Disney Dream Dining: Attention to Detail at Cabanas

You’d think I’d be used to Disney’s attention to detail by now, but every once in a while I’ll see piece of imagineering awesomeness and think to myself, “Well, heck. Will you look at that?!”

This morning, I was having breakfast at Cabanas, the Disney Dream cruise ship’s all-day dining area. While scurrying around to get my oatmeal and juice, a flash of color caught my eye. Mind you, I’d been to Cabanas many times at this point, but I’d never noticed this special addition…

Cabanas Mural 1

These murals depicting seascapes and your favorite Finding Nemo characters are actually mosaics! They line several of the walls at Cabanas and can [Read more…]

A Vegetarian in Disney — Tips From an Expert

By AJ 18 Comments

Many thanks go out today to Disney World Moms Panelist Kathie F., who has kindly answered a few interview questions about how to make dining vegetarian in Disney a thoroughly fulfilling experience! Stay tuned after this to hear more from Kathie as she continues to contribute her tips and experience in upcoming Disney Food Blog articles!

My questions for Kathie are in bold!

Q. What foods are your most common options when visiting Disney World? (e.g. What can guests expect when ordering the “vegetarian option.”)

A. I don’t know if I have one; since there are so many options at so many restaurants I like to try and mix it up every visit! One of my stand-by restaurants is Teppan Edo. Our family loves the show that accompanies the food, and I love the veggies and noodles served there! As you’ll see from some of my other answers — I don’t shy away from any Disney restaurant no matter what the printed menu says!

onion volcano at Teppan Edo

If you’re planning on dining vegetarian at WDW, just expect the unexpected. Don’t [Read more…]

Disney Dream Dining: Check-In From the Ship

By AJ 10 Comments

Hi guys! We’re pulling out of port at Castaway Cay, heading back to Florida and back to reality 😉

Pulling Away from Castaway Cay

And I wanted to share a few of my delicious experiences with you while I have internet connection… I hope!

A Little Preview of Remy
First off for this quick check-in — I just finished a tasting at Remy, the brand new adults-only restaurant on the Dream and the Fantasy ships.

Here’s a little sneak preview of the amazing food you’ll find from the trio of Chefs heading the restaurant — Chef Scott Hunnel, the highly acclaimed executive chef from the AAA Five-Diamond Victoria and Albert’s Restaurant in Disney’s Grand Floridian; Chef Arnaud Lallement from L’Assiette Champenoise, a Michelin two-star restaurant located just outside Reims, France; and Chef Patrick Albert, the on-site Executive Chef at Remy. Notice the adorable Remy silhouette on the plate?

Langostino Shrimp with cream by Chef Arnaud Lallement at Remy

We had a few other items that I’ll share with you in a full post, but that shrimp was outstanding! After the tasting, we had the chance to ask a few questions. I can’t wait to [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Catal Review

By AJ 8 Comments

The next review in our Dining in Disneyland column from Heather Sievers!

I’ve dined at Catal in Downtown Disney, Anaheim, a few times, but this last visit was definitely worth writing home — I mean to you guys — about. The funny thing about this dinner is that we were going for a light, inexpensive dinner; we were just going to share something or get a few appetizers. Nothing major. I wasn’t even sure it would be review worthy, but I did bring my camera, just in case… . Well, that all changed when we sat down and cracked open our menus. We decided to go big!

Atmosphere
Catal is located smack in the middle of Downtown Disney, Anaheim. It is a [Read more…]

Wild Africa Trek: Snacking on the Savanna

By Erin 10 Comments

Update: Current pricing is $189 – $249.Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster finds a surprising end to her recent Wild Africa Trek in Disney’s Animal Kingdom…

I signed up for Disney’s brand new Wild Africa Trek at the Animal Kingdom because I wanted to check out the nifty new rope bridge and get up close and personal with crocodiles and hippos; I wasn’t in it for the food. The booking agent on the phone mentioned something about a snack, but that barely registered with me. I had taken other backstage tours at the Animal Kingdom and the snack was serviceable but unremarkable granola bars and pretzels.

Atmosphere
Because of this, I was taken by surprise when we arrived — after two hours of hiking and animal observation — at the tour break point and found a meal being set. We were on a new boma (not to be confused with the restaurant Boma at the Animal Kingdom Lodge) constructed in the middle of the African savanna, in full view of the Kilimanjaro Safari jeeps. The boma is a covered, stage-like private animal viewing area with bathrooms, comfortable chairs, binoculars, and best of all — amazing food.

