Magical Blogorail: Best Uses of Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits

Welcome to those of you joining me from A World View and those of you just hopping aboard. I am the 4th stop on our Magical Blogorail.

Today my Magical Blogorail Red buddies and I are discussing our favorite uses for Disney Dining Plan Snack Credits.

1. Food & Wine Festival or Flower & Garden Festival Marketplaces

Many of the food items available at these Epcot special events can be purchased with snack credits.  Just check the menu boards for the ubiquitous purple DDP logo.  This can be a great way to make the most of your snack credits as some of the festival foods can get pricey.  Make sure to schedule your table service meals so that you have some stomach space available.  We don't normally make any dining reservations on the same day that we would like to 'eat around the world.'

2. Bakeries, ice cream shops

Don't assume that you must use your credits at the various carts around property.  You can also pop into a bakery for a morning "snack" of pastry, enjoy one of the freshly made ice cream cookie sandwiches, or the oh-so-magical carrot cake cookies.  That said, one can never go wrong with a Mickey ice cream bar.

3. Treats to go

If you get to the end of your vacation and still have snack credits on the table, pick up a few of the prepackaged treats at your resort's gift shop to take home.  Extending the magic with some character shape cookies will bring smiles to both the kids and the vacation planner in your family.  Just check the tags in the store for the DDP logo.  (This same tip works for quick service credits.  If you have a credit left on your departure day, consider getting lunch to go.  Prepackaged, refrigerated sandwiches from resort food courts make a good lunch while you are killing time at the airport.)

Our travel party from Fall 2006

As Disney Vacation Club members, we don't get "free dining" however we did purchase the plan twice, once each in 2006 and 2007.  It was new at the time and really a bargain.  We got one table service meal per day with appetizer, entree, dessert and beverage with gratuity included.  The daily quick service meal was entree/combo, dessert and beverage.  One snack credit per day was a part of the plan. It was a convenient plan since there were extra friends or family traveling with us.  There was no squabbling over the check at dinner; my dad would give the server his Key to the World card and all was well.  Of course, Ridge and my husband tried to see how much they could "spend" at every meal.  I'd blame them that the dining plan is no longer a great deal.  While it was fun, the Disney Dining Plan does not match how we would eat if paying directly out of pocket and is no longer a good idea for us.  We prefer Tables in Wonderland.

Do you prefer to use one of the Disney Dining Plans or pay as you go? What is your favorite DDP snack option?  Please leave a comment below.

Thank you for joining me today. Your next stop on the Magical Blogorail Loop is My Dreams of Disney.
Here is the map of our Magical Blogorail should you happen to have to make a stop along the way and want to reboard:
1st Stop ~ Disney Donna Kay

2nd Stop ~ Colorado Mountain Mom

3rd Stop ~ A World View

4th Stop ~ Growing Up Disney

Final Stop ~ My Dreams Of Disney

A Walk Around The World With Ridge--Fulton's Crab House Review

My wonderful friend Shelley Caran, from www.onthegoinmco.com and several other well-known sites in the Disney community, joined me for dinner at Fulton’s Crab House on Sunday, May 20, 2012. I had not been there in many years and this was the first time for Shelley. I hate to say it but Fulton’s is one of those places I have just avoided for a long time because it always seemed like an overpriced version of a large chain restaurant that happens to serve “lobster”.  I have to say I am pleasantly surprised with the results of my dinner and I’ll share why. 

OBP

When Shelley and I met up Sunday we talked about what our expectations were.  We definitely wanted it to be good, that was a given, but honestly didn’t know what to truly expect. I’ll say that the experience started off with a bang.  My reservation was made by the PR representative for Fulton’s and it contained the fact I was a writer for Growing Up Disney. The Host, Reggie, quickly brought over manager Geoff who welcomed us to the restaurant and quickly disappeared to prepare the table. We were a few minutes early so we told them “no rush” and had a seat at the bar. They have OBP (Orange Blossom Pilsner) on tap so I really wasn’t in a hurry. The bartender greeted us and gave us a little something to snack on while we waited. Forgive me for not remembering the name, but Fulton’s makes a cream cheese and crab spread and serves that with whole-wheat crackers.  It’s pretty darn tasty.  (Editor's note: Here's a link to the recipe for Fulton's Crab Boursin.)

crab spread

crab spread

Once seated, we had a beautiful view of the sunset and less than a half an hour to wait for it.  Our wonderful waiter, Alex from Ontario Canada, made us feel immediately at home and began explaining the menu and making his recommendations. Once Alex had finished, we were honored to have the head chef, Marc Boor, come out to talk with us a little. Chef Boor is no stranger to Disney having worked at several of the resorts before moving north for other opportunities. That is until his wife saw Fulton’s was looking for a new executive chef and told him to apply. We talked for a few minutes about the menu and made a few decisions. Now for the good part. 

We made the choice to try a couple of appetizers: the calamari and the tuna tartare. I’ll start with the calamari. I’ve had lots of calamari in my time; I love some seafood. The calamari was fresh as I have ever tasted and was cut into thick strips, lightly breaded and fried.  The preparation and freshness were so good that it was still tender and moist even when cold.  For dipping, a fresh tomato basil sauce was served. The quantity on the plate was well worth the money but the tuna tartare was what Shelley and I would have fought over.

Tuna & Calamari

Ahi Tuna tartare is sushi grade tuna, finely chopped and serve raw. For me this is heaven because I’d eat sushi everyday if I had my choice and the money. Formed into a cylinder with fresh avocado-cucumber relish, sweet chili aioli, and a plantain chip on top for garnish, the ahi tuna tartare was on the money for freshness, texture and overall taste. 

Crab Cake

Grouper

For our main course Shelley ordered the fresh caught grouper, which was served with a variety of roasted vegetables, artichoke hearts, tomato and guacamole.  I went with the chef’s recommendation of the crab cake.  It was composed of jumbo lump crab meat with very little filler, plated on a roasted corn maque choux, and topped with a fried green tomato and a remoulade sauce. Just a little bit spicy as the chef had described it as a “Southern” style. No matter what you would like to call it; I called it delicious. I also ordered the cioppino, which is a fish stew that contains all types of seafood. Fish, crab, mussels, clams, shrimp and scallops in a slow roasted tomato sauce and served over a pasta, in this case linguine. 

Cioppino

For dessert, Shelley had the cheesecake which is just like the style I make, very creamy and dense, and you can really taste the cream cheese still because they haven't over-burdened it with sugar. I had Alex's suggestion of the sweet and sour cherry crumble with vanilla ice cream. Both were so simple and so perfect.

   

Everything was prepared with care and our waiter, Alex, made sure that we were well taken care of. I was impressed by the staff as well as the food. Shelley made the comment that the experience felt like “old” Disney… nothing was a problem, they would figure out a way to make you happy. For my money this is an experience I will have again. Fulton’s is not outrageous at lunch, and while dinner is expensive, keep in mind what you are getting for your money.  Only the premium Disney Dining Plan is accepted, so don’t expect to use the normal plan there.  It truly is a wonderful dining experience and if you sit in the bow of the crab house at dinner you may just get a wonderful sunset to boot.  Once again big thanks to Shelley for joining me on such a fun adventure. 

Enjoy the rest of the photos from the day!

Inside the lobby

stairway to dining room

Sunset 1

Sunset 2

Sunset 3

view to the bow

  
  

Minnie Moms: Advance Planning Tips, Corby

Today Minnie Mom Corby shares her advance planning tips.  Don't miss the other posts in this week's series!

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Thinking of planning a vacation to Disney World? Many are shocked when they begin planning what an overwhelming process it actually can be. There are lots of decisions to be made such as dates, which parks to attend, park hoppers, dining plan, travel insurance, what to pack, just to name a few. I consistently get emails from friends/clients wanting advice on what to do.

Dates:
First you need to decide on which dates you would like to visit. Depending on the season, rates will vary. Typically, you will find when rates are the highest, the crowds will be as well and vice versa. Some will need to go when school is out depending on the child’s age and may be limited as to when they can travel while others have more flexibility and can go anytime. You may want to plan around certain special events such as Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival, Star Wars Weekends, Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival or when certain decorations are up such as fall or winter, for example.

