Winter’s chill might be upon us, but Summer 2012 is not far away.  I am thinking warm thoughts about a Walt Disney World vacation in the summer; being immersed in a Disney vacation experience that leaves me feeling the magic of creating family memories.  Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, pictured on the left, came to mind.   Did you know they have a shark reef there that you can swim in?  Disney’s imagination creates the perfect Disney vacation experience for you!  Even in the heat of summer, you can experience Disney vacation magic.

Disney vacation Water Park Fun and More options comes to mind as the perfect add on during the hot summer months.  Disney offers this option to their Magic Your Way Disney vacation package in Walt Disney World!  You get visits to both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, but there are so many other Disney vacation Fun and More options to explore!

The Magic Your Way theme park tickets offer us the ability to create our own type of Disney vacation experience.  The ‘everything included’ idea was re-imagined by Disney, and over time has been perfected in many ways.   The Water Park Fun and More options are a big part of the re-imagined Disney vacation fun.  The Walt Disney World theme parks can get pretty hot in the summer, but there are options to help you cool down.

Add the Water Park Fun and More options to your Walt Disney World theme park ticket and you can experience two water parks, a golf course, an indoor interactive theme park, and even more!  You can take the hottest part of each Disney vacation summer day and spend it somewhere cool, and head back to a theme park at night, when the outside air is cooler.  Remember, the Walt Disney World theme parks stay open later in the summer months.

With the Disney vacation Water Park Fun and More options added to your Walt Disney World theme park ticket you can visit both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard beach water parks,  but the And More options offer so much more Fun!

Head to Downtown Disney where you can visit the interactive theme park Disney Quest; easily a full day of air conditioned fun creating virtual theme park rides.  Become a pirate and battle for buccaneer gold, or build your own roller coaster at the DisneyQuest CyberSpace Mountain attraction, where Bill Nye the Coaster Guy walks guests through the design process.   The roller coaster of your dreams (or nightmares!) can do flips, corkscrews and even wild maneuvers such as a loop that flies off the tracks.   You decide what you want it to do, and you get to experience the virtual ride!

Also included with the Water Park Fun and More options are two other options.  You can visit the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, or golf nine holes at Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, located near teh Polynesian Resort.  This charming 9-hole walking course  is set in a very natural environment and is designed for families to enjoy fun and fitness together.   The course is ideal if you’re seeking a casual 9-hole stroll.

Plenty of fun to be found in Walt Disney World and the Water Park Fun and More options offer you a chance to experience Disney vacation fun beyond the theme parks.

The newest Walt Disney World value Resort is getting closer to welcoming their first guests.  The Disney Art of Animation Resort will be opening in May of 2012.  This resort will boast a state of the art food court, with some healthy Disney dining choices that I think families are going to enjoy.  Healthy and delicious seems to be where Disney dining options in Walt Disney World are headed.  This beautiful new Disney resort, even at a Value level, shows the length Disney will go to to make our vacation experience better.  So, what exactly will you find for Disney dining options at Art of Animation?

The food court will be called Landscape of Flavors, and your Disney dining choices will be flavorful and healthy.  The Disney dining quick service food court will be located next to the lobby in the new Disney Art of Animation Resort.  The concept is still being tweaked, but so far it sounds Disney dining delicious!!

The main concept at this Disney Dining food court is everything will be fresh, and made to order.  You will be presented with more choices to go with your meals, with things less packaged.  Healthy Disney dining choices will be readily available.   There will still be a Grab and Go area, popular at the other Value and Moderate Resorts, such as Every Pop Shop and Dining at Pop Century.

There will be a big emphasis on beverages; wonderfully healthy smoothies will be made to order, along with lemonade and pomegranate limeade!  That sounds so refreshing, doesn’t it?  Plenty of wine and beer will be stocked, with gluten free beer options available!  You will find organic teas and coffee that I have heard will even have flavors!   The Disney dining option of pairing a half bottle of wine with your meal will also be available at the Landscape of Flavors food court.

Here is a look at the five sections that will be available for your Disney dining meals, as described by Disney:

• The Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop lets you create your own salad (with beef or chicken) and offers a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread. Both are served with delish house-made potato chips.
• The World Flavors Shop adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, too, with scrambled eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn squash served with sides and naan bread.
• The Pizza Shop features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option, too.
• The Burger Shop includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with fried eggs, cheese and bacon.   Besides the traditional burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and turf burger with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of fried green tomato.
• The “grab ‘n go” Market Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.

This Disney dining trend of introducing healthy choices is not just happening because The Art of Animation is a new resort.  All across the board, Disney dining is making changes to  the food options available.  Even behind the scenes they are working with manufactureres of products, looking to find products that do not use partially hydrogneated oil.  More and more sugar free, low calorie and especially gluten free Disney dining choices are being made available to the guests.  You never have to be concerned when you travel to a Disney destination and have to monitor your diet; Disney dining is all about delicious with healthy choices!

JANUARY – Walt Disney World Marathon

This 26.2-mile race encompasses all four Disney theme parks: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Rounding at the weekend agenda is also a half marathon, two-day health expo and a 5K.

FEBRURAY – MARCH – Atlanta Braves Spring Training
Baseball fans have the opportunity to watch a major league team play as the Atlanta Braves return to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex for spring training.

MARCH – MAY – Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival

For those with an appreciate for all things botany-related, Epcot will come alive with more than 30 million colorful blossoms, topiaries, interactive garden activities for kids and workshops with national gardening experts during this annual spring festival. This event is certain to make your heart bloom!

MAY – JUNE – Star Wars Weekends

The summer gives us 4 consecutive weekends at Disney’s Hollywood Studios as the park turns into a giant Star Wars fan-fest. Up-close meet-and-greets with favorite characters and actors from the film series as well as interactive games, parades, music and fun for the whole family will certainly make any Star War fan’s year!

SEPTEMBER – Night of Joy
Some of the industry’s top contemporary Christian music performers headline this special event annually happening within the Magic Kingdom. This long-running concert has played to a combined audience in excess of a million!

SEPTEMBER – OCTOBER – Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

This family-friendly spooktacular happens within the gates of the Magic Kingdom featuring Mickey’s Boo To You parade (my personal favorite parade of all-time), dance parties, special Halloween-themed fireworks, trick-or-treating with characters throughout the park, face painting, and more. Although I’m certainly more of a Christmas fan, I must say that this party is my favorite party hosted by the Magic Kingdom.

SEPTEMBER – NOVEMBER – Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
It’s time to talk a little bit about my personal favorite event at the Walt Disney World Resort. A walk around World Showcase offers up the chance to savor fine wines and delectable cuisines from around the globe. This event has an itinerary that’s jam-packed with goings-on and special events, including live celebrity entertainment, guest chefs, culinary demonstrations, seminars and winemaker dinners (just to name a few).

OCTOBER – Children’s Miracle Network Classic
Golf-enthusiasts rejoice as this annual PGA tournament held at Disney’s Magnolia and Palm golf courses, features some of the sport’s top players,

NOVEMBER – Festival of the Masters
More than 200 award-winning artists showcase their artistic gifts throughout Downtown Disney. This three-day festival features chalk artists, folk artists, a jazz festival, culinary delights and lots of family activities.

NOVEMBER – JANUARY – The Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights
This breathtaking, must-see light display at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios backlot, will have you begging for more! This magnificent display which features millions of sparkling holiday bulbs was originally designed by Arkansas businessman and philanthropist Jennings Osborne as a gift to his daughter and eventually as it outgrew his home, the guests of the Walt Disney World Resort. This is an annual must-do for my family and a surefire way to get our Christmas-spirit quickly into “drive”.

NOVEMBER – JANUARY – Holiday Splendor

The magnificent Walt Disney World Resort becomes even MORE magnificent during the holiday season with dazzling lights, spirited song and even snow flurries; Yep……snow flurries in the Sunshine State! Here’s just a taste of what’s in store during this arguably most magical time of year at the resort: Mickey’s Jingle Jungle Parade at Animal Kingdom; Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at the Magic Kingdom; Candlelight Processional at Epcot along with visits by Santa (not just by our Old Saint Nick but also Santa’s from around the globe). You’ll probably also find yourself singing along as you happen upon carolers throughout the parks. Don’t miss the evening tree lighting ceremonies also found within each of the parks.

