food IS a theme park
We found something really cool at Epcot that you may need to have! You might normally pass by this beer stein, but if you take a second look, you’ll notice the top is pretty amazing… .
Berlin Wall Stein
Today, we have a big treat for you!
You know that we love to talk about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival here at DFB. It’s like the Super Bowl and Olympics and Christmas all rolled into one!
Party for the Senses Sign
And while there’s tons to do and see and eat throughout the event, some of the most highly anticipated premium events are the Parties for the Senses. (See the review of our last time attending the event here.) In 2016, you can choose from parties held on October 1, 8, 15, 22, 28, and 29, featuring different themes. Read all about it on our Special Events Page! [Read more…]
Are you ready for some Club Villain Thrills?! DFB welcomes guest author AM Appleby with a review of Club Villain at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Let’s take a look at this Walt Disney World event that has now been extended with dates into March 2016!
What is our fascination with villains? Do they perceive themselves as villainous or simply misunderstood? Whatever your reasons, the four villainous characters at this Club Villain in Disney’s Hollywood Studios are well worth your time!
Club Villain Marquis
Club Villain
As soon as they became available last fall, I purchased tickets to the newest Disney villain bash, Club Villain. My seven-year-old daughter and I enjoyed the last villains party at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Villains Unleashed, in August 2014, but Club Villain was a complete departure (it is still a hard ticket event at $129 per person, tax and gratuity included).
The wait time to meet Maleficent at Villains Unleashed was four hours at the start of the party. Needless to say, we didn’t wait for her that evening. I honestly knew nothing about Club Villain when I purchased, I was just excited for another villains event!
Club Villain takes place in Sunset Showcase, located just behind Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster. The venue was indoors, which was lovely on the rainy evening we attended, and included a full buffet dinner and two bars serving wine, beer, and a signature cocktail specially created for each villain. Host Dr. Facilier, and his club manager Kanzo, kept everyone entertained. Music throughout the evening was provided by DJ Thibodeaux, creating a loud and festive Mardi Gras atmosphere. The food was inspired by traditional New Orleans cuisine, and I will tell you now — it was delicious!
Stage
DJ Thibodeaux Booth
Dr. Facilier
The check-in podium was located in the front of the building. We arrived 20 minutes prior to our 7:45PM reservation time (there was one seating time the evening we attended), and we were given our invitation, which included our table number and scheduled times to meet the characters: Cruella de Vil, The Evil Queen, Maleficent, and the Queen of Hearts.
Invitation with Table Number and Meet the Villains times
All of the guests were welcomed into the building promptly at 7:30PM, where the DJ was already spinning tunes. The food was [Read more…]
We are back with another fun installment of Disney Food Pics of the Week, courtesy of the Disney Food Blog Photo Extravaganza, our Flickr group!
You may not know it, but Disney is offering some really great beer these days! From more interesting seasonal options, to craft beers you know and love, there’s a ton of variety happening where this adult beverage is concerned.
Kona Beer Flight at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace
Today, we’re showcasing some of the beeeea-utiful photos of Beer that our readers have captured around Disney! [Read more…]
Today, we are heading back to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival for a look at a brand new Special Event!
One of the new events introduced this year is the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, and DFB has been at two of the parties.
Join us today as we share our experience, which includes visits with a few celebrity guests and an incredible variety of burgers.
And if you like what you see, there are still tickets left for the November 6th Party, which features Cake Boss Buddy Valastro! Just call (407) 939-3378 to make your reservations.
The Rockin’ Burger Block Party sounds like it might take place outside…but no.
The event is held in World ShowPlace, the events pavilion that’s tucked away behind giant doors in World Showcase. If you haven’t been there before, you’ll find the entrance between the Canada and UK Pavilions.
Just look for the Events Cast Members, and they’ll point the way!
Entrance
Check-in for the event is located inside the main entrance. The party actually takes place in the large room that’s beyond. [Read more…]
Ready for some beer that doesn’t really seem like beer but is still super awesome? Let’s go to Epcot!
When you’re wandering around this great-for-food-and-beverage-lovers park, you never know what you’re going to come upon. There’s that great value — and surprisingly hidden — Epcot wine walk, the sweet deal of the cheese plate and wine flight at Weinkeller, that killer cronut, and probably lots more that you might never have known about.
One of my favorite not-so-hidden gems here is the Rose and Crown Beer Stand. I say not-so-hidden because there are several times during the day when you will likely have to change your walking path in order to swerve around the line that builds up here. 😉
Rose and Crown proper is a great pub and restaurant, and we love stopping in for a pint. But if necessary, you can skip the air con and taking a load off in the pub (thank you, toddler) and instead get your drink to go at the Beer Stand.
Rose and Crown Outside Bar
You’ll find the line (make sure you get into the right one) to the left of the check-in area at the restaurant. The walk-up location serves specialty bottled and draft beers.
Big nooz! Reports note that Morimoto Asia will open its doors at Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) on September 30! Reservations may be available via Open Table beginning September 16.
©Disney @WDWDowntown Twitter
From the beginning, we’ve heard details that Morimoto Asia would feature a full panoply of Asian flavors, with special experiences throughout the soaring space of the restaurant. Today, we’re getting even more detail. [Read more…]
Time to check in on one of Walt Disney World’s most popular signature dining spots — California Grill.
Located atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort, the Grill has become nearly as well known for its stellar views as its market-inspired food. And those two factors can make this a tough table to book.
