Disney Food for Families: It's a World of Candy | the disney food blog

Disney Food for Families: It’s a World of Candy

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster and her daughters toured World Showcase with an eye for candy!

You’ve probably heard of the Drink-Around-The-World activity where you and some strong-stomached companions visit each country at Epcot’s World Showcase and partake of a signature adult beverage in every land. Sounds good to me too, but unfortunately that’s not going to work when your touring partners are a couple of 11-year-old girls.

When my twin daughters, Josie and Louisa, and I were recently faced with an afternoon at Epcot and a two-hour wait for Soarin’, we decided to do what any good Disney foodie would do: eat. Specifically we decided to undertake the G-rated version of country crawl: Candy-Around-The-World.

World Showcase

We set up a few rules for ourselves:

We had to buy and sample a candy in each Epcot country. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s got to do it. 🙂
The candy had to be as native as possible.
When in doubt, get a recommendation from a cast member from the represented country.

And off we went to create an international sugar coma. When we started our trek, we happened to be near [Read more…]

DIY Disney Magical Drinks: The Mad Hatter

By AJ 6 Comments

Chef BigFatPanda is back with a new addition to the Disney Food Blog! We all know and love the Chef’s DIY Disney column here on the Food Blog, which gives us handy directions on how to make our favorite Disney recipes at home.

But Chef BigFatPanda’s latest introduction to the column is a series of unique magical drinks that we can all taste-test at home. To kick off this new series, the Chef has created a drink that’s perfect for those who love things both sweet and sour!

Mad Hatter

This drink, appropriately called The Mad Hatter, combines the kick of Vodka, the sweetness of Midori, and an extra little bit of flavor with some Sweet & Sour. Altogether, this drink will surely make you think of that sometimes sweet…and sometimes sour…character from Alice in Wonderland — the Mad Hatter! See the green of his hat and the yellow of his coat?

Magical Drinks

Here’s the Chef’s original recipe for this fun drink! [Read more…]

Guest Review: Specialty Hot Dogs at The Lunching Pad

By AJ 8 Comments

During a weekend visit to the Magic Kingdom, Sarah Holodick continued taste testing hot dogs with a stop at The Lunching Pad. Our thanks for taking on this hot dog throw down! Take it away, Sarah!

After having an awesome experience at Casey’s Corner, Matt and I wanted to continue our hot dog throw down with the dogs at The Lunching Pad. We noticed last summer when the new dogs were introduced (I wish they had kept the Reuben Dog!), but we never made it over until now.

Since the Coney Island Dog seemed pretty basic, we decided on the Philly Cheese Steak Hot Dog and the Taco Hot Dog.

Hot Dog selection

The cheese steak dog is topped with beef, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese sauce. The taco dog is served with [Read more…]

Tables in Wonderland: May 2011 Events

By Kim LaPaglia 7 Comments

Check out these fun May 2011 Tables in Wonderland events in Walt Disney World!! Details can be found below the photos. Click on photos for larger version!

click image for larger version

Flower Power Happy Hour

Date and Time:

Sunday May 8, 2011 6:00pm – 8:30pm
Location: American Adventure Parlor at Epcot
Cost:$35 per person, gratuity is included

The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival is a special spring event filled with a colorful array of flowers, lush gardens, topiaries, live music, unique shopping, and educational programs. On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during the festival, finish off the day with a melodious evening at the America Gardens Theatre adjacent to the American Adventure Pavilion and enjoy music from the 1960s and 1970s during the Flower Power Concert Series. Join your fellow Tables in Wonderland members for a cocktail hour and then reserved seating for the concert of the ever-so-dreamy Davy Jones, best known as the front man for the 60’s sensation “The Monkees”.

Click on image above for menu.

For reservations, e-mail [email protected] with the following information: your interest to book, your name, daytime phone number, home address, and the number of people in your party. You will be notified on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Your credit card will be taken over the phone once your reservation is confirmed. The event is limited to 60 Guests. The event is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members.

Illuminations Dessert Party

Date:

Sunday May 28, 2011
Time: 8:00pm – 9:30pm
Location: Isle de France at Epcot
Cost: $50.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.

Platters of rich, moist, delectable, and delicious desserts. A sky filled with glowing balls of fire and emblazoned with piercing streaks of light. The evening air rich with the sounds of an orchestral score. You are invited to a private Tables in Wonderland Dessert Party! Come enjoy a front row presentation of the premier nighttime spectacular at Epcot, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, while you sample platters of exquisitely prepared delectable desserts and rich coffees.

Click above image for menu.

For reservations, e-mail [email protected] with the following information: your interest to book, your name, daytime phone number, home address, and the number of people in your party. You will be notified on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Your credit card will be taken over the phone once your reservation is confirmed. The event is limited to 100 Guests. The event is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members.

The Wave . . . of American Flavors Discovery Dinner

Date:

Thursday, May 19, 2011
Time: 6:30 p.m. Reception; 7 p.m. Dinner
Location: The Wave . . . of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Please meet at restaurant’s main podium.
Dress: Casual Evening Attire
Price: $92 per person, includes tax and gratuity

Highlighting Hank Scott, President of Long & Scott Farms, who represents the third generation of the Scott family’s farming tradition. Scott Farms was established in 1963 by Billy Long and Frank Scott, Jr. who were childhood friends from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Hank, who has worked on the farm since he was a boy, returned to the farm full-time after graduating from the University of South Florida.

Click on image above for menu.

For reservations, e-mail [email protected] with the following information: your interest to book, your name, daytime phone number, home address, and the number of people in your party. You will be notified on a “first-come, first-served” basis. Your credit card will be taken over the phone once your reservation is confirmed. The event is limited to 44 Guests. The event is exclusive to Tables in Wonderland members.

New! Dessert Trays at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 14 Comments

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has unveiled new desserts. Check out these dessert trays! They are totally unique and make dessert on-the-go a delicious adventure! No word on exactly WHEN they’re sold, but we’re told you can find them at Hollywood Scoops.

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Fantasmic Sweet Treats Tray is Key-Lime Pie, Tiramisu, blueberry cheesecake, Mickey Brownie, and Raspberry Cake. This costs $13.99. With sparkling wine, it’s $19.99.

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The Evening Delight Tray is brie and cheddar cheese, fresh fruits, and chocolate-dipped strawberries. This costs $11.99. With sparking line, it’s $17.99.

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The Just Goodies Tray has pretzel sticks dipped in chocolate and candies, and strawberries and marshmallows with a chocolate dipping sauce. This costs $11.99. There’s no sparkling wine option here.

click image for larger version

These remind me a little bit of the Fantasmic’s Premium Viewing Dessert Trays in Disneyland! Do you think they might start a dessert event at Disney World’s Fantasmic, too?!

A special thanks to Shelley Carran at OntheGoinMCO.com for sending us the scoop on these desserts!

Review: Wilderness Lodge’s Artist Point

By AJ 15 Comments

Learn About:Artist Point

Disney World Restaurants

Ah, Artist Point. This restaurant and I have had a love-hate relationship, to be sure. On my first visit, I loved it. But after the second visit, I wasn’t chomping at the bit to go back.

On my third visit last December, I was in heaven.

Atmosphere
Artist Point is one of Disney’s lesser-known signature restaurants (read about the dress code here). Located in Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort, it specializes in cuisine inspired by the American Northwest (think salmon, big game meat, apples, berries, and mushrooms, for starters).

Entry

The high-ceilinged restaurant is understated, decorated with muted earth tones and a mix of light and dark wood. Chunky craftsman-style chandeliers punctuate the dining room, and soaring murals of Pacific Northwest scenes provide a [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: April 24, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Wilderness Lodge Carrot Cake Cupcake

Hi all!! Happy Easter to all who celebrate it! 🙂 We’ve got a TON of news this week, so let’s get started.

First of all, the 2011 WDW Foodie Fest, our Disney Food Blog meet-up, has been announced! The main event will be on October 2nd in Disney World, and we’ll be having several events throughout the week as well! Find out more about the WDW Foodie Fest here.

Latest Disney Food News

A new carrot cupcake was unveiled at the Wilderness Lodge
The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek is offering packages to marathon runners
Rose and Crown has a new appetizer trio
2011 Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend Events encourage guests to run, taste and sip
Tables in Wonderland released more information on the Cairo dinner
New foodie vinylmations and pins make great collectibles

Recent Reviews of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining

And of course we have to highlight the great folks who are giving us a review of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining — our new e-Book! Do you have your copy?

Imaginerding, the last word in Disney books of any kind, highlights the reasons the book should be added to your WDW planning library. Read his review here.

