Disney Food for Families: It's a World of [Better] Candy

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

As we celebrate the USA today, Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster is back with some very good news about the candy sold at Epcot’s America pavilion!

America Pavilion in Epcot

Regular Disney Food Blog readers may remember that a few weeks back I wrote about my family’s epic quest to consume candy in each of Epoct World Showcase’s eleven countries.

Several of the countries sold a bonanza of fabulous treats, making it difficult to choose just one. (I’m talking to you Japan, Italy, and France.) But I bemoaned the fact that there was very little candy in the America pavilion, and what was there was a tired replay of the Disney branded candy available in every other merchandise location on property. I suggested that Disney rev up its offerings by including “American nostalgic or regional specialty candies” or sweets from an American candy company like Hershey or Mars.

So imagine my surprise and delight when I took a spin through Epcot recently, walked into the America pavilion and saw this — an entire wall, plus two double-sided, free-standing display racks, of American nostalgic and regional specialty candies and sweets from Hershey and Mars, which according to super-helpful cast member Chris from Orlando, had been installed just the day before my arrival. It’s like they knew I was coming. SCORE!

Cast member Chris gives the Vanna treatment to some of the new candy

I’m not naive enough to really think that my post had anything to do with this magical transformation. I’m sure the pace of change at Disney merchandising runs much more slowly than that. But just for a minute now, I’m going to [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: May 29, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Welcome to the round-up!!

In Disney food news this week:

Disneyland’s new Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s opened at the Disneyland Hotel!
We have a menu and photos from the new Animal Kingdom Lodge Dine With An Animal Specialist opportunity!
The official schedule of Eat to the Beat concerts and the theme of this year’s festival have been revealed! We also know some of the new booths for this year! Keep an eye on our 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for more details on the festival!
Star Wars Weekends in Disney World feature some Star Wars yummy, sweet snacks.
The Disney World Swan and Dolphin released special packages and details for their July 2nd BBQ Bash and the 2011 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!
Disneyland’s Corn Dog Castle has re-opened!
There’s a new Disney Princess cupcake cookbook for sale…

Memorial Day Weekend Sale and More Accolades for the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!

Yep! We’re celebrating this important weekend with a special discount for our readers on our critically acclaimed e-Book! Use code: Memorial at the check out to get a 20% discount on the regular price of the book. Click here to get your copy!

Also, thanks to Main St. Gazette for a great review of the guide! Here’s what he has to say: This incredible volume presents well-researched, critical information about dining in Walt Disney World in a bright, fun manner. The digital availability of The DFB Guide to Disney World Dining will keep weight out of your touring backpack, while saving you valuable time and money. Just be sure not to page through this guide on an empty stomach!

Check out the full review here! And see sample pages, testimonials, and more about the guide here!

On to the Round-Up

A Wedding Cake Blog

features a Mad Hatter wedding cake from the special Will and Kate sleepover in Disney World!

Walt Disney World for Grown Ups visits BabyCakes for delicious cupcakes.

PR Newswire reports that Michael Jordan (the wine aficionado, not the basketball player) is returning to Anaheim…just not to Disney…

Watch Me Eat reviews the new Fork and Screen Theater at Orlando’s Downtown Disney.

Disney Tourist Blog highlights an evening at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

Disney Parks Blog visits Narcoossee’s at the Grand Floridian for waterside dining.

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney shows off how they make a famous cocktail, Brennan-style…

2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival World Showcase Booths Will Include Portugal, the Caribbean Islands, and Hawaii

By AJ 10 Comments

UPDATED:

Portugal will replace Scandinavia as a new booth at the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

Exciting new information from one of our favorite people! Matt Hochberg of the WDW Today Podcast recently interviewed a Disney marketing cast member who revealed some interesting info for us foodies!

The theme of the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be Passport to a World of Flavors, and the new World Showcase Marketplace Booths we’ll see this year include ~~Scandinavia~~ Portugal, the Caribbean Islands, and Hawaii.

The cast member mentioned that the new Hawaii booth will likely include many of the flavors guests are used to seeing at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, like pineapple and coconut bread!

To get a good feel for what to expect, check out our 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booth menus and photos here!

And, as always, stay tuned to our 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival page for the latest news and info!

Review: The NEW Trader Sam’s in the Disneyland Hotel

By AJ 17 Comments

Please welcome Drew Roberts, Disneyland expert and columnist at Daps Magic’s Geek’s Corner, who was lucky enough to get a peek at the Disneyland Hotel’s NEW Trader Sam’s and Tangaroa Terrace! Read on for his review!

For far too long, Disneyland has been inferior to Walt Disney World in terms of food. Sure, Disneyland has the amazing corn dogs, Bengal Barbeque skewers, Monte Cristo sandwiches and the Blue Bayou, but until recently, the rest of the food offerings have been the largely homogeneous selection of burgers, hot dogs and chicken nuggets that are often referred to as “theme park food.”

Thankfully, the tides have seemed to be changing for those of us who love the eclectic selection of food found within Walt Disney World. The menus at the Hungry Bear and Village Haus restaurants have been updated to reflect a more food savvy palate, and most recently, the openings of Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar have added even more fun and delicious dining options for the Disneyland foodie.

Atmosphere

Walking up to Trader Sam’s you are greeted by a huge run barrel welcoming you inside — through a large, wooden tiki-inspired carved door. Upon entering, you are often welcomed by the bartenders yelling at you to shut the door, and doing so, you enter the small, dimly lit bar. But this is like no bar you have ever been to before.

Entrance to Trader Sam's

The story is that Trader Sam, the “head salesman” of the Jungle has decided to collect all of the artifacts that he has collected through his 55 years of world traveling, put them in one place, and invite all of his friends in for a snack and a drink.

First and foremost, the décor and atmosphere of the bar is out of this world. If you have ever loved the Jungle Cruise, original Tiki Room or the Adventurer’s Club, you will feel like you are coming home. The walls are covered in [Read more…]

New Tangaroa Terrace Menu at the Disneyland Hotel

By AJ 2 Comments

Thanks to Drew Roberts, Disneyland expert and columnist at Daps Magic’s Geek’s Corner, who was lucky enough to get a peek at the Disneyland Hotel’s NEW Tangaroa Terrace menu! Stay tuned tomorrow for his review of Trader Sam’s!

The newest Disneyland Hotel restaurant is open, and we have the menu! Check out these delectable Polynesian goodies you can pick up on your next Disneyland Resort visit…

Breakfast Items:

Tangaroa Terrace Breakfast Menu

Burgers, Sandwiches, and More:

Burgers, Sandwiches, and More

Salads and [Read more…]

Memorial Day Weekend Sale! DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book

By AJ 5 Comments

Great news as we start up this Memorial Day Weekend! If you need a Disney World food fix, are planning a trip to Disney World, or are wondering about the best places to eat in the World, we’ve got the perfect weekend activity for you.

If you don’t have your Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book yet, this is the time to buy! We’re having a SALE!

The Disney Food Blog’s Guide to dining in Walt Disney World features 250 full-color pages of information, planning suggestions, tips, and details about eating in Disney World.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “This comprehensive e-book is a valuable tool for both first-time visitors and Disney World veterans.”

DFB Guide Sample Page

This weekend, you can get your Guide for 20% off the regular purchase price using code: Memorial on the check-out page! The best news: it’s risk-free with a 30-day money-back guarantee! If you’re unsatisfied with the book for any reason, you can receive a refund, no questions asked. This discount will last for a limited time, so get your copy today 🙂

To see more testimonials and recommendations, sample pages, and details on BONUS items when you purchase, visit http://DFBGuide.com!

Guest Review: Contempo Cafe

By Kim LaPaglia 12 Comments

Learn About:Contempo Cafe

Disney World Restaurants

Welcome Bill Iadonisi with a review of the Contempo Cafe at the Contemporary Resort. Bill shows us all the modern features of this convenient, quick-service location. Take it away, Bill!

Disney’s Contempo Cafe, located on the former site of the Concourse Steakhouse at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, has been open since November 15, 2008.

Atmosphere

Although I really enjoyed the Steakhouse, this new Café is a wonderful replacement. In fact it makes more sense to have a table-service eatery (Chef Mickey’s) and a quick-service right next to each other. The Grand Canyon Concourse is always bustling with foot traffic, and since the Monorail station is right above, it’s a perfect place for guests to grab a quick bite or beverage before hitting the parks!

Contempo Cafe Entrance

View of Cafe

The atmosphere here is little changed from the Concourse Steakhouse. The classic tile mural by [Read more…]

Snack Series: Fried Corn on the Cob

By AJ 15 Comments

Sometimes you come across a new snack item in Disney World and you’re really really really excited and you can’t wait to try it…

…and then you finally have time to get back over to Liberty Square Market to indulge in what you know is going to be an amazing new savory snack…

Fried Corn on the Cob Wrapped in Foil

…and it’s vegetarian and that’s exciting so you can’t wait to try it and what if it’s too HOT since it’s been FRIED in OIL and that’s going to taste AWESOME…

Fried Corn on the Cob

…and it even LOOKS delicious, all bright yellow and yummy, and it’s [Read more…]

2011 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Announced

By AJ Leave a Comment

After weeks of speculation, the official schedule for the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Eat to the Beat Concerts has been announced!

Eat to the Beat Concert Line-Up

You can see the full line-up on our 2011 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule page!

This year, attendees include ELO, Billy Ocean, Starship, Air Supply, Taylor Dayne, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy, Gin Blossoms, and more!

Other Food and Wine Festival Details

For more info about the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, you can follow our updates on the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival pages here on the Disney Food Blog.

WDW Foodie Fest

And don’t forget to sign up for the 2011 WDW Foodie Fest while you’re at it! A fun celebration of food and friends especially for Disney Food Blog readers, this October 2nd, 2011, event is absolutely free! We hope to see you there.

New Disney Cupcake Cookbook, Vinylmation, and More!

By Erin 10 Comments

Erin Foster, our Disney Food for Families columnist, has a few sweet bits of news about cupcake merchandise in Disney parks and resorts!

Remember those Vinylmation cupcake designs we showed you for the Vinylmation Bakery cupcakes? Well, now we get to show you the finished product — and a bunch of other cupcake craziness happening in Disney World!

Bakery Tinkerbell

Cupcakes are a craze, as we know, and while we love the edible Disney cupcakes, we like the inedible ones almost as much! Here’s a run-down of what’s happening for cupcake collectors in Disney World these days…

Cupcake Vinylmation About To Be Released

Planned to be a limited edition set, Vinylmation Bakery will now be offered as an open window box. Sweetness! 😉 While the box still recognizes it as a limited edition, there will be no production limit set for these cute Vinylmations.

A close up look at the figures and packaging shows the adorable cupcake-y Vinylmations. Yum!

Six Flavors

Packaging

The release date is set for June 3, 2011, at the D-Street stores in California and Florida. Created by Susan Foy, the figures have [Read more…]

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