food IS a theme park
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has no shortage of great places to dine at!
Sangria Flight & Mexican Street Corn Dip at Three Bridges
And while we’ve enjoyed several meals at Gran Destino Tower and Three Bridges, today we’re checking out the new menu at Rix Sports Bar & Grill!
Walt Disney World is home to several moderate category resorts, but their food is far from moderate! You’ll find a wide variety of eats at each moderate resort from grab and go and pool bars to quick service and table service restaurants.
We wanted to bring you up to date on what’s going on menu-wise — and what a few of our favorites are! — at Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside in case you’re traveling there soon!
Water Wheel Runs the Mill
The resort pays homage to all things New Orleans and Mardi Gras — which means beignets are plentiful here!
Rix Sports Bar & Grill is currently accepting Advance Dining Reservations at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for dates starting June 2, 2018. The space formerly known as Rix Lounge will start serving lunch and dinner, and Disney has posted the menu for the spot.
Rix Bar
As you might expect from the updated name of Rix Sports Bar & Grill, the menu appears to be sports-arena-concession-meets-pub-grub! Appetizers include Nachos, Lobster Sliders, and Wings.
There are all sorts of changes in store for Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort. This Moderate Resort is currently undergoing a massive renovation which will ultimately result in a new fifteen-story tower featuring rooftop dining complete with fireworks viewing, 500 new resort rooms, refurbishments to current rooms, and a new Concierge Club-Level Lounge.
Artist’s Rendering of the New Tower at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort © Disney
Now, most of these changes will not be complete until 2019. But one of the changes to this Resort is coming much sooner!
Rix Lounge has long been a spot for guests at Coronado Springs to grab a drink and relax after a day of vacation fun (or attending a conference, in the case of convention visitors), though more recently the name changed to Rix Sports Bar & Grill.
We are happy to start a little early celebrating National Margarita Day tomorrow, February 22! Now, this is a holiday I can get behind!!!
If you’ve been here for any amount of time at all, then you know I lurve a good Margarita. (If you’re new here at DFB — welcome…and FYI, I love margaritas!) And some of my very favorites can be found right at Walt Disney World.
Grab some limes and tequila and let’s take a look at our must-drink margs!
The Aguacate — Avocado Margarita — from La Cava del Tequila has been one of my very favorites from the first time I sampled it!
It’s a wonderful, made-to-order concoction that blends Avocado, Lime Juice, White Tequila, and Melon Liqueur for a flavor that’s like no other!
Avocado Margarita
My favorite thing about this drink is the perfect balance of the creamy consistency with a sweet flavor — not to mention the tequila :-). A little Agave Nectar and the liqueur balance the flavors nicely.
And thanks to an awesome reader, you and I can even make this one at home today with this recipe, and celebrate this holiday in style!
Blood Orange
is one of my favorite flavors. After all, with the complex, less sweet, almost bitter taste it imparts, it’s a little more interesting than plain old orange…orange.
And it’s especially delicious when paired with other flavors in a margarita. We’ve enjoyed versions of this festive cocktail at San Angel Inn Ristorante, but my favorite one can be found at Flying Fish Cafe.
Blood Orange Margarita
If you’re anything like me, if you order this, it’ll be gone pretty quickly! SO good!
One thing that you can count on at Disney when it comes to food and drink is a fun, fusion approach to some of your favorites. Case in point: the Italian Margarita in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion!
I first discovered this delicious drink at Via Napoli, the Italy Pavilion’s fantastic spot for pizza.
Italian Margarita
But it’s proven to be so popular, it’s also been available at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in recent years! And fortunately, you can still order it at Italy’s Gelato Stand.
Italian Margarita at the Food and Wine Festival’s Italy Booth!
Flavored with a smooth combination of [Read more…]
When it comes to Disney World, bars and lounges aren’t just adults-only destinations — and they don’t just serve drinks.
In fact, here’s a Best Kept Secret in Disney dining planning — Disney bars and lounges can be great places to get a meal with the whole family. These hidden gems are often less crowded than standard restaurants, too!
In The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2013 e-Book, we have an entire section reviewing every single bar and lounge in Walt Disney World. It’s well worth a read to find out great spots to get a full meal or a snack — even with no Advance Dining Reservation!
Now let’s take a peek at a few of our favorites…
English Bulldog with Chips at Rose and Crown Pub in Epcot's UK Pavilion
A Disney World trip can be hectic (meeting characters, dashing to attractions, and racing off to dining reservations!), so finding a place inside the parks to escape the hoopla is key to a relaxing vacation!
With signature cocktails, cheese plates, fondue, burgers, donuts, pasta, and more, you’ll find some truly inspired menus at Disney World’s bars and lounges. Sometimes you’ll even be able to order from the full menu of a nearby restaurant.
In Epcot, we can highly recommend stopping in to Tutto Gusto in Italy, Rose and Crown Pub in the UK, or La Cava del Tequila in Mexico.
Fireplace Area Seating at Tutto Gusto
At Tutto Gusto, order from an awesome menu of meats and cheeses, paninis, pastas, and more. A relaxing atmosphere and full tables allow for an easy meal for the whole family.
Cheeses, Meats, and Shrimp Cavatappi at Tutto Gusto Lounge in Epcot's Italy
Rose and Crown Pub, attached to Rose and Crown Restaurant, features a fun menu that — gasp! — the kids might even like! We can highly recommend the Scotch Eggs and the British Bulldog sausage (see our review of the British Bulldog here — and the photo at the top of this article)!
