Disney’s Animal Kingdom may not be a lot of people’s favorite parks, but there are SO many exciting things to do and experience here, we think a lot of people are missing out!
Animal Kingdom
Not only does this park have some of our favorite dining options (both table service and quick service), you can also ride some iconic attractions like Expedition Everest and Dinosaur, and, of course, see some adorable animals. But speaking of those animals, did you know there’s one thing you CANNOT bring into the park, under any circumstances?
You may have noticed before that balloons are sold in most Disney World parks, but NOT Disney’s Animal Kingdom. It’s true that you won’t find balloons anywhere in Animal Kingdom, but it’s not only that you can’t buy them anywhere — you also can’t bring balloons from anywhere into the parks.
Animal Kingdom
It’s true! This is because if any balloons were to fly away and land in the savanna area, it would be extremely unsafe for the animals to potentially eat. It’s impossible to keep eyes on all guests at all times, and balloons can slip away in an instant. Retrieving fallen balloons from the savanna also could be dangerous for the Cast Members, so to avoid any issues, no balloons are allowed in Animal Kingdom.
Play in the park balloon design
But what happens if someone brings a balloon into Animal Kingdom, not knowing that they’re not allowed? It wouldn’t be great if Disney forced them to get rid of their balloon that they’ve paid a hefty price for, so they came up with an alternate plan: Balloon Daycare!
Disney World Balloons
If a guest walks into Animal Kingdom with a balloon, they’ll be stopped or instructed by a Cast Member to bring their balloon over to one of them where they will enter Balloon Daycare for the day, until they come pick it up!
Balloons!
The balloon will be kept safely indoors and will be marked as being yours (so don’t worry, you’ll get yours back!). In fact, you may even get a card at the end of the day sharing all your balloon did that day, like what movie it watched, if it had a snack and a nap, or played with other balloons!
Pandora
This is a great way that Disney World can keep their animals safe and happy while also ensuring guests are able to enter the park and experience what they’d like to without having to get rid of their balloon. However, this does mean that if you use a balloon as a way to identify your stroller, you’ll need to have a Plan B!
Adventureland stroller parking
We’re always here to bring you the latest Disney World news and information to make sure your trip goes as smooth as possible, so stay tuned to DFB!
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 sent your Disney World balloons to “daycare” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom? Tell us all about your experience in the comments below!
“My Boo” Disneyland Couple Halloween T-Shirts – $29.99 each
The heather gray T-shirts show smiling ghosts carrying a trick-or-treat pumpkin bucket, surrounded by stars and bats. Text below the graphic says “My Boo” in shades of brown and orange. Beneath that is the classic Disneyland Resort wordmark in orange.
This ghost T-shirt shows the spooky spirit with a Mickey ear hat and Jack-o’-lantern candy bucket. Three bats fly around the ghost, with a round, yellow full moon behind them all.
The other, matching T-shirt shows a ghost with a Minnie ear headband featuring an orange and black polka-dot bow. As with the other shirt, this ghost also holds a Jack-o’-lantern candy bucket and is surrounded by three bats.
Cars Halloween Disneyland T-Shirt – $29.99
This “Cars”-themed Halloween T-shirt is bright orange and features a devilish-looking Lightning McQueen with fangs and horns. Bat-cars fly overhead against a bright white full moon, and a spooky tree and the rock formations of Ornament Valley loom in the background. The Disneyland Resort wordmark is front and center in yellow and black.
For more Disneyland Resort news and info, follow Disneyland News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news worldwide, visit WDWNT.
Universal Studios Japan has unveiled the new Lost World Restaurant menu that will be available when the quick-service dining location reopens on July 5.
New Lost World Restaurant Menu
Lost World Restaurant will become the first restaurant in Universal Studios Japan to feature a menu where all entrees, sides, and desserts are offered as plant-based options. In addition to plant-based options, the menu will feature other food items that reflect “food diversity.”
Amber and Mango Tofu Pudding – ¥800 ($4.95)
This dessert offers a nod to the original “Jurassic Park” film. The tofu pudding is topped with mango chunks and a piece of amber. Inside the amber, guests will find an edible flower rather than a mosquito as seen in the film.
