Walt Disney World Resort Best Bites: August 2019

This month I have several new offerings at Walt Disney World Resort to share with you! With new eats at both Epcot and Disney Springs as well as a yummy new plant-based treat at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, you’ll definitely want to come and snack with us!

First up, though, is some exciting news direct from the Japan pavilion at Epcot. This morning, all sorts of dignitaries gathered to celebrate the official grand opening of Takumi-Tei. In attendance were, of course Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Takumi-Tei is the newest signature table-service restaurant at Epcot. It is truly an upscale, immersive, Japanese dining experience offering a premium multicourse tasting menu featuring traditional tea service and wagyu beef, as well as an á la carte menu and more. Inside, the restaurant’s tranquil interior features five dining rooms, each inspired by one of five natural elements: water, wood, earth, stone, and washi paper. Congratulations to both the Epcot and Mitsukoshi teams on the opening of this amazing new restaurant!

While we’re on the topic of Epcot, you should definitely check out Coral Reef Restaurant. They recently added a few new items to the menu. On the appetizer list – you can try the new Seared Sea Scallops with saffron butter broth, tomato bruschetta, and crostini. New entrées include the Lobster Seafood Boil (with lobster, Jonah Crab claw, shrimp, mussels, Andouille sausage, corn, potatoes, ouzo-garlic butter, and spiced cioppino broth) and Grilled Swordfish (with warm white beans, roasted Cipollini onions, arugula, and lemon-herb vinaigrette). You’ll also find a new enhancement featuring one pound of steamed Maryland-style Snow Crab legs served with lemon and butter. And for dessert, try the seasonal cheesecake with a shortbread cookie and fruit compote.

To make reservations for either of the restaurants listed above, visit the Walt Disney World Resort website, the My Disney Experience app, or by calling 407 WDW-DINE (407 939-3463).

At Disney Springs, I have lots of news including three new additions as well as new offerings at D-Luxe Burger and Earl of Sandwich. The first of the new additions is a new food truck called “Cookie Dough and Everything Sweet” featuring – you guessed it – COOKIE DOUGH! That’s right, you can soon find edible cookie dough desserts at Disney Springs! On the menu:

• Springs Candy Taco – Candy Monster Cookie Dough, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, sprinkles, and a cherry served in a waffle taco
• Minnie Mouse Taco – Peanut Butter Fluff Cookie Dough, caramel sauce, whipped cream, a cherry, and a chocolate Minnie bow served in a waffle taco
• Celebration Parfait – Celebration Cookie Dough with Celebration Mickey cake, vanilla custard, strawberries, whipped cream, and a cherry
• Mickey or Minnie Funnel Cake – funnel cake topped with powdered sugar and Mickey or Minnie-shaped cookie dough
• Cookie Dough Cup or Cone – Flavors include Chocolate Chip, Peanut Butter Fluff, Celebration, Cookies and Cream, Candy Monster, and Cold Brew

This new cookie dough-themed food truck will open later this month and will be parked near the other food trucks across from Candy Cauldron at Disney Springs West Side.

Also coming later this month, a guest favorite from the Downtown Disney District at Disneyland Resort is heading to Disney Springs: Sunshine Churro! You’ll find Sunshine Churro carts at the Marketplace and West Side. These carts serve up a variety of classic and gourmet churros with flavors like watermelon, salted caramel, strawberry cheesecake, fruity cereal, and cookies and cream. You can even try churros dipped in milk chocolate or chocolate-hazelnut spread.

And coming soon, I’m excited to share that Ample Hills Creamery will be opening a brand new location at Disney Springs West Side. The scoop shop will offer their popular handcrafted ice cream and mix-ins (like brownie bites, oatmeal lace cookies and butter pecan brittle) similar to the offerings available at the Ample Hills Creamery located at Disney’s BoardWalk. At Ample Hills, every component tells a story — from the ingredients, to the design of the pints, making it another “Instagrammable” foodie destination. Stay tuned to the Disney Parks Blog for more details to be released.

On the savory side, you’ll find a new Pepperoni Pizza Burger at D-Luxe Burger topped with artisan pepperoni, fried mozzarella and Pomodoro sauce. And at Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar, if you haven’t had the new “Temple of Bacon” dish, then you’re totally missing out! It comes with thick-cut Applewood-smoked bacon dipped in milk and chipotle chocolate ganache from The Ganachery.

At Earl of Sandwich, try one of their new cheesesteak sandwiches! Choose between the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich with tender chopped beef steak or the Chicken Cheesesteak Sandwich with grilled chicken. Both are served on freshly-baked artisan bread and topped with provolone, mushrooms, sautéed green peppers, and onions. There’s also a Veggie Cheesesteak Sandwich featuring provolone, mushrooms, sautéed green peppers, onions, and HP sauce.

Finally, at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, if you’re looking for a unique plant-based treat, you should definitely try the Sweet Thai Coconut Mickey Onigiri at Intermission Food Court. It features coconut sticky rice with poppy seeds stuffed with roasted mangos, mandarins, apples, and carrots wrapped in nori and is served with a sweet and sour fruit dipping sauce. Also at Intermission Food Court, you’ll find a Hades Cupcake offered the entire month of August. This chocolate cupcake comes with blue sour candy buttercream and a chocolate Hades piece.

For more information all of the locations listed in this month’s Best Bites, visit the Walt Disney World Resort Dining Page or check out the My Disney Experience app.