Fairfax Fare | the disney food blog

Review: 4th of July “Limited Time Magic” Treats in Walt Disney World

It’s Independence Week in Disney World!

In honor of the celebrations, we’re highlighting the special “Limited Time Magic” treats you can find around the World this week.

These snacks are available only until July 7th; so grab one while you can! Included are an incredible Apple Pie Cupcake; a red, white, and blue Baked Alaska; and even a patriotic Strawberry Shortcake, complete with rich red strawberries and sweet blueberries!

DFB guest photographer Kara B. is there now, reporting live! Let’s dive in…

Apple Pie Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

If you’re visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios this week, look for the Apple Pie Cupcake for an all-American treat!

Stop by ABC Commissary, Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Starring Rolls Cafe, Rosie’s All-American Café, and Fairfax Fare for this limited edition cupcake priced at $4.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit.

Red, white, and blue sprinkles and a festive white chocolate Mickey Mouse add to the charm of this holiday cupcake. We love all of that caramel buttercream frosting with the extra apple crisp topping!

Mickey Mouse July 4th Cupcake!

Mixed in with the vanilla cake is an apple pie filling!

The cake gets great reviews, while the frosting is super-sweet. The apple pie streusel on top is the best part according to our reviewers!

Cupcake Cross-Section -- check out the apple pie filling!

Strawberry (And Blueberry!) Shortcake Sundae at Magic Kingdom

The Magic Kingdom is celebrating the holiday with the addition of a colorful strawberry blueberry shortcake sundae at Storybook Treats for $4.99.

We’re so excited to say that this sundae — pictured below — was the FIRST one to be ordered, served, and enjoyed by a Disney World guest!

4th of July Sundae!

Red strawberries and fresh blueberries on top of [Read more…]

Guest Review: Darth Vader Cupcake at Star Wars Weekends in Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 10 Comments

Welcome Guest Author Becca C. with an out-of-this-world review of the Darth Vader Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios — an exclusive during Star Wars Weekends!!

Calling all chocolate and peanut butter lovers! There’s a cupcake being sold (yay, it’s back!) during Star Wars Weekends that is defiantly tempting enough to bring this fan to the dark side.

Darth Vader Cupcake!

This treat starts with a moist chocolaty cupcake. Then as you can see from my half finished version here they pile on the peanut butter frosting. This was an update to the cupcake last year from it’s previous version, and it’s carried on through this year’s event! This frosting is simply [Read more…]

Review: Fairfax Fare and the Macaroni & Cheese and Truffle Oil (and Bacon) Hot Dog

By AJ 17 Comments

Learn About:Fairfax Fare

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Another fun review of a new (to me) item in the parks that’s a little over the top!! Remember when we told you about the Gourmet Hot Dogs that are now being served at Hollywood Studios’ Fairfax Fare?

I finally got my chance to give one a try! Knowing I had a Mama Melrose reservation in just a couple of hours, I headed over to Fairfax Fare just in time to hit smack dab in the middle of Spring Break lunch crowds! Woo! Anyway; here’s the sordid tale…

Atmosphere

With a primo location in the shadow of Tower of Terror, the open air market vibe of Fairfax Fare makes it a terrific place to grab a bite while you’re waiting for your FastPass time or the next street show along Hollywood Boulevard.

Fairfax Fare Sign

However, if you’re visiting during a busy season be ready for the crazy that is the crowdiness of Dinney Whirl. Seriously; I waited for at least 20-30 minutes in these lines. Off the charts.

Fairfax Fare Spring Break Crowds

Once you grab your snacks here, head over to the condiment bars to the left of the building, then snack yourself a table somewhere in the sea of seats in [Read more…]

Top 5 Disney Dining Plan Quick-Service Values for 2012

By AJ 29 Comments

It’s time to re-visit our Top 5 Quick-Service 2012 Disney Dining Plan* Values! Last year, our choices were great bargains because they offered good portions and quality food — and they were less attractive when paying out-of-pocket!

Since then, prices and options have changed, so it’s time to re-evaluate for 2012!

Wolfgang Puck Express at Downtown Disney

While shopping at Downtown Disney, use your quick service credit at Wolfgang Puck Express! The Pennette Chicken Alfredo with peas, bacon and parmesan at $15 is very filling (an easy meal to split)!

Pennette Chicken Alfredo

Here are some other smart choices:
Spaghetti & Meatballs with tomato-basil-garlic sauce and fresh herbs $16; Oven Roasted Salmon served with fennel, tomatoes, arugula, roasted potatoes and horseradish cream $18; or the Bacon Wrapped Meatloaf accompanied by mashed potatoes, port wine sauce and crispy onion rings $15.

Quality and quantity make WPE the place at Downtown Disney to get the best value with your DDP credit!

Katsura Grill

We’re assuming that Katsura Grill, which opens TODAY at the Japan Pavilion in Epcot, is on the Dining Plan as a counter-service location. If we’re right, it will be a great value for a counter-service credit. (By the way, since it’s replacing the Yakitori House, we’re guessing that it will be on the Dining Plan; but we don’t know yet for sure!)

On the new menu the Sushi Combos, including the California Roll and the Spicy Tuna Roll, top out at $12.99, as does the Tonosama combo, with comes with teriyaki beef, chicken, and salmon. The Teriyaki Salmon is $11.99, while the [Read more…]

Kids’ “Power Pack” Spotted at Fairfax Fare

By Kim LaPaglia 7 Comments

Learn About:Fairfax Fare

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Fairfax Fare in Disney World’s Hollywood Studios is offering a Kids’ Pick Power Pack for $5.49.

The Power Pack includes five “snack” type items: string cheese, Gold Fish crackers, chocolate chip cookie, Danimals yogurt, carrots with dressing, and milk.

This is a great way to keep your kids powered up for a long day of touring without having to resort to fried items at counter service restaurants.

Or, heck, it’s a great way to keep YOU powered up for touring without having to resort to fried items at counter service restaurants! 😉

Kids Power Pack as seen in Disneyland

These power packs have been a popular item offered in [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: August 28, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

We’re sending prayers and well wishes to those braving the storm on the East Coast! Stay safe, all!

We’re back from Disneyland and have loads of fun reviews for you! From garlic cheese bread to hot link corn dogs to some of the best roasted pigeon we’ve ever tasted — stay tuned for some more great Disneyland food coverage over the next several weeks!

In the meantime, here’s the news…

Latest Disney Food News

New restaurants and restaurant revitalization is coming to Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland. Watch for the Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and more!
Gourmet hot dogs are on the menu at Fairfax Fare in Hollywood Studios.
The dates for Disney World Free Dining being offered for 2011-2012 have been changed and new booking codes were released. Check to see if your dates are now listed! (Any bookings under the original codes will be honored. No worries!)
New menu items have been unveiled at two Magic Kingdom restaurants –- Cosmic Ray’s and Columbia Harbour House!

Reminder: The DFB Mini-Guide to the 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book Now Available!

Our mini-guide includes over 130 pages of information about this year’s Festival! It’s written as a planning guide for veterans of the festival and those visiting for the first time!

One of our favorite bonus items is a daily schedule to help you plan your most delicious adventures!

You can get your own copy of our new mini-guide here! Remember to use code CHEF for $2 off the regular price! 😉

Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Menu Now Available

Have you booked your tickets for the second annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic in Disney World? It’s coming up on October 7-8 — we’ll be there, and hope to see you!

They just released the menu for the event with dozens of stations showcasing eats and sips from the resort’s restaurants. See the full menu here!

On to the Round-Up!

A Snow White Sanctum

digs up rare Texas Electric recipe hand-outs featuring Snow White. Thanks to George Taylor at Imaginerding for the heads up!

Walt Disney World For Grown-Ups visits Casey’s Corner!

The Healthy Voyager eats vegan in Epcot.

disZine outlines the latest information about Grand Gatherings ending in January 2012.

Main Street Gazette laments over the simple foodie pleasures that we all delight in at Disney destinations.

Yesterland recounts the Yacht Bar in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland. (It’s gonna take me a while to get all of Yesterland’s great historic material into the round-ups, but I’ll get there… mark my words… .)

New Specialty Hot Dogs at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 13 Comments

Learn About:Fairfax Fare

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Studios Central recently spotted some new menu items at Fairfax Fare in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Specialty hot dogs!!

