WDW Restaurant Reopenings, Mobile Magic and More News
More restaurants are reopening at Walt Disney World just in time for the holidays. Plus, Mobile Magic is expanding and even more Disney festive sweets and treats await your arrival. It's all this week in your weekly Disney travel news podcast.
Two Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurants are reopening, plus more treats to watch for...
Story Book Dining at Artist Point, themed after Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, will reopen Dec. 16 at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
As part of the new Character Dining experience, guests will see Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and The Queen stroll through the Enchanted Forest while enjoying a bountiful prix fixe dinner with the choice of individually plated entrées and shared starters and desserts. Start with a refreshing cocktail like the Enchanted Apple with a hint of sour apple. The Royal Prime Rib Roast and the vegetarian A Stroll Through Nature are both returning as well as the decadent “Poison” Apple dessert with dark chocolate-apple mousse.
Boatwright’s Dining Hall, a hidden gem at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside, will be serving its Southern specialties for dinner starting Dec. 14.
The flavors of the Louisiana bayou are featured with the all-you-care-to-enjoy Chef’s Platter featuring ribs, Nashville hot chicken, smoked sausage, and barbecued beef brisket with mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, street corn, and green beans.
General Fulton’s Prime Rib and the Deep-South Shrimp and Grits, are back as well. Along with the signature Boatwright’s Jambalaya and the plant-based Boatwright’s Harvest Jambalaya. And for a Southern sweet dessert there's the Mississippi Mud Crème Brûlée, a decadent chocolate brûlée with a chocolate shortbread cookie.
General Fulton’s Prime Rib and the Deep-South Shrimp and Grits, are back as well. Along with the signature Boatwright’s Jambalaya and the plant-based Boatwright’s Harvest Jambalaya. And for a Southern sweet dessert there's the Mississippi Mud Crème Brûlée, a decadent chocolate brûlée with a chocolate shortbread cookie.
Beaches and Cream Soda Shop at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts has the 50th Celebration Shake: a birthday-cake-flavored milkshake drizzled in gold glitter glaze topped with a slice of commemorative 50th celebration birthday cake.
Whispering Canyon Café at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the place to be if you want to start your breakfast off with a bang of sweet and spice. Try the “Dynamite“ Cinnamon Roll Sticks -- Each order has five fiery red sticks filled with cinnamon schmear sprinkled with crushed red-hot candies and a drizzle of cinnamon oil. And for the dynamite wick – bacon! These sharable sticks of cinnamon goodness are served with a warm candied nut glaze.
The White Chocolate Peppermint Cream Cheese Mousse with peppermint sauce and chocolate cookie crumbles will be offered at Satu’li Canteen at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park from Dec. 20-27. White chocolate, peppermint, and cream cheese mousse?
La Crêperie de Paris is the newest addition to the France Pavilion at Epcot. It's now taking reservations for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features savory galettes and sweet dessert crêpes, along with some of Brittany’s famous hard ciders.
Guests can order from the prix fixe menu with the choice of soup of the day or salade maison; choice of one galette with a glass of hard cider, soda, or juice; choice of one dessert crêpe.
Festive Treats at Disney's Magic Kingdom Park
Magic Kingdom Park has two new offerings for The World’s Most Magical Celebration. Main Street Bakery has the Opening Day Celebration Cake that features milk chocolate mousse, raspberry center, and gluten-friendly chocolate cake topped with balloon sprinkles and a chocolate piece.
At Storybook Treats Grumpy gets his own Seven Dwarfs Specialty Cone – a cranberry vanilla soft-serve in a cone with a chocolate belt buckle and an adorable “Grumpy” chocolate face! It's a limited-time offer only available through Jan. 9.
Also at Magic Kingdom Park for a limited time is the Black Forest Cheesecake at Pinocchio Village Haus. This is a chocolate cheesecake topped with cherry compote, whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and a white chocolate coin inspired by the “it’s a small world” attraction.
Three refreshing holiday offerings are making a splash at Disney’s Water Parks from Dec. 12-Jan. 7.
- Orange Bird Holiday Citrus Swirl –DOLE Whip Orange and Lime swirl in a holiday waffle cone, and a white chocolate Orange Bird Santa (available at Warming Hut)
- Merry Merry Melon –Melon- and apple-flavored frozen rum cocktail with a red sugared rim topped with a cherry (available at Frostbite Freddie’s)
- Peppermint Milkshake –Peppermint-flavored milkshake with white chocolate whipped cream and holiday sprinkles (available at Lottawatta Lodge)
The best spots for special holiday snaps at Walt Disney World
There are holiday-themed Magic Shots at all four parks and Disney Springs so be sure to ask the PhotoPass photographer which Magic Shots they can offer at their location.
At Magic Kingdom Park head to the photographer near the lawn in front of The Plaza Restaurant to enjoy our Super Zoom Magic Shot with a holly-jolly makeover.
At Disney Springs, the Disney PhotoPass Studio in the Marketplace is offering holiday themed virtual backdrops.
Also at Disney Springs you can get your photo with Santa at Once Upon a Toy. There is a Disney PhotoPass photographer so you don't have to do Santa selfies. There's a virtual queue available and masks are required for this indoor experience.
