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 December’s dining update, we look to the future as Disney finally sets an opening date for the new Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant in Toy Story Land (hint: it’s not in 2022), a new coffee shop is set to open soon at a popular resort, plus a table service restaurant at EPCOT introduces a new $250 menu…and no reservations are accepted! Check out all the dining news below:
1. Roundup Rodeo BBQ now set to open in Spring 2023
After several years of delays the Roundup Rodeo BBQ restaurant inside Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios finally has an opening target: Spring 2023. This new dining location will be 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 restaurant will have two large dining spaces. Barbecue food, which will reportedly be served family-style, will fill the menu for guests to enjoy.
The fun theming will include plenty of things for Toy Story fans to see, including a steam train supported by colored pencils, a suspiciously impressive house of cards, and game boards featuring beloved characters from the films. The dining room will also feature the rodeo’s star performers: Jessie, Trixie, and Bo Peep with her leapin’ sheep Billy, Goat, and Gruff.
Disney Imagineers worked closely with animators and designers at Pixar when designing this new restaurant, even creating full comic strips about Woody’s adventures, which guests can find on the dining room ceiling.
More information about a specific opening date, reservation ability, and menu items will be made available early next year as we get closer to the opening of this long-awaited restaurant.
2. Carousel coffee brings artisanal drinks and pastries to the Boardwalk
Work continues inside the reimagined BoardWalk shopping and dining area, with Disney revealing that one of the former gift shop areas is being turned into a high-end coffee shop! Named Carousel Coffee, this new shop is located near the lobby area of the BoardWalk resort and will serve specialty drinks, including the following:
- Dark Cherry Mocha Frozen Blended Coffee
- Cinnamon Bun Frozen Blended Coffee
- Nitro Cold Brew Coffee
- Pomegranate-Green Tea Lemonade
This shop’s menu will also include pastries, including the following:
- Crunchy Raspberry Danish
- Vintage Mickey & Minnie Sugar Cookie
- Banana Bread
- Croissant, Blueberry Muffin
- Chocolate Muffin
- NJ Crumb Cake
No specific opening date has been shared yet but with work wrapping up, expect to see this location begin serving guests in just a few weeks!
3. New tiki mug available at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
A new limited-edition tiki mug is now available at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and you’ll have to get to the bar early if you want it! Featuring Jose from the Enchanted Tiki Room, guests who want to take home this special souvenir will need to pop by the Grog Grotto at noon for a special wristband that will allow them to purchase the cup as well as a choice of drink: either the new Manu Aloha or Blame It On The Samba (Non-Alcoholic) beverage when the bar opens at 3:00 PM.
4. Tokyo Dining now closed for multi-month refurbishment at EPCOT
Last month EPCOT table service restaurant Tokyo Dining closed for a multi-month refurbishment that should bring substantial changes to the restaurant. No specific reopening date has been announced, but Disney says the location is expected to reopen in the summer of 2023.
5. Takumi-Tei now offering $250 omakase menu
Elsewhere at the Japan pavilion, the high-end Takumi-Tei is now offering a new menu that features two omakase multi-course meals priced at $250 (omnivorous) and $150 (plant-based). Menu choices include Japanese A5 wagyu steak, roasted duck, and Chilean sea bass. This menu is available Thursday – Monday from 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM, and meals are available on a walk-in basis only as reservations are not currently being accepted. More information is available at the restaurant’s official website.
6. 2023 Fantasmic! dining packages are now available
Earlier this year Fantasmic returned to Disney’s Hollywood Studios from a lengthy hiatus with new scenes, characters, and more. As you might expect, the show has been incredibly popular since it has been back and if you are wanting to check out this show, one of the best ways to secure your seat is with a Fantasmic! dining package. And as of this week, packages for January and February 2023 are now available for several sit-down restaurants around the park, including the following:
- 50s Prime Time Cafe – $51 for adults, $22 for kids
- Hollywood & Vine – Breakfast: $54 for adults, $36 for kids Dinner: $71 for adults, $47 for kids
- Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano – $54 for adults, $22 for kids
- Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant – $49 for adults, $22 for kids
- The Hollywood Brown Derby – $73 for adults, $29 for kids
Get more information at the official Fantasmic dining package website here.
7. Reservations now available for Disney on Broadway series for EPCOT Festival of the Arts
If you’re looking to get reserved seating for this year’s Disney on Broadway series as part of the EPCOT Festival of the Arts, Disney has now operned up reservations for dining packages that include guaranteed seating for this year’s concert series. Confirmed performers this year include Kara Lindsay, Kevin Massey, Arielle Jacobs, Adam Jacobs, Patti Murin, Robert Creighton, Mandy Gonzalez, L. Steven Taylor, Kissy Simmons, Josh Strickland, Ashley Brown, and Michael James Scott. For participating restaurants and to book reservations you can check out the official concert series website here.
