With the news of FastPass+ being retired and the new Disney Genie, Lightning Lane, Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections (did your eyes just glaze over there?). There’s a lot new going on at Disney World to plan for! 

This post will be focused on Disney World in Florida, but there are similar things happening at Disneyland in California as well.

First, let’s break down the terminology: 

Disney Genie= Free planning tool within the already existing My Disney Experience

Lightning Lane= the ride entrance that you use for Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections (the old FastPass+ entrance)

Genie+ = Ability to reserve times on certain rides (similar to the old FastPass+ system) for a cost of $15 per ticket per day.

Individual Attraction Selections= schedule a time to ride some of the most in demand attractions. Pay per selection, and price varies depending on the attraction/time of year. 

Is it incredibly confusing that Disney Genie is a free tool and Genie+ is a paid service? Yes. Also the name Individual Attraction Selections doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, but here we are!

Let’s break down what you need to know about each, and how to make the most out of your time in the park.

Genie+

Genie+ is basically an evolution of FastPass+ with 3 key differences: 1. It costs money, 2. You make your selections day-of instead of 30-60 days in advance, and 3. You can only make one selection at a time (kinda).

It’s worth noting that you do not have to purchase Genie+ for your whole trip! You have to purchase Genie+ after 12am on the day you wish to use it, you cannot add it in advance!

How Does It Work?

Before you get to Disney, you should have made your Park Pass Reservations for the day (if you are not using date based tickets). This is key because not only do you need them to get into the park, you also need them to make Genie+ reservations as well. 

You will be able to reserve your first ride at 7am on the app. You will be able to make your next selection either after you’ve checked in for your first selection, or 120 minutes after you’ve made your first selection. For example:

If you go on the app at 7am and reserve Jungle Cruise for 11am, you can make another selection at 9am for a second ride.

When you go to make your selection for the ride, you’ll only see the next available slot for that ride, unlike the old FastPass+ system where you could select from multiple times.

There’s no limit to how many Genie+ selections you can make in a day, but you can only select each ride once (for now, this may change in the future).

Attractions Available On Genie+

Magic Kingdom:

• Peter Pan’s Flight
• “It’s a small world”
• Mickey’s PhilarMagic
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Mad Tea Party
• Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Barnstormer
• Tomorrowland Speedway
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor
• Jungle Cruise
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Haunted Mansion
• Space Mountain
• Meet Princess Tiana & other visiting princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Meet Cinderella & other visiting princess at Princess Fairytale Hall
• Enchanted Tales with Belle
• Meet Mickey at Town Square Theatre
• Meet Ariel in her Grotto
•  
• Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade

EPCOT:

• Spaceship Earth
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Turtle Talk with Crush
• Soarin’
• Living with the Land
• Journey into Imagination With Figment
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Mission: SPACE
• Test Track
• Frozen Ever After
• Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Hollywood Studios:

• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
• Beauty and the Beast – Live on Stage
• Disney Junior Dance Party!
• For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• Toy Story Mania!
• Slinky Dog Dash
• Alien Swirling Saucers
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Muppet*Vision 3D
• Star Tours – The Adventure Continues
• Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular
• Meet Olaf at Celebrity Spotlight
• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway

Animal Kingdom:

• Na’vi River Journey
• It’s Tough to be a Bug!
• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Festival of the Lion King
• Feathered Friends in Flight
• Kali River Rapids
• The Animation Experience at Conservation Station
• DINOSAUR
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain
• Finding Nemo: The Big Blue… and Beyond!
• Meet Favorite Disney Pals at Adventurers Outpost

As with FastPass+, you don’t NEED a Genie+ pass to ride most of these within reasonable wait time. Grab my Genie+ Priority Guide FREE download so you can decide which rides to proritize

Other Genie+ Perks

Besides the ride selection, there are some other (minor) perks available in the Disney app:

• Special audio experiences
• Augmented reality photo lenses

Individual Attraction Selections

This is an additional paid option, either on top of or instead of the Genie+ service. The price will vary depending on the day and the ride, but they seem to cost between $7-$15.

(I’ll be calling it IAS for short now… until Disney gives this a better name!)

How Does It Work?

If you are staying in a Disney World Resort hotel, you can make your selections at 7am. If you are staying off property, you will have to wait until the park is open.

The limit is 2 per day, and there are only 2 rides available in each park for purchase. That being said you can’t purchase a ride twice in the same day. 

You do not have to decide in advance, you could buy spur of the moment!

Attractions Available For Individual Attraction Selection

Magic Kingdom:

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• TRON Lightcycle / Run

EPCOT:

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

Hollywood Studios:

• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Animal Kingdom:

• Avatar Flight of Passage

Thanks to our friends at Rope Drop Radio for this photo

How Will Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections Work With Park Hopping?

Park hopping is visiting more than one Disney park per day, and to use Genie+ you will have to purchase the “multiple parks” option in order to use it when you park hop. The rules still apply to both Genie+ and IAS (one at a time for Genie+ and only 2 rides per day with IAS).

Read more about Park Hopping at Disney World to decide if it’s right for you!

Will Disney Still Use Virtual Queues?

Yes, definitely! Disney is currently using Virtual Queues on TRON Lightcycle/Run and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. As of now the only way to ride these rides is to buy the IAS or use the free virtual queue option as there are no stand by lines.

What If I Don’t Have A Smart Phone/Data?

We don’t know! There is (spotty) free wifi at the parks so you can use that if data is a concern, but if you plan on traveling without a smartphone all together, it may be difficult or impossible to use these new systems. 

Final Thoughts

While using Genie+ and buying individual attraction selections can help you ride more rides during your trip, it can be costly! If you are trying to do Disney on a budget, you can skip it! 

Read More about visiting Disney with food allergies

How To Identify Plant Based Options

Disney has released a new symbol to help you identify which items on their menus are plant based. You can find a green leaf next to the description on the menu. The symbol is used at quick service and table service restaurants, as well as snack kiosks.
On menus where you can’t find a plant based option, chefs are usually able to accommodate you by adjusting an item on the menu.

Plant Based vs Vegetarian

Disney defines plant based as “made with plant foods like grains, nuts, vegetables and fruit—and no animal meat, dairy, eggs or honey.”. Vegetarians usually still consume dairy, eggs and honey, so vegetarian options on the menu may not be marked with the plant based symbol.

If you’re concerned about any item on the menu you always have the option to speak with a chef, especially if you are eating plant based because of an allergy. I have asked chefs to leave meat off menu items like pizzas in the past and it is no problem, since everything is made to order.

Plant Based and Vegetarian Meals At Disney

Hey! It’s Ryan, Jenn’s husband, while I’m not a vegetarian, we eat a mostly plant-based diet and I thought it would be interesting to experience some of the meatless choices that are available.

One of my favourite aspects of the whole Disney experience is the number of dining options available. At all of the Disney Parks and at Disney Springs, there are plenty of choices where food is concerned. Some of the Disney resorts also have excellent dining options! With that in mind, I’d like to share some of my highlights in plant-based and vegetarian dining at Disney.

Animal Kingdom

If you’re looking to keep it vegetarian or vegan at Animal Kingdom, make your way over to Satu’li Canteen in Pandora: World of Avatar. They offer the opportunity to build-your-own bowl in which you choose a protein, base, and a sauce. I chose the crispy fried tofu with a rice and black bean base, topped with the charred green onion vinaigrette. Confession: back when I had more hair on my head I considered tofu a disgusting, rubbery brick of sadness. This meal couldn’t have been further from that! The crispy pieces of tofu were hot, lightly spicy and delicious. The rice and black beans were a nice neutral base to support the green onion vinaigrette, which had plenty of flavour. Build-your-own bowls also come topped with a tangy slaw and boba balls, which are little tapioca pearls that burst easily. There’s actually a ton of flavour going on here, and I’ll very likely order this again.

Epcot

Back at Epcot’s World Showcase, the France Pavilion is home to Chefs de France, a restaurant we never miss during a Disney trip. I ordered the Vegetable Lasagna. First of all, this was definitely the best presentation of any meal I ordered during our trip. Secondly, I was worried the vegetables would be soggy and bland, but that wasn’t the case at all! Everything was baked to perfection, and there was just enough seasoning to be full of flavour without overpowering the meal. While lasagna isn’t usually a top menu choice for me, I’d order this again.

