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Will Disney World Get A Star Wars Cantina Restaurant?

Welp, rumors have been circulating since Disney bought LucasFilm last year about the potential for a Star Wars themed land coming to the Disney parks. And I thought it was high time to weigh in on what would obviously be the best part of one — the potential restaurant!

Negotiations at Mos Eisley Cantina

Yep — sources are swirling about not only a repeat of Disney California Adventure’s Cars Land coming to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but also a Star Wars Land of some sort!

According to one source, a Chalman’s/Mos Eisley Cantina-themed Star Wars restaurant could be on the horizon for Disney World as part of the proposed Star Wars expansion. (Though other sources put the Cantina in Disneyland Paris.)

Why would this be a totally rad idea? Well, I’m always up for more restaurants in Disney World; AND the Star Wars Cantina scenes are relatively well-known and referenced in popular culture. But that aside, here are a few of my reasons for supporting the proposal:

Characters: I have no idea how it would work, but it would rock to have a Star Wars character meal — even if it’s just for breakfast. My guess is you’re going to see Leia, Han, and Luke the most. I can’t really imagine Darth making airplane sounds while he feeds your baby and signs autographs, but you never know.

Food Options: The right chef could have a blast developing new and unique menu items for a restaurant like this. Here’s a great start. Of course guests would be able to order Blue/Bantha Milk and Blue Milkshakes.
Bar/Lounge: Right now, Tune In Lounge is a great place to kick back and relax in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, but the Star Wars Cantina would obviously lend itself to an incredible bar/lounge theme. Even if you extended a full restaurant to the back of the original Cantina, I could still see this being [Read more…]

Snack Series: Key Lime Tart at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons

By AJ 8 Comments

There are plenty of well-loved spots to eat all over Walt Disney World. (Don’t I know it!) But one spot that we love — and you do too, judging from your reviews, emails, and comments — is Sunshine Seasons in Epcot.

Learn About:Sunshine Seasons

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

So recently, after a trip Soarin’ over California, 😉 I stopped by there for a bite to eat, and found a little snack that I can’t wait to share with you!

If you aren’t familiar with Sunshine Seasons, you need to be! It’s a huge counter service spot located on the first floor within The Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World. Set up as a food court, there are countless freshly made and interesting food options featured everyday at the various stations, plus many more grab n’ go desserts and snacks.

Epcot's Sunshine Seasons

I’d heard a lot from readers about the Key Lime Tart here, and I was looking forward to trying it. Overall, you’ve got a subtantial graham cracker crust filled with key lime filling and topped with toasted meringue.

Key Lime Tart

When I [Read more…]

Homemade Ice Cream Sandwich Available at New Location in Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By AJ 11 Comments

Great news! You can now get one of my favorite Disney World treats at TWO spots in Disney’s Animal Kingdom!

Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich

Those incredible homemade ice cream sandwiches — yummy ice cream sandwiched between two humongous cookies — are still available at Dino Bites in Dinoland; but now you can find them at the ice cream kiosk near the entrance to Africa from Discovery Island as well.

This Ice Cream Kiosk Now Sells Ice Cream Sandwiches!

This location only sells a hand full of ice cream treats and bottled drinks, so it should be a quick wait in line! And while the menu board says [Read more…]

Review: Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany

By AJ 43 Comments

Learn About:Biergarten Restaurant

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

We haven’t been to Biergarten in a while here on DFB, so I think it’s time to pay this fun spot a visit!

You’ll find it in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion, and this is THE place to find sausage and beer. They have other stuff, too…but if you don’t like sausage and beer, you may not get the most out of this restaurant.

Let’s take a look!

Atmosphere

Nestled in the back of the Germany Pavilion, Biergarten can be hard to find. It’s to the back, left of the pavilion, so look for a check-in desk in that general area.

Outside View

As you head past and actually through Sommerfest, the German counter service offering, you enter an area that looks a little like a courtyard, but with a ceiling.

First View Inside

But once you’re fully into the restaurant, the view opens up, and you are transported to evening in a Bavarian Village town square that has been set up in preparation for a party. And you’re invited!

Stage Area and Seating

Here, you get the full scope of the [Read more…]

Review: ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 29 Comments

Learn About:ABC Commissary

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

I have a confession to make: I’m not in love with the ABC Commissary, and I haven’t been for a while now. So when I’m on the Backlot at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and I’m looking for a bite, I tend to head over to Backlot Express.

I also find the general atmosphere here kinda boring, which is clearly a sign of superior themeing, since it’s supposed to be…basically…someone’s work cafeteria, right? 🙂

Well, armed with an enthusiastic menu recommendation from my friend Matt Hochberg of Studios Central, I headed over there on a recent trip to see if I’d find anything I liked.

