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advance dining reservations

Disneyland Dining Update Arrives for Advance Reservations

News By August 9, 2023 Tags: , , , , , No Comments

Not long ago, Disney announced that the dining reservation systems at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort would receive an update. The Disneyland dining update to advanced dining reservations is rolling out, allowing guests to see more time options.

The main advantage of his Disneyland dining update revolves around seeing all the dining time slots available. This should make things easier for guests looking for a particular restaurant but have flexibility on time.

Before this, guests could only see a few reservation times pop up if they specified a specific time frame when searching for reservations. With the new update, guests see four timeslots as the default option. However, people can scroll to the right or hit the link for more time now. Depending on if you are using the Disneyland mobile app or a web browser determines what options you have to view more times. We found this very easy to use via both methods.

Disneyland dining update

We chose to search for advance dining reservations at Carthay Circle Lounge at Disneyland Resort. To start this process, we located that restaurant on the Disneyland mobile app. After that, we hit the link to see more times. At this point, we saw all the lunch and dinner times.

You can also “check dining availability.” We were asked to select our party size, date, and time desired when we did this.

Dsineyland dining update

You will be required to log in to search for dining reservations. When you select dining availability this way, you will see all available advance dining reservations for that time period. We found that guests might see up to four timeslots per restaurant based on availability this way. At this point, you should see a way to check for ALL times.

Advance Dining Reservation Options with Disneyland Dining Update

At this point, you should see all the advanced dining reservation options for the day selected for a particular restaurant. In addition, if some special dining events are happening at that restaurant, like Disney Princess Breakfast Adventure, you see those also. Once you select a specific reservation time, the Disney system will present you with an “Add Ons” page for items such as Celebration Cakes. You will also be asked about dietary and accessibility requests.

In order to complete an advance dining reservation, guests must enter their email and phone number. These are required for complete the reservation. A credit card number must be entered to make this dining reservation. As a result, be careful not to cancel the reservation if you change your mind or you will most likely be charged a fee for this error.

While making your advanced dining reservation, a ten-minute holding time will be placed on your attempt to reserve slot. if you wait or take more than ten minutes, you will need to start over. Ten minutes is plenty of time so do not let that concern you. However, if you get distracted by real life, your desired timeslot might disappear. Fortunately, you can set alerts on MouseDining.com, if this happens to you.

System Looks to Be Rolling Out Slowly

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Review: Fried Chicken & Doughnuts Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Disney Springs

Restaurant Reviews By January 8, 2023 Tags: , , , , , , , , No Comments

On Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ website, you can learn important information about the Disney Springs restaurant. On that website, they declared that “THE COMFORT FOOD IS CALLING YOUR NAME. OR MAYBE IT’S THE MOONSHINE.”  If it is comfort food, then the chicken here calls to many people. Since this is Walt Disney World, we know “the magic is calling.” I suspect some version of Disney magic happens with the Homecomin’ kitchen. Clearly, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ generates some delicious chicken. If you desire comfort food, they also offer their own play on chicken and waffles. Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ offers “Fried Chicken & Doughnuts.”

Photo courtesy of Main Street Magic podcast

Yes, you read that correctly. The concept of fried chicken & doughnuts can be found in many places. Yet, one of the best versions resides at Homecomin’. Of course, people claim the comfort food style at Homecomin’ calls their name. Once again, that could just be the moonshine talking. The “Fried Chicken & Doughnuts” entrée here consists of two pieces of Chef Art Smith’s famous fried chicken served with house-made sugar doughnuts and a choice of side item. This item comes with a price tag of $32.

The server suggested side usually is mashed potatoes. I recommend mac and cheese, but you have numerous choices here. This entrée comes with syrup mixed with your chicken and Everglazed doughnuts. I have also seen it come out with some sawmill gravy, especially when having mashed potatoes as a side. Depending on when you order this, you may get one large doughnut or two small doughnuts.

Fried Chicken & Doughnuts

Okay, before discussing the pros and cons of this entrée, I need to mention an essential detail for your planning. Always be careful since Disney’s online menu for this place tends to lag far behind the actual in-person menu. For example, I know one appetizer no longer appears on the menu at the beginning of August. Yet, I can still find it on Disney’s online menu as of mid-December. I suggest always going to the official Homecomin’ website for menu information, especially pricing. That one tends to be very accurate.

So how does this version of comfort food taste? As you might expect here, the meat brings high-quality preparation and flavor. The breading offers excellent flavor based on the preparation method. In addition, the skin remains light and crispy. For fried chicken, this variety creates a limited greasy feeling. Sure, there is some greasy feeling but less than you would expect. The breading is light and crispy. The doughnuts bring the desired Everglazed flavor. They arrive soft and warm. Some guests like to combine a bit of chicken, some doughnut, and syrup in every complete for a whole experience. Whichever way you choose to enjoy this entrée, expect plenty of flavors.

Fried Chicken & Doughnuts

On a less positive note, the price point might lead one to doubt if this is worth it. In fairness, I generally choose other entrées here over this one based on price point. Still, the high quality and uniqueness of this entrée might be worth the price point. In addition, everything comes out very warm. I struggle to decide which part t, fearing it might cool down too much. Maybe that explains why people suggest eating all components of this savory and sweet entrée together.

I have three other reminders for when you visit Homecomin’.  First, the service here is very polite and thoughtful but can be slow even by southern USA levels. Second, this place offers a military discount, even on alcohol. Third, reservations can be tough to get here. Please be ready at 5:45 am Florida time 60 days in advance and/or use an advance dining reservation service like MouseDining..

Fried Chicken & Doughnuts

Sure, the moonshine could be calling you. Yet, comfort food like Fried Chicken & Doughnuts attracts many people also. Whatever calls you here, enjoy your time at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’. As always, eat like you mean it!

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