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Category: Character Dining

News: Rapunzel Character Breakfast Coming to Trattoria al Forno in Disney World

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Character meals

 — where you go to a restaurant and are entertained by Disney characters visiting your table and signing autographs — are pretty much a Disney rite of passage for any disney fan.

So we’re super jazzed about the news that a new character breakfast is coming this spring to Trattoria al Forno on Disney World’s BoardWalk!

Trattoria al Forno at Disney's BoardWalk

Trattoria al Forno at Disney’s BoardWalk

This new character breakfast is a “bon voyage” celebration with Disney royal couples from films including Tangled and The Little Mermaid. That’s right…it looks like Rapunzel and Flynn Rider are finally getting a character breakfast!!

[Read more…]

Review: Chip N’ Dale’s Harvest Feast Breakfast at Garden Grill Restaurant in Epcot

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We are headed into The Land Pavilion in Walt Disney World’s Epcot today for one of our favorite character meals at Garden Grill Restaurant!

Learn About:Garden Grill Restaurant
Epcot Restaurants
Disney World Restaurants

This spot may feel a little dated in a way…but we prefer to think of it as retro. 😉 Disney’s (Orlando’s!!) only rotating restaurant is still tops for the coolness factor of the, you know, rotation. I can remember going to this restaurant when I was a little kid — it was fancy-pants back then (with sculpted Mickey butter!), but the nostalgia factor is high here for Epcot babies. Add in some pretty delicious food, and you’re doing even better. AND then — characters! Even Mickey! So it’s probably sort of easy to see why we like it.

Recently, our Dining in Disneyland expert and friend of DFB Heather Sievers travelled to Walt Disney World for a visit. Among their many culinary adventures, her family opted to visit Garden Grill Restaurant for breakfast one morning.

Let’s tag along and see how it went!

Atmosphere

Garden Grill Restaurant

is located within The Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World West.

The Land Pavilion

The Land Pavilion

This building is a serious multitasker. You’ll find three different attractions housed here: Soarin, Living with the Land, and The Circle of Life. All have different entrances, which are accessible as you travel down ramps circling either side of the round building’s perimeter. [Read more…]

Best Restaurants for Thanksgiving and Christmas in Walt Disney World

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If you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking ahead to your next Walt Disney World vacation. If you’re planning to enjoy the parks during the holiday season, you might be wondering what it’s like to celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas in the World.

mickey-christmas-holiday-santa-krispy-treat-2016-1

Christmas Krispie

First of all: Lucky you! What a fun way to spend the holiday season — with so much to be thankful for in such a cool place!

As you can imagine, the crowds tend to swell at Disney during holiday weeks like Thanksgiving and Christmas as lots of Disney fans choose to celebrate their holidays in the parks. And Disney answers the call with tons of Thanksgiving spirit throughout many of their restaurants. In fact, most table service restaurants in the World will mark the holiday with special holiday menu items! 

So whether you’re looking for a traditional meal, a gourmet twist on familiar favorites, or something that’s a complete departure from established customs, you’ll find lots of options for celebrating these special food days. Let’s check out a few of our favorites.

[Read more…]

New DFB Video: Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers

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Hello from Walt Disney World!

Today, we’re taking a look at some of our favorite restaurants around the World, as we share with you our suggestions for the Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for First Timers. It’s the latest Disney Food Blog video that you’ll find on our brand new DFB YouTube Video Channel!

Best Disney World Restaurants for First Timers

Are you headed to Walt Disney World for the very first time, or are you a veteran of the Parks and Resorts? Tune in to see if you agree with our picks for First Timers. [Read more…]

Review: Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! — Plus ALL THE FOOD — at Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

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Happy Happy Holidays, Everyone!

If we weren’t quite feeling the Holiday Spirit yet, that all changed the other night as we took in the very first performance of Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney's Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree

Disney’s Hollywood Studios Christmas Tree

I know, I know. We all dearly miss the Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights just as much as you do. Let’s take a moment to reflect. (Somber music playing. Or something.)

Tree Detail

Tree Detail

Ok — is it out of our system? I hope so. Because we have some pretty cool stuff to share with you, starting with a look at some of the awesome decor you can spy around Studios. Let’s head in! [Read more…]

Guest Review: Cinderella’s Royal Table Breakfast at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

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Welcome guest author Sarah Gurung as she shares her character dining experience at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. Yay!!!

Learn About:Cinderella’s Royal Table
Magic Kingdom
Disney World Restaurants

On my most recent trip to Walt Disney World, I wanted to plan lots of first experiences for myself and for my family, comprised of my husband and my five-year-old daughter. We booked our trip just before the 180 day mark, and I serendipitously found myself staring at an available Cinderella’s Royal Table breakfast Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) shortly thereafter. I couldn’t pass it up! In fact, over the next few months, I regularly checked back to see if we could get in even earlier when, low and behold, I was able to grab a pre-park opening ADR. Even better!

Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of those Disney World experiences that is truly exquisite. The setting is stunning, the food is delicious, and the entertainment is so fun — for kids of all ages, really.  

Sign outside restaurant

Sign outside restaurant

Atmosphere

Let’s start with the beauty that is the restaurant itself. The check-in desk is toward the back of the castle on the right. This process was efficient, and we were quickly invited into the foyer of the castle for our Cinderella meet-and-greet. We found the foyer to be low lit but plumb full of details: shields, tapestries, and gorgeous lighting.

[Read more…]

News: New Dining Discounts for Disney World Annual Passholders for 45th Anniversary Year

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Happy 45th Anniversary, Walt Disney World!

Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom

Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom

And Happy Anniversary to Disney World Annual Passholders, who can take part in the celebration by enjoying some brand new discounts at select dining and merchandise locations around Disney World for the anniversary year! [Read more…]

What’s New Around Walt Disney World: September 20, 2016

By 11 Comments

The Halloween decorations are up and the 2016 Epcot Food & Wine Festival is ON! It MUST BE FALL in Walt Disney World!

Halloween Decoration in Magic Kingdom

Halloween Decorations at Magic Kingdom

So please join us for a very pumpkin-spiced edition of What’s New 😉 ! [Read more…]

News! 2016 Disney World Free Dining Offer Now Available!

By 31 Comments

Okay, Disney World Vacationers… IT’S HERE. Today brings the much-awaited news that Walt Disney World’s Free Dining Offer will be offered to guests for select dates in late August, September, October, November, and December 2016!

free-dining

Disney World Free Dining 2016 Travel Dates

Free Dining is being offered to guests ARRIVING during the dates listed below. A minimum stay of 3 nights is required and your package may not be booked for longer than 14 nights.

August 23* – October 1, 2016
November 15 – November 21, 2016
November 26 – November 28, 2016
December 10 – December 21, 2016

You must book by July 8th to get the offer.

*Canadian travelers and Disney Visa Cardholders can book dates from August 14 — see details here

(Please note that the offer excludes: Campsites, Bungalows at Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian Villas, Bay Lake Tower, 3-bedroom Villas, Port Orleans French Quarter, and Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation. Port Orleans Riverside is only available through October 1st. )

Disney Resorts

If you stay at a Value Resort, you’ll receive the Quick Service Dining plan for FREE. (Note that you can upgrade to the standard or deluxe dining plans by paying the difference in cost per night.)

If you reserve a Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort, you will receive the standard Dining plan for FREE. (You can upgrade to the deluxe dining plan by paying the difference in cost per night).

Minimum/Maximum Days

You must book a minimum stay of 3 nights/ maximum stay of 14 nights

 at a Disney-owned resort. You may also need to purchase AT LEAST a 2-day Magic Your Way Disney World ticket with a Park Hopper AND/OR the Water Park Fun & More Option. Use this link to book!

Note — while Disney often uses the rhetoric “5-night, 6-day” in its promotional materials, that’s only sales language. You do NOT have to book 5 nights to have access to free dining!

Will Free Dining Save You Money?

2016 book cover dfb guide

Since Disney World’s Free Dining offer generally can’t be combined with other discounts, it’s often difficult to determine whether or not your family will save more money with a Disney World hotel room discount or with the free dining offer.

We break down and compare the costs and options for several Disney World discounts, including the Free Dining offer, in our fully updated DFB Guide to Walt Disney World® Dining 2016 e-Book to help you save the most money possible.

Along with over 530 pages of great Disney World dining advice, full color photos, and details, this book is a great deal.

Get your DFB Guide to WDW Dining here, and speaking of saving money — use code “20sale” to get 20% off today! With a full, money-back guarantee, there’s nothing to lose!

Are you excited for Free Dining? Please let us know with a comment!

News: 2017 Disney World Free Dining Offer for UK Residents; And Disney Dining Plan Changes for 2017

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We have some VERY good news for our friends across the pond! The 2017 Walt Disney World Free Dining Offer is now available for United Kingdom Residents! When you book a selected Walt Disney World holiday, you’ll receive free dining for your family!!

We also have some interesting potential changes to the 2017 Disney Dining Plan — read on to find out!

Free Dining Details Graphic

Disney World Free Dining Deal For UK Residents in 2017

[Read more…]

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