World Showcase | the disney food blog

50 Memories You Should Make Before Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary!

In 2021, Walt Disney World will turn fifty, and we can’t wait to see what kind of epic celebrations are planned for this special event! While we await the details, we thought about all the things we’d like to do at in the World before the big day — some big, some small, and most of them totally unique to the Most Magical Place on Earth!

Here are 50 memories to make before Disney World’s 50th anniversary.

Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom

Spin in a teacup

The wind whipping through your hair as you spin as fast as you can, giggling like a kid because on the Mad Tea Party, you are one! [Read more…]

NEW Epcot Forever Details: Concept Art, Music, and MORE!

By DFB Sarah 3 Comments

Last night we shared with you that the final showing of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Walt Disney World’s Epcot will be September 30, 2019, and that the show’s temporary replacement, Epcot Forever, will debut on October 1.

And now we have more details about what we can expect in Epcot Forever!

IllumiNations ends September 30!

Epcot Forever will revolve around a soundtrack of music that guests have loved at Epcot for years. [Read more…]

When Will IllumiNations End — and When will Epcot Forever Start? WE TELL YOU!

By AJ and the DFB Team 14 Comments

Last September Disney announced that IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth, the beloved nighttime spectacular on Epcot’s World Showcase, will end in the second half of 2019. (Click here for more on that announcement!) And now we know when crowds will be “moving forward now as one” — AND when IllumiNations’ replacement will begin!

IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth

At the start of Inside Disney Parks’ live stream of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth tonight, it was announced that the final showing of IllumiNations will be on September 30, 2019! [Read more…]

What’s New in Epcot: LIMITED-EDITION Eats and Souvenirs, Construction, and NEW Merchandise!

By AJ and the DFB Team Leave a Comment

We love visiting Epcot during the Flower & Garden Festival! On this trip, we checked in on a few of the festival’s limited edition eats and souvenirs, the construction happening around World Showcase and all the NEW merch that hit stores this week!

Flower and Garden Festival

Remember, the 2019 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is ON through June 3, 2019 which is great new if you’re looking to grab that Orange Bird Sipper Cup…

[Read more…]

Review and Food Photos: Tutto Italia in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

By AJ 2 Comments

If you’re looking for decent Italian food in Walt Disney World, you don’t have to look too far.

Learn About:
Tutto Italia Ristorante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

In every park (save Animal Kingdom) there are Italian restaurants — some better than others — and Disney Springs has several from which to choose (think: Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante, Terralina Crafted Italian, Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar). Even the resorts get in on the action with one of our favorites — Il Mulino — located at the Swan Hotel.

And then, of course, there’s the Italy Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase, where food is celebrated in several forms: pizza at Via Napoli, gelato at a cart outside, wine in the Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, and classic Italian dishes at Tutto Italia.

Tutto Italia opened in 2013 in the space formerly occupied by Alfredo’s. And even though the name had changed, a lot of Alfredo’s remained. The overall styling of the restaurant was retained — murals, crystal chandeliers, and dark wood create an elegant atmosphere — while the menu satisfies with traditional Italian dishes.

It’s been a while since my last official review of Tutto Italia (see that review here!), so on a recent trip I decided it was time to return and see if this oft-forgotten spot is worth a more regular visit.

Outside Tutto Italia

Atmosphere

Tutto Italia’s design aesthetic features some classic, elegant elements. [Read more…]

Review and Food Photos: Restaurant Marrakesh with Garden Rocks Package at Epcot!

By AJ 5 Comments

Restaurant Marrakesh is located at the back of the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase at Walt Disney World.

Learn About:
San Angel Inn Restaurante

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This table service spot is oft forgotten in part because of its location, in part because Morocco’s quick service spot Tangierine Cafe is so good, and in part because Restaurant Marrakesh just doesn’t have the reputation for wowing guests like many of the other World Showcase table service options have.

I like to revisit restaurants whether they’ve got a decent rep or not, and Restaurant Marrakesh is one that we needed to check out again. But it’s one of the options for this year’s Flower & Garden Garden Rocks Dining Package (click here for more info on Garden Rocks and the dining package!), so I was excited to return (and get a coveted ticket to the show!).

Restaurant Marrakesh is a dichotomy. On the one hand, the atmosphere features lovely design details in keeping with the overall styling of the pavilion itself, the building of which was overseen by the government of Morocco. On the other hand, the food at Restaurant Marrakesh is largely uninspired and lackluster.

Restaurant Marrakesh

Atmosphere

The atmosphere at Restaurant Marrakesh celebrates some of the classic Moroccan design seen elsewhere in the pavilion (and in the, you know, country of Morocco). [Read more…]

What’s New in Epcot: Festival Booths, Topiaries, Construction, Mickey Pretzels, and more!

By AJ and the DFB Team 3 Comments

As Epcot’s Festival of the Arts prepares to close on February 25 signs the Flower and Garden Festival opening on March 6 are popping up! Our latest visit to Epcot saw some Flower and Garden food booths and topiaries being set up. But, that isn’t all, we also saw some construction progress, new merchandise, and some awesome chalk art!

Hello from Epcot!

We’ll start out with some Festival of the Arts chalk art — and deals!

[Read more…]

Review: Is Epcot’s Le Cellier Still Quality Signature Dining?

By AJ 18 Comments

Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada Pavilion in Epcot’s World Showcase at Walt Disney World is a signature dining spot for lunch and dinner.

Learn About:
Le Cellier Steakhouse

Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

It’s tucked low in the side of the pavilion, and entering this popular restaurant is like stepping into an elegant wine cave cellar.

We’ve dined at Le Cellier many times, starting back before the Disney Dining Plan even existed, and then when it was still a one-credit meal for both lunch and dinner. That changed in 2012, when dinner became a signature dining experience requiring two Disney Dining Plan table service credits. Then, in 2013, lunch at Le Cellier also went signature, and lots of readers wanted to know if it was still worth a visit.

The short answer is yes… if you can spare the credits or bite the budget bullet out of pocket. Le Cellier crafts high-quality meals with thoughtful components and incorporates Canadian ingredients in subtle ways.

But I’m always re-trying old favorites to ensure that DFB can still endorse them, so I journeyed back to the Great White North to confirm Le Cellier’s place among the great restaurants of Walt Disney World.

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Atmosphere

The dining room at Le Cellier creates a distinctive dining atmosphere — and it’s one that I love. [Read more…]

Tons of Characters Are Hiding in Epcot Right Now…We’ll Show You How To Find Them!

By AJ and the DFB Team 4 Comments

One week ago today, the 2019 Epcot Festival of the Arts kicked off in Disney World! This third annual celebration of the Culinary, Visual, and Performing Arts provides artistic tastes, sounds, and sights to guests throughout the park.

2019 Festival of the Arts Passport

And today we’re sharing some very special sights around World Showcase, where artists have painted beloved Disney characters in various country Pavilions! [Read more…]

Le Cellier Secret Menu Item: Annual Passholder Poutine!

By DFB Sarah 1 Comment

You know how we at the DFB feel about poutine. We love it so much we created a poutine crawl last year. We visit The Daily Poutine in Disney Springs often to sample their limited time offerings. And if we spot poutine on a menu, we pretty much can’t help ourselves. So secret menu poutine at Le Cellier? Yeah, we gotta tell you about this one!

Le Cellier Steakhouse

It’s called Annual Passholder Poutine — but you don’t need to have an Annual Pass to get it! [Read more…]