February is the month we celebrate love!
And since we LOVE few things more than checking out all the goings-on with FOOD all over Disney World, what say we take a whirlwind tour around the parks (and a few resorts) and see What’s New?! [Read more…]
food IS a theme park
By Wendy 6 Comments
February is the month we celebrate love!
And since we LOVE few things more than checking out all the goings-on with FOOD all over Disney World, what say we take a whirlwind tour around the parks (and a few resorts) and see What’s New?! [Read more…]
By AJ 27 Comments
We’re heading back to one of Disney’s best kept signature dining secrets — Citricos!
The fancy-schmancy restaurant is located at the lush and luxurious Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, which is home to no less than three Disney Signature Restaurants. (Victoria and Albert’s and Narcoossee’s round out the list.) Narcoossee’s has the great fireworks view, and V&A’s is the best restaurant in central Florida, so you might be wondering what could possibly set Citricos apart and make it worth your time and money?
Well, let’s take a look, and maybe I can help you to answer that question.
You’ll find Citricos on the second floor of the Grand Floridian, off of the main atrium and tucked behind Victoria and Albert’s. It’s at the back of the hotel, and as a result, offers really lovely views of the resort’s grounds.
As you enter, you’ll walk through Citricos Lounge, where you can enjoy a cocktail and a menu of small plates, even without an advance dining reservation. [Read more…]
By AJ 20 Comments
We’re tackling another question from the DFB Reader mailbag! And today, it’s all about breakfast.
Our reader asks:
Where can we get a good breakfast if we are NOT into characters or buffets?
There are lots of spots to enjoy a terrific breakfast at Walt Disney World — even if you prefer not to have characters, and you’d rather order a la carte.
We’ll break down a few of our favorites below, and share why these spots are tops for starting your Disney Day.
If you are crunched — for time, money, or both — then consider some of Disney’s best Counter Service Breakfast options.
Deluxe resorts are some of my favorite spots for counter service eats. Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge offers Mickey Waffles with a variety of toppings. We love the Bananas Foster option!
And at Captain Cook’s, located in the Polynesian Village Resort, you can indulge in an iconic Disney breakfast — Tonga Toast — without paying table service prices!
Welcome back to Animal Kingdom’s Smiling Crocodile!
Now, you may be thinking, “Huh? What do you mean ‘welcome back’? I’ve never heard of the Smiling Crocodile.”
Well, the Smiling Crocodile previously went by a name you may be more familiar with: the Gardens Kiosk. In fact, several Animal Kingdom snack stands have received mini-makeovers in the form of new names and, in several cases, updated paint colors; spots like the Eight Spoon Cafe (formerly the Beastly Kiosk), Mahindi (which was Harambe Popcorn) and Warung Outpost (previously known as Upcountry Beverages).
In most cases, though, the changes have been in name and fresh coats of paint only while the menus have remained the same. The Smiling Crocodile, however, is one of the exceptions to the rule. Last summer brought a menu refresh to this kiosk featuring the Trek Power Salad and Farmers Salad along with some unique and refreshing beverages.
But our recent visit to the Smiling Crocodile was to check out its refreshed menu and try one of the new items: Smoky Cheddar Grits. Care to join us? [Read more…]
By AJ 6 Comments
Remember oh those many years ago when I presented you with my Top Five Disney Brownies?
Well, times change… as do snacks and desserts in and around Disney World. And now here we are celebrating a still-new year, and the brownie landscape has changed. While a few of our favorites from Round One continue to grace our list of Best Brownies, some are no longer available. (We miss you, Paw Print Brownie and Brownie Fudge Sundae!)
But fret not… there’s still no shortage of classic brownie goodness in Disney World (and some not-so-classic, as you’ll notice many of these feature a twist on tradition).
Whaddya say we make a NEW Best Brownies list?
That’s right… a new list for a new year! Grab a fork and get ready to dig into some chocolatey brownie deliciousness with me!
Pin it for later!
OK, this is probably the best thing you will put into your mouth all month. Let me say that I eat a lot — A LOT — of Disney food, and much of it is sweet deliciousness; but this thing took my breath away.
