Le Cellier | the disney food blog

Best Disney World Restaurants for First Time Disney Visitors

Everyday we receive lots of mail from you, our awesome DFB readers, asking for restaurant suggestions and recommendations. And while we certainly have our favorites, we know that you do, too!

So when a Disney first-time visitor recently asked what restaurants we would recommend for their upcoming trip, we couldn’t think of a better panel of experts to ask than YOU!

When I put the question out on the Disney Food Blog Facebook page, I was overwhelmed by the huge and immediate response that I got!

Let’s take a look at your recommendations for the restaurants first timers must experience on that inaugural Walt Disney World trip!

If you have other thoughts or ideas — or, better yet, stories of your favorite restaurants during a first-time visit — please share them with all of us in the comments section! More suggestions are always better!

Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

When it comes to first time Disney dining, the winning restaurant recommendation is, hands down, Chef Mickey’s in Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Many of you agree that anyone visiting the Happiest Place on Earth for the very first time MUST experience a buffet that includes lots of character interaction.

Chef Mickey’s is highly recommended by our DFB Readers!

But the suggestion is practical, too. Readers pointed out that a character dining experience offers terrific value for your Disney dollar, with an all-you-care-to-eat option. [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 3, 2013

By AJ 2 Comments

The 2013 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival begins THIS WEEK!

2013 Flower and Garden Festival UK Booth! Check out all of the food menus here!

We’re so excited to see 12 food and beverage marketplaces added to the mix this year and can’t wait to share our full review with you!

In the meantime, be sure to check out the newly updated Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Menu here!

Disney Dining News

More fun Disney Dining News for ya…

Rix Lounge Announces a Tequila Tasting at Coronado Springs Resort.
Earl of Sandwich in Disney Parks and nationwide are adding some awesome new Earl of Sandwich menu items — including offering the Holiday Sandwich year round!
Check out the new light-up menus at Epcot’s Le Cellier Restaurant.

We’ve got additional food news, including restaurant closures, concept art for Main Street Bakery, Disneyland AP discount at Earl of Sandwich, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

DFB Podcast Episode 13

The new DFB Podcast Episode is here!

In the 13th episode of the DFB Podcast, AJ and Brad bring listeners the latest Disney Food News; discuss some great money-saving tips at Walt Disney World and Disneyland; answer a few listener questions (including whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is worth the dough), and reveal the winner of our Episode 12 trivia question (AND compel you with a brand-new trivia question!).

Got a Disney dining question? Send it to [email protected] with “Question” in the subject line and we’ll add it to our list to answer on the podcast!

More Money Savings! Want some more tips on saving money? Find a whole chapter of our top money-saving tips for eating in Walt Disney World in The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013! We also have several full pages dedicated to how to find and make use of dining discounts, coupon programs, membership programs, and more! It’s all at DFBGuide.com.

Thanks for listening!! Please rate and review the podcast on iTunes, follow DFBPodcast on Twitter, and leave your comments below!

Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

DFB Reader Gena shared what happens when you ask for ketchup at Whispering Canyon Cafe in the Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World!

Don't ask for ketchup!

And Kat tweeted “The mandarin chicken salad at Yak and Yeti quick service [in Disney’s Animal Kingdom] is surprisingly tasty!”

Mandarin Chicken Salad!

Thanks for sharing your photos and memories with us!!

Disney Food Post Round-Up

Walmart

has a Star Wars Chocolate Easter Bunny Stormtrooper! Take a bite out of the Dark Force!

Daveland shares vintage photos of The Plantation House in Disneyland.

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World highlights Disney food enjoyed during the Marathon Weekend.

Stuff from the Park digs up some Disneyland-inspired recipes!

Such the Spot creates a copycat recipe for Earl of Sandwich’s All-American! Nice job, Disney Mom Darcie!

Main Street Gazette stops for a frankfurter at Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Running at Disney enjoys lunch at Sanaa.

Have a great week, all!! We’ll see you tomorrow with our review of the newly revamped Epcot restaurant, Monsieur Paul!

New! Le Cellier Light-Up Menus in Disney World!

By AJ 14 Comments

OK, I gotta tell you about this! We heard about another interesting update to the Le Cellier menus in Disney World’s Epcot and had to check it out!

We reported recently on the fact that Le Cellier has now gone to an all-day menu — but guests will have another surprise to explore when they arrive!

Here’s the new light-up menu!

This is a great option for darker restaurants like Le Cellier — the perfect way to see your menu with out eye strain. The menu itself is lit from behind! Here’s the menu — dark — just as you’re opening it…

…and here it is as it lights up automatically when you open it all the [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 20, 2013

By AJ Leave a Comment

How’s your 2013 going?

Beignets Now in the Magic Kingdom at Tomorrowland Terrace!!

