the menu items.
We were seated at a sunny table near the window with a sweeping view of Seven Seas Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. (Editor’s Note: Views may be obstructed due to ongoing construction.) Our server quickly greeted us and also took a moment to explain the service style. Breakfast would arrive in a large skillet, with the ever-popular Mickey waffles brought separately. Before scurrying away, she uttered those six magical words, “It’s all you care to eat.”
Our server returned with a basket of Hawaiian welcome bread flavored with pineapple and coconut, as well as iced cinnamon bread. Both were delicious.
She also brought ‘Ohana’s famous breakfast beverage – a combination of passion fruit, orange and guava juices, known as P.O.G. I would drink this juice intravenously if I could. It’s heaven.
Next came a fruit plate, with cantaloupe, honeydew, grapes, and berries. Poor fruit plate. It barely got touched, because the gigantic skillet of breakfast yumminess arrived, heaped with [Read more…]
I love a holiday week! So… the Disney Food Blog is celebrating with some star-spangled savings!! Think of it as Christmas in July from your DFB Team. 😉
First up, we have a terrific sale on pre-orders for our DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014. And we have a special Ceramic Dole Whip Giveaway for our Newsletter Subscribers. Yes, we adore you! 🙂
We know you’re just as excited as we are about the upcoming holiday season in Walt Disney World! It’s never too early to start making plans (you’ve gotta make those Dining Reservations 6 months in advance, after all!), so we have an exciting new offer for you today!
The Holiday season in Disney World is packed with magic: Holiday meals and snacks, special events, and seasonal shows, for starters! How will you see all the attractions, save money, AND take in the extra festivities in your already jam-packed vacation?
To Order: http://dfbstore.com/dfb-guide-to-the-walt-disney-world-holidays-e-book/
We’ve done all of the research for you so you can pack your luggage and get ready to enjoy the festivities. Do you know where to score a chocolate monorail? Which event offers complimentary [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: Sharon Stone has been removed from the 2014 line-up.
One of the highlights of Disney World’s holiday season is Epcot’s Candlelight Processional!
Although subject to change, the list of narrators is trickling in. And so far, we have two new celebrities — Sharon Stone and Ana Gasteyer — this year!
The Candlelight Processional will be performed three times each night from November 28 – December 30, 2014.
The popular show includes the telling of the Christmas story by a celebrity narrator who is accompanied by a 50-piece orchestra, and a choir composed of Disney cast members and guest choirs from around the country.
Seating for the Candlelight Processional is first-come, first-served, and you do need to get in line at least an hour in advance to get a seat. However, if you book a Candlelight Processional Dining Package, you have guaranteed seating as well as guaranteed VIP viewing of Epcot’s fireworks spectacular, IllumiNations, Reflections of Earth, after the show! All this in addition to a lunch or dinner meal at a select Epcot restaurant.
We’ll have more information on Dining Packages as soon as they become available.
The 2014 Narrator list is [Read more…]
We’re celebrating Christmas in July here on DFB! I know you’re all planning your holiday trips right now, so here’s a great suggestion for a holiday meal. Welcome back Catie Hiltz with a dinner review from the Magic Kingdom. This time, we’re visiting the Liberty Tree Tavern at Walt Disney World. This colonial setting is one of our favorites!
Back in the summer while we were planning our Christmas Walt Disney World trip, we were trying to come up with places to eat on Christmas Eve – and when Liberty Tree Tavern was suggested, I thought, of COURSE – that’s the perfect place to have dinner on Christmas Eve – not only would the menu of turkey and all the trimmings be perfect, but its location inside the Magic Kingdom is positively idyllic for celebrating the holiday!
After spending the afternoon in a crowded Magic Kingdom, we were more than ready for our 5:45PM dinner Advance Dining Reservation on Christmas Eve. So we headed over to Liberty Square around 5:30 and gave our name to the hostess.
Since we were early, we had some time to check the place out.
There was a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby.
A coloring area was setup with cute Disney themed holiday coloring pages.
We admired the beautiful gingerbread display, and as usual – Disney didn’t skimp on the details, either. Everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy checking it out, and several people (like me!) snapped photos too.
Liberty Tree Tavern is a colonial themed restaurant, so the décor is pretty rustic — lots of wood and interesting artifacts hanging on the walls. Be sure to check out all the details here from the seven rooms themed to figures from the United States of America’s history!
