Disney4me

The U.S. Postal Service has the perfect stamp for all those bills you’re not happy about paying: Disney villains. So why not send a passive-aggressive message with the Evil Queen, Ursula or Gaston, who are among 10 Disney villains from Walt Disney Studios animation that are part of a new selection... View the full article

The U.S. Postal Service will debut Forever stamps on July 15, 2017 in honor of villains from Walt Disney Studios animation. View the full article

Soccer legend Pelé will be the face of a rebranded retailer at Disney Springs as Pele Soccer replaces United World Soccer. Orlando-based United World Soccer reached a licensing deal with the Brazilian soccer star, a deal that owners hope will propel the brand. “We hope to start opening more stores... View the full article

A staple on Main Street U.S.A. since 1971, Plaza Ice Cream Parlor is the perfect place to celebrate National Ice Cream Day. With something to satisfy every ice cream craving, the location, which serves up hand-scooped Edy’s ice cream, has everything from decadent sundaes to cones. Here are our ice cream treats to order from Plaza Ice Cream Parlor! The Mickey Mouse Kid’s Cone is just the right size for little Mouseketeers looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. One scoop of ice cream in a sugar cone is finished with milk chocolate “Mickey ears.” The Doughnut Sundae (served until 11:00 a.m.) is the perfect excuse to have ice cream for breakfast! A glazed Doughnut is topped with a cinnamon-apple topping, a scoop of ice cream, whipped cream, chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, hot fudge and is finished with milk chocolate “Mickey ears” and a cherry. The “Plaza” Ice Cream Sundae features two scoops of your choice of Edy’s ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream, and a cherry in a freshly-made waffle bowl. The Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich features your choice of hand-scooped ice cream sandwiched between two freshly-made chocolate chip cookies. Flavors available currently include vanilla, strawberry, chocolate, cookies ‘n cream, no-sugar-added butter pecan, no-sugar-added raspberry sorbet. Non-dairy ice cream options are available for vegans or those who have a lactose intolerance. What is your favorite way to enjoy ice cream at Walt Disney World Resort? Let us know in the comments below! View the full article

Once a month, Disney Parks Blog author Will Gay heads into a Disney theme park to draw, sketch or paint a unique piece of Disney artwork on the spot. Today we have a special edition to share with you. We recently headed out with Will as he took on one of his most daring artistic challenges yet: to create an oil painting of Miss Tilly at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon in less than 90 minutes! Check out the list below to see more of Will’s previous work. Plein Air in Pandora – The World of Avatar Plein Air in Adventureland Plein Air at World Showcase Lagoon Plein Air In The Norway Pavilion Debuting Our New Artist Series: Sketches from the Park View the full article

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!! And, no, this time I’m not talking about the release of the 2017 Candlelight Processional Dining Packages, or three ways you can ring in the New Year at the Contemporary Resort. Nope, I’m saying the Holiday Season is ON… in Disney Springs, that is! Because July 15th through July 30th is Christmas in July in Disney Springs! ©Disney Yep, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Disney Springs Marketplace. You’ll find the Big Guy — Santa Claus!! — at Disney’s Days of Christmas (he’ll be dressed in summer wear, of course). He’ll be snapping pics with guests from 1:00 to 10:00 pm. And visions of sugarplums will spring up throughout the area! At Goofy’s Candy Company and the Candy Cauldron (on the West Side), peppermint bark and gingerbread cookies will be among the featured holiday goodies. Santa Mickey Krispy Treat And look for some Disney-specific traditions, too, like Santa Minnie and Mickey Caramel Apples and Santa Krispy Treats! Holiday Caramel Apples The Marketplace Starbucks will serve their holiday-themed drinks (!!!), and at Dockside Margaritas you’ll find a Snowflake Margarita. Dockside Margaritas at Disney Springs Marketplace Aristocrepes will be serving a Gingerbread Crepe. The Disney Springs Fountains will be decorated for the occasion, and a DJ will be playing Christmas tunes to give everyone a dose of early holiday spirit. So, I’ll say it again… Happy Holidays! And maybe I’ll see you in line for my very first Peppermint Mocha of 2017 at the Starbucks Marketplace! Will you be celebrating Christmas in July? 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: “Christmas in July” Treats at Disney World and Disneyland! Review: Christmas Treats at Goofy’s Candy Company in Disney Springs Christmas in July at the Disney Food Blog View the full article

Star Wars-Inspired Land Model | Disney Parks View the full article

Disney’s latest level of “Star Wars” land-based hyperspace hype has landed. The company on Thursday night presented a scale model of the attractions, currently under construction at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disneyland theme parks, to folks preparing to attend the D23 Expo, a gathering of... View the full article

As we’ve previously shared, two Star Wars-inspired lands are currently under construction at the Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. Tonight, we’re happy to pull back the curtain and give you the first detailed look at the model of this new land, which will be on display this weekend at the 2017 D23 Expo. Both Star Wars-inspired lands will transport guests to a never-before-seen planet, a remote trading port and one of the last stops before Wild Space, where Star Wars characters and their stories come to life. Here, guests will find themselves in the middle of the action at two signature attractions: one that lets guests take the controls of Millennium Falcon on a customized secret mission, and an epic Star Wars adventure that puts guests in the middle of a climactic battle between the First Order and the Resistance. Follow the Disney Parks Blog over the next few days for full coverage of all Walt Disney Parks & Resorts news and announcements coming out of the 2017 D23 Expo. View the full article

