Category: Disney Guides

The Disney Dining Plan Is Canceled, So Here Are the BEST Ways to SAVE When Chowing Down in Disney World

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 16, 2020

With the Disney World Parks reopening on July 11th, we’ve got dining on our minds.

Mickey Waffle at Magic Kingdom

Just a short while after announcing the reopening of the theme parks, Disney canceled all upcoming Advance Dining Reservations and Disney Dining Plan packages. This came as a bit of a shock. For some of us the Disney Dining Plan is a way of budgeting dining expenses before a trip, so HOW do we save money on Disney dining now? Fear not, we’re here to help. We’ve got a TON of NON-Dining Plan savings tips in the post below.

Get the 2020 DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining

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This critically acclaimed guide is fully updated with ALL the latest information and news, and is absolutely the Disney food resource you need for your vacation.

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OK — here we go to the BIG TIPS!

Eat Offsite

First up, consider eating offsite. Yes, we love Disney food (obvs), but Disney restaurants are VERY expensive. Don’t feel like you’re trapped dining IN Disney World when you could dine NEAR Disney World.

Chili’s Near Disney World ©todaysorlando.com

Eating offsite is very likely to cost you less, even for food of similar quality and portion size. Take a look at nearby restaurants and consider spending dinnertime off property once or twice. Your wallet will thank you. If you didn’t drive to Disney World in your own vehicle, you can use a rideshare service like Lyft or Uber to easily get to any restaurant you like!

Split Your Meals

If you DO dine in a Disney restaurant, remember that those portions are often HUGE. We usually consider them large enough to share whether you’re at a fast food or a sit-down table service spot. For those of us who don’t eat as much, sharing is often a no-brainer.

Cobb Salad

Some places have absolutely MASSIVE platters like Flame Tree Barbecue in Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Not sure if you’ll be able to share? Scope out dishes that other guests are ordering or ask a Cast Member about the portion size prior to ordering. OR check out our reviews here on Disney Food Blog to see the actual portion size!

Ribs, Chicken, and Pork Sampler

At some table service locations, Cast Members will even plate a shared meal separately so that it feels like you’re each getting your own portion. Be wary though, sometimes splitting isn’t accommodated so ask your server if that’s an option.

Don’t Get Sides You Don’t Want

This next one is a SUPER easy savings tip but it’s also one that a lot of people don’t know about. When you’re ordering at a quick-service restaurant you can get most things a la carte. Don’t want that side of mac and cheese? Ask for your meal without it! Think that that sandwich will fill you up on its own? Forego the sides!

Regal Eagle Sides

When you skip out on sides you don’t want, your meal will usually cost less. This is a great tip for those with picky eaters in their family. If you don’t think you or a kiddo will end up eating part of the meal, don’t waste your money paying for it! On the flip side, you can always fill up on a few a la carte sides instead of a full meal if you aren’t too hungry!

Order Off the Kids’ Menu at Quick Service Locations

Speaking of kids, did you know that they’re not the ONLY ones who get all the fun of ordering off the kids’ menu? At quick-service (fast food) locations, typically anyone can order from the kids’ menu! Yep, that means you, Mom and Dad.

Vegetable Curry Pods Entree and Cheeseburger Pods

Remember what we said about portion sizes? Kids’ portions are usually big enough for an adult and if you have a big meal coming up later, chowing down on a kids’ meal is a great way to hold you off until then. Plus, kids get some AWESOME options like the Cheeseburger Pods at Satu’li Canteen!

(FYI — At table service, your experience will vary. Sometimes a server will be able to bring you a larger, adult-sized portion of a kids’ menu item if you don’t care for anything on the adult menu, but it likely will cost the same as a full-sized adult entree. So there are probably no money savings from a table-service kids’ menu perspective, but you can always ask!)

Bring Your Own Food

Another option is to bring your own food! Of course, you don’t need to DIY EVERY meal but it can be a really nice pick-me-up for your wallet if you eat in or picnic sometimes.

If you know you’ve got a big lunch planned in the parks, eat breakfast in your hotel room. Pack or pick up some cereal or granola bars to get that burst of energy before you head to the parks — without dishing out any extra cash.

Granola Bar selections including Luna Bars

You can take this tip even further, too! Grab some snacks to take into the park so that you can pay for fewer meals or share entrees when you DO eat at a Disney World restaurant. If you’re worried about being able to pack food, you can use a grocery delivery service such as Instacart or Amazon Prime Now to deliver goodies to your hotel.

You can even bring a picnic into the Disney parks (just remember — last year Disney issued new rules concerning bringing coolers and ice in the parks. Click here to brush up on all the new rules.)!

