Review: Create-Your-Own Burger Bar at the NEW All Star Sports End Zone Food Court

Recently we visited the newly reopened End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All Star Sports Resort. Now we’re back to review one of the new features on the menu: the Create-Your-Own Burger Bar!

Atmosphere

After a lengthy refurbishment, the new space was revealed! Featuring earth tones and a clean, fresh design, the food court maintains its fun sports theme.

End Zone Food Court

While the theme is found in more subtle details now than it was previously, the element of fun is still very much present in the basketball court walls and the Disney characters who’ve joined in the mix!

Basketball Court Walls

Disney Pals in the booth panels

Eats

Along with the new space came a revamped menu! You can still find standbys such as pizza, hot dogs, and the Best Chicken Breast Nuggets on Earth (*not the actual name, just my opinion 😉 ).

Today, though, we’re excited to share a review of one of the newest features in the food court: the Create-Your-Own Burger Bar!

Create Your Own Burger

First, guests have their choice of beef or chicken for their [Read more…]

The Story of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Disneyland

By AJ 2 Comments

For those who are new to Disney parks, everything here has a backstory. Rides, shows, and, yes, even restaurants!

Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port

Recently, one of my good friends, Eric Chu, shared the backstory of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port with us.

For those who haven’t been there, this counter-service restaurant is located in Tomorrowland at the Disneyland resort. Basically, you climb off of Space Mountain and there you are!

But do you know WHY there’s a pizza joint in the middle of the Milky Way? Let’s find out!

The History Behind Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port in Disneyland

“The only real problem with long-term space travel is that you can’t get a decent pizza.” — Dr. Tyrone Mantanio, INSA Sector 5

A-GREED! Can you imagine traveling through space without the ability to order pizza?! I know, right? ;-D And according to the always-creative Disney imagineers, solving the problem of finding must-have food in the cosmos became a goal for scientists!

Pepperoni Pizza Slice

Redd Rockett to the rescue! He set up a [Read more…]

News and Review! Bacon Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese at Friar’s Nook in Disney World

By AJ 21 Comments

Well, butter my biscuits. Mac and Cheese strikes again in WDW!

Recently, we’ve brought you mac and cheese hot dogs, mac and cheese hamburgers, lobster mac and cheese, mac and cheese bundles…and now, we’ve got a variety of macs-n-cheeses at the ever-changing Friar’s Nook in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom!

NEW Friar’s Nook Mac and Cheese

Atmosphere

Friar’s Nook is never open. OK; that’s obviously a fib. It’s open SOMETIMES. Usually when it’s supa crowded in the park. But methinks that now there’s some macs n cheeses on the menu, it will need to open its little robin-hoody doors more often!

This tiny, walk-up counter spot is located in Fantasyland (OLD Fantasyland, for those who need clarification), and usually features some pretty tame items. However, it also seems to be a prime spot for Disney to introduce new, clever snacks and then quickly take them away

[Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 5, 2014

By AJ 4 Comments

Welcome to the first DFB round-up of 2014!!

We’re so excited to launch into this awesome new year, but don’t forget to check out all of the biggest news stories of 2013!

We’ve got our top stories from the past year all tied up in a nice little package right here. Check it out and let us know you’re favorite updates from 2013!

Disney Food News

Wondering what new restaurants to try out on your 2014 Disney World vacation? Check out our top 5 new restaurants in Disney World for 2014!
Yup — Tortuga Tavern offered a buffet this year! Here’s a great guest review — and more of those stellar photos — from Mealtrip.

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!

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!

Check out this awesome bringing-Disney-home breakfast created by our facebook friends Isabelle and Nathaniel! Yum…

Mickey Shaped Goodies for Breakfast at Home!

Another facebook friend — Tara Lane — says “When the line at Starring Rolls is out the door, you can sometimes fill your cupcake need at the Candy Shop next door. My son and I split this seasonal cupcake at Studios on Friday. It was very good and didn’t have that weird red-frosting aftertaste that is sometimes prevalent – just tasted like sweet buttercream deliciousness.” Awesome!

Holiday Cupcake at Sweet Spells

Thanks for sharing with us!

Pre-Order The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2014 and get the 2013 Guide FREE!

Headed to Disney World soon? Pick up our 2014 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book for $4 off using code DINE! With this pre-order, you’ll get the 2013 Guide instantly — for free!

This comprehensive e-Book offers over 400 pages of expert information, color photographs, advice, reviews, and details about Dining in Disney World. And these awesome bonus items are included:

Downloadable worksheets for planning your trip.
Seven sample one-day dining itineraries to help you with brainstorming.
A comprehensive index of bars and lounges.
An index of some of our favorite Top 5 lists.
Food-themed scavenger hunts — one for each Disney World theme park!
Disney Dining Trivia to play while waiting in line, or waiting for a table.

Pick up your copy today with code DINE for a $4 discount! As a downloadable PDF, the [Read more…]

Photo Tour and Guest Review: Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall Buffeteria at Tokyo Disneyland

By Kim LaPaglia 9 Comments

Join us in welcoming Zachary Ott today! His guest review takes us to the Queen of Hearts Banquet Hall — a Buffeteria in Tokyo Disneyland Resort themed to, what else? Alice in Wonderland!

[Read more…]

Recipe: Creamy Lobster Soup from Disney World

By Brooke 5 Comments

It’s chilly, well, just about everywhere today! So it seems like the perfect time to share the recipe for an amazing soup!

How about a rich, creamy soup featuring the luxury of lobster? Yeah? Well, you have just enough time to run out to the store and pick up the ingredients! 😉

A bowl of Creamy Lobster Soup

Today, we’re featuring Creamy Lobster Soup from Epcot’s Coral Reef Restaurant. And the beauty of making it yourself — you can add more lobster, or even crab and shrimp if you’d like!

This one’s a little complicated, but nothing you can’t handle on a wintry Saturday!

CREAMY LOBSTER SOUP, Disney World’s Coral Reef Restaurant

Ingredients: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Lunch at Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

By Kim LaPaglia 20 Comments

Welcome back Guest Author Katie Roth with a review from Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot!

Learn About:Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

My husband absolutely loves lasagna, so I knew we had to try Tutto Italia. I wasn’t convinced that it would be better than Mama Melrose’s or Via Napoli, but I was willing to give it a shot. On this particular day, we were dining at lunchtime.

Atmosphere

The décor was very fancy; dark woods everywhere, crystal chandeliers, ornate carpets, and colorful murals lining the walls. This atmosphere seemed too fancy for tank tops, shorts, and sweats.

Inside Tutto Italia!

Dining Room.

Our seating area wasn’t in the main dining room, but a smaller room that connected to the outdoor dining area.

View of Outdoor Patio.

Once we were seated, a waiter came to take our drink orders. What was very offsetting about this was the fact that he would not acknowledge my presence no matter what I did. I had to practically yell as he walking away that I wanted a Coke. Working in a male-dominated industry and going through this every day while getting my undergrad degree, I was used to it; however, I do not think behavior such as this is appropriate AT ALL in a public service driven industry. I think steam was coming out of my ears. (I’m off of my soapbox now.)

Finally, our primary waitress came to our table and took our order. She was very helpful and guided us through the menu while making suggestions to me, the non-lasagna-enthusiast. She was very nice.

Before our entrees arrived, we were treated to a [Read more…]

News! The Disney Turkey Leg Controversy

By Brooke 108 Comments

We knew that Disney Jumbo Turkey Legs were kind of a big deal (maybe pun intended?). But apparently, they’re a front-page-of-the-NY Times big deal!

In a post entitled “Turkey Legs Conquer Land of Mouse Ears” the Times reveals just how huge the popularity of these mammoth drumstick snacks have become. But not everyone is thrilled about their iconic status. More on that later… .

A Disney Turkey Leg In All Its Glory

Many guests feel it’s a rite of passage to stroll through the park of their choice, gnawing on the meaty treats. They’re a great option to share! In fact, they’ve gathered a cult following of sorts, similar to many of Disney’s iconic snacks.

Turkey Leg at Disney — Up Close

Like Dole Whips and Mickey Bars, you’ll find lots of fun [Read more…]

Review: Top of the World Lounge at Disney World’s Bay Lake Tower

By AJ 32 Comments

Join us as we visit one of the most exclusive spots in all of Walt Disney World, Top of the World!

This classy lounge is located high atop (natch) Bay Lake Tower, the Disney Vacation Club property that’s adjacent to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Because of its great vantage point, Top of the World boasts incredible views of its surroundings; and it’s a muy popular viewing area for Magic Kingdom’s fireworks displays.

Menu Cover

With an extensive bar and some signature light snacks and desserts, Top of the World makes for a great place to relax and grab a bite and a drink in the evening. I recently had the opportunity to visit the exclusive spot with a friend who is a DVC member (that’s right; you can’t get in unless you’re a DVC member). We thought you’d enjoy tagging along for the fun.

Atmosphere

Yup — top of the World Lounge is an exclusive perk, available only to Disney Vacation Club members. When it first opened, only DVC Members who were staying at Bay Lake Tower could access the lounge. But later, DVC members staying anywhere at Walt Disney World were invited to enjoy the lounge. For the last few years, access to Top of the World has been determined on a year-by-year basis.

Gaining access is a snap (provided that you qualify to enter, that is). Simply show your room key to the check in desk in the Bay Lake Tower lobby, and you’re escorted to an express elevator that will whisk you to the top floor.

Once there, step into the splendor that is Top of the World.

Comfortable Seating Area

Much like Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the decor reminds you of something modern and retro all at once. You get the feeling that you’re envisioning the future from forty years ago.

And check out this completely fabulous chandelier! Far out! I swear, it’s like the Jetsons are going to walk in any minute. (Speaking of the Jetsons, don’t you wish you had one of those conveyor belt taking-a-shower-and-getting-dressed-all-at-once things? No? Just me?)

Chandelier

The lounge is intimate — there’s seating for only 77 people. There’s all of this sorta mixed, comfy-couch seating in the middle, and tables with chairs around the outside.

Seating Area from Another Angle

In true luxurious, super-exclusive fashion, there’s even this sweet little [Read more…]

DFB Reader Questions Answered: How Do I Book a Table for a Crowd?

By AJ 3 Comments

Here at Disney Food Blog, we love to answer your questions about planning your next Disney visit! And often, we figure if one of you has a question, then it’s probably something that has a bunch of others scratching their heads as well!

Today, we’re diving into the DFB mailbag to help you with booking a table (or tables) for an extra large group!

Booking a Table for a Crowd

Our DFB Reader asks… [Read more…]

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