Cape May Cafe Character Breakfast

Cape May Cafe sign

Cape May Cafe, at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, is one of the best character meals on property, in my opinion. It’s more “below the radar” than more popular character meals (e.g. Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table), so reservations are a slight bit easier to get; the food is fantastic; and the characters are all dressed in their bathing suits ready for a day at the beach — how much fun is that? At this meal, you can see Goofy, Minnie, and Donald (this used to have Chip and Dale, but they’ve been replaced!).

Goofy Visits With a Little Guest

(More character photos later in the post!) Located on the right hand side of the Beach Club’s lobby (entering from the parking lot), Cape May Cafe is a large restaurant with a Beach theme — decor includes light colored woods and old-fashioned wooden and canvas beach chairs and umbrellas. The restaurant is also the location for the Beach Club’s Clam Bake buffet each night (we’ll cover this in a later blog!).

Cape May Cafe Decor

Cape May Cafe

Once you’re seated with your drink order taken, you’re free to visit the delicious buffet, which begins in the foyer of the restaurant with bagels and lox, and moves into the main area of the restaurant with dozens of other options. These include different flavors of yogurt accompanied by granola, raisins, and fresh fruit for toppings; oatmeal and cream of wheat; pancakes and mickey waffles; egg dishes and meats; and a whole buffet of delectable baked goods! There’re also plenty of cereal choices.

Buffet Items

Hot Buffet Selections

Bagels and Lox

Yogurt with Toppings

Cereals

Bakery Items

Baked Goods

Eggs and Breakfast Meat

Biscuits and Gravy

Fruit

Hot Cereal

Mickey Waffles

Food plate all ready to go: mickey waffles, eggs, breakfast pizza, homefries, muffins, and sausage

And now for the characters! This breakfast offers a truly unique photo experience with the characters all ready for their day at the beach!

Goofy's about to hang ten!

Silly Donald! You Don't NEED A Swimsuit!

Minnie's Ready for Her Close-Up

I can highly recommend this character breakfast (even if you don’t have kids!). It’s thoroughly enjoyable, slightly “quieter” than the others, and has great variation in the available food. We’ve enjoyed every trip here.

Be sure to let me know about your favorite character breakfast and your Cape May Cafe experiences — I love hearing your stories! Happy Labor Day!

Disney Food Weekly Round-Up: September 6th

By AJ Leave a Comment

Animal Kingdom eat here

It’s so much fun to see all the food posts each week. There are some great photos this week, too!

Also, just a reminder that the Lucky Fortune Cookery opened in Disney’s California Adventure on the 4th! Head over and check it out — there have been some cool menu changes!

Now, on to the Round-Up!

LoadedCouchPotatoes review La Cava del Tequila, complete with amazing photos!

Main Street Gazette walks us through his re-creation of 50’s Prime Time Cafe meatloaf! Again, lots of photos for you visual learners!

Disney and More guides us through the re-imagineering of the Theme Building Encounter Restaurant at Los Angeles airport. This is some concept art you’ll want to see. Absolutely incredible stuff.

Progress City USA remembers the Melvin the Moose Breakfast Show from Fort Wilderness.

Home by the Sea reviews Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Resort. Some really beautiful food shots here!

TouringPlans takes an end-of-summer look at the two “lounges” of the Polynesian Resort Tambu Lounge and Barefoot Pool Bar. Nothing like summer by the sea!

Orlando Sentinel reminds us that there will be trick or treating this halloween — for free! — at Disney World’s Downtown Disney!

Have a great week and Labor Day holiday everyone! Enjoy these amazing blogs, and be sure to let me know when you come across a good Disney food post this week!

Pool Bar Series: Petals at POP Century Resort

By AJ 7 Comments

POP Century sign

I’ve mentioned on the food blog before how much I enjoy Petals Pool Bar at POP Century Resort, and I thought it’d be fitting to dedicate a colorful TGIF blog to this great place.

Petals Pool bar

Again, there are some truly wonderful bartenders here (I don’t know how Disney finds so many of these top notch CMs), and Petals rivals Banana Cabana at Caribbean Beach Resort, Uzima Springs Pool Bar at Animal Kingdom Lodge Jambo House, and Trout Pass at Wilderness Lodge for my “favorite folks” award.

Frozen Drink Machines and Flat Screen TV

POP Century Resort is themed around the pop culture of the past half century, and giant, two- and three-story icons represent nostalgic items and characters from the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Petals is located at POP’s Hippy Dippy Pool, which is shaped like a giant flower and plopped down in the center of the two 1960’s buildings. This is the resort’s main pool, situated right behind the building housing the lobby, food court, and gift shop.

I really like the ability to stop into the food court or gift shop to get any items that might be needed, then stroll outside to grab a cocktail and have a seat in the shade. Because the pool is so close to the main building, you really don’t feel out of place having a cocktail at the pool bar when you’re not swimming. This is a great feature at value and moderate resorts, which don’t have indoor lounges.

There are no food offerings at Petals, but there’s a good variety of frozen, on-the-rocks, and non-alcoholic drinks. If you need something to nosh on, just pop into Everything POP Food Court for a snack, and bring it back out to the pool area!

Petals Pool Bar Menu

Once you’ve settled in with your drink, pass the time by watching a ping-pong match on the nearby table, or ponder which Disney tattoo or hair wrap you might treat yourself to — those kiosks are just across the pathway from Petals!

Ping Pong Table

Hair Wrap Station

Overall, Petals is a great place to comfortably relax. Even when I’m not staying at POP Century, I love popping by the resort for a bite to eat in the food court (one of the best on property in my opinion) and grab a drink at Petals. Good drinks, good people. I’m a big fan.

Lucky Fortune Cookery

By AJ 1 Comment

Lucky Fortune Cookery

A “new” restaurant opens tomorrow in Disney’s California Adventure! Moving into Cocina Cucamonga’s old spot on Pacific Wharf, the Lucky Fortune Cookery “offers guests the opportunity to create their own Asian Rice Bowl meals and enjoy them in an outdoor plaza.”

According to the Disneyland press release, guests will dine amid colorful surroundings, decorated with paper lanterns, cheery umbrellas, and oversized pots filled with bamboo.

The menu will highlight customized Asian Rice Bowls, which will include steamed white or brown rice, seared Asian veggies, and chicken, beef, or tofu topped with each guest’s choice of sauce: Mandarin orange, spicy Korean (based on an old family recipe from Napa Rose chef de cuisine Gloria Tae), Thai green curry, or teriyaki. Each rice bowl will be priced at $9.49, regardless of contents. Kids’ meals (teriyaki chicken and rice, fruit cup, and beverage) are available for $6.49.

photo copyright Disney

Recipe: Crystal Palace “Pooh’s Breakfast Lasagna”

By AJ 10 Comments

Pooh's Breakfast Lasagna (photo copyright DisneyFoodBlog)

This breakfast lasagna has made a stir ever since it was first included in the Crystal Palace character breakfast. It’s a multi-layered miracle, and quite difficult to accomplish from what I’ve heard! Several folks suggest making the recipe in stages… . I know there are a lot of incredibly talented chefs and bakers out there — I’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you!

Recipe credit goes to:Dr. House at RecipeZaar.com. Check out the actual recipe link, as he’s made some good notes, and others have made some really helpful comments.

INGREDIENTS

Pastry cream

* 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
* 6 egg yolks
* 1 1/2 cups milk
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
* 3/4 cup sugar

Pancakes

* 1 1/2 cups sifted flour
* 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg, well beaten
* 1 1/4 cups milk
* 3 tablespoons shortening or salad oil

Waffles

* 1 1/2 cups sifted flour
* 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
* 3/4 teaspoon salt
* 1 egg, well beaten
* 1 1/4 cups milk
* 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
* 3 tablespoons shortening or salad oil

Pound Cake

* 3 cups cake flour
* 6 large eggs
* 1 lb butter
* 1 lb sugar
* 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup milk

Custard

* 6 large eggs
* 1 1/2 pints heavy cream
* 1 pint half-and-half
* 1 ounce brandy
* 1/4 ounce nutmeg
* 1/2 ounce cinnamon
* 1 1/2 cups sugar

Additional Ingredients to Assemble

* 1 cup frozen raspberries
* 1 cup frozen blueberries
* 3 bananas
* 1 tablespoon butter

Baking and Garnishing

* 1 banana
* 1/4 cup brown sugar
* 1/2 pint your favorite fresh berries

DIRECTIONS

1. Make the Pastry Cream first.
a. In a 2 quart saucepan, combine sugar, flour, salt and milk and whisk; over medium heat, cook while stirring until mixture thickens.

b. In a small bowl with a fork, beat egg yolks slightly, beat small amount of milk mixture into yolks.

c. Slowly pour egg mixture back into milk mixture.

d. Stirring constantly, cook over medium low heat until mixture thickens.

e. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Chill cream until ready to use.

