food IS a theme park
The Halloween decorations are up and the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is ON! It MUST BE FALL in Walt Disney World!
Halloween Decorations at Magic Kingdom
So please join us for a very pumpkin-spiced edition of What’s New 😉 ! [Read more…]
Happy Sunday! We hope you’re having a wonderful weekend!
Funnel Cake Closeup
We’re so excited to announce the grand launch of the Disney Food Blog Guide to Epcot Snacks 2016-17 edition e-book! We’ve updated the instantly downloadable guide and this edition features more than 340 Epcot snacks, including more than 60 new snacks!
To celebrate the grand launch of the Disney Food Blog Guide to Epcot Snacks we’re offering the guide for a 25% discount off the cover price! Simply use the code Epcot16 at checkout to get the discount! And, as always the Disney Food Blog Guide to Epcot Snacks comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in…
We’re stepping back into the Age of the Dinosaurs at one of our favorite Animal Kingdom eateries, Restaurantosaurus!
Okay, well… that’s not actually the case. Even though Restaurantosaurus is set in Animal Kingdom’s whimsical Dinoland, U.S.A., this Counter Service eatery is actually themed as a home base for paleontology students. Which they eventually turned into a restaurant. Which totally makes sense.
So while we’re not exactly traveling back to the Age of the Dinos (you’ll have to hop onto the Dinosaur attraction to do that), the paleontology students “visit” the prehistoric age all the time, as evidenced by the plentiful and often hilarious details tucked throughout the restaurant. It’s the superb theming that makes this one of our favorite Counter Service stops in the whole park.
But even though the students explore stuff that goes waaaay back, we’re actually here to explore some NEW items on the menu as well as some terrific additions to the Topping Bar (which, we gotta say, is now giving the famed Fixin’s Bar at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe a run for its money).
Wanna check it out?
Restaurantosaurus Sign
Excellent! Then let’s take the advice from the ol’ water tower… [Read more…]
Happy Spring! At least, it’s Spring in Disney World where temperatures are starting to rise once more with warm days leading into gorgeous nights!
Springtime Treats at Main Street Confectionery
No matter what the thermometer says in your neck of the woods, why not enjoy a bit of spring with us here at the DFB as we travel all over Disney World to find out What’s New!? [Read more…]
We’re tackling another question from the DFB Reader mailbag today! Our reader asks:
Which counter service locations in Walt Disney World have self serve kiosks offering free refills?
This is really relevant question from a budget perspective. Since the Resort Refillable Mugs can’t be used in the parks, you might want to know where you can go to get more than one drink from the soda fountain. Let’s check out a couple of spots where you can grab multiple rounds of drinks when you’re extra thirsty.
Note: You do need to purchase a drink from these locations before filling up your cup again and again! Also, our DFB team members have checked with cast members at each location to confirm that refills are, indeed, allowed during your meal at the restaurant. [Read more…]
When I’m in the mood for a “wild” lunch, I love to head to Restaurantosaurus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Seriously — it’s one of my favorite counter service spots in all of Disney World!
This enormous restaurant, located in DinoLand USA, is super-themed…but you really have to look hard to see some of the great sight gags and imagineering details.
I recently met a friend for lunch here. It’s always fun to stroll around — I find something new every time I visit. But Restaurantosaurus usually boasts some interesting choices on its menu. I love their Chicken Nuggets, but who knows?…I may surprise you today!
Time to check in and see what’s new!
While visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom, you may be tempted to write off Restaurantosaurus as just another fast food joint. That would be a mistake. There’s more to this place than just food. The quirky themeing transforms the eatery into an attraction.
Outside
And the fabricated history of DinoLand USA and Restaurantosaurus is fascinating. For the complete story, check out this history of the area. (You can read part two here.)
But for now, here’s the short version: Restaurantosaurus began life as the cafeteria for college students participating in a dig nearby. To subsidize their grant income, the students opened the Restaurant (isn’t that a great name?) to the public.
And where did the additional “osaurus” in the name come from? It seems that this is a running gag perpetrated by those zany college kids. Look around, and see if you can find just how many instances in which “osaurus” has been added to words. But the granddaddy of them all is, of course, adding it to the name of the restaurant.
The dormitory and restaurant grew over time, with residents adding whatever sound structures they could to expand the space. And just when you thought there was no use for that old Airstream…
Outside View of the Airstream
Step inside, and you find the main hall, which houses the kitchen and ordering area. You can see it gets pretty busy during peak times. This picture was taken when the restaurant first opened for the day!
Ordering Area
But before we settle down to consider our selections, let’s take a look around. Be sure to check out the lights. They’re one of the few design elements that feel like they’re here on purpose, rather than being scavenged. With the little dinosaur cut outs, they’re intricate and interesting.
Lighting
Carve out some time just to meander while you’re here. There’s just so much to take in.
Decor
Homey kitchen items are stored close by, ready to be put to good use.
Kitchen Stuff
Check out the pictures and other mementos that the students have displayed.
Pictures, Postcards, and Knickknacks
As with other Disney restaurants, Restaurantosaurus is most likely much larger than you realize at first. There are several seating areas, all themed as different rooms. The feel is that the building was expanded over time.
Seating
My favorite spot remains the area affectionately known as “The Hip Joint”. Ha ha!!
The Hip Joint!
This student hangout houses a half-court gym and lots of recreational equipment. And to expand seating, here’s where you’ll find that [Read more…]
Disney’s Animal Kingdom is my favorite park in Disney World when I’m in it. The theming is incredible. I could wander around just looking at things there for days! But the other thing that keeps me coming back to Animal Kingdom again are some seriously awesome restaurants. This place has it all!
Let’s take a look at some of our favorites — and what sets them each apart from the crowd.
If you haven’t booked a meal at Tusker House, then you’re missing out.
This sprawling restaurant sits on the main thoroughfare in Harambe Village within the Africa section of the park. And with some of the best immersive theming anywhere at Disney World, it’s hard to take in all of the intricate details and Imagineering here with just one meal.
Tusker House — Outside View
But it’s not just the surroundings that are interesting. Tusker House has some incredible food as well. Inspired by the flavors of Africa, you’re in for a treat whether you’re dining for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
We especially love the Spit-Roasted Meats. And taking advantage of the all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet may save you on other meals during the day.
Spit-Roasted Meats Are a Specialty at Tusker House
Oh, and did we mention that one of your fellow Tusker House visitors is MICKEY MOUSE?!?
See Your Favorite Disney Friends in Safari Garb
That’s right! Tusker House offers Character Dining to Animal Kingdom guests, and Mickey and friends (Donald Duck among them) are dressed to go on a Kilimanjaro Safari with you!
Just before the bridge into Pandora — The World of AVATAR, there is an oasis by the name of Nomad Lounge.
Nomad Lounge
Love of travel is the theme for this beautiful bar, inspired by the adventures of the Disney Imagineers who designed the park itself.
Travel Banners
Nomad Lounge Menu Intro Page
Indoor and outdoor seating are both plentiful and beautiful.
Nomad Lounge
Nomad Lounge Patio
While the small bites menu doesn’t blow us away, the drinks — both cocktails and mocktails — are creative, unique, and refreshing, and unlike offerings you’ll find elsewhere in Disney World.
Nomad lounge Specialty Cocktails
We love the Hightower Rocks — a watermelon twist on your typical margarita!
Hightower Rocks
Make sure your inner traveler plans a visit to Nomad Lounge!
Looking for something exotic with an Asian twist? Then check out Yak and Yeti Restaurant. You can’t miss the big purple building in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom!
Themed as a grand home that’s been converted to a hotel, guests to the town of Anandapur are guaranteed to find
One question I get asked ALL the time: “What are your favorite Disney restaurants?”
And my answer is always the same: “My favorites are always changing, because the only consistent thing about Disney restaurants is that they’re inconsistent!” That said, I do have a few that I head back to over and over again… .
It’s fun to seek out new things, to be sure. And Disney is always introducing new restaurants! But still, it’s always comforting to go back to the same place each visit and have your favorite meal.
So today, my question for YOU is: What is your favorite restaurant in each of the four Walt Disney World Parks? What table would you park your feet under during each and every visit if you could? (Or do you?)
I’ll share my picks first, and then I can’t wait for you to jump in by adding your answers in comments below!
Ah, Liberty Tree. You have been around since the dawn of time. (Or at least since pretty much the first day that Magic Kingdom was opened.)
Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom
And while lots of fantastic places to eat in Magic Kingdom have come about since then, I’d still eat at Liberty Tree Tavern during every single visit if I could.
Lots of Disney fans prefer dinner at Liberty Tree Tavern, which is a family-style, all you care to eat affair, offering carved meats and sides. Having traditional Thanksgiving foods all year around is a treat, after all! But I really prefer lunch, because I can get my favorite: the amazing Liberty Tree Tavern Burger!
Liberty Tree Tavern Burger
And there’s no better way to finish the meal than one of my favorite Disney desserts, the Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake! This has been on and off the menu in recent months, but we’re always glad when it’s on-again.
Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake is a Must Have
Sometimes I have to resort to [Read more…]
Frightfully good Halloween treats have materialized at Disney’s Animal Kingdom! These themed desserts add extra fun to a touring day at one of our favorite parks in Disney World!
Bat Cupcake
Head over to Tusker House in the Harambe Village section of Animal Kingdom to find Mini Pumpkin Muffins, a Spider Web Brownie, and Lemon Bars with Pumpkin Decor. These will be part of the lunch and dinner buffet at Tusker House!
Next door at Kusafiri Coffee Shop & Bakery, you’ll find Pumpkin Muffins, Ghoulish Krispy Treats, Spider Web Brownies, and, my favorite — the Bat Cupcake! I’m so glad these are back this year!!! Click the link to check out my review.
Over at Camp Minnie-Mickey, you’ll be able to check out the Witches Funnel Cake at Camp Snacks Kiosk and [Read more…]
There are so many excellent places to grab a bite at Animal Kingdom that sometimes I have a hard time choosing where to eat!
But recently, I found myself in need of a break (and a little nourishment), so I decided to head over to Tamu Tamu Refreshments.
Tamu Tamu Refreshments at Disney's Animal Kingdom
The counter service walk-up window is located conveniently en route to Kilimanjaro Safaris, making it a great place to stop and rest on your way to (or from) the savannas of Africa!
But did you know that the little unassuming spot is also home to an amazing covered eating area that will transport you? Come have a look with us!
Even though you have to pass the ordering window to get to it, I’m going to start by showing you Tamu Tamu’s lovely seating area.
Just beyond the ordering window, you’ll find a little passage to a covered patio. It’s one of my favorite places to take a break within this beautiful park. And who knew there was this much shade just beyond the walkway!
Part of the patio is protected from the sun by a rustic covering. Fans mounted throughout the space move the air around and make it comfortable. This spot is often quieter than other seating areas in the park because many folks simply just don’t know about it!
Covered Patio Area
The back of the patio is bordered by a wall of carved plaster, and a large “sausage” tree with thick foliage provides shade here.
Carved Walls and Shade Trees
A sign that appears to be hand-lettered tells of the [Read more…]
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