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Where Can You Find Cinderella in Disney World?

August 8, 2011 By Alison 7 Comments

Where can you find Cinderella in Disney World? Cinderella is one of the most popular characters in Walt Disney World and she is not too difficult to find. Here is a guide as to the best places to find Cinderella in the Disney parks and hotel resorts. Just remember the usual warning – all Disney character experiences are subject to change without notice. In other words altough Cinderella is expected to attend sometimes changes may have to be made at the last minute – it is the perogative of a Princess after all!

Photo by armadillo444Disney’s Storybook Princesses in Town Square Theater

Cinderella is most easily found in Magic Kingdom and Disney Storybook Princesses in Town Square is the first place to look. As soon as you arrive in Magic Kingdom you need to check the times of the Princess meet and greet in this location. As always, there is no guarantee that Cinderella will be there but your chances of finding her are pretty good here. There is pretty much always a long line but a Fast Pass is available.

Disney Dreams Come True Parade

The Disney Dreams Come True Parade is a guaranteed place to see Cinderella – but of course you won’t be able to talk with her or get her autograph here! Cinderella will be with Prince Charming on the A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes float.

This parade usuallly takes place at 3pm each day but you must always check the up to date times before you visit.

Dream Along With Mickey

Dream Along with Mickey is a stage show which is performed several times at day in front of Cinderella’s Castle. Again check show times on the daily schedule. This 20 minute show is well worth seeing and Cinderella and her Prince Charming appear along with lots of other Disney favorite characters. Watch out for Maleficent who is as always intent on spoiling everyone’s dream!

Main Street Electrical Parade

Cinderella appears in on of the most beloved of the Disney Parades – the Main Street Electrical Parade. Cinderella appears in her magnificent Pumpkin Coach with Prince Charming and The Fairy Godmother. As will all parades times vary so check your park schedule.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

As you would expect you can find Cinderella in her own castle. But unfortunately for this meet and greet you do have to get one of the most difficult to snag Disney restaurant reservations in the whole of Walt Disney World. Cinderella’s Royal Table restaurant is actually right inside Cinderella castle. This makes it the most popular restaurant in Disney World so you do need to get those Advance Dining Reservations as soon as you can.

Cinderella and Cinderella, The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White are all likely to attend The Royal Table. This is a photo package dining experience. This means that you have the chance to have a photograph taken with a Princess (usually Cinderella) and your party will get a package of prints of your photo. This is included in with the price.

So Cinderella’s Royal Table is a pretty reliable spot to find your favorite Princess but it is certainly not the easiest or the cheapest. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is served. The least cost option is the breakfast at $44.80 for adults and $29.86 for children aged 3 to 9.

You may like to read Cinderella’s Royal Table – Is It Worth It?

Cinderella’s Happy Ever After Dinner

Another chance to dine with your favorite Princess is Cinderella’s Happy Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare at Disney Grand Floridian Resort. Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, and Anastasia and Drizella are usually in attendance.

This is one of my favorite Disney character dining experiences as the food is of high quality for a buffet, and you get plenty of chance to see the characters.

The price is $42.59 for adults and $21.29 for children aged 3 to 9. This includes tax but not gratuity. You can also use 1 Disney Dining Credit if you are participating in the Disney Dining Plan.

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

This one is a long shot as you really cannot reliably expect Cinderella to be there. If you are looking at character dining to see Cinderella then 1900 Park Fare and Cinderella’s Royal Table are your only reliable options. But if you want to see the other Princesses then this is a great option. Disney Princess Storybook Dining is located in the Akershus Restaurant in the Norway Pavilion in Epcot World Showcase.

Where Won’t I Find Cinderella?

Cinderella only really likes to be in Magic Kingdom and The Grand Floridian Resort. Occassionally she may be seen in Epcot in Princess Storybook Dining but she doesn’t often go there. She doesn’t visit Disney Hollywood Studios either.

You definitely won’t find Cinderella or any other Disney Princess in Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

August 7, 2011 By Alison 9 Comments

Disney Princess Storybook Dining is the place to go if you want to be assured that you will dine with a Princess at Walt Disney World. The Disney Princess Storybook Dining experience is available at Restaurant Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion at Epcot. Breakfast, lunch and dinner is available.

