REVIEW: Croissant Doughnut at Epcot Gets More Ridiculous with Pastry Cream Filling

WDWNT on February 6, 2017

As part of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, the Refreshment Port in World Showcase has decided to kick-it up a notch on their already beloved croissant doughnut.

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For a little extra, guests can acquire the croissant doughnut filled with pastry cream, covered in icing and colored pearls.

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It’s a real work of art, no?

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I generally love the croissant doughnut (or cronut, the term Disney is not legally allowed to use for the treat), but this was something far more special. As much as I enjoy the cinnamon sugar topping, the combination of the pastry icing and filling with the perfectly-cooked, flaky croissant doughnut made for an even more amazing treat. I will warn you that it is very sweet, but I thought it was perfectly put together. Obviously, don’t eat the filling all in one bite, but be sure to spread a little onto each morsel of the snack for optimal enjoyment.

I’m not telling you that you should get this on your next trip to Epcot, I am telling you that you have to. If I had to pick one theme park snack to be trapped on a dessert island with for the rest of my life, this is the one. Oh, and it makes for nice photos too, if that’s important to you.

If you want one of these, you will need to hurry as it will only be offered during the duration of the Epcot International Festival of the Arts, running on weekends (Friday through Monday) now through February 20th.

REVIEW: “E=AT^2” Food Studio – Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

WDWNT on January 29, 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 “E=AT^2” kiosk, which is located at the front of World Showcase, just off to the left side towards the Mexico pavilion.

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REVIEW: "E=AT^2" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Food:

  • BLT with Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam and Soft Poached Egg – $6.50
  • Classic Reuben with Shredded Corned Beef, Thousand Island Dressing, Pickled Red Cabbage and a Rye Curl – $6.00
  • Cobb Salad with Smoked Duck Breast, Avocado Mousse, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon and Blue Cheese (GF) – $7.50
  • Figment White Chocolate Art Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00
  • White Chocolate Mickey Puzzle with Artist Palette (GF) (V) – $6.50

Beverages:

  • Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Bourbon Cream, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon – $10.50
  • Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Syrup, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon (non-alcoholic) – $4.50
  • Pop-Artsicle: Red, White and Blue Frozen Slushy (non-alcoholic) – $3.75
  • Dasani Bottled Water – $3.00

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Since we had eaten the very similar Mary Blair white chocolate art, there was no really good reason to order the Figment, but it is pretty cute.

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BLT with Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam and Soft Poached Egg – $6.50

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This was my absolute favorite dish at entire Epcot International Festival of the Arts! Crack open the poached egg, dip the tender and juicy pork belly in it, and then nearly fall over from how good this is. There is very little bacon and lettuce here, and neither of them really add to the dish. I suggest you just push them aside and enjoy the pork and the egg together without any of the fluff of the dish.

I think I will be ordering this on every subsequent trip to Epcot over the next 5 weekends…

Cobb Salad with Smoked Duck Breast, Avocado Mousse, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon and Blue Cheese (GF) – $7.50

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I am not a big Cobb Salad fan, but this was really good. The duck was flavorful and it went really nicely with the egg, blue cheese, and avocado mousse. I would order this again as well.

Classic Reuben with Shredded Corned Beef, Thousand Island Dressing, Pickled Red Cabbage and a Rye Curl – $6.00

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If you haven’t gotten it already, this is the best booth at the festival. I hate reuben sandwiches. Hell, I even hate Reuben Stoddard (kids, look it up). Regardless, this was fantastic. Everything in the plate was delicious, which shocked me. I couldn’t believe that I was having quality corned beef at Disney World, but I was and I did.

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If I had to rank the three dishes here, I would put the “BLT’ as my number one, followed by the reuben, and then the cobb salad, but they are all good.

Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Bourbon Cream, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon – $10.50

REVIEW: "E=AT^2" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

As much as we loved the food, we wanted so much more out of this drink. It sounded amazing. It wasn’t bad, the flavoring was just far more subdued that we had hoped for (and they went a little light on the bourbon).

Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Syrup, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon (non-alcoholic) – $4.50

REVIEW: "E=AT^2" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

Honestly, if you want just the breakfast flavors, save yourself some money and order this non-alcoholic version of the drink. It’s larger and cheaper, albeit without bourbon, but there wasn’t much alcohol in the other one anyway.

Pop-Artsicle: Red, White and Blue Frozen Slushy (non-alcoholic) – $3.75

REVIEW: "E=AT^2" Food Studio - Epcot International Festival of the Arts 2017

This is realistically just a slushy, but the kids should enjoy it. Personally, I would go get The American Dream at the Fife & Drum in the American Adventure (which mixes slushy with ice cream), but that’s me.

Full Menus Released for Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on January 16, 2017

We have been anxiously awaiting all of the fantastic food and drinks to be announced for the first ever Epcot International Festival of the Arts and now it is finally here! The festival takes place Fridays through Mondays, January 13 to February 20and the “food studios” will be open from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Please note: the following menu items marked with (GF) are gluten/wheat-friendly and those with (V) are vegetarian.

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E = AT^2

Food:

  • BLT with Crispy Pork Belly, Tomato Jam and Soft Poached Egg – $6.50
  • Classic Reuben with Shredded Corned Beef, Thousand Island Dressing, Pickled Red Cabbage and a Rye Curl – $6.00
  • Cobb Salad with Smoked Duck Breast, Avocado Mousse, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Bacon and Blue Cheese (GF) – $7.50
  • Figment White Chocolate Art Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00
  • White Chocolate Mickey Puzzle with Artist Palette (GF) (V) – $6.50

Beverages:

  • Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Bourbon Cream, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon – $10.50
  • Deconstructed Breakfast: Twinings® Spiced Apple Chai Tea Shake with Maple Syrup, a Waffle Crisp and Candied Bacon (non-alcoholic) – $4.50
  • Pop-Artsicle: Red, White and Blue Frozen Slushy (non-alcoholic) – $3.75

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Cuisine Classique

Food:

  • Braised Short Rib with Parsnip Purée, Broccolini, Baby Tomatoes and Aged Balsamic
  • Seared Red Snapper with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc (GF)
  • Port Wine Poached Pear, Vanilla Panna Cotta and Pistachio Crumbs (GF)
  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie

Beverages:

  • Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
  • Bell’s Two Hearted American-style India Pale Ale
  • Duck Rabbit Milk Stout
  • Beer Braising Flight
  • Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva Art Series

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The Artist’s Table

Food:

  • Roasted Pork Roulade with Marble Potatoes, Baby Carrots and Red Wine Sauce featuring Melissa’s Produce – $6.50
  • Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp (GF) – $6.25
  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie – $5.50

Beverages:

  • Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate Flight: White, Milk, Dark (non-alcoholic) – $8.00
  • Callebaut Belgian Sipping Chocolate: Dark Chocolate with Chambord – $9.75
  • Perla Santa Coffee-flavored Wine – $9.50

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The Painter’s Palate

Food:

  • Margherita Flatbread with Basil Pesto and Balsamic Drizzle (V)
  • Trio of Savory Croissant Doughnuts:
    • Whipped Herb Cream Cheese with Sea Salt (V)
    • Chicken Mousse with Fresh Herbs & Everything Bagel Seasoning
    • Spicy Tuna with Sriracha Mayonnaise and Sesame Seeds
  • Mary Blair White Chocolate Art Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V)
  • Pop’t Art: Abstract Designed Sugar Cookie with Chocolate Hazelnut Filling (V)
  • White Chocolate Figment Puzzle on an Artist Palette

Beverages:

  • Pomegranate Mule featuring the Ginger People Ginger Beer and Van Gogh Vodka
  • Breckenridge Nitro Vanilla Porter
  • Young’s Double Chocolate Stout
  • 3 Daughters Queens Court Strawberry Blonde Nitro
  • Neapolitan Beer Flight

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Pop Eats!