This weekend, the Disney Parks Blog team is in Anaheim to cover D23 Expo 2017. Our coverage actually kicks off tonight and then really ramps up on Saturday, July 15! We’re live blogging all of the exciting updates being unveiled during Saturday’s Walt Disney Parks and Resorts presentation – beginning at 3 p.m. PT / 6 p.m. ET. During the D23 Expo 2017, you can stay on top of all of our coverage on Twitter by following @DisneyParks and on Facebook. We’ll also be sharing a special edition of our popular Disney Parks Blog Daily Newsletter – you can subscribe to receive our updates right here. Keep checking back for more updates! View the full article

How lovely is the Florida sky in tonight’s “After Dark” image? From this waterfront angle of Disney Springs, you can see the Aerophile Balloon Flight, Bongos, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, House of Blues and more. Do you have a favorite dining location or shop in this area? Tell us in the comments section below. View the full article

Jack Shaheen, a prominent writer, scholar and activist who persistently — though diplomatically — challenged negative stereotypes of Arabs in film and television, has died at age 81. Shaheen, who died Sunday in South Carolina after battling cancer, took on studio executives, offered counsel to... View the full article

The Villain Kids (aka VKs) from the upcoming Disney Channel Original movie “Descendants 2” will be Mickey’s Soundsational Parade Grand Marshals at Disneyland park today at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST)! The live stream will be hosted by Radio Disney’s Morgan Tompkins and YouTube sensation Charisma Star. Check below at 4 p.m. PST (7 p.m. EST) to watch the live stream of the Pre Parade moment. View the full article

It’s gettin’ real, y’all! The Epcot Flower and Garden Festival just wrapped, so you know what that means: the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner!!! If you haven’t already, mark your calendars for August 31-November 13, as the festival extends to an unprecedented 75 full days for the first time ever! And be sure to bookmark our 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Main Page, because that’s where you can access all the details — including events, schedules, and booking dates! Maybe you can’t tell, but we tend to get a little excited around here for F&W. And part of the countdown is reviewing some of the events that we had the pleasure to attend the previous year. New to the festival in 2016, Disney added Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshops at Festival Center — daily opportunities for guests to roll up their sleeves and participate in the learning process. And the event is BACK for 2017! Festival Center During the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Last year, workshops were offered covering everything from sushi making to creating clean treats! We really enjoyed a workshop on the latter, as we learned how to make a killer brownie, courtesy of Erin McKenna of Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs. Today, we’re sharing another Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Workshop that we experienced — Wine, Cheese and Chocolate: Perfectly Paired. Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Perfectly Paired We arrived in plenty of time before the crowds descended on Festival Center. All of the festival’s low cost culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars take place here. The Chef’s Showcase in the back of the pavilion is also the setting for the Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Workshops. Chef’s Showcase Set Up For the event, guests are seated at a long table along with up to seven other attendees. Your place at the table is set with everything you need to participate in the workshop. At our previous event, our place setting included ingredients for making brownies. This workshop was a tasting experience, however. So instead of ingredients, I found an assortment of Wine, Cheese, and Chocolate. Place Setting Prior to the event beginning, I had a little look around. On the elevated stage area, the counter was laden with the larger quantities of the food and wine I found at my place setting. Preparation Area Soon, guests took their seats, and the workshop began, as the presenters were announced and made their way to the stage. Wine, Cheese and Chocolate Perfectly Paired Speakers One by one, the speakers introduced themselves and shared a little about their background. We began with Jill Ramsier from Quantum Leap Winery. Jill Ramsier, Quantum Leap Winery Quantum Leap is an Orlando winery (seriously!) specializing in the use of sustainable ingredients. They partner with small-yield growers to create their wines. All of the wines for the event were Quantum Leap wines. We also met Tonda Corrente from La Femme de Fromage. Tonda Corrente, Le Femme de Fromage Tonda’s shop is located in Orlando’s East End Market, a popular hangout and collection of local small businesses. Our next presenter was Lisa Wilk from Orlando Uncorked. Lisa Wilk, Orlando Uncorked Orlando Uncorked is a local group started by Lisa that specializes in teaching about wines in an approachable way. She would also share about the wine and food pairings that we’d be sampling. And finally, Kevin and Jami Wray from Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park joined the panel as well. Kevin and Jami Wray, Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Winter Park Peterbrooke is a local gourmet chocolate shop that concentrates on chocolate blending. The shop offers a huge variety of milk, dark, and white chocolate. The duo shared tips on how to best pair wine and chocolate. Before the tastings even began, I was super impressed to see the event highlighting Orlando shops and businesses, with a spotlight on local offerings and knowledge. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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. 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! But even for out of town guests, the panelists were all so thorough in their explanations that the principles could be applied to any store or shop, anywhere. Soon, we turned our attention to tasting. Yay! Our first pairing was a 2014 Russian River Sauvignon Blanc. 2014 River Sauvignon Blanc Label This wine is aged in oak and has notes of honeydew, melon, and meyer lemons. I loved its bright acidity. 2014 River Sauvignon Blanc We began our food tasting with Cypress Grove Purple Haze, a goat’s milk cheese. Cypress Grove Purple Haze The cheese is from a California creamery and is flavored with lots of aromatic herbs, like lavender and fennel. Tonda recommended pairing goat cheese with Sauvignon Blanc. In this case in particular, the wine accentuates the herbal notes in the cheese — and vice versa. After having another sip of the wine, I completely agreed. It was time for our first chocolate pairing, and we sampled a White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry. Again, fruit dipped in chocolate is a great pairing option for a Sauvignon Blanc, which tends to be herbal and mineral in character. White Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Our next wine was another white — the 2014 Grape Pedaler White Blend. 2014 Grape Pedaler White Blend Label The blend combines four Columbia Valley wines. As I sniffed the wine initially, I noticed a strong apricot scent. After tasting, I also picked up notes of jasmine. This wine was also much more fruit forward than our first sample. 2014 Grape Pedaler White Blend We paired it with Petit Agour, a French sheep’s milk cheese. Petit Agour The cheese has a firm, buttery texture and a mildly nutty flavor. By the way, the rind is totally edible, so go for it if you’d like. Petit Agour Rind The chocolate pairing for the white wine blend was a Pretzel Rod dipped first in Caramel, and then in White Chocolate. White Chocolate and Caramel Dipped Pretzel Rod I thought it was interesting that the chocolate pairings for the white wines were all white chocolate. The Peterbrooke presenters explained that the high cocoa butter content and, in this case, the extra sweetness from the caramel, paired exceptionally well with the fruitier white blend. Caramel Under the White Chocolate They loved the sweet-salty combo, especially paired with the nutty flavor of the cheese, were a fantastic match for the wine. Our next pairing brought us to the Willamette Valley for a non-vintage Pinor Noir. Non Vintage Willamette Valley Pinor Noir The light-bodied red wine offered up wonderful smells of fresh, ripe cherries, which carried through into the flavor profile as well. I also picked up on notes of raspberry, and I had the sense that the wine had been aged in wooden barrels. Non Vintage Willamette Valley Pinor Noir Label We paired the Pinot Noir with Cypress Grove Midnight Moon Goat Gouda. Cypress Grove Midnight Moon Goat Gouda An aged goat’s milk cheese, this is very different than what you’d expect from a typical, fresh and creamy goat’s milk offering. The texture is a bit crystalline from the aging process. You’ll notice strong flavors of brown sugar and caramel in this complex cheese. After another sip of the wine, we sampled a Bark made from swirls of Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate, studded with Dried Cherries. Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Swirled Chocolate Cherry Bark Can’t find this special bark? No problem. Just fix up a little assortment of your favorite dark and milk chocolate, and throw in a few dried cherries. That will effectively balance the sweetness so it’s not overpowering. During this part of the workshop, we also learned a little about the difference between Swiss chocolate and Belgian chocolate. We were tasting Swiss chocolate, which has a higher percentage of cocoa butter. Belgian chocolate, according to our experts, has a higher percentage of cocoa mass. They believe that Swiss chocolate is superior. (But I’m sure there are a few Belgians out there who would disagree. ) But back to our tasting! Our final tastings were paired with a 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah. The Washington State and is a blend of 95% Syrah and 5% Vouvray (which is itself a white blend. That’s a whole lot of blending.) 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah On the nose, the wine smelled of oak and berries. As I tasted it, I picked up on flavors of blueberries and strawberries. 2013 Columbia Valley Syrah For our first pairing, we sampled Cahill Porter Cheddar. This Irish cheese and is soaked in porter, making it both visually striking as well as delicious. As you might expect, the cheese is rather rich, with notes of espresso courtesy of the porter. Cahill Porter Cheddar In an effort to stand up to the rich cheese, our experts chose a decadent chocolate truffle for our final pairing. Ultimate Chocolate Truffle The intensity of the dark chocolate ganache complemented the full bodied wine beautifully. At the conclusion of the workshop, the featured speakers welcomed guests to come up and share questions or comments. We found all of the experts to be welcoming, warm, knowledgeable, and approachable. Speakers Answering Questions As a parting gift, we also received a bamboo cutting board branded with the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. Food and Wine Cutting Board Food and Wine Cutting Board As it so happens, it’s perfect for serving cheese or chocolate — for our very next home wine pairing event! Overall This was our second time attending a Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshop, and we had a pretty fantastic time. Each of the speakers demonstrated not only a deep level of knowledge about their chosen fields, but they were clearly passionate about their crafts as well. As a local, I really appreciated that Disney partnered with Orlando companies and talent for the event, highlighting some of the awesome things that are happening in the local food scene. But even guests visiting from out of town agreed that what they learned could be applied anywhere. If I had one complaint, it would be with the amount of each wine pour. Nope, I’m not a lush. But it would be nice to have a pour of at least one and a half or two ounces, so that you could taste them multiple times with each pairing. Still, overall, this is a great event, and as a newbie to wine pairings and tastings, I felt like I really learned a few things, and came away with some solid knowledge. I’m looking forward to applying my new knowledge in the near future — and hopefully you can do the same! Want to Know all the Food and Wine Festival Details? We’ve Got Em! 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 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 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 low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars 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 may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Are you planning to attend a Mix It! Make It! Celebrate It! Hands-On Workshop at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival? 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: Review: 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It! Pastry Making Workshop Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Cheese Seminar Guest Review: Tutto Italia Food and Wine Pairing at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival View the full article

We are excited to announce that Disney MaxPass will launch July 19 at the Disneyland Resort! Disney MaxPass will help guests to maximize their experience at the Disneyland Resort by providing unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads from the day, and by enabling the convenience of mobile Disney FASTPASS booking and redemption times while in the theme parks through the Disneyland App. If guests are not already registered for a Disney account, registration is fast and simple. Download the app and follow the prompts to register for an account. Disney MaxPass will be offered for an introductory price of $10 a day. Guests may purchase Disney MaxPass when they purchase their ticket, or as an add-on through the Disneyland App once they enter either theme park. Disneyland Resort Annual Passholders also will have the option of purchasing Disney MaxPass for the life of their current passport for $75. Signature Plus passholders will receive Disney MaxPass at no additional cost, as part of their annual passport entitlement. Since we announced Disney MaxPass in January, we have added two additional Disney FASTPASS locations at Toy Story Mania and Matterhorn Bobsleds, bringing the total number of attractions to 16. Guests will continue to have the option of Disney FASTPASS service at no additional cost by obtaining a Disney FASTPASS return time with their park admission ticket at attraction Disney FASTPASS kiosks. The introduction of Disney MaxPass is part of our ongoing commitment to providing guests with opportunities to customize their experiences and make it even easier than ever to create unforgettable memories. Watch for another Disney Parks Blog post soon for an example of how Disneyland Resort guests can start enjoying Disney MaxPass on July 19. Guests are strongly advised to check the day’s FASTPASS ticket availability and other Park details before purchasing Disney MaxPass or using a Park ticket with Disney MaxPass as FASTPASS tickets for your preferred attractions may not be available at the time of purchase or use. FASTPASS tickets are limited and availability is not guaranteed. FASTPASS tickets may be obtained only while you are in the Parks and may not be available for entertainment through Disney MaxPass. An experience that does not have Disney FASTPASS availability at a kiosk will not be available using Disney MaxPass. The Disney MaxPass benefit will expire at the end of the day or when the Passport it is associated with expires, as applicable. Disney MaxPass is nonrefundable, nontransferable, may not be redeemed for cash and is subject to other restrictions. Price, terms, entitlements, attractions and entertainment are subject to change or cancellation without notice. Passholders who purchase the Disney MaxPass benefit may not use the value of any separate ticket media toward the purchase price of Disney MaxPass. Disney PhotoPass service is subject to the PhotoPass terms found in https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-terms-conditions/. Online registration required. Disney PhotoPass Photos captured during the day your Disney MaxPass is used or during the validity dates of your Passport, as applicable, must be linked to your Disney account and may be downloaded pursuant to the expiration policy at https://disneyland.disney.go.com/photopass-expiration-policy/. Not responsible for missing, lost or damaged photos. Downloads are restricted to personal use by Disney account holder only and may not be used for a commercial purpose. Subject to restrictions and change without notice. Message, data and roaming rates may apply for the Disneyland app. Availability subject to handset limitations and features may vary by handset or service provider. Coverage and app stores not available everywhere. If you’re under 18, get your parents’ permission first. View the full article

It’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival Time. And that means we’re heading back into World ShowPlace for the grandest of the Food and Wine Festival Special Events — Party for the Senses! In previous years, Party for the Senses one of the festival’s biggest (and priciest) Special Events, brought together over-the-top food and drink, paired with up close and personal entertainment provided by Cirque de Soleil. But in 2016, that all changed, as the events became much more specifically themed and the slate of entertainment changed with each party. Disney Springs Featured at Party for the Senses Join us as we look back at one of the events from last year, which celebrated Disney Springs. Party for the Senses: A Sense of Disney Springs Have you ever been inside the cavernous World ShowPlace? What? You don’t even know what that is? Well, that’s because it’s a special events pavilion that’s only opened up for big doings, such as holiday dinner buffets… and grand tasting events during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, like Party for the Senses. During the rest of the year, the venue, located between the Canada and UK Pavilions, is hidden behind a large set of wooden doors. Inside World ShowPlace As you enter, the first room is normally sort of like a giant receiving hall. Go past this area, and that’s where the party really starts. And I have to say — it really is a celebration for all of your senses. Colorful decorations and light-up table bases capture your attention right away. Seating an Atmosphere As this was a celebration of Disney Springs, we were delighted to see dancers and musicians from Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant. They were performing their Rhythms of Raglan show, a gorgeous expression of the Ireland through music, dance, and images. If you haven’t had the chance to catch it, be sure to visit soon. Entertainment But, as awesome as the decor and entertainment were…let’s get on with our first love: the fooooood. There was plenty more where this came from, but today, we’ll give you just a taste. Let’s begin with a few savory options. It wasn’t just the big table service restaurants that were represented at Party for the Senses. There were some unexpected dishes from kiosks and even food trucks as well. Our first stop was the B.B. Wolf Sausage Co. station. B.B. Wolf’s Food Station Here, we noshed on Regensburg Sausage, a mild German sausage served in the famed southern Bavarian medieval town of Regensburg where three rivers meet. As the story goes, the Old Historic Sausage Kitchen has been in continuous operation for nearly 900 years — making it the oldest continuously open public restaurant in the world. So there’s your history lesson for the day. Menu — Regensburg Sausage by B.B. Wolf’s Anyhoo — in this case, the sausage is wrapped in Nueske’s Bacon and served with Black Bean Salsa, Lime Crème, and Jalapeño. Regenberg Sausage Wrapped in Nueske’s Bacon But we also had the opportunity to sample a world of flavors from the two of Disney’s Food Trucks. In fact, Namaste Cafe was parked nearby for the occasion. Sweet! (By the way, it’s worth noting that Namaste has morphed into Springs Street Tacos these days.) Namaste Food Truck Menu — Grilled Lamb Kefta by Namaste Food Truck While Namaste served up a Spice-dusted Grilled Lamb Kefta, we also enjoyed a selection from the World Showcase of Flavors Truck. The Pork Belly Cuban brought together Melaza-rubbed Pork Belly, Smoked Ham, Queso Suizo Garlic Chili Pickles, Citrus Mayo, and Yellow Mustard. More Food Truck Goodness We also spied Disney Celeb Chef Art Smith, who was there to represent his restaurant, Homecomin’. It’s one of our favorites! For a rundown of our most recent visit, check out this review. Chef Art Smith from Homecomin’ Morimoto Asia was also in the house, serving up there delectable Peking Duck (it’s SO good!) in the form of…Tacos. Morimoto Food Station Menu — Peking Duck from Morimoto Asia I *may* have made more than one trip to this stop on the food trail. Peking Duck In addition to some outstanding savory dishes, there were plenty of sweets to tempt us too. We sampled the Bananas Foster Crepe from AristoCrepes, another interesting kiosk you’ll find in Disney Springs. AristoCrepe’s Food Station Menu — Bananas Foster Crepe by AristoCrepes This is not your momma’s crepe. Served with a Pink Peppercorn Chantilly, a Bruleed Banana, Hazelnut Brittle, and Frangelico Nutella, this treat left us wanting more. Bananas Foster Crepe But there was no way we were passing up an incredible chocolate dessert at the hands of The Ganachery. This tiny shop is huge in terms of flavor. If you haven’t visited yet, be sure to stop in on your next trip through Disney Springs. Menu — The Ganachery The Dark Chocolate Ganache, paired with Pistachio Sponge Cake and Amarena Cherries was elegant to be sure — but it was also seriously rich and delicious. Desserts from The Ganachery In fact, looking at this picture right now makes me wish that I could stop by for one of these to go tomorrow. (Except it totes wouldn’t stand up to this Florida heat.) Chocolate Ganache by The Ganachery As usual, we thoroughly enjoyed the feast for the eyes, ears, and tastebuds that epitomizes Party for the Senses. If you’re looking to splurge on a Special Event, we say go for it! Want to see more DFB at PFTS? Check out our other Party for the Senses experiences here and here! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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. 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! Want to Know All About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? We have ALL the information you’re looking for! 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 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 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 low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars 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 may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. So, what do you think? Is Party for the Senses on your Epcot Food and Wine Bucket List? Leave a comment and let us know if you plan to attend this year! 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: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Review: Party for the Senses Guest Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Party for the Senses Review: Epcot Food and Wine Festival Party for the Senses View the full article

The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just around the corner, and we know that you’re just as excited about that as we are! This year, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The event runs for 75 straight days — from August 31 until November 13. But it will also boast more booths than ever before. Get ready to sample your way around 35 different marketplace booths, which mark 35 great years since Epcot first opened. See the full list of booths and MENUS here! One of our favorite ways to look forward to the festival is actually to take a look back at the events from last year, and some of the best events are the low cost culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars. Join us as we head into Festival Center and take in a Beverage Seminar, featuring Shipyard Brewing! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Beverage Seminar Featuring Shipyard Brewing Beverage Seminars took place daily at Festival Center. We arrived for our seminar in plenty of time to be seated. It’s important to note you don’t want to show up at the last minute for your seminar; if you do, you may lose your seat, since the Information Desk will actually sell empty seats to guests looking for last minute tickets. Arrive 15-30 minutes early, just to be safe. The Vineyard Stage — Beverage Seminar Beverage Seminars are just that — seminars about beverages. Ha! But seriously, they run the gamut. You can learn about a myriad of wine, spirits, and beer. Presenters are normally representatives of distributing companies, or often experts from the distilleries or wineries themselves. Representative Sharing Information About Shipyard Beer We were attending our seminar in the fall, and Shipyard brought not one, but THREE fun beer options that were perfect for the season. Shipyard Beer Selections for the Seminar They included, from left to right, Blood Orange, Little Horror of Hops, and one of Shipyard’s most popular beers, Pumpkinhead. My place setting included small pours of each beer (around four ounces), plus a water cup. Place Setting for Beer Demonstration Each place setting also included a form for taking notes about the various beers. Page for Taking Notes We began with the Blood Orange, a fruit beer brewed in the Belgian style with flavors of orange peel and coriander. I couldn’t really tell much about the pour and the head, since the beer is pre-poured, but overall, I found it to be a decent, refreshing, light-style beer. It’s a good choice for consuming in the Florida heat (which, unfortunately, extended well into October last year.) Shipyard Blood Orange Beer The next sample in our flight was Little Horror of Hops. Cute, eh? This is an IPA style, so we expected it to be hoppy with that characteristic citrusy-grapefruit flavor that you usually get with an IPA. What we didn’t expect was the super cool peppery flavors as well. Shipyard Beer — Little Horror of Hops Finally, we tried the Pumpkinhead. If you’ve been in a store — any store — from August on, then you’ve probably seen a display of this one. People are crazy for pumpkin beer, and this is a decent representation of the genre’s fresh flavor. It’s a wheat ale with just a touch of spice. Shipyard Beer — Pumpkinhead My beverage seminar certainly inspired me to get out and try all of the season’s freshest flavors! It’s always exciting to discover a few new favorites. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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. 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! Can’t Wait For All of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival News? We 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 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 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 low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars 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 may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. Again, this is unconfirmed as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Who’s ready for a beer or three now? Leave a comment and let us know if you’re looking forward to attending a beverage seminar at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year! 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: 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details News! 2014 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminar Details View the full article

