Quick service vs. table service, making reservations vs. walking up, yes or no to a character meal, these are just a few of the multitude of questions that can come up when considering dining at Walt Disney World. Before you get too overwhelmed by the boundless dining options Disney has to offer, check out these tips on how to plan a magical Disney dining experience. Every week for the next five weeks I will give you one of my dos and don’ts of Disney Dining.

Do Make Advanced Dining Reservations.

If you are planning on dining at any one of Disney’s table service restaurants, especially if you plan on attending a Disney Character meal, advanced dining reservations (ADRs) are a must! You can begin making ADRs 180 days out from your travel date. It is highly recommended that you take advantage of this because popular restaurants, like Chef Mickey’s and Cinderella’s Royal Table, book up months in advance. The closer you get to your vacation, the harder it will be to find reservations for most restaurants and character meals.  It is not likely that you will be able to just walk up and get a table without a reservation.

Don’t be afraid to try something new. 

You can find a wide variety of restaurants at Walt Disney World that offer an expansive array of cuisine. Everything from Irish Pub fare to Moroccan delicacies can be found around the Walt Disney World Resort, and nowhere does this hold more true than at the World Showcase in Epcot. The World Showcase alone offers eleven different countries, each offering a broad spectrum of dining. Disney does not disappoint in the food department, so what better place to try something new!

Be sure to check back next week to see what my next Disney Dining Do and Don’t will be!

Written by Meghan Blair, the “Disney Foodie” — As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan at 954-328 7090 or meghan@destinationsinflorida.com.

 

More than 2.1 million people reside in Greater Orlando, which consists of Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Lake counties. Median age of the area is a youthful 37.6 years. The City of Orlando is located in Orange County. In all, greater Orlando encompasses 2.2 million acres (890,308 hectares).

 

Written by Stacy Gaffney, “Sorcerer Stacy” — Stacy is an expert in planning an affordable Disney and Orlando vacation. Watch out for the magic, as Sorcerer Stacy plans your vacation! Book your next Disney & Orlando vacation with Stacy at 877-918-8941 or stacygaffney@destinationsinflorida.com.

Victoria and Albert’s is an award-winning restaurant located at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This beautiful restaurant is a great option not only for honeymooners, but also for couples celebrating an anniversary or just looking for a romantic evening together. Victoria and Albert’s was even recently named Orlando’s most iconic restaurant by Zagat.

Here are some of the other honors Victoria and Albert’s has received:

• AAA Five Diamond Award
• Forbes Travel Guide Four Star
• Mobil Travel Guide Four Star
• Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence
• James Beard Foundation – Nominee for Best Chef in the South – Scott Hunnel
• Santé Restaurant Awards – Grand Award Winner Culinary Professional of the Year – Scott Hunnel
• Florida Trend Golden Spoon Hall of Fame – American Regional
• ACF-Certified Executive Chef – Scott Hunnel

Victoria and Albert’s menu changes every day and is inspired by fresh seasonal ingredients including truffles from Italy, beef from Japan, poulet rouge from North Carolina, and oysters from northern Florida. Victoria and Albert’s features three dining areas- the Dining Room, Queen Victoria’s Room, and the Chef’s Table. You can enjoy up to 7 prix fixe courses in the Dining Room, 10 in Queen Victoria’s Room, or 10 at the Chef’s Table. They also offer a world-class wine collection to enjoy with your meal.

Proper attire is required with  no jeans, shorts, sandals, or tennis shoes allowed. A harpist, fresh flowers, and candlelight all help set the romantic mood for your evening with your special someone here.

Written by Siera Duiser, “Disney BridalEars” — Siera has grown up loving all things Disney!  She even had her very own Disney Fairytale Wedding in 2011. Now Siera enjoys Disney World with her own family.  Siera specializes in Disney weddings, honeymoons, and traveling with younger children.  Book your next vacation with Siera at siera@destinationsinflorida.com.

Video: Disney Dream Cruise Sail Away Party

Disney Dream Cruise Sail Away party, as well as all Disney cruise line deck parties are spectacular, open-air music and dance extravaganzas that happen on deck. Starring many of your favorite Disney Characters alongside Disney Cruise Cast Members, Disney Cruise Line Deck Parties invite you and your family to join in the excitement and be a part of the show.

Featuring lively music and interactive dance numbers, Sail-Away Celebration invites you to kick up your heels, clap your hands and party. Here, you can mix and mingle with family, friends, new pals, crew members and some favorite Disney Characters, including:

• Captain Mickey Mouse
• Minnie Mouse
• Donald Duck
• Daisy Duck
• Goofy
• Pluto
• Captain Hook

Plus, look forward to unique details, including:

• Roving cameras that project your image onto a jumbo television screen for all to see, making you a star of the party
• Confetti and streamers that rocket through the sky
• “When You Wish Upon a Star,” the classic song from the Walt Disney animated film Pinocchio, playing via the ship’s blow horn

When the Sail-Away Celebration is over, the fun is just beginning. Be sure to check the Personal Navigator—the Disney Cruise Line daily newsletter detailing all there is to see and do—and explore all the excitement that awaits you on your cruise vacation.

