Like any true food lover, I am prone to some fairly strong cravings every once in a while… okay, pretty often.  For people like me, Disney World is a food lover’s oasis.  With literally hundreds of eating opportunities, the property offers a veritable smorgasbord of edible delights; all of which feed my need to satisfy my culinary passions.  Not unlike most visitors to Walt Disney World Resort, my husband and I plan and look forward to enjoying all the attractions, shows, tours and special events we can while there.  Beyond a basic scheme for taking in those more obvious adventures, he and I go to great lengths to create a thorough strategy for how, when and where we will indulge in all our favorite WDW foods while still allowing time and tummy space to try new treats and cuisine specialties, too.  I am not joking when I say thorough; I am only slightly ashamed to admit, I have made spreadsheets.  While working on the plan for our upcoming trip to WDW, it hit me, my husband and I cannot be the only food lovers whose idea of a great vacation involves an epic effort to satisfy our cravings.  It occurred to me that it would be great fun, as well as informative, to start a dialogue with fellow foodies to assist each other in our mutual efforts to seek, find, and partake of the wide array of fare at WDW.  So, the blog plan is to feature a particular craving and see where it takes us. While I do have knowledge I feel duty bound to share with other food lovers, my motives behind this are not entirely altruistic.  I am hoping that you, WDWRadio blog readers, will share how and where you satisfy the “featured craving”, which will, of course, alert me to new eating opportunities.

The first craving—cookies!  Though I do long for a warm, gooey cookie from time-to-time, I chose this topic because my husband is known for his insatiable appetite for cookies.  Because of this, his favorite place in all of Walt Disney World is the Magic Kingdom’s Main Street Bakery.  When he is there, all is copacetic in his world.  Unfortunately, during our upcoming trip, the Bakery will be closed for refurbishment—news he has not yet learned.  I am picturing gloom and despair.  In order to avert almost certain disappointment, I have been recalling and researching where he can satisfy his cookie cravings.  I am hoping you can help me.  Here is what I know so far:

• The Writer’s Stop—This Disney Hollywood Studios merchandise and food site has several types of classic cookies, but it is best-known for the delectable Carrot Cake Cookie.  Not for the faint of heart, this large sandwich cookie boasts two lusciously moist, spicy rounds, which are held together by decadent, fluffy buttercream frosting.
• Staring Rolls Café— Also found in Disney Hollywood Studios, this dining location has assorted cookies; however, it is perhaps better known for its dessert selections.
• The Karamell- Küche—Situated in EPCOT’s World Showcase, this German Pavilion candy shop has not found a food it will not pair with caramel.  Of course, cookies are no exception.  The enormous glass case of sweet treats includes a Carmel Apple Oatmeal Cookie, a Peanut Butter Caramel Crunch Cookie, and a Caramel Filled Chocolate Cookie.  The richness of the third brought on a moment I thought I would never see.  My husband was only able to finish one!
• The Boardwalk Bakery—I have learned that this Disney’s Boardwalk Inn quick-service restaurant does offer several cookies.  However not having previously eaten there, I would appreciate insights on varieties as well as the cookie of choice.

For his sake and mine, please share your knowledge of other WDW cookie hotspots.  What is your favorite cookie there and where can it be found?  I am sure he will waist little time seeking out and trying every single one (… or two… or a baker’s dozen).

Kendall began visiting Walt Disney World in 1991 with her family and has continued to visit the resort with her husband.  As a child, she and her family filled vacations with challenges such as “How many times can we ride Splash Mountain during SpectroMagic and the fireworks?” (Answer: 7)  Now, after marrying a converted Disney skeptic, she and her husband enjoy challenges such as “How many hours can we eat nonstop at the Food & Wine Festival?” (Answer: 4)

The post I Have a Craving for…. Disney Cookies! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #320 for the week of April 14, 2013.

As a Florida resident who was born and raised in New Jersey, I’m constantly on a quest for a little taste of home, including good, authentic pizza, and this week, my search has brought me to what many argue isn’t just the best pizza in Florida, but anywhere – Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. This week, we’ll do a live review of Via Napoli and sample not just their authentic neapolitan pizza, but take a culinary tour of Southern Italy – all while never leaving Walt Disney World.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay tuned for additional information and announcements at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello
http://LouMongello.com

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where do YOU think you can find the best Italian food in Walt Disney World? Leave your answer in the comments section below!

