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What does Donald put on his nachos in Epcot’s Mexico Pavilion? Quacker-mole!

Puns aside, Disney World is a secret hub of sweet and savory treats of all shapes, sizes, and flavors! These sweet and savory treats attract many self-named “Disney foodies”, capturing every new treat and writing a review as soon as it hits the park. Now that the cat is out of the bag, let’s dive in to the delicious food options in each park!

First Stop: Magic Kingdom!

The selection of food offered at Magic Kingdom is so varied, that one with any dietary restrictions, the toughest case of being a picky eater, or even someone who wants to try it all, can all have a great time!

First, it seems important to note that there are two coffee chains that are most popular in Disney World: Joffrey’s and Starbucks. Joffrey’s is a local chain that operates within Disney World, and offers special coffee drinks and baked goods themed to the holidays and other Disney celebrations, as well as their classic selection. Although we all know how popular Starbucks is among college students, I must say that Joffrey’s is just as delicious for a similar, if not cheaper, price. Go try it out!

Starbucks appears in different forms throughout every park, but look carefully, because it is never advertised as a “Starbucks”, but always sports a different name instead to blend in with the Disney theming.

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For example, the Trolley Car Café in Hollywood studios is actually a Starbucks. The best way to tell where the Starbucks are in each park is to look for the logo (in this image it is found under the sign in the middle), or look at the menus online. If you are in desperate need of coffee, however, the best idea is just to walk inside and hope for the best!

If you are in the mood for Italian Food:

Try Tony’s Town Square restaurant! It has a limited (but delicious) selection of pasta dishes and is themed after the movie Lady and the Tramp. It sits at the front of Magic Kingdom on the side of the street, making it the perfect place to enjoy a sit-down meal while watching the parades float by. One thing that I liked about Tony’s when I visited for lunch was how customizable each dish was. Everyone in my group ordered the classic angel hair pasta dish, but each with different sauces and meatballs (they even have impossible meat balls for those who do not eat meat).

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If you are in the mood for a New England feast:

Try Columbia Harbour House! Located inside a quaint colonial cottage in Liberty Square, this restaurant features all of the New England seafood that one could dream of: shrimp, salmon, lobster rolls, New England Clam Chowder, the fish of the day, and so much more. Although I have never eaten here before, as a New Englander I can say that our cuisine is perfect to cure a hangry crowd after a long and exhausting day at the parks. Another perk is that one can order food here using the Mobile Ordering system, meaning that you and your group don’t have to wait for a table in order to enjoy your meal.

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If you’re in the mood for a Thanksgiving Dinner:

Try The Diamond Horseshoe restaurant! This American colonial style restaurant is located within Liberty Square, and celebrates the true meaning of being American: the infamous Thanksgiving Dinner. To eat this Thanksgiving Dinner, each person pays a flat fee ($39 for adults, $21 for children) and receives the standard meal of a house salad, the “Saloon Feast”, and an Oooey Gooey Toffee Cake. There is also a plant-based version of the meal for those who do not eat meat!

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If you’re in the mood for African/Asian/Latin cuisine (or for an adventure of a dining experience):

It’s time for an adventure to find the eighth Wonder of the World: the Backside of Water! Ride the Jungle Cruise, then try the Skipper Canteen! This restaurant is themed to the famous “Jungle Cruise” attraction that sits rights across the road. The menu is full of puns and jokes similar to the ones used by Skippers on the Jungle Cruise, and though expensive, combines different cuisines to serve absolutely delicious food. If you want a good deal, be sure to find Trader Sam, the head salesman of the area; he’s offering a stellar two-for-one special: two of his for one of yours!

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If you’re in the mood for Character/Themed Dining:

Try Cinderella’s Royal Table if you have always dreamed of dining inside Cinderella’s Castle and meeting the Disney princesses! Although I have not dined here myself, it is a great family friendly restaurant for those who do not mind paying extra for the experience of the character meet and greets with the princesses.

Try Be Our Guest if you have always wanted to explore Belle’s Castle and meet her and the Beast! Speaking from experience, this place is spectacular! While I do not remember the food (French themed!), guests who flock here are mainly visiting for the experience itself. The ambiance inside the restaurant was amazing, with the snow outside the “windows” of the palace swirling to make it feel alive, and noise/music in the background featuring dialogue between characters from the movie, and of course the classic soundtrack.

