Let's eat at...Disneyland!

Mmmmmm we're back to the topic of FOOD! You might think this will be a repeat post as I've already discussed the options available at Disney World but I've got news for you - everything I mention today will be UNIQUE! Well, there are a few snack items worth discussing again (warning: potentially biased opinion haha) but the meal options will be totally different. Let's hop to it!

I can't brag on Disneyland's food options enough. They have so much to offer that I guarantee there's something for everyone. Similar to the Disney World post, I'll break the options down by meal type.

First, let's discuss breakfast. There's been a lot of talk about Starbucks lately so this is probably the best place in this post to tell you where you can get it: Market House on Main Street in Disneyland; Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe on Buena Vista Street in California Adventure; and the Starbucks location in Downtown Disney. No matter which destination you prioritize, you'll be able to sit and enjoy a coffee concoction or take it on the go! La Brea Bakery Cafe in Downtown Disney is also a popular morning destination because of their wide variety of breakfast and brunch options. If you're staying near Disneyland resort, you can also enjoy the perks of IHOP, Denny's, and McDonald's near the pedestrian entrance.

Lunch opens up quite a few more options and the list grows when you add both quick-service and casual dining restaurants to it. I usually prefer to eat lunch in the park and then enjoy dinner at Downtown Disney for a nice early-evening break. My favorite stop in Disneyland is Cafe Orleans located in New Orleans Square. The specialty item at this restaurant is the Monte Cristo sandwich - it sounds a little weird, but just try it and I bet you'll be hooked!

Clockwise from top: Salmon sandwich with sweet potato fries, braised beef crepe, and monte cristo sandwich

The Blue Bayou Restaurant inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride also serves the monte cristo sandwich - but at a higher price. Your best bet for trying this Disneyland classic is to order it at Cafe Orleans and then splurge on Blue Bayou for the next meal if you like it.

On the other side of the spectrum, California Adventure offers what many people consider to be the BEST corn dog ever! And what better placement of a corn dog shop than on Paradise Pier! Corn Dog Castle serves up hand-battered and fried corn dogs, as well as a hot-link corn dog and a cheddar cheese stick. Each delicious item arrives piping hot with chips or apple slices; at under $8, you've got yourself quite an affordable - and tasty! - meal.

(photo courtesy of Disney Food Blog)

The lunch possibilities are endless so I'll run through a short list of famous options for each park. Disneyland: fried green tomato sandwich at Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country, stuffed baked potatoes at Harbour Galley in Critter Country, and fried chicken at Plaza Inn located on Main Street, U.S.A.. California Adventure: Turkey Dip at Flo's V8 Cafe in Cars Land, Burrito Sonora from Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill on Pacific Wharf, and hot dogs/hot links/sausages from Award Wieners in Hollywood Land. Downtown Disney: sandwiches at Earl of Sandwich are so good that there is usually a line out the door! Check this place out for a break from the parks.

Dinner is as special at Disneyland as it is at Disney World. You have the option to pick a World of Color dining package for access to a special reserved standing area for the show: the restaurants that participate in this package deal are Wine Country Trattoria, Ariel's Grotto, and Carthay Circle Restaurant. I've only eaten at Ariel's Grotto but I've heard fantastic things about the other two options. Ariel's Grotto was nothing special. The service was awful, the decor is outdated and, frankly, a little dirty. The food, though, was pretty good. It's probably the cheapest option for the World of Color package but I think I'll pay more for better service at one of the other restaurants next time. 

Fire roasted corn cakes from Ariel's Grotto

Dessert trio at Ariel's Grotto: creme brulee, s'more truffle, and chocolate-dipped strawberry

To be clear, you are able to eat at these restaurants even if you don't make a World of Color package reservation so feel free to try them out before paying the higher price of the package. Disneyland also has new dining packages for the Fantasmic! show. You can reserve a grab & go time from Aladdin's Oasis online - then show up the day of your visit and get your meal PLUS FastPass before the show. Reservation times are between noon and 7pm. It is important to note that the meals from Aladdin's Oasis are picnic-style with a choice of three entrees for adults and three entrees for children. This is a relatively new option at Disneyland so the jury is still out. Fantasmic! also offers other dining packages paired with Blue Bayou Restaurant and River Belle Terrace. These options are similar to those offered for World of Color and are also new; I plan to participate for my December trip and will report back with my review.

If you don't want a show package, feel free to try out the buffet at Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue in Frontierland or leave the parks and relax in Downtown Disney. My favorite dining spot is Rainforest Cafe but House of Blues, Tortilla Jo's, and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen are also great choices! 

The restaurants in Downtown Disney often have parent companies that offer email coupons and reward programs. Head over to Rainforest Cafe's Landry's Select Club to earn a $25 welcome reward, a $25 reward for every $250 spent, and a $25 birthday reward (good at all Landry's restaurants) and check out Patina Group to sign up for exclusive email offers for Tortilla Jo's, Catal Restaurant, Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, and UVA Bar and Cafe - all located in Downtown Disney. Feel free to browse the other options, too, because this is an easy way to save money on your meals!

Finally, we've reached the snack options. You can't walk more than 10-20 feet without running into a snack cart at Disneyland. Popcorn, pretzels, and ice cream adorn the sidewalks and beckon to passersby. In addition to my favorite snack (the iconic Dole Whip), there are a couple of items at Disneyland that you won't want to miss. The New Orleans Mint Julep and Mickey Beignets are both fantastic options from the Mint Julep Bar located next to French Market Restaurant in New Orleans Square. 

New Orleans Mint Julep

The Fantasy Funnel Cake from Stage Door Cafe in Frontierland, ice cream and chocolate concoctions at Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shop on Pacific Wharf, and fruit smoothies from Schmoozies in Hollywood Land are also visitor favorites. Also, if you have visited Disney World and enjoyed LeFou's Brew, then you shouldn't miss Red's Apple Freeze from the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land. It's almost an identical drink!

If you're hoping to enjoy alcoholic beverages on your trip, you'll have more luck in California Adventure than Disneyland (for the record, the ONLY place you can order alcohol inside the classic park is in the exclusive Club 33 - which is not open to the public and requires a membership + $10,000 annual fee). You can purchase adult beverages at the following locations in California Adventure: Flo's V8 Cafe, Carthay Circle Lounge at Carthay Circle Restaurant, Alfresco Tasting Terrace and Mendocino Terrace at Wine Country Trattoria, Bayside Brews, and the Cove Bar at Ariel's Grotto. Also, the nightly Mad T Party in California Adventure offers alcoholic drinks coupled with live music, games, and costumed characters amidst a glow of neon colors. 

My mom showing off the glowing ice cube in her beverage

That's it for Disneyland food - I hope I've made you hungry! Feel free to share your favorites with me so I can try them on my next trip!

So You Want to Stay...at Disneyland!

If you're looking to stay on Disneyland property, then I've got terrible news: it's quite expensive. I've never personally splurged to stay at a Disneyland hotel but I've done enough research to share a little knowledge on the subject. What I can tell you, with complete certainty, is that your choice of accommodations off-site can be just as rewarding and will probably save you a lot of money. I'm going to give a quick overview of the properties at Disneyland and then show you some comparable options nearby.

Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

The most affordable of the on-site options is the Paradise Pier Hotel. It boasts a rooftop pool and water slide with views of the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the third floor pool on select nights. In terms of location, it has the longest walking commute to the parks but rooms start at about $300/night.

Disneyland Hotel

Starting at around $400/night, you can book your stay at Disneyland Hotel. The theme is a bit more mature with a lot of throwbacks to the original Disneyland charm. One of the coolest options at this hotel is the Monorail Pool, which features two water slides and a themed children's play area. Disneyland Hotel is located near Downtown Disney and is a straight-shot walking to the park entrances.

Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa

The most expensive, and most immersive, of the Disneyland resort hotels is the Grand Californian. The name is fitting because this hotel has it all! Rooms start at an astonishing $500/night but it is located between Downtown Disney and Disney's California Adventure - with entrances from the hotel to both locations. The theme of this hotel is quite extensive with rustic features throughout. It is also the only Disneyland resort hotel to offer spa services. If you want a convenient location with all of the bells and whistles, the Grand Californian is your best bet.

Off-Site Hotels

There are dozens of accommodations within 2-3 blocks walking distance from the pedestrian entrance of Disneyland. There are also a handful of hotels located right across the street that won't break the bank. I will caution, however, that you should check the reviews of any hotel you choose because some are questionable - especially the further down Katella Avenue you go. Here's what you need to know about the area:

Any hotel you choose on Katella Avenue is going to be at least a 15-20 minute walk to the park entrances. If you choose a hotel near the intersection of Katella Ave. and Harbor Blvd, then you'll want to utilize the main pedestrian entrance. If you are staying closer to the intersection of Katella Ave. and Disneyland Drive, then your best bet is to use the Grand Californian entrance because the pedestrian entrance on Disneyland Drive is further north (closer to Ball Rd.). As you can see, the parking structures are pretty far from the parks; there is a free tram to Downtown Disney but the wait time for the tram can be anywhere from 10-20 minutes if the parks are busy that day. Combined with the $17/day parking fee, I find that staying in a hotel across from the pedestrian entrance on Harbor Blvd. works best. 

Walking Time: 15-20 minutes

From most expensive to least, you've got Desert Palms Hotel and Suites ($200/night), Ramada Plaza Anaheim ($150/night), and Super 8 Anaheim (<$100/night). These are the hotels with which I have personal experience or know people that have stayed at these locations. There are plenty of other options in this area but if you venture too far south on Harbor Blvd. then you'll run into the Anaheim Convention Center and could potentially be stuck with a perpetual crowd of people. Also, some of the options further down (east or west) on Katella Ave. have a nasty reputation of bed bugs so make sure to check the recent reviews to see what travelers are saying.

Walking Time: 10 minutes

East of the pedestrian entrance hotels, you'll find a little nook of properties that are on a very slow street with an easy commute to the parks. These options include the Howard Johnson Anaheim Hotel and Water Playground ($200/night), the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Anaheim ($150/night), and the Quality Inn & Suites Anaheim Resort ($100/night). Of these options, I've only stayed at the Quality Inn & Suites and I can say that it is was very lovely. It's definitely a no-frills accommodation but there is an affordable gift shop on-site (affordable for souvenirs, not sundries! $7 Suave shampoo...no thanks). Also, its location is closer to the Magic Kingdom side of the Disneyland resort so you can leave the park early and still have a decent view of the fireworks on your walk back to the hotel. Have a look for yourself:

In fact, the view was pleasant enough that we sat down on the sidewalk and ate the remaining snacks from our bags. 

Walking Time: 5 minutes

I have to list 5 minutes because the pedestrian entrance itself is a bit of a trek but the hotels located across the street are the most convenient - and typically the nicest - options you'll find in the area. This list includes properties like Carousel Inn and Suites ($200/night), Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn ($150/night), and Tropicana Inn and Suites ($150/night). Some of these locations even have balconies so that you can get a good view of the fireworks from your room. I highly recommend a close, off-site hotel if you have children that require naps or if you plan to schedule a break in the middle of your day. Additionally, there is a McDonald's, IHOP, Denny's, and Mimi's Cafe located near these hotels and may prove to be a more affordable dining option than the resort food.

In addition to checking major travel booking sites, be sure to check the individual hotel websites for pricing and availability. For my upcoming trip to Disneyland in December, I wanted to book the Tropicana Inn and Suites but could only find an option on the travel sites to put down a $50 deposit and a final price of $149/night. I went to the Tropicana Inn and Suites website and was offered a free booking (no deposit) and a final price of $129/night. I saved $60 and my deposit by booking directly with the hotel! 

Please fill me in on your trip if you've stayed at a property on-or-near Disneyland! I would love to get more feedback about the options in the area.

Disneyland FastPass

The Disneyland FastPass system is a fairly complicated mess but it can be conquered with a few tips and a little patience! As mentioned previously, each FastPass at Disneyland must be pulled manually from a ticket machine outside of the desired attraction. Unlike Disney World, you can only hold one FastPass at any given time minus a few exceptions: character meet and greets, Radiator Springs Racers (California Adventure), and the World of Color/Fantasmic! shows are NOT on the same FastPass schedule as the regular attractions so you can hold a ticket for these items and still grab another.

Let's start from the beginning- the FastPass machine. Once you've decided which attraction you want a FastPass for, you'll go to the entrance and see a board similar to this one:

(photo courtesy of Undercover Tourist)

There will be a time range listed which tells you the return time for the FastPasses currently being distributed, as well as a wait time for the current attraction line. The time range continues to move later into the day as more FastPasses are pulled. If you decide that you want a FastPass for the time listed, you'll next look for the machines which look something like this:

(photo courtesy of Disney Geek)

Keep your park tickets handy because you'll need to slide them into the slot at the top (individually) and obtain a ticket below. I recommend that one person take charge of the park tickets and FastPasses to make the process simple. So now you have your FastPass ticket - how do you read it?

(photo courtesy of WDW Guru)

Each ticket will have the name of the attraction listed at the top with the return time range in the middle. It is very important that you stick to this time range because the cast members will only allow you a 15-minute grace period if you're late. You'll notice at the bottom is another time listed for the availability of your next FastPass. The best way to keep moving through the FastPasses is if you pull the next FastPass BEFORE you use the current one. This process will keep you from waiting extra long between FastPass attractions. Sometimes you may pull a FastPass for a much later time in the day - if that's the case, then pay extra close attention to the availability time at the bottom of your ticket because it will allow you to pull another one two hours later.

Not every attraction carries the FastPass option, which somewhat simplifies your plan of attack. Next, I'll go through each park and give you an idea of which attractions should be high-priority.

Disneyland:

Name	Type	Location	Demand	Notes
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad	Thrill	Frontierland	**
Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters	Indoor Interactive	Tomorrowland	*	Low standby wait times
Fantasmic!	Nighttime Show	Frontierland	N/A	NOT on the regular FastPass system - don't forget to grab another one, too! This FastPass is picked up along the Big Thunder Trail in Frontierland
Haunted Mansion	Indoor/Dark	New Orleans Square	**
Indiana Jones Adventure	Thrill	Adventureland	***
Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin	Indoor/Children	Mickey's Toontown	***	Long standby wait times and Toon Town usually closes early for Wishes fireworks
Space Mountain	Indoor/Thrill	Tomorrowland	***
Splash Mountain	Thrill/Water	Critter Country	**	Long standby wait times in warm weather
Star Tours - The Adventures Continue	Indoor/Simulation	Tomorrowland	**
Storytelling at Royal Theatre	Meet and Greet	Royal Hall	**

California Adventure:

Name	Type	Location	Demand	Notes
World of Color	Nighttime Show	Paradise Pier	***	NOT on the regular FastPass system - don't forget to grab another one, too! This FastPass is picked up at Grizzly River Run. Although FastPasses aren't required to view the show, a FastPass will get you a better view
Anna & Elsa's Royal Welcome	Meet and Greet	Hollywood Land	N/A	NOT on the regular FastPass system - don't forget to grab another one, too!
California Screamin'	Thrill	Paradise Pier	*	Low standby wait times
For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration	Interactive/Show	Hollywood Land	**
Goofy's Sky School	Thrill/Children	Paradise Pier	**
Grizzly River Run	Thrill/Water	Grizzly Peak	**	Long standby wait times in warm weather
Meet Olaf in Hollywood Land	Meet and Greet	Hollywood Land	N/A	NOT on the regular FastPass system - don't forget to grab another one, too!
Radiator Springs Racers	Thrill	Cars Land	***	LONG standby wait times unless you want to use the single-rider line. This FastPass is distributed near It's Tough to Be a Bug! Get to the parks super early if you want to get a FastPass for this attraction and remember - it's not on the regular FastPass system!
Soarin' Over California	Indoor/Heights	Grizzly Peak	***
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror	Thrill/Heights	Hollywood Land	**

Indiana Jones Adventure can ONLY be experienced at Disneyland! I recommend that you make this attraction a priority because you won't see it at Disney World!

FastPasses can be pulled independently at each Disneyland park - so if you have a parkhopper option on your ticket and don't mind sending someone to the other park to pull a FastPass then you can experience double the fun in one day!

For an even faster schedule, utilize single rider lines and rider swap! The following attractions have single-rider lines available: Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones Adventure, and Splash Mountain in Magic Kingdom; Radiator Springs Racers, California Screamin', Goofy's Fly School, Grizzly River Run, and Soarin' Over California in California Adventure. Rider swap is a process by which a family waits in line together, then tells the cast member at the front that they'd like to use rider swap. One adult will ride with the eligible child and then the second adult can ride (without waiting!) with the child again. This is especially helpful for families with babies, families with children that do- and don't- want to ride, and families where there are more adults than children. There are multiple attractions with this option so keep an eye out for the signs!

I hope I've helped clarify a few things about the FastPass process. Feel free to send any questions my way! Next, we'll talk about Disneyland hotel options.

Let's go to....Disneyland!

Disneyland was the first Disney park I ever visited and the same can be said for many people from older generations. Opened in 1955, it was the world's first taste of Walt's vision and it remains a popular destination for travelers. This year is incredibly special because it is Disneyland's 60th anniversary and the folks at Disney have constructed an amazing Diamond Celebration with three re-imagined nighttime shows to commemorate it!

Can you believe that over 700,000,000 visitors have passed through the turnstiles at Disneyland? If you're reading this post then you're either part of the number or are at least interested in adding to it. I tell all of my friends that Disneyland is the perfect destination for anyone that is new to the Disney parks.

What I find most convenient about Disneyland is that it is composed of two distinct parks: Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. The layout of Magic Kingdom in Florida is pretty similar to the original Disneyland in California, which makes it a great starting point if you've never visited the park previously. Disneyland also utilizes the FastPass system, but they still use the old system of pulling tickets at the individual attractions so it takes a little more planning to make sure you can skip the lines on your favorite rides. I'll devote an entire post to make this topic more clear.

The park on the right is Disneyland, complete with Sleeping Beauty's castle as the focal point. The park on the left is the newer Disney's California Adventure. The beautiful lagoon and Paradise Pier hold a special place in this park and serve as the gathering location for the World of Color show after dark. World of Color is, hands-down, the BEST Disney show I've seen in the USA. I took my younger brother to Disneyland in 2014 (his first Disney trip ever) and he walked away exclaiming that World of Color was the best part of the whole trip. I'll go into more depth regarding the shows and attractions in my next post. Nestled between the two parks is the Downtown Disney District, which is a major dining, shopping, and entertainment destination.

Disneyland tickets are similar to Disney World in the sense that you can choose between one-park-per-day tickets or add the parkhopper option. Switching between parks at Disneyland is much easier than Disney World because the park entrances are a very short walk from one another. In order to save money, I still purchase a one-park-per-day ticket because I typically like to devote a full day to each park. For any veteran of Disneyland, a two-day single park ticket should do the trick. If you intend to fully immerse yourself in the Disney environment and want extended options to enjoy your favorite attractions, a three-day parkhopper ticket is the perfect fit AND it will give you access to one Magic Morning (early access to the designated park one hour before opening).

If you plan to enjoy additional theme parks in the Southern California area, the Southern California CityPass could save you money. It includes a three-day parkhopper ticket to Disneyland, admission to Sea World San Diego, and LEGOLAND. The individual purchase of these tickets would cost you $451 for an adult and $428 for a child under the age of 10, but you'll pay $329 and $286, respectively.

Tickets to Disneyland can be purchased through aRes Travel at a discounted rate. I've used this service and they are very reliable. They also offer package deals if you would like to visit Universal Studios Hollywood (which is slated to open a Wizarding World of Harry Potter in 2016!)

That's it for the introduction to Disneyland. I'm excited to share information on the FastPass system next!

Disney World Tools (MagicBand, Disney World App, and FastPass+)

Disney has made several technical advances in recent years to make your trip more fun! The best part is that these tools are available to every guest at Disney World, regardless of your hotel accommodations. Today I'll be discussing the mysterious MagicBand, the Disney World app, and the FastPass+ process.

The MagicBand is still fairly new to Disney but is one of the most convenient additions to the experience. Any guest that books a Disney World resort hotel is automatically slated to receive a MagicBand for every person in the travel party and the account holder has the option of customizing the color of individual bands before the trip (the default color is gray). Disney has also added the ability to stamp a name or short message on the inside of the bands, which makes them a great souvenir for repeat visits (notice the name2015 on my bands above). Also, it's super fun to accessorize your MagicBand with MagicBandits and MagicSliders (see below).

If you're staying on Disney property, the MagicBand will serve as your resort room key, park ticket, FastPass+, and credit card. There are magical Mickey pods stationed at every cash register so that you can use a PIN code to charge your purchases to your room and they will be placed on your credit card upon checkout (this option can be turned off if you don't want to charge to the room). Non-resort guests can purchase a MagicBand for $12.95 each to use as park ticket and FastPass+ if they so choose. 

So what's all this FastPass+ nonsense and why is it necessary to make it more convenient? The FastPass system is a tradition that Disney has carried for decades but was made more efficient with the electronic system. Previously, guests would have to trek to the attraction for which they wanted a FastPass and then manually pull a ticket for the currently offered time slot. There was little choice in the matter of times unless the guest wanted to wait around for the perfect number of FastPasses to be pulled in order to get a specific time slot. A FastPass is a skip-the-line ticket for a specified attraction. Only three FastPasses can be held at any given time and you cannot obtain a new FastPass until the first one is used. Disney does not charge for this option like most other theme parks; I had the pleasure of speaking with a manager at Epcot on my last trip and he explained that it was Walt's vision to keep the FastPass system free so that everyone could enjoy it. As explained in my first Disney World post, there are some attractions that are in higher demand than others and you'll want to be sure to grab a FastPass for those rides early. You can also obtain FastPasses for shows, parades, and fireworks so prioritize your tickets accordingly. 

With the introduction of the automated FastPass+ system, Disney has created an amazing smartphone app that pairs well with the reservation process. You are free to select your FastPasses once you have purchased your park tickets and synced them to your MyDisneyExperience account (60 days in advance of trip for resort guests and 30 days for non-resort guests). 

The main screen of the Disney World app

Once you open the app, you'll see a button at the bottom with a "+" sign on it. Tap that button and it'll give you four options. The first of these options, on the far left, is the "FP+" logo for Fastpass+. This option will take you to a screen like this:

The FastPass+ screen

From here, you can select the "Choose New FastPass+ Experiences" option and it will walk you through your schedule. You'll select the day, park, and attractions you want to reserve. It will then provide three suggested schedules and you choose the one that best fits your plan. 

You don't have to keep the schedule the FastPass+ system gives you; to change the schedule, simply go back to the FastPass+ screen and select "Modify My Existing FastPass+ Selections". The next screen will allow you to individually select and change the attraction or time of your current FastPasses.

The Disney World app is also helpful in other ways. The second option on the main menu will allow you to purchase tickets and sync them to your account:

The ticket purchase screen

The third option on the main screen will open up the dining portal so that you can create dining reservations:

The dining reservation screen

The fourth option on the main screen will take you to the 'extras' page so that you can view and select shows or parades that you want to add to your itinerary. Some of these options may offer a FastPass so I don't recommend adding these options unless it is something for which you do NOT have a FastPass. Anything added from this screen will only serve as a friendly reminder of the event so that you don't forget to get in position for a parade or show.

The 'extras' screen

Aside from the four options on the main screen, there is a dropdown selection that will allow you to check wait times, look at park maps, and search for specific facilities or attractions:

The dropdown selection

I find that the wait times portion of this app is incredibly useful, especially if you have time between FastPasses and want to see which attractions have the lowest times. 

Once you have selected your FastPass+ options, completed your dining reservations, and added your extras, your itinerary will generate itself and provide a handy glimpse at your day ahead! Just look:

Disney World app customized itinerary

All of your plans are in one place! The app will update itself as you make changes to your itinerary.

All Disney parks have FREE wi-fi! Save on your data plan by connecting your smartphone to the wireless signal. If you also turn on your device's GPS then the Disney World app will point you in the direction of the nearest bathroom, a specific attraction, or a dining destination. It will even tell you how many feet you'll need to walk!

I hope these tools will prove as useful for you as they are for me! Feel free to post any questions or share your tips!

Let's eat at...Disney World!

If you're anything like me, you count calories and carbs for months in anticipation of eating whatever you want on vacation. Disney World is the perfect place to try new cuisine and splurge on fun meal activities!

Most notably, there are two challenges that are well-known in the Disney traveler groups and those involve 1) cupcakes and 2) drinking around the world at Epcot. While one is kid-friendly and the other is not, I'll cover both of these challenges and tips for making the most of your stay in Orlando!

First, let's start with the basics. Breakfast is offered in the parks as well as in the food courts and dining areas of the resort hotels. I'm a fan of bringing my own granola bars on vacation but when Be Our Guest announced a trial run of their new breakfast menu, I couldn't resist! Please note: Be Our Guest still requires reservations for breakfast. While I don't recommend making this stop an everyday option because it is still quite expensive (about $20/adult and $12/child), it is worth making an exception once or twice.

The menu features mature tastes for adult palettes, such as the open-faced bacon and egg sandwich shown above (poached eggs, applewood bacon, brie cheese, and arugula on a toasted baguette served with fresh fruit), but crepes, french toast, cereal, scrambled eggs, and oatmeal are still available for the little ones. Beverages and pastries are included with every meal. Tip: Disney chefs are happy to accommodate for food allergies. My travel partner is allergic to melon and was substituted with a fruit bowl that only included berries.

Lunch is a snap with plenty of options to suit your needs. Every park is dotted with quick-service dining as well as snack carts and table-service restaurants. For a family on-the-go, I recommend grabbing snacks throughout the day to keep your energy up and stopping for a long lunch or dinner. If you need to take a child back to the hotel to nap, the Disney resort hotels offer plenty of safe options at the food court including burgers, pasta, and pizza. If a buffet is more your style (no way you can go wrong with that one!) then I highly recommend Hollywood & Vine at Hollywood Studios.

My travel companion enjoying his food court spaghetti at Caribbean Beach Resort

Dinner is usually where I like to splurge. I enjoy taking a long break in the evening at a table-service restaurant with the option to order drinks and dessert. I understand some families with small children prefer to steer clear of these establishments but don't worry, those quick service options and food courts are open for every meal. The restaurants at Disney World are a great opportunity to try something new so be adventurous!

Perhaps you like French flair? I will never stop recommending Be Our Guest because the menu, the desserts, the wine, and the ambiance are unrivaled! Or maybe a Japanese steakhouse is more your style? Teppan Edo in Epcot is a winner!

Dinner and a show at Teppan Edo

Let's circle back to the buffet idea - how about a smorgasbord of authentic German food? Biergarten in Epcot has it all! 

 

Just look at that face! He's clearly stuffed.

And who could forget Rainforest Cafe? It's my favorite place to dine and it offers a fun atmosphere for the kids. After all, who wouldn't want to enjoy their meal among animatronic apes and huge aquariums? There are two Rainforest Cafe options on Disney World property: Animal Kingdom and Downtown Disney.

Here's where things get interesting; let's say you're not quite hungry enough for a full meal but you need something to keep the tummy grumbles at bay. Disney is renowned for its snack options and is sure to provide something for everyone. You can find healthy options such as fruit, pretzels, and yogurt in every park or food court. But c'mon, we're on vacation. Let's talk about SUGAR! Disney World churros, Mickey ice cream bars, and the famous Dole Whip are all viable options to please that sweet tooth.

The Dole Whip float is my favorite! Pineapple soft serve atop pineapple juice

Try the Cronut (a fried flaky donut topped with cinnamon and sugar) near the Canada pavilion in Epcot!

The new Gaston's Tavern in Magic Kingdom's Fantasyland is the perfect stop for a sugar craving. You can pick up enormous cinnamon rolls and LeFou's Brew (no-sugar-added frozen apple juice with a hint of toasted marshmallow, topped with passion fruit-mango foam) or let this be the start of your CUPCAKE CHALLENGE by savoring one of the seasonal cupcake options!

Anna's Birthday Cupcake with LeFou's Brew

As far as challenges go, the cupcake tour has very few rules. Basically, make a point to find a cupcake everywhere you go when you're at Disney World and you're sure to leave with a new favorite. I'm sad to report that I failed this challenge on my last trip because I forgot (gasp!) to try a cupcake at the famous Starring Rolls Cafe in Hollywood Studios. Here are the other options that made the cut:

Lemongrass Coconut cupcake and Key Lime Tart from Boardwalk Bakery on Disney's Boardwalk

Zebra and Simba cupcakes from Kusafiri Coffee Shop and Bakery in Animal Kingdom

Strawberry cupcake from Boardwalk Bakery

There are many, many more options for cupcakes at the various Disney World resort hotels but that's why I love this challenge - it never gets old! You'll always find something new to try on each return trip.

If you've read this far then you're probably ready to hear about the second, and more risky, challenge of the Disney World variety. Drinking around the world at Epcot has mysterious beginnings but I have a sneaking suspicion that someone started it by accident and kept the tradition going. The challenge is simple: enjoy one adult beverage from each country in the World Showcase. Sounds easy, right? WRONG. I modified the challenge on my trip in 2014 to split the drinks with my traveling companion so that we could both finish and still make it to our hotel without assistance. Here was our plan of action:

What we quickly learned upon reaching Epcot was that many of these options were not nearly as delicious as we expected. For example, the Green Tea Plum Wine slush was very sour and oddly salty. I am happy to report that the Grand Marnier and Grey Goose slush from the France pavilion emerged as the clear winner for our taste buds and we are sure to purchase it on our repeat visits. 

Here is a photo montage of our challenge (please note, some items on the original list were not available and had to be substituted): 

It's always good to have a little bit of fun while you're on vacation :-)

For a traveling party of two adults, I typically plan to spend $100/day for food, drinks, and snacks. This is usually enough to cover a quick-service lunch, a table-service dinner, and one or two snacks. There are some table-service restaurants, such as Be Our Guest, that will easily gobble up $100 so make sure to look at the menus before you go. One very helpful option is the Disney Dining Plan. I've never used it myself but I've read enough to know that it is often the best choice for families - plus Disney World runs a promotion in the fall season to get free dining with a room package. You can't beat that! There are three options for the Disney Dining Plan: quick service, regular and deluxe. See the differences here.

One perk you'll notice as park of the regular and deluxe dining plans are the popular refillable mugs. If you're staying at a Disney World resort hotel, make sure to pick up one of these beauties because they'll allow you free unlimited refills with purchase (you select the number of days). 

That's it for Disney World food! Now I'm hungry....

Next up we'll discuss the MagicBands, Disney World app, FastPass+ process, and other tips/tools for your trip!