food IS a theme park
Admit it, you’ve got an Ugly Christmas Sweater in your closet, or you love dressing your family in matching holiday pajamas. If this is you, then head over to Disney Springs where you will be rewarded for your love of all things ugly or matching this holiday season!
This season a few Disney Springs locations are celebrating these two holiday trends with special offers, events, and free desserts!
Attention cast members! Everyone’s favorite funky bowling alley Splitsville Orlando in Disney Springs’ West Side is offering a Rolling Social every week!
Splitsville Luxury Lanes
The theme at Disney Springs right now is Beat the Heat. In the dog days of summer we certainly agree!
We scoured Disney World’s shopping and dining district and found what’s new so you know where to stop the next time you’re at Disney Springs for a cool drink, snack, meal, or air conditioned retail therapy!
Beating the Heat in Disney Springs
Are you ready to rock and BOWL next year in Disneyland? I sure hope so, because Splitsville Luxury Lanes is opening in the Downtown Disney District in late 2017!
“Let the Good Times Roll!”
Like its Splitsville Orlando counterpart in Disney Springs, Disneyland’s Splitsville will feature bowling, dining, and live entertainment in one GIGANTIC setting. [Read more…]
If you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking ahead to your next Walt Disney World vacation. If you’re planning to enjoy the parks during the holiday season, you might be wondering what it’s like to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the World.
First of all: Lucky you! What a fun way to spend the holiday season — with so much to be thankful for in such a cool place!
As you can imagine, the crowds tend to swell at Disney during holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and Christmas as lots of Disney fans choose to celebrate their holidays in the parks. And Disney answers the call with tons of Thanksgiving spirit throughout many of their restaurants. In fact, most table service restaurants in the World will mark the holiday with special holiday menu items!
So whether you’re looking for a traditional meal, a gourmet twist on familiar favorites, or something that’s a complete departure from established customs, you’ll find lots of options for celebrating these special food days. Let’s check out a few of our favorites.
We all know it’s true. When you’re craving Thanksgiving dinner at Disney, there’s one spot you can always count on to deliver: Liberty Tree Tavern in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square.
Liberty Tree Tavern Entrance
And we’re not just talking about on Thanksgiving Day or merely around Thanksgiving. You’ll find the traditional feast on the lunch and dinner menu, every day of the year. [Read more…]
It’s time for another fun addition to our Disney Food Galleries!
We just love to share photos of all of our favorite foods — and collect them into galleries for easy viewing! Whether your craving is for popcorn, ice cream, or a cupcake, there’s a gallery for you!
And today, we’re introducing a brand new gallery for all of you red meat lovers out there! Yep, we’ve gathered a whole buncha steaks from around Disney World to help you make your choices on your next visit.
Remember, some of these may drop off menus from time to time or have side dishes or preparation changed, but hopefully this will give you a good overview of what’s available! Here we go!
Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club is one of my top picks when it comes to steak at Walt Disney World. After all, they decorate with meat — the first thing you pass en route to your seat is the Steak Trimming Room!
Chefs here pride themselves not only on the very best cuts of meat, but appetizers, side dishes, and desserts inspired by market fresh ingredients. Yachtsman combines the very best of seasonal flavors with the traditional steak experience.
My absolute favorite pick at Yachtsman is the 16-ounce Boneless Ribeye. It is always a melt-in-your-mouth choice.
Ribeye with Herb Fries at Yachtsman Steakhouse
But we are also big fans of the 12-ounce Prime New York Strip Steak, served here with a rich potato gratin stack.
12-ounce Prime New York Strip Steak
Shula’s at Walt Disney World’s Swan and Dolphin is the kind of place that you think of when you envision an upscale steakhouse. As your eyes adjust to the dim lighting and you check out the menu — printed on a football! — you’ll settle into the refined elegance of your surroundings.
When I have the chance to dine here, I almost always go for my favorite, the 22-ounce Cowboy Ribeye (are you sensing a theme?). The Bone-in Steak has been excellent on every visit. The flavor is unbelievable!