Picture by lorenjavier

What is the Princess Storybook Dining Experience?

This is best character meal at Disney World if you are looking to meet the most Disney Princesses. Of course you have Cinderella’s Royal Table in Magic Kingdom but the Princess Storybook Dining has the most Princesses gathered in one restaurant!

Which Princesses will be there? As with all Disney World Character Dining everything is subject to change and you cannot guaratee a particular Princess will be there. But Princess Aurora, Belle, Ariel, Princess Jasmine and Snow White may be there. Mary Poppins also often makes an appearance – although I can never quite understand what qualifies her to be amongst the Princesses! This is a rare opportunity to see Ariel in her ballgown. Of course it would be a little difficult if she wasn’t in her human form!

During the meal the Princesses visit you at your table. There is plenty of opportunity to take pictures and get their autograph.

Will you see Cinderella? She does sometimes appear but it is pretty rare. If you want to see Cinderella then try and get one of those very difficult to snag reservations at Cinderella’s Royal Table or go for dinner at 1900 Park Fare in the Grand Floridian for Cinderella’s Gala Feast.

Every Princess Dining Experience includes a picture package. A souvenir picture will be taken of your party in the restaurant lobby. The photo packet has four 4×6 prints, one 6×8 print, and a 6×8 photo of the castle presented in a Cinderella themed folder. (Parties of 1-6 get one photo packet, parties of 7-11 get two, parties of 12-15 get three and parties of 16 or more get six photo packages.

The Princess Storybook Dining Akershus Restaurant

Akershus is located in the Norway Pavilion of Epcot World Showcase. It is an amazingly themed recreation of a 14th century Norwiegan castle. High ceilings with huge wooden beams, rustic chandeliers, stained glass windows and atmospheric lighting make this a fitting venue for the Disney Princesses.

Disney Princess Once Upon a Time Breakfast

The breakfast costs $39.40 for adults and $23.42 for children aged 3 to 9. It is served from 8.30 am to 11.00 am.

The breakfast is served family style which means that it is brought pre plated to your table. It is all you care to eat so you can ask for more! The breakfast includes the usual favorites: Scrambled Eggs, Sausage, Bacon, Cheese Danish, Fresh Fruit, Breakfast Breads including Cinnamon Rolls, Potato Casserole. Juice and Coffee refils are also included. There is also a healthier option of Yoghurt and Museli.

Princess Storybook Lunch

The price for the Lunch is $41.53 for adult and $24.99 for children aged 3 to 9. This includes tax but not gratuity. You can also use a Dining Credit if you are on the Disney Dining Plan.

The Lunch is both selections from the cold buffet table and made to order hot entrees. The buffet table is called ‘A Taste of Norway’. There is a small buffet table which includes a good selection of salads, meats,cheese, seafood and breads. This is a little different from the usual offerings of a cold buffet and it is good for those who are prepared to try something out of the ordinary. Picky eaters of all ages may find a bit of a problem here!

Guests also choose from a menu of hot entrees. These include an excellent Salmon Burger, Venison Sausage Sandwich, Chicken Sandwich, Mushroom Stuffed Pasta. If you want to try a Norweigan dish then Traditional Kjottkake is available. This is ground beef and pork dumplings with lingonberry sauce.

There is also a children’s menu. This includes cheese pizza, hot dogs and grilled chicken breast.

The lunch includes free tea, coffee and non alcoholic drinks. There is also a list of cocktails with a Norweigan theme all for around $10.

Princess Storybook Dinner

This is the same style as the lunch but it does have different entree choices. The cost is $46.85 for adults and $25.55 for children aged 3 to 9.

Guests can choose from the Taste of Norway buffet table. Entrees include Mustard Glazed Seared Salmon, Sauteed Chicken Breast, Traditional Kjottkake, Mahi Mahi, and Grilled Pork Chop.

Is Princess Storybook Dining Worth It?
How is the food in the Princess Storybook Dining restaurant? Opinions vary of course but most guests do enjoy it even though it is rather different to the usual buffet fare offered at Disney character dining restaurants. For those of us who remember the old Akershus before the Princesses arrive then I would say that the quality went down as soon as the royals took over. And of course the price went up.

