Hidden Gem: Animal Kingdom's Royal Anandapur Tea Company

Hidden Gem: Animal Kingdom’s Royal Anandapur Tea Company

I like to play a game with myself at Disney parks. It’s called “pretend I live there and I’m not super rushing to do or see anything.”

While this game isn’t always successful, I’ve found that when I get up early and head into the parks during extra magic hour or right at opening time, I can claim a little bit of peace and quiet in some of the less populated areas. And as Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World is the most beautiful Disney park I’ve been in, it’s one of my favorites to visit in the relative peace of early morning.

Tea Company Sign

At these times, most guests head straight to Expedition Everest; the rest veer left toward Harambe and Kilimanjaro Safaris. Me? I keep on going through Asia toward the very back of the park — to the Anandapur Tea Company — in a section of the park that houses restaurants, walking trails, and a water ride.

Since few people want to do any of those things in the early morning, it can be pretty empty back there, but it’s a great spot to get a mild caffeine fix and some breakfast pastries.

Royal Anandapur Tea Company

Atmosphere

The Tea Company is designed as a regional, Asian tea stop, so there’s lots of [Read more…]

Menu Updates at Epcot’s La Cava del Tequila

By AJ 6 Comments

Update December 2011:

Cava has re-done the menu yet again, bringing back several old favorites! Check out the most recent La Cava del Tequila appetizer menu here.

___
There have been a few changes made to the menu over at La Cava del Tequila in Walt Disney World’s Epcot Mexico pavilion over the past few months, but your favorites are likely still there!

The biggest difference? Many of the original appetizers that were on the menu when La Cava opened are now gone. For apps, you’re limited to Chips and Guacamole, Chips and Salsa, or Shrimp Cocktail.

Appetizer Menu

The great margaritas and the tequila flight are still on board, however, so when it comes to spirits, you’re well taken care of!

Tequla flight

To see the current menu, check out our La Cava del Tequila Menu page!

Guest Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

By AJ 15 Comments

Learn About:Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We travel to the future with Guest Reviewer Bill Iadonisi in his review of the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Finding the restaurant actually open, Bill stopped in for a quick service bite to eat!

It’s been quite a while since I have dined at the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. One reason is that this counter-service eatery has for several years been opened seasonally; if the crowds at the Magic Kingdom swell, it will open to handle the overflow of hungry guests. But today, my friend John (Disney Food Blog readers know him as Chef BigFatPanda!) and I decided to have lunch and do a review.

Entrance walkway

Atmosphere

When the Magic Kingdom first opened, this was known as the Plaza Pavilion, which served pizza and burgers. In 2004, it was closed for refurb and returned as the Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station. For you history and trivia buffs, “Tomorrowland Terrace” was the name of the Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant that once occupied the [Read more…]

DIY Magical Drinks: Enchanted Tiki Drink

By AJ 10 Comments

Our own Chef BigFatPanda is back with a thirst-quenching new drink recipe inspired by a classic Disney attraction! As you know, Chef’s DIY Disney column here on the Disney Food Blog provides us with simple directions to make recipes that bring some WDW magic to our homes. His latest concoction in the DIY Magical Drinks series honors the Enchanted Tiki Room. This beverage may induce spontaneous singing! “In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room”! Take it away, Chef!

Enchanted Tiki

Just in time for summer! A Tropical Serenade! Welcome to a Tropical Hideaway, you lucky people you!

This Pina Colada style drink is made with a special Seven Tiki Spiced Rum. It has hints of Madagascar Vanilla and makes for a unique refreshing island enchantment.

Seven Tiki Brand Spiced Rum is delicious and very strong at 70 proof, so be careful not to anger the Tiki Gods!

Seven Tiki Brand Spiced Rum

INGREDIENTS: [Read more…]

Best Places to Eat Outside at Disney World and Disneyland

By AJ 12 Comments

While the heat can sometimes be overbearing, there are plenty of months during the year when dining outside in Orlando and Anaheim can be quite pleasant!

View From Front Patio at Epcot's Rose and Crown Restaurant

Readers and Facebook Friends chimed in on the best places to eat OUTSIDE in Disney World and Disneyland via the Disney Food Blog’s Facebook page. The top votes went to Flame Tree Barbecue, Rose & Crown, and Casey’s Corner at Walt Disney World for their outdoor ambiance. The most suggested outdoor locations at Disneyland were Cafe Orleans, Carnation Cafe, and Hungry Bear!

Walt Disney World

It can get hot in Orlando, but throughout much of the year it can be lovely to dine outside! Here are the restaurants that took the top spots for outdoor dining in Disney World:

Flame Tree Barbecue
The Animal Kingdom’s attention to detail is exemplary, so it’s no surprise that Flame Tree Barbecue was the most mentioned outdoor locale!

The best seats are found near the water overlooking the Discovery River, where a water-side pavilion provides a shady respite. Despite the beauty of this location, Lori W., Heather W., and D.J. R. warned about the “aggressive birds” looking to partake of your counter-service meal.

Your View From the Flame Tree Barbecue

John G. remarked “No seating is better than [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: First Look — Bayside Brews

By Heather 9 Comments

Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers snuck in a quick trip to the brand new Bayside Brews in Disney California Adventure before leaving for her Disney cruise! Thanks, Heather!

