Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 18, 2015

Ready for some changes to Disney’s Hollywood Studios? We’ve got some updates on the facelift with these pics of the new Trolley Car Cafe (a.k.a. Starbucks) set to open in February!

Trolley Car Starbucks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Also…Cannonball! While echoes of childhood splashdowns into the neighborhood pool may be ringing in your ears, what we are really happy about is the return of meatball subs or CANNONBALLS to the Earl of Sandwich menu.

And did you hear?!! Make your travel plans now — we have the dates for the 2015 Epcot International Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Stay tuned for in-depth coverage from Disney Food Blog.

For all the details on the above news and more, just click on the links below!

Disney Food News

Cannonballs (meatball subs) have returned to the Earl of Sandwich menu in both Downtown Disney Orlando and Anaheim!
Signage has been unveiled at the Trolley Car Cafe Starbucks location in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
The dates of the 2015 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival have been released!The Festival is running for seven weeks.
The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort announced the dates for their 6th Annual Food and Wine Classic.
L’Artisan des Glaces in the France Pavilion of Walt Disney World’s Epcot debuted a beautiful new treat — the Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich!

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, and New Look for Online Disney Restaurant Menus, 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!

We’re featuring seafood finds this week. Sorry, landlubbers.

First up, my awesome buddy Daniel tweeted a dish from Coral Reef in Epcot. Isn’t it gorgeous?! It’s Lobster Manicotti.

Lobster Manicotti

Over at California Grill in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Cia enjoyed the Butternut Squash Lobster Bisque!

Butternut Squash Lobster Bisque

Do you have a favorite find? Share your Disney food photos!

Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Today with a Discount!

Want a big discount on our most popular DFB Guide in time for the new year? Or, you know, just cause you want to start planning your 2015 Disney trip TODAY? ;-D

It’s yours! Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code PRE2015 for $4 off!

We know that when it comes to your Disney vacays, planning ahead is practically essential these days. And if you can save time and money in the process — even better!

And that’s why today, when you pre-order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and enter promo code PRE2015, you’ll save $4 off of the already low cover price!

But the really cool part? You get two books for the price of one! We’ll deliver the 2014 Guide to you immediately, and email you the 2015 Guide as soon as it is available later this month.

Here are a couple of sample pages for you — just click to enlarge!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Sample Page

Samples Pages of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013

What’s in the DFB Guide?

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is stuffed FULL of helpful features to help make your trip go smoothly, like:

A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from [Read more…]

News! Starbucks Signage is Unveiled at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

By AJ 12 Comments

Yet another Starbucks — the fifth in Walt Disney World — has a grand opening right around the corner. And today we got a glimpse of some of the fun signage for this new location in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Trolley Car Starbucks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Themed after the old time trolley cars that go hand in hand with Hollywood’s heyday, this Starbucks will be an ideal spot for Disney guests to grab coffee and a bite to eat on their way to the park’s biggest attractions.

Trolley Car Starbucks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Maybe the inside will be a bit like Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe in Disney California Adventure in Disneyland Resort — another location themed to about the same time in Walt’s history.

Trolley Car Starbucks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Set to open next month, this new java stop comes along with a lot of other changes at the Studios — some pretty obvious… [Read more…]

News! Dates for the 2015 Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Announced

By Brooke 8 Comments

We have more exciting news for you today about upcoming Fall events in Walt Disney World!

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort has announced the dates for their 6th Annual Food and Wine Classic.

Circle Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 2015 on your calendars!

For the second year in a row, the Swan and Dolphin will hold the popular event on Halloween weekend.

The Food and Wine Classic also coincides with the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which will take place September 25 – November 16, 2015.

The Causeway on a Beautiful Fall Evening During the 2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!

The Beer Garden, which was first introduced in 2014, is returning, and will offer a wide range of beers from all over the world as well as local brews! In addition, guests can enjoy more than 40 tasting stations featuring dishes from the resort’s 17 restaurants and lounges as well as more than 30 wineries!

I know it seems so far away right now, but it will be here before you know it! And since this is the 20th year for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, we expect there to be some super big doin’s happening around Disney at that time! (Remember when you used to go to Disney World and schedule a wake-up call and Mickey would call you and say “Big Doin’s Going On!” Yeah. That was awesome.)

Preparing Scallops Perfectly for a Crowd

Stay tuned for [Read more…]

Dining in Tokyo Disneyland: The Many Faces of Popcorn at Tokyo Disney Resort

By Heather 21 Comments

I’ve always known that the Tokyo Disney Resort had multiple popcorn flavors, but I really had no idea how serious the popcorn game there was until I saw it for myself. It’s really like its own micro-culture.