With so many different festivals going on at Epcot throughout the year, if you are looking for vegetarian options at the festival booths they will be marked with a green V on the menus, just note that those items are not always vegan or plant based.

Read more about Epcot International Food and Wine Festival

Magic Kingdom

So far I haven’t mentioned anything at the Magic Kingdom. Because many people make it the main or only stop on their Disney trip, I feel the need to give it a mention here. If you’re eating vegetarian, for dinner try the plant-based Bangers and Mash at The Plaza Restaurant on Main Street, USA. While it didn’t make my list of favourites, I also wouldn’t mind eating it again. The plant-based sausages were alright, and the broccolini was nice and tender.

If you’re having lunch or a light dinner, try the Plant-Based Burger at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café, in Frontierland. The burger itself is surprisingly tasty, and while it doesn’t come with many toppings there’s a whole toppings bar for you to choose from!

Alternatively, make your way to lunch at the Be Our Guest restaurant in Fantasyland and try the Cannellini Bean Cassoulet. It’s a hearty, plant-based casserole with plenty of crostini (fancy toast!) for dipping. If you’re not afraid of the dark and your vision is good, request to be seated in the West Wing.

Hollywood Studios

I should touch on Hollywood Studios. I’ll admit I’ve felt like this park suffered from a lack of great dining in the past. But if you’re committed to Hollywood Studios (or don’t want to walk to the Boardwalk or Epcot) there are vegetarian options available. I really enjoyed the Penne in a Four Cheese Smoked Tomato Sauce, available for dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine In Theater. It was simple, yet satisfying and very filling. Jenn had the vegetarian falafel burger which was also delicious! If you haven’t been there, be advised this restaurant is very dark (they’re showing drive-in movies, after all!).

The Boardwalk

We love the boardwalk area between Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Sometimes a walk there can be a welcome escape from the congestion of a busy park day, and it’s also home to one of our favourite Disney restaurants: Trattoria al Forno. We found ourselves there at dinner time, and I ordered the Lentil Risotto (without the pistachio gremolata, as I’m allergic). While the appearance of this dish won’t cause any double-takes, the flavour straight-up blew me away. I have no idea what seasonings are used, but this risotto was creamy and deliciously savoury. It’s also very filling; perfect for a cooler, rainy day. If you’re in the area, I highly suggest giving this one a try.

Read more about what to do on a no park day at Disney!

Animal Kingdom Lodge

If you have time during your visit, I seriously recommend visiting Animal Kingdom Lodge. There you can get a close look at giraffes, zebras and other animals grazing in the savannah behind the main building of Kidani Village. Better yet, check out the animals (and the spectacular theming) before or after a meal at Sanaa. We LOVE this restaurant, and ordering the bread service appetizer is a foregone conclusion. For us, the bread service is large enough to share between 2 or 3 people, especially knowing there are other delicious eats to follow.

My entrée was the Potjie (from Afrikaans “small-pot food”) Inspired, which normally comes with 2 selections from the list. For those on the Disney Dining Plan, you’ll be offered a 3rd selection. I tried the Chickpea Wat, Aloo Masala, and Paneer Tikka (which is vegetarian, but not vegan). With so many options it was hard knowing where to start! The Aloo Masala (potatoes and other vegetables in a traditional masala spice) was the least spicy of the three. I’ve had Aloo Masala before, and I enjoyed this a lot. The Paneer Tikka (a firm type of cheese, also served in a kind of masala spice) was moderately spicy and the paneer was chewy without being rubbery. The Chickpea Wat (chickpeas and veggies in a spicy tomato base) was the spiciest, and also my least favourite. If I ordered this again I might substitute the Chickpea Wat for a different option.

Final Thoughts

Of course there are many more options than those listed here, since almost every table service and quick service now has at least one option!

Thanks for reading about my experience eating vegetarian at Disney World! Have you tried the veggie options there? Any great ones I’m missing? I’d love to hear what you think!

Anyone who has a food allergy or dietary restrictions know how difficult it can be to eat while on vacation. Disney does a great job at accommodating many different diets, and gluten free is no exception! While table service and quick service meals are easy to find, sometimes snacks can be a little bit harder. Here are our favourite gluten free snacks at Disney World!

Not gluten free and love snacks? Here are the best Disney snacks according to Disney bloggers!

Know Before You Go

Before ordering you should always check with a chef or cast member if an item is gluten free. Sometimes ingredients change and what was once safe is not anymore. 

Gluten Free/ Dairy Free WDW is my favourite resource and you can find allergy menus that are updated regularly.

If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, some of these snacks will be 1 snack credit. They are noted with a *DDP. 

Read about going to Disney with food allergies!

The Best Gluten Free Snacks At Disney

Dole Whip *DDP

Can you even write a Disney snack list without including the famous Dole Whip? This frozen pineapple concoction is all gluten free, you can even get it as a float with pineapple juice. It is so refreshing on a hot day, one of my favorite snacks of all time! You can find it at Aloha Isle in Magic Kingdom, at Tamu Tamu refreshments at Animal Kingdom and Pineapple Lanai & Trader Sam’s Grotto at the Polynesian Resort.

Churros

Gluten free churros sounds like a fantasy doesn’t it? Dreams come true at the Nomad Lounge in Animal Kingdom, where you can find gluten free churros that come with vanilla cream and strawberry dipping sauces. The lounge is attached to Tiffins but you do not need a dining reservation to eat there.

Popcorn *DDP

Disney popcorn magically tastes better than any other popcorn I’ve ever had, and it’s gluten free! There are multiple popcorn stands at every park so you’re never too far away when you get a snack attack! You can buy a refillable popcorn bucket, which they will refill for $2 instead of the usual price of $6.25. The price of the bucket can vary, but usually ranges $10-$20 and you get a souvenir to bring home!

Beignets *DDP

Venture over to Port Orleans French Quarter and you’ll find gluten free beignets at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory. They’re also vegan! Delicious fried dough covered in powdered sugar, what isn’t to love?! 
A snack credit will get you 3 beignets, the 6 pack is not a snack credit.

Peter Pan Float *DDP

Similar to the Dole Whip, you can get a lime soft serve float over at Storybook treats at the Magic Kingdom. Just make sure to leave off the chocolate feather, which is not gluten free. 

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

Erin Mckenna’s bakery can be found in Disney Springs, and everything in the bakery is gluten free! They are also able to deliver gluten free cakes to Disney table service restaurants if you are celebrating an occasion! Popular items include cupcakes, donuts, and cinnamon rolls!

Mickey Bars *DDP

This classic Disney treat is also gluten free and you can find it at many carts throughout all the parks. 

Turkey Legs

I’ll admit that these are not my favorite, but I must tell you that the turkey legs, which are available at multiple locations throughout Magic Kingdom (there’s a dedicated cart just for them in Frontierland) are gluten free if you’re into that sort of snack.

Coffee at Joffrey’s *DDP

All of the coffee beverages at Joffrey’s carts are gluten free! I especially enjoy their chai latte. There are multiple carts in each park so you can always get your caffeine fix. 

Rice Cream *DDP

You can find this traditional treat at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe in the Norway pavilion at Epcot. It is a creamy rice pudding topped with strawberry sauce. 

Seasonal Offerings

With 4 different festivals going on at Epcot throughout the year, there are some treats that can only be found seasonally. The menu boards will have gluten free items noted. Here are some highlights! Be sure to pick up a festival passport no matter which event you are attending. 

*DDP – most items at festivals count as a snack credit, although not drinks!

