food IS a theme park
A recent trip up to Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store in Hollywood led me to discover these adorable Limited Edition ice cream themed pins that I just had to have. Just released recently, there are only 300 of each pin available.
The pins will set you back $10.95 a piece. I wish those ol’ time ice cream prices on the signs still rang true!
Mickey Ice Cream Sundae Pin
Minnie Ice Cream Pin
Love the Chip and [Read more…]
Knowing that Carnation Cafe was going to be closing for renovation starting January 5th, I wanted to squeeze in one more meal to hold me over for the next 6 months or so.
Carnation Cafe
My family and I decided to brave the park (with a dining reservation of course) on New Year’s Eve day for Carnation Cafe breakfast, which surprisingly we had never experienced there before. It’s hard for me to believe that we’d never had breakfast at one of our favorite table service restaurants, but then again, we are rarely at the park in the morning.
Right after checking in, I noticed that Chef Oscar was working, which made my morning. His 55 Years of Service Party was just the day before, so I wasn’t sure if he’d be in or not. I couldn’t wait to talk to him about his big day, but first, time to be seated and order!
Carnation Cafe Seating
I’d heard for a long time that the Cafe Cinnamon Roll French Toast is a must have. The description alone had me sold on it. Cream Cheese Icing? Yes please.
However, knowing that this was probably way too rich for me to finish alone along with the fact that three out of the four of us wanted to try it, my family decided to order it as a “fifth” meal to [Read more…]
With Beauty and the Beast 3D hitting theaters this past Friday, Disney’s Soda Fountain is celebrating with a special movie themed sundae. My family and I hit the road to Hollywood to check it out.
Disney's Soda Fountain and Studio Store
Beauty and the Beast Sundae Table Topper
Almond Praline Ice Cream with a hint of strawberry sauce, swirls of whipped cream, and topped with a “Luscious” candy rose was the description.
However, as soon as it arrived at the table, I noticed that the sundae also had caramel in it! SCORE!
Beauty and the Beast Sundae
See? CARAMEL!
Although I’m still a bit sad about the fact that the Soda Fountain switched from Dewar’s ice cream to Dreyer’s, the Almond Praline that was used in this sundae was quite tasty!
I am normally not a big strawberry sauce fan, but it literally was just a [Read more…]
With the newly opened Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe in full effect there are tons of yummy options that are on my “must try” list. The first one was this scrumptious Lemon Meringue Bar, which I specifically went back for on my second trip to Jolly Holiday.
Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe
Let me start by saying that I consider myself a lemon bar connoisseur. I love them… like really, really love them. So, I was hoping that this tart treat would meet my expectations, because artificial-tasting lemon in a lemon bar is awful.
The topping is also important to me; usually I like a “crumby” type topping on them and maybe a sprinkle of powdered sugar.
Lemon Meringue Bar
I am happy to report, however, that the Lemon Meringue Bar is a great twist on the standard lemon bar. The meringue topping was smooth and not too sticky, it was the perfect sized dollop to go along with the bar.
The lemon was tart and tasted natural, while the crust on the bottom was [Read more…]
This past weekend marked the first time the Disneyland has celebrated Dia de Reyes, also know as Three Kings Day. This special event is celebrated at the end of the Christmas season marking the occasion when the three kings, or three wise men, followed the star to Bethlehem to deliver their riches to the Christ child.
Three Kings Day Signage
Dia de Reyes Floral Display
Disneyland celebrated the event in Frontierland with special menu items, activities, performances, and character greetings. We started our day off at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante for a holiday feast.
Rancho de Zocalo Restaurante
The restaurant was offering four special menu items for the event: a Tamale Platter, a Carne Asada/Tamale Platter, a Sweet Corn Tamale dessert, and Mexican Hot Chocolate.
Rancho del Zocalo Holiday Specials
Rancho del Zocalo Holiday Dessert
Since Rancho del Zocalo is a counter service cafeteria type restaurant, we grabbed our trays and ordered one each of the entree specials. We also ordered a Sweet Corn Tamale, a fruit platter, and [Read more…]
It’s a Jolly Holiday on Main Street! It’s open everyone, it’s open! We’ve been waiting patiently or maybe not so patiently for the new Jolly Holiday Bakery to open since it’s cute signs started enticing us months ago.
Yesterday, the Jolly Holiday Bakery, a counter service eatery, soft opened in Disneyland with a “Grand Opening” planned for Saturday, January 7th. I am happy to announce that I was there yesterday morning on the very first day of service and everything was spit spot!
Jolly Holiday Entrance
Mary Poppins Weathervane on the Rooftop
Outdoor Menu Teaser Board
We’re covering both breakfast AND lunch at the bakery in this post, so stay tuned for dozens of mouth-watering photos of what’s available…like these!!
Strawberry Lemon Cupcake
Waldorf Chicken Sandwich
These are just teasers, though! Read through the rest of the post to see more yummy pics!
When walking up to Jolly Holiday, I noticed that it was a completely full house with the line wrapping around out the door. It was prime breakfast time and with this being the only eatery open on Main Street, it was the place to be. Not to worry though, the line moves quick and once inside, it splits into two lines with multiple speedy cashiers ready to take care of business! There is plenty of outdoor seating & even with a long line, there were many available tables to choose from.
Jolly Holiday Outdoor Seating
Jolly Holiday Table with Matching Umbrella
Jolly Holiday Patio Seating
While in line, the decor is distractingly adorable, so that makes it go even quicker! My absolute favorite thing to see were the [Read more…]
This holiday season marks the last holiday season for Disneyland’s Blue Ribbon Bakery. Located on Main St. USA for the past almost 22 years, Blue Ribbon Bakery made its Disneyland debut on April 6, 1990 when it replaced the Sunkist Citrus House (fresh squeezed orange juice or lemonade anyone?).
Blue Ribbon Bakery
Known for its staple Disneyland treats like Cinnamon Rolls, Matterhorn Macaroons, seasonal goodies, and a good ol’ cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or cider, Blue Ribbon Bakery was the perfect go to stop for a quick snack or pick me up upon entering the park.
Blue Ribbon Bakery Cinnamon Roll
Giant Display Matterhorn Macaroon
Holiday Beverage Menu
In honor of Blue Ribbon’s awesomeness, I feel like we should pay homage to its last holiday season. Here are some treats that were offered this year, along with a fun video depicting [Read more…]
Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here!EDITOR’S UPDATE: Please note that ESPN Zone in the Downtown Disney District closed in June 2018 to make way for a new hotel coming to Disneyland Resort.
Looking for somewhere to eat lunch; a friend of mine and my two boys decided on ESPN Zone. It had been forever since I’d eaten there, so I figured it was time to give it another chance.
ESPN Zone, Downtown Disney
One of the reasons I don’t like going there is because of the upstairs video arcade. The arcade is awesome! It’s state of the art and has realistic sports themed arcade games and a pretty cool rock wall. My problem: I hate being BEGGED by my kids to play games that cost a small fortune. SO, unless it is a special occasion, no games. On this visit, I established that this was a lunch only situation, don’t even bother to ask about playing the games. 😉
The restaurant is a sports-lover’s dream, with tons of sports memorabilia and enough flat screen TVs to watch every single sports event taking place at the time.
Check in Area (Sports Arena aka arcade is located upstairs)
Sports Memorabilia Filled Lobby/Waiting Area with Stairs Leading to Arcade
There are indoor and outdoor dining areas, so you’re welcome to eat on the patio if you’d like. However, you’re then subject to the creepy face-moving sports players that adorn the outside of the ESPN Zone building.
They’ve freaked me out since the day I laid eyes on them years and years ago (AJ’s weirded out by them, too). I’ve included a video of these guys at the end of the post, so feel free to check ’em out!
Side Patio Seating with Creepy Head Moving Baseball Player
Indoor Dining Area Features Many Flat Screens
6 Seat Table Top
After checking in, I made my way to the bathroom so I could share something pretty awesomely hilarious with you. [Read more…]
Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here!
There are two awesome holiday experiences in Disneyland Resort that are not to be missed this year. Nope, I’m not talking about the homemade candy canes or the yule log (though both of those are definitely not-to-be-missed!), I’m talking about visiting Santa’s Cabin at Big Thunder Ranch in Disneyland and visiting the gingerbread house at Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Resort!
Every year my family visits Santa at his Disneyland home away from the North Pole. His lovely cabin in Big Thunder Ranch is the perfect escape from the harsh winter back home. He even brings along Mrs. Claus and his reindeer too!
Santa's Just Around the Corner!
Santa's Cabin at Big Thunder Ranch
Santa is one lucky guy, because Mrs. Claus has been busy in the cabin’s kitchen. All of these yummy goodies are waiting for him when he’s done listening to Christmas wishes.
The Cabin's Kitchen
Someone's Making Cookies!
That dough looks good enough to eat!! Check out a [Read more…]
After a super successful Haunted House Building Workshop with my family in October, I knew that we’d be back in December for the Gingerbread House Workshop…
Note: If you are in the Disneyland area, you still have time to register for the December 17th & 18th (THIS WEEKEND) Gingerbread House Workshops. Call Bruno Duarte asap at 714.776.5200 from 10am-4pm Monday-Friday. These workshops WILL SELL OUT.
Gingerbread House Workshop Information
Since this was not our first gingerbread rodeo, we were overly prepared for this workshop (after being under prepared at Halloween). I had stocked up on supplies from Michael’s Arts & Crafts as well as Target. We knew going in that we were going to be making a serious masterpiece!
Arriving right on time, we had just a few minutes to get organized and check out the set up. The room was once again arranged with large tables and reserved seating. We also had fun jingle bell necklaces waiting for us on our chairs!
Gingerbread House Workshop Seating
Ralph Brennan Jingle Bell Necklace
Our place settings included the Gingerbread House pieces and a gingerbread man, tree, and snowman along with a bag of white frosting. Cups of candy included [Read more…]
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