Chef Mickey's Opening For Brunch

One of the most popular (and most fun, in my opinion) character dining experiences is about to open up for mid-day meals! Chef Mickey's at Disney's Contemporary Resort currently serves breakfast from 7-11:30am and dinner from 5-9:30pm. Beginning on May 31, 2015, they will begin offering brunch to guests, from 11:30am-2:30pm.

While characters are always subject to change, Chef Mickey's most often features Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Pluto, and Goofy. Like I mentioned, it's super conveniently located at the Contemporary Resort, which is down a 5/10 minute walking path from the Magic Kingdom. It is also on the monorail line. Not just "on the line," actually; the monorail runs right through the middle of the Contemporary Resort! If you're using the Disney Dining Plan to cover you meal costs, the brunch buffet, like breakfast and dinner, will use 1 Table Service entitlement.

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What To Expect At A Disney World Resort Hotel

Disney's All-Star Movies Resort

You have your trip to Disney World all booked and ready to go. And, you aren't just going to the parks; You are going to be staying "on property." But, what's the big deal about actually staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels, right there on the Disney property?

How about swimming and recreation? At each and every Disney Resort Hotel, you'll find multiple themed pools, water play areas perfect for even the youngest of guests, and playgrounds. There is also plenty of fun and games when Disney Resort Cast Members lead group games live Trivia, Bingo, and many more! At night, enjoy nightly Movies Under the Stars. Those are just some examples of the many fun, complimentary experiences that you'll find available at your Resort Hotel.

What about food while you're away from the parks? Well, there are plenty of delicious eats at your Disney Resort Hotel. Some hotels boast Counter-Service dining locations with extremely large selections of food, from pasta to hamburgers, steak to seafood. You'll discover the specific choices at your Resort when it's time for you and your family to stop by and eat! Hotels in the Moderate and Deluxe categories include a Table Service restaurant in addition to their Counter-Service spot.

We've already talked about the sheer size of the Walt Disney World Resort. Staying at a Resort Hotel means that you will have access to free transportation that runs every 20 minutes, like clockwork, to get you from one place to the next. Each and every Resort Hotel provides Motor Coach service. However, your vacation travels may take you to locations that also offer Boat and/or Monorail service, as well!

And, of course, we can't forget about the Legendary Customer Service that Disney is known for, world-wide. When you stay at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you know that everything will be done right and with a smile. Because that's the way that Magic happens!

And those are just some of the incredible features of a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel. Next time, we'll talk about some of the other benefits, away from your hotel itself, that you will receive when you stay, "on property!"

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Disney World Resort Now Offers Direct-To-Room Check-In!

Here's some exciting news that Disney has been working on for us - Direct-to-Room Check-In. No longer will Guests need to make the front desk of their Resort Hotel their first stop, upon arriving at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once Guests have completed the necessary steps, they will receive an email or text letting them know their room number. Then, once they arrive at the Resort, they'll be greeted by a Cast Member who will direct them either to the front desk, for a standard check-in, or their room, if they so choose (once it's available, of course - usually after 3pm, though sometimes earlier). All that we have to do to be eligible for this service is:

• Customize our MagicBands and opt for them to be shipped to our home
• Complete the Online Check-In Process
• Our reservation has to be paid in full or a credit card and PIN must be on file
• Choose a preferred method of communication (text or email)

The phasing in of this new system has already begun and is expected to be in effect for all of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels by mid-March. You will know if you're hotel is eligible for your upcoming vacation if you receive an email from Disney. It's as simple as that!

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Tips For Booking FastPass+ Reservations - Plus My Own Pics!

MyDisneyExperience FastPass reservation screen

I booked FastPasses for my own Disney Vacation last night, so I thought that I should share a little bit about my experience. First, it's important to remember that Walt Disney World Resort Guests can begin booking their entire trip's worth of FastPass+ Reservations up to 60 days prior to their vacation. And, when I say they can book them up to 60 days in advance, I mean they definitely should book them at that point in time. So, for me, yesterday marked 61 days before my trip. At about 11:45pm EST, I hopped onto my computer, navigated over to the MyDisneyExperience website, and waiting for Midnight. Because, of course, at Midnight is when 61 days becomes 60. Again, this is all based around Eastern Standard Time.  So, if you're, say, in California, you would look to start booking at 9pm your time (since that would be Midnight EST).

Now, when Midnight did come around, I didn't actually begin booking my FastPasses from Day 1. I started with the final day of my trip. Why? Because, when you book FastPasses, you can lock them in for up to 10 days of your vacation at a time. That means that, while I first had access to my Day 1 last night (60 days prior), anyone whose first day is 70 days out or less has already had access to the FastPasses for that day! So, super hard to get reservations, like the Anna & Elsa Meet and Greet at Magic Kingdom, have more of a likelihood of being gone by that point. So, the later in my trip that I start booking for, the fewer other Guests who have had prior access to that day's worth of experiences. This strategy works especially well if you have, at least, a 10-day vacation planned. Because, then, you'll be among the first people to get to book for that day. As it stands for this trip, I am only going to be at Disney for 7 days and, so, by the time I popped on at Midnight, Anna & Elsa Fastpasses were already gone (as were FastPasses for the Festival of Fantasy Parade and the Main Street Electrical Parade). I'll probably keep checking for those Meet & Greet FastPasses as we get closer, especially at 30 days prior to my trip, as well as on the morning that I would like those reservations for. Why 30 days? Non-Resort Guests (including Guests with Day Passes as well as Passholders) can begin booking then, and Disney does like to keep some availability for those folks. The same holds true for the morning of. Worth a shot, right? And, remember, this is just for FastPass. If there is something that I really want to do, but haven't been able to get a FastPass for, I'll make sure that I head straight to that attraction or experience at Park Opening on the day of, and get in the Standby Queue.

I'd like to share, with you, the FastPasses that I did book last night. It is, by no means, the end all and be all when it comes to what you should book for yourself and your family. It is a combination of the experiences and times that work for me and mine - but it does give you a really good idea of my "Must-Dos," at any rate! I'll also include the couple of Dining Reservations that I booked all the way back at the 180-Day mark, as well as some thoughts and notes, to give you an even better picture of how we've arranged our days, with those included.

Day 1 (Magic Kingdom):
- We're driving to Disney World, and expect to arrive at Magic Kingdom around Noon.

• 12:50pm-1:50pm - Meet Mickey Mouse at Town Square Theater
• 2:05pm - Lunch at Tony's Town Square Restaurant
• 2:30pm-3:30pm - Meet Tinkerbell at Town Square Theater

- If we arrive at Magic Kingdom early, we're just planning on hanging out in that Town Square Area. There are lots of other characters available to meet there, like Mary Poppins, Princess Aurora, Snow White, Marie from The Aristocats, and Pluto. There are also some fabulous shops to check out in the area. The point is not to wander too far. We're just there for lunch that day, and then it's back to the hotel to swim and relax for the "official" start of our trip, the following morning.

Day 2 (Magic Kindgom):
- Watch the Welcome Show at Park Opening

• 9:30am - Breakfast with Pooh and Friends at The Crystal Palace
• 10:45am-11:45am - Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin
• 1:35pm-2:35pm - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• 4:35pm-5:35pm - Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Day 3 (Animal Kingdom):

• 12:10pm-1:10pm - Meet Mickey & Minnie at Adventurer's Outpost
• 1:45pm-2:45pm - Kilimanjaro Safaris
• 2:55pm-3:55pm - Expedition Everest

Day 4 (Epcot):

• 9:15am - Breakfast with Goofy & Friends at Cape May Cafe at Disney's Beach Club Resort (walking distance from Epcot's International Gateway Entrance.
• 11:00am-12:00pm - Test Track
• 12:20pm-1:20pm - Meet Disney Pals (Mickey & Friends) at the Epcot Character Spot
• 4:04pm-5:05pm - Spaceship Earth

Day 5 (Hollywood Studios):

• 11:05am-12:05pm - For The First Time In Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
• 1:55pm-2:55pm - Toy Story Midway Mania!
• 4:50pm-5:50pm - Star Tours

Day 6 (Magic Kingdom):

• 10:40am-11:40am - Seven Dwarfs Mine Train
• 11:50am-12:50pm - Enchanted Tales with Belle
• 2:45pm-3:45pm - Space Mountain
• 4:00pm - Dinner at Be Our Guest

Day 7:
- Getting up, packing the car, swimming, and heading home! Of course, I'll make sure that I call the great Disney Reservations folks to find out about any possible Bounceback Offers.

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10 Great Walt Disney World Tips For Families

Sometimes, after getting back from a Disney Vacation (especially while waiting for and flying on their homebound planes), my Disney Families enjoy sharing a couple of tips, thoughts, and suggestions that they found especially helpful over the course of their trip. Here are some great ones from a wonderful family!

