WDW Daily News

This edition of Foodie News for Walt Disney World Resort covers lots of ground – everything from snacks to signature dining in parks, resorts, and Disney Springs. Check out all the tasty news!

We’re so excited to announce Guests can now dine “underneath the lovely London sky” in the newly reimagined Cítricos at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, which pays homage to the whimsy and elegance of Mary Poppins Returns. Taking subtle cues from the movie’s animated sequence, the dining room brings Guests into a fanciful garden setting where they can “trip a little light fantastic” as they experience the restaurant surrounded by the glow from decorative lamps and chandeliers.

Chef Andres Mendoza crafted a new menu with starters like Sweet Corn Bisque with pickled fennel, popcorn, and fennel oil and a colorful Strawberry Salad with chamomile-infused goat cheese, frisée lettuce, bacon vinaigrette, and spiced sunflower seeds.

Entrées include Butter-poached Florida Cobia with mashed fingerling potatoes, grilled asparagus, and local mushrooms with a grapefruit beurre blanc or a delicious Guava Barbequed Short Ribs with aged cheddar creamy grits, roasted poblano, curtido slaw, and Brussels sprouts.

For a sweet ending to Guests’ meals, Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer created some truly delicious and decadent desserts such as Warm Apple Rose with seasonal apple, marzipan layers, and frozen coconut milk and the Chocolate Torte, a dark chocolate financier, dark cherry compote, and vanilla bean mascarpone cream.

The wine and cocktail program, designed by Sommelier Israel Perez, is exceptional. For those who enjoy an elevated food and wine experience, the new and exclusive Sommelier Room at Cítricos will allow Israel and his team to source boutique wines that pair with special creations from Chef Andres. 

Cítricos will open on July 15, with bookings available on July 1.

Yee-haw! Trail’s End Restaurant at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort will reopen July 17 with hearty family-style skillets for breakfast and dinner.

Guests can mosey on over to Fort Wilderness to start their morning with an oven-fresh pastry basket and berry granola yogurt parfait for the table, followed by a hearty family-style skillet with smoked brisket and eggs, bacon, sausage, and cheesy potato casserole. Of course, no breakfast is complete without Mickey waffles! Adults can sip on Moonshine Morning Cocktails – a Pioneer Mimosa with passion, orange, and guava juices and a Mountain Mary with moonshine.

Dinner at Trail’s End is a rootin’ tootin’ good time that starts with hushpuppies and skillet cornbread with a chopped garden salad for the table. The family-style Smokehouse Skillet comes with pecan-smoked brisket, rotisserie chicken, andouille sausage, fingerlings potatoes, green beans, and buttered corn on the cob. Pork spare ribs, peel n’ eat shrimp, and cornbread-crusted salmon are available as tasty add-ons to the meal.

But Guests should be sure to save room for the Covered Wagon Sundae – a wagon load of ice cream, toppings, brownies, cookies, and chocolate-covered bacon! Adults can even kick back with Moonshine Cocktails.

Guests can get ready to hit their craving for hot dogs out of the park! Casey’s Corner on Main Street, U.S.A., will reopen June 30 with their classic all-beef hot dogs. Catch hold of a Chili-Cheese All-Beef Hot Dog or dig into a pile of Corn Dog Nuggets with, of course, cheese sauce. And the plant-based Loaded Slaw Dog (plant-based sausage topped with pickled slaw, barbecue vegan aïoli, and roasted corn relish), is back! The Frozen Mint Julep Lemonade is a refreshing homerun to go along with the hot dog. And don’t forget, mobile order is available at Casey’s Corner.

Guests can also get ready to treat themselves to hand-scooped ice cream at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor hosted by Edys. This oh-so-sweet nostalgic ice cream parlor on Main Street, U.S.A., will open July 7 with favorite flavors on a cone or in a cup – fat-free and no sugar added, as well as plant-based non-dairy options will be available. And more sweet news: Barq’s Root Beer Floats and Coca-Cola Floats are back! Not sure it can get much better than that!

Eight Spoons Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is now open and offers their delish Baked Macaroni & Cheese (with or without pulled pork). The exciting news – the Pulled Pork Jelly Donut Sandwich is back! YUM!

Dino Diner will reopen July 4, so Guests can grab a Dino-Rama Chili-Cheese Dog or a Corn Chip Pie. They can even get their churro fix at Dino Diner!




Salt & Straw, the popular scoop shop at Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort, is heading to Disney Springs next year! We will have more details over the next few months, so be sure to check back for the whole “scoop!”

We have a new summer offering the entire family will love starting June 30 – Disney Family Night Dinner. This playful, family-style dining bundle includes a take-out shareable meal, sweet treats, and an original card-type game inspired by some favorite Disney friends for Guests to enjoy.

Disney Family Night Dinner is available from 5-10 p.m. through mobile order and at the two resort locations offering this three-course takeaway meal that serves 3-4.

Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort:

• Roasted Jamaican-style Chicken
• Fried Yucca
• Cilantro Rice
• Seasonal Vegetables
• Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls with Onion Jam and Guava Butter
• Decorate-your-own Mickey and Minnie Cookies

Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa:

• Garden Salad – Tomato, cucumber, carrots, and a duo of dressings
• Savory Lasagna – Three cheese lasagna with tomato sauce
• Two Mickey-shaped Cheese or Pepperoni Pizzas
• Minnie Cheesecake with strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and fresh berries

When Walt and Roy Disney dreamed of a future for all to enjoy at Walt Disney World Resort, part of that vision became reality with Disney’s Contemporary Resort. With the Monorail running right through its A-frame tower, the resort was an instant icon at The Most Magical Place on Earth – a tribute to the future of imagination and progress.

As Walt Disney World prepares to celebrate its 50^th anniversary this October, Walt Disney Imagineering is tapping into that optimistic spirit once again in reimagining Disney’s Contemporary Resort, enhancing its retro-modern aesthetic that evokes Tomorrowland … with a dash of something Incredible, too.

Currently all nine floors of guest rooms in the tower are being completely refurbished, and here’s a first look at the new décor debuting this fall. These rooms will blend a sleek Monorail motif with some favorite characters from Pixar Animation Studios’ Incredibles films, including Jack-Jack, Frozone and Edna Mode. New custom artwork in Guest rooms and along Guest corridors will be modern, futuristic and oh so stylish, dahling, complementing the resort’s architecture while putting the Supers’ powers on display.

In the lobby, Guests will soon see a collection of modern art pieces as well as historical, behind-the-scenes photographs of Disney’s Contemporary Resort in development and under construction. The resort’s lobby restaurant, The Wave… of American Flavors, will soon close to make way for a reimagined dining experience in time for the Walt Disney World 50^th anniversary celebration.

As part of this reimagining, we’re updating the Guest lobby and check-in experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Walt Disney World Resort. 

Beginning July 16, much of the first-floor lobby will be closed while it undergoes refurbishment. 

While many of the Guest services in the lobby area will remain open – including the elevators, escalators, restrooms and pathways to the Convention Center and bus transportation – the front desk will temporarily relocate to the second floor of the resort. 

Once complete in late September, Contemporary’s lobby will feature an enhanced check-in experience offering an open, free-flowing layout with enhanced seating locations. 

This is just the start of great things happening at Disney’s Contemporary Resort as it looks toward an Incredible future full of hope and promise. Once the tower Guest rooms are complete, work will begin on the rooms inside the Garden Wing out on the shore of Bay Lake.

This reimagining is part of the ongoing evolution of the Disney Resorts Collection at Walt Disney World, where the magic Guests find in our theme parks extends to every moment of their vacation. We’ll have more to share on this project in the months to come as we get ready for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” beginning Oct. 1, so keep checking back with us here for all the details.

As a reminder, information on attractions, dining, experiences and other offerings currently available can be found on DisneyTravelTradeInfo.com/WDW, as well as the affected Resort hotel pages on the Know Before You Go section on the Disney Travel Agents website.

As a best practice, be sure to visit the “Your Guide to Updated Experiences” section from the “Know Before You Go” homepage when planning a vacation for your clients to stay up-to-date on operating information, including refurbishments.

Hundred dollar sandwiches. Two hundred dollar per person park tickets. Eight hundred dollar standard hotel rooms. Has Disneyland finally gotten too expensive? According to a recent study, the answer is yes.

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What could be more perfect this year than a summertime visit to a Disney theme park? As we continue to see more communities adjust and ease COVID-19 guidelines, there’s a new sense of optimism with many positive signs moving forward. We’re encouraged by it too, seeing more families making travel plans, friends dining out together more often and more Americans returning to work. And at Disney theme parks, we’re gradually bringing back more of our beloved park experiences.

A Disney tradition since 1957, fireworks shows are what Walt Disney called the perfect “kiss goodnight” at the close of a magical day, and this summer the skies above Disney theme parks will sparkle with color once more. Beginning in July, just in time for the nation’s Independence Day celebrations, our incredibly popular nighttime fireworks spectaculars are returning to Disney parks!

https://youtube.com/watch?v=WrXjZxDq490

At Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, July 1 marks the start of nightly fireworks performances at Magic Kingdom Park and EPCOT. “Happily Ever After” will transform Cinderella Castle with lights, projections and pyrotechnics, as moments from favorite Disney stories encourage Guests to grab hold of their dreams and make them come true. And as part of the ongoing transformation of EPCOT, “EPCOT Forever” will produce a spectacle of fireworks, music and lighting effects over World Showcase Lagoon, highlighting the themes of innovation, exploration, imagination and celebration at the core of the park’s past, present and future.

As Disneyland Park in California welcomes back all guests, the fun starts July 4 with “Mickey’s Mix Magic” presented nightly throughout the summer. State-of-the-art projections, show lighting and lasers will transform Main Street, U.S.A., Sleeping Beauty Castle and the façade of “it’s a small world” into a dazzling, family fun dance party that goes sky high with fireworks to celebrate the leader of the club, Mickey Mouse.

If Guests simply can’t wait until their next visit to see some Disney fireworks, they can enjoy a virtual viewing of “Happily Ever After” right now with #DisneyMagicMoments at home. And stay tuned for opportunities to join us for upcoming live streams this summer!

As a reminder, valid park admission and a park reservation are required for park entry and must be linked to Guests’ account. Visit DisneyTravelTradeInfo.com/dlr and DisneyTravelTradeInfo.com/wdw for important information, including park attendance requirements.

Since reopening after last year’s pandemic-related closures, Walt Disney World has been without FastPass, the skip the line program that’s complimentary for all guests.

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Check out 23 details you may miss in Disneyland’s new Marvel-themed land Avengers Campus

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This summer, Guests can embark on a tasty tour across six continents at the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE® at Walt Disney World Resort. This delicious celebration, which kicks off July 15 and runs through Nov. 20, features a full menu of new flavors and sips along with live entertainment, family activities and more. That’s 129 days of fun for the entire family!

Global Marketplaces will serve up a host of international flavors, including fan-favorite dishes from Hawai’i, Australia, Germany, Canada and Greece, as well as new spicy, savory and sweet plates to please Guests’ palate. We’ll have more details on specific menu items in an upcoming Foodie Guide, but there are new Global Marketplace concepts coming to Morocco, The American Adventure and throughout the park in July, with even more marketplaces opening in the fall. 

CORKCICLE is the presenting sponsor for this year’s festival, and Guests can visit Shimmering Sips Global Marketplace and four other locations during the event to discover several sparkling beverage options available for purchase in an exclusive keepsake CORKCICLE premium beverage container.

Guests can also commemorate their visit and bring the culinary magic home with other official event merchandise created just for the festival, including apparel, home décor, trading pins and more.

Popular entertainment is back too, with performances by Voices of Liberty, Mariachi Cobre and Jammin’ Chefs. The festival will also open with America Gardens Bandstand presented by Florida Blue Medicare, a live-music concert series performed Friday through Monday evenings. Local bands from across Central Florida will take to the America Gardens Theatre stage, playing popular songs of yesterday and today.

For families, Remy’s Ratatouille Hide & Squeak will send kids of all ages on a savory scavenger hunt around the festival. Another way for families to have fun together is by participating in Emile’s Fromage Montage. Guests will find new ways to experience cheese when they purchase five participating dishes from select Global Marketplaces, including a passionfruit cheesecake with toasted macadamia nuts. Collect five stamps and scurry over to Shimmering Sips for a prize!

The festival is available with valid theme park admission and a park reservation for the same date. Keep checking back for more details.

A new series is coming to Disney+ on July 16 that gives an exclusive peek ‘behind the curtain’ of the most beloved attractions and destinations at Disney Parks and Resorts around the world, from Jungle Cruise to “it’s a small world” to the Haunted Mansion to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. 

“Behind the Attraction” is a 10-part series narrated by Paget Brewster that delves into Disney Parks’ rich, amazing history using archival and never-before-seen footage and photographs to unveil how the attractions came to be and how they’ve been refined over the years as new ideas surface and technology evolves.

Hear the unique story behind each Castle at the Parks and learn how Disney Imagineers designed and built them and discover the intricacies of the transportation systems at each park, and how the iconic Disneyland Hotel came to be.

Including rare interviews with Walt Disney, each episode also features exclusive interviews with Disney Legends and dozens of past and present Imagineers, including Bob Weis, Jeanette Lomboy, Kim Irvine, Scott Trowbridge, Tom Fitzgerald, Scot Drake, Carmen Smith, Joe Rohde, and others who divulge insider secrets of the parks and how iconic Disney attractions were brought to life.

And today, we’re sharing a special look at the new poster art for the series:

Be sure to check out all 10 episodes available to stream on Friday, July 16 on Disney+.

We are so excited to announce booking and opening dates for some of our Guests’ favorite Disney dining locations! Check out all the delicious details below.

Disneyland Resort

Many travelers at Disneyland Park have missed sipping on Fuzzy Tauntauns and listening to DJ R-3X rock it (in his quirky way!). All our favorite bounty hunters, smugglers and galactic travelers will be happy to know that Oga’s Cantina will open on June 17 with bookings available June 14. Under the shadow of the spire!

Guests planning to visit Disney California Adventure Park can soon get their fix of plant-based Potato Flautas or Indulgent French Toast at Lamplight Lounge Brunch, opening July 9 with booking available June 14. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday brunch only.)

Guests looking to dine alfresco with a plate of delicious Spaghetti Aglio Olio accompanied by the perfect glass of wine at Wine Country Trattoria will be pleased to hear that the restaurant opens July 17 with bookings available June 14.

Here are a few more Disneyland Park openings and offerings we are excited to share:

• Tiki Juice Bar (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
• Docking Bay Food & Cargo (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
• Alien Pizza Planet (mobile order available) – Opening June 17
• Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante – Opening June 17
• Candy Palace – Currently making Nuttles (chopped pecan pieces layered with freshly made caramel with a dollop of milk chocolate on top) on Mondays and Fridays
• Candy Palace – Currently making Rocky Road (mix of milk chocolate, chopped almonds, and house-made marshmallows in a small pie tin) on Saturdays

Downtown Disney District

There are two new yummy treats available at Downtown Disney District – one in the glass and one to grab on the go.

• Beignet-flavored Cocktail at Ralph Brennen’s Jazz Kitchen – Wedding cake-flavored vodka, vanilla syrup, butterscotch schnapps, and half and half topped with a mini glazed beignet
• French Toast Churro at California Churro – Dusted in powdered sugar and served with a side of maple syrup
  

Walt Disney World

Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort (Opening June 24 with nightly walk-in availability through July 4; booking available June 10 for reservations starting July 5)

Disney Skyliner conveniently stops at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, making it an easy (and fun!) trip for Guests to dine at Sebastian’s Bistro, which will reopen with delicious tastes of the Caribbean and a new family-style meal at dinner.

Sebastian’s signature buttery house-baked pull-apart rolls will get Guests started, and the entire table will enjoy the Taste of the Caribbean platter featuring oven-roasted citrus chicken, slow-cooked mojo pork with mango sambal, and grilled flank steak with mojito relish. This hearty platter comes with sides of cilantro rice and beans, vegetable curry, and grilled broccolini. Coconut shrimp can also be ordered as an add-on to the meal. The best part? Guests finish with the ultimate sweet treat – the popular coconut-pineapple bread pudding!

‘Ohana at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (Opening July 9; booking available June 10)

With the backdrop of tropical greenery, ‘Ohana will again offer their fabulous all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner offerings when they reopen. Although Disney characters will not be hosting breakfast, a strolling musician will entertain Guests for dinner.

For breakfast, Guests can start with pineapple-coconut breakfast bread, move on to Stitch and Mickey Mouse waffles, then dig into “eggs”cellent breakfast skillets with ham, sausage, and breakfast potatoes.

The ‘Ohana dinner features all-you-care-to-enjoy platters of grilled beef steak, roasted chicken, sausage, and island shrimp casserole served with fried rice and roasted broccolini. And yes, ‘Ohana pot stickers, crispy soy chicken wings, and the signature ‘Ohana bread pudding served warm with caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream are back! Yippee!

Tusker House Restaurant, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park (Opening June 20; booking now available)

Donald Duck and his Disney friends are welcoming Guests back to this lively Harambe marketplace. At Tusker House Restaurant, Guests can graze on a bountiful family-style menu brimming with African-inspired flavors while snapping photos of favorite Disney characters. For breakfast, Guests can start their adventure with Mickey and Simba waffles, Durban chicken and egg curry with jasmine rice, and much more. Lunch and dinner offerings include Moroccan-spiced beef, Berber-marinated pork, spit-roasted herb chicken, and Cape Malay green curry shrimp.

Here are additional quick-service locations at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park now open:

• Terra Treats (serving pizza slices)
• Isle of Java (serving fresh-brewed espresso, cappuccino, and sweet treats)
• Trilo-Bites (service DOLE Whip orange)
• Drinkwallah Snacks & Frozen Beverages
  

BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop, Disney’s BoardWalk

Craving a frozen sweet treat? Guests can take a stroll around Crescent Lake on Disney’s BoardWalk and visit BoardWalk Ice Cream Shop. Featuring scoops and sundaes to go, Guests can satisfy their craving with a good old-fashioned sundae plus brownie and strawberry splash shortcake a la modes, and of course, the kid-favorite, Mickey Mouse Sundaes!

Take a look at the latest construction photos from the TRON Roller Coaster Coming to Magic Kingdom.