Festival Of The Arts

Artist’s Table: 

• Pan-Seared Scallop with Chorizo, Roasted Red Pepper Coulis and a Parmesan Crisp

Cuisine Classique: 

• Seared Corvina with braised Ratatouille and Lemon-Thyme Beurre Blanc

Pop Eats: 

• Sous Vide Chicken Roulade with Apples and Sage served with Warm Brie Fondue, Blueberry and Beet Gel and garnished with Beet Chip Crumbles
• Shrimp Ceviche with Lime Mint Foam

Flower And Garden Festival

Arbour At The Gardeners Terrace:

• Mixed Berry Buttermilk Cake, served with Apple Cider Sorbet 

Flavor Full Kitchen:

• Citrus-poached Salmon with Ancient Grain Salad, Roasted Vegetables, Citrus Greens 
• From the Garden: Roasted Beets, Cashew Cheese and Micro Herbs with Lemon-oil Dressing

The Citrus Blossom:

• Lobster Tail with Meyer Lemon Emulsion and Grilled Lemon
• Crispy Citrus Chicken with Orange Aïoli and Baby Greens

Northern Bloom:

• Seared Scallops with French Green Beans, Butter Potatoes, Brown Butter Vinaigrette and Apple-wood Smoked Bacon

The Honey Bee-stro

• Roasted Cauliflower with Buckwheat Honey Carrot Purée, Wild Rice Pilaf, Asparagus, Honey-blistered Grapes, Sunflower Brittle and Coriander Flowers

Trowel & Trellis:

• Grilled Street Corn on the Cob with Savory Garlic Spread 
• Chocolate Pudding Terrarium with Avocado Cream, Matcha Crumb, Pomegranate and Baby Herbs

Fleur de Lys:

• Vichyssoise aux Concombres: Chilled Cucumber Soup
• Macaron au Chocolat en Sucette: Large Chocolate Macaron Lollipop

Food And Wine Festival

Active Eats: 

• Spice-crusted Verlasso® Salmon with UNCLE BEN’S® Quinoa & Ancient Grains Medley, Crushed Avocado and Sherry Vinegar
• Fruit and Nut Energy Snack: House-made mixture of Apricots, Almonds, Pecans, Coconut, Puffed Rice and Chocolate Chips

Australia: 

• Grilled Sweet and Spicy Bush Berry Shrimp with Pineapple, Pepper, Onion and Snap Peas
• Roasted Lamb Chop with Sweet Potato Purée, Bush Berry Pea Salad and Pistachio-Pomegranate Gremolata
• Deconstructed Pavlova with Pastry Cream, Citrus-macerated Berries and Lemon Myrtle Meringue

Brazil:

• Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato and Onions
• Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread

Make Pão de Queijo at home with this recipe!

Canada:

• Le Cellier Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle-Butter Sauce 

Chocolate Studio:

• Liquid Nitro Chocolate-Almond Truffle with Warm Whiskey-Caramel

Hawai’i:

• Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts

India:

• Madras Red Curry with Roasted Cauliflower, Baby Carrots, Chickpeas and Uncle Ben’s® Basmati Rice

Islands Of The Caribbean:

• Jerk-spiced Chicken with Roasted Sweet Plantain Salad and Mango Chutney Yogurt 

Spain:

• Seafood Salad with Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar and Smoked Paprika

Festival Of The Holidays

American Holiday Table:

• Hand-carved Smoked Ham with Green Beans and Sweet Potato Casserole

Feast Of The Three Kings:

• Pastelón: Sofrito-marinated Beef with Sweet Plantains and Olives
• Queso Fresco-stuffed Arepa topped with Shrimp, Crushed Avocado Aji and Tomato Sauce
• Arepas topped with Melted Queso Fresco
• Tres Leches Rice Pudding with Pumpkin Seeds

Holiday Sweets and Treats:

• Peppermint Sundae: Chocolate Ice Cream, Whipped Cream and Peppermint Candy

Las Posadas Holiday Kitchen:

• Giant Tostada de Puerco: Braised Pork served on a Giant Tostada with Chipotle Black Bean Spread, Guajillo Sauce, Queso Fresco, Crema Mexicana, Pickled Onion and topped with Chicharron Dust
• Tamal de Pollo: Braised Chipotle Chicken served in a Corn Masa with Yellow Mole and topped with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds, Queso Cotija and Crema Mexicana

After Hours Boo Bash

Trick or Treating at Boo Bash (Similar to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party) can seem a little scary with food allergies! But no fear, grab a teal bag and you’ll be able to get gluten free treats. Here is our guide to Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

There are also party exclusive treats for purchase. The Headless Horseman Cheesecake found at Sleepy Hollow is gluten free.

The Pumpkin Spice Milkshake is gluten free and available all day during the Halloween season at Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies.

Merriest After Hours Event

Like the Halloween Party, the Christmas party also has gluten free treats available for purchase. This year you can find Olaf’s Frozen Hot Chocolate Cake at Main St Bakery.

Final Thoughts

Even if you have a gluten allergy, there is no shortage of snacks available to you! As I’ve said in the past, Disney is amazing with dietary restrictions! 

What are your favourite gluten free snacks at Disney?

What Is The Park Hopper?

The Park Hopper is an additional add-on to your ticket at Walt Disney World (Also at Disneyland California but this article will focus on Disney World in Florida, although they are basically the same). This add-on allows you to go to multiple parks per day, instead of only going to one park per day. Essentially it allows you to “hop” from one park to another. There are two options: Park Hopper and Park Hopper Plus. 

Park Hopper Plus

If you choose to add the Park Hopper Plus you’ll get the benefit of park hopping, as well as entrance to the water parks; Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, both mini-golf courses, the ESPN Wide World of Sports and The Oak Trail Golf Course.

Mini Golf is a great thing to do on a No Park Day!

How Much Does The Park Hopper Cost?

The cost depends on how many days you’re buying tickets for and your dates. The park hopper is a one time cost (not per day). See the Disney Website for more details.

Park Hopper
1 day ticket price + $65 to $85 
2-3 day ticket price + $85
4-10 day ticket price + $95

Park Hopper Plus
1 day ticket price + $88 to $108
2-3 day ticket price + $105
4-10 day ticket price + $115

A lot of people choose not to add the park hopper option because of the cost, but I think it can be a valuable tool to make the most out of your vacation. 

Looking to save money? Check out these free things at Disney!

Note: You can NOT buy a 2 day ticket and then enter 2 parks on the same day. Disney’s system will stop you from entering the second park. You can however re-enter the same park as many times as you want in the same day. If you want to go to 2 parks in the same day then you need the Park Hopper option.

When Is The Park Hopper Worth It?

There are several situations in which the Park Hopper makes sense:

Party Season (August through December)

During the end of August, all of September and October at Magic Kingdom Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party happens on select nights, and during November and December Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party also takes place several nights a week. This means that on party nights Magic Kingdom will close to regular guests at 6pm. Most people with a base ticket avoid Magic Kingdom on party days because the park closes early and Happily Ever After fireworks aren’t shown. This means that Magic Kingdom is usually less busy during the day. You can certainly get a lot done at Magic Kingdom from open until after lunch or even 6pm and then head to another park for dinner and an evening show! 

You Like To Eat

Who doesn’t love to eat? Most of my favorite restaurants happen to be at Epcot, so this is the #1 reason we love the Park Hopper. You can spend the day at any of the other parks and then head to another park for dinner, or have breakfast reservations in one park and then head out to another after eating. 

Promotions

Sometimes promotions dictate if you buy a Park Hopper or not. For example the very popular free dining promotion, where you get a free Disney Dining Plan stipulates that you buy a Park Hopper ticket. The Bounce Back Offer we booked last year also required us to buy park hoppers.

Weekend Trips

Of course if you’re only in Orlando for 2 or 3 days, to see all 4 parks then you will need the Park Hopper option. 

When Is The Park Hopper A Waste Of Money?

Short Trips Or Really Long Trips

If your trip is 4 days long, or 8+ days long then it might not be worth it to add the park hopper (unless you really want to eat at all those delicious World Showcase restaurants!). A 4 day trip gets you one each at each park, and if you’re there for 8 days or longer then you will get at least 2 days in each park. 

Little Kids

Although I don’t travel with kids, I have heard from parents of little ones that park hopping can just be too much. You will have to go back to your car or take a Disney bus, boat, monorail or skyliner which means folding up the stroller and then re-entering another park.

Final Thoughts

Although we love the park hopper and always get it, it isn’t for everyone! Ultimately the Park Hopper gives you the flexibility to go wherever you want on property. You can even visit all 4 parks in one day if you’re feeling ambitious. But every trip is different and you’ll want to consider if it’s worth the extra money to your family. 

Do you get the park hopper? Let me know why or why not in the comments!

Disney is magical any time of year, but I feel like it’s especially magical at Christmas. With special shows, decorations, food and a Christmas Party where it snows on Main Street USA, it is pretty fun! Without proper planning you’ll be stuck in lines, and wondering what to do next! Here I’m going to break down all the Christmas shows, attractions and advice on when to go so you can make plans for your magical Christmas vacation!

When To Go

Christmas kicks off right after Halloween. In fact Christmas decorations and merchandise start popping up at some parks before Halloween!

We visited from December 7-14th 2019 and the crowds were not too bad. It was quite busy on the weekends but then slower during the week, however the closer you get to Christmas the busier it will be.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom will be the busiest. The park can reach capacity early in the day and may not let any more guests enter, depending on the stage of closure. A dining reservation could help you enter the park. WDW Prep School has a helpful article about it! 

Planning Ahead

Making Park reservations and dining reservations in advance is important for any Disney vacation, but especially at this time of year. The parks are busier and it will be difficult to get last minute dinner reservations.

You’ll need to choose which parks you’ll visit on which days by making a Park Pass reservation. This is done on your My Disney Experience account, and it grants you entry to the park on that day.

Characters

**Character meet and greets are currently not happening. You will be able to see some of your favourite characters during the random Cavalcades in each park! It seems they will be using the floats from the Christmas parade for these cavalcades! Including the Toy Soldiers!

Meeting characters is fun, especially around the holidays. Some characters dress up, but some don’t, so don’t expect everyone to be in different outfits! Here are some places you can meet festive characters:

Animal Kingdom:

• Mickey & Minnie at Adventurers Outpost 
• Scrooge McDuck, Launchpad McQuack, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy and Chip & Dale in DinoLand U.S.A
• Russell and Dug on Discovery Island

Epcot:

• Belle in the France Pavilion
• Santa Claus at the American Adventure

Hollywood Studios:

• Woody, Bo Peep, Jessie and Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story Land
• Chip & Dale on Hollywood Boulevard
• Santa Claus on Sunset Boulevard
• Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy and Goofy at Hollywood & Vine (dining reservations required)

Magic Kingdom (regular park hours):

• Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theatre
• Santa Claus at Town Square Courtyard

Decorations

Disney goes all out for decorations! Would you expect anything less? All the parks have a giant Christmas tree with themed ornaments and you can usually find a photopass photographer nearby to take your picture.

Animal Kingdom:

For the first time Animal Kingdom has decorated for the holidays! First on Discovery Island puppets from arctic animals come out to play. Africa is beautifully decorated with ornaments that look handmade. Asia is decorated for Diwali – the festival of lights. Even Pandora gets in on the fun with decorations made with items indigious to Pandora.

Epcot:

Each country in Epcot is decorated according to their traditions. France and Germany are especially beautiful so spend some time in each countries nooks and crannies! There are sporadic decorations through the rest of the park.

Hollywood Studios:

Tinseltown really comes to life at Hollywood Studios. The park is beautifully decorated in vintage inspired decor throughout most of the park. Make sure to check out the window displays on Hollywood Boulevard. Toy Story Land gets some cute Christmas decor – my fav is the Hamm cookie! Sadly they don’t celebrate Christmas on Batuu so no decorations in Galaxy’s Edge.

Magic Kingdom:

I might have saved the best for last. Magic Kingdom at Christmas is iconic! First you’ll want a photo in front of the train station before you even enter the park! Then you’ll see the giant Christmas Tree after you enter the park. As you walk along Main Street USA, make sure to check out the window displays! The Jungle Cruise gets Christmas decor and becomes the Jingle cruise – complete with holiday jokes. There are some sporadic decorations throughout the rest of the park.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party

**Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is changed to Disney Merriest After Hours Event!

2021: The Disney Merriest After Hours Event will take place from 9pm to 1am on select nights in November and December 2021. It will be similar to the Very Merry Christmas Party featuring:

• Character sightings
• Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show
• After-hours access to Magic Kingdom park and less time waiting in line for popular attractions
• Holiday-themed attraction overlays and Cinderella Castle projections
• Snowfall on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Holiday treats, ice cream, popcorn and bottled beverages—all included with the cost of admission
• Themed food and beverages available for purchase
• Holiday-themed Disney PhotoPass photo opportunities (photos available for purchase)
• Special lighting, music and more!

Going at Halloween? Learn about Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party!

Festival Of The Holidays

Over at Epcot you’ll find the Festival Of The Holidays in the World Showcase from November 26th to December 30th 2021.

Similar to the Food & Wine Festival you’ll find different food booths called Holiday Kitchens with traditional food and drinks from regions around the world. In each country you can learn about their holiday traditions through storytellers at certain times throughout the day. Don’t forget to grab your Festival Of The Holidays passport so you don’t miss any of the fun!

Candlelight Processional

**Candlelight Processional MAY BE cancelled for 2021: no announcement yet!

Technically the Candlelight Processional is part of the Festival Of The Holidays at Epcot. Every night at 5:00, 6:45 and 8:15 a celebrity narrator will tell the biblical Christmas story with a choir and 50 piece orchestra. It is a beautiful show. Some of the nights will be more popular than others depending on the celebrity that is narrating. You can get guaranteed seats by booking a dining package at table service restaurants in Epcot. The dining package is priced depending on the restaurant and includes an appetizer, entree and dessert and one non-alcoholic beverage or one full buffet, and you’ll get a ticket for a certain show that evening.

Special Shows

** Shows have not yet been announced for 2021

Who doesn’t love some nighttime fireworks? At Hollywood Studios they play Jingle Bell Jingle BAM! every night from November 8th to January 5th on the Chinese Theatre. Also at Hollywood Studios Sunset Season’s Greetings projection show plays on the Tower of Terror on Sunset Boulevard throughout the evening. 

Over at Animal Kingdom the Tree of Life Awakening gets a winter theme, which plays continuously through the evening. 

At Magic Kingdom Else lights up the castle every night with 200,000 lights during a Frozen Holiday Wish around 6pm (check your times guide at the parks). Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmastime Parade is usually only during the Christmas Party but a week before Christmas it comes out during the day for regular guests. 

Outside Of The Parks

** Nothing has been announced for 2021 yet! Stay tuned!

There is always lots to do outside the parks, and Christmastime is no exception. Of course you can shop at Disney Springs, but they also have a Christmas Tree Trail, with trees themed to different Disney movies along the way. It even “snows” along the trail and you can meet Santa! 

One of my favorite things to do outside of the parks is to check out the deluxe resorts. They are all beautifully decorated for Christmas. The Grand Floridian has been building a giant gingerbread house for 20 years in the lobby. You can also find a gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club, and a gingerbread replica of the boardwalk at The Boardwalk Inn! I loved the tree at the Wilderness Lodge, don’t miss checking it out. 

Each resort will likely have holiday themed activities as well. Check out each resort’s activity guides for details.

Learn more about what to do with a no park day!

Cost

All of these below are 2019 prices

Disney prices their park tickets based on the time of year, so Christmas time will cost you a little bit more. November will be a little cheaper than December. For example a standard one-day ticket for the week of December 22nd will cost $139-$159 . In November a one-day ticket ranges from $128-$139 (the higher price is over Thanksgiving).

We booked a Magic Your Way package which included 7 nights at All Star Sports and a 7 day Park Hopper ticket for 4 adults: $4203.28

We had booked a bounce back offer on our previous trip so we got the Quick Service Dining Plan included, but we paid to upgrade to the regular Disney Dining Plan. It would have cost us $2113.72 to buy the Disney Dining Plan without the promotion. 

We opted to buy the Memory Maker and I couldn’t be happier with the photos: $169

We spent about $160USD on tips and some appetizers not included on our meal plan.

Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party is a specially ticketed event, and not included in regular park admission. For the date we picked we paid $464.36 for 4 adult tickets.

All in all our week long Disney trip for 4 adults cost about $4997.00USD

Final Thoughts

I loved visiting Disney World at Christmas! Seeing my favorite place all dressed up for the holidays was such an amazing way to kick off the holiday season. In general it was busier than when we’ve visited at other times of the year, but not enough to ruin our experience. 

Have you been to Disney at Christmas? Let me know what you thought!

Tours at Disney are a fantastic way to experience the parks in a whole different way. The Keys to the Kingdom tour was so fun for this Disney nerd to learn more about Magic Kingdom, Disney and Walt himself. If you’re a Disney history lover who wants to go behind the scenes then The Keys To The Kingdom tour is for you!

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Keys To The Kingdom Cost & Details

The Keys to the Kingdom tour takes place in the Magic Kingdom, and you need a theme park ticket in order to do the tour.

The cost of the tour is $99USD. There are usually 5 start times: 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, and 10am, although sometimes it is only offered at 8 and 8:30. You must call Disney Reservations to book the tour, it is not available for booking online.

The Keys to the Kingdom tour is adults only, because you will get to go backstage, or behind the scenes. You must be 16 years old to go on the tour.

