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EPCOT Festival of the Holidays

Tag: dining in disneyland

Dining in Disneyland Review: The Yule Log

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year… Yep, seasonal treats are already aplenty at The Disneyland Resort! And thank goodness, because I’ve been dying to try the Plaza Inn Yule Log Cake since I first learned about it on Guy Fieri’s Disney Holiday Special two years ago.

For whatever strange reason I didn’t get to it last year, so I vowed to myself that this year it would be my first treat of the season. On December 1st, just 3 days after it appeared in the parks, it was Yule Log time. I knew that Disneyland’s hot Yule Log spot was the Plaza Inn on Main Street, so on my recent visit, I went straight there.

Plaza Inn, Main St. USA

Specs

The Yule Log cake was easy to find; you practically run into it upon entering the restaurant. It’s on display in the center of the room at the salad/dessert station. There are, however, none for the taking; you must ask for it and it is taken out of a small refrigerator behind the glass.

Yule Log Display Cake

Yule Log Cake Display Side View

Now, the first thing I noticed was that the Yule Log cake this year is “Chocolate Chestnut.”  As far as I know, the last few years the Yule Log has been [Read more…]

Review: Most Sensational Muppet Party at Disney’s Soda Fountain

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I will admit to you that I am a Muppet fan, a serious Muppet fan. I mean, like, I’ve loved the Muppets for as long as I can remember. Sadly, years gone by, they sort of fell off my radar.

I am, however, happy to announce that with the release of The Muppets I was able to fall back in love at my favorite movie theater, The El Capitan.

A Perfect Pair!

A Perfect Pair.

If you’ve got Muppet fever, then you must know about a very special event going on at Disney’s Soda Fountain (aka El Capitan’s next door neighbor), Disney’s Most Sensational Muppet Party. Muppets, food, cupcakes, and a special surprise…what could be better!!! My two sons and I were recently treated to a very special afternoon in Hollywood. Read on to hear all about it!

Most Sensational!

Specs

Before we dive into the review, I want to let you know the details if you’d like to book your spot at The Most Sensational Muppet Party! It’s offered pre- or post-movie at Disney’s Soda Fountain on Saturdays and Sundays, November 23rd through January 5th. Available party times are [Read more…]

First Look!: Disney’s Soda Fountain Muppets “Rainbow Connection” Sundae

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I’m currently working on a very fun post about a fabulous Muppet Party going on at Disney’s Soda Fountain in honor of the new Muppets movie release.  However, I couldn’t wait to share a tasty treat that is being offered in honor of my favorite frog and pig.

Disney's Soda Fountain in Hollywood

The gorgeous Rainbow Connection Sundae is currently available at Disney’s Soda Fountain and will remain available throughout the movie’s run (Nov 23rd- Jan 8th) next door at the El Capitan theater.

Rainbow Connection Table Top Signage

The “official” description of the sundae is Luscious vanilla ice cream surrounded by strawberry syrup, caramel, and a marshmallow rainbow. My personal description: a sundae cup full of happiness.  I mean, I was smiling from ear to ear as soon as it was placed in front of me.

Try to not smile when this is sitting in front of you....

My boys had taken a trip to the restroom upon delivery, so I was completely prepared to dig in without them!  I, personally, am not a huge chocolate fan (Gasp! I know, I get that alot), so when I read that the Rainbow Connection was vanilla based, I knew it was [Read more…]

Ariel and Jack Sparrow Kids’ Cup Glow Lights to Debut

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Word on the Disney Streets is that two new glowing Disney character lights will be appearing at the Disneyland Resort this holiday season. Both Ariel and a Pirates of the Caribbean Skull that is being called “Jack Sparrow” will make their debut at Ariel’s Grotto very soon.

These two new character lights will be clipped, as usual, to the “Glowing Character Punch” that is served in a souvenir cup for $6.99.

Buzz Lightyear Glowing Character Punch

Other Characters that are currently available throughout the parks include [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: New Holiday Desserts at Disney California Adventure!

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I know I am not alone in believing that there is nothing like a visit to the Disneyland Resort during the holiday season.

Their spectacular decor adorns every nook and cranny of the parks. The sights, the scents, the holiday cheer; it’s really an amazing experience. The Disneyland Resort goes above transforming both parks into “The Merriest Place on Earth.”  They transform everything from Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to the menu boards at many of their eateries.

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

This year, I had the pleasure of meeting two very special people that help create the magic that happens on those menu boards.  Karlos Siqueiros & Mechelle Miller both play important roles in Disney Food & Beverage Concept Development.  This past Saturday night, I attended a special event (courtesy of Disney) that showcased their latest holiday delights.

Karlos & Mechelle from Food & Beverage Development

After enjoying an amazing dinner, fun activities, and special photo opportunities, Karlos & Mechelle took the stage with Chef Goofy to share the Resort’s special holiday dessert menu items.

Holiday Chef Goofy

Brand New Holiday Desserts to Be Revealed at Disney California Adventure Restaurants

Although I know both Anaheim resorts offer special holiday menu items, these particular goodies are brand new to the parks and are only available at California Adventure.

