Snack Series: Oasis Canteen at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Snack Series: Oasis Canteen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

There are some dining spots in Disney World that are easy to walk right on by, but afford some really fun themeing to check out! Oasis Canteen in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is one of these!

Oasis Canteen

This Indiana-Jones themed snack stop looks like it’s been cobbled together with scrap mental and canvas found around a desert military base, complete with rusted out menu boards!

Beverages at Oasis Canteen

The specialties here include freshly-made funnel cakes (sugar, strawberry topping, and soft-serve ice cream optional) as well as soft-serve ice cream in a waffle cone, and [Read more…]

DFB Challenge: 2012 Walt Disney World Cheese Crawl

By AJ 31 Comments

We’re sending our courageous (and hopefully hungry) readers on another crawl.

Not surprisingly, this one is all about cheese! 😉 (You asked for it…and we thought it was an AWESOME idea!!) The best part? You’ll visit mostly counter-service and/or grab ‘n go locations on this cheese crawl, so no Advance Dining Reservations required! (Of course, if you want table-service cheese options, check out our Disney World Cheese Plates here!)

Some of you have attempted the 2011 Disney cupcake crawl and the 2012 Disney cupcake crawl and now it’s time to tackle another DFB favorite…

The Disney Food Blog’s “Walt Disney World Cheese Crawl” Strategy

Gear up for tasting cheese selections on menus all over Walt Disney World. Your challenge is to sample these sweet and savory items, hopefully in a single Disney World vacation.

Follow the crawl step by step, or opt to select the items that you find most appetizing. You’ve reached the Cheese finish line when you’ve visited at least seven locations and sampled at least seven different cheese items.

Remember that Disney World menus have a way of changing, so if you need to substitute out new options for the ones below, we won’t deduct any points! Depending on your level of tolerance, you may want to split this crawl up over a couple of days. Either way, we won’t judge!

Tutto Gusto Cheese

Some of these items can be purchased for a Disney Dining Plan snack credit, so save up those snacks!

EPCOT: Cheese required = 2

Depart your hotel for a morning in Epcot’s Future World. At 11am, make your way to World Showcase! Your first stop is the Rose & Crown pub in Canada.

Rose & Crown Pub
Rose & Crown pub in United Kingdom is an awesome spot to hang with friends over drinks and apps. Be sure to say hi to Carl for us!

Cheese Plate: Here’s an updated cheese plate with layers of flavors. Which cheese will be your favorite — Cotswolds Cheddar, an aged
[Read more…]

DFB Podcast Episodes 8 and 9 Now Available!

By AJ 5 Comments

It’s a two-fer!

Yep — you lucky commuters, treadmillers, and general podcast listeners have over an hour’s worth of DFB Podcast to download right now! (What a great way to head back to work after the Labor Day weekend, eh?)

The eighth and ninth episodes of our DFB Podcast are now posted and ready for downloading! AND — the ninth episode has a special discount code for for our Food and Wine Festival e-Book, so listen quick! 🙂

Episode 8 — Best Breakfasts

In Episode 8, we run through our very favorite table-service breakfast options in Disney World and Disneyland (yep — there are plenty!). I can’t wait to hear what some of yours are!

Episode 9 — Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tips

In Episode 9 we’ve compiled some of our top tips for the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! If you’re headed to Epcot this Fall, take a listen and start planning away!

Click here for Episode 8, and click here for Episode 9. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and let us know what you think!

Your feedback is important to us — [Read more…]

News! LeFou’s Brew at Gaston’s Tavern

By Kim LaPaglia 45 Comments

We finally have some insight into the brew that will be served at Gaston’s Tavern when it opens in the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland section later this year!

Approaching the tavern near the Be Our Guest restaurant, guests will find a huge statue of Gaston hoisting kegs of his favorite brew. Gaston’s Tavern will be a quick-service restaurant, resembling a comfy lodge in the French countryside. Of course, an enormous portrait of the egocentric Gaston will don an interior wall.

Gaston Statue

The signature beverage – LeFou’s Brew – is a [Read more…]

What Are Your Favorite Disneyland Snacks?

