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The Walt Disney Co. and KTRK, the ABC station it owns in Houston, are making a $1 million cash commitment to the American Red Cross to support recovery efforts in Texas communities affected by Hurricane Harvey. The support continues Thursday with a “Day of Giving” hosted by Disney|ABC Television... View the full article

Don’t worry about packing your bags for this trip around the world — the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival starts Aug. 31 and runs through Nov. 13. The 22nd extravaganza is 75 days, the longest in Epcot history. Theme-park admission starts at $99 for this foodie walkabout. Food and drink... View the full article

The rustic Roaring Fork at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is open again, one of those spots favored by vacationers looking for a creative, quick bite that’s above average. Located in the main building with patio seating near Copper Creek Springs pool area, it’s a convenient stop for breakfast, lunch or dinner, with spacious seating inside – or get your food to go and head outdoors as the weather cools. Breakfast is served 6-11 a.m., and while there’s plenty of grab n’ go options such as fresh fruit, pastries and sandwiches, the new Banana Foster’s French Toast and 10-hour Pulled Pork Cheese Grits with a poached egg are worthy of a leisurely start to the day. The popular Breakfast Flatbread returns, this one with sausage gravy, ham, eggs and Cheddar. For the first time, Roaring Fork is offering specialty beverages like the Gold Rush Latte (vanilla latte with caramel) previously featured in Territory Lounge, and now on the daily breakfast menu. Lunch and dinner is served from 11 a.m.-midnight, and the big winner on the new menu is Chef Michael Bersell’s Brisket Burger with cheddar, cranberry barbecue sauce, cast-iron onions and frisée served on a sweet brioche bun. Or try the Grilled Chicken on Focaccia with roasted peppers and fresh mozzarella. A Gourmet Grilled Cheese features cheddar, arugula, tomato and onion jam on multi-grain bread. Flatbreads are back with two new options: Fennel Sausage and Pepperoni with caramelized onion and goat cheese, or an Asiago Grilled Chicken topped with peppers and onions. Fans of the popular Wilderness Salad with chicken, walnuts, apples and cheddar will still find both in the grab ‘n go area – or they can be made to order. Roaring Fork is open daily. View the full article

The delicious bites available in the record 35 Marketplaces at the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival aren’t the only treats you’ll find at the park this fall! We’ve also got an exciting lineup of live entertainment planned. In addition to the “Eat to the Beat” Concert Series, featuring 11 new artists, you’ll also want to look for authentic performers throughout World Showcase, with some new acts and returning favorites. Suroît – New to Epcot, this renowned band hails from Canada’s Magdalen Islands in eastern Quebec. For four decades, their infectious sound has embraced influences from Cajun, Celtic, bluegrass and rock music. Join Suroît on the Mill Stage at the Canada pavilion, August 31 – October 1. Margret Almer & The Bavarian Band – World-famous yodeler Margret Almer makes an encore appearance at Epcot this fall. She’ll be performing with The Bavarian Band at the Germany pavilion, beginning August 31 and continuing through the holiday season. Musique Aramenco – Another returning favorite takes the stage at the Morocco pavilion September 1 – December 30. Musique Aramenco presents a fusion of traditional and modern Moroccan music. Bodh’aktan – Back by popular demand, Bodh’aktan mixes Quebecois, folk and polka to make fantastic rock and dance music. After rocking stages across Quebec, the United States and Europe, this incredibly popular, kilted band is returning for an Epcot encore at the Canada pavilion October 2 – 22. Raffy – This musical quartet makes their Epcot debut October 23 – November 26 on the Mill Stage. Raffy’s infectious energy has been embraced across Canada through a live tour, appearances on television and radio airplay of their first hit single. This fall, you’ll have lots of reasons to head out to World Showcase for all the singing, dancing, sipping and dining during the 22nd Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! View the full article

Week 2 Highlights | 30 Stays in 30 Days | Walt Disney World View the full article

We’re in high gear around here, anticipating the beginning of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which starts in a few days! No doubt we’ll be out and about at the Marketplace Booths lots of times. But sometimes, we like to play with our food! And one of the best ways I’ve found to do that is with a themed crawl. We have lots of fun crawl suggestions in our DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival E-book — save 20% with discount code Chefs! — including the Desserts Crawl, the Vegetarian Crawl, the Cheese Crawl, and more! Today, we’re going to take you one of our favorites — the “Just the New Stuff Crawl”! This tour of the booths is especially helpful if you are limited on time, and you’re only interested in seeking out the dishes that are new in 2017. “Just the New Stuff” Epcot Food and Wine Festival Crawl Sweet Avocado Crema — Active Eats Our first stop is the new Active Eats booth. While we’ve seen some of the booth’s other dishes before (the Loaded Mac ‘n’ Cheese with Nueske’s® Pepper Bacon, Cheddar Cheese, Peppers and Green Onions is a DFB Favorite), we’re after dessert on this mission. Stop by and try the Sweet Avocado Crema with Strawberries, Yellow Cake, and Tortilla Streusel. Sweet Avocado Crema with Strawberries, Yellow Cake, and Tortilla Streusel It’s a cool, refreshing, and contemporary take on a traditional trifle! Banana Almond Sundae — Almond Orchard But we’re not ready to leave the sweet stuff behind just yet. Next, we’ll head to Almond Orchard, another new booth in 2017, where all of the dishes feature Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Almond Milk. Once there, we’ll be enjoying the Banana Almond Soft-serve Sundae with Fresh Berries and Crunchy Chocolate Oats. The Banana Almond Soft Serve Sundae at Almond Orchard Booth We love this creative take on an frozen treat! (Be sure to check out the newly announced expanded Almond Orchard menu here!) Seared Scallops — Coastal Eats With so many new booths to try, it’s hard to decide where to go first. But for your next stop, we say that you should head to Coastal Eats, a celebration of seafood. Once you’re there, try the Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash and Chili-Chipotle Butter Sauce. Seared Scallops with Roasted Corn and Butterbean Succotash and Chili-Chipotle Butter Sauce Or if scallops aren’t your thing you have two other NEW dishes to choose from: a Lump Crab Cake with Napa Cabbage Slaw and Avocado Lemongrass Cream; or a Baked Shrimp Scampi Dip with Sourdough Baguette. Personally, I can’t wait to get my hands on that dip Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes — Flavors from Fire Flavors from Fire is another new and exciting stop on our tour of new dishes. And while we look forward to trying lots of things here, we definitely recommend the Smoked Corned Beef with Warm Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions, and Blonde Ale Beer Fondue. Flavors from Fire Smoked Corned Beef Because, BLONDE ALE BEER FONDUE, YOU GUYS. Basically on potato chips. Topped with BEEF. Let that sink in. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available to order! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. We cover every single World Showcase Booth, and include full-color photos for most of the food items being offered at this year’s festival! Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake with Chocolate Coconut Mousse — India Next, stop by India to try a fusion of flavors in their dessert offering, the Pistachio Cardamom Bundt Cake. Pistachio Cardamom Cake with Coconut Chocolate Mousse at the India Booth © Disney With Coconut and Chocolate taking this up a notch, we love the exotic combo of flavors at play. Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip — Ireland But then, you’ll want to hightail it to Ireland. Actually, RUN. Don’t walk. Because…Warm Irish Cheddar Cheese and Stout Dip with Irish Brown Bread. Warm Irish Cheese and Stout Dip Again, it’s a glorious combo of beer and cheese. And it’s delicious. T=CC2: Vanilla Tonic Water and Cotton Candy — Light Lab Next, we’re sending you to Light Lab, where you’ll sample the T=CC2: Vanilla Tonic Water and Cotton Candy. This one is fun for grown ups and kids too, since it comes sans alcohol! T=CC2: Vanilla Tonic Water and Cotton Candy As an added bonus, everything here lights up, and it’s air conditioned. So. Yeah. Sweeeeet. Charcuterie in a Cone — Spain Head over to Spain for the next dish, as we try the Charcuterie in a Cone! It’s the perfect snack for strolling. Charcuterie in a Cone Enjoy it with a glass of Bodegas y Viñedos Artazu Garnacha Rosado, the perfect combo for a warm (ok, hot) Florida day. While we’ve given you a BUNCH of delicious guidance, there are lots more stops to the “Just the New Stuff” crawl! To see the full list, be sure to check out the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Want More Epcot Food and Wine Festival Info? We’ll have all the coverage and information you need right here on Disney Food Blog! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book all Special Events early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders will not have early access to booking. OK! Now, I’ve GOTTA know — what new stuff are you most anxious to try at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year? Leave a comment and let us know! 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: The 12 Things You MUST Eat at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival This Year New Video: Our Top Tips for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Don’t Miss These Five Booths at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival This Year! View the full article

There are so many to choose from, but why stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel when you visit? The Disney Parks Moms Panelists share their top reasons: Another great benefit for staying at a Walt Disney Resort Hotel is Magic Bands. It’s your park ticket, your room key, an easy way to pay for souvenirs or dinning, and so much more. Staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel also lets you take advantage of the Disney Dining Plan and Disney’s Magical Express. For more tips or to ask questions about planning your next Disney vacation be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. Think you would make a great Disney Parks Moms Panelist? Search for our 2018 Panelists starts at noon on September 6th! Learn more about how to apply at MomsPanelSearch.com. View the full article

We are counting down to the start of the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival, which starts this year on August 31! As part of our on-going countdown, we’re making a list (and checking it twice!) of all the things we MUST eat this year, and we’re definitely including items from today’s featured booths: Thailand and Hawai’i! This year the Festival is celebrating Epcot’s 35th anniversary with 35 Marketplace Booths – featuring five new booths and some returning booths, including Thailand! Let’s check out what you’ll find on the menus at Thailand and Hawai’i… . Hawai’i The Kalua Pork Slider is a fan-favorite at the Hawai’i booth. New Marketplace Booth for Hawaii! Food: Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise Grilled Tuna Tataki with Seaweed Salad and Pickled Cucumbers and Wasabi Cream Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers and Onions and Spicy Mayonnaise Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts Beverages: Maui Brewing Company Bikini Blonde Lager Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Pineapple Wine Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum If you can’t wait until the Festival starts, here’s a recipe for the Kalua Pork Sliders! Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise The Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers and Onions and Spicy Mayonnaise is one of our can’t-miss dishes! We loved this one at the Food and Wine Festival preview and can’t wait to try it again at the booths. Teriyaki-glazed SPAM® Hash with Potatoes, Peppers and Onions and Spicy Mayonnaise The Sparkling Pineapple Wine is refreshing on a hot Florida day! Sparkling Pineapple Wine And you can’t go wrong with the Mai Tai! Mai Tai featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum Next up is Thailand – which is returning to the Festival this year after a hiatus! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available to order! This 250+-page guide to the Festival offers insider tips and advice as well as all of the details you need to know to plan your best Festival visit ever. We cover every single World Showcase Booth, and include full-color photos for most of the food items being offered at this year’s festival! Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World! Use code Chefs at check-out for a 20% discount! Be sure to stay tuned to Disney Food Blog for all of the latest coverage about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. We’ll have the details FIRST! Thailand We are so excited to see Thailand returning to this year’s Festival! NEW BOOTH for Thailand Food: Marinated Chicken with Peanut Sauce and Stir-fried Vegetables Seared Shrimp and Scallop Cake with Cold Noodle Salad Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice Beverages: Helfrich Gewürztraminer, Alsace Singha Lager If you’re looking for spice, you’ll want to order the Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice! It’s one of the dishes that you must eat at this year’s Festival! Red Hot Spicy Thai Curry Beef with Steamed Rice We can’t wait to try the other items on the menu at Thailand! Want More Epcot Food and Wine Festival Info? We’ll have all the coverage and information you need right here on Disney Food Blog! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth and Menu Index 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Low-Cost Seminars and Demonstrations 2017 Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Epcot Food and Wine Festival Fans Facebook Page 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Wine and Dine Half Marathon 2017 Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic Food and Wine Festival 101 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Gluten Free Items How to Book Epcot Food & Wine Festival Events To book all special events and demonstrations, call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) starting July 20 at 7:00AM ET. Culinary Demonstrations and Beverage Seminars and general admission for some special events may be bookable online at www.epcotfoodfestival.com as well as by phone. Tables in Wonderland members, Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members, and Golden Oak Residents are eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. Members of these groups can also book all Special Events early on July 18th beginning at 9:00AM ET. Discounts are by phone only at 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378). Stay tuned to DisneyFoodBlog.com and the Disney Food Blog Newsletter for details. Chase Disney Visa Cardholders will not have early access to booking. What are you looking forward to eating at Hawai’i and Thailand? Let us know 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: 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Booth Preview: Active Eats and Flavors from Fire Epcot Food and Wine Festival Portugal, Caribbean, and Hawaii Booth Menu Items Announced Sneak Peek: New Marketplace Booths Created for 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

If you were a part of the making of one of Disney’s most popular films – “The Lion King” – how would you celebrate a re-release of the film on Blu-Ray and DVD? Voice Actor Ernie Sabella (Pumbba), Producer Don Hahn and Co-Director Ron Minkoff just did so by surprising guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom during a performance of the “Festival of the Lion King.” Ernie was introduced before the show to give the audience a friendly “Hakuna Matata!” The group later raved about the show, loving the African cultural elements incorporated into the festival, which is something that was vital to them in the creation of the film. “Borrowing from so much great culture that exists in Africa, not only musically but visually, was something we certainly did for the film and to see it translated into a live show is terrific.” Ron said. “The Lion King: The Walt Disney Signature Collection” is now available on digital and arrives on Blu-Ray/DVD on August 29. For more on the group’s visit, check out the video above. View the full article

Walt Disney World continues to expand the uses for the My Disney Experience smartphone app and the list of restaurants accepting mobile ordering at the resort. A recent update to the app gives annual passholders the ability to renew their passes digitally. The app now can keep track of the Disney... View the full article

Hey Guys! In today’s DFB Video, we’re visiting some of our favorite Disney spots — the bars and lounges of Walt Disney World! Krakatoa Punch, a Signature Cocktail at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto Bars and Lounges at Disney World are more than just watering holes. We love them for a ton of reasons. From fantastic signature cocktails and amazing pub grub, to themeing that you have to see to believe, these stops are well worth your time. We’ll take you to some of our favorite in this video — including the over the top Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Resort Village. Just click on the video below to watch! And if you love this episode, 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 bar or lounge? Leave a comment and share 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: Top 10 Disney World Bars and Lounges New Video: Eat THIS at Disney’s World’s Animal Kingdom Lodge New DFB Video: Best Breakfasts in Walt Disney World View the full article

Runners, assemble! Get ready to celebrate your inner Super Hero with this year’s epic lineup of medals for the 2017 Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend at the Disneyland Resort. Featuring nods to exciting characters such as Spider-Man, Thor and Black Widow, these medals are designed for Super Hero fans! Starting off the power-packed weekend, swing into the fun during the Spider-Man 5K. Runners will earn this medal featuring your friendly neighborhood Super Hero. Our tiniest of Super Heroes joining us for the runDisney Kids Races presented by GoGo squeeZ® will be earning this medallion featuring our friends from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, Groot and Rocket! Those putting their Super Hero skills to the test during our Thor 10K and Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon for the Infinity Gauntlet Challenge will be rewarded by way of these epic medals! Designs for this year’s 10K medal include fun ties to Thor, with a spinner that features a nod to both Thor and Loki. The Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon medal debuts a new design featuring an icon of one of the Avengers with this year, featuring a nod to Black Widow. The Infinity Gauntlet Challenge medal returns for another year for those daring participants conquering 19.3 miles in two days. This year’s Infinity Stone is the Reality Stone which allows its wielder to alter existence itself, even in contradiction to known scientific laws. There’s still a chance to earn your Thor 10K, Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon or Infinity Gauntlet Challenger medal here. Which race are you looking forward to participating in? Let us know using the hashtag #AvengersHalf on our social media channels! Twitter: @runDisney Instagram: @runDisney Facebook: @runDisney YouTube: @runDisney View the full article

