Character dining is a popular and fantastic way to greet your favorite characters while getting a great meal. Breakfast options with Mickey and the gang are among the most popular breakfasts for obvious reasons. That’s why we were so excited to learn that a new character dining experience was coming to Disney’s Riviera Resort. The resort, Disney Vacation Club’s 15th resort, is offering “Breakfast a la Art with Mickey and Friends.”
Families looking to start their morning off with a fun breakfast experience can visit Topolino’s Terrace for Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends – a prix-fixe Disney character dining experience. This breakfast is an excellent addition to the already long list of character dining experiences. We love the fact that Mickey, Minnie, Donald, and Daisy are the characters you can meet during breakfast. It’s one of the few places where you can see these four together at a character meal.
You’ll find the gang in very unique clothing! In keeping with the spirit of the Riviera, the characters are dressed in artists’ attire. Mickey is a painter, Donald is a painter, Daisy is a ballerina, and Minnie is a writer. The outfits are all fantastic. If you love getting photos of the characters in unique outfits, you won’t want to miss this one!
The Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is reopening! This delicious restaurant has recently undergone renovations and added in a few new menu items (Cookie Fries!!!) to keep it fresh. Check out the details and photos below from DisneyParksBlog:
“Bring out the spoons and get ready to return to one of the most popular restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort! That’s right, Beaches & Cream Soda Shop is set to reopen at Disney’s Beach Club Resort on Dec. 26, 2019. The popular restaurant will return with those classic fan-favorite flavored sodas, malted milkshakes, hot-off-the-grill items, and of course the beloved Kitchen Sink.
When Beaches & Cream Soda Shop reopens, you’ll find even more room to enjoy those diner dishes and desserts. As part of an improved layout and enhanced experience, the restaurant has expanded to offer more space, inviting returning fans and first-timers more opportunities to scoop up a spot. In addition, a fresh new look embraces the timeless charm of an old-fashioned soda fountain.
Throughout the playful eatery are subtle pops of color found within its beach-inspired design. Soft shades of teal, almond and rose adorn the walls and décor, along with accents of yellow and blue. Colorful, decorative balls reminiscent of beach balls are scattered throughout, while a collection of blue, amber, and pink beaded glass globes hang overhead highlighting the center of the space.
At the counter, bistro-styled barstools are situated in front of scalloped aqua tiles and rose-colored banquettes line the tables along the wall. And prominently situated near the counter is a tall, bright jukebox, a staple within this turn-of-the-century soda fountain, featuring hits that span the decades.
Framed antique mirrors and artwork of Mickey and friends at the beach complete the space.
In addition to all of these colorful transformations, you’ll find a number of new items sprinkled throughout the menu, including a Seared Salmon Filet Sandwich (with bacon aïoli, lettuce, and tomato on a house-baked multi-grain bun), a French Dip Sandwich (topped with crispy fried onions and swiss cheese and served on a toasted French roll), and a selection of loaded tots like the Sock Hop Topped with cheese sauce and green onions.
There’s also a plant-based loaded tots with plant-based chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions. Another plant-based option on the menu will be the Plant-Based Burger featuring a plant-based patty with plant-based mayonnaise and caramelized balsamic onion jam on a house-baked multi-grain bun.
And to satisfy your sweet tooth, there are plenty of sweet treats on the menu, including the popular specialty shakes and sundaes as well as seasonal cheesecake and Old Fashion Apple Pie! And another new dessert is COOKIE FRIES! This yummy dish comes with marshmallow cream, chocolate, caramel, and strawberry dipping sauces and it’s not just delicious, it’s plant-based too!
And of course, if you’re up to the challenge, you and your friends can take on the famous Kitchen Sink sundae with scoops of vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, cookies and cream, and mint chocolate chip ice cream smothered in every topping available!
Reservations are now live for bookings starting on Dec. 26, 2019!
When we think Disney… we think DINING! This is exactly why we are super excited about the new details Walt Disney World has released on three restaurants opening in 2020 at Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Here’s the latest!
Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue
Let’s make our way over to Epcot’s American Adventure Pavilion where quick service restaurant, Liberty Inn, was serving up American cuisine until it closed it’s doors early July 2019. While closures can be a bummer, the sadness melted away quickly when Disney announced Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue would be replacing the Liberty Inn location. Disney has confirmed this new fast-casual restaurant will open this winter with classic barbecue and home-style craft brews. According to DisneyParksBlog:
When you step into the pavilion, you’ll be greeted by the enticing aromas of barbecue coming from a large smoker located in the center of the outdoor bar and seating area. Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue will celebrate American backyard barbecue with flavors from different regions around the United States.
Space 220 Restaurant
Next up, we’ll stay in Epcot but head on over to Future World for an “out of this world” dining experience… the Space 220 Restaurant! Situated next to Mission: SPACE, Disney was hoping to have this new table-service restaurant open by the end of 2019. Space 220 is worth the wait however with a new push for “this winter”. DisneyParksBlog shares all the details about this enticing restaurant by saying:
When you enter the restaurant, you’ll step into a special space elevator that will take you 220 miles above the earth’s surface and offer incredible celestial views. You’ll feel as if you’re traveling straight up into space to dock next to the Centauri Space Station suspended just beyond the orbit of Mission: SPACE. Upon arrival, you will be guided to your seats past the grow zone, a spinning wall of produce that mimics Earth’s gravity and represents some of the fresh ingredients used by the restaurant’s culinary team.
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant
In the words of Toy Story’s Jessie, “YeeHaw!” We are super excited that a new table-service restaurant is on the way in to Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios for 2020. According to DisneyParksBlog:
Roundup Rodeo BBQ Restaurant invites you to a rootin’, tootin’ rodeo right in Andy’s back yard! Guests will be immersed with all their favorite toy pals in the western atmosphere of Woody’s Roundup providing a fun, family-friendly dining experience that could only be had in Toy Story Land. A new artist concept image released today emphasizes the theme of the new dining locale constructed from Andy’s favorite larger-than-life playsets and games.
Three restaurants we can’t wait to check out for ourselves!
Most guests know Sanaa for their amazing bread service, African-inspired cuisine and the incredible vies of the Sunset Savannah at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, but did you know that it now features a hearty breakfast menu? The Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast is served from 7 to 10 am and transforms Sanaa into a casual quick-service restaurant with grab-and-go options as well as a few familiar dishes all while taking in the wonderful animals of the savannah.
At the counter you have a variety of grab-and-go items including yogurt parfaits, fruit plates, banana bread with house-made African chocolate-hazelnut spread, and more. If you would like a sit-down breakfast you can browse all the entrees on the menu which can be ordered at the counter and brought directly to your table!
For entrees you can find your favorite breakfast meals with African flavors including:
Eggs Benedict – two brown poached eggs, farmer’s ham, spice route hollandaise, arugula, and berries
Shahi Tukra French Toast with saffron-scented sultan raisins, whipped chai cream, and almonds
Enriching Grains and Fruit – a plant-based dish with mixed grains, seasonal fruit, South African rusk, and coconut milk yogurt
Boere Breakfast – two cage-free eggs, African home fries, house-made boerewors sausage, bacon, and a coconut drop biscuit
Kid’s Explorer Platter – one cage-free egg served any style, African home fries, bacon, and a coconut drop biscuit
Classic Mickey waffles and bacon
Sanaa is located in Kidani Village at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge and is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast is offered 7-10 am and reservations are not required. You have the chance to see the following animals on the savannah: gazelle, zebras, kudu, giraffes, ostriches, cranes, and more.
With just weeks before the restaurant’s expected opening, the planned Executive Chef has stepped down, and based on recent Patina Restaurant Group job listings, it appears the space crew is scrambling for a captain.
Here’s a look at the current job listing, given the recent vacancy:
Mission Control invites you to join the crew at Space 220 for an expedition like no other. The planets have aligned for you to be a part of the latest cutting-edge and out-of-this-world restaurant. Help ensure a smooth departure as guests blast off to enter the International Space Station suspended 220 miles above the Earth’s surface and assist in delivering an unmatched intergalactic dining experience. With stellar views and gourmet menu offerings, Space 220 is truly “The Height of Dining.”
We are looking for a talented Executive Chef who can reinterpret classics and dazzle guests with unexpected touches, while keeping in line with the Patina standards of scratch cooking and unparalleled execution.
Former Maria & Enzo’s Ristorante and Enzo’s Hideaway Tunnel Bar Executive Chef Theo Schoenegger, who was set to become head chef for the Space restaurant, has returned to Wynn Las Vegas to reprise his position as Executive Chef of Sinatra, the resort’s Forbes Four Star restaurant.
Patina Restaurant Group will still operate the new restaurant, and they’ve developed a menu that features internationally-inspired cuisine, more than 1,000 bottles of the world’s finest wines, and a wide selection of craft beer to be housed in their very own “Space Cellar”. Much like the International Space Station (ISS), the restaurant will also be manned by an international crew.
