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Category: News

New! iPad Wine List Debuts at Victoria & Albert’s in Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort

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I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World last week and had the opportunity to experience several new technological initiatives related to Dining at Disney World.

I’ve written these up in several posts for DFB, and today we’ll cover the new iPad wine list that recently debuted at Victoria & Albert’s!

iPad Wine Menu at Victoria & Albert’s

During our trip, my husband and I dined at our favorite restaurant on the planet — Victoria & Albert’s at the Grand Floridian. Maitre d’Hotel Israel Perez was excited to show us that the venue’s wine list had recently been transferred to an interactive iPad format.

Our server, Al showing us the iPad wine menu.

The interactive features were quite helpful for guests like us who are not quite as wine savvy as we should be. And the system will also work well for wine experts who know what they’re looking for.

You could search by [Read more…]

Review: New Macaroni and Cheese Burger at Epcot’s Electric Umbrella

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Welcome DFB reader and author Wendy with a review of the NEW Macaroni and Cheese Burger. Venture to Epcot’s Electric Umbrella in Future World for a bite of comfort food!

Learn About:Electric Umbrella
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Okay, I confess… I’ve passed by Electric Umbrella in Epcot’s Future World on my way to grab some fish & chips at the United Kingdom Pavilion’s Yorkshire County Fish Shop in World Showcase many, many times.

But I heard a rumor about something new on the menu that piqued my interest and made it a must-visit.

Burgers? Mac and Cheese? What’s not to love? We had to try it!

Electric Umbrella Sign

Electric Umbrella Sign

This futuristic counter service restaurant is much-maligned, but we’ve actually had a few good experiences here in recent visits. And I was really looking forward to what might happen on this stop in.

Upon receiving my order, I chose this great table between the cheerful – and, yes, electric — umbrellas…

Electric Umbrellas!

Electric Umbrellas!

Table at the window

Table at the window

… and the window facing the fountains. This is a great spot when it’s 9 bajillion degrees outside but you still want to watch the fountains dance.

Dancing Fountain

Dancing Fountain

After getting situated, it was time to dig in!

Allow me to introduce you to… The Macaroni & Cheese Burger.

Mac and Cheese Burger

Mac and Cheese Burger

Another confession: I came to this item with a bias. I’m a HUGE fan of the [Read more…]

Merchandise: Tiki Themed Ceramics to Celebrate the Enchanted Tiki Room’s 50th Anniversary

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There’s been a celebration this summer of one of Disney’s most classic attractions: The Enchanted Tiki Room. We’ll have a post soon detailing the celebration first hand, but first up, we’ve got some merchandise to talk about!

First appearing at Disneyland in 1963, this feather-filled confection of song is now observing its 50th anniversary.

To mark the occasion, Disney has released a series of ceramic kitchen items reminiscent of the attraction’s Polynesian Island mood.

Among the wares are several items that would be perfect serving pieces for your next home luau. (You’re planning one now, aren’t you?)

There’s a chalice-like bowl called the “Rongo Enchanted Tiki Bowl.” I’m not sure if this piece, designed by Kevin Kidney and Jody Daily, is meant to hold chips and nuts, or whether it’s a goblet for an especially thirsty sailor.

I’m thinking that if you’re out of pineapples and are serving lapu lapus, then this would make a fair alternative vessel.

The “Luau Bowl” could be for chips, or it could hold the [Read more…]

Disney World’s Kouzzina Now Offering Prix Fixe Menu

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At Disney’s BoardWalk Resort, Kouzzina by Cat Cora is now offering a Prix Fixe Menu.

Learn About:Kouzzina
Boardwalk Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This five course dinner includes some of Kouzzina’s chefs’ favorites and specialties.

Note that beverages are an additional cost unless you are paying with the Disney Dining Plan (non-alcoholic beverage included).

It’s important to know that substitutions will not be offered, so guests with special dietary concerns should opt for the regular menu.

Mezze Pikilia
Goat Cheese Sto Fourno
Lamb Soutzoukakia
Sautéed Shrimp
Spiced Hummus

Greek Hummus and Spreads at Kouzzina

Soupa kai Salata
White Truffle Avgolemono
Horiatiki Salata
Dolmades

Palate Refresher

Duo of Signature Piata
Fisherman’s Stew
Slow Braised Short Ribs
Smoked Feta Mashed
Seasonal Vegetables

Kouzzina Short Ribs

Glyka Pikilia
Mini Budino, Sour Cherry Spoon Sweet
Walnut-Pistachio Baklava
Duo of Pagota

If you are dining a la carte and wish to try one of the above dishes, these items will also available individually. Guests in your party may choose from the a la carte or prix fixe menu and not all guests have to choose from the same menu.

