Review: Paradiso 37 Drinks, Appetizers, and Dessert

Paradiso 37 in Orlando’s Downtown Disney has been one of my favorite tapas and drinks places in Walt Disney World since it opened on Pleasure Island back in 2009 (…back when Pleasure Island was Pleasure Island).

Today, even though Paradiso has lost a few of its neighbors, it’s still going strong (in my opinion) and offering some of my favorite appetizers and margaritas on property.

A few weeks ago, Erin Foster and I stopped into Paradiso (at my urging — I hadn’t been there in WAY too long) for some eats and treats.

Paradiso 37 Entrance

Atmosphere

Once again, I was reminded when walking into Paradiso 37 that this restaurant is all about fun — and all different kinds of fun at that!

The martini-glass-and-tequila-bottle chandelier hanging over the foyer is a good indication that this restaurant means business when it comes to happy hour.

Paradiso 37 Bar Glasses Chandelier

And the floor-to-ceiling tequila bar centerpiece showcases [Read more…]

News: Hoop Dee Doo Revue Changes in Walt Disney World

By AJ 9 Comments

Disney World’s Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue Dinner Show has undergone some significant changes over the past few weeks. Due to contractual, copyright, and legal issues, some of the show’s songs have been eliminated from the performance — including the well known “Hoop Dee Doo Polka” that started every show!

Here is a video which includes the original opening number:

And here is its replacement…

See the full brand new version of Hoop Dee Doo Revue here:

Hope the Strawberry Shortcake song isn’t going anywhere…! See our review of the food here.

Have you seen the new version? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Disney Food Post Round-Up: September 11, 2011

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Donald Duck announces new lunch!

It was an exciting week with the announcement of a new character meal hosted by Donald Duck that will be offered at Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom.

And we’re getting so close to the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival now that we’re already planning our touring strategy. You can too — just check out the information in our mini-guide below! We got some great reviews this week!

Latest Disney Food News

Starting December 4th, a Tusker House character lunch will be offered in addition to Donald’s Safari Breakfast!
Disney Parks exclusive wines will be debuting at the Food and Wine Festival!
Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road announced a Thanksgiving meal in addition to its regular lunch and dinner menu.
‘AMA’AMA at Disney’s new Aulani Resort in Hawai’i is now serving guests! Check out this dinner review.

The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book Review

We’re honored that our newest Mini-Guide is getting such positive reviews! One of the most recent is from Kristin Ford with the Orlando Sentinel’s A Mom and A Mouse! Here’s some of what she has to say about the Mini-Guide…

Like her other projects, AJ Wolfe’s new e-book is thorough. She, of course, explains the many components of the festival, such as seminars, celebrity chef meet-and-greets, signature tastings and concerts. It’s all valuable information laid out in an easy-to-find and easy-to-read format. …I especially like the “With the Kids Strategy” in The Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. Wolfe offers ideas to engage the kids throughout the park so that the family is moving around World Showcase, allowing parents to sample much of the food.

Read the rest of the review here. Thanks to Kristin and the Orlando Sentinel!!

The Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book has over 125 pages of information you need to dive right into the festival. Start YOUR planning with the purchase of your guide.

On to the Round-Up!

Meet the World in Progressland

Has a compilation of photos of Tokyo Disney Resort’s popcorn stands! This is from 2009, but it’s awesome! Love the Roastie-Toasties!

The Disney Blog tells us how to eat cheap at Disneyland!

Main Street Gazette takes us to the River Roost Lounge for evening entertainment and eats! Yee-Haa!!

Eating (and Drinking) Around The World shows us how to make Tuna Poke, Aulani Style!

All Ears Net‘s Jack Spence talks restaurants at Epcot’s France Pavilion. We love it when he does that.

DisMarks has released their 29th Disney Blog Carnival! Lots of great articles on your favorite topics over there.

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We’re thinking today of the men and women who lost their lives on 9/11/01 and of the friends and family they left behind, many of whom are still fighting fear and loss with strength and resilience.

Exclusive New Wines to Debut at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival

By Kim LaPaglia 7 Comments

Wine lovers will want to visit the Enoteca Castello wine shop in the Italy pavilion during this year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival, where they can sample two new wines exclusive to the Disney Parks.

For $6 per glass, they’ll be pouring these two new wines from the Sogno d’Ialia label, which means “dream of Italy”. If one (or both ;-)) are to your liking, bottles can be purchased at Enoteca Castello or The Cellar in the Festival Welcome Center for $16.95 each. The wines are made in [Read more…]

Giant Rice Krispie Treat Heads

By AJ 11 Comments

Every once in a while I find it imperative that I share very important news with you lot, and today is just one of those days.

I need to let you know that right now — for the low, low price of just $49.95 — you, too, can have your very own Giant Rice Krispie Treat Head.

And it’s not just any Giant Rice Krispie Treat Head, no sir! It’s Mickey and Minnie shaped and decorated Giant Rice Krispie Treat Heads!

Mickey Head

Minnie Head

Now, I know you think I’m being [Read more…]

Disney World’s Raglan Road Offers Special Thanksgiving Meal

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Downtown Disney’s Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant has announced a Thanksgiving dinner with lots of trimmings.

Gather your family and friends for a memorable meal in this authentic pub built in Ireland and imported to Orlando! The warm hospitality and traditional music is an inviting atmosphere for a holiday dinner.

Raglan Road’s Master Chef Kevin Dundon has created a gorgeous meal for the evening. Savor Bunratty Mead glazed turkey; butter whipped potatoes; apple, sage, & sweet onion stuffing; braised Brussels sprouts; cranberry & plum chutney; and traditional gravy; all for $26.95 plus tax.

If you’d like to skip the feast, Raglan Road will also serve [Read more…]

The Legend of Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

By AJ 7 Comments

Learn About:Artist Point

Disney World Restaurants

Welcome guest author Kevin Carpenter who brings us the back-story of the Wilderness Lodge Resort’s Artist Point. Kevin works in professional soccer and has contributed to Celebrations Magazine and ESPN Cleveland. You can follow him on twitter at @kejcarpenter. Thanks, Kevin, for taking us back in time…

Artist Point at Wilderness Lodge remains one of the most popular destinations for a fine dining experience on Disney property. Whether it is the restaurant’s ambience or famous berry cobbler, guests have flocked to Artist Point since its opening.

Yet few know Disney’s “official” backstory for the resort’s flagship dining establishment. The stories that WDW creates around its restaurants, hotels, and attractions help establish the extraordinary attention to detail that is the foundation of these well-known areas of Disney World.

Disney's Wilderness Lodge

During Wilderness Lodge’s first few years, all guests would receive a copy of the Silver Creek Star newspaper upon check-in. While this newspaper included information on the resort and various guest amenities, a closer read reveals its true treasure: the Disney-created mythology behind the Wilderness Lodge and, for our purposes, Artist Point.

Wilderness Lodge and Artist Point both officially opened in 1994, but that is not how the Silver Creek Star remembers it…

The Silver Creek Star

The History of Artist Point

Filled with inspiration by the stories of Lewis and Clark, Colonel Ezekiel Moreland set out for the American West in 1822. On his travels, the Colonel made a discovery that would change his life forever: Silver Creek Springs. His prize, a valley full of unrivaled natural splendor, would eventually house the Wilderness Lodge.

The Colonel quickly sent for his daughter to join him at the new settlement. Genevieve Moreland, known to her friends as Jenny, worked back east as an art curator before receiving her father’s summons into the wilderness. Prior to her departure, though, Jenny met Frederich Alonzo Gustaf, the man for whom Artist Point would one day be named. A young Austrian artist, Gustaf dreamed of capturing the majesty of America’s West on his canvas and so joined [Read more…]

News: Tusker House Announces New Character Lunch Starting December 4

By Kim LaPaglia 25 Comments

Jambo! I just love when a new character meal is added to our Disney World dining options! Tusker House Restaurant in the Animal Kingdom’s Harambe area will begin offering character lunches on December 4th!

Donald and Daisy Duck are taking on extra hours as Donald’s Safari Breakfast will still be offered daily!

Donald Duck announces new lunch!

Donald’s Dining Safari Lunch will be hosted by Donald and Daisy Duck while guests sample delicious all-you-can-eat spit-roasted meats, unique salads, vegetarian options, hearty stews and [Read more…]

Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges

By AJ 68 Comments

South African Wine at Jiko

When it comes to a happy hour beverage, a night out with your spouse or some friends, or — let’s face it — a margarita at the stroke of noon…there are a few spots in Walt Disney World that get the job done better than others!

FYI — The Disney Food Blog offers a full list of bars and lounges — complete with descriptions of each place — in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book.

Now, let’s take a tour of our Top Ten Disney World bars and lounges — these are the places that really make us want to get up and dance. 😉

Don’t forget to check out our list of Honorable Mentions at the end! Many of these spots offer the standard Disney Parks bar and lounge menu should you be interested.

Top Ten WDW Bars and Lounges

1. Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Tiki Terrace

We were so excited when Trader Sam’s came to the east coast, and it has proved itself to be every bit as fun and exciting as its Disneyland counterpart. Located at Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s transports you to the tropics and slings some funky attitude along with its awesome drinks. Step into the whacky Grog Grotto, where some of the drinks come with a show.
[Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Restaurant Atmosphere

By Kim LaPaglia 3 Comments

The pictures that we’ve received at the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza are decadent! We love looking at your foodie photos — thanks for submitting them to the group!

The Disney Food Pics of the Week this week feature restaurant atmosphere. It’s more than their real estate that makes these places special. Sometimes the atmosphere even outshines the food!

It’s always a starry night inside Epcot’s Mexico pavilion where San Angel Inn serves delicious cuisine. Ask for a water-side table for extra romance or to allow kids to wave to the boats floating by!
Photographer: Mi-Wu / Malima Wolf

: San Angel Inn

Via Napoli is located in Epcot’s World Showcase. Stroll the Italy pavilion before making your way to Via Napoli for a [Read more…]

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