Try the Crystal Palace if you are looking for a flexible brunch with the characters from Winnie the Pooh! This is a great option for those who cannot or do not want to visit Cinderella’s Royal Table, but still want to experience a character meal. Buffet style dining allows the flexibility groups may want with the extra benefit of character meet and greets as Winnie the Pooh and his friends wander around the restaurant!

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If you’re in the mood for classic Disney:

Try Cosmic Rays or The Plaza Restaurant! Both offer classic American (and theme park) favorites such as chicken tenders, hamburgers/cheeseburgers, and french fries. The main difference is the theming and style of dining. The Plaza Restaurant, located at the end of Main Street (making it a perfect parade watching spot), is a sit down restaurant that features a broader menu (for both picky and non-picky eaters), and a delicious array of ice cream desserts (as it is located right next to the Plaza Ice Cream Parlor). Cosmic Rays, on the other hand, is located in Tomorrowland, and is Quick Service style. This means that guests can either mobile order or place an order in person, then find their own table to dine at. Having been to both, I can say that the cuisine at both places is delicious; where I decided to dine just depended on the situations of each day (for example, I went to Cosmic Rays when I did not have time for a sit down meal and wanted a quick bite for dinner, and dined at the Plaza to take a break midday and watch the parade).

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If you’re in the mood for a quick snack:

Sleepy Hollow, located just outside liberty square, is a great place to stop by for those looking for sweet and savory Belgian waffle sandwiches, funnel cakes, corn dogs, and any seasonal treats (especially during Halloween and Christmas). Although the options are niche, they are delicious!

Sunshine Tree Terrance and Aloha Isle are the places to be for those who enjoy a good Dole Whip (Disney’s signature pineapple soft serve). They are both located in Adventureland, and feature Dole Whip of all flavors and varieties (my favorite combo is the coconut and pineapple Dole Whip swirl). Plus, mobile ordering is available at both locations!

Main Street Confectionary is the place to be for all the baked good fans. It is full of a variety of cookies, Rice Krispie treats, cupcakes, caramel apples, and candy galore. It is the perfect way to end the day by bringing home a new treat to enjoy kicked back in the hotel room after a long, exhausting day at the parks.

Casey’s Corner is a baseball themed quick service restaurant with many varieties of hot dogs, corn dogs, mac and cheese, and anything else one could dream of at the ball game! It is incredibly popular among Disney fans, and is a well known spot to grab a quick lunch and relax by the parades.

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Animal Kingdom

Although there are not as many options in Animal Kingdom, the food here is just as delicious and flavorful! Most of the food options in Animal Kingdom are carts that sell snacks such as churros, popcorn, fruit, pretzels, etc. that lay scattered around the park; however, there are some great options for quick service and dine in as well!

If you’re in the mood for coffee and a snack:

Check out Tamu Tamu Refreshments or Creature Comforts Bakery! Creature Comforts is the Starbucks of Animal Kingdom, while Tamu Tamu serves a wide array of foods all day such as coffee, baked goods, savory snacks, and ice cream (try the delicious Dole Whip).

If you’re in the mood for a luxury meal:

Check out Tiffins Restaurant! Tiffins is located on Discovery Island, and has a beautiful view of the river that encircles it. It features African, Asian, and Latin cuisine, and is known for its signature bread service. As delicious as it is, be ready to shell out a good amount of cash to dine here!

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If you’re in the mood for a classic American meal:

Check out Flame Tree Barbecue or Restaurantosaurus! Both restaurants feature a mobile order feature, and the food is appetizing enough to please even the pickiest of eaters. Flame Tree Barbecue is located on Discovery Island and features alcoholic drinks and concoctions, ribs, mac and cheese, pulled pork, and other classic BBQ favorites. Restaurantosaurus is located in Dinoland USA and features a variety of sandwiches, salads, burgers, and hot dogs.

If you’re in the mood for authentic Asian food:

Try Yak and Yeti Restaurant in the Asia area of the park, right next to Expedition Everest! Although I have never been here myself, the ratings, reviews, and food itself look absolutely stunning. Their menu features a wide range of Asian food, from egg rolls to pot stickers, tuna nachos to wonton soup, lo main to seafood curry, and so much more! It is also not too expensive, so everyone in the group will be able to enjoy.

If you’re in the mood for an adventure to Pandora:

Try Satu’li Canteen, located in Pandora: the World of Avatar. This restaurant is quick service style and includes the mobile order feature: perfect for those times when you’re waiting in line and want to plan your next meal! Their menu is BYO style, meaning that you build your own bowls with a base, protein, and toppings. For those who don’t want to create their own meal, there is a variety of entree options to chose from. Don’t forget to try the Pineapple Lumpias!

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Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios certainly features the least (and the worst) food options out of all of the parks; however, that does not mean that there is nowhere good to find food within the park. The best food you will find at Hollywood Studios (speaking from experience) will most likely be the food stands scattered throughout the park, selling pretzels, ice cream, churros, and popcorn galore! For those who prefer an actual meal in the parks, however, there are still some brilliant options.

If you’re in the mood for a quick snack without a long wait:

Try the various shops located on Sunset Boulevard! The ones that feature mobile order are: Fairfax Fare, Catalina Eddie’s, and Rosie’s All American Cafe. All three of these restaurants include similar menu items such as the classic hot dogs and burgers, as well as a few dishes curated for each shop. Although these are nothing fancy, they are perfect for those who just need a quick pick-me-up and don’t want to wait a long time. Anaheim Produce is another great option for those just looking for some fruit and a drink, as it is a market-style shop filled with snacks that are easy to store away for later.

For those who prefer a larger meal, Backlot Express and ABC Commissary both feature a wide array of delicious options for quick service lunches. Both include mobile order, and have enough variety to turn people from hangry to happy!

Another great option is the Milk Stand in Galaxy’s Edge, which offers Green and Blue Milk (both plant based slushie sort of drinks). It is possible to place a mobile order here, but I have found that it is easier to just wait in line as the stand is small and runs quick. Blue and Green milk are the most refreshing ways to cool down in the Central Florida heat!

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If you’re looking for a bite in Galaxy’s Edge:

Oga’s Cantina is the place to go for a Galactic drink and snack. In the morning they offer 0vernight oats and cinnamon rolls that are out of this world, and in the afternoon offer their own Batuu bar snacks. It is an experience that I would recommend to everyone, but not a must-do for every trip. Although Oga’s is bar style, you are “seated” at different sections of the restaurant (standing room only with very limited seating), and limited to 45 minutes as it is extremely difficult to get a reservation there.

Another great option is Ronto Roasters, which includes mobile orders and allows guests to enjoy all sorts of delicious breakfast and lunch wraps from across the galaxy! Docking Bay 7 is another mobile order restaurant right next to Ronto Roasters which is perfect for those who want to sit down for a bit and have a thorough meal. If you aren’t in the mood for a grab-and-go wrap and want to try more of the themed food, this is the place to go!

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If you’re in the mood for an immersive dining experience:

Be sure to check out Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant and 50’s Prime Time Cafe!

The Sci-Fi Dine-In features classic American dine in food: burgers, fries, fried onion rings and pickles, chicken sandwiches, milkshakes, and ice cream sundaes. The coolest thing about this restaurant is that it is themed to a drive-in movie theater in the mid 1900s, meaning that each party gets to dine in their own car, and watch 50s hits and ads on the big screen while they dine! The atmosphere transports you right into the 1950s world of Grease, except this time, you won’t be “Alone at a Drive-In”.

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50’s Prime Time cafe is themed to your own house! By that I mean that you are sat in your “relative’s” dining room, and your server is one of your “family members”. The menu features chicken entrees, salads, meatloaf, salmon, and so much more, and each room has a TV playing classic 50s songs and clips in true black and white! The best part of this experience is not just the food, but also the fact that your “relative” (server) finds ways to add more of a familial vibe into your dining experience: whether that be by arguing over family drama or lecturing you not to put your elbows on the dinner table!

If you’re in the mood for fine dining:

Try the Hollywood Brown Derby, themed to the Golden Age of Hollywood. This restaurant is a great place to relax and escape the chaos of running from ride to ride all day. Their menu features California fine dining favorites such as a Charcuterie Board, Filet Mignon, Chicken Coq au Vin, Braised Short Ribs, and so much more. Make this restaurant into one of your nicer and longer sit down meals, as it is much pricier than the rest of the dining options in Hollywood Studios!

Some people like to say that Disney did not create their own food, but their food created Disney. I mean, when you think of food from a Disney park, who doesn’t think of churros, a hot turkey leg, or a Mickey Premium Bar? However you decide to think of it, I hope you can use this post as a guide in the future to navigate the wondrous world of Disney dining!

One side note, it is extremely important that you book reservations early for Disney restaurants. You are able to book reservations 60 days in advance, and I completely recommend doing so, especially if you plan to visit the busier and more popular restaurants (like Oga’s Cantina). Reservations for an entire day can disappear within a few minutes, so set your alarms to score your few prime dining reservations or they will be gone!

Lastly, Epcot was not covered in today’s post. It is a Disney World park, yes, however there are so many layers to Epcot and its food (especially when it comes to the festivals) that there will be a separate post completely dedicated to breaking down Epcot, its food, and the seasonal festivals.

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So many options for transportation, food, accommodations, and more are offered at Disney World, which makes it hard to decide what is the best for your group. This post will cover every base on saving money and time: food, transportation, tickets, and more. So buckle up and prepare to learn how to get the most out of your Disney vacation!

Food Planning

Staying hydrated and well fed is an important aspect of vacationing, especially at Disney World, where each day is spent walking under the hot, central Florida sun. Disney, however, likes to take advantage of the unprepared and famished with their endless quick service locations and sky-high prices. One of the easiest ways to save money while on vacation in Walt Disney World is to plan meals: what meals your group will eat in the parks, at the hotel, and what meals you will pack for yourselves.

Eating at the Parks:

When eating at the parks, you can either choose to eat at a full service restaurant (family style or buffet), or order from a quick-service location. In order to save the most time, it is imperative to order from a quick-service location; this way groups can avoid the hours it takes to sit through a family-style dinner service to make the most out of the money spent on park tickets that day. To make things even quicker, don’t forget to mobile order through the My Disney Experience App.

My best advice for those who want to enjoy a few sit-down meals while still getting the most out of their days is to plan a few sit-down meals spread out throughout your group’s vacation. For example, when I went on a full week trip, I planned for two lunches (to take breaks from the heat, and because my family likes to take a mid-day break before staying out late in the parks) and one dinner. Disney restaurants do have a policy that allows guests to cancel their reservations 24 hours beforehand without charge, meaning that if you and your group change your mind, you don’t have to worry about cancelling your reservation days or weeks in advance.

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Ordering Groceries:

One thing that has helped my family get through every Disney World vacation is ordering groceries. This way we don’t have to worry about packing snacks; in addition, we use this opportunity to pack lunches for a couple days to save money, and so we don’t have to worry about finding food for lunch in the parks. This doesn’t mean that we don’t try the Disney World treats, it is vacation after all, but limiting the amount of money spent on food in the parks will definitely pay off in the future.

My best recommendation for groceries is to either:

• If you have a rental car, drive to whichever nearby supermarket that is best suited for your group, or
• Online order groceries through either Garden Grocer or Amazon Prime/Whole Foods

My family has always ordered online through Amazon Prime/Whole Foods and Garden Grocer, and has had great experiences with both services. There is a fee to deliver the items, but no fee to store them in bell services while you wait. Although Amazon Prime/Whole Foods groceries have always been convenient as Amazon Prime members, if you want something that is easy and guaranteed to be delivered to your hotel chose Garden Grocer; they have been delivering to the Walt Disney World resorts for many years (and solely deliver to the resorts of central Florida), and have lots of experience in handling and delivering groceries, as well as great communication to customers about the status of their order. Amazon Prime/Whole Foods is the more flexible option, as you are even able to order groceries the day you want them delivered; however, with Garden Grocer, be sure to place your order at least a couple days in advance (over a week in advance during the busy seasons) to guarantee that there is a delivery time slot for you. Also be on the eye out for early bird deals; Garden Grocer is famous for giving customers discounts for ordering multiple weeks in advance!

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Transportation

Bus:

Buses are the primary mode of transportation throughout Walt Disney World. They run on a schedule which is regularly updated in the “My Resort” section of the My Disney Experience App (very helpful to download for your future vacation!), and are able to transport guests from their resort to each park, as well as Disney Springs. Although they are not able to transport guests to and from different resorts directly, it is easy to travel to different resorts: just take your resort’s bus to Disney Springs or a park, then transfer to the bus of the resort you wish to visit. The bus schedules are not always the most accurate, but the largest delay I have ever experienced was 10 minutes after the scheduled arrival time. Like all other methods of Disney transportation, busses are free for all guests!

