food IS a theme park
Big nooz! Reports note that Morimoto Asia will open its doors at Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) on September 30! Reservations may be available via Open Table beginning September 16.
©Disney @WDWDowntown Twitter
From the beginning, we’ve heard details that Morimoto Asia would feature a full panoply of Asian flavors, with special experiences throughout the soaring space of the restaurant. Today, we’re getting even more detail. [Read more…]
There is so much happening in Downtown Disney as it moves forward in the transition towards becoming Disney Springs, the landscape seems to be changing by the day!
Disney Springs sign
Thankfully, the @WDWDowntown Twitter account has made it easier to keep track of all the goings-on, and here are just a few of the most recent updates, from construction happenings to a menu change. (Editor’s Update: Downtown Disney is now officially Disney Springs! Therefore, the official Twitter account is now: @DisneySprings.)
First, signage is now in place for Morimoto Asia, slated for a fall opening in The Landing of Disney Springs! [Read more…]
This past May, fans of the Indiana Jones film franchise were excited to learn about the plans for Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar to join the line-up of new dining venues coming to Disney Springs!
Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar under construction
The storyline will revolve around Indiana Jones and his pilot (who serves as the name inspiration for the location), Jock Lindsey. While the menu will feature themed tapas and specialty cocktails, the location itself will be decked out with vintage travel posters, aviation equipment, and even correspondence between Indy and Jock. The opening is anticipated for fall of 2015, and based on a recent visit to the site, progress seems to be coming along very nicely indeed! [Read more…]
More fantastic news coming out of Disney Springs today, all!! We’ve got confirmation on several other restaurants joining the line-up at the new and improved Downtown Disney location in Orlando!
While we’ll be covering each and every one of these as they open, here’s a sneak peek at what’s right around the corner for Disney Springs.
Disney Springs’ Town Center Coming Soon!
Inspired by The Edison venue in Los Angeles, this lavish “Industrial Gothic” -style restaurant, bar and nighttime destination is themed to a 1920s-period power plant, recalling an exuberant era of invention and imagination. It will feature classic American food, craft cocktails, and live entertainment including cabaret and music.
Layout of the original The Edison location in LA. Copyright The Edison
The world’s first cupcake bakery, as named by Food Network and others, serves up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies. I have a Sprinkles locally where I live, and I will never admit to ordering a dozen cupcakes for delivery even when I was home alone…so don’t even try.
These aren’t as good as my beloved Magnolia cupcakes in NYC, but they are a fantastic fill-in here in Dallas. I know they’ll be a hit in Disney Springs.
This is a photo from Sprinkles’ facebook page because cupcakes don’t last long enough in my house to be photographed.
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza is a [Read more…]
We are standing on the cusp of a brand New Year, and we can’t wait to see what 2015 holds in store for us — and Disney!
But we can’t wave goodbye to the old year without looking back on some of the biggest food news that happened throughout Disney Parks.
Most of this year’s big news happened at Walt Disney World, but we have a few memorable moments to share with you from Disneyland as well as other Disney Parks around the globe.
Today, we bring you a look back at 2014’s Biggest Disney Food News Stories! We have a LOT to cover — let’s get started!
First up, a little something I like to call…
It’s the story we feel like we’ve been watching for years — what’s happening at Downtown Disney Orlando’s now defunct Pleasure Island??
Well, 2014 finally saw some solid progress, and the Disney Springs story seems to be coming to life.
An Artist’s Rendering of Disney Springs
Lots of changes have made a trip to Downtown Disney a challenge in the last couple of years. But as the year draws to a close, the parking garages are open, and we are seeing some of the plans take shape!
2014 kicked off with a surprise restaurant opening of sorts — the House of Blues added a new counter service offering, The Smokehouse. We say surprise because we told you about the restaurant for the first time just days before the walls came down and the doors opened for business!
The Smokehouse at The House of Blues
The Smokehouse is strictly a walk-up window venue. But the covered outdoor seating is pleasant, and you can often take in live music as you enjoy barbecue favorites, like their Beef Brisket Sandwich, St. Louis Ribs, or Smoked Turkey Legs.
Smoked Beef Brisket Sandwich with House-made Cole Slaw from The Smokehouse
But it wasn’t all good news for Downtown Disney this year. Guests at T-Rex Cafe last Spring were in for some decidedly unpleasant dinner excitement, as one of the restaurant’s humongous fish tanks sprang a leak during dinner service!
However, no one was injured and all of the fish were reportedly rescued. We’re glad that all turned out happily in the situation, but we’ll never look at those huge fish tanks quite the same way again!
Also in the Spring, we said hello to a spot that’s quickly become one of our most favorite spots to shop in all of Walt Disney World — the Marketplace Co-op!
Disney Centerpiece
We have found some totally awesome stuff in the store’s Disney Centerpiece Section, including dishes, glasses, and other tableware that celebrate all of our Disney cult favorites. Whether you’re a Dole Whip fan or love memorabilia celebrating Tomorrowland, chances are you’ll find something that you’ve just gotta have!
