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News! 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Food Menus!

We have big news from Epcot today!

The 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menus are Finally Here!

With just a week to go before the opening of the 2015 Flower and Garden Festival, we have the full list of menus for the super popular Outdoor Kitchens! Mark your calendars — the Festival lasts from March 4 through May 17.

These Outdoor Kitchens, which are similar to Marketplace Booths that dominate the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, feature delicious small plates that allow you to taste fresh flavors from the garden.

We Loved This Violet Lemonade at the 2013 Flower and Garden Festival!

We Loved This Violet Lemonade at the 2014 Flower and Garden Festival!

There are lots and lots of new things to try. A brand new Outdoor Kitchen will debut in 2015. Botanas Botánico will be located between the France and Morocco Pavilions and will feature food and drink with a Venezuelan influence.

Sadly, we’ve also confirmed that one of our favorites, [Read more…]

Rumor: Saying Goodbye to Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle?

By AJ 55 Comments

UPDATE: It may not be “Aloha” for Aloha Isle after all… It’s possible that Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace may be switching locations soon. We’ll keep you posted as this story progresses!

It may be that the days of lining up at Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle for a Dole Whip are coming to an end…

Learn About:Aloha Isle

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Recently, Aloha Isle’s Adventureland neighbor, Sunshine Tree Terrace, added Aloha’s signature snack to their menu. Adding to its own specialty treat — the Citrus Swirl — now Dole Whip can be purchased at Sunshine Tree Terrace as well. Options currently include the flavors of Pineapple, Vanilla, or a Swirl of both served in your choice of cone, cup, or in Float form.

So, why the change? It seems Aloha Isle may be closing to make way for a new restaurant in Adventureland, and Sunshine Tree Terrace will become the sole spot to find Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom.

Dole Whip at Sunshine Tree Terrace

So, what’s on tap for this possible new location? Rumor has it a Tiana-themed restaurant may be in the works.

Is Aloha Isle coming to an end?

Again, we want to stress that this is currently filed solidly under “rumor” status, but [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 25, 2015

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Love the city-specific Starbucks mugs? Well, we have some exciting news for you. Disney has unveiled park specific Starbucks mugs. Find them at Starbucks locations in the parks!

Epcot “You Are Here” Mug

More java spots are coming to Walt Disney World. We’ve got the scoop on two new Starbucks locations, including the soon-to-open Trolley Car Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

If you’re more of a Dole Whip fan, you’ll want to know that Sunshine Tree Terrace is still serving Dole Whips. We’re not certain if this is permanent, but for now skip the long lines at Aloha Isle!

For all the details on the above news and more, just click on the links below!

Disney Food News

Starbucks “You Are Here” mugs now available in Disney Parks Starbucks locations!
Aloha Isle has long been the only place to find Dole Whip in Magic Kingdom. But it’s now on the menu at Sunshine Tree Terrace, too!
It’s the first “What’s New” for 2015! We’re exploring all four Disney World Parks and finding menu updates, new snacks, and scoping out not one, but two upcoming in-Park Starbucks locations.
Five Disneyland Restaurants will be participating in Orange County Restaurant Week 2015 (March 1-7): Steakhouse 55, Naples Ristorante, Catal, Tortilla Jo’s, and Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.
The latest specialty cupcake at Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is a Chocolate Cupcake with Banana Buttercream Icing. Better yet, it’s topped with a white chocolate Baymax from Big Hero 6!
Check out the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train Popcorn Bucket, available at popcorn stands throughout the Magic Kingdom!
Check out the signage for Disney’s Hollywood Studios Starbucks location in Walt Disney World!

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 restaurant closures, and Rehab Dates for Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Tree Tavern, Valentine’s Day Special at Wolfgang Puck Dining Room, and more!

We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.

DFB Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Celebrating your birthday at Disney World is always a great time to indulge in sweets. Let’s take a look at some fun birthday treats at Disney. First up, a birthday cupcake at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall sent in by Facebook Friend Salwa.

Birthday Cupcake at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

And here’s a cutie!!! A third birthday celebration at Crystal Palace shared by Facebook Friend Raquel.

Third Birthday at Crystal Palace

Do you have a favorite find? Share your Disney food photos!

Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book Today with a Discount!

Want a big discount on our most popular DFB Guide in time for the new year? Or, you know, just cause you want to start planning your 2015 Disney trip TODAY? ;-D

It’s yours! Pre-Order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code PRE2015 for $4 off!

We know that when it comes to your Disney vacays, planning ahead is practically essential these days. And if you can save time and money in the process — even better!

And that’s why today, when you pre-order the 2015 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining and enter promo code PRE2015, you’ll save $4 off of the already low cover price!

But the really cool part? You get two books for the price of one! We’ll deliver the 2014 Guide to you immediately, and email you the 2015 Guide as soon as it is available later this month.

Here are a couple of sample pages for you — just click to enlarge!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Sample Page

Samples Pages of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013

What’s in the DFB Guide?

