food IS a theme park
According to wdwmagic.com, construction of the new World of Coca-Cola experience at Disney Springs is coming along nicely!
Springs Bottling Co. sign
Finding its home in the Town Center area of Disney Springs (currently under construction), the World of Coca-Cola will be located near Planet Hollywood, which is currently undergoing a major refurbishment of its own as it transforms into the Planet Hollywood Observatory. [Read more…]
When The Ganachery – Disney’s own specialty chocolate shop – opened nearly one month ago in Disney Springs, it was impossible not to notice that this little chocolate boutique had a unique vibe all its own. (Take a full tour of the spot here!)
The Ganachery sign
With specially-trained Cast Members (Chocolatiers) serving sixteen unique flavors of ganache, it’s clear that The Ganachery aims to offer a higher-end experience that isn’t replicated in other sweet stops around Disney World. [Read more…]
2016 is nearly upon us
, and so we find ourselves looking back at all that 2015 had to offer. It’s been an exciting time, full of huge announcements about new venues and attractions and lots of progress on previously announced projects. Before we bid goodbye to one year and welcome a new one, let’s review where we’ve been and see a glimpse of what’s to come!
There was a HUGE disturbance in the Force — the Disney Force, that is — this summer when Disney announced that Star Wars Land would be coming to both Disneyland AND Walt Disney World. The crowds went wild! [Read more…]
Chocolate for breakfast, anyone 😉 ?
Well then, you’re in the right place… because this morning we’re visiting Disney World’s very own specialty chocolate shop: The Ganachery!
The Ganachery Storefront
You’ll find the brand new Ganachery in The Landing of Disney Springs — that’s the same general area as many of the recent dining and shopping additions that have opened in Disney Springs over the past year such as Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC, Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, Vivoli il Gelato, and The Boathouse.
Chocolate lovers, take note: on Tuesday, December 15th, Disney World’s very own specialty chocolate shop — The Ganachery — will open its doors in The Landing of Disney Springs!
Hand-crafted chocolate indulgences will be the headliner, all day, everyday.
©Disney
According to Disney, “This isn’t about sugar and sweets, but pure and simple chocolate. The star of the show is a custom-made ganache, a luxurious, proprietary mixture of melted chocolate and cream.” [Read more…]
It’s back to The Boathouse for us today on the DFB!
The BOATHOUSE (as it’s officially known) has only been part of the Disney dining scene since this past April, when it opened in The Landing area of Disney Springs . (Believe it or not, though, it’s no longer the newest dining gig in town, since spots like Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, Vivoli il Gelato, and Morimoto Asia have all made their debuts since). Still, it has already made a big name for itself for a few reasons: first, its arrival marked the debut of the first of several more upscale dining additions coming to Disney Springs (with a price tag to match).
Second, with live music and watercraft tour options (have you seen the Amphicars?!), it’s also helping to ring in the entertainment-heavy focus that will continue to become a hallmark of several dining options in Disney Springs once the area’s transformation is complete.
While we explored the restaurant in full during its opening week, on my most recent trip, we decided to do things a little differently — a midday visit to explore what the main bar area has to offer.
The Boathouse Sign
Of course, we couldn’t help taking another quick look around this beautiful space first… [Read more…]
Thought we were all caught up with new restaurants coming to Disney Springs, did you?
Not so fast! 🙂 Earlier this month, Disney announced that Chef Art Smith will open a brand new restaurant in the summer of 2016 by the name of Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine. Well, today brings news of another celebrity chef bringing a new venue! Chef Rick Bayless — winner of “Top Chef Masters” and host of National Public Television’s “Mexico-One Plate at a Time” — will showcase authentic Mexican cuisine at Frontera Fresco in Disney Springs. [Editor’s Update: Please note that the anticipated dining venue headed by Rick Bayless has undergone a name change since the original posting of this article. Frontera Cocina will open in the summer of 2016.]
©Disney
No opening season has been announced for Frontera Fresco, but we do know that the menu will feature tacos, salads, hand-crafted tortas, fresh guacamole, and Mexican braised beef entrees. And we may see a margarita or two as well 😉 . [Read more…]
For those of you who can’t imagine autumn at Disney World (or anywhere else, for that matter) without the flavor of pumpkin, we have some tasty news for you today!
Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream has just returned to L’artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion!
Pumpkin Spice Ice Cream Macaron Sandwich
It’s available as a scooped ice cream OR a Pumpkin Spice Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich! [Read more…]
Well, it’s official! The rumor that Chef Art Smith is opening a restaurant is Disney Springs has been confirmed at last!
Earlier this summer, Chef Art Smith (BBQ Pitmaster Judge, author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort and other cookbooks, founder of Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. and Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, and former Chef to Oprah Winfrey), posted a message on his Facebook page stating that Chef Art’s Florida Fish Camp would be coming to Disney Springs. However, that post was quickly deleted, and we’ve been wondering about possibilities for his upcoming venture ever since.
Chef Art Smith
The originally proposed name of the restaurant has changed and the spot will now be called Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine.
The name is inspired by the fact that Chef Smith is a Floridian, raised in Jasper, Florida (his family still lives and runs their farm there). Not only that, but the Chef — a former student of Florida State University — even completed a Culinary Internship with the Walt Disney World College Program!
We’re taking in lunch at Raglan Road Irish Pub in Disney Springs!
If you’ve visited Disney Springs recently, you know that the area once known as Pleasure Island is practically unrecognizable from what it was two years ago. Construction walls abound, and new restaurants and shops seem to be opening every day.
The good news is that those walls seem to be decreasing every time I visit. And so on a recent research visit, I headed over to Raglan Road to take a peek at some new cocktails and have a bite to eat!
As I’ve said, if you haven’t visited for a while, all the work at Disney Springs is going to shock you. While Raglan Road used to stand front and center, easily viewable from the parking lots, now it’s a bit of a walk to get here from the nearest parking building.
Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant Without the Construction Walls
You should budget at least 10 minutes or so if you’re coming from the parking garage. [Read more…]
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