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Cirque du Soleil, which has operated a show for years at Walt Disney World, has acquired Blue Man Group, which has operated a show at Universal Orlando for years. The purchase will not result in blended on-stage productions, including the ones at Universal CityWalk and Disney Springs, Chris Wink,... View the full article

Wow! What a fun surprise to see so many Disney Restaurants participating in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month for 2017! September is Orlando Magical Dining Month sponsored by Visit Orlando, and it begins with a preview week on August 25th and runs through October 1st. Magical Dining offers Orlando locals and guests the chance to enjoy the Orlando culinary scene at a significant savings: $35 for three courses at participating area restaurants. This year, the tally is over 100 restaurants offering the prix fixe dinners, which include appetizer, entree, and dessert. In keeping with tradition, one dollar from each meal goes to support local charities. Freedom Ride and BASE Camp Children’s Cancer Foundation are the two charities for 2017. For a complete list of participating restaurants and Magical Dining Month menus, head over to Visit Orlando’s website. And to see all of the restaurants at Disney World and in the immediate Lake Buena Vista area, click here. This year, an unprecedented number of Disney restaurants are participating, and we are happily surprised to see several Disney owned and operated spots on the list! Among them are The Turf Club, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Grand Floridian Cafe, Jiko, Olivia’s Cafe, and The Wave… of American Flavors. Inguday Tibs in Brik at Jiko And of course we are excited to see the return of Morimoto Asia, STK Orlando, Il Mulino, Ravello, and Todd English’s bluezoo to the program. Paddlefish is joining in on the fun, too! Paddlefish With this many Disney restaurants participating, there is something important to note: when you arrive for your Advance Dining Reservation at one of the Resort locations, be sure to notify your server that you are interested in selecting from the Orlando Magical Dining Prix Fixe menu. You can check out the menus of each participating location by viewing the restaurant list on the Orlando Magical Dining Month website and clicking the Fork Menu icon to see what the restaurant will be offering. But we would love to give you a glimpse of a few spots here to whet your appetite! Grand Floridian Cafe Grand Floridian Cafe Entrance Appetizers Seasonal Citrus and Cucumber Salad Caramelized Onion Soup Gratinee Old South Chicken Wings Old South Minorcan Chicken Wings Entrees Grilled Pork Chop Miso-Glazed Salmon Pan-Roasted Chicken Breast Small Desserts (Select Two) Mocha Pot de Crème Wild Strawberry Cheesecake Fresh Berry Tart Chocolate Timbale The Turf Club Turf Club Appetizers The Turf Club Grilled Romaine Salad Classical French Onion Soup Entrees Pan Seared Corvina Grilled New York Strip Steak Rigatoni Fiesolana with Shrimp Desserts Chocolate-Espresso Torte Madagascar Vanilla Bean Crème Brulee Chocolate Espresso Torte with Vanilla Port ice cream Jiko Jiko Sign Appetizers Jiko Salads Inguday Tibs in Brik Entrees Bo Kaap Malay Seafood Curry Botswana-style Seswaa Beef Short Rib West African Koki Corn Botswana-style Seswaa Beef Short Rib Desserts Malva Pudding Safari Sunset And remember, the full list this year includes over 100 restaurants all over the Orlando area! So if you are a local or just taking a bit of time to check out some of the sights and scene around Orlando on this fall’s visit, be sure to check out the full list here. Will you be trying a new-to-you restaurant during Orlando Magical Dining Month? Please let us know with a comment! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Orlando’s Magical Dining Month Begins August 24 News! Orlando Magical Dining Month Details News! Magical Dining Month in Orlando Returns September 2013 View the full article

Back in June we gave you a little heads up that Bengal BBQ is getting indoor seating — and it’s officially happened! Bengal Barbecue sign In fact, two shops — Indiana Jones Adventure Outpost and South Seas Traders — have both closed, creating an open space for a decent amount of covered and cooled seating. South Seas Traders Seating Conversion And you’re going to want to check this out. Not only is the space super cool from a design perspective — featuring lots of weathered carved wood, old fishing nets, and geometric paintings — but Bengal BBQ serves up delicious food. Who can forget the Outback Vegetable Skewer, with tasty charred veggies? Outback Vegetable Skewer Or, if you’re in the mood for some meat, the Banyan Beef Hot and Spicy Skewer. So good. Banyan Beef Hot and Spicy Skewer And now you can grab a skewer — and a seat! (Really, this is such an improvement. Eating saucy skewers on the move is not easy!) Bengal BBQ Seating Seating is in metal chairs featuring a little padding and some scroll work. And tables are generally simple and standard. But there are some neat wooden barrels with table tops, if you don’t mind standing. (These tables don’t have chairs.) Bengal BBQ Seating We are so stoked that Bengal BBQ’s popularity has resulted in this quick change over to indoor seating. We love the food here, and the Jungle Julep is not to be missed! Now we have even more reason to stop by! Are you a Bengal BBQ fan? Tell us about your favorite snack 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: News: Indoor Seating Area Coming to Disneyland’s Bengal Barbecue News and Review: The Jungle Julep at Bengal Barbecue in Disneyland Spotted: Special Limited Run Skewer at Disneyland’s Bengal Barbecue View the full article

The ‘Kitchen Sink’ Puts on the Red, White and Blue | Walt Disney World View the full article

Earlier this month, 200 Disney Parks Blog readers experienced “The Music of Pixar LIVE! A Symphony of Characters” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The 40-minute concert, which takes place three times nightly, showcases a selection of unforgettable soundtrack favorites from “Cars,” “Finding Nemo,” “Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story” and “UP.” Performed by a live orchestra, giant screens feature movie montages, outtakes and interview excerpts with the folks behind Pixar’s songs and score. Check out the video above for a look inside the event. View the full article

Disneyland is keeping a secret that you’ve GOT to know about! S.S. Mark Twain Collectible Card Disneyland is undergoing lots of changes and improvements these days. Y’all know that the Summer of Heroes is underway until September 1o, and we’ve had lots of chances to try the yummy heroes-themed eats. Oh, and Guardians of the Galaxy — Mission: Breakout opened, so there’s that. Groot at Disney California Adventure But the biggest in-progress change is the construction of Star Wars land! We lurve new stuff — food and otherwise — at the Disney Parks, but with these massive construction projects come dreaded closures of some of the existing attractions. That’s been the case in the Rivers of America area of Disneyland, with the titular river even getting a little reshaping. But Disneyland guests, rejoice! Because your RoA attractions are opening incrementally this summer — starting with the reopening of Pirate’s Lair in June! Now to celebrate the reopening of these beloved attractions, Disneyland has introduced a fun Rivers of America Collectible Cards hunt! And our SoCal pal Sabrina says it’s totally fun. You’ll want to start at one of the Card Distribution Locations, which Sabrina had to ask around to find. But once she did, she was able to see a handy guide. Disneyland Card Info Sabrina says to be prepared — because at some Card Distribution Locations (located in Frontierland, Adventureland, and New Orleans Square), cast members are asking Disneyland trivia questions. (Sabrina says the questions are pretty tough — but you can still collect your card, regardless of whether your answer is correct!) The cards feature little bits of information about the attraction pictured, plus when you collect all six, they combine to make a cool Pirate’s Lair Map. So you’ll feel like the treasure-seeking adventurer that you are! Pirate’s Lair Mosaic puzzle on back of cards The cards commemorate six different Rivers of America-related attractions. And each card has both the premier dates of the attraction as well as its return date. So you get a little history of Disneyland with your free (yes, free!) souvenirs! We dig the vintage-looking black and white images. Disneyland Collectible Cards We don’t know for how long this special opportunity will be sticking around, so if you’re on the left coast (or on your way there soon!), scoot on over to one of the distribution locations and get going! What new addition to the Disney Parks are you most looking forward to? 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: News: Gold-Dusted Churros and MORE Coming to Disneyland This Week! News: SECRET MENU TOTS at River Belle Terrace in Disneyland! News: Quick Service Dine Gift Card Offer Now Available View the full article

Splash into the season as Shanghai Disney Resort transforms into a summertime oasis following its spectacular one year anniversary celebration last month. With so many ways to have fun and stay cool, you won’t want to miss out! Take in the sights and sounds of Summer Blast, an entirely new show presented on The Enchanted Storybook Castle Stage. You’ll have the chance to adventure through an exotic rainforest, surf the waves in Hawaii, and explore the deep sea as your favorite Disney characters spray and mist you with water. Once you make your way back to the surface, join in for more dancing, music and fun. You can also spot Duffy and ShellieMay celebrating summer in front of Mickey’s Storybook Express as part of Duffy’s Splashing Pre-Parade. You’ll even be sprinkled with water as dancers make their way down the parade route with special hand-held wands to keep you cool. Other classic park shows have been redesigned with new water features just for the season, including Bai Ling Story Time – Little Mermaid, The Swabbies Cool-Off and A Pirate’s Life in Summer. It’s important to stay cool in the heat – and what better way than with a refreshing drink or chilled dessert? Enjoy a collection of signature beverages, including the refreshing and fruity Dory’s Deep Blue Sea Cooler and Stitch’s Aloha Colada. Snack lovers can also find ice cream treats inspired by favorite Disney characters and fluffy ice-cream topped waffles, as well as classic turkey legs, new Adventure Isle corndogs and more. New merchandise is also available for guests at the resort. We hope to see you at Shanghai Disney Resort this summer! Stay cool and keep an eye out for more resort news right here on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Cirque du Soleil, which has operated a show for years at Walt Disney World, has purchased Blue Man Group, which has operated a show at Universal for years. “We want to broaden our horizons, develop new forms of entertainment, reach out to new audiences and expand our own creative capabilities.... View the full article

Children dining at STK Orlando in Disney Springs can now enjoy “family friendly” favorites on a new children’s menu, according to a news release. This Disney Springs restaurant is an upper-end steak restaurant with roof-top dining, a DJ in its main dining room and multiple bars. Adult dishes include... View the full article

Children dining at STK Orlando in Disney Springs can now enjoy “family friendly” favorites on a children’s menu, according to a news release. This Disney Springs restaurant is an upper-end steak restaurant with roof-top dining, a DJ in its main dining room and multiple bars. Adult dishes include... View the full article

I’m behind with my meeting and greeting of theme-park characters. Chatting with fictional furry folk is not my forte. It feels goofy with a lower-case g to ask Goofy with an upper-case G how’s the weather up there, G? I recognize that I may be in the minority in these parts. Often, I hear breathless... View the full article

We love a Disney Prince who knows his way around a kitchen, so when we spotted a new menu item at Prince Eric’s in Disney World’s New Fantasyland, we were all over it. Learn About: Prince Eric's Village Market Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants Prince Eric’s Village Market is a small counter service spot located — no surprise! — across from the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. This tucked-away location is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to seeking out some eats. Here’s the thing: the Village Market started out as a better-for-you-fare stand focusing primarily on grab-and-go fruits along with ice cold bottled drinks and Shaved Ice, which you can currently find in Tomorrowland instead. And though the Prince is still dishing out grapes, pineapple chunks, pickle spears and bottled beverages, we’ve learned more recently to expect the unexpected from this small snack location. Prince Eric’s Village Market Case in point: our this-week discovery of Honey-Breaded Fried Chicken! Prince Eric’s Fried Chicken Sign Take THAT, better-for-you fare ! No, in all seriousness, this was pretty big surprise for a place that has never really served a full meal, much less a hot item other than the occasional bowl of Minestrone during the cooler months or the warm Pretzel Royale and Ham and Cheese-stuffed Pretzel. So, how does the Prince’s Fried Chicken stack up against that at Homecomin’ in Disney Springs or Fort Wilderness haunts like Pioneer Hall for the Hoop-De-Doo Musical Revue, Trail’s End, or P&J’s Southern Takeout? First, let’s discuss portion: you’re getting three full pieces for 10 bucks — not bad for a possible group share. But truth be told, it isn’t the prettiest fried chicken we’ve seen. The golden brown color you expect to see is uneven, with the edges getting the most love from the deep fryer. Prince Eric’s Fried Chicken And that’s indicative of the lack of satisfying crunch from the breading (arguably the absolute best part of a pile of Fried Chicken, IMHO). The good news is that there is a nice, mildly sweet flavor from the honey in the breading that’s pretty delicious, so the taste is on point. If it was fried a bit longer, we could have a real winner on our hands. Fried Chicken Now, we’re pretty certain this is only around for peak summer crowds (we found it on one of those non-permanent signs this 4th of July week), so keep your eyes peeled for further changes and additions here. This is one spot where we’ve noticed some tweak of the menu with just about every visit in recent months. One other more recent addition, for instance, is the Under the Sea Chocolate Cupcake. (A Prince who fries chicken and bakes?!? Swoon!). Under the Sea Treat sign It’s topped with bright green buttercream and sprinkles… and surely enough sugar to balance out all that savory fried chicken . Prince Eric’s Under the Sea Cupcake But grab it while you can, because you never know what Prince Eric is going to come up with next! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! Get four awesome e-Books FULL of Disney park dining advice, bundled for 30% off the already discounted price! Yep, we’ve scoured the parks to find any and all snack choices — from the mundane to the spectacular — and we tell you all about them (with full-color pictures!) in our snack guides! These are updated every year, so you know your guide will be perfect for your upcoming trip, and they’re bundled with our DFB Guide to WDW Dining! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following: The 2017 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, Second Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks All four are being sold together — for 30% off the already hugely discounted bundle price. Use code BUNDLE17 at check out to get the discount. It’s a $63 value for under $30!! With this Bundle of e-books you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips to plan the best Disney World vacation ever. And with our handy e-book format, you can download the Guides to all of your electronic devices and take them with you wherever you go! And with our 100% money-back guarantee, what do you have to lose? Have you discovered any surprising snacks in Disney World recently? Tell us about it 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: Review: NEW! Shave Ice at Prince Eric’s Village Market in Magic Kingdom Best Disney Fried Chicken New DFB Video: Where to Find the BEST Disney Fried Chicken View the full article

#DisneyParksLIVE Highlights: Disney's Celebrate America! Fourth of July Fireworks View the full article

This Sunday, July 9, Disney Springs and Disney Performing Arts will host a day of Drum Corps International marching performances – and you’re invited to see it all! Three world-class drum corps are performing throughout the day at Disney Springs, including The Cavaliers (Rosemont, IL) at 11:00 a.m., Carolina Crown (Fort Mill, SC) at 1:00 p.m., and The Cadets (Allentown, PA) at 3:00 p.m. All performers will march through Disney Springs starting on the West Side near Cirque du Soleil La Nouba and finishing at the Marketplace near Once Upon a Toy. You’re invited to watch the performances at these locations: Between Splitsville Luxury Lanes and Disney Springs AMC Theatres 24 Near Planet Hollywood Observatory Between ZARA and Anthropologie Near The Daily Poutine Between Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop and World of Disney Drum Corps International, Marching Music’s Major League, will make its return to Orlando and Camping World Stadium on Saturday, July 8, for “DCI Orlando – presented by Lone Star Percussion” competition. This competition is made up of an elite lineup of marching music ensembles to entertain audiences of all ages. If you’re interested in catching the performances on Saturday evening, visit the Drum Corps International website, to purchase tickets or learn more about the drum corps. Keep checking the Disney Parks Blog for more updates from Disney Springs. View the full article

A long time ago on the Internet — seven years, to be exact — Donald Glover went viral on social media by campaigning to play Spider-Man. His fans clamored for the “Community” star to don the web-slinger’s iconic suit as the first Spider-Man of color, demanding inclusion in the business of superhero... View the full article

Brand-new food and beverage items inspired by “Cars 3” have rolled into Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park! These ‘wheely’ great eats are sure to ‘fuel’ your fun in Cars Land! At Flo’s V8 Café, you’ll find the Ka-chow! Spicy Breakfast Burrito, a red flour tortilla filled with scrambled eggs with chorizo, savory potatoes, Tomatillo salsa and sour cream. Available “Parked” (wet) or “On the Road” (dry). There’s also a Cool Dinoco Blue Shake, a blue raspberry shake topped with glittering yellow sprinkles and sugar crystals. Across the street at Cozy Cone Motel, choose your ‘racing stripe’ with a Racer Churro. For a limited time, the churros at Cozy Cone Motel will be covered in red, blue or yellow colored sugar—with the cinnamon-sugar taste you know and love. A few cones over, you’ll find the Champion’s Corn Cup — a perfect snack on the go, the corn is topped with lime, Cotija cheese, mayonnaise and spicy Tajin. These offerings will be available until September 10, so be sure to ‘race’ into Cars Land to try them out! View the full article

Whet your appetite — the menus for Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Month event have been posted on VisitOrlando.com/MagicalDining. From Aug. 25-Oct. 1, more than 100 Orlando-area restaurants will offer three-course prix-fixe meals for $35 per person. One dollar from each meal will benefit two nonprofits... View the full article

It’s summer and that means it’s hot and humid. And if you are de vacaciones at Walt Disney World Resort, there are many ways to beat the Florida heat. With two water parks and nearly 60 intricately-themed pools spanning over 47 square miles, you and your familia may find a different water activity to exhilarate your senses every day of the year, not only during the hot months. Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park features the water coaster thrill ride Crush ‘n’ Gusher, as well as the brand new Miss Adventure Falls! And one of its main attractions is a two-and-a-half-acre wave-making pool that pumps out some of the largest man-made waves in the world – so large, in fact, that you can even take surfing lessons. Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park is sure to keep your familia icy cold with the spine-chilling thrills of a northern ski resort, but in the hot Florida sun. Disney’s water parks are just the tip of the iceberg. You also can enjoy a variety of exotic resort-based water adventures depending on which Disney Resort you choose to call home. From the two-and-one-half-acre Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort, to the 11,000 square-foot Uzima Springs pool at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you are certainly drenched with ways to beat the heat at Walt Disney World Resort. What are your favorite pools at Walt Disney World Resort? Mine are at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort and at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, among of course muchas otras! View the full article

For the first time, Walt Disney World has expanded its mobile-ordering option to a restaurant beyond the theme parks. Visitors can now use the My Disney Experience app to select food at D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs. The quick-service restaurant is known primarily for its hefty hamburgers: the... View the full article

