food IS a theme park
Just when you think an ice cream sundae from Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop can’t get any better, the clever minds behind Disney Springs’ iconic shop throw in some totally rad accessories!
Haight-Ashberry Sundae with Accessories!
You guys! Run! Run to Sprinkles right now!
Because in addition to selling awesome Cupcakes and Frosting Shots and Cookie/Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches, for the month of July, Sprinkles is also serving up truly refreshing Moscow Mule Mocktail Floats!
That’s right. We’ve all come to know and love Sprinkles in Disney Springs, with its cheerful decor and hyper-cool Cupcake ATM. But we’ve discovered that it’s so much more than a sunny place to grab a cupcake.
In fact, we’ve devoured just about everything on the menu with reckless abandon, stopping in to see what’s new in the dessert case and on the menu every chance we get. Because Sprinkles is always cooking up (or churning out!) something new and interesting. Back in May, they offered a Margarita Cupcake, which we thoroughly enjoyed.
So when we saw that they were offering Moscow Mule Mocktail Floats, we ordered one STAT!
Sprinkles Cast Members Making Magic
We love a Disney Prince who knows his way around a kitchen, so when we spotted a new menu item at Prince Eric’s in Disney World’s New Fantasyland, we were all over it.
Prince Eric’s Village Market is a small counter service spot located — no surprise! — across from the Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid attraction in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland. This tucked-away location is a bit off the beaten path when it comes to seeking out some eats.
Here’s the thing: the Village Market started out as a better-for-you-fare stand focusing primarily on grab-and-go fruits along with ice cold bottled drinks and Shaved Ice, which you can currently find in Tomorrowland instead.
And though the Prince is still dishing out grapes, pineapple chunks, pickle spears and bottled beverages, we’ve learned more recently to expect the unexpected from this small snack location.
Prince Eric’s Village Market
Case in point: our this-week discovery of Honey-Breaded Fried Chicken! [Read more…]
You are likely well aware that BIG CHANGES are underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
After all, the addition of two whole new lands — Star Wars and Toy Story — is no small undertaking. And the construction has already resulted in the closure of several eateries (including my beloved Writer’s Stop and Starring Rolls) around the park.
But a few classic spots have remained, thankfully, untouched for now. And when it comes to Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant, this spot’s dedicated fans — and there are many — sure hope that “for now” extends to “for always.”
And I can’t argue with that. There’s something so fun (and completely immersive) about sitting in a booth shaped like a vintage car, watching a reel of old movie clips on the big screen under a faux night sky.
But while Sci-Fi wins loads of points for ambiance, some diners find the food to be a little hit or miss. So on this visit, we checked out a mix of some ol’ standbys along with items from the recently revamped menu.
So, let’s drive in, shall we?
Sci-Fi Dine-In is essentially a massive room (make that, soundstage) with high, dark ceilings made to resemble the starry nighttime sky, and row upon row upon row of vintage-style convertibles. That’s the drive-in part of the Dine In, and it’s just about one of the most fun dining settings in Disney World.
Sci-Fi Dine-In
You basically sit in the front seat or the back seat, and you have a fairly shallow counter in front of you. That’s your table. Not exactly conversation friendly, but that’s A-OK, because there’s other entertainment to take in.
What’s more refreshing and cooling than a slushy on a crazy hot Florida or southern California day? Uh, nothing. The answer is nothing.
Which is why we love Goofy’s Glaciers. These sweet and tart slushies come in several Goofy-worthy flavors like strawberry, blue raspberry, passion mango, and lemonade. And with flavors like these, it’s only natural that a good Disney food fan would combine them into something even awesome-r.
Enter our DiningInDisney pal Heather Sievers who, as always, has this plan on lock. In fact, she gave this slushie combo a swirl back in May!
Goofy’s Glaciers World of Color
By now we’ve all seen images (or been in the thick!) of the massive crowds at Pandora — The World of AVATAR in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Pandora — The World of AVATAR
We’ve braved those crowds to give you the skinny on eats at Satu’li Canteen (including breakfast!) and the drinks at Pongu Pongu. Oh, and let’s not forget the fun pre-packaged snacks exclusive to Pandora! (VEIN POD!!!!)
Blueberry Almond Pandora Popcorn
But as it turns out, folks have still gotta figure out a way to beat the crazy heat even in picturesque Pandora. So today we’re checking out what is thus far the only bottled drink and ice cream cart in the World’s newest land.
Just like everything else in Pandora, the cart is themed its new home. As opposed to your typical Ice Cream Novelties Cart, you’re instead visiting ACE Mobile Treats (the “ACE,” of course, referring to Alpha Centauri Expeditions, the interplanetary travel company that helps humans like us explore Pandora today).
ACE Mobile Treats
Beverage offerings include standard bottled hydration options you’ll find elsewhere: bottles of Dasani, smartwater, and Powerade, along with Zico Coconut Water (here in Watermelon Raspberry) and vitaminwater (Dragonfruit flavored!). [Read more…]
We recently we dug our spoons once more into Kaki Gori, the Japanese Shaved Ice served at Kabuki Cafe. For years now, it’s been THE go-to treat as far as frozen options in the Japan Pavilion go, perfect for the cooling down in the current summer heat.
Japan Pavilion Pagoda
But did you know that Japan has got another — perhaps more authentic — frozen snack to keep your temperature down? It’s called Mochi. And though it’s been hanging around at the carts in the pavilion on-and-off for years, this additional cart we spotted recently seems to be mostly Mochi-centric. [Read more…]
Today, we’ve got a treat for y’all, and it won’t add a single calorie to your diet. We just think it’s super cool. But in order to get into it, we’ve gotta get into Pop Century Resort.
Pop!
Ready for an emotional roller coaster? Because we have some good news and some bad news regarding Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe and Dining Room.
I always think it’s best to get the bad news out of the way first, don’t you? So, here goes…
The bad news is that Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe will be closing up shop on August 1st.
And now, for the good news! Wolfgang Puck is not leaving Disney Springs entirely! In case you missed the news, he’ll be opening a brand new, modern restaurant in the Town Center of Disney Springs. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill will open in 2018, and it will still feature some of the world famous chef’s most popular dishes. PLUS, the West Side location will be revamped into Jaleo, a Spanish tapas-style restaurant by Celebrity Chef Jose Andres, which will open in 2018. So two restaurants for the price of one!
So even after that announcement, I kept my recent Advance Dining Reservation at the Grand Cafe, since there will still be plenty more where this came from. AND I wanted to point out which items I most hope to see on the menu at the new digs!
First, though, let’s check out the old haunt before saying good-bye to the West Side space.
Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe and The Dining Room are in the same general building, but there’s a cafe and a sushi bar downstairs, and a formal dining room upstairs. Plus, we can’t forget the Counter Service option with The Wolfgang Puck Express. (And don’t you worry, Express fans… the Marketplace Express location isn’t going anywhere!)
The decor is… umm, how do I say this?
Wolfgang Puck Cafe Seating
TOTALLY SAVED BY THE BELL. I thought it the first time I walked in so many years ago, and it hasn’t changed an ounce. But, hey, it’s consistent — from colorful light fixtures to Formica tabletops. [Read more…]
What do you need after taking a speedy spin on everyone’s favorite design-your-own-vehicle attraction, Test Track? A snack, y’all! (FYI: Most questions can be answered with “a snack.”) And we’re thrilled to tell you that the Test Track-adjacent Taste Track beverage and snack kiosk is open — again — for business!
Taste Track Kiosk
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