REVIEW: Yukon Holiday Kitchen, Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We continue our series of reviews of the booths for the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays this year by visiting the Yukon Holiday Kitchen today. This marketplace can be found next door to the Refreshment Port, just steps away from the Canada pavilion.

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Here’s the menu:

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  • Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
  • Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
  • Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50, DDP Snack Eligible
  • Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00
  • Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50
  • Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75
  • Icewine Flight – $6.50
  • Fielding Estate Pinot Grigio – $4.75
  • Fielding Estate Red Conception – $7.00
  • Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00
  • Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

Seared Salmon with Crown Royal® Whisky Glaze, Parsnip Silk, Apple Chutney and Hazelnut Croquant – $5.50

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One of the items I would deem a “must buy” at this event,  the salmon was cooked to perfection and had this flavorful maple glaze that really pushed it over the edge. I could have done without the apple chutney, but the Hazelnut Croquant went very well with the fish.

Traditional French Canadian Tourtiere with Canadian Ketchup – $5.00

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Another one of my absolute favorites from the entire Festival, this is brilliant in its simplicity. It’s pretty sizable, the crust is flaky and delicious, and the pork is wonderfully prepared, but what makes the dish is the ketchup. This isn’t Heinz from a bottle, and it may very well be from a bottle, but it tastes more like it was made from scratch. I need to find this ketchup to use at home. I’m joking, I don’t cook at home, I have to eat at Epcot festivals most days of the year.

Maple Bûche de Noël: Maple Mousse rolled in Gingerbread Chiffon Cake with Cranberry Sauce and Pecan Crumble – $4.50

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This was rather enjoyable, but I find myself wanting a dessert like this to be chocolate. That being said, maple mousse and gingerbread cake is a nice diversion, paired well with the cranberry sauce and the pecans. If you want a more traditional yule log, I suggest a walk over to Les Halles (the France bakery).

Icewine Flight – $6.50; Chateau de Charmes Riesling Icewine – $6.00, Neige Apple Ice Wine – $5.50, Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine – $8.75

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I’m not a big ice wine fan as they are just too sweet for me, but I was assured by several others in our party that this was a good flight. The Red Stone Cabernet Franc Ice Wine was my favorite of the three as I’m partial to strawberry, but not something I would personally order again. If you like ice wine, this is a good opportunity to try three though, so don’t listen to me.

Frozen Coffee with Tap 357 Whisky – $10.00

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I really loved this, but I do have a soft spot for coffee and alcohol when they’re mixed together. There was plenty of alcohol in this and a nice maple flavor to it. I highly recommend it.

Unibroue Éphémère Elderberry – $4.25

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This beer is light, fruity, low in carbonation, easy to drink, and much less medicinal in flavor than one might expect. It’s worth a try if you are so inclined.

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FastPass Reservations for Frozen Ever After at Epcot Now Available Beginning at 9AM Daily

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Previously beginning at 11:00AM every day, guests can now find FastPass reservations for Frozen Ever After at Epcot beginning at 9AM daily through the Walt Disney World website and the MyDisneyExperience app.

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Frozen Ever After takes guests through the kingdom of Arendelle from the Disney animated hit, “Frozen.” Located in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot, Frozen Ever After celebrates a “Summer Snow Day” on a journey through a frozen willow forest, past Troll Valley and up to Queen Elsa’s palace high up on the north mountain. Epcot is one of four theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Up until this point, only standby was available for the first two hours of the day at the attraction, but now there will be FastPass reservations covering the entire operating day for the Epcot ride.

If guests aren’t interested in hunting for a FastPass or braving the standby line, the Frozen Ever After Sparkling Dessert Party is also still available.

REVIEW: Cookie Nook Inside The Festive Center, Odyssey at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays 2017

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

We begin our series of reviews of the marketplaces at the Epcot International Festival of the Holidays with the Cookie Nook, located inside what is being called The Festive Center, which is the Odyssey building perched between Future World and World Showcase.

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Here’s the menu:

  • Warm Apple Fritter –  with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75
  • Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00
  • Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50
  • Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50
  • Gingersnap Cookie  – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50
  • Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75
  • Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00
  • Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00
  • Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00
  • Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss, Lakeland, Florida – $4.25
  • Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde, Titusville, Florida – $4.25
  • Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble, DeBary, Florida – $4.25
  • Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00
  • Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00
  • Specialty Red Wine – $6.00
  • Specialty White Wine – $6.00
  • Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00
  • Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa with Crème de Menthe – $8.00
  • Nestlé Chocolate Delights Hot Cocoa (non-alcoholic) – $3.00

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The Cookie Nook is a rather pleasant place to enjoy a snack while watching classic cartoons, including Mickey’s Christmas Carol in its entirety.

