Disney World Announces Reopening of Multiple Buffets & Breakfast Service Offerings

As we head into fall more and more restaurants are reopening at Walt Disney World. We’re also seeing the return of buffet meals being offered at the resort.

From a Disney Cast Member;

This Walt Disney World Resort edition of Foodie News is jam-packed with exciting news – from the reopening of three of our most popular all-you-care-to-enjoy buffets to the addition of seven more global marketplaces at EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE®

Boma – Flavors of Africa

Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge opens today with all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast and dinner. Once again, the cooking stations will be brimming with your favorites for breakfast – creamy pap, turkey bobotie, pancakes, waffles, deviled eggs with salmon, and delicious freshly baked items from the Boma bakery.

At dinner, the rotisserie area will offer pork ribs, salmon, African-spiced strip loin, Durban rotisserie chicken, and lamb bobotie. The kid’s station will have pasta and meatballs, mac n’ cheese, and chicken bites. The rotating selection of soups, stews, and chowders are back, as well as tasty salads like berbere chickpea salad and North African cauliflower salad. And yes, Zebra Domes are back!

Biergarten Restaurant

Beginning Aug. 29, Biergarten Restaurant in the German pavilion at EPCOT will offer a buffet experience for lunch and dinner. Enjoy your favorite German dishes – pretzel rolls, bratwurst, spätzle, schnitzel, and a variety of desserts, including apple strudel and black forest rolls. Prost!

The Crystal Palace

Inspired by Victorian greenhouses of the late 1800s, The Crystal Palace at Magic Kingdom Park is such an enchanting spot to dine. I am happy to announce starting Sept. 12, their buffet will open for lunch and dinner where you can feast on Parker House rolls, create-your-own fresh garden salad, seared pork tenderloin, fire-roasted prime rib, braised beef short ribs, and more.

Nine Dragons Restaurant

Enjoy Cantonese, Mongolian, Szechuan, Hunan, and Kiangche-style specialties at Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China pavilion at EPCOT. Now open for dinner (Tuesday-Saturday), start with Sichuan Chicken Dumplings, Crispy Duck Bao Buns, or the House Hot & Sour Soup. For entrées, select from many delicious dishes such as Kung Pao Duo, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Spicy Honey Crispy Chicken, and Kowloon Spare Ribs.

Breakfast at Cinderella Royal Table

Start your day in the most enchanting way – breakfast is back at Cinderella’s Royal Table at Magic Kingdom Park starting Aug. 27! Reservations are available beginning Aug. 24.

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery

Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park reopens Aug. 29 and they have delicious new entrées to try while traveling through the park. Did you know “kusafiri” means “to journey” in Swahili?

    • Spiced Potato Hand Pies – Vegetables and potatoes wrapped in pastry served with harissa aïoli and coriander chutney
    • Marinated Chicken Flatbread Sandwich – Marinated chicken topped with cucumber–tomato salad, tahini sauce, and greens served with house-made chips
    • Red Chili Hot Dog – Spicy hot dog topped with cucumber–tomato salad and harissa aïoli served with house-made chips

Dockside Diner

Drop anchor and check out the new offerings at Dockside Diner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios! Opening Aug. 22, this adorable walk-up location has plenty of outdoor seating along Echo Lake.

    • Shrimp Salad Roll – Shrimp, arugula, tomatoes, pickled shaved fennel, and sliced radish tossed with rémoulade sauce on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
    • Chipotle Chicken Salad Roll – Roasted pulled chicken salad with red onions, celery, tomatoes, and watercress tossed with chipotle aïoli and topped with fried onions on a brioche butter bun served with seasoned house-made chips
    • Smoked Fish Dip served with seasoned house-made chips, celery, carrots, jalapeños, and pickles
    • Seaside Brownie – Chocolate brownie topped with white chocolate ganache and seaside garnish
    • Blue Sea Margarita – Tequila, blue Curaçao, and sweet-and-sour

EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival

And exciting news for all you festival-goers! In our recent Foodie Guide to the EPCOT International Food & Wine Festival presented by CORKCICLE, we indicated we would be opening more global marketplaces on Oct. 1. But the Festival Team decided to open seven marketplaces early – on Aug. 15! You’re welcome!

