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Walt Disney World Wednesdays

Travelin' Elisa's gang LOVES Walt Disney World. Join Elisa and Kelsey each Wednesday for travel tips and valuable information about The Most Magical Place on Earth!

Calling All Disney World Lovers!

Elisa & Kelsey’s Top 5  Disney World Vegan Eats Even Non-Vegans Will Love!

11/20/2019

1 Comment

 
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The Garden Grill in "The Land" in Epcot (c) travelincousins.com
1. Veg Out Vegan Pizza at Blaze Fast Fire'd Pizza (Disney Springs)

This assembly line personalize-your-own-pizza joint is fabulous!  Perfect for lunch or dinner, vegans and non-vegans can create the pizza of their choice.  Vegan cheese is available for those who do not eat dairy and the assortment of toppings is extensive.  The crusts are nice and thin and cooked in a wood fire oven.

​My personal favorite is the "Veg-Out" with vegan mozzarella, seasonal veggies, which included Brussell sprouts during my last visit, black olives and green peppers. Guests can garnish their pies with a variety of glazes as well after they emerge piping hot from the oven. 


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2. Vegan Breakfast at The Garden Grill (EPCOT)

If you are looking for a yummy breakfast that is both filling and satisfying, we strongly recommend that you attend the Chip ‘n’ Dale Harvest Feast at The Garden Grill located in Future World. 

Not only do you and your Disney lovers get to enjoy vibrant views of the Living with the Land exhibit in this rotating restaurant and get to enjoy some lovely encounters with Chip, Dale, Pluto and Mickey, but you will tantalize your tastebuds with their all-you-can-eat breakfast!
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Perfect for vegans and of course spectacular for non-vegans as well, The Garden Grill has a wonderful all-you-can eat breakfast.  The skillet breakfast for vegans includes an array of sweet and savory offerings served family style. Their signature Rice and Bean Loaf is hearty, flavorful and crispy and is served with ‘potato barrels’ (better known as tater tots), along with Disney’s iconic Mickey vegan waffles and scrambled eggs (for those who eat them).  Fresh fruit rounds out the meal, making it one of our fave places! ​



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Vegan Falafel Burger with tomato jam and french fries at Sci-Fi Drive in Theatre in Hollywood Studios (c) travelincousins.com
3.  Vegan Falafel Burger at Sci-Fi Drive in Theatre (Hollywood Studios)

​This place is way cool! First of all, they have recreated an entire "outdoor" setting like the old drive-in theaters. Everything takes place in 1957 and the "tables" are all within the confines of old convertible cars.  

What's more, the Sci-Fi Drive in Theatre has two entree choices that are completely vegan. These include Szechuan Lettuce Wraps with Crispy-fried Tofu, Lettuce Cups, Water Chestnuts, Shredded Carrots, Spicy Cucumber, Szechuan Sauce, and Soba Noodle Salad and a Vegetarian Falafel Burger comprised of a Crispy Chick Pea Falafel Patty on a Brioche Bun with Arugula, Gourmet Tomato, Tzatziki Sauce, and Red Pepper Aïoli.

Our vegan crowd opted for the Falafel Burger and boy was it dee-lish!  We particularly liked the side of tomato jam and french fries. But the good vegan eats do not end there. For dessert, they offer a a vegan chocolate milkshake made with soy milk and tofutti!   



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Wok-Fried Green Beans at Yak & Yeti, Animal Kingdom (c) travelincousins.com
4.  Wok Fried Green Beans at Yak & Yeti (Animal Kingdom)

Yak & Yeti in Asia in Animal Kingdom has many vegan options from which to chose, making it one of our favorite dining destinations in this park.  I can say with total certainty that our hands-down number one Disney eats vegan appetizers is the restaurant's Wok Fried Green Beans!!

Crispy on the outside, with piping hot green beans on the inside, these batter fried starters are addicting, especially when dipped in the accompanying sweet Thai chili dipping sauce.


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Erin McKenna's Bakery NYC in Disney Springs (c) travelincousins.com
5.  Erin McKenna’s of NYC (Disney Springs) ​

​Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in Disney Springs has got to be the best darn place for vegan and gluten-free baked treats! Every single visit to Disney World includes at least one (but, usually two!) visits to this sweet delight shop.

Everything from cookies, cupcakes, doughnuts and more.
1 Comment

5 Tips for Disney First-Timers

11/6/2019

2 Comments

 
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As a HUGE fan and frequent visitor to Walt Disney World in Florida for five decades, it's hard for me to even imagine that there is a "first-time" visit to the most magical place on earth in Orlando for anyone!  

Of course, that is a preposterous view on my part.  Folks of all ages visit Disney World each day for the very first time.  Some young, some old, but all of whom are hoping to catch the Disney spirit and see what all the hubbub is about!

