food IS a theme park
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is home to some great food spots! Today we are checking out one that doesn’t always reach the top of our “must-eat” spots!
Pandora
This restaurant is known for its classic theme park fare including lots of hamburgers and hot dogs. But we are on a quest to find out if it is more than JUST that typical fare?
Here at the DFB, we love a good Disney food mash-up, but truth be told, even in our wildest dreams we never conjured up this one: Donut Nuggets.
We know, we know: they sound intriguing and delicious. (And maybe just a smidgen odd…)
The masters of American casual comfort food at D-Luxe Burger are the brainiacs behind this new creation, and since we are masters of, you know, eating donuts and nuggs, we had to get in on the action.
D-Luxe has quickly gone to the top of our favorite counter service burgers because — for once! — the burgers themselves aren’t overdone hockey pucks! We also enjoy the clever combinations of ingredients, like the Southern Burger with fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese (the caviar of the south, y’all!). Plus they have several dipping sauces, and that’s never a bad thing.
D-Luxe Burger sign
We’re back at the Backlot Express!
And it’s a good time to visit, since Backlot Express is really THE place to go in Disney’s Hollywood Studios to get that “backlot” feel, especially since The Studio Backlot Tour attraction closed down last September.
It’s also a good time solely because it’s always a good time to visit Backlot Express. With its fantastically-done themeing, this movie production warehouse that’s actually an eatery serves up Quick Service favorites (with a few unique items thrown in), and it’s long been just about my favorite Counter Service restaurant in Hollywood Studios. Of course, now you’ll find part of it decorated for the Rebel Hangar Star Wars Lounge Experience for Star Wars Weekends, but my most recent visit took place just a couple weeks prior to the temporary redecoration.
It’s been too long, I’d say… so let’s head back inside Backlot Express!
Yes, Backlot Express is a Counter Service stop, so the goal —aside from getting fed 😉 — is to be in and out and get back to the attractions. In fact, that was even more of the goal with the Express Order test. But if you have a little extra time, I’d really encourage you to spend some of it exploring the terrific details here.
This “Warehouse of Good Eating” (its slogan is on the main entrance sign), in story, serves as a warehouse for the Studios, storing all manner of movie production items from paints and props to storyboards and stunt gear.
Backlot Express sign and “warehouse” entrance
The sculpture area is super cool, with the scupltures all in white awaiting their paint.
Sculpture
Sculptures
Sculpture
And you can spot pops of color here and there, too.
Painted sculpture
Speaking of paints… you’ll see cans upon cans of the stuff, in both indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Paint cans
Paint cans in outdoor seating
Though you could choose to eat in the stunt crew area.
Stunt diagram
But I can’t say that I have, since I find the stunt dummies sitting above –frankly — a little creepy.
Stunt dummies
Stunt dummy
Some of my favorite details, though, are reminders that you’ve walked into a functioning, working warehouse complete with safety-in-the-workplace and supply conservation signs.
Save Money sign
Safety Quiz
There is even the ol’ office bulletin board for the Paint Department, displaying inter-team memos as well as [Read more…]
You want history, my fellow Disney-loving friends? Well, then, you’re going to love what we have in store for you today.
Sign
That’s right, we’re taking another trip to Disneyland for a rip-roarin’ good time at one of our favorite Old West saloons — The Golden Horseshoe!
This place has it all — Disney pedigree, a hilarious show, and signature menu items.
If you haven’t been there before, I have a feeling it will be on your Disney Bucket List once we’re finished talking about this time-honored spot in Disney’s original theme park.
Let’s check it out!
Head up Main Street USA towards Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and hang a left at the hub. You’ll find The Golden Horseshoe centrally located in Frontierland, appropriately.
One of the most interesting bits of trivia about this spot is that it was one of the original fixtures when the park opened waaaaaayyy back in 1955.
In fact, Walt and his wife, Lillian, celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary with a private party here just days before the park opened to the public.
Awesome Golden Horseshoe Signs
(Check out Heather’s post about a cool Limited Time Magic event earlier this year, which included a dessert with a picture from that famous night!)
The boardwalk outside touts Ice Cream Sundaes and more as you anticipate heading inside… .
Entrance
Enter into the saloon-themed counter service spot and take in all the details. The restaurant was designed by Harper Goff, and if it seems familiar, then you must be an old film buff — it’s based upon a set design that Goff used in the the 1953 western comedy musical Calamity Jane, starring Doris Day. (See? Reading DFB is not only a treat for the eyes, it’s a learning experience, too! ;-D You’re SMARTER than you were when you started reading!)
Seating and Stage Under the Rotunda
Two levels of seating provide you lots of options for taking in the show. You’ll also notice some “box seats” situated closer to the stage. Walt himself kept the one on the right for viewing the show anytime time he wanted to, as this was a favorite spot of his. The boxes are open to the public now.
Upper Level Seating on the Rotunda and Longhorns
Rich details surround you, and actually, the feeling is pretty [Read more…]
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