The merchandise discounts Disneyland annual passholders currently receive are set to expire May 31, 2012. For a while now, SoCal select, SoCal and Deluxe passholders have been receiving a 10% discount on merchandise and select restaurants, while Premium passholders receive a 20% discount. These discounts have been repeatedly extended. A while back, only Premium passholders received any kind of discount (20%).
It is unsure what will be done once the discount expires. There has been no word as to whether the discount will only be for Premium passholders again or will be eliminated completely.
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Cinderella’s Royal Table is a very popular dining location at Walt Disney World and is especially popular for celebrations. The castle is prime location for proposals, birthday and anniversary celebrations.
Cinderella’s mice have thought up another special way you can celebrate your special day while dining inside her castle.
The “Her Royal Highness Package” is the newest way to pamper the princess in your family.
The package includes a balloon with six of the Disney Princesses, a tiara (to be princess for a day!) and a 6-inch round cake with your choice of Arial, Aurora, Belle, Cinderella, or Tiana. The cakes can be personalized (up to three words) and made in either chocolate or vanilla.
So what does it cost to be a princess inside the castle? $112.05 (including tax and 18% gratuity). Reservations are required and can be made by calling the Disney Dining Line (407) 939-3463 or via email [email protected]. Disney resort guests can make dining reservations 180 days in advance and you must allow at least 7 days notice for the “Her Royal Highness” package.
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For most of us, saving money is a priority and if you’re reading here at Chip and Company, you’ve probably scoured the internet looking for ways to cut costs on your Disney vacation. We all know that Walt Disney World discounts rooms and offers free dining during certain times of the year, but did you know that you can save a little extra on your next cruise?
First, let’s be clear: Disney Cruise Lines almost never offers discounts for cruises. They really don’t have to. Certain sailings on DCL are booked more than a year in advance so other than a few military and Florida resident discounts for less popular weeks, Disney just lets the quality and popularity of DCL sell itself. But did you know that most travel agents will offer you a hefty onboard credit when you book with them? In fact, if a travel agent doesn’t offer you a credit, you should either ask about receiving one or find another agent.
The reason is simple: Most times, cruises take very little effort to book. When a travel agent books a client for a Disney World vacation, she puts a lot of work into planning that client’s trip. A Disney World client’s requests can be simple and routine or they can be very complex, requiring hours of personal attention. She has to factor that in when she’s giving away promotional items and gift cards or she ends up working for pennies per hour. Not so with cruising, which can often require little more effort than booking the trip and sending out documents prior to travel. Many travel agents are willing to bet that you’re going to be that easy client, so those agents are willing to turn over a portion of their commission for you to use as an onboard credit. It’s a great incentive to bring in business and everyone wins.
The onboard credit isn’t a secret among experienced cruisers and now you know too. Happy sailing!
Chris writes here and at Everything Walt Disney World. She’s also a travel agent and a member of the Mouse Chat podcast team. Booking a cruise? Check out her list of onboard credits here or email her at [email protected].
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One of the best-kept secrets at Disney World is their food allergy program, which is part of the Special Diets service. It’s not really a secret, and they don’t try to hide it, but it’s not widely known because they don’t advertise it. But they really go the extra mile to safely serve those who have food allergies.
Since you’ve already found Chip & Company, you may have also found information advising you to contact the Special Diets program at 407-824-5967 or via email at [email protected]. This is a logical first step to take, as they will send you information related to your specific food allergies. Here are some additional planning tips that will help you make sure you make the most of your vacation, safe and relatively worry-free.
Plan ahead
Use online resources like Chip & Company or buy a trip planning book about Walt Disney to figure out the things you want to do and see. If you have a severe allergy that involves avoiding contact with your allergen, we recommend visiting at off-peak times so that crowds are low. For a dairy allergy, it’s especially difficult to avoid contact during the warmer times, when ice cream is more likely to be in every little child’s hands – and on park benches and rides.
If you plan to stay at a Disney resort or participate in Character or Fine Dining, it’s especially important to reserve your accommodations and dining reservations about 180 days out.
Special dining or quick service
If you plan to dine with Princesses or other Disney Characters, or you plan to visit any of the excellent fine dining restaurants, pick the ones your want and start with those reservations. They may determine which Theme Parks you visit on certain days. If you are just planning to maximize your ride time and site seeing, you may wish to simply dine at the Quick Service restaurants. If you plan to do a mix of Quick Service and special dining, make a list of the special dining events, to use for your scheduling.
The Theme Parks
Next, decide where you’re going to have your fun and line up the schedule for each park based on your dining plans. Review the Theme Park calendars, firework schedules and Extra Magic Hours for any events you wish to attend.
The Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios have exclusively Disney-owned restaurants and Cast Members are all well trained in the food allergy handling best practices. However, Epcot has a lot of Operating Partner restaurants that are not owned or operated by Disney. Therefore, while they will make every attempt to accommodate your food allergy, they are not part of the same standard as Disney-owned restaurants.
In planning your Theme Park visits, if you have smaller children and are planning to dine with Characters, “park hopping” may not work very well. It just takes a lot longer to get around due to their size, energy level and the constant distraction of Disney magic, not to mention the stroller parking and navigation.
Making your reservations
Once you have it all lined up, start by making your reservations at 407-WDW-DINE or via the Disney World website within the Dining section. Either way, be sure to identify your food allergies, either via phone or using the reservation form. If you have multiple food allergies, Special Diets will send you a Guest Allergy Dietary Request form. Fill it out with your reservations and send it as soon as possible. This will allow them to notify each restaurant to be sure they have foods free of your allergen. Don’t forget to reserve your hotel, too!
Driving or flying
Like any travel with a food allergy, make sure to plan for meals while traveling. If you’re driving, it’s much easier to carry your own food. And don’t forget the return trip. Fortunately, there are a number or grocery stores and a Whole Foods nearby, to restock allergen-free foods for the trip home.
Accommodations within Disney or outside the park
If you’re staying at a Disney Resort or Hotel, their restaurants are also part of the Special Diets program. If you’re staying off-site, there are a number of grocery stores and even a few grocery delivery options. We have a full list on our website. Regardless of where you stay, be sure to request a refrigerator for your room, and clean it yourself once you arrive, just to be safe.
While at Disney
Before you leave home, be sure to make copies of your itinerary, hotel reservations and dining reservations. Keep one copy with you and leave a copy in your hotel room. If you need to change anything, it’s much easier if you have these with you. Make sure to double-check the calendars for events, fireworks and Extra Magic Hours.
Most importantly: At each and every restaurant, be sure to identify your food allergy to the host or hostess and ask to have a chef stop by your table, or speak to the manager at Quick Service restaurants. The chef will discuss your options and will know the ingredients of every item. Don’t depend on the wait staff, no matter how well they know the menu. At Quick Service restaurants, they all have a book detailing the ingredients, and the manager is happy to review it with you. In fact, they will even review product packaging if necessary.
Visiting Disney is already a magical experience. And the Special Diets program really helps those with food allergies have a safe visit. We hope these additional tips help you effectively plan your visit in a way that allows you to make the most of your time at Disney World.
A quick disclaimer: All of the above will help you make the most of Disney dining with your food allergy. However, as always with a food allergy, you must use your best judgment while dining at these or any restaurant.
Liz & Jeff of AllergyFreeMouse.com – a website for Disney fans with food allergies.
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Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios
Every Photo has a story.
Chip & Company fan Tiffany Gentry captured this amazing ariel shot at the “Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show at Hollywood Studios. Tiffany’s dad works at Disney, so they go to Disney World quite frequently. “The picture from Lights, Motors, Action! was from one of our weekend trips in which we spent some family time together. Disney has always been a huge part of our family, and in many ways, I practically grew up in Disney World.”
Picture this… Tiffany said, “This is one of my favorite shows, because let’s face it, fast cars flying in front of you doing stunts you only dream you could do is just awesome and exciting. During the second chase scene the hero jumps over trucks set up, and I managed to get a pretty cool picture of the hero’s car, literally, in mid air.”
Thanks, Tiffany, for sending in your photo and your story, and thank you Chip & Company fans for coming along for a photographical ride!
Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Remember, Chip & Company is looking for great Disney vacation photos without family members, preferably of Disney characters, landscapes, architecture, or funny photos for our “Caption This Contest.” Please send in pictures (one at a timeplease) with a brief description of your photo. Be sure to tell us what is in the picture and any important details. Just use the 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, Why and When, because that way we have enough information to share the Disney Magic. Every photo has a story, so be sure to include yours.
Drop by and share your photos on Facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation each day in photographs. Visit my photo blog at mouzekateerz.com, check out my photos on Pinterest at Pin Mouze Kateerz, or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected].
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Reflecting on my traveling experience, I realize, I don’t have much to offer as far as world travel. I’ve never been to Paris, I’ve never toured a rain forest. Shoot, I’ve never even been on a flight longer than four hours – and that time was for work!
BUT (as it’s so often pointed out to me) – I go to Disney A LOT. I read blogs about Disney, I talk about Disney with friends and family, I long for Disney…..Some might say I’m obsessed, but I just call it a passion…
Over the last four years and the last six trips to Walt’s kingdom, I’ve learned a few things. I’ve had an opportunity to travel both with and without a child. I’ve gone in large groups and I’ve gone with just my husband. Here are some things I’ve learned along the way – in no specific order.
1)Rain Poncho’s
We normally go to Disney between September and January. During these months, we’ve experienced rain. Not like rain at home, though. The rains in Florida generally come and go quickly; and it’s usually a gentle rain. When you get there you can purchase an authentic Disney rain coat…But let’s face it, why spend your souvenir money on a rain jacket, when we all know the giant stuffed Steam Boat Willie is really calling your name.
Here’s my advice…. Buy rain ponchos from the Walmart camping section. They’re 88 cents – you can’t beat that. We typically will open one and fold it back up to use later that day if the rain is off and on. At the end of the day, we just toss them in the trash. Each morning we throw two or three in one of the back packs and take off for the parks.
2) Gallon Zip Lock Bags
And I don’t mean just one. I take about five. You never know when you’ll need one. They’re handy. First, we use one for our mugs. All Disney resorts offer reusable mugs to use throughout your stay at any resort. So we fill up the mug before we leave and sip on in throughout the morning. After you get to the park though, you don’t want to be stuck carrying a mug- nor do you want to just dump it in your back pack or bottom of the stroller. So we rinse them out in the bathroom and – BAM – plop them in a zip lock bag. Perfect!
Another reason for the bags – buffets. That’s right. I save food. I’m not ashamed! Sometimes you think you’ll eat that banana you put on your plate, only to realize that the Mickey waffles filled you up! They can’t put that back on the serving table, so stick it in your bag. Or when they bring pretzel bread to your table (If you’ve been to Le Cellier, you know what I’m talking about!) you can’t turn it down! Throw those extra uneaten sticks in a zip lock bag and munch on them later. Trust me; you’ll be thanking me when that three o’clock hunger rolls in!
The last reason for the zip lock bags that I’ll mention – Messes! My little girl isn’t always the cleanest eater. (Let’s face it, she comes by that honestly!) Sometimes we have a costume change after lunch. There are other reasons custom changes are needed, but we don’t really need to get into that. Just keep those magical baggies on hand. Zip lock it and don’t stress! Disney is made for fun, not for worries!
3) Neck holders for your sun glasses
I know, I sound old – but trust me, they’re a life saver (Unless you hook them on the back of your chair at a restaurant and walk off and leave them…Ahh, I still miss that pair…) At Disney, you’re constantly in and out of so many buildings to see shows or attractions that you’re constantly sliding those shades on and off. Just let them hang! Plus, when you’re on the faster-paced attractions (Thunder Mountain, Everest, etc) you can feel better about knowing they’re safely attached to your neck!
4) A backpack
How, you might ask, will I carry all of these great ideas – Simple, a back pack of course! I’ve carried one at Disney for as long as I can remember. My back pack is equipped not only with the necessities mentioned about, but items such as long sleeve t-shirts (I get chilly in the evenings), cameras, snacks, sun screen, etc. They’re great to carry and my husband and I have never gotten tired of carrying one. If you’re back pack does get loaded down by the middle of the day with your goodies, check out the Disney lockers at the front of each park. They’re very affordable and totally worth it if your packs weighting you down!
5) Glow Sticks
You’re thinking – what?! I know it. This one is more for the families with kids (or kids at heart!) I once read a review, where the author talked about how she stocks up on the glow sticks around at a dollar-type store for their trips to Disney. It’s genius! They last as long as they’re properly stored. Trust me; this will totally make you the coolest parent, aunt, uncle, grandma or grandpa in the world! Plus it keeps you from having children who are tempted to want all the glowing toys that appear the moment it gets dark. (Trust me, the ones that twirl – pretty cool….) Save your money on glow toys at Disney by bringing your own!
6) Applesauce and Carrots
Remember that awesome back pack I mentioned??? Last time we visited with my daughter in tow, we kept apple sauce, carrots (the kind that you can buy at Walmart – individual serving already diced), and even some of the yogurt found in the baby section (doesn’t have to be refrigerated until opened) on hand. These were things that we knew she’d eat. If our dining reservations don’t match her eating schedule, we had this to tide her over. It also ensured that she was getting at least a little nutrition on vacation. Also, since she’s not yet 3, she still eats off of our plates. So I can cut up bites of my main dish and then add the side dishes that I brought along that I already know she’ll eat!
7) Wipes
Whether they’re the hand sanitizing ones or the kind made for baby’s bottoms, carry wipes. As clean as cast members keep the parks, they can’t constantly wipe down the hand rails that everyone’s sweaty hands touch. Wipe your hands often. Especially if you forgot to visit the restroom to wash your hands before you started diving into that chocolate Mickey-shaped ice cream! (Plus, if you’re like me, you’ll need a wipe for around your mouth when you get done with one of those….Oh man, I can taste the chocolate now…..)
These are just a few tips I’ve found useful when my family travels. I’m sure there are a dozen more that can be discussed. Or maybe you have some to add? I’d love to hear your travel related tips!
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We will post one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co until we finally reveal #1! Now, here’s our #7 animated Disney film of all-time:
Cinderella, 1950
#7 – CINDERELLA (1950) Stars: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson Rating: G
If you have ever purchased any kind of “Disney Princess” merchandise for your kids, then you will know all of the major players in the Disney Princess family – Aurora, Tinkerbell, Snow White, Belle and of course, Cinderella. This is another Disney project ripped from the pages of Grimm’s fairy tales from the 1800s. Cinderella may also be the most duplicated and re-imagined character from the Disney catalog, although Snow White will give her a run for her money this summer with two feature film releases (Mirror Mirror and Snow White and the Huntsman). Cinderella’s story is one of the few ones that we all know. We can’t remember where we heard it for the first time, but it has always been a part of our imagination. The glass slipper, the evil stepmother and stepsisters, the pumpkin carriage, the stroke of midnight. These are storied images that remain with us for all-time. Cinderella is one of Disney’s most crowning achievements in animation cinema. It’s not a coincidence that “Cinderella’s Castle” is the featured symbol at the famed Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida – which just happens to be the most magical place on Earth, by the way.
“As announced today, we are thrilled that REAL STEEL has been nominated for the 2012 Academy Awards for its great Visual Effects. This is the second Academy Award nomination for Erik Nash (previously nominated for I, Robot in 2004) and first-time Academy Award nominations for John Rosengrant, Dan Taylor and Swen Gillberg.”
Congrats Erik!
DreamWorks Studios’ REAL STEEL, starring Hugh Jackman, muscles its way into the Home Entertainment arena on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand on January 24, 2012. This visually stunning action-adventure filled with heart and soul is a “must-add” to every home movie collection, delivering a premium in-home experience complete with knockout bonus materials that dive deeper into the action.
The Blu-ray Combo Pack, with its perfect picture and sound, delivers the ultimate punch, offering viewers a variety of supplemental bonus features that take them ringside with Director Shawn Levy on the making of the film. Exclusive features include a bare-knuckled exposé of the life story of Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), deleted and extended scenes that go deeper into the film and storylines, and a riveting profile with legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Plus, the revolutionary Real Steel Second Screen app lets viewers sync their iPad™* or computer with the Blu-ray movie to peel back layers of effects with progression reels, check out 360-degree turnarounds of the robots, explore seamless branching pods that delve into the cutting-edge technology used to create the fights, and much more.
The #1 movie in the country for two consecutive weeks during its theatrical run, REAL STEEL is directed by Shawn Levy (Night At the Museum franchise, Date Night and What Happens in Vegas), produced by Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List), with a screenplay by John Gatins (Coach Carter, Summer Catch). Set in the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high-tech and 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring, the film stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men franchise, Australia) as Charlie Kenton, Evangeline Lilly (TV’s Lost, The Hurt Locker) as Bailey Tallet, Dakota Goyo (Thor) as Max Kenton, Kevin Durand (I Am Number Four, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Ricky, and Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau, The Hurt Locker) as Finn.
REAL STEEL will be available to own and for in-home viewing as follows:
BONUS FEATURES:
3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy)
All 2-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Features
All DVD Bonus Features
2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)
REAL STEEL SECOND SCREEN
Countdown to the Fight—The Charlie Kenton Story
Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
Deleted and Extended Scenes with introductions by Shawn Levy
—Extended “Meet Ambush”
—Deleted “Butterfly” Storyline
PLUS All DVD Bonus Features
1-Disc DVD (1 DVD)
Making of Metal Valley
Building the Bots
Bloopers
HIGH-DEFINITION & STANDARD DEFINITION DIGITAL
Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
PLUS All DVD Bonus Features
DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
STREET DATE: January 24, 2012
Direct Pre-book: November 29, 2011
Distributor Pre-book: December 13, 2011
Release Formats & 3-Disc Blu-ray = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada
Suggested Retail 2-Disc Blu-ray = $39.99 U.S./ $46.99 Canada
Pricing: 1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
HD Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
SD Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
On-Demand = check with your television provider or favoritedigital retailer for pricing
Feature Run Time: 127 Minutes
Ratings: U.S.: PG-13 / CANADA: PG (bonus not rated)
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray: 1.85:1
DVD: 1.85:1
Audio: Blu-ray: 5.1 DTS HD-MA; 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital
DVD: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital
FILM SYNOPSIS:
Balancing gritty action and emotional heart, “Real Steel” is an inspiring and visually stunning film that takes audiences on an action-packed journey. Washed-up boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) scrapes by as a small-time robot-fight promoter as he tries to make a comeback. Against all odds he eventually succeeds—at least in the eyes of his son Max (Dakota Goyo). “Real Steel” is spectacular family entertainment that will have everyone cheering again and again.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Those who would like to stay connected with the exciting REAL STEEL release are encouraged to:
Most of us take months or even years to plan the perfect vacation to Walt Disney World or Disneyland. We make our reservations, book our dining, pack our bags and save our pennies. But, how many of us actually have a plan for our house while we are away? Here is a list of things to consider before your vacation to keep your house safe.
▪ If you leave pets at home, remember to care for them! Have a neighbor feed your pets or make arrangements for them to stay at your vet’s office.
▪ Contact the post office to put your mail on hold. You can do this online at www.usps.com. Contact your newspaper deliverer to put a hold on your newspapers. Piles of newspapers sitting in your driveway is a dead giveaway that you are out of town.
▪ Have a neighbor check your porch for any deliveries while you are away. You don’t want them sitting on your porch all week!
▪ If you trust your neighbors, let them know you will be traveling. Ask them to check on your house and give them numbers where you can be reached- just in case! Ask them to take your garbage to the street the night before pick up.
▪ Use plug in timers inside your house to have different lamps, radios or TVs come on throughout the day- especially at night.
▪ If possible, leave a car in your driveway. It helps make the house look like someone is home.
▪ Adjust the temperature on your air conditioner. Set it about 10 degrees below the average outside temp while you are away, but don’t turn it off completely. This will help save some money you can be using in Disney!
▪ Unplug appliances and electronics that will not be used while on vacation (don’t unplug the ones attached to the timers!). You’ll save some money and it will help cut back on the chance you’ll lose an appliance in a power surge.
▪ Turn off your water and gas. Turn off water at the street, if you can. If not, shut off the water to your dishwasher and washing machine. Pressure surges can cause a hose to burst. Turn off the pilot light to your gas and turn off the water heater.
▪ Last, lock your doors and close your garage and set the alarm, if you have one!
Beth writes for A Disney Mom’s Thoughts where she shares her thoughts, stories, tips and ideas about traveling to Disney, especially with her 2 sons!
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Picture this…Melanie said, “My husband & I had been to WDW a couple of times in the past, this our first trip with our 2 children. It was wonderful to see the amazement in their eyes watching them take everything in. We managed to get a great spot to watch the afternoon parade, and while it was hot, it was worth every moment. This trip was an amazing Mother’s Day present.”
Thanks, Melanie, for sending in your photo and your story, and thank you Chip & Company fans for coming along for a photographical ride!
Do you have any fabulous Disney vacation pictures you’d like to share? Remember, Chip & Company is looking for great Disney vacation photos without family members, preferably of Disney characters, landscapes, architecture, or funny photos for our “Caption This Contest.” Please send in pictures (one at a timeplease) with a brief description of your photo. Be sure to tell us what is in the picture and any important details. Just use the 5 W’s: Who, What, Where, Why and When, because that way we have enough information to share the Disney Magic. Every photo has a story, so be sure to include yours.
Drop by and share your photos on Facebook at Mouze Kateerz. Take a virtual Disney vacation each day in photographs. Visit my photo blog at mouzekateerz.com, check out my photos on Pinterest at Pin Mouze Kateerz, or shoot me an email of your favorite Disney location at [email protected].
Over the years, Walt Disney World has really worked on improving the dining experience for their guests, and they have done an amazing job, it really sets them apart from amusement parks where all you can get is burgers/fries/chicken fingers and the occasional grilled chicken sandwich. The problem they have now (if you can even call it a problem), is that they are so many choices, that a lot of people stick with what they know, which is the chicken fingers and burgers – which are still delicious, but not exactly adventurous.
One of the best things about going to Walt Disney World as an adult is the FOOD – now that you’re grown up you can decide where you want to eat, and what you want to eat, so to get you out of that bland theme park food rut, I have compiled the top 5 ‘different’ restaurants for adults to try at Walt Disney World, in hopes that you will get out there and experience some of the amazing food that WDW has to offer!
5. Via Napoli – This is a relatively new restaurant in Italy at Epcot’s World Showcase, and they are serving up some truly amazing and authentic italian dishes, like lasagna, chicken parmesan, and spaghetti with veal meatballs (yum!). They are also doing a variety of wood fired pizzas with everything from tomatoes and cheese to eggplant and artichokes. The smell of the pizzas is drool worthy for sure, and as if that wasn’t enough, they are serving a variety of wines and other italian inspired beverages to help you cool off after a hot day of touring the Parks.
4. Big River Grille and Brewing Works – Head over to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort and have a casual dinner at this microbrewery, where you can sample flights of their beer made on premisis. The menu isn’t huge, but the items on it are delicious – start out with the beer cheese soup, then an entree of hazelnut crusted chicken, and finish with a rich dessert of chocolate confusion (chocolate cake, mousse, chips, and then more chocolate!). If you aren’t in a food induced coma at this point, you can take an evening stroll down the idyllic Boardwalk, which is nice in the daytime but is even more beautiful when it’s all lit up at nighttime
3. Cape May Cafe – This buffet at Disney’s Beach Club Resort is a surf inspired character meal by day, and a surf-and-turf (character free!) seafood buffet by night. Enjoy a true New Englad Style Clambake with steamed clams, mussels, and other favorites, including chicken, ribs, salad bar, and dessert. What could be better than delicious all you can eat seafood in a beautiful resort setting?
2. Raglan Road – This Irish Pub is located in Downtown Disney and serves up Irish classics like Bangers and Mash, as well as crowdpleasers like New York Strip Steak. Their full bar has a wide array of beer and wine selections, and the Irish dancers and live Celtic tunes will keep you happy all night! OH and I can’t forget to mention their Bread Pudding Dessert, it is to die for, and worth going there just for that!
1. Boma – The bus ride over the Animal Kingdom Lodge is worth it for this buffet of African inspired dishes, including Bobotie – a spiced meat dish with an egg topping and the ever popular Zebra Domes, a dessert treat filled with a delicious custard with a hint of liquor in it! Boma has so many amazing dishes I had never tried before that it would be impossible to name them all, they were all worth trying (and most were worth going back for seconds too!), the meats and different salads and hummuses were out of this world! I wasn’t too sure about the ‘ethnic’ cuisine and if I would enjoy it or not, but I loved every single thing I tried and would go here again in a heartbeat, and that’s why it has received the coveted #1 spot on the list!
Honorable Mention: Kouzzina – I just had to mention this little gem, with their Greek inspired dishes and ideal location at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort, I would highly recommend breakfast here – as many of the dishes were updated and some new ones were added (think gooey baklava and fluffy omelettes stuffed with feta and spinach!)
Now, I know there are TONS of other amazing restaurants out there, these are just some of my personal favorites that don’t abide to the standard “theme park cuisine” code, and each one is unique and does things it’s own way, which I love!
Dining in Walt Disney World can be an amazing experience, and I urge you to try something new and different, after all, you’re on vacation!
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Until our trip last September, I had never visited the Walt Disney World parks in the rain. At least not anytime that I can remember. In the hot, muggy summer months odds are you are going to encounter the same problem. Luckily, rain showers in Florida don’t last too long so you can grab a bite to eat or see a show and by the time you are done the rain will have stopped. But in case you get stuck with the rain showers all day, here are list of things that we like to do to escape the rain in each park.
Magic Kingdom
The Hall of Presidents, Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Stitch’s Great Escape, the Carousel of Progress, the Country Bear Jamboree, & Mickey’s Philharmagic are all attractions where you can at least get a temporary break from the rain. Note these are not listed in order of importance or personal preference. If it was up to me I would make a loop between the Carousel of Progress, Mickey’s Philharmagic and the Hall of Presidents.
The Plaza Restaurant – The Plaza is one of those rare Disney restaurants where you can sometimes snag a same day reservation. If the weather gets bad, take a break from it with lunch or dinner and some ice cream.
Hollywood Studios
The Great Movie Ride – Still one of my favorites. The queue is inside and you get a nice, relaxing ride through the movies.
The Voyage of the Little Mermaid – Sure, you are technically under the sea for a while but at least you stay dry.
Muppet Vision 3D – If it was really rainy day, I would just keep getting back in line. I love the preshow as much as the show itself.
Star Tours- Spend time checking out all of the cool things in the queue before heading off with your pilot C-3PO
The Magic of Disney Animation – This is probably one of my favorite places to escape the rain. You can watch the movie preshow, hang out inside getting your photo taken with Mickey or Pooh, and then head over to the Animation Academy and learn to draw a Disney character.
Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream – Another one of my favorites. You can dry off while exploring the gallery and then watch a film about Walt narrated by Julie Andrews. It doesn’t get much better than that.
Epcot
Universe of Energy – You can’t beat 45 full minutes away from nasty weather. Plus there are dinosaurs & Bill Nye the Science Guy.
The Land Pavilion – You can hang out here for a really long time between Soarin’ & Living with the Land. You can also watch the Circle of Life movie. If you are hungry, make sure to check out Sunshine Seasons. They have some great options.
Club Cool – Free soda!
Innoventions – There are several fun little things to do here. On our last trip we made a nice, embarrassing video game featuring ourselves.
Epcot Character Spot- Spend some time in here getting your photo taken with Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy.
World Showcase Movies – While you are touring the countries of the World Showcase stop & view the movies in Canada, France, China, and Norway to take a break from the rain showers.
The American Adventure – I love this show. Its a great way to spend 30 minutes anytime but especially when its raining. You can also spend time viewing the Hall of Flags and the American Heritage Gallery.
Animal Kingdom
Its Tough to Be a Bug – Some of the queue is inside and then you can watch the show to escape the rain.
Finding Nemo the Musical – This is one of my favorite shows at Disney and a great place to stay dry. Just bring a jacket, it is usually really cold in the theater.
The Festival of the Lion King – Another great show to enjoy while drying off.
What do you do to escape the rain at Walt Disney World?
