food IS a theme park
Whew!
It sure has been a news-y few weeks for Disney World! From the debut of the long-awaited Rivers of Light show in Animal Kingdom, to the announcement of a brand new fireworks spectacular on the way to Magic Kingdom, to the return of another annual Festival at Epcot: the 2017 Flower and Garden Festival.
Fresh Epcot
But it sure doesn’t stop there, because we’ve got even more news to explore… by checking out WHAT’S NEW around Walt Disney World! [Read more…]
It’s high time for more 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival fun!
Once again, we’re going beyond the Marketplace Booths for a Special Event that is new to the Festival this year: Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops. Similar to the Festival’s Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars, this new offering takes place daily in the Festival Center. However, the Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! sessions offer an interactive element unique to this Special Event where participants can take tips directly from leaders in the culinary industry.
The choice of topics is extensive, ranging from forming sushi rolls to pasta making and vodka tasting to pumpkin decorating (and beyond — check out the full list of options here). We attended The Art of Pastry Making with Erin McKenna.
You might be familiar with Erin McKenna as the founder of Babycakes or the owner of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs (or even her shops in New York and Los Angeles). If so, then you know that her focus is on creating tasty vegan and gluten-free goods. Since baking gluten-free items is not something I have previously attempted, I thought this would be a great opportunity to learn something new!
So join me in the Chef’s Showcase at the Festival Center to check out this new Special Event!
Food and Wine Festival Center
Long tables are set up in front of the stage so there’s plenty of room for lots of would-be pastry-makers! [Read more…]
Guest Author, AM Appleby recently visited the NEW Oasis Bar and Grill at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort in Walt Disney World. Aloha! Thanks for the review AM!!
I had the opportunity to check out the new Oasis Pool and Oasis Bar & Grill during a recent stay with my family at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. This has been our favorite resort since our first stay in 2008. We’ve watched this area transform over the years, but have to say the latest metamorphosis is the best.
Oasis Main Entrance
The Oasis officially opened March 17, 2016, and its hours are 11am to 11pm. Although the main theme pool at the Polynesian usually gets all the love, the newly renovated Oasis Pool will undoubtedly have its own loyal following.
Join us in welcoming guest author Jennifer Harris with an informative review of allergy friendly dining at Walt Disney World. Are you on a special diet? Read on!
Oh Disney, how I love your allergen-friendly ways. Dining at Disney is half the fun for those with food intolerance/allergy while visiting its theme parks. From the very first meal, it is apparent their talented team of chefs has got your back and then some. With table and quick service, buffet, and fine dining options, the attention paid to preparing allergen-free cuisine is exemplary. The sky is the limit at Disney because serving their guests is top priority.
Preparation tables are sanitized, gloves are changed, and one chef handles the order from start to finish to ensure there is no cross contact. Disney can currently prepare meals for those allergic/intolerant to: wheat, gluten, peanuts and tree nuts, soy, eggs, corn, dairy and lactose, shellfish, and fish.
Gluten Free Mickey Waffles
Here’s a bit of news for ya — there are about to be some changes coming up with Disney-branded, pre-packaged snacks and we have a sneak peek for you today at one of the new varieties!
The parks and resorts will soon start selling a Disney-branded allergy friendly line of snacks!
Snacks With Character Allergy Friendly Snack
The new line will include Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies, Sugar Crisp Crunchy Cookies, and Mountain Mambo Seed & Fruit Mix. The allergy friendly snacks will be billed “Snacks with Character,” and each will feature a well-known Disney character. No exact date yet on when these will be officially released, but let’s check out the Chocolate Chip Crunchy Cookies! [Read more…]
It was just this past February when many Disney World guests celebrated the opening of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in The Landing of Disney World’s Disney Springs area.
For those who had missed the presence of BabyCakes in Downtown Disney’s Marketplace since its previous location closed to accommodate construction in March 2014, the new storefront was a welcome re-addition.
While the name has changed, the focus on vegan (dairy-free, egg-free), soy-free, and gluten-free baked goods remains the same, making it a great destination for many Disney World guests on special diets.
Though I’m not on a special diet myself, I sometimes find myself stopping by Erin McKenna’s when I’m at Downtown Disney, anyway. I’ve found that I’ve come to enjoy several of the treats (I can’t walk by without at least entertaining the notion of picking up a slice of Lemon Teacake), and I can never resist any bakery case full o’ cupcakes.
Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC indoor sign
Cupcakes!
Just a reminder, though, that the updated location has been able to expand its selection, and offers [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: Copies of the Allergy Menu from Skipper’s Canteen have been added to this post as of January 14, 2016.
For some time, Disney has been a leader in the hospitality industry when it comes to serving guests with food allergies and sensitivities. Today, we’re learning that they’re offering options that will hopefully continue to make Disney visits more enjoyable and worry-free for guests who live with allergies.
Allergy-friendly kiosk menu
After previously piloting Allergy-Friendly Menus at a number of venues, Disney has announced they will roll out Allergy-Friendly Menus to around 120 restaurants. The menus will be available at both counter service and table service locations throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland parks and resorts. The move will include venues at Disney water parks and Downtown Disney restaurants as well.
ABC Commissary Took Part Offered a Gluten Free Menu During the Pilot Program
The goal is to provide a convenient way for guests to manage their food allergies while dining at Disney restaurants, and to provide more food options that are readily available.
The allergy-friendly menus will focus on the most common allergens: [Read more…]
Just last week we showed you the signs outside the new Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Downtown Disney…
Erin McKenna’s NYC Bakery sign
And NOW we are happy to report that as of yesterday, it’s open for business!
First things first: Why all the excitement over this bakery? Well, aside from being the latest addition on the scene as Downtown Disney transitions to Disney Springs, it’s also the new home to BabyCakes NYC gluten-free and vegan baked goods in Disney World!
Erin McKenna’s Bakery storefront
Erin McKenna is the founder of BabyCakes NYC. Almost one year ago, the BabyCakes location in Downtown Disney’s Marketplace closed (along with Pollo Campero and Bodie’s All-American) to accommodate construction in the area. The new Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC fills the void felt by many guests on restricted diets, either due to allergies, digestive intolerances or lifestyle choice when BabyCakes closed, so we’re here to offer it a hearty “Welcome Back!”
Now, I just mentioned the Marketplace, so let’s not go too much further before we discuss the location of Erin McKenna’s. It finds its home in what is now called The Landing (formerly part of the Pleasure Island area). Depending on your most recent visit to Downtown Disney, things may look a LOT different! You’ll find Erin McKenna’s tucked right in among some brand new retails shops including Sanuk, Sound Lion, and Chapel Hats, facing what will be The Boathouse restaurant.
Erin Mckenna’s NYC Bakery at The Landing
Seeing this area with its exposed brick and aesthetically pleasing outdoor strolling area, you really do start to get a feel for how much [Read more…]
Okay, BabyCakes fans… this one’s for you!
With the ongoing construction at Downtown Disney (as it continues in its transition to become Disney Springs), there’s a lot of anticipation about the new dining spots on the way: from The Boathouse and Morimoto Asia to STK Orlando. If you’ve been following the Downtown Disney/Disney Springs food news, you may recall in November when we mentioned the possible return of BabyCakes NYC to Downtown Disney in the revitalized form of Erin McKenna’s Bakery Valentine.
We’re happy to bring you official signs of its return… with the SIGNS now hanging outside what will be the bakery!
And, according to Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC’s Facebook page, it will open this Sunday at 1PM! (Thanks to reader Heather for the heads up!)
Erin McKenna’s Bakery Storefront — Word is Out That the Bakery Will Open This Sunday!
Erin McKenna’s Bakery sign
Erin McKenna is the founder of BabyCakesNYC, known for its great selection of gluten-free, vegan treats including cupcakes and donuts in a wide variety of flavors.
Babycakes Sweets and Treats
Fans of BabyCakes will certainly remember [Read more…]
Disney World continually seeks ways to help guests with food allergies feel more at ease during their travels. If you or any member of your traveling group has a food allergy, you may be interested to hear about a current test underway at a few dining locations in Disney World.
For a limited time, select Disney World restaurants are offering menus specifically geared towards those with food allergies to allow ease of ordering directly from the menus. Test locations at the resorts include World Premiere Food Court at All Star Movies Resort, Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk, and Kona Café and Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian Village Resort.
At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Hollywood Brown Derby, Sci-Fi Dine-in Restaurant, and ABC Commissary are taking part in the test.
ABC Commissary
In these beginning phases, ABC Commissary’s menu [Read more…]
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