The presentation was creative and fun, and as each item was described Cast Members dressed in their holiday best pranced out to show off each dish.

Almond Cookie Sandwich Presentation

When the dessert “show” was over, we turned around to find that some Disney Magic had taken place behind our backs and a beautiful buffet featuring all of the presented dishes had been set up! I decided an organized right-to-left situation was necessary so I wouldn’t miss anything… [Read more…]

Disney Food History: Vintage Donald Duck Eats n’ Treats

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Sometimes Disney food pops up in the strangest places.

This past Saturday, I took the D23 Disney Studios Tour. And the highlight of the tour was definitely walking into the archives room to see Disney historian Dave Smith himself standing there waiting to give us a personal tour of the room.

The Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, CA

Highlights of the archives included holding the very first Disneyland entrance ticket, being among the first to look up close at the original story book for Steamboat Willie, and holding one of Walt Disney’s Oscars.  WOW, what a treat.

Holding Disneyland's Very 1st Entrance Ticket #000001

Disney Archivist, Dave Smith, shows us the original Steamboat Willie Script

After being in awe of all the amazing things in this room, I spotted something definitely worth sharing here on the DFB: Donald Duck food and drink items!

Donald Duck Food Line History

I couldn’t believe all of food this duck used to hawk! Apparently, Donald was one of the most licensed Disney characters of his time.

Sadly, the only official “Donald Duck” items that remain on the market today are Donald Duck Orange Juice and Donald Duck Grapefruit Juice, both of which can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Donald Duck Orange Juice

I couldn’t believe the range of products that Donald used to represent.  Everything from [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: New Recipe Request Forms Pop Up in Disneyland

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Thanks to our friend Lynnette Johnson, we were alerted to a new way of requesting recipes at Disneyland! On a recent trip to the Carnation Cafe, Lynnette asked for a recipe and was handed one of these from Chef Oscar himself!

Food & Beverage Recipe Request Form

This is the first form we have seen and it is specific to the Carnation Cafe.  It does say “Walt Disney Parks & Resorts” so, it leads me to believe that they are available throughout all of Disney’s parks.

From the looks of the form, there seems to be no guarantee that you will get the recipe that you ask for, and they add a disclaimer that the recipes have been converted from large batches to small ones for home kitchen use.  So basically if the dish doesn’t come out the exact way it tasted at Disney, that’s your problem, not theirs!

Personally, I liked when Chef Oscar wrote down the recipe by hand and gave it to you on the spot, but I do see how these could come in handy.  Have you filled out a Food & Beverage Recipe Request Form yet? If so, I’m wondering what [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Carnation Cafe, the Matterhorn Sundae, and a Chat With Chef Oscar

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For my son’s 10th birthday, he really wanted to tackle the famous Matterhorn Sundae from the Carnation Cafe located on Main Street in Disneyland.  Always up for a challenge like this, I booked a lunchtime reservation with some friends of ours and we fueled up with lunch before the challenge of finishing this wondrous mountain of goodness.

Atmosphere

I always recommend making a reservation in advance for the Carnation Cafe.  Although the menu is small, the food here is really fantastic and the prices are reasonable for a table service restaurant.

Carnation cafe view of street

Seating is also limited to a pretty small area (though the Cafe will be refurbished in 2012 to create a larger indoor seating area). You can see more photos of the seating area here. So, with a party of eight, on one of the last weekends of the summer, it made perfect sense to [Read more…]

Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Scent Demonstration

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This year was my first experience at Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, and I will tell you this, it will not be my last. I’m pretty much addicted. Eating & drinking my way around the world? A cranberry bog? AND super cool special events like the Scent Demonstration?  All of this while the kids are at home with Grandma & Grandpa… one can’t go wrong.

Anyhow, I happened to get super lucky that AJ had purchased tickets for the festival’s Scent Demonstration and then couldn’t use them.  When I was asked to go cover this event I had a million questions, the first being, “What in the world is a Scent Demonstration?” As well as, “Are they going to teach me how to use my nose correctly?” And,  “Have I been using it wrong all these years?”

The Scent Demonstration Took Place in the Festival Center

Well, here is how Disney describes it:

“Scent Demonstration – NEW!: Join scent critic Chandler Burr for a unique double-culinary experience—a meal made entirely of scents! You’ll also get to taste one of the courses, prepared by a Disney chef. Sunday, Oct. 2 from 2:45 to 4:00 p.m. $13 per person, tax included.”

I have to admit, although the description had me intrigued, I immediately thought of a field trip that I went on with my son last year at a nature center. One of the activities was to sniff certain bottles filled with “local” scents.  We’re talking everything from sweet honey smell to nasty stinky skunk. So at this point, I’m thinking the demonstration could go either way! Also knowing that my husband and I are both super sensitive to strong perfumes, I was a little nervous and didn’t want to leave the event sniffling and sneezy.

Our event took place at 2:45, so after the [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen Gingerbread House Workshop

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We shared our Haunted House Building Workshop experience with you and guess what? It’s time to make reservations for the next holiday event at Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney! I’ll be there, will you?

Reservations are filling up fast, so book quickly!

See you there!

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