Mickey Cooler ©Disney

If you stay in a Disney Vacation Club Villa or other location with a kitchen, you can even cook your own meals. Just remember, if you want a kitchen in your Disney World hotel, things might get pricey. Weigh out the savings from being able to eat-in versus the upcharge for a kitchen when you consider this option.

Tables in Wonderland

This next tip is only available to certain guests but if it’s an option for you, it could be a great way to rack up some savings. Tables in Wonderland is a discount card that’s available to Annual Passholders, Disney Vacation Club members, and Florida Residents.

Tables in Wonderland Membership Card

The card will net you 20% discounts at most Disney World table-service restaurants, and even some quick-service locations and lounges (including pricey alcohol). You’ll also get free 3-hour valet parking at Disney Resort Hotels when you show your receipt after dining at the hotel. All in all, your discounts will typically be higher than you would get with your Annual Pass or as a DVC Member.

The pass costs $175 for Florida residents and $150 for DVC Members or Annual Passholders and is good for a year. If you dine in Disney World a lot, it could be a GREAT way to save money when you’re not on the Dining Plan!

Eat a Big Breakfast or Lunch

PRO TIP ALERT! Breakfast at Disney tends to be cheaper than lunch and dinner. Keep this in mind when you’re planning your table service meal for the day!

Breakfast Skillet

If you eat a big breakfast or lunch, especially at a table service spot, you’ll save a few bucks as opposed to if you opted to do dinner as your big meal. Plus, with portion sizes in Disney, eating a big breakfast or lunch can usually hold you over for a large chunk of the day, meaning you can skip a meal (or two!) and save some cash.

Tusker House Breakfast Haul

Wanna take this tip to the next level? Consider booking a breakfast buffet as late as you can in the morning. You’ll get to chow down on breakfast favorites and, in many cases, they’ll switch the buffet over to lunch while you’re there so you can get your fill of a totally different lunchtime meal as well! Two for the price of one sounds good to us (just plan to arrive HUNGRY!). We tried this at Tusker House and, while we practically had to be rolled out the door when we finished, it was an awesome experience.

Don’t Dine at More Than One Table Service Restaurant a Day

Speaking of picking your table service meal, choosing a sit-down dinner is about more than just “when.” It’s also about how many times you should dine on a table-service meal. If you’re looking to save some money, we recommend limiting to just one table-service restaurant each day.

Storybook Dining at Artist Point

Remember, portions are huge so unless you’re a BIG eater, it’s hard to get your money’s worth if you sit down at two nicer meals in one day. Quick service locations have some great options, too! Plus, all that time you’d spend sitting and eating will be yours for touring around the parks instead!

Sam’s Club and Target RedCard Gift Cards

And finally, we’ve got one more tip that is available for specific groups. If you’re a Sam’s Club member or have a Target RedCard, you can get discounts by purchasing Disney gift cards before your trip. Sam’s Club sometimes has Disney gift cards at a discounted price and buying Disney gift cards at Target (with that RedCard) will net you 5% back on the purchase.

©Disney Gift Card

If you use these gift cards to pay for your food (or anything else for that matter), you’ll end up getting discounts on everything you buy! This is a pretty simple way to save yourself some cash!

You don’t need to despair if you lost your Disney Dining Plan! Sure, it may not have been part of your ideal plan for your Disney trip, but with a few changes to your plans, it doesn’t have to put a damper on things. There are other ways to stay on top of a budget, and we’ve got you covered!

Think these tips will help? Got some money-saving tips YOU want to share? Tell us in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney dining tips, Disney Discounts, disney parks, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney dining, disney dining plan, disney dining saving, Disney savings, disney savings tips, kids menu, sam’s club, Tables in Wonderland

Tags disney dining, disney dining plan, disney dining saving, disney dining tips, Disney Discounts, disney parks, Disney savings, disney savings tips, Featured, kids menu, sam's club, Tables in Wonderland, Walt Disney World

Disney Food Disney Guides Disney Parks

Everything You’ve EVER Wanted to Know About the History of Disney’s Dole Whip!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 14, 2020

The Dole Whip is one POPULAR Disney snack! It may even be the most iconic Disney Parks snack of all time if we do say so ourselves! We know it’s super popular with our readers — it was voted the ultimate champion of our Snack Madness!

Dole Whip at Typhoon Lagoon

So we went ahead and made an entire page devoted to this beloved frozen treat, complete with its history and some of our favorite variations we’ve seen over the years! If you’ve ever wondered WHY Dole Whip is so popular when it comes to Disney Parks, you can read all about its history and how it has evolved over the years!

What is Dole Whip and when did it first appear in a Disney park?

If you’ve NEVER heard of Dole Whip or wonder what all the hype is about, let’s do a brief recap (you can read the FULL history on our new Dole Whip page here).