Travel Hyper recommends the book for guests with dietary concerns and International travelers looking for information on gratuities. It is also noted that the book is even helpful to seasoned WDW visitors. Read her review here.

Now, On to the Round-Up!

A Wedding Cake Blog

shows us an elegant Disney wedding cake!

DisneyContemporary.com polls Facebook fans for Contemporary Resort restaurant favorites — past and present!

Main Street Gazette goes nutty with a favorite salty/sweet snack at WDW.

Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups reminisces about Epcot’s Kitchen Kabaret Revue.

Studios Central has some tips for your next Character Meal!

All Ears’ Searching Disney With Steve highlights a hidden Mickey in Disneyland’s Rancho del Zocalo!

Disney Parks Blog tells us what munchies can be found at Disneyland’s hotel lounges.

2011 WDW Foodie Fest

By AJ 6 Comments

Hey all! I’m happy to announce the…

Last year, the Disney Food Blog held its first annual WDW Foodie Fest during the opening weekend of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and we had the opportunity to enjoy the company of over 300 fellow Disney food fans!

This year, we’re holding the event again during the first weekend of the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival — along with a few extra events during the first week in October — and can’t wait to see you there!

2011 WDW Foodie Fest Main Event

When:

October 2nd, 11am-1pm
Where: Ariel’s at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
What: Food, fun, games, and prizes — including another scavenger hunt through Epcot!
Cost: FREE!

2011 WDW Foodie Fest Week Events

Stay tuned for more information about smaller meet-ups and exclusive events during the week of October 2-8, 2011! Some of these will be free, but a few might be be ticket-only events.

GET MORE INFO!

Sign up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to be the first to get info about the 2011 WDW Foodie Fest (this might be particularly important for any limited access, ticketed events!).

Also, follow us over on facebook and twitter!

Finally, check out the WDW Foodie Fest website to register for the event and see updates.

Guest Review: Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot

By AJ 28 Comments

Learn About:Nine Dragons Restaurant

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Our Guest Reviewer today, Derek Newton, shares a critical review of Nine Dragons in Disney World’s Epcot. Let us know your own personal experiences at this restaurant in the comments below!

As a restaurant in one of Epcot’s original countries, Nine Dragons at the China pavilion is often overlooked. It should be. I wanted to write that Nine Dragons deserves a second look, but one look was enough.

Atmosphere
We chose Nine Dragons because it was one of perhaps two or three restaurants in Epcot we had not tried. Our reservation was for 7:30 pm on a Friday and we arrived early (by a good 20 minutes) to find the undersized reception area literally overflowing with guests.

After finally making my way to the check-in desk and having my name located on the reservation list, I was given a light-up, vibrating coaster similar to those guests receive at suburban chain restaurants like Chili’s or Friday’s. The comparison was truer than I knew.

To the staff’s credit, we were seated in fewer than five minutes – still 15 minutes before our reservation time. And in general, the staff from reservation desk to wait staff did their best to accommodate a cramped, uninspired décor and predictable, bland menu.

Before being seated it was clear Nine Dragons was no place for [Read more…]

New Disney Bubble Gum Vinylmation and Food Pins

By AJ 5 Comments

We love collectibles that depict food and beverages — especially if they’re Disney-related! Here are a few new ones we’ve found!

Vinylmation Limited Edition Bubble Gum Set
Just released today, this Vinylmation Gumball Machine and bubble-blowing kid set is a limited edition of just 1000!!

Vinylmation Urban 6 Series 9'' Figure -- Gumball Machine with 3'' Kid

Thanks to StitchKingdom for the heads up!

Breakfast Pins
These cute Open Edition pins were released in WDW and Disneyland on March 31, 2011 and are sold as individual sets for $10.95.

The Mickey Mouse Donut and Tea pin starts your Disney Day with a sprinkled donut and tea with two sugar cubes. No trip to Disney in the near future? You can use Mail Order! Just request SKU 22051305.

donut and tea pin

We like menu choices! And this pin offers orange juice with toast, eggs and bacon. To order by mail, reference SKU 2051251.

Orange Juice and Toast pin

Here’s a tribute to the popular Mickey Mouse Waffle! And that’s gotta be Kona coffee, right?! Order# 2051299 if you can’t wait for your next vacation to Disney to [Read more…]

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