A Disney Trip of Fun, Food, and Friends

Last weekend I was thrilled to have the chance to be in Walt Disney World. It was a different kind of trip, as I was there with some of the wonderful folks who write for The Affordable Mouse, along with some other great Disney friends. And what a great time we had! It was the opening weekend of the Food and Wine Festival, and the celebration of Epcot’s 30th anniversary. It also gave me the chance to see what’s new with the Fantasyland expansion….and to see what is coming too! 🙂

So today, I thought I would share a few of the photo highlights of my trip! Read more

Dining Around Disney: Food & Wine Festival 2012

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Photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/j_m_wetherington/1750164534/

Note: Debbie, along with Kelly, Shannan, Adrienne, and Melissa Sue, will be meeting up with me for the opening weekend of this year’s Food and Wine Festival. We’re all very excited to have the chance to share this great event with each other this year…and we’ll be sharing with all of you as well! Be sure to follow along with us on our Facebook page from September 28 to October 2, and we promise to provide lots of updates! ~ Nancy 🙂

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This year, for the first time in 4 years, I will be back in my happy place – the 17th Annual Food & Wine Festival! I have been lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World during the October months ten-plus times over the course of its existence. Read more

Disney Outside the Parks: A Surprise Treat

Has anyone visited any fairs or festivals this summer and seen something interesting?  I’ve been to a local art fair, a county fair, and the state fair.  Now what does this have to do with Disney?  At all these fairs, I saw a food item that I have never seen outside of the Magic Kingdom…a Pineapple Whip aka the Dole whip!

Pineapple Whips must be the hot item in Indiana this summer.  There was 1 booth at county fair and at the local arts festival.  But, at the Indiana State Fair, I saw at least 3 booths that offered a Pineapple Whip (including one that had an Orange Whip). 

I had my first Dole Whip at Magic Kingdom few years ago after finally giving in to stand in that long line in Adventure Land.  I know lots of people think these are the greatest treat, worthy of a late night trip to the Polynesian.  I thought it was a unique, good, refreshing snack on a warm day.  But definitely, it was something that I never expected to see outside of Walt Disney World.  So now that I’ve tasted the original, it was time to put it in a comparison test. 

This is the booth I stopped at; staffed with 2 “island bums.”  Or it could be that their attitude was brought on by the 3 ladies who were visiting their booth.   If you can read the sign, it is advertising that the Dole Whip only has 20 calories/ounce and made from real fruit….its a healthy treat!  And it comes in either a cup or a cone, it could come in with additional ice cream, or added flavors. 

Our whip was cold, creamy with the taste of pineapple just as it should be.  It melted quickly even thought it wasn’t overly warm (for summer standards).  I can’t remember what size the Dole Whip is at Magic Kingdom, but for $3.50 and cost of fair admission, it was much cheaper than a trip to Florida to get the Dole Whip fix. 

As a side note, one of the tasters of this Pineapple whip had a Dole Whip from the actual Dole plantation in Hawaii.  She gobbled hers down in half the time it took me.  And was more excited than us to see this special treat. 

So keep your eyes open, you never know when you’ll discover a hidden Disney surprise!  Have a magical day!!

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Adrienne is originally from the Chicago area but lives outside of Indianapolis with her husband, 2 dogs, and 2 cats. She went to Disneyland when she was 7, which started her love of Disney. She even named one of her dogs after her favorite princess, Aurora. She and her husband celebrated their honeymoon at Walt Disney World in 2007 and have returned for every anniversary. They have stayed at variety of resorts on property and traveled with friends and family. Adrienne and her husband bought into DVC in May 2011 and rewarded themselves with their first fall trip for some of the special events. Adrienne and her husband consider WDW their “second home” and have become the go-to people for any Disney related questions and advice from friends, families, and acquaintances.

Wine and Dine with Disney, Gluten Free Style!

Walt Disney World offers amazing food year round from all over the world.  Throughout the Walt Disney World Resort you can try all sorts of food, anything you’re in the mood for.  Some of the most diverse food can be found at Epcot.  There are eleven wonderful countries in the world showcase all with uniquely delicious dishes for you to try.  Read more

The Great Movie Ride Dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios: The Experience

EditorLast week, my friend, Lisa Battista, author of Beyond the Attractions: A Guide to Walt Disney World with Preschoolers shared Part One of her recent experiences at a very special event. This weeks she concludes her delicious review.

In May, I received an email inviting me to “The Great Movie Ride Dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios” for Tables in Wonderland members. I rationalized the expense ($165 per person plus tax; gratuity included) as being a combined birthday / Father’s Day gift for my husband. Never mind that I was attending as well. I also assuaged my guilt by using Kelly’s tip to save 5% on the event. I used my Target REDcard to purchase Disney gift cards at Target, which I then used to prepay the dinner. Read more