My philosophy is it’s never too early to go ahead and book. As long as you are planning more than 45 days prior to arrival, all that is required is a $200 deposit. You can get refunded should you decide to cancel as long as you are prior to 45 days before arrival. So really there’s nothing to lose! Sometimes, prices can’t be guaranteed if you are planning more than 6 months in advance. Also, Disney will typically announce promotions 4-6 months in advance for select dates. Some want to wait until promotions come out. I typically recommend going ahead and booking and should a promotion become available, switch it to the better price. Disney has not been hurting for business and the promotions haven’t been the same as previous years so don’t count on a certain one being available when you need it. Promotions are typically given to those that book ahead of time and not for last minute travelers. Another perk of booking ahead of time is you have from the date you book until 45 days prior to arrival to make payments. If you’d like to pay a little as you go, you have that option which is nice.

Dining Plan:
Advanced Dining Reservations (ADR’s) can be made 180 days in advance. You actually get 180 + 10 days if you’re staying on Disney property as an extra perk. I always recommend booking them as soon as possible. If I’m taking care of them for a client, I start making them the very first day I am allowed so they will get their location and time of choice. There are some really popular restaurants such as Cinderella’s Royal Table, Chef Mickey, ‘Ohana, Le Cellier (lunch since it’s 1 table service credit), and more that are difficult to get into. I always recommend booking 6 months in advance when possible. I would recommend viewing menus and narrowing it down to where you want to go before the 180 day window approaches.

Travel Insurance:
If you are thinking of adding travel insurance, I would advise waiting until right before the 45 day window to add as it is non-refundable. Insurance is an extra expense but it could be well worth the money should you run into problems.

Packing:
I typically wait until 7-10 days before arrival day to start stalking the weather websites. You will need to be prepared ahead of time should it look like weather may not be cooperative. I always advise purchasing umbrellas, ponchos, squirt fans, snacks and water before you leave as they will be a lot less expensive than when you are in the parks.

Online Check-in:
If you’re staying on property, take advantage of using online check-in up to 10 days prior to arrival. It will speed up your check in process allowing more time for fun.

Remember, if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the details that go into planning a Disney vacation, you don’t have to! You can always contact Travel with the Magic. We’ll be sure to take care of all your needs so you don’t have to worry about a thing and it’s at no additional cost to you.


Contributed by Minnie Mom Corby C. of Atlanta, Georgia. She is a proud wife and mom to Banks and Henley and  a Disney Destination Planner with Travel with the Magic.

Minnie Moms: The Best and Worst Restaurants for Kids (Part 2)

Lunch at Casey's

 Kelly:  My favorite places to eat with the kids at the Walt Disney Resort? There are quite a few and some will probably surprise you. I love dining at the Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort; we have been dining there since my youngest was under two. The food is great, the service is great and I have never felt uncomfortable taking the kids there. We ate there a few years ago and one of the kids got sick and I was mortified. He was fine before we got there and then all of a sudden…. it was gross. The staff was amazing and so helpful and I will never forget that. I have also loved taking the kids to California Grill, Grand Floridian Café, Hollywood Brown Derby, and The Plaza. I know some of these are two table service credits on the dining plans and some people consider them “fancy” but we have never had an issue dining there. I also really like taking the kids to Toy Story Pizza Planet at Disney’s Hollywood Studios; I know it is not a sit down restaurant but it’s fun and the food is actually good. I really wish Disney would do a Star Wars or Pixar character meal for the boys. I have dined at the Princess meals but not with the boys. Another quick service place we LOVE and always have lunch is the Lotus Blossom in China. They have the best orange chicken and the kids love the ice cream there.

The boys checking out the menu at The Wave

As for places I do not like to dine, we are over Liberty Tree Tavern. I always loved eating there as a family but lately the food is not good and they took the characters away so it is just not the same. We also avoid Tony’s at the Magic Kingdom. I have never had a good meal there and so now we are done trying it. I am also done with Chef Mickey’s. I used to love it but the kids have been there so many times and its just not as fun as it used to be for them. My husband does not really like the food there at all. I will try any place at least once and if the kids do not want to go back then we don’t.

