disney dining tips | the disney food blog

DFB Black Friday Sale: Our Best Deal Ever!

Whew! I hope you had an awesome Thanksgiving Day yesterday! But today feels kind of like a sit-around-the-house-and-plan-a-Disney-trip kind of day, so it’s time to carry on the holiday weekend with a little more celebrating… .

Check out our biggest DFB Guide Discount EVER!

The DFB Everything Bundle — Half Off This Weekend

When it came time to offer you something truly special for our Black Friday Sale, we couldn’t think of anything better…than giving you everything.

Disney Food Blog Guidebooks

And that’s why we’re announcing that, for this weekend, you can purchase the DFB Everything Bundle for 1/2 off the already deeply discounted price! Just enter code Everything50 at the check-out.

What does the Everything Bundle include? The name says it all — Everything! When you purchase the DFB Everything Bundle, you get all of the following DFB Guides:

A Pre-Order of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2015 Edition, Due Out [Read more…]

Save! Announcing the DFB Guide 50% Off Thanksgiving Day Sale

By AJ 4 Comments

Happy Turkey Day, everyone!! Whether you love holiday shopping or you’d rather avoid the madness altogether, we can agree on one thing: Saving money is a win/win!

So we are super excited to announce our DFB Guide Thanksgiving Sale!

Get The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book TODAY for 50% Off!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 450 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World.

Our team of Walt Disney World food experts have put together the most comprehensive guide to Walt Disney World food and dining available. With more than 25 years of experience eating and drinking our way through the Parks and Resorts, we’ve learned a thing or two — and we love sharing our secrets with you!

So What’s the Big Deal?

Order today, and you’ll get our 2014 Edition as an immediate download, AND we’ll email you our 2015 Edition (for free!) as soon as it’s published in late January 2015! That’s a two-for-one deal right there…

…But it gets even better! This weekend only, we’re offering this great deal for 50% off the regular price! Get BOTH guides for under $10 — just use code TURKEYLEG for that 50% off discount.

It’s guaranteed to help you navigate your way to delicious dining on your next trip! And if you’re ready to get yours now, head on over to DFBStore.com to pick it up!! Don’t forget to use code TURKEYLEG today for the 50% off deal.

And with a brand new, completely updated edition releasing in early 2015, you can get started enjoying the current guide right away, and have the new one at your fingertips as soon as it drops!

What Do You Get with the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book?

With the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, you’ll enjoy so many fun and useful features that were created with saving you time and money. We know your Disney dollars are valuable; we want to help you to make the most of them!

Here are just a few of the things you’ll find in our DFB to Walt Disney World Dining: [Read more…]

Snack Series: Caramel Brownie and Caramel Toffee at Epcot’s Karamell-Küche

By AJ 7 Comments

We are taking another lap around World Showcase today and stopping into Karamell-Küche for a couple of treats!

Learn About:Karamell-Küche

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Who can resist all of that buttery caramel? Super not me.

It’s true. We rarely make it all the way Around the World without stopping for a sweet treat here. Stepping inside is like finally realizing your best candy store dream ever. You don’t have candy store dreams, you say? Well you will after you’ve been here. There are so many outrageously good things to try, and we always finds something new!

Recently, I told you about two other treats we tried here — the Caramel Bacon Square and Caramel S’more.

Today, we’re back with two oldies but goodies to share!

Caramel Brownie

The first treat I want to show you is the Caramel Brownie. I was excited to finally try this one. I have no idea why I hadn’t indulged before. It’s drizzled heavily with that golden Werther’s Caramel, and that turned out to be the best part.

Caramel Brownie from Karamell-Küche in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion

The brownie itself was more cakey than fudgy, and it really didn’t have the moistness I was looking for. It was a little dry and crumbly in fact. This alone kind of ruined the treat for me, but that may have just been a bad batch.

Look a little more closely, and you can see that, in addition to the drizzle, there’s caramel baked right into the top of the brownie! It’s like a double shot of golden, buttery sugar.

Caramel Brownie — Inside

If you like chocolate and caramel in more of a cake-like form, grab a glass of milk. This one’s for you.

Caramel Toffee

But I also had to try something for the candy lovers out there! And this time out, I chose the Caramel Toffee. The marbleized detail on the top of the square really made it stand out from the [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Pictures and Review: France and Mexico Marketplace Booths

By AJ 16 Comments

We’re back today with another delicious look at the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

Welcome to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

It’s always exciting to see what new Marketplaces and other experiences pop up each year at the Festival, but I’m always eager to indulge in my tried and true favorites as well!

Today, let’s take a peek at some always-busy booths — France and Mexico — to take a closer look at both classics and brand new flavors.

The France Marketplace Booth

When you visit the France Marketplace, you’re participating in Food and Wine Festival Heritage! That’s right — it’s one of the original spots from the very first event, which was held in 1996.

And though the menu has changed a bit from year to year, it’s always a favorite stop for guests.

France Marketplace Booth

You’ll notice that the France booth has a very robust menu. With three different savory items, plus dessert, you could easily make a meal out of the offerings here. Add to that wines and cocktails, and you would definitely want to visit the Marketplace more than once to try everything.

2014 France Menu

The big news at the France booth this year was a change to the classic Escargot offering. In the past, guests have enjoyed Escargots en Persillade in the perfect stroll-and-eat version; the escargots were nestled in rounds of Brioche.

But in 2014, escargot became an ingredient in a savory tart. The Tartelette aux Escargots combined the Snails with Spinach, Garlic, Bacon, and Parmesan, presented in a deep, rectangular savory tart.

Tartelette aux Escargots

This one has probably been one of the biggest controversies of the festival this year! We’ve heard from guests who love it, and from guests who hate it.

Me? While I’m not a huge fan of spinach or snails on their own, the combo of flavors is an absolute win here. But really, is there a way to go wrong when Bacon and Garlic are involved??

Cross section of Tartlette aux Escargots

Also joining the line up this year is Gratin de Crozets de Savoie. The savory combination of Gruyere and Mushrooms makes this rich vegetarian dish a hit.

Gratin de Crozets de Savoie

The pasta used in the dish, Crozet, comes to us from Savoie. It’s a uniquely French version of pasta, customarily a whole wheat variety.

Gratin de Crozets de Savoie — Inside

Also on the menu is another popular option from years past: [Read more…]

Happy National Coffee Day! Three Unique Ways to Enjoy Coffee at Disney World

By AJ 5 Comments

In case you didn’t know, today is National Coffee Day. And we all know that java lovers don’t check their passion for this Drink of Life when they step foot inside the Big Purple Gates!

There are the big headliners in the Disney coffee game. With Starbucks at two parks and Downtown Disney (and coming soon to Disney’s Hollywood Studios), you’re never far from your favorite coffee beverage. And Joffreys coffee stands inside and outside the parks lure us with those fresh coffee smells and giant doughnuts. But what if you’re looking for something a little different? Today, we have a few suggestions for other spots to indulge in some really unique coffee treats in Disney World.

Tipsy Ducks in Love

Looking for a coffee drink with a little “cheer” involved? Try the Tipsy Ducks in Love at the Joy of Tea in the China Pavilion at Epcot. Besides the crazy fun name, this refreshing Iced Mocha comes with two additions to make it extra special — a shot of Bourbon and a crown of Whipped Cream.

Tipsy Duck

It’s the perfect drink for strolling the Promenade on a hot day. Or enjoy it after dinner as dessert!

Cappuccino Chocolate Cupcake

Speaking of dessert, one of my favorite ways to enjoy coffee is in cupcake form. 🙂 So when the craving strikes, head over to Toy Story Pizza Planet in Disney’s Hollywood Studios for a Cappuccino Chocolate Cupcake.

Since I prefer to get my coffee buzz with liberal amounts of other flavors thrown in, this mammoth cupcake is perfect! The coffee flavors are very subtle, and take a backseat to the chocolate. But it’s a flavor that’s more complex than your garden variety chocolate cupcake.

Cuppuccino Cupcake

And the whipped Buttercream Frosting and Toffee and Nut Bits that complete this classic are a nice addition.

Victoria & Albert’s

But if you’re looking for a coffee experience, you must try [Read more…]

Don’t Miss A Minute of the Magic — Sign Up for the Disney Food Blog Newsletter Today

By AJ Leave a Comment

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year! No, we aren’t jumping on the bandwagon to usher in the Winter Holidays two months early. 😉 We’re talkin’ Fall at Disney!

And whether you’re celebrating the change of seasons in Disneyland or Walt Disney World, this time of year is something special. With must-do seasonal events and lots of special eats and drinks, we don’t think you should miss a single thing!

But there’s the rub. Because there’s so much to cover, it’s tough to bring you all the news on the Blog. That’s why we send out the DFB Newsletter twice a month.

Right now, there’s so much happening. You have new snacks, like the Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich at L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion.

Artisan des Glaces Pumpkin Spice Macaron Sandwich

Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom includes tons of exclusive favorites — plus all that candy! At Disneyland, we see the return of classics, like the Pumpkin Muffin and Halloween Time!

And of course…we are right in the middle of THE [Read more…]

Review: MUST-EAT New Dishes at the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

By AJ 32 Comments

It’s finally here! We are reporting to you LIVE from the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

We’ve been busy for the last couple of days gathering information and pricing for you for every one of the Marketplace Booths at this year’s festival.

We’ve also had the pleasure of Eating and Drinking Our Way Around the World! For pictures of every dish at this year’s festival, be sure to click over to our Marketplace Booth Page. Click through the links to see all of the pictures of your favorite dishes, plus plenty of new items to try!

It’s shaping up to be one of the most delicious Epcot Food and Wine Festivals ever! But after a day of tasting (and tasting, and tasting), we’ve definitely come up with some favorites. Let’s take a look at our top dishes from around the World Showcase this year…

Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon Hash with Sweet Corn, Potatoes, Hollandaise and Pickled Jalapeño At Farm Fresh

As soon as you get anywhere near the Farm Fresh booth, you can smell it. Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon Hash with Sweet Corn, Potatoes, Hollandaise and Pickled Jalapeño — a strong, smokey smell of bacon laced with the sweet-spicy onions and jalapeños.