We’re back at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen for another visit today! Learn About: Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine Downtown Disney Disney World Restaurants So…I’m noticing we’ve been there kind of a lot. It’s turning into my go-to restaurant — the place that pops to mind if I have a meeting, or a date night, or just get kind of hungry. And, you know…that’s saying something. From the surroundings, to the service, to the food (and drinks!), this place is…pretty great. They offer fantastic cocktails and a decent counter service menu; and their table service options are some of the best in Walt Disney World. I was recently in Disney Springs on a family trip, and decided that my traveling companions needed to check out this place for themselves. Wanna come along? I thought you might. Atmosphere And oh, hey, it’s Homecomin’ now, y’all. Not Homecoming. To drive home that down-home, rural Florida feeling, Chef Art Smith officially decided to drop the “g”. Just FYI. Outside View We’ve shown you around a couple of times, so I’ll just give you the highlights during this visit. For a full look at the space, inside and out, be sure to check out our very first review of Homecomin’ that shares our first impressions from our first two visits. You’ll be greeted by hostesses at the podium just as you enter. Entrance Podium Inside, the restaurant is basically one open room with vaulted ceilings. The space feels open, airy, and casual…but there’s a touch of industrial. The mural above the kitchen and large photos along the walls drive home the farm to table theme. Mural, Kitchen, and Seating The bar occupies the area of the restaurant to the left of the front door. And in fact, there is a separate entrance for the “Shine Bar” (so named for its emphasis on drinks made with moonshine). Shine Bar Exterior The back of the bar actually extends onto the porch for a kind of inside/outside, Florida living feel. Outside Bar At the inside bar, there’s comfortable seating and again that slightly industrial, or raw feel. Bar A porch to one side overlooks the newly renovated Disney Springs. Porch Porch View Be sure to click over to the first review for a full tour. But now that we’ve had a bit of a look around, let’s take a closer look at the menu. Eats As I mentioned earlier, Homecomin’ devotes a lot of space in their liquor cabinet to moonshine. It makes sense, since the grain spirit has gained popularity the last few years, and has gone a little upscale, with artisans and small craft production. Drink Menu — Click to Enlarge But in addition to ‘shine, Homecomin’ offers beer and wine as well. There are also a line of “resort drinks” — cocktails that feature other liquors, like rum and vodka. My husband decided that a draft beer would hit the spot. And it did. Beer Homecomin’ also features cocktails on tap, so I opted for the Moonshine Margarita, a mix of tequila, moonshine, lime, and orange juices. This wasn’t wow and it wasn’t bad. It was a standard margarita, but nothing to write home about. Go for one of the more interesting cocktails instead, y’all. Drink With the whole family along for the ride, I was excited to share some of my favorites, but also to try some new things! Menu — Click to Enlarge We decided that we’d begin with some appetizers. We’d had the Church Lady Deviled Eggs and the Bee Haven Bay Fried Green Tomatoes on previous visits, and loved them both. This time, we tried a few new items and revisited some past favorites. First, let me proudly introduce you to Chef Art Smith’s Thigh High Chicken Biscuits. Thigh High Chicken Biscuits Fried chicken thighs are served on homemade cheddar cheese drop biscuits. The chicken is topped with bread and butter pickles and it’s drizzled with hot honey (which is honey mixed with Homecomin’s house made hot sauce). And OH. MY. You must get these. You must. Let me reiterate: fried chicken thighs. hot sauce + honey. cheddar drop biscuits. For real — this needs to be on your bucket list!!!! My husband and I went gaga over these…and we will be getting them again! Thigh High Chicken Biscuits — Up Close We also couldn’t pass up the Bunch of Puppies. Hush Puppies We’ve had these house-made hush puppies before. They’re studded with pimento cheese and served with red jalapeño jelly, but we couldn’t resist ordering them again. And I had a killer idea at this point, everyone! I ordered a little side of the “hot honey,” and tried dipping these little guys in that. And it’s highly recommended! “Hot Honey,” aka hot sauce mixed with warm honey Hush Puppies — Up Close I was also previously impressed with Homecomin’s take on charcuterie, the Jasper Board. We decided to revisit it as well and see if there’d been any changes. The assortment includes pimento cheese, smoked sausage, shaved ham, bread and butter pickles, and candied pecans. It’s served with a side of buttermilk crackers. Jasper Board This is a great option for sharing because there’s actually plenty to go around. (Not that you’ll want to share the pimento cheese.) But, yes, please do share. It’s $15, which is pricey for a one-person appetizer. Jasper Board — Pimento Cheese As soon as my husband saw the Addie Mae’s Chicken and Dumpling Soup, he was all in. I’m used to chicken soups having all the flavor in the broth, but the flavor was killer in the chicken itself here! For all intents and purposes, this is chicken and dumplings in gravy — so don’t fool yourself that there’s actual broth, my friends. This “appetizer” is a full-on meal. If you’re a chicken pot pie fan, you’ll love this. Chicken and Dumpling Soup After thoroughly enjoying our starters, we turned our attention to the main course. I couldn’t resist having the Fried Chicken again. (And you shouldn’t resist, either. It’s fantastic.) Fresh, buttermilk-brined fried chicken comes with a side of mashed potatoes and a cheddar drop biscuit. This isn’t that super hard breading like you’ll find on the Disney chicken nuggets, but it’s still a serious must-eat. (Yes…Disney chicken nuggets are a must eat to me. You got a problem with that? ;-D) (Oh, and FYI — use the hot honey on this, too, OK? OK.) Fried Chicken The mashed potatoes come with that awesome gravy that you know is actually made, not poured out of a jar. Nope. There’s someone in the back with an iron skillet, and this is the result. (And please…if this is not what’s happening in the kitchen, I beg you not to ruin it for me.) Mashed Potatoes and Gravy Next, on the recommendation of our server, we tried the Braised Short Ribs. The fork tender short ribs were basically the best pot roast ever, with a thick brown gravy. They were served over mashed potatoes with a side of broccoli rabe, which served as the seasonal vegetable. (Swanky, Chef Art.) And I must say, these were the winner of the night!! The flavor was through the roof! PSA — always ask your server what’s good! Note that these currently don’t show up on the official DisneyWorld.com menu, but our server told us that they come and go. If they’re there on your visit, get ‘em. Braised Short Ribs And, since this is DFB, we had to order another entree. (DFB rule: always order at least one more entree than there are people at the table.) And this time it was the Chopped Pork Barbecue Plate. The plate comes with Momma’s Mac and Cheese (more about that in a sec) and a cheddar drop biscuit. What’s not on the menu is that it also comes with house made bread and butter pickles and a little cole slaw as well. Chopped Pork Barbecue The super tender meat was finished with a drizzle of HFK’s sweet and spicy barbecue sauce. And what can I say? I ordered this on the recommendation of friends, and it was spot on. Tender, super flavorful, and infused with a tangy-savory-sweetness that is exactly what you want when it comes to Barbecue pork. Chopped Pork Barbecue — Up Close I had the Momma’s Mac and Cheese the last time I was here, and I thought it needed salt. Once again, this just didn’t do it for me. Maybe I just have a pedestrian palate, but I really need more flavor…more creaminess…more *something* here. Momma’s Mac and Cheese I know this is beloved by so many Homecomin’ guests, but it just falls a little flat for me each time. Please leave a comment here and tell me why you love it! Mac and Cheese — Up Close We also got an order of Fries…’cause why not? These are pretty standard, but nothing to go out of your way for. If they don’t come with your meal, no reason to order them. (Unless you have a fries-obsessed 3 year old like I do. Then order them.) French Fries We decided to get a little green as well, and ordered a side of Snap Beans. While healthy and crunchy and fresh, we weren’t complaining that they were garnished with crispy, salty bacon. Snap Beans Since we all cleaned our plates (seriously, those short ribs!!), we felt perfectly justified in ordering dessert. Dessert Menu — Click to Enlarge Of course, we had to start with Chef Art’s signature Hummingbird Cake. Moist cake, full of pineapple and banana, is layered with cream cheese frosting. If this description inspires cravings, be sure to check out the recipe. This is as good as you want it to be…though there’s not as much frosting as you want there to be. ;-D It’s super sweet, but there’s the interest of the pineapple flavor. Definitely shareable. Definitely a must-eat. Hummingbird Cake I also couldn’t wait to share another of Homecomin’s famous desserts, their Shine Cake. Rich butter bundt cake is soaked in simple syrup with a heavy dose of moonshine. I love that they were extra generous with the glaze this time. This one won the dessert contest for me on my last visit, but this time it was a little too shine-y and not buttery enough. ;-D Still good, but I’m not someone who loves alcohol-soaked desserts, so the alcohol taste turned me off a bit this time around. Shine Cake But we also wanted to give the Hamilton County Chocolate Pecan Pie another try. Any dessert that’s the product of a 100-year old recipe deserves a place on the table, I think. This one was the favorite this time around! We were fighting over the last bite! So while it may be small, it is MIGHTY. ;-D Pecan Tart It’s worth noting that all of our desserts included a scoop of vanilla ice cream served on the side. Why do some restaurants not do this? Seems like an obvious choice to me. Even though these desserts were super sweet, we still appreciated the ice cream. Nosh or Not? Homecomin’ may be right for you if: You’re a person who’s breathing. Honestly, I haven’t been able to find a solid criticism for this restaurant, yet (except for the mac and cheese). The food is polished comfort food that should please just about anyone…even the kiddos. And the atmosphere is laid back enough that your energetic 2 year old (I speak from experience) won’t shatter the ambiance. You love fried chicken. Or cake. Or freedom. You’re a moonshine fan and want to try some out of the ordinary mixology. Date night, family reunion, solo dining, work trip, impressing a new colleague, birthday celebration, anniversary. Seriously, this one works for any circumstance. You’re looking for vegetarian fare. There are multiple non-meat appetizers and side dishes here that can be combined into a meal, and it will probably be one of the best of your trip. You may want to skip Homecomin’ if: You’re looking for very inexpensive options. Homecomin’ is on the high/moderate price scale. You can get great fried chicken for less over at Trail’s End in Fort Wilderness, too. You want Victoria & Albert’s level romance and finery. Homecomin’ is casual, not frou frou. So if you’re looking for that once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, skip this. You want to see fireworks. Ain’t no fireworks here. Overall Homecoming, Homecomin’. Potato, potahto. However you say it or slice it, this place is quickly growing into one of our favorites. Let’s address the top concern first, though: the sticker shock. It is kind of an odd thing to eat a meal of humble, rather homespun food, and pay these kind of prices. But let’s establish this is not the country buffet out on Route 23. The food may have similar names, but that’s where the similarities end. Yes, the food is simple. But I can’t stress it enough: simple food is rarely prepared perfectly. This food is prepared perfectly. And I believe that Chef Art Smith has a commitment to using local ingredients whenever possible, and to honoring the heritage of Florida agriculture. So everything about Homecomin’ just works. We’ve been here at least three times since the restaurant opened a little less than a year ago. And if they keep this level of quality up, I’m likely to continue that trend. Ok! So now it’s your turn. Have you had a chance to visit Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’? Leave a comment and let us know what your favorite dishes are! 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: Grab-and-Go Menu Available at Art Smith’s Homecomin’! Review: Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen at Disney Springs Review: Dinner at The Boathouse at Disney Springs View the full article

Cat Cora Fans, it looks like you’ll have a reason to rejoice for the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! You’ll also want to keep a close eye on DFB and plan to be up extra early the morning that booking opens for 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Special Events! Chef Cat Cora has listed on her website that she will appear at the 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival twice for “cooking demos and meet and greets.” We think that points squarely to the fact that Cora will be featured as part of the popular “What’s Cooking With” series. “What’s Cooking With” events include cooking demos by chefs and other celebrities. After the demonstration is complete, the chef sits down with a host and shares a little about his or her story and the demonstrated dishes. The audience has the opportunity to try a menu of dishes that the chef has prepared, along with beverage pairings. We’ve had the chance to enjoy several similar events, including demos by Chef Norman Van Aken and Chef Rick Bayless. Currently, the dates to watch for Chef Cora are Friday, October 20, and Friday, October 27, from 9:45AM to 11:45AM. These are subject to change. In the past, Chef Cora has also participated in the daily low cost cooking demonstration line up, so we’ll be anxious to see if she returns for a few of those as well. We hope so! (Check out a review of one of her cooking demos from a previous Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!) Chef Cat Cora at an Epcot Food and Wine Festival Culinary Demonstration And don’t forget — you don’t have to attend any of the events that chefs are appearing at for a chance to get in on a meet and greet. Chef Cat Cora Book Signing at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Just visit the Festival Center on the day that your favorite appears (the earlier the better!) to request a wristband, and line up for your chance to chat with your favorites and get their autographs. 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 Even More Details About the Festival? Here’s what we know so far… 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 TBD. Join the Disney Food Blog Newsletter to find out as soon as we do about details and booking dates! 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 may be eligible for a $2 discount (per person, per event) for beverage and seminars and culinary demos taking place Mon-Thurs during the festival. These members will be able to book seminars and demos TBD. 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 can book select special events, demos, and seminars on TBD as well. A limited number of seats are available for the booking date. Are you excited to see Chef Cat Cora return once again to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival? Leave a comment and let us know if you’ll be attending one of her cooking demos! 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! Epcot Food and Wine Festival 2017 Dates!! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Tip: How Many Days Should I Budget For the Festival? News! 2017 Epcot Food and Wine Festival FULL Eat to the Beat Concert Schedule Confirmed! View the full article