 

Book your Disney & Orlando vacation with a local travel agency. World famous services, free gifts, guaranteed lowest prices, and all at no cost to you! Book your vacation with the local experts – we live where you’re traveling! Call 877-918-8941 or visit us online

Disney’s Beach Club Resort Video Tour 

Disney’s Beach Club Resort at Disney World is a New England-style Disney Deluxe Resort, shaded by broad oak trees and lapped by the gentle waters of 25-acre Crescent Lake.

The lake is the site of lively family activity—its surface dotted with rented watercraft and catch-and-release fishers. Stormalong Bay—a water wonderland located within the Resort—features waterfalls, a lazy circular river, a waterslide, an elevated tanning deck and Hurricane Hanna’s Grill, a poolside counter-service restaurant and bar.

Our 576 Guest rooms are decked in accoutrements befitting a surf-and-sand sanctuary, some with panoramic views of the Resort grounds, gardens, lagoons or the lake. Relax on charming white wicker furniture and enjoy a whimsical salmon and light green color palette that recalls the humble comfort of a bygone era, brought to life again at Disney’s Beach Club Resort at Disney World.

Watch chefs prepare succulent steaks, seafood, chicken and lamb dishes in the open kitchen of Yachtsman Steakhouse. Discover the Ship Shape Health Club, open 24 hours a day and offering saunas, steam rooms and massage therapy. Stretch out on the white-sand beach, or soak in 3 quiet crystal pools and 7 spas scattered across the Resort grounds on your divine seaside holiday.

Disney’s Beach Club Resort at Walt Disney World has been designated by the Florida Green Lodging Program, recognizing the Resort’s environmentally responsible practices.

Activities for Children
In addition to all the fun of Crescent Lake and Stormalong Bay, there’s a high-tech game room. And don’t forget to take advantage of the Sandcastle Club, a supervised activity center for children ages 3-12 that affords parents a carefree night on the town (Additional fee required).

Accommodations for Business Meetings
Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Convention Center at Walt Disney World offers more than 73,000 square feet of flexible meeting and function space, featuring state-of-the-art booth-controlled A/V and lighting, high-speed and wireless Internet connectivity, ceiling-recessed screens and much more. The business center, located in the Convention Center, provides fax, photo copy, mail and computer services, including Internet access (additional fee applies) for Resort Guests. If you are planning a meeting, please call (321) 939-7129. Guests under age 18 must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Location and General Information
This waterfront hotel is near Epcot theme park, Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and Disney’s BoardWalk Area at Walt Disney World. It is a smoke-free Resort; smoking is permitted only in designated outdoor smoking locations. Accessible rooms and features are offered for Guests with disabilities.

Book your Disney & Orlando vacation with a local travel agency. World famous services, free gifts, guaranteed lowest prices, and all at no cost to you! Book your vacation with the local experts – we live where you’re traveling! Call 877-918-8941 or visit us online

Advance planning for your Disney Vacation will make your trip more fun and less stressful for everyone.  It can also save you money!  There’s a vast amount of information about Disney World on the web and in print. It can certainly overwhelm anyone, especially a first time guest! 

Choose Your Vacation Date Wisely  When you pick a date for your Disney Vacation, be aware that certain times of the year will be more expensive and more crowded than others.  Check out this crowd calendar that will help you pick the best date.

Choose an Expert Disney Vacation Planner to Help You  A travel agent specializing in Disney (like me!) will be a time and money saver for you.  The services you receive are 100% free to you as Disney pays us to help you plan your vacation!  We find the best available price for you. Even after your trip is booked, we will “price watch” and if Disney releases a new promotion, we will rebook your trip, saving you money!

Choose a Disney Resort that Suits Your Family Best  Disney offers 3 categories of resorts, Value, Moderate and Deluxe. There are many reasons for staying onsite including extra hours in the parks, free transportation from the airport, ability to use a Dining Plan and convenient transportation around Disney.

Choose Which Parks to Visit Each Day and Special Things to Do  Your agent can help here too.  One of our services is itinerary planning that will maximize time.  Involve your family and decide which attractions are most important to you.  Start a notebook to keep your plans, packing list and notes together.  Look at some books about traveling to Disney and get familiar with the attractions.  You might play golf, enjoy a water park, a behind the scenes tour or see a special show.  The possibilities are endless!

