Christmas Meal Options at Walt Disney World

Dining at Walt Disney World during the holiday season

offers the chance to sample special entrees, desserts, and entire menus geared to Christmas travelers.

Disney restaurants often open up extra options — from counter-service to table-service to buffets — during the holiday season, and especially on Christmas Day.

We’ve got three ways that Disney dining changes during the holidays, and a few specific suggestions for you!

Disney Specialty Holiday Meals

Many Disney restaurants announce specialty Christmas Day menus! There are three different types of “options” offered during the season…

Extra Counter Service Options Open Up

A few of Disney’s oft-shuttered restaurants like Tomorrowland Terrace in Tomorrowland, Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland, and the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland open their doors for counter-service eats during [Read more…]

The “Everything On the Menu!!” Dinner Review of Be Our Guest Restaurant in Disney World

By AJ 56 Comments

Mystery has surrounded the creation of the Beauty and the Beast-themed Be Our Guest Restaurant — Disney’s newest dining location — since we first saw the Be Our Guest Restaurant concept art!

From the announcement that beer and wine would be served for the first time at a Magic Kingdom restaurant to our most recent Be Our Guest guest review, we’ve explored the Beast’s domain from afar.

Be Our Guest Bridge Entrance

Well, not anymore. I finally was able to dine at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the New Fantasyland at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom! And over the course of several meals I (and my various dining companions) ordered everything on the menu. (Well, the adult menu anyway.) I know how important it is to know what you’re getting when you’re planning your dining in Disney World, and I wanted to be thorough with this one for you guys.

After months (and months) of speculation about the decor and menu, stepping inside Be Our Guest Restaurant was truly exciting.

Be Out Guest Restaurant Check-In Area

After dining there several times this weekend, I’m anxious to bring to you my take on the food, beverages, and decor. So, let’s get started…

Atmosphere

Guests begin their experience by checking in at the Bridge entrance — a bit like a Gatekeeper’s area. This is where you make your requests for a dining room if you’d like — the Ballroom or West Wing (the Rose Gallery is usually used only for lunch, though some overflow tables are seated there during dinner currently).

Once you’re checked in, you’ll be given a pager and asked to wait on the bridge. Once your page goes off, head toward the large restaurant entrance to be greeted by the Beast’s servant who will take you to your table!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Entry Doors

Beast’s Servant Leads Us To Our Table

Once you’re inside the castle, be sure to peek into the Beast’s Study. It’s the room where lunch guests make their orders, and is located right through the hallway where the Knights are all whispering to one another!

In the study, you might see Beast himself greeting his guests!

This was a surprise for those of us dining at the restaurant the first night of reservations. We’d all been told that Beast would not appear, but at 45 minute intervals throughout the evening he walks through the restaurant (with great fanfare and cheering) and then settles in [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Jingle Jangle Jamboree, Featuring MONTE CRISTO BITES

By Heather 15 Comments

The Disneyland Resort has officially kicked off their Holiday Time season, and this year they’ve added a super fun place to get your Christmas on: The Jingle Jangle Jamboree.

Located in the back of Big Thunder Ranch, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is filled with all sorts of fun activities, entertainment, and most importantly — food!

Follow the Signs for Holiday Fun!

Atmosphere

When you visit the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll immediately notice the festive atmosphere.

Welcome to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree

With lots of fun things to do, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is sure to get you into the holiday spirit. Activities include free games, special character visits, entertainment by Billy Hill and the Holiday Hillbillies, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cookie Decorating (which we will post about soon), and some very special menu items.

Special Menu Items

Monte Cristo Bites and Other Eats

I now give you, my friends, perhaps my most favorite discovery ever: Monte Cristo Bites! Actually, they are called “Merry Monte Cristo Bites” and I think I know why… I’ve never been merrier eating a snack!

Why so merry? Here’s the deal. I LOVE me a Monte Cristo sandwich. The problem, though? They are giant, a bit on the pricey side, AND you have to take the time to sit down, order, and eat them. Monte Cristo Bites, though? Nope. They come in a bag with mini sides of powdered sugar and blackberry jam.

Monte Cristo Bites with Sides of Powdered Sugar and Blackberry Jam

For just $6.25, you can order yourself a bag of toasty goodness. Monte Cristo Bites are not [Read more…]

Fantasmic Picnic Package, “A Taste of Hollywood To Go,” Returns in 2012-2013

By Kim LaPaglia 8 Comments

We all know that those lines for Fantasmic! are long and the table-service seating for Fantasmic! meals is limited. Mickey’s solution for the busy holiday season debuted in 2011 “A Taste of Hollywood To Go – A Fantasmic! Dining Experience”.

Learn About:Dockside Diner

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Returning this year to help feed the holiday crowds, a picnic-style, quick-service dining option will be offered to guests visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios from December 22, 2012 – January 5, 2013 and March 24-April 4, 2013. Guests can make reservations up to 24 hours prior by calling 407-WDW-DINE (a credit card guarantee is required).

