food IS a theme park
Just like Hollywood Studios, there are lots of exciting things coming to Epcot in the near future! Between two new attractions, the Skyliner, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, and two new table service restaurants, we have more than a few updates for you this week.
The Imagination Pavilion
Want to know more about what we found in Future World and around the World (Showcase)? Let’s go!
OK, I’m dead. This is easily the most adorable thing ever.
Mike Wazowski Cupcake
We’ve shown you countless halloween cupcakes over the past two months — caramel poison apple cupcake at Wilderness Lodge, the not-so-poison apple cupcake at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party (my love.), and more — but this one is, by far, the most adorable.
What does The Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World share with the Food and Wine Festival?
The Land Pavilion
You’re about to find out if you join me on a little FIELD TRIP on Living with the Land! [Read more…]
Looking for a quick stop at Epcot with better-for-you options? That’s what you’ll find at this brightly-colored kiosk just outside The Land Pavilion in Future World (home of Soarin’, Living with the Land, and – of course – Garden Grill and Sunshine Seasons).
Better-for-you Snack Kiosk outside The Land
Better-for-you treats (healthy stuff!) can be located at a few spots throughout [Read more…]
Woo! You know we like to keep you updated on all of the snacks in Disney parks, and we love when readers send pics and updates to us when they’re in Disney World and Disneyland!
Thanks to Susan T. (who also found the fabulously popular King Cupcake at Pop Century), we’ve got a review of a brand new one!
Spotted inside Epcot’s Land pavilion at the Sunshine Seasons food court was a pineapple coconut cupcake. What a fun, summery treat! (We’ve also seen a pineapple coconut cupcake earlier this year in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.)
Pineapple Coconut Cupcake
Selling for $3.99 or a Disney Dining Plan snack credit, this concoction has a creamy pineapple frosting, is topped with toasted coconut, and is garnished with 2 small pieces of fresh pineapple.
Susan informs us that it tastes like pineapple upside down cake, but with [Read more…]
Vacationing with dietary requirements can sometimes be a challenge, but Disney continues to lead the field in options available to guests who have special dietary needs.
On a recent trip to Epcot’s The Land and its fabulous counter service spot, Sunshine Seasons, we spied some fun eats for special diets!
First up: who doesn’t love a little something sweet, crunchy, and indulgent on a trip to Walt Disney World? If you need to find a treat that is gluten- or nut-free, check out Rocky Mountain Caramel Popcorn! Perfect for sharing — if you want to!
Gluten and Nut Free Caramel Popcorn
Gluten and Nut Free Caramel Popcorn - Close-up
If you’re looking for a delicious cookie, but you’d like to avoid [Read more…]
One of my favorite food memories from visiting WDW is watching Kitchen Kabaret, the original food and nutrition show put on at EPCOT Center’s The Land pavilion.
This audio-animatronic showcase of “edible” delights had funny jokes, catchy songs, and a healthy premise, but what I liked most about it was that there was so much to look at and anticipate. The detail of the animatronics was incredible; the variety of the songs was broad; the characters were actually [Read more…]
Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s The Land continually tops reader favorites lists for best quick-service eatery. Everyone seems to love this place, and I’m not arguing with them. It offers a wide variety of high-quality dishes and includes some healthier items as well. It feels more like a resort food court than anything else, and those extra options make it desirable as a quick-service spot.
Atmosphere
Sunshine Seasons is housed on the ground floor of The Land pavilion, which is essentially a massive room with attractions shooting off in all directions, spoke-and-wheel style. The food-court style ordering area is situated in a free-form semi-circle across from the Soarin’ and Living With The Land attractions. [Read more…]
Jeff Kocan, an incredible writer and blogger over at www.CigarettesandCoffee.com (he was the evil photographer of this little ditty — don’t look if you’re hungry), kindly penned and photographed this review of the Garden Grill Restaurant in Epcot’s The Land. This rotating restaurant is in many of our childhood memories, but these days, it’s got a new “spin.” (Couldn’t help it.) Take it away, Jeff!
For too many Walt Disney World visitors, The Land pavilion on the east side of Epcot’s Future World is probably best known as the building you rush through twice per visit – once to get Soarin’ Fastpasses and once to redeem them. It’s worth spending a little extra time here, though, as the building also houses an above-average food court, a more-fun-than-it-sounds agricultural boat ride, and one of the park’s most unique restaurants, the revolving Garden Grill.
The Garden Grill has been around since Epcot’s (or, if you will, EPCOT Center’s) opening day on October 1, 1982. Back then it was known as the Good Turn Restaurant; it became the Land Grille Room in 1986 before taking its current name in ’93. Lunch service here ended in 2008, and the restaurant now exclusively hosts Chip and Dale’s Harvest Feast, a family-style character dinner.
The Atmosphere
I tend to think of the Garden Grill as one of Disney World’s “forgotten” character meals — it certainly isn’t mentioned as frequently as, say, Chef Mickey’s or Cinderella’s Royal Table. That said, during our Sunday-night visit, the restaurant was full and the adjacent waiting area was packed with diners waiting for their buzzers to buzz. Said waiting area is essentially a vacant corner near the public restrooms, and aside from a couple benches, the ground is the only available seating. Germophobes may prefer to stand.
Once you’re in the restaurant itself, you’re treated to an experience unlike any other in the parks: [Read more…]
I wanted to start this week by recapping some great news about Disneyland! A new cupcake kiosk has opened in Downtown Disney and will be selling the sweet treats through January 9th!
Also, I wanted to share a couple of fun links from blogs with whom I had the opportunity to collaborate:
Resourceful Mommy recently posted an interview with the Disney Food Blog where I had the chance to give some thoughts on Dining in Disney World.
Touring Plans posted this week a guest blog from DFB about Avoiding Crowds and Saving Time and Money While Dining in Disney World. Be sure to check it out!
And here are some more recent Disney food posts from around the web!
Mommy Musings shares some some photos of the gorgeous Grand Floridian Gingerbread House.
futureprobe sings the praises of the dining options (and the smells!) in Epcot’s The Land.
Daveland has some great photos of Disneyland’s Blue Bayou Restaurant, including some delicious dessert pics!
The Disney Blog shares news about Disney World holiday dining experiences.
All Ears Net offers a review of Todd English’s bluezoo restaurant in Disney World.
The Disney Chick shares her experience making Cape May Cafe’s chocolate cookie mousse.
The Daily Disney at the Orlando Sentinel shares the recipe for Chicken Asiago Pasta from the All-Star Resorts.
Disney Every Day takes us for a photo tour through the renovated Disney World McDonald’s.
Main Street Gazette visits Epcot’s Tangierine Cafe in the Morocco pavilion.
KatisKupcakes made up some adorable Hundred Acre Wood Cupcakes!
DisneyShawn takes a look at Rosie’s All-American Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
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