First Look! New Gelato Popsicle Stand in Disneyland's Downtown Disney

First Look! New Gelato Popsicle Stand in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney

Strolling though Downtown Disney on Easter afternoon I noticed something that was not there just a week before: a new “Gelato Pop” stand! I had just eaten a giant brunch at Steakhouse 55, so a taste test was not an option; but I did get the “scoop” on this fun new treat stop.

Gelato Pop Cart

Thank goodness for a warm Spring Break in So Cal, because after being open for a mere three days, the Gelato Popsicle stand seems to be a hit. The Cast Member I spoke with said that they were doing pretty well on their first three days and they hope to become a permanent fixture in the Downtown Disney district.

The Gelato Pop stand offers 9 different types of Gelato popsicles (pre-made offsite):

Birthday Cake:

Birthday Cake Gelato Pop

Cookies ‘n’ Cream:

Cookies n' Cream Gelato Pop

Coffee Biscotto:

Coffee Biscotto Gelato Pop

Cherry: [Read more…]

2013 Disney World Free Dining Package for UK Residents

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

UK residents, get ready for some awesome news!! Book a dream Walt Disney World holiday at selected Disney Hotels on selected dates in 2013 & receive FREE dining for everyone on your booking for your entire stay when you add your Disney Theme Park Tickets.

Valid for Arrivals January 1st-March 19th, 2013 & April 7th-December 8th, 2013

Virgin Holidays has released an exciting offer for United Kingdom residents. This dream holiday in Walt Disney World must be booked prior to 10 July 2012. You’ll get accommodations at select WDW hotels, free dining for your family, fourteen Disney park ticket days, plus Virgin Holidays customers will receive $200 in Disney spending money when staying at select Disney resorts during the dates noted above.

Note, a 5-night stay is required! Guests staying at a Disney moderate resort will enjoy the free Quick Service Dining Plan. Reserving a deluxe hotel or villa will entitle your family to the free standard Disney Dining Plan.

Price Comparison of Disney Dining Plans

Disney Quick (Counter) Service Dining Plan

: £24.99 per adult, £9.99 per child, per day 2 Quick (Counter) Service meals, 1 Snack and a Refillable Resort Mug per Guest, per day. This package is FREE when booking a select moderate hotel. Upgrade To Standard Disney Dining Plan for £15.00 per adult, £2.00 per child, per day. Please note the price increase – in 2012, it was only £10.00 per adult for this upgrade.

Standard Disney Dining Plan: £39.99 per adult, £11.99 per child, per day 1 Table Service meal, 1 Quick (Counter) Service meal and 1 Snack per Guest, per day. This package is FREE when booking a select deluxe resort. Upgrade to the Deluxe plan for £25.00 per adult, £8.00 per child, per day.

Disney Deluxe Dining Plan: £64.99 per adult, £19.99 per child, per day Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, 2 Snacks and a Refillable Resort Mug per Guest, per day.

With a Disney Dining Plan (DDP), your family will [Read more…]

Backstage Peek: Pixar Animation Studios’ “Cereal Bar”

By AJ 17 Comments

Welcome back guest author Melissa M. from The Life of a Sippy Cup Mom. Melissa just returned from touring Pixar, and she was kind enough to share a backstage peek into one of the real reasons that Disney/Pixar is such a powerhouse — the Cereal Bar.

Last month, I found out that I was going to have the once in a lifetime opportunity to tour Pixar Studios in Emeryville, California to learn more about Pixar’s upcoming movie, Brave. I couldn’t wait to explore the Studios and started doing research on what I might see.

If you happen to own Toy Story 3, one of the bonus features is a short video entitled “Pixar’s Cereal Bar.”

In the video you’ll hear Pixar employees like Tia Kratter, Pete Doctor, and Andrew Stanton talking about the importance of cereal during a workday, and showing off an animated representation of how the Pixar Cereal Room fuels some of the best creative minds in the business!

The Cereal Bar!

The room is filled with a variety of cereals from Captain Crunch to Muesli and from Frosted Flakes to Granola. In addition to the many options of cereal, there was coffee, lots of milk, and baskets of fruit!

According to Pixar employees, this room is well-used and well-loved! They eat cereal everywhere — from the screening room to the meeting room — and even at their desks!