So unless you want to pay the price to see the Princesses then this really is not a great choice anymore. But for guests who want to find one of the best places to meet the Disney Princesses then this has to be a winner. If you have picky eaters then choose the breakfast as this has the usual conventional choices, and of course is lower priced too.

Epcot Candlelight Processional

August 4, 2011 By Alison 1 Comment

The Epcot Candlelight Processional is a not to be missed Disney World Holiday tradition. This spectacular musical Holiday celebration is held in the America Gardens Theater in Epcot World Showcase. Featuring a guest celebrity narrator reading Christmas passages and featuring the music of a huge choir and 50 piece orchestra this is one of those Disney Holiday traditions which make the season so special.

The Epcot Candlelight Processional is free for all Epcot guests. But it is difficult to get a seat as it is such a popular event. It is not unknown for the lines to start forming 2 hours before the event. But you can ensure that you get a seat if you purchase an Epcot Candlelight Processional Dinner Package.

There are 3 performances each evening at 5pm, 6.45pm and 8pm. The later ones do seem to have a little more atmosphere simply because they are in the dark and it seems easier to get into the Christmas spirit! The Candlelight Processional starts on November 25th and runs until December 30th, with 3 performances each night.

A word of warning. It is very popular. Not only does this mean that if you don’t get a Dinner Package you are going to be waiting a long time in line, it also means that the area in front of The America Pavilion in World Showcase gets very crowded during a performance. Last year when I was simply trying to get past the area it was a slightly scary crowd crushing experience as amazingly Cast Members just didn’t have this area well controlled. You just couldn’t get past. So plan your walking journey around World Showcase accordingly!

Narrators for Candlelight Processional 2011

November 25-27: Mira Sorvino
November 28–December 1: Michael W. Smith
December 2-3: Whoopi Goldberg
December 4-6: TBD
December 7-9:
Isabella Rossellini
December 10-12: Neil Patrick Harris
December 13-15: TBD
December 16-18: TBD
December 19-21: Trace Adkins
December 22-24: Susan Lucci
December 25–27: Blair Underwood
December 28-30: Marlee Matlin

Many of the narrators have appeared at previous Candlelight Processionals, including Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Lucci and Marlee Martin.

Candlelight Processional Dinner Package

If you want to have guaranteed seating then the way to go is to book a lunch or dinner Candlelight Processional Dinner Package. As always the lunch option is a cheaper option than the dinner. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan then the Dinner Package will be for 2 full service dining credits.

You make a reservation by calling 407 WDW DINE.

Prices vary between participating restaurants:

Nine Dragons Restaurant
Restaurant Marrakesh
Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room
San Angel Inn
Via Napoli

All the above have lunch for $38,99 for adults and $12.99 for children with dinner at $49.99 for adults and $15.99 for children.

Chefs De France
Coral Reef
Teppan Edo
Tokyo Dining

These all have lunch for $51.99 for adults and $13.99 for children. Dinner is $64.99 for adults and $17.99 for children.

The Biergarten Restaurant is a buffet for $32.99 for adults and $17.99 for children. Dinner is $50.99 for adults and $20.99 for children.

The Garden Grill Restaurant is also a buffet and is priced at $52.99 for adults and $26.99 for children for dinner only.

The Coral Reef is $51.99 for adults and $13.99 for children, with dinner at $64.99 and $17.99.

Le Hacienda de San Angel is open only for dinner and is priced at $64.99 and $17.99.

The Candlelight Processional Package includes an Appetizer, Entree, Dessert and non alcoholic beverage. For the 2 venues which are buffet the full buffet is included.

Is it Worth Booking the Candlelight Dinner Package?

It certainly can be, particularly closer to Christmas when you wait time for a seat will be long if you actually want to get a seat! The Theater is small so there are some who are turned away. However the packages are of course higher priced than the usual meals at the Epcot restaurants.

The Package seating is behind the VIP seating and is on a first come first served basis – so you will still have to arrive about 30 minutes prior to the show. Be sure to join the line on the left hand side of the Theater, the one on the right is the stand by line.