We’re kicking off this week on the Disney Parks Blog with a shot of a beautiful sunrise here at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. One of the many accommodation types at Disney Vacation Club’s newest resort are 26 unique waterfront Cascade Cabins. These two-bedroom, two-bath luxurious cabins sleep up to eight and feature a full kitchen, large dining room and living room spaces, a screened-in wraparound porch with a built-in hot tub and of course, special Disney touches throughout. Who’s ready to wake up to a view like this and stay at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins? View the full article

A picture is worth a thousand words, and chances are high that after your last Disney cruise you had a million things to say! A family vacation with us offers so many perfect photo opps, from meeting Disney characters to dancing at a lively deck party and having fun in the sun at Castaway Cay. Now, you can share your family’s favorite Disney Cruise Line memory for a chance to win a Disney cruise. Just head over to www.disneycruisememoriesatsea.com and upload a video or photos of your family’s Disney cruise vacation. Be sure to check out our video on the home page that offers tips on the best photos and video to submit. We want to see those memories that are sweet, funny or simply amazing! Each month from now through November, one lucky winner will receive a $500 Disney Gift Card. One grand prize winner will receive a three-night Bahamian Disney Cruise Line vacation for up to four people! Check out the Official Rules for complete prize details and restrictions. Good luck! View the full article

Miami Dolphins stars Jarvis Landry and Jay Ajayi are putting their acting skills on display as part of a Disney prank show that airs Saturday. “Walk the Prank: NFL Edition” on Disney XD premieres at 11 a.m. and is billed as “scripted comedy with over-the-top hidden camera pranks.” As part of it,... View the full article