Cereal Bar

Here are a few of the cereal options the Pixar employees have to choose from every day: [Read more…]

First Look!: Landscape of Flavors Menu Photos From Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

By AJ 27 Comments

Thanks to Pam Brandon over at the Disney Parks Blog, we have even more details on the new Landscape of Flavors food court, which opens next month at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

Landscape of Flavors Concept Art -- Disneys Art of Animation Resort

The focus at this food court is going to be customization. From creating your own beef, chicken or veggie burger to building make-your-own yogurt parfaits, there is a wide variety of food that is sure to please everyone!

Tandoor Ovens

There will be four large cylindrical ovens called Tandoors, where you’ll get to watch chefs bake bread and roast chicken, shrimp, and veggies. Food + Experience!

Tandoori Acorn Squash - Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Tandoori Chicken - Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

One of the popular treats for sure will be naan, a delicious Indian bread that is [Read more…]

“DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012” Contest!

By AJ

Great news! We’re finalizing the 2012 edition of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book right now, and we want to share the excitement with you!

So we thought this would be the perfect time for a Disney Food Blog contest — you could be the first to get your hands on a copy of the 2012 Edition of our acclaimed e-Book! Deadline is short, so send in your entry today!

Enter to Win!

Erin Foster, our illustrious Disney Food for Families columnist, came up with a really fun idea for the contest — Six Word Restaurant Reviews!

To enter the contest, simply write up your own Six Word Restaurant Review about any Disney restaurant (it’s OK if you’ve never been there!), and send it to us — with SIX WORD CONTEST in the subject line. Contest entry deadline is 11:59PM on Tuesday, April 10th!

How To Write a Review

Not sure how to write a six word restaurant review? I wasn’t either! But it’s really fun! Here are a few of Erin’s examples: [Read more…]

Review: Casey’s Corner

By AJ 38 Comments

Learn About:Casey’s Corner

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Time to sing a rousing chorus of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” as we head over to one of the Magic Kingdom’s most beloved counter service spots, Casey’s Corner!

This has been one of my go-to hangouts for years, and I’m excited to finally be writing an actual review of it for you!

Atmosphere

You’ll find Casey’s at the Northwest corner of Main Street — exactly where you’ll find Coke Corner in Disneyland — and the two spots are actually quite similar in appearance.

Channeling an early twentieth century baseball concession stand, you can almost hear the crack of the bat when you walk in! Really, what is there not to love about this place? It’s classic Americana and classic Disney.

Cast Members dress in baseball uniforms, just like the players on the Mudville team, ready to enter the game!

Cast Members Hustle Behind the Counter

Casey's Ordering Area

Nostalgic decor nods to Disney partner Coca-Cola in the form of vintage Tiffany hanging lights, glassware, and [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 8, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

Happy Easter! Lots of Disney food awesomeness happening around the world this week!

We got to see the concept art for the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar in Epcot, we’re reporting some great news about the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, we’re seeing new entrees added to the menus at several Disney restaurants, and more!!

Disney Food News

Here’s the latest…

Tutto Gusto, the new Italian wine cellar, will open in early May as part of the Tutto Italia Ristorante refurbishment.
The 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just a few months away. Check out the latest updates to the Eat to the Beat Concert List!
An updated menu at Sunshine Tree Terrace in the Magic Kingdom brings updated entrees and new desserts!
Celebrate spring and the Easter holiday with a pineapple coconut cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Tables in Wonderland has announced three more special events and perks, including discounted La Nouba tickets and a Flower Power Happy Hour in Epcot!
Triple Yeti Blast ( a mix of all three margaritas) at the Animal Kingdom’s Upcountry Landing kiosk. Daiquiris no longer on menu!
Some great new Disney California Adventure merchandise was revealed at the Passholder Preview last week! Check out the cute food- and kitchen-related goodies!
Tid Bits: Makahiki at Aulani is introducing a new a la carte menu in addition to their regular buffet, and Raglan Road in Orlando has added new menu items to their menu (many favorites are still there)!

We’ve got more delicious news on our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

Have You Used the DFB Disney Restaurant Search?

Wondering what Disney restaurants are right for your family (or just feel like playing with a really awesome tool during your Disney World planning?)? Use our customized Disney World Restaurant Search Tool to plug in your personalized criteria and check out recommended restaurants!

Screen Shot of the Disney Restaurant Search Tool

It’s super easy to use, and might recommend restaurants that you hadn’t considered. The best part is that it will give you highly customized suggestions of Disney restaurants that are perfect for YOUR family! 🙂

On to the Round-Up

WildernessLodgeSite.com

stops by the Whispering Canyon Cafe at the Wilderness Lodge.

Magical Trash features the themed garbage cans at Columbia Harbour House.

Walt Disney World For Grown Ups visits the Bellevue Lounge at the Boardwalk Resort.

Main Street Gazette finds a meal combo deal at Joy of Tea in Epcot’s China pavilion.

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World shares a weekend of Walt Disney World eats.

Running at Disney reviews a pre-race meal at Via Napoli before running the Princess Half-Marathon.

Daveland fascinates us with an interesting look at the vintage Casa de Fritos once located in Disneyland’s Frontierland.

DisneyParks Blog hops over to the Grand Floridian for a look at the first-ever edible Easter egg display at this resort. These pieces are too beautiful to eat!

“Biramisu” Review and Recipe, Portobello Trattoria

By AJ 5 Comments

Beer? For Dessert? Yes, indeed.

Despite the fact that I don’t know much about beer and I’m not a fan of tiramisu, I’m extremely glad that I got to try this combo of the two — Biramisu — at Downtown Disney Orlando’s Portobello Trattoria.

I’d known for months (over a year, maybe??) that I needed to get my butt in a chair over at Portobello to try this dessert. It’s pretty innovative, eh? Beer + Tiramisu? And the fact that they make it with a local Orlando Brewing Company porter makes it even more compelling.

Biramisu on the Dessert Menu

The local Organic Blackwater Dry Porter that’s used to make the Biramisu was new to us when we got to the restaurant, but we tried a bottle during lunch to check it out. Liked it!

Orlando Brewing Company Organic Blackwater Dry Porter

But when it was time for dessert, I was still skeptical. (Don’t worry, though; we ordered the white chocolate creme brulee, too, just in case.) I’m just not a big fan of soggy cake, alcohol-soaked anything, or beer in my dessert (as far as I knew). And isn’t that pretty much what this was?

But, if you’re like me and concerned, not to worry. If you take a look at the recipe for this stuff, there’s more [Read more…]

Holiday Treat: Bunny Cupcakes and Other Favorites at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ Leave a Comment

Ready for some Springtime cuteness? In addition to the other Springtime treats being sold in Disney parks and resorts, Pastry Chef Andreas Born at Disney’s Hollywood Studios has created an adorable bunny cupcake that will be sold for a limited time only!

Bunny Cupcake!

Chef Born played with flavors (and icing) to concoct this springtime creation — a pineapple-coconut cupcake celebrating the Easter holiday. Love the pink bunny ears!

This yummy treat can be found at Starring Rolls, Backlot Express, Pizza Planet, ABC Commissary, and Studio Catering Co. from April 6 – April 17, 2012. It sells for $4.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

While You’re There…

Don’t forget to check out some of our other favorite Disney cupcakes and treats in the Studios!

Try the Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake at Starring Rolls:

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake

And the Carrot Cake Cookie, found at [Read more…]

First Look! Epcot’s Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar to Open in Early May

By AJ 24 Comments

Tutto Gusto, a new wine bar

that will be adjacent to Tutto Italia Ristorante, is set to open in early May as part of the restaurant’s recent refurbishment.

Learn About:Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

We can’t wait to add this location to our Drinking Around the World itinerary!

Nestled next to Tutto Italia Ristorante in Epcot’s Italy pavilion, Tutto Gusto will feature a cozy 96-seat space located in the former lobby space and extending toward Via Napoli.

Atmosphere

The new wine bar will take over Tutto Italia’s former lobby space. Stone walls and floors, vaulted ceilings, and a fireplace will create the atmosphere of an Italian wine cellar.

The soon-to-be-hot-spot will be open to patrons from 11:30AM to 9PM to enjoy over 200 Italian wines and what sounds like an amazing selection of small plates and appetizers.

Gusto Wine Cellar

Eats

According to the DisneyParks Blog, this venue will be part of the Disney Dining Plan. We’re not sure yet if it will be considered a one-credit or two-credit location, but either way, this will make Italy the only pavilion with [Read more…]

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First Look! New Gelato Popsicle Stand in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney