Disney Dining Plans 101

With news of a FREE dining promotion at the Walt Disney World Resort this fall, often comes questions about how the dining plans work.

Disney Dining Plans 101

The Walt Disney World Resort has so many wonderful attractions and experiences for you to enjoy, and a BIG one is dining.  Many families realize the value of adding one of the Disney Dining Plans to their vacation package.  There are three main dining plans to chose from, the Quick Service Dining Plan, Plus Dining Plan, and the Deluxe Dining Plan.  Each plan allocates you dining credits based on the number of nights of your stay, and the number of people, over age 3, in your travel party.  Dining credits can be used at most any Walt Disney World Resort hotel restaurant, as well as countless restaurants throughout the theme parks.  With each of the dining plans, gratuity is not included. The hardest part of using a Disney Dining Plan is deciding where to eat!  Let's take a look at what each dining plan has to offer.

Quick Service Dining Plan
This is an often overlooked dining plan option.  For 2013, this option gives guests, staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, two Quick Service meal credits and one Snack Credit per person, per night of their reservation.  When using a Quick Service meal credit for breakfast, guests receive an entree and a non-alcoholic drink at one of the quick service/counter service locations.  When using a Quick Service meal credit for lunch or dinner, guests receive an entree, a dessert and a non-alcoholic beverage from one of the quick service/counter service locations.  And Quick Service meals are much more than just burgers and fries (although you can have that if you wish!)  There are Quick Service options that include such choices as rotisserie chicken or BBQ Ribs, or even seared tuna noodle salad or an oak grilled vegetable flatbread sandwich!  Yum!  Check out my previous blog post that talks about some of the amazing Quick Service menu items that can be found around the Walt Disney World Theme Parks!

Adding the Quick Service Dining Plan on to your 2013 Walt Disney World Resort package will cost you:

$37.58/night for guests aged 10 and over

$14.32/night for guests aged 3 - 9

During the Free Dining Promotion, guests staying at a Value level resort for 2 or more nights with at least a 3 day base park ticket, receive the Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE!

The Free Dining Promotion is available for select check-in dates only.

Plus Dining Plan
This is the most popular dining plan option for the majority of people.  For 2013, this option gives guests, staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, one Quick Service meal credit, one Table Service meal credit, and one snack per person, per night of the reservation.  Quick Service meal credits are used the same way as they are with the Quick Service Dining Plan.  Table Service meal credits give you many options.  They can be used for one full buffet.  They can also be used for an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at one of Disney World's hundreds of sit down restaurants.  Table Service meal credits can even be used at popular character meals throughout the resort, as well as for dinner shows like the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review and the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show!  Some dining experiences are considered "signature dining" and require more than one credit per person for the meal.  However, the vast majority are only one Table Service meal credit.

Adding the Plus Dining Plan on to your 2013 Walt Disney World Resort package will cost you:

$55.59/night for guests aged 10 and over during Value and Regular Season

$17.16/night for guests aged 3 - 9 during Value and Regular Season

$56.94/night for guests aged 10 and over during Peak Season

$18.16/night for guests aged 3 - 9 during Peak Season

During the Free Dining Promotion, guests staying at either a Moderate or Deluxe level resort for 2 or more nights with at least a 3 day base park ticket, receive the Plus Dining Plan for FREE!

The Free Dining Promotion is available for select check-in dates only.

Deluxe Dining Plan
Another dining plan that many people over look is the Deluxe Dining Plan.  If you like to have more than one table service/sit down meal each day, or want to enjoy several signature dining experiences, or want to take in a dinner show or two, then the Deluxe Dining Plan is for you!  For 2013, this option gives guests three meals and two snacks per person per night of the reservation.  The meals can be any combination of table service and counter service that you wish.  You can even have three table service character meals each day if wanted!  With the Deluxe Dining Plan, table service meals consist of an appetizer, an entree, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage - this is slightly different that the Plus Dining Plan, as the Deluxe includes an appetizer.

Adding the Deluxe Dining Plan on to your 2013 Walt Disney World Resort package will cost you:

$99.97/night for guests aged 10 and over during Value and Regular Season

$26.84/night for guests aged 3 - 9 during Value and Regular Season

$102.27/night for guests aged 10 and over during Peak Season

$14.32/night for guests aged 3 - 9 during Peak Season

During the Free Dining Promotion, guests can upgrade from their FREE Quick Service Dining Plan to the Deluxe Dining Plan or from their FREE Plus Dining Plan to the Deluxe Dining Plan FOR A FEE (you are charged the difference between the cost of the plan you received - either Quick Service or Plus - and the Deluxe Dining Plan).  

