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Disney World Dining

A Look Inside the New ‘California Grill’

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort as you know it now is about to become a part of Disney history! Closing on Feb. 1st for an extensive refurbishment, it will reopen in late Summer 2013 with a new decor and kitchen along with a new menu!

As one of Walt Disney World® Resort’s Signature Dining locations, the California Grill provides exquisite cuisine and a spectacular view of the Seven Seas Lagoon from the 15th floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort. While the refurbishment will bring change to the menu and the appearance of the restaurant, guests will still delight in the tastes of their gourmet meal.

Enjoy this sneak peek of the “New” California Grill by browsing these recently released renderings and menu previews.

Once a reopening date has been announced, we will let you know!

All renderings and menu previews are subject to change

Allergies and Desserts at Walt Disney World® Resort

Disney Dining DessertBy Magic Maker® Megan Caceres

My daughters and I love trying new foods so dining is a big part of our vacations. My girls start choosing where they want to eat on our next trip while we are still on our current one. Now dining with food allergies (dairy, nuts, shellfish and several fruits) might take away from the pleasure of dining out, but not at Walt Disney World® Resort. From our first trip all the worry I had regarding my daughter’s allergies and mine vanished, due to the great service I received from the wonderful cast members when I called to make reservations, to the chefs and managers at all of the dining establishments. Even making reservations now online, it is easy to note all allergies and food intolerances.

But what about desserts? Allergies can be a bit tricky here. My daughter luckily is a fruit lover, and at the few establishments that we venture to at home, she is satisfied with a nice fruit platter, but we are on vacation…and as every parent knows, the kids are looking forward to desserts.

Well the folks at Walt Disney World® Resort won me over on our first trip with the care they took at making her feel like she was not going to lose out on some of the wonderful delights. At almost every table service restaurant we have ever been to they have always had dairy-free ice cream or allergy free cookies, but the chefs have gone beyond in ways I could never have dreamed of. Their service truly shows their dedication to their customers, and the great imagination that they have at designing fabulous desserts even with a ton of restrictions.

Counter Services should not be left out either, by contacting Special Dining at Walt Disney World® Resort, not only do they provide a form that you can submit back to them with all your advance dining reservations (which they then forward to the chefs at the restaurants) but they also send you a ton of information with great details of all the allergy free / food intolerance options throughout all the parks and resorts.

With the service that we get here, Walt Disney World® Resort had become our annual trip, we can all enjoy dining which is one of our favorite things, I can enjoy without worrying about an allergic reaction and my daughter…well to this day she says her desserts are better than ours, so I guess from her that is an A+ rating.

Contact your Magic Maker® to help make your dining arrangements and discuss with them any special dietary needs or concerns you may have.

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Celebrating Thanksgiving in Walt Disney World

Are you planning to celebrate Thanksgiving at the Walt Disney World® Resort?  You can still have your turkey and dressing in between rides on Dumbo: The Flying Elephant and Space Mountain!  Here are just a few of the Walt Disney World® restaurants where you can find the traditional Thanksgiving meal*.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park
Tusker House

Thanksgiving Day Entree: Rotisserie Turkey, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Orange Chutney, Yam Casserole, Herb Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Beef Strip Loin and Smoked Salmon and Rotisserie Chicken.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Brown Derby
Dine among the stars of Hollywood at this iconic Hollywood restaurant while enjoying Roasted Breast of Turkey with Apple-Pecan Cornbread Dressing, Acorn Squash, Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Mixed Beans, Cranberry-Orange Relish, and Natural Pan Gravy. Add Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingerbread Crust, Pumpkin Seed Brittle or Ruby Port Pear Glaze for Dessert (in addition to regular menu)

Hollywood & Vine
Carved Turkey Breast, Cornbread Stuffing, butternut squash with root beer bourbon sauce with candied pecans and marshmallows, Giblet Gravy, Cranberry Sauce, and Pumpkin Cheesecake will be served in addition to the regular menu.  For lunch, be sure to catch your favorite characters at the Disney Junior Play ‘n Dine Character Meal.

50’s Prime TimeThanksgiving in Walt Disney World
Just like at home, sit with your “cousins” while Mom is in the kitchen cooking your meal!  While sitting in your grandmother’s dining room, enjoy carved turkey breast, cornbread stuffing, roasted seasonal vegetables, giblet gravy, cranberry, pumpkin torte all offered a’la carte. (served in addition to the regular menu).

Epcot®
Akershus – Princess Storybook Dining
Celebrate Thanksgiving with your favorite princesses!  Some regular menu items will be available plus these delicious Holiday offerings: Roasted Turkey with accompaniments; Mustard-glazed Salmon; Grilled Vegetable-stuffed Pasta; Grilled Pork Chop; Traditional Kjottkake; Pizza, Hot Digs, Cheese Ravioli, and Children Portion Turkey Dinner.

Garden Grill
Dine with Mickey,Pluto, Chip and Dale decked out in their farmer gear as you dine on a delicious Holiday meal grown fresh in the greenhouses downstairs.  In addition to regular menu items, including the following holiday menu items: Basket of Warm Breads with Maple Butter, “Living with the Land” Harvest-inspired Farmers Salad, Char-grilled Beef Strip Loin with Herb Sea Salt, Roasted All Natural Turkey Breast with Cranberry-Orange Relish, Sustainable Fish of the Day with Florida Citrus Crumb, Garden Fresh Vegetables, Smashed Potatoes, Turkey Dressing, Freshly Baked Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp (Dessert is subject to change) with Hand-whipped Vanilla Bean Cream.

Magic Kingdom® Park
Liberty Tree Tavern
Enjoy a Thanksgiving feast in the colonial setting of Liberty Square.  The Patriot’s Platter features Roasted Turkey Breast, Carved Beef, and Sliced Pork with Mashed Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Bread Stuffing, and Macaroni & Cheese.

Tony’s Town Square
A special Thanksgiving Entree including Turkey with Marsala Mushroom Gravy, Cornbread Sausage Sage Stuffing, Romano Leek Mash, and Green Beans will be served in addition to the regular menu in the restaurant influenced by the famous spaghetti scene in Disney’s Lady and the Tramp.

In addition to these great offerings* at the four main theme parks, several options are available at the Walt Disney World® Resort Hotels and in the Downtown Disney® Area.  Reservations are highly recommended.  Contact your Magic Maker today for more information regarding dining reservations.

 

*Menu offerings subject to change without notice.  A holiday surcharge may be added to the regular price of buffet dining.  The above list is just a small sample of restaurants at the Walt Disney World® Resort where you can find the turkey and dressing.  Other restaurants and dining locations may or may not serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Extra Hour for Dining in Epcot

Got a craving for Coral Reef’s decadent Chocolate Wave dessert at 9:15 in the evening?  Guests visiting the Walt Disney World® Resort March 28-April 10, 2010 can satisfy that craving with an extra hour for dining in the evening at Epcot®.  Guests can book an “extra hour” table at Coral Reef Restaurant, Garden Grill or Le Cellier Steakhouse. Then get ready to relax and sip a post-prandial cocktail or linger over dessert while the Epcot crowds dwindle.

The Walt Disney World® Resort is testing this new idea and is looking for feedback.  Epcot® typically closes at 9:00 pm.  The Extra Hour for Dining would allow guests to make reservations for the three restaurants listed above after that time.  This is perfect for that couple who loves late night dining.  With this new arrangement, you may even be able to catch Illuminations: Reflections of Earth before heading off to your meal!

After dinner, stroll leisurely (Or quickly, if you need to work off that second helping of dessert!) through a nearly empty Epcot®.  The Disney Parks have an extra helping of magic at night, especially when not filled with other people.  Guests not ready to call it a day can head out the back of Epcot® through the International Gateway to Disney’s Boardwalk Area.  Street entertainment, night clubs, and shopping all keep the night young!

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Pizzeria to Open at Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

An authentic pizzeria will be opening at Italy Pavilion at Epcot later this year!

The new 300-seat restaurant will have traditional Florentine architecture, vaulted-ceilings and outside dining. And the food will be authentic with Italian dishes (complimenting the offerings at Tutto Italia ) and pizza from wood-burning ovens.

The pizzeria will be the newest flagship restaurant in the Patina Restaurant Group’s portfolio. And one of the special touches at the Epcot location will be the water. It’ll be imported from a source where the composition most resembles water used in Naples, Italy, to make the authentic Italian dough.

A name for the family-style pizzeria has not been finalized as of yet.  Construction is currently underway and the restaurant is scheduled to open in fall 2010.  Can’t wait to check it out?  Click here to start planning your Walt Disney World Vacation now!

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