Foodie Guide to Celebrate Soulfully Treats and Eats

Throughout the year, Disney Parks honor Black heritage and culture with Celebrate Soulfully, where our cast members bring their cultures to life in our parks through authentic food, music, and experiences.

During the month of February, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort join together to honor and experience Black culture through cuisines, one bite and sip at a time – with many offerings inspired and created by our diverse Disney cast members. Both coasts bring these delicious flavors and traditions to the plate and glass for people of all ages and backgrounds to join in on the soulful celebration. No detail is too small when it comes to our Celebrate Soulfully cuisine!

At Disneyland Resort, enjoy new can’t-miss chef inspirations such as the Shrimp & Grits from Café Orleans and the Peach Cobbler Donut from Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe. Over on the East Coast, Walt Disney World Resort is bringing back popular dishes from last February’s Cooking With Soul feature and highlighting new food and beverage  creations infused with Walt Disney World cast stories and heritage carried by Black-owned distillers. This February, Guests can try dishes returning with a twist such as the Peach Cobbler Whiskey Cake at Tiffins Restaurant or brand-new Soulful Sunday Dinners at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. While visiting, Guests can keep an eye out for other soulful offerings across property to continue celebrating soulfully throughout the year.

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

Cafe Orleans (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Shrimp & Grits: Andouille-fava relish, cheesy grits, and shrimp sauce (New)

Jolly Holiday Bakery Cafe (Available Feb. 1 through 28; mobile order available)

  • Peach Cobbler Donut: Vanilla-dipped donut filled with peach compote, topped with a cinnamon sugar puff (New)

River Belle Terrace (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Southern BBQ Platter: Brisket, fried chicken, burnt ends pork belly, mashed potatoes, baked beans, slaw, and a house-baked biscuit (New)

Troubadour Tavern

  • Fried Chicken Bowl: Spicy honey-glazed fried chicken served with four-cheese mac ‘n cheese, smoked turkey collard greens, and sweet potato cornbread (Available Feb.18 and Feb. 25 only; mobile order available) (New)
  • Red Velvet Bundt Cake with chocolate mousse, cream cheese frosting, and chocolate chips (Available Feb.18 and Feb. 25 only; mobile order available) (New)

Fantasyland Popcorn Cart and Troubadour Tavern  

  • Simba Popcorn Bucket (mobile order available)

Hotels of the Disneyland Resort

Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Hearthstone Lounge (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Baked Andouille Mac & Cheese: Pasta with white cheese sauce, chopped herbs and Andouille sausage (New)
  • Apricot Manhattan: Uncle Nearest 1884 Whiskey, Giffards Abricot du Roussillon, and Amaro Nonino garnished with maraschino cherries (New)
  • Spiced Fizz: Hanson of Sonoma Habanero Vodka, ginger beer, lime juice and raspberry syrup garnished with raspberries and a Lime wedge (New)

Downtown Disney District

College Boy Cheesesteaks (Available Feb. 9 – Mar. 5)

  • Black-owned food truck College Boy Cheesesteaks will serve up Philly Cheesesteaks from local Philadelphians

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen

  • Peach Pie Old Fashioned: Whiskey, peach liquor, bitters, and brown sugar garnished with a peach slice

Wings ’N Waffles (Available Feb. 9 – Mar. 5)

  • Black-owned food truck Wings ‘n Waffles will serve up delicious sandwiches, plates, and more

Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Gumbo: Chicken, Andouille sausage, okra, and seasonings simmered in chicken stock served over rice (New)

Dockside Diner (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • South African Hot Dog: South African boerie topped with sweet and spicy chakalaka relish on a brioche bun served with house-made chips (New)

Hollywood Scoops (Available Feb. 1 through Mar. 31)

  • Tiana Mardi Gras Milkshake: Cinnamon vanilla milkshake topped with a Mardi Gras king cake doughnut (New)

Hollywood & Vine

  • Poulet Mariné Au Four (Baked Marinated Chicken): Baked chicken marinated in assorted spices served with red and green peppers and onions. This dish was created by our cast members at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to celebrate Haitian Flag Day and is now featured on the Hollywood & Vine buffet for guests to enjoy!

