Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival: Now With Bigger Fun for Little Ones!

Special Events By September 4, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is back and bibbidi-bobbidi-better than ever before with 4 new kid-approved attractions! From August 30th through November 12th, we’ve compiled this need-to-know guide on Disney’s most family-friendly food festival yet!

Since its debut in 1996, the Epcot Food & Wine Festival has grown to include 65 wineries and over 40 breweries. While the annual Disney extravaganza has previously catered to fans of all ages, this year is set to be an unforgettable experience for parents with aspiring foodies to entertain.

THE BASICS

Entrance into the Food & Wine Festival is free with Epcot park admission, which starts at $102. Because of its size, regular attendees of the festival recommend at least 2 days. However, it’s definitely worth checking out even if you can only make Epcot a one-day stop.

Don’t forget to grab a Food & Wine Passport before you start the day. You can keep track of where you’ve been and document all the daring new flavors you (and your brave kiddos) may try!

Pro-tip! Watch for a “strawberry” symbol at food booths! It signals there are foods available made especially with kids in mind.

Pro-tip! Are you using Disney Dining Plan credits? You can trade a quick service meal credit for three snack items from any single food booth! (The food booths around World Showcase open at 11am!)

DISNEY’S NEW FREE KID-FRIENDLY FESTIVAL FUN

Disney’s exciting new kid-approved festival stations are free with admission and will certainly keep your little ones smiling in-between every bite!

DIY Candy Sushi

Twice daily (3:30pm and 5:30pm) Disney chefs will aid in this interactive candy sushi-making workshop. It is located in the Sunshine Seasons food court at the Land Pavilion. Because space is limited, be sure to register here!

“Fun Zone” Playground & Sweet Snacks

Located near the Test Track marketplace in Future World East, this festival play area is inspired by Ralph Breaks the Internet. (The epic upcoming sequel to Wreck-It Ralph!) Refuel with nearby themed treats like the new “Pancake Milkshake” and croissant doughnuts topped with cinnamon sugar, chocolate and marshmallows, chocolate hazelnut cream, or sprinkles!

Disney du Jour Character Dance Party

Follow the tunes to the Fountain View Stage in Future World! From 5:30-9:30pm every Friday and Saturday festival goers can enjoy music, dances, and activities for kids of all ages. This is one party you won’t want to miss because some of your favorite classic Disney Duos will be dropping by each weekend. Look out for Remy & Emile from Ratatouille, Judy Hopps & Nick Wilde from Zootopia, Lilo & Stitch, Chip ‘n Dale, and Clarabelle Cow & Horace Horsecollar! Furthermore, each dance party features a special concert appearance by an up-and-coming Radio Disney artist!

The Junior Chef Kitchen

Every Sunday morning at 11am this interactive experience takes place at the Festival Center. Under the supervision of a Disney chef, learn how to make your own pancakes complete with tasty decorations. (And enough time to devour your creation!) Due to limited space, registration is only available at the Festival Center on Saturdays and Sundays.

EXTRA FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt

A noteworthy Food & Wine Festival family tradition! The Hide & Squeak Scavenger Hunt map and sticker sets are usually under $8. But as a result you receive an exclusive small prize at the end no matter how far you get. The goal is to match food item stickers to their corresponding location where Remy can be found “hiding out”. He will be holding whatever food is on each sticker. Find a home for all the stickers on your map and you will discover the “ingredients” Remy needs to make his special dish!

Pro-tip! When searching for Remy regular festival-goers say above all else, remember to look up!

Eat to the Beats Meals

Attend nightly concerts at 5:30pm, 6:45pm, and 8:00pm in the America Gardens Theatre at Epcot World Showcase. This year’s performers include Blue October, MercyMe, Baha Men, Plain White T’s, Jim Belushi & The Sacred Hearts, and Smash Mouth! Save big with all-inclusive packages that combine one breakfast, lunch, or dinner at participating Epcot restaurants with guaranteed seating at the concert series. (To see the full list of performers and participating restaurants, click here!)

Festival Center Open Early

If you’re an early bird, the Festival Center opens 2 hours before food booths at 9am! Get busy planning for the day ahead as you sip on coffee from Joffrey’s Specialty Disney Collection. Or investigate the new Shimmering Sips Mimosa Bar (yes, also open at 9am) where you will find a kid-friendly drink by the name of “Frozen Apple Pie”.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT TASTEEPCOT.COM

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Storybook Dining at Artist Point Debuts at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

News By August 30, 2018 Tags: , , No Comments

Magic mirror on the wall, what is the fairest character dining of all?

This winter, it will most certainly be the all-new character dining experience opening at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge!

Storybook Dining at Artist Point will invite guests to venture into an Enchanted Forest-like setting inspired by Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” There, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal of fantastic fare with visits from Snow White, Dopey and Grumpy. Delightful music and activities will help bring the classic fairytale to life, and they’ll even have an opportunity for an encounter with The Queen.

This immersive character dinner takes place amidst the rustic elegance and exceptional dining that Artist Point is known for. You will enjoy a uniquely themed prix fixe menu, including shared starters, a choice of individual plated entrees and ‘sweet spells’ to finish the meal.

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Chicken Guy! Coming to Disney Springs

News By July 25, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

There’s a brand-new eatery getting ready to hatch at Disney Springs – Chicken Guy! This quick-service restaurant is the creation of celebrity chef Guy Fieri and restaurateur Robert Earl. These two most recently collaborated on the new burger and sandwich menu at Planet Hollywood and came together once again to create an all-new concept that features one-of-a-kind all-natural fresh chicken tenders.

Hand-pounded and breaded fresh each day, Chicken Guy! will serve up delicious and juicy tenders that can be paired with more than 20 varieties of house-made sauces. Guests can choose between grilled or fried all-natural chicken tenders with their choice of two signature sauces, or even get a big ol’ chicken sandwich like the Big Bite B.L.A.T. which comes with crispy smoked bacon, lettuce, avocado, tomato, and creamy buttermilk ranch sauce.

Among the tasty sides are Chicken Guy! Fries with a signature seasoning, Mac Daddy Mac ‘n’ Cheese, and Loaded Fries smothered in SMC (super melty cheese) and topped with chopped grilled chicken, bacon, and green onions.

Of course, Guests can always get the combo with their choice of fried or grilled all-natural chicken tenders made to perfection with a choice of two signature sauces or any Chicken Guy! sandwich, including Chicken Guy! Fries (made with Guy Fieri’s special signature seasoning), and a fountain drink.

And for Guests looking for some greens, there’s the Chicken Guy! Salad Bowls. Guests can chow down on a Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad or a BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad. There’s also the Southwest Sweet Corn with charred corn, slaw, roasted peppers, black beans, tomatoes, red onions, grilled scallions, and crispy tortilla strips. This one is served with cumin lime mojo and chipotle ranch sauces.

And for dessert, Guests can cool down with frozen treats. The Triple Double Mint features hand-spun mint chocolate soft-serve with cookies and cream crumbles, chocolate mints, chocolate syrup, and fresh whipped cream. And the Cinnamon Apple includes hand-spun vanilla soft-serve, crunchy cinnamon cereal and cinnamon-apple cereal, and fresh whipped cream. 

Chicken Guy! opens at Disney Springsnext door to Planet Hollywood.

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Pizzafari Family-Style Dining To Debut at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

News By July 19, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

Pizzafari, one of the most popular quick-service restaurants at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, serving up freshly baked pizzas and delicious Italian-inspired eats has a new exciting offering coming this summer! Starting July 31, 2018, you will be able to choose between a classic quick-service experience or making a reservation for the brand-new Pizzafari Family-Style Dining Experience.

To get ready for an Italian feast set in one of the restaurant’s wildly vibrant dining rooms, you will need to stop by the podium to check in upon arrival. After placing drink orders, you’ll be seated in one of two dining rooms that have been designated for this new experience. Once seated, enjoy a selection of family-style plates delivered right to the table: two appetizers (Caprese Salad and Caesar Salad), as well as three entrees, including pasta, chicken, and pizza dishes, and end the meal with a sweet dessert!

Pizzafari Family-Style Dining will be offered between 5pm and 8pm daily starting July 31, 2018. Cost is $19.99 for Guests ages 10 and older and $11.99 for Guests ages 3-9, including tax and non-alcoholic beverages. Beer and wine will also be available for separate purchase. This experience also counts as one Disney Dining Plan quick service meal entitlement. Reservations are now available online at DisneyWorld.com/Dine or by calling 407-WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

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Woody’s Lunch Box Now Open at Toy Story Land!

News By July 2, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

Calling all Honorary Toys – Woody’s Lunch Box is now open for business! Located in the heart of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Andy has propped open his Woody-themed lunch box to turn it into a walk-up window where his toys can grab a bite to eat.  

Here you will find ooey-gooey toasted, cheese-filled sandwiches that will melt in your mouth! The Grilled Three-Cheese Sandwich has melted provolone and cheddar cheese with a cheddar cream cheese spread on garlic buttered and grilled artisan French bread. There’s also a BBQ Brisket Melt with sliced smoked brisket, pickles, and tangy BBQ sauce between melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese on grilled sourdough. If you are looking for more a more healthful option, the Smoked Turkey Sandwich is the way to go! This sandwich has thin-sliced smoked turkey breast, lettuce, tomato, and dijonnaise spread and is served chilled on sunflower multigrain bread.

Of course, you can always pair these yummy sandwiches with some Mini Babybel Snack Cheese or a tasty side such as the Potato Barrels or the Tomato-Basil Soup. The Vegetable Macaroni Salad is also a great choice with onion, red and green peppers, diced tomato, green olive, and Italian dressing.

And then there’s dessert! The Lunch Box Tarts are so tasty! And they’re available all day too. There’s two tasty tarts to choose from – Raspberry and Chocolate-Hazelnut. The Raspberry Lunch Box Tart is stuffed with raspberry marmalade, coated in strawberry fondant, and topped with strawberry crispy pearls and dried strawberry pieces. The Chocolate-Hazelnut Lunch Box Tart is stuffed with chocolate-hazelnut filling, coated in maple fondant, and topped with chocolate crispy pearls and candied bacon.

Plus, you can cool down with a Mystic Portal Punch (POWERade Mountain Berry Blast with flavors of lemon-lime and tangerine) or an Ice Cream Float with Barq’s® Root Beer. Fountain beverages and water are also available.

Woody’s Lunch Box is a quick-service location open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Mobile ordering is available at Woody’s Lunch Box.

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Terralina Crafted Italian Set Opens at Disney Springs

News By June 27, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

James Beard Award-winning Chef Tony Mantuano will debut his newest dining concept, Terralina Crafted Italian, on June 28, 2018. Situated along the shores of Lake Buena Vista, this exciting addition to the vibrant culinary scene at Disney Springs was inspired by the lifestyle of Italy’s Lake District and will offer authentic Italian flavors, spirits, and lakefront views.

Chef Mantuano, former contestant on Top Chef Masters who is internationally respected for his role in defining true Italian cuisine, collaborated with Executive Chef Justin Plank to create the new menu. Showcasing tastes that are both familiar and new, the menu offers traditional Italian dishes – House-made Lasagna and Parmesan Duo with chicken and eggplant – in addition to specialty creations for the table like House-made Porchetta with a spicy-sweet Apple Mostarda and Slow-roasted Beef Short Rib with Honey-Balsamic Glaze. Other favorites include wood-fired pizzas, Bucatini with Clams and, from the grill, Center-cut Pork Chop with Creamy Polenta and Swordfish Peperonatta with roasted peppers.

Terralina Crafted Italian will be open daily for lunch and dinner starting June 28, 2018 and is located on The Landing at Disney Springs. Walk-ins are always welcome, and reservations are now available for bookings starting on July 30, 2018. To make reservations for your Clients, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call (407) WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

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Explore Brews and BBQ at Disney Springs

News By June 27, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

Disney Springs is getting ready for summer with another fun foodie experience, and this time it’s Disney Springs Brews and BBQ! You can discover a whole new host of tasty and unique food and beverage pairings as you meander through the many restaurants and shops throughout the area. This experience offers mouth-watering, BBQ-inspired dishes at nearly every restaurant at Disney Springs. And what’s more? For guests ages 21 and older, each of these dishes can be paired with a crisp, craft-brewed beer!

Starting June 29, 2018, Guests can find these new offerings at 23 different locations across Disney Springs.  

Disney Springs Brews & BBQ

Disney Springs Brews and BBQ takes place June 29- Sept. 3, 2018. You can also keep track of everything you’ve tried with a cool Disney Springs Brews and BBQ Event Guide, which can be found at the Disney Springs Welcome Center or at any participating location!

To make dining reservations at any of these fabulous restaurants, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website or call 407 WDW-DINE (407-939-3463).

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A Sneak ‘Pixar Pier’ Peek at Lamplight Lounge at Disney California Adventure Park

News By May 23, 2018 Tags: , , , , , , No Comments

There’s a hot new spot coming to Disney California Adventure Park! Located at the entrance of Pixar Pier, Lamplight Lounge will be a stylish, fun place to hang out with the whole family. The lounge will be serving up playfully presented California casual gastro-pub cuisine and unique signature cocktails.

Our culinary team has been hard at work cooking up a spectacular menu, and today we have a sneak peek at some of the delicious items you will taste when Pixar Pier opens on June 23, 2018.

Starting with “Shorts” to Share – also known as appetizers – the Potato Skins will make for the perfect crunchy snack to start off a meal. Made with crispy Yukon gold potatoes, these skins come with brown butter-caper yogurt, smoked paprika aïoli, and Manchego cheese.

For sushi lovers, there is the Carne Asada Roll with New York grilled strip steak, roasted Fresno chili salsa, escabeche, and crema.

On the Bigger Bites menu, a vegetarian entrée will take the “lamplight” – the Spinach Salad! This salad consists of curly spinach with warm wild mushrooms, a soft poached egg, charred onion vinaigrette, shiitake “bacon,” and blue cheese toast.

Another featured entrée will be the Chicken Sandwich. This savory, spicy sandwich comes with crispy chicken with spicy chili glaze, vinegar slaw, and pineapple butter and served on an Amish bun alongside malted fries.

On the kids menu, “Budding Artists” will love the PB&J Roll! A fun twist on a traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this creamy peanut butter and whole wheat “roll” comes drizzled with strawberry jelly. It’s also served with fresh fruit and a flower pot of hummus and veggies.

Lamplight Lounge and Pixar Pier are set to officially open June 23, 2018 at Disney California Adventure Park. This expansive reimagining will transform the shores of Paradise Bay with favorite Pixar stories. Other exciting food and beverage locations coming to Pixar Pier include Poultry Palace, Señor Buzz Churros, Angry Dogs, and the recently-opened Adorable Snowman Frosted Treats. 

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Mobile Ordering Service Coming to 15 Locations at Disneyland Resort

News By May 21, 2018 Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , No Comments

As we recently shared, the new mobile ordering service will be available soon to Disneyland Resort Guests via the Disneyland App.

This convenient, new feature will be available at six Disneyland Park locations – Bengal Barbecue, Galactic Grill, Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Hungry Bear Restaurant, Jolly Holiday Bakery Café and Red Rose Taverne – and nine Disney California Adventure Park locations – Award Wieners, Clarabelle’s Hand-Scooped Ice Cream, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Corn Dog Castle, Flo’s V8 Café, Lucky Fortune Cookery, Pacific Wharf Café, Paradise Garden Grill and Smokejumpers Grill. Order customization will be available directly on the app, including allergy-friendly offerings at select locations.

To use this service, you can easily download the Disneyland App (or install the latest app update) and follow the prompts to register for an account. Take a look at the video below for more on how the mobile ordering feature works!

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Wine Bar George at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort Opens May 19

News By May 17, 2018 Tags: , No Comments

On May 19, 2018, the doors will open at 5 p.m. and the first glass of wine will be poured at the grand opening of Wine Bar George, the latest addition to the dynamic food and beverage scene at Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort. The following day, May 20, Wine Bar George will open at 11 a.m. for its normal daily service hours of 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

The restaurant’s namesake, George Miliotes, is a Master Sommelier – one of only 249 in the world. Wine Bar George is the only wine bar in Florida owned by a Master Sommelier and will offer more than 130 selections by the ounce, glass, and bottle in a range of varietals, vintages, and prices.

This 200-seat wine bar is centrally located at The Landing. Guests can enjoy indoor seating with ambience reminiscent of a winemaker’s home or enjoy the sights and sounds of Disney Springs on the terrace with its sweeping views of The Landing and the waterfront stage.

Looking to dine al fresco at Disney Springs? The Basket at Wine Bar George will offer European-style sandwiches, cheese, olives, hummus, charcuterie, cookies, and wines on tap—served to-go by the glass or carafe.

Walk-ins are always welcome, and reservations for Wine Bar George will be available May 25, 2018 for bookings starting on June 25, 2018.

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