 

Choose Where You Want to Dine  Reservations for dining can be made 180 days in advance. There are websites that list menus, reviews and even photos of meals!  Your agent can make recommendations and even make reservations for your table service meals for you.

 

Written by Sheri Morris, “Main Street Morris”  Sheri is a proud grandmother with a keen eye for detail. She specializes in Disney Travel for adults and RV travel.  Book your next vacation with Sheri at 804 405 5005 or at sheri@destinationsinflorida.com.

I love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies but I really love being a Pirate IN the Caribbean.  Pirate Night takes place one evening on every Disney Cruise.   You will find a Pirates IN the Caribbean bandana and some gold coins (chocolate) in your stateroom before the festivities begin.  But why stop at a bandana? Many guests bring costumes or purchase additional items in the gift shop. Here are some of the experiences you can look forward to on Pirate Night:

Themed Dinner- All of the restaurants will be pirate themed for the evening. When you arrive at dinner all of the wait staff will be decked out in pirate gear.  If you are seated in Animator’s Palate on Pirate Night, there will be pirate photos on all of the screens throughout the restaurant.  Traditional menus will be replaced with treasure map menus. I recommend Black Beard’s Jumbo Crab Cake, Jack Sparrow’s Barbecue Marinated Beef Short Ribs, and the Johnny Cake.

Character Appearances- Check your personal navigator for the location of your favorite characters.  All of the characters will be dressed in pirate costumes.  Pirate Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and Goofy usually make a couple appearances.  You may also see Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, Chip, Dale, Stitch, Peter Pan, Jake- The Neverland Pirate, and Captain Jack Sparrow.

Deck Party- Join Captain Mickey and his crew on the pool deck for a Pirate Celebration. There will be games, music, and a stage show.  Make sure you get there early to find a good viewing spot.  The show is kid friendly but you may want to hug your little one a bit closer when Captain Hook tries to take over the ship. Let them know there’s no need to worry because Captain Mickey will save the day! 

Fireworks- My favorite part of Pirate Night is the Buccanneer Blast Fireworks. Disney Cruise Line is the only one in the world that has fireworks at sea. It is such an amazing experience to watch as the sky lights up over the ocean!

Written by Shante Carson — Shante is a Disney Cruise Expert with over eight cruises taken on the Disney Dream, Disney Wonder, and Disney Fantasy.  Bon Voyage!  Shante is ready to help you plan your magical Disney Cruise vacation. Book your next vacation with Shante at 252-917-0497 or shante@destinationsinflorida.com.

I am so excited about this Adventure by Disney.  It totally captures my imagination with visions of fairy tales and romantic Germany.

You will start your 9 night/8 day family vacation in Frankfurt, Germany, where an Adventures by Disney representative will meet you at the airport to take you to your hotel, the Crown Plaza Heidleberg.

Begin your sightseeing the next morning with the majestic ruins of this incredible red-stone castle, once a fortress and the home of royalty. Tour the castle with your Adventure Guides as well as a local expert and meet some surprise guest characters from the castle’s past!

Did you ever think that you would meet the Brothers Grimm?  Well, you will when your Adventures by Disney, heads to Alsfeld.  You will tour this amazing medieval town with the brothers, while they talk about their lives and tell you the stories that they wrote right in that town.  I’m already to pack my bags for this trip and it’s only the 2nd day!  For lunch, Enjoy a picnic in the courtyard of the delightful Alsfed Museum. Like a gingerbread house from a fairytale, this timber-frame museum is classic old German architecture. Before lunch, Little Red Riding Hood will tell you her own story.From Alsfeld, you will travel through the countryside to the town of Waldeck, where your very own castle hotel awaits!

The next day is a quiet day in the picturesque German countryside.  The morning starts with a guided, private bicycle tour of trails surrounding Lake Edersee. You’ll also see the charming countryside aboard a sightseeing ferry.  You’ll spend the afternoon learning archery from a local expert and have time to walk the grounds of the hotel on your own.

If this trip wasn’t amazing enough, hold on, it gets better.  On day 5, your family will journey to Löwenburg Castle created by Landgrave Wilhelm IX, known as the Walt Disney of his era! Enjoy a “royal” welcome when a German princess rolls out the red carpet and greets you at the castle. Follow the princess on a tour of the castle complex and its grounds.  See firsthand the amazingly decorated medieval, Renaissance and baroque rooms and the weapons room with its famous Black Knight suit of armor, and Gothic-style chapel. You will have lunch in the beautiful manor house that once fed the sovereigns at the nearby castle.

After lunch you are off to Rothenburg, where that evening the Night Watchman will lead you by lamp light through the town as he regale you with legends, make pretzels in the town’s oldest bakery, Striffler Bakery, then tour the world famous Steiff Bear Museum in Giegen, followed by a hands- on bear activity. followed by a walking tour of Munich.

Now this is what I have been waiting this whole trip to tell you about!  The castle of King Ludwig II, Walt Disney’s inspiration for Sleeping Beauty’s Castle!  Yes, a tour of this amazing castle.  After your tour, your family will take a relaxing horse-drawn carriage ride through the German countryside to the historic Hotel Muller Hohenschwangau. As you dine, you’re treated to a stunning view of Neuschwanstein Castle.

To book this stunning Adventures by Disney, contact Diana today at diana@destinatinsinflorida.com.

Written by Diana Edgar — Diana is an Adventures by Disney Expert on United States trips and around the world.  Are you ready for that once-in-a-lifetime vacation?  Diana is ready to help you plan your magical Disney vacation. Book your next vacation with Diana at diana@destinationsinflorida.com.

 

 

As the Disney Foodie I want to take you behind the scenes into the Disney kitchens and break down the magic behind some of our favorite Disney recipes. Anybody can be a Disney chef for a day, all you need is a little faith, trust, and maybe a pinch of pixie dust, so let’s get started.

The recipe I picked to share with you today is the Beef Barley Soup from Le Cellier at the Canada Pavilion in Epcot. The whole process of making the soup was actually pretty straightforward. I had never made beef barely soup from scratch so I admit I was a little nervous. But, it ended up being quite easy. So I promise this is not a recipe to be afraid of! Besides I’m here to take you step by step through the whole process and even share a few pointers here and there.

Ingredients

• 1 pound onion — diced medium (I used about 3-4 small onions.)?
• 1 pound celery — diced medium?(I used about half of stalk of celery, but you can do a little less if your not big on the celery flavor.)
• 1/2 pound carrot — diced medium?(OK so I admit it, I cheated! I bought a 1lb bag of pre slice carrots and used half of it. But you can totally chop the carrots your self if you prefer.)
• 1/2 pound leeks — sliced 1/2″ thick?(I used 2-3 leeks
• 4 ounces butter
• 3 ounces roasted garlic puree (So I couldn’t find roasted garlic puree anywhere. If you want to you can roast your own garlic and then puree it, and more power to you if you do! But again I cheated, I bought a jar of chopped roasted garlic, usually found but the whole garlic in the produce section, and then just pureed that.)?
• 1/2 gallon beef stock
• 1 1/2 pounds Prime rib — medium dice
• 1/2 (1 Tbs) ounce kosher salt
• 1/2 (1 Tbs) ounce black pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 8 ounces precooked barley (My family really likes barely so we used 16 ounces. I mean if a little is good a lot must be better right?)?
• 3 fluid ounces red wine

 

Method

1. Before I begin cooking I like to get all my chopping out of the way. So the first thing I did was to chop up my leeks, celery, onions, and carrots.
2. Then I took my jar of chopped roasted garlic and my little mini processor…And processed the garlic until it was a totally pureed.
3.  Now I bought a bone-in prime rib, so I had to de-bone and trim the prime rib (you absolutely do not need to buy a bone-in piece of prime rib, if you want to be a bit more budget conscious you can use a rib eye steak, or even a strip steak).
   1. Whether you are de-boning, or just trimming and cutting your steak, make sure you have a good sharp knife, and keep your fingers out of the way. And just in general be careful.
   2.  Now if you do buy a bone-in prime rib don’t through away that bone! That’s all flavor right there! You can throw it in pot when you put in the chunks of prime rib and just fish it out before you serve up the soup.
4. In a large saucepot, heat the butter until fully melted.
5. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and leeks and sautee until tender, about 6 ?to 7 minutes over medium heat.
6. Add the red wine and scrap the bottom of the pot, and reduce the wine by 3/4. This takes about 10-15 minutes.
7. Add the beef stock, puree of roasted garlic, meat, (bone if you have one), and spices. Cook together for 1 1/2 hours or until the flavors have blended together.
8. While the soup is cooking you can go ahead and cook the barely based on the package instructions. And then add  pre-cooked barely once the soup has been cooking for 1 1/2 hours.
9. Allow the soup to cook for another 5-10 minutes just to allow the barely to heat up and let all the flavors blend together.
10.  Congratulations, you just made beef barely soup from scratch!
11.  Now dish up your soup add a nice big piece of some crusty bread and enjoy!

 See now anybody can be a Disney chef! I hope everyone enjoys this recipe as much as my family and I did! Feel free to send me any comments, questions, or feedback. I look forward to hearing from you! Have a magical meal!

Written by Meghan Blair, the “Disney Foodie” — As a Florida Resident, Meghan combines her love of Disney and her love of food! She will give you the best restaurant and dining tips and suggestions to make your meals, just as magical as the rest of your vacation! Book your next vacation with Meghan at 954-328 7090 or meghan@destinationsinflorida.com.