The Wave | the disney food blog

Tips From the DFB Guide: Reservations at Select Disney World Restaurants Through OpenTable.com

You’re likely already familiar with using the My Disney Experience website or app to book your dining reservations throughout Walt Disney World parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. But did you know that some of these restaurants also offer reservations through OpenTable.com? We’ve got all the details!

Steak Frites at Wine Bar George

Want to try booking a dining reservation through OpenTable.com? We’ve put together a list of all participating restaurants on property. While you won’t find any in-park dining on the list, there are plenty of Resort and Disney Springs restaurants available via the site.

[Read more…]

DFB Video: Disney’s Contemporary Resort Food Tour

By AJ and the DFB Team 1 Comment

Happy Weekend! We’re back with another DFB Video today, and we’re taking you on a Food Tour of Disney World’s Contemporary Resort!

Meet Chef Mickey at the Contemporary!

Disney’s Contemporary Resort plays host to several dining locations. It offers everything from one of the most popular Character Meals in Disney World, to a favorite Counter Service spot, to fantastic fireworks viewing within a Signature Restaurant setting and much more. There’s something for everyone at the Contemporary when it comes to dining. And that’s especially great because — since the Resort is easily accessible to guests coming to or from Magic Kingdom — just about everyone can make a plan to get there at some point during their vacation if they wish. So join us for a complete Food Tour of the Contemporary in our latest DFB YouTube Video! [Read more…]

Even More Mother’s Day Treats and Eats in Walt Disney World and Disneyland

By AJ 2 Comments

Are you and Mom spending Mother’s Day together in The Most Magical Place on Earth (Disney World) OR The Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland)? Well, in addition to the Disney World Brunch options we’ve shared with you previously, we’ve got even more options to add, including specialty snacks and additional Brunches in Disney World, AND special meal options in Disneyland!

Disney World Parks

Epcot

Sunshine Seasons will serve a Mother’s Day Dessert with raspberry mousse and lemon cake topped with a Swiss buttercream rose and fondant pearls on Mother’s Day.

Mother’s Day Dessert and Cupcake ©Disney

But if you’re at Epcot a bit earlier, find a vanilla Mother’s Day Cupcake with raspberry white chocolate mousse and pink icing at Fountain View from May 11 – 13.

Animal Kingdom

In Animal Kingdom, stop by Creature Comforts and Isle of Java for a vanilla Mother’s Day Cupcake filled with white chocolate raspberry mousse and topped with buttercream flowers.

[Read more…]

News: Increased Discount for Tables in Wonderland Members

By AJ 8 Comments

Heads up, Tables in Wonderland Members! Remember a couple weeks ago when it was announced that Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members would receive an increased discount at select Disney World restaurants?

Well, that good news now extends to you, too! According to wdwmagic.com, Tables in Wonderland members are now eligible for the same increased discount.

Flying Fish

If you visit any of the locations listed below during the dinner meal timeframe BEFORE 6:30 pm or AFTER 8:30 pm, you will receive a 30% discount as opposed to the original 20% now through September 30, 2017! [Read more…]

News: Disney World Annual Passholders Increased Dining Discount Through Sept. 30th

By AJ 13 Comments

Hey, Disney World Annual Passholders, Tables in Wonderland Members, and Disney Vacation Club Members! Guess what? According to wdwmagic.com, an increased discount is now available at several Resort restaurants now through the summer (ending September 30, 2017).

The Turf Club at Saratoga Springs Resort

If you visit any of the locations listed below during the dinner meal timeframe BEFORE 6:30 pm or AFTER 8:30 pm, you will receive a 30% discount as opposed to the original 20%! [Read more…]

News: Disney Restaurant Discounts During Orlando Magical Dining Month (PLUS MENUS!!)

By AJ 1 Comment

Wow! What a fun surprise to see so many Disney Restaurants participating in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month for 2017!

September is Orlando Magical Dining Month sponsored by Visit Orlando, and it begins with a preview week on August 25th and runs through October 1st. Magical Dining offers Orlando locals and guests the chance to enjoy the Orlando culinary scene at a significant savings: $35 for three courses at participating area restaurants. This year, the tally is over 100 restaurants offering the prix fixe dinners, which include appetizer, entree, and dessert.

In keeping with tradition, one dollar from each meal goes to support local charities. Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation are the two charities for 2017.

