Review: Lunch at The Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom's Frontierland

Review: Lunch at The Diamond Horseshoe in Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland

It’s time to head to the Wild West and take a look behind some rarely open doors…

The Diamond Horseshoe is a seasonal option in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, which means it’s open only on peak-level crowd days (much like Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland).

During Thanksgiving week and around Christmas, it’s been known to host an evening buffet. When it’s open for lunch, though, it’s a counter service stop featuring turkey and barbeque sandwiches served up to the tunes of a self-playing Wurlitzer.

Perhaps you yourself have strolled past The Diamond Horseshoe.

The Diamond Horseshoe

If so, odds are good (well, pretty great, really) that you’ve seen these doors closed.

“The Diamond Horseshoe is not currently serving…”

But on the busiest of busy days, you just might catch them open… it’s time to step inside The Diamond Horseshoe!

The Diamond AND the Horseshoe!

And since it’s so rare to find this place open, we’ve got a little exploring to do…

Atmosphere

Okay, I’ll admit… like any good Disney geek, when the doors opened I walked straight past the ordering counter to check out the atmosphere. But I felt fine lingering, since someone left their umbrella at the front 😉 , which indicates to me that folks at the Horseshoe are expected to sit and stay awhile!

Umbrella just inside the entrance

Though located in the more rustic surroundings of Frontierland, when you step into this ol’ West music hall, the atmosphere seems decidedly more lush — from the deep red curtains on the centerpiece stage…

The Diamond Horseshoe stage

… to the red glass [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 27, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Wow! We have a plethora of Disney food news to highlight this week. Whether you start by digging into updates on the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival or skip ahead to read about Kouzzina’s replacement, we think you’ll find some interesting tidbits. And don’t forget to check out our photo update of the NEW Club 33 in Disneyland!

33 Mosaic

One of our favorite items — the Disneyland Dole Whip new souvenir Tiki Cup or Bowl. Happy Belated Birthday, Disneyland!

You’ll find all the news on Disney food below; happy reading!

Disney Food News

Check out our FIRST look of the NEW Club 33 in Disneyland!
Get a Souvenir Tiki Cup or Bowl with your Dole Whip at Disneyland’s Tiki Juice Bar!
We have more detailed information about the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Check out Special Events prices, booking date, and more menu updates, early booking for Chase Disney cardholders, culinary and beverage seminar details, and Festival Cookbook news!
Have you heard the big news out of Disney’s BoardWalk Resort? The restaurant replacing Kouzzina is Trattoria al Forno!
Epcot’s L’artisan des Glaces added a brand new flavor to its list of homemade ice cream: Cinnamon, Caramelized Apple, & Crumble Crunch!
What’s New around Walt Disney World? Frozen-themed treats, unique souvenirs, and menu changes at a few of our favorite resort restaurants.

What?! 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, Chai Cream no longer offered at Sanaa, Napa Rose Refurbishment, Tables in Wonderland Updates, and more!

DFB Reader Finds

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!

Facebook Friend Sharon shared two great pictures from Artist Point in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. First up — Coast to Farm Pan-fired Ahi Tuna Lion and Glazed Pork Belly!

Coast to Farm Pan-fired Ahi Tuna Lion and Glazed Pork Belly

Or opt for the Seared Diver Scallops!

Seared Diver Scallops

Thanks for sharing these gorgeous entrees!

DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

We’re thrilled to announce the grand launch of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book! With over 220 pages and multiple bonus items, it’s pretty substantial! And just in time to make your plans — general public booking begins on July 31st!

In honor of our grand launch, we have a discount option for DFB readers (as always!). You can get the new mini-guide for $3 off the regular price for a limited time — just use code MENUS at the check-out!

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival this year, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

And with the Epcot Food & Wine festival rapidly approaching, the time is now! Booking for festival events opens July 31st at 7AM ET, and our exclusive daily schedule of events is the most efficient way to plan your festival strategy. (Did you purchase a pre-order of the DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival and not receive your book? Let us know at [email protected]!)

With a detailed schedule of seminars and events for every single day of the festival, it’s a quick, easy way to decide what activities and events you want to book! Don’t waste time flipping between web pages, PDFs, and websites — just find the date you need and we’ve got it all right there in front of you. Just like that!

Find Everything That’s Going On During Your Visit in our FULL Daily Schedule of Events!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: L.B. Enterprises Elixir Stand in Frontierland

By Heather 7 Comments

As part of the Legends of Frontierland event currently going on at Disneyland, there are some very fun things happening in the wild wild west. I was recently passing by when I was stopped by L.B. himself. He’s got his elixir stand set up and he’s ready to help you solve your life problems!

L.B. Ultimate Salesman

With lots of personality, L.B. told me all about his product. I’m not going to spoil any of the fun interaction or stories for you, instead I’ll just tell you that there are three elixirs to choose from.

According to L.B., “Each one of them something we’d all like more of: Knowledge, Luck & Charm.”

Pick Your Poison….

He was such a good salesmen that I had to try all three!

Ready to enhance your life???? Bottoms up!

I asked L.B. if I drank them all in a row would I [Read more…]

News! Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers Can Book These Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events on July 29th

By AJ 13 Comments

Great news for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers who plan to enjoy events at the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

We previously told you that Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers could begin booking some 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Events on July 29 — two days before the general public can begin booking.

Today, we have a more details about which events that Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers can book in advance.