The Prix Fixe menu is now available for $69.00 per person or one table-service credit per person for Disney Dining Plan guests.

In addition, the standard Disney Dining Plan will accrue a surcharge of $18.53 and guests with the Deluxe Disney Dining Plan will pay a surcharge of $4.54. Discounts will apply, and an automatic gratuity will only be added for parties of six or more guests.

While Advance Dining Reservations are suggested, they are not necessary in order to order from the prix fixe menu.

What’s your favorite dish at Kouzzina? Will you order the Prix Fixe menu on your next visit?

New! Double Chocolate Funnel Cake at Epcot’s America Pavilion

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Oh my gosh, I LOVE this news!!!! Epcot has introduced yet another new funnel cake!!!

And it’s CHOCOLATE!!!

Double Chocolate Funnel Cake in Epcot's America Pavilion

Yup — the Funnel Cake Stand in Epcot’s America Pavilion is wowing us yet again with another new flavor for our favorite “elephant ear” treat in the Showcase… .

Funnel Cake Stand in Epcot's America Pavilion

I’m thinking this is another [Read more…]

End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort Closed For Renovations

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As we reported earlier on our News Pin Board, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is currently renovating their End Zone food court. And today we’ve got some pics of the state of things over there currently, thanks to DFB reader Galloping Gourmand!From August 5 – December 20, 2013, the End Zone Food Court at the All-Star Sports Resort in Walt Disney World will be closed for refurbishment.

Guests looking for made-to-order food may take a bus to the All-Star Music or All-Star Movies resorts. Two motor coaches will run during mealtimes. Guests will board buses from the porte-cochere outside the lobby and will be dropped off under the porte-cochere at the All-Star Movies or All-Star Music resorts.

During this closure, grab-and-go food items will be available at the Game Point Arcade. Guests looking for arcade games may also travel to the other All-Star resorts. Let’s take a look at the resort map so that you can plan accordingly!

All-Star Sports, Music, and Movies are within walking distance.

On my last stay at All-Star Music, I easily walked over to the All-Star Sports and All-Star Movies resorts by cutting through the parking lots. Of course, this would be less than convenient when trying to get your family ready for an early day of touring or after a long day in the parks.

And while the Team Spirits Pool Bar and the Pizza Delivery service are still open, guests are reporting [Read more…]

Review: Be Our Guest Restaurant FastPass+ System

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UPDATE: Please note that as of February 25, 2015, FastPass+ is no longer available, as Be Our Guest Restaurant began to accept Advanced Dining Reservations for lunch. For further information, please click here. 

I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World last week and had the opportunity to experience several new technological initiatives related to Dining at Disney World.

I’ve written these up in several posts for DFB, and today we’ll cover my review of the new FastPass+ system being rolled out at Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest Restaurant!

Stay tuned over the next week to see more new technology innovations that are affecting Disney dining in Disney World!

Be Our Guest FastPass+

First up, I was invited to test a FastPass+ reservation to the Magic Kingdom’s Be Our Guest restaurant at lunch. The invite came via email with a link to the WDW website.

The email told me to log into my My Disney Experience account and enter my resort reservation number. Once logged on, I was allowed to choose which day I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity.

Choosing which day to dine at BOG.

Then we were allowed to choose whether we wanted “FastPass+ Expedited Arrival” or “FastPass+ Direct to Table.”

Expedited Arrival allows you to skip the line into the restaurant. “Direct to Table” allows you to completely order your meal in advance so that it is ready for you when you walk in the door. I chose “Direct to Table” — more on that in a sec.

Then we selected which of the available dining times we wanted. The only times presented to us during the test were early (before 11:50 a.m.) or late (after 1:45 p.m.) My guess is that Disney is trying to offload guests to less popular times.

Because I had selected “Direct to Table,” I was brought to a new set of screens where I could choose to order meals for my husband (my traveling companion for this trip) and me individually or as a group.

We then saw the restaurant’s menu, just as if we had been ordering from one of the touch screen kiosks in the standby line.

I ordered the Tuna Niçoise Salad and a helpful screen popped up asking me if I wanted my dressing on the side or tossed into my salad in the kitchen.