22-ounce Cowboy Ribeye
Looking for a lighter approach to soothe your carnivore cravings? We’ve also enjoyed the Steak Mary Anne. Delicate by steakhouse standards, the 5-ounce medallions are served with a simple demi glace in this case. It’s the perfect plate for the guest who prefers all the flavor of prime, aged beef in a smaller serving.
Steak Mary Anne
If you’re a landlubber like me, then finding a great steak at a restaurant known for fabulous seafood is a dream come true. But it’s not impossible if you’re dining at Flying Fish Cafe.
When I visit, I always order the Char-Crusted Black Angus New York Strip. The creamy Sauce Foyot is such a great accent — and they’re never chintzy with it!
Char-Crusted Black Angus New York Strip
Can’t decide between surf and turf? You don’t have to! Try the two house specialities side by side with the Entree Duo, which features the Char-Crusted Angus New York Strip Steak and the restaurant’s most famous fish dish, the Potato-wrapped Red Snapper.
Entree Duo of Red Snapper and Strip Steak
Jiko offers some of the most interesting food at Walt Disney World.
And while I enjoy the fusion of African, Indian, and Meditteranean flavors when it comes to appetizers and desserts, I rarely deviate from my favorite entree: the Oak-Grilled Filet.
Oak-Grilled Filet with Mac and Cheese
And even when their delicious Mac and Cheese isn’t featured as the dish’s side, you can usually score it as a special request (and I totally recommend that you do). 🙂
In the mood for steak with no Advance Dining Reservation? Then head to Epcot’s Liberty Inn. Their New York Strip Steak, served with Red Wine Butter, Roasted Potatoes, and Steamed Broccoli, is surprisingly good.
New York Strip Steak Meal
Even though most of my favorite steaks at Disney World are featured at signature restaurants, that doesn’t mean you can’t find a good option at moderately priced restaurants, too, like Sci-Fi Dine-In.
Recently, I was pleasantly surprised by [Read more…]
Ahhhh…Pizza. Most of us love the stuff, whether it’s high end, low end, or homemade.
But one thing’s for sure — you and I both know that not all pizza is created equal — and this is definitely true when it comes to Disney.
Today, we’re awarding some Pizza Pie Superlatives. From Best to Worst and Everything In Between, let’s take a look at a few.
And when we’re finished with the awards, I’ve love to hear if you agree! Leave us a comment with your best and worst!
If you’ve been reading Disney Food Blog for any amount of time, the winner in this category will come as no shock to you. The hands-down best pizza in all of Disney World are the pies you find at Via Napoli in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion.
With authentic ingredients right down to the flour, tomatoes, and water they use, these are some serious pies that come closest to the real deal from Naples, Italy. They also taste the most like my favorite New York Style pizza (Lombardi’s!!!!) — the gold standard, as far as I’m concerned!
Quattro Fromaggi Pizza from Via Napoli
You can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas you order here, whether you’re getting a personal size, or you’re sharing with the table.
Build Your Own Pizza with Prosciutto (and/or Other Ingredients…Whatever)
We give high marks to the Quattro Formaggi White Pizza, as well as the Build Your Own with Prosciutto. But really, there are no wrong choices here!
When it comes to pizza that you can safely — no, you definitely should — skip, we’ll chalk this up to… [Read more…]
Ready to get yer game on? We’re heading back to Splitsville Luxury Lanes in search of good eats and good times!
Splitsville Orlando just celebrated its first birthday this past December, so we were excited to experience it again now that it’s really settled in to Downtown Disney’s West Side.
Splitsville definitely changed the West Side landscape immediately upon its arrival, because this place is HUGE. Two floors with outdoor and indoor seating, five bars, a billiards area… oh, and the small matter of thirty bowling lanes!
You can tell you’re in a festive place even before setting foot inside Splitsville’s doors. Music is always playing in the outdoor seating area, and it’s often provided by live musicians.
Splitsville outdoors
The other hint as to what’s going on here is the colorful display of bowling balls.
Splitsville Bowling Balls
Do I bowl? Not really. Do I totally want one of these? You bet!
Mickey and Minnie Bowling Balls
Upon entering the building, you immediately hear music and the sound of pins being downed by bowling balls. Because there is a LOT to take in right away, these signs directing you where to go for dining and/or bowling are especially helpful.
Splitsville entrance
Splitsville entrance
We headed left to the Dining Check-in and mentioned our Advanced Dining Reservation. Yes, Splitsville does take ADRs, and it’s nice to have one on a weekend, especially. But — thanks to the enormous size — it can be a great place to try to score a walk-in! We were seated right away (even though we arrived about 15 minutes in advance of our ADR), but we couldn’t resist taking a look around.
Colorful lockers and rows of bowling shoes remind you that this isn’t only a restaurant, my friends. It’s the highest end bowling alley dive you’ve ever been to.
Lockers at Splitsville
Rows and Rows of Bowling Shoes are encountered when you walk into Splitsville
As your eyes take in all there is to see – including the enormous escalator joining the first and second floors, the entire vibe is almost over stimulating. The fun and casual attitude of the staff, however, helps you to relax right away and feel at home.
Bowling Lanes at Splitsville
There are nods all over the place to the [Read more…]
Tables in Wonderland Members – this one’s for you! Announcing the Splitsville Luxury Lanes DINE AROUND!
Splitsville in Downtown Disney
When:
Thursday, February 20, 2014
6:00-8:00pm
Where:
Splitsville Luxury Lanes in Downtown Disney’s West Side
Price:
$90.00 per person, including tax and gratuity
This special event will feature some of Splitsville’s finest foods (with paired beverages!).
Sushi at Splitsville
Cheeseburger Slider
It will also feature [Read more…]
This week, we take a look at Disneyland’s NEW Market House, featuring Starbucks. You’ll want to stop here for brew, goodies, AND the cozy decor!
Starbucks Logo on the Window of Market House
I love the holiday season at the Disney parks; mark your calendar with the Disneyland Candy Cane dates. Those sweet swirls are a popular tradition and not-to-be missed!
If you missed any Disney food news this week, check out the articles below!
Of course, there’s more! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including restaurant closures, TripAdvisor Award for Victoria & Albert’s, Splitsville Adds Gluten Free Dishes, and more!
If you find a fun new food — or other edible 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 Jennifer emailed us a picture of the Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich at Captain’s Grille. She says “… It’s served on Foccacia bread with an arugula & red onion vinaigrette. It’s served with orzo salad or French fries. … It is my favorite lunch of all time.
The bread is flavorful, soft, but crisped on the outside. The tomatoes are sweet and the fresh cheese, creamy. The arugula vinaigrette adds just enough tangy bite and brings the entire sandwich together nicely. I usually ask for extra dressing and started using it for my fries also. I thought it was a hidden gem, I should share!”
Tomato and Mozzarella Sandwich
Thanks for sending your yummy photos and tips!
Tis the season for the Grand Launch of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World® Holidays 2013 e-Book!
And since we want you to save some cash right NOW, we have a steep discount for DFB readers (as always!). Get the brand new guide today for $3 off the regular purchase price for a limited time! How? Use code JINGLE at the check-out!
The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2013 e-Book features 270 pages of all the info you need to know before you head to Walt Disney World for the holiday season, including NEW events and holiday happenings, over 250 photos, and an informative FAQ section. It includes:
For more detailed information and sample pages from The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2013, head over to the DFB Store!
And if you want an even BETTER deal, snap up our DFB Holiday Bundle! This includes the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays AND our original DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013!
With a 100% 30-day, money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! 🙂
Mickey Fix warms our hearts (and stomachs) with this Mickey and Minnie cookie jar! Order now; for Disney fans on your holiday list!!
Mickey and Minnie Cookie Jar!
Daveland highlights the new Starbucks at the Market House in Disneyland.
Walt Disney World For Grown Ups features new cocktails on Disney World’s bar and lounge menu.
Disney Hipsters visits Sommerfest in Epcot’s Germany pavilion.
Mouse on the Mind receives some Disney Magic — a free Mickey Ice Cream Bar!
TripAdvisor names Victoria & Albert’s as top 3 fine dining restaurant in United States!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
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