Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Available at New Location in Disney's Animal Kingdom

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Available at New Location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Great news! You can now get one of my favorite Disney World treats at TWO spots in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich

Those incredible homemade ice cream sandwiches — yummy ice cream sandwiched between two humongous cookies — are still available at Dino Bites in Dinoland; but now you can find them at the ice cream kiosk near the entrance to Africa from Discovery Island as well.

This Ice Cream Kiosk Now Sells Ice Cream Sandwiches!

This location only sells a hand full of ice cream treats and bottled drinks, so it should be a quick wait in line! And while the menu board says [Read more…]

A Disney World Foodie Meets Disneyland!

By Erin 35 Comments

Erin Foster is the Disney Food for Families columnist and a behind-the-scenes guru here at Disney Food Blog! Check out more of her posts here.

I’ve been averaging five or six Walt Disney World visits each year for the past five years. And mostly what I do when I’m at Walt Disney World is eat, no joke.

I am intimately familiar with the ins and out of Disney World dining and can recite the menus of some of my favorite restaurants by heart. Hey, it’s a skill that may come in handy some day. 🙂

But I recently found myself in unfamiliar Disney dining territory while on a brief visit to Disneyland in California. I had been there only once before, many (many, many, many) years ago. With just two days on my own, I decided to experience the parks like the newbie that I am, without a plan or preparation. Well, I did ask Disney Food Blog fearless leader AJ for a wee bit of advice, but I’ll get to that later.

So, without further ado, here, in no particular order, are my Walt Disney World foodie veteran observations about the dining situation at Disneyland.

Churros are everywhere.

While of course you can find churros at Walt Disney World, there are usually only a few locations at each park that sell them.

At Disneyland, everywhere I turned there was a churro sales stand or someone walking along nibbling on a churro.

A Barvarian cream churro at Disneyland.

I want an umbrella too!

I am all about the Dole Whip Float at Walt Disney World. But guess what, at Disneyland, they serve this nectar with maraschino cherries and a little paper umbrella.

I feel robbed. I think Disney owes me at least three or four bottles of cherries that I’ve missed out on over the years.

Such a pretty Dole Whip Float at Disneyland.

3-D ice cream menus rock.

Instead of printed menu signage at the ice cream carts, Disneyland has 3-D plastic models of the ice cream at their carts. For some reason this made me want a Mickey bar even more than [Read more…]

DFB Weekly Deals: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Midpoint Sale!

By AJ Leave a Comment

We’re halfway through the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival in Walt Disney World…and we’re marking the occasion with a celebratory sale on our popular Disney Dining e-Books! Snap up your books now, and don’t forget to take advantage of the bundle discounts for your upcoming trips!

We ate our way around World Showcase and now it’s your turn!

And to make sure you get the most information possible before heading to the Festival, we’re offering savings on all of our Disney Dining Guidebook bundles!

When you opt to get in on the celebration of savings, you’ll know our most recommended snacks, dining tips, and Disney food recommendations.

This Week’s Deals

We’ve done all the intensive work for you! When you get our Disney Dining e-Boook bundles, you’ll arrive Walt Disney World with a well-tested food plan!

“All The Guides” Bundle

With this deeply discounted bundle you receive ALL of our DFB Guide e-Books to date:

The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival,
The DFB Mini-Guide to Epcot Snacks,
The 2012 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining,
The DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and our fun
DFB Dining Adventures!

If you are headed to Disney World in the next year, this bundle is a Disney traveler’s must-have! And we’re thrilled to be able to give it to you this week for $4 off using code SAVINGS.

This Bundle is priced at a huge discount already (over 20% off), extending a great deal to our readers (AND their friends!) headed to Walt Disney World. And with our extra $4 off this week, you get a tremendous deal on these DFB guides.

Find out more about the All The Guides Bundle here!

Food and Wine Bundle

The Food and Wine Bundle highlights our best-selling DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival and the critically-acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!

This bundle is heaped with everything you need to head to Disney World AND the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Grab the Food and Wine Bundle for $3 off using code SAVINGS.

Find out more about the Festival Bundle here!

Epcot Bundle

The Epcot Bundle offers our [Read more…]

Review: To Go Kiosk at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn

By AJ 13 Comments

Heading to Disney’s BoardWalk for a stroll or some shopping? If you need a bite to tide you over until that next Advance Dining Reservation, you’re in luck!

We can always recommend the Boardwalk Bakery for quick eats, but on this recent trip I decided to find out what the Boardwalk To-Go kiosk had to offer!

BoardWalk To Go Kiosk

This place has been on my radar for a loooooong time, because they keep tempting me with new specials listed on vibrantly colored boards hanging out front (Fried Ravioli! Chicken Wings! Corn Nugget Fritters!)! That said, I’d never actually eaten here since I’m always on my way to or from another meal (and usually I’m LATE for said meal!).

But on this recent trip, I promised myself I’d check out the goods here. And I should probably just go ahead and throw it out there: this stuff ain’t healthy. The menu is definitely “basket” and “fried” driven, so while it’s easy to grab-and-go, it’s probably not an everyday choice if you want to maintain the energy you’ll need to run around the parks!

Menu - Click to Enlarge

Sides and Drinks Menu -- Click to Enlarge

Chicken Wings and Hamburger Menu Detail -- Click to Enlarge

Basically, the process is as such: pick out what you want, order, wait a few minutes while they fry it, eat. You’ll find nearby seating at table and chair groupings, as well as nearby benches; but there’s no completely sheltered or indoor seating available at To Go. PLUS, the ducks are serious about stalking you, so [Read more…]

Video Tour and Photos: Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing, Rose Gallery, and Ballroom

By Kim LaPaglia 10 Comments

On Sunday, we took you on an EPIC adventure into Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland.

Be Our Guest Lobby

Today, we’re stepping into the Be Our Guest Restaurant again. But this time, we get to finally check out the dark and foreboding Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing and the bright and enchanting Rose Gallery!

In the video below, Walt Disney Imagineers Chris Kelly, Ted Robledo, and Tim Warzecha walk us through the three dining rooms in the Be Our Guest Restaurant. Let’s follow them through the royal entrance and into the elegant Ballroom, lovely Rose Gallery, and the darker West Wing where the Enchanted Rose awaits.

Don’t care to watch the video? No problem — we’ve got some incredible photos below that showcase even more of Beast’s Castle and Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Be Our Guest Restaurant West Wing

Here, the Enchanted Rose lies in the West Wing. Watch closely as the petals begin to fall just like they do in the film!

Enchanted Rose in West Wing of Be Our Guest Restaurant

Enchanted Rose in the West Wing

Check out the claw marks on the portrait above the fireplace. The imagineers didn’t stop there. Watch for the portrait to change between the Beast and the Prince each time a rose petal falls from the enchanted rose… .

The portrait begins as a painting of the Prince.

Prince Portrait in the West Wing

Once a petal falls, guests will see a flash of lightning as the portrait starts to transform into a painting of [Read more…]

Halloween Goodies at Disney Parks — What Are Your Favorites?

By AJ 18 Comments

DFB is getting into the Halloween Spirit sharing tons of fun, spooky treats! We love this time of year when Halloween goodies materialize inside the candy shops, bakeries, and quick-service locations around the Disney Parks.

A few weeks ago, we highlighted the Pumpkin Beignets and Jack Skellington Popcorn Containers in Disneyland!

Let’s take a peek at some more of our favorites! Let us know in the comments below what you’re top choices are!

Disney Halloween Snacks

Of course, we can’t pass up taste-testing some of the seasonal fudge selections at the Confectionery on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom. Here’s this year’s Pumpkin Fudge!

Pumpkin Fudge at Confectionery

And there’s always room for Disney cupcakes – especially when they are seasonally themed!

Don’t settle for plain Candy Corn. Get a candy corn cupcake for super sweetness.

Candy Corn Cupcake at Main Street Bakery

The Animal Kingdom bat cupcake we reviewed last week is one of my favorite additions this year!

Bat Cupcake at Animal Kingdom

And the Main Street Bakery features this pumpkin cupcake.

Pumpkin Cupcake at Main Street Bakery

Check out this cute Minnie Carrot Cake Cupcake that reader Carolyn Houle sent in! You can find these at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Minnie Witch Hat Carrot Cake Cupcakes at Hollywood Studios

Of course, you can’t miss the classic Ghost Mickey Popcorn Container found in all the parks!

Mickey Ghost Popcorn Bucket

Holiday sugar cookies are always sprinkled with festive decor. Love these pumpkin and candy corn cookies at the [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Recipe: Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache from Ireland

By AJ 6 Comments

The 2012 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is well underway, and one of the winners of this year’s festival (yet again!) is the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache from the Ireland Marketplace!

2012 Ireland Marketplace Booth

Long a favorite stop on the Food and Wine Festival Booth crawl, Ireland is a fan favorite this year as always.

And with this incredible dish, as well as the rich and delicious Lobster and Scallop Fisherman’s Pie, is it any wonder why there is always a line at this booth?

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache

Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Bailey’s Ganache - Cross Section

Don’t forget to read our review of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Ireland Booth here! But in the meantime, let’s get cooking!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Warm Chocolate Lava Cake with Baileys Ganache

Serves 6
INGREDIENTS:
For Chocolate Lava Cake:
8 1-ounce semisweet chocolate squares, chopped, or 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 sticks butter
5 egg yolks
4 whole [Read more…]

Review: Cookes of Dublin in Downtown Disney

By AJ 16 Comments

Located in Downtown Disney beside Raglan Road and Hole in the Wall Bar you’ll find the unassuming, but awesome!!!, Cooke’s of Dublin.

Learn About:Cookes of Dublin

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Styled as a traditional fish and chips shop, the menu is a veritable treasure trove of goodies. And we’re not just talking bacon, cheese, fried stuff, and candy bars…we’re talking the epitome of bacon, cheese, fried stuff, and candy bars!!

(OK, I’m selling them seriously short, they ALSO have great salads and grilled wraps, so be sure to read on and give them their due even if you’re NOT a lover of cheese, bacon, fried stuff, and candy bars.)

