Review: Lunch at The Boathouse in Disney Springs

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It’s back to The Boathouse for us today on the DFB!

Learn About:
The Boathouse
Downtown Disney
Disney World Restaurants

The BOATHOUSE (as it’s officially known) has only been part of the Disney dining scene since this past April, when it opened in The Landing area of Disney Springs . (Believe it or not, though, it’s no longer the newest dining gig in town, since spots like Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, Vivoli il Gelato, and Morimoto Asia have all made their debuts since). Still, it has already made a big name for itself for a few reasons: first, its arrival marked the debut of the first of several more upscale dining additions coming to Disney Springs (with a price tag to match).

Second, with live music and watercraft tour options (have you seen the Amphicars?!), it’s also helping to ring in the entertainment-heavy focus that will continue to become a hallmark of several dining options in Disney Springs once the area’s transformation is complete.

While we explored the restaurant in full during its opening week, on my most recent trip, we decided to do things a little differently — a midday visit to explore what the main bar area has to offer.

The Boathouse Sign

The Boathouse Sign

Of course, we couldn’t help taking another quick look around this beautiful space first… [Read more…]

FULL MENU Review: Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney Springs, Walt Disney World

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Welcome, adventurers, to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in The Landing of Disney Springs!

Downtown Disney
Disney World Restaurants

Or should I say, “Welcome Back”? Just last week, we brought you a First Look from Opening Day of the Hangar, and today we’re back for a full review, including every single food item on the menu, several of the specialty cocktails from the uniquely-themed list of libations, and even a glimpse at some of the specialty souvenir drink glasses on their way to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar.

The reasons behind the high levels of anticipation surrounding the opening of the Hangar Bar have been twofold: first, the backstory surrounds Jock Lindsey — a frequent pilot for the movie character of Indiana Jones — so fans of the film franchise were especially excited to have the chance to step inside the story.

Second, the ongoing transformation from Downtown Disney into Disney Springs continues to bring a whole new kind of dining scene to Disney World, including more upscale dining venues like The Boathouse and Morimoto Asia (set to open this coming Wednesday), and uniquely-themed spots such as the one we’re visiting again today.

Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar Sign

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar Sign

So, we know who Jock Lindsey is… but why the “Hangar Bar”? You see, when Jock was flying Indiana Jones over Florida while searching for the Fountain of Youth, he just so happened to spot a piece of waterfront land that caught his attention. [Read more…]

First Look: Disney World’s Morimoto Asia Menu

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Morimoto Asia — the newest dining addition to Disney World’s Disney Springs — will open its doors to guests on September 30th. Reservations are available now via OpenTable.com, and will be available by calling the restaurant directly beginning September 30th at (407) 560-6686. Advance Dining Reservations will be available through (407) WDW-DINE beginning November 1st.

Ultimately, the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner (as well as a weekend brunch) with operating hours from 11 am to 2 am daily, but in its opening weeks it will be operating for dinner only.

Morimoto Asia concept art ©Disney

Morimoto Asia concept art ©Disney

Although, before you make that reservation for dinner you may want to know what’s on the menu :), which will be the first to feature Chef Masaharu Morimoto’s “pan-Asian” cuisine. Fortuantely, we’ve got a glimpse for you today, thanks to the Morimoto Asia Facebook page! [Read more…]

First Look! Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Disney World’s Disney Springs

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Join us, fellow members of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, for a First Look at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar! We’ll be back on Monday with a FULL REVIEW!

Downtown Disney
Disney World Restaurants

Newly open in The Landing of what will become Disney Springs, the new HANGAR is the latest Downtown Disney HANGOUT! Then again, maybe “new” isn’t really the word for it…

You see, as the story goes, Jock Lindsey — a frequently trusted pilot for Indiana Jones — discovered this waterfront property in 1938 as he flew with Indiana over Florida on the hunt for the Fountain of Youth.

