Disney4me

Spring is in full swing here at Walt Disney World Resort. I don’t know what it is about this time of year, but it always inspires me to don my finest wardrobe items and step out in style. I’ve often seen guests in the Parks dressed up in a wide variety of themed attire, and those looks served as inspiration for a new Disney Parks Blog series dedicated to dressing up at Disney Vacation Club Resorts! Each Disney Vacation Club Resort offers a unique theme, which offers the perfect setting for a day of dress-up fun. Today I’m sharing looks inspired by Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House and Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. First, this daring, adventurous look, snapped at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. These two look as if they stepped straight out of the legendary story of “Tarzan” While the color palate for these styles is nature-toned and muted, the details are anything but! Lacy elements add class and sophistication for the lady, while the gentleman’s rugged boots and hat mesh seamlessly with a distinguished tailored vest. All in all, this look is something I’d LOVE to recreate on a Disney Vacation Club stay at this Resort. Next up: Dashing steampunk style at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins. Inspired by the nods to America’s Transcontinental Railroad found throughout the Resort, this look is a whimsical take on turn-of-the-century style with a bit of modern flair. Rich burgundy, soft dusty rose and even pops of salmon bring color to these fashions, while also matching the stunning coloring of the Resort’s Cascade Cabins. These breathtaking looks are just the beginning! In future posts I’ll explore even more dressy looks inspired by other Disney Vacation Club Resorts. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more in the weeks to come! View the full article

Disney’s Hollywood Studios at Walt Disney World has always been a destination for movie (and TV) magic. Learn About: 50’s Prime Time Cafe Disney's Hollywood Studios Disney World Restaurants And even though the park is in the throes of dramatic re-imagining, we’re happy that some favorite dining experiences have remained. One such favorite is 50s Prime Time Cafe, the totally immersive, throwback-Thursday-everyday table service restaurant where your Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins berate you for putting your elbows on the table and the menu is packed with comfort food. We’ve visited 50s Prime Time Cafe several times over the years (most recently in 2016), and one of the best parts of the experience here is the consistency of the food. If you enjoy American comfort food, you won’t be disappointed by the offerings at 50s. And if you’re not a fan of heavy classics like meatloaf and fried chicken, there are actually still some decent options for you — and you’ll get to experience the fun of mid-century family life straight out of a sitcom. So set the table, keep those elbows off the table, and get ready to clean your plates! 50s Prime Time Sign Atmosphere The immersive experience at 50s Prime Time Cafe is evident from wall to wall — and we mean that literally. You’ll find old timey collectibles ev.er.y.where. And we can’t get enough of them! Open shelving and tchotchkes galore! Retro busts and figurines Everyone should have a Cookie Trolley. Every shelf is packed full of fun stuff — so you’ve got to take a stroll to check it all out. Seating is in the family kitchen, where shelves of retro items are on display and everyone gets a television — black and white and flashing clips of old programs! (And yes, these are the SAME clips you saw on your last trip…even if it was in, like, 2005.) Seating at 50s Prime Time Cafe The wallpaper is seriously serious, with its classic black-and-white checkerboard pattern. 50s Prime Time Cafe Seating And the TV styling? Space age, baby! They should sell these things. But here at 50s Prime Time Cafe, there are rules, family! Stay out of Mom’s kitchen! Remember that dining here, you’re being served by your cousin most likely, and they’re pretty straightforward! No special treatment for you, and if you can’t tell them what color the soap was in the restroom you may end up standing in the corner for not washing your hands. If you don’t want to take part in the shenanigans (like singing “I’m a little teapot” in front of the whole restaurant when you didn’t finish your veggies), let your server know when you are seated. If you’d like to see some of the fun antics, click here! So what’s Mom cookin’ up in there? Let’s check it out! Eats The menu at 50s Prime Time Cafe is a laundry list of classic American comfort food — with a few nods here and there to healthier eats that probably weren’t on Grandma’s table. But you’ll want to start with a glance at the Drink Menu, where you can pilfer something From Dad’s Liquor Cabinet (or select a Sparkling Wine or Craft Beer). 50s Prime Time Cafe Drink Menu Beverages at 50s Prime Time Cafe While these adult beverages are a fun addition to the meal (and included in the 2018 Disney Dining Plan!), there’s really one drink you’ve got to try — and it’s family friendly! The Peanut Butter and Jelly Milk Shake is front and center on the full menu, and it’s delicious! 50s Prime Time Cafe Menu It’s served in a tall glass with the stainless milkshake cup so you can top off your shake throughout your meal. And you’re going to want to drink every last drop! PB and J Milkshake at 50s Prime Time On this visit, I asked to see the Allergy-Friendly Menu and received this two-page menu with allergens clearly listed in red. 50s Prime Time Cafe Allergy Friendly Menu 50s Prime Time Cafe Allergy Friendly Menu The Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese is one of my favorite things on any menu anywhere in the World — and we celebrated hard when it returned to the menu years ago after disappearing for a period! It’s a wheel of fried cheese served with fruit, raspberry sauce, and a piece of crusty bread. You have to get this! Fried Herb and Garlic Cheese Appetizer Next up, entrees! Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop was a miss on my visit. I love the concept — and the flavors are good. Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop There’s great color on the outside of the chop, and the accompaniments are colorful and tasty. Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop But this pork chop was way too tough and a challenge to cut through — to say nothing of actually chewing it! Hopefully it was just poorly executed on my visit and is actually awesome for everyone else. But I wouldn’t chance it again. Dad’s Stuffed Pork Chop Interior Rather, I’d go for a Sampling of Mom’s Favorite Recipes! This is a definite yes if you enjoy the three components: Roast Beef, Fried Chicken, and Meatloaf (complete with ketchup squiggle). Sampling of Mom’s Favorites If you’re looking to choose just one of the three, though, the Fried Chicken is the bomb, followed closely by the Roast Beef. You can’t go wrong with either one! Sampling of Mom’s Favorites The Sustainable Verlasso Salmon is one of those menu items that likely wasn’t on everyone’s gran’s table. But it’s a terrific option for those looking to eat a little lighter (and more sustainably). This was well prepared and served with a great assortment of veggies. Sustainable Verlasso Salmon The final entrees of the day are actually two versions of the same dish: Adult and Kids’ Chicken Pot Pie. This creamy mix is a combo of chicken, mushrooms, carrots, celery, onions, and peas. It’s topped with a flaky pastry — which seems to be pretty much the only difference between the two sizes. The grown up version comes with a square of pastry… Adult Chicken Pot Pie …while the (way more fun) kids’ version comes with Mickey-shaped pastry! Really, the portion size was so similar that it’s worth it to go with the kids’ just for the fun factor! Kids’ Chicken Pot Pie The flavor on this is a little bit bland, but I’m not a huge chicken pot pie fan. If you LOVE pot pie, you’ll likely enjoy this one. It has several guest devotees. Of course, there’s also a Dessert Menu, where Mom and Dad have listed some of their favorite sweets. Desserts at 50s Prime Time Cafe Dessert at 50s Prime Time Cafe features some classics — and we do love a classic dessert! Unfortunately, these were not really up to par. The Traditional Warm Apple Crisp was covered in plenty of sweet/buttery crisp. Traditional Warm Apple Crisp But the filling is a generic canned apple pie-type filling. So it was tasty, but it wasn’t special. Traditional Warm Apple Crisp Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake was disappointing (especially for lovers of chocolate/PB combos!). This was dry and unremarkable. Get the Peanut Butter and Jelly Shake instead! Dad’s Favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Layer Cake Nosh or Not? Pull up a chair in Mom’s kitchen if: The idea of dining in a different decade sounds fun! You like comfort food and want to eat some good renditions of old favorites! You’re looking for a table service dining experience that’s casual and even a little irreverent. Change the dining channel if: You prefer not to be pulled into hijinks while you dine. You want to eat food that’s a bit more innovative and adventurous. Table service doesn’t interest you — you’ve got rides to ride and attractions to enjoy. Overall Family, 50s Prime Time Cafe is still the bee’s knees, with tasty eats and some of the best atmosphere you’ll find in the World! On my visit the service was truly amazing (shout-out to Mark and Elaine). It’s a must-do at least once in your travels to Hollywood Studios. And don’t forget: if you can’t score an Advance Dining Reservation for 50s (or the walk-up time is too long a wait for you), you can get the full menu in neighboring Tune-In Lounge! Want to know how 50s Prime Time Cafe ranks among Hollywood Studios restaurants? Check out our DFB YouTube video of the best (and worst) of the Studios! Is 50s Prime Time Cafe on your Disney must-do list? Tell us what you love the most! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: 50’s Prime Time Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Review: Blue Milk Milkshake at 50s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Disney Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie From 50s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios View the full article

I’ve got some exciting announcements to share from Walt Disney World Resort! We’ve got a new character experience, dining packages, and even a couple exciting dessert parties. Read on to find out more … Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise Hoist anchor and prepare to set sail on Seven Seas Lagoon with the newly re-imagined Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise! You’re invited to partake in this unique dessert party featuring unforgettable views of the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks. Get ready to make dreams come true as you board the iconic General Joe Potter ferryboat, named after the longtime Disney Legend, at the Transportation and Ticket Center. Once on the water, set your sights on the horizon while sampling decadent sweets and tasty specialty beverages for all ages – and you might even see a few surprises added to the menu! All of this is followed by one-of-a-kind views of the world-famous fireworks blooming over Magic Kingdom Park. In addition to desserts and drinks, this event also offers fun activities such as a Glow-in-the-Dark Scavenger Hunt, where you’ll search for Hidden Mickeys throughout the Ferryboat. And when the fireworks begin, you’ll receive a pair of “Mickey Vision” viewing lenses, where your favorite characters may appear in each burst of light! Ferrytale Fireworks: A Sparkling Dessert Cruise will take place on select nights through June 29, 2018. Guests should meet at the Transportation and Ticket Center Tour Garden one hour and 15 minutes prior to each evening’s fireworks at Magic Kingdom Park. Be sure to get in on the fun by reserving your place on this fabulous fireworks cruise today! Annual Passholders can apply a discount by calling 407 WDW-DINE and Disney Vacation Club Members can apply a discount by calling Member Services. Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast Over at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Café is welcoming a new friend! Daisy Duck has now joined Minnie and her friends for this fun character dining experience, which includes a full breakfast buffet complete with Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, seasoned potatoes, and much more. So be sure to make a reservation to see your favorite sassy duck in her beachy best and to indulge in a delicious New England-style beachside buffet. “Fantasmic!” Dining Packages Dream a fantastic (and tasty) dream with a “Fantasmic!” dining package at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Each night, Mickey uses his vivid imagination to dream up an extravagant nighttime musical with pyrotechnics, laser lights, and one million gallons of dancing water that make his dream come alive! But before you enjoy this spectacular show, you can choose a special dining package where you’ll dine at one of three restaurants and receive special reserved seating for the show that night. Choose between Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano, Hollywood & Vine, or The Hollywood Brown Derby with your choice of one entrée, dessert, and non-alcoholic beverage or one full buffet. At the end of your meal, you’ll receive one voucher for each person in your party for guaranteed seating at Fantasmic! in a reserved area. Note that “Fantasmic!” is performed on select nights only. Be sure to check the Times Guide at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for the schedule and show times. Since this is an outdoor show, it is also subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Show times are subject to change. “Fantasmic!” Dessert and VIP Viewing Experience In addition to the fabulous “Fantasmic!” dining packages, you can also choose to delight your taste buds with tasty desserts and special VIP seats that offer the best view in the house. The “Fantasmic!” VIP Viewing Experience is offered during the first showing of “Fantasmic!” each night, and includes a special snack box full of sweet and savory treats, and a custom credential. When you arrive at the Fantasmic! theater, you’ll pick up your freshly prepared snack box and then you’ll head on in to the theater where you’ll enjoy VIP seating as you take in the sights of Mickey’s fantastic dreams! “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” Dessert Party Conclude your day in a galaxy far, far away with a delectable Star Wars-themed dessert party and exclusive viewing area of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This dessert party experience begins inside Launch Bay where you’ll indulge in sweet and savory food items, alcoholic and non-alcoholic specialty beverages, beer and wine or alternative non-alcoholic soft drinks. During the party, you are able to explore Star Wars Launch Bay, home to immersive exhibits, and up-close look at costumes, models, concept artwork and actual props borrowed from Lucasfilm. At the end of the event you will receive a souvenir Star Wars novelty as you are escorted to an exclusive viewing area where you’ll be center stage for Disney Movie Magic and “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular.” The menu includes Star Wars-themed cupcakes, freeze-fried chocolate-hazelnut mousse, warm bread pudding, red pepper hummus with smoked sea-salted flatbread, Cosmic Citrus Twist, and non-alcoholic Jettison Juice. “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” is an amazing nighttime fireworks show complete with pyrotechnics, laser lights, and memorable Star Wars moments. You won’t want to miss this, so be sure to reserve your place at this amazing dessert party today! Star Wars Guided Tour Enjoy the full force of all things Star Wars at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with this all-access tour! If it’s your destiny to discover all the Star Wars adventures at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this experience could be a real time “saber.” During this tour, you’ll get an exclusive guided voyage throughout the park with VIP access to everything Star Wars. This includes fun experiences such as reserved viewing areas for “Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away” and March of the First Order, a special ride through hyperspace aboard a Starspeeder 1000 on Star Tours – The Adventures Continue, a Star Wars-themed meal at Backlot Express (that may just include exclusive Lightsaber churros …), character meet and greets, and a tour of saga-centric exhibits at Launch Bay. You’ll also enjoy Meet the Makers and Path of the Jedi film viewings as well as fun Star Wars trivia and fun facts throughout the day. Children ages 4-12 will also get the opportunity to train with a Jedi Master at Jedi Training – Trials of the Temple. And at the end of the day, you’ll gain access to reserved viewing of “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” nighttime fireworks experience. You can reserve this incredible tour by calling (407) 939-7529. The tour starts before park open at the main entrance Monday-Saturday. View the full article

