But perhaps the most out-there secret menu item we’ve ever experienced is from the Hot Diggity Dogs Food Truck at Disney Springs. It’s called the King Dog and we learned about it via TikTok. When we ordered it, we had to use the secret phrase: “Hot Dog, Hot Dog, Hot Diggity Dog!” like something out of Mission: Impossible! And then we got something that looked like this:
King Dog
As you can tell, a whole lot is going on with this dog! And here’s what it is: an All-Beef Hot Dog in a French Toast Batter Dipped and Cereal-Crusted Bun, topped with a Spicy Peanut Butter Spread, Banana Honey Mustard, Chipotle-Berry Preserves, and pieces of Billionaires Bacon. WHEW!!!
King Dog
Now, though, the secret is out — the King Dog is on the menu at the food truck. So you don’t have to sneak around speaking secret codes to get it. When we tried it, we thought it was almost a breakfast item with everything going on with it. Also, it really is A LOT.
So if you want to try out this outrageous hot dog for yourself, you can! It’s $11.75 and comes with chips and a choice of drink. And we’ll keep an eye out for any other out of this world concoctions at Disney World, too!
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We’ve been THRIVING off of all of the entertainment, gardens, topiaries, and outdoor kitchen updates coming from Disney! We’re happy to see A LOT of our favorites will be returning to the festival this year — and even some NEW gardens and outdoor kitchens! But, we can’t help but notice the things that are missing from the festival lists.
Between concerts, booths, and maybe even some exclusive tours, there’s a thing or two that didn’t make the cut for the 2021 Flower and Garden Festival…so far.
Garden Rocks Concert Series
Garden Rocks is the series of free concerts that typically comes to EPCOT during the Flower and Garden Festival. Performances take place at the American Gardens Theater in the American Adventure Pavilion and feature a long list of popular bands from the last few decades. Every year, we would read the list and hope that our visits line up with our favorite bands so we could stand in line early with all the other fans.
2019 Rock out at the Garden Rocks concerts!
But, this year, it does not look like the Garden Rocks Concert Series will not be returning to the Flower and Garden Festival. Instead, the Voices of Liberty and Mariachi Cobre will alternate shows on the stage throughout the day. And, two other musical performances — the Jammin’ Gardeners and a Pianist — will bring tunes to your day around the park. This decision is in line with other Disney concert cancellations, such as the Eat to the Eat Concert Series during the Food and Wine Festival.
With the release of all the Outdoor Kitchens coming to the festival this year, we learned of one that will not be making a return. The popularFlorida Fresh booth didn’t make the cut this year. Looks like we won’t be able to grab their Shrimp and Grits this year (unless served elsewhere)…womp, womp.
2020 Florida Fresh Booth
This booth has been a staple at the Flower and Garden Festival for YEARS. They traditionally served up fresh Florida favorites with dishes like Carne Guisada with Black Bean Cake and Cilantro Lime Sour Cream and Spicy Blacked Shrimp and Cheddar Cheese Grits. The dessert option was usually some sort of Key Lime Tart and their beverages made with fresh Watermelon Juice were a popular refreshing drink. We’re sad to see it go!
Block & Hans Craft Beer Kiosk is a permanent location in The American Adventure Pavilion but often joins in of the special offering during festival seasons. They serve up a rotating selection of brews from several areas around the country and even have a Mickey Pretzel to pair. But, this year it doesn’t look like the kiosk will be adding any festival items to their menu since it wasn’t listed as an additional locations when booths were released.
Block & Hans
Last year, Block & Hans served up two sweet drinks, including a ~spiked~Arendelle Aqua Lemonade. Looks like we’ll have to turn to another booth to get our sugar fix at the Flower and Garden Festival this year.
Garden Tours (not been confirmed for 2021)
It wouldn’t be the Flower and Garden Festival without flower arrangements and a walk through a garden or two. And, while we know that 20 gardens will be returning to the festival this year, we haven’t heard whether the garden tours will be offered again.
Royal Tea Garden Tour
The Royal Tea Garden Tour is one of two tours that takes place in the United Kingdom Pavilion. Tea connoisseurs gather for about 30-minutes to learn about the plants and blooms that go into making the Twinings Tea. And, the tour caps off with a tasting of scones and tea!
Royal Tea Garden Tour
Disney hasn’t shared any information about whether the tour will be offered this year, so stay tuned to DFB for all the updates!
The second tour that has historically been offered at the United Kingdom Pavilion is the English Tea Garden Tour. The complementary tour takes guests around the garden to learn more about how their favorite cuppa tea is made.
2018 English Tea Garden Tour
In the past, tours have been offered twice a day, but we’re not sure if this will continue this year. But, you can bet we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates!
Well, there you have it. While we’re going to deeply miss a lot of these festival favorites, we’re excited to see all that will be replacing them! As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest EPCOT fest updates!
Your purchase includes several bonus items as well — including a full daily schedule of events at the Festival and a printable Outdoor Kitchens Booth Menu Checklist to carry with you as you Eat around the World!
Preorder your 2021 edition today! Don’t miss a moment of the fun!
For months now, we’ve watched the triangular tiles of the future Play! Pavilion in EPCOT be replaced. However, the roof replacement came to a halt more than a month ago with one old tile still remaining. Here’s what the one bright yellow tile has looked like on the old Wonders of Life Pavilion. Finally, the tiling is complete and cohesive as of today, with the final tile replaced. Here is what the Play! Pavilion looks like in the EPCOT Experience […]
Over time, the animated feature evolved into a family-based genre, with most films targeted directly at kids. But that wasn’t always the case and still isn’t in many countries. With Cryptozoo being an American-made film aimed exclusively at an adult audience with an inevitable R-rating, it promised up front to be different and boy, was it […]
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. If you are looking for fun ways to celebrate the holiday at Disney Springs, you will want to check this out. February is a great time to visit Walt Disney World. If you need a break from the parks, you might want to visit Disney Springs instead. With […]
As the world began to shut down this past spring due to the Novel Coronavirus pandemic, and the gravity of the virus began to sink in, everyone looked for ways to bring some comfort, familiarity, a little bit of happiness to their lives. Disney fans were no different.
Although some of the theme parks have reopened, the pandemic has not gotten any better. For some, it is worse.
Jack Plotnick/self
Like many others, actor, comedian, and director Jack Plotnick felt the same way. “When the pandemic hit I would often find myself watching YouTube videos in bed at night, trying to get my mind off the sadness we were all experiencing,” said Plotnick. “So of course my interests turned back to what made me so happy as a kid, and I sought out videos about the Disney Parks, rides, restaurants, whatever!”
One of those videos Plotnick watched was the Disneyland 10th anniversary special on the “Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color.” Broadcast in 1965, the first half of the special begins with Walt Disney showing Julie Reihm, Miss Disneyland Tencennial, around as he tells her about some of the exciting new attractions the Disney Imagineers were working on for Disneyland.
Click here to see the “Disney made a Plaza Restaurant” video.
Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color, Disneyland’s 10th anniversary/screenshot
Watching the show in bed, Plotnick thought a number of those scenes were perfect to satirize. One in particular was when Walt introduced Julie to Harriet Burns. In the special, Burns, who was the first woman hired in the Walt Disney Imagineering department within the Walt Disney Company, is working next to a model of the upcoming Plaza Restaurant on Main Street U.S.A. In the actual video, Burns is working on a small patio umbrella for the outside of the model.
Plotnick turns this scene into a love story of sorts. He imagines Burns is in love with Walt, but it is clear Walt does not have the same feelings for her.
In the “reimagined” version, Burns (portrayed by Plotnick) is working on one of the small figurines, one that is to represent Walt. In the video, Walt says to Julie, “We’re putting in the little umbrellas and the tables for the scale model.” Walt then points to the small figures and says, “Actually, this is the size of people right there.”
Jack Plotnick as Harriet Burns/screenshot
Plotnick’s Burns looks up from her work and says, “Oh and look Walt, I’m making a little figure that looks just like you.” As she holds up the clay figurine, Walt gives a little dismissive chuckle and immediately leaves with Julie. As he brings her over to see an interior view of the restaurant, Plotinick’s Burns has such a look of sadness and disappointment on her face it breaks your heart.
Jack Plotnick as John Hench/screenshot
After Walt introduces Julie to John Hench (also played by Plotnick), Burns sigh,s and in a scene straight from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, violins begin to play in the background as birds chirp. Plotnick’s Burns looks at the scale models and says, “Wanna know a secret? Promise not to tell?” and launches into the I’m Wishing/OneSong from the 1937 animated film.
In typical Disney fashion, Burns is transported into the scale model of the restaurant where she leaps around and encounters one of the waitresses (portrayed by Plotnick). She hands Burns a plate of what is now the Plaza Restaurant’s famous three-piece fried chicken platter.
Burns is brought back to reality by a booming voice but much to her disappointment, it is not Walt but Blaine Gibson (Plotnick). Of all the characters he portrays, Gibson is the one that Plotnick most resembles.
Burns tells Gibson to “buzz off” and soon realizes that love may still be in the air, but from someone else.
In an interview with Matt Krul, host of Imagineer Podcast, one of Burns’ granddaughters revealed that Harriet formed a bit of a romantic kinship with Blaine after their spouses passed. So, Plotnick’s story is pretty close to the truth.
Plotnick’s costuming is a near identical copy of Burns and many of the other characters he portrays. “Because I shot these during quarantine, I was dreading searching for matching clothes at the thrift stores,” said Plotnick. “I told myself I would go to a single store, and whatever I could find would be what I’d wear. And the wonderful thing was I found everything I needed.”
Currently there are three other videos by Plotnick based on the same TV episode. In one he portrays Mary Blair. She is working on the “it’s a Small World” exterior. Plotnick’s outfit is a near duplicate for Blair’s.
Plotnick as Mary Blair/Plotnick
“For the “it’s a small world” video, I was at the register, peered into the display case, and there it was – the EXACT necklace that Mary Blair had been wearing! And it was literally the only necklace they had on display. Maybe that was just a bit of the Disney Magic working in my favor!”
Click here for the “Disney made a Small World ride” video.
In “Disney made a small world ride,” follows Walt as he brings Julie around to show her the work being done on the “it’s a small world” attraction. Introducing Julie to meet Mary Blair (also played by Plotnick), Walt tells Mary to describe what she is working on. Plotnick’s Blair, who looks absolutely exhausted, says she is working on a sketch for the attraction. “I made [a preliminary sketch], I finished it at some point last night,” Plotnick’s Blair says. “I don’t even remember doing it … I stayed here until like 1:00 a.m. and found this … it’s not bad.” Blair then holds up a rendering from one of the attraction’s backgrounds. “I mean it’s really got some charm,” she concludes.
screenshot
As Walt brings Julie to other areas, the camera pans across the room and Plotnick’s next imagined scene occurs between two women – one working on a doll and the other on their costumes.
Here one of the women is asking the other what “this ride is all about?” The other woman says it is a boat ride with all the children of the world “singing and dancing to this really cute song.” The other woman just nods, not really getting the whole point of the ride as she keeps asking, “then what happens?”
Still confused, she asks again what happens. The other woman says nothing – they just keep singing the song in their own language. Exasperated, the other woman asks, “How? Why would anyone want to hear that again and again?” Referring to the Sherman Brothers love-it-or-hate-it song, it’s a small world.
Be sure to watch the entire video as there is a bonus scene at the very end that is the payoff to the entire video.
Plotnick says there are more videos to come. “I love making them, and am thrilled that they are tickling so many people. I especially love, and am honored by, the messages from actual Disney employees and even Imagineers! I have been obsessed with them since childhood, so it’s a dream come true to enter their world in some small way. And it feels nice to honor the people who brought me so much joy as a kid.”
If Plotnick looks familiar that is because he has been in numerous feature films, television shows, and national commercials. Feature films include Gods and Monsters and Meet the Fockers. TV credits include Grace & Frankie, Glee, and Wizards of Waverly Place.
Currently, Plotnick has a feature film, Space Station 76, which he co-wrote and directed, on Starz! It stars Patrick Wilson, Matt Bomer, and Liv Tyler. “The film takes place in the future as we had imagined it in the 1970’s; very much inspired by my love for the Tomorrowland and the Contemporary Hotel of my childhood,” says Plotnick.
Since we checked in a few days ago, Disney has made fast work enclosing the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind facade with wood panels. There’s plenty more work to be done at the construction site, but we can now see the shape of the building’s angled facade. More wood will be installed on the sloped ceiling. The two openings on either side are where guests will enter the attraction. Meanwhile, synthetic underlayment is being placed over the roof paneling […]
Disney Springs will be celebrating Mardi Gras starting tomorrow, Monday, February 1, with a special hot dog available at B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. TOMORROW—get a taste of New Orleans with the new Mardi Gras Smoked Crawdog featuring Smoked Andouille Sausage topped with Crawfish, Lemon Caper Aioli, and Creole Pepper Sauce! Available at B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. […]
There’s something so special about live entertainment. There’s an element of human connection that you just can’t get from any other form of entertainment. EPCOT has the most live entertainment of the four Walt Disney World theme parks right now. We thought it would be handy to put together a quick guide on the live entertainment at EPCOT and the COVID-19 precautions in place.
These are the current live entertainment acts at EPCOT, which include special Festival of the Arts performances. Most of these performances will most likely continue in some form or fashion as the level of entertainment has been kept relatively the same since the July 2020 reopening regardless of any festival.
Mariachi Cobre at American Gardens Theater
Voices of Liberty at American Gardens Theater
Jammin’ Chefs at Canada Pavilion
Art Defying Gravity at World Showplace
Pianist at World Showplace
American Gardens Theater EntranceArt Defying Gravity at World ShowplaceMariachi Cobre at American Gardens Theater – January 2021
EPCOT Entertainment Schedule
All performances are located in World Showcase. Being able to find the scheduled times of all of these performers takes a tiny bit of work. The schedule for Mariachi Cobre, Voices of Liberty, and the Jammin’ Chefs / JAMmitors is found on DisneyWorld.com as well as on our EPCOT Showtimes page on our site.
The MyDisneyExperience app does not have all the entertainment listings right now under the “Today’s Showtimes” menu. But during the Festival of the Arts you can find the showtimes for all of the EPCOT Entertainment under the Festival of the Arts’ listing on the app. You’ll need to go to the homepage and scroll down. You’ll see a brightly colored listing for the festival. Click “Learn More” and then the “Performing Arts” menu. Here the acts will be listed, then you can click on each act for their performance times. The pianist at World Showplace is not listed anywhere from what I could tell, but seems to be a filler act for in between performances of Art Defying Gravity.
Art Defying Gravity at World ShowplaceArt Defying Gravity at World Showplace
EPCOT Entertainment COVID-19 Safety Precautions
Each venue, including the American Gardens Theater, World Showplace, and the stage at the Canada Pavilion, have social distance markings. The audience can view the performance by standing on one of the available markings. At the American Gardens Theater there are designated seats on the bench rows. Guests cannot watch the performance unless they are seated in one of the available areas. The performers are at least six feet away from the audience.
Jammin’ Chefs at Canada PavilionVoices of Liberty at American Gardens Theater – January 2021
The American Gardens Theater and the stage at the Canada Pavilion are outside. This is my personal preference. The World Showplace pavilion is host to multiple Kitchen Studios with the performances near the center of the building. If you are comfortable eating indoors it is a lovely experience to eat and drink while gazing at the Art Defying Gravity performances. Or, you can simply watch the performance without any food and drink.
Not too long ago my husband, son, and I watched the Jammin’ Chefs at the Canada Pavilion and it felt so good. Live entertainment is something we enjoy as a family and this was the first live entertainment we’d watched together in many, many months. We arrived to the stage about 15 minutes before the scheduled performance and were able to find a mark at the front. It was not crowded, and we felt comfortable. But those that arrived right at showtime and after had only a few spots left from which to choose and soon all the spots were taken. For those guests that arrived after the spots were all full they were not able to stand around; they were asked to keep moving along the promenade.
Jammin’ Chefs Viewing Area at Canada Pavilion
Are you a fan of live entertainment at Walt Disney World? Have you watched any performances since the reopening?
With more than 750 pages, the 2021 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining is full of tips and planning tools developed by Disney World experts over 30+ years of visits. We’ve done the research for you, so you’ll know just which spots will uniquely suit your family’s needs!
