Dining

News

Main Street Bakery First Look!

We've been talking about it over on the forums for a couple of weeks now, but our good friends over at the Disney Food Blog have a first look into the brand new Main Street Bakery! A few select guests have been receiving dining vouchers to test out the renovated diggs on Main Street and new home to Walt Disney World's first Starbucks location!

Spice Road Table Service Restaurant Coming to Epcot's Morocco

This week the powers that be at Disney officially confirmed the news reported by our friends over at Disney Food Blog last fall. A brand new World Showcase dining option is coming soon to the Kingdom of Morocco Pavilion.

Frozen Draft Beer Invades the U.S. - At Epcot's Japan Pavilion

It's a hit across the ocean in Tokyo, Japan , and now it's hit the mainland U.S. We're talking, of course, about frozen draft beer; guests heading out to the Japan Pavilion in Epcot's World Showcase can now sample one of these frosty beverages.

As you can see in the picture, the beer looks like it's topped with a whipped topping of some sort, or even ice cream. Rest assured, it's truly a cold beer, Kirin brand, topped by frozen beer. The frozen topping helps the beer retain its refreshing coldness quite a bit longer than its regular counterparts.

Orlando Magical Dining Month Coming This Fall

Heading to the Orlando area this September? Need some dining guidance? You're in luck! Turns out, September 2012 is the 7th annual Magical Dining Month in which hungry patrons can grab a great three-course meal for just $30 at several Orlando-area restaurants - including 3 on Disney property.

California Grill Slated To Close For Renovations

A super popular spot for firework watching will be getting a makeover after the holidays. The California Grill is set to close in early 2013 for what's being called an "extensive renovation."

While there are not a whole lot of details at this time as to what exactly will change with the Contemporary Resort-based restaurant, guests can expect a brand new look for the Grill and some changes to the menu. Chef Brian Piasecki looks to be "excited" about the upcoming changes and "enhancements to the interactive kitchen." He also says:

Victoria & Albert's Receives AAA Five-Diamond Award

Congratulations are in order for the staff of Victoria & Albert's. The Grand Floridian Resort & Spa's swanky restaurant earned a AAA Five-Diamond status - for the 13th consecutive year.

AAA reviews some 28,000 restaurants; out of those, only 53 earned the Five-Diamond award. Victoria & Albert's also joins an elite group of 21 to have that honor for thirteen years running.

Disney Reservation System To Be Unavailable February 23 & 27

Disney's reservation system will be undergoing enhancements for a large part of the day Thursday, February 23 that will hamper the ability for guests to make reservations and bookings. In addition, the system will also be down for a shorter period of time in the early morning of Monday, February 27.

Change is Coming for Advance Dining Reservation Cancellations

News out here in cyberspace has it that come October 26, the policy regarding the cancellation of an Advance Dining Reservation (or ADR) will change.

Here's what guests need to know: if you make a reservation after October 26 to select restaurants and fail to use said reservation or cancel it, you'll be charged $10. Also, guests wanting to cancel an ADR must give a full day's notice in order to forgo the fee. Guests should also be prepared to start giving their credit card number when they make an ADR on or after October 26.

Restaurants included in the cancellation-fee list are:

Two New Dining Experiences at Disney

There are two new dining experiences on the horizon for Walt Disney World guests - a character lunch and a holiday dinner.

First off, the Animal Kingdom's Tusker House will be expanding the Donald and Daisy-themed character breakfast to include a character lunch. Starting December 4, the Donald's Dining Safari lunch will let guests enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet with African touches in a character dining atmosphere. Reservations for this new experience began September 15.

Food & Wine Fest Highlight: "Best of Bocuse" Dinner

Recently, we reported tickets to this year's International Food and Wine Festival special events would go on sale August 16. Here is a bit more detail on one such offering: a dinner devoted to French chef Paul Bocuse.

Forum Posts

Articles

Disney Cruise Line: Breathtaking New Adult-only Space Planned for the Disney Magic

One of the things that makes the Disney Cruise Line a fabulous choice for grownups seeking a getaway at sea is it's phenomenal spaces dedicated to adults only. Disney recently announced that it's first ship, the Disney Magic, is about to under go an six week dry dock period this fall where she's receive some phenomenal transformations including chic upgrades to sophisticated adults-only spaces.

5 Things We Love About Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort

During my youth I spent many a summer riding my bike and splashing in the water at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort Campground. Set within 750 acres of beautiful pine and cypress forest Disney's Fort Wilderness is a year round retreat for good old fashioned family fun. So wonderful are the childhood memories I just had to share with you 5 things that We Love about this unique Disney destination.

Magical Updates Announced for the Disney Magic

The Disney Magic is headed to dry dock in September and will emerge one month later with some magical and "Marvel-ous" updates.

Take A Stroll On The BoardWalk at Walt Disney World

If you're looking for a break from the hustle and bustle of the parks, there is a place where you can go to relax, refresh and reboot - The BoardWalk. Anchored by Disney's BoardWalk Inn and Villas, this charming complex around Crescent Lake is also within walking distance (or a Friendship Boat ride) to the Yacht Club and Beach Club resorts, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom's Liberty Square

On a recent visit to the Magic Kingdom it was about 3 p.m. when I realized (1) I was starving and (2) I wasn't going to get anywhere near Casey's because Main Street was a mass of humanity thanks to the parade. As disappointed as I was to not be eating corn dog nuggets and fries with cheese, I had another less hectic location in mind. So, in an attempt to avoid the crowds my friend and I headed through the castle, walked past the very long lines at Peter Pan's Flight and it's a small world, turned the corner and then it hit us.

Touring Tips for Disney's Animal Kingdom

Disney's Animal Kingdom is one of the most unique theme parks that Disney offers, themed entirely around animal conservation, it showcases the love and dedication that Walt Disney himself had to conservation of our natural world. The fourth Park to be built at the Walt Disney World property, Animal Kingdom offers guests so much more than your typical animal park.

Disney Cruise Line Takes Top Honors from CruiseCritic.com Readers

With two beautiful new ships it's no wonder that the Disney Cruise Line is being considered one of the finest fleets on the seven seas. Fast on the heals of Conde' Nast Travelers Readers ranking all four ships in the Disney Fleet amongst the top large cruise ships in the world, another group of dedicated travel fans have been heard. Last week the critically acclaimed website CruiseCritic.com announced the winners of the Cruise Critic 2013 Cruisers' Choice Awards.

Handmade Margaritas at La Hacienda de San Angel

Have you been looking for a great spot to sit down with a drink and a bite to eat while watching IllumiNations? Lining up along the lake to find your viewing spot can provide a great outdoor location, but sometimes it's nicer to sit back and relax someplace a little more intimate. If you're up to a little pre-planing La Hacienda de San Angel might be just the spot you're looking for.

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013

With the new year comes new adventures and when "Food is a Theme Park" you need a tour guide as talented and knowledgeable as AJ Wolfe of the The Disney Food Blog. For the third year in a row her eBook "The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2013" takes its place as the definitive source for all of your Walt Disney World Dining needs.

Kona Island Sushi Bar at Disney's Polynesian Resort

In the lobby of Disney's Polynesian Resort, just to the side of the monorail station sits Kona Island. A coffee and pastry counter in the morning, from 5:00pm until 10:00pm in the evening this location turns in to casual sushi bar. There are a handful of seats at the bar side counter, as well as a second counter stretching down the back window towards Kona Cafe.