It’s a lovely night at Mermaid Lagoon at Tokyo DisneySea. This sea-themed area of the park plays host to Ariel’s Playground, Blowfish Balloon Race, Flounder’s Fish Flying Fish Coaster, Jumpin’ Jellyfish, Scuttle’s Scooters, The Whirlpool, and Mermaid Lagoon Theater. Mermaid Lagoon Theater is the setting for “King Triton’s Concert,” a show in which a musical concert is about to start in the kingdom under the sea, but Ariel is nowhere to be found. The show features songs from Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” including “Part of Your World” and “Under the Sea.” View the full article

Orlando developer John Crossman remembers the Disney-built Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista as one of the region’s top shopping centers when it opened in 1988 filled with stores and restaurants found nowhere else in Central Florida. “What other shopping centers are known by name?” said Crossman,... View the full article

Pixar Fest finally arrives tomorrow – a celebration of everyone’s favorite Pixar stories is taking over the Disneyland Resort. Throughout the resort, you’ll find Pixar-inspired parades, a new fireworks spectacular, tons of characters, and of course – FOOD! This festival is loaded with goodies that you’ll want to get your hands on. Here’s your exclusive Foodie Guide to everything Pixar Fest. Disneyland Park Starting on Main Street, U.S.A., you’ll find some special items inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Up,” including the Frozen Grape Soda Slush at the Main Street Coffee Cart. Also at this location will be specialty doughnuts featuring the iconic balloons and Russell’s badge sash. And at Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, you’ll find a Salted Caramel Butter Pecan Sundae with butter pecan and chocolate ice cream topped with salted caramel sauce, whipped cream, and candied pecans. Jolly Holiday Bakery Café will be serving “Up”-inspired Chocolate-Hazelnut Pastries and Specialty Éclairs with imagery featuring Carl Fredricksen and Russell’s badges, and right next door at Refreshment Corner, you’ll find a new all-beef hot dog! The Pastrami Dog is topped with pastrami, sauerkraut, special sauce, a dill pickle spear, and chives and served on an artisan bun. Across the street, Plaza Inn will be dishing out slices of Pixar Lemon-Raspberry Cake. This yummy dessert has layers of lemon, blue vanilla, and red velvet sponge cakes with raspberry purée and cream cheese frosting and is topped with a chocolate half-dome featuring that lovable, fun Pixar Ball! You’ll also find this cake in Disney California Adventure park at Pacific Wharf Café and Paradise Garden Grill. Also at Plaza Inn is a special dining package that includes a picnic-style lunch and access to a reserved viewing area for the “Pixar Play Parade.” This picnic lunch includes your choice of either fried chicken, penne pasta with marinara sauce and Parmesan cheese, or a bed of greens tossed in house-made ranch dressing, cheddar cheese, beans, pickled onions, and tomatoes. Each entrée is served with white cheddar mac & cheese, lemon-thyme green beans, refreshing watermelon-feta cheese salad, and a chocolate-caramel pudding for dessert. Be sure to make reservations today for this amazing dining package. At Carnation Café, you’ll find a couple dishes inspired by Carl Fredricksen from “Up.” The Fried Bologna Sandwich features pan-seared bologna, toasted Pullman bread, aïoli, pickles, lettuce, and tomato. Then there’s the Pork Chop Dinner served on a “TV tray” with a spiced apple pork chop, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, a corn muffin, and a decadent molten lava cake. In Frontierland, you’ll find some rootin’ tootin’ sweets inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Toy Story,” including a Berry Funnel Cake at Stage Door Café – a house-made funnel cake topped with blueberries, strawberries, chocolate cookie crumbles, crème anglaise, white chocolate, and gold-dusted whipped cream. If you can’t get enough funnel cake, there’s also a Strawberry Funnel Cake over in Critter Country at Hungry Bear Restaurant. This house-made funnel cake is inspired by everyone’s favorite unicorn, Buttercup, and comes with strawberry-cherry topping, strawberry butter, and streusel with a spice syrup drizzle. Back in Frontierland at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante, you’ll find Al Pastor Huarache. This dish, inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Coco,” features refried beans, al pastor-marinated pork, pineapple slaw, pasilla pepper crema, Mexican crema, and queso fresco, and it’s served with pickled carrots and fried serrano chili. For dessert, you can get the Mexican Chocolate Pot de Crème. In New Orleans Square, Café Orleans will be serving up a themed three-course meal inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Ratatouille.” The first course features a specialty cheese flight with three cheeses, dried fruit, and honeycomb. For the main event, it’s Remy’s favorite dish – Shrimp Ratatouille Byaldi layered with roasted zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, and tomato. The third course will feature Berry-Stuffed Beignets à la Mode served with a sweet brie drizzle and mascarpone. And nearby at the Royal Street Veranda, you’ll find a delicious Potato-Leek Soup. We can’t forget Alien Pizza Planet in Tomorrowland! The Aliens from “Toy Story” have sourced the finest ingredients from across the universe to deliver fresh, hot pizzas that are out of this world. These pizzas include a Cheeseburger Pizza with ketchup, yellow mustard, and pizza sauce on a sesame seed crust and topped with American and Cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, slider patties, house-made burger sauce, and pickles, as well as Cheese, Pepperoni, and Vegetarian Pizzas. A Chicken Caesar Salad will also be offered, along with an Antipasto Salad, Edamame-Noodle Salad, and Pesto Pasta. The Antipasto Salad consists of crisp lettuce topped with pepperoni, tomatoes, mixed olives, pepperoncini, fresh mozzarella, roasted red pepper, and roasted red onions tossed in a balsamic vinaigrette. The Edamame-Noodle Salad features grilled chicken breast on top of marinated edamame, sweet green beans, mint, cilantro, red cabbage, shredded carrot, and cold soba noodles with a ginger-lime vinaigrette. The Pesto Pasta is a gemelli pasta tossed in a spinach and miso pesto with smoky bacon, sweet peas, and Parmesan. And of course, you can pair any of these dishes with a side of fresh bread sticks or a side salad. On the sweet side of the Alien Pizza Planet menu, we’ve got Strawberry and Sour Apple Slushes, as well as an adorable Macaron and a Blackberry-Lime Parfait. Throughout the park there will also be some exciting new churros and snacks! Outdoor carts and kiosks will be serving up Cotton Candy inspired by Nemo from the Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo” with orange and white stripes and a fresh orange-vanilla flavor (also found at various carts in Disney California Adventure park). At the Town Square Churro Cart and the Churro Cart in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle will be Lemon Churros with lemon sugar and multi-colored fruity cereal. The Tomorrowland Churro Cart will feature a Strawberry Churro with strawberry sugar, and the Frontierland Churro Cart will feature a Cocoa Churro with chocolate powder, salted cinnamon sugar, and a Mexican chocolate dipping sauce. The Frontierland Pretzel Cart will be offering a Cinnamon Pretzel. And finally, at the New Orleans Square Churro Cart, you’ll find a Carrot Cake Churro rolled in cinnamon sugar with raisin-carrot cream cheese frosting. Disney California Adventure Park Starting in Hollywood Land there’s some special sweets that you won’t want to miss! Schmoozies is serving up some fun treats inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Monsters Inc.,” including Whoopie Pies, a Mint Chip Shake, and a Marshmallow Doughnut with marshmallow fluff filling. And right down the street at Award Wieners, you’ll find Funnel Cake Fries topped with whipped cream and fruity cereal. If you’re looking for a savory option, Award Wieners is also dishing up a Pulled Pork Dog – an all-beef hot dog topped with pulled pork, spicy teriyaki sauce, and fresh pineapple salsa. You’ll find an ‘incredible’ Spicy Corn Dog at Corn Dog Castle with two different sausages (hot link sausage and Cajun chicken sausage) with pepper jack cheese, all put together, dipped in corn dog batter, fried to a golden brown, and served with a sweet and spicy blackberry-serrano chile sauce with choice of chips or apples, inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “The Incredibles.” At Fairfax Market and Boudin Bread Cart, the bread shaped like Mike Wazowski from “Monsters Inc.” is sure to be a favorite! On Pacific Wharf, Lucky Fortune Cookery will be serving up another item inspired by this animated favorite – Chilled Noodle Salad. These chilled iridescent noodles come with herbaceous preserved plants, sweet and spicy vinaigrette, crushed and toasted peanuts, mint, Thai basil, shredded daikon, and carrots. And right next door at Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, there’s a decadent Tres Leches Parfait with layers of vanilla cake, sweet caramel cream, and rum. Drive on over to Cars Land to the Cozy Cone Motel for “Choose Your Racer” Churros! There’s three colored sugars to choose from inspired by the Disney•Pixar film “Cars” – yellow for Cruz, red for Lightning McQueen and blue for Storm. You’ll also find a Champions Corn Cup with fresh corn, flavored mayonnaise, cotija cheese, chili-lime spice, and lime; and a Habanero Meatball Cone with turkey meatballs in a habanero derby sauce with a cheese crisp and spiral pasta “smoke stacks.” And for the soft-serve ice cream, you can add Road Gravel Ice Cream Topping to your cold treat. This topping consists of cookie crumbles. Nearby at A Bug’s Land is an Iced Specialty Churro at the Churro Cart. This churro is drizzled with doughnut icing and dusted with cocoa cereal. At various outdoor carts and kiosks throughout the park, you’ll be able to find the orange-cream Nemo-inspired Cotton Candy as well as Sour Lemon Cotton Candy. Paradise Garden Grill has quite the variety of delicious items – all inspired by “Coco” – like the Yucatan-Inspired Vaporcitos – chicken tamales steamed in banana leaves with ranchero salsa, golden rice, and black beans. There’s also Mole Verde con Pollo (herb-braised chicken with golden rice, black beans, and corn tortillas), Tortitas de Papa con Queso (crispy potato cakes with Oaxaca Cheese, ranchero salsa, golden rice, and pickled onion salad), Tacos de Estilo Callejero (trio of sirloin beef tacos with pickled vegetables, golden rice, and black beans), and Ensalada de Frutas (jicama, watermelon, cucumber, pineapple, and mango with chili-lime salt and chamoy). And for dessert – try the Tres Leches Parfait with rum and vanilla bean Chantilly, drizzled with Dulce de Leche and garnished with a chocolate disc featuring Miguel’s loyal sidekick, Dante. There’s also an Agua de Jamaica Slush, Mexican Hot Chocolate and the Pixar Lemon-Raspberry Cake. So there you have it! All things edible and delicious at Pixar Fest at Disneyland Resort. This festival runs tomorrow through September 3. Come celebrate the joy of Pixar with us! View the full article

