food IS a theme park
BOO from Prince Eric’s Village Market in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland!
Prince Eric’s Village Market
Does that seem like an odd greeting from this location themed to The Little Mermaid (and located directly across from the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction)? Well, let me explain… Prince Eric is currently serving up Witch’s Frozen Brew — along with a few other new items — for the season! [Read more…]
On a really hot day in Central Florida, there’s not much that seems more refreshing than an icy, frozen beverage. Though you can find varieties like Blue Raspberry, Cherry, and more all over the parks, the most popular options are typically Frozen Lemonade and Frozen Coke. And the Little Mermaid’s Price Eric has found a way to add a little something different to those drinks.
Prince Eric’s Village Market
At Prince Eric’s Village Market in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland, you’ll now see some rather interesting flavored syrup options on the menu listed under Frozen Coca-Cola. [Read more…]
In yet another twist to the menu at Gaston’s Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland, Gaston has added some mammoth, meaty sandwiches to the offerings.
You may know that we have long bemoaned the loss of the Pork Shank, which was the Tavern’s signature item when New Fantasyland opened in 2012. Ever since that was removed from the menu, it’s felt like Gaston’s Tavern has lost its footing somewhat in figuring out what to serve (awesome Cinnamon Roll — with extra icing, please! — notwithstanding). Though they did have a decent Tavern Beef Stew for a spell, entree-style items have been largely absent from the menu here.
But for a place with such terrific atmosphere, we wanted more of a reason to linger in the setting in addition to the sweet snacks primarily featured on the menu. Yep, I call the atmosphere “terrific.” Because you know Gaston… he loves his compliments!
Gaston’s Tavern — Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland
Plus, it truly is an awesome setting… [Read more…]
has become a nice little getaway in New Fantasyland (seriously, it’s been five years; when can we stop calling it “New”?), with a limited menu and proximity to meet-and-greets with the man himself.
Gaston’s menu is usually pretty minimal. At present you can find a Ham and Cheese Pretzel, a Chocolate Croissant, and a Fruit and Cheese Picnic Platter much better suited to Belle than someone so good at expectorating. And then there’s the Warm Cinnamon Roll, which is soooo satisfying (particularly so when you request extra icing…). We love it so much we even got the recipe!
Gaston’s Tavern — Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland
We love a Disney Prince who knows his way around a kitchen, so when we spotted a new menu item at Prince Eric’s in Disney World’s New Fantasyland, we were all over it.
Prince Eric’s Village Market is a small counter service spot located — no surprise! — across from the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. This tucked-away location is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to seeking out some eats.
Here’s the thing: the Village Market started out as a better-for-you-fare stand focusing primarily on grab-and-go fruits along with ice cold bottled drinks and Shaved Ice, which you can currently find in Tomorrowland instead.
And though the Prince is still dishing out grapes, pineapple chunks, pickle spears and bottled beverages, we’ve learned more recently to expect the unexpected from this small snack location.
Prince Eric’s Village Market
Case in point: our this-week discovery of Honey-Breaded Fried Chicken! [Read more…]
RIP, Pork Shank…
We’ve been hearing rumors about this for a while, and it has finally to pass — the Pork Shank is no more.
Gaston’s Tavern opened in late 2012 as part of the New Fantasyland expansion in Magic Kingdom, featuring a variety of snacks and beverages. Headliner items on the menu — which, until now, has remained basically unchanged since the opening — include LeFou’s Brew (the Tavern’s own signature beverage) and Warm Cinnamon Rolls (noteworthy since they are no longer served at Main Street Bakery).
The one non-snack item on the list, though, might be the one that gained the biggest reputation from the get-go: the Pork Shank. This huge serving of meat-on-bone drew immediate comparisons to the iconic Jumbo Turkey Leg. Unlike the Turkey Legs, though, which have a home in every park, Gaston’s Tavern was the only place where you could consistently find a Pork Shank (aside from being served for a stint at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner in Hollywood Studios), and ultimately it drew a dedicated fan base of its very own.
Pork Shank
The Pork Shank has recently been removed from the menu at Gaston’s Tavern. Below is a screenshot of the current menu from the Walt Disney World website. [Read more…]
UPDATE: Please note that as of February 25, 2015, Be Our Guest Restaurant began to accept Advanced Dining Reservations for lunch. For further information, please click here.
Have you been caught in the forever-line that is lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant?
Then you’ll love the news we are reporting today!
The SUPER popular Magic Kingdom restaurant has instituted a new Standby Policy for guests who show up for lunch without a FastPass+ reservation.