2. While cream is chilling, make pancakes, waffles and pound cake:
Pancakes: (note the 3 TB. shortening should be melted and slightly cooled)
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix egg, milk and shortening. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir only enough to moisten. Do not beat or the pancakes will be tough. Bake on a hot griddle, lightly greased if necessary. Turn pancakes only once.

Waffles:
Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Mix egg, milk, vanilla and shortening. Pour milk mixture into dry ingredients and stir only enough to moisten. Do not beat or the waffles will be tough. Bake in waffle iron following waffle iron instructions.

Pound Cake:
Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl. Stir in sugar, using a large spoon. Add room temperature butter. Add eggs. Using a mixer on low speed, slowly add the milk, and then the vanilla extract. After thoroughly stirred, turn mixer to medium for a few minutes, then to high. Mix thoroughly. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a standard tube pan with butter, then lightly flour it, shaking the excess from the pan. Pour in the mix and bake the cake for about 1 hour and 20 minutes. Check the doneness of the cake with a toothpick. Allow cake to cool for 15-20 minutes in the pan, then crumble the cake into small crumbs with your hands.

3. Custard:.
Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and whisk until fully incorporated. Chill until ready to use. Makes 1 1/2 quarts.

Assembly:

Put a layer of waffles in a buttered casserole dish. Sprinkle a quarter of the pound cake over the waffles. Peel and slice the bananas. Layer with half of each of the following: the cut bananas, frozen raspberries, and frozen blueberries. Sprinkle half of the remaining pound cake over the fruit, then top with the rest of the fruit. Top the fruit with a layer of pancakes, the sprinkle the rest of the pound cake on top. Press down on the layers to pack firmly. Slowly add the 1 1/2 quarts custard mixture until the entire dish is saturated.

Baking and Garnishing:
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 60 minutes. (Oven thermometer placed in center of dish should register 165 degrees.) Top the lasagna with a layer of 2 1/2 cups pastry cream. Slice the banana and layer on top of cream. Sprinkle sugar on top and place casserole under the broiler until browned. Garnish with fresh fruit and serve.

Secret Spots: Contemporary Grounds

By AJ 1 Comment

Contemporary Grounds

There are lots of Disney World dining spots that are well-known to Disney-goers. Everyone knows about Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s, right? But there are also a few hidden gems of which you may not have heard! One of these great little spots is Contemporary Grounds, located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Ordering and Serving Area

While the Magic Kingdom bakery is sure to have a line out the door every morning, Contemporary Grounds (just a short walk away from the Magic Kingdom) offers similar coffee drinks and pastries, minus the line! (It’s also a great way to convince your spouse to go check out the new Bay Lake Tower Disney Vacation Club property…)

Contemporary Grounds Menu

Situated in the lobby of the resort, right next to the entrance to the Conference Center (natch), sits unassuming little Contemporary Grounds. The area is bright, sunny, and surrounded by comfy couches and chairs for relaxing. This makes it a perfect place to kick back for a mid-afternoon rest — you’re still close enough to the park to get back for the 3:00pm parade! Best of all? No reservations necessary!

Contemporary Lobby Seating Area

Now, doesn’t that look more comfy than fighting for a table outside the Plaza? Enjoy!

Photo Credits: Thanks to DisneyContemporary.com for the photos!

Disney World Restaurant Birthday Treats

By AJ 44 Comments

One of the first things people tell you when you’re visiting Disney World over your birthday is, “Get the Birthday Button! You might get free stuff!”

Birthday Button

The truth is, Disney restaurants actually do some wonderful things to celebrate birthdays (some free; some requiring advance preparation by you!). Because today is my birthday, I wanted to share a few of the fantastic birthday surprises you can find in Disney restaurants. (Thanks to the DisneyFoodBlog readers who contributed their celebration photos to the gallery below! The Gallery is being updated continuously as folks send in photos — so keep checking back for more pics!)

And if you’re thinking you might want to order an incredible cake like some of those shown in the gallery, just check out our Disney Cake Ordering FAQ for Disney World and Disneyland!