Disney Cruise Line welcomes guests to sail 4-night or 5-night itineraries, from the Port of Miami, on the Disney Cruise Line Wonder, starting in December 0f 2012!    Certainly, this gives Disney Cruise Line some leeway with their Caribbean and Bahamas cruises.  Disney is offering a new Disney Cruise vacation option, with one of their original ships.  Yes, again, we see Disney taking something old and making it feel new. Ports of call could include Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman; Key West and Nassau, Bahamas, and many of the itineraries will include a stop at Disney Cruise Line’s private island, Castaway Cay.  Sailing from Miami avoids the sometimes choppy sail along the Florida coast, heading back to Port Canaveral.  I like this idea.  There is more news, too.

         

Disney Cruise Line’s first two ships.  The Disney Cruise Line Magic and The Disney Cruise Line Wonder, two gorgeous and intimate ships, have had itineraries announced for 2013.  If you are looking for a nice smaller ship, one of these will fit the bill for you.  The most marvelous thing about these two ships is that they are easier to move around, and Disney is inclined to use them to mix it up a bit, providing different Disney Cruise itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line announced that they will be going back to Europe!  That in itself is exciting, but the big news is the added ports of call!!  Greece is one of them, and the other new ones are Venice, Italy and Ephesus, Turkey.  All of the Disney Cruise Line European cruises will depart from Barcelona, Spain.  Guests can experience  four, seven, or 12 night sailings.

Disney Cruise Line is also returning to Alaska in 2013, when the Disney Wonder returns there in May.  This, of course, means two repositioning cruises, which is a wonderful way to experience a long and relaxing Disney Cruise Line vacation.  Westbound will be May 6, and Eastbound will be December 9.  The Alaska cruise itinerary is an amazing experience! You will sail out of the Port of Vancouver, in Canada for 7 nights, visiting Tracy Arm, Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan.

Lots of fun things on the horizon for Disney Cruise Line with all these itineraries.  Of course, the Disney Cruise Line Dream and Disney Cruise Line Fantasy will be sailing out of Port Canaveral with their Caribbean and Bahamian itineraries.  If you have thought about cruising, I highly reccomend Disney Cruise Line to you.  You will not be disappointed.

In working for Our Laughing Place Travel, I find that one of the most asked questions is “how do I eat with the characters in Walt Disney World?”  Of course, being a character groupie, I always have some great answers.  I wanted to share some of my Character dining knowledge with everyone.

When thinking of dining, it seems to be easier to break the choices down by area.  I will start with the parks.

Magic Kingdom:  Cinderella’s Royal Table is one of the most popular, and needless to say, one of the most difficult meals to grab a reservation.  It features characters at all three meals. Characters vary, but almost always include Cinderella and the Fairy Godmother and may include Belle, Jasmine and Snow White.

Crystal Palace is a great place to meet Winnie the Pooh and friends.  You can catch a snuggle from Eeyore or bounce with Tigger.   Piglet can also be seen shyly greeting guests.

EPCOT:  Another very popular restaurant is the Ankershus Royal Banquet Hall in the Norway Pavilion.  Here you can visit with Belle, Jasmine, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Mary Poppins.  For a special treat,  Ariel will occasionally stop by in her gown.

If you are searching  for Mickey, Chip and Dale and Pluto, head over to the Land Pavilion in the Future World section of Epcot.  Chip and Dale’s Harvest Feast  features a “farmer style” meal.  Yummy!

Hollywood Studios is where you can find the younger Disney fans.   Hollywood and Vine offers breakfast and lunch with Playhouse Disney.  Daily, Special Agent Oso, Handy Manny and June and Leo roam around the restaurant for photos and greetings.  If you have older children, they can take advantage of the dessert and sundae station while their younger siblings enjoy the characters.

The Animal Kingdom features a character breakfast, and lunch  called Donald’s Safari Breakfast and Lunch  located at the Tusker House in Africa. Characters include Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Mickey. Be sure to fill up before you tackle the African Safari!  I’ve heard that some folks are gone for days!!!!

Along with the parks, the  Walt Disney World resorts have character meals, as well.

Beach Club Buffet in the Cape May Cafe serves breakfast every morning with Goofy, Minnie, and Donald.  If you are looking for a great buffet, this would be a smart stop for an EPCOT morning.  The restaurant is within walking distance to the rear entrance to the park.

A hugely popular character meal is Chef Mickey’s in the  Contemporary Resort.  This breakfast and dinner buffet is served with love along side Mickey, Chip, Dale and Chef Goofy.   Not only is the meal wonderful, the view is amazing as the Monorail runs straight through the building.

So, you’ve decided to go to Walt Disney World.  How exciting! The first decision is when to go. The second and possibly “most important” decision is which resort to stay at. I take where to stay seriously. Ha! Disney offers so many resort choices. I’ve stayed at every level Disney offers… a value, a moderate, a deluxe, and Disney’s Vacation Club resorts. However, Disney’s Ft. Wilderness has my heart! I’m not a camper, as in a pop-up camper type. (Just ask my husband, who bought a new pop up camper. Did he really think I was going to stay in a 10×10 metal box with no bathroom and 3 children? The answer to that was … a For Sale sign on the camper a month later! ha!!) Oh no, this gal loves her indoor plumbing, full size kitchen, and mouse-keeping. (That’s Disney talk for housekeeping.)

Our first visit was in 1998, when I tried to make reservations at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and it was booked. The cast member suggested, since I had 3 small children, I might find the cabins a great option. I wasn’t too sold on the whole ‘campground’ idea. However, the full size kitchen won me over. Yes, I used to cook on vacation. The cabins offer your own personal grill with a picnic table. My kids loved to cook on the grill and eat outside. Since then, I discovered Disney’s Dining Plan, but that’s a whole different story!

I personally find a resort room with 3 children a bit cramped. I worried about the noise level when my kids were on ‘full steam’ ahead mode. I didn’t have to worry about that at the cabins. The kids could run around without distrubing other guests. I love returning to the campground after a long, busy, noisy day at the parks. It’s so peaceful as soon as you enter the grounds.

I can’t tell you how many times I hear “Who cares where you stay, it’s just a place to sleep”? Well, yes and no. You can make a whole other vacation out of the campgrounds. Ft. Wilderness has so much to offer. Set in a “world apart” this home away from home resort has its own range of “countrified” amusements including:

1. An evening campfire with a marshmallow (bring your own marshmallows or cash to buy them) roast, sing-a-long, visit from Chip n Dale, and movie under the stars
2. Picnic pavilion
3. Hayrides
4. Hoop De Doo Revue Dinner Show  that books a year in advance so get your tickets early
5. Mickey’s Backyard BBQ – Seasonal
6. Horse Stables where horses are available for riding, visiting and Horse-drawn carriage rides
7. 2 Pools – One located near campground and a 2nd pool near the cabins area (Child wading pool and hot tub)
8. Children’s playground and Arcade
9. Archery
10. Segways Adventure
11. Bike rental for exploring the area and a Marina/boat rental
12. Waggin’ Trails Dog Park
13. Trails End Buffeteria serving three meals of all you can eat Country cookin’
14. Trading Post for basic food essentials and other shopping needs
15. Rent a golf cart
16. A short boat ride to the Magic Kingdom!

Fast forward 14 years and 20 plus stays at Ft. Wilderness… it still has my heart, even though my kids are growing up and their ‘needs’ aren’t the same now. I have to laugh because a few years ago, my husband and I went to Disney without the kids. (Gasp! Disney without the kids!)  I thought what a perfect time to try a new resort. I picked Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort. Well, after the first night there, we checked out and headed to Ft. Wilderness and checked in there. Even without the kids, the cabins are still ‘my’ home away from home. My heart skips a beat when you check in and hear, “Howdy, welcome home”.  Ahhh, yes, I’m ‘home’.

President Barack Obama is visiting Walt Disney World tomorrow, January 19, 2012!  The Obama Disney visit was planned after the president contacted Disney officials and requested that they set up for him to make a special announcement in front of Cinderella’s Castle, in Magic Kingdom!  The announcement is something that is supposed to impact the travel industry and tourism in the United States, in general.  The Obama Disney visit, in itself, is historic.  A sitting president has never visited Walt Disney World.

