Guest Review: Afternoon Tea at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

Guest Review: Afternoon Tea at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

A big thanks to Mary Giordano, who just returned from a trip to Disney World! She’s been kind enough to review a special dining opportunity in the Grand Floridian Resort, the Afternoon Tea (which I have done and can highly recommend)! Take it away, Mary!

Nestled in the corner of the Grand Floridian’s massive Main Building is the Garden View Lounge. Every afternoon from 2pm to 5pm, an afternoon tea of sorts is served at the lounge. After many years of hearing about the afternoon tea, I finally found time during a recent trip to check it out and can only ask myself why I had not tried it sooner.

Garden View Lounge

Atmosphere:
The Garden View Lounge is beautifully sunlit from the windows overlooking the garden outside. It is a bright and intimate space despite being within the [Read more…]

Disneyland’s Treat of the Month: Chocolate-Dipped Peanut Butter Mickey Cookie

By AJ 6 Comments

Disneyland’s bakeries are tempting me yet again with September’s Treat of the Month!

Disneyland's Treat of the Month -- Peanut Butter Mickey Cookie Dipped in Chocolate

This Giant Mickey Mouse Peanut Butter Cookie is dipped in chocolate, then drizzled with even more chocolate! Get one of your very own during the month of September for $4.95 at select candy locations including Marceline’s Confectionery, Candy Palace and more.

Riding Off to Sleepy Hollow

By AJ 26 Comments

We’re transported back to the year 1790 in Dutch Tarry Town, New York. The more detailed location is Sleepy Hollow (which has yet to become an official town), and here we find the memory of a star-crossed couple, Ichabod Crane and Katrina Van Tassel…

Atmosphere
You never know what to expect with those brilliant Imagineers. Believe it or not, you’re actually in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom theme park — at a counter-service location, no less. Sleepy Hollow (the snack spot, not the town) is located just southwest of Cinderella Castle and [Read more…]

Snag a Sweet Halloween Treat, Starting Tomorrow!

By AJ 10 Comments

Disney’s unveiling a fun Jack-o-Lantern themed caramel apple for the Halloween season!

Keep watch for this Mickey Pumpkin Apple, which will start showing up on Disney candy store shelves tomorrow, September 1st! You should be able to purchase them through October 31st!

Regularly $8.95, word is that Annual Passholders should be able to get this sweet treat for $6.95, plus tax. (Offer subject to change without notice.)

Find these at Marceline’s Confectionery and Candy Palace in Disneyland, and at select locations in Walt Disney World!

Kona Cafe Menu Changes “Imminent”

By AJ 14 Comments

We’ll be reporting on lots of menu changes this week! These are brought to us by Disney Every Day‘s Amanda Tinney, who recently visited Disney’s Polynesian Resort’s Kona Cafe.

The Classic Kona Cone Isn't Going Anywhere

Hiya Disney Foodie Fans! Sometimes chatting up your server at a Walt Disney World Restaurant will elicit golden nuggets of information that you can share with your fellow Disneyphile Friends. This week, my daughter and I were having dinner at Kona Cafe in the Polynesian Resort. Sushi, of course…followed up with some dessert. My daughter ordered the “most requested” dessert at the Kona Cafe, the Kona Kone! I opted for the “healthier” choice and ordered the Chocolate Fondue.

My Chocolate Fondue with macaroons, lace cookies, pineapple, strawberries and kiwi

I noticed that our server had a “10 Years of Service” Pin on her name badge and started chatting with her. It was around 5:30 pm when we were first seated and the restaurant was only about half full, so our server had time to talk. I told her that I had tried to make an ADR for the evening and was told by Disney Dining that the Cafe was completely booked until 9:00 pm. From the looks of it…some people had failed to show up for their ADR. Our server told us that it is normal for 45 to 50% of ADR’s to be “no-shows” on any given day!!! Proof that sometimes a “walk-up” is the only way to go.

Our server went on to tell us that there were going to be some changes coming soon to the Kona Cafe Dinner Menu. One change that has already been made involves [Read more…]

DIY Disney: Uncle Walt’s Chili

By AJ 39 Comments

Every month, our resident Chef Big Fat Panda puts together his amazing step-by-step, photo-filled posts where he and Chef Mickey show you their adventures in the kitchen cooking up Disney goodies! Today, Chef Big Fat Panda’s DIY Disney Recipes brings us another classic, one of Walt Disney’s personal favorites. (BTW: I had no idea you had to “sort” beans. Chef Big Fat Panda is so good to us.) Don’t forget to look for the hidden Mickeys! Take it away, Chef!