Disney Restaurant Birthday Surprises

When you call to book your dining reservations, let the Disney agents know that you’ll be celebrating a birthday on your upcoming trip. They’ll make notes in the reservation so that the restaurant is aware of your celebration. (Be sure to remind the cast member at the podium when you arrive; some notes slip through the cracks when things get busy…) If you’re making your reservations online, be sure to enter in your “celebration” at the end of the process!

The last time we celebrated a birthday in the parks, we headed right over to one of our favorite character meals: Crystal Palace! When there’s note of your celebration, Crystal Palace cast members decorate your table with multi-colored Mickey confetti and festive streamers. This lets your server know that someone’s celebrating, which results in a delicious cupcake and a card signed by the whole gang (no cost to you, of course)! Looks like the card is a bit outdated, eh? Where’s the Animal Kingdom?

Disney's Standard Birthday Card

Cupcake and Card at Crystal Palace

I’ve also had this wonderful treatment at Yachtsman Steakhouse, where the card was signed by nearly a dozen characters (I just don’t know WHERE they found all of them so late at night!), and the dessert was not just a cupcake, but a delicious soaked sponge cake molded with chocolate.

On another recent trip, I dined at Citricos, where I was presented with a semi-personalized “Happy Birthday” souvenir menu. Although the dessert I ordered wasn’t free (that I can remember), it was beautifully decorated to wish me a happy celebration. I’ve heard tell that Disney will be phasing out these Happy Birthday menus, which I think is unfortunate. It really does make one feel special!

Citricos Happy Birthday Menu

Citricos Dessert

Celebrations Planned in Advance

Most of the above occurred with little or no planning of ours; all we did was let the restaurant know that there was a birthday, and Disney did the rest.

But if you’d like to be a bit more grand with your celebration, you can plan in advance to have Disney create a dessert that will serve everyone in your party!

Be sure to check out our “Disney Cake Ordering FAQ” for all the details!! 🙂

Disney World Celebrations Page

Be sure to call the Walt Disney World Resort at (407) 827-2253 (the cake hotline) at least 48 hours in advance.

Special Tip: As you can see above, even if you didn’t plan for a cake in advance, you can still order a 6-inch cake upon arrival at most Disney table-service restaurants. These are available in both chocolate and vanilla. No notice is necessary. (I’m SO glad they’ve started doing this…I’m horrible about advance planning!) These cakes even come in versions for special diets!

Disney Food Blog Reader Celebrations!

To quote Lavar Burton, “Don’t take my word for it!” Here are just a few of the grand ways some DisneyFoodBlog readers have celebrated birthdays in Disney World:

Chip 'n Dale Cake at California Grill

Splash Mountain Cake at California Grill

Hayley Mills Cake at California Grill

Dessert from the Empire Grill at the Ambassador Hotel, Tokyo Disneyland

Reader Debi W. shared this helpful info: This cake was ordered from Wilderness Lodge. They delivered it to Trails End at Fort Wilderness since we were camping there. We just had to pick it up. The writing was done in chocolate (a complete surprise), was yellow cake with raspberry filling, buttercream frosting. Very happy with what we got. We were there in December celebrating my son’s 5th birthday. I was able to order this cake based on finding your blog! It was very helpful for our entire trip, keep up the great work!

5th Birthday

Birthday Cake from WL Bakery

Vanilla Cake with Raspberry Filling

Cinderella's Royal Table Birthday

Kona Cafe, Polynesian Resort: Birthday Treat

Rose and Crown Dining Room, Epcot World Showcase: Advance Reserved Cake

Rose and Crown Dining Room, Epcot World Showcase: Advance Prep Cake

Celebrating a birthday at Rose and Crown

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Advance Reserved White Chocolate Slipper Dessert

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Advance Prep White Chocolate Slipper Dessert

Paradise Pier, Disney's California Adventure, Disneyland: Birthday Treat

Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic Kingom: Birthday Treat

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Advance Reserved Birthday Cake by Chef TJ

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Inside the cake!

Chef Mickey, Disney's Contemporary Resort: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Another from Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Advanced Reserved Vegan Cake

Garden Grill, Epcot Future World: Make Your Own Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Advanced Reserved Vegan Cake

Boma, Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge: Birthday Treat

Here are three photos of an AMAZING 4th Anniversary Cake. The only instructions to Chef Brian at the California Grill were: “small, haunted mansion, 4 years, chocolate and raspberry.” Incredible.

Haunted Mansion Cake

Another California Grill, Disney's Contemporary Resort: Birthday Treat

Brown Derby, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

1900 Park Faire, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Le Cellier, Epcot's World Showcase: Birthday Treat

Citricos, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Princess Katy's Birthday Bash at Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Key Lime Creme Brulee at Narcoossee's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Narcoossee's, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa: Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Royal Table, Magic Kingdom: Birthday Treat

Cape May Cafe, Disney's Beach Club Resort: Birthday Treat

Princess Chloe at Akershus, Epcot's Norway: Pre-Ordered Birthday Cake

(Love this one!) 50's Prime Time Cafe, Disney's Hollywood Studios: Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Cake -- name is blurred as it was for a celebrity

Le Cellier Birthday Treat

Cinderella's Breakfast Birthday Treat

Tusker House Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Treat

Chef Mickey's Birthday Cupcake

Cape May Cafe Birthday Treat

Artist Point Birthday Cobbler

Tony's Town Square Special Order Birthday Cake

Birthday at Shutters

Birthday celebration at Crystal Palace

When Reader Karen F. called for reservations at the Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, she requested a special cake for her great niece, Baylee. See below the cake that was “so delicious”!

Akershus Birthday Cake

Reader Susan P. ordered a cake from the Yacht and Beach Club Bakery to surprise her sister with an upcoming Disney Fantasy cruise. She had it delivered to Le Cellier in Epcot.

Disney Fantasy Cake!

Readers Hal and Holly shared this photo from their son’s “build your own sundae birthday celebration at Le Cellier”!

Le Cellier's Build Your Own Sundae Birthday Treat!

If you’ve got a photo to add to this gallery, let me know via facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks!

Best Disney World Restaurants for Vegetarians

By AJ 21 Comments

Boma Open Kitchen

This is a tough blog post, as people define “Vegetarian” in so many different ways! To try to give you the most up-to-date and tested information, I’ve included readers’ top picks for table-service and counter-service locations and rounded out the post with some great feedback from travel-blogger SoloFriendly, who’s got some great ideas for meat-free Disney World dishes. Finally, I’ve listed a few other resources for you to check out if you’re doing Disney as a vegetarian or a vegan.

Reader Picks: Table-Service
Boma
Boma, Jambo House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Boma was the landslide winner among food blog readers who chimed in about Vegetarian options. It’s a buffet, which automatically offers a wide variety of choices; but with an emphasis on African soups, hummus, salads, and grain-based dishes, it’s a great option for meat-free eating.

Reader Comment from Beth via facebook:
Hubby is vegetarian when out thanks to being Kosher at home. His favorite was Boma since there was so much to pick from. The staff there was amazing to walk around and tell everything that was safe if you requested it.

Sanaa, Kidani Village, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

One of the newer restaurants in Disney World, Sanaa has another African- and Asian- themed menu (dinner menu) on which every section has at least one (and usually many) mouth-watering vegetarian selections.

While I loved my meal there, I’ll quote SoloFriendly’s helpful comments:

Sanaa Spinach and Paneer Cheese

They’ve got a lot of very creative menu items that are vegetarian, so if I was really sick of salads and wanted something totally different, I’d go here. They offer all sorts of wonderful breads and vegetarian accompaniments, more than one vegetarian appetizer (paneer cheese, roasted cauliflower, and potato and pea samosas) and entree, unusual salad choices, and a vegetarian soup. There is no doubt in my mind I could have a very filling and delicious meal here without eating meat. In fact, I could do so more than once without repeating the same dish twice. (By the way, here’s SoloFriendly’s Sanaa Review)

Wolfgang Puck Cafe, Downtown Disney

This well-known Downtown Disney restaurant features several meatless choices, including creative salads, vegetarian pasta dishes, and yummy flatbreads/pizzas. The most famous item, however, is the butternut-squash soup! Here’s the dinner menu, and for some photos, SoloFriendly’s Wolfgang Puck Cafe review.

Reader Comment from Jennifer via facebook:
Wofgang Puck’s. Between sushi, salmon, margherita pizza, and [pumpkin] ravioli, you have many options.

