Heading to Walt Disney World or Disneyland Resort for the Fourth of July weekend? If so, the parks have plenty of fun eats and treats for you and your family to enjoy. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick vendor snack or a three course meal, we’ve got something to satisfy every appetite. Below are our top tasty blog posts featured on the Disney Parks Blog so you can plan ahead! What are you looking forward to trying the most?
Favorite Disneyland Resort Lunch Spots – Lunch is the perfect break in a theme park day – an important part of the whole experience, and a chance to relax and refuel for the afternoon and evening. Here are some of our go-to picks.
Delightful, Delicious Narcoossee’s at Walt Disney World – Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is one of those tucked-away restaurants on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon that we don’t always think of first – but what a treat. Planning to stop by this weekend?
Right now Chip and Co is at 3500 Facebook fans. Which is great! We have only been on Facebook for about a year and in the early stages of the Chip and Co website I didn’t really promote our Facebook Page like I should have. (Bad Chip)
We enjoy chatting with all of our Facebook Friends and it gives our Chip and Co staff a great outlet to interact with you guys and talk Disney!
The whole month of July we are going to be doing a big push to get 5000 Facebook fans. We have some special giveaways lined up from our Sponsors like Pixie Vacations, Passporter, and ABC Family.
Finally for the big giveaway.. We will be giving away a $100 Disney Giftcard if we can hit 5000 Facebook fans before July 31st!!
Do you think we can do it?
Stay tuned the whole month of July as every week we will be giving away some HOT prizes from some of the best Disney websites on the planet!
P.S – IF you want to start early start sharing Chip and Co with everyone on your Facebook Friends list. I would really love to give to one lucky C&C Facebook Fan $100!!
Disney is the one place where planning is non-negotiable. The people who have a miserable time at Disney World are the ones who just show up and wander around, or stupidly stand in hour + lines at Splash Mountain. People who “never want to go back to Disney World” most likely committed one of the 7 deadly sins of WDW vacationing:
Those sins are: Wrath, Greed, Sloth, Pride, Lust, Envy & Gluttony.
Wrath – People who hate WDW spend a large amount of time yelling at (or being yelled at by) their families & friends. They don’t listen to the Disney Diva and take mid-day naps, nor do they take the steps to head off WDW Melt-Downs before they happen(* READ TIPS HERE*). They are exhausted, broke, disillusioned and overstimulated. They don’t see Disney World as a vacation so much as as a giant, never-ending checklist of rides they must ride, foods they must eat, and things they must see before they can be considered a “good parent”.
There are three tips to avoiding committing these sins: 1) Plan in advance (and include your kids in planning (read How your kids can SAVE you money at Disney World HERE), 2) know your way around the park. and 3) Set realistic goals and take mid-day naps.
Greed – People who hate WDW spend too much money unnecessarily. They don’t really think ahead about how much room they need, or how close they need to be to a park(get help on this Planning your WDW post). They don’t make good choices on what they should pack both in their suitcases (Packing Checklists) or in their day backpack (Perfect WDW backpack) which forces them to have to spend money in-park on essentials such as suntan-lotion or sweatshirts. They don’t set impulse-buy budgets for themselves or their children so they come home to an astronomical credit card bill and a glazed over look while exclaiming how to everyone “expensive everything at Disney World is”.
How do you avoid this sin?
PLAN PLAN PLAN. Set budgets for yourself and your family. Think about if its really worth the additional to be on the monorail loop or could you tolerate a longer bus ride? Too many people take the position of “this is a once in a lifetime trip, lets spend every dime we’ve got”. Don’t do it. Stuff for the sake of stuff just ends up in a yard-sale in a year or two. Spend more on creating memories and less on stuff.
Sloth – Sleeping in…Sleeping in makes me beyond furious. You absolutely must not… MUST NOT sleep in!! People who hate WDW stroll into a park at about 10:00 or 11:00 in the morning, right when lines are starting to get long. Then they have the nerve to complain about how all the lines are insanely long. They don’t think its important to be there for park opening. Sleeping in is a no no at WDW.
So how do you avoid this sin?
Sleep during mid-day naps, lines are shortest at the beginning and the ending of the day, which means THAT’S when you should be in the parks.
Pride – People who hate WDW don’t allow their plans to change. They have their Pride and are unwilling to change things around even when everybody has said their tired, or they hate this park. On days when they finish a park a lot faster than they planned they still require people to return to the park as scheduled. They don’t allow the flexibility for an unplanned parade dance-along or get a last minute dining reservation.
How to avoid?
Don’t be a WDW Nazi! Have some flexibility!
Lust – The only way I can think to tie in Lust is to talk about people worrying about how they look while they’re at WDW. Remember Disney World is NOT a fashion show. People who are worried about how they look make stupid mistakes like not wearing clothes that are comfortable and breathe (its really humid at Disney World). They wear skirts, and high heels and spend large amounts of time doing their hair and make-up which will turn into a frizzy/cakey/runny mess by the end of hour one in the park.
How to avoid this sin?
Realize Disney’s not a fashion show. You MUST be comfortable or you will be miserable. Pack smart!! and wear appropriate footwear! You can read all about it at my post about Hoofing it Around Disney World.
Envy – People who don’t use Fast Passes correctly experience large amounts of envy at Disney World! People who fall into huge Disney World Time Pitfalls experience even more. There are few things worse than standing in a queue line and watching, literally, hundreds of people get to ride the ride before you. Fast Pass Envy, its FIERCE and worse than most green-eyed monsters can be.
So how to avoid this sin?
LEARN HOW TO USE FAST PASSES!! For Pete’s sake. Man it can really save you a ton of time and read that article on Avoiding Disney Time Pitfalls, it may be the best thing I’ve ever written.
Gluttony – If you are what you eat that you can turn into one fatty mess at Disney World! Be careful about eating too much fast food at Disney, too many sodas or stuffing yourself at one of the buffets (Buffets are staples at most of the Character Meals). You can really get run-down quickly without enough water and fiber in your diet. Don’t be tricked into thinking that the bazillion of miles you are walking are somehow how working off the calories you’re rapidly in-taking.
How to avoid glutton?
Sit down and really plan out your meals and make sure you’re picking out some good places to get good for you foods and don’t shy away from the fruit stands.
Ok, so now you know about the 7 deadly sins!!! Don’t go committing them!!
Kristin the Disney Diva
Please welcome to the Chip Panel Kristin T. Scroggin a Communications Professor and avid Disney blogger. Her blog, Tips from the Disney Diva, provides readers with easily applied tips on planning, packing, and more.
Chip, dreamer that he is, has challenged us at Chip and Company to indulge in planning our own perfect Disney Day. A daunting task at first, with so many options – even which Disney resort to visit. I flipped a coin, and where am I going next? Walt Disney World!
In my Disney daydream – which includes low crowds, moderate weather and an unlimited budget – I enjoy a touch of both old and new. Like most of my trips, it includes a touch Disney history, E-ticket attractions I can’t see anywhere else, favorite Disney cult foods, and a lot of interaction with Disney Cast Members. I call it being “immersed in the magic.”
And with four parks in one day, plus BoardWalk, my touring partner calls it “crazy commando style.” My daydreams, like my Disney itineraries, tend to be quite detailed, so you can just read the header for the highlights.
Animal Kingdom Lodge and Sunrise Safari
To start the day out, we wake up early at Animal Kingdom Lodge (AKL), concierge level. We enjoy some coffee on my balcony while watching the savannah. We know we’ll need the caffeine for this day. Then we head out for “Sunrise Safari,” available only to AKL concierge level guests.
We’ve yet to do this tour – the something “new” in my day – so the opportunity to see the animals on the Kilimanjaro Safaris in a more relaxed viewing seems a great way to start the day.
