Decorate Mickey Mouse Cupcakes at Home

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

Whether it’s National Cupcake Day or just an ordinary day, it’s always fun to bring Disney magic into our homes. Recently Disney shared a fun way to decorate Mickey Mouse cupcakes at home.

From a Disney Cast Member;

Today I’m excited to talk about two of my favorite things: cupcakes and Make-A-Wish.

Although the pandemic presented unique challenges for everyone – wish granters included – we’ve continued granting unforgettable Disney wishes and creating magical experiences for Make-A-Wish children. From a royal greeting from Princess Belle to the inspirational stories shared as part of #TheWishEffect, we’ve seen how a wish unlocks a world of possibilities. We’re honored that Disney has grown to grant half of all Make-A-Wish wishes in the United States and together with Make-A-Wish, we’ve granted more than 145,000 wishes around the world.

A few months ago, we granted a very special wish request from a child who wanted to decorate yummy cupcakes with Chef Minnie. Inspired by this child’s wish, today we’re going to show you how to make a sweet treat with the help of a special guest: Minnie Mouse, herself! In honor of National Cupcake Day, Chef Minnie and Chef Magaly from Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge at Walt Disney World Resort will walk you through decorating your very own Mickey Mouse-themed cupcakes at home.

Before joining in on the fun, make sure that you have all the ingredients ready to go, and a parent to help for younger children. Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make these delicious treats**:

Ready, set, go!

    • First, fill up the piping bag with red buttercream icing, followed by placing the pastry tip inside and carefully cutting the tip of the bag off.
    • Then, fill the bag with red icing and get ready to begin decorating.
    • To decorate, start by icing one “ring” of buttercream icing on the cupcake.
    • Then, place two yellow “buttons” in the front of the cupcake.
    • Almost there! Use the icing bag to add 2-3 rounds of red icing on top.
    • Finally, stick two round cookies on the top of the icing to make Mickey’s ears
    • Enjoy!

Watch below for detailed instructions from Chef Magaly and Chef Minnie.

For more than 40 years, Disney has worked with our friends at Make-A-Wish, whose amazing work creates life-changing experiences for children with critical illnesses. Together, Disney and Make-A-Wish have granted more than 145,000 Disney wishes globally. From sailing aboard a Disney cruise, to opening the gates of Disneyland park, to decorating cupcakes with Minnie like you’ve seen today, no two wishes are ever the same.

** Always use caution when handling sharp objects and hot contents. 
Please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup Recipe from Le Cellier Steakhouse

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Epcot

Disney has shared some of our favorite park eats like the Mickey beignets and churros. Fans of the Canada pavilion and of the famous Canadian cheddar cheese soup recipe served at Le Cellier Steakhouse and the Food and Wine Festival can now enjoy this delicious dish at home.

From a Disney Cast Member;

You won’t have to travel around World Showcase to try the famous Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup from EPCOT – you can now make it at HOME!

Although featured in many Disney cookbooks, we’re releasing the recipe for this classic soup you’ll find on the menu at Le Cellier Steakhouse in the Canada pavilion. It’s one of our most popular recipes and also a favorite of mine (of course, I love anything that involves cheese!) It serves as a great appetizer or even a warm dish for a cozy afternoon and you can pair it with pretzel bread for dipping for a magical meal!

Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup from Le Cellier Steakhouse at EPCOT

Serves 10

Ingredients:

1/2 pound of bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
3 celery ribs, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
4 tablespoons butter
1 cup all-purpose flour
3 cups chicken stock
4 cups milk
1 pound white cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Coarse salt, freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup warm Canadian golden lager or any pale lager-style beer
Chopped scallions or chives, for garnish

Directions:

  1. In a 4- or 5-quart Dutch oven, cook bacon, stirring, over medium heat for about 5 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  2. Add red onion, celery, and butter and sauté until onion has softened, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add flour and cook, stirring constantly, for about 4 minutes over medium heat.  Whisk in chicken stock and bring to boil for 1 minute. Reduce heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  4. Add milk and continue to simmer for 15 minutes. Do not boil after milk is added.
  5. Remove from heat and add cheese, Tabasco sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Blend with immersion blender until cheese is melted and soup is smooth. Stir in warm beer.  If the soup is too thick, thin with some warm milk.
  6. Serve the soup hot, garnished with chopped scallions or chives.

Click here for a print-at-home version of this recipe!

Note: This recipe has been converted from a larger quantity in the restaurant kitchens. The flavor profile may vary from the restaurant’s version. As a reminder, while preparing this recipe, please supervise children who are helping or nearby.

CookieAnn Just Got Her Very Own Bakery at One Disney Park!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

In 2010, Disney fans around the globe were introduced to Mickey’s very own teddy bear, Duffy. Duffy is an adorable bear who wears a sailor outfit and was a gift from Minnie who goes everywhere with Mickey. Duffy never really took off at Disney World and Disneyland — although you can still find some merchandise featuring him — but he is incredibly popular at Shanghai Disneyland, Hong Kong Disney, Tokyo Disney, and Aulani.

In the eleven years since Duffy has come along, Disney has also introduced a number of Duffy’s friends to the Parks — including Duffy’s best bear friend, ShellieMay, Olu Mel (a turtle), Gelatoni the cat, StellaLou the rabbit, LinaBell the fox, and CookieAnn the dog. All of these adorable friends have become characters and can frequently be seen in the Parks for photo ops along with Duffy.

The increasing popularity of Duffy’s friends has led to one of them getting her very own bakery. Disney Parks Blog recently shared that CookieAnn Bakery is now open at the Shanghai Disney Resort. Per Disney Parks Blog:

We are excited to announce the opening of a brand-new addition to Mickey Avenue at Shanghai Disney Resort – CookieAnn Bakery Café! Owned by Minnie Mouse, this adorable bakery is inspired by CookieAnn’s culinary curiosity, creativity, and ingenuity, and, of course, by the friendship between Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Duffy and his friends.

Duffy and Friends have deeply connected with guests of Shanghai Disney Resort since the moment they first arrived there. Their friendship and heartwarming moments with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse inspired this location that highlights CookieAnn’s creative talent in coming up with fun, unique and delicious recipes.

Guests will be treated with a host of delicious and delightful snacks and baked goods: pastries, cookies, soufflé pancakes, creative milkshakes, specialty hot beverages, as well as all sorts of homeware items Disney collectibles, souvenirs, all inspired by Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, Duffy and his friends, and brought to life by the Shanghai Disney Resort Food & Beverage and Merchandise teams.

The gorgeous bakery has walls adorned with murals featuring CookieAnn, Duffy, Mickey, and all of their friends enjoying delicious treats as they spend time together. There is also a vintage oven featuring baked goods animation that will remind visitors of delicious dishes featured in a number of animated Disney films.

Disney World Cast Member Seen Throwing Straws at Guests

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Via InsideTheMagic

Whispering Canyon Café, located inside Disney’s Wilderness Lodge at Walt Disney World, is a popular restaurant that offers a unique dining experience.

In case you aren’t familiar, Whispering Canyon Café is known for the shenanigans that occur between servers and Guests (don’t ask for extra ketchup!). On a recent visit to Whispering Canyon Café, one waiter was having some fun with a family as he threw straws at them from the next table over.

On Thanksgiving this year, one family dined at Whispering Canyon Café and had the best Cast Member experience ever. They were sitting down at their table when their waiter decided to have a bit of fun with another one of his tables. He was seen throwing paper straws at the family (as a joke).

Within the video you can hear the Cast Member say things like “I don’t know anything about this” and “Hey look, Mickey Mouse” to try and distract the Guests before aiming the straws at their table. The joke not only made the table he was sitting with laugh hysterically, but the “victims of the straws” were also seen clearly having a great time. In fact, the TikToker claims this waiter was the “best” Cast Member and he made their Thanksgiving a memorable one.

@jojocrichton

this made my whole day 😂 #disneyworld #jojosworld #disney #fyp

♬ original sound – JoJo Crichton

Of course, this is all in good fun as, again, Whispering Canyon Café is known for the shenanigans.

Disney is paying insane hiring bonuses, just to fill vital roles in the parks

Posted on by Mathew Corn Animal Kingdom, Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Disney Resorts, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

While we’re all excited that the Walt Disney World Resort is getting back to “normal,” following its unprecedented closure in March 2020 for nearly four months in response to the growing coronavirus pandemic, we know that Disney, like other employers, is facing challenges with finding enough people to fill the open Cast Member roles they have available at the Central Florida parks.

Disney World recently announced that it will be hosting a job fair on December 13 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Convention Center.

Five Hidden Gems Attendees Can Discover at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort | Disney Meetings Blog

Cast Members are desperately needed in culinary roles, housekeeping roles, custodial roles, and bus transportation roles, as each of these types of roles remains difficult for Disney to fill lately. Mickey really needs help filling positions to offer the most magic and the best in customer service to Guests, so he’s paying as much as $1,500 in sign-on bonuses for chef assistant positions.

Chef of Be Our Guest Restaurant in New Fantasyland Shares His Favorites from the Menu | Disney Parks Blog

Several other challenging-to-fill positions come with hiring bonuses of up to $1,000.

Cast Members currently onboard with The Walt Disney Company can earn some extra cash as well. Disney is currently offering referral bonuses to Cast Members who send in friends, family members, or strangers they meet at Starbucks (or anywhere else) who apply for positions at Disney and get hired and use the Cast Member’s name as the person who referred them. Those referral bonuses start at $500 and go as high as $1,000 after the person is hired and employed for a designated amount of time.

If you’re not able to visit Coronado Springs on December 13 for the job fair, you can still apply online for positions at Disney World (or at any Disney-owned park or subsidiary) via the Disney Careers website by clicking here. Currently, the website lists Park Operations jobs such as Chef Assistant, Program Experience Associate, Monorail Host/Hostess, and more.