Tusker House Buffet

Tusker House, Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Coming highly recommended by readers (and me!), Tusker House serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffets in the Animal Kingdom theme park. Vegetarian options abound at all meals, and servers will gladly show you which items are vegetarian. This gives a quick list of some items that are routinely available on the lunch/dinner buffets, including Hummus and baba ghanoush, Jollaf rice, Pearl couscous with sweet basil essence, Spiced tandoori tofu, and Tunisian couscous salad.

Vegetarian Quiche and Coconut Sweet Potato Casserole

Reader Comment from Erwin via facebook:
For ease of locating things, Tusker House. Last time we were there, the server pointed out that (facing the buffet from the dining room) everything to the left of the dessert island was vegetarian, with the obvious exception of the meats on the deli board. Everything to the right was not, which included the Israeli couscous side dish (probably made with chicken broth).

Reader Picks: Counter-Service

Tangierine Cafe

Tangierine Cafe, Morocco Pavilion, Epcot’s World Showcase
Another multi-vote winner, Tangierine Cafe offers numerous wraps and side dishes that are, or can be made, vegetarian. Check out SoloFriendly’s photo-packed review of her Vegetable Platter dinner, which includes “falafel bread, olive salad, hummus, lentil salad, tabouleh, and a tangierine couscous salad,” at the cafe.

Reader Comment from @jobber99 via twitter, recalling his favorite veggie meal at Tangierine Cafe: Falafel with hummus, pita, rice, taboueh, and baklava.

Sunshine Seasons

Sunshine Seasons, The Land, Epcot’s Future World
Sunshine Seasons always tops best counter-service lists, and this is no exception. The food-court-style restaurant offers different stations for different types of food, including Asian Cuisine-inspired foods, Soup and Salads, Sandwiches, Grilled items, and Desserts.

Sunshine Seasons Asian Cuisine Station

In addition to the standard vegetarian fare (soups and salads) at Sunshine Seasons, you can find grilled vegetable sandwiches and other vegetarian entrees.

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe, Tomorrowland, Magic Kingdom
Cosmic Ray’s is truly a favorite among vegetarians for its (actually quite good!) veggie burgers and vegetable wraps. Perhaps the out-of-this-world (sorry. had to do it.) burger fixin’s bar will sway your decision… .

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

Other reader suggestions included: Garden Grill (dish suggestion: tofu veggie noodles), Columbia Harbour House (dish suggestion: lighthouse sandwich), Yak and Yeti (make a meal of the veggie side dishes), Starring Rolls Cafe (dish suggestion: Veggie Wrap), Mama Melrose’s, Coral Reef (dish suggestion: Wild Mushroom Lasagna), Coronado Springs’ Pepper Market, California Grill, Chef Mickey’s, Kona Cafe, and The Hollywood Brown Derby. We’d love to hear your suggestions; contact Disney Food Blog via facebook, twitter, or email.

Cosmic Ray’s Condiment Bar

If these suggestions don’t strike your fancy, remember that Disney offers a whole website page about special dining options as well as phone numbers and email addresses to connect with dining personnel before your trip. This is a great way to get information and request special dining options for your vacation. Disney is very accommodating when it comes to ensuring your dining experience is a good one; it just may take a bit of pre-planning. Also, if you’re already in a restaurant and don’t see anything for you on the menu, mention to your server that you’d like to hear more about Vegetarian and Vegan options. Many Disney World Chefs are more than willing to put together a delectable dish just for you — even on short notice!

Disney Contact Information for Special Diet Considerations
General Disney Special Diets Contact: [email protected], or 407-824-5967
Animal Kingdom: [email protected], or 407-938-3288
Hollywood Studios: [email protected], or 407-560-3551
Epcot: [email protected], or 407-560-6395
Magic Kingdom: [email protected], or 407-824-5967
(thanks to WDWinfo)

Other Helpful Links, Books, and Tips
Helpful grid of Vegetarian and Vegan items in Disney World Parks: While this does not include all restaurants and dining locations (and no resort options), it’s still a VERY helpful guide for those visiting the parks.
Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando (2000): One of the only dining guides for vegetarians in Disney World
Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando, Second Edition (2003)
Website and Book Updates For Vegetarian Walt Disney World and Greater Orlando

As a disclaimer, in this blog post “Vegetarian” pretty much means the ingredients are “meat-free;” the qualification does not pertain to how or where the dishes are cooked, and does not take into consideration inclusion of eggs/dairy.

Check out the other “Best Disney World Restaurants” in our series!

Food Blog Weekly Round-Up: August 30th

By AJ 3 Comments

I am loving this week’s links! Chef Mickey’s, Star Wars cakes, Magical Dining Month in Orlando — what could be better?

I’m obligated to remind you, however, of all of the exciting Disney food news that’s bubbled up this week: the Wishes Dessert Party dates have been extended (which we’ve all been hoping for!), La Cava del Tequila is open (hooray!), and discounts abound for the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

OK. Now that that’s out of the way… on to the Round-Up!

CakeWrecks posted some “sweet” (ha ha) Star Wars cakes: If you haven’t looked at CakeWrecks, you need to do so! The webmaster of this hilarious blog featuring real-world cakes gone wrong is also, lucky for us, a Disney fan!

DisneyDaddy reviews Chef Mickey’s: A tidy little run-down of one very hard-to-get dining reservation! Enjoy your Thanksgiving Dinner at Chef Mickey’s, Chuck!

The DisneyChick shares her experience making Strawberry Banana Bread from Wilderness Lodge’s Whispering Canyon Cafe: I love that DisneyChick includes plenty of photos in these recipe blogs; in this one, the batter looks good enough to eat all by itself!

Main St. Gazette reminds us of the history of Downtown Disney restaurants Portobello and Fulton’s: The “Disney Magic” history, that is…

Check out Orlando’s Magical Dining Month and Latin Food and Wine Festival: During September, Magical Dining Month in Orlando, you can enjoy meals at the city’s top restaurants for just $20-$30 ($1 of which will go the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children)! This is a great way to be charitable while eating at some amazing places. Also, don’t miss the debut of Orlando’s Latin Food and Wine Festival October 1-3! Stop by and check these out if you’re in the area (and if you’re a foodie, which you know you are!).

Zannaland reviews Sanaa at AKL Kidani Village: A great review — including Sanaa’s treatment of birthdays at the restaurant!

Disneyland announces that it will charge $.99 for tomatoes on burgers: “Tomatoes were often something that guests requested to be removed from their burgers,” says a Disneyland spokesperson. Hmm…

Stitch Kingdom show us the medal for Disney’s Taste for the Race: The race may be in its final year, but you can go out with a bang with this finisher’s medal around your neck!

Thanks, everyone, for the great food posts this week! I’m always looking for Weekly Round-up fodder; if you see a great food post while you’re out and about this week, drop me a line via facebook, twitter, or email. Thanks!

Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila

By AJ 20 Comments

It’s finally open! I’m so thrilled that the Cava is ready to serve (and even more thrilled that I get to share with you all the info about my tequila tasting at the Food and Wine Festival later this Fall!). This will be a welcome addition to the beautiful Mexico pavilion — especially for us foodies. Be sure to pick up your sombrero on the way out.

To peruse the Epcot Tequila bar menu, click on the link!

Here’s Disney’s official press release about La Cava del Tequila in Epcot’s Mexico. Enjoy!

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Tasty tequilas and mouthwatering margaritas are on tap at La Cava del Tequila, a new offering for Epcot guests to explore the heritage and tradition of tequila-making in Mexico.

Tucked away in the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, La Cava del Tequila beckons guests with more than 70 types of authentic tequila, ranging from the simplest to the rarest of them all, aged to perfection and made from the finest distilled spirits from the agave plant. Tequilas range in price from $8 to $50 for a specialty tequila.

Amid warm décor, art work and original artifacts all celebrating the Mexican heritage, a “Tequila Ambassador” is on hand to educate Walt Disney World guests on the history of tequila-making.

Also on the drink menu: Exotic and uniquely blended margaritas, introducing a variety of flavored salts, spices and tropical fresh fruits masterfully prepared by experienced mixologists.

Drinks de Tequila ©Disney

A variety of quick tastes, tapas style, will be available, including freshly made guacamole and ceviche as well as mahi mahi tostadas with diced mango and avocado and blue crab tostados with chipotle mayo and Valentina sauce.

The 30-seat La Cava del Tequila is open from noon until Epcot park closing time. It is connected to the famous San Angel Inn as part of the Mexico pavilion, a popular stop for Walt Disney World guests.

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