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is stuffed FULL of helpful features to help make your trip go smoothly, like:

A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from [Read more…]

FYI: Dole Whip Available at Sunshine Tree Terrace in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom…For Now

By Wendy 11 Comments

UPDATE: Please note that Dole Whip is no longer being served at Sunshine Tree Terrace, and that Sunshine Tree Terrace and Aloha Isle (the original Dole Whip home) have switched locations.

With the addition of Dole Whip to Epcot during the Flower and Garden Festival and Epcot Food and Wine Festival, and at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments since last May, we’ve become somewhat accustomed to spotting this Magic Kingdom signature snack in other Disney World parks.

Dole Whip Float

But Aloha Isle — the original home to Dole Whip at Disney World — is no longer your sole source of Pineapple soft-serve at Magic Kingdom (at least for the time being, we should say 😉 ).

Aloha Isle

Dole Whip has arrived at Sunshine Tree Terrace!

Sunshine Tree Terrace

The first appearance of Pineapple soft-serve on the Sunshine Tree menu came along with the rush of Christmas week crowds, so at the time it was unclear if it was a temporary attempt to help alleviate some of the loooooong lines at Aloha Isle for the weeks immediately surrounding the holidays.

But since the lines are loooooong at Aloha Isle any time of year (understandably, because Dole Whip ), it’s good to know that a recent visit to Sunshine Tree Terrace revealed that Dole Whip remains on the menu!

Sunshine Tree Terrace menu (click to enlarge)

Sunshine Tree Terrace is serving up Pineapple and Vanilla soft-serve in cups, cones, or Floats. It does not appear that you can [Read more…]

What’s New Around Disney World: January 23, 2015

By Wendy 2 Comments

The year isn’t the only thing new around Disney World… we’re on the lookout for new eats, sweets, and refurbishment feats. Please keep your hands, arms, feet, and legs inside your ride vehicle at all times as we tour all four Disney World Parks to see What’s New!

Something’s always just around the corner at Disney World!

Animal Kingdom

We’re starting out with another WILD trip to Animal Kingdom, which includes a couple of menu updates. At Yak & Yeti Restaurant, Firecracker Shrimp and Ahi Tuna Nachos for Two join the appetizers (the Dim Sum Basket for two remains), and Ginger Salmon with Japanese Udon has been added to the noodle dishes. Chicken Tikki Masala is among the new specialty entrees, and Malaysian Seafood Curry arrives under Wok selections.

Yak and Yeti Restaurant

Be sure to check out the Specialty Drinks for some fun new beverages: Pink Himalayan, Kiwi Kimono, and a Rickshaw Rickie.

Right next door at Local Food Cafes (also known as Yak & Yeti Counter Service), Korean Stir-fry Barbecue Chicken has replaced the Sweet and Sour Chicken.

Local Foods Cafe menu

At Dino Diner in Dinoland, U.S.A., the Snow Cone has been switched out for Nachos, served with just cheese or as Nachos Supreme (at least for these cooler months).

Dino Diner

Tamu Tamu Refreshments has undergone another menu refresh, currently offering the Slow-cooked Chicken Curry, Vegetarian Curry, and Roasted Chicken Salad.

Tamu Tamu Refreshments

This isn’t entirely unexpected, as the menu here seems to go through a standard rotation. So, if you’re disappointed that the Slow-cooked Pulled Beef Sandwich is no longer available, Hakuna Matata. It could very well make its way back around in a few months.

And, as we discussed a few weeks back, Flame Tree Barbecue is closed for refurbishment with a tentative reopening of April 1st. Find out where you can find some of your favorite Flame Tree foods at other locations around the park!

Flame Tree Barbecue closed for refurbishment

Speaking of refurbishments, construction of [Read more…]

The Year in Review: Top 10 Disney Food News Items of 2014!

By AJ 9 Comments

We are standing on the cusp of a brand New Year, and we can’t wait to see what 2015 holds in store for us — and Disney!

But we can’t wave goodbye to the old year without looking back on some of the biggest food news that happened throughout Disney Parks.

Most of this year’s big news happened at Walt Disney World, but we have a few memorable moments to share with you from Disneyland as well as other Disney Parks around the globe.

Today, we bring you a look back at 2014’s Biggest Disney Food News Stories! We have a LOT to cover — let’s get started!

First up, a little something I like to call…

The Beginning of Finally Doing Something with Pleasure Island

It’s the story we feel like we’ve been watching for years — what’s happening at Downtown Disney Orlando’s now defunct Pleasure Island??

Well, 2014 finally saw some solid progress, and the Disney Springs story seems to be coming to life.

An Artist’s Rendering of Disney Springs

Lots of changes have made a trip to Downtown Disney a challenge in the last couple of years. But as the year draws to a close, the parking garages are open, and we are seeing some of the plans take shape!

2014 kicked off with a surprise restaurant opening of sorts — the House of Blues added a new counter service offering, The Smokehouse. We say surprise because we told you about the restaurant for the first time just days before the walls came down and the doors opened for business!

