This isn’t a drill: Beaver Tails are returning to EPCOT!!! This publish covers what we find out about this comeback tail, plus a solution to the query many confused readers will undoubtedly have: what the heck is a BeaverTail, anyway, and what does it should do with Walt Disney World?!
Let’s begin with the fundamentals. Per the official web site, BeaverTails® are really certainly one of a form–an irresistibly scrumptious, artisanal Canadian pastry, at all times there to share particular moments that make lifelong reminiscences. Wow.
BeaverTails has been an iconic indulgence in Canada since 1978, and at this time mix the unique recipe with premium high quality substances. Served piping-hot, the hand-stretched whole-wheat pastries are each crispy and chewy on the identical time. BeaverTails really are iconic in Canada, having been eaten by Matt Damon, Ron MacLean, Ed Sheeran, Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, and U.S. President Barack Obama. BeaverTails have been even featured in an episode of South Park. Double wow.
Most impressively of all (not less than for Walt Disney World followers who don’t get pleasure from nice tv programming), BeaverTails have been beforehand out there in EPCOT Middle at Trapper Bob’s Genuine Canadian Pastry Stand within the Canada pavilion. The menu marketed “a flat cooked entire wheat pastry, formed just like the tail of Canada’s favourite animal!”
At Trapper Bob’s, BeaverTails have been priced between $3 and $3.50 (that’s U.S. {dollars}) as of the early 2000s. Trapper Bob’s served up BeaverTails with chocolate hazelnut and sugar, maple and chocolate, strawberries and whipped cream, apples and cinnamon, cinnamon and sugar, and Killaloe dawn…no matter that’s.
On one fateful evening in 2005, a Canadian chilly entrance descended upon Walt Disney World, and the legendary BeaverTails mysteriously vanished with out a hint. All indicators BeaverTails had ever been served at Trapper Bob’s disappeared with out rationalization. Had all of it been a scrumptious dream? Was there a beaver scarcity within the Nice White North? Had Canadian Parliament positioned more durable tariffs on this treasured nationwide useful resource?
Selecting up the chilly case, Agent Cooper solved the thriller: Disney’s contract with BeaverTails was not renewed. This was adopted by mass hysteria among the many Walt Disney World devoted, together with a petition to carry again the beloved BeaverTails. (In typical WDW fan vogue!) A cult following ensued, with BeaverTails being a typical matter of dialog within the mid-aughts.
Sadly, not like different snacks that Walt Disney World has introduced again over time, the BeaverTail has not had its personal comeback story. That is regardless of some classics, just like the Handwiches (or a model of it), returning to the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition for the park’s thirty fifth Anniversary.
There have been additionally many deep cuts on the particular menus for Walt Disney World’s fiftieth Anniversary, however alas, no BeaverTails. It appeared just like the window of alternative for this venerable Canadian pastry to return had closed, with a virtually two-decade lengthy absence being the kiss of loss of life for fan curiosity and inside consciousness.
For our half, we’ve stored the hope alive. BeaverTails made the record of 10 Extinct Issues We Miss That Walt Disney World Ought to Convey Again, making the record alongside such classics as Nation Bear Christmas and Adventurers Membership.
We’ve additionally implored Disney’s culinary group to carry again BeaverTails in each single iteration of our Canada Sales space Menu & Evaluate for the EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition over the course of the final decade. Apart from these posts, it’s uncommon to search out present point out of BeaverTails as of late; Walt Disney World followers are now not actually clamoring for its comeback, sadly.
So it got here as an immense shock, that whereas combing via the 2023 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition Sales space Menus that have been quietly posted on DisneyWorld.com yesterday, I noticed this entry for Refreshment Port:
I couldn’t imagine my eyes and about fell out of my seat. I instantly took to social media the place, I assumed, I’d see my fellow followers leaping for pleasure. Nothing. I checked out different websites. Nada. Looked for vlogs on the foremost information. Zilch. Checked out all the official BeaverTails social media channels for an announcement. Crickets.
I’ve began to suppose that perhaps I’m loopy. Is that this model of the menu solely loading for me? (It isn’t.) The place have all of the cowboys BeaverTail followers gone? This needs to be an thrilling announcement, on par with the Muppet Labs coming to Brew-Wing sales space!
My finest guess is that almost all followers as of late are too younger to recollect the heyday of the BeaverTails at Walt Disney World. To not date myself an excessive amount of, however though the BeaverTails disappeared within the mid-aughts, they have been on life assist by that point. Trapper Bob’s had already way back gone seasonal and reportedly lower corners within the BeaverTail prep course of when it was open, certainly one of many post-9/11 cuts at Walt Disney World.
The true golden age of the BeaverTail at Walt Disney World was the late Nineties and into the Millennium Celebration at EPCOT. Many people who have been followers again then have been youngsters, and maybe the pastry didn’t depart as lasting of an impression as Horizons or Figment. Truthful sufficient. The fandom has additionally had plenty of churn since then, with one to 2 diabolical Bobs doing their finest to alienate the longtime lovers of Walt Disney World.
Earlier than I get carried away with pleasure and hype, it’s price mentioning that the official menu lists this as a “Beaver Tail” as a substitute of “BeaverTails®” and that’s noteworthy. Usually, Disney is a stickler for vernacular and IP safety, cautious to make use of correct branding and trademark symbols, even for third social gathering marks. (Therefore it being a DOLE® Whip as a substitute of a Dole Whip on menus.)
In idea, it’s potential that this merchandise is just not an actual BeaverTail and is as a substitute a knock-off or a completely completely different merchandise that’s coincidentally named. However that can be a reasonably large coincidence. My guess is that this was posted prematurely and hadn’t gone via the right layers of approval earlier than showing on-line. (Within the Muppet Lab announcement, Disney mentioned menus have been coming quickly. Essentially, they have been quietly posted to the official web site concurrently.)
If this feels far-fetched, you’ve clearly by no means seen an “EPOCT” signal within the wild. Typos occur on a regular basis at Walt Disney World. It’s nearly inexplicable how widespread they’re given the bloated paperwork of Disney.
Each time Walt Disney World does “announce” the 2023 EPCOT Meals & Wine Competition menus, I’d count on to see consideration drawn to the comeback of the BeaverTails and the typo corrected.
Taking {that a} step additional, my hope is that the present refurbishment of Refreshment Port (scheduled to final till July 27, when it reopens on the identical day that the pageant begins) is to develop and equip its kitchen to serve up these traditional Canadian pastries. Right here’s hoping that BeaverTails change into a everlasting factor at Walt Disney World once more, and develop an all-new fan following.
We’ve had BeaverTails on a couple of events since they left Walt Disney World. The primary time I noticed BeaverTails within the wild was a couple of decade in the past, in Banff whereas prepping for an in a single day hike in Yoho Nationwide Park alongside the Odaray Highline Path.
Sure consultants say that BeaverTails are the proper gas for climbing the Canadian Rockies. (For the needs of this publish, I’m going to think about myself a climbing skilled, and I simply mentioned that.) Upon getting into, I found it wasn’t merely a matter of approaching the money register and requesting “certainly one of your best beaver tails.” The BeaverTails menu supplied a humiliation of riches for toppings selections.
I nonetheless fondly recall my first time. That’s partially as a result of it was so memorable and partially as a result of I oddly documented the complete expertise in a visit report about climbing within the Canadian Rockies. (I don’t keep in mind parts of main hikes that I did, however do vividly recollect this. Checks out.)
I requested the BeaverTailrista what she advisable for a BeaverTail virgin, and she or he responded with out hesitation that it’s important to do the “traditional” No. 1 your first time, however that they may do half and half so I might strive one other taste as effectively. Good.
Since roughly 63% of Canada’s economic system is supported by Maple syrup exports, I figured the “Maple Flavoured Unfold” can be the most suitable choice. Plus, the BeaverTailrista advisable it because the second hottest selection. (For individuals who don’t converse Canadian, “Flavoured” roughly interprets to “Flavored.”)
Sarcasm apart, this dessert was superb. The pastry was comfortable and with a slight sponginess and elasticity that made it far superior to an elephant ear, however nonetheless considerably related in fashion.
Whereas the cinnamon and sugar number of the BeaverTail is superb, the model with toppings is even higher.
I’m removed from a BeaverTails skilled, however of the toppings I’ve tried, the Maple unfold is the one which’s really out of this world. Wealthy, decadent, and very sugary (as can be anticipated), it was an actual deal with. We’ve since eaten extra BeaverTails in Vancouver, and the scrumptious pastries held up there.
My hope is that the traditional cinnamon and sugar BeaverTail is such a success at Walt Disney World that they develop and add toppings sooner or later. It’s not an enormous win or one thing that’ll win again former Walt Disney World diehards who’re disillusioned with the trajectory of the corporate, nevertheless it’s a step in the proper path and a candy story exhibiting that there are nonetheless old-timers round who care.
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Your Ideas
Have you ever tried a BeaverTail? In that case, was it a life-changing expertise? The place else have you ever noticed the elusive BeaverTails? What number of miles would you trek via the snow, barefoot, to savor the candy style of a BeaverTail? Do you agree or disagree with our recommendation? Any questions we may help you reply? Listening to your suggestions—even while you disagree with us—is each attention-grabbing to us and useful to different readers, so please share your ideas beneath within the feedback!