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OK, let’s go item by item…

Warm Apple Fritter –  with Cinnamon Ice Cream and Warm Caramel Sauce – $4.75

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This was fantastic. The warm apple fritter went perfectly with the cinnamon ice cream and caramel sauce. I’ll look to have this again before the festival is over.

Snowflake Sugar Cookie – $4.00

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These are nothing special, but I love sugar cookies, so personally I would order this again. No one else in the party was impressed with this, and I get it, but I still think it is enjoyable.

Snickerdoodle Cookie – Sugar Cookie rolled in Cinnamon Sugar – $3.50

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The snickerdoodle was fairly flavorless and is not worth a buy. I don’t even know what else to say about it, that’s how bland it was.

Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookie – $3.50

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If you like peppermint, then get this. If you don’t, then do not. It was pretty good, offering a rich chocolate flavor offset nicely by the peppermint twist.

Gingersnap Cookie  – with Cream Cheese Icing and Cranberry Jam – $4.50

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A nice departure from the other cookies, this has a nice-sized dollop of sweet cream cheese icing which really elevated the ginger flavor of the cookie. This is worth a try if you are interested.

Sachertorte – Chocolate Cake with Apricot Jam and Dark Chocolate Glaze – $4.75

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If you really love chocolate cake, then this dessert is all you. It’s really fantastic for what it is, but it is probably no different from something you can make at home or even buy at the store.

Decorated Gingerbread Cookie – $4.00

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I appreciate that this is decorated after you order it and it is very good for a gingerbread cookie. If you are really craving a gingerbread man, this will do the trick.

Holiday Tree Sugar Cookie – $4.00

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Again, no one but me seemed excited about this, but I love these kind of cookie at this time of year. I enjoyed this one so much that I took the remaining half home and enjoyed it there. It’s nothing special, but sometimes you just want a sugar cookie, right?

Chocolate Chunk Cookie – $3.00

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Speaking of unremarkable, this is the usual Disney counter service chocolate chip cookie, so unless your kids are screaming that they want one, I would stay away from this.

Holiday Beer Flight – $9.00, Brew Hub Pumpkin Spice Dunkelweiss – $4.25, Playalinda Brewing Company Sparkling Christmas Coffee Blonde,  – $4.25, Central 28 Beer Company Joy From the World Holiday Dubble – $4.25

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An enjoyable beer flight with three unique enough flavors that it is worth a try if you enjoy such things. We really liked two out of the three, which is usually the case with these Festival beer flights.

Cranberry Sprite Punch with Pear Vodka – $9.00

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There’s noting particularly special about this, but Cranberry Sprite mixes really well with alcohol. This is probably something you could make at home, but it hits the spot and feels pretty festive. It looks like it would be super sweet, but it really wasn’t, which is probably why I enjoyed it so much.

Florida Orange Groves Sparkling Cranberry Wine – $6.00

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If you want to pair a wine with your cookies, this is probably what you want. According to Josh of EasyWDW.com, it is light, sweet, and tart with every sip, and I would agree.

 

RUMOR: Epcot Adding Future World Hotel That Will Stand Over the Park’s Entrance In Front of Spaceship Earth

WDWNT on December 1, 2017

Imagine walking into Epcot from the parking lot and walking under or through a giant hotel before you reach Spaceship Earth. If plans are approved, this may very well be the scene at the entrance area of Walt Disney World’s 35-year-old vision of the future.

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If approved, the resort will stand at one of two proposed sites (seen above), either between The Land and The Seas pavilions in Future World, or directly over the entrance to Epcot, most likely connecting to the preexisting monorail station in some way. If the design located in front of Spaceship Earth is approved, it shouldn’t block the view of Spaceship Earth completely, but rather be used to frame the famous structure between towers or something of the sort.

It is no secret that the Walt Disney Company sees a lot of promise in the idea of resorts connected to or inside of the theme parks. This isn’t a new concept as Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Hotel Miracosta are already in existence (both opened way back in 2001), as well as the Disneyland Hotel at Disneyland Paris, which is sprawled out in front of the park’s entrance, requiring guests walk under it to enter the park. Disney has also already announced a Star Wars hotel that would in theory be connected to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, home of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.

Guests pass under the Disneyland Hotel in Paris to enter Disneyland Park.

Guests pass under the Disneyland Hotel in Paris to enter Disneyland Park.

The resort would be part of the ongoing expansion and re-imagining of Epcot, which is already announced to include a Guardians of the Galaxy roller coaster, a Ratatouille family ride, a space restaurant, and a new seamless Circlevision film for the China pavilion.

The hotel is still in the very early stages of development, which means it could end up in front of Spaceship Earth or off to the side, or maybe not even happen at all. Either way, should it happen, it will offer quick and easy entrance into Epcot from the front of the park and offer unparalleled views of Future World.

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Reservations for Ale & Compass at Yacht Club Resort Now Open

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Beginning today, guests can make reservations for the soon-to-open Ale & Compass Restaurant at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. The restaurant, set to open Nov. 26, replaces the Captain’s Grille at the Yacht Club. The new venue is themed as a New England gastropub reminiscent of an off-shore lighthouse, using salvaged materials for the decorative finishes. A few select diners will be able to sit at the on-stage “hearth” oven area, which is the focal point of the new space.

Ale & Compass will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, featuring menu items inspired by New England cuisine and developed by Disney’s Flavor Lab. The culinary director of the Flavor Lab, Lenny DeGeorge, is from the Boston area and spent his summers in Cape Cod.

“The menu is inspired by all the great restaurants in the New England area that I have experienced growing up,” says DeGeorge. “The New England melting pot of flavors and ingredients from Italy, Portugal, and England, coupled with central Florida influences, are present on the menu that delivers modern gastropub classics.”

Next door to the Ale & Compass Restaurant is the expanded and reimagined Ale & Compass Lounge, also opening Nov. 26. The lounge will feature a variety original and classic cocktails, an extensive list of New England and local beers, and a menu of lighter bites.

Disney’s announcement about the new restaurant included a photo review of a number of items from the menu, including:

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Blueberry-Bacon Pancakes

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Mushroom, Caramelized Onion and Gruyere Cheeseburger

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Fried Chicken and Waffles with House-made Pickles and Orange-Chili Honey

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Coastal Clambake (1/2 Maine lobster, clams, corn, and potatoes)

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Caramelized Leek and Chorizo White Clam Hearth “Pie”

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Parker House Rolls with spreads of Bacon Jam, Pub Cheese, and Smoked Trout

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Lemon “Curd” Meringue Pie

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Twelve-Layer Chocolate Cake (Flourless chocolate cake and ganache served with milk-coffee chantilly)

You can find the full Ale & Compass menu in our our previous post.

For reservations, visit DisneyWorld.com/dine or call 407-WDW-DINE.

 

 

Epcot Re-Imagined Part 4: The Land Pavilion

WDWNT on November 20, 2017

Editor’s Note: This series is a look at how one staff member would re-imagine Epcot pavilions. Previous articles in the series can be found here.

Hypothetical Future World is slowly getting better pavilion by pavilion. After leaving the now eventful and exciting Innoventions pavilions, I’m gonna take a stroll over to Imagination’s neighbor, The Land.

An original Epcot Future World pavilion, The Land has kept the same overarching theme, a celebration of the earth and nature, since its inception in 1982. However, what’s contained inside has gone through some dramatic changes. The dining options have modernized and gotten the character treatment, but the attractions have gone through more.

What was once Kitchen Kabaret, a simple animatronic stage show, became Food Rocks, another stage show “in moderation”, but in 2005, everything changed with the addition of Soarin’ from DCA, and a completely new show building. Listen to the Land became Living with the Land, and the boat tour guides were replaced by automatic spiels. Symbiosis, a boring environmental film, was replaced by Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, a boring environmental film with the characters from The Lion King as the stars. They didn’t really help much.

The main changes took place around 1993, when Nestle took over Kraft as the main sponsor of the pavilion. Probably the most significant changes were the removal of the giant fountain in the middle of the ground floor of the pavilion and the music loop, creatively combining jazz standards and folk classics.

The Land as it sits today is in need of some upgrades, some much more dramatic than others, but it can certainly be re-imagined. Sunshine Seasons, The Garden Grill, Soarin’ and Living with the Land will see minor changes, but will not be replaced in our plan.

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Sunshine Seasons won’t be touched, but the fountain will come back in a smaller scope, still allowing for an ample seating area on the ground floor.

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Living with the Land will be updated with modern images of what’s going on in our society, and the live narrator will be revived.

The Garden Grill will get a revamped menu. Out with the family-style “buffet”, in with cuisine celebrating the earth and nature.

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Soarin’ Around the World now has a great new film, a refreshing change from the California-centric original. So the film will be kept, but I much prefer the the original Jerry Goldsmith score rather than the updated Bruce Broughton version, so the plan is to bring back the old score, combining the best of the original with the new.

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Circle of Life: An Environmental Fable, will be completely removed due to low popularity among guests. Its replacement is a tribute to the first two decades of the pavilion’s history: an animatronic stage show about food, The Food Follies, will be added in. The name is temporary for the moment.

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Unlike its predecessors, Kitchen Kabaret and Food Rocks, this new show will have the latest in audio-animatronic figures. Not only that, but the cast will feature well-known voices from the Disney animated universe, appealing to guests of all ages.

Another change, also evoking the tone of the original Land, will be the introduction of a new music loop, with new modern jazz from groups such as Snarky Puppy, another tribute to the past.

These changes should modernize The Land and will create more guest traffic.

Next time, I’m going to save the Universe of Energy before Imagineering changes it to Guardians of the Galaxy.

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Disney Provides Update On 2018 Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Today, Disney provided an update on plans for the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

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Richly-hued floral beds and floating gardens adorn the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival. The festival, which runs a record 90 days March 2-May 30, 2016 at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., also features dozens of character topiaries, stunning floral displays, gardening seminars and the Garden Rocks concert series – all included in regular Epcot admission. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Held each day from February 28 – May 28, 2018, the Festival’s 25th anniversary event will feature fan favorites like exhibits, events and tastings including:

  • Disney Character Topiaries
    15 Outdoor Kitchens serving creative, flavor-rich cuisine that highlights spring garden offerings
  • Garden Rocks music series – with its classic rock ‘n’ roll stars from the ‘60s, ‘70s ‘80s and ‘90s. Garden Rocks Dining packages will be available for certain Epcot restaurants – pairing a fabulous meal with reserved seating for your favorite concert
  • Garden Tours – Including Gardens of the World Tour (spring edition); the English Tea Garden Tour; and Royal Tea Garden Tour (extra fee required)
  • New interactive kids play areas
  • And – of course – the millions of extra plants, trees, shrubs, flowers and themed gardens that decorate Epcot in spring.
  • Also returning will be the Egg-Stravaganza scavenger hunt and hand-crafted and Festival merchandise to extend an already-packed day of adventure at Epcot.

For more information on the Festival, check out EpcotinSpring.com.

TONIGHT on WDW News Tonight (11/8/17) – The Math Game, Ranking Epcot Table and Quick Service Restaurants, & More!

WDWNT on November 10, 2017

Tonight! The Math Game is back, we’re ranking every restaurant at Epcot, and the Hall of Presidents still isn’t open.

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If you are in the Orlando area, you can tune in to 105.5 FM or AM 1520 WBZW at showtime. For those outside of the Orlando area, the show can be watched via video stream at listen.WDWNT.com on your computer or mobile device. You can also use WDWNT: The App to watch and chat along. The show also utilizes a live chat and the ability to call-in to interact with the show. WDW News Tonight is hosted by Tom Corless and Nick LoCicero, but also features appearances by a number of other WDWNT correspondents.

Coming up on this week’s show:

  • A recap of the week’s news (with a WDWNT comedic twist)
  • An in-depth discussion ranking every restaurant at Epcot
  • The Wonderful World of Psychotic Comments
  • “WDWNT: The Math Game” for prizes provided by WDWNT: The App
  • And more!

We hope that you will tune in tonight at 9PM ET for another episode of WDW News Tonight!

If you missed last week’s show, you can watch it below:

CONFIRMED: SpectacuLAB Announced for Future World at Epcot

WDWNT on November 2, 2017

Disney has announced the SpectacuLAB show that we told you about yesterday, giving his some more details on this new offering.

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The SpectacuLAB will be an engaging new interactive show debuting November 11th. In it, guests will be invited to join a group of real scientists – and their tech-savvy intern – for a series of thrilling experiments that put scientific principles like ultrasonic pressure, barometric pressure, acceleration and force to the test. Through this funny and fascinating show, guests of all ages will have the opportunity to participate in the demonstrations and discover how each scientific principle has inspired amazing technologies we enjoy today.

To bring The SpectacuLAB to life, Walt Disney World will collaborate with sponsor Murata, a global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of advanced electronic components, and Science from Scientists, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve STEM literacy at schools.