Plus, at $65 per adult, $32.50 per child (plus theme-park admission), it’s a Disney tour bargain. The safari starts at lasts a couple of hours (and includes a breakfast which I nibble at) and starts before Disney’s Animal Kingdom opens. We’ve got just enough time for one quick trip on Expedition Everest before we’re off to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. (In my perfect park Day, I have a great deal of control over timing of transportation.)
Dine with an Imagineer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Although I’m not particularly hungry, I’m off to my next extra-special experience: Dine with an Imagineer at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It starts at 11:30 a.m.
Before lunch, we hang out for a while at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (DHS). We take a quick drop on Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, then watch the Citizens of Hollywood perform.Then it’s over to MuppetVision 3D (wocka, wocka) for some more laughs and pop into Writer’s Stop on the way out for a take-away carrot cake cookie. I’m too full to eat it, but in my daydream I have an empty tummy. Or at the very least I split the cookie with my partner, who absorbs all the calories.
Early lunchtime! I always enjoy the Hollywood Brown Derby (HDB). The opportunity to have a conversation with an Imagineer (who attends varies) and other Disney geeks such as myself is the icing on the HBD grapefruit cake.
I’d love to tell you that I had a list of questions I could ask and answer. I do, but I’m probably tongue-tied…again. My partner asks smart questions on my behalf, and I learn a lot during the 2 hour or so meal. I also love the pictures and souvenir. I consider its price tag, $60.99 adults, $34.99 children, (plus tax, gratuity, and theme-park admission) well worth the price.
After a leisurely lunch, we head over to Magic Kingdom for a whirlwind stop at some favorites to walk off the lunch.
Enjoying the E-Ticket Attractions at Magic Kingdom
At the Magic Kingdom I stop and say hi to Mayor Weaver on Main Street, then visit a couple of Magic Kingdom favorites. My plans include playing with the new interactive queue at Haunted Mansion; trading groaners with the Cast Members corny-yet-irresistible Jungle Cruise; “Yo Ho-ing” with Pirates of the Caribbean, and beating my high score (and everyone else’s) on Buzz Lightyear. All during the parade, which means lines are shorter.
I skip Stitch’s Great Escape, as I do every trip. I’m much more interested in finding Push, the Talking Trash Can.
While we’re tempted to stay and enjoy an extensive tour of Magic Kingdom, Epcot beckons.
My first stop at Epcot, as it is every trip, is Soarin’. In my perfect Disney park day, there’s a very short line or Disney FASTPASS is still available. (Hah!) We follow it up with a quick hello to Figment at Journey into Imagination.
Then my touring partner and I head for World Showcase, where we indulge in a very abbreviated Drink Around World Showcase (DAWS) of a drink or two. We start with the Canada side of the World Showcase. To keep us moving, and hopefully more or less sober, we combine DAWS with the Kim Possible interactive game. Oh, we are super secret agents, we are. No one suspects the guests with the slushies,
While touring the World Showcase, we have a great time chatting with Cast Members and watching the live entertainment. Since we like to be as spontaneous as possible at Epcot, we don’t know quite who we’ll see, but we especially enjoy Miyuki, the candy artist at Japan and Off Kilter at Canada.
Although our focus is on touring with tasty adult beverages as we enjoy the people and sights, I can’t resist a sweet treat at Karamell-Küche or the Kaki Gori. Neither ones goes well with my drink, but I’ve only got one day!
By the time we get to the United Kingdom and the Rose & Crown, we’re ready for dinner. Generally, we enjoy the restaurant for lunch rather than a dinner experience, but it offers a great view of IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth. Of course, we get seated in the perfect spot, lingering over our toffee sticky pudding dessert and a good whiskey. IllumiNations is, of course, is the highlight to a full Epcot day.
Jellyrolls for Dueling Pianos
By the time the nighttime spectacular ends, my partner is ready to head back to the comfortable beds at AKL for a good night’s sleep. But we’re not done quite yet. And in my Disney daydream we both have unlimited energy.
In the past, we would have headed to Pleasure Island for an evening at Adventurers Club (AC) for one of the most innovative, immersive, creative experiences between Cast Members and guests. Kungaloosh! But Disney made the mistake of closing the club – I’m not still bitter – and I’m left longing for another form of nighttime entertainment for adults.
So we head over to the BoardWalk for an evening of Dueling Pianos at Jellyrolls. Now, no one ever wants to hear me sing, not even my fellow adventurers at the AC. But the atmosphere and guests are friendly, the energy high, and it’s a rollicking way to end the evening.
After a couple of hours, and maybe another drink or tour, my touring partner and I head “home” to AKL. We’re tired and quite possibly exhausted, but happy to have spent another perfect day in Walt Disney World. We’ve immersed in the magic made possible by Imagineering, talented Cast Members, and friendly guests. Together, they make the magic happen for us.
And we’re very, very happy to hang out at AKL the next day. It will also be perfect. Because it’s at Disney.
Seniors have different expectations from Walt Disney World than the hordes of younger visitors that visit the parks daily. We look for things that we can sit back and enjoy rather than have our bodies bounced around and exposed to G-forces. Your choices at the Animal Kingdom may be different from mine but if you are a senior I think in most instances you will at least enjoy the ones I suggest.
Festival Of The Lion King – Perhaps the best stage show at the Walt Disney World resort. It’s more than a show, I’ve actually seen it called a pageant. This show has it all including singers, dancers, amazing acrobats, and some of the most beautiful floats I have ever seen. There is audience participation and a level of excitement that makes this show stand in a league of its own. Don’t miss it!!
Finding Nemo – The Musical – Yet another outstanding stage show. This one is enhanced by the very artistic use of puppets and puppeteers working together as one on stage. The sets are magnificent and the show itself is wonderfully entertaining. This is another do not miss!!
Maharajah Jungle Trek – If you love animals and have any interest in Asian culture, this is the attraction for you. It’s a walk through where you can set your own pace and enjoy the beauty of the staging as well as the magnificence of the animals. There are several walk through attractions in the Animal Kingdom, but this is the best one.
Kilimanjaro Safaris – You may get bounced around a little in this motorized tour of the African habitat. The ride vehicles were built for durability not comfort. BUT – the exposure to all of the animals roaming free (there are invisible barriers) in a very natural habitat makes this attraction well worth the time (and a little bouncing).
It’s Tough To Be A Bug – O.K. this one is just plain fun and it will return you to the land of fantasy that we all appreciate in all things Disney. This is a pleasant (air conditioned) place to relax and enjoy a fun show while relaxing after a long (and likely very hot) day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. I recommend it either in the middle or at the end of your day to help you rejuvenate.
These are my favorite Animal Kingdom attractions. We don’t spend a lot of time here but when we do visit we always takein these attractions. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
There are so many things to see and do at Disney’s Hollywood Studios but some of my favorite times there have been doing nothing at all. It’s nice to take a break from the heat and take in the scenery, I wisely decide to do this while my family is riding Tower of Terror.
Here are my top 5 places to find solitude at Hollywood Studios
1. Tower of Terror – The benches are rod iron and aren’t so comfortable, but I love the location outside of the Tower of Terror gift shop. Under the overhang of the roof you can enjoy a quiet spot on the bench and enjoy the intricately themed window displays, hear the screams from the ride you wisely opted out of and even grab a cup of coffee from the cart nearby. I especially love this spot at night, when the sun goes down it intensifies the theme of the Tower of Terror even more.
2. Starring Rolls Cafe -This busy cafe is rarely uncrowded but still makes it on my list because of the excellent coffee and sweet treats. I recommend having someone from your party secure a table before the other goes in to order, there aren’t many tables and the cafe is small inside, so divide and conquer is key on this one!
3. Muppet Vision – Depart from the galaxy of Tattooine and head toward Kermit’s Balloon, right outside of the brick building where the bathrooms are located there are benches. I love this spot at night when the sun is down and the park is less crowded. There are so many things happening in this spot…you can hear the water of the muppets fountain, smell the pizza from Pizza Planet and hear Kermit and Miss Piggy singing songs from their movies. When your feet are rested you’ll want to get moving, or else you’ll have “daffodils, Miss Piggy, whippoorwills, Miss Piggy…” stuck in your head all night long!
4. Sunset Strip – Stay to the right of the street on Sunset Boulevard (heading toward the tower) and when you exit the last gift shop you’ll come to a small culdesac, this is a nice place to have a seat where you won’t get run over the crowds.
5. Studio Catering Co. is a popular place for lunch, but one we never stopped at until our last trip (Star Wars Weekends). I can’t believe we’ve been missing out on this delightful lunch experience for all these years! The tables are all shaded, with large fans blowing overhead and the menu is excellent considering it’s a quick service! Greek salads, wraps, panini sandwiches…it’s a delicious spot to relax and fuel up for your next adventure.
Where’s your favorite relaxing spot at Hollywood Studios?
Summer in Florida is fierce. I hold nothing back. As one who made the yearly pilgrimage to the House of Mouse every July for at least a decade with my family, I know it seems impossible to visit the parks while you are dripping with sweat.
Fear not travelers for I bring you some coping mechanisms. I can’t promise you mid 70 temps and no rain, but I can help you make your vacation magical in spite of soaring temps and 90% humidity.
I present: 6 Steps to Surviving the Summer in Disney (trumpets sound here).
1. PRIORITIZE
You will need to do some research before you head to Disney. What are you interested in doing while you are there? Do you have teens that want more thrill rides? Do you have a 5 year old princess in training who will want to meet Rapunzel? Or is your 7 year old son dying to see some action at Indiana Jones and Lights, Motors, Action?
Summer crowds are heavy so you will not be able to do everything. Start a list of “must do” and “would like to do” that will please all members of your family.
2. HYDRATE
You hear this all the time but it is so true. You should be drinking water as often as possible. You may be tempted by soft drinks and lemonades, but water is the best liquid to help you maintain your stamina!
Freeze water over night in bottles and use them during the day. Refill at water fountains (the older the park, the more water fountains available).
Purchase reusable water bottles and misters before you hit the parks and save some money!
3. SUNSCREEN
You are going to be outside in the Florida sun more hours than you usually are (unless you are a lifeguard by trade). Bring sunscreen in all forms. I found a great powder form I use on our faces. I use sticks for shoulders and tops of feet. I use a spray for backs and arms. It’s a full armada of protection and you will still get some sun anyway.
4. PACE YOURSELF
When you look at the parks’ hours of operation you will be amazed at how long the parks are open. There is a reason for that. Sheer volume of people in attendance makes parks stay open longer. Because of this, stop mid day and go back to your hotel. Relax, get cool, swim, shop whatever but take time OUT of the parks during the hottest times to recharge your batteries and head back in around dinner time. Think of your vacation as a cross-country run, not a 50 yard dash.
5. PRACTICE
Last week we did a summer trip for the first time in many years. I wasn’t sure how my girls (ages 7 and 3) would do under the heat and crowds. We did a practice run at our local zoo. It was a hot day in early June and we packed up like we were going to Magic Kingdom for the day. It was hot, outdoors, sunny and crowded. We learned a lot about our kids’ endurance. Heat is a factor that can lead to crankiness and whininess in children.
6. FLEXIBILITY
You want to have a perfect trip. You are spending a LOT of money to have a wonderful time and it is hard when your kids are whining and you are tired and you still have three more 60 minute waits to endure. This is when you need some flexibility. Instead of standing in that 70 minute line for Space Mountain, climb aboard the TTA and relax. Instead of walking all the way from Germany to International Gateway while sweating and complaining, stop in at France and watch the movie in air-conditioned bliss.
While summer in Disney is one of the more difficult seasons to visit, it still holds wonder and magic in its own way. Take advantage of longer park hours, mid-day swim breaks and theater shows as cool off stations to keep your family happy and cool!
Jenn Hart
dissavvy.com
This Chip Panel submission comes to us from Jenn Hart at Dis Savvy. Where she helps you navigate the Walt Disney World Resort with her experience and countless trips to the House of Mouse.
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has a lot of shows that particularly appeal to seniors. But – there are other attractions that seem to appeal to the youngsters that we seniors very much love. Here are my top 5 attractions for seniors, see if you agree.
Toy Story Midway Mania! – This one is fantastic and is loved by young and old alike. The games and themes are incredible (so is Mr. Potato Head), fun and a pleasure to play. Even if you are lucky enough to ride it many times in a day you will not tire of the good clean fun. Get there early, grab a Fast Pass and then get in the standby line. You are not too old to enjoy this!!!
Fantasmic! – This show is and always has been one of my favorites since I saw the Disneyland version many years ago. The Walt Disney World version is spectacular and beautifully staged in an amphitheater worthy of the show’s scope. There are a couple of drawbacks particularly since the number of performances was reduced a couple of years ago.(changed back to daily through Sept 30) the crowds at the Hollywood Studios are huge on Fantasmic! day and the lines for the show are huge. Take advantage of the Fantasmic Dining Package.
Walt Disney, One Man’s Dream – If you love Walt Disney and Disney in general, take some time to visit this attraction. It will give you an appreciation of Walter Elias Disney and what he did with what he had where he started from. It addresses all the stages of Walt’s life and the development of Disney through the years. Beautifully done!!!
Beauty And The Beast – Live On Stage – This is another one of those do not miss stage shows appreciated by seniors. The costuming, staging, and choreography make this show an absolute delight. Sure, we all know the story of Beauty and the Beast but this show really does it justice and presents it in a very special way. See it for sure!!
Muppet Vision 3-D – Muppets = FUN and this attraction is no exception. One thing to remember, this was Jim Henson’s final production and it retains all of the oddities and twisted little things that wandered around in his head. The man was brilliant and this show reflects his talents. Take this sojourn around Muppet Labs with the crew and have a good laugh on them
Disney’s Hollywood Studios has lots and lots of stage shows. Make sure you take the time to enjoy as many of them as possible and you will find out that Hollywood Studios is at least a “full day park” if not more. As always, enjoy your visit to Walt Disney World!!
Families with special needs children may find the idea of traveling daunting. Vacation planning should be a fun time and something to look forward to, not fear or dread.
As a travel agent, I have been blessed to find families with special needs very open about their unique situation and the dynamic elements required to make a dream vacation.
No amount of reading and researching could ever give me the knowledge even close to what the family knows and lives with every day. It’s a task I don’t even attempt to undertake. I’ve found the best way to plan a vacation for children with special needs is to prepare the parents. No one knows a child better than his parent, and knowledge is power. Combining Disney parks knowledge with parental knowledge and you’ve got the answer to virtually any potential vacation problem.
Parents are often very anxious at the prospect of bringing children with sensory issues to a place like Walt Disney World. It can be crowded, noisy and it’s certainly overstimulating, these things seem like a formula for disaster, but rest assured your vacation can be just as magical as you imagine, you just have to do a little prep work.
Individually, special needs can vary quite broadly and it would be impossible to address each one of them. ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorders) are broad disorders that can have the following effects: impulsiveness, hyperactivity, inattention, ultra-sensitivity to noises, lights, smells and objects. ASD can also include: impairments in thinking, feeling, language and social interactions repetitive movements, abnormal reactions to sound, touch and extreme emotional responses.
Regardless of what your family needs are every family will experience certain standard things on vacation: eat, sleep and play. So let’s combine what we know about special needs and standard vacation elements.
Eat: You have to eat and if you are in the parks you are most likely eating in the parks, which could raise a whole new set of challenges.
Make Advanced Dining Reservationsat “off” dining times. Even with a reservation you could still have to wait for your table to become available, eating at an “off” time will be less crowded and will be less sensory overload. You’re also more likely to be seated quickly.
Pick your place-When you make your dining reservations make notes of your special needs, if your child has issues with being touched, request a booth (if available) you are less likely to be bumped or touched by strangers. If sitting with strangers is a problem for your child, be cautious of places like Biergarten in Epcot, The Spirit of Aloha show, or Hoop-Dee-Doo Review, if you are interested in these experiences ask the dining reservation-ist if you can have a separate table. Disney does try to accommodate special requests, of course nothing is guaranteed; but explaining there is a medical issue will help.
Sleep: Being on property could be the best decision you could make. Consider your resort wisely, if you prefer quieter calmer environments consider a moderate or deluxe resort in a room that’s in a more secluded location (not facing the pool, etc). These rooms are more likely to be affordable, available and apt to fit your special needs. View pictures of your choice resort online, familiarize your child with what the rooms will look like, etc.
Consider your transportation options when choosing your resort. If your child won’t be able to handle a bus ride consider a deluxe resort on the monorail system or with water access.
Play: This could be the most difficult vacation element because the variables are endless. There are a few preparations you can make to prepare for your park time. For children with ASD and ADHD structure is very important.
Although you are on vacation and might not want to stick to a stringent schedule set a pattern of park touring that works for you follow it daily, regardless of what park you are in. For example, set breakfast for the same time each morning, try to accomplish a certain amount of rides before your mid-morning break, and a certain amount after, set lunch at the same time each day, etc and decide what you’re going to do after dinner. Although the daily experiences will change your pattern will be the same.
Before you start touring the park, stop in guest services and get a Guest Assistance Card. This card will be issued to someone in the party and is valid for 5 people in the party (for example, a single family would most likely only need 1 pass if everyone is touring the parks together). Explain to the cast member at guest services you’d like a GAC, and what your special need is (an alternate entrance, a quiet place to wait for your turn on the ride, etc.) and they will accommodate you. It’s not necessary to parade your child into guest services and put on a display of what you need and why. One member of the family can obtain the card and you simply show the pass at the attraction and the cast member will give you instructions from there.
Give your children maps of the parks and let them get familiar with them. Some children find that knowing where they are going is empowering and they’re less likely to have a meltdown. Order the planning DVD and watch it, as many times as it takes to work out the kinks and questions that your child might have about your vacation.
Share your plans if you think your child can handle it (we’re going to have breakfast then try to do rides in Fantasyland, then after lunch we’re going to try to rides in Frontierland, etc.). This will give more structure and having a set pattern may help keep the stimulation under control and ease anxiety.
Your vacation should be a magical experience from start to finish, including planning. If you find the process overwhelming or would like assistance, find a reputable travel agent that specializes in Disney travel, like Pixie Vacations. An experienced agent will be able to assist you with reservations, touring plans, itineraries, and take the planning and preparation pressure off of you. Have fun at the happiest place on earth!
For more detailed information, try Passporters “Open Mouse”. These are just a few of the issues and tips for the ADHD/ASD spectrum, we’d love to hear your tips and tricks!
Is there a list of places and what snacks they offer for the quick service dining plan? Can you go to hotels and swim in there pools or are you just allowed to walk around, we are staying at Pop Century and wanted to check out other resorts but weren’t sure if we were allowed. Is the Chip and Dale sing along movie thing worth it? I think that is it for now, we leave August 10th and are staying longer than we normally do so I am trying to find things that we can do besides the usual parks. Thanks!
Heather. Thanks for reading the site and for your question. Let me answer these in order.
1. There’s no official list for snacks. You’ll recognize what’s available by the dining plan sign next to the item, however. Most drinks, bakery items, some candy items, and small servings of fries and even chili are included. You can read more about maximizing your snack credits here.
2. You can’t pool hop. You can visit other resorts, but you can’t use their pools. Feel free to grab a drink from the pool bar while you visit another resort or have lunch or shop. You can even just sit in the lobby and enjoy the beautiful theming. “Resort hopping,” as it’s called, is a popular activity in Disney World and a nice way to spend a non-park day.
Chip has a whole series of Resort Hopping articles located here.
3. Chip and Dale are a lot of fun and the sing-a-long gets rave reviews for the character interaction. I recommend it, especially if you’re looking for activities to do outside of the parks.
There are lots of fun activities to do that cost very little and don’t require theme park admission. A movie and some shopping at Downtown Disney is a nice way to spend the day. There are entertainers at night on the Boardwalk and it costs nothing to watch and walk around. Resort hopping, as mentioned above, is totally free and gives you an opportunity to see all the extraordinary theming that goes into the resorts. Take the kids over to Ft. Wilderness and ride horses or visit the petting zoo. If you have a car, the Mall of Millenia is only about a 15-minute drive and has lots of great shopping. Attractions like Gatorland are inexpensive and fun for the kids. And if you like thrill rides and Harry Potter, consider a day trip over to Universal Studios Orlando. Finally, I love the town of Celebration, just a few miles off property. Grab some food and explore all the wonderful little architectural details of this planned community.
Also check out this article where we share free things to do at Walt Disney World. It might help too.
No park seems to have as much ground to cover as Epcot, by the time you get through the World Showcase you truly feel like you’ve walked around the world and the future (world) seems unattainable. It’s important to pace yourself and remember to take a break or five…try some of my favorite places!
1. One of my favorite spots to relax in Epcot is actually a attraction, yes it does kind of feel like I’m cheating on the list, but I can’t help myself, I love “Living with the Land”. There’s something about that quiet little boat ride that’s relaxing and interesting, and it’s just long enough to cool off before heading into the heat again.
2. Inside the Impressions de France (French pavilion, World Showcase) there is a cafe area with tables and chairs where you can grab a sweet treat from Boulangerie Patisserie and take a break. There are cafe tables indoors and outdoors, but I would still recommend stopping here at an “off” time (not during the lunch hour).
3. Nestled back in the Moroccan pavilion is a maze of shops (in the shade), with intricate mosaic tile work. I love the fountain area right out front for sitting and people watching.
4. Who can resist the Three Caballeros? Certainly not me, which is why I always stop in Mexico and take the Grand Fiesta Tour. If you’ve never taken the little indoor boat ride in Mexico, give it a try!
5. Spaceship Earth-Another double hitter of attraction and relaxation. Board the spaceship and take a tour of the earth through the ages. Quiet, cool and now interactive, it’s a slow, fun ride for everyone.
Disneyland is the perfect place to be to catch all the favorites in one day- and park hopping is a cinch! You just walk across to the gates of California Adventure and your set!
I started out doing my My Perfect Disney Day by doing a ride plan, but thought the more I wrote I realized the star of the show is the food, so I figured why not share my Disneyland food highlights.
We like to start at Goofy’s Kitchen– so much fun to dance and play with Goofy and friends to get our day started, oh and breakfast too- can’t forget the most important meal of the day!
Then monorail it over into Tomorrowland, I love arriving in the park that way. After some rides in Fantasyland and Tomorrowland, we grab some popcorn in a bucket after some rides to keep our energy up a little longer.
Heading to Frontierland next for Big Thunder and Rancho del Zocalo for lunch- those cinnamon tortilla chips are a great dessert to get the kids to eat their meal.
Adventureland, New Orleans Square and Critter Country are our next stops. A MUST is Pooh’s Corner for some sweet snacks- I usually grab the chocolate covered Mickey pretzel or the chocolate-covered rice krispy treat. I’m also tempted to try the new Hungry Bear menu on our next trip- or else the Mickey beignets at Cafe Orleans.
We like to grab a Dole whip before the parade and then hop over to California Adventure.
After some California Adventure fun, we stop in to Storyteller’s Cafe for their dinner buffet on prime rib night. I’ve even sat by Geena Davis at this restaurant while waiting for our table. No characters this time of day.
Then out to the park through the special resort entrance for World of Color after more rides. On cold nights, we love the Paradise Pier chowder/soups in bread bowls- it does get cold for us the time of year we usually go.
Did I miss anything? What are your Disneyland favorites?
