After 412 days following the longest unscheduled closure in the park’s history, Disneyland officially re-opened on April 30, 2021. Sadly as we all know – currently only for California residents until further restrictions are lifted. But it’s back! DOLE Whips®, Matterhorn Macaroons, Pomme Frites, they’re all back! But there are some changes and important things you need to be aware of that we outline below.
Disneyland Quickservice (Open)
Bengal BBQ
French Market Restaurant
Galatic Grill
Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Matterhorn Macaroons)
Mint Julep Bar (Mickey Shaped Beignets)
Plaza Inn
Red Rose Tavern
Ronto Roasters
Stage Door Cafe
Tropical Hideaway (DOLE Whips®)
Disneyland table service (Open):
Cafe Orleans
Plaza Inn
Riverbelle Terrace
Disneyland Quickservice (Closed)
Alien Pizza Planet
Clarabelle’s
Daisy’s Diner
Docking Bay 7
The Golden Horseshoe
Hungry Bear
Pluto’s Dog House
Rancho del Zocalo
Royal Street Veranda
Tiki Juice Bar
Troubadour Tavern
Disneyland table service (closed):
Carnation cafe
Blue Bayou
Oga’s Cantina
A VERY important food update (especially at our house) to make you aware of is the menu changes at Cafe Orleans. There hasn’t been an official word if these changes are permanent or just a reduced menu offering for the re-opening. We are sad to share that the beloved Parmesan-Garlic Pommes Frites are no longer offered as an appetizer, but rather as a side with either Monte Cristo Sandwiches. If you weren’t sitting down for the last change, you might want to for the next one… Mickey-shaped Beignets are no longer on the menu. I know, I know. You’ll have to head across the patio to the French Market restaurant to the Mint Julep Bar to order those! (I thought Dustin would cry when I told him this) The good news is you can still get those two BELOVED items, you just have to know where/how.
Also at MouseDining we don’t allow our friends & family members to stalk Disney’s website to find advanced dining reservations. Everyone knows MouseDining is the best Disney dining alert notification tool out there, full stop. So please set those alerts for; Cafe Orleans, Plaza Inn & Riverbelle Terrace and share and tag us along in those photos!
We’re excited #Disneyland is back! We too look forward to getting back real soon!
We know how important it is for guests to have a variety of options when they dine at Disney. We were thrilled earlier last year when Impossible and Disney Chefs began collaborating to bring additional plant-based offerings to Disney Parks guests. Whether you’re at Restaurantoraus at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park or the soon-to-open Pym Test Kitchen at Avengers Campus at Disney California Adventure park, Disney chefs have enjoyed developing dishes featuring Impossible’s plant-based meat that cooks, sizzles and tastes to please every discerning palate! “Using the Impossible Foods product is a game changer when it comes to plant-based offerings,” said EPCOT Culinary Director Al Youngman. “Its versatility gives you the ability to create multiple dishes and use different cooking techniques that enhances any menu.”
What better event to celebrate Earth Month and plant-based offerings than the festival that features dishes inspired by plants! As part of Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, Impossible has a few different menu items at the Trowel & Trellis outdoor kitchen, including: Sausage and Kale Soup and Boneless Impossible™ Korean Short Rib with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise. Have you tried these dishes as part of this year’s festival? If not, there’s still time to try one of these mouth-watering offerings with the festival running through July 5!
In partnership with fellow blog author Karen McClintock and our Festival chefs, we wanted to share a favorite plant-based meat recipes – the Boneless Impossible™ Korean Short Rib with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise. Whether you’ve tried this popular dish at the festival or decide to make it at home, be sure to share your pictures with us on social!
Boneless Impossible™ Korean Short Ribs with Cilantro-Lime Rice, Danmuji Slaw, and Kimchee Mayonnaise
(Serves 6)
Preheat oven to 250°F. Line 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Combine Impossible Burger, five spice, gochujang paste, garlic, chickpea flour, and salt in large bowl and stir until fully combined. Spoon into prepared loaf pan and pack tightly, making sure the top is smooth.
Cover loaf pan tightly with foil. Fill 9×13-inch pan half way with water. Set loaf pan inside of water bath.
Bake for 1 hour, until Impossible Burger reaches an internal temperature of 145°F. Remove loaf pan from water bath and cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Once loaf pan is cool enough to handle, remove short ribs. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 24 hours.
Remove from plastic wrap and slice into eighteen 1/2-inch thick rectangles.
FOR KOREAN BBQ SAUCE:
Combine soy sauce, sesame oil, mirin, rice wine vinegar, ginger paste, garlic, sambal olek, brown sugar, and 2 cups of water in medium saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat.
Continue simmering for 30 minutes.
Combine remaining 2 tablespoons of water with cornstarch in small bowl. Slowly whisk into sauce and simmer until BBQ sauce is thick and sticky.
Keep warm until ready to serve.
FOR DANMUJI SLAW:
Combine water, rice wine vinegar, garlic cloves, bay leave, peppercorns, turmeric, coarse salt, and sugar in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat.
Remove from heat and rest for 30 minutes.
Place daikon and carrot in medium glass bowl. Pour cooled brine over vegetables. Rest for 30 minutes before serving.
FOR CILANTRO-LIME RICE:
Place rice and water in medium saucepan. Bring to rolling boil, uncovered, on medium-high heat. Reduce heat to simmer and cover with lid. Cook for 12 minutes, until water is absorbed by rice.
Remove from heat and let rice stand for 10 minutes. Fluff with spatula or rice paddle.
Add lime juice, zest, and chopped cilantro. Season with salt, to taste.
Keep warm until ready to serve.
FOR KIMCHEE MAYO:
Combine kimchee base and plant-based mayonnaise in small bowl.
Refrigerate until ready to serve.
TO SERVE:
Cut baby bok choy in half.
Bring a large stockpot of water to boil. Season generously with salt and add bok choy. Cook for 2 minutes, until tender. Place in ice bath with slotted spoon. Set aside.
Heat oil large sauté pan over medium heat for 5 minutes, until hot. Add sliced short ribs and cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until crispy. Add BBQ sauce to fully coat ribs.
Place 1 cup of cooked rice in each bowl. Top with 3 slices of short rib and glaze with additional BBQ sauce, if desired. Add large spoonful of slaw to each bowl. Place 1/2 head baby bok choy in each bowl. Drizzle with kimchee mayo and top with black sesame seeds.
Cook’s Notes: Impossible™ is available online or at your local grocery store. Impossible™ cooks and tastes like beef made from cows – but is made sustainably, from plants.
This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Best Bites is jam-packed with a new opening announcement, fun menu offerings, and, of course, all things to celebrate a favorite day of the year for fans of Star Wars – May the 4th Be With You! Read on for all the delicious details.
Counting down to May the 4th Be With You! Check out all the creative tastes and sips.
Amorette’s Patisserie at Disney Springs
The Child Mini Dome Cake – Vanilla chiffon cake with cookies and cream mousse (available April 30-May 5)
The Ganachery at Disney Springs
Millennium Falcon Chocolate Pop – Milk chocolate pop with crispy pearls (available April 30-May 5)
Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Millennium Falcon Star Wars Soft Serve Sundae – Galactic gray vanilla soft-serve with chocolate cream cookie crumbles, chocolate drizzle, white chocolate pearl stars, brownie asteroid pieces with stardust sparkles, and a Millennium Falcon chocolate accent piece (available May 2-5)
For guests that have reservations to Disney Hollywood Studios May 4 and 5, you can find these fun galactic treats!
Churro Cart, Anaheim Produce, and Grand Ave. Cart at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Lightsaber Churros – Red or blue churro lightsabers served with chocolate sauce for dipping (available May 4 and 5)
Epic Eats at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Galactic Swirl Funnel Cake – Black and white funnel cake with strawberries, space dust, and candy rocks (available May 4 and 5)
Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Oi-Oi Puff – Raspberry cream puff with passion fruit mousse (available May 4 and 5)
Hyperion, Animation, and Hollywood Popcorn Carts at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Interstellar Sweet and Crunchy Popcorn (available May 4 and 5)
The Trolley Car Café, PizzeRizzo, and Backlot Express at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Dark Side Chocolate Creation – Malted milk chocolate mousse dome with raspberry mousse topped with slivered almonds sitting on a chocolate shortbread cookie (available May 4 and 5)
Oasis Canteen, Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge, Sunshine Day Bar at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Cosmic Rum Punch – Coconut rum, rum, pineapple juice, Minute Maid Lemonade, and grenadine served with a glow cube (available May 4 and 5)
Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, PizzeRizzo, Rosie’s All-American Cafe at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Jettison Juice – Minute Maid Lemonade and watermelon beverage syrup served with a glow cube (available May 4 and 5)
Darth Vader Stein served with fountain drink (available at all locations May 4 and 5. After May 4, Backlot Express, ABC Commissary, Rosie’s All-American will continue to offer)
They have two new over-the-top shakes you have to try! One comes with a chocolate-dipped peanut butter cake and another with three cake pops! What???!!!
Hollywood Scoops at Disney’s Hollywood Studio
Chocolate Peanut Butter Explosion Shake – Chocolate ice cream layered with peanut butter sauce topped with whipped cream and garnished with chocolate peanut butter crumbles and a chocolate-dipped peanut butter cake
Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resort
Wildberry Shake – Wildberry shake striped with pink and purple marshmallow and topped with whipped cream and three cake pops
The Taste of EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival continues through July 5, and the food is fabulous … and the flowers are beautiful, too! Hard to pick favorites, but right now, folks are craving these delicious bites from the Festival.
Fleur de Lys (France) – Caramelized beignet filled with vanilla cream and glazed with caramel fleur de sel
EPCOT Farmers Feast (World Showplace) – Herb-crusted spring lamb with marble potatoes, spring vegetables, and red wine-butter sauce
Taste of Marrakesh (Morocco) – Moroccan seafood couscous with shrimp, mussels, olives, preserved lemons, and anchovy breadcrumbs
Northern Bloom (Canada) – Griddled maple pound cake with warm peach compote and sweet corn gelato
Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has not one but two “hidden Mickeys” in their Kids’ All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Breakfast Skillet! This hearty and delicious kids’ breakfast skillet includes a Mickey-shaped waffle AND, new to the skillet, Mickey-shaped scrambled eggs! In addition to the Mickey-shaped scrambled eggs and waffle, the kids’ skillet also comes with:
Country potatoes
Hickory-smoked bacon
Breakfast sausage links
Buttermilk cheddar biscuit
Sausage gravy
Check out two new offerings at Disney Springs – one savory and one sweet. The best of both worlds!
D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs
Double Bacon Stack Burger – Two-pressed signature blend patties, cheddar, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and grilled onions on a house-made Parker House roll
Marketplace Snacks at Disney Springs
Orange slushy topped with vanilla soft-serve
Head over to the Banana Cabana Pool Bar at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, to try the Pineapple-Coconut Bread Pudding with caramel sauce and ice cream. The best kind of bread pudding – delicious!
We have some sweet goodness to announce! A new gelato location is opening in the Italy pavilion at EPCOT – Gelateria Toscana. Opening in May, this walk-up window will offer gelati, sorbetti, gelati floats, and much more!
Gelati in a Waffle Cone or Cup – Chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, cookies ‘cream, stracciatella, strawberry, or tiramisù
Sorbetti in a Waffle Cone or Cup – Lemon, raspberry, mixed berry, or mango
Gelati Floats – Fior di Latte gelato with your choice of root beer or Coca-Cola
Coppa del Nonno – Fior di Latte, chocolate, and cookies ‘n cream gelati with chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and amaretti cookies
Coppa Amicizia – Fior di Latte, cookies ‘n cream, and strawberry gelati with whipped cream
Coppa Delizia – Fior di Latte, strawberry, and cookies ‘n cream gelati with strawberry sauce and whipped cream
“Affogato” Espresso Gelato – Fresh Italian espresso poured over Fior di Latte gelato with an amaretto cookie
Cannoli al Cioccolato – Crisp pastry filled with sweet ricotta, chocolate, and candied orange
This first tutorial video in a series of 10 describes the 3 types of users of the MouseDining service: anonymous visitors, free users, and paid subscribers. This video focuses on the MouseDining.com tools that are publicly available as an anonymous user or website visitor at mousedining.com. These tools include: 1. Searching for a specific restaurant by name 2. Viewing restaurant details including price, cuisine, meals, and meal times 3. MouseDining’s exclusive calendar view that displays dining availability in an easy-to-read calendar 4. Browsing a restaurant by theme park or resort from the homepage 5. The MouseDining blog with news and updates to all things Disney dining If these free tools aren’t enough to help you get your Disney dining reservations, you’re invited to register a free account and share your travel plans and dining preferences so MouseDining can notify you the moment something becomes available.
The Oscars have finally arrived! Tomorrow, Sunday, April 25 at 8:00 ET|5:00 PT on ABC the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will honor the movies released in 2020 and bring a little bit of glitz and glamour back to Hollywood.
Oscar night is an occasion to put your cooking skills and wits to the test. It’s the ultimate contest to see who can best tantalize the taste buds and craft the cleverest movie-themed recipe name. After all, who doesn’t I love a good food pun?
This year, the Walt Disney Company has earned 15 Oscar nominations, so combine your movie love with your love of all the delicious food from the Disneyland Resort. With a little help from our friends in the Disney Parks Kitchens, they’ve pulled a few recipes out of the vault and from some of the soon-to-reopen eateries around the resort.
And the Oscar goes to …
United Steakhouse 55 vs. Billie Hollandaise a.k.a. Eggs Benedict – Steakhouse 55
From Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel comes a recipe for Eggs Benedict. Impress your Oscar party guests with a serving of The United Steakhouse 55 vs. Billie Hollandaise. Inspired by the Hulu Original film “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.”
Right off Route 66 you’ll find Flo’s V8 Café in Cars Land at Disney’s California Adventure park. A detour with this out-of-the-vault recipe for Veggie Tater Bake will take you all the way to NoMeatLand(because it’s vegetarian!). Inspired by Searchlight Pictures’ “Nomadland” nominated for six awards including Best Picture.
Joe-Balaya Gardner a.k.a. Jambalaya – Blue Bayou Restaurant
This year, no Oscar party would be complete without a little Soulfood. Tap your toes and taste buds to the tune of Joe-balaya Gardner. A classic Jambalaya recipe from the Blue Bayou Restaurant inspired by Disney and Pixar’s “Soul” nominated for three awards including Best Animated Feature.
Moo-lan Bread Pudding a.k.a. Cookies ‘n Cream Bread Pudding – Pacific Wharf Café
For dessert, we’ve got you covered with this delicious recipe from the vault for Cookies ‘n Cream Bread Puddingfrom the Pacific Wharf Café in Disney’s California Adventure park. This is sure to settle the sweet-tooth of any Moo-lan fan and bring honor to any potluck. Inspired by Disney’s “Mulan” nominated for two awards including Best Costume Design and Best Visual Effects.
Share your movie-themed recipe names in the comments below and don’t forget to watch the Oscars on ABC.
Exclusive red carpet coverage begins Sunday, April 25th at 6:30 ET|3:30 PT, immediately followed by the awards ceremony at 8:00 ET|5:00 PT. Watch live on ABC or stream the Oscars at abc.com or on the ABC app.
Mother’s Day is May 9, and what better way to express your love and appreciation than something delicious at Disney? Treat your mom during your visit to Disney with yummy cupcakes, desserts, brunches, and specialty sips created for Mother’s Day. But to be clear, we love and appreciate moms every day! Happy Mother’s Day!
