Dec 4 2014

Star Wars Weekends 2015

Have you heard the exciting news? Disney just released the dates for Star Wars Weekends in 2015. Here’s the schedule:

Star Wars Weekends will be held every weekend (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) from May 15 – June 14, 2015.

Weekend I: May 15 – 17, 2015
Weekend II: May 22 – 24, 2015
Weekend III: May 29 – 31, 2015
Weekend IV: June 5 – 7, 2015
Weekend V: June 12 – 14, 2015

More details will be coming over the next few weeks and months, but we know there will be yummy treats, special shows, parades, presentations, autograph sessions and chances to meet the characters and celebrities. There are already three dining experiences available for booking. They are:

Star Wars Dine-In Galactic Breakfast – This breakfast is being served at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theatre restaurant and includes characters such as Darth Vader, Boba Fett, Greedo, Jawas and Stormtroopers. The meal is offered from 8:00am to 11:00am and the price is $49.99 for adults and $31.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.
Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine – This dinner is being served at the Hollywood and Vine restaurant and includes characters such as Jedi Mickey, Princess Leia Minnie, Darth Vader Goofy, Storm Trooper Donald and Ewoks Chip ‘n’ Dale. The meal is offered from 4:15pm to 8:00pm and is complete with special music, décor and a themed menu. The price is $57.99 for adults and $34.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.
Jedi Mickey’s Star Wars Dine at Hollywood and Vine Including Fantasmic! Dining Package – This package includes the dinner at Hollywood and Vine as well as reserved seating at the first Fantasmic! show. The price is $63.99 for adults and $38.99 for children ages 3 to 9 years old.

These dining opportunities will book up quickly, so be sure to make your reservations right away by clicking the links above or by calling 407-WDW-DINE.

I’m most looking forward to all of the yummy Star Wars themed cupcakes that they offer like this year’s Darth Vader and Yoda. Have you seen this adorable video from this past summer?

Anyone else excited for Star Wars Weekends? Please leave a comment!
(all photos and video courtesy of Disney)

Nov 25 2014

Honoring The Disney Turkey Leg

In honor of Thanksgiving this week, I thought this would be the perfect time to pay tribute to the famous Disney turkey leg. These Flintstone-like hunks of meat are a fan favorite and even a rite of passage for many park-goers. The Disney turkey leg has such a loyal fan base that Disney even offers turkey leg merchandise such as t-shirts, pins, air fresheners (That’s right folks, you can make your car smell like a turkey leg!), magnets and more. Here’s a little turkey leg trivia for you:

The Disney turkey leg made its debut in the late 1980’s at a kiosk in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom.
More than 1.8 million pounds of turkey drumsticks are consumed every year in Disney World’s four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Each drumstick weighs about 1.5 pounds.
Despite the persistent rumors that these are emu legs, the drumsticks do in fact come from male turkeys that generally weigh 50 pounds or more.
Each turkey leg is approximately 720 calories with about 36 grams of fat.
The turkey legs range in price from $10 – $13 depending on the location and if it comes with a side dish.

If you are going to be in Disney World for Thanksgiving (or anytime) and want to try one of these enormous drumsticks, they can be found at:

Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom
Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner at Hollywood Studios
Fairfax Fare at Hollywood Studios
Toluca Legs Turkey Co. at Hollywood Studios
Fife & Drum Tavern at Epcot
Turkey Leg Cart in Frontierland at Magic Kingdom
Turkey Leg Cart in Tomorrowland at Magic Kingdom
Avalunch at Blizzard Beach
Surf Doggies at Typhoon Lagoon

Anyone hungry for turkey now? Happy Thanksgiving and I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

What do you think of Disney turkey legs? Love ’em or hate ’em? Please leave a comment!

Making a trip to Disneyland, Disney World or both? Need help planning your dining? If so, please check out my book, A Tale of Two Resorts: Comparing Disneyland and Disney World. This reference guide offers a complete listing of every dining location from table service to snack stand available at both resorts plus helpful information about each and every dining spot such as location, atmosphere, cuisine type, meals served, dress code, menu selections, kid’s meal options and more.
Available from Amazon!

Nov 14 2014

Disney World News – Holiday Treats At Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

Every year during Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, Disney offers special tasty treats and this year is no exception. Check out these yummy holiday desserts being served at select locations in Magic Kingdom (photos courtesy of Disney Parks Blog)!

As we head down Main Street, U.S.A., stop inside Main Street Bakery and you will find a reindeer cupcake. This delicious cutie is a vanilla cupcake with peanut butter and is adorned with peanut butter and mocha frosting.

Also being served at the Main Street Bakery is the Candy Cane Cupcake. This scrumptious dessert is a peppermint infused chocolate cupcake topped with peppermint buttercream and sprinkles.

A little further down Main Street and you will come upon Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. They are serving up a holiday sundae that includes vanilla and mint chocolate chip ice cream topped with hot fudge, whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles piled high in a waffle bowl.

Next up is Liberty Square, where we find a waffle sundae being offered at Sleepy Hollow. This treat includes vanilla soft serve and holiday sprinkles served a top a pumpkin infused waffle that has been dusted with cinnamon and sugar.

And our last stop is in Fantasyland at Gaston’s Tavern, where you will find a Christmas Tree cupcake. This yummy dessert is a fine combination of spiced confetti cake, buttercream frosting, holidays sprinkles and of course, the all important star on top!

Anyone else hungry now? For more information and to purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, please check out this link. If you won’t be able to attend the party this year, you can always make your own holiday cupcakes at home by clicking this link for a tasty Frozen cupcake recipe!

Happy Holidays!

Nov 13 2014

Disney World News – Celebrating New Year’s At Disney World

If you will be in Disney World for New Year’s this holiday season, several dining options are being offered. Here’s the scoop from WDW News:

Guests visiting Walt Disney World Resort can ring in the new year with special holiday meals at more than a dozen spots within the theme parks and resorts.

At Epcot World Showcase, Biergarten Restaurant in Germany is offering both lunch and dinner celebrations; La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico is offering a New Year’s Eve dinner; Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada has three seatings, and Monsieur Paul in France starts celebrating at 11:45 a.m. with seatings throughout the day and evening. The World ShowPlace pavilion also will host a custom dinner package.

In the Magic Kingdom, Tomorrowland Terrace will feature a New Year’s Eve fireworks dessert party twice nightly on December 30-31. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Hollywood & Vine will host a special holiday dinner buffet.

In the resorts, special dining for ringing in the New Year is planned at Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk; Victoria & Albert’s and Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa; The Wave…of American Flavors and California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort; and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground (lunch and dinner).

For information and reservations, please call 407-WDW-DINE .

Be sure to call right away, seating is limited and fills up quickly!

Happy Holidays!

Nov 6 2014

Disney World News – Celebrate Thanksgiving At Disney World

If you are fortunate enough to be in Disney World on Thanksgiving Day this year, you have several places to choose from for your special Thanksgiving meal. Here’s the scoop from Disney:

Walt Disney World Resort guests can indulge in a fresh take on an American tradition by enjoying their Thanksgiving feast November 27, 2014 with a bounty of Disney tastes. With more than 30 different dining choices at Disney theme parks and resorts, families and friends can come together for a variety of Thanksgiving lunch and dinner offerings.

Special holiday menus include roasted turkey breast with all the trimmings plus traditional Norwegian meatballs and pan-seared salmon at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, poppy seed lavash, house-made naan, and apple-cranberry achar at Sanaa, roasted heirloom beets with candied walnuts and mulled apple cider at Artist Point, and other unique dishes to enjoy with the holiday classics.

At Epcot, guests can dine on Thanksgiving menus during lunch and dinner seatings at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, Biergarten Restaurant, Coral Reef Restaurant, Le Cellier Steakhouse, and Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room, as well as quick service at Sunshine Seasons.

Holiday menus also are offered at Be Our Guest Restaurant and Tony’s Town Square Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Hollywood & Vine and The Hollywood Brown Derby in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Tusker House Restaurant in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Within the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, special Thanksgiving dining options are available at:

Artist Point and Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
California Grill and The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Cape May Café at Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Captain’s Grille and Yachtsman Steakhouse at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk
Mickey’s Backyard Thanksgiving Feast and Trail’s End Restaurant at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Grand Floridian Café, Narcoossee’s and Victoria & Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Jiko – The Cooking Place at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Kona Café at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Olivia’s Café at Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Sanaa at Disney’s Kidani Village Resort
Shutters at Old Port Royale at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
The Turf Club Bar and Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa