Iron Chef Morimoto Unveils Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs

The famous Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who you may know from his appearances on Iron Chef America, along with Patina Restaurant Group opened a one-of-a-kind dining experience in the heart of Disney Springs at the Walt Disney World Resort on September 30, 2015. This Japanese master chef’s first pan-Asian restaurant provides flavors from across Asia with unique exhibition kitchens showcasing the continent’s traditions. Included among them are street-food stalls, Peking duck carving and dim sum. Designed by STUDIO V Architecture and located at The Landing, Morimoto Asia’s extraordinary, 36-foot tall, two-story layout includes open terraces, grand halls, private rooms, a cocktail lounge, waterside seating and more.

According to the Disney Parks Blog, the menu ‘includes Chef Morimoto’s eclectic take on his favorite Asian flavors including moo shu pork, Peking duck, lobster chow fun, sweet and sour crispy whole fish, and spicy kung pao chicken. Weekends, dim sum will be served during brunch, with dumplings, shumai, bao, spare ribs and more. There are plenty of options for kids too, such as chicken ramen, kakuni pork bao, and karaage fried chicken.’

The restaurant is gorgeous inside and out with a luxurious overlay on the Springs Bottling Co. theme, which is part of the Disney Springs theming. Take a look around with our video.

Offering Fine/Signature Dining, Morimoto Asia accepts reservations, which are recommended. The Asian, Japanese, Seafood, and Sushi cuisine ranges in price approximately $30 to $59.99 per adult.

Save Money on Disney Dining

Disney dining experiences are a big part of the Disney vacation experience. The whole family can enjoy unique foods and themed dining experiences at the many restaurants at Walt Disney World theme parks and resorts. One of the most popular Disney dining options are the character dining experiences. With nearly 20 character dining options, you are sure to find a meal with some characters you love!

Want to know how to save money at character dining (0r any Disney dining experiences)?

Character Dining is very popular, and we strongly recommend that you make reservations in advance.

Free SeaWorld Halloween Event

Visit SeaWorld Orlando on select weekends in October for silly spooky fun at SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular. Children and adults alike will be immersed in an underwater “fantasea” filled with trick-or-treating, dancing sea creatures and pumpkin fish, where kids can also create sea-themed arts and crafts.

SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular takes place from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. weekends in October (3-4, 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, and 31) and is included with park admission. Costumes are not required, but are encouraged.

Here are some of the fun activities you can find at SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular:

• Trick or Treat – Kids can follow the special Halloween Spooktacular pathways through many different stations filled with a wide array of sweets and treats as fun loving sea creatures greet and mingle with guests. Hop aboard the Seven Seas Railway with Otto the Octopus and enjoy a whimsical train ride through Shamu’s Happy Harbor®.
• Penelope’s Party Zone – Located in Bayside Stadium, Penelope’s Party Zone comes to life when families dance and play along to the spooky sound waves broadcasted by a live DJ, listen to spooky stories and enjoy fun activities with countless bubbles floating overhead and colorful pumpkinfish gliding beside.
• Dine with Shamu® Spooktacular Brunch – Enjoy a delicious menu of seasonal and sustainable items while sitting at a poolside table that brings you closer than ever to our majestic whales.
• Sesame Street’s Countdown to Halloween – Join Count von Count, Elmo, and everyone’s favorite friends from Sesame Street for the kookiest, funniest Halloween hullaballoo ever!
• Pets Ahoy – Don’t miss Pets Ahoy, a comical show featuring the talents of dogs, cats, birds and other animals. This show will have a special Halloween theme during weekends in October.

Have you ever been to SeaWorld Halloween events?

Save Money During 20th Annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is a culinary and entertainment event held each fall in Epcot at Walt Disney World Resort. At the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, savory small plates, desserts, snacks, wines, beers and more from all over the world are featured in this outdoor festival running from late September through early November.

Want to save 30% on coffee beverages at Epcot International Food and Wine Festival? Allison shares her tip on how to do that:

What are your best tips to save money at Epcot Food and Wine Festival?

We know Disney World is expensive.  Here are some of our favorite ways to save money during your visit with Mickey Mouse!

Go Off Season to Avoid Crowds

The best times to visit Disney World are in December before Christmas, in January, and in the fall (between Labor Day and Thanksgiving). The crowds are smaller, plus everything you book at Disney World during those times is less expensive.

On the other hand, if you book during the summer and during the “spring break” period, the parks will be very crowded and everything will be more expensive.

