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New! Orange Slush at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

I’m excited to share another new addition to the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World with you today!!

We shared the scoop on the new Root Beer Slush at Pecos Bill’s a couple of weeks ago, and now guest favorite Tomorrowland counter-service spot Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe has a new beverage — an Orange Slush!

This is awesome news for those of us who loved the orange slush over at Sunshine Tree Terrace during the short time that it was available. I hope this one is just as good!

Served with whipped cream, the slush is currently priced around $3.69. It’s tart orange flavor is sweetened with a little bit of added whipped cream. This melds the flavors together so the drink resembles a creamsicle! Yum.

Orange Slush at Cosmic Ray's!

So far, the beverage seems very popular. According to cast members, [Read more…]

Review: Downtown Disney’s Italian Ice Stand and NEW! Taco Truck

By AJ 11 Comments

It’s time to take a quick trip to Downtown Disney in Disney World to check out a great way to cool your jets while you’re in Orlando this Summer!

Downtown Disney Italian Ice Stand

You may walk right past this kiosk in Downtown Disney, but it’s worth stopping during those hot Florida days! The Italian Ice stand is located near the middle of Downtown Disney’s West Side between the Characters in Flight Attraction and the bridge to Pleasure Island.

Italian Ice!

They offer six different flavors of Italian ice in three different sizes. Don’t you just love when a treat is fat free AND delicious?!

Italian Ice Menu.

On our visit, we sampled the Tie Dye, which was a mixture of three different flavors — Blue Raspberry, Lemonade, and Lime.

Italian Ice Tubs.

Not only was this very pretty — the ice had [Read more…]

News! Disney Dining Plan Price Increase

By AJ 42 Comments

News on the Disney Dining Plan front! Disney has increased the cost of the Quick Service, Standard, and Deluxe Disney Dining Plans for all rack rate bookings made on or after June 17, 2013.

I’ve called Disney reservations about four times trying to get exact costs, but I keep getting different answers. The only consistent info is that, yes, the prices are higher than they were earlier this year. So please note that your mileage may vary within a few cents of the pricing listed below.

We’ve also heard that Disney may do away with seasonal pricing, but all of the reservations agents I spoke to still quoted me seasonal prices (i.e. the plans will cost more during busier times at the parks).

Disney Dining Plan Prices

Here’s what you can expect for Dining Plan costs going forward. Remember that seasonal pricing may vary by a dollar or two.

Quick-Service Dining Plan
$39.64 per night ages 10 and up (no seasonal pricing)
$15.75 per night age 3 to 9 (no seasonal pricing)
(Increase from earlier 2013 pricing of $37.58 and [Read more…]

Review: Breakfast Cone and Pear of Dice Soda at Cars Land’s Cozy Cone Motel

By AJ 14 Comments

I was SO excited to try this new Breakfast Cone at Disney California Adventure’s Cozy Cone Motel, and I can’t wait to tell you about it!

This super-themed snack stop comes to you straight from the animated feature Cars, and it figures prominently into the landscape of the park’s newest area, Cars Land.

Cozy Cone Sign

I headed over to the popular spot one sunny morning to try out something we hadn’t seen here on Disney Food Blog firsthand yet — the Breakfast Cones! Time to see if they lived up to my expectations!

Atmosphere

If you are a fan of the Disney Pixar film Cars, then you are going to love Cars Land. Everywhere you turn, you feel like you’ve wandered into the movie. And nowhere is that more apparent than at the Cozy Cone Motel.

And look! Mater is parked out front of the office, waiting for Sally! (And check out the taillight coneflowers in the garden. 🙂 )

The Cozy Cone Motel in Disney California Adventure Cars Land

Have a peek through the windows to look around the office before moving on. You’ll see lots of thoughtful details from the movie, and you’ll even catch a glimpse of another Pixar hero — Buzz Lightyear — peeking from under a pylon.

Buzz Lightyear Peeking Out From Below a Cone

Beyond the front office building, where guest cars would check in to the motel in the movie, you find the various cones, which serve as rooms for tired travelers heading down Route 66. In Cars Land, rather than providing lodging, the cones serve snacks!

The different cones feature different snacks. Head to Cone #1 for [Read more…]

News! 2014 Disney World Free Dining Packages for United Kingdom Residents

By Kim LaPaglia 18 Comments

United Kingdom residents — we have GREAT news! Now’s the time to start planning your 2014 holiday to the Walt Disney World Resort. When you book a selected Walt Disney World holiday, you’ll receive free dining for your family!!

Disney Deal

Disney is offering a less restrictive Free Dining deal to United Kingdom residents, PLUS you’ll receive a $200 Disney Gift Card and 14 park days for the price of 7. However you’ll need to book prior to July 1, 2013, for select arrival between January 1 – April 8 and April 27 – November 30, 2014.

If you stay at a selected Disney Hotel for a minimum of 5 nights, you’ll benefit from these three magical offers:

1. FREE Disney Dining for your whole party throughout your entire stay at Walt Disney World.

2. FREE $200 Disney Spending Money.

3. Disney’s 14-Day Ultimate Ticket which includes unlimited entry to ALL six parks for a price of a Disney’s 7-Day Ultimate ticket.

PLUS save 35% on your accommodation by staying at Disney’s Old Key West Resort or Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa in a studio room.

Who doesn't want unlimited free Mickey waffles??

This offer is available on participating Disney Moderate, Deluxe Villa or Deluxe Resort hotel stays plus tickets.

Bookings must include 5 nights minimum stay at a Walt Disney World Hotel plus Disney’s 14 Day Ultimate Tickets for the whole party traveling to receive “14 day tickets for the [Read more…]

DIY Disney Recipe: Nebraska Corn Chowder from Storytellers Cafe

By Kim LaPaglia 16 Comments

This week, guest chef Carol returns with one of my FAVORITE recipes! This time she cooks up the Corn Chowder from the Storytellers Café at the Grand Californian in the Disneyland Resort!

So, I’d never been to Disneyland California until just recently! I know, I know, but please hear me out before you judge! I grew up in Central Florida…in Walt Disney World’s backyard.

But recently, I made my first trip to Disneyland! It was just like the commercials…you know with all the families making memories together! We were there with my husband’s family including our two cute, adorable li’l nieces! I couldn’t wait to wear those fun Family Reunion pins.

The first thing I did when I found out we were going was make my foodie list…of course! I also dug into my Disney cookbooks to start making fun dishes at home to get us excited about the trip.

I was excited to find several fun recipes from Disneyland California in my Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs cookbook. The Storytellers Cafe Corn Chowder definitely caught my eye, since my grocery store is full of fresh, sweet corn right now. The recipe is served fresh every day in the Storytellers Café at Disneyland’s Grand Californian Resort, and it’s been on the menu since the restaurant opened.

Storyteller's Cafe Corn Chowder -- as served in the restaurant

This recipe is super easy to make and can be ready to serve the same night you make it! So, let’s get started:

Ingredients

This is a great one to make during the Summer when you’ve got all kinds of fresh sweet corn at the farmers’ markets and grocery stores!

Corn Chowder Ingredients.

-4 ears fresh corn, unshucked
-2 slices bacon, diced
-1 tbsp diced onion
-1 tsp chopped garlic
-1 Yukon Gold potato, peeled and diced
-4 cups chicken stock
-6 tbsp butter [Read more…]

Disney Recipe: Clam Chowder from Disney World’s Liberty Tree Tavern

By AJ 6 Comments

UPDATE:

Thanks to reader Elizabeth for calling our attention to an error in the recipe! We consulted one of our favorite Mickey Cookbooks to bring you the correct details!

One of my husband’s fa-vor-ite dishes in Disney World is this super creamy clam chowder from Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom!

Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom

It’s a New England style clam chowder, which means it’s made with milk and ends up creamy instead of brothy in the end. This delicious goodie has been a staple on the Liberty Tree Tavern menu for years, and it’s a guest favorite.

Clam Chowder from Liberty Tree Tavern

But here’s a DFB Tip: don’t have time for a long lunch? Head on over to Columbia Harbour House nearby to get a similarly delicious chowder fix, counter-service style!

Let’s get cookin’…

New England Clam Chowder

Liberty Tree Tavern, Magic KingdomIngredients (Makes 6 Servings):

1/2 cup celery, diced small
1/2 cup onions, diced small [Read more…]

New! Strawberry and Cream Cupcake Debuts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 15 Comments

While hanging out in Disney’s Hollywood Studios last week, we were super psyched to see a brand new Disney cupcake that has debuted for the Summer in the park — the Strawberry and Cream Cupcake!

We first stumbled upon it while in line for lunch at Rosie’s All-American Cafe and there’s no way we could pass it up.

Just in Time for Summer -- Strawberry and Cream Cupcake

The CM taking my order let us know that the brand new cupcake had made its appearance only the day before, and that it was delish. As usual at the Studios, the seasonal offering is available in other spots as well.

I spied it at Backlot Express, and it was also available alongside other famous Hollywood Studios cupcakes like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake and the Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls.

Strawberry and Cream Cupcake at Starring Rolls

Of course, it was a [Read more…]

Review: Main Street Bakery Starbucks in Walt Disney World

By AJ 139 Comments

We shared a few inaugural images of the newly opened Disney World Starbucks in the Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom with you on Saturday. But I always LOVE seeing as many pics as I can of new Disney World spots, so I wanted to share a few more today!! (Don’t worry — we’ll have another great non-Starbucks food review this afternoon!)

Disney World Starbucks Window Display

Upon walking up to the shop, you’ll see both the familiar and the new. Starbucks coffee bean bags have joined the standard window display now, and Starbucks signage is prominent outside of the bakery.

Starbucks Signage is Prominent

Starbucks Window Signage Features the Older Starbucks Logo

But this newly refurbished facade still indicates the turn-of-the-century charm that we expect to see on Main Street USA.

Main Street Bakery Starbucks facade

Atmosphere

Inside the bakery, you’ll find that the dark woods and Victorian decor continues — reminiscent of the former incarnation of Main Street Bakery.

Cast members are still clad in Victorian costume, and chandeliers remain [Read more…]

FIRST LOOK! Main Street Bakery Starbucks Offers Soft Opening!

By AJ 153 Comments

Main Street Bakery fans and Starbucks coffee aficionados — this news is for you!

After a long refurbishment, the Main Street Bakery — Now with STARBUCKS! — in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom is in “soft opening”. During soft opening, guests are receiving dining vouchers for admittance. This allows Disney to test out a newly updated venue and keep control of the crowd.

Main Street Bakery -- Now with Starbucks!

As we announced earlier, the renovation made way for the FIRST Starbucks location inside a Disney World theme park. And not long ago, we showed the Starbucks signage!

Here are the magical passes that allowed guests into the bakery this morning.

Dining Voucher for Main Street Bakery's Soft Opening.

Main Street Bakery Starbucks Atmosphere

Inside, the refurbished Main Street Bakery we don’t spot any glaring Starbucks presence. However, DFB reporter Shawn B. tells us “It’s all Starbucks here. All Starbucks cups, many of the pastries in the pastry display are all from Starbucks. I recognized the coffee cakes and pound cakes immediately.”

Starbucks!

Main Street Bakery Cases.

Here are a few of the eats that were available for today’s breakfast! We see a cinnamon roll listed, but were told at the Bakery that we’d have to go to Gaston’s Tavern for a cinnamon roll today. We’ll keep an eye on that situation for you!

Starbucks at Disney World -- Eats

Drinks are standard Starbucks drinks. Note the Disney Dining Plan symbol to show that these are a snack credit.

Starbucks at Main Street Bakery -- Drinks!

The drinks are marked like Starbucks trains their baristas to do. The first Cast Member actually takes your drink order, calls it over the headset, and writes it down. If you don’t order your drink there, they will take it just as Starbucks does at the counter and mark the cup appropriately. They also take names to call out.

Main Street Bakery Taking Orders!

Main Street Bakery.

The condiment bar is the same as a Starbucks. It has

[Read more…]

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New! Orange Slush at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom