Disney News

by Magic Maker® Tara Radulski

“MOM!  I’m hungry!”

As the mother to two young boys, both of which are in the 95th percentile or higher for their height, we hear this often at home…and even more when we are on vacation.  Just the other weekend we went to Fort Worth, Texas for the day to enjoy the Children’s Museum.  To our delight, the Fort Worth Stock Yard show was also going on, and we had the opportunity to enjoy it as well.  The only downfall to our day was having lunch at the stockyard show.  Just the thought of eating at fairs or amusement parks is enough to send me running for my antacid! The burgers, fries, corndogs, chicken strips, fried pickles and such make up just about the entire menu selection.  I know it’s bad when my kids start asking for a piece of fruit instead of more junk.

At Walt Disney World® Resort, some refer to it as Quick Service, others refer to it as Counter Service, some may even call it “fast food”.  It is all those things, but it is also much more than what you would expect from “amusement park” food.  Clients who are on one of the Disney Dining Plans, especially those on the Quick Service Dining Plan, always ask me what the best places to eat a quick meal are.  Now, I will admit that the expected burgers and fries, pizza and chicken strips are available.  But much better options abound!

In our two-part series, we’ll look at the four Walt Disney World® Resort parks and explore what Walt Disney World® Resort has to offer ‘beyond the bun’.

MAGIC KINGDOM® Park

While in the Magic Kingdom® Park you can eat like a princess on a pauper’s budget (well, not really, but almost!)  The Columbia Harbor House in Liberty Square Area has Quick Service options such as their Lighthouse Sandwich which is hummus with tomato & broccoli slaw on toasted multigrain bread; or the Anchors Aweigh Sandwich with white tuna with lettuce and tomato on toasted multigrain bun; or even grilled salmon served with couscous and steamed fresh broccoli..  Also in the Magic Kingdom® Park, Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe in Tomorrowland® Area boasts half a rotisserie chicken or BBQ Ribs, both served with mashed potatoes and a seasonal vegetable.

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Theme Park is “natazu” and the Quick Service options are much more than typical fast food!  At the Yak & Yeti™ Local Foods Cafe, guests can dine on items such as honey chicken, sweet and sour chicken, orange beef, an Asian chicken sandwich, or Mandarin chicken salad.  Over at the Flame Tree Barbecue there are options such as half a slab of St. Louis Ribs served with baked beans and corn muffin; half a rotisserie chicken served with baked beans and corn muffin; a beef or pork sandwich served with baked beans; a smoked turkey breast sandwich served on a multi-grain bun with cole slaw; or a barbecue chicken salad served with crisp greens and tomato with balsamic vinaigrette dressing in a toasted garlic shell.

You may just have to think again before you use the words “fast food” to describe the quick service / counter service food options at the Walt Disney World® Resort! Be sure to read next week as we finish exploring quick service dining around the parks at Epcot® and Disney’s Hollywood Studios™!

As the Epcot® International Flower & Garden Festival comes to a close, it is time to start “heating up” the park with the Sounds Like Summer concert series.

Your entire family will be grooving to the timeless tunes played by tribute bands of The Eagles, Bee Gees, U2, and more! Sounds Like Summer concerts are under the skies of the open-air America Gardens Theatre in World Showcase at Epcot®. Show times are 5:45, 7:00 and 8:15 p.m. (On July 4, showtimes are scheduled for 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.)

Sounds Like Summer Concert Series 2012 Performances

• June 10 – June 17: Hotel California — A Salute to the Eagles
• June 18 – June 23: Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot – The Ultimate Billy Joel Show
• June 24 – June 30: Stayin’ Alive — A Tribute to the Bee Gees
• July 1 – July 7: Slippery When Wet — The Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute
• July 8 – July 14: The Police Experience – A Tribute to the Police
• July 15 – July 21: SouthBound and Company — A Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd
• July 22 – July 28: 2U — A Tribute to U2

Please note: Entertainment is subject to change without notice.

The Sounds Like Summer concerts are included with admission to Epcot®. Contact your Magic Maker® for additional information.

As the opening of the highly anticipated Be Our Guest Restaurant slowly draws closer, more and more details on this new dining location emerge. Back in March, we shared a video with you of the amazing mural that will serve as a backdrop making restaurant guests feel like they are part of the “Beauty and the Beast” movie.

Now, we are happy to bring you a video that details more of the inspiration behind the design and decor of the Be Our Guest Restaurant.

The Be Our Guest Restaurant is part of the New Fantasyland expansion that is currently taking place inside the Magic Kingdom® Park. The restaurant will serve as an additional counter-service location during lunch, but will offer table-service for dinner and is scheduled to open to the public prior to the holidays in 2012.

This offer is no longer valid. Please click here to view all current Walt Disney World® Resort specials.

With this exclusive offer for Disney VISA Cardmembers, your family can save while staying inside the “worlds” of your favorite characters!

Themed family suites and rooms, larger-than-life courtyards, and spectacular pools await you at Walt Disney World® Resort’s newest lodging accommodations – Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! Your family will experience what it’s like to be one of their favorite characters inside popular Walt Disney Pictures and Disney-Pixar Movies. Opening in stages beginning May 31, 2012, four themed “worlds” include Finding Nemo Family Suites, Cars Family Suites (opening 6/18/12), The Lion King Family Suites (opening 8/10/12), and The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms (opening 9/15/12). Family Suites sleep up to six guests while The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms will accommodate four guests.

Book now through 6/14/12 and save up to 15% at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort for travel most nights 6/18-9/27/12 when you use your Disney VISA Card.  Availability is limited, so contact your Magic Maker® today!

Booking Details:

Disney VISA Cardmembers can book now – 6/14/12 for travel most nights 6/18 – 9/27/12:

• Save up to 15% at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Talk to your Magic Maker® about adding tickets and the Disney Dining Plan to your room reservation. 

Not a Disney VISA Cardmember? View other promotions available at the Walt Disney World® Resort.

Due to popular demand, a character meal experience will now be available for dinner at Ariel’s Grotto at Disney California Adventure® Park. “Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration,” an enchanting Character Dining experience filled with music, laughter, and delicious food was previously only available for breakfast and lunch. This expansion will allow guests to meet, greet, and eat with Ariel and other Disney Princesses – including Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty – during the restaurant’s total hours of operation.

Character Dining during dinner at Ariel’s Grotto will begin on Jun. 15, 2012. To accommodate this change, World of Color dining packages will no longer be offered at Ariel’s Grotto after Jun. 14, 2012. The World of Color prix fixe dinner at Wine Country Trattoria and World of Color picnic meals from Sonoma Terrace will continue to be available. Guests may also continue to obtain a FASTPASS® ticket from the designated distribution location near Grizzly River Run.

For more information about “Ariel’s Disney Princess Celebration” or to make a reservation for your upcoming Disneyland® Resort vacation, please contact your Magic Maker®