I’m excited to share some great news with you for select Walt Disney World Resort hotel stays this spring and summer! The spring resort offer has been extended for select Disney Resort bookings for stays through May 12. Then, during our Incredible Summer, guests can save up to 25% at select Disney Resorts for rooms booked between now and May 12. This offer is good for stays most nights from June 11 through August 1, 2018. If you need a little more time to make a decision, book by August 1, 2018 to save 20% at select Disney Resorts. You can also call about great rates for stays most nights May 28-June 10 and August 2-30, 2018. Click here for full details about this offer. With new shows, first-of-their-kind character interactions, and the highly anticipated debut of Toy Story Land opening June 30, summer at the Walt Disney World Resort is shaping up to be absolutely “incredible!” Some of the experiences coming to Walt Disney World Resort include An Incredible Tomorrowland Expo at Magic Kingdom, The Guardians of the Galaxy – Awesome Mix Live! concert series at Epcot, UP! A Great Bird Adventure and Donald’s Dino-Bash! celebration at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney H2O Glow Nights at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. To start planning your Walt Disney World vacation, visit Disneyworld.com or call (407) 939-7739. Check out the stories below for more: Save the Date: Incredible Summer Begins May 25 at Walt Disney World Resort Epcot Back in Blooms: The 25th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival Returns Disney’s Animal Kingdom Will Mark 20th Anniversary With A ‘Party for the Planet’ April 22-May 5 Something Amazing Is Set To Land In Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom April 22 View the full article

For many people, April is the perfect time to tackle “spring cleaning.” As for me? I actually prefer “spring decorating” – there’s no better season to refresh your home and breathe new life into your living space. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a suggestion: Sugarboo & Co. at Disney Springs. The store is a self-proclaimed “dealer in whimsy” featuring “off the beaten path” treasures; here, you’ll discover vintage finds and new pieces ranging from one-of-a-kind antiques, gorgeous jewelry, paper goods, art, unique furniture, unexpected fun finds for kids and pets, and more. I recently had the chance to connect with owner and artist, Rebecca Puig, who shared more about the store’s philosophy. “Our mission is to put good things into the world. We are all about positive messages and I’m interested in any piece that will add soul to a home. The store is ever-changing, featuring items from new artisans near and far.” As a huge fan of Rebecca’s work — I’m especially fond of her framed art featuring some of my favorite quotes — I was curious about her inspiration. She shared that she is a firm believer that mother nature is the best artist, so she loves to throw in natural elements like minerals, crystals, succulents and other little gems from nature as much as she can. According to Rebecca, “My art is inspired by nature, positive mantras, brilliant writers and my children. I draw much of my inspiration from my children as I’m usually working on art that has a message I want them to see.” If you’ve had the opportunity to visit Sugarboo & Co., you’ll likely agree that the store offers something for everyone. This season, handmade textiles have been trending big, so it comes as no surprise that the new collection of tarps, woven tapestries and dream catchers are currently among the store’s most popular sellers. Also in season? Outdoor entertaining. The kantha quilts make incredible picnic blankets that add a splash of color to your al fresco fiestas. Mix in some new speckled stoneware, lanterns and candles, and your patio is ready to host any spring soiree. If you’re worried that a spring update will break the bank, don’t be. A few key items can totally transform the feel of any room, so there’s no need for a complete home makeover. (Though if you do want to do a major overhaul, Sugarboo & Co. can help you source your dream furniture – just bring in your inspiration photos they they’ll find pieces to bring your vision to life. How’s that for above-and-beyond service?) Sugarboo & Co. operates in just a handful of states, so the Disney Springs location is a can’t-miss destination during your next visit to Central Florida. Have you been to the store? If so, tell me what you loved most in the comments below – I’d love to know! View the full article