Summer is in full swing, and that means lots of long, lazy days, summer fun, barbecues — and the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be here before we know it! Festival Center During the Epcot Food and Wine Festival While we love spending time at the festival, hitting up all the great eats and drinks at Festival Booths, I also love to carve out a little time to attend a Culinary Demonstration or Beverage Seminar. And I have to say, of the two, the culinary demos are my favorite. These Low Cost Events take place daily in the Chef’s Showcase at Festival Center, and offer guests a great opportunity to see a live cooking demonstration. Chef’s Showcase, Festival Center But even better, the events include a tasting portion of the dish that’s prepared during the demonstration, and usually include a beverage pairing as well. Last year, we had the opportunity to attend a couple culinary demonstrations. Join us as we share our experience at one of them today. Lobster Creole with Pam Brandon, Katie Farmand, and Heather McPherson The day I attended, there were some notable guests on the Chef’s Showcase stage. Familiar favorite Pam Smith hosted the event. She was joined by Pam Brandon, Katie Farmand, and Heather McPherson, authors of Good Catch: Recipes and Stories Celebrating the Best of Florida’s Waters. Festival Chardonnay, the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Cookbook, and Good Catch All three authors are also notable in their own right. While Heather is a well known former Orlando Sentinel food critic, mother-daughter duo Pam and Katie may be a little more familiar to Disney audiences. Pam has co-authored several Disney cookbooks and writes for Disney Parks Blog, while Katie shares hosting duties on the stages of Festival Center with Pam Smith. Pam Smith with (L-R) Heather McPherson, Pam Brandon, and Katie Farmand Pam, Katie, and Heather are passionate about promoting the use of local ingredients whenever possible. The book celebrates the bounty of seafood in the state of Florida with anecdotes and recipes from fisherman and locally-owned restaurants statewide. Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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. 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! For the demo, the trio shared a recipe for Lobster Creole from Garcia’s Seafood Grille and Fish Market. Founded more than 40 years ago by a family escaping communist Cuba, the combination restaurant and market, located on the Miami River in Miami, is still run by “mami and her sons.” Lobster Creole Recipe — Click to Enlarge While the Pam and the writers shared a little about the history of the restaurant as well as the recipe, servers passed out glasses of 2016 Festival Chardonnay to pair with the dish. 2016 Festival Chardonnay The recipe combines locally-sourced Florida spiny lobster with aromatic vegetables familiar in Creole cooking: tomatoes, peppers, and onions. As the authors shared details, the space filled with the smells of special seasonings, sauteed veggies, and briny lobster. Catching all of the details was easy, thanks to large monitors situated on either side of the stage. Culinary Demo — Lobster Creole Heather shared that the recipe was a great way to “stretch” expensive seafood ingredients. She also suggested cold water lobster, langoustines, or even shrimp would work well in place of the spiny lobster. As the crew finished preparing the dish, we were served generous samples to try. I loved it! And the pairing with the medium-bodied Chardonnay was a good one. The wine stood up nicely to the richness of the lobster and the light, tomato-based sauce. Lobster Creole I walked away with a nice snack and a lovely recipe to try at home. Whether you’re a veteran of the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, or this is your first visit to the event, be sure to book a culinary demonstration or a beverage seminar. At $17 per person, the price point is super affordable. And besides, you’re basically attending a live cooking show — with samples. Fun + delicious always = awesome. Want to Know More About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Here are ALL the details! 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 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 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 low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars 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 may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. Again, this is unconfirmed as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. So now let’s hear from you. Are you planning to attend a culinary demo at Epcot Food and Wine Festival? 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: 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Culinary and Beverage Demo Info FINALLY Available Guest Review: Chef Robert Irvine Culinary Demo at Epcot Food & Wine Festival Review: Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s Culinary Demo at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

The 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival will be here before you know it! We’re counting down the days, and soon, we’ll be Eating and Drinking our way Around the World with you guys! And recently, we shared a TON of info with you! We now know the full list of Booths, Menus, and Special Events. But best of all, we know booking dates! Mark you calendars for July 20! We are still awaiting schedules for Culinary Demos and Beverage Seminars, and Hand On Workshops, we’re sharing a closer look at some of the fantastic events that we enjoyed at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. While the Marketplace Booths are great for grazing and tasting food from all over the globe, we love the opportunity to take in Culinary Demonstrations — and possibly learn a little something new. In addition, it’s fun to check out suggested pairing. And you always leave a culinary demo armed with a brand new recipe. Place Setting with Recipe This demo actually offered guests something a little different — a sweet treat that’s both delicious and healthy. Join us as we head into Festival Center to check out Chef Warren Brown on the Chef’s Showcase stage! Culinary Demo: CakeLove Healthy Cake Bites by Warren Brown For this particular culinary demonstration, we found ourselves once again seated alllllll the way to the left of the stage. No worries, though. LCD monitors located throughout the space gave us up close views of all the action. Stage and Setup The usual cast of characters were assembled. If you’ve ever attended a culinary demonstration or a special event that takes place on the Chef’s Showcase stage, then you’ll recognize Pam Smith, who often joins chefs and wine experts as the host of events here. Pam Smith and Chef Warren Brown I was excited to take in a demo by Warren Brown. Many of you probably remember Brown from his Food Network show, Sugar Rush. But he also founded and operated CakeLove, a Washington DC-based bakery that soared to popularity in the last several years. These days, Brown has taken his love of pastry online. While CakeLove’s brick-and-mortar bakeries have all closed, he’s building a business of CakeLove in a Jar, single servings of cake and frosting in resealable jars, available at grocers and online. Chef Warren Brown We’ll get a look at a sample size version of the treat in just a sec. As is usually the case, our demo started off with a beverage pairing. We were treated to a glass of Zonin Prosecco to go with the cake that Brown would be demonstrating. This is an easy drinking, crisp sparkling wine that I find pairs exceptionally well with desserts. It’s a party in a glass. Zonin Prosecco While Chef Brown shared with us the recipe he had brought, we were treated to samples of both his Healthy Bites as well as a sample size of the CakeLove in a Jar. CakeLove in a Jar and Healthy Bites The Healthy Bites were shaped like miniature scones and offered a delicious array of flavors from the inclusion of dried cranberries and pineapple as well as seeds and spices. Healthy never tasted so yum! Healthy Bites — Up Close The CakeLove in a Jar was equally delicious — although not as healthy. While CakeLove in a Jar comes in some truly tempting flavors, like Red Velvet and Salted Caramel, we sampled a combo of Cinnamon Spice Cake paired with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting. Chef Brown shared that the combo included just a little caramel and rum to bring some complexity of flavors to the mix. Sample of CakeLove in a Jar Look for CakeLove in a Jar throughout the Washington, DC area as well as surrounding states. And you just might enjoy them on international flights with Virgin Atlantic and Norwegian Airlines, too! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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. 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! Want to Know More About the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival? We have ALL the information for you! 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 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and FOOD PHOTOS 2016 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 low cost culinary demonstrations and seminars 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 may be able to book select special events, demos, and seminars on July 18. This is unconfirmed at this time. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Are you looking forward to attending a culinary demonstration at this year’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival? 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: 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tip: How Many Days Should I Budget For the Festival? Chef Cat Cora Likely Dates for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2011 Epcot Food & Wine Festival Culinary and Beverage Demo Info FINALLY Available View the full article

