News! Menus and Details for the 2014 Fifth Annual Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

We are so excited to share with you some big news today!

The Swan and Dolphin Resort at Walt Disney World has announced that it will hold its Fifth Annual Food and Wine Classic this Fall!

Coinciding with the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, the two day event returns with some fan favorites and some brand new experiences!

2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Details

Save the dates for Friday, October 31, and Saturday, November 1, 2014. Most of the Seminars will get underway at 4:30 p.m. and the Causeway Booths will be open from 5:30 until 9:00 p.m.

The Causeway at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

The two-day event will offer opportunities to learn while you play, with informative seminars covering facets of food and wine. Seminars are conducted by experts in each field and last about an hour — giving you plenty of time to join in on the Causeway fun afterwards!

Once the seminars conclude, the booths open and the tasting begins! Wines from all over the world and dishes in appetizer portions are available to sample from each of Swan and Dolphin’s nine restaurants. For the last few years, Celebrity Chef Todd English has also been on hand to interact with guests!

And don’t forget the music! As night falls, you’re treated to live music as you dine under the stars.

Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Seminars

For 2014, guests can choose from ten different seminars. Choose from categories of Beer and Wine, Spirits and Mixology, or Pairing Experiences. The seminars take place on both days of the event. Beverage seminars all begin at 4:30 and last for approximately one hour; Pairing Experiences begin slightly earlier. Prices for the seminars vary.

From Base to Bubbles Seminar

You can check out all of the details about the 2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Seminars — including specific start times and prices — here!

The popular Pasta-making Seminar, which debuted last year, returns to the Classic this Fall.

And guests can also choose from two other brand new seminars! Check out all the details about The Fine Art of Sushi and Sake and The Cheese Course!

Causeway Tasting Booths

Once again, the big ticket will be the Causeway Tasting Booths, which line the promenade between the Swan and Dolphin Resorts. Eat and drink your way up one side and down the other! And new this year, the Classic will introduce a [Read more…]

Review: Dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By AJ 17 Comments

It’s been FOREVER since I enjoyed a fun evening at Whispering Canyon Cafe. So I talked a friend into heading over to this supa fun restaurant for dinner the last time I was in Orlando!

Learn About:Whispering Canyon Cafe

Disney World Restaurants

Sitting just off the main lobby of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, the moderately priced table service restaurant is a can’t miss for some guests…but nothing special for others.

During our last visit, we took a look at how the lunch and dinner menus had changed drastically from what fans were used to. And guess what? In the middle of writing this review, we get word that it’s changed again!

Git yer ponies saddled up and yer vittles bag tied on! It’s time to ride on in! (Did any of that make sense? No? Hmm.)

Atmosphere

Whispering Canyon Cafe is one of the easiest Disney restaurants to find. Head into Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, hang a left, and you can’t miss it.

Whispering Canyon Sign

There’s even a good chance that you’ll hear it before you see it. That’s because there are bona fide antics going on throughout the meal. The name Whispering Canyon? Definitely tongue-in-cheek.

Warning — Good Times Ahead — Click to Enlarge

Themeing here seems ever so slightly more “cowboy and Indian” than in the rest of the lobby. Whereas the rest of that area has a slightly more elegant Mission style, Whispering Canyon is more whimsical. It reminds me of a playroom off from the rest of the grown ups’ space. 🙂

Wood is all around you everywhere, echoing that lodge-y feel. Seating is mixed, with table and chair combos, as well as booths. And check out the super cool Indian chief on the backs of these chairs!

Seating

Others feature cowboys on bucking broncos.

Cowboys and Indians on the Back of Chairs

Cowboys Detail on the Back of a Chair

The servers can make or break your experience at Whispering Canyon. They have all kinds of tricks up their sleeves, though. So whatever you do, don’t drop your fork! (Unless you really want to know what the giant fork is for.)

Servers Plot Their Next Move

And speaking of the giant fork, Whispering Canyon is as well known for the crazy [Read more…]

News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concerts Announced

By AJ 20 Comments

Yay! We have our first official information from the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

The Eat to the Beat Concert line-up is here…and it’s a great one! Lots of fun returning acts (Boyz II Men, Sister Hazel, Hanson, BBVD, and more); and a few new acts added to the mix! Head over and check out Jo Dee Messina, Fuel, and Los Lonely Boys this year!

