Disney Dining

Nutrition at Disney World

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:01:03 +0000

Walt Disney World Resort is committed to offering healthy snack options that are widely available. The number of fresh fruit carts at the parks is steadily increasing while other nutritious snacks like nuts and trail mix also are more readily available.

Disney is continuing to work with manufacturers to reformulate recipes for candy, packaged food and bakery items sold in the parks, or identifying replacement products to find new products that do not use partially hydrogenated oil. Portion-controlled snacks and treats and packaging to promote nutritious food are part of the changes, as well as sugar-free, gluten-free and low-calorie options.

New Tequila Bar at Epcot

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 08:26:24 +0000

The newest drinking establishment at Disney World is the popular tequila bar at Epcot. La Cava del Tequila in the Mexico pavilion in Epcot World Showcase offers 95 varieties of the popular beverage. With 30 seats, the lounge offers premium tequilas and margaritas, with light Mexican appetizers. And an official “tequila ambassador” from Tequila, Mexico. Most guests order the classic margarita, served in Mexico City since 1963, a simple trio of blanco teqila with Cointreau liquor and fresh lime juice. A half-dozen small bites are on the menu, from chicken, shrimp and blue crab tostadas to shrimp cocktail, guacamole and beef taquitos. And if guests prefer a cocktail without alcohol, the frozen piñata is a delicious blend of coconut, pineapple and strawberry juices. No reservations; hours are noon to 9 or 9:30 p.m.

Kouzzina by Cat Cora

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 08:01:51 +0000

Celebrating its first anniversary, this Greek-inspired restaurant at Disney’s BoardWalk called Kouzzina pays tribute to celebrity chef Cat Cora’s roots. Cora says that the new restaurant features “time-honored recipes passed down from my ancestors, as well as my favorite Greek and Mediterranean dishes that my family loves.”

The first and only female Iron Chef on Food Network’s hit show “Iron Chef America,” Cora is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Chef Dee Foundoukis keeps the kitchen running when Cora is on the road.

Disney Dining Drink of the Day

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 08:05:16 +0000

With more than 50 lounges in Walt Disney World hotels and three of the theme parks (no alcohol is served in Magic Kingdom), you can sip beers and wines from around the globe, French champagnes and bartenders’ specialty drinks like a Watermelon Martini at Crew’s Cup Lounge at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. Join us every Friday for the Disney Dining Drink of the Day!

Rix Lounge, a nightclub venue at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, features house music, specialty drinks, tapas-style appetizers and rotating entertainment. State-of-the-art lighting and sound systems create a first-class, fresh, contemporary and sophisticated ambiance. The menu features an array of signature martinis, mojitos and margaritas.

Celebrating 15 Years at California Grill

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:18:41 +0000

Since May 15, 1995, the California Grill on the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort has been winning culinary accolades. Chef Brian Piasecki has been running the California Grill kitchen since January 2009, focusing on seasonal and local products when possible, and coloring outside the box with dishes such as seared bison and a lobster salad with yuzu mayo. But we know that it’s the dazzling location high atop the Contemporary with a bird’s eye view of the Magic Kingdom fireworks that really take the experience over the top. And manager and sommelier Bridget Sherren showcases a stellar wine list and runs a top-notch team in the dining room.

Disney World Dining Drink of the Day

Fri, 07 Oct 2011 08:03:01 +0000

Trek to Africa for authentic Tusker Beer from Africa at Dawa Bar. This bar is adjacent to Tusker House Restaurant at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Sit in the shade and sip a hard-to-find Tusker Beer from Africa or Safari Amber, brewed just for Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. South African wines are on the drink menu, too, along with cocktails like Lost on Safari with rum and fruit juices.

Kona Island Sushi Bar at Disney World

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 07:59:15 +0000

If you love sushi, you may want to try the new Disney World Dining bar at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. The 20-seat sushi bar is now open nightly, located right outside of Kona Cafe near the monorail. Mornings they serve coffee, tea, pastries and fruit. At 5 p.m., the menu morphs to sushi with about a half-dozen rolls, sashimi (fish without rice) and nigiri (fish with rice).

If you prefer your fish cooked, there’s a delicious shrimp tempura roll with fresh mango or the Kona crab cake roll made with lump crab, avocado and Asian tartar sauce. Traditionalists can stick with salmon or tuna sashimi or the delicious tuna poke salad. For vegetarians, there’s a cucumber roll. Pair any pick with a classic mai tai or Kona Cool Sundown cocktail, Kona Fire Rock Pale Ale or Kona Longboard lager, wine or sake.

Disney World Dining Drink of the Day

Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:00:54 +0000

Head out to the movies at Tune-In at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This lounge is next door to 50?s Prime Time Cafe and looks like a family den from the ’50s, with black-and-white TVs and campy retro furniture. You can choose kitschy drinks from “Dad’s Liquor Cabinet” like Uncle Tim’s Melon Margarita, Scooter’s Long Island Iced Tea or an Electric Lemonade. Beer and wine is offered, too.

Dine in the Kitchen at Flying Fish

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 07:05:30 +0000

Award-winning Chef Tim Keating is famous in regards to Disney World Dining. He is the Chef at Flying Fish Cafe at Disney’s BoardWalk has a loyal following. Guests often ask him to create a special dinner – something that’s not on the menu. And most of the regulars love a seat at the wide granite bar facing the on-stage kitchen.

Now the first six seats at the coveted Chef’s Counter are reserved for the new Chef’s Tasting Wine Dinner, a nightly affair that offers five courses paired with wine for a special evening – “a new spin on menu items,” said Keating. And there’s plenty of interaction with the well-orchestrated team of chefs. Sommelier Keith Gimbel expertly pairs delicious wines with each course.

There are two Disney World dining seatings nightly, Sunday through Thursday, at 5:45 and 8:15 p.m. Cost is $135, $85 without wine. Make Disney World dining reservations at 407/WDW-DINE or through our recommended travel agency. There are a handful of blackout dates throughout the year (mostly around busy holidays).

Disney World Dining Drink of the Day

Fri, 23 Sep 2011 07:58:17 +0000

This week, the Disney Dining Drink of the Day is beer! Beers are the center of attention at Crew’s Cup at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort, with more than 30 on the menu, from Red Stripe from Jamaica to Guinness Draught from Ireland and Yuengling Lager from Pottsville, Pa. Signature martinis and coffee drinks laced with spirits are popular, too. The lounge has a limited menu for a light dinner.