Woody’s Lunch Box (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Sweet Potato Lunch Box Tart with cinnamon-brown sugar icing, toasted marshmallows, and pecans (New)

50’s Prime Time Cafe

  • Shrimp & Grits: Creole-seasoned shrimp with peppers and onions served over cheese grits

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Flame Tree Barbecue (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Creole Smoked Sausage Sandwich: Smoked Andouille sausage on a roll with piccadilly relish and stewed black-eyed peas (New)
  • Soul Cupcake: Vanilla cake with bananas foster filling, vanilla marshmallow buttercream, Joe Gardner white chocolate medallion, edible paper music notes, and multi color crispy pearls

Nomad Lounge (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • The Ginger Whiskey: A cocktail featuring Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey with notes of ginger and brown sugar (New)

Pizzafari and Restaurantosaurus (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Soul Cupcake: Vanilla cake with bananas foster filling, vanilla marshmallow buttercream, Joe Gardner white chocolate medallion, edible paper music notes, and multi color crispy pearls

Tiffins Restaurant

  • Spiced Shrimp & Grits: Spicy shrimp & corn grits with bacon jam and crispy radish
  • Peach Cobbler Whiskey Cake: Peach cobbler cake, honey vanilla bean ice cream, and brown butter whiskey caramel (Available Feb. 1 through 28)
  • The Ginger Whiskey: A cocktail featuring Uncle Nearest 1856 Whiskey with notes of ginger and brown sugar (New) (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

Tusker House

  • Braised Collard Greens with smoked bacon (Available Feb. 1 through 28)
  • Jollof Rice with Plant-based Sausage
  • Harira Soup

Dawa Bar, Restarauntosaurus Lounge, and Thirsty River Bar (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Mint Julep: Pineapple mint julep

EPCOT

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

  • Tiana Banana Pudding

Coral Reef Restaurant

  • Shrimp & Grits: Sautéed shrimp, cheddar grits, local corn succotash, andouille sausage, and Creole spice emulsion

Fife & Drum

  • Half Note Float: Layered Fanta Wild Cherry, Minute Maid Lemonade, and Fanta Blue Raspberry Slushy with vanilla ice cream and Half Note White Chocolate

Magic Kingdom Park  

Cinderella’s Royal Table

  • Select wines from McBride Sisters Wine Company (a Black-owned and female-led wine company), including:
    • McBride Sisters Sparkling Brut Rosé, Hawke’s Bay                
    • McBride Sisters Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
    • McBride Sisters Chardonnay, Central Coast 

Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen 

  • Kungaloosh! African-inspired chocolate cake with caramelized bananas and cashew-caramel ice cream topped with coffee dust
  • Golden Haze Margarita: Teremana Blanco Tequila, Grand Marnier Liqueur, Hella Cocktail Co. Smoked Chili Bitters, lime, and agave.

Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Soul Petit Cake: Chocolate chiffon cake, dark chocolate mousse, raspberry pate de fruit, raspberry mousse, and white chocolate crispy pearls 

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Chicken Jambalaya Dog: Chicken jambalaya dog with smoked sausage, roasted corn, lemon caper aïoli, and Tuscan roll (New)

Dockside Margaritas and Outdoor Bars (available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Royal Sunset: Empress 1908 Gin, grapefruit juice, cane sugar, and cherries 

House of Blues (available Feb. 1 through Mar. 1)

  • Celebrate Soulfully Specials: Featuring two beers (pilsner and IPA) from Green Bench Brewing, Florida’s only Black-owned brewery and chardonnay from Brown Estates, Napa Valley’s first Black-owned estate winery

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Chicken on the Egg: Buttermilk fried chicken, deviled eggs, and hot honey sauce
  • Fried Sweet Potato Pie: Sweet potato-filled pastry, spiced cinnamon sugar, maple bourbon sauce, and roasted pecan crumble

