food IS a theme park
I’m having a TON of fun at Disney World this week! And my trip has been made all the better by seeing that the construction walls surrounding the soon-to-be-open Ample Hills Creamery have come down!
Ample Hills Sign on Disney World’s BoardWalk
This “re-imagined take on the turn-of-the-century ice cream parlor” will take over the spot that was previously occupied by the ESPN Club Arcade, next door to the very-much-still-open ESPN Club.
Recently, I was in Disneyland for the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival. And while I ate a lot of wonderful food and attended some delicious special events, I KNEW it was time for me to finally hit up Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop for some super sweets. And by super sweets, I mean SUPER BIG ICE CREAM!
Welcome to Ghirardelli!
See, I had heard that one of my all time favorite Ghirardelli treats — the Gold Rush Sundae — was alive and well at the DCA location, even though it’s not listed on the menu (and no longer found at all at the Disney Springs location in Walt Disney World). And I also knew that I HAD to try the ginormous Earthquake Sundae as well (this one IS found at Disney Springs in Disney World, just FYI). [Read more…]
Let’s head back to one of our favorite ice cream spots in Disney California Adventure: Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream!
Clarabelle’s
Named after Clarabelle Cow (you can learn a little more on the backstory of her name — and subsequently the shop’s name — here), this cute little spot is located on Buena Vista Street in DCA. [Read more…]
I bet that after a long day battling crowds at Disney World, alcohol and ice cream sound pretty darn good. Put ’em TOGETHER, and you’ve got our #OnTheList item for today!!
#OnTheList Ice Cream Martini
This week’s #OnTheList item popped up a couple of years ago in Epcot’s France at L’Artisan des Glaces! An Ice Cream Martini? Yes, please! [Read more…]
We’re coming at you today from The Fountain at Disney’s Dolphin Resort!
And if “I scream, you scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM,” this is THE place to get it if you’re staying at the Swan & Dolphin.
In fact, for those less familiar with Disney’s Swan & Dolphin Resorts, they’re just a stroll away from Epcot and Hollywood Studios, in the same general area of Disney’s BoardWalk, Yacht, and Beach Club Resorts. And if you’re having trouble getting into Beaches and Cream at the Beach Club (it’s been a little more challenging ever since they started accepting Advance Dining Reservations), The Fountain can be a terrific alternative.
But this isn’t just some shadow of Beaches and Cream. Boasting diner favorites (and twists on the classics) as well as one of the best ice cream selections on Disney property (shakes, sundaes, and more), The Fountain is worthy of a visit in its own right, and I’d like to show you why…
The Fountain Sign
We’re checking out a whole slew of totally fun new burgers (and picking up a not-so-little dessert) at Pop Century Resort’s Everything Pop!
(And for those of you who miss the All-American Picnic Burger that used to grace the menu at Sci-Fi Dine-In, you’ll want to stay tuned!)
There’s never a dull moment at the vibrant celebration of all things pop culture that is Pop Century Resort, and that’s certainly true at the resort’s food court, Everything Pop! It’s a great place to find unique themed eats like Tie-Dye Cheesecake, the King Cupcake, and the Pop Tarts Breakfast Sandwich.
Today we’re heading back to try out some recent additions to the menu. Specialty burgers have become all the rage at Everything Pop, and they’ve also added their own take on a slightly smaller version of the famous Kitchen Sink Sundae… with a “Pop” twist, of course!
Now, when you refer to Everything Pop, technically you’re speaking not only of the Food Court, but also the merchandise shop.
Everything Pop Sign
For our DFB purposes, though, it’s typically a quick stroll past the gifts and souvenirs into the sizable food court, featuring separate ordering and serving stations offering everything from pasta and pizza to pot roast and sloppy joes (along with all sorts of traditional resort grab-and-go items). [Read more…]
More seasonal creations out of of L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France!
You know the drill… just think of the Pumpkin Spice, Peppermint, and Strawberries and Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches (not to mention the red, white, and blue version of the Vanilla Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich that makes its way around in time for Bastille Day in July) that ring in the flavors — and even colors — of the corresponding holiday or season.
And with (technically) two months of summer left, it’s a great time to enjoy the new Peaches & Cream Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich that just hit the scene.
Housemade Vanilla Ice Cream tucked into a peach macaron…
Peach Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich
Now that doesn’t sound like a bad way to celebrate all that’s left of summer at all, does it? [Read more…]
Fans of the Gold Rush Peanut Butter Sundae at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop in Downtown Disney Orlando (and fans of peanut butter in general — like me!), take note: Ghirardelli is no longer using peanut butter as an ingredient in any of their ice cream sundaes and chocolates, or as a choice for ice cream toppings.
