Archives for March 2011

Counter-Service Money-Saving Tip from the DFB Guide

As many of you know, we launched the latest Edition of our awesome Disney Dining e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining! And we’ve got some great Disney dining info from the e-Book for you today!

Cosmic Ray’s Bacon Double Cheeseburger with Fries

First up, one of our favorite counter-service money-saving tips! Some folks would rather not have the side items with their counter-service meal, but they feel strange asking to get the entree alone. Well guess what! Not only is that not strange, it can also save you some dough!

If you’re thinking that you’d rather skip the fries, ask the cast member for the “entree-only,” without the side dishes. This should knock off the cost of the fries or other side dish and leave you paying only for the main event!

So I guess this means that not only will you save money, but also calories… we could be onto something here!

Find this and over MANY other top money-saving tips for eating in Walt Disney World in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book! We also have a full chapter dedicated to how to find and make use of Disney World dining discounts, coupon programs, membership programs, and more!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

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What are some of your favorite money-saving tips in WDW? Let us know in the comments below!

Disney Food for Families: Learning Opportunities for the Budding Chef

By Erin 6 Comments

Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster captures some great ways to encourage your kids’ love of cooking!

Obviously one of the many reasons that families find Disney destinations to be such compelling vacation spots is that the parks and resorts are fully prepared to accommodate the interests of children. At various points, all of my girls have been captivated with the idea of becoming a chef (well, at least until they began to realize that kitchens have to be cleaned after they are used).

Disney does a wonderful job of indulging the interests of the budding chef by allowing children, and their parents, plentiful opportunities to observe and interact with the real-life culinary craftspeople that make the food magic happen.

Where to Learn from the Masters: Sweets

Our favorite Walt Disney World venue for chef interaction is at Goofy’s Candy Company at Downtown Disney. On one recent trip, my girls and I spent over an hour standing at the candy prep counter there watching a cast member make pan after pan of swoon-inducing fudge.

Fudge prep at Goofy's Candy Company

We have found that the cast members there are particularly gracious in taking the time to explain to curious bystanders exactly what they are doing, and why. We’ve even been offered small tasting spoonfuls of warm fudge batter to better assess the product as it transforms from [Read more…]

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining Grand Launch!

By AJ 15 Comments

Hooray! The day is finally here! The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book is now available for purchase and download!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 250 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite things — food and dining in Walt Disney World.

It’s guaranteed to help you make the most of your Walt Disney World dining!

As you 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 and fireworks.
A comprehensive and in-depth look at Disney World dining, including tips and tricks to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
The ability to be read on a smartphone, iPad, or computer!

To celebrate the grand launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the Guide for 20% off its standard rate for one week only! Order your copy now for only $14.95 (regularly $18.95).

And we’ve also included several bonus features that I know you’ll be excited to use!

For more detailed information and screen shots from the e-Book, head over to DFBGuide.com!

With a 100% money-back guarantee, you have nothing to lose! 🙂

Disney Food Trend: Trios

By AJ 12 Comments

Obviously Disney’s keen on the fact that most of us can’t make up our minds about what we want to try in their restaurants! They’ve slowly, but surely, started introducing ways for us to sample a little bit of everything — even when we’re not at a buffet.

Trios of dishes — small portions of three menu items served together as one dish — are popping up everywhere, from casual to signature dining. And while these used to be relegated to the dessert menu, we’re now seeing trios pop up in the appetizer and entree sections of the menu. Here are a few examples…

Appetizer Trios
Epcot’s Le Cellier put a trio of appetizers front and center on its menu a while ago, giving guests an opportunity to sample three of their most beloved apps: Cheddar Cheese Soup, Lump Crab, and the Tomato Stack.

Le Cellier Lunch Menu Appetizer Trio

Sanaa, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, has followed suit with trios of salads and appetizers. The one below includes [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 13, 2011

By AJ 1 Comment

Rose and Crown Pub

It’s been a busy week around here! I hope yours has been a good one! Welcome to Spring (hopefully those of you who lost an hour last night will catch up with a nice nap today!).

Don’t forget to plan some fun-ness for St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday! Here’s what’s happening around WDW and Disneyland this week!

This week in Disney food news:

We analyze Le Cellier’s new 2-credit signature dinner menu…
New refillable mugs are available!
The Via Napoli pizza window is back open!
Disney is extending dining times for the busy season
Disneyland’s Mother’s Day Buffet is open for booking

And now, on to the round-up!

Progress City USA analyzes Herb Ryman sketches for the “World Buffeteria,” a dining establishment slated for EPCOT Center that never came about.

Bakerella shows us that a little “homemade love” can result in adorable Mickey and Minnie cake pops! I’d probably get as far as the silhouettes 😉

Main Street Gazette attempts a feat I myself have not — and possibly will not — attempt: to eat a Turkey Leg. Oh, and I love the title reference.

Zannaland reported a while back on Disney’s AMC Theatre 24’s plans to launch Dine-In movies beginning in May. Food, film and fun!