Christmas time is a wonderful time to visit Walt Disney World and the Candlelight Processional is a wonderful Disney tradition. The Candlelight Processional Package is a very convenient way to experience it but if you do not want the extra expense then you can simply listen to it from the back of the Theater (but be aware that at busy times this may be almost impossible as it is so crowded).

Photo by Harshlight

Filed Under: Disney Tips, Restaurants Tagged With: candlelight processional, epcot, epcot candlelight processional

Disney World Coffee

July 25, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Let’s be honest here. It is not that easy to find a good cup of coffee at Walt Disney World. Fortunately there are some good options for coffee in the parks and resorts at Disney – it just takes a little know how to find something better than your standard cup of regular or decaf coffee. So if you prefer something other than the standard Nescafe which is offered here are some places to go:

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge Boma

Boma is one of my favorite restaurants. This is one of the best buffets in the whole of Disney World and it also happens to serve some pretty decent coffee too.

The Kenya AA is served in a French press pot and is well worth the extra cost if you really don’t like the usual blend that is served as part of the included beverage part of the buffet.

Epcot World Showcase

Epcot World Showcase is your best bet for good coffee options at Walt Disney World. As you would expect, the best advice is to head to the Epcot France and Epcot Italy Pavilions. In my extensive research Italy has a slight edge over France here. The cappucino in Tutto Italia wins over the cup offered in Chefs de France. The Italians even take it pretty well that you are ordering a cup of coffee with milk in it past noon – something which is simply not done if you are an Italian native. Order esspresso after your meal if you want to blend in with the locals!

If you are looking for something a little different then try the excellent Restaurant Marakesh in the Moroccan Pavilion. This is not to everyone’s taste but worth a try.

If you are looking to grab a quick cup of coffee without dining in a restaurant then again France and Italy are the best choices. The disadvantage of course is that it will be served in a disposable cup – never the greatest option for good coffee. Tutto Italia has a kiosk at the front of the Italy Pavilion. The coffee in the French Boulangerie-Patisserie is a disappointment. You would expect that they would serve up good coffee but unfortunately it is Nescafe from a machine!

Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort

Many guests say that the coffee at the Kona Cafe at the Polynesian Resort is the best coffee in Disney World. The Kona Cafe serves coffee in a French Press pot which is enough to serve 2 people for $7.49. You can also order Espresso, Cappuccino , Cafe Latte and Cafe Mocha

Disney World Signature Restaurants

All of the Disney World Signature Restaurants serve coffee in a French Press Pot. These restaurants include Artist’s Point, California Grill, Citricos, Jiko, Le Cellier, Narcoossee’s, Hollywood Brown Derby, Victoria and Albert’s and The Yatchsman Steakhouse. Whilst this coffee is better than the Nescafe blend served in the other restaurants in Disney World it still isn’t anything to get too excited about.

Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea is offered at several kiosk in Disney World locations including The Transport and Ticket Center, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Tusker House and kiosks in Animal Kingdom, and The Yacht and Beach Club Hotel Resorts.

If you really can’t go without your Starbucks then it is a little difficult but not impossible to find on Disney property. It is available in Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels (in the Epcot resort area so quite a hike if you really can’t do without your Starbucks fix), Shades of Green Resort and Regal Sun at Downtown Disney.

The amazing quality and diversity of food choices in Walt Disney World is exceptional. The almost complete lack of a decent cup of coffee is remarkable. My personal favorite? The espresso at Tutto Ilalia.

So what is a Disney World guest who really needs good quality coffee every day to do? Take an individual French Press Cup and a supply of Illy Coffee and make your own!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, EPCOT, Restaurants Tagged With: disney world coffee, disney world restaurants.

Epcot Italy

July 22, 2011 By Alison 3 Comments

Epcot Italy is one of the most visually stunning of all of the World Showcase Pavilions. It also has excellent restaurants and shopping. making Italy one of the most popular of all of the Epcot World Showcase Pavilions.

The Architecture of Epcot Italy

The Epcot Italy Pavilion features an ingenious and visually pleasing mixture of Venetian, Roman and Florentine architecture. The most recognizable features are the huge recreation of St Marks Campanile in Venice, Doges Palace in Venice, The Fontana de Nettuno and The Sistine Chapel exterior from Vatican City. A stroll around the wide open piazza of St Mark’s Square Venice really does make you feel as though you have traveled thousands of miles to Italy. Well not quite because most people will be wearing Mickey Mouse shirts but it certainly does give you a sense of the real thing.

Originally it was intended that the Italy Pavilion would have a gondola boat ride, and a Roman ruins walk through feature but these expansion plans unfortunately were never realized.

Epcot Italy Restaurants

One very good reason for visiting Epcot Italy is the excellent food. There are 2 full service dining restaurants in the Pavilion – Tutto Italia and Via Napoli Pizzeria E Ristorante.

My personal favorite is Tutto Italia. This restaurant is owned and operated by the Patina Restaurant Group. The Master Chef Joachim Splichal has created an excellent menu, and the service is amongst the best you will find in any of the Epcot restaurants. Lucnch and dinner are served – and they do accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Lunch entrees include Lasagne Al Forno, Penne Caprese, Chicken Cutlet Milanese and Tagliata di Manzo. Lunch entree prices start at around $19 up to $28. The Antipasto Misto is a great value at $28 as it is a plate of appetizers served family style. The Marinated Olives are also particularly good.

Dinner selections may include Fennel Roasted Loin of Port, Pollo al Mattone and Taglatelle Egg Pasta. Most of the menu is the same as for lunch but the prices are higher with dinner entrees raining from $19 to $36.

There is a wide selection of drinks available including as you would expect excellent coffee. If you want to try something different then give the Espresso Coffee Martini a try.

A more recent addition to Epcot Italy is the Via Napoli restaurant and pizzeria which opened in 2010. Prices are lower here than in Tutto Italia. The speciality of course is pizza and diners can watch them being prepared in one of the 3 pizza ovens on show. The wood burning stoves are all named after Italian volcanoes – Etna, Vesuvio and Stromboli.

The atmosphere in Via Napoli can best be desrcibed as lively and welcoming. The interior of the restaurant is just beautiful – with high ceilings, a huge communal table in the center, and Italian hand painted tiles as decoration. The service is good and so is the food. Lunch and dinner is served here with the menus being mostly the same but prices for dinner being higher. Pizza of course is the obvious choice with different sizes available if you want to share. Prices range from $18 to $30 depending on the size. All the usual favorites are available such as Margherita, Pepperoni and Quattro Stagioni. You may want to try something a little different such as Carciofi with Artichoke, Peccorino, Mozzarella and Truffle Oil.

But Via Napoli doesn’t only serve pizza. The extensive menu includes other Italian favorites such as Lasagna Verde, Linguini Frutti de Mare, and Veal Parmigiana. Entrees range around the $20 to $28 mark. Dessert is of course a vital indulgence in an Italian restaurant. My particular favorite is the Gelati e. Sorbetto which is a combimation of lemon,chocolate, vanilla and pistachio sorbet.

Shopping at Epcot Italy

The shops in Epcot Italy offer a great choice of original merchandise from Italy.

The smaller shop is La Bottega Italiana. This sells kitchen items, cook books, wine and chocolates. Everything is made in Italy. You can take the chance to sample a glass of wine or just browse the cookery books.

The Il Bel Cristalo Shop is housed in the Doges Palace replica building. One of the most interesting items in this store is the beautiful Venetian masks. There are also ceramics, glassware, Italian leather bags and clothing. Of course being Italian this is perhaps the most stylish of all of the stores in Epcot World Showcase.

Take some time out of your visit to Epcot World Showcase to visit the Italy Pavillion even if you are not going to dine there. It is one of the most beautiful and relaxing of all of the places in World Showcase. Sit down for a while and enjoy the ambience which may just make you believe, if only for a moment, that you really are in Italy. The one thing which it really is lacking, and would be such a great addition, is an attraction of some kind such as a movie or a ride. That originally planned gondola ride would have made a great addition.

EverythingMouse

Where Can You Find Cinderella in Disney World?

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Epcot Candlelight Processional

Disney World Coffee

Epcot Italy

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