 
Amy:  Overall, Walt Disney World is one of the most kid-friendly places you can visit. While small children are allowed at all but one WDW restaurant, some just work better than others. On our trip last April, our best dining experience with my then 12 month old child was at Tusker House. The buffet allowed us to begin feeding her quickly and minimize the wait that is so hard with little ones. They have a good variety of foods and I chose items from both the children’s and adult buffets for her. The restaurant wasn’t overly crowded and there are several smaller dining rooms, so there was enough activity to provide her people to smile and wave at, but not so much as to be a distraction from the task at hand. Children under 3 eat free at Disney’s buffet restaurants, so that was a nice bonus.

We had breakfast at 1900 Park Fare and Chef Mickey’s on that same trip. As nice as it is to meet characters without waiting in lines, I think we’ll hold off on character meals until she’s a little older. Both locations have good food and good character interaction, but now that Tink is quite mobile, I’m not sure she’d be content to pose from her chair. I don’t think I’d want to set the precedent of getting in and out of the highchair over and over. Of course, I wouldn’t pass up a trip to Crystal Palace if a walk-up table is available, but we didn’t make any reservations for character meals for our upcoming trip.

Rose & Crown is a favorite restaurant of my family, but it didn’t work so well for a 12 month old. We got her some grapes from one of the appetizers and I always carry plenty of snacks. However, the wait for our food was too much for her. My dad and I ended up taking turns walking her around outside.

Andy and I were celebrating our 5th anniversary in April as well. We left Tink with her grandparents and went to Jiko for dinner. We had a fantastic meal and couldn’t help but notice that several tables near us had small children. Tink is pretty well behaved in a restaurant, but Andy and I agreed that if we’d been traveling without willing babysitters, we would have passed on Jiko. The Cast Members are friendly and the children were welcome, but I would hate to have to eat that wonderful food as quickly as you have to do with little ones.

Tink and I are going back to the World soon with my parents and Chris. It’s a longer trip than usual and the Food & Wine Festival will be in full-swing so we are going to play most of our meals by ear. We do have a few ADRs and are looking forward to trying Yak & Yeti, Kona (dinner), and Via Napoli. We’ll also be visiting Olivia’s, an old-favorite and a good place for Tink, at least once.

 
Corby:  I always recommend getting the Magic Your Way with Dining package. And of course when free dining is offered, it’s a must! In my opinion, going to the Disney restaurants makes your experience even more magical. The atmosphere, service, and of course the food are wonderful. I personally think ALL of the restaurants in Disney are kid friendly. We’ve never had a bad experience or felt out of place at any of them. We’ve had wonderful experiences whether it’s a character dinner or when we’ve taken our son to the Wave or Le Cellier. Of course some restaurants do cater more specifically to kids and I’ll pass on some of our favorites.

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater: If you have older children, especially boys, I would highly recommend this restaurant. It was my 5 year old son’s absolute favorite restaurant last year; I would venture to say it was his favorite experience overall that trip. I’ll admit, we went in with very low expectations and were pleasantly surprised. Our son enjoyed watching the old “horror” movie clips on the large movie screen while dining in a “car.“ I wasn’t expecting much from the food and was happy it ended up being delicious. The milkshakes are to die for and my son enjoyed getting his “license.”

Whispering Canyon: Be sure to bring your sense of humor to this restaurant. It’s very loud and the waiters are full of antics that can be seen as obnoxious however, the kids will love it! Enjoy the all-you-can eat Canyon skillet while your kids “ride ponies” and do the hokey pokey. Don’t forget to ask for the ketchup!

Prime Time 50’s Café: The food is not my favorite here but the kids will probably enjoy the atmosphere which makes it worth a try. It’s as though you’ve gone back to the 50’s and you’re eating with family, your server being your “cousin.” The kids will enjoy the kitschy theme with televisions at the table which show clips from the 1950’s.

Tony’s Town Square: Yes, I am recommending Tony’s Town Square, again. Tony’s gets very mixed reviews, I realize, however, it’s still one of my family’s favorites. If you can time it right as I’ve mentioned before, you can dine while viewing the Spectro Magic Parade/Main Street Electrical Parade. You will need to check ahead of time to see when the parade starts as it’s not every night and the schedule does change. You will also need to request to sit outside. We’ve planned it correctly for our past three trips and it just wouldn’t be the same without it. We get the steak and catch of the day, the service has always been wonderful (I think we‘ve had the same server every time) and you can’t beat the location.

Last but not least is the obvious…character dining. I’m not a huge fan of buffets but in my opinion, this is a must do if you have younger kids. Our favorite has been the Crystal Palace with Pooh and friends. We have reservations at Chef Mickey’s in November. We’ve also tried The Garden Grill which is good because it has some of the more popular characters (such as the Big Cheese himself.) I would pick whichever location is going to have your child’s favorite character(s)/princess(es). The children love the one on one interaction and the memories they make will be treasured for years to come.

 
Thanks to our Minnie Moms for sharing such helpful tips! If you have a question for us or a topic you'd like us to cover, please leave a comment or email Amy.

Minnie Moms: The Best and Worst Restaurants for Kids (Part 1)

Heather:  WDW Dining… Where else can you have a Breakfast safari with Mickey and Friends, Lunch in a 1950s car while watching Sci Fi Movies, and wrap up the day at a Polynesian luau?

Last year as WDW newbies we didn’t call as early for reservations and while had some great meals, this year we were on the phone 180 days out for not only our choice of restaurants but also times. We like to eat last after an afternoon of tours, saving our table service credits for dinner.

Last year we had Table Service meals at:

Crystal Palace- Great variety and service, perfect spot for Pooh and Friends character dining. My biggest complaint was the noise level, but understandably this is a great family stop that is central to the Castle.

Biergarten- My husband and I both love German food. We sat right up front for the show and the dancing. We will be back this trip. Picky eaters should pack some snacks as we did for our then 3 year old, who didn’t find much he would eat on the buffet.

Sci-Fi Drive in- Hands Down one of the BEST burgers/fry/shakes in WDW. Plus who wouldn’t love eating in a retrofitted 1950’s car while ogling the campy 50’s movies while you eat?

BEST MEAL of the Trip….. The Garden Grill at Epcot. We felt like we had “settled” for a 3rd tier character meal when we booked only a month in advance. We were so wrong that it was the first place we booked this year. The smaller restaurant is perfect for lots of stops by Mickey, Pluto, and Chip and Dale (by the 4th time stop we waved them on), the food is served family style and included herb encrusted turkey, maple braised salmon, and marinated skirt steak. Serious yum and a real change of pace from the monotony of burgers, pizza, and fries.

This year we added the Ohana at Dinner and Chef Mickey’s, both of which we are looking forward to experiencing.

I have marked up my map of preferred counter service meals to avoid crowds and unnecessary walking. Outside of good food I also look for a place to rest, repack, and close proximity to bathrooms, thus no standing up eating a turkey leg as “lunch.”

Animal Kingdom- Yak and Yeti (the café in the courtyard next to the full service restaurant)

DHS- Toy Story Pizza Planet (new option this trip)

Epcot- Eating our way through Food and Wine tents or the small cafes throughout World Showcase

Magic Kingdom- Cosmic Rays has the usual burgers but also more options like chicken sandwiches with a great fixings bar. This year I’m adding Terrace Noodle Station for our 2nd day in the MK

We also ate at least 3 meals in our hotel (Port Orleans-Riverside) food court. The selection and variety was outstanding. From mufflettas, made to order salads, pancakes, beignets, pizza as room service the food was a selling point for why we are again staying at Port Orleans this trip.

My bottom line advice is plan your meals, esp. if you want hard to secure reservations at Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table 180 days out. Also consider if on a dining plan how you can maximize the plan to take advantage of restaurants your might not consider due to price. We quickly learned that a $4 milkshake and a diet coke counted the same on our plan.

Happy eating.. You won’t go wrong in the World.


Janine:  We have yet to take Felicity, 9 months, to WDW and have not travelled with any other children. However, as we have eaten in different places at The World, there have been places that I would feel comfortable returning to with F, places we will most likely not go back to until she is older and somewhere I literally cannot wait to take her.

So I will begin with places where we have previously eaten that I would feel happy taking our child into. Obviously a lot of WDW is catered for families and little ones but some places seem more kiddie friendly than others. One of our most visited CS restaurant in MK is Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe. For a place to be on the ‘OK’ list for me, it has to cover 3 things. 1 – have a child friendly atmosphere. I don’t mean full of kiddies running amok but just so that if F kicks off or gets over excited, we don’t need to rush out. 2 – there needs to be a kids meal option on the menu or something I would be happy with F consuming. And 3 – decent prices. I’m not paying $10 for a few chicken nuggets and a carton of milk. I think CRSC would be just right. It has always appeared bright and fun, with plenty of space even when it’s busy with lots of tables and a great view of the castle (we once sat outside when it was a bit cooler and watched an artist sketching. Maybe he was one of the actual Disney illustrators, we’ll never know!). Prices are reasonable, kids meals such as chicken nuggets and PB and J sandwiches – the usual – are $4.99. I would also be happy with her eating any of the adult meals such as the vegetable wrap or burger.

HS and AK both hold a yummy fast temptation for us – pizza! We really like Pizzafari in AK and Toy Story Pizza Planet at HS. Pizzafari comes with a Caesar salad too for $7.99 and there are kiddie sizes for $4.99. This has lots of space and the occasional character wandering through. TSPP in HS is also fun and spacious with quick queues and seating inside and out. There are also collectible keepsake cups to purchase here – DH loves his. Here they do a veggie pizza as well as the usual cheese and pepperoni and have the choice of just pizza (from $5.99 or one with a green salad (from $7.99) which we always get. There is again a smaller child's pizza or even a couple of mixed salad choices.

The Electric Umbrella (again lots of space and no ‘standing to attention’) which has chicken wraps or cheese burgers for $4.99. But my favourite CS in EPCOT is The Liberty Inn in the America Pavilion. This also does the cheeseburger and wrap as well as kiddies nuggets. There is a veggie burger, salads and chili on offer. I also love the sound of the Baked Apple Dumpling – yummy! We will most definitely stroll the Boardwalk too with F as there is a lot of outside seating which will not effect anyone else. Sandwiches or pastries from the BW bakery are more than enough for a lunchtime snack.

Now – somewhere we wouldn’t take F just yet. We are BIG fans of Planet Hollywood at DTD but we agree this is way too noisy for her at this tender age (she’ll be a preschooler still when we go). It is also pretty expensive for her just to pick at a meal. We would feel this about most TS restaurants to be honest. I could not imagine taking her into somewhere like The California Grill even though they do serve children. Victoria and Albert's doesn’t serve under tens. Can’t say I blame them.

Somewhere I really want to take F to is Chef Mickeys. Now there are plenty of character meals (Amy has already written about her experiences with her Tink) and 1900 Park Fare also sounds good. But I can already picture my little girl giving Mickey and Minnie a huge kiss, whilst mummy and daddy fill up on Mickey shaped waffles – YUMMY!


Click here for more info on our Minnie Moms. Please let us know if there is a topic you'd be interested in seeing or a trip planning question we can answer for you!

Guest Post: Heather's WDW Travel Tips

Last November my family traveled to Walt Disney World as a family of 3 (well, 4 if you count that I was pregnant in 2nd trimester.) The vacation was everything we hoped for and we are returning this October for another trip. We really tried to maximize time in the parks as well as enjoying our great stay at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside Resort.

Time to Go: We decided to try for fall given that it is Value season and hotel rates are at the lowest of the year. We did a 5 day/4 night trip during the second week of November. Weather was in the 70-80s so we could still enjoy the pool. If I were to do it over, I would have gone before daylight savings time ended. Once it got dark, it was hard to be motivated to get out again. The only day the parks were even remotely crowded was Veterans Day. We typically had no more than a 15 minute wait for attractions. Using the FASTPASS system was a lifesaver. It prevented us from spending oodles of time in line. I did bring line-waiting supplies like bubbles and loaded some games on our iPhones.

Travel: We opted to take the overnight Amtrak Silver Star Line train from Raleigh to Orlando for around $200.00 round trip for all 3 of us. I think our 3 year old son loved riding on the train as much as he did WDW. We took a town car for less than $100.00 round trip. If we had flown, we would have been eligible for the Disney Magical Express since we were staying on Disney property.

Food: We took advantage of a promotion offering the Disney Dining Plan for free. We estimated this saved us around $500-$700. I printed off the listing of restaurants, character meals, and options and then researched each restaurant we were considering. We had two character meals which normally would have cost us $20-40 per person if we had not had the plan. I also researched where we could get the most "bang for our buck" and quickly realized that a $4.00 milkshake and a $.99 soda counted the same in snack credits. Having a fridge in our room was a major help storing extra water and juice boxes to offset food costs.

Wingin' It: Once we were back in the room each night, we planned the next day and repacked the backpack. I researched what attractions were most appropriate for our son’s age and considered the scare factor. There is a great table in the guidebook The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World. I was the map queen and planned how to see the most with the least amount of walking. We made a list of which attractions were the most important to us and which were ok to skip for each park, grouped by area. I included an estimate of when we wanted to be back at the resort for naps so we could be on time for each night’s dinner reservations.

Stroller/Bag: We took a cheap umbrella stroller that I clearly marked as ours. I didn’t care if I left it at the hotel not to carry it back home at the end of the trip. You can rent strollers for $15.00/single per day at Disney but you can't take them on Disney transportation, even the train that encircles the Magic Kingdom. We also carried a well-organized backpack that Bill and I traded carrying.

Capturing the Disney Magic in Photos: We took advantage of the Disney Photopass system that allows Disney photographers to take pictures at famous landmarks. They scan your card and then you can view the images online up to 30 days after you return home. If you buy a package, it's worth it or if you want to create an online book to capture your trip. We got a few great shots that we might order but only if we didn't also get a good picture on our own. (Amy’s note: The Photopass photographers can also take pictures with your camera.)

Using your cell/texting to avoid waiting in line: Many times we split up to get a FASTPASS for a ride which we expected to have a line. We researched which rides had FASTPASS and tried using the system at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park on our first full day there. I highly recommend learning this system to see the most and wait the least amount of time. Many times Bill and I took a picture of a line, emailed it, and made a judgment call about getting in line. We also often saved a place in line while someone hit the bathrooms and then texted where we were to catch up. While we didn't use the pre-set touring plans in the Unofficial Guide, I did look at them and if it was peak season I would have definitely used them.

Souvenirs: Bill took Ben to the Disney Store at home and let him pick out a plush Mickey to take with him on the train and sleep with at night. I went to Target the week before to get blister treatments and other first aid stuff, a glow stick/flashlight necklace for Ben to keep him occupied while waiting at night and then hit the dollar bin where they had tons of Mickey themed things.

We are so very excited to be going back during the Food and Wine Festival. I hope these tips will prove helpful and maximize your Disney experience.

Contributed by Heather V. of Raleigh, NC.  Wife to Bill, proud mom to Ben and Ian, and creator of Freeze Ahead Frenzy.  She's also one of our Minnie Moms.

Team Favorites--In-Park, Non-Character Dining

Ridge: My favorite in-park yet non-character meal spot is The Hollywood Brown Derby. It would have to be one of the best in-park places to get a steak, other than Le Cellier. The steak pictured is no longer on the menu but it was fantastic. It was served with a wasabi emulsion, soy reduction and a reduced pan sauce. The large yellow object was a fried plantain and the steak was cut on the bias and plated with smashed potatoes to hold them in their positions. But enough about those delicious morsels...if you're into that sort of thing.

The Brown Derby is designed after the famous holder of that moniker, which is actually a chain in Hollywood, CA. The Brown Derby restaurants became synonymous with the golden age of Hollywood in the 1920s-1940s. Everyone who was anyone in show business went there. So at the Hollywood Studios the recreation of the original seemed only natural, back when it was a working studio, to bring a bit of class to the park.

Lunch is served from 11:30-3:30pm and dinner is from 3:30- until park closing. One of the eye-catching new items on the menu is the Duck Two Ways: duck with a vanilla-white balsamic melon pear salad and a braised leg with a ginger-carrot puree and natural reduction. Loch Daurt Salmon sounds intriguing: glazed with Scotch whisky over arugula, watercress, local peaches, blue affine, walnuts and a fig and orange blossom honey dressing. Don't forget the signature desert, Grapefruit cake, yellow cake with layers of grapefruit cream icing. It is really good if you are into little morsels of deliciousness exploding in your mouth.


DisneyDad: Over the years my wife and I have had some wonderful and not so wonderful experiences at restaurants in the parks at WDW. My favorite place to dine is always the next place we have reservations. As menus are always changing, I'm always a little disappointed that my favorite dish from my last visit isn't on the menu this trip but then again there is always something new to try. On our last trip we had a very good experience at the Coral Reef Restaurant at the Living Seas Pavilion at EPCOT. We had a table for two next to one of the expansive windows that overlooks the aquarium. We dined on seafood as fish, sharks, turtles, and an occasional diver swam past our table.

Another EPCOT restaurant we enjoy is Le Cellier Steakhouse at the Canadian Pavilion. The steaks here have always been excellent. Apparently I'm not the only one that thinks so as it can be difficult to get reservations here as it is a very popular place to dine. At the Studios I enjoy the food and ambiance of The Hollywood Brown Derby. The drawings on the walls are fascinating, taking you back to an earlier era of Hollywood. The last time we were here a pianist accompanied your meal with some old standards and Disney classics to help make your dining experience more enjoyable. At the Magic Kingdom Cinderella's Royal Table (aka King Stephan's Banquet Hall) use to be a wonderful place to dine. The atmosphere was wonderful and if you had late reservations, it was a fun place to watch the fireworks. It has been changed from a dining experience to just another character meal.


Amy: I got my husband involved in brain-storming for this question and we came up with the following list: Tusker House, Mama Melrose, SciFi, Coral Reef, and Le Cellier.

Tusker House: We went here for lunch last April. Other than date night at Jiko, this was our best meal of the trip. We’re big fans of Boma and this is pretty similar cuisine. My little girl ate better here than anywhere else. The grown-ups enjoyed the seafood stew, salmon, curry dishes, and the carving station with unique sauces for the meat.

Mama Melrose: This was one of my husband’s picks. We went here for lunch in 2006 and were on the Disney Dining plan. He remembered a pleasant atmosphere, good iced tea, and solid Italian food. At the time, DDP gave us each an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. DisneyDad, Mom, Andy, and I each got something different and then we’d all try it. We haven’t been back but I also remember it fondly.

Sci-Fi: I love this place. The menu is never quite what I expect but this is a case where the atmosphere trumps all else. It’s so much fun to go sit in the old cars and watch the cheesy science fiction B-movie clips. It’s usually my top pick at the Studios and I look forward to taking my daughter here. If you’re looking for a foodie experience, go to Brown Derby, but go to Sci-Fi for some unique fun.

Coral Reef: This place has been hit or miss over the years. This was our last meal before heading for the airport on the 2006 trip and that time was marvelous. There were six of us and we had one of the large curved booths overlooking the ginormous aquarium. I still remember the lobster bisque, blackened fish served over grits, and the chocolate wave. The food was wonderful, the service was good, and the atmosphere was fun but refined and relaxing. Fast forward one year. My in-laws joined us for the annual October trip. I had planned everything as was so excited to take them to Coral Reef. The service was incredibly rushed, the food was not good, and it was too noisy for us all to talk. I was so embarrassed that I wanted to crawl under the table. I sincerely hope that was just a bad night since our first trip there was phenomenal.

Le Cellier: My husband lit up when he added this one to the list. This was another Disney Dining plan experience and Andy and Chris were trying to see how much they could “spend” if we had been actually paying for the meal. They both had a great time and a truly delicious meal. I’ve been 3 or 4 times and I really enjoy Le Cellier as well but I feel that it is a little over-hyped in the Disney community.


So that’s what the Growing Up Disney family recommends. What about you? What’s your favorite restaurant in the parks, excluding character dining?