Making one's first journey to this 10,524 square mile theme park can be quite overwhelming  with so much to see, do and experience.  As long-time Disney Vacation members, we can assure you that the Disney folks have left no stone unturned when it comes to all aspects of creating a memorable experience with as little stress as possible. However, we are here to lend you a few helpful tips for visiting Disney World like a pro!


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1. Download My Disney Experience Mobile App
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(c) travelincousins.com
My Disney Experience is a mobile app for iPhone, tablets and Android smartphones that allows Walt Disney World Resort Guests to plan their vacation and get the most out of their Disney theme park experience. 

In a nutshell, this app is a one-stop-shop for every last detail having to do with your trip.  The process can begin as soon as you've booked your trip and have a hotel and ticket reservation, making it possible to set up your own personal profile. From this point, the sky is the limit!

Guests have access to all details pertaining to their reservation and planned activities. Set up a Family & Friends list, link reservations and park tickets to your Disney account, schedule FastPass+ and Dining Experiences,  check into your hotel, check ride and attraction wait times and more.  

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2. Make Dining Reservations in Advance
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(c) travelincousins.com
While we are big fans of spontaneity, leaving restaurant dining to chance in Disney World is strongly discouraged.  These days, with the number of guests visiting the theme park and travelers' level of sophistication and desire to plan ahead, you will find yourself very disappointed if you just "show up" to any of the sit down restaurants.

While this approach works just fine for quick service dining, we strongly recommend making meal reservations in advance  Using either the Disney.com website or using My Disney Experience app, reservations are a breeze and can be made up to 180 days in advance.  Just beware, reservations require a credit card to hold your meal reservation as well as cancellation 24-hours prior or you will be charged a fee of $10 per person in your party.  


3. Book Disney Attraction and Ride FastPass+in Advance
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(photo credit: disneyinsidertips.com)
Disney FastPass+ service is the electronic/online system for booking rides at Disney World so that you can skip the lines (or wait in substantially shorter lines for your favorite rides.  

With the purchase of a ticket or Annual Pass , you can make selections as early as 30 days before you arrive - starting at 7:00 AM Eastern Time if you are NOT staying at a Disney World resort.  If you ARE staying at a Disney Resort hotel, you can make your FastPass+ selections up to 60 days prior to check-in for the entire length of your stay.

We cannot tell you how much "standing in line" time this saves and it is so easy to secure FastPass+. Simply choose your attractions and experiences on My Disney Experience or online from the choice of hour-long blocks of time given. Then all you do is show up at your time. 

There are a few rules:
  • Guests are permitted to make three FastPass+ reservations per day for the park being visited..
  • After fulfilling your three FastPass+ reservations in the parks, you can then visit a FastPass+ kiosk to make another reservation.
  • Walt Disney World splits up the available FastPass+ options into tiers based on popularity for all the parks except Magic Kingdom. 
  • FastPass selections cannot be made during Early Magic Hours or other special ticketed events like the Halloween/Christmas party/after hours/etc.


4. Take Advantage of Disney's Magical Express
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If you’re visiting Walt Disney World and staying at a Disney owned resort, (which we thoroughly recommend!!), you’ll be able to take advantage of complimentary airport shuttle service, luggage delivery, and airline check-in.

What's so convenient about this service is that all you need to do is check your bags at your 
 hometown airport and once it arrives at Orlando International Airport, Disney takes care of the rest, retrieving your luggage and delivering it directly to your Disney Resort!  All you need to do is walk to the Magical Express Welcome Center in Terminal B area once you deplane and board the comfortable coach and relax as you are taken directly to your resort.

If you are staying at a Disney Resort, you will receive a package in the mail with your Disney Magical Express luggage tags. Simply attach to your bags at your hometown airport prior to checking and you are all set!!


5. Take Advantage of the Baby Care Centers ​
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(photo credit: theparktourist.com)
As much fun as Disney World is, it can also be tiring, especially if you are traveling with little ones.  Not to fear, Disney already thought of this and I can tell you from personal experience, their Baby Centers are a wonderful oasis amidst the activity of the park and are a great alternative to heading all the way back to your hotel room if your baby needs changing or a quiet place.

Located within all 4 theme parks, Baby Care Centers provide a convenient place to feed, change and nurse little ones. In addition to offering a quiet refuge, the Baby Care Centers are fully staffed and chock full of amenities for parents with infants and toddlers, including a feeding area with highchairs, kitchen with microwave and sink, a main room with television, table and seating and an on-site shop to purchase necessities such as formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications and clothing   

They are always open during regular park hours, complimentary to use.


Till next time,
Elisa and Kelsey

2 Comments
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    Elisa and Kelsey

    Travelin' Elisa's gang LOVES Walt Disney World!. 

    With Walt Disney World a frequent destination, Kelsey, 13,  has become a Disney aficionado! For the past few years, she has single-handedly planned all aspects of the family Disney trips and is the resident expert on all goings on, resorts, dining destinations and the latest events at the Florida theme park.

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