And if you want to add some extra holiday cheer to your photos, photographers at some locations have handheld props that you can use in your photos.
Merchandise Mobile Check-Out
Since last year, Disney has been testing a new mobile checkout option (through My Disney Experience or Disneyland app) at select merchandise shops throughout Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort. It's now being rolled out to more locations:
Walt Disney World
- World of Disney at Disney Springs
- Creations Shop at EPCOT
- Emporium at Magic Kingdom Park – New!
- Mickey’s of Hollywood at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Coming soon!
- Island Mercantile at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park – Coming soon!
Disneyland Park
- Disney Clothiers, Ltd., China Closet and Plaza Point
- Emporium
- Pioneer Mercantile and Bonanza Outfitters – New!
- The Star Trader – New!
Disney California Adventure Park
- Elias & Co.
- WEB Suppliers – New!
- Knick's Knacks – New!
Downtown Disney District
- World of Disney
Guests should check the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app* during your visit for the latest location availability.
Here's how it works...
When you're ready to shop, open the My Disney Experience or Disneyland app and scan the barcodes on your items as they add them to your bag. Once you're done shopping, you can check-out on mobile and show your purchase QR code -- and the items you bought -- to a Cast Member at the designated exit, and you're done.
If you have an Annual Passholder, Magic Key or Disney Vacation Club discount make sure your pass or membership is linked to their Disney account, and the valid discounts will be applied automatically when through mobile checkout.
Disney has officially launched a Super Zoom Magic Shot at EPCOT, now in all 4 parks
Capture the new Epcot Super Zoom Magic Shot by visiting the photographer stationed just past the fountain near the main entrance of the park, almost right next to the recently introduced Tiny World Magic Shot!
If you have active Disney PhotoPass access such as Memory Maker or Memory Maker One Day, you can download and share Super Zoom and Tiny World Magic Shots at no extra cost, alongside all of your other Disney PhotoPass vacation memories captured around Walt Disney World Resort.
Where to get a Classic Disneyland Candy Cane
The cult classic Disneyland Candy Cane has been a tradition since 1968. These famous candy canes are hand-crafted during the holiday season – from mixing the ingredients to hand-pulling, rolling, and twisting the candy. The result is a massive 18-inch-long candy cane
A very limited number of these impressive candy canes will be produced this season so you'll have to act fast. They will be sold only at:
- Candy Palace and Candy Kitchen at Disneyland Park: Dec. 7, 9,15, 21, 23
- Trolley Treats at Disney California Adventure Park: Dec. 8, 14, 16, 22
For a chance to purchase one of the candy canes this year, a mobile waitlist system will be used. Once the mobile waitlist is activated, you can add your name and phone number to receive a text back with a time to return to the location you chose for the opportunity to purchase a candy cane, subject to availability. Candy canes are not available through mobile order.
2022 Disneyland Festivals
Two fan-favorite limited-time festivals will be back next year at Disney California Adventure Park. The Lunar New Year celebration will take place from Jan. 21 through Feb. 13, 2022, and the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival will run from March 4 through April 26, 2022.
Lunar New Year is a celebration that commemorates traditions of Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures. The festival features multicultural performances, special activities, culinary delights, beautiful décor, celebratory merchandise, and more
2022 is the Year of the Tiger at the Lunar New Year festival. So naturally, Tigger will join in on the fun, along more Disney characters including Mulan and Mushu, Mickey and Minnie, the Three Little Pigs and more, all donning their festive attire.
Adding to the excitement of Lunar New Year, Raya from “Raya and the Last Dragon” will be appearing for the very first time at Disneyland Resort during the celebration. You'll be able to see Raya in a setting inspired by her native Kumandra, recreated in the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.
The popular show “Mulan’s Lunar New Year Procession” will return. This bright and bold performance hosted by Mulan and her faithful dragon, Mushu honors family, friendship, and the potential for a fortune-filled new year. Live musical entertainment will also be there at the Paradise Garden Bandstand.
The Sip and Savor Pass will also be back, for extra enjoyment as you taste your way through the four Lunar New Year marketplaces, all featuring delicious Asian cuisine. Plus, there will also be special Lunar New Year-inspired food and drink offerings at select dining locations throughout the park.
The Lucky Wishing Wall and craft activities will also back at this year’s celebration.
The Lucky Wishing Wall and craft activities will also back at this year’s celebration.
Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival, March 4 – April 26, 2022
Get ready for a taste of what you’ve been missing at the Disney California Adventure Food & Wine Festival! Explore California regions and neighborhoods in a number of ways, from the delicious culinary offerings, to the vibrant entertainment, fun festival merchandise and more.
Complimentary culinary demonstrations with local, celebrity and Disney chefs will return on Saturdays and Sundays during the festival. And for those looking to enhance their festival experience, special signature events will also be available to book and purchase, including the Carthay Circle Winemaker Receptions, and Wine, Beer and Mixology Education & Tasting Seminars.
Entertainment will fill the festival’s stages, with live musical performances at the Palisades Stage and Paradise Gardens Bandstand, visits with Chef Goofy and friends, and craft activities.
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