food IS a theme park
Fish and Chips is a staple dish at Disney Springs’ Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant and Cookes of Dublin (the counter service spot that’s Raglan-adjacent!). But what if you’re visiting the shopping district with food allergies? There’s a fish and chips for you!
Cookes of Dublin
We did it! We made it through the first week of 2016! It’s always a rough transition back into the post-holiday routine but so far this year is looking fantastic! We’ve been live streaming a TON in the parks through our @DisneyFoodBlog Periscope account, so come on over and join us!
Dressed Up Waffle!
If you were running in any of the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend events this weekend, we salute you!
And not that we’re counting down or anything but there are about 53 days until the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival. The fun starts March 2 and we can’t wait to visit the Outdoor Kitchens to check out the springtime eats this year!
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
We are back with some great advice some of the best experts around when it comes to planning your Disney Dining — DFB Readers!
Seriously, you guys are the best, and I’m always excited to learn new things from your experiences! So when it came time recently to update our Top Tips for Disney Dining, we turned to you for input and advice. And you responded with tons of great suggestions.
Check out just a few of them below, as we offer you even more Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!
It was important enough for several different DFB readers to mention — and expound on! Do not waste those precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits on something as ho hum and common as a piece of fruit or a bottle of water.
And…I have to agree here. You can get a banana and a Dasani in your supermarket at home. But when was the last time you waltzed into Kroger and picked up a Carrot Cake Cookie or Schoolbread?
Yep, they can sometimes pile up on you toward the end of the trip. So spend a little time planning beforehand so you don’t waste a single one. Here’s a TIP: DFB Snack Guides can come in handy for this endeavor; we have one for every park at Walt Disney World with our recommendations for the best snacks!
Make Those Snack Credits Count with a Carrot Cake Cookie
One of the most interesting suggestions for stretching your Disney Food Budget came from @Greg_Crowder: he suggested that you go halfsies on the Disney Dining Plan. He writes: “2 of us had the free plan a couple of years ago and 2 didn’t. The snacks and counter [service] meals were plenty for all 4 people.”
Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are Totally Shareable!
It’s true that Disney portions can be pretty big, and eating lots of large meals and rich snacks and then walking 100 miles a day may be a tall order. So if you’re willing to share, this can be an excellent way to keep costs down. It also means that you pre-pay, so your spending money goes a little further.
Just note that if you’re all staying in the same room, you all need to be on the same plan; so this tip only works if your compadres are in a different room.
Many readers chimed in that visitors should never forget to check out resort dining options, saying that you should definitely venture out of the Park for incredible food. Resort restaurants offer some of the most amazing dining on property.
Slow-cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well-seasoned Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo at Sanaa — Be Sure to Schedule a Meal Here
Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was mentioned lots of times. For instance, reader David Mendoza says: “Whether you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or not, make the trip to the Sanaa restaurant. Wonderful food and such a picturesque setting, watching the beautiful animals as you dine on some of the most awesome food in Disney World! A real must see! And when you are done you can take a stroll and get even closer to the animals. Truly a wondrous place.”
I couldn’t agree more! (Read my latest Sanaa review here.)
We’ve written about it lots of times — Disney is tops when it comes to serving guests with allergies, food sensitivities, and special diets. And our readers are eager to agree that Disney routinely goes above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best experience possible, regardless of their dietary limitations.
Example of Jiko’s Allergy-Friendly Appetizer Menu
Ann Hooghuis Dealy weighs in by saying, “If you have food allergies or sensitivities [Read more…]
It’s been just over a year now since the Gardens Kiosk opened in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. (Editor’s Note: Animal Kingdom’s Allergy-Friendly Kiosk is now called Terra Treats, and is located across from Creature Comforts on Discovery Island).
This kiosk is unique in that its focus is on providing snack options for guests with special dietary needs or restrictions. You might know it by its unofficial name: the “Allergy Kiosk,” earned not only for having treats that are free of the most common food allergens, but also because guests can receive information from the friendly and knowledgeable Cast Members about dining all over Animal Kingdom in light of restrictions.
(Oh, and also because of the “Allergy Dining Tips” sign above the menu 😉 ).
Along with various pre-packaged food items, this one of the locations in Disney World where you can find Babycakes gluten-free and vegan-friendly items.
I grabbed two Babycakes treats, though you’ll just see them labeled as Gluten-Free Vegan Doughnuts and Gluten-Free Cupcakes on the menu.
Gardens Kiosk Menu
The Gluten-Free Cupcakes come in packages of four minis, and they are not unique to Animal Kingdom. You can still find these in several Resort Quick Service locations, including (but not limited to) Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors and Beach Club’s Marketplace.
Babycakes Brownie Cupcakes
The full name of “Brownie Cupcakes” is [Read more…]
Awesome news for those with special diets at Disney World!!!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is continuing its status as a great park for guests with special dietary needs or restrictions introducing a brand new kiosk focused on helping us more easily navigate food choices.
The kiosk, called the Gardens, will be located on Discovery Island adjacent to Adventures Outpost.
As always, we’ve got great info for folks visiting Disney parks with special diets on our Special Diets Resources page here on DFB, so I can’t WAIT to find out more about this option.
Opened daily from 9am until 3pm, the Gardens will be a great resource for guests seeking information about where they can dine within the park. Cast members will be able to discuss best options for guests who have a wide range food allergies or intolerances, including peanuts and tree nuts, lactose or dairy, gluten or wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, corn, and eggs.
Rocky Mountain Gluten and Nut Free Caramel Popcorn
In addition to receiving information, guests will also find a selection of pre-packaged snacks that are geared toward guests with special dietary needs. Snacks will include popcorn, chips, hummus and vegetables, granola bars, sweets — and even gluten-free beer!
BabyCakes NYC will also have a selection of vegan sweet treats here as well! And like all of BabyCakes’ baked goods, the sweets will be wheat and gluten-free, and will contain no dairy, casein, or eggs.
Babycakes NYC chocolate chip cookie frosting sandwich
Look for the kiosk to open this Sunday, August 4. At this time, the [Read more…]
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