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Tag: Disneyland

Dining in Disneyland: Cookie Decorating at the Jingle Jangle Jamboree

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We just told you about the awesome new S’mores Bake in Big Thunder Ranch at Disneyland, and now we’ve got another awesome treat to share!

The Jingle Jangle Jamboree is proving to be a super fun, and not to mention, delicious place to spend some time.  We’ve already shared the amazing Monte Cristo Bites, and now we’re back to tempt you more because it’s cookie decorating time!

Cookie Decorating!

For just $6.00, you can choose one of three different sugar cookie kits to decorate.  Options include a Mickey Gingerbread Man, Santa’s Stocking, and a Snow Mickey.

Jingle Jangle Jamboree Menu

The kit includes the cookie of your choice (we went with Mickey); 3 cups of colored frosting in green, red & white; mini M&M’s; a cup of red, green & white nonpareils; white crystal sugar sprinkles; and a spreading stick.

Unveiling Our Cookie Decorating Kit

I was quite impressed with the amount of supplies that came with the kit. The portions were [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Holiday Specialty Caramel Apple (A.K.A. the Peppermint Beast)

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Walking past Marceline’s Confectionery in Downtown Disney, I noticed a new caramel apple on display in the candy kitchen window.

It’s size was enormous compared to the other two on display, and I knew I needed to do some investigating!

Holiday Caramel Apples at Marceline's

On our way out, I decided to grab one to go and conquer this beast at home.

At $12.99, this apple is way expensive, but you can basically feed a whole army with it. AND this is what you will want to do because as I was paying for it, the Cast Member announced to the entire population of Marceline’s, “1400 Calorie Apple Right Here!”

I was like, “Seriously?” And the answer? “Yep.”  A little disgusted with myself, I justified the situation knowing I was going to share it with my family.

1400 Calories Sitting on the Counter of Marceline's

The Granny Smith Apple is first dipped in caramel; it is then given a coating of peppermint (YES! PEPPERMINT) chocolate and rolled in a serious amount of red & green M&M’s. After that, it’s drizzled with white chocolate and sprinkled with sparkly sugar crystals.

The official name of this apple is literally “Specialty Holiday Caramel Apple.” A little boring right? Especially since they could call it something fun like “Peppermint Beast…”

Bringing her home.

Immediately after opening the package I had to do a public service and weigh this thing. It felt really heavy, and I was curious about the actual weight.

So, I grabbed my little scale and went for it.  Any guesses? [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Harbour Galley’s Pumpkin Squash Chowder, Stuffed Baked Potatoes, and More

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Tucked in a corner along the Rivers of America in Critter Country lies the hidden little gem that is Harbour Galley.

Now that it’s FINALLY getting a little colder here in Southern California, it’s a great time to enjoy some warm comfort foods. Harbour Galley is a counter service restaurant that actually looks more like a snack stand, and they feature soups, salads, and stuffed baked potatoes.

The Harbour Galley

Atmosphere

The seating is limited in this area, but there are a few tables with chairs as well as a little hidden area around the corner to the left of the utensil station where you can usually find a nice waterside table.

If it’s too crowded, you can always take your food to the nearby Hungry Bear seating area.

Harbour Galley Waterside Seating

I recently had a Cast Member tell me that I needed to try the Stuffed Baked Potatoes at Harbour Galley — specifically the Barbeque Chicken one.

Eats

So on a recent lunch date with some friends, I suggested that we head over and check them out.  To my surprise, I found something even better than baked potatoes… Seasonal Pumpkin Squash Chowder!

Don’t be fooled by the [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Holiday Treats in Disneyland and DCA

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With a few weeks left of the Disney Holiday Season, you still have plenty of time to head on over to the Disneyland Resort to taste some of the special holiday offerings. Read about some of the fun eats and events happening this year on our 2012 Disneyland Holiday page, and check out even more below…

And even if you aren’t a candy cane or egg nog fan, it’s worth a trip just to see the decor. I mean come on, look at this:

Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle

I recently visited Disney’s California Adventure to get a sampling of all the yumminess the resort has to offer this season — and let me tell you, there are some pretty tasty treats.

A sampling of this year's holiday goodies.

Both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure are carrying a line of holiday caramel apples.  Choose from a festive Mickey or Minnie, or go for the cute snowman complete with chocolate Mickey ears and a sour belt scarf!

Festive Mickey & Minnie Caramel Apples

Snowman Caramel Apples

Both parks are also carrying a variety of Christmas Cupcakes, including this chocolate peppermint one! The frosting is whipped and infused with peppermint flavor.