By AJ 30 Comments

Disneyland is a treasure trove of amazing snacks and goodies, and I think it would take us list after list to mention all of my favorites. But I received a reader request for my top 5, so I knew I had to take a shot at choosing! 🙂

SO, let me add a disclaimer…I have SO MANY MORE than 5 favorite snacks at Disneyland. But if you want to get a good overview of some incredible classics, head for these. (I’m sensing a “Next Top 5 Snacks” post coming soon. ;-D)

And I want to hear YOUR favorites, too! What Disneyland goodies are your must-have eats? Share with us in the comments below so others going to Disneyland can benefit from your experience! 🙂

Corn Dog

Along Paradise Pier sits the unassuming, Corn Dog Castle. Behind this modest kiosk awaits a snack that Disneyland guests know is a true gem — the Corn Dog!

Hand-dipped and made fresh to order, these corn dogs are an indulgence, but a worthy one! Get them in Disneyland at the Little Red Wagon, too.

Disneyland Hand-Dipped Corn Dog

Of course, if you want to go vegetarian, the Cheese Stick is [Read more…]

2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Countdown Sale Continues With Two More Deals!

By AJ 2 Comments

Can you believe that we only have three weeks left until the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival begins in Walt Disney World??

As always, we want you to get the most out of your festival experience! So DFB is celebrating the anticipation by offering exciting discounts and deals on our Disney Dining Guidebooks — creating the most informed, tasteful (we mean yummy!) vacation in Walt Disney World.

Counting down to the festival, we’re celebrating with a month-long savings spree!

This Week’s Deals

This week, we’re bringing two more deals to our readers! Stay tuned every week leading up to the Food and Wine Festival to see what bundles and e-Books go on sale next!

Food and Wine Bundle

The Food and Wine Festival bundle offers our DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival AND the critically-acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, together in one discounted package!

Food and Wine Bundle

This bundle is already priced at a discount, and this week only you can get $3 MORE off using code [Read more…]

Review: Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Now with New Menu AND Buffalo Nuggets!)

By AJ 20 Comments

Learn About:Backlot Express

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Time to head to one of my favorite counter service spots in Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Backlot Express! And there’s a brand new menu in place! We’ve have more for you on that in just a few paragraphs. But first, let’s take a look around…

Atmosphere

From the name alone, you can quickly deduce that this counter service mainstay is, in fact, located in the Backlot area of the theme park. (I know. What would you do without me?)

To locate it, head straight back and to the left as you enter the park. You’ll know you’re getting close when you pass the Sounds Dangerous and Star Tours attractions.

The premise here is that you’ve wandered into a functioning part of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios backlot, where they store all of the props, paint all the sets, fashion all of the haywire stunt gear, and fix all of the machinery needed to put on the show. It’s a glorified warehouse…but that “glorified” part is where Disney’s imagineers shine.

Outside View

As you head in to order you’ll walk past the outdoor seating area, which is nicely shaded. You begin to feel the vibe of the place even here, with mismatched patio chairs and interesting outdoor props, like giant plaster statues, and classic automobiles.

Shaded Seating Area

It’s completely fascinating to wander around and through this huge spot. Imagineers have created the theme to feel as if you’re about to run into someone who’s working on a film while you’re there. There are all kinds of props everywhere, even hanging above you.

Dragon Prop - You Never Know What You Might Find Here!

You’ll also see lots of [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 2, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

It’s menu-changing season at Walt Disney World!

New Menu Items at Animal Kingdom

This week we got the chance to highlight a few updates in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, where they’ve unveiled new menu items at three counter-service restaurants! (More of this menu change mumbo jumbo coming up tomorrow, by the way…)

Let us know what you think about the new options!

Disney Food News

Catch up on your Disney Food reading!

Disney World’s Animal Kingdom is introducing new menu items at Restaurantosaurus, Flame Tree Barbecue, and Pizzafari!
The Waldorf Astoria Orlando’s Food and Wine Weekends will take place on five weekends this fall.
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of Disneyland Paris with a commemorative wine from Gerard Bertrand Winery!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Update — Dinners With Cat Cora

Kouzzina by Cat Cora

has added two more events to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival signature dining schedule.

Chef Cat Cora and the Kouzzina chefs will host additional dinners on October 2 and October 4 at 8pm. The cost is $170/person. The first signature dinner at Kouzzina will be held on September 27 at 8pm for $160. Note that Chef Cat Cora will only be in attendance at the October dinners.

Spots are extremely limited, and will go fast. Call 407-WDW-DINE to book.

We’ve got more food news (including restaurant closure updates, new dining locations at Aulani, a food truck at ESPN Wide World of Sports, a PCH Grill Passholder Preview in Disneyland, special offer at La Hacienda and San Angel Inn, and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!

A DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book Reviews

Thanks to Disney by Mark for a great review of our DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

Pick up your copy of the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival today, and get planning. Don’t forget our great DFB Deals of the Week on this Guide!

Here’s some great advice from the Disney by Mark review:

Last year was my first at the festival and I found myself overwhelmed with choices and decisions to make. There was so much I wanted to do but I only had a limited time at Epcot…and Epcot is BIG. I found that in just one reading this guide has helped me plan my entire visit so I don’t collapse from exhaustion!

See? No exhaustion! 😉 Read the full review here! And, check out another great review at Jackie’s Magical Moments this week!

Now it’s your turn! Download your copy of the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book here! Get $3 off with our Deal of the Week!

On to the Round-Up

DisZine

highlights the Great Irish Hooley event at Raglan Road in Downtown Disney this weekend.

Cookie Madness enjoys a treat from Epcot’s Biergarten – Bavarian Cheesecake.

Walt Disney World for Grown Ups hides out with a snack at the Writer’s Stop in Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

A Wedding Cake Blog shares an adorable Minnie Mouse cake!

Mouse on the Mind dines at the California Grill overlooking the Magic Kingdom!

Main Street Gazette reviews the changes taking place with the restaurants in Epcot’s France pavilion.

AllEars takes a close-up look at the Pinocchio Village Haus.

DisneyParks looks back at the opening of Hollywood Scoops in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Entree Duo and PB&J Creme Brulee at Flying Fish Cafe on Disney World’s Boardwalk

By AJ 9 Comments

Learn About:Flying Fish

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Any time I have the chance to dine at Flying Fish Cafe in Disney World’s Boardwalk Inn Resort, I take it! I love this restaurant, and it always manages to surprise me with its clever and innovative menu.

I dined there in July, and while I’m not going to do a full review of that meal, I needed to share these awesome menu items with you just in case you’re headed over. I wish I had this meal to do over again, because I’d definitely order the same thing!

Get these on your must-eat list, stat!

Duo of Char-Crusted Angus New York Strip Steak and Potato-Wrapped Red Snapper

Well, Flying Fish Cafe has two signature entrees…can you guess what they are? 😉 Yep, the Char-Crusted Strip and the Potato-Wrapped Red Snapper are the menu’s highlights, and Flying Fish has done us all a favor and put them together on one plate!

Duo of Red Snapper and Strip Steak

The Potato-Wrapped Snapper includes Leek Fondue with a Veal Glace, Red Wine, and Cassis Butter reduction; while the Char-Crusted Angus New York Strip comes with Fingerling Potatoes, Hericot Vert, Young Carrots, and Bermuda Onions, and an applewood-smoked Bacon Mustard Seed Vinaigrette and Classic Sauce Foyot (hubba hubba!).

I was very surprised and impressed how well everything actually went together. I was using the sauce from the Snapper with the steak, and vice versa. The flavors were [Read more…]

New! Disneyland Paris 20th Anniversary Wines

By Kim LaPaglia 6 Comments

Happy 20th anniversary to Disneyland Paris! Just in time for happy hour, and courtesy of Maxime Bogaert with Designing Disney, we’ve been given a unique look at a special wine commemorating this celebration. Take it away, Maxime!

At the occasion of its twentieth anniversary, Disneyland Paris has launched a special “20th Anniversary Cuvée”.

Happy 20 years, Disneyland Paris!

Commemorative Wine from Disneyland Paris

The Merlot Red, Chardonnay White, and Grenache Rosé wines are served in the resort’s bars and restaurants. But guests can also purchase a bottle at the hotel shops and take it home as a souvenir (available at [Read more…]

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Snack Series: Oasis Canteen at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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