Apr 3 2015

Finding Dole Whip

Dole Whip? Dole Whip, where are you? Has anyone seen a Dole Whip?

If you are looking for the fan favorite sweet treat on an upcoming Disney World vacation, some things have changed. In March, the menus and names swapped at Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace at Magic Kingdom. Speculation is that this swap was made in advance of the opening of a new Jungle Cruise themed restaurant. Rumors are that this new restaurant, being built under the working name “Skipper’s Cantina”, could open as early as November of this year. Aloha Isle always has a huge line of people queued up to get their Dole Whip fix so swapping locations with Sunshine Tree Terrace will help clear up traffic in front of the new restaurant’s entrance. Also by moving Aloha Isle to the location behind the Magic Carpets, it puts the Dole Whips that much closer to the Enchanted Tiki Room, giving it a feel similar to Disneyland where you can enjoy a Dole Whip in the Tiki Room courtyard while waiting to view the attraction. Sunshine Tree Terrace will continue to serve its Citrus Swirl and that cutie, Orange Bird, will make the move, too. If you happen to adventure over to the Polynesian Village Resort to check out all the changes that are happening there, you can pick up a Dole Whip at the Pineapple Lanai which is located just outside the rear entrance of the main lobby. If you are in Animal Kingdom, you can find a Dole Whip at Tamu Tamu Refreshments in the Africa section of the park. And for just an extra $1.25 at this location, you can add a dash of dark or coconut rum to the already tasty treat!

Heading 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:

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by getting a FREE quote from Destinations in Florida!
Get the best prices on admission tickets by checking out these deals from Under Cover Tourist!

Do you love Dole Whips? What is your favorite snack?
Please leave a comment!

Mar 25 2015

Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party Coming This Summer

Beginning, July 5, 2015, Magic Kingdom will be changing the Tomorrowland Terrace Dessert Party to the Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party. Here’s the scoop on what is being offered courtesy of Disney Parks Blog:

Delight in a selection of themed desserts prepared daily by our pastry chef including chocolate-dipped strawberries, chocolate mousse, and ice cream. Delectable new additions to the menu include a variety of seasonal fruit and cheese, Disney character-themed cupcakes, and more! As the fireworks begin, celebrate with a sparkling cider toast and create a special memory with family and friends. Throughout the evening, you can now enjoy hot drinking chocolate and signature lemonades as well as coffee and tea.

The Wishes Fireworks Dessert Party is $53.24 for anyone ages 10 and older and $31.94 for ages 3 to 9 (including tax). Reservations are available by clicking here or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Epcot also has a similar party called the IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party. For more information, please check out this link.

Heading 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:

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by getting a FREE quote from Destinations in Florida!
Get the best prices on admission tickets by checking out these deals from Under Cover Tourist!

Excited about the dessert party? Did you get a reservation?
Please leave a comment!

Mar 17 2015

Be Our Guest Breakfast Testing Begins March 20, 2015

Today is the big day to begin making reservations! As I reported last month, Be Our Guest is going to begin testing breakfast on March 20 through June 18, 2015. Starting today, guests can make advance dining reservations either online or by calling 407-WDW-DINE. I was able to book a reservation for a party of six in June with no problems today, so hopefully the system won’t crash like it did when lunch reservations opened up a few weeks ago. Here’s the scoop on what is being offered at breakfast courtesy of Disney Parks Blog:

Starting on March 20, Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World Resort will begin testing a prix fixe breakfast from 8-10 a.m. daily through June 18. The fast casual breakfast menu has a decidedly French touch; each meal begins with a pastry basket for sharing. Your entrée options include assorted cured meat and cheese served with marmalade, fresh fruit and a toasted baguette. You can also enjoy eggs Florentine served in a puff pastry shell with country ham and roasted plum tomatoes. Even the open-face bacon-and-poached-egg sandwich has Brie. If you’re looking for something a little lighter, choose the scrambled egg whites with roasted tomatoes, multigrain croissant and fresh fruit. Or go with a vegetable quiche with mushroom, zucchini, bell pepper, onion and chive, served with seasonal fruit. The prix fixe menu will also include a selection of self-service beverages. But the decadent start to the day is the Croissant Doughnut: a fried doughnut topped with banana caramel sauce, chocolate ganache and whipped cream. (True vacation indulgence!) The kids’ menu includes brioche French toast with fresh fruit, scrambled eggs with Applewood bacon and fresh fruit, fruit crepes with yogurt and fresh fruit with a berry foam, cereal and oatmeal.

Breakfast will be served as a counter service meal. You will place your order at the kiosk and then your meal will be delivered at your table. The dining plan will be accepted and it will count as one quick service credit. The price is $19.99 for guests ages 10 and older and $11.99 for children ages 3 to 9. The price includes an entrée, beverage, and pastry basket to share. Here is the full menu:

Entrees $19.99

Assorted Cured Meats and Cheese
Alpine-smoked Ham, Serrano Ham, Sopressata, and Cheese with Marmalade, Fresh Fruit, Toasted Baguette, and a selection of pastries.

Eggs Florentine
Puff Pastry Shell filled with Scrambled Eggs, Cheese, and fresh Spinach served with Country Ham, Roasted Plum Tomatoes, and a selection of pastries.

Vegetable Quiche
Mushroom, Zucchini, Bell Pepper, Onion and Chive Quiche served with Fresh Fruit and a selection of pastries.

Open-Face Bacon and Egg Sandwich
Poached Eggs, Applewood Bacon, Brie Cheese, and Arugula on a toasted Baguette served with Fresh Fruit and a selection of pastries.

Scrambled Egg Whites
Scrambled Egg Whites with Roasted Tomatoes, Multi-grain Croissant, Fresh Fruit, and a selection of pastries.

Croissant Doughnut
Fried Doughnut topped with Banana-Caramel Sauce, Pastry Crème, and Chocolate Ganache served with a selection of pastries.

Kids Meals $11.99

Crepes
Stuffed with Yogurt, Fresh Berries, and Wildberry Foam served with a selection of pastries.

French Toast
Brioche Bread served with Fresh Fruit and a selection of pastries.

Scrambled Eggs
Served with Applewood Bacon, Fresh Fruit, and a selection of pastries.

Kellogg’s® Cereal
Choice of Kellogg’s® Cereal with Milk, Fresh Fruit, and a selection of pastries.

Oatmeal
Steel-cut Oatmeal served with Golden Raisins, Brown Sugar, and a selection of pastries.

Beverages Included In Price

Self-serve, Fresh-brewed Coffee or Hot Cocoa
Dasani Bottled Water
Lowfat Milk 1%
Nestlé® Nesquik® Chocolate Milk 14 oz
Simply Orange Juice
Minute Maid Apple Juice
Self-serve cold fountain beverage, 22oz
Perrier Water

Heading 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:

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by getting a FREE quote from Destinations in Florida!
Get the best prices on admission tickets by checking out these deals from Under Cover Tourist!

Excited about Be Our Guest Breakfast? Did you get a reservation?
Please leave a comment!

Mar 16 2015

The Latest On The New Shopping Locations At Disney Springs

So many changes are happening during the transformation of Downtown Disney to Disney Springs. New parking garages and roads are being built, many new restaurants are planned, and several new shops are now open. In case you haven’t heard, here’s the latest from Disney:

Trendy new retail shops are just the beginning of an entirely re-imagined Downtown Disney. With everything from sun hats and stylish flip-flops to customized headphones and gluten-free cupcakes, Downtown Disney has become a shopper’s oasis for all to enjoy. The new offerings are part of an expansion that will double the number of shopping, dining and entertainment experiences available as the area transforms into Disney Springs.

New shopping at Downtown Disney includes:

The Art of Shaving

A boutique retail offering that sells high-end shaving supplies and related grooming products for the modern man. Founded by a husband and wife in a Manhattan apartment, The Art of Shaving has grown to a worldwide organization. Guests can receive expert shaving advice on products and techniques, or make an appointment for a luxurious grooming experience at the Barber Spa.

Apex by Sunglass Hut

A first-of-its-kind sunglass store that was built with the athlete in mind. This retail location showcases the industry’s best selection of sport performance and lifestyle eyewear including Oakley, Ray-Ban, and Under Armour. In order for guests to choose a lens to best suit their needs, Apex has developed environmental simulators so guests can test out how a specific lens will perform under a variety of light conditions.

Chapel Hats

A fashion forward shop that specializes in an assortment of hats for guests of all ages. The location carries stylish hats including fedoras, cowboy hats, floppy hats, outdoors hats, kid’s hats and more. Every Chapel Hats location is themed to a different time period and is built by using old pieces of shops, factories, schools, pubs and The Downtown Disney location is themed to the 1920s.

Havaianas

A Brazilian-based shoe store that offers fashionable flip flops made with the highest quality rubber — with hundreds of styles to choose from. This store will feature a large assortment of colorful Havaianas for women, men and children, plus kids’ rain boots. There’s also the “Make Your Own Havaianas” and “Embellish Your Own Havaianas,” option, where guests can customize this casual footwear.

Sanuk

Innovative, fun and comfortable footwear with more than 175 designs will be available at this 1,000-square-foot venue. Taking its name from the Thai word for “fun,” Sanuk strives to make more innovative products that are as much about funk as they are about function. Favorite styles including Yoga Mat Sandal Collection and its patented “Not-A-Shoe” Sidewalk Surfers will be showcased.

Sound Lion

A new retail concept that offers the latest technology in headphones, docking stations, wireless music players and other products. Before purchasing a product, guests can hang out at their Listening Bar and find which product works best for them.

Erin Mckenna Bakery NYC

A unique bakery with savory offerings and an all-vegan and gluten-free menu. Look for a full selection of award-winning donuts, cupcakes, cookies, bagels with vegan butter, and other delicious items daily. Some of their fan-favorite cupcakes from their flagship bakery in New York and sister bakery in Los Angeles include vanilla cupcakes with zesty lemon frosting, red velvet cupcakes with creamy vanilla frosting and brownie cupcakes with rich chocolate frosting.