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2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book Halfway Point Sale

Can you believe it?? We’re already over halfway through the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival in Walt Disney World.

And we’re marking the occasion with a celebratory sale on our popular Disney Dining e-Books!

Snap up your books now, and don’t forget to take advantage of the bundle discounts for your upcoming trips!

When you opt to get in on the celebration of savings, you’ll know our most recommended snacks, dining tips, and Disney food recommendations. See what other readers are saying about the DFB Guide Books HERE!

This Week’s Deals

We’ve done all the intensive work and research for you! When you get our Disney Dining e-Book bundles, you’ll arrive Walt Disney World with a well-tested strategy to save money, save time, and have the best Disney World trip possible. All you have to do is HAVE FUN! [Read more…]

Tips from the DFB Guide: The Apples-For-Dayz Crawl at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By AJ 3 Comments

It’s Fall — or it nearly is, anyway. And I don’t know about you, but when the days start to shorten and the air gets a little more crisp, I am all about APPLES. (You thought I was going to say pumpkin, didn’t you.)

The great thing about Apple Snacks and Treats is that they can actually be good for you. Well, better for you, anyway! 😉

Today, I thought I’d feature one of my very favorite Disney Food Blog Crawls, just in time for Fall — the Apple-a-Day Crawl at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And the cool thing about this one is, despite its name, you can easily complete it in the space of one day!

And if you love the sounds of a food-based scavenger hunt featuring all of your favorite Disney Snacks, be sure to check out our latest updated e-book, the DFB Guide to Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios Snacks 2015 for more creative eats!

Apple Turnover or Apple Danish at Starring Rolls

Start your apple-filled day at Starring Rolls Cafe.

This little bakery is the home of many of our favorite cupcakes. But they also feature lots of pastries for both breakfast and afternoon snacking.

At Starring Rolls, you can take advantage of the pastry spread and enjoy an Apple Turnover for breakfast. Yep; it’s a little decadent. But isn’t that what vacations are for?

Apple Craisin Turnover at Starring Rolls

Looking for something with more of a “breakfast pedigree”? Then check out the Assorted Danish. You’ll often find an apple version among the mix. [Read more…]

Tips from the DFB Guide: Budgeting for the Holidays at Walt Disney World

By AJ 1 Comment

Heading to Walt Disney World for the holidays? Woohoo! It’s such a beautiful time to visit, as the Parks are all decked out in their festive best.

DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays 2018

From special events and holiday decor to snacks and drinks full of Yuletide cheer, there’s so much to pack into a visit.

But you’re gonna need a plan and a budget! Because I promise you, visiting Walt Disney World during the holidays is spectacular — but the costs can add up quickly.

Today, I’d love to share with you some of our best budgeting tips for planning your Holiday trip to Walt Disney World. Our tips come courtesy of the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Holidays e-Book, and by pre-ordering the DFB Guide to the Walt Disney World Holidays e-Book with our special discount code — Peppermint — you get everything you need to make the most of your Disney holiday vacation.

Heigh Ho — let’s go!

Go Early — or Late — If Possible

Want to enjoy the Holidays at Disney, without paying holiday prices? It may sound impossible, but it’s not. The key is to schedule your visit for a time early or late in the holiday season.

Main Street, USA, at Christmas Time

Christmas decorations go up as early as November in some corners of the Resort. You’ll see festive tidings first normally at Magic Kingdom, where Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party kicks off in the early part of the month (November 8, 2018!). By mid- to late-November, the incredible gingerbread displays that you’ll find at the Deluxe Resorts begin to take shape. [Read more…]

One Week ‘Til the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

By AJ 4 Comments

There’s only ONE WEEK left until we kick off the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival. It’s coming up SO FAST! So as we continue to cross off the days until it’s underway, we want to offer you some special savings on the DFB Guides!

For all the fun we have bringing you the latest news about Disney Food, we’re passionate about one thing especially: making sure that every visit you make to Walt Disney World is as great as it can possibly be.

And that’s never more important than this time of year, when the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is just about to kick off!

So as we continue celebrating with a month of savings, we are happy to bring you savings on some of our most popular DFB Guides and Bundles.

DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival was written to give you everything you need to know in one handy volume (and we mean EVERYTHING).

With more than 240 pages and tons of bonus items, it offers all of the information that you need to make the most of your Festival visit. Learn more about the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here.

And during our Countdown to the Festival Sale, we’re offering this popular DFB Guide for $3 off! Just use code COUNTDOWN at checkout to save on this must-have Food and Wine Fest companion.