He returned to the area in the 1940s to make his home, setting up a small business — Jock Lindsey’s “Air Tours” — offering scenic plane tours of the state. And now we are left with the Hangar that he also used to host his friends in the Society of Explorers and Adventurers, of which Jock, too, was a member.

Outside of Jock Lindsey's Hangar Bar

Outside of Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

Are you ready to step in and see what adventures await? [Read more…]

News: Full Menu Released for Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar

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Doors open at 11:30 am on SEPTEMBER 22nd to Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar in Downtown Disney!

Concept Art for Jock Lindey's Hangar Bar

Concept Art for Jock Lindey’s Hangar Bar

@WDWDowntown Twitter

@WDWDowntown Twitter

Last month, Disney gave us a sneak peek of what to expect on the menu full of bar eats, with Air Pirate Pretzels and “Squid! Why’d it have to be Squid?” headlining the selection. [Read more…]

Review: Italian Ice in Downtown Disney

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Amidst all the construction and general day-to-day bustle in Downtown Disney (not to mention some big name restaurants on the way as the Disney Springs transformation moves forward), it’s easy to forget there are a lot of little stands and kiosks dotting the area, including stops like Wetzel’s Pretzels and the Downtown Snow Company featuring shaved ice.

There are a few, though, that don’t have a brand name of any sort. They’re simply marked as “Italian Ice” stands, and you’ll find one on the West Side (next to the Characters in Flight balloon experience) and one in the Marketplace, just by the main stage where guest musicians (often school bands and choirs) perform.

Italian Ice kiosk sign

Italian Ice kiosk sign

The kiosks are small, but the one on the West Side is especially noticeable thanks to all the bright colors.

Italian Ice Kiosk

Italian Ice Kiosk

The main sign tells you ice cold treats are the headliner, but it just so happens you’ll find a variety of Churros here as well: typically Bavarian Cream, Dulce de Leche (caramel), and King Cinnamon and Sugar. (Alas, those Churro Ice Cream Sandwiches in Disneyland never made their way to the east coast). [Read more…]

Review: Lava Lounge at the Disney Springs Marketplace

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Today we’re taking this blog all the way to the edge… of Downtown Disney!

Learn About:
Lava Lounge
Downtown Disney
Disney World Restaurants

We’re stopping for drinks and grub at the Lava Lounge, found just about as far as you can go to the end of Downtown Disney’s Marketplace. It’s funny — with the majority of the transformation to Disney Springs affecting the Landing, the West Side, and the parking areas of Downtown Disney, the Marketplace feels largely unchanged.

Now, I know that’s not true, considering the addition of spots like the Marketplace Causeway, the Marketplace Co-op and Dockside Margaritas. But comparatively speaking, and even with the welcome additions in the other areas, it feels nice to still have some familiar spots to enjoy in the area.

It says something about the rate of change in Downtown Disney lately that the Lava Lounge — now just over two years old — feels like one of those familiar spots. Still, being relatively young in the scheme of things, a lot of DFB Readers haven’t had a chance to explore it. So let’s make our way underneath that big ol’ volcano and check it out!

Lava Lounge

Lava Lounge

Atmosphere

You’ll experience much of the atmosphere of the Lava Lounge before even entering the Lounge itself. The hallmark of the area, of course, is the “active” volcano, and if you’ve ever been anywhere in the Marketplace when it erupts with fire (about every half hour or so, I think), you’re familiar with the almost thunder-like roar that accompanies it. [Read more…]

Review: Bongos Cuban Café Express

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When you’re strolling through Downtown Disney, you really can’t miss Bongos Cuban Café.

Downtown Disney
Disney World Restaurants

The white building is huge, and takes up a hefty bit of space on the West Side, directly opposite Splitsville Luxury Lanes and right next to Exposition Park (home base for the Disney Food Trucks).

And, of course, part of the building is actually structured as an ENORMOUS PINEAPPLE. So that helps raise the profile a bit, too.

