Where can you find it at?
Tangierine Cafe-World Showcase Morocco at Epcot

What is it?
Three Pita Pockets — Lamb, Chicken and Falafel with Lettuce, Tomatoes, Onions, Cucumber, and Tahini Sauce. Served with Lentils, Hummus and Tabouleh.

Why you want it?
It’s a great way to sample their chicken,lamb and falafel all at once.The meal was very filling and did not disappoint.It was a great use of a counter service dining
credit.There was no room for even the baklava!
You can find this on the menu for $14.99 OR if you are using the Disney Dining Plan  it is 1 Counter Service Credit.

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Related articles

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I know many people love Buffets due to the variety of food available and of course the “eat as much as you want” philosophy but before you think this is about lowering your portion sizes or another health food article let me assure you it is not.

Our last trip to Disney World I planned out several nice buffets for my family. Cape May Cafe, OHana (hybrid buffet), Tusker House, etc. I was finding out that even with all that yummy food my little one was to busy watching all the stuff going on or bouncing off the wall from all the excitement that she wasn’t eating much. Same thing with our infant, there were always people walking around, events going on that neither one of them wanted to eat.

We have decided since we goto Disney World so often that it is better for us to get a Tables in Wonderland Card instead of using the Disney Dining Plan. If you want to read more check out this article Tables in Wonderland vs. Disney Dining Plan. So when we were going to the buffets we were getting socked with a $10 – $15 meal for our 5 year old and she was maybe eating a few bites. What a waste!

After a few experiences like that I went online to the Disney World Dining Reservation page and cancelled the rest of the buffet meals and opted for places where you can order off a menu. Places like Whispering Canyon Cafe, Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater, and Via Napoli. The food is just as good, cheaper, and sometimes portable. If we knew we were going back to the room or if the food was portable like the picture above we took what she didn’t eat with us.

Quick Tip – Pack Ziplock bags to put left over or extra food in to munch on later.

While it is highly unlikely you can avoid every buffet scheduling a few per visit will help you not feel so guilty if you have a picky eater like we do. For a full restaurant listing check out our Disney World Dining Guide Section and Resort Dining.

Related articles

• Disney World Quick Tips – Try something new (chipandco.com)
• Disney World Quick Tips – Save money by packing a lunch (chipandco.com)

Where can you find it?
Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club 

What is it?
A cupcake, brownie, and white chocolate puzzle with a sugary sweet edible paint!!

Why your kids want it-
What kid doesn’t want to play with their food? The white chocolate Mickey puzzle comes in individual pieces ready to be put together by your child.A mini cupcake with Hidden Mickey sprinkles and a delicious chocolate brownie!! This would make
any adult want to order from the kids menu.…

This is included with the Disney Dining Plan if you are using a Child’s 1 Table Credit OR it is $8.00 for anyone not on the dining plan.

Photo courtesy of  Brittney Monoski.

Thank you Brittney for this wonderful kids dessert photo!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much.
We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Where can you find it at?

Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort.

What is it? 

Tuna Oscar - served with fried green tomatoes, tempura-fried jumbo lump crab, and wasabi hollandaise

Why you want it?

The presentation was beautiful. The tuna was seared perfectly and the portion size was just right.The fried green tomatoes were not soggy and had the perfect crunch.The real star was the tuna and it was great.
You can find this on the dinner menu for $23.99 OR if you are using the Disney Dining Plan it is 1 Table Credit.

Photo courtesy of  Heather Miranda.
Thank you Heather for this mouthwatering photo!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Where can you find it? Le Cellier in the World Showcase at Epcot 

What is it? It is a custard based dessert traditionally flavored with vanilla.Then sugar
is sprinkled on top and melted with heat to make a crust.

If you are using the Disney dining plan for a meal at Le Cellier you can choose this as your desert item from the menu.If not then the total for this delicious dessert is $6.99.
Advance dining reservations are suggested when trying to dine at Le Cellier.It is a very popular Steakhouse and they do fill up fast.

Photo Courtesy of Julie Gable
Thank you Julie for the mouth watering photo.

Julie is a fellow Pixie Vacations travel planner.Be sure to stop by her page and show her some love!!

Maple Creme Brulee from Le Cellier Recreation

Ingredients:
1 pint heavy cream
6 oz. whole milk
12 oz. (1 1/2 cups) granulated sugar
12 oz. (15 eggs) egg yolks
2 teaspoons maple extract

Method:
Heat heavy cream, whole milk and granulated sugar over double boiler until sugar is dissolved (110F). DO NOT WHIP. Stir only.
Place in a large mixing bowl. Slowly add 1/3 of cream mixture to egg yolks, stirring to temper egg yolks.
Add remaining cream mixture. Stir to blend well.
Add maple extract to previous mixture.
Strain mixture through fine mesh strainer.
Pour mixture into serving dishes that have been place into two cake pans.
Add enough water in the bottom of each cake pan to fill 1/4 the way up the serving dishes.
Bake in a low oven — 275 degrees — for approximately 2 to 2 1/2 hours. The desserts should be “set” firm but not hard,
with a little wiggle when you shake it gently.
Sprinkle cooled custards with sugar and melt with a torch.

Makes:8 portions

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Related articles

• Le Cellier – From the Nosy Food Lover (disneyfoodreport.com)
• Disney Food Confession: Creme Brulee (chipandco.com)

Most people come to Walt Disney World for the theme parks. They are the main attraction, and each of the 4 is truly amazing in their own ways. One thing that most people don’t realize on their first few trips is that the World extends far beyond just the parks – and many of the WDW Resort Hotels are a destination in and of themselves. All of the Hotels are huge, beautifully themed, and best of all – the food there is to die for. Seriously, some of the best food in WDW comes not from the Parks – but from the Resorts.

So the question is, why should you leave the Parks, the thing you really came to see, to go eat at some Hotel?

Here are the Top 5 reasons:

1. No Park Admission Required: I know I have said it before, but I will say it again – a trip to WDW is not cheap (but it IS worth every penny), and one way I like to save money is by purchasing theme park tickets for fewer days than the length of my stay (if I am going to be in WDW for 5 days, I may only buy a 3 or 4 day Park Hopper Pass). So what do I do on those days without a Park ticket? Well, I relax mostly, and EAT – I can travel to any of the other Resort Hotels within the World for free, and eat at any of their restaurants without paying for park admission, whereas if I want to dine with Cinderella in her castle, I need to pay the price of an admission to the Magic Kingdom

2. Variety: Park food has come a long way since the burgers and fries of my childhood, but it still tends to be overall the same throughout the parks, with many quick service eateries offering variations on the same foods. The resort hotels can be more creative in their offerings, and if you are willing to make the trip from the Parks, you can experience African themed cuisine at Boma, sushi at California Grill, or a delicious steak at Yachtsmen’s Steakhouse, and so much more!

3. Change of Scenery: After a long day at one of the parks, you’re tired, your feet hurt, you’re hot, you’re hungry, and there may or may not have been multiple meltdowns already (I know I am guilty of them, even as an adult!). So what better way to relax, recharge, and refuel than by eating a delicious meal at one of the many Disney Resort Hotels? You’ll feel better, and ready to take on the Parks again in no time!

4. Smaller Crowds – Like I said, most people come for the theme Parks, which is good for you if you make the smart choice to eat at the Resorts – generally the resort restaurants are less busy which definitely makes for a more enjoyable dining experience. This also means it may be easier to get an Advanced Dining Reservation for one of these restaurants, or if you don’t have an ADR, it may be easier to just walk in and try to get a table at a less crowded resort restaurant. NOTE: While this is usually true, it isn’t always the case, and more popular resort restaurants will be packed and have no availability, but as a general rule of thumb, you have better chances if you want to eat a sit down meal outside of the Parks.

5. The FOOD – saved the best reason for last, and as I mentioned, the variety of food is amazing outside the Parks, but the quality is another thing that really sets it apart. It actually tastes good – all of it! Some of the best food I have ever had has come from Walt Disney World – they really work hard to provide the best of everything to their Guests, and the food is no exception. Even the Counter Service restaurants within the resorts are great – you wouldn’t expect that a food court type eatery would provide such great food, but they do, it’s consistently good, and the fast, friendly service keeps me coming back time and time again.

My personal faves when it comes to dining outside the Parks? I love Boma (new and exciting foods that were also super delicious), and Chef Mickey’s is a must do (what better place to meet Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto and Goofy all at once, while you watch the Monorail sail through the beautiful Contemporary Resort).

Take a chance and explore some new Resort Hotel restaurants on your next WDW trip, you’ll be glad you did!

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Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney.

Great News Disney has updated the Disney Dining Plan for 2012! They have added more restaurants giving you even more dining options. Be sure to check out this post for more information on the 2012 Dining Plan Changes.

Here are the additions to the 2012 Disney Dining Plan:

New Table Service Dining Locations Include:

• Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney
• House of Blues at Downtown Disney
• Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney
• Portobello at Downtown Disney
• Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
• T-Rex at Downtown Disney
• Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Bistro de Paris at Epcot-World Showcase at France-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Wolfgang Puck Cafe: The Dining Room at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits

New Quick-Service Dining Locations Include:

• Landscapes Cafe at the new Art of Animation Resort
• The Paddock Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Katsura Grill at Epcot-World Showcase at Japan
• Bongo’s Cuban Sandwich Window at Downtown Disney
• Marketplace Snacks at Downtown Disney

As always don’t be afraid to call Disney or ask a specific restaurant if they are covered under the Disney Dining Plan. Most times even if they are not on the list they will take you. For example last January San Angel Inn was not on the list but just out of curiosity I went there at lunch time and asked and they said sure come on in. So you never know till you ask.

Related articles

• To Downtown Disney or Not? (chipandco.com)
• New Resturants added to the 2012 Disney Dining Plan (chipandco.com)

A recent discussion came up the other day that we thought would be interesting to explore.  Which is better: Tables in Wonderland (and out of pocket expenses) or signing up for the Disney Dining Plan?

For those that aren’t aware, the Tables in Wonderland program is a special discount card that you purchase to get 20% off of dining costs at various restaurants at the Walt Disney World dining locations.  However, there are some things that you need to know about the TiW program:

1.     The TiW card can only be purchased by a person that has an annual pass, or by a Florida Resident.

2.     The card costs $75 for Annual Passholders, and $100 for Florida Residents.

3.     As I mentioned, the TiW program will discount 20% off of all your food and drink purchases (including alcohol) at many of the Walt Disney World restaurants, but not all of them.

4.     The TiW card can be used for the cardholder and up to nine guests dining with the cardholder.

5.     An automatic 18% gratuity is included when using the TiW card, regardless of the size of the party.

6.     If you are thinking of buying the TiW card, you need to do some research to make sure that the discount will be at least equal to the cost you are paying for the card.

On the other side of the equation, the Disney Dining Plan has several different choices available.  The three main ones are the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan; the original Disney Dining Plan, and the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.  You can also add the Wine and Dine component to your Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan, but that is a separate add-on charge.  Here are some things you need to know about the regular Disney Dining Plan:

1.     For the regular DDP, you will receive one snack, one quick service meal, and one table service meal per day.

2.     With the DDP, you must select the plan for every day that you are visiting Disney, and the DDP is only available to people that are staying on a Disney property.

3.     In addition, each member of your party needs to be on the dining plan.  You can’t pick and choose.

4.     You get one credit for each of the types of meal (or snack) for each day.  You can choose to use all of them in one day, if you like, or you can space them out so that you have credits for each day.

For my family, we have always had the regular Disney Dining Plan.  There have been times when we got it for free based on when we came down on vacation, and there have been times when we paid for it.

This year, though, things are different.  Last June we became Disney Vacation Club owners, and as a result, this year we are staying at Bay Lake Towers, one of the DVC resorts available to us.  The room that we reserved is a 2 bedroom suite, and will sleep 9 people, which is the number of people in our party.  As a result, we made the decision really quickly that we were going to pay for our meals out of pocket.  Our room has a full kitchen, so as a result, we are planning on only having three sit down meals during our visit.  If we had wanted to do the Dining Plan, it would have cost my family (I am responsible for 5 of the guests) $1,371.65 for our stay, and it would have cost my sister-in-law’s family $1,049.72!  If we did the quick service plan, it still would have been about $1,800 for the two families combined.

So for us, having 9 people eating at Akershus and 50’s Prime Time Café, and 5 of us eating at Boma, the discount will more than make up for the $75 cost (we will be buying three annual passes as well!)

While I don’t have the final tally of what our costs for dining will be, I’m going to make a conservative estimate that we would save at least $750 by going the OOP/TiW route over what we would pay for the DDP.  When we get down there, I’m going to keep our receipts, and work up the final numbers after we get back!  Thanks for reading!

Related articles

• Which One Works Better – The Disney Dining Plan Or Paying Out Of Pocket? (chipandco.com)
• Tables in Wonderland – What’s It All About? (chipandco.com)

In honor of DFB grand launch, we have a discount option for DFB readers (as always!). You can get the new mini-guide for $2 off the regular purchase price for the next 7 days — just use code ADVENTURE at the check-out! And don’t forget to keep your transaction number— it may provide a discount on upcoming Disney Food Blog products (hint, hint)!

This guide consists of one-day, two-day, and one-week themed dining and attraction strategies that you can mix and match to fit YOUR vacation style! They’re an easy and fun way to make sure your visit to Walt Disney World is 100% unique, and take a lot of the planning right off of your to-do list!

And our Dining Adventures all fit into a fun theme! Here are just a few examples of the dozens of different Dining Adventures that you’ll find within the The Disney Food Blog Dining Adventures, Start Point: Magic Kingdom Area e-Book:

“Totally Tomorrowland” Dining Adventure you’ll make a visit to the Lunching Pad in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland, take a ride on Epcot’s futuristic Mission:Space, and go on a tour through the technologically advanced hydroponic gardens of The Land!

“Cinema Craze” Dining Adventure, you’ll follow in the footsteps of Hollywood’s most famous by dining at the Hollywood Brown Derby or check out some monster movies from the seat of a convertible at Sci-Fi Dine-In; ride Star Tours and other movie-themed attractions; and head to Downtown Disney to try out the new AMC Dine-In Movie Theater for dinner!

“Hidden Mickey” Dining Adventure, we’ll give you clues to find some of our favorite Disney World Hidden Mickeys — and, by taking this Adventure, you’ll only eat in restaurants where you can find them!

All This in a Very Convenient Package

We’ve made this mini-guide a PDF, which means it’s instantly downloadable for your convenience. Don’t forget — for easy access in the parks, put the guide on your smartphone or ipad!

And, as always, this mini-guide is under a 30-day, Money-Back Guarantee to help you better plan a rewarding experience, or your money back — we all know that your vacation time (and budget) are limited and we want you to get the most out of your visit!

Once again, celebrate the grand launch with us by getting $2 off the purchase price for the e-Book! Order your copy now to enjoy these savings. To secure the discount, use code ADVENTURE at the check-out.

For more detailed information and sample pages from The Disney Food Blog Dining Adventures e-Book, head over to dfbminiguides.com/adventuremk!

Related articles

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Future Disney travelers beware! Many people booked their Disney vacations to take advantage of the free dining offer in early 2012. The savings is fabulous and everyone needs to eat, so you really can’t go wrong with the Disney Dining Plan. There are a few changes to the Disney Dining Plan for 2012, so here is what you need to know.

Quick service dining:

• 2011: Includes two snacks per person, per night
• 2012: Includes ONE snack per person, per night

Plus dining:

• 2011: Regular dining plan does not include a resort refillable mug
• 2012: Regular dining plan DOES include a resort refillable mug

Deluxe dining:

• 2011: Standard pricing year round
• 2012: SEASONAL pricing that varies year round

Miscellaneous changes:

• The Wine and Dine plan is no longer offered
• The Premium and Platinum Plan(s) require a minimum stay of 3-nights
• The tours included in the Premium Plan and Platinum Plan has changed from, “Through Walt’s Eyes” to “Walt Disney: Marceline to Magic Kingdom
• The resort photo session is no longer included in the Platinum Plan

New Table Service Dining Locations Include:

• Bongos Cuban Cafe at Downtown Disney
• House of Blue at Downtown Disney
• Paradiso 37 at Downtown Disney
• Portobello at Downtown Disney
• Rainforest Cafe at Downtown Disney and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park
• T-Rex at Downtown Disney
• Fulton’s Crab House at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Bistro de Paris at Epcot-World Showcase at France-requires 2 table service dining credits
• Wolfgang Puck Cafe: The Dining Room at Downtown Disney-requires 2 table service dining credits

New Quick-Service Dining Locations Include:

• Landscapes Cafe at the new Art of Animation Resort
• The Paddock Grill at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
• Katsura Grill at Epcot-World Showcase at Japan
• Bongo’s Cuban Sandwich Window at Downtown Disney
• Marketplace Snacks at Downtown Disney

Here are the PDF’s of the 2012 Disney Dining Plans.

Know before you go:

• Gratuity: In past years gratuity was included in the Disney Dining Plan; this is not so anymore. It’s not a recent change but for folks who don’t travel to WDW annually, that fact might have slipped by unnoticed. You can tip your server in cash, credit card, or on your Key to the World Card (which you can link to a credit card at check-in). There are exceptions to the gratuity policy: gratuities ARE included at dinner shows, private in-room dining and Cinderella’s Royal Table.

• Your receipt: You will receive a receipt with every food and beverage purchase and your receipt will tell you everything you need to know about your dining plan. The top center of your receipt will tell you how many credits remain for adults and children. Below that, the first line item will tell you the type of entitlement used (quick service, table service, snack, etc.). Below the entitlement used you will see the number of entitlements used and at the very bottom will be a “guest i.d. purchase” line item-these are the charges that aren’t included in your dining plan (alcohol, gratuity, etc.)

• Kids dining plan: Children under age 3 are not eligible for the dining plan, this doesn’t mean you have to starve them! Tiny tots have two options: Share off another family members plate, or pay out of pocket for their meal. Children ages 3-9 must order off the child’s menu when one is available (and trust me, the kids menus are always available!)

• Availability: Unlike “other” Orlando area attractions offer meal tickets and plans but none are as all inclusive as the Disney Dining Plan. Virtually every food location in all of the parks and resorts on Disney property are included in the dining plan. Dining reservations are STRONGLY recommended and you will be able to make your Advanced Dining Reservations 180-days prior to your check-in date. To see where you should (or shouldn’t) be eating visit our friends at Disney Food Report for food and restaurant reviews and more.

If you have questions about the Disney Dining Plan or aren’t sure if it’s right for you,  Chris W. and Michele are authorized Disney vacation planners with Pixie Vacations and also write here at Chip and Co. For free quotes or to have your questions answered email them: ChrisW@PixieVacations.com or Michele@PixieVacations.com

Related articles

• New Restaurants Join the 2012 Disney Dining Plan (disneyfoodblog.com)
• 2012 Disney Dining Plans Just About Finalized (easywdw.com)

If you’re a Walt Disney World lover like me, then it probably doesn’t take much to get you pumped about a trip to WDW. To get myself even more excited, there are some things I like to do to prepare me for my reunion with Mickey and all his friends:

Research – The trick with this one is not overdoing it! Once you book your trip, there are some definite musts for research. Click the Planning button at the top of the page to learn more.

Weather-check and see what that time of year is typically like in Orlando and plan to pack accordingly (noting of course that the weather can be different than the average, but at least it gives you a place to start!)

Dining options – if you’re a foodie like me you will love this one, and if you don’t know where to start check out Walt Disney World’s official dining website for information The great thing is, most of this can be done online. For restaurant info check out Guide to Walt Disney World Section.

Things to do – There is so much to do at Walt Disney World that you’ll want to at least get a grasp on the basics before your trip, for this one I actually prefer books to the internet, books tend to be more factual and straightforward – I like Birnbaum’s Walt Disney World because it’s easy to understand and updated yearly

Transportation: Once your trip is booked, you still need to figure out how you will get there! For me that involves buying plane tickets and checking airline baggage limitations and making reservations for Disney’s Magical Express shuttle. If you need to rent a car, you’ll want to get that booked early, and if you are driving, you’ll want to make sure you vehicle is up to date on maintenance, oil changes, windshield wiper fluid etc before your trip

ADR’s: Walt Disney World allows you to make Advance Dining Reservations, or ADR’s 180 days before your trip. People laugh when I tell them I just made dinner reservations for my trip that’s 6 months away, but ADR’s are serious business – the popular places (like character meals and signature dining) book up fast, so take advantage of this system and plan some special meals for your trip

Itinerary – Once I book my ADR’s and have my meals all squared away, I get down to the serious business of planning out our days with an itenerary. Some things to keep in mind with this – you’ll want to be realistic, and not try to do too much in a day. You’ll want to take into account that Disney Transportation can take time, and your travel times could be greatly impacted by it. And most importantly, don’t get TOO involved with planning out your days – when you find yourself scheduling in ‘relaxation time’ its probably time to step back and look at the bigger picture – just knowing what park you want to visit on which day is probably enough, the rest will take care of itself!

Lists – I am a HUGE fan of making lists, and I always make a list of what I need to packa few weeks before any trip. This gives me a chance to see what I might need to buy (mini toiletries, snacks, a new book, etc) so I am not scrambling at the last minute to get it all together. Plus when it comes time to pack, it makes it a whole lot easier if you can just check things off a list

Pre-Packing – I do this about a week or so before my trip, I get out the luggage and make sure it’s all in good shape, and I pack some of the things I know I won’t need before the trip. Another part of this would be charging my various electronic devices – camera batteries, Nintendo game system, etc and making sure they are in working order before the trip

Packing – I like to do most of it about 5-7 days prior to the trip, and since I made a list, this is super easy and not stressful at all! One thing that’s important is to leave room for the souvenirs you will buy at Disney!

A few last minute things that you won’t want to forget:

• Cash for tipping the airport shuttle guy who helps load your luggage, trip snacks/drinks, etc
• Cell phone charger – Personally, I don’t like to talk on the phone much when I am on vacation, but I do like to use my Disney apps and phone camera, so this is an important one!
• Trip paperwork- including confirmation numbers, Dining reservation information, etc
• Identification – your wallet with license or your passport if needed
• House keys – this may seem like a silly one, but they are easy to forget, especially if you are getting a ride to the airport, and you don’t want to be locked out when you get back from vacation!

Check out my article on what else to pack for you Disney Trip and above all, it’s ok to be excited and have fun, even as an adult going to Walt Disney World, it’s you vacation and you are going to the Happiest Place on Earth, so live it up!

Related articles

• Get the Most Out of Your Disney Dining Experience from the Disney Food Blog (chipandco.com)
• Disney Planning Tip: Top 5 Snacks for Small Children at Walt Disney World (couponingtodisney.com)

Where can you find it?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios-Starring Rolls Cafe

What is it?
A chocolate cupcake with a chocolate creme filled center topped with butter cream frosting dipped in Butterfinger crumbled
goodness. This is a sweet lovers DREAM dessert!!

Why you want it-
It is one of the best desserts in “The World” and it is a mountain of sugary goodness to get you through the day!!
You can get this as a dessert with your meal at Starring Rolls instead of the typical chocolate cake! It is also $3.99 OR
1 Snack Credit on the Dining Plan. And don’t forget a mug of milk to wash it down with.

Photo courtesy of Janet Deane *who admitted to having 2 on her recent trip*.
Thank you Janet for the YUMMIE photo!

*Here is a recipe I found online just in case anyone wants to bring a little Disney into your home*

Starring Rolls Butterfinger Cupcake recreation

1 box Devil’s Food Cake mix, plus ingredients to make cake
1 can fudge frosting
4 cups chocolate chips
6 Tbsp canola oil
3 (3.7 oz) King Size Butterfingers

Quick Butter cream Frosting
18 Tbsp butter, softened
6 Tbsp milk
1 Tbsp vanilla
6 3/4 cups powdered sugarPrepare cupcakes as stated on the box. Let cupcakes cool completely.

Using a sharp knife, cut a cone shape out on top of the cupcake. Make sure your cut goes about halfway into the cupcake. Remove the cake and fill the hole with fudge frosting. Add the cake you removed to the top of the cupcake, making sure that the pointy cone end is sticking up.

Prepare the butter cream frosting. Mix together all the ingredients and beat on medium for 3 minutes, until fluffy. Ice your cupcakes. It may be easiest to use a piping bag for this. Let the frosting set up for 30 minutes.

While the frosting is setting up, use a food processor to crush up Butterfingers. It may be easiest to use frozen Butterfingers.

Combine chocolate chips and oil in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat on HIGH for 1 minute. Stir and continue to heat at 30 second intervals until completely melted. Allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before using. Dip the frosted cupcakes into the chocolate – I used a spoon to hold the frosting into place to make sure it didn’t fall off the cupcake. Immediately coat the cupcake with the pulverized Butterfingers – just smash it all over the chocolate. Repeat until all cupcakes are dipped and covered. Refrigerate approximately 1 hour to allow the chocolate to set up.

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

Related articles

• What’s All the Fuss about . . . The Butterfinger Cupcake. (disneyfoodreport.com)
• Disney Food Confession – Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcake (chipandco.com)

Where can you find it?
Disney’s Hollywood Studios-Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

What is it?
Campanelle pasta with grilled chicken,fresh spinach,sweet onions,romanesco combined with the perfect amount
of four cheese white sauce.It has the perfect amount of all ingredients so that you don’t taste one more than another.

Why you want it-
It is a very filling meal for lunch or dinner.
The meal is $18.99 with chicken or you can add shrimp for $19.99
OR if you are using the Disney
Dining Plan it is 1 table credit per person.

Photo courtesy of Kylie Byrne.
Thank you Kylie for the great photo!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

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When I heard that I could dine in Cinderella’s Castle, I swear I just about passed out I was so excited. The chance to see the inside of such a magical place was enough to get me to whip out my credit card, and the fact that they serve food there was an added bonus!

Cinderella’s Royal Table is a character meal located at Cinderella’s Castle in Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. They serve Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, all with a regal flair. We dined here for dinner on our honeymoon, and had a really amazing time.

Here’s a rundown of what you can expect when you arrive at the Castle for your meal:

Once you enter and give your reservation information, you then proceed to the picture area, where Cinderella herself greets you and poses for photos with you and your party (the pictures are actually included as part of the package, and they also offered to take pictures with our camera too, which was nice!)

Once your name is called, you are escorted upstairs to the dining area, which is beautiful – high ceilings, dark wood decor, very much what you would expect the inside of a castle to look like. The dining area itself isn’t very large, and there are tables or varying sizes (we had the only 2 person table in the whole place – and it had the best view in my opinion!)

The food at dinner consists of bread, an appetizer (each person chooses their own from salad/soup selections), an entree (usually 5 or so choices, with at least 1 vegetarian option), and a dessert (again, a list of 3-5 options, including 1 ‘no sugar added’ option). Breakfast is “all you care to eat”, meaning they serve you platters of food and you can request as much as you want of everything. Lunch service is similar to dinner, with a few options for each course to pick from.

As for the characters, Disney Princesses are announced early on during meal time and circulate for pictures and autographs. We saw Belle, Ariel, Snow White, and Aurora (Cinderella stays in the lobby during the meal so she can greet all her guests as they arrive). The princesses were personable, polite, and spent a lot of time at each table, which doesn’t always happen at character meals.

Some FAQ’s about Cinderella’s Royal Table:

How much does it cost? For adult meals: $45 for breakfast, $49 for lunch, and $55 for dinner, and for childrens meals $30 for breakfast/lunch, and $35 for dinner if you’re paying out of pocket. If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan (Which I strongly recommend!), Cinderella’s Royal Table is a Signature Dining Experience, which means it will cost you 2 Table Service Credits per person on the Dining Plan (remember, the cost does include a photo package of you and Cinderella!)

Is it worth it? It definitely can be worth it. If it’s your first time in Walt Disney World, you’re celebrating a special occasion (like a honeymoon, birthday, or engagement), or you have a Disney Princess fanatic in your party, then it is totally 100% worth it. We were celebrating our honeymoon and wanted something really special, and this was perfect for us. Would we go back? Probably not until we have kids. Personally, I think it’s a one time experience, and I am glad I went for dinner, as it seems to be the best/most popular meal there. If princesses are your goal and you don’t want to spend the money on the Royal Table experience, you may have better luck attending the Princess Storybook meal at Akershus, located in Norway at Epcot’s World Showcase, where all 3 meals offer a character meal with princess appearances at lower prices than you will find at Cinderella’s Castle.

Isn’t it just for kids? NO WAY! This is a great experience for both the young AND the young at heart, and while adults may not be thrilled by the appearance of Belle or Ariel, there are definitely other aspects of the meal that will appeal to them. The setting and view from the castle is beautiful, and there is of couse the FOOD, it is high quality, upscale, worth the price and in a word, delicious!

How’s the food? Like I said, delicious, and beyond that, the dinner choices are fancy (without being so fancy that I don’t know what they are/what’s in them!), and the portions are decent (not huge, but not tiny like some other upscale eateries), and the waitstaff is great and accomodating, and really give you the “Royal Treatment”. Lunch choices (food wise) tend to be similar to dinner, and breakfast in Disney World is always great (and with the family style service you won’t leave hungry!). My husband says this was the best prime rib and creme brulee of any he had ever had (and I am pretty sure he still dreams about the prime rib!

My husband (throughly) enjoying his Prime Rib at CRT!

Is it hard to get a reservation? In a word, YES! Cinderella’s Royal Table is a VERY popular place to eat, and the best advice I can give if trying to score a seat is to be willing to eat at a not so popular time, and to also make reservations as early as possible (Disney lets you make dining reservations 180 days in advance, so take advantage of this!)

Overall, we really enjoyed our experience at Cinderalla’s Royal Table, its a special experience that was a lot of fun, and I would definitely recommend it to adults and children alike!

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The Yakitori House in the Japan Pavilion at EPCOT has a new name and a new menu!!
It is now open!

It has taken on the new name  Katsura Grill.It has been a 3 month project to make the entire hillside into the
Katsura Gardens. It is said to be modeled after gardens in Japan and Katsura Imperial Villa. The Katsura
Imperial Villa is considered one of Japan’s greatest architectural achievements.

The Katsura Grill will still be a counter service resturaunt if you are using the Dining Plan.
The prices range from $6.99 for a Tsukemen Salad to $12.99 for  Spicy Tuna Roll and Tsukemen Salad.
You will see some of your old favorites combined with new featured items on the menu.

Photos and full menu will be coming soon to Chip and Co soon until then check out Food Confessions for all of your
favorite foods around “The World”.

If you have a Disney Food Confession or food news email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. We would love to feature you picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

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Where can you find it?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Kidani Village-Sanaa

What is it?
Chicken with red curry sauce,Basmati rice and Shrimp with green curry sauce.

Why you want it-
It is full of flavor and you get the best view on the Savannah.Paired with their Indian style bread it makes a wonderful meal.Sanaa is a nice place to enjoy a little romantic lunch or dinner.The staff is very friendly and can make recommendations based on your like or dislike of spicy foods. This dish is $18.99 OR 1 Table Credit if you are using the Disney Dining Plan.
*Reservations are strongly suggested.

Photo courtesy of Lynn Pittman.
Thank you Lynn for the mouth watering photo!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature you picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

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Where can you find it?
Disney’s Polynesian Resort-Kona Cafe 

What is it?
Tonga Toast

Why you want it-
It is a breakfast delight!! It is cinnamon and sugar covered sourdough bread stuffed with sliced bananas toasted to a golden brown.
You can have it served with or without strawberry compote. It is one of the most talked about ‘breakfast’ treats around “the world”.It comes with your choice of ham,sausage or bacon.

It doesn’t look like much but it is very filling for the portion size you get.
It is $12.99 or 1 Table Service Credit if you are using the Disney Dining Plan.

Tonga Toast Recipe
2 or 4 slices sourdough bread, cut 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick
1 banana
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
oil or shortening for frying
whipped butter and/or syrup

Method:

Cut a 1-inch pocket in one side of each bread slice. Cut banana in half crosswise, then split each piece lengthwise.
Remove peel and stuff two pieces of fruit in each pocket of bread; set aside. Mix sugar and cinnamon; set aside. Mix together well the egg, milk and vanilla.

Heat about 4 inches of oil in a pan to 350º F. Dip stuffed bread into egg/milk mixture and let it soak a few seconds to let penetrate bread. Fry bread on both sides in hot oil until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels or wire rack. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and serve.

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature you picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

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Where can you find it?
Disney’s Animal Kingdom-Safari Pretzel Kiosk OR EPCOT-World Showcase-Fife and Drum Tavern

What is it?
A jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel

Why you want it-
It is a delicious soft baked jalapeno bread stuffed with lots of  melted cheese! Despite it’s name it’s not super spicy but the bread does have a little kick of flavor.It’s perfect for a quick but filling snack.They are $4.29 OR if you are using the Disney Dining Plan it is 1 Snack Credit.

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature your picture and link to your website or blog if you have one.

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Where can you find it?
Disney’s Polynesian-‘Ohana’s Lilo and Stitch Character Breakfast

What is it?  
(Scrambled Eggs) Hua Paka
(Fried Potatoes) Uala Kahiki  – island-style potatoes, caramelized onions & scallions
(Pork) Pua’a  - pork breakfast sausage links & smoked bacon
Assorted Warm Breakfast Breads
Seasonal Fruit Bowl for na Keiki (Kids)
Mickey Waffles

Why you want it?
It is an Island feast that is served “Family Style” which means sit back and relax while we bring
the food to you.There are no long lines to stand in or no waiting for something new to be prepared.And
you can always ask for seconds of your favorite item.It is all served to you while you wait on Lilo,Stitch,
Mickey and Pluto to make their rounds. It is the perfect way to start your morning
before you head over to the Magic Kingdom for the day.
If you are using the Disney Dining Plan it is 1 Table Credit per guest.
ALOHA!

If you have a Disney Food Confession email me at dulcie@chipandco.com. Let me know the What, Where, and Why you love it so much. We would love to feature you picture and link to your website or blog if you have one

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Planning a trip to Walt Disney World can be a daunting task – one that can be a lot of fun, but can also be overwhelming at times. The hardest part for most people (myself included!) is figuring out where to start, what to plan first?

Using the 5 W’s (and 1 H!) – Who/What/When/Where/Why/How can help you get a grip in what you need to do to make your WDW vacation unforgettable:

Who: First off, who do you want to experience the Happiest Place on Earth with? Are you planning on bringing just your close family or will it be a family reunion of sorts, with 20 people all traveling together? This makes a huge impact on everything from where you stay, to where you eat, and how you spend your days. If it’s your first trip, I would suggest traveling with a smaller group, fewer people means fewer opinions on what you should spend your time doing, so it’s more likely that everyone will get to experience more of what they want to see

What: What will you do while you are there? There is SO much to do, that this might be the hardest question of all! There are 4 theme parks, 2 water parks, a shopping/entertainment complex, and countless other places to explore within the walls of Walt Disney World. Personally, I like to start with a day in the Magic Kingdom, it really is the true essence of the Disney experience. Beyond that, it really depends on what you like – there’s Hollywood Studios for the movie buff,Animal Kingdom for the animal lover, and Epcot for the tech nerd/world traveler, and tons of restaurants and places to shop mixed in there too. I recommend checking out a book like Birnbaum’s Guide to Walt Disney World (published with updates annually!), or the Passporter (a really cool planner that you can write in!), and of course internet research on www.chipandco.com will help you make the most out of your days at WDW. One tip that will be invaluble is DON’T try and do too much – I have been guilty of it, I want to see and do everything at WDW, and it’s just not possible. If your trip is a week long, chances are good you’ll be able to see all 4 theme parks, but if you’re only going for 3 days, be realistic and pick out the things you know you want to do, and leave the others for your next trip.

When: When will you travel, and how long will you stay at WDW? Busy times at WDW include Spring Break (anytime from February through April), summertime, and holiday time (including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years). While there are other “peak” times, these are the main ones, and your best bet is to avoid them all and go at a random time, during the week if possible. That being said, any day has the potential of being crowded at WDW, so the best thing to do would be to prepare yourself for it, and remember that you’re in a magical place where you will have a great time no matter what you are doing!

Where: Where will you stay, and where will you eat? These are two VERY important questions to tackle early on in your trip planning. When it comes to a hotel, there are TONS to choose from on WDW property, in price ranges “Value”, “Moderate”, and “Deluxe”. If you feel like you will only use the room for sleeping, Value might be your best bet (definitely have had lots of luck here, the rooms are pretty basic but the food courts are great and the bus service has been good in my experience!). If you’re celebrating a special occasion and want to indulge, something in the Moderate or Deluxe price range might better suit you. For a rundown of Disney Resort choices, check out this page. Of course you can stay off property too, the hotel rates tend to be better, but you will probably need to rent a car (which is an added expense to consider!). As for FOOD, there are tons of choices! One great thing about WDW is they allow you to make Dining Reservations up to 6 months (180 days) in advance (great for those who like to plan ahead!), plus there is the Disney Dining Plan, which allows you to pre pay for some or all of your meals, so that makes things even easier. Whether you’re into character meals, buffets, snacks, theme restaurants, 5 star 6 course meals, mexican, french, american….no matter what, Disney has it all and more! Quick dining tip: when picking restaurants, try and pick ones that are in the same general area of the park/resort you will be visiting that day, it makes things much easier on everyone, trust me!

Why: Why go to Walt Disney World in the first place? There are so many reasons, but some top ones: It truly is a magical place where you can escape it all and act like a kid again, the theme parks are beautifully themed, the resorts are amazing, the food is out of this world, there is something for everyone to enjoy, and most of all, its FUN and a special place to share with those you love.

How: How will you make it happen – how will you get there, and how will you pay for it? Let’s be honest here, a Walt Disney World vacation doesn’t come cheaply, but there are lots of ways you can save money while you’re there. Some popular ones in my household: make a budget before you go, and stick to it (sounds easy, right? It can be harder than you think!), bring snacks/light meals with you to save money on costly Park snacks/meals (things like granola bars, fruit snacks, and juice boxes work well!), and try to limit spur of the moment purchases that you won’t ever use again once you leave WDW. As for Transportation, if you live in Upstate NY like me, plane is the best way to go, and sites like Travelocity.com or Kayak.com are great for comparing prices and finding the lowest fares. If you decide to stay on Disney property, Disney’s Magical Express shuttle will transport you and all your luggage (for free!) from Orlando’s airport to your WDW resort. Otherwise, there are plenty of car rental companies within the airport, or you can choose to drive from home (can be the most economical choice depending on how many people you’re traveling with and how far away you live from WDW!). Again, the thing I want to stress here is plan ahead, do your research and find which options work best for you

The time you spend planning your WDW vacation will all pay off in the end – no matter what you decide to do, you will have a magical time in an amazing vacation spot. Start your planning by working out the Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How, and everything else will come easily. Happy planning!

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