Studios Central shares the back story to Sunset Ranch Market in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. One of our favorite spots for Imagineering detail!

Dining in Disneyland: St. Patrick’s Day Treats

By Heather 1 Comment

Dining in Disneyland columnist Heather Sievers is scouting the parks and Downtown Disney for some St. Patrick’s Day treats!

St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and Disneyland has a few treats to help you get into the spirit o’ the green. Check out this yummy fun from Marceline’s & The Blue Ribbon Bakery.

Chocolate Dipped Marshmallows from Marceline's

And over at the Blue Ribbon Bakery, check out these yummy, green [Read more…]

News: Refillable Mugs, Extended Dining, and Via Napoli Pizza-by-the-Slice

By Kim 13 Comments

Hey Disney die-hards and foodie fans! Here is some news for your nourishment.New Refillable Mugs

New refillable mugs for the 2011 “Let the Memories Begin” promotion are on sale now for $13.99 at your WDW resort.

2011 Refillable Mug

Lids (and handles) are now in blue, black, yellow and pink. Yes, pink! I know a few moms that will be grabbing up the “princessy” mugs! 😉

Make sure each member of the family gets a different lid color. That way Mom doesn’t have to sip Dad’s coffee and Dad won’t be taking unintentional gulps of Mom’s diet soda. Note that not all the resorts appear to have the black lids. Let me know which mug types you spot during your WDW resort stay!

Extended Dining Options
It’s almost Spring Break time! WDW is extending dining times at Boma, Cape May Cafe, Chef Mickey’s, Garden Grill, Le Cellier Steakhouse, ‘Ohana and [Read more…]

Snack Series: Contempo Cafe Dulce De Leche Cupcake

By AJ 11 Comments

Before we delve into the Snack Series, I wanted to give you a little update on The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining E-Book!

The time is drawing nigh! Be sure you’re signed up for our DFB Newsletter to get all the details when the E-Book is released — including the info about the Reader Discount! As a sneak peek, here are just a few of the extras we’ve got for you in the E-Book:

— An in-depth look at Bars and Lounges in Walt Disney World
— Where to find more interesting kids’ meals
— Sample dining itineraries
— And more!

Stay tuned! But now, back to today’s regularly scheduled post…
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In addition to the black forest cupcake, Contempo Cafe in Disney’s Contemporary Resort also carries this little beauty:

Dulce De Leche Cupcake

The Dulce de Leche cupcake is a vanilla cupcake piled high with sweet, creamy caramel frosting. Again, this isn’t the buttery, lard-y frosting you’ll find with the cupcakes over at Starring Rolls Cafe, which automatically makes it [Read more…]

Guest Review: The Pinocchio Village Haus

By AJ 22 Comments

Let’s welcome back guest reviewer Bill Iadonisi with another insightful and delicious Disney World restaurant review! Bill travels to the Magic Kingdom’s The Pinocchio Village Haus this week, so let’s tag along. Take it away, Bill!

Learn About:Pinocchio Village Haus

Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

Hello again Food Blog readers! We are back on track reviewing Disney’s amazing array of Counter-service restaurants. This week we mosey over to the Magic Kingdom again, Fantasyland to be exact, and explore another of my favorite watering holes, The Pinocchio Village Haus.

This eatery, like everything else in Disney, is richly themed and has a very interesting back story. So before I begin to explore the cuisine, I would like to acquaint all with this interesting story:

Atmosphere and Story
As all fans know, Pinocchio is the tale of a puppet that comes to life and becomes a real boy when he proves himself truthful, brave and able to tell right from wrong. This story is set in Italy. In fact the name “Pinocchio” in Italian means “Pine Eyes.”

Pinocchio's Village Haus

But the Pinocchio Village Haus has more of a German motif than Italian; even the word “Haus” is German. Why? You can blame Disney chief Illustrator Gustaf Tenggren, who after being hired by Disney in 1936 was given the task of imparting an “Old World” look to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

This influence rolled over into the film Pinocchio, where Old World German architecture won out over [Read more…]

St. Patrick’s Day Events and Menus in Disney World and Disneyland

By Kim 4 Comments

We certainly don’t need a reason to celebrate (with beer!) while visiting a Disney park, however we’re really excited about the extra Irish-inspired fun that Disney is dishing up for St. Patrick’s Day. Below, we detail events and special menu items throughout Disney World and Disneyland!

Raglan Road, WDW Downtown Disney
Raglan Road opens their doors at 11:00AM on St. Paddy’s Day for a full day of festivities! The fun begins at Noon with musicians, dancers and face painting. While savoring the traditional Shepherd’s Pie, look for the house band, Creel! In the evening, toast your Irish friends and watch eLevation as they perform your favorite U2 songs. There is a $10 cover charge.

Raglan Road

Earlier in the week, Raglan Road is celebrating with a few more events! This Sunday, attend their first ever traditional Irish Ceili (pronounced kay-lee) and join in the Irish dancing! As Lorraine from Raglan Road says, “We’re pushing the furniture back and letting everyone join in!” Sounds like fun! Click the image for [Read more…]