There are some fantastic new things to enjoy around Walt Disney World — and especially at Animal Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean we’re going to forget our favorites! So today, we’re heading back to Tusker House. Learn About: Tusker House Restaurant Animal Kingdom Disney World Restaurants The buffet restaurant has been around for quite some time now, but I’ve continued to think of it as a hidden gem. Not only does it offer a character dining experience — and now, you can dine with your Disney friends for breakfast, lunch, and dinner — but the menu is also more interesting than most that you’ll find in Disney buffets. The last time I visited, it was to enjoy that sort of between-breakfast-and-lunch period. (It’s not technically called brunch, but that’s sorta kinda what it is.) This time, we’re taking in an evening meal to see if everything is still as awesome as it always has been. Atmosphere You’ll find Tusker House in the village of Harambe. Just head back like you’re going to Kililmanjaro Safaris, and you’ll see it on your left. Tusker House – Outside View The themeing here is superb, as it is with every other part of Animal Kingdom. The restaurant itself is fashioned as the Safari Orientation Centre, with rooms tumbling into one another. Safari Orientation Centre Sign Rich details supply an immersive experience. Signs that dot walls remind you of the building’s antiquity. This No Smoking Sign Made Me Laugh! If you plan to embark on a safari during your journey, you may want to know the proper Swahili words for common greetings and animals. Study this chalkboard and you’ll be good to go. Swahili Words You can also see at a glance where your favorite driver is. I wonder if I can book a seat on the next Mt. Kili fly-over? Driver Board As I mentioned before, Tusker House rambles a bit. The dining area is comprised of four dining rooms, each differently themed. I love the natural light from the skylights. Dining Area Internal windows like this one allow for plenty of light and air circulation between the rooms, too. Window Inside More Seating Seating varies throughout the restaurant. Some chairs are amply padded…others, not so much. Small Table Seating During our most recent visit, we actually snagged a window seat. Seating But wait until you see the buffet area. The themeing is perfect. The buffet is housed in its own hall, and it appears to be an outdoor market taking place in the courtyard of this building. Food is displayed in a series of stands and carts throughout the space. Buffet Area Shade from the hot sun comes courtesy of these lengths of fabric, which filter the light without blocking it entirely. Ceiling from Another View with Balcony Beautiful Ceiling Be sure to look up and look around. This balcony is filled with detail that you don’t wanna miss. Balcony When you do decide to start filing those plates, however, there’s plenty to choose from. You’ll find dishes below the food on little lit shelves. Buffet Area — Bread Cart I recommend taking a quick tour of the space and seeing everything that’s available before you dive in. That way you can make the best decisions and keep food waste to a minimum. Buffet Area Now that you have the lay of the land, let’s take a closer look at another aspect of Tusker House that makes it special: character interaction. We’ll take a closer look at the food soon! Characters A few years ago, characters only joined in the fun at breakfast and lunch. These days, you’ll find the crew at all three meals. You may wonder what sets the characters here apart. Well…if you can find something more adorable than Mickey, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy dressed to go on safari, I’ll need you to let me know. Mickey’s Canteeeeeeen!! Mickey Mouse Donald and Daisy look quite well-prepared in their coordinated jackets. Donald Duck Daisy Duck I’m also digging on Goofy’s little French Foreign Legion flappy hat. Goofy Don’t forget — you can also book Tusker House for a Rivers of Light Dining Package. You’d be so forward thinking to combine character autographs with reserved seating at the nighttime spectacular. Go you! Time to check out the food now, though. Follow me for a tour of that buffet. Eats One super cool aspect of dining at Tusker House is the beverage selection. Jungle Juice — a combo of passion fruit, orange, and guava juice — always hits the spot. Jungle Juice! As you head to the buffet, Donald is there to help you remember to “Be a Pal to the Planet” — and don’t take more food than you plan to enjoy. Remember, you can go back as many times as you like, so there’s no need to load up the first time ’round. Be a Pal! As I embarked on my trip around the buffet, my first stop was to check out the assortment of breads. Mealie Corn Bread Bread and Rolls There was plenty to choose from, with everything from mealie corn bread (awesome), to rolls, to squares of focaccia. More Bread We also found wedges of pita bread. Pita Bread The pita is especially good with the assortment of dips and spreads that are available. We found tabbouleh, hummus, spicy South African preserves, and chutney. Butter was available for guests wanting something something a little less exotic. Dips and Spreads If you’re looking to start your meal with fresh fruit, you’ll find cubed melon, grapes, and watermelon salad with feta cheese and onions. Fruits and Watermelon Salad There was an assortment of inventive vegetable and grain salads, too. Cold dishes featured green beans, black eyed peas, and couscous. Tusker House Salads As with most Disney buffets, Tusker House offers a carving station with selections that change up daily. During our dinner, they were serving an array of options, including pork tenderloin. Carving Station A whole ham looked incredible, with a crispy outer crust. Ham on the Carving Station While I’m not much of a pescatarian, I had to admit that seeing whole fish roasted in corn husks was really impressive. Whole Roasted Fish The buffet also features selections that are situated at just the right level for little guests to make their own choices and help themselves. I love that they always feature corn dog nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and vegetables. We found corn on this part of the buffet as well. Kids Station: Corn Dog Nuggets, Mac and Cheese, and Corn There were also mashed potatoes, sautéed green beans, and roasted chicken on the kids’ buffet. Kids Station: Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, and Chicken I couldn’t resist snagging some of the corn dog nuggets and mac and cheese. You know. Research. Corn Dog Nuggets and Mac and Cheese Beyond the carving stations and kids’ buffet, there were lots of other dishes and sides to choose from, including sweet plantains and roasted chicken. Plantains, Roasted Chicken, and More There were creamy shrimp and curried chicken stews, served alongside plain white rice. Shrimp, Rice, and Curried Chicken We also spied one of our favorites — potato and pea samosas. I never miss a chance to snag a few of these! Potato and Pea Samosas I also spied mashed potatoes with gravy as well as greens and a rice pilaf. Sides There were roasted veggies as well. Samosas and Roasted Vegetables Be sure to leave room for a little something sweet. Tusker House has one of my favorite dessert buffets on property. You’ll find a full array of miniature pastries, like these colorful cakes topped with mousse and fresh raspberries. Mini Pastries Sweet cakes and glazed pastries were other options. Sweet Breads and Dessert But in my opinion, it’s best to save room for the bread pudding. I loved that this one was topped with extra vanilla sauce and studded with plump raisins. Bread Pudding Magic bars (!!!), caramel brownies, and an assortment of cookies rounded out the desserts options. Magic Bars Caramel Turtle Brownies Chocolate Dessert Cookies After a little something sweet, I was ready to head off for Rivers of Light! Rivers of Light Crowd and Expedition Everest Nosh or Not? You’ll love Tusker House Restaurant if: You enjoy Character Meals, especially when the characters are dressed in super cute clothes. You’re looking for a unique, all you care to enjoy dining experience. Attention to detail, incredible detail, and an immersive experience. You have both picky and adventurous eaters to please, or are looking to explore somewhat exotic fare. You might want to skip Tusker House Restaurant if: You’re looking for a quieter, more adult dining experience (in which case Tiffins might be the place for you.) You are juggling a baby or toddler, or have another reason not to want the hassle of making multiple trips to a buffet. You aren’t a fan of Character Meals. Overall I still love Tusker House, but on this visit there seemed to be much less variety than I’ve seen here in the past, and that included everything from breads and interesting bread spreads, straight through to the sweets. But this still going to be one of the most unique and “exotic” buffets. And Tusker House is your one and only character meal stop in Animal Kingdom. The character interaction is good here. I also still love to wander through the large restaurant, taking in the detail and decor. But these days, I have to say, if you’re looking for a buffet meal with interesting and exotic flavors of African and Indian cuisine, I’d probably give Boma the slight edge. So, given that I’m not quite as impressed it this time, I have to ask: Is Tusker House still one of your Disney Dining Must Dos? Leave a comment and let us know where this fan favorite ranks with you! 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! Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom to Begin Offering Character Dining for Dinner Rumor: Rivers of Light Dining Packages Possibly Coming to Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House Review: Tusker House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom View the full article

