REVIEW: Garden Graze Is Back with Dole Whip Prize for the 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival

The Garden Graze is a food scavenger hunt that takes place during the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival. In your festival passport, collect stamps as you purchase specific dishes. Should you purchase at least five of the snacks, you’ll receive a complimentary, tasty prize. Let’s take a look at the items on the Garden Graze this year, so we help you figure out which ones are the best.

Bauernmarkt: Farmer’s Market

Potato Pancakes with House-Made Apple Sauce – $5.25

A close-up of the Potato Pancakes with House-made Apple Sauce from Bauernmarkt: Farmer's Market for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 4

You can taste the onions, the hash brown flavor of the potato, and the apple sauce. It’s a very simple dish, but delivers what it promises. However, with so many options, we’d probably recommend other dishes, since this one isn’t terribly special.

BRUNCHCOT

Avocado Toast with Marinated Tomatoes and Plant-Based Cheese Crumbles on Toasted Ciabatta – $6

A close-up of the Avocado Toast with Marinated Tomatoes and Plant-Based Cheese Crumbles on Toasted Ciabatta from BRUNCHCOT for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 5

The avocado toast is sure to be a popular option! It is LOADED with creamy avocado, covering nearly the entire portion of the toast. The toast itself is quite nice, offering a nice exterior crunch with a soft inside. The tomatoes added a bit of acidity, though we wish there were more. Considering this is a trendy dish served nearly anywhere you could go for brunch, we’re happy to see it at the festival, even if this isn’t the memorable take on the dish.

EPCOT Farmers Feast

Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread and Plant-Based Cheese – $5.75

A close-up of the Grilled Street Corn on the Cob from EPCOT Farmers Feast for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 3

The seasoning on this corn on the cob is good, but nothing special. Corn on the cob is usually street food for fairs and flea markets, so it feels like there was a lack of effort/ingenuity in creating this for the outdoor kitchen. At the end of the day, this is just… corn. At least it takes a good photo.

Florida Fresh 

Florida Strawberry Shortcake – $5

The Florida Strawberry Shortcake from Florida Fresh for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 1

Somehow, salt is the biggest flavor that comes through while eating the components, even though it isn’t listed as a main ingredient. On top of that, our shortbread was hard as a rock, and the whipped cream had very little taste. In our 16 years of reviewing items, this was one of the worst. Please skip this.

La Isla Fresca

Coconut Tres Leches: Vanilla Cake soaked with Oat, Almond, and Coconut Milks topped with Toasted Coconut – $5

A close-up of the Coconut Tres Leches from La Isla Fresca for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 3

This wasn’t bad, but the proportions of the milk are off. Some parts were denser than others. We found it wasn’t completely flavorless, but there weren’t any prominent flavors. The cake was somehow dry and the overall flavor we got from the dish was vanilla, which came from the topping. There are better dessert options at the festival.

Refreshment Outpost 

*NEW* Seasonal Fruit Parfait with Sweet Chili Sauce and Mango DOLE Whip® – $7

The Seasonal Fruit Parfait from Refreshment Outpost for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 2

There are pineapple and watermelon on the bottom, though the fruit is subject to change as the season progresses. There might be an audience for this, but no one in our group was a big mango fan. We didn’t enjoy this, but the quality of the ingredients was good enough that mango fans may enjoy this.

Refreshment Port

*NEW* Plant-Based Buffalo Chicken Tender Poutine on Crispy Potato Barrels with Plant-Based Ranch and Blue Cheese Crumbles – $10

The Plant-Based Buffalo Chicken Tender Poutine from Refreshment Port for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 6

This was served very hot, which isn’t always a guarantee at these festivals. The tots were crunchy on the outside and perfectly soft on the inside. The buffalo sauce is exactly what you’d expect. The blue cheese easily passes for real dairy. This is one of the top vegan items this year.

Trowel & Trellis

Impossible™ Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread, Spinach, Marinated Vegetables, and Creamy Herb Aioli – $6

A close-up of the Impossible Farmhouse Meatball with Lentil Bread from Trowel & Trellis for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 5

Be warned that this dish is served… well, without a dish. We understand it’s supposed to be “portable,” however, it makes sharing this or cutting it in half nearly impossible. That problem aside, the meatball had a lot of flavor, and the vegetables and aioli complimented the meat well. The lentil bread reminded us of a flatbread, and we certainly aren’t complaining.

Garden Graze Prize: DOLE Whip Lime with Minute Maid Lemonade and Mango Smoothie Mix

The Garden Grand Prize, a DOLE Whip Lime with lemonade and mango smoothie mix for Garden Graze.

Rank out of 7: 7

This year’s completer treat is similar to the one offered in 2023: a DOLE Whip Lime with lemonade and mango smoothie mix, served in a collector cup. The grand prize also comes with a packet of wildflower seeds.

Though the design of the collector cup is the same, the size of the cup has changed for 2024, with this year’s being larger and shaped like a stemless wine glass.

A reporter holds the grand prize treat for Garden Graze.

We thought this was delicious. The lemon and lime flavors are very forward. The fun part of this treat is the seed packet you receive — though we got ours with a warning not to use the seeds as topping for the DOLE whip. They’re for planting only.

The 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival is running from February 28 to May 27, 2024.

For the latest Disney Parks news and info, follow WDW News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram.

The post REVIEW: Garden Graze Is Back with Dole Whip Prize for the 2024 EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival appeared first on WDW News Today.

Season Two of “SuperKitties” Will Debut April 5th on Disney Channel and Disney Junior

The second season of SuperKitties will debut on April 5 on Disney Junior and Disney Channel. What’s Happening: Season two of SuperKitties, 2023’s No. 1 new preschool series, will debut Friday April 5, on Disney Junior (9:30 a.m. EDT/PDT) and Disney Channel (2:00 p.m. EDT/PDT). An initial batch of episodes will roll out on Disney+ later this […]

The post Season Two of “SuperKitties” Will Debut April 5th on Disney Channel and Disney Junior appeared first on .

Searchlight”s “The Greatest Hits” Heading to SXSW, Theaters, and Hulu

The Greatest Hits are already on CD and vinyl for a variety of artists…but is also heading to Austin, TX? What’s Happening: Deadline reports that Searchlight Pictures newest film, The Greatest Hits, will be having its world premiere at SXSW on March 14th. Following its debut, it will play in select theaters on April 5th and stream on […]

The post Searchlight”s “The Greatest Hits” Heading to SXSW, Theaters, and Hulu appeared first on .

Full List of St. Patrick’s Day 2024 Treats Coming to Disneyland Resort

Guests can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year with limited-time treats available throughout Disneyland Resort.

St. Patrick’s Day Treats at Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park
dl st. patricks day food 2024 1

Red Rose Taverne (Available March 1 through 19; mobile order available)

  • Green Stuff: Mint-white-chocolate mousse, chocolate cake, mint chocolate chips, and chocolate cookie crumbs on a shortbread cookie
dl st. patricks day food 2024 2

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

GCH Craftsman Grill (Available starting March 13)

  • St. Patrick’s Day Cupcake
  • St. Patrick’s Day Donut
dl st. patricks day food 2024 3

Pixar Place Hotel

Great Maple (Available March 1 through 31)

  • Cereal Milk Doughnut: Classic vanilla, yeast-raised doughnut with cereal milk glaze, flavored marshmallows, and gold glitter garnish (New)

Downtown Disney District

Salt & Straw (Available March 1 through April 4)

  • Pots of Gold & Rainbows: Hand-sorted rainbow marshmallows tossed into cereal milk ice cream
dl st. patricks day food 2024 4

Available at Various Candy Locations Around Disneyland Resort, including Marceline’s Confectionery, Trolley Treats, Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff, Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen, and Pooh Corner (Available March 15 through 17)

  • Mint Chocolate and Cream Cookie Marshmallow Wand: Three marshmallows dipped in caramel and mint-milk chocolate then rolled in crushed chocolate cookies and drizzled with white and green chocolate
  • Shamrock Cereal Treat: Shamrock-shaped cereal treat dipped in green, white chocolate and decorated in light green, white chocolate and a yellow, white chocolate Mickey

For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on TwitterFacebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.

The post Full List of St. Patrick’s Day 2024 Treats Coming to Disneyland Resort appeared first on WDW News Today.

Hulu Shares Trailer and Key Art for Original Documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told”

Hulu has released the official trailer and key art for the highly anticipated documentary Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told. What’s Happening: From Executive Producers Luke Campbell, Jermaine Dupri and 21 Savage, and masterfully crafted by Mass Appeal & Swirl Films, Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told is a celebratory exploration of the boisterous times of Freaknik, […]

The post Hulu Shares Trailer and Key Art for Original Documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told” appeared first on .

Do You Qualify for These EXCLUSIVE Costco Disney Deals?

When you’re traveling to Disney World, you’re very likely planning months, maybe even years, in advance.

©Costco

A lot of this could be saving up for your trip — not just for staying on property or for the park tickets, but also saving for souvenirs, dining reservations, and of course, the plane tickets to get there (or gas to drive)! If you’re planning your Disney World trip and you’re a Costco member, these are some deals you need to know about — gift card deals, that is!

First off, you can get a discount on Disney gift cards at Costco! They do come and go off Costco’s web site and the prices change from time to time, but you can usually get at least 5% more for your money by buying a Disney gift card through Costco!

©Disney

Costco members can often save on packs of gift cards, and some of these can really come in handy when you’re planning for your trip! For example, if you’re flying Southwest, grab a $500 Southwest Gift Card for just $449.99!

©Costco

That’s a $50 (10%) savings, and you can redeem up to 5 of them, so it’s a great way to save money on flights! Combine this with one of Southwest’s frequent airfare sales, and you’ve really got a great deal going.

Check it out!

If you plan to dine at some table-service restaurants while you’re in Disney World, specifically Rainforest Cafe (located just outside Disney’s Animal Kingdom and in Disney Springs), T-Rex Cafe at Disney Springs, or Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Animal Kingdom, you’ll want to grab a two-pack of Landry’s Gift Cards that total $100 for only $79.99!

©Costco

All of these restaurants are owned by Landry’s so you can use these gift cards while you’re in the park! It’s a great way to have a nice meal (especially over at Yak and Yeti, which we recommend over Rainforest Cafe and T-Rex), and save some money while you’re at it.

Check it out!

Now, as a reminder, Costco can pull these deals whenever they want, so while they’re available at the time of writing this post, things can change fast! We encourage checking out Costco’s website to see what gift card deals they currently have available and seeing if any will be beneficial to your trip. And don’t forget that going in person may mean you see gift cards that aren’t available online.

©Shutterstock

As always, stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disney news!

These are some WEIRD things our reporters have in their park bags!

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

WE KNOW DISNEY.
YOU CAN, TOO.


Oh boy, planning a Disney trip can be quite the adventure, and we totally get it! But fear not, dear friends, we compiled EVERYTHING you need (and the things to avoid!) to plan the ULTIMATE Disney vacation.

Whether you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro, our insider tips and tricks will have you exploring the parks like never before. So come along with us, and get planning your most magical vacation ever!

What’s your favorite gift card deal you’ve ever used? Tell us below!

The post Do You Qualify for These EXCLUSIVE Costco Disney Deals? first appeared on the disney food blog.

YOU Can Take Part in a Disney Tradition This Year — Find Out How!

We love visiting Disneyland on any normal day, but we especially love visiting when it can benefit a charity.

Disneyland

Disney works with many different charities, such as Give Kids The World, to help support them in their important missions. If you’re looking for a fun day in Disney that will also help benefit a charity organization, the CHOC Walk has officially set its 2024 date!

Click here to subscribe

Disneyland Resort’s popular 5K event, CHOC Walk in The Park, is returning again this year and has set its date — Sunday, July 21st, 2024! This charity walk benefits the Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) and has been a tradition for 32 years.

©Disney

This is the first time the event will take place in July, but fundraisers will still travel on the 3ish-mile course through both parks, coming across exciting surprises before the parks open to day guests. Based on previous counts, this event is expected to bring in 350-400 teams, including participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and Japan!

Disneyland

So why move the event to July? Jessica Miley, senior vice president and chief development officer for CHOC, said, “By moving the event to late July, we hope to help families join us by avoiding conflicts with back-to-school activities or planned August family vacations,” as well as help them avoid the higher possibility of rain or storms.

Get more information on this year’s event here!

As always, be sure to stay tuned to DFB for all the latest Disneyland news!

NEWS: Disneyland looks to buy three streets as part of expansion plan

Have you ever participated in the CHOC Walk? Tell us in the comments!

The post YOU Can Take Part in a Disney Tradition This Year — Find Out How! first appeared on the disney food blog.

Disney Announces Huge Media Merger. Here’s What We Know.

If you follow along with Walt Disney Company news, you’re probably familiar with Disney’s attempts to better relationships with India.

Disney World

When Disney bought 21st Century Fox, it also acquired the Star India network. That gave Disney a new audience of over 700 million people. India has proven a challenge for Disney, though, particularly after the company lost streaming rights for the Indian Premier League cricket matches. Disney is trying to improve business in India, though. Reportedly, the company is in discussions with Reliance Industries, the company that beat Disney for those rights. The two companies seem to be considering combining their businesses in the country, giving 51% ownership to Reliance. Now, we’ve gotten an update on the situation!

According to Reuters, Reliance and Disney announced an $8.5 billion entertainment merger, creating an “billion entertainment juggernaut far ahead of rivals in the world’s most populous nation.” Reliance is headed by Asia’s richest man, Mukesh Ambani, and will contribute $1.4 billion in the merger, holding a more than 63% stake. Disney will own the rest, the companies said in a joint statement.

Hi, Mickey!

This allows Disney a shot to retain users in India as well as right the financial strain caused by Disney’s loss of cricket media rights.

The merger values Disney’s business in India to be lower than in the past, when Disney attained the Star India Network. Then, Disney was valued at roughly $15 billion, and now, it’s valued at around $3 billion. Although, a senior Disney source told Reuters that the value of Disney’s assets in India was closer to $4.3 billion when accounting for synergies.

Cinderella Castle

The merged entertainment industry will have 120 TV channels, two streaming platforms, and TV and streaming cricket rights for key tournaments. This is expected to create a “sports behemoth” in India, with over 750 million expected viewers.

Cinderella Castle

An analyst at India’s Prabhudas Lilladher, Jinesh Joshi, said, “This merger will give Reliance great bargaining power when it comes to negotiating advertisement contracts … For Disney, coming together with a bigger player, in terms of (financial) pockets, will give it a cash cushion.”

Magic Kingdom

“Reliance has a deep understanding of the Indian market and consumer,” Disney CEO Bog Iger said in a statement, and the deal will allow “us to better serve consumers with a broad portfolio of digital services and entertainment and sports.”

©Disney

With this merger officially taking place, we’re left to wonder if Disney will continue to build a reputation in India. It’s already suspected among Disney fans that a new park could be put in India, but we’ll just have to wait and see.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated with any and all Disney news, so make sure to follow along so that you’re always in the loop and never miss a thing.

Looking for more Disney streaming news? Click here! 

Join the DFB Newsletter to get all the breaking news right in your inbox! Click here to Subscribe!

What do you think of the merger? Let us know in the comments! 

The post Disney Announces Huge Media Merger. Here’s What We Know. first appeared on the disney food blog.