Orange Bird Section
Starbucks also continued to [Read more…]
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Disney World!! The season is rolling right along with festive treats and special events. And, as always, there’s plenty of other food news to go around: menu changes, new eats (did somebody say “Barbecued Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese?!”), completed refurbishments, ongoing Downtown Disney construction, and more. So join us on another trip around the World to see What’s New…
is in full swing at Epcot! This annual festival shares holiday traditions from around the globe through story, music, and — our favorite! — FOOD!
Happy Holidays from EPCOT!
Epcot Christmas tree ornaments
Holiday Storyteller in Japan
France decoration
Remember, this is the only time of year to grab such treats as Happy Face Fried Cakes at the Joy of Tea in China, Gingerbread Ice Cream at L’artisan des Glaces in France, and Panettone sweet bread at Italy’s Gelato Stand.
Happy Face Fried Cakes
Gingerbread Ice Cream
Panettone Sweet Bread display
But there’s plenty of non-holiday food news as well… Starting in Morocco, Spice Road Table has not only started taking Advance Dining Reservations — they’re also now accepting the Disney Dining Plan.
To offer guests the ability to maximize their one Table Service plan credit, this tapas-based restaurant is now also serving full-sized entrees, including Coriander Crusted Rack of Lamb, Roasted Chicken, and a Mediterranean Vegetable Platter, among others.
Spice Road Table
Spice Road Table menu
Staying in Morocco, Tangierine Cafe debuted new entrees as well: a Meatball Platter and Saffron Rotisserie Chicken.
Tangierine Cafe menu
Tangierine Cafe entree display
At the United Kingdom’s Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room, the [Read more…]
We are so excited to finally shed some light on what’s happening behind those construction walls over at Walt Disney World’s Downtown Disney!
Disney Springs Construction
It seems that after stops, starts, delays, and renamings, Disney Springs is finally taking shape. And today, we’re sharing with you not one, but TWO new confirmed restaurants that will join the Disney Springs lineup sooner rather than later. And BOTH restaurants were featured on early posts here on DFB highlighting future Disney Springs dining.
The Boathouse
will offer waterfront dining with a nautical theme. Located at The Landing within Disney Springs, the restaurant is the brainchild of Schussler Creative, the same company that brought you other super-themed restaurants around Disney like T-Rex, Rainforest Cafe, and Yak & Yeti. Gibsons Restaurant Group will operate the spot.
The Boathouse — Inside
Guests can expect a mulitfaceted menu featuring American fare, including seafood, steaks, and chops. In addition, the restaurant will feature three different themed bars, including The Captain’s Raw Bar, The Admiral’s Club Bar, and The Dock Bar. Rooms within the restaurant will also carry a nautical theme and decor.
The Boathouse will offer guest more than just food, however. The restaurant will also serve as the launching spot for a number of boat-themed attractions. Guests can ride on a 40-foot Italian Water Taxi while they enjoy champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries. There will also be guided “Amphicar” Tours that highlight sites around Disney Springs.
The Boathouse — Outside View
Live music and private dining space round out the offerings at The Boathouse. The new restaurant is scheduled to serve Disney Springs guests until 2:00 AM.
The Boathouse is slated to open in the [Read more…]
One of my favorite Disney Dining tips for saving money in Disney World is to exchange two meals for one — especially when you’re trading breakfast and lunch for an awesome brunch!
In the past, a main planning focus for many guests has been getting to the parks early so that they can grab fastpasses for favorite rides — or ride things before the crowds arrive.
But now that MyMagic+ is going to make reserving later-in-the-day ride times that much easier, you might be able to take a few days to sleep in — and save some dough at the same time!
So I’m adding to our Best Disney Restaurants Series and outlining a few of my personal favorite places to start the day off slow at Walt Disney World. I can’t wait to hear your suggestions, too!
In spring of 2017, Trattoria al Forno introduced a brand new character brunch experience called the Bon Voyage Character Breakfast. And this character breakfast isn’t just about the princesses. In addition to character meet and greets with Rapunzel and Ariel, diners also get to meet Flynn Ryder and Prince Eric, making this one of the only character meals with princes!
Prince Eric
And the food is pretty exciting, too! Pastries and entrees are designed to reflect themes and icons from Tangled and The Little Mermaid, making this meal as fun to look at as it is to eat! We particularly enjoyed the Tower of Pancakes meant to represent Rapunzel’s tower!
Pastry assortment
Your African adventure begins the moment you arrive at this exotic resort and take in the splendor of the lobby. As you make your way to Boma, dark woods and thatched roofs mingle with the delicious smells to make you feel like you’ve entered an African marketplace for breakfast.
Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge
The buffet here is stocked with popular brunch options like omelets, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, carved ham, breakfast potatoes, cereal, oatmeal, and scrambled eggs; but they also serve up more multi-cultural dishes, including African pastries, quinoa porridge, and bobotie — a type of quiche.
Seriously, you could totally go for that cinnamon roll right now, couldn’t you??
Boma Breakfast Pastries
Be sure to try some of the specialty [Read more…]
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