REVIEW: Hot Chocolate Ganache with Bailey’s, The Ganachery at Disney Springs

The Ganachery at Disney Springs is now offering a Hot Chocolate Ganache with Bailey’s.

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Hot Ganache with Bailey’s ($9)

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It’s unbelievably creamy and rich, exactly what we’ve come to expect from Ganachery. It’s topped with crunchy beads and whipped cream making for a thicker sip to begin with.

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The chocolate is warm without being overly hot, the Baileys poured in at the exact right time to be heated when you receive the drink. We recommend stirring the whipped cream right into the drink to make it a frothy mixture. At $9, this stands FAR above the offerings at Hollywood Studios, which come off as watery imitations of a potential real hot chocolate. Don’t miss this one, it’s a real treat.

Also, starting 11/25, the s’mores will return, this time though, it will be gingerbread.

Disney Springs Introducing Hands-Free Shopping This Holiday Season

Starting this week, guests at Disney Springs can take advantage of a hands-free shopping experience.

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With any purchase a guest makes at a participating location, guests may request that the items be tagged to be retrieved later. The guest is then given a ticket so they can retrieve their purchases from the Disney Springs Welcome Center anytime before 11pm.

Disney Springs has not offered a package pickup system of this kind in recent memory, but the Walt Disney World Theme Parks do.

Hidden Holiday Treasures at the Walt Disney World Resort

By Barbara Cash, Small World Big Fun Disney Authorized Travel Agent

So you are going to Disney World during the holiday season but, for whatever reason, you didn’t purchase tickets to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party in the Magic Kingdom. No worries! There is so much to see and do at Disney World to get into the holiday spirit.

Below are some “insider” tips and advice for things to do that are not always included in the standard maps and guides.  If you have any questions you can contact me anytime!

  1. Check out the resorts. Every Disney resort will be decked out in their themed holiday splendor. The Grand Floridian has a huge gingerbread house and a five-story Christmas tree.  Many nights, the deluxe resorts also have characters in the lobby taking pictures with guests and signing autographs.  Last year, after finishing dinner at ‘Ohana at The Polynesian, my family was greeted by Mickey and Minnie in the lobby decked out in their Hawaiian holiday attire. Most of these activities aren’t listed in map guides or schedule sheets. These are just special moments guests happen upon while visiting Disney World.
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  2. Visit Disney Springs. Grab a hot chocolate from Ghirardelli’s and take a stroll through the Disney-themed Christmas trees along the Trail of Trees. If you need to wrap up your holiday shopping, the options are almost limitless!  There is no cost to visit Disney Springs.  Take a stroll, have a snack, and take in all the decorations.
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  3. Explore the holiday decorations in the parks. At Epcot, Chip & Dale’s Christmas Tree Spree is a fun scavenger hunt around World Showcase. Be sure to visit the Santas Around the World and learn a little about his history and traditions in other countries.  In Hollywood Studios, there are special fireworks and throwback decorations from earlier eras.
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  4. Last but not least… the food!  The special treats at Disney World are always great but they are completely over the top during the holiday season. Everything from Christmas-themed caramel apples to the Holiday Waffle featured at the Holiday Marketplace in Epcot – It’s a sweet potato waffle base stuffed with roast turkey and topped with green bean casserole!
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The holiday season is a special time at Disney World.  You can visit resorts, take in the decorations at the theme parks, happen upon special groups sharing their cheer, and have some fantastic treats that are beyond the usual at Disney World.  Don’t let the lack of a party ticket keep you from getting into holiday cheer.

Barbara Cash is an Agent with WDWNT’s Exclusive Disney Travel Partner – Small World Big Fun. You can learn more about Barbara here

UPDATE: The Opening of The Edison at Disney Springs Now Set for 2018

The Edison, the long-delayed Disney Springs establishment in The Landing, will now open in 2018.

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The positive note is that the opening is set for January 1st, 2018, but nonetheless pushes the opening another calendar year beyond the original, intended opening of 2016.

In case you have forgotten what The Edison is, Eater describes it as follows:

With a theme that centers around a “1920s-period electric company,” the restaurant will ‘’recall an exuberant era of invention and imagination.” The “industrial gothic” space will have 35-foot ceilings and a number of themed areas like “The Tesla Lounge,” “The Radio Room,” and “The Patent Office.” The Edison in Florida will be quite similar to its sister location in Los Angeles. As for the menu, the restaurant will serve classic American food and craft cocktails. For entertainment, there will be live music, cabaret performances, contortionists, palm readers, and DJs. The Edison is a bit saucier than other venues at Disney Springs and definitely not child friendly. It appears to be part of an effort to draw in an older (and perhaps childless) crowd.

PHOTOS: D-Living at Disney Springs is Now The “Ever After Jewelry Co.”

Despite saying D-Living in the Town Center at Disney Springs would return, the store is actually coming back as something completely different.

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The “Ever After Jewelry Co.” store is set to open today at Disney Springs, “featuring Disney-inspired gifts that glitter and shine, with brands like PANDORA Jewelry, ALEX AND ANI, and Dooney & Bourke to name a few”. Many of these retailers already have separate stores at Disney Springs, but this will bring all of their Disney-related product under one roof.

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Disney’s Ever After Jewelry Co. Opens at Disney Springs

Opening today at Disney Springs, located in the Town Center next door to Uno de 50, the Ever After Jewelry Co. features Disney designs from well known jewelry and purse makers.

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The store carries product from ALEX AND ANI, PANDORA Jewelry, Dooney & Bourke, and more.

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We also have a video tour of the store for you:

Disney Pixar’s ‘Coco’ Family Celebration Begins Friday at Disney Springs

The release of Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” on the big screen is just a few weeks away on November 22, but Disney Springs guests can celebrate early with a family-friendly fiesta that will take place at Disney Springs West Side from October 27 through November 26, 2017.

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In the film, aspiring musician Miguel teams up with charming trickster Héctor on an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead. At Disney Springs, guests will get a taste of the bright and vibrant world of “Coco” through a medley of themed music, food, and décor daily from 6PM to 10PM.

With a flurry of colorful papel picados planned and décor depicting scenes from the movie, Exposition Park will become a lively cornucopia of fun. On weekends (Friday, Saturday and Sunday), there will also be face-painting and activities for kids. Springs’ Street Tacos Food Truck will serve up vanilla flan for a limited time, alongside their signature taco offerings.

 

PHOTO REPORT: Disney Springs 10/26/17 (DisneyQuest Demolition, The Edison, Wine Bar George, New Merchandise, ETC.)

Our latest photo report brings us to Disney Springs to see what’s new and exciting (or demolished) since our last visit.

Demolishing DisneyQuest

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The demolition of DisneyQuest is moving rapidly in preparation for the NBA Experience.

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It appears the building was thoroughly emptied before the demolition began.

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By the time you read this, most of the building is probably gone.

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The NBA Experience concept art is now on the construction walls outside.

The West Side

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Work is progressing on Jaleo, the restaurant that will replace the former Wolfgang Puck establishment on the West Side.

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It’s unclear how much of the existing building will remain, but a large portion is already gone.

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During a refurbishment not too long ago, signage and the interior of the MARVEL Super Hero Headquarters store were updated.

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The Edison

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Supposedly still opening later this year, work continues on the long-delayed club The Edison in The Landing.

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The construction walls are laughably short by this door, leaving a clear view of the facade and the construction workers finishing up the project.

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We can now see signage for The Edison up on the building.

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This and That

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Work continues on Wine Bar George, set to open in 2018.

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More items join the Comeback Kid collection of Mickey Mouse 90’s style apparel.

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We found this new Tinker Bell hat for sale at World of Disney.

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It retails for $21.99.

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The upcoming Christmas dress is still on display at the Dress Shop in the Marketplace Co-Op. The Haunted Mansion tightrope girl dress occupies the other window.

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The Little Mermaid line of home goods has arrived at the Marketplace Co-Op as well.

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Work continues on Star Wars: Secrets of the Empire, opening December 16th next door to what is left of Once Upon a Toy in the Marketplace.

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Frontera Cocina has some pretty awesome specials, we stopped by on Monday for $5 margaritas and they were pretty awesome.

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One last look at The Edison as we say goodbye to Disney Springs.

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REVIEW: Donut-Breaded Chicken Nuggets, Pork Belly Burger, Pumpkin Pie Shake at D-Luxe Burger, Disney Springs

D-Luxe Burger at Disney Springs recently underwent a minor menu update, introducing a new burger, new donut-breaded chicken breast nuggets, and a new seasonal shake, so we figured we would head on over and check it out. If you haven’t been here before, be sure to go through our review of most of the other items on the menu here.

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Pork Belly Burger ($11.99)

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Pork Belly Burger topped with Cheddar, Red Onions, Lettuce, Tomato, Spicy Pepper Relish and Remoulade Sauce

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The burger patty itself is quite interesting, like a less spicy version of the El Diablo burger. The patty is another of the blended variety, mixing beef with pork belly, if you couldn’t tell by the title. Personally, I prefer spicy, so the Diablo is still my favorite, but this is certainly high on the list here. I’m not usually a big fan of remoulade, but it was nicely balanced out with the pepper relish.

Chicken Breast Nuggets ($7.99)

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Donut Breaded Chicken Breast Nuggets served with Dannon Danimals Smoothie and Carrot Sticks, choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small Dasani Water

It may look a little small here, but there were over 12 of these nuggets in this box, most buried under a mountain of french fries. Considering an order of french fries is $4.99, this is a tremendous value since it came with about the same amount of fries while also offering a meal. Needless to say, we opted for fries and a soda over the traditional accompaniments Disney lists on the menu.

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I can’t begin to describe how much I enjoyed these donut-crusted chicken breast nuggets. The mix of sweet donut-flavor with salty chicken breast nuggets is a pretty perfect combination. I don’t know if kids will love these, but I’m pretty sure a lot of adults will, leading this to maybe become an entree here or elsewhere at Disney World.

UPDATE: As of October 29th, an adult order is now available for $9.99, doubling the amount of chicken and accompanied by fries. No drink is included with the adult meal.

Pumpkin Pie Shake ($7.50)

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Vanilla Gelato blended with Milk, Pumpkin Pie Filling with Pumpkin Spice, Caramel Sauce, and crushed Graham Crackers, topped with Whipped Cream and a sprinkle of Pumpkin Spice

You get what is advertised here as the shake tastes like a liquefied version of pumpkin pie. If you love pumpkin pie, I think one of these is going to be a must order and is likely worth the visit to D-Luxe Burger alone.

Overall, you have another 3 winning options at D-Luxe Burger should you choose to eat there on your next visit to Disney Springs.

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