Atmosphere

The decor of Cookes, both inside and out, is vintage and traditional. Except for the steamy Florida humidity, you really might think you’d stumbled into Dublin.

Cookes of Dublin Mirror Sign

Inside, this is a tiny, skinny little shop with very minimal seating (that’s code for “go to Cookes at an off time so that you get a seat).

The indoor seating consists of a few highboy tables and some mixed booth and chair seating. There are a few tables outside as well. The reason for this is pretty simple: Cookes considers itself a “take away” establishment. They don’t really expect you to hang around. 😉

Seating

And if you want to know more about what Cookes is thinking, they make it plain with this philosophy hung on the wall. You know right up front that there might be a bit of a wait, but that it will most likely be worth it.

Philosophy

The ordering area is pretty typical of a take away spot. But I kind of love the [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 14, 2012

By AJ 3 Comments

We’re excited to share some seriously amazing photos from Disney World’s New Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom this week! Thanks again to our readers and colleagues for contributing their pics!

This incredible new land has been under construction for years, and we’re so excited to give you the first sneak peek into Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston’s Tavern, and the Beast’s Castle! (We’ve even got pics of the food you can order at Gaston’s! Think BIG!)

Scroll down a bit further to see MORE fun Disney eats that have debuted in Disney World and Disneyland this week in a new feature called DFB Reader Finds! If you see a new food item while you’re in the parks or cruise ships, send it along so we can highlight it.

Disney Food News

Feed your foodie cravings with this week’s Disney Food news — right now, everything’s coming up New Fantasyland!

Check out our MEGA EPIC collection of New Fantasyland photos, including inside Beast’s Castle, a Be Our Guest Restaurant photo tour, and Gaston’s Tavern eats — LeFou’s Brew, Pork Shank, and Cinnamon Roll!
We have Gaston Tavern’s menu and photos from the recent soft-opening!
Kids will find a Be Our Guest Restaurant kids’ menu filled with kid-friendly but grown-up tastes when Be Our Guest restaurant opens in the New Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom!

We’ve got additional food news (including restaurant closure updates and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Updates

With the on-going Food and Wine Festival, we’re updating our coverage daily with World Showcase booth reviews, new photos, and other Festival news!

Find all of the latest Epcot Food and Wine Festival News and Reviews here, and stay tuned for our take on several seminars and events around the festival.

Also, our great DFB Deals of the Week for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Opening Week have been extended!!

Check out the awesome discounts we have available on our Disney Dining e-Book Bundles and our 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Guide!

Stay tuned for more festival news!

DFB Reader Finds This Week

Check out these new Disney menu items that have popped up in the parks! If you find a fun new food, share a photo with us so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds!

Thanks to Hannah Collins for alerting us to this fun option: an Ice cream cookie sandwich featuring birthday cake ice cream at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments in the Magic Kingdom.

Birthday Cake Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich

Black Pearl (chocolate lava cake with pumpkin ice cream) has popped up at Blue Bayou in Disneyland. Looks yummy! Thanks to Varsenik Wilson for the [Read more…]

The Epic Mega Post of Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern Pictures! (Now With Pork Shank!)

By AJ 34 Comments

Celebrating one of the most beloved animated films by Disney, Belle’s Village in the New Fantasyland area of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom transports guests to scenes from “Beauty and the Beast”. Of course, we are especially fond of the dancing flatware*!

But NOW, we have even more pictures from the two venues that we are most excited about — Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern (we even have pics of the FOOD TODAY!).

During a New Fantasyland “Dress Rehearsal,” some incredible Disney Food Blog readers and a few of our favorite colleagues captured the photos in the dazzling display below. A huge thanks goes out to Alison Durkee (who also writes over on DisZine.com), Matt Hoskins, Suzannah DiMarzio at Zannaland, Missy Rosenberg and Franklin Khamvongsa, Kelly Tressler, @CoreyPatterson, @Leah679, and @CookingGuys for these incredible photos! Let’s take a peek…

Here we gooo!

Be Our Guest Restaurant Pictures

Guests have been able to enter Be Our Guest Restaurant for the first time over the past couple of days! Even though they’re not yet serving food at Be Our Guest, there is still a LOT to take in… . You can see the Beast’s Castle from anywhere in Belle’s Village, and it looks particularly ominous from Maurice’s Cottage!

View of a Distant Beast's Castle from Maurice's Cottage

Once you make the trek to the castle, you’ll have to cross the bridge! This makes the anticipation even stronger…

Entrance Bridge to Beast's Castle!

Sad Gargoyles line the bridge to the Castle, guarding this incredible vista of rocky waterfalls!

Sad Gargoyles and Waterfalls guard Beast's Castle

Sad Gargoyle is Sad says Matt Hoskins' son, Alexander

Don’t forget that you can purchase goblets with this Sad Gargoyle on them at Bonjour! Village Gifts!

As we approach the Beast’s Castle, Disney Imagineers have placed lots of enticing detail to tell the story! The Beast’s Coat of Arms adorns this castle gate…

The Beast's Shield Adorns a Castle Gate

And other gates stand ready to repel intruders! [Read more…]

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