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 March’s dining update, an iconic Magic Kingdom treat potentially goes away forever, several restaurants reopen, plus Disney Springs gets a new eatery and Raglan Road gets ready to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
1. Citrus Swirl is now potentially gone forever
Though the Citrus Swirl has been an iconic Magic Kingdom snack for nearly 50 years, it looks like this treat may have left the park for good, as unspecified issues have been impacting its availability in the park. And unfortunately, it looks like this snack may be gone for good, as Cast Members are reporting that they are not sure if the Citrus Swirl will ever come back.
There’s no way to know what the future may hold for this popular menu item, and it’s certainly possible that Disney could bring it back in a few years, but as of right now it looks like fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for a citrus swirl any time soon.
2. Cape May Cafe brings back dinner buffet
Though the Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club resort has been open for some time, this restaurant has ditched its former family style menu and has brought back buffets for both breakfast and dinner. Reservations are recommended for this popular restaurant and can be made at the official restaurant page here. You can also view menu items that are currently available at this restaurant, including Seafood Boil, Cape May Mac and Cheese and the Catch of the Day.
The cost of the newly reinstated buffet is $25 per adult for breakfast and $42 per adult for dinner. This price does not include crab legs or lobster, which are sold seperately by the pound.
3. EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival guests can get a free Dole Whip after completing a special challenge
Guests visiting the EPCOT International Flower and Garden festival this year can take part in a new activity: The Garden Graze. Guests who take part in this challenge can pick up a special passport that they can get stamped five times, after which they can get a free completer treat at the Pineapple Promenade booth: a Pineapple Lime Swirl Dole Whip!
This special free treat even comes in a EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival souvenir cup that you can bring home. You can learn more about all of the food offerings at this year’s festival here.
4. Brand new eatery Local Greens ATL comes to Disney Springs later this month
Disney has announced that a new addition to Disney Springs is coming sometime later this month. Named Local Greens ATL, this new eatery is described as “bringing you culture, hip-hop and fresh healthy greens in just one bite!” This location will open sometime in March, and while we don’t know right now whether this will be a kiosk or a sit-down restaurant, we are guessing we will learn more in the coming weeks as this new eatery is set to open very soon.
5. The Turf Club Bar and Grill reopens at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
The Turf Club Bar and Grill reopened last month at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, and is once again serving up menu favorites for guests of this hotel including Cider-braised Mussels, Grilled Pork Chop and Braised Lamb Tagliatelle. You can make reservations for this restaurant and learn more about what’s on the menu here.
6. Princesses now meeting guests in a separate room at Cinderella’s Royal Table
Guests who visit Cinderella’s Royal Table to see their favorite princesses can now take pictures with the characters at this dining establishment in a separate room, away from the dining area before they are seated to eat their meal. Masks are no longer required indoors, including at dining establishments, so guests can feel free to pose and smile as they wish in front of these classic characters.
Though this dining experience used to feature characters walking around while guests dined, it looks like this pre-meal character meet and greet experience will be the norm at least for the foreseeable future.
7. Raglan Road announces St. Patrick’s Day celebration, kicking off this weekend
Raglan Road at Disney Springs will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day starting this Friday with special entertainment that will include new menu items, Irish dancing and performances from popular Irish bands who are appearing at the restaurant specifically for the holiday. The celebration will last until March 17th. You can get more details on the festivities at the Disney Parks Blog.
8. Disney Dining Plan still MIA at Walt Disney World
Last year, Walt Disney World confirmed that the Disney Dining Plan, a popular add-on that allows guests to pre-pay for their meals, would be returning in 2022. However, as of this month, there have been no updates about when or how the Disney Dining Plan could return, leading some to question if Disney is still planning on moving forward with the return of this offering.
9. New limited edition cookie now available at Gideon’s Bakehouse for the month of March
Popular Disney Springs location, Gideon’s Bakehouse has announced that their limited edition cookie for March will be the Coffee Toffee Chocolate Chip, a handmade, almost 1/2 pound cookie that is filled and topped with freshly ground espresso beans and complimented with Toffee (for a sweet crunch) and Chocolate (for richness) in a Vanilla Bean Cookie. This treat is then finished with a sprinkling of sea salt.
If you want to check out this new item, you’ll want to get to Gideon’s Bakehouse early, as their virtual line has been known to be several hours long.
