Category Archives: Disney Travel Tips

WDW Park Counter Service – Family Favorites

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Baked Goods in Starring Rolls CafeChoosing a restaurant is tough!  At Disney World, it can be downright confusing.  When you want a meal in a hurry (no reservations or major time commitment required) the choices are everywhere!  While you’re looking around, you’re probably thinking things like:  What will my picky eater like?  What’s a good value?  Where will we sit?  Is there any chance at all I can get something healthy?  Can I get a beer with that? (Okay, you may not be thinking that last one, but I sure am!)

Here are our family favorite counter service restaurants by park (and why we like them):

Liberty SquareMagic Kingdom (No, you cannot have a beer with any counter-service food there, but you CAN have a great meal.)

Columbia Harbor House – Head on over to this great eatery centrally located in Liberty Square – across the way from Haunted Mansion.  Why we love it:  Options include chicken, fish, and vegetarian.  Healthy or hearty – you’ll find it here.  Me?  I just like the tuna sandwich, but even the pickiest eater among us (Hi, Joseph!) finds something to be happy about.  There’s loads of seating – go upstairs and it’s quieter with the strong possibility of a really great view.

Gaston’s Tavern – if you haven’t been here before to hear me wax poetic about the Roasted Gaston's Tavern Roasted Pork Shank and LeFou's BrewPork Shank, consider this yet another glowing endorsement!  You can pair that with a LeFou’s Brew (a family friendly and completely delicious beverage) and some pretty darned healthy options like hummus and pretzel chips, apple slices and caramel dip, veggies and dip, fruit cup, and WAIT…don’t panic…there’s a chocolate croissant and warm cinnamon roll on the menu as well!

Casey’s Corner – If you’ve just GOT to eat in the very middle of all the action, you’ll find hotdogs, Polish sausage, nachos, corndog nuggets, and fries – basic fare, but decently tasty and reasonably priced.  Stake out a parade seat and send someone to Casey’s for some chow!

Epcot:

Quick service excellence – this park’s got the best offerings on property!Epcot's Sunshine Seasons

Sunshine Seasons – In Future World’s Land Pavilion – this place has a humongous menu with absolutely something for everyone.  If you can’t find something to satisfy at Sunshine Seasons, you’re not hungry (check out the lunch menu here).  I do love the chocolate croissant for breakfast or a snack.  The indoor setting is a bonus during warm or rainy weather.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop – World Showcase / United Kingdom.  There are several awesome quick-service restaurants scattered throughout the World Showcase.  Why do we always eat at Yorkshire County Fish Shop?  It’s simple, reasonably priced, not too much to eat, and very tasty.  Plus – a beer cart nearby for the perfect complimentary beverage.

Honorable Mention:  La Cantina de San Angel in the Mexico Pavilion – Great selection, tastes great.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios:

Starring Rolls Cafe / Disney's Hollywood StudiosWhile this is the least likely place we’d like to find ourselves in need of a quick bite, there are a couple of places we do recommend (Luckily, all serve adult refreshments if one is thirsty):

Starring Rolls Café:  Home of the very delicious Butterfinger and Red Velvet Cupcakes (and the Darth Vader and Yoda cupcakes) – there’s enough on the menu to keep our bellies from protesting.  We like this as a brunch or afternoon snack stop – great if you’re pacing your appetite for a special table service meal.

Catalina Eddie’s, Rosie’s All American Café, or Fairfax Fare – they’re all close together Catalina Eddie's in Disney's Hollywood Studiosand located near Rock’n’ Roller Coaster and the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror.  These three counter service options are (to us) the most likely places to find something both quick and edible at lunchtime.  Divide and conquer if you need to – there’s central outdoor (shaded) seating nearby.  Do NOT under any circumstances eat at Pizza Planet (back behind MuppetVision3D)…just trust me on this one.

Honorable mention:  Min & Bill’s Dockside Diner’s a great place for a cold beer on a hot day.

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom's Flame Tree BarbequeFlame Tree Barbeque – When in doubt, stick with something simple.  Chicken, ribs, pulled pork, turkey and the expected sides (slaw, beans, onion rings, fries) – it’s easy to find something satisfying and the seating is among the best on property for quick service dining.

Well, there you go.  There are lots of great counter service choices at Disney World – I’ve just narrowed the list down to a few that our family recommends.  These are the places we’ve tended to return to for their taste, reliability, and value.

Which Disney World counter service restaurants would you recommend?

 

 

Walt Disney World’s Frontierland

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Prairie Outpost & SupplyFrontierland BuildingsEvery land in the Magic Kingdom has its own charm and magic, but Frontierland holds a special place in my heart.  I’m not sure I can explain why I love this particular section of the park more than the others, but it’s true nonetheless.  It’s not the Churro Cart or the Turkey Legs, it’s not the Country Bears or the Shootin’ Arcade – it’s the combination of the parts, the blending of the sights, sounds, and smells that make up Frontierland; it’s that mixture – the sum of the parts that makes Frontierland the place I love the most.

Stand on the walkway (no, not right in the middle blocking traffic, pick a place out of the way) between the Shootin’ Arcade and the Country Bear Jamboree.  Turn slowly in a circle – see the weathered buildings?  Look across the water at Tom Sawyer Island, check out the red rock of Big Thunder Mountain, scan the briar patch and watch for a giant burst of water from Splash Mountain’s water cannons.  Nowhere else, to me, demonstrates the perfection of Magic Kingdom than this one place.

Where else can I hear Dallas McKennon say, “Now then, hang onto them hats and glasses, ’cause The Red Rock of Big Thunder Mountainthis here’s the wildest ride in the wilderness!” before climbing aboard Big Thunder Mountain’s train for four minutes of unsurpassed scenic excitement? Then visit Splash Mountain and hear, “Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, Zip-a-dee-ay! My oh my, what a wonderful day! Welcoming back Br’er Rabbit today. We always knew that he’d get away.” while floating along, soaking up some of the very best characters and music Disney Imagineering has ever designed.  And if that’s not enough, I can listen to Henry, Wendell, Liver Lips and the gang croon their bear-y special brand of country music in Grizzly Hall.  Who wouldn’t be charmed by “Momma Don’t Whip Little Buford”?  The Frontierland entertainment options are amazing!Walt Disney World's Splash Mountain

If I’m hungry in Frontierland, I can stop at the very popular Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café for a quick bite of basic fare (burgers, salad, wraps, and famous fixin’s bar).  If I want a snack, there’s always the churro cart and the Golden Oak Outpost – which has recently introduced some very delicious-sounding waffle fries…the Barbeque Pork and the BLT fries both sound great to me!

Frontierland is wonderful – the atmosphere, the details, the attractions, the excitement and Splash Mountain "You May Get Wet" signeven the corny, cheesy Country Bears!  It all works together to make magical, memorable vacation happiness!

What do YOU love most about Frontierland?

 

Five Walt Disney World Meltdowns

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Megan in Star Wars AreaYou know after visiting Walt Disney World regularly for the past 25 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about Disney vacation meltdowns – and they don’t always involve children!  When I think of meltdown I think crying, screaming, frustration!  The Disney vacation meltdown may also involve a wider array of emotions ranging from the basic temper tantrum to “checking out” by shutting down and completely ignoring everything going on all around.  When you travel with small children, crying happens.  There are, however, some tips I can share about the different types of meltdowns we’ve experienced – some of which were self-inflicted.  We let them happen – practically invited these unhappy episodes along on our dream vacation by our own poor planning or inattention to certain unavoidable facts.

Five Walt Disney World Meltdowns (and how to avoid them):

1. It’s all way too much! – Some people (of any age) handle overstimulation better than others.  The noises, smells, tastes, crowds, even the beds and pillows – all unfamiliar and sometimes Wild Child at Walt Disney Worldfrightening.  Stranger danger in enormous proportions!  Characters may not be scary, but the mildest roller coaster IS!  It’s kind of hard to predict what the limit will be – little kids need more consideration with this sometimes.  The important thing is not to force too much excitement, new or different, all at one time.  Pace yourselves if anyone in your travel party is easily overwhelmed.

2. The ups and downs – Sometimes Waiting at Walt Disney Worldit’s all hurry up and wait…then BOOM!  Thrill ride!  Then hurry up and wait again….then MORE thrill ride.  Wait more…then SCARY ride.  Then wait and wait and WAIT.  If you’re not used to waiting in line, never been on a roller coaster before, never experienced a dark ride with loud noises…it all seems so confusing!  Waiting is boring!  Not knowing what to expect can cause anxiety.  Preparing first-timers for this series of ups and downs and having some distractions or activities planned for when the lines are longer than can be easily tolerated will go a long way toward preventing meltdowns related to the boredom/excitement/boredom/excitement cycle.

3. TTFW (Too Tired For Words) – This one and number 4 are the ones I’m personally the most Tired Babies at Walt Disney Worldsusceptible to – I need sleep and lots of it!  The rest of my family is the same.  Nothing brings on unhappiness faster (along with leg aches, head aches, itchy eyes, generally lethargy) than becoming overly tired.  Alternating sleeping late with going to bed early and afternoon naps if necessary (for the little ones) is the best way to avoid – or at least delay the inevitable.  Afternoon breaks from the parks can be critical.

4. Grrrr – We are HANGRY!  When we’re having a great time, we don’t always notice when we’re hungry…until it’s too late!  Hunger lurks in the background…quietly…barely there (the growling can hardly be heard over the thrill-ride-screams).  Then a headache starts, then…suddenly!  Whoa!  Batten down the hatches – someone’s head gets Excalibur Disappointmentbitten off!  I don’t care if a person’s 8 or 80 – when they’re hangry (hungry/angry), everyone else better beware!  Always, and I do mean ALWAYS, have a snack handy!

5. I want that! Yes, we want our children, our spouse, maybe ourselves to have a souvenir or two.  It starts off innocently enough – let’s face it, Disney makes some wicked cool merch!  We want to buy a shirt, a doll, a gift, and ornament, a pin (or ten).  That touch-to-pay feature on those MagicBands makes it not only ridiculously easy, but FUN!  Fun to buy, fun to spend, fun to own.  Next thing you know, you check at the resort front desk and WOWZA!  You have racked up quite a bill!!!  Best advice I can give you – get this under control before you ever leave for vacation.  Buy some souvenirs in advance to bring alone for the kids and break I want this Earhatthem out along the course of your trip.  Buy Disney gift cards in advance, give them to the kids (and adults, if need be) and tell them how much they have to spend…when the money’s gone, it’s gone.  Self control will be your friend when it’s all said and done.  I promise.  Tantrums in a theme park are never attractive.  Sobbing all the way home after seeing the final total at check-out is pretty pitiful.  Not that I’d know or anything.

Shout on out now!  What are your best tips to avoid a meltdown?  Or what’s your favorite meltdown story?

Disney’s Grand Floridian – 5 Great Things

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Disney's Grand FloridianOne of the best things about vacationing at Walt Disney World is the unbelievable selection of accommodations!  Where else on Earth can you visit Saratoga, Key West, Polynesia, New Orleans, the Caribbean, a National Park or an African savannah – all in a single location!  There is literally a place for every person’s taste and style from campsites to ultra-modern luxury.  How great is that?!?

If early 20th Century Victorian is your thing, you’ve got to love the Grand Floridian!  Romantic, charming, and brimming with delightful Disney details and whimsical touches, the Grand Floridian offers guests the perfect retreat from the busy and crowded parks – a place to relax in undeniably elegant style.Lobby of the Grand Floridian

The Lobby – One of the most stunning to be found!  Soaring ceilings, intricate details, ornate birdcages, spectacular floral arrangements…and music!  The Grand Floridian Lobby Society Orchestra – Yes!  I said Orchestra!!!  The tunes they play are anything but ordinary – you’ll hear ragtime, jazz, Dixie melodies, and familiar Disney tunes.  This special detail is one of the very best reasons to visit the Grand Floridian.

Shops in Disney's Grand FloridianThe Shops – Stroll among the Grand Floridian’s shops and find both the familiar and unique.  The usual sundries and souvenirs are available (Sandy Cove Gift and Sundry Shop) and so much more!  There’s a Basin White store for bath and beauty, the Summer Lace shop for women’s apparel, Commander Porter’s for menswear, and M. Mouse Mercantile for children’s clothing, toys, and more.  Browsing or buying – I always enjoy the Grand Floridian’s shops!

The Restaurants – For a variety of dining experiences and flavors, the Grand Floridian cannot be beat!  Casual quick service, character meal, signature restaurants, and the very best in gourmet dining experiences can all be found at the Grand Flo!  Find the complete list here.  Most recently, our family enjoyed an evening with Cinderella, the Prince, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella at 1900 Park Fare.  Those details are here.1900 Park Fare Restaurant

The Pools – I like space and the pool areas at the Grand Floridian feel extra-spacious to me.  The main pool (Beach Pool) boasts a 181-foot long water slide and adjacent children’s play area and lounge for beverages and snacks.  The Courtyard Pool offers a quiet, serene swimming area with a nearby whirlpool spa.

The Location – Yes, I love that it’s on the monorail loop!  Easy access to the Magic Kingdom and the other monorail resorts for shopping, dining, and FUN!  One new, very cool additional perk of staying at the Grand Floridian is the walking path between this resort and the Polynesian!  How fun would it be to take a leisurely stroll over to the Poly for some Tonga Toast?!?  Or a Dole Whip (if you like those).

Floral Arrangement in the Grand FloridianSome people think the Grand Floridian is too formal or fancy or pink – I think it’s just right.  The perfect blend of relaxation (hello Senses Spa!), luxury, and amazing amenities – it’s also an absolute must-see during the holiday season!  The decorations will leave you speechless.

Have you visited the Grand Floridian?  What did you enjoy there? 

A Coach in the carpet at Disney's Grand Floridian Beautiful Carpet Details in the Grand Floridian