This year, October 1 marks the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT. You heard that right, 40 years! Since opening in 1982, the park has allowed guests who have passed through its gates to get a glimpse into the future, travel the world while experiencing different cultures, and take their taste buds on a journey through delicious food festivals. The possibilities have been endless and will continue to be with the exciting plans that lie ahead in the future of this iconic theme park.
To celebrate this momentous occasion, it’s only fitting to have some tasty treats. For select days surrounding the anniversary, various locations will be serving up eats and sips honoring 40 years of fun and flavors. From the EPCOT 40th Liege Waffle at the recently opened Connections Café to the Figment Sponge Cake at Sunshine Seasons, and the Dan Dan Noodles at Nine Dragons Restaurant, there is something for everyone to get a taste of the celebrations.
We’re thrilled to honor EPCOT on this anniversary and plan to eat our way through the park. So, let’s take a look at all the goodies coming in this Foodie Guide to the 40th Anniversary of EPCOT!
Connections Café (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)
Choza de Margarita (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last)
40th Fiesta: Celebrate the colors for the anniversary of EPCOT with this frozen margarita in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup
Funnel Cake (Available Oct. 1 and 2)
Celebration Funnel Cake with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, sprinkles, and 40th candies
Garden House (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)
Sake Cocktail Flight featuring Samurai, Mt. Fuji, Tokyo Sunset, and Violet Sake
La Hacienda de San Angel and San Angel Inn (Available beginning Sept. 30 while supplies last)
Flan: Vanilla custard topped with blueberries, whipped cream, and a “MEXICO 40” white chocolate garnish
Clarified Margarita: Tequila, orange liqueur, lemon, and simple syrup in a “MEXICO 40” souvenir cup with glow cube
Nine Dragons Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)
Dan Dan Noodles: Spicy pork with Sichuan sauce, peanut butter, sesame, shredded cucumber, and green onion
Space 220 Restaurant (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3) Crema Catalana: Vanilla cream custard, lemon snow, citrus segments, and spicy ginger crumble
Sunshine Seasons (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3; Mobile order available)
Figment Sponge Cake with honey-lime mousse
Teppan Edo (Available Sept. 29 through Oct. 3)
EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT
EPCOT 40th Saketini: The saketini was on the menu when the Japan Pavilion first opened. This version combines sake and butterfly pea flower to create the color reminiscent of the night sky of EPCOT
Happy 40th Anniversary EPCOT! Which items are you most excited to try? I think all of them.
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
This summer, the latest ship to join the Disney Cruise Line fleet set sail – the Disney Wish! And one of the best parts about traveling on Disney Cruise Line is rotational dining – a concept that remains exclusive to the fleet. This allows you to dine in different restaurants throughout your voyage, giving you the opportunity to experience highly themed environments, feast on various cuisines, and maybe even see some of your favorite characters along the way. While you enjoy a different dinner each night, your service team accompanies you, meaning that you get personalized service with friendly and familiar faces.
The Disney Wish features three different family dining locations, each with their own stories to share – 1923, Worlds of Marvel, and Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. Each dining room offers something unique and serves up some truly delicious dishes that will leave you wanting to order more – which you can!
For those with allergies, no need to worry. There is a separate menu available with some additional items as well as clear indications of what you can enjoy. Simply ask your server and bon appétit!
Let’s break down all the food items you can enjoy at the three family restaurants aboard the Disney Wish!
1923
1923, named after the year The Walt Disney Company was founded, pays homage to the golden age of animation and embraces that old Hollywood feel as sketches and models of animation classics can be found all throughout the dining room. The dining room is split into two parts, one dedicated to Walt Disney and one to his brother, Roy Disney. The delicious cuisine is inspired by California flavors and ingredients.
Appetizers
Alameda Porcini Spiced Ahi Tuna with pickled lotus root, oyster mushroom, black sesame brittle, wasabi, and yuzu mayonnaise (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Hyperion Four-Cheese Tri-Color Tortelloni with Meyer lemon, artichoke, sun-dried tomato, and baby spinach
Burrata Mozzarella Cheese & Prosciutto di Parma with crisp cranberry and sunflower seed phyllo and charred blood orange
Kingswell Duck Confit Pastilla Dates with apricot, ginger, red pepper, saffron, and black raspberry jam
Salads
Fennel, Bartlett Pear and Tatsoi Salad with Manchego cheese, walnuts, and sherry dressing (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Split Napa Baby Romaine Lettuce with Caesar dressing, heirloom grape tomatoes, Parmigiano-Reggiano, and ciabatta garlic croutons
From the Kettle
Pulled Guinea Hen Corn Chowder: Yukon gold potato, cilantro, and smoked bacon (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Roasted Roma Tomato Soup with sourdough purple basil crostini (Plant-based)
At Worlds of Marvel, you can assist some Marvel heroes, like Ant-Man and the Wasp, with quantum technology as you choose among plates inspired by the locales of the characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Showcase Appetizers
Smoked Salmon: Minneola, English cucumber, crème frâiche, dill, chive, and salmon caviar (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Steamed Bao Buns: Seared ginger orange pork belly, toasted sesame seeds, pickled daikon, spring onions, and mirin soy honey glaze
Hearts of Palm Ceviche: Tamarillo, sweet potato, purple onion, lime, cilantro, bell pepper, infinity stone popcorn (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Crispy Breaded Fried Shrimp: White cheddar and corn grits, bell peppers, collard greens, and smokehouse barbecue sauce
Wakandan Salads
Heirloom Tomato Salad: Escarole, arugula, purple onion, black beans, blue and red corn chips, parsley, and bearss lime (Plant-based)
Iceberg Wedge: Candied pecans, smoked bacon lardons, black and globe radish, Maytag blue cheese (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)
Pym Doughnut Sundae: Dulce de leche ice cream, pecan brownie, caramel fudge sauce, chocolate glazed mini-doughnut, and whipped cream
Cheesecake Byte: Signature dessert with fresh berries, strawberry jelly, and whipped cream
Wakanda Flourless Chocolate Beetroot Cake: Chocolate beetroot cake, pepper crème, and milk chocolate soil (No Sugar Added)
World of Kid’s Menu
Super Hero Starters
Creamed Potato Soup with carrots and celery
Garden Salad with your favorite choice of dressing
Main Event
Entrées served with fresh vegetables and your choice of smashed potatoes, steak fries, or macaroni & cheese.
Crisp Chicken Tenders with ranch dressing
Mini Cheeseburger on brioche bun
Tomato & Mozzarella Pizza
Baked Filet of Cod
Disney Check Meals
Whole-Wheat Spaghetti Pasta with Mega Turkey Meatball: Marinara sauce, garden salad, and apple slices
Barbecue-glazed Chicken breast with roasted sweet potato wedges, sweet corn, and fruit salad
Daring Dessert
Quantum Cupcake: Red velvet cake, cream cheese, and Marvel sprinkles
Mickey Ice Cream Bar
Selection of Assorted Ice Cream
Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Experience
You can join Anna, Kristoff, Elsa, Olaf, and even Oaken as they celebrate Anna and Kristoff’s engagement at Arendelle: A Frozen Dining Adventure. Enjoy live music from “local” musicians who specialize in Nordic renditions of familiar “Frozen” songs while indulging in Norwegian-inspired dishes that will make your tastebuds sing!
“It’s Elsa’s Coronation Sundae!”: Mint chocolate chip ice cream, marshmallows, fresh whipped cream, and snowflakes
Troll Family’s Rock Chocolate Bar: Signature Dessert with chocolate cake, pistachio cookie rocks, and elderflower meringue
Citrus-Almond Cake: Lemon almond cake, buttermilk ice cream, and orange fennel salad (No Sugar Added)
Kid’s Menu
Starters
Sven’s Sweet Carrot Soup with buttery croutons
Troll’s Garden Salad with your favorite choice of dressing
Main Event
Entrées served with fresh vegetables and your choice of smashed potatoes, steak fries, or macaroni & cheese.
3oz. Sirloin Steak & Grilled Shrimp
The Royal Corn Dog with honey mustard dipping sauce
Barbecue Chicken Pizza
Mini Cheeseburger on brioche bun
Disney Check Meals
Elsa & Anna’s Baked Salmon with brown rice pilaf, roasted cauliflower florets, and blueberry crunch parfait
Kristoff’s Whole-Wheat Penne Pasta with Meatballs: Tomato sauce, steamed carrots, and apple slices
Desserts
Olaf’s Campfire S’mores Bar: Graham cracker, roasted marshmallow, oreo cookies, double chocolate, and vanilla ice cream
Mickey Ice Cream Bar
Selection of Assorted Ice Cream
As you can see, there is plenty to enjoy from rotation dining aboard the brand-new Disney Wish! From flavors that take you across the worlds of Marvel, to the golden age of animation, and even an engagement party fit for royalty, the Disney Wish is a foodie’s wish come true!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party is currently taking place at Magic Kingdom Park on select nights through Oct. 31. The talented culinary teams have created some delicious Halloween-themed treats and eats for the party, which can all be found in our Foodie Guide. One of the most intriguing menu items is the Almond Sweet Corn Cake from Pecos Bill’s Tall Tale Inn and Café.
Upon first glance, you might ask yourself, “Is this cake or is it corn?” It really does look like corn on the cob! After testing (and tasting) this recipe, I can confirm that it is a dessert – and it’s a delicious one at that! The cake texture is perfect, it’s not too sweet and the subtle corn flavor pairs well with the brown butter to make a unique fall treat. Decorating the cake with white chocolate and candy corn makes this even more festive for the fall season!
It’s your lucky day because we’re sharing the recipe with you! Plan ahead on this one as the batter rests in the refrigerator for 8-12 hours to allow time for the flavors and texture to develop. The recipe calls for brown butter, which takes a few minutes longer than melting butter. The darker color and the nuttier, richer flavor of the brown butter are always worth the extra time it takes to make brown butter. Now, let’s get to the full recipe.
ALMOND SWEET CORN CAKE from Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe at Magic Kingdom Park Makes 4 Cakes
ALMOND SWEET CORN CAKE
10 tablespoons butter
7 egg whites
1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup almond flour
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons corn extract
1 teaspoon yellow food coloring
TOPPING
1 cup white chocolate melting discs
Yellow food coloring
Orange food coloring
Candy corn
FOR ALMOND SWEET CORN CAKE:
Melt butter in small saucepan over medium-low heat, swirling occasionally for 5 minutes. Once butter foams and begins to brown, pour butter and solids into a small bowl. Cool for 15 minutes.
Whip egg yolks in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a whisk attachment for 20 seconds; set aside.
Combine powdered sugar, almond flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl and whisk to combine. Add reserved egg whites, corn extract, and yellow food coloring and whisk to combine. Stir in brown butter.
Cover and refrigerate batter 8-12 hours before baking.
Preheat oven to 400°F. Spread 1/2 cup batter into four 7.3-inch silicone corn molds. Place molds on baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool for 5 minutes and remove from molds.
Cool completely before decorating.
FOR TOPPING:
Melt white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl according to package instructions.
Evenly divide melted white chocolate among 3 bowls. Leave one bowl white. Add desired amount of yellow and orange to remaining bowls to make yellow and orange icing to match candy corn.
Drizzle each cooled cake with all 3 colors of white chocolate and decorate with candy corn.
Note: 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 restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
The Almond Sweet Corn Cake is only available during Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. If you are not able to make it to the party, you can serve this dessert at your own fall or Halloween-themed party!
As I wrote in a recent dining review, House of Blues at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World has grown in recent popularity. Well, at least in terms of people searching for an advance dining reservation via MouseDining, this place has increased in popularity. As someone that spends a small amount of time pondering theme park dining, this place intrigues me. House of Blues functions as a worthy third-party restaurant on Disney property. Depending on where you live, you may have a House of Blues restaurant near you. Until recently, advance dining reservations were not challenging to get here. Of course, the popularity of some Disney Springs restaurants ebb and flow.
The menu here offers some solid bar style appetizers, sandwiches, burgers, ribs, shrimp and grits, and some decent southern BBQ style food also for example. They also offer five different types of salads. For some reason, my dining groups have been ordering more salads as their main entrée lately. Perhaps that relates to the fact that I am getting older, but who knows? On this occasion, I ordered the “Smoked Brisket Sandwich” as my main entrée. One member of my group ordered the “Steak Salad.” Based on the quality of this salad, I should have made it my primary selection.
The Steak Salad costs $20. The menu description reads “USDA Prime steak, mixed field greens, cherry tomatoes, toasted almonds, blue cheese crumbles, red onion, cucumber, (and) balsamic vinaigrette.” This might not sound impressive. Yet, I think many guests will enjoy this. In my previous article about the brisket sandwich, I stated that Hard Rock Café over at Universal Orlando offered a better sandwich. In a potential battle of steak salads, House of Blues probably wins. That discussion must wait for another day.
This salad came wonderfully prepared. We requested the steak medium well. The steak came prepared exactly that way. From a presentation standpoint, the entrée came like a small cut up steak with a nice salad as your side. I joked about it being a make your own salad. If this came with a starch, like a potato, this could pass a “poor man’s” steak dinner.
In fairness, this salad does not come with the highest grade of steak. Of course, this entrée costs only $20. Yet, I found the steak well prepared with a good flavor to match the salad. It brought good flavor and tenderness. Also, as menu description indicates, this salad contains a good balance of ingredients. The salad offered good flavor by itself. The vinaigrette salad dressing works well and provides a nice touch of creaminess.
Overall, I found this salad refreshing and good value. I would suggest eating it simply like a steak and a side salad. You do get more salad than a standard side salad but this presentation reminds me of that idea. Of course, you might want to eat the steak mixed with the salad. On this occasion, we combined those in very few bites. This would make a great entrée for someone looking to reduce their carbohydrate intake.
On the negative side, the price point of $20 for a salad might alarm some. Yet, we all know these are theme park resort prices. Still, at a House of Blues outside of Disney World, you would pay basically the same price for this. Also, if you arrived here very hungry or craving carbohydrates, this salad would leave you disappointed. Ye, I suspect most people fitting that category would find some other tasty entrée to enjoy. I do like the idea of adding a baked potato or French fries to this for feel of a steak dinner though.
Would I recommend this? I think I would. In fairness, I doubt most people visit House of blues to just get a salad. However, if you find yourself here wanting a salad, this good option awaits you. As always, eat like you mean it!
There resides something within us as humans that we enjoy knowing or having something others do not. Theme parks play off this idea with concepts like lightning lanes, early theme park admission, and dessert parties. Our friends at Chick Fil-A gets the benefit of this because people crave the chicken sandwich even more when it is Sunday. Humans want what they cannot have and want to know secrets that others fail to know. Fans of the Disney theme parks love hearing some new rumors for example. Ironically, I am typing this review during the big D23 event in California. The hype just to know something new about the Disney corporation’s plans draw lots of attention.
On a lesser scale of this apparent human trait, the idea of a secret menu item at restaurants causes people to want to try it. Our friends over at Universal Orlando have mastered the secret of exclusive menu item for just their passholders during passholder appreciation days there. Even in Universal Orlando’s marketing they speak about how others will be jealous of you with exclusive/secret menu items since others did not know about it.
Walt Disney World restaurants also use this trick. They currently use it in a different way. In another review, I wrote about the secret menu appetizer at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. For that example, you do need to know to ask or hope someone tells you the code name “Gator Sticks.”
Yet, over in Magic Kingdom, one of the longest running “secret menu” items still can be found. At “Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen” or “Skipper’s Canteen for short, guests may order a secret menu appetizer. However, this qualifies as the worst kept secret in terms of Disney dining. I could bore you with all the supposed reasons this appetizer remains “off menu” but I would really like you to read more of this article. Thus, I will refrain.
In case you do not know, the Pao de Queijo at Skipper’s Canteen qualifies as this marginally secret menu item. Depending on which server you get when dining here, they may just tell you about it before asking for your drink order. Like I said, this appetizer fails to be very secret.
As the name indicates, these are Brazilian style cheese bread. This type of bread has grown in popularity at Orlando area theme parks in recent years, especially at food festivals. These come to your table as balls of cheesy bread. The cheese bread also gets served alongside some poblano cream cheese and chimichurri sauce. Though these are off-menu and infrequently not available, they cost $13. If you are a drinks and appetizer type person, this secret menu item might go well with you beverage. Also, considering slightly more upscale alcoholic beverages are rumored to come to this table service dining location, the right combination might be here for you.
So, how is the cheese bread here? In simple terms, they offer good flavor. This cheese bread will not change your life. Still, you will not feel you wasted your money on these either. My companion for a recent meal ordering these compared them to an asiago cheese bagel that I love. This cheese bread can be heavy but for $13 you get a good portion size.
The sauce and cheese with them add to the experience in a positive way. The sauce adds a bit of spice but nothing like the Dan Dan Noodles in terms of spice. The bread can be very doughy or chewy. Some might find it a bit too chewy though I feel it helps when mixed with sauce combination. When I had this last month, I found them slightly lower quality then previously. Yet, of course, diners often romanticize things they enjoyed previously.
Overall, this makes a solid appetizer at a reasonable theme park table service price. Even your picky eater will enjoy these. Based on the portion size, these appetizers can easily be shared. Finding decent food at Magic Kingdom can be difficult sometimes. As you might imagine, I used MouseDining for this reservation. In fact, I changed this reservation at least five times. If the full character dining adventures for over $60 with Beast or Cinderella do not meet your needs, making an advance dining reservation at Skipper Canteen could be your dining solution while at Magic Kingdom. As always, eat like you mean it!
Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means – tricks and, most importantly, treats! One of the best parts about the season is the goodies, and this year, resorts across Walt Disney World are bringing plenty of eats that will leave you hypnotized and begging for more! The Disney culinary minds have conjured up some delights in their cauldrons – kitchens – just for you that won’t disappoint.
And these items aren’t just a bunch of hocus pocus. With some returning favorites like the Bewitching Minnie Mousse Cupcake at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and plenty of new delights to try including the Madame Leota Dark Chocolate Cake at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and My (Plant-Based) Boo cupcake coming to multiple resorts, you better bring you appetite with your candy bag.
It’s time we get to what you’ve been waiting for. We present to you the highly anticipated Foodie Guide to Halloween goodies from the resorts of Walt Disney World. Now let’s trick or treat!
Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, and Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
Mickey Pumpkin Cheesecake: Pumpkin cheesecake and spiced chocolate cake with buttercream and chocolate décor (New)
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Landscape of Flavors (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Spellbound Chicken Adobo Nachos: Blue corn tortilla chips with chicken adobo, toasted pumpkin seeds, roasted corn, black beans, and a zesty pumpkin cheese sauce finished with lime crema and a ghostly pepper salsa (New) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
The Mara (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse with chocolate ganache and chocolate décor (New)
Boma – Flavors of Africa, Victoria Falls Lounge, and Sanaa (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Doom-ela South African Margarita: Our Margarita featuring Patron Silver Tequila with a South African Excelsior Cabernet Sauvignon floater (New)
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Marketplace (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Mummy Cookies ‘n Scream Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookies n’ cream mousse, chocolate cake, and whipped cream (New)
Poison Apple Trifle: Layers of caramel crunch, apple mousse, caramel mousse, and vanilla cake with buttercream and fondant décor (New)
Mickey Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie: Pumpkin spice sugar cookie with royal icing décor (New)
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Butter Pecan Pumpkin Shake: Butter pecan ice cream with pumpkin flavoring, caramel, and chocolate sauces with a vanilla cupcake decorated like a Mickey pumpkin and sprinkle décor (New) (non-alcoholic)
Disney’s BoardWalk
BoardWalk Deli (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Boo Brownie: Mickey-shaped brownie topped with ganache and whipped cream ghosts (New)
Creepy Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake with blood orange curd filling, vanilla mascarpone cream, chocolate cookies crumbs, and sugar pumpkins (New)
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Centertown Market and Spyglass Grill (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
Topsy Turvy Chocolate & Cherries: Chocolate cake with a salted caramel mousse and a tart cherry filling (New)
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contempo Café (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Madame Leota Dark Chocolate Cake: Devil’s Food mini cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs (New)
Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Barcelona Lounge (Available through Nov. 30)
Caramel Pumpkin Pie Cold Brew: Joffrey’s Cold Brew Coffee with caramel and pumpkin pie flavors topped with cinnamon whipped cream (New) (non-alcoholic)
