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We may be busy decking the halls right now, but shortly after the holidays we’ll be dreaming of Spring. And in Walt Disney World, that means one thing — the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! Mark your calendars for March 1-May 29, 2017 — a full 90 days of flowers, food, and fun! Ahhh, Epcot in the Spring. In its 24th year, the Flower and Garden Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever. It’s truly a feast for all of the senses as Epcot introduces new topiaries like Belle and Figment to accompany all of the classics we’ve come to love. And in 2017, there’s even more of an emphasis on edible gardens. The New Belle Topiary Will Have Facial Features, Like the Frozen Sisters But of course, here at DFB, we’re most interested in the Outdoor Kitchens (aka food booths!!). Smokehouse Booth Introduced a few years back, the Outdoor Kitchens are similar to the Marketplace Booths that you find during the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. This year, the food and beverage team will introduce two brand new booths with tempting menus of eats and drinks celebrating farm fresh ingredients. And great news! All 13 of the Outdoor Kitchens from 2016 will return as well! Urban Farm Eats, One of the Outdoor Kitchens Returning to the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival in 2017 We hope to see some of our favorites from last Spring return. Tops on the DFB List — the Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne, which featured a creamy filling of Sautéed Onions, Fresh Thyme, and Rosemary built on a tender Puff Pastry Crust. Tarte à l’Onion Alsacienne Cross-Section And don’t forget the drinks! We loved the refreshing Snakebite at the Cider House in 2016. Snakebite We’ll be bringing you all of the news about menus just as soon as we have the details! In the meantime, head over to our 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival Page to see photos of all of the 2016 dishes! It’s a GREAT time to Disney! Now, I’d really love to hear from you! Will you be visiting the 2017 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival to try all the Outdoor Kitchens have to offer? Leave a comment and let us know what you hope to see return! 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! ALL FOOD PHOTOS for the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival! News! New Booths and Eats at the 2016 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival News! 2015 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival FULL Food Menus! View the full article

While cleaning out another month’s of notes, both digital and hand-scrawled, I realized I’d never shared my favorite parts of Gaylord Palms’ ICE exhibit, which this year is based on the classic TV show “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Good grief! So I'll lead off the November notebook round-up with... View the full article

Stars Share Style Secrets for the Disney Parks Holiday Specials View the full article

So, what happens if you get a craving for cuisine from “Down in New Orleans” when you’re at sea? Well, if you’re sailing on the Disney Wonder with Disney Cruise Line, we’ve got an answer for you. You’ll pay a visit to Tiana’s Place, the newest rotational dining restaurant on the Disney Wonder! Disney Wonder The Disney Wonder recently set sail having received a re-imagineering (also known as a major makeover) involving updates and additions to areas all across the ship. While the makeover in some ways is similar to the Disney Magic (which was re-imagined in 2013), the Wonder has a few new features all its own, including Tiana’s Place. This new restaurant has taken the spot of a previous rotational dining room, Parrot Cay. And here’s what I find really exciting about it: if you’ve seen the Disney animated film The Princess and the Frog, then you know Tiana’s dream was to open her very own restaurant in her home city of New Orleans. The name? Tiana’s Place! So you’re stepping into the restaurant of a Disney Princess when you walk in! ©Disney DisneyCruiseLineBlog.com has provided a look at the menu for Tiana’s where the influence of New Orleans cuisine is seen along with tributes to characters from the film. For instance, Prince Naveen’s Charcuterie Board is an Appetizer option, alongside Boudin Sausage Fritters, Sauteed Gulf Shrimp and Grits, and Ahi Tuna Tartare. (The meal also starts with Bread Service, which at Tiana’s is an Herbed Brioche with Roasted Onion Dip.) Soups and Salads include a New Orleans Seafood Pepper Pot, Mama Odie’s Creamy Tomato Soup, an Iceberg Wedge, and a Pickled Gulf Shrimp and Satsuma Orange Salad. Entrees feature Charlotte La Bouff’s Bucatini Pasta, Cajun Spiced Sea Bass on shrimp jambalaya, Roasted Creole Half Chicken, James’s Roasted Pork Tenderloin, and Big Daddy’s Roasted Prime-Rib of Beef. ©Disney The two Vegetarian Entrees are Eudora’s Artichoke Ravioli and Honey-Roasted Butternut Squash while Lighter Note Offerings include Warm Water Lobster Salad, Grilled Grain-fed Sirloin Steak, Slow-Roasted Breast of Chicken, and Oven-Baked Filet of Salmon. The Desserts, though, may just steal the whole show… because Tiana is serving up BEIGNETS!! (Um…of COURSE she is!) Beignets! Tiana serves her Beignets with a Chocolate Espresso Dipping Sauce. Other sweet options are Chocolate Doberge Cateau, Mama Odie’s White Chocolate Bread Pudding, New Orleans Bananas Foster Sundae, a Southern Style Pecan Nut Tart with Bourbon Caramel Sauce, and a No-Sugar-Added Lemon Raspberry Mousse Bombe. The food at Tiana’s Place is accompanied by LIVE music (including a performance by Tiana!), and the scene is further set with Tiana’s family photos and water lily-shaped candleholders. So, congratulations, Tiana, on your dream-come-true restaurant. We can’t wait to experience for ourselves! Do you have a Disney Cruise in your future? 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: Disney Fantasy Cruise Ship Menus Disney Dream’s Remy Restaurant Menu Sneak Peek Guest Review: Dinner at Palo Aboard Disney Cruise Line’s Fantasy Cruise Ship View the full article

Our new show drone experience at Disney Springs, “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” is setting the sky aglow this holiday season twice a night in the West Side of Disney Springs. The first aerial ballet of 300 Intel Shooting Star show drones choreographed to a specially orchestrated medley of classic holiday music with a Disney touch invites guests to wish upon a holiday star at Walt Disney World Resort. The inspiration behind this new holiday experience: the iconic scene in the Disney animated hit, “Tangled,” when the birthday lanterns are released over the kingdom. When Walt Disney Imagineers saw that moment, it sparked that magical, “what if” momentum. Watch how our Imagineers and Walt Disney World Creative Entertainment worked with the experts at Intel to bring this experience to Disney Springs this holiday season: I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Germany with the team as they developed “Starbright Holidays.” Disney is no stranger to innovation, especially using technology to immerse guests in the fantastical. You can wish upon a holiday star during “Starbright Holidays – An Intel Collaboration” daily at 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. until Jan 8. What is your holiday wish? View the full article

Pour yourself a cup of cheer at the new Holiday Tea at Steakhouse 55 at Disneyland Hotel! Classic Afternoon Tea receives a holiday overlay with White Chocolate Cranberry Scones, new tea sandwiches, and seasonal sweets like gingerbread cookies and holiday strawberries. New seasonal loose-leaf teas will also be available, including Mulled Spice Tea, Organic Pear Green Tea and a refreshing Peppermint Tea. Weekends December 2 through January 1. If you’re a Dole Whip enthusiast like I am, you’ll be happy to know Dole Whip is now available at The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel. Dole Whip floats (with or without rum) are also available. Special food offerings are now available at Disneyland Resort to celebrate the theatrical release of “Moana.” Look for the Moana Bamboo Sipper at Bengal Barbecue and Tiki Juice Bar in Disneyland park, Chiller Cart in “a bugs land” in Disney California Adventure park, and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, Tangaroa Terrace and The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel. Get a taste of the film with a Pineapple Parfait available at Bengal Barbecue and Tropical Imports, and Grilled Shrimp and Sausage Skewer at Bengal Barbecue. Thanksgiving may be over, but you can still enjoy the Holiday Turkey Poutine at The Daily Poutine at Disney Springs for the rest of the holiday season. French fries are piled high with turkey, gravy, cheddar curds and cranberry relish. Looking for festive sweets at Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Sunshine Day Café on Sunset Boulevard has holiday offerings such as Gingerbread Pops, Stollen Bites and Gingerbread Almond Cookie. Adults can also enjoy the Evergreen Spritz (Midori, vodka, sweet-and-sour, Sprite), Winterberry Cooler (Chambord, vodka, cranberry juice, lime) and Bailey’s Salted Caramel Cocoa. Missing the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival already? The Craft Beers Marketplace will remain open at Epcot through Holidays Around the World, serving a rotating selection of holiday craft beers and snacks. Dance the night away with themed music nights at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk during the month of December! Themed nights include Take Ya Back Tuesdays (90’s), Way Back Wednesdays (00’s) and Thump Thursdays (EDM, House, Club mixes), with nightly drink specials. Atlantic Dance Hall is open from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., no cover charge, must be 21 and older. View the full article

Our holiday cards are not complete without a photo with Santa. And this year, we took our photos with him very early at Disney Springs. A few days ago, we were de compras at Town Center and decided to take a break and go for some ice cream at Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. Shopping with a toddler is not easy, so we didn’t know if our son was going to do well in line for Santa. However, you don’t have to wait in line that much! We went to the check in podium and got a pager from one of Santa’s Helpers. When the pager began to buzz, we knew it was our turn, and in less than 10 minutes, our son was taking his photo with Old St Nick! It was that easy! We were able to take our own photos but there was also a Disney PhotoPass photographer there to snap those cute poses. So if you want your foto with Santa, be sure to check into the virtual queue line and get your pager. Then shop, eat and play while you wait for your turn. Santa will be greeting guests daily through December 24, 12 p.m. – 10 p.m. (Santa Goofy takes over December 25-29 during the same hours.) View the full article

Who doesn’t love a trip around the Walt Disney World Magic Kingdom Resorts on the Monorail? I know I do. And now there’s a new extra ticket dining event you can add to your trip on the Highway in the Sky… the Highway in the Sky Dine Around! The Wave Entrance Your evening begins by checking in at The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, accompanied with a welcome appetizer and specialty cocktail. Next stop? Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort for island-inspired spirits and appetizers! Lighting fixtures hanging over the Polynesian lobby “Please stand clear of the doors” as the monorail then brings you to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort for a Chef’s main course selection at Citricos. Window Seating The selection will be followed by champagne and artisanal cheeses in the Resort’s lobby. Finally, the monorail will carry you back to the Contemporary for desserts, cordials, and coffee served on a private patio, as the evening ends with a viewing of the Wishes nighttime fireworks spectacular. Booking for the Highway in the Sky Dine Around is available online for select Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning December 2nd, and the cost is $150 per guest (plus tax; gratuity is included). Only guests 21 and older may drink alcoholic beverages offered at this event. What do you think of this newest dining event? 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: Monorail Crawl News: Disney World Testing Free Taxi Service to Signature Restaurants News! Complimentary Beer Sampling at Disney’s Contemporary Resort! View the full article

Magical Deals This Holiday Season Using the Shop Disney Parks App View the full article

Disney Springs is a fantastic place to shop for the holidays. If you are looking for special gifts this season, mark your calendars for these Disney merchandise events taking place in December 2016 in Disney Springs Marketplace. December 2-3 – Meet Disney Design Group artists Maria Stuckey, Caley Hicks, Derek Lesinski, and Costa Alavezos at Disney’s Days of Christmas. They will be meeting with guests and signing holiday products from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please note that Derek will only appear on December 2; Costa will only attend the December 3 event. December 3 – Artist Jasmine Becket-Griffith returns to WonderGround Gallery inside the Marketplace Co-Op from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. December 4-6 – See the latest offerings from the Disney Parks collection by HerUniverse at the WonderGround Gallery in Marketplace Co-Op. Ashley Taylor, the artist whose work is prominently featured on the Star Wars timeline skirt and coordinating Ewok cardigan, will make an appearance at the location on December 4 from 12 Noon – 3:00 p.m. and December 5 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. On December 6, Ashley will be joined by Ashley Eckstein, creator of HerUniverse, from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. December 8-12 – Artist David Doss will return to The Art of Disney from 1:00 – 9:00 p.m. each day. December 9 – Meet Disney Design Group artist Derek Lesinski at Disney’s Days of Christmas from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. December 13-16 – Artist Greg McCullough will meet with guests at The Art of Disney from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. each day. He will return to the shop on December 19-22, and December 26 – January 2, 2017. December 17 – Disney Design Group Artist Costa Alavezos will be at Disney’s Days of Christmas to sign holiday products he designed from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. December 17-18 – Artist William Silvers will be at The Art of Disney from 4:00 – 10:00 p.m. each day. Be sure to check out these other unique product offerings in the following shops at Disney Springs in December: Marketplace Fun Finds – Precious Moments Dolls including the new “Christmas Blessings” collection. Tren-D – Jewelry pieces by Jorta made from nature such as orange peels, cantaloupe seeds, coffee beans, and more. Marketplace Co-Op – Stationary and art stained with real plants and flowers by Boiled Books, or a spectacular collection of fine diamond jewelry by Sophia Fiori Jewelry. View the full article

Disney’s newest heroine, Moana, has arrived at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa. Guests can experience the spirit of adventure and wonder of Hawai’i with fun-filled activities, enchanting storytelling, a special makeover, character greeting moments and more! “Moana” is the story of an adventurous teenage girl who teams up with the demigod Maui on a daring mission to fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest as she sails among the islands of Oceania to save her people. Meet Moana Look out for Moana, the adventurous teenage girl exploring her latest destination: Aulani Resort! Check the Daily ‘Iwa for meeting times and locations. Mo‘olelo Fireside Stories with Moana Gather around the oceanside fire pit as Moana and Aulani’s beloved storyteller “Uncle” bring legends of Oceania to life. And get swept away as Moana recounts her own tales of way finding! Uncle’s Kahakai Canoe Race Join Moana and Uncle as they swap seafaring tales and share the importance of the canoe—or wa‘a—to the ancestors of Native Hawaiians. Then, unleash the explorer within as you build a wa’a model and participate in a fun and spirited canoe race at the lagoon. Moana Makeover Discover your inner adventurer with a Moana-inspired makeover in Painted Sky! Make a splash with a themed costume, styled hair, manicure, pedicure and makeup. See Disney’s “Moana” in theaters in 3D now, then plan your family’s own island adventure to Aulani Resort. View the full article

When Kathleen Kennedy took over the "Star Wars" franchise last year, she became an important test case in an industry with few female executives. A major assumption undergirding conversations about diversity and inclusion not just in Hollywood, but in business more broadly, is that putting women... View the full article

With Thanksgiving behind us, there’s no denying it – it’s officially crunch time for holiday shopping! I’m only halfway done with my gift-giving purchases this season, but with over 50 new retailers in Town Center, I’m feeling confident that I can find the perfect something for everyone on my “nice” list. If you need a little inspiration, follow @DisneySprings on Twitter and keep an eye out for tweets tagged with #25DaysofDS – each day from Dec. 1 – Dec. 25, 2016, we’ll be sharing a new gift idea. If you need some suggestions in the meantime, read on: For the fashion-forward, ZARA, Anthropologie, and UNIQLO are top picks. For a more customized selection, the on-site tailor at the Levi’s store can create something truly unique. Those that crave a year-round beach vibe will love the options at Shore, Everything but Water and Curl by Sammy Duvall. Know an athlete? UNDER ARMOUR BRAND HOUSE and Fit2Run, The Runners Superstore aren’t to be missed. Of course, jewelry and accessories top many ‘wish lists’ each year, and Disney Springs delivers with PANDORA Jewelry, Alex and Ani, UNOde50, Na Hoku, Erwin Pearl and the new Luxury of Time by Diamonds International. This is in addition to the Disney mainstays found at the Marketplace – Once Upon a Toy, Marketplace Co-Op and Art of Disney offer countless surprises for Disney lovers of all ages – and that’s on top of all the treasures available at World of Disney! For a full list of retailers, visit www.disneysprings.com. And follow @DisneySprings on Twitter now to ensure you don’t miss a single tweet! If you score a great find at Disney Springs, I’d love to see it – tag #DisneySprings in your Twitter or Instagram posts for your chance to be featured. Happy shopping! View the full article

Disney’s new animated hit “Moana” and J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts” should have no trouble dominating the domestic box office charts again this weekend, as Hollywood sleeps off its Thanksgiving feast. “Moana,” featuring the voices of Dwayne Johnson and newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, is expected... View the full article

Holidays at Disney Springs | Walt Disney World View the full article

A new Walt Disney World dining experience will feature the resort's famed monorail and eateries in the hotels it stops at. The Highway in the Sky Dine-Around debuts Friday, Dec. 2. Visitors will have priority boarding on the monorail as it travels between Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's... View the full article

A new Walt Disney World dining experience will feature the resort's famed monorail and eateries in the hotels it stops at. The Highway in the Sky Dine-Around debuts Friday, Dec. 2. Visitors will have priority boarding on the monorail as it travels between Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's... View the full article

DOLE. WHIP. ALERT!!!!!!! OK, there’s tons of Dole Whip news this week, y’all! We just told you about Dole Whips expanding their reach into Disney Springs in Walt Disney World. Now you can fuel your craving at Marketplace Snacks while you shop until you drop. But an even bigger story is brewing in Disneyland. Dole Whips — and more! — are now available outside of the Parks for the first time that we can remember! Dole Whip Float Goodness! I was recently in Disneyland for a super fast visit to check out the Festival of Holidays at Disney California Adventure. But while I was there, I couldn’t pass up the chance to stop by and cover this story first hand. (I was also staying at Disneyland Hotel, so, you know, super easy and whatever. Plus…um…Dole Whips. Like I’d pass that up.) Dole Whips, Dole Whip Floats, and Dole Whips with Rum at The Coffee House So just like you can find Dole Whips in a Walt Disney World Resort (that would be the Polynesian’s Pineapple Lanai) — now you can find them outside of Disneyland Parks as well! Just head to The Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel. The Coffee House — Outside Do keep in mind though that The Coffee House has limited hours. So if you’re looking to get your outside-the-Park Dole Whip fix, you’ll need to do it before 4:00PM. The Coffee House Details While we’ve grown somewhat accustomed to enjoying a Dole Whip in new places, Dole Whip Floats are still a rare treat. But you can score one here! And it totally has the quintessential Disneyland cherry and umbrella! There’s also an adult beverage twist. We totally agree that Dole Whip and Rum are a match made in heaven. And while you can’t score a Dole Whip with Rum at the Tiki Juice Bar, you can totally have one here! Dole Whip Menu Options (Said umbrella and cherry. Noted.) Dole Whip Float These babies are a DL exclusive, and I was so excited to see that the tradition will be observed here, too. Dole Whip Float — Up Close Can you even?? Me neither!!! Now I really wanna hear from you guys! Will you be stopping into The Coffee House at Disneyland Hotel for a Dole Whip treat? Leave a comment and let me know if you’ll be joining me in a Dole Whip Float soon! 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: Tiki Juice Bar (and Dole Whip!) in Disneyland Reader Question: Is Dole Whip Vegan and Gluten Free? News: Food and Beverages — Including Dole Whip! — Allowed Into the Enchanted Tiki Room Attraction in Disney World View the full article

Maybe you’ve talked about it, or even tried your own dine-around on the Walt Disney World Resort monorail with stops for cocktails, appetizers, dinner and dessert along the way. Now you can sit back and let us take care of the travel plans, making it easier than ever to experience this culinary journey around some of our favorite Disney resorts. The new Highway in the Sky Dine-Around gives guests priority boarding on the monorail for an unparalleled dining journey around the circuit between Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort. You’ll start the journey by checking in at The Wave…of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort then board the monorail to be whisked off to Disney’s Polynesian Resort to celebrate the spirit of the South Pacific with island-inspired sips and appetizers. Hop back on the monorail and head to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, stepping into the elegant hotel to enjoy a sumptuous wine dinner at award-winning Cítricos. After dinner, sip sparkling wine and sample artisanal cheese in the lavish lobby. Then head back to the monorail for a final stop at Disney’s Contemporary Resort for dessert, cordials and coffee on a private patio with the Magic Kingdom Park fireworks over Cinderella Castle as your backdrop. Highway in the Sky Dine-Around is offered Tuesday, Friday and Sunday beginning Dec. 2. Reservations open Nov. 29. (No dine-around between Dec. 18 and Jan. 3). Cost is $150 plus tax and gratuity. Valet parking is included. For reservations, 407-WDW-DINE. View the full article

Have you had the chance to see one or all of the phenomenal gingerbread displays at some of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels yet? If you have, then you know how spectacular it is to see a life-size gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, or the whimsical Mary Blair-inspired “Frozen” display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Take our quiz to see how much you know about these amazing gingerbread creations! .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525{ background-color:#f0f8fb; color:#565656; border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-section h1{ color:#8bb428; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-title{ color:#10628b; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-header-image{ text-align:right; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-section{ border-color:#ffffff; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-details, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-results, .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-embed{ border-color:#dce4e7; } .quiz-container#wp-quiz-181525 .quiz-result{ background-color:#dce4e7; } QUIZ: Gingerbread Displays How many hidden Olafs are there in the Gingerbread Holiday Castle at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? 16 Hidden Olafs 18 Hidden Olafs 21 Hidden Olafs How many pounds of honey were used to build the life-size gingerbread house in the lobby of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa? 920 Pounds 1,050 Pounds 1,125 Pounds How many pounds of icing were used to create the United States Capitol Building in the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot? 11 Pounds 17 Pounds 20 Pounds How many Hidden Mickeys can you look for in the Holiday Carousel is back at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts? 12 Hidden Mickeys 17 Hidden Mickeys 19 Hidden Mickeys Embed Quiz on Your Website Embed Code <div class="wp-quiz" data-quiz-id="181525" data-site-url="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog"></div> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/wp-content/plugins/wp-quizzes/js/embed.js"></script>Copy and paste above embed code where you would like the quiz to appear on your website. View the full article

Holidays Around the World at Epcot is a celebration of the Season as it is recognized around the globe! Holidays Around the World Holiday traditions from various cultures are expressed through decorations, stories, music and food, while additional events include the nightly Candlelight Processional and a holiday version of the evening spectacular IllumiNations — Reflections of Earth. Epcot’s Candlelight Processional As in years past, this special event will run through December 30th. What’s different this year, though, is the addition of new and enhanced Marketplace Booths serving up tastes of the season…not unlike another festival that’s near and dear to our hearts — the Epcot Food and Wine Festival. (Yep — I keep saying they’ll eventually make the festival a year-round thing; and they’re getting closer and closer… .) Wanna see all the food? Visit our Holidays Around the World Page for pictures of every food item, PLUS prices and menus! American Holiday Table Booth Well… almost. The similarities to the Food and Wine Festival are probably obvious — additional food kiosks are set up around World Showcase serving food and drinks themed to the booth (though there are only seven in comparison to the Festival’s thirty-plus). However — now pay attentch!! — there is a pretty significant difference at this particular event. The Food and Wine Festival booths are known for serving tapas-sized dishes ranging from about $3.00 – $7.00. As it turns out, the booths for Holidays Around the World are serving portions that in many cases are closer to full meals (and by full meals, we mean you can barely hold the dish it comes in ’cause it’s so full!) — and you’ll see that reflected in the prices (though there are still snack-sized items as well — mostly in the form of desserts — in case you’d rather snack your way around). Whew. That’s a lot of parentheses. American Holiday Table Menu In general, though, the focus here — for the sake of both your tummy and your wallet — might be more on selecting an item or two that you’d really like to try (perhaps even in place of a Counter Service meal) instead of sampling several as you might at the Food and Wine Festival if you decide on trying the headliner items. THAT’S why we’ve tried ALL of them for you! (Now, for those of you who don’t have time to read and just want to see the food…) Be sure to visit our Holidays Around the World Page for pictures of every food item, PLUS prices and menus! But in the meantime, you can check out our favorite item (or two!) at each booth! Hold onto your Santa Hats, because even though there are just a few booths, there’s LOTS of great stuff. And we’ve just GOTTA start with… Alpine Haus You’ll find Alpine Haus tucked between the Morocco and France Pavilions. And it’s important to know where it is, because otherwise you might miss this enormous bowl of CHEESE FONDUE! Cheese Fondue And you do NOT want to miss the Cheese Fondue! OR the bread bowl it’s served in. OR the way it even makes the steamed veggies that come with it taste downright fantastic. (By the way, those veggies are carrots, potatoes, and zucchini, mostly.) Cheese Fondue The Duck Confit (who doesn’t love meat cooked in its own fat?!?) served with dumplings and roasted Brussels sprouts (Wha?!? So good!) with a fig reduction also impresses with its terrific flavor and tenderness. The thing I didn’t love about this one was the somewhat gummy dumplings. But stick to the duck and the sprouts and yummo! Duck Confit They’re also serving a truly decadent, rich dark chocolate Sachertorte as well as a spiked Chocolate Apple Shake (you can see pics of all these items here). So Alpine Haus is really a booth full of winners, but I think you can see why we just had to hand it to the Cheese Fondue at the top of the list. Ohmigosh, so good! American Holiday Table Stop by American Holiday Table to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with (almost!) all the trimmings! Slow-Roasted Turkey This dish of Slow-Roasted Turkey served with stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, and cranberry sauce probably gives you a better idea of what we mean about the portion size for this event. Seriously, this dish is HUGE. (And, honestly, the second time we got it, it was even bigger!!!) The turkey was very well-prepared; not dry at all. And the gravy accompanying the whole thing was nicely seasoned (we preferred this dish to the Pork Tenderloin that’s also served here). Served up near Santa’s Village in the American Adventure Pavilion, everything about this says “Happy Holidays.” That’s even MORE true when you pair it with this terrific find: the Shipyard Eggnog White Porter Aged on Bourbon. Shipyard Eggnog White Porter Oh, my. This Epcot exclusive (Yep! You can only get it here, folks!) is a sweet brew that tastes just like eggnog-meets-beer. It’s not your typical porter (it’s not very dark, and is a little more carbonated than most), but it was a very pleasant surprise, nonetheless. Oh, and speaking of eggnog, don’t forget that this is also the place where you can get the FIRENOG!!! Yes, that is fireball and eggnog. So get on it. Oh, and don’t forget to step inside the American Pavilion’s main building after your meal to check out the annual Gingerbread Display featuring Washington, D.C., where the Lincoln Memorial is new this year! Washington, D.C. Gingerbread Display For real?!?! Check it out! Lincoln Memorial Seasonal Southern Delights Next up: keep an eye out for this flock of flamingos to find Seasonal Southern Delights! Seasonal Southern Delights Sign Though we also thought the Hoppin’ John here was great, with the ham and cornbread crumbles lending some sweetness to the Black-eyed Pea dish, we ultimately chose the Blackened Catfish with White Cheddar Grits and Okra, Tomato and Onion Stew as the favorite. Blackened Catfish The catfish was great, and had a really nice, spicy kick that was balanced out by the grits. If you’re on more of a snack search, though, we also recommend the Chocolate Pecan Tart. Chocolate Pecan Tart Even though it’s one of the event’s smaller items, it’s still larger than most tarts sold around Disney World (PLUS: caramel drizzle!!). Feast of the Three Kings Feast of the Three Kings celebrates the traditions of Three Kings Day, and you’ll find it at the World Showcase Plaza. Feast of the Three Kings Sign Feast of the Three Kings Booth area Feast of the Three Kings Booth area Feast of the Three Kings Booth area Stop by to try the Shredded Beef Tamale with Avocado Crema and Cilantro Rice! Shredded Beef Tamale Not only did we love the texture and flavor of the tamale itself, but the avocado cream is out of this world. (OK, AJ’s not up for the cilantro rice, but the rest of the team loved it!) Shredded Beef Tamale cross-section For dessert, or as a small snack, you can also try a traditional Three Kings Cake, which is made of a bread that is mildly sweet on its own, even before the added icing. Three Kings Bread (Oh, and the Coquito here was reminiscent of eggnog, only with coconut! Worth a try, spiked or not.) Holiday Eats and Treats Holiday Eats and Treats is a “new” booth with a few returning items. (You’ll likely recognize this booth as Promenade Refreshments, which functions as Pineapple Promenade for the Flower and Garden Festival, and Desserts & Champagne for the Food and Wine Festival). Holiday Eats & Treats sign We don’t mind the lack of new items here. Not when it means the return of the Holiday Sandwich! Holiday Sandwich Though it was called the Warm Turkey Sandwich last year, it’s the same tasty helping of roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and gravy all tucked inside a unique and delicious cranberry bread. Check out the other returning treats here. Prost! Prost! has also returned this year, and the the delicious beverages served here every year have become a tradition for us at the DFB. However, in order to match the expanded offerings around World Showcase, Prost features a new food item this year with a Sauerbraten dish. But the best of the bunch is the traditional German holiday fruitcake, Stollen. Stollen Say what you will about fruitcake ;), but it’s not a well-known tradition for nothin’, and it has its place in the holidays… especially when it tastes this good. (And, honestly, I have to say “Pass” on the Sauerbraten, which I found to be a bit dry and SUPER overwhelmed by the vinegar — is that even vinegar? it was crazy strong. — from the cabbage). And — even though they aren’t new this year — I ALWAYS have to give a shout out to the Caramel Kiss (Werther’s Drinking Caramel, which I can’t even put down…ever) and the hot-spiced Glühwein. Caramel Kiss Glühwein They’re served in hot cups this year as opposed to the clear drinking glasses from years’ past, but fortunately they still taste just as lovely. Mexico Yep, this is the same Mexico booth that has remained open beyond Spring’s Flower and Garden Festival. And while offerings have changed for the holidays, this is the one booth that has stayed true to the smaller tapas-sized dishes from the other Festivals. That said, food here is typically solid (read: good) no matter what time of year, and the Tacos de Carnitas (Crispy Pork Carnitas served with Tomatillo Relish and Corn Tortilla) is pretty great. Tacos de Carnitas Overall, though, I prefer the eats at the other kiosks for this event in particular. More Festive Treats! Now, don’t forget… even if you don’t partake of the Marketplace Booths (I’m telling you, though, you totally should!), you’ll still spot additional festive fare all around World Showcase. For instance, the beautiful Bûche de Noël (Yule Log) can be found once again at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in the France Pavilion. Buche de Noel And the neighboring L’Artisan des Glaces is serving the seasonal Gingerbread Ice Cream once again. Gingerbread Ice Cream Gingerbread ice cream I bet Pere Noel — one of the event’s Holiday Storytellers — wishes he had some right about now… Pere Noel Kabuki Cafe in Japan is serving Strawberry Shortcake and a Green Tea au Lait. Strawberry Shortcake and Green Tea au Lait sign Strawberry Shortcake and Green Tea au Lait Don’t miss your chance to learn about the Daruma dolls by the Pagoda while you’re there (I love this presentation!)! A Daruma Seller In Italy, you can try Panettone or sip a glass of Prosecco (find both at the Gelato Stand) while listening to La Befana. Prosecco and Panettone sign Panettone and Prosecco La Befana in Search of Gesu Bambino Honestly, the Pai Cha at China’s Joy of Tea was not my favorite of the new offerings this year. Pai Cha sign I was thinking, “Fried dough, what’s not to love?” Pai Cha But it was too crunchy and crumbly. It might have been better served warm and a bit more pliable. Pai Cha Still, you’ve got to see the amazing dance of the Lion in the Pavilion if you get the chance! Lion Dance In the Morocco Pavilion, you’ll spy Chocolate Honey Baklava in the bakery case inside Tangierine Cafe as part of the festivities. Chocolate Honey Baklava All truths told, though, it’s available pretty much year-round these days. Fine by me. It’s delicious! Bring your Baklava outside to munch on while learning about the “Spice of Life” that are the celebrations in Morocco! Celebrating the Spice of Life in the Morocco Pavilion But hold onto your hats, because Kringla Bakeri og Kafe in Norway is serving an AWESOME Pumpkin Cheesecake Roulade with Pumpkin Seed Brittle! Pumpkin Cheesecake Roulade sign No idea how long thing one will be around, but it’s SERIOUS!!! Creamy pumpkin cheesecake (SO amazing) all wrapped up in what really seemed like chocolate to yours truly… . Definitely worth a try! Pumpkin Cheesecake Roulade Watch out, though… it’s so good that the mischievous Julenissen may try to take yours! Julenissen Spinning His Tale He’s sneaky, that one . Tea lovers, take note: there’s a Twinings Iced Christmas Toddy waiting for you in the United Kingdom Pavilion, but you’ll need to head INSIDE The Tea Caddy shop to find it. Iced Christmas Toddy sign Iced Christmas Tea Toddy sign Twinings Christmas Tea Meanwhile, TG Lee Eggnog with Irish Whiskey (don’t mind if I do!) is available outside at the Rose & Crown Beer Stand. Rose & Crown Beer Stand Menu Speaking of sips, be on the lookout at Joffrey’s Coffee Kiosks all around World Showcase for seasonal beverages with and without alcohol, like the Crazy Elf, the Gingerbread Chai ($9.49 each) and yuletide espresso drinks. Crazy Elf sign Gingerbread Chai sign Seasonal Espresso Drinks And the Craft Beer Marketplace is carrying over from the Food and Wine Festival, and will remain open on most days through December 30th. Craft Beers Marketplace Finally, we have an oldie but a goodie… Pecan Maple Bark is up for grabs once more at the Popcorn Cart in Canada. Pecan Maple Bark Pecan Maple Bark And the Holiday Voyageurs are back, too! Holiday Voyageurs Sign Canadian Holiday Voyageurs No matter where you look in Epcot — and no matter what you choose to eat! — there is no shortage of holiday fun and food to be had! I honestly think they’ve outdone themselves with some of these new offerings, and if you get the chance to attend Holidays Around the World, I think it will truly enhance your yuletide vacation! Oh, and if you’ve come this far… Be sure to visit our Holidays Around the World Page for pictures of every food item, PLUS prices and menus! Hee hee! Signing off from Epcot… Prost! Which item would you most like to try at Holidays Around the World? 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! MORE FOOD BOOTHS (Menus Here!) Coming to Epcot’s Holidays Around the World! Review: Festival of Holidays Food Booths in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort Coming Soon! The DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays, 2012! View the full article

Each year, from mid-September through early January, everybody screams for Haunted Mansion Holiday at Disneyland park. Since 2001, this lively seasonal overlay transforms the classic and delightfully unlivable Haunted Mansion in New Orleans Square into a merry collision of Halloween and Christmas. In 1993, the animated classic “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” debuted, garnering a devoted fanbase with great affection for the film’s hero Jack Skellington — the king of Halloween Town who decides to bring the joy of Christmas to his spooky village for the very first time. The film introduced beloved characters such as heroine Sally, the flying ghost dog Zero and the green villain Oogie Boogie, and they have been delighting Disneyland park guests off the screen each season for more than 10 years. Haunted Mansion Holiday is just one of the many attractions at the Disneyland Resort that bring guests into the magic of the big screen. The 999 happy haunts residing in the stately mansion are eager to welcome their friends from Halloween Town for an extended stay each season. The attraction overlay enhances the festivities with frightful additions like creepy wreaths, kooky toys, ghostly Christmas trees and glowing jack-o-lanterns. This season, Haunted Mansion Holiday has become even more magical with the debut of a new Sally figure in the graveyard scene and the 15th season of the homemade Gingerbread House in the ballroom. What’s your favorite festivity inside Haunted Mansion Holiday? Let us know in the comments! View the full article

Disney animated feature “Zootopia” came in ahead of the pack when the Annie Awards nominations were announced Monday. The film scored 11 nominations from the International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, whose members were taken by the charming parable about tolerance and prejudice as played... View the full article

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The holiday season at Walt Disney World Resort holds a special place in the heart of the Disney Parks Moms Panelists. With so many festive experiences, the panelists share personal favorites to make holiday memories with their families. Jackie P.’s favorite holiday event is Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, especially with the new holiday treats and beverages premiering this year. She shared her best tips for this event last week, and says “Holiday Wishes” and “Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Time Parade” are not to be missed! Candlelight Processional is Ricardo S. and his family’s favorite Walt Disney World Resort holiday memory, sharing the story of Christmas as told by a celebrity narrator. His best advice for this event is to combine it with dinner using the Candlelight Dining Package to guarantee your seats. Brandy B.’s favorite holiday event also takes place at Epcot. Holidays Around the World showcases holiday traditions from across the globe, with new food kiosks available this year. Her family have even incorporated several customs they’ve learned from the Holiday Storytellers into their own holiday celebration. Some of your favorite experiences even get in the holiday spirit with festive additions, like Jingle Cruise and Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. Kay B.’s favorite holiday activity is visiting all of the Walt Disney Resort Hotels to see the festive decorations, giant trees and life-sized gingerbread houses. Plus, this year don’t miss out on the all-new “Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM!” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios or the fantastic activities and holiday shopping at Disney Springs, a great place to snap a family photo with Santa Claus. For more tips or to ask questions about planning your upcoming holiday Disney vacation, be sure to visit DisneyParksMomsPanel.com for a personalized response from our knowledgeable panel. View the full article