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The latest three collections in the Disney Dooney & Bourke purse line will offer buyers the opportunity to show their passion for some of Disney's classic movies -- as long as they're willing to buy online. Release dates were announced today on the Disney Parks blog for accessories coming in August... View the full article

The latest three collections being added to the Disney Dooney & Bourke purse line will offer buyers the opportunity to show their passion for some of Disney's classic movies. Release dates were announced today on the Disney Parks blog for accessories featuring "Beauty & the Beast," "Alice in Wonderland"... View the full article

The “Welcome to Our World!” series here on Disney Parks Blog is designed to introduce those of you who might be newer to Disney fandom or vacation planning to some of the happenings across our Disney Parks, which you may want to consider for an upcoming visit. As part of the series, I wanted to take an opportunity to tell you about one of my favorite annual events at Walt Disney World Resort – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is a separately-ticketed event offered from 7 p.m. to midnight, after regular Magic Kingdom Park operating hours, on select nights throughout September and October. After dark, the park is transformed with special music and lighting effects, and there are unique entertainment experiences that only happen during the event. Presented several times throughout the night on the Cinderella Castle Forecourt Stage is “Hocus Pocus Villain Spelltacular,” in which the mischievous Sanderson sisters from Disney’s Halloween film favorite “Hocus Pocus” enlist the help of the Disney villains to conjure the ultimate party potion and cast a spell on everyone in the kingdom! “Mickey’s Boo-to-You Halloween Parade” happens twice nightly (the second showing is usually less busy) and features many of your favorite characters dressed in their Halloween best, along with the Disney villains and a cavalcade of fiendishly fun floats. And you can cap off your night with “Happy HalloWishes,” a spectacularly spooky fireworks show that literally surrounds the park with powerful pyrotechnics! Upon entering the park for the event, you’ll be given a complimentary Trick-or-Treat bag, so you can collect lots of goodies at the treat stations set up in every land. When I go with my family, we usually save our Trick-or-Treating until later in the evening. The stations tend to quiet down a bit, and there’s always plenty of great candy to go around! Many of our guests even choose to attend the party in costume, and I’ve seen some truly great ones over the years. Of course, you’ll want to review the event-specific costume guidelines before planning your own ensemble. In addition to all the special Halloween enhancements, most of the regular Magic Kingdom Park attractions, shops, restaurants and character greetings are also available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. On party nights, there’s something extra fun about experiencing the Haunted Mansion or stopping in to chat with Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater. Best of all, it’s “not so scary,” just as the name implies. This is pure Halloween fun for all ages, presented in the grand Disney tradition of world-class family entertainment. You’ll love it! For complete details, including this year’s dates and a link to purchase event tickets, be sure to visit the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party page at DisneyWorld.com. View the full article

Just when you thought there couldn’t possibly be another way to enjoy fireworks at Walt Disney World. Guess what? There is! Wishes Fireworks Spectacular You already know about the Wishes Dessert Party at Magic Kingdom as well as the Ferrytale Wishes Fireworks Dessert Cruise. And you can’t forget fireworks viewing from great venues like California Grill, ‘Ohana, and Narcoossee’s. Ferries, Fireworks, and Dessert But now, you can party in Mad Hatter fashion at the Grand Floridian, thanks to Gone Mad Wishes Fireworks Party! The pop up party takes place Wednesdays from 8:30 to 10:30PM, in the area just outside Gasparilla Island Grill. Gasaprilla Island Grill entrance Look for interactive fun aplenty, with a DJ spinning tunes while Cast Members encourage dancing. There are also some fun props on standby for photo ops. And in a departure from most other Disney Fireworks Parties, no reservations are required, and the event is free. Yep! You read that right. FREE. Now, there are plenty of treats and drinks that you can purchase. Think of this gathering as something similar to those pool parties that happen during afternoons around the resort. But there is one big, bold difference: this is an Alice in Wonderland-themed party. And so you’d expect things to be a little wonky and a little wild. In addition to crazy themed eats and drinks, like Cheshire Cat Cupcakes and Green Potion Punch, seating is guaranteed to make you smile as well. Because they’ve furnished the party with chairs and ottomans from the Mad T Party at Disneyland! The Awesome Furniture Makes the Party! If you’re looking to join in on the fun, remember to head to the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa on Wednesdays from 8:30 until 10:30. Reservations are not required, and anyone can join in — you don’t have to be staying at the Grand Floridian to take part. But just a word of caution: call ahead and to make sure that the party is taking place during your visit. At this time, there is no indication how long the parties will continue to take place. Now, let’s hear from you guys! Does the Gone Mad Wishes Fireworks Party Sound like a fun evening to you? Leave a comment and tell us what you think! Source: InsidetheMagic.net 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: Wishes Dessert Party Debuts at Narcoossee’s in Disney World’s Grand Floridian Resort NEW Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party Debuts July 5th — Booking Opens March 20th (TODAY!) News: Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party Takes Over FastPass Viewing Area in the Magic Kingdom View the full article

Last week, Wabasso High School’s theater students from Minnesota thought they were having the time of their lives at Walt Disney World Resort while participating in a Disney Performing Arts program. Then in their middle of their trip, it got even better. Broadway legend Chita Rivera, who was vacationing at Walt Disney World Resort, took a moment while at Epcot to visit an “Acting 101” workshop, designed to help build character, develop improvisational skills and maintain professionalism on the stage. Rivera talked to the students from Minnesota about her illustrious career and offered some insights into working on the big stage. Rivera, of course, has plenty of experience to draw on. In addition to her Tony Award-winning work in “The Rink,” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” Rivera received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 from President Barack Obama for her contribution to culture and the arts. She even has experience with Disney after her guest starring role many years ago as Queen of All Magical Beings on Disney Channel’s “Johnny and the Sprites.” “I look at you all, and I see myself because I was so young when I started out,” Rivera told the students. “So I know what you are all going through and how exciting it is for you to be here at Walt Disney World. It’s like a dream come true.” Some recent past examples of other industry professional encounters include Grammy –winning Pentatonix star Kevin Olusola, former ‘Newsies’ star Corey Cott and Ashley Brown, who originated the part of Mary Poppins on Broadway. Disney Performing Arts unlocks student potential and helps young people make their dreams come true — whether it’s performing amongst an international audience of thousands or honing their craft in enriching workshops and clinics taught by entertainment professionals at Disney Parks. Disney delivers workshops and performance opportunities that inspire and often lead to life-changing personal achievement. For more information about Disney Performing Arts, please visit DisneyPerformingArts.com. View the full article

We are one month away from Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend presented by Cigna! To celebrate this countdown, we are excited to reveal the weekend’s medal collection. The Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend is celebrating some of our favorite Disney Duos. The 2016 medal collection commemorates a few of our beloved pals. This is the last race to experience the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration – celebrating 60 years of Disney magic. There’s still a chance to earn your Disneyland Half Marathon medal and experience the celebration here. Which bling will you bring home? Share with us on our social media channels using the hashtag #DisneylandHalf. Follow runDisney on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram. View the full article

Family Time at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows | Disney Vacation Club View the full article

I have exciting news for guests who love Dooney & Bourke handbags. In August 2016, we will premiere three new Dooney & Bourke collections on the Shop Disney Parks mobile app. This free app offers access to thousands of products found at Disney Parks which you can have shipped directly to your home. To download, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop. Here are details about each collection being released this month. August 15 The highly anticipated Disney’s “Beauty & the Beast” collection will be released via the app on August 15. You may recall seeing this collection in a Disney Parks Blog Unboxed video in early June. Look for a shopper tote, a letter carrier, and a wristlet. August 22 Three handbags inspired by Walt Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” will be released on August 22 via the app. Titled “Tea Time,” this collection includes a wristlet, a letter carrier, and a shopper tote. August 29 This year, Walt Disney’s “Dumbo” celebrates its 75th anniversary. The film was originally released in October 1941, and has inspired classic Disney Parks attractions such as Dumbo Flying Elephants in Fantasyland. To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we’re releasing three handbags on August 29 via the app. The collection includes a shopper tote, a letter carrier, and a wristlet. Look for an anniversary-themed hangtag on select styles. View the full article

The sun is shining on Hong Kong Disneyland this morning. The park is in the midst of celebrating its 10th anniversary, a celebration that has included the debut of the new stage show “Mickey and the Wondrous Book,” a new anniversary theme song “Happily Ever After,” a Fairy Tale Forest attraction, special merchandise and much more. Here, you can see one of the park’s many glittering decorations that mark’s the park’s anniversary year. View the full article

The Disney Parks Blog is hosting one of its most unique meet-ups of the year to celebrate the reimagined Disney family film, “Pete’s Dragon” before it opens in U.S. theaters. Our first-ever “under the stars” movie screening will be held outdoors at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. The Disney Parks Blog hosted meet-up begins at 7:30 p.m. ET at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort on Wednesday, August 3, 2016. At the event, you’ll be able to view Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” film. “Pete’s Dragon” stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Oakes Fegley, Wes Bentley, Karl Urban, Oona Laurence, Isiah Whitlock, Jr. and Oscar® winner Robert Redford. To learn more about the film, visit our earlier story. RSVP for the meet-up now by clicking here. Only one guest is permitted. A limited number of attendees may attend the meet-up, so be one of the first to sign up. Also, here are a few things you should know: All attendees who sign up for the meet-up must be 18 years or older, but guests do not need to be 18 or older. Disney’s “Pete’s Dragon” is rated PG. Limit one guest per registrant. We will send an email to individuals whose valid RSVPs are received by us via email before we reach the planned capacity to confirm their attendance for the meet-up. If confirmed, it will be necessary for the registrant and guest to check in at the front of Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground at the Walt Disney World Resort for access to the event. The confirmation will include those details. Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in. Meet-up confirmations are non-transferrable and have no cash value. Confirmation will be for the accepted registered person and guest. If you do not receive an email from us confirming your reservation, then your RSVP was not accepted. The meet-up is subject to change or cancellation without notice. This post will be updated after capacity has been reached. And here is other important information to know: This is a pre-release screening of the movie. Captioning, descriptive video and assisted listening devices will not be available. Please arrive early. Seating is first come, first seated. No one will be admitted late. The screening may be overbooked and seating is not guaranteed. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (WDSMP), its affiliates and the theatre are not responsible for overbooking. We may refuse, revoke or limit admission in our sole discretion at any time. NO RECORDING. The screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to use any video or audio recording devices (including, without limitation, cameras and phones) in the venue. If you attempt to use a recording device during this screening, you consent to your immediate removal from the venue and forfeiture of your recording device and its contents. Any attempted unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability. WDSMP and its related companies reserve the right to pursue any and all available remedies at law and in equity for any unauthorized recording and/or copyright infringement, including without limitation statutory damages of up to $150,000 per violation, and nothing contained in this notice shall be construed to limit our available remedies and/or legal recourse. Further, by attending, you grant permission to WDSMP and Disney Destinations, LLC, their licensees, licensors, affiliates and agents, to record and utilize your name, voice and likeness to publicize the screening and promote the movie. You assume all risks of personal injury arising from or incidental to attending the screening, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the event. View the full article

I hope that you’re sitting down. Learn About: Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine Downtown Disney Disney World Restaurants Because we have a ton of pictures and details to share with you about Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine! The restaurant opened with fanfare and plenty of rave reviews. And we were right there with you as we shared a first look! If you can believe it, we’ve been back to Homecoming Florida Kitchen (hereafter shortened to HFK to save my fingers extra typing) again since opening day. As a result, we have lots of variety to share with you about this special spot. This is a place that beckons you to slow down and sit a spell. So to begin, let’s take a nice, leisurely look around. Atmosphere You’ll find HFK right in the heart of Disney Springs, where the Town Center and The Landing come together. Sign While the outside may look a little Plain Jane at first inspection, you may form a different opinion after your initial look. Tons of windows, shaded in part by the metal hip roof that overhangs them, is reminiscent of the Florida Vernacular style of architecture. I love that you don’t find a single ounce of faux stucco here — the building choice of most Florida homebuilders these days. Outside View Instead, wood siding with rich contrasting trim speaks of the warmth inside before you ever enter. Outside Decor And don’t you love the sweet chicken door handles? Front Door Details Enter in through the front door, and you see the same warm wood trim throughout the small waiting area. Entrance Podium The space is punctuated by cabinets. They feel like antiques, and yet the lines are clean and almost minimalist. Decor and Cabinetry at the Front Cubbies within the glass-backed cabinets house a collection of curios, displayed fruit, and cookbooks by Chef Art Smith. The glass backing is especially handy here as the cabinet is tall, and the glass allows for division of space without interrupting the flow of light. Decor and Chef Art’s Cookbook Don’t you love this? There’s something so inviting about it. And right there in the entrance, you get the sense that this place is about more than just comfort food. “Love Is Sweet” Sign Step into the restaurant, and step back to take it all in, and you soon see the vision in the details. The whole place is a celebration of Florida agriculture — past, present, and future. Inside Atmosphere Produce Crates Portrait from Long and Scott Farms Walls that are more window than anything else allow for sweeping views of the springs and let in lots of light. Seating and View The eye-catching mural located over the kitchen is a vibrant display of Floridian wildlife and agriculture. It was painted by an artist from Tampa. Mural The kitchen window opens into the dining area, and a row of tables located in front of it gives guests a bird’s eye view of the action. Incidentally, I love the artistry of those double booths. The ends look like church pews. Kitchen and Seating Area Kitchen — Up Close Seating throughout the space is a mixture of tables, chairs, and booths. Many of the chairs and benches are upholstered with this swell fabric bearing the logo of the restaurant. Booth Seating Table Seating You may also notice the chandeliers hanging overhead. The lining is actually burlap potato sacks, repurposed for the task. Aren’t they cool? Chandeliers And really, there’s no shortage of light here! As if all of the natural sunshine weren’t enough, you’ll find plenty of decorative overhead pendants to keep things bright into the evening. Lights More Lights But another hallmark of any comfortable Florida home is, of course, a porch. There’s one of those too. And it overlooks those famous Disney Springs! (They really are gorgeous. If you haven’t had the chance yet, see them as soon as you can.) Porch View But what if you just fancy a drink? Then head into HFK’s adjoining Shine Bar. Shine Bar Sign Shine Bar Exterior The bar itself extends into the restaurant. Seating is super comfortable. I’m thinking this is going to be the perfect spot to meet friends for drinks and small plates. Bar Chef Art’s wry sense of homespun humor extends to the coasters that you get as well. Super cute. Coasters — Collect Them All! Of course, if you prefer, you can also order from the outside bar and sit on the porch. It’s nicely shaded and with ceiling fans, and is quite comfortable. Outside Bar The area serves as a grab and go spot, both for drinks and food. Drinks Menu Grab and Go Menu It’s a lot to take in! But let’s turn our attention to something even better than the beautiful surroundings — the food. Eats With all of the talk about Florida farming, you’re right if you guessed that using local ingredients is a priority for HFK. Whenever possible, they source their produce and other ingredients from within a 200 mile radius. Having said that, you probably aren’t coming to HFK for produce alone. The menu is chock full of comfort foods with a Southern twist. Main Menu — Click to Enlarge Much has been made of the drink menu as well. When we chatted with Chef Art the other day, he mentioned the emphasis on moonshine, and how there’s no hotter spirit on the market today. So you’ll definitely see it on the menu. But there is a good selection of Florida beer and other Florida spirits as well. (And don’t worry. There are lots of traditional favorites, too.) Drinks Menu — Click to Enlarge Since beer always looks like, well, beer, we decided to go the route of cocktails. And because we visited twice (and had a few friends along for the fun), we have plenty to show you! We’ll start with the Basil Smash. Basil Smash In this one, you’ll find Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Sour Mix, and Simple Syrup Muddled with fresh Basil Leaves. The flavors, especially the basil, were very intense. Both in terms of taste and presentation, it seemed like an instant classic. Basil Smash — Up Close Next, we sampled the Old Fashioned Elder. Old Fashioned Elder — Up Close This take on a hot classic is crafted with Michter’s Bourbon, St. Germain Liqueur, and Bitters. It’s garnished in classic Old Fashioned style with Orange Peel and a Cherry. By far, this was my favorite drink of the visit. I already love an Old Fashioned, and the elderflower from the St. Germain really gave it a unique flavor. Old Fashioned Elder The Local was the next cocktail we sampled. The Local Consisting of RumHaven Coconut Water Rum, Lime, and Simple Syrup, it’s garnished with a slice of Pineapple and Coconut Shavings. We found this one to be super refreshing and summer-friendly. It was the lightest of the three, so if you’re looking to have a drink that doesn’t “knock you over,” this is a great choice. The Local — Up Close But on our later visit, we also had the pleasure of sampling three additional cocktails. We were intrigued by the Cucumber Cooler. Like the Basil Smash, this one has some refreshing, albeit less traditional flavors that pair surprisingly well with the light sweetness of the other ingredients. It’s also served in an old fashioned champagne glass, lending a touch of elegance to the presentation. Cucumber Cooler The drink is made with St. Augustine Vodka, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, and Cucumber Slices. It was so, so good on a hot day. Cucumber Cooler — Up Close Next, we tried the Fig and Berries. Fun name, right? Fig and Berries It’s appropriate, because the cocktail combines muddled Strawberries with Fig Jam, Dobel Diamonte Reposado Tequila, agave, and Lime Juice. HFK’s answer to a Margarita, we enjoyed the smooth flavors here as well. Fig and Berries — Up Close Our final drink showcased the house favorite — Moonshine — in the Moonshine Mash. Moonshine Mash Mrs. Sutton’s Watermelon Likker, fresh Watermelon, Lime Juice, and Simple Syrup come together here to make a sweet, refreshing drink that was a hit with another friend. Moonshine Mash — Up Close With all of those drinks, we really needed to grab some food, too! and so we tried several of the Starters. First up, how can you resist a dish called Church Lady Deviled Eggs? Church Lady Deviled Eggs Six Whole Deviled Eggs are served in a cute porcelain egg carton. Each egg was topped off with a piece of crispy Ham, and they arrive on a bed of Greens. I know we’ve all had deviled eggs — but these were really good! The presentation of the eggs prepared vertically, instead of horizontally, made them interesting. And the smooth filling, which was creamy with lots of mustard, had an incredibly bold flavor. I think it’s a winner. Church Lady Deviled Eggs — Up Close Charcuterie Plates are all the rage these days, and Chef Art brings his own twist on one with his Jasper Board. Jasper Board The assortment is certainly plenty to share. On it, you’ll find Sliced Smoked Sausages, Shaved Ham, Bread and Butter Pickles, Candied Pecans, homemade toasted Buttermilk Crackers, and a side of Pimento Cheese. Jasper Board — Shaved Ham Jasper Board — Smoked Sausage and Pecans Buttermilk Crackers — Up Close I loveed everything about this offering, but especially the shaved ham and pimento cheese. Even the board it was served on was perfect. This is going to be a great option for guests who are looking for something light and shareable to go with a round of cocktails or beer. Jasper Board — Pimento Cheese And the Pecans! Sigh. The glazed, slightly salty pecans were so, so good. Jasper Board — Pecans and Pickles On our follow up visit, we couldn’t resist the chance to try a Bunch of Puppies. The fresh from the fryer hush puppies feature Pimento Cheese right in the mix, and are served with a side of Red Jalapeño Jelly for dipping. Bunch of Puppies These were straight up amazing, and I’ve been dreaming about them ever since. Crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle, full of flavor, and beautiful to look at. They were a home run. Pimento Cheese Hush Puppies — Inside But we also had to try the Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits, which is actually considered a side. Because drop biscuit dough is handled much less than rolled biscuits, the pastry is light and tender. These were no exception, and it would be tempting to fill up on them before the meal arrived. This does bring up one thing to consider: we didn’t see any complimentary bread as part of the meal. Keep that in mind if that’s something important to you. Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits It was time to move on to our entrees. We decided to start with the Chopped Pork Barbecue Sandwich. While the menu indicates a single sandwich, you actually get three sliders, served on fresh Parker House Rolls. Chopped Pork Barbecue Sandwich and Homemade BBQ Potato Chips The three rolls were connected but easily pulled apart to make this a great sharable option. They were stuffed to overflowing with Homemade Sweet and Spicy Barbecue Chopped Pork, which was topped with a bit of Southern Slaw. The slaw itself contained Carrots, Onions, and Cabbage. Chopped Pork Barbecue Sandwich — Up Close I wish there had been more of barbecue sauce on the pork, but you can always ask for a side. And while I didn’t find the dish to be spicy, I still loved the deep flavors of the slow cooked meat, housemade sauce, and crunchy cabbage. Chopped Pork Barbecue Sandwich — Under the Lid All of the restaurant’s sandwiches come served with House-made Barbecue Chips drizzled with “Icebox Dressing” — similar to a Buttermilk Ranch — and topped with Scallions. Icebox dressing is an Art Smith specialty and I found the side to be a nice alternative to fries. Homemade BBQ Chips with Icebox Dressing But Chef Art is also known for his Fried Chicken. So of course, we had to try that as well! The dish is featured in several ways on the menu, but we went for the Fried Chicken and Doughnuts. Because. Well. Fried Chicken and Doughnuts. The platter consists of two pieces of Fried Chicken, eight Miniature House-made Sugar Doughnuts served with Maple Syrup, and KC Greens. Fried Chicken and Doughnuts The fried chicken itself looked heavily breaded, but it tasted very light with a good balance of seasoning. It was topped off with a very light dusting of Confectioner’s Sugar. Fried Chicken — Up Close I loved the flavor combination of the chicken and doughnuts, and I appreciated that the syrup could be used to dunk the doughnuts in, drizzle over the chicken, or both. This is in the same ballpark as chicken and waffles, but slightly better, I think. Doughnuts — Up Close Maple Syrup — Up Close If you’re wondering, KC Greens are Collared Greens and Braised Kale and topped off with shaved Onion. They were incredible, and I think it’s fantastic to have this true nod to Southern flavor on the menu. You can also get them as a side. KC Greens — Up Close Speaking of sides, we had t get a few of those as well. First up — the Iron Skillet Sweet Potatoes with Caramelized Cane Sugar. Iron Skillet Sweet Potatoes These were perfectly prepared in their simplicity. I personally would like a little contrasting flavor — some smoked paprika or a salt and pepper counterpoint maybe — but they were delicious, and nearly as much dessert as side dish. Iron Skillet Sweet Potatoes — Up Close But with a dish called Momma’s Mac and Cheese on the menu…well. You know we’re not passing that one up. Momma’s Mac and Cheese A crunchy topping covers the whole thing. No sprinkle of breadcrumbs here, thankyouverymuch. Momma’s Mac and Cheese — Up Close But inside, there’s a creamy, dreamy mac and cheese, with tons of rich flavor. I love the consistency here — totally smooth and saucy. This is comfort food at its finest. Momma’s Mac and Cheese — Inside You’d think we might have been tempted to skip dessert. But nope! The sweets team features lots of flavors that you might expect to see at a potluck or a family reunion picnic. Except even better. Dessert Menu — Click to Enlarge We started with the Hummingbird Cake, a Chef Art specialty. It was served at Maya Angelou’s 75th birthday as well as Lady Gaga’s 25th and Chef is very excited to have it on the menu. Hummingbird Cake The presentation is pure nostalgia: a large slice of Pineapple-Banana Cake is covered with Cream Cheese Frosting. A scoop of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream comes nestled alongside, and there’s a drizzle of Berry Coulis on the plate. I loved everything about the moist cake and buttery icing. It was a great combo, without being too rich. And it reminded me: why am I not eating more cake?? Hummingbird Cake — Up Close We were also anxious to try the Shine Cake. It may look like a humble slice of Bundt Cake, but there’s more happening here. This is an Adult-only dessert — because the rich butter cake is actually soaked in a Moonshine Syrup! Like the Hummingbird Cake, the Shine Cake comes with a side of Vanilla Bean Ice Cream as well. Shine Cake I personally couldn’t taste the moonshine. So if you’re hesitant to order this because of the alcohol flavor, don’t be. The flavors were very simple but also delicious. It was definitely the lighter of the two desserts we initially tried. Shine Cake — Up Close But on our follow up visit, we also had the chance to try a seasonal offering — Hamilton Pecan Pie. According to the menu, the pie — more like a tart, with its delicate and thinner construction — is a 100 year-old family recipe. It was studded with Chocolate Chips, which is always a plus when it comes to Pecan Pie, IMO. Hamilton County Pecan Pie I loved the obviously house-made pastry, and the ice cream broke up the candy sweetness nicely. This is a solid version of a classic dish. Hamilton County Pecan Pie — Bite What an amazing meal! But there’s one other little anecdote to share with you. Chef Art himself was on hand for throughout opening week, greeting guests and overseeing the experience for everyone. We had the chance to chat with him a few times, and it seems like he will very much be calling this part of the world home going forward. Chef Art Smith Discussing Some of the Menu Items Having the chance to talk with him a little made it clear that he’s warm and passionate, and wants nothing more than to share stories and the love of food with his guests. Chef Art Smith, Greeting Guests While talking to him on opening day, we mentioned that we really loved the Homemade Hot Sauce on our table. It turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the meal! It reminded me almost of a slightly sweet Sriracha — spicy but not so much that it detracts from the flavor of whatever you’re eating. Plate, Cool Napkins, Copper Touches, and Killer Hot Sauce When I told Chef Art he needs to start bottling and selling it — he disappeared and came back with my own bottle to take home! It totally made my day! Overall There was nothing that we didn’t love about Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine. Seriously. I think that this place is going to be the heart and soul of Disney Springs. Yes, it’s pricey. But if you look across the board, that seems to be a trend at Disney these days. So I’m not sure it’s really out of line for what you’d pay at other resorts, or in a metropolitan area. And do keep in mind — they accept the Disney Dining Plan, and are considered a one table service credit spot. As for advance dining reservations, Disney has said that they’ll begin taking requests for seatings after August 15 sometime soon. I envision comfortable times with close friends, taking in the Florida feeling of this place. Because he’s captured that — that crossroads between Southern and Almost Tropical that is the Sunshine State. And with pride of place at an all time high, it’s nice to see Florida so lovingly represented. Will you be dining at Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine in the near future? Let us know in comments below! Contributing to this post: Tina, Brooke, and AJ Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Menu Sneak Peek for Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine by Chef Art Smith Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar, Coming Soon to Disney Springs First Look! Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming Florida Kitchen in Disney Springs View the full article

Happy Sunday! Can you believe that it is already the end of July? Summer is rushing by … but that just means we’re getting closer to the start of the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Side Dishes — Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, and Gravy This week we’re celebrating the grand launch of the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Snacks 2016! To celebrate the launch of the e-book use the code SNACKS16 to get 20% off the cover price! We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We have a first look and review of the new AbracadaBar at Disney’s BoardWalk! Liberty Tree Tavern at the Magic Kingdom debuted a new menu and we checked it out! Check out the 3 reasons to take your kids to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Flying Fish is reopening August 3 at Disney’s BoardWalk! Captain Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has some new menu items. Check out our review of new items at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom. We’re celebrating the grand launch of the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Snacks 2016 e-book! Check out all the latest Disney Food News — even the stuff we don’t mention in posts on the blog! — on our Disney Food News Pin Board, including menu updates, restaurant closures, special events, and more! We’ve got all the latest for you, so check it out before you go. DFB Reader Finds If you find a fun new food — or other edible awesomeness — in or about Disney, share a photo with us on facebook or twitter so we can add it to our DFB Reader Finds each Sunday! It’s no secret how much we love the sundaes at Beaches and Cream and recently DFB fan Glenn shared a photo of his dessert from the soda shop! That’s our kind of dessert for sure! Dessert perfection at Beaches and Cream! The Indian Bread Service at Sanaa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is always a highlight of a meal there. Our friends at We Love Orlando recently recreated the bread service at home! What a brilliant and delicious idea! This looks delicious! Do you have a favorite Disney Food find? Share your photos with us! DFB Readers #OnTheList Suggestions As part of our new #OnTheList series we’ll be sharing weekly some of our readers’ suggestions for what they would add to the Disney Food bucket list! Check out our #OnTheList page to see what’s on OUR Disney Food Bucket List! Deal of the Week: 20% Off the DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival with code Chefs16 With more than 250 pages of new information for 2016, the DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food and Wine Festival has everything covered to ensure that you have your absolute best Food and Wine Festival yet! And to celebrate our grand launch, we’re offering 20% off the cover price! Just use discount code Chefs16 at check-out to secure your savings! The DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival e-Book features all the info you need to know about this year’s events, from what’s NEW, to brand new touring strategies — created with this year’s special events in mind! The DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival includes customized bonus items that surpass any other Food & Wine Festival coverage that’s out there. These include: A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival — this is the only place you’ll find this schedule anywhere! A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival Themed World Showcase booth crawls, including “Fun Eats for the Kids,” the “Carnivore Crawl,” the “Continent Crawl,” and so many more! Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, and even one to celebrate the TV Show The Chew! A chapter dedicated to all “New for 2016″ events, menu items, booths, and more Full food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favorites Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes Top tips on how to use MyMagic+ and the Disney Dining Plan at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival And more! Whether this is your first festival or your 21st, you’ll appreciate knowing what you are getting before spending time and vacation dollars. And no matter what you want do — sample wine, explore the world’s beers, taste something you’ve never tried before, or find your next favorite dessert — The DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is the perfect resource for navigating the biggest Epcot Food and Wine Festival ever. And we’re so excited to share it with you that in celebration of the grand launch, we’re offering 20% off the purchase price! Order your copy now for only $11.96 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code Chefs at the check-out. Remember, with a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! On to the Round-Up! Mickey Fix found this super cute R2-D2 Ceramic Tea Pot. Disney Parks Blog shared some behind-the-scenes information about Tiffins in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Disney Style shared their top 15 picks for Disney-inspired mugs! This Momma Cooks shared some super-cute ‘Finding Dory’-inspired recipes! My Crazy Good Life shared a recipe for a Dole Whip Margarita! Disney Family shared a great summer recipe for Mickey Mouse Beach Cupcakes. Have a great week! We’ll see you back here tomorrow with another great Disney food review! 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 Food Post Round-Up: July 17, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 24, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: July 3, 2016 View the full article

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Walt Disney Co. a patent for a new type of technology: A system that can track theme-park guests through their feet. The company says that there are no immediate plans to use such a system. This project is part of Disney's ongoing innovative research... View the full article

This week, we shared exciting news that the Disneyland Railroad and Rivers of America will reopen summer 2017 at Disneyland park. This includes all attractions along the Rivers of America: “Fantasmic!” Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes As Erin shared, history will be made next year on the Rivers of America with a new riverbank and an elevated trestle over which the iconic Disneyland Railroad will travel. Visit our original story for more details. And Disney Parks Blog readers were among the first to learn that the Muppets will be visiting Magic Kingdom Park, where they’ll take part in an all-new live show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History.” Featuring an original song and plenty of wacky Muppets humor, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History” will make its debut in October 2016. Visit Shawn’s original story for more information on the show. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. Walt Disney Records Teams Up with runDisney to Create Training Playlists – I’m excited to introduce a new way to get prepared for your next runDisney race – themed running playlists! We’ve teamed up with Walt Disney Records to compile songs for Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend, Super Heroes Half Marathon Weekend and Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend. Enter The Disney Family Movies Land & Sea Sweepstakes Now Through August 1 – Are you dreaming of a family getaway? Then you don’t want to miss this opportunity – The Disney Family Movies Land & Sea Sweepstakes. You can enter now through August 1, 2016, for your chance to win a four-night cruise aboard Disney Cruise Line and a three-night stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. Inaugural Disneyland Paris – Val d’Europe Half Marathon Weekend Medal Reveal – Bonjour from runDisney! We’re less than 80 days from the inaugural Disneyland Paris Half Marathon Weekend and couldn’t be more excited! This fairytale event will take place September 23-25, and we have four brand new medal designs to share. A Fabulous 45th: The Walt Disney World Railroad – As Magic Kingdom Park’s 45th anniversary approaches this fall, this new weekly series will take a look at one of the park’s opening day attractions that can still be enjoyed today. This week, we’ll focus on the Walt Disney World Railroad. August 2016 Walt Disney World Resort Merchandise Event Snapshot – Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort in August will find several merchandise events. These special activities will be held in select locations throughout Disney Springs Marketplace and Epcot. Disney Pin Scavenger Hunt Starts at Disneyland Park on August 4, 2016 – Get ready for fun, adventure and a little bit of magic at Disneyland park with the release of a pin scavenger hunt called “Disney PinQuest.” You may recall a few weeks ago that we introduced a similar Disney PinQuest at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Guests at the Happiest Place on Earth can enjoy this new Disney pin adventure beginning August 4, 2016. View the full article

This week, one of the most exciting images we shared on the Disney Parks Blog was of the Muppets – specifically this shot of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy. It was all part of the announcement that an all-new live show, “The Muppets Present… Great Moments in American History,” will soon make it’s way to Magic Kingdom Park here at Walt Disney World Resort. Aside from Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy, the show will star favorite Muppet friends, including Sam Eagle, Fozzie Bear, The Great Gonzo and James Jefferson the town crier of Liberty Square. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for more updates on this fun show! View the full article

Tucked away towards the back of Epcot’s France Pavilion is one of our favorite spots for French pastries, sandwiches and specialty items. Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion And on our last visit to Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion we noticed a menu item that seems like a combination of two of our favorite things: delicious croissants and breakfast! Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie Menu Under the Specialties Section of the menu is the Croissant Salé! Croissant Salé The bread portion of this sandwich is a full and large croissant, which as always is buttery and flakey. Croissant Salé We asked to have ours toasted, but the sandwich can be served cold if preferred. Toasted Croissant The croissant is sliced in half and inside is Swiss cheese, egg and three slices of bacon. Cheese, Egg & Bacon I’m not a huge fan of these egg patties in general, but this was actually just fine…especially with the added goodies on top. Croissant Salé Cross-Section And this yummy item is available all day, so you breakfast for dinner folks are all set! And remember, Les Halles is one of only two counter service spots open for breakfast in the World Showcase at 9AM. Another delicious item to enjoy in the beautiful France Pavilion! Croissant Salé in the Beautiful France Pavilion! Don’t Miss Out on the ALL the Best Snacks Walt Disney World Has to Offer! One of our most popular Bundles, the DFB Guide & Snacks Bundle will prepare you for anything and everything snack-related under the Disney Sun! This money-saving bundle includes all of the following, fully updated for 2016: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition The DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks The DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks Offering this handy group of books as a bundle allows us to pass on deep savings to you. You can get the entire collection for only $39.95 — that’s almost 40% off the individual cover prices! 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? Just looking for all the Snacks in Epcot? Then check out our DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks, newly updated for your 2016-17 trip! With over 340 Epcot snacks, and over 60 NEW snacks, you’ll always be in the know! And for a limited time only, we are offering the Guide for 25% off! To secure the discount, use code Epcot16 at check-out. What is your go-to item to enjoy from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie? Let us know in the comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Recipe: Mousse au Chocolat from Boulangerie Patisserie Les Halles Snack Series: The Macarons Collection from Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Review: The New Napoleon at Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France View the full article

Get ready for fun, adventure and a little bit of magic at Disneyland park with the release of a pin scavenger hunt called “Disney PinQuest.” You may recall a few weeks ago that we introduced a similar Disney PinQuest at Magic Kingdom Park in Florida. Guests at the Happiest Place on Earth can enjoy this new Disney pin adventure beginning August 4, 2016. Below are details how to get started on this fun activity for the whole family. Guests should first purchase an adventure kit. This item contains a lanyard to showcase pins; a decoder medal for use with PinQuest pins; and a lanyard pouch to hold the Disneyland park map included in the adventure kit. The lanyard pouch also holds PinQuest clue cards, which are sold separately. There are six different PinQuest clue cards. Each clue card has a question that needs answered and shared with a NavigatEAR cast member in a particular location. Once solved, you can redeem the clue card for a PinQuest pin using the perforated ticket on the bottom of the clue card. Continue the hunt by using the decoder medal from the adventure kit. Line up the arrows for each pin to determine your next destination within Disneyland park. After purchasing all six clue cards and receiving stamps and pins from each participating location, guests can return to any designated PinQuest location for the final step. The participating locations include: Frontierland – Westward Ho Trading Co. Main Street, U.S.A. – 20th Century Music Company Fantasyland – “it’s a small world” Toy Shop Critter Country – Pooh Corner Tomorrowland – Little Green Men Store Command New Orleans Square – The Pieces of Eight Shop At those locations, guests who have completed the entire Disneyland PinQuest are eligible to purchase a QuestEAR pin completer pin (shown above). All items for this PinQuest are available while supplies last. These items will not be sold via the Disney Parks online store or Shop Disney Parks app. You’ll need separate admission to Disneyland park in order to participate. Good luck and happy trading, QuestEARs! View the full article

This month, Adventures by Disney kicked off its first-ever European river cruises, sailing the Danube. These river cruises take guests off the beaten path in search of the culture, art and unique stories intrinsic to each city and town visited. There’s something for every member of the family, from watching the Budapest skyline come alive at night in Hungary and exploring a castle in Bratislava to taking a traditional Austrian folk dancing lesson and walking along the treetops in Germany. Check out this video to see what travelers on the very first Adventures by Disney Danube River Cruise had to say about this unforgettable experience! View the full article

Hey, Disneylanders! Who’s up for spending an evening in Tomorrowland, taking in a lively performance by a great band? If that sounds like music to your ears, then I’ve got exciting news for you! Live music is returning to the stage at Tomorrowland Terrace. Guest favorites such as 80z All Stars, Scot Bruce, Suburban Legends and more will be performing on weekends, Friday through Sunday, beginning August 6 for a limited time. Different bands will appear from day to day. Be sure to check the entertainment schedule before your visit. So grab a bite and take a seat – or better yet, hit the dance floor – and enjoy some cool music under the moonlight at Disneyland park. View the full article

With all the restaurants and retail locations Disney Springs has opened in the last year, is it really possible there are still at least a dozen more to come? It is, and here's a list: Blaze Pizza: A counter service pizza place with a make-your-own hook akin to Panera and Subway, this restaurant... View the full article

There’s nothing like being outdoors. One of the happiest memories of my childhood with my grandparents and family was when we were out in nature. Life seems to have a different pace, specially if you are on vacation, right? And incredibly enough right here at Walt Disney World Resort you can experience a magical grand adventure at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. Check out the beautiful surroundings and fun family day on this video, and please share your happiest outdoors childhood memories with us! View the full article

After lots of fun research and delicious taste-testing, we’re happy to announce that the 2016 DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book is now available! And to help us celebrate, you can get the new Guide for 20% off the regular purchase price for a limited time — just use code SNACKS16 at the check-out! With over 380 pages of tempting snacks, the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks is part of our DFB Guide Snacks Series! As always, you will enjoy an instantly downloadable PDF guide with comprehensive information and advice on well over 340 delicious snacks that you can enjoy at the Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios parks in the Walt Disney World resort. The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book includes: Full-color photos of over 340 of our favorite snacks Over 380 pages of great information, tips, and insider info Current prices and Disney Dining Plan snack credit status Disney Food Blog reviews of all snacks Special Bonus items you’re going to love! (Of course…how could we not include these?!) Know what you’re getting BEFORE using a precious snack credit or spending limited vacation dollars. Whether you want sweet, salty, crunchy, healthy, or something in between, The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book tells you where to find a snack to match your craving! Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or tablet! Get Yours At a Discounted Price for a Limited Time! To honor the grand launch and to thank you for your support of the blog, we’ll be offering the brand new Guide for $3 off its standard rate for a limited time! Order your copy now for only $11.95 (regularly $14.95). To secure the discount, use code SNACKS16 at the check-out. Or Bundle For Even More Savings! Headed to Disney World and want the whole scoop on snacks? Bundle four of our most popular Disney Dining Guides and SAVE! Pick up our DFB Guide and Snacks Bundle for over 40% off the cover prices! This includes our critically acclaimed DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and DFB Guide to Epcot Snacks along with the brand new DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks. All editions have been updated for 2016! What do our readers say? Let me first say I made the best purchase two weeks ago when I bought the “DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining!” This is our family’s third visit to Disney World and…usually my family puts all the decisions for planning meals and where we are going all on me, but with this book everyone is much more excited in helping plan OUR Disney Vacation. THANKS!!!! –Margaret R. I just bought all the books. I was worried about the downloads because I’m not computer savvy, but it was so easy and fast, and now it’s in my Itunes. I’m really excited to snack my way around the World. Thanks so much. –Cyan M. My husband and I just returned from a wonderful 9 day trip to Disney World. I wanted to say a big, heartfelt THANK YOU! The Disney Food Blog made our trip perfect, food wise. Your book gave us further information in a very organized manner, which proved to be very helpful. –Lisa C. Check out how you can have the best Disney vacation ever…and pay even less! With a 100% money-back guarantee on all of our guides, you have nothing to lose! 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: Grand Launch! DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks 2015 Grand Launch! 2014 DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks E-Book Grand Launch! The DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom & Hollywood Studios Snacks e-Book View the full article

Have you seen the new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks at Disney’s Hollywood Studios yet? This amazing show uses the latest projection effects, lighting, lasers and pyrotechnics to light up the sky, Star Wars style. The nightly show puts guests in the middle of the action as they gaze upon Tatooine’s famous twin suns, fight through an army of Trade Federation battle droids, navigate a swirling asteroid field, rocket down the Death Star’s narrow trench and deliver a heroic final blow to Starkiller Base. View the full article

Who’s up for a little retro-futuristic dining at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe? Learn About: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Magic Kingdom Disney World Restaurants Cosmic Ray’s remains your best Magic Kingdom bet for Counter Service staples like Bacon Cheeseburgers and Chicken Breast Nuggets (especially since the Mexican fare menu revamp at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe that took place last fall). It’s your basic go-to when you’re looking for a menu that’s bound to have something that will appeal to just about everyone in your traveling party. Even so, that doesn’t mean Cosmic Ray’s can’t change things up from time to time, as evidenced by a few new menu items we spotted recently and thought we’d check out with our review today. And even if they didn’t alter their menu as extensively as the nearby Tomorrowland Terrace recently did, we’ll take pretty much any excuse to pay a visit to our old pal, Sonny Eclipse! Sonny Eclipse entertains at Cosmic Ray’s Now that we’ve said “Hello” to Sonny, let’s check out what else is happening at the Starlight Cafe… Atmosphere There are three elements that are key to setting the vibe at Cosmic Ray’s. One is the general color scheme of silver, purple and teal that is commonplace throughout Tomorrowland. Cosmic Ray’s Sign Seating Inside Cosmic Ray’s Second: the stage show by the one and only Sonny Eclipse! He provides some swingin’ alien lounge tunes to accompany your meal. Cosmic Ray’s Seating — and Sonny Eclipse! And finally, Comic Ray’s has its own unique Bay system. While most Counter Service spots in the parks have one primary menu and ordering area, Cosmic Ray’s features three different ordering Bays, with some variation as to what they serve. Ordering Area at Cosmic Rays — Bay 1 Ordering Area at Cosmic Rays — Bay 3 And while we’re on that topic… Eats The Bay system is referenced on the handout menus that you often receive from a Cast Member upon entering, saving you a little time visiting each area to find out which serves what. Bay 1 offers primarily Chicken entrees (you gotta love the 1/2 Rotisserie Chicken and the return of the 1/2 Rotisserie Chicken and Ribs Combo). On our last visit there was not really any variation between Bays 2 and 3, where you can find Burgers (including a Veggie version), Hot Dogs, a Greek Salad, and the same Barbecued Pork Sandwich that Bay 1 serves. Cosmic Ray’s Menu The new arrivals are, essentially, twists on already-existing classics: you’ll find the new Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger at all three Bays, and the Bacon Cheddar Dog at Bays 2 and 3. Finally, the Greek Salad is now served with Chicken (though it can still be ordered without chicken by request, which will lower the price to $10.29). Check out the back of the menu to find beverages, desserts, and Kids’ Meals. Cosmic Ray’s Menu Stepping up to Bay 2 to place my order, I became pretty excited when I spotted this sign by the registers… Cheese Dip Add On But sadly, this is not the return of plastic cheese (not yet, anyway… find out more of the current status of plastic cheese by checking out our recent review of The Plaza Restaurant). It’s the same side of Ortega cheese that you can find served along with the Mickey Pretzels throughout the park. Ortega Cheese Dip Ortega Cheese Dip Before digging in, you’ll want to know about the Toppings Bar, which is important to note since — due to the unique setup at Cosmic Ray’s — it doesn’t have the same kind of center-of-the-room prominence as the better known Fixins’ Bar at Pecos Bill’s. You could accidentally bypass it, and then you’d miss the chance to top your entree with shredded lettuce, sliced tomatoes, and pickles for the cold selections. Fixins’ Bar Shredded Lettuce Sliced Tomatoes Sliced Pickles Which admittedly aren’t quite as interesting as the hot selections, which include sautéed onions and sautéed mushrooms. Sautéed Onions Sautéed Mushrooms As expected, there’s also plenty of the basics: ketchup, yellow mustard and mayo. Yellow Mustard, Ketchup and Mayo You could add any of those to the new Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog, even though it’s fairly well stacked already. Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog French Fries automatically come with the Hot Dog, served on the side in their own paper boat. Side of Fries With lots of bacon (real, not bacon bits) and cheese, it’s hard to go wrong with a classic combo like this. Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog Though personally, I think I would’ve enjoyed it more if the shredded cheese had been melted. Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog Closeup Bacon Cheddar Hot Dog Cross-Section The Greek Salad — pretty unique to Cosmic Ray’s — now comes with Chicken (as mentioned, though, just say the word to the Cast Member taking your order if you’d prefer it without meat). Greek Salad with Chicken This one’s a true entree-sized salad. It’s HUGE — especially with the large piece of baked chicken on top. Baked Chicken on the Greek Salad I thought the chicken had some really nice seasoning to it. Chicken Cross-Section But it was the fresh veggies that stood out to me the most, including the unexpected (for a Greek Salad) pico de gallo. Pico de Gallo And I really enjoyed the kalamata olives and sliced mild banana peppers.. Kalamata Olives … along with lots of feta cheese. Sliced Mild Banana Peppers and Feta Cheese The Greek Salad at Cosmic Ray’s is — I think — an underrated, little known dish. Mine was very fresh and flavorful, especially thanks to the pico de gallo and banana pepper adding a hint of spiciness. Even so, we just had to try the new Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger for a complete 180, which comes with your choice of French Fries or green beans. Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger Following the trend of other meat-topped-meat options (like the Electric Umbrella’s French Dip Burger or the Honey Barbecued Beef Brisket Burger at The Plaza), this sandwich is ENORMOUS. Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger It’s topped with a massive amount of shredded pork, three pieces of bacon, and cheese (which you maaaay have guessed based on its name, Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger ). The pork lends some great barbecued flavor without being too overwhelming, allowing the beef and bacon to make their presence known in the flavors as well. Shredded Barbecued Pork Again, this is simply a LOT of food, so if you have more than one member in your group interested in trying this burger I would really recommend sharing, especially when you have a long day in the parks ahead of you! Barbecued Pork Bacon Cheeseburger Cross-Section If, after sharing, you still have room, you could always fill up with a Dole Whip, Citrus Swirl, Mickey Caramel Apple, or Iced Coffee Float. You can thank me for the idea later… Overall Though the new menu items at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe may not be wildly inventive, it’s still fun to find a change-up to the classics every now and then — especially when you’re trying to please a large group but still hoping to find something a little bit outside the norm. Come for the classics, stay for Sonny… overall not a bad visit to Cosmic Ray’s! Oh, and if the green beans are available as a side item here, get them! They’re SOOO good! Will you be trying any of the new items on your next visit to Cosmic Ray’s? Let us know in the comments below! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe at Magic Kingdom Guest Review: Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe in the Magic Kingdom Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe Installs Electronic Menu Boards View the full article

Diners can start making reservations for Flying Fish on Disney’s BoardWalk on July 29. The restaurant will be open for dining on Aug. 3. It closed in January for a “major reimagining,” according to the Disney Parks Blog. Flying Fish now boasts a new menu from Chef Tim Majoras as well as an interior... View the full article