Here’s the full list. Don’t forget to check out our 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for all the latest details on the festival!

2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concert Line-Up

Sept 19-21 – Jo Dee Messina
Sept. 22-23 – The Pointer Sisters
Sept. 24-25 – UPDATE! The Commodores [Read more…]

Disney Recipe (and Happy Hour!): Monorail Drinks from Top of the World Restaurant at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By Brooke 16 Comments

I have an old souvenir book from my first trip to Disney in the late seventies. And while it’s super fun to look through the whole thing, some of my favorite images are from Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Learn About:Top of the World Lounge

Disney World Restaurants

It’s here that I first learned about Top of the World, the restaurant that once occupied the spot that California Grill calls home these days.

Well, the seventies glamour that epitomized the Contemporary may have given way to a sleek mix that is both modern and retro at once, but we don’t have to look too far to bring some of those fun days back. Thanks to Disney cookbooks, their cocktails live on!

That’s right! I’m talking about those famous and delicious Monorail Drinks!

If you love retro Disney cocktails like we do (hellooooo, Kungaloosh!), then you’re going to really love this post. Because we’re not giving you just one recipe, but three! Seriously — how much cooler will your next party be?? Very. You’re welcome.

Can’t You Just Feel Monorail Red Swooshing By??

So Please Stand Clear of the Doors (Por Favor Mantengase Alejado de las Puertas) — get those blenders ready — and, GO!

Monorail Cocktails

Top of the World

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Monorail Pink

Serves 1

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Review: Breakfast Wrap at Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By AJ 14 Comments

A couple weeks back, I told you all about my up close encounter with the Warm Colossal Cinnamon Roll at Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery.

Learn About:Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

Animal Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

It’s a cinnamon roll that’s as big as my HEAD!

But during that same visit, another item piqued my interest — a fancy schmancy breakfast wrap! Because who doesn’t love a great on-the-go breakfast option in the parks? I had to get it.

The Hot Breakfast Wrap

Whether I’m looking for a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack, Kusafiri is a great stop. There’s always something new to try here! And aren’t the food visual aides the tops? Making a decision is so much easier when you can see an example of what you’re getting.

Menu and Breakfast Options

But upon checking out the menu, the Hot Breakfast Wrap immediately caught my eye. After all, for all of my talk about sweet treats to start the day, I know a protein-rich, less sugar option will keep me going for long hours of fun in the parks.

And this really sounded interesting to me — way more so than the run of the mill breakfast sandwiches you usually see. Goat Cheese? Spinach? It’s practically a health food!

Menu — Click to Enlarge

This is how the wrap came to me. Look at all the earth-friendly goodness happening here!

Hot Breakfast Wrap — Wrapped!

Upon opening the brown parchment paper that enveloped the wrap, I was greeted by a [Read more…]

Free Appetizer or Dessert at Emeril’s Orlando Restaurants

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Today we’re sharing a Universal Orlando deal with our readers. After all, we know you might be heading over that way for a butterbeer!

Now’s a great time to dine at renowned chef Emeril Lagasse’s two restaurants — Emeril’s Tchoup Chop and Emeril’s Orlando — at the Universal Orlando Resort.

Banana Cream Pie at Emeril’s Orlando

Free Appetizer or Dessert

With the purchase of an entrée and a same-day theme park ticket, guests will receive their choice of a free appetizer or dessert. The offer is valid during lunch and dinner and limited to one redemption per table.

Signature dishes at Emeril’s include New Orleans barbecued shrimp, house-made gumbo, and banana cream pie. At Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, Kahlua chicken eggrolls, Tchoup Chop crunchy shrimp, and Hawaiian style malasadas donuts are a few of the delicious choices.

This offer is valid [Read more…]

Review: Wetzel’s Pretzels in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney

By AJ 6 Comments

I can’t believe it! I have never done a review of Wetzel’s Pretzels! How is that even possible??

Actually, we all know the answer to that. I mean, there’s just so much good food to be enjoyed that it’s hard to fit it all in. Still, Wetzel’s Pretzels deserves its due. And so today, we’re visiting their location in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District to take a closer look at some of their irresistible specialties.

