food IS a theme park
You know it! You love it! You have to have it! It’s Dole Whip (affectionately called Pineapple Soft Serve a lot of the time), and it’s been a staple of Walt Disney World for years. Of course you know where you can find it in Adventureland at Aloha Isle (Disney World) and the Tiki Juice Bar (Disneyland) in the shadows of the Tiki Room (you can even bring your sweet treat inside to eat during the show!).
Dole Whip at Aloha Isle
Happy Sunday! We hope you’re enjoying a relaxing summer weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and check out the latest in Disney food news…
The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival starts in August this year and you can check out all the details here and pre-order our DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here (and get the 2016 guide FREE!).
And if you want even MORE food news, we also have news on the updated menus for the 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic!
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.
Have you subscribed to the DFB YouTube Channel? We’ve got great content going up twice a week showcasing our adventures in Disney World and Disneyland! This week, we’re talking about the Bon Voyage Character Breakfast with Rapunzel and Ariel! Check it out below — and subscribe here!
If you’re planning a December Disney trip, then it’s time to don your Santa hat and get into the holiday spirit, my friends!! You can book restaurants at Disney World 180 days in advance. And the most popular restaurants book up to capacity on that first day! SO, restaurants at Disney World start booking for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day NEXT WEEK!!! We don’t want you to miss out. So it’s time to start planning.
[Read more…]
Thank goooooooodness for Disney food friends! Sabrina (@everythingdisney.55) stopped into the Disneyland Hotel’s The Coffee House for some truly funk-i-fied doughnuts. And she shared her find with us!
The Coffee House is a cool spot — and not just because they serve up Dole Whip Floats!! But they don’t keep long hours here, so do check the times so you don’t miss out!
Disneyland Hotel Coffee House
Are you welcoming 2017 at the Disneyland Resort?
Sleeping Beauty’s Winter Castle
Then you may want to know about a few dining locations offering special menus for the New Year’s Eve celebration! [Read more…]
Up until recently, Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel has only offered breakfast/brunch and dinner. This past January, they opened their doors for a lovely Classic Afternoon Tea.
Steakhouse 55 Located Inside the Disneyland Hotel
When I first heard about the tea offering, I knew I wanted to try it out. Steakhouse 55 has always been one of my favorite Disneyland Resort restaurants. I especially love the atmosphere here, so I was really excited to have a new Steakhouse 55 experience. Breakfast at Steakhouse 55 is what I believe to be one of the very best breakfasts on property. Dinner is wonderful too, so I was sure afternoon tea would be a delight as well!
I tried to book immediately, but it was full almost a month out! So, I booked my month out and waited patiently. Checking in for tea is the same process as a meal. Just head on up to the podium and you will be escorted back to the dining room.
Check In Podium
When the time came, I was joined by my best pal. We took the first reservation of the day, which was at noon, and when we got there it was basically empty. By the time we left, there was not one open table! [Read more…]
If you are hoping to add a special dining experience to your next trip to the Disneyland Resort, the new Afternoon Tea coming to Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel may be just the thing. Beginning January 22nd, Steakhouse 55 will host mid-day tea experiences from Noon to 3 p.m.
Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel
Guests can choose their experience from three parties: The Classic Tea Party, the Premium Tea Party, and the Kids’ Tea Party. [Read more…]
You may have passed by boxes upon boxes of Minnie’s Bake Shop Chocolate Chunk Cookies in several merchandise spots around Disney World and Disneyland without even noticing.
Minnie’s Bake Shop Label
Found throughout popular merchandise and snack combo stops such as Magic Kingdom’s Big Top Souvenirs (home to Big Top Treats) and Epcot’s Mouse Gears in Disney World, to the Fantasia Shop in the Disneyland Hotel (where I purchased mine), these grab and go snacks aren’t exactly what you would call high profile on the Disney snacking scene. [Read more…]
We have some fun new updates for you today of what’s soon to be at Walt Disney World — but they’re coming to us from Disneyland!
Intrepid Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers attended the fun Mahaloween Luau event earlier this year at Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in the Disneyland Hotel. While there, she grabbed a sneak peek of what we can expect at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. We also gleaned a few more details from The Atomic Grog!
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Concept Art — Coming Soon to Walt Disney World!
While details have been kept mostly under wraps since we were given our first glimpse of concept art last Spring, the presentation by Imagineers Brandon Kleyla and Kyle Barnes at the Mahaloween Luau served to add a few more pieces to the puzzle.
Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Although we know that Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto will be similar to the wildly popular Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar in Disneyland Hotel, we’re also starting to get an idea of how they’ll differ. And the key is right here in some of the photos we are sharing with you today.
The most interesting thing to come out of the presentation is the subtle difference in themeing between the two different Trader Sam’s locations. While the Disneyland Trader Sam’s has a style more reflective of Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise ride — think African Queen — Imagineers have something entirely different in mind for the Grog Grotto.
At the Polynesian, Trader Sam’s will celebrate more of the nautical aspect of the intrepid head salesman’s adventures. Look for the primary themeing cues to come courtesy of the [Read more…]
I can easily say that Steakhouse 55 is one of my top 3 favorite Disney Resort restaurants.
We eat there several times a year, and we always wait for our table in their lounge. Because we’re such fans of Steakhouse 55, we’ve never ordered anything but drinks in the lounge; we’re always on our way to a fabulous meal in the restaurant!
Well, we recently decided to give the lounge a try and I’m so glad that we did. Let’s be honest though, we only ate there because it was a last minute decision. The Earl of Sandwich line was too long and there were no walk ins being accepted for Steakhouse 55… But it was great!
The atmosphere of the lounge complements the decor inside of Steakhouse 55. Classic and dark, but also inviting, the room is located at the entrance to the restaurant. In addition to a full bar with seating, there are options to sit at small tables, couches, and some gorgeous high back chairs as well. The decor includes lush velvet drapery and pillows in deep purple.
Steakhouse 55 Lounge Seating
Looking to catch a game? No need to hit ESPN Zone, there’s a TV here too!
Full Bar with Seating AND a TV
More Seating
The menu is not very big, but I did think that the choices were fabulous for a lounge. Options include Salads, Flatbreads, Bar Bites, and three different “Between Bread” choices.
Steakhouse 55 Lounge Menu Book
Steakhouse 55 Lounge Menu
AND what would be a meal without the fabulous Steakhouse 55 hot out of the oven Sourdough Bread??? Although not on the menu, [Read more…]
So this is a bit random, but on my last visit to Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel, I noticed that they had some awesome new custom peppermills.
After inquiring about them through our server, the manager actually came out to tell us all about them. Yep, the peppermills have a story… .
Customized Steakhouse 55 Peppermill
Manufactured by Fletcher’s Mill in Newport, Maine, these peppermills aren’t the only thing to come off of the line. The factory actually makes more drumsticks than anything else! In fact, they produce 55% of the world’s market.
The Newport Mill
Owned by famous percussionist Vic Firth, Fletcher’s Mill provides drumsticks for some of the most famous musicians in the industry. Over 50 years ago, Firth began designing his own drumsticks because he was not happy with the ones on the market. He later sought out to manufacture his own. Firth purchased Fletcher’s Mill with intentions of shutting down all manufacturing and making solely drumsticks. Upon touring it, he decided to keep the gourmet division open. In addition to his drumsticks, he’s now known for peppermills, too! The mill used at Steakhouse 55 is the 17″ Newport Peppermill.
Described as “tall and sleek” the Newport Peppermill is available in three different finishes: black, mahogany and maple. Steakhouse 55 had theirs customized with their logo in silver on black. In my perfect world I’d be able to buy the Steakhouse 55 one for myself! I was able to find one on Amazon, but the logo thing unfortunately won’t be happening… .
The new peppermills are so special to Steakhouse 55 that they actually lock them up at night! They get tucked away in the wine cellar and locked up for safety. Wondering why? Well, [Read more…]
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