food IS a theme park
Even though Pandora has been open for over a year, Animal Kingdom is still a park undergoing some changes and construction. We spotted quite a few construction walls up around the park this week.
Animal Kingdom Construction
On top of the construction there was the announcement that Rafiki’s Planet Watch is closing October 20 for refurbishment until Spring of 2019.
It’s no secret Hollywood Studios (and all of us) are getting ready for Star Wars Land Galaxy’s Edge to open next fall. And, now it looks like Tatooine Traders, the gift shop attached to the Star Tours ride, is in the middle of a face lift to be ready for the Galaxy’s Edge opening!
Tatooine Traders
Disney has not announced what the refurbishments are or a timeline for the construction.
When we were at Hollywood Studios we saw something you don’t see very often — a clear view from the entrance of the park to the Chinese Theater.
Hollywood Studios Chinese Theater
Usually, during the day, the stage for the show A Galaxy Far Far Away is sitting in front of the theater.
According to wdwmagic, Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion will close on February 4th to begin a refurbishment.
Kringla Bakeri og Kafe
When the refurbishment is complete this summer, guests will be able to enjoy an expanded Kringla Bakeri.
If you stop by the Main Street Confectionery over the coming weeks, you’ll find that things look quite different.
That’s because the Confection Case is undergoing a 6 week refurbishment, and is therefore closed.
But don’t fret! Not only is the rest of The Confectionery open (so you can still buy all sorts of in-house and prepackaged goodies), you can also still easily find your favorite house-made Disney confections —items like Mickey Krispy Treats, Cake Pops, Caramel Apples, and English Toffee — at Big Top Treats in New Fantasyland and Prairie Outpost & Supply in Frontierland! And the candy kitchen is still functioning at the Confectionery, so you can even get some house-made treats right here! Just not sold out of the case.
The six-week timeframe should position the reopening to occur around the beginning of November — right when the treats in the case will likely receive their annual holiday makeover into hues of red, green, and frosty winter blue.
In the meantime, let’s take a little tour to see what The Confectionery looks like at the moment.
The Current Confectionery
It’s a bit disorienting to see such a hallmark of the shop behind refurb walls, so just as a reminder, the Case is to the left of the open kitchen where you can watch Cast Members create the treats. [Read more…]
Okay, let’s face it: construction walls covering up refurbishment areas in Disney World are something we’re pretty used to seeing. They cover everything from the upcoming Frozen Ever After attraction in the former home of Epcot’s Maelstrom to Avatar Land in Animal Kingdom to the ongoing transformation of Disney Springs, and then some.
Walls outside of Planet Hollywood’s refurbishment in Disney Springs
And we’re bound to spot more and more very soon as Disney’s Hollywood Studios expands to add both Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land.
Do you have your Advance Dining Reservation to enjoy the Flying Fish as we know it for this, its final week? Though the Flying Fish will reopen later this Fall, its refurbishment — beginning on Monday, February 1st — will bring major changes to this BoardWalk favorite. Not only is the location being “reimagined” with a new look, but the Chef’s Counter experience will offer table seating in order to accommodate more guests.
Flying Fish
Even the menu will receive a makeover (though Disney has promised that the Potato-wrapped Snapper and seasonal approach will remain. I’m personally crossing my fingers for the return of my favorite Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak). [Read more…]
As you may be aware, we are huge fans of the Cove Bar at Disney’s California Adventure. Offering amazing views of Paradise Pier, above par pub grub (hello, Lobster Nachos!), and terrific — even secret — cocktails, it’s got it all.
View from Cove Bar
Of course, we aren’t the only fans of this beautiful bar, as evidenced by the often-encountered lengthy wait times for a seat. [Read more…]
UPDATE: Please note that the Flame Tree Barbecue reopening — originally scheduled for late April — is now anticipated for early July. The text below has been updated accordingly. With the exception of Beastly Kiosk, which has switched back to its own menu, alternate food locations are still in operation. Flame Tree Barbecue
is a definite fan favorite among Counter Service options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The name gives you a pretty good idea of the main attraction here. From ribs to pulled pork, barbecue is the headliner. Typically, you can also find Fruit Plates and some downright fantastic onion rings, among other items. And Flame Tree Barbecue has also become home to Jumbo Turkey Legs at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
The yummy eats, decent variety, and gorgeous outdoor seating areas make Flame Tree Barbecue a popular dining location. But for the upcoming months (re-opening is anticipated for early July), this well-loved restaurant is undergoing a refurbishment.
Flame Tree Barbecue closed for refurbishment
Planning a visit to Animal Kingdom during this time frame? You may be glad to know that you can still find several Flame Tree eats around the park. And we’re here to tell you where to find them… Here we go!
Discovery Island’s Beastly Kiosk and the Gardens Kiosk — widely referred to as the “Allergy Kiosk” — are both carrying the same Flame Tree items: a 1/2 Slab of St. Louis Ribs, the Rib and Chicken Combo, and the 1/2 Chicken, as well as the Baked Drumstick Kids’ Meal. (More on where you can now find the allergy-friendly kiosk later in the post!)
Gardens Kiosk temporarily serving Flame Tree items
Beastly Kiosk outside of Asia gates from Discovery Island
Area shot around Beastly Kiosk (left)
Temporary Menu for Beastly and Gardens Kiosks
Barbecued Chicken and Ribs at Flame Tree Barbecue
The Beastly and Gardens Kiosks are a natural fit for the redistribution of these items, thanks to their close proximity to Flame Tree. In fact, for now you can still carry your items to the Flame Tree Barbecue seating area from these locations.
Flame Tree Barbecue seating
Dinoland U.S.A.’s Trilo-Bites is where you can now find the Jumbo Turkey Leg and a Barbecue Chicken Salad. This is a homecoming of sorts for [Read more…]
On December 3rd, Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All Star Music Resort reopened after a four-month long refurbishment.
We were excited to see the results, and — of course — excited to taste the food! We shared a photo tour of the whole space just after the food court reopened. But there was so much to see that we couldn’t fit it all in one post. So today we’re back at Intermission Food Court to explore the food options a little more in depth, from a full rundown of the menus to sampling a few of the items ourselves (as we so love to do!).
Still, just as a reminder, we’ll begin by taking a quick peek at the updated design of Intermission Food Court.
For those familiar with the All Star Food Courts, you’ll notice the changes immediately. First off, bold primary colors have given way to earth tones.
Intermission Food Court Entrance
Intermission Food Court
Intermission Food Court
The larger-than-life murals of musicians are gone, but that doesn’t mean the nods to music have disappeared… they’re just more subtle. Some of my favorite features include the guitar fret wall, the “drum kit” over the beverage station, and the woodwind instruments surrounding the Singing Spirits Bar.
Guitar wall
Beverage Station
Singing Spirits Bar
And, of course, some Disney pals have joined in on the fun, too…
Character Pane
Character Panes
But now it’s time to explore the food options a little more in depth, so here we go!
Let’s take the food court station by station… and grab a bite or two while we’re at it ;). We aimed to get a small sampling from each station — or “shop” — on our visit, but I don’t want to miss the chance to point out the Pizza and Pasta Shop, which was one station we didn’t try.
Pizza and Pasta Shop menu
Pizza and Pasta Shop menu
So, yeah, there’s pizza here ;). Or you can grab a Hot Italian Sub. The pasta might be the more noteworthy option, though, since [Read more…]
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