food IS a theme park
We’re visiting the Epcot resort area to see What’s New at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, and Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts! We’ve got some cupcake news, Mother’s Day shopping, and more!
Climb aboard a Friendship Boat!
Our first stop is Disney’s BoardWalk Inn and Villas. [Read more…]
The Disney World Yacht and Beach Club Resorts’ shared pool, Stormalong Bay, is seeing some changes in both the menu at Hurricane Hanna’s and lots of construction on new Cabanas being added to the area.
Yacht and Beach Clubs’ Stormalong Bay Cabana Construction
The familiar shape of a cabanas can been seen popping up all around the pool.
The Yacht and Beach Club Resorts have so much to offer for the Disney Food Fan from ice cream sundaes and casual eats to a steakhouse! We’ve got all the menu updates for these two resorts here!
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Stormalong Bay stalwart Hurricane Hanna’s has had a recent menu update and we couldn’t wait to share it with you!
One of our favorite spots, Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, will be closing in August for a three month refurbishment.
Beaches and Cream
The super popular restaurant is primarily known for ice cream (especially the Famous Kitchen Sink and even boozy shakes for adults), but it’s also a great place to grab a burger, grilled cheese, and other diner favorites. [Read more…]
Walt Disney World has been a destination for families since the Magic Kingdom threw open its gates back in 1971. But over the years, Disney magic has drawn in people of all ages, and today it’s completely common to see grown-ups enjoying the parks with out kids.
We thought it’d be fun to gather some ideas on how to make the most of a girls’ weekend at Walt Disney World — from tips on where to stay, what to do, and (of course!) where to eat!
Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom
Deciding where to stay during an adults-only trip can be a tough call, and there are a few different approaches you might want to take.
If you’re looking to enjoy your vacation without breaking the bank, think about Disney World’s Value Resorts. Want to avoid the noise and crowds often associated with these massive resorts? Request a room far from the main building and pools — even on the backside of a building where you’re less likely to have noise from passersby.
See Donald and friends at the All Star Movies Resort
But if you and your crew prefer to live the sweet life, consider booking a Deluxe Resort room — which is often a decent deal when you split it 2, 3, 0r 4 ways! These rooms offer more space and higher-end finishes. Plus some of the Deluxe Resorts have added perks — like great dining options and entertainment.
Pixar is firing on all cylinders on both coasts — at Pixar Pier and Pixar Fest in Disneyland Resort and with the impending grand opening of Toy Story Land in Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World! (We’ve had a blast there at the Media Preview today!) Even the Resorts in Walt Disney World are getting in on the action.
Remember that amazing Toy Story themed mousse brownie we highlighted a few days ago? That was the first of the most adorable set of Toy Story Goodies we’ve seen this side of Andy’s Backyard!
New Pixar Ball Chocolate Mousse Brownie at Roaring Fork
Enter Beach Club Marketplace and its completely adorable, utterly delicious, ridiculously awesome Toy Story Cookie Dough Cake Pops!!
Toy Story Cookie Dough Cake Pops
Yup, you read that correctly: Cookie. Dough. Cake. Pops. And they are so good. First of all, we love the designs: the iconic cloud wallpaper (spot that Hidden Mickey!), the Pixar Ball, and Woody’s plaid shirt and sheriff’s badge! [Read more…]
We often hear from readers who want to know if DFB’s favorites of yore have still got IT.
You know what we mean: do they still have the mojo that keeps guests coming back year after year. For some restaurants at Walt Disney World, it’s killer food and a seasonal, ever-changing menu that draws in a crowd. For others, it’s an atmosphere that can’t be beat — like ‘Ohana‘s warm family feel or Sanaa‘s animal friends right outside the window.
For Beaches & Cream, it’s a sense of nostalgia paired with comforting eats that have been consistently good since the soda shop opened its doors almost thirty years ago. (Let’s just table that thirty years ago bit because there’s no way we’re that old…)
Beaches & Cream is tucked in between the Yacht and Beach Club Resorts on an outdoor walkway adjacent to Stormalong Bay — the fabulous pool shared by the resorts. That means Beaches and Cream is in the Epcot Resort Area (and just a stone’s throw from the International Gateway that serves as an entrance to Epcot’s World Showcase). This convenient location means that even guests not staying at the Resorts will make the short trip to this casual table service location for a bite to eat.
But you (and I!) wanted to know: does Beaches & Cream still have IT?
Beaches and Cream
TODAY’S THE DAY! Walt Disney World’s Free Dining Offer is officially coming back and will be offered to guests for select dates in August, September, November, and December 2018 (NOTE: There are no October dates this year, but if your check-in date is in late September, you can obviously take your stay into October).