I hope you had a chance to see Disney’s Animal Kingdom: Alive with Magic, a television special that premiered on Animal Planet last week and is available now on demand at animalplanet.com. We love telling the stories of our care and conservation efforts, and this program showcases so many sources of pride for our team – from the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in the Democratic Republic of Congo, to the Elephants and Bees project we support in Kenya. The show also features a few of the animals in our care, including Sumatran tigers Sohni and Malosi. If you have visited Disney’s Animal Kingdom lately, you may have seen them on Maharajah Jungle Trek. Our Science Operations Team is monitoring the tigers, as they are in the active breeding process, and studying their behaviors, such as vocalization and scent markings to ensure a successful outcome. As discussed in the television special, Sohni and Malosi are part of the Species Survival Plan, which works to ensure we will have a healthy, genetically diverse population of Sumatran tigers for years to come. To learn more about the science that goes into caring for our tigers and how the Disney Conservation Fund is aiding efforts to reverse the decline of critically endangered Sumatran tigers in the wild, visit disneyanimals.com. You can help Sumatran tigers like Sohni and Malosi and other animals threatened in the wild by taking part in Connect to Protect when you visit Pandora – The World of Avatar. Connect to Protect is a new mobile adventure that invites guests to participate in conservation ‘missions’ with a digital scientist while exploring the incredible Valley of Mo’ara and helping protect the habits of at-risk animals here on Earth. View the full article