The Free Dining Promotion is available for select check-in dates only.

Which dining plan is right for you?  It depends on many things.  Which one fits your needs for number of quick service v/s table service meals you like to enjoy while on vacation?  If you are traveling with children, are they able to sit through more than one table service meal each day?  Do you want to experience fine signature dining?  When I work with you to plan your trip, these are things we will discuss.  I will help you find the plan that is best for your family and your budget.

A trip to Walt Disney World is more than just rides, attractions and shows.  After all, a girl's gotta eat! ;)

The Walt Disney World Resort Offers More Than Just Princess Makeovers!

We have all seen them walking down Main Street, U.S.A. hair pulled up in a tight bun, glittery make-up, nails painted, looking regal in their attire...and yes, they are the most adorable little princesses you may ever see!  For many little girls, a makeover at the Bippity Boppity Boutique is a 'Must Do' during their Walt Disney World Resort vacation.  But do not fear if your daughter is not into princesses or if you are the parent to young boys, as there are plenty of opportunities for your children to step into their own fantasy world!

Bippity Boppity Boutique (locations in both Disney's Magic Kingdom and Downtown Disney)

Did you know that the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique not only turns the special little girl in your life into a princess, but it also transforms little boys into knights!  Brothers do not have to sit outside and wait for their sister to be made over into a Disney princess.  This exciting experience is for Disney's younger guests, aged 3 to 12 years, and takes place at both locations of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Boys have an opportunity to become knighted! The Knight Package at the Bippity Boppity Boutique provides young gentlemen with a knightly hair style, sword and shield. 

Pirates League (located in Disney's Magic Kingdom)

Not just for boys!  In fact the entire family (over age 3) can take part in this pirate transformation!  If a pirate's life is more your style, consider trying Disney's Pirates League.  While in the Magic Kingdom's Adventureland, you can receive a makeover and training to join the Pirates League.  There are many pirate and empress looks to chose from.  You are sure to find yourself humming  "Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me!"

Pirate Adventure Cruises 

Special Children's Cruises are available for younger guests aged 4 - 12 years old.  The cruises are supervised by fabulous Disney Cast Members and have themes such as Pirates of the Caribbean, The Bayou Pirate Adventure, the Albatross Cruise and the Pirate Adventure.  Cruise leaders reveal a treasure map to these pint sized adventurers and lead a scavenger hunt in hopes of finding their "booty".  This crew of adventure seekers may even encounter Pirates during their quest!   Departure "ports" are all throughout the Walt Disney World Resort waterways including Bay Lake, the Seven Seas Lagoon,  Crescent Lake and the EPCOT World Showcase Lagoon.

Jedi Training (located in Disney's Hollywood Studios)

If neither princesses, knights nor pirates interest your child, this may do it!  The Jedi Training Academy is a free event, and a must do for any young (ages 4 - 12) Padawan in your travel party.  Shows run throughout the day, but this very popular experience only includes 10 -15 children each at performance.  Children are given training robes and light sabers, and are taught basic light saber fighting maneuvers.  After training concludes, they have an opportunity to fight a member from the dark side.  And yes, princesses are welcome too.


When I book your Walt Disney World Resort vacation, I help make the arrangements for many of these recreational activities!

EPCOT in the Spring!

Well, spring has arrived in Orlando and what better way to usher it in than to visit the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival!  Visitors to the Walt Disney World Resort already know that year round, the plants and surroundings throughout the resort are beautifully maintained.  But during the EPCOT International Flower and Garden Festival they definitely crank it up a notch!

The landscaping and everyday flower beds are meticulous and bursting with vibrant colors.  Throughout EPCOT there are character topiaries - it really is amazing what they are able to do with plants, flowers and other organic materials!  It is fun to stroll through Future World and find Stitch, looking like he is ready to start trouble outside of Mission: SPACE.  And seeing Lightening McQueen and Mater near the Janpan pavilion, looking like they just finished racing the world circuit will bring a smile to your face.  Princes and Princesses, pirates, and toy Story characters are some of the amazing topiaries found through the park.  And make sure to find Lotso, near the American pavilion, and take a deep breath...it smells like he is in a huge field of ripe strawberries!

There are special venues set up just for the festival as well, including Bambi's Butterfly House and the Let's Get Moving play area for children.  Everyone can enjoy the Flower Power Concert Series which plays host to such performers as Starship, the Guess Who and Chubby Checkers to name a few.  HGTV is the festival sponsor, and HGTV hosts, such as Genevieve Gorder, Sabrina Soto, and Antonio Ballatore take to the stage with special presentations.  And the best part - everything is free with admission to EPCOT!!


The EPCOT Flower and Garden Festival takes place from 7 March - 20 May 2012.  If you would like information on how you can book your own Walt Disney World vacation, click here for a free, no obligation quote today!

The Magic Kingdom Welcome Show!

We had an opportunity to experience the Welcome Show at the Magic Kingdom last week.  In over 20 trips to the Walt Disney World Resort, it was the first time I had experienced this at the Magic Kingdom!  We arrived at the turnstiles with less than 15 minutes before the park opened and were greeted to the Magic Kingdom's Welcome Show!

Each park has a sort of welcome show before they officially open for the day. The show at the Magic Kingdom is by far the best!  Guests are greeted by the mayor of Main Street and then treated to a song and dance number before Mickey and his friends arrive on the steam train to kick off the day at the Magic Kingdom. This is definitely a reason to get up earlier than normal on vacation.  Also, if you get up really early, you have a chance of being chosen as the Family of the Day and become part of the show!  What a wonderful way to start your morning at the Walt Disney World Resort!

If you would like information on how you can book your own Walt Disney World vacation, click here for a free, no obligation quote today!

Far Beyond a Burger and Bun

"MOM!  I'm hungry!"
As the mother to two young boys, both of which are in the 95th percentile or higher for their height, we hear this often at home...and even more when we are on vacation.  Just the other weekend we went to Fort Worth, Texas for the day to enjoy the Children's Museum.  To our delight, the Fort Worth Stock Yard show was also going on, and we had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.  The only downfall to our day was having lunch at the stockyard show.  Just the thought of eating at fairs or amusement parks is enough to send me running for my antacid! The burgers, fries, corndogs, chicken strips, fried pickles and such make up just about the entire menu selection.  I know it's bad when my kids start asking for a piece of fruit instead of more junk.
At Walt Disney World, some refer to it as Quick Service, others refer to it as Counter Service, some may even call it "fast food".  It is all those things, but it is also much more than what you would expect from "amusement park" food.  Clients who are on one of the Disney dining plans, especially those on the Quick Service Dining Plan, always ask me which are the best places to eat a quick meal.  Now, I will admit that the expected burgers and fries, pizza and chicken strips are available.  But much better options abound!


MAGIC KINGDOM
While in the Magic Kingdom you can eat like a princess on a pauper's budget (well, not really, but almost!)  The Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square has Quick Service options such as their Lighthouse Sandwich which is hummus with tomato & broccoli slaw on toasted multigrain bread; or the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich with white tuna with lettuce and tomato on toasted multigrain bun; or even grilled salmon served with couscous and steamed fresh broccoli..  Also in the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland boasts half a rotisserie chicken or BBQ Ribs, both served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable.


ANIMAL KINGDOM
The theme park is "natazu" and the Quick Service options are much more than typical fast food!  At the Yak and Yeti Cafe, guests can dine on items such as honey chicken, sweet and sour chicken, orange beef, an Asian chicken sandwich, or Mandarin chicken salad.  Over at the Flame Tree Barbecue there are options such as half a slab of St. Louis Ribs served with baked beans and corn muffin; half a rotisserie chicken served with baked beans and corn muffin; a beef or pork sandwich served with baked beans; a smoked turkey breast sandwich served on a multi-grain bun with cole slaw; or a barbecue chicken salad served with crisp greens and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette dressing in a toasted garlic shell.


HOLLYWOOD STUDIOS
Not exactly Rodeo Drive, but a little searching will find you some quality Quick Service meals here too.  The Backlot Express offers guests a Southwest salad of mixed greens, crisp corn tortilla, black bean relish, avocado, chicken and cilantro vinaigrette; a grilled turkey and cheese sandwich on multigrain ciabatta with arugula and red peppers; or even a grilled vegetable (including , mushrooms, red peppers, zucchini, tomato, watercress and cheese) sandwich on basil asiago artisan bread with a sundried tomato pesto.


EPCOT
With the all the nations of the World Showcase within a 1.3 mile loop, there are amazing Quick Service Options in EPCOT.  The Tangierine Café in the Morrocco pavilion has tasteful plates such as chicken and lamb platters served with side of hummus, tabouleh and a tangierine couscous salad with fresh Moroccan bread; Mediterranean wraps served with tangierine couscous salad and lentil salad; lamb, chicken and Falafel wraps; as well as many other Mediterranean Specialties such as Morrocan kefta sandwiches, vegetable platters, and even a Mediterranean sliders combo made up of  lamb, chicken and falafel pita pockets.
The Katsura Grill in the Japan pavilion will not disappoint either with it's assortment of sushi rolls, curried rice and udon.
Future World is home to Sunshine Seasons in the Land pavilion, some of the BEST Quick Service in all of the theme parks.  With options such as ginger Mongolian beef; spicy cashew chicken; roasted beets and goat cheese salad; Togarashi seared tuna noodle salad; an oak grilled vegetable flatbread sandwich; or oak-grilled sustainable catch Niciose style you will think again before you use the words "fast food" to describe the Quick Service / counter service food options at the Walt Disney World Resort!

You're Going to Disney World Again?

"You're going to Disney World again?"  I hear that question often, at least once a year, lol!  What people don't realize is that happenings around "the World" are always changing.  In all the trips we have taken, no two have been the same.  Yes, we like to stay at our favorite resorts and we have restaurants that we look forward to each trip, but the overall vacation experience is always different.  Our upcoming trip in February will be very different from our trip just this past December.
So many changes have already come to the Walt Disney World Resort this year (and it's only January!), and even more are coming!  With the Fantasyland expansion project moving along, it is always fun to peer over the construction wall and see all that is happening.  Just last week, a favorite ride for many families, Dumbo the Flying Elephant, was disassembled and moved to it's new location in the Storybook Circus area of the new Fantasyland.

The opening of the new spin on this classic ride is expected to open in mid-March.  While the original will always have a place in my heart, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to a nicer queue area...and having it doubled in size will be a welcome change!


Already open at the speedway is the Exotic Driving Experience.  The Richard Petty Driving Experience debuted a new offering that allows guests to experience riding in supercars from Ferrari, Lamborghini, Audi, and Porsche.  I have never participated in the Richard Petty Driving Experience, nor I have I ever had a client ask about it.  It does look like a great alternative for an adult only trip...although it will be years before I have one of those, lol!

What I am most excited about is the new interactive game, Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom!  This has enjoyment for my family written all over it! This new interactive "game" will debut soon at the Magic Kingdom.  Rumor is that guests may be able to start playing as early as mid-February...just in time for my next trip!. Similar to the Kim Possible adventure in EPCOT, this quest recruits guests to become apprentice sorcerers, and help defeat villains in their hiding places within the park.  I will need to re-visit all of may touring plans for the Magic Kingdom, as I think guests will spend quite a bit of time enjoying this while in the park!  I think that with this new interactive game and the completed Fantasyland expansion, touring the Magic Kingdom is going to take us twice as long as it usually does.  Funny how those folks at Disney make it so easy for us to want to go back for more!

A Weekend of Numbers

56,000
16,500
39.3
26.2
15
13.1
2
1


What do all these numbers have in common?  They can all be used to describe a special event hosted by Run Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.  This past weekend 56,000 runners took part in various races during the 15th Annual Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  Races included a multitude of kids' races, a family friendly 5K, a half marathon, and a full marathon where 16.500 runners ran through the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and EPCOT!  There are even a group of who participate in the Goofy Race and Half Challenge, running BOTH the half and full marathons (yep, 39.3 miles!!) WOW!!


I'm so impressed when I hear the top finishing times.  The first place marathon finisher completed 26.2 miles in 2:19:01, and  the speedy top finisher at the half marathon completed 13.1 miles in 1:10:12. That is close to a 5 minute 30 second per mile pace!!   I'm guessing the top finishers do not stop to pose for pictures with the characters along the race route, lol!  I really can't imagine running that fast.  I am training for my first half marathon (the Walt Disney World Princess Half Marathon, taking place in February 2012) - and I am nowhere close to finishing half the distance in the same amount of time.  I would be thrilled with myself to finish 13.1 miles in close to 3 hours!  I'll chalk the extra time it takes me to finish the race to all the pictures I plan to pose for along the race route! ;)


It's not too early to start planning for next year's marathon weekend!  In fact, there are a few more races this year if you feel inspired.  There is in the Princess Half Marathon Weekend coming up in February; the Expedition Everest Challenge in May; the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror 10-Miler in September, and the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November. There are even races at Disneyland in California, if running through Anaheim is more your thing.  The Tinkerbell Half Marathon is in January and the Disneyland Half Marathon is in September.  Can't get enough?  You can earn a special "Coast to Coast" medal by completing a race at both Disneyland and Disney World...that's alot of bling!

One More Disney Day Sweepstakes!

Don't forget to register daily for one of the 60 FREE Walt Disney World or Disneyland vacations 

that are being given away!  Disney is giving away one free trip each day through 29 February!

Click HERE to be directed to the Disney website and enter TODAY!  

Hey, someone has to win! :)  Just be sure to tell me if it was YOU!

Moutains or Bust!

"I'm not riding any rides with the word Mountain in the name!"


This statement was made last spring by my then "one-month shy of turning 5" year old son on the bus from our resort to the Magic Kingdom our first day at Disney World.  Not exactly music to the ears of this mouse fanatic mom.  Other parents on the bus thought it was cute and started to laugh.  Me, I started to panic.  How could it be that MY child would ban Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, Splash Mountain and Expedition Everest (I know, I know...but the general "mountain" concept is implied and obvious to my child) before we even put our admission tickets into the scanner!?!  


Our trips are often multi-generational.  My family of four (myself, my husband, our sons age 9 and age 5) are often joined by my Florida resident parents (who are both in their 70's).  On this particular trip, my husband's brother, his wife and their two sons (ages 4 and 2) were also with us.  My brother-in-law and his family were first timers.  This mix of ages, interests, knowledge and of course my "sea level rides only" son made for a challenging tour plan.  Luckily, my brother-in-law and his family weren't too demanding.  Their boys were happy to do and see all the things their cousins got excited over.  The only time we left them on their own was the day their personal plan was "Dumbo or Die!"  My poor sister-in-law couldn't believe she waited for a ride that was over before she knew it.  But it was all worth the smiles from her little guy!  It was fun watching the excitement and awe in the eyes of children at Walt Disney World for the first time.  I have more pictures of my 2 year old nephew on the Kilimanjaro Safari attraction than I do of all the animals we saw...well, that he saw.  I only saw his cute little face, jaw dropped or laughing with happiness when he saw something new. :)  it has been a few years since we toured the parks with a stroller.  And although I do miss the storage space, I do not miss stroller parking or retrieving the stroller after a show or attractions or navigating tight areas with a stroller.  If you can get by without the use of a stroller, it is quite liberating to tour the parks without one.


My parents are also just happy to go along with whatever their grandchildren want to see and do.  Long gone are the days when my father would ride Space Mountain and I think my mom rode Big Thunder Mountain for the last time a few years ago.  They still enjoy the shows, the food, and like me, the expressions of joy and excitement on the faces of their grandchildren as they experience the parks.  We move a little slower when they are with us.  But that's not a problem.  It reminds us to take in the atmosphere and architectural elements throughout the parks.  I also now know where each restroom and sitting area is in each Theme Park.  Something that has come in handy many, many times.  Yes, we may be able to move more quickly and do more things when they aren't with us, but we love having them join us.  It is time with my parents that we all enjoy and grandpa is always up for an icecream treat with the boys...even when mom says no.


As for my youngest son.  He did go on Big Thunder Mountain, after a bribe.  However, he came off it crying.  Apparently he is just at "that height" where, when the train jerks, the back of his head slams into the back of the seat and the hand grip bar above the seat.  Oooops!  I won't bother him to go on that again until he is about 4" taller than he is now.  My husband worked his poker faced magic, and convinced my son that the Splash Mountain they were in line for was the "junior version" and that the big drop was much smaller than the drop he saw outside the ride.  Yep, we lie to our children.  Hey, desperate times call for desperate measures!  And yes, we were guilted into buying him a Mickey Ice Cream bar once he came off the ride and realized that he wasn't on the "junior version".  He still will not go on Space Mountain or Expedition Everest.  That's ok for now. We've scarred him enough with the other two.  The time will come come when he only wants to ride the rides with the word Mountain in the name...and I can't wait!