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Skyliner:

The Disney Skyliner is the newest form of Disney World transportation, having opened in September 2019, and it is a gondola system that is able to transport guests between certain resorts and theme parks in Walt Disney World. It has stations at Disney’s Riviera Resort (which is also the station to travel to Epcot), Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and a hub at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. All of the lines connect to the hub at the Caribbean Beach Resort, where guests can either choose to travel to Disney’s Riviera Resort/Epcot (both stops are on the same line), Disney’s Pop Century/Art of Animation Resort (both stops are on the same line), or Disney’s H0llywood Studios. Skyliner transportation allows guests to travel between resorts and parks within minutes; however, the only downside is that it suffers from frequent closures due to weather. Like all other methods of Disney transportation, the Skyliner is free of charge!

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Boat:

The boats at Disney are a fun, but also very limited, method of transportation. In the Magic Kingdom Resort Area, the Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge, and Grand Floridian Resort use a ferry as one of their transportation methods to and from the Magic Kingdom. Ferryboats also are able to bring guests to  and from Magic Kingdom and the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTA), where guests park their cars to visit Magic Kingdom for the day.

There is also a ferryboat in the Epcot and Hollywood Studios area that offers transportation in between Disney’s Beach Club and Boardwalk resorts, and the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan Hotels. Lastly, ferryboats offer transportation between Disney Springs and the resorts in that area, including: Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa, and Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside Resorts.

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Uber/Lyft:

Ride-share services such as Uber and Lyft are not affiliated with Disney, but are a great method of transportation as well. If your group is staying on Disney property and wants to visit somewhere that Disney transportation is unable to bring you (such as Universal Studios Florida), then these services are great options. The price is dependent on the length of the trip and the size of your group, but can be well worth it on days when Disney transportation is slow or just not working out for you, or when you want to explore somewhere new!

My Disney Experience and Genie+

As mentioned before, My Disney Experience is a must when traveling to Disney World. This app allows guests to buy, store, and scan their mobile tickets (for park entry), make park pass reservations (due to Covid-19, guests must reserve which park they want to visit first), see the wait times in all of the parks, mobile order food from the majority of Disney World quick service restaurants, view guests’ Photopass pictures, and so much more. This is the app that allows guests to join virtual queues when they open up for new and popular rides every morning (right now it is required to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind).

Disney Genie is a free tool that allows guests to be able to plan out their day, located inside the My Disney Experience App. Based on which park guests are visiting each day (and whatever preferences for rides and shows that guests enter into the app beforehand), Disney Genie puts together an itinerary which shows what activity/ride/show is best to do for your group and when, all depending on the wait times of the moment, and the trends of when each event is the busiest. It is a reliable and helpful tool if you want to be able to experience the most with the shortest waits.

The add-on feature for Disney Genie is called Genie+, and for those who are familiar with the recently retired Disney Fastpasses, it is the upgraded version of that service. This service costs $15 per day (per ticket), and allows guests to make an unlimited number of “Lightening Lane” reservations: meaning that you get to bypass the regular line for these attractions. The rules of the Lightening Lane are: you can only make one reservation at a time, and you can only make a new reservation either 1- after you have scanned your current Lightening Lane pass and entered the queue for that attraction or 2- after two hours have passed since you made your first Lightening Lane reservation. The two-hour rule is not heavily advertised, but it is what allowed my sister and I to reserve upwards of 7 Lightening Lane reservations each day (Disney has announced that the Genie+ system should give guests about 3 reservations each day). The availability for the more popular attractions runs out quicker, so be strategic about what attractions you pick first, and don’t forget to set two hour alarms to reserve your next pass! In my experience, the $15 is completely worth it if you are smart about the way you use Genie+; during my last vacation with my sister we were able to reserve so many Lightening Lane passes that we only had to wait in five or less standby lines the entire trip!

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Watch out! There are several “high ticket” attractions that require you to reserve and pay for the Lightening Lane pass separately then just buying Genie+. The most popular attractions in each park require you to pay between $9-$15 depending on how busy the season is. Disney, however, changed the rules for the summer months (and has extended this rule to the fall as well) to allow Genie+ users to reserve the majority of these “pay-per-ride” attractions, meaning that if you want to skip the line on all the high-ticket rides, there are only a bare few that you will have to pay separately for.

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Resorts

I know that I already wrote two posts dedicated to describing all of the Disney Resorts, but many people prefer to stay off of Disney Property in order to save the extra dime. Based on my experience, there are so many perks to staying at a Disney resort of any level that it does not seem worth it to stay off property.

Firstly, Disney Resort guests are all permitted to enter any park on any given day 30 minutes before the park officially opens, giving resort guests the opportunity to wake up early and skip the lines before the rest of the crowd can enjoy. Secondly, Disney resort guests are allowed to join any and all virtual queues at 7 am, while non-resort guests have to wait until they have scanned their ticket into the park each morning; this gives resort guests the advantage in riding the newest and most exciting rides in each park before everyone else (virtual queues are also free!). Lastly, if resort guests buy too many souvenirs (or one big one), Disney World offers a free service that ships merchandise back to your resort by the end of the day!

Miscellaneous

Club Cool

This newly reopened Epcot attraction features different brands and flavors of soda from around the world! It is a free taste-testing experience sponsored by Coca-Cola that allows guests to sample as many flavors as they would like. One word of advice – be careful of the Beverly!

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Water

Many people waste $3 or even more buying water bottles at various Disney locations. A secret that not many are aware of is that you can actually get water for free at Disney World! The majority of quick-service locations will gladly hand out free glasses of water, as long as you aren’t afraid to ask.

Celebration Buttons

Celebration buttons are a fun, free way to celebrate different events in your life and occasions for visiting Disney World! They include buttons to celebrate marriage, your first visit, birthdays, and an “I’m Celebrating…” pin that can be customized to whatever it is that you’re happy for (when I last visited, I wrote that I was celebrating my graduation). Be sure to ask the front desk at your Disney World Resort, any merchandise store in Walt Disney World, or Guest Services in the park for buttons for yourself and your group!

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As explained in the first post, there are so many options when it comes to booking a Disney Hotel! So before deciding on which resort is the best fit for your group, it is important to ask yourself some questions regarding your group’s personal interests and preferences!

Does your group prefer to pay for a premium room with a nicer view or more convenient location? Do you like being closer to the parks, with the option of using the Skyliner or even water transport (boats)?  Do you mind spending a bit more than the Value Resorts for extra amenities and theming (subtle, but it’s there!)? Want to vacation in a Deluxe Resort, but want to save some money? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then the Moderate Resorts are the perfect fit for your group!

Moderate Resorts provide the perfect balance of on-site benefits, theming, and locations: all for a moderate price (hence the name!). There are four Moderate Resorts, with many being all-around fan favorites!

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort– this resort is perfect for those who prefer to stay in a large resort, as this resort is divided into five different sections, each themed to a different island in the Caribbean. The pool is themed to a colonial Spanish fortress, emanating the scenes and spirit of adventure from Pirates of the Caribbean; there is also an island that can be walked to and explored from the resort, allowing guests to relax in the middle of the lake next to the resort. Caribbean Beach also is the only moderate hotel with a Skyliner station, providing easy access to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

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• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (French Quarter)– this resort is the place to stay for those who want to throw themselves into the spirit of Mardi Gras! The theming at this resort spans from Southern manor-style, to bayou theming, to hidden references to the Disney Classic “Princess and the Frog” scattered throughout the resort. It is the smallest resort on property (which is nice for coming back after a long day in the parks), and is easy to navigate.

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• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort (Riverside)– the sister resort to Port Orleans French Quarter, Port Orleans Riverside is themed to be a more outdoorsy adventure; guests can walk the Sassagoula River (or boat down it!) to Port Orleans French Quarter, and hosts a variety of fishing holes, campfires, horse-drawn carriages, bike rentals, and so much more! The theming inside the resort is nothing less than royal, featuring none other than the Disney Princesses themselves.

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• Coronado Springs Resort– the theming of Coronado Springs is inspired by the vibrant history of Central America and the art of Salvador Dali; the rooms are divided into three sections of theming (Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas), and the pool sports a 50-foot Aztec-themed pyramid, and a 123-foot waterslide for guests to enjoy. It is also the hotel with the consistently cheapest rates (out of the other moderate hotels)

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If you are still lost and confused on where to stay after checking out both the Value and Moderate Resorts, then the Deluxe Resorts might be the right fit for your group! The Deluxe Resorts offers just as much quality, cleanliness, and on site benefits as the Value and Moderate Resorts, but go above and beyond with more amenities and conveniences than the rest (including a valet service, health clubs/spas/workout areas, and spacious rooms). These resorts are a perfect fit for those who are willing and able to pay the extra dime for the extra amenities, appreciate the subtly ingrained Disney theming, and want to spend lots of their vacation relaxing at and exploring their resort.

There are eight Deluxe Resorts:

• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge– although this resort is segregated from the rest (located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom), it is absolutely beautiful. It is themed to the African Savanna, with rooms sporting Lion King touches and decor; to top it off, this resort hosts a variety of Disney’s wildlife animals: zebras, giraffes, and so much more can be viewed out the windows of the resort! The dining options are African and Indian themed (and absolutely delicious), and even offers Savanna tours in the early mornings and late evenings.

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• Disney’s Beach Club Resort– this resort is themed after the beaches and waterparks of New England; as a New-Englander myself, this theme deters me from wanting to stay at the resort, but could be a fun adventure for those looking to get a taste of New England without actually traveling there! It is situated a minute walk away from the Boardwalk Inn, giving guests the benefit of Disney’s Boardwalk access, a short walk to Epcot (and the Skyliner station there), as well as boat transportation to the Epcot park.

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• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn– this resort is reminiscent of boardwalk and beach carnivals, sporting a classy 1940s boardwalk festival vibe. The slide in the pool itself is modeled to look like an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster, with the pool par in the shape of a carousel! Another perk to the resort is that it is right next to the Disney Boardwalk, filled with many shops, dance halls, and restaurants to explore. This resort is located in the Epcot area, meaning that the walk to Epcot (and the Skyliner station there) is only about a couple minutes; if guests do not want to walk to the park, there are boats that sail across the lake to Epcot, allowing visitors to enjoy the water and the view.

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• Disney’s Contemporary Resort– this hotel is modern and chic, being just a couple-minute monorail ride (which actually navigates through the hotel!) and 10-minute walk away from the Magic Kingdom. It is adorned with simple and modern Disney touches, as well as Mary Blair’s art (the creator of It’s a Small World). One of the most popular breakfast places resides here: Chef Mickeys, filled with Mickey and his pals every morning to greet guests.

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• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa– this hotel is by far the most elegant (and most expensive) resort on Disney property. The decor and theming is breathtaking: hosting beautiful chandeliers and flower arrangements, elegant restaurants and tea shops, and the most subtle yet classy Disney touches throughout the resort. This resort offers a state-of-the-art spa, and is the only resort that receives a life-size ginger bread house (that sells gingerbread!) during the Christmas season. It is also just a walk or monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom!

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• Disney’s Polynesian Resort– this resort is just a monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, making it perfect for guests who prefer to watch the fireworks from across the lake and travel to Magic Kingdom almost every day! It is the only resort to sell its own Dole Whip (a classic and delicious Disney treat), and hosts three of the most renowned Disney dining spots: Kona Café, ‘Ohana Breakfast, and Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. There are two pools on property, and newly renovated rooms themed to Disney’s Moana!

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• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge– this resort is perfect for those who don’t mind staying a little off the beaten path, want to enjoy time at their resort, and appreciate the beauty of nature. It tends to be the most underrated of the Disney Deluxe Resorts, as it is in the “Magic Kingdom” resort area, but is the only resort in that area to not be connected to the monorail system. Apart from it’s beautiful villas, stunning pool, and elegant nature theming, Wilderness Lodge offers a camping site for those who yearn to stay in the woods of Walt Disney World (either with a tent or RV). The resort also features a geyser that erupts every so often, making a stay at this resort the most luxurious camping trip of a lifetime!

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• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort– this is the sister resort to Beach Club, located right next store to each other, and sharing similar New England inspired themes. The Yacht Club Resort is known to be the quieter and more “adult” of the two, featuring brass decor and balconies in every room! It shares the pool with the Beach Club, and offers more fine dining options than the Beach Club.

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Finally, there are several resorts that are strictly for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members; however, it is more than possible (and very common) for non-DVC members to stay there! These resorts are:

• Disney’s Riviera Resort– this is Disney’s newest resort (and my sister and I’s favorite), which blends the themes of the European Riviera with classic Disney to create a stunning resort. Classical music dances around you through the halls, and over 40 original works of art (Disney inspired, of course) decorate the walls. The food options here are stunning, with homemade pasta from Topolino’s Terance, and the cutest French bakery/coffee shop titled Le Petit Café. This is one of the only Deluxe Resorts to host it’s own Skyliner station, making it a prime location to for those who want easy transportation to the parks each day.

