Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Announces Three Food Events

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via DisDining.com

The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort is offering the perfect gift option for foodies this holiday season – tickets to one of three food and beverage events hosted by the resort on Jan. 16, Feb. 7, and Feb. 27, 2021.

OnSaturday, Jan. 16 and Feb. 27, the resort will host Food & Wine Classic: A Taste of Swan and Dolphin from 5:30-8:00 p.m., with each event offering 10 food stations from the hotel’s award-winning restaurants and more than 50 beverage offerings. Both will feature live entertainment and unlimited food and beverage tastings, including dessert selections from the hotel’s world champion pastry chef, Laurent Branlard.

Highlights include:

  • Roasted organic pumpkin ravioli gnudi with seared sea scallop, whipped ricotta cheese and pumpkin gremolata (served by Todd English’s bluezoo at the Jan. 16 event)
  • Surf and Turf featuring roasted linz heritage angus prime strip loin and marinated shrimp with creamed spinach and sauce foyot (served by Shula’s Steak House at the Feb. 27 event).

For the sports-centric foodie, the resort will for the first time host a Big Game Tailgate Watch Party Sunday, Feb. 7 at 6:00 p.m. The event will begin 30 minutes prior to kickoff and last through the end of the game. While watching all the action, guests can enjoy seven food stations and unlimited craft beer and wine. Menu highlights include: crispy fried chicken wings with an array of sauces, angus beef sliders, carne asada tacos, Italian sausage sandwich, a selection of desserts and more.

Each event will feature different menu items so attendees will have a distinct experience each time. Guests will enjoy an intimate atmosphere and experience the latest in responsible food delivery safety measures and social distancing procedures to ensure an entertaining, unforgettable, and mouthwatering experience.   

Event-only tickets can be purchased online at SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com for $110 per person. Room packages start at $359 and include event access for two adults. To book, call 1-888-828-8850 between 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. weekdays; 5:00 p.m. on weekends. Events are limited to those 21 years and older.

Among the protocols implemented for each event are: Temperature checks at the entrance; plexiglass walls for all food service areas; all cast members wearing PPE; socially distanced event space; seating available to accommodate each party at their own table; touchless menus and clearly marked social distancing signage.

For more information, visit SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com.

New Changes to Star Wars-Rise of the Resistance Virtual Queue

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Via DisneyLists.com

Calling all members of the Resistance! Disney is making a slight adjustment to the virtual queue process for one of the most popular experiences at Walt Disney World Resort, Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. Learn more below.

Beginning Sunday, December 20, distribution times for the virtual queue enrollment will be 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. (a change from 2:00 pm). Keep in mind, to access the 1 p.m. virtual queue opportunity guests must have a valid ticket or pass, a Disney Park Pass Reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and be inside the park. (Access to the 7:00 am queue remains the same in that you don’t have to be in the park to join). Access to a boarding group is subject to availability and not guaranteed.

As a reminder, only guests with a Disney Park Pass reservation for Disney’s Hollywood Studios will be able to experience Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance. When Park Hopper hours become available on January 1, 2021, guests visiting from another theme park will not be able to request to join the virtual queue. Disney encourages these guests to explore other areas of the park, including in Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge where they may experience Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run among other offerings.

MagicBands No Longer Complimentary at Disney Resorts as of January 1, 2021

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Via DisneyTips.com

The days of receiving complimentary MagicBands as Disney Resort Guests are dwindling quickly. As previously shared, as of January 1, 2021, MagicBands will no longer be complimentary at Disney Resorts.

As shared on the Walt Disney World website:

Disney Resort hotel Guests with an arrival date through December 31, 2020 will receive complimentary MagicBands. Magicbands will no longer be provided on a complimentary basis for new reservations for arrivals at Disney Resort hotels January 1, 2021 and beyond. However, Guests will have the option to purchase MagicBands.

The website also states: “In addition to MagicBands, in 2021, we plan to unveil an innovative new offering as part of the My Disney Experience app that will bring features of a MagicBand to your smart devices.”

Chef Mickey’s Character Dining Returns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

Via DisneyFanatic.com

Mickey Mouse and his best pals have returned to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort as of today, December 16! While character dining is modified and the menu is no longer a buffet, guests can still enjoy seeing the “Fab 5” (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto) while dining!

As shared on the Walt Disney World website:

Chef Mickey’s Family Feast — Character Dining

“Experience Character Dining and an enhanced all-you-care-to-eat family-style meal in a bright, happy space. As the monorail whizzes by, soak up the expansive views of Bay Lake, and behold the stunning 90-foot-high mural by Disney Legend Mary Blair that overlooks the festive eatery. Enjoy breakfast breads, traditional breakfast entrées such as Mickey waffles, and selections from Chef Mickey’s Signature entrees—including banana bread French toast, loaded potato-cheese casserole and the “Celebration” Mickey pancake.

Each table will receive a special autographed card keepsake from Mickey and his friends. Throughout the dining experience, Mickey Mouse and some favorite pals will make surprising appearances in each of the dining rooms. See them move throughout the restaurant, waving hello as rollicking music fills the air. Advance reservations are highly recommended.”

The Cost:

Expect to pay around $42 per adult and $27 per child, plus tax and gratuity.

The Menu:

The buffet is no more. The food is severed family-style.

  • – Chilled Options: Fruits Of The Season, Mini Yogurt Parfaits
  • – Unique Breakfast Bread Selections: Harvest Sweet Rolls, Fresh Fried Sweet Fritter
  • – Traditional Selections: Scrambled Eggs, Chicken Sausage, Slow-roasted Beef Brisket, Mickey Waffles, Pork Sausage Links, Mickey-shaped Waffles (Plant-based), Smoked Bacon, Tofu Scramble (Plant-based)
  • – Chef Mickey’s Signature Selections: “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole, Banana Bread French Toast, Toasted Bananas and Chocolate Crumbles, “Celebration” Mickey Pancake
  • – Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drinks: Mickey Mouse Smoothie, Minnie Mouse Smoothie, Cold Brew Coffee, Salted Caramel Cold Brew, Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa
  • – Magical Morning Cocktails: Cranberry-Orange Mimosa, Peach Bellini, Chef’s Bloody Mary, Cold Brew XO, Holiday Mimosa, Gingerbread Indulgence, Gingerbread Cold Brew
  • – PLUS, several Allergy-Friendly Options are available.

Pick-Up Service Returning to Walt Disney World Theme Parks for Limited Time

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

When the Walt Disney World theme parks reopened back in July, the popular merchandise services often used by guests, like Merchandise Pick-Up and Resort Hotel Delivery, were unavailable due to COVID-19 guidelines. However, just in time for the holidays (and only for a limited time), Merchandise Pick-Up is returning to the parks.

Starting December 20, 2020 through January 2, 2021 theme park merchandise purchased during the day can be delivered to a designated location near the front entrance for convenient pick-up as you exit the park.