food IS a theme park
Say it ain’t so…
Plastic Cheese dispenser
Seriously? My beloved PLASTIC CHEESE (otherwise known as “Hot Cheese Sauce,” but whatever…) will no longer be offered on Disney World Counter Service restaurant condiment bars?!
As much as it pains me to say it, it DOES [Read more…]
Disney is currently testing a new transportation method — complimentary direct taxi service — for guests dining at select signature restaurants while staying at Walt Disney World monorail resorts!
Monorail Orange at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Until June 30, 2015, some guests at the monorail resorts (Grand Floridian, Polynesian, and Contemporary) will be selected to participate in this Disney dining test. Those invited to participate will receive complimentary round-trip vouchers delivered to their room.
Participants will have the option of enjoying direct taxi transportation to [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: The “Match the Species” Treats at Zuri’s Sweets Shop — aka the “poop” candy — is no longer available. Cast Members at the spot have said that it was only available as a test. We’ll let you know when/if we see it return!Zuri’s Sweets Shop
is open for business in Harambe Market at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!
Zuri’s Sweets Shop
And we are so excited to give you a little tour! But there’s a particular treat at this candy shop that may not be for the faint of heart… .
Of course there’s plenty of animal-themed candy and confections here at Zuri’s, but when your eye lands on the poop-themed candy?
Giraffe Poop
Let’s take a little look around the shop, and then we’ll give you our full review of [Read more…]
Starbucks opened today
in Disney’s Animal Kingdom, completing the line-up of Starbucks locations in Walt Disney World parks (the others being Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery, Epcot’s Fountain View, and Hollywood Studios’ Trolley Car Cafe along with Downtown Disney’s two locations).
On a recent tour of the building’s exterior (formerly a merchandise store), we noticed what looked like coffee beans added to the design elements. Africa is one of three main regions from which Starbucks sources their coffee!
As you approach the Starbucks from the front of the park (located between Discovery Island and Africa), this is the first Entrance of two that you will encounter.
Starbucks Entrance and Peter, a Super Helpful and Friendly Cast Member Decked Out in the Team Uniform
You’ll notice that the name “Creature Comforts” has stuck, which kind of make sense, right? I love the two little monkeys with their coffees flanking the sign. 😉
The Store’s Official Name is Creature Comforts. And Yes, They Do Serve Monkeys Apparently.
But just in case you’re not sure where you are, a subtle mermaid logo sign is posted near the door.
With [Read more…]
Fun news today from Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner!
You know how Columbia Harbour House used to have Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl? And you know how they don’t anymore and many, many, many of us still lament this on a regular basis?
Well, during a recent trip through the odyssey that is a Star Wars Weekend at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, one of our staffers spied a new menu at Min and Bills Dockside Diner that just might interest you…Clam Chowder Served in a BREAD BOWL.
Shazam.
Min and Bills Menu — Click to Enlarge
Bread bowls have been sorely missed in Disney World, although they remain a staple at several Disneyland spots, like Pacific Wharf Cafe and Royal Street Veranda.
So, it took us about 5 seconds to realize that we needed to get this and share it with you right now! And so…here it is.
It’s not a huge bread bowl, and it’s not Boudin Bakery (AFAIK); but it is hearty and the bread is clearly an artisan-type, fresh-baked boule that’s more interesting than your run-of-the-mill loaf. Pieces of onion make the boule visually interesting and infuse the bread with some complex flavor. Pretty, huh?
Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl is Back in WDW!
Under the little bread lid, you’ll find the boule hollowed out enough for about a cup of soup.
Clam Chowder in a Bread Bowl — Under the Lid
When I removed the lid, I was happy to see the fresh Bacon and Chive garnish, which gave the soup additional color, texture, and flavor. I personally think Clam Chowder benefits hugely from [Read more…]
Welp, it’s been all Animal Kingdom all the time around here, so why not share one more little bit of news!
Animal Kingdom’s Tree of Life
Remember a couple weeks ago when we visited the all-new Harambe Market in Animal Kingdom’s Africa for the first time?
Harambe Market
Harambe Market entrance
There was a sign peeking just over some construction walls across the way, painted with the name “Zuri’s Sweets.” At least, that’s as much as we could read from behind the walls at the time ;).
Zuri’s Sweets Shop sign
We’ve now learned that the official name for this new stop is Zuri’s Sweets Shop, and it will be opening its doors as the newest addition to Harambe Market on June 17th!
It seems that Zuri’s Sweets will offer plenty of familiar Disney confections… but with an Animal Kingdom twist…
©Disney
Altogether we can expect about 80 items including specialty candy apples and popcorn, many of which will be unique to Zuri’s Sweets Shop. Disney shared that the African Spice Popcorn will be flavored with a “hint of cardamom.”
©Disney
Keep an eye out for some of your favorite Lion King characters to appear on some of the package decorations. And note the paw-shape of the Simba lollipop! I don’t think I’ve ever seen an apple-flavored one before.
