You know them — the ones that would result in tears, anger, and
staged protests if they ever disappear from menus. It’s okay. You can
admit it.
Because I’d totally be leading the charge if they ever stop serving
Dole Whip Floats.
But even with all the amazing favorites that give us warm fuzzies
(and, in my case, cause me to go back to Disney parks over and over
again), I still love Disney’s mission to surprise and delight guests
with new offerings. It seems like every week, there’s
something they’re debuting that I go nutso over — and off I go to add it to the next trip’s “must-eat” list.
Today, I’m offering a run down of the latest things that are on the list for my next trip.
I’ve tried a few already, and others are completely new to me. And even
though I’ll be in the ‘World smack dab in the middle of the holiday
season, I’m saving room for these treats!
Gourmet Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s Cheshire Cafe
You Guys.
I have a new FAVORITE obsession. And this time, it starts with Cake. And ends with Cup. Instead of the other way around.
We brought you the first look at the new
Gourmet Cake Cups at Magic Kingdom’s
Cheshire Cafe
just recently. This spot in Fantasyland, formerly known as Enchanted
Grove, has always been cute, but it’s never numbered among our
“must-visits.”
But that has changed completely since they introduced these amazing treats.
Cheshire Cake Cup. The Stuff That My Cake Dreams Are Made Of. (Namely, Frosting.)
I mean seriously, you would think they picked up the phone, called
me, and said, “AJ, we’re making a new treat, and you’re in charge of
R&D.”
The parfaits are a topsy-turvy, whimsical take on a
cupcake, turning the über popular treat into what it should be:
a vehicle for frosting.
I mean really, when was the last time you ate a cupcake and said, “Gee,
that was pretty good, but I really could have used more cake.”
Um. Never.
And this cake cup got it RIGHT.
Look at All. Of. This. Frosting!
So it was a given that I made a beeline for
Cheshire Cafe about five minutes after I checked in on my recent trip.
And then I proceeded to think about this snack for the rest of the trip.
And will I be right back here to have another on my next visit? You
betcha!
Starbucks at Disney World!
We all know that Disney coffee used to be the stuff of legends. Bad legends. Scary ones. Like horror movies.
That is to say that the vast majority of guests, as much as they love
Disney, have never been very happy with the coffee served there.
Well, Disney heard and responded. Whether they were tired of people
bringing pre-purchased Starbucks cups into the parks, or they just saw
an option for some good revenue, many guests are very excited that
Starbucks has moved into the Disney Parks. You’ll find Starbucks stores
located at the
Main Street Bakery in Magic Kingdom and at Epcot’s
Fountain View.
Starbucks at Main Street Bakery is Right in the Middle of the Magic
More park locations are planned for the future. (We’re guessing
Writer’s Stop is next.)
Even though some fans of Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery aren’t
happy with the absence of their cherished favorites, many have chimed in
that the opportunity to get good — and oftentimes, their favorite —
coffee is a huge plus within the Happiest Place on Earth.
Pumpkin Spice at Fountain View!
I think it will be a long time before Starbucks lovers get over the
novelty of strolling down Main Street USA with their favorite seasonal
latte in hand, or peering at Spaceship Earth with through a window
emblazoned with the familiar siren.
View of Spaceshp Earth from Fountain View Starbucks
L’Artisan des Glaces Ice Cream and Sorbet
I knew that we were in for a special treat when Disney announced that
the très popular Patisserie Boulangerie would be getting a larger space
within Epcot’s France Pavilion. And
Les Halles, the new bakery, is seldom without long lines and pleased patrons.
But who knew when they opened the
new ice cream shop in the former boulangerie location that it would be super charming?
L'Artisan des Glaces
L’Artisan des Glaces Ice Cream and Sorbet has quickly won fans with its
16 varieties of French-style ice creams and sorbets, which are made right on the premises (believe me — I’ve seen the ice cream machines in the back!).
With unique rotating flavors like
Profiterole, Caramel Fleur de Sel, and Pomegranate, this is definitely not your neighborhood ice cream chain.
Scooping the Ice Cream Into a Waffle Cone
Rich and creamy with fresh flavors, I can’t wait to have a scoop (or
two). But it doesn’t stop there — you can also choose from some fun ice
cream options. A must-try is the
ice cream sandwich with a twist — made with French macarons! This thing is out of this world!
Chocolate Macaron Sandwiches As Far As the Eye Can See!
OR — if
brioche is your weakness, try the brand new
Brioche Pressed Ice Cream Sandwich. I love how France is expanding the definition of
home-made ice cream sandwich
— already a favorite of mine! Just imagine, it’s like a brioche and ice
cream panini! Hot and fresh right out of the press. Pretty amazing.
Brioche Ice Cream Sandwich
And if you’re looking for a creamy option to add to the Drinking Around the World tour, check out the
Ice Cream Martini — your choice of two scoops, topped with Grand Marnier, Rum, or Whipped Cream Vodka! (!!!!!!!)
Ice Cream Martini
Just About Everything at the All-New BoardWalk Bakery
The BoardWalk Bakery
has been a food lover’s destination at Walt Disney World for quite a
long time. So many of the bakery’s specialties have places in our
hearts. I so love their
Cheesecake Brownies that they’ve become a permanent fixture at Disney Food Blog
Snack Attack dessert parties!
Fruit Tart and Cheesecake Brownie
But the space here was incredibly small. Barely a handful of people
could fit inside, even though it served breakfast and counter service
lunch items, and also hosted one of the BoardWalk Inn’s
refillable mug stations. It was big news when the space closed for an upgrade.
When it reopened, many of the most-loved sweets were re-imagined, and
the pastry chefs introduced some truly outstanding additions.
On the morning the bakery re-opened, I headed over and surrounded myself with boxes of baked goods — check out
our full review of the newly-opened bakery for the proof — and found lots of brand new favorites among the old ones. The
Salted Caramel Ganache marries
rich caramel and fleur de sel for one of today’s hottest flavor combos.
Salted Caramel Ganache at the BoardWalk Bakery!
I also absolutely adore the brand new
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Candied Bacon Pie.
Candied Bacon, you guys!
Peanut Butter, Banana, and Candied Bacon Pie
Top prize, believe it or not, goes to what might just be my very
favorite pastry in all of Walt Disney World. And those are seriously big
shoes to fill.
But the
Lemon Merigue Tart is equal to the task. With a
lemon curd that has enough sour to stand up to the rich and sweet, the staff here have truly achieved perfection!
Lemon Meringue Tart
Lunch at Be Our Guest Restaurant
One of the most highly anticipated features of the New Fantasyland expansion was
Be Our Guest Restaurant. Situated in Beast’s Castle, the setting — both inside and out — are truly enchanted.
Be Our Guest Restaurant!
If you’ve ever wanted to escape into a film, here’s your chance!
Dancing Snow Outside of Be Our Guest Ballroom
Enchanted Rose in Be Our Guest's West Wing
While dinner is a table service, sit-down affair requiring tough-to-score
advance dining reservations,
lunch is counter service, and a little easier to get to. Granted, you may face some long lines, but I think they’re worth it!
If you aren’t interested in waiting, take heart:
fast passes for Be Our Guest lunch are being tested, and look like they’re going to be an awesome option for guests who like to avoid waiting whenever possible.
With house specialties like
Braised Pork that’s slow roasted for eight hours, how can you resist?
Braised Pork
When it comes time for dessert, you MUST try the
Grey Stuff Cupcake! It’s delicious!
The Grey Stuff Cupcake
And when the fabulous food is served on real plates with silverware
instead of plastic forks, you hardly feel like you’re eating fast food.
All American Sundae at Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
When the mood strikes for an old-fashioned sundae while I’m in Magic Kingdom, only a visit to
Main Street Ice Cream Parlor will do!
Main Street Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
I’ve always loved this spot on Main Street USA for its cozy charm. But when they recently introduced the
All-American Sundae, I was smitten all over again!
Generous helpings of
hot fudge AND hot peanut butter topping melt the ice cream ever-so-slightly, mingling the flavors gloriously. It’s instantly become one of my favorites!
All-American Sundae
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