Festive Foodie Guide to Resorts at Walt Disney World

Foodie Guide By November 10, 2022 No Comments

‘Tis the season to treat yourself – and what better way than through your stomach? This year, the Disney Resort hotels are bursting with holiday goodies to get you in the spirit of the season. With eats, treats, and sips a plenty, you’ll be more than satisfied with this Disney Eats Foodie Guide!

The absolute best part about this time of year is all the yuletide items you can try! There’s a reason we wait all year for them. All across the resorts, you can unwrap items that will light up your palate with flavors that are sugar, spice, and everything nice. From the almost too cute to eat (almostSnowman Chocolate Marshmallow Pie at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa to the plant-based and gluten-friendly Santa’s Forest dessert at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and who can forget the classic Christmas Feast at multiple locations, everyone can taste their way through the holidays – one resort at a time.

Let’s continue our foodie adventure through the most wonderful time of the year in this guide. And if you missed it, be sure to jingle all the way to the Disney Eats topics page to find our previous Foodie Guides for Walt Disney World ResortDisneyland Resort, and the Festival of Holidays at Disneyland Resort.

Apple Tart
Available at Various Resorts
  • Apple Tart: Classic apple tart with crunchy streusel and cinnamon glaze (Available Dec. 25 only; mobile order available); Available at the following:
    • World Premiere at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
    • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Christmas Feast: Roasted turkey dinner, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes with turkey gravy, seasonal vegetables, and cranberry relish (Available Dec. 25 only; mobile order available); Available at the following:
    • World Premiere at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Contempo Cafe at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
    • Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
    • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Peppermint Bark: Dark and white chocolate with peppermint (Available Dec. 1 through 31); Available at the following:
    • World Premiere at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
    • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Walking in a Plant-based Snowland
  • Walking in a Plant-based Snowland: Chocolate cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a flurry of snowflake sprinkles (Plant-based) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available); Available at the following:
    • World Premiere at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
    • Everything POP Shopping & Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
All Star Christmas Tree
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

World Premiere Food Court and End Zone Food Court (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • All Star Christmas Tree: Gingerbread-spiced macaron Christmas tree with passionfruit ganache, coconut buttercream, and a white chocolate (all) star (New)
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

Intermission Food Court (Mobile order available)

  • All Star Christmas Tree: Gingerbread-spiced macaron Christmas tree with passionfruit ganache, coconut buttercream, and a white chocolate (all) star (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
  • Gingerbread Sundae: Gingerbread soft-serve served in a waffle bowl topped with M&M’s chocolate candies, chocolate sauce, and a chocolate gingerbread boy (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
  • Candy Cane Latte: Café latte with peppermint and white chocolate (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Dec. 31)
Mickey Santa Hat
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Jiko – The Cooking Place (Available Dec. 24 through 31)

  • Holiday Feast: Bone-in ribeye, preserved lemon and almond haricot verts, herb roasted potatoes, roasted radicchio, and tart cherry wine reduction

The Mara (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31; mobile order available)

  • Mickey Santa Hat: Chai mousse with coconut marshmallow (New)

Sanaa (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Celebrate the Season Dinner: Roast prime rib with Jus Lie, mukimo, fall vegetables with fig butter, and mushroom conserva
Deer Holly-day Cupcake
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping & Dining (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Deer Holly-day Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate ganache topped with peanut butter cream cheese buttercream and festive sprinkles (New)
Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Beaches and Cream (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31)

  • Holiday Shake: Cookie butter milkshake with caramel drizzle and holiday sprinkles, topped with a Christmas tree cupcake (New)

Beach Club Marketplace (Mobile order available)

  • Peppermint Trifle: Peppermint white chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, chocolate cookie crumble, dark chocolate peppermint mousse with whipped cream, chocolate curls, and crisp pearl décor (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 1)
  • Merry Mickey Cupcake: Traditional vanilla cupcake and vanilla buttercream with chocolate Mickey ears and holiday décor (New) (Available through Jan. 1)
  • Christmas Tree Delight: Hot cocoa mousse with a marshmallow center on a chocolate cookie (New) (Available through Jan. 1)
Disney’s BoardWalk

BoardWalk Deli (Mobile order available)

  • Apple Cider Loaf (New) (Available through Dec. 26)
  • Peppermint Brownie Cheesecake: Brownie base, peppermint cheesecake, and holiday sprinkles (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 26)
  • Hot Cocoa Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake, cocoa custard filling, and marshmallow buttercream (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 26)

Flying Fish (Available Dec. 24, 25, and 31 only)

  • Chef’s Holiday Special: Oak-grilled filet mignon and coldwater lobster (New)

Trattoria al Forno (Available Dec. 24, 25, and 31 only)

  • Steak al Forno with Yukon potatoes, cipollini agrodolce, and chianti reduction (New)
Rum Cake from Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Rum Cake: Traditional rum cake (New)
  • Ginger Crabs: Classic gingerbread cookies (New)

Banana Cabana (Available Dec. 1 through 31)

  • Rum Cake: Traditional rum cake (New)
White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse Brownie from Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Contempo Cafe (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • White Chocolate Peppermint Mousse Brownie: White chocolate peppermint mousse on a fudge brownie with white chocolate candy cane (New)

California Grill

  • Fire-Roasted Venison with sweet potato fondant, roasted root vegetables, and sour cranberries (New) (Available Dec. 25 only)
  • Valrhona Chocolate Torte: Valrhona dark chocolate ganache torte, whipped cherry panna cotta, Kirsch cherry caramel, pistachio snow, candied pistachios, pistachio nougat, and cherry gel (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 30)

Chef Mickey’s (Available Dec. 18 through 25)

  • Holiday-inspired Family Style Offerings: Apricot and gruyere stuffed pork tenderloin with apricot demi, classic stuffing, garlic mashed potatoes, and Haricot verts with stewed tomatoes (New)

Steakhouse 71

  • Holiday Brunch: Menu highlights include Walt’s Prime Rib Hash, Floridian Eggs Benedict, Bacon & Eggs, and French Onion Soup (Available Dec. 18 through 24 and Dec. 26 through Jan. 8)
  • Snowy Dreams: Our rendition of Walt and Lillian Disney’s favorite holiday beverage with cognac, crème de coca, holiday-spiced syrup, and half and half garnished with nutmeg and orange zest (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 8) 
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

Barcelona Lounge

  • Holiday Candle Tart: Traditional flan tart (New) (Available. Dec. 4 through 31)
  • Gingersnap Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew, gingerbread, maple syrup, and gingersnap crumbles (New) (Available through Jan. 2)

Dahlia Lounge (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 7)

  • Poinsettia Punch: House-made gingerbread simple syrup, cranberry, ginger ale, cinnamon, and orange (New)

Three Bridges Bar & Grill (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 7)

  • Spiced Chocolate Mexicana: Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Ancho Reyes Poblano Chile Liqueur, house-made hot chocolate, and cinnamon finished with cinnamon-vanilla whipped cream and a dusting of cayenne pepper (New)

Toledo – Tapas, Steak & Seafood  

  • Toledo Christmas: Prime rib of beef, potato silk, pearl onion-tomato confit, and chimichurri (New) (Available Dec. 25 only)
  • Coquito: Coconut panna cotta with spiced dulce de leche and cranberry crumble (New) (Available Dec. 18 through 25)
  • Poinsettia Punch: House-made gingerbread simple syrup, cranberry, ginger ale, cinnamon, and orange (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 7)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Gasparilla’s Island Grill (Available Nov. 27 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Peppermint Cheesecake with chocolate cookie crumb crust and red velvet whipped cream (New)
  • Snowman Chocolate Marshmallow Pie: Graham cookie sandwiched with chocolate ganache and topped with a marshmallow snowman (New)

Cítricos (Available Dec. 25 and 31 only)

  • Chipotle-Maple Glazed Dry-Aged Pork Chop with squash au gratin, swiss chard, and almond mole (New)
Disney’s Old Key West

Good’s Food to Go (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Holiday Ornament Cupcake: Christmas confetti cupcake, cream cheese mousse, and buttercream (New)
  • Peppermint Bark
  • Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies: Gingerbread cookies dipped in dark chocolate

Olivia’s Café (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Chocolate Lava Cake with vanilla crème anglaise and peppermint crunch (New)
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Capt. Cook’s (Available Dec. 11 through 25; mobile order available)

  • Moana Holiday Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake with candy cane mousse and chocolate décor

Kona Island Coffee Bar (Available Dec. 11 through 25)

  • Stitch Holiday Dome: Mint chocolate chip mousse with brownie base (New)
  • Candy Cane Latte: Café latte with peppermint and white chocolate (New) (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31)

Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace (Available Dec. 1 through 31)

  • Tropical Snowstorm: Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, coconut cream with cinnamon, orgeat, and falernum topped with cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Mele Kaliki Mai Tai: Plantation Original Dark Rum, Bacardi Superior Rum, St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram, with cranberry juice, cinnamon, orgeat, and falernum with a splash of fresh lime juice and a cinnamon stick
  • Jingle Jammer: A non-alcoholic combination of cranberry, pineapple, cinnamon, falernum, and a splash of fresh lime juice
‘Olu Mel Christmas Float

Pineapple Lanai (Available Dec. 22 through 26)