The presentation couldn’t be lovelier. Our wonderful tour guides (thank you Megan and Laura) set our chilled metal camp cups and carafes of cool water and tropical juice. I believe this is the same blend they [Read more…]

Disney Dream Dining: Animator’s Palate Finishing Touches

By AJ 9 Comments

While Animator’s Palate is also a restaurant on the Disney Magic and Wonder Cruise Ships, it has been re-imagined for the Disney Dream. Thanks to Sarah Holodick, we have some photos of the finishing touches to the restaurant!

Wide Angle View of Restaurant -- click for larger image

Remember, we’re in the middle of Disney Dream Week here on the Disney Food Blog! I set sail tomorrow and can’t wait to come back with even more fun news of Dining at Sea. But first — those finishing touch photos I promised… [Read more…]

Disney Dream Dining: Food Photos From the Royal Palace

By AJ 13 Comments

Royal Palace Restaurant on the Disney Dream Cruise Ship

Hey all! The countdown has begun! The Disney Dream Dine Around begins in just one day, and I’m still eagerly accepting your questions about dining on the Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship.

Got Questions?
So far I’ve got some great dining questions to investigate — even one about Dole Whips! If you have a question about dining on the ship, send it my way via twitter or facebook!

But In The Meantime…
Now, while I’m still anticipating my sailing, cast members and friends are returning from even earlier cruises bubbling over with positive reviews of the ship’s restaurants and food!

You can expect much more where this came from, but here’s a little photo blog of one friend’s meal at the Royal Palace restaurant on the Disney Dream, which was his favorite of the three rotational dining restaurants! Clearly he dined on some incredible food; let’s take a look… [Read more…]

Review: New Caribbean Burger at Caribbean Beach Resort

By AJ 12 Comments

Reported recently was the addition of “designer burgers” to several counter service restaurants all around Walt Disney World! We had the chance today to try the Caribbean Burger, featuring sweet plantains, fried onion straws, and pineapple barbecue chutney.

This 1/3 pound Angus burger can be found at Old Port Royale’s Market Street Food Court at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. Just head over to the “Broiler” area and order one up 🙂

Caribbean Burger with plantains, fried onions, and pineapple barbecue chutney

So let me let you in on a little secret — I was pretty sure I was going to hate this burger. No kidding. I’m not a big fan of meat and fruit together, and adding in [Read more…]

Waldorf Astoria Orlando: Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekends in February!

By AJ 4 Comments

Ladies and gentlemen, let the romance begin! During two weekends in the month of February, you can escape with your favorite person — or just treat yourself! — to an incredible indulgence of chocolate, wine, and pure luxury.

And because you’ll be within the big purple gates of Walt Disney World, you’ll have easy access to your favorite theme parks, too!

Dates: Feb. 12-13; 19-20

Room rates:
Feb. 12 weekend: Starting at $289
Feb. 19 weekend: Starting at $309

Reservations: 1-800-WALDORF or www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com

Here are just a few of the events you can explore as an overnight guest at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando during their Chocolate, Wine & Romance Weekends… [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 16, 2011

By AJ 1 Comment

Bruce Might Entertain Diners at Animator's Palette on the Disney Dream

Woo-hoo! I’m off to WDW today, everyone! We’re starting the DFB DISNEY DREAM WEEK today, so expect a liberal peppering of cruise-related info as we “sail” through the next few weeks.

I’ll be embarking on (is that how you say it? embarking on? or is it just embarking?) the Disney Dream on Wednesday, but watch our twitter and facebook accounts for updates from WDW over the next three days, too!

Now, here’s the news!

Be sure to listen in to the WDW Today Podcast where we preview the restaurants on the Disney Dream!
There’s a new menu at Village Haus in Disneyland! We’ll have a review soon!

And now, on to the round-up!

Yesterland, one of my favorite Disney sites on the web, is just back from Aulani with gorgeous photos and a back story for the AMA AMA Beachfront Restaurant!

WDW for Grownups details some fun, unique wine experiences in Disney World.

A Wedding Cake Blog does Disney again with a peek at some red velvet wedding cupcakes!

Studios Central reports on dining vegetarian in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Main Street Gazette goes to Babycakes NYC and samples some of the delicious products from this gluten-free bakery in Downtown Disney Orlando!

Hostess Blog has some great pics of an UP themed birthday party, complete with cute foodie favors and a balloon-tastic cake.

The Sacramento Bee ran a story about 5 UC Davis students who created a new snack for Disney called Mickey’s Pocket Pies; check out the recipe here!

Disney Parks Blog lets us know what it’s like to be a sommelier in Disneyland!

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