food IS a theme park
It’s official! The Planet Hollywood Observatory is now open in Disney Springs!
@planethollywoodobservatory Facebook
Stop by the West Side to see the space that was formerly Planet Hollywood in its transformed state as a “four-story stargazing observatory,” and taste the new creations on the menu, including the burger and sandwich menu created by celebrity chef Guy Fieri (or indulge in one of the Planet Hollywood classics that are still on the list). [Read more…]
Hooray for HOLLYWOOD… because Advance Dining Reservations are now available for the Planet Hollywood Observatory!
Originally scheduled to open last fall, the major refurbishment of what was once Planet Hollywood into the new Planet Hollywood Observatory has met with several delays over the past few months. But soon, we’ll see the results of this lengthy makeover in the West Side of Disney Springs!
Of course, we do have some idea of what to expect already…
For instance, we know that the space will be enhanced with the outdoor Stargazers Bar offering views of Disney Springs. A 4,500-square-foot video screen (along with a DJ at night) will provide entertainment, and the menu will feature Planet Hollywood favorites along with new items unique to the location, such as a Burger and Sandwich menu headed up by Celebrity Chef Guy Fieri.
Planet Hollywood Observatory
What else is in store? Well, let’s take a look at the menu! You’ll want to settle in, because it’s pretty extensive, starting with Appetizers ranging from the classic Planet Hollywood menu — like the World Famous Chicken Crunch — to Shareable Sampler Platters for four. [Read more…]
The transition is nearly complete from the OLD Planet Hollywood to the NEW Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs!
Usually, Disney does a great job keeping new places under wraps so that the big reveal is more like a big bang! And that would be perfect here, with all the observatory spacey stuff. Unfortunately, a giant globe-shaped edifice is a little hard to hide.
So as we WATCH Planet Hollywood Observatory taking shape right in the middle of Disney Springs, I have to say — I’m kind of intrigued about what’s to come with the menu. And that’s especially true after I caught my first glimpse of the over-the-top milkshakes we’ll soon be able to enjoy here.
We recently received a few more hints about what you can expect to see when the restaurant finally opens its doors. (The website and social media are still saying that the opening will take place in the “Fall”, but the website is accepting reservations starting in January.)
The Walls are Down at Planet Hollywood Observatory in Disney Springs
Let’s take a closer look. [Read more…]
Happy Sunday! We hope you’re enjoying this late-summer weekend! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s Food Post Round-up!
Cinnamon Roll — Another View
Summer might be winding down, but that means we’re just a few weeks away from the start of the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We have a preview of a few of this year’s Marketplace Booths, including the all-new Greenhouse Guru booth.
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
It’s sure been a hoppin’ summer over at Disney Springs!
The recent arrivals of Frontera Cocina, Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming, and Blaze Fast Fire’d Pizza barely scratch the surface of all the additions that have helped to change the landscape of Disney World’s shopping and dining district over the past year or so.
And now that those are up and running, we turn our attention to a couple of spots that have been part of the scene since the district was known as Downtown Disney. One of those is Planet Hollywood, which will reopen as the Planet Hollywood Observatory this Fall. (The other is Paddlefish, formerly known as Fulton’s Crab House — look for a late November opening for that one.)
Now we’re starting to get a feel for what the refreshed Planet Hollywood Observatory will offer, especially with the arrival of the news that the location will feature — among many other dishes — an exclusive Burger and Sandwich Menu created by Celebrity Chef and Food Network Star Guy Fieri, best known for his show “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.”
@PlanetHollywoodObservatory Facebook
These can be followed up with some of the Mason Jar Desserts that will also be exclusive to the Observatory. [Read more…]
You KNOW how excited I am about the return of the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, right? Well, if you’re with me on that — and can’t wait ’til it starts NEXT MONTH (!!!!!) — I’m happy to let you know that booking is now available for the Festival events!
There are currently two types of bookable events at the Festival this year: the Beverage Seminars and the Celebrity Kitchen events. Both can currently be booked at Disneyland.com and require pre-payment.
DCAFWF Beverage Seminars are built to showcase the art and science behind some of the world’s most popular adult beverages. Up to 75 guests will enjoy a 45-minute lesson led by an expert winemaker, sommelier, brewmaster or industry expert. The outdoor seminars take place on the Sonoma Terrace at Golden Vine Winery and include up to 3 sample tastings!
When: Fridays: 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 PM
Saturdays: 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 PM
Sundays: 12:00, 2:00, 4:00 & 6:00 PM
Where: Sonoma Terrace, located at Golden Vine
Winery, Disney California Adventure Park
Price: $15 per person, plus tax
Disneyland Food and Wine Festival Beverage Seminar
On Stage 17, celebrity chefs like Robert Irvine and Guy Fieri will entertain the audience with a 90-minute demonstration from a demonstration kitchen on the main stage.
If it’s a Wednesday in May, it must mean…Mirror Image Post day!!! Hooray!!! That’s right, today you get a two-fer — Ryan from Main Street Gazette and yours truly here at the Disney Food Blog are reviewing “mirror-image” food topics in Disneyland and Disney World. This week we’re taking a look at Disney’s Food and Wine Festivals, and I get to talk about Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival — which is going on RIGHT NOW!
Disneyland Resort’s Food and Wine Festival is a fun, diverse, and exciting six weeks full of celebrity chefs, California cuisine, artistic exploration, great wine, and good beer. And here’s something you might not know — the festival takes place primarily within the gates of Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park!
Chef Showcase Stage
This year, the Festival is celebrating its fifth anniversary! It’s still a rather small festival, but with blockbuster seminars from chefs like Guy Fieri, Cat Cora, Keegan Gerhard, and Robert Irvine, along with fantastic wine and beer walks, tastes of incredible California ingredients, and a hip, “never-know-what-to-expect-next” atmosphere, the Festival fits its location and fills its six week stint perfectly.
How do you know what’s happening, and when? Disney has it [Read more…]
New truffles in WDW
As you know, I’m reporting from Disney World this weekend, and from Disneyland next week! Here are some of the latest news items:
Now — on to the round-up!
OC Register preps me for the best dishes to sample at Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival next week!
Main Street Gazette shares a love of Frozen Sunshine at Beaches and Cream!
DisneyGeek has some great shots from the Food and Wine Festival in Disneyland in his Disneyland photo round-up this week.
The LA Times Travel Blog features videos of John and Nancy Lasseter talking wine and the Lasseter Winery at this past weekend’s California Food & Wine Festival opening. Here’s one to whet your appetite:
The Disney Chick makes Fettucini Alfredo from Epcot’s Tutto Italia!
Babes in Disneyland posts about special dietary needs in Disneyland.
Disunplugged visits Napa Rose and chats with Guy Fieri at the California Food & Wine Festival.
Disney Parks spots Tina Fey at the Sci-Fi Dine-In!
A few good notices that couldn’t wait until the round-up tomorrow:
Discounts on Disney Stuff When You Eat Counter Service
Hooray! I knew eating burgers and fries would come in handy someday! If you’re headed to Disney World in the next two weeks, your counter service dining receipt might include a coupon for 20% off purchases at stores in the theme parks and Downtown Disney between the hours of 9AM and 12PM! Check out specs on the offer over at DIS.
Guy Fieri and the Food Network Talk Holiday Food at Disneyland
We mentioned it in our Disneyland Candy Canes post, because Guy has a segment on the candy canes in his Disneyland Holiday Foods Special. There’s a lot more to see, however! Set your DVR for Saturday at 9PM. If you miss it, you can catch the special again on Dec. 11th, at 8PM.
Tables In Wonderland Holiday Harvest Dinner
If you’re a Tables in Wonderland member, you can take part in a private Holiday Dinner, followed by the Candlelight Processional and Illuminations. Join other members at the Norway Lounge for a delicious menu of spicy seared tilapia, a medly of winter greens with cranberry vinaigrette, prosciutto and sage wrapped pork tenderloin, and olive oil bruised yukon gold potatoes followed by chocolate ganache brulee or asian apple crumble. Yum!
The event is limited to 80 guests and costs $98 per person. If you’re interested and a Tables in Wonderland Member, email [email protected] with your daytime phone number, home address, and the people in your party — you’ll be notified on a first come, first served basis.
Stay tuned tomorrow for our regularly scheduled round-up of Disney Food links from around the web! Also, be sure to vote in our “Best Steakhouse” poll in the right-hand sidebar 😀
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
