food IS a theme park
Disneyland Resort is known for serving up some great street food-style eats. Whether your jam is a cinnamon-and-sugar-coated churro or a hand-dipped corn dog, Walt’s park has got you covered. There’s even some pretty great corn on the cob!!
Wrapped Corn on the Cob
There’s just something completely perfect about eating an ice cream sundae on Main Street, U.S.A., in the shadow of Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle. The simplicity and innocence of that moment is sort of what Walt’s parks are all about: leaving today and entering the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
What better way to seize that moment than with an All-American Sundae from the Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor?
Plaza Ice Cream Parlor All-American Sundae
The Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square in Disneyland has a limited menu, and they do it so well. The Mint Juleps are refreshing (and underwent a makeover in 2017!), and the Beignets? Y’all. Yum.
Regular Mickey Beignets at Disneyland’s Mint Julep Bar
Always a tasty time at the Mint Julep Bar!
I know it’s hard to believe, with so many truly delicious bread puddings available at Walt Disney World Resort (‘Ohana Bread Pudding at Polynesian Village Resort, Butterscotch Bread Pudding at Plaza Restaurant, Ger’s Bread Pudding at Raglan Road — to name a few crowd pleasers!), but we totally have a new favorite! You can find it at House of Blues in Disney Springs’ West Side!
House of Blues
Just in case you haven’t heard about the mayhem surrounding Rose Gold Minnie Mouse Ears in Disney Parks (on both coasts!), here’s the skinny…
Rose Gold Minnie Ears!
The minute Rose Gold Minnie Ears hit Disney Parks merchandise locations, the shops could not — and still can not — keep them on the shelves! Folks spent time hovering online waiting for updates about their return and scarfing them up in numbers. You could say they’re kindofa BIG DEAL. [Read more…]
You know it! You love it! You have to have it! It’s Dole Whip (affectionately called Pineapple Soft Serve a lot of the time), and it’s been a staple of Walt Disney World for years. Of course you know where you can find it in Adventureland at Aloha Isle (Disney World) and the Tiki Juice Bar (Disneyland) in the shadows of the Tiki Room (you can even bring your sweet treat inside to eat during the show!).
Dole Whip at Aloha Isle
has become a destination all its own within Epcot’s Germany Pavilion.
And with good reason! Even among the Pavilion’s diverse offerings within Biergarten (a Table Service buffet complete with festive entertainment), Sommerfest (the Counter Service spot with NUDEL GRATINNNNN), and Bier Carts and Hovels, Karamell-Küche focuses on one thing, and one thing only:
CARAMEL!
From seriously addictive Caramel Corn to Caramel Bacon Squares to the ah-mazing Caramel Pecan Bar (you gotta try it!), it’s hard to take in all the different iterations of caramel treats tucked within the Caramel Kitchen’s bakery case.
And speaking of different iterations… I noticed a change to one of my favorite golden treats on my last visit when I spotted a sign for the Caramel Butter Bar. It was front and center ahead of what looked suspiciously like the old Caramel Covered Shortbread — also previously known as the Chewy Caramel Bar.
Caramel Butter Bar
I wasn’t super concerned at first because this particular snack has been known by a few different names over the years, but basically remained a dependable combo of thick caramel poured atop and in between layers of buttery shortbread.
I figured I was good to go because the “new” Caramel Butter Bar looks… virtually identical to its predecessor. See? [Read more…]
One of the great, simple joys of visiting the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World is grabbing a Mickey Pretzel in the shadow of Cinderella Castle. And not just because Mickey Pretzels come with a container of cheese (although that’s also idyllic). It’s just such a sweet moment.
Mickey Pretzel and Cinderella’s Castle
Churros! Cookies and Cream! Chocolate Sauce!
Now that we have your attention, we really think you need to know that Tortuga Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland is now serving Cookies ‘n Cream Churros!
Tortuga Tavern is a seasonally open spot, but even with a limited run — and, quite often, a limited menu — they can still churn out some surprises. Now that Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe has taken over the Mexican food offerings that used to be available at Tortuga Tavern before its brief turn as a BBQ spot, the Tavern now features selections like Turkey Legs and Hot Dogs, which you can also find at other locations in the park.
But the Cookies ‘n Cream Churros? These are all-new, and can only be found at Tortuga Tavern!
Tortuga Tavern Menu
That’s right! Tortuga Tavern has traded Cookies ‘n Cream Gelato for Cookies ‘n Cream Churros!
Your serving of warm, chocolatey, churro goodness is actually a plate of eight mini churros (similar in serving style to the Churros you’ll find at Pecos Bill’s). They come with a pre-packaged container of chocolate sauce, in case you need even more chocolate.
Cookies and Cream Churros
Which, of course, YOU TOTALLY DO.
The cream comes in the center of the churro bites, and it makes them a bit more dense in the center than your typical Churro. But the chocolate and cream flavor is terrific (straight up Oreo, really), and the outside texture still offers that slightly crunchy churro crisp.
Cookies and Cream Churro Close Up
We aren’t sure how long guests can expect to see these on the menu, since the one thing constant at Tortuga Tavern is change. But — just like the other parks — Magic Kingdom is getting ready for the Holiday crowds, so hopefully these will stick around for the duration of the season!
What’s your favorite iteration of the Churro? Tell us about it so we can crave them even more than usual!
Today, I bring you a Tale of Two Cupcakes.
One wonderful, the other… not so much (as in REALLY not so much). You can find them both at Sunshine Seasons in the Land Pavilion at Epcot.
Sunshine Seasons is a much-beloved quick service spot where guests rave about the variety of options, the use of ingredients from the neighboring Living With The Land, and the desserts. You already know how we feel about the Strawberry Shortcake here. And the seasonal Apple Crisp. And the Mickey Oreo Cheesecake.
The list truly goes on and on — mostly because Sunshine Seasons’ Cast Members go out of their way to create unique treats that represent the seasons and celebrations of Epcot. And we’re always game to try their newest creations.
But, well, allow me to tell the Tale of Two Cupcakes. I’ll begin with the bad news first because I believe it’s always better just to get it over with. The Ursula Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons is… gross.
Ursula Cupcake
The “black mirror” lacquered glaze on the outside is Ursula-approved, I’m sure. The fondant scroll for Ariel’s contract is a cute touch (although we can see Ariel has printed her name, not so much signed it). On top is Ursula’s shell necklace — also the tool used to capture Ariel’s lovely singing voice — and more tentacle-y fondant touches. [Read more…]
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