Scotch Eggs at Rose and Crown
If you’re there on a weekday, seek out Carl the Bartender and ask him to show you his amazing magic trick!
Carl the Bartender and the tipping pint
At La Cava del Tequila, sample a few Mexican appetizers like chips and salsa, queso, and guacamole along with your margaritas!
Chips and queso at Cava del Tequila
Another favorite place to unwind in the parks and get a great meal is at Tune-In Lounge in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Here, you can get great shakes for the kids, fun signature drinks for [Read more…]
The 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival begins THIS WEEK!
2013 Flower and Garden Festival UK Booth! Check out all of the food menus here!
We’re so excited to see 12 food and beverage marketplaces added to the mix this year and can’t wait to share our full review with you!
In the meantime, be sure to check out the newly updated Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menu here!
More fun Disney Dining News for ya…
We’ve got additional food news, including restaurant closures, concept art for Main Street Bakery, Disneyland AP discount at Earl of Sandwich, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!
The new DFB Podcast Episode is here!
In the 13th episode of the DFB Podcast, AJ and Brad bring listeners the latest Disney Food News; discuss some great money-saving tips at Walt Disney World and Disneyland; answer a few listener questions (including whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is worth the dough), and reveal the winner of our Episode 12 trivia question (AND compel you with a brand-new trivia question!).
Got a Disney dining question? Send it to [email protected] with “Question” in the subject line and we’ll add it to our list to answer on the podcast!
More Money Savings! Want some more tips on saving money? Find a whole chapter of our top money-saving tips for eating in Walt Disney World in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013! We also have several full pages dedicated to how to find and make use of dining discounts, coupon programs, membership programs, and more! It’s all at DFBGuide.com.
Thanks for listening!! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes, follow DFBPodcast on Twitter, and leave your comments below!
If you find a fun new food — or other 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!
DFB Reader Gena shared what happens when you ask for ketchup at Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World!
Don't ask for ketchup!
And Kat tweeted “The mandarin chicken salad at Yak and Yeti quick service [in Disney’s Animal Kingdom] is surprisingly tasty!”
Mandarin Chicken Salad!
Thanks for sharing your photos and memories with us!!
Walmart
has a Star Wars Chocolate Easter Bunny Stormtrooper! Take a bite out of the Dark Force!
Daveland shares vintage photos of The Plantation House in Disneyland.
Eating (and Drinking) Around the World highlights Disney food enjoyed during the Marathon Weekend.
Stuff from the Park digs up some Disneyland-inspired recipes!
Such the Spot creates a copycat recipe for Earl of Sandwich’s All-American! Nice job, Disney Mom Darcie!
Main Street Gazette stops for a frankfurter at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Running at Disney enjoys lunch at Sanaa.
Have a great week, all!! We’ll see you tomorrow with our review of the newly revamped Epcot restaurant, Monsieur Paul!
Now and then we like to explore the lesser-known hang-outs at Walt Disney World. Tucked into the main building at Coronado Springs Resort and specializing in awesome tequilas (they’re run by the same folks who run Cava del Tequila!) Rix Lounge is a unique place to unwind!
Rix Lounge Entrance
We’ve got a photo tour of this fun nightspot for you below, but first I have some super fun news to share for those of us who love tequila and beverage tastings!
Rix Lounge will host their first ever Tequila Tasting on Saturday, March 30th, at 8pm! A tequila ambassador (Hilda, maybe?) will guide guests through the history and production process of tequila, the different types and categories of tequila, and of course a tasting.
Rix Tequila Tasting
I’m guessing this will be a LOT like the tequila tastings from the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which have now been turned into full blown tequila lunches! The tasting will include Milagro Select Barrel Silver, Partida Reposado, and Gran Centenario Añejo. A delicious Sangrita will be the finishing touch.
Tickets are available to the general public (ages 21 and up) at $30 per person in advance, or $35 per person at the door. A table reservation is required.
Now, for those of you who haven’t ever been to this little-known Disney hot spot, let’s take a gander around! Here’s a photo tour for ya!!
Rix Lounge Decor
Many special events are held at Rix Lounge, including kid birthday parties and romantic weddings! So, check the schedule before planning your evening. There is [Read more…]
Lady and the Tramp Cake Topper
Howdy, all! We are firmly ensconced in 2011, and I hope it’s treating you well. First up, as always, the news! But stay tuned — lots of great new sites in the round-up this week!
And now — on to the round-up!
A Wedding Cake Blog showcases some gorgeous and whimsical Disney Wedding Cake Toppers! Belle, Cinderella, Bride and Groom Ear Hats, even Lady and the Tramp!
WDW for Grownups has a fun primer on couponing in the Disney World area — check it out and save some cash on meals and entertainment the next time you’re in Orlando!
Two Boos Who Eat takes us to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen and Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor in Disneyland!! YUM!
Jessica Loves Cupcakes gives us an overview of cupcakes in Disneyland — including a fun Minnie Mouse cupcake antenna topper I hadn’t even seen before!
Main Street Gazette takes us on a tantalizing tour of The Wave at Disney’s Contemporary Resort!
RoriTravel’s Florida takes us out to Rix Lounge at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort!
WDW Radio focuses on the UK pavilion with guest stars Mark and Emma (my new friends from the UK!)
A Taste of Wonderland covers a few of the new dining spots in WDW!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