July is national grilling month and to celebrate, we’re sharing some sizzling grilling tips from Chef Paul Napoli at ESPN Club at Disney’s BoardWalk. If you’re looking to impress guests at your summer barbecue, read on to learn how to cook the perfect steak/chicken/burger! Bring your meat to room temperature before cooking, when meat is at room temperature, it won’t tense up as you grill it. Season meat well with olive oil, salt and pepper. Don’t use high heat, keep the heat moderate to avoid flare ups. Elevate flavors by basting your meat with a compound butter – we love to combine butter with herbs, garlic and shallot or salt and pepper. Use a technique called “equal caramelization,” think of your grill as a clock, and place your meat at 12 o’clock. Make a small turn clockwise approximately every 30 seconds, once your meat is in the 6 o’clock position, it will be ready to flip. While you won’t end up with traditional grill marks, this technique will help you get the most flavor. Plate up your perfectly-cooked meat with your favorite sides! Check out what’s on the grill at ESPN Club by visiting DisneyWorld.com/dining or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Happy grilling! View the full article

With great power comes great responsibility. So hone your spider-senses and prepare for Marvel Day at Sea – an exciting day-long adventure aboard select Disney Cruise Line sailings. To help you embrace your inner web slinger, we connected with Disney fashion expert Leslie Kay – creator of the DisneyBound blog – to share inspiration and tips. Are you a scientist, inventor or photographer wanting to express the fun fashion of a friendly neighborhood Spider-Man? Or do you simply like being amazing? Stop the presses at the Daily Bugle, Spider-Man is on the scene! Here’s some inspiration to make your transformation – no radioactive spiders required. Styling tips from Leslie: Aim for color blocking with spider or spider web accessories. Red on top with blue accents and blue on the bottom with red shoes. To mimic the black and white eye holes on his mask, you can style the look with black framed sunglasses with light grey lenses. For more ideas to express your Super Hero “character”istics and to get a glimpse at what you can expect during this epic event, keep following along on the Disney Parks Blog as we reveal more Marvel Day at Sea fun in store. View the full article

There are only a few days remaining until the D23 Expo 2017, which returns to the Anaheim Convention Center from July 14-16. Guests visiting the Disney Dream Store at the Expo will find official merchandise and other specialty items from Disney Parks Merchandise. I recently caught up with Clay Chaffin, merchandise product developer for jewelry, to get the inside scoop about the sparkling selection of jewelry designs being released at the event. “We are thrilled to be a part of the Disney Dream Store as it gives us an opportunity to offer elegant and stylish jewelry to our most enthusiastic Disney fans,” explained Clay. “Guests will find jewelry by ALEX AND ANI, Crislu, and Rebecca Hook. We will also have two timepieces by Bulova. Some of these items will be available only to D23 Gold Members, making them wonderful reminders of this ultimate Disney fan event.” The ALEX AND ANI bangles are part of the “Through the Years” collection celebrating milestone anniversaries at Disney Parks. Bracelets will be available in a choice of gold or silver finishes. A bangle celebrating Oswald The Lucky Rabbit’s anniversary will also be included in the mix. These bangles will premiere at the D23 Expo and then will be released in select locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts at a future date. The first item in a new Crislu key necklace collection was created especially for D23 Gold Members. This .925 Sterling silver with Platinum plated Mickey head key necklace contains clear cubic zirconia pave detailing and the D23 logo. It measures 20-inches in length with a 2-inch extension. Also available for D23 Gold Members, we are releasing a sterling silver filigree castle necklace by Rebecca Hook. This item features a yellow gold plated D23 logo and measures 20-inches in length. Three additional items by Rebecca Hook will premiere at the event. They include a Sterling silver pave castle necklace featuring blue or pink cubic zirconia stones, and a Sterling silver Tinker Bell necklace with clear cubic zirconia pave detailing. These items will be released at Disney Parks after the conclusion of the D23 Expo. In addition to jewelry, guests will find a new collection from HARVEYS inspired by the “Through the Years” milestone anniversary collection. Look for three of the most popular silhouettes – the backpack, the streamline tote, and the coin purse. Finally, we are debuting a new Dooney & Bourke collection inspired by Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas.” Titled “Pumpkin King,” this collection will contain a Tote, a Wristlet and a Crossbody handbag. These items will be released at Disney Parks later this fall. Discover the latest D23 Expo 2017 news by visiting D23expo.com. View the full article