New Fantasyland officially opens to guests later this year, but sections of the new area are already starting to welcome some park visitors for a dress rehearsal.That means visitors can get an early peek at some of the new attractions and dining within Disney’s largest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom. Theme parks often do extensive soft openings ahead of their official grand opening. It’s a chance for the parks to do some fine tuning.One of the New Fantasyland spots that’s part of the soft opening is Gaston’s Tavern, a snack spot in between Be Our Guest restaurant and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. The menu is short, but offers a lot of variety -- everything from a roasted pork shank to cinnamon rolls and hummus with chips.And if the popularity of Butterbeer over at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter is any indication, one of the most popular items on the Gaston’s Tavern menu could actually be a beverage. In Disney’s case, it’s called Le Fou’s Brew. So, how does Disney’s brew-for-all-ages stack up to Universal’s?FlavorLe Fou’s Brew: Starts with frozen apple juice, add some toasted marshmallow syrup, top it with passion fruit mango foam. Unlike Butterbeer, Le Fou’s brew only comes in a frozen variety. On a sweetness scale, it tastes much less sugary and rich than Butterbeer.Butterbeer: Take a really rich cream soda, top it with creamy foam that tastes something like a Werther’s candy. Comes in both frozen and soda consistencies. There’s no doubt it’s sweet. You might get a Butterbeer moustache from the foam. The passion fruit mango foam on Disney’s brew won’t do that.Souvenir CupLe Fou’s Brew: Your choice of a plastic goblet (featuring Belle) or a stein (featuring Gaston on one side and the beast on the other).Butterbeer: Clear frosted plastic mug.ProcessLe Fou’s Brew: It’s somewhat intensive. Cast members have to fill up with frozen apple juice, add some marshmallow syrup, stir, then top with foam from a pressurized can.Butterbeer: Two steps: fill up with frozen or non-frozen Butterbeer. Top with foam from a special machine.BackstoryLe Fou’s Brew: While there was certainly drinking involved at the tavern in "Beauty and the Beast" where Gaston proclaims his superiority, and of course Le Fou is indeed a real character, the beverage in his namesake isn’t likely what the villagers were drinking. In fact, Disneyphiles might even recognize the beverage from another park. Le Fou’s brew comes under another name in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure -- Red's Apple Freeze at the Cozy Cone Motel.Butterbeer: Universal put a lot of thought and testing into this, drawing from descriptions in the Potter books and even getting the approval of J.K. Rowling herself. Many Potter addicts seem to concur that the Wizarding World creation is spot on.Where to BuyLe Fou’s Brew: Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.Butterbeer: Various locations around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal ‘s Islands of Adventure. You might remember that when Wizarding World first opened in 2010, lines for the Butterbeer cart stretched a good bit. Universal made some changes and added a second cart to keep up with the demand.So, which is better? That’s for you to decide! When you get a chance to taste Le Fou’s brew, add a comment below.New Fantasyland’s grand opening is set for Dec. 6. Soft openings, passholder previews and other events are likely to run through the coming weeks.
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. —
New Fantasyland officially opens to guests later this year, but sections of the new area are already starting to welcome some park visitors for a dress rehearsal.
That means visitors can get an early peek at some of the new attractions and dining within Disney’s largest-ever expansion of the Magic Kingdom. Theme parks often do extensive soft openings ahead of their official grand opening. It’s a chance for the parks to do some fine tuning.
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One of the New Fantasyland spots that’s part of the soft opening is Gaston’s Tavern, a snack spot in between Be Our Guest restaurant and Under the Sea – Journey of the Little Mermaid. The menu is short, but offers a lot of variety -- everything from a roasted pork shank to cinnamon rolls and hummus with chips.
And if the popularity of Butterbeer over at Universal Orlando’s Wizarding World of Harry Potter is any indication, one of the most popular items on the Gaston’s Tavern menu could actually be a beverage. In Disney’s case, it’s called Le Fou’s Brew. So, how does Disney’s brew-for-all-ages stack up to Universal’s?
Flavor
Le Fou’s Brew: Starts with frozen apple juice, add some toasted marshmallow syrup, top it with passion fruit mango foam. Unlike Butterbeer, Le Fou’s brew only comes in a frozen variety. On a sweetness scale, it tastes much less sugary and rich than Butterbeer.
Butterbeer: Take a really rich cream soda, top it with creamy foam that tastes something like a Werther’s candy. Comes in both frozen and soda consistencies. There’s no doubt it’s sweet. You might get a Butterbeer moustache from the foam. The passion fruit mango foam on Disney’s brew won’t do that.
Souvenir Cup
Le Fou’s Brew: Your choice of a plastic goblet (featuring Belle) or a stein (featuring Gaston on one side and the beast on the other).
Butterbeer: Clear frosted plastic mug.
Process
Le Fou’s Brew: It’s somewhat intensive. Cast members have to fill up with frozen apple juice, add some marshmallow syrup, stir, then top with foam from a pressurized can.
Butterbeer: Two steps: fill up with frozen or non-frozen Butterbeer. Top with foam from a special machine.
Backstory
Le Fou’s Brew: While there was certainly drinking involved at the tavern in "Beauty and the Beast" where Gaston proclaims his superiority, and of course Le Fou is indeed a real character, the beverage in his namesake isn’t likely what the villagers were drinking.
Disney
Disney
In fact, Disneyphiles might even recognize the beverage from another park. Le Fou’s brew comes under another name in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure -- Red's Apple Freeze at the Cozy Cone Motel.
Butterbeer: Universal put a lot of thought and testing into this, drawing from descriptions in the Potter books and even getting the approval of J.K. Rowling herself. Many Potter addicts seem to concur that the Wizarding World creation is spot on.
Where to Buy
Le Fou’s Brew: Gaston’s Tavern in New Fantasyland.
Butterbeer: Various locations around The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal ‘s Islands of Adventure. You might remember that when Wizarding World first opened in 2010, lines for the Butterbeer cart stretched a good bit. Universal made some changes and added a second cart to keep up with the demand.
So, which is better? That’s for you to decide! When you get a chance to taste Le Fou’s brew, add a comment below.
New Fantasyland’s grand opening is set for Dec. 6. Soft openings, passholder previews and other events are likely to run through the coming weeks.