The tour will last approximately 5 hours and lunch is included – more on that part later!

For more information, check out the Disney Website!

Related: Planning An Adults Only Trip To Disney World!

Why It’s Called Keys To The Kingdom

You might be wondering why it’s even called the Keys To The Kingdom, and it’s not because they give you a key! Disney believes there are 4 keys to a great guest experience; Safety, Courtesy, Show and Efficiency. This tour aims to show you how all 4 of these keys work together so that you have the best guest experience possible.

Safety is so important to Disney that it is the first key, however you might not ever see it with your own eyes.

Courtesy makes sure the Cast Members treat you with respect and always help out where needed.

Show is the most obvious to us the guest, because it is what we see while we are in the park: the sights, sounds and smells that immerse us in whatever land we are in.

Efficiency is obvious when you visit the utilidors to see how cast members (and food, and merchandise, etc.) move throughout the park.  

Keys To The Kingdom Tour Review

My first tip is to book the first tour possible. Booking at 8am tour means you will likely get into the park a little earlier than most people (depending on the schedule for Extra Magic Hours or Early Morning Magic that day). You may be able to get some photos in front of the castle will less people in your way!

Check in for the tour will be at The Town Square Theatre and you must check in 15 minutes prior to your tour start time. You will be given a name tag, a headset so you can hear your guide, and you will be able to choose what you would like for lunch. We had about 20-25 people on our tour, so the group size wasn’t too big! Once you’re all ready you head out on the tour!

The rides and behind the scenes stops may be different for every tour depending on the day, crowd levels and the tour guide. I’ll share some of the places we stopped along the way:

We started our tour by heading down Main Street USA. Most people run down this street to get to the castle and all the exciting lands and rides that lay beyond. We spent a good amount of time talking about Walt’s dream and how important Main Street USA was to him. The use of perspective to make the castle appear larger, and the “drawing back of the curtain” by not being able to see the castle upon immediately entering the park.

One of the things that draws me to Disney is all the hidden details that you can miss by simply hurrying to your next FastPass. Details are everywhere, and our guide did a great job of pointing out Magic Kingdom’s secrets while we took the tour. For example the windows on the second floor of the buildings of Main Street USA may just look made up, but the names mean something in Disney history. We especially liked M.T. Lott – which is the fake name Disney used when buying property in Florida to avoid giving away his true purpose for the land. My husband liked the pun so much we made a T-shirt with the saying on it!

Walt’s window faces the castle so he can always see his dream come to life.

Keys To The Kingdom Rides

You will get the chance to experience some rides at Magic Kingdom in a whole new way. The rides may change but they seem to stick to the same ones most times.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Not technically a ride but a show, I’m a big fan of the Tiki Room. It opened in 1963 and was  the first attraction to use Audio-animatronics. Fun Fact: Walt wanted the Tiki Room to be a dinner theatre, can you imagine hearing The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room multiple times while eating? Me either.

The Jungle Cruise

The next ride we checked out was The Jungle Cruise. Except this time our skipper was our tour guide, and it was a lot less punny. She explained to us the history of the ride (Walt wanted real animals!) and it was fun to see the ride from a different perspective.

Haunted Mansion

I was so excited to go on Haunted Mansion as part of this tour. It is one of my favorite rides and I already knew a lot about the history of the Haunted Mansion because of a book I read, but there’s always something new to learn. One of the most exciting parts was we got to get on the ride through the “servants quarters” aka the cast member area. You’ll have to go on the tour and see it for yourself!

Keys To The Kingdom Tour Lunch

For lunch we stopped at Tomorrowland Terrace, although the location seems to change and it is sometimes Columbia Harbour House or Pecos Bills. When you check in at the Town Square Theatre they will have a menu and you will select what you would like for lunch. At some point during your tour you will stop to eat, and the restaurant will have tables reserved for you. Your name will be with your meal as well as a little gift for doing the tour, we got pins! You won’t have too much time to eat, since what you really want to get back to is the tour.

Related: Eating At Disney World With Food Allergies

Magic Kingdom Behind The Scenes

Here is the reason most people book the tour: you get to go backstage and “underground” in the Magic Kingdom! Of course we aren’t allowed to take any photos backstage, so you’ll have to use your imagination or see it for yourself.  The first stop we made backstage was the parade float area, where we got to see some of the parade floats, including ones from special parades like the Christmas one. To my delight we also got to see some parade dancers practicing, I would have loved to join them!

Check out the Christmas Parade!

The second backstage area is the famous utilidors – that’s utility corridors – and they are the “underground” part of the Magic Kingdom. Fun fact: they aren’t actually underground, the castle is technically on level 2! When the park was built they couldn’t dig out because of water, so they built up instead. You might notice a slight incline when you walk up Main St USA , and this is why. The Utilidors, while they aren’t pretty are such an urban legend now they definitely are interesting. We saw a costume room, and got to see how cast members get from one area of the park to another without breaking the illusion. You can’t have a Tomorrowland cast member walking through Fantasyland! The utilidors have everything from waste removal to costuming to cast member cafeteria to warehouses. There are also many photos of Walt and other historical photos from Disney, including one of that horrible cake overlay during the 25th anniversary of Magic Kingdom! For someone who loves Disney history it was a dream come true.

Final Thoughts

I love taking any Disney tours, they are always informative and you get to experience the park in a new way. Have you ever taken a tour at Disney? Let us know how it was!

Read our review of the Caring For Giants Tour at Animal Kingdom!

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Important Info

Pop Century is a value resort, meaning prices fluctuate between $175-$370 a night for a standard room, depending on the season ($370 is for the week between Christmas and New Years Day, it’s not usually that high).

Rooms sleep up to 4 people and are arranged motel style, meaning you enter your room through outside hallways.

Pop Century is located in the ESPN Wide World of Sports area, and like all Disney resorts there are buses to take you to and from the parks & Disney Springs area. The Skyliner connects Pop and Art of Animation with Epcot and Hollywood Studios with a gondola system.

Lobby / Main Building

When we arrived we went in to the main building to store our luggage. I would recommend checking in on the app, which can give you your room number when your room is ready and you can enter using your Magic Bands. The lobby area is nice and open with lots of memorabilia from different decades. When you head into Everything Pop there is a small gift shop which also has anything you may have forgotten at home like toothbrushes, aspirin, bandaids, etc.  

Pop Century Food Options

Everything Pop is also the food court for Pop Century. Open from 7am to 11pm (check the app for specific hours when you visit) so you can get breakfast before you go to the parks, or get a late night snack when you come back! There are 4 different options for quick service hot food, plus a cold section where you’ll find things like drinks, fruit, desserts and baked goods.

There are no table service restaurants at Value Resorts.

Want to know more about dining at Disney? Check this one out!

Pop Century Rooms

One of the best things about Pop Century are the rooms have been recently renovated. Each room has 2 queen beds, however one of them is a murphy bed that forms the table when in an upright position. Both beds have the same mattress, so no need to worry about quality. The bathroom has a tub and a toilet, and then there’s a separate sink area. The sink area has tons of storage and little cubbies to keep all your family’s things organized.

The room also has a coffee maker with takeaway cups, sugar and non dairy creamer and there is a mini fridge.

All in all we found the rooms to be very comfortable and a perfect size for the 2 of us.

Pool

Pop Century has 3 pools, all themed to their area. The main pool is the Hippy Dippy pool, near the main building, Classic Hall, and the 60’s buildings. It is the largest and also has a kiddie pool nearby.

The bowling pool is outside the 50’s buildings, it’s in the shape of a bowling pin! The computer pool is outside the 80’s & 90’s buildings. Both of these pools are a bit smaller and are just regular pools. There are deckchairs around the pool for lounging.

No pools at Pop Century (or any value resort) have slides.

Compared to All Stars Resorts

If you are choosing a value resort for your Disney vacation, then one of the most common questions is Pop Century vs an All Star Resort. Having stayed at all 3 of the All Star Resorts, and Pop Century I feel I can give you a good comparison.

Amenities

Overall these value resorts have very similar amenities. They all have food courts that are similar and serve similar food. No value resorts have table service restaurants. The layouts of the buildings are similar except that Pop’s main building is more in the center, so no matter which building you are in the walk to the main building is not too far. At the All Star Resorts, the buildings in the back will be a 5-10 minute walk to the main building. A bit of a pain in the morning to get breakfast!