The Smokehouse at The House of Blues

The Smokehouse is strictly a walk-up window venue. But the covered outdoor seating is pleasant, and you can often take in live music as you enjoy barbecue favorites, like their Beef Brisket Sandwich, St. Louis Ribs, or Smoked Turkey Legs.

Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich with House-made Cole Slaw from The Smokehouse

But it wasn’t all good news for Downtown Disney this year. Guests at T-Rex Cafe last Spring were in for some decidedly unpleasant dinner excitement, as one of the restaurant’s humongous fish tanks sprang a leak during dinner service!

However, no one was injured and all of the fish were reportedly rescued. We’re glad that all turned out happily in the situation, but we’ll never look at those huge fish tanks quite the same way again!

Also in the Spring, we said hello to a spot that’s quickly become one of our most favorite spots to shop in all of Walt Disney World — the Marketplace Co-op!

Disney Centerpiece

We have found some totally awesome stuff in the store’s Disney Centerpiece Section, including dishes, glasses, and other tableware that celebrate all of our Disney cult favorites. Whether you’re a Dole Whip fan or love memorabilia celebrating Tomorrowland, chances are you’ll find something that you’ve just gotta have!

Orange Bird Section

Starbucks also continued to [Read more…]

2014 Disney Gift Guide: Wearing Your Favorite Disney Snacks

By Wendy 2 Comments

Is there someone on your holiday gift list who loves Dole Whip more than life? (Wait… is there anyone on your list who doesn’t?). Well, what could be better than giving them a way to enjoy their favorite Disney snack all year long? It may not be exactly the same as a personal delivery of the real deal, but these t-shirts, mugs, totes, and phone cases might just be be the next best thing!

This Peace, Love, and Dole Whip t-shirt pretty much sums up all the best things in life, doesn’t it?

Peace, Love, & Dole Whip tee

Those who don this Please Stand Clear of My Dole Whip Tee can pay homage to the monorail and their beloved Dole Whip at the same time.

Please Stand Clear of My Dole Whip tee

Simple and classic, here’s a Dole Whip Mug.

Dole Whip Mug

Okay, here’s one you don’t see every day… I am loving this Lapu-Lapu tote bag for fans of this Tambu Lounge beverage!

Lapu-Lapu tote

Do you heart School Bread? Well, so do [Read more…]

What’s New Around Disney World: September 4th, 2014

By Wendy 8 Comments

We’re staring down the last of the dog days of summer as Disney World gears up for Fall… Join us on a tour around all four east coast Parks as we check out What’s New!

MAGIC KINGDOM

Fall Fun

With September upon us everyone is anticipating autumn and special seasonal events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party (currently underway) and the 2014 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival (more on that a little later in the post :). So it’s not surprising to see Magic Kingdom all decked out for the occasion!

Magic Kingdom autumn decorations

(Love seeing this sign pop up [Read more…]

News! Pineapple Lanai Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Dole Whip!!)

By Wendy 22 Comments

Well, when we visited the newly refurbished Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort, we said we’d be back soon… and here we are, because the brand new Pineapple Lanai is now open!

Pineapple Lanai sign

So, why is Pineapple Lanai so important? It’s the new home to Dole Whip at the Polynesian! (For anyone unfamiliar with this beloved treat, check out a little Dole Whip info here. Then be sure to schedule some of your own personal snacking research on this pineapple soft serve — you’ll be glad you did!)

Pineapple and Vanilla Swirl Dole Whip in Tiki Bowl

We’d love to take you on a quick tour of this new space.

Atmosphere

You’ll find Pineapple Lanai on [Read more…]

Photo Tour and Food Review: Captain Cook’s Reopens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

By Wendy 37 Comments

It’s quite the whirlwind of activity around the Polynesian lately!

Learn About:Captain Cook’s

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

Construction continues to affect the lobby, the Nanea Volcano pool, and the entrance of the resort… not to mention the recent name change back to Disney’s Polynesian Resort Village.

Slowly but surely, some results of all that work are starting to be seen, beginning with the newly reopened Captain Cook’s: the Polynesian’s Quick Service location. We gave you a tour of the temporary location when Captain Cook’s refurbishment began in April, and now we’re excited to share the results of the past four months with you!

Say “Aloha” once again to Captain Cook’s!

Atmosphere

The entrance feels very familiar… mainly because it’s the same 😉 .

Entrance to Captain Cook’s

Captain Cook’s sign

In fact, though, the entire location feels familiar since most changes are cosmetic (with a few exceptions that we’ll explore a little later).

If you’ve visited Captain Cook’s before, you’ll still know exactly where to go. Upon entering, you’re greeted by the main dining area.

Captain Cook’s main dining room

The breezy, palm-trees-swaying vibe has changed to a darker color palette, which is offset by two things: attractive light wood flooring and super fun vintage travel “posters.”

Samoa and Niue posters

Bora Bora poster

Tokelau poster

Tonga poster

The one thing competing for your attention with the artwork are [Read more…]

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News! 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Food Menus!

The 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menus are Finally Here!

Rumor: Saying Goodbye to Magic Kingdom’s Aloha Isle?