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Epcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Brazil and Mexico Booths

We’ve been exploring the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival booths for a few days now, and you can see photos of just about every food and drink menu item available on our Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Pages! But we also enjoy sharing quick reviews of the booths during the festival.

Mexico
Mexico is a true winner this year. The booth brought out a favorite from the La Hacienda de San Angel restaurant — shrimp tacos!

Crispy Shrimp Taco -- $3.75

The rib-eye tacos were MY favorite, though. (Are you surprised? I’m pretty sure my middle name is rib-eye at this point.) Flavorful and tasty!

Rib Eye Tacos -- $5.50

The flan was a [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 2, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Hooray! Today begins WDW Foodie Fest 2011, our annual Disney Food Blog meet-up!

For those of you in Walt Disney World, we hope to see you at Ariel’s Restaurant at Disney’s Beach Club Resort today between 11am-1pm. Our meet-up is free and we can’t wait to meet you.

For more details about WDW Foodie Fest, check out www.WDWFoodieFest.com.

Disney Food News

Here’s the latest in the Disney Food World this week…

The Epcot Food and Wine Festival has begun! We have photos of all of the food available in the World Showcase booths as well as breaking news and a peek at new festival merchandise. Check out our 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival pages for details.
Sanaa’s Dine With An Animal Specialist lunch has been expanded and is now offered on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Beaches and Cream has two brand new desserts! We review them here.
We’ve reviewed Sci-Fi Dine In Theater’s new menu as well!

The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book Reviews

More great reviews for our newest DFB Mini-Guide! We hope this book is helping lots of folks who are visiting the festival this weekend! Pick up your copy of the DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book today!

Samland Disney recently reviewed the guide; here’s an excerpt:
Bottom line. If you are going to the Food and Wine Festival in 2011 then you should have already purchased this e-book. If not, but are a big fan of the event, you may want to consider buying it as it is one of the most comprehensive summaries of the festival with lots of photos.

Read the full review here! You can also see Sam’s review on MiceChat.com!

Here’s what Walt Disney World for Grown-Ups has to say:
I missed a lot of the festival last year trying to tackle it without a plan. Not this year though; I’ve downloaded the Disney Food Blog Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival to my iPhone and all the information I need will be right at my fingertips throughout vacation.

Read the full review here!

On to the Round-Up!

A Wedding Cake Blog

features a Mickey and Minnie pumpkin cake topper. Fall cuteness!

Yesterland.com has his first Food & Wine Festival overview up!

Main Street Gazette reviews the new Columbia Harbour House menu!

AllEars.net Has gathered photos of Festival Merchandise as well! A cute Chef Goofy big fig is in the mix!

Karen and Mike Westfall posted a pic of their new little girl’s very first Dole Whip! I couldn’t help but post that!

First Dole Whip

Five Fun Disney Food Experiences That Won’t Break the Bank

By AJ 16 Comments

Find Out How They Make Mickey Bread!

While touring attractions and riding rides is the main reason why many folks visit Walt Disney World and Disneyland, there are quite a few little-known adventures that might not be promoted on the front of the guide maps, but are still just as fun to experience.

Today we’ve got a few of our favorite food experiences that might be a little “dark horse” when it comes to the popular vote, but we’ve never heard any complaints from folks who tried them! See if they might fit a time slot in your next vacation!

Miyuki the Candy Artist

Miyuki is an incredible performer and artist who makes teeny-tiny sculptures out of rice candy, right in front of your eyes! She is one of only 15 people in the world who are professionally trained in the art of Japanese candy-making — a trade she learned from her grandfather.

Miyuki and her Candy Art

Watch as Miyuki turns a ball of hot rice candy into an incredibly beautiful tiger, peacock, unicorn, or other gorgeous creature. It’s truly an amazing sight to see. Read more about Miyuki and see photos and videos of her creations here.

Miyuki's Pink Leopard

In past years, Miyuki has been able to [Read more…]

Sneak Peek: 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Merchandise and Vinylmation

By AJ 4 Comments

The Disney Parks Blog gave us a quick mini-look at some of this year’s 2011 Epcot Food and Wine Festival merchandise today!

Sneak Peek at Food and Wine Festival Merchandise

And there’s also a dedicated Vinylmation that’s been created just for the Festival!

We love the box [Read more…]

Foodie T-Shirts Take Over Disney!

By Erin 9 Comments

If you’ve got a love of food and want to wear your heart on your sleeve, or rather your stomach on your chest, then Disney has a way to make that happen.

We saw the launch of food-themed clothing a while back with these fun cupcake patterns and, of course, the Turkey Leg T-shirt:

But the trend continues! The recently retooled merchandise shop at Epcot’s America pavilion now stocks a selection of non-Disney food-themed tee shirts and baseball caps. These items evoke Americana nostalgia, much like the shop’s new candy selection. Take a look:

Buckeye Donuts.

Joe's Cable Car Restaurant.

Otto's Sausage Kitchen and Meat Market.

Fuggedaboutit Pizzaria.

Gino's Deep Dish.

Loveless Cafe.

Capone's Root Beer.

Chicago Style Hot Dog.

Superdawg Drive In.

Manny's Cafeteria and Deli.

Over in the Germany pavilion, they’ve also got a collection of German food-themed [Read more…]

Start of Summer Sale! on the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining

By AJ Leave a Comment

Happy Start of Summer, everyone! We’re celebrating vacation season with a great discount on our critically-acclaimed guidebook to eating in Disney World. This weekend, celebrate vacation season by getting your very own Disney Food Blog Guide for 20% off the regular purchase price using code: Summer on the check-out page!

If you don’t have your Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book yet, this is the time to buy. Want to help someone else plan the best possible trip to Disney World? Purchase the DFB Guide as a gift!

The Disney Food Blog’s Guide to dining in Walt Disney World features 250 full-color pages of information, planning suggestions, tips, and details about eating in Disney World, including where you can dine in Disney World 24-hours a day, where to get a self-serve Dole Whip whenever the whim strikes you, what to do when you’re late for an Advance Dining Reservation, and even where to get interesting kids’ food for your adventurous eater.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, “This comprehensive e-book is a valuable tool for both first-time visitors and Disney World veterans.”

DFB Guide Sample Page

Money-Back Guarantee

With a 30-day money-back guarantee, your purchase is 100% risk-free! If you’re unsatisfied with the book for any reason, you can receive a refund, no questions asked. This discount will last this weekend only, so get your copy today 🙂

Bonus Items

Don’t forget, with your purchase you will receive four e-Worksheets! These re-usable worksheets can guide you as you plan your vacation, or can serve as a great place to keep all of your important confirmation numbers, plans, and trip notes! They also have spots to note any snacks and foods you want to be sure to try!

You’ll also receive as part of your purchase an exhaustive index of Disney World Bars and Lounges, and several One-Day Dining Strategies that offer suggestions for where and what to eat in a variety of circumstances.

To see more testimonials and recommendations, sample pages, and details on Bonus items when you purchase, visit http://DFBGuide.com! Don’t forget to use code Summer at check-out!

Have a great summer, everyone!

What’s Your Favorite New-To-You Disney Food?

By AJ 37 Comments

We’ve all experienced it — that moment when you first bite into something you’ve never had before…and realize you now have a new favorite food to add to your list of must-eats! I’ve had that experience multiple times in the past year, and thought it might be fun to trade stories with you guys.

First up, and probably my very favorite, is that completely-pre-processed-and-I-know-it fried ice cream at the ~~American pavilion in Epcot~~ stand on the Boardwalk! I mean, come on. Melty ice cream goodness covered in crunchies, fried, and drowned in dark chocolate syrup?! GIMB! (Translation — Get In My Belly!)

Fried Ice Cream Close Up

Next, I’ve got to give the spotlight to the Disneyland hand-dipped corn dog. I know this isn’t a “new” item at all, but it’s new to me this year, and I’m in love.