Dole Whip from Marketplace Snacks in Disney Springs

In its simplest, “classic” form, Dole Whip is a frozen pineapple soft serve. It comes served in a cup, or you can also get it as a “float” where it is served with pineapple juice. It is certified vegan, so it’s a frozen treat just about everyone can enjoy.

Dole Whip

The first Dole Whip was served in Disneyland in 1986, after DOLE became the official sponsor of Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room and the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland. In Disney World, the general consensus is that Dole Whip ALSO began appearing in Magic Kingdom in 1986.

Aloha Isle Refreshments

Since then, the Dole Whip has been a Disney Parks staple on BOTH coasts!

Where can I find Dole Whip in the parks?

Walt Disney World

Some of the most popular places to get a Dole Whip in Magic Kingdom includes Aloha Isle and Sunshine Tree Terrace. Note that at Sunshine Tree Terrace, you won’t find the classic pineapple flavor, but you can get some specialty flavors (more on that in a sec!). Or, you can hop on the Monorail and head over to Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and grab a Dole Whip at Pineapple Lanai. You can also head into Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto or Tiki Terrace for a blended rum and Dole Whip concoction called a Spikey Pineapple!

Pineapple Lanai Dole Whip

You can find a variety of flavors and preparations of Dole Whip all around Disney World including Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon, and seasonally at many of the festivals in Epcot.

King’s Cooler in Animal Kingdom

It can also be found at a few other Disney resorts, like Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort which offers self-serve Dole Whip!

Disneyland

In Disneyland, there are several spots to pick up this frozen delight! Of course, many years later, Tiki Juice Bar is still the “home” of the Dole Whip, and lots of folks know it! If you notice the lines at Tiki Juice Bar getting long, you can Mobile Order your Dole Whip, or you can head over to nearby Tropical Hideaway.

You need to order this!

Tropical Hideaway serves up a ton of specialty flavors of Dole Whip, as well as LOADED Dole Whips! We’ve also been known to stop by Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel from time to time to pick up a Dole Whip before heading into Trader Sam’s Enchanted Tiki Bar!

Tangaroa Terrace Outdoor Bar and Patio Dole Whip!

Every time we turn around it seems a new location is popping up with Dole Whip, so keep your eyes peeled for this treat next time you’re in the Disney Parks.

Tell me more about these specialty flavors and floats!

Dole Whip has grown and evolved over the years WAY beyond just pineapple! While the classic pineapple flavor is still served to this day, there are tons of new flavors, including specialty Dole Whip floats, introduced regularly! You can even swirl these unique flavors together, like the Lemon Lime swirl we grabbed at Storybook Treats!

Lemon and Lime Dole Whip SWIRL at Storybook Treats

Over the years we’ve seen flavors like mango, lime, raspberry, strawberry, cherry, orange, lemon, and, our newest love, coconut, which we first saw in the Kakamora Float! We’ve raved about the Kakamora Float for months after it made its debut at Aloha Isle.

Kakamora Float

The Kakamora Float is a yummy (and pretty!) mixture of coconut soft serve on top of pineapple juice with blue curaçao syrup. Equally as yummy and also gorgeous to look at was the Raspberry and Lemon Dole Whip Float at Tropical Hideaway.

Specialty Dole Whip Float at Tropical Hideaway in Disneyland!

With so many flavors and variations to choose from, it has inspired us over the years to learn how to make Dole Whip at home! Luckily, it’s SUPER easy (as easy as buying the mix on online and dumping it in an ice cream maker!). So even when you aren’t in the parks, you can have your own little slice of Disney in your own kitchen.

It’s obvious that we LOVE to talk about all things Dole Whip here at DFB, which is why we created an entire page devoted to it! This is our readers’ MOST beloved Disney snack for good reason! Not only is this a tasty treat, but it has an interesting history in the parks, especially when you consider how much it has evolved over the years!

What is your favorite Dole Whip flavor? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: All-Star Resorts, Disneyland, Featured, Polynesian Resort, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Adventureland, aloha isle, Disney World, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disneyland Hotel, Dole Whip, magic kingdom, pineapple lanai, Sunshine Tree Terrace, tangaroa terrace, Tiki Juice Bar, tropical hideaway

Tags Adventureland, All Star Resorts, aloha isle, Disney World, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, disneyland, disneyland hotel, dole whip, Featured, magic kingdom, pineapple lanai, Polynesian Resort, Snacks, Sunshine Tree Terrace, tangaroa terrace, Tiki Juice Bar, tropical hideaway, Walt Disney World

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Here’s What to Eat at Disney World’s Contemporary Resort!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 13, 2020

Greetings from Disney’s Contemporary Resort! We’re stopping by this classic Disney World Resort hotel to share with you some of our favorite eats and drinks! The Contemporary is a Deluxe Resort, which means that they’re going to be offering TONS of food options, from Signature Restaurants to Character Dining to Quick Service.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

The Contemporary is also on the Monorail loop (literally — the Monorail runs THROUGH the hotel!), making it super easy to dine at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa as well as Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort.