I am personally excited to hear what the news is from the President Obama Disney visit, aren’t you?  I imagine speaking in front of Cinderella’s Castle to be the perfect photo opportunity, when making a speech about tourism.  I hope it is worth the disruption it will make in everyone’s planned vacation!   I have checked into what can be expected for inconvenience from the Obama Disney visit, and I think resort guests should plan to be as far away from the Magic Kingdom area as possible!  In fact, no matter where you travel tomorrow in Walt Disney World, I would expect you will see delays, and even the impromptu road block.  It is a perfect time to make use of the OLP Transportation Wizard.

That being said, Disney has gone the extra mile with this, and plans are in place to make it run as smooth as can be.  My expectation is that the Obama Disney visit will be hectic, but Disney will pull it off just fine, and the guests will probably have some extra park perks to enjoy, while being a part of history.

There is no definite time announced, but it is expected that the President Obama Disney visit will last approximately two hours.  Can you imagine the security around this?  Here is what you can expect, if you happen to be one of the guests in Walt Disney World during the Obama Disney visit.

• President Barack Obama will be speaking in front of Cinderella’s Castle. President Obama’s remarks are not open to guests; only those specifically invited by the White House can attend.
• All Walt Disney World Transportation will operate as usual, however guests should allow for extra travel time, especially for dining and other reservations in the area of Magic Kingdom, as possible traffic congestion and delays are anticipated.
• Main Street, U.S.A., including all the shops, will be closed to guests from park opening through late afternoon.
• When park guests arrive, Disney cast members will be on hand to direct them toward “alternate routes” to enjoy areas of the park that will be open.
• Main Street, U.S.A. will open later in the day, on time for the “Celebrate A Dream Come True Parade” which will start at 3:30 p.m.
• Package pickup will operate as normal, with the Baby Care and First Aid being moved to the entrance of Space Mountain.
• Disney PhotoPass photographers that you normally see on Main Street, U.S.A. will be found in areas behind Cinderella’s Castle. The area in front of the castle will remain closed until later in the day.
• Disney has also adjusted some park hours for all the theme parks on Thursday and added a fireworks show at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

I love the International Flower and Garden Festival!  It happens every year at Epcot in Walt Disney World.  This year the festival starts on March 7 and runs through May 20, 2012.  There are so many beautiful displays and fun activities.  This is an enjoyable festival, and you won’t want to miss it.

I love the topiary creations that you see everywhere at Epcot.  The whimsy and imagination it takes to create such beautiful and living pieces of art never ceases to amaze me.  If that isn’t enough, which it surely isn’t for Disney, you will find so many enjoyable activities and displays.  The goal Disney has is that everyone will enjoy their visit to the Flower and Garden Festival.  So, what is there to do at the festival?

There is plenty to do and plenty to see and Disney has not let us down this year.   The festival will include some experiences the children will love.  There will be unique play structures offering fun for the little ones—the Evos™ play systems for ages six and older and the Weevos™ play systems for ages two through five, experience the Sounds of Nature, presented by Nature Conservancy .  One of my favorites is the Bambi Butterfly Garden.  You can see so many different and beautiful butterflies, and you will have the chance to learn all about them.  Pictured on the right is a Butterfly Release station.  You can watch the butterflies as they come out of their cocoon and fly away.  It is fun for all ages!

Disney partnered with HGTV again; a partnership that started last year.  This is exciting if you are an HGTV fan.  You will have the chance to visit Walt Disney World and see your favorite HGTV stars!!  Check out this schedule of events!

• John Gidding, HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block—March 9 – 11
• Sabrina Soto, HGTV’s The High/Low Project—March 16 – 18
• Jason Cameron, DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves—March 23 – 25
• Camille Styles, HGTV.com Entertainment contributor—March 30 – April 1
• Dan Faires, HGTV.com’s DanMade, Fan Favorite HGTV Design Star Season 5—April 6 – 8
• Brandon Johnson, host of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney—April 13 – 15
• Meg Caswell, HGTV’s Meg’s Great Rooms—April 20 – 22
• Monica Pedersen, HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012 and Designed to Sell—April 27 – 29
• Antonio Ballatore, HGTV’s The Antonio Treatment—May 4 – 6
• To be determined—May 11 – 13
• Genevieve Gorder, HGTV’s Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star—May 18 – 20

Disney always presents The Flower Power Concert Series at the Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.  You will not want to miss this, and  might want to plan your travel dates around the schedule; that way you can see your favorite band!