There was even a link to [Read more…]

News! California Grill Opens September 9th; Reservations Available Monday, August 26

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Circle this upcoming Monday, August 26, Disney Food Fans! That’s the day when we will finally be able to begin booking advance dining reservations for the newly renovated California Grill!

The NEW California Grill!

The signature restaurant, which sits high atop Walt Disney World’s Contemporary Resort, has been closed since early 2013 as it underwent a complete makeover.

It’s scheduled to open on September 9th, and will feature a new menu — including some awesome desserts!

Sundae Sampler Dessert Trio at California Grill!

Look for the new menu to continue to feature seasonal ingredients, but with a somewhat lighter hand.

While fan favorites like the flatbreads will continue to be around, Chef Brian Piasecki also plans to utilize the wood-burning oven for new dishes. These include Baked Local Prawns with Charred Lemon, and Savory Meatballs with Herbed Orzo.

Read our review of these [Read more…]

News and Review!: Rapid Fill Refillable Mugs for Walt Disney World Resorts Now in Use

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Welcome back DFB author Wendy with an informative report on the new Rapid Fill Resort Mugs in Walt Disney Word. Rapid Fill intro photo

At the time of this writing, the mugs are in use at Disney’s All-Star Music Intermission Food Court and All-Star Movies World Premiere Food Court. (Disney’s All-Star Sports End Zone Food Court is currently closed for refurbishment). They will be rolled out at the rest of the Disney World resorts shortly.

As you may recall from a previous post on Rapid Fill Refillable Mugs, Rapid Fill allows Disney Resort guests to buy (or receive as part of the Disney Dining Plan) a Resort mug which can be refilled for a certain period of time as designated at time of purchase. These mugs are enhanced by an RFID bar code which enables the mug to deactivate when the designated time is complete.

Perhaps you have some questions… I know I did! So, let’s get started!

Rapid Fill Refillable Mug Frequently Asked Questions

I’m not on a Disney Dining Plan, so I’ll be purchasing my mug separately. How much do they cost?

$8.99 for 1 Day
$11.99 for 2 Days
$14.99 for 3 Days
$17.99 for Length of Stay (If you’re staying longer, “Add-1-Day” or “Add-2-Day” options can be added.)

Rapid Fill Prices

Rapid Fill Prices

What do the new mugs look like?

For now, just like the previous mugs. You’ll still see Mickey and a few of his pals enjoying some poolside fun. You’ll notice a few differences, however…

Guests can now choose from orange, purple, and green lids for the mugs (previous choices included blue, black, and bright pink).

Green, purple, and orange mugs

Green, purple, and orange mugs

The Rapid Fill logo has been added to the mugs.

Rapid Fill Logo

Rapid Fill Logo

You may notice a tiny bit of text to the right of the handle. It reads: “Refills available at no additional charge at [Read more…]

Review: NEW Disney World MyMagic+ Touch To Pay System — and MagicBand Disney Food Bling!

By 27 Comments

I took a quick trip to Walt Disney World last week and had the opportunity to experience several new technological initiatives related to Dining at Disney World.

I’ve written these up in several posts for DFB, and today we’ll begin with the new Touch to Pay system that accompanies the unrolling of MyMagic+ in the parks — as well as take a look at some fun foodie bling that you can add to your MyMagic Band!

Stay tuned over the next week to see more new technology innovations that are affecting Disney dining in Disney World!

Tableside Touch To Pay Pads

In addition to the previously installed “Tap to Pay” pads located at the WDW quick service and snack locations, Tap To Pay Pads are now being used in many table service venues at the parks and resorts.

During our stay, some of the restaurants we dined at were Artist Point, Territory Lounge, Citricos, Raglan Road, and Tutto Gusto. At each of these locations, when we asked for our check, our server appeared at our table with a small touchpad, about the surface area of an iPhone, but much thicker.

Our server with a Touch to Pay device at Raglan Road.

When it was time to pay, the server scanned my MagicBand to link our restaurant bill to our WDW charge account. You could also use the Touch to Pay pad with an RFID-capable Key to the World Card.

Our server at Artist Point scanning my Magic Band for payment.

After the MagicBand or KTTWC is scanned, you enter your personal PIN code.

Hubby entering PIN at Raglan Road.

That was all super fun and easy. However, there were two points in the process that needed a little work. First, the system is [Read more…]

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