Massaman and Red Curry Plate – ¥2,400 ($14.85)
This plate features both massaman and red curry. The featured items are served with fried chicken, fried shrimp, turmeric rice, marinated daikon, and a soft drink.
Jurassic Family Plate – ¥8,500 ($52.59)
This plate allows guests to sample multiple items from the menu. The entree features beef steak, garlic roasted chicken, massaman & red curry, fried shrimp, turmeric rice, spicy chili potatoes, a vegetable spring roll, and a soft drink. The meal is topped with an edible “T. Rex Zone” street sign.
Vegetable Pho Plate – ¥2,100 ($12.99)
This plant-based item features a bowl of rice noodles, a vegetable spring roll, and three soup spoons filled with food. Guests will find fried beans, plant-based chicken and peanuts, and marinated daikon inside the spoons. This entree is served with a soft drink.
Fried Wonton Chips and Vegetable Soup – ¥550 ($3.40)
This plant-based item features a bowl of soup full of rice noodles and vegetables, two large wontons, a lime, and cilantro.
Volcano French Toast ¥1,500 ($9.28)
Six pieces of French toast are stacked on top of each other, as various sauces ooze out of the top and drip down the volcano’s sides. While Universal Studios Japan has not officially announced the types of sauces, it looks like chocolate syrup, whipped cream, and strawberry jam. The item also comes with cherries.
Vegetable Spring Rolls ¥650 ($4.02)
The final Lost World Restaurant menu item features two typical vegetable spring rolls. They come with daikon, a lime, and a dipping sauce.
What do you think of the new Lost World Restaurant menu available at Universal Studios Japan?
For more Universal Studios news from around the world, follow Universal Parks News Today on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. For Disney Parks news, visit WDWNT.
Disney World has made some very questionable food decisions recently.
Columbia Harbour House
Now, we’re used to restaurant menu changes and updates — they happen ALL the time, but most recently, Disney World has done some menu changing that we know a LOT of our readers (and us) haven’t been exactly thrilled with. Getting rid of the waffle sandwiches at Sleepy Hollow in Magic Kingdom is a very good example. However, there was another snack that disappeared from a Disney World menu recently, but we’ve got a very important update: HUSHPUPPIES ARE BACK!
Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom is one of our favorite places to dine in the park. It serves up delicious New England favorites like a hearty Lobster Roll, fried fish and shrimp, and Clam Chowder. One of our favorite sides here, though, were the hushpuppies. However, the hushpuppies were removed from the menu recently, and yes, we were UPSET.
We weren’t the only ones upset, though; it seems like a lot of Disney World visitors love those hushpuppies. Well, we’ve got some good news: the hushpuppies are back as of yesterday, July 3rd. We made a beeline straight over to Columbia Harbour House to see for ourselves! And there they were, back on the menu like they had never left (excuse us while we wipe the tears of joy from our eyes). During our visit, these were NOT listed on the Mobile Order menu, but you can get them if you order in-person.
BEST day ever.
Of course, we had to put in an order that included hushpuppies — for science! But while we were waiting, we spoke with Cast Members who told us that they’d had a lot of complaints when the hushpuppies disappeared from the menu. Now, everyone is relieved that the hushpuppies are back. They’re available again with the Trio Platter or as a separate side for $4.99 (you’ll get six).
We love these!!!
So, y’all, it’s a 4th of July miracle! Now, you’ll have to give us a moment alone with these glorious little balls of fried cornmeal. Happy tears, y’all. Happy tears.
We spend a lot of time talking about places to eat in the Disney World parks, but it’s just as important to consider where you’ll dine at your Disney World hotel!
Disney’s Port Orleans Resort — Riverside
If you’re a foodie, you’ll want to choose a resort that meets your culinary needs, and that likely means you’ll have to spend a little more dough. But what happens if you’re ballin’ on a budget? Well, recently, I headed to one of the moderate resorts in Disney World to check out their quick service dining and report back with a full review!
Riverside Mill is designed to look like an old-fashioned mill, and it even has a giant water wheel spinning on the outside! The views here are lovely, with big windows and surrounding wooded areas.
There’s a giant water wheel outside the window
This spot is a food court, so several different walk-up stations serve various kinds of food. You can order things like burgers, pizza, pasta, or a variety of southern-inspired entrees.
The order stations
There are also a few refrigerators in the back that are filled with beverages…
Beverage refrigerators
…as well as some prepackaged sandwiches and salads.
Cold foods
One of the counters is specifically home to desserts, which is where you’ll find the seasonal treats!
Sweet treats!
And of course, there are various prepackaged snacks available, like chips and candy.
Little stations like this are spread throughout
Once you’ve got your eats, you’ll head to the checkout counter to ring up your order.
Checkout counter
In the middle of the restaurant, there’s a self-serve drink station…
Drink station
…a selection of condiments…
Condiments
…and a coffee station.
Coffee station
The dining room is pretty large here, with ample seating spread throughout!
Seating area
Many of the tables have window views, so you can dine and enjoy that natural scenery at the same time.
Lots of places to sit
Now that we’ve taken the tour, let’s look at the menu!
Menu
The menu here is pretty varied, with items for a broad range of tastes. The “Specialties” include Citrus-Basil Salmon, Mojo-roasted Chicken, and Smothered Beef in Gravy. You can also grab some classics like burgers and chicken.
There are a few southern-inspired sandwiches as well, like a Beef Po’ Boy or a Turkey Pimento Wrap. And because it’s a hotel food court, they of course have pizza available.
In addition to these items, Riverside Mill serves a variety of beverages, some seasonal desserts, and plenty of prepackaged snacks.
Eats
To get a sampling of the menu, I ordered two entrees and one of the seasonal desserts. Let’s dig in!
Full spread
Starting things out with one of the specialties, I tried the Smothered Beef in Gravy for $14.99, which is described as slow-cooked beef in Louisiana spices. You get your choice of sides from the buffet, and I chose the mashed potatoes and green beans.
Smothered Beef
Starting with the sides, the mashed potatoes have a LOT of skin left in them. They didn’t feel like they were cooked all the way through in some spots, and even though they were creamy and buttery, the texture was very bizarre. There was so much skin, in fact, that it was rather annoying to eat. You can get them with gravy or without.
The green beans were cooked a little past al dente, and they were nicely peppered and salted. They had a little bit of chew to them, and I was pretty surprised by how good they were.
Mashed potatoes and green beans
The smothered beef was fine, but nothing really to write home about, and it might be disappointing if you’ve hade homemade southern pot roast in the past. It’s spiced with something that tickled my tongue, and it has carrots throughout in the gravy. Some pieces of the meat were tender, while others were quite fatty. Not my favorite entree ever.
The beef
The other entree I opted to try was the Steakhouse Burger with fries for $13.99. It’s a beef burger topped with shaved beef, swiss cheese, and French onion aioli.
Steakhouse Burger
The burger needed to be seasoned more thoroughly, as did the shredded beef on top — both were somewhat bland. Most of the flavor here comes from the aioli and the onions. The aioli added a creaminess to the overall texture and the onions added some chew. The cheese is mild, but kind of ties everything together.
Steakhouse Burger
The bun is a little bit buttery and the burger was a smidge overcooked but not too dry. Honestly, this was very middle-of-the-road as far as Disney burgers go. It was better than most of the fast food options but not as good as the burgers you’d get at sit-down spots.
The fries are typical Disney fast food fries — great when they’re fresh but get stale rather quickly. Sometimes they need a little extra salt or some ketchup for dipping.
Inside the burger
And finally, we’ve got dessert! I ordered the seasonal cheesecake option, which was a Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake for $6.29. It’s topped with a tiny Mickey-shaped sugar cookie!
Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake
This was honestly my favorite of the three items! It was creamy and cheesy with a smooth texture and great fruit flavor from the toppings. The lemon gel added some tartness and the blueberries were fresh and sweet. Inside, there was a fruity blueberry filling. I would get it again!
Cheesecake
So how did Riverside Mill fare? Let’s talk about it.
Overall
In the end, I think this restaurant is just fine. It has a variety of basic eats, but it’s not really more special than any other food court at a Disney World resort. I would probably eat here during my stay and enjoy my meal, but it’s definitely not a must-do.
The spread
This hotel is also home to Boatwrights Dining Hall and River Roost, which have arguably better eats. If you have the time and money for those options, I would recommend them instead!
Nosh or Not?
Take a trip to the mill if…
You need a quick meal during your Port Orleans Resort — Riverside stay. If you’re staying at this resort and just need to grab a quick bite, this is a good option. They’ve got variety and cheap prices.
You have picky eaters in your party or a variety of tastes. If your family can’t agree on what they want to eat, a food court is the perfect choice! Everyone can get a different type of cuisine.
Skip the mill and sail down the river to a different spot if…
You have high culinaryexpectations. If you want a special dining experience or particularly delicious food, this probably isn’t the stop for you.
You’re not staying at this resort. This isn’t a spot I would recommend going out of your way to visit. There are plenty of food courts in Disney World and they’re all fairly similar.
You’re dining for dinner. While Riverside Mill is the only option for breakfast and lunch, other restaurants are open at the hotel for dinner.
Riverside Mill
That’s a wrap on my visit to Riverside Mill, thanks for coming along! Stay tuned to DFB for more restaurant reviews from around Disney World.
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 this spot? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew at Disney Springs is offering two special menu items through Sunday, July 7th, in honor of Independence Day. What’s Happening: Celebrate the spirit of America with Everglazed Donuts’ Cheeseburger Mega Donut and Sweet Donut Salute. This meat-free sweet treat was designed to look like it just came off of dad’s backyard grill. […]
The Tokyo Disney Resort has announced a new traveling drone show to commemorate the opening of Fantasy Springs. Tokyo Disney Resort Launches Drone Show for Summer 2024 The Tokyo Disney Resort has revealed plans for a spectacular traveling drone show called “Tokyo Disney Resort Special Drone Show – Magic in the Air.” The inaugural show is […]
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A new book titled “Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Dinsey Family Museum” will be released on October 1, 2024 to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of the museum.
‘Walt Disney Treasures’ Book from The Walt Disney Family Museum
This new book from author Walter E.D. Miller and the staff of The Walt Disney Family Museum will provide an in-depth look at the museum’s vast collection of art and artifacts that chronicle the life and career of Walt Disney.
The book features over 250 images from the museum’s collection, including artifacts that have never before been seen by the public.
Read the official synopsis of the book:
“Walt Disney Treasures: Personal Art and Artifacts from The Walt Disney Family Museum” chronicles the legacy of the legendary American artist, storyteller, filmmaker, and visionary through iconic objects that represent his life and career. Through historical research, firsthand accounts, and Walt’s own words, readers will uncover the most treasured artifacts that tell the story of Walt Disney and his family, as well as the significance of each item to Walt’s personal and professional life. With more than 250 images from the collection and galleries of The Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco and the Disney family archives—some never seen by the public—readers will experience Walt’s story like never before.
Explore the book’s comprehensive sections that showcase the many facets of Walt Disney’s life:
· Heart: Walt as a family man
· Determination: his inexhaustible drive as a businessman and citizen
· Inspiration: key figures, places, and works that influenced Walt
· Animation: his pioneering of short-form and feature-length animation into an American art form
· Innovation: his experimental and trailblazing contributions to the craft of live-action, animated, and documentary cinema
· Creativity: Walt’s curiosity with miniatures, trains, and more
· Imagination: Disneyland, EPCOT, and beyond
· and Legacy: awards and recognition he received throughout the years
Readers of all ages and backgrounds will find something inspiring and entertaining in these pages: from personal ephemera, like Walt’s handwritten designs of EPCOT and the bronzed hat gifted to his wife Lillian on her birthday in 1941; to artifacts from Walt’s film, television, and theme park ventures like original animation artwork for a variety of Disney animated films and concept art for groundbreaking Disneyland attractions; to one-of-a-kind treasures like Walt’s miniature steam engine, the Lilly Belle; and his individual record-setting collection of Academy Awards. “Walt Disney Treasures” is a must-have volume for Disney fans and pop culture enthusiasts alike, as well as anyone interested in exploring the life of a 20th century icon
A meal at Disney World is MORE than just your standard entrée and side dish. So let’s start looking at some of the best restaurants on Disney property for dinner. After all, it’s your capstone meal of the day!
Steakhouse 71
We’ve already addressed some of the best spots to grab breakfast during your Disney trip. And now we’re taking a look at your end-of-the-day meal. Take a look at your touring plans and decide what type of dinner best fits in your schedule.
You might want an indulgent, luxury dinner on your last evening in Walt Disney World. On other days, you may just want to grab something quick because your family rope-dropped and park-hopped like pros, and now you need to work around a showtime or hit the bed! So, let’s go through some of the best choices for dinner, no matter what you’re looking for!
Staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, or looking for a great counter service meal in a tropical environment? Then you’ll be hooked on Capt. Cook’s! Capt. Cook’s offers unique island-inspired quick service meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in a casual, yet fun, environment.
Full spread from Capt. Cook’s at the Polynesian
Polynesian favorites (like an Aloha Pork Sandwich and Pulled Pork Nachos), along with classic quick service eats like burgers, are served for lunch and dinner. Those Pulled Pork Nachos sound simple enough, right? WRONG! We’ve loved these beauts for YEARS. They feature Poly Chips (homemade potato chips and fried wontons. Basically the best chip combo ever.) Topped with Cheese, Spicy Mayonnaise, Pico de Gallo, and Pineapple Salsa and cost $10.29! These are a loooooongtime Poly favorite for many — us included! They’re SO good. (Did we mention we like these nachos enough yet? No? OK, well we lurve these nachos!)
Geyser Point Bar & Grill — located near the Copper Creek Springs Pool at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge — is a unique space in that it offers two different kinds of service for guests… all in one cozy and lovely setting. Geyser Point blends two different dining styles (a Table Service lounge and a Quick Service walk-up counter) and two different menus.
YUM
While so many Disney restaurants are indoor and very people-y, this open-air lakeside patio is an OASIS! The open air restaurant offers gorgeous waterfront views, and a fireplace for cool evenings. There is still plenty of bar seating, covered tables, and cozy benches that host a glorious view of the lake! The cedar and stone design creates a Northwest vibe, and the surrounding flora and fauna really set the scene. And sitting here at sunset enjoying a cocktail and a charcuterie with your friends is the soul-soothing respite that you need after a long day standing in queues.
It’s all in the name at Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue at The American Adventure pavilion in EPCOT! This fast-casual restaurant celebrates the regions of American BBQ and serves up craft brews on tap. Guests are encouraged to try any of the four house-recipe sauces while they enjoy their Memphis Dry-Rub Pork Ribs, Sliced Texas Beef Brisket Sandwich, or Kansas City Half-Smoked Chicken — to name just a few entrees on the menu. Classic sides like Baked Beans with Burnt Ends and dessert options are available to complete the meal.
The food is decent, but we’re not sure all southerners would agree that it’s BBQ!
An abundance of seating is available indoors and out, with the outdoor seating area boasting a large smoker AND even more sips available at an outdoor walk-up bar. And who, you may be wondering, is the Regal Eagle? Why, it’s Sam Eagle of THE MUPPETS fame! You’ll find nods to Sam and the whole gang around the eatery.
Enjoy some New England-inspired surf-and-turf at Columbia Harbour House in Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square! In addition to Platters that feature options like fried fish and shrimp, the spot also boasts a fan-favorite Lobster Roll. Landlubbers can opt for chicken strips (among other options). And those searching for lighter fare can enjoy items such as Grilled Salmon or an entree salad.
Black Spire Outpost — the village on the planet of Batuu where Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge is set in Disney’s Hollywood Studios — serves up sandwiches, snacks, and beverages at Ronto Roasters! You’ll spy a pitmaster droid busy at work turning a mechanical spit at Ronto Roasters. What’s he grilling? Why, it’s a side of Ronto — a beast native to Luke Skywalker’s home planet of Tatooine.
Ronto Roasters
Ronto Roasters specializes in the Ronto Wrap, a handheld snack featuring spiced grilled sausage and roasted pork! And while the specialty of the house features grilled sausage, Ronto Roasters also serves some truly tasty plant-based options, as well. Look for additional snacks and intergalactic beverages to fuel your Batuuan adventures.
Flame Tree Barbecue is where guests with a beastly hunger can dine in a lush outdoor paradise overlooking Discovery River. Flame Tree Barbecue is a popular counter service spot in Disney’s Animal Kingdom featuring barbecue classics (along with a few twists)! There’s mac and cheese with pulled pork and an onion ring(!!), ribs, chicken, and more.
A meatloaf that even non-meatloaf people will love.
Located near the Discovery Island bridge to DinoLand, it boasts some absolutely gorgeous views. All seating is outdoors, but colorful pavilions provide shade and cover from the sun or inclement weather. And if you choose the waterside pavilion, you’ll have a great view of Expedition Everest and the character flotillas that pass by.
Chicken Guy! — headed by Guy Fieri and restauranteur Robert Earl — has its Flagship location in Disney Springs. The menu puts the spotlight on fresh, all-natural Chicken Tenders paired with a variety of sauces. The tenders are “hand-pounded to maximize crunch,” and brined in lemon juice, pickle brine, and buttermilk, and infused with herbs. Sandwiches, salad bowls, mac-and-cheese, frozen treats, and more are also on offer.
Disney World’s buffets and family-style offerings can be a rather pricey endeavor, but they’ll make the price worth your time — as long as YOU’RE willing to fill your plates again. And again. So let’s see which of Disney World’s all-you-can-eat serve up some of the HEFTIEST offerings around — starting with a deluxe resort restaurant…
Boma continually emerges on the “favorite restaurants” lists of many Disney guests! Located in the stunning Animal Kingdom Lodge, the popular buffet at Boma gives visitors the opportunity to sample flavorfulAfrican dishes while also dining on some American favoritesduring breakfast or dinner. We love Boma, and we love a solid buffet option, but the real selling factor here is the endless supply of Zebra Domes! In case you aren’t familiar, let us introduce you to our long-time dessert-crush, the Zebra Dome!
Zebra Domes at Boma!
It is a thin cake base topped with Amarula cream liquor mousse, coated in delicious white chocolate, and finished with chocolate stripes and shavings. This dish is a favorite here at DFB, maybe almost as long as plastic cheese! We always give two thumbs up to this restaurant, and we always find something new to try here.
The retro theme in this dining space (and at the awesome bar) continues to delight guests. The hallway leading to the restaurant is covered in photos from the early days of Disney World — Disney history buffs will especially love this touch!
Not surprisingly, the dinner menu at Steakhouse 71 has a heavy steak focus. We highly recommend the prime rib!
Prime Rib at Steakhouse 71
Steakhouse 71 really feels like a signature restaurant and after eating here, we’re a little shocked that it’s not! This is also a great place to go if you want a more upscale meal for less money. The steak and other entrees are not overly expensive for what you get, and the cocktails are strong for the amount that they cost.
Themed after a late 18th century home, Liberty Tree Tavern, in Magic Kingdom, is divided into different rooms decorated to reflect famous names from the United States’ Revolutionary period, including Benjamin Franklin, Betsy Ross, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson.
The full spread
The meal, served family-style, is both hearty and plentiful. Many guests like to refer to it as “Thanksgiving all year” thanks to the Patriot’s Platter, which serves up all-you-care-to-enjoy roasted turkey, pot roast, and oven-roasted pork served with mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, seasonal veggies, and herb stuffing. (A plant-based version of this meal and allergy-friendly options are also available.) Dessert is included as well, featuring the spot’s signature Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake… one of our favorite desserts in all of Disney World!
If you’re ready for an exciting, fun-filled meal, head over to Biergarten in EPCOT’s Germany for a spell! The Biergarten is a theater-style restaurant filled with long, family-style tables. It’s basically set up like an authentic German beer garden! The story (because every Disney experience has a story) is that this quaint Bavarian village is celebrating Oktoberfest and you get to experience it! No matter when you eat here, for lunch or dinner, every experience is set on this Oktoberfest evening. Up on stage, German performers showcase authentic Oktoberfest numbers throughout the day — lederhosen and all!
Biergarten
The full buffet features your favorite German dishes, including bratwurst, spaetzle, potato salad, and more. Don’t forget to wash it down with your favorite German beer! Prost!
Do we need to reintroduce ourselves? Hello, we are Disney Food Blog, we love Disney and we love food. So, when we get to good food and fun Disney characters all together is a mashup of awesomeness, yeah, we’re here for it! Let’s check out the BEST of the best options on property for ya. You might notice that this section is a little… small, considering all of the character meals that Disney offers. Well, we’re focusing on dinner, and sometimes for some restaurants, dinner just isn’t their moment to shine. So, if your favorite character meal isn’t listed, that doesn’t mean that we don’t enjoy it — it might just mean that we prefer it for a different meal!
Located in The Land pavilion inEPCOT, Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Harvest Feast at Garden Grill Restaurant is one of the only places you’ll find Mickey Mouse in EPCOT — and he’s joined by Chip, Dale, and Pluto! These four characters provide the ample entertainment at this family-style restaurant!
Mickey at Garden Grill
The food is served on platters here, so it’s an all-you-can-eat feast with your family. Since the earliest days of EPCOT Center, this restaurant has had many different styles, but has always been Disney World’s only rotating restaurant! Throughout your meal, you’ll see several of the different scenes from the Living with the Land ride below!
Animal Kingdom’s Tusker House is one of the best-kept secrets around when it comes to Disney dining and Character Meals. The food at this all-you-care-to-enjoy buffet is flavorful and interesting, and the characters are high-quality, featuring Donald, Mickey, and friends… all dressed in their Safari best!
He’s #1!
If you are looking for a fun character meal in a unique setting with terrific food for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, we highly recommend this restaurant. We typically really enjoy our experiences at Tusker House. The food is both approachable and unique at the same time — not easy to pull off! Animal Kingdom doesn’t have a ton of sit down meals compared to other parks, so it’s great to have this option.
Though largely built on fairytale romances, when folks often think of Disney World, they imagine family destination instead of romantic getaways. But let us set the record straight, this place is super fun for adults. There are hundreds of marriage proposals, honeymoons, and even weddings that take place here every year. And all of those couples need a place to eat, right?
Jaleo is a Spanish restaurant by Chef JoséAndrés’ ThinkFoodGroup. Jaleo features an extensive menu of tapas that showcase traditional and contemporary Spanish cuisine such as paella (cooked over a wood fire), hand-carved Jamon Iberico de Bellota, and wood-grilled Iberico pork. This Signature dining experience in Disney Springs is the first Florida location for Jaleo, which has four other locations in the United States.
Jaleo
Jaleo is an upscale Spanish-inspired restaurant in Disney Springs. It’s a signature restaurant as well, so it’s a little pricier than you’ll find at other spots. Jaleo has tapas and other dishes that are meant to be shared around the table, with everyone trying a little of each food that comes by! The food comes out a bit at a time, so it’s not a classic everyone-gets-one-meal-all-at-once kind of situation. The style is based on the Spanish tradition to share food and conversation with your party, so you won’t be rushed. And trust us when we say, try the sangria!
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge boasts cozy cabin vibes and easy access to Magic Kingdom. It’s also home to some stellar restaurants — like Artist Point. What makes this spot so unique? It’s where you’ll find Storybook Dining with Snow White!
At Artist Point, you can indulge in a prix-fixe meal that includes multiple appetizers to share, one entrée per person, and lots of shared desserts.
Dessert at Artist Point
We love Storybook Dining at Artist Point and we will shout it from the rooftops. For the price, especially compared to other prix fixe meals, it feels like more of a production, which is a nice thing. It’s not all-you-can-eat, but it is nicely plated food thoughtfully prepared with a touch of whimsy to it.
Topolino’s Terrace — Flavors of the Riviera is located atop Disney’s Riviera Resort! This rooftop restaurant features a signature dining experience for dinner — including fireworks views. Whether you want a full meal or just to grab a tasty cocktail, this is a great spot — and you don’t even need a park ticket to visit! We visited recently and found something new, and it was almost too pretty to drink.
Tramonto Cocktail at Topolino’s Terrace
The name Topolino means Mickey Mouse in Italian, so this elegant dining experience still has a Disney flair! Topolino’s is a signature dining experience (we’re talking dress code, handmade pasta, and artisanal cheeses). Unless you’ve made a special trip to the Riviera Resort, you might not know much about this nighttime dining experience! And even if you have noticed it, you might have also noticed the price tag that comes with it. If you’re looking for an adult-friendly space that feels a little less “theme park” and a little more “elegant French/Italian dinner,” this is the place for you.
The soaring ceilings, rustic frescoes, and massive wood ovens — named Vesuvio, Etna, and Stromboli after three active volcanoes in Italy — found in the restaurant offer a casual and flavorful dining experience for EPCOT guests. Seriously, the pizza here is fantastic — it’sour favorite in Disney World — and offers a great value, to boot.
Welcome to Raglan Road… an authentic Irish pub right in the heart of Disney Springs! Classic Irish dishes are presented with a contemporary twist, and you’ll enjoy your terrific food and lively craic in a spot that often features live Irish music and dancing!
Raglan Road
P.S. When we say that this pub is authentic, we mean it. The bars and furniture in the pub were actually built in Ireland! Raglan doesn’t disappoint. And in fact it lands on our ten favorite Disney World restaurants list, so we consider it destination dining for sure.
Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue is an extravaganza of food and entertainment that the whole family will love. Seriously, it’s hard not to have a good time here. Located in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, the setting is a huge barn complete with stage and musical numbers, and there are (literally!) buckets of food for the table to share serving up an all-you-care-to-enjoy meal of fried chicken (find the recipe here!), ribs, mashed potatoes, and MUCH more. Round up the little ‘uns and get ready for a show!
You’re always welcome at Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ in Disney Springs! Celebrity Chef Art Smith (known as a BBQ Pitmaster Judge, author of Art Smith’s Healthy Comfort and other cookbooks, founder of Art and Soul in Washington, D.C. and Table Fifty-Two in Chicago, and former Chef to Oprah Winfrey) celebrates Southern and Floridian cuisine and “farm-to-fork” food at his Disney Springs restaurant.
Whiskey Flight
The name Homecomin’ refers to Chef Smith’s roots as a Florida native. (Fun fact: Chef Smith participated in the Disney World College Program as a culinary intern, and is a Florida State University alum!) Homcomin’ has a lot to offer, including a delicious Hummingbird Cake, the iconic Fried Chicken and Doughnuts, and so much more (we see you, moonshine flights…). You really can’t go wrong on this menu, so if you see something you might like, give it a try!
Space 220 is a futuristic restaurant that takes guests on a dining adventure 220 miles above EPCOT! Guests board an elevator that simulates real-time rocketing into orbit as they travel to the Centauri Space Station hovering above the Earth. Diners will take in daytime and nighttime views of Earth as they’re surrounded by a full panoramic view of space.Take a look INSIDE Space 220 HERE!
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 dinner spot in Walt Disney World? Tell us in the comments!
There is a tiiiiiny little donut shop tucked away in the corner of Disney Springs, and we need to talk about it. This place is easy to miss, but don’t let its out-of-the-way location deter you from visiting. The store is called Everglazed Donuts, and it serves some impressive donuts.
Everglazed
You have to have a sweet tooth to really appreciate the donuts and drinks served here, but if you don’t mind a healthy dollop of icing or a smattering of sprinkles, you need to see what they’ve got to offer. One of our favorite creations is available just in time for the Fourth of July holiday. Wait until you see it. Seriously.
Everglazed is serving up a Cheeseburger Mega Donut. Yep. A Cheeseburger. Mega. Donut. It starts with a glazed donut (though it looks more like a hamburger bun — impressive!).
From there, those lunatics at Everglazed crafted a chocolate cake donut that resembled the burger patty. This is getting weirder and weirder, but we love it.
There are only limited quantities of this special menu item, and it’s only available through Sunday, July 7th. Make sure to stop by Disney Springs ASAP if you’re interested. And trust us — you’re interested.
While we’re on the subject of America, we should probably mention all the other fun things you can do in Disney World during this Fourth of July weekend. Of course, you’ve got the EPIC Magic Kingdom fireworks show, Disney’s Celebrate America! A Fourth of July Concert in the Sky, but you can also meet Mickey and friends in their patriotic gear in EPCOT and try plenty of other exclusive treats. It’s a FUN time to visit the parks!
Happy 4th!
In the meantime, we’re always on the lookout for the latest Disney news, so stay tuned for more.
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!
Are you planning to try this burger donut? Let us know in the comments!
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