food IS a theme park
Yesterday, the Disney Parks Blog released two images published in the Gold Member-exclusive D23 Magazine! These images give fans a peek inside Disneyland’s Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge as it nears its grand opening in just a few weeks!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
The summer edition of D23 Magazine features a stunning photo of Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run, the first major attraction operating in Galaxy’s Edge. [Read more…]
Back in July at the D23 conference, Disney World’s newest form of transportation was announced: the Skyliner, a gondola connecting Epcot and Hollywood Studios with several Disney resorts. Since then, we’ve been daydreaming about flying between resorts and parks, taking in the views from above. And now we have some new details to pore over — plus some exciting concept art — courtesy of the Disney Parks Blog!
Copyright Disney Parks Blog
Those lovable pooches, Lady and the Tramp, will celebrate their 60th Anniversary next week! And they still look so young!
And to kick off the event the right way, D23, the official Disney Fan Club, will be launching their very first Fanniversary, Home Edition.
If it sounds like big fun to you, then head over to [Read more…]
When I heard about D23’s Off the Map event, I made sure to be home when tickets went on sale. A visit to the Disneyland Dream Suite, touring Walt’s Apartment, a ride on the Lilly Belle, and a super surprise dinner at one of the resort’s most unique restaurants (hmmmm, wonder where that could be)? Sign. Me. Up.
I sat down at my computer at about 9:50am, tickets would be available starting at 10:00am. I literally sat and refreshed for 10 minutes straight. Yes, I’m that nerdy. It paid off, because at exactly 10:01 (according to my computer’s clock) I had two tickets in my shopping cart and was checking out, credit card in hand. By the time I finished checking out, the event had sold out. I was surprised that they went so fast, but I then realized that it must be a very small and obviously sought after event.
NOTE: This review is long and has lots of pictures of awesome things. There’s a whole meal and a snack in the write-up (of course, this is the Disney Food Blog), but we couldn’t help including pics of the rest of the tour as well! I hope you enjoy!
We checked in at 9:00am on a Tuesday morning and were put into groups. We soon met with our uber fabulous D23 guide, Jeffrey (you may know him as the Disney Geek)!
Guess Who???
This is where we learned that there were only 72 tickets sold for the event and that it sold out in 30 seconds. Wow, so lucky to have scored two! The crowd was very mixed, the age range spanned from teen to senior and some people traveled from across the country to be here. We had 11 people in our group; most were southern California Disneyland locals, others were from Las Vegas, and there was one all the way from Georgia (Hi Andy!).
Off the Map Check In
Our group was scheduled to go to Walt’s Apartment at 10:30, so we had a bit of time to kill. Disneyland had just opened at 10:00, so it was fun to watch the park “wake up” as the horse drawn carriages emerged, characters came running from backstage, and the Disneyland Band marched right in front of us. We met our apartment tour guide outside of the Disneyland Fire Department promptly at 10:30.
Disneyland Fire Department
After given some history of Walt’s Apartment, we walked backstage and headed up the stairs (holding the handrail like we were asked) and entered the Victorian style apartment. Immediately I noticed the musty smell and got goosebumps knowing that I was in a room that Walt Disney spent many a night in, entertaining friends, playing with his grandchildren, and looking out the window [Read more…]
Disney Food for Families columnist Erin Foster weighs in on Cars 2 Merchandise!
Back on Valentine’s Day, I was lucky enough to attend a D23 member event in New York City in conjunction with the annual Toy Fair. Attendees witnessed the unveiling of the range of toys that would be licensed for the June 24 Cars 2 film release. At the event, Disney Consumer Products Senior Vice President of Global Toys (cool title, eh?), Vince Klaseus, announced that Cars 2 would have more branded toys than any previous Disney/Pixar [Read more…]
Woo hoo! Just wanted to remind everyone before we start the round-up: We were finally able to announce the winners of the WDW Foodie Fest Scavenger Hunt! (And thank the volunteers and sponsors as well!)
Thanks to all 300+ (!!) folks who came to celebrate with us at the 2010 WDW Foodie Fest! Stay tuned to the Disney Food Blog Newsletter, and Disney Food Blog on twitter and facebook for details about the 2011 WDW Foodie Fest. It will be held in the beginning of October 2011, and there may be some surprises in store… 😉
Now, on to the Round-Up!
