DIY Magical Drinks: Enchanted Tiki Drink

Our own Chef BigFatPanda is back with a thirst-quenching new drink recipe inspired by a classic Disney attraction! As you know, Chef’s DIY Disney column here on the Disney Food Blog provides us with simple directions to make recipes that bring some WDW magic to our homes. His latest concoction in the DIY Magical Drinks series honors the Enchanted Tiki Room. This beverage may induce spontaneous singing! “In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room”! Take it away, Chef!

Enchanted Tiki

Just in time for summer! A Tropical Serenade! Welcome to a Tropical Hideaway, you lucky people you!

This Pina Colada style drink is made with a special Seven Tiki Spiced Rum. It has hints of Madagascar Vanilla and makes for a unique refreshing island enchantment.

Seven Tiki Brand Spiced Rum is delicious and very strong at 70 proof, so be careful not to anger the Tiki Gods!

Seven Tiki Brand Spiced Rum

INGREDIENTS: [Read more…]

Best Places to Eat Outside at Disney World and Disneyland

By AJ 12 Comments

While the heat can sometimes be overbearing, there are plenty of months during the year when dining outside in Orlando and Anaheim can be quite pleasant!

View From Front Patio at Epcot's Rose and Crown Restaurant

Readers and Facebook Friends chimed in on the best places to eat OUTSIDE in Disney World and Disneyland via the Disney Food Blog’s Facebook page. The top votes went to Flame Tree Barbecue, Rose & Crown, and Casey’s Corner at Walt Disney World for their outdoor ambiance. The most suggested outdoor locations at Disneyland were Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Hungry Bear!

Walt Disney World

It can get hot in Orlando, but throughout much of the year it can be lovely to dine outside! Here are the restaurants that took the top spots for outdoor dining in Disney World:

Flame Tree Barbecue
The Animal Kingdom’s attention to detail is exemplary, so it’s no surprise that Flame Tree Barbecue was the most mentioned outdoor locale!

The best seats are found near the water overlooking the Discovery River, where a water-side pavilion provides a shady respite. Despite the beauty of this location, Lori W., Heather W., and D.J. R. warned about the “aggressive birds” looking to partake of your counter-service meal.

Your View From the Flame Tree Barbecue

John G. remarked “No seating is better than [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: First Look — Bayside Brews

By Heather 9 Comments

Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers snuck in a quick trip to the brand new Bayside Brews in Disney California Adventure before leaving for her Disney cruise! Thanks, Heather!

If you are looking for beer other than Peroni or Bud Light, which you can get at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, check out the new Bayside Brews stand!

Bayside Brews

It’s directly in front of the new restaurants at Paradise Pier and features 6 different beers as well as [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: DCA’s New Eats — Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta

By Heather 9 Comments

Disneyland food guru (and our Dining in Disneyland columnist), Heather Sievers, fit a visit to the brand new Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at Disney California Adventure into a packed weekend! Check out her review!

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta Entrance

Last Friday, three new establishments opened up at Disney California Adventure and, honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be able to check them out until August. Why am I gone for a month you ask? Well, as you read this, my family and I are on our way to Barcelona to board the Disney Magic for an amazing Mediterranean cruise (yes, you will hear much more about this at a later date!).

The new eateries are located in the Paradise Pier section of DCA and include Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Garden Grill, & a beer vendor called Bayside Brews (Editor’s Note: A first look at Bayside Brews is coming up later today).

Anyhow, in between packing and preparing, I just HAD to squeeze in a trip over to DCA to check out the new food. Unfortunately, I was only able to eat at Pizza Omm Mow Mow’s replacement: Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.

Atmosphere

When we first walked up, I noticed immediately how amazing the new dining area was. Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is right next door to the Paradise Garden Grill (formerly known as Burger Invasion, aka McDonald’s). So, the enormous seating area is shared by these two establishments.

First View Upon Entrance

We loved the openness of the area and also appreciated that there were options for [Read more…]

Review: Wolfgang Puck Cafe

By AJ 19 Comments

Learn About:Wolfgang Puck Cafe and The Dining Room

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Wolfgang Puck is the epitome of “celebrity chef.” Having successfully taken LA and several other USA cities by storm, he’s created a global empire (and worldwide name recognition) the likes of which have yet to be attained by any other chef that I know of.

Puck’s empire exists in Disney World’s Downtown Disney in the form of two counter-service restaurants, both named Wolfgang Puck Express; and two table-service restaurants — Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Dining Room.

On our visit, we headed to Wolfgang Puck Cafe — the less upscale and more boisterous of the two table-service restaurants — found in Downtown Disney’s West End.

Upon entering, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. On any given evening, this restaurant is bustling. During busy dinner hours, it’s loud (due to the echoing-ly high ceilings and tile decor), colorful, and energetic.

Sushi Bar

The bright colors and geometric shapes of the decor here will remind 80’s kids of [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 3, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Happy July 4th weekend! We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend no matter where you are! Be safe, and if you’re in a Disney park or resort and eating something wonderful, let us know!

Also, here’s a fun tip for this weekend: Disney Food Blog t-shirts are 17.76% off through Monday over at the Disney Food Blog Store! Just use code: LANDOFTHETEE at check-out! 🙂

One of our personal favorites is that I <3 Mickey Bars shirt to the right, but there are plenty of styles that will fit everyone’s taste, including Disney Food Blog logo shirts.

Latest Disney Food News

Check out the latest!

Some fun July 4th treats popped up in Disney World this weekend!
2011 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages should be available soon.
Announcing the Snack Attack, Featuring DFB Favorites, IlllumiNations Dessert party on October 4th! This is part of our annual WDW Foodie Fest week of events!

I also want to let you know that our very first Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide is right around the corner! It should be available very soon, so stay tuned!

Until then, if you don’t already have a copy of our 250-page Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book, you can get yours right here! Click the link for reviews, testimonials, sample pages, Bonus gifts, and more!

2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival News

We have continuously updated, in-depth coverage of the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!

This week, Raglan Road announced its Signature Dinner, which will take place on October 18th!

Now, On to the Round-Up!

WDW for Grown-Ups

discusses healthy eating options at WDW.

Stuff From the Park shows us Mickey next to a Pepsi machine!

AKL Resort has recommendations for Animal Kingdom Lodge drinks.

Main Street Gazette takes us to Pleasure Island and reviews Raglan Road.

It’s A Dramaful Life gives us a personal look at the Dine With An Imagineer program including the menu and keepsake gifts.

Disney Parks Blog highlights an exclusive bottle of Cognac delivered to the Disney Dream via limo!

DisneyTouristBlog offers a glimpse of Club 33, complete with his outstanding brand of photography.

Touring Plans demonstrates how you can stop for breakfast and still stick to a good touring plan!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, all!

Fourth of July Themed Snacks at Walt Disney World

By Kim LaPaglia 3 Comments

Thanks to Rikki Niblett of the Be Our Guest podcast for spotting these decorative treats commemorating our nation’s upcoming holiday!

While the wonderful World of Disney can be absolutely jam-packed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, grabbing one of these treats might help the crowd-packed park seem just a bit more sweet. Or the sugar high will at least give you a boost for the next line that you encounter. 😉

Check out these cute red, white, and blue holiday caramel apples! I like the giant star decorations at the top.

An apple a day...

And it looks like these patriotic cupcakes might actually be layered red, white, and blue! (I wonder if the blue is a different flavor! If anyone’s in the World and [Read more…]

Celebrate with a Chocolate Cinderella Slipper

By Kim LaPaglia 13 Comments

Learn About:Cinderella’s Royal Table

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

There are plenty of ways to celebrate with dining at Walt Disney World. And especially fitting for little princesses, romantic couples, and chocolate-lovers, the Cinderella Slipper Dessert is a decadent way to celebrate your special occasion. This dessert is exceptionally rich, and I suggest ordering one to share!

Celebrate Like Cinderella

Indulge in the chocolate slipper at Cinderella’s Royal Table, the Grand Floridian’s table-service restaurants (Citricos, 1900 Park Fare, Grand Floridian Cafe, Narcoossee’s, Victoria and Albert’s), or during afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge overlooking the beautiful Grand Floridian courtyard. You may also enjoy it at the Contemporary Resort’s restaurants California Grill and The Wave.

But you’ll need to pre-order this special treat (and lock in an Advance Dining Reservation at the restaurant of your choice!). See below for specific resort/restaurant phone numbers.

