food IS a theme park
It’s pretty common for people in the Disney fandom to have a collection of some souvenir or another.
Ears in Disney World
Some people collect Minnie ears or Loungefly bags, while others have Christmas ornaments or mugs. Others go for the more unique and rare souvenirs — collectibles from the early days of the parks or expensive limited-edition items. And if you’re a treasure hunter looking for some new items like that, we’ve got just the thing!
There’s been a celebration this summer of one of Disney’s most classic attractions: The Enchanted Tiki Room. We’ll have a post soon detailing the celebration first hand, but first up, we’ve got some merchandise to talk about!
First appearing at Disneyland in 1963, this feather-filled confection of song is now observing its 50th anniversary.
To mark the occasion, Disney has released a series of ceramic kitchen items reminiscent of the attraction’s Polynesian Island mood.
Among the wares are several items that would be perfect serving pieces for your next home luau. (You’re planning one now, aren’t you?)
There’s a chalice-like bowl called the “Rongo Enchanted Tiki Bowl.” I’m not sure if this piece, designed by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, is meant to hold chips and nuts, or whether it’s a goblet for an especially thirsty sailor.
I’m thinking that if you’re out of pineapples and are serving lapu lapus, then this would make a fair alternative vessel.
The “Luau Bowl” could be for chips, or it could hold the [Read more…]
Welcome back Guest Author Amy Gagliardi with a fun article on Disney World 40th Anniversary Kitchen Dinnerware, still available at several shops in Disney World. What a great way to bring a little Disney back home with you!
From Chef Hunnel’s elegant and award winning meals at Victoria and Albert’s Chef’s Table to a simple cup of French Pressed Kona coffee at the Polynesian’s Kona Cafe, Walt Disney World visitors are surrounded by great tasting and visually appealing options. Much of the food experience is visual and what we see enhances our perception of how food tastes.
I am continually in the market for ways to bring the Disney Dining experience to my home. Those subtle and not so subtle reminders of where I am dreaming to be can help ease the transition period between one trip and the next. On a recent trip my son Peter scouted out a Santa and Mrs. Claus Mickey and Minnie salt and pepper shaker set for our holiday table.
Mickey and Minnie Salt and Pepper Shakers
And while he and my daughter Lily were perusing the Art of Disney Gift Shop at Epcot, they came upon the very popular Shag Disney designer dishes and glassware celebrating the Walt Disney World 40th anniversary.
These packaged plates come in a boxed set of four.
Plate Set in Box
Many are familiar with artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily. Known separately and as a collaborative team they have worked on multiple Disney-related projects and have received national acclaim for their design of items celebrating the Disneyland 50th anniversary.
Their collaboration on these plates renders each colorful plate an artwork in itself, which takes inspiration from a 1970’s Walt Disney World preview map.
Castle Plate
Plate one, above, offers a view of a founding father, a bandleader Mickey, a can-can dancing girl, a musician, and a police officer. Each vignette occupies its own section of the plate with bright buildings and landmarks acting as backdrops to each character. Notice the red interior of the dancer’s skirt with a matching pink and red version of the Eiffel Tower behind her, and the Disney Skyway with gondolas running behind the castle.
Plate two is a less busy, but classic, view of the Magic kingdom. The central depiction of the Main Street Train Station and Ferry Boat bring [Read more…]
OK, all! We’re here in Walt Disney World for the Happiest Time of the Year! Stay tuned to see lots of tweets and facebook updates from us as we wander around the World.
And we’ll, of course, bring you more-than-you-thought-possible kinds of coverage of the Epcot Food & Wine Festival here on the blog! Don’t forget to start planning your trip now by checking out our individual World Showcase Booth pages — they’re already sporting photos of the food you can purchase!
(Don’t care about the Food and Wine Festival? Fear not! We’re prepping Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Disneyland Paris reviews for the next couple of weeks, too!)
We’re honored that our newest Mini-Guide is getting such positive reviews!
Jackie’s Magical Moments has this to say:
The last time I went to the Festival, I didn’t do any of the special events, I didn’t know what to expect at all. I felt like I’d missed everything. It doesn’t have to be that way and you can make the very most of everything if you’re prepared, even if you only have a couple of days. This guide is a MUST-HAVE if you are attending….
