food IS a theme park
So guess what I had to try — and add to our “You Won’t Believe This!” Snack Series — when I went to Disney World in April?
Zebra Cupcake
Guys, this Zebra cupcake is massive. Its construction is akin to one of our favorites [Read more…]
This blog has allowed me to meet so many talented and dynamic individuals, one of whom was kind enough to put together this guest blog about one of my favorite spots, California Grill! Kristen Heptinstall, of Southern Web Girl, visited the Contemporary Resort’s top floor with her husband a while back. Take it away, Kristen!
Hi! I’m Kristen. My husband Brian and I live in Birmingham, Ala., where I work as a Web editor and he works as a chef.
Brian and I returned to Disney World the last week of April 2010 to celebrate our 1st anniversary. On our anniversary, April 25th, we celebrated by going to the Magic Kingdom for the day — a bonus was that MK was on Extra Magic Hours that day and open until 2 a.m.!
We decided to have our anniversary dinner at our favorite signature restaurant from our honeymoon in 2009, California Grill at the Contemporary Resort.
(Note: We have been to 2-credit signatures Jiko, Narcoossee’s, Citrico’s, California Grill, and Hollywood Brown Derby, but have yet to go to Artist Point, Yachtsman Steakhouse, Flying Fish or Victoria & Albert’s. So we’re about halfway there. Whoaaaa livin’ on a prayer!).
We left MK in the evening, changed at our resort, then returned to the Contemporary. Storms were threatening, and it had been overcast all day, so I was checking my iPhone constantly for radar [Read more…]
Wolfgang Puck Express
You heard about our Five Best “One-Credit” Table-Service Values last week, so I wanted to share what I believe to be the five best quick-service values today! These are my picks based on what you get for one quick-service credit on the Disney Dining Plan; they may not stand up as the best when we consider paying out of pocket.
Hopefully this will be useful to those of you heading down to the World for free dining this fall!
With the famous (and delicious) rotisserie chicken ringing up at over $14 plus tax, it costs more than some table service meals. Some of the salads and sandwiches alone will cost [Read more…]
We’re back with another Disney World and Disneyland comparison! Every Wednesday in May, Main Street Gazette and Disney Food Blog are reviewing back-to-back, mirror image foodie havens in the Florida and California parks. Whether you’re headed to the East coast or the West, we’ve got your Disney Food needs covered!
Today, I’ll be checking out Disneyland’s Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port, and Main Street Gazette will be taking a look at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Pizza Planet.
Redd Rockett’s Pizza Port is a counter-service location in Disneyland’s Tomorrowland, offering pizza by the pie or slice, salads, and pasta dishes. Built in the space previously inhabited by Flight to the Moon and Mission to Mars, the restaurant carries a space port theme and provides a great spot to grab a bite after numerous flights on Space Mountain.
Atmosphere
Redd Rockett’s is set up in a cafeteria style. You can head to the Salad Station, the Pizza Station, or the Pasta Station to order and receive the dishes [Read more…]
New truffles in WDW
As you know, I’m reporting from Disney World this weekend, and from Disneyland next week! Here are some of the latest news items:
Now — on to the round-up!
OC Register preps me for the best dishes to sample at Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival next week!
Main Street Gazette shares a love of Frozen Sunshine at Beaches and Cream!
DisneyGeek has some great shots from the Food and Wine Festival in Disneyland in his Disneyland photo round-up this week.
The LA Times Travel Blog features videos of John and Nancy Lasseter talking wine and the Lasseter Winery at this past weekend’s California Food & Wine Festival opening. Here’s one to whet your appetite:
The Disney Chick makes Fettucini Alfredo from Epcot’s Tutto Italia!
Babes in Disneyland posts about special dietary needs in Disneyland.
Disunplugged visits Napa Rose and chats with Guy Fieri at the California Food & Wine Festival.
Disney Parks spots Tina Fey at the Sci-Fi Dine-In!
Note: See answers to last week’s photo quiz at the bottom of this post!
One of my new favorite restaurants on Walt Disney World property is one I’d never set foot in during all my trips to Disney World: the Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
I’d always looked at the menu and figured, “Too expensive. Too hoity-toity,” and never gave it a second thought. But since starting the Food Blog — and embarking on an adventure of eating in every Disney restaurant I could — I was excited to finally have a reason to try this place out. After all, I’ve always heard glowing reviews. And, let me tell you, they’re deserved.
Atmosphere
Disney’s Hollywood Brown Derby is a replica of the famous Vine Street Brown Derby, originally built in 1928 and home to dozens of famous Hollywood rumors and stories, including Clark Gable’s proposal to Carole Lombard in booth #5 and Lucille Ball’s dinner roll food fight. Disney World’s Brown Derby is an officially licensed Brown Derby Restaurant, and is the fifth Brown Derby Restaurant to be built.
Brown Derby History -- Click Image for Larger View
The likeness to the original restaurant is uncanny — the covered entryway, signage, dining room, and even decor are identical to the namesake. And those well-known caricatures grace [Read more…]
Lots of Disney food news this week, including:
And don’t forget to check out the awesome posts over on the Disney Blog Carnival! There’s a new one up this week!! Now, on to the round-up!
DisneyGeek, our favorite Disneyland photographer, has some fun photos of the opening days of Disney’s California Food & Wine Festival! (Start at the linked page and click through the next few pages for more pics.)
The Unofficial Guide to Disney’s Contemporary Resort takes a look at breakfast options at the Contemporary Resort.
The OC Register is reporting from Disney’s California Food and Wine Festival! Check out the latest from Guy Fieri’s appearances!
Theme Park Insider has a “What’s On Your Funnel Cake?” poll with some great opinions in the comments section!
The Disney Chick walks us through the recipe for Jarlsberg and Leek Soup from Akershus.
Disney Parks Blog shares some photos of great Disneyland Food and Wine Festival merchandise!
Main Street Gazette has a photo blog of the decor over at the Adventureland Veranda in Disney World.
The Daily Disney posts the recipe for one of the most popular items at the 2009 Epcot Food & Wine Festival — seared beef tenderloin with sweet potato puree!
@Marcomboy sent the best twitpic ever. Seriously. I love this. Where can I get one?
Touring Plans takes a look at Trail’s End in Disney’s Fort Wilderness.
is reporting a Sushi sighting in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! You can find these rolls at our favorite Starring Rolls (Cafe, that is)!
According to the source, you can find California Rolls, Full Moon Rolls, Spicy Shrimp Rolls, and Vegetable Rolls for $8.99 each.
The second of two guest posts this week comes from one of your favorite Disney Food Blog guest writers. A special thanks to Chef BigFatPanda for sharing this review with us! He recently met up with two of our other favorite friends for a meal at 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Take it away, Chef!
50's Prime Time Cafe Sign
Hello! Chef BigFatPanda here! I recently had the pleasure of accompanying Amanda Tinney and Suzannah DiMarzio for dinner at the 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Atmosphere
As usual, the atmosphere was relaxed and I noticed everything appeared to be sparkling clean. We were seated right away, and our server, Mandy, immediately knew we were going to be a handful. On this visit, the theme of 1950’s nostalgia was vibrant. And, as servers at 50’s Prime Time Cafe work in “Mom’s Kitchen” and play the part of your relative in line with the restaurant’s themeing, Mandy was our “sister” for the afternoon. [Read more…]
The fabulous Leigh Caldwell, known to you as Theme Park Mom, recently visited the newly re-opened Studio Catering Company in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and emerged with some great comments (and incredible photos) on the new menu. Huge thanks to you, Leigh, as always. Who else could use “pillowy” to describe a sandwich and have us know exactly what it means?!
Studio Catering Company Exterior
Studio Catering Company reopened with some fresh paint and a fresh menu a few weeks back, and I recently got the opportunity to give the new dishes a spin.
I have always loved the location of this quick-service restaurant at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, especially when traveling with a family. On crowded days, someone can wait in line at Studio Catering while another adult takes the kids to the adjacent Honey I Shrunk the Kids playground.
This particular trip was great for sampling a new menu, because I happened to be at Disney’s Hollywood Studios with six adults and seven kids. Yikes!
I suggested Studio Catering Company for lunch because of the aforementioned playground and the fact that the place is huge, so I knew we wouldn’t have any trouble [Read more…]
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