Celebrating National Ice Cream Month At Disney World

Ice Cream

Did you know that July is National Ice Cream Month? If you happen to be visiting Disney World this month, there are plenty of places to grab a frozen treat to cool off and celebrate! Here are a few of the favorites being served at Disney World this summer courtesy of WDW News:


Magic Kingdom

Dole WhipWhile strolling down Main Street U.S.A., the smell of freshly baked waffle cones wafts through the air. Follow the delicious scent and you will find the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor. This is the home of many delectable ice cream delicacies, but one in particular takes the top scoop – the ice cream cookie sandwich. Two freshly baked chocolate chip cookies served with your choice of hand-scooped ice cream in the middle, creating the sweetest sandwich you will ever taste!

The other must-stop shop at Magic Kingdom is Aloha Isle, home of the legendary Dole Whip. This scrumptious soft-serve delight is a refreshing frozen treat blended in pineapple, vanilla or swirled flavors. For the more exotic palettes, try the Pineapple Dole Whip Float with Dole Pineapple Juice, as it will surely make you dole out a smile! Dole Whip also can be found at Pineapple Lanai at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Epcot

L'artisan Des GlacesCiao, gelato! Experience the sweet indulgence of Italian gelato at Gelati, the delectable dessert kiosk at the Epcot World Showcase Italy Pavilion. With a variety of tempting gelato flavors and ice cream specialties, the possibilities are endless. One of the fanciful “Gelato Creations” is the Coppa Amicizia, a blend of cookies and cream, strawberry, Fior di Latte (milk-flavored gelato), strawberry sauce, whole strawberries and whipped cream.

Fresh brioche bread and chilled ice cream – two of the world’s most delightful delicacies. L’Artisan des Glaces at Epcot’s France Pavilion combines these two treats into a heavenly combination with its Croque Glacé. Choose any one of this authentic French ice cream shop’s unique flavors, perhaps the coco-white chocolate ice cream, before it is sealed in a warm brioche with rich chocolate or raspberry sauce. This ice cream pastry is inspired by the tastes of Paris and will have guests saying “Bonjour!”

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Still have a passion for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches? Have no shame because this special Peanut Butter and Jelly Milkshake at 50’s Prime Time Café will help rekindle that passion for peanut butter and relive those tasty childhood memories. The ingredients are simple – peanut butter and jelly with milk and ice cream – but the flavor is indescribably bold and indulgently satisfying.

What is the last shop seen before and the first thing thought of after falling down an elevator shaft? That would be the delicious treats at Hollywood Scoops, the ice cream kiosk near The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. But not just any ice cream treat will do – Apple Crisp à la Mode is the must-try delight. This cinnamon apple dessert topped with old-fashioned vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and streusel is a perfect way to conclude a haunted stay at The Hollywood Hotel.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

In the heart of Harambe Village is the home of Tamu Tamu Refreshments, where hungry travelers can find unique frozen treats and refreshments for even the wildest of safaris. The most popular treat is the Pineapple Whip Soft-serve with Coconut or Dark Rum, a truly tantalizing tropical treat.

An old-fashioned root beer float is a classic ice cream novelty and a fantastic way to beat the heat. Try one of the soft-serve soda floats from the Anandapur Ice Cream Truck while trekking through Asia at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Downtown Disney

Boathouse SmoresStrike gold with the Gold Rush ice cream sundae at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream & Chocolate Shop. It starts with a fresh waffle cone hand-dipped in rich Ghirardelli chocolate, filled with vanilla ice cream, and then covered in homemade hot fudge and peanut butter, whipped cream, chopped almonds, a cherry, and a Ghirardelli SQUARES Milk Chocolate. For those with a taste for milkshakes, the Sea Salt Caramel Banana Quake Shake is also an enticing option at this amazing ice cream haven.

For a photo-worthy, gargantuan treat, nothing tops the Gibsons S’mores Baked Alaska at The BOATHOUSE. This unbelievably sweet and visually breathtaking dessert is made with Häagan-Dazs rocky road ice cream, cascaded in marshmallow, then toasted with pieces of rich dark chocolate surrounding the outside. This is a four-person dessert, so be prepared for a larger-than-life serving.

Ever dreamed of traveling to Italy? Good news – there is no need to venture across the globe to taste the delicious flavors of Florence thanks to the new Vivoli Gelateria in Downtown Disney. This family-run shop was founded in 1932 in Florence, which means the flavors have been mastered to perfection. One of the guest favorites is the Caramello Salato, or salted caramel. Made with fresh, top-quality ingredients, this flavorful treat is adorned with a soft ribbon of caramel flavor, complete with crunchy salted caramel bits. For chocolate enthusiasts, the classic Cioccolato chocolate gelato will certainly satisfy any sweet tooth!

Disney’s Water Parks

Imagine a bright green sand pail and try to keep from smiling. Now picture a bright green sand pail filled to the brim with chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle cone pieces, cookie pieces, hot fudge, caramel, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry. And don’t forget the sprinkles! This sunny snack can be found at Happy Landings Ice Cream at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Park and at I.C. Expeditions at Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park.

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

Kitchen Sink“Everything but the kitchen sink.” Well this massive ice cream treat includes that, too. The Kitchen Sink at Beaches & Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a one-of-a-kind ice cream challenge with eight scoops of ice cream, every topping in the house, and a whole can of whipped cream. This dessert serves four people with an appetite, so bring family and friends and get those spoons in the air – it’s going to get a little sticky!


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:

What is your favorite Disney World ice cream treat?
Please leave a comment!

2015 Epcot International Food And Wine Festival Expands Into Future World

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival ©Disney

In January, Disney announced the dates for this year’s Epcot International Food & Wine Festival and in May, they released the Eat To The Beat Bands plus some first details. On Monday, even more exciting information was shared including details about the first ever expansion of the festival into Future World! Here’s the scoop from Disney:


Walt Disney World Resort announced today that four new food and beverage marketplaces will open in Future World during the 20th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival presented by Chase September 25 – November 16, 2015. It’s the first time in the festival’s 20-year-history that global marketplace experiences, now numbering more than 30, have expanded from the park’s World Showcase into Future World.

During the 53-day festival, the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese area featuring the Cheese Studio and Wine Studio marketplaces will evoke the ambiance of Napa Valley with grape vines and welcoming pergolas along the walkway to Future World West.

  • At the Cheese Studio, a cheese sample platter will be served on an artist’s palette to pair with wines.
  • The Wine Studio will serve premium wines on tap and showcase palate-pleasing wine varietals organized by color in artful displays.

At the new Next Eats area near the Epcot Character Spot, Sustainable Chew and Chew Lab marketplaces will be inspired by ABC’s Emmy-Award® winning lifestyle series “The Chew,” starring co-hosts Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Carla Hall, Clinton Kelly and Daphne Oz. “The Chew” announced July 2 that the show will broadcast from Epcot during the festival.

  • At Sustainable Chew Marketplace, guests can taste delicious dishes inspired by “The Chew” co-hosts.
  • At Chew Lab, food science meets the hottest culinary tech trends to present innovative dishes like the Liquid Nitro Chocolate Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey Caramel.

“The Future World festival marketplace expansion gives our guests more reasons than ever to help us celebrate 20 delicious festival years,” says Jens Dahlmann, general manager of Epcot Food & Beverage. “Adding even more sizzle, our collaboration with ABC’s ‘The Chew’ brings the cachet of a major daytime network television series and its celebrity hosts.”

More news to celebrate:

  • One of a series of popular Party for the Senses premium events will be the first-time Yelloween Masquerade Party for the Senses, an elegant, dance-the-night-away, gourmet tasting party with Champagne, wine, craft beers and specialty cocktails paired with food. Guests will be encouraged to masquerade in chic yellow and black. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for festival premium events also to include the Mexican Tequila Lunch, Japanese Craft Beer Tasting, French Family Meal Traditions and dozens of events including Culinary Adventures in Signature Dining.
  • “The Chew” cast will host a new premium event: the Rockin’ Burger Block Party, with specialty burgers and sliders inspired by top names in the music industry such as Dave Matthews and his Dreaming Tree Wines and Carlos Santana’s Casa Noble Tequila. Two additional Burger Block Parties are set for Sept. 25 and Nov. 6.
  • The Dominican Republic Marketplace will return with fresh flair, serving new dishes including Pescado con Coco – seared grouper, pigeon peas with rice and coconut sauce. And at the Festival Center, the new Monday-through-Thursday “Spotlight on Dominican Republic” will showcase the country’s culture, crafts and culinary delights with artists and chefs at the Festival Center.
  • Two 20th-year celebratory wines were created just for this fall’s festival: a Napa Valley Festival Chardonnay and a Paso Robles Festival Cabernet Sauvignon. Guests will be able to purchase tastes of both wines at the Sustainable Chew marketplace, and the Festival Center Wine Shop will carry bottles.
  • At the new Artistry of Wine & Cheese, each keg of premium wine on tap will hold the equivalent of 26 wine bottles, eliminating bottle, cork, cardboard and paper waste from labels. Recycling and repurposing of glass bottles and corks from other marketplace locations will be part of the 20th-year festival story.

Included with Epcot Admission:

Back to Basics series, Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog, special book signings, Eat to the Beat concerts, cultural adventures, Marketplace Discovery Passport and attractions and park entertainment are included with regular Epcot admission.

Special Programming by Reservation:

The Party for the Senses grand tasting events, and other special beverage and culinary programs require reservations and separate event admission. Reservations will open July 30, 2015, for all premium events including the new Rockin’ Burger Block Party. Guests can call 407-WDW-FEST (939-3378) and get details at EpcotFoodFestival.com beginning July 15.


This year I am very lucky to be planning a visit to Disney World during the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. If you get the opportunity to visit during the celebration, I highly recommend it. It is tons of fun for the whole family!

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:

Will you be attending the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival?
What is your favorite part? Please leave a comment!

Remember Magic YOUR Band Monorail MagicBand Skins Giveaway

Magic YOUR Band

A must-have Disney vacation accessory!

Remember To Enter Daily To Win

Remember to enter daily to win a set of four “Monorail” MagicBand Skins!

The Review

A couple of months ago, I arranged with Tracy at Magic YOUR Band to review their MagicBand Skins. If you aren’t familiar with this product, these adorable decals attach directly to your Disney World MagicBand creating your own personalized look.

Tracy asked me to pick out a MagicBand Skin that I liked as well as try out their online design tool for this review. My youngest son was excited to test the product with me so he choose the two piece “Slice of Pizza” design to go on his orange MagicBand. I decided to try putting my DisneyWorldEnthusiast.com logo on a skin for my red MagicBand. I was amazed at how easy Magic YOUR Band’s editing system worked. In a matter of minutes, I had a background selected and my logo in place and looking great! Then my son and I eagerly waited for our MagicBand Skins to arrive. Just as promised, they arrived in about a week.

We opened our delivery to find our MagicBand Skins nicely packaged and looking gorgeous! The first thing that struck me was how bright and vibrant the colors appeared. Upon further inspection, the MagicBand Skins looked perfectly cut and well made. Next up was getting them on our MagicBands.

The process was much easier than I thought it would be. I spent a few minutes watching the installation video on their site and then gave it a try. I found the skins to be very forgiving and I was able to lift them and adjust them until they were just right. Once I had the MagicBand Skins where I wanted, I went back over them pressing down firmly to make sure they were in place. It only took a couple of minutes until our MagicBands were looking quite magical!

I continued to wear my MagicBand with the Magic YOUR Band Skin throughout the day. It held up beautifully to a day filled with errands, cleaning, cooking, laundry, rain, and the movies. My son and I can’t wait to wear our new favorite Disney vacation accessory on our upcoming trip!

Here’s all of the important information that you’ll need to get yourself a MagicBand Skin:

  • MagicBand Skins are available for purchase on MagicYOURBand.com.
  • They range in price from $6 to $8 each.
  • They offer special pricing when you purchase multiple MagicBand Skins in one order. Buy two to five and save 15%. Buy six to nine and save 25%. Buy ten or more and save 33%.
  • They come in one piece (that covers the center MagicBand Mickey) or two piece (that shows the center MagicBand Mickey) styles.
  • Christmas Magic YOUR BandThey have over 100 ready-made designs available including adorable holiday varieties!
  • You also have the options of personalizing one of their designs or creating your own with their easy-to-use online editing tool.
  • MagicBand Skins are fully waterproof. They hold up in the shower, pool, and a Florida rain storm!
  • The MagicBand Skins are easy to apply and remove if you want to change-up your look. They even have a handy video to show you how!
  • The Skins have no effect on how the MagicBand works. Your band will still be fully functional.
  • Magic YOUR Band is located in the United Kingdom and offers free international shipping on all orders.
  • The average delivery time is 7 days from the date of postage. You can upgrade to 2 business day FedEx International Priority Shipping for an additional fee.

The Giveaway

Interested in getting a MagicBand Skin of your own? Well, you’re in luck! From now through Friday, July 17, 2015 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four “Monorail” MagicBand Skins. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please feel free to share with your friends and family!

Magic YOUR Band

Click to enter giveaway!

Can’t wait and need a MagicBand Skin right away?
Please click this link to purchase one today!

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up July 12, 2015

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for July 12, 2015!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Fun From Comic-Con

Check out some of the great photos from Comic-Con’s LucasFilm Star Wars: The Force Awakens Hall H panel and surprise Star Wars fan concert plus the new Comic-Con reel for the film!

Animal Kingdom Lodge SavannahTip Of The Week

If you would like the chance to view some exotic animals without the cost or lines of Animal Kingdom, visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge. You can stroll around the resort while enjoying spectacular up-close views of the savannahs that are home to over 30 different animal species, including giraffes, zebras, and flamingos. Pick up a Wildlife Field Guide from the lobby concierge to help you identify the beautiful creatures.

Behind The Magic LogoBehind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, Tim and I talk Disney news, rumors, and more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Cinderella CastleDisney Did You Know

Here’s one to stump your friends with. How many stones are there in Cinderella Castle in Magic Kingdom? NONE. The whole shell of the building is fiberglass.

Walt DisneyWalt’s Words

“When you’re curious, you find lots of interesting things to do.” 

Featured Advertiser

BitbeltHave you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

Monorail TealDisney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, July 17, 2015 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four “Monorail” MagicBand Skins from my friends at Magic YOUR Band. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please feel free to share with your friends and family!

501 WaysFeatured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

You’re Invited

Next Disney VacationJennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If your counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

dwe logo small size white bkgdComing Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have even more posts for you about new foods and restaurants in Disney World plus all of the latest news!

Do you have a question or article idea?
Please leave a comment!

Behind The Magic Podcast July 6 – July 10, 2015

Behind The Magic Podcast

Have you had a chance to listen to Behind The Magic Podcast yet? This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, Tim, and me. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney discussions, guests, games, and more. Tim will keep you up-to-date on Disney news with his daily “Mouse News Minute” segment and I dish on all of the latest Disney gossip with my weekly “Mouse Whispers” segment. And of course, Zeek and Rachel will be surprising you each and every day with all of their fabulous Disney insider knowledge!

Behind The Magic LogoThis Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

  • Magical Mythical Legends
  • Dave Takes Over
  • Behind Mouse Rants
  • Behind The Reaction
  • Behind Your Trip 30 Days Out

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

Mouse WhisperThis Week’s Mouse Whispers

In my Friday, July 10 “Mouse Whispers”, I shared the latest Disney gossip and rumors about Soarin’. Check out Friday’s full episode here!

Are you a fan of Disney podcasts? Do you love Disney gossip?
Please leave a comment!