Beginning at 7:00AM on July 29 and continuing on July 30, Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers can book a range of events that include:

Culinary Demonstrations

Mixology Seminars

Cheese Seminars

“3D” Disney Dessert Discovery

For complete details on events, be sure to visit our Low Cost Events Page and Special Events Page. There will be a limited number of seats released for this pre-booking opportunity.

To take advantage of pre-booking, you must [Read more…]

The “DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival” Grand Launch and Discount!

By AJ 8 Comments

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

Find Everything That’s Going On During Your Visit in our FULL Daily Schedule of Events!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with

[Read more…]

Review: Croissant Berry Bread Pudding at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s Land Pavilion

By Wendy 15 Comments

When it comes to Disney World, sometimes I think there are morning park people and there are night park people.

Learn About:Sunshine Seasons

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

I’ve always considered myself a night park person… I’m always up for a viewing of any of the nighttime spectaculars, and I’ve never been able to pick a favorite out of Illuminations, Wishes, or Fantasmic!

And the lights on the buildings on Main Street or the torches surrounding World Showcase only add to atmosphere. Plus, the blazing Florida sun has set, so you know… bonus!

But even I have to admit that sometimes the early bird really does catch the worm. Check out this unbelievably peaceful atmosphere for an early morning breakfast of Croissant Berry Pudding at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons!

Early morning at Sunshine Seasons

Sunshine Seasons Sign

Can’t you just hear the music from Soarin’ somewhere in the back of your mind 🙂 ?

Anyway, while the crowds are lining up for their morning java over at Fountain View (Starbucks) Cafe, Sunshine Seasons has a few great A.M. treasures (available until 11:00AM) that shouldn’t be overlooked.

You can find plenty of bakery pastries alongside hot breakfast dishes, including an Egg and Bacon Breakfast Panini; a full Breakfast Platter featuring eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, and a biscuit; and – the reason for today’s visit – a Croissant Berry Bread [Read more…]

News! FULL 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and Booths Announced!

By AJ 21 Comments

Shazam!! The 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival FULL Booth Menus are now available!

See the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and Start Planning!

As always, we have individual pages created for every single booth for this year’s Festival, including the menu and food photos of many of the dishes!

Head over to our 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Menus and Photos page to see the full booth menus!

While we wait together for the beginning of this year’s Food and Wine Festival, I’ll share some of the brand new items we can’t wait to try this year!

Some things that we are most excited about for 2014 are:

The NEW Patagonia Booth will merge the flavors of Argentina and Chile! We look forward to sampling Sustainable Roasted Verlasso salmon, Quinoa Salad and Arugula Chimichurri, in addition to other regional specialties!

Salmon Quinoa Salad with Chimi-Churri at the NEW Patagonia Marketplace Booth

After a hiatus during the 2013 Food and Wine Festival, we’re excited that the [Read more…]

News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details

By AJ 15 Comments

Today, we are excited to share details for the Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars that will take place during the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

With not a moment to spare (whew!) we now have details on the low-cost demos and seminars that are one of the hallmarks of the Festival. Everyone is anxious to see what’s available, and to book their favorites (starting July 31st for general public; July 25th for Annual Passholders, DVC members, Golden Oak Residents, and Tables in Wonderland Members; and July 29th for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers)!

Not only do the demos and seminars represent good value; they also offer some of the most interesting educational and cultural options that guests enjoy during the Festival.

Click through to our Culinary and Beverage Seminars and Demonstrations page to see links to the Culinary, Beverage, and Mixology events.

All seminars and demos are $15 this year, and feature a mix of talent from the culinary world. You’ll find celebrity chefs as well as standout talent from throughout the Walt Disney World company — and beyond. And representatives from wineries and other beverage companies make learning about wine and spirits a hands-on experience with tastings.

Presenter During a Mixology Seminar

There will be many familiar names returning in 2014, so check the details to find out when guest favorites like Gale Gand, Robert Irvine, and Carla Hall take the stage! With demos and seminars taking place daily during the Festival, you’re bound to find options that tempt your palate!

As always, stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com, the DFB Newsletter, and our DFB Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page for all the details as soon as they happen!

Booking and Discounts

You can book most of the events on [Read more…]

News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Cookbook Will Combine All Three Epcot Festivals

By Brooke 13 Comments

It’s one of our favorite souvenirs at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We line up every year to get the latest edition of the Festival Cookbook!

But this year, Disney will do things a little differently.

For the first time ever, the cookbook that’s released in time for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival will feature all three Festivals that now call Epcot home.

The 2014 version of the book will combine recipes from the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival, and Epcot’s latest celebration of food, Holidays Around the World.

Piggylicious Bacon Cupcake From Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival — Think This Popular Treat Will Make It In to the New Festival Cookbook?

While the Epcot Food and Wine Festival has always been

[Read more…]

Guest Review: Whispering Canyon Café Breakfast at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By Kim LaPaglia 19 Comments

The Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World is a fabulous escape! Even if you’re not staying at this inspiring resort, we highly recommend making an Advance Dining Reservation for the Whispering Canyon Café. Today, guest author Rebecca Elliott shares a breakfast review.

Learn About:Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney World Restaurants

We like to eat breakfast at the Whispering Canyon Café when we stay at the Wilderness Lodge. It’s convenient, the portions are hearty, and there’s usually no wait for a table. (Even so, get the Advance Dining Reservation – just in case! You never know!)