food IS a theme park
Today we’re bringing you a guest review from our DFB pal Jennifer Elliott, who attended the new Rose & Crown Tea Experience in Epcot’s World Showcase! This weekend, I had the privilege to attend The Rose & Crown’s brand new Tea Experience. It began promptly at 9:45 am, so make sure to allow plenty of time to walk to the United Kingdom Pavilion.
Tea Experience at Rose & Crown Pub and Dining Room
There is nothing more British than a cuppa tea. And now you can have a cuppa at Epcot’s local pub – Rose and Crown! But this isn’t your regular tea – it’s an “experience”!
Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room
The Rose and Crown has launched a new “Tea Experience” where you’ll not only sip tea, but you’ll munch on scones and sandwiches while learning about tea from a Twinings-trained Cast Member. [Read more…]
If you’ve grown to love Joffrey’s Coffee at the Disney Parks, your morning coffee routine is about to get Disney-fied!
Mickey Mouse Joffrey’s Coffee!
Editor’s Note: We’ll be updating this post regularly as we learn more about how specialty, non-alcoholic drinks are being classified at Walt Disney World. If you’ve had experience with the plan, please comment below so we can add it to the post! Thanks, Disney food friends!
When the 2018 Disney Dining Plan details were released last June, many guests were excited to discover that alcoholic drinks would be included. For those who like to try adult beverages at Walt Disney World, this was an immediate way to bump up the value of the Disney Dining Plan!
But what about those guests who choose not to drink alcohol or who are under 21 years old (but still required to pay the adult price)? How can they maximize the 2018 Disney Dining Plan by imbibing in “specialty beverages” promised by the new DDP?
You can never have too many Disney mugs.
If your kitchen cabinet looks anything like mine, it’s full of mugs and you’re still excited to find more that you “need.” And, I think you’re gonna need one of these new mugs from the Magic Kingdom’s Confectionery on Main Street, U.S.A.
Main Street Confectionery entrance
If the Grand Floridian Resort is your cup of tea, you won’t want to miss the Garden View Tea Room‘s Afternoon Tea offerings!
Every day the resort serves a spread fit for the Queen with a beautiful garden view to match.
Garden View Tea Room from Disney Parks Blog
We have a fun treat for you at the China Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase!
Let’s face it: Disney World is hot. With the exception of a few weeks out of the year, you’re going to be craving a refreshing drink as a mid-day treat. And Epcot’s Joy of Tea has just the thing for you!
We’re big fans of this snack stop. For such a tiny booth, it has a pretty extensive menu! The egg rolls and curry chicken pockets are tasty little snacks that will hold you over until your next meal while you explore the World Showcase.
And, most importantly, they have a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (including the fan favorite Tipsy Ducks in Love!).
Today, we’ll check out the Bubble Milk Tea!
Joy of Tea menu — click to enlarge
Up until recently, Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel has only offered breakfast/brunch and dinner. This past January, they opened their doors for a lovely Classic Afternoon Tea.
Steakhouse 55 Located Inside the Disneyland Hotel
When I first heard about the tea offering, I knew I wanted to try it out. Steakhouse 55 has always been one of my favorite Disneyland Resort restaurants. I especially love the atmosphere here, so I was really excited to have a new Steakhouse 55 experience. Breakfast at Steakhouse 55 is what I believe to be one of the very best breakfasts on property. Dinner is wonderful too, so I was sure afternoon tea would be a delight as well!
I tried to book immediately, but it was full almost a month out! So, I booked my month out and waited patiently. Checking in for tea is the same process as a meal. Just head on up to the podium and you will be escorted back to the dining room.
Check In Podium
When the time came, I was joined by my best pal. We took the first reservation of the day, which was at noon, and when we got there it was basically empty. By the time we left, there was not one open table! [Read more…]
Set sail on the Seven Seas Lagoon with us today as we take a first look and review a brand new premium offering at Walt Disney World — Ferrytale Wishes, A Fireworks Dessert Cruise.
The special event is still undergoing testing as Disney works to get all of the bugs out before the event’s official debut on Monday, October 5.
I had the opportunity to experience the cruise for myself last week while I was at Walt Disney World for the kickoff of the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Of course, I was anxious to check it out ahead of the opening. I know some of you have already booked the experience, so I’ve been excited to share with you a first look. Let’s head to the boat!
The Cruise departs from the Transportation and Ticket Center, so I was instructed to park in the Magic Kingdom parking lot.
I checked in at a location near the entrance to the Ferry Boats Dock. Don’t worry; Cast Members are there to help you find your way. 🙂 As you approach the TTC, just head left as though you plan to board a ferry to Magic Kingdom, and you’ll be in the right place.
Gangway to the Ferry
Boarding began at 7:45 PM, and we were scheduled to sail at 8:00 PM promptly. Sailing time will change, of course, as it depends on when Wishes will be scheduled each night. Be sure to pay attention to the information for your particular booking. [Read more…]
Editor’s Note: The menu for Afternoon Tea at Garden View Lounge has changed since this review was written, and many of the items featured here are no longer available. For more details, see our news post about the changes.
Today, we’re taking in afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge. This charming spot, which occupies the far end of the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa’s cavernous lobby, is the perfect place to relax, dress up a bit (perhaps), and slow down, while you enjoy traditional offerings and steaming pots of tea.
Menu Cover
It’s become a rather hot ticket, though, so if you like what you see, be prepared to make your advance dining reservation well in advance.
Tea at the Grand has become a tradition of sorts for my mom and me, and so we were excited to head there for this special treat.
Upon entering the Grand Floridian, take a moment to notice the details of the soaring atrium. With natural light flooding the seating areas during the day, the large birdcage, and the beautiful domed skylights, it really is lovely.
The Lobby and the Atrium Put the “Grand” in Grand Floridian
I’ve often heard people suggest that the Grand suffers from a “lack of themeing”. I’ve never thought so. To me, the setting is beautiful — elegance with a light touch, befitting Florida’s subtropical climate. And even with families around me rushing to catch the monorail, I’m transported when I enter it to a less-rushed time and place.
Whether you visit during the day or evening, you are likely to catch some form of live musical entertainment here. During the day, you’ll enjoy piano music. In the evening, be sure to catch Grand Floridian Society Orchestra playing jazz standards from the bandstand located just outside of Mizner’s Lounge on the second floor.
Piano Music in the Grand’s Lobby
The Garden View Lounge is located at the far end of the lobby, directly opposite from the main entrance.
View of the Tea Room from the Lobby
Flanking either side of the lounge are these adorable mosaics of inlaid marble.
Mrs. Potts Mosaic
Be sure to look down occasionally while walking around the Grand! They redid the floors a few years ago and added mosaics like these throughout. They are absolutely stunning.
Chip Mosaic
Garden View is also the setting for the Perfectly Princess Tea Party, a character and storytelling experience.
Tea Info — Click to Enlarge
The Lounge itself is an open-air spot, separated from the rest of the lobby by a wall featuring “windowless” windows.
Looking Into the Lounge from the Lobby
We arrived a few minutes early for our advance dining reservation, and were told that our table would be ready shortly. I’m not sure what all of the luggage by the hostess stand was about! There was a full house inside, however. And it seemed as though a few people were dressed up for a special occasion of some sort.
Hostess Stand
We relaxed nearby in the lobby. Soon, our pager went off, and we were shown to our table.
Entrance
Marble statues flank both side entrances of the lounge. Other than that, the space is sparsely decorated.
Entering the Lounge
The center of the room is dominated by [Read more…]
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