We’ve got all of the details right here!
Guests at Magic Kingdom who would like to dine at Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland may be able to skip the crazy long lines going forward — even if they don’t score a FastPass+ reservation.
Return Card for Be Our Guest Restaurant Lunch Dining
And if you’re thinking this looks a whole lot like the old FastPass system for attractions that used cards, you are on the right track.
Basically, if you’d like to eat at Be Our Guest Restaurant for lunch, which continues to be a quick-service affair, head over to New Fantasyland to the entrance of the restaurant.
You’ll be greeted by a Cast Member, who will give you a card like the one above. The card will provide a window with a time for your party to return to Be Our Guest. Once the cards are all passed out for the day, signs are set out that no more guests can dine at lunch for the day.
And the super awesome news? It means that lines like THIS will hopefully be a thing of the past!
Line to get in to Be Our Guest Restaurant for Lunch
After all, who wants to spend half their day in Magic Kingdom waiting in a line for lunch??
We were on hand this morning to get all of the details. The Cast Member explained the process to us in terms of [Read more…]
We were very excited in 2012 to bring you some of the earliest pictures of Gaston’s Tavern in Walt Disney World’s New Fantasyland!
This rustic spot, known for hearty snacks that could easily double as a meal, is one of the newest spots to score eats in all of the resort. And with its incredible themeing, you feel like you’ve stepped out of reality and right into Gaston’s cozy mancave featured in Beauty and the Beast!
Gaston's Tavern -- Magic Kingdom's New Fantasyland
And while we’ve talked about some of great menu items here — like the brand new Pork Shank (now in Disneyland, too!) and the Gaston’s Tavern Cinnamon Rolls, there’s one star player that merits a bit more detail — LeFou’s Brew!
If you’ve had the chance to read our reviews of New Fantasyland, or visit the area yourself, then you already know about the incredible job Imagineers did here. (If you’d like to see more, check out our reviews of lunch and dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant, as well as some of the fun options at Big Top Treats!)
And Gaston’s Tavern is just one more foray into fantasy… . The tavern is depicted in the film when Gaston is whining to LeFou about how Belle has rejected him.
Gaston's Tavern Main Dining Room
Many of the features in the movie have [Read more…]
We starting hearing from our DFB Readers about these brand new Dumbo themed souvenir popcorn buckets in Disney World’s New Fantasyland last week, and I couldn’t wait to see them!
DUMBO!!!!
New Souvenir Dumbo Popcorn Container in Disney World's Magic Kingdom
Found in Magic Kingdom’s Storybook Circus, these are unlike any other souvenir containers we’ve ever seen.
Dumbo Popcorn Container Up Close (and in flight!)
Usually, souvenir containers are, themselves, filled with popcorn. But it looks like these are just “carrying cases” for a regular box of Disney popcorn.
Dumbo with Popcorn
Dumbo Popcorn Container with Popcorn Box
Nonetheless, they’re great looking. And once the popcorn is gone, it looks like a handle comes up and you’re able to use the bucket as a little [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: The Pork Shank is no longer available at Gaston’s Tavern.
While visiting the Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland in Walt Disney World last week, I knew I had to pay a visit to the new Gaston’s Tavern!
Gaston’s Tavern
This tribute to the mighty Gaston from Disney’s animated Beauty and the Beast features everything you’d expect, from a rustic atmosphere to antler-ific decor from top to bottom.
While it’s not getting as much attention as the new table-service restaurant, Be Our Guest Restaurant, in New Fantasyland, it’s not to be passed over. Debuting brand new, unique eats, Gaston’s is a must-do on your next Magic Kingdom visit…
While it’s a counter-service joint offering mostly snacks along with the newly introduced Pork Shank, Gaston’s showcases some unique dining areas once you grab your grub.
Gaston’s Tavern Ordering Area
If you turn to your right after getting your food, you’ll find a main dining room complete with a giant portrait of Gaston. The room sports wooden tables and stools, a massive fireplace, and even Gaston’s giant chair, which is perfect for pictures.
Gaston’s Tavern main dining room
Random Guy in Gaston’s Chair
Over in the corner is this great little seating area that’s separated a bit from everything else. This circular spot is crowned with a chandelier of antlers, of course!
Gaston’s Tavern side room off of main dining room
If you turn to your left after getting your food, you’ll find a smaller dining room. This one also holds plenty of wooden tables and stools for seating, and also features a dart game — in progress — between Gaston and [Read more…]
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