People bring their collectable & rare resort buckets from the past and have them refilled, some people wear more than one popcorn bucket at a time, and we even had people offering us samples right out of their buckets. It’s seriously SO MUCH FUN!

Popcorn is so popular, there’s even popcorn themed merchandise that lists some of the many flavors available. Look at this fun zipper pouch I bought: Delicious Explosion Popcorn!

Popcorn Themed Zipper Pouch

Another fun popcorn fact? Tokyo Disney has Roastie Toasties just like Disneyland here in Anaheim. Not all of the stands have them, but several do. To see more about Roastie Toasties & Disney Popcorn in the states, check out this great Popcorn Gallery post AJ did a while back. There’s also a fun little video on the Disney Parks Blog here.

We made it a goal on our recent trip to Tokyo to try as many types of popcorn that we could. Although we missed a few, we did a pretty good job in our 4 days at the parks. Now, on to the flavors!

Let’s start with one that I was a little unsure about but it ended up being my absolute favorite. So much so that we had it twice on our trip! Soy Sauce and Butter. It’s salty, savory and delicious. We found this cart at Tokyo Disneyland park.

Soy Sauce & Butter Popcorn Cart

You can see that this cart has its own little roastie toastie Christmas Clown; I love that he is dressed for the season. Also, please note that there are [Read more…]

News! Cannonballs are Back at Earl of Sandwich WDW and Disneyland!

By Brooke 5 Comments

If you’ve been dreaming about Cannonballs — the edible ones, not the bombs or the splashy pool entrances — then you’re gonna LOVE what we have to tell you today!

Learn About:Earl of Sandwich

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Earl of Sandwich has just announced that the beloved Cannonballs — that’s their whimsical take on a meatball sub — is returning to the menu at participating locations!

And we’ve confirmed that both Downtown Disney Orlando AND Anaheim locations are participating! Woo!

But, even better — both folks that we talked to let us know that they’re returning permanently to the menu!!

Cannonballs are Back at Earl of Sandwich!

Now, we know that these things are always changing with the tide of corporate whims and sales performance, so take that with a grain of salt. But if [Read more…]

Review: River Belle Terrace Breakfast at Disneyland Park

By AJ 7 Comments

Editor’s Note: River Belle Terrace no longer serves breakfast as of February 10, 2016, and is now a table service restaurant for lunch and dinner.

On a recent trip to Disneyland, we had many things to cross off of our list. But when it came time for breakfast in the Park one morning, only one stop would do — River Belle Terrace!

River Belle Terrace in Disneyland’s Frontierland

You’ll find this counter service spot in Frontierland along the Rivers of America. And that last bit of information is important. After all, you may come to River Belle Terrace because you’re hungry, but it has more to recommend it than the menu. Here we go!

Atmosphere

Located in New Orleans Square, the aesthetic of River Belle Terrace is Antebellum all the way. The entrance is fashioned to look like a grand Southern mansion on a small scale.

Entrance

Step inside, and you see gracious touches that echo that feeling. Arched windows allow plenty of light into the seating area, so even if you choose to dine inside, you’ll still have the sense of being in an outdoor garden setting.

Indoor Seating and Condiment Area

Ornate ceiling medallions and flowering vines on the chandeliers fancy up the spot a bit.

And keep this in mind: it may not look all that interesting or distinguished, but River Belle Terrace deserves a pause in your Disney Day. This restaurant has been serving since Disneyland opened in 1955! As the story goes, you could find Mr. Disney enjoying breakfast here often on serene Sunday mornings.

Light Fixture and Ceiling Detail

While the indoor seating is pleasant, it’s the terrace that is truly beloved by so many. Don’t you love the old-fashioned, tasseled umbrellas? They could have updated them and used something modern, but they haven’t. And I’m so glad.

Outdoor Seating

And this — this view. It’s why you come to River Belle Terrace. Eat your breakfast and watch for the Mark Twain Riverboat to paddle by. There’s nothing like this view of the Rivers of America, and if you can enjoy a classic Disneyland breakfast at the same time, it’s a win/win!

View from River Belle Terrace

Speaking of classic Disneyland breakfasts, it seems like the right time to move on to the food. 🙂 Let’s check it out.

Eats

Although River Belle Terrace offers all-day dining, it’s breakfast that we usually enjoy here. In addition to some standard offerings, you’ll find comfort food favorites like Biscuits and Gravy. But there are some really unique options, too. We’ll get to a couple of my favorites in just a moment.

Breakfast Menu — Click to Enlarge

Menus, for breakfast as well as lunch and dinner, offer only a few selections. But the food is hearty and interesting. (Note to self: come back for that River Belle’s Roast Beef and the Messy Mississippi BBQ Sandwich at lunch time.)

Lunch and Dinner Menus — Click to Enlarge

When it’s time to order, your first stop will be at the [Read more…]

News! 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival DATES!

By AJ 36 Comments

Allright, Food & Wine Festival fans… we have some NEWS for you today!

Food & Wine Festival

Dates for the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival have been added to the Disney World website! The dates are (drum roll, please)…

September 25 – November 16, 2015!

Get the most updated news on the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, and MORE!

Once again in 2015, the Festival is running for seven weeks! Unlike last year, however, the additional week is extending the Festival further into the month of November (as opposed to starting one week earlier than usual, as in 2014). As always — note that these dates are subject to change.

Epcot International Food and Wine Festival page on Disney website

An additional week in the cooler fall temps… what’s not to love?!? And this is just the beginning. Keep your eyes on the Disney Food Blog and the DFB Newsletter as we prepare for what WE consider the Most Wonderful Time of the Year: the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival!!

Want to Start Planning Your Food and Wine Festival Trip TODAY?

The DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order!

This 250+-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.

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!

Pre-order your 2015 edition today, and download the 2014 guide for FREE — immediately — to get started on planning! We’ll send the 2015 Edition as soon as it’s published mid-Summer!

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

Are you excited for news about this year’s Food & Wine Festival? Please let us know with a comment!

Guest Review: Royal Court Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy

By Kim LaPaglia 5 Comments

We’re embarking on the high seas today! Guest Author Victoria Kabakian is taking us to the Royal Court on the Disney Fantasy. Let’s sail away…!

One unique feature of Disney Cruise Line is its innovative Rotational Dining system, meaning that each night, guests alternate between three main dining rooms, and their servers follow them from room to room based on the pre-scheduled rotation.

Royal Court

The Disney Fantasy features the Enchanted Garden, Royal Court, and Animator’s Palate as its three main dining rooms. Of these three, Royal Court is the only one that serves table service options for all three meals of the day.

[Read more…]

News! Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich Debuts in Epcot’s France

By Brooke 3 Comments

We love seeing all the beautiful and delicious ways that L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion celebrates the changing seasons!

Learn About:L'Artisan des Glaces

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

And starting TODAY, they’re offering another Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich to entice us in for a visit.

Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich

If you don’t call Florida home, then you may not be aware that January ushers in a very important and exciting time: it’s the beginning of Florida Strawberry Season!

You’ll find bumper crops of strawberries in Florida markets this time of year. And if you visit Disney World from January to May, you’ll probably notice lots of strawberries on the menus in your favorite restaurants.

But surely, L’Artisan des Glaces is offering one of the most enticing examples of a strawberry special in all the World — the Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich.

Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich

To make the sweet little treat, they layer scoops of the housemade Vanilla Ice Cream and Strawberry Sorbet between layers of pink Strawberry Macarons. Looks awesome, right?

If you love strawberries as much as we do, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love this latest L’Artisan des Glaces seasonal creation.

But hurry — they’re [Read more…]

Review: Maelstrom and Tamarind Margaritas at La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion

By AJ 6 Comments

I know, I know… we’re officially well into the second full week of 2015 already(!).

Learn About:La Cava del Tequila

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

And that probably means it’s time for me to stop wishing everyone a “Happy New Year.” But when I think of places I like to toast big occasions such as the arrival of a brand new year (or, you know… a Tuesday), it should come as no surprise that La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion is at the very top of my list.

So I’d like to take one last opportunity to toast 2015 with you here on the blog with a couple of margaritas from The House of Tequila… the Tamarind Margarita and the Maelstrom Margarita!

La Cava del Tequila Sign

La Cava del Tequila entrance inside the Mexico Pavilion

But first, we’ve got to take care of what might be the second most difficult thing to do at this popular tequila haven… and that’s find a seat.

Seating in La Cava

Backs of chairs

No matter where you sit, all signs point to the star of the show… tequila! From the mural on the wall depicting the tequila-making process, to the huge array of bottles of tequila spotlighted at the bar.

La Cava Wall Mural

La Cava del Tequila Bar

So, what’s the MOST difficult thing to do at La Cava? Naming your poison. You’ve got your choice of over twelve specialty margaritas, and that doesn’t even begin to touch on the selection of straight tequilas.

Now, you know I love the Avocado Margarita.

Avocado Margarita

Other frontrunners for me include the Horchata and the Wild Passion Fruit. But on my most recent visit I just had to start by raising a toast to a much loved (and now extinct) EPCOT Center attraction with the Maelstrom Margarita.

You may recall (of COURSE, you recall 😉 ) last October, when the Maelstrom attraction [Read more…]

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