Pixar Fest kicks off TOMORROW!! And there are even MORE food items to add to your Pixar Fest Food Checklist!! Pixar Fest —which runs from April 13 – September 3, 2018 — is a celebration of friendship as represented through the characters and stories of Disney Pixar films. So the extra fun food on hand for the Fest is themed to the Pixar movies, too! Pixar Fest Celebration Cake ©Disney Here are the newest additions to the food lineup! Cars Drive on into Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land for a classic cheeseburger, turkey club sandwich, cobb salad, fried chicken plate and other Pixar-themed items. Flo’s Entrance And FOR SURE pay a visit to the Cozy Cone Motel, where a Habanero Meatball Cone will join the Chili Cone Queso and Bacon Mac ’n Cheese Cone! Chili Cone Queso at Cozy Cone Up Up will be represented by a Specialty Eclair at Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and a Frozen “Grape Soda” slush (YES!!!) will be at the Cappo Cart in Disneyland. Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe These will join previously announced Up-inspired items like the Fried Bologna Sandwich at Carnation Cafe. Coco Celebrate Coco at Rancho del Zocalo in Disneyland, where Coco-themed items will include a Mexican chocolate pot de crème, topped with a Miguel chocolate. Rancho del Zocalo Sign And Paradise Garden Grill will feature a Coco-inspired menu including mole verde con pollo, tacos de estilo callejero, a Jamaica slush and “Coco” tres leches parfait. Paradise Garden Grill Find more Coco items here! Toy Story Find a Cinnamon Pretzel at the Frontierland Pretzel Cart in honor of Toy Story, joining the Toy Story list of snacks. And don’t forget to check out the full menu for Alien Pizza Planet — the Pixar Fest overlay of Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Tomorrowland! Alien Pizza Planet ©Disney Monsters, Inc. A mint chip smoothie and Whoopie Pie will be found at Schmoozies as part of the Monsters, Inc. snacks! Schmoozies Remember, these aren’t the only eats coming to Pixar Fest… Check out everything you need to know about Pixar Fest — including even MORE FOOD — here! Together Forever at Pixar Fest ©Disney And find more Disney Food Fun on our Disneyland Page! Are you heading to Pixar Fest? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Everything You Need to Know about Disneyland’s Pixar Fest! PLUS a Printable Pixar Fest Food Checklist! Breaking! NEW Dining Spots Coming to Disneyland’s Pixar Pier; PLUS Pixar Fest Food Sneak Peek… Menu Revealed for Pixar Fest’s Alien Pizza Planet! View the full article

Enchanted Dining Awaits at Rapunzel’s Royal Table aboard the Disney Magic View the full article

Want to add some Disney whimsy to your kitchen? ShopDisney has just dropped a fun line of kitchen goodies called Disney Eats: Kitchen Cookware Essentials! You can already find the collection online, and starting in late-April, you can pick up your favorites in the Disney Store. So on what will we be spending all of our money? First, of course, you’ll want to look the part. This fun Apron features Mickey in front and profile views, plus his shoes, gloves, and pants! There are also Mickey Glove Oven Mitts! Disney Eats Apron and Oven Mitts Of course, when you’re flipping Mickey pancakes, you’ll need a spatula — and this Mickey Spatula set is too cute! Disney Eats Spatulas Whip up some Mickey Waffles with these Mickey Whisks! We love that the set comes with two different sizes. Disney Eats Whisks And for the ultimate in cuteness, check out Mickey’s expressions on these Mickey Collapsible Measuring Cups! Convenient and adorable! Yes, please! Disney Eats Collapsible Measuring Cups And to mix it all up: this set of Mickey Mixing Bowls with Spoons. Check out the spouts on bowls! So helpful! Disney Eats Mixing Bowl Set Uh-huh, we’re gonna need one of each. We love bringing the Disney fun (and the main mouse) home! Want more Disney Eats? Check out ShopDisney here for all the fun cookware and dishware! What’s your favorite piece of the Disney Eats collection? Tell us in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: New! Disney Introduces the Indigo Tableware Collection Disney Holiday Gift Guide 2014: Holiday for Your Home Collection News: Captain Phasma Stein Debuts in Disneyland! View the full article

Flour, gleam and glow…Let your flavors shine! There’s definitely something magical about the menu at Rapunzel’s Royal Table, where guests aboard the Disney Magic can delight in deliciously themed meals, sing along to favorite “Tangled” tunes and dance through the aisles with Rapunzel and Flynn during the princess’s royal birthday celebration. Check out the video below for more on this uniquely imaginative dining experience, and keep an eye out for some new fun facts! Is it just me, or are you craving a Birthday Cake Sundae now too? There’s one waiting for you at Rapunzel’s Royal Table aboard the Disney Magic. Best. Dessert. EVER! View the full article

It’s almost the weekend! And what better way to celebrate making it through most of the week than with another DFB Video? Today we’re sharing even MORE Disney World Hidden Secrets! Lady in the Hatbox! You may have watched our first video where we explained several Hidden Secrets of Walt Disney World (and if you missed it, you can check it out here!). Well, today we’re taking on even more Disney World hidden gems, from sights to sounds to… smells?! So enjoy another trip around the World with us as we share some more secrets in our latest DFB YouTube Video! (And stay tuned… because there’s plenty more where these came from!) And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode! So check out the video and then let us know: What’s your favorite Disney World hidden secret? Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: DFB Video: Hidden Secrets of Disney World Explained! (Part 1) DFB Video: Things Most People Don’t Know About Walt Disney World New Video: Disney World Food Secrets — Free Stuff, Cool Stuff, and MORE — Part 2 View the full article

In our Disney Doodles series, different Disney artists take turns imaging what different Disney characters would do or see first if they had the chance to visit a Disney Park. In today’s Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Simba, as a young cub, would do if he had the chance to visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom. According to Ashley, the “future king” would likely make friends with all the animal residents of the park. “Simba is always dancing and singing, so Disney’s Animal Kingdom provides one of the biggest stages for Simba to dance with his animal friends!” View the full article