It was by far my most favorite part of the cupcake. Warning though: with that bright green and red frosting, your tongue stands no chance against staining…

Chocolate Peppermint Cupcake

Traditional chocolate cake cupcakes with red & white vanilla frosting topped [Read more…]

Starbucks Coming to Disneyland’s Market House in 2013

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The Starbucks location for Disneyland Park has now been announced! The popular coffee and pastries will be sold at a renovated Market House on Main Street USA in Disneyland starting in late 2013.

Market House on Main Street in Disneyland will Serve Starbucks Products in 2013

Disney has not stated how much of the current Market House will remain in tact, but, as we’ve noted before here on DFB, their main goal is to insert Starbucks products as innocuously as possible into existing locations. Themeing will still strongly reflect the decor and feel of Main Street USA.

Inside Market House in Disneyland

You can take a look at Disneyland Resort’s current Starbucks Location — Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Cafe — in this recent review.

We Hope They Keep the Antique Phone...and Corresponding Conversation!

Starbucks will be debuting at Walt Disney World in the Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom and Fountain View Cafe in Epcot in [Read more…]

Money-Saving Tip: The “No Kids Meal Challenge”

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Let’s welcome back guest author Katie Drake with an interesting food challenge: saving cash by NOT ordering kids’ meals! Sounds counter-intuitive? Read on…

The Kids’ Meal Dilemma

Tell me I’m not the only parent this has happened to: you sit down for lunch, and instead of eating their chicken nuggets and apple sauce, your child is eager to get moving to the next ride.

So you and your spouse pick at the nuggets, eventually throwing most of the meal away. And 30 minutes after lunch is done, you hear the dreaded whine: “I’m hungry.”

No Kids Meal Challenge

The No Kids Meal Challenge at Walt Disney World

I’m not a plate cleaner myself, but I do hate seeing so much food – and money – go to waste. So on our recent trip to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, our group of three families agreed to a challenge: no kids meals.

Instead, the three sets of parents would share their meals with the five kids in the group, supplementing with snacks if we were still hungry.

We figured this would save us some cash, result in less food being thrown away, and leave more room in our tummies for the Mickey-shaped pretzels and Dole Whips we always seem to buy anyway.

No Kids Meals Group

We figured this would work:

  1. because Disney’s portions are generally pretty big,
  2. our kids are still fairly small (ranging in age from one to five years old),
  3. we’re never actually hungry in the parks anyway since there is so much good stuff to eat by way of snacks.

Always prepared, the moms did supplement our meals a bit. String cheese, juice boxes, crackers, apple sauce, and fruit snacks all made their way into the parks with us, and they were available whenever any child showed the slightest hint of hunger away from a meal or other snack. [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: Breakfast at Flo’s V-8 Cafe

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Since it’s one of my new favorite places to grab a quick lunch/dinner at Disney California Adventure, I figured I should probably head over to Flo’s V-8 Cafe to try out some breakfast options as well. I am happy to report that it didn’t disappoint!

Flo's V8 Cafe

Atmosphere

As you walk into Flo’s, you are handed a breakfast menu that includes photos. I actually love that fact that they include pictures of the meals. It makes it so easy to order, especially when you’ve got little ones with you.

I had no problem “selling” the waffles to my boys.  My whole family was with me on this visit, so we made sure to order just about everything on the breakfast menu!

Flo's V8 Picture Menu

When you get up to the counter to order, there’s also a large menu board.

Flo's Breakfast Menu Stand

And I love the juke box and diner style clock that sits there as well…

Jukebox with Diner Style Clock (and me in the chrome - HA!)

This is all of the [Read more…]

2012 Disneyland Candy Cane Dates

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Guess what everyone!?! TODAY marks the first day to get your hands on The Handmade Candy Cane: Disneyland’s hottest holiday commodity.

Handmade Candy Canes from The Candy Palace

For those of you who aren’t aware of Disneyland’s Handmade Candy Cane tradition, you can read all about the Race for Handmade Candy Canes here.

Handle with Care!

Things are a little different this year!

The biggest news of the season is that Candy Canes will be made in BOTH Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. This means twice the candy cane fun.

Candy Cane making will be alternating between the two parks, as often 4 days a week.

At Disneyland, the Candy Canes will be made at the newly renovated Candy Palace while over at Disney California Adventure, they will be made at Trolley Treats.

Ready for their new homes!