Three Bridges Bar and Grill at Villa del Lago (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Pumpkin Mickey Tart: Pumpkin cheesecake mousse with chocolate ganache and chocolate décor (New)
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Gasparilla Island Grill (Available through Oct. 31; Mobile order available)
Jack O ’Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate (New)
Black Flame Candle: Candy corn-colored vanilla sponge cake candle with caramel buttercream and white chocolate ganache (New)
Bewitching Minnie Mousse Cupcake: Cookies ‘n cream-filled chocolate cupcake enrobed in ganache
Mummy Mickey Blondie: Caramel blondie with caramel buttercream
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Capt. Cook’s and Kona Island (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available at Capt. Cook’s only)
Tamatoa: Chocolate chiffon cake with Hawaiian Chantilly filling and shiny sprinkles (New)
Pineapple Lanai (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Not-So-Scary Pumpkin Soft-serve: Pumpkin spice flavored soft-serve and coconut haupia with caramel drizzle, graham cracker crumbs, and a white chocolate Mickey-shaped pumpkin (New)
Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel (New)
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside
Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and Riverside Mill Food Court (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
My (Plant-Based) Boo: Chocolate cupcake topped with a ghostly swirl of vanilla buttercream and sprinkles (New) (Plant-based) (Gluten/Wheat-Friendly)
Tombstone Sweet: Chocolate cake, caramel mousse, caramel milk chocolate mousse, coffee dark chocolate mousse, and a salted milk chocolate ganache (New)
Scat Cat’s Club – Café (Located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter; available Oct. 1 through Nov. 27)
Pumpkin Spice Beignets: Mickey beignets dusted with powdered sugar and pumpkin spice
Backstretch Pool Bar (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Bewitched Cherry Cone: Cherry soft-serve and chocolate bat wings in a chocolate-dipped waffle cone (New)
The Artist’s Palette (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Mummy Mickey Blondie: Caramel blondie with caramel buttercream
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Geyser Point Bar & Grill (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Halloween Drink Flight: Flight with all four holiday drinks
Blood Orange: Tequila, blood orange, and simple syrup with lime juice
Black Magic Margarita: Tequila, blue Curaçao beverage syrup, green apple syrup, grenadine, and sour mix
Around the Pumpkin Patch: Tequila, pumpkin spice, lime juice, and sour mix
Poison Apple: Tequila, green apple syrup, lime juice, and sour mix
Roaring Fork (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Haunted Forest Apple Mousse: Green cake with cookies n’ cream mousse, and not-so-poisoned sour apple mousse with dark chocolate tree branches (New)
Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
The Market at Ale & Compass (Available Oct. 1 through 31; Mobile order available)
Mummy Cookies ‘n Scream Trifle: Layers of chocolate cookies n’ cream mousse, chocolate cake, and whipped cream (New)
Poison Apple Trifle: Layers of caramel crunch, apple mousse, caramel mousse, and vanilla cake with buttercream and fondant décor (New)
Mickey Pumpkin Spice Sugar Cookie: Pumpkin spice sugar cookie with royal icing décor (New)
Available at Select Pool Bars and Lounges at Walt Disney World Resorts (Available Oct. 1 through 31)
Seawitch’s Brew: Lunazul Reposado Tequila, blackberry purée, and sour mix rimmed with black salt and topped with fresh blackberries (New)
Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry, and salted caramel with a candy-shaped glow cube
Happy Halloween fellow foodies! I hope you’re ready for all these eats, treats, and maybe even some tricks coming to these resorts this season. Which are you most excited about?
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
During my August trip to Orlando area, I visited Raglan Road restaurant on my first night there. Trying to do useful food reviews, I focused on menu items that were new at Raglan Road. When I went, about eight new items were on the menu there. I ordered one of the new appetizers and one of the new entrees. For my entrée, I ordered a salad. Yes, I said a salad. With all the options of menu items, I selected a salad. Why would I do that?
First and foremost, this salad qualified as a newer item on the Raglan Road menu. Second, I had already ordered an appetizer before this entrée. Third and finally, I knew the next day involved two table service dining reservations along with trying about eight treats at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. In simple terms, a salad can make a good choice during your Walt Disney World dining experience. I realize people say vacation calories do not count. Still, a bit of nutrition sounds like a good idea at least once during a vacation.
However, this counts as no ordinary salad. If you were thinking I ordered a generic salad with no frills, think again. I ordered “That Salad With Chicken.” I wonder who got paid a salary to come up with that title for this salad. This salad costs $20.This salad provides diners with “grilled Bell & Evans chicken breast, arugula, roasted broccolini, pickled red cabbage, confit tomatoes, roasted butternut squash, red quinoa, and smoked almonds, A lovely honey mustard dressing comes with this salad.
` The presentation of the salad earns high marks. In addition, the salad matches well with the complimentary soda bread service provided at Raglan Road. For the record, the soda bread presents a wonderful flavor here to start your meal.
So how was this salad? As expected, the chicken here comes very well prepared but more about that balance of flavor later. The arugula and other greens match the dressing almost perfectly. I found myself wanting more arugula with a touch of the dressing when finished. Even though I ate almost morsel of this salad, the portion rates as large for a $20 salad at Disney Springs. That rating should perhaps be higher based on the solid overall flavor of this salad. The accompanying vegetables and quinoa were also prepared very well.
On the negative side, the broccolini, though prepared very well, tasted a little too salty by itself. I also found it harder to chew that expected. In fairness, I generally avoid broccolini in my everyday dining so I might have a bias in this case. Also, the smoked almonds, though nice, fell to bottom of salad quickly. When you order this, plan for that aspect.
The key to this salad falls on the chicken to bring it together. The chicken offers a reasonably seasoned flavor. Initially, I thought the chicken was be a bit dry. Yet, in seems apparent that the chicken balances the other components, especially the broccolini. Guests get a reasonable amount of chicken with this salad. As a result, the chicken holds it all together flavor-wise. Based on that apparent intent, this salad with chicken makes a good option for diners looking for some nutrition in their Disney dining regiment. Of course, do not be fooled. Just because this menu item calls itself a salad, there are plenty of yummy calories within it. I doubt you will feel you sacrificed too much getting this salad.
As of time of writing this, I have another dining reservation at Raglan Road coming up in less than a week. Yes, I booked that with the help of the MouseDining reservation alert system. If I were not going back to review some other new menu items at Raglan Road, I would not hesitate to order this again. Considering I am scheduled to review about thirty food items at Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando in that same week, I probably could use a salad or two (or five). Yet, this salad meets the expected standard of a place like Raglan Road. Thanks for reading this review. As always, eat like you mean it!
Hello foodies – do we have some updates for you! At both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, eats and treats connoisseurs will be excited to learn all the latest tasty tidbits coming to both locations.
Let’s kick things off with what’s new at Walt Disney World Resort. Starting today, over at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Gasparilla Island Grill has some new bites for you to try.
There are a couple of new breakfast dishes to start off your day. For those looking for a lighter, healthier option, you’ll be delighted to find two selections–the plant-based Açai Bowl with a house-made açai sorbet, strawberries, bananas, blueberries, granola, and agave as well as the Egg White Breakfast Wrap with egg whites, spinach, roasted tomatoes, and feta served on a flour tortilla.
Moving on to lunch and dinner options, the Italian Sandwich features ham, salami, capicola, provolone, lettuce, tomato, onion, banana peppers, Italian dressing, and olive aioli served on a sub roll. You can also enjoy the Caprese Sandwich featuring red, yellow, and fire-roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, arugula, lettuce, basil, sherry vinaigrette, basil aïoli, and balsamic reduction served on a roasted tomato focaccia– how delicious! There is also a Cuban Sandwich with mojo roasted pork, ham, Swiss, pickle, and mustard served on Cuban bread and the Blackened Chicken Sandwich with blackened chicken, pepper jack, and coleslaw served on a brioche bun.
The Broccoli & Roasted Tomato Flatbread isn’t just your average flatbread. This delicious dish has roasted garlic, mozzarella, broccoli, fire-roasted tomatoes, and ricotta served on house-made dough. Not to mention, all the breads for these sandwiches and flatbread are made right in the Grand Floridian Bakery!
For dinner, there are two new additions to the menu featuring some classic Florida flavors that will leave your tastebuds amazed. The Mojo Chicken Bowl is a tasty option that includes mojo chicken, jasmine rice, sweet potato, cilantro-scallion aïoli, and black bean and tomato salad. For a plant-based option, the Mojo Seitan Bowl combines mojo seitan, jasmine rice, sweet potato, cilantro-scallion aïoli, and black bean and tomato salad. I don’t know about you, but these both sound great!
Lastly for resorts, at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the Backstretch Pool Bar has some new offerings joining the menu beginning September 16. The New York-style Hot Dog features an all-beef hot dog covered in New York-style onions and is a tasty addition to try. If you love yourself some buffalo chicken and nachos, the Buffalo Chicken Nachos is the best of both worlds. These nachos combine shredded chicken in buffalo sauce with creamy blue cheese queso and celery served with Saratoga house chips –how yummy!
EPCOT also has some updates to get a taste of at Sunshine Seasons. This quick-service restaurant found in The Land Pavilion features fresh fare packed with flavor, and these new additions are no different. Kickstart your morning with one of the new breakfast options including the Ham, Egg, and Cheese Breakfast Sandwich on a kaiser roll served with fresh fruit, tasty Overnight Oats, or a classic Greek Yogurt.
For lunchtime, there are three new sandwiches that you won’t want to miss. The Roast Beef features chilled roast beef, chimichurri aïoli, cheddar, arugula, and red onion on a flour-topped kaiser roll and served with potato chips. The Mediterranean Vegetable Sandwich includes roasted red pepper, red onion, tomato, arugula, hummus, and balsamic vinaigrette on herbed focaccia and served with potato chips. And it’s plant-based! Both of these sandwiches can be enjoyed all day long! Lastly, the Fish Tacos, available daily before 4 p.m., combines fire-roasted corn salsa, creamy jalapeño- Piri Piri sauce, and radish. These tacos are accompanied by plantain chips too!
Some new beverages are coming to Magic Kingdom Park as well for those above 21 at select table-service restaurants. Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen will now offer both the Jungle Bird Cocktail and the Golden Haze Margarita. The Jungle Bird Cocktail features Gosling Black Rum, Campari, cane syrup, and pineapple and lime juices while the Golden Haze Margarita contains Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier, agave syrup, lime juice, and smoked chili bitters.
Over at Liberty Tree Tavern and The Diamond Horseshoe, you’ll find the Gold Rush–a new cocktail with Elijah Craig Bourbon, lemon juice, and honey garnished with crystalized ginger–and the Magical Beacon Cocktail–a special offering to celebrate the 50th Anniversary Celebration featuring Empress 1908 Gin, Bols Blue Curaçao, Minute Maid Premium Lemonade, almond orgeat, lemon, hibiscus grenadine, and souvenir glow cube.
Now, let’s take a little trip over to the West Coast, where Disneyland Resort has some treats you simply must try. In Disneyland park, Troubadour Tavern has a returning item. The mouthwatering Bacon & Sour Cream Stuffed Baked Potato is back and ready for you to indulge in. With butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon bits, and chives, this classic is the perfect addition to your meal.
If you happen to find yourself at Disney California Adventure park, there are a few seasonal items you simply must get a taste of if you haven’t already. The Pacific Wharf Café has a delicious Pastrami Sandwich featuring ghost pepper cheese sauce and house-made sauerkraut on a toasted French roll–yum! The Pacific Wharf Cappuccino Cart has some fall flavor with the Pumpkin-spiced Horchata Cold Brew, a creamy blend of cold brew with pumpkin-spiced rice and cinnamon beverage.
Another can’t-miss bite can be found over at Paradise Garden Grill where you’ll find the Traditional Tamale Plate. This dish serves up green Chile chicken tamales with Spanish rice and pinto beans. Now that sounds like a good meal to me.
If your tastebuds love some spice, then you need to stop by the Studio Catering Truck. Here you’ll find the Ghost Pepper Potato Bites. These potato bites don’t just look good but taste good too with ghost pepper cheese sauce, smoky bacon, and pickled jalapeños. Yes, yes, and yes!
The theme parks aren’t the only places with some tasty tidbits. The hotels at Disneyland Resort also have some goodies you won’t want to miss. Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa is home to the Hearthstone Lounge with some new eats and sips on its revamped menu that will light up your palate. Recently added, the Achiote Shrimp & Grits has grilled shrimp on corn porridge grits, Oaxaca cheese, chile butter, roasted cherry tomatoes, and aromatic herbs while the Steak Frites feature a hickory molasses-glazed prime flat iron, garlic-Parmesan thin fries, blue lake beans, demi-glace, compound butter, and watercress salad.
For those interested in an adult beverage, Hearthstone Lounge has a new beverage program with multiple concoctions to sip on, one of which is the Rye Sour with Whistle Pig 10 yr Rye Whiskey, clover honey syrup, and grapefruit juice garnished with a grapefruit wheel.
Disneyland Hotel also has some items at both Tangaroa Terrace and Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar that you won’t want to pass up. If you’re interested in a sweet offering, the Thick & Fluffy Japanese Pancakes at Tangaroa Terrace are for you. These pancakes are topped with a tropical fruit blend made up of starfruit and guava syrup and are served with bacon. Also at this foodie spot is the Tonkotsu Ramen with a rich pork-based broth, wavy noodles, pork belly slices, fresh green onions, shiitake mushrooms, fish cake, black garlic oil, soft-boiled flavored egg, and nori. You can’t go wrong with either option.
Finally, Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar is serving up a Zombie. This alcoholic beverage combines Appleton Estate Reserve Rum, Bacardi Reserva Ocho Rum, Hamilton 151 Rum, tropical juices, falernum, and cinnamon to make a flavorful cocktail.
At the Downtown Disney District, Sprinkles has some seasonal flavors coming throughout the month of September if you’re looking for a sweet pick-me-up. La Gloria is a caramel cake with pecans, dulce de leche filling, and salted caramel frosting dusted with cinnamon sugar. The Pumpkin cupcake has flavors of ginger, clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon topped with cinnamon cream cheese frosting. The Pumpkin Spice Latte is a pumpkin cake filled with marshmallow cream and topped with Cuban coffee frosting. Lastly, the Salted Chocolate Caramel features a caramel cake filled with ganache, topped with dark chocolate frosting, and finished with dulce de leche drizzle and fleur de sel.
Also, Salt & Straw has their Harvest Festival Series featuring tasty flavors inspired by the season. Check them out on your next venture over to Downtown Disney District!
Don’t forget to check out the My Disney Experience and Disneyland Resort mobile apps to help you plan ahead and secure some of these amazing items on mobile order.
Whether you find yourself at Walt Disney World Resort or Disneyland Resort in the coming months, your taste buds have plenty of options for a perfect foodie day!
(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)
Since opening in 2016 in Disney Springs, Chef art Smith’s Homecomin’ draws large interest from diners. This restaurant currently ranks as the most searched for restaurant at Disney Springs via MouseDining. With over 20 table service dining options, that ranking says something about people’s desire to eat here. The delectable comfort food here provides a great experience. The service at Homecomin’, though often slow, brings excellent “Southern” hospitality.
For example, during a recent trip to Homecomin’, our server Anthony treated everyone wonderfully. The dining experience took well over an hour though. In fairness, we did order lots of food and beverages. My dining companions ordered a shine flight this afternoon which added to the fun and length of our dining experience. For the record, they enjoyed their flight of beverages. This afternoon, I stuck with my refillable sipper cup to support by diet soda addiction.
One of my primary intentions for this trip revolved around ordering an appetizer that I had not eaten at Homecomin’ previously. I went to order it and noticed it was no longer on the menu. I asked our server Anthony about it. He quickly told me that they still had it. He said it was now on the “secret menu.” Apparently, this secret menu item hides better than the secret menu item at “Skipper’s Canteen” at Magic Kingdom.
These are Gator Bites
The secret code name for this appetizer currently is “Gator Sticks.” Now, those should not be confused with the “Gator Bites” served here. These “Gator Sticks” do not taste like gator. They are “Okra Fries.” Okra Fries used to be on the appetizer menu at Homecomin’. The old description of these read “hand-cut okra, lightly battered and crispy fried, and served with their delicious icebox dressing.” I did notice the price went up to $16 now.
Okra Fries fit the southern comfort food setting at Homecomin’ well. I respect that many of you cringed when I told you these were okra with a code name of “Gator Sticks.” However, I enjoy fried okra. Based on my family of origin, I have enjoyed excellent well-prepared fried okra. If you have eaten less than well-prepared okra, then you have every reason to cringe at this secret menu appetizer.
So how were these okra fries? First, the portion size even for $16 provides plenty of food for everyone. I found myself overwhelmed by the large number of okra fries given. I ate most of them but I could not even eat all of them. Second, these matched well with the icebox dressing. The icebox dressing here somehow tastes better than it should for a relatively simple dressing. Third, the okra fries presented a solid flavor and were well prepared.
On the negative side, based on preparation style, you might want to cut these okra fries into smaller bites. The texture of some of the okra fries might be challenging for some to eat. There will be no delicate dainty bites of these creations. Okra often can be chewy so some pieces might taste that way.
Overall, I found “Gator Sticks” enjoyable. Clearly, the portion size earns high marks. However, I think many people will be too overwhelmed with this style appetizer. With all the great food at Homecomin’, using valuable stomach space on this appetizer seems unwise. However, if you have a large group wanting to split a unique appetizer, this one makes a terrific choice.
Finally, if you have read some of my other dining reviews at Homecomin’, then you know this place makes a challenging advance dining reservation to get. For this most recent trip, I personally used MouseDining.com alerts to adjust this reservation at least ten times. I wish I was exaggerating. I changed days, time of day, and number of people several times. Though I got a bit concerned, every change was met by an alert from MouseDining eventually. Since Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ ranks as the most searched for advance dining reservation, I became a pleased customer.
One of the many popular restaurants at Walt Disney World resides at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. Guests can enjoy breakfast or dinner at this table service location. As you might imagine, getting an advance dining reservation here can be tricky. For my most recent trip, I used MouseDining.com to acquire my original reservation. I also used it to change it several times to get the exact day and time I wanted. Eventually, I got a late breakfast time slot. I wanted a late slot since I knew I would be staying up before typing blogs after an evening at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.
Could Ohana repair the damage to my system from little sleep and scary food from the Halloween party at Magic Kingdom? Would the food be so average that it would not wake me up after typing until 4am? Would I even make my 11:20am reservation?
Good news I woke up in plenty of time. We arrived at The Polynesian Village Resort with plenty of time to make a reservation. We did experience similar delays to being seated as we experienced at Topolino’s Terrace the day before. After we were seated, we quickly got a fruit plate and breakfast pineapple bread. As usual, fruit just tastes better in Florida compared to most of the USA. The pineapple bread tasted fine but nothing special.
One of the least positive parts of this breakfast relates to the coffee. The coffee tasted like standard boring hotel coffee. I did quickly point out to my dining companions that therefore you can buy upgraded coffee with this breakfast. Of course, this breakfast comes with POG juice. Also, this place supported my diet soda addiction by bringing me a Coke Zero.
Early in our meal, they brought us waffles. Since we were dining at Ohana, we got Stitch and Mickey waffles. These Stitch shaped items make only Stitch guests get to see at Ohana until September 27th when characters return to this breakfast.
Related to characters returning, the current price of breakfast here is $25/adult. I expect price to increase when characters return though.
Back to the food, the waffles provided normal quality. I preferred the Stitch waffles over Mickey waffles. Yet, you may find Mickey tastes better.
The skillets come with plenty to enjoy. I learned from another guest that you can order ham without pineapple. Yet, I wonder why you would do that. The ham with pineapple tasted great. However, many people feel the ham is not as good as before theme parks closed in 2020. I found the sausage tasted average for table service dining. The eggs were very well prepared. They were not as good as eggs for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace. The potatoes were well seasoned. I found them a great compliment to the other elements of these skillets. Finally, the biscuits were just okay.
Was this breakfast worth our time and money? I think it was. For $25 to get unlimited refills of any of these breakfast food items here currently makes a decent value. Considering larger breakfast buffets over at Universal Orlando start at $27, this price looks okay for Ohana. I could easily visualize a parent saying to everyone in group: “eat up, guys…if you want more food before our 3:00 dining reservation, you are on your own.” Then they might say something like: “If you leave here hungry, it is your own fault.”
Though I currently feel this makes a great value at $25, we will wait to see what price is starting September 27th with Stitch and friends returning to harass dining guests. Can you find a better breakfast on the property? Yes, you can. Can you find it at this price? No, you probably cannot. In fairness, I have several guest reports about Ohana not as glowing as mine. Reports seem to vary significantly. You can decide if this works for your group though. Remember, there are many reasons this restaurant ranks high in terms of Walt Disney World reservations searched for. For many people, this breakfast measures up very well. As always, eat like you mean it!