Disney’s Contemporary Resort with Monorail Access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot

And, of course, this also means it’s a quick ride (and walk!) to Magic Kingdom. Let’s take a closer look at what dining options the Contemporary has to offer!

Note that as a part of Disney World’s reopening, certain experiences might be unavailable. Check with Disney prior to your visit to see what is available.

California Grill

Sitting high above Disney World (15 floors up to be precise) is California Grill, the Contemporary Resort’s Signature Restaurant.

California Grill at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

You’re going to be paying top dollar for the food and service here. If you’re using the Disney Dining Plan, you’ll be redeeming two Table Service Credits. We think it’s a decent use of those two credits and, in fact, we included California Grill on our list of the best value Two-Credit restaurants of 2020!

California Grill

One of the huge draws to California Grill is the sweeping views of Magic Kingdom. By day the views stretch on and on, and by night, you have one of the best views of the fireworks!

Views of Magic Kingdom from California Grill

Even if your meal isn’t during the fireworks, you can come back and watch the fireworks from a special viewing terrace. Just bring back your receipt and you have access to the terrace!

Magic Kingdom Fireworks From Disney’s Contemporary Resort

But let’s chat about the food itself because this restaurant offers MUCH more than just a pretty view! Overall, the menu at California Grill, as the name of the restaurant and the resort implies, is going to be contemporary Californian cuisine. One of the highlights of California Grill’s menu is their hand-rolled sushi.

Sushi Varieties at California Grill

These are far from the priciest items on the menu, so if you’re looking for value on the Dining Plan, you’re better off ordering a more expensive item. But if you’re paying out of pocket, their Sushi Rolls are a great way to dine at a Signature Restaurant while keeping your bill relatively low!

Sushi at California Grill

Other highlights on the menu include wood-fired pizzas, a wide range of entrees, apps like the ah-mazing Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli (it’s been on the menu since the restaurant open in 1995!), and a huge selection of California wines.

Enjoy the Sonoma Goat Cheese Ravioli at California Grill

California Grill also has an adjacent lounge where you can order from the full menu without needing a reservation! This lounge is first-come, first-serve, so you may want to plan to arrive early if you want a seat.

California Grill Lounge

Note that guests who dine in the lounge will also have access to the terrace to view the fireworks! Just save your receipt to be permitted on the terrace before the show begins.

The Wave…of American Flavors

The Contemporary has a couple of additional table service restaurants that you should know about! The first is The Wave…of American Flavors. Commonly referred to as just The Wave, this restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While lunch and dinner are decent here, The Wave really shines during breakfast.

Full plate with Breakfast Potatoes

You have your choice of a breakfast buffet or order a la carte off the menu.

The Wave Breakfast Menu

A great HACK at The Wave is for those of you interested in the buffet. You may find that there is no omelet station at the buffet — never fear! If you select the buffet, you can still order an omelet with your server and they’ll whip one up for you at no extra cost!

Omelette from The Wave

Their sweet potato pancakes are another highlight that you can pick up on the buffet or a la carte! And no breakfast is complete without a mimosa! At The Wave, you can get REFILLABLE mimosas!

Sweet Potato Pancakes!

The best part about breakfast at The Wave is that since this is more under the radar, you can typically find a last-minute reservation!

As for lunch and dinner, we’re actually sticking with the breakfast theme for one of our favorite appetizers: Bacon and Eggs! This dish comes with crazy-good maple-lacquered Pork Belly with a “Perfect Egg” and Tillamook Smoked Cheddar Grits.

Bacon and Eggs

Like California Grill, The Wave also has a lounge where you can sip on some legendary cocktails. One of our favorites is the Seven Seas Lagoon Cocktail. This “fishbowl” beverage is big and strong! It features Skyy Vodka, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Blue Curaçao, Agave Nectar, Pineapple Juice, Fresh Lime Juice, topped with Fruit Boba, Gummy Fish, and a glow cube for good measure!

Seven Seas Lagoon

All in all, The Wave…of American Flavors is a hidden gem at The Contemporary. It’s a great breakfast option if you’re looking to fill up before heading into Magic Kingdom or a nice spot to unwind after a long day. Note that the decor at The Wave looks kind of like a 1970’s car dealership, so…there’s that. But the food is good and well-priced.

Chef Mickey’s

While our first two restaurants we’ve talked about are definitely more “chill,” Chef Mickey’s is anything BUT!

Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s is classic Disney World character dining. It’s almost like a rite of passage to dine here, and combined with the fact that you get to meet the Fab 5 (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald), reservations can sometimes be tricky to grab.

Mickey Mouse at Chef Mickey’s

A trip to Chef Mickey’s is all about the characters more than it is the food. The food has been GOOD, but not GREAT over the years (although we have noted that it has slowly but surely gotten better). Even with an improving menu, it’s still a loud, crowded restaurant that can make for a less than stellar experience for some.

Chef Mickey’s Seating

Chef Mickey’s serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. For the most bang for your buck, try to get a reservation time for brunch, that way you’ll be able to pick from the breakfast AND lunch selections.

As far as specific food items go, you’ll have all the typical buffet selections to choose from like Mickey Waffles, bacon, and eggs for breakfast, and chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, a carving station, and more for lunch and dinner.

Mickey Mac and Cheese

If you have a sweet tooth, their waffle bar and sundae bar are both fun and tasty. Kids will also love constructing their own waffle or sundae creations.

Mickey (and Minnie!) Waffles with Toppings

There’s no denying that Chef Mickey’s is one of the most well-known restaurants in all of Disney World. While some consider this a must-do, we’ve often left feeling a bit rushed and disappointed. With SO many guests coming through the doors, it can feel a bit hectic in here. There are other great restaurants where you can meet Mickey, and many other character buffets or plated character meals to consider that have just as good food, if not better, and many offer more chances to interact with the characters.

Contempo Cafe

We’re moving on now from the traditional table service restaurants at The Contemporary and we’re checking out Contempo Cafe! This is the primary Counter Service dining location at the resort.

Contempo Cafe in the Contemporary Resort

The Monorail passes right next to Contempo Cafe, making this an ultra-convenient pit stop for some food before hitting the parks! There’s not a whole lot of flash to Contempo Cafe. It can be loud at times due to its location in the middle of the Grand Canyon Concourse (the big open middle part) of the Contemporary’s main building (it’s also right next to Chef Mickey’s). It also lacks any discernable theming, so don’t expect much beyond grabbing some food here.

The monorail and the Mary Blair Mural at Contempo Cafe

Speaking of food, there are a variety of selections here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For a counter service location, Contempo Cafe is top-notch!

Contempo Cafe Menu

For lunch and dinner, their Grilled Cheese with Tomato Soup Combo knocks it out of the park. The French Dip is another sandwich selection that we have loved over the years!

Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup Combo!

We’re always checking in on Contempo Cafe because they are also known for serving up some seriously spectacular specialty cupcakes! Our Contempo Cafe Cupcake Hall of Fame includes the Churro Cupcake…

Churro Cupcake

…which is Cinnamon Cake with Cinnamon Icing and a Vanilla Pudding Center. Oh, and obviously a mini churro as a garnish!

Churro Cupcake — Inside

We’re also obsessed with their Monorail Cupcake! This treat is a vanilla cake topped with cookies and cream frosting, a chocolate shell, candy pearls, and an Oreo. And we can’t forget about that adorable white chocolate monorail!

Monorail Cupcake

A third cupcake that we found simply stunning is the Dulce de Leche cupcake! This beauty is yellow cake topped with salted caramel buttercream, candy crisps, a chocolate swirl, and a large salted caramel truffle chocolate.

Contempo Cafe’s Dulce de Leche Cupcake

And lest we forget our FAVORITE treat here — the Peanut Butter Pie. If you’ve read the site for a while, you know we’re suckers for peanut butter and this thing has YET to disappoint us! It’s a thick scoop of peanut butter cream cheese on top of a vanilla cream tart! This. Thing. Is. Delicious. Seriously, if you love PB too, it’s worth a hop off the monorail to grab even if you’re not staying here!

Peanut Butter Pie — YUM

Whether you’re running in for a cupcake or taking a few moments to eat a full meal, you could soon find yourself recommending Contempo Cafe to all your friends!

Outer Rim

Our last few stops at Disney’s Contemporary Resorts are going to be more or less centered on beverages. While The Contemporary has some great food spots, we wanted to make sure we gave a shout out to all the DRINK spots, too! Let’s start with Outer Rim.

Outer Rim Lounge at Disney’s Contemporary Resort

Outer Rim currently only serves beverages. In the past that you used to be able to grab a bite to eat here, but when we checked their official menu, the food items were removed.

Outer Rim Bar

While the Outer Rim is a good spot in the resort to sip on a tasty cocktail, you won’t find a ton of unique offerings here. Their “standout” drinks like the Blue Glowtini, Pina CoLAVA, and Moscow Mule are bar staples across Disney World Resort, and you’ll find Outer Rim’s generic “Disney Bar Menu” in TONS of other places.

