"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!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
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!
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!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
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!
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!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
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!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
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!
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!
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