News! Disney Kitchen Goodies at the NEW Marketplace Co-Op in Downtown Disney

The Marketplace Co-op just opened on Friday in Downtown Disney in Disney World, and if you’re looking for items to add to your Disney dream kitchen, your search may be over.

New Marketplace Co-op in Downtown Disney

When we got a glimpse of some of the merchandise earlier this year, we thought, “Okay, this could be pretty cool.”

As it turns out… it is COMPLETELY cool!

The Marketplace Co-op is six separate “boutiques” housed inside of what once was one large store (formerly Team Mickey): Beautifully Disney, D-Tech On Demand, The Trophy Room, Cherry Tree Lane, Zoey and Pickles, and Disney Centerpiece.

Marketplace Co-op Stores

The space for each section is not huge… but you will not believe the amount of fun stuff they’ve got packed in there! Being the food fans we are, we’re focusing on what’s available at the Disney Centerpiece.

Disney Centerpiece

The good news is, some of these items are available online, in case you aren’t able to visit the Co-op anytime soon. If you see a clickable link in our description, it will take you to the place where you can buy it!

Oh, my… where to begin?! How about Adventureland section?

Adventureland

Ceramic Dole Whip Keepsake Box

How can we not start with Dole Whips? At first glance, this ceramic Dole Whip appears to be only that – just a ceramic figurine.

Dole Whip Keepsake Box

However, you can lift off the lid and store a keepsake in the Dole Whip’s bowl.

Dole Whip Keepsake Box

I think this would look SO AWESOME on a desk!

Aloha Isle Hurricane Glasses

If you prefer a different homage to your beloved Dole Whip, these Aloha Isle Hurricane Glasses might do the trick.

Aloha Isle Hurricane Glasses

Cheers!

Aloha Plates

These “Aloha” plates measure in at 7 inches, for appetizers or desserts… or both 😉 .

Aloha Plates

Color choices are red, blue, and green.

Aloha Bowls

The companion “Aloha” bowls also come in three color choices: [Read more…]

Disney Recipe from the Vault: ‘Ohana’s Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

By AJ 9 Comments

I have been known to post an ode or two to extinct Disney foods. And one of my most missed dishes are the Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes that used to be a fixture at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.

Learn About:‘Ohana

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

These potatoes — in all of their creamy, cheesy goodness — are no longer served at ‘Ohana. In their place, you’ll find a perfectly, well…fine…bowl of Lo Mein, noodle-y tangle.

Fine. But they’re no cheesy potatoes.

So imagine how the skies opened and the heavens sang when I recently ran across this recipe for the potatoes that we all knew and loved!

RIP Scalloped Potatoes (photo courtesy Brett Young)

Now, I don’t see any shortening here, but everything else looks pretty fantastic. So I’m going out on a limb and am planning to give them a try.

You should, too.

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

‘Ohana

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Review: Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream at Sleepy Hollow in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

By Wendy 10 Comments

We talk a lot about the unique Waffle Sandwiches over at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.

Learn About:Sleepy Hollow

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

The Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich, the Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich, and the Ham with Prosciutto and Swiss Waffle Sandwich typically steal the spotlight.

But if Waffle Sandwiches aren’t quite your thing, you’re not out of options at this waffle hot-spot. If you peek under the Nutella and Fresh Fruit Waffle Sandwich on the menu, you’ll notice a couple of more traditional choices: the Waffle with Powdered Sugar or Cinnamon, and the Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream. (Thankfully, all these waffles have never replaced the fried doughy goodness that is Funnel Cake — they all continue to exist happily together on the menu!)

Sleepy Hollow Menu

I chose the Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream.

Waffle with Strawberries and Whipped Cream

As I watched my waffle being prepared, I noticed [Read more…]

Gourmet Apple of the Month: Banana Split Caramel Apple Debuts in Disneyland

By AJ 3 Comments

Can’t decide between an ice cream sundae or a caramel apple? Well, the next time you visit Disneyland, you won’t have to!

In keeping with their Gourmet Apple Series, the candy makers at the resort have dreamed up a brand new, ice cream-inspired confection — the Banana Split Gourmet Caramel Apple!

Banana Split Gourmet Caramel Apple

But how do you get a caramel apple to taste like banana split? Disney magic, of course! 😉

Seriously, though — the Mammoth Apples are first dipped in Caramel. After that, they’re coated with [Read more…]

Review: Yak & Yeti Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Kim LaPaglia 24 Comments

At the request of my family, I decided to venture away from my familiar dining locations and try Yak and Yeti in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Learn About:Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Earlier in the day, we chose to move up our Advance Dining Reservation from 4:45PM until later in the evening. A quick phone call to 407-WDW-DINE and we were able to re-schedule for 7:30PM.

Atmosphere

After utilizing the single rider line at Expedition Everest, we trekked to Asia’s Yak & Yeti and were one of the last parties seated for the evening. (Isn’t Animal Kingdom awesome in the dark?!)

Expedition Everest at night

Upon arrival, the upper level was closed off, but the lower dining rooms were still bustling.

At first, we were led to a table right outside the kitchen and nearby the elevator. It was so loud that we couldn’t enjoy our conversation and quickly asked to be seated in a quieter spot.

Decor in Yak & Yeti

In the next interior room, we settled at a table that was conducive to dinner conversation and also enabled us to enjoy the restaurant’s decor. (Big kudos to the hostess that assured us that she wasn’t a fan of tables near the kitchen and completely understood our request.)

Dining Room

Statue

Our waiter was very informative and fun. We asked questions about how the new My Magic+ payment system was working for the staff. He shared his frustration with weak wi-fi connections; sometimes he has to move around the restaurant to find a better signal!

Reception Area

He also indicated that it’s more difficult taking Disney Dining Plan credits with the new system; although he felt it was much easier to deal with customers paying with their room accounts. The Cast Members at this restaurant were extremely friendly!

Dining rooms at closing time

Bar at Yak & Yeti

Since I love themed restaurants, I was anxious to take in the detail within the walls of this Asian hideaway. The exotic menu foreshadowed the unique dishes we’d find inside the booklet.

Look inside for exotic dishes

While chopsticks were added to our tabletop, we stuck with our silverware skills!

Chopsticks

Eats

Already fans of the Crispy Honey Chicken served at Anandapur Local Food Cafe (Yak & Yeti counter-service), hubby and son confidently put in their wok-based order. Made with tempura chicken, broccoli, carrots, and honey sauce, this dish did not disappoint.

Mr. 13 ate heartily (including the brown rice) although he pushed his broccoli to the side. Both agreed that the rice was cooked well, chicken was very tender, and the honey sauce had just the right amount of sweetness.

Crispy Honey Chicken

All three of us chose [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 8, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

At Downtown Disney’s West Side in Orlando, guests can now stop by the NEW Starbucks. We have a review of this spot serving up caffeinated beverages and more!

Starbucks Location in Downtown Disney’s West Side

The DFB Team has found LOTS of refreshed menus around the Walt Disney World parks and resorts. You’ll want to see what’s new at your favorite restaurants.

Check out these news items and more by clicking on the links below!

Disney Food News

Downtown Disney’s West Side is now home to a Starbucks. Check out our review!
Epcot’s Refreshment Cool Post is serving a summer treat — Frozen Yogurt soft-serve, available in Pineapple, Coconut, or a swirl of the two!
New appetizer at ‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Resort.
Raglan Road has announced a June 19th signature dinner.
What’s New Around WDW? A refreshed menu at Tamu Tamu Refreshments in the Animal Kingdom, BLT Hot Dog debuts at Magic Kingdom’s The Lunching Pad, and LOTS more!

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, 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!

Craving sweets? This week, we’re featuring delicious treats from the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.

Cheshire Cafe serves delicious gourmet cake cups. And this Strawberry Shortcake Cake Cup from Facebook Friend Rachel is absolutely gorgeous!

Strawberry Shortcake Cake Cup

Facebook Friend Adrienne shared the ooey-gooey goodness of her caramel filled chocolate cookie. If you want your own, visit Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany!

Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookie

Thanks for sharing your sweets with us!

The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book Deal

We’ve got more snacks! The 2014 Edition of The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book is now available!

It’s time to snag your copy! The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book is one of the many fun and informative Disney Dining e-Books offered by Disney Food Blog! Now we’ve updated our best-selling DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book for 2014 with even more great information, photos, and…yep!…snacks!

We’ve made this guide instantly downloadable. It’s a PDF guide with photos, information, and advice on well over 150 delicious snacks (over 50 more than in our previous edition!) that you can savor in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. This guide is guaranteed to help you find the best snacks and treats for your family while visiting the Magic Kingdom, or your money back — we all know that treats at the Magic Kingdom are just as nostalgic as our first flight on Dumbo! With a 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose! 🙂

The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book includes:

Full-color photos of over 150 of our favorite snacks
Current prices and Disney Dining Plan snack credit status
Snack locations
“Hidden treats” and add-ons that aren’t published on menus or that aren’t widely known
Disney Food Blog reviews of all snacks
Tips and tricks from experienced snack eaters
Special Bonus items you’re going to love! (Of course…how could we not include these?)

