Comments Off on Top 3 Grocery Delivery Services at Disney World
Flying into Orlando and using Disney transportation to get around can make your vacation both relaxing and affordable. But unfortunately, the Magical Express doesn’t allow you to stop and pick up some groceries to stock your villa fridge!
There are many options for getting groceries delivered to your Disney resort hotel, including Amazon’s Prime Now, Garden Grocer, Instacart, and more.
In this post, I’ll weight the pros and cons of the frontrunners, describe my experience with my top pick for getting groceries delivered right to your Disney World resort, and share some tips for having the best possible experience!
Grocery Delivery Options
Garden Grocer is a grocery delivery service that has been operating in the Disney World area for over 10 years. They only deliver to Walt Disney World resorts (excluding the Swan and Dolphin) and the Wyndham resorts closest to Disney World.
You basically choose from 5,000 items listed on their site (or app) and they will shop for you and deliver them to your resort. While the selection is wide, the prices are significantly more than you would pay in-store. For example, bananas are $0.49 each from Garden Grocer.
You also must choose from time slots that are available for delivery. Same day delivery costs $30 (if there are slots available), next day delivery is $20, and beyond that delivery is $14.
Amazon Prime Now delivers to the Walt Disney World area (finally – it took a while for the service to get out there). 2-hour delivery is free with a $20 minimum order, but you must be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of the service.
At this point, you can choose select items from Whole Foods, but you can’t shop at a particular grocery store. You can have a huge array of other items delivered as well, from personal care to electronics. A $5 tip for the driver will automatically be added to your bill, but you can adjust it up and down accordingly.
And finally, Instacart is an app and service that offers 1-hour grocery delivery from an array of stores. In the Orlando area, you can choose to shop at Publix, Whole Foods, CVS, Publix Liquors, or Costco.
If you’ve never used Instacart before, I’d suggest waiting to sign up until right before your vacation to get free delivery on your first order! There is a $10 minimum order per store, and if your order is under $35 there is a $4 delivery fee (except on your first order).
My Experience With Instacart
I tried out ordering from Publix with Instacart on our last trip to Disney World. I had the order delivered to our resort (Animal Kingdom Lodge) on our first full day there and overall had a great experience with the service.
First, I loved that I got the exact same prices as I would have in-store. This includes sales! You can even “clip” digital coupons and get the same specials that are offered in-store.
The Instacart app had all of the items I was looking for, including the soy milk that Amazon Now did not have when I checked. I got fresh fruit at a MUCH lower price than in the food court – for example, bananas were $0.21 each, compared to $1.69 each at the food court!
The earliest you’ll likely be able to get groceries delivered from Instacart is 11 am. I placed my order pre-7am and the first delivery time was 11 am-noon that day. While you may be able to get a delivery within an hour later in the day, you’ll have to wait if you order in the morning.
It was easy to select Animal Kingdom Lodge as my delivery location, and you can enter your room number if you have. If you don’t have your room number yet, you can still place an order under your name.
I got updates on my phone as my order was closer to being delivered. I recommend enabling notifications in the app to get updates, even if you normally don’t like app updates like me.
When you get a notification that your order was delivered, you can pick it up at any time from the Bell Service desk at your resort. Don’t make the mistake of trying to get it at the front desk like I did (oops). If your order needs to stay cold, Bell Services will keep it in a fridge until you pick it up or they deliver it.
As I was putting my items away in our room, I noticed that I had been given a smaller container of blueberries than I ordered. I was prompted in the app to give a rating and review of my order, and I noted there that the wrong item delivered. That same day I received an email from Instacart apologizing and giving me a full refund of the item that was delivered incorrectly.
I got free delivery on my order but I was charged a 10% service fee ($1.92 on my $19.21 order). I was overall very pleased with my savings and the efficiency of getting groceries delivered to our resort with Instacart. I saved over $30 just on the yogurt, fruit, and milk I ordered compared to what I would have spent in the food court! If you are going to eat more meals in your villa, you could potentially save way more.
I think Instacart offers the best value and ease of use of all grocery delivery options at Walt Disney World. If you have any questions about grocery delivery, just send me a message on my Facebook page and I’ll get right back to you!
Comments Off on Resort Activities at Animal Kingdom Lodge
Many features set Walt Disney World resorts apart from other hotels, such as elaborate theming, impeccable guest service, and extensive daily resort activities.
And while every resort at Disney World offers activities, I’d argue that Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the widest array of resort activities and the best options for kids.
This fall my family stayed five nights at Animal Kingdom Lodge and only went to the theme parks one day, so we had lots of time to explore the resort and try out the many offerings.
I’ll describe the activities we participated in below, and you can decide if you think the offerings at Animal Kingdom Lodge are the best on property or not!
Culinary Tour of Jiko & Boma
Every day at 4:15, Cultural Representatives from Africa lead a tour of Jiko and Boma, the two incredible table service restaurants at Jambo House.
The cast members who led our tour explained the how the design elements in the restaurants symbolically represent African culture and nature. For example, in Jiko you’ll find the shape of wheat stalks in the flooring which represent an abundant harvest in Africa. I was once again bowled over by the thought that goes into every detail at Walt Disney World.
Aletta from Namibia led our tour of Boma, and here she is explaining how people from her country use the pots that inspired the columns in the restaurant. It was such a pleasure to learn about life in Africa from these talented young people and to be able to ask them questions about their home.
In addition to learning about the design of the restaurants, you’ll get to learn about their culinary offerings – and even taste some!
At Jiko, we were offered a sample of the bread and dips from the Taste of Africa appetizer. At Boma, we got to sample some soup (ours was an African peanut soup that was out of this world) and their signature dessert, the Zebra Dome.
The tour lasts 45 minutes and there’s need to register ahead of time – just arrive in the Jiko bar area by 4:15. The restaurant tour is open to any Walt Disney World guest, so you don’t even need to be staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge to participate.
African Face Painting
Every day from 2:00 – 3:00 pm kids can get their face painted in a traditional African design by a Cultural Representative. This takes place in the patio area outside of the Mara, the quick service restaurant at Jambo House, or inside the Mara if the weather isn’t great.
Phumalane decorated my daughter’s face in the style of an African princess on her wedding day. Can you tell she loves to have her picture taken?
Considering that face painting in the theme parks costs at least $15, this activity offers great value. We were the only ones there so we got to talk to Phumalane for a while, which was a bonus on top of the lovely face painting.
Cookie Decorating at Boma
The activity my little one was most excited about was cookie decorating, of course. Every day from 1:30 to 2:00 pm kids and their grown-ups can decorate African wildlife-shaped cookies at tables inside of Boma.
There’s no need to register for this activity and you don’t have to be a guest at Animal Kingdom Lodge to participate. I have read on other sites that you do need a kiddo with you, but I couldn’t confirm that because I went with my daughter.
Here is her adorable lion with a gummy bear collar. I decorated a cookie, too, but I ate mine before I could get a picture. Oops!
Another girl made this giraffe scene and she was kind enough to let me take a picture.
The best part of this activity was chatting with the two Cultural Representatives who led it while we decorated. I learned so much about life in Africa and how they came to be working at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Poolside Activities
We spend lots of time at the pool during our stays at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Our little one loves the water, and she is finally getting old enough to participate in some of the fun poolside recreation activities!
Every day from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm, Cast Members lead games and activities at both Animal Kingdom Lodge pools. They change daily and include everything from hula hooping contests to Name That Disney Tune.
Every day at 3:30 in front of Sanaa (Kidani Village) kids can decorate their own animal-shaped mini cake with help from Cultural Representatives. This was another high priority for my daughter – are you noticing a theme here?
We were the only people decorating cakes that day so we had our choice of cakes and toppings! Those little candy rocks were incredibly good. We enjoyed talking with Kefilwe from Botswana who helped us with our cakes, and learning that she is scared of chickens! (Note: we keep chickens at home and she said she would run away from them, which my daughter thought was hysterical.)
Wildlife Viewing
Last but not least is the activity that makes Animal Kingdom Lodge such a unique place – viewing the animals that make the savanna their home.
Here are some pictures I have taken on various trips to the Lodge over the years. All of them were taken from the public viewing areas (we always stay in Standard View rooms).
I personally think the wildlife viewing and photography opportunities are better at Kidani Village than Jambo House. The animals seem to be closer and more active there in my experience.
For a few hours after sundown, you can view the animals with night vision goggles at either overlook. I’ve never tried this but it sounds like something older kids would really get a kick out of!
Summary
The activities I highlighted in this post are just a small sampling of what’s offered at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Most activities are free, and there are plenty geared towards adults if you are visiting without little ones in tow.
For me, the highlight of participating in these activities was the connection we made with Cultural Representatives. The activities gave us a chance to spend some time chatting and getting to know these incredible people who traveled halfway around the world to share their experiences with us. Cast Members really are what makes Walt Disney World so special.
I encourage you to schedule a day (or more!) to experience the resort activities at your resort during your next stay at Walt Disney World. Do you agree that Animal Kingdom Lodge offers the best activities of any resort? Or are there better options elsewhere? Join the discussion over at the ResalesDVC Facebook page!
Earlier this year Disney rolled out a way to pre-order your meals at select quick-service restaurants using the My Disney Experience app.
I must admit I was skeptical – would “Mobile Order” really improve my dining experience at Walt Disney World? Or would it be more hassle than help?
Well, I tried out mobile ordering at the Magic Kingdom recently so I’ll share my experience (and some tips and tricks) with you today!
Here are the locations at which you can currently place mobile orders:
Magic Kingdom
Aloha Isle
Casey’s Corner
Columbia Harbor House
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
Pinocchio Village Haus
The Lunching Pad
Tomorrowland Terrace
Epcot
Electric Umbrella
Liberty Inn
Animal Kingdom
Flame Tree Barbecue
Harambe Market
Pizzafari
Restaurantosaurus
Satu’li Canteen
Hollywood Studios
ABA Commissary
Backlot Express
Fairfax Fare
Catalina Eddie’s
PizzeRizzo
Rosie’s All-American Cafe
Disney Springs
D-Luxe Burger
I expect that if enough people use this option, it will expand to most quick service locations in the parks and at Disney Springs in the future.
You do need the My Disney Experience app on a smartphone to place a mobile order. When you open the app, tap on the image of your character and select “Order Food” within My Plans. It is very easy to find in the app.
Next, here are two most important things I learned when using Mobile Ordering for the first time:
You can only place a mobile order at a restaurant on the day you plan to eat there and when the dining location is open. I assumed I could order my lunch when I was riding the bus to the parks in the morning, but that was not the case.
You can only use a credit card at this point – no Dining Plans, gift cards, and discounts can be applied to your order. If you want to use any of these options (such as redeeming an Annual Pass discount), you’ll have to order in person at the restaurant.
I often only bring my Magic Band and ID with me to the parks and forgo bringing my wallet. I was concerned that I would not be able to use Mobile Ordering because I didn’t have a credit card in hand – but luckily that wasn’t the case!
When I ordered, the app charged my meal to my credit card on file in My Disney Experience and I did not have to enter my card number. Keep in mind this charge is distinct from any room charges that you may be putting on your Magic Band.
We decided to eat lunch at Pecos Bill in Frontierland, which opens at 10:30 am. You can see all of the menu items in the app, and it was easy to select and customize our order. I was even able to add a Mickey straw to my daughter’s kid’s meal, which I had been meaning to do throughout the trip but always seemed to forget!
I placed our order while waiting in the FastPass queue for Peter Pan’s Flight. I loved being able to take my time looking at the menu items. I always feel rushed when ordering at quick service restaurants, especially with those annoying screens that change just when you are about to decide on your meal!
After I completed my order, this notice was in My Plans in the app, making it very easy to find once we were ready to eat.
I didn’t wait until we were at Pecos Bill’s to click the “I’m Here” button. I figured it would take about 5 minutes for cast members to prepare our order, so I clicked it as we were making our way towards Frontierland.
While your food is being prepared, you will see this notification in the app. Note that you do have to have notifications and location service enabled for the app to receive updates for your order, so be sure to do that in advance.
Four minutes later, I was notified in the app that our order was ready! We were just walking up to Pecos Bill, so the timing was perfect.
There was a special area assigned for Mobile Order pickups, which was clearly labeled and easy to find in the center of the counter.
As I approached, a cast member asked “Are you Leah?” and had our order ready to hand directly to me. I have to admit that I was pretty impressed. Another guest picking up his order told me that he had used mobile ordering a bunch of times on this trip and loved it.
There was already a line building for the lunch rush at Pecos Bill’s, so I loved walking right in and having our food waiting for us. I would suggest planning to be there right when your order is ready. I can see food being served cold if there is much of a delay. But since we timed it right, our food was plenty hot.
And of course, I loaded my veggie bowl up at the toppings bar! That’s my favorite part of dining at Pecos Bill’s.
I was very impressed with my mobile ordering experience. Once I figured out the ground rules and how the process worked, it was incredibly easy and convenient.
In fact, later that afternoon we stopped by Aloha Isle for my favorite snack, a Dole Whip swirl, and the line was crazy long. I remembered seeing Aloha Isle as a mobile order location earlier that day, so I opened up the app and was able to quickly place my order. My Dole Whip was ready a few minutes later and I effectively skipped the line by using Mobile Order! I think I am hooked.
My Dole Whip was ready a few minutes later and I effectively skipped the line by using Mobile Order! I think I am hooked.
In summary, I strongly suggest giving Mobile Order a try if you plan to eat at a popular quick service dining location (such as Satu’li Canteen, Flame Tree Barbecue, Columbia Harbor House, or Pecos Bill) at a peak time. I can’t see it saving you any time if there isn’t a line due to eating at an off-peak time or at a less-popular restaurant.
Wilderness Lodge has long been a dining destination for many Walt Disney World guests, thanks to the popular Whispering Canyon Cafe and Artist Point.
Well, the food scene at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has recently gotten even better with the addition of Geyser Point Bar & Grill and a reimagined Roaring Fork!
In this post, I’ll share details about the unique offerings and setup at Geyser Point, as well as an overview of what’s new at Roaring Fork.
Geyser Point Bar & Grill
Geyser Point is the newest addition to the Wilderness Lodge dining scene and is located right on the shores of Bay Lake. It is a hybrid quick service dining/lounge, which is a new dining concept at Walt Disney World. I expect to see more quick service/lounge combos at other Disney resorts in the future because it really works well!
There is ample seating at Geyser Point, both in the covered open-air building and on patios closer to the lake. There are a bunch of comfy seats for relaxing, as well as regular tables if you are eating a meal.
There are two different ways to order food at Geyser Point: at a walk-up quick service window, or from a server or bartender (more on this in a minute). If you order from the window, you’ll be given a number and your food will be delivered to wherever you decide to sit.
Now on to the food!
Geyser Point has a combined Lunch/Dinner menu featuring burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Prices for entrees range from $9.99 to $13.99.
I had the Salmon BLT for lunch the day I visited Geyser Point. It had a large piece of delicious Salmon along with Lemon Caper Mayo and the standard BLT fillings.
I probably qualified as “full” after eating half of this sandwich, but it was so good I polished off the whole thing. I wasn’t sure how salmon would work with bacon and tomatoes, but trust me, it worked wonderfully!
My friend had the Lump Crab Cake Sandwich, which was also a generous portion. She enjoyed her sandwich as well, and we both loved the waffle fries!
I’ve read many rave reviews of the Bison Burger, so I think you can’t go wrong with any three of these offerings. And if you aren’t very hungry or fries aren’t your thing, you can always order the sandwich without fries and you will be charged about $3 less.
Geyser Point also serves breakfast from 7 to 11 am every day. I liked that the menus at Geyser Point feature regional specialties of the Northwest to tie into the theming at Wilderness Lodge.
When I visited, I was able to get a 20% Annual Passholder discount when I ordered at the window. Discounts can change at any point, so I’m not sure how long they will continue to honor this discount.
Another option for dining at Geyser Point is to pick a seat at the bar or anywhere in the lounge and be waited on by a server. If you do this, you can order any item from the above quick service menu AND you can order from the amazing small plates lounge menu!
Here are the six additional items available from the “Rustic Fare” lounge menu:
Crispy Fried Oysters – with miso tartar sauce $12.00
Edamame – with chili-salt $5.00
Cheesy Barbecue Brisket – with house-made chips $11.00
Shrimp on a Wire – with miso-lime vinaigrette, togarashi, shishito peppers, and chili-aioli $13.00
Salmon Rillette – with sourdough crisps $9.00
Handcrafted Charcuterie $14.00
And of course, since this is a lounge, there is the drink menu. I plan on making a special trip back to Geyser Point to try one of these signature cocktails:
Huckleberry Punch – 44° North Mountain Huckleberry Vodka, Bols Crème de Cassis, fresh Lemon Juice, and Cranberry Juice $12.00
Northwest Iced Tea -Rogue Dark Rum, 44° North Idaho Potato Vodka, Aviation Gin, Cointreau, and Sweet-and-Sour with a splash of Coca-Cola $11.50
Black Cherry Mule – Zodiac Black Cherry Vodka, fresh Lime Juice, and Agave Nectar topped with Fever Tree Ginger Beer $11.25
Cascadia Sangria Cocktail – Zodiac Black Cherry Vodka, fresh Lime Juice, and Orange Juice topped with Columbia Crest H3 Merlot $12.00
WhipperSnapper Sour – WhipperSnapper Whiskey perfectly mixed with Sweet-and-Sour $12.00
I really like that you can order from both the quick service and lounge menu from a server or bartender at Geyser Point. Keep in mind that you will not be able to receive the Annual Pass discount if you order from a server, even if you order from the quick service menu.
I visited Wilderness Lodge during an afternoon break from the parks. It is easy to find Geyser Point by following the signs from the boat docks if you are arriving via boat from the Magic Kingdom.
In fact, I’d highly recommend taking the enjoyable boat ride over to Wilderness Lodge to escape from Magic Kingdom crowds for the afternoon. Recharge with some food and drinks at Geyser Point and get off your feet for a few hours before you head back for more fun in the evening!
Roaring Fork
Photo Credit Disney Parks Blog
Roaring Fork, the quick service location inside of Wilderness Lodge, also got an update during the recent renovation.
There is a new setup where you order food from a cast member, pick up any grab-and-go items, and then pay for your purchase. You’ll receive a number and your food will be delivered to your table by a cast member.
There are also new items on the dinner menu, including:
Brisket burger with cheddar, cranberry barbecue sauce, cast-iron onions, and frisee served on a brioche bun
Gourmet grilled cheese with cheddar, arugula, tomato, and onion jam on a multigrain bread
Fennel sausage and pepperoni flatbread with caramelized onion and goat cheese
For breakfast, the updated bakery area now features bear claws, maple bacon donuts, and quiches. There were lots of changes to the breakfast menu, including the addition of
10-hour pulled pork cheese grits
Chocolate hazelnut stuffed french toast
Breakfast flatbread with sausage gravy
While the dining options at Wilderness Lodge have always been excellent, these recent additions and updates have elevated the dining to one of the best at a Disney resort. In my opinion, Wilderness Lodge is right up there with the Grand Floridian and Animal Kingdom Lodge in terms of the quality and abundance of dining options.
I hope you’ll get a chance to check out Geyser Point and Roaring Fork on an upcoming trip!
Comments Off on 12 Tips & Tricks For Using MagicBands at Walt Disney World
MagicBands are one of my favorite parts of a Disney World vacation. Having my room key, credit card, park ticket, and FastPasses on my wrist makes life so much easier!
Since I am such a MagicBand lover, I have accumulated lots of tips and tricks for getting the most enjoyment (and least hassle) out of using MagicBands at Walt Disney World. Here are twelve ways to have the best possible experience with your MagicBands.
1) I can’t tell you how many times I have accidentally pulled my MagicBand off when I am putting my backpack on or taking it off. I purchased a two-pack of BitBelts on Amazon for $2.99 that help hold the strap of my MagicBand in place. No more MagicBand flying off when I’m getting on and off attractions!
2) If you do happen to lose your MagicBand, let a Cast Member know right away. They can likely get in touch with someone who can locate it thanks to the RFID signal it is emitting.
3) The removable puck in the new MagicBand 2.0 allows you to mix-and-match your MagicBand colors within your travel party. Just use a tiny screwdriver to loosen the screws on the back of your band, then pop the “puck” out and switch them around. It’s a quick way to get a custom look for your bands.
4) If you don’t want to wear a MagicBand on your wrist, you can purchase a “MagicKeeper” lanyard clip or carabiner that will hold the puck from your band. You can buy these in the parks or online before your trip at the Disney Store. Just scan the MagicKeeper as you would your band and you are good to go.
5) Purchasing a “skin” or decal for your MagicBand is an easy way to get a custom look without having to cough up close to $25 for a special band from Disney. Check out all of these awesome MagicBand decals available on Etsy. You can pretty much find ANY design your heart desires, from Dole Whips to Figment, and most are under $8 shipped.
6) As you might know, a MagicBand is a link to your My Disney Experience account. That means that any MagicBand that is active in your account can be used during your trip. If you are doing a split stay at two resorts, you don’t have to switch MagicBands during your trip – one band will work throughout your stay.
8) If you are traveling with a little one, consider using a silver Sharpie or paint pen to write your phone number on the inside of their MagicBand. If they are ever separated from you, a Cast Member can use it to locate you quickly.
9) If you want to know what time it is to keep up with your FastPass reservations but don’t want to wear a watch AND a MagicBand on your wrist, consider getting a MagicSlider with a built-in watch. You can get them with either a digital or analog clock from Disney Store or in the parks.
10) Everyone must use the MagicBand connected to their account to enter the parks because of the fingerprint scan. However, you can use someone else’s MagicBand for FastPasses. If a member of your group has a FastPass for an attraction that they don’t want to ride, they can lend their MagicBand to someone else to let them ride multiple times!
11) If you have a Disney Dining Plan during your stay (check out this post on how to decide if the Dining Plan makes sense for you), all of the credits for the entire trip are loaded onto the MagicBands of everyone in your party. This means that if you separate anyone can use snack or meal credits on their own. Also, any member of the party can have their band scanned to when it comes time to “pay” with your credits.
12) Sometimes we stay in the same room with a grandparent or friend who wants to make charges back to their own credit card with their MagicBand. A Cast Member at your resort’s front desk can link a particular MagicBand to a credit card that’s different from what’s on file for your room charges. We have done this often and it has been successful on all but one trip.
I hope these tips help you get the most out of your MagicBands on your next visit to Walt Disney World. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message at The Frugal South’s Facebook page!
Comments Off on 3 Ways To “Plus” Your Food & Wine Festival Experience as a DVC Member
For me, fall is the most magical time of the year at Walt Disney World thanks to my favorite event: The Epcot International Food & Wine Festival!
You probably know all about the Marketplace Booths and Eat to The Beat Concerts at the festival. But how familiar are you with all the ways to “plus” your experience at Food & Wine?
In this post, I’ll highlight three different types of special experiences you can have at the Festival: Low-Cost Seminars, Special Events, and Dining Packages. All of these require advance reservations, so I’ll show you how to make reservations and even how to get discounts and priority booking if you are a DVC Member!
The festival runs a record 75 days this year, from August 31st to November 13th, so you’ll have lots of opportunities to try something new.
Low-Cost Seminars
The easiest way to get beyond the booths at Food & Wine is to attend a low-cost seminar. These 45-minute seminars take place in the Festival Center every day during the festival and cost $17 each. If you are a DVC Member who qualifies for Membership Extras (i.e. bought directly from Disney or resale prior to April 4, 2016) you’ll get a $2 discount on seminars held Mondays through Thursdays. You also qualify for this discount if you are a Annual Passholder, Table in Wonderland member, or Golden Oak Resident (no discounts for Chase Visa Cardholders this year, though).
You can learn some kitchen wisdom straight from a chef and get treated to a special dish at a Culinary Demonstration. These take place at 2:30 pm every day of the festival, with an additional seminar at 12:15 on Fridays through Sunday. Get the full schedule here once it is live.
Or you can enjoy samples of your favorite adult beverage while you learn from an expert at a Beverage Seminar. Topics include wine, beer, and spirits, and the seminars take place at 1:30 and 3:30 pm daily, with an additional seminar at 5:00 pm Fridays through Sundays. Get the full schedule of Beverage Seminars here once it is live.
DVC Members, along with Annual Passholders and Table in Wonderland members, have access to a special early booking window for these seminars. Some fill up VERY quickly so I suggest making your reservation as soon as possible!
Early booking starts Tuesday, July 18th at 9:00 am. Call DVC Member Services at 800-800-9800 if you want to get your DVC discount. If you are an Annual Passholder, you can call 800-WDW-FEST to book. General booking starts Thursday, July 20th at 7:00 am and you can book both online (on the Disney Dining Reservations page and in the My Disney Experience App) and over the phone – but if you want your $2 per seminar discount, you’ll have to call.
Special Events
Looking for something a little more involved than a Culinary Demonstration? There are MANY Special Events offered as part of Food & Wine Festival, both in Epcot and around Disney property. These events are costly but will likely be the highlight of your Food & Wine Festival experience!
And, in years past DVC Members (along with Annual Passholders, Tables in Wonderland members, and Golden Oak residents) only got the early booking window for Low-Cost Seminars and Party For The Senses. But this year, early booking is available for ALL of the events listed below! Thanks for the heads up, Disney Food Blog! This means you can book any of these events starting at 9:00 am on July 18th with a call to Member Services.
I’ve summarized all of the Special Events below, ranked in order from least to most expensive. They run from $40 all the way up to $650, with most event $99 and under. Click the event title to get all of the details.
What’s Cooking With… $129 per person, Festival Center on select Fridays and Saturdays
Party For The Senses: $179 – $329 per person, World ShowPlace Event Pavilion (between Canada and UK pavilions) on select Saturdays from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm
Ultimate VIP Tour Experience: $399 per person ($339 if you are a DVC Member, Annual Passholder, or Disney Visa Cardholder), from 9:00 am on select Fridays
This year there is a special block of 50 seats reserved just for DVC Members at the September 23rd and October 21st Party for the Senses! DVC Members who book from the reserved seating block will also receive a complimentary wine glass specially designed for the event. Call DVC Member Service (800-800-9800) to book starting at 9:00 am on July 18th.
Eat to the Beat Dining Packages
I got to experience an Eat to the Beat Concert at last year’s festival and it was so much fun! You can view the full line-up of the Eat to the Beat Concerts over at the Disney Food Blog. There are three concerts every night of the festival at 5:30, 6:45, and 8:00 pm. Seating is first-come, first-served, and sometimes there are people lined up all the way to Italy waiting for a seat at these concerts!
One final way to plus your experience at Food & Wine is to purchase an Eat to the Beat Dining Package, which includes preferred seating for the concert. If there is an act that you really want to see (which would be The Pointer Sisters for me, by the way), I suggest booking a package to avoid potentially missing out on a seat after a long wait.
Eat to the beat Dining Packages are offered at 15 restaurants around Epcot and you can choose from lunch or dinner (and even breakfast at The Garden Grill). The cost for these packages ranges from $43 per adult for breakfast at The Garden Grill up to $80 per adult for dinner at La Hacienda de San Angel. Dining reservations must be at least 2.5 hours before the concert start time.
The cost of the package at some of these locations is only slightly more than the meal itself, so they can be a great deal if you want to check out the evening concert as well. You can book a Dining Package online, in the My Disney Experience app, or over the phone at 800-WDW-FEST. You can also use the Disney Dining Plan for these packages, all of which are two Table Service credits on the plan.
