food IS a theme park
Retro merch is all the rage nowadays in Disney World!
Disney Springs
We’ve spotted the retro Mickey jacket, neon Christmas houseware, and a 1970’s Disney collection, and now we’re throwin’ it back again with even MORE vintage apparel in Disney Springs!
Hollywood Studios is exciting these days — between prep for the 30th Anniversary celebration (See the events and food here!), Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge construction updates, Skyliner station progress, and new merchandise (Avengers, Rebecca Hook Jewelry, and New Vintage Shirts), we hardly know where to start!
Hello from Hollywood Studios!
What better place than at the entrance? Or maybe even before… because when you visit Hollywood Studios, currently you’ll see lots of construction and projects before you even enter the park.
As a Disney fan (OK… borderline maniac Disney freak) and a D23 member, I consider the D23 Expo a must-attend event. In addition to the informative exhibits, amazing shopping, creative costumes, and fabulous people watching, I always look forward to the D23 Archives exhibit.
Seeing original pieces of Disneyland history up close and personal is such a treat. This year’s archives exhibit was so wonderfully done. I spent most of my visit drooling over the display of photos, menus and other original paraphernalia from the restaurants and snack spots of Disneyland’s first years.
Let’s go back in time and take look! (I apologize in advance for some of the photos and shadows. The display area was very dark and the photos overlapped each at other causing some shadowing.)
Let’s start with the Tahitian Terrace which was located behind the Tiki Room in Adventureland. It opened in 1962 and closed in 1993. The dinner theater offered guests food and entertainment inspired by the French Polynesian Islands.
Tahitian Terrace Entrance
How great is the artwork on the menu??? I love it!
[Read more…]
When you see the words “Photo Tour” in the title of any DFB post, it often means we’ve got something NEW around Disney World or Disneyland to share. But not this time… As a matter of fact, some of the things we’re going to show you today are over well over 50 years old. We’re taking a tour of some of the vintage food-related items in the Pop Century Resort Shadow Boxes!
“Remember When…”
If you haven’t had a chance to visit Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the check-in area is lined with shadow boxes filled with blasts from the past, in keeping with this fun and colorful Value resort’s theme dedicated to pop culture from the 50s through the 90s.
The shadow boxes include items reflecting music, television, fads, trends, gizmos and gadgets from the various decades represented, but we’re focusing on those related to food, and hope you have fun traveling through the decades with us!
Starting in the 50s, you’ve gotta love one of the first shadowboxes, dedicated to Walt Disney, Disneyland, and the first Mouseketeers.
Vintage Disney 50s display
The vintage food find here is the tin school bus lunch box, complete with Goofy driving around some of our oldest Disney pals.
Disney School Bus Lunch Box
It was also the era of soda fountains and diners when “teenage” life as we know it hit the scene.
Diner Shadow Box
Diner Shadow Box
Take a very close look at the menu, and you’ll spot one of Walt Disney’s favorite dishes, Chili and Beans, going for the high price of 15 cents (though I think I’d spring for “Bob’s Special Steak” for a quarter).
50s Diner display
Even the songs in the tabletop jukebox reveal a few food gems, with the [Read more…]
It’s time to head to the Wild West and take a look behind some rarely open doors…
The Diamond Horseshoe is a seasonal option in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland, which means it’s open only on peak-level crowd days (much like Tortuga Tavern in Adventureland).
During Thanksgiving week and around Christmas, it’s been known to host an evening buffet. When it’s open for lunch, though, it’s a counter service stop featuring turkey and barbeque sandwiches served up to the tunes of a self-playing Wurlitzer.
Perhaps you yourself have strolled past The Diamond Horseshoe.
The Diamond Horseshoe
If so, odds are good (well, pretty great, really) that you’ve seen these doors closed.
“The Diamond Horseshoe is not currently serving…”
But on the busiest of busy days, you just might catch them open… it’s time to step inside The Diamond Horseshoe!
The Diamond AND the Horseshoe!
And since it’s so rare to find this place open, we’ve got a little exploring to do…
Okay, I’ll admit… like any good Disney geek, when the doors opened I walked straight past the ordering counter to check out the atmosphere. But I felt fine lingering, since someone left their umbrella at the front 😉 , which indicates to me that folks at the Horseshoe are expected to sit and stay awhile!
Umbrella just inside the entrance
Though located in the more rustic surroundings of Frontierland, when you step into this ol’ West music hall, the atmosphere seems decidedly more lush — from the deep red curtains on the centerpiece stage…
The Diamond Horseshoe stage
… to the red glass [Read more…]
Marathon Weekend Race Cupcakes
Congratulations to the all of the runners that participated (and may still be participating!) in this year’s WDW Marathon Weekend!
If you’re in Disney World now, stop by the Main Street Bakery to pick up one of these colorful cupcakes celebrating the races. There are versions for the marathon, half-marathon, marathon relay, and the Goofy challenge! Yum!
Now, if you’re home and not in Disney World — like me — here’s a bit more about what happened at the Happiest Places on Earth last week!
Jolly Holiday Entrance
Click the link to see a bazillion photos and reviews of both breakfast and lunch!
For more sweet and savory food news, stop by our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!
A Wedding Cake Blog
showcases an Alice in Wonderland cake that is absolutely gorgeous!
The Orange County Register News celebrates Chef Oscar Martinez, who was awarded a 55-years of service award. Stop by and see Oscar at the Jolly Holiday Bakery right now (he’ll return to the Carnation Cafe when it re-opens). Congratulations, Oscar!