Welp, we spent a little time in Disney Springs the other day with our EAT THIS in Disney Springs Part 1 video. So I bet you’ll have no problems figuring out what we’re doing today! ;-D Yep — we’re back with another DFB Video today — specifically, Part 2 of what you can’t miss in Disney Springs! In this installment, join us as we give you some great tips for can’t miss dishes and treats. We’ll take you inside some of Disney Springs newest spots as we uncover hidden gems at D-Luxe Burger and The Ganachery. But save room for classics like Earl of Sandwich and Goofy’s Candy Company as well! And don’t be surprised if we do a little “star” gazing (or sandwich gazing, rather) at Planet Hollywood Observatory. Looking for more videos to love? Then check out all the cool titles 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 tell me — what’s your favorite can’t miss snack, drink, treat, or meal at Disney Springs? Leave a comment and share with us 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: New DFB Video: EAT THIS at Disney Springs Part 1 New DFB Video: A Tour of the Coca-Cola Rooftop Bar at Disney Springs New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers View the full article

Did you see ALL THE NEWS about the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival that just dropped yesterday?! We’re talking Food Booth Menus, Eat to the Beat Dining Packages, Special Events, and more! Early Booking Date Confirmed And speaking of Special Events, it has been confirmed that Disney Vacation Club Members and Tables in Wonderland Members are eligible for early booking for this year’s Festival. While the general public can book all events July 20th at 7:00 am EST, DVC Members (as well as the previously confirmed Tables in Wonderland, Annual Passholders, and, we believe, Golden Oak Residents) can book select Special Events such as Culinary Demonstrations, Beverage Seminars, and “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It” Workshops and “Party for the Senses” starting at 9:00 am EST on July 18th. Food and Wine Festival Discount and Perks These affinity groups are also confirmed as eligible to receive a $2 discount for low-cost events on Mondays through Thursdays. Additionally, DVC Members who are looking forward to the “Party for the Senses” may book from a block of 50 seats reserved specifically for Members for the September 23 and October 21 party dates! Party for the Senses After August 4th, remaining spaces will be available for both Members and guests. DVC Members who book from the reserved seating block will also receive a complimentary wine glass designed for the occasion. So, be sure to check out ALL the information for this year’s Festival to prepare for early booking starting July 18th, and general booking starting July 20th! Start Your Planning NOW! News! The DFB Guide to the 2017 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book is now available for pre-order! And if you pre-order the 2017 edition, you get the 2016 edition (with TONS of great info!) for FREE!!! 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 EXPECT THE GUIDE TO GO OUT IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, COMPLETE WITH A FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS. PRE-ORDER NOW! 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! Order your 2017 edition today and we’ll immediately send you the 2016 edition for FREE to get started on planning right away! Don’t miss a moment of the fun! 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! Which Epcot Food and Wine Festival event are YOU most excited about booking? 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: Epcot Food & Wine Festival Discounts and Early Booking Date Announced News! Epcot Food and Wine Festival Early Booking Details for Chase Disney Visa Cardmembers UPDATED: News! Updates to Early Booking for Some Events at the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival View the full article

A record 35 global food-and-wine marketplaces will celebrate 35 years of Epcot during the 22nd annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, which sets another festival record this year by growing to an unprecedented 75 days – from Aug. 31-Nov. 13 guests can sip, savor and stroll their way around World Showcase. Now recognized among America’s top food festivals, this favorite annual event once again presents opportunities to enjoy bites and beverages from the aforementioned marketplaces, mix and mingle with celebrity chefs, experience hands-on culinary workshops and demonstrations, enjoy nightly “Eat to the Beat” concerts (225 performances over the festival’s run) at the America Gardens Theatre and more. As part of Membership Magic Ever After, Disney Vacation Club Members may get a jumpstart on booking specially ticketed experiences at this year’s festival, including culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and the highly anticipated “Party for the Senses.” While guests may begin booking the culinary demonstrations, beverage seminars and “Mix It, Make It, Celebrate It” experience at 7 a.m. Eastern on July 20, Members may do so through Member Services beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern on July 18. (Note that Members also receive a $2 discount off culinary demonstrations and beverage seminars held Monday through Thursday.) Members looking to enjoy the popular “Party for the Senses” experience, meanwhile, may call Member Services to book from a block of 50 seats reserved for Members at both the Sept. 23 and Oct. 21 parties until Aug. 4, after which any remaining spaces will become available for Members and guests alike. As an added bonus, Members taking advantage of this unique “Party for the Senses” opportunity will receive a complimentary specially designed wine glass. To learn more about the festival before calling Member Services, visit epcotfoodfestival.com. View the full article

