food IS a theme park
Disney, we cannot thank you enough for this app change. We’re not being dramatic when we say we’ve waited years for this change and will never, ever go back to the old way.
Scanning in
If you’ve ever made a park reservation, you might have noticed how annoying it is to use the app, but then be linked to an outside website to actually make the reservation. Lucky for us, making park reservations just got so much easier.
When it comes to Disney World’s theme parks, there’s arguably none better known for its dining than EPCOT. From the cross-cultural restaurants of the World Showcase to the park’s annual International Food & Wine Festival, cuisine is arguably its calling card.
Galaxy Spritz
However, from our experience, the hardest reservation to get in the park isn’t at a restaurant set in one of World Showcase’s eleven themed international pavilions. In fact, it’s not set on Earth at all.
Disney Springs is home to some of our favorite restaurants and places to shop, and we love that it’s something you can experience for free on your Disney World vacation.
Disney Springs
Parking at Disney Springs doesn’t cost anything, and you can take a bus or boat from your Disney World hotel any day of the week to experience all the shopping and dining district has to offer at no additional charge (unless you choose to dine at a restaurant or purchase something from a store, that will, of course, cost something!). If we’re being totally honest, though, we’re seeing some trends that might be getting a liiiiittle out of control.
When it comes to dining at Walt Disney World, the Magic Kingdom is home to some of the most in-demand restaurants on property, including Cinderella’s Royal Table and Be Our Guest.
It’s time to eat!
Don’t fret, though, there are ways to better your odds of reserving dining at these eateries… as long as you know how to use the system to your advantage.
If you’ve been planning Disney World trips for as long as we have, it’s safe to assume you probably still have a little trauma from the days when certain reservations felt straight-up impossible to get. Oh, are the times they are a-changin’…
The Grand Ballroom in Be Our Guest Restaurant
While the process of waking up early at 6 AM ET 60 days out from your vacation is definitely still part of the Disney World planning steps, it’s not as daunting as it used to be. Believe it or not, a few of those “no-chance” reservations have quietly become WAY easier to snag lately. We’re going to go over four spots that used to feel completely out of reach, and why they’re surprisingly doable right now — albeit with some caveats.
Feet don’t fail me now! Or in this case, arms don’t fail me now! Universal Mardi Gras returns to Universal Studios Florida from February 7th through April 4th, 2026. If you are an Annual Passholder and you have wanted to throw beads during a lively Mardi Gras parade, your chance to sign up to ride a float is coming soon!
Mardi Gras Parade
Universal Mardi Gras features live concerts, delicious food, and a festive parade that you won’t want to miss. The Mardi Gras parade is always such a fun time, with colorful floats, elaborate costumes, catchy music, and LOTS of bead necklaces. Each float in the parade has people on it throwing beads into the crowds — and you can be the one throwing the beads from the float!
It is one of the busiest times of the year at Disney World! If you are heading to Disney World to celebrate the holidays or ring in the New Year, you won’t be the only ones. While it is definitely a magical time of year at Disney World, it is also VERY crowded. We aren’t telling you to cancel your trip, but we do want you to have the right expectations. Plus, a little bit of preparation and planning ahead can go a looonngg way as you navigate the holiday crowds.
Disney Springs crowds
As we begin the countdown to 2026, we have a bit of a warning if you are headed to Disney Springs. This shopping, dining, and entertainment district is always popular — especially during the holidays. Parking and admission are free, so it is a great spot to have some fun without buying tickets or paying for parking.
Are you ready for your next trip to Disney World? Picture this: you’re planning your family’s next vacation to Disney World. You all want to eat at Cinderella’s Royal Table (one of the most popular restaurants in Disney World), ride every ride in Magic Kingdom with minimal waiting, not have any hang-ups for transportation, minimize family drama, and, of course, you gotta have your coffee.
Let’s talk Disney!
But how do you actually manage to achieve ALL that, and have the perfect Disney vacation? Well, you might have to start getting used to waking up by 6 AM, even on vacation. Follow along with us as we go through a sample morning leading up to your vacation and once you’re finally at Walt Disney World! We’ll provide you with six 6 AM habits we do to ensure everything goes to plan.
The Beak & Barrel is officially open in Disney World! This Pirates of the Caribbean-themed tavern opened on August 29th in Magic Kingdom, and it has been a popular spot. Reservations booked up quickly once they were finally released, and availability has been hard to come by.
The Beak and Barrel
If you are looking to snag a reservation at Disney World’s newest lounge, you will have to be quick or keep an eye out for reservations, as they do occasionally pop up. However, if you are looking for a larger group, we have a huge tip that will help make getting a reservation for your whole party easier.
Yes, we’re still trying to get through Halloween, but when it comes to planning for Disney World, if you’ve got a holiday trip coming up, you’re probably thinking a little further ahead than spooky season.
Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Holiday Fireworks dessert party
That’s especially true if you have plans to attend Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party (and, yes, tickets are ON SALE NOW). Well, if you’re looking to book the Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Dessert Party, we’ve got a big update: reservations open on September 3rd.
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