Atmosphere

As you approach the ABC Commissary, you really do feel like you’ve stumbled onto a block of buildings occupied by the people who run this “studio.”

A palm tree promenade (that’s admittedly kind of cool) and marble flooring ushers you into the restaurant.

Palm Trees Line the Entrance

The walkway is also lined with these glass partitions etched with the ABC logo and interspersed with memorabilia from the network’s shows.

Glass Partitions Give a Good View of the Seating Area

If you look hard enough, you might just see an [Read more…]

Review: Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

By AJ 26 Comments

Captain Cook’s

at Disney’s Polynesian Resort has long been one of my favorite counter service locations.

Learn About:Captain Cook’s

Polynesian Resort
Disney World Restaurants

The yummo Grown-Up Grilled Cheese Sandwich and Cook’s delicious cupcakes are a great reason to visit!

UPDATE: Dole Whip is no longer being served at Captain Cook’s, is no longer self-serve, and is no longer available 24 hours a day. You’ll now find Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai in Disney’s Polynesian Village in addition to Aloha Isle at the Magic Kingdom. You can also find Dole Whip available intermittently at Animal Kingdom’s Tamu Tamu Refreshments, and at Epcot during some special events. On the upside, you can also get a Dole Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai!

But the best part? The 24-hour access to Dole Whips is truly epic. (Note, they DO clean the Dole Whip machine for a few hours in the middle of the night once a week, so Avoid. That. Night.)

On a recent Disney World visit, I headed back to Captain Cook’s to try another fan favorite – the Pork Sandwich. That day I found a few more surprises waiting for me, and I can’t wait to tell you about them…

Atmosphere

Hidden toward the back of the resort on the first floor, it can be difficult to find Captain Cook’s. But forge ahead, my friends. It’s worth it. 😉

Outside View

The restaurant is small, but well-organized. There are several different seating areas, so if the first one is full, just head to the next one to find a table.

Indoor Seating

Seating is both indoors and outdoors here, and you’ll find plenty of four-top square tables with padded chairs. Huge banana leaves and a woven motif dress the standard restaurant tables up a bit.

Along the wall, you’ll also find mixed seating with a couple of booth options. Windows along one wall let in plenty of light and also give you a view of the outdoor seating area.

Indoor Seating with a View

Outdoor tables and chairs are in close proximity to both the restaurant and the pool. With the big umbrellas and lush landscape, this is a terrific place to sit on those [Read more…]

Review: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe — Vegetarian Style!

By AJ 26 Comments

Editor’s note: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe underwent a major menu change in 2015. These items are no longer available.

Learn About:Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Cafe

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

We all know that Pecos Bill’s is a terrific place to grab a burger and fries, right?

But on a recent visit I really wanted to try out a few new-to-me items that I’d been hearing about: the corn on the cob, and the onion rings.

So what began as casual curiosity ended up being a completely vegetarian meal. And how did a burger joint fare as a vegetarian option? Read on…

Atmosphere

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe (known to many just as “Pecos Bill’s”) in the Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland is extremely popular. I would venture a guess that this dining location and Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe see the majority of the counter-service traffic in the Magic Kingdom.

Pecos Bill Sign

Straddling Adventureland and Frontierland, the restaurant’s architecture seems to include both Caribbean and Western influences.

Sign from Frontierland Side

But the story of Pecos Bill clearly signals that the heart of this eatery is firmly planted in the Old West. The Great State of Texas, to be exact!

Story of Pecos Bill – click image for larger version

Don’t forget to always respect the Code of the West!

Inside, you’ll find beams on the low ceilings and soft light (sometimes it can get downright [Read more…]

Review: Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Now with New Menu AND Buffalo Nuggets!)

By AJ 20 Comments

Learn About:Backlot Express

Disney's Hollywood Studios
Disney World Restaurants

Time to head to one of my favorite counter service spots in Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Backlot Express! And there’s a brand new menu in place! We’ve have more for you on that in just a few paragraphs. But first, let’s take a look around…

Atmosphere

From the name alone, you can quickly deduce that this counter service mainstay is, in fact, located in the Backlot area of the theme park. (I know. What would you do without me?)

To locate it, head straight back and to the left as you enter the park. You’ll know you’re getting close when you pass the Sounds Dangerous and Star Tours attractions.

The premise here is that you’ve wandered into a functioning part of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios backlot, where they store all of the props, paint all the sets, fashion all of the haywire stunt gear, and fix all of the machinery needed to put on the show. It’s a glorified warehouse…but that “glorified” part is where Disney’s imagineers shine.

Outside View

As you head in to order you’ll walk past the outdoor seating area, which is nicely shaded. You begin to feel the vibe of the place even here, with mismatched patio chairs and interesting outdoor props, like giant plaster statues, and classic automobiles.