Check out the rest of the review to learn several reasons why the mini-guide is a must for your Food & Wine planning.
Thanks, Jackie!
Gorillas Don’t Blog
shows us Big Al making popcorn!
DisZine reports that the Cake Boss will appear at this year’s Food and Wine Festival. See a video of Buddy and Pam Brandon here!
Kevin Kidney will be at WDW on September 30 and October 1st! Check out the Haunted Mansion themed item that he created for an auction.
Main Street Gazette features one of our favorite Fall treats in Disney World!
Healthy Disney highlights vegetarian options at Wolfgang Puck Express.
Touringplans.com Blog lets us escape to the Territory Lounge. We love a great place to relax!
DisneyParks Blog shares Club 33’s recipe for pumpkin beignets! Impress your friends with these treats at your Halloween party.
We’ll see you at the Festival!
Popular Disney artists Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily bring their brilliant designs to Walt Disney World’s 40th anniversary party!
After receiving an invite to create nostalgic concepts for WDW’s souvenir collectibles, the artists set to work. Inspired by vintage Walt Disney World — yes, including 70’s orange and lime green — their submissions included attraction replicas, scale models, and retro Tiki mugs.
For the final designs, Kevin and Jody collaborated with Disney artist Linda Flynn from Disney’s Design Group and merchandise team. We’re excited to announce that some food-related designs made the cut!
Check out the awesomely retro Magic Kingdom paper cup now in collectible ceramic style!
Kevin Kidney's WDW ceramic paper cup
Illustrated with the colorful 1971 Preview Center map, this boxed dinnerware set will take you [Read more…]
This going to be a BIG week, fellow foodies! Disney’s set to announce the 2010 Food and Wine Festival official details on Monday. But in the mean time, check out our 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival pages for breaking news; details, times, menus, and Chefs for special events and demonstrations; International Marketplace kiosks; and more!
The big news this week on the F&W Festival front:
Also in the “big news” category, many menu items have been revealed from Epcot’s new Via Napoli menu — and the restaurant will be opening early! Next month!
And don’t forget to check out the DisMarks Disney Blog Carnival, 6th Edition, out this week! Great Disney reading from your favorite new and veteran Disney bloggers.
Now, on to the round-up!
Imaginerding shares three patriotic recipes from Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse Cookbook: Yankee Noodle Dandy, Cherry Vanilla Freeze, and Blueberry Crunch. I don’t know, George… not sure I could pull off that Yankee Noodle Dandy recipe…
Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily preview their incredible Disneyland 55th Anniversary popcorn box and coffee cup.
2010 F&W Gift Cards
The Givens Chronicles makes Bailey’s Chocolate Lava Cake from the 2009 Epcot Food and Wine Festival.
Imagineering Disney posts even more wonderfulness about Frito Kid and the Frito Bandito!! Those Fritos sure are deeeeeeeeeeee-licous!
Watch Me Eat has a great review of Paradiso 37 (one of my favorites…)
Touring Plans blogger Caroline Baggerly takes us to Beaches and Cream!
Dan Goodsell‘s Darth Bacon sculpture heads to auction. Also, don’t miss this Tron, The Legacy Mr. Toast. It’s important.
Studios Central gives a review of eating low-carb at Hollywood and Vine.
Main St Gazette reminds me that I really need to get back to Yak and Yeti and its environs…if only for the drinks alone.
Concept Art for F&W Festival South Korea Booth
Babes in Disneyland has some great tips about the various places to get ice cream and cool treats in Disneyland.
DisneyShawn continues his tour through Typhoon Lagoon and visits the water park’s watering holes.
2719 Hyperion remembers late night fun full of Make-Your-Own-Pizza at Trail’s End.
Chip and Co gives reasons to make ADRs and plan your dining ahead.
DisUnplugged reviews the new Taste of Africa Street Party in Animal Kingdom.
Disney Parks Blog shares more imagineering prowess in the form of Magic Kingdom’s Sleepy Hollow Refreshments.
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
