I have written about Traveling to Disney with Food allergies, but now it is time to talk about other dietary restrictions. I understand the stress that occurs while planning a vacation when there are medical issues with foods. Where do we eat? Can we bring our own “safe” food? One thing to know is that you can bring in your own cooler with your comfort foods (with some rules attached) or just stuff your backpack and stroller with necessary items.
Did you know you can bring in a soft sided cooler into the WDW Theme and Water Parks? Yippee! Another way to save money!! It is also a way for those with dietary issues can enjoy without worry.
Here are the official cooler rules:
Theme Parks:
Water Parks:
Some Tips from The Mouse Ear Momma:
Goodbye my old friend Fastpass…Hello FastPass + and My Disney Experience!
I have to say that I am nostalgic about the old system because most of us frequent WDW visitors had that down to a science. But as of this month, the old fastpass machines at the entrance to the most popular rides are no more! Instead, all guests are now expected to take part in the new My Disney Experience, My Magic+, Magic Bands and FastPass + (FP+) online system.
Things work differently depending if you are staying on property or off site.
This is the same for all guests:
What do you do if you can only travel during the more crowded times of the year? Don’t fret, help is on the way.
First of all, you need to know the most crowded times of the year. Basically, if kids are on a break then WDW is crowded.
The busiest times are:
Here are my tips for traveling during the busiest times of the year:
Lower your expectations: You can not expect to go to Magic Kingdom and ride everything on your list. Pick your top 3 priorities and know there will be time to do other things. By doing this you won’t be walking away disappointed and you will be pleasantly surprised when you get more accomplished.
Stay on Property: The convenience of staying on property outweighs the additional cost in this situation. The resort transportation will be more crowded than normal, but will not be as bad as driving your own car into the crazy parking lots, then taking a tram to the entrance or WDW transportation. This is especially important for Magic Kingdom because you park at the Ticketing and Transportation Center then take a monorail or ferry to the entrance of the park. By staying on resort property you also have the benefit of Extra Magic Hours (EMH).
Extra Magic Hours: When staying on property you are given access to certain parks for 1 hour in the morning before it opens to the public and 2 hours in the evening after close. Taking advantage of this can greatly increase the amount of attractions you are able to see and do! I personally like to enjoy EMH mornings at one park and then leave when it gets crowded to go to a different park by park hopping. Alternatively, if you are a night owl the evening EMH might be up your alley. The evening EMH are much more crowded than the morning, but if you can stay until the end you will reap the benefits of extra ride time with little wait. If you are not staying on property, avoid the parks with EMH during your vacation.
Park Hop: The additional cost of the park hopper is the most beneficial during these times. You can go to one park until the crowds overwhelm you, then hop over to a less crowded park. Or you can head back to your hotel (especially when staying on property) and then hop to a different park in the evening.
Go to the parks EARLY: I know you are on vacation, but so is everyone else going to Disney. That being said, WAKE UP EARLY and be at the parks for rope drop (official opening) or soon after! Most people will not get themselves together and moving by 8am, but by 10am the parks will be crowded. No one goes to Disney for a relaxing, sleep in vacation. For example: Christmas Day at Magic Kingdom has been at capacity the last few years around 10:30am. You can walk right in at 7am, but you can’t even get past the gates at 10:30. What does this teach us (other than avoid MK on Christmas!)? Get to the parks early, you will thank yourself when you are walking out to take a swim at 11 and the entrance turnstiles are 20 deep!
Take a Mid Day Break: The parks are most crowded from 11am-4pm. Take a break back at the hotel for swimming and a nap. Or have lunch in a hotel near the park and do some hotel hopping to check out the different WDW resort hotels.
Make ALL your dining reservations: When going during a crowded time of year, you will not have a snowball’s chance of getting into the more popular restaurants without reservations far in advance. That being said, you can still get into table service restaurants. Choose less popular restaurants in the park or ones located in the resort hotels.
Utilize the Fastpass system: This is the time when Fastpasses are your best friend. Decide your most important priority and get a fastpass at park opening for that ride. You can get your next fastpass 2 hours later, so at 9am if your fastpass return for Space Mountain is not until 2-3pm, you can get another fastpass at 11am for a different ride as well. With the new Fastpass+ system, you can prearrage your fastpasses (up to 3) which will be a huge benefit to staying on property during a crowded time.
I hope this advice helps and doesn’t scare you! I have traveled over Christmas with a group of 14 and I am going back at the same time this year. Take this advice and you will still enjoy your trip!
One of the most common questions is about the different types of park tickets. This can be very confusing for anyone who is not a WDW nut like myself. So here are the answers to those questions!
Theme Park Tickets:
There are reputable discount ticket agents out there, but I prefer to purchase mine through WDW. If you purchase through a second party vendor and there is a problem, Disney is less flexible about assisting you. I have priced AAA as well and when you include the tax, AAA can be more expensive than buying from WDW directly. Now, if you are someone who needs a travel agent to handle the details, then go for it. In this day and age of Internet, it seems much easier to make your own arrangements and do your own research. I have found that travel agents are happy to make the commission but might not have the knowledge of all the aspects of Disney outside of a training session.
What are the MYMagic + bands you ask…Soon there will be wrist bands instead of cards that will contain all of your information for ticketing, dining, room key and charging back to your room. In May, they had the RFID readers at Hollywood Studios and Epcot and you just placed your card in front of the Mickey and waited to the biometric scanner for your finger. It will also include your fastpasses if you so choose, but you will need to
schedule your fastpasses prior to leaving for your trip similar to dining. But that is a topic for another article. This is an example of one at the Winnie the Pooh ride.
Words of warning:
Are you trying to think of ways to bring home souvenirs that won’t collect dust and you won’t have the urge to throw away after a year? I discovered the penny press a few years ago as a way to keep the kids busy while my husband was collecting the stroller. After digging into my wallet for 2 pennies and 4 quarters, I let each kid press one penny. They were so enamored with the process and the different options it kept them happy and involved for longer than it probably should have. After pressing one penny each, they continued to ask to look at it the entire trip. I didn’t think anything of it until I started to notice penny pressing machines everywhere around the parks and hotels.
In a gift shop, I found a book to hold your pennies next to the autograph books.
Now, I purposely pack a roll of pennies and 2 rolls of quarters from our Disney Fund. The kids each has a baggie in the backpack with their coins and are allowed to stop at any machine they want. They hunt high and low for penny presses. Hotels, outside bathrooms in the parks, at rides…penny press machines are everywhere and it is a fun and inexpensive thing to collect and bring home. Each penny costs 50 cents and a penny to press. They also have quarter press machines, but that is too rich for me so I just stick to the pennies.
Here is a site that can give you a list of where to find the penny press machines and what they have for the hard core collectors. I am not so hard core yet, but that may change as the kids get older…
I love Star Wars and I love Star Wars Weekends. The artwork has been released for this year’s Star Wars weekend and I love it. Return of the Jedi is my favorite of the original trilogy and I have a soft spot for the Ewoks. This year is particularly special because it is the celebration of the 30th anniversary of Episode IV: Return of the Jedi. I don’t know about you but I remember seeing this one in the theatre when it was released, so now I feel old… It is also going to be interesting this year because it is the first Star Wars Weekend in which Disney now owns the Star Wars empire.
But know that this is not for the first time Disney traveler. Star Wars Weekends are hot, crowded and confusing if you don’t know your way around Hollywood Studios. If you are a seasoned veteran of WDW and you (or your children/spouse) are a fan, this is the weekend for you to visit!
The full schedule is not released but here is what is available now. Star Wars Weekends will take place May 17-June 9, every Friday, Saturday, & Sunday.
Celebrity Guests: You can get a fastpass to meet and get autographs from the celebrities.
The schedule should stay the same for the most part. Character greetings and autographs from the bunches of characters from all the movies and cartoon, specialty merchandise, Jedi Training, Padawan Mind Challenge, Hyperspace Hoopla, Star Wars Stars Motorcade Parade with stormtroopers and various characters.
I will update more as soon as the information comes available, so stay tuned!
We watched Wreck It Ralph yesterday during our snow day and when you pause the movie they show you the scenes that contain characters from well known video games. I thought that was so fun and then I came across this post this morning! Big fun for any Disney fan. Thanks Kenny the Pirate!
Here is a scene from Hunchback of Notre Dame: There is a character from Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Lion King in this street scene!
It’s that time of year again to start looking towards springtime with longing. Well Walt Disney World does it up right with the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival starting March 6 and ending May 19. There is everything here to get you ready for spring, beautiful gardens, DIY and HGTV personalities presenting home improvement seminars, spring inspired food and drinks and outdoor concerts.
I can’t wait to go (though I am in it for the food and drinks more than the DIY)! Here is the schedule of events for the Festival.
UPDATE: Here is a review of the festival food and drinks from The Disney Food Blog! Also this year, they are giving passports when you enter the festival as well. In these you can check off what you have tried on the menu and notes on your food and drink. You can also collect stamps at each booth you visit.I think it is a fun addition to make it more interactive!
UPDATE: If you traveling on the Disney Dining Plan, I have also noted which of the food items are available as a snack credit!
The HGTV and DIY Network Personalities:
NEW! Chris Lambton of HGTV’s Going Yard March 8 – 10 NEW! Chris Grundy of DIY Network’s Cool Tools March 15 – 17 NEW! Egypt Sherrod of HGTV’s Property Virgins March 22 – 24 Brandon Johnson of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney March 29 – 31 Meg Caswell of HGTV’s Meg’s Great Rooms April 5 – 7 Jason Cameron of DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves April 12 – 14 NEW! Sara Peterson of Editor-in-Chief, HGTV Magazine April 19 – 21 Carter Oosterhouse of HGTV’s Million Dollar Rooms April 26 – 28 NEW! Casey Noble of HGTV’s Design on a Dime May 3 – 5 Dan Faires of HGTV’s Design Star and HGTV.com’s DanMade May 10 – 12 NEW! David Bromstad of HGTV Design Star, Color Splash, Design Star All-Stars May 17 – 19
Flower Power Concert Series at the America Gardens Theatre, Friday – Sunday: 5:30 PM, 6:45 PM, 8:00 PM
Micky Dolenz of The Monkeez March 8 – March 10 Chubby Checker & The Wildcats March 15 – March 17 The Guess Who March 22 – March 24 Nelson March 29 – March 31 The Turtles featuring Flo & Eddie April 5 – April 7 Paul Revere & The Raiders April 12 – April 14 The Village People April 19 – April 21 The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO and ELO II April 26 – April 28 Tommy Roe May 3 – May 5 Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone May 10 – May 12 Starship Starring Mickey Thomas May 17 – May 19
The Garden Marketplaces will be serving up delicious food and drinks while you enjoy the Festival. Some items will be a snack credit as well, if you are traveling on the dining plan. There are also items that are part of the new “TRY IT” menu as part of Disney’s Magic of Healthy Living initiative, to encourage children (and adults) to try come common foods in a new way.
UPDATE: If you traveling on the Disney Dining Plan, I have now noted which of the food items are available as a snack credit with a asterisks **
FRUITS BY THE GLASS – World Showcase Plaza
Watermelon Passion Fruit Cocktail Wild Berry Slush – Non Alcoholic** Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry New Planet™ 3R Raspberry Ale (Gluten Free) Florida Orange Groves, Mango Mama, Mango Wine , Blueberry Blue, Blueberry Wine DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Chardonnay & Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir
FLORIDA FRESH – World Showcase Promenade, near Mexico 
Watermelon Salad with pickled Red Onions, Baby Arugula, Feta Cheese** Shrimp and Stone Ground Grits with Andouille Sausage, Zellwood Corn, Tomatoes, & Cilantro** Angel Food Cake with macerated Florida Berries Florida Orange Groves, Hot Sun, Tomato Wine & 40 Karat, Carrot Wine Orange Blossom Pilsner Strawberry Slush** – Non Alcoholic
JARDIN DE FIESTAS – Mexico
Pork Tacos topped with Tamarindo salsa, served on a flour tortilla with Chicharrón ** Crab tostada served with Chipotle Mayo and Valentina Salsa** Guava Flan** Conga Fruit Punch – Non Alcoholic** Corona Light Draft Beer Rosita Margarita Organic Tequila Flight
LOTUS HOUSE – China
Beijing-Style Candied Strawberries** Spring Pancake with Grilled Chicken and Green Apple** Pan-Fried Vegetable Bun** Peach-Oolong Bubble Tea** Kung Fu Punch (Vodka and Triple Sec with Mango and Orange Juice) South Sea Storm (Guava with Light and Dark Rum) Plum Wine Tsing – Tao Beer Lychee Aerated Water Peach Aerated Water**
BAUERNMARKT: Farmer’s Market – Adjacent to Germany
Savory Bread Pudding with Spring Peas and Wild Mushroom Ragout** German Meatloaf Sandwich with Sweet Mustard and Fried Shallots** Potato Pancakes with house made Apple Sauce** Florida Avenue American Wheat Ale Krombacher Hefeweizen Goose Island Brewing Company’s Honker Ale Blue Point’s Toasted Lager Beer Flight Hugo – Charles De Fere “Organic” Brut with Elderflower and Mint Krombacher Hefeweizen
PRIMAVERA KITCHEN – Italy
Asparagi con Aragosta all’Ortolana** (Green asparagus, lobster, garden cocktail sauce) Lasagna Primavera** (Spinach Lasagna, green peas, zucchini, mushrooms, broccolini, béchamel and fresh tomatoes, with garlic and basil leaves) Panna Cotta al Limoncello** (Limoncello flavored Panna Cotta, wild berries) Fontana Candida Pinot Grigio Castello di Querceto Chianti Bosco del Merlo Prosecco White Peach Bellini Strawberry Rossini Italian Primavera Birrificio Del Ducato – Nuova Mattina (Spring Saison Ale) Birrificio Le Baladin – Nora (Specialty Ale) Birra Del Borgo – Rubus Lamponi (Specialty Wild Fruit Ale) Beer Flight
THE SMOKEHOUSE: Barbecue and Brews – The American Adventure Courtyard
Pulled Pig Slider with Cole Slaw** Smoked Beef Brisket with Collard Greens and Jalapeño Corn Bread ** Rocky Road Brownie Mousse** Mama’s Little Yella Pils (Czech style Pilsner) Liberty Ale from Anchor Brewing Company Red Ale from Orlando Brewing Blackwater Porter The Original Rib Shack Red Wine & Beer Flight
HANAMI – Japan 
Frushi** (Fresh strawberries, pineapple and cantaloupe rolled with coconut rice, atop a raspberry sauce sprinkled with toasted coconut and whipped cream) Chirashi Hanazushi** (Grilled Salmon, cooked shrimp and crab stick served over a bed of fragrant ginger rice with Volcano and Dynamite sauce) YakiSoba Pan** (Fresh grilled carrots, onions and cabbage with Japanese noodles and teriyaki sauce served on a bun with mayonnaise and Beni Shoga) Green Tea Flan** (Silky custard with macha green tea and caramel glaze) Yuzu Rita Fruit Sake Hana Awaka Frozen Kirin Ichiban
TASTE OF MARRAKESH – Morocco
Spiced Lamb Kebab with Vegetable Couscous Salad** Harissa and Lamb Confit Chicken Drumettes with Chermoula and Cucumber Salad** Baghrir** (Moroccan pancake with honey, almonds and Argan Oil) Desert Rose White Sangria Guerrouane Red Casa Beer Mint Iced Tea
L’ORANGERIE – France
Tarte a la ratatouille** Country style pâté served with baguette and cherry compote** Caramelized peaches and rosemary and light vanilla cream** Grey Goose Vodka Orange, St. Germain liquor with White and Red Cranberry Juice Muscat Pétillant, Sparkling Muscat Charles de Fère Chardonnay, White Burgundy, Macon Village Georges Duboeuf Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux Beau-Rivage Kronenbourg Blanc 1664, (Fruity White Beer with Citrus Notes)
THE COTTAGE: Savories, Trifles and Tea – United Kingdom
Potato, Chive and Cheddar Cheese Biscuit with Smoked Salmon Tartare and Sour Cream** Baked Goat’s Brie with Kumquat Chutney** Waterkist Farms Heirloom Tomatoes with house-made Mozzarella, Minus 8 Vinegar and Basil** Chocolate Trifle** Berry Trifle** Ginger and Tea Trifle** Trio of Trifles** Hot Teas** (Earl Grey, English Breakfast, Lemon Green Tea, Jasmine Green Tea, Spiced Apple Chai, Pumpkin Chai, Mixed Berry Black Tea, Pomegranate and Raspberry, Camomile Honey & Vanilla, Honeybush, Mandarin and Orange, Pure Peppermint, Lemon & Ginger) Peach Cold Brewed Iced Tea Mixed Berries Cold Brewed Iced Tea** Poema Cava Brut Rosé Chilled Rose Blush Lemonade
PINEAPPLE PROMENADE – World Showcase Promenade – near Canada
Dole® Whip Dole® Whip with Siesta Key Spiced Rum Pineapple Upside Down Cake featuring Dole® Pineapple Dole®** Dole® Whip Dole® Whip** Pineapple Fruit Cup** Frozen Desert Violet Lemonade Samuel Adams® Cream Stout
INTERMISSIONS CAFE — Festival Center Beet Lollipop Grapes Fruit & Cheese Plate Vegan Trio Southwest Chicken Wrap Tuna Salad with Pita Italian Salad Asian Tuna Salad with Noodles New Planet™ 3R Raspberry Ale Blue Point’s Spring Fling Florida Orange Groves: Mango Mama, Mango Wine, Blueberry Blue, Blueberry Wine DeLoach Vineyards Heritage Reserve Chardonnay, Heritage Reserve Pinot Noir Poema Cava Brut Rosé
I have so many people ask me about the various Character Dining options in Walt Disney World. I have compiled a list with descriptions for each to make deciding easier for you! I have previously written about my favorites if you want to take a look. This is a basic list that tells you the facts, not my opinions of each (which I have many).
Character meals
(Organized by Character type)
Mickey & Friends Continue reading
Mouse Ear Momma 