Ask a Disney Question: Eating Gluten-Free at Disney World.

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July 4, 2010

This question comes from Arnold, who asks: “What Walt Disney World restaurants are best for gluten free diets?

Arnold, thanks for your question and for reading Chip and Co. I also want to apologize for taking so long to answer this question, but I wanted to give it the time it deserves. The good news is that with a little planning, it’s very easy to follow a gluten-free diet at Disney World. In fact, Disney World is a very accommodating place for anyone on a special diet. Table service restaurants should give you no problem at all, but counter service locations can be a bit more problematic. Let’s start with table service first.

You can look at menus ahead of time to determine whether or not something on the menu fits your needs; two sites we like with frequently updated menus are WDWInfo and AllEars. Don’t worry if you don’t see anything on the menu; even on short notice, the chef can whip up a gluten-free dish, but for added comfort, make note of food allergies when you make your advanced dining reservation (ADR). You can also call Disney’s hotline for special diets at 407-824-5967 or email at [email protected] and request a special diet worksheet. Fill it out and fax or email it back. Call again 72 hours before your ADR. Almost all restaurants can substitute gluten-free pasta for wheat pasta in a dish that’s already on the menu or the chef can prepare something especially for you. At buffets, the chef or a cast member will personally take you around the buffet and let you know what is safe for you to eat. Whether you go through the above steps or simply try to “wing it”, make sure you tell your server about your needs so that she can alert the kitchen to avoid contamination of your food.

I know that cross-contamination can be a big issue when eating in restaurants, but I haven’t heard any reports of people getting sick from ingesting gluten at Disney. When I called Disney to discuss how they handle the issue of cross-contamination, they assured me that Disney chefs are trained to avoid contamination of knives, cutting boards, etc., with wheat. Disney takes steps to avoid cross contamination beyond the kitchen: Your meal will be brought out separate from the other guests at your table to further reduce the risk.

Almost all counter service restaurants have gluten-free options. Most often a gluten-free bun can be substituted for a wheat bun. Veggie burgers and hot dogs are gluten free. You can even get gluten-free chicken nuggets at Backlot Express in Hollywood Studios. I won’t tell you that the bun you get with your sandwich is going to be just like a wheat bun or that the gluten-free brownie or cookie is going to the stuff of your dreams, but it’s all very acceptable. Check out this post on The Mouse for Less for lots of great information and recommendations on counter-service and table-service options.

You can find gluten-free packaged cookies and snacks in resort gift shops, but the variety is limited. If you’re worried about finding what you like and particularly if you’ll be staying somewhere with a refrigerator or full-kitchen, you may want to do some shopping off site. Super Target has a limited but very well-priced supply of gluten-free items. There’s a Whole Foods near Universal that has just about everything you could want. I generally find the prices comparable to Publix. If you don’t have a vehicle, consider using a grocery delivery service. We Go Shop will shop where you ask them for a small fee and they are a very reliable company.

Good luck. I hope this helps.

Have a Disney question? We have answers. Write us at Chip and Co! We answer every question.

This post is part of the Disney Blog Carnival. Head over there to see more great posts like this.

Kids Sail FREE on Disney Cruise Line Select Mexican Riviera Cruises

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Chip

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July 4, 2010

Kids Sail Free on Select Mexican Riviera Cruises
Great news! From Jan. 23 — March 20, 2011, kids age 17 and under sail FREE* when traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom on select 7-night Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles!

You can enjoy the beauty of the Baja California and Mexican coasts on a voyage filled with unmatched Disney entertainment, legendary service and magic made for everyone of every age.

Bookings are open now through July 31, 2010, to book this special offer, contact Pixie Vacations.

www.PixieVacations.com
Phone: 678-815-1584
Email: [email protected]

Americana Dolls at Disneyworld’s Magic Kingdom

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

Happy Fourth from Disney Parks Blog:

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. It’s a day to celebrate our independence, spend time with friends and family, grill outdoors, playing games, watch fireworks and show our patriotism for the great US of A.

For many Guests at the Walt Disney World Resort, the place to be on July Fourth to ring in America’s birthday is the Magic Kingdom (what’s more Americana than Main Street U.S.A.?) The Magic Kingdom puts on a dazzling nighttime fireworks spectacular called, “Celebrate America!” and is loaded with patriotic spirit.

To bring even more spirit to the Magic Kingdom on Independence Day, Precious Moments Dolls will be joining the celebration at Uptown Jewelers July 2-4 premiering their Disney Theme Park Exclusive, Stars and Stripes Collection. Doll creator, Linda Rick will be on hand to tell the story of the new collection as well answer guests questions and personally sign her newest releases.

Click here for more.

Happy 4th of July from Mickey Mouse

By

Chip

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July 4, 2010

A celebratory spirit fills the air every July 4th at the Walt Disney World Resort. Mickey Mouse and friends mark the holiday in grand style, with fireworks displays and special entertainment all across the Florida Vacation Kingdom.

Childproofing on Vacation.

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

Childproofing on Vacation.

Bad parenting confession: Despite the fact that I was then living in the kind of suburban DC neighborhood where you would occasionally see a van pulling up to a neighbor’s house with some catchy name like “If You Don’t Childproof with Us Your Baby Will Not Get into Harvard!” I was blissfully unaware of the business of childproofing until my oldest child started to crawl. I mean, why would you have to childproof a house for a baby? They’re so cute and . . . immobile. After he stopped being such a delightful little lump however, I discovered that my house was no longer a small, innocuous-looking little house but rather a seething pit of chemicals and cords and light sockets that attract little fingers, to say the least of the stairs, which were clearly put there to drive me insane. Obvioulsy it was time to be a grown-up. It was time to childproof.

Still, I approached childproofing quite sanely, if I don’t mind saying so myself, trying to stay one step ahead of this rambunctious little person. Besides, I was too cheap to hire a professional childproofing service. And I think we did quite well, my husband and I. That is, until we attempted to go on vacation. At the time our son had just turned two-years old. Old enough to understand the word “no” but not old enough to care. In a split-second he’d figured out how to open the hotel room door and run out of our room which, incidentally, was on the 7th floor overlooking an atrium. It was at that point, cue ominous music, when I realized that childproofing doesn’t take a vacation. If anything, it’s actually more important to childproof away from home, when the kids are excited, the environment is unfamiliar and fun to explore, and the adults might be distracted.

I’m basically telling you all this so you don’t think I’m a crazy helicopter parent (shhh, I kind of am).

If you’ve ever walked into a hotel room or rental house with a child or two, you know what a dangerous place it can be: Light sockets, exposed! Lamps sitting on top of glass tabletops for goodness sakes! Cords hanging from the blinds! Even in the most kid-friendly hotels are designed with adults in mind or at least with children in mind who are well past the stage of putting everything in their mouths. Nothing is ever babyproofed in a rental, so you better think fast when you walk in the door. The good news is it won’t take but a few minutes to babyproof your room and you can probably carry everything you need to do it in a gallon-sized Zip-loc bag.

A couple of points, first. Most of this advice applies to rental houses; it’s not entirely realistic to babyproof a hotel room, but there are some steps you can take to make sure your room is safer, one of which is being aware of less obvious dangers, like how easily doors open to the outside hallways. Keep in mind that you want products that won’t harm the room, are portable, easy to install, and inexpensive. Everything I mention here fits that criteria. They’re also easy to find at Target or Babies-R-Us.

When you first go into your rental, you may want to remove any delicate knick-knacks within reach of small children. This is less for safety reasons than for financial reasons, as you don’t want to have to pay for it at the end of your stay if it gets broken. Put anything you don’t want broken into a closet if there’s room. Last vacation, I actually moved a glass topped coffee table into the next room after one of my two-year olds decided it made a nice platform from which to continuously spout her personal manifesto. Next, check to see what’s in the lower kitchen cabinets. We once rented a beach house with cabinets that couldn’t be secured. A glance in the lower cabinets revealed a couple of large pots. No worries there, but right next to the pots was a knife block with 8 very sharp knives. Put dangerous items in the upper cabinets. Don’t forget to look under the sink for cleaning products that might be harmful to kids.

You’ll find this type of cabinet in most Disney Vacation Club (DVC) kitchens, so they’re easy to lock.

If you want to block off access to a room altogether, these doorknob covers are great; the childfree adults in our group especially liked them, as they kept little ones from waking them up at 5:00 in the morning. They’re cheap, take about two seconds to pop on or off, and don’t harm the doorknob, which makes them perfect for childproofing someone else’s house.

Most hotel rooms and all DVC units have lever-style handles rather than knobs, particularly on the outside door. Try this lock from One Step Ahead for those types of doors. You can also purchase this lock at Babies R Us.

We used these locks last month on the bathroom doors at Kidani Village. I really don’t enjoy spending my vacation time saying “Get out of the toilet, Junior” over and over so this saved us a lot of trouble. It sticks onto the door, but didn’t take off any paint.

Many rental houses in Orlando have screened-in pools, some just a few steps from the family room. If possible, check with the rental agent or owner prior to your trip to find out what kind of safety measures are in place. Ideally, the door leading out to the pool should not only have a deadbolt (preferably one that requires a key which can be put in a safe place) but it should also have a lock on the upper part of the door that children can’t reach. Make sure all the adults in your party are mindful about keeping the door locked. If there’s a alarm system on that door, make sure everyone knows to keep it armed.

One of the biggest dangers in hotels rooms is the balcony. Obviously the biggest issue is a child falling off the balcony, but also be aware that some balconies, particularly those at Disney resorts, have low walls or partitions that aren’t completely closed, allowing children to squeeze through to your next door neighbor. Ideally, a sliding glass door leading out to the balcony will have two locks, one of which is high enough so that your smaller children can’t reach it. I found the sliding glass doors in Kidani Village to be difficult to open, even for an adult; they have two locks and although they are low, I didn’t feel the need for any more security. If you want added security, you can buy a small lock that attaches with adhesive to the windows of sliding glass doors. Keep in mind that some condos and most DVC units have two balconies, so you’ll need two sets of these locks.

Childproofing your rental should take only a few minutes but it’s an excellent investment in your vacation: It takes almost no effort to pack a small bag with a few outlet covers and even less effort to install them. Think about it this way: You might spend hours debating advanced dining reservations or deciding which park to visit on a given day. This takes almost no time and is probably most like how you live at home. Obviously, childproofing your room doesn’t take the place of keeping a watchful eye on your child, but it can make your vacation go a lot more smoothly and give you peace of mind.

This is something I wrote at my own blog, Everything WDW, a few months ago. I apologize to those of you who have already read it and I hope it helps those who haven’t. Happy 4th, everyone! Be safe.

Should You Take Your Children Out of School for a Disney World Vacation?

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Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

Should You Take Your Children Out of School for a Disney World Vacation?

If you have school-age children, at some point you have probably considered taking them out of school to visit Disney World. It can be a tough decision, and in my experience at least, the right answer was different at different stages of our daughter’s life.

Chris had a great post last week that kind of inspired this discussion today. In it, she asked if folks preferred taking more frequent small trips, or fewer longer trips. I commented that, for a number of years now, we seem to be taking smaller trips as opposed to longer ones, primarily because of the challenges we face in working around school schedules.

The “take them out of school” discussion is one that I personally struggled with. The first time we dealt with this dilemma was when our daughter was in middle school, and we made the decision to plan a 7 day Land/Sea vacation with Disney Cruise Line in October. Her school system had 2 days off during this one week, so I figured that she was only missing 3 days of school. We notified all her teachers in advance, she got her work from most of them before she left, and so she was able to do a good bit of it on the way down to Florida and back. No real problems.

I can’t say as much for the next time this came up, because by then she was a sophomore in high school…which is an entirely different ball game. I was going to be at Disney for a business conference, so we decided that we would all go. It was only for 3 days, in early December. She was an A student, so we figured that it would work out fine, and that she would have no problems.

We were wrong. In high school, the work load is a great deal more, and things move rapidly. Despite her best efforts to keep up with her homework while away, it was hard: who really wants to do calculus problems instead of seeing Wishes? And coming just a few weeks before Christmas break, every teacher was cramming to get things accomplished prior to the break. She was loaded with work before she left, and had even more when we returned.

She was able to eventually catch up, and her grades did not ultimately suffer…..but it was hard. We decided not to do that again. Our trips, from that point on, were during school breaks, and if that meant smaller 3-4 day trips, well so-be-it.

If you have younger children though, you may have more flexibility in scheduling your vacation. Many folks do take their children out of school to go to Disney World on a regular basis. If you are considering doing this, here are a few tips that I would offer that may help:

Be sure to discuss your trip with your child’s teacher well in advance. Some teachers can give your child their homework prior to your vacation, so that he/she can complete it before you leave….or at least have it to work on during the trip there and back. It will really help when they return, if they are relatively caught up with their classmates.
Depending on the age/grade of your child, see if there are “Disney-related” assignments that your child could do instead of regular work. Many teachers are very happy to encourage creative reporting on some of the educational aspects of Disney World: and there are a lot of great ways to do this! In fact, I think nearly everything at Disney World is educational in some aspect, so see if your child can take advantage of this by keeping a journal, doing a report or preparing a slideshow.
I do think it is important to consider your child, and any challenges they face in school before you decide to do this. A vacation in the middle of the school year can be a real disruption to the routine of many children: how will your child handle this? Does he/she struggle for average grades? Some children can easily miss a few days of school without missing a beat, while others may be challenged for weeks afterwards trying to catch up. Again, there is no *one* answer here, it really depends on your own family situation.

So what about you? Have you taken your children out of school for a Disney vacation? What tips do you have to make it successful? And….would you do it again?

Do you like reading Nancy’s articles well check out her other website The Affordable Mouse, where she shares ways to make you next Disney Vacation affordable!

Win a Night in Cinderella Castle! New Southwest Airlines Contest.

By

Anonymouse

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July 3, 2010

Win a Night in Cinderella Castle! New Southwest Airlines Contest.

Hey, everyone. Just a quick note on this busy holiday weekend to let you know about a Southwest Airlines giveaway that’s right up our alley: A night in the Cinderella Castle suite!

Run on over there and check it out: Southwest Airlines Cinderella Suite Give-away!

We now return to our regularly scheduled barbecuing.

Making Sure Your Disney Vacation Souvenirs Don’t Break the Bank

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

Making Sure Your Disney Vacation Souvenirs Don’t Break the Bank

You’ve planned for months, and done everything you can think of to save money on your Disney World vacation. You have a budget, and your transportation, hotel, tickets and meals were all carefully considered to help you have as affordable a Disney vacation as is possible.

And then you get to the parks, and your little princess bursts into tears because she really, really, really wants that exquisite Cinderella ensemble that costs as much as a week’s worth of groceries. How can you resist that pitiful little face? Many parents can’t. A trip to Disney World is supposed to be magical! So….there goes that budget right out the window!

There is a way to combat “buy-me-itis” though…but it involves thinking ahead and planning for souvenirs before you ever leave home. There are a number of ways to make your souvenirs actually quite affordable, and if you can plan your purchases as carefully as the rest of your trip, you may not end up blowing your vacation budget on souvenirs. But ya gotta have a plan!

Everyone has a souvenir budget…including kids.

I am a big fan of setting a daily spending budget…even for kids. On our first trip, our daughter was seven, and we set aside some money each day that was “hers” to spend as she wished. It was not a great deal, but we found that having her own money to use, meant that when she used it up, she was done for the day. There was no complaining, whining, or begging. Once it was gone, it was gone. And it worked.

It’s ok to think cheap

There are a lot of very inexpensive options for souvenirs! Pressed pennies, postcards, pencils and Disney World pins all are quite affordable and can actually be the start of a new collection for a child that gets added to on each vacation. Kids love to collect things, and will enjoy “hunting” for new treasures to add to their collection. And if children already know they are collecting something, they will often concentrate so much on looking for that item, that they pass by the more expensive things because they are so busy trying to add to their collection.

Bring souvenir bargains from home

Consider bringing some “souvenirs” with you, or have a box shipped to your hotel. You can use these bargains from home as gifts for your children at Disney World. Many families have found that kids love to get a surprise from Mickey when they wake up every morning, and these little surprises can minimize the need to beg for things in the parks. Some families actually get quite elaborate with the daily “gift” by including some pixie dust and a note from Tinkerbell (or whoever your child loves). The excitement of starting the day off with something new and special can really reduce the daily begging for something else.

May I have your autograph?

With just a little pre-trip planning, you can turn your kids’ character autographs into a prized souvenir. Character autographs are hugely popular at the Disney theme parks, and there probably is no more affordable souvenir. But make it more exiting and fun by bringing something other than a book, like a tee shirt, or hat and give the character a sharpie to sign with. Your child will have an instant souvenir that will be cherished for years.

A picture is worth a thousand words…but doesn’t have to cost a thousand dollars

Pictures are wonderful ways to capture memories, but they don’t have to cost a fortune. While the Disney Photopass photographers are all over the parks waiting to take your pictures, you can take your own pictures as well. And many people don’t realize that you can also give your camera to the Photopass photographer (or nearby castmember) who can then take a picture of your entire family…on your camera…for free. The souvenir possibilities are endless with your own pictures when you return home, and for far less money than you would spend with Photopass items purchased through the website.

A little creativity can go a long away towards keeping your souvenir budget in check and the begging and pleading to a minimum. Fun does not have to be expensive, and neither do the souvenirs. The best souvenirs you will come home with will be your memories: those don’t cost a thing, but are truly priceless.

When Nancy is writing on Affordable Disney Vacations here she can be found on her site The Affordable Mouse.

Inside the Disney’s Pirate League

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

Arrrrrrrr, matey! Sharline, here to share information on a Pirate makeover. Arrrrrrr! It is Perfect for all your little Pirates at heart boy or girl! First you call and make a reservation.

They have 2 Packages to choose at $29.99. The First Mate for boys or Empress for girls. Both packages include Reversible Bandanna, Earring and Eye Patch, Sword and Sheath, Temporary Tattoo, Pirate Coin Necklace, Personalized Pirate Oath, Pirate Name, Removable Teeth*, Participation in a daily Adventureland Pirate Parade. (*Empress package doesn’t include teeth but it comes with makeup, nail polish, and face gem.)
Costumes, Headwear, and Imaging sold separately and are available at the location.

This experience is located at The Magic Kingdom next to The Pirates of the Caribbean ride.

This past year in 2009 when my daughter was on her second Princess makeover I discovered the Pirate League! We were about to get him the cool dudes package there at the Bibbidi- Bobbidi- Boutique and I saw the pamphlet there.

Also we were at The Magic Kingdom which was perfect so we could hop on over to The Pirates of the Caribbean. I called that day and made him a reservation! I had felt so guilty the year prior getting her all dolled up and he just sat there. It was about time Disney brought out something boys could also enjoy!

Well let me tell you his experience was everything I’d hoped it would be! Only Disney! From the moment we walked up to the reservation desk we knew we were in for an experience of a lifetime! So wonderfully themed! Everyone was in Character!

The Pirate Master walked him in and he met with another Pirate Master who then proceeded to ask his name and she walked him up to a table where there was this crank controlled rotating chest with dice inside. She told him to turn the crank a few times then opened it up and they looked at the numbers on the dice. She went to a bookshelf and pulled out this massive leather- bound Captain’s Log. Looked up his name and the with corresponding numbers on the dice gave him his Official Pirate Name. Awesome!

Then another Pirate Master walked up and said ” who do we have here ” and she said ” we have Peter Sharkstench”. So he took my son to the dressing room where he changed into his pirate gear. When he was done he took him to begin his marauder’s makeover.

The Pirate Master was so in character as he talked to him and applied his face paint (my son chose to be a bony skeleton). When he was fully transformed he took him to a secret room that belonged to Captain Jack Sparrow! Oooooooo! There they took his Pirate Portrait and the Pirate Master revealed a hidden treasure that he got to keep! When we walked outside it just so happened Captain Jack Sparrow was out there giving his Pirate tutorial and he chose my son!! Even battled him! We video tapped the whole thing! My son looked Amazing!

So amazing in fact, that we had many people stop and ask to take pictures with him and of him! I’m sure he, as well as I will remember that day for all Eternity! He had such a wonderful experience and can’t wait to do it again! We are thinking of doing it as a whole family because they do adults too; and going during the Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party!

I’m, Sharline Hernandez, a Pixie Vacations Specialized Disney Vacation Planner. Mom of 3 who is passionate about any and everything Disney! Let me help you experience the Magic of Disney by giving you a Free quote today! I will be there with you every step of the way to personalize your Disney Dream Vacation. Itineraries are also included free when you book a Magical Disney vacation with me. I have experienced many of what Disney has to offer and will help you choose what suits your needs!

Contact me at….
e-mail [email protected]
cell 210-838-2936

Exclusive: Pirates of the Caribbean 4 Trailer (chipandco.com)
Disney Confidential: Fantasyland, Pirates, and the Dream. (chipandco.com)

How to Create a Disney Vacation Scrapbook Without Really Trying

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

How to Create a Disney Vacation Scrapbook Without Really Trying

One of the most affordable Disney souvenirs that I know of is to create a scrapbook of your vacation memories when you return home. While scrapbooking certainly can be complicated…and expensive….it absolutely does not have to be either. In fact, anyone can really make a simple scrapbook made with not much more than pictures, items you collect at the parks, and the most priceless things you have…your memories.

Don’t be afraid to try this. You don’t need a design degree, and you don’t have to be especially artistic even. Simply concentrate on what you ultimately want to do: creating a keepsake of those magical memories of your Disney World vacation. Get your children involved too, as this can be a wonderful way to re-live your Disney vacation together, and kids love to help create scrapbooks.

So where do you start? You start your scrapbook while you are still at the parks, because you want to be gathering items to put in your scrapbook while you are there. Free items. You are not going to spend a lot on this album, because we are talking about affordable Disney vacation souvenirs here. So throughout your trip, watch out for things that cost you nothing that you can put in your book.

What kind of things? Well, pretty much everything! Things we have used in scrapbooks in the past include: park maps, napkins, postcards in the rooms, parts of Disney bags, photopasses, Fastpasses (sometimes the castmembers have let us keep them once the time is expired), park tickets, Key to the World cards, receipts, even pixie dust (Mickey sequins that are part of the Magic Kingdom daily opening celebration). That is, of course, just a start. You really can…and should…use your imagination here. Nothing is off limits, as long as it can fit in a book. Oh, one more thing you absolutely will put in your scrapbook of course…pictures.

Once you return home, you will take all these wonderful items and put them together in your scrapbook. Now there are a couple things that are important to keep in mind here. The supplies, album, paper, adhesive, stickers etc. can cost a fortune if you are not careful: there is some really cute stuff out there and it is easy to get carried away. So my recommendation is to set a budget that is affordable to you and stick to it. The most expensive item will be the album, but you can get a smaller one to save money here if necessary. Now Disney does sell scrapbooking supplies at the parks, so if you want to splurge you can get a Disney album…but don’t feel as if you need all the other stuff that they sell too! Remember, your memorabilia and pictures are what will matter the most here.

As to other supplies, you will need some decent adhesive. Glue sticks will work on most paper items, but for anything that is heavier, you will want a stronger adhesive. Be sure to ask an associate in your local craft store for assistance if you need to. Beyond that, get maybe a dozen sheets of solid color cardstock: if you can get a pack or find a sale, this should cost no more than $5-6 tops. Make sure you have a decent pair of sharp scissors or exacto knife, and a good sturdy ruler. And that’s all you NEED for your book.

And then you can put it together any way you like. Don’t make this hard or complicated! Instead of focusing on “how it looks”, concentrate instead on telling a story. You had a fantastic vacation at Walt Disney World, and made some amazing memories. Use those memories….helped by your free memorabilia and pictures….to tell the story of your vacation.

Don’t forget to leave space on each page to write. You want to include the story of your vacation. Journaling really “ties it all up” so give this part some thought. You can hand-write your memories on a piece of cardstock and glue it onto each page…or if you don’t like your handwriting, consider typing it out on the computer and then printing it out to add to the page.

And that’s really it! Take lots of photos, collect lots of free Disney “stuff”, write down your memories, and put it all together in any way you like. When you’re done, you’ll have a Disney souvenir that costs next to nothing…but is truly priceless.

When not writing for chipandco.com, Nancy shares tips and information about planning affordable Disney vacations at her blog, theaffordablemouse.com. Patiently waiting for the chance to move closer to Walt Disney World, Nancy and her equally Disney-obsessed family currently live in Maryland.

Disney Parks Sweet Treats for Summer

By

Chip

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July 3, 2010

This yummy article comes to us from Disney Parks Blog:

Our teams have been hard at work in the kitchen coming up with new and innovative summer treats, just for you. From sweet and sour, to candies, cookies, apples and more … here’s a glimpse of what’s “in store” for you during the month of July and tips on where you can find them.

July 1: Sinfully delicious Key Lime Tarts (available during the month of July)
July 2 – 3 only: Old fashioned Candy Sticks (available in two flavors: Peppermint and Butterscotch)
July 5: Celebrate with our 55th Anniversary Cupcakes (available for a limited time)
July 9 – 14: Step up to the plate and grab a Baseball themed Mickey Mouse apple.
July 17: 55th Anniversary Candy Apple themed to Bandleader Mickey

Special fun facts about our hand-made Old Fashioned Candy Sticks…

The candy sticks are based on those made and carried at the park in 1986.
The candy sticks are hand-made by our Disneyland Resort Candy Makers.
The candy sticks are made in a similar fashion to the Candy Canes that are made during the holidays but have a slightly different shaping routine at the end of the process.
Peppermint and butterscotch are two of the most popular flavors of candy sticks among Guests.

Don’t miss out on these candy sticks. They’ll only be available July 2nd and 3rd at Candy Palace. Or if you’re looking for some of the other delectable treats that I’ve mentioned above then stop by some of our other candy kitchen locations throughout the Resort.

Date Night at Walt Disney World

By

Chip and Co Past Writers and Friends

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July 3, 2010

Date Night at Walt Disney World

When’s the last time you got a sitter and went out for the night? Trying to remember? Yeah, me too. There always seems to be something or someone that needs our attention and at times it’s tough for us to get out alone for a grown-up date night. Luckily, we have more opportunities for some relaxed alone time at Disney World thanks to the fact that we often travel with extended family.

Decisions, Decisions

Whether you travel with family, hire a sitter through Kids Nite Out, or make a reservation at one of the Childen’s Activity Centers, you have some decisions to make. Where do you go and what do you do? For my husband and me, it’s more about spending quality time together than spending big bucks but Disney has something for every budget and taste. Here are a few of my favorite things to do without the kids at Walt Disney World.

Hit the Parks. Seeing your child’s eyes shine on it’s a small world is priceless but let’s face it, it might not be exactly your speed. Although you can use Rider Swap to experience the more thrilling rides, having a babysitter might be just the opportunity to take in some attractions that your little ones can’t enjoy such as Expedition Everest, Rock ‘n Roller Coaster, and Tower of Terror.

Adults Only. No Kids Allowed. While the kids are having fun with a babysitter, indulge in some of the adult-focused recreation Disney World offers. Try an evening of Cirque du Soleil, a ride-along at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, or a massage at one of Disney World’s full-service spas. Perhaps a round of golf or an afternoon of shopping is more your thing.

Dinner and a Movie. Date night doesn’t have to mean an expensive dinner at one of Disney’s signature restaurants, although that is a great way to spend the evening. For my husband and me, a kids-free meal isn’t about the food but rather the opportunity to sit and re-connect uninterrupted. The Captain’s Grille at Disney’s Yacht Club is a favorite quiet, casual dining experience. After dinner, head over to Downtown Disney and catch a movie.

Hold Hands and Stroll. From resort grounds to theme parks, Walt Disney World offers spectacular and imaginative scenery. Pick your favorite location, your beverage of choice, and immerse yourself in the magic of Walt Disney World with a leisurely stroll. It will be well worth the cost of child-care.

Take a Carriage Ride. Head over to Port Orleans – Riverside or Fort Wilderness for a carriage ride for two. Call 407-WDW-PLAY to make reservations.

Nightlife. Whether dancing, music, or wine is your thing, you can find it at Walt Disney World. The Boardwalk area is home to my personal favorite, Jellyrolls, a piano bar ($10 cover charge) with dueling pianos as well as the Atlantic Dance Hall nightclub (no cover charge). The Atlantic Dance Hall will satisfy your desire to show off your best dance moves. Epcot’s World Showcase Wine Walk is an exciting option. Pay $20 and receive a Wine Walk Passport; the bearer of the Passport is entitled to two wine samples at each of Epcot’s three wine shops. Yes, that’s six samples of wine. You can purchase the Passport and begin your wine walk at the wine shop in the Italy, France, or Germany Pavilions.

These are just a small sampling of the adult-oriented activities you can try at Walt Disney World. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy a kids-free night out in the “World!”

Photo Credit: by datingammo_king via Flickr

Lisa M. Battista is the author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers When she’s not chasing after her little ones, you can most likely find her at the beach or in the kitchen trying her hand at a new recipe. You call follow her on Twitter @DisneyExplorer.

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