• Fanny packs work great for the kids. They could hold their own stuff, but not complain about it.
• Buy a balloon. Most expensive balloon you will ever buy at $12, but you will always find your stroller quick. Takes some dealing with if it's windy, but it was worth it to us. Plus, we gave our balloons away when we left, and the parents were so happy!
• Character dinners are totally worth it. Saves tons of wait times in the park, meeting characters.
• Downtown Disney has lots of picture opportunities, and it's great for shopping.
• Download the [My Disney Experience] app. Totally worth it for wait times and dining. We planned where we wanted to eat and what in advance. Saves tons of time, which is precious in Disney because it is so hard to do all the things you want to do.
• We bought a rechargeable battery pack for cell phones. Get one. Trust me.
• Gift Cards worked out great. The kids knew exactly how much they had to spend and there was no begging for other things because we told them, up front, that once it was gone, that was it. We also made them wait a few days to decide, so they were really sure they were getting what they wanted.
• I wanted to find something cheap and easy for the kids to do or buy and to take home as a memento. I thought about the pins, but they wouldn't wear them. We found the [pressed] penny machines and collectors books and the kids loved it. They searched out shiny pennies so they looked better and it was fun and cheap to do.
• The Art of Animation Resort was amazing!



Cars Area at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

• Disney is all about being with your family. You better really like them because, trust me, they will test you to the point where you want to pop them one and, because you really, really love them, you won't.

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Citricos To Host Princess Breakfast & Brunch

Cinderella's Royal Table

With the Cinderella's Royal Table restaurant in Cinderella Castle slated for refurbishment from January 5-March 6, 2015, the Disney Princesses will be heading on over to Disney's Grand Floridan Resort & Spa, so that they can continue to dine with Guests in a location that is still super convenient to the Magic Kingdom. Scheduled to last from January 8-March 2015, Citricos at the Grand Floridan will be hosting a Disney Princess Breakfast and Brunch. Similarly to the setup at Cinderella's Royal Table, Guests of this new dining will be greeted by Cinderella when they arrive. Once Guests have been seated, Disney Princesses will proceed to visit their tables, throughout the course of their meal. In additional to the meal, Guests will also be presented with either a Wand or a Sword. The dining experience will also include a "Magical Wishing Ceremony."

Breakfast and Brunch hours are 8am-2:20pm at a cost of $49.99/adult; $31.99/child (ages 3-9). Two Table Service dining entitlements/Guest can also be used to cover the cost of the experience.

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Art Of Animation Resort Pool Closures Coming This Month

Big Blue Pool at Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Disney is getting ready to do some work on all there of the pools at their Art of Animation Resort. If you're about to head to Disney World for a stay there, you'll want to pay attention to following closure dates:

Big Big Pool: closed November 17-19, 2014
Little Mermaid Flippin Fins Pool: closed November 20-21, 2014
Cozy Cone Pool: closed November 24-26, 2014

Disney also has plans to a little bit more extensive work on the Finding Nemo Schoolyard Wet Play Area in the first half of 2015. That play place, located next to the Big Blue Pool, is scheduled for rehab. from May 26-June 29, 2015.

For more Refurbishment Dates and Info., visit:
WDW Scheduled Refurbishments
Disneyland Scheduled Refurbushments

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Allergy Friendly Menu Trial Run At Select Locations!

World Premiere Food Court at All-Star Movies

Disney has always been known as incredibly friendly to folks with food allergies and restrictions. Guests can personally talk to the chef at individual dining locations I discuss their personal needs and restaurants will often put together meals, designed specifically for these guests. Even at buffets, you might catch a glimpse of a Disney Chef, walking around the buffet with a guest, talking about all of the different foods, as they relate to that guest's needs. 

Going on right now, and lasting until October 20, 2014, Disney is trying something new. Select Disney World eateries have debuted new, allergy friendly menus. While the option to chat with a chef remains, the new menus have been designed to give guests even more options, with even greater ease. The dining locations that are involved in this trial are:

• Flying Fish Café at Disney's BoardWalk
• Multiple location at Hollywood Studios
• ABC Commissary
• Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant
• The Hollywood Brown Derby
• Kona Cafe and Captain Cooks at the Polynesian Resort
• World Premiere Food Court at All-Star Movies Resort

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"Toy Story 2" Movie & Snack Night

As it turns out, counting down the 100 Days To Disney is a very busy and tasty undertaking! Recently, we decided to add one of Disney's most successful movie franchises into the mix. The sequels in this series are so fantastic, actually, that we didn't even watch the original as a part of our Movie and Snack Night but, rather, the second movie in the series - simply because we wanted to see more than just the first set of characters. Okay, enough beating around the bush, let's talk about:

Toy Story 2

This is the first movie on our list that is not part of Disney's official Animated Feature collection. That's because the Toy Story movies are actually Pixar Animation Studios films. While Pixar is now owned by the Walt Disney Company (they weren't at the time to Toy Story 2's release), they continue to keep their animation studios relatively separate, though they are both run by Chief Creative Officer, John Lasseter. Toy Story 2 was released in 1999, and continues the story of Andy's toys - Buzz, Woody, and the gang. This sequel introduces us to new friends, Jessie the cowgirl and her horse (technically Woody's horse, I suppose), Bullseye.

Posing with Buzz & Woody
at Hollywood Studios

Toy Story characters and attractions can be found all around the Disney Parks, making this movie  a great one to watch before a trip to Disney World! In the Magic Kingdom, Woody and Jessie love meeting with guests next to the Splash Mountain queue in Fronteirland. And, when I say "next to the queue," I totally mean it. You're not going to be able to find the line for this meet without going underneath the overpass that separates the Splash Mountain line area from the rest of the park. It's the one that also has a small playground for little ones under there. Just head through and look to your left - you'll find it! Buzz Lightyear meets with his loyal fans in Tomorrowland, right next to his own ride - Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. This attraction gives you the chance to blast away at the Evil Emperor Zurg and his minions! The Toy Story fun doesn't stop when you leave Magic Kingdom. At Hollywood Studios, you can enjoy the ever-popular ride, Toy Story Midway Mania. This attraction is a carnival-themed, 3D, interactive adventure for the whole family. Just across the way from this one is a great opportunity to meet best friends, Buzz and Woody, together in front of a super fun, Andy's Bed backdrop. There are also some fantastic photo opportunities along the line for this meet, so that's a good time, too! Looking for a place to rest your head that is also Toy Story themed? Disney's All-Star Movies Resort has a whole section featuring many many larger than life statues of the lots of our Toy Story favs, including Green Army Men, Buzz, Woody, Bo Peep, and more!

Since we picked Toy Story 2, we had to go with a snack right out of the movie itself: Cheese Puffs! If Toy Story series too, after all! If you remember, Al, from Al's Toy Barn, can be seen with his orange cheese-coated hand dangling over a upside-down bowl and a minefield of cheese puffs all over the floor, below, as he sleeps on the couch with Woody's torn arm in his pocket. If you've ever had cheese puffs,  you know that they can make you awfully thirsty. And, so, we added some lemonade to tonight's snack. To keep with our theming, we dropped some food coloring in, to turn the lemonade green, and taped on some alien eyes for good measure. The three-eyed, green aliens are some of the heroes of the series and it was nice to give credit where credit is due!

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Hidden Mickey Hunt At Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Did you know that you can go on a Hidden Mickey Hunt at Disney's Wilderness Lodge? It's one of many great fun (and free) activities just waiting for you at Walt Disney World Resort hotels and you can check it out, even if you're not a guest at the Wilderness Lodge! If you're staying at another Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, you'll be able to drive right into the parking lot, without any worries at all. Not staying on the Disney Property? Typically, you won't have any difficulties here, either. The only time that you won't be able to park in the lot is if it is simply too crowded to fit non-Resort guests. You can, of course, also take Disney Transportation to get to the Wilderness Lodge. Hop aboard the Disney Motor Coach from any of the Theme Parks or Downtown Disney or take the boat over from the Magic Kingdom, the Contemporary Resort, or Fort Wilderness. However you get there, make your way up to the Concierge Desk and let them know that you'd like to hunt for the Hidden Mickey's. The Cast Member will give you a sheet filled with clues to help you on your quest to find the Hidden Mickey's at both the Wilderness Lodge as well and it's Villas!

Wait a minute! Just what are these "Hidden Mickeys?" A Hidden Mickey is a depiction of Mickey Mouse that has been subtly added into the design of a Disney attraction, product, resort, etc. It can take the famous, tri-circle form of Mickey's head and ears, a profile of his head in silhouette, his entire body, or any other form under the sun, so long as it's recognizable as Mickey Mouse.

The Wilderness Lodge Hidden Mickey Hunt will take you all around the resort, from it's dining areas, to the pool, and so much in between. It's truly a super fun way to spend a couple of hours. Plus, when you finish your search, you can bring your completed clue sheet back to the Lodge Desk for a special prize! My kids had an absolute blast. I do have to admit that I did some searching around on the internet for pictures of some of the Mickey's that we were having trouble finding, so I could guide my kiddos in the right direction and keep things moving along at a speed that was fitting for a 9-year-old, a 5-year-old, and a 3-year-old. In that same vein, I'd love to share some of the pictures that we took with you! They're not all the best pictures, and they'll still require you to do a whole lot of hunting on your own, but they are a good jumping off place (and the best I could do with all of my own kiddos in tow!)

In the Lobby, above the giant fireplace, on the right hand side.

Behind the Concierge Desk in the Lobby.

You can see Mickey driving the bus in the front window!

The tri-circle Hidden Mickey is on the bottom right of the white rock at Firerock Geyser.

The frontmost horse's bottom has this Hidden Mickey, located on the ceiling of the Territory Lounge.

Check out the pot in this map outside the Territory Lounge.

The fireplace in the back room of Whispering Canyon Cafe.

They just love hiding in stone at the Villas!

This profile Hidden Mickey is along the ceiling "calendar" in the rotunda at the Villas.

The corner of a picture frame in that same rotunda.

We found 4 of these guys (one was behind a tapestry) on the walls, by the elevators, in the Villas.

The ol' hallway baseboard, on the righthand side, just past the laundry room.

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Save Up To 30% At Walt Disney World Resort Hotels This Fall!

This offer is expired. Send me a quick note here to find out what new offers are available for you right now or visit the Latest Offers page.

Great news! Now you can save Up To 30% on the Resort Hotel portion of your Walt Disney World vacation!

Save Up To 30% on rooms at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels! For stays most nights, 10/4-11/25 and 11/29-12/23/14 Book Now-10/3/2014

As is often the case, there are some hotels that are excluded from this offer, namely the campsites and 3-Bedroom Villas, as well as Disney's Art of Animation Resort - Little Mermaid Standard Rooms, Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort. Also, keep in mind that the 30% savings are for Disney's Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts. Other Resorts will have a lower savings.

Let's figure out what this all means for you and your family! There are so many ways to get in touch:

• Email: vacations@ofmiceandfamily.com
• This Website: Start Planning Your Vacation!
• Facebook: Get In Touch on Facebook!
• Phone / Text: 315-450-2869

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"The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh" Movie & Snack Night

As we make our way further along our 100 Days To Disney countdown, we decided to pair a classic movie with a delicious snack, borrowed straight from Walt Disney World itself! You'll see which tasty treat and understand why it goes so well once we talk about the movie and why it's a great one to prepare your family for Disney:

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The 22nd Animated Feature for the Walt Disney Company, this 1977 film is actually a compilation of many different adventures starring Winnie the Pooh. Hence the title, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. The three animated shorts (all based on the original Winnie the Pooh stories, written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard) are Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree (in which Pooh attempts to get honey from a tree inhabited by bees, and featuring the sequence in which Pooh gets stuck in Rabbit's front door), Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day (in which a storm floods the Hundred Acre Wood and Piglet must be rescued), and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too! (in which Rabbit tries to un-bounce Tigger).

This is such a perfect movie to watch before a trip to Disney World because Pooh and Friends can be found in all sorts of places at the Walt Disney World Resort. The most obvious, perhaps, is on the ride, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. This ride became a part of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom in 1999, when it took the place of the Mr. Toad's Wild Ride attraction. Winnie the Pooh is a slow moving ride that takes you on a trip through scenes from the Pooh Bear movie, while riding in a honeypot. It also features a super fun, interactive queue, to keep little ones busy while they're waiting in line. Just outside of the Pooh ride, you can actually meet Winnie the Pooh and Tigger (other friends, such as Piglet and Rabbit, also appear from time to time), take pictures, and all of that good stuff. The Hundred Acre Wood Friends are also available for a Character Dining experience at the Crystal Palace, also located in the Magic Kingdom. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this one isn't just Pooh and Tigger. Piglet and Eeyore are also on hand. And, in our many experiences here, the characters happen to be super fun at this location - possibly the most fun of all the Character Dinings on the Disney property. They are just overall fun, sill, and goofy... the last time that we were there, Tigger grabbed our autograph book and started having a conversation with us by writing his end of it down on the pages. Talk about feeling like the characters make time for you! Pooh and Tigger have another dining that they like to participate in. This one is over at 1900 Park Fare at the Grand Floridian Resort - the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast, also featuring fellow United Kingdom friends, Alice in Wonderland; the Mad Hatter; and Mary Poppins. Winnie the Pooh (and Tigger too!) are also available to meet with you at Epcot's World Showcase, in the United Kingdom.