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

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Decadent Delights

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

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The Masterpiece Kitchen

Food:

  • Charcuterie Palette with Artisan Cured Meats, Nueske’s Applewood Smoked Duck Breast and Cheese – $14.00
  • Smoked Salmon Tartare, Caviar, Crisp Lavash and Traditional Accompaniments – $12.00
  • Wild Mushroom Risotto, Aged Parmesan, Truffle Shavings and Zinfandel Reduction (V) – $9.00
  • Triple Chocolate Mousse, Chocolate Crunch, Dark Chocolate Sauce and Gold Leaf from our Master Pastry Chef – $9.25
  • White Chocolate Puzzle on an Artist Palette (GF) (V) – $6.50
  • Mickey and Pluto White Chocolate Painting with Chocolate Easel (GF) (V) – $7.00

Beverages:

  • Perrier-Jouët Belle Époque Brut Champagne – $12.00
  • Classic Sidecar with a Chocolate Twist – $9.25
  • The Meeker Vineyard Winemakers’ Handprint Merlot – $9.50

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Additional Festival Locations

Block & Hans

  • Festival Cabernet Sauvignon, CA
  • Festival Chardonnay, CA
  • Anchor Brewing Meyer Lemon Lager, San Francisco, CA
  • Coppertail Brewing Free Dive IPA, Tampa, FL
  • Founders Porter, Grand Rapids, MI
  • M.I.A. Brewing Mega Mix Pale Ale, Miami, FL

Joy of Tea

  • Traditional Chinese Golden Fish
  • Panda Rice Cake

Fife & Drum

  • Artist Palette Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookie

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

  • Opera Cake

Funnel Cakes

  • Gingerbread Funnel Cake

Japan Pavilion

  • Kabuki Café Kiosk: Futomaki Sushi
  • Tokyo Dining: Chirashi Sushi and Sashimi

Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company

Beverages:
All Festival specialty drinks served hot or cold.

  • Canada: Night Sky Latte: A delicious shot of Joffrey’s Italian Espresso mixed with Creamy Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, topped with Steamed Milk and Whipped Cream
  • Disney Traders: Cinnamon Sensation: A shot of Italian Espresso mixed with RumChata and Cinnamon Whiskey, blended with Steamed Milk and Whipped Cream
  • Future World East: Painted Lady Latte: A shot of Joffrey’s Italian Espresso mixed with rich Baileys Espresso Créme Liqueur, topped with Steamed Milk and Whipped Cream
  • The American Adventure: Dreamy Bourbon: A shot of Italian Espresso mixed with Bourbon Whiskey Cream Liqueur, blended with Steamed Milk and Whipped Cream

El Arista Hambriento (The Hungry Artist)

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

Tangierine Café

  • Homemade Falafel with Pickled Beets and Turnip, Tomato Salad and Tahini Sauce

Refreshment Cool Post

  • Chilled Shrimp, Quinoa, Layered Vegetables, Spiced Yogurt and Red Pepper Coulis

Refreshment Port

  • Croissant Doughnut filled with Pastry Cream and topped with Colored Pearls

CONFIRMED: Choza Tequila Coming & Frozen Margaritas Return to Mexico at Epcot This Year

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

In another classic WDWNT “we told you so” moment, Disney today announced the addition of Choza Tequila to Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.

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Choza Tequila will be an authentic outdoor tequileria, just outside of the Mexico pavilion. Here, you’ll find refreshing hand-crafted margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine like tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. This is basically the long-waited replacement to the frozen margarita stand that was removed last year, but should also help alleviate the lines at La Cava Del Tequila inside of the pavilion.

No opening date has been given as of yet, but it should open in early 2017.

CONFIRMED: Choza Tequila Coming & Frozen Margaritas Return to Mexico at Epcot This Year

WDWNT on January 8, 2017

In another classic WDWNT “we told you so” moment, Disney today announced the addition of Choza Tequila to Epcot’s Mexico pavilion.

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Choza Tequila will be an authentic outdoor tequileria, just outside of the Mexico pavilion. Here, you’ll find refreshing hand-crafted margaritas and classic Mexican cuisine like tacos, empanadas, chips and fresh guacamole. This is basically the long-waited replacement to the frozen margarita stand that was removed last year, but should also help alleviate the lines at La Cava Del Tequila inside of the pavilion.

No opening date has been given as of yet, but it should open in early 2017.

PHOTOS: First Look at Food and Drinks from the Epcot International Festival of the Arts

WDWNT on December 26, 2016

Disney today is previewing the new Epcot International Festival of the Arts and its “Food Studios” that will be located along the World Showcase promenade.

Running Fridays through Mondays from Jan. 13-Feb. 20, the festival will combine visual, culinary and performing arts, unveiling brand new art each week.

While the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival strives for seasonal flavors, and the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is all about global cuisine, the Epcot International Festival of the Arts is all about works of art on a plate that may be photo-worthy. Yes, that is where we are as a society now.

At many of the Food Studios, guests will be able to watch the chefs plating and see the creative process as the dish comes to life.

Here’s a gallery of some of the artful dishes:

REVIEW: Gingerbread & Peppermint Ice Cream are a MUST on Your Holiday Epcot Visit

WDWNT on December 26, 2016

It is not unusual for the ice cream parlor in France at Epcot to introduce seasonal flavors and treats. During this holiday season, L’Artisan des Glaces has two specialties for those who enjoy peppermint and gingerbread.

The peppermint ice cream macaron is available for $4.69.

The gingerbread ice cream is available in one scoop, two scoop, or in a sandwich of sorts utlizing a baked good from the nearby bakery. If you choose a cup over a cone, I would suggest just getting a cone and asking for a cup to put it in, that way you can taste their delicious cones but avoid the mess of it.

Peppermint Ice Cream Macaron

The macaron was very fresh, light and airy with a good flavor. The ice cream was super creamy, with a natural peppermint flavor that isn’t overwhelming like every other peppermint snack at the parks. I’m genuinely surprised at how much we enjoyed it.

Gingerbread Ice Cream with Gingerbread Pieces

It’s really hard to order something that you won’t enjoy here, but this was probably my favorite flavor I’ve ever had. The gingerbread pieces in the ice cream was the freshest I have had in a theme park, leading me to wish that the bakery in France produced the gingerbread goodies for all of Walt Disney World.

It has a lot of nutmeg in it, but it worked well with the sweetness of the ice cream. I highly recommend you order this if you’ll be visiting during the holidays this year.

Choza Tequila Coming to Epcot in 2017, Margaritas & More

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

Since the closure of the Mexico margarita stand at Epcot, guests have been wondering just when a suitable replacement would arrive. That suitable replacement will open in early 2017.

Choza Tequila, located just steps away from the pavilion’s main entrance, will serve handcrafted and frozen margaritas and feature a well-stocked tequila bar. The outdoor location will also feature tacos, chips with salsa and guacamole, and more.

Disney has yet to officially announce this project, but should soon.

REVIEW: Germany at Epcot Now Has Jumbo Pretzels Bigger Than Your Head

WDWNT on December 12, 2016

If you ever thought that the already huge pretzels sold in the Germany pavilion at Epcot were just not big enough, do we have some great news for you today…

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The carts and counter service location in World Showcase’s Germany pavilion are now selling what they call a Jumbo Pretzel, which comes out to about $10.00 with tax. How can a pretzel be $10 you ask?

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It can be $10.00 when it is this big. Just how big is this? To give you a better idea of the size of this monstrosity, please check out the video below:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdVKjCkEtOM]

Who would need a pretzel this large? Well, in my experience, pretzels are often a shared snack between groups of guests, so selling a giant one isn’t that crazy. Sadly, I feel the same about this pretzel as I do about the smaller version that they once sold here. It is fairly bland and mostly flavorless, even with copious amounts of mustard, and I imagine the only way to enjoy one is to ensure that you are buying it when they are fresh out of the oven.

Well, based on the size of these, it is nice to see that the show building for the Rhine River Cruise attraction is being used for something, even if it is just dough storage… This is a joke by the way.

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Personally I would stick with the cream cheese or Mickey Mouse pretzels sold elsewhere around the Walt Disney World Resort, but if you need this much pretzel, you now know where to find it.

Epcot International Food & Wine Festival Expands Into August in 2017

WDWNT on November 29, 2016

According to event guides for Epcot’s Holidays Around the World this year, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival will begin in August for the first time ever in 2017.

The event dates for next year are August 31st through November 13th, 2017. The event will run for an astonishing 75 days straight, 15 days more than ever before.