2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Debuts A Vegan Marketplace

Great news for those visiting the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival with a special diet!

As part of the World Showcase Marketplaces serving tapas-sized portions of International foods, the Festival is introducing a completely vegan kiosk this year! We’re hoping that means that special diets will be catered to more than ever before at this year’s event.

Vegan Marketplace at Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival this year will introduce the first ever vegan-only “TERRA” marketplace, which will include dishes like this Trickâ€™n Chickâ€™n Curry with Basmati Rice Curry with Basmati Rice.

Trickâ€™n Chickâ€™n Curry with Basmati Rice at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Stay tuned for more details about this exciting development. Here’s hoping nothing changes!

As always, Disney Food Blog is YOUR SOURCE for the most detailed information about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Check out our 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Page for [Read more…]

Snack Series: Dulce de Leche Fudge

By AJ 2 Comments

Disney World and Disneyland candy shops specialize in house-made sweet confections, and fudge is one that can be found on both coasts!

And while we don’t talk about it ALL the time here on the DFB, we are constantly scanning the fudge counters for new flavors and interesting options. We’ve even got a fun Disney Fudge Primer for you!

A unique fudge we found on a recent trip is a swirly-twirly version called Dulce de Leche! Isn’t it gorgeous? I had to try it.

Fudge

The predominant flavors of vanilla and caramel really shine through. And bonus: there is definitely enough to share! You can even purchase it with a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan!

It’s the perfect vacation treat, but is also travels really well. Presto — an edible [Read more…]

What Disney Dining Spot Would You Expand or Change?

By AJ 47 Comments

I think we can all agree that Disney parks and resorts are pretty great places. Still, I can always dream up ways to make them better… . 😉 After all, I did make my case for an Automat, right?

No automat yet, but I’d like to share another change that I’d love to see made: an expansion of the Banana Cabana pool bar at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort!

I’m including my thoughts on this below, but I’d love to hear YOUR ideas on what Disney World dining spots could use changes — whether they’re menu updates, expansions, or something else! Dream big — what would you do with an unlimited budget? Disney World, Disneyland, etc… everything’s on the table.

My Suggestion: Banana Cabana Expansion!

For my first joint project with Walt Disney World as a consultant for development (ha ha!), I’d make this fun and always-hoppin’ pool bar a little bigger!

Located adjacent to both the fabulously-themed (PIRATES!) main pool and the Old Port Royale shopping and dining mecca, Banana Cabana is the perfect place to grab a drink, keep an eye on the kiddos while they hang out in the pool, and watch the sunset.

The bartenders are [Read more…]

DFB Podcast Episode 4 Now Available: Best Disney Restaurants for Atmosphere

By AJ 3 Comments

Hey all! Thanks again for your fantastic reviews and comments about our new DFB Podcast!

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

In this episode we cover the latest Disney Food News, discuss some Disney restaurants with exceptional atmosphere and themeing, answer a few reader questions, and reveal the answer to our controversial Episode 3 trivia question (as well as give you a brand new trivia question)!

Click here to go to the Podcast page for Episode 4. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and let us know [Read more…]

Review: Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney

By AJ 23 Comments

Learn About:Paradiso 37

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

After about a year away, I headed back to Paradiso 37 in Orlando’s Downtown Disney recently to see what was new with the menu!

Since my last lunch there, there have been a few menu changes and updates, so let’s take a look!

Atmosphere

The goal of Paradiso 37 is to offer an upscale, though casual and comfortable, dining experience, and I think it does a good job of that.

Personally, I love to visit Paradiso 37 during the quieter hours of the day when the sunshine is streaming in through the massive windows. While the evening features a fun nightlife vibe with live music and a hip crowd, the afternoon is laid back, and it’s easy to snag a table!

Paradiso 37

I was very interested to see that not much had changed about the inside of the restaurant since I was last there. You still have that fantastic floor-to-ceiling tequila bar that tells you THIS is a GREAT place for drinks…especially if you’re a fan of all things margarita like me!

Tequila Tower

One question we had when visiting: is Paradiso 37 appropriate for [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: May 20, 2012

By AJ 2 Comments

R2D2 churros and chocolate at Star Wars Weekends

We’re loving the reports from Star Wars Weekends in Disney World this week, and we can’t wait to share even more from our delicious visit to Disneyland last week!

Let us know what Disney Food updates are tempting you! 🙂

Disney Food News

Here’s the latest happening in the Disney Food World this week!

Star Wars Weekends have started in Disney World! Check out some of the great Star Wars Themed Treats available!
Specialty Dinner Announcements: Downtown Disney Orlando’s Raglan Road has announced a Mid-Summer Feast. And in Downtown Disney Anaheim, Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen will feature a Beer Dinner.
Chocolate Caramel Grapes now available at Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany.

We’ve got more food news (including the re-opening of Disneyland’s Carnation Cafe) on our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

Grand Opening of the DFB Store!

Our DFB Store is now open! Featuring our critically-acclaimed line of Disney Dining e-Books, these in-depth guides expand upon the Disney Food topics that YOU were craving for!

The DFB Store offers:

Individual guidebooks
Packaged bundles at discounted prices
Book Overviews
Sample Pages
and More!

Stop by DFBStore.com now and take a look around!