Eating (and drinking) around the World features Cabanas’ Strawberry Margarita from the Modern Mixology seminar at the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. (I can attest — it was delicious!)
PassPorter Moms Podcast graciously had me on to discuss the 2012 Disney Dining Plan. Listen to a discussion on the changes to the plan this year as well as the pros and cons of purchasing the DDP! (DFB Editor Kim highly recommends listening to this fun podcast! :D)
Main St. Gazette pays a visit to the Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
AllEars.net finds a jolly good time at Epcot’s Rose & Crown!
Stuff from the Park goes back to 1956 to show us the Chicken of the Sea pirate ship and a vintage popcorn cart.
It’s been QUITE a Disney Food week, wouldn’t you say? Here are some top round-up links from our little blog, followed by the best from the rest of the web. Bon Appetite…
DISNEY FOOD BLOG ROUND-UP — Just a reminder of our favorite news items covered this week here on Disney Food Blog:
THE BEST FROM THE REST OF THE WEB: NEWSWDWMagic
reports that WDW’s Sunshine Tree Terrace will be closed for refurb from January 17th through February 12th of this year.
BizJournals has some more updated info on the Cantina de San Angel refurb in Epcot.
The Disney Blog has news of some Valentine’s Day Dining Options in Disney World.
DLP.info reports that Disneyland Paris’ California Grill restaurant will be a buffet from January 10th through February 4th, 2010, due to refurb at the restaurant next door.
StitchKingdom has exclusive pics of Disney World’s new 3D Mickey Ears, including two for the foodies representing a Mickey Bar and a Popcorn container.
THE BEST FROM THE REST OF THE WEB: STORIES
Daveland went to Disney World and got himself some amazing pics. In his trip report photo blogs, you’ll see incredible shots of Victoria and Albert’s (trip report Part I), Liberty Tree Tavern (plus the characters!) (trip report Part II), and Hoop Dee Doo Revue (trip report Part III).
WDWforGrownups found a fun photo of a Mickey-shaped hamburger bun from DLRP.
The Disney Chick cooked up a couple of dishes for your recipe books: Mango Mousse from the Epcot Food & Wine Festival, and Shrimp and Proscuitto Penne Pasta from the Grand Floridian.
Imaginerding has the third book update from Restaurantosaurus in Animal Kingdom’s Dinoland (really fun posts, in case you haven’t made it over there yet…).
Scroll down this CakeWrecks post to see an awesome Disney Cast Member wedding cake — the CMs’ Miis are wearing Mickey hats! (Don’t worry; it’ll make sense when you see it.)
Meet the World has this historical essay post on Disneyland’s Lunching Pad.
Disney History Institute tells a fascinating story about the Christmas packages Walt Disney sent to the hundreds of children on his list and includes a photo of what went into the Christmas boxes in 1945. Trust me, it’s about food; and if you’re a Donald Duck fan, you’ll need to read this one.
StudiosCentral visits 50’s Prime Time Cafe and comments on location, decor, and why it “fits” at DHS.
DisneyGeek has some pics from his D23 Magic and Merriment trip, including some great shots of the WDW Diamond Horseshoe (keep going through the pages…this is only the beginning) and a very detailed set of pics from his tour of the Cinderella Castle Suite. The index page for the photo set is here. (I know the Castle Suite isn’t about food…but it IS very cool, so you’ll have to forgive me for mentioning it…).
The Angel Forever has some fantastic food photos over on her blog this week!
DISUnplugged has two great stories: one about a family planning to eat their way around Disneyland this year, and another highlighting photos from Friday’s Tables in Wonderland Great Movie Ride dinner (sadly, the latter doesn’t have any food photos, but the descriptions and scene shot photos are awesome).
Before I launch into the round-up, here are a few quick reminders about some big food news reported this week:
Now, off we go to the round-up! Plenty of good Disney food writing this week, including some great news items:
StitchKingdom reports that the Cantina de San Angel refurbishment is underway.
WDWMagic has a photo gallery of the Cantina refurb walls, and also has photos of pizzeria construction in Italy.
WDWNewsToday shares photos of the Crystal Palace refurb and a dry Splash Mountain at Disney World!
Imaginerding has the second of two posts in its Restaurantosaurus Book Update.
Vintage Disneyland Tickets shares photos and info about a 1967 LP titled New Year’s Eve at Disneyland, presented by Pepsi-Cola.
MagicCityMayhem posted a twitpic of the new Give A Day. Get A Disney Day. souvenir popcorn buckets at Disney World. You can find Magic City Mayhem here.
The Disney Blog has new about the eggs at House of Blues Restaurants, including Downtown Disney Orlando.
Everything WDW considers the merits of the Disney Dining Plan.
Main St. Gazette visits WDW’s Cinderella’s Royal Table.
A Walt Disney World Career celebrates dining at 50% of WDW’s table service restaurants. I shall have to go add up my own experiences and see if I’m even close!
Orlando Sentinel’s Daily Disney shares the recipe for Tony’s Town Square’s Tomato Dip with Goat Cheese.
Finally, here’s one I missed a while back (sorry!). Magical Kingdoms Disney Blog shares a review of Free Dining in Disneyland Resort Paris.
Thanks for sharing all of your news, thoughts, and insights about Disney food! Have a great week!
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