  • ‘Olu Mel Christmas Float: DOLE Whip Lime Float with pineapple juice, an ‘Olu Mel white chocolate medallion, and strawberry popping candy (Wheat/ Gluten Friendly)
A glass of Eggnog
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (Mobile order available)

  • Magic Bar: A blend of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, walnuts, and coconut with a graham cracker crust (New) (Available beginning Dec. 1)
  • Gingerbread Spiced Caramel Blondie Bites: Gingerbread spice-dusted caramel blondie bites (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
  • Eggnog (Non-alcoholic) (Spiked version available)
Peppermint Mickey Beignet

Scat Cat’s Club – Café (Available Dec. 1 through 31)

  • Peppermint Mickey Beignet: Classic Mickey beignet topped with a peppermint ganache and candy cane quins (New)
Christmas Dinner and Magic Bar from Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside 

Boatwright’s Dining Hall (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Christmas Dinner: Dijon-rubbed pork loin with bourbon sweet potato purée, crispy Brussel sprouts, and apple fennel chutney (New)

Riverside Mill (Mobile order available)

  • Magic Bar: A blend of chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, walnuts, and coconut with a graham cracker crust (New) (Available beginning Dec. 1)
  • Gingerbread Spiced Caramel Blondie Bites: Gingerbread spice-dusted caramel blondie bites (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 31)
Disney’s Riviera Resort

Le Petit Café

  • Riviera Gingerbread Cookie: Gingerbread cookie with dark chocolate and sugar glaze (Available Nov. 20 through Jan. 2)
  • Panettone: Traditional Italian panettone (New) (Available Nov. 27 through Jan. 2)
  • Chocolate Peppermint Mousse: Dark chocolate mousse with white chocolate peppermint mousse center, brownie base, peppermint marshmallow, and truffle (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 30)

Primo Piatto (Available Nov. 28 through Jan. 7; mobile order available)

  • Vanilla, Cherry, and Gingerbread Cheesecake: Vanilla cheesecake with chocolate cheesecake swirl, Morello cherries, whipped gingerbread panna cotta, and milk chocolate Mickey coin (New)
Opera Cake

Topolino’s Terrace

  • Opera Cake: Almond joconde, mocha Italian buttercream, dark chocolate ganache, morello cherry (New) (Available Dec. 1 through 30)
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

The Artist’s Palette (Available Dec. 1 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Snowman Cupcake: Christmas confetti cupcake, cream cheese mousse, and buttercream (New)
  • Yule Log: Black Forest chocolate sponge cake, vanilla panna cotta, and cherry compote (New)
  • Peppermint Bark
  • Mickey and Minnie Gingerbread Cookies: Gingerbread cookies dipped in dark chocolate
Christmas Tree Swirl

Backstretch Pool Bar (Available Dec. 1 through 31)

  • Christmas Tree Swirl: Vanilla soft-serve ice cream with edible sugar lights, sprinkles, and a white chocolate star (New)

The Turf Club Bar & Grill (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Holiday Dinner: Pork shank with au gratin potatoes, house-made green bean casserole, roasted carrots, and a Parker House roll (New)
  • Chocolate Lava Cake with vanilla crème anglaise and peppermint crunch (New)
Santa’s Forest and Christmas Tree Mousse from Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

Roaring Fork (Mobile order available)

  • Pumpkin Mousse Cake: Chocolate-dipped spice cake, milk chocolate pumpkin mousse, and dark chocolate antlers (Available Nov. 20 through Dec. 29)
  • Christmas Tree Mousse: White chocolate peppermint mousse, chocolate cake, and dark chocolate ganache in a vanilla tart shell (New) (Available Dec. 18 through 29)
  • Santa’s Forest: Peppermint Cheesecake, chocolate cake, and fondant holiday décor (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) (Available Dec. 18 through 29)
  • Molasses Crackle Cookie: A Disney’s Wilderness Lodge tradition (Available Dec. 18 through 29)

Whispering Canyon Cafe (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Holiday Skillet: Moonshine-glazed ham, slow-smoked pulled pork, Western-style sausages, maple-chipotle pork ribs, apple-cornbread stuffing, sautéed green beans, buttered corn, and smashed Yukon potatoes
Peppermint Trifle and Merry Mickey Cupcake from Disney's Yacht Club Resort
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

The Market at Ale & Compass (Mobile order available)

  • Peppermint Trifle: Peppermint white chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, chocolate cookie crumble, dark chocolate peppermint mousse with whipped cream, chocolate curls, and crisp pearl décor (New) (Available Dec. 1 through Jan. 1)
  • Merry Mickey Cupcake: Traditional vanilla cupcake and vanilla buttercream with chocolate Mickey ears and holiday décor (New) (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 1)
  • Christmas Tree Delight: Hot cocoa mousse with a marshmallow center on a chocolate cookie (New) (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 1)

Yachtsman Steakhouse (Available Dec. 24 and 25 only)

  • Yachtsman’s Yuletide: White chocolate-peppermint and mocha ice cream, chocolate cake, mocha ganache, vanilla meringue, and candy clouds (New)
Sweater Weather Sangria

Available at Various Table-service Restaurants and Lounges

  • Sweater Weather Sangria: Red sangria with Laird’s Applejack brandy, and port wine with orange and cinnamon (New) (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31)
  • In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry, lime, and cinnamon with option for a souvenir jingle glow cube (New) (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31)

Available at Various Pool Bars

  • Winter-rita: Teremana Tequila, Triple Sec, white cranberry juice, and lime juice with lime wheel and red salt rim (New) (Available Nov. 28 through Dec. 31)
Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

Wind and Waves Grill (Available Dec. 25 only)

  • Christmas Buffet including classic holiday favorites with a beach resort twist

If you want to experience these goodies for yourself, book a stay at one of these resorts for your own holiday festivities and even check out some special offers here.

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Foodie Guide to Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Foodie Guide By November 10, 2022 No Comments

Are you ready for some festive fun for your taste buds? From November 11, 2022, through January 8, 2023, Disney California Adventure park and some friends of the festival at the Downtown Disney District will be joining in the holiday spirit with the return of the Disney Festival of Holidays! This festival highlights diverse cultural celebrations, like Christmas, Navidad, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings’ Day, through music, entertainment, and, of course, food!

In the latest Foodie Guide to Disney Festival of Holidays for Disney Eats, you’ll get the full rundown of all the delicious dishes and sips you can treat yourself to this holiday season. This festival is not one to be missed and adds even more holiday treats to the list of goodies at Disneyland Resort, which you can unwrap in our Foodie Guide for Disneyland Resort holidays.

For Disney Festival of Holidays, there are plenty of delicious items to try at the Festive Foods Marketplaces, like the Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake at Grandma’s RecipesTurkey Poutine at Merry Mashups, and the Holiday Ham Slider at Winter Sliderland. Each of the marketplaces will transport your taste buds and put you in the spirit of the season, one bite at a time.

To add even more holiday cheer to your experience, consider the Sip and Savor Pass which allows you to redeem eight entitlement tabs on select food and non-alcoholic treats! You can learn more about the pass before you eat, drink, and be merry at the festival here.

Chicken Tikka Masala and Churro Toffee Cold Brew Latte Cocktail from Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort
Disney California Adventure Park

Favorite Things

  • Chicken Tikka Masala with cardamom basmati rice, lemon raita, cilantro, and garlic naan crumble (New)
  • Mrs. Claus’ Hot Cocoa Macaron: Inspired by the Disney+ series “The Santa Clauses,” features a red macaron filled with chocolate hot cocoa filling and ganache finished with a chocolate decoration
  • Churro Toffee Cold Brew Latte Cocktail: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Mexico Origin Blend Coffee, coffee liqueur, demerara, cinnamon sugar, vanilla bean, and almond milk garnished with churro syrup, whipped cream, and chocolate toffee crumbles (New)

Making Spirits Bright

  • Mickey Mouse-shaped Gingerbread Cookie
  • Santa’s Milk & Cookies Hot Cocoa: Inspired by the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses, whole milk with flavors of cookies & cream and white chocolate topped with flavored whipped cream (New) (Non-alcoholic)
  • Maple-Hazelnut Hot Buttered Rum: Rum, maple, hazelnut, demerara, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove garnished with salted caramel whipped cream, sea salt, and demerara sugar sprinkle
  • Red Wine Flight: Sebastiani Cabernet Sauvignon, Kunde Merlot, and Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah (New)
  • White Wine Flight: Zaca Mesa Viognier, Fess Parker Winery Chardonnay, Dr Loosen, Riesling, and Domaine Ste Michelle Brut Sparkling (New)
Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake and Blood Orange-Pom Limeade from the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Grandma’s Recipes

  • IMPOSSIBLE Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes with classic gravy and crispy shallots (New)
  • Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake: Layers of New York-style cheesecake, pumpkin gooey cake, and graham cracker topped with spiced Chantilly and a chocolate decoration (New)
  • Hummingbird Cocktail: Bourbon, créme de banana Liqueur, pineapple juice, banana purée, butter pecan syrup, cinnamon sugar, demerara, and vanilla bean garnished with a pineapple wedge (New)
  • Blood Orange-Pom Limeade: Pomegranate and lime juices with cookie butter and blood orange syrups garnished with a lime wheel (New)
Turkey Poutine and Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese from the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Merry Mashups

  • Turkey Poutine: Layers of roasted turkey, sweet potato bites, cheese curds, and gravy topped with frosted cranberries (New)
  • Esquites Carnitas Mac & Cheese: Esquites-inspired mac & cheese with carnitas, salsa macha, spiced puffed rice, freeze-dried corn, and chopped cilantro
  • Spicy Apple Cider Margarita: Reposado tequila, apple cider, house-made ghost pepper-cinnamon syrup, raspberry syrup, and lime juice garnished with an apple chip (New)
Southern Mac ‘n Cheese, Pork Belly Adobo, Ceylon Splash and Huckleberry Sake Sangria from the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Holiday Duets

  • Southern Mac ‘n Cheese: Cajun-style mac & cheese with andouille sausage and spiced panko crunch (New)
  • Pork Belly Adobo: Garlic fried rice with braised pork belly, chicharron pieces, and green onions
  • Ceylon Splash: Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. Ceylon Black Tea, passion fruit juice, coconut syrup, and calamansi purée garnished with an edible purple orchid (New)(Non-alcoholic)
  • Huckleberry Sake Sangria: Merlot, sake, huckleberry syrup, orange juice, and cinnamon syrup topped with sparkling water and garnished with an orange wheel (New)
Lox & Everything Bagel Nachos and Guava-Melon Lassi form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

A Twist on Tradition

  • Curry Mac ‘n Cheese with cilantro oil and crispy garbanzos (New)
  • Lox & Everything Bagel Nachos: Bagel chips, cream cheese, diced smoked salmon, everything spice, and mixture of onions, tomatoes, and capers
  • Guava-Melon Lassi: Guava nectar, rock melon syrup, nonfat yogurt, and honey garnished with cinnamon whipped cream and honey-flavored cereal (New)
IMPOSSIBLE Chorizo Queso Fundido form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Brews & Bites

  • IMPOSSIBLE Chorizo Queso Fundido topped with chopped cilantro served with house-made tortilla chips
  • Two Coast Brewing Co. Saint Father Festbier: Authentic Oktoberfest Festbier; a Deep Golden Strong Lager with a robust body, a fine balance of spice, hints of floral notes, and a gentle bitterness (New)
  • North Coast Brewing Red Seal Ale (Nitro): Full-bodied copper-red pale ale with notes of hops and a spicy finish (New)
  • Stone Brewing Imperial Stout: Rich stout with notes of chocolate, coffee, black currants, anise, and roasted malts (New)
  • Golden Road Brewing Christmas Cart Wheat Ale: Wheat ale bursting with bright cherries and spiced cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and allspice (New)
  • Brewery X Happy Holihaze Blood Orange Hazy IPA: Hazy IPA with simcoe, citra, and mosaic hops flavors and aromas of blood orange and citrus (New)
  • Stereo Brewing Love Buzz Coffee Amber Ale: A coffee-forward, light-bodied amber ale with El Salvadorian coffee, whole vanilla beans, and a touch of sweetness with aromas of toffee and hazelnut with a smooth finish (New)
  • Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA: Blend of cascade and centennial hops for aromas and flavors of citrus, pine, and floral notes (New)
  • Alesmith Brewing Nut Brown Ale: Deep brown color with rich, malt-forward flavor with notes of biscuit, mild cocoa, and earthy hops (New)
  • Ficklewood Ciderworks Bramblebark: A creamy and aromatic cider with blackberries and a touch of vanilla aged in Hungarian and French oak barrel (New)
  • Juneshine Hard Kombucha Açaí Berry: Brewed with organic açaí and blueberries for a subtle earthiness (New)
  • Allagash Brewing Curieux Bourbon Barrel-Aged Golden Ale: Notes of vanilla, caramel, oak, and hints of bourbon (New)
  • Bottle Logic Pumpkin Spice Latte Stout: Fresh pastry stout with pumpkin, lactose, spices, and coffee (New)
  • Seasonal Special Beer Flight: North Coast Brewing, Red Seal Ale, Stereo Brewing, Love Buzz Coffee Amber Ale, Alesmith Brewing, Nut Brown Ale, Bottle Logic, and Pumpkin Flavored Stout (New)
  • Festive Favorites Beer Flight: Two Coast Brewing Co., Saint Father Brewery X Blood Orange Dictionary Hazy IPA Allagash Brewing, Curieux Barrel-Aged Golden Ale Stone Brewing, and Imperial Stout (New)
  • Holiday Hoppiness Beer Flight: Ficklewood Ciderworks, Bramblebark Juneshine Hard Kombucha, Açaí Berry Golden Road Brewing, Christmas Cart Wheat Ale, and Sierra Nevada Celebration Fresh Hop IPA (New)
Holiday Ham Slider and Brisket Slider form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Winter Sliderland

  • Holiday Ham Slider with cranberry-bacon jam and Gruyère on a salt and pepper brioche bun (New)
  • Brisket Slider with smoked onions and horseradish ketchup on a pretzel roll (New)
  • Cherry-Mango Punch: Cherry syrup, mango, and peach nectars with lemon juice garnished with a frozen peach (New) (Non-alcoholic)
  • Tiramisu Yule Log Cocktail: Vodka, hazelnut liqueur, oat milk, tiramisu syrup and chocolate bitters, garnished with Valrhona chocolate powder (New)
Sweet Potato-stuffed Corn Muffin, Chocolate Bourbon-flavored Tart made with TWIX Cookie Bar Pieces, Cranberry-Chai Pisco Punch and Piña-Hibiscus Mezcal Mule form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Visions of Sugar Plums

  • Sweet Potato-stuffed Corn Muffin with red beans, rice, and green onions
  • Chocolate Bourbon-flavored Tart made with TWIX cookie bar pieces: Layers of caramel and chocolate bourbon-flavored mousse made with TWIX cookie bar pieces (New)
  • Cranberry-Chai Pisco Punch: South American Brandy, cranberry, and lemon juices with cranberry and chai syrups garnished with a lemon wheel (New)
  • Piña-Hibiscus Mezcal Mule: Mezcal, pineapple-ginger-lemon purée, pineapple, lemon juices, hibiscus syrup, and ginger beer garnished with a pineapple wheel (New)

Available at all Festival Marketplaces

  • Purple Mickey Mouse Jingle Bell Glow Cube

Treats for Santa Cart

  • Santa’s Milk & Cookies Hot Cocoa Inspired by the Disney+ series The Santa Clauses: Whole milk with flavors of cookies & cream and white chocolate topped with flavored whipped cream (New)
  • Hot Buttered Rum: Rum, maple, hazelnut, Demerara sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and salted caramel
  • Cookie Decorating Kit: Mickey Mouse snowman cookie decorating kit (New)

Cocina Cucamonga (Mobile order available)

  • Capirotada: Mexican bread pudding with raisins, peanuts, walnuts, and green apples topped with fresh bananas, sweetened condensed milk, and toasted coconut (New)
  • Holiday Ponche: Holiday-spiced guava drink served with fresh fruit and sugar cane (New) (Non-alcoholic)
  • Holiday Ponche Cocktail: Holiday-spiced guava drink served with fresh fruit, sugar cane, and a shot of tequila
Watermelon Candy Cocktail form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Viva Navidad at Paradise Garden Grill

  • IMPOSSIBLE Albondigas Soup: IMPOSSIBLE meatballs in a vegetable soup (New) (Plant-based offering)
  • Loaded Yucca Fries topped with arbol chile cheese sauce, carne asada, guacamole, sour cream, and pickled red onion (New)
  • Pozole Dip Torta: Pozole-braised pork torta with hominy spread, cabbage, radish, cilantro, and jalapeño served with a side of pozole consommé
  • Chicken Tinga Arepa: Handmade arepa topped with refried beans, chicken Tinga, cabbage, avocado, and queso fresco (New)
  • Chicken Tinga Burrito: Chicken Tinga, rice, and beans in a flour tortilla served with corn tortilla chips (New)
  • Mango Tres Leches: Tres leches parfait with white cake and mango purée topped with caramel Chantilly,  green whipped topping, and sprinkles (New)
  • Watermelon Candy Cocktail: Tequila, watermelon schnapps, and pineapple juice with a Chamoy and chile-lime seasoned rim

Pacific Wharf Café (Mobile order available)

  • Holiday Sandwich: Black Forest ham, whole-grain mustard spread, cranberry mayo, and arugula on a stuffing roll served with chips (New)
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup with grilled corn, fresh onion, and cilantro topped with crispy tortilla strips and served in a bread bowl (New)
  • Peppermint Bark Bread Pudding: White chocolate, chocolate chips and peppermint with whipped topping and crème anglaise (New)

Pacific Wharf Cappuccino Cart (Mobile order available)

  • Caramel Toffee Horchata Cold Brew: House-made rice and cinnamon beverage flavored with toffee and finished with whipped topping, caramel drizzle, and toffee (New)

Pym Tasting Lab (Mobile order available)

  • Snack Molecules: Mini pretzels, honey-roasted peanuts, and popped sorghum with winter flavors (New)
Mistletoe Mule and Loaded Latkes form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Smokejumpers Grill (Mobile order available)

  • Loaded Latkes: Traditional latkes loaded with smoked brisket and topped with dairy-free horseradish cream and scallions

Sonoma Terrace (Mobile order available)

  • Colombian Empanadas: Colombian-style beef empanadas, served with aji verde and cabbage salad tossed with cilantro dressing and escabeche (New)
  • Mistletoe Mule: A twist on a classic mule with cranberry juice and agave garnished with a sprig of rosemary and a cape cranberry

Terran Treats (Mobile order available)

  • Hot Chocolate Churro: Hazelnut chocolate, spicy chocolate streusel, and mini marshmallows (New)

Seasonal Outdoor Carts

  • Gingerbread Cake topped with a molasses glaze, a gingerbread man, and sprinkles (New)
  • Bean & Cheese Pupusa with a side of curtido and tomato sauce (New)
  • Calidad Spiked Sparkling Agua Fresca: Sweet prickly pear and tangy pomegranate flavors (New)
Tikka Masala Pizza and Tuk Tuk drink form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort
Downtown Disney District Friends of the Festival

Naples Ristorante e Bar (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 8)

  • Tikka Masala Pizza: Inspired by Diwali; hand-tossed traditional Neapolitan-style pizza crust topped with a generous base of tikka masala sauce, red onion, green bell pepper, and mozzarella cheese (Available with marinated chicken or paneer) (New)
  • Tuk Tuk: Inspired by Diwali; Blanco tequila, ginger syrup, tamarind syrup, and lime juice shaken on the rocks and garnished with a lime wheel and chili-lime seasoning rim (Non-alcoholic version available) (New)
Dulce De Leche Tamales form the Festival of Holidays 2022 at Disneyland Resort

Tortilla Jo’s (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 8)

  • Dulce De Leche Tamales: Cinnamon, evaporated milk, regular milk, Cajeta de Celaya, vanilla extract, sugar, and cream cheese topped with pecans and powdered sugar (New)

We hope you’re as excited, and hungry, as we are for this festival to return! As you eat and drink your way through the Festive Foods Marketplace, use #DisneyEats to show us all your favorites!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

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Best Pizza Within Walt Disney World Domestic Parks

General By November 9, 2022 No Comments

Recently, Disney Parks Blog put out a promotional piece linking with the Hulu streaming service show declaring the not-at-all-definitive best pizza options in Disney domestic parks. When I saw this list, I drew back in horror at first. I could name at least ten better pizza options than the ones listed just on Walt Disney World property. That would not even include the California parks. However, that blog says in the Disney Parks—not on Disney property.  With that very narrow range of choices, only one place qualifies as good pizza within the domestic Disney theme parks. In that blog, at least they got that correct. If you are just looking for pizza to fill your stomach so you can keep going, Disney Parks have plenty of that. Yet, the quality rates as below average most of the time.

via Napoli exterior

If you have read many of my theme park food reviews, you know how I feel about pizza and burgers in Orlando area theme park resorts. For transparency, if you were to check my mobile phone for fast food apps, you would find many burger places on it. I enjoy burgers. I recommend burgers often—just not the counter service ones at Walt Disney World. Also, in fairness, I love pizza. However, at this stage of life, I do not want to spend large amounts of money on below-average pizza. Walt Disney World offers a significant amount of sub-par pizza. We can debate the water use or the dough as the culprit. However, I avoid paying about $10 for a below-average slice of pizza at any of the Orlando area theme parks.

Photo Credit: Via Napoli social media

This begs the question: “Where do you find decent pizza inside Walt Disney World Resort?” You could visit Disney Springs for counter-service pizza at Pizza Ponte. The price point will not destroy your budget. Still, that pizza will not change your life either. Several of the Italian options at Walt Disney World offer pizza. I recently visited Terralina Crafted Italian. That pizza experience went well (with their burger) there. However, Walt Disney World veterans continually insist that Via Napoli Ristorante offers the best pizza on the property. Though I might dispute that claim, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in Epcot easily wins the battle of in-park pizza options. Remember, the blog focused only on in-park pizza options.

Photo courtesy of Rope Drop Radio

I must advise you that this recommendation tends to overlook the high price point for this Epcot table service dining option. For example, an individually portioned pizza here costs around $25. In fairness, the individual-sized pizza would not be the correct decision here anyway.

The pizzas here magically appear from a wood-fired oven. Some guests find watching the chefs work on these pizzas very entertaining. Some find themselves amused by the faces featured in these ovens. Still, the quick preparation process involving these ovens does create a consistent appearance and texture.

As the recent Disney Parks Blog wrote: “It comes as no surprise that the traditional Neapolitan pizza of Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria is on this list. Nestled into the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT, a trip to Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria will transport you across the boot, with Venetian architecture from the North to Sicilian artwork from the South. This pizza is crafted with San Marzano tomatoes and real Caputo flour imported straight from Southern Italy earning the stamp of approval from authentic Italians.” Once again, some of those words qualify as toeing the company line. Still, the pizza produced here exceeds the quality found elsewhere in the area theme parks.

The pizza comes in a thin-crust style. Yet, something magical happens when the pepperoni emerges from the wood-fired oven. The pepperoni curls up into cup fashion looking delicious and greasy, of course. Though some debate exists about the type of cheese being used on Via Napoli pizzas these days, the portion of cheese will excite most pizza fans. Of course, you can order a pizza without pepperoni. Still, that topping seems to work best here. The crust tastes light and crispy, The sauce tastes better than most commercial sauces and matches this type of pizza well.

The largest drawback of pizza here would be the price. The best way to play the price game here would be to order a “Metro Mezzo” size pizza. This half-meter pizza should feed three to four people. Even at $50 or so, dividing that among three or four people make a reasonable value for table service dining in Epcot. However, if you have been settling for counter-service pizza, then this pizza will taste incredible. I have heard some people complain that the pizza crust is so thin that even this size pizza will not satisfy three or four people.

Photo courtesy of Rope Drop Radio

If dining here, expect slower than normal service. This place continues to be popular and busy. Also, depending on where you find yourself seated, this place generates a large amount of noise. In addition, if you were planning to order a larger pizza than you need intending to take some back to your room, they rarely have boxes for to-go pizza here.

Despite some of these potential negatives, Walt Disney World fans adore Via Napoli. Pizza plays the role of the star of the show. If craving good pizza while in the theme parks, Via Napoli reigns as the best, if not only good option. Though this would be classified as the toughest place to get an advance dining reservation in Epcot, these reservation slots will go quickly. If you want to dine here, be ready 60 days in advance and consider setting an alert at MouseDining.com. As always, eat like you mean it!

 

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Foodie Guide to Holiday Delights at Walt Disney World Parks, Disney Springs 2022

Foodie Guide By November 8, 2022 No Comments

Do you hear that? There are some sleigh bells jingling with festive foodie fun because the holidays have arrived at Walt Disney World Resort! All across the resort, there is yuletide joy to be had with entertainment, decorations, and of course, food. And all of us at Disney Eats are ready to share it all with you.

We previously unwrapped all the festive foods coming to Magic Kingdom Park for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and coming soon we’ll have all the menus for the resorts at Walt Disney World, EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays, and the Disneyland Resort treats to gift to you. Until then, let’s look at all the holiday eats and sips coming to Disney Springs, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park this year.

With delicious dishes like the Santa Clause Petit Cake from Amorette’s Patisserie to the Reindeer Mousse at ABC Commissary, and who can forget the Menagerie Cupcake at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, the culinary teams across the resort are giving you (and your tastebuds) the ultimate holiday gift!

Grab your stockings and your appetites because it’s time to open up the Foodie Guide to holidays at Walt Disney World Resort!

Ornament Mousse Dome Cake, Holiday Wreath Pastry, Santa Clause Petit Cake and Holiday Mickey Mousse from Amorette's Patisserie
Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie

  • Ornament Mousse Dome Cake: Toasted marshmallow and hot chocolate mousse on a graham cracker chiffon cake (New) (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Holiday Wreath Pastry: Gingerbread cookie cake topped with salted caramel spiced mousse and candied hazelnuts (New) (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Santa Clause Petit Cake: Chocolate chip cookie cake, vanilla mousse, and chocolate chiffon cake (New) (Available from Nov. 16 through Dec. 30)
  • Holiday Mickey Mousse: Chocolate chiffon cake, white and dark chocolate mousse, and white chocolate crisp pearls (New) (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Christmas Old Fashioned from The Boathouse and Peppermint Cookies & Cream Shake from D-Luxe Burger

The Boathouse (Available from Nov. 18 through Jan. 15)

Christmas Old Fashioned: Featured holiday drink with Heaven’s Door Whiskey, rosemary, and cranberry simple syrup

Dockside Margaritas (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)

  • Candy Cane Margarita: 1800 Silver Tequila, peppermint beverage syrup, lime juice, and a float of cranberry juice (New)

D-Luxe Burger

  • Bacon & Blue Burger: Two pressed signature blend patties, blue cheese crumble,  bacon, onion jam, lettuce, and tomato on a Parker House roll (Available through Dec. 30)
  • Peppermint Cookies & Cream Shake: Vanilla gelato, peppermint beverage syrup, and cookie crumbles (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
Half Dozen Christmas Donuts from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew (Available Dec. 1 through 31)

  • Half Dozen Christmas Donuts: A half dozen yeast donuts decorated with holly jolly edible décor, luscious buttercream, and toppings showcasing colors and images of the season
Minnie Mouse Reindeer Piñata and Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise from The Ganachery

The Ganachery

  • Minnie Mouse Reindeer Piñata (New) (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Gingerbread Ganache Square (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Milk and Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Olaf Hot Cocoa Surprise (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)
  • Rowdy Reindeer: Milk chocolate reindeer available in non-alcoholic and alcoholic options (New) (Available from Dec. 18 through 30)
Peppermint Hot Cocoa from Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop, Kris Kringle Cookie and Cookie Vom Krampus from Gideon’s Bakehouse and Poinsettia Spritz from Splitsville Luxury Lanes

Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop (Available Nov. 1 through Dec. 25)

  • Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Gideon’s Bakehouse (Available Nov. 25 through Dec. 31)

  • Kris Kringle Cookie: White chocolate coffee bean cookie with coconut, caramel, and vanilla bean notes topped with coarse sugar crystals and magic glitter
  • Cookie Vom Krampus: A decadent triple chocolate cookie infused with peppermint and covered in cool chocolate mint

Jock Lindsey’s Holiday Bar (Available from Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)

  • “Naughty or Nice” Deviled Eggs: Naughty: crispy ham and spicy honey glaze or Nice: crispy ham and sweet honey glaze (New)
  • Here We Come A-Croquetting: Holiday croquettes with turkey and stuffing topped with bacon and cranberry jam and turkey gravy on a bed of pureed sweet potatoes (New)
  • Boughs of Holly Flatbread with Ham & Brie: Brie cheese, black forest ham, watercress, Granny Smith apples, pomegranate seed, and lemon vinaigrette
  • Grandma’s Revenge Venison Sliders: Venison sausage patty, bacon cranberry jam, watercress, and tomato on a Parker House roll
  • Post-Flight “Milk” and Cookies: Assorted Christmas cookies and coquito (New)
  • Hot Chocolate Grail Flight: Traditional spiced butterscotch hot chocolate, white chocolate hot chocolate, and peppermint hot chocolate (New)
  • Claus Mo: Cosmopolitan garnished with a red sugar rim and a Santa hat made out of a strawberry and marshmallow
  • Pomegranate Gin & Tonic: St. Augustine Gin, pomegranate juice, and tonic soda (New)
  • Yule Mule: Bombay Sapphire Gin, Fever Tree Ginger Beer, cranberry juice, rosemary simple syrup, and holly leaf sugar garnish

Marketplace Snacks (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)

  • Santa Mickey Mouse Bubble Sundae: Vanilla soft-serve, Mickey Mouse bubble waffle, chocolate cookie pieces, chocolate sauce, Mickey Mouse Santa hat, and Chocolate Pocky Stick (New)

Splitsville Luxury Lanes (Available Nov. 25 through Jan. 2)

  • Poinsettia Spritz: A refreshing cocktail made with plum-infused vodka, sugar plum jam, fresh lemon juice, allspice dram liqueur, and prosecco

Swirls on the Water (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)

  • Frozen Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Soft-serve: Frozen hot chocolate, peppermint soft-serve, and white chocolate peppermint bark (New)
  • Peppermint Chocolate Bark Soft-serve Nachos: Peppermint soft-serve, chocolate soft-serve, and waffle chips topped with whipped cream, M&M’s chocolate candies, and chocolate sauce (New)

Vivoli il Gelato

  • Santa’s Little Helper Sundae: Two scoops of chocolate, mint chocolate chip, chocolate sauce, crushed peppermint, and whipped cream (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 3)
  • Spiced Apple Cider Float: Spiced apple cider gelato with Cigar City Homemade Apple Pie Cider (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 3)
  • Bah Humbug Milkshake: Milkshake with cake batter gelato, red velvet cake, and a red velvet cake to top (Available Nov. 1 through Jan. 4)

Available at Outdoor Bars Throughout Disney Springs (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 30)

  • Red-Nosed Margarita: Patron Silver, Cointreau, pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, lime juice, sweet and sour, and pure cane syrup (New)
  • Fireside Cider: Fireball Whiskey, Stoli Vanilla Vodka, white cranberry juice, grenadine, and ginger ale garnished with a half rim of cinnamon sugar

Available at Carts and Kiosks

  • Musical Holiday Tin Premium Bucket
  • Mickey Mouse Snow Globe Sipper Cup
Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Holiday Minnie Mouse Bundt Cake: Spice cake rolled in cinnamon-sugar with apple pie filling and topped with spiced maple buttercream and salted caramel icing (New)
  • Reindeer Mousse: Spiced cherry-orange dark chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, and gold chocolate cookie base with dark chocolate glaze and milk chocolate buttercream (New)
  • Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Backlot Express (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red Velvet Cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkles
  • Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Dockside Diner (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Holiday Tree Marshmallow: Vanilla bean marshmallow and raspberry jam dipped in chocolate on top of a vanilla cookie (New)
  • Hot Cocoa Flight: Flight of three hot cocoa with Stoli Vanil Vodka, Red Stag Cherry Whiskey, and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur

Fairfax Fare (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Hot Cocoa Flight: Flight of three hot cocoa with Stoli Vanil Vodka, Red Stag Cherry Whiskey, and Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur

Hollywood Scoops (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1)

  • Candy Cane Milkshake: Peppermint ice cream shake topped with whipped cream, chocolate cake doughnut, and candy cane sprinkles

The Hollywood Brown Derby (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1) s

  • Winter Signature Dessert: Pumpkin mousse, milk chocolate Cremeux, chocolate pecan cookie, vanilla sauce, Chantilly cream, and a pecan crumble (New)

PizzeRizzo (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Melted Snowman Sugar Cookie: Sugar cookie with red and green sugar, white chocolate, marshmallow, dark chocolate top hat, raspberry-chocolate twigs, orange sprinkle, and chocolate covered cocoa nibs (New)
  • Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

Rosie’s All-American Café (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Santa Mickey Mouse Cupcake: Chocolate cake filled with mocha fudge and topped with red almond buttercream, white chocolate, and dark chocolate Mickey Mouse ears (New)
  • Frozen Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with mini marshmallows and chocolate sauce

The Trolly Car Café (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1)

  • Mickey Mouse Gingerbread Cookie (New)
  • Red Velvet Whoopie Pie: Red Velvet Cake, candy cane buttercream, and holiday sprinkles
Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart from Woody's Lunchbox

Woody’s Lunchbox (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1; mobile order available)

  • Hot Chocolate Lunch Box Tart: Chocolate fudge filling, hot chocolate marshmallow fondant, and mini marshmallows (New)

Available at Various Locations Throughout Disney’s Hollywood Studios (Available Nov. 11 through Jan. 1)

  • In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry, lime and cinnamon (New); Available at the following:
    • Animation Courtyard Bar
    • The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge
    • Hollywood & Vine
    • Oasis Canteen
    • Tune-in Lounge
    • Sunshine Day Bar
    • 50’s Prime Time Café
  • Mickey Mouse Snow Globe Sipper (New); Available at the following:
    • ABC Commissary
    • Backlot Express
    • The Market
    • PizzeRizzo
    • Rosie’s All-American Café
    • Main Entrance Outdoor Kiosk
  • Musical Holiday Tin Premium Bucket (New);Available at the following:
    • Popcorn Kiosks near Hollywood Boulevard, Hyperion Theater, and Animation Courtyard
  • Toy Story Blocks Premium Bucket (New);Available at the following:
    • Popcorn Kiosks near Hyperion Theater, Animation Courtyard, and in Toy Story Land
Mickey Mouse Brownie

Available at Outdoor Kiosk Locations (Available Nov. 8 through Jan. 1)

  • Mickey Mouse Brownie: Chocolate brownie with holiday sprinkles
  • Holiday Popcorn Mix: Caramel corn with white chocolate, red and green M&M’s chocolate candies, and candy cane peppermint pieces presented by Freeform 25 Days of Christmas
Menagerie Cupcake
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Creature Comforts (Available Dec. 19 through 31)

  • Holiday Mousse Dome: Amaretto chocolate mousse cherry cranberry coulis, orange chocolate cake, white chocolate glaçage, and chocolate pieces

Flame Tree Barbecue, Pizzafari, and Restaurantosaurus (Available Dec. 1 through 30; mobile order available)

  • Menagerie Cupcake: Gingerbread cake with cream cheese filling and vanilla frosting

Isle of Java (Available through Dec. 31)

  • S’mores Hot Cocoa: Crowned with a swirl of whipped cream and a sprinkling of graham cracker crumbs
  • Sea Salt Caramel Hot Cocoa topped with sweet, whipped cream and drizzles of luscious caramel syrup
  • Peppermint Hot Cocoa: Wintry taste of Peppermint bits sprinkled over whipped cream

Satu’li Canteen (Available Dec. 22 through 31; mobile order available)

  • Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse with peppermint sauce, peppermint candy pieces, and chocolate “dirt”

Tiffins (Available Dec. 24 through Jan. 1)

  • Horchata Mousse with a gingerbread sable cookie, pecan praline crumble, coffee ice cream, and bourbon caramel sauces

Tusker House (Available Nov. 11 through Dec. 31)  

  • In Holiday Fashion: Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon, rosemary syrup, cranberry, lime, and cinnamon (New) (Souvenir jingle glow cube available)
Mickey Mouse Snow Globe Sipper Cup

Available at Popcorn Carts (Available through Dec. 31)

  • Musical Holiday Tin Premium Bucket (New)
  • Mickey Mouse Snow Globe Sipper Cup (New)
  • Gold Tree Popcorn Bucket

Be on the lookout for special foodie deliveries on our Disney Eats topics page for the holiday goodies coming to Disneyland Resort in the coming days. They won’t disappoint! And if you haven’t already, follow us on Instagram at @DisneyEats and use #DisneyEats to showcase all your favorites.

Have a very happy holiday and may whatever way you celebrate be delicious!

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New Foodie Guide to Can’t Miss Gingerbread Displays 2022

Foodie Guide By November 6, 2022 No Comments

If you have ever been to Disneyland Resort or Walt Disney World Resort during the holiday season, you know the true can’t-miss attraction – the incredible gingerbread displays! These are a staple of the most wonderful time of the year, and for good reason. The pastry teams on both coasts and at sea spend countless hours masterfully crafting these culinary works of art.

These holiday offerings have become a beloved tradition for guests and cast members alike. We always make sure to get out and see these displays each year, and because of that we’ve put together this list of all the displays so that you too can witness these gingerbread festivities in this Disney Eats guide.

The pastry teams have been working tirelessly to brings these holiday traditions to life. Their passion goes into every detail – from the gingerbread shingles to the masterfully crafted chocolate work, and everything in between. This year marks the return of the display at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and new additions to the Jambo House Lobby Display at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which may or may not be a life-sized baby zebra, as well as the classic and grand displays at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa at Disneyland Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa at Walt Disney World Resort.

But enough waiting – let’s unwrap the entire list of gingerbread displays coming this year!

Within the walls of the Haunted Mansion at Disneyland Park at the Disneyland Resort, you’ll uncover the Haunted Mansion Gingerbread House. For years, this display has added even more holiday flare to the Jack Skellington’s transformation of this classic attraction into Haunted Mansion Holiday, inspired by “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.” The pastry team takes more than 20 days to bring this nearly 300-pound creation with three moving elements to life. Be sure to take a ride on the Haunted Mansion Holiday now through January 8, 2023 for some extra festive fun.

Beginning November 14, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will be home once again to one of its best holiday traditions – the “Grand” Gingerbread House. This giant gingerbread replica of the hotel is a holiday highlight and can’t-miss stop in the lobby. Standing 7 feet tall and 12 feet wide, the structure is created from more than 600 pounds of gingerbread, 600 pounds of powdered sugar, 250 pounds of fondant, 1 pound of pixie dust, and features 25 hidden Mickeys!

After being amazed by the beauty of this display and mastery of the pastry team, consider taking one of the Limited-Edition Snow Globe Pins featuring Chip ‘n Dale home with you or stop by the GHC Holiday Cart to enjoy some treats, including:

  • Mickey Gingerbread
  • Poinsettia Cookie
  • Snowman Cookie
  • Christmas Cookie
  • Hanukkah Cookie
  • Holiday Cookie Box
  • Assorted Macarons (New) 
  • Kwanzaa Sweet Potato Loaf (New) 
  • New Year’s Cookie (New) 
  • Crisped Rice Treat
  • Hot Chocolate
  • Hot Apple Cider (Available with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Captain Morgan, Grand Marnier, or Rumchata)
  • Waffle Shot (Available with milk, low-fat milk, chocolate milk, or eggnog) 
  • Waffle Shot (Available with Bailey’s Irish Cream, Captain Morgan, Grand Marnier, Rumchata, Amaretto, Butterscotch Schnapps, Rumple Minze, Crown Royal Apple, Skrewball Whiskey, Fireball Whiskey, Louis the 13th

If you venture into Disneyland park or Disney California Adventure park, you can also bring home the gingerbread festivities with novelties, like the Gingerbread Mickey Ear Hat Bowl or the Gingerbread Bottle Topper, or indulge in gingerbread-flavored and inspired treats, like the Mickey Gingerbread Man – all of which you’ll find in our upcoming Foodie Guide to holidays at Disneyland Resort, so stay tuned on the Disney Eats topics page and Instagram!

Over at Walt Disney World Resort, there are multiple displays to be explored at various resorts. Let’s kick things off with the most famous house of all – the gingerbread house at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Beginning November 9, you can view clouds of cinnamon billowing out of the chimney of this life-sized storybook gingerbread house made from a classic Austrian recipe. This house is adorned with white chocolate, candy canes, edible snowflakes, sugar poinsettias, and 25 – yes, 25 – hidden Mickeys! Along the porches, you’ll find an 85-pound chocolate Santa, nutcrackers, toy soldiers, and snowmen that have all been hand-painted by the Grand Floridian Bakery team.

As the 50th Anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World Resort continues, this year’s displays will feature colors and accents inspired by the signature EARidescent look. You can even get limited edition pins, mugs, holiday ornaments, and treats! Some of the goodies you can purchase from the Gingerbread House include:

  • Freshly baked, homemade items, such as Gingerbread Mickeys and Shingles, Stollen Bread, Brownie Christmas Tree, and Chocolate Peppermint Bark
  • House-made Gingerbread Ornaments and Gingerbread Houses
  • New items like the Gingerbread Latte Whoopie Pie and Hot Cocoa Bombs
  • Assorted Gingerbread Cookie Bags, Marshmallow Pops, and Caramel Pecan Fudge Bar
  • Gluten-friendly, plant-based, and no sugar added treats
  • Grand Floridian Combo Box featuring assorted fan favorite treats, including the Chocolate Mickey Ornament, exclusive to the Combo Box

Let’s take an adventure over to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, which on November 23 will be home to a wild display – a Life-sized Baby Gingerbread Giraffe and Baby Zebra. This year continues the new tradition begun last year with a life-sized baby giraffe, or should we say gingeraffe! In addition to this gingerbread guest, there’s a new animal grazing into the lobby. You’ll soon be able to see an adorable life-sized baby zebra – made of gingerbread, of course. Starting December 6, you can even purchase a Gingeraffe Cookie to enjoy!

Over in the lobby of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, a holiday classic has returned. Since 1999, this resort has been home to the life-sized carousel. Did I mention that it actually spins? This carousel and its horses are masterfully created with chocolate, sugar, and fondant along with hand-painted characters and hand-crafted gingerbread shingles and snowflakes decorating the display. What makes this year even more special is that all the horses celebrate a different Disney princess. See if you can guess who each one represents! Commemorate your holiday viewing with limited edition pins, mugs, holiday ornaments and treats including:

  • Signature Stollen Bread
  • Candied Pecans (Plant-based)
  • Trio of Fudge
  • Chocolate Covered Marshmallow Snowman
  • Crispy Rice Treat
  • Chocolate Mickey Cookie (New) 
  • Peppermint Bark
  • Gingerbread Shingle
  • Chocolate Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)
  • Gingerbread Cookie (Gluten-Friendly)

Across the way, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn is shore to impress with its display, which will be returning on November 17. This incredible gingerbread creation is a miniature, edible version of your favorite spot along Crescent Lake – the BoardWalk Deli! Before leaving, be sure to check out some of the treats you can take home with you, like:

  • Mickey and Minnie Sugar Cookies
  • BoardWalk Mickey Sugar Cookie (New) 
  • Giant Gingerbread Mickey Cookie (New) 
  • Gluten-Friendly & Plant-based Gingerbread Mickey Cookie
  • Artisan Peppermint Marshmallows (New) 
  • Carnival Bark (New) 
  • Gingerbread Frost Cocktail

This year is very exciting for Disney’s Contemporary Resort because its display is back! This is the 11th year the Contemporary Bakery team has created a masterpiece so how appropriate that it will open on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. The Cinderella Gingerbread Castle is a Mary Blair-inspired castle designed by Walt Disney Imagineers and will feature a brand-new 50th anniversary overlay… and 11 hidden 5-legged goats! Don’t forget to check out the limited-edition pins, mugs, and holiday ornaments to remember the season. There are also plenty of treats you can get, including:

  • 50th Anniversary Gingerbread Castle Brick (New)
  • Family Tradition Cookie Box featuring a Coconut Macaroon from Chef Jeff’s family, a Sugar Cookie from Chef Kelly’s family, a Butterball from Chef Amber’s family, and a Kitchen Sink Cookie representing all the Cast in the Bakery coming together to bring this display back! (New) 
  • Chocolate Peppermint Cookie
  • Linzer Cookie
  • Gluten-friendly 5-Legged Goat Sugar Cookie (New)
  • Dark Chocolate Peppermint Holiday Bar (New)
  • Hot Cocoa Bombs (New) 
  • Frozen drinks with optional alcohol floaters:
    • Frozen Coquito with a rum floater
    • Frozen Hot Chocolate with peppermint schnapps
    • Frozen Apple Cider with a fireball floater

In addition, several spots across Resorts will feature a new Gingerbread Martini with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Rumchata Cream Liqueur, and gingerbread spice featuring a rim of gingerbread, freshly baked in the Resort Bakery. It’s the perfect blend of sugar, spice, and everything nice! You can find this delicious holiday beverage at Grand Floridian Café, Cítricos, and Enchanted Rose at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Boma: Flavors of Africa and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Chef Mickey’s and Outer Rim at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, and dinner at Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

And returning this year to our Walt Disney World Resorts with exclusive gingerbread merchandise, are pin signings with our pastry chefs! Dates and times will vary by resort.

Moving over to theme parks, The American Adventure at EPCOT also has a display that will be available beginning November 25. This unique display recreates some classic monuments in America and EPCOT with gingerbread versions of the Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, The American Adventure building with Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue, and a Festival Kiosk.

The gingerbread displays are not just found on land – they’re also taking to the high seas with the Disney Cruise Line fleet! All five ships will continue the yearly tradition of having the talented pastry teams onboard build a unique display for the ships in the atrium. The brand-new Disney Wish will join in on the legacy for its inaugural holiday season with an 8-foot-tall, eight-layer masterpiece. Each gingerbread house in unique for the individual ship and the teams participate in a competition to see which member of the fleet has the best house! Which one do you think will win this year?

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Lunch Without Destroying Your Budget at Wolfgang Puck’s Bar and Grill Disney Springs

Restaurant Reviews By November 4, 2022 No Comments

Celebrity chefs fail to be a new thing within the Orlando area. The theme park resorts continue to have a fascination with these chefs and their cuisine. Two of the most highly searched for advance dining reservations at Disney Springe relate to famous chefs, Iron Chef Morimoto, and Art Smith. The ups and downs of celebrity chef restaurants can be seen throughout the world. Concepts change and/or get replaced as time goes on. One example revolves around Wolfgang Puck. Back in 2020, A counter service dining location known as Wolfgang Puck Express closed in Disney Springs marketplace area. Of course, many places closed or greatly modified their operations because of the pandemic. However, for Wolfgang Puck fans, the Bar and Grill table service version still exists. By the way, the food has always been far better at the table service version than the former counter service location, especially the pizza.

Promotional Photo from Wolfgang Puck Bar and Grill Disney Springs

The conundrum for some Disney Springs visitors connects to how to enjoy Wolfgang Puck cuisine when not desiring a full table service level meal and/or that expense. The counter service location used to aid in that endeavor. I lack a perfect solution. Yet, in doing research on the table service Wolfgang Puck location I learned a few facts that might help. In addition, this site already published a review here of the Heirloom Apple Salad if you would like to read that.

Wolfgang Puck offers a lunch style menu from 11am-3pm Monday through Friday. They also offer a lunchtime menu on the weekends but a far shorter amount of time since they serve a brunch menu then also. For those missing the counter service variety of Wolfgang Puck, the lunch options here will offer far more quality without hurting your vacation budget as much as you would expect. For example, during a weekday lunch time visit here, I ordered an appetizer and entrée. Together they cost $31 plus tax and tip. These could have been shared between two people making a very cost-effective lunch.

On that afternoon, I ordered an appetizer of Roasted Meatballs. For my entrée, I selected the Salmon Burger. Deidre, my server, did a fabulous job of putting up with my food blogger antics and constant queries. For example, I asked her specifically for items exclusively on the lunch menu. This combination serves as the final solution on this afternoon.

The Roasted Meatballs appetizer costs $12. Based on the menu description, they only contain tomato sauce, basil, and ricotta cheese. Obviously, this starter comes with three larger meatballs.

When it arrived, it offered a nice aroma. At first, the large spoon that came with this threw me off. Yet, as I examined this appetizer, the spoon provides perfect assistance to enjoy these meatballs. The basil brings a clear flavor. The tomato sauce tastes okay but the main purpose is to bring other flavors together in this combination. I would have preferred more ricotta but that might have thrown off the balance of appetizer. The meatballs in the sauce arrive on your table very warm. They remain warm for some time. This appetizer could end up being messy with the sauce so be careful. Still, I used the large spoon provided. That reduced the mess factor. Also, this helped with getting the right balance of sauce with each bite of meatball.

After completing that appetizer, I started eating my entree. The Salmon Burger costs $19. This burger comes with avocado, butter lettuce, onions, tomato, and tartare sauce. Once again, this does not appear on the dinner menu.

This burger comes stacked high. The avocados and tomatoes on top of it can fall out as you eat this as a burger. I ate this like a burger until the last four bites. The construction of it holds us nicely for a tall burger. I received a nice portion size of salmon. The tartare sauce adds a solid but understated flavor. My biggest criticism of this burger involved not enough sauce in contact with the salmon. Based on burger construction, the avocado resides closest to the top layer of tartare sauce. I felt the burger tasted better without the layer of avocado blocking tartare sauce on top. Still, the burger offered solid flavor either way. The salmon itself brough good flavor and reasonable texture. In fact, I had two bites of just salmon at the end of my meal which shows the salmon came well prepared.

The burger came with a side of fries. They were shoestring style. I received a large portion, but they were seasoned nicely.

Based on my order, this meal could have been shared between two people for lunch. Feeding two people for $31 before tax and tip for a quality lunch at Disney Springs is no small feat. This lunch menu gives you several ways to accomplish feeding two people with an appetizer and entrée. Do not forget about Wolfgang Puck’s weekend brunch as a fun experience if visiting Disney Springs on a weekend. As always, eat like you mean it!

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Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2022

Foodie Guide By November 3, 2022 No Comments

The most wonderful time of year is almost upon us! In this edition of our Disney Eats Foodie Guide, you’ll get a sneak peek into the yummy yuletide delights you can enjoy at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Magic Kingdom Park this year!

This event, which is held on select nights from November 8 through December 2022, is the ultimate holiday gathering filled with beloved characters, attraction overlays, magical entertainment, like the Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmastime Parade, and even an appearance from Kris Kringle himself! This party is one of my favorites, which may or may not be because of the treats. Speaking of treats – let’s get to them.

The culinary teams have acted as Santa’s foodie helpers this year and created a sleigh worth of goodies to indulge in. With plenty of new delights this year, like the adorable Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat at the Main Street Bakery, the sweet and savory Holiday Dinner Dog at Casey’s Corner, and the can’t miss Polar Bear Claw at Cool Ship, you’ll be asking for treats on your list!

Well, it’s finally time to treat your elf – we mean self! Let’s unwrap the Foodie Guide to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party.

Collage of Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies food for Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party 2022

Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies

  • Lock, Shock, and Barrel Sundae: Festive vanilla cake, vanilla ice cream, strawberry topping, whipped cream, and Christmas sprinkles with a Lock, Shock, and Barrel chocolate piece (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
  • Sugar Plum Shake: Spiced sugar plum soft-serve topped with cherry syrup, whipped cream, and sprinkles (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Casey’s Corner 

  • Holiday Dinner Dog: All-beef hot dog with cranberry mustard, savory stuffing funnel cake, and cheese curds (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
  • Christmas Tree Cake: Red velvet brownie cheesecake with eggnog buttercream and spiced caramel topped with mini sugar Christmas lights (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
Polar Bear Claw at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party 2022

Cool Ship

  • Polar Bear Claw: Chocolate hazelnut pastry with white and dark chocolate (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
The Friar's Nook collage of food at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

The Friar’s Nook

  • Curry Brat Tots: Tots topped with chopped bratwurst, curry ketchup, and apple slaw (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Tinker Bell Cream Puff: Cream puff and compressed carrot cake topped with spiced cream cheese icing, spiced walnuts, and chocolate wings (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Golden Oak Outpost 

  • Fried Pork Tamale served “Christmas Style” with red and green chile sauces and queso fresco (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
  • Chai Caramel Freeze: Salted caramel freeze with chai spiced whipped cream (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat at Main Street Bakery during Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Main Street Bakery

  • Cinnamon Roll: Mickey Mouse-shaped cinnamon roll with white icing (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
  • Mickey Mousse Ornament Treat: Gingerbread mousse with crispy center and a spiced almond cake with brownie crumble (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café

  • Texas-sized Sweet Potato Pie: Baked sweet potato pie with marshmallow meringue and candied pecans (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
Collage of Plaza Ice Cream Parlor ice cream during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Plaza Ice Cream Parlor

  • Peppermint Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, hot fudge, and candy cane pieces served on a brownie (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Candy Cane Hot Cocoa: Hot chocolate with peppermint ice cream, whipped cream, and candy cane pieces (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)

Sleepy Hollow Refreshments 

  • Funnel Cake Sundae: Peppermint ice cream, M&M’S chocolate candies, and hot fudge served on funnel cake (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22) (Available during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Sandy Claws Peppermint Mousse Treat: White chocolate peppermint mousse with a chocolate fudge center, chocolate Santa hat, and Jack Skellington face (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
  • Apple Cider Float: Apple cider topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
Once Upon a Christmastime Tart at Sunshine Tree Terrace

Sunshine Tree Terrace 

  • Once Upon a Christmastime Tart: Chocolate and cranberry tart with chocolate Mickey ears (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 22 during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party only)
Collage of food at Various Carts Throughout Main Street U.S.A. at Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party

Various Carts Throughout Main Street U.S.A.

  • Christmas Cookie Churro: Churro served with marshmallow cream, cookie crumbles, and Christmas sprinkles (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party)
  • Christmas Wreath Doughnut: Red velvet doughnut with green buttercream and Holiday sprinkle decorations (New) (Available Nov. 8 through Dec. 31 during regular park hours and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) (Decorations will vary) 

If these treats sound good to you, don’t forget to stay in-the-know with all our upcoming holiday eats and sips on our Disney Eats topics page. Be sure to follow us on Instagram at @DisneyEats and use #DisneyEats to share with us your holiday foodie favorites.

We hope you’re ready to celebrate the holidays at Magic Kingdom. Enjoy Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party this year and may all your snacking be bright!

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

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Thanksgiving Season Dessert from Topolino’s Terrace

Restaurant Reviews By November 2, 2022 No Comments

When one ponders signature dining at Walt Disney World, Topolino’s Terrace must be included in that conversation. Since Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera opened, the menu there increased the class of dining on the property. In addition, this table service location continues to be a highly searched-for dining reservation. Guests should be ready 60 days before this one. Of course, you could set an alert on MouseDining.com as I did. I acquired a recent dining reservation for this place two weeks before enjoying the food there, On that evening, I planned to enjoy the new seasonal dessert offered there.

Disney Parks Blogs released a list of Thanksgiving-themed food and beverage items. The “Caramel Chocolate Mousse with Hazelnut Cheesecake” appeared on this list from Topolino’s Terrace. The menu description, in typical Disney fashion, leaves out some information about the menu item. The menu description reads, “apple walnut cake, chocolate sea salt crumble, and cherry foam.” I suggest that the description undersells this item. Being a Topolino’s Terrace dessert, it features a great design and a larger-than-standard price tag. This seasonal dessert costs $14.

On the positive side, this desert looks great even before you start to eat it. The mousse comes well-prepared. The combination of flavors creates a pumpkin-like flavor that will not turn away even people who dislike pumpkins. The caramel and hazelnut flavors get their place to sparkle also within this dessert. The light but sweet flavors provide a satisfying end to a meal here. Though hard to nail down the exact percentage of each component, the imagery of a pumpkin works well for this Thanksgiving treat. The mousse itself shines as the star of this dessert. The cherry foam added a nice fruity element to this dessert also.

On the less positive side, the apple walnut cake worked with this dessert. Yet, it failed to be able to stand on its own. This cake portion on the bottom needs the other ingredients to be high quality. The chocolate sea salt crumbles were of high quality but added very little on this night. The chocolate piece on top of the mousse brought decent quality but was below Topolino’s standards.

If looking for a different seasonal dessert, this one provides a very solid option. If dining with a large group, this dessert might make a good one to share along with others for dessert time. This dessert will be available through November 27th, 2022.

Of course, you will need a reservation here unless you are lucky enough to find a slow enough night to enjoy the bar area. Even if this dessert lacks appeal for you, the entrees here exceed expectations. However, a discussion of my entrée will need to wait for another review. As always, eat like you mean it!

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Cooking Up the Magic Plant-Based Spinach and Artichoke Dip Recipe

Cooking Up the Magic at Home By November 2, 2022 No Comments

Happy World Vegan Day! Today, we’re celebrating this special day by sharing a delicious plant-based Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe with you. This dip is served at Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and is made with plant-based cheese substitutes and oat milk and served with house-made chips. This delicious dish makes a wonderful appetizer to share with friends and family for any occasion.

I love the vegetables in this recipe – spinach, artichokes, red bell pepper, and cauliflower! The cauliflower blended with the plant-based cheese makes this dip nice and creamy. As a lover of spinach and artichoke dip myself, I can honestly say this is one of my favorites. If I hadn’t made it, I wouldn’t have known the cheeses were all plant-based.

When I tested this, I found there were extra cauliflower florets and red bell pepper left over, so I used them as dippers – and they were great! Tortilla chips, pita chips, and carrot sticks make fantastic dippers as well. One quick note for the home cook: plant-based cheese spreads, like the one used in the recipe, all have different water contents. Slowly add the oat milk to get the desired texture on your dip.

Plant-based Spinach and Artichoke Dip from Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant

This is a great dish to bring to a gathering of plant-based friends and will also be enjoyed by friends who don’t follow a plant-based diet. Let’s get to the recipe!

PLANT-BASED SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP
Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
Disney Hollywood Studios

Serves 4

PANKO TOPPING

  • 1 cup panko-style breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup grated plant-based Parmesan-style cheese substitute
  • 1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley

PLANT-BASED SPINACH ARTICHOKE DIP

  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1/4 cup chopped Spanish onion
  • 1/4 cup chopped cauliflower
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • 1 1/4 cups vegan chive cheese
  • Oat milk, as needed
  • 1 cup tightly packed baby spinach leaves
  • 1/2 cup chopped canned artichokes
  • 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Tajin seasoning

DIPPERS

  • Red pepper strips
  • Cauliflower florets
  • Carrot sticks
  • Pita chips

FOR PANKO TOPPING:

  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Stir breadcrumbs and plant-based Parmesan-style cheese on baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, stirring once, until golden brown.
  3. Cool for 10 minutes. Add fresh parsley and set aside.

FOR PLANT-BASED SPINACH-ARTICHOKE DIP:

  1. Combine water, onion, and cauliflower in a small food processor. Purée until smooth; set aside.
  2. Heat canola oil in a small skillet over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add chopped garlic and puréed cauliflower and cook for 3 minutes. Add plant-based chive cheese and cook, stirring constantly for 5 minutes, until cheese is melted. If dip is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of oat milk at a time and thin to desired consistency.
  3. Add spinach, artichokes, and red bell pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes, until spinach is wilted, and artichokes are warm. Season with Tajin.
  4. Keep warm until ready to serve.

TO SERVE:

Pour warm spinach-artichoke dip into a small bowl. Sprinkle panko topping on top and serve with vegetables and pita chips.

Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.

If you’re enjoying a plant-based offering at a Walt Disney World Resort or making your own Disney Parks-inspired dish like this one, remember to share your photo with #DisneyEats. We love seeing all your own foodie adventures.

Don’t forget to follow @DisneyEats on Instagram and check out our new Disney Eats topics page!

Click here to download the recipe.

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Big Kahuna Lunch at Kona Café on Reopening Day

Restaurant Reviews By November 1, 2022 No Comments

The beautiful Kona Café reopened on November 1st, 2022, after about two-and-a-half months of refurbishment. Walt Disney World’s website stated, “Kona Cafe at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently unavailable due to refurbishment. We will reopen on November 1, 2022, with an enhanced table-service experience. What does an enhanced table-service experience look like? Depending on when you read this, the breakfast review will already have been published. I had breakfast and lunch advance dining reservations at Kona Cafe for reopening day. I then sat in Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort typing about my experience. This is the result of that quick typing.

A few weeks in advance, Disney Parks Blog gave us some clues about menu adjustments starting November 1st. For breakfast, we received more information. However. very little information was gained from that report about lunch and dinner. Thus, I arrived with limited preparation for appetizer and entrée choices. I did enlist the help of Goo to You! in evaluating the dining options on reopening day. Disney Parks Blog told us that several items would be returning to the menu like the Big Kahuna Burger and Seafood Pu Pu Platter. Those words confused me since neither of those items currently exists on the lunch and dinner menus. Of course, then I remembered that the burger at least was on the menu before virus times. However, the Seafood Pu Pu Platter has been an on-again then-off-again type menu item.

Still, the new lunch menu looks like a very scaled-back version of the dinner menu. For example, only two appetizer options appear on it, pot stickers and chicken wings. Sure, you can get various options of sushi if you desire. In fairness, the Kona Café menu fluctuates. My comparison connects to the menu right before closing for refurbishment as shown on Disney’s website a mere few days before the November reopening.

The lunchtime menu offerings do come with a bread service at the beginning making a nice touch. For lunch, our group ordered the Big Kahuna Burger and the Kona Stir-Fry with Chicken. These cost slightly under $25 each. The stir fry tasted very similar to the previous version of stir-fry here. If you like a strong Teriyaki sauce-based stir fry, then this one will be great for you. The stir-fry features plenty of vegetables with large slices of carrots. The chicken provided a needed protein. Yet, I found this chicken a bit dry and did not have as much flavor as other places on-site at Walt Disney World, like Raglan Road for example. Overall, stir-fry makes a nice meal but would not be a meal to race to get.

The Big Kahuna Burger returned. It resides on the lunch and dinner menu. This well-prepared burger comes with sautéed pastrami, corned beef, pepper jack cheese, mustard aioli, and a tangy cucumber, on a brioche bun. This will be served with standard Walt Disney World fries. Yet, the portion size of the fries looked very filling. This burger provides a nice meaty taste. On this day, the combination of meats created a salty aftertaste on several bites. The burger qualifies as juicy which is always a good thing with a burger. The brioche bun made a nice touch but gets overwhelmed by other components. My GooToYou! companion thought this burger was a good option at the Polynesian Village Resort.  My hesitation about this burger relates to the $24 price point. That might be a bit high for this type of burger.

Overall, I thought my lunch experience failed to live up to the level of breakfast experience earlier in the day. The scaled-back menu does not offer enough variety for most guests in my opinion. On the GooToYou scale, I would give this a 3.3 out of 5. Yet, Kona Café serves its purpose at this resort. If I were wanting to dine here, I would select breakfast or dinner instead. As always, eat like you mean it!

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