Disney Unveils Special ‘Halfway to Halloween’ Treats

We’re approaching six months to Halloween, and so Disney Parks are celebrating Halfway to Hallween! This week guests can find limited-time treats to celebrate the Halfway to Halloween season. 

From a Disney Cast Member;

Welcome, foolish mortals to the latest Disney Eats Foodie Guide. The time has come once again to gather for some sinister sweets and delightful treats because Halfway to Halloween is here – and this year we’re celebrating the Haunted Mansion! We’re kicking off the frightfully fun festivities with all the tasty ways you can celebrate this year.

Walt Disney World Resort has been dusting off the cobwebs to bring to you some items you won’t want to miss – like the return of the Madame Leota Chocolate Cake at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the exciting offerings coming to Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs. Over at Disneyland Resort, you’ll be able to fill your candy basket with sweet treats like the Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat.

But there’s so much more than just food going on for Halfway to Halloween this year. Starting today, there is plenty of excitement happening, with much of it honoring the beloved attraction and soon-to-be-released Walt Disney Studios film – “Haunted Mansion.” Stay tuned all week on the Disney Parks Blog and our social channels for the latest and greatest halfway news.

Well, I think I’ve tempted you long enough. These bites are about to put a spell on you and your tastebuds. Welcome to the Foodie Guide to Halfway to Halloween 2023!

Walt Disney World Resort 

Disney Resort Hotels 

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort 

Landscape of Flavors and Everything POP Shopping and Dining (Available April 20 through 23))

  • The Whoopie Monster: Spiced apple whoopie pie with marshmallow buttercream and caramel

Disney’s Contemporary Resort 

Contempo Café (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Madame Leota Chocolate Cake: Mini Devil’s Food Cake filled with dark chocolate ganache topped with chocolate glaze and marshmallow webs

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa 

Gasparilla Island Grill (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Jack O’ Lantern Mickey Cake Pop: Jumbo pumpkin-spiced yellow cake pop enrobed in orange-colored white chocolate
  • Bewitching Minnie Cupcake: Chocolate cupcake topped with chocolate cream sandwich cookies for ears, an edible witch hat, and Halloween sprinkles

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort 

Pineapple Lanai (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • Kakamora DOLE Whip Waffle Bowl: DOLE Whip served in a waffle bowl with Moana-inspired white chocolate and milk chocolate-covered pretzel sticks

Available at Various Disney Resort Hotels (Available April 20 through 23)

Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper; available at the following (Available while supplies last.):

  • Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
  • Gasparilla Island Grill at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
  • Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Everything POP Shopping and Dining at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Disney Springs 

Gideon’s Bakehouse 

  • Pumpkin Cheesecake Snack Cakes: This hauntingly delicious gourmet treat features a layer of the softest spice cake topped with pumpkin cheesecake and dipped in high-quality dark chocolate (Limit two per person; available while supplies last) (New) 
  • Gideon’s Trading Card Series: Be on the lookout for free trading cards hidden at the bottom of every medium and large cookie box! You will also get a free Halfway to Halloween Promo Card with purchase for your collection during the event.
  • Barnabas Mephistophelittle Merchandise: Don’t forget to check out new merchandise featuring Gideon’s Halfway to Halloween Ambassador, Barnabas Mephistophelittle, including a collector’s pin and temporary tattoo! (New) 

Marketplace Snacks (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • 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

B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. 

  • Donald Duck Candy Corn Sipper (Available while supplies last.)

Magic Kingdom Park 

Columbia Harbour House (Mobile order available) 

  • Happy Haunts Milk Shake: Blackberry milkshake topped with a purple chocolate-glazed doughnut covered with black sprinkles

Disneyland Resort 

Disneyland Park 

Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen and Pooh Corner (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

Disney California Adventure Park 

Trolley Treats and Bing Bong’s Sweet Stuff (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

Downtown Disney District 

California Churro (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Halloween Churro: A churro rolled in cinnamon sugar, drizzled with peanut butter and chocolate sauce, and topped with peanut butter candy pieces

Kayla’s Cake (Available April 20 through 23) 

  • Halloween Jack-O-Lantern Macaron: Orange Jack-O-Lantern macaron with fruit-flavored crisped rice cereal buttercream filling (New) 

Marceline’s Confectionery (Available April 20 through 23)

  • Minnie Witch Apple: Granny Smith Apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears enrobed in milk chocolate and dipped in white chocolate and orange M&M’S chocolate candies placed all over and rolled in purple sugar
  • Oogie Boogie Crisped Rice Treat: Oogie Boogie-shaped crisped rice treat dipped in green, white chocolate with a dark chocolate face
  • Jack Skellington Cake Pop: Vanilla cake pop dipped in white chocolate with dark chocolate face

As you can see, the Halloween happenings aren’t just limited to the fall! I hope you enjoy getting in the spirit early as much as I do. The festive fun and memories to be made are truly boundless at Disney Parks!

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

Popular Food Truck Leaves Disney Springs

If you’re looking for the perfect dining, shopping, and entertainment destination at Walt Disney World Resort, Disney Springs is the place to be. While there are many dining options, one popular eatery has officially left the property.

The growing West Side of Disney Springs is full of exciting experiences, such as Cirque du Soleil’s newer stage performance of “Drawn to Life.” There are several popular eateries spread throughout the West Side to cover the mass amounts of crowds seeking to dine, such as Splitsville Luxury Lanes and House of Blues.

But, if you’re looking for a fantastic meal without a dining reservation, head on over to the Disney Springs Food Truck lot, known as Exposition Park, on the West Side. Boasting stunning waterside views, there are usually several food truck selections to choose from for lunch and dinner.

One delicious food truck called Cilantro Urban has officially rolled away from Disney Springs as Disney wraps up its Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

@DisneySprings took to social media on October 15, 2022 to share, “Last call! Today is the last day to enjoy @CilantroUrban Eatery Food Truck here at Disney Springs. Try their Pork Pibil Tostadas piled high with Yucatán-México achiote roasted pork, black bean refritos and more! #TogetherWeAreMagia.”

Last call! Today is the last day to enjoy @CilantroUrban Eatery Food Truck here at Disney Springs. Try their Pork Pibil Tostadas piled high with Yucatán-México achiote roasted pork, black bean refritos and more! #TogetherWeAreMagia pic.twitter.com/W9IjAEpAvg— Disney Springs (@DisneySprings) October 15, 2022

The food truck made for a perfect dining option at Disney Springs during its stay from September 15 – October 15, 2022. While we hoped it would become a permanent truck, it is now gone from Disney Springs.

@cilantro_urban_eatery took to social media to share a video of its last night at Disney Springs:

You may still see Cilantro Urban cruising around at ESPN Wide World of Sports on Disney property as they tend to be featured at sporting events at the complex.

Alas, there are still four other Disney Springs Food Truck eateries available, including the new Local Green Orlando, 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck, Hot Diggity Dogs, and Mac & Cheese.

New ‘Animated Evening’ at Disney Springs

There is so much to do at Disney Springs, and one thing we highly recommend is to see the Cirque du Soleil show, Drawn to Life. Disney has announced a new offer that allows guests to combine two fantastic offerings at Disney Springs – enjoying a great meal and seeing Drawn to Life.

From a Disney Cast Member;

You can’t go wrong with a good duo – chocolate and peanut butter, Chip and Dale, Magic Kingdom Park and fireworks – some things are just better together. And now two of my very favorite things (food and Cirque du Soleil) have come together to form a duo that is truly a feast for all your senses! Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney is a love letter to the art of Disney animation, bringing classic stories and characters to life through the incredibly talented Cirque du Soleil performers and timeless musical scores. Guests can experience dinner and this amazing show at Disney Springs with the Animated Evening – Drawn to Life prix fixe dining offer, available to Cirque du Soleil ticket holders.

During your Animated Evening, enjoy a meal at one of 13 Disney Springs restaurants, before or after you see Drawn to Life. Each participating restaurant has crafted a special prix fixe menu just for this dining offer. And the whole family will be captivated by the imaginative story of Drawn to Life. This pairing of iconic Cirque du Soleil acrobatics and legendary Disney magic is yet another unbeatable duo! Get ready to let your imagination (and taste buds) run wild.

To book your Animated Evening, first purchase your tickets for Drawn to Life presented by Cirque du Soleil and Disney. You can purchase tickets from Cirque du Soleil online or call Cirque du Soleil at (877) 924-7783. Next, book dining reservations for Animated Evening by calling (407) 587-5981. And be sure to ask for the Animated Evening menu when you arrive at the restaurant!

For full details on the Animated Evening dining offer, visit the Disney Springs website.

And if you’re a Florida resident, Disney Vacation Club Member or Annual Passholder, you’ll be happy to know that your Animated Evening can be combined with the current ticket offer.

Foodie Guide to Disney Springs Flavors of Florida 

It’s almost time for Flavors of Florida Presented by CORKCICLE! From July 5 through August 14, over 30 restaurants and shops at Disney Springs will be celebrating fresh flavors from the Sunshine State. These locations are serving up a slice of summer with refreshing beverages and delicious dishes, all inspired by Florida. Let’s dive right into all the foodie fun!

Amorette’s Patisserie

  • Blood Orange Éclair – Éclair filled with triple blood orange mousse, topped with tangy citrus jam and candied blood orange.
  • Blue Citrus Sauvignon Blanc Slushie – Matua sauvignon blanc, Blue Curaçao syrup and lemonade. Served in a Flavors of Florida Corkcicle.

The BOATHOUSE

  • Coconut Panna Cotta – Coconut panna cotta, layered with mango gelée and topped with tropical fresh fruit, shredded coconut and a crispy coconut shortbread cookie.

Chef’s Art Smith’s Homecomin’

  • Southern Fried Hand Pies – A pair of fried pastries filled with moonshine-glazed strawberry compote and served with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream.
  • Blood Orange Margarita – Dobel Diamanté tequila with fresh-squeezed lime juice and blood orange purée, garnished with a fresh Florida orange

Chicken Guy!

  • Florida Sunshine Shake – Hand-spun, vanilla, soft serve ice cream and fresh Florida orange juice, topped with whipped cream and garnished with an orange wheel. (Not available for online orders.)

City Works Eatery & Pour House 

  • Smokehouse Cuban – Hardwood-smoked pulled pork shoulder, ham, shaved hot link, smoked provolone, Robonaut Red mustard and spicy bread & butter pickles, on a Cuban roll.

Coca-Cola Rooftop Beverage Bar

  • Sunshine Orange Chill – St. Augustine vodka, orange juice, topped with Sprite and served in a souvenir Coca-Cola glass.

D-Luxe Burger 

  • Lime Garage Burger – Deluxe patty, topped with pepper jack cheese, pork belly and fried green tomato, served with an avocado, lime and jalapeno spread.
  • Orange Garage Burger – Deluxe patty, topped with pepper jack cheese, pork belly, lettuce, served with an orange and onion marmalade.
  • Orange Bird Milkshake – Artisanal shake made with vanilla gelato and orange, topped with sprinkles.

Dockside Margaritas

  • Strawberry Basil Margarita – Herradura reposado tequila and lime juice, with strawberry purée and garnished with shredded basil leaves.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC

  • Orange Blossom Cupcake – Moist vanilla cupcake, piped with orange-flavored frosting, topped with orange zest and a flower garnish. (Vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free.)

Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew

  • Citrus Dream Donut – Orange glazed donut with white buttercream, drizzled with orange icing and topped with an orange gummy and fresh mint leaf.
  • Orange Lemonade with Sweet Cream Foam – Limited-edition summer treat, made with fresh-squeezed orange lemonade and topped with sweet cream foam.

Frontera Cocina

  • Shrimp Ajillo Tostada – Tostada topped with roasted garlic-guajillo Florida pink shrimp, avocado, jicama, local heirloom cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, orange and a citrus-soy vinaigrette.

Gideon’s Bakehouse

  • Orange Pecan Chocolate Chip Cookie – An almost-half-pound vanilla bean cookie infused with orange essence and mixed with dark chocolate, covered in pecan pralines and candied orange peel.

The Ganachery

  • Strawberry Shortcake Chocolate Treats – Strawberry chocolate, white crisp pearls, speculoos cookie crumbles and strawberry crispies.

House of Blues Restaurant & Bar

  • Voodoo Shrimp – Sautéed Florida Gulf Shrimp in an Abita Amber beer reduction sauce, served over jalapeño-cheese cornbread.
  • Green Gator – Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum mixed with melon liqueur, simple syrup and pineapple juice.

Local Green Orlando Food Truck

  • Kingston Mango Pineapple Lemonade – Tropical flavors of mango and pineapple with refreshing lemonade.

Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar 

  • Florida Gulf Shrimp Tacos – Jerk-spiced shrimp served in a grilled corn tortilla with watermelon pico de gallo and topped with sliced jalapeno.
  • Jock’s Citrus Old Fashioned – A cocktail classic with a Florida summer twist.
  • Florida Mule – Florida cane vodka, ginger beer, orange juice and simple syrup. Served in a Flavors of Florida Corkcicle.

M&M’S Store 

  • M&M’S White Chocolate Key Lime Pie Candy – Brightly colored, white chocolate candies, available by the half-pound and pound from the color wall.

Outdoor Vending 

  • Blood Orange Gin & Tonic – St. Augustine Gin, Tipplers orange liqueur, blood orange Monin and tonic water, garnished with an orange wedge.

Paddlefish 

  • Key Lime Pie – A rich but tart key lime filling and airy toasted meringue.

The Polite Pig 

  • Cuban Sandwich – Classic Florida sandwich made with crusty bread and piled high with sliced ham, roasted pork, cheese and dill pickles, spread with a tangy sauce.
  • Key Lime Mojito – Rum cocktail, mixed with fresh-squeezed lime juice and club soda, garnished with fresh mint sprigs and lime.

