Food is as much as part of the Disney theme park experience as Mickey himself. Just as people tend to have their favorite princess, attraction, or Disney movie, they also have their favorite Disney park nosh.
Archive for Disney Restaurants
Disney’s Best Restaurants Around the World
A Disney vacation doesn’t have to be all about Mickey Mouse meet-and-greets and Pirates of the Caribbean-themed rides. Disney can actually be a dining destination all its own. Full-service restaurants make it easy for families to dine and relax, and you can’t beat the Disney dining plan if hitting up the quick-service restaurants and snack stands is your style.
Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue Celebrates 40 Years Of Foot-Stompin’ Fun at Walt Disney World Resort
When Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue launched on June 30, 1974, the high-energy dinner show at Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground was created in the heyday of dinner theaters for Walt Disney World guests with a summer college intern cast. The foot-stompin’, hand-clappin’ musical starred six young actors and offered endless buckets of fried chicken and ribs.
“Hoop-Dee-Doo was upbeat, and guests came for the corny jokes, good food and lots of fun,” said Forrest Bahruth, show director, Disney Parks & Resorts Creative Entertainment and the original choreographer for the dinner show. “Forty years later, the heart is still in it, the energy is still there.”
As that first summer ended and guests were clamoring for more, Walt Disney World Entertainment already was auditioning a full-time cast, and Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue opened as a permanent show on Sept. 5, 1974. Today, it’s one of the country’s longest-running dinner shows and has presented more than 37,000 performances. More than 10.5 million guests have seen the high-spirited show.
And while Hoop-Dee-Doo has been fine-tuned over its 40-year run, the heart of the show never has changed: a slice of Americana, old-fashioned family fun and heaping helpings of good, down- home food. “Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue exemplifies everything that Disney stands for,” said show director Tom Vazzana. “It’s interactive fun for families and stellar entertainment – six performers put on a show that’s 90 minutes of pure enjoyment.”
Updated Capt. Cook’s Opens at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is undergoing several exciting enhancements, including the newly refurbished Capt. Cook’s.
Featuring an updated menu and a fresh new look, the updated Capt. Cook’s brings island-style cuisine to this popular quick service dining location.
Guests can feast on favorites, such as Tonga Toast and the hot beef ‘n blue sandwich, as well as new options, including blackened fish tacos and curry meatballs. And, fans of the Dole Whip need not fear. The classic soft serve treat will return soon in its very own location, Pineapple Lanai.
Trattoria al Forno to Open This December at Disney’s BoardWalk
Trattoria al Forno, a new restaurant featuring Italian cuisine with authentic ingredients and recipes from Italy’s various regions, is set to open at Disney’s BoardWalk in December 2014. The new spot will showcase Old World techniques, including handcrafted mozzarella made daily, a variety of Neopolitan-style pizzas baked in wood-burning ovens, and other classic italian favorites such as risotto, baked lasagna, chicken great alla Parmigiana with tagliatelle pasta and more. Trattoria al Forno will boast an extensive wine menu with more than 60 offerings by the bottle and more than 25 wines by the glass, including Chiantis, Super Tuscans and fine Italian white wines such as Prosecco, Pinot Grigio and Moscato. Desserts such as tiramisù, gelatos, and the signature bomboloni (Italian donut holes) with dark chocolate and vanilla gelato round out the menu. Disney’s BoardWalk is located on Crescent Lake near Epcot in the heart of Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.
Disneyland Resort Restaurants Win 12 Awards at Southern California Restaurant Writers Banquet
Disneyland Resort celebrates a dozen new awards from the Southern California Restaurant Writers, with tributes for 2013-2014 going to restaurants at Disneyland Park, Disney California Adventure Park and the Disneyland Resort hotels.
Each year, the Southern California Restaurant Writers evaluates restaurants from Santa Barbara to the Mexican border on food, service, ambiance and beverages. Three Disneyland Resort restaurants received highest honors, earning the coveted Five Star award and the Golden Bacchus Wine Award: Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge in Disney California Adventure Park, Napa Rose in Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, and Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.
These, plus several other prestigious awards, were presented to the Disneyland Resort staff at the 2013-2014 Southern California Restaurant Writers Annual Awards Banquet held on April 13 at the Astor Classic Events Center in Anaheim, Calif. The highlight of the evening was the recognition of Jose Barragan, named “Manager of the Year” for his work at Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge.
Barragan has been with Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for 17 years. He brings 35 years of food service experience, plus a business administration education, to Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge. Prior to his Disney career, he spent 11 years at the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and four years at the Ritz-Carlton.
“Jose’s years of managing fine dining, as well as his passion and expertise for creating amazing dining experiences, have enabled us to create a signature restaurant that no one would expect to find inside a theme park,” said Michele Gendreau, general manager of Food & Beverage at Disney California Adventure Park.
Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge harkens back to the Golden Age of Hollywood at the heart of Disney California Adventure Park. The seasonal menu, created by award-winning Executive Chef Andrew Sutton, celebrates California’s diverse cuisine. Guests enjoy varieties of sustainable fish, both wild and farmed, in dishes such as ceviche of blue cobia and sesame-soy-glazed Skuna Bay salmon. The lunch menu includes seasonal salads, such as Strawberry Chicken, an Angus burger with cheddar cheese and house-made pickles. A friendly wine program includes both Old and New World wines, with a focus on California vintages.
Napa Rose, at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, also earned Five Stars and the Golden Bacchus Wine Award this year. Napa Rose showcases California wine country cuisine, changing its menu seasonally to source the finest, freshest ingredients. The cuisine is created to complement the restaurant’s extensive California-dominated wine collection. The 17,000-bottle cellar carries more than 1,000 different labels, with 80 wines available by the glass.
“Executive Chef Andrew Sutton and Napa Rose General Manager Philippe Tosques have been instrumental in Napa Rose’s success, contributing to the dining experience with their expertise, dedication, talent and integrity,” said Dan Coleman, general manager of Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Event Operations. “These awards are a tribute to their hard work and dedication to the Napa Rose.”
With 12 awards going to eight restaurants – two in Disneyland Park, two in Disney California Adventure Park and three in Disneyland Resort hotels – Disneyland Resort guests have outstanding dining options and locations to choose from on their visits.
The complete list of Disneyland Resort awards from SCRW:
Manager of the Year:
Jose Barragan (Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge, Disney California Adventure Park)
Golden Bacchus Wine Award:
Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge
Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)
Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
5 Stars:
Carthay Circle Restaurant and Lounge (Disney California Adventure Park)
Napa Rose (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)
Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel)
4 Stars:
Ariel’s Grotto (Disney California Adventure Park)
Blue Bayou Restaurant (Disneyland Park)
Café Orleans (Disneyland Park)
Storytellers Cafe (Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa)
3 Stars:
Goofy’s Kitchen (Disneyland Hotel)
Insider Information on Disneyland Resort Dining
Where is the best steak, sushi and dining alfresco? Here are some “insider tips” on Disneyland Resort dining:
Most romantic dinner spot: It’s a toss-up between Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and a corner table at Steakhouse 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.
Favorite spots for outdoor dining: The terrace at Wine Country Trattoria, the patio at Carthay Circle Restaurant and the back patio at Flo’s V-8 Cafe in Cars Land, all at Disney California Adventure Park; Carnation Cafe on Main Street, U.S.A., the front porch of Plaza Inn and River Belle Terrace (where we’re told Walt Disney used to have breakfast on Sunday mornings), all in Disneyland Park; the terrace at Napa Rose, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa; Uva Bar, Downtown Disney District.
How to order kosher meals: Kosher meals are available at most table-service restaurants at the Disneyland Resort. A 24-hour notice is required, and the meals are purchased from an outside vendor. Guests also may bring their own preferred kosher products.
Allergies, special diets: Chefs are happy to accommodate with advance notice by calling 714-781-DINE,or just ask for the chef when you arrive.
Fill ‘er up: Favorite self-serve, buffet-style restaurants include breakfast at Plaza Inn, Disneyland Park; Goofy’s Kitchen (brunch and dinner), the Disneyland Hotel; breakfast at Disney’s PCH Grill, Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel; and breakfast at Storytellers Cafe, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Where is Mickey Mouse? Best place to find the Big Cheese is Surf’s Up! Breakfast with Mickey and Friends at Disney’s PCH Grill at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel.
Best steak dinner: Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel (the generous bone-in rib-eye is a hands-down favorite), or the grilled filet of Angus beef tenderloin at Napa Rose.
Best cup of coffee: Starbucks at Market House on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland Park, and at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe at Disney California Adventure Park.
Best vegetarian: All table-service restaurants offer vegetarian choices, but for creations with the season’s freshest ingredients, guests may try Catal Restaurant and Uva Bar at Downtown Disney District, or Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.
Tops for families: Gather round the table for breakfast or dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel, where the Disney characters will have you dancing, or Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland Park, with twinkling lights and a magical ambience. Storytellers Cafe at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa spurs family conversation with beautiful wall murals that depict tall tales set in the Golden State’s early days.
Grown-ups’ night out: For an evening without the kids, favorites include Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and Steakhouse 55, at the Disneyland Hotel.
Best place to grab a quick sandwich: Cozy Cone Motel, Disney California Adventure Park; Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe and Hungry Bear in Disneyland Park; Earl of Sandwich or La Brea Bakery at Downtown Disney District.
Outstanding wine list: Napa Rose at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa offers a selection of 80 wines by the glass from an award-winning list of more than 450 international wines (80 percent Californian) and a 17,000-bottle cellar.
Best lounges: Steakhouse 55 or Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar, both at the Disneyland Hotel; Napa Rose or Hearthstone Lounge, both at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel& Spa, and the lounge downstairs at Carthay Circle Restaurant, in Disney California Adventure Park.
