Some of the best places to Dine on Walt Disney World property is in Epcot. Did you know that you are getting a truly authentic cultural experience in each country?  Where you experience the classic food served by chefs and servers from the country that you are in. So if you are in Italy, you can rest assured that your food will be cooked and served by a true Italian. The same goes for each country in World Showcase. Here are my Top 5 not to be missed restaurants in World Showcase.

# 5 – Teppan Edo

Here you can experience a true Japanese hibachi restaurant and show experience.  Yours seated around a classic hibachi grill table with for (8) people. Then relax and let the Japanese chefs get to work with their famous showmanship working with knives and food. They may even make a hidden Mickey out of a stack of onions or a fiery volcano. You can choose from seafood, chicken, beef, vegetables, and rice. Served fresh from the grill to your plate, steaming hot. This is one table service entitlement if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.

# 4 – La Hacienda de San Angel  

Location, Location, Location, This is set on the water’s edge which makes for a great location to experience illuminations. So take that into consideration when making your advanced dining reservations about 7:30 pm. The music from Epcot’s Reflections of Earth will pipe in. Then order your dessert watching the fireworks while drinking an authentic margarita. Serving classic Mexican specialties like shrimp tacos, Pollo al pastore, and sirloin steak. All entrees served with fresh homemade corn tortillas and rice. This is one of the best spots to view illuminations.  This is also one table service entitlement if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.

# 3 Via Napoli

Looking for the best tasting, classic wood fired style pizza.  Do not miss out on a visit to Via Napoli. Located in the back of the Italy Pavilion. I like to build my own pizza with the classic toppings, like sausage, pepperoni, olives. They also have specialty signature pies that are great too.  I also add one of the pasta dishes and a classic caesar salad for one great meal. On my last visit, I had the pleasure of having Fabritzio as my server. He asked us what we wanted for dessert, and we said what do you recommend, he said the little balls. We laughed at that statement but loved our dessert. It was Zeppole di Caterina – Ricotta cheese fritters, served with whipped cream and chocolate sauce. We were even lucky to get the Family Style bar top table in the heart of all the action. Take note this is a very loud family friendly atmosphere. This is also one table service entitlement if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.

# 2 Akershus

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner daily in Epcot.  Here you will find a lot of your favorite princesses too. Located in the Norway Pavilion. They offer a great family style skillet menu for each meal. My favorite meal here is breakfast. Where they serve eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, Mickey waffles and some classic Norwegian food. It is hearty and filling. If you dine for lunch or dinner you can try a Great appetizer called “Taste of Norway” – This royal feast begins with some of the finest Scandinavian Seafood, Imported Cheeses, cured and sliced Meats, and a vast selection of Salads and Fruits. As for the princesses, you will usually find Belle, Jasmine, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Ariel and Mary Poppins. The great thing is that this Character Meal is only one table service entitlement on the Disney Dining plan.  

# 1 Le Cellier Steakhouse

If you can splurge on a fantastic dinner, this is the one that is not to be missed. Make sure to secure your advanced Disney dining reservation at the 180-day mark for this Canadian steakhouse. Set in a quaint wine cellar with a small number of tables. Making this location books up fast. It is now 2 sit down entitlements on the Disney Dining Plan. They made this a signature dining location which did help with getting a reservation since the price went up. Some of the top notch choices are Filet Mignon, mushroom risotto, cheddar beer cheese soup with pretzel bread sticks, and macaroni and cheese in a skillet. Always served to perfection. For dessert don’t miss the chocolate moose After dinner make sure to take a walk behind the restaurant to check out the great waterfalls for a great photo opp. They can be easily missed.        

Written by Dawn Caitano – Dawn creates lasting memories by planning your customized vacations all over the world. Not only does she find the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, but she will fill in all the blanks for you, all at no cost to you. Traveling is her passion! Passing that magic on to your family is what fuels that passion!  So call Dawn today to start your next Adventure. Book your next vacation with Dawn at 917-494-5771 or dawn@destinationsinflorida.com

Dining at Walt Disney World Resort

From a stellar line-up of celebrity chefs at Disney Springs to trend-setting creations from Disney’s new global test kitchen, the Walt Disney World culinary team exceeds expectations of food-savvy guests. Here’s the buzz for 2016:

Disney Springs

Celebrity eats and fast bites: Coming this summer: Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming – Florida Kitchen and Shine Bar; Chef Rick Bayless’ Tablas Frontera; and STK, a modern steakhouse mixed with the ambiance of a sleek lounge. They join recently opened Morimoto Asia by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and The BOATHOUSE starring seafood and dream boats from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s. Also look for a re-imagined Planet Hollywood at Disney Springs by summer as the flagship venue is transformed into a star-themed Planet Hollywood Observatory to match the look and feel of Disney Springs. By fall, Fulton’s Crab House reopens with a new concept.

(Matt Stroshane)

Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza opens this summer, a modern “pizza joint” known for custom-built artisanal pizzas. Guests will flip for Disney’s D-Luxe Burger featuring gourmet burgers made from a signature blend of beef, plus all-natural chicken and vegetarian burgers, hand-cut fries and gelato shakes in a relaxing Town Center location with outdoor seating overlooking the Spring. Also look for three new Disney kiosks: Aristocrepes, with sweet and savory crepes; The Daily Poutine, with hot fries and four different toppings, and B.B. Wolf’s Sausage Co. featuring artisan sausages. Jock Lindsay’s Hangar Bar opened in 2015 along the waterfront at Disney Springs with 150 seats inside and out. The bar cleverly features salvaged equipment, spare airplane parts and travel mementos collected by Jock, Indiana Jones’ pilot in the first film.

Next gen of sweets: Recently opened, The Ganachery showcases the beauty of chocolate, with Disney’s proprietary recipe for the custom-made ganache, a luxurious mixture of melted chocolate and cream. Opening in May, Amorette’s Patisserie will feature classic and contemporary pastries by the Disney chefs, with custom cakes that are works of art. Also coming this summer is Sprinkles, serving up handcrafted cupcakes, slow churned ice cream and homemade cookies. (Their innovative Cupcake ATM will satisfy sweet-toothed epicureans 24/7.)

(Matt Stroshane, photographer)

In the Disney Resorts

For those who brunch: For those who like a leisurely Sunday morning, Disney added two new brunches. The new Brunch at the Top at California Grill atop Disney’s Contemporary Resort features both a buffet (with an extraordinary Bloody Mary bar) and table service, plus a remarkable view from the 15^th floor. Narcoossee’s Waterfront Brunch at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is a three-course delight with Mimosas, Champagne or Bloody Marys. For reservations, 407-WDW-DINE.

New lounge for small bites, original cocktails: At Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto is a favorite of Disney fans, with more than 1,200 pieces of memorabilia. Hand-crafted cocktails and small plates are a hit with guests.

Redux: Flying Fish Café at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort temporarily closed at the end of January, but reopens this summer with a whole new look – and while the kitchen is working on new menu items, the chef promises that potato-wrapped snapper and the popular New York strip steak will be back.

New in the theme parks

Global cuisine at two new restaurants: At Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Tiffins opens Memorial Day weekend, featuring food from places that inspired the creation of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Open for both lunch and dinner, Tiffins has waterfront views and is situated at the entrance to Pandora: The World of AVATAR, opening in 2017. (“Tiffin” is an Indian English word for a midday meal or a type of container used to carry food while traveling). Adjacent to Tiffins, Nomad Lounge features hand-crafted cocktails with African, Asian and South American flavors; beers, and sustainable wines from those regions, plus specialty non-alcoholic beverages and small bites.

The new Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom is the first restaurant inspired by a classic attraction. Just steps from the legendary Jungle Cruise attraction in Adventureland, the 222-seat restaurant features bold, flavorful tastes of Asia, South America and Africa for lunch and dinner. Great Food Among the Flowers and More of The Best Food Fest: The Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival has expanded to 90 days, and Epcot International Food & Wine Festival kicks off Sept. 14 and runs through November 14 this fall. That means almost two additional weeks – from 53 days to 62 – of deliciousness, foodie fun, culinary events, celebrity chefs, seminars, music concerts and more.

What Disney does best: Allergy-friendly menus are found in more than 120 quick-service and table-service locations at both Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, along with more ways to make the special-diet-request process easier. Guests are still able to consult directly with a restaurant chef or special diets trained cast member. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is the recipient of a FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) Award for dedication to providing a safe and enjoyable dining experience for vacationing families and Disney chefs have been recognized for their commitment to food allergy awareness, education and management.

Where it all starts: Ever wonder how a new dish makes it on the menu? Or how a cocktail comes to life? The Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Flavor Lab brings the chefs, front-of-house managers, sommeliers, mixologists and more together in a state-of-the-art research and development facility. The new 7,000-square foot Flavor Lab serves as a hub of new product, packaging and equipment innovation for food and beverage programs across Walt Disney Parks and Resorts around the globe. While not open to the public, Disney guests will be the ultimate benefactor of all the testing, measuring and collaborations that will happen in the expansive new space.

