Disney World Adds Extra Perks For Visitors During Its 50th Anniversary

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

Walt Disney World already has a lot of bonuses in place for any Disney Guests who visit on or after October 1st of this year, since it marks their 50th anniversary, but now they’ve added additional sweeteners for anyone who stays at the Disney Resorts Collection hotels!

Anyone who is staying at a Disney Resorts Collection hotel during the “World’s Most Magical Celebration” can officially enter the Disney World theme parks earlier than everyone else. Furthermore, Disney visitors who are residing in the Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort hotels can take advantage of extended evening hours on select nights in select theme parks.

Pluto and Goofy at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort

There will also be special appearances by Disney “friends” (i.e. Disney characters), who will be wearing new EARidescent garb. Cast Members will also be wearing special-edition nametags. While you’re on your way to the parks, you can also see special 50th-anniversary decor on the Disney monorail, select Disney Skyliner cabins, and select Disney Transportation buses!

If you haven’t picked which Disney hotel to hang your hat in, you may want to give Disney’s Contemporary Resort a try! This Resort has just had a makeover, making it a mix of retro and modern, and characters from the Pixar Incredibles movies are being featured in lots of its decor.

Walt Disney World is also encouraging Guests to book rooms at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, because the resort has new rooms that are based on the Disney film (and Polynesian heroine) “Moana.” The resort has a new entrance with lots of Polynesian detailing, which was only just finished as another part of Disney World’s current refurbishments!

Once you’ve picked a resort to stay in, be sure to try the limited-edition Joffrey’s Coffee blend that’s been formulated just for Disney World’s 50th anniversary celebration. With two new restaurants opening as well (one French and one futuristic), you won’t go hungry!

Three New Desserts Parties Coming to Disney’s Magic Kingdom!

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Magic Kingdom

Via DisDining.com

Fireworks have returned at Walt Disney World Resort! The great news is that with the return of the fireworks, we’re seeing the need for the return of a few heavenly treats to go along with the nighttime spectacular as the fireworks dessert party is coming back… in a 3-part way! Disney has announced they are offering THREE new dessert parties for Magic Kingdom’s newest nighttime spectacular, “Disney Enchantment.”

As shared by Disney Parks Blog: “At Magic Kingdom Park, three dessert party options put you right in the middle of the magic to view Disney Enchantment. Each event includes 50th anniversary-themed delights at different times throughout the evening at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. No matter which party you choose, you’ll discover a host of 50th anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, including chocolate-dipped strawberries and butterscotch pudding, plus a variety of cheeses. Drink selections will also be available, including an assortment of beer and wine for Guests ages 21 and over.”

DESSERT PARTY #1:

Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Pre-Party
Starts Oct. 3, 2021; Reservations available beginning Sept. 17, 2021

Sweeten your evening at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant at Magic Kingdom Park with 50th anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, a variety of cheeses and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included. Then, before the show begins, Cast Members will escort you to a reserved standing viewing location in one of the plaza gardens with prime viewing of Disney Enchantment. Admission is $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included.

DESSERT PARTY #2:

Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment Treats & Seats
Starts Oct. 3, 2021; Reservations available beginning Sept. 17, 2021

After a day of Magic Kingdom Park fun, enjoy 50th anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, a variety of cheeses, and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included. Experience the fireworks views from the comfort of dedicated reserved seating at Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant. Admission is $114 per adult (ages 10 and up); $69 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included.

DESSERT PARTY #3:

Magic Kingdom 50th Fireworks Dessert Parties: Disney Enchantment After-Party
Starts Oct. 3, 2021; Reservations available beginning Sept. 17, 2021

Like the Disney Enchantment Pre-Party, this experience includes reserved standing viewing of Disney Enchantment in one of the plaza gardens. After taking in the sights and sounds of the spectacular, visit Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant for a spread of 50th anniversary-themed desserts prepared by our pastry chef, a variety of cheeses and beverages, with selections of beer and wine included. Admission is $99 per adult (ages 10 and up); $59 per child (ages 3 to 9), tax included.

A host of 50th Anniversary themed desserts prepared by Disney’s pastry chefs will be available including chocolate-dipped strawberries, butterscotch pudding, and a variety of cheeses. Drink selections will also be available, including an assortment of beer and wine for Guests ages 21 and over.

Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT: More Details and Menus

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Epcot

Guests can get ready to let their taste buds take (a simulated!) flight 220 miles above Earth’s surface as Space 220 Restaurant at EPCOT officially begins virtual departures on today for walk-up diners. Reservations are available to book today as well, with the first reservation date available on Sept. 27.

The out-of-this-world dining experience will take diners on a journey from Earth to the stars, a simulated 220 miles above Earth’s surface, for an immersive experience that will delight all the senses. This experience is unique to EPCOT, where the magic of human imagination and possibility come to life. 

Serving upscale, contemporary fare, Space 220 Restaurant offers a two-course prix fixe menu for lunch and a three-course prix fixe menu for dinner. Guests will enjoy a selection of “lift-off” appetizers, “star course” main entrées, and a choice of “supernova sweets” for dessert. “Satellite sides” will also be available à la carte.

Diners can expect unique beverages with a colorful lineup of atmospheric spirits, zero-proof (non-alcoholic) cocktails, big dipper brews, and worldly wines.

Below is a sampling of the prix fixe menus – the Space 220 crew favorites!

Two-Course Lunch

Includes one Lift-Off appetizer and one Star Course entrée

Lift-Offs

  • Big Bang Burrata 
  • Starry Calamari 
  • Blue Moon Cauliflower
  • Neptuna Tartare
  • Space Greens

Star Course

  • Bluehouse Salmon
  • Centauri Burger
  • Flat Iron Steak
  • Seared Tuna 
  • Baked Maccheroni

Three-Course Dinner

Includes one Lift-Off appetizer, one Star Course entrée, and one Supernova Sweet

Lift-Offs

  • Big Bang Burrata 
  • Starry Calamari 
  • Blue Moon Cauliflower
  • Neptuna Tartare 
  • Space Greens

Star Course

  • 8 oz. Filet Mignon 
  • Slow Rotation Short Rib
  • Florida Red Snapper
  • X2 Duck
  • Terra-Bolognese 
  • Roasted Free-Range Chicken 

Supernova Sweets 

  • Lemon Mousse 
  • Sticky Toffee Pudding Cake 
  • Chocolate Cheesecake

Drinks

Atmospheric Spirits  

  • Stargarita
  • Atmospritz – Served with a cotton candy cloud 
  • The Big Tang – Served with “Astronaut Ice Cream”
  • Planetary Punch – Served over dry ice
  • Celestial Cosmopolitan

Zero Proof Cocktails

These drinks come in a special Space 220 collectible cup:

  • Lightyear Lemonade – Made with butterfly pea tea
  • The Milky Way – Served with a fun-size “Milky Way” garnish
  • Moon Rocks – Served with a pack of popping candy garnish

With the purchase of any zero proof (non-alcoholic) cocktail or children’s meal, Guests will receive a pack of Space 220 Collectible Trading Cards. Designed exclusively for and only distributed at Space 220 Restaurant, these limited-edition packs of cards feature original artwork and trivia facts about space exploration, food in space, and the sky-high innovations at Space 220 Restaurant.

Space 220 Restaurant is another exciting milestone within the EPCOT transformation, showcasing that real worlds truly are made fantastic, and it will open just in time for “The World’s Most Magical Celebration” on Oct. 1. Stay tuned for more details on reimagined EPCOT.

First Look: Steakhouse 71 Menus, Opening Soon at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

Steakhouse 71, located on the first floor of Disney’s Contemporary Resort, will open its doors on Oct. 1 for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we are excited to share a first look at all the menus.

The chefs created a terrific dinner menu with all the hallmarks of a family-friendly steakhouse, and offerings at breakfast and lunch are unique and delicious. They even give a nod to Walt Disney with contemporary spins on some of his favorite foods.

And kids get to be creative with their meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They can choose an entrée, select two sides, and a drink from a menu that includes oatmeal with dried cranberries and Mickey-shaped waffles for breakfast and PBJ wings and cheeseburgers for lunch and dinner. They can even create their own ice cream sundae!

Our talented mixologists and sommeliers have crafted fabulous alcoholic and nonalcoholic libations offered in the Steakhouse 71 Lounge or to enjoy while dining.

Check out all the new menus!

Steakhouse 71, which gets its name from the year the resort opened, has a sleek yet comfortable décor with fun design elements from the ‘70s and hints of our Florida heritage with subtle sightings of the beloved Orange Bird and citrus groves.

Guests can start their Disney day with a delicious breakfast at Steakhouse 71. The breakfast menu offers everything from Fresh-baked Pastries and Avocado Toast to Walt’s Prime Rib Hash and Eggs Benedict! Enjoy a variety of wake-up sips like the Steakhouse Bloody Mary and the Bourbon Cold Brew (Joffrey’s Coffee Cold Brew, bourbon, maple, vanilla bean cream), as well as espresso, cappuccino, latte, freshly brewed coffee, assorted teas, and juices.

Guests can take a lunch break and relax at Steakhouse 71. Check out this fantastic lunch menu!

Now, THIS is a steakhouse menu! Guests can customize their steak entrée with a choice of a side and yummy sauce. Craving something other than a steak? Steakhouse 71 has delicious fish, chicken, and plant-based offerings as well.

One favorite dessert is the Steakhouse 71 Chocolate Cake. It is 15 layers of whiskey-infused chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and raspberries – one layer for every floor at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Before dining (or any time), relax, sip, and nosh in the retro Steakhouse 71 Lounge with comfortable seating at the large rectangular bar.

The mixologists and sommeliers have created unique and refreshing concoctions to enjoy in the Steakhouse 71 Lounge or while dining.

Citrus groves surrounding the resort when first being built were the inspiration for two refreshing cocktails. The Citrus Grove Cocktail (Italian bitter, green herbal liqueur, citrus juices, simple syrup, and orange bitters) evokes the scents of fresh oranges and citrus groves. And the Steakhouse 71 Vodka Gimlet (vodka, green herbal liqueur, herbal blend, lime juice, simple syrup, and Minute Maid Premium Lemonade) is a fresh and herbaceous cocktail inspired by the Florida wetlands. The “Lily” pad garnish is in honor of Lillian Disney.

While Guests enjoy the subtle ‘70s vibe of the restaurant, they can relax with a popular drink from that decade – the Tequila Sunrise! Our mixologists gave their Tequila Sunrise a modern twist with tequila, tropical juices, rosemary simple syrup, and house-made grenadine. A “sharable” Tequila Sunrise is available for lunch and dinner, serving 2-4 guests.

Steakhouse 71 proudly offers a selection of “Disney Family of Wines,” a diverse collection of wines with a personal connection to the Disney name. The wineries display qualities long identified with Walt Disney and The Walt Disney Company – passion, innovation, and quality.

Reservations for Steakhouse 71 are now available. To make reservations, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website.

Mobile Order Service Coming to Candy Kitchen Locations

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks

Mobile Order service is something we use every chance we get when ordering from a quick-service location at Walt Disney World. It’s so fast and easy to use. That’s why we’re super excited to learn that the service is expanding to include candy kitchen locations.

Since introducing mobile order service several years ago, we’ve been continuously expanding the service to additional dining locations and adding new options like table-service to go for even more convenience. Now available at Disneyland Resort and coming soon to Walt Disney World Resort, you can also use mobile order service to order your favorite confections from select merchandise locations with candy kitchens.

Satisfy your sweet tooth and save time in line when you use mobile order service at the following locations, and pick up treats from cupcakes and cookies to chocolate-covered marshmallows and elaborately-decorated candy apples.

Disneyland Resort – Now available!

    • Marceline’s Confectionery, located at Downtown Disney District
    • Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen, located at Disneyland park
    • Pooh Corner, located at Disneyland park
    • Trolley Treats, located at Disney California Adventure park

Walt Disney World Resort

    • Candy Cauldron, located at Disney Springs – available Sept. 14
    • Karamell-Küche featuring Werther’s Original Caramel, located at EPCOT – available Sept. 16
    • Zuri’s Sweets Shop, located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – available Sept. 21
    • Goofy’s Candy Company, located at Disney Springs – available Sept. 23

Main Street Confectionery at Magic Kingdom Park also plans to offer mobile order service after it reopens from its current refurbishment.

Just tap “Order Food” in the Disneyland or My Disney Experience app and look for these locations as they add mobile order service in the coming weeks. Then, select your arrival time and bypass the line to pick up your treats!

Another sweet tip: eligible merchandise discounts apply when you use mobile order service at these locations. Just make sure your valid Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club membership is affiliated to your Disney account, and your discount will be automatically applied.