Ireland (Near United Kingdom)

Food:

    • Fisherman’s Seafood Pie
      • Roasted Irish Sausage with Colcannon Potatoes and Onion Gravy
      • Warm Chocolate Pudding Cake with Irish Cream Liqueur Custard

Beverages:

    • Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale
      • Bunratty Mead Honey Wine
      • Guinness Baileys Shake

Spain (Between Italy and Germany)

Food:

    • Charcuterie with a selection of imported Spanish Meats, Cheeses, and Olives with an Herb Vinaigrette (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Spanish-style Paella with Rice, Chorizo, and Shrimp (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar, and Smoked Paprika (gluten/wheat friendly)

Beverages:

    • Estrella Galicia Cerveza Especial Lager (new)
    • Avaline White Blend (new)
    • Faustino VII Rioja Rosado (new)
    • Espelt Garnacha
    • Wine Flight

The Alps (Near Germany)

Food:

    • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Alpine Ham, Baby Potatoes, Cornichons, and Baguette
    • Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons, and Baguette
    • Blueberry and Almond Frangipane Tart with Crème Fraîche  

Beverages:

    • Huber Vision Grüner Veltliner, Austria (new)
    • Cave De La Côte Rosé Gamay, Romand
    • René Favre Dôle, Chamoson
    • Frozen Rosé
    • Wine Flight

Kenya (Outpost)

Food:

    • Kenyan Coffee Barbecue Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato & Corn Mealie Pap and Kachumbari Slaw (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Piri Piri Skewered Shrimp with Citrus-scented Couscous

Beverages:

    • Tusker Lager

India (Near China) – Opening Oct. 1

Food:

    • Warm Indian Bread with Pickled Garlic, Mango Salsa, and Coriander Pesto Dips
    • Korma Chicken with Basmati Rice, Crispy Chickpeas, and Spiced Yogurt Sauce (gluten/wheat friendly)
    • Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas, and Ben’s Original Basmati Rice (gluten/wheat friendly; plant-based)

Beverages:

    • Mango Lassi (non-alcoholic)
    • Taj Mahal Premium Lager (new)
    • Sula Brut Tropicale Sparkling Wine, Nashik (new)
    • Sula Chenin Blanc, Nashik
    • Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

NEW! Lobster Landing (Near Mission: SPACE)

Food:

    • New England Lobster Tail with Lobster Bisque Sauce (new)
    • Lobster Chowder with Bacon, Corn, Potatoes, and Oyster Crackers (new)
    • Baked Lobster Dip with Old Bay Chips (gluten/wheat friendly; new)

Beverages:

    • Coronado Brewing Co. Salty Crew Blonde Ale, San Diego, CA (new)
    • Steenberg Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc, South Africa (new)
    • Sean Minor Chardonnay, California (new)
    • Cape Codder: Vodka with Cranberry, Pomegranate, and Lime (new)

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

NEW! Mac & Eats (Near Mission: SPACE)

Food:

    • Traditional Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Panko
    • Truffle Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Panko (new)
    • Cowboy Macaroni and Cheese with Smoked Pork Belly, Brisket Burnt Ends, Pickled Peppers, and Onion Straws (new)
    • Macaroni and Cheese with House-made Italian Sausage and Peppers (plant-based)

Beverages:

    • 81Bay Brewing Co. Lemon Hazy IPA, Tampa, FL (new)
    • L’Ecole No. 41 Chenin Blanc Old Vines, Columbia Valley, WA
    • Evolution by Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR

Select Dishes featuring Melissa’s Produce

Anthony Mackie Is Back For Captain America 4

After the extremely popular Disney+ series “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier”, we now have information about Captain America 4.  It was revealed that Anthony Mackie will be back to play Captain America.

It’s currently unclear if the film will include Sebastian Stan, who stars as “The Winter Soldier” in the Disney+ series and multiple Captain American movies.

We don’t know a lot about the film except that it is being written by “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier ” head writer and creator Malcolm Spellman, along with series staff writer Dalan Musson.

Tiana-Themed Playground Coming to EPCOT

Next week, beginning Monday, August 23, Disney is kicking off the first-ever “World Princess Week” which means we’re going to be hearing about new Disney Princess products, digital content, unique offerings at parks and resorts, and more. One of the most exciting announcements for all those little Princesses in your life is that a new Princess Tiana-themed playground is coming to EPCOT.

As shared by Disney: “Starting Aug. 23, there will be a new Tiana-themed playground available during the EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival! This playground is an awesome offering Guests can enjoy during Walt Disney World Resort’s 50th-anniversary celebration, “The World’s Most Magical Celebration.”

While we don’t know much just yet as to what the Tiana-themed playground will include, we know our kids will be excited! “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” is an 18-month long party. From Disney’s announcement, it sounds like the Tiana-themed playground will remain open for the full duration of the 50th Anniversary celebrations. We did suspect to see some progress on the Splash Mountain retheming to The Princess and the Frog by the 50th Anniversary, but Disney has said the project will take time. In the meantime, Tiana is getting her own themed playground.

And yes, even though playgrounds are high-touch areas and COVID cases are on the rise in Central Florida, Disney recently reopened The Boneyard at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, along with the Dumbo playground inside the circus ten Dumbo attraction queue in Magic Kingdom.

Disney Monorail Loses Power With Guests Onboard

A video from a Disney fan out of Walt Disney World was shared yesterday, August 18, showing the Monorail Orange lost power. The YouTuber looks to be standing just outside of Disney’s Contemporary Resort where the monorail was stranded. It looks like the Monorail was full of Guests heading to Magic Kingdom Park. The stayed in place long enough that you can hear the Monorail driver inform guests on how to remove the monorail windows for some fresh air. Check out the full video and details below as shared by a YouTuber that captured the scene.

As shared by TheCapsTV via YouTube: “On Wednesday, August 18, 2021, around 1:15 p.m. monorail orange lost power exiting the Contemporary Resort on its way to Magic Kingdom. Disney’s Reedy Creek Fire Department was on scene and in charge within minutes. The monorail tow quickly arrived and was able to tow the monorail into the Magic Kingdom station after several minutes.” Check out the full video below:

Disney Wish to Debut First-of-its-Kind Interactive Experience, Disney Unchartered Adventure

Via Disney Destinations

If the wishing star makes dreams come true, what happens when it goes missing?

That’s a big question with an even more epic answer: Disney Uncharted Adventure, a first-of-its-kind interactive experience that will lead Guests aboard the Disney Wish on a journey from bow to stern and beyond the stars. Just announced today, this fantastical journey will be a brand-new way to explore and experience the enchantment of a Disney cruise ship.

Using innovative technology like augmented reality and physical effects, Disney Uncharted Adventure will take classic Disney storytelling into an all-new realm of immersive family fun as Guests embark on a multidimensional voyage into the worlds of Moana, Tiana, Peter Pan, Nemo and more.

Watch the latest episode in our “Designing the Disney Wish” series to hear from the creative team behind Disney Uncharted Adventure, then read on for even more details about this one-of-a-kind experience coming to the Disney Wish in summer 2022.

With a Disney Wish reservation, Guests will be able to unlock Disney Uncharted Adventure on the Play Disney Parks app, which transforms Guests’ mobile device into an enchanted spyglass – a tool that allows them to set sail for adventure, solve puzzles, conquer quests and ultimately save the day.

Before the ship sets sail, Captain Minnie Mouse and Mickey Mouse will help Guests prepare for the journey ahead by highlighting the important role of the night sky in seafaring — particularly the ever-shining wishing star that lights the way.

Once on board, Guests will use their spyglass to reveal never-before-seen views of the stars above, where enchanted constellations take shape as recognizable icons from Disney and Pixar stories. When the wishing star suddenly bursts and shatters, they’ll watch as its pieces are scattered across the sky, each landing in a far-off realm. Captain Minnie will need Guests’ help to navigate the ship to these uncharted worlds to find the missing pieces of the wishing star!

Guests will choose where to go next, charting a course toward adventurous locales such as Motunui, New Orleans, Never Land, Sydney and more. Each quest will take Guests on an expansive journey throughout the Disney Wish as they are prompted to seek artwork, signs and props that magically transform to bring the characters and settings of these story worlds to life all around them. 

Along the way, Guests will join the heroic characters who inhabit each destination on a mission to find the star fragment that landed there. Highlights include: 

  • teaming up with Moana to navigate their canoes beyond the reef;
  • helping Tiana cook up the perfect pot of her father’s favorite gumbo;
  • summoning Tinker Bell to give the Disney Wish an extra dash of pixie dust; and 
  • diving into the East Australian Current (EAC) with Nemo and friends.

The adventure will culminate in a grand finale hosted in one of the ship’s premier entertainment venues. During this live interactive experience, Guests will gather with other players to battle an infamous Disney villain (who’s been pulling the strings all along) and finally restore the wishing star to its rightful place in the sky. 

Disney Uncharted Adventure is being developed with flexibility, replayability and customization in mind, so Guests can be in charge of your own adventure! They’ll choose when and how to play. If they don’t complete every quest, Guests can still enjoy the finale event. If they play again and again, they may discover new surprises and rewards each time. Guests can play on their own or with family and friends — the experience works with up to six devices at once, but Guests can also team up on only one or two devices at a time.