Pixar Fest kicks off all over Disneyland Resort on Friday — and things are starting to look different in more ways than one. Take Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, for instance. The Counter Service spot is undergoing a transformation — also known as an overlay — for the duration of Pixar Fest as it becomes Alien Pizza Planet, themed for Pixar’s Toy Story! Alien Pizza Planet ©Disney The little green men are taking over, and we’d love to give you a look at what they’re serving. And we’ll start, of course, with PIZZA!! Look for slices of Cheeseburger Pizza with ketchup, yellow mustard and pizza sauce on a sesame seed crust and further topped with cheese, caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, slider patties, a house-made burger sauce, and pickles. This will be served alongside slices of Mega Pepperoni, Lunar Cheese and Venus Vegetarian (“Celestial” Tomato Sauce with Roasted Seasonal Vegetables topped with Mozzarella Cheese). Look for Pepperoni, Green Pepper and Mushroom slices to land as well. Pepperoni, Green Pepper, and Mushroom Pizza Coming to Alien Pizza Planet ©Disney Pastas include Terra Nova Vegetable Pasta, Count-down Chicken Fusilli, and Green Miso Pesto Pasta. Green Pesto Pasta ©Disney Antipasto, Edamame Noodle, and Chicken Caesar are the salad varieties. And Breadsticks or Side Salad can be selected to go with any meal. Kids can choose from Space-getti with Meatballs or Cheese Pizza, and Yummy Cheesy Macaroni will be the Toddler Meal. And for dessert? Choose between a Blackberry Lime Parfait or an Alien Macaron. Alien Macarons ©Disney But let’s be honest: that Alien Macaron is kind of a no-brainer, right? Looking for more Pixar Fest fun? Check out everything you need to know about Pixar Fest here! Remember: Alien Pizza Planet is not the first overlay of an existing Counter Service location in Disneyland. The first was the transformation of the Pinocchio-themed Village Haus into the Red Rose Taverne for the release of the live-action version of Beauty and the Beast. What was supposed to be a temporary overlay still stands, and you can check out the results of that transformation below to get an idea of a themed Disneyland overlay! Will you be visiting Alien Pizza Planet during Pixar Fest? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port to Become Alien Pizza Planet for Disneyland’s Pixar Fest Everything You Need to Know about Disneyland’s Pixar Fest! PLUS a Printable Pixar Fest Food Checklist! Where to Get That Pixar Fest Alien “Claw Cup”! View the full article

The biggest Pixar celebration ever to come to Disney Parks is right around the corner! Dedicated teams of cast members and Imagineers have been busy preparing to bring beloved stories from Pixar Animation Studios to life for guests. This week, cast members who work in our parks and hotels at the Disneyland Resort had the opportunity to jump into the Pixar spirit. To get ready for Pixar Fest, our cast members participated in special roadshows to learn more about the celebration, as well as preview some tasty treats (Pixar Fest Celebration Cake, anyone?). There were even some fun Pixar “best buddy” socks to take home! Everyone got into the spirit, including our custodial cast, with an impromptu street art display of favorite Pixar characters. We look forward to seeing you soon, to celebrate friendship and beyond, at the Disneyland Resort! View the full article

Have you seen the latest trailer for “Solo: A Star Wars Story”? It made me more excited than ever to see the latest adventure emerging from the Star Wars galaxy when the film opens on May 25. (Check it out below!). Here at the Walt Disney World Resort, guests can celebrate the opening of the new film at Star Wars: Galactic Nights, a thrilling Star Wars-themed event that will be held after park hours only on May 27 from 7 p.m.-midnight. It will celebrate the entire Star Wars saga – including the latest film – with out-of-this-world entertainment, special photo opportunities, event-exclusive merchandise and F&B, and encounters with rarely seen characters that guests can only experience during Star Wars: Galactic Nights. One highlight of this Star Wars: Galactic Nights celebration will be exclusive “Solo: A Star Wars Story”-inspired content – particularly the opportunity to participate in this year’s Stars of the Saga, an entertaining Star Wars-themed talk show with celebrity guest Joonas Suotamo who played Chewbacca in the new film. He will be talking about his fascinating life and movie making adventures – plus some lucky audience members will also have the opportunity to ask Joonas their own questions. Other nods to “Solo: A Star Wars Story” will be debut at the event, including Star Wars: A Galaxy Far, Far Away presentation, as well as the park’s nighttime projection show, Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular. And of course, guests will be able to greet Chewbacca, among other Star Wars characters. Visit our dedicated Star Wars page for more information on Star Wars: Galactic Nights or purchase tickets here. View the full article

Orlando developer John Crossman remembers the Disney-built Crossroads of Lake Buena Vista as one of the region’s top shopping centers when it opened in 1988 filled with stores and restaurants found nowhere else in Central Florida. “What other shopping centers are known by name?” said Crossman,... View the full article

Over the last few years, Disney PhotoPass Service’s Memory Maker One Day product has undergone quite an expansion at Walt Disney World Resort! When first introduced a few years ago, Memory Maker One Day was only available for purchase in one location and only during special events. Thanks to its popularity, today it’s available for purchase every day of the year and in a variety of locations! Before I get into too many more specifics, some of you might be wondering what Memory Maker One Day even is. So I’ll rewind a bit: Memory Maker One Day provides you with many of the same benefits as Memory Maker, just for one day of PhotoPass photos taken at Walt Disney World Resort. That means for one day of your choice, you’ll get digital downloads of all your Disney PhotoPass photos linked to your account that were taken on that day. Every smile and thrill! You’ll be surprised how many you can capture in a single day. You’ll have 45 days to link and download all of your photos from the day of your choice. Memory Maker One Day is available for $69 in the My Disney Experience mobile app once you’ve linked at least one Disney PhotoPass photo to your account from the day to which you plan to apply the entitlement. You’ll also find Memory Maker One Day at Walt Disney World Resort theme park ticket windows and Disney PhotoPass Centers. Trying to decide between Memory Maker and Memory Maker One Day? It’s really rather simple! Memory Maker costs $169 or $199, depending on when you purchase it and allows you to take home all of your PhotoPass photos taken during your vacation. So according to my calculator, Memory Maker is a good option for you if you’re visiting Walt Disney World Resort for three or more days. If you’ll be visiting for one or two days (or only attending a special event such as Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party), purchasing $69 Memory Maker One Day for each day of your visit is the better option for you. Here’s more information if you need a refresher on Memory Maker! Memory Maker is subject to the applicable terms and policies. Includes photos taken during the applicable Memory Maker Window as defined in such terms (generally, photos taken (i) within one day for Memory Maker One Day or (ii) within 30 days from the date of first activation for standard Memory Maker). A MagicBand is required to receive certain attraction photos and other digital content. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos in your account will expire pursuant to the expiration policy. Downloads are restricted to personal use only. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Valid theme park admission required for certain photo locations. View the full article

Looking for meals with some character during your trip to Disneyland Resort? Well, two new character dining experiences are preparing to make their debuts this summer at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. At PCH Grill in Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, you’ll soon be able to start your day at Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast! (Guests here can currently enjoy the Surf’s Up Breakfast with Mickey and Friends.) Donald Duck In this upcoming experience, Donald and Daisy will find themselves reunited, and they’re throwing a beach bash (complete with the buffet) to celebrate… and their pal, Stitch, will be joining in the fun, too! Stitch Meet with Mickey and friends for Mickey’s Tales of Adventure at Storytellers Cafe in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa (currently home to the Chip ’n Dale Critter Breakfast and the Weekend Character Brunch Buffet)! Mickey will share his tales with guests through his magical Adventurer’s Journal. Storytellers Cafe More details are soon to come, as reservations will be opening soon. We’ll be sure to keep you posted here! Which new character meal would you most like to try? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Rapunzel Character Breakfast Coming to Trattoria al Forno in Disney World DFB Podcast Episode 3: Non-Buffet Character Meals Top Meals Under $20 in Disneyland View the full article