I am beyond excited to share even more details about the all-new Marvel Super Hero Academy aboard the Disney Fantasy. Throughout this one-of-a-kind youth space, children can learn the ways of the mystic arts with Doctor Strange and even discover what it takes to become a true hero with Thor. Here are some of the fun feats that heroes-in-the-making are currently taking on in this epic academy: 5. While exploring the academy, young trainees should listen out for the thunderous entrance of the hero of Asgard, Thor. He just might have an unexpected visit from his brother Loki through a magical portal as well … 4. The Mighty Thor teaches kids the path to becoming worthy through strength, knowledge and compassion. With the Mjölnir in hand, Thor leads the future heroes to become worthy enough to wield their own hammers. 3. Curious children can examine some truly powerful objects. Doctor Strange’s sling rings, Black Panther’s mask and the mysterious Wakandan vibranium that made Captain America’s shield are all on display as inspiration for future heroes. 2. Future sorcerers can take the journey into the mystic arts to learn to open their minds and find their inner powers from Doctor Strange himself. (Remember “Shamballa,” you’ll thank me later!) 1. After learning how to harness energy from Doctor Strange, kids can create portals using their newly acquired skills and travel anywhere throughout the Multiverse. (Be sure to keep an eye out for Dormammu …) Joining Marvel Super Heroes in these epic missions are just the beginning of the adventures to be had throughout the new youth spaces in Disney’s Oceaneer Club. Seven-night itineraries aboard the Disney Fantasy allow for tons of fun, so stay tuned for even more details on what out-of-this-world adventures have hit the high seas. View the full article

Celebrate the grand opening of Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge on Monday, July 17, by downloading two exclusive wallpapers for mobile and desktop devices. The newest Disney Vacation Club Resort, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins will feature a variety of accommodations for families of all sizes, including Deluxe Studios, 1- and 2-bedroom Villas, remarkable Grand Villas and unique waterfront Cascade Cabins. Be sure to read the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it and check out our complete gallery of wallpapers here. So, go ahead and add some flair to your devices and prepare for a future stay at this beautiful Resort! When are you planning on visiting? View the full article

Just when you think an ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop can’t get any better, the clever minds behind Disney Springs’ iconic shop throw in some totally rad accessories! Haight-Ashberry Sundae with Accessories! Accessories! Okay, we know: you need details. First things first: this is a limited time offering this summer, so you’ll need to act fast. Second things second, the sundae is called the Haight-Ashberry after the popular San Fran district called Haight-Ashbury. It’s designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, a festival that was held in the city in 1967. Phew. Okay. That’s all out there. “Tell us more about the accessories,” you say! Sorry, you’ve got to eat your ice cream first. The Haight-Ashberry experience starts with a Berry Hot Fudge Sundae. Haight-Ashberry Sundae This combination of berries and chocolate is very much in line with the popular Presidio Passion Sundae, with some modifications: the Haight-Ashberry features blueberries in addition to strawberries, omits the chocolate-covered strawberry on top, and adds a square of raspberry-filled Ghirardelli chocolate. Haight-Ashberry So what you get is creamy vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, a thick layer of Ghirardelli’s hot fudge, more strawberry topping, more hot fudge (because #chocolate), whipped cream, blueberries, and the chocolate-raspberry square. It’s basically perfection in an easy-to-carry container. Haight-Ashberry Sundae But if you’re celebrating the Summer of Love with sweet summer berries and indulgent, sensual chocolate, you’re going to want to dress the part. Haight-Ashberry Thankfully Ghirardelli has got your back. Along with your Berry Hot Fudge Sundae you get some sweet and Summer of Love-appropriate eye- and head-wear. Haight-Ashberry We couldn’t resist taking a bajillion pics of these things because they’re just so groovy, man. The red glasses are plastic and totally retro in the best way. Heart-Shaped Sunglasses We recommend having no shame and totally donning these for the duration of your time in Disney Springs. Or anywhere else you go. They’re so cute. We also appreciate that there’s no garish logo on them anywhere, so they’re really useable (not that a logo would stop us…)! Love Sunglasses Of course, what’s the Summer of Love without a flower crown? Flower Crown Featuring the most free-spirited of all the flowers, the daisy, the crown is fashioned from braided green-stemmed daisies and brown fabric. It’s also elasticized so it’ll fit pretty much any head aged tween and older. (Younger kiddos might find it to be a little loose — but nothing some bobbypins can’t fix.) Flower Crown At $15.00, this is obviously a pricy treat, but since the Presidio Passion (the Berry Hot Fudge Sundae’s step-brother) runs $11.95 without the shades and a crown, we totally suggest you go for it! So much yum in the sundae and so much fun in the accessories! Go on! Get your peace, love, and flower power on, soul sisters and brothers! Are you a Ghirardelli’s fan? Give us the scoop on the sweetest snacks you’ve tried! 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: Creamsicle Float and Nutella Brownie Sundae at Vivoli il Gelato in Disney Springs Review: The Earthquake Sundae and More at Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop News! 2012 Opening for Ghirardelli Soda Fountain at Disney California Adventure View the full article