Disney Recipe: Raglan Road's Wild Forest Mushroom Chowder

Disney Recipe: Raglan Road’s Wild Forest Mushroom Chowder

A great (and sometimes under the radar) place to dine — or just grab a drink with friends — is Raglan Road in Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney.

Learn About:Raglan Road Irish Pub

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

We shared lots of delicious details from our first experience with Raglan Road’s brand new Rollicking Raglan Sunday Brunch in our recent review. But I found a recipe for another fantastic Raglan menu item and I couldn’t wait to share it with you, too.

Let’s take a stroll over to the pub and check out what I know you’re going to be making for dinner this weekend! After all, you can cheat on your diet a little bit on the weekends, right?? 😉

Raglan Road in Downtown Disney

On a recent visit to Raglan Road, I ordered Master Chef Kevin Dundon‘s Wild Forest Mushroom Chowder.

Usually, the soups here are delicious, but this one was out of this world. With the richness of the soup, the mushroom flavor here is more of an essence and isn’t overpowering — definitely my favorite kind of mushroom soup. 😉

But it IS rich — the butter and cream make sure of that, so this is an ideal winter soup for those nights when all you want to do is curl up on the couch with a warm bowl of something awesome.

Wild Forest Mushroom Chowder

And as a bonus, [Read more…]

Snack Series: Goofy’s Glaciers

By AJ 11 Comments

You may have seen the signs for Goofy’s Glaciers increasing in locations around Disney World lately!

Once found in Club Cool in Epcot, they soon moved into Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney and are now also found as a centerpiece of Big Top Treats in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland!

Goofy's Glaciers Sign at Goofy's Candy Company

These frozen drinks are less icee, and more…well…slushie. They remind me of a more structured slush puppie-type treat — more liquidy than icy, and rockin’ on a hot Walt Disney World kinda day.

The epicenter of Goofy’s Glaciers is Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney. Trust me; you’ll know where to find them once you get there!

Goofy Glacier Statue at Goofy

Here you’ll find lots of different flavors to quench your thirst. (Be advised, these tend to change, so have a back up plan in case your favorite isn’t available on the day you visit.)

All have (naturally) Goofy names, like Pucker Purple, Goofy’s Glacier Apple, Rootin’ Tootin’ Red, Orange You Happy Orange, and my favorite, Gawrshly Berry Blue. Purists will also be happy to see a Coca-Cola Cooler featured often as well!

Goofy's Candy Company Goofy's Glaciers Flavors

But wait! There’s more! You are actually encouraged to combine the flavors to make your own special concoction. (Kamikaze Goofy’s Glaciers!)

Now, when Big Top Treats debuted late last year, I was excited to see a couple of Goofy’s Glaciers flavors under the big tent as well!

Big Top Treats Sign

The flavors featured at [Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Goodies from Goofy’s Candy Company

By AJ 8 Comments

It’s that time of year again!

Valentine's Day Inspiration at Goofy's Candy Company

Red, Pink, Hearts, and Chocolate start to show up en force in Disney Parks, heralding the coming of Valentine’s Day! And today we have some awesome Valentine’s treats to show you from Goofy’s Candy Company at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney!

Michelina O. and her cousin JoAnn shared these gorgeous goodies with us. Thanks, ladies! You know as well as we do that nothing says love like plenty of sugar and chocolate. 😉 Let’s take a close-up peek!!

Check out the swirled white and dark chocolate on this decadent Caramel Apple!

Valentine's Candy Apple

This Krispie Treat features red glittery Xs and Os so everyone knows exactly how you feel!

Hugs and Kisses Mickey Krispie Treat in Red

Hugs and Kisses in pink glitter sugar are [Read more…]

Review: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom

By AJ 33 Comments

Today, we head to Tomorrowland for a visit to an “out-of-this-world” dining spot — Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe!

Learn About:Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Situated on the corner between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, this spot actually boasts views of Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, Main Street USA, and the Castle Hub!

With plenty of standard American fast food offerings, you’ll find lots of options to please pickier eaters here. And while at first glance the atmosphere isn’t all that interesting, it holds a few surprises.

Let’s head in and see what Cosmic Ray’s has to offer these days!

Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe

Atmosphere

Cosmic Ray’s takes up a huge chunk of real estate right on the edge of Tomorrowland. The vibe is retro-future, much like the rest of the land. If you are a big fan of The Jetsons, Lost in Space, and the People Mover, this is the place for you!

Inside, you’ll find ample indoor and outdoor seating on a couple of different levels. And here’s a surprise — if you’re a newbie to Cosmic Ray’s: there’s a floor show!

Cosmic Rays -- Sonny View Seating

Throughout the day, animatronic alien lounge singer Sonny Eclipse comes to life and entertains you with his signature disco-blues style that is both futuristic and retro at once. Listen closely to the songs to get a few laughs.

Sonny Eclipse entertains at Cosmic Ray's

The area where Sonny performs does tend to be a little loud, so if you aren’t a fan of talking over music while you eat, there is also inside seating on the upper level that’s a bit set apart from the noise.

Inside Seating -- Away from Sonny's Floorshow

The restaurant also boasts lots of [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 27, 2013

By AJ Leave a Comment

Great news for those of you heading to Disney World during the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival this year!!

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Angel Food Cake with Macerated Berries

The Festival has more for us Disney Food Fans than it ever had before! Twelve food marketplaces will be debuting this year, featuring fun tapas-sized eats like you’d find at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Be sure to check out this post for the Flower and Garden Festival menu, food photos, marketplace themes, and more!

Disney Dining News

The latest scoop on Disney food…

More updates have been added to the menu for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival in 2013!
Phineas and Ferb special treats themed to their show can be found in Epcot!
Check out the brand new Rollicking Raglan Brunch at Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road.
A new chocolate and gummy bear candy bar was found in Epcot’s Germany!
Take a look at one of the winter time specials at Earl of Sandwich in Disney World’s Downtown Disney – Macaroni and Cheese!
Pepper Market Food Court at Coronado Springs Resort has switched to an a la carte menu in 2013. Check out the details and full Pepper Market menus.

We’ve got additional food news, including Wine Dinner at Artist Point, restaurant closures, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other 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!

Via Twitter, @tforrester shares these comments: “this breakfast panini @ Sunshine Seasons is 1 of my favorite things”.

Breakfast Panini

DFB Reader Ros sent us this cupcake alert – a Minnie Mouse cupcake shirt!

Minnie Cupcake Shirt

Coming Soon…!!

We know that lots of you have been eagerly awaiting our 2013 Edition of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, and we’re excited to say it’s COMING SOON! This week, in fact!!

We’ve been working hard on this edition all year, and it’s our biggest and best, yet! This e-Book features:

over 400 pages of up-to-date, critical information about Disney Dining;
more full color photos;
widely expanded restaurant reviews for every single Disney restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge on property;
specific details and advice on dining planning;
and lots more.

Expect the Grand Launch — along with a great discount and some awesome e-Book bundle deals — to come your way later this week!

On to the Round-Up

Mickey Fix

highlights a Storm Trooper M&M candy dispenser.

DisZine announces a Super Bowl Party at Splitsville in Downtown Disney Orlando.

WESH shares budgeting tips for Disney dining. Courtesy of the DFB!

AllEars shares food, fun, and family at ‘Ohana in the Polynesian Resort.

Gorillas Don’t Blog shares circa 1996 photos from the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland.

Conde Nast Traveler discovers the Dole Whip!

OC Weekly stops by Disneyland’s Earl of Sandwich.

Have a great Sunday! See ya tomorrow!

Guest Review: New Earl of Sandwich Macaroni and Cheese!

By AJ 9 Comments

Welcome DFB guest author Jenna G. as she tells us all about the brand new Winter Special at Earl of Sandwich in Disney World’s Downtown Disney — Mac and Cheese!

Learn About:Earl of Sandwich

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

For those of us braving the wintry weather in most of the country, there are some new cozy comfort foods at Earl of Sandwich that may make us all feel better!

Check out these Earl of Sandwich Winter Time Specials, available for a limited time only.

We tried the macaroni and cheese, which was medium in size and was a sharable snack between two.

Winter Time Specials -- Get 'Em While You Can!

As a connoisseur of great Walt Disney World macaroni and cheese (my favorite being the Truffle Mac & Cheese from Yachtsman Steakhouse) I will say that this wasn’t the best mac ‘n’ cheese. But I can easily see it being a favorite with children.

Macaroni and Cheese

For the price of $3.99, it provides great value and [Read more…]

UPDATES! Food Photos of Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menu Items (Plus New Marketplaces!)

By AJ 28 Comments

Awesome news! We’re just as excited as you are that FOOD will be featured at this year’s Epcot Flower and Garden Festival (March 6-May 19), and now we have PICTURES!!

UPDATE: See the full list of food and beverages available at the festival here!

Below, you can see the updated menu (with extra menu items AND marketplaces added in red in the lists below) and photos of some of the eats you can expect to find a the Festival! See this post for previous details!

Menu Items Will Include:

Dole Whip with Spiced Rum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, fresh Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro

Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, fresh Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes and Cilantro

Angel Food Cake with macerated Florida Berries

angel food cake with macerated berries

Watermelon Salad with Pickled Red Onions

Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese and Balsamic Reduction

Pulled Pig Slider with Cole Slaw

Pulled Pig Slider with Cole Slaw

Waterkist Farms Heirloom Tomatoes are paired with house-made Mozzarella, Minus 8 Vinegar and fresh Basil

Waterkist Farms Heirloom Tomatoes are paired with house-made Mozzarella, Minus 8 Vinegar and fresh Basil

Sweet “Frushi” made with Fresh Fruits and Coconut Rice
Hot Sun Tomato Wine, Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktail, Orange Blossom Pilsner, and Blueberry Blue wine

Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktail, Orange Blossom Pilsner (both Florida Fresh marketplace) and Blueberry Blue wine (Fruits by the Glass marketplace)

Nonalcoholic drinks will include chilled rose blush lemonade, frozen desert violet lemonade, and strawberry slush

Chilled Rose Blush Lemonade (The Cottage marketplace near UK pavilion), Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade (Pineapple Promenade marketplace) and Strawberry Slush

Marketplaces Will Include:

To showcase these goodies, 12 specialty themed marketplaces will be set up around Epcot. These will include:

Smokehouse Barbecue and Brew at American Adventure
Florida Fresh at the World Showcase Promenade
Primavera Kitchen in the Italy Pavilion
The Cottage: Savories, Trifles and Tea garden marketplace at the UK Pavilion
Pineapple [Read more…]

Top 6 Disneyland Bars and Lounges

By AJ 9 Comments

Let’s face it. Sometimes a Disney vacation can be absolutely exhausting! That’s why we like to seek out bars and lounges in which we can share fun with family and friends or relax while enjoying good food and special beverages.

Schweitzer Falls at Trader Sam’s Tiki Bar

A while back, we took a look at our Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges, and now it’s time to take a peek at our favorites in the Disneyland Parks and Resorts!

Here are our picks for Top Six Disneyland bars and lounges — a list that includes a little help from our Facebook Friends! Thanks for your input!

Ready to jump in? Here’s our favorite place to while away some time at the Disneyland Resort…

Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar

Trader Sam’s

should be your first choice for chilling out in Disneyland!

This is due to some great bartenders, unique drinks (often served in souvenir glasses), good food, and, of course, the interactive activities here. (Careful not to sit on the sinking bar stools!)

This place is an awesome tropical retreat located at the Disneyland Hotel. Check out our Trader Sam’s Review here!

Trader Sam’s Bar

While there is indoor and outdoor seating, all of the action is inside where there is limited seating (about 50 spots); so get here early as evenings may be quite crowded.

Cove Bar

Located in Disney California Adventure, the Cove Bar (not to be mistaken for Cove Cafe on the Disney Cruise Ships or the Cove Bar at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort…) is your place to escape the long lines and hot sun while enjoying great water-side views.

View from Cove Bar

Leave the thrills behind and savor specialty drinks and craft beers. The Raspberry Rain is a memorable choice! Look for an attractive menu offering my favorite, Buffalo Wings, and Lobster Nachos.

Hearthstone Lounge

Make the Hearthstone Lounge in the Grand Californian Resort a must-do in Disneyland.

Whether you are looking for some quiet alone time or bringing along friends, this cozy fireside lounge has a lodge theme and soaring ceilings that immediately relax you. And that’s before your first drink order!

Take a seat at the bar, on a cozy sofa, or at a [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Brownies

By AJ 3 Comments

I always find instant inspiration when I take a look at the reader photos in our Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza on Flickr. We’ve featured our picks for Best Disney Brownies on the blog before, but it’s always fun to see what you guys love the most!

Dad’s Brownie Sundae

Dad’s Brownie Sundae

at 50’s Primetime Cafe is an over-the-top treat. Love the caramel popcorn garnish!

Photographer: WinnieAtePooh

Dad's Brownie Sundae at 50's Primetime Cafe

Paw Print Brownie

This fun shot of the adorable Paw Print Brownie at Animal Kingdom’s Kusafiri Bakery makes me want to hop a plane and head there right now!

Photographer: TheAviator1992

Paw Print Brownie at Kusafiri Bakery

Brownie Cupcake with Mint Frosting

Looking for a [Read more…]

Disney and Star Wars Valentine’s Day Treats at Target

By Erin 10 Comments

I made my bi-monthly trek to Target and encountered a staggering amount and variety of Disney-themed Valentine merchandise. Not surprisingly, a fair amount of Mickey and princess goodies graced the shelves. Very surprisingly, the Mickey and princess treats were far outnumbered by Star Wars Valentine candy. Apparently residents of a galaxy far, far away have quite the sweet tooth. Who knew?

Here a photo tour of what I found in the seasonal Valentine shop:

Star Wars Valentine’s Day Goodies

Goblet mugs filled with Star Wars conversation hearts. Chewie needs me, I know he does.

R2 and Darth heart-shaped boxes, filled with conversation hearts.

R2 and Darth boxes.

Take a close look at the back of the R2 heart box and you’ll see that the “conversations” appear to be somewhat Star Wars related.

The ones I can make out say, “Mine will U B,” (like Yoda texting?) and “Luv Machine.” Machine! Get it! I need to find out who makes this stuff and steal their job because it is awesome beyond belief.

Yoda and Vader heart box [Read more…]

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED