As I write this blog post, over 450 votes have been cast in the Walt Disney World Bakery Throw Down, and the runaway winner is…
Congratulations to the French Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot on [Read more…]
Tables in Wonderland Adds New Restaurants
Tables in Wonderland Membership Card
Just got an email specifying new restaurants being added as of January 2010 to the Tables in Wonderland discount program!
Epcot®: Tokyo Dining Location Only (Not Teppan Edo)
Disney’s BoardWalk Resort: Kouzzina by Cat Cora (formerly Spoodles)
Disney’s Wide World of Sports: ESPN® Sports Cafe
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Marketplace: Fulton’s Crab House
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® Pleasure Island: Portobello
DOWNTOWN DISNEY® West Side: House of Blues®, Wolfgang Puck® Cafe
Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort: Il Mulino New York Trattoria, Kimonos, Shula’s Steak House, Todd English’s bluezoo
For more information about Tables in Wonderland and for a full list of participating restaurants, visit our Tables in Wonderland Reference Page.
Disney World Bakery Throw Down: Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe
Welcome to the final post in our Walt Disney World Bakery Throw Down challenge! We’ve showcased four bakeries since mid-December, and today we proudly present Epcot’s Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe!
Atmosphere
Kringla Bakeri is located in the Norway pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. Walk through the door and you’ll find yourself in a quaint, Scandinavian kitchen — well, [Read more…]
New Tables in Wonderland Dinners Announced
Tables in Wonderland has announced four members-only dinners happening in January and February 2010. To attend the dinners, you must be either a Florida resident or an Annual Passholder at Walt Disney World, and have a valid Tables in Wonderland membership.
January
1/15/10: The Great Movie Ride Dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Um…can I say COOL!? You get to have dinner inside the ride, as in reception in the Gangster Scene, plated dinner in the Western Scene, and dessert in the Land of Oz. No kidding.
$155 per person, 7:30-9:30pm. Send an email to [email protected] with your name, phone number, home address, number of people in your party, and your interest to book. Members will be notified on a first-come first-served basis.
Click for larger version:
1/20/10: The Wave’s Discovery Dinner at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
This month, the dinner features [Read more…]
Disney Food News: Big Stories of 2009
UPDATE: Read about the Opening Date for Be Our Guest Restaurant and Reservations Info!
Happy New Year’s Eve, all! It’s been a wonderful nine months since I’ve started the Food Blog, and I look forward to more exciting Disney food news, reviews, photos, history, and everything in between as we march into 2010.
Thank you for reading, sharing incredible pictures and stories, and keeping me company as I rattle on and on about one of my favorite things: Disney food!
Now, what better way to culminate the decade of the “noughts” than to remember our big Disney Food news stories from this year? Original? No. Still fun? Yes! Here we go…
New Disney Restaurants Open in 2009
This has been quite a year for new restaurants in Disney parks!
- Sanaa, a restaurant that incorporates a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach, opens in Animal Kingdom Lodge’s new Kidani Village.
- Cat Cora opens Kouzzina, her first signature restaurant, on the Disney World Boardwalk.
- Paradiso 37, a hub of delicious tapas and tequila, opens in Disney World’s Downtown Disney.
- Celebration Round Up and BBQ heats things up again at Disneyland’s Big Thunder Ranch.
- Disney World’s Animal Kingdom introduces a new type of quick-service dining with the Picnic in the Park.
- Customize your own rice bowl at the renovated and re-placed Lucky Fortune Cookery in Disneyland.
- Disney World’s La Cava del Tequila brings Mexico’s favorite drink to the forefront in the World Showcase. The sheer number of varieties on the Cava del Tequila menu is astonishing.
Screen Shot of Online Advanced Dining Reservations System
Online Advanced Dining Reservations and Online Menus at DisneyWorld.com
Finally. After so many years of setting three alarms for 6:50 AM and convincing everyone in the household to call on a different phone line…we have online ADRs! [Read more…]
Disney World Bakery Throw Down: Boardwalk Bakery
Welcome to the third bakery in our Disney World Bakery Throw Down: The Boardwalk Bakery!
Atmosphere
Located on the Disney World Boardwalk, the Boardwalk Bakery is within walking distance of many of Disney World’s hotels and attractions. It’s a great place to take a break from a day in either Epcot or Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Or just head downstairs from your hotel room at Disney’s Boardwalk Inn and Villas!
Boardwalk Bakery Entry
As you approach the bakery, the windows will remind you what’s available…
…and who’s responsible!
Along the windows, you’ll see several outdoor tables and chairs. Be sure to snag them quickly; this is the bakery’s only seating! Of course, you could always stroll along the boardwalk with your purchases and find seating along the way.
Boardwalk Bakery Seating
Head inside the double doors and you’ll be greeted by a small space bordered by baked goods and condiment counters. Look over the counter to your left, and you might see some Disney bakers making specialty items for one of the resorts, or even a wedding cake!
Boardwalk Bakery condiment counter
Eats
You’ll find options for any time of day on the Boardwalk Bakery menu, from breakfast baked goods to salads to sandwiches.
Boardwalk Bakery Breakfast Menu
Boardwalk Bakery Lunch and Dinner Menu
Refrigerators to your right will hold drinks, sandwiches, and salads:
Cold Items and Drinks
Salads
Salads and Fruit
The long glass display cases will be chock full of goodies and custom cakes:
Muffins, Danish, and Cupcakes
Sweets of all Sorts
Boardwalk Bakery Cakes
Mickey Cake
And the bakers’ racks will be slowly filling up with freshly baked items:
Muffins cooling on the bakers' racks
While waiting for your order, take a peek at the wall behind those bakers’ racks to see the detailed images of baked goods painted on the tiles. As usual, Disney spares no expense when it comes to detail!
Also, take a few minutes to look beyond those counters and see some real bakers at work; this is one of the few places to see a real behind-the-scenes look at the type of baking that happens in Disney’s biggest, busiest, and most professional bakeries! I wasn’t kidding about that wedding cake I mentioned earlier — they really do make them here!
Vote For Your Favorite!
Thanks for joining us as we visited the third of the five Walt Disney World Bakeries we’re showcasing on the Throw Down! First was Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery, second was Boulangerie Patisserie, and we’ll be highlighting the other two throughout the month.
You can vote for your favorite right here:
What's Your Favorite Bakery in Walt Disney World?
- Boulangerie Patisserie (Epcot) (40%)
- Main Street Bakery (Magic Kingdom) (27%)
- Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (Epcot) (13%)
- Boardwalk Bakery (Boardwalk) (11%)
- Starring Rolls Bakery (Disney's Hollywood Studios) (8%)
- Other (1%)
Loading ...If you have a stand-out favorite bakery, weigh in with your comments via twitter, facebook, or email.
In January, I’ll post the results, along with any reader insights as to what makes those particular bakeries so special. If you have another bakery you like better, vote “other.” (I’d love to hear what the “others” are as well!)
Disney World Bakery Throwdown
We’re going to figure out, once and for all, which is the Best Disney World Bakery! They’re all known for their specialties, so here comes the Disney Food Blog’s Disney World Bakery Throwdown!
Over the next month (December 15 – January 15), I’ll be highlighting 5 bakeries in WDW: Main Street Bakery, Boardwalk Bakery, Starring Rolls, Boulangerie Patisserie, and Kringla Bakeri og Kafe.
Cast your vote for your favorite on the poll posted below. You can check the results throughout the month over in the right-hand sidebar! And if you have a stand-out favorite bakery, weigh in with your comments via twitter, facebook, or email.
What's Your Favorite Bakery in Walt Disney World?
- Boulangerie Patisserie (Epcot) (40%)
- Main Street Bakery (Magic Kingdom) (27%)
- Kringla Bakeri og Kafe (Epcot) (13%)
- Boardwalk Bakery (Boardwalk) (11%)
- Starring Rolls Bakery (Disney's Hollywood Studios) (8%)
- Other (1%)
Loading ...In January, I’ll post the results, along with any reader insights as to what makes those particular bakeries so special. If you have another bakery you like better, vote “other.” (I’d love to hear what the “others” are as well!)
I haven’t voted yet, because I just can’t make up my mind. I can’t wait to see what you think!
Dining “To Go” at Disney’s Boardwalk
When you think “dining at the Boardwalk,” what comes to mind? Probably restaurants like Flying Fish, Kouzzina, the ESPN Club, and other table-service spots. But what if you’re in a hurry?
There are plenty of dining options on the Boardwalk for those who need to “eat and run!”:
Boardwalk Joe’s
For coffee drinks or pastries, Boardwalk Joe’s is the place to go.
Boardwalk Joe's
This is perfect for grabbing some breakfast before rope drop at Epcot’s International Gateway or getting your latte before a walk over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Boardwalk Joe's Menu
If you’re headed over a bit later, try a premium beer or a cocktail. You can even get some Bailey’s and Coffee — perfect for those chilly days!
Boardwalk Joe's Alochol Options
Boardwalk Joe's Cast Member
Boardwalk Pizza Window
This is the “take-out” Boardwalk dining that most folks think of first. This used to be the Spoodles pizza window, and still remains in the same spot even though Kouzzina has now taken over the restaurant attached.
Boardwalk Pizza Window Menu
Boardwalk Bakery
The Boardwalk Bakery has a wonderful range of fresh-baked goodies available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Hang around for a while and you might catch the bakers decorating a wedding cake or putting the finishing touches on a batch of brownies or cookies.
Boardwalk Bakery
Boardwalk Bakery Breakfast Menu
Boardwalk Bakery Lunch and Dinner Menu
Boardwalk To Go Kiosk
This hot spot is rather new on the Boardwalk, but it’s another place to get a chili cheese dog, so it’s definitely on my radar! They also have my favorite snack — cheese fries. Heaven.
Boardwalk To Go Kiosk
Boardwalk To Go Menu
So where there used to be a dirth of quick-service food options on the Boardwalk, there are now a wealth of spots to grab a bite. And, don’t forget — if all you want is a bunch of candy or ice cream, Seashore Sweets is available to you as well!
Collectible Disney World Gingerbread House Pins
Calling all collectors! Here’s one of those special times when Disney Food and Disney Pins collide. After catching up on those great photos of the gingerbread displays, here’s your chance to fill out your pin collections with this year’s representations of these works of art.
I’m including the SKU number for each pin at the end of its Disney Pins description; hopefully you can use it to order the pin through Walt Disney World Mail Order ((407) 363-6200 or [email protected]).
For those of you who are in Orlando now, note that Chef Lothar Neumaier will appear for an artist signing between 1:00pm – 3:00pm on Friday, December 11th at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Display Pin 2009
This limited release pin depicts the impressive gingerbread house created by Chef Brian Piasecki for Disney’s Contemporary Resort. The pin includes a pin-on-pin Mickey Mouse in front of the gingerbread house, which was inspired by the “it’s a small world” Attraction at Magic Kingdom® Park. SKU: 109131382
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
Grand Floridian Gingerbread House Pin 2009
This limited release pin depicts the impressive gingerbread house created by Chef Erich Herbitschek for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The pin includes a pin-on-pin Minnie Mouse in front of the gingerbread house. SKU: 109131351
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
Boardwalk Inn Gingerbread Display Pin 2009
This limited release pin depicts the impressive gingerbread house created by Pastry Chef Keith Hiner and Pastry Chef Yoly Lazo for Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. The pin includes Stitch in front of the gingerbread house, which also features Donald Duck and Daisy Duck. SKU: 109131375
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Beach Club 10th Anniversary Gingerbread Carousel Pin 2009
This limited release pin depicts the impressive gingerbread house created by Master Pastry Chef Stefan Reimer for Disney’s Beach Club Resort. The pin includes Chip and Dale in front of the gingerbread house, which resembles a grand carousel. SKU: 109131368
Epcot’s American Adventure
American Adventure in Epcot -- Gingerbread House Pin 2009
This limited release pin depicts the impressive gingerbread house created by Chef Lothar Neumaier for Epcot®. The pin includes a pin-on-pin Goofy in front of the gingerbread house, which also features Bambi.
Chef Lothar Neumaier will appear for an artist signing between 1:00pm – 3:00pm on December 11 at the American Adventure Pavilion at Epcot®. SKU: 109130880
Thanks to pin expert Cody at Global Disney Pinvestigation for the grand idea to share the info about these pins!
Disney Foodie Decor: Walt Disney World Gingerbread Houses
Get a comfy chair, my friends, ’cause this is a long one! Lots of great photos of the Walt Disney World Gingerbread Houses, including some fantastic detail shots that I can’t wait to share with you. Tuck yourself into your snuggie, get a cup of hot chocolate, and off we go to tour the WDW Gingerbread Houses!
Disney’s Contemporary Resort
One of my favorite parts of Disney World is Mary Blair’s gorgeous mural on the Grand Canyon Concourse, and this 17-foot-high tree fits perfectly within the look and feel of her masterpiece.
Disney's Contemporary Resort Gingerbread Tree
And, as is common in Disney’s gingerbread displays, there’s a hidden Mickey!
Contemporary Gingerbread Tree Hidden Mickey
Here are the stats on this Gingerbread display:
Contemporary Display Ingredient List
Contemporary Gingerbread Display Ingredient fun facts:
136 lbs. of honey
101 lbs. of flour
50 eggs
75 lbs. of icing
5 lbs. of spices
5 pounds of sugar syrup
And there are even a few beautifully designed character cookies for sale, so you can take a piece of this work of art home with you.
Here’s a close-up of my very favorite one:
Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Over to the Epcot resorts to visit the traditional gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club! According to Disney, this holiday season marks the 10th anniversary of the carousel, a “fully detailed, life-sized carousel in the resort’s lobby that is created from a recipe that uses gingerbread, chocolate and sugar paste, and tons of enthusiasm, energy and talent.” Remember if you’re visiting: once a day, a guest is chosen for a photo with pastry chef Stefan Riemer!
There are always gorgeous details and intricate additions to the carousel; here are a few of this year’s special additions:
Minnie on the Carousel
Tink Herself Crowns the Carousel
This year, 10 “hidden Mickeys,” one for each year, can be found on the carousel! There are also a few additional gingerbread structures flanking the spinning masterpiece: A princess castle, Chip and Dale’s Tree House, and a “What Will You Celebrate?” carousel horse, complete with an invitation list!
Beach Club Gingerbread Castle
Chip and Dale's Tree House
Carousel Horse
What Will You Celebrate? Invite List
Beach Club Carousel Ingredient fun facts:
36 lbs. of honey
96 lbs. of bread flour
100 pints of eggs
10 lbs. of spices
10 quarts of simple syrup
100 lbs. of icing
50 lbs. of dark chocolate
10 quarts of egg whites
100 lbs. of confectioner sugar
If staring at all of this gingerbread makes you hungry, head over to the merchandise center nearby to get your own gingerbread treats:
Items for Purchase at Beach Club Gingerbread Center
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
I love the Boardwalk Inn’s display this year! It’s funny, joyful, bright, and packed with detail. This year, the lobby of Disney’s Boardwalk showcases a gazebo made of gingerbread and chocolate — and one Donald Duck in quite a predicament!
Boardwalk Gazebo
Look out Donald!
Luckily, Daisy and Stitch are prepared to step in…kind of…
And here are some incredible details found in and around the gazebo:
Donald and Daisy Claus
See the Hidden Mickey
Chip and Dale Roasting Marshmallows
Second Hidden Mickey
And, of course, the Ingredient list:
Boardwalk Ingredient List
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
The biggest and most famous of the gingerbread displays, the Grand Floridian’s life-sized gingerbread house is a classic tradition at Walt Disney World.
The gingerbread house is so large, it doubles as a bake shop selling cookies, gingerbread ornaments, stollen bread, chocolate-peppermint bark, lollipops, and Grand Floridian logo boxes filled with truffles. Demonstrations of how to decorate a gingerbread house take place in front of the gingerbread house daily except Sundays.
Of course, this gingerbread house has plenty of detail as well:
Front Door Detail
Can you find Timon and Puumba?
Cool view from above! Check out that footprint!
And on the other side…some friendly Cast Members waiting to share their wares!
Gingerbread house fun facts:
Chefs spend 400 hours baking the gingerbread and 160 hours decorating the house.
Structure Composition:
16 feet high
17 feet wide
1,000 board feet of trim
60 sheets of plywood
40 window panes
80 square feet of retail space
100 square feet of display
10,000 pieces of gingerbread used
Gingerbread Ingredients:
1,050 lbs. honey
600 lbs. powdered sugar
35 lbs. spices
800 lbs. flour
140 pints egg whites
180 lbs. apricot glaze
Here’s a Jeff Lange video of this phenomenal display:
American Adventure and Italy Displays at Epcot’s World Showcase
Finally, we head back over to Epcot to visit some lesser-known gingerbread displays!
Santa’s Bake Shop at Liberty Inn at the American Adventure pavilion is another life-sized gingerbread house made entirely of gingerbread, cookies, and icing. Stop by to purchase drinks and goodies here, too!
Gingerbread House at American Adventure
Here are the costs for the goodies inside!
Costs for the Goodies
Italy has its own intricate gingerbread display. Can you see a hidden Disney character?
Italy's Gingerbread Display
Even the detail here, on this smaller display, is amazing. Check out Santa as he heads out into the canal!
And here’s that Disney character I mentioned — it’s Luigi from Cars!
Can You See Luigi
Heading Home
Hopefully you’ve enjoyed our Gingerbread Display tour through Walt Disney World! I am grateful to Disney Moms Panelist Erin Foster, DisneyFotoBlog.com’s James Chapman, and GD Pinvestigation Blog’s Pinvestigator Cody for contributing their fantastic photos for this collection.
And our Disney Holiday Foods week at the Food Blog will continue, too. On Wednesday, we take a gander at even more holiday treats; then on Thursday, we’ll take a look at how Disney Gingerbread and Disney Collectibles collide!
Note: Thanks to StitchKingdom.com for forwarding along Disney’s press release with ingredients info!
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