This week, Halloween officially returned to the Walt Disney World Resort with the first night of Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at Magic Kingdom Park. The parties are held on 32 nights throughout the fall season and feature all kinds of fun frights. To celebrate the occasion, we shared a special video created for Disney Parks Blog readers. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party requires a separate ticket (a party specific ticket) that can be purchased here and is available for dates included in our original story. Walt Disney Imagineering and project teams responsible for bringing Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge to life at Disneyland park celebrated a major milestone this week as well — the topping out of the tallest peak in the 14-acre land. Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set to open in 2019, first at the Disneyland Resort and later that year at the Walt Disney World Resort. Check out George’s original story for more details and images, including a look at the progress being made on Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at the Walt Disney World Resort. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Matt Bomer, Warwick Davis, Chandra Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg Added To List of Candlelight Narrators Help #SaveGroot at Guardians of the Galaxy – Monsters After Dark During Halloween Time at the Disneyland Resort Don’t Miss This Summer Fun at the Disneyland Resort Disney Parks Bento Magic – Br’er Rabbit on Splash Mountain Attraction For the First Time Ever, Walt Disney World Restaurants Are on the Menu for Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month Top Ten Cool Eats for Hot Days at Disneyland Resort Force Friday II Merchandise Event Coming to Disney Parks on September 1
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OMGeeeeeeee! It’s almost here! The Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner. Like, it starts this week! So there’s no better time than RIGHT NOW to share our Top Tips for the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in our latest DFB Video! If you’re truly a fan of Disney, Food, and Disney Food, then this really is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year. The festival has grown to mammoth proportions — 75 days in 2017! — with tons of great eats and drinks to sample. And I don’t mind telling you that it can be a little overwhelming. With 35 Marketplace Booths and tons of Special Events, it’s good to have a plan. And we share our Tip Tips for making this your best fest yet in our video below! We’re also doing something special and fun — when you sign up for our newsletter, you can download 3 brand new crawls that we’ve created! Just sign up for our newsletter, and you can download those crawls for free! 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 take a look, and then let us know: what are your special top tips for making the most of your Epcot Food and Wine Festival experience? Leave a comment and share with us! 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 Video! The Best of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Now on the DFB YouTube Channel! New DFB Video: Sneak Peek at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! DFB Video: Best of the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Eats! View the full article

I’m writing today aboard a gleaming ship that took off this afternoon from Florida’s Space Coast. No, not that kind of ship. Elon Musk has yet to extend that invitation. I’m on the Disney Fantasy for the 2017 Disney Vacation Club Member Cruise, a voyage filled with firsts. If you’ve read any of my Member Cruise posts in previous years, you know that this event dramatically elevates the already spectacular Disney Cruise Line experience with daily in-room gifts, a broad slate of special entertainment, custom décor and that special kind of magic that happens whenever Members gather. It’s among the best examples of what’s known around the neighborhood as Membership Magic Ever After. While this year’s voyage delivers those staples in spades, it also goes where no Member Cruise has gone before. We’re embarking on the first Member Cruise aboard this stunning ship, the first Member Cruise to feature an Eastern Caribbean itinerary, the first Member Cruise for many of our guest presenters (from stage and screen actor Richard Kind and celebrated Pixar producer Darla K. Anderson to Walt Disney Imagineer Luc Mayrand and Jerry Bruckheimer Films’ Michael Singer, just to name a few) and the first to feature an entire “event within the event.” Our unprecedented Member Cruise Film Festival, taking place through Monday, balances a curated collection of nearly 20 films (from future releases and current hits to beloved classics and insightful documentaries) with insider presentations, interactive experiences and spectacular deck parties. I’d compare it to festivals like Sundance and Cannes, but neither of those have 360-degree ocean views! We began the festival tonight on a high “note” as legendary filmmaker Don Hahn (Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King) took the Walt Disney Theatre stage to introduce his toe-tapping film Richard M. Sherman: Songs of a Lifetime, joyfully celebrating the musical library of the legendary songwriting Sherman Brothers. Don’s introduction included an upbeat tribute to the late Disney Legend Marty Sklar, a Member Cruise favorite and a longtime friend to Disney Vacation Club. During the next two days, presentations, films and experiences will immerse Members in the colorful, musical world of Pixar Animation Studios’ Coco, return to Arendelle for Olaf’s Frozen Adventure, reveal the truth about life as a working actor, honor the lives and legacies of Disney Legends, mark milestone anniversaries of beloved classics, add exclusive bonus material to the latest hits from the Disney family of studios, unleash the talents of Disney artists in the ship’s atrium and more. While the Member Cruise Film Festival would, on its own, represent the biggest lineup of shows and experiences in Member Cruise history, it’s merely our first course. From there, we visit three ports of call and enjoy a second slate of special entertainment. I’ll be back in touch at the end of the voyage to recap entertainment beyond the film festival. View the full article

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Celebrates Birth of Sumatran Tiger Cubs View the full article

Today we’re celebrating all-things “Disney Dogs,” and in honor of the upcoming release of Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” we have a special look at the next Disney pup you’re likely to fall in love with – Dante. This video, which was shared with us from our friends at Pixar and The Walt Disney Studios, follows a real-life xolo (aka a Mexican hairless dog) as he explores Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, where he made friends, had lunch, “played catch” with the studio’s signature Luxo Ball, and even met “Coco” Director Lee Unkrich. In the film “Coco,” Dante serves as the four-legged sidekick to Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a young boy who dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel and Dante find themselves in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, Miguel meets charming Hector (Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history. Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens November 22. View the full article

Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG award-winning actress Claire Danes made sure to take advantage of these final “dog days of summer” by heading to the Walt Disney World for some fun with her favorite Disney dog, Goofy! Claire, along with family and friends, spent a few days enjoying Walt Disney World theme parks. Some of her favorites included Pandora – The World of Avatar and meeting Disney characters. Check out the video to Claire and Goofy have a blast on their favorite roller coaster! Special thanks to Matt Stroshane for the photo. View the full article

Living in Florida we learn to enjoy the “dog days of summer” – the hottest days of this sunny season. Why not celebrate with a fun wallpaper? Our designer, Kenzie Schmaltz, had some fun featuring Rolly from “101 Dalmations” because, according to Kenzie, “There’s nothing cuter than a happy puppy!” Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. And check out our complete gallery of wallpapers on our special page. View the full article

National Dog Day is celebrated on August 26. Being a dog owner, I can’t wait to spend the day pampering my long-haired Chihuahua Yodie. At Disney Parks, we offer a variety of dog-themed products perfect for dog lovers and their four-legged friends. Here is a brief look at some of my favorite items from Disney Parks Merchandise. Disney Tails, a line of pet products with a splash of Disney character, was expanded earlier this year to include items for smaller pets. Today, guests will find leads, headbands, collars, comfort harnesses, and pet bowls. Many of these items have nods to Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. “These items are a fun way guests can share their love of Disney with their furry family members,” explained Kevin-Michael Lezotte, merchandise product developer for the Disney Tails line. “I loved developing these products as they are things I would use with my dog Haji.” Mickey’s faithful dog Pluto is featured on a variety of products including hats, home décor, accessories, ornaments, toys, plush and more. Pluto even gets his own individual open edition pin in this year’s Halloween collection. Finally, I have a special treat on this day that celebrates dogs. The accessories team at Disney Parks Merchandise gave me a sneak preview of a new Dooney & Bourke pattern featuring Disney Dogs (you may recall we released a similar Disney Cats collection last year. Look for this pattern on a new handbag collection arriving in late November. Guests will find these items in select locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You may also find select items on DisneyStore.com as well as the Shop Disney Parks app. View the full article

