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3/18/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Gaston. According to his song, he’s everyone's favorite guy. But better than the man himself is Gaston’s Tavern and it has become one of my favorite Magic Kingdom snacking hideouts since its opening. Gaston’s Tavern is located in Fantasyland in the square centered by Gaston’s statue. It offers snacks as well as light meal options which is perfect when you aren’t hungry enough for a complete quick service meal but want something a little bit more than a light snack. Walking into the restaurant you will first encounter a warm pub atmosphere with wood paneling and barrels filled with LeFou’s Brew. Cozy tables line the far wall where guests make themselves at home. But the hidden gem is the room to the right that brings to life the famous scene in the movie, Beauty and the Beast, where LeFou extols the virtues of Gaston in song. Entering the room you […]
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3/20/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Ale and Compass restaurant is located at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. I love staying at this resort and welcomed the opportunity to try this new experience. This restaurant was formerly named Captain’s Grill and has been recently refurbished and the menu has been re-imagined as well. I recommend giving this new location a try especially if you are staying at a Disney resort nearby. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Ale & Compass and it is a table service establishment. It was not super busy during the time I visited but had steady dining traffic. If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, 1 entitlement is required to eat here. While I always suggest making advance dining reservations while dining on Disney property, walk-in customers would have been welcomed during my dining experience here. My daughter and I decide to try breakfast and really enjoyed our dining experience. Upon […]
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6/29/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Does the name Trader Sam sound familiar? If you’re a long-time Disney fan, it should. Trader Sam is the legendary “head” salesman who offers you a hard-to-pass-up deal—2 of his heads for 1 of yours—at the conclusion of Jungle Cruise in Magic Kingdom. Don’t worry, you don’t have to trade anything in order to enjoy this hidden treasure. Tucked away on the ground floor of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and down a hallway, you’ll come to a door that will display Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto and the hours that it’s open. Actually, you’ll probably walk right past it the first time, like I did! I missed it and walked outside and followed the sign to the outdoor terrace of Trader Sam’s. The outdoor terrace looked like a very nice, standard terrace with plenty of umbrella covered tables and chairs. There was a very small bar that you could order your refreshments. […]
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6/6/2018 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
We live in a world where phones have become an accessory we always have with us, like our wallet or sunglasses. In Disney, phones are an integral part of your trip because you use it for candid photos, videos, navigating the park, and updating plans using the My Disney Experience app. As stated before, we HIGHLY recommend you bring a portable phone charger or purchase a Fuel Rod in the park or resorts. There is another option …find a ‘charging location’ in the park. This will require you to sit and relax (as to not leave your phone unattended), but it is a way to refuel your body and refuel your phone’s battery life simultaneously. So where are these located? Unfortunately, there’s not a “phone charger land” like there is a Fantasyland or Adventureland…these locations for charging are not easily found on a map. Where MOST spots are not official […]
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3/13/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
From the moment I read the menu for Chef Art Smith’s Homecoming restaurant, I knew this would be at the top of my Disney dining bucket list! This is down-home cooking at its best. Arrive hungry. You do not want to miss an opportunity to sample the foods if you aren’t prepared to fill your belly. 2) As a party of two, I knew our eyes were too big for our stomachs, but the selections are that good that we didn’t want to pass anything up! My best recommendation would be to go with a group of at least four people so you can select several things from the menu and share them. Between the two of us, we ordered a couple appetizers: the Church Lady Deviled Eggs and the Ham and Jam Biscuits. With the deviled eggs, aside from the fact that they are delicious, the presentation is fabulous! […]
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5/18/2018 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Italian food is comfort food for many families. Epcot is full of a large variety of international flavors but for those wishing a meal filled with delicious yet familiar options, Tutto Italia is a wonderful option to consider for your next Epcot lunch or dinner. The first question many people looking for an Italian Epcot meal is should I book at Via Napoli or Tutto Italia? Tutto Italia has a slightly more upscale feel and menu over Via Napoli. While Via Napoli is known best for its pizza, Tutto Italia, also holding true to authentic Italian cuisine, has a fuller range of dining options, from appetizers with calamari or a variety of salads, entrees with steak or vegetarian pasta, to every one of your favorite Italian desserts. >A formal restaurant setting with while table cloths greet you as you are seated. With a large number of indoor seats accompanied by […]
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3/11/2024 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
You are planning a trip for your family to a Disney theme park and are looking for a great deal, but where do you start? You can do the hours upon hours of research yourself and book directly with Disney, book with a Big Box Store like Costco, visit your local AAA office, or book with a travel planner who specializes in Disney destinations. -If you enjoy planning and know exactly what you want, booking directly with Disney is an easy decision. -If you have a Costco membership and want to see what they can do for you, Costco Travel can book your vacation for you. -AAA agents can also help book your family vacation if you are an AAA member. What next, though? -Well, if you book with Disney, you will handle all the details – payments, keeping track of planning dates, booking advanced dining reservations and special activities, […]
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4/19/2023 • Tips, Walt Disney World •
When visiting Walt Disney World, there are so many incredible unique experiences available. Golf, Mini-golf, fishing excursions, parasailing, and bike rental to name a few. This blog entry will discuss a fun recreational activity that as many as 6 guests can enjoy together! A Surrey Bike is a multi-person bike that can accommodate 2-4 adults and even has an adorable basket in the front to accommodate up to 2 small children. Each bike also has a bell under the cover and you will frequently see the younger children laugh as they vigorously ring the bell! The bell is a way for riders to alert guests that are walking along the riding path that a bike is coming. Surrey bikes can be found at many of the resorts throughout Walt Disney World. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Disney's BoardWalk Villas Disney’s Old Key West Resort Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter Disney’s […]
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5/2/2018 • Holidays & Events, Walt Disney World •
The name "Disney" is as American as apple pie. Perhaps that is because the company Walt and Roy Disney created was deeply rooted in the values of the American Dream. Here are some of my favorites areas of Walt Disney World where the heart of America shines brightly. American Pavilion, Epcot American Adventure - Narrated by audio-animatronic figures of Ben Franklin and Mark Twain, guests experience various depictions of American life during key moments in American history, including the Revolutionary War and the Great Depression. Voices of America – Save time to enjoy the sounds of these a capella singers in the rotunda of the American Pavilion as they sing American standards (“America the Beautiful) as well as modern Disney classics (“Let It Go”). Liberty Square, Magic Kingdom Liberty Tree Tavern serves up traditional American fare (imagine a full Thanksgiving feast) family-style. After your meal, take note of the six prominent […]
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3/27/2024 • Reviews, Walt Disney World •
Need a little reprieve from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks? The Waldorf Astoria in Bonnet Creek offers just that. Tucked right inside Disney property, it boasts indulgent relaxation just minutes from the theme parks. My husband and I wanted a quick getaway for the weekend for a little “R and R.” We decided on the Waldorf Astoria and were so glad we did. While the grounds were beautiful, the thing that stood out most to us was the exceptional customer service, from the gentleman checking us in after midnight to the warm and friendly chefs at Oscar’s restaurant. Upon checking in, we were upgraded to a spacious suite with a living room, a gorgeous marble bathroom and a lanai that was perfect for enjoying that first cup of coffee in the morning. Although the décor seemed a bit dated, it gave us exactly what we were looking […]
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