What’s harder to find – and indeed, most guests walk right by – is Bongos Cuban Café Express (sometimes referred to as the Bongos Walk-up Window). And it just so happens to be a great place to sit for a spell and grab a quick meal or snack.

The window is tucked into the left side (if you’re facing Bongos). So now that you know it’s there, let’s take a quick glance around!

Atmosphere

“Express” is part of the name for a reason — the setting [Read more…]

First Look and Review: The New Vivoli Gelateria in Disney World’s Disney Springs

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Welcome to your newest cold snack stop in The Landing at Downtown Disney… Vivoli Gelateria (also known as Vivoli Il Gelato)!

Vivoli Gelateria outside 3

Of course, calling it a “cold snack stop” hardly does it justice. For a brand new place on the Disney dining scene, it’s rich with a history that began in Florence, Italy, in 1932, when Raphael Vivoli became one of the founders of the business.

Vivoli Sign

Vivoli Sign

Plus, that little “cold snack” we’re referring to is gelato crafted using many ingredients such as cocoa powder, pistachio, and hazelnut directly from Italy.

Just a few flavors in store

Just a few flavors in store

I can’t wait anymore! Let’s [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 7, 2015

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It’s been another busy week in Disney news!

Vivoli Gelateria Opening Soon in The Landing Area of Disney Springs

Vivoli Gelateria Opening Soon in The Landing Area of Disney Springs

As we look around and see friends and family celebrating the kickoff to Summer, we are also ramping up to another busy season of fun in the Parks.

Hold onto your hat as we check out more breaking news on the Disney Springs front as well as updates to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine schedule. Read on to learn the latest!

Disney Food News

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 menu updates, restaurant closures, special events,
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 about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Today, we’re featuring some lighter eats at the Parks!

@CosplayForJedi shared this delicious dish and tweet with us about his vegan meal at Yak and Yeti: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again Yak and Yeti hooks it up for the vegans.”

Vegan Options at Animal Kingdom's Yak and Yeti

Vegan Options at Animal Kingdom’s Yak and Yeti

@TheRaz2007 also checked in with some fresh flavors from Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern (yep, it’s opened right now!)

Lunch at Magic Kingdom's Tortuga Tavern

Lunch at Magic Kingdom’s Tortuga Tavern

Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us!

Deal of the Week: 2015-2016 Disney World Vacation Must-Have E-Book Sale!

Do you have a Walt Disney World Trip on the books for this year? Woohoo!! There’s nothing more exciting than counting down the days to your next Walt Disney World Trip!

dfb2015_guide_3d

But, even the most spontaneous Disney fan knows that planning ahead is the key to a stress-less vacay. And that mantra is absolutely true when it comes to dining.

If you really want to dine in the hottest restaurants, you pretty much have to plan ahead. Be spontaneous, of course. But get a couple Advance Dining Reservations in place.

But which ones?

That’s where Disney Food Blog comes in, because we are all about the planning!!

You already enjoy our reviews, news, and tips daily on our Blog. But did you know — that’s JUST the tip of the iceberg. Because we have lots more to share with you in our complete line of DFB Guides.

If you’re ready for a fun, easy way to personalize eating and drinking your way through Disney, then check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book.
Fully updated for your 2015-2016 adventures, the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 490 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subject — Eating Your Way Through Disney! So you save time and money as you enjoy planning one of the most important parts of your trip. ;-)

And to thank all of you for your support of DFB, we are offering extra savings on our most popular DFB Guide right now. Just enter promo code 2015 at checkout and you’ll save $4 off of our cover price of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2015 e-Book!

But if you’d like to enjoy even more detail, check out another great offer.

DFB Everything Bundle SALE!

If you’d like even more great information, pictures, and tips, then the DFB Everything Bundle is the right fit for you.

Everything Bundle Collages

And to get you ready for that next big trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for $15 off the already low price! It’s like getting an entire book for free. Just enter promo code Everything15 at checkout to take advantage of this offer.

The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: [Read more…]