On To The Round-Up

WildernessLodgeSite.com

suggests planning a date night at the Wilderness Lodge with dinner at the Artist Point!

Daveland shares a rare 1960 photo of the Silver Banjo Restaurant in Disneyland.

Bites on Today discovers beer for Dad at Walt Disney World.

AllEars.net‘s Jack Spence welcomes the return of the Orange Bird at Sunshine Tree Terrace.

Main Street Gazette taste-tests the Chicken Caesar Sandwich at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

The Disney Diner creates the Main Street Bakery’s Cinnamon Rolls. Yum!

The Actor’s Diet flies to the east coast and indulges at the Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

DisneyParks Blog shares the atmosphere music for the new Carthay Circle restaurant at Disney California Adventure!

Disney World Star Wars Weekends Snacks!

By Kim LaPaglia 15 Comments

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is once again hosting Star Wars Weekends from May 18 – June 10, 2012, for fans celebrating the George Lucas films.

If you have young padawans that can’t wait to meet Chewbacca (“let the wookie win”) or a budding Jedi that dreams of a lightsaber battle with Darth Vader, this event is for you!

Adults that grew up with the Star Wars empire are equally excited about this special event with the opportunity to purchase unique merchandise and meet celebrities. I’m looking forward to attending my second Star Wars Weekend this year, and not only will I be posing for a picture with an Ewok, I’m going to snag one of these galatically-good snacks as well!

According to the DisneyParks Blog, there are some fun treats awaiting hungry Star Wars fans! My 12-year old son just told me that he likes “all of them,” but he’s headed for the Darth cupcake first.

Darth Vader Cupcake

A special chocolate cupcake featuring Darth Vader will be available for $4.99 at Darth’s Mall, ABC Commissary, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Pizza Planet, and Starring Rolls Cafe.

This is pretty much the regular chocolate, peanut butter cupcake with a Darth head stuck in it, but we’re not complaining! Also, it’s definitely more ornate than last year’s version! “It is useless to resist” the power of the Darth cupcake!

Darth Cupcake

Churro Bucket

Loyal droid R2D2 features his own bucket of churros with chocolate dipping sauce. Get yours at [Read more…]

Guest Review: Liberty Tree Tavern Dinner

By AJ 20 Comments

Learn About:Liberty Tree Tavern

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Join me in welcoming back guest author Aaron Crum as he takes us to the Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom for a family-style meal!

Imagine this: you are walking through Walt Disney World, and suddenly you find yourself immersed in colonial America.

Not only are you reliving some of American history, you discover that it’s Thanksgiving Day and a feast has been prepared for you to enjoy.

Welcome to Liberty Tree Tavern!

Atmosphere

Liberty Tree Tavern is located in the Liberty Square area of Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. The lobby has somewhat of a “lodge” feel to it. There is a lot of exposed wood and very open spaces.

Exterior

When we visited, the computers were down, causing several delays and the restaurant to be extremely crowded. After waiting outside for our table to be ready, we were summoned to the lobby and taken to our table.

Decor

There are several different dining rooms within Liberty Tree Tavern, all themed after historical figures from United States history. We happened to be seated in the [Read more…]

Snacks Series: Ham and Cheese Croissant in Epcot

By AJ 13 Comments

Sometimes burgers just won’t cut it and you need a little piece of heaven for lunch, right? Who hasn’t felt that way after a few days in Disney World?

So here’s a quick Friday Afternoon Cost-Saving tip for ya: Fill up for less on one of these amazing ham and cheese croissants at Boulangerie Patisserie. Awesome, right?! And the last time we were there, you could get one of these babies for a single Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

Stop by France's bakery for a filling snack!

Enjoy your lunch at the nearby indoor seating area, or outside at one of the bistro tables! And since you’re keeping it “light” and inexpensive for this meal, you’ll be able to sample some more mouthwatering treats on your adventure through Epcot!

Boulangerie Patisserie Epcot

Don’t miss other delicious snack items in Epcot! We’ve included over 100 photos and reviews of our favorite snacks in the new Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to Epcot Snacks!

This e-Book has detailed reviews, information, and full-color photos of [Read more…]

Guest Review: Epcot Food and “More Than Just” Wine Festival

By AJ 11 Comments

As we all gear up for the 2012 Food and Wine Festival, welcome Heather Jones with a fun exploration through last year’s events!

I was so excited to experience the Epcot Food and Wine Festival for the first time. But I was thinking that Disney might be doing the festival a disservice by calling it “Food and Wine,” because there are so many more drink choices than just wine.

Don’t get me wrong I love a nice chilled Chardonnay or a spicy Shiraz. But there’s also a huge variety of beer, cocktails, and sake to be had as well. I guess they can’t call it the “Food and Booze Festival.” That wouldn’t sound very Disney!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Signage

Beer Review

Let’s start with some beer, shall we? Our first stop was the brand new Hawaii booth for the Kalua Pork Slider and the Tuna Poke along with a Kona Longboard and a Pipeline beer.

Kalua Pork Slider

Tuna Poke

The Pipeline is dark and flavorful porter (I just love a dark beer!) and the Longboard is a tasty, light lager that paired well with the Poke.

Kona Long board and Pipeline Beer

Another favorite beer for me was the [Read more…]

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