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.
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.
photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawnmichele/8488152134
This past week Disney made the big announcement all of our stomachs were growling over. Free dining with stay packages in September at Walt Disney World. While most of my articles have been about indulging in the finer culinary treats of the Disney universe, this site is not called www.thespendallyoursouvenirmoneyonfood.com. So I thought I would give you some tips and tricks I have found to make the food on your trip more affordable. Read more
Photo via http://www.flickr.com/photos/lrargerich/2238291992/
Last year I asked my colleague – let’s call her Marie – “How was your Mother’s Day?” She paused and then said “Pretty much the same as Father’s Day.” Don’t make this mistake, my Affordable Mouse friends. Let’s treat mom right! Note to my husband: the following ideas apply to any day at Disney, not just Mother’s Day!
Mother’s Day at Walt Disney World I polled my sister and a few friends with the question, “If you were at Walt Disney World for Mother’s Day, how would you want to spend your day?” Their most frequent replies include:
Sleep In: This popular answer certainly resonated with me! For many moms, sleeping past 6 am is a luxury. I know, it’s hard to snooze late at Walt Disney World when there is so much to do (we usually try to get up early and make rope drop). But let’s consider a more relaxing agenda for Mother’s Day morning. Cost: Free!
Dining: In keeping with the low-key morning theme, how about a relaxing dining experience? My sister voted for a quieter experience, noting “I’m not sure I would want to deal with characters in the morning.”
Photo courtesy of Adam Bartlett
Room Service
Splurge: If your resort offers in-room dining, why not order breakfast-in-bed for that special mom? Currently available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, BoardWalk, Beach Club, Contemporary, Coronado Springs, Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Polynesian, Yacht Club and Wilderness Lodge Resorts.
Spend a little: Room service ala the family. Perhaps Dad or the kids can make coffee and fetch a Mickey waffle from your resort’s counter service restaurant?
Late Breakfast, Early Lunch or Brunch
Splurge – Table Service Dining: Try the Kona Café in the beautiful Polynesian Resort. While this restaurant can be a bit nosy, the Tonga Toast ($12.99) and Kona Coffee ($2.99) may be worth it. Later, take a stroll around the resort’s grounds and enjoy beautiful foliage and views of the Magic Kingdom Park and Seven Seas Lagoon, then slip onto the relaxing water taxi for a trip to the Magic Kingdom.
More suggestions: The Wave…of American Flavors in the Contemporary Resort. Healthy cooking with both ala carte and buffet options
Sanaa in the Animal Kingdom Lodge: Savor an early lunch while watching animals on the savannah: perfect for those looking for a slightly different menu and unique experience.
Spend a little: Try some of the more calm counter service experiences, like pastries from Kringla Bakeri og Café in Epcot’s Norway. Just don’t make mom juggle the food trays.
Flowers and Gifts
Splurge: Send mom exquisite flowers and gift baskets from Disney Floral and Gifts. Delivery is available to your resort or anywhere on the Disney World property.
Spend a little: Create a special sweet treat at Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney.
Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot: Lucky you! This acclaimed festival runs through May 19 and offers something for all ages.
Spend a little:Relax at one of your resort’s pools. Steer clear of the main pool and check out the smaller, less busy spots to take a dip. One of my favorite low key pools can be found at Saratoga Springs’ Treehouse Villas.
I hope this posting has generated some interesting ideas for you and your family. As always, this list is not exclusive – so chime in with your ideas and inspirations! I’d especially love to hear from moms with older kids, families celebrating with multiple generations or those making mom’s day great at home.
Find out how the FREE services of aDisney World travel agent can make planning your Disney vacation simple and stress-free!
Amy works as a college administrator and instructor in the Philadelphia area, where she lives with her husband and two children. She visited Walt Disney World for the first time as an adult for a conference. But Amy truly caught the “Disneybug” when she traveled with her young daughter. Amy loves all things travel and especially enjoys trip preparation and strategy: trying to find the best deals, exploring new resorts and restaurants, and planning an extra something special for each trip.
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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