Poutine (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken Poutine with sweet ‘n’ hot jerk marinated chicken, pineapple salsa, scotch bonnet aïoli, and fries (New)

The Ganachery (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Soulful Pralines: Pecan pralines enrobed in our custom dark chocolate “jazzed” up with some chocolate musical instruments and decor featuring Joe from Disney and Pixar’s animated film Soul

Local Green Orlando Food Truck

  • Delicious vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian menu items made with love and soul including the Monsta Shrimp Burger, Rappers Delight Salmon Philly, and more
  • For a limited time during the month of February, visit the Local Green Orlando Food Truck near the entrance to Orange Garage 

The Polite Pig (available Jan. 31 through Feb. 28)

  • The Soulfully Chef Special: Fried pork belly, beef empanadas, and pikliz

Vivoli Il Gelato (available Jan. 16 through Feb. 28)

  • Candied Yam Cannoli: A crispy Italian shell filled with a sweet cream of ricotta cheese and candied yams topped with pecans
  • Carver’s Peanut Butter Explosion: Peanut butter milkshake with a chocolate drizzle, whipped cream, and a chocolate peanut butter cake on top

Walt Disney World Resorts

Available at Various Resorts (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Southern Fried Chicken Bowl: Fried chicken thighs, candied sweet potatoes, rice, smoked collards, mac and cheese, and a corn muffin(New) Available at the following:
    • World Premiere Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
    • Intermission Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
    • End Zone Food Court at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
    • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
    • Centertown Market at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • Everything POP at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
    • Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
    • Riverside Mill Food Court at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort

World Premiere Food Court, Intermission Food Court, and End Zone Food Court (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Banana Pudding Cheesecake: Banana cheesecake with vanilla pudding, vanilla wafer crust, and a brûléed banana (New)

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Sanaa (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Sanaa Spiced Shrimp: Benne seed-spiced shrimp, creamy pap, stewed okra, boerewors, and charred corn kachumbari (New)

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Contempo Café (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Southern Baked Macaroni and Cheese: Four cheese baked macaroni and cheese (New) 

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort}

Barcelona Lounge (Available Feb. 1 through 28) 

  • Whiskey Tart: Orange-cardamom infused cake, dark chocolate mousse, and diplomat cream infused with Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Premium Whiskey with a candied orange garnish (New) 

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter

Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Comeback Chocolate Cake: Slice of German-style chocolate cake with a salty pecan-coconut topping (New)

Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge (Available beginning Feb. 1)

  • Berry Beignet: Mickey-shaped beignet with fresh mixed berry compote, house-made Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Premium Whiskey caramel sauce, mint, and powdered sugar (New)

Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Riverside Mill Food Court (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Comeback Chocolate Cake: Slice of German-style chocolate cake with a salty pecan-coconut topping (New)

Various Signature Restaurants and Lounges Across Resorts Including:

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera, Cítricos, Jiko-The Cooking Place, and Yachtsman Steakhouse (Available Feb. 1 through Mar. 30)

  • Golden Cocktail: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Premium Whiskey, pineapple juice, almond, agave, and aromatic bitters (New)

Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa  

The Artist’s Palette (Available Feb. 1 through 28)

  • Soulful Sunday Dinner: A traditional soul food dinner of barbeque chicken with collard greens, black eye peas, and house-made cornbread (available Sundays in Feb.) (New)
  • Traditional Pound Cake: A slice of classic vanilla pound cake (New)

Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

The Market at Ale & Compass and Beach Club Marketplace (Available Feb. 1 through Mar. 30)

  • Tiana Praline Cupcake: Vanilla cupcake filled with pecan praline filling, vanilla buttercream, and chocolate décor (New)

Various Pool Bars and Table Service Locations Across Resorts Including Geyser Point, Banana Cabana, Scat Cat’s Club – Lounge, Boatwright’s Dining Hall, Olivia’s Café, Turf Club Bar & Lounge, Outer Rim, Hurricane Hanna’s, Boma – Flavors of Africa, Oasis Pool Bar, and many more! (Available Feb 1. through Mar. 30)

  • Pineapple Mule: Uncle Nearest 1884 Small Batch Premium Whiskey, Hella Cocktail Co. ginger bitters, pineapple juice, ginger beer, and mint

(Note: All offerings are subject to change and availability.)

EPCOT Gets a New Addition to Reflect Its Four Neighborhoods

The massive EPCOT transformation is well underway at Walt Disney World Resort. With all of the construction underway at the theme park, Disney has now unveiled a new addition reflecting its new “four neighborhood” approach.

It wasn’t too long ago that EPCOT was known for having two main lands, including Future World and World Showcase. The Walt Disney Imagineering team has been hard work transforming these two lands into four “neighborhoods,” which include World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase.

World Celebration holds the iconic Spaceship Earth and the newly refreshed EPCOT entrance. It will also be home to the new Walt statue coming soon, called “Dreamers Point.”

World Discovery has seen some of the largest transformations thus far with the addition of the popular indoor roller coaster, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. Additionally, the fan-favorite Test Track resides in World Discovery along with the new restaurant, Space 220.

World Nature is currently one large construction zone as we see the new walk-through attraction, Journey of Water Inspired by Moana take shape for its “Fall 2023” opening. Guests can continue to enjoy experiences such as Soarin’ Around the World and The Seas with Nemo and Friends.

The World Showcase has kept its name in the transformation and has seen the new addition of the France Pavilion expansion, which holds the family-friendly Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure ride.

But, this newest addition isn’t taking place WITHIN any of these neighborhoods. Instead, Disney is adding a new addition to EPCOT’s parking lot!

@ScottGustin took to social media on January 20, 2023, to share the following photos along with the report, “NEW: The EPCOT auto plaza marquee will get a new look later this month. And starting today, character-themed parking lots will be added that includes “some of the heroes and sidekicks who represent concepts” in EPCOT: Crush, Dory, HeiHei, Moana, Rocket, Gamora, WALL-E, and Eve.”

The EPCOT parking lot will be split into two themed sides, including Earth and Space. Disney adds that the changes to the parking lot “reflect the identity of EPCOT and its four neighborhoods, celebrating the magic of possibility and stories inspired by our real world made fantastic.”

EPCOT Parking Lot characters

The image above shows the eight Disney characters that will be used for the EPCOT parking lot with Earth being represented by Moana, Hei Hei, Crush, and Dory. Space is represented by Wall-E, Eve, Rocket, and Gamora.

Unfortunately, there are still crickets on the Disney World parking lot news we are all really hoping to hear… When are the EPCOT parking lot trams returning? Disney initially promised trams would be available before the end of 2022, but as we wrap up January 2023, we’re still waiting. Disney Park trams have returned to both Magic Kingdom Park and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios trams are still missing.

Lastly, if you decide to use the My Disney Experience App’s newly added Car Locator, the app has already added the new characters to help Guests capture their vehicle’s location.

New EPCOT Attraction to Open This Fall!

A lot is happening at Walt Disney World Resort right now. Guests are celebrating the final months of the 50th Anniversary, enjoying a ton of beautiful art and delicious food at the EPCOT International Festival of the Arts, riding the new EPCOT attraction, Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, and watching ride vehicles on TRON: Lightcycle/Run go through numerous tests. Plus, the temperatures in Florida are pretty great this time of year. It’s a truly great time to visit The Most Magical Place on Earth.

The Walt Disney World theme park currently experiencing the biggest change is definitely EPCOT. The Park is now made up of four distinct areas, each with their own personality — World Discovery, World Celebration, World Nature, and the World Showcase. While a lot of areas are being worked on, the largest construction area in the Park will soon be home to a brand-new attraction — Journey of Water: Inspired by Moana.

Journey of Water: Inspired By Moana was first announced back in 2019, and it’s now finally starting to make progress. Most recently, Disney brought in a towering statue of Te Fiti, which stands 16 feet tall! For months, Disney has been teasing that Guests will get to see Te Fiti up close in “late 2023”, but now, we have a more specific opening time frame.

According to Disney, the new attraction will open this fall!

Moana attraction EPCOT

Here’s some more information on the stunning new attraction coming to EPCOT.

Where Water Comes to Life

Stroll along a self-guided outdoor trail where you can play and interact with water as it travels from the sky to the oceans and back again. Along the way, learn about the importance of water and discover its playful personality—just as Moana did on her heroic voyage.

Journey of Water, Inspired by Moana is scheduled to open within World Nature—the EPCOT neighborhood dedicated to understanding and preserving the beauty and balance of the natural world.

Again, we do not have a specific opening date for Journey of Water, but we do know that it will be sometime this fall. It will be so exciting to be celebrating the new attraction while enjoying all that Halloween Time at Disney World has to offer!

Disney Makes BIG Claim About Tron: Lightcycle/Run

Via DisDining.com

Disney has made a big claim about Tron: Lightcycle/Run! Magic Kingdom’s long awaited roller coaster will finally open on April 4, 2023. When it does, it will break a record! No, not “longest build of all time” (though, after nearly five years of construction, we are pretty sure it might have that record too). According to Disney, “Tron: Lightcycle/Run will be one of the fastest coasters at any Disney theme park in the world.”

That’s exciting news considering Disney, while a pioneer in most areas, has always been a bit lacking in the thrill ride department. Much of this has been by design: Disney has traditionally been a place for the whole family to love. More and more, though, people have been lamenting the lack of adrenaline pumping attractions. Disney has heard and answered. Rock ‘N’ Roller Coaster in Hollywood studios tops out at 57 mph. Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind opened last year as EPCOT’S very first roller coaster (with a top speed of just under 60 mph) and Tron: Lightcycle/Run promises to be even faster! 

Shanghai Tron

That means Magic Kingdom’s version is likely going to be faster than Shanghai’s version. Tron: Lightcycle Power Run in Shanghai tops at 60 mph just like Cosmic Rewind. Disney’s hint leads us to believe that while the rides may be mostly identical,  they won’t be completely the same (and that Magic Kingdom’s version may actually be more thrilling)! 

Currently the fastest ride at the Walt Disney World Resort is Test Track at EPCOT which tops out at 65 mph (although it does not sustain this speed long) and while we don’t think Tron will go quite that fast, it will be interesting to see the stats and compare sustained speeds once Magic Kingdom’s coaster finally makes its debut!

California Grill Is Changing Their Menu

Disney’s 50th Anniversary celebration is coming to an end, and with it, many of the special limited-time events are ending as well. The celebration officially ends on March 31, 2023, and when it does, the special menu to commemorate the event at California Grill will end with it. 

Beginning April 1, 2023, the Contemporary Resort’s signature restaurant will debut an all-new menu. While this isn’t particularly shocking (menus change at Walt Disney World all the time), the format is, and some guests aren’t happy about it. According to Disney, the new menu will consist of “contemporary, market-inspired cuisine.” We aren’t quite sure yet what that entails as Disney has yet to release the details of the new menu, but the photos they’ve shared look amazing! 

Disney has stated that the new menu at California Grill will be prix fixe. The menu will include a three-course meal for one price with alá cart options no longer offered. The 50th-anniversary menu was also prix fixe, so this change isn’t technically new,  but many expected the restaurant to return to alá carte dining once the limited-time menu was done. 

The new format has led to many airing their frustrations online. 

Some expressed confusion at the format:

While others just wanted the option to order sushi (we can’t blame them that spicy kazan roll is delicious):

California Grill

This user straight up doesn’t want that price fix (and brings up an excellent point…that brunch was outstanding): 

California Grill

While this pricing structure was always present at family-style dining experiences like Garden Grill and Liberty Tree Tavern, prix fixe is a direction many other restaurants at Disney World are going in, particularly their fine dining establishments. Recently we reported that Monsieur Paul would also be adopting this format. Keep in mind this new pricing structure does not mean the restaurant will become family-style. You’ll still have options on the menu, which is nice. You’ll simply pay one price and choose an appetizer, entree, and dessert from the menu options.