I hope this post helped summarize all of the ways you can go beyond the booths at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on The Frugal South Facebook page and I’ll get back to you right away!
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One of the best perks of staying on Disney World property is the free transportation that Disney provides. But sometimes Disney transportation isn’t convenient – such as when you want to go from one resort to another, or when you want to get to a theme park for an early morning breakfast reservation.
In the past, the only alternative to Disney transportation in these situations was a taxi. Taxis are convenient, but they can quickly drive up the cost of your vacation! Now Disney guests have another option, thanks to ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.
If you’ve never used Uber or Lyft before, I’ll walk you through how they work in this post. I’ll also share tips for using Uber & Lyft at the theme parks, Disney resorts, and Orlando area airports, as well as my personal experience with rides (which have been almost entirely positive).
Uber & Lyft Basics
For those who don’t know, Uber and Lyft are smartphone apps that allow you to request a ride from a driver in your immediate area. From this point on I’ll use Uber as my example, but I don’t recommend one program over the other since I’ve had good experiences with both.
Your first concern might be about safety, right? What I like about these apps is that they track your route on a map that both you and the driver (and Uber) can see. So I feel safe knowing where I’m going, the route my driver is taking, and my estimated time of arrival throughout the whole trip. This alone makes the ride-sharing experience superior to a taxi, in my opinion.
You must have a smartphone and the Uber app to use the service. When you are ready to request a ride, you just open the app and type your destination in the “Where to?” box.
You’ll be given the cost and the estimated time of the trip. You may also have options for the type of service you want with Uber. Here’s a summary of the main services:
UberX: the base level of Uber, sedans for 1-4 people
UberXL: SUVs that fit up to 6 passengers
UberSELECT: high-end vehicles and highly-rated drivers
There are various other premium and carpooling options, but the three above are the most common choices you’ll have at Disney World. You can almost always choose a vehicle with a car seat as well. Children three and under must be in a car seat according to Florida law.
When you request a ride, you will be matched with the closest driver to your location. You’ll see the make and model of the driver’s car, as well as the driver’s name and rating. You will also be able to see the driver’s location and the estimated time until they arrive at your location to pick you up.
Why Use Uber Instead of a Taxi?
The main incentive to use Uber instead of a taxi is the cost savings! You can get to ANY location within Walt Disney World for under $10 using Uber when a taxi can easily cost up to $25. As an example, my recent ride from All-Star Music Resort to Animal Kingdom cost me $6.61 with Uber.
You’ll get your first ride free (up to $20) when you sign up for Uber and when you sign up for Lyft (these are my referral links). I recommend signing up a week or so before you want to use your free ride because I believe the Lyft credit expires in 14 days. Also be sure to sign up for both to get not one but two free rides!
Before your first ride you will register a credit card as your form of payment. After you take a trip your card will automatically be charged the designated amount and you’ll get a receipt via email. I strongly prefer this to handling cash with a taxi driver, when I have to worry about if I have enough on hand or if I have the right combination of bills.
As I already mentioned, I like the ability to track the progress of the trip in the app and get an accurate ETA. I also like supporting people who are working hard to make extra money on the side, since most people drive for Uber part-time. In fact, the odds are pretty high that you will get a Cast Member as your driver since many moonlight as Uber drivers!
The fare estimator feature on the Uber website is another plus, though I’m guessing taxi companies have a similar tool. I’ve used it to figure costs of rides to the airport and around Disney. You could, of course, also use it to estimate rides to the “other” parks in Orlando (I won’t judge).
And last, at resorts with spread out buildings such as Old Key West and Saratoga Springs, Uber drivers are able to pick you up directly from your building. Taxis can only be hailed from the taxi stand at the front of your resort, but getting to the main building can involve a 10-15 minute walk at these resorts! I love the time-saving convenience of getting picked up right at my building when I use Uber.
Uber To/From the Airports
Thanks to recent changes, Orlando International Airport (MCO) now allows passenger pickup from all Uber categories! UberX and XL (the most affordable rides) can pick up on the second level on both sides of the main terminal, at each end of the curb outside of baggage claim. Rides from MCO to Disney World will run in the $25-$35 range.
UberSELECT picks up on the first floor of each terminal, on the curb behind the rental car counters. This option starts at $50 and should cost roughly the same as a taxi.
You can use any type of Uber driver for a ride back to MCO. If you have checked your bags at your resort (which you can do regardless of how you are getting to the airport) and want to go directly from a theme park to the airport, Uber would be the perfect way to do this affordably!
If you are flying into the Sanford airport on Allegiant Airlines, you can get picked up by any level of Uber, including UberX. It would cost between $45-$55 to get from the Sanford Airport to the Disney World area with UberX. Allegiant offers very low-cost flights, so it is possible to save money compared to flying into MCO, even after you factor in airport transfers with Uber.
Uber at the Theme Parks & Disney Springs
You are allowed to get both dropped off and picked up at any of Disney’s theme parks with Uber. The pickup and drop-off areas for Uber and Lyft are the same as for taxis and are pretty easy to locate.
At Animal Kingdom, stay to the far left as you are walking out and you will see the above signs marking the pick-up area just to the left of the tram area. There is a similar area at Hollywood Studios near the bus loops that you can find by following the taxi signs.
At Epcot, the pick-up area is located in the first parking lot where the Disney buses pick-up and drop-off. The area is in the middle of the lot so you do have to use caution and only cross in the designated cross walk!
The trickiest place for using Uber is the Magic Kingdom. Pick-ups and drop-offs are only allowed at the Transportation and Ticket Center, so you will have to take the ferry or a monorail first to get picked up there. If the walk to the Contemporary is more appealing you can always get picked up there as an alternative to the TTC.
There are two places to get picked up and dropped off at Disney Springs. The east pickup is located at the Marketplace bus loop – just look for taxi signs. The pickup for the west part of Disney Springs is located in the Strawberry Lot which is beyond the Cirque du Soleil venue.
My Experiences
I’ve used Uber and Lyft over a dozen times on various trips to Walt Disney World. I’ve found my drivers to be professional, knowledgeable, and helpful. Cars are clean (though not spotless) and the driving is WAY less scary than I’ve experienced with taxis!
The only negative experience I had was waiting way too long to get picked up at Epcot on one occasion. I waited at least 10 minutes longer than I should have while it appeared my driver was stopped at a gas station! I now know I should have canceled the trip after a few minutes of waiting, but I didn’t know I could do that at the time.
If you attempt to cancel a trip you might get a warning that you will be charged a cancellation fee. I have canceled a trip within Walt Disney World and was not charged a fee, though these policies are subject to change at any time.
You are encouraged to give feedback after your ride and I always do. It’s mostly five stars, but I did give a negative review for my negative experience. This helps keep the service reliable for everyone so don’t feel bad about giving negative feedback if your experience was off in any way.
I hope this article helped you understand how Uber and Lyft work at Walt Disney World. I think they are an affordable and convenient option for getting around and I expect I’ll use them again on all of my future trips to the World. If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on my Facebook page!
At the top of my Disney World bucket list was staying at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and I finally checked that off last month! In this review, I’ll share my experience staying in a studio villa at the Poly, as well as highlight the recent changes and additions to the resort that you may not have had a chance to check out yet.
The Polynesian received a major upgrade in 2015 with a redesign of the lobby, upgrades to the pools and dining, and addition of the DVC villas and bungalows. The resort also returned to its original name (Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort) and the DVC properties were named Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
First I share details on the studio villas, then plenty of pictures and info on the new dining and amenities at the resort.
Standard View Deluxe Studio Villa
My four-year-old daughter and I stayed in a standard view studio in the Tokelau longhouse. The Cast Member who checked us in said that this room was her favorite standard view studio, and when you see the view from our balcony you’ll know why!
The 360 Deluxe Studio Villas at the Poly are located in three longhouses – Tokelau, Moorea, and Pago Pago. There are two categories of studios – Standard and Lake View. The Lake View Studios are only found in the Moorea longhouse and all have a view of the Magic Kingdom. You can find how many points you’ll need for a stay with these DVC point charts.
Each DVC longhouse has its own small lobby with a waiting area. I loved the cozy vibe and attention to detail in the Tokelau lobby.
Our villa was the closest room to the Seven Seas lagoon on the left side of the longhouse. This offered us fantastic views of the Grand Floridian, the Bungalows, and the Magic Kingdom.
We totally lucked out with this room location, as almost all other standard view studios have a view of the pool, a courtyard, or the parking lot! You can find tips and tricks for getting the best room locations in this post – they continue to work like magic for us.
We were able to see the Electric Water Pageant and Magic Kingdom fireworks from our balcony as well. If your room doesn’t have a water view, I suggest heading down to the beach to watch the fireworks. The music and narration are piped in and you’ll still have a great view.
Now on to the interior of the room…
The studio villas at the Polynesian are about 450 square feet, making them the largest of all DVC studios. The villa sleeps up to five and includes one queen bed, one full sleeper sofa, and a twin fold-down Murphy bed.
My daughter slept in the Murphy bed and LOVED it. I’m 5’10” and I laid down on the bed and felt like I could even sleep in it if I had to. In general, I only recommend the sleeper sofa and Murphy bed for kids and teenagers.
I loved the design elements of the room, including the mid-century modern furniture that evokes the original “Tiki culture” theme of the resort. The table and chairs are especially nice, I thought.
The kitchenette is standard for DVC villas, with a microwave, minifridge, coffee maker, toaster, and small sink.
What is not standard for other DVC villas is the bathroom set-up. While technically only one bathroom, it is split between two rooms – one with a sink and tub/shower, and one with a sink and shower.
The bathroom with the tub was huge! There’s plenty of room to get ready in there, even with kids.
The tile detail and rock work in the second bathroom’s shower were stunning. Notice the “waterfall” shower head… it was a nice feature, though not very practical for me! Luckily there was a regular showerhead as well. I also really liked the brightly colored feature walls in the otherwise neutral bathrooms.
Both bathrooms have sliding doors and are located along a long hallway. I liked that there was plenty of room inside the entry door for parking a stroller.
Because of the additional bed, you won’t find a chest of drawers like you would in other studios. There is a drawer that pulls out on each side of the bed, however, which come in handy. There is storage space in the hall closet as well.
There were outlets with USB ports above the table and in each bedside storage unit. I’ve not seen these in other DVC studios, though I expect they will be standard for all new rooms from this point out.
Overall the Polynesian studio villa was one of the best rooms I’ve stayed in at Disney World, and definitely the best DVC studio. I think the decor is perfect and the room was designed to be comfortable AND functional.
The split bathroom would be incredibly helpful for when more than one person wants to get ready at the same time. I loved the ease of using the Murphy bed as opposed to the pull-out sofa, which is a pain to get out and put away each day. Though the studios are the biggest on Disney property, much of that space is occupied by the hallway and split bathroom. The main room has plenty of space, but to me didn’t feel any larger than other studios.
Next, I’ll share pictures and details of some of the recent additions and upgrades to the resort.
Amenities
The pool scene at the Polynesian recently received some major upgrades. The feature Lava Pool now has a zero-entry side, a 142-foot long waterslide, an expanded pool deck area, a hot tub with an infinity edge, and a kids’ water splash play area.
I consider myself a Disney pool aficionado, and I LOVED the Lava Pool area. The zero-entry side of the pool is huge, so it doesn’t get too crowded like it can at other resorts. The pool is large and there was plenty of room for everyone, even during spring break.
The waterfall feature is lovely, and I like that you can access this part of the pool from under the volcano! There are restrooms located under this part of the volcano as well.
The new “infinity” hot tub offers a spectacular view of the beach and Grand Floridian. Watching the monorail and boats come and go while relaxing in the tub is about as magical as it gets for me!
I have nothing but praise for the new Kiki Tiki’s kids splash play area. I had to go up in it with my daughter (for research purposes, of course) and it was SO much fun. Kids could spend hours in this area and still complain when it is time to leave!
My only issue with the feature pool was that it didn’t open until 10 am, even during one of the busiest times of the year. That is the latest pool opening time I’ve seen and I’m hoping it isn’t becoming the norm at other resorts. This could cramp your style if you are opting to stay at the resort all day instead of visiting the parks.
A second leisure pool was added next to the Tokelau longhouse in 2015 as well. The Oasis pool is lovely and has a unique edge that is on the same level as the pool deck. It features a large hot tub.
I am happy to report that at least this pool is more accessible during the morning hours, opening at 7am. This pool is the closest to the DVC studios, so I expect it will be popular with owners and guests.
Fences were added around the beach last year and I think they look natural and don’t detract much from the views. We enjoyed playing on the beautiful beaches and taking in the views of Seven Seas Lagoon.
There were many additions to dining options during the 2015 remodel. First is a refreshed Capt. Cook’s, the main quick service option at the resort. After ordering you’ll be given a disc that Cast Members use to locate you and will deliver your food to you when it is ready. They can even find you on the large patio area, which now overlooks the Kiki Tiki water play area.
The interior dining area has a new, airy feel and features fun travel posters from around Polynesia.
If you are lucky, you might even find a Moana cupcake at Capt. Cooks! A Cast Member said they aren’t always available so we were thrilled that we found this beauty in the dessert case.
If you are an Annual Passholder, don’t forget that you receive a 20% discount at Capt. Cooks through the end of September 2017! We used it extensively and both my daughter and ate dinner for less than $14 total thanks to the discount.
Down the hallway from Capt. Cooks you’ll find the unassuming entrance to Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto. The animated lounge opens daily at 4 pm. and though we didn’t experience it on this trip, I’ve heard that it’s a fun spot for a drink.
If the Grog Grotto is filled to capacity (which it often is), you can still get one of the famous drinks at the outdoor Tiki Terrace. There is ample seating on the terrace, which also serves as overflow for Capt. Cooks.
We loved the laid-back, tropical feel on the Tiki Terrace and especially enjoyed the waterfall wall.
Another new dining location is the Pineapple Lanai, located right outside of the Grand Ceremonial house close to Capt. Cooks. It is the only location I know of in Disney World (outside of a theme park) where you can get a famous Dole Whip!
Here’s a little tip: if you want to share a Dole Whip, you can ask the Cast Member to split it between two cups. This makes it possible to share one serving between two kiddos!
The last new dining location is the Oasis Bar and Grill at the Oasis leisure pool. It offers a few quick service meals and is only open during peak times. We found it closed at 7 pm on a Monday during spring break, so I wouldn’t count on it to be open when you want.
These options join ‘Ohana, Kona Café, and the Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show to round out some incredible dining at the Polynesian.
Summary
I thoroughly enjoyed our brief stay in a studio villa at the Polynesian. You feel like you are in the middle of the magic at the Poly and you are! The Magic Kingdom is a short monorail or boat ride away, plus you can quickly get to the other monorail resorts to enjoy their atmosphere and dining options.
My personal favorite resort is Animal Kingdom Lodge because I enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle there and I feel like I have really escaped to a remote wildlife preserve. If you are like me and want to be able to get away from the excitement, then the Polynesian might be overwhelming to you for more than a few nights. You can’t escape the fireworks noise and there are boats and monorails almost constantly on the move all around you. For some, this would be thrilling, but it might be too much stimulation for others.
I love that the theme for the resort comes from Walt’s own fascination with the “Tiki culture” prominent in the States in the 1950’s. I feel Walt’s vision at the Polynesian more than any other resort, and that is part of the magic of staying there for me!
I hope you felt transported to the islands (or at least Disney’s version) while reading this, and I hope you’ll get a chance to experience a studio villa at the Polynesian soon!
One of the questions I get asked most often about Disney World travel is “Should I get a dining plan?” I covered the basics of the Disney Dining Plans in my last post, so next I’ll address when it makes sense to purchase a dining plan, and when you’re better off paying out-of-pocket.
Use a Quick Service Credit at Flame Tree Barbecue at Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Who Benefits Most From the Dining Plan
The dining plans tend to work out better for some folks than others, depending on their style of vacationing and where they prefer to eat. Here are the keys points to consider to help you decide if a Dining Plan is a good fit. (NOTE: Please take these suggestions with a grain of salt! They are just overall guidelines to help you get a picture of who benefits most from using a Dining Plan.)
You should consider using the Dining Plan if you:
Want to eat at several Character Meals or buffets (These tend to be the most expensive out-of-pocket and represent the best value on the plan)
Have one or more “big eaters” in your party
Are planning a vacation at least 6 months in advance (though this definitely isn’t a make-or-break aspect)
Don’t mind making a touring plan (complete with dining reservations) and sticking to it
Are visiting during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival
You might want to avoid the Dining Plan if you:
Are a light eater (e.g. like to order an appetizer as your entrée)
Aren’t a planner
Don’t want to be bound to a schedule or touring plan
Want to eat at several Signature Restaurants
Are vegetarian or vegan (Though if you want to experience several buffets/character meals or eat some fish the dining plan still makes a lot of sense)
Are planning a vacation less than 6 months in the future
Character meals are often a good deal on the dining plan
The main factor that determines if you’ll get the full value of the plan is where you dine. Certain restaurants offer the best value on the plan because the are they most expensive out-of-pocket. However, be forewarned: these are also the most popular restaurants which means many of them are completely booked up as soon as the six-month window opens up.
If you want to get the full value from the plans, you really should make dining reservations as early as possible, ideally the morning six months before your check-in date. I use this date calculator to find the day my dining window opens, and mark it in bold in my planner!
As a general guideline, I estimate that table service restaurants that cost over $40 per person per meal and quick service restaurants that cost around $20 per person per meal give the best return on your investment with the dining plan. Since most buffets and character meals cost over $40 for adults, they tend to be a good value on the plan.
It is pretty difficult to get good value from the dining plan at Signature restaurants since they require two table service credits. You can get close at California Grill and Narcoossee’s (especially if you are after that lobster!), so keep that in mind when planning meals.
Save your snack credits for Food & Wine Festival
You can get tremendous value from snack credits during the Epcot Food & Wine Festival because you can use a snack credit for most food items at the marketplace booths. Some items are upwards of $8 and can be purchased with just a snack credit. Changes to the dining plans for this year have added a second daily snack to the Quick Service and Disney Dining Plans, making the plans even more desirable during the festival. We like to save our snack credits and use them the eat our way around the festival at substantial savings!
Now let’s look at a few sample days on the dining plan to compare the cost of the dining plan vs. paying out-of-pocket.
Dining Plan vs. Out-of-Pocket Price Comparisons
Let’s compare what you would pay for the Disney Dining Plan versus out-of-pocket during a day at Epcot.
For breakfast, you use a snack credit to buy a pastry at your resort along with coffee from your refillable mug. You have lunch at Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion and enjoy a pressed Cuban sandwich, a fruit and cheese plate, and a fountain drink. For dinner you head to Akershus Royal Banquet Hall for an incredible three-course Norwegian meal with the princesses.
Here is a comparison of what it would cost out-of-pocket vs. on the dining plan:
With this sample day, you would save $19.08 for one person on the dining plan. Keep in mind that Akershus Royal Banquet Hall is one of the priciest one table service credit restaurants at Disney World, so I wouldn’t expect to save this much every day. But if this is the type and quantity of food you would likely eat on vacation, then the dining plan might be a good fit for you!
Sunshine Seasons in Epcot’s The Land pavilion
Here’s a day at Animal Kingdom to compare the dining plan versus paying out-of-pocket:
St. Louis Rib Dinner – $18.99 Mandarin Orange Lemonade – $3.99
Total Cost
$69.35
$82.86
Today you’d save $13.51 with the dining plan and you’d eat some of my favorite food in all of Disney World. Again, this assumes eating at one of the most expensive quick service locations and dining at a character meal.
So overall, if these sample days represent how you generally like to eat on vacation, the Disney Dining Plan could work out very well for you! If you are looking to dine at a few Signature restaurants or aren’t that interested in buffets or character meals, you will likely be better off paying out-of-pocket.
Summary
Here’s a quick summary of my main points in these posts:
Disney Vacation Club owners and guests have the flexibility to add a dining plan to their stay without having to purchase park tickets.
Guests choose the dining plan for an “all-inclusive” vacation experience, to control their food budget, or to try out new dining experiences.
The standard Disney Dining Plan offers the best bang-for your-buck and I rarely recommend either the Quick Service or Deluxe plans.
You’ll need to plan your dining six months in advance to get the most out of the Dining Plan.
You’ll get the most of the plans if you are dining at several buffets or character meals.
I hope these posts helped you better understand the dining plans and who stands to benefit most from using them. Whether you choose to use a dining plan or not, you’re sure to enjoy some outstanding food on your next Disney vacation!