StitchKingdom reports on Day 1 of D23’s Sip and Stroll event in Epcot, including Dave Smith’s retirement dinner!
DisZine has a great review of Olivia’s Cafe at Disney’s Old Key West Resort! Check out that Key Lime Tart!
Epcot Crowd at Wine and Dine Half Marathon After-Party
Touring Plans‘ blogger Caroline Baggerly recaps and shares her opinion on her experience running the brand new Wine and Dine Half-Marathon, which took place in Walt Disney World on October 2nd as part of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival opening weekend.
Disney Every Day has some great photos from a trip around the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
BritMick has a fun review of Kouzzina by Cat Cora!
Eating (And Drinking) Around the World has an awesome review of the Beer and Sake seminars at the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic from last weekend. Check it out!
Wine-Oh Of The Year offers a trip report of their visit to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival — with special attention paid to the wine, of course.
Everything WDW has a great review of Epcot’s Via Napoli.
Main Street Gazette reviews the Singapore Booth at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!
Eating Around WDW shares a review of Sci-Fi Dine-in at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
HeatherW.com is back with some more great Disney Food scrapbooking layouts! Here’s Main Street Bakery and Birthday at Chef Mickey’s!
Mousekefoodie discusses Kimonos at the Swan.
Armchair Imagineers have a very cool review of their visit to the Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic as well!
Finally, thanks again to StitchKingdom for sharing the links to the third and fourth parts of the Disneyland Paris Mickey Cookie Decorating Competition!
Three Disney Food Blog friends and readers have graciously shared their experiences, insights, and photos with us from the recent D23 Flowers and Fireworks Event, which included some sneak peek information about Via Napoli, Hacienda de San Angel, and the 2010 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! I’ll be presenting their reports in several posts throughout the day, so stay tuned! In this first installment, Disney fans Sarah Holodick and Matthew DeGrandis share some great photos and details of their weekend, including pics and reviews of dishes from upcoming Epcot Italian restaurant, Via Napoli! (Psst…I’ve also snuck in a few D23 Via Napoli presentation pics taken by Lori Abramson — you’ll see more pics from her later today.) Take it away, Sarah and Matt!
Over the weekend, my boyfriend Matt and I attended D23’s Flowers and Fireworks Event. Check-in for the event was between 9am and 5pm at the Grand Floridian, with the dinner and presentations beginning at 7:30pm. After check-in, we received some goodies to take along, and we had the day to spend as we wanted. We decided on heading over to the Magic Kingdom.
D23 Gifts
We headed back to the Grand Floridian as it neared event time, and there were many people already there. We explored the set up, had our picture taken with Mickey and Minnie in their beach attire, then filled up [Read more…]
UPDATE: Read about the Opening Date for Be Our Guest Restaurant and Reservations Info!
The rumors from this summer are true! By now, many of you have heard about the incredible re-vamp in store for Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Fantasyland. You’ve heard about Dumbo expanding, the Ariel attraction, and dancing lessons with Cinderella. But what WE like to hear about is the FOOD! And Disney has happily included some new dining establishments in its Fantasyland plans: Be Our Guest Restaurant and Gaston’s Tavern!
Be Our Guest Restaurant:
Be Our Guest Restaurant Concept Art, Beast's Castle
Both dining spots will be in the new Beauty and the Beast area of Fantasyland, and we know for certain that Be Our Guest Restaurant will be a three-room, themed, table-service restaurant in the “Beast’s Castle.” Speculation is that this may be the re-emergence of a restaurant slated for Disneyland Paris’ fantasyland a while back.
Michael, over at Progress City, U.S.A., hypothesized even more for the restaurant in his July 16th, 2009, blog post. This came soon after the initial blueprints for the fantasyland plans were leaked earlier this summer:
What’s really mysterious is the “Be Our Guest Restaurant.” … Could this new restaurant be a revived version of the unrealized dining concept for Disneyland Paris’s Fantasyland, which would feature an animatronic dinner show based on Beauty and the Beast? In that attraction, guests would dine while the Beast’s castle slowly came to life around them; it would be as if they had combined the Enchanted Tiki Room with an actual restaurant. It would certainly be a nice addition to the park.
