food IS a theme park
It’s that time of the year when the weather starts cooling off a bit and we even start thinking we might even need a sweater at night (yes, it DOES happen occasionally in Florida).
Soup is good food.
It’s also the holiday season, which means while we’re enjoying all the fun holiday decor at Disney World while we start buying ALL the new holiday merchandise, we also want to eat serious winter comfort food. And you know what we’re talking about, right? SOUP! We want soup!
We’re in Epcot checking out what’s new this week! The restaurants are busy adding some seasonal treats as well as fall flavors! Construction is moving forward on a variety of attractions! Let’s take a closer look…
Welcome to Epcot
La Hacienda de San Angel is special to both my husband and I for sentimental reasons, because this was one of the first restaurants we dined in for our honeymoon. While I wasn’t too impressed with this restaurant during that reservation, I was willing to give it another shot.
The views out of the windows are breathtaking, and if nothing else, I could get a great margarita.
Orange Mango Fire Margarita at Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel
La Hacienda is located directly across from the temple pyramid that is the focal point of the Mexican pavilion. The entryway can be somewhat hard to miss, especially if you are in the throngs of a major crowd with strollers!
Just look for the sign in the picture below. There is a hostess stand underneath the sign where check-in is required to gain access to the restaurant.
The check-in podium is underneath this sign!
We arrived at the restaurant over 30 minutes before our reservation time just to check in, and to our wonderful surprise they seated us early! We were directed to the foyer/lobby area that contains beautiful blue lanterns. Another hostess in the foyer directed us to our seats.
Lobby area.
The restaurant atmosphere is relaxed with an afternoon siesta feeling and is elegant without being stuffy. The decorations are subtle – at least much less subtle than stereotypical Mexican restaurants – with patterned ceilings, clean walls, star lanterns dangling from the ceiling, and wrought-iron accents.
Booth and Artwork
While it’s not as scenic as a volcano or Mayan river with a Mariachi band playing in the background (San Angel Inn) – it did set a pleasant atmosphere for a meal.
Dining Room at La Hacienda.
The wall of windows overlooks the lagoon and the rest of World Showcase. If you’re able to get a window seat during IllumiNations, it is a great place to watch the show!
A wall of windows provides a great IllumiNations Fireworks view
When we arrived at 5:30 PM, there were hardly any other diners there; but by 6:00 PM the restaurant was packed. After our meal, my husband said “They don’t need a volcano here! The food is the main attraction!” Needless to say, our meal this time around was OUTSTANDING!
I’m not a margarita person (tequila – bad experiences – won’t go there), but I made a promise to myself to be adventurous on this trip, so I went with [Read more…]
It’s been over a year since Epcot’s newest Mexican restaurant, La Hacienda de San Angel, opened its doors to great fanfare.
Our first visit there (when it first opened) was good, but not entirely memorable; so we were eager to give this spot a second try. And this time we brought along AJ’s Mom and AJ’s Dad to get their feedback!
La Hacienda is a beautiful restaurant. The contemporary decor, look, and feel of the place gives off a polished, sleek Mexico-inspired vibe without being kitschy and stereotypical. The high ceilings and simple furnishings give the space a fresh, light, airy feel; but the furniture is solid and steady — a fun contrast!
Carved Wood Tables
I think it’s got one of the most soothing vistas on Disney property — a long-windowed look out onto the World Showcase Lagoon and [Read more…]
Many thanks go out today to Disney World Moms Panelist Kathie F., who has kindly answered a few interview questions about how to make dining vegetarian in Disney a thoroughly fulfilling experience! Stay tuned after this to hear more from Kathie as she continues to contribute her tips and experience in upcoming Disney Food Blog articles!
My questions for Kathie are in bold!
Q. What foods are your most common options when visiting Disney World? (e.g. What can guests expect when ordering the “vegetarian option.”)
A. I don’t know if I have one; since there are so many options at so many restaurants I like to try and mix it up every visit! One of my stand-by restaurants is Teppan Edo. Our family loves the show that accompanies the food, and I love the veggies and noodles served there! As you’ll see from some of my other answers — I don’t shy away from any Disney restaurant no matter what the printed menu says!
onion volcano at Teppan Edo
If you’re planning on dining vegetarian at WDW, just expect the unexpected. Don’t [Read more…]
Disney Halloween Decor...Featuring Caramel Apples
Happy Halloween! Don’t forget to check out some of the many spooky and fun treats found in Disney Parks:
Halloween Cupcakes in Disney Parks
Disneyland Halloween treats
Disney World Halloween Treats
Even MORE Halloween Treats in Disney Parks
And here are some of our favorite Disney food posts from around the web:
Watch Me Eat heads to WDW’s House of Blues for the Gospel Brunch!
Disney Parks Blog showcases an incredible Halloween Wedding Cake!
Main Street Gazette tempts us with a trip to Karamell Kuche!
Eating (and Drinking) Around the World makes Sweet Potato Puree with Mango BBQ sauce from the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Theme Park Mom comments on La Hacienda de San Angel’s decor!
Wine-Girl.net reviews the Disney World Downtown Disney Portobello Meatball Bar.
Scott Joseph Orlando Scott Joseph also takes us to La Hacienda de San Angel with his expert review.
Everything WDW reveals the 2011 date for the Wine and Dine run!
You guys know I’m always looking for new, fun drinks to try, and I had a field day on my recent trip to Orlando! Here are just a few of my new favorites:
Yak and Yeti: Shaved Ice Martini
A.K.A. — the snow cone. This fun drink comes in three flavors — Grape, Cherry, and Citrus/Melon. I chose the shockingly bright green version, which included vodka, midori, and pineapple juice along with my (beloved) sweet and sour. The presentation is the best part, but who WOULDN’T want to try an alcoholic snow cone?! Find it at Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Citrus Shaved Ice Martini
La Luce by Donna Scala: Limonata
A straight-up pucker-fest, the Limonata is a classy drink served in a classy atmosphere. It’s light, refreshing, and sour — just how I like it! Pair it with the fritto misto or the (incredible) four cheese pizza appetizer. Find it at La Luce by Donna Scala, a new restaurant at [Read more…]
Huzzah! I’ve finally made it to the newest restaurant in Walt Disney World — La Hacienda de San Angel! This Mexican restaurant focuses on Southern Mexican cuisine — fresh staples with a new flair. Home made corn tortillas, incredible margaritas, and a view coveted by every other restaurant in the World Showcase are the major players here.
Atmosphere
Located in Epcot’s Mexico in Walt Disney World, the restaurant was built this year as an add-on to an existing counter-service restaurant (La Cantina de San Angel), and now juts out into World Showcase Lagoon.
Externally, the bright yellow building and bright blue tiled cupola look a bit out of place with the muted colors around World Showcase, but they do bring a lively look to [Read more…]
Coming to you LIVE from Walt Disney World, here’s this week’s Disney Food Post Round-Up!
First, two reminders for this week:
MNSSHP Wicked Witch Cupcake
A few news items this week, coupled with some great new stuff I’ve found at WDW:
And now, on to the round-up:
Tim Rogerson, the Disney artist extraordinaire (whom we interviewed HERE!), has a cool new time-lapse video of his 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival signature artwork!
2719 Hyperion takes us to the original Captain Cook’s Hideaway.
Frugal Dinks brings us their review of Epcot’s La Hacienda de San Angel Restaurant.
The Disney Chick makes sunflower seed bread from Epcot’s Garden Grill!
Main St Gazette dines at Rose and Crown!
Eating Around the World goes to Biergarten!
Zannaland has a pic of the new Duffy the Bear rice krispie treat!
Disney Parks Blog has an awesome video from Disneyland detailing how they made their Haunted Gingerbread House for this year’s Haunted Mansion overlay!
Ladies and Gents, my next round-up will be coming to you from Walt Disney World! Very exciting, but right now, let’s talk about the great — and not-so-great — Disney food news from this week:
Also, we got word from DFB reader Lori Kiehl that ‘Ohana might be closed during breakfast from 17-20 of January. No official word on that, but FYI.
And now, on to the round-up!
Studios Central shows a detailed look at where you can find elements of Star Tours in Disney Hollywood Studios’ Sci-Fi Dine-In.
Main St Gazette reviews the Zebra Cupcake in Animal Kingdom (agreed that the cake was the best part on this one, Ryan!)
OC Register reports as Disney California Adventure says goodbye Pizza Oom Mow Mow and hello Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta.
Disney Geek shows off the new Halloween popcorn bucket for the Disney parks!
etckt reviews Via Napoli!
WDW Magic reports that Bongos Cuban Cafe has been added to the Disney Dining Reservations System.
The Givens Chronicles is counting down to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival by making recipes from the 2009 festival! Here’s her rendition of New Zealand’s Lamb Sliders!
Disney Dispatch is also counting down to the Festival with a look at Argentina.
WDW Info reports that Chef Mickey is no longer table-side at Chef Mickey’s in WDW’s Contemporary Resort. According to user reports, he’s up front taking pics now rather than visiting table-side.
Finally, I wanted to share with you a few other perspectives on the La Hacienda de San Angel opening in Epcot this past week. Scott Joseph, Orlando’s premier food critic, has a fantastic video from his experience at the Grand Opening:
And here are some write-ups from around the Disney-sphere about the Grand Opening event:
Zannaland (Margarita menu!!!), Disney Everyday, Scott Joseph Orlando, Theme Park Mom, Daily Disney from Orlando Sentinel, WDW Radio, Lauging Place, Inside the Magic, WDW News Today
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