If you are lucky enough to visit Walt Disney World from now until the end of May, you’ll get treated to an immersive spring experience at Epcot’s International Flower & Garden Festival! I had the pleasure of visiting the festival with my four-year-old daughter this year, and I came away with the impression that Flower & Garden is a much more kid-friendly event that it’s autumn counterpart, Food & Wine. In this article, I’ll share five reasons why I think your kids (or grandkids) will love Flower & Garden Festival, and pass on some useful tips from our recent trip.
1) The Interactive Playgrounds
There’s not one, not two, but THREE play areas set up around Epcot just for Flower & Garden festival. All three are excellent, and will likely surpass anything you’d find at a neighborhood park.
The largest one – Music Garden Melodies Playground – is found on the Imagination walkway that connects Future World and the World Showcase. It features hands-on music making play and even lights up after dark! There is plenty of shaded seating for adults (bless you, Disney) and lots for the kiddos to do. We spent over 45 minutes here and my daughter begged to stay longer. I saw kids from age one to twelve playing here and having a blast.
Road to the Florida 500 is an interactive play area located near Test Track in Future World. It is smaller but really fun and is right next to the new Cars topiaries. This one closes at dusk.
The smallest of the playgrounds is the Florida Fresh Garden & Backyard Habitat. It is located between Morocco and France and is geared for a younger crowd, I’d say four and under. It is illuminated after dark.
TIP: Kids will love the chance to let loose and have some unstructured time during the day. Just plan for a little down time for everyone, and be prepared for possibly having a hard time pulling them away!
2) The Butterfly Garden
The “Butterflies on the Go” garden is found near the back of Innoventions West. It’s a walk-through exhibit (strollers are allowed in) that is home to hundreds of butterflies and the plants they depend on for food.
Kiddos love “hunting” for butterflies, and many adults love the chance to grab some gorgeous pictures of them. I’ve even turned pictures I’ve taken here into blank greeting cards once we were back home!
TIP: There are some interactive features at just the right height for the little ones. They can learn about the butterfly life cycle and what different colors mean on butterfly wings. I suggest visiting the butterfly garden in the morning or evening, since the heat can be oppressive in the middle of the day.
3) The Egg-Stravanganza Scavenger Hunt
The Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt is a low-cost activity that has lots of kid appeal. You can buy a map and sticker set at many places around Epcot for $5.99 (plus tax). As you make your way around World Showcase, look for large eggs painted as a Disney characters hidden in each country. Place the stickers on the map and turn it in at the World Travelers store (found at the entrance to World Showcase) and you’ll get to pick a prize.
The map doesn’t even have to be filled in correctly, so if your kids lose interest half way through the day you can still get your prize (which is a small Disney character egg to take home). We found that cast members in the pavilions are happy to give you a clue and point you in the right direction. In years past the egg hunt was only available the week of Easter, but it is being offered throughout the entire festival this year!
TIP: If they aren’t into the egg hunt, kids ages six and up might like to complete the Kidcot Garden Stop Field Guide. They’ll learn about an edible plant that is native to each country and get a stamp from a cast member at each Kidcot stop in World Showcase. This is a nice free activity that I would have loved as a kid.
4) The Kid-Friendly Food
A few years back Flower & Garden Festival began featuring “outdoor kitchens” which sell tasting-sized portions of food and beverages (yep, these are the Food & Wine booths “re-purposed” for the spring festival). This year there are 15 booths, and you’ll find kid-friendly options at many of the booths.
Our favorite drink was the Frozen Violet Lemonade ($3.50) from The Pineapple Promenade near the entrance to World Showcase. You can actually order a non-alcoholic version of any of the “slushie” drinks at the outdoor kitchens, even if they aren’t shown on the menu.
Also found at the Pineapple Promenade are “Foodles” ($3.75) which contain mini pretzels, cheese, carrots and ranch. It was a convenient way to get some nutrition to my daughter while I tried some more adventurous items.
I think the “Frushi” ($5.75) found at the Japan booth would be a hit with most kiddos. The coconut rice and fresh fruit were really nice, though I only got to enjoy a few bites because my daughter gobbled them up.
You’ll find lots of berry-inspired dishes at the festival, and we loved both the Field Greens with Strawberries ($4.75) from The Berry Basket and the Warm Cheese Strudel with Mixed Berries ($4.00) at the Bauernmarkt in Germany. We tried the Potato Pancakes with Applesauce at Bauernmarkt but it wasn’t to our liking.
The Smoked Pork Ribs with Black Bean and Corn Salad ($6.75) from The Smokehouse in the American Adventure pavilion was another good option for kids. No overpowering flavors, though the salad did have a tiny kick to it. I suggest steering clear of the Pulled Pig Slider with Coleslaw, which was so spicy it made my eyes water!
And last, a surprise hit was the Jamaican-Braised Beef with Pigeon Pea Rice ($6.00) from the Isla Fresca booth near the Mexico pavilion. It was super tender and flavorful without being spicy, perfect for little ones.
TIP: If you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you can use snack credits to purchase many of the items at the Outdoor Kitchens. You can get very good value from snack credits if you use them on the more expensive items at the booths. We found that, unlike Food & Wine, there were no long lines at the booths – even on a weekend during spring break.
5) The Character Topiaries
There are more than 70 topiaries at this year’s festival, including lots of favorite characters from Disney and Pixar movies. Some of the princesses have topiary facial features, such as Elsa, which make them look incredibly lifelike!
Figment looked fantastic behind Spaceship Earth. I’m so glad he appeared at the festival in topiary form this year.
I think Tinkerbell and Peter Pan were my favorites, probably because of Peter Pan’s location (no hints – you’ll have to find him yourself).
TIP: I have to mention that we both loved the adorable fairy houses that fill the garden surrounding Tinkerbell. If you have any little ones into fairies, be sure to plan on spending some time checking them out.
A Few More Tips
Be sure to grab a Garden Passport, which serves as a guide to the festival and a free souvenir. It containers stickers that you can use to mark which gardens and outdoor kitchens you have visited. My daughter completed ours after we got back home, which was a fun way to reflect on everything we saw at the festival.
The Garden Rocks concert series features shows at 5:30, 6:45 and 8:00 pm every Friday through Monday during the festival. The kids likely won’t recognize the bands (which had hits in the 70’s through 90’s), but you’ll probably be able to sing along!
The Festival Center is located in the old Wonders of Life pavilion and is open from 10:00 am to 5:00 Friday through Sunday. There isn’t much for kids there, but there are free presentations on gardening and crafts offered throughout the day.
With all that the Flower & Garden Festival has to offer families, I would argue that it alone could be a reason to visit Walt Disney World. We spent the entire day enjoying all the festival had to offer and felt like we could have used more time! I hope this post helps you enjoy and make the most of your spring-time visit to Epcot.
MagicBands are one of my favorite parts of a Disney World vacation. Having my room key, credit card, park ticket, and FastPasses on my wrist makes life so much easier!