This sounds like an amazing dining experience. My fingers are crossed!
Gaston’s Tavern:
Gaston's Tavern Concept Art
Also new on the scene is Gaston’s Tavern, which looks like it might be a counter-service or less-expensive table service location. You can see, as Jay Rasulo quipped in his description, Gaston said he likes to decorate with antlers…
From The Source
Here’s the YouTube video of Jay Rasulo’s speech on the subject! Enjoy!
Other info welcome!
If you were at the Expo or know anything more about these two dining spots, let us know. I can’t wait to hear more.
The D23 Expo Live Auction lots were announced yesterday, and there are a couple that I think you foodies will enjoy! Looking forward to hearing feedback from all of you Expo-ers!
Napa Rose Chef Andrew Sutton
LOT 13: Private Cooking Lesson & Dining Experience with Chef Andrew Sutton
(Bidder, plus eleven (11) guests)
“La piece de resistance! Join Executive Chef Andrew Sutton of the award-winning Napa Rose as he leads a hands-on cooking and learning experience in the show kitchen of the beautiful Napa Rose restaurant at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel® & Spa. Then enjoy a quintessential dining experience recounting your
day’s cooking accomplishments.
Also included in this auction lot will be six (6) bottles of wine provided and signed by John Lasseter, Chief Creative Officer of Pixar and Disney Animation Studios and Principal Creative Advisor for Walt Disney Imagineering. John and his wife Nancy purchased an historic Sonoma Valley winery and vineyard property back in 2002; since then they and their family have lovingly transformed the property into a state-of-the-art, ecofriendly, family-run winery.
(Experience must be completed by February 28, 2010, and must take place on a Saturday morning. Participants must be at least 18 years of age. For your safety, closed-toe shoes and long pants are required.)”
LOT 28: Progressive Dinner – Hotels of the Disneyland® Resort and Downtown Disney® District
(Bidder, plus five (5) Guests)
“Start off the night with cocktails and delicious appetizers at the famous House of Blues® Restaurant. Then let Catal’s executive chef and events team create a signature soup and salad duo plate featuring the freshest ingredients to please your palette.
Hungry for more? Choose from a menu of flavorful offerings at our renowned Steakhouse 55 restaurant at the Disneyland® Hotel. Their succulent menu will leave your mouth watering!
Then take your taste buds on vacation…Jazz on over to Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, a savvy representation of New Orleans’ dual legacies – food and music – served up in a whimsical setting depicting the charm, ambiance and hospitality of historic and contemporary New Orleans. Enjoy the view from our Jazz Balcony as our chef prepares an assortment of petit desserts artfully displayed for your indulgence. Sip on a Jazz Kitchen coffee or enjoy from our selection of after dinner drinks as our staff roll out our signature dessert, prepared table side just for you and your guests.
(Experience must be completed by February 28, 2010. Experience is not valid on the following dates: 9/19/09, 10/1/09, 10/2/09, 10/31/09, 11/26/09, 12/4/09 – 1/3/10. Participants must be 21 years of age in order to consume alcoholic beverages. Package can only be redeemed with Disney’s package and cannot be used separately.)”
About The Auction…
Event Date: Saturday, September 12, 2009
Event Time: 7:00 PM
Event Location: Anaheim Convention Center – Anaheim, CA
Event Summary: Disney enthusiasts will have the opportunity to bid on unique Walt Disney Studio and Theme Park experiences, tours, artwork, props and more.
Ticket Sale Information:
Admission to the D23 Expo Live Auction is included in all D23 Expo tickets. There will be an additional “Auctioneers Package” fee required for guests who wish to participate (i.e. bid on items) in the auction. Tickets for the D23 Auctioneers Package are $40 each. With this pacakge, you will receive preferred floor seating, ONE (1) D23 Expo Live Auction Commemorative Catalog, ONE (1) D23 Expo Live Auction Paddle, and ONE (1) D23 Expo Live Auction Limited Edition Pin.
It does not look like this auction will benefit any charitable organization.
For more information on the auction and a link to other available auction lots at the D23 Expo, visit the D23 Auction 2009 web page.
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