Though it may not initially seem like it, Disney parks have truly come into their own in recent years as a real food lover’s paradise. If you count yourself as one of the many who love eating their way around the Disney parks and resorts, there are some big changes taking effect right now you should know about.
For February’s dining update, Roundup Rodeo BBQ is set to finally open inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in just a few weeks, a closing date is set for Trail’s End restaurant at Fort Wilderness, plus Dole Whips get more expensive at the Magic Kingdom, a new deal gives resort guests free money to spend on dining during their stay, and more. Check it out:
1. Reservations for Roundup Rodeo BBQ inside Toy Story Land available starting this week
Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is set to open next month on March 23, and if you want to be one of the first to check out this new dining area, you can make reservations starting this week on Feb. 21. This new dining location is located in front of Toy Story Land, near the giant Woody Toy Story Land entrance sign and will be themed to resemble a new “rodeo” play area assembled with cardboard boxes cut and taped together.
The menu is all-you-can-eat, served family style, and includes the following entree items:
- Evil Dr. Smoked Ribs: Fall-off-the-bone pork ribs, slow-cooked for hours in our onsite smokehouse
- Buttercup’s Beef Brisket: Hand-sliced beef brisket, smoked then slow-cooked to juicy perfection
- There’s a Sausage in My Boot: Spiced pork sausage fire-grilled over live oak to give it an added kick
- BBQ Chicken – with Style! Chicken brined for 48 hours, rubbed with our secret backyard BBQ spice and smoked to tender juiciness
In addition to these entrees, guests can also look forward to a selection of appetizers (including a choice of salad and cheddar biscuits) and desserts (including cupcakes, cheesecake, and apple pie) before and after the meal. Diners can also choose up to four sides from a list that includes loaded tater tots, fried pickles, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and more. Cocktails and specialty drinks will be available for an additional fee. The full menu can be viewed here.
Pricing for this all-you-can-eat dining experience has not been revealed yet, but more information should be released this week when reservations officially open. According to the official restaurant website, the price range for this restaurant is $35 to $59.99 per adult, and given that this is an all-you-can-eat location, we’d guess that the price per guest will be on the higher end of that range.
2. Trail’s End restaurant at Fort Wilderness closing permanently on April 17
Disney announced several weeks ago that fan-favorite Fort Wilderness restaurant Trail’s End will be closing permanently later this spring. The restaurant will then be refurbished and reopen later this year with a marketplace concept that includes quick service options. According to the official restaurant website, it looks like the final day the restaurant is taking reservations is April 17, which likely means that will also be this restaurant’s last day in operation. More details about the new concept and when this location will reopen will be released in the coming weeks.
3. Free dining card promo now available through next month
Though the Disney Dining Plan may never come back, Disney is offering a pretty good deal right now for those who want to save on dining during their summer and fall vacations at Walt Disney World. From now through March 27, guests who book an on-site resort package that includes at least a 4-night stay with 4 days of tickets can get a dining promo card pre-loaded with funds you can use at any Disney restaurant including quick service and table service. Here are the dining card details:
- For arrivals July 1st-10th and August 1st-September 14th, guests can get $50 per room per night at the value resorts, $100 per room per night at the moderate resorts, and $150 per room per night at deluxe resorts and villas.
- For arrivals June 25th-30th and July 11th-31st. guests can get $35 per room per night at the value resorts, $75 per room per night at the moderate resorts, and $125 per room per night at deluxe resorts and villas.
There is no guest minimum or maximum with this offer, and this dining promotion can’t be used with any other discounts. Learn more about how to book this offer at the official deal website here.
4. Dole Whip prices go up at the Magic Kingdom
Prices are on the rise all over Walt Disney World and unfortunately it looks like the iconic Dole Whip has been hit with a price hike as well. Guests who visit Aloha Isle Refreshments in the Magic Kingdom will find that the price of the Coconut, Pineapple, and Raspberry Dole Whips have increased from $4.99 to $5.99.
5. Reservations now available for Garden Rocks Dining Packages at EPCOT
It’s hard to believe but the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival is almost here and for those who want to guarantee seating for one of this year’s Garden Rocks concert performers, (which include A Flock of Seagulls, Plain White Ts, Vertical Horizon, Casting Crowns, and over a dozen other acts) reservations are now available for the Garden Rocks Dining Package. This package includes a meal at one of the following EPCOT restaurants and a saved seat at the concert. Here are this year’s prices (excluding tax and gratuity) by location:
- Akershus Royal Banquet Hall: $74 per adult, $48 per child
- Biergarten Restaurant: $60 per adult, $34 per child
- Coral Reef Restaurant: $69 per adult, $27 per child
- Garden Grill Restaurant: $66 per adult, $43 per child
- Le Cellier Steakhouse: $95 per adult, $36 per child
- Regal Eagle Smokehouse: Craft Drafts & Barbecue: $35 per adult, $20 per child
- Rose & Crown Dining Room: $59 per adult, $25 per child
- Spice Road Table: $47 per adult, $20 per child
More information can be found at the official Garden Rocks Dining Package page here.
