We’re gearing up to make a seaside splash at Disney’s BoardWalk! Over the next few years, we’ll be bringing new enhancements and offerings to life along this beloved, turn-of-the-century promenade – from a charming new lobby design and nearby coffee bar to delectable dining options, refreshed guest rooms and other special touches.
Waterside strolls will be extra special with storybook sweet treats and dreamy desserts at The Cake Bake Shop by Gwendolyn Rogers, a new table service restaurant and bakery that’s sure to delight. Expected to open in 2023, this restaurant will offer both savory and dessert menus, along with afternoon tea service, in a whimsical atmosphere that complements the magic of the idyllic charm of Disney’s BoardWalk that Guests know and love.
And with this new sweet spot on the horizon, the BoardWalk Bakery will become a new sandwich shop for Guests to enjoy a bite along the water’s edge, joining other current food and beverage locations like BoardWalk Ice Cream.
Through the doors of Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, light and airy touches will reinvigorate the lobby, lounge and guest rooms, carrying the seaside breeze right inside. Just off the lobby, a new coffee bar with artisanal beverages and quick bites will be available to-go or in newly refreshed seating spaces inside or outdoors.
The Disney Resort hotel experience is a special part of what makes each Walt Disney World vacation truly memorable. As one of 31 themed resorts in the Disney Resorts Collection, Disney’s BoardWalk offers something for everyone – from shopping and dining to entertainment and recreation. We look forward to sharing new details about these enhancements at the resort as they become available.
St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner and now is the perfect time to start making plans. The annual Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival is back this year from March 11-17 at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant. Guests will have the chance to enjoy the very best of Irish talent, a variety of beers and cocktails, classic Irish fare and more. This festival is a can’t-miss experience!
Irish Fare & Brews New on the menu this year is a locally crafted seltzer, called “So Berry Les.” The name is a special tribute to John Cooke’s (co-owner of Raglan Road Pub and Cooke’s of Dublin) father Les, who found himself in the Guinness Book of World Records for setting a strawberry-buying record in 1977. So Berry Les was crafted in collaboration with Crooked Can Brewing Co. in Winter Garden, Florida, and is a light and refreshing hard seltzer infused with local Florida strawberry and Key Lime juice. There are also several Irish beer flights and, of course, the classic Guinness.
It’s hardly a trip to Raglan Road without their famous fresh-caught fish with chips! (Pro tip: Guests can also order fish & chips to go at the Cooke’s of Dublin counter). Or, Guests can choose from a tasty selection of authentic Irish dishes like the Shepherd’s to Die for Pie and Executive Chef Mark O’Neill’s popular plant-based pie, This Shepherd Went Vegan. All of which pair beautifully with their wide range of Irish whiskeys, local craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails.
Live Entertainment It’s no secret – Raglan Road knows how to provide an amazing entertainment lineup. And for the festival this year, they are flying in some of the top bands from Ireland including Jig Jam, known for their captivating brand of CeltGrass; the Lisa Canny Band, blending pop and hip-hop with traditional Irish rhythm; Emerald Shore, vibrant trad music – just to name a few. Of course, the fan-favorite Raglan Road Irish Dancers will also be performing throughout the festival and are ready to teach Guests a few dance steps!
And the fun doesn’t stop there! There will also be a face painter, giveaways, merchandise at the Shop for Ireland boutique and more. On March 17 Raglan Road will open at 10 a.m., seating guests on a first-come, first-served basis, with a $20 cover charge for guests 18 and older. For those planning to celebrate during the other festival dates from March 11-16, reservations are encouraged.
Spring is in the air and Disney’s Hollywood Studios is offering some limited-time sweet treats!
From a Disney Cast Member;
If you love sweets, this latest edition of Sweet Treats will have you running over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios to try out the latest and greatest indulgences. This spring, our chefs have whipped up some truly decadent items crafted especially for those sweet tooth extraordinaries, like myself, to live out their own culinary adventures at the park. I don’t know about you, but my stomach can’t resist a dessert when I see one. And trust me, these treats are not to be missed.
Starting today, all across Disney’s Hollywood Studios, you’ll be able to get your hands on these delicious dishes to celebrate the fresh flavors of spring! I hope you and your taste buds are ready, because you won’t be able to resist this Sweet Treats roundup.
First off, let’s take a little trip over to Sunset Boulevard where multiple locations are serving up sweets. At Hollywood Scoops, the Orange Blossom Shake has everything you need to stay cool and, most importantly, satisfied. This orange and cream milkshake is absolutely beautiful (and tasty), topped with whipped cream and an orange-scented donut – how can you resist that? As an avid milkshake and donut connoisseur, I know I’ll be dropping into the Hollywood Scoops for this shake (likely more than once).
If you’re interested in a treat that’s inspired by a tale as old as time, the Beauty and the Beast Rose at Catalina Eddie’s will make you feel the love … or maybe that’s just your sweet tooth calling? This dessert is as beautiful as it is tasty – take a look for yourself! This dark chocolate mousse with a taste of black currant and Morello cherry sits atop a chocolate shortbread cookie, whipped cookies, and cream fluff, and is gorgeously topped with gilded chocolate-covered cocoa nibs.
At Rosie’s All-American Café, the S’mores Cupcake will light up your appetite. What could be better than chocolate and marshmallows on a cupcake? This fudge-filled chocolate cupcake, and yes, I did say fudge-filled, is topped with graham cracker buttercream, toasted marshmallows, and even a mini chocolate bar.
If you’re looking for a twist on a classic Mickey apple, The Trolley Car Café has got you covered. Here you’ll find the Chocolate-covered Apple, a dark chocolate and peanut butter crunch dipped Granny Smith apple with marshmallow ears. Not only is it absolutely adorable and a Disney treat staple, but it’s delicious too! Sounds like a win-win to me.
Next up, we have the ABC Commissary. This spot brought its best for this roundup because they have not one but two delicious desserts – one minty and one tropical-tasting!
First up, we have the Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake. Enjoy this chocolate cheesecake topped with dark chocolate ganache and whipped mint chocolate chip cream. Few things go together quite as well as mint and chocolate, and when you throw in the fact that this is a cheesecake, it’s a must-try treat.
Also being served up at ABC Commissary is the Tropical Tart. This lovely dessert is a mango passionfruit curd-filled graham cracker tart topped with whipped raspberry vanilla bean panna cotta, toasted coconut, and dehydrated strawberry and passionfruit. With all these fresh, fruity flavors, this treat is a spring staple!
If you ever wondered what strawberries, cheesecake, and cannoli tasted like together, well you’re in for a treat. PizzeRizzo is joining in on the spring fun with the Strawberry Cheesecake Cannoli. This white chocolate and rainbow sprinkled dipped cannoli shell filled with whipped strawberry cheesecake is a must-try. Just look at how pretty it is!
And last but certainly not least, we venture over to where the toys hang out to find our final treat. If you stop into Woody’s Lunch Box, you’ll find the newest addition to their sweet selections – the Banana Fudge Lunch Box Tart. This peanut butter and chocolate fudge stuffed pastry is coated with banana fondant, banana chips, and rainbow sprinkles. I don’t know about you, but I think bananas and fudge are a great combo and I can guarantee I will be heading over for repeat tastings of this tart.
Disney Springs has so many amazing dining options and in March, another new option is coming that looks fantastic.
Check out the announcement from Twitter:
The newest addition to our neighborhood is bringing you culture, hip-hop and fresh healthy greens in just one bite! Get ready to taste all the goodness of @localgreenatl when they open their #DisneySprings location this March. pic.twitter.com/ZOh20D2CQ7
According to their website, Local Green Atlanta “is a fast casual restaurant whose mission is to redefine healthy, affordable food for all by creating an ecosystem based on trust and accountability. WE provide you with a culinary experience focused on your health, that tastes good and helps you feel good, while giving you a cultural experience that binds us as a community.”
Those looking for alternative food options will be pleased with this restaurant. Local Green Atlanta says, “Our focus is to shine the light on nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables; therefore, we serve a mostly plant-based menu. With our vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian menu options, we strive to appeal to the tastes of the urban palate while providing cuisine rich in fiber, healthy fats, vitamins and other nutrients.”
Diets be warned! When going aboard the Disney Cruise Line, the belt bucket tends to get a little tighter just by looking at all the amazing cruise food! There are plenty of places aboard to grab a quick meal and an ice cream or two. We are thankful; however, Disney has superb table service restaurants that are part of the rotation dining offered on all four cruise ships. Check out the notes below to help with your rotational dining experience if traveling as a family with young kids in tow!
1 – What Is Rotational Dining?
This concept was new to us before we cruised! Rotational Dining means that each night of your cruise, you’ll have a scheduled place to dine. You’ll “rotate” through the three restaurant venues offered aboard the Disney Cruise Line. This means if your cruise itinerary is longer than three nights, you’ll double up on a few of the restaurants. All rotational dining restaurants are included in your overall cruise price, so no bill comes at the end of your meal unless you’ve purchase alcohol with your meal.
2 – Three Venues on Each Ship
Which ship are you cruising with? Each ship has a different lineup of rotational dining restaurants, including the following:
Disney Magic: Animator’s Palate, Lumiere’s, Rapunzel’s Royal Table
Disney Wonder: Animator’s Palate, Tiana’s Place, Triton’s
Disney Dream: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Palace
Disney Fantasy: Animator’s Palate, Enchanted Garden, Royal Court
You’ll receive your dining schedule in advance, so you’ll know where to be each evening. You can also find it on the Navigator Cruise App when on board. You may also dine at one or more of these locations for breakfast or lunch. You’ll also have a chance to dine at some of the restaurants for breakfast.
3 – Themed Dining
The best part is that each restaurant has themed dining, which makes for a perfect distraction for the kids! Our kids’ favorite was Animator’s Palate, which is available on all of Disney’s ships. As you enter Animator’s Palate for dinner, the room starts off very plan with a few splashes of color here and there. But as the dinner progresses, the room starts to come alive with color. There are also multiple screens where Crush from Finding Nemo will come and talk with you at the table! It’s a real-time conversation, so prepare your kids that they may be asked a question or two.
4 – Pick the Early Dining Slot
Part of the booking process for the Disney Cruise is to request a dining slot. There are two options, including Main Seating (5:45pm-6:15 pm) and Second Seating (8 pm – 8:30 pm). If your kids are anything like ours, the 8 pm dining time is simply too late. Especially after a full day in the sun with lots of activities, having them sit down to a meal at that time is our worse nightmare! So, be sure to request that early dining slot. Keep in mind this is only a request, so the earlier you book, the better chance you have to get the dining slot you want.
5 – Be on Time
We understand being on time can be super tricky for families with young kids! Try to haul your kids away from the pool or other activities well before your dining time to get them dressed and ready for dinner. If the meal time says 5:45 pm, the service will start at that time. A family was sitting near us that came in closer to 6 pm, and their servers were extraordinarily polite but obviously had to rush through appetizers and entrees. Plan to arrive on time!
6 – Dining Dress Code
What to wear? Swimwear and flip-flops are not allowed in rotational dining restaurants. In other words, don’t expect to run right from the pool to dinner. In general, think of casual wear. Nice jeans or slacks and a polo shirt are appropriate for guys. Girls can wear jeans and a nice top, or dresses/skirts are welcome. There is one night that is an optional dress-up night, and some people really do go all out for this! There is also a pirate night on many of the cruises which allow you to come to dinner in your pirate wear. Our recommendation is that whatever you dress the kids in, remember they will be eating, so make it comfortable. You don’t want it to be something that will make you upset if they spill or get food on it. Each night our little guy kept asking if we were going to church because we kept putting his casual church clothes on!
7 – Same Wait Staff
The best part of the Rotational Dining Experience, in our opinion, is having the same wait staff. Your two serves follow you from restaurant to restaurant. This is such an exceptional experience because they learn your kids’ names and what their preferences are. Our kids started feeling comfortable around them and looked forward to seeing their buddies each evening for dinner! Servers may also perform a magic trick or two if they see your little one needs a good distraction. Our kids were blown away by this! We even saw one server cutting the food for a little girl, so Mom didn’t have to. You can tell they have been well-trained in how to work with kids and how to make it an exceptional experience for them… which makes it all the better for us adults.
8 – Picky Eaters & Allergies Rejoice!
If you have a picky eater or a child with allergies, you’ve come to the right place! The Disney Cruise Line is the cruise for you because Disney knows how to handle these issues beautifully. First of all, the kid’s menu has a fairly good selection each night and does try to change it up for the kids. On the other hand, our little guy wanted Mac and Cheese each night – and that’s exactly what he got. If it’s not on the menu, don’t be afraid to ask for it because the staff may just be able to work their magic. Our daughter is in that awkward tween stage where a kid’s meal might not be enough food, but an adult meal is too much. There were times when she got something small (like an extra bowl of fruit) to make the kid’s meal a little larger. When talking about allergies, the staff is excellent at handling these allergies with the help of the Chef. If you need the Chef to come to talk with you, they will make that happen. Even better, since it’s the same staff that follows you to each restaurant, you don’t have to repeat everything all over again the next night. The staff knows and accommodates beautifully.
9 – Great Atmosphere for Kids
To be honest, we were nervous about rotational dining. We didn’t know what to expect! We were worried that our 3-year-old wouldn’t care to sit to eat when there is a ship full of things to do. We also didn’t know if our 10-year-old would think some of it was too childish. We were pleasantly surprised at how much they both loved it! The noise level was a bit loud, so that alleviated our concerns about our little guy being too loud. From previous cruise experiences, our parents said the later dining slot is much quieter than the first. The only complaint we had is how full it seemed. The tables were close, and there are a lot of people dining at once. On the flip side, our kids thrived off this atmosphere.
10 – Room Service Anyone?
We get it. Sometimes you have great plans to make it somewhere on time, but so-and-so is having an epic meltdown because they have had nothing but sugar and fun in the sun all day. Occasionally you need to regroup, and sitting down to dine just isn’t going to happen. Go ahead and plan to stay in your room for the night and order room service. You’ll miss that rotation of dining, but room service is still included in your package (minus the tip). Sometimes a little quiet time is exactly what kids need.