Shaded Seating Area

It’s completely fascinating to wander around and through this huge spot. Imagineers have created the theme to feel as if you’re about to run into someone who’s working on a film while you’re there. There are all kinds of props everywhere, even hanging above you.

Dragon Prop - You Never Know What You Might Find Here!

You’ll also see lots of [Read more…]

Snack Series: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake and Key Lime Pie at Boardwalk Bakery

By AJ 14 Comments

Learn About:Boardwalk Bakery

Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

I’ve fallen into a bit of a habit when it comes to walking the Boardwalk in Walt Disney World, and it always includes heading into the Boardwalk Bakery to check out what’s new!

This big bakery with a teensy-tiny little sales area for purchasing goodies is a hidden gem and hot-spot when it comes to unique, can’t-get-em-anywhere-else sweets and savories like the Cheesecake Brownie and Mickey Face Cake.

Atmosphere

As I said, while the bakery itself is large (they create baked goods and wedding cakes for the area), the area where guests can actually purchase things is very small. Almost an afterthought.

Boardwalk Bakery Sign

And as much as I love Boardwalk Bakery, the big detractor is the lack of indoor seating. Rain or shine, sweltering or less sweltering, you have to take your purchase outside to eat it. Sure there’s a bit of an overhang, but that hardly constitutes indoor seating.

Bakery Seating

Still, it can be very nice — should the weather cooperate — to sit outside and enjoy the view of Crescent Lake. There’s also great people watching to be had here! (If you see me say Hi — I’ll be the one with the camera who’s super sweaty and probably running late for something…and I’ll likely still have chocolate on my face from something or other.)

Eats

Still, this is a terrific spot to have in your back pocket as you head off to a busy day in the parks. They have a variety of [Read more…]

Review: Citricos at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort

By AJ 16 Comments

Learn About:Citricos

Grand Floridian
Disney World Restaurants

Come along with us on a great date night destination at Walt Disney World — Citricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa!

If you haven’t had the pleasure, there are so many reasons to give this wonderful restaurant a try. It’s a little easier to get an Advance Dining Reservation here than other, more popular spots in the Magic Kingdom area.

But with food that rivals the hottest spots at Disney World — and a quiet, comfortable atmosphere — this has become a restaurant we return to again and again. Does it continue to wow? We shall see…

Atmosphere

Citricos is tucked back behind Victoria & Albert’s (another review we’ll be treating you to soon!) on the Grand Floridian’s second floor. And with that “hidden” location, Citricos is often the overlooked signature dining spot here in the Magic Kingdom resort area. Diners often gravitate to California Grill or Narcoossee’s over Citricos in favor of spectacular fireworks views.

But don’t underestimate this place. While the fireworks viewing potential is pretty small here, sometimes being the “odd man out” can make a restaurant even more compelling. Citricos’ strengths come in the form of warmth, elegance, and a very quiet, comfortable atmosphere. I keep saying “comfortable” over and over again, and I’m pretty sure it’s because these dining chairs are some of the best on property! No kidding!

Seating Area

Warm light, sunny colors, and copper details make this an inviting space. (And did I mention the chairs? They’re comfortable.) A full bank of floor-to-ceiling windows lets in plenty of natural light during daytime hours.

Seating Area Near Windows

I like the whimsical, colorful glass touches on the tables. The candle holder and bread plates really add a pop of color to the formal place settings.

Table Setting

It’s always fun to watch the action in the open kitchen. The setting is beautiful, and the staff is poised and professional as they go about dinner service. (Don’t forget to take a peek as you walk to your table to see what items you might want to try!)

Exhibition Kitchen and Expediting Station

Off to the side of the restaurant — just next to the kitchen — is the Chef’s Domain. I’ve had the pleasure of eating in this private dining room recently for a good friend’s birthday dinner, and it’s very nice. You can order from a specialized menu or stick with the regular offerings. For events ranging from a private dinner party to a more elaborate affair, this is a great spot. This must be booked well ahead of time, and there’s a food and beverage minimum cost.

And as a bonus, you can get a really good view of the pastry specialists working at their craft – yum!

Pastry Chef Preparing Desserts

Now, back to our regular old dining room experience! Just walking to our table was enough to excite us about the meal! We were ready to get started.

Eats

The menu at Citricos focuses on [Read more…]

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Will Disney World Get A Star Wars Cantina Restaurant?

Snack Series: Key Lime Tart at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons

Review: Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany

Atmosphere

Review: ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Atmosphere

Review: Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Resort

Atmosphere

Review: Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe — Vegetarian Style!

Atmosphere

Review: Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Now with New Menu AND Buffalo Nuggets!)

Atmosphere

Snack Series: Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake and Key Lime Pie at Boardwalk Bakery

Atmosphere

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Review: Citricos at Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort

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