You are here: Home / Disney Parks / EPCOT

Epcot Restaurants

February 3, 2012 By Alison Leave a Comment

Epcot Restaurants are some of the very best in Walt Disney World. There is something for everyone ranging from an authentic Moroccan Feast, to traditional Italian pizza, to an authentic British pub meal.

There are 2 full service restaurants in Epcot Future World:

Epcot Coral Reef

Photo by Expressmonorail

Dine whilst surrounded by a giant aquarium. This very unique restaurant in Future World has 8 foot high glass walls which allow diners to have a great view of the huge salt water Under The Seas with Nemo Pavilion exhibit. Watch the fish (and even some humans) swimming by whilst you dine.

The menu is of course seafood based. Many love the decor and the theme, but reviews are often critical of the service experience and the quality of the food.

Here is a complete guide:

Epcot Coral Reef Restaurant

Epcot Garden Grill Restaurant

The Garden Grill is one of only 2 full service restaurants in Epcot Future World. This restaurant moves! The Garden Grill revolves slowly giving diners an ariel view into the Living with the Land attraction.

The Garden Grill is home to Chip and Dale’s Harvest Feast which is an all you care to eat dinner served family style. This restaurant only serves dinner from 4pm and is no longer open for breakfast or lunch. The food is brought to your table already plated. As well as Chip and Dale, Mickey Mouse and Pluto usually appear.

Epcot World Showcase Restaurants

There are many excellent restaurants located in Epcot Future World. Here is your chance to sample some excellent menus whilst making your way around the different country pavilions of World Showcase. All of the servers are from the country which they represent. The standard of service in the restaurants tends to be some of the best that you will experience in any of the Disney parks, and the diversity of the food and menus means that there really is something for everyone here.

Le Cellier Steakhouse

Located in the Canadian Pavilion, Le Cellier Steakhouse is one of the most popular of all Walt Disney World restaurants. It is one of the most difficult to snag Advance Dining Reservations for – so if you want to eat here then you really do need to plan well ahead of time. This is now a Disney Signature Restaurant which means that if you are using the Disney Dining Plan it will require 2 dining credits.

The menu at Le Cellier has a good selection of steakhouse type food. Popular offerings include New York Strip, Filet Mignon and Pacific Salmon.

For a complete guide see:

Epcot Le Cellier Steakhouse

Epcot Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

For traditional British fare head to the Rose and Crown Restaurant. The menu includes such British favorites as fish and chips, vegetable curry and bangers and mash. The desserts are well worth a try particularly the sticky toffee pudding. If you can get a table overlooking the World Showcase Lagoon before 9pm then you will get one of the best views of the Illumination:Reflections of Earth fireworks.

Bistro de Paris

The Bistro de Paris is the more upscale of the two restaurants in the French Pavilion. It is located the floor above the other French restaurant Chefs de France.

The atmosphere and menu is decidedly high end with such offerings as Lamb Shank and Roasted Duck Breast. Entrees are priced around $35 and upwards. There is also a Prix Fixe menu with optional wine pairings which is excellent value when you consider the quality of the food and service offered.

Chefs de France

This is the second restaurant in the French Pavilion which serves good quality French food for lunch and dinner. Favorites are French Onion soup, Escargot, the very tasty Macaroni and of course the Creme Brûlée. There is also a fixed price menu available. The decor is reminiscent of a traditional Parisian cafe. The waiters are on the whole extremely good and friendly (unlike many whom I have encountered in the real Paris)!

Restaurant Marrakesh

Photo by yourfavoritemartian

This is one of the least popular of the Epcot restaurants but it really shouldn’t be. Many are put off by the unfamiliar menu but the food and the atmosphere inside the restaurant are definitely worth a try. The belly dancing entertainment is a lot of fun. Try the traditional couscous, the kebabs or the Fish Tangine. Possibly better to skip the authentic Moroccan wine though!

Tokyo Dining

There are 2 restaurants in the Japan Epcot Pavilion and my personal favorite has to be Tokyo dining. It serves traditional and familiar Japanese food with great menu selections including sushi, bento boxes, and tempura combinations. You can watch the chefs prepare the sushi at one side of the room but if you possibly can get a table close to the window where there is a great view of World Showcase Lagoon.

If I had to vote for my favorite service in any Epcot restaurant it would be a tough call but Tokyo Dining would definitely be in my top 3. The waitresses are extremely attentive and helpful and do seem to genuinely want you to enjoy your dining experience.

Teppan Edo

If you want to enjoy a fun dining experience then head to Teppan Edo at the Japanese Pavillion. This restaurant adjoins Tokyo Dining but is very different in style and experience. Diners are seated at large tables centered where the chef will prepare your food right in front of you. This is a very entertaining experience and the food is generally excellent.

Tutto Italia

This is one of the excellent restaurants located in the Italy Pavilion. There is indoor and outdoor seating in this very elegantly designed restaurant. The menu is very traditional Italian food. Appetizer favorites include Fresh Mozzarella, Calamari and an excellent Cannellini Bean Soup. The entree menu has some good pasta dishes and a large selection of meat and fish choices. It is wise to leave space for dessert with Tiramisu being an excellent choice. The one disappointing menu item is the coffee – definitely not up to Italian standards but nonetheless unfortunately one of the best choices for coffee in Disney World.

Via Napoli

This is the newest of the Italian restaurants in Epcot World Showcase. The speciality of Via Napoli is the wood fired pizzas created in the huge pizza oven which dominates the hub of the restaurant. Guests can choose from individual or family sized pizzas. The atmosphere is less formal than Tutto Italia and it is a great place to take the kids.

Nine Dragons Restaurant

Photo by mrkathika

This authentic Chinese restaurant is really the only disappointing dining experience in Epcot World Showcase. Nine Dragons has a menu with items which are pretty standard for any US Chinese restaurant such as Kung Pao Chicken, Canton Pepper Beef and Vegetable Stir Fry. The service is not that great and the standard of food is pretty average. This is the only Epcot restaurant that I do not personally recommend. Chinese food is one of my favorites but for me this restaurant just does not get anything right.

Biergarten

If you are looking for a fun dining experience then head to Biergarten in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion. Every day is Oktoberfest in Biergarten! Guests are seated around large tables and can help themselves to an all you care to eat buffet. There is a huge choice of hot and cold buffet items including Bratwurst, Pork Shank, Rotisserie Chicken and a large choice of salad items.

The food is not the best in World Showcase but the atmosphere are experience certainly are.

Akershus Princess Storybook Dining

This dining location in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion is much less about traditional Norwegian food and more about quality time spent with the Princesses. This is the only Epcot restaurant which is open for breakfast as well and lunch and dinner. The menu for breakfast is traditional American food served family style. Lunch and dinner have an all you care to eat cold buffet and you can order as many entree items off the menu as you like.

