Sprinkles and Disney Springs may be most famous for its cupcake offerings, but we’ve discovered a hidden treat that is a real hit for the holidays.
The official name on Sprinkles’ site is Frost-A-Roos: Santa’s Cookies, but I can pretty much guarantee I never left anything this fancy for Santa!
On the web site it is described as: Frost-A-Roos: Santa’s Cookies include 3 cookies (flavors vary by bakery), 3 frosting shots–vanilla cream cheese, dark chocolate buttercream, salty caramel cream cheese, and holiday themed decorations–green trees, snowman, gingerbread, and sprinkles.
The price for this kit is $13.50, and the Disney Springs version includes two chocolate chip cookies and one salted oatmeal cornflake cookie.
With holiday activities for kids being limited this year, our junior reviewers love any sort of special activity, and this was a fun way to spend some time in the afternoon. A good thing about this kit from Sprinkles is that they give you 200% more icing than you need when you buy the make-your-own kits, so you will have frosting left over if you have other cookies on hand that you want to decorate. The kit comes 3 cookies but the icing was more than enough for 6. Plus the sprinkles weren’t those molar-breaking kinda you get at the store. The large ball ones were chocolate candy. It was such good quality and beautiful presentation.
Meanwhile, if you’re a traditionalist when it comes to Sprinkles and must have cupcakes, there’s two seasonal ones to enjoy for a limited time: gingerbread and chocolate peppermint. With these classic flavors, you can’t go wrong with either (although we still much prefer that peppermint ice cream sandwich dessert from Animal Kingdom over this peppermint chocolate cupcake form).
Are you a fan of sweets at Sprinkles? Does the cookie kit look like it would be a fun family activity for your crew? Let us know in the comments.
Visiting Walt Disney World means standing in line. It’s why we named our app “Lines” – because it will help you avoid long lines. Now with COVID-19 precautions, the physical space of the lines at Walt Disney World is long, though it doesn’t mean your wait will be as long as the line looks. Extended queues are everywhere, so here are some tips and tricks for dealing with them.
The queues for all attractions, and food for that matter, are socially distanced. And having to space people out in a safe distance while waiting in line has led to some interesting extended queue set ups.
Peter Pan’s Flight Extended Queue
Top tips for dealing with extended queues
Look for the lollipop signs
Be prepared to be outside a lot
Keep your eyes on the distancing markers
Make a game of jumping from marker to market if you have a little one
Take time to enjoy the details once inside the formal queue
Eating or drinking is not allowed in the ride queues
Look for the lollipop signs
The vast majority of attractions have lines that start quite a distance away from their regular entrance. You’ll need to look for the lollipop signs that indicate where the end of the line is located. Generally you can easily follow the extended line from near the ride’s regular entrance down the walkway and find the end of the line, but the lollipop signs are a big help.
Extended Queue Big Thunder MountainSeven Dwarfs Mine Train Extended QueueJungle Cruise Extended Queue December 5, 2020
Be prepared to be outside a lot
Because of all the extra distance needed between parties, the lines are extending well beyond their original borders. Extended queues weave throughout the park, staying off to the side as to not impede traffic. This leads to lots more time outside while you wait your turn to make it into the original ride building. Be prepared for hot Florida sun, or the occasional cold day. Make sure to check the weather forecast and have rain gear with you if there is any rain in the forecast.
Ariel’s Under Sea Adventure Extended QueueRock N Roller Coaster Extended Queue – 10-15-2020
Keep your eyes on the distancing markers
Now that the parks have been reopened for over five months, some of the distancing markers on the ground are showing some wear and tear. Keep a close eye on the markers so you can keep your distance. In some cases Disney has replaced the printed markers with colored tape.
Space Mountain Extended Queue
Make a game of being in line
We recently asked our Instagram followers for their tips for passing the time in line. We received a wide array of answers. From playing “Heads Up” game on your phone to making up incorrect backstories about the rides, we sure saw a lot of creativity. If you have little ones with you, I have found it is fun to run or jump from one marker to the next as they open up. My son loves it. So much so he does it at other public places – yes, we do get inquisitive looks from others.
Take time to enjoy the details once inside the formal queue
One positive of the temporary elimination of FastPass+ is that everyone gets to enjoy the formal queue. It’s nice to be able to have a little time to enjoy all the details. Although the line is constantly moving, it is at a pace that will allow you to look around and notice all the details. Much of the ride’s story and theme is firmly established in the queue.
Avatar Flight of Passage Interior Queue (Photo by Hunter Underwood)
Eating or drinking is not allowed in the ride queues
To help maintain a safe environment, eating and drinking is not allowed in the queues. This is a change that takes a lot of getting used to for many guests. Be sure to fuel up before you get in line. And if you do need to use the restroom after you’ve entered the queue, we’ve noticed many Cast Members allowing guests to depart the line, use the restroom, and return to their party in line.
Have you experienced any of the extended queues at Walt Disney World? What tips would you add? Let us know in the comments!
The Magic Kingdom is home to two of Walt Disney World’s most sought-after dining locations: Cinderella’s Royal Table and the Be Our Guest Restaurant. After all, who wouldn’t want the chance to dine just like Disney royalty?
But which one should you choose to experience during your Magic Kingdom day? The question isn’t an easy one, especially since our Lines 2.0 app ratings currently have both restaurants tied at 87%.
Like most things, the winner of the battle of castle reservations depends on what you’re looking for; and to help you determine the winner for your own Disney World Vacation, we’re breaking down all you need to know about Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest.
Note: Since the Magic Kingdom reopened, Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest’s dining experiences have been modified.
Cinderella’s Royal Table
Cinderella’s Royal Table Dining Room
Cinderella’s Royal Table offers guests the experience of dining inside the iconic Cinderella Castle! Expect stone arches, a vaulted ceiling, and views of Fantasyland all in a medieval-style setting.
Hours: Lunch & Dinner. Cinderella’s Royal Table usually offers a popular character breakfast, but it’s currently suspended due to the current circumstances.
Menu: Very little variety. Expect prix fixe menus with options ranging from a Fish of the Day, pan-roasted chicken, beef tenderloin, and a kid’s mac n’ cheese meal. The Cinderella-themed desserts are a fun touch with names a dark chocolate mousse titled “The Clock Strikes Twelve” and whipped cheesecakes called “Jaq and Gus.”
Price: The current adult menu for both lunch and dinner is $60+ for adults and $37+ for kids.
View of Fantasyland from Cinderella’s Royal Table
Setting/Atmosphere: The medieval dining room feels more like King Arthur than Cinderella, even though Cinderella does make a socially distanced appearance. Tables near the windows offer views overlooking Fantasyland, but unfortunately, there are more tables positioned away from the windows than near them.
Why You Should Dine at Cinderella’s Royal Table: Who wouldn’t want to hang out inside Cinderella Castle? Regardless of whether the menu succeeds or not, it’s hard to regret saying you dined like Disney royalty inside one of the most recognizable icons on the planet.
Lines 2.0 Rating: 87%
Lines 2.0 Ranking: #37 of 106 in WDW
Be Our Guest
Magic Kingdom Reopening Be Our Guest Dining Room July 2020
Guests are transported into the Beast’s castle from Beauty and the Beast with a relatively tame French-inspired menu. Expect to feel transported into the world of the animated film.
Hours: Lunch & Dinner. Be Our Guest used to offer breakfast and functioned as a counter-service restaurant for lunch. It’s currently a table service restaurant for both lunch and dinner due to the current circumstances.
Menu: Expect a prix fixe lunch and dinner menus with options like pork tenderloin, pan-seared sea scallops, French Onion Soup, filet mignon, a kids’ mac n’ cheese meal, and a dessert trio for lunch.
Price: The current adult menu for both lunch and dinner is $60+ for adults and $37+ for kids.
What a great effect!
Setting/Atmosphere: Be Our Guest offers three uniquely themed dining rooms, two of which are straight out of the film. The ballroom features massive gold chandeliers and even snow falling outside the windows while the dark and eerie West Wing is home to the enchanted rose with falling petals. The Rose Gallery is not from the film but has huge portraits of the film’s characters and a large music box topped with Belle and the Beast as its centerpiece.
Why You Should Dine at Be Our Guest: For Beauty and the Beast fans, this restaurant is a must-do for both the setting and experience, but not necessarily for the food. Each of the dining rooms offer their own experience and atmosphere, and the Beast makes a socially distanced appearance.
Lines 2.0 Rating: 87%
Lines 2.0 Ranking: #57 of 106 in WDW
Are you Team Be Our Guest or Team Cinderella’s Royal Table? Let us know in the comments!
Filed Under: Dining, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World (FL), Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest Restaurant, beauty and the beast, Cinderella Castle, Cinderella’s Royal Table, disney dining, disney world, disney world restaurants, Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom Restaurants, walt disney world
Have you ever had a day not go at all as planned and yet turn out great? I had no plan to go to Disney’s Riviera Resort the other day. But by a happy accident I decided to pop in for my first visit to the resort. This unique Disney Vacation Club Resort opened on December 16, 2019. It has received mixed reviews at best.
Disney’s Riviera ResortDisney’s Riviera Resort
After disembarking from the Disney Skyliner I walked over to the pool area. I could immediately see how the resort did not feel as lush or enveloping as other Disney Vacation Club Resorts. The convenience of the Skyliner is hard to deny, and certainly worth considering as a major benefit to this resort.
Disney’s Riviera Resort
The outdoor area is great as well with lovely views of the Skyliner and waterways. I fell in love with Bar Riva. Our readers give this outdoor bar a 93% thumbs up rating, and it is ranked number 30 out of 107 bars at Walt Disney World. The feature pool, with its Fantasia theme, was quite busy. The quiet pool nearby had a fair number of guests enjoying the sunshine here too.
Disney’s Riviera ResortDisney’s Riviera Resort
The lobby itself is quite small, and felt very similar to more generic timeshare properties, like Hilton Grand Vacations Club or Club Wyndham. It did not feel as inviting as other Disney Vacation Club lobbies.
Disney’s Riviera ResortDisney’s Riviera Resort
Last year, on opening night in fact, our own Len Testa stayed inside a Tower Studio. He quickly declared it the worst value on Disney property. That sentiment has not changed in this past year. But if Riviera Resort is on your list of possible resorts, you may find the convenience of the Skyliner and the outdoor common area to suit your needs.
Have you stayed at Disney’s Riviera Resort? What did you think?
Sometimes the best way to start the day is with something sweet. Le Petit Café, located inside Disney’s Riviera Resort, is a Parisian-style coffee shop that becomes a lounge after 4:00 p.m. I stopped in for a post-lunch treat and enjoyed the seasonal treats offered here.
This little café is a great stop to start your day or for an afternoon pick me up. And when you’re ready to unwind at the end of the day there’s sophisticated cocktails, as well as beer and wine, and small plates to enjoy. Throughout the year Le Petit Café has seasonal sweets and seasonal specialty coffees.
Le Petit CaféMenu at Le Petit Café
Being the holiday season, the display case offered a few Christmas and wintry treats, and a few festive coffee drinks on the menu sounded tempting. I selected the Noel Blanc Latte (or White Christmas Latte) and I couldn’t resist the Christmas Candy Drop.
Desserts at Le Petit CaféNoel Blanc Latte and Christmas Candy Drop at Le Petit Café
The Noel Blanc Latte is available hot or iced. During my visit there was still a tiny nip in the air (by Floridian standards) so I decided to go with the hot version. This cup of cheer was full of sweetness, from white chocolate, caramel, and warm spices like cinnamon. Normally I do not care for coffee so sweet, but it satisfied the sugar rush I needed and tasted so festive.
Noel Blanc Latte and Christmas Candy Drop at Le Petit CaféChristmas Candy Drop from Le Petit Café
The Christmas Candy Drop rivaled many of the seasonal sweets served at Amorette’s Patisserie, but had a slightly lower price tag. It was silky, smooth, and the perfect serving size to satisfy my sweet tooth, without being too much. The layers of chocolate mousse and pistachio mousse were not that pronounced, but the dark cherries stood out. The crust was both a thin layer of chocolate cake, and a small crispy cookie. Each forkful was a delight.
Christmas Candy Drop from Le Petit CaféChristmas Candy Drop from Le Petit Café
There is some limited seating inside Le Petit Café, which is inside the lobby of Disney’s Riviera Resort. I opted to have mine “to go” and walked down the stairs to the outdoor common area. I made my way to the water’s edge where a nice selection of tables and chairs affords guests a place to dine while taking in views of the resort, the pool, and the Disney Skyliner.
Have you ever grabbed a coffee, treat, or cocktail at Le Petit Café? Will you make a stop on your next ride aboard the Disney Skyliner?
