REVIEW: “Decadent Delights” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover the “Decadent Delights” kiosk, which is located at the front of World Showcase, just off to the right side towards the Canada pavilion.

Decadent Delights

REVIEW: "Decadent Delights" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Crisp Caramel Chocolate Mousse Bar, Flavored Merengue Kisses and Passion Fruit Sauce – $6.75
  • Dark Chocolate S’mores: Homemade Graham Cracker, Vanilla Kisses and White Chocolate “Fire” – $6.50
  • Deconstructed Purple Sweet Potato Pie, Salted Caramel, Bourbon-soaked Cake and Marshmallow Whipped Cream – $6.50
  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie – $5.50

Beverages:

  • Cherry Heering Liqueur – $10.50
  • Courvoisier V.S.Cognac – $10.50
  • Ferreira 10 Year Old Port – $10.50
  • Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

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Deconstructed Purple Sweet Potato Pie, Salted Caramel, Bourbon-soaked Cake and Marshmallow Whipped Cream – $6.50

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This was, far and away, the strangest dessert I have ever had at Walt Disney World. I think this is what astronauts eat for dessert. It’s made from this strange, gelatinous, purple mousse that tastes like sweet potato pie, but the texture is very much like toothpaste (and no, I don’t eat toothpaste). The flavor wasn’t bad, but I’m not sure I could deal with the texture of it again. Can I order just a bourbon-soaked cake?

Dark Chocolate S’mores: Homemade Graham Cracker, Vanilla Kisses and White Chocolate “Fire” – $6.50

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The S’mores dish was solid and a good option if you enjoy dark chocolate over marshmallow. It wasn’t the greatest S’mores dessert I have ever had, but it was rather enjoyable.

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There’s nothing really crazy about it, it’s just a dark chocolate dome and cake, with marshmallow and a graham cracker crust, but enjoyable nonetheless.

Crisp Caramel Chocolate Mousse Bar, Flavored Merengue Kisses and Passion Fruit Sauce – $6.75

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My personal favorite from this booth was the Chocolate Mousse Bar, and not just because it looked like something from Tiffins. The mousse bar itself was perfect (rich, chocolate flavor), and the various accompaniments all paired well with a with of the bar.

Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie – $5.50

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I was thoroughly surprised by how good this cookie was, but also the time that went into making it is impressive. When we got the cookie, the “paint puddles” were not all dripping down the cookie, but carefully placed by a chef at the booth upon ordering. Every item at this festival requires some time to prepare for perfect presentation, and even this jumbo chocolate chip cookie is no exception. If you are in the mood for a chocolate chip cookie, this will hit the spot.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Woman Controversially Brings Pet Monkey to Meet Pluto at Disney World

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

I have seen my fair share of outrageous guests at Disney World in the 28 years I have been visiting. I have seen inappropriate t-shirts, scantily clad women, grownups in full blown character costumes, and even a woman with a “service” squirrel dining with her at Katsura Grill, but nothing may have been stranger than the lady who brought a monkey in a diaper (traveling in a stroller) to Epcot this weekend.

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A pet monkey, not part of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts I think…

Not only was this monkey being wheeled around in a stroller and wearing a diaper, but the monkey got to meet Pluto while at Epcot.

Now, since I posted pictures and videos of the incident, we have been bombarded with angry feedback from guests who are upset that a service or therapy monkey was allowed into a Walt Disney World theme park. Technically, per the rules of theme park entry, this type of creature is not allowed in the Walt Disney World theme parks, even if they have certification for it. A monkey qualifies as a wild creature and for the safety of surrounding guests, simply should not be allowed in.

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Now, I did not try to get an answer from Disney on the situation (I doubt they would talk to me anyway), but it seems that the monkey shouldn’t have been allowed in, but some sort of special exception was made. I highly doubt that a monkey was smuggled into Epcot, especially with security procedures as they are now.

What do you think? Should the monkey have been allowed in?

International Poster For “Beauty And The Beast” Shows A Slightly Different Look

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

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This international poster from Portugal is a slightly different version from the official domestic poster for “Beauty And The Beast”. As you can see below, Belle has a different pose and the human characters have been replaced with castle architecture in order to focus on Belle entering the castle for the first time and being greeted by Lumuiere, Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts and Chip (in a small change of positions). The castle has also switched sides to now be on Belle’s side.

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“Beauty And The Beast” opens March 17th.

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “El Artista Hambriento” (which translates to the Hungry Artist for those wondering) kiosk, which is located towards the Mexico pavilion in World Showcase, just before the bridge to La Cantina de San Angel.

El Artista Hambriento

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Choriqueso Taco served with Chihuahua Cheese, Red and Green Peppers over a Corn Tortilla and garnished with Poblano Peppers and Micro Cilantro – $6.95
  • Flank Steak Huarache served with Black Beans, Salsa de Chile de Arbol, Frisee Lettuce, Queso Fresco, Red Cabbage, Shredded Carrots and Chipotle Mayo – $8.50

Beverages

  • Passion Fruit Coconut Margarita – $13.75
  • Mandarin Ginger Margarita – $14.25

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Choriqueso Tacos – $6.95

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I usually do not enjoy food or drink items from this booth (which has existed under different names at other Epcot festivals and remained standing with other options in-between the events), but these tacos were fantastic. Yes, it is a little on the ams size for the price, but these corn tortilla tacos covered in guacamole are just about perfect. This was one of, if not the best, food items we had at the entire event.

Flank Steak Huarache – $8.50

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

This dish wasn’t bad, but there’s no way to pick this up and utensils will have a hard time cutting through the flatbread. The steak was seasoned nicely, bit overall this was nothing special. For the price, this is actually one of the bigger festival entrees though.

Mandarin Ginger Margarita – $14.25

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

It’s hard to like a $14.25 margarita, but these margaritas were really fine. I’m still not entirely sure how they are getting away pricing these this way, but if you really want a margarita at Epcot, I’d choose the mandarin ginger flavor over the other option.

Passion Fruit Coconut Margarita – $13.75

REVIEW: “El Artista Hambriento” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

I ordered this margarita over the other because I typically enjoy a good coconut-flavored alcoholic drink. That being said, I am also not adverse to passion fruit, but I think this one was just too sweet for me (including the cinnamon sugar rim). I got about half way through before trading this Josh who ordered the Mandarin Ginger Margarita (isn’t he sweet?). Again, if you can feel good getting a margarita at these prices, go for it.

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Welcome to a food studio review for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, taking place in the park Friday-Monday from January 13th through February 20th, 2017. This review will cover “POP Eats!” kiosk, which is located at the front of World Showcase, just off to the right side towards the Canada pavilion.

POP Eats!

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00
  • Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50
  • Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25
  • Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00
  • Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

Beverages:

  • Cloudem Silver Sparkling Wine – $9.00, In a Souvenir Glass – $16.50
  • Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50
  • Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

This is the only booth that has the festival’s souvenir cup, available only with the sparkling wine.

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Sous Vide Venison with Butternut Squash Purée, Pomegranate Reduction, Pickled Turnip and Juniper Berry Powder (GF) – $7.50

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The vision was cooked well and tasted great, but some in our group felt there was too much salt on this dish. I thought that the butternut squash puree went nicely with it. If you like venison, this is a solid option, but it is nothing out of this world.

Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam (GF) – $6.00

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While a little on the strange side, the shrimp ceviche with lime mint foam was pretty good. The foam flavor doesn’t overpower anything in the dish and the shrimp tasted fresh. Not the best shrimp dish I’ve ever had, but not the worst either.

Almond Frangipane Cake layered with Raspberry Jam and Chocolate (V) – $4.25

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This dessert is brilliant in its simplicity. The chocolate icing, exquisitely moist cake, and raspberry jam mix for one of the best festival treats I have ever had. I know it probably sounds dumb to enjoy a fairly regular cake item at an event with rarer dining delicacies, but it was just made so perfectly. I will be ordering this over and over for the next few weeks.

Pop’t Art: Modern-design Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V) – $4.00

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This item is the same as the one we reviewed from the one offered at The Painter’s Palate, which we already reviewed, but with a different decorative icing on it.

It looks like a Pop Tart, but it’s a sugar cookie… I’m sure kids will like this, but this dessert just confuses me. It wasn’t bad, I’m just not sure why it exists. It even has a filling like a Pop Tart (chocolate hazelnut flavored) but again, it has the flavor of a sugar cookie filled with icing.

Goofy White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette – $6.50

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This is essentially the same as the Figment version which we reviewed already, but this version has Goofy featured on the white chocolate puzzle.

Perhaps the most fun item of the festival is this white chocolate Figment puzzle. Not only do you get to put the Puzzle together, but you can than create your own edible art with it. This should be something that any child will just have a blast making (and eating). Plus, how adorable is it?

The chocolate was of a good quality too, so you’ll be happy to know that it tastes as good as it looks.

This time, we were given a paint brush to decorate the chocolate, but the sprinkles and candy were simply thrown underneath instead of in little containers like the “paint”.

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Popping Bubbles Cocktail – $9.50

REVIEW: “POP Eats!” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

The Popping Bubbles cocktail is a dry sparkling wine with flavored “bubbles” dropped into it. That’s it. The wine itself wasn’t sweet, but whenever you get a sip with the “bubbles” in it, it makes the wine taste just way too sweet. This was just OK, but if you like a sweet wine, you will probably enjoy this.

Canada Pavilion Totem Poles Being Replaced

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

On January 20th, 2017, two new totem poles will be in place at the Canada pavilion at Epcot’s World Showcase. The process of replacing the original totems has already begun.

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The new totem poles are once again made by artist David Boxley, who produced the originals.

The Git Hoan dancers (People of the Salmon) will perform in a dedication ceremony for the new totems on the 20th, before performing for the Epcot International Festival of the Arts on the 21st and 22nd.

REVIEW: Figment’s Brush with the Masters Scavenger Hunt – Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Much in the same vein as the annual Egg Hunt and Remy’s Hide and Go Squeak at the Food and Wine Festival, Epcot’s new International Festival of the Art has a paid scavenger hunt event. This particular one features Figment, the park’s mascot of the last nearly 35 years, in a hunt through pieces of artwork hanging around the World Showcase area.

Maps are available at various locations around the park for $6.99 plus tax each. Various merchandise discounts are taken on this item, including the current 20% for Walt Disney World annual passholders.

Basically, Figment is hiding in art all around the World Showcase countries, and you’ll need to spot him if you are participating.

The map and stickers that one receives are very similar to the other hunt events that we mentioned above. As you find Figment in art, just take the corresponding art piece sticker and place it in the frame with the name of the country that you found it in.

Above are the stickers that you can apply to the map, featuring the art without Figment as not to spoil the surprise.

Upon completion, whether you finish or not actually, you can get a Figment art magnet. The is basically what you are paying $6.99 for, and there are four total that you can receive when you go with your purchased map to Disney Traders, located at the very front of the World Showcase promenade, just across from the Pluto meet and greet. It’s a pretty nice prize if you are a Figment fan and will probably have many of you purchasing four maps to collect them all.

Overall, this was my absolute favorite of all of these hunts that I have done (and I have done all of them over the years). The paintings are not super-easy to find, and the creation of witty and cute Figment versions of each of these real-world paintings is the kind of Disney details that we all crave from the parks. Kids and adults alike will have a tremendous amount of fun doing this, and for $6.99, it offers one of the cheapest activities (and souvenirs) that one can partake in at Walt Disney World. I can’t commend Disney enough for putting this together so masterfully for a really wonderful festival offering.

SPOILER WARNING!

For those of you who won’t be making it out to the festival (or hate surprises), I have included pictures below of all of the art with Figment hiding in it. Please also note the amazing Figment frame that some of the art comes in!

PHOTOS: Walt Disney World Adding Anti-Theft Devices to Theme Park Stores

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

In what has to be seen as a sign of the times, Walt Disney World is adding anti-theft measures to some theme park stores starting this week.

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MouseGear was the first store to receive these devices which indicate if a guest is leaving the store with an item that still has an anti-theft tag on it.

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You undoubtedly have seen these devices at your local mall, but this marks a milestone for Walt Disney World.

Anna Kendrick In Talks To Play Female Santa Claus In Disney’s “Nicole”

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

Anna Kendrick is in talks with Disney to play a female Santa Claus in the upcoming movie “Nicole”.

From The Wrap:

Anna Kendrick is in negotiations to star in Disney’s Nicole, a tale of a female Santa Claus.

Marc Lawrence is attached to direct, while Suzanne Todd, who worked with the studio on Alice in Wonderland, is producing.

Lawrence also wrote the script, whose details are being kept on ice. The twist, however, is that it is a holiday family adventure that centers on the coming of a female Santa.

Disney has done well in the past with tales of old St. Nick, having a hit franchise with the Tim Allen–starring Santa Clause trilogy, which launched in 1994.

Sources say Nicole is not a musical, but Kendrick may end up indulging her musical side.

Source: The Wrap