Disney’s Victoria & Albert’s Returns With Exquisite Dining Experiences

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

The time has come for the culinary crown jewel of the Walt Disney World Resort – Victoria & Albert’s – to welcome guests back to this one-of-a-kind experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. Beginning today, July 28, this location is now open and filled with unrivaled flavors expertly crafted by the talented culinary team as well as an enhanced and renovated interior space that will leave guests in awe.

There is a reason this AAA Five Diamond Award and Forbes Travel Guide Five Star Award recipient is considered the crown jewel – its decadent cuisine features only the highest quality of ingredients and flavors from across the globe. With an ever-evolving menu, guests can taste their way through multiple courses, including Glacier 51 Toothfish with charred mushroom and sambal, Heirloom Tomatoes with gazpacho and 100 Year Balsamico, and Carrot Tikka Masala with cilantro and puri bread. For a sumptuous finish, the Spectrum of Chocolate is an ombré delight from the inside out featuring four specialty sourced chocolates and a tableside presentation of sabayon with notes of Madagascar vanilla bean, Champagne, and Grand Marnier.

In addition to the incredible dishes at Victoria & Albert’s, this location is also home to a world-class wine collection featuring over 500 different selections. Sommeliers on staff are there to guide you through this precisely curated collection and perfectly pair the flavors of the glass and plate. The new zero-proof cocktail pairing will allow everyone to fully experience the evening with beverages crafted to complement each course. One innovative offering on this menu is the Guajillo Spice, which is smoked tableside to highlight the rich flavors of roasted guajillo chilis, charred jalapeños, and black peppercorn, as well as a touch of caramelized sweetness from turbinado sugar and fresh lime.

The opulence and elegance that are in every corner of the restaurant are part of what makes it so unique. The newly renovated interior features exquisite crystal chandeliers, masterful murals, and delicate wall coverings that bring a modernization to this lavish location. There are three different dining options, each with their own unique experience. The Dining Room serves a tasting menu, that highlights seasonal flavors expertly created to give guests and their palette the very best.

For those interested in a more intimate dining experience, the Queen Victoria Room allows guests to savor a menu created by the chef de cuisine especially for them in a setting fit for royalty, including tableside presentations. The Chef’s Table is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows first-hand account to the culinary craft as the team creates their decadent tasting menu. This unique opportunity allows them to interact with the chefs like no other as the guests of the kitchen, our most coveted offering.

The legacy of this restaurant is not to be overlooked. Victoria & Albert’s is not only the sole location in Florida to hold the honor of having both the AAA Five Diamond and the Forbes Travel Guide Five Star awards but joins only 26 others in the nation with this same unique distinction.

The culinary team that upholds this legacy is now led by Chef de Cuisine Matthew Sowers, with more than 15 years spent at Victoria & Albert’s and experience assisting in the creation of acclaimed menus for Remy on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Joining him is Pastry Chef Kristine Farmer who not only was part of the opening team at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, but also leads the entire pastry team for this resort.

For over 20 years, Sommelier Israel Perez has been dedicated to creating memorable experiences at signature restaurants across Walt Disney World Resort. As the maître d’hotel, Israel and his team ensure that each person who walks through the doors of Victoria & Albert’s has a perfect evening through each step of service.

Overseeing culinary operations and teams of the 13 food and beverage outlets at our flagship resort is Executive Chef Kevin Chong. Last but certainly not least, is Culinary Director Chef Scott Hunnel, who was at the helm of Victoria & Albert’s for many years, now provides his expertise and mentorship to culinary teams across multiple resorts, including Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

When enjoying an evening with your guests here, it’s clear that Victoria & Albert’s provides an epicurean experience that is unlike any other. From the moment guests arrive and are welcomed with beautiful harp music, to the expert chefs creating magic from the kitchen to the plate and the sommeliers transporting them through each pairing, a meal here is one that cannot find anywhere else.

We are delighted to welcome guests back to Victoria & Albert’s and cannot wait for everyone to join us for a grand evening from first sip to last bite.

BoardWalk Deli Coming Soon to Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

We’ve got some exciting foodie news to share with you! Late this summer, the new BoardWalk Deli will be opening its doors at Disney’s BoardWalk. This location, previously the BoardWalk Bakery, is inspired by the delis of the Northeast region, with a menu that takes guests on a road trip of classic sweet and savory flavors from New York to the Jersey Shore.

Delicatessen translates to “all things delicious,” and that’s exactly what visitors will experience. With that, let’s get into what dishes guests can expect at this exciting new spot.

Whether guests are heading out for a day in the parks or planning a cozy breakfast in their room, they can stop by the Deli to select from house-baked bagels with a choice of schmear, a variety of sweet breakfast pastries, or a warm bagel sandwich. Some of these delicious options include an Everything Bagel Sandwich with cage-free eggs, sausage, and cheddar cheese, a Bagel Breakfast Sandwich with cage-free eggs, bacon, sweet caramelized onions, and cheddar cheese, or a Plant-based Ciabatta Sandwich with “egg” Florentine, plant-based cheese, tomato jam, and arugula that provides an exciting contrast of flavors. What a way to start their day!

For both lunch and dinner, their taste buds are in for a treat because there are multiple options that will transport them to the Northeast with every bite. They can choose from a variety of cold and hot deli sandwiches served on traditional marble rye, fluffy ciabatta or soft and springy focaccia breads. As with the breakfast bagels, all breads are baked fresh in-house.

The signature Italian Sub is built with layer upon layer of thinly sliced capicola, sopressata, and pepperoni with provolone, arugula, tomato, arugula pesto, and mayonnaise on fresh-baked ciabatta bread. The savory Warm Pastrami Reuben is a classic deli staple, with generous rolls of thin-sliced warm pastrami topped with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on marble rye bread.

For a plant-based twist on a classic favorite, the Veggie Crunch Muffaletta is stacked with cured and pickled root vegetables, an olive-giardiniera tapenade and plant-based cheese, served on focaccia. With such bold and tangy flavors, it’s hard to believe this sandwich doesn’t have meat!

Guests can also opt for a Roasted Chicken Sandwich with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and roasted garlic aioli served on ciabatta or the Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Tomato Soup –a classic Guest favorite. Who can resist dunking a classic grilled cheese into a steaming cup of tomato soup?

To round off their meal, guests can add a whole dill pickle, made in-house with the perfect amount of crunch and tanginess. How delicious! All of these mouthwatering sandwiches are served with a side of house-made chips, creamy coleslaw, or soup.

And what meal is complete without a sweet finish? There is no shortage of desserts to try here. The Cannolis are filled to order–yes, you heard that right –in a crispy shell with a creamy blend of mascarpone cheese, ricotta, and shaved dark chocolate, with a hint of lemon zest and a touch of Mickey. The rich and delicate Blueberry Scone is made with crème fraiche and topped with pearl sugar for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Guests can also get some Northeastern classics like the New Jersey Crumbcake, an imposing moist cake with a thick cinnamon-crumb topping, or the iconic New York-style Half-moon Cookietopped with rich chocolate ganache and buttercream.

Pastry-lovers will appreciate the delicate chocolate-dipped Cream Puff, hand-piped with silky custard, and the Raspberry Danish layered with velvet custard, fresh raspberries, and sugar crumble. We’re especially excited about the appearance of the beloved warm and gooey Cinnamon Yummies—a returning Guest favorite. Lastly, there are some tried-and-true classics like rich cookies, decadent Brownie Cheesecake, brownies, the Cookies & Cream Cupcake, and the 50th Anniversary Celebration Cupcake.

In addition to all of these incredible eats, there are also some sips that can be enjoyed. Try the vibrant organic wine spritzes by Ramona in flavors of dry grapefruit, blood orange, and meyer lemon. Guests can also sip on bold and refreshing craft cocktails by Social Hour: Sunkissed Fizz, a bright and juicy vodka fizz that balances notes of ripe fruit and crisp citrus or the Prizefighter, a bold and refreshing Collins built around the classic combo of whiskey and peach.

Stay tuned for more details on other resort enhancements, coming to Disney’s BoardWalk, and enjoy all these treats at the BoardWalk Deli!

MagicBand+ Launch Date Announced at Walt Disney World

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

The long-awaited launch of MagicBand+ has been announced! The next-generation MagicBand+ will add new functionality to unlock experiential moments of magic.

It’s time to band together because MagicBand+ is launching July 27 at Walt Disney World Resort!

At Walt Disney World, MagicBand+ can do everything a MagicBand can do and more – from entering theme parks with a tap* and connecting your Disney PhotoPass memories, to unlocking your Disney Resort hotel room and more.

But our newest wearable also has great new features, including color-changing lights, haptic vibrations, and gesture recognition – plus it pairs to your smartphone using the My Disney Experience app. Once you get your hands on one, you’ll want to do it all – and there’s a lot you can do when MagicBand+ launches!

Before you head out on these exciting new experiences, you’ll want to pick out the perfect MagicBand+ from an incredible lineup of more than 25 designs.

Disney Fab 50 Quest

As part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, you can interact with the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection throughout all four theme parks with the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” Help Tinker Bell bring the sculptures to life across all four Walt Disney World theme parks using virtual pixie dust from Tink.

Jodi Benson, who you may know as the voice of Ariel in “The Little Mermaid,” recently embarked on the quest and caught up with a few familiar friends – Sebastian and Flounder!

Sebastian and Flounder are just a few characters you may meet!

You can wave your hand to sprinkle virtual pixie dust at each Disney Fab 50 Character sculpture for different reactions! To unlock even more during your quest, use the Play Disney Parks app to collect the sculptures and enter the worlds of your favorite characters through an augmented reality feature.**

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters

On Batuu, the bounty hunting business is booming. MagicBand+ is your guide to seeking numerous virtual bounties hidden across Black Spire Outpost with the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters experience. Vibrations and lights on MagicBand+ guide you down the right path. When you find your Bounty, you can use the Play Disney Parks app’s augmented reality thermal viewer to reveal who’s hiding in the shadows.** Local guild master Raga Bua will reward you with galactic credits. Do you have what it takes to join the guild?

Nighttime Spectaculars

MagicBand+ brings the magic of Disney nighttime spectaculars closer than ever before during “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT! MagicBand+ complements the magic in the skies, lighting up and vibrating in sync with fireworks, visual effects, and music. Your MagicBand+ will also engage as all four theme park icons transform into Beacons of Magic!

Some of our cast members were among the first to enjoy these experiences in advance of the official launch. Before you embark on these experiences, make sure your MagicBand+ is charged, up to date and paired to your device. We’ve got you covered with easy how-to videos on DisneyWorld.com so you can get right to it.

If you’re planning to get one or even collect some, don’t forget that Disney Resort hotel guests may purchase MagicBand+ online at special prices before their arrival. Annual Passholder discounts will also be available on MagicBand+ (visit disneyworld.com/pass for more information). All guests can buy MagicBand+ at select stores across Walt Disney World and online at shopDisney, starting at $34.99.

At Walt Disney World, you can purchase a MagicBand+ at the following locations:

    • Magic Kingdom Park: Emporium
    • EPCOT: Pin Traders – Camera Center
    • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10 and Tatooine Traders
    • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Discovery Trading Company
    • Disney Springs: Disney’s Pin Traders
    • Select merchandise locations at Disney Resort hotels

Although features and experiences across Disney Parks will vary, Disneyland Resort guests will be able to get in on the MagicBand+ fun later this year. Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting future for MagicBand+ at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts!

*With valid admission and park reservation

**To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Parks app with the Disney account linked with their MagicBand+.

Foodie Guide to DOLE Whip Day 2022 at Disney

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

Is everyone ready for DOLE Whip Day? We sure hope so because July 21 is just around the corner. This year to celebrate this momentous foodie occasion, we’ve put together each and every place guests can get their hands on this classic fan favorite, including some exclusive offerings just for DOLE Whip Day being offered from July 21 through 24. Going forward we will be enjoying this day on the third Thursday in July – so everyone mark their calendars for next year!

From Aloha Isle at Magic Kingdom Park, to The Tropical Hideaway at the Disneyland park, even on the high seas aboard a Disney Cruise Line Ship, there are plenty of goodies to enjoy. With multiple flavors and concoctions of DOLE Whip to try, there’s truly something for everyone.

Walt Disney World Resort

Magic Kingdom Park  

Aloha Isle (Located in Adventureland)

  • Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Tiki Sipper for additional cost)
  • Raspberry Swirl Float: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl served with DOLE pineapple juice
  • Pineapple Upside-Down Cake served with choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • Coconut Cup: Choice of coconut or coconut and DOLE Whip swirl
  • Raspberry Swirl Cup: DOLE Whip and raspberry swirl

Storybook Treats (Located in Fantasyland)

  • Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip lime, chocolate, or vanilla soft-serve, or swirl in a cup
  • Snow White Cone: DOLE Whip lemon in a blue cone garnished with a chocolate bird and sugar bow

Sunshine Tree Terrace (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip Orange Cup
  • Orange Cream Soft-serve Cup: DOLE Whip orange and vanilla soft-serve swirl
  • DOLE Whip Strawberry Cup
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip or vanilla soft-serve with your choice of Coca-Cola, Barq’s Root Beer, Diet Coke, Fanta Orange, Fanta Strawberry, POWERADE Mountain Berry Blast, or Sprite
  • I Lava You Float: Fanta Strawberry Soda and passion fruit flavor served with DOLE Whip orange and topped with popping candy

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Tamu Tamu

  • Scar’s Lair: DOLE Whip and sour apple
  • Lion’s Lair: DOLE Whip topped with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and sour apple
  • Simba Sunset: DOLE Whip with strawberry
  • King’s Cooler: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and strawberry
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE Whip with DOLE pineapple juice (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)
  • DOLE Whip Cup (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Trilo-Bites

  • Trilo-Bites Twist: DOLE Whip orange with vanilla soft-serve

EPCOT

Refreshment Outpost (Available through November 19)  

  • DOLE Whip: Watermelon, pineapple, or swirl (New)

Disney Springs

Swirls on the Water

  • Peach Bellini Float: Peach Bellini topped with DOLE Whip orange (New)
  • Orange Bird Cone: DOLE Whip orange atop an orange cone with sprinkles
  • DOLE Whip Flight: DOLE Whip orange swirled with DOLE Whip watermelon, DOLE Whip lemon swirled with blue butter cookie soft-serve, and DOLE Whip and Vanilla soft-serve swirl

Resorts  

Disney’s Contemporary Resort  

Contempo Café (Available July 21 through August 20; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip Cupcake: Yellow cupcake filled with DOLE Whip mousse and garnished with a cherry (New)

Disney’s Old Key West Resort

Good’s Foods to Go (Mobile Order available)

  • Key Lime Swirl: DOLE Whip lime and vanilla soft-serve swirl topped with graham cracker crumbs
  • DOLE Whip Key Lime Martini: DOLE Whip lime served with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum and garnished with a lime (New) (available July 21 through 24)

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

Pineapple Lanai

  • “Tamatoa-inspired” Dipped Cone: DOLE Whip raspberry swirled with DOLE Whip orange in a white chocolate-dipped waffle cone and coated with “shiny” gold sugar (available July 21 through 24)
  • 50th Celebration DOLE Whip: Your choice of DOLE Whip with a 50th white chocolate medallion, umbrella, and EARidescent glitter
  • Pineapple Float: DOLE pineapple juice served with a choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl
  • DOLE Whip with Rum Floater: DOLE Whip with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum

Barefoot Pool Bar and Oasis Pool Bar

  • Frozen Margarita with DOLE Whip Lime: Corazón Blanco Tequila blended with DOLE Whip lime and chili-lime seasoning
  • Frosty Pineapple: DOLE Whip with Captain Morgan Private Stock Rum

Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace

  • Spikey Pineapple: Barbancourt Pango Rhum blended with DOLE Whip

Disneyland Resort

Disneyland Park

The Tropical Hideaway (Located in Adventureland; Mobile Order available)

  • DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Swirl Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with choice of two different DOLE Whip flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple
  • DOLE Whip Swirl: Swirl any flavors: mango, watermelon, or pineapple

Disneyland Hotel  

Tangaroa Terrace Tropical Bar & Grill (Mobile order available)  

  • DOLE Whip
  • DOLE Whip Float: DOLE pineapple juice topped with DOLE Whip (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Disney’s Vero Beach Resort

  • DOLE Whip Cup: Choice of DOLE Whip, vanilla soft-serve, or swirl (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)
  • DOLE Whip Lime topped with Graham Cracker Crumbs (available with Parrot Bay Coconut Rum)

Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa

Little ‘Opihi’s

  • DOLE Whip pineapple, mango, watermelon, and vanilla soft-serve
  • DOLE Whip Fresh Fruit Sundae with sprinkles in a waffle bowl topped with fresh pineapple (Moana-themed) or watermelon fruit (Stitch-themed)
  • Mickey and Minnie Waffle Bowl featuring DOLE Whip with sprinkles

Ulu Cafe 

  • Churro Pineapple DOLE Whip with Li hing fresh pineapple (New) (available July 19 through 21)
  • DOLE Whip (available with vanilla soft-serve swirl)

Disney Cruise Line

Indulge in DOLE Whip at the following locations across the Disney Cruise Line fleet:

  • Frozone on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream, and Disney Fantasy
  • Sulleys Sips on the Disney Wonder
  • Wheezies Freezies on the Disney Wish

We hope you enjoy all these tasty treats for DOLE Whip Day, from July 21 through 24, and every single day of the year too. Be sure to try all the flavors and combinations at Disney Parks, resorts, and Disney Cruise Line. Happy snacking!

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

Man arrested at Disney World Resort Hotel

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

An alleged attack against a woman at the Walt Disney World property in Central Florida has led to an arrest and charges against her assailant.

The Disney World arrest involves a man in Orange County, Florida, who allegedly raped a woman at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

On Monday, Eyvor Gomez, age 49, of Pembroke Pines, Florida, was arrested and booked into the Orange County jail, according to FOX 35 Orlando.

Per the arrest affidavit, the female victim told officers she was at a bar inside a restaurant at Disney’s Dolphin Resort when a man approached her. The two began to talk as she was having a drink at the bar, and shortly before the bar closed for the night, Gomez suggested the two step outside away from Disney security surveillance cameras because he had brought his own liquor on the premises.

The officers’ report states that the woman went with Gomez, and at that time, investigators say he began to make unwanted advances toward her. When the woman refused his advances, Gomez pushed her against a glass wall, causing her to lose consciousness, according to the Orange County Sheriff‘s office.

Though Gomez had suggested the two step out of the view of security cameras, one of the Disney security cameras caught footage of the woman as she attempted to crawl away from Gomez, who then proceeded to sexually assault the woman and take a photo of her with his smartphone during the attack against her.

According to Orange County Sheriff‘s deputies, the female victim, followed by Gomez, made her way back into the lobby. She saw a group of strangers and asked them to pretend to know her so she could escape her attacker once and for all.

Gomez was reportedly identified by Disney Security because of an incident that took place the previous evening between him and his wife.

“There was an argument and his wife was escorted back to their room,” reads the arrest affidavit. “[Gomez] matched the description and photograph provided by witnesses. Disney confirmed through surveillance video.”

When investigators caught up to Gomez, they questioned him about the alleged attack. Initially, Gomez completely denied having any contact whatsoever with the female victim, according to police records. Then he changed his story, claiming that he and the woman only engaged in consensual kissing.

He denied anything beyond that, saying he did not force himself on the woman.

Gomez has been charged with sexual battery.