Guest Review: Kona Cafe Breakfast

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

Please welcome guest author Aaron Crum with a review of breakfast at the Kona Cafe from his last Disney vacation! Let’s make our way to the Polynesian Resort this morning! Aloha!

We arrived at Kona Café around 10 o’clock. We didn’t have reservations and we were told it would be about a 25 minute wait. The time passed quickly as we strolled around the resort and took in everything the Polynesian has to offer. Sometimes, I forgot I was even in WDW and not off the coast of Hawaii somewhere!

After about a 20 minute wait, our buzzer went off and we were seated at our table.

Atmosphere

The dining area here is very open and has a very comfortable feel to it. However, because of the open feeling, and lack of separation between the restaurant and the lobby, it can get somewhat noisy. This is even more so the case as the new waiting procedures at ‘Ohana have all guests waiting in the lobby.

We were fortunate to get a table on the near side of the restaurant along the wall, which are 2-person booths. This gave a more intimate feel to the meal.

Kona Cafe Dining Room

Seating Area

Eats

After taking several minutes gazing over the Kona cafe breakfast menu, we ordered [Read more…]

“Jingle Smells” and Other Foodie Vinylmations Available Now

By Erin 5 Comments

There’s a feast of food-related Vinylmation available on DisneyStore.com and in Disney Store retail locations. This is a great way to do some holiday shopping for Disney foodie friends, even if you can’t make it to the parks this winter.

Smellable Holiday Vinylmations

Now available is next best thing to edible Vinylmations, smellable Vinylmations.

“Jingle Smells,” which retail for $11.95 each, are Vinylmations actually embedded with scents of the holiday season: gingerbread, marshmallow, candy cane, and chocolate.

My Jingle Smells haven’t arrived in the mail yet, but from all reports I’ve seen, these cutie patooties do actually smell like their namesakes. To add to the deliciousness quotient, the Jingle Smells are topped with a little cap that allows them to accept a hook and function as an ornament. You know what, I think I’m going to go order some more now.

Peter Pan “Never Grow Up” Vinylmation Set

And here’s the second in the “Kidada for Disney Store” series. This one, a combination 9″ and 3″ set, is called “Never Grow Up.” The larger figure features Peter Pan fighting his shadow while cavorting on a giant ice cream sundae. (I think I had [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Japan and China Booths

By Melissa 2 Comments

It’s time for more 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booth food pictures! Today, we’re headed to Asia and will be visiting Japan and China!

As always, if you want to see full coverage of each booth, check out our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Pages! Click on any booth or country name for detailed information, menus, photos, and prices.

Japan

Japan introduced a couple of new items to the menu this year, including Pork Kakuni and the Tokyo Sunset — both can be seen below. The pork serving was massive and very good. The Tokyo Sunset, a mix of pineapple juice, banana liqueur, peach schnapps, and coconut rum, was delicious.

Pork Kakuni -– $4.95 and Tokyo Sunset –- $8.00

The Spicy Tuna Roll, California Roll, and Tuna Sensation (with salmon added in this year) are all back at the [Read more…]

It’s November; Merry Christmas! Holiday Treats Pop Up in Disney Parks

By Heather 8 Comments

Well, it’s that time of year already. Halloween is barely over and it’s time to start celebrating Christmas! I spotted this display at Marceline’s in Downtown Disney (Disneyland) on Friday, October 21st, before Halloween even hit. I love Christmastime at Disneyland, but please let me at least trick or treat first! (Note: You can likely find these treats in Disney World as well!)

The First Christmas Goodies are Here!

The Christmas goodies are only on one table so far, but my guess is that in just a week or two, the whole place will be bustling with holiday yumminess. I’ll of course do an in-depth report then. In the meantime, enjoy this [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Jolly Holiday Bakery Construction Update

By Heather 2 Comments

The walls have been up around the Plaza Pavilion for a few months now in preparation for the new Jolly Holiday Bakery, featuring a Mary Poppins theme, on Main Street USA in Disneyland.

Make Way for a Jolly Holiday

Both Carnation Cafe and Blue Ribbon Bakery are scheduled to close on [Read more…]

Review: High Octane Refreshments at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 13 Comments

EDITOR’S NOTE: Please note that High Octane Refreshments closed in early April 2016 to make way for construction of Toy Story Land and Star Wars Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

When I was a kid, my dad and I always celebrated that Thursday was the “day before the day before the weekend!”

I don’t know about you, but this week has taken its sweet time, so I thought we should celebrate this “day before the day before the weekend” with a little happy hour… whaddya think? 😀 So, we’re headed over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a visit to a place that a lot of people don’t even know is there — High Octane Refreshments!

High Octane Refreshments

Atmosphere

This spot is next to the Studio Catering Company (where you can get your eats), and pretty much blends into the background unless you’re looking for it.

There’s plenty of seating between the two restaurants as well. Unless you’re visiting on a truly busy day, you shouldn’t have to search too hard for a place to plop down. We advise that you take your refreshment to the shaded seating closer to the restaurant. It’s all hot sunshine in front of the bar!

Seating

The Signature drinks here — Stoplight Margarita, Long Island Iced Tea, Grand Margarita, Pina Colada, Rum Runner, and Frozen Golden Margaritas — aren’t necessarily mind-boggling in their creativity, but I can speak from experience that they’re highly enjoyable. Especially the Stoplight Margarita; but more about that later.

Menu and Full Bar

First, let’s look through the menu and options… [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: South Korea and South Africa Booths

By AJ 9 Comments

It’s time for more 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booth food pictures! Today, we’ve got a little “Southern Exposure” as we visit South Korea and South Africa!

South Africa

South Africa is back in the World Showcase with it’s well-known filet of beef! This year, it’s accompanied by some delicious smashed sweet potatoes and a Braai sauce that’s excellent. I thought this dish was a winner!

Seared Filet of Beef with Smashed Sweet Potatoes and Braai Sauce -- $5.00

New this year is South Africa’s “Bunny Chow,” a veggie curry served in a bread bowl of sorts. This was tops on my list, but it was a fun addition to the booth!

Bunny Chow (Vegetable Curry served in a Bread Loaf) -- $3.25

You can see more pictures, the full menu, and prices on our South Africa Booth Page!

South Korea

South Korea returns to the festival for its second year, bringing back elements of popular dishes from [Read more…]

Love it or Leave it?: Mega Mickey Gummy

By AJ 17 Comments

While I was researching in Walt Disney World for our DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book last May, I came across…this:

Mickey Gummy

My thoughts on it? Slightly disturbing. And with that milky-fleshy color on Mickey’s face, not very appetizing. It’s along the lines of those [Read more…]

Guest Review: Tutto Italia Food and Wine Pairing at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival

By AJ 6 Comments

Learn About:Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Welcome back Werner Weiss from Yesterland with a review of the Food and Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia that he attended on October 19th! This is one of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival’s popular returning events.

One of the returning premium events for the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is the Italy Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia. This event is held each Wednesday and Saturday for the six weeks of the Festival from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The cost is $65 per person, which includes the gratuity, plus sales tax. Theme park admission is required.

Menu for the Italy Food & Wine Pairing at Tutto Italia on Wednesday October 19, 2011 - click image for larger version

Atmosphere

Here’s how Disney’s official Food & Wine Festival website describes the event: “A wine expert joins a manager from Tutto Italia Ristorante to discuss 4 Italian food courses, each paired with a different wine.”

Wine presenter Vincenzo Protti of Paladin Vigne e Vigne

Over the years, the Italy Food & Wine Pairings have developed a reputation as worthwhile premium events and decent values — especially after the Patina Group’s Tutto Italia replaced the previous restaurant at the Italy pavilion, L’ Originale Alfredo di Roma Ristorante.

The event on October 19, 2011, showed that this reputation is well-earned. A [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Desserts & Champagne and Cheese Booths

By AJ 4 Comments

It’s time for more 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booth food pictures! Today we’re headed to two of what I consider to be the “most improved” booths at the festival this year!

Desserts & Champagne Booth

The Desserts and Champagne booth was moved from it’s former “booth” location to one of the World Showcase Promenade food kiosks this year, giving it a larger space and a fun new facade!

Desserts and Champagne?

Don’t forget to check out hidden Mickey in the giant champagne glass…

Hidden Mickey

We tasted all three desserts available here at the booth, and they were fabulous! While serving sizes weren’t huge, I enjoyed having three different tastes that made up a good sized “dessert.”

The Lemon Chiffon and Tres Leches Verrine were both very good, but the White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse stole the show here! LOVED it.

Lemon Chiffon, Tres Leches Verrine and White Chocolate Macadamia Mousse with Dark Chocolate Pearls -- $1.50 each

You can see more pictures, the full menu, and prices on our Desserts & Champagne Booth Page!

Cheese Booth

Last year’s Cheese booth was [Read more…]

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