The Mara | the disney food blog

DFB Video: 5 Best Disney World Snacks for Peanut Butter Lovers

Hello, there! We’re back with another DFB Video to start off your week, and we’re talking about one of my very favorite topics: PEANUT BUTTER!!

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor All-American Sundae

If you have a passion for peanut butter like I do, then you definitely don’t want to miss out on the 5 snacks we’re sharing with you in our latest DFB YouTube video! We’ve got snacks in the parks as well as the Resorts, because — thankfully — there’s no shortage of peanut-buttery goodness when you’re in Disney World. From sundaes, to brownies, to cookie sandwiches, to pie… well, you may want to grab a glass of milk, because there is a LOT of peanut butter coming your way once you hit play on our next video! [Read more…]

Review: New Sandwiches at The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

By AJ and the DFB Team 10 Comments

Jambo from The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Learn About:Mara

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney World Restaurants

It wasn’t all that long ago that we were here, pointing out three Must-Eat Snacks at the Lodge’s Counter Service option and sipping on some new-to-The-Mara Frozen Jungle Juice. But the Jungle Juice wasn’t the only new thing we found on that visit, which is what we’re excited to share with you today.

Longtime standouts at The Mara for lunch and dinner include unique items such as African Potjie Stew and tasty Soups of the Day alongside classic Burgers, Flatbreads, and Chicken Breast Nuggets.

That said, they aren’t afraid to switch things up every once in a while — and that’s a VERY good thing! Every so often, your basic Hot Dog or sandwich gets a bit of an African-inspired twist, as is the case with two of the three new items we’re trying today.

The Mara at Animal Kingdom Lodge

So, come right back into The Mara with us!

Atmosphere

The Mara gets its name from the Masai Mara National Reserve, located in southwestern Kenya on the border of Tanzania. The small food court is only accessible from outside the resort, on the lower level and near the pool. Once inside, you’ll immediately notice the ceiling artfully mimicking the tree tops and some soft ambient lighting that creates interesting shadows. [Read more…]

Must-Eat Snacks at The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (Now Including JUNGLE JUICE SLUSH!)

By Wendy 5 Comments

Boy, do I have a fun list for you today!

Learn About:Mara

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney World Restaurants

We’re taking on a few Must-Eat Snacks at The Mara in Animal Kingdom Lodge! This counter service restaurant serves up several classic dishes as you might expect (like Chicken Breast Nuggets and Burgers). But in keeping with the wonderfully immersive theming of the Lodge, you’ll also find unique African-inspired dishes like the tasty African Potjie Stew and Soups of the Day (I love it when the Coconut Curry Chicken Soup comes up on the rotation!).

Even in addition to some of those items, though, there are still a few nearly-unique-to-Mara finds (you’ll see what I mean by that soon) that aren’t necessarily African-inspired, but equally as tasty. And those land on our Mara Must-Eat Snacks list! Plus, they are all available for a snack credit on the Disney Dining Plan!

So let’s start with with a VERY special item that just made its Mara debut!

Frozen Jungle Juice

Oh, joy!! We feared we’d lost the Jungle Juice Slushy for good when it disappeared from the menu at Animal Kingdom’s Mahindi, but a few weeks ago it made a surprise return. Better yet, it’s now available in TWO spots, since it’s at The Mara now, too!

The Mara Frozen Beverages

Even though it’s called the Jungle Juice Frozen Beverage, it’s still that same awesome mix of Passion Fruit, Orange, and Guava juices that is also known as POG Juice or Liliko’i Juice for breakfast in the Polynesian’s ‘Ohana and Kona Cafe.

[Read more…]

Spotted! Crush Souvenir Sipper Cups at Select Disney World Quick Service Locations

By AJ 9 Comments

Duuude

… Check out this TOTALLY RIGHTEOUS Crush Sipper Cup that we just spotted at The Mara and Uzima Springs Pool Bar in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!

Crush Sipper Cup

I know. We were like, “WHOA,” too!! [Read more…]

Tips from the DFB Guide: Must-Eat Snacks at Disney World Resort Hotels

By AJ 2 Comments

Did you know, did you know? We love some Disney snacks around here. 🙂

And part of the reason that we love them so much is that we know that you do, too! In fact, I’m 100% confident that I could spend an entire vacation in the ‘World and sustain myself on snacks alone.

And that’s why I dedicate a lot of real estate in the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining to offering you pictures and details about snacks in all four corners of Walt Disney World.

And if that’s not enough for you, I’ve also written guides dedicated to the snacks in each Park as well as special events happening throughout the year — which, believe it or not, usher forth their own seasonally-themed treats. You can discover it all in our DFB Guide Everything Bundle.

But more about that in a minute. Right now, let’s look at one of my favorite lists: Must-Eat Snacks in Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. The list comes to you courtesy of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining. And if you like what you see, check out our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2018 Second Edition. With more than 650 pages of information, we leave no Disney Food topic uncovered!

But let’s get back to that list. 🙂 Time to check ’em out!

[Read more…]

The Best Brownies in Walt Disney World

By AJ 6 Comments

Remember oh those many years ago when I presented you with my Top Five Disney Brownies?

Well, times change… as do snacks and desserts in and around Disney World. And now here we are celebrating a still-new year, and the brownie landscape has changed. While a few of our favorites from Round One continue to grace our list of Best Brownies, some are no longer available. (We miss you, Paw Print Brownie and Brownie Fudge Sundae!)

But fret not… there’s still no shortage of classic brownie goodness in Disney World (and some not-so-classic, as you’ll notice many of these feature a twist on tradition).

Whaddya say we make a NEW Best Brownies list?

That’s right… a new list for a new year! Grab a fork and get ready to dig into some chocolatey brownie deliciousness with me!

Pin it for later!

Peanut Butter Brownie with Warm Caramel Sauce

OK, this is probably the best thing you will put into your mouth all month. Let me say that I eat a lot — A LOT — of Disney food, and much of it is sweet deliciousness; but this thing took my breath away.

You can find the Peanut Butter Brownie with Warm Caramel Sauce at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. And here’s the kicker…

Warm Peanut Butter Brownie with Warm Caramel Sauce

[Read more…]

#OnTheList: Zebra Domes at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

By AJ 13 Comments

This post is part of the DFB #OnTheList series, where we feature eats you’ve GOT to have while you’re at Disney! Let us know what’s on YOUR Disney Food Bucket List @DisneyFoodBlog #OnTheList!

This week’s #OnTheList item is approaching cult classic status when it comes to Disney food: Zebra Domes! You can find these beauties at Disney World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at both Boma and The Mara.

Zebra Domes are #OnTheList

At Boma, Animal Kingdom Lodge’s buffet restaurant, you can eat as many as you want any night of the week. Just high-tail it over to the dessert table!

The Mara, AKL’s counter-service location, usually has Zebra Domes in their refrigerated grab-and-go section. They’re sold in sets of four.

Pack of Zebra Domes at The Mara

So what’s a Zebra Dome? An Amarula Cream Liquor mousse is enrobed in panna cotta-esque white chocolate and drizzled with chocolate and chocolate shavings. The whole thing sits atop a thin cake base.

Zebra Dome

While this is, indeed, #OnTheList, this is the kind of dessert that you either love or hate. Because of the flavors included, this is often a favorite for those who also enjoy Tiramisu.

Zebra Dome Cut In Half

The flavors that really jump out for me are caramel from the Amarula and the white chocolate.

Enjoying a Zebra Dome In The Lobby At Animal Kingdom Lodge

You may have to travel to Animal Kingdom Lodge for this #OnTheList item but they’re an iconic Disney food that you have to try at least once!

Will you be adding Zebra Domes to your Disney Food Bucket List? Let us know with a comment below!

What’s On YOUR Disney Food Bucket List?

Zebra Domes are featured on the DFB Disney Food Bucket List — #OnTheList! Check out the list for more must-eats, and tweet, instagram, and Facebook your Disney Food Bucket List items @DisneyFoodBlog with #OnTheList!

News: Disney Valentine’s Day Treats Make the Celebration Extra Sweet

By Brooke 2 Comments

Nothing says “I love you!” like a giant pile of frosting. And some of our favorite spots throughout Disney World are featuring extra special love-themed desserts this weekend.

Cupcake lovers have lots of options. We think the Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake at Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery should top the list. After all, what goes better with your favorite Starbucks beverage than a big chocolatey cupcake??

Chocolate Raspberry Cupcake at Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery

But the Raspberry Panna Cotta Cupcake from BoardWalk Bakery also has us intrigued. It’s like two desserts in one, and reminds me a bit of the Master’s Cupcake at Be Our Guest Restaurant, which features Grey Stuff — Cookies and Cream Panna Cotta.

Raspberry Panna Cotta Cupcake from BoardWalk Bakery

If you like to have your cupcakes and eat them too (plus you’d like a couple other things), then head to the Beach Club Marketplace for the Sweetheart Dessert. It includes Cupcakes, Chocolate Covered Strawberries, and Chocolate Truffles. Best of all — there’s two of everything, so no sharing required. 🙂

Sweetheart Dessert from Beach Club Marketplace

If we had a vote right now for Disney’s cutest couple, I’m pretty sure that Lady and the Tramp would probably score in the top 3. So it’s fitting that they’re the face of amore on a cupcake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios right now.