Corn bread just tastes better in Disneyland — at least I think so — and when you wrap it fresh around a savory hot dog and stick a few fries on the side, it’s like heaven in a basket. You may have [Read more…]

Guest Review: Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot

By AJ 28 Comments

Learn About:Nine Dragons Restaurant

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Our Guest Reviewer today, Derek Newton, shares a critical review of Nine Dragons in Disney World’s Epcot. Let us know your own personal experiences at this restaurant in the comments below!

As a restaurant in one of Epcot’s original countries, Nine Dragons at the China pavilion is often overlooked. It should be. I wanted to write that Nine Dragons deserves a second look, but one look was enough.

Atmosphere
We chose Nine Dragons because it was one of perhaps two or three restaurants in Epcot we had not tried. Our reservation was for 7:30 pm on a Friday and we arrived early (by a good 20 minutes) to find the undersized reception area literally overflowing with guests.

After finally making my way to the check-in desk and having my name located on the reservation list, I was given a light-up, vibrating coaster similar to those guests receive at suburban chain restaurants like Chili’s or Friday’s. The comparison was truer than I knew.

To the staff’s credit, we were seated in fewer than five minutes – still 15 minutes before our reservation time. And in general, the staff from reservation desk to wait staff did their best to accommodate a cramped, uninspired décor and predictable, bland menu.

Before being seated it was clear Nine Dragons was no place for [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Patented Chocolate Easter Egg

By Heather 16 Comments

Our Dining in Disneyland columnist, Heather Sievers, shares some Easter-time treats!

Spring Break is in full swing & The Disneyland Resort has sprung some amazing Easter treats on us. On a recent trip to my favorite candy kitchen on Main Street, I noticed something I had never ever seen before. Chocolate Easter Eggs!

Disneyland Chocolate Easter Eggs are Made Just Once a Week

Unfortunately they weren’t being made right at that moment, but I did take the time to ask the Cast Member working at the Candy Palace’s register a few questions.

With over 50 years of combined experience, I wasn’t surprised to learn that the creators of this confection are the “Disneyland Candy Gods” Chris Thompson & Rob McHargue. You know, the same guys who have been making candy canes forever and a day?

The Chocolate Easter Eggs are made only once a week during the Spring Break season, and they are made and sold only at the Candy Palace on Disneyland’s Main Street USA. Each egg is 8 oz and there are two flavors: Chocolate Nut Fudge & Vanilla Nut Fudge. The recipes were created by Rob, and these, like all of his other recipes, are actually patented by Disney. I got to thinking, just because the recipes are documented and protected doesn’t mean any ol’ candy maker can create the same amazing treats as these two pros. Who will take over when [Read more…]

Disney Food for Families: A Parent’s Dilemma — Multi-Line Quick Service

By Erin 33 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster ponders how to avoid lost kids and cold food at the multi-line quick service locations like Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe and Sunshine Seasons.

While I am obviously a fan of Disney dining in general, there is one particular aspect of eating at Walt Disney World that, as a parent, I find maddening: the multi-line quick service restaurant.

For those of you new to eating at WDW, some of the quick service (otherwise known as counter service) restaurants are set up with one order/payment line for all types of food items served there. The out-of-Disney-World analogy to this would be McDonald’s or similar fast food restaurants where you walk up to the cashier and tell him you want a burger, your husband wants chicken, and your daughter wants a salad. You pay and they give you all your food on one tray. Makes sense, right?

Epcot's Electric Umbrella. Single-line quick service. Many foods, one place to order.

However, many quick service restaurants on Disney property do not follow this model. Instead of one place to order all the items sold at that location, there are multiple lines. One line to order burgers, one line to order chicken, one line to order salads, and so on. The out-of-Disney-World analogy to this is the mall food court.

Multi-line, food-court-style, quick service restaurant.

So, Here’s the Problem

The multi-line quick service restaurant became my personal pet peeve way back in 1998, during our first trip to WDW with our oldest daughter, who was not quite two years old at the time. We were staying at [Read more…]

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Epcot Food and Wine Festival Food Pictures: Brazil and Mexico Booths