California Grill Adds and Updates Menu Items

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Resorts

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.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort Beginning Refurbishment in April 2021

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

Disney’s Contemporary Resort will have limited availability beginning in April 2021 as rooms are refurbished. The refurbishment is scheduled to last through September 2021.

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No more information is known about the refurbishment, but with such a short time refurbishment window, this will likely be a “soft goods” update. These refurbishments generally involve replacing linens, carpeting, and some furniture, without redoing the rooms entirely.

Disney was testing rooms inspired by The Incredibles in August 2019, so it’s possible a re-theme is still coming. But these test rooms did not last very long and there have been no updates about re-theming since then.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is currently undergoing major refurbishments, including re-theming some rooms to Moana. It doesn’t look like Disney’s Contemporary Resort will be receiving a refurbishment of this magnitude anytime soon, although it may well be coming down the line.

Chef Mickey’s Character Dining Returns

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

Via DisneyFanatic.com

Mickey Mouse and his best pals have returned to breakfast at Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort as of today, December 16! While character dining is modified and the menu is no longer a buffet, guests can still enjoy seeing the “Fab 5” (Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald, and Pluto) while dining!

As shared on the Walt Disney World website:

Chef Mickey’s Family Feast — Character Dining

“Experience Character Dining and an enhanced all-you-care-to-eat family-style meal in a bright, happy space. As the monorail whizzes by, soak up the expansive views of Bay Lake, and behold the stunning 90-foot-high mural by Disney Legend Mary Blair that overlooks the festive eatery. Enjoy breakfast breads, traditional breakfast entrées such as Mickey waffles, and selections from Chef Mickey’s Signature entrees—including banana bread French toast, loaded potato-cheese casserole and the “Celebration” Mickey pancake.

Each table will receive a special autographed card keepsake from Mickey and his friends. Throughout the dining experience, Mickey Mouse and some favorite pals will make surprising appearances in each of the dining rooms. See them move throughout the restaurant, waving hello as rollicking music fills the air. Advance reservations are highly recommended.”

The Cost:

Expect to pay around $42 per adult and $27 per child, plus tax and gratuity.

The Menu:

The buffet is no more. The food is severed family-style.

  • – Chilled Options: Fruits Of The Season, Mini Yogurt Parfaits
  • – Unique Breakfast Bread Selections: Harvest Sweet Rolls, Fresh Fried Sweet Fritter
  • – Traditional Selections: Scrambled Eggs, Chicken Sausage, Slow-roasted Beef Brisket, Mickey Waffles, Pork Sausage Links, Mickey-shaped Waffles (Plant-based), Smoked Bacon, Tofu Scramble (Plant-based)
  • – Chef Mickey’s Signature Selections: “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole, Banana Bread French Toast, Toasted Bananas and Chocolate Crumbles, “Celebration” Mickey Pancake
  • – Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drinks: Mickey Mouse Smoothie, Minnie Mouse Smoothie, Cold Brew Coffee, Salted Caramel Cold Brew, Peppermint Mocha Hot Cocoa
  • – Magical Morning Cocktails: Cranberry-Orange Mimosa, Peach Bellini, Chef’s Bloody Mary, Cold Brew XO, Holiday Mimosa, Gingerbread Indulgence, Gingerbread Cold Brew
  • – PLUS, several Allergy-Friendly Options are available.

New Temperature Screening Process In Place at Monorail Resorts in Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

With the reopening of the Magic Kingdom comes the inevitablity that Guests will stay at the monorail resorts and visit the park. Why else would you stay there, after all? Since the temperature check and security screening for day Guests is located at the Transportation and Ticket Center, Walt Disney World has set up similar systems at the resorts along the Monorail as well.

Signs and markers direct Guests ahead of security to the temperature screening area. Guests must have their temperature checked before proceeding to the security checkpoint.

Metal detectors and inspection tables are set up at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, along with social distancing indicators and an a-frame sign to inform Guests of standard security procedures.

Plexiglass and metal barriers are also set up along the path to the Monorail’s boarding platform.

Similar procedures are in place at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The sign of AdventHealth, Disney’s temperature screening provider, is much more prominently displayed here.

And also at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, these signs and Cast Members are at the ready to guide Guests on to their relatively-safe day of magic.

Guest Commits Suicide At A Location Around Contemporary Resort

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Resorts

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a woman jumped from an undisclosed location at Disney’s Contemporary Resort in what has been deemed an apparent suicide. The woman was found dead by the authorities once they arrived on scene.

As far as an official statement, all that OCSO has publicly released is the following:

“At this time, we believe this was a suicide, and we have no other information to release.”

Witnesses aboard the Monorail are stating that they saw someone fall from the resort within view of the Monorail.