Everyone knows that bears love honey and no bear loves honey more than Pooh Bear. That's why this movie's snack absolutely had to feature something with honey. And, where better to look for something that will remind us of our Hundred Acre Wood Friends then in Disney's wooded Resort, Fort Wilderness? The Trail's End restaurant at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground serves a delicious Sticky Bun Sundae that we decided to replicate for our Winnie the Pooh snack. Since the sundae's at Trail's End are served in mason jars, we decided to go ahead and use mason jars for ours, as well. 16 oz. jars were the perfect size for our family. Here's how we put them together, from bottom to top:

• Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
• Caramel Syrup
• Little Debbie's Honey Bun (warmed up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds)
• Another scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream
• Whipped Cream
• Some more Caramel Syrup on top

Technically, Trail's End adds some chopped pecans on top of the sundae, but my family opted to skip them. With nuts or without, they are the perfect fix for a rumbly in your tumbly!

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Top 10 Things You Should Know About Disney Dining

There are so many options for you to choose from, when you're heading to Disney World, as far as where and what you are going to eat. Here are my Top 10 Things You Should Know about Disney Dining, to make the most of your time at the Most Magical Place On Earth.

10. You can use Disney Gift Cards to pay for food.
Snacks, Drinks, Quick Service meals, Table Service meals; You name it, it's fair game. Heck, you can even leave a tip for your server at a Table Service restaurant with your Gift Card!

9. You don't have to wait until the park opens to get into a Table Service restaurant for breakfast.
If you have an early morning dining reservation, there's a line set up at the park gates, just for you! Simply head right up to the Cast Member with the clipboard, standing under the sign that says, "Dining," and let them know you're there! This is also a great time to get some really nice pictures inside the park, since the masses of people aren't allowed in just yet. Imagine - a picture in front of Cinderella Castle, without thousands of other people covering up all of the amazing details all around you!

8. If you want to eat at a restaurant in the park, make sure you have a park ticket.
This one's pretty self-explanatory. A reservation alone won't get you through the gates.

7. You do not need to be staying at a particular Disney Resort Hotel to eat at that hotel's restaurants.
This goes for the Quick Service locations as well as the Table Service locations. If you're going to be using Disney Transportation, just hop aboard and head on over. If you're going to be driving yourself, know that, as long as you have a reservation, you'll be allowed in to park. If you don't have a reservation or if you're heading to the Quick Service location, parking is allowed at the discretion of the resort - which pretty much means, as long as the lot isn't full, you'll be allowed in without a problem.

6. Consider a dinner show.
Meals at Disney World don't just always mean just sitting down and eating. There are actually some fantastic dinner show experiences that you can enjoy - Disney's Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review, and Mickey's Backyard BBQ.

5. Quick Service meals can be more than just burgers and fries.
There is a huge range of so many delicious options from Giant Turkey Legs to Steak to Japanese Curry Udon, so definitely take the time to explore all that there is to offer. You can also plan ahead - Disney has posted the individual restaurants' menus (along with prices) at DisneyWorld.com/dining.

4. Tailor the menu options to your own liking.
This one is also a good money saving tip: If you don't want something on or included with your food at a Quick Service restaurant, just go ahead and ask the Cast Member taking your order to note that for you. For example, if the menu lists a Bacon Cheeseburger, but you just want a plain hamburger, let them know, as opposed to simply removing the extras on your own. You'll actually be charged less money, since you won't have to pay for the bacon or the cheese.

3. Consider sharing a meal.
Here's another good tip for your pocket book: Disney portions are usually quite generous and, I don't know about you, but I'm not necessarily in the mood for a really big, heavy meal in 90º weather. If you feel the same way, go ahead and share a meal at a restaurant. Whether you're at an A La Carte Table Service restaurant or a Quick Service location, not only is sharing a meal totally fine, but you can feel free to ask for extra plates, bowls, silverware, or what have you. Maybe you share a meal now, share a snack later, share another meal sometime after that... Your belly never gets too uncomfortably stuffed and you get to try more types of food!

