New Upscale Mexican Restaurant Coming Disney World

A new fine-dining Mexican restaurant is coming to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in 2023.

Rosa Mexicano Restaurants announced plans to open its first Orlando-area location in the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin in early 2023. With current locations in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Maryland, as well as upcoming openings in Connecticut, Virginia, North Carolina and Las Vegas, the dynamic brand will offer an elevated fiesta dining experience, including signature menu items and award-winning margaritas.

“Rosa Mexicano’s arrival to Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin is a truly exciting moment of our expansion. The opening reflects our founding chef Josefina Howard’s vision of introducing Mexican culinary traditions and authentic Mexican heritage to the world,” said Jim Dunn, CEO of Rosa Mexicano. “Once the restaurant opens, we will offer the Orlando market a fresh take on Mexican food, authentic Mexican heritage, culinary techniques and lively dining.”

The restaurant, helmed by Manuel Trevino, Vice President of Culinary, will feature dramatic design elements familiar to fans of the brand, to transport guests on a unique culinary journey. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant will offer various seating areas with capacity of about 300 guests, including a 30-person bar and a beautiful private dining room for 50.

The menu will showcase a contemporary interpretation of authentic Mexican cuisine, including beloved classics and innovative, sophisticated dishes that pay tribute to Mexico’s richly varied culinary regions. Rosa Mexicano’s renowned beverage program, which boasts over 100 varieties of tequila and agave-based spirits – and of course, the restaurant’s signature frozen pomegranate margarita, named the best in New York City – will also make its debut.

Credit: Disney
Credit: Disney
Credit: Disney

Guests can receive a first taste of Rosa Mexicano this fall during the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic November 11-12 where the restaurant will feature a tasting station during the popular annual festival.  For tickets, visit www.swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com.

Rosa Mexicano will be located in the Dolphin, replacing the current restaurant Fresh Mediterranean Market.  Fresh will remain open until further notice.

About Rosa Mexicano

Headquartered in New York, Rosa Mexicano set a new standard for Mexican fine dining when it first opened its doors on the Upper East Side in 1984. Chef founder Josefina Howard played a leading role in defining what was then a revolutionary ‘new’ cuisine for American diners. Rosa Mexicano continues to deliver authentic, regionally inspired Mexican cuisine in a stylish, “elevated fiesta” atmosphere. For generations, the signature guacamole and frozen pomegranate margarita have been regarded as best-in-class. Today, the company operates restaurants across the northeast, including New York City, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Rosa Mexicano is owned by TriSpan Rising Stars, LLP who acquired the brand in March 2018. For more information, please visit www.rosamexicano.com.

About the  Walt Disney World  Swan and Dolphin 

In the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort, the award-winning Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resides amongst the greatest theme parks and attractions in Central Florida. The complex is located between EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and nearby Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park and Magic Kingdom Park. Guests can discover 22 world-class restaurants and lounges, sophisticated guest rooms and the luxurious Mandara Spa. The resort features six pools, three health clubs, nearby golf, complimentary transportation throughout the Walt Disney World Resort and early entry to all four theme parks daily and extended evening theme park hours on select nights in select theme parks. The newest addition, the 14-story Walt Disney World Swan Reserve, opened 2021 and offers an upscale, boutique atmosphere as well as 149 suites ideal for families and two presidential suites. For more information, visit www.swandolphin.com.

Foodie Guide to Halloween Treats at Walt Disney World Resort Theme Parks and Disney Springs

Come ghoulish foodies –these treats will take anyone away. The theme parks and Disney Springs at Walt Disney World Resort are ready for the Halloween season with mouth watering goodies that will leave guests and their taste buds spellbound.

The chefs and mixologists have conjured up some truly unforgettable items everyone will be dying to try. In a season full of sweets, eats, and tricks, guests are in for quite the culinary delight. With the can’t-miss Minnie Ghost Pinata from The Ganachery at Disney Springs, the Pumpkin Mousse from The Trolley Car Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Caramelized Apple Liege Waffle over at Connections Café in EPCOT, and some adorable novelties to bring the fun home, this year is not to be missed.

Get ready for some culinary magic because Halloween is coming to Walt Disney World Resort and we’ve got all the goodies everyone has been waiting for!

 
EPCOT

Connections Café

  • Caramelized Apple Liege Waffle with caramelized white chocolate and graham cracker streusel (New) (Available October 4 through 31)
  • Dark Chocolate Halloween Cupcake with dark chocolate mousse (New) (Available October 28 through 31)

Connections Eatery

  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue

  • S’mores Brownie with a pumpkin Mickey (New) (Available October 28 through 31)
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Sunshine Seasons

  • Monster Mousse: Caramel mousse and apple-caramel filling on a shortbread cookie (New)(Available October 28 through 31)
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Available at Fife & Drum and Popcorn Carts near Canada, Journey Into Imagination With Figment, Creations Shop, and Mission: SPACE

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket
 
Disney’s Hollywood Studios

ABC Commissary (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Black Widow Tart: Spiced milk chocolate tart filled with orange curd, pomegranate molasses whipped cream, candied orange peel, and a dark chocolate spider (New)
  • Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Backlot Express (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Graveyard Cupcake: Fudge-filled Chocolate cupcake topped with cookies and cream buttercream, chocolate cookie tombstone, white chocolate bone, and Halloween sprinkles
  • Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Catalina Eddie’s (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Pumpkin Patch Cookie: Pumpkin spice snickerdoodle cookie topped with pumpkin spice buttercream and pumpkin candies (New)

Dockside Diner (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Mickey Mummy Cookie: Mickey-shaped chocolate cookie with white chocolate mint frosting

Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Sweet Poison: Coconut rum, blue curaçao beverage syrup, rum, and pineapple juice
  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

Hollywood Scoops (Available October 1 through 31)

Candy Corn Milkshake: Candy corn ice cream shake topped with a vanilla cake doughnut, whipped cream, spooky sprinkles, and candy corn

Oasis Canteen (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

PizzeRizzo (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Halloween Candy Cookie Pizza: Sugar cookie “pizza” topped with strawberry jam, white chocolate, Halloween candy, and sprinkles (New)
  • Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Rosie’s All-American Cafe (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Mickey Mummy Cookie: Mickey-shaped chocolate cookie with white chocolate mint frosting (New)
  • Frozen Apple Cider: Frozen apple cider topped with green apple boba balls
  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel
  • Donald Candy Corn Sipper including choice of fountain beverage (Coming Soon)

Sunshine Day Bar (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

Tune-In Lounge (Available October1 through 31)

  • Spiced Caramel Apple: Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, apple cider, cranberry and salted caramel

The Trolley Car Café (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Pumpkin Mousse: Pumpkin cheesecake with a cinnamon sugar dusted apple cider cake, raspberry dark chocolate stem and purple buttercream (New)

Woody’s Lunchbox (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Pumpkin Lunch Box Tart: Pumpkin pie filled pastry tart with marshmallow fondant, candy corn,and Halloween sprinkles (New)

Available at Various Food Carts Throughout the Park (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Mickey Brownie: Chocolate brownie with Halloween sprinkles
  • Halloween Popcorn sponsored by Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween

Available at Animation Courtyard, Hollywood Boulevard, and Hyperion Theater Popcorn Carts (Available October 1 through 31)

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket
 
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Available at Mahindi, The Feeding Ground, Corn-Ivores, and Trek Snacks

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket
 
Disney Springs

Amorette’s Patisserie

  • Black Flame Candle Petit Cake: Devil’s Food biscuit, apricot jam, brandy simple syrup, caramel mousse, and candied pecan crunch (New) (Available September 30 through October 31)
  • Pumpkin Apple Tart: Pumpkin spice mousse, red wine poached apple, and hazelnut crunch (Available September 5through October 31)
  • Pumpkin Crème Brûlée: Pumpkin crème brûlée, cranberry compote, cran-cherry yogurt cream, and a spiced sable cookie (Available through October 31)

Dockside Margarita (Available through October 31)

Monster Margarita: Patron Silver Tequila, Grand Marnier, sweet-and-sour, black cherry, green apple, and lime juice

The Ganachery

  • Minnie Ghost Pinata: Dark chocolate pinata filled with treats (Available through October 31)
  • Sisters’ Elixir Hot Cocoa Bomb: Dark chocolate cauldron filled with house made cocoa mix and marshmallows(Available September 30 through October 31)
  • Caramel Skulls: Dark chocolate filled with caramel ganache (Available through October 31)
  • Pumpkin Chai Latte Ganache Squares: Pumpkin chai latte ganache enrobed in milk chocolate (Available through October 31)
  • Apple Whiskey Ganache Squares: Apple whiskey ganache enrobed in milk chocolate (New)(Available through October 31)

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar (Available through October 31)

  • Autumn Smash: Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, pear nectar, lemon juice, simple syrup, and cinnamon stick garnish

Marketplace Snacks (Available through October 31)

  • Jack Skellington Bubble Waffle Sundae: Chocolate soft-serve, marshmallow fluff, hot fudge, orange sprinkles, chocolate shavings, chocolate pocky sticks, and a chocolate Jack Skellington garnish (New)

Outdoor Vending Throughout Disney Springs (Available through October 31)

  • Sour Apple Margarita: Patron Silver Tequila, Cointreau Liqueur, sour apple pucker, Granny Apple Smith, sweet-and-sour, and lime juice
  • Ghoul Juice: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum, Blue Curaçao, sweet-and-sour, cranberry juice, and grenadine

Swirls on the Water (Available through October 31)

  • Witch’s Flight: Pumpkin soft-serve, purple cheesecake soft-serve, and DOLE Whip (New)
  • Oogie Boogie DOLE Whip Nachos: Pistachio soft-serve, whip cream, raspberry boba pearls, and waffle chips (New)
  • Angry Orchard Pumpkin Float: Angry Orchard Apple Cider topped with pumpkin soft-serve (New)

Vivoli il Gelato (Available through November 1)

  • Jack O Lantern Float: Vanilla gelato, Fanta Orange, and whipped cream
  • Monster Shake: Mint chocolate chip shake, chocolate sauce, and whipped cream
  • Vampire Float: Vanilla gelato, Sprite, and whipped cream

Various Carts Throughout Disney Springs

  • Glow-in-the-Dark Mickey Mummy Popcorn Bucket

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

Special Offer for Disney+ Subscribers at Walt Disney World Resort

Disney+ subscribers can save up to 20% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels! Bookings are now available for visits between Dec. 11-25, 2022. Full offer details are available here.

  • Save 20% at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Boardwalk Inn, Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West, Disney’s Riviera Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Save 15% at Disney’s Art of Animation (Family Suites), Disney’s Port Orleans Resort— French Quarter and Disney’s Port Orleans Resort— Riverside
  • Save 10% on the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort and Disney’s All-Star Music Resort

When Guests stay at a Disney Resort hotel, they’ll enjoy 30 minutes early entry to every Theme Park, every day.

Plus, Guests staying at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa Resort can also enjoy Extended Evening Hours, in select parks, on select nights — now including Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Dec. 15 & 22!

That’s even more time to experience holiday fun at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios– during the Walt Disney World® 50th Anniversary Celebration. Valid admission, park reservation and Resort ID are required for park entry. 

As a reminder, an on-demand webcast and job aid are available with additional details about how to process this offer.

These offers are only bookable if your client is a Disney+ subscriber. Before booking, you must pre-qualify that the client is a Disney+ subscriber, either verbally or in writing. The client must provide you their Disney+ account User ID (email address), which you will inform your client will be submitted to Disney for verification. After booking, you will then submit your client’s Disney+ User ID to Disney via the Disney+ Offer Client Verification form on DisneyTravelAgents.com. 

If the client is not a Disney+ subscriber, or if the Disney+ User ID is not confirmed by Disney, Travel Agents or Disney may elect to cancel their reservation. Reservations that are cancelled will be subject to applicable cancellation fees. Detailed information can be found on the Offers page. 

These offers are bookable online, and are subject to the applicable commission policy. Visit the commission page for details. During periods of heavy online traffic, a Digital Waiting Room may be used for transactions. Please note, that the digital waiting room may have instructions for consumer email verification; please disregard this holding message, and follow the process outlined above for Travel Agents. For the best online experience, please only use one browser and do not use the back or refresh button.

FAQs

What if the client is not a Disney+ subscriber?
Clients are welcome to subscribe to Disney+ in order to take advantage of this offer. It may take up to one hour for a new subscriber to show as eligible. This will not affect online bookings made through DisneyTravelAgents.com, but it will impact any telephone bookings or modifications.

What if the email isn’t valid, or a client needs to make a correction?
If a Disney+ User ID cannot be verified, Travel Agents may be contacted with instructions for next steps to remedy the issue. 

How will clients’ Disney+ User ID be validated?
Once an agent prequalifies that the client is a Disney+ subscriber, the agent will collect their Disney+ User ID email and submit via the Disney+ Offer Client Verification form, available on DisneyTravelAgents.com and not by email.

How long do Travel Agents have to submit a client’s Disney+ User ID?
Travel Agents must submit the client’s Disney+ User ID no later than the Wednesday after the calendar week in which the booking is made.

Can agents book more than one room/cabin?
For Walt Disney World Resort hotel bookings, eligible Guests may book up to 3 rooms at the same Resort, following standard booking guidelines.

What if a client cancels their Disney+ subscription after booking with this offer?
This offer is only available to Disney+ subscribers.  Proof of Disney+ subscription is required. 

Is this offer available internationally?
This offer is being extended to Guests residing in the United States and Canada only.

Can brand new Disney+ subscribers take advantage of this offer?
Yes, however it may take up to one hour for a new Disney+ subscriber to show as eligible for this offer in Disney’s systems. This will not prevent agents from booking the offer online, but it will impact any telephone bookings or modification activities. It is recommended to complete the online verification form for new Disney+ subscribers.

Does the Disney+ subscriber have to be in the travel party?
For Walt Disney World Resort hotel bookings, a Disney+ subscriber who will not be traveling may book the offer, so long as at least one adult from their household is in the travel party. The Guest or Client calling to book the offer must be able to verify the subscriber’s name and Disney+ User ID (email address) while on the call, and an adult in the same household must be in the travel party.

Guests return to Disney World Resort Hotel to find a SCORPION in their room

When Guests arrived at their hotel room at the Walt Disney World Resort, an incredibly unsightly Guest had already made himself comfortable in their room.

Earlier this week, a Guest took to Reddit to share his photo of a “Guest” that was already in the hotel room before he arrived at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

The Guest, who goes by ADeSieno75 on Reddit, found a scorpion in their room at the popular Walt Disney World Value Resort Hotel when he arrived back in his room. The Guest shared that the ordeal was very upsetting to his child, though it’s not clear from the post how many days the Guest and his party had been staying at the hotel when the arachnid was found.

He did go on to explain that they alerted Cast Members at the hotel’s front desk about the scorpion they had found in their guestroom.

According to Florida Pest Control, the Sunshine State plays host to 3 different kinds of scorpions: the Florida Bark Scorpion, the Hentz Striped Scorpion, and the Guiana Striped Scorpion, none of which have a fatal sting.

Thankfully, the Guest says that they received a call from a manager at the Resort Hotel, who was very generous with both apologies and park perks–perks usually reserved for scenarios in which Guests must be evacuated from attractions or similar situations.

guests evacuate california screamin

“After notifying the front desk, we received a call from the manager,” the Redditor explained, “and they hooked us up with passes for Cosmic, FOP, and ROTR as well as credit on the room. My kid has finally calmed down, so I’m most grateful for that! This has been an entire experience, to say the least!”

Some who commented on the Guest’s post clearly realized the value in the perks that the manager gifted to the Guest and his family: ride passes for Guardians of the Galaxy: COSMIC REWIND at EPCOT, Avatar: Flight of Passage at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

While it’s not a common occurrence, Guests have reported seeing pests of varying kinds occasionally during their stays at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel. Guests should never hesitate to report such a finding so that Cast Members can choose to correct the scenario.

Disney Makes a Big Change to Hotel Room Bookings

Disney has made a BIG change to room-only bookings. In the past, guests were able to book their hotel room 500 days in advance. According to the Disney Travel Agents site, as of August 19, 2022, that will no longer be an option.

This change means guests will only be able to book a room-only hotel reservation during the same period of time that room and ticket packages are available to book. Many guests would book a room well in advance as a placeholder and then cancel it and rebook their vacation when room and ticket packages came out. This change will close that loophole leveling the playing field for all guests to have a first come- first served shot at the resort hotel of their choice. 

Despite the fact that many used the room-only option simply as a placeholder, many did not. Annual Passholders and locals who wanted a staycation but didn’t visit the theme parks often book rooms without tickets (though one could argue that Passholders have indeed already bought their tickets via their pass purchase). Disney has reported at least a 75% occupancy rate (and often more) this year which makes those rooms in very high demand. It makes sense that Disney would prefer those rooms to go to guests booking packages.

Currently, packages are available through December 31, 2023, meaning the change won’t really be noticed until after the first of the year. After January 1, 2023, however, packages for the following year will not be available. Disney typically releases the packages in late spring or early summer. The last five years have seen packages between June 8th and June 24th.  This means anyone wishing to book a Disney Resort hotel room for 2024 will have to wait just a bit longer.