OK, I know Christmas in July was last week. However, The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is quickly approaching. This popular event will take place from September 27th through November 11th. Food and Wine aren’t the only things you will be able to experience. You will find everything from celebrity chef demonstrations, and educational seminars, to even a star studded concert calendar. Some of the seminars and experiences do require a separate admission fee, but most of the fun is included in your park admission. Read more
Quick service restaurants are very popular throughout the parks. To avoid the crowds, try to eat earlier or a little later. Peco Bill’s in The Magic Kingdom can get extremely busy, unless you eat lunch on the earlier side. You could have the place to yourself!
Find out how the FREE services of aDisney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple and STRESS FREE! And for a limited time only, receive a FREE Disney gift card for qualifying Disney vacation packages!Ask for details!
Karen grew up in the Boston area and traveled to Disney World many times with her parents and sister. Always staying at the Fort Wilderness Cabins gave the trips a feeling of a home away from home. It also started the tradition of attending the Hoop Dee Doo Review on each trip! Somehow that show sparked her interest in the Disney College Program. Which she did in the fall of 2002, working as a hostess @ Captain Jacks in Downtown Disney. Now as an adult, Karen finds herself traveling to the parks on a yearly basis! Photography has always been a hobby of Karen’s, but over the past few years it has become her passion. It’s even taken her to her favorite place! The Make a Wish Foundation sent a family to Disney for a week and Karen was lucky enough to be their photographer of choice! She got to tag along and photograph their memories being made. She hopes to get that experience again someday! You can find more of Karen’s photography on her site www.KPportraits.com.
We started reserving character meals years ago when my children were small. To keep costs down, we only incorporated one or two into our trips. One of the best things about receiving the free dining promotion for the past couple of years has been the opportunity to dine at many more character meals. I wanted to share a pictorial review of one of our favorites — Cinderella’s Happily Ever After Dinner in the 1900 Park Fare. Read more
photo photo attributed to http://www.flickr.com/photos/deboraheo/8306688529/
EPCOT has always been a one stop shop for would be travelers to experience the wonders of the world in a day. I must apologize in advance. I am a huge comic book geek as well and can’t help throwing in some Thor references. So lets hop on the Bifröst and head to Norway. Added to the World Showcase in 1988, this pavilion allows you to walk on cobblestone streets and view beautiful architecture.
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/kathika/2542024936/
The Malestrom is one of my favorite rides in the World Showcase. It does have a FastPass option but unless you are there at peak times you really don’t need it. This dark ride takes you in a viking ship through the country’s history. It also shows you how the sea has influenced Norway’s culture. There are some scenes that might be frightening to little kids so beware. Be on the lookout for some hidden Mickey’s too!
Norway also plays host to a variety of great food options. The Kringla Bakeri og Cafe has so many delicious treats I doubt Thor could eat them all. This is always a great spot for an inexpensive snack to get you through the day.
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/kycheng/6435077621/
The school bread ($2.69) is a sweet bread roll filled with vanilla custard and rolled in toasted coconut. The texture is a cross between a doughnut and a very good dinner roll. It isn’t overly sweet either. So you can still get a treat and not feel bogged down for the rest of your journey around the world.There are also some sandwich options as well. I recommend the ham and apple with Jarlsberg and Muenster cheeses ($6.99).
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/hyku/5401190055/
The Akershus Princess Royal Banquet Hall is probably the most famous of Norway’s dining options. This character dining experience is a must for little princess’ and Disney fans alike. There will be four to five Disney Princess’ roaming the dining room at any given time.They serve Breakfast, lunch, and dinner here as well. Reservations are highly recommended as it will fill up quickly. Along with the price of your meal you will also receive a complimentary image package depending on the amount of paying guests.
The breakfast buffet is pretty standard. They serve scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, potato casserole, and a couple of herring dishes just to keep them honest.
Lunch is a bit different you will receive “A taste of Norway” to begin your feast. It is a selection of sliced deli meats,seafood, and cheeses. Then you may choose an entree from a selection that includes seared salmon cakes, open faced roast beef or chicken sandwiches. If you want something traditional try the Kjottkake ( I will let you find the pronounciation on your own). These Norwegian meatballs are served with mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and lingonberry sauce. Dessert is served family style and they do have a childrens menu also. Prices for lunch range from $41.00-$50.00 for adults and $25.00-$28.00 for children.
Dinner is served the same as Lunch only with more complex meal options. Prices range from $46.00-$55.00 for adults and $25.00-$30.00 for children under 9. You also begin with the “A taste of Norway” platter. You can choose from seared beef tips, pork tenderloin, and pan seared salmon. I recommend the oven roasted Chicken breast with fennel hash and tomato jam.
Character dining can be expensive, but how else can you meet your favorite Disney characters, fill your Asgardian sized appetites, and most importantly stay out of the Florida heat.
So grab your horned helmet and let your braided pigtails down, because Norway is waiting for you!
Find out how the FREE services of aDisney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple and STRESS FREE! And for a limited time only, receive a FREE Disney gift card for qualifying Disney vacation packages!Ask for details!
Keith was born and raised in Northeast Ohio.He now lives with his wife a few miles from his childhood home. His first trip to the Magic Kingdom was at the age of two and while the only memories are in pictures, the magic laid dormant within him. Until he saw the animated movie Robin Hood, and his love began to grow. He has always had an interest in food and the togetherness it brings. He became a classically trained chef and all around foodie. His last trip to Disney World was in 2011 and he has been learning, researching, and keeping up on all things Disney since. He hopes to bring you all of the food news from the parks, tips on how to save money on food, and all the tastes and smells from the House of Mouse (especially when smell o vision is invented). You can follow Keith on Twitter @DarthChef79.
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OK, I know Christmas in July was last week. However, The EPCOT International Food and Wine Festival is quickly approaching. This popular event will take place from September 27th through November 11th. Food and Wine aren’t the only things you will be able to experience. You will find everything from celebrity chef demonstrations, and educational seminars, to even a star studded concert calendar. Some of the seminars and experiences do require a separate admission fee, but most of the fun is included in your park admission. Read more