• Listen to this week’s episode for the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for a chance to win a Disney prize package!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

The post WDW Radio # 320 – Live Review of Via Napoli in Epcot, Disney Trivia Contest – Apr. 14, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

So here is the list of my favorite drinks in WDW!

Lapu Lapu – Taking the number one spot is my favorite drink which can be found at Kona Café at the Polynesian Resort. While it is a little pricy at around $13, this drink is strong, presented in a fabulous way, and tastes amazing! The Lapu Lapu features Meyer’s original dark rum and tropical fruit juices served in a fresh pineapple and topped with Bacardi 151. I fist tried this drink several trips ago after being enthralled by a picture I found of it online. While I usually dislike pineapple and rum, I decided to at least try the drink and was more than pleasantly surprised! Plus, I can’t get enough of the presentation in a fresh pineapple!

Mezzacorona Pinot Grigio – This is actually my favorite wine to drink at any time, not only when visiting WDW. Last year, I was able to purchase a glass from the Italy booth at the Epcot Food & Wine Festival. The glass was reasonably priced around $6 and was as always, delicious. If you are a fan of Pinot Grigio, I encourage you to try this one as it is my favorite not only for taste, but also price. (You can find it in New York at Stew Leonard’s Liquor Stores for around $12 a bottle on sale!) I really hope they will be featuring Mezzacorona again at this year’s Food & Wine Festival!

Safari Amber – This beer is offered in essentially every dining location throughout the Animal Kingdom. It’s brewed by Anheuser-Busch specifically for the Animal Kingdom and is reasonably priced around $6. It offers a relatively mild taste, not too hoppy and not too bitter, and is pretty refreshing with a lot of the offerings in the park (especially the food at Flame Tree Barbeque.) The best part- the awesome giraffe tap that each dining location features! Doesn’t it look delicious in the picture on the right!

Blood Orange Margarita – If you love margaritas, then a stop at Cava del Tequila is a necessity during your WDW vacation. Offering tons of delicious options, the Blood Orange Margarita is my favorite, and usually offered at around $12. The drink features EL Mayor Premium Silver tequila, Triple Sec, blood orange juice, and hibiscus syrup and is rimmed with Himalayan salt. This drink is a wonderful balance of flavors and is a favorite of mine because the offering is so unique. I would definitely recommend stopping by Cava del Tequila one day and sampling it!

Neige Premiere Apple Ice Wine – This ice wine was another offering at last year’s Epcot Food & Wine Festival. Located at the Canada booth, this ice wine was pricey ($5.25 for a relatively small glass) but it made more than made up for the price in taste. You can see the size of the glass in comparison to Food & Wine offerings in the picture on the left. It was sweet, strong in apple flavor, and overall absolutely delicious. It was also a nice treat as ice wine in general can be very pricey, so this was a great opportunity to be able to sample it without having to commit to an expensive bottle.

Avocado Margarita – For the final drink on my list, we are returning once again to Cava del Tequila! I’m such a fan of margaritas and the drinks there are just so delicious I couldn’t help but include it twice on my list. The Avocado Margarita is definitely the most unique drink on the list and perhaps one of the most unique ones on property and is priced around $13. It features El Mayor Premium Silver tequila, melon liqueur, fresh avocado, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice and is rimmed in hibiscus Himalayan salt. I personally love avocados, and this drink does a wonderful job of balancing the flavor of both margaritas and fresh avocados in a way in which neither are overpowering, but rather perfectly balanced to offer a delicious and unique drink. If you love avocados or are feeling adventurous, I would definitely recommend this drink!

So there you have it, my favorite drinks in all of WDW! As I said, I am frolicking in Disney as we speak (and probably drinking something listed above!), so I would love to hear from you with some recommendations of other drinks to try!

Cheers!

What’s your favorite drink in WDW? What drink should I try next? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: The Best Drinks in WDW appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- New Spice Road Table restaurant in Morocco in Epcot World Showcase
- Ridley Pearson Kingdom Keepers VI book signing in Downtown Disney
- Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort named most iconic Orlando restaurant by Zagat
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Have you ever eaten at Victoria and Albert’s? Tell us about your experience in the Comments!

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Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at http://WDWRadioLIVE.com for a LIVE interactive video news show covering Walt Disney World. Be a part of the broadcast and discussion and discuss the news real-time in the chat room.