For a complete list of participating restaurants and Magical Dining Month menus, head over to Visit Orlando’s website. And to see all of the restaurants at Disney World and in the immediate Lake Buena Vista area, click here.

This year, an unprecedented number of Disney restaurants are participating, and we are happily surprised to see several Disney owned and operated spots on the list! Among them are The Turf Club, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Grand Floridian Cafe, Jiko, Olivia’s Cafe, and The Wave… of American Flavors.

Inguday Tibs in Brik at Jiko

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Celebrate Mother’s Day at Disney World and Disneyland!

By Traci C 2 Comments

Happy Mother’s Day!! How about a day at Disneyland or Disney World just for mom?

A sweet treat just for Mom! ©Disney

If you’re looking for the perfect way to celebrate Mother’s Day, check out these special dining options at Disney World and Disneyland! [Read more…]

News and Review: 24 oz. Seven Seas Lagoon Cocktail Debuts Disney’s Contemporary Resort

By AJ and the DFB Team 9 Comments

There’s a new drink in the World, and you have got to check it out!

Learn About:
The Wave…of American Flavors

Disney World Restaurants

But to find it, there’s only one place you can go, and that’s Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Just head to the Lounge at The Wave… of American Flavors (or Top of the World in Bay Lake Tower), and that’s where you can order up the The Seven Seas Lagoon.

Before we dive in, we’ve got to note how fun it is to see another Resort-specific cocktail on a Disney lounge menu. With the rare exception of specialty spots like AbracadaBar and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, you can go from one Resort Bar to the next and not see much difference in the offerings. But here and there, you’ll find beverages themed to their Resort. The New Orleans-inspired cocktails at Port Orleans’ River Roost, the classic cocktails at the BoardWalk’s Belle Vue Lounge, and the specialty drinks at Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Victoria Falls come to mind. And we always think it’s a thing to celebrate when they come along.

There’s much more to say, though, about The Seven Seas Lagoon. Clearly, its name is inspired by the Contemporary’s location as one of the Resorts surrounding the Seven Seas Lagoon.

The Seven Seas Lagoon

Or maaaaybe it gets its name from the fact that this drink is the size of an ACTUAL LAGOON. [Read more…]

HOLIDAY Tips from the DFB Guide: Where to Dine When You Don’t Have a Reservation in Walt Disney World

By AJ Leave a Comment

It’s a pretty common occurrence. You’re in the middle of your Walt Disney World vacation, it’s the holiday season, and you’d love to enjoy a table service meal.

But there’s only one problem: you don’t have an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR).

Maybe your plans changed — or the weather did. Or it could just be that you planned to grab counter service, but now you’re rethinking that move. Whatever the situation, you might think that all hope is lost. There’s no way you’re getting into any Disney table service restaurant that you didn’t book 180 days out. Right?

You might be surprised to learn that I book a lot of tables just days before I head to Walt Disney World. And it’s not all that rare for me to change things up at the last minute — even during the busiest times of the year!

How do I do it? Flexibility helps a LOT. But if that’s not an option, what you need are some tried and true spots where you can probably score a table with very short notice, or even as a walk up.

Here are our suggestions for Where to Dine When You Don’t Have a Reservation in Walt Disney World. And if you love what you see here, be sure to check out the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining for tons of great tips!

The Wave…of American Flavors

One of my favorite resort dining spots is The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Bonus: it’s within walking distance (or a monorail ride) of Magic Kingdom!

The Wave offers a hearty start to your day. Enjoy an a la carte breakfast of some of the restaurant’s specialties, like Sweet Potato Pancakes.

Sweet Potato Pancakes with melted butter and maple syrup

And if you can’t make up your mind between sweet and savory, you can opt for the Buffet. [Read more…]

News: Highway in the Sky (aka Monorail) Dine Around Progressive Dinner Begins December 2nd in Disney World

By AJ 18 Comments

Who doesn’t love a trip around the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Resorts on the Monorail?

I know I do. And now there’s a new extra ticket dining event you can add to your trip on the Highway in the Sky… the Highway in the Sky Dine Around!

The Wave Entrance

Your evening begins by checking in at The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, accompanied with a welcome appetizer and specialty cocktail.

Next stop? Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for island-inspired spirits and appetizers! [Read more…]