food IS a theme park
Would we even be DFB if we weren’t trying new foods in Disney World all the time??
We tried snacks at EPCOT’s new cafe!
We’re here to take a look back at the BEST and the WORST things we ate in the month of April in Disney World, and that includes items from a new restaurant in EPCOT as well as a new ice cream shop in Disney Springs! Read all our reviews here.
Happy first full week of November! Don’t forget, you have just a short amount of time left to wine and dine your way through the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! The Festival ends on November 16!
Peppermint Sundae at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
The Christmas tree is already up at the Magic Kingdom, which means before we know it the gingerbread houses and other Christmas decorations will be up!
And, the first Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is tonight at the Magic Kingdom!
We have a lot to share, so let’s jump right in…
Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more!
We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.
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…]
A visit to Walt Disney World includes dining at some unique restaurants! In Epcot’s Germany pavilion, the Biergarten is more than a place to eat; it’s also an entertaining venue! Welcome back guest author Rebecca Dolan with a fun review.
Everyone has a restaurant or two that, for them, make a trip to Disney World complete. For me, that’s Biergarten.
This all-you-can-eat smorgasbord in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion is one of the few restaurants I insist on visiting nearly every time I’m in Orlando. Like Rose and Crown, Biergarten was one of those places my mom made me eat as a kid and I hated it. But, now it’s one of the few places where I truly relish getting my meat and potatoes on. And, if you’re a meat and carbs kind of a guy/gal, then this is definitely the place for you!
The back of the Germany Pavilion.
The Biergarten can be found at the back of the Germany Pavilion, under the big bell. The hostess stand is located outside, under the stone arch to the left.
They’re a bit particular about how things are run here, and you won’t be allowed inside the restaurant until your name is called and your party is complete.
Once you’re party is called, you’ll be shown in through these doors.
Walking inside is actually like being transported back outside, as the cavernous restaurant is designed to look like an Oktoberfest celebration being held in a town square.
A semicircle of Bavarian-style buildings, draped with flags of various German locales, arches around a central stage, while a full moon oversees the action.
Inside the courtyard.
At least once during your seating, the stage will come alive with the sounds of a lederhosen-clad band that plays everything from alpine horns to polka.
The band takes the stage. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes.
Playing the alpine horns.
More cowbell!
It’s important to note that the party atmosphere comes complete with [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…]
Big news for Disneyland meat-eaters!!! Edelweiss Snacks is now featuring a brand new “snack-on-a-stick!”
Edelweiss Snacks in Disneyland
Yep, this small, “Alpine” snack kiosk in Disneyland Park is known for offering Jumbo Turkey Legs and a view of the Matterhorn. But now it’s got something extra unique to offer to hungry passers-by…
Stop by Edelweiss Snacks!
Please welcome…the Barbecue Pork Shank!
Pork Shank is HERE!
Similar to the roasted pork shank offered at Gaston’s Tavern in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, this hearty menu item is [Read more…]
I’ve had an awesome time in Disney World these last couple of weeks, but I’ll be back this week to share more fun adventures!
NEW L'Artisan des Glaces opening in Epcot's France this year!
The big news (in my humble estimation, anyway!) is that we’ve got an opening date for the new ice cream and sorbet shop in Epcot’s France…and even some details on the the L’Artisan des Glaces menu! Check it out!
Let’s take a look at a few of the big news items this week…
And there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board.
This week, we featured a new menu at ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!
If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!
Reader Keith K. sent us a photo of Mickey Waffles from Hong Kong Disneyland!
Mickey Waffles in Hong Kong Disneyland!
We love this photo of the strawberries and cream served at the Grand Floridian during afternoon tea. Thanks to Reader Morgan C. for sharing this sweet!
Strawberries and Cream!
Yes! The 2013 Edition of The DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book is now available! For a limited time, you can get the new mini-guide for $2 off the regular purchase price — just use code MAGIC13 at the check-out!
Our best-selling DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book has been updated to include even more snacks! It carries 114 pages of information and advice on well over 100 delicious Magic Kingdom snacks (over 30 more than in our previous edition!). With a 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose! 🙂
The DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book includes:
Want even more savings? Bundle two or more of our time-tested guides into one purchase to get even more great Disney Dining information and photos.
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With our popular DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle, you’ll get our
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All for a significant discount! Learn more about the DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle here!
DFB Snack Bundle:
Already have the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining? You can still bundle for savings! Pick up our bundle of two DFB Snack Guides — Magic Kingdom and Epcot — for less.
With the DFB Snack Bundle, you’ll receive the DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks e-Book and the DFB Mini-Guide to Epcot Snacks e-Book for one super-discounted price. Purchase the DFB Snack Bundle here!
Did You Purchase a Previous Edition of the DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks?
Read more about our extra discounts for previous purchasers here!
For more detailed information and sample pages from The DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, head over to DFBMiniGuides.com!
Mickey Fix
features a new Mickey Mouse pepper mill for your Disney kitchen!
Gorillas Don’t Blog features an ice cream storefront in Disneyland.
Cartoon Research discovers Walt Disney’s “Carrot” characters.
Walt Disney World for Grown Ups toasts with cocktails at Splitsville!
Eating (and Drinking) Around the World finds some tasty margaritas.
Running at Disney stops by Todd English’s bluezoo!
DisneyContemporary.com enjoys the Fab 5 at Chef Mickey’s!
Main Street Gazette takes a bite into the pork shank at Gaston’s Tavern.
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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