Mine’s going great — there’s so much happening food-wise at Disney parks and resorts right now, and so much coming down the pike!!

We’ve got a TON of great news for you on the round-up today, including a review of the brand new Les Halles Bakery in Epcot’s France, the dates for the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, a peek at the Tomorrowland Terrace’s new breakfast menu, the new all-day menu at Le Cellier, and more!

To quote Peter Pan, “Here we gooooooo!!”

Disney Dining News

Catch up on food news from Disney…

The dates for the 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival have been announced!
Tomorrowland Terrace is now serving breakfast while the Main Street Bakery is renovating to a Starbucks venue.
Check out the eats at Epcot’s new Boulangerie Patisserie les Halles Bakery!
Find out how the new technology, MyMagic+, will affect your Disney Dining!
Check out the new Le Cellier all-day menu for lunch and dinner. This change coincides with lunch and dinner now costing Disney Dining Plan guests two table-service credits per meal!
With the Boardwalk Bakery closed for refurbishment, a temporary tent serving quick-service eats has been set up on the Boardwalk.
Check out this fun review of the Limited Time Magic Golden Horseshoe Revue show in Disneyland!
Take a look at Chef Emeril Lagasse’s new Cooking Channel show, Emeril’s Florida, to see great Florida dining destinations starting in Orlando!
Have you tried the new Liberty Inn steak dinner and s’mores brownie in Epcot?
Tables in Wonderland has announced a January Discovery Wine Dinner at the Wave!

We’ve got additional food news, including Citricos Italian Wine Dinner at the Grand Floridian, restaurant closures, Martha’s Vineyard Menu at Yacht and Beach Club Resort, Habit Heroes re-opens in Epcot, Spirit of Aloha closing for brief renovation, and LOTS more, on our Disney Food News Pin Board! Head over and check it out!

Reader Finds

If you find a fun new food — or other awesomeness — in or from Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday!

Sara McCaslin tweeted one of our favorite Disney indulgences – cheese plates! This one is from the Flying Fish Cafe.

Flying Fish Cheese Plate

And via email, we received this message from Susan Tribelli: “I have to say my husband, who is a culinary school graduate, thought the Grand Floridian cafe had gone downhill, but we got the fish, which I thought was super good.”

Red Grouper at Grand Floridian Cafe

DFB Podcast Episode 12

For our podcast listeners (and those of you who aren’t listeners, yet, but are about to become listeners!!), we have the 12th episode of the DFB Podcast ready for downloading!

In this episode we cover the latest Disney Food News and have a discussion about dinner shows in Walt Disney World and Disneyland.

We also answer a couple of listener questions, and reveal the answer to (and winner of!) our Episode 11 trivia question.

And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes! (We love your comments, reviews, and feedback!

Take a listen from the DFB Podcast Episode 12!

On to the Round-Up!

WDW for Grown-Ups

shares four delicious breakfast options at Walt Disney World.

Cake Wrecks features adorable cakes including Wall-E and Piglet. Sweet!

Studios Central looks into the origin of Toluca Legs Turkey Co. at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Hipsters laments about the lack of good vegetarian eats at the Liberty Tree Tavern in the Magic Kingdom.

Yesterland returns to Disneyland’s Blue Ribbon Bakery!

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World re-visits favorite Disney dining adventures from 2012.

DisneyParks announces a Robert Olszewski Product Release & Signing for the Plaza Restaurant/Plaza Ice Cream Parlor sculpture. Wow!

How MyMagic+ Will Affect Disney Dining

By AJ 67 Comments

Planning your Disney World vacation is about to change—big time. While making your Advance Dining Reservations 180 days in advance will still be important, MyMagic+ is going to make it easier to pre-plan your trip and maybe even save your Disney dollars at the same time!

We’ve outlined the basics of the new Walt Disney World Resort technology below, followed by a healthy dose of Disney dining tips for making the most of the new system — including how it will change your Disney Dining planning, and how you might save money using MyMagic+!!

MyMagic+: The Basics

This past week, MyMagic+ — a new, tech-savvy planning process for your Disney vacation — officially rolled out across the Walt Disney World resort. Relying on RFID technology, this will create a “more immersive, more seamless and more personal experience” for guests, according to Disney Parks Blog.

A major piece of the MyMagic+ puzzle is the new My Disney Experience website and mobile app, which help guests plan their trip. The interactive tools allow guests to log in to book advanced dining reservations and ride times for popular attractions as well as parade and fireworks viewing locations with FastPass+. They’ll also make it easy to change those plans on the fly from any smartphone or Guest Relations kiosk.

All of that MyMagic+ data—including ride and meals times—will be encoded onto the new must-have Disney accessory: the MagicBand. These high-tech bracelets will replace the Key to the World card, becoming a room key, theme park ticket, PhotoPass card, FastPass and charge account in one.