Free Dining is being offered to guests ARRIVING during the dates listed below.
August 20* – September 29, 2018
November 24 – November 27, 2018
December 7 – December 23, 2018
UPDATE: The booking window — which originally closed on July 7th — has been extended to August 1, 2018!
*Canada Residents may book now for travel dates beginning August 2, 2018, and Disney Visa Cardholders may book now for travel dates beginning August 2, 2018.
(See below for participating resorts. Please note that the offer excludes several resorts this year, including campsites, 3-bedroom villas, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Little Mermaid Standard Rooms.)
If you stay at a participting Value or Moderate Resort, you’ll receive the Quick Service Dining plan for FREE. (Note that you can upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans by paying the difference in cost per night.)
Participating Value Resorts include:
Participating Moderate Resorts include:
If you reserve a participating Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive the standard Dining plan for FREE. (You can upgrade to the deluxe dining plan by paying the difference in cost per night.)
Participating Deluxe Resorts include:
Participating Deluxe Villas include:
You must book a minimum stay of 4 nights/maximum stay of 14 nights at a participating Disney-owned resort. You also need to purchase AT LEAST a 4-day Magic Your Way Disney World ticket with a Park Hopper AND/OR the Park Hopper Plus Option.
Since Disney World’s Free Dining offer generally can’t be combined with other discounts, it’s often difficult to determine how to save the MOST money: with a Disney World hotel room discount or with the free dining offer.
We break down and compare the costs and options for several Disney World discounts, including the Free Dining offer, in our fully updated DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2018 e-Book to help you save the most money possible.
With over 650 pages of great Disney World dining advice, full color photos, and details, this book is a great deal.
The agents at Small World Vacations are ready to help you save time, headaches and best of all, money. They compare available discounts to find the best deal for you. This is why they are the preferred travel agent of the Disney Food Blog.
Book a new 2018 Walt Disney World® vacation valued at $3600 or more and get one FREE Mickey Themed insulated cooler filled with yummy treats and surprises delivered to your onsite Walt Disney World resort room. (Items may vary.)
This offer is good for check-ins August 2 through December 31, 2018. Offer must be booked with Small World Vacations April 24 through May 1, 2018. Restrictions apply. Substitutions may be necessary. Personalization not available.
Enter code DFBFD18 to qualify when you request a price quote from Small World Vacations*.
If you already booked your 2018 Walt Disney World vacation directly with Disney within the last 30 days and it’s valued at $3600 or more (without airfare and not yet paid in full) for an arrival between August 2 – December 31, 2018, it’s not too late to get the Mickey Themed Insulated Cooler with goodies! Transferred reservations qualify! Offer expires May 1, 2018. Restrictions apply. For details email Small World Vacations at guestrelations@ smallworldvacations.com and mention DFB code DFBFD18.
If you are ready to begin planning a trip, simply fill out Small World Vacations’ no obligation quote form! Small World Vacations is happy to share over 20 years of Disney expertise and firsthand experience with MyDisneyExperience, dining reservations and FastPass+ so you can sit back, relax and get ready to enjoy your vacation.
* In-room gift courtesy of Small World Vacations. Comparable approximate value at Disney Florist is $59.95. While supplies last. One tote per qualifying new 2018 Walt Disney World vacation reservation valued at $3600 or more for check-in August 2 – December 31, 2018. No cash value and void if cancelled. Non-transferable. Substitutions may be necessary. Offer valid on bookings made April 24 – May 1, 2018 for travel dates August 2-December 31, 2018.
When traveling to Disney World with a family or group of five or more people, finding a resort that fits your family’s needs and budget can be challenging.
Art of Animation Resort
Should you stay in a Value, Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa? Should you stay in one room, two rooms, or a suite? There are so many options for families of five or larger groups, and today we’re going to check out a few of them! [Read more…]
The Yacht Club’s Ale & Compass Restaurant hit the Disney World dining scene just this past November.
But our first visit was for lunch, so it’s time to step back in for our dinner review. And since there are some fairly major menu changes from day to night at this still-new spot, it’s a great reason to check it out again.
Now, before we move forward with the review, just a reminder that the Ale & Compass Restaurant is one third of an entirely new Ale & Compass dining concept at Disney World’s Yacht Club, so it’s not to be confused with the Ale & Compass Lounge and The Market at Ale & Compass (a Counter Service meets Grab-and-Go setup).
The Ale & Compass Restaurant is the Table Service component of this trio, serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (each one Table Service Credit on the Disney Dining Plan).
Ale & Compass Restaurant sign by the entrance
And now that we’ve got the details out of the way, let’s check out the digs!
We have a full tour of Ale & Compass Restaurant available from our first visit, and you can peruse it by clicking here.
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