Glowtini

That doesn’t mean we never see specialty menu offerings here. This past Valentine’s Day (or Villaintine’s Day, if you will), we spotted a few extra evil special concoctions to celebrate the occasion!

The Antagonist

Though their menu is typically limited, Outer Rim is a reliable watering hole to stop by to cap off your long day at Disney World.

Contemporary Grounds

Moving on now to a necessary beverage of a different sort… coffee! When you’re running around the theme parks for days at a time without stopping, caffeine is going to be your best friend. So stop by Contemporary Grounds first thing in the morning for a delicious latte!

Ordering and Serving Area at Contemporary Grounds Coffee Bar

At Contemporary Grounds, you’ll have plenty of coffees, lattes, and cappuccinos to choose from. There’s also a decent variety of baked goods to munch on with your morning fuel!

Contemporary Grounds case

Contemporary Grounds is also home to one of our FAVORITE food accessories, Latte Art!

Contemporary Grounds Latte Art

You can choose from a wide selection of fun graphics to have printed on the foam of your drink for just 50 cents!

Latte and Donut Art Options

We can’t think of anything better right now than grabbing some latte art and then strolling over to Magic Kingdom from The Contemporary!

The Sand Bar

Before we hop over to Bay Lake Tower, we’re heading outside to visit The Sand Bar, the main poolside bar at The Contemporary.

The Sand Bar

This nautical-themed counter service dining location is going to be your go-to destination for a bite to eat or something to sip on while you lounge by the pool! There aren’t too many surprises here when it comes to their menu. Expect to find burgers, hot dogs, salad, and all the typical tropical alcoholic drink options you would expect to find at a poolside bar.

The Sand Bar

You can also escape the heat at The Sand Bar! This bar offers both outdoor and indoor dining experiences.

Cove Pool Bar

Head over to the connected Bay Lake Tower pool to find the Cove Bar. Note that only DVC members or guests of Bay Lake Tower can access this pool. Similar to The Sand Bar, the food options are limited and their drink menu features your basic poolside staples.

Top of the World Lounge at Bay Lake Tower

For our last stop on our tour around The Contemporary, we’re actually hopping over to Bay Lake Tower and to the Top of the World Lounge!

Bay Lake Tower

Bay Lake Tower is The Contemporary’s newest addition for Disney Vacation Club rooms and villas. But you can totally stay here even if you aren’t a DVC Member! But what you CAN’T do unless you’re a DVC Member is visit Top of the World Lounge. That’s right, you either need to be a DVC Member or be the guest of a Member to enter!

Top of the World Lounge

If you’re ever able to visit, we totally recommend you do so! Top of the World is quite the exquisite lounge as far as Disney World lounges go. They have the standard lounge menu to order from, with a few specialty selections. The Bay Lake Sunset was a lovely refreshing drink that we would order again!

Bay Lake Sunset

They also have small bites like soft pretzels and cheese plates to munch on.

Soft Pretzels and Dips

Overall, although access to the lounge is limited, it’s one of our favorite Disney World lounges! If you time your visit just right, you can get a spectacular view of the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks as well!

We hope this foodie trip around Disney’s Contemporary Resort gave you an idea of what to expect next time you want to dine there! As a Deluxe Resort, we would expect a wide variety to choose from, and the Contemporary doesn’t disappoint! While some dining locations are worth checking out more than others, the location of The Contemporary in proximity to Magic Kingdom makes their restaurants and lounges among the most convenient choices around!

What’s your favorite thing to eat at Disney’s Contemporary Resort? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Character Dining, Contemporary Resort, Counter-Service, disney dining tips, disney resorts, Featured, Snacks, Table-Service, Walt Disney World, Bay Lake Tower, California Grill, California Grill Lounge, Chef Mickey’s, Contempo Cafe, Disney World, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Outer Rim, The Wave, The Wave Lounge, Top of the World Lounge

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Find Out Where You Can Enjoy Happy Hour ‘On-The-Go’ in Disney Springs!

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 12, 2020

Strolling through Disney Springs today, we walked by Terralina Crafted Italian in The Landing.

Terralina Crafted Italian

Terralina reopened to guests at the end of May with new safety protocols in place (as is the case with all the recently reopened eateries and shops in Disney Springs). This lovely spot hosts some pretty great Happy Hour deals, and we wanted to fill you in on the current special: Happy Hour On-The-Go!

We spotted the sign in front of the outside bar.

Happy Hour On-The-Go sign

Beers for $5.00 and 1/2-price wines by the glass are available as the To-Go Only offerings from 4PM to 6PM daily!

Outside Bar

Of course, if you’d rather linger awhile, you most certainly may stop by and enjoy a full meal… which is exactly what we did recently!

(P.S. If you do, you won’t want to miss the Limoncello Mojito… and we highly recommend the Rigatoni Calabrese, too!)

So, when you’re up for a little Happy Hour while you’re out and about in Disney Springs, rest assured that Terralina Crafted Italian has got you covered!

Have you dined at Terralina Crafted Italian in Disney Springs? Please let us know with a comment!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Springs, Featured, Walt Disney World, disney springs, disney springs happy hour, happy hour, Hour Hour On-The-Go, Terralina Crafted Italian, The Landing

Tags Disney Springs, disney springs happy hour, Featured, happy hour, Hour Hour On-The-Go, Terralina Crafted Italian, The Landing, Walt Disney World

Disney Food Disney Guides Disney Merch Disney Parks Disney Vacations

What Every Disney Fan Worries About (But Totally Shouldn’t)

Post author By disneyfoodblog.com
Post date June 12, 2020

You’ve been planning your Disney World vacation for months (congratulations!!), and it’s about time to head out the door.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

But, instead of feeling excited, you might be spending more time worrying about things you could forget or what may go wrong during your trip! Whether you’ve gone to Disney once or ten times, it’s totally normal to get those pre-trip jitters.

However, we’re here to tell you about things that you don’t have to worry about the next time you go to Disney World (so you can get to relaxing even more quickly!).

Getting Sick in the Happiest Place on Earth

No matter how much we hope we won’t catch a cold in Disney World, sometimes it just happens (even though it’s a massive bummer when you want to ride Toy Story Mania three times in a row).

Toy Story Mania

Although it can be frustrating when you or a family member gets sick while at the Most Magical Place on Earth, there are still ways to get around feeling ill during your vacation.

Motion Sickness

If you know that you are prone to nausea or lightheadedness after riding attractions, be sure to pack some Bonine or Dramamine with you before you head into the parks. Trust us — it can be a life-saver for the days you feel extra adventurous and ride Tower and Terror and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster back-to-back!

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

If you take Bonine earlier in the day, it will probably help relieve some of that motion sickness so you can enjoy more in the parks.

Dehydration

After you’ve spent an entire day in Magic Kingdom in that boiling Florida sun walking 10,000 steps and then some, hydration is KEY to surviving in Disney World. But, when you’re running from Space Mountain to sit on Main Street for the Festival of Fantasy Parade, dehydration can creep up on you quickly if you’re not drinking enough water.

Festival of Fantasy

While we recommend to always have a hydrating drink with you, First Aid Stations are available around the parks if you feel faint or dehydrated. The Cast Members will give you a place to cool off for a bit and sports drink to rehydrate before you go back to pound the Disney World pavement.

Blizzard Beach First Aid

You can find where the nearest First Aid Station is located in each park by using the My Disney Experience app!

Medication Delivery

There’s no sure-fire way to get rid of a cold or the flu ASAP in Disney World, but you CAN have prescription medication delivered to your resort directly or to the First Aid Stations in each park to help curb your symptoms. Remember, if you have a contagious illness, it’s best to wait it out in your room!

Gift Shop Medicine

Gift shops in the parks and resorts also keep a stock of different pain relief, stomach relief, allergy, and cold medications that you can pick up.

Although we’d all like to see and do everything we can in Disney World, one of the best ways to get better is to rest. It’s more important to take care of yourself so you can conquer a new day all rejuvenated and ready to go instead of pushing yourself too hard (and possibly making yourself feel worse).

Mickey Waffles in Bed!

Note: since room service won’t initially be available when the parks reopen, make sure you have a few packaged items in your room just in case you need to spend a day inside!

Packing Every Little Thing You’ll Need

If you’re like us, you might be guilty of waiting until the last minute to pack (like the morning of your vacation sometimes). But, even if you plan and pack way ahead of time, leaving something important behind is a fear for many travelers.

Ears Section of World of Disney

While you may not want to forget the essentials, packing for Disney World doesn’t have to be a daunting thing. After all, you’re going on VACATION, friends!! If you’re not sure what to bring or you don’t want to leave something behind, follow along with the ultimate Disney packing list as you get everything together.

Rose Gold Suitcases

Although we all feel like we might need to pack 20 pairs of socks or eight pairs of shoes, there’s no need to overpack for your trip. If you leave something behind, you can always pop into a gift shop to pick up an extra pair of sunglasses or a new water bottle! (We don’t need to be told twice to go on a Disney World shopping spree! )

Dapper Day Sunglasses

Note there are a few things banned in the parks, so leave items like selfie sticks and toy weapons behind. Who wants to go through the hassle of bringing something they won’t be able to use in the parks, anyways?

Plus, you can leave bulky items like pool towels and hairdryers behind since your Disney resort will provide them to you at no additional cost.