Why the sudden change? Well, in actuality, it’s not so sudden.
You see, the Ghirardelli facilities began taking steps toward going peanut-free in 2013 in order to become more allergy-friendly for guests with allergy concerns. However, this didn’t affect the in-house sundaes, like the popular Gold Rush (vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, melted peanut butter, and whipped cream) until now, with their removal from the menus in Disney World over the recent weeks. (Please note this update: Disneyland guests can get the Gold Rush Sundae on the west coast — Cast Members there have confirmed that it is the only location where it is still available).
Ghirardelli in Downtown Disney, Orlando
Gold Rush Peanut Butter Sundae
Guests who have allergies — as well as parents of those who have them — may find it helpful to know that, at this time, some products are still made with tree nuts, and [Read more…]
You’re planning your first trip to Walt Disney World. Or your 50th. Or your 100th. And you reeeeeeeally want to know what NEW dishes you MUST try? Weeeeeeelllllllllll, we’ve got a few suggestions for you!
We’ve got about nine of our favorite you-HAVE-to-EAT-this dishes and snacks featured in our brand new DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015 e-Book, which you can pick up today for $4 off using code 2015 right here!
But I wanted to take a second to share just a few of those must-eat treats here with you as well.
Yep — here at DFB, we always like to kick off each new year with some of our favorite treats spotted during the last few months. But when I sat down to brainstorm this post…well, at first it seemed like 2014 didn’t offer a whole lot of new stuff.
That said, when I started scrolling back through everything we ate this past year, I realized there was a lot to be said for 2014 and its culinary prowess.
There is one really big difference between this year and previous years, however. Most of our crave-worthy dishes are savory this time around! I know! WUT?!??!?!?!?!? Don’t worry, though — I’ve got a few sweeties thrown in.
Here’s the New Food I Want to Stuff My Face with at Disney Parks in 2015!
We thought that Mac and Cheese, that king of comfort foods, was enough. But little did we know what we had been missing, until Disney started putting additional delicious food on top of its cheesy goodness.
We first saw the dawn of Gourmet Mac and Cheese — we’re just gonna call it that if that’s all right with you — a while back. Friar’s Nook introduced the concept, and we were smitten with their Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese and Blue Cheese Mac right away.
BUT THEN — this happened.
Alrighty Guys, it is time. We are heading over to Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney to travel back 200 million years for dinner.
We’ve gotta do T-Rex again.
This super-themed-to-the-max restaurant is the sister of Rainforest Cafe. If you’ve been to one, you have an idea for the feel of the other (even if the themeing is different).
I’ll confess I wasn’t looking forward to this Advance Dining Reservation with great anticipation. But every restaurant at Disney deserves a little love from me, right? 😉 After all, it’s my job. So on a recent visit, over I went to check out if my experience would be better, worse, or the same as my previous visit.
Besides, there’s a Cotton-tini involved this time! More on that just around the corner. Let’s go!
As you probably expect, there’s a whole lot going on when you walk inside T-Rex. The outside view of rock outcroppings and dinosaurs give you an idea of what you’re in for.
Outside View of T-Rex
Once your eyes adjust, you’ll notice that there are four major themed areas inside the space. The bar is themed to look like an Undersea Scene, complete with a giant, moving octopus. (What?! It’s true!) You’ll see some jellyfish floating above you too.
Under the Pre-Historic Sea
You may recall this area experienced a little drama last year, when one of the cylindrical aquariums started gushing water right in the middle of meal service! Fortunately, fish and diners alike were all fine. (See the video here.)
The floors throughout the restaurant are themed as well. Check out the watery undercarriage of the Undersea Scene. These are actually tiles printed like water.
Watery tiled floor
The themeing throughout the restaurant does vary a bit. A lot actually. Beyond the sea, you have a verdant Forest Area, where you can sit in the belly of a Triceratops if you’d like. (I have asked how I can get this table. I want to sit in that Triceratops. If any of you are willing to join me on a Triceratops challenge, let me know and we’ll go and wait for this table some night!
The Triceratops Booth!
And then, there’s the Meteor Shower Room. Somehow you are simultaneously on Earth and viewing Earth. (Don’t think about it too hard.) You’ll find the star of the show here — T-Rex himself.
T-Rex! Ruuuuunnnnn!!!
Be forewarned — this room is very, very loud at regular intervals. Like every 10 minutes, when meteor showers rain down from the heavens.
Did I mention that it’s loud??
The Universe on the Ceiling
Seating near the animatronic dinosaurs brings your experience to life. And for educational value, they have plaques scattered throughout the scenes that tell a little about the creatures.
Seating by the Dinosaurs
In the Meteor Shower Room, you’ll also find the [Read more…]
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