Disney4me

D-Luxe Burger, a Disney-owned and operated craft burger restaurant will open this May at Disney Springs, Disney said Tuesday. The restaurant will be located in the under-construction Town Center portion of Disney Springs. The official Disney Parks Blog gave some details on what we might expect... View the full article

Walt Disney World is now offering an after-hours event at Magic Kingdom that will keep parts of the theme park open for three extra hours -- but for a limited number of people. The Disney After Hours price is $149 per person. The park will close to regular day guests at 10 p.m. on April 28 and... View the full article

Walt Disney World is now offering an after-hours event at Magic Kingdom that will keep parts of the theme park open for three extra hours -- but for a limited number of people. The Disney After Hours price is $149 per person. The park will close to regular day guests at 10 p.m. on April 28 and... View the full article

Get your party on, because it’s Mardi Gras everyday at Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter! And for a little taste of New Orleans, you don’t have to look any further than Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory. Learn About: Sassagoula Floatworks and Food FactoryDisney World Restaurants Our last visit for breakfast was some time ago. But I still knew I could expect to find some unique items for lunch that can’t be found in many other spots on property, even including the French Quarter’s sister resort, Riverside. Naturally, the French Quarter has a distinct advantage to add some unique flair to its dining choices, since its New Orleans vibe and theming is so naturally linked with Cajun and Southern cuisine. Never fear, the less adventurous eaters in your group will find plenty of Counter Service staples here, too. But today we’d like to explore what makes Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory unique (aside from that tongue-twister of a name, that is ;-D). So, let’s get in and let the good times roll! Atmosphere Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory is easily located after entering the beautiful lobby of Port Orleans Resort — French Quarter. Port Orleans French Quarter Lobby Appropriately enough, the theming for this quick-service spot is directly influenced by New Orleans — and more specifically, Mardi Gras! Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Sign Though I kid about the super-long name, the story behind it (and the food court itself) is actually pretty cool. “Floatworks” stems from the restaurant being themed as a warehouse storing Mardi Gras parade props. And from the very instant you walk in, you can see how well it’s executed as there are parade props EVERYWHERE! Decor Entering Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory Decorations including larger-than-life masks, candy, Mardi Gras crowns, ice cream, and much more hang from all over the ceiling. Parade Props Hanging From The Ceiling Parade Props Hanging From The Ceiling Heads up — pun totally intended — to anybody who is terrified of clowns… this guy’s only rival is the creepy clown on the Keister Coaster slide at BoardWalk Inn’s Luna Park Pool. (You can see him if you visit Leaping Horse Libations Pool Bar.) Giant Clown Face! Steering my gaze away, I headed towards the food stations and registers (immediately left from the lobby entrance). Ordering Area and Registers Theming in this area isn’t anything too fancy, but you’ll still find some cool touches. Sun Above the Ordering Area There is a ton of indoor seating with plenty more parade props floating around, or you can take your food outside to enjoy some tables lining picturesque Jackson Square. I’ve spent many a meal simultaneously fascinated and kinda freaked out by the guy on the left there, who stares down on you and your dinner the whole. entire. time. Dining Room This last visit, though, I chose the area without giant scary faces floating above me. Dining Room As the saying goes, “I kid because I love.” And all kidding aside, I do seriously love French Quarter… gigantic float faces and all. Eats Directly in the center of the dining room you’ll find the Rapid Fill Station with hot and cold beverage options. Hot and Cold Beverages Fountain drinks include Sprite Zero, Barq’s Root Beer, Fanta Orange, Coca-Cola Zero, Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Coca-Cola Cherry, Sprite, Powerade, Hi-C Fruit Punch and Diet Coke. (As per usual, other options include Iced Tea, Hot Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate.) Fountain Soda Options You’ll find more bottled and canned drinks in the grab-and-go fridges in the ordering area as well as some pre-packaged food items including chocolate cake and cheesecake, and some better-for-you fare like hummus, salads, and whole fruit. Grab-and-Go Food Items Grab-and-Go Food Items In terms of hot items, Sassagoula has a great selection of go-to favorites as well as unique items made to match the New Orleans atmosphere. The sandwich station is a great place to find more standard items like an Angus Mushroom Swiss Burger, Bistro Grilled Chicken Sandwich and a Fried Chicken Sandwich. Sandwich Station Menu And here’s a fun find… Corn Dog Nuggets are an entree option (yep, even for us big kids!). Sandwich Station Menu Sandwich Station Menu Create-Your-Own Salads and Wraps offer customizable entrees with shrimp or chicken as the primary choices for protein. Salads and Potato Station Menu Further options for customization include bacon bits, corn, broccoli, chick peas and beans. Create-Your-Own Items Create-Your-Own Items And the list goes on with black olives, cucumber, tomatoes, shredded cheese and shredded carrots. Create-Your-Own Items Create-Your-Own Items Crunchy noodles, croutons, nuts and cranberries round out the options. Create-Your-Own Items Create-Your-Own Items Packaged dressings available include the usual offerings: Caesar, Ranch, Italian, Thousand Island and Blue Cheese. But they also have bottled dressing if you prefer. The Cast Member assisting you can add an option of Balsamic Vinaigrette, Italian, Caesar or Chipotle Ranch. Bottled Dressing Options Also available at this station are Chicken Quesadillas along with what most caught my eye: Specialty Baked Potatoes. Chili & Cheese or Broccoli, Cheddar & Bacon are your choices. Salads and Potato Station Menu I grabbed the Broccoli, Cheddar & Bacon Baked Potato, which — like the Chili & Cheese Baked Potato — comes with a side salad or soup. Soup options on my visit were Chicken Gumbo or Clam Chowder. To me, New Orleans means GUMBO… so here you have it! Broccoli, Cheddar & Bacon Potato and Chicken Gumbo The baked potato itself was HUGE, with plenty of crushed sea salt adding a great touch. Broccoli, Cheddar & Bacon Baked Potato Crushed Sea Salt The first glance didn’t reveal much in the way of broccoli. Mostly just bacon bits and cheddar… Stuffed Broccoli, Cheddar and Bacon But when I cut it open I found that it was far more “stuffed” than I realized. Definitely enough to fill you up! Broccoli, Cheddar & Bacon Baked Potato Cross-Section The highlight, though, was the Chicken Gumbo. Chicken Gumbo As a side item, it’s served in a small cup. But there is PLENTY of flavor packed in, thanks to the andouille sausage, chicken, okra, onions and greens. It definitely had a nice little kick to it, too. I think it’s something of a Counter Service gem we’ve got here… Chicken Gumbo Close-Up Adding to the classic Louisiana options is a selection of Po’Boys! Taking a cue from Louisiana, there several versions of this sammy on the menu. Be aware that the options can change, but on my visit choices included Sausage and Peppers, Chicken Parmesan, Cheesesteak, Catfish, and Chicken Salad. Po’ Boy Menu Po’ Boy Menu You know I couldn’t leave without trying one! The Catfish Po’ Boy is one of the more recent additions. Catfish Po’Boy All of the Po’ Boys come with a choice of a Bean Salad or House-Made Chips. I chose the House-made Chips as my side since you can never go wrong with those, but the Bean Salad didn’t look too shabby, either. House-Made Chips Bean Salad The sandwich was filled with two huge pieces of fried catfish, sliced tomato, and shredded lettuce. I’ll start by saying that the batter on the fish was outstanding. Fried Catfish And I’m happy to say that the baguette-styled bread was impressively fresh. Catfish Po’Boy Cross-Section The Cajun-spiced sauce you see in the photo above basically tasted like mayonnaise and seasoning. If I could do it over again, I would have requested more sauce to give the sandwich a little more spice. But overall, the portion was terrific and the sandwich was both fresh and tasty. If you still have room, there are always dessert options. The rather small pastry holds a few items including Cookies and Cupcakes (flavors are basic vanilla and chocolate, but notice the Mardi Gras colors swirled into the icing on those cupcakes). Pastry Case Of course, most longtime Port Orleans guests bypass the case still in favor of a French Quarter signature item: Beignets, one more taste of New Orleans! Dessert Menu Though typically I never turn down the Beignets, the Milkshakes made with Hand-Dipped Ice Cream are pretty great, too. A perfect treat for taking on a stroll down the Sassagoula River — just another highlight of a stay at Port Orleans. Dessert Menu Oh, and I did grab some Beignets this go ’round, too, by the way… Beignets! But these are so special, they’ve been given their very own spot on our Disney Food Bucket List. Click here to read all about why they’re #OnTheList! Overall I always enjoy quick-service spots that are a step outside the norm and offer creative choices, and that can certainly be said of Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. It would be easy to rest on such a unique and festive environment, but I appreciate how this particular Resort food court goes the extra mile to provide immersive theming right down to several of the food choices. The fact that everything I tried on this visit was well-prepared just makes me that much more excited to visit again next time I have the chance to pay a visit to the French Quarter. Have you ever had a meal at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory? Leave a comment and tell us about it! DFB Contributors to this review: Tina, Wendy, 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks & Food Factory, Port Orleans French Quarter #OnTheList: Beignets (now with dipping sauces!!) at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter Snack Series: Beignets at Port Orleans Resort, French Quarter View the full article

Today, I’m excited to share more details about the new D-Luxe Burger, opening this May at Town Center at Disney Springs. Soon to be known for its delicious gourmet burgers and twisted milkshakes, it’s the perfect place to grab a delicious bite in the eclectically comfortable western-inspired interior, or in the covered outdoor seating area that overlooks the springs. There’s something for every burger aficionado, complete with unique toppings, freshly baked buns and a signature blend of beef. Gourmet burgers on the menu include: Classic Cheeseburger – Beef patty topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato and pickle Barbeque Classic Burger – Beef patty topped with a fried onion ring, smoked Gouda, bacon, barbeque sauce and lettuce El Diablo Burger – Chorizo-and-signature-blend patty, fried banana peppers, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and chipotle mayonnaise Southern Classic Burger – Beef patty, topped with fried-green tomato, pimento cheese, lettuce and bacon Cluck Burger – Ground chicken patty, garlic herb sauce, avocado, lettuce and tomato Veggie Burger – house-made patty topped with Tzatziki, green bean salad, lettuce and tomato Freshly cut fries and your choice of dipping sauces are the perfect complement to your burger. Artisanal gelato shakes with rotating flavors that may include Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry, Strawberry, Salted Caramel, S’mores and Cake – sure to tempt your palate. Root beer, Cherry Coke and orange soda floats are also featured, as well as hard sodas, draft beer and cider. For adults, shakes with spirits include Smoked Bourbon and Beer and Godiva Raspberry. As if gelato shakes weren’t sweet enough, the adorably delicious Red Velvet Burger Macaron is the perfect way for burger lovers to end a meal. Each macaron is lovingly handcrafted to look just like a burger, down to the raspberry ‘ketchup.’ Be sure to check back next week, as we’ll be sharing details about Amorette’s Patisserie right here on the Disney Parks Blog. View the full article

Tonight we’re excited to share the next in our series of #DisneyParksLIVE events: a live stream of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth,” which will begin at 8:50 p.m. EST. While “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” starts at 9 p.m., you can join us beforehand at 8:50 p.m. for a behind-the-scenes look at this nighttime spectacular. In the meantime, tell us in the “Comments” section where you’re watching from and who you’re watching with! View the full article

The party is going strong at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters, the all-new attraction in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park! To celebrate race day in Radiator Springs, 20 of Luigi’s “cugini” (cousins) traveled all the way from Carsoli, Italy, to visit his Casa della Tires and kick off the fun. “Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters brings fun and zippy new car characters to Cars Land. You could say that because they’re Luigi’s cousins – his ‘kin,’ if you will – they also bring exciting new kin-etics!” said Kevin Rafferty, Executive Creative Director at Walt Disney Imagineering. Here’s more about the newest visitors to Cars Land! A roadster is an open‐top automobile that seats two. In the style of late 1950s micro cars, Luigi’s cousins are an automobile brand called Frizzante, which was invented by Walt Disney Imagineering. Until the cousins came to town, this model had never been seen cruising down Route 66. Now, they are exclusive to Cars Land. Half of the roadsters are male, and half are female. You’ll notice that the males have a front-end chrome grill “moustache.” All of Luigi’s family members have their own names and unique looks—except for two coral-colored cars. Although they are identical sisters, Rosa has green eyes and Gina has blue eyes. Each roadster performs his or her own routine, offering a different ride experience depending on which car you board! Join the celebration at Luigi’s Rollickin’ Roadsters at Disney California Adventure park! View the full article

Last week we shared that our next #DisneyParksLIVE stream event will take place tonight at 8:50 p.m. EDT, when we’ll share a live stream of “IllumiNations” from Epcot. In the meantime, we hope you’ll download our latest Disney Parks Blog wallpaper as a reminder for tonight’s event! Be sure to check out the terms of use about using the wallpaper before you download it. Want to check out other designs? Visit our complete gallery of wallpapers here. View the full article

We are back with some of our very best kept Disney Dining Secrets. And we want to share them with you! Planning where you’ll be spending your food budget in Disney World is a BIG deal. There are so many choices to make! Maybe you’re worried about getting the advance dining reservations you’d like the most. And what about your favorite brands and foods? Will they have them? These are all great questions, and we address them all in our DFB Guide to WDW Dining e-Book! But today, we’re exploring one of the biggest concerns: Is it possible to save a buck or two when you’re at Disney? Secrets to Saving Money in Disney World Today, we’ll share some of our favorite ways to save money during your visit to Walt Disney World. And if you like what you see here, be sure to check out even more secrets in the brand new DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, 2016 Edition, where we gather over 530 pages of tips, recommendations, and secrets to make your Disney trip the best ever! Here we go! Ditch Unwanted Sides I love this tip, and it can save you some serious cash (and calories!). You may think the price printed on the menu board or in the menu is non-negotiable. But we’ve got a secret to share! Did you know that you can often forego unwanted sides? For instance, say you order a sandwich that comes with fries, but you don’t really want them. Ask if you can order your sandwich as an entree only and save! Cheeseburger at Backlot Express! And if you’re a light eater, or someone who doesn’t really care about (or literally can’t EAT) that side of salad/chips/fries/coleslaw/pasta salad, then you’ll never miss it. Appetizers as Entrees I don’t know about you, but there are lots of times that I sit down to dinner at Disney and would happily have one (or sometimes two) appetizers or side dishes in place of an entree. Smoked Portobello Bisque at Artist Point Would Make a Lovely Dinner Sometimes it’s because I’m not very hungry. Other times, I just find the appetizers and sides more interesting than the entree options. It’s your dinner. The Smoked Portobello Bisque at Artist Point, or the wonderful “takes” on poutine at Le Cellier Steakhouse would make delicious meals. Poutine For Dinner. Yes, Please! And usually ordering a couple of appetizers would set you back less than ordering an entree! And if that’s what sounds good to you, then go for it. Share Here’s another tip that you sometimes may overlook: if you and your dining partner aren’t big eaters, then feel free to share. While this is fairly commonplace with appetizers and desserts, don’t be shy about sharing entrees as well, especially when they’re large. The killer Jambalaya at Boatwright’s Dining Hall is a great example of a dish that could easily be shared. The Incredible Jambalaya at Boatwright’s is Totally Shareable. It’s Huge! After all, it’s not easy to take those leftovers with you when “home” is a hotel room. This way you still enjoy a satisfying meal, but may come away with a tab that’s a little lower. Of course, this arrangement is contingent upon someone who is willing. I could possibly be prevailed upon to share my Potjie Inspired at Sanaa — the combo dish that includes my beloved Butter Chicken. Well. Maybe. Sharing is Caring. But Don’t Ask Me for My Butter Chicken. Do keep in mind that if the restaurant is a signature spot, they may charge a small plate-sharing fee. But it would still be less than if you ordered two entrees. Creatively Use Your Disney Dining Plan But what if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan**? One recent change announced to the plan allows you to share your Disney Dining Plan credits. Now, one thing that hasn’t changed: you still must purchase a Disney Dining Plan for everyone on your room reservation who is age 3 and up. Still, I can see this tip benefitting you in a couple of different ways. First, say you had a really big lunch and you just aren’t ready for that evening meal. It would make sense to share one meal between two people, and maybe supplement with drinks and an appetizer. Banking that extra credit might come in handy if you would like to add another table service meal later, or if you’d like to upgrade to a signature, 2-credit dining experience one night, like dinner at California Grill. Bank Those Credits and Save Them for Dinner at a Signature Spot, Like California Grill (Bison Strip Loin Pictured) It’s more of a stretching than a savings, perhaps. But it could still yield you more or better dining opportunities. (Now, you may run up against spots that won’t allow sharing. But we’ve asked and asked at several different locations about sharing one dining credit between two people**, and it seems this practice is pretty much commonplace. So give it a try.) But also, you can use your shared dining credits with friends who aren’t on the Dining Plan and treat them to dinner. True, it won’t save you cash — but you could make an argument that now they owe YOU dinner…and there’s a cost savings! Treat Friends to Pizza at Via Napoli! The bottom line is — get creative when it comes to sharing, and think outside of the box when it comes to mealtimes. **Don’t be crazy and try to get away with buying one Disney Dining Plan and using it to feed your whole family. That’s not going to work, and that’s not what we’re recommending. What we’re suggesting is to stretch your credits if one of you isn’t all that hungry on any given night — not to completely take advantage of the system. Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing lots more of our Best Kept Disney Dining Secrets with you over the next few weeks! Ready for All of Our Best Tips? We’ve got TONS of Disney World Dining Tips — including lots more best kept secrets — in our bigger-than-ever 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining! With more than 530 pages, The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 20+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs! With sample dining itineraries, plus our “Disney Dining at a Glance” section, featuring “Where Can I Find?” options, you’ll have everything you need to plan your best vacation yet. Click here to get your copy of The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining E-book — and use code HAPPYPLACE for an extra $4 discount (over 20% off!!) for a limited time! And now, we’d love to hear from all of you! What are your best kept Disney Dining Secrets? Please share with us in 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: DFB Podcast Episode 13: Money-Saving Disney Dining Tips! Counter-Service Money-Saving Tip from the DFB Guide Money-Saving Tip: The “No Kids Meal Challenge” View the full article

Let’s get in our Disney Parks Blog time machine once again and travel back six years, to March 2010. We showed you special events, looks back in Disney history and even a quiet moment here and there … Legendary Sherman Brothers Honored with Window on Main Street, U.S.A. On March 11, 2010, Disney Legends Richard and Robert Sherman were honored with their own window on Main Street, U.S.A., at Disneyland park. Sometimes it is the Details Garth Vaughn showed us this lovely moment near Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom Park. First Kid to Run Through Sleeping Beauty Castle Now Guards the Resort In March 2011, we met Robb Fischle, one of the lucky kids to run through Sleeping Beauty Castle for the very first time … who is now a Disneyland Resort Security Officer! Springtime in Tomorrowland Paul Hiffmeyer showed us this Flowering Pear tree on a foggy California morning … a beautiful springtime shot. View the full article

In this week’s “Disney Doodle,” artist Ashley Taylor depicts what Chip, from “Beauty and The Beast” might do, should he have the chance to explore Magic Kingdom Park. No doubt he’d head to Mad Tea Party to make some fellow tea cup friends. View the full article

How amazing is this shot of the Tree of Life at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? The park will be welcoming a lot of fun additions very soon, including the expansion of Kilimanjaro Safari’s operating hours into the evening, and more. The Tree of Life itself will also soon undergo nightly “awakenings” as the animal spirits of the tree are brought to “light” by magical fireflies, revealing moments of wonder and enchantment – but more on that very soon. View the full article

Kona Cafe may not be all that interesting to look at. Learn About: Kona CafePolynesian Resort Disney World Restaurants But — breakfast, lunch, or dinner — this spot consistently offers delicious and unexpectedly good to great food. Considered a bit of a hidden gem, Kona is normally a pretty easy spot for snagging an advance dining reservation. And with its super convenient location in the Polynesian Village Resort (right on the Magic Kingdom Monorail line!), it’s easily accessible from — well, pretty much anywhere. But while we’ve enjoyed meals every time of the day here throughout the years, I never rely on past experiences to predict future outcomes. And so I made it my mission on a recent visit to take in lunch at Kona once again. Sure, it meant missing out on some of my most favorite breakfast items (sob — Tonga Toast!) — but hey, it’s worth it to bring you all the latest! Right? So hop on the monorail with me, and let’s head to Kona for a midday meal. Atmosphere If you haven’t had the chance to check out the newly renovated Polynesian Village Resort, be sure to pencil in a little extra time when you head to Kona Cafe. I think Disney has done a great job of simultaneously breathing fresh air into this original Disney World spot and celebrating history. It’s new and old at the same time! Newly Renovated Polynesian Village Resort Lobby Unfortunately, the Imagineering Love didn’t reach all the way to Kona. So you’ll find the same decor that’s been here for quite some time. Kona Cafe sign And that’s mainly modern hotel chic, circa 1993, with a healthy suggestion of the outdoors. Seating and Glass Partitions Separating the Restaurant from the Lobby Seating is mixed, with some banquettes. I like the large round tables, though, and I frequently request one. More Seating The carpet has a motif of large, colorful tropical flowers. And don’t forget to look down on your way to your seat! You just might spy a Hidden Mickey. Carpet Flower Hidden Mickey Nature carries over into some of the lighting fixtures as well, which are leaf-shaped. Lighting I love the awesome fan that runs the length of the ceiling, and keeps the air moving constantly! It reminds me of something you’d find in an open air building in Hawai’i. Cool Fans (No Pun Intended) And while we make much of the fact that the restaurant overlooks the lobby mostly, there is a view of the outside from the dining area. Lighting and a View Outside And you are likely to catch a glimpse of the monorail as well here! Eats As I settled down to take a look at the menu, it was fun to check out drinks that are exclusive to the Polynesian Village Resort. Beverage Menu — Click to Enlarge Of course, I’m always game for starting a meal with a Lapu Lapu! Lapu Lapu And I think it’s pretty cool that you can get a Kona Beer Flight as well, just like the one at Trader Sam’s! Kona Beer Flight at Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace Here’s a glimpse of the menu. Everything sounded incredible, which made it super hard to choose! Main Menu — Click to Enlarge We decided to keep it meat-centric for our appetizers. We began with an order of Grilled Beef Satay, which is served with Bulgogi Sauce, a soy sauce-based sauce with all the flavors of Korean Barbecue. This didn’t really hit the spot for me. It tasted a bit charred and the meat was definitely overdone for my taste. Beef Satay So luckily I’d also ordered my good old stand-by — Kona’s Sticky Wings. The sweet Glaze is complemented by a tangy Mustard Sauce drizzled across the top. These are the same wings that you get over at ‘Ohana for dinner. They’re pretty much amazing all the time. Shockingly, they’re not overdone; and they’re always meaty, juicy, and delicious. Sticky Wings Soon, our entrees arrived. FYI — the menu here doesn’t really change up all that often, so if you’re interested in the Surf and Turf Burger or the Teriyaki Steak, check out my previous Kona lunch review. First up was the Island Chicken Sandwich. There’s a Grilled Chicken Breast under there! I promise! Island Chicken Sandwich As Served The chicken is topped with Bacon, Swiss Cheese, and French Fried Onions. Lettuce, Tomato, and Curry-Mango Mayo round out the accompaniments. You can choose from Asian Pear Slaw or Sweet Potato Fries on the side. I ordered this because the server said it was popular, but there’s really not a whole lot “Polynesian” about it. It’s a decent chicken sandwich, but I’d probably recommend going with something a little more authentic like the Plate Lunches or my next entree choice… . Island Chicken Sandwich — Bun On The Pan-Asian Noodles. Seriously, why has nobody made me get this before?!? Pan-Asian Noodles with Chicken This beautiful dish consists of Yakisoba Noodles, which are finished in a wok with an assortment of crisp Veggies. You can choose from Chicken or Tofu as your protein. Or you can opt for Shrimp. There’s a bit of a markup there, however. This dish (I ordered chicken) was ah-mazing. The flavors were rich and savory and perfect together. What I loved about this dish is what I love about jambalaya — it’s a whole lot of awesome all mixed together making it even more awesome. Entrees like this make me want to, like, wrap my arms around the bowl and scream, “MINE!”, so nobody tries to share. Pan-Asian Noodles — Up Close After the entrees, we tackled the dessert menu. Normally, I would skip out on a plated dessert and head for the Hawaiian Shave Ice at the Kona Island Sushi Bar next door, or even a Dole Whip Float at Pineapple Lanai. But I wanted to see how the desserts had changed up since my last visit. Dessert Menu — Click to Enlarge And fans of the Kona Kone — no worries! It’s still here! Kona Kone I decided to give some new flavors a try, however. It was the Yuzu-Citrus Tart for me. Yuzu Citrus Tart The dessert is served with a triangle of Coconut-Macadamia Brittle and a generous cap of real Whipped Cream. And you guys know buy now that if there’s a lemon dessert on the menu I’ll probably order it. This one didn’t disappoint. Yuzu is a very popular citrus fruit in Japan, and it was described to me by the server as a “lime-like” flavor. Researching it, I see that it’s closer to a very sour mandarin orange, but the flavors did mimic key lime. So, basically, this is like a key lime tart. Which, sadly, nobody would know unless they actually asked what Yuzu was. Bottom line? If you love key lime pie or tarts — you MUST order this gorgeous dessert. It’s deeeelicious! Yuzu Citrus Tart — Up Close But I also wanted to try out the no-sugar-added Jasmine Tea-Infused Cheesecake. The low-glycemic dessert was garnished with an Orange-Ginger Balsamic Reduction. When I was asking my server about it, he kindly said that “it’s really not very sweet at all,” and by this he actually meant “very few people actually like this dessert, lady.” And after tasting it I do agree that it’s an acquired taste and texture. And I didn’t acquire either of them during my time at Kona. The texture is more mealy than your standard, creamy cheesecake. The flavor is light and earthy, but not what I’m looking for in a dessert. I’d recommend going with a different dessert. And if you’re looking for low-sugar, Kona has a lovely fruit plate that you could order instead. Jasmine Tea-Infused Cheesecake Overall Look, I know that Kona Cafe channels 90s cheesy hotel lobby restaurant. But seriously — this place continues to impress. While my meals tend to tip heavily toward breakfast at Kona, lunch and dinner are just as wonderful. With the interesting mix of Pan Asian flavors, I was tempted by so many different things on the menu. And while our choices were hit or miss, the hits were so good that I would make Kona a destination to get them again. While starting a busy day with a great Kona Cafe breakfast is always a good idea, don’t overlook Kona for its other wonderful attribute — as an escape from the hustle and bustle of the Parks (especially if you’re at Magic Kingdom) for a midday meal or early lunch. Now, I’d really like to hear from all of you. What’s your favorite time of day to dine at Kona Cafe? Leave a comment and tell me your thoughts! 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Review: Breakfast at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Review: Lunch at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Resort Review: Breakfast at Kona Cafe in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort View the full article

This week, we shared a first behind-the-scenes look at the production of “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion.” If you missed our story, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” is a new musical based on Disney’s blockbuster animated film set to open at the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park on May 27, 2016. As Shawn showed us, “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion,” will immerse audiences in the emotional journey of Anna and Elsa with all the excitement of live theater, including elaborate costumes and sets, stunning special effects, show-stopping production numbers and a few surprises. Keep checking Disney Parks Blog for more peeks behind the curtain, as we get closer to the world premiere of “Frozen – Live at the Hyperion” on May 27. And did you see that our series of #DisneyParksLIVE events continues tomorrow with a live stream of “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth.” The stream begins at 8:50 p.m. EDT on Monday, March 21, right here on the Disney Parks Blog. While “IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth” starts at 9 p.m. EDT, you can join us beforehand for a behind-the-scenes look at the operation of this nighttime favorite. Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week. MercyMe, Casting Crowns, newsboys Among 15 Top Christian Music Performers at Disney’s Night of Joy Sept. 9-10, 2016 – It’s only March, but Disney’s Night of Joy 2016 will be here before we know it; and we wanted to give you an update, including the exciting lineup of talent coming to this year’s event. Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – New PANDORA Jewelry at Disney Parks in Spring 2016 – In this edition of Disney Parks Blog Unboxed, I visit Magic Kingdom Park in search of a very special gift. While at Uptown Jewelers on Main Street, U.S.A., I found a few extra surprises courtesy of Rob, the Disney Delivery Guy. Video Rewind: Hidden Gems at Disneyland Park – On your next visit to Disneyland park, I encourage you to slow down and take a look at all the details and hidden surprises that await you in the most unexpected places. Here is a look back at some of the hidden gems we have uncovered and shared with you here on the Disney Parks Blog over the years. A Look Back: Disney Afternoon – Live! at Disneyland Park – On March 15, 1991, stars from television’s four “Disney Afternoon” animated series began delighting Disneyland park guests along “Afternoon Avenue,” a festive themed area in Fantasyland near “it’s a small world.” Edible Gardens Feature Fruits, Veggies Served at Outdoor Kitchens at Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival – The 13 Outdoor Kitchens at the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival are serving delightful bites for the run of the festival through May 30, from Smoked Pork Ribs with Roasted Corn Salad at THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecues & Brews to a Lemon Scone with Crème Fraiche and Mixed Berries at Cider House. View the full article

Happy Sunday and happy first day of Spring! We hope the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming wherever you are! Now it’s time to sit back, relax, and catch up on the latest Disney food news! Fries with Pulled Pork and Cheese Speaking of springtime and flowers blooming, the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival is in full bloom right now and we’ve had a chance to eat our way around the festival’s Outdoor Kitchens! There are so many delicious items on the menus but we have our favorites. Be sure to check out our Best of the Fest – we have the scoop on what you should eat at the Flower and Garden Festival. We have a lot to share with you this week, so let’s jump right in… Disney Food News We’re talking about What’s New Around Walt Disney World this week! Make sure you’re hungry during your next visit! We have Epcot Food & Wine Festival News! There are two preliminary dates for the Eat to the Beat concerts. The full menus were announced for the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! Tune in to the latest PassPorter Moms Podcast and hear AJ talk about the Flower and Garden Festival eats and other food news! We recently stopped by the Contempo Cafe for dinner. Beignets from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort French Quarter (with new dipping sauces!) are #OnTheList this week! We reviewed the Smoked Butterscotch Latte and Frappucino at Starbucks. 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! La Cava del Tequila is one of our favorite spots in all of Walt Disney World. The margaritas are delicious (and so is the queso!). Recently my good friend Jenn L stopped by La Cava and tried the new Beet Margarita and proclaimed it was “so good!” Cheers! Breakfast at Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village is always tops on our list. DFB fan Rick Musselman recently enjoyed an “awesome” breakfast there too. He ordered the Samoan, which is Poached Eggs over Smoked Pulled Pork Hash with Hollandaise Sauce. Of course, no breakfast is complete at Kona Cafe without a pressed pot of coffee. Now that’s a delicious breakfast! 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: Daylight SAVINGS — Extended For a Limited Time! 25% Off the DFB Guide and the DFB Everything Bundle The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining e-Book is an instantly downloadable PDF guide, featuring over 530 full-color pages of photographs, information, and advice about our favorite subjects — food and dining in Walt Disney World. Order the 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code DAYLIGHT for 25% off! Our team of Walt Disney World food experts have put together the most comprehensive guide 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! Order the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2016 e-Book today, and start planning your Disney dining adventures right now! Here are just a few of the things you’ll find in our DFB to Walt Disney World Dining: A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience. Four free, downloadable worksheets for planning your trip. These worksheets are designed to help you execute all the steps of planning the perfect Disney dining experience. And they’re reusable for all of your future trips! Seven sample one-day dining itineraries for a head-start on planning. A comprehensive index of bars and lounges. An often under-appreciated option for both dining and entertainment, the e-Book devotes a whole index to the topic. You asked for it, and we wrote it! The ability to be read on your mobile device or computer! It’s fully portable — always just a pocket away! and MORE! Order the 2016 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining today and use promo code DAYLIGHT for 25% off! 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, 2015 edition. And during this special sale, you can get 25% off the already low price when you enter code DAYLIGHT. 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 25% off, this is an amazing deal. Learn more about the DFB Everything Bundle here. The bundle includes the pre-order of the DFB Guide to the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival as well as the 2015 guide as an immediate download — FREE! 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 fun Mickey Mouse Jelly Belly Dispenser and we just gotta have it! Cake Wrecks showcased some incredible Marvel cakes! WDW For Grownups enjoyed dinner at Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant in Disney Springs. Orange County Register shared the Disney character Dim Sum from Hong Kong Disneyland. Sippy Cup Mom shared a recipe Clover’s Bunny Tails Dessert – perfect for Easter! Oh My Disney made us laugh with its 10 Love Ballads Rewritten for Disney Food. 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 13, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: March 6, 2016 Disney Food Post Round-Up: January 24, 2016 View the full article

Disney Parks Blog Unboxed – New PANDORA Jewelry | Disney Parks View the full article

Our views of castles, man-made mountains and flying elephants are reminders of the magic that await you every day at a Disney theme park. But our resorts aren’t the only places where you’ll feel that special touch. This Week in Disney Park Photos, I’m sharing this shot of Yellowstone National park, where Adventures By Disney takes you on a special tour of Montana and this natural wonders. Amanda Adler shared her “glamping” experience, suitable for anyone who likes roughin’ it, and those who want the common comforts of travel. Where would you like Adventures by Disney to take you? View the full article

The Force is strong at Symphony in the Stars, a Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party! Beth Wesesky, guest author, takes us to this hard ticket event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. No faster-than-light travel necessary. A short time ago…in a state far, far away… Nerd, geek, dweeb, scruffy-looking Nerfherder… any way you describe it, my family and I are proud Star Wars fanatics! So, on our most recent trip to Walt Disney World, we just KNEW that we had to get our “fix”! That “fix” included booking reservations for the “Symphony in the Stars, A Galactic Spectacular Dessert Party” held in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on select nights through April 30th, 2016. Symphony in the Stars The day the reservation window opened, I made the jump to hyperspace and booked our party! Admission price is $69.00 for adults and $39.00 for children ages 3-9 and Hollywood Studios admission is required. Disney Dining Plan entitlements may not be used and prepayment with a credit card is required. The party is described on the Walt Disney World website as: The Dessert Party You’re Looking For! Enjoy an out-of-this-world selection of desserts and specialty drinks—including alcoholic beverage options. Nibble on Darth Vader cupcakes as you take in an up-close view of the enthralling Symphony in the Stars: A Galactic Spectacular Fireworks Show. A Galactic Evening Atmosphere We arrived in Disney’s Hollywood Studios around 6PM on January 24th, and headed for the Dessert Party check-in, which is located beside Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner. We were checked in by a lovely Cast Member who instructed us to return closer to 7PM. We were given a wrist band to present at the entrance when we returned. Around 6:45PM, we headed back to an already very long line of party-goers waiting to be admitted to the viewing area. The viewing area was set up on the left side of Center Stage, in the hub of the park. The tables were standing tables, draped with black and red (nice Dark Side touch) tablecloths that just touched the ground. Keep in mind, there is no seating available, but the area is spacious and comfortable. Besides, once the fireworks begin, you’ll be on your feet in awe! The evening of our party, the temperature was about 38 degrees (brrrrr…), so Disney had several heat sources set up in the area to keep guests from shivering through the show! Standing Tables Dessert Party Tables Before the event got started, park-goers were entertained by an awesome light show and DJ who was playing modern dance tune mixes, which everyone enjoyed! As soon as we got into the viewing area, we headed for a table near the front to get a clear view of the fireworks. There were some trees blocking a bit of the view for other tables, but I’m sure this wasn’t a deal breaker. Eats We made the table our own, and went off to scope out the offerings! WOW…I’ve got to say, we were very impressed with not only the taste of the desserts and savory bites, but also with the presentation and layout as well! There were two food buffet stations, one on either side of the viewing area. Each station had the same selections, and it made navigating the area very stress-free. No bumping into other people reaching over you for food! The sweet dessert options that were beautifully displayed on the stations included: Blue Milk Panna Cotta with Crispy Pearls (our 15-year old son’s favorite), “Darth Maul” The Pastry Menace Eclairs, mini Droid Cupcakes (BB-8 Lemon cake with Vanilla Buttercream), Rice Crispy Bon Bons, “Yoda” Pistachio Morella Cherry Bites, “Death Star” Chocolate Cake, “Sun” Citrus Financier, mini Darth Vader Cupcakes (Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Peanut Butter Frosting), Green Grape Sabers, and fresh Raspberry and Blueberry Sabers. Blue Milk Panna Cotta with Crispy Pearls “Darth Maul” The Pastry Menace Eclairs BB-8 Lemon cake with Vanilla Buttercream and candy rocks Rice Crispy Bon Bons “Yoda” Pistachio Morella Cherry Bites, “Sun” Citrus Financier, and “Death Star” Chocolate Cake mini Darth Vader Cupcakes Darth Vader Mini Cupcakes Green Grape Sabers Fresh Raspberry and Blueberry Sabers There was also a Freeze-Fried Nutella Truffle dessert option that was so amazing that it had its OWN station set up near the entrance to the viewing area! The Cast Member scooped a small scoop of rich, delicious Nutella mousse into a pool of liquid nitrogen. She swirled it around a few times, then fished it out into a bowl. POOF, it had turned into a frozen ball of chocolatey, hazel-nutty goodness! How’s that for Disney Magic!? There were even toppings…yes…toppings, to slather all over your frozen Truffle! The choices were Raspberry Sauce and Dark Chocolate Sauce. Both were fantastic! Freeze-Fried Nutella Truffle Dessert We enjoyed the Galactic Warm Space Debris Bread Pudding as well, which was absolutely divine! It was chock-full of candy pieces, pretzel pieces, chocolate chunks, and marshmallows! You could choose between Vanilla Bean Sauce, Fresh Berries, Whipped Cream, or Mickey Galactic Dust (or all four, not judging!) to top off your Space Debris Pudding as well. Galactic Warm Space Debris Bread Pudding Galactic Warm Space Debris Bread Pudding Close-Up Vanilla Bean Sauce, Fresh Berries, Whipped Cream, or Mickey Galactic Dust There was a dedicated Ice Cream cart with a chilly, but smiling Cast Member handing out Mickey Bars and other frozen treats. Poor guy, he didn’t have too many customers on that frosty evening! There was another ice cream station as well, with hand-scooped vanilla ice cream and all the sundae toppings one can imagine! Ice Cream Station To our delight, the night’s treats also included several savory items as well! After all of those rich, sweet treats, having some salty and savory bites really helped keep the sugar comas in check! The savory items included: “C3-PO” Crackers, Cheddar and Green Olive Sabers, Smoked Sea-Salted “Quarter Ration” Biscuits with a delicious smoky dipping sauce, and “Scorched” Pesto Crisps. I am a HUGE olive junkie, so I was in heaven! I think I must have eaten 10 “sabers”! “C3-PO” Crackers Cheddar and Green Olive Sabers Cheddar and Green Olive Sabers Savory Items Smoked Sea-Salted “Quarter Ration” Biscuits with a delicious smoky dipping sauce Biscuits Smoky Dipping Sauce “Scorched” Pesto Crisps Now for the piece-de-resistance… the DRINKS. Disney bartenders know how to pour a great cocktail, let me tell ya! Joey, our bartender that evening, was an absolute hoot! He spoke with each guest personally and asked if we would like our drinks, “Youngling strength or Jedi Strength”! The specialty cocktails included: “The Force” (Pomegranate Lemonade with Jim Beam Bourbon), “First Order Finale” (Blood Orange Lemonade with Coruba Coconut Rum), “Jakku Juicy Cocktail” (Green Apple Lemonade with Citrus Vodka) or the warm “Corellian Smuggler’s Coffee” with Bailey’s Irish Crème. Between the two of us, my husband and I sampled each cocktail and found them strong, but not so strong as to mask the delicious flavors. My personal favorite was the Corellian Smuggler’s Coffee, just because it was warming me up on such a chilly night! Bartender Specialty Alcoholic Beverages Specialty Beverages Cheers! Non-alcoholic drinks included: coffee with a selection of syrups, hot tea, hot chocolate, soft drinks, bottled water, and specialty drinks, the “Padawan Punch” and “Ewok Juice”. Coffee, Tea, and Hot Cocoa Hot Beverage Station Specialty Drinks, the “Padawan Punch” and “Ewok Juice” After noshing for about 45 minutes, Cast Members announced that we should find our spots to view the show! The Symphony in the Stars Galactic Fireworks began, and we were absolutely amazed! In my opinion, this display of fireworks, soundtrack, and experience tops even Wishes! OK, it may be the fact that I am a HUGE Star Wars nut, but still… this show was utterly outstanding. The view was spectacular, the music selections and integrated voice-overs were perfectly meshed with the exploding bursts of color — I had tears in my eyes the entire time! Phenomenal!! Fireworks for Star Wars Fans Star Wars Fireworks Fireworks After the fireworks, we were encouraged to stay and eat more (as if!) and even take “Chewie Bags” with us! Speaking of Chewie, on the way out of the event, we were each presented with the souvenir Chewbacca drink stein. How cool is that? Chewbacca Souvenir Overall Overall, the Symphony in the Stars Galactic Fireworks Dessert Party is an event that any Star Wars fan should do, at least once, if not three or four times! If you love desserts, Star Wars, and fireworks, this is the party for you! Right now, the party is set to continue through April 30th, but hopefully Disney will hear the Krayt Dragon Calls of its Star Wars fans and continue the party for the foreseeable future! Let us know if you think this Star Wars party should be extended. What is your favorite dessert party at Walt Disney World? 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News: Season of the Force Bringing Star Wars-themed Food, New Dessert Party to Disney’s Hollywood Studios News: Booking Now Available for Star Wars Fireworks Dessert Party in Disney World News! Star Wars “Feel the Force” Dining Event and Dessert Party in Walt Disney World NOW BOOKING View the full article

First off, if you have yet to see Disney’s Zootopia, get out there and do it! My whole family loved the movie. It’s fun for all ages including temperamental, too cool for school tweens and teenagers. Secondly, if you love bananas, we hope you got over to California Adventure’s Award Wieners to celebrate the movie with a Banana Corn Dog. Award Wieners Located in DCA’s Hollywood Land, Award Wieners is a counter service hot dog spot currently offering (today is the last day!) the specialty Banana Corn Dog in honor of Zootopia’s release. Zootopia Banana Corn Dog & Souvenir Tumbler Offerings The Banana Corn Dog is actually two small banana corn dogs. My guess is that they prepare it this way because a whole banana might get too mushy when fried and wouldn’t hold its shape. The bananas are dipped in Corn and Honey Batter, fried, and topped with Powdered Sugar. Two dipping sauces are served with the banana corn dogs: Red “Pawpsicle” Raspberry Sauce and Chocolate Sauce. Banana Corn Dogs & Dipping Sauces The corn dog batter tastes almost exactly the same as the batter on the famous corn dogs of The Disneyland Resort (which can be found The Little Red Wagon on Main St. USA, Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland or Corn Dog Castle in Disney California Adventure). This batter is just a tad bit sweeter and makes a perfect combination with the warm banana hidden inside. Made fresh to order, the outside has a nice crunch to it. Banana Corn Dog After the crunch, your teeth sink directly into that creamy sweet banana center. Banana Center I was not a big fan of the Chocolate Sauce. It was a little on the watery side and what I’d consider chocolate syrup. If it were thick hot fudge, it would have been incredible! Banana Corn Dog with Chocolate Sauce The Raspberry “Pawpsicle” Sauce though was delicious. It was sweet, tart, and a wonderful compliment to the banana as well as the fried batter. Banana Corn Dog with Raspberry “Pawpsicle” Sauce Overall, I loved this fun snack. At $5.99 it’s a little on the pricey side, but it’s also unique and something new to try out! I love the idea of a dessert on a stick. I wonder what other types of snacks they could fry up and skewer with a stick? I’d love a monte cristo “to go” like this!!!! That raspberry sauce would be perfect with it! Have you or do you plan to try the Banana Corn Dog at Award Wieners? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below. Heather Sievers is the Disney Food Blog’s Dining in Disneyland columnist. See more of her columns here! 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: Dining in Disneyland: Big Hero 6 Teriyaki Street Dog & Coconut Milk Tea from Award Wieners Dining in Disneyland: Award Wieners Serving Up OZ Themed Menu Items Review: Award Wieners in Disney California Adventure View the full article

Fans of the Heads Up! App and Disney Parks now have the best of both experiences, as a new Disney Parks-themed deck is now available. App creator and talk show host Ellen DeGeneres announced the addition to the game during her show. The app is available for $.99 on iOS and free on Android. Once it’s downloaded, guests visiting Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort and Aulani can unlock the Disney Parks themed deck for free. It features iconic attractions, characters and experiences. Fans also have a chance to win a vacation package to either Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort in Ellen’s “Win A Magical Theme Parks Family Vacation Package for 4” contest by clicking here*. Click here for contest rules. *NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN A PRIZE. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. THIS IS A CONTEST OF SKILL. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. The entry period for the “Ellen’s Win a Magical Theme Parks Family Vacation Package for 4” (“Contest”), sponsored by WAD Productions Inc. (“Sponsor”), begins on Thursday, March 17, 2016 at 6:00 AM Pacific Time (“PT”) and ends on Friday, April 22, 2016 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time (“PT”) (the “Contest Period”). All applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Proof of submitting a Contest entry will not be deemed by Sponsor as proof of receipt of valid entry into the Contest. Any attempted form of entry into the Contest other than as described herein is void. View the full article

On Monday, March 14, Make-A-Wish® volunteers, wish families and wish granters gathered in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland park to celebrate the massive success of the global #ShareYourEars campaign. During this special thank-you celebration, Disney Parks announced that we will double our original donation from $1 million to $2 million in recognition of the overwhelming support from fans around the globe! Take a look back at some highlights from this special moment. To honor the 100,000th Disney wish granted globally, and in celebration of the Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration, fans were invited to share images of themselves wearing Mickey Mouse ears or their creative interpretations of ears. Photos uploaded with the hashtag #ShareYourEars unlocked a donation from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “We were overwhelmed by the response to Share Your Ears,” said David Williams, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish America. “The campaign not only raised valuable funds for wish granting, it allowed us to engage with both current Make-A-Wish supporters and those who learned about us for the very first time. We now have a worldwide community who is more enthusiastic about our unique relationship with Disney than ever before.” “We’re thrilled that so many of our guests, fans, and cast members supported Make-A-Wish by sharing their ears and joining Walt Disney Parks and Resorts in making even more children’s wishes come true,” said Bob Chapek, chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. For more than 35 years, Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions, touching millions of people around the world. Nearly 8,000 Disney-related wishes are granted worldwide every year – including experiences at Disney theme parks, voyages on Disney Cruise Line, meetings with Disney characters, and visits to TV and movie sets – making Disney the most popular request by Make-A-Wish children. Jon Stettner, president and CEO of Make-A-Wish International said: “We are grateful to Disney and the hundreds of thousands of fans around the world who shared their simple, artistic and sometimes even wacky ears. It’s because of you that wish kids and families experience the life-changing power of a wish-come-true.” For more information, visit www.ShareYourEars.org. View the full article

The Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival is returning to Disneyland on April 1st! And you know what THAT means, don’t you? ©Disney That means it’s time to start figuring out what you want to EAT the most! So, if you’re planning on attending the weekend-only Festival from April 1 through May 1, take a gander at the MENUS for the eight Festival Marketplaces, each of which will celebrate spring in California in their own way. California Food and Wine Festival Welcome Center in 2010 Additionally, some of the Disney California Adventure restaurants will be serving dishes inspired by the Marketplaces. And we’ll check those out, too… but let’s see those menus first! ©Disney LAstyle Chilled Ahi Poke with avocado crème and Wakame salad, topped with sesame tuile Pork Belly Bao Taco with pickled vegetables Milk Chocolate Caramel Tart with almond brittle and sea salt ©Disney The Vineyard Cabernet Flight Chardonnay Flight Pinot Noir Flight Wine and Cuvée by the glass Wine Country Zinfandel-Braised Wagyu Beef with creamy polenta and spring pea puree Roasted Yellow Beets and Purple Haze Goat cheese with baby greens, green ver jus, sultanas and cashews Blackberry Tart with rosemary vanilla bean crème fraîche and a Cabernet wine glaze ¡Viva Fresca! Fried Shrimp Soft Taco with pickled red onion-jalapeno, queso fresco and avocado-lime crèma Anaheim Chile and Roasted Cauliflower Burrito with Jack cheese and avocado-lime crèma Gold Rush Triple Cheese Mac with Smoked Chicken featuring Fontina, Cheddar and Gouda cheeses (WHAT?!?! YUM!!!) Artichoke Chips with Spicy Aioli Apple Bacon Whoopie Pie with maple cream cheese icing and bacon brittle (SERIOUSLY?!?) The Brewhouse Southern California Beer Flight Northern California Beer Flight Craft beers by the glass ©Disney The Farm Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider with chimichurri sauce Golden Thai Vegetable Curry with jasmine rice Meyer Lemon Macaron with blackberry marmalade, Meyer lemon cream and dried bluberry dust (YES, pls.) ©Disney By the Bay White Cheddar Ale and Bacon Soup, served in a Boudin sourdough mini-boule (SIGN me UP!) Chilled Shrimp and Snow Crab Cocktail Coconut Tapioca layered with fresh mango and lychee boba, topped with green tea micro sponge and mango-couli sesame tuile Again, many restaurants around Disney California will be serving specialty items throughout the run of the Festival, from Signature Restaurants to Counter Service spots! Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge Carthay Circle Restaurant will feature a different specialty menu item and wine pairing each week, while the Carthay Circle Lounge will serve a Carthay Cobb Salad and Caribbean Club Sandwich. Carthay Circle Restaurant Pacific Wharf Cafe The Pacific Wharf Cafe will be serving Dungeness Crab Corn Chowder served in a Boudin sourdough boule. Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill Stop by Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill for Shredded Pork Tostadas with grilled pineapple slaw and chipotle crèma. Lucky Fortune Cookery Chicken and Vegetable Dumplings will be on the menu at Lucky Fortune Cookery. Wine Country Trattoria The Wine Country Trattoria will pair a featured wine with a Fresh Strawberry and Pistachio Cream Tart. ©Disney Mendocino Terrace and Sonoma Terrace A Sausage and Cheese Plate and Fruit and Cheese Plate will be available at Mendocino Terrace and Sonoma Terrace. ©Disney Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars The Hollywood Backlot Studio Bars will feature the same plates as Mendocino Terrace and Sonoma Terrace, and will also be serving a Soft Twisted Pretzel with Cheese Sauce. ©Disney So… which item are YOU most excited to try? Oh, who are we kidding?! There’s bound to be SEVERAL on your must-eat list… which is EXACTLY what’s going to make the return of the Disney California Food & Wine Festival SO much fun! Don’t forget to check out our Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival page for all the details! Please let us know which part of the Disney California Food & Wine Festival you are most excited about with a comment 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 NewsletterFollow us on TwitterBecome a Facebook Fan Related posts: News! Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival Returns in April 2016 News! 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival FULL BOOTH MENUS and Food Photos! News! FULL 2013 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Menus and Booths Announced! View the full article

A new app lets you combine the best parts of Disney Parks into the ultimate theme park. So if you've ever wished Magic Kingdom had California Sreamin' or the Pixar Play Parade, you can now make that happen with Disney Magic Kingdoms. The game is available on the App Store, Google Play and Microsoft... View the full article

Described as "celebrating our shared love of polka dots and a well-placed bow," Kate Spade New York and Disney have teamed up for a new Minnie Mouse-inspired collection. The fashion retailer has introduced "Kate Spade New York for Minnie Mouse," with online exclusive sales of a variety of Minnie-inspired... View the full article

Has your child ever dreamed of sleeping in a princess’ castle? Now you could win the chance to make their wishes come true by entering the Disney Junior “My Magical Firsts” sweepstakes, where the grand prize includes an overnight stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite at Magic Kingdom Park. From now through April 3, you can enter to win a truly magical family vacation to Walt Disney World Resort – just visit the sweepstakes website for all of the details. While you’re there, be sure to check out our handy tips on how to plan a Disney vacation for your little ones. And this Summer is a great time to visit – there are so many new ways to help you create memories together, from new “Frozen” fun to Star Wars adventures and exciting experiences at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Good luck, and happy planning! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Void where prohibited. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. or D.C who are 18 years of age or older (or who have reached the age of majority in his/her primary state of residence, whichever is older). Sweepstakes starts 12:00pm (noon) PT on 3/7/16 and ends 11:59pm PT on 4/3/16. Click here for Official Rules (including details on odds of winning, prize descriptions and limitations. View the full article