MyMagic+ MagicBand in action

Right now, guests saying at WDW resort hotels, Annual Passholders, and those who purchase PhotoPass will automatically receive a complimentary standard MagicBand. Upgraded wristbands, decorated with characters, will also be available for an additional fee.

Guests who stay off property will receive an RFID-enabled card, which will act as a park ticket, charge account and FastPass+ ticket, but they will have to purchase a MagicBand separately.

Don’t Forget Your MagicBand!

The new technologies will likely have a significant impact on your dining strategy, so we’ve put together a quick primer on how to make the most of MyMagic+:

Pay and Go

The most immediate and obvious impact of the MagicBand will be the ability to pay for snacks and quick service meals with the flick of a wrist.

Literally tap the RFID bracelet (or card for non-resort guests) against the sensor at the register to settle the bill on purchases of $50 or less quickly and efficiently. No more digging around for the Key to the World!

Schedule Your WHOLE Day

With the current system, FastPass dictates your return window based on how many FastPasses have already been distributed. On some days, it’s possible to arrive at Soarin’ at 9:30 a.m. only to be locked into a 6:35-7:35 p.m. return time. That presents a problem for those [Read more…]

Disney Recipe: Maple Crème Brûlée from Epcot’s Le Cellier Steakhouse

By AJ 6 Comments

I’ve tried a lot of Disney Crème Brûlée, and this one is definitely near the top of the list!

Learn About:Le Cellier Steakhouse

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

Time to head over to Epcot and into fan (and DFB!) favorite Le Cellier Steakhouse for today’s Disney recipe!

The Maple Crème Brûlée here has got to be one of the most-often ordered desserts on the menu, and it’s very clear why! The super creamy custard has exactly the right amount of sweet maple flavor — and it’s perfect for the holidays!

So while we can’t provide a Moosehead or a serenade by Off Kilter to complete the virtual trip to Epcot’s Canada Pavilion, this decadent dessert will go a long way to putting a smile on your face!

Maple Crème Brûlée from Epcot's Le Cellier Steakhouse

Maple Crème Brûlée

Serves 6
Ingredients:
2 3/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
9 egg yolks [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: October 28, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

Um…how cool are these Darth Vader s’mores?! I know I just posted about the Darth candy mold (and other super fun Star Wars and Marvel gift ideas) on Friday, but I couldn’t help showing it off again!

Darth Vader S'mores

So, in Disney Food News this week we were pleasantly surprised to discover updates to Walt Disney World’s standard bar menu found at the watering holes and restaurants throughout the parks and resorts.

We’ve also got my personal review of the new Frozen Beer in Epcot’s Japan pavilion. But there’s more to Disney than drinks… check it out!

Disney Food News

Disney World has new adult beverages, plus seasonal treats!

Make Darth Vader S’mores with these awesome Darth Vader helmet ice cube and candy molds! You can also make R2D2 s’mores!
Shrunken Zombie Head Mugs now available at Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel!
Disney World’s Polynesian Resort will introduce a new menu at the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show for a limited time.
Disney’s standard bar and lounge menu has been updated to include some fancy new drinks, and some classic concoctions as well!
Frozen beer has debuted in Epcot’s Japan pavilion.
Seasonal Funnel Cake Flavors are available Disney World’s Epcot in the American Adventure Pavilion!

We’ve got additional food news (including a souvenir stein at Sleepy Hollow, new name for Fresh A-Peel in Downtown Disney, new Le Cellier dessert item, new menu item at Sci-Fi, restaurant closure updates, and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!

DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012 Review!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2012 is our comprehensive, 300-page e-book packed with Disney Dining tips for your next vacation. Wondering if the book will help with your upcoming trip? Check out our latest review!

We’d like to thank Richard Bernato at WDW Radio for the glowing review:

I bet that no one, in or out of Walt Disney World has researched and constructed such a study as her Guide to Walt Disney World Dining.

There is virtually no aspect about Disney Dining, planning for it, paying for it, and oh by the way enjoying it, that you will be unable to find in the guide. And having the book for its advice and information will certainly be a major contributor to you and your family’s very happy and satisfying vacation.

You can read the rest of the review here, and don’t miss the DISCOUNT with code WDW Radio!

Learn more about the DFB Guide here!

DFB Food Finds

If you find a fun new food in or from Disney, share a photo with us so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds!

This week, our colleagues at Disney Hipsters shared this spooky pic of a skeleton brownie at The Mara in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge! I haven’t seen this one anywhere else!

Skeleton Brownie at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Updates

The 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is still going strong, and we’re updating our coverage daily with World Showcase booth and special event reviews, new photos, and other Festival updates!

