Biggest Disney food news of 2013
It was a big year for Disney food news! We’re highlighting some of the biggest food news stories of 2013. Just take a look!
Rapid Fill Mugs
Disney replaced their Resort Refillable Mugs with new Rapid Fill Mugs. These mugs are RFID enabled and tell the refill station when you can get refills. This has put an end to guests bring their old Disney mugs or their own from home and filling up at the drink station.
Expansion of dining cancellation policy
In 2011, Disney World instituted a new dining cancellation policy for signature dining restaurants and character meals. In 2013, the cancellation policy was expanded to include all table-service restaurants.
Marketplace booths at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival
The 20th Epcot Flower and Garden Festival debuted 12 food and beverage marketplace booths: Fruits by the Glass, Pineapple Promenade, The Cottage, L’Orangerie, Taste of Marrakesh, Hanami, The Smokehouse, Primavera Kitchen, Bauernmarkt, Lotus House, Jardin de Fiestas and Florida Fresh. The booths featured fresh, in season ingredients. The best news, it’s returning in 2014!
Take a look back at the festival and our review of the menu items on the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival page.
Restaurant openings, closings and refurbishments
This year as huge for changes in restaurants. The California Grill at Contemporary Resort received a refurbishment of its dining room and menu. We dined at the updated restaurant in October and found it to be better than before. Be on the lookout for our review.
At Epcot in the France Pavilion, L’Artisan des Glaces opened in mid-June. The artisan ice cream shop featuring ten flavors of ice cream and six flavors of sorbets. All are made in-house using fresh ingredients and adults can add select liqueurs to their cup or cone.
New lounges opened. In June, Rainforest Cafe’s Lava Lounge opened in Downtown Disney. It’s an outdoor, covered bar with first-come, first-serve seating. At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Hollywood Brown Derby Lounge opened on October 30. It too is an outdoor bar with first-come, first-serve seating (a trend we are seeing in the parks).
Starbucks invaded the Disney Parks. The Main Street Bakery at Magic Kingdom is now as Starbucks location, as well as Fountain View in Epcot. We haven’t received word on when the locations (or where the locations be) in Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Animal Kingdom will open. Hopefully that news will come in 2014.
The less-than-popular Cap’ n Jack’s in Downtown Disney closed to make room for Disney Springs.
The announcement of Spice Road Table, a waterfront restaurant, coming to the Morocco Pavilion at Epcot.
Honorable mentions
Disney World launched MyMagic+ and now your Disney Dining Plan credits are on your MagicBands.
Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. became the official coffee of the Disney Parks.
Disney Food Trucks arrived in Downtown Disney bringing some great new food offers. The new food trucks include Superstar Catering, Namaste Cafe, Fantasy Fare and World Showcase of Flavors.
What was your favorite Disney food news in 2013? We’d love to hear what you were excited about!
Dining at Disney Fans:
Review: Biergarten
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