2. Understand The Deal With "Be Our Guest" Restaurant Reservations.
Be Our Guest is one of the tougher restaurants to get into. At dinner time, it is a Table Service restaurant. You are going to want to book those reservations immediately! SPOILER ALERT: Number 1, below, will give you more information about booking those Table Service Reservations. If you aren't able to get a reservation, don't be discouraged. Keep on trying. Often, as a date gets closer, other people may cancel, allowing those reservations to open up. In the meantime, the food is equally delicious, and the atmosphere equally amazing at the Quick Service lunch time. Whereas, with most Quick Service restaurants, you can simply walk up, order, and eat, the lines for Be Our Guest can get pretty long. There is, though, an option to book a FastPass+ reservation for lunch here, which I highly, highly recommend. I've got details right here: How To Get A FastPass+ Reservation At "Be Our Guest" Restaurant.

And the Number 1 thing you should know about Disney Dining is...

1. Make Advance Dining Reservations.
If you want to guarantee that you will be able to eat at a particular restaurant, dining reservations are a must! Anyone, whether they are staying at at Disney Resort Hotel or not, can begin making their reservations at 6am (online) or 7am (telephone) 180 days prior to the reservation date. Disney Resort Guests, however, can book their reservations for the length of their stay (technically, up to 10 days of their stay), beginning 180 days prior to their arrival. So, the best shot that you have to get a reservation for a hard-to-get location, such as Be Our Guest or even Cinderella's Royal Table, is to plan on heading to those restaurants toward the end of your trip. Example: If I'm heading to Disney from November 1-November 10, I'll be able to book dining for my whole trip beginning May 5 (180 days prior to November 1). However, while it might be my first opportunity to book for November 1, other Disney Resort Guests, the ones getting to Disney World before me, have been able to make reservations for that date since as early as April 25. Those popular dinings might very well be gone already. I've got a much better shot to get into someplace like Be Our Guest if I try to book it (online, at 6am) for November 10, since my "dining date" would be the first chance that anybody has to book for that date.

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"Alice In Wonderland" Movie & Snack Night

Still counting down the days until my family heads to Disney World and, this week, to pass the time, it wasn't the movie that the kids were begging for as much as the snack. When I tell you what the snack was, you'll probably find it really silly - there's nothing to it. But, let's start with the movie:

Alice in Wonderland

Disney's 13th Animated Feature,  Alice in Wonderland was based on the books, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland," and "Through The Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There" written by Lewis Carroll in 1865 and 1871 respectively. The books, and the movie alike, follow the story of a girl named Alice and the many characters whom she encounters along her travels there - the White Rabbit, the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter & the Dormouse, and Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Dum, just to name just a few. A curious girl, always looking for an adventure, Alice shrinks, grows, has conversations with flowers, and escapes from a deck of playing cards - all while hunting down the mysterious White Rabbit who seems to be "late for a very important date."

Alice - or, more properly put, the Mad Hatter - has a ride of her own, right along the outside edge of Fantasyland in the Magic Kingdom. The Mad Tea Party is inspired by the the scene of the same name in Alice in Wonderland, and has guests sit in oversized tea cups that go spinning around and around. A wheel in the center of each teacup allows guests to spin their individual cups even faster. And, right in the center of the attraction, you'll find the sleepy old dormouse, popping up and down out of a teapot. There's also a really cool topiary of Alice, the White Rabbit, and the Mad Hatter in that area, as well. Just outside of the ride, next to the topiary, is your opportunity to meet Alice, often along with the White Rabbit, at the Magic Kingdom. If you are lucky enough to be one of the first guests of the day to enjoy the Mad Tea Party, you might even get to ride with the two characters! If you ask me, Alice is one of the most fun characters to meet at Disney World. She is just so silly and nonsensical, she is aways good for a laugh or two... or more! And, most people must agree with me because, for a non-Princess and a non-Fab 5 member, she is really available to talk, take pictures, and sign autographs in quite a few places. In addition to her Magic Kingdom location, Alice also heads over to the United Kingdom in Epcot's World Showcase to meet with guests. Want to meet and eat? You can join Alice at the Grand Floridian Resort's 1900 Park Fare restaurant for the Supercalifragilistic Breakfast. Here, Alice is joined by the Mad Hatter, as well as Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger too! The Wonderland Tea Party is also available at the Grand Floridian. Kids, ages 4-10, are invited to this hour long party, hosted by Alice and her Wonderland Friends. Kiddos get to make cupcakes and then eat them, along with some delicious tea that tastes suspiciously like juice. They will also get to listen to a story as well as make flower bouquets.

So, what was that snack that had my own children begging my wife and I to pick Alice in Wonderland for our movie night? It was a tea party of our own, with Graham Crackers and Nutella to eat and Iced Tea to drink. Before our Disney World trip last year, no one in my house had ever tried Nutella and I wasn't sure that they would like it at all. But, needless to say it was a big hit and a favorite snack of theirs now. This repeat tea party was the best one yet!

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Silver Creek Springs Pool At Wilderness Lodge Closing For Fall Refurbishment

If you're planning a stay at Disney's Wilderness Lodge, you're going to want to know that the Silver Creek Springs pool, the feature pool at that resort hotel, is going to be closing for a lengthy refurbishment this fall. With an expected beginning date of September 3 and work anticipated to wrap up on November 27, 2014, there are several pretty great options for hotel Guests to take advantage of. First and foremost, the leisure pool at The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge will remain open through this refurbishment period. In addition, Guest of the Wilderness Lodge are invited to enjoy either the Main Pool at Disney's Contemporary Resort or the Meadow Swimmin' Pool at Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground. In both cases, complimentary transportation from the Wilderness Lodge to the other resorts and back will be provided.

To check on additional current and expected refurbishments going on at Walt Disney World, visit our Dedicated Refurbishment Page.

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All-Star Music's Intermission Food Court Closing For Refurbishment

Thinking about staying at Disney's All-Star Music Resort this summer? Here's something that you'll want to be aware of: The Intermission Food Court at All-Star Music will be closing for a large scale refurbishment, beginning on August 1 and lasting until about December 20, 2014.

During this time, the Note-able Game Arcade will serve as a temporary location for grab-and-go meals such as sandwiches, salads, and bakery items. It will also have a refillable mug station for guests. Additionally, the Singing Spirits bar, in the Calypso Pool area, will remain open throughout the Food Court transformation, providing some food options as well as another refillable mug station. Pizza and other items available for in-room delivery will continue to be available daily from 3pm-1am. Finally, transportation will also be provided for guests who wish to dine at Disney's All-Star Sports or All-Star Movies Resorts, although both of these hotels are within walking distance from All-Star Music.

A similar refurbishment was completed at Disney's All-Star Sports Resort last year and, once it is complete, All-Star Movies is likely (through no announcement has been made as of yet) to be renovated in 2015.

Get the full list of Refurbs here:
     • Walt Disney World Resort
     • Disneyland Resort

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"The Three Caballeros" Movie & Snack Night

As we count down the days until our Disney Vacation, starting at Day 100, my family enjoys watching a weekly Disney movie that we haven't seen in a while - one that is also represented in some way at Disney World. We have found that keeping the movies fresh in our minds adds even more to the Disney fun on vacation. Along with the movie, it's always a great time to include a themed snack - nothing too fancy... we do have 4 kids and, suffice it to say, we often find ourselves a little limited for time, money, and, well, energy! This week's movie was one of my daughter's favorites:

The Three Caballeros

Released in 1944, The Three Caballeros was The Walt Disney Company's 7th Animated Feature. The movie stars Donald Duck, who happens to be celebrating his birthday, and receives three gifts from his friends in Latin America. The opening of each gift leads to several short segments, featuring tons of information (as well as plenty of humor) about the many beautiful areas of Central and South America and their cultures. We are also introduced to an old friend of Donald's, José Carioca, and are on hand when Donald makes a new friend in Panchito. Together, Donald, José, and Panchito form The Three Cabelleros and enjoy singing, dancing, games, and good times with one another.

The Three Caballeros can be found at several locations throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. They are a water squirting statue in the center of the Calypso Pool at Disney's All-Star Music Resort; Disney's Coronado Springs Resort gift shop, Panchito's Gifts and Sundries, is designed with a Three Caballeros theme; And, most famously perhaps, The Three Caballeros can also be found at Epcot's World Showcase, in the Mexico Pavilion, starring in their own attraction: The Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros. This boat ride follows José Carioca and Panchito as they search for Donald throughout the streets and landscapes of Mexico, hoping to reunite with him before the concert that they are schedule to perform that evening. Donald Duck, dressed in his Mexican best, is also available to meet, just outside the Mexico Pavilion.

And, so, when it came time to watch the movie, we thought that we'd stick with the Latin American theme and decided to enjoy The Three Caballeros with some delicious and crispy Yellow Corn Tortilla Chips, with Salsa and Sour Cream for dipping! A fun night for sure, and one fun day closer to Disney World.

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