Why not having that “One” reservation won’t ruin your vacation!

Why not having that “One” reservation won’t ruin your vacation!

I am pretty immersed in the world of Disney vacations, as you might imagine. I am in countless groups that discuss the ins and outs of a Walt Disney World vacation. One of the things I see time and time again are people “desperately” searching for certain dining reservations. Usually the ones brought up over and over are Topolino’s Terrace, Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table. Most of the time it is someone pleading to the masses about how they NEED this one certain reservation, otherwise their vacation will be ruined. I have even seen people wanting to cancel the entire vacation because they didn’t get one certain reservation. 

There is no way you can do everything Walt Disney World has to offer in one vacation. The best vacations are discovering something new for yourself. Not necessarily just getting the popular reservations just because that is what people said you should do. 

I have been to Walt Disney World around 20 times now, and there are still things I haven’t done. One reservation I still haven’t had is Chef Mickey’s and I will tell you, each trip is still magical even if we didn’t eat there. To a lot of people, this would make or break their trip, but instead of focusing on what I didn’t do, I like to focus on all of the fabulous reservations and experiences we do have. To be honest, most Walt Disney World restaurants are amazing and deserve to be praised but don’t get half the mentions some others do. There are about 90 table service restaurants on property, and chances are you haven’t heard of most of them!

I think when the focus is just on a handful of restaurants people lose out on the chance to try new things for themselves and discover something they might have otherwise missed. 

Boma, for instance, is not usually a highly sought-after reservation and it doesn’t have characters either. But, it is by far, my family’s favorite breakfast on property! If we were to just listen to what social media had to say, we would never have had an opportunity to fall in love with this dining location. 

You can even find some of the best food you will have at quick service locations and those don’t even need a reservation! I’m looking at you Satu’li Canteen. 

The point is this, don’t let the groups and friends make you think your trip will be ruined if you don’t get one hard-to-get dining experience. There are a lot of fantastic restaurants on property, and you need to make the focus of your vacation on all of the magical memories you make, not where you are eating dinner. Because the memories will happen everywhere around you, as long as you are watching for them.

Disney Special Events With Food Allergies

Disney Special Events With Food Allergies

Are special events such as firework dessert parties or holiday parties worth attending when you have celiac disease or food allergies?  It all depends on what you are looking for from the special event.  Enjoying special events at Disney is still possible when you learn what to expect beforehand.

I have attended a few special dessert parties over the years and the food I received at each of them varied greatly!  Two of the parties were in Magic Kingdom where we received a great view of the castle and fireworks.  We received snacks and desserts before the fireworks show on the Tomorrowland Terrace.  The setting was beautiful and we didn’t have to worry about crowds in our way for our viewing.  If that is important to you, then it is definitely worth the price of the party!  If you’re looking for amazing snacks, this may not be the best use of your budget.  Both times I have done this, the party had no idea I was coming even though I alerted Special Diets ahead of time.  They tried to get some safe snacks but I did feel left out when looking at other fun plates filled with snacks.  The third party I did was a private party with our Girls Getaway.  We did this in Hollywood Studios and then watched Fantasmic from our deck.  Because it was a private party, I did receive a bunch of great snacks, including gluten-free, dairy-free, and rice-free churros!  They made my night!  Whatever type of dessert party you attend, food is a huge part of it – so if possibly being disappointed is not worth the view, I would skip it.  If seeing the fireworks without crowds is what you’re after, make the reservations and enjoy!

The holiday parties and after-hour events Disney offers have a completely different focus than a dessert party.  At the holiday parties, the focus is on special characters, holiday parades and fireworks, low wait times on rides, and special treats.  At Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, they have special treats for those with allergies.  You get a special bag for allergies and go to the same candy stations that your family and friends go to.  Instead of candy, you’ll receive a coin that you cash in for treats that are safe for you!   Safe treats at Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party are a bit harder to find.  They have hot chocolate and cookies for most guests.  For allergy-friendly treats, they have apple juice and allergy-friendly cookies.  These are located at only a few locations so they don’t seem as prevalent as the trick-or-treat stations.  The after-hours parties where the goal was to ride as much as you can during the party, food is generally an afterthought.  When we went in 2018, we would grab a water or pop between rides and munch on popcorn along the way.  We really didn’t eat too much because we were trying to do as many rides as possible.   Because there are so many other things to do besides food, these types of parties are almost always worth the money.  

When you are deciding where to spend your money, keep your end goal in mind.  Are you looking for rare characters, fireworks, and parades?  Then head to a holiday party!  If you want a great view when watching fireworks and don’t mind if the desserts are not the best but they’re safe?  Then head to a fireworks dessert party for a firework show you’ll be able to see and won’t forget any time soon! Check out more unique dining experiences like Galaxy’s Edge!

Kelly Van Eerden
Lead Travel Planner & Certified Autism Travel Professional™

 

Space 220 Dinner Review

Space 220 Dinner Review

The elusive Space 220! The hardest dining reservation to get since it opened on September 20, 2021! Despite all my efforts, I have never been able to snag a reservation…until our last trip! Looking for more EPCOT restaurant reviews? Check out Akershus Royal Banquet Hall!

This restaurant has personally been high on my Disney bucket list, but for my aspiring astronaut…it’s everything! While they may only be 8, we do everything we can to encourage their love of space and science! It’s part of what makes EPCOT so darn special! Not only are we creating some amazing, magical memories, but it’s inspiring our kids to live out their dreams!

After checking in, I was chatting with the cast member manning the reservation desk. She informed me that after 7 is a GREAT time to get a walk-up as they leave some open spots! While not guaranteed, if you haven’t been able to get into this restaurant yet, it’s worth giving it a shot! We didn’t wait long and were soon being asked to enter the main lobby. 

I wish I had taken a few more pictures but I was too busy watching my astronaut enjoy the amazing “elevator” ride, 220 miles above Earth, to Space 220 (no worries if you get motion sickness…this elevator doesn’t move). Before we knew it, we were entering the restaurant…and the view was just incredible!

While I’ll save the reviews for the end, let’s talk a little about how this meal was structured! Dinner pricing was $79 per adult (lunch is $55) and kids were $29 for both meals. For adults, dinner comes with Lift-Offs (Appetizer) + Star Course (Entrée) + Supernova Sweets (Dessert) while at lunch you won’t receive the dessert. For the kids, both lunch and dinner included the Star Course (Entrée) + Supernova Sweets (Dessert) + Celestial Beverages (Drink). All Kids’ Meals include a pack of Space 220 collectible trading cards. On top of those prices, there are optional drinks for the kids plus both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks for the grown ups.

The kids kept it simple with Cosmic Chicken and a Smash burger. They also each got a speciality drink; one Moon Rocks( Coconut, Blue Cotton Candy Syrup, Lemonade, Moon Dust, and Moon Rocks served in a collectible cup) and one Lightyear Lemonade(Fresh-Squeezed Lemonade, Butterfly Pea Tea, and Mint served in a collectible cup). Both drinks were $12 each.

The chicken was by far the winner out of these two drinks! It was cooked perfectly and we all had a little bite! The burger we rated just ok and while the kids liked the drinks, I’m not sure they were worth $12! Looking for other great chicken dishes? Check out Polite Pig at Disney Springs!

For the grown up’s we started with the Big Bang Burrata (Burrata di Mozzarella, Grilled Artichoke Hearts, Arugula, Sunflower Seed Romesco) for me and the Starry Calamari (Fried Calamari, Italian Cherry Peppers, Spicy Marinara, Roasted Pepper Citrus Aioli). The Burrata was amazing and I would definitely order again. My husband, and you’ll start to notice a trend) said his was pretty good.

The kids meals came out around this time which was nice. Our kids are a little older and don’t get quite so impatient as younger kids, but it was a nice touch! Another kid friendly favorite of ours is Tony’s Town Square!

For our main entrees, my husband had a hard time choosing as he recently got braces and is still learning what’s ok to eat. He ended up with the Slow Rotation Short Rib (Braised Short Rib, Cheddar Grits, Bacon, Haricot Vert) while, if you know me, know I’m a sucker for steak, got the 8oz Filet Mignon (Creamy Mash Potatoes, Haricot Vert, Carrots, Red Wine Reduction). I thought this was absolutely delicious while my husband rates his, pretty good.

I was a little disappointed in the kids choices, but they went with a cup Cosmic Cupcake and a scoop of Vanilla Gelato.

For the grown up’s, my husband opted for the Short Cake (Matcha Air Cake, Mascarpone Mousse, Strawberries)…

While I got the Coconut Panna Cotta (Coconut Cream, Citrus, Lychee, Raspberries, Coconut Meringue, Toasted Coconut)…and it was incredible!!! Light and creamy and just enough coconut. My husband thought his was…pretty good.

Overall we had a mixed experience. I thought it was an amazing experience and the food was signature-level dining. My husband thought it was pretty good but way overpriced. Even at Disney, we don’t typically go for dinners that cost over $300. For us I’d say unless we popped back into the lounge, this was definitely a one-time experience! Watching your Disney dining budget? Check out our tips for eating at Walt Disney World for under $50 a day.

MagicBand+ Launching July 27 at Walt Disney World

MagicBand+ Launching July 27 at Walt Disney World

At Walt Disney World, MagicBand+ can do everything a MagicBand can do and more – from entering theme parks with a tap* and connecting guests’ Disney PhotoPass memories, to unlocking Disney Resort hotel rooms and more. 

MagicBand+ also has great new features, including color-changing lights, haptic vibrations and gesture recognition – plus it pairs to a smartphone using the My Disney Experience app. Once MagicBand+ launches, guests can pick the perfect band from more than 25 designs and enjoy several new experiences available at launch.

Disney Fab 50 Quest

As part of the Walt Disney World 50th Anniversary celebration, guests can interact with the Disney Fab 50 Character Collection throughout all four theme parks with the “Disney Fab 50 Quest.” Help Tinker Bell bring the sculptures to life across all four Walt Disney World theme parks using virtual pixie dust from Tink.

Guests can wave their hand to sprinkle virtual pixie dust at each Disney Fab 50 Character sculpture for different reactions! To unlock even more, use the Play Disney Parks app to collect the sculptures and enter the worlds of favorite characters through an augmented reality feature.**

Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters

On Batuu, the bounty hunting business is booming. MagicBand+ is the guide to seeking numerous virtual bounties hidden across Black Spire Outpost with the Star Wars: Batuu Bounty Hunters experience. Vibrations and lights on MagicBand+ guide guests down the right path. When you find your Bounty, use the Play Disney Parks app’s augmented reality thermal viewer to reveal who’s hiding in the shadows.** Local guild master Raga Bua will reward guests with galactic credits.

Nighttime Spectaculars

MagicBand+ brings the magic of Disney nighttime spectaculars closer than ever before during “Disney Enchantment” at Magic Kingdom Park and “Harmonious” at EPCOT! MagicBand+ complements the magic in the skies, lighting up and vibrating in sync with fireworks, visual effects, and music. Guests’ MagicBand+ will also engage as all four theme park icons transform into Beacons of Magic!

Before Guests embark on these experiences, make sure the MagicBand+ is charged, up to date and paired to a device.

Disney Resort hotel guests may purchase MagicBand+ online at special prices before their arrival. Annual Passholder discounts will also be available on MagicBand+. All guests can buy MagicBand+ at select stores across Walt Disney World and online at shopDisney, starting at $34.99.

At Walt Disney World, guests can purchase a MagicBand+ at the following locations: 

  • Magic Kingdom Park: Emporium  
  • EPCOT: Pin Traders – Camera Center  
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios: Celebrity 5 & 10 and Tatooine Traders 
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: Discovery Trading Company  
  • Disney Springs: Disney’s Pin Traders  
  • Select merchandise locations at Disney Resort hotels 

Although features and experiences across Disney Parks will vary, Disneyland Resort guests will be able to get in on the MagicBand+ fun later this year. Stay tuned for more updates on the exciting future for MagicBand+ at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts!

*With valid admission and park reservation

**To use the Play Disney Parks mobile app to enhance the MagicBand+ experience, guests must be logged into the Play Disney Parks app with the Disney account linked with their MagicBand+.

Things to do at Walt Disney World that don’t require a theme park ticket

Things to do at Walt Disney World that don’t require a theme park ticket

There’s always something special happening at Walt Disney World, no matter the time of year. While they do offer special ticketed events inside the parks (like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party) as well as special events inside the parks that are included in park admission (such as the various concert series’ coinciding with the Epcot festivals), Disney does try to spread holiday cheer outside of the parks as well. 

 Fun Experiences at Disney Springs

Sports Activities

Reconnect with Nature at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

Activities You Can Experience Across Multiple Resorts

Advance Reservations Required

Special Holiday Activities

Resort-Specific Experiences

Things to do at Walt Disney World that don’t require a theme park ticket: Resort-Specific Experiences

Things to do at Walt Disney World that don’t require a theme park ticket: Resort-Specific Experiences

When you hear people tell you that a week at Walt Disney World won’t even scratch the surface of things you can see and do while vacationing there, we really aren’t kidding. And there is still SO much to do beyond the parks. I always suggest planning a few days away from the parks where you can enjoy the pool and not feel rushed to run from one ride to another. 

A few resorts do offer some specific activities that you won’t find anywhere else. Let’s talk about some of these fun experiences…

Visit animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge: Even if you’re not staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can still visit this resort… in fact, make sure you snag a reservation at Sanaa to catch a sneak peek of these incredible animals in the Savanna. You’ll love the view as much as the food here — it just may be the most underrated restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort.

Enjoy the performers and carnival style games at the BoardWalk: If you haven’t visited Disney’s BoardWalk yet, you should really make time to visit on your next vacation. It’s modeled after turn of the century boardwalks, such as that of Atlantic City, NJ. You’ll find shopping, dining, nightlife, carnival games, street performers, and even surreys available to rent. The entire area is lit up at night — there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy here! It is walking distance from Epcot and Hollywood Studios (the Friendship Boats will also take you here if you prefer to rest those feet).

Dance the night away at Atlantic Dance Hall: Located at Disney’s BoardWalk, Atlantic Dance Hall is a fun place for those ages 21+ to dance the night away to music from the 80s, 90s and today! Open nightly from 8pm-1am and admission is free!

Check out Jellyrolls: Who doesn’t love a dueling piano bar?! Guests ages 21 and over can have fun at this singalong bar at Disney’s BoardWalk. There is a cover charge to enter and the hours can change some nights, so make sure to check before you head over.

Check out Yeeha Bob Jackson at River Roost Lounge: Check out this cozy little kid-friendly club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside. Bob Jackson has been a staple here for YEARS with his piano tunes and singalongs. Admission is free so be sure to check it out (check the resort schedule for times).

Get educated at Sangria University: That’s right — you’ll learn all the tips and tricks to make your own sangria while on vacation at Walt Disney World! Located at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, you’ll get to taste 4 sangrias and sample them with appetizers while also getting the chance to make your own! This is usually only offered on Saturdays and Sundays. For times and to secure your seat(s), contact WDW.Sangria.University@disney.com.

Conquer the Kitchen Sink: If you’re not a seasoned Disney traveler, you may have no idea what this is. At Beaches and Cream (at Disney’s Beach Club Resort), you’ll have the opportunity if you so choose to order the Kitchen Sink for dessert. The menu states that this serves 4 people — it includes Vanilla, Chocolate, Strawberry, Cookies ‘n Cream, and Mint Chocolate Chip ice creams topped with, Hot Fudge, Peanut Butter, SNICKERS® pieces, Fresh-baked Brownie, and smothered in every additional topping they have. It’s also available in Chocolate Lovers or Neapolitan. Are you up for the challenge?! Reservations are highly encouraged.

Explore the Carolwood Pacific Room at Boulder Ridge Villas: SO many people have no idea this even exsits, but if you head into Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, you’ll find this hidden gem filled with artifacts celebrating Walt Disney’s love of railroads. This is essentially near the lobby of Boulder Ridge — check out all of the details here: https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2020/08/where-can-you-see-this-disney-vacation-club-edition-vol-2/

Enjoy some karaoke at Kimonos: If you love karaoke, you may want to spend some time at Kimonos at the Walt Disney World Swan. This restaurant offers karaoke on select nights so be sure to check the resort schedule for times.

Have you experienced any of these before? Many are still on my Disney Bucket List!! Tell us what would be next on yours!