Rose Margarita, The Opening Cocktail at Tequila Lunch

Here’s some of the latest…

A review of the Tequila Pairing Lunch in Mexico’s La Hacienda de San Angel.
Food pictures and reviews of the New Zealand and Italy marketplace booths.

Find all of the latest Epcot Food and Wine Festival News and Reviews here,

and stay tuned for our take on several seminars and events around the festival.

On to the Round-Up

David Lebovitz

shares his perspective on Disneyland Paris eats (including some long-awaited macarons)!

Daveland takes a look at vintage photos of coffee locations in Disneyland before there was Starbucks.

Disney History Institute visits backstage at the vintage Golden Horseshoe in Disneyland.

AKL Resort orders room service at the Animal Kingdom Lodge.

Main Street Gazette re-visits the 2012 Epcot Food & Wine Festival with an at-home recipe for Frozen Jim Beam Red Stag Lemonade.

Eating (and Drinking) Around the World visits the 2012 Food & Wine Classic at the WDW Swan and Dolphin.

Disney Parks Blog takes us on a behind the scenes look at the Haunted Mansion’s gingerbread house in Disneyland.

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Recipe: Le Cellier’s White Truffle Butter Sauce

By AJ 14 Comments

It’s almost Epcot Food and Wine Festival time (the best time of the year!). So far, we know the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Menus, and we even know the special events that will be offered at the festival. As we lead up to the big opening day, I’ll be posting reviews and recipes from the main event. Today, we have an incredibly indulgent recipe for you…

2011 Canada Booth

You know that I am a huge fan of Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada pavilion. And when I go there, I often order the Mushroom Filet Mignon!

This fantastic filet — one of my favorites in Disney restaurants — is topped with a white truffle butter sauce that’s pretty freakin’ awesome. I love it so much that I recently discovered that I can order extra when I’m at the restaurant (and I do)!

Mushroom Filet Mignon with White Truffle Butter Sauce and Micro Chervil

This dish is scheduled to be featured in the Canadian Booth at the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, so I wanted to share a recipe for the sauce so you can make it at home!

If you’ve been dying to try it yourself but don’t have a trip planned, then this is [Read more…]

News! 2013 Disney Dining Plan Pricing and Updates

By Kim 93 Comments

Details for the 2013 Disney Dining Plans are being unveiled!

You can see updated pricing for the 2013 plans below (thanks to reader Pudge the Fish for this!). And there are price changes as well as clarifications that you need to know about if you’re planning a 2013 trip.

The major stand-out seems to be that Le Cellier in Epcot is listed as two table service credits for both LUNCH and dinner meals.

2013 Disney Dining Plan Pricing

As always, the price has gone up on many of the plans. See calculations below…

Quick-Service Dining Plan
(all year long)
$37.58 per night ages 10 and up
$14.32 per night age 3 to 9

2012 was $34.99 and $11.99.

See more info on the Quick Service Dining Plan page.

Be Our Guest Restaurant will be a new addition on the 2013 Disney Dining Plan

Standard Dining Plan
(Value and Regular Season)
$55.59 per night ages 10 and up
$17.16 per night age 3 to 9

2012 was $51.54 and $15.02.

(Peak Season)
$56.94 per night ages 10 and up
$18.16 per night ages 3 to 9

2012 was $53.54 and $16.02.

Read all about the Standard Dining Plan!

Deluxe Dining Plan
(Value and Regular Season)
$99.97 per night ages 10 and up
$26.84 per night ages 3 to 9

2012 was $85.52 and $23.79.

(Peak Season)
$102.27 per night ages 10 and up
$28.91 per night ages 3 to 9

2012 was $89.52 and $25.79.

We’ve got all the details on our Deluxe Dining Plan page.

Le Cellier Lunch

The 2013 brochure now shows Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot as a two table-service credit restaurant for lunch! Since March 2011, the restaurant has been a one-credit location for lunch and a two-credit location for dinner.

Other Clarifications

There have been a few changes made to the Disney Dining Plan brochures for 2013 as well.

Special Dining Events
The brochure this year spells out clearly that “special dining events with special menus offered at certain table-service locations” are not included in the [Read more…]

News! 2012 Candlelight Processional Lunch and Dinner Packages On Sale Now

By Kim 16 Comments

It’s time!! The Candlelight Processional Dinner Packages are finally on sale!

This coveted ticket provides guests with a lunch or dinner meal at select Epcot restaurants and guaranteed seating to the popular Candlelight Processional holiday spectacular.

At the event, the Christmas story is told by a celebrity narrator while a 50-piece orchestra and choir accompany the re-telling. The event is held on select nights from November 23 – December 30, 2012, in the American Gardens Theatre at Disney World’s Epcot.

Package Details

The package includes your choice of an appetizer, entree, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage or 1 full buffet from the restaurant’s menu. Guests also have access to an special Illuminations Fireworks viewing area.

Prices [Read more…]