Know what you’re getting BEFORE using a precious snack credit or spending limited vacation dollars.

Whether you want sweet, salty, crunchy, healthy, or something in between, The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book tells you where to find a snack to match your craving!

To thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the Guide for $2 off its already discounted purchase price for a limited time! Order your copy now for only $8.95 (regularly $10.95). The price will go up this week, so grab your copy now! To secure the discount, use code MAGIC14 at the check-out.

For more detailed information and screen shots from the e-Book, head over to DFBGuide.com! With a 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose! 🙂

Want Even Greater Savings? Here’s How!

Great three awesome e-Books bundled for over 30% off! Limited time only…

Bundle for greater savings!

Our DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle offers:

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2014, PLUS
The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks,
The DFB Guide to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Snacks, AND
The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks

All three are being sold together for the first time –and for a massively discounted price. Just $35.95 instead of the regular price of nearly $60.00.

Our Snack Guides vibrantly display and review over 500 Disney World snacks (!!), but also showcase some of our favorite under-the-radar treats and eats in the parks. Get your DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle — including the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2014, the DFB Guide to Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom Snacks, the DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks, and the DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks — for over 40% off here.

Find out more about the DFB Guide & Snack Bundle here!

Thanks for your support of the DFB!

Chip!

On to the Round-Up!

Mickey Fix

showcases an adorable Chip Mug. Beauty and the Beast fans — check it out!

DisZine announces special summer events at Disneyland, including new recipes by DOLE. I’ll have a Pineapple Mojito, please!

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World shares food and beverages from Walt Disney World.

New York Post shares 11 drinks from Epcot’s World Showcase!

Disney Parks Blog highlights vegetarian dishes from Disney Cruise Line.

Mouse on the Mind features Starbucks beverages and treats!

Review: Pineapple and Coconut Frozen Yogurt at Epcot’s Refreshment Cool Post!

By Wendy 10 Comments

Refreshment Cool Post

is a stop along the way around World Showcase. You’ll find it after you cross the bridge from the China Pavilion towards Germany. The Cool Post typically offers a menu of pretty standard quick-eats: hot dogs, frozen slushes, and fruit cups are among the choices.

Refreshment Cool Post

Refreshment Cool Post Menu

However, this unassuming spot has been chosen as the only place to offer a special summer treat unique to Epcot: Frozen Yogurt soft-serve, available in Pineapple, Coconut, or a swirl of the two!

Pineapple Coconut Swirl Frozen Yogurt

It’s next to impossible, of course, for most Disney food fans to hear the words “pineapple” and “soft-serve” in the same sentence without thinking of the original pineapple soft-serve treat: Dole Whip!

Dole Whip!!

So, we thought we’d present this review by bringing you a little side-by-side comparison of the two.

We’ll start with the most obvious characteristic: color. While the Dole Whip is a light yellow, it’s still a definite yellow, where the Pineapple Frozen Yogurt’s yellow is so pale, it’s almost white. My yogurt was a pineapple-coconut swirl, and you can just barely make out the yellow of the pineapple yogurt against the white of the coconut.

Pineapple Coconut Swirl Frozen Yogurt

Next: texture. Okay, so that’s [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: A Look Back at 1957 Park Eats

By Heather 24 Comments

Fire up the flux capacitor and hop in the Delorean because we’re going back in time. I know, that’s Universal Studios talk, but Doc Brown is the only guy I know that can make this happen…

1957 Guide to Disneyland

It’s 1957 at Disneyland. The park has only been open for two years, but Walt’s got lots of places for us to eat! Let’s take a little tour of our options starting with good ‘ol Main Street USA.

The Carnation Ice Cream Parlor (currently known as Gibson Girl) was the perfect spot for a cool treat. Further down the road you could stop at the Carnation Plaza Gardens for some quick service food. Does anyone remember the frozen malts they sold with the wooden spoons? I DO!

There was also the Refreshment Corner sponsored by Coca Cola, The Maxwell Coffee House Shop, The Puffin Bake Shop, and the Red Wagon Inn, which is said to have been Walt’s favorite park eatery and later became the Plaza Inn.

Another option was a cafeteria style restaurant called the Pavilion. Check out the photos below, I’m absolutely loving the popcorn cart and its cute little cowpoke customers!