Pool Towels

You can also cut down on the amount you take with you by shipping things directly to your resort. The Disney resorts allow you to have anything from packages to groceries delivered right to your Disney resort.

Art of Animation Lobby

Even if your kid will only eat a certain kind of granola bar or you need enough diapers for two toddlers, you don’t have to worry about packing them. Get just what you need for the length of your trip delivered to your hotel instead of cramming it all in your already-full suitcases!

Wilderness Lodge Lobby

Need even MORE packing advice? Watch our Ultimate Packing List video here!!

The “Perfect” Vacation

This is a big one, folks — things go wrong on vacations all the time. We can’t predict when our kids will have meltdowns or when you’ll be late for an Advance Dining Reservation. It’s important to roll with the flow when you’re in Disney World without freaking out if something doesn’t go exactly to plan.

Rise of the Resistance

Since there are plenty of unexpected factors that can’t be planned around, your plans could always change, depending on what is happening that day. If something DOES go wrong, though, Cast Members are there to help you fix things like dining reservations, ticket mishaps, and more. (Hey, you might even get lucky and snag one of those No Strings Attached Passes!)

Pinocchio Pass

Besides, everyone in your party will not have the same definition of a “perfect” vacation. Your grandmother may just want to chill at one of the restaurants, while your kiddos could love doing all the character meet-and-greets. You may be the person who can hop on every attraction and stay in the parks from rope drop until closing, but someone else with you might REALLY need that afternoon nap.

Rope Drop

You’ll have to consider what everybody you’re with wants to do to make sure everyone has a magical vacation.

Disney World

It’s all about compromise, folks! Even if you DON’T want to watch PhilharMagic for the hundredth time, your family member could consider it one of the best parts of their vacation. Keep everyone’s opinions in mind and make time for each person’s favorites.

Not Finding a Good Spot for the Fireworks or Parades

You know the spiel where you “HAVE” to look for a spot at LEAST thirty minutes or more before the parade or fireworks start, or you won’t have a good place to watch them? If you’re looking for a very specific spot right in front of Cinderella Castle, this might be true. But, for the most part, you can still enjoy that Disney magic without sacrificing your time in the parks.

Happily Ever After

Now, when the parks reopen, there won’t even BE any fireworks or parades, so BAM — problem solved. But once the parades and fireworks come back (and we know they will!), here are a few great tips to create a little more zen for you as you plan.

Fireworks will be canceled temporarily in Disney World, but they’ll be back!

We’ve found a few spots that are GREAT for fireworks viewings that most people don’t hang around during the show! These spots are best for folks who’ve seen the shows at least once before and already had the full experience. Although you might not be able to fully watch the projections, you can get a one-of-a-kind view of the fireworks in each park that offers them in places like Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, the entrance to Tomorrowland, and next to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train.

Part of the fun of Disney vacations is trying new things, so maybe you can find a NEW favorite spot to watch the fireworks the next time you’re in Disney World!

Parades are a teensy bit different than the fireworks, however, since you can’t always find a spot to stand or sit if it’s crowded.

Festival of Fantasy

In general in Magic Kingdom, the very start or very end of the parade route is typically the easiest to get a close view last minute. But even if you happen to find a last-minute place standing next to a trash can or at the very end of Main Street, the parade is still just as enjoyable. You can take in all the floats, dancers, costumes, and music from wherever you’re at as the show passes by you (don’t forget to wave to Mickey!).

Mickey Mouse

However, if you’re willing to shell out some extra cash for an extra great place to watch a show, there are multiple dining packages in the parks that will give you a VIP viewing section. You can snack on some desserts as you watch Happily Ever After, feast on a great lunch before Festival of Fantasy, or have a nice dinner with your family before watching Fantasmic!

Happily Ever After…Now With Alcohol!

Disney Resorts even offer some great fireworks viewing locations, like Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort! Dinner and a show sound like a great evening, right??

Although we totally understand the stress of worrying about things that could go wrong during your vacation after all that planning, take a deep breath and ENJOY it! You still get to go to the Most Magical Place on Earth with your family. So, if you’re feeling worried, remember a very important lesson from Timon and Pumbaa — hakuna matata, friends!

For more great tips and solutions to problems…

What are some of the things you worry about the most before your Disney World vacation? Let us know in the comments below!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Entertainment, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, Disney, disney attractions, Disney fireworks, disney news, disney parades, disney planning, disney rides, Disney Tips, Disney World, Packing List, resort delivery

Tags disney, disney attractions, Disney Entertainment, Disney fireworks, Disney News, disney parades, disney parks, disney planning, disney resorts, disney rides, Disney Tips, Disney World, Featured, Packing List, resort delivery, Walt Disney World