Photo Tour: The 2015 Grand Floridian Resort Easter Egg Display in Walt Disney World

It’s one of my favorite times of the year at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort!

Every spring in the weeks preceding Easter, the Grand Floridian Bakery Team is given the opportunity to create some absolutely spectacular Easter Eggs for guests to enjoy. And the best part? The Eggs are made of CHOCOLATE. There are other ingredients involved, too, such as fondant, icing, and cocoa butter. But no matter what they are made of, they are all edible!

2015 Grand Floridian Easter Egg display

The Easter Eggs have been a Grand Floridian tradition for 19 years, but this is just the fourth year that the eggs have been on display for every guest who passes through the Grand Floridian lobby.

2015 Grand Floridian Easter Egg Display

Something new this year… previously the Eggs were all displayed in one row directly at the lobby entrance. This year, the eggs are grouped in smaller displays in different areas around the lobby. Since some of the eggs are preserved from year to year (you may recognize some familiar ones from the 2014 Easter Egg display), the collection just keeps on growing!

Eggs are on display in various areas throughout the lobby

The Easter Eggs are on display through April 10th. But in case Walt Disney World isn’t part of your 2015 spring break plans, we wanted to bring the Eggs to you once again this year!

One of the centerpiece eggs for 2015 is an edible replica of Cinderella’s Golden Coach.

Cinderella’s Coach Egg

The classic Disney animated version of Cinderella received a tribute as well.

Cinderella Egg

In an echo of the fountain in the lobby of the Grand Floridian Disney Vacation Club Villas, the penguins from Mary Poppins have come out to play!

Penguin Fountain Egg

There are no shortage of Disney characters on display, including the entire Toy Story gang.

Toy Story Egg

Peter Pan tops off this egg complete with a map of Neverland.

Peter Pan Egg

Never one to be outdone, Tinkerbell tops her own egg, too!

Tinkerbell Egg

And what’s a day at Disney World anymore without spotting this face 😉 ?

Queen Elsa egg

Nothing against Queen Elsa, but it is totally awesome to see some less-heralded characters get a little love this year, too. I think I audibly gasped when I saw [Read more…]

News! Aunt Polly’s is OPEN (for a limited time) in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By Brooke 38 Comments

Disney History buffs are going to love this news out of Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

Cinderella Castle in the early morning light

More Fun Dining News Out of Magic Kingdom Today!

After a hiatus of, oh, about forever — it seems that Aunt Polly’s on Tom Sawyer Island is serving food and beverages once more!

This is one for the books! After all, it’s been eons since we’ve seen anything substantial for sale here. Even the vending machines that have been in place here in recent years hadn’t been in service.

But thanks to Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster for giving us the heads up that Theme Park Insider is reporting the spot is open for business!

Now, before you get too awfully excited, you should know that the menu is limited. Very limited. Make the trip over to Tom Sawyer Island looking for sustenance, and you’ll find Sandwiches (Turkey and PB&J), Veggies and Hummus, Chips, Fresh Fruit, and an Assortment of Cold Beverages, including Lemonade. Note that, at least for now, they are not offering fountain drinks.

While it doesn’t sound like much, there are two reasons to love this move by Disney: [Read more…]

FIRST LOOK! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort

By AJ 46 Comments

AHOY!!!!Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

is now in soft openings at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort!!!

Trader Sam’s door sign

And we are SO excited to share pictures from some of our awesome DFB Readers who were there to ring in the occasion!

Many thanks to Lori Hope Fries, DFB Reader and co-founder of TheMainStreetMoms.com, for sending in some awesome pics for us to share with you, along with her review! We’re also suuuuuper grateful to our friend David Shearer for sharing his incredible photos as well! We’ll be using the collection of both of their pictures along with a few of ours to tell the story of the very first days of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto.

But before we go in… what is a “soft opening,” exactly? Basically, a soft open means that guests may find Trader Sam’s in operation during a visit to the Polynesian from now until it’s official opening (expected for late April), BUT it can be closed at any given time to continue any necessary work. So, fair warning.

Okay, enough with the logistics! The anticipation is killing me!! Let’s step behind the door…

Trader Sam’s door

Umm, actually, let’s head inside the Grotto after we wait in line. Just getting in on the first day was no easy task!

Take, for instance, this anecdote from our good friend, Mealtrip: “The system is, you get a pager, then they call you in. So there was a 3 hour wait to get a pager and then another 3 hour wait once you had the pager. There is no “pager waiting line”, and you can’t just wait in the hallway for a pager.”

Pager for Trader Sam’s

And so, a head’s up: for at least the first months of operation, we can all expect longs lines to be rule, not the exception. Anyone who’s had experience with Trader Sam’s in Disneyland will be fully aware of this gigantic problem. Okay, with that out of the way, NOW let’s step inside and see what treasures await!

Take it away, Lori!

“We have been on watch for months, waiting for Trader Sam to land at the Polynesian Village Resort. Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Room, at the Disneyland Resort, is a favorite stop when we go, and have been there many times. My middle son, Dennis, is an avid tiki mug collector, so we watched as the lobby walls came down around the fountain and a cast member showed us the door leading to Trader Sam’s new location. We watched and waited.

Trader Sam’s door

When you go on the Jungle Cruise in each Adventureland, Trader Sam, the head salesman of the jungle, will greet you. From coast to coast, these two men share a name and a job (and some jokes), but each coast has their own Sam. We were excited to see how the tiki bars of the same name differed.

Trader Sam from Disney World’s Jungle Cruise

We were in the Magic Kingdom when we learned that Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto was holding a soft opening. We hopped on a monorail and headed for the Polynesian Village Resort. The wait time was up to four hours to get in! Luckily, we got a pager from a friend who couldn’t stay, and combined the wait.

Pager for Trader Sam’s

We headed to the new patio [Editor’s note: Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace], which has the same menu as inside, and ordered [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 29, 2015

By Brooke 2 Comments

Spring

is underway and with it has come a rush of notable news throughout Disney. And at Disney World especially this week, we’ve seen tons of big stories — including rumors of new restaurants, new meals, new menus, and even a Food and Wine Festival update!

Nautilus Drink at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto

The biggest news is that the new Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto “soft” opened at Disney Polynesian Village Resort yesterday. Crowds were off the charts (6 HOUR WAIT TO GET IN!), but we’re putting a First Look post together and will have pics for you tomorrow morning (including this awesome Nautilus drink, thanks to DFB reader Lori Hope Fries)! Yay!

But back to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, 2015 is a big year in the history of the event as we celebrate 20 years of Eating and Drinking Around the World.

We’ll bring you every detail and dish as the news unfolds, but in the meantime, this week, we have word of the very first acts lined up for the Eat to the Beat Concert Series!

We’ll get started today by taking a look at some of the week’s biggest stories.

Disney Food News

Hollywood Studios Catering Company has received a menu refresh. See what’s new at this Counter Service stop!
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in Disney World’s Polynesian Village Resort is just days away from opening!
We have a FIRST LOOK at some of the musical acts who will perform during the Eat to the Beat Concert Series at the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Check out this fun Master Chef Contest sponsored by Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant and enter to win a trip to Ireland!
Epcot’s Taste Track has debuted a line of Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, and we’re trying them all.
Magic Kingdom just MAY be getting that new Adventureland restaurant we told you about a while back — and it’s looking like it may be themed after the Jungle Cruise attraction!
We bring you our “Everything on the Menu” review of breakfast at Be Our Guest Restaurant!

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 Closure Updates, Special Events at Disney Restaurants, Seasonal Pop-Up Food Stands, and more!

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

DFB Reader Finds

If you discover 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!

It’s a chilly day across much of the US today, but we’re dreaming of warmer temperatures. So today, we’re featuring Ice Cream Treats from around Magic Kingdom!

Let’s take a moment to enjoy some Hand-Dipped Ice Cream from the new landscape in the Magic Kingdom Castle Garden area, courtesy of reader Kristen Figuerado. That view makes it even more delish. 🙂

Ice Cream in the New Garden at Magic Kingdom

Reader Sheri Robb shows us that, not only is the Mickey Pants Kitchen Sink Sundae adorable — it’s plenty big enough to share!

Mickey Pants Kitchen Sink Sundae

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!

OK — so 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! 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…]

Dining in TOKYO Disneyland: Pre-Packaged Souvenir Snacks

By Heather 19 Comments

One of my very favorite things about my visit to the Tokyo Disney Resort was browsing the shops there. The packaged souvenir snacks were aplenty; shelves, shelves and more shelves filled with unique treats. I was totally obsessed with the adorable packaging. Another plus? There were plastic displays showing you exactly what was inside of that adorable packaging.

Plastic displays of candy “purses”

Even with the plastic displays though, I still had no idea what some of the things were! Below is a photo tour of some of the items I found adorable and interesting, and a few that were just plain bizarre.

[Read more…]

News! Menu Refresh for Studio Catering Co. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 13 Comments

Tucked between the “Honey I Shrunk the Kids” play area and its neighboring waterhole, High Octane Refreshments, Studio Catering Co. is just your basic quick stop with plenty of seats along with lots of shade and high-powered fans for hot Florida days.

Learn About:Studio Catering Co.

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

We’ve enjoyed the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich here in the past, but really, Studio Catering Co. has never been particularly known for any signature items or “must-do dining.”

However, the menu has been given a bit of a revamp, and some of the items seem to have some definite potential! Nearly the entire menu has been refreshed, and while some items bear a resemblance to previous bites here, a couple are all new.

For instance, the new Pulled Beef Brisket Sandwich features braised beef brisket, Muenster cheese, arugula and horseradish sauce served on a ciabatta roll.

Braised Pulled Brisket Sandwich

Fans of the previous Toasted Tuscan may enjoy the Deli Sandwich, which is [Read more…]

Coming Soon! Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By AJ 17 Comments

UPDATE: News today from Disney states that Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto should be opening officially in late April.

As Disney fans and DFB readers know well by now, plenty of changes have come to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort over the past several months of major resort-wide refurbishment.

New Tiki Statue in Lobby

For Disney food fans, perhaps none of the openings have met with as much anticipation as the eagerly awaited Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto! All sorts of signs (some of them literal!) are pointing to its imminent opening!