Rainforest Cafe

  • Key Lime Ceviche Tostada – Shrimp, scallop and mango ceviche, avocado mousse and cilantro-cabbage slaw with citrus vinaigrette, accompanied by cilantro lime rice and Cuban black beans.
  • Sailfish Brewing Sunrise City IPA – West coast-style IPA brewed with Columbus, Amarillo and Mosaic hops, featuring a smooth finish and notes of bitter citrus.

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant 

  • Home Grown Strip Steak – A 12oz cut, grass-fed and locally raised at Florida’s Adena Farms, served with béarnaise sauce, Cipollini onions, sautéed wild mushrooms and Raglan’s twice-cooked millionaire homemade chips.

Salt & Straw 

  • Strawberry Honey Balsamic with Black Pepper ice cream

Splitsville Luxury Lanes

  • Grilled Key West Pink Shrimp Salad – Grilled shrimp served over a spring mix with strawberries, oranges, cucumbers, tomato, parsley, onions and feta tossed in strawberry vinaigrette.
  • Spiked Guava Lemonade – Guava puree and fresh-squeezed lemon juice with St. Augustine vodka, topped with a splash of soda water.

Swirls on the Water 

  • Orange Bird DOLE Whip – Soft-serve DOLE Whip Orange topped with sprinkles and an Orange Bird garnish.
  • Watermelon DOLE Whip – DOLE Whip Watermelon piled high on a slice of fresh watermelon. Limited quantities available daily, while supplies last.

Terralina Crafted Italian

  • Italian Sangria – Special blend of cabernet sauvignon, brandy, peach and lemon, garnished with Florida orange slices and served by the glass or in a pitcher for four.

T-REX

  • Blackened Shrimp Salad – Salad greens dressed with Florida orange blossom honey and Key lime vinaigrette topped with blackened shrimp, seasonal berries and goat cheese croutons.
  • Oyster City Mangrove Pale Ale – Classic pale ale with a malty body and mild hops, fermented in mangos to add a tropical, fruit-forward flavor.

Vivoli il Gelato 

  • Pineapple and Coconut Shake – A rich and creamy shake made with pineapple and coconut sorbetto, topped with a mini pineapple and coconut layer cake.
  • Orange Blossom Gelato – Frozen Italian treat made with orange blossom pilsner beer and Savannah Bee orange blossom honey, served in a cup or waffle cone.
  • Key Lime Cannoli – A delicate pastry shell filled with sweet cream made of ricotta and key limes.

Wine Bar George 

  • Frozen Old Fashioned – DOLE Whip Orange blended with Hooten Young American whiskey and aromatic and orange bitters. (Purchase a Wine Bar George limited edition Corkcicle and enjoy a complimentary frozen drink.)

Guests can pick up a Flavors of Florida event guide upon arrival at the Disney Springs Welcome Center or any participating location.

Disney Pulls Out of Brightline Project – No Stop Coming to Disney Springs

For years, Disney has been working with Brightline to bring a train stop to the Disney Springs area of Walt Disney World Resort. The Brightline currently runs from Miami to West Palm Beach, but has been building track to extend operations all the way to Orlando. Both Disney and Universal were working with the train company to create stops at their respective Resorts, which would give Guests more airports to be able to fly into to get to the parks. However, in a move that not many saw coming, Disney announced that they are pulling out of the project.

The Orlando Sentinel reported on Disney’s decision and, according to Disney, they decided to pull out once they saw new plans for the project and realized the new route would not actually go through Disney. Per The Sentinel:

“As many people who are involved in this project are aware, the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station and as a result, we don’t anticipate being part of this project,” said Disney spokesperson Avery Maehrer, who declined to provide further detail.

Disney and Brightline have been in talks since at least 2018 over opening a station on resort property. Brightline expects to start service from South Florida to Orlando International Airport about one year from now and has been deeply engaged in planning for an extension from the airport to Tampa, passing along Interstate 4 near Disney.

But this spring, SunRail and International Drive interests announced planning for a rail corridor from the airport to the tourism district, which includes Universal Orlando, and that Brightline would pivot to cooperate in that route as well. The underlying expectation is for major federal grants to finance much of that corridor.

The new route would take the Brightline through International Drive, which is right near the Universal Orlando Resort, which is why the Resort is still a part of the project. Universal Orlando is currently building a massive third theme park called Epic Universe and will be adding 14,000 new employees in the coming years to work there. Adding in Universal’s employees to the ones who will need to work along the new route, more than 100,000 jobs will be added to the Orlando area in total, which makes the route a necessary one for new employees and Guests as well.

Epic Universe

Should Brightline decide to change the route once again and go through Disney Springs as originally planned, it is possible the company could decide to go back in on the project. Disney made it clear that the move to pull out of the project had nothing to do with the issues that the House of Mouse is having with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.