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Step By Step: How To Plan a Disney World Trip

Have you decided to take a trip to Walt Disney World? Congratulations! The excitement starts the minute that you start planning your vacation.

Welcome to Disney World!

But where do you begin? Whether this is a first trip to Disney World or a repeat visit, it takes patience to research flights, transportation, hotels, dining, tickets, and more. We know that you have more questions than answers right now. You’re probably asking yourself all of these questions: Should I fly or drive to Orlando? Which Disney resort fits my touring plans? How does Disney transportation work? Where should we have a character meal? Which admission tickets do we need?

[Read more…]

Disney World Deluxe Resort List and Ranking

By Kim LaPaglia 2 Comments

Deciding on where to stay during your Walt Disney World vacation in Orlando can be quite mind-boggling. We suggest starting with your preferred budget — and even if you are choosing a deluxe hotel, we know that getting the most out of your vacation dollars is still important.

Monorail at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

When it comes time to help out our readers, we often reach out to those of you that have “been there, done that.” We were able to pull together a ranking of the nine deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World by using your input and some great information from our friends over at AllEars.Net.

Just in time to plan your next vacation, we’re sharing the ranking of the Disney World Deluxe Resorts, so you can choose the best Disney World hotel for your family.

[Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: August 5, 2012

By AJ Leave a Comment

Enchanted Rose Motif at Be Our Guest

We’ve got a few more sneak peeks at Be Our Guest restaurant! This brand new restaurant will be opening later this year in Magic Kingdom’s New Fantasyland!

Disney Food News

In the news since our last round-up…

The Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko has announced a Wine Dinner for August 16th!
Halloweeny “Goth Goodies” introduced to Disney Parks candy shops.
Select restaurants at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort have begun a Dining Passport Loyalty Program to reward frequent visitors.
Check out the Be Our Guest Restaurant Rose Motif. Click the link to see more pics from the restaurant.

We’ve got more food news (including NEW Citricos Wine Dinners, a new food spot in the New Fantasyland, restaurant closure updates, and LOTS more) on our Disney Food News Pin Board!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Updates

We’ve been reporting all of the details about the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival marketplace booth menus and food photos
Details on special events dates and prices
And HGTV seminars
Read all about the Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food and Wine Classic, taking place Oct. 12-13!

DFB Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival Coming Soon!

And with the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival rapidly approaching, we’ll have all the info you need to make sure you get the best value from the 2012 festival!

Our DFB Guide to the 2012 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book is coming soon!

Special Features
Of course, we’ve included a few bonus items for you! Let’s take a look at a few of them…

A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival
Brand new World Showcase booth crawls for this year’s menus
Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for visiting [Read more…]

Walt Disney World New Year’s Eve Dining and Special Events

By Kim LaPaglia 4 Comments

Ringing in New Year 2012 from Walt Disney World? It’s going to be a memorable night! Call 407-WDW-DINE for holiday dining information and reservations! Here are some of your options for dining on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day:

Disney Resorts and Event Spaces

Boardwalk

Atlantic Dance Hall
Dance into the New Year at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk
8 p.m. to 2 a.m., ages 21 and up.

Video DJ Tony Zapulla will play hits on the main dance floor. Beverages will be for sale from three different bars. There will be limited viewing of Epcot’s fireworks.

$37 (gratuity not included) for access to the main floor of the Dance Hall.
$80 for a VIP ticket that allows guests entrance to a private 2nd floor area with guaranteed seating and access to a private upstairs balcony for “limited” viewing of the fireworks. In addition, you’ll be able to indulge at a Dessert Station and private VIP bar. Cocktail service will also be offered.

Dress Attire: Business Casual or Formal

Parking:
Parking passes for the self parking lot will be given with advance purchases. Parking not guaranteed to be available for same day purchase.
Contemporary Resort
Chef Mickey’s (New Year’s Day brunch)
California Grill will host an evening of elegance!
$550 per person.

View of Castle from our California Grill Table

Entertainment will include casino-style games, live music and Disney characters. Enjooy food stations and beverages while watching [Read more…]

Disney Food Post Round-Up: December 11, 2011

By AJ Leave a Comment

Gluhwein in Epcot's Germany

We’re in Walt Disney World this weekend eating lots of good stuff and capturing tons of great photos to share with you as you plan your upcoming Disney trips, including a new caramel apple margarita, an ice cream cookie sandwich filled with pumpkin ice cream, and even a caramel-fudge-cookie sundae that only costs one Disney Dining Plan snack credit!

Speaking of upcoming trips, here’s a bit of Disney food news to keep you in the loop!

Weekly Disney Food News

It’s a jolly holiday with Gluhwein in Epcot’s Germany! Try this spiced red wine at the Christmas Market booth.
These World Showcase Food and Drink Shirts highlight eats and drinks in Epcot’s World Showcase!
The Walt Disney World Contemporary Resort and Grand Floridian Resort have created memorable holiday displays out of gingerbread!
The Contempo Cafe is offering seasonal cupcakes, including a Chocolate Peppermint Cupcakes!
Christmas in Disneyland means the famous Yule Log Cake is back! Find out all about it!
Ghirardelli is slated to open in spring 2012 at Disney California Adventure. Check out the new concept art!
Kouzzina has new items at breakfast! Check out the eats at this Boardwalk Inn restaurant.
Fun Disney kitchen accessories can now be found at Target!
The WDW Swan and Dolphin will host a full calendar of holiday activities, including milk and cookies at bed time!

Want more news? Stop by our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

And don’t forget to follow along on our 2011 Holiday Dining page!

Disney Food Blog Gift Certificates Make Great Gifts For Disney Fans!

Our popular Disney Food Blog Guide to Walt Disney World Dining, DFB Mini-Guide to Magic Kingdom Snacks, and new DFB Dining Adventures e-Books have been very popular, and now there’s a way for you to give them as gifts to your friends and family!

Using our new Disney Food Blog e-Book Gift Certificates, you can instantly give all of this great dining info and advice to your favorite Disney fan, and it’s EASY! Get all of the details — and great holiday discounts — at http://dfbguide.com/giftcertificates!

Don’t let your friends and family go to Disney World unprepared. Get a DFB Gift Certificate for your favorite Disney fan today!

On to the Round-Up!

WDW For Grown-Ups

takes a look at Adult-Friendly Character Meals! Great idea!!

WESH.com names Top 5 Holiday Food Picks at Walt Disney World — written by yours truly!

Goofy at Cape May Cafe -- an Adult-Friendly character meal!

Daveland Blog reminisces about a long-lost Disneyland coffee shop.

DisMarks has another great Disney Blog Carnival this week with lots of fun Disney food articles!

Stuff from the Park travels back in time to take a look at a 1970s menu from the American Egg House at Disneyland.

MiceChat.com reviews dining with diabetes aboard the Disney Dream.

BabyCakes NYC Blog shares the news that Downtown Disney’s Babycakes Bakery will now fulfill vegan and gluten-free cake orders for Disney World resort guests!

Main St. Gazette checks out the scene at Epcot’s Sommerfest! Happy Birthday, Ryan!!

Disney Weddings Blog highlights a new trend — mashed potato bars!

Disney Food Post Round-Up: November 27, 2011

By AJ 1 Comment

Turkey Leg Treat

We hope everyone had a delicious Thanksgiving!

Now it’s time to look toward the rest of the holiday season with all of its sugary treats and savory meals!

Latest Disney Food News

After a relaxing holiday, we’ll get you caught up on the latest info!

If you’re in the parks this week, keep an eye open for Turkey Leg rice krispie treats!
New characters will debut on Disney’s glowing character punch this holiday season! Look for Ariel and “Jack Sparrow” (a skull and crossbones!)
Disney California Adventure is unveiling all kinds of new holiday desserts this year! Get the scoop and the pics!
If cinnamon-glazed nuts are your favorite holiday treat, check out the new stand in Epcot!
Want more info on holiday treats and dining experiences in the parks? We’ve compiled our 2011 Disney Holiday Dining Page with all the specs!
The restaurants at the WDW Swan and Dolphin resorts announce holiday meals.

Check out our Disney Food News Pin Board, where Disney Food News is updated on a regular basis!

DFB Dining Adventures e-Book Now Available

We’ve had lots of reader requests for pre-planned dining strategies that can be dropped right into your Disney World vacation plans, and we thought that was a pretty good idea, too! So we took it one step further and added some extra FUN!!

Our very first DFB Dining Adventures e-Book is now available! Use code “adventure” at check-out for $2 off!

And we’ve made your holiday gift-giving even easier by creating Disney Food Blog e-Book Gift Certificates! Don’t forget to use code “holiday” at check-out for some great discounts!

On to the Round-Up!

Road Trips for Beer

has one of the best posts we’ve seen this week! An awesome perspective on “What Beers Would the Muppets Drink”!!! Find out how they match muppets to brews!

DisneyContemporary.com features the Bay Lake Tower Villa Kitchens – with a complete list of cookware!

Gastropod Travels reviews the Palo Champagne Brunch aboard the Disney Dream. Cheers!

Main Street Gazette peruses one of our fave vintage cookbooks – Cooking with Mickey around our World.