Princess Storybook Dining is a great place to meet the Disney Princesses. The quality of the food is not what you go here for. If you realize that then you won’t be disappointed.

You can read a full guide including a menu at:

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

San Angel Inn

The very atmospheric San Angel Inn is located inside the Mexico Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. The setting is spectacular, overlooking the replica Mayan Temple and the dim lighting all adds to the ambience of the restaurant. Watch guests float by on the Gran Fiesta Tour boat ride as you are enjoying your meal. It is pretty dark in the restaurant but this is all part of effect. The menu offers all the usual Mexican fare: Tostadas, Tacos, and Enseladas. Of course the San Angel Inn also has great margaritas to try!

La Hacienda de San Angel

This is another relatively new addition to Epcot World Showcase just outside the Mexico Pavilion. One of the major plus points of this restaurant is the huge windows overlooking World Showcase Lagoon. This makes it the perfect place to watch Epcot Illuminations if you manage to get a table by the window.

Of the 2 Mexican restaurants in Epcot this is my favorite menu (although it is pricier than San Angel Inn).

Whichever Epcot restaurant you choose you will be sure to have a great experience (the only exception to this in my opinion being the somewhat mediocre Nine Dragons). As will all restaurants in Walt Disney World make sure that you make Advance Dining Reservations up to 180 days ahead by calling 407 WDW DINE or by reserving online at Disney World Dining

You may also like:

Top 10 Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Kids

Disney World Character Dining

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, EPCOT, Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Top 10 Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Kids

January 30, 2012 By Alison Leave a Comment

Which are the best Walt Disney World Restaurants for kids? Disney World offers some very unique dining choices and sometimes it can get overwhelming to choose which ones the kids are really going to love. It can be difficult to choose which of the Disney character dining experiences, or the uniquely themed restaurants are the ones which your kids are going to like the most. Here is a guide to my personal Top 10 best Disney World restaurants for kids.

Photo by hubsterdisney

Disney Sci Fi Dine In Theater

Photo by expressmonorail

Think diner food in one of the most unique restaurants in Walt Disney World and here you have the Sci Fi Dine in Theater. The kids are going to find this Disney Hollywood Studios restaurant a whole lot of fun. Step back to the 1950s for some traditional diner food in a restaurant which looks as though you have stepped right into a movie drive in. The first thing that you will notice is of course the tables which look like convertible cars all lined up in front of a huge movie screen. The second thing you as an adult will notice is how loud and dark the room is! The fun here is about the design and the atmosphere so make sure that you ask to sit at one of the convertible car tables as there are some picnic style tables at the back of the restaurant which you will probably want to avoid.

The food here is not the best in Disney World. You come here for the atmosphere. And usually because the kids really want to go here. Expect average food at high prices and you won’t be disappointed.

For more information about restaurant and to see the menu here is our guide:

Disney Sci-Fi Dine in Theater

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

The Akershus restaurant in Epcot World Showcase is home to the very popular Disney Princess Storybook Dining. If you want to give your kids one of the best chances to meet and talk with the Disney Princesses then this is a great opportunity. You can never guarantee that a certain character will actually appear but you do often find Princess Aurora, Belle, Ariel, Princess Jasmine and Snow White.

You have a choice of breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Disney Princess Once Upon a Time Breakfast offers pre plated all you can eat breakfast favorites. The Princess Storybook Lunch and the Dinner are a combination of all you care to eat buffet items and entrees which you order from the menu. The quality of the food is pretty average but really you go here for the great chance to meet the Princesses not for the food.

The price of the meal includes a photo package. For more information here is our guide at

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Disney’s Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villa Resort

There are very few restaurants in the world where you can dine whilst looking out of the window to watch zebras, giraffe and other wildlife passing by. Sanaa is located at the Animal Kingdom Villas at Kidani Village. There is a huge picture window overlooking the savannah. One of the best times to go is lunch time as of course you can see the animals passing by outside. This is a very unique experience for all the family, not just the kids!

This is one of the lesser known Disney restaurants but it is also one of the most spectacular and if you are prepared to be a little adventurous it also has some of the very best food.

The menu is described as being African food with Indian influences. What this translates to is a very high quality interesting menu with such items as Tandoori Chicken, various curries, spicy side dishes and naan breads. Don’t be concerned if the kids are more of the mac and cheese preferring kind! Sanaa has the usual kids menu offerings of pizza, cheeseburger and macaroni and cheese.

Disney Chef Mickey’s

Photo by Bart Hanlon

Chef Mickey’s is a very popular character dining experience for all the family. It is particularly great for young children as it is chance to get up close to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Chef Mickey’s is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort which is just minutes away from the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast and dinner are served each day.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale are usually there at breakfast. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck usually go for dinner. As with all character appearances these are subject to change.

The food is good quality buffet fare and there is plenty of choice for even the pickiest eaters. This is very popular with young children so go there expecting a noisy, fun atmosphere and you won’t go far wrong!

For a complete guide with the menu and prices go to

Disney Chef Mickey’s

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Want to know how you can get a look inside Cinderella’s Castle? Be one of the lucky ones who manage to snag a reservation at the most popular of the Disney Restaurants – Cinderella’s Royal Table. This is an extremely popular restaurant. Not only do you get to dine inside the Magic Kingdom Castle but you also get to meet Cinderella. You may also see The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White (you know I am going to say that all character appearances are not guaranteed and are subject to change without notice).

The food is pretty good and the kids (and the grown ups) will love the chance to meet their favorite Princesses.

For a complete guide go to:

Cinderella’s Royal Table is it Worth It?

T-Rex Cafe Restaurant in Downtown Disney

This is a relative newcomer in Walt Disney World which was created by the same people who brought you the very popular Rain Forest Cafe. The theme is of course the pre historic world so expect dinosaurs, decent but pricey food and a whole lot of noise! This is a great restaurant to take the kids and of course as it is in Downtown Disney you can visit on one of your non park days as you won’t need a ticket.

The menu at the T-Rex Cafe is definitely on the pricey side. But who can resist Asteroid French Onion Soup, Brachiosaurus Bruschetta , or a Gigantosaurus Burger? Well the kids probably can but don’t worry, there is a kids menu with the usual favorites, pizza, burgers and pasta.

Disney Crystal Palace Restaurant

The Crystal Palace is located at the end of Main Street in Magic Kingdom. It is a great place to take the kids, particularly the 5 and under set. This is one of my very favorite Disney character dining restaurants as not only do you get to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore the food is also pretty good for all the family. The Crystal Palace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A particularly good choice is lunch as you can take a break in the middle of the day to sit down and refuel.

1900 Park Fare

This is another very popular Disney World character dining restaurant where at dinner you get the chance to meet Cinderella. 1900 Park Fare is located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort so is just a very short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom. It has some of the highest quality buffet food in the whole of Walt Disney World. Breakfast characters include Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. If you want to see Princess Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia then they are usually scheduled to appear at dinner.

There is a special children’s buffet section which is low down so that the kids can help themselves. 1900 Park Fare is of course a very popular Disney dining location. It can get pretty busy and is rather loud but it is definitely a winner with the kids!

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review

The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review is a fun dinner show which has played to guests since 1974 at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The show is practically unchanged since that time so if you are looking for Disney nostalgia which is great fun for both kids and adults then this is a wonderful choice. The show is held in Pioneer Hall which is the hub of Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort. It is very popular and shows run 3 times a night.

The food is served family style and includes breads, salad, Fried Chicken, Smoked Barbecued Pork Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, and Country Style Baked Beans. Very traditional fare. The real appeal of this experience is of course the entertainment. Table are pre assigned and the closer you are to the stage the pricier the reservation. Be prepared to be entertained by Johnny Ringo and Claire de Lune the dancers, Jim Handy and Flora Long the singers, and Six Bits Slocum and Dolly Drew provide the comedy.

Epcot Coral Reef Restaurant

Photo by expressmonorail

Epcot Coral Reef restaurant is another great choice for both the kids and the adults. Coral Reef is a restaurant with a difference. The restaurant has a wall of 8 feet high windows which look onto the huge salt water aquarium. which is part of the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion in Epcot Future World. Sit and eat your meal whilst you watch up to 85 species of fish in the giant tank. Perhaps more entertaining for the children is the fact that often you can see divers float past your table.

Whilst the concept of Epcot Coral Reef is an excellent one and the decor and theme are a brilliant idea, reviews are mixed about the food and the service. Here is my review at:

Epcot Coral Reef Restaurant

Whichever restaurant you choose in Walt Disney World there are plenty of options to keep the kids (and the grown ups) happy. Which is your favorite Disney restaurant? Leave me a Comment!

You may also like:

Disney World Character Dining

Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

Where Can You Find Cinderella in Disney World

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Restaurants, Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

January 26, 2012 By Alison 4 Comments

What are the must see Walt Disney World rides and attractions? This is of course a very difficult question to answer. There are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World that to choose just a few that you absolutely must do is rather a challenge. But of course I am never one to walk away from a difficult task so here is my own personal Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions. They are in no particular order – choosing a Top 10 is difficult enough, putting them in order would have been impossible!

All of the amazing photos are by expressmonorail

Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks

No visit to Walt Disney World is complete without seeing the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom. This spectacular fireworks show debuted in 2003 and has been enchanting guests ever since. The show is hosted by Jiminy Cricket and The Blue Fairy and is a classic tale of good against evil. It is a magical mix of fireworks, music and lighting effects. Watch out for Tinkerbell flying across the skies!

Which is the best viewing spot for Disney Wishes fireworks? There are many to choose from but some of my favorites include on the platform of the train station at the end of Main Street, sitting at one of the tables outside at the Plaza Restaurant, various spots in Fantasyland (which is less crowded but you can’t see Tinkerbell) and of course California Grill restaurant in the Contemporary Resort.

Be careful to check the schedule for times and dates of showings for Wishes as these do vary.

Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The thing about Disney attractions is that they are just so amazingly themed – and Disney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best examples of this anywhere in Walt Disney World. Want to drop 13 stories in an elevator? This is the Disney attraction for you!

Disney is the master of theme park story telling and every great ride has a back story. The Hollywood Tower Hotel has a history. It opened in 1919 and soon established itself as one of the places to be for the movie crowd. But on October 31st 1939 five guests enter the elevator of the hotel just as lightning strikes. The child star, her nanny, two young starlets and the bell hop vanish . All the other hotel guests run from the building leaving their belongings behind.

The attention to detail in the line is exceptional. It looks just as though you would imagine it would if it had been abandoned in 1939. The Cast Members play their part brilliantly, all adding to the anticipation of the ride.

The Tower of Terror is not for the feint of heart. It is a thrill ride and has a height requirement of 40″. It is very popular so make sure that you use a Fast Pass or arrive very early in the morning.

For more on this amazing attraction visit

Disney Twilight Zone of Terror

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

If you are a fan of Star Wars (and even if you aren’t) this motion simulator ride is one of the best Disney World attractions. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this classic ride has a complete overhaul in 2011. You will see all your Star Wars favorites including your accidental pilot C3PO who will take you on a journey which has 54 variations. This new technology means that you never know quite which direction your journey will take.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Not many of us will get to experience a real safari in Africa but The Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a great substitute for the real thing. Walt Disney himself always wanted to have a theme park which allowed guests to see real live animals and Animal Kingdom was the realization of his dream.

Guests board an authentic safari type vehicle as they are taken on a tour of the 100 acre African savanna. The ride is also authentically bumpy so take note of those warnings! The very best time to take the safari is in the early morning. This is not just because the lines are likely to be shorter but also because this is the time when the animals are at their most active.

There is a great commentary by the tour guide who will help you to see as many of the animals as possible. Some of the most popular sitings are of elephants, zebra, giraffe, rhino, hippopotamus and of course the lions (don’t worry they are kept out of your reach by some very clever discreet Disney landscaping). You may even be lucky enough to see the Cheetah (they are often quite difficult to see). Also on the savanna are warthogs, gazelle, flamingo, ostrich, okapis and wildebeest.

As with all popular Disney attractions make sure that you get a Fast Pass or ride early in the morning. It will cut your time waiting in line.

It’s A Small World

This classic Disney ride is one of the original attractions which was over seen by Walt Disney himself. Disney World has seen many changes over the years but this cheerful musical boat ride remains true to the original ideals of Walt himself. The theme is quite simply world peace through global understanding. Hundreds of animatronic dolls representing many countries around the world sing the unforgettable It’s A Small World theme song. Guests board a slow moving boat and sail around watching the brightly colored moving dolls sing their happy message. You know you will never get that song out of your head, but somehow it is worth it!

Epcot Test Track

Another very original Disney World ride, Epcot Test Track is a theme park ride unlike any other. The story is that guests are needed to test the cars just like the crash test dummies do! Guests board a 6 passenger vehicle which will take them on a journey through various tests. These tests include braking, heat and cold tests, hair pin bends and of course the final speed test. Your test Track vehicle will reach speeds of up to 65 mph before bringing you back to the testing facility.

This one is a lot of fun and is a truly unique ride. It is thrilling without being scary so a lot of guests who don’t usually enjoy thrill rides like roller coasters will enjoy Test Track. It is of course very popular so use the Fast Pass or if you don’t mind riding without the other members of your party the Single Rider line will save you a lot of time.

For more details visit

Epcot Test Track

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth

This is another must see fireworks event at Walt Disney World. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a unique fireworks, lights, pyrotechnics and music spectacular which is shown every night (weather permitting) around Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon.

Most places around the World Showcase Lagoon give a good view of the show but do be aware that trees can block your view so choose your viewing spot carefully. At busy times you do need to reserve a place at least an hour ahead of the show. Some of the best places to view are the bridge between the United Kingdom and France, on the platform just outside the Japanese restaurants, and if you can get a reservation, the outside viewing area in the restaurant at the Rose and Crown Restaurant.

For more information about this amazing fireworks show:

Epcot Illuminations

Soarin

Located in Disney’s Epcot Future World, Soarin’ is a must see attraction. It is a ride which simulates flight, rather than a flight simulator! Another very unique experience only available in Disneyland, where it originally debuted, and Disney’s Epcot.

Guests board a huge structure which has rows of seats in front of an extremely large screen. The seats are then lifted up into the air and have gentle motion which feels like flying. The movie Soarin Over California is then projected onto the huge screen so guests feel as though they are flying over the state. The movie is beautifully filmed and seems to fly you over many destinations including Yosemite, The Wine Country, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego and of course Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This is another classic Disney ride which originally debuted in Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction which Walt Disney personally supervised and participated in it’s design. Guests board a slow moving boat which will plunge down a (very small) waterfall and then take them through a series of dark scenes with animatronics, pyrotechnics, and explosions all to the tune of Yo Ho It’s a Pirates Life For Me!

Most guests these days will be very familiar with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and they will be pleased to see that Jack Sparrow appears in the ride more than once.

Fantasmic!

Make sure that you arrive early for this Disney Hollywood Studios night time spectacular. Even though the auditorium has seats for 6,900 guests and standing room for 3,000 more it does reach capacity. To get the best seats you do have to be there 60 to 90 minutes before the show starts.

Once again the theme is good against evil, with Mickey Mouse dressed as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice battling the Disney villains. The show is spectacular. Expect pyrotechnics, a huge dragon, images projected onto water, fire which seems to be right in front of you, fireworks and an epic musical score. This show seems to have every special effect known to Disney World thrown in! Of course all ends well for Mickey and at the end of this 25 minute show many of your favorite characters sail past you on the water in front of the set.

Never under estimate how popular this show is – arrive as early as you possibly can to get a good seat. This can be a long wait if you have young children or if it is cold out at night. The only way to beat the crowds is to book a Fantasmic Dining Package which you can reserve ahead by calling 407 WDW DINE. You then reserve a meal at one of the Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants and get a place is the reserved seating area for Fantasmic. This is a reserved area, not a reserved seat so you do still have to be there around 30 minutes before the show.

It is very difficult to pick a Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions but here are my personal favorites. Which ones have I left out? Which have I included that you really don’t enjoy? Leave me a Comment below!

Related Articles:

Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

Disney World Birthday Ideas

Disney World Character Dining

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Rides, Rides, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With: , , , ,

Top 10 Disney World Hotel Resorts

January 7, 2012 By Alison 3 Comments

There are so many Disney World hotel resorts to choose from that it can get overwhelming when deciding where to stay for your vacation. Which Disney hotels are the very best? Of course it depends upon many things, which theme,location and of course budget suit you best. Here is my own Top 10 Disney World hotel selection.

Photo by expressmonorail

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

This has to win the top spot for unique hotels not just in Disney World but in the whole of North America. There really aren’t many places where you can step out on to your balcony and watch a giraffe or a zebra walk on by. This Deluxe Disney hotel is built around around a huge savannah where animals freely roam. As soon as you step into the lobby you feel as though you have stepped into a very different, and very relaxing world. It is a perfect haven away from the non stop activity of the theme parks.

Rooms in Animal Kingdom Lodge are not the largest at an average of 344 square feet, but if you get a savannah view this really makes up for the smaller space. The only downside is the location of the hotel as it is the most remote of all the Disney hotels. It is next to Animal Kingdom park but you have to take Disney transportation or rent a vehicle to drive there – there is no walking path.

If you are looking for something very different then Animal Kingdom Lodge should certainly be very close to the top of your list.

For a complete guide, lots of pictures and advice on how to pick the best rooms:

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

If you are looking for a Disney hotel with a great location and sleek modern design then look no further than Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is one of the original Disney World hotels and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. You can’t get any closer to the Disney Magic Kingdom monorail – it actually runs through the hotel lobby! The rooms have contemporary design and are a generous size at an average of almost 400 square feet. Many of the rooms have great views of Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, or of course the most coveted of Magic Kingdom.

The downside for some is that it simply isn’t ‘Disney’ enough. The decor lacks those essential Disney touches for some.

To learn more go to:

Disney Contemporary Resort

Art of Animation Resort

This one doesn’t even open until May 2012 but this is already in this Top 10. The much awaited new Disney Value resort is themed around some of the most popular recent Disney movies: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Disney Pixar Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The Value resorts are a great choice for guests on a budget. Here you will find great motel style accommodation at a reasonable price, with all the advantages of staying on a Disney resort.

The Art of Animation Resort is likely to be the most popular not only because of it’s beautifully themed rooms but also because it offers a new kind of accommodation. The relatively budget friendly family Suites which will sleep up to 6 guests.

All of the Value resorts are very popular. They have a huge amount of rooms and are spread out over a big area. You can walk a long way to the pool, the bus stops and the counter service restaurant. But if you can live with all of these things you will get a Disney resort room at a budget price.

To find out more

Disney Art of Animation Resort Hotel

Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Photo by express monorail

The Grand Floridian is the most luxurious of the Disney hotels. Located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon it is ideally placed for access to the Magic Kingdom. Style and elegance are the influences here. Themed around the magnificent Victorian sea side resorts you will feel as if you belong whether you are wearing a dinner jacket or a Goofy Hat.

The rooms at the Grand Floridian are a very generous 440 square feet on average, and many have great views over the Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. The resort has 2 beautiful swimming pools, tennis courts and of course the full service spa.

The Grand Floridian has some of the best restaurants in Disney World including Victoria and Alberts and Citricos. It is also home to one of the best character buffets at 1900 Park Fare.

Here is a guide to this deluxe Disney Hotel

Disney World Grand Floridian

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

The Wilderness Resort is another deluxe Disney hotel. This is perhaps the most architecturally stunning of all of the Disney resorts. It is modeled after the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park and has a wonderful welcoming and relaxing atmosphere as soon as you arrive. It makes you feel as though you are in one of the great National Park lodges even though you are only minutes away from Magic Kingdom by bus or boat.

The rooms are beautifully furnished but at 340 square feet on average are the smallest of all the deluxe Disney resorts. The Wilderness Resort has all the features that you would expect from a luxury resort including 2 great swimming pools one of which has a water slide.

Artist Point is an excellent restaurant which has a great setting at Wilderness Lodge. There are other casual dining choices too although these are not as extensive as at other deluxe resorts.

Whilst it is a beautiful setting and close to Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge is the most isolated of all of the Magic Kingdom resorts. The access to the theme parks is by boat (to Magic Kingdom) or bus. If you are looking for the most convenient in terms of transportation then consider one of the Disney monorail resorts.

For a complete guide with full details of rooms and facilities click here:

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs resort is a great option for those guests looking for a Disney moderate hotel. With almost 2,000 rooms in three themed beautifully landscaped areas the resort is set around a 15 acre lake Lago Dorado. Originally designed to attract conference business this resort does have a slightly different feel to it than other Disney moderate resorts.

The rooms at 314 square feet are a good size (not much smaller than standard rooms at the deluxe Wilderness Lodge). All of the rooms are located in motel style buildings. All rooms were renovated in 2009.

The Coronado Springs main pool has a wonderful Mayan pyramid theme and features a 123 foot long Jaguar Water Slide. There are also 3 other quieter pools.

All of the Disney theme parks and attractions are within a short drive, with Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom being the closest. The eating choices are rather limited though. The Maya Grill is probably one of the most disappointing of all of the Disney resort restaurants. The Pepper Market offers counter service dining.

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

Disney Beach Club Hotel and Resort

The Beach Club is themed around a turn of the century New England style resort. It is ideally located within walking distance to Epcot, a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios and a bus ride to all other Disney World attractions. At 381 square feet the rooms are not the largest of the deluxe resorts but they are a good size.

One of the major attractions of Disney’s Beach Club is Stormalong Bay which it shares with it’s neighbor The Yacht Club. Stormalong Bay is regarded by most as the very best swimming pool of all of the Disney hotels and resorts. The pool, with it’s lazy river and water slide, became so well known that Disney had to impose extra security measures so non guests couldn’t use it! Now Stormalong Bay has a fence around it and you need your room key to access the area.

Disney’s Beach Club resort has it’s own restaurants including the very lively Cape May buffet restaurant. You are within very easy walking distance of many of Disney World’s best restaurants including all of the Epcot World Showcase dining choices and The Board Walk restaurants.

Here is a complete guide with pictures and more details

Disney Beach Club

Disney Caribbean Beach Hotel

The Disney Caribbean Beach hotel is another great choice if you are looking for a moderate hotel. It is well located close to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. This Caribbean themed hotel has a very up beat feel about it – it is an idea family orientated Disney hotel which has great motel style accommodation.

Like the Coronado Springs it is a very large resort with 2112 rooms on a 200 acre site. And just like Coronado Springs all the buildings are located around a 45 acre lake. This is perhaps a better choice for families for a moderate resort as it is rather more lively and colorfully themed than Coronado Springs. The disadvantage over the Coronado is that most of the Caribbean Beach rooms have 2 Full beds and not 2 Queens like the Coronado.

A major attraction of the Caribbean Beach resort is the Pirate themed rooms. These are in one of the buildings only and are of course priced at a premium.

Kids will love the Pirate themed central pool, and the adults may appreciate the quieter pools scattered around the resort.

For a complete guide go to:

Disney Caribbean Beach

Disney Polynesian Hotel Resort

Yes this is yet another of the deluxe Disney monorail resort hotels. They just can’t be beaten on location because of the easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the monorail. The Polynesian is located next to the Grand Floridian on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The theme of the lushly landscaped Polynesian is the South Seas and so you will find lots of tropical landscape, a sandy beach, and exotic waterfalls.

The Polynesian Resort has the largest rooms of all the Disney hotels at 410 to 476 square feet. A disadvantage though is that not all of the rooms have balconies. The Polynesian rooms also have great views. Some over the tropical pool, but others have great views over the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom.

The pool is small but very nicely themed and landscaped. The Nanea Volcano Pool is one of the nicest of any of the Disney World resort hotel pools with a waterfall, a slide and even a volcano.

There are some good restaurant choices both within the resort and of course within easy access by taking the monorail to the parks or the other resorts close by. The Polynesian is also home to the very popular dinner show The Polynesian Luau.

For a complete guide which includes how to find the very best rooms see

Polynesian Resort Disney World Florida

Disney Boardwalk Villas

Photo by express monorail

No Top 10 of Disney World Hotels would be complete without at least one of the Disney Villa Resorts included on the list. The Disney villas are a great choice if you have a larger party or are just looking for more space.

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas have an excellent location within easy walking distance of Epcot and a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios. You can reach all of the Disney World theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney by bus.

There are 383 Boardwalk Villas including studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom Grand Villas. They are part of the Disney Vacation Club but they can also be booked by non DVC members.

The Luna Park Pool has a 200 foot water slide, there is a health and fitness facility and clay tennis courts available for use of Boardwalk Villa guests. There are lots of great Disney World restaurants within very easy reach on The Boardwalk, at Epcot World Showcase and in the other neighboring Disney resorts.

Whichever Disney World Hotel Resort you choose you can be sure of excellent themes, attention to detail and that very special Disney service.

You may also like:

Walt Disney World Hotels

Top 10 Disney Rides for Teenagers

Top 10 Disney World Snacks

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Hotels, EPCOT, Hotels Tagged With: , , ,

Where to Find Sleeping Beauty in Disney World

December 2, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Where can you find Sleeping Beauty in Disney World? Sleeping Beauty or Princess Aurora is a very popular Disney Princess and many guests hope to meet her in person when they visit Disney World. So where are the best places to find her?

Photo by lorenjavier

Sleeping Beauty in Disney Magic Kingdom

Sleeping Beauty is easiest to find in Magic Kingdom where she can be in one of a number of places. As with all Disney characters remember that you should check schedules the day that you arrive in the park and that character appearances are subject to change without notice.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is the incredibly ocular restaurant inside Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. Getting a reservation here is the most difficult of all the Disney restaurants. The combination of the attraction of dining inside the Castle and the chance to meet some of the Disney Princesses makes this the most difficult of all of the restaurants to get a reservation for in the whole of Walt Disney World. It isn’t just Cinderella who you will find here. Sleeping Beauty sometimes makes an appearance here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Photo by armadillo444

Disney Dreams Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom

This is one of the most popular parades in Disney World and it is held most days (usually around 3pm) in Magic Kingdom. Princess Aurora and her Princess friends make an appearance in each parade. This is one of the best chances to see the Disney Princesses but of course this is a parade so you can only watch them from afar. The Main Street Electrical Parade is another chance to see Aurora. This is not held every day so check your schedule for appearances.

Dream Along With Mickey

This is a must see show which takes place in the forecourt at the front of Disney’s Cinderella Castle each day. Usually there are 3 performances each day but as always check your schedule. Mickey and Minnie also appear in this song and dance show which includes Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora.

Disney’s Storybook Princesses Town Square Theater

There is a good chance that you will be able to meet and greet Princess Aurora in the Town Square Theater. Even if Sleeping Beauty is not there then you will certainly be able to see one of her Disney Princess friends. Check your schedule for times. This is one of the best places for meeting the Disney Princesses without having to book a character dining meal.

Princess Aurora in Epcot

Over the years the Disney Princesses have made more and more appearances inside Disney’s Epcot and now it is one of the best places to go for a chance to see your favorite.

Disney Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus

Disney Princess Storybook Dining is one of the very best places to spend some quality time with the Disney Princesses. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Akershus restaurant in the Epcot Norway Pavilion there is a good chance that Sleeping Beauty will be there. Usually 4 or 5 Disney Princesses are there at any one time and can include Princess Jasmine, Snow White, Belle and Sleeping Beauty. There is no guarantee that a specific Princess will be there but there is sure to be at least one Princess on your favorites list.

Princess Aurora is also regularly seen outside the Epcot France Pavilion. This is an excellent place to meet both Belle and Sleeping Beauty as generally the lines are shorter than for meet and greet in Magic Kingdom. Look on your daily schedule for times.

Princess Aurora Outside the Disney Parks

There are few chances to see the Disney Princesses outside the Disney parks as they usually keep to Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You won’t see Princesses inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party

This regal tea party is held each Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30am until Noon in the Grand Floridian Hotel Garden View Lounge. Hosted by Miss Rose Petal who is a rose from Sleeping Beauty’s garden this is a very special, and at $250 for one adult and one child, very expensive tea party. Any of the Disney Princesses can be there with Rose Petal but often it is Sleeping Beauty herself. This is a very popular event and the reviews are usually positive. It is recommended for girls aged 3 to 11 and is promoted as a mother daughter event. As well as being served tea, cake and sandwiches, girls receive a lot of extra goodies including a doll which is dressed just like Princess Aurora.

Who is your favorite Disney Princess? Have you had the chance to meet her yet? Leave me a Comment below.

You may also like:

Where Can I Find Snow White in Disney World

Where Can You Find Cinderella in Disney World

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Restaurants, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , ,

Walt Disney World February 2012

November 29, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Are you thinking of visiting Walt Disney World in February 2012 and want to know what events are happening and which rides are being refurbished. When you visit Walt Disney World it is always a good idea to know what special events will be taking place as well as finding out which rides will be closed. So what is happening in February 2012 at Walt Disney World?

Photo by armadillo444

Disney World Ride and Attraction Closures for Refurbishment in February 2012

If you have small children you need to know that the Dumbo ride in Magic Kingdom is closed from January 9th until February 17th 2012. There are of course plenty of other rides for toddlers but if your young one particularly wants to ride on Dumbo then you may want to prepare them for the fact that it is closed.

Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom is also closed fro refurbishment and will re open on 27th May. This is a very popular attraction and so that area in the park will likely be rather busy with guests finding that the only major attraction in that area is Splash Mountain. So plan ahead if you want to ride Splash Mountain as the lines will likely be longer than usual for that time of year. Ride early in the day or later at night, or get a Fast Pass.

The Main Street Electric Parade is only running on February 2nd, 6th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th. 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 24th, 25th, and 27th 2012.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor which is located on Main Street in Magic Kingdom will be closed until March 27th 2012.

Unfortunately Fantasmic! is only staged in Disney Hollywood Studios for limited dates in February 2012. Over the last year the once daily show has now been reduced to select performances. Fantasmic! will only be shown on February 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 26th, 28th, and 29th. The wait time for Fantasmic! is always long – you need to arrive at least 60 minutes and up to 90 minutes before the show starts. These shows are likely to be extremely popular due to the limited availability of performances. If you want to book a Fantasmic! Dinner Package be sure to do so as much ahead of time as you can by calling 407 WDW DINE.

Tutto Italia Ristorante is closed in Epcot until April 30th 2012. There is another restaurant as an alternative in Epcot Italy but make sure you get your reservations ahead of time for the very popular Via Napoli Ristorante.

Typhoon Lagoon is closed until 17th March 2012 but Blizzard Beach is open during that time if you want to visit a Disney Water Park.

Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend

The annual Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend is taking place from February 24th to February 26th. The weekend is full of special events and the Disney Princess Half Marathon takes place on Sunday February 26th 2012. The half marathon is run through Disney’s Magic Kingdom and Epcot. Who can resist the chance to earn a Disney Princess Half Marathon Tiara Finisher Medal? Other events taking place over the weekend include Disney Royal Family 5K, Disney Royal Family Kid’s races and Disney Princess Fitness Expo.

If you want more information visit the official Disney Princess Marathon site.

The event is not as large as the Disney World Marathon which takes place in January each year but it will have an effect on crowds. So expect the parks to be pretty busy on that weekend. In fact the busiest week in February is likely to be 17th February to 26th February as this is the President’s Day weekend crowd. If you have a choice of when to visit in February 2012 then most likely the quieter weeks will be the first 2 weeks of February 2012.

You may also like:

Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

Top 10 Disney World Snacks

Disney World Splash Mountain

Disney Magic Kingdom Hotels

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Water Parks, Disney World Dining, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , ,

Disney Hollywood and Vine

November 27, 2011 By Alison 3 Comments

Disney Hollywood and Vine is a buffet restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. It is a character buffet for breakfast and lunch but not dinner. This restaurant is great for families with young children for breakfast and lunch as the Little Einsteins are in attendance. If you want to get up close and personal with June, Leo, Hanny Manny and Special Agent Oso this is the place to be at breakfast and lunch. Dinner is rather quieter and does not have character appearances. So what are the menus at Disney Hollywood and Vine?

Photo by lorenjavier

All prices are correct as at November 2011. Increased Holiday pricing does apply on select dates. All menus are subject to change. And of course the usual warning that although characters do appear at breakfast and dinner there is no guarantee that a certain character will appear.

Hollywood and Vine Breakfast

This is served from 8am until 11.20 and costs $30.88 for adults and $17.03 for children aged 3 to 9. The under 3s are free. These prices include taxes but gratuity is extra. It is also one dining credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan. The buffet is typical buffet food and is of course all you care to eat:

Freshly Baked Pastries
Seasonal Fruit
Assorted yogurts
Breakfast Meats
Scrambled Eggs and Frittata
Mickey Waffles with Assorted Toppings
Oven Roasted Potatoes
Sausage Gravy and Biscuits.

Disney Hollywood and Vine Lunch

Lunch is also a character meal with the Little Einsteins from 11.40 to 2.25. The cost is $35.14 for adults and $19.16 for children aged 3 to 9. This includes tax but gratuity is extra. This is one dining credit for the Disney dining plan.

The buffet is all you care to eat. The selection does vary but here are some items which are usually on the lunch menu:

Selection of Salads including Mozzarella and Tomato, Orange and Watercress and Caesar Salad
Carved Ham, Turkey and Salami
Fish of the Day
Seafood Pasta Alfredo
Chicken Satay and Peanut Sauce
Grilled Polenta with Sun Dried Tomatoes
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sauteed Green Beans
Creamed Corn Bread
Children’s Selection usually includes Fries and Mac and Cheese
Fresh Fruit and Assorted Cheeses
Selection of Breads
Desserts and Pastries including Berry Cobbler, Snickers Cheesecake, Chocolate Mousse Cake
Soft Serve Ice Cream

Disney Hollywood and Vine Dinner

This is not a character buffet. It starts at 3.30 and closing time varies according to park closing time. The cost is $35.14 for adults and $19.16 for children aged 3 to 9.

The Fantasmic! Package is also available for this restaurant. This is the same price as the usual dinner menu but guests get a seat in a reserved area for the Fantasmic show on the day of their visit. Note that this is not a reserved seat, but a seat in a reserved area. This cuts down the time spent waiting in the Fantasmic! Auditorium. There are a limited number of Fantasmic Packages available each day and you can reserve by calling 407 WDW DINE up to 180 days ahead.

The dinner menu items include:

Selection of Salads including Mixed Field Greens, Caesar Salad, Orange and Watercress Salad, Dijon Potato Salad.
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Peel & Eat Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce.
New Zealand Mussels
Endive and Goat Cheese Salad
Prime Rib
Pork Loin with BBQ Onions
Seafood Pasta
Herb Crusted Salmon
Mediterranean Chicken
Baked Chicken with Blackberries
Vegetarian Pasta.
Sauteed Onions, Peppers and Mushrooms
Bean Cassoulet
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Sun Dried Tomato Polenta
Creamed Corn Spoon Bread
Green Beans with Garlic and Tomato

Key Lime Tart
Rice Krispy Treats
Pineapple Upside Down Cake
Double Chocolate Cake
No Sugar Added 3 Berry Cobbler
Apple Crisp Cobbler
Vanilla Sauce
Carrot Cake
Chocolate Mousse
Mascarpone Snicker Cheesecake

So what is dining at Disney Hollywood and Vine like? Breakfast and lunch are of course the character meals and the LIttle Einsteins appeal very much to young children. Dinner is quieter but still busy. So expect a lot of young children and a lot of noise. My 5 year old absolutely loves it. The selection of food is good and there should be something to please everyone, but the quality of the buffet food is pretty average. In fact it has my vote as one of the lower quality Disney restaurant buffets available.

Have you visited Hollywood and Vine? What do you think? Leave me a Comment below.

You may also like:

Disney Sci-Fi Dine in Theater

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Restaurants, Restaurants Tagged With: , ,

Epcot Test Track Video

November 26, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Have you ever wondered what it is like to experience Epcot Test Track? This great video shows you exactly what to expect from this thrilling Epcot ride. Of course nothing can compare to actually experiencing it but this gives you a great idea of what Test Track is actually like. This is a video which shows the complete Test Track ride so if you want anything to remain as a surprise don’t look! But if you want to know exactly what the ride entails this is one of the best videos of the ride.

Test Track is one of the most popular rides in Epcot. On most days the lines will reach 60 minutes. So how do you minimize the amount of time that you spend in line. You do have to do a little forward planning. There are two very popular rides in Epcot. Soarin’ and Test Track. The lines for Soarin’ tend to be even longer with waits between 60 to 120 minutes on most days. The way to make sure that you can experience both rides without standing for hours in line is to make sure that you arrive as close to park opening time as possible. Remember that the parks generally open 30 to 45 minutes before published opening times so make sure that you arrive early. As soon as Epcot opens walk quickly to either Soarin’ or Test Track and get a Fast Pass. Then go to the other ride and get in line.

The Fast Passes for Test Track do tend to run out in the afternoon on busy days so make sure that you get to the Fast Pass machine or get in line for the ride as soon as you arrive in the park.

Remember too that Test Track has a Single Rider line which is usually a short wait. You will not be seated with your party but if you don’t mind this then the Single Rider Line is a great option.

You may also like

Disney Rock N Roller Coaster

Top 10 Disney World Rides For Teenagers

Disney World Roller Coasters

Filed Under: Disney Parks, EPCOT, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , ,

Where Can I Find Snow White in Disney World?

November 18, 2011 By Alison 1 Comment

Where can I find Snow White in Disney World? Snow White is one of the most beloved of all the Disney Princesses. If you want to make a young Princesses dream come true on her vacation you need to know the top spots where Snow White may appear. As with all character greetings nothing is guaranteed as the schedules of the Princesses may change. But here is a guide as to where you are most likely to find Snow White in Walt Disney World.

Photo by express monorail

Disney Dreams Come True at Magic Kingdom

Snow White appears on a float with two of her Seven Dwarves in the Disney Dreams Come True Parade at the Magic Kingdom. This is a great parade to see the Disney Princesses. The Parade is usually held at 3pm in Magic Kingdom on most days but you must check your daily schedule to see if it will be performed on the day that you visit.

Main Street Electrical Parade

This amazing parade of dazzling lights features many of your favorite Disney Princesses including Snow White. Again you must check the daily schedule to see if the Main Street Electrical Parade is running during your visit.

Disney’s Storybook Princesses Town Square Theater

Snow White can sometimes be found in the Disney’s Storybook Princesses meet and greet in the Town Square Theater in Magic Kingdom. This venue has the advantage that a Fast Pass is available so that you can save time standing in line waiting for the Princesses. As with all character greetings check your schedule to see the available times and which characters are scheduled to appear.

Dream Along With Mickey

This is a fabulous show which is performed by a large cast of characters in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Snow White appears in Dream Along with Mickey alongside her Prince and fellow Princesses Aurora and Cinderella. This is usually performed 2 or 3 times daily and you watch from the Cinderella Castle forecourt. Check your daily schedule for times.

Snow White does of course have her own attraction, Snow White’s Scary Adventures but this is not a place where you will see Snow White herself. This is due to close with the opening of the new Fantasyland in 2012. I do also caution guests with young children. This ride is not named Scary for nothing. It can be terrifying for young children and parents should use caution. Snow White will be getting her own dedicated ride The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and a new meet and greet in the expanded Fantasyland.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Photo by expressmonorail

Want to know what is inside Cinderella’s Castle? The one place that Disney guests can pay to get inside the Castle is Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant. Although this can be a difficult quest. Getting a reservation for Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the most difficult Advanced Dining Reservations to snag. You have to book as soon as places become available 180 days ahead (or up to 190 days ahead if you are a Walt Disney World Resort guest).

Snow White sometimes makes an appearance at Cinderella’s Royal Table. But you know what I am going to say? Of course appearances are not guaranteed!

Disney Hollywood Studios

Photo by armadillo444

Unfortunately there are not any Disney Princess meet and greets in Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You will only see Snow White performing in Fantasmic! the spectacular night time show which is performed on select nights in Disney Hollywood Studios. Recently there have been a lot of nights when Fantasmic! is not performed so check your schedule during your visit to see which nights it will be performed.

Disney’s Epcot

Epcot is a good location for meeting Snow White. She appears daily in the Germany Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase. This is usually one of the best locations in Disney World to see Snow White. Check your schedule as soon as you arrive in the park to see what times she is due to appear.

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Disney Princess Storybook Dining serves breakfast, lunch and dinner each day in the Akershus Restaurant in the Norway World Showcase Pavilion. As always you can never guarantee which Disney Princess will appear you have a reasonable chance that Snow White will appear as she is one of the most frequent of the guests at this very popular restaurant. Make sure you get your Advance Dining Reservations early.

One place that you can be sure that you won’t see Snow White or any of her Princess friends is Disney’s Animal Kingdom. None of the Disney Princesses ever travel to Animal Kingdom.

There are plenty of opportunities to meet Snow White in Disney World. Is Snow White your favorite Disney Princess? Leave a comment below!

You may also like

Where Can I Find Cinderella in Disney World?

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Disney World Character Dining

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , ,

Walt Disney World Marathon

November 16, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Each year in January the Walt Disney World Marathon takes place. Where better to run a challenging 26.2 mile marathon than Walt Disney World? For 2012 the Disney marathon events will take place from 5th January to 8th January 2012. The full marathon will take place on Sunday 8th January 2012. The course route takes you through all four of the Disney parks – Disney’s Epcot, Disney Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. So at least the scenery will be able to distract you from just how exhausted you are some of the time! And of course there is no other Marathon in the World where you would be able to have your photos taken with Disney characters along the route. Who better to motivate you than a Disney Princess or Mickey Mouse?

Photo by melody

Here is a great video which is well worth watching if you are thinking of entering the Disney Marathon as it gives a great idea of what to expect

The Disney marathon course starts just outside Epcot on World Drive. The finish line is also in Epcot (in the parking lot) and competitors will have plenty of water and food stations around the course. The start of the event is at 5.30am. All competitors must maintain a 16 minute mile pace. It is suggested that you train for the marathon at a 15 minute mile pace.

This is Disney of course so the Marathon is started by Mickey Mouse and his friends pressing the button for the start of the fireworks which start the race.

You have to be at least 18 years of age to register for the full Disney World marathon (there are options for other ages). The registration fee is now $160 per person. For future events usually Disney offers a discount if you register early so bear this in mind for 2013. Registration always fills up as of course there are only a limited amount of entries allowed each year. So you do need to make your registration application as early as possible if you want to qualify.

New for 2012 is the Walt Disney World Marathon Relay. This event will be part of the full marathon but will allow participants to run as a 2 person team – so each completes a half marathon. The first half includes Epcot and Magic Kingdom, whilst the second part includes Disney Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishes in Epcot. The registration fee is now $320 for the team.

If you can’t find a running partner for the relay marathon you may want to run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. This is held on Saturday 7th January 2012. Now in it’s 15th year the Half Marathon starts at Epcot and goes to Magic Kingdom before going back to the finish line at Epcot.

For the truly dedicated you may want to consider the Goofy Race and a Half. Participants run both the full marathon and the half marathon.

If you want to make this a family event there consider the Disney Family Fiesta 5K featuring the Three Caballeros. This family event takes place in Epcot. The fee is $50 per participant. There is also a stroller division of this race with a $55 entry fee.

For those aged 13 and under the Disney Kids Races there are various races including a Diaper Dash for those aged 12 months and under.

The Walt Disney Marathon weekend has special events to keep all the entrants and their families busy. The Pasta in the Park buffet dinner is held on Thursday January 5th to get the weekend of to a celebratory start. Tickets are $47.50 for Adults and $28.35 for Children (ages 3-9). Pasta in the Park is held in the World ShowPlace Pavilion in Epcot. A separate admission ticket to Epcot is also required.

Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo starts on Thursday January 5th and runs to Sunday January 8th 2012. This is held at HP Field House and Jostens® Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There will be guest speakers featuring celebrity runners, official race merchandise and exhibition stands. This is also the place where you will pick up your registration packet.

If you want to register for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2012 go to Registration for more details. You do need to hurry as most of the events are almost at capacity.

All weekend there will be special Disney transportation from all of the resorts. This includes transport to the Fitness Expo and to the start lines (and from the finish line of course). The monorail resorts will not have buses to the races but you can use the monorail to Epcot. You must be aware that if you are staying at one of the Epcot resorts then you must take a bus to the start line. The World Showcase International gateway entrance to Epcot will not be open in the early morning so do not make the mistake of thinking that you can walk through that way to the start line. The only way to get there from the Epcot resorts is by bus.

You do not need a park ticket to enter the Walt Disney Marathon. But of course many of the competitors and their families do stay at the resorts and visit the parks. If you are visiting the parks on that weekend and are not involved in the Marathon this does have a big effect on park attendance. January is usually a quiet time but the Disney Marathon weekend is busy. There will be some road closures on the Saturday and Sunday when the races are held so if you are going to the parks in the morning you will need to allow extra time.

For everyone competing the Walt Disney Marathon is an amazing event. Will you choose to be part of it. Leave me a Comment below if you have ever competed in the Disney Marathon or if you are going to in the future.

You may also like

Walt Disney World Hotels

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , ,
« Older Posts

EverythingMouse is not affiliated with The Walt Disney Company.