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18th EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival – The Marketplace Menus

Want to know what delicious goodies are being cooked up for the 18th EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival marketplace kiosks? Disney has released what looks like a complete list of all the marketplace menus. I remember reading somewhere that we were getting scotch eggs, but I don’t see them on the list. Anyone know what happened there?

The Kalua Pork Slider (not the liqueur Kahlua but the Kalua barbecue method of cooking) returns to the Hawaii tasting marketplace

The Kalua Pork Slider (not the liqueur Kahlua but the Kalua barbecue method of cooking) returns to the Hawaii tasting marketplace

Brazil (All-New Menu)

Seared Scallop with Ragout of Tomatoes, Peppers, Hearts of Palm and Steamed Rice
Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Onions, Avocado and Cilantro
Cerveharias Kaiser Brewery Xingu Black Beer
Carnaval Moscato White
Frozen Caipirinha featuring LeBlon Cachaça

Scotland (New)

Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette
Vegetarian Haggis with Neeps and Tatties-Griddled Vegetable Cake with Rutabaga and Mashed Potatoes
Scottish Banoffee Tart with Bananas, Scottish Whisky Toffee, Walkers Shortbread Crumbles and Sweet Cream
Innis & Gunn® Original
Loch Lomond featuring Glenfiddich® 12 year
Glenfiddich® Scotch Flight (12, 15 and 18 year)

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Blue Bayou Memories

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Early Disneyland food options were limited mostly to carnival food and chicken dinners. Most of the restaurants were run by third party operators that Walt had brought in when he ran short of money building the park. These food locations often competed against each other to attract guests and gave park management an awful time trying to control quality and service.

One operator, Don DeFore, ran the Silver Banjo Restaurant. It was located in a small part of Frontierland and DeFore felt it was too hard for guests to find. To help attract guests, he would boil onions and blow out the smell with a fan. He even went as far as creating a sandwich board sign which he placed out on the main walk way. It all infuriated Walt who thought the signs and smells cheapened his park.

This led Walt to take over all the food operations, a move which he accomplished by 1965. He also decided Disneyland would up its game with the addition of a restaurant attached to the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction he was building. This restaurant would help convince the public that top quality dining experience could be had in the park.
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Move over Turkey Leg, the Pork Shank is in Town

You’ve heard the rumors, Disneyland guest favorite giant turkey legs are really snipped from the leg of an Emu. That’s not true, but what is true is that the lovely, simple, yet delicious pork shank has made its way to Disneyland to give the old… Read More »Move over Turkey Leg, the Pork Shank is in Town

Counter Service Hits and Misses at Walt Disney World

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A lot of time is spent talking about Advanced Dining Reservations or how to maximize the value of your Disney Dining Plan, but the reality for most Disney World guests is that they’ll be eating mostly at one of the many counter service locations. So, I’ve put together a list of hits, misses, and some hidden gems for those dining on a budget or who just don’t want to take the time away from the attractions a sit down restaurant requires.

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18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11 Early Details Announced

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The 18th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival will return to Walt Disney World this fall with exciting new flavors and entertainment options. This year your culinary trip around the world will include tastes from the Scotland marketplace and a return trip to Brazil as part of more than 25 total marketplaces around the world showcase. Five new acts have also been added to the Eat to the Beat Concerts.

Fresh for 2013:
Super Festival Sips

  • New marketplace debuts; favorites return – Traditional flavors with a twist will pair with beers, meads and Scotch at the new Scotland Marketplace designed by Walt Disney Imagineering. Scottish officials were so impressed with the hit Disney film, “Brave,” that they contacted festival planners about participating in this year’s festival. The Brazil Marketplace returns by popular demand with an exciting new menu following a one-year hiatus. Hawai’i is back with its flavorful Kalua Pork Slider, and Terra, which debuted last year, returns with vegan favorite Trick’n Chicken Curry.

    • Read More »18th Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Sept. 27-Nov. 11 Early Details Announced

Date Night at Disney World

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Sure, Disney World is great for kids, but it’s also a lot of fun for grown ups—there’s a reason it’s one of the most popular honeymoon locations in the world.  Since our kids are young, we can’t always enjoy some of the more grown up restaurants or even some of the attractions, so my husband and I usually plan a night out without the kids.  I find that not only does it give us a nice night out together, it also gives the kids some low-key fun and a break from the parks, something even the most ardent little Disney fan sometimes needs.  Sounds great, you say, but who’s going to watch the kids? Well, that’s the easy part.

Sitter Options.  Unless you’re traveling with extended family or friends who offer to watch the little ones while you go out, you’re probably going to need a sitter. Fortunately, you have two very convenient, safe options.Read More »Date Night at Disney World

A Visit to Planet Hollywood

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I’ve lived in Central Florida for 8 years now and visited Walt Disney World a few times over the years before that, but I never visited Planet Hollywood in Downtown Disney. Now that we’ve heard it’s going away in the Disney Springs makeover for Downtown Disney, it was time to go.

My review below the jump:

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Top Five Most Overrated Disney World Things

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Okay, so it’s painfully obvious that I love Disney World, but even a diehard fan like me has the occasional head-scratching moment over some things that achieve cult status among Disney fans. Whether it’s food, a certain restaurant, or even a resort, I just don’t get it and I think I’m not the only one. Or at least I hope not.

Here are my top five overrated Disney things.

5. The Polynesian.
For years I’ve wondered why the Polynesian, which essentially looks like the hotel the Brady Bunch would have stayed in during their family trip to Hawaii if Mr. Brady wasn’t still paying alimony to his first wife, has such a cult following. Sure, it’s got a great pool and gorgeous landscaping. The way they light the grounds at night is breathtaking and, dare I say it, romantic. And you can’t beat the location on the Magic Kingdom monorail. Beyond that, however, it’s kind of underwhelming: Dark rooms, dated furniture, and a small lobby. And I’m pretty sure that 90% of the plugs in the rooms don’t even work.Read More »Top Five Most Overrated Disney World Things