Fans are about to get their first look at a ride on Tiana’s Bayou Adventure with a new episode of “We Call It Imagineering.”
“We Call It Imagineering” Episode 2
In the second episode of “We Call it Imagineering,” which will focus on showing how music is created for the attraction and entertainment at Disney Parks, we’ll get a new look at the inside of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, including some POV on-ride footage. The new episode will premiere on May 29, but a teaser was released today, May 28.
In the episode, guests will join Grammy Award-winning New Orleans musician PJ Morton on a ride through Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Morton is responsible for creating a new song for the attraction, along with performing on and producing all-new arrangements of “The Princess and the Frog” songs.
In the above image from the teaser trailer, you can see the load area, which includes building facades painted in Mardi Gras colors.
There is POV footage from the log ride vehicle going down the bayou.
An exterior shot reveals a Tiana’s Foods banner above riders’ heads.
We also get a quick glimpse of Morton on the attraction.
In addition to the on-ride footage, there is a quick moment in the teaser of Anika Noni Rose, the voice of Tiana in both the film and the attraction, recording vocals. Beyond Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, the episode will also cover the creation of music for the new Country Bear Musical Jamboree, among others.
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Sommerfest is tucked away in the back of the Germany Pavilion, next to Biergarten Restaurant. It’s a little blink-and-you-miss-it snack stand that serves a few different eats and some beverage options.
Sommerfest
The restaurant has just two windows — one for Mobile Order pickups and one for counter-made order pickups. There’s a small ordering counter in the front and usually there isn’t too much of a line to get food here.
Inside Sommerfest
After you pick up your order, you can grab a few pre-packaged condiments. They’ve got the basics — mustard, ketchup, and Gulden’s spicy brown mustard.
Condiments
In terms of seating, there aren’t too many options, and they fill up FAST with people just hanging out in the Germany Pavilion plaza. Unless someone vacates one of the tables as you walk out with your food, you’re probably going to have to sit over by World Showcase Lagoon.
Seating nearby
Now let’s chat about the menu!
Menu
As far as the snacks on this menu go, there are only three options — the Jumbo Pretzel, the Bratwurst (served with house-made paprika chips), and the Pretzel Bread Pudding.
Menu
However, if you’re thirsty, you’ve got quite a few choices. There are four different types of beer, two wines, and several fountain beverages. No dehydration here!
Eats
I’m going pretty simple for this review, just ordering all three of the snack options! I grabbed a table with a spectacular view of Spaceship Earth and laid out the spread.
Full Spread
First up, we’ve got the Bratwurst with House-made Paprika Chips. This is $11.49 and served on a fresh-baked roll with sauerkraut.
I tried the chips first and immediately liked them a LOT more than other house-made chips in Disney World. The paprika adds some nice spice and really elevates these above their plain salted counterpart. Although there isn’t an option to order the chips on their own (without the bratwurst) on the menu, we’ve been able to order the chips at the window by themselves in the past, so it doesn’t hurt to ask if you just want a lighter snack instead of the full meal.
Bratwurst
The bratwurst itself was THICK and thoroughly seasoned with hints of garlic and pepper throughout. The bun is massive and it makes the bites a little bit bread-heavy and slightly difficult to manage. Add to that the pile of sauerkraut on top, and I found myself making a bit of a mess eating this.
However, the sauerkraut was the perfect tangy counterpart to the sausage and really brightened up the overall flavor profile. I think this would’ve been great with some mustard on top as well.
Inside the bratwurst
My second item was a Germany Pavilion classic — the Jumbo Pretzel for $11.29. My main complaint here is that this does not come with dipping sauce automatically on the side. You can pick up those little packs of mustard at the counter, but you won’t get a cheese sauce or cup of mustard like with some other pretzels around Disney World.
Jumbo Pretzel
However, the quality of this pretzel was superb! I’ve had some other large pretzels in Disney World that were tough or hard on the outside, and this one was incredibly soft despite its size. It was thoroughly salted, although the salt had a hard time sticking to the outside in some spots and made a mess falling off the pretzel and onto my table. They serve you the pretzel in a bag, so if you’re like me and can’t finish it, you can take it with you around the park as an all-day snack.
That’s a lot of pretzel!
Last but not least, we need dessert! The Pretzel Bread Pudding is probably my favorite item on the Sommerfest menu, and it’s available for just $4.79. That’s a CHEAP snack!
Pretzel Bread Pudding
The texture is soft with a bit of chew, just like you’d expect from a perfect bread pudding. There are bits of pretzel on top, and it has kind of a sweet-and-salty flavor profile going on. The vanilla and caramel sauces are creamy and sweet, a really delicious pairing that makes this treat so much better.
Honestly, this is a top-tier EPCOT dessert for me!
YUM
So how does Sommerfest stack up?
Overall
Sommerfest is a GREAT spot if you’re interested in picking up a German-inspired snack, especially if you want a classic pretzel or bratwurst. The Pretzel Bread Pudding is a great inventive twist on a pretzel, and it has become an EPCOT icon in the past few years that it has been in the park.
Treats
I’m also usually a big fan of Mobile Order, and the fact that this is one of the few World Showcase spots that offers it earns Sommerfest a spot on my nice list.
Nosh or Not?
Stop by Sommerfest for a snack if…
You want to try a German classic. Both the pretzel and the bratwurst are quite good and a nice, simple representation of German cuisine.
You want to try the iconic Pretzel Bread Pudding. Yep, this treat is worth a visit all on its own! That sweet-and-salty combo is SO yummy.
You need some carbs to wash down your beer. Sommerfest isn’t usually the spot of choice for a beer, but it’s nearby and a great spot for carb-loaded snacks.
Skip Sommerfest and keep on strolling if…
The menu options don’t interest you. This may seem like an obvious one, but with only three items, there isn’t much variety here. Picky eaters might not like this spot as much as some others nearby, like Regal Eagle in the American Adventure.
You want a more special experience. For more authentic and sophisticated German food, try making a reservation for Biergarten next door instead!
You’re just interested in the beer/drinks. For that, people typically stop at Bier und Bretzeln out in the pavilion, or in Weinkeller.
Sommerfest
That’s a wrap on my visit to Sommerfest, thanks for coming along!
With DOZENS of places to eat at Disney World, we know it can be tough to plan your meals. That’s why we wrote the DFB Guide to Dining at Walt Disney World. We have reviews, pictures, and details about every restaurant all in one digital download – along with ALL of our best tips and strategies from decades of Disney World trips.
DFB Guide
We’ll continue to review all the restaurants in Disney World, so stay tuned to DFB for our up-to-date thoughts and comments!
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!
Have you ever been to Sommerfest? Tell us in the comments!
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The return date and times for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith have been posted to the official Walt Disney World calendar.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Opening Date and Times
After being scheduled to open on July 27, 2024 earlier this month, the opening date for Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith has been confirmed via the Walt Disney World calendar.
The operating calendar lists the attraction as having “No times available” up until July 27, when it changes to the roller coaster being open from 8:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. for Early Theme Park Entry, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for all additional guests. Early Theme Park Entry is offered to all guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and other select hotels.
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster closed earlier this year on January 8 for a routine refurbishment. It had been noted that the attraction would reopen this summer. It is unclear what, if any, notable changes have been made to the ride. In 2023, the attraction closed in February before reopening in May with no major changes.
Can’t wait for the July reopening? Watch our full ride through of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster below:
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