Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek | the disney food blog

These Hotels Will GUARANTEE You More Park Time in Disney World

Change is something that has become synonymous with Disney World over the years and more particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes with FastPasses+, entertainment, and extra magic hours had some people wondering if a trip to Disney World was even worth it anymore.

Mornings can be busy in Magic Kingdom!

Speaking of Extra Magic Hours, in 2021, Disney World replaced the hotel perk with Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours. If you are unfamiliar with Extra Magic Hours, they were first implemented to allow guests staying at a Disney Hotel to either gain early access or stay later in the theme parks. The idea is still the same, but a bit simpler with Early Theme Park Entry allowing guests to enter any of the parks 30 minutes early every day to get a head start. But, which hotels have access to this benefit? Well, we have a FULL LIST for you! [Read more…]

A NEW Hotel Is Now OPEN in Disney World

By Brooke McDonald 2 Comments

A BRAND NEW hotel has just joined the ranks of the Bonnet Creek-area hotels, which are located INSIDE the gates of Walt Disney World.

Walt Disney World Resort entrance

The JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa opened July 1st and is located just down the road from other popular Bonnet Creek resorts the Hilton Orlando-Bonnet Creek Resort, the Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, and the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

[Read more…]

Food and Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Bonnet Creek

By AJ and the DFB Team 1 Comment

The 2018 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is happening now through November 12 celebrating food and wine (and more) from around the world.

And, there’s another foodie celebration hosted by the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Bonnet Creek that is meant to complement and enhance your Epcot Food and Wine Festival experience — the Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.

Food and Wine Weekends

The Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria features a selection of tasting events highlighting dishes from the hotel’s signature restaurants along with their master mixology team and pastry team. Let’s check out some of the goodies. [Read more…]

Orlando’s Magical Dining Month is Back This September!

By AJ 8 Comments

Once again, if you’re planning to visit Walt Disney World during the month of September, you can take advantage of Orlando Magical Dining Month! And this year, the discounts actually start six days early during a brand-new Preview Week!

Mark your calendars for August 25 — September 30. During that time, guests can enjoy prix-fixe menus at more than 75 Orlando Area Restaurants — including a few at Disney-area spots!

Dinners at all of the restaurants will feature three courses from a set menu for $33. And even better — $1 from each dinner will go to benefit the Foundation for Foster Children!

La Luce Butterscotch Pudding – YUM!

If you’re Disney-bound during this time and would like to take advantage of the savings while dining on property, check out the offerings from these participating restaurants!

Il Mulino

, located at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, offers some of the best Italian fare that we’ve enjoyed in Walt Disney World. Check out a review of our recent visit!

Il Mulino Magical Dining Menu

La Luce by Donna Scala

You’ll find La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort. The menu features [Read more…]

News! Magical Dining Month in Orlando Returns September 2013

By AJ 8 Comments

We’re so excited to see Magical Dining Month return to the Orlando area in September! This is always SUCH a great deal, and combining awesome food with an option to support a worthy charity is a win.

In its eighth year, this month-long event sponsored by Visit Orlando offers diners a culinary celebration at more than 60 restaurants offering three-course, prix fixe dinner for just $33. The dinners include an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.

This year’s event benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida, and $1 from each meal will be donated.

This celebration takes place September 1-30, 2013, at top-rated Orlando restaurants including:

Disney World Area Restaurants:

Deep Blu Seafood Grille
Il Mulino New York Trattoria – Read our review here!
Todd English’s bluezoo – Read our review here!
La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Bonnet Creek – Read our [Read more…]

Disney Food Blog Challenge: The Disney World Milkshake Crawl

By AJ 21 Comments

Sweet, dreamy, creamy milkshakes. When you are craving one, nothing else will quite do. In honor of National Ice Cream month, it’s time to do another Disney Food Blog food crawl: MILKSHAKES!

Not surprisingly, some of my favorite milkshakes can be found right in Walt Disney World. If milkshakes are a favorite of yours, too, allow me to tempt you with a brand new food challenge — the Disney Food Blog Milkshake Crawl!

This one is a doozy! So if you break it up over a couple of days, we totally understand.

And be sure to let us know in the comments which milkshake is your favorite and which ones you highly recommend!

Cookies and Cream Milkshake at Plaza Restaurant

The Plaza Restaurant

is one of my favorite table service spots in Magic Kingdom. It’s rarely super busy, and the prices are reasonable. As a bonus, there are some pretty amazing ice cream dessert options on the menu, thanks to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor right next door.

My favorite beverage-meets-dessert options here are the Hand-Dipped Milkshakes.

Milkshake at Magic Kingdom

Served in old-fashioned glasses, and topped with [Read more…]

56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets from Disney Food Blog

By AJ 94 Comments

Disney may be The Most Magical Place on Earth, but nothing can wreck the happy faster than poor planning.

This is especially true when it comes to one of the most important parts of your trip — eating! After decades of Disney dining, we’ve perfected some expert tips and advice to get the most out of your Disney World visit.

Today, we’re sharing our 56 Must-Read Disney Dining Secrets to ensure that you have the magical visit of your dreams!

Top Disney Parks Dining Secrets

Let’s get started!

1. Make dining reservations. Even if you don’t follow any other piece of advice, we can’t say this emphatically enough. To fully appreciate the truly entertaining and delicious array of Disney Dining offerings, you must make Advance Dining Reservations. If you wait until you arrive at Disney to make table service arrangements, you may miss out on many of your top picks because they will be booked.

Book Dinner at Be Our Guest Restaurant 180 Days in Advance to Guarantee a Table

2. BYOP (Bring Your Own Pepsi). Yep. Those of you who are die-hard Pepsi drinkers will be sad to note that any and all Disney establishments will not carry Pepsi products. It’s a Coke-only zone here! So either bring your own Pepsi, or plan to take a trip to a nearby gas station, convenience store, grocery store, or drug store to pick up your stash. You can also order it and have it delivered directly to your hotel from Garden Grocer.

No Pepsi Here.

3. Don’t miss the must-eat items! After years of eating Disney goodies, we here at Disney Food Blog have amassed quite a list of “must-eat” treats in Disney parks and resorts. Cult favorites like Dole Whip Floats, Zebra Domes, School Bread, and Mickey Bars are high priority when you’re visiting The Most Magical Place on Earth. To read up on our favorites, head over to our Best Disney World Restaurants Page for some great “Best Of” posts like Best Cookie Snacks in Disney World, favorite Disney ice cold snacks, Disney’s best grilled cheese, and more! And if you’re headed to Disney World for the first time, you must read our Best Disney Restaurants for First-Timers article — very helpful!

Dole Whip Float! A Must-Eat snack for every Disney guest.

4. Make your reservations 60 days prior to your visit whenever possible. Nope — it’s not enough to just make reservations; you need to make them as early as possible. For most restaurants, that’s 60 days prior to the date you’re seeking. If you’re staying in a Disney hotel, you can book all of your reservations for up to 10 days beginning exactly 60 days before the first day of your trip.

5. Don’t pay for food you don’t want. One of my favorite Disney Dining tips is to be a squeaky wheel when you need to be. Disney is very good at customizing meals, and at counter-service restaurants, your customized meal might even save you some money! For example, [Read more…]

Review: Beech Pool Bar and Grill at Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort in Walt Disney World

By AJ 10 Comments

We’re just getting into Springtime in Orlando, and now is the perfect time to sit by the pool with a cocktail (or mocktail!).

So for your Friday Zen-ness today, I’ve got the perfect destination…

Aaaaahh...that's better, isn't it?

Beech Pool Bar at the Hilton Bonnet Creek Resort is one of the most relaxing spots I’ve visited within the gates of Walt Disney World.

A massive lazy river and pool complex is the perfect addition to a sunny Orlando afternoon…and the frozen hot chocolate doesn’t hurt either. But more on that later…

Beech Pool Bar

Let’s dive in!

Atmosphere

Beech is more than your standard pool bar. There are plenty of tables and chairs for eating a full meal, but if relaxation is on the docket, consider curling up with a cocktail by one of the [Read more…]

Valentine’s Day Menu: La Luce by Donna Scala at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort

By AJ Leave a Comment

One of our favorite Italian eateries in Walt Disney World, La Luce by Donna Scala, has thrown its hat into the Valentine’s Day ring with a special menu!

Seating at La Luce

The restaurant, located within the maingate of Disney World at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, offers fresh and imaginative takes on Italian cuisine. You can read my review of a wonderful dinner here!

If you’re in town and don’t want to battle Disney crowds for Valentine’s Day, take advantage of this incredible menu. They’ll actually be serving the special menu February 14, 15, and 16.

La Luce Offers a Special Menu for Valentine's Weekend

My suggestion? [Read more…]

Details! Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Bonnet Creek

By AJ Leave a Comment

We mentioned in August the exciting news that Food & Wine Weekends at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek would be returning in 2012 for the second year in a row!

Today? We’ve got a little more info for ya!

Billed as “the perfect complement to the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival“, Orlando Food & Wine Weekends will be held over all six weekends during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival.

The Waldorf Astoria Orlando and Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek aim to “fill the gaps” around the Festival by offering visitors to Walt Disney World a delicious “home base” as they [Read more…]