Dining Discount Offered at Disney World and Disneyland

The very popular voucher for 25 percent off dining at select quick-service restaurants has returned!

Valid at select quick-service restaurants and requiring the purchase of any entree, the voucher will be available at Walt Disney World and Disneyland from April 17-23, 2011.

Print your voucher out or get one from the WDW Resort Times Guide. They’ll also be available on select merchandise receipts or at the bottom of receipts from some resort quick-service locations. Disneyland visitors will find the voucher on the Entertainment Times Guide or on select merchandise receipts.

Participating quick-service locations follow: [Read more…]

Guest Review: Black Tie and Blue Jeans, a Tables in Wonderland Event

By Kim LaPaglia 10 Comments

Howdy to our guest reviewer, Derek! Derek takes us to the Black Tie and Blue Jeans event hosted in the Diamond Horseshoe Saloon featuring reserved parade space, a buffet meal, alcohol in the Magic Kingdom and entertainment. Yee-haw! Take it away, Derek!

Click on image for a larger version

We joined Tables in Wonderland last year during Epcot’s Food & Wine Festival and right away the discounts we received more than paid for the membership.

We were also very excited about the special events offered to members. When the invitation arrived for what looked like a fun event at the seasonally closed Diamond Horseshoe Saloon in the Magic Kingdom and our schedules were clear, we were in!

Atmosphere and Background
The event was billed as “Black Tie and Blue Jeans” and the menu offered a good meal. As an event I assumed [Read more…]

2011 United Way Chef’s Gala To Be Held in Epcot on May 21st

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Benefiting Heart of Florida, The United Way’s Chef’s Gala will be held in Epcot’s World Showplace on Saturday May 21, 2011. The 19th annual Chef’s Gala touts the event as “A Tasteful Way to Make a Difference” which raised almost $170,000 last year! Walt Disney World has hosted the Chef’s Gala since its inception with over a million raised in that time!

Chef's Gala

Specs
The festivities begin at 6:45 pm. with a cocktail attire dress code.

6:45 – 8:15 pm Champagne Served and Martini Bar Opens
7:30 – 10:00 pm Chefs Begin Serving

Guests will enjoy a silent auction and wine reception. This tasteful event continues with a scrumptious tasting featuring over 20 top chefs (and restaurants) from Central Florida. There will also be paired fine wines, desserts and specialty coffees. For questions about wine and wine pairings, Sommeliers will be on hand.

Participating restaurants include: Artist Point, Kouzzina by Cat Cora, La Luce by Donna Scala, Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, Sanaa, Todd English’s bluezoo, Tony’s Town Square Restaurant, Tusker House Restaurant, The Wave…of American Flavors, Disney’s Contemporary Resort Bakery, Epcot Bakery, Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company.

Ticket Info: [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Patented Chocolate Easter Egg

By Heather 16 Comments

Our Dining in Disneyland columnist, Heather Sievers, shares some Easter-time treats!

Spring Break is in full swing & The Disneyland Resort has sprung some amazing Easter treats on us. On a recent trip to my favorite candy kitchen on Main Street, I noticed something I had never ever seen before. Chocolate Easter Eggs!

Disneyland Chocolate Easter Eggs are Made Just Once a Week

Unfortunately they weren’t being made right at that moment, but I did take the time to ask the Cast Member working at the Candy Palace’s register a few questions.

With over 50 years of combined experience, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the creators of this confection are the “Disneyland Candy Gods” Chris Thompson & Rob McHargue. You know, the same guys who have been making candy canes forever and a day?

The Chocolate Easter Eggs are made only once a week during the Spring Break season, and they are made and sold only at the Candy Palace on Disneyland’s Main Street USA. Each egg is 8 oz and there are two flavors: Chocolate Nut Fudge & Vanilla Nut Fudge. The recipes were created by Rob, and these, like all of his other recipes, are actually patented by Disney. I got to thinking, just because the recipes are documented and protected doesn’t mean any ol’ candy maker can create the same amazing treats as these two pros. Who will take over when [Read more…]

Disney Food Pics of the Week: Birthday Treats

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

Thanks to all who have contributed their photos to the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza! We love to see your photos and can’t wait to see more! The Disney Food Pics of the Week feature celebratory birthday cake! Happy Birthday wishes to our readers!

This birthday surprise was served at Via Napoli in Epcot’s World Showcase. Make a wish!
Photographer: Erin O’Brien

Via Napoli Birthday Dessert

The Chocolate Moose at Le Cellier turns a birthday into [Read more…]

Disney Food for Families: The DVC Villa Kitchens, Part 1

By Erin 22 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster begins this DVC Villas Kitchens series with a look at what you’ll find in your villa kitchen!

My family has been a member of the Disney Vacation Club since 2001. Because of this, we often stay in DVC villa-style rooms when visiting Walt Disney World, which we pay for using our DVC points. While villa rooms are most often used by DVC members, anyone may rent them. And one of the best parts about a villa is the inclusion of a kitchenette in studio villas and a full kitchen in one-bedroom and larger villas!

Over the next few posts, I’m going to discuss the villa kitchens. What do they include? What is easily available to cook in the kitchens? Is is possible to save money by cooking in your villa? Will the villa kitchen save you any time?

A statue of Ariel greets guests at the Beach Club Villas

Here are a few more details about DVC Villas: There are villa rooms at seven Walt Disney World resort hotels — Animal Kingdom Lodge, Bay Lake Tower (Contemporary), Beach Club, Boardwalk, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, and Wilderness Lodge.

Villas are available in studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, and three bedroom versions.
Studio villas are like regular hotel rooms, with the addition of a small kitchenette area. The kitchenette includes a sink, a dorm-sized refrigerator, a microwave oven, a coffee-maker and a toaster.
One, two, and three-bedroom villas are like apartments. They include a the requisite number of bedrooms, often several bathrooms, a washer and dryer, plus a living room area and a full kitchen.

Bay Lake Tower (Contemporary) two-bedroom villa kitchen

The villas are a terrific option for guests with larger families or larger traveling parties, multi-generational families, families where the parents don’t want to sleep in the same room as the children, or for families who want, or need, a kitchen.

The larger space and multiple bathrooms make vacationing with my mirror-loving daughters a breeze — that alone makes the villas worth it for my family. But I must confess that I have a real love/hate relationship with the villa kitchens. Obviously, having a kitchen can be a godsend for guests who need to prepare food for an allergic or special needs family member. But what is the value of the kitchen for the average family? What is the value of the kitchen for the average mom, like me, who finds that one of the best aspects of vacation time is not having to cook?

As a first step in the Villa Kitchen series, I’ll show you what exactly you can expect to find in a Disney Vacation Club Villa kitchen at [Read more…]

Disney Dream Recipe: Chocolate Souffle

By AJ 7 Comments

Souffle with Vanilla Gelato and Chocolate and Vanilla Sauces

When I sailed on the January Christening Cruise and completed the Disney Dream Dine Around, the dessert at Palo was a highlight. Here’s the recipe so that you can try it at home!

Where to Find It

The Chocolate Souffle is the popular dessert created at Palo aboard the Disney Dream. Palo is the adults-only restaurant that requires reservations.

Here’s the recipe…

How to Make It

Chocolate Souffle

Serves 6

3 tablespoons butter, plus more for greasing the soufflé cups
6 tablespoons sugar, plus more for dusting the soufflé cups
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa
2 ounces (2/3 cup) semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, melted
4 eggs, separated

Vanilla Sauce (recipe follows) [Read more…]

Top 5 Disney Snacks to Take Home From the Parks

By AJ 39 Comments

Let’s face it: sometimes it’s just nice to bring a little bit of Disney home with you to help you get over those post-Disney blues! And if you have a handful of Disney Dining Plan snack credits left over at the end of your Disney World trip or you’ve got friends and family you’d like to surprise with a treat, Disney foods make some terrific souvenirs!

Here are my top five favorite snacks to bring home from the parks!

[Read more…]

Comfort Food and Mom’s Day Breakfast in Bed at Hilton Bonnet Creek

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

The Hilton Bonnet Creek is located within the gates of Walt Disney World and continues to offer some incredible dining options and deals for those visiting the parks. In the past few weeks, they’ve featured a couple of interesting options that I hope I’m able to try out.

Blackened Grouper Sandwich

Comfort Food at Harvest Bistro
Comfort Food every day! The Harvest Bistro chefs at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek create comfort food with flair. While traveling, it’s comforting to have a taste of home. Chefs highlight a different comfort food each day using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Meatloaf, Baked Macaroni & Cheese and Barbecue Baby Back Ribs were some of the recent offerings.

Don’t forget that kids 12 and under eat free for breakfast and dinner when an adult meal is purchased! Your reservation can be made by calling 407-597-3600.

Announcing the Breakfast in Bed Experience for Mom
The Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek knows what moms want! Imagine that it’s Mother’s Day morning and the kids are working with the Harvest Bistro staff to make mom breakfast. While they work, mom can enjoy some quiet time. Before delivering breakfast, the kids will also make a fresh flower bouquet!

I love this idea and my son even at age 11 would absolutely delight in helping the Chef create breakfast. This is a creative, innovative and absolutely fun idea for the entire family. I only wish that my family had plans to visit Orlando for Mother’s Day. If you are lucky enough to be in central Florida in May, consider this great treat for Mom! Call 888-353-2013 and reference SRP code P5.

Have you stayed at the Hilton Bonnet Creek or are you considering a trip there? Let us know what you think!

Review: New Le Cellier Signature Dinner

By AJ 38 Comments

Learn About:Le Cellier Steakhouse

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

You remember when we analyzed the brand new Le Cellier Steakhouse Signature dinner menu a few weeks ago, right? Well, I finally had the chance to try it myself.

For those who are just tuning in, one of Disney World’s most popular restaurants, Le Cellier in Epcot’s Canada pavilion, began offering a signature dinner menu (e.g. super expensive) at the beginning of March 2011. While the restaurant remained priced at one Disney Dining Plan credit for lunch, the dinner menu cost two Disney Dining Plan credits. For those of us who don’t purchase the dining plan, that means that the dinner menu was renovated and all prices bumped up a few bucks…or more.

Atmosphere
The decor and atmosphere at Le Cellier hasn’t changed at all. You’re still dining in a very small “cellar,” featuring candlelight sconces on the walls (not real candles, of course), rich woods and deep maroon fabrics, and stone archways creating the structure of the restaurant.

Le Cellier Dining Room

Le Cellier Ceilings and Chandeliers

The only thing upon arrival that makes you think something might be slightly different is the presence of some snazzy new napkin rings (I’m pretty sure I’ve never seen napkin rings at a Disney World restaurant…) and candles on the tables… [Read more…]

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