We’ve been hearing about this fun take on “breakfast for dinner” for a while now, but we were blown away by the execution of it. The dish has everything — super flavorful Bacon, Potatoes cooked perfectly (soft and fluffy in the middle and crispy on the edges), and velvety Hollandaise that stands in for the Egg in the dish, not to mention the sweet corn and spicy peppers.

Bacon Hash

Just so you know, I have to eat so much during the festival that I never fully finish any of the dishes. This one? This one I finished completely and wished it made sense for me to order MORE!

If you only try one dish this year, I think this should be the one.

Fresh Baked Carrot Cake with Craisins® and Cream Cheese Icing at Hops & Barley

We hadn’t been wowed by the Fresh Baked Carrot Cake with Craisins® and Cream Cheese Icing when we’ve tried it at recent preview events. It was good and all, but nothing to write home about.

But the version of the dish that we tried today at the Hops & Barley Booth was a show-stopper. And no, I’m not even exaggerating a teeny bit.

The Cake itself is [Read more…]

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Opening Week — Celebrate With Savings!

By AJ Leave a Comment

Tomorrow officially kicks off the 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’ve been walking the park and catching glimpses of all of the preparations, and I can’t wait! So what better way to celebrate the longest Epcot Food and Wine Festival ever than to offer you an extra-special deal on The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book! If you don’t have your copy yet, NOW’S the time!

With over 220 pages and tons of special features, it includes everything you need to prepare for this year’s event.

And to kick of the Festival the right way, we have a deep discount option for DFB readers. You can get the new mini-guide for $4 off the regular price for a limited time — just use code OpeningDay at the check-out!

You can also apply the savings to the DFB Food & Wine Bundle. Enter code OpeningDay at the check-out, and enjoy $4 off the price of two of our most popular books — The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival e-Book and the The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2014!

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

The DFB Guide to the 2014 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book

features all the info you need to know before you attend the Food and Wine Festival, from what’s NEW this year to touring strategies — and a new section with top tips on how to use MyMagic+ at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

And with the opening of the Festival, there’s no better time than the present to get your copy. Our exclusive daily schedule of events is the most efficient way to plan your Festival strategy.

With a detailed schedule of seminars and events for every single day of the Festival, it’s a quick, easy way to decide what activities and events you want to check out! Don’t waste time flipping between web pages, PDFs, and websites — just find the date you need and we’ve got it all right there in front of you. Just like that!

As always, we’ve made this guide instantly downloadable for your convenience, and easily installed on your mobile devices. It’s a PDF guide with

[Read more…]

Top Tips for the 2018 Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

By AJ 2 Comments

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival kicks off soon! Get ready for 75 days of food and fun, starting this August 30!

We know that you are just as excited as we are! But it’s a pretty big undertaking. With Special Events, Low Cost Demonstrations and Seminars, and of course, International Marketplace Food Booths, it can quickly become overwhelming.

Today, we thought we’d lend a hand by giving you a few of our tried-and-true Top Tips from our DFB Guide to the Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book. We’ll help you make this the best Epcot Food and Wine Festival yet!

1. Plan Ahead

If you don’t read or heed any other tip in this post, pay attention to this one: it pays to plan ahead when mapping out your visit to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

It’s a good idea to check out all of the Marketplaces and their Menus before you ever set foot inside of Epcot. After all, the portions may be appetizer-sized, but visits to just a couple of spots could mean you’re stuffed before you’re finished exploring!

Will the Mushroom Filet at the Canada Marketplace Be Part of Your Plan?

If you have an idea about what’s offered at the kiosks and how much things cost, then you’ll be better equipped to make decisions and stick to a budget. Be sure to keep an eye on DFB’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival main page for links to booths, menus, prices, and more.

Disney also gives you some great tools to plan ahead. In 2017, they published ahead of time a full listing of gluten-free items — and we expect they’ll provide this service again in 2018. We also expect that vegetarian dishes will be marked on the menus. And don’t forget to pick up a Festival Passport at the Festival Center! It’s a fun way to keep track of the dishes you’ve tried!

2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Passport

Worried about your budget? You may want to pick up a Food and Wine Festival Gift Card and have it pre-loaded for convenience.

Reloadable Gift Cards

Not only is this a quick way to pay at the booths, but it also makes easy work of tracking how much you’ve spent.

2. Know How to Beat the Crowds

There’s a reason that the festival is celebrated every year — it’s kind of a big deal! So don’t be surprised when you encounter larger crowds than you might expect during the Fall at Disney World.

But there are ways to deal with the crowds. First, know that [Read more…]

Looking for something?

STAY CONNECTED

DFB Black Friday Sale: Our Best Deal Ever!

The DFB Everything Bundle — Half Off This Weekend

Save! Announcing the DFB Guide 50% Off Thanksgiving Day Sale