For guests dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom, your slipper special-order will be a white or milk chocolate “glass” slipper filled to the brim (and beyond) with chocolate mousse. A raspberry coulis and fresh berries are artistically added to the plate.

chocolate slipper

Grand Floridian diners will receive a white chocolate version filled with delicious cream and crowned with raspberries. Accompanying the slipper is a [Read more…]

2011 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages

By Kim LaPaglia 9 Comments

Walt Disney World’s beloved Candlelight Processional will be held November 25 – December 30, 2011.

This festive event celebrates the holiday season with a choir performance and the reading of the Christmas Story by celebrity narrators. Seats at the nightly performances are highly coveted resulting in lines that can be hours in length. While the performance is free to all guests of Epcot, the purchase of a Candlelight Processional Dinner Package will give your party guaranteed access to one of the shows that evening.

Lunch and Dinner Packages include:

Appetizer
Entree
Dessert
Non-alcoholic beverage
OR full buffet where applicable
Guaranteed seating at the Candlelight Processional show
Pre-arranged Fireworks Viewing Area

Cost

Disney Dining PlanStandard and Deluxe Dining

– 2 table service credits per person for any meal/restaurant
Premium and Platinum Dining – 1 table service credit per person for any meal/restaurant

Out of Pocket
Biergarten
Lunch – Adult $32.99 Child $17.99
Dinner – Adult $50.99 Child $25.99

Nine Dragons
Lunch – Adult $38.99 Child $12.99
Dinner – Adult $49.99 Child $15.99

Restaurant Marrakesh
Lunch – Adult $38.99 Child $12.99
Dinner – Adult $49.99 Child $15.99

Rose and Crown
Lunch – Adult $38.99 Child $12.99
Dinner – Adult $49.99 Child $15.99

Via Napoli
Lunch – Adult $38.99 Child $12.99
Dinner – Adult $49.99 Child $15.99

San Angel Inn
Lunch – Adult $38.99 Child $12.99
Dinner – Adult $49.99 Child $15.99

Coral Reef
Lunch – Adult $51.99 Child $13.99
Dinner – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Teppan Edo
Lunch – Adult $51.99 Child $13.99
Dinner – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Tokyo Dining
Lunch – Adult $51.99 Child $13.99
Dinner – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Tutto Italia
Lunch – Adult $51.99 Child $13.99
Dinner – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Chefs de France
Lunch – Adult $51.99 Child $13.99
Dinner – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Garden Grill
Dinner – Adult $52.99 Child $26.99

Le Cellier
Lunch – Adult $53.99 Child $14.99

La Hacienda de San Angel
Lunch – Adult $64.99 Child $17.99

Narrator, Steven Curtis Chapman

Package Booking
Dining packages for the 2011 Holiday Season are available now. Call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463!

Narrators

Mira Sorvino – 11/25 – 27
Michael W. Smith – 11/28 – 12/1
Geena Davis – 12/2 – 3
Edward James Olmos – 12/4 – 6
Isabella Rossellini – 12/7 – 9
Neil Patrick Harris – 12/10 – 12
Lorraine Bracco – 12/13 – 15
Chita Rivera – 12/16 – 18
Trace Adkins – 12/19 – 21
Susan Lucci – 12/22 – 24
Blair Underwood – 12/25 – 27
Marlee Matlin – 12/28 – 30

Watch for more information regarding narrators

at 2011 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages!

“Food Network Challenge: Star Wars Cakes” This Weekend

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Celebrating the grand reopening of Disney’s Star Tours attraction that debuted in May, The Food Network will showcase a new episode of Food Network Challenge – “Star Wars Cakes”!

Using The Force to shield the Dark Side, four cake artists will face off in this galactic battle to re-create Star Wars cakes. Beware of Jedi mind tricks! Will a sensory distraction such as the smell of WDW caramel corn be unleashed?

Darth Vader Cupcake

The challenger that presents an epic cake wins $10,000 and a trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. (Lucky ducks.)

Set your coordinates for one of these showings (Eastern Time Zone):
July 3 at 8:00 PM
July 4, 2011 3:00 AM
July 4, 2011 11:00 PM

See the Star Wars items that were on sale during Star Wars weekends this year.

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED