California Grill Adds and Updates Menu Items

Via wdwnt.com

The California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, which reopened in July, has added several new allergy-friendly items to their menu. They have also updated their oak-fired filet of beef dish.

Allergy-Friendly Menu

The allergy-friendly menu has the following new or returning items.

  • Poached Shrimp Roll with Nori, Jicama and Mango (For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish, and Soy Allergies) – $27
  • Truffle Selezione Pasta with Baby Carrots, Green Beans, Forest Mushrooms and Truffle Tofu Cream (For Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, and Peanut/Tree Nut Allergies) – $37
  • Cashew Cheesecake: Coffee-Cashew Cheesecake coated in Chocolate Glaze (For Gluten/Wheat, Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut, and Soy Allergies) – $14

Allergy-Friendly Kids’ Appetizers

Two allergy-friendly appetizers were added to the kids’ menu.

  • Chicken Noodle Soup: House-made Chicken Broth, Macaroni, and Vegetables (For Egg, Fish/Shellfish, Milk, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies) – $6
  • Hearts of Romaine: Avocado-Ranch Dressing, Tomatoes, Bacon and Croutons (For Fish/Shellfish, Peanut/Tree Nut, and Soy Allergies) – $6

Oak-Fired Filet of Beef – $59

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The oak-fired filet of beef was previously served with oxtail marmalade, red wine sweet onion juice, and aged gouda mac and cheese, and Brussels sprouts. It is now served with grilled Brentwood corn, Calabrian chili butter, creamy barley, and sweet onion demi sauce. The price remains the same.

Tonga Toast Recipe from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

We love that we can now make some of our favorite Disney recipes at home! If you’re looking for a fantastic breakfast option, look no further than the beloved Tonga Toast, served at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort! 

From a Disney Cast Member;

When you read “banana-stuffed sourdough bread, battered, deep-fried, and dusted with cinnamon-sugar” you know what’s coming – Tonga Toast! Currently served at Kona Cafe and Capt. Cook’s, this decadent breakfast classic has been on the menu at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort since 1971.

This blissfully rich breakfast recipe is the perfect treat and a great way for the family to enjoy a taste of Disney magic.

Tonga Toast from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Serves 4

Ingredients:

Sugar-Cinnamon

  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Batter

  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 1/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Tonga Toast

  • 1 quart canola oil, for frying
  • 1 loaf sourdough bread (uncut, 12 inches long)
  • 2 large bananas, peeled

Directions:

For Sugar-Cinnamon:

Mix sugar and cinnamon in medium bowl (large enough to roll toast) with a fork until thoroughly blended.  Set aside.

For Batter:

Whip eggs in medium bowl (large enough to dip toast) until well beaten. Add milk, cinnamon, and sugar. Mix well and set aside.

For Tonga Toast:

  1. Using caution, preheat oil to 350°F in a large pot or a deep fryer. (If using a large pot, use a candy thermometer to make certain the oil does not get any hotter or it will burn.)
  2. Slice the bread into four three-inch-thick slices.
  3. Cut each banana in half crosswise, then each piece lengthwise.
  4. Place a bread slice flat on the counter and tear out just enough from the middle (do not tear all the way through) to stuff half a banana into; repeat with each bread slice.
  5. Dip stuffed bread into batter, covering both sides, allowing excess batter to drip off bread and place carefully into hot oil.
  6. Cook 4-5 minutes until golden brown. If needed, turn toast over after 2 minutes and cook for another 2 minutes on other side. Remove and drain excess oil.
  7. Roll toast in cinnamon-sugar. Repeat for each piece of toast.

NoteThis 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.

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

Meet Obie, Newest Baby at Walt Disney World’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch

Via DisneyTips.com

A new baby has arrived at Walt Disney World! Celebrate with us the arrival of a Shetland pony born on January 7 at Disney’s Tri-Circle-D Ranch located in Disney’s Fort Wilderness. 

As shared via Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page: “Here’s a first look at the newest baby at Walt Disney World, courtesy of our ranch hand friends at Tri-Circle-D Ranch. Meet Obie, a Shetland pony born to mom Lady on Jan. 7. He’s less than a week old, but the ranch team said he’s already keeping pace with his mom and nearly ready to make his onstage debut.

Dr. Mark takes to Instagram to share more details at @DrMarkAtDisney: “Guess what new baby just galloped into the world? Wishing a warm welcome to our newest addition, Obie! Obie joins a herd of 28 other ponies @WaltDisneyWorld’s Tri-Circle D Ranch. This little guy is a quick learner – standing and nursing within just one hour of his birth! He loves chasing his mom, Lady, around the field, running circles around her while she grazes on the green grass. Did You Know? Obie is actually the brother of Lilly, who was our first Cinderella pony born at the ranch? In a few years, he will join his sister and father on Cinderella’s pumpkin coach in parades and @Disney’s Fairytale Weddings throughout the resort.”

50th Anniversary Park Passes at Capacity for Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World is gearing up to celebrate their 50th Anniversary on October 1, 2021! As the excitement of the 50th builds for all of us Disney fans, we hope you’ve planned ahead if you were planning to visit Magic Kingdom for the big day. Currently, the Park Pass calendar shows no availability for Magic Kingdom on October 1, 2021.

As you’ll see in the three screen shots below of the Walt Disney World Theme Park Reservation Availability calendar, all three tiers (Theme Parks Tickets, Disney Resort Guests, and Annual Passholders) show Magic Kingdom is no longer available for the 50th:

Did you snatch a Magic Kingdom Park Pass reservation for the 50th? If not, you’ll have to keep checking back in hopes that Disney releases more. In the meantime, you may want to grab one of the other three parks which still have full availability. Happy planning, Disney fans!

Disney’s Magical Express Service Ending in 2022 at Walt Disney World

Disney’s Magical Express service, which provides guests with transportation between Orlando International Airport and the Walt Disney World, will be ending in 2022.

The service is set to end on January 1, 2022. While Disney’s Magical Express service is still available for stays through that date, DME is no longer providing luggage delivery for those arriving to and departing from Orlando International Airport. Resort airline check-in service is also no longer available.

Below is the official statement from Walt Disney World regarding the cancellation of this service:

“Vacationers have more options to choose from than ever for transportation, including ride-share services that save time and offer more flexibility to go where they want, when they want. In light of this shift, when Disney Resort hotel bookings open for stays in 2022, we will no longer offer Disney’s Magical Express service for airport transportation, starting with arrivals Jan. 1, 2022. We will continue to operate the service for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021. Additionally, complimentary transportation options – such as buses, monorails and Disney Skyliner – will continue to be available within Walt Disney World Resort for Disney Resort hotel guests, including to and from all four theme parks.”