©Disney
The packaging, though, will vary throughout the [Read more…]
Well, we knew things would be changing at Animal Kingdom in short order, but I don’t know if we quite expected this…
As the park revs up for the much-anticipated (and delayed) reopening of Flame Tree Barbecue in early July, the kiosks that have been serving as temporary locations for Flame Tree items are starting to change again, too.
That includes Beastly Kiosk, which you’ll find in Discovery Island just outside of the entrance to Asia. [Editor’s note: Since the posting of this article, the Beastly Kiosk has been renamed, and is now Eight Spoon Cafe.] This small snack stand has been serving up three Flame Tree entrees, which was a definite departure from its typical menu of Mickey and Jalapeño Cheese-stuffed Pretzels (along with the occasional appearance of Corn Dogs on peak crowd days).
Well, the pretzels have indeed returned (woot!), along with two brand new items. Beastly Kiosk is now serving Baked Pasta Marinara with Mozzarella and — wait for it — BAKED LOBSTER MAC AND CHEESE!
Beastly Kiosk
What?!??!
New Beastly Kiosk menu
Why delay? Let’s dive right into that Lobster Mac, shall we?
Lobster Macaroni and Cheese
Let’s talk portion first: if you’ve visited any booths at Epcot during the Food and Wine Festival or Flower and Garden Festival, you’ll be familiar with this size dish. They’re definitely on the smaller size and not full-sized entrees, which is why you’ll see them listed as a snack credit (!!!!!!!! LOBSTER MAC IS A SNACK CREDIT!!!!!!!) on the Disney Dining Plan. If you’re not familiar with the size, hopefully that picture of my fork near the dish will give you some perspective.
With a dish this rich, the
Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery
is a simple , unassuming window-only bakery in Animal Kingdom’s Africa that boasts a LOT of cupcake goodness.
So, do you remember a few months ago, when we talked about some cupcake shake-ups at Kusafiri? To refresh your memory, a new (at that time) cupcake had joined the line-up: the Lion Cub Cupcake, featuring none other than Simba himself with a mane made of frosting.
At the same time, though, we found out that two other stars in the Disney cupcake realm had received a bit of a makeover, which left us slightly underwhelmed (the Zebra Cupcake and the White Chocolate Elephant Cupcake).
Well, there have been some more changes in Kusafiri’s cupcake world! First and foremost, with many thanks to DFB reader Cate C., we have a picture of the new Tree of Life Cupcake available now! Looks like this one’s for the chocolate lovers out there 🙂 .
Tree of Life Cupcake
Cate shared that while this one was good, she preferred the passion fruit Simba cupcake overall. (Here’s our shot of that cutie, as a reminder 🙂 ).
Lion Cub cupcake
But wait — there’s more news to share… take a look at [Read more…]
We have some exciting news today for you about the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’ve confirmed that Tequila Pairing Lunches in the Mexico Pavilion are back as part of the Special Events line up!
I had the chance to attend the luncheon a while back. It was a great way to spend the afternoon — sampling tequila, and learning how this versatile spirit can pair beautifully with different menu items.
In anticipation of this year’s lineup, our friends from the Mexico Pavilion recently held a tasting to determine just what would make the menu cut.
We’re excited to share some menu descriptions straight from La Cava del Tequila! Let’s take a closer look.
When I attended the Tequila Pairing Lunch, we enjoyed four courses, paired with three different tequilas as well as Agovera Liqueur. (This event is not for the faint of heart. 🙂 )
Display Table at Entry of Luncheon
As of the writing of this post, the lunch will include four courses paired with tequilas. But please keep in mind, the dishes are subject to change! Anything is possible between now and Festival Go-Time on September 25!
Your journey through the world of tequila will start with a Flautas de Carnitas — a mini crispy Flauta filled with Pork Carnitas and accompanied by Avocado, Cream, Queso Foam, Roasted Serrano Pepper, and Tomato.
Flautas de Carnitas
The next course, Sopa de Chile Poblano y Calabaza, will be prepared with Roasted Poblano Pepper, Zucchini, Cilantro, Queso Fresco, and Guajillo Pepper Oil.
The Main Entrée will be a combination of Mar y Tierra— Pan-Seared Snapper and Sirloin — served with a creamy [Read more…]
There is just a little time left to get in on some great online deals at the Disney Store!
Sale items have been marked up to 40% off for the summer version of the Twice Upon a Year Sale. We couldn’t resist peeking around and checking out some of the cuteness.
As per usual, some of our favorite items come from the Home & Decor section, since that’s where all the kitchen goodies reside online…
Um…super cute. I simply couldn’t pass up showing this Mickey Mouse Mug to you. They also have Goofy, Minnie, and Pluto versions! Adorable.
Just in time for all those cold beverages you crave on hot summer days! I don’t know which part of the Summer Fun Mickey Mouse Pitcher I like best. The front… [Read more…]
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