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: WDW NewsCast – New Epcot Restaurant, Ridley Pearson and Kingdom Keepers VI, Victoria & Albert’s – April 3, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Join us for the WDW Radio Disney Meet of the Month, a casual gathering of friends and listeners (bring the whole family!) IN Walt Disney World.

- Date: Saturday, April 20, 2013
- Time: 1:30pm-3:00pm
- Location: Japan, Epcot – Katsura Grill upper level seating area

Come by to make and meet some new friends, or catch up with old ones! Grab a bite to eat, get your free giveaways, and enjoy the Epcot Flower & Garden Festival (and saty to see The Village People as part of the Flower Power Concert Series later that night!). Anyone and EVERYONE is invited!

You can also RSVP (not required) on our Facebook Event Page

Hope to see you there!

- Lou Mongello

The post WDW Radio Meet of the Month – Saturday, April 20, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

The Coral Reef Restaurant is a popular table service location, so I recommend making reservations as soon as you begin planning your vacation. As with any table service location in Disney World, you can make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADRs) up to 180 days prior to your vacation. Many restaurants fill up extremely quickly, especially for the most popular meal times, so be sure to book early. If you find that you cannot obtain a reservation for any restaurant at the time you want, try booking either a late lunch or an early dinner. More reservations are usually available at those times as they are less popular than the usual meal hours. If you do not have a reservation, but decide while in the parks that you would like to try a restaurant, speak to either the Concierge at your resort or the Dining Booth at any of the parks. They will be able to secure a reservation for you on that day if there are any available.

Once you have your reservation for the Coral Reef Restaurant, plan to arrive at least twenty minutes early. I suggest this since you can request upon arrival to be seated against the salt water tanks offering a completely unobstructed view of the sea creatures. While this seating request cannot be guaranteed, you have a much better chance of being seated there if you request it early. Don’t worry if you cannot get a table against the tanks, the restaurant is set up so that tables are arranged in tiers, offering each table of diners a fantastic view of the sea creatures and coral. It is also a great idea to get to the restaurant early as there are some gorgeous undersea decorations and color motifs in the waiting area to check out before being seated. My favorite features are the lights behind the check-in desk that look like giant squids and are lit with wonderful tropical colors.

Once you are ready to be seated, the hostess brings you down a small staircase and into the main dining room. Immediately you are taken aback by the enormous tanks as they are truly the focal point of the room. This 5.7 million gallon tank is over 200 feet wide and 27 feet deep and houses over 4,000 different sea creatures. It is the largest inland saltwater environment ever built and it holds enough water to fill over fifty Olympic-sized swimming pools! Once you are seated, be sure to make use of the “Coral Reef Restaurant Fish Guide.” Inside is a comprehensive list featuring a picture and small piece of information about each sea creature inside the tank. See how many you can identify throughout your meal! My favorite creatures in the tank are the giant sea turtles and the sting rays. These two creatures can frequently be seen making laps throughout the tank and thus will pass by your vantage point multiple times throughout your meal. One of the great things about these tanks and the beautiful creatures within is that they make the restaurant appeal to guests on many different levels. Not only do children enjoy finding the sea creatures, but adults can also find the ambiance to be romantic. So no matter what your motive for dining in the Coral Reef Restaurant, you will be sure to be satisfied.

After you have enjoyed the tanks for a few minutes and are able to tear your eyes away from the spectacular views, it’s time for the most important part of any meal at Disney- choosing your meal! Appetizers include Crispy-fried Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Creamy Lobster Soup, and a Field Greens and Endive Salad. I recommend the Caesar Salad served with parmesan cheese and croutons for this course. The entrees offered include Pan-Seared Sustainable Catch, Coral Reef Lobster Orecchiette Pasta, Seared Chicken Breast, Grilled New York Strip Steak, and Orange Ginger-Glazed Scottish Salmon. As I do not eat seafood, I recommend the Grilled New York Strip Steak which is served with roasted potatoes, mushroom spinach, and red wine sauce. It is delicious!

For dessert, the menu offers the ever-popular Chocolate Wave, Classic Vanilla Crème Brulee, Champagne Sabayon Tart, Baileys and Jack Daniel’s Mousse, and Orange Cheesecake. My choice from the dessert list is the Chocolate Wave which is served with raspberry gelato. Be sure to notify the restaurant or server if you are allergic to any foods or have a dietary restriction. Most always they will be able to accommodate you by substituting another item or creating a special dish just for you. While I love the Chocolate Wave, I am allergic to raspberry. My server was able to switch out the raspberry gelato for vanilla ice cream with no problem! Also offered at the Coral Reef Restaurant are some unique and delicious cocktails along with select beers and wines. There are two drinks that I would recommend- the Pinot Grigio from Italy and the Coral ‘Rita which is a margarita with Patron Anejo and Cointreau. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options including traditional sodas, root beer, and lemonade.

Did you know that after trying any dish at a table service restaurant in Disney World you can make the same dish at home? That’s right- you can easily obtain any recipe that you desire. Simply ask your server for the information card to fill out in order to receive the recipe. You will be asked to fill out a brief card with your contact information and within a few weeks the recipe will be sent to you! What a great way to recreate a little Disney magic at home after your vacation!

Overall, the Coral Reef Restaurant is one of my favorite places to dine on property due to the combination of its amazing views and ambiance and its delicious food. I love returning here time and time again as it never fails to disappoint. Since it’s based on living creatures, it is also guaranteed to never be the same experience twice (just like Kilimanjaro Safaris!). I highly recommend trying this restaurant as you are sure to have a great experience no matter what.

Do you love dining at the Coral Reef Restaurant? What are your favorite foods there? Have you ever had a special interaction with one of the sea creatures? Be sure to let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: Coral Reef Restaurant appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

- Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2013
- New Walt Disney World Maps 2013
- Annual Passholder Discounts
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort Refurb
- Walt Disney World iPod Touch MyMagic+ RFID turnstiles
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Will you be attending the Flower and Garden Festival this year? What’s your favorite part? – Leave your answers in the Comments below!

My apologies for the audio issues on this week’s show. It was a faulty setting and has been corrected. I appreciate your patience and understanding

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post WDW Radio LIVE – Epcot Flower and Garden Festival 2013 – March 6, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

“Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection,” which opens March 8, draws from an extensive collection of rare art, documents, books and artifacts amassed by philanthropists Bernard and Shirley Kinsey, who share a passion for African-American history.

Their private collection has been displayed throughout the U.S., including in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. Approximately 40 pieces will be on display for Epcot guests at any given time on a rotating basis during the exhibit run.

“We always wanted to extend the reach of the Collection to a larger, more international and diverse audience,” explained Bernard Kinsey. “So we are delighted to be collaborating with Disney to share the stories of our remarkable ancestors.”

Overseeing the collection is the Kinseys’ son, Khalil, whose school-age curiosity inspired his parents to build their collection.

The exhibit – themed to hope, belief, courage, imagination and heritage – provides optimistic and empowering stories from American history from voices that are not commonly seen or heard. Art and artifacts pay homage to African-Americans who helped build and transform a nation. Their stories of determination and courage, from the nation’s early days to the present, are at the heart of the exhibit.

To enrich the immersive storytelling experience of the exhibit, Walt Disney Imagineers added interactive displays in which Epcot guests can deepen their knowledge of the American heritage that the Kinsey holdings represent. Epcot guests will be able to use touch screens placed throughout the exhibit to further explore the art, artifacts and history. Guest-activated lanterns will help bring the history to life, with narration provided by Academy Award-winner Whoopi Goldberg (“The View”), Diane Sawyer (“ABC World News with Diane Sawyer”), and actors Chandra Wilson & James Pickens, Jr. (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Kerry Washington (“Scandal”), Zendaya Coleman & Roshon Fegan (“Shake It Up”), China Anne McClain (“A.N.T. Farm”), Tyrel Jackson Williams (“Lab Rats”).

“We are thrilled to bring the Kinsey Collection to Epcot guests,” said Jim MacPhee, senior vice president, Walt Disney World Parks. “Epcot is such a rich cultural tapestry that it serves as the perfect showcase for this powerful collection, with its celebration of the human spirit.”

Among highlights of each themed gallery:

HOPE

• By age 19, Phillis Wheatley became internationally known as the first African-American ever to publish a book of poetry (1773).  She wrote poetry about hope and freedom and is now known as The Mother of African American Literature. (Document on display: Phyllis Wheatley’s first book).
• Other Hope Gallery highlights: Samuel Francis Smith, My Country ‘Tis of Thee lyrics (1895); “Untitled,” Hughie Lee Smith (1951); Almanack, Benjamin Banneker (1796)

COURAGE

• Harriet Jacobs, an enslaved young black woman often called an “American Anne Frank” stayed seven years in a tiny attic until she could escape to freedom. She later chronicled her story in an autobiography. (Document on display: Harriet Jacobs’ book, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, 1862)
• Other Courage Gallery highlights: Sea Island Woman, fiber art, Bisa Butler (2006); Loss, sculpture, Michael Chukes (1998);

BELIEF

• In 1870, only seven years after Emancipation, Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African-American to represent Mississippi in the U.S. Senate. Josiah Walls became the first African-American to represent Florida in the House of Representatives. (Document on display: “Senator Hiram Rhodes Revels Cabinet Card Photograph”)
• Other Belief Gallery highlights: Buffalo Soldiers Parade Flag (1889); What Mrs. Fisher Knows About Old Southern Cooking, Abby Fisher (1881); A Negro Explorer at the North Pole, Matthew Henson book (1912) and article.

IMAGINATION

• Alain Locke not only became the first African-American Rhodes scholar in 1907, but his book “The New Negro” helped inspire the Harlem Renaissance, a period in American culture that produced artists, musicians, writers and thinkers that showed the world how American greatness comes from all of its citizens. (Document on display: The Negro in Art, by Alain Locke).
• Other Imagination Gallery highlights: Harmon Foundation Catalogs (1931-1935); American Beach Negro Ocean Playground, Florida – Steel plaque (1930); “Untitled” (Kadir Nelson, 1992)

HERITAGE

• History can be shared through many types of artifacts. Sometimes it’s as simple as a timeworn letter written by Carrie Kinsey (Bernard’s cousin) to President Roosevelt. Or an old sewing machine passed down through generations by Shirley’s grandmother, Susie Plummer Pooler. (Document on display: “Letter to President Roosevelt,” by Carrie Kinsey)
• Other Heritage Gallery highlights: Bill of Sale-William Johnson (1832); Schedule of Over 500 Slaves (1820); Sewing Machine (1900), Susie Plummer Pooler

The American Adventure pavilion is in the heart of the World Showcase area of Epcot. “Re-Discovering America: Family Treasures from the Kinsey Collection” is included in Epcot admission. For more: http://thekinseycollection.com

We are delighted by this collection and will be starting a series soon about the different exhibits on display in the nations of World Showcase.  Tell us your thoughts on these cultural displays in Epcot:

The post Where Art and History Intersect: Epcot Welcomes the Kinsey Collection PLUS A World Showcase POLL appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- Adventurers Outpost on Discovery Island in Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Oz: The Great and Powerful in Epcot
- Joffrey’s coffee in Walt Disney World and Disneyland
- Disney TRYit in Epcot during Flower and Garden Festival
- And more!

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: WDW NewsCast – Oz in Epcot, Adventurers Outpost, Joffrey’s, Disney TRYit at Flower and Garden – Feb. 20, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Jens Dahlmann, executive chef for Epcot, said in the blog,  “For some dishes, we found fun and interesting ways to present them, like the ‘Frushi’ [fruit sushi] for example, while other dishes such as the Watermelon Salad combine a familiar fruit paired with the unusual tastes of arugula and feta cheese, making it a whole new experience.”

As a parent of three notoriously picky eaters (and yes, I admit, I am a picky eater as well.  I was the one who ordered chicken nuggets while dining with Lou and Tony in Morocco!)  I am really excited about the idea of there being small-portion dishes that give my children the opportunity to “try it” without the risk of buying an entree that after one bite receives a twisted look and a decree of “gross.”  I am thinking we can purchase single item and allow all 3 children to try a bite.  I’m also planning to review the items in advance with them and have them make predictions about their favorite items and then rate them after trying each bite.  It will be our own version of Top Chef–”Top Chef: Disney Kid Edition!”  (Though I’m telling you now–I hold out very little hope for the beet lollipop!)

Below is a list of the items that will be offered as part of the TRYit program.  Which do you think your children will like most?  I’ll have my children start with the top vote getters first, and we will report back!

And let’s hear from our younger Disney fans!  Which do YOU want to try?  Ask mom or dad and with their help, post your thoughts in the comments below!

The post ‘TRYit’ Tastes for Kids at EPCOT Flower & Garden: Which Will YOUR Kids Try?? appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.