Updated Dining Sign with Trader Sam’s

Updated Dining Location Direction Sign with Trader Sam’s

Of course, no sign is more telling than the one on the door to the Grotto itself…

Trader Sam’s door sign

Other signs are less obvious, but bring to mind the nautical theme that we’ve been told to expect for the east coast version of Trader Sam’s, influenced by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

Guests can now see the painting below and oars lining the hallway that starts at Captain Cook’s on the ground floor of the Great Ceremonial House and leads to Trader Sam’s.

Submarine Grotto Painting

Oars lining the wall

Oar on the wall

So, what else do we know? So far, at least five adult beverages will be unique to the Disney World location, including the Castaway Crush, Polynesian Pearl, Tahitian Torch, and the Dark & Tropical Stormy. As is the case at its [Read more…]

2015-2016 Disney World Vacation Must-Have E-Book Sale!

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

OK — so 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 when you’ll be back in the ‘World!

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.

I know, I know. It’s hard to know what you’ll want to do in 3, 6, or even 12 months down the road. But knowledge is power!

And when you know all about your choices, you can turn a great trip into a fantastic one!

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

But which ones?

Want to see the last petal drop at Be Our Guest Restaurant? Planning ahead is key!

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.

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015

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 — Disney foooood! 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 today. 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!

Want even more great information, pictures, and tips? Then the DFB Everything Bundle may be just the right fit for you.

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

[Read more…]

What’s New Around Walt Disney World: March 26th, 2015

By Wendy 2 Comments

I’m not sure what it feels like in your neck of the woods, but the calendar says it’s officially SPRING! And the season is ON at Walt Disney World, with new food items to help feed those spring break crowds (did somebody say “Grilled Cheese”?), as well as an egg-stra special Easter display at the Grand Floridian Resort.

But that’s not all! There’s much more in store… so let’s hop to it, as we take another trip around the World to see What’s New!

MAGIC KINGDOM

Be Our Guest Breakfast

Hey, has anyone heard of some little dive by the name of Be Our Guest Restaurant? 😉

Be Our Guest in the First Light of Morning

Well, in case you didn’t know about the Advance Dining Reservations heard ‘round the World, the popular restaurant is now open for BREAKFAST! Huge hits on the all-new prix fixe menu include the Open-Face Bacon and Egg Sandwich and the Croissant Doughnut.

Open-Face Bacon and Egg Sandwich

Croissant Doughnut and fresh fruit

You can read our Opening Day Everything on the Menu review HERE!

Sweet Treat Makeovers

Not sure how long this gem will be around, but the Cinderella Coach Apple celebrating the recently released live-action “Cinderella” film sure is a beauty!

Cinderella Coach Apple

You can find it for a limited time at the Main Street Confectionery and Big Top Treats. (Keep an eye out at spots outside of Magic Kingdom like Goofy’s Candy Company and Sweet Spells, too!) A few of the Krispy Treats have joined in on the fun, as well…

Cinderella Coach Apples and Krispy Treats

Snack Location Switcheroos

Looking for your favorite Dole Whip or Citrus Swirl over in Adventureland?

Citrus Swirl at Sunshine Tree Terrace

Well, the homes for these beloved snacks have changed places. You see, Sunshine Tree Terrace — home of the Citrus Swirl — is now located where Aloha Isle used to be. And Aloha Isle, boasting its signature Dole Whip? It’s now located where Sunshine Tree Terrace used to be.

New Aloha Isle location

New Sunshine Tree Terrace location

Confused? Fret not — you can read all about it here! Rumor has it that this all has something to do with a new restaurant on the horizon for Adventureland. (And what’s this we’re hearing about a possible Jungle Cruise theme?!) Time will surely tell!

Speaking of location changes… If you’re hoping to enjoy a Jumbo Turkey Leg in Magic Kingdom, they’ll be available at Cool Ship in Tomorrowland starting TODAY.

Cool Ship area

Walt Disney World Turkey Leg

This temporary move will allow for [Read more…]

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

By AJ 23 Comments

Here we goooooo, Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans!

We’ve got the first word on a few Eat to the Beat concert line-up listings ALREADY for 2015!

For those of you who may not know, Eat to the Beat is an Epcot concert series that takes place during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, running this year from September 25-November 16. The series features musical acts from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 00s each year, and concerts take place throughout most evenings of the Festival.

Since this partial list is preliminary, be sure to stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog for additions and/or changes to the schedule! We will bring you all the latest news first!

Eat to the Beat concerts are performed three times per evening, so you have three chances each night to see your favorites — 5:30PM, 6:45PM, and 8:00PM!

2015 Eat to the Beat Concert Line Up!

Note that this schedule is subject to change

October 2-4 – Starship Featuring Mickey Thomas
October 10-11 – 38 Special
October 19-21 – Air Supply

Taking in an Eat to the Beat Concert is a great way to unwind and continue the fun of the Food and Wine Festival into the evening.

All concerts take place in the American Gardens Theater at Epcot’s America Pavilion. Concerts are free — included in the price of your Epcot admission!

Many folks plan [Read more…]

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