As a Latina woman, I can tell you that I can’t resist a beat when I hear it. Us, Hispanics, love to dance and listen to music everywhere we go! And a Walt Disney World Resort vacation is no exception. Let me give you some tips on the best places to rumba around our vacation kingdom. Paradiso 37 at Disney Springs is the perfect spot! Dancers and live music pair perfectly with the largest selection of tequila at Disney Springs. If you want a margarita that’s big enough to share, this is the place to find it. Plus, the P37 nachos are available all night long, along with other favorites like Quesadillas, Canadian Poutine and North American Corn Dogs. Check out this post from a few weeks ago for more late night options at Disney Springs! If you’re looking for some melodies a la cubana, Bongos Cuban Café is the place for you. Gloria and Emilio Estefan’s award-winning Cuban restaurant offers spacious surroundings that will allow you to be a conga line leader, or quiet spectator. Not to mention the live entertainment every day starting at 6:00 pm and the amazing island flavors! But sometimes you just want to listen to wonderful music and relax with an ice cold margarita. Head over to Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs Marketplace and enjoy handcrafted margaritas, crafted beers, live entertainment and delightful views of Buena Vista Cove. Plenty of places to get your groove on or enjoy the some relaxing beats! Which one is your favorite? View the full article

In addition to all of the excitement that’s happening at the Disneyland Resort, the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort are serving up some delicious new bites just for you! If you’re staying at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel or the Disneyland Hotel – or even just visiting one of these fabulous hotels – read on to find out about all of these new eats. First up, I’ve got a special announcement about two new character dining experiences coming this summer to Storytellers Café at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and to Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel. At Storytellers Café, guests will join Mickey Mouse and his friends for Mickey’s Tales of Adventure. Discover the fun with your adventurous storyteller, Mickey, as he welcomes you into his immersive tales of adventure through his magical Adventurer’s Journal. At Disney’s PCH Grill, guests can get in on all the beachy fun with Donald Duck’s Seaside Breakfast. Donald has finally been reunited with his heart-throb Daisy, and now you’ll be able to soak in those rays and catch some waves on the dance floor with Donald, Daisy, and Stitch as you chow down on an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet. Both of these experiences are coming this summer, which means reservations will be opening soon! Stay tuned for more information. Also at Storytellers Café, there are new exciting additions to the lunch and dinner menus, such as Avocado Toast. This new starter comes with crushed avocado, lemon-olive oil, parsley, celery leaves, quail eggs, and Espellete pepper on top of a slice of grilled sourdough bread. Or try the new Kale Salad with almonds, currants, Grana Padano, bacon-bread crumbs, and garlic vinaigrette. You’ll also find new ‘Nduja Sausage and Margherita Artisanal Pizzas. The first comes topped with ‘nduja sausage, mushrooms, artichokes, and potatoes, while the Margherita Pizza comes topped with fresh mozzarella and basil. Both come with Grana Padano, fire-roasted tomatoes, and aged provolone cheese. Specific to the dinner menu are the Chicken Paillard and the Braised Boneless Short Rib. The Chicken Paillard features a lightly-breaded chicken breast and comes with roasted potatoes and heirloom carrots and is topped with a lemon-caper sauce. The Braised Boneless Short Rib comes paired with mashed potatoes, creamy horseradish, and Brussels sprouts. Speaking of short rib, on the lunch menu is the Short Rib Grilled Cheese on sourdough bread with cheddar cheese and caramelized onions. And on the dessert menu for both meal periods is the sweet and scrumptious Vanilla Crème Brûlée with orange-vanilla biscotti and marinated raspberries. All of these delicious items are just a few of the new menu additions at Storytellers Café. Check out the full menu to see more! At Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel, a new Build-Your-Own Poke Bowl is available at Surfside Lounge and the Sand Bar! This popular and trendy dish comes with avocado, cucumber, and red and green onions. You can customize your bowl with your choice of base, protein, and sauce! Bases include white rice, brown rice, or romaine leaves and proteins include tuna, salmon, or tofu. All proteins are marinated in a savory ponzu sauce. And for the sauce topping, choose between spicy mayo, poke sauce, or wasabi. Each bowl is also garnished with seaweed wakame, tobiko caviar, fried onions, pickled ginger, bonito flakes, and sesame seeds. With so many different combinations, you might just have to come back for more! Right next door at the Disneyland Hotel, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Tangaroa Terrace, the Poolside Bar have updated their menus. You can now find the same delicious offerings at all three of these locations! One of these new items is the Island-Style Hot Dog – with ground pork and pineapple sausage in a pretzel bun and topped with whole-grain mustard, onion sauce, pickled carrots, daikon, and Fresno chiles. There’s also a Chicken Teriyaki Bowl featuring diced chicken breast on a bed of rice and vegetables and topped with teriyaki sauce and togarashi aïoli, wonton chips, and sesame seeds. Or try the Rongo Salad with shredded green papaya, fresh lettuce, marinated tofu, cucumber, gooseberries, rice noodles, and carrots tossed in a sesame-ginger vinaigrette. And of course, there’s always the Pu Pu Platter if you can’t decide on just one! This platter has a little bit of everything with Sweet-and-Spicy Asian Wings, Fried Spring Rolls, Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans, Pork Gyoza, and Togarashi Aïoli. With all three hotels dishing up great new food, there’s plenty to go around, so be sure to stop by and have a bite! View the full article

Happy birthday to Sprinkles Cupcakes! This beloved cupcake Mecca is celebrating thirteen years of operation on April 13, 2018. And to celebrate — naturally!! — they’re introducing a Limited Edition Cupcake! Black Velvet Birthday Cupcakes from Sprinkles! Sprinkles invited DFB to preview these indulgent goodies (but, as always, the review is 100% ours!), and we couldn’t pass up cupcakes — especially ones as yummy-sounding as these. Black Velvet Birthday Cupcake Oh, yeah! Happy birthday to all of us! This cupcake is a classic-with-a-twist! It’s a Black Velvet Cupcake frosted with rich Chocolate Frosting! Black Velvet Cupcake It’s topped with Sprinkles’ signature simple decoration, in this case a star. It contrasts nicely with the super-dark frosting. Frosting and star detail And to really turn this cupcake into a party, it’s filled with tiny colorful Sprinkles! And by filled, we mean filled. Like the ratio of cake:sprinkles is 2:1! Sprinkles-filled cupcake! We love this whole concept — and we think kids (of all ages!) will get a kick out of those hidden sprinkles! And, well, y’all better because they are unavoidable. As soon as we cut into the cake, they spilled out. (They even started popping out when we took off some of the wrappers!) Sprinkles, sprinkles everywhere! And if you’re wondering where the Black Velvet comes in? The cake is super, duper, duper chocolate-y. We’re thinking there’s an abundance of dark chocolate cocoa in the batter (super rich and yummy!). Dark, dark Black Velvet Cupcake… and more sprinkles! Lucky for Disney food fans, the Happy Birthday Cupcake will be available at Sprinkles locations at Walt Disney World and Disneyland starting on April 13! And if you’re like us and you can’t get enough cupcake pics, you can follow all the fun on social media by following #HBDSprinkles! Want to look back at Sprinkles’ first steps at Disney Springs? Check out our very first review of this tasty locale! What’s your favorite Sprinkles Cupcake (or Cookie or Frosting Shot)? Let us know in the comments! Disclosure: DFB was invited by Sprinkles Cupcakes to preview the Black Velvet Cupcake. In nearly all circumstances, Disney Food Blog writers and photographers pay full price for their own travel, hotel, food, beverage, and event tickets. We do this because it’s important to us as journalists to ensure not only that we give you unbiased opinions, but also that you can trust us to do so since we’re paying our own way. On rare occasions, when we are invited by a company to attend an event or preview an item as media, and when we choose to accept that invitation, we will always make you, our readers, aware of that situation. Note that when we attend events as media we are 1) Not required to review that event/food on any of our channels, and 2) Not required to review that event/food favorably. You can always count on DFB to give you a 100% unbiased and honest review of any event that we attend, food that we eat, or beverage that we drink. You can see more in our Disclosure Policy. Thank you for reading. — AJ Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Free Cupcakes and Discounts At Sprinkles Cupcakes in February News: Sprinkles Now Open in Disneyland’s Downtown Disney First Look and Review! Sprinkles Cupcakes in Disney Springs Town Center View the full article

My shortcut description of the purple wall goes like this: It’s a purple wall at Magic Kingdom. Oh, and people take selfies in front of it. You know, some things in life defy explanation. In the world of theme parks, one of those things at Walt Disney World is the social-media phenomenon known... View the full article

Alert! Alert! Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant is open! Learn About: Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants This seasonal quick service spot is located right at the entrance of Tomorrowland in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. And when we say seasonal, we mean, like, super seasonal. It’s very rare to see this spot open, but Spring Break’s notoriously massive crowds were enough to open the Restaurant for the lunch time rush — 11AM to 3:30PM during my visit! The menu here is small and variable, and it won’t appeal to every Walt Disney World guest. But if you’re looking for something simple and fast, this might just fit the bill for you. Plus you can use Mobile Ordering here, making this an even more convenient location! And it’s actually a pleasant place to dine during the spring (and early summer before the heat really kicks in!). There’s a reason Tomorrowland Terrace is the spot for the Happily Ever After Fireworks Dessert Party: views! The seating here has a Hub and Castle view (albeit blocked from some seats). So join me as I check out Tomorrowland Terrace! Atmosphere Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant is about what you’d expect from a counter service restaurant in Tomorrowland: some neon, funky fonts on the signs, and lots of metal (or metallic) accents. Entering Tomorrowland Terrace! Ordering is standard practice (unless you opt for Mobile Ordering!): line up, place order, move forward to wait, pick up food. Ordering kiosks at Tomorrowland Terrace There’s quite a lot of seating (open air but covered and shady), but during Spring Break there were still seat vultures hovering around looking for tables. You could also grab your grub and go hang out in the Hub! Second and lower level seating Views of Cinderella Castle vary at Tomorrowland Terrace, but if you can snag a seat with a view, it’s a good ‘un! View from Tomorrowland Terrace seating You’ll find a simple condiment bar here, complete with basic essentials like ketchup, napkins, salt, etc. Condiment Bar But with what shall we eat these delightful ketchup packets? Eats The menu on my visit to Tomorrowland Terrace was exceptionally small — and it’s never very big. But in the past the eats were a bit more adventurous. Last year, for example, we saw a Pulled Pork Banh Mi Sandwich and a Spicy Chicken Sandwich on the menu, plus House-Made Chips and a Coconut Tres Leche Cake! (The Banh Mi had us reminiscing about when Tomorrowland Terrace served Asian-style cuisine!) But this visit was about as stripped down a menu as one could possibly imagine. I found an Angus Bacon Cheeseburger and Dipped Chicken Strips (with a choice of Buffalo, BBQ, or Honey Mustard Garlic Parmesan sauce). The menu notes that you can request a Vegetable Burger in lieu of the beef, and that burger is served on a pretzel bun, so that’s a nice touch. Still. It’s a burger. Tomorrowland Terrace Menu You can also find a Chef Salad on the menu. I know. It’s not the most enticing picture of a salad we’ve ever seen. Tomorrowland Terrace Menu The sides and desserts are simple — and we’re happy to see the Rocky Road Brownie still here from last year. Kids’ options are miniscule: Uncrustables, Chicken Strips, and Mac and Cheese. Most kids would probably be okay with this, but we’d like to see a more imaginative Mickey Check meal, if we’re being honest. But I know, I know…Disney’s simply trying to tame the Spring Break crowds. Tomorrowland Terrace Menu Drinks are standard here as well. (Don’t forget to ask for a free glass of ice water!) Tomorrowland Terrace Menu A nice new feature of Tomorrowland Terrace is the availability of Mobile Ordering! You’ll use your My Disney Experience app to place your order, making any changes or choices right in the app. Mobile Ordering at Tomorrowland Terrace When you arrive, use the app to tell the restaurant that you’re present. You’ll see the progress of your order right in the app! And remember: you can apply your Disney Dining Plan credits with Mobile Ordering now! But note that when it’s crowded, the mobile ordering system gets a little glitchy — it still took a long time to get our order and there were lots of mobile order guests waiting a while at the same time we were there. Tomorrowland Terrace Mobile Ordering When your order is ready, step up to the Mobile Order Pick Up window. So simple! Mobile Ordering Pick Up at Tomorrowland Terrace On this visit, I ordered the Dipped Chicken Strips with Buffalo Sauce (of course!). It comes with a hefty side of fries, and the chicken strips are sizable enough to share unless you’re really famished. Chicken Strips with Buffalo Sauce The Buffalo Sauce had a traditional hot sauce flavor, with just a hint of spice. (I could’ve stood for more heat, but you know that’s how I roll). Buffalo Chicken Strips I was happy to find that the sauce comes in a cup rather than in a small plastic package. There was sufficient sauce for the strips (and even a little pooled in the bottom of the cardboard boat when I dumped it all in). And the strips were nice and crispy — classic Disney Parks chicken strips. And that’s a good thing! Buffalo Sauced Chicken Strips I enjoyed the Dipped Chicken Strips (and the French Fries, which were nothing special but still. French Fries.), and they are certainly enough to satisfy hunger. Is this adventurous eating? Nope. Do we wish the menu here had some other, more interesting options? Yup. But in the Hunger Games that is Spring Break in Disney World, “you get what you get and you don’t throw a fit,” I guess. Nosh or Not? Stop into Tomorrowland Terrace if: It’s open — and you’re in desperate need of some traditional theme park grub! You want to dine with Cinderella Castle views. You’ve got a picky eater with you (or you are one!) who wants all chicken strips all the time. Head elsewhere if: You desire something other than a burger or chicken strips. You want to dine with Cinderella Castle views — but you prefer a high-quality Casey’s hot dog or some Cosmic Ray’s grub. You don’t care for quick service eats and want to enjoy a more leisurely table service restaurant. Overall Look, Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant isn’t winning any awards (not even for the views, despite them being decent), but it’s nice to have an extra quick service option during the chaos of the peak seasons. If you happen to visit when the park is packed, keep this easy option in mind! Visiting Walt Disney World during the busy season? Check out the Most Popular Restaurants in Walt Disney World — and Alternatives When They’re Full! 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With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? What’s your dining strategy during the peak season craziness? Tell us in the comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: “Is This Place Ever Open?”: Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station New Video! Review of Tomorrowland Terrace in Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Guest Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant View the full article