Outside

Wetzel’s Pretzels in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney District

Their sign out front pretty much says it all. It’s the trifecta of snack foods — fresh pretzels, lemonade, and hot dogs — emphasis on fresh.

Because when you step into Wetzel’s, you will most likely be treated to their form of entertainment — watching fresh dough morph into pretzels right before your eyes. (Well. With a little help from their pretzel pros.)

Pretzel Dough

We were even treated to a front row show of employees putting together those famous Wetzel Dogs! It’s really cool to witness firsthand that the items you enjoy here are prepared right on the premises.

Pretzel Dough and Hot Dogs

Signs around the store gave us ample suggestions about what we should enjoy during our visit. I love their generous use of jalapenos here! Reminds me of one of my favorite Disney pretzel treats, the [Read more…]

Guest Review: “After Hours Wind Down” at Rose & Crown Pub in Disney World’s Epcot

By AJ 14 Comments

Join us in welcoming back our friend @mealtrip with a review of Epcot’s new “After Hours Wind Down“. Earlier, we reviewed our after-hours experience at La Cava del Tequila. Today, @mealtrip takes us to the Rose & Crown Pub for a sampling of food and beverages!

Learn About:Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Epcot’s After-Hours Wind-Down is an opportunity for guests to head to one of four Epcot bars/lounges to enjoy a relaxing evening after the IllumiNations fireworks are through and the rest of the guests have headed out of the park.

Rose and Crown is one of the more popular choices available!

The food items were quite good. It was a three part sampler with the Pork and Apple Sausage Roll with House-made Piccalilli (same as at the Flower and Garden booth, but a notch better — probably because it was fresher and the Piccalilli wasn’t over-vinegared; you could still see color in the vegetables), Cotswolds Cheddar with honey and onion jam, and a Scotch Egg with mustard.

Food Sampler

The beers were [Read more…]

2014 Disney World Free Dining Offer Now Available for General Public Reservations

By Kim LaPaglia 29 Comments

Booking is now available! Walt Disney World’s Free Dining Offer has been extended to the general public for select dates in September, October, November, and December 2014!

The offer was first available only to Disney’s Visa Cardholders.

Travel Dates

Free Dining is being offered to guests ARRIVING during the dates listed below. A minimum stay of 3 nights is required and may not be booked for longer than 14 nights.

August 31 – October 3, 2014
October 26 – November 1, 2014
November 9 – 20, 2014
December 12 – 23, 2014

Disney Resorts

If you stay at a Value Resort, you’ll receive the Quick Service Dining plan for FREE. (Note that you can upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans by paying the difference in cost per night.)

If you reserve a Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive [Read more…]

Raglan Road Irish Pub Named 2014 Best Restaurant by Orlando Magazine

By AJ 9 Comments

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant

is one of our favorite stops in all of Disney World (check out our most recent review here!). And now we know we certainly aren’t alone in that opinion!

Learn About:Raglan Road Irish Pub

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Orlando Magazine has recently announced its annual Dining Awards for 2014, and the Downtown Disney restaurant has taken the coveted top spot for Orlando’s Best Restaurant.

Writer Joseph Hayes credits Chef Kevin Dundon’s energy and menu influence with the success of Raglan Road. But it’s more than that, he says.

The restaurant, a series of faithfully restored bars and furnishings from ancient Old Country pubs, has the feel of a genuinely family-run restaurant (which it is). It gives Dundon a place to use traditional recipes and farm-fresh ingredients as a leaping point for new, satisfying and occasionally surprising ideas such as a killer twist on smoked haddock & Dubliner cheese dip or a wine-infused broth and seafood he calls ‘It’s not bleedin’ Chowder!’ The combination of New Irish cuisine, a pint of ale and a wink from a high-stepping Irish lass is hard to beat.

Keen Eye for Shepherd’s Pie

Chef Kevin received the news by phone while at home in Ireland, and expressed his gratitude to fans of the restaurant. “We’re very proud of this honor and want to thank [Read more…]

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News! Menus and Details for the 2014 Fifth Annual Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic

2014 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Details