DFB News: Christmas in July Sale and Ceramic Dole Whip Giveaway

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! 🙂

DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014

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!

Pre-order the 2014 Edition of our best-selling Disney Holiday e-Book for 20% off — and get the 2013 Guide for Free!

When you pre-order your copy of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2014 for an exclusive discounted rate, you’ll be able to instantly download the 2013 Guide and start your planning — TODAY.

Then you will be automatically emailed the 2014 Guide when it’s published in early November. Get two editions for the price of one and start planning right away.

Pre-Order — DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2014

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?

We’ll guide you through all the holiday events, activities, and dining so that you can get the biggest bang for your buck in Walt Disney World!

List Price: $14.95. This price includes the 2013 Guide as an instant download. You will automatically be sent the 2014 Guide as soon as it’s published in early November.

Enter Discount Code: ChristmasInJuly

DFB Reader Discount: $3! (20% off)

Your Exclusive DFB Price: $11.95 — get the 2013 Guide instantly, and the 2014 Guide as soon as it’s published!

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…]

News: 2014 Disney World Candlelight Processional Narrators

By Kim LaPaglia 5 Comments

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!

Amy Grant narrating 2013 Candlelight Processional

Disney World’s Candlelight Processional

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.

Candlelight Processional (copyright Disney)

We’ll have more information on Dining Packages as soon as they become available.

Candlelight Processional Narrators

The 2014 Narrator list is [Read more…]

Guest Review: Dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern in Disney’s Magic Kingdom

By Kim LaPaglia 13 Comments

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!

Learn About:Liberty Tree Tavern

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

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!

Atmosphere

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.

Dinner Time!

Check In area inside Liberty Tree Tavern

Since we were early, we had some time to check the place out.

Waiting area

There was a beautiful Christmas tree in the lobby.

Christmas Tree

A coloring area was setup with cute Disney themed holiday coloring pages.

A fun way to pass the time

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.

Gingerbread Display

Holiday gingerbread display detail

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!

One of several seating areas

And of course we had to check out the menu while waiting.

The Menu on display outside the restaurant

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.

George Washington Dining Room

Our nice little corner table

Eats

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.

Dinner Menu — click image for larger version.

The drinks are served in cute Liberty Tree Tavern mugs.

Beverages

Bread and the Declaration Salad were brought out first – fresh warm rolls served with sweet honey butter, and the salad was cold and crisp.

Rolls and Honey Butter

Normally the salad [Read more…]

News! Enjoy the Frozen Summer Fun Premium Package — Complete with Dessert Party!

By Brooke 32 Comments

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.

Frozen Comes to Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Anna and Elsa Are Come to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

Next, guests can take advantage of [Read more…]

Spotted! Character Kitchen Towel Sets in Disney World

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!

Alice in Wonderland Character towel set

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.

Alice in Wonderland 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!

Beauty and the Beast Towel Set

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.

Maleficent towel set

If you look closely at the damask-pattern towel, you’ll see the face of Maleficent appear.

Maleficent closeup

Does your kitchen tend to produce more “Sweet” (Minnie) dishes…

Minnie towel set

… or “Spicy” [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: More Breakfast Goodness!

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!

Breakfast Skillet at ‘Ohana

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!

Breakfast Skillet at ‘Ohana

Baked French Toast at Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photographer: Nancy RK

Starting your day in Cinderella Castle for breakfast? Lucky you! We’ve had some [Read more…]

Review: Coconut-Lychee Lemonade at Drinkwallah in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Wendy 6 Comments

Animal Kingdom was chock full of surprises on a recent visit! While Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama debuted the Cotton Candy Carnival Cocktail, the Asia section’s Drinkwallah held a refreshing adult beverage find of its own: Coconut-Lychee Lemonade.

Drinkwallah Sign

Coconut-Lychee Lemonade

One of the reasons I was intrigued by this new drink (aside from the whole “Coconut Rum” thing, that is 😉 ) is that it gives us a reason to explore this unique location a little more.

Welcome sign

Sure, it’s pretty much a small kiosk dedicated to its typically limited menu of frozen non-alcoholic beverages (Coke, Blue Raspberry, and Lemonade are the choices) and a few grab-and-go snacks.

Drinkwallah Menu

But that’s exactly what makes the high level of detail in this small snack stop so impressive. Like many places in Animal Kingdom, you could stroll right past Drinkwallah without realizing it, since it blends in so well with its surroundings.

Drinkwallah kiosk

You can spot a few clues, however, as to what’s available inside…

Outdoor signage

Ice Cold Refrigeration!

… as well as what’s not :).

Drinkwallah signage

Should you decide to stop inside based on the promise of cold beverages on a hot day, you’ll find that this is where the details really kick in. Just about every inch is packed with a huge array of trinkets, photographs, and artwork.

Inside Drinkwallah

Coke bottles inside Drinkwallah

Poster on the wall

Inside Drinkwallah

I always like the detail of exposed electrical wires that you’ll find all over the Africa and Asia sections of Animal Kingdom.

Light fixture

Forgive the awkward angle of this shot of the Coke freezer, but I love the weathered look of it, and it at least gives you some idea as to how small this space is — I had just enough room to lean back and take this picture.

Coke freezer

In fact, I took the majority of these pictures through the outdoor windows – feeling oddly like a Disney-detail paparazzo 😉 — since there is so little room to move inside.

The only thing that reminds you that you are in a theme park is the glow coming from the frozen drink machines themselves, and even they have been enhanced with unique fonts and topped off with materials marked by the “Anandapur Sheet Metal Company.”

Frozen beverage machines at Drinkwallah

Once you ‘re set with your drink or snack, you’ll do best to follow the posted advice.

Indoor signage

It’s a great feeling to score a spot in this little building just behind Drinkwallah, equipped with a tall chair and – obviously – lots of shade.

Building behind Drinkwallah

But since that’s often already claimed, you can plan an escape to the lower garden.

Lower Garden direction sign

What a lovely little space… There isn’t much in the way of seating here, with most opting to grab their cold drinks and continue towards Expedition Everest. But if you do have a few moments to enjoy the view, you can grab [Read more…]

Fourth of July News! Regional Craft Beers This Week at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

By AJ 2 Comments

Drink beer, do good. Sounds like the perfect way to enjoy the Fourth of July!

To that end, we have some fun news for readers who enjoy exploring the world of craft beer!

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, in conjunction with Tampa’s Cigar City Brewing, will offer eight Cigar City selections when they stage a “Taproom Takeover” at Cabana Bar and Beach Club July 2-8!

Cabana Bar and Beach Club

Guests of the hotel can enjoy Cigar City’s regionally brewed beer and cider on all eight of the Cabana Bar and Beach Club’s taps. A selection of Cigar City Brewing’s beers will also be available at the Dolphin’s Lobby Lounge.

And on July 4, the endeavor will take on a charitable twist. One of the beers that will be available is Homefront IPA, and a portion of the proceeds from its sale will be donated to Operation Homefront, an organization providing services to military families across the nation.

Homefront IPA

This special brew is crafted in collaboration between several American microbreweries — Cigar City Brewing among them.

In addition to Homefront IPA, beer and cider selections will include [Read more…]

Review: Specialty Hot Dogs at The Lunching Pad in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By AJ 23 Comments

Can’t wait for lunch? Head over to The Lunching Pad with us!

Learn About:The Lunching Pad

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

You’ll find this snack stop in Tomorrowland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. And while it looks pretty unassuming, it’s a great place to enjoy Cream Cheese Pretzels, or even Mickey Soft Pretzels!

But in addition to some of our favorite soft pretzel snacks and carbonated frozen drinks, they’re also an outlet for those delicious and inventive Gourmet Hot Dogs that you’ll find around the resort.

Today, we’re taking a look at not one, not two, but three of these deluxe dogs for lunch. C’mon!

Atmosphere

So, atmosphere at The Lunching Pad…well, what you see is pretty much what you get.

The Lunching Pad at Rocketeer Plaza

If you’ve been to Tomorrowland, you’ve seen the atmosphere of this spot. It’s really just a walk-up window.

Ordering Window

There are a few tables scattered nearby, complete with those awesome, padded Tomorrowland seats.

And because The Lunching Pad is located beneath the PeopleMover and Astro-Orbiter, the overhang provides some much-welcomed shade when you stop here for a quick meal or snack.

Seating

But now that we’ve taken a (very quick!) tour around The Lunching Pad, let’s see about those dogs!

Eats

The menu at this snack stop is very small. You have a handful of frozen, carbonated beverages, which are so amazing on a hot day! And you can get them in plain cups or sport bottles. And as we mentioned before, this is also a good place to snag a soft pretzel.

Mickey Pretzel with Plastic Cheese

But the star attractions here, if you’re looking for real sustenance, are the line up of over the top hot dogs.

Menu — Click to Enlarge

Let’s just take a moment to admire them, shall we?

Today’s selections include, left to right, the BLT Hot Dog, the Coney Island Dog, and the Philly Cheese Steak Dog. [Editor’s Update: The Lunching Pad menu has been streamlined since the original writing of this post, and the Coney Island Dog is currently the only specialty hot dog available.]

Specialty Hot Dogs from The Lunching Pad in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

We’ll start with the brand new-to-the-menu [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 29, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

We found lots of new treats, comfort foods, and beverages around Walt Disney World this week. There are so many fun finds that I can’t pick a favorite!! Check out all of our yummy discoveries in our What’s New post, including an adorable Orange Bird Caramel Apple!

Orange Bird Caramel Apple

Don’t miss the Cinderella’s Royal Table renovation announcement on our Pin Board! If you’re visiting in 2015, you’ll want to make a note of the rehab dates.

You’ll find more delicious treats by clicking on the links below!

Disney Food News

We tried the new Carnival Cocktail at Corn-Ivores in Chester & Hester’s Dino-Rama in Disney World’s Animal Kingdom. The main ingredient in this concoction? Cotton Candy!
We ventured through three Disney World parks and five Resorts to check out candy apples, menu changes, comfort foods, oodles of cold drinks, and more to see What’s New!
We found a brand new treat at Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors in Disney World — Frozen Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheesecake on a Mickey Straw!

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, an upcoming renovation of Cinderella’s Royal Table, 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!

We absolutely love to see our readers amazing Disney creations. This week, we look at unique Disney cakes for at-home celebrations!

Our Facebook Friend, Carolyn, made a gorgeous Mickey Ice Cream Bar cake. So clever!!

Homemade Mickey Ice Cream Bar Cake

Toy Story Fans will love this cake created by DFB Reader, Terry. Outstanding!

Toy Story Birthday Cake

Thanks for sharing your amazing cakes with us!

Disney Food Blog Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book, 2014 Edition

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!)

How Do I Get One?

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…]

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