If you are looking for beer other than Peroni or Bud Light, which you can get at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta, check out the new Bayside Brews stand!

Bayside Brews

It’s directly in front of the new restaurants at Paradise Pier and features 6 different beers as well as [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: DCA’s New Eats — Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta

By Heather 9 Comments

Disneyland food guru (and our Dining in Disneyland columnist), Heather Sievers, fit a visit to the brand new Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta at Disney California Adventure into a packed weekend! Check out her review!

Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta Entrance

Last Friday, three new establishments opened up at Disney California Adventure and, honestly, I didn’t think I was going to be able to check them out until August. Why am I gone for a month you ask? Well, as you read this, my family and I are on our way to Barcelona to board the Disney Magic for an amazing Mediterranean cruise (yes, you will hear much more about this at a later date!).

The new eateries are located in the Paradise Pier section of DCA and include Boardwalk Pizza & Pasta, Paradise Garden Grill, & a beer vendor called Bayside Brews (Editor’s Note: A first look at Bayside Brews is coming up later today).

Anyhow, in between packing and preparing, I just HAD to squeeze in a trip over to DCA to check out the new food. Unfortunately, I was only able to eat at Pizza Omm Mow Mow’s replacement: Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.

Atmosphere

When we first walked up, I noticed immediately how amazing the new dining area was. Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta is right next door to the Paradise Garden Grill (formerly known as Burger Invasion, aka McDonald’s). So, the enormous seating area is shared by these two establishments.

First View Upon Entrance

We loved the openness of the area and also appreciated that there were options for [Read more…]

Review: Wolfgang Puck Cafe

By AJ 19 Comments

Learn About:Wolfgang Puck Cafe and The Dining Room

Disney Springs
Disney World Restaurants

Wolfgang Puck is the epitome of “celebrity chef.” Having successfully taken LA and several other USA cities by storm, he’s created a global empire (and worldwide name recognition) the likes of which have yet to be attained by any other chef that I know of.

Puck’s empire exists in Disney World’s Downtown Disney in the form of two counter-service restaurants, both named Wolfgang Puck Express; and two table-service restaurants — Wolfgang Puck Cafe and Dining Room.

On our visit, we headed to Wolfgang Puck Cafe — the less upscale and more boisterous of the two table-service restaurants — found in Downtown Disney’s West End.

Upon entering, you’ll know exactly what you’re in for. On any given evening, this restaurant is bustling. During busy dinner hours, it’s loud (due to the echoing-ly high ceilings and tile decor), colorful, and energetic.

Sushi Bar

The bright colors and geometric shapes of the decor here will remind 80’s kids of [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 3, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Happy July 4th weekend! We hope everyone is enjoying a wonderful weekend no matter where you are! Be safe, and if you’re in a Disney park or resort and eating something wonderful, let us know!

Also, here’s a fun tip for this weekend: Disney Food Blog t-shirts are 17.76% off through Monday over at the Disney Food Blog Store! Just use code: LANDOFTHETEE at check-out! 🙂

One of our personal favorites is that I <3 Mickey Bars shirt to the right, but there are plenty of styles that will fit everyone’s taste, including Disney Food Blog logo shirts.

Latest Disney Food News

Check out the latest!

Some fun July 4th treats popped up in Disney World this weekend!
2011 Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages should be available soon.
Announcing the Snack Attack, Featuring DFB Favorites, IlllumiNations Dessert party on October 4th! This is part of our annual WDW Foodie Fest week of events!

I also want to let you know that our very first Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide is right around the corner! It should be available very soon, so stay tuned!

Until then, if you don’t already have a copy of our 250-page Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book, you can get yours right here! Click the link for reviews, testimonials, sample pages, Bonus gifts, and more!

2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival News

We have continuously updated, in-depth coverage of the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!

This week, Raglan Road announced its Signature Dinner, which will take place on October 18th!

Now, On to the Round-Up!

WDW for Grown-Ups

discusses healthy eating options at WDW.

Stuff From the Park shows us Mickey next to a Pepsi machine!

AKL Resort has recommendations for Animal Kingdom Lodge drinks.

Main Street Gazette takes us to Pleasure Island and reviews Raglan Road.

It’s A Dramaful Life gives us a personal look at the Dine With An Imagineer program including the menu and keepsake gifts.

Disney Parks Blog highlights an exclusive bottle of Cognac delivered to the Disney Dream via limo!

DisneyTouristBlog offers a glimpse of Club 33, complete with his outstanding brand of photography.

Touring Plans demonstrates how you can stop for breakfast and still stick to a good touring plan!

Have a safe and happy 4th of July, all!

Fourth of July Themed Snacks at Walt Disney World

By Kim LaPaglia 3 Comments

Thanks to Rikki Niblett of the Be Our Guest podcast for spotting these decorative treats commemorating our nation’s upcoming holiday!

While the wonderful World of Disney can be absolutely jam-packed over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, grabbing one of these treats might help the crowd-packed park seem just a bit more sweet. Or the sugar high will at least give you a boost for the next line that you encounter. 😉

Check out these cute red, white, and blue holiday caramel apples! I like the giant star decorations at the top.

An apple a day...

And it looks like these patriotic cupcakes might actually be layered red, white, and blue! (I wonder if the blue is a different flavor! If anyone’s in the World and [Read more…]

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED