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The Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen opened in late 2015 in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom, serving up exotic dishes and Jungle Cruise Skipper humor on the side! One of the fan-favorite items on the menu is the S.E.A. Shu Mai, described as “legendary” dumplings that were also apparently a favorite of the Society of Explorers and Adventurers (S.E.A.). And now we’re able to re-create these delicious dumplings at home! S.E.A. Shu Mai Dumpling You’ll need a meat grinder or food processor for this recipe but the combining of the meat looks to be the most time-consuming part of the recipe! Skipper Canteen’s S.E.A. Shu Mai Jungle Cruise Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen Shu Mai Filling 1/2 pound Boston butt, cut into 2-inch cubes 1/4 pound shrimp pieces 1/4 cup water chestnuts 2 tablespoons chopped shallots 2 tablespoons mung beans or edamame 1/4 cup tightly packed arugula 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce 1/2 teaspoon Sriracha 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 16 wonton wrappers Dipping Sauce 1/4 cup lower sodium soy sauce 1 tablespoon sambal oelek For Shu Mai 1. Grind Boston butt, shrimp, water chestnuts, shallots, mung beans, arugula, fish sauce, Sriracha, coarse salt, and black pepper in a meat grinder or food processor. 2. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. 3. Fold the sides of the wonton wrapper up and gently crimp, leaving the top of the meat exposed. 4. Steam in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water for 8-10 minutes, until center of shu mai reaches 145°F. For Dipping Sauce 1. Combine lower sodium soy sauce and sambal oelek. 2. Serve with shu mai. Will you be cooking up these dumplings? Let us know in the comments! Disney Food Blog Fans, be sure to check out our DFB Disney World Dining Guide e-Books! Find great deals at DFBStore.com! Also, come on over and: Subscribe to our Newsletter Follow us on Twitter Become a Facebook Fan Related posts: First Look! Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen Restaurant in Disney World! (Yep — the Jungle Cruise Restaurant!) FULL Review: The New Jungle Navigation Co., Ltd. Skipper Canteen in Disney World’s Adventureland News! Jungle Cruise Restaurant — Skipper Canteen — Officially Coming to Disney World! View the full article

Our voyages in Europe this summer have been giving Disney cruisers a look at stunning scenery, rich culture and amazing history in destinations throughout Norway, Iceland, the Baltic and the British Isles. Later this month, the Disney Magic will travel to Barcelona to kick off sun-soaked adventures in Spain, Italy and France. In my next blog series, I’ll give you a look at shore excursions in the Mediterranean, starting today with Palermo – the capital of the Italian island of Sicily. Boat Ride to Zingaro Park – The ultimate destination on this Port Adventure is the picturesque Zingaro Nature Reserve for swimming in Cala Marinella Cove. But the journey is just as exciting as the destination, with some of the most breathtaking views Sicily has to offer. After a drive through rolling hills with vineyards and olive trees, you’ll sail along the coast, discovering ancient villages, stunning bays and sandy beaches. Your afternoon concludes with a visit to the seaside resort village of San Vito Lo Capo for a traditional southern Italian lunch and free time to stroll the charming town. A Day on the Farm – Another family-friendly adventure gives you the opportunity for a unique cultural experience at a Sicilian farm. You’ll learn how to make Italian bread, process cheese and milk cows during interactive demonstrations that allow children to participate. Your visit to Villa Dafne also includes a traditional Sicilian lunch and free time to wander the scenic farmland or go for a refreshing dip in the pool. Erice and Segesta – The first stop on this tour of ancient cities is Segesta, which reportedly was founded more than 2,500 years ago. Here you’ll explore stunning 5th-century structures including an amazingly preserved temple and an equally impressive theater. Next up, you’ll travel to Trapani to ascend high in the sky aboard a cable car to the Sicilian town of Erice. This medieval village offers sweeping views of Trapani and the Aegadian Islands. Following a walking tour through the narrow cobblestone lanes, you’ll enjoy a traditional southern Italian lunch overlooking the picturesque gulf. Stay tuned for my next post about Port Adventures in Olbia, Italy. Remember, when the ship’s in port, venture ashore! View the full article

In this episode of “Inside Disney Parks,” we take a look at the newest Disney Parks experiences – from the grand debut of Shanghai Disney Resort in China to the openings of Frozen Ever After and Soarin’ Around The World at Epcot. We’ll also take a peek inside the spectacular new fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the new stage show at Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort. Enjoy! View the full article

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” is now in theaters, and treats inspired by the film are available across property, including this adorable Dory Character Apple at the Candy Cauldron. According to our buddy, “Confectioner Matt,” this adorable white-and- dark chocolate apple treat has been flying off of shelves since its debut. We’ve got the step-by-step directions on how you can make this charming treat at home. Here’s what you’ll need: one Granny Smith apple, one candy apple stick, two marshmallows, melted caramel (any online recipe will do), melted white chocolate, a tiny bit of melted dark chocolate, blue and yellow granulated sugar, two large white chocolate chips and two chocolate M&Ms. Check out the tutorial with Confectioner Matt below. Check out our other Disney Character Apple Tutorials below. DIY Apples With Character: Minnie Mouse DIY Apples With Character: Mickey Mouse Valentine’s DIY: Make Disney Bride & Groom Candy Apples from Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

Disney fans, today is your lucky day! A brand new collection of Oswald the Lucky Rabbit-themed merchandise has debuted at Disney California Adventure park. The vintage style Oswald artwork is appearing on adult and youth tees, a bowling shirt, fleece and track jacket, as well as a backpack, mug, toothpick holder, key chain, magnet, tin sign and open edition pin. Keep in mind you will find some items in store now and others debuting throughout the summer months. Debuting alongside this new collection are a few pieces inspired by Ortensia, Oswald’s cute feline companion, who first appeared in 1927 animated short “The Banker Daughter” and more recently in the “Epic Mickey” video games. Ortensia is making her debut on several new items including ladies and youth fashion tees and an open edition pin. She’ll also be appearing soon as part of a limited edition Vinylmation Oswald and Ortensia Eachez set, which will be available beginning in late August. Finally, it won’t surprise you that I’ve picked this item as a soon-to-be favorite among Disney fans. The Ortensia headband is the purr-fect fit for summer time! Find all of these items and more on Buena Vista Street at Disney California Adventure park! Which item are you most excited about from these new collections? View the full article

"I Wish" - Fall Vacation | Walt Disney World Resort View the full article

In this week’s “Disney Doodle,” artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Ray the Firefly from “The Princess and the Frog” would do if he had a chance to visit a Disney theme park. In the film, stargazing Ray is in love with the Evening Star whom he believes is the spirit of his former firefly love, Evangeline. Looks like his love is still going strong, perched upon the top of Spaceship Earth at Epcot. View the full article

SeaWorld's Mako roller coaster, Universal's Portofino Bay Hotel and Victoria & Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort were the Orlando-area winners in this year's Theme Park Insider Awards. Mako, the shark-inspired thrill ride that debuted last month, was tabbed as best new roller coaster... View the full article

I love popcorn! There’s something magical when listening to the air popper I have at home “pop, pop, pop” a fresh batch. I find the same enjoyment when watching fresh popcorn is made at places like Karamell-Küche in Germany Pavilion at Epcot. Recently, the Consumables team at Disney Parks Merchandise introduced several new flavors of pre-packaged popcorn to their Main Street Popcorn Company line. I spoke with merchandiser Patrice Guy to learn about these delicious additions. “They are really yummy,” exclaimed Patrice when I asked her about the new popcorn flavors. “This is the first time since the Main Street Popcorn Company line was introduced that we’ve done a complete packaging update to the program. We also have several new and unique flavors that complement traditional flavors our guests love.” The first thing I noticed when visiting Main Street Confectionary at Magic Kingdom Park was the updated graphics provided by Disney Design Group. The vintage Mickey Mouse artwork was created by artist Jeff Granito who you may recall also designed some of the upcoming Magic Kingdom 45th Anniversary artwork. Guests will continue finding traditional popcorn flavors such as caramel, kettle corn, cheddar or confetti. New popcorn flavors include Siracha kettle corn, parmesan garlic, kettle corn with red alaea salt, truffle, churro and maple bacon. “Overall, the most popular new flavor is maple bacon,” continued Patrice. “At Disneyland Resort, guests love the churro-flavored popcorn. Sweet flavors continue to be extremely popular in the marketplace. We’ve also seen an increase of savory flavors in the market, so we added some options like Siracha kettle corn.” The Main Street Popcorn Company line is carried in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. I’d love to hear about your favorite popcorn flavor. Please share in the comments below. View the full article

Watch Live: Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky | Walt Disney World View the full article

Summer is here, and there is SO much coming into the world of Disney Food! Can you believe all that’s happening at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? We are so excited about all of the new counter service eats and snacks that seem to be popping up daily! Tiffins Restaurant and Nomad Lounge, Animal Kingdom’s first foray into signature dining, will open soon. And with the beginning of Rivers of Light (and the rumor of Dinner Packages), we know that there’s plenty of new stuff to come in the next couple of months. In addition, Disney Springs continues to be a hotbed of activity — Cupcake ATM, anyone??? And we’re watching everyday for updates to Star Wars and Toy Story Lands at Hollywood Studios. It’s a lot to keep straight!! So aren’t you glad we’re here to bring you all the Disney Food News First? But AJ — I read Disney Food Blog daily. Do I really need to subscribe, too? For sure! Here’s why: there’s SO much happening at Disney. And sometimes, especially when it comes to breaking news like Free Dining Offers or Brand New Restaurants or Special Events, it’s important to get the news as soon as possible. And that’s where the DFB Newsletter comes in. Covering all that’s happening at all of the Disney Parks is a big assignment. So we offer even more Disney Food News to you via our Newsletter. There’s no seeking out the news, because we deliver it straight to your inbox! If you love Disney Food, then you’ll definitely want to check out our Newsletter. We’ll send it to you brimming with all kinds of exclusive content and tons of full-color photographs. Star Wars Cupcake! And when there’s something super special to report, we bring the news to you! Our Newsletter community is also the first to hear announcements of special offers and events, like DFB Guide Discounts and Snack Attack announcements. Join today for FREE and you’ll receive an email from me welcoming you onboard. Then stay tuned for more DFB goodies! 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: Join the DFB Newsletter and Get Ready for Your Best Disney Trip Yet! Join the DFB Newsletter for All the Breaking News First! Don’t Miss a Moment of the Disney Food Fun — Join the DFB Newsletter Today! View the full article

Happy Independence Day! Join us tonight for our next #DisneyParksLIVE stream, in which we’ll bring you “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” live from Magic Kingdom Park. Our live stream will begin at 8:50 p.m. ET. Join us minutes before the fireworks start to learn more about firework spectaculars at the Walt Disney World Resort. In the meantime, tell us what lovely state you’re watching from and who you’re watching with! View the full article

Frontera Cocina is the latest Table Service addition to the Disney Springs dining scene! Learn About: Frontera Cocina Downtown Disney Disney World Restaurants Frontera Cocina is headed by Celebrity Chef Rick Bayless. It’s located in the Town Center of Disney Springs, which still has a few eateries on the way throughout the summer; among them, Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine and Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza. Chef Bayless may be best known as the host of the PBS show “Mexico—One Plate at a Time” (though he has received numerous accolades throughout his career), and Frontera Cocina likewise showcases authentic Mexican cuisine. You’ll find Frontera Cocina right across from Sprinkles (though, since Sprinkles is still new itself, more familiar landmarks are seen just across the walking bridge — spots like Raglan Road and Morimoto Asia). Frontera Cocina Now that we know where it is, let’s step inside… Door handles at Frontera Cocina …for our first visit to Frontera Cocina! Atmosphere Frontera Cocina stands out a bit from the rest of its Town Center neighbors. While most of the surrounding retail spots feature “Mediterranean Revival” architecture, Frontera Cocina’s outdoor color scheme is gray with splashes of red, complete with lots of windows to convey a more modern feel. Frontera Cocina Upon stepping inside, the decor changes. Though it still relies on clean lines, bright pops of color become another hallmark. Main dining area, to the right upon entering Main dining area, to the left upon entering It’s this somewhat minimalist approach that really helps the eye focus on a few more striking features like the bright chandelier in the front dining room. Chandelier Chandelier It also helps direct some of your attention to the open kitchen, where you can watch the busy chefs (yep, Frontera Cocina is already hoppin’!) preparing the plates. Open Kitchen Open Kitchen Another fun element of the decor can be found all over the restaurant: you’ll spy bottles — primarily Tequila — just about everywhere, including all along what’s referred to as the “Wall of Fame” in the main dining room. The Wall of Fame More bottles near the entrance of Frontera Cocina While the majority of the seating is in this main area, there is a small dining area in the middle of the restaurant, situated under unique blue lighting fixtures. Middle dining area Lighting over the middle dining area The final portion of the indoor seating features the bar (which is brightly lit underneath the counter), which is surrounded by further table seating. Bar area Further Seating Bar Area table for large party The altogether effect indoors is simple and clean, but still comfortable and approachable. It’s also interesting to see how the overall simplicity plays a nice contrast to the bustling Town Center, which you can see from the windows that line much of the restaurant. View of Disney Springs Stepping outside, the outdoor patio is small and tables are basic, but that doesn’t mean it’s not a lovely space… Patio seating Lighting over Patio Seating …especially given the view. Waterfront view with Homecoming on the left Guests eating on the patio will literally be able to wave to the diners directly across the water at Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine when it opens! While we’re outside, we definitely want to point out the walkup window, which is a great place to try some tacos or margaritas without taking in a full sit-down meal. (It’s located at the back of the restaurant, next to the patio). Walk-up Window Frontera Cocina Walk-up Menu But it’s time to head back in for the full experience! Eats As expected from Chef Rick Bayless, the menu at Frontera Cocina is based on authentic and modern Mexican cuisine. Beverage menu Our server walked us through the Cocktail menu first, and of course we noticed some similarities to the menu at La Cava del Tequila right away (Hello, La Cava Avocado!). Close-up on Cocktail menu That’s because the team at La Cava has been working in partnership with Frontera Cocina since well before the opening. You may even spot Hilda Castillo, one of our favorite Tequila Ambassadors, on your visit to Frontera Cocina! Hilda, Tequila Ambassador at a Tequila Pairing Lunch It seems that lots of creativity has gone into the drink menu, which also features plenty of its own beverages, like the Lucy, which begins with pieces of candied mango presented on the bottom of a martini glass. Lucy Cocktail The mango is poured over with a shaken mix of Por Siempre Sotol (a strong trend in the cocktail arena right now) with fresh carrot juice, Torres orange liqueur, ginger cordial, and fresh lime. Pouring the Lucy Cocktail From the color to the flavor, there is nothing shy about this intense drink, which carries something of a bite. Though my friends both found it too “carrot-y” for their liking (it’s definitely not for everyone), I enjoyed it. Lucy Cocktail My favorite mix of flavors, though, came together in People Watching: Montelobos blanco mezcal, pineapple juice, mint cordial, and Luxardo cherry liqueur with a hormigas negras salt rim. In case you’re unfamiliar with the translation, that would be a blank ant rim. Yep — there are crushed up black ants mixed with the salt. If you look really closely, you can see little legs and antennae. People Watching Cocktail Yep. My personal preference is to order my drinks without salt (black ants or no ), but I tend to order as-is for the DFB so you can see items the way they are served. And you want to know the funny thing? Close-up on Black Ant Rim I still can’t believe I’m saying this, but I actually kind of liked the rim! Basically, I tried it once, then did the rest of my sipping through the un-rimmed side (La Cava and Frontera are both serving their margs with a half-rim these days, so customers can sample with and without salt)… but going on taste alone, I actually preferred it over regular salt. It was the basic idea of actual ants in the mix that I couldn’t get my head around, more then the flavor. Once you get past that whole thing , the drink itself carries the fruity flavors with just a hint of mint very well. (FYI – you can find this same drink, called a Pineapple Margarita, at La Cava.) All the Pretty Girls is a pleasant mix of St. Germain Elderflower liqueur, fresh grapefruit, and cava. All the Pretty Girls Cocktail I was expecting it to be really tart due to the grapefruit, but it was actually very smooth, with an emphasis on the sweet sparkling wine over the citrus. All the Pretty Girls Cocktail But since neither man nor woman can live by tequila and sparkling wine alone, it was time to dive into some of the Starters, and there’s no shortage of them here! After all, what beats chips or corn tortillas with… well, just about anything? Starters Menu The Queso Fundido is melted jacked cheese over roasted poblano peppers and caramelized onions. Queso Fundido It’s served with warm corn tortillas for dipping. Corn Tortillas served with Queso Fundido Though the poblano peppers add a hint of smokiness and the onions carry a bit of sweetness adding depth to the flavor, it’s really all about the hot, gooey melted cheese. Queso Fundido With an appetizer this rich, the smart move would typically be to indulge a little, but save some room for everything still to come. In this case, though, the smarter move — which is the one we made — is to Eat. It. ALL. It was just too good not to. We also tried the Bacon Guacamole served with tortilla chips. Bacon Guacamole with Chips The guacamole was incredibly fresh and rich, and my only suggestion would be… more bacon. Bacon Guacamole Now, I know that comes off like an easy little joke to throw out, but I really I would have loved to have had the bacon dispersed throughout the whole dip, as opposed to just sprinkled on top, because the salty bacon with the creamy avocado pairs together so well. It’s totally addictive. We also received the house salsas on the side, which were a smoky chipotle and herby salsa verde. Salsa Verde and Smoky Chipotle Salsa Both were tasty (the chipotle isn’t smoky in name only — it really has a great smoky flavor), but we had a bigger challenge to tackle. Because we couldn’t resist the chance to try the Atomic Guacamole with habanero salsa, which is also served with chips. After all, this is Disney World, where most menu items shy away from very much spice… how “atomic” can it really be? Atomic Guacamole As it turns out… VERY! Our server gave us plenty of warning regarding the level of heat, emphasizing that the goal was to provide a very authentic experience with the amount of habanero salsa present with the guacamole (which helps to cut the spice a bit). The intense heat kicked in instantly. Atomic Guacamole I enjoy some good kick, but this dish is made for the tried-and-true fans of heat out there. That said, I had a lot of fun trying it. My friend brought up the good point that it’s very much a pepper-y heat, as opposed to a hot-sauce heat (the kind that draws sweat out of your pores). It stays on the tongue for a bit, but dissipates after a short time so you can enjoy the rest of your meal. So, Heat Seekers rejoice! There’s something for you here! Even after all that, it was time to move on to our Entrees. Entree Menu The Shrimp Mojo de Ajo features Mazatlan blue shrimp with mojo de ajo sauce served over plantain rice. Shrimp Mojo de Ajo The plump shrimp were incredibly savory, thanks to the hefty dose of garlic in the sauce. Shrimp Mojo de Ajo This is a great find for shrimp lovers, and makes me suspect that the Shrimp Enchiladas Suizas are likely another winner. More than anything, though, I had been looking forward to trying the Carnitas, since the first episode of “Mexico–One Plate at a Time” I ever saw focused on the dish. The slow-cooked pork shoulder is served with refried black beans and guacamole. Carnitas The nicely crisped, mildly seasoned edges surrounding the flavorful pork was everything I had hoped it would be. And the portion here, which looked fairly standard at first glance, was HUGE once we started digging in. Carnitas My takeaway here… I guess you don’t become a celebrity chef for nothin’ . We included a selection from the Tacos and Tortas section of the menu among our entrees. Salads and Tacos and Tortas menu We chose the Carne Asada for Soft Tacos (though it’s worth noting that our neighbors at the next table raved about the Mushroom Torta). As expected, more warm tortillas came alongside for the taco makings, along with guacamole (non-atomic ), salsa verde, and a heaping helping of peppers. Refried black beans are also served on the side. Carne Asada for Soft Tacos The meat was well prepared; nicely tender with a hint of pink center. And the guacamole and salsa all came together to make for some pretty stellar tacos. Carne Asada for Tacos But if you’re going for meat, I still have to hand my recommendation to the Carnitas, which were just such a standout. No matter which entree you choose, I can’t suggest strongly enough that you pick up some sides to share at your table. Sides Menu We opted for the Fried Plantains and Queso Anejo Mashed Potatoes. Queso Anejo Mashed Potatoes and Fried Plantains Actually, you may want to disregard what I said about sharing once you take your first bite of the Queso Anejo Mashed Potatoes, made with Yukon potatoes and aged Cotija cheese. Queso Anejo Mashed Potatoes Even with the great texture variations from the chunks of potato and skin throughout the dish, the potatoes are still somehow melt-in-your-mouth smooth, with just the right amount of cheese pumping up the flavor. Do yourself a favor and order these. Even though it’s simply a side item, it’s memorable. The Fried Plantains also utilize the Cotija cheese, which tops the plantains along with cream. Fried Plantains The rich and creamy topping provided a nice contrast to the sweet, slightly caramelized plantains. Fried Plantains This does make a great side dish, but you’ll see the fried plantains again on the next menu that comes your way, so you may want to hold off once you find out where they show up next… When the menu for Frontera Cocina was first revealed, I was a little surprised by the small dessert menu, which only has three choices accompanied with some coffee options using Sparrow Coffee. Dessert Menu I would have been seriously tempted by the Platano Sundae had we not chosen the plantains as a side item. We went with the Coconut Lime Quatro Leches instead. Coconut Lime Quatro Leches Coconut milk is what turns the typical Tres Leches cake into a Quatro Leches cake in this case, which is great news for us coconut fans (along with the generous slices of toasted coconut on the top). Coconut Lime Quatro Leches The moist sponge cake and whipped topping provided a nice, lighter ending (speaking about texture, that is — not calories) to a meal where we had come very close to eating every bite on our well-packed table. But, of course, we didn’t stop there! I have to admit, when I read the words Pecan Pie Bar on the menu, my initial reaction was… “Huh?” It just didn’t seem to fit in among the other options, which are more naturally associated with the restaurant’s cuisine. But the presence of the Pecan Pie Bar made much more sense once our server explained that the original recipe belonged to Rick Bayless’s grandmother. Pecan Pie Bar My hesitations about the Pecan Pie Bar disappeared right after I took my first bite. My thoughts went from “meh” to “WOW.” Though I would’ve preferred the ice cream to be a hard-scooped vanilla bean (as opposed to soft-serve — seriously?! soft-serve at this level of restaurant?), there are no complaints at all about the fudgy, dense bar itself, with the pecan providing just a bit of crunch along with an aftertaste that really did bring to mind pecan pie. Pecan Pie Bar With thanks to our server and the clearly enthusiastic and fun staff, it was time to grab our leftover bag holding what little remained on the table, and say goodbye to Frontera Cocina. Overall As always for a first run, we’ve got some logistics to give ya! Frontera Cocina does not yet accept Tables in Wonderland, but it is a participant on the Disney Dining Plan as a one-credit Table Service meal. The rollout for reservations at Frontera Cocina has been… less than smooth. Originally, reservations were available through Open Table. However, it appears the release of tables came earlier than the restaurant intended, and original reservations for late June via that system were cancelled with options not showing up again until July 21st. Our original Open Table reservation, though, was still in the system and was honored. So if you do have an Open Table reservation for these first weeks, you may want to give Frontera Cocina (407-560-9197) a call to verify that you’re still in the system just to be certain. Primarily, though, the location will remain very walk-in friendly in these opening weeks. Advance Dining Reservations are now available through the Disney World reservation system for dates beginning July 23rd. Though the opening reservation situation was frustrating, I’m glad to say that it didn’t ruin what was ultimately a truly terrific dining experience. Because that’s what I’ll remember about Frontera Cocina: terrific food, a lively staff, and a great place to enjoy a really wonderful meal with friends or family. It’s an excellent addition to the Town Center, and definitely worthy of receiving a LOT of consideration among your ever-expanding list of options in Disney Springs! Contributing to this post: Tina, Wendy, and AJ Are you hoping to dine at Frontera Cocina? 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: Reservations and Menu Now Available for Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless in Disney Springs News: Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless to Open June 27th in Disney Springs News: Frontera Fresco Restaurant by Chef Rick Bayless Coming To Disney Springs View the full article

Today our virtual journey through Shanghai Disneyland sails into port at Treasure Cove, the first pirate-themed land ever at a Disney park. Created especially for Shanghai Disneyland, this land immerses guests in a pirate’s life as soon as they arrive. The land features a mix of architectural styles, along with two giant ships, pirate-themed restaurants and a fun water play area. The jewel of Treasure Cove is Pirates of the Caribbean: Battle for the Sunken Treasure, a spectacular attraction that seamlessly blends Disney storytelling and state-of-the-art technology to take guests on, over and even under the sea on a nautical adventure. With a new, highly controlled ride system used for the first time in Shanghai, the boats spin, travel sideways, and even move backwards to create a highly dynamic experience. Nearby, “Eye of the Storm: Captain Jack’s Stunt Spectacular” at El Teatro Fandango is an elaborate and exciting stage production making its global premiere at Shanghai Disneyland. Starring Captain Jack Sparrow, “Eye of the Storm” brings fantastic stunts and sword fights, spectacular scenery and stunning visual effects straight to the audience. Next on our tour is a classic Disney Parks experience presented in new and enchanting ways at Shanghai Disneyland … Fantasyland! View the full article

Happy Fourth of July, Everyone! We know that you’re busy — hopefully having a totally chill day. ;-D But we know you’re all dreaming of being at Disney today! And you know what? “If you can dream it, you can do it!!!” And what better way to “start doing” than by getting a leg up on planning your next Disney trip? So come on and take advantage of a special July 4th deal on everything at DFBStore.com! Save 20% Off of All DFB Travel Guides with Code 20Sale! Our team of Walt Disney World food experts have put together the most comprehensive guides to Walt Disney World food and dining available. With more than 25 years of experience eating and drinking our way through the Parks and Resorts, we’ve learned a thing or two — and we love sharing our secrets with you! Choose from seven comprehensive travel guides…or bundle them all for a HUGE discount! This week, you can get any of our guidebooks for 20% off the cover price with code 20Sale! It’s a great way to try out the guides and see if you like them. Because, remember, there’s a FULL MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! If you’re not completely satisfied, just email us for a refund and we’ll process it within 24 hours. No questions asked. The DFB Everything Bundle But for those of you who want to be prepared for EVERYTHING at Disney World, we’re also offering our most popular Bundle, the DFB Everything Bundle, for a special savings as well! This bundle packs in all of our e-Books, including the Guide that started it all — the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 edition. And during this special sale, you can get 20% off the already discounted price when you enter code 20SALE. This is a crazy good price for this incredible bundle! This Bundle is priced at a huge discount already — over 40% off the guide prices – representing great savings. But with our extra 20% off, this is an amazing deal. Learn more about the DFB Everything Bundle here. Head on over to the DFBStore.com to browse, look at sample pages, and…start planning your next Disney vacation!! Use Code 20SALE for the discount. Remember, 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: Last Minute Sale: Save 35% on Gifts for your Favorite Disney Fan DFB Cyber Monday Sale: DFB Guide + Snacks Bundle for $10 Off! Pre-Holiday Deal! Save 20% Off EVERYTHING in the DFB Store TODAY! View the full article

Fans of Vera Bradley will soon find two new colors blooming at Disney Parks this summer. Created especially for Disney Parks Merchandise, these new collections will include popular Vera Bradley styles. In July, guests will find the Mickey’s Magical Blooms collection. This signature quilted cotton assortment includes a Campus Backpack, Mini Hipster and Front Zip Wallet. The new color is an update to the Midnight with Mickey color that was first introduced in fall 2013. Other styles in this collection include a Zip ID Case, Medium Zip Cosmetic Bag, Triple Zip Hipster, Vera Bag and Large Duffel. In August, we are releasing the lightweight Lighten Up Collection. The durable and water-resistant 560D polyester makes Lighten Up styles the perfect accessories to use when traveling to or from Disney Parks. The Lighten Up Collection will include five of Vera Bradley’s best-selling styles including the Lighten Up Lunch Cooler. Guests should also look for a Lighten Up Travel Organizer, Lighten Up Expandable Tote, Lighten Up Grande Backpack and Lighten Up Expandable Travel Bag. These collections will be released in select merchandise locations at Disneyland and Walt Disney World Resorts. You may also find select Vera Bradley styles on the Disney Park online store. The Shop Disney Parks mobile app may also offer these new colors as a first purchase opportunity. This means that you’ll find them available on the app before they are released at merchandise locations in Disney Parks. To download the free app, please visit DisneyWorld.com/Shop. View the full article

Happy Fourth of July! In this week’s Disney Doodle, artist Ashley Taylor imagines what Muppet Sam Eagle would do if he got the chance to visit at Disney Park. With Sam taking this holiday so seriously, there’s no doubt he’d be on standby to help out with the nightly fireworks – especially the finale! View the full article

The sky is even more beautiful this morning, as the Characters in Flight balloon ascends in the air above Disney Springs. The Characters in Flight experience takes guests 400 feet in the air, offering a 360-degree view of Walt Disney World property. The handpainted balloon also features several Disney characters that are known for flight, including Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Dumbo and more. View the full article

Disney's Magic Kingdom is among numerous Central Florida locations to hold special fireworks presentations for the Fourth of July. For those who can't make it out to the park, Disney will be live-streaming Monday night's show as a part of the #DisneyParksLIVE series. Called "Disney's Celebrate... View the full article

This week, we shared some exciting updates on new shopping and dining experiences at Disney Springs here at the Walt Disney World Resort. First up, Disney Parks Blog author Pam Brandon covered the opening of the new restaurant Frontera Cocina by Rick Bayless, the newest eatery to debut at Disney Springs. This contemporary Mexican restaurant will offer dishes like Oaxacan Red Chile Chicken, Salsa Verde Shrimp Enchiladas Suizas and freshly made salsas and guacamole. Check out Pam’s original post for more details. Next up, our resident Disney Springs expert, Darcy Clark, shared that several new tenants will set up shop here very soon, including Levi’s Store, Superdry, Sugarboo & Co., Shore, Columbia Sportswear, Coca-Cola Store Orlando, and more. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. All in the Details: Take an Imagineer Tour of Tiffins – Let Imagineer Joe Rohde take you on a video tour of the decor and theming of the new Tiffins restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Celebrate the Fourth of July with Special Entertainment at the Disneyland Resort, in the Community – If you are celebrating Independence Day at the Disneyland Resort, don’t miss out on special, all-American entertainment. More in Kevin Rafferty’s post. Ten Amazing Innovations at Shanghai Disney Resort – Take a peek inside Shanghai Disney Resort, the most technologically advanced resort to date, in Erin Glover’s post. Style Happens Here – Summertime at Disney Parks – Want to stay cool despite the hot summer temps at Disney Parks? Steven Miller has you covered. Cool Eats for Warm Days at Disneyland Resort – Rachel Bshero shares her favorite light and refreshing meals and snacks at the Disneyland Resort. Candlelight Processional Narrators Announced – Attention vacation planners. The first few names from the 2016 Candlelight Processional lineup have been released – and dining packages are now available for booking. View the full article

Happy Fourth of July weekend! We hope that you’re having a happy and safe holiday weekend, whether you’re at home or the beach or Walt Disney World! Wow! What a week of exciting Epcot Food and Wine Festival news! We have information on special events, Marketplace Booths, menus, and much more! We have a lot of other news to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News Refillable popcorn buckets now available at Walt Disney World for a limited time! D23’s Sip & Scream announced for Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Several Disney World restaurants participated in Dine Out for #OrlandoUnited. Coca-Cola Store Orlando opened at Disney Springs! We checked out some new menu items at Epcot’s Kringla Bakeri og Cafe! Some narrators for the 2016 Candlelight Processional were announced PLUS you can book your Dining Packages now! Coke Freestyle Machines installed near Soarin’ at Disney California Adventure. We reviewed the new Sake Mists in Epcot’s Japan Pavilion! 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 that we love some Corn Dog Nuggets from Casey’s Corner in the Magic Kingdom! Well, DFB reader Alex Mason and her family missed Casey’s so much that she recreated a meal at home – complete with ‘plastic cheese’! Pure genius! Casey’s Corner at home! There’s nothing quite like stopping by Trader Sam’s at the Disneyland Hotel for a drink, and our friend Brandy Johnson shared these beauties with us – the Passion Python and an Old Fashioned! Cheers! Cheers! 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: 180 Days ‘Til Christmas Sale — 3 Great Ways to SAVE! We know you’re just as excited as we are about the upcoming holiday season in Walt Disney World! And like we said: it’s never too early to start making plans. After all, you’ve gotta make those advance dining reservations 6 months ahead, especially around the busy holiday season — the most crowded time of the year in Walt Disney World. 1) 30% Off the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2016 Pre-Order (Plus 2015 Guide FREE!) Get $5 0ff when you pre-order your copy of the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2016 e-book during our 180 Days ‘Til Christmas Sale! Just use code 180Days at check-out to get the discount. And if that’s not enough to make you press the purchase button, remember you’ll be able to instantly download the 2015 Guide for FREE and start your planning — today! We’ll share our favorite spots for holiday meals, all of the holiday events, hundreds of photos, and more! It’s the perfect way to nail down your plans and snag the most popular holiday reservations in Walt Disney World. You’ll then receive the 2016 Guide via email automatically as soon as it’s published in early November. Yep — that means you get two editions for the price of one, so you can start planning right away. 2) Bundle for More Savings! Want more for your money? Purchase the Holiday Bundle for 30% off the already deeply discounted price! It’s like getting an entire book for free! Just enter code 180days at the check-out. In the Holiday Bundle, you’ll get: The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition, The 2016 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays, and the 2015 Edition for FREE as an immediate download. On a budget? Find out how to make those dollars stretch all around Disney World. These two unique resources are ALL you need to plan your holiday dining! And with these handy, e-book format guides at your fingertips, there’s nothing that you won’t know about food at Walt Disney World! Just download them, put them on your mobile device, and GOOOOOOO! To take advantage of this amazing deal, just enter Promo Code 180days at checkout! 3) Get Over 70% Off ALL of the DFB Dining Guides! Finally, this is the way to get the biggest bang for your buck in our 180 Days ’til Christmas Sale. ACT NOW and collect ALL of Disney Food Blog’s Dining guidebooks for 70% off their regular prices. Do you anxiously await new DFB posts? Want even more great information, pictures, and tips? Then the DFB Everything Bundle is for you! And to get you ready for that next big Disney World trip, we are offering the DFB Everything Bundle for 50% off the already low BUNDLE price – that’s over 70% off the cover prices of the books. Just enter promo code 180Days at checkout to take advantage of this offer for a limited time only. The Everything Bundle includes, well, Everything! When you purchase this special bundle of DFB Guides, you’ll get it all: 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 A Pre-Order of the 2016 DFB Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival, and the 2015 Edition for FREE as an immediate download A Pre-Order of the 2016 DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays, and the 2015 Edition for FREE as an immediate download DFB Dining Adventures That’s every book in our collection of critically-acclaimed DFB Guides. And with the convenient e-book format, you can load your books onto as many electronic devices as you want. Have them at your fingertips, ready to plan and take with you into the Parks. Just download and off you go! Enter promo code 180Days at checkout to get ALL of the DFB Disney World Dining Guidebooks for over 70% off the regular prices. Shop with confidence, knowing that all of our DFB Guides are 100% guaranteed. 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 Walt Disney World Vintage Collection Tea Pot! WDW For Grownups shared their favorite grab-and-go breakfast items at Disney World. Disney Parks Blog shared a video of the making of a Mickey Dome Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs. Oh My Disney shared 10 tasty Disney treats we can bake at home! Disney Family shared a recipe for Baloo’s Bare Necessities Bark. 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: June 26, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: June 19, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 3, 2016 View the full article

iNSIDE Disney Parks EXTRA - Fourth of July at Disney Parks View the full article

We’re excited to bring you new menu items at an open-every-once-in-a-while favorite — Tomorrowland Terrace at Disney’s Magic Kingdom! Learn About: San Angel Inn Restaurante Epcot Restaurants Disney World Restaurants This counter-service restaurant is open seasonally during the busiest times, so you might not have eaten here; but we’re sure you’ve passed by it on your shortcut from Main Street to Tomorrowland! We love this outdoor restaurant for its ample, covered seating and menu that can please any crowd. The menu has always been a mixture of hard-to-find counter-service dishes (like pasta!) and classic American items that will make even the pickiest eaters happy. Sadly, the pasta is gone, but we’re happy to report that the new items keep the balance of ordinary and out of this world! Entering Tomorrowland Terrace! Since we don’t get to talk about Tomorrowland Terrace often, let’s explore the location a little more… Atmosphere Wedged in the area between Main Street and Tomorrowland, the Terrace spans three levels of outdoor seating along the walkway. The lowest level has a beautiful view of Cinderella Castle! Can you spot the castle from this upper-level seat? The seating isn’t luxurious, but there is plenty of it, which is why Tomorrowland Terrace is such a convenient choice for peak season dining! Families will also love that there are two (!!) nearby restrooms and water fountains. Second and lower level seating You’ll order and pick up your food at one of the kiosks — the convenient bathrooms and water fountains we mentioned are to the left of the kiosks. Ordering kiosks at Tomorrowland Terrace So, as you can see, the decor isn’t special, and unfortunately the seating is largely covered but outdoors, so it can get warm. But if you’re in a packed park and starving, this is a good option if you don’t want to battle the crowds at Cosmic Rays, Pecos Bill’s, or the other, smaller restaurants. Eats Let’s check out what’s NEW!!!! The recent additions are the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Pulled Pork Bahn Mi Sandwich, Smoked Sausage Sandwich, Rocky Road Brownie and Coconut Tres Leches. Yum! Tomorrowland Terrace Menu 1 — click to enlarge And now for desserts… Tomorrowland Terrace Menu 2 — click to enlarge The new Spicy Chicken Sandwich is the most standard of the new items. The chicken breast was large and had some great seasoning. The lettuce and tomato were served on the side (another plus for picky eaters) and a large portion of fries came in a paper boat. Spicy Chicken Sandwich and fries The menu notes that it comes on a sesame seed bun (mine did not) but the cast member said that they hadn’t seen the sesame seed buns yet. That said, I was there within the first few days of the restaurant being open this season, so the sesame seed buns might be there by now. However, I still really enjoyed the bread, and there was a lot of it so the sandwich never got soggy. Spicy Chicken Sandwich (substitute?) Bun The sandwich was topped with pepper jack cheese that was melted onto the bun, and a yummy spicy mayo on the chicken! Basically, this will remind some of you of the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich at Studio Catering Co in Disney’s Hollywood Studios back in the day. Melty Cheeeeeeeeze! This was a great option. If anything, people who love spicy food will probably wish there was a little more heat; but it’s a good option for all but the most spice-averse. Even in the hot weather it was still very enjoyable! The Pulled Pork Banh Mi Sandwich is a stroll down Memory Lane reminding us of Tomorrowland Terrace’s early days of Asian-inspired cuisine. It’s pretty similar to the traditional Vietnamese sandwich with pulled pork, pickled carrots, cabbage, shredded lettuce and Sriracha aioli drizzled on top. Pulled Pork Bahn Mi packed with toppings! The roll itself was thick, and there really could have been more pork to match all that bread in my opinion. The Sriracha aioli wasn’t actually too spicy, but it tasted amazing — we think it would’ve been perfect mixed in with the pork since the meat was slightly dry! Cross section! This one was served with crispy house made chips on the side in a paper boat — yum! House made chip boat We loved all of the flavors together, and it’s a fun quick-service option to have! But the dry meat means we’d probably go for one of the other choices on the menu before ordering this one again. Up next is another unusual but tasty addition: the Smoked Sausage Sandwich! A smoked polish sausage with roasted onions and grain mustard drizzled on top is served on the same roll as the Pulled Pork Banh Mi Sandwich. Also like the Bhan Mi, it’s served with a boat of house made chips. This may remind some of the now-missing sausage that used to be found at Casey’s Corner across Main Street. Smoked Sausage Sandwich with House Made Chips The sausage itself could’ve been larger. The bread kind of stole the show since the roll was so large. But the sausage had great smokiness, so it was impressive in and of itself. No shortage of bread on this sandwich! The grain mustard tasted great with the smokiness of the sausage, and the roasted flavor of the onions really popped! It doesn’t look half bad either… Have you ever seen mustard so pretty? Once again with this one — the flavors were well done, but the meat portion needed to be larger. The real MVP here is the dessert! The Rocky Road Brownie was served warm with a brownie, chocolate sauce, chocolate chips, marshmallows and walnuts. Rocky Road Brownie The brownie is actually larger than it looks in the cup and has…wait for it…a fudge center!!! A fudge center is always good in our opinion So basically, 0ur thoughts were…SO much yes. It is rich and warm and the perfect portion — and we haven’t seen this anywhere else. Last, but certainly not least, is the Coconut Tres Leches. The coconut is a tasty variation of a traditional Latin treat. It’s a square cut of super-fluffy cake served chilled with whipped cream on top of sweetened milk. Coconut Tres Leches Once you take it out of its dish you see there is actually a nice amount of the milk sauce on the bottom. Close up of Coconut Tres Leches mmm…. This is probably the freshest tasting baked dessert I’ve tried at a quick-service spot. The chilled temperature and subtle fruit flavors will be a refreshing treat after watching a parade on Main Street! Overall The menu had a nice selection of both safe options and more unique options — especially for a quick-service restaurant! Everything was delicious, well made, and the breads were very fresh. Of course, the desserts were hands down the best quick-service desserts we’ve tried. Cast members predict Tomorrowland Terrace will be open for the remainder of the summer, and we hope you get a chance to try this one out! Are you headed to Tomorrowland Terrace anytime soon? Whatcha gonna eat?!? 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: News! Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast Menu in Magic Kingdom (Now Serving Beignets?!) Review: Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Terrace Review: Tomorrowland Terrace Breakfast View the full article

This week on the Disney Parks Blog, we shared a look at the Fourth of July fun guests can have at Disney Parks. Of course, there’s one bit of fun that stands out above all the rest on this holiday – fireworks. Whether you’re heading out to Magic Kingdom Park to see “Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky” for yourself or will tune into our live stream of the show on July 4 at 8:50 p.m., take a sneak peek above. For more on what’s going on at Disney Parks for Fourth of July this year, check out this special episode of “Inside Disney Parks.” View the full article

We were so excited to fly at the newly debuted Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot! Soarin’ Around the World at Epcot But the accompanying news out of Sunshine Seasons next door to Soarin’ is fun as well! Sunshine Seasons This favorite Counter Service spot is welcoming back its headliner attraction with a couple of special treats to mark the occasion. Welcome back, Soarin’! We spotted the Soarin’ Orange Cupcake when the attraction reopened in mid-May (it was open for about a month in its classic version before the new film hit the scene). The little chocolate Soarin’ sign has been removed, but it’s still called the Soarin’ Cupcake, and features the flavor that I think we all most associate with the ride from when it was Soarin’ Over California (albeit, just via fragrance in the previous version’s Orange Grove scene): ORANGE! Soarin’ Orange Cupcake The flavor profile is simple: a vanilla cupcake topped with buttercream icing, with a small amount of orange-flavored filling inside. My favorite detail might be the sky blue part of the frosting, also appropriate for the attraction, with its sugar crystals adding a bit of crunch to an otherwise basic cupcake. Inside the Soarin’ Cupcake The white chocolate Soarin’ logo now appears on the newer addition to the bakery case: the Soarin’ Panna Cotta! Soarin’ Panna Cotta Orange is again the featured flavor topping a layer of rich and creamy (and not overly sweet) vanilla bean. A thin bottom layer of cake completes the dessert. Soarin’ Panna Cotta Soarin’ Panna Cotta We’re not sure how long these snacks will be around, so grab ‘em while you can. And be sure to say hello again to THIS guy while you’re at it! Welcome back, Patrick! Hey, Patrick, ol’ pal… it’s great to have ya back! As always, thanks for SOARIN’ with us here at the DFB! Are you excited for the return of Soarin’? 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: Guest Review: Orange Cupcake at Sunshine Seasons in Epcot Review: Sunshine Seasons at Epcot’s The Land Pavilion Snack Series: Key Lime Tart at Epcot’s Sunshine Seasons View the full article