Hello! Chef BigFatPanda here! What an interesting cooking recipe this turned out to be – allow me to tell you:

I was very excited to come across the recipe entitled “Walt Disney’s Own Chili and Beans.” The cookbook says: “This was Walt Disney’s favorite meal, and this recipe, created by the Disneyland chefs, truly seemed to satisfy his palate. You’ll find it seasonally on the menu at some Disneyland restaurants, including the Plaza Inn and the River Belle Terrace.”

I thought it would be a great fall recipe as the weather begins to cool. I also felt it would be very easy and approachable. The truth is, I was wrong on both counts, BUT Mickey and I did save the day. Let’s get to the recipe before I get ahead of myself — but if I were you, I would not start cooking anything until you read my results. I am really looking for feedback on this one, both in ideas and from those of you that do recreate it.

Chili Ingredients

As usual, the recipe’s instructions will be bolded for easy reference should you [Read more…]

The Loss of the Leisure Suit

By AJ 32 Comments

Wildberry Margarita From the WDW Lounge Standard Menu

In the post text and comments of our recent Tony’s Town Square review — and in the comments sections of a few other recent posts — the subject of homogenization of menus and condensation of purchasing down to just a few vendors across Disney’s restaurants has become a frequent topic of conversation.

Studios Central’s Matt Hochberg suggested a while back that I cover this issue and has since written a great post about it himself. I’ve also had some reader comments and emails that make it clear that this type of “uniform” experience might be making a dent in the magic for many of us.

There’s a concern that this is happening across the food and beverage service in Disney World and may be starting in Disneyland as well. But nowhere do I feel it more than where I first noticed the switch — the Disney World pool bar and lounge menus [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: August 29, 2010

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Grilled Pineapple Vanilla Gazpacho from a 2009 F&W Demo

As always, let’s start this round-up with the latest Disney food news:

The 2010 WDW Foodie Fest location revealed
Booking is now open for low-cost seminars and demonstrations at the 2010 Epcot Food & Wine Festival
Chef Mickey’s is offering character lunches for a limited time
Trail’s End Restaurant lunch has switched from a buffet to an a la carte menu beginning today
Tables in Wonderland has added four new restaurants to it’s list of participating eateries
Don’t forget: September is Magical Dining Month in Orlando!

And now, on to the round-up!

Global Disney Pinvestigation previews the holiday Gingerbread pins for us! Can’t wait to see the depicted Gingerbread structures built in the resorts!

Daveland has some incredible vintage shots of Disneyland’s Plaza Inn.

Disney Turkey Leg

All’s Fare Food Blog has an account of her turkey leg experience!

Kevin Kidney reprints a piece where Mickey, Goofy, and Donald help you with your summer cook-out.

Babes in Disneyland takes a look at the Disneyland picnic area — great suggestion for a birthday party!

Disney Every Day takes us on a photo tour of Epcot’s Via Napoli! (More bathrooms!)

A Taste of Disney shares a video and recipe for a Liberty Tree Tavern favorite.

Main Street Gazette threatens my diet with these Chocolate-chip Peanut Butter Mickey Mouse cookies.

Touring Plans‘ blogger Ryan K. delves into doing the Dining Plan with kids.

Pee Dee Foodie shares a story about a special postcard at the Polynesian Resort.

Disney Parks Blog has a list of Moms Panelists’ favorite coffee spots in Disney World.

Have a great week, all!

Lunching Pad Hot Dogs Undergo Another Change

By AJ 12 Comments

Remember the new hot dog menu that debuted earlier this month in Tomorrowland? Well, the sign guys have been busy again, and the menu’s been updated already. Looks like the Rueben dog has been pitched to the curb and we’re left with Taco and Philly Cheese Steak dogs.

Lunching Pad Hot Dog Menu Circa August 27, 2010

Thanks to reader Evan D., who took time out of his WDW trip to send this photo my way today!

Chef Skellington

By AJ 10 Comments

I found these in Disneyland and knew there would be someone out there who would love them!

Jack and Sally are ready and willing to help you in the kitchen — check out these great accessories for the Nightmare Before Christmas fans!

Apron

Jack Oven Mitts

More after the jump! [Read more…]

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