New Dining Experience Coming to Disney Springs in 2023

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

The Walt Disney World Resort is welcoming yet another restaurant to its Central Florida property, and Guests are going to love the atmosphere and the food!

Last week, Summer House on the Lake made the official announcement via social media that its third location will open at the Walt Disney World Resort in 2023. It will be located inside the Disney Springs shopping, dining, and entertainment complex.

Summer House on the Lake has two other locations at this time: one in Chicago and one in Maryland. This will be its first-ever Florida location.

According to the Summer House website, the menu is inspired by the flavors of California, and there really is “Rose’ all day”:

The California-inspired menu, led by Chef Ben Goodnick, features simple ingredients sourced from local grower partnerships and sustainable products. Rosé is poured all day off the signature Rosé Cart, alongside an extensive wine and handcrafted cocktail list. And no matter the weather, the bright and airy vibes always fill the atmosphere.

Whether you’re in for date night, a family get-together, or brunch with friends, summer is waiting for you on the other side.

Menu items include salads, sandwiches, tacos, pizzas, and pastas, among other offerings.

Summer House on the Lake is owned and operated by Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, a company that began in 1971 and owns, manages, and licenses more than 130 restaurants in 12 states, including Illinois, Minnesota, Maryland, Nevada, Virginia, Washington D. C., Texas, and Florida.

lettuce entertain you restaurant

Summer House on the Lake at Disney Springs will replace plans the complex had for the Beatrix Restaurant, also owned by Lettuce Entertain You. Beatrix was announced in 2019 and was to open at Disney Springs West Side.

A neighborhood restaurant, grab-and-go market and coffeehouse, Beatrix was to feature healthy food options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, as well as fresh-squeezed juice cocktails. A full-service bar and a bakery were also planned for the new restaurant.

But those plans have since changed and instead of Beatrix, Summer House on the Lake will call Disney Springs home sometime in 2023.

summer house on the lake

“Summer House will be replacing Beatrix,” the company said. “During the pause in construction in 2020, we had time to reflect and evaluate what we wished to put into Disney Springs. We decided, and Disney agreed that the Summer House brand was better suited for this particular project.”

summer house on the lake

Summer House on the Lake will be located on Disney Springs West Side near AMC Theatres.

Couple Has Wedding Photoshoot Inside Gideon’s Bakehouse

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

Via DisDining.com

When it comes to food spots in Disney Springs, fewer places have a bigger following than Gideon’s Bakehouse. The popular bakery frequently sees lines around the building before they open, and Guests are more than willing to wait hours in order to get their hands on the massive cookies. Gideon’s not only sells half-pound cookies, but they also sell huge slices of cake, cookie bites, and cold brew coffees. But we bet there is one thing you didn’t know Gideon’s had on the menu — wedding photo shoots!

Okay, so technically, wedding shoots are not for sale at Gideon’s. However, one lucky couple was able to have the bakery to themselves on their wedding day, and the pictures are fabulous! The couple — Amanda and Adrian Dominguez — got married in Disney Springs and planned to have photos taken in the hot air balloon on property, the Aerophile. However, on their way to the Aerophile, they decided to make a stop at Gideon’s Bakehouse to see if they could get a cookie. A Gideon’s employee told them they could skip the virtual queue, which was hours long, and wait in the physical line.

The newlyweds shared their story with Business Insider, who reported:

For 15 minutes, the just-married couple assumed they were waiting for their chance to shop like regular customers. But Gideon’s Bakehouse had a surprise in the works. They were “emptying the store” so the newlweds could take pictures inside without a crowd, according to Adrian. 

“I was dumbstruck,” Amanda said. “The atmosphere transports you. I felt like I was in a magical, haunted mansion somewhere. It was all my dreams come true.”

Of course, the couple couldn’t leave without getting dessert, especially on their wedding day. Adrian said he ordered two of every cookie — some for themselves themselves and some to share with their wedding vendors.

“The cookies are out of this world,” Adrian said. “You can smell them from outside, but once you taste them, you’re wowed. The cookies are worth waiting in that line.”

The couple was married on May 26 at Paddlefish Restaurant, which is located in The Landing area of Disney Springs. Adrian had proposed to Amanda while they were riding the Aerophile, which is why they were headed there to get some wedding photos taken. Amanda told Business Insider that she had always wanted to try Gideon’s Bakehouse, which is why they stopped there and were willing to take time out of their Aerophile shoot.

Congratulations, Amanda and Adrian! We wish you a lifetime of happiness and delicious Gideon’s Bakehouse cookies!

U. S. Peanut butter recall leaves this Disney World sweet spot in a Predicament

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

A recent recall of peanut butter in the United States has left a Disney Springs sweets shop in quite a predicament.

On Friday, May 10, a voluntary recall was begun by the J.M. Smucker Company, which makes Jif peanut butter. Because shipments of the peanut butter were widespread and include multiple states, the effects of the recall are expected to also be wide-reaching. One affected venue is Gideon’s Bakehouse at Disney Springs.

Review: Gideon's Bakehouse cookies in Disney Springs - Notes from Neverland

According to the Food & Drug Administration (FDA), “The FDA, along with CDC and state and local partners, are investigating a multistate outbreak of Salmonella Senftenberg infections linked to certain Jif peanut butter products produced at the J.M. Smucker Company facility in Lexington, Kentucky.”

The dilemma was described in a post on Gideon’s Bakehouse‘s Facebook page. Ironically, per the post, every single limited flavor in the month of May at Gideon’s is peanut butter-based, leaving the Bakehouse in a “bit of a pickle.”

The post reads as follows:

I’m in a bit of a pickle. All of our wonderful limited flavors this month are Peanut Butter based, and due to the recall, all bulk stock of PB coming into the state has been slowed down. We need hundreds of pounds a day and have zero. So, officially, there are no PB-based Desserts in the shop, aka Peanut Butter Crunch, Peanut Butter Chocolate Swirl, and the fantastic PB&J Cake Slices. This issue won’t likely resolve until next week, and it will take us a couple of days to ramp back up production since, as you know, everything we do is made from scratch by hand and takes over 24 hours to prepare. If my tears could turn into Peanut Butter, you would all have a lifetime supply. ⁣

Review and Photos of Disney World's New Cookie Shop

To compensate, we’ll be adding Coffee Cake and Dark Coffee Cake in greater numbers to BOTH stores starting Wednesday available at open until sell out. That Cookie is limited because it takes so long to make, so we might not be able to maintain it for long. Keep an eye on feed and stories for flavor replacement updates going into the weekend. To replace the PB&J Cake Slice until this blows over … drum roll … the Original Red Velvet Cake Slices return! Cream Cheese is back!!⁣

REVIEW – Don't Forget About Cake Slices at Gideon's Bakehouse at Disney Springs – TouringPlans.com Blog

The Nitro PB Cold Brew will still be available at @DisneySprings. It is made with peanuts from our favorite Georgia Farm, not peanut butter. ⁣I appreciate your patience through all of this. We’re doing our best to get back on track ASAP and bring you some fun things while you wait.

The post notes that the Nitro PB Cold Brew at Gideon’s will still be available, as it is made from peanuts, but not peanut butter.

Brightline Train Reaches New Milestone

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Looking for the best and easiest way to get to and from Central Florida? With theme park giants like Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando Resort, traffic is always a pain… but how about taking a train?

I-4 not only recently opened new express lanes for a toll fee, but Walt Disney World has even announced it is expanding outside of its property bubble with a new Disney Store and digital display for all to enjoy while traveling I-4.

orlando international airport mco

Now, we’re shifting our focus to Orlando International Airport (MCO) where construction is under work to expand with a new Terminal C opening later this summer to keep up with MCO’s massive volume of travelers. MCO had a new visitor however as Brightline has set a new milestone in the Orlando area.

With planes and automobiles covered… Orlando is shifting its focus to TRAINS! On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, the very first Brightline train arrived at the Orlando International Airport. The high-speed rail service has been the center of much buzz lately as it works to connect Orlando to Miami.

Check out the video below from FOX 35 Orlando:

What makes this even sweeter for Disney travelers? Well, Walt Disney World Resort (and Universal Orlando Resort) are currently in talks with Brightline and Orlando’s local commuter rail, SunRail, to provide train service to the theme parks. The initial proposal is to open a Disney train station in the Disney Springs area.

brightline-train-route

There is still much discussion and planning in the works for the Disney Springs station, but we are eager to experience a high-speed train as the perfect transportation to take Guests from the airport to Disney’s property easily. Of course, we’re still missing Disney’s Magical Express, but are happy to have other transportation possibilities in the works.

Foodie Guide May the 4th and Beyond

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining, Disney Parks, Hollywood Studios

Guests don’t have to travel to a galaxy far, far away to indulge in some tasty treats and superb sips celebrating May the 4th! This year, Disneyland Resort and Walt Disney World Resort are joining in on the adventure by serving up items that are out-of-this-world!

From special offerings like the Lightsaber Churros at Disney’s Hollywood Studios to the adorable Grogu treats scattered throughout Disneyland Resort, there are plenty of items to try.

Disneyland Resort

To stay in-the-know on all the latest and greatest Star Wars at Disneyland Resort, check out the Disneyland app for the digital food and merchandise guide!

Disneyland Park – Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge

Celebrate Black Spire Day this year at Disneyland Resort, an annual celebration honoring this bustling outpost in Batuu, with tons of eats and treats deliciously crafted by the locals at Black Spire.

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo (available on Mobile Order)

  • Ishi Tib-style Pasta with Braised Beef Bantha: Beef pot roast, coconut curry sauce, pasta, and mixed vegetables (New)
  • Vintian Mineral Mousse: Banana brûlée-centered dark chocolate mousse, strawberry mousse, vanilla chantilly, chocolate crumble, and cherry garnish

Kat Saka’s Kettle  

  • Outpost Mix: Colorful blend of seasonal flavors including caramel and chocolate-glazed popcorn
  • Shaak Cheese Popped Grains: white cheddar flavored popcorn

Milk Stand (available on Mobile Order)

  • Chocolate Chip Sweet-Sand Cookie: Chocolate chip-toffee cookie topped with pistachios and sea salt (New)
  • Blue Milk – Mon Cala Swirl: Blue Milk with blue mango sour jellies topped with a sour shimmery mango gel (New)
  • Novelty: Bubo Wamba Family Farms Cup (New)

Oga’s Cantina  

  • Five-blossom Bread: Warm pretzel knot with Hawaiian black sea salt served with honey-mustard cream foam and Calabrian cheese sauce (New)
  • Fondor Fizz: Toniray Teal Chardonnay, Tito’s Vodka, and Joffrey’s White Tea with flavors of lemongrass and pea flower citrus (New)
  • Sesid Seltzer: Tropical Pineapple-Orange Hard Seltzer (New)
  • Black Squadron Lager – Golden Lager with a touch of Honey (New)

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Beverage Cart

  • Sullust Garlic Chips: Mix of Buffalo and White Cheddar-flavored Garlic Chips

Disneyland Park – Tomorrowland and Main Street, U.S.A

Galactic Grill (available on Mobile Order)

  • Parfait of Mustafar: Chocolate lava cake, chocolate ganache, and red pâte à choux filled with salted caramel pudding and red chocolate mousse (New)

Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen

  • Grogu Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears and enrobed in colored white chocolate and gold sanding sugar (available while supplies last)

Disney’s Grand California Hotel & Spa

Holiday Cart

  • Star Wars Sugar Cookie dipped in chocolate with Star Wars decoration (available through May 10) (New)
  • Wookiee Cookie: Chocolate-hazelnut-filled chocolate cookie rolled in sprinkles with a chocolate sash (New)
  • Pretzel Lightsabers: Pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate with colored sanding sugar (New)

Downtown Disney District

Marceline’s Confectionery (available on Mobile Order)

  • Grogu Apple: Granny Smith apple dipped in caramel with marshmallow ears and enrobed in colored white chocolate and gold sanding sugar (available while supplies last)

Black Tap Craft Burgers & Shakes (available through May 31)

  • Light Classic Shake: Electric blue vanilla shake, silver and blue galaxy sprinkles, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle (New)
  • Dark Classic Shake: Wild cherry shake, red and black sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, and a cherry (New)

Splitsville Luxury Lanes (available through May 31)

  • Galaxy Roll: Fresh salmon, cucumber, and avocado rolled in soy paper topped with steamed shrimp and ahi tuna drizzled with spicy kimchee ponzu sauce

Kayla’s Cake (available through May 31)

  • Galaxy Caramel Macaron: Satisfy two cravings at once with sea salt caramel with white chocolate ganache

Naples Ristorante e Bar (available through May 31)

  • Red Galaxy Cocktail: Light rum, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, squeezed lime, squeezed honey, and a splash of grenadine served on the rocks and topped with mint (New)
  • Green Moon Cocktail: Served with either tequila or mezcal, Anchor Reyes, canton ginger, lemon juice, a squeeze of honey syrup, and topped with soda water served in a hurricane glass garnished with green pepper and lime (New)

Ralph Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen (available through May 31)

Dueling Fates (New)

  • Empire cocktail with Cruzan citrus rum, blue Curacao, lime juice, and Sprite
  • Rebel cocktail with Effen cucumber Vodka, watermelon Torani, and Sprite

Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite (SOLD OUT)

For Guests that have already purchased tickets to one of the sold-out Disneyland After Dark: Star Wars Nite events, there are plenty of delicious treats  to try! Be transported to another world with eats and sips like the Cantina Snack Dog from Refreshment Corner Hosted by Coca-Cola or the incredibly delicious Purple Saber Funnel Cake from Stage Door Café. For a dark side twist on a classic tale, try The Dark Stuff from Red Rose Taverne. Or Guests can take a trip to the French Market Restaurant throughout the night, they have to try the Dathomirian Cannelloni. Whatever they want to try, Guests should make sure to bring your appetite!