Author: Nate

New Food Offerings and Restaurant Updates at Disney Hollywood Studios

The chefs have at Disney’s Hollywood Studios have been been cooking up some delicious new dishes and we’re here to give you the latest new offerings and restaurant updates.

Starting today, ABC Commissary is offering a terrific new menu. From sandwiches and rice bowls to tasty tacos and returning favorites, this menu has it all!

Take a look at the yummy new additions below:

Sandwiches/Salads

California Burger (Plant-based) – Seared farm-fresh plant-based burger with Sriracha mustard, balsamic-glazed grilled peppers and onions, a “mayonnaise”-ketchup blend, lettuce, and tomato and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Chicken Club Sandwich – Marinated chicken breast on a toasted brioche bun with bacon, provolone cheese, guacamole, ranch dressing, lettuce, and tomato served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

NEW Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled sourdough toasted with buffalo chicken, Monterey, provolone, cheddar, cream cheese, side of buffalo sauce, and served with arugula-farro salad, steak fries, or apple slices

Mediterranean Salad with Chicken – Chicken breast served over mixed greens with tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, Kalamata olives, and feta tossed in Mediterranean vinaigrette served with hummus and flatbread

Tacos

NEW Pork Carnitas Tacos – Pork carnitas on flour tortillas with salsa verde, pickled onion, and radish served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Shrimp Tacos – Sautéed shrimp on flour tortillas with cabbage slaw, chipotle mayo, and mango salsa served with Mexican rice and black beans

Rice Bowls

NEW Curry Rice Bowl with Shrimp – Sautéed shrimp and vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

NEW Plant-based Curry Rice Bowl with Tofu – Pineapple-marinated tofu and sautéed vegetables with red curry sauce served with Jasmine coconut rice

Kid’s Options

NEW Kid’s Pork Taco – Pork carnitas on a flour tortilla served with Mexican rice and black beans

NEW Kid’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich – Grilled American cheese on sourdough served with choice of two sides.

NEW Kid’s Turkey Sandwich – Turkey sandwich served with choice of two sides.

Kid’s Uncrustable – Uncrustable served with choice of two sides.

There is Halloween fun for everyone at Minnie’s Halloween Dine at Hollywood & Vine. While it may look a little different than the last time you visited, what hasn’t changed is our chefs’ scary good food! Minnie’s Halloween Dine offers a three-course meal served at your table where you will be able to wave and snap photos of your favorite characters such as Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse, and their friends. Check out this monster of a feast!

Appetizers

Served with Warm Pull-apart Rolls and Butter

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Cornbread Croutons, and Homemade Smokehouse Ranch Dressing.

Plant-based Chopped Salad – Mixed Greens, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Red Onion, Focaccia Croutons, and Plant-based Ranch Dressing.

Entrées

Garlic and Cracked Black Pepper Prime Rib of Beef – Sour Cream-Chive Whipped Potatoes, Fried Brussels Sprouts, and Pearl Onions with Red Wine Jus.

Carved Herb-roasted Turkey Breast – Garlic-Red Skin Mashed Potatoes, Cornbread Stuffing, Sautéed Green Beans, Turkey Gravy, and Cranberry-Orange Relish.

Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp – Cavatappi Pasta, Four-Cheese Sauce, Shrimp, Crispy Bacon, and Buttered Panko Crust with Fennel and Arugula.

Seared Fresh Salmon – with Grain Mustard Beurre Blanc Olive Oil-crushed Fingerling Potatoes and Garlic-Lemon Broccolini.

Plant-based Pan-seared King Trumpet Mushrooms – Braised Lentils, Blistered Grape Tomatoes, Mushroom Ragù, Roasted Root Vegetables, and Marsala Mushroom Sauce.

Pork Osso Bucco – with Boursin Cheese Hominy Grits, Caramelized Apples, Lemon Gremolata, and Pork Reduction Gravy.

Desserts (Choose One)

Apple-Blueberry Pie – Baked Apples, Blueberries, Caramel, and Streuse.

Banana Cream Pie – Bananas, Cream, and Caramel Sauce.

Plant-based Cherry-Lemon Pie – Cherries with Lemon Drizzle.

Vanilla Crème Brûlée – Rich Custard with Caramelized Sugar.

Chocolate S’mores Pie – Dark Chocolate Mousse with Toasted Marshmallow Fluff and Graham Cracker Streusel.

Kid’s Menu Create-Your-Own Meal For Guests Ages 9 and Under

Appetizers (Choose One)

Farmhouse Tossed Salad Bowl

Plant-based Chopped Salad

Entrées (Choose One)

Seared Salmon

Roasted Turkey

Roast Beef

Macaroni & Cheese

Dessert (Choose One)

Fresh Fruit

Lemon Sorbet

Sundae

Apple Pie

October 8, 2020
Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf Reopening Next Month at Disney World

Winter is coming and Disney has announced that Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf will reopen to guests beginning Nov. 6 at Walt Disney World Resort.

Winter Summerland Miniature Golf offers two uniquely themed 18-hole courses, each with their own distinct musical soundtrack.

As the name suggests, the first course draws inspiration from the winter season, including snow castles and ice hockey rinks. The second course represents all things summer. Guests navigate surf boards, sand sculptures and even a melted snowman.

As Disney’s Winter Summerland Miniature Golf reopens next month, Disney’s Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf will close for the season on Nov. 5 and reopen on Jan. 31, 2021.

October 7, 2020
Disney Inspired Pumpkin-Carving Templates are Spooktacular
The spooky season is upon us and Disney has released some eerily awesome templates you can cut out and use to create your own expressive pumpkin.

With these Disney inspired pumpkin-carving templates, each varies in level of difficulty, from an easy Skeleton Mickey, to a moderate Princess Anna, to a complex Dr. Facilier.

Disney’s other Halloween pumpkin-carving templates feature favorite Disney characters for everyone at home. Take a closer look below for instructions and templates:
For templates on each of these designs, click here. And for step-by-step instructions, click here. Be sure to check out the terms of use before you download it.

Give any of the Disney-themed pumpkins a try – and show your Halloween masterpiece using the hashtags #DisneyMagicMoments and #DisneyHallowMoments.
October 6, 2020
VIDEO: Create a Poison Apple Pumpkin in 5 Easy Steps

Disney has released some frightfully fun instructions for a DIY poison apple pumpkin inspired by the classic film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.”

In just a few steps, you can scare up a not-so-scary favorite with just need a few items, including red paint, shaving cream and glue.

You’ll need to download the template here and check out the video and the step-by-step directions below:

After you give the poison apple pumpkin how-to a try you can show Disney your Halloween masterpiece using the hashtags #DisneyMagicMoments and #DisneyHallowMoments.

October 6, 2020
Character Dining Returning to Chef Mickey’s in December

Breakfast is returning at Chef Mickey’s restaurant in Disney’s Contemporary Resort on December 16, and Mickey Mouse and his best pals are bringing some new items to the menu inspired by their favorite dishes.

Along with traditional breakfast favorites, you will be able to try the new Mickey’s “Celebration” Pancake, featuring whipped cream, celebration sprinkles, shimmering pixie dust and more.

For something a bit more savory, we’re adding a new “Loaded” Potato-Cheese Casserole topped with smoked bacon crumbles and chives.

Last but not least, Goofy’s Banana Bread French Toast will combine unique flavors of banana bread baked in zesty orange-scented French toast batter, topped with Espresso-mascarpone cream, toasted bananas and chocolate crumbles.

If you can’t decide on which new item to try, you’ll be able to taste all three as part of an all-you-care-to-eat family style feast with other traditional breakfast favorites.

When Mickey and friends return, the experience may look a little different than the last time you visited, but you can still expect to smile, wave and make unforgettable memories with some of your favorite characters as they parade through the restaurant in their chef’s best.

Reservations for Chef Mickey’s character breakfast will open on October 17, based on availability. In addition, Disney Resort hotel guests can make reservations up to 60 days in advance plus the length of their stay (up to 10 days).

October 5, 2020
New Mickey Mouse Series Announced for Disney Junior

Oh boy! Disney Junior has announced that production has begun on new series called Mickey Mouse Funhouse.

Mickey Mouse Funhouse is described as “a whimsical animated series for preschoolers and their families” that features Mickey along with classic characters Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy and Pluto. The series, set to debut in 2021, also introduces Funny, an “enchanted talking playhouse who leads the Sensational Six” on imaginative adventures.”

The show, geared to kids ages 2-7 and their families, will feature two 11-minute stories along with dance break separating the two stories. The series aims to teach “imaginative play, encourage wish fulfillment and impart age-appropriate social and emotional lessons about friendship, creativity and ingenuity.”

“Preschoolers around the world love Mickey Mouse and friends, and we are eager to showcase these beloved characters as they are transported to magical new destinations in each episode, encouraging kids to expand their own worlds using their imaginations,” said Joe D’Ambrosia, senior vp original programming, and general manager at Disney Junior. “We can’t wait for our young audience to meet Funny, who is a dynamic and playful addition to the treasured world of Mickey Mouse.”

The show follows other animated adventures with Mickey on Disney Junior that have included Mickey and the Roadster Racers and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

October 4, 2020
Disney Cast Member Starts Food Pantry for Laid off Coworkers

Disney World has laid off thousands this week and one cast member has taken it upon herself to help fellow cast members in need by creating a pantry.

Disney cast member Emily Lartigue created The Cast Member Pantry, which has been set up in a storage unit and is exclusively for Disney workers. It’s stocked with items for ranging from groceries and toiletries to pet food.

“Cast Member Pantry makes it quick and easy to receive free food essentials once a month per Cast Member,” Lartigue says in a post on Facebook as you can see below:

Are you or a fellow cast member you know in need of groceries during this difficult time? Cast Member Pantry makes it…
Posted by Cast Member Pantry on Saturday, July 25, 2020

“To be able to give back to them and to help out our fellow cast is really special,” said Lartigue, who has been collecting food since March.

Disney workers who want to visit the pantry to pick up food will need to schedule an appointment and can do so by sending an email to castmemberpantry@gmail.com. The pantry is doing appointment times in 15-minute increments to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

Even though the pantry is just for Disney workers, others can still help. People have shown their support by donating money and non-perishable food.

October 3, 2020
Disneyland asks Gov. Newsom not to Finalize Theme Park Reopening Plans Yet

California was poised to release its theme park reopening guidelines amid the continuing coronavirus pandemic, but now Disneyland and other theme parks are asking Gov. Gavin Newsomnot to finalize COVID-19 health and safety reopening guidelines without first working with the industry.

Disneyland was originally slated to reopen July 17, a week after Disney World, but that plan was scuttled after coronavirus cases began spiking in California, labor groups argued it was too soon to reopen and California theme parks waited for state guidance.

But Disneyland, which has learned from the reopening of Disney World in Florida and its other parks around the world, and other California parks have indicated they’re ready to reopen as soon as they get the green light from the state.

Though California theme parks have urged Gov. Gavin Newsom to “expeditiously” let them reopen after closures of more than six months, the expected guidance from the state –based on seeing it in draft form – isn’t fully in line with what they had in mind, according to Erin Guerrero, executive director of California Attractions and Parks Association, which represents popular theme parks like Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm and Legoland.

“We ask the Governor not to finalize guidance for amusement parks before engaging the industry in a more earnest manner, listening to park operators’ expertise, and collaborating with the industry on a plan that will allow for amusement parks to reopen responsibly while still keeping the health and safety of park employees and guests a top priority,” Guerrero said in a statement.

Guerrero said theme park leaders saw an initial draft of state guidance Thursday.

“While we are aligned on many of the protocols and health and safety requirements, there are many others that need to be modified if they are to lead to a responsible and reasonable amusement park reopening plan,” she said.

But state officials say they’re seeking input from stakeholders while making sure the plans keep safety front and center.

“Our Blueprint for a Safer Economy is driven by data and science to keep the risk of COVID-19 transmission low, and this upcoming guidance will be no exception,” California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly said in a statement. “Given the size and operational complexities of these unique sectors, we are seeking additional input from health, workforce and business stakeholders to finalize this important framework – all leading with science and safety.”

October 2, 2020
Disney’s The Haunted Mansion Board Game Materializing in Time for Halloween
Whenever candlelights flicker where the air is deathly still it may be family game night and Funko has just released a new board game called The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits that is perfect for foolish mortals.

The haunted new game allows you to explore all the classic rooms of the ghost-infested manor, from the festivities-filled Ballroom to the Attic and out to the Graveyard and beyond in search of spirits. Beware, though, of the Hitchhiking Ghosts, who are notorious for “following you home” as that may spell your doom in the end!

Take a look at the features and details below:
- Socialize with the Happy Haunts by collecting matching sets of ghost cards.
- Explore all the classic rooms of the ghost-infested manor, from the festivities-filled Ballroom to the Attic and out to the Graveyard and beyond in search of spirits.
- Beware of the Hitchhiking Ghosts, who are notorious for “following you home” as that may spell your doom in the end!
- Move around the mansion by rotating the Endless Hallway around Madame Leota’s Séance Room, collecting Ghost cards in front of them in sets, each of which are worth different point values.
The Haunted Mansion: Call of the Spirits board game launched September 30th on Amazon and at Walmart for $24.97.
October 1, 2020
New Coca-Cola and Disney World Collection Now Available at Disney Springs

The Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs has a new exclusive collection that blends Coca-Cola and Disney World together in a refreshing new way.

The product developers were inspired by the timeless appeal and youthful optimism both brands represent and the design approach is all about bold simplicity—celebrating the iconic Mickey Mouse icon with the Coca-Cola script logo – where the world’s favorite soft drink meets the happiest place on earth.

You’ll find just about anything you might be looking for in the collection including a wide variety of t-shirts, sweatshirts, drinkware, hats, keychains, and more as you can see below:

From the opening of Disneyland on July 17, 1955, Disney and Coca-Cola began their partnership on Main Street, U.S.A when Coca-Cola sponsored the Refreshment Corner. The partnership continued to expand to Walt Disney World Resort at Magic Kingdom Park with their own Refreshment Corner (now Casey’s Corner). A few years later in 1982, Coca-Cola became the exclusive supplier of carbonated beverages at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts and now the partnership has only continued to grow to other Disney Parks around the world.

Fast-forward to 2020 and the Coca-Cola Store at Disney Springs has become a guest-favorite destination and one of my favorite spots on property. If you haven’t stopped in before, this store is a must-stop for any shopper! The building is modeled after a 1920’s bottling plant and is filled with unique branded gear including their eco-conscious 5by20 collection, which includes handcrafted items from female artisans around the world.

You’ll also find merchandise that pays homage to other popular Coca-Cola drinks including Sprite and Fanta just to name a few and even a new line of exclusive Coca-Cola Loungefly bags and wallets.

September 30, 2020