Pop has 3 pools, and each of the All Star resorts have 2 pools. However they are all similar in size and none of slides. The 3rd pool at Pop simply accommodates the higher amount of people staying there.

Rooms

Since the All Star Resorts have recently had room renovations and upgrades (as of 2023) there is very little difference between All Stars and Pop Century. The rooms are almost identical with the same murphy beds, USB plugs, and bathroom layout.

All Star Sports photos from 2022

Transportation

Transportation is the biggest difference to me when comparing these resorts. Pop Century is in the ESPN Wide World Of Sports area of Disney. It is about 15 minutes to Animal Kingdom and 20-25 to Magic Kingdom. The All Star Resorts are in the Animal Kingdom area, so they are less than 10 minutes to Animal Kingdom, about 15 to Epcot and Hollywood Studios, and 20-25 to Magic Kingdom. 

Pop Century has The Skyliner to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. It takes approximately 12 minutes to get to Hollywood Studios and 18 minutes to get to Epcot. Add on the fact that you almost never wait to take the Skyliner it is a much better mode of transportation if you aren’t scared of heights!

Another thing to consider with transportation is the amount of people at each resort. The line for Pop Century buses can be quite long at peak times. Pop Century is a larger resort (2280 rooms at Pop, vs 1920 at All Star Sports/Movies, 1604 at Music) which means more people going to/from the parks. Contrary to popular belief, the All Star resorts do not usually share buses. The exception being during slow times usually mid afternoon when there are only a few people taking the buses. I have never seen them share at peak times in the morning/night.

Price

Sometimes the deciding factor may be price. On average Pop Century is $15-$20 a night more expensive than the All Star Resorts. This of course adds up if you are staying for a week or more. Usually both Pop Century and the All Star resorts are included in promotions like free dining or room discounts.

But What About Art of Animation?

The 5th Value Resort on Disney property is across Hourglass Lake from Pop Century. Art Of Animation is primarily made up of family suites, so most rooms accommodate 6 people and also have 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette. However the Little Mermaid section of rooms in the back are regular value 4 person rooms and are very similar layouts to Pop Century. Art of Animation does have a biggest pool on Disney property, as well as 2 other smaller pools. The Little Mermaid rooms are quite far from the main building, so that is something to keep in mind. The Little Mermaid rooms are often (or always) excluded room discount promotions.

Final Thoughts

So which is better? I guess it depends. I enjoyed our stay at both Pop Century rooms and All Star Sports. The updated rooms with all the storage and the coffee maker are a big plus at both resorts. Either way, you’re at Disney so I don’t think you can go too wrong!

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Eating out at restaurants can be a stressful experience for those who have life threatening food allergies, but Disney not only accommodates, they usually go above and beyond to make sure you have the best meal possible. There are a few things you should know about before you go and while you’re there to make the most of your trip!

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Tips For Visiting Disney With Food Allergies

Making Dining Reservations

Most of Disney’s table service restaurants require advanced dining reservations (ADRs), which you can make only up to 60 days in advance. When you are booking online, you can look at menus in order to make your decisions. After you select your restaurant, select your date and time, then you will get to the part where you add in your food allergies. All of the most common allergies are available to check off, for any other allergies you can add them in.

If you have extensive or uncommon allergies, you might want to email Disney’s Special Diets to see how they can best serve you. Special.Diets@DisneyWorld.com

Eating At Table Service

When you arrive for your dining reservation, usually the hostess will confirm that you have food allergies at your table. If they don’t, make sure to mention it to them. Once you’re seated at your table the servers might bring out a food allergy menu for you. You have the option of having the chef come out to speak to you and go over the menu with you as well. At a buffet the chef will go over the buffet with you and bring items out from the back to limit the chance of cross contamination.

We’ve had great experiences at table services restaurants, especially Chefs De France and The Plaza on our last trip. The chef made special a meal for my husband, and the servers took the allergy seriously, and that made us feel very comfortable.

Headed on an adults only trip? Here’s what you should do!

Eating At Quick Service

Quick service restaurants are easy places to grab something quick to eat; there are a lot of options! If you have food allergies, the easiest thing to do is to grab one of their allergy menus. All of the common food allergies are accounted for on this allergy menu. You also have the option to talk to the manager. They will have binders with all the ingredients in the menu items.

Mobile Ordering

Now that Disney is pushing mobile ordering, it is a little more complicated to eat at Quick Service. You can still request to chat with someone to see the allergy menus and the ingredients binder.

You can also use mobile ordering if you’re comfortable. The app will tell you about common allergens.

Snacks at Disney

Disney has some of the best snacks ever! (seriously, check this post out if you’re prepared to drool) We’ve never had a problem finding safe snacks. The cast members at the Plaza Ice Cream Shoppe were kind enough to open a new ice cream container for us, so that there would not be any cross contamination. Don’t be afraid to ask what they can do for you at any restaurant or snack cart.

Food Festivals at Epcot

With so many food booths at Epcot most of the year, there are lots of options to grab something to eat. Although things are pre-made most of the time, cast members are helpful when you ask about ingredients. Overall we had a positive experience at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival this year. They usually mark on the menus at the booths if the item is gluten friendly and/or vegetarian!

Want more about Food & Wine Festival? Check this out!

Parties at Magic Kingdom

We attended Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party and had a fantastic experience getting allergy friendly treats! When we got to Magic Kingdom to start the party, they gave my husband a teal allergy bag. When we visited the trick or treat stations, he got a teal coin, which he then traded in at the allergy friendly stations (one on Main Street, and one in Liberty Square). At the trade in station, he told them his allergies and he was then able to choose from a menu of candy that was safe for him.

Read all about our night at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party here.

Ask Other People

Millions of people visit Disney World every year, and with an estimated 15 million people in America having food allergies, there are lots of us out there with the same problem! I have found many other blogs and resources to help me plan my trip, here are a few you might want to check out:

Gluten Free & Dairy Free at WDW – this blog will help you tremendously if you have gluten or dairy allergies. Sarah has allergy menus, restaurant reviews, a podcast and so much information!

Disney Food Allergy Group – This group, run by a man whose child has multiple food allergies is a super helpful place to ask questions. With over 8600 members, there’s always someone to answer your question!

Rope Drop Radio Podcast – My favorite Disney podcast did an episode recently all about navigating the parks with food allergies.

Do you have any advice for anyone visiting Disney with a food allergy? Let us know in the comments!

Share with any food allergy friends!

Need more info about the Disney Dining Plan? Start here!

The age old debate, is do you go clockwise or counterclockwise around the World Showcase? We almost always start in Canada and go counterclockwise! Not sure why, I guess we just like to get through our home country and then visit the others! Let’s start with Canada:

Canada

Le Cellier

Le Cellier is one of our favorite dining options in EPCOT! Tucked into a Canadian château, Le Cellier is reminiscent of a fine, Canadian steakhouse and is 2 table service credits for lunch or dinner on the Disney Dining Plan.

The cozy restaurant is uber-romantic and features an extensive wine list of Canadian wines, but it’s still a great choice for families. It is one of the most popular restaurants in EPCOT, so make sure to make a reservation 180 days in advance.

The food at Le Cellier is absolutely amazing! We’re creatures of habit and always order the same thing, mainly because it’s just so darn good. You can’t go wrong with a bowl of their Canadian cheddar cheese soup with warm pretzel bread to start. The “Le Cellier” filet is seriously what dreams are made of— Canadian beef is some of the best in the world! And to wrap up your meal, the Maple Crème Brûlée is phenomenal!

Definitely make sure to let them know if you’re celebrating a special occasion (birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc) because they love to celebrate with you!  While nothing specific is guaranteed, we’ve had them add a glow cube to our dessert or bring cupcakes to celebrate the occasion.

We’ve dined at Le Cellier several times and it always leaves us completely satisfied. Everything from the food to the cheerful Canadian service is delightful and it is one of our all-time favorite places to dine at Disney, even with all of the other wonderful World Showcase choices!

Jennifer Love Dwells Here

United Kingdom

Rose & Crown

Want a place to relax along the banks of the World Showcase Lagoon after a long day in Epcot? Rose & Crown Pub & Dining Room in the United Kingdom Pavilion is perfect.

Rose & Crown features all your favorite foods from the British Isles. On their menu you will find authentic and delicious versions of Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Bangers & Mash and even Scotch Eggs. And let’s not forget some of the most famous beers in the world are brewed in the United Kingdom such Guinness, Harps, Bass and Boddingtons. Want to try something light while still getting a taste of the UK? Try a Shandy. It’s ½ Sprite and ½ Harps. YUM!

One of the best features of this restaurant is that it is great for kids of any age. If you have a finicky eater there is plenty for them to eat without stepping too far out of their comfort zone.
Rose & Crown is known for its great view of Illuminations. However, there are really only 10 or so tables with this coveted view. But don’t fret, if you aren’t seated in this area, there is a super-secret viewing area outside the restaurant. If you would like to view the show from this area, simply ask your server to take you to there.

What is my favorite side benefit of Rose & Crown? You get to listen to the beautiful accents of the knowledgeable and friendly Cast Members

Sue Team Mom 365

France

Chefs de France

Chefs de France offers a family-friendly French dining experience perfect for guests looking to taste French cuisine without committing to the flavors or price of the higher end alternatives. This classic café located in the front of the France pavilion in World Showcase offers a mix of traditional French dishes with Americanized twists. French onion soup and roasted duck are fan-favorites on the menu, while escargot is a popular appetizer and Gratin de Macaroni (baked macaroni and cheese with gruyere) can appeal to even the pickiest of eaters.

Entrees range from approximately $20-36, or one credit on the Disney Dining Plan. As a result, Chefs de France tends to be one of the better values for using one table service credit on the Dining Plan assuming you opt for any entrée besides the macaroni or vegetarian option. A pre-fixed menu is also available during lunch hours, which allots each guest a choice of appetizer, entrée, and dessert for $40 per adult.

Compared to other World Showcase restaurants, Chefs de France is fairly easy to get a reservation for last minute. It’s an excellent choice for a special occasion lunch or dinner without splurging on a signature dining experience, or if you’re looking for book a dining package for an event like Candlelight Processional.

Brittany Castle Party Blog

Monsieur Paul

Many of us visiting Epcot enjoy the stroll around the famous World Showcase and one of the main attractions has always been the food and drink. As a Disney foodie who has dined at a majority of the Epcot venues, as well as the majority of the higher end Disney restaurants (including Victoria & Alberts in Walt Disney World and Club 33 in Disneyland) I was more than what you could call excited to travel up the fabled staircase above Chefs de France and check out Epcot’s Monsieur Paul.

For my culinary journey through France, I embarked on the Prix Fixe Menu Dégustation, which is the 7-course dinner featuring Ahi Tuna Crudo, Escargot, Seared Scallops, Verbena & Mint Sorbet, Honey-Glazed Duck Marget, Imported Cheeses, and a choice of dessert in which I selected the Milk Chocolate Sphere. The entire experience was immersive and truly exports you right out of the bustle of Epcot and into the genius of Paul Bocuse and his expertise within French gastronomy. I would rate the atmosphere, cuisine, and immersion high making Monsieur Paul one of the top dining picks for adults and upscale experience within Epcot.

Anati Disney Adulting 

Morocco

Spice Road Table

Let’s take a trip over to the majestic Pavilion of Morocco. There you will find a quaint restaurant called Spice Road Table. Here you will appreciate the Mediterranean-inspired dishes while taking in the panoramic World Showcase Lagoon views. You have the option to dine indoors or outdoors; however, I recommend enjoying the outdoor area on a perfect 70-ish degree Florida day. If the humidity of Florida is too much for you, then the intimate dining room will be just as enjoyable. Just make sure you request a table by the window and relish in not only the lagoon views, but the gorgeous Moroccan-inspired artwork and decor inside the restaurant.

The Spice Road Table offers a variety of tapa-style food and is currently a restaurant a part of the Disney Dining Plan (1 Table Service Credit). You definitely can’t leave Spice Road Table without grabbing an adult beverage. I recommend the Mediterranean Journey. The Mediterranean Journey is my go-to drink and includes Cointreau, Peach Vodka, and Orange Juice topped with Grenadine. It is light and refreshing, yet has a delightful kick to it that is perfect for any world adventure around Epcot.

The Mediterranean Journey can be purchased by walking up directly to the bar without a dinner or lunch reservation, but the best experience is to grab a drink, get a great seat on the patio and enjoy the Moroccan ambiance in the heart of Epcot.

NikkyJ,Theme Park Hipster

Restaurant Marrakesh

Tucked in the back of the Moroccan pavilion at Epcot, you’ll find Restaurant Marrakesh, possibly the most underrated restaurant in Epcot! The dining room is on the smaller side, and it’s usually not too busy, so it’s a great place to relax and have some quiet time. Once in a while though the place comes alive with live music and a belly dancer! We were lucky enough to get a great seat right in front! The belly dancer also brought some of the kids up with her to dance. I love all the moroccan tile and decorations around the restaurant.  

The food was fantastic! We started with some bread, and our main meals came quite quickly. We both devoured them. Don’t be intimidated by the menu choices, the food will appeal to most palates. For dessert, I would personally recommend the beignets, they were delicious!

This restaurant is 1 credit on the Disney Dining Plan. Reservations are accepted but, you can usually get a table if you walk in and ask! Next time you’re in Epcot, you might just want to stop into this hidden gem!

Japan

Tokyo Dining

If you are looking for arguably the best service in an Epcot restaurant, make sure you visit Tokyo Dining. This elegant and authentic Japanese restaurant is located above the Mitsukoshi Department Store.

The decor is very sleek and modern. The restaurant has a lot of natural light due to the large amount of windows at the front of the dining area. If you can snag a table by the window you will have a great view of World Showcase Lagoon. This makes it a great place to watch Epcot Illuminations. A window table may mean an extra long wait, but it will be worth it.

If you prefer you can also sit near the sushi bar and watch the chefs at work. Wherever you are seated you will be sure to enjoy exceptional service. The overall impression is that the servers really want you to enjoy your food and the dining experience.

The food is good, if not outstanding. Tokyo Dining offers good value for guest who do not have the Disney Dining Plan as some of the entrees are large and reasonably priced. The menu offers traditional sushi and sashimi as well as a good selection of Udon dishes.

This is a restaurant where you really can skip dessert as there is nothing particularly compelling.

Japanese food can be rather a hard sell to the younger members of the family. If they really won’t try something a little different there is Chicken Tempura Nuggets and a Chicken Teriyaki Burger on the kids menu.

Alison Everything Mouse

Teppan Edo

Teppan Edo is located in the Japan Pavilion of the Epcot World Showcase. It occupies the second story above the Mitsukoshi Department Store, which is also a must-visit if you haven’t witnessed the Pick-A-Pearl experience before. If your party is less than 9 people, you can expect to be paired with another family for your meal as you all gather around a grill for some amazing, traditional Japanese cuisine.

You can expect Teppan Edo to serve up delicious appetizers like edamame or assorted tempura. There is also a small selection of sushi, but the real stars are the entrees cooked to perfection by a chef on the grill right at your table. You can choose from a variety of steak, chicken, vegetables or seafood which also come with garden salad, seasonal vegetables, Udon noodles and steamed rice. The kids also have the choice of a meal prepared on the grill, whether beef, chicken or shrimp.

For the adults in the group, there are some really fun beer options including one that you pair with a freshly squeezed orange. You can snag this as your drink if you are using the Dining Plan. A meal at Teppan Edo will take 1 Table Service credit from either the Disney Dining Plan or Deluxe Dining Plan.

Sarah Moment Mom

Italy

Tutto Italia

With all the wonderful places to eat in Disney’s Epcot, one of my favorite places is Tutto Italia Ristorante.  This is one of the two restaurants located in Disney’s Epcot World Showcase Italian Pavilion. Tutto Italia is the first restaurant you will see on your left when you enter into the Italian Pavilion.

When you enter into Tutto Italia Ristorante you are greeted with a “buon pomeriggio” or “buona notte” and that is all it takes for you to feel like you are in Italy!  The dining room is very open and elegant. There is outside seating as well. Both have a romantic ambiance, even if you are accompanied by your children.

Now, let’s talk food.  The menu for Tutto Italia Ristorante was created by award winning chef Joachim Splichal.  This Italian style restaurant is open for lunch and dinner. What is unique to Tutto Italia Ristorante is the pasta here is homemade.  You can definitely taste the difference! There is an excellent variety of items to please everyone at your table, without it being overwhelming.  Even the kids can find something to eat with no difficulties. Tutto Italia Ristorante has an allergy-friendly menu available upon request.

Tutto Italia Ristorante participates in the Disney Dining Plan.  Eating here, for either lunch or dinner, will cost 1 table service dining credit.  Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club Members and Tables in Wonderland discounts are also honored here, making Tutto Italia Ristorante more affordable, as you can expect to spend between $15-$35 per adult here.

Tutto Italia Ristorante has never disappointed my family, so the next time you find yourself in Disney’s Epcot head to this gem! Buon appetito!

Sarah Dis Happy Home

Via Napoli

We had no plans to go to Via Napoli.  We had not eaten there before. The three of us were wandering around Epcot World Showcase, and somebody decided that they wanted pizza.  We could have gone to Pizza Window, yet we wanted to sit down and maybe have something else with the pizza. Deciding to take a chance, we walked over to Via Napoli Risaurante e Pizzeria and hoped for the best.

Yes!  They were able to get us a table after a short wait.  The chandelier in the entryway for Via Napoli was colorful and bright and put a smile on my face before we even headed to our table.  As we walked through the restaurant, the creativity could be seen in so many different areas. There were murals on the walls, statues outside of the windows, and more.  Many of the cast members who work at Via Napoli are from Italy. Our server was friendly and engaging and even taught us the proper way to say, “Thank you,” in Italian. It may not be exactly what you think.

Of course, this is a restaurant, so we must talk about the food.  My husband said that Via Napoli, both the food and the experience, was so good that it is worth the admission to Epcot.  The pizza has a thin, crispy crust with a zesty sauce. The calamari appetizer portion was enough to almost be a meal. The garlicky focaccia bread was an absolute treat for the taste buds.  You may have to try some different items from the menu to form your own opinions.

The three of us enjoyed the experience overall.  I cannot speak for all of the servers, yet I do not think that our server could have been more of a delight.  Before we left, he even told us that the square outside of the restaurant is a replica of the square in Venice, Italy.  With that, I will leave you with some positive notes about our personal experience and a bit of Disney trivia. Divertiti!

Dawnmarie Enjoying The Days

Germany

Biergarten

Biergarten is located in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot. It is nestled near the back of the pavilion next to the quick service restaurant, Sommerfest. Biergarten is an all-you-care-to-enjoy table service restaurant offering a buffet filled with German favourites and traditional dishes. Here, guests can celebrate Oktoberfest all year round with the Bavarian themed atmosphere. This restaurant is unique in that it is an indoor space that is designed to feel like guests are dining outdoors in the evening, no matter the time of day. The theming of the restaurant is very immersive with the half-timber surrounding façade and large waterwheel. Each of Germany’s sixteen states is represented by their flag hung around the restaurant.

Biergarten’s dining is set up in three tiers with a stage in the centre for live entertainment. The band is very entertaining playing instruments such as the accordion, trumpet, cowbells, and the alphorn. These shows are about 25 minutes long and take place periodically throughout the day. Food options at the buffet include roasted potatoes, sausages with sauerkraut, schnitzel, apple strudel, black forest cake, and much more! Biergarten is open for both lunch and dinner and is available for dining reservations 180 days in advance. Beirgarten accepts the Disney Dining Plan and both lunch and dinner are valued at one table service credit. Prices fluctuate seasonally but guests can expect to pay around $40 per adult and $23 per child.

Samara Disney Trivia Blog

China

Nine Dragons

With so many ethnicities of food, I think a lot of people overlook the Nine Dragons restaurant in the China pavilion. The menu has lots of choices, and is pretty standard chinese fare.  I really loved the honey-sesame chicken. The caramel-ginger ice-cream for dessert was super refreshing! They were also very accommodating with my husband’s food allergies.

This restaurant is quite large, but it’s divided up into smaller rooms. There are beautiful wooden carvings, and ornate glass work, and some really cool lanterns hang from the ceiling. If you get a table close to the window, they provide a great view of the World Showcase.  

Although you can usually get a reservation close to your date or even a table when you walk up, you might still want to make an advanced dining reservation at popular meal times. It is one dining credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

Norway

Akershus

Akershus is a character dining experience located in Norway at Epcot; the restaurant is medieval in feel.

Akershus offers a 3-course meal during lunch and dinner. The first course is an all you can eat “Taste of Norway” buffet. The buffet features some of the finest Scandinavian seafood, imported cheeses, cured meats and a variety of salads and fruits. A waiter brings course 2 to the table. Choices include Norwegian meatballs, herb-roasted chicken, grilled salmon, seared pork tenderloin, potato dumplings, cheese and spinach stuffed pasta. Course 3 is an assortment of Norwegian inspired desserts. We were served a trio of rice pudding, an apple tart and a chocolate mousse.

Four to Five princesses are present at court an Akershus meal. The first part of the Akershus experience is a private meet and greet with a princess for a photo op (normally Belle in her yellow gown!) Disney always notes that princesses at Akershus are subject to change. Disney likes to keep the experience fresh so they tend to rotate princesses.  Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel, Sleeping Beauty were present at our dinner.

Dining at court does not come cheap. Adults are $60 and children 9 and under are $40 per person without drinks. It is 1 table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

Michele Picturing Disney

Mexico

La Hacienda de San Angel

Want to dine on the waterfront of World Showcase Lagoon? Then look no further then La Hacienda de San Angel.  This restaurant is located on the lagoon side of the Mexico Pavilion at Epcot opened in 2010.

It offers traditional Mexican food with a wide variety on its menu allowing the most delicate of palettes the opportunity to find something tasty to eat.  It’s “spiciness” is on par with other Epcot eateries by not being to strong but strong enough that it can appeal to the masses. The food is good but most major US cities have more authentic Mexican cuisine available, however they don’t have the views.  

Situated on the waterfront the main dining room has grand windows which can make for excellent viewing of nighttime spectaculars. Be warned that not all seats in this restaurant have the view. There are several rooms that don’t have any windows at all. It is a bit of a roll of the dice as to the view you might get.  If you must have the view you can go early and let the host know you are willing to wait for a window seat. Also this location is only open for dinner. At lunchtime the inside dining is shared with the neighboring counter service La Cantina. A meal will set you back just one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

Doug Rope Drop Radio

Alex Cenac Photo

San Angel Inn

San Angel Inn undoubtedly has one of the best atmospheres of all the Epcot Restaurants. As soon as you walk into the marketplace in perpetual twight it feels cosy and like you want to grab a drink and chat over a great meal. San Angel Inn is upscale Mexican food, the restaurant is modeled after a 17th century hacienda at the base of Mayan ruins. There is also a restaurant in Mexico City with the same name, that dates back to 1692!

The food was fantastic and caters to all palates. If you’re a fan of margaritas, you absolutely need to check out their drink menu!

I would recommend making a reservation in advance because the restaurant is on the smaller side, however we were able to make our reservation same day. It is one credit on the Disney Dining Plan.

We made it all the way around the World Showcase! Are you hungry now? Do you have a favourite table service restaurant at Epcot?

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What Is The Caring For Giants Tour?

If you’ve ever ridden Kilimanjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom then you’ve probably seen the elephants while driving by. The Caring For Giants your gives you a more up close look at the elephants, as well as the chance to talk to the people who care for the elephants and know them very well!

How Do I Book The Caring For Giants Tour?

You’ll need valid theme park admission to get into Animal Kingdom that day. The tour itself costs $30 per person. Money from the tour is donated to Disney Conservation Fund to help protect elephants living in the wild. You book the tour by calling Disney at (407) 939-7529. There are multiple times per day to choose from!

Related: Adults Only Disney World Trip

What Is The Tour Like?

You’ll check in near the Kilimanjaro Safaris at Curiosity Animal Tours kiosk. The cast member will take you backstage to a bus that will take you to the viewing area to see the elephants up close. We spent about an hour chatting with the cast members that take care of the elephants; they know their personalities, and their story. A cast member from South Africa was able to tell us about elephant conservation efforts in Africa.

Caring For Giants Tour Review

We had a really great time. The tour group was small so the cast members did a great job of answering our questions. Right now Disney has 10 African elephants, including adorable baby Stella. We only saw the females on our tour. I love the fact that you can tell these cast members love the elephants and their job. We had a great time on this tour and feel it is well worth $30 price.

P.S. If Rhinos are more your thing, they also do an up close and personal tour with them!

Make sure to check out our other Disney Posts!

Have you done the Caring For Giants tour? Let me know what you thought!

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