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DFB Podcast Episode 10: Chef Mickey’s and Goofy’s Kitchen

Howdy, Disney food lovers!

Great news today for all you hungry commuters, walkers, runners, gym-goers, stair-monster-climbers, and other assorted podcast listeners!

Just wanted to drop a line to let you know that the 10th episode of our DFB Podcast is now posted and ready for downloading!

In this episode we cover the latest Disney Food News and have a “telekinetic” discussion about the ever-popular Goofy’s Kitchen buffet at Disneyland and Chef Mickey’s buffet at Walt Disney World.

We also answer a couple listener questions, and reveal the answer to our Episode 9 trivia question (and debut a new trivia question)!

Here’s the Podcast page for Episode 10. And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast via RSS or on iTunes!

Take a listen and as always, let us know what you think!

Disney Food for Families: Great Disney World Restaurants for Boys

By Erin 27 Comments

Much fuss is made about the ballyhooed princess dining experiences at Disney World. So much fuss, that parents of young boys sometimes find themselves wondering, “What does Disney have that’s special for me?”

The down and dirty dino loving boy will be right at home at the T-Rex Cafe.

Well, never fear sports fans; I’m here to tell you that while, yes, the girly girls are pretty visible in the parks (it’s hard to miss the Florida sun glinting off a tiara), there are plenty of Disney dining experiences where the men in your family will feel right at home.

Let’s break it down …

Character Meals

There are 10 different character dining venues at Walt Disney World proper. Of these, only three and a half of them have princess themeing. The rest are totally gender-neutral.

Boys are certainly welcome at any of the princess meals, and many boys love them just as much as the other character meals (PLUS they’re given a neato plastic sword at the Royal Table); but honestly, they do skew more heavily toward girl interests.

All of the other character dining restaurants appeal equally to boys and girls. Your best options for boys in the character dining department are the following (characters are always subject to change): [Read more…]

Tips from the DFB Guide: Disney Dining on Your Arrival and Departure Days

By AJ 25 Comments

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2017

— offers tremendous insight into dining at Walt Disney World, and I’d like to share one more of the valuable Disney Dining Tips found in the DFB Guide!

Chef Mickey is a good place to start your vacation (or say farewell until next year)!

Dining on Your Arrival and Departure Days in Disney World

Arrival and Departure days at Disney

can be a lot more tiring than you imagine. For many of us, these are half-days that require creative planning.

Annual passholders can easily hop into a park for a half-day, but if you hold a regular Magic Your Way ticket, you probably want to reserve it for a full days of Disney touring!

We recommend using these half-days to explore the wonderful dining opportunities outside the theme parks.

Disney Springs has some dynamite new restaurants and the chance to stock up on a few souvenirs in stores like World of Disney.
Visiting the Boardwalk resort is a fun adventure with dining available on the waterfront or at nearby resorts (Yacht and Beach Club; Swan and Dolphin).
Inexpensive and hearty food can be found at [Read more…]

Disney Restaurant Photo Packages Now Part Of PhotoPass+. Is It Worth It?

By AJ 9 Comments

We can’t wait to share some of the great new dining info that you’ll find in our updated e-Book — The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2012! In honor of the grand launch, let’s dig in!

New PhotoPass+ Option

For starters, we’ll take a look at the recently released PhotoPass+ option! It’s a new way to get all of your PhotoPass, Disney Attraction, and Dining photos in one handy package. But is it worth it just because it gives you access to your dining photos?

A Photo Package at Cinderella's Royal Table. Add Your Family Here.

Of course we analyzed this for you! The $199.95 package can be a good option for guests that hail down lots of PhotoPass photographers or tend to really want to show folks back home what they looked like on Test Track, however it’s not [Read more…]

2011 DFB Choice Award Winners!

By AJ Leave a Comment

It’s time to announce the winners of the second annual DFB Choice Awards!!

The awards are 100% based on Disney Food Blog reader choices. Nominations and final winners are selected by DFB readers who participate in the process. Everyone is welcome to participate! If your favorites didn’t win this year, be sure to nominate and vote for them next year! 🙂

Thanks to those of you who took the time to nominate your favorites, and to vote for the winners!

Without further ado, here are this year’s DFB Choice Award winners!

[Read more…]

Walt Disney World New Year’s Eve Dining and Special Events

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

Ringing in New Year 2012 from Walt Disney World? It’s going to be a memorable night! Call 407-WDW-DINE for holiday dining information and reservations! Here are some of your options for dining on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:

Disney Resorts and Event Spaces

Boardwalk

Atlantic Dance Hall
Dance into the New Year at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk
8 p.m. to 2 a.m., ages 21 and up.

Video DJ Tony Zapulla will play hits on the main dance floor. Beverages will be for sale from three different bars. There will be limited viewing of Epcot’s fireworks.

$37 (gratuity not included) for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall.
$80 for a VIP ticket that allows guests entrance to a private 2nd floor area with guaranteed seating and access to a private upstairs balcony for “limited” viewing of the fireworks. In addition, you’ll be able to indulge at a Dessert Station and private VIP bar. Cocktail service will also be offered.

Dress Attire: Business Casual or Formal

Parking:
Parking passes for the self parking lot will be given with advance purchases. Parking not guaranteed to be available for same day purchase.
Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickey’s (New Year’s Day brunch)
California Grill will host an evening of elegance!
$550 per person.

View of Castle from our California Grill Table

Entertainment will include casino-style games, live music and Disney characters. Enjooy food stations and beverages while watching [Read more…]

Disney Food Holiday Gift Ideas, Part 1

By Kim LaPaglia 3 Comments

Remember when we had a little bit of Christmas back in August with these fun Star Wars items? It’s been a busy fall with all of the festivities going on around WDW and Disneyland, but now we can finally take a moment to share our weekly Holiday Gift Ideas!

Each week, we’ll share some fun gift-giving ideas for the Disney and/or food fans in your life. And isn’t shopping right there from your computer so much easier than trudging through the crowded malls? Consider this your shopping FastPass to beat the crowds!

Star Wars Hans Solo Chocolate Carbonite Bar

Um…this is just awesome even if you’re not a Star Wars fan. Hans Solo is frozen in this treat straight from Tattoine! This makes a great stocking stuffer for your Star Wars and/or dark chocolate fan. You can get your chocolate Hans Solo from a galaxy far, far away…where Jabba is apparently busy making seasonal treats.

Star Wars Hans Solo Carbonite Chocolate Bar

Alice in Wonderland Tea Press Gift Set

A perfectly classic and understated gift for your sophisticated tea-drinker friends! 😉 This tea set includes everything you need for a great cup of tea — just add water! To get it, visit [Read more…]

“You Know You’re Dining in Disney When…” Part Two!

By Kim LaPaglia 21 Comments

We freely admit that our first “You Know You’re Eating in Disney World When…” post amused us so much that we had to do a Part 2! After all, where else can we dine with a beloved mouse in the kitchen!

Our “You know you’re eating in Disney World when…” thoughts were bountiful, and we’d love to hear yours too! Who knows…there may just have to be a third post in the series!

Leave us a comment with your personal “You know you’re eating in Disney World or Disneyland when…” experience! 😉

You Know You’re Dining In Disney When…

Your beverage glows in the dark!

Disney's Blue Glow-Tini

You find it appropriate to have your server correct your manners (and, frankly, get kind of annoyed when they don’t!).

Take your elbows off the table!

You order ketchup and have multiple bottles delivered to your table by a dozen patrons seated near you.

Whispering Canyon Cafe Ketchup Delivery

There’s a train [Read more…]

Review: Disney World Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage

By Kim LaPaglia 13 Comments

Ahoy there, Mateys! Get your sea legs firmly in place, because today we’re sailing on the Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage in Disney World!

The Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage is available on Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday nights, casting off from the Contemporary Resort. When the holiday season arrives, the cruise will sail every night from November 20, 2011 – January 1, 2012.

Currently, the fare for guests 10 and over is $53.99, and $30.99 for the 3-9 year olds with pre-payment required. To book, call 407-WDW-PLAY (407-939-7529) up to 180 days in advance.

Atmosphere

Upon arrival at the Contemporary Resort, you’ll find the cruise meeting location on the Daily Events Board in the lobby. We knew we had found the right location when we bumped into this scraggly lookin’ fella. Clearly he has not yet discovered the Parmesan mashed potatoes at Chef Mickey’s!

Skeleton Pirate

While the room was filled with entertainment (music, characters, pirates), the pirate decor [Read more…]

You Know You’re Eating In Disney World When…

By Kim LaPaglia 38 Comments

Let’s face it. There are a few foodie experiences at Walt Disney World and Disneyland that we don’t normally find at our hometown restaurants!

We thought it would be fun to put a few “You know you’re eating in Disney World when…” thoughts together, and we’d love to hear your additions!

Leave us a comment with your own “You know you’re eating in Disney World or Disneyland when…” experience! 😉

You Know You’re Eating In Disney World When…

There are strangers eating in the back seat of your car.

Who's in the Back Seat?!?

You memorize the color of the soap in the bathroom while your kids willingly set the table.

Setting the table

You can’t wait to take a bite out of a mouse ear.

That's better!

You get bragging rights for eating dinner while watching fireworks.

Fireworks and castle from Narcoossees

You ask a yellow bear if [Read more…]

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DFB Podcast Episode 10: Chef Mickey’s and Goofy’s Kitchen