OFFICIAL Disney Cake Chatter Thread - Part III

[TiggerTrigger]

I must like cake mixes better then. Really it's not the cake I like so much at Publix. It's the icing. I don't know where any of them get their buttercream frosting, but I've eaten cakes from several different supermarket chains in different east coast/southeast locations, Sam's & Costco. No ones buttercream is like Publix. IMO, Publix has the best cakes I've ever ordered from a bakery that wasn't a small local bakery. If they all get their buttercream from the same place, Publix adds something to theirs. Everyone else needs to call them up & ask what the secret ingredient is. As with all things, it's personal taste. Everyone may not love it more than others, but I've never had anyone not enjoy the Publix cakes I've served. With WDW, it's luck of the draw. Some have reported receiving delicious cakes. Others, like us, received cakes that weren't edible. If you're willing to pay a lot, Disney's cakes can be beautiful though.

I think a lot of people like mixes. I'm not a fan of any of the non-chocolate mixes, but some of my fave homemade cakes are semi-from scratch involving boxed chocolate cake mix. Publix probably does do something different with theirs...i.e. adding flavorings, extra sugar, etc.- sort of the semi-homemade approach. It's one of the best tricks to baking! The commericial brands also change their recipes here and there, so the chains using them sometimes modify them post formula change to closely resemble the previous incarnation. Brill is also in GA from what I remember reading, so w/Publix being a FL chain- it might be easier for them to get that brand being one state over.

On a funny related Publix note...I remember my brother calling me to express his guilt...their local Publix had to get rid of mass amounts of frosting b/c the supplier was changing the recipe...so they were just selling off tubs of frosting. He doesn't really bake but he bought in bulk

Having made my share of cake wrecks...I also fully believe it when people get inedible cakes. It happens...I mean, I wouldn't sell it or even show it to my friends...but it happens. I do a lot of test flavors and have to fight humidity- so that's my excuse

But I think from a cost and flavor perspective...Publix is a good bang for the buck and seems consistent...so, it might be a great alternative if you're not looking for fondant, gumpaste, royal icing, etc. level decor. Seriously- rule #1 THE CAKE MUST taste good. And if you've had a bad WDW experience or are scared from some of the experiences of others- you have to go with your gut on this. I was thankful to get a good cake and will be getting another- but will write it off if our next cake is not as good.

OK...I think I'm going to have to ask my mom to pick up a Publix belated bday cake for us after we leave WDW and drive down to their house. One of several things I missed about living in FL.

 

[BlueAurora]

Tutto Italia & Via Napoli — 407-560-8040

• 6-inch $21 cake in all-chocolate or all-vanilla
• 8-inch $32 cake in tiramisu, chocolate mousse or strawberry shortcake
• 10-inch $45 cake, same options as 8-inch

Thanks for all the great info and pictures on this thread! I'm a little confused about the information on the first page. Can I order a mini wedding cake from the Yacht/Beach Club bakery to be delivered at Via Napoli? Or can I only get the cakes listed above at that restaurant?

Thanks!

 

[sexyravenfan]

So I want to order a two tiered mini cake for the day we check in at POR. I just call our resort and order it through them and it will be ready to pick up at the food court bakery? The cake will come from the Boardwalk Bakery? Last time we ordered an 8" cake at POR they lost the order and then we rearranged for a time to be there to have it and they wrote the wrong date down again! I'm hoping for smooth sailing this time. Can anyone tell me what kind of options I can choose from?

 

[lurkyloo]

Thanks for all the great info and pictures on this thread! I'm a little confused about the information on the first page. Can I order a mini wedding cake from the Yacht/Beach Club bakery to be delivered at Via Napoli? Or can I only get the cakes listed above at that restaurant?

At the moment, Yacht & Beach Club Private Dining seems to be open to delivering to restaurants in Epcot, so yes! The cakes listed in that quote are the standard options you would get if you called Via Napoli directly. Y&BC is who you contact if you want something fancy.

So I want to order a two tiered mini cake for the day we check in at POR. I just call our resort and order it through them and it will be ready to pick up at the food court bakery? The cake will come from the Boardwalk Bakery?

Yes! And if you get someone really nice, they might offer to deliver it to your room. But since there's no room service department there, I wouldn't count on it.

Last time we ordered an 8" cake at POR they lost the order and then we rearranged for a time to be there to have it and they wrote the wrong date down again! I'm hoping for smooth sailing this time. Can anyone tell me what kind of options I can choose from?

Check out Post #2 of this thread, which lists all the options by location (in your case, you want to look at BoardWalk Inn), or just click HERE.

 

[quandrea]

I'm new to the whole allergy world, having found out about two weeks ago that dd, 2 has a peanut allergy. I had to rethink my 40th birthday cake options. Brian was going to make me a nut free cake for Tony's. We wouldn't have it on my bday but at MNSSHP. I could also use BAbycakes and have it at our villa. Wasn't a big fan of Babycakes' $75 price tag, esp when I've heard mixed reviews about their product. Anyway....I found a company called Divvies that delivers cupcakes any where in the US or Canada. They will deliver cupcakes to our hotel on any day I specify. They look fabulous and they get terrific reviews. They are also much cheaper. They arrive uniced with all the necessary decorations and icings. My kids will have a blast decorating them. It may not be for everyone, but I think it's a great option. Enjoy!!

 

[dimndgal1]

I'm waiting for the official word tomorrow to confirm DH will be graduating from his program, and figure this weekend will be a good time so start emailing/calling about the cakes!!!

Yet another question - Are they limited to specific 'styles' of characters for the cakes? Like, Traditional Mickey or Standard Goofy? The reason I ask is I have found a few pins and images of an Aviator Mickey (goggles, jacket, scarf, thumbs up) that I was wondering would be feasible. The images are Disney - the pins and the classic cartoon sketches - but I wasn't sure if they were limited to a specific style of character (like the sketch artists in DtD seem to be)

Also, for DD's mini cake, I was going to offer a theme (Rapunzel and/or lanterns). Is that okay or should I try to come up with something more specific? I'm really easy-going about her cake (for her the thrill will be the Illuminations Cruise) but didn't know if they tend to prefer more guidance.

Thanks and SOOOOOO excited that my little Figment is almost to the Sorcerer's hat!!!

 

[BlueAurora]

At the moment, Yacht & Beach Club Private Dining seems to be open to delivering to restaurants in Epcot, so yes! The cakes listed in that quote are the standard options you would get if you called Via Napoli directly. Y&BC is who you contact if you want something fancy.

Awesome news! Thanks

 

[Colleen27]

I'm looking for some advice here....if the taste of the cake is more important than the presentation, would any of you still order through Disney? We're going to be staying at the Beach Club this year on DH's birthday. We stay at Disney every single year during my birthday in January, but this is our first time ever going for his. I'd love to get a cake and make it extra special for him...the thing is, he's not one to be wowed by decorations and fondant work, and no Disney character could make him possibly more excited than the actual taste of the cake. Is it possible to order a cake with wedding-cake like flavors (not just chocolate/vanilla) with very minimal decor for a decent price? Or, with taste being the only priority, should I just forget the Disney idea and order from Publix like I do every year?

Taste is such a subjective thing... I like Disney cakes far better than any grocery store cake I've ever tried, including our local independent grocery that does wedding cake like flavors and fancier decor. Disney cakes are more like what you get from a "real" (dedicated) bakery, a little denser, the icing sweeter/less buttery, etc.

We haven't done any character or elaborately decorated cakes - our first two Disney birthday cakes were vanilla cake with fresh strawberries in Bavarian cream filling, the first with white buttercream icing the second with chocolate ganache, both from the Grand Floridian bakery. The most recent was vanilla cake with passion fruit mousse and buttercream from the Contemporary. All three were delicious, though the second wasn't quite up to the standards of the first. I was most happy with the third, in terms of flavor, price, and design. I'm actually uploading a pic of it now and will post in a minute.

 

[Colleen27]

My birthday cake:



The specifics:

mini-cake from Contemporary bakery, delivered to the California Grill on 5/27
vanilla cake with passion fruit mousse filling
buttercream icing with no specific design request, just "something whimsical in Figment colors"
$40 plus tax and tip

The review:
Our best Disney cake experience thus far. The cake to icing ratio on these mini-cakes is perfect in my opinion, and the tangy-tart passion fruit was an amazing balance to the sweeter buttercream and the little candy flowers. There's not a whole lot of actual cake, but what there was was moist and an excellent vehicle for the filling & icing. I was very happy with the overall look of the cake as well. The colors are a bit distorted in the picture, it was sunset at a window table and I wasn't playing with my white balance to get better shots, but the purple/orange/yellow was just what I had in mind. This size cake is supposed to feed two, but after a nice dinner it was plenty for the four of us (my mother & I, a light-eater 10yo, and a 3yo). After two good-but-not-great experiences with the Grand Floridian bakery, this cake taught me something - from now on, birthday dinners will be at the Contemporary!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

My birthday cake:



The specifics:

mini-cake from Contemporary bakery, delivered to the California Grill on 5/27
vanilla cake with passion fruit mousse filling
buttercream icing with no specific design request, just "something whimsical in Figment colors"
$40 plus tax and tip

The review:
Our best Disney cake experience thus far. The cake to icing ratio on these mini-cakes is perfect in my opinion, and the tangy-tart passion fruit was an amazing balance to the sweeter buttercream and the little candy flowers. There's not a whole lot of actual cake, but what there was was moist and an excellent vehicle for the filling & icing. I was very happy with the overall look of the cake as well. The colors are a bit distorted in the picture, it was sunset at a window table and I wasn't playing with my white balance to get better shots, but the purple/orange/yellow was just what I had in mind. This size cake is supposed to feed two, but after a nice dinner it was plenty for the four of us (my mother & I, a light-eater 10yo, and a 3yo). After two good-but-not-great experiences with the Grand Floridian bakery, this cake taught me something - from now on, birthday dinners will be at the Contemporary!

I really like the color combo - very pretty We were also big fans of the passion fruit mousse- YUM!!!

 

[Mary T in PA]

OK, I am seriously considering ordering a cake for my DD's bday for our trip. We are staying at the Poly, and having dinner at Kona the evening we arrive. I realize I need to work with the GF on this, but... I need help on saying the right things to get a rocking HM cake. I like the stretching room one and the wallpaper border.. but I am a mess when it comes to words, so what would you all say when you go to order this cake? Any suggestions??

thanks!!

 

[lurkyloo]

I found a company called Divvies that delivers cupcakes any where in the US or Canada. They will deliver cupcakes to our hotel on any day I specify. They look fabulous and they get terrific reviews. They are also much cheaper. They arrive uniced with all the necessary decorations and icings. My kids will have a blast decorating them. It may not be for everyone, but I think it's a great option. Enjoy!!

This is great info—thanks for posting!

Are they limited to specific 'styles' of characters for the cakes?

Nope, the only prohibition is on non-Disney characters and Pooh & Co.

Also, for DD's mini cake, I was going to offer a theme (Rapunzel and/or lanterns). Is that okay or should I try to come up with something more specific? I'm really easy-going about her cake (for her the thrill will be the Illuminations Cruise) but didn't know if they tend to prefer more guidance.

If you're easygoing, that should be fine. It's those of us with uber-specific ideas who need to be really precise!

The cake to icing ratio on these mini-cakes is perfect in my opinion

Mine too!

OK, I am seriously considering ordering a cake for my DD's bday for our trip. We are staying at the Poly, and having dinner at Kona the evening we arrive. I realize I need to work with the GF on this, but... I need help on saying the right things to get a rocking HM cake. I like the stretching room one and the wallpaper border.. but I am a mess when it comes to words, so what would you all say when you go to order this cake? Any suggestions??

Hhmmm... I guess you might say you want the stretching room portraits screen-printed on white chocolate and inserted into the top of the cake so they stand up. And you could say you want a screen print of the Haunted Mansion wallpaper wrapping around the sides of the cake. You could try asking to send photos of the cake(s) you're using for inspiration, but it's never certain whether she'll let you send any... It can also be good to be sure she knows you know it's going to cost a lot of money so she doesn't try to shut you down right off the bat.

 

[quandrea]

My birthday cake:



The specifics:

mini-cake from Contemporary bakery, delivered to the California Grill on 5/27
vanilla cake with passion fruit mousse filling
buttercream icing with no specific design request, just "something whimsical in Figment colors"
$40 plus tax and tip

The review:
Our best Disney cake experience thus far. The cake to icing ratio on these mini-cakes is perfect in my opinion, and the tangy-tart passion fruit was an amazing balance to the sweeter buttercream and the little candy flowers. There's not a whole lot of actual cake, but what there was was moist and an excellent vehicle for the filling & icing. I was very happy with the overall look of the cake as well. The colors are a bit distorted in the picture, it was sunset at a window table and I wasn't playing with my white balance to get better shots, but the purple/orange/yellow was just what I had in mind. This size cake is supposed to feed two, but after a nice dinner it was plenty for the four of us (my mother & I, a light-eater 10yo, and a 3yo). After two good-but-not-great experiences with the Grand Floridian bakery, this cake taught me something - from now on, birthday dinners will be at the Contemporary!

If you don't mind, I'm going to order this exact cake for my 40th birthday dinner at Tony's during MNSSHP. Brian says he'll do a peanut free one for us. Love it, love it, love it!!!

 

[goofygreb]

25th Wedding Anniversary May 23rd at The California Grill. Surprised husband with a 6inch marble cake with white chocolate mousse filling and vanilla butter cream under fondant. The Mickey heads were solid milk and white chocolate and the silver buttons were chocolate candies
Cost $100

I emailed Brian a picture I drew and he made the cake from that. It was perfect and the cake was moist and tasty!

The whole evening was perfect we arrived at 7:45 for our 7:50 ADR and were seated immediately. Our waited did not rush us and the cake was delivered after Wishes along with complimentary champagne. We were there for 3 hours and the whole experience was wonderful and relaxing. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

 

[TiggerTrigger]

25th Wedding Anniversary May 23rd at The California Grill. Surprised husband with a 6inch marble cake with white chocolate mousse filling and vanilla butter cream under fondant. The Mickey heads were solid milk and white chocolate and the silver buttons were chocolate candies
Cost $100

I emailed Brian a picture I drew and he made the cake from that. It was perfect and the cake was moist and tasty!

The whole evening was perfect we arrived at 7:45 for our 7:50 ADR and were seated immediately. Our waited did not rush us and the cake was delivered after Wishes along with complimentary champagne. We were there for 3 hours and the whole experience was wonderful and relaxing. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

ooooooooooo pretty!!! I remember your sketch...they did a really nice job. Sounds like it was a great anniversary meal! Happy Anniversary!

 

[MBELSANTI]

HI

DS and I are staying at the Swan and for the most part all of our TS will be at Epcot, but we will also be doing dinner at Kona, Captains Grille and Garden Grove. I emailed concierge at Swan and they cannot do a Boyscout Mickey cake. I have the cutest clipart that I found that just shows Mickey wearing a khaki shirt, olive green shorts and a blue neckerchief. There are no trademarks or copyrights on the photo, but swan says they cannot make it. They said that they could do the Eagle Scout Emblem. I really want the Mickey dresses as a scout since we will be having a cake with Eagle Scout emblem on it when we have the ceremony part here at home. What do you think I should do, scrap the cake through the Swan and call Disney cake hotline? What would be the best restaurant to have it at? The Epcot TS we are doing are Le Cellier, Le Chefs, Via Napoli. I am down to a little over 2 weeks!

 

[goofygreb]

ooooooooooo pretty!!! I remember your sketch...they did a really nice job. Sounds like it was a great anniversary meal! Happy Anniversary!

Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

So I want to place 2 cake orders when we go in August. One for my oldest DD to celebrate her graduation - want to give it to her at Cape May and the other for my youngest DD to celebrate her birthday (she'll be 14) and we want to give it to her at O'Hana. I called the BC private dining line and asked about the mini wedding cake (individual) with the White chocolate castle on it - saw a posting here on the DIS. The woman I spoke to told me they can't do that. When I inquired why, she said the mini's aren't strong enough to hold the chocolate castle. I told her that they must be as I saw it posted - she was adamant they couldn't do it & told me the smallest I could get would be a 6" which I don't want. Any suggestions where else I should call? Can another bakery make it and bring it over? I know that two years ago, I ordered both my girls the white chocolate Cinderella slipper dessert and had them deliver it to Cape May and we had no issues - just can't remember where I called at that time.

 

[lurkyloo]

DS and I are staying at the Swan and for the most part all of our TS will be at Epcot, but we will also be doing dinner at Kona, Captains Grille and Garden Grove. ... What do you think I should do, scrap the cake through the Swan and call Disney cake hotline? What would be the best restaurant to have it at? The Epcot TS we are doing are Le Cellier, Le Chefs, Via Napoli. I am down to a little over 2 weeks!

Scrap the cake through the Swan and call Disney. Your best bets for a fancy cake with the image you want are Kona (call the GF), Captain's Grille, and restaurants in Epcot (call Yacht & Beach Club). Phone numbers are in Post 2.

If you don't need a fancy cake and are OK with a super-market-style, whipped cream-covered cake with a screen print, you can get those by calling the Cake Hotline and following the prompts for Epcot.

I called the BC private dining line and asked about the mini wedding cake (individual) with the White chocolate castle on it - saw a posting here on the DIS. The woman I spoke to told me they can't do that. When I inquired why, she said the mini's aren't strong enough to hold the chocolate castle.

She thinks you want the $100 white chocolate wedding cake topper, which would indeed be too big for a mini cake:

What I'm guessing you mean is the tiny white chocolate topper offered only by the Grand Floridian:

It's called the "mini castle cake" and you have to be staying or dining at a place serviced by the Grand Floridian Bakery, which Yacht & Beach Club is not.

Do you have any ADRs at the GF or the Poly when you could have it delivered?

 

[mommyrosa2]

What I'm guessing you mean is the tiny white chocolate topper offered only by the Grand Floridian:

It's called the "mini castle cake" and you have to be staying or dining at a place serviced by the Grand Floridian Bakery, which Yacht & Beach Club is not.

Do you have any ADRs at the GF or the Poly when you could have it delivered?[/QUOTE]

The mini castle cake is exactly what I wanted for my oldest. So the GF is the only place that will do that mini castle cake and they'll only deliver it to the Poly or GF? We do have an ADR at O'Hana but that's where I wanted to surprise my youngest with a Tinkerbell cake and for her, we wanted to order a 6" and go more elaborate to celebrate her b-day - I really wanted that night to be about my youngest.