Walt Disney World has seen a surge in new and trendy eateries throughout Disney Springs, and even new dining options in the parks and resorts that greatly appeal to guests; and have become quite popular. Since Dining (or more appropriately, Free Dining), is on everyone’s minds lately, let’s re-cap some of the newest and soon-to-open restaurants at Walt Disney World:
Disney Springs has recently seen the opening of two new fine dining options: Morimoto Asia and The Boathouse, and coming this summer they will be joined by Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar; Chef Rick Bayless’ Tablas Frontera; and STK, a modern steakhouse mixed with the ambiance of a sleek lounge. Fulton’s will also be re-opening after a lengthy renovation, and Planet Hollywood will get a facelift as well, helping it to fit better into the theme of Disney Springs. And don’t forget about Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar opened in 2015 along the waterfront at Disney Springs with 150 seats inside and out. The bar cleverly features salvaged equipment, spare airplane parts and travel mementos collected by Jock, Indiana Jones’ pilot in the first film.
Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza will also open this summer, a modern “pizza joint” known for custom-built artisanal pizzas. Also keep your eyes peeled for the opening of Disney’s D-Luxe Burger featuring gourmet burgers made from a signature blend of beef, plus all-natural chicken and vegetarian burgers, hand-cut fries and gelato shakes in a relaxing Town Center location with outdoor seating overlooking the Spring. Also look for three new Disney kiosks: Aristocrepes, with sweet and savory crepes; The Daily Poutine, with hot fries and four different toppings, and B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. featuring artisan sausages.
If you have a sweet tooth, then you need to check out the recently opened, The Ganachery showcases the beauty of chocolate, with Disney’s proprietary recipe for the custom-made ganache, a luxurious mixture of melted chocolate and cream. Opening in May, Amorette’s Patisserie will feature classic and contemporary pastries by the Disney chefs, with custom cakes that are works of art. Also coming this summer is Sprinkles, serving up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies
If you enjoy dining at the resorts, then you’ll be excited to know that Disney has added two new brunches. The new Brunch at the Top at California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort features both a buffet (with an extraordinary Bloody Mary bar) and table service, plus a remarkable view from the 15th floor. Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a three-course delight with Mimosas, Champagne or Bloody Marys. Also, don’t forget about the newest addition to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a favorite of Disney fans, with more than 1,200 pieces of memorabilia. Hand-crafted cocktails and small plates are a hit with guests.
In the theme parks there are a few new additions as well as some upcoming openings to look forward to. At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tiffins opens Memorial Day weekend, featuring food from places that inspired the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins has waterfront views and is situated at the entrance to Pandora: The World of AVATAR, opening in 2017. (“Tiffin” is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling). Adjacent to Tiffins, Nomad Lounge features hand-crafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors; beers, and sustainable wines from those regions, plus specialty non-alcoholic beverages and small bites.
The new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom is the first restaurant inspired by a classic attraction. Just steps from the legendary Jungle Cruise attraction in Adventureland, the 222-seat restaurant features bold, flavorful tastes of Asia, South America and Africa for lunch and dinner. Great Food Among the Flowers and More of The Best Food Fest: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has expanded to 90 days, and Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicks off Sept. 14 and runs through November 14 this fall. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.
Also, I know as a mom to a child with Food Allergies, I greatly appreciate the care and dedication Disney offers for those that do suffer from food allergies, with Allergy-friendly menus being found in more than 120 quick-service and table-service locations at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, along with more ways to make the special-diet-request process easier. Guests are still able to consult directly with a restaurant chef or special diets trained cast member. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the recipient of a FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) Award for dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for vacationing families and Disney chefs have been recognized for their commitment to food allergy awareness, education and management.
Ever wonder how a new dish makes it on the menu? Or how a cocktail comes to life? The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Flavor Lab brings the chefs, front-of-house managers, sommeliers, mixologists and more together in a state-of-the-art research and development facility. The new 7,000-square foot Flavor Lab serves as a hub of new product, packaging and equipment innovation for food and beverage programs across Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the globe. While not open to the public, Disney guests will be the ultimate benefactor of all the testing, measuring and collaborations that will happen in the expansive new space.
With all the new additions and the upcoming openings, Disney sure is a great place to enjoy whatever type of dining suites you. What is your new favorite WDW restaurant?
If you’d like to plan a magical vacation to experience one of Disney’s new dining experiences, contact me today to take advantage of my FREE Disney Vacation planning services. I specialize in Disneyland, Walt Disney World, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Aulani resort in Hawaii, as well as Adventures by Disney. Email me at slawless@mickeytravels.com for a free quote, or you can find me on my Facebook page here.
photo credit: Disney
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