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Downtown Disney Tips

September 10, 2013 By MommyOctopus 4 Comments
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.  There are also some current great free Disney dining deals that she can hook you up with!  They are ending SOON!  P.S – My favorite things to do at Downtown Disney are Rainforest or T-Rex Cafe.  We also really love Wolfgang Puck!  The LEGO store is absolutely amazing!  You can fill a cup of legos for a set price.  That’s a ton of fun!

As much as I love the Disney theme parks, sometimes you need a break from them.  Downtown Disney is a waterfront property divided into three sections:  Downtown Disney Westside, Downtown Disney Marketplace, and Pleasure Island.  Parking and admission is free.  Here is an overview of the three sections:

Downtown Disney Westside:  

Things to do:  Disney Quest (an indoor interactive theme park where price varies between $33 to $46 per person), Cirque du Soleil – La Nouba (price varies between $60 to $134 per person), Splitsville Bowling Alley (price varies between $15 to $20 per person), Characters in Flight Hot Air Balloon Ride (price varies between $12 to $18 per person), and AMC Downtown Disney 24 movie theater (price varies between $6 to $13 per person).

Where to shop:  Blink by Wet Seal, Candy Cauldron, Cirque du Soleil Boutique, Curl by Sammy Duvall, D Street, Disney Quest Emporium, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles, House of Blues Company Store, Hoypoloi, Pop Gallery, Something Silver, Sosa Family Cigars, and Sunglass Icon by Sunglass Hut

Where to eat:

  • Quick Service: Bongo’s Cuban Café Window, FoodQuest and Wolfgang Puck Express – West Side
  • Table Service:  Bongo’s Cuban Café, Crossroads at House of Blues, Splitsville, Planet Hollywood, and Wolfgang Puck Grand Café (first floor only)

Downtown Disney Marketplace:

Things to do:  Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique (Price varies between $55 to $190 per child.  Side note:  This location also has a Sofia the First package available for $65 that is currently not available at the Magic Kingdom location), Boat Rentals, and Classic Carousel

Where to shop:  Disney’s Days of Christmas, Disney Design-A-Tee, Disney’s Pin Traders, Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop, Goofy’s Candy Company, Lefty’s, LEGO Imagination Center (Side note: Do not miss this LEGO store!  The Disney LEGO statues are amazing!), little miss matched, Marketplace Fun Finds, Mickey’s Pantry, Once Upon a Toy Store, Rainforest Cafe Shop, RIDEMAKERZ, Team Mickey Athletic Club, Tren-D, Wonderful World of Memories, World of Disney (the world’s largest Disney store), and World of Disney KIDS

Where to eat:

  • Quick Service:  Marketplace Snacks, Pollo Campero, Wolfgang Puck Express Marketplace, and Earl of Sandwich
  • Table Service:  Rainforest Café

Pleasure Island:

Things to do:  Several bands perform at multiple locations on Pleasure Island.  Guests can now pick up a Times Guide to see which bands are performing and where.  You can also take your picture with one of several human statues, located on Pleasure Island at the West End Plaza.

Where to shop:  Fuego by Sosa Cigars

Where to eat:

  • Quick Service:  Cookes of Dublin
  • Table Service:  Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant, T-Rex Cafe, Portobello, and Paradiso 37 (Fulton’s Crab House is also a table service restaurant; however, it counts as two credits per person)

A few additional notes:  Downtown Disney becomes very crowded at night, especially after the parks close.  It is best to visit during the day or early evening.  Downtown Disney is also in the process of becoming Disney Springs.  Disney Springs will expand from 75 to more than 150 shopping, dining and entertainment venues, featuring some of the world’s most iconic brands and restaurants.  Disney Springs will be divided into three neighborhoods: The Landing, Marketplace and West Side.  There will also be a Town Center.  The Town Center will offer a sophisticated mix of shopping and dining along with a promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect.  The Landing will be a colorful and thriving commercial district with inspired dining and beautiful waterfront views.  The Marketplace will continue to be family-friendly and delight guests of all ages by combining new experiences, such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded World of Disney store.  The West Side will provide an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below.  Each neighborhood will open in phases and is expected to be completed in 2016.  Please keep in mind that certain restaurants, stores, and attractions may be closed due to renovation.  I have left out all currently closed restaurants, stores, and attractions from this list; however, renovations are always subject to change.

What are your favorites at Downtown Disney?  Are you looking forward to Disney Springs?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  

Top Ten Snacks at Walt Disney World

September 4, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.  P.S – My favorite snack is the chocolate dipped rice krispy treats covered in reeses pieces.  I also love the cinnamon rolls at the Magic Kingdom.

Many people don’t realize that the Disney Dining Plan comes with one snack per person per night (or two snacks if you are on the Deluxe Dining Plan).  Sure you could get the usually popcorn, soft pretzels, and funnel cakes, but Walt Disney World has so many more amazing snacks to offer!  Here are my top ten snacks at Walt Disney World:

  1. Mickey Ice Cream Bar:  This is a simple and nostalgic treat.  My family’s trips to Walt Disney World are not complete unless we have a Mickey Ice Cream Bar at the Magic Kingdom.

  1. Churro:  If you aren’t sure what a churro is, it is basically a stick of fried dough rolled in cinnamon and sugar.  It is also extremely delicious.

  1. Dole Whip:  The Dole Whip is only available at two locations: Aloha Isle snack bar in Adventureland at the Magic Kingdom and Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian resort.  A Dole Whip is a frozen pineapple sherbet twisted with soft serve vanilla ice cream.  The line at Aloha Isle is always extremely long, but it is well worth the wait!

  1. Cupcakes:  There are far too many to list here, but Disney’s signature cupcakes are amazing.  Two places not to miss if you are a cupcake fan:  Starring Rolls Café at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Babycakes NYC at Downtown Disney.

  1. Kaki-Gori:  Kaki-Gori is shaved ice, hand-shaped into an enormous snowball and topped with fruit syrup. Flavors include strawberry, tangerine, and honeydew, or a rainbow combination of all three flavors and can be purchased at the Japan pavilion at Epcot.

  1. School Bread:  It doesn’t sound very appetizing, but this is actually a donut-like confection filled with vanilla custard and topped with sweetened coconut.  This sweet goodness can be found at the Norway pavilion at Epcot.

  1. Chocolate Covered Marshmallow on a Stick:  Sounds simple, but it is oh so good!  Plus you can customize yours with different chocolate and topping choices, so there is something new to try every time!

  1. Chocolate Covered Rice Krispie Treat:  Much like the chocolate covered marshmallow on a stick, you can customize yours with different chocolate and toppings.  You can watch your snack be made right in front of you at Goofy’s Candy Company in the Magic Kingdom.

  1. Chocolate Covered Banana on a Stick:  The name says it all.  A frozen banana on a stick covered in chocolate.  This one is healthy since there is fruit involved right?

  1. Food & Wine Festival Kiosk Snack Portions:  If you are visiting Epcot between late September and November, you should seriously consider ignoring the rest of this list and using all of your snack credits here.  My family’s favorite way to spend lunch at Epcot is to “snack around the world”.  Temporary kiosks from around the world are set up during the Food & Wine Festival and offer sample sized menu options.  Even my picky eater loved walking though the different countries and trying different foods for lunch.  She has already requested to do it again on our next trip!

What are your favorite snacks at Walt Disney World?

Disney World: Top Ten Quick Service Restaurants

August 26, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.   P.S – My favorite quick service is Wolfgang Puck at Downtown Disney YUM!

Over the past two weeks we discussed the top ten character meals and the top ten non-character table service meals. Today we will discuss the top ten quick service meals. Because these restaurants do not accept reservations, most people just eat at whichever restaurant is close by when they are hungry. If you are like me though and like to try new restaurants and plan ahead, here are my top ten quick service meals at Walt Disney World:
1. Be Our Guest: This restaurant is unique in that it is quick service for lunch and table service for dinner. If you are not lucky enough to get a dinner reservation, why not try the lunch menu? Located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, guests order with a touch-screen terminal and food magically appears at their table. Menu includes choices such as fresh tuna Niçoise salad, béchamel-smothered croque-monsieur sandwich, turkey baguette, vegetable quiche, 8-hour-braised pork, Mickey meatloaf, whole-grain macaroni and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

2. Capt. Cook’s: Located at Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Capt. Cook’s is home to Tonga Toast for breakfast, and self-serve Dole Whip with lunch and dinner. Other menu items include sandwiches, burgers, salads, stir-fries, flatbreads, sushi and grab ’n’ go items. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

3. Casey’s Corner: American baseball favorites such as hot dogs, nachos, corn dog nuggets, French fries, cotton candy and Cracker Jack located on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom. Casey’s is famous for its hot dogs, which do not disappoint. Throughout the day, a ragtime pianist will entertain Casey’s guests from the bright white piano outside the restaurant. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

4. Columbia Harbour House: In a quiet corner of the Magic Kingdom’s Liberty Square, the Columbia Harbour House sets the scene for traditional Americana in a colonial village. Fan favorites include fried fish, shrimp or chicken baskets, lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, grilled salmon, vegetarian chili and salads. Specialty sandwiches include the Anchors Aweigh, made with white tuna, and the Lighthouse, made with hummus and broccoli slaw. Kids can enjoy macaroni and cheese, chicken nuggets and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

5. Contempo Café: Just a monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom, Contempo Café at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is most famous for its cupcakes. Hot breakfasts, bakery items, fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches, flatbreads and pasta entrées are also served. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

6. Earl of Sandwich: If you are looking for a quick bite at Downtown Disney, Earl of Sandwich is always a crowd pleaser. Try the signature roast beef sandwich on hearth-baked bread or any of number of hot or cold gourmet sandwiches. Soups, salads, wraps and desserts are also served. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

7. Flame Tree Barbecue: Chicken, St. Louis ribs and pulled pork sandwiches, all served with beans and coleslaw at the signature dishes at Flame Tree Barbecue located in Discovery Island at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

8. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café: Another fan favorite located in Frontierland in the Magic Kingdom. Selections include barbecue pork sandwiches, Angus burgers, taco salad, chili and more. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

9. Studio Catering Co.: Located on the Streets of America in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Studio Catering Co. is a surprising family favorite. We were expecting the food to be okay, but it was actually amazing! Try the pressed Tuscan deli or the Buffalo chicken sandwich. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

10. Sunshine Seasons: Believe it or not, the best quick service restaurant in Epcot is actually located in Future World, not the World Showcase. Most of the food is grown in The Land’s greenhouses. Food doesn’t get fresher than that! Choose from stations featuring Asian fare, gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads, and wood-fired entrées. Try the ginger Mongolian beef or the grilled salmon. Price is $14.99 and under per adult or one quick service credit.

What are your favorite quick service meals at Walt Disney World?

Top Ten Table Service Meals At Disney World

August 19, 2013 By MommyOctopus 2 Comments
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Below is another article by my friend Alexia.  If you are planning on taking a Disney vacation or just want to dream, contact her for some awesome rates and maybe a few little pixie dust surprises along the way.  P.S – My favorite table service is The Wave at the Contemporary! YUM!

Last week we discussed the top ten character meals at Walt Disney World.  This week we will go over the top ten table service (non-character) meals.

  1. Be Our Guest:  Located in Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom, Be Our Guest is Disney’s newest (and most difficult to book reservations for) restaurant.  Be Our Guest is French themed food and seats up to 550 guests in three different dining areas:  the west wing, the library, or the grand ballroom.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. 50’s Prime Time Café:  American comfort food graces the menu at this retro 50’s kitchen themed restaurant located near Echo Lake in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Be sure to mind your manner and eat all your veggies because these servers have sass!  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. Coral Reef:  This seafood restaurant Future World of Epcot gives guests a view into The Seas with Nemo & Friends aquarium.  See sharks, turtles and stingrays, plus over 85 species of tropical fish, swimming in the living coral reef that surrounds this gourmet restaurant.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. Jiko: The Cooking Place:  Located at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge this signature dining experience features a delicious blend of traditional African, Indian and Mediterranean cuisine.   Watch chefs prepare appetizers in the open show kitchen.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

  1. Le Cellier:  Savor tender steaks, fresh seafood, cheesy poutine fries and more regional cuisine inspired by the provinces of Canada.  Located in the Canada pavilion of Epcot, signature dishes of Le Cellier include the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup and the “Le Cellier” Mushroom Filet Mignon.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

  1. Liberty Tree Tavern:  Located in Liberty Square of the Magic Kingdom, guests can celebrate our heritage with hearty all-American eats and a traditional family-style Thanksgiving dinner.  Guest can dine in one of 6 rooms that commemorate a pivotal figure in U.S. history: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Paul Jones, Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, and George Washington.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant:  Do dinner and a movie retro-style at this eatery done up like a ’50s drive-in, with all-American cuisine to match.  You can even watch campy clips as you picnic under the stars in a classic car-shaped booth or table at this unique restaurant located on Commissary Lane in Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. Yak & Yeti:  At the base of Expedition Everest at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, decorated with the souvenirs collected by the proprietor and his family on their travels through Southeast Asia, Yak & Yeti Restaurant serves favorite dishes from regions across Asia.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

  1. Narcoossee’s:  This is a signature dining experience located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.  Narcoossee’s serves a spectacular, innovative selection of fresh seafood from both local waters and around the globe, including the popular whole-steamed Maine lobster.  Guests can also view the Magic Kingdom fireworks and Electrical Water Pageant from the waterfront verandah.  Price varies between $30 to $60 per adult or two table service credits per person.

  1. Rose & Crown Pub:  This family-friendly British pub located in the United Kingdom pavilion of Epcot features traditional favorites, waterfront dining and lively evening entertainment.  Delight in such specialties as fish and chips, bangers and mash, vegetable curry and cottage pie.  Price varies between $15 to $30 per adult or one table service credit per person.

What are your favorite non-character table service restaurants at Walt Disney World?

Top Ten Character Meals at Walt Disney World

August 13, 2013 By MommyOctopus 4 Comments
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between in September 2013 – click here for a quote!

Character Meals are the most popular types of meals at Walt Disney World.  Please remember that all character appearances and prices are subject to change.  Here are the top ten most popular:

  1. Cinderella’s Royal Table:  What girl wouldn’t want to eat inside Cinderella’s castle?  Cinderella makes your acquaintance in the majestic Grand Hall, before you ascend a spiral staircase to the banquet hall above.   Cinderella’s Royal Table is a fixe prix menu.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or two table service credits if you are on the dining plan.  Breakfast options include stuffed French toast, steak and eggs, baked quiche, crepes and pastries.  Lunch options include slow-cooked short ribs and Her Majesty’s catch of the day.  Dinner options include oven-roasted chicken breast, beef tenderloin and gnocchi with roasted vegetables.  Character appearances include Cinderella, Ariel, Aurora, Snow White, and Belle.

  1. ‘Ohana:  Located at Disney’s Polynesian, the Best Friends Breakfast features Lilo, Sitich, Mickey, and Pluto.  Prices vary between $15 and $36 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Family style selections include scrambled eggs, Island-style fried potatoes, Hawaiian pork sausages, smoked bacon and a variety of fresh fruits and breads.

  1. Chef Mickey’s:  Open for breakfast and dinner, Chef Mickey’s is a buffet at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Breakfast options include made-to-order pancakes, Mickey waffles, French toast, fresh fruit, bacon.  Dinner showcases roasted chicken, carved beef, pasta, savory sides and kids’ favorites like macaroni and cheese.  Character appearances include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Pluto, and Goofy.  Guests also enjoy watching the monorail zoom by and a character led dance along.

  1. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ:  Join Mickey and friends for a buffet barbeque dinner at The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.  Prices vary between $36 and $60 per person, or one table service credit if you are on the dining plan.  Feast on barbeque ribs, smoked chicken, hamburgers, hot dogs with all the trimmings, corn on the cob, macaroni and cheese and more.  Character appearances include Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Chip ‘n Dale.  Be sure to head over to the dance floor for line dancing led by Disney Friends!

  1. Disney Junior’s Play ‘n Dine at Hollywood and Vine:  This breakfast and lunch buffet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios is a favorite of toddlers and preschoolers.  Character appearances include June (from Little Einsteins), Jake (from Jake and the Neverland Pirates), Special Agent Oso, and Handy Mandy.  Prices vary between $15 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Breakfast selections include Mickey waffles, frittatas, pastries and fresh fruit. The lunch buffet offers such kid- and adult-friendly entrees as baked chicken, deli meats, hearty pastas and fresh salads.  Be sure to join in the character led dance party as well!

  1. Akershus Royal Banquet Hall:  Located in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot, the Princess Storybook Dining is available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Prices vary between $30 to $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  For breakfast, enjoy family style selections such as scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, biscuits, cinnamon rolls and fresh fruit.  At lunch and dinner, selections include a Norwegian buffet of cold dishes features salads, meats and cheeses, while hot entrées are served à la carte. The rotating menu may include seared herb-dusted beef tips, oven-roasted chicken breast and a special Scandinavian meatball dish made of pork, beef and capers called kjottkaker.  Character appearances include Belle, Cinderella, Ariel, Snow White, Aurora, and Marry Poppins.

  1. Crystal Palace:  Located in the Magic Kingdom, Crystal Palace is a buffet open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Prices vary between $15 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Start your day with stuffed French toast, made-to-order omelets, freshly baked pastries, breakfast pizza, and fruit.  Later, enjoy carved flank steak for lunch and sirloin for dinner, plus rotisserie chicken, Atlantic salmon, peel-and-eat shrimp, turkey, mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, and pizza.  Character appearances include Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet, and Eeyore.  The Crystal Palace is the only location at Walt Disney World where you can meet Piglet and Eeyore, so be sure to dine here if you have fans in your group!

  1. Donald’s Dining Safari:  This breakfast and lunch African buffet at Tusker House located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom features Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Mickey Mouse and Goofy.  Prices vary between $36 and $60 per person or one table service credit each.

  1. Supercalifragilistic Breakfast:  Located at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, this breakfast buffet features Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger.  Prices vary between $15 to $30 per person, or one table service credit each.  Buffet selections include custom-made omelets, fluffy mini pancakes, Mickey-shaped waffles, carved ham and their famous chilled strawberry soup.  Be sure to make your breakfast reservations early, one luck guest will be selected to help Mary Poppins open the restaurant!

  1. Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner:  Located at 1900 Park Fare at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, this dinner buffet features Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, Drizella.  Prices vary between $30 and $60 per person, or one table service credit each.  Buffet selections include seafood, salad, pasta and beef specialties.  This dinner is a must for any Cinderella fans!

What is your favorite character meal at Walt Disney World?

Alexia is a Disney Vacation Specialist with Destinations in Florida.  When she is not helping plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Tips For Handling Disney World With Special Needs

August 7, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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A Disney World vacation can be a little overwhelming for anyone.  If someone in your family has special needs, it can be very stressful.  Here are a few tips and tricks to a calmer Disney vacation:

Watch YouTube videos.  This sounds a little strange, but if you want your child to have an idea of what to expect before your Disney vacation, watch YouTube videos of anything you think he or she would enjoy.  Watch videos of people riding the teacups or Dumbo or meeting Mickey Mouse.  His or her reaction to the video will give you an idea of how he or she will handle the situation and will also give your child an understanding of what to expect.

Travel during the off season.  The Florida heat can be hard on anyone, but it is especially difficult if you live in a much cooler climate.  If possible, travel during the off season when the weather will be cooler.  Dress in light colored clothing, wear sun hats, and plenty of sun screen.  Make sure everyone in your family drinks lots of water to stay hydrated as well.  Traveling during the off season also means smaller crowds and smaller wait times, both of which can be overwhelming and stressful.

Start at a smaller park.  Naturally, you want to spend your first park day at the Magic Kingdom.  However, this park can be overwhelming if you have never been to a theme park and don’t know what to expect.  Try your first day at Epcot instead.  There aren’t as many rides, and the ones that do not have a height requirement were very tame and have a very little wait times.  Most of the character meet and greets were outdoors and had short lines.  You will be able to walk your child past see who the character is and understand that you are standing in line for that character.  After your first day, you will know what works for your child and what doesn’t and can adjust your plan for the rest of your vacation from there.

Try to stick with your schedule.  If you eat meals at a certain time of day, try to schedule your meals at Disney World around the same time.  If you child takes a nap, try to head back to hotel around the same time for quiet time.  Kids find comfort in routine.

Take advantage of Disney’s Baby Care Centers.  All four of the parks at Disney World have a baby care center location.  The baby care centers are complimentary to use and includes a private nursing room with rocking chairs, changing room with tables and a unisex bathroom, feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave, oven and sink, and main room with television, table, chairs and sofa.  These areas are perfect for taking a quiet break or heating up a quick snack.  A friend of my has a five year old son with Autism and said these were amazing and that she utilized them frequently.  Her son will only eat macaroni and cheese.  She was able to take some Kraft Easy Mac with her and heat it up for him and feed him the in baby care centers.  It was also a great place to cool off and have some quiet time when he began to get overwhelmed.

Get a Guest Assistance Card.  On your first day at one of the Disney parks, stop by Guest Relations with your child.  Explain to the cast member your child’s needs (or have a doctor’s note explaining your child’s needs) and ask for a Guest Assistance Card (GAC).  The cast member will then fill out a Guest Assistance Card with your child’s name, the dates of your vacation, and the number of guest in your party.  The Guest Assistance Card is valid for up to five additional people.  The card is valid for the entire length of your stay, so you will not need to get a new card at every park you visit.  There are three different colored cards:  red, green, and white.  Disney is pretty quiet about what the different colors are for.  If anyone has any information on this, I would love it hear it.  The Guest Assistance Card will then allow you to enter an alternative entrance for certain rides, character meet and greets, and attractions as well as special seating for certain shows.

Avoid the fireworks and parades.  If you child does not deal with crowds and loud noises well, avoid the fireworks and parades.  Try to leave the parks before the fireworks begin to avoid the crowds leaving the park at closing as well.

What have you found that works or does not work for your family on a Disney vacation?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Dining at Disney World With Dietary Needs

July 24, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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This article below is written by my friend Alexia.  I just wanted to add a little to it as well since my son is allergic to soy.  We have been at Disney World twice now on the meal plan after realizing his allergy and both went fairly well.  Disney definitely goes above and beyond in making sure that children and adults with allergies leave happy and not disappointed.

If you or someone in your family has special dietary needs, you understand how stressful going out to eat can be sometimes.  When you cook at home, you know exactly what is going into your meals that it is safe for you and your loved ones to eat.  If you go out, this obviously changes.  There is no worse feeling that when you try to explain your needs to a server only to have them not understand why you can’t eat certain things or be able recommend anything that is safe to eat on the menu.

This is the case in my family.  Due to a medication my father takes, he has a lengthy list of foods he cannot have because they will counteract with his medication.  We rarely go out to eat because of this.  When we do, he is always miserable and never enjoys himself because he is so worried about what he is eating.  It’s much easier for me to cook all of our meals instead.

Traveling can be tricky too.  We can always pack plenty of safe snacks for in the car or airports, but eating once we are at our destination can be a challenge.  When we were planning our October 2012 trip to Disney World, I could see the anxiety of eating out every day sinking in on my father.  I did a lot of research before I made any of dining reservations.  I was surprised to learn that every single restaurant on the Disney property is more than accommodating of special dietary needs.  Here is everything you need to know about dining at Disney with special dietary needs:

First, make a note on your account, or have your travel agent do so for you.  When I made all of our dining reservations, there was a spot to put any special notes.  This is where I documented any foods that my father couldn’t have.  If you are diabetic, have a gluten intolerance, are vegan, or have any food allergies you will want it listed on your reservations.  When we arrived at the table service restaurants and explained my dad’s dietary needs to our servers, they already knew.  When we checked in at the hostess stand, the hostesses saw the note on our account and explained it to our servers before we were ever seated.

At the buffets, the chef came out walked through the buffet with my dad and explained to him everything that was safe for him to eat.  If you have gluten intolerance, the chef will make gluten free dinner rolls or biscuits and bring them directly to your table.  There is usually a sugar free dessert option available; however, if there is not one and you request it, the chef will create one and bring it out to you.  The reason the chef brings special requests out to your table is to ensure that it does not get mixed up or cross contaminated with another order.

At the table service restaurants, the chef will come to your table and discuss your dietary needs with you as well as your likes and dislikes.  For example, my dad hates mashed potatoes (which happen to be one of my favorites).  The chefs at all the table service restaurants made sure to never add mashed potatoes as one of his side dishes.  Again, the chefs brought his meals out to my dad directly.

The counter service meals were the ones that I was the most concerned about.  When you get to the cashier, let him or her know that you have a special dietary need.  A chef or manager will then come out to speak with you.  When they come out, they will bring with them a binder filled with almost every substitution you could think of for every type of dietary need.  It helps to have an idea of what you would like based on what is on the menu.  For my dad, it was usually a type of grilled chicken sandwich.  Sometimes the substitution was as simple as the type of cheese on it.  Other times it was a bit more complex.  Regardless, the chefs and managers were always patient and knowledgeable.  After his order was placed, my dad was given a pager (similar to the ones you are given at restaurants like Applebee’s or T.G.I. Friday’s when you are waiting for a table).  When his order was ready, the pager went off and the manager or chef he had spoken to before brought his order out to him.

Sometimes it took my dad’s special orders a little longer than the rest of our food to be delivered.  Other times it was delivered more quickly.  It really just depended on how busy each restaurant was at the time and how many substitutions needed to be made.  One thing I should note is that we were never charged for any of the substitutions.  Even if the chef had to create something completely new that was not on the menu, we were just charged for something comparable.  If you are on the Disney dining plan, you will never have to pay anything extra out of pocket for your substitutions.

Eating at Disney World was one of the best experiences we have had since my dad’s dietary needs changed.  It was the first time I had ever seen him actually relax and enjoy himself at restaurants.  It was also the first time I had ever seen him go back for a second serving of anything at a buffet!  I love how knowledgeable the staff is and how they take the extra step of having the chef who prepares the food bring it directly to you.  We are planning another trip to Disney World for October 2014 and my dad already has a list of new restaurants he wants to try!

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Have you experienced eating at Disney World with special dietary needs?  I would love to hear your thoughts!

How To Make the Most of a Rainy Day at Disney World

July 17, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

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Depending on what time of year you visit Walt Disney World, it could rain frequently. Usually the rain doesn’t last long; however, it could put a damper on your vacation. Don’t let it! Most people leave the parks when it begins to rain. On our October 2012 trip to Disney World, it rained every day. On our last day at Animal Kingdom, there was a downpour. We hid out in a gift shop for a while, but it began to get crowded and expensive (my kids wanted everything in there). We decided to put on our ponchos and make a run for Finding Nemo: The Musical. The show wasn’t very crowded, and when we left, the rain had stopped. Some of the attractions had closed for the day and most people had left the park. We were able to ride Expedition Everest twice back to back without a wait and were only one of two families eating at Restaurantosaurus. Here is a breakdown of indoor rides, restaurants, shows, and activities you can do to make the most of your Disney vacation on a rainy day.

Magic Kingdom:

What to ride: Space Mountain, Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, It’s A Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, Under the Sea Journey of The Little Mermaid, Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress

What to see: Monster’s Inc. Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, Hall of Presidents, Country Bear Jamboree, Mickey’s PhilharMagic, Enchanted Tales with Belle

Where to eat: Casey’s Corner (limited indoor seating), Columbia Harbour House, Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café, The Diamond Horseshoe, Gaston’s Tavern, Main Street Bakery (limited indoor seating), Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café, Pinocchio Village Haus, Tomorrowland Terrace (covered outdoor seating), Tortuga Tavern

Who to see: Ariel at Her Grotto, Disney Pals (Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck, and Donald Duck) as Circus Stars at Pete’s Silly Sideshow, Mickey Mouse and Disney Princesses at Town Square Theater, Disney Fairies at Tinker Bell’s Magical Nook

Other activities: The Enchanted Tiki Room, Frontierland Shootin’ Arcade, Tomorrowland Arcade

Epcot:

What to ride: Ellen’s Energy Adventure, Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros, Journey into Imagination with Figment, Living with the Land, Maelstrom, Mission: SPACE, The Seas with Nemo & Friends, Soarin’, Spaceship Earth

What to see: Captain EO, The Circle of Life, Impressions de France, O Canada, Reflections of China, The American Adventure, Turtle Talk with Crush, Voices of Liberty, The Spirit of Norway

Where to eat: Electric Umbrella, Katsura Grill, La Cantina de San Angel (indoor seating available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM), Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie (limited indoor seating), Liberty Inn, Sommerfest, Sunshine Seasons

Who to see: Disney Pals (Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Donald, and Goofy) at the Epcot Character Spot

Other activities: Kidcot Fun Stops, Club Cool, American Heritage Gallery, Bijutsu-kan Gallery, Gallery of Arts and History, House of the Whispering Willows, Mexico Folk Art Gallery, Stave Church Gallery

Hollywood Studios:

What to ride: The Great Movie Ride, Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Toy Story Midway Mania, The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

What to see: The American Idol Experience, Disney Junior Live on Stage, Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Voyage of The Little Mermaid, Muppet Vision 3D, Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream

Where to eat: ABC Commissary, Backlot Express (outdoor covered seating), Fairfax Fare (outdoor covered seating), Pizza Planet, Studio Catering Co. (outdoor covered seating)

Who to see: Buzz Lightyear and Woody at Pixar Place, The Incredibles at The Magic of Disney Animation, Sorcerer Mickey at The Magic of Disney Animation

Other activities: American Film Institute Showcase, The Magic of Disney Animation, Pizza Planet Arcade

 Animal Kingdom:

What to ride: Dinosaur

What to see: Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Musical, It’s Tough to be a Bug

Where to eat: Flame Tree Barbecue (outdoor covered seating), Pizzafari, Restaurantosaurus, Yak & Yeti Local Food Cafes (outdoor covered seating)

Who to see: Rafiki at Rafiki’s Planet Watch, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse at Adventurers Outpost

Other activities: Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Saving for Disney World: Hiring an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner

July 14, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

Get a quote on your Disney dream vacation at Destinations In Florida

If you have been following this series, you should have already made your budget, decided when you are going, how you are getting there, food options, and where you are staying for your Disney World vacation. Today we will be discussing the importance of hiring an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner.

What is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner is a travel agency who has received special training and recognition from Disney. Whether you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World or a trip on a Disney Cruise, we know Disney vacations inside and out!

Why should you hire an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? First of all, our services are FREE for you to use! We are commissioned by Disney, so Disney pays our commission, not you! You can also pay for your Disney vacation as you go, similar to a lay away system. All you need is a $200 deposit to secure your reservation. After that, you can make payments as you please. Your package must be paid in full 45 days before your check in date.

Destinations in Florida also offers many other FREE perks for our guests. Our most popular is FREE discount watch. Say, for example, when you make your deposit for your Disney vacation Disney does not have any discounts available for your travel dates. We will discount watch for you. When a discount becomes available, we will apply that discount to your account on the first day it is available and alert you of your savings! We also offer FREE itinerary planning. As soon as it becomes available, we will let you know the park hours for your travel dates and what the expected crowd levels will be each day. Based on this information, we can help you plan which park will be best to visit each day of your vacation. We can also help with Disney Dining services. We can suggest the best restaurants for your picky eaters or your family members with special dietary needs. We can even make your dining reservations for you up to 180 days in advance! We will also send a few magical surprises for the children in your family to get them excited about your trip!

This concludes our saving for a Disney vacation series. Is there anything we missed? Any other questions you might have? Are there any other destinations you would like to learn more about? Leave a comment below with your questions. If we get enough questions in, we will try to do a question and answers post next week.

Alexia is a Disney Specialist with Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping to plan magical vacations, you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.

Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

Saving For Disney World: Food

July 2, 2013 By MommyOctopus Leave a Comment
By clicking my links, I may earn a small commission to support this blog. Please see our Disclosure Policy.

Get a quote on your Disney dream vacation at Destinations In Florida
This post is by my friend Alexia.  Alexia is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner for Destinations in Florida. When she is not helping plan magical vacations you can find her on Facebook and Twitter.  Get the best price on your Walt Disney World Vacation Package… Guaranteed! Get FREE DINING if you book a Disney Resort Package between 8/25 and 9/27 – click here for a quote!

If you have been following this series, you should have already made your budget, decided when you are going, how you are getting there, and where you are staying for your Disney World vacation. Today we will be discussing one of your other biggest expenses: the food.

You have a few options when it comes to eating at Disney World. The first is to bring and cook your own food. Disney World allows outside food in the parks.  You are allowed to bring a soft sided cooler. Hard sided coolers, glass bottles, and alcohol are not allowed. My first trip to Disney World we packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chips and crackers, fruit, and bottled water and had picnics in the parks.  If you have a hotel room with a full kitchen or kitchenette, you can take advantage of this and cook your breakfast and dinner each day. I know several people whose slow cookers are their best friends on their Disney vacations. Throw your favorite slow cooker recipe in before you leave for the park and when you return to your hotel you will have a family favorite ready and waiting for you!

Your second option is to pay for your meals out of pocket. This option is ideal for families who only drink water with their meals, skip desserts, share meals, and/or only order off the kids menu. The average price for an adult quick service entrée is $10.00.  This does not include a drink or dessert.

Your third option is the Disney Dining Plan. I often get asked if the Disney Dining Plan is worth it. For my family, the answer is yes. I love knowing that our meals are prepaid for. My husband and stepdaughter always get sodas with their meals, my daughter always drinks milk or juice, and everyone in my family always has dessert.  We also prefer to have at least one table service meal a day. The way I look at it, our table service meal costs the same at the dining plan, so in a way, we are getting our quick service meal and snack for that day for free. The best way to see if the Disney Dining Plan is a good fit for your family is to plan out a mock day of the food you would eat. Then add up the cost of your mock day. If the cost exceeds the price of the Disney Dining Plan, then the Disney Dining Plan is for you! If not, then you would be better off paying for your meals out of pocket.

There are a few variations of the Disney Dining Plan. First is the Quick Service Plan. This plan includes 2 quick service meals and one snack per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 Quick Service Plan is $37.58 per adult (anyone over the age of 10) per night and $14.32 per child (ages 3-9) per night. Children under the age of 2 are free to eat off of an adult’s plate.

When Disney World offers free dining, this plan is free for guests staying at the value resorts for the specified date requirements. Guests staying at the value resorts will also have the option to upgrade to the regular Dining plan (which we will discuss next).  Guests will simply pay the price difference between the regular and Quick Service Dining Plans.

Next is the regular Dining Plan. This plan includes one quick service, one table service, and one snack per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 regular Dining Plan is $56.94 per adult per night and $18.16 per child per night. When Disney World offers free dining, this plan is free for guests staying at the moderate and deluxe resorts for the specified date requirements.  The last major dining plan is the Deluxe Dining Plan. This plan includes 3 meals (your choice of either quick service or table service) and two snacks per person per night. It also includes one refillable resort mug per person. The cost of the 2013 Deluxe Dining Plan is $102.27 per adult per night and $28.91 per child per night. This option includes a lot of food! It is ideal for families who are foodies or who plan on eating at a lot of table service restaurants that require two table service credits such as Cinderella’s Royal Table. I have never seen this option given  during free dining; however, guests can always upgrade to it and pay the difference if they wish.

If you are planning on traveling between September 2, 2013, I have good news for you! You may be eligible for FREE DINING! You must book at least a minimum of a 5-night/6-day stay and must book your package by July 2nd and September 25.

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