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• Disney’s Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resort– although these are two completely different places in real life, both are perfect for history fanatics who enjoy going back in time to the 19th century. Saratoga Springs recreates the aura of horse racing and the mineral springs, while Old Key West embodies a large and relaxing Key West community from the turn of the century.

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Now that (hopefully) you know where you would like to stay during your fantastic vacation to Disney World, it’s time to take care of the rest of business: how to save money! It’s no lie, going to Disney World is not a cheap vacation, but next week you will be able to learn the best money saving tips and tricks when it comes to buying tickets, waiting in lines/skipping lines, groceries, transportation, and more!

Welcome to the most magical place on Earth! Well, the closest you can get without actually booking a plane ticket to central Florida.

Disney World offers a magical vacation for all different groups of travelers: whether you’re a honeymooning couple, a worn out family, or a group of friends who yearn to eat and drink their way through Epcot! It offers some of the best activities to keep the little ones occupied while the parents take a break by the pool, the thrilling rides and roller coasters that the teens will love, and more Starbucks locations in a 20 mile radius than coffee-lovers dream of! So many questions need to be answered before deciding whether a Disney World trip is right for yourself (and your group); however, I do not plan to convince anyone to visit Disney World. If you wish to be convinced, however, or to learn more about Disney World, check out this amazing article written by All Ears and Walt Disney World Info. This blog post offers information for those who plan to visit Disney World already, but are clueless on where to begin their planning.

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One of the most important things when planning a vacation (aside from transportation) is planning where to stay. Does your group prefer to spend less money and still enjoy the benefits of the Disney Skyliner? Does your family plan to spend the majority of their time in the Disney World Parks?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then a Value Resort is the perfect option for you. Value resorts offer the same amenities as many other Disney hotels, such as laundry, dry cleaning, ATM, complimentary Wi-Fi, currency exchange, and so much more! Staying at a Disney hotel instead of a staying off-property also allows access to earlier dining reservation booking windows (60 days in advance instead of 90), Early Theme Park Entry (Disney Hotel guests can enter any park 30 minutes before the official opening time), and free transportation (by either a bus, Skyliner, or a boat).

Value resorts attract those who prefer staying in themed hotels, since themes dominate every aspect of the resorst: from the pool, to the lobby, and even the furniture inside each hotel room! The theming even stretches into the merchandise stores and dining options across the hotel!

There are five different options of value resorts, all located only a couple minutes drive away from each other:

• Disney’s All Star Sports Resort: the perfect resort for sports fans, as it is completely themed to sports. Disney-themed decor is hidden throughout the resort, since the sports theme dominates the entire hotel: giving guests a break from “Disney overdose”. This hotel offers quick service dining, with different sections depending on guests’ preferences. 

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• Disney’s All Star Music Resort: the perfect hotel for music lovers of all kinds! So much detail lives throughout this resort: from the street signs in the Broadway area to the cactus landscaping in the country area. Although small nods to Disney hide themselves throughout the resort (such as The Three Caballeros), this hotel offers a break from the intense “Disney” theming often present throughout the rest of the property. This hotel offers quick service dining, with different sections depending on guests’ preferences. 

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• Disney’s All Star Movies Resort: the resort hosting the most “Disney” theming and decor of all the All Star Resorts, with references to classic Disney animation and movies throughout the hotel (such as 101 Dalmatians, Fantasia, Toy Story, and so much more!). Unlike the other All Star Resorts, the food court in All Star Movies retains the creative and fun theming present throughout the rest of the resort.

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• Disney’s Pop Century Resort: the resort separates itself by decades, reaching themes from the 1950s to the 1990s. It allows guests to reminisce the past or showcase their favorite childhood gadgets to the younger crowds, and connects to the Art of Animation resort with a walking trail! This hotel allows guests to utilize the Skyliner transportation system, through the station that connects to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios Parks.

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• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: the is the newest value resort in Disney World, which showcases the modern spirit through more updated room fixtures and furnishings, encapsulating the world of recent Disney movies (such as Cars and Finding Nemo). The theming continues outside each section, where larger-than-life models of characters and scenes from the movies transport guests into the fantasy worlds, making for fantastic photo-ops! Similar to the Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation allows guests to utilize the Skyliner transportation system, through the station that connects to both Epcot and Hollywood Studios Parks.

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Next week this discussion continues with examining Disney’s Moderate and Deluxe Resorts (and what they have to do with the Disney Vacation Club)!