Main Street USA

Take a right off of Main Street USA and you’ll stumble into Tomorrowland. Here, you can hit the Space Bar, an automat type restaurant as well as the Yacht Club (self service) and the Dairy Bar, which was an exhibit sponsored by the American Dairy Association.

Tomorrowland

After Tomorrowland, we’ll head over to Fantasyland. Here you can eat at the Chicken of the Sea Pirate Ship (YES PLEASE!) or get some fresh grape juice from the Welch’s Stand.

In 1957, Frontierland was the place to really get your grub on; it had the most dining options of all the lands in the park. The Chicken Plantation Restaurant served up a fried chicken dinner for just $1.70. Meals could be enjoyed on the patio of a plantation style home along the Rivers of America. The Plantation House closed in 1962 to make room for New Orleans Square.

Not in the mood for fried chicken? Head over to the Golden Horseshoe for dinner and a show. Or visit the birth place of the [Read more…]

News: New Menu Item at ‘Ohana in Disney World’s Polynesian Resort

By Wendy 23 Comments

Disney’s Polynesian Resort is currently undergoing a major refurbishment that’s affecting several areas throughout the resort.

From a food perspective, we are very much looking forward to an updated Captain Cook’s sometime this summer, the addition of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto in 2015, and the Pineapple Lanai kiosk for a Dole Whip fix anticipated to open later this year.

Captain Cook’s Refurbishment Sign

One change unconnected to the refurbishments, however, has been more immediate. Several weeks ago, ‘Ohana – arguably the Polynesian’s most popular Table Service restaurant – removed Chicken Skewers from the menu.

While there have been no further removals, we wanted to let you know how the menu has been refreshed in light of that change.

The Entrance to ‘Ohana

Refreshed ‘Ohana Menu

Meal Starters still include ‘Ohana Pineapple Coconut Bread and Mixed Greens with a Lilikoi Dressing.

‘Ohana Bread

‘Ohana Mixed Greens

One new item has been added to the Appetizers: Vegetable Lettuce Wraps with a Hoisin Ginger Sauce join the Pork Dumplings tossed in a Garlic Ginger Sauce.

‘Ohana Pork Dumplings

A new heading has been added the menu as well [Read more…]

Guest Review: Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

By AJ 19 Comments

It’s an out-of-the-way restaurant that you might have overlooked, so join guest author Rebecca Dolan with a review of Maya Grill at the Coronado Springs Resort in Walt Disney World!

Learn About:Maya Grill

Disney World Restaurants

Maya Grill has never been high on my priority list. Even after all these years of Disney trips, I always figured why go to Maya Grill when I can get my Mexican fix at Epcot’s San Angel Inn? Well, I finally broke down and took the plunge, and San Angel is still the way to go.

Atmosphere

As the signature restaurant of the Spanish-colonial inspired Coronado Springs Resort, Maya Grill evokes the cities of the ancient Maya. You’ll find it towards the back of the main building – just head left off the entryway and continue past the Pepper Market.

The restaurant is centered on a stylized Maya pyramid, under which bubbles a fountain.

Tables around Pyramid

The walls are decorated with artistic representations of Maya life. Try to get a table near one of the large windows overlooking the hotel’s central lagoon.

Dining Area

Wall Art

Tables by the window could offer a view

I was surprised to encounter a wait when I arrived at the hostess desk, as Maya Grill isn’t exactly one of Disney World’s most in-demand restaurants. Luckily, I’d made a reservation, despite assuming I wouldn’t need one. So, you might find it worthwhile to make one just in case.

Once seated, my companions and I found the restaurant too loud for our taste. The live entertainment, a gentleman singing and playing the guitar with other canned instruments, was deafening and we strained to hear our conversation. So, this is not the place to go for a quiet evening.

Eats

As was expected, the meal started with a basket of chips and salsa. The chips were thick and sturdy, perfect for getting a big scoop of dip without any breakage.

Chips and salsa while you peruse the menu

The menu consists of pretty typical Mexican fare, like nachos, tacos, chimichangas, and fajitas. There’s a small but clearly marked vegetarian section, and the abundant gluten free options were interspersed but highlighted throughout the whole menu. My non-spicy-food-eating grandmother appreciated the “North of the Border” section of the menu, which offered simpler fare.

First up was the queso fundido appetizer, served with flour tortillas for scooping. Unlike the liquid-y chile con queso you’re probably used to, queso fundido is more like the middle of a mozzarella stick: stringy, gooey and most easily eaten with a fork or plucked with a bit of tortilla. Though a bit salty, it’s hard to go wrong with a big bowl of cheese.

Queso fundito and accompanying tortillas for scooping

Next were orders of [Read more…]

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