Gourmet Hot Dogs are being served with chips for $8.19 each plus tax. Choices include:

Macaroni & Cheese and Truffle Oil

Barbecue Pork and Coleslaw

Burrito Dog with Lettuce, Tomato, Cheddar, Jalapeno, and Sour Cream

Fairfax Fare - Gourmet Hot Dogs

I think that Mac and Cheese dog is going to [Read more…]

Disney Food for Families: Condiments Make the World Go Round

By Erin 10 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster knows what’s important for her family when it comes to Disney counter-service…

It’s a rare child that doesn’t feel passionate about condiments. Here are a few of the examples you might have heard from your kids… “I won’t let any type of sauce touch my food.” Or,“I’ll eat anything, as long as it’s covered in ketchup.” “Hot sauce is heavenly.” “Relish looks like alien slime.” “Plastic cheese makes everything better.” “Salsa, not ketchup.” “Mustard, not salsa.” “French fries are fine, but only if dipped in maple syrup.”

Yep, condiments are the weird and wonderful place where kiddie crazy food idiosyncrasies come out to play. Luckily, Disney has the condiment basics covered at most places.

You guys know AJ can't live without her plastic cheese

At any of the counter service restaurants where burger/dog/nugget staples are served, you’ll find traditional accompaniments like ketchup and mustard. And while they may not be out on the table, you can ask for these items at nearly all of the table service restaurants on property. But if you keep your eyes open, you’ll find many more options available.

So, if your child, or you, will ONLY eat food covered in soy sauce (hey, it happens), I’ll tell you where you’ll be able to get your fix.

Topping Bars

A few Disney counter service restaurants, such as Cosmic Ray’s and Tortuga Tavern in the Magic Kingdom, offer what Disney calls a “toppings bar.” This is code for a salad-bar-like spread of fresh fixin’ add-ons.

Tortuga Tavern toppings

Once you get your burger (at Cosmic Ray’s) or taco salad (at Tortuga Tavern), you can head over to the toppings bar to get unlimited embellishments to enhance your entree. The toppings typically include items like [Read more…]

Disney Food For Families: The Fab Four of Kid Food — Pizza, Pasta, Hot Dogs and Chicken Nuggets

By Erin 12 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist and Disney World Moms Panelist Erin Foster has more great info about kids’ dining in Disney World!

Casey's Corner Hot Dog, Fries, and Fixins

If your family is like mine, then at some point at least one of your children will go through a picky eater phase — where he or she will ONLY eat a certain type of food, texture of food, color of food, or food prepared in a certain way.

Luckily the chefs at Walt Disney World are well acquainted with the picky eater syndrome. They’ve seen it all before and can accommodate most childhood food idiosyncrasies. That’s one of the reasons WDW became such a frequent destination for us; dining out with our fussy daughter was a breeze compared to other vacation spots.

The Fab Four of Kid Food

Some common variations on the picky eater theme are the kids who will only eat pizza, or pasta, hot dogs, or chicken nuggets. While these favorites are, of course, readily available in the parks, they are not all available at [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: August 22, 2010

By AJ 4 Comments

News you can use:

FREE DINING 2011 has been announced!
Mid-September will see the opening of La Hacienda de San Angel in Epcot. La Hacienda reservations will soon be available to book for dates after Oct. 15th.
Check out this Belgian Waffle, which will be available at the 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Belgium Booth!

Swan and Dolphin

have released more info about the Food and Wine Classic! Check it out here.

Animal Kingdom Lodge Fan Site offers the results of their recent reader poll: Best Eats at the Mara.

Daveland has some vintage shots of the Golden Horseshoe AND he’s got another Club 33 visit documented. I love when Dave goes to Club 33. He takes the best pictures.

Studios Central reviews Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Fairfax Fare.

Breakfast at Norway's Akershus

Eating Around the World brings her little prince to meet the princesses at Epcot’s Akershus breakfast.

Theme Park Insider shares his thoughts de cuisine from a recent trip to Epcot.

Makin’ Memories Photo Blog takes a look at Columbia Harbour House in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom.

A World View enjoys the character breakfast at Cape May Cafe in Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Main Street Gazette taste tests taffy!

The Disney Chick shares the recipe for and makes Artist Point’s Berry Cobbler!

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Review: 4th of July “Limited Time Magic” Treats in Walt Disney World

Apple Pie Cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Strawberry (And Blueberry!) Shortcake Sundae at Magic Kingdom

Guest Review: Darth Vader Cupcake at Star Wars Weekends in Disney’s Hollywood Studios