Review: Min and Bill's Dockside Diner | the disney food blog

Review: Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Themed after a 1930 MGM film called Min and Bill, Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner offers Disney’s Hollywood Studios guests the chance to relax for a bit and sink their teeth into some pretty unusual menu items.

Atmosphere

You’ll find this spot in the middle of Disney’s Hollywood Studios, nestled on the shores of the lagoon right between Hollywood and Vine and the American Idol attraction.

Shaped like cartoon-y boat “S.S. Down the Hatch,” Min and Bill’s recalls the ship-side location of the film it represents.

Min & Bill's Dockside Diner

Story of the Spot

Be sure to take some time to wander around the boat and check out the themeing. From fun cargo crates nearby (see if you can determine the significance of their shipping addresses!) to interesting [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Cupcakes

By Kim LaPaglia 11 Comments

Thanks for all of the awesome picture submissions to the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza! The photos are incredible! This week, the Disney Food Pics of the Week feature one of our favorite snack items, cupcakes!

To start out, this Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios is gorgeous and delicious. Who needs a meal when you can have this? 😉
Photographer: macnunu

Red Velvet Cheesecake Cupcake

The Zebra Cupcake at Kusafiri Bakery in Animal Kingdom is a fun, contemporary-looking treat that [Read more…]

Disney Food For Families: 11 Tips for Better Disney Character Dining

By Erin 23 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster has some great character meal tips for your fam!

Goofy Poses at Chef Mickey's

I spent a recent weekend reminiscing over old photos, many of which featured family trips to the Disney Parks. While flipping through the albums, one of my girls commented that the photos were, to put it mildly, character meal intensive. So we started counting, going back to my oldest daughter’s first trip to Walt Disney World in May of 1998.

I have photographic evidence of having been to character meals with my family at least 93 times since then. These meals took place at Disneyland, Disneyland Paris, and most predominantly at Walt Disney World, including each of the character meals currently available there, plus the now defunct meals at the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern, Animal Kingdom’s Restaurantosaurus and what is now Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney.

Our single highest visit count is at the Magic Kingdom’s Crystal Palace, with 17 separate visits.

Liberty Tree Tavern character meal. Gone but not forgotten.

After all that eating, and eating, and eating, aaaand eating, we’ve picked up a few tips and tricks along the way that may make your character meal experience even better than it otherwise might be:

1. Decide Why You’re There and Plan Accordingly
While the obvious answer to, “Why are you going to a character meal?” may be, “to eat.” In reality there are a number of reasons why you might find yourself communing with Mickey and a heaping plate of breakfast lasagna. These may include: [Read more…]

Epcot’s San Angel Unveils New Tastes and Atmosphere

By AJ 23 Comments

Inside Mexico’s pyramid in Epcot, the twilight ambiance never ceases to amaze me. After trying to take in all of the Imagineered details, two indoor culinary choices beckon guests to stay a little longer: La Cava del Tequila and the San Angel Inn.

Now, it’s not a huge secret that San Angel Inn has long been a point of contention among Disney fans — some love it; some hate it. Apparently Disney World and restaurant owners San Angel Inn, LLC, are ready to make a few changes to sway the naysayers. Recently, San Angel has added some casual elegant touches!

The round tables have been replaced with [Read more…]

Review: Crew’s Cup Lounge in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

By AJ 22 Comments

Another spot that I consider to be a hidden gem in Disney World is this little wooden bar and lounge that offers a relaxed atmosphere, some decent food and drink, and great service. Crew’s Cup Lounge is located next to Yachtsman Steakhouse in Disney’s Yacht Club Resort — within walking distance of Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Crews Cup is located next to Yachtsman Steakhouse in the Yacht Club Resort

The tiny little lounge packs a big punch when it comes to accessibility, consistency, and relaxation.

Atmosphere

Paneled from floor to ceiling with wood and sporting some very cool light-up rowers “stenciled” across the walls in brass, Crew’s Cup’s atmosphere is clear, but not overwhelming. Complimenting the craftsman-like decor of the Yachtsman Steakhouse next door, this location is cozy and comfortable.

Crew's Cup Booths to the Left and Tables to the Right

Crews Cup Seating

Crew’s Cup is rarely busy and always offers guests a great spot to kick back, have a drink or a light meal, watch the game, or just visit with friends. In fact, when I’m spending a lot of time in Epcot, I’ve found myself relying more and more on the Crew’s Cup Lounge for a quick lunch, a place to [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 10, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta Five Cheese Ravioli

We have two very exciting events coming up soon here on the Disney Food Blog!

First, you’ll be able to purchase tickets for the 2011 WDW Foodie Fest Snack Attack event this week. Second, we’re just about ready to publish our very first DFB Mini-Guide! Stay tuned for details! In the meantime…

Disney Food News

Check out some of the latest news in the Disney food world!

We have a first look at Disneyland’s brand new Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta and Bayside Brews
Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila has dropped several of its appetizers from the menu
The next Disney Cruise Ship — the Fantasy — will include some incredible restaurants and lounges!
Check out another new, sweet addition to Disneyland’s counter-service line-up!

Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Review by AllEars.net

Thanks to AllEars.net blogger Alice McNutt Miller for a fantastic review of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book! Here’s a bit of what she has to say:

I found that while the guide is focused on dining, the advice, tools and tips on budgeting and planning—including choosing resorts and vacation package types—will help the reader plan his or her entire Walt Disney World vacation.

See her full review here!

You can get your copy of the DFB Guide here!

On to the Round-Up!

Thanks to the WDW Today Podcast for the chance to answer listener dining questions with Matt and Len. Listen here! And be sure to tune in on July 31st for the WDW Today Live Show with yours truly!

Team Tizzel reviews each individual course of a visit to the Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table with some fantastic photos! As an aside, Holly and Dave are raising money for the fight against Breast Cancer via Team AllEars!

Disneyland Compendium considers the start of Mickey Mouse pancakes. (Thanks to George Taylor for the heads up.)

Yesterland covers a few of the restaurants that are in Ko Olina, the town surrounding Disney’s new Aulani Resort in Hawaii.

Main Street Gazette heads to Epcot’s Lotus Blossom Cafe!

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World gives us a wrap-up of his weekend eats around Disney World, including yummy trips to Captain Cook’s, Artist Point, and Trail’s End!

Babes in Disneyland reviews the brand new Paradise Garden Grill in Disney California Adventure.

Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Restaurants and Dining Options

By AJ 6 Comments

We had a great time sailing on the Disney Dream and doing a thorough Dine Around in January 2011. During that sailing, DFB researched (um, okay, ate) our way through the bountiful offerings on this all-you-can-eat cruise.

Disney’s next cruise ship, the Fantasy, is set to sail its maiden voyage in March of 2012. The 2,500 passenger ship will be identical in size and layout to the Disney Dream, although the two will not be exactly the same. Let’s review the venues for food and beverages on the Fantasy!

[Read more…]

Hidden Gem: Animal Kingdom’s Royal Anandapur Tea Company

By AJ 24 Comments

I like to play a game with myself at Disney parks. It’s called “pretend I live there and I’m not super rushing to do or see anything.”

While this game isn’t always successful, I’ve found that when I get up early and head into the parks during extra magic hour or right at opening time, I can claim a little bit of peace and quiet in some of the less populated areas. And as Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World is the most beautiful Disney park I’ve been in, it’s one of my favorites to visit in the relative peace of early morning.

Tea Company Sign

At these times, most guests head straight to Expedition Everest; the rest veer left toward Harambe and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Me? I keep on going through Asia toward the very back of the park — to the Anandapur Tea Company — in a section of the park that houses restaurants, walking trails, and a water ride.

Since few people want to do any of those things in the early morning, it can be pretty empty back there, but it’s a great spot to get a mild caffeine fix and some breakfast pastries.

Royal Anandapur Tea Company

Atmosphere

The Tea Company is designed as a regional, Asian tea stop, so there’s lots of [Read more…]

Menu Updates at Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila

By AJ 6 Comments

Update December 2011:

Cava has re-done the menu yet again, bringing back several old favorites! Check out the most recent La Cava del Tequila appetizer menu here.

___
There have been a few changes made to the menu over at La Cava del Tequila in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Mexico pavilion over the past few months, but your favorites are likely still there!

The biggest difference? Many of the original appetizers that were on the menu when La Cava opened are now gone. For apps, you’re limited to Chips and Guacamole, Chips and Salsa, or Shrimp Cocktail.

Appetizer Menu

The great margaritas and the tequila flight are still on board, however, so when it comes to spirits, you’re well taken care of!

Tequla flight

To see the current menu, check out our La Cava del Tequila Menu page!

Guest Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

By AJ 15 Comments

Learn About:Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We travel to the future with Guest Reviewer Bill Iadonisi in his review of the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Finding the restaurant actually open, Bill stopped in for a quick service bite to eat!

It’s been quite a while since I have dined at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. One reason is that this counter-service eatery has for several years been opened seasonally; if the crowds at the Magic Kingdom swell, it will open to handle the overflow of hungry guests. But today, my friend John (Disney Food Blog readers know him as Chef BigFatPanda!) and I decided to have lunch and do a review.

Entrance walkway

Atmosphere

When the Magic Kingdom first opened, this was known as the Plaza Pavilion, which served pizza and burgers. In 2004, it was closed for refurb and returned as the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. For you history and trivia buffs, “Tomorrowland Terrace” was the name of the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant that once occupied the [Read more…]

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