Some of the traditional bands are coming back, and Disney has some new bands this year!

Make your plans soon to visit Walt Disney World during the 19th Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival!  Disney still has some good discounts available for travel during those dates.  See you there!

When my Sister called and told me she was pregnant, the first words I said to her is “Now we have a kid to take to Walt Disney World!” The last child I went to Disney World with was her at age 6 - about 18 years ago. So, I am very excited to take my nephew to Walt Disney World next. He is due on February 1, and I have lots of Disney plans for his future.

Over past trips, I have seen kids faces light up as the castle comes into view and hearing those little giggles of joy always made me smile.  I’m not sure exactly when his first trip down Main Street USA will occur but it will be sooner than later and more often then most.

I think we will stay at the Animal Kingdom Lodge so he can see the animals from the room.  We can go for the holidays, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party and Trick or Treat at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  Oh I can not wait!

I keep thinking, “Will he like this attraction or be afraid of it?” I just hope the little guy isn’t afraid of the characters so we can enjoy character interactions at meals. Winnie the Pooh and friends over at the Crystal Palace is a family favorite, and I’d like to keep that tradition.

The last time I ate at Chef Mickey’s was when it was at the Market Place in Downtown Disney - yes with my Sister 18 years ago. I guess I better go there first and get up to date. Ohana’s with Lilo and Stitch is still on my to do list. That place is very popular for the character breakfast. Maybe, we’ll try a Princess meal, at Akershus so he can charm a princess or two.

We can get his first hair cut at the Magic Kingdom BarberShop.

I can barely wait for him to be big enough to become a pirate at the Pirate League and then send him on a pirate cruise.

His Mother spent hours at Honey I shrunk the Kids playground, so she is thrilled about going back there.  More traditions.

We can’t forget Disneyland or Disney Cruise Line and when he is a little older Adventures by Disney. His Disney options are not limited to just Walt Disney World with me for an Aunt.

My Sister better try for a little girl next time. Oh the fun we will have with a little Princess.

Please share your favorite experience with a child at Disney World.

Dietary situations are not a challenge at Walt Disney World.  In fact, if you want to eat healthy, and have specific needs or food allergies, your best vacation destination is a Disney vacation destination.  Your dietary needs will not mean your taste buds will go without; no, not at all!  Chef’s like Chef Ken from the Plaza Restaurant at Magic Kingdom, picture on the left, will be happy to sit and talk to you, like he did with us, about whatever dietary need you have.  They will remember you, too.  Chef Ken remembered us from a trip two years prior, and even remembered where we sat.  That is Disney dining at its best, right?  It is healthy for the body and the vacation feeling.

When I travel to Walt Disney World I anticipate the Disney dining experiences that await me.  I know that my palate will be treated well, with many different Disney dining options to choose from.  Disney dining is all about delicious, no matter what the dietary need or desire is.

Walt Disney World offers Disney dining plans, and those plans can save you money.  Disney offers a Disney dining plan for folks who like to eat on the run, the Quick Service Dining Plan.  You get counter service meals on this plan; I am talking Disney dining counter service meals, such as this healthy and delicious salmon dinner you can get at Columbia Harbor House at Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.  This is one of my favorite counter service restaurants!

Another really tasty counter service option, with healthy food choices, is the Backlot Express at Disney Hollywood Studios.  This is a fun restaurant to eat in; you feel like you are inside the back room of a movie studio.  You can order the delicious veggie sandwich pictured on the left, and ask for carrot sticks instead of french fries.  This is a tasty and healthy Disney dining option.

Enjoy a sit down meal, with healthy options and fireworks at Epcot, at La Hacienda de San Angel!  Make your dining arrangments for 7:30 pm, and chances are you will get to see Illuminations from your table, while enjoying a delicious healthy Mexican entree, such as Black Bean Soup.  Doesn’t it look yummy?

So much to eat in so little time!  Enjoy your Disney vacation!  Have fun and thanks to Disney dining; eat delicious and healthy!