And of course we had to check out the menu while waiting.
The restaurant serves an a la carte lunch, but dinner is an “all you care to enjoy” family style meal, which means they serve you platters of food tableside. And best of all, you can have seconds (or thirds!) of anything and everything.
The atmosphere in the waiting area was pretty loud and crowded, and there were people constantly streaming in and out, wanting to know if there were any open tables (there were not, so I was definitely grateful to have made my ADR’s in advance!).
We were seated about 10 minutes after our ADR time, and led to the George Washington room – a quaint little room where it was much quieter and easier to carry on a conversation than in the waiting area.
We were approached almost immediately upon being seated by our server, who inquired about allergies and took our drink order. He also scanned our Magic Bands (since we were on the Disney Dining Plan).
Upon sitting down, we were handed a menu detailing the night’s feast.
The drinks are served in cute Liberty Tree Tavern mugs.
Bread and the Declaration Salad were brought out first – fresh warm rolls served with sweet honey butter, and the salad was cold and crisp.
Normally the salad [Read more…]
UPDATE: Frozen Summer Fun
, originally scheduled through September 1st, has been extended through September 28, 2014! The Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package is available for booking for the following dates: September 5 – 7; September 12 – 14; September 19 – 21; and September 26 – 28, 2014.
There’s fun and refreshing news out of Arendelle — er, Disney World — today! We’re excited to bring Frozen fans word of a brand new experience highlighting their favorite Disney Film!
As we all know, Frozen has landed at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the Summer in a big way. Starting Saturday, July 5 and running through Monday, September 1, guests will enjoy all kinds of ways to experience the magic of the movie.
But we’re most interested in the eats, of course! And so we can’t wait to check out the The Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package!
Available July 5 through September 1 (except for August 23), guests who purchase the package will have access to three of the new Frozen experiences. (UPDATE: This event has been extended! Please see updated dates at the top of this post.) After checking in at Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner beginning at 10:30 a.m., guests will enjoy refreshments and reserved viewing for Anna and Elsa’s Royal Welcome Procession at 11 a.m.! Sisters Elsa and Anna will arrive via horse drawn sleigh, accompanied by Kristoff and other citizens of Arendelle.
Next, guests can take advantage of [Read more…]
By Wendy 11 Comments
What is it with all the seriously cool kitchen stuff arriving on shelves at Disney World lately?
We were thrilled to see the new line of Princess and Villains mugs; and we were so excited for the opening of the Marketplace Co-op, which offers some awesome kitchenware paying homage to some of our favorite attractions and lands.
And then recently I happened across these Alice in Wonderland Dish Towels!
Each set features a pair of towels – the pictures I took show off both of the towels available in each set. The Alice in Wonderland and Queen of Hearts Set is similar the other sets in that they each have one thicker terry cloth-type towel and a lighter one that is more of a quilted style. And just look at the details on the Alice towel.
The Belle Dish Towel Set features a Belle towel, and also a tribute to the “Be Our Guest” number in the film – perfect for the kitchen!
With the new Maleficent movie (as well as the dragon’s showstopping, fire-breathing turn in the new Festival of Fantasy parade), we’re sure to be seeing a lot of this most notorious of Disney Villains. So it’s no surprise that there’s a Maleficent Dish Towel Set as well.
If you look closely at the damask-pattern towel, you’ll see the face of Maleficent appear.
Does your kitchen tend to produce more “Sweet” (Minnie) dishes…
… or “Spicy” [Read more…]
By AJ 5 Comments
It’s always so fun to flip through the fantastic photos that our members post on the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr group. If you haven’t had a chance to check it out, head over there! We think a virtual trip to Disney is a great way to take a break from your busy day. 🙂
And today, we are all about the tons of yummo breakfast options that you have at Walt Disney World! Let’s take a trip to some of our favorite Disney breakfast spots today for our latest installment in our Disney Food Pics of the Week Series!
Photographer: Ryesah
Yay for the words: “all you care to enjoy” and “Mickey Waffles”! You only need fun interaction with cool characters like Lilo, Stitch, and Mickey and Friends to make this character breakfast at ‘Ohana completely awesome!
Photographer: Nancy RK
Starting your day in Cinderella Castle for breakfast? Lucky you! We’ve had some [Read more…]