How it Works:

Technically you are not supposed to line up before park opening, but guess what people do. When I went for the first time, I was lucky and got there just 30 minutes before park opening. But I talked to someone who was there by 4:00am, which to me is nuts. So basically, it’s your call.

Wristbands may be picked up at park opening. There will be 40 wristbands per batch and three batches per day.  This means that 120 wristbands will be given out at park opening.

The earlier you are there, the earlier your batch. Your wristband will get you ONE candy cane.  If you have people with you, you HAVE to be together as a group. They will not hand you wrist bands for anyone who is not with you.

Your wrist band will have the date and batch time on it. You may pick up your candy cane any time after your batch time. Your wrist band guarantees you your cane, but you must pick it up by 4:00 or it will be sold to someone in the stand by line.

Last year candy canes were going for $12.95; I am not aware if there has been a price increase or not.

Prepping to Cut

2012 Candy Cane Dates:

ANNNND. Something I found very interesting when I went and checked each day’s park hours… No taking advantage of Early Admission Hours. The Disneyland Resort has purposely left out Early Admission Hours. So basically, the days the Candy Canes are being made at Disneyland, there are zero that have early admission hours. It’s the same over at Disney California Adventure.

Disneyland’s Candy Palace Dates: [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland: The Jingle Jangle Jamboree, Featuring MONTE CRISTO BITES

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The Disneyland Resort has officially kicked off their Holiday Time season, and this year they’ve added a super fun place to get your Christmas on: The Jingle Jangle Jamboree.

Located in the back of Big Thunder Ranch, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is filled with all sorts of fun activities, entertainment, and most importantly — food!

Follow the Signs for Holiday Fun!

Atmosphere

When you visit the Jingle Jangle Jamboree, you’ll immediately notice the festive atmosphere.

Welcome to the Jingle Jangle Jamboree

With lots of fun things to do, the Jingle Jangle Jamboree is sure to get you into the holiday spirit.  Activities include free games, special character visits, entertainment by Billy Hill and the Holiday Hillbillies, Santa & Mrs. Claus, Cookie Decorating (which we will post about soon), and some very special menu items.

Special Menu Items

Monte Cristo Bites and Other Eats

I now give you, my friends, perhaps my most favorite discovery ever: Monte Cristo Bites! Actually, they are called “Merry Monte Cristo Bites” and I think I know why… I’ve never been merrier eating a snack!

Why so merry?  Here’s the deal. I LOVE me a Monte Cristo sandwich. The problem, though? They are giant, a bit on the pricey side, AND you have to take the time to sit down, order, and eat them. Monte Cristo Bites, though? Nope. They come in a bag with mini sides of powdered sugar and blackberry jam.

Monte Cristo Bites with Sides of Powdered Sugar and Blackberry Jam

For just $6.25, you can order yourself a bag of toasty goodness. Monte Cristo Bites are not [Read more…]

Dining in Disneyland Review: The Earl has Finally Arrived!

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 With an original opening date scheduled early last Summer, Southern California sandwich lovers have been abuzz about the new Earl of Sandwich restaurant not opening their doors on time.

I am ecstatic to announce that the doors have been opened and those lovely golden bricks have been flying through that little toasty oven faster than you can say “Holiday Turkey Sandwich, please!”

Earl of Sandwich Downtown Disney

Atmosphere

Located directly next to the AMC Theater Complex across from The Rainforest Cafe, the Earl of Sandwich has replaced the Compass Cafe and Bookstore.

And although the bookstore was fun to browse and the cafe sold Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, I’d much prefer a sandwich from Earl any day. Last week the doors soft opened with a 25% discount on all menu items, and then “officially” opened this past Friday. I snuck over Thursday to get my fix.

Main Entrance

The soft opening was no secret, and with the entire menu being 25% off I expected there to be a pretty substantial line. And I was correct.

When my boys saw the line they about had a panic attack because A: It was already 1:00 and they were beyond ready to eat lunch and B: They had never been to an Earl of Sandwich, so they had no idea how quickly the line moves. After visiting the Orlando and Vegas locations, I was fully aware of how well-oiled this sandwich making machine was.

I assured them that we’d move quickly and that it would be well worth the wait. I also bribed them and told them they could pick whichever dessert they wanted…

Hallelujah!

Menus While You Wait
My guess is that there were approximately 100 people in front of us in line, but we managed to order and have our food on the table in about 25 minutes. The line was outside the building and wrapped back to the temporary ice skating rink, but there were friendly Earl helpers [Read more…]

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