Art of Animation | the disney food blog

A New Dole Whip And Rum Smoothie Spotted in Disney World! Guess Where!

Dole Whip alert! Dole Whip alert! (Mental note: we need a secret, underground alert system for Dole Whip news.) Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, with its enormous Big Blue (Nemo-inspired) Pool and totally groovy theming, now has an alcoholic Dole Whip drink (and a non-alcoholic option!).

Captain’s Pineapple Drink at Art of Animation Resort

Yes, that sound you hear is us screaming with joy! To get one for yourself, you’re gonna have to make your way over to Art of Animation. You’ll know you’re there when you see massive depictions of animators’ sketches.

Art of Animation Entrance

[Read more…]

Review: Chocolate and Carrot Cake Mini Whoopie Pies at Art of Animation Resort

By AJ 9 Comments

We are back at Landscape of Flavors in Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort!

Learn About:
Landscape of Flavors

Disney World Restaurants

Landscape of Flavors remains relatively unique by Disney Counter Service standards. Sure, it offers quick service eats served up food court-style in keeping with the dining set-up at the all Disney World Value Resorts. But with a Tandoori/Mongolian Station serving sides like Naan Bread with dipping sauces (and don’t get me started on the uber-tasty Cheesy Pesto Bread) alongside favorites like burgers and sandwiches, the best-of-both worlds approach to international flavors and American fare have earned this spot high marks since the resort first opened in 2012.

That said, while its reputation for entrees has been deservedly high, Landscape of Flavors hasn’t been a huge destination for desserts (Gelato Bar notwithstanding, of course!). So when I noticed a little something — or somethings — new in the bakery case, it definitely piqued my interest.

They’ve added Mini Whoopie Pies to the options, my friends! And my fellow Carrot Cake Connoisseurs will definitely want to read on…

Atmosphere

Just like Everything Pop at the neighboring Pop Century Resort, Landscape of Flavors is located directly past the resorts’s merchandise spot, the Ink and Paint Shop.

Lobby in Art of Animation

Oh, and be sure to check out the Storyboard Chandelier above you right before you enter! Several of the panels have been signed by Disney artists and actors involved with the films that the Art of Animation celebrates: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid. Among several others, you can search for Jodi Benson’s signature (she’s the voice of Ariel) as well as Pixar CCO John Lasseter’s. Newly signed panels feature the signatures of Pete Doctor, Jay Ward, and Jerome Ranft who worked on Cars, and also the latest Pixar hit, Inside Out. Pretty cool, right?!

After you’re done with your signature scavenger hunt, just continue through the merchandise shop to find Landscape of Flavors. [Read more…]

New Food I Want to Stuff My Face With at Disney World this Year

By AJ 10 Comments

You’re planning your first trip to Walt Disney World. Or your 50th. Or your 100th. And you reeeeeeeally want to know what NEW dishes you MUST try? Weeeeeeelllllllllll, we’ve got a few suggestions for you!

We’ve got about nine of our favorite you-HAVE-to-EAT-this dishes and snacks featured in our brand new DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015 e-Book, which you can pick up today for $4 off using code 2015 right here!

But I wanted to take a second to share just a few of those must-eat treats here with you as well.

Must-Eat Walt Disney World Treats in 2015

Yep — here at DFB, we always like to kick off each new year with some of our favorite treats spotted during the last few months. But when I sat down to brainstorm this post…well, at first it seemed like 2014 didn’t offer a whole lot of new stuff.

That said, when I started scrolling back through everything we ate this past year, I realized there was a lot to be said for 2014 and its culinary prowess.

There is one really big difference between this year and previous years, however. Most of our crave-worthy dishes are savory this time around! I know! WUT?!??!?!?!?!? Don’t worry, though — I’ve got a few sweeties thrown in.

Here’s the New Food I Want to Stuff My Face with at Disney Parks in 2015!

Barbecue Pulled Pork Mac and Cheese

We thought that Mac and Cheese, that king of comfort foods, was enough. But little did we know what we had been missing, until Disney started putting additional delicious food on top of its cheesy goodness.

We first saw the dawn of Gourmet Mac and Cheese — we’re just gonna call it that if that’s all right with you — a while back. Friar’s Nook introduced the concept, and we were smitten with their Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheese and Blue Cheese Mac right away.

BUT THEN — this happened.

[Read more…]

Review: Create Your Own Pasta at Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors

By AJ 7 Comments

My recent visit to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort left me with tons to tell you about! The Landscape of Flavors food court has seriously taken over as one of my favorite Disney counter service spots.

Erin told you about the Create-Your-Own-Pasta station here when the resort first opened, but I could not wait to try it for myself!

Create Your Own Pasta Menu Board -- Click to Enlarge

There are dozens of combinations available here! Seriously, tons of pastas, veggies, sauces, meats, and mix-ins to choose from. Even though this list is subject to change, here are just a few of the options you might have on your visit…

Pasta customization options.

But if you’re feeling like leaving the creativity to the professionals, no worries. You won’t go wrong by choosing from one of the Chef’s Suggestions.

Chef Suggestions, In Case You Need Some Ideas!

But don’t forget to take a gander at the customization options just in case something catches your eye!

Add-Ins for Create-Your-Own-Pasta

What’s great about the create-your-own pasta station — and most of the other stations at Landscape of Flavors — is the “freshness” of it all. No frozen spinach here. Butters, sauces, and vegetables are all fresh, and [Read more…]

Snack Series: Pumpkin Pecan Tart at Art of Animation Resort’s Landscape of Flavors

By AJ 9 Comments

One of the most exciting new spots at Walt Disney World to open this year is Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and I got to stay at AoA as it celebrated its very first holiday season! I couldn’t wait to see what new treats would be available, and I wasn’t disappointed when I found this little gem…

Pumpkin Pecan Tart

There in the ready-made case, I spied the Pumpkin Pecan Tart. I haven’t found this anywhere else on property, though it may be at the other value resorts (lemme know if you find it!).

Pumpkin Pecan Tart without the Cover

Opening the clam shell container, I could tell this would be fantastic! The topping looked like the best sticky, ooey-gooey pecan pie, and the thick crust looked perfect. Something else to note: see the white stuff? You think it’s whipped cream, right? So did I. But actually, it’s cream cheese frosting. The best condiment ever? I think so.

Cutting the tart in half finally revealed the creamy pumpkin custard that was beneath the pecan pie topping. This is like having two of your very favorite holiday pies all in one!

Pumpkin Pecan Tart -- Cross Section

The top half delivered, as it tasted just like it looked: the best part of a [Read more…]

Review: Drop Off Pool Bar at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

By AJ 9 Comments

Long ago I did several posts in my “Pool Bar Series,” and it’s time to add another to the mix!

Drop Off Pool Bar

On a recent visit to Disney’s newest resort, Art of Animation, I took some time to hit the pool bar for a drink one evening. In fact, I hit the Drop Off just in time to watch the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics!!

Seating at Bar

The Drop Off Pool Bar is named after the ominous danger zone in Disney’s Finding Nemo film — the drop off to the ocean floor! While I’m sure this pool bar can be dangerous for some, my visit revealed a [Read more…]

Photo Tour: Art of Animation Resort Desserts

By Kim 17 Comments

With the opening of Disney World’s newest resort — Art of Animation — we have all new delicious food to sample. The Landscape of Flavors food court offers some unique desserts that you can’t find anywhere else in Disney World! Let’s take a peek…

First up, I love these one-of-a-kind Rice Krispie Treats that feature the characters you’ll find decorating the Art of Animation resort buildings!

Krispie Treats

Landscape of Flavors offers a variety of gelato flavors for your cold sweet tooth! I love the fun designs the cast members have made on the top! (See any hidden characters?)

Gelato

Pistachio Gelato, when they’ve got it, is a [Read more…]

Guest Review: Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

By Kim 22 Comments

Today, we’re welcoming back Bill Iadonisi with a guest review of the Art of Animation Resort’s new food court – Landscape of Flavors! You can see our previous review of Art of Animation here!

We love Disney for so many reasons; the attractions, shows, fireworks and one of my favorites, the food! For us, nothing beats a meal at Disney. But the ultimate magical experience is dining at a brand new eatery! Case in point is the new “Landscape of Flavors” counter-service restaurant in the newly opened Art of Animation resort.

This restaurant is the only eatery for the resort and is counter-service. It is very similar to one of my very favorite places to dine, the Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion at EPCOT. Here you will find healthier, more upscale offerings than the usual hot dogs, burgers and chicken fingers. The menu has something for everyone.

Atmosphere

I like to rate eateries on four criteria – Atmosphere, Service, Food, and Value. Let’s begin!

You enter the restaurant through the Animation Hall lobby, making a left through the “Ink and Paint Shop” gift store. The dining area seats 596 guests, but in no way will you feel crowded. The spacious dining room is bright and airy.

Dining Area

There are several smaller areas off of the main room, and like the main area, they are surrounded by pictures and lighting fixtures.

On the far wall by the pool area, the whole wall has floor to ceiling windows, offering a fantastic [Read more…]

Food Photo Tour: Art of Animation Resort Landscape of Flavors Food Court

By Erin 77 Comments

Life is a highway, and my pit stop this past weekend was Walt Disney World’s brand new Art of Animation Resort in Walt Disney World.

AoA is a value level resort, and like other WDW value hotels the main source of on-site nourishment is a food court, here called Landscape of Flavors.

I gathered dozens (hundreds?) of food photos to share, so you’ll be able to take a look at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert as well as pre-packaged goodies in the photo tour below!

Some of the elements of Landscape of Flavors will be familiar to those who have been to other Disney hotel food courts. There are multiple lines to order different types of food. There are self-serve soda and condiment stations past the registers, toasters for guest use, and a mug wash sink for rinsing your refillable mugs.

And the sides of the service area are lined with refrigerator cases of beverages and a limited selection of prepared items.

As for the actual food, Disney has tried to step it up a notch, offering fresher and more customizable options than in the other resorts. But before I get to that, here’s a tour so you can get the lay of the Landscape.

Overview Photos

You get to the restaurant through the Ink & Paint Shop gift store.

Ink and Paint Shop Gift Store

The seating areas are bright with blond wood tables and chairs.

Seating Areas

Overhead lights represent each of the four films highlighted at AoA: [Read more…]

Review: New! “Macaroon” Cupcake at Art of Animation Resort Food Court

By AJ 11 Comments

There’s a new cupcake being offered at the newly-opened Art of Animation resort! Thanks to our Disney Food for Families columnist, Erin Foster, we have all the delicious details.

These cupcakes in the new Art of Animation Resort Food court are gorgeous, and a variety of colors are available.

Cupcake Display

While it’s called a “macaroon cupcake,” the cookies resemble half of what’s being called in bakeries these days a macaron (see the difference between macaroons and macarons here). But how do they taste?

Erin tells us:
They have a classic “macaron-y” almond taste, but the texture is slightly off. Because the cookies are sitting on a big pile of icing, they can get damp. When I tried to pull a cookie off, just a shell-like layer came away at first. Not that this stopped me from eating it. It still had good flavor.