You can find the Peanut Butter Brownie with Warm Caramel Sauce at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot. And here’s the kicker…
We’re celebrating the grand launch of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 e-Book! This valuable resource is fully updated for 2016 Disney vacations, and is now available for purchase and download to help you make the most of your dining plans while in Disney World.
The fully updated DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 530 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World.
It’s guaranteed to help you navigate your way to delicious dining on your next trip! And if you’re ready to get yours now, head on over to DFBStore.com to pick it up!!
For our Grand Launch Sale, use code: HAPPYPLACE to get a $4 discount for a limited time!
We know that when it comes to your Disney trips, planning ahead is practically essential these days. And if you can save time and money in the process — even better!
By Wendy 7 Comments
Happy (almost!) Chinese New Year!
The “Year of the Monkey” begins on February 8th, and Nine Dragons Restaurant in Epcot’s China Pavilion will celebrate with special menu items for nearly the whole year. From February 8, 2016 through January 27 of next year, guests at Nine Dragons will find a new prix-fixe option available for lunch as well as additional items on the regular menu.
For lunch, the prix-fixe special will include three courses for $17.98. Begin your meal with spring rolls or pot stickers, then choose from three entrees for the main course: Happily Family (sliced chicken breast, beef and shrimp stir fry), Moo Goo Gai Pan featuring stir-fried chicken breast with mushrooms and snow peas, and General Tso’s Chicken Buns Lunch Box: three steamed buns (basically, these are Chinese tacos) and hot-and-sour soup. For dessert, try either strawberry-red bean or ginger-caramel ice cream.
Three steamed buns will also be featured on the regular menu for the year-long celebration: Braised Pork Belly with chili aioli, Sweet-and-Sour Batter-fried Fish with a pork floss topping, and General Tso’s Chicken buns (also batter-fried). [Read more…]
Greetings from Pop Culture Past… ‘cuz we’re back at Everything Pop Food Court at Pop Century Resort!
We JUST visited Landscape of Flavors in the Art of Animation Resort to try their new Miniature Whoopie Pies. I mention that because those unfamiliar with this area of Disney World may not know that it’s just a quick stroll over the bridge across Hourglass Lake to Pop Century. This is a huge boon for guests at either resort who have easy access to arguably two of the best food courts in Disney World. Hoping to try more exotic flavors? Hop on over to the Landscape. Craving comfort food served up with a side of quirkiness? Take a stroll to Everything Pop!
Now typically, if I’m here for dessert, it’s because I’m craving the King Cupcake, which has earned a place of honor on my Disney Food Bucket List!
But on this visit, fresh from Art of Animation, I couldn’t help but notice that Everything Pop is hopping on the Mini Train, too. In this case, it’s an assortment of Mini Dessert Tarts up for grabs, so let’s “pop” in for bite!
Everything POP Food Court certainly lives up to its name…
It hosts a bright and fun atmosphere with lots of color and creativity. [Read more…]
Disney California Adventure has removed the Donald Duck meet and greet gazebo on Paradise Pier for a very good reason; Cove Bar expansion! The new seating is adjacent to the existing bar. (If you are a Donald fan, don’t fret… Donald has been moved over to Buena Vista Street and he now has Daisy there as his companion.)
I’m sure your first thought is, “Awesome, more seats, less wait!” But alas, this is far from the truth. I recently when to check out the expansion and some new menu items. It was a Friday just before noon and we still waited 45 minutes for a party of 2. Personally I think the Cove Bar is worth the wait, but I also think that if they filled the whole pier with Cove Bar seating, there would still be a long wait. It’s THAT good. You can see that others agree with me. This is the line we waited in.
By AJ 40 Comments
Do you have your Advance Dining Reservation to enjoy the Flying Fish as we know it for this, its final week? Though the Flying Fish will reopen later this Fall, its refurbishment — beginning on Monday, February 1st — will bring major changes to this BoardWalk favorite. Not only is the location being “reimagined” with a new look, but the Chef’s Counter experience will offer table seating in order to accommodate more guests.
Even the menu will receive a makeover (though Disney has promised that the Potato-wrapped Snapper and seasonal approach will remain. I’m personally crossing my fingers for the return of my favorite Char-crusted Angus New York Strip Steak). [Read more…]