No matter how you vacation at Walt Disney World, the primary goal is always the same: to make memories that you can cherish and share for a lifetime. And with hundreds of attractions, shows, and experiences to try, there’s no shortage of ways to make those memories. Hello from Disney World! But one of our favorite ways to make new and lasting memories is by enjoying special dining experiences in the World. So if you’re officially planning your next vacay (or just daydreaming, as you should!), here are five unique and special dining experiences sure to leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Dine Above the World Anyone can sit at ground level and enjoy some tasty Fish and Chips or a tray of Chicken Nuggets, but if you want to elevate your dining, you gotta get above the World. And thanks to some thoughtfully placed restaurants, you can do that with ease! View of Fireworks from California Grill California Grill is the spot for those who want a classy, memorable dinner — with all eyes on Cinderella Castle. Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli Snag an Advance Dining Reservation (ADR, moving forward) for just the right time, and you’ll get to see Magic Kingdom’s nighttime spectacular, Happily Ever After, from California Grill’s balcony. But what if you didn’t land that coveted show time reservation? Then just bring in your receipt from earlier in the evening, and show it to the Cast Members at the restaurant’s check-in desk on the second floor of the Contemporary. California Grill Sign They’ll allow your party to re-enter California Grill, where you can watch the spectacular show from the restaurant’s observation deck. If you’re looking for something a little less formal — but still with a view from above — consider ‘Ohana. Dinner at ‘Ohana offers All-You-Care-To-Eat family-style service with Hawaiian flair in the Polynesian Village Resort. ‘Ohana Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce And if you can nab an ADR for the evening’s fireworks time, go for it! And here’s the trick: you’ll want to request a window seat when you check in. But really, the view is beautiful any time of day (even if you’re there in the morning for the Best Friends Breakfast with Lilo and Stitch)! View from ‘Ohana The Magic Kingdom Resorts don’t have the only sky-high claim to fame. The World Showcase offers options for dining above the World at Epcot. The Japan Pavilion is where you’ll find Tokyo Dining, offering a lovely Lagoon view in the middle of the day, or the chance to enjoy IllumiNations right from your seat inside the restaurant at night. (But note — sometimes the view of the fireworks here is compromised by people standing on the walkway outside.) View of World Showcase Lagoon Eat Like — and With! — Royalty I’m hard pressed to think of a more quintessential experience at Disney World than interacting with Princesses and Princes (unless it’s meeting the Mouse himself). No matter what your age, meeting Disney Royalty is always a memorable experience, and several dining options offer that opportunity. Rapunzel The signature experience, of course, is dining at Cinderella’s Royal Table, located right inside Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. High stone arches, colorful royal flags and crests, and stunning stained glass windows set the scene for you and your Royal Hostesses. Cinderella’s Royal Table Dining Room In addition to eating in an actual castle, you’ll also meet several of Disney’s most iconic princesses. Cinderella herself greets her guests in the lobby, and four additional Royal Highnesses meander through the dining room during your meal. Cinderella greets guests in her castle But the Princesses are not limited to Cinderella Castle. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion also offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with Disney Princesses. Belle is your gracious hostess, and again, even more Princesses visit tables throughout the meal. Belle at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the new Bon Voyage Adventure Character Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno on Disney’s Boardwalk. Featuring beloved Disney couples, this is where a couple of Disney Princes get to come out to play, too! Prince Eric Diners nosh on foods themed to Tangled and The Little Mermaid while meeting Rapunzel and Flynn Rider along with Ariel and Prince Eric. Pastry assortment We did mention Flynn Rider, didn’t we? Well, just in case… Flynn Rider (FYI, Cinderella and her Prince Charming also pop up at 1900 Park Fare in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for dinner.) Check out your full list of options for Character Dining here. Dine with an Imagineer Did you know that guests 14 and older can Dine with an Imagineer?! Select either The Hollywood Brown Derby in Hollywood Studios or Citricos at the Grand Floridian for your four-course meal. Citricos The real treat, though, is the conversation you and your small group of diners (you’ll all fit around one table!) will get to have with a Disney Imagineer. This is like actual, human Disney royalty, folks! And it can literally only happen at Disney World. A similar small group experience is also available at Sanaa, but with an Animal Kingdom Lodge twist. Sanaa Dine with an Animal Specialist gives guests the chance to learn about the care, research, and conservation efforts for the 200 plus animals that call Animal Kingdom Lodge their home. And speaking of Sanaa… Eat Among New Friends If you or your loved ones are more interested in creatures of the non-human variety, there are several options for dining in the World — with a side of feathers, fur, or fins! The first option is once again at Sanaa. Sanaa features Indian and African- inspired flavors, and — for diners with a window view — the opportunity to dine near animal friends. Sanaa Potjie It’s a relaxing environment with terrific food, warm cultural ambiance, and, perhaps, a crane, giraffe, or zebra right in view. Watch the Wildlife as You Dine at Sanaa For something a little more off the beaten path, sign up for the Wild Africa Trek. This splurge-that’s-worth-it experience takes guests on a three-hour trek through Animal Kingdom’s Kilimanjaro Safari. The trails wind through the different animal environments, letting you get a close-up view of the animal friends you usually only see from a ride vehicle. View from Wild Africa Trek You’ll traverse a rope bridge over lazy crocodiles, spy on hippos as they stay cool in their pool, and enjoy a meal in a boma smack in the middle of the Savanna. But if you prefer creatures of the deep, make an ADR at Coral Reef Restaurant in Epcot’s The Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion. Here all tables face a massive saltwater tank, where your dinner companions are sea turtles, sharks, tropical fish, and stingrays! Aquarium view The menu is inspired by the sea, but there are plenty of options for guests who hold to the mantra that “fish are friends, not food!” Grilled New York Strip Steak Enjoy Dinner and a Show The classic combo of dinner-and-a-show is timeless, and at Disney World, the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue at Fort Wilderness Campground has been a guest favorite for over FORTY YEARS running! The Pioneer Hall Players This rootin’, tootin’ extravaganza features old fashioned dancin’, laughin’, and singin’, along with All-You-Care-To-Enjoy country vittles. Yeehaw! Hoop Dee Doo Review goodies Or you can make your way to Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show at Polynesian Village Resort. This luau features fire dancing, hula, and Hawaiian music, along with a taste of the Islands with another All-You-Care-to-Enjoy meal. Spirit of Aloha Dancers If you have wee little ones in tow, you might want to consider Mickey’s Backyard BBQ. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ sign Also located at Fort Wilderness, this musical variety show featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Chip and Dale puts the focus on the kiddos, and photos and autographs are part of the experience along with all the fixins’ of a traditional BBQ (we’re talking burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and much more!). Have Dinner with a side of Attitude Okay, yeah, so this is actually Number Six. Consider it a bonus, since there are so many ways to have a memorable dining experience in Disney World! In case the teenagers in your traveling party don’t give you enough ‘tude, Disney’s got you covered. Flip Card –Green ” Jump and Play” Side Whispering Canyon Cafe is home to totally-in-character waitstaff who go overboard on the straws (get ready to have a few thrown right at’cha), ketchup, and occasionally serve up sodas the size of a small child. (For a better idea, check out our review here.) Someone Asked for Ketchup . . . It’s all part of the rowdy fun you’ll experience at this lively restaurant at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, where skillets of grub will stick to your ribs, along with the laughter. All You Care to Enjoy Skillet If you want to step back in time to the era of June Cleaver, make your reservation for 50s Prime Time Cafe. The waiters here are “aunts,” “uncles,” and “cousins,” and remember: you’re dining in their kitchen. So, it’s elbows off the table — and be sure to eat your veggies! Cast Members Comfort food options include Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken and Mom’s Old Fashioned Pot Roast, and you’re likely to get a scolding or two while partaking of the meal. And you’ll love every second of it! Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken So, there you have it! Just a handful of the many ways you can make Disney Dining Memories at Walt Disney World. We don’t recommend trying to fit all of these in during one vacation… so you’ll just have to come back over and over and over again. What’s your favorite Disney Dining memory? Tell us all about it 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: News: New Dining Discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders for 45th Anniversary Year Dining in Disney World With Kids, Part 2: Suggestions from the WDW Moms Panel The Most Popular Disney World Restaurants (And Alternatives When They’re Full) View the full article