Lady and the Tramp Cupcake

We had a chance to try this one for ourselves the other day, and it’s pretty adorable. Featuring Red Velvet Cake and whipped Chocolate Ganache Frosting, it’s also delicious. You’ll find it at The Trolley Car Café, Starring Rolls Cafe, ABC Commissary, Pizza Planet, Backlot Express, Studio Catering Co., Rosie’s All American Café, and Fairfax Fare.

Lady and the Tramp Cupcake — Inside

However, I personally want to drive to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge right now for some of these [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 30, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

With Thanksgiving behind us, we’ll be diving into even more holiday goodies at Walt Disney World and Disneyland!!

Autumn Cheesecake

Of course, we just have to look one more time at some of the Fall treats that added colorful and tasty options to the bakery cases. One of our favorite stops recently — The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. We sampled two Autumn desserts, Check out the Chocolate Pecan Tart and Pumpkin Cheesecake!

Visit the links below for more delicious tidbits!

Disney Food News

L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France pavilion is now offering a peppermint macaron ice cream sandwich with gingerbread ice cream.
We have some delicious Fall treats for you from The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge!
Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel at Disneyland debuted a new gingerbread house for this holiday season!
Check out the new Big Hero 6 Teriyaki Street Dog and Coconut Milk Tea at Disneyland’s Award Wieners!

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 restaurant closures, and more!

We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.

DFB Reader Finds

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!

After our Thanksgiving feasts, it’s time to look at some healthier options at Disney. First up, Cucumber Wraps aboard the Disney Fantasy courtesy of our Facebook Friend Narda.

Cucumber Wraps

Or how about some delicious fruit from ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort in Walt Disney World. Salwa, our Facebook Friend, sent in this photo. Yum!

Fruit at ‘Ohana

Have you enjoyed a favorite find? Send in your Disney food photos!

DFB Black Friday Weekend SALE!

When it came time to offer you something truly special for our Black Friday Sale, we couldn’t think of anything better…than giving you everything.

Disney Food Blog Guidebooks

And that’s why we’re announcing that, for this weekend, you can purchase the DFB Everything Bundle for 1/2 off the already deeply discounted price! Just enter code Everything50 at the check-out.

What does the Everything Bundle include? The name says it all — Everything! When you purchase the DFB Everything Bundle, you get all of the following DFB Guides:

A Pre-Order of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2015 Edition, Due Out [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 2, 2014

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Recently, we sampled the Trattoria al Forno breakfast menu — it’s being served at Flying Fish Cafe ahead of the restaurant’s opening in December.

Trattoria al Forno Waffles

With two new restaurants headed to Disney Springs at Downtown Disney, we can’t wait to share all of the details as they emerge. See what we know so far about The Boathouse and Morimoto!!

Plus, click below for all the details on this week’s Disney Food News…

Disney Food News

Enjoy a sneak peek at Trattoria al Forno breakfast at Disney’s BoardWalk!
Two new restaurants — The Boathouse and Morimoto — are coming to Disney Springs at Downtown Disney, Orlando.
Find out What’s New around Walt Disney World — treats, and more!
Check out the incredible pumpkin carvings at the Disneyland Resort!
The UK Pavilion is now selling Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room merchandise!
Disney California Adventure is celebrating the season with Pumpkin muffins and Caramel Apple Smoothies.
A Candy Corn Cupcake is now on the menu at The Mara at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

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 restaurant closures, and more!

We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go.

DFB Reader Finds

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!

Our Facebook Friend, Margaret, shared a French style cheesecake served at Sonya’s and Green Cabin Room at Disney’s Vero Beach resort.

French Style Vanilla Cheesecake

Next up: Grilled Mahi from Wolfgang Puck Cafe, courtesy of Facebook Friend Akemi.

Grilled Mahi

Do you have a Favorite Find? Please, share with us!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining On Sale!

Want a huge discount on our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining? You’ve got it! For one day only, get $5 off the full price of the guide using code MICKEY!

The fully updated DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2014 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 450 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World.

It’s guaranteed to help you navigate your way to delicious dining on your next trip! And if you’re ready to get yours now, head on over to DFBGuide.com to pick it up!!

What’s In The Guide?

As thousands of repeat customers already know, the Guide includes:

A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks.
A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips!
Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning.
A comprehensive index of bars and lounges. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic.
The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable right in your pocket!

Samples Pages of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013

Here’s Just Some Of What You Get With Our 2014 Guide:

Over 450 Pages of Disney Dining and Planning information, tips, reviews, and recommendations!
An in-depth Disney Dining Restaurant Reviews section, covering all Disney restaurants, food kiosks, bars, and lounges
An updated Disney Dining Plan section and price analysis [Read more…]

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