For the first time in forever, guests can explore the kingdom of Arendelle when “Frozen Ever After” opens in the Norway Pavilion in summer 2016. This family-friendly adventure picks up after the events in the blockbuster hit “Frozen” and celebrates a “Summer Snow Day.”

A stone archway entrance greets guests to the kingdom of Arendelle. Queen Elsa, Princess Anna, Kristoff, Olaf, trolls and Marshmallow join them on their boat journey through the frozen willow forest, past Troll Valley and up to the North Mountain to Elsa’s ice palace.

After disembarking, guests can meet the regal sisters in the cozy Royal Sommerhus. Inspired by a cabin in the countryside of Norway, the sisters have opened their summer home for visitors.

(Disney)

Fun Facts:

• Frozen Ever After is the first Frozen-themed attraction and the Royal Sommerhus is Elsa’s and Anna’s permanent meet and greet at Disney Parks.

• Guests will witness Elsa’s ice magic on Frozen Ever After.

• Composers Bobby Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez created new lyrics to the cherished Frozen film songs.

• All of the original voice talent from the film returned and recorded dialogue and songs for the attraction

• WDI traveled to Norway to research architecture, décor and artifacts; guests will find their inspiration in the Royal Sommerhus.

• The design of Royal Sommerhus and the surrounding area is modeled after a traditional Norwegian cabin in Trondheim.

What New Shopping, Dining and Entertainment are Bubbling in Disney Springs?

Wrapped in Florida-inspired, made-for-strolling promenades, arcing footbridges, flowing streams and waterfront charm, Disney Springs treats Walt Disney World Resort guests to an exciting blend of shopping, dining and entertainment with a Disney touch.

By day or night guests can expect a vibrant scene, whether they are shopping world-class brands, enjoying high-quality entertainment, having that special dining experience, pleasure boating on Village Lake or hopping a balloon skyward for spectacular views of Walt Disney World and beyond.

(Todd Anderson, photographer)

The former Downtown Disney completes a dramatic, multi-year transformation in 2016, renamed Disney Springs and more than doubling – to 150 — the number of shops, restaurants or other venues for guests to explore and enjoy. In creating the largest expansion in its history, Disney planners infused Disney Springs with the same focus on storytelling and attention to detail that are hallmarks of Disney theme parks, resort hotels and cruise ships, creating a welcoming space that only Disney can provide.

That story begins as Florida’s did, with bubbling springs and natural beauty that first attracted settlers to the area. Turn-of-the-century waterfront towns sprang up, dotting Florida’s landscape. Today’s Disney Springs fittingly starts with a clear water stream and fans out to exciting precincts for entertainment, dining, lounging and shopping.

(Todd Anderson, photographer)

Guests will find four outdoor neighborhoods, each with its own personality:

• All-new among the Disney Springs neighborhoods and opening this summer, The Town Center will offer a sophisticated mix of shopping and dining along with a lushly landscaped promenade where guests can relax, refresh and reconnect at the water’s edge. Town Center features Spanish “Revival” style architecture, drawing from a rich history of explorers that landed in Florida centuries ago. At the heart of Town Center is The Spring, themed to early Florida settlements. Guests will find Town Center a shopper’s haven. Prime retailers such as Anthropologie, LACOSTE, Under Armour, kate spade new york, Sephora and Oakley will call Town Center home. Among dining choices awaiting Town Center guests, Tablas Frontera will serve up gourmet Mexican cuisine on planks (not plates!) from the menu envisioned by celebrity chef Rick Bayless, a six-time James Beard Foundation winner.

(Matt Stroshane, photographer).

• A colorful and thriving district called The Landing offers inspired dining and breathtaking waterfront views. High-quality retailers including Erwin Pearl for fashion jewelry and Havaianas for sandals are found along its lantern-lined byways. Grab a signature gelato at Vivoli Gelateria, dine off a shipshape menu at The BOATHOUSE or enjoy, at Morimoto Asia, Pan-Asian cuisine from celebrity chef Matsaharu Morimoto, of Iron Chef fame. Coming later this spring: STK Orlando, a fine dining experience set in chic, contemporary surroundings.

• The family-friendly Marketplace will continue to delight guests of all ages by combining new experiences such as an over-the-water pedestrian causeway, along with classic Disney favorites, including an expanded World of Disney store.

(Matt Stroshane, photographer)

• The West Side The West Side provides an exuberant atmosphere with lively entertainment, retail and dining along with a series of new elevated spaces that provide both shade and an overlook to the activity below. From Cirque du Soleil to iconic restaurants to colorful food trucks to bowling with a stylized twist at Splitsville, West Side offers something for everyone. There is even the opportunity to lift off in a tethered balloon. Characters in Flight rises from the banks of Village Lake for eye-popping, 360-degree views (on a clear day you can see Florida’s east coast).

Thanks to new slot-smart parking decks where green lights indicate available spaces, parking is convenient to the entire Disney Springs scene – and free. Valet parking also is available.

Disney Springs is easily accessed from I-4, Central Florida’s major interstate, and connected to the rest of Walt Disney World Resort by motor coach and watercraft.

Mako Makes First Test Run at SeaWorld Orlando

Mako made its debut run along its 4,760-foot steel track at SeaWorld Orlando this week. During its inaugural test ride, Mako plunged 200-feet down from its initial lift hill, surged through nine air-time hills and reached topped speeds of 73 mph. 

Mako’s tight turns and speed are inspired by reality.  Mako sharks are known for their top speed, making extreme jumps and the ability to quickly change course as they pursue their prey. Riders will become submerged into the world of the mako shark and feel the power of the predator as they experience the thrill of the hunt starting June 10.

Mako Quick Facts:

• Opening June 10, 2016, Mako will be the tallest, fastest and longest coaster in Orlando.
• Mako will be a hypercoaster, designed for speed and relentless “air time”
• Orlando’s only hypercoaster lures guests to brave tight turns, stomach steep drops and endure shark-attack speeds.
• Riders will soar up to 200 feet high and reach speeds up to 73 mph.
• Mako will be the centerpiece of the new two-acre shark-themed realm which also includes Shark Encounter^®, Sharks Underwater Grill^®, gift shops, and shark- and shipwreck-themed educational experiences.

Follow the Mako frenzy using the hashtag #NothingFaster. 

Join our Disney Free Dining 2016 Watch List

In the past Disney has released it’s FREE Dining promotions near the end of April. If you would like to be one of the first people to get pricing on the FREE Disney Dining promotions if/when they are released, sign up for our FREE Disney Dining & Fall Promo Watch List! 

Free Disney Dining is typically offered for the late summer & fall travel dates. Oftentimes, it’s first released to Disney Visa Card holders, and then to the public a few days later. Separate offers with Room-only discounts sometimes come out simultaneously.

Don’t miss out on the savings! Sign up today!

If you have any questions or would like to speak to with a vacation planner, you can reach us at 877-918-8941 or https://www.destinationsinflorida.com/request-a-quote/

Note: These offers usually exclude: Disney’s Bay Lake Tower, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s All Star Movies, Disney’s Art of Animation Little Mermaid standard rooms, Disney’s All Star Movies, Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter, Disney’s Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, and 3-bedroom villas.

There are typically some requirements including minimum night stays and ticket purchases that must be included to qualify.

“You know the difference between a Captain and a Skipper, don’t you? The Captain goes down with the ship…”

Travel on the world’s most exotic rivers! See dangerous animals, up close and personal! Be prepared for many surprises along the way. Well, kind of… At Magic Kingdom’s Jungle Cruise, located in Adventureland, gives you all that and more!

You know you’re in for a good time when you see boat names like Amazon Annie, Congo Connie, and Zambezi Zelda. And don’t forget your trusted skipper at the helm, all set to guide you through the dangerous waters of the four “rivers” you’ll be passing.

First stop, the Amazon in South America, the Congo in Africa, the Nile in Egypt, and, last but not least, the Mekong River in Cambodia in Southeast Asia. Along the route, you’ll encounter a variety of, at times, not-so-realistic audio-animatronic animals and the natives of those areas.

Beware! When you pass the shrunken head salesman… don’t let your skipper convince you to trade two of his heads for one of yours!

This ride is for everyone. However, there is one darkened tunnel you will pass through. So if you have little ones, you may want to try this ride during the day.

Don’t leave the Magic Kingdom without stopping at enjoying this ride.

Veronica has planned her family vacations for years.  Now she gets to do it for others, and it’s like a dream come true.  She creates lasting memories to the destination of your choice by planning customized vacations.  She focuses on family and family reunion travel to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Disney Cruise Line and Sandals & Beaches Resorts.  As well as Southern United States; like Nashville, Chattanooga, Memphis, Savannah, and Atlanta.  She’ll help you find the BEST accommodations with the BEST value, and she will fill in all the blanks… all at no cost to you! She can’t wait to pass that magic on to your family.  If you are ready to save on your next vacation, contact Veronica!! 

Veronica@DestinationsInFlorida.com

Discover top-ranked beaches, museums and historic sites in Pensacola!

Visit Pensacola invites families to become “Pensacola Explorers” with a new passport and activity guide highlighting 25 unique attractions covering nature, history, science and archeology, arts and culture in the Pensacola Bay Area.

The Pensacola Explorer Passport adventure begins when visitors either download a passport online at explorepenscola.com or pick-up a passport at one of three Pensacola Visitors Centers. Kids and families are encouraged to visit sites, collect stamps and post pictures to earn the title “Pensacola Explorer.” Explorers are eligible to win prizes at the end of their vacation! Get started mapping out an anything-but-boring beach vacation in Pensacola and Perdido Key.

Here are a few highlights of the new discoveries waiting for you in Pensacola:

Take the family into NATURE on the most pristine, uncrowded white quartz sand beaches along the Gulf Coast. Pick up shells and get up close to sea life including dolphins, fish, birds and turtles. Take a walk along theEco-Trail on Pensacola Beach where you’ll learn about local plants and common wildlife as you walk along and see the 29 signs along the trail.

Head out to the northern shoreline of Big Lagoon State Park and climb the three-story Observation Tower for a bird’s eye of the park’s 655 acres overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway. Kayaks, paddleboards and canoes are available to rent. The Pensacola Bay Area’s many places to relax and unplug, or stay busy in the outdoors is gaining national attention. Gulf Island National Seashore was named “No. 1 Best East Coast Beach” and Johnson Beach was voted “No. 2 Best National Park Beach” in USA TODAY and 10Best Readers’ Choice polls. Pensacola Beach also received a 2016 Travelers’ Choice Award – ranked as No. 7 in the Top 10 Best Beaches ranked by the TripAdvisor^® community.

Step back in time, 450 years, to walk through HISTORY. History buffs can explore historic Pensacola where the past comes to life with colonial-era costumed staff, guided walking tours and hands-on activities including butter churning and open-hearth cooking.  Climb through old military forts, a lighthouse or spend a day or two at the National Naval Aviation Museum with nearly 350,000 square feet of indoor exhibits. When you need a break from the sun, it’s the perfect place to let the kids have fun in the Kitty Hawk play area, or spend time testing out simulators, seeing a movie on the giant screen theater or meeting the Blue Angels for autographs after a weekly practice flight.

Pensacola has ART. Explore galleries, museums, music and the theater. At the First City Arts Center  everyone has a chance to find the artist within through hands-on classes in glassblowing, glass bead making, clay sculpting, pottery on the wheel, drawing and painting.

SCIENCE minds who like to tinker will find plenty to inspire their creativity.  One such stop is thePensacola MESS Hall, where making a mess is encouraged. MESS stands for Math, Engineering, Science and Stuff and different MESS kits each day encourage experimenting. What kids and parents find out is that getting to the answer isn’t the best part; what’s most interesting and exciting is what you learn in the process.

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resorts invokes the romance of Spanish Colonial Mexico at this enchanting Resort hotel. This resort is located in the Animal Kingdom area of Walt Disney World. Find your mythical city of gold in a Southwestern-themed haven of brightly colored casitas, rustic ranchos and beachfront cabanas encircling a glimmering 22-acre lake. Each accommodation provides a unique escape and welcoming home away from home. This resort also has a full-service spa and fitness center.

The pool complex is known as the Dig Site Pool. The pool at Coronado Springs has a huge water slide. You can worship the sun at an awesome aquatic area which was built around a 50ft replica of a Mayan pyramid. You watch the water stream down the steps of this pyramid which flows into the Lost City of Cibola pool, or you can plunge into the pool on the spitting Jaguar Slide. This hotel also has the largest outdoor hot tub that can fit 22 people.

In keeping with the Mexican and Southwestern Flare, you can dine at the Maya Grill, which serves both American and Traditional Mexican dishes. The dining has accents of Mayan motifs of fire, sun and water. Maya Grill also has great desserts that you can’t pass up after a wonderful meal.

The various amenities that are offered to guests at this resort where you can enjoy a campfire as you roast marshmallows by a crackling fire. You can watch beloved Disney films at complimentary outdoor screenings near the Lost City of Cibola pool. There are volleyball courts and jogging tracks located at this resort. The children can climb, slide and play on an archaeologically themed playground near the Dig Site complex and of course, the children can play in the Iguana Arcade.

Barbara Roach is your Personal Travel & Cruise Concierge. I have been organizing travel for years. I know where to find the best deals, what constitutes “value” and how you can make your vacation dollar stretch, especially when it comes to planning travel with kids.??Regardless of your destination, my goal is to exceed your every expectation and deliver you to a most enchanting vacation. We’re here for you too – just a phone call away; before, during and after your travel.

For information concerning Disney or any other destination, please contact me at 401-323-1294 or email me at barbararoach@destinationsinflorida.com