My last visit here, however, when the restaurant had just reopened after an in-depth refurbishment, was somewhat disappointing. At the time, I chalked it up to the kitchen having an off night; after all, I had enjoyed incredible dining here many times before.
I decided it was time to check in again. So we booked an early Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) on a recent visit, and up we went.
If you’ve never visited California Grill, then there’s one thing you should know: you don’t just head to the 15th floor. Your journey actually starts on the 2nd floor of the Contemporary where you check in. Even if you’re just heading to the first-come, first-served Lounge, this is your first stop.
Second Floor Check In Desk for California Grill
You’ll then be escorted via a private elevator to the 15th floor. In this way, staff act as gatekeepers for the popular spot. If left unattended, it would get pretty busy up there, especially around Wishes-at-Magic-Kingdom time.
Once you make your way upstairs, a bank of Wine Fridges greets you straight ahead.
Entrance and Wine Fridges
You walk through the Lounge and Bar to get to the restaurant’s main seating area. That sounds as though these are different spaces; they aren’t. Basically, with the exception of a few private dining rooms, the restaurant features an open floor plan, accentuating the sweeping views and retro-meets-modern vibe.
California Grill Bar
If you find yourself without an ADR, there’s still hope. You can sit in the Grill’s Lounge and order from the menu, or just enjoy Drinks, Sushi, and Appetizers. Be forewarned, though: it’s not uncommon for this area to reach capacity as the night goes on. Here at 5PM, though, it was pretty bare.
California Grill Lounge
Wrap around to the main seating area, and you see that nearly every table commands an excellent view of the surrounding landscape, including Magic Kingdom and the Resorts situated around Seven Seas Lagoon.
Seating varies here and includes both tables and chairs and booths.
Seating
There are also a selection of tables that mix banquette and chair seating. Note that white tablecloths and cloth napkins are the norm here, lending to the upscale air of sophistication.
Table for Two
Booths are somewhat unique in that they are located in the middle of the floor. That means that you can enter from either side, and there will be traffic on both sides of your table, similar to what you find at Jiko. While this isn’t necessarily bad, it does mean that your booth won’t be as secluded as you might like.
But the view outside of the windows isn’t the only thing you have to look at.
California Grill Kitchen
The well-orchestrated, professional hustle and bustle that’s happening behind the counter in the on-stage kitchen can be fascinating as well.
Prepping for Dinner Service
Although we will focus today on the food here, the sweeping, panoramic vistas certainly bear mentioning. You can see for miles!
The View
And that’s one of the biggest draws of California Grill — this view, especially when it comes to [Read more…]
While the Disneyland Resort continues to prepare for the much anticipated Diamond Anniversary later this month, some of the refurbishments are already starting to open. Formerly known as Taste Pilots’ Grill, Smokejumpers Grill at Disney California Adventure has its doors open and is ready to serve hungry adventurers.
Smokejumpers Grill
Located right next door to Soarin’, this counter service restaurant specializes in burgers and chicken sandwiches. Enormous in size, Smokejumpers has plenty of seating both indoors and out.
Outdoor Seating ( I predict a 2nd side to the left of the restaurant once the wall for Soarin’ comes down)
This indoor seating area is located at the entrance of Smokejumpers Grill.
Just a Small Portion of the Indoor Seating at Smokejumpers
There is also indoor seating both to the left and right of the ordering kiosk/kitchen. Below shows the seating to the left. It is basically identical with some different decor on the right side.
More Indoor Seating
My absolute favorite thing about the new Smokejumpers Grill (besides the french fries) is the [Read more…]
It’s almost time! The Fifth Annual Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic is just around the corner!
This event, which takes place concurrently with the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, is a fantastic evening for food and wine lovers.
This year’s Food and Wine Classic will take place on Friday, October 31 (yep! Halloween!) and Saturday, November 1. The two-day event consists of food and beverage tasting booths set up on the resort’s beautiful causeway each evening. And new for 2014, a Beer Garden experience has been added for even more great food and drink.
Guests can also take part in a number of special food and beverage seminars for an additional fee. Seminars take place at 4:30PM both days, and the Causeway booths are open from 5:30 until 9:00PM on Friday and Saturday.
We’ve enjoyed the event every year since it began, and 2013 was no exception! We thought a look back at last year’s event was the perfect way to get excited about what’s in store for 2014. Let’s head out to the Causeway for a delicious evening.
Dining al fresco on the Causeway at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!
Whether you’re staying at the Swan and Dolphin or you’re arriving from another location, head to the Promenade that connects the two resorts — that’s where the evening’s festivities will take place. We stopped by the Will Call Booth to pick up tickets.
As far as admission goes, you have options. Purchase an all-access ticket, and it’s an all-you-can-eat-and-drink pass to the booths. If you prefer, you can choose a la carte tickets instead, which are sold in books of 25.
Will Call Booth
The Check In Table provided us with handy plates and plastic wine glasses.
Check-In Table
These would come in handy as we juggled plates and drinks on the Causeway.
Food and Wine Classic Tray and Glass
Booths line the walkway leading from the Swan to the Dolphin as well as the path directly behind the Swan. There’s a lot to take in!
The Promenade
Hi-Top tables are scattered throughout the middle of the Causeway. You’ll also find large tables with chairs off to the side directly behind the Swan.
High Top Table
At the end of the Causeway closest to the Dolphin, a stage is set up for musical performance. While you sip and stroll, you can listen to live tunes!
Stage
In addition to the food and beverage booths, last year’s Classic featured a large [Read more…]
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