The picnic meals include a 20oz drink ($15.99 adults, $5.49 for kids) as well as reserved seating for Fantasmic! similar to the standard Fantasmic dining packages. Each entree can be purchased with one counter-service Disney Dining Plan credit.

Seating in the reserved section of the stadium will still be first come, first served.

Min and Bill's Dockside Diner

Meal Pick Up will take place at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner beginning at 11:00 a.m. until 1.5 hours prior to the show time that you preselect. Get your meal when it best fits into your touring schedule!

Fantasmic seats will be based on the number of guests in your party, and entrees ordered must be equal to or greater than your party size.

Here are a few pics of what the picnic meals may look like!… [Read more…]

Review: The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 26 Comments

The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a little gem in the middle of a busy theme park.

Learn About:Hollywood Brown Derby

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

When it was time to meet up with friends recently for a quiet dinner during our otherwise frenzied Epcot Food and Wine Festival trip to Disney World, I was happy when we all agreed to head there for a late night bite. While the restaurant can be a bit inconsistent (I tend to hear both good and bad reviews of this place), I’ve had good experiences on my visits.

I hoped that it would continue to measure up to the pedestal I have it on! Let’s head into that fabled dining room, home to Hollywood’s Golden Age elite, and see if it does…

Atmosphere

If you haven’t had a meal at The Brown Derby, it’s time to head on over. I waited a long time before I took in my first meal there, and once I did, I was sorry I hadn’t tried it sooner.

Your journey back in time to the Golden Age of Hollywood begins before you enter the restaurant. The grand entrance beneath the classic red awning looks like something right out of early 20th century Hollywood.

Brown Derby Entryway and Awning

And that is, of course, intentional. The Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios was inspired by the restaurant located at the famous corner of Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street.

Sign Outside of Building

Inside the waiting area, the decor is tasteful and clean Spanish Mission, with light walls and dark wood accents. A few comfy leather club chairs might be available for your wait if you’re lucky.

You also start to glimpse the famous collection of caricatures that line walls throughout the restaurant.

Brown Derby Lobby

If you need [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 18, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

Seasonal goodies are in the news this week. Of course, we love discovering the specialty items brought out during the holiday season! Stay tuned — we’ve got more holidays in Disney to share with you this week!

And, this week we launched our new DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2012 e-Book!

Also, DFB Podcast listeners will want to check out episode 11 of our DFB Podcast featuring the Disney Holidays!

Disney Food News

Here’s some of the big holiday treat news this week…

New holiday cupcakes debuted in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
Look for specialty pumpkin menu items for a limited time at Walt Disney World!

We’ve got additional food news, including Kosher Meals and Events at Cohen’s WorldGate Resort, Gingerbread House Building Workshops at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney, Clicquot Wine Dinner at the BoardWalk’s Flying Fish Cafe, restaurant closure updates, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food in or from Disney, share a photo with us so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Vanessa Gordon sent us a photo via Facebook of the holiday drink menu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! We have details on this menu and more in our new DFB Holiday Guide!

Yuletide Cheer at Disney's Hollywood Studios!

Disney Food Sticky Notes! These were found at the Everything Pop store at Disney’s Pop Century Resort at Walt Disney World. Thanks to Elantrice Hugh/Diz Thru Brown Eyes for sending the photo!

Disney Food Sticky Notes

And take a look at this Cars Land Cupcake tweeted to us by Lynnette Johnson from Disney California Adventure! Awesome, eh?!?

Cars Land Cupcake

And now for some more awesome news…

DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2012 e-Book

Earlier this week, I announced the Grand Launch of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2012 e-Book!

The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2012 e-Book features 230 pages, including NEW events and holiday happenings; over 200 photos; and an informative FAQ section. It includes:

Detailed descriptions and photos of all holiday events and activities happening at the parks and resorts this year!
A fully comprehensive holiday dining section with listings of holiday snacks, treats, meals, and menu items offered this year.
A clickable 3-Month Schedule of Holiday Events so you can see at-a-glance what looks interesting to you.
Comprehensive listings — with color photos! — of Disney Resort holiday decor and gingerbread displays
Our recommendations on ways to SAVE while you’re in Disney World this holiday season.
A section dedicated to all “New for 2012” events, dining options, and activities.
And more!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience. It’s easily installed on your mobile devices like smartphones and tablets.

Once again, celebrate the grand launch with us by getting $3 off the purchase price for the e-Book TODAY! Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code HOLIDAY at the check-out. Click here to get your copy.

And if you want another GREAT deal, snap up our DFB Holiday Bundle! This includes the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays AND our original DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012!

With a 100% 30-day, money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! 🙂

On to the Round-Up

A Wedding Cake Blog

displays a Wreck-It Ralph cake for grooms!

The Standard has announced that Hong Kong Disneyland is introducing halal food as standard menu items in an effort to make vacations for Muslim guests more convenient.

Yesterland takes us on a whirlwind tour of Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival!

Main Street Gazette discovers Pork Nachos at Captain Cook’s in the Polynesian Resort.

Walt Disney World for Grown Ups shares a recipe for the Godiva Chocolate Liqueur Iced Coffee at Belgium’s marketplace at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Disney by Mark has breakfast at the Grand Californian’s White Water Snacks.

AllEars looks back at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Sneak Peek! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Eats

By AJ 5 Comments

This time of year, there’s one Magic Kingdom event that’s a must-do — Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! This super-fun Disney World hoopla is held on select evenings now through December 21st.

In between enjoying the shows, attractions, Holiday Wishes fireworks, and Once Upon a Christmastime parade, we know you’ll be hungry!

Snow on Main Street at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Remember, we’ve included all of our tips for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in our new DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2012 e-Book!

Click here to subscribe

Along with party eats, you’ll find the information that you need on shows, character greetings, and more! Plus, it’s jam-packed with all of our holiday tips on visiting the gingerbread displays, and other holiday events at Walt Disney World.

But now, to whet your appetite, here’s a quick look at a few specialty goodies you’ll find at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party to nosh on this year!

Sneak Peek! Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Specialty Eats

From complimentary treats to fun quick-service additions, there are plenty of ways to quell your hunger at MVMCP!

Complimentary Holiday Treats

We love the seasonal, complimentary treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party! They are delicious and FREE (with admission, of course)! Be sure to look for these balloons that mark treat locations!

Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party Treat Location Balloon

Fill up on cookies and hot chocolate, or healthier options like apple slices and apple juice. The cookies – usually snickerdoodles – are big and chewy! And the packaged apple slices are crisp and refreshing.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party Snickerdoodles and Apple Slices

Beverages are conveniently served in to-go cups allowing for [Read more…]

DFB Podcast Episode 11: Disney Holidays!

By AJ Leave a Comment

Howdy, Disney food lovers!

Great news today for all you hungry commuters, walkers, runners, gym-goers, stair-monster-climbers, and other assorted podcast listeners!

Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that the 11th episode of our DFB Podcast is now posted and ready for downloading!

In this episode we cover the latest Disney Food News and have a discussion about holiday events and eats in Disney World and Disneyland.

We also answer a couple listener questions, and reveal the answer to our Episode 10 trivia question (listen to AJ talk like a pirate! If you dare…)!

Here’s the Podcast page for Episode 10. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us [Read more…]

Disney Gift Guide 2012: Cookie Season is Here!

By AJ 13 Comments

DFB readers know that around this time of year, we like to share a few fun gift ideas for the Disney food fans in your life. And if that means YOU, well we think picking up a little something for yourself is just fine. 😉

Last week we shared a few of our favorite ways to celebrate with a Disney Dinner Party! Today, with visions of sugar plums starting to dance in my head, I’m pretty sure it’s time to make COOKIES! What, you too? Great! We can swap recipes!

In the meantime, I can’t think of a better way to get into the spirit of baking and cookie making than by stocking up on all kinds of fun Disney kitchenware that’s made just for the occasion!

Whether you’re holiday shopping for all of those bakers on your list, or stocking up on a few pre-Christmas holiday “surprises” for yourself, check out the cool things I’ve found in the Disney Store online for your bake-apalooza 2012! C’mon — grab a whisk and let’s go!

Polka Dot Minnie Mouse Apron

First, keep your favorite Christmas clothes flour-free with this snazzy Polka Dot Minnie Mouse Apron. At least three people on my Christmas list are getting one this year!

Polka Dot Minnie Mouse Apron -- Personalize It!

Mickey Mouse Mixing Bowl Set

Next, it’s time to think about your kitchen tools! I cannot get enough of the cool vintage vibe of this Mickey Mouse Mixing Bowl Set. Crafted in durable plastic, the bowls look just like something I’d find in Grandma’s cabinet – or 50’s Prime Time Cafe!

Gourmet Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup Set

Bakers worth their salt know that the key to baking success is precise measuring of ingredients. Do it stylishly with this Gourmet Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup Set.

The ceramic set is special enough to display, I’m thinking. (And they’ll surely stand in when you’re short a teacup or two. DUAL FEATURE!!)

Gourmet Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup Set

Best of Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup

Precision matters when it comes to liquid ingredients, too! Use this quirky Best of Mickey Mouse Measuring Cup — with Ear Lid! — to ensure perfect [Read more…]

Limited Time: Specialty Pumpkin Treats at Disney World

By AJ 13 Comments

Thanks to reader Joe Barrett, we’ve got some fun seasonal pumpkin eats in Disney World to share!

Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Pecan Butter

First up, these awesome Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Pecan Butter from Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort. They look amazing!!

Pumpkin Pancakes with Maple Pecan Butter at Kona Cafe

Kona often has seasonal pancakes, so be on the look-out. Remember the red velvet pancakes with cream cheese topping around Valentine’s Day this year?

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes

Over at Boma in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, lucky guests will find these Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes! According to Joe, they have more of a pumpkin pie texture than a cheesecake texture, but they’re still delicious, and great for any pumpkin fan.

Mini Pumpkin Cheesecakes at Boma

As always, many Disney restaurants and counter-service locations will [Read more…]

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