Character Dining

If you really want to do a character meal (typically they are buffets) try for a breakfast over dinner. Breakfast is always cheaper and you can eat as much as you want. Another great benefit is that if you get the first seating it is often before the park opens. Sure you might have to get up a little earlier but you will get into the parks before everyone else, and just think about how happy you and your kids will be. Imagine being the first into the parks, being done with breakfast when the park opens, getting fast passes before everyone else, and starting the day with a full autograph book.

Car Rental

There is no need to rent a car when at Disney. Magical Express will pick you up at the airpot upon arrival then bring you back when it is time to leave. There are busses at all of the Resorts that will take you to all the theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney.

Little Princess

If you are taking your little Princess to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the Magic Kingdom or Downtown Disney buy a dress and accessories before you leave home. You can dress your child there before her pampering. You will save you some big bucks.

My last money saving tip is to go to the dollar store before you leave home. I buy glow stick necklaces and bracelets instead of spending money on the Disney parade toys and lights. I also buy and always take rain ponchos. You will need them as it showers frequently in Florida.

Written by Susan Norgaard: Susan creates lasting memories by planning customized vacations all over the world. Not only does she find you 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! If you are ready to save on your next vacation book your next vacation with Susan at susan@destinationsinflorida.com and 877-241-8663.

New Fall and Halloween Decorations at Disney’s Magic Kingdom Theme Park

Walt Disney World celebrates the seasons as well as the holidays with various decorations around its theme parks and resorts. In mid-September, Fall season and Halloween decorations start to arrive!

Here’s a look at the Halloween decorations at the Magic Kingdom.

Which holiday or seasonal decorations are your favorites?

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant – One of Our Favorite Restaurants in Orlando

With so many restaurants in Orlando, it can be tough to choose a dining location. Downtown Disney (soon to be Disney Springs) offers many dining choices alone and soon more will be opening, too.

If you are looking for a restaurant that will please the entire family, we recommend Raglan Road. Raglan Road features inventive cuisine by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon, host of the TASTE Award-winning PBS and Create TV cooking show, “Kevin Dundon’s Modern Irish Food.” Not only is it an authentic Irish pub, but you’ll find allergy-friendly menus, live entertainment, excellent service and fresh, top-notch food. The menu is described as modern, inventive, award winning and out-of-this-world!

Take a brief tour with us:

Here are just a sample of the recent awards noted on their website:

Did you ever get the chance to voyage under the sea with Nemo? No, not that Nemo, long before the little clownfish got lost and his dad went searching the Big Blue, there was another Nemo at Walt Disney World, Captain Nemo of the Nautilus. He piloted his submarine through perilous waters in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

20,000 Leagues Under the Seas opened October 14, 1971, and was one of the original flagship attractions at Walt Disney World. It had twelve amazing 38-passenger subs and the huge water tank held 11.5 million gallons of water.

This ride was designed for people with an imagination, people with dreams, people who could let themselves be swept away. Once you boarded your sub, you sat on a stool looking out a personal porthole. Millions of bubbles washed over the windows as you descended into the sea. Captain Nemo would describe the scenes as you passed by on your trek, including mermaids and even the lost city of Atlantis. But your peaceful ride took a turn for the worse when you faced the giant squid! Thanks to your skilled captain, you narrowly escaped before surfacing.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea was abruptly “temporarily closed” for renovations on September 5, 1994. However, that temporary closure turned out to be permanent, though it wasn’t until early 1996 that it was officially announced that the 20K ride was closed forever. Were you sad to see it go?

Written by Laura Schindler: Laura creates lasting memories by planning customized vacations all over the world. Not only does she find you 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! If you are ready to save on your next vacation book your next vacation with Laura at laura@destinationsinflorida.com.

Disney Resorts Dining at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

At Walt Disney World, the Disney resorts offer a range dining experiences from grab and go items, to quick service restaurants, to full table service meals and more. Moderate and Deluxe resort category hotels offer more options, but even the value resorts offer a large food court with quick service dining.

In this video, we take a closer look at the quick service dining options available at the moderate level resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. The dining locations shown here are located at Old Port Royale where you can also find a merchandise shop and the main feature pool.

As you can see, a variety of foods are available including sandwiches, burgers, salmon entrees, chicken entrees, pizza, pasta, salads, quesadillas and more.  Grab and go items include pastries, cupcakes, sandwiches, desserts, juice, soft drinks, wine, beer and more.