Creature Comforts, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)
Flame Tree Barbecue, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)
Restaurantosaurus, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Cupcake – Chocolate cake with strawberry ganache filling and white chocolate frosting (available Apr. 30 through June 1)
Tiffins Restaurant, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
Mother’s Day Dessert – Coconut and caramelized pineapple mousse, coconut sorbet, almond crumble, pineapple gel, and cherry sauce (available May 9)
Coral Reef Restaurant, EPCOT
Raspberry and Chocolate Mousse Tart – Vanilla tart filled with raspberries and chocolate mousse topped with raspberry mousse and wrapped with chocolate rope (available May 9)
Le Cellier Steakhouse, EPCOT
Lemon Cream and Berry Charlotte – Lemon and vanilla bean cream with ladyfingers topped with fresh berries (available May 9)
Amorette’s Patisserie, Disney Springs
Dipped Strawberry Bouquet – Strawberry dipped in Guayaquil dark chocolate (available May 7-10)
Marketplace Snacks, Disney Springs
A Mother’s Day Swirl – A swirl of DOLE Whipstrawberry and chocolate soft-serve with chocolate-dipped strawberry garnish (available May 7-10)
Landscape of Flavors, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (mobile order available)
World Premiere Food Court, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort (mobile order available)
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining, Disney’s Pop Century Resort (mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Sweet Blossom Cupcake – Vanilla cupcake with marshmallow crème filling topped with strawberry buttercream, white chocolate flower blossoms, and sprinkles (available May 6-9)
Contempo Café, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Mother’s Day Red Velvet Cupcake – Red velvet cupcake with cream cheese icing and cream cheese-buttercream icing garnished with sprinkles and a Mother’s Day chocolate plaque (available May 7-9)
Gasparilla Island Grill, Disney Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Mimosa Miniature Gâteau – Champagne-infused sponge cake with orange-scented mousse topped with white chocolate slipper (available April 23-May 9)
Barefoot Pool Bar, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Tambu Lounge, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Raspberry Lemonade Cocktail – A refreshing blend of vodka and flavors of raspberry and lemon (available May 7-9)
Capt. Cooks, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Mother’s Day Butterfly Cupcake – Chocolate cupcake with raspberry mousse filling and buttercream icing (available May 7-9)
Pineapple Lanai, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Key Lime Pie Sundae – Lime soft serve, graham cracker crust, blood orange mango jam, and topped with a macaron (available May 7-9)
The Artist Palette, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort (mobile order available)
Good’s to Go, Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Mother’s Day Cupcake – Vanilla cake with a peach compote, spiced vanilla buttercream peach mousse, and a white chocolate hat (available April 24-May 9)
Roaring Fork, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (mobile order available)
Mother’s Day Cupcake – Tres leche cupcake with vanilla buttercream and a chocolate butterfly (available May 6-9)
The Market at Ale & Compass, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort (mobile order available)
The Beach Club Marketplace, Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort (mobile order available)
Sweeter Than Roses – Creamy raspberry mousse on chocolate hazelnut cake with ruby red raspberry center and chocolate fondant decorations (available May 2-9)
Mother’s Day Bouquet Cupcake – Red velvet cupcake filled with rich chocolate mousse and decorated with an array of buttercream flowers (available May 2-9)
Join us for Mother’s Day brunch at these Walt Disney World Resort restaurants:
Olivia’s Café, Disney’s Old Key West Resort – View brunch menu and make reservations here
Ballast Point Brewing Company, Downtown Disney District
Lobster Ravioli with Shrimp and Heirloom Tomato – Lobster and ricotta-stuffed raviolis, shrimp, heirloom tomato, asparagus, tarragon-lemon cream sauce, and Parmesan. View full menu here(available May 8-10)
Naples Ristorante e Bar, Downtown Disney District
Mother’s Day Weekend Cocktails – Enjoy three specialty cocktails including the Rossini (prosecco and strawberry purée) and the Ruby (vodka, elderflower, and grapefruit). View full menu and make reservations here (available May 7-9)
Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen, Downtown Disney District
Bananas Foster French Toast with Bacon – Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen’s famous banana Foster sauce over sweet French toast. View full menu and make reservations here(available May 9 until 3 p.m.)
Creole Caprese Salad – Vine tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, blue crab, sweet yellow pepper emulsion, lemon olive oil, and basil-arugula pesto. View full menu and make reservations here(available May 9)
Salt & Straw, Downtown Disney District
Eat Your Flowers Series 2021 –Vivid flowers, bright fruits, and potent aromatics that draw us outside no matter the forecast. Flavors include Rhubarb Crumble with Toasted Anise, Wildflower Honey with Ricotta Walnut Lace Cookies, Jasmine Milk Tea & Chocolate, and Mathilde’s Hibiscus & Coconut Sherbet (available April 23-May 27)
Tortilla Jo’s, Downtown Disney District
Mother’s Day Brunch – Special brunch menu featuring items like enchiladas, chilaquiles, churro French toast, and huevos rancheros. View full menu and make reservations here (available May 9)
With the reopening of Disneyland Resort right around the corner, we pulled together a list of all the food and beverage locations that will be open for service on April 30. We want to be sure you know where to find your favorites and learn what’s new on the menus!
Are you craving the Disney classics? Find hand-dipped corn dogs at Little Red Wagon and Award Wieners. The Tropical Hideaway will serve up your DOLE Whip. And of course, CHURROS, CHURROS, CHURROS! Look for fluffernutter, s’mores, strawberry cheesecake, milk & cookies, and the original cinnamon sugar at various churro carts in both parks. We also kept popular items from A Touch of Disney – 1/2 Monte Cristo, Brisket Mac ‘n Cheese, and S’mores Shake at Smokejumpers Grill.
For added convenience and to promote contactless payment, don’t forget to download or update the Disneyland mobile app*, as this is the primary way to order food and beverages at most quick-service dining locations. Here is a link for additional details on mobile order.
Lamplight Lounge, Café Orleans, and other full-service locations will open with limited seating capacity for guests with confirmed theme park reservations and tickets for the same park on the same date. And exciting news – we are now offering mobile check-in and mobile wait-list at select full-service locations, available on the Disneyland mobile app!
Mobile Check-In for Dining Reservations: Maximize your time—and minimize your contact with others—by checking in for dining reservations at select table-service restaurants via the Disneyland mobile app.
Join a Mobile Dine Walk-Up List: Don’t have a dining reservation? You now have the opportunity to add your party to the mobile walk-up list at select table-service restaurants (subject to availability)
Visit the Dining: Know Before You Go for more information. Be sure to have the latest version of the app downloaded and installed on your mobile device.
We will plan to reopen dining bookings for select locations on April 22, with limited capacity. You will be able to book your dining reservation 60 days in advance on Disneyland.com or with the Disneyland App, subject to availability.
Check out our Know Before You Go blog post to learn more about theme park reservations, tickets, and more.
Click on the below links for the first look at all the menus at reopening. See you real soon!
Dustin and I get asked all the time “how do you do Disney with Kids?” It’s simple – we don’t, we leave them with Grandpa and Grandma…ok, ok. When we do take the monkeys with us we do have a few tips to make “Traveling to Disney with kids” more enjoyable!
Tip One
Invest in a good travel backpack. The one we take happens to be a hiking one, but the purpose is similar. Look for something lightweight, lots of storage capacity, and a plus for us is dual mesh pockets on the sides for water bottle storage.
Tip Two
Speaking of water bottles, you’re going to need ‘em. Between the Florida heat and the amount of walking you’ll be doing, you’ll want a good water bottle. Lots to choose from a high-end Yeti that keeps everything cool and crisp to a filtered one that helps remove that (ahem) unique to Florida flavored taste 😉
Tip Three
Snacks! Lots of them! Our kids seem to always be hungry – like all.the.time. Mom and Dad would go broke if we bought Mickey bars and popcorn every time a mini-Checketts is hungry. So we bring each of our kids their own gallon size ziploc baggie filled with their favorite treats. Think – uncrustables, fruit pouches, string cheese, goldfish crackers, etc. I love that Disney is so family-friendly on this issue and allows outside food & drinks into the parks.
Tip Four
Rent a stroller! Not the crappy one from the parks. But a top of the line “City Mini” from our friends at Kingdom Strollers. I can’t tell you how much I love Kingdom Stroller! They have the best selection, excellent customer service, and are just an all-around great company to work with! Easy scheduling on their website or over the phone, then set up a time to meet at your hotel or MCO for pick up & return.
Tip Five
This one is a no-brainer for us, but we practice what we preach and use MouseDining to get ALL of our Disney dining reservations. It only takes a moment to set a dining alert and saves so much time and all the hassle of checking back, over and over, hoping to find an opening. Give it a try and you’ll become a believer!
A Disney vacation is truly one of the most memorable things you can do with your family! I hope a few of these insider “Checketts Family” tips come in handy and help make for a magical stay!
X0X0
-Emily
Note: this post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page.
Today is National Grilled Cheese Day … a fan-favorite day of the year! Last year, Disney chefs shared the insanely delicious Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich from Woody’s Lunch Box in Toy Story Land on Disney Parks Blog. This year, they are again celebrating and sharing another ooey, gooey sandwich recipe, this one from ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich!
Disneychefs have taken the grilled cheese to the next level and created a cheesy, melty sandwich with just a hint of heat from the buffalo sauce. This sandwich has the perfect combo of buffalo chicken, Monterey Jack, provolone, cheddar, and cream cheese between grilled sourdough. If you want the full ABC Commissary experience, serve this sandwich with steak fries or an arugula-farro salad, and have a side of extra buffalo sauce at the ready. Or go old-school with a steaming bowl of tomato soup for dipping. Happy National Grilled Cheese Day!
BUFFALO CHICKEN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH from ABC Commissary at Disney’s Hollywood Studios Serves 4
BUFFALO CHICKEN FILLING
1 cup whipped cream cheese
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup buffalo hot sauce, plus more, to taste
2 cups shredded chicken
BUFFALO CHICKEN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH
8 large slices sourdough bread
8 slices non-smoked provolone cheese
Buffalo chicken filling
8 tablespoons mayonnaise
FOR BUFFALO CHICKEN FILLING:
Combine cream cheese, Monterey jack cheese, and cheddar cheese in a large bowl. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until combined. Add hot sauce and beat until incorporated.
Add chicken and beat for 30 seconds. Add additional buffalo hot sauce, if desired.
Refrigerate until ready to use.
FOR BUFFALO CHICKEN GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH:
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
Place 4 slices of sourdough bread on a large cutting board and top each with one slices of provolone cheese. Evenly divide buffalo chicken filling among the 4 sandwiches. Top with remaining slices of provolone and bread.
Spread 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise on both sides of each sandwich.
Cook on preheated skillet for 1-2 minutes per side, until desired doneness.
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 the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version.
Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe.
Stay connected for more delicious Disney recipes, and Happy cooking!
Get notified immediately when dining reservations open up at Walt Disney World restaurants. Register a FREE MouseDining account at https://mousedining.com. MouseDining.com is a web application that monitors Disney’s website for dining reservation availability and notifies its users when dining reservations open up for their desired restaurant, date, meal, time, and party size.
WHAT – MouseDining is a Disney dining alert service that notifies you when last-minute or hard-to-find dining reservations become available.
WHY – Many Disney restaurants fill their dining reservations 60 days in advance. Trying to book on Disney’s website once all dining reservations are filled is tedious and time-consuming. This is actually how MouseDining was conceptualized and eventually created. MouseDining’s exclusive dining availability calendar view gives a quick snapshot of availability to book immediately or prompts you to create an account so you can be notified when MouseDining sees availability.
WHERE – MouseDining is a web application accessed through any browser with Internet-connectivity and by navigating to https://mousedining.com.
WHO – MouseDining can benefit individuals, couples, groups, travel agents, travel planners, etc. – anyone who is seeking dining reservations at Disney parks and resorts. This includes both Disneyland, California as well as Walt Disney World, Florida.
WHEN – MouseDining can (and should) be used for all 60 days that you’re able to make dining reservations. Doing so will increase your chances of getting your desired dining reservations. Last-minute dining reservations can often be found even if there’s just days (or hours) before your trip.
