Category Dining

Jan 14 2016

The Ganachery In Disney Springs

Ganachery 4

The Cure For Common Chocolate!

With New Year’s Day (and those pesky resolutions) behind us and Valentine’s Day on the horizon, you know what I’ve been thinking about? Chocolate, of course! If you love chocolate as much as I do, I’ve got some fantastic news for you. In December, a brand new shop opened in Disney Springs – The Ganachery – aka heaven on earth for those of us addicted to the sweet dark goodness!

Ganachery 9And as with all things Disney, they have once again gone above and beyond with the details. This is not just your typical candy shop. “We like to tell a story, because when guests arrive they want to feel like it’s a real place,” says Imagineer Theron Skees. “Our cast members will bring our story to life and make our guests feel part of it.”

“It’s a fresh take on an old apothecary,” says Skees. Bottles, scales and other props inspired by drugstores of another era adorn the little shop. The walls are even painted the colors of chocolate and caramel. “The theming carries through right down to the packaging,” says Skees. “Traditional Apothecary labels are ‘blocked’ with spaces for weights, measurements and descriptions, so we were inspired by that idea and made it more modern for the elegant chocolate bars and chocolate boxes.” Thus the clever tagline, “the cure for common chocolate.”

But the real star of the show here is the custom-blended ganache, created with Disney’s special recipe of rich dark melted chocolate and cream, that is then covered in a chocolate waterfall to create 16 delicious flavors. “The trend in the United States is dark chocolate, and The Ganachery uses a bold, 65 percent dark chocolate made with a touch of vanilla for a beautiful balance of fruitiness and acidity,” explains Disney Pastry Chef Stefan Riemer.

If your mouth isn’t already watering, check out this video for more details!

Open daily at 10:00am, The Ganachery is located in The Landing at Disney Springs across from Paradiso 37. I plan to check this place out during my next trip, and I’ll be sure to let you know what I thought. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! 😉

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

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Have you tried The Ganachery yet?
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Jan 6 2016

Tiffins To Open In Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Tiffins 1

With the new additions coming to Disney’s Animal Kingdom this spring including Rivers of Light and the nighttime version of Kilimanjaro Safari, it was only a matter of time until Disney realized they would need more dining experiences to accommodate the evening crowds. Although Animal Kingdom has some of the better quick service options on property and more have been updated and added recently, the park is still lacking a bit in its table service choices. While Tusker House, Yak & Yeti, and the family friendly Rainforest Café are all solid selections, the capacity isn’t enough for a park full of hungry guests looking for a nice place to sit down and relax after a busy day touring. Just in time and slated to open this year along with the new nighttime experiences, a signature dining restaurant is coming to the park.

Tiffins will be open for lunch and dinner and will offer water views from both indoor and outdoor seating. Expect the menu to be exotic and diverse as it is being inspired by destinations used in the creation of the park itself. While no prices have been released yet, if it is typical of most signature dining at the resort, bring money! Meals generally range $30 – $60 per adult not including alcohol, tax, or gratuity. This is purely a guess, but with Rivers of Light being a hot new ticket when this place opens, I wouldn’t be shocked to see some sort of Rivers of Light Dining Package being offered as well.

Oh and what the heck is a Tiffin, you ask? Well, according to Disney: “Tiffin” is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling. Disney doesn’t overlook a single detail!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Are you looking forward to more dining in Animal Kingdom?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Jan 4 2016

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine At Hollywood & Vine

Hollywood & Vine

Hooray for Hollywood!

Are you a fan of the Academy Awards? For the last few years, several of my friends and I have made a point to watch all of the films nominated for Best Picture, have lengthy discussions and debates about what we liked and what we didn’t, and of course, make our predictions of which one will win the coveted title. It’s our version of a Book Club except it is for movie lovers that don’t have time for reading much anymore. My Best Picture prediction has been spot on the last two years, and I’m hoping for the trifecta in 2016. Keeping my fingers crossed anyway!

If you happen to be visiting Disney World this Academy Award season like myself, not only can you catch one of the nominated films at the AMC theatre in Disney Springs, but Disney is offering a fun-for-the-whole-family character dining experience to help you enjoy the glamour of Hollywood – Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s everything you need to know courtesy of Disney:

Minnie Mouse and her friends celebrate the magic of the movies and glamour of Hollywood with an epic feast at the new Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine at Hollywood & Vine at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The all new character dining experience is hosted by Minnie and her pals and begins just in time for Academy Awards season.

Minnie's Holiday Dine 2Dinner guests will walk the red carpet and get ready for their close-up with some of the biggest stars of the silver screen. Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy will all be there and dressed in their designer best. Mickey will greet guests and pose with them for photographs in the midst of the glitz and glamour before escorting them into the dinner party, where guests get the chance to meet Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy as they enjoy classic cuisine, themed to old Hollywood. This new party at Walt Disney World Resort is filled with dazzling décor, a sweeping musical score, award-winning food, activities and more.

Minnie’s Silver Screen Dine runs from January 4 through March 20, 2016. The cost is $46.99 per adult and $27.99 per child (ages 3 – 9), or one dining table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan. There is also a Fantasmic! Dining Package available that includes the character meal plus special VIP seating for Fantasmic! Prices for this package are $53.99 for adults and $42.99 for children. All prices exclude tax and gratuity. Reservations are available by clicking here or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Make reservations now, remember seating is limited!

501 WaysHeading to Disney World soon?

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Will you be dining with Minnie & friends? Please leave a comment!

Dec 29 2015

Thirsty River Bar And Trek Snacks In Animal Kingdom

Thirsty River Bar 1

Looking for a fun, new place to try while touring Animal Kingdom? Well, you are in luck. The Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks is now open! This brand new quick service spot located at the foot of Expedition Everest features a wide variety of unique foods and drinks for guests to enjoy. Here’s the scoop courtesy of Disney:

Thirsty River Bar 2Guests trekking through Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park will enjoy the new Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks. This adventurous food and beverage location rests near the foot of Expedition Everest and treats guests to an assortment of exotic drinks and eats.

The Trek Snacks menu varies throughout the day, with delicious pastries in the morning and more substantial bites such as sushi and sandwiches in the afternoon and evening. Breakfast pastries include assorted muffins and Danish, croissants and an indulgent chocolate twist. Healthful snacks offered include fresh fruit, crudité and hummus, edamame and an Asian noodle salad.

The Thirsty River Bar represents the type of cultural collision that has become a hallmark of the villages that serve as base camps for Everest trekkers. This must-stop location for climbers returning from their ascent features themed specialty cocktails, such as the Khumbu Icefall,  Himalayan Ghost and Durbar Margarita. Non-alcoholic beverages also are available, including the tropical-flavored Flying Yak and the Pink Lotus.

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Have you tried Thirsty River Bar and Trek Snacks?
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Dec 25 2015

Merry Christmas!

Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!

Heading to Disney World for the holidays?

501 WaysIf you are planning a vacation to Disney World during the holiday season, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

I hope you have a safe & magical holiday!