Eating (and Drinking) around the World makes an Epcot Food and Wine Festival dish – Singapore Shrimp Cakes!

990square reviews dining aboard the Disney Dream.

A Taste of Wonderland dines with a special diet at Citricos at the Grand Floridian. See the gluten-free delights!

WDW Swan and Dolphin Recipe: Pumpkin Biscuits with Spiced Candied Walnuts

By Kim LaPaglia 3 Comments

Looking for a new recipe for your Holiday menu? The WDW Swan and Dolphin shared this recipe for Pumpkin Biscuits with Spiced Candied Walnuts. 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving!

Pumpkin Biscuits with Spiced Candied Walnuts

Ingredients for Pumpkin Biscuits

2 Cups Butter
3 ½ Cups Bread Flour
3 Cups Cake Flour
1/3 Cup Sugar
½ Tsp Salt
¼ Cup Baking Powder
4 Cups Buttermilk
4 Large Eggs
1 ¼ Cups Pumpkin Puree
1/3 Cup Molasses
12 Oz Chopped Spiced Candied Walnuts

Mix all dry ingredients together with butter until it forms a cornmeal like texture. Put your hand in the mix and squeeze, if it forms into a ball then it is done. Add in the [Read more…]

What’s New For 2011 at the WDW Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

By AJ 2 Comments

Just one more week until the Second Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic, which will take place Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, 2011.

Check out loads of new menu photos and information here!

We’ve interviewed one of the head honchos (and Riesling Rendevous seminar teacher!) to give you a sneak peek into this year’s event — which has tripled in size!

Event Details From Luciano Sperduto, Assistant Director of Food & Beverage

As Assistant Director of Food & Beverage for the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Luciano is part of the leadership team responsible for planning and overseeing the execution of the Food & Wine Classic.

More Food and Beverage Booths Will Appear This Year

This year, look for 26 beverage booths and more than 11 food booths, including a new addition from the Garden Grove!

garden grove jumbo lump crab cake slider

The pastry booth alone will have eight to ten items to nosh on!

Cocktail 101 Seminars Introduced

When guests requested more spirits, Cocktail 101 seminars were devised.

In these 15-minute seminars, you’ll learn how [Read more…]

Sneak Peek: 2011 Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic Seminar Details

By AJ 3 Comments

The Second Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic will take place Friday, October 7, and Saturday, October 8, 2011.

And, like last year, you can sign up for one of six beverage seminars being held both evenings of the Classic!

Choose from Wine Blending; Modern Mixology; Riesling Rendezvous; Base to Bubbles; Beer, Please!; All Things Sake; and new for 2011, Spanish Wines! The hour-long seminars will be held at 4:30pm on both nights of the Classic. Learn more about the seminars and order your tickets online here. Tickets are $35 plus tax/fee.

This year, many of the seminars have changed hands and will be a bit different from what guests experienced last year. Once again, we wanted to give a sneak peek into what you can expect; so we’ve interviewed three seminar leaders to get you the inside information about this year’s Beer, Mixology, and Spanish Wines seminars!

Beer, Please!, DJ Robertson, Assistant Manager at Todd English’s bluezoo

Returning this year after a successful debut last year, the Beer, Please! seminar will be slightly different this time around.

Widmer Pitch Black IPA

Wisconsin native Robertson plans to feature beers that are unique — some you wouldn’t necessarily find at your grocery store craft beer section.

Guests will have the opportunity to sample seven different beers, including:

Orange Blossom Ale from Nevada and brewed with water that is infused with orange blossoms
Effinheimer Red Ale, a local brew from a Minneola, FL, brewery that has only been in existence for a year and a half
Widmer Black IPA, a new style of beer with a “dark side” due to hints of coffee flavor, roasted barley, and a high amount of hops

Food Pairings

at the Beer, Please! seminar include: Rogue’s Morimoto Soba Ale with their beer-soaked cheddar cheese — and look for Rogue chocolate stout cake and Beer bread, too!

One fun takeaway from the Beer, Please! seminar will be [Read more…]

Disney World Dolphin Resort’s Shula’s Steak House Recognized for Wine List

By Kim LaPaglia Leave a Comment

Shula’s Steak House

has been awarded the 2011 “Best Of” Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine!

This Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin resort restaurant can boast being one of only eight Orlando venues to earn this recognition. Wine Spectator Magazine issued the 2011 Restaurant Wine List Awards to 833 restaurants worldwide.

The Restaurant Wine List Awards recognize each year the restaurants whose wine lists are: [Read more…]

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Step By Step: How To Plan a Disney World Trip

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