This guide includes customized bonus items that surpass any other Food & Wine Festival coverage that’s out there. These include:

A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival — this is the only place you’ll find this schedule anywhere!
A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival
Themed World Showcase booth crawls, including “Fun Eats for the Kids,” the “Chocolate Lovers Crawl,” the “Continent Crawl,” and so many more!
Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, and even one to celebrate the TV Show The Chew!
A chapter dedicated to all “New for 2015” events, menu items, booths
Full food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favorites
Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes
Top tips on how to use MyMagic+ and the Disney Dining Plan at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
And so much more!

[Read more…]

Two Weeks ‘Til the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! Let’s Celebrate!

By AJ 4 Comments

It will be here before you know it! We are just TWO WEEKS away from the start of the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival — craziness! But it’s not too late for you to take advantage of some special savings on the DFB Guides!

We have so much fun providing you with all there is to know about Disney Food. Because there’s one thing we’re passionate about: making sure that you enjoy the best Disney trip ever, every time.

And that’s especially important when it’s Epcot Food and Wine Festival time. With so much to do, see, eat, and drink, it can be hard to keep it all straight! And that’s where we come in. 🙂

So as we continue celebrating with a month of savings, we are happy to bring you special deals on some of our most popular DFB Guides and Bundles.

DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

The DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival was written to give you everything you need to know about the Epcot Food and Wine Festival in one handy volume — and we mean EVERYTHING!

And during our Countdown to the Festival Sale, we’re offering this popular DFB Guide for $3 off! Just use code COUNTDOWN at checkout to save on this important DFB Guide.

This guide includes customized bonus items that surpass any other Food & Wine Festival coverage that’s out there. These include:

A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival — this is the only place you’ll find this schedule anywhere!
A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival
Themed World Showcase booth crawls, including “Fun Eats for the Kids,” the “Comfort Food Crawl,” the “Heat Seekers Crawl,” and so many more!
Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, and even one to celebrate the TV Show The Chew!
A chapter dedicated to all “New for 2015” events, menu items, booths
Full food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favorites
Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes
Top tips on how to use MyMagic+ and the Disney Dining Plan at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
And so much more!

[Read more…]

One Month ‘Til the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

By AJ Leave a Comment

OK, everyone — only one month left ’til the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival begins. But I think we should start celebrating now! So let’s save some dough on the DFB Guides!

It’s our mission to make sure that every visit you make to Walt Disney World is as delicious as possible. And that goes double for the most wonderful time of the year — the Epcot Food and Wine Festival!

So as we count down to the Festival, we’re celebrating with a month of savings!

Start Planning For Your Visit Today with the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book!

This week, we have two brand new deals for you!

DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival

Of course, there’s no way that we can kick off a Countdown to the Festival without special savings on the book that WILL help you have your best Disney World visit ever.

To start the celebration, we’re offering the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival for $3 off! Just use code COUNTDOWN at checkout to save big on this important DFB Guide!

With more than 240 pages and tons of bonus items, it’s jam-packed with the information that you need to make the most of your festival days! Learn all about the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival here!

This fan-favorite guide includes customized bonus items that surpass any other Food & Wine Festival coverage that’s out there. These include:

A full, daily schedule of events for every day of the festival — this is the only place you’ll find this schedule anywhere!
A printable World Showcase Booth Menu Checklist that you can use to plan, and easily bring with you to the festival
Themed World Showcase booth crawls, including “Fun Eats for the Kids,” the “Carnivore Crawl,” the “Continent Crawl,” and so many more!
Food and Wine Festival customized Touring Strategies for One Day visits, Budget-Conscious visits, and even one to celebrate the TV Show The Chew!
A chapter dedicated to all “New for 2015” events, menu items, booths, and more
Full food, wine, beer, winery, cocktail, and chef indexes, including dates and locations of where you can find your favorites
Epcot Food and Wine Festival recipes
Top tips on how to use MyMagic+ and the Disney Dining Plan at the Epcot Food and Wine Festival
And so much more!

[Read more…]

DFB Reader Questions Answered: Where Can I Get a Free Counter Service Refill in the Parks?

By AJ 14 Comments

We’re tackling another question from the DFB Reader mailbag today! Our reader asks:

Which counter service locations in Walt Disney World have self serve kiosks offering free refills?

This is really relevant question from a budget perspective. Since the Resort Refillable Mugs can’t be used in the parks, you might want to know where you can go to get more than one drink from the soda fountain. Let’s check out a couple of spots where you can grab multiple rounds of drinks when you’re extra thirsty.

Note: You do need to purchase a drink from these locations before filling up your cup again and again! Also, our DFB team members have checked with cast members at each location to confirm that refills are, indeed, allowed during your meal at the restaurant. [Read more…]

Pre-Order the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival…and Get the 2014 Guide FREE!

By AJ 4 Comments

Happy 20th Birthday, Epcot Food and Wine Festival!!

Can you believe it? 2015 will mark the 20th Consecutive Year that Walt Disney World has hosted this event. What started as a way to draw crowds during a slower part of the year has officially become a huge draw and destination in its own right.

And even though it’s only (ONLY?!?) April, it is NEVER too early to start the countdown to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival! We’re already sharing who will be playing at the Eat to the Beat Concerts, so it’s definitely time to start booking your dates…

This year’s Festival will once again run a record number of days — more than seven full weeks of food, music, and special events! But with so much awesomeness to enjoy, my number one piece of advice remains the same: Plan, Plan, Plan. And then Plan some more.

And we have a fun and easy way for you to get started, even before the first menu or culinary demo is announced!

The DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival is now available for pre-order. (Expected publish date is mid-Summer 2015.) And when you enter discount code “CHEFS” at checkout, you’ll enjoy $3 off the cover price!

But AJ, Why Do I Want to Order the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival Now?

I’m really glad that you asked! The biggest and best reason for you to pre-order your 2015 DFB Guide to the Food and Wine Festival is that you’ll get the 2014 Guide immediately for FREE!

Epcot Food and Wine Festival Brazil Marketplace Booth

Find out our best tips for visiting the World Showcase booths in the DFB Guide to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book!

That means that you can start planning today! And I promise, that is something that you totally want to do. Because when Culinary Demonstrations, Seminars, and Other Special Events are announced, it’s usually just days before booking opens — and then they book up super fast. Time is of the essence when you’re ready to book.

And with the Festival celebrating its 20th year, we already are expecting that it’s going to be truly over the top.

Events with Celebrity Chefs, Like This One with Chef Gale Gand, Book Up Extra Fast

We expect an expanded Marketplace offering, plus all kinds of Special Extras.

What does all of this add up to? If you’re ever going to plan a trip to the Epcot Food and Wine Festival, then 2015 is the year to do it!!!

So, What Do You Get in the DFB Guide to the 2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book?

As is the case with all of our DFB Guides, we’re making this edition downloadable for your convenience, and it’s a snap to install on all of your mobile devices. The 2014 version is a PDF guide with over 220 pages of detailed information about the Festival as well as photographs and customized bonus items, and we expect the 2015 guide to weigh in at a similar heft.

If you’re on a budget, you’ll love our advice on how to [Read more…]

Even More Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

By AJ 5 Comments

We are back with some great advice some of the best experts around when it comes to planning your Disney Dining — DFB Readers!

Seriously, you guys are the best, and I’m always excited to learn new things from your experiences! So when it came time recently to update our Top Tips for Disney Dining, we turned to you for input and advice. And you responded with tons of great suggestions.

Check out just a few of them below, as we offer you even more Top Disney Dining Tips from the Experts!

Have a Plan…and Don’t Blow Those Snack Credits on Things You Can Get at Home!

It was important enough for several different DFB readers to mention — and expound on! Do not waste those precious Disney Dining Plan snack credits on something as ho hum and common as a piece of fruit or a bottle of water.

And…I have to agree here. You can get a banana and a Dasani in your supermarket at home. But when was the last time you waltzed into Kroger and picked up a Carrot Cake Cookie or Schoolbread?

Yep, they can sometimes pile up on you toward the end of the trip. So spend a little time planning beforehand so you don’t waste a single one. Here’s a TIP: DFB Snack Guides can come in handy for this endeavor; we have one for every park at Walt Disney World with our recommendations for the best snacks!

Carrot Cake Cookie at Writer's Stop in Disney's Hollywood Studios

Make Those Snack Credits Count with a Carrot Cake Cookie

Get the Dining Plan…And Don’t.

One of the most interesting suggestions for stretching your Disney Food Budget came from @Greg_Crowder: he suggested that you go halfsies on the Disney Dining Plan. He writes: “2 of us had the free plan a couple of years ago and 2 didn’t. The snacks and counter [service] meals were plenty for all 4 people.”

Butterfinger Cupcake at Starring Rolls Cafe in Disney’s Hollywood Studios Are Totally Shareable!

It’s true that Disney portions can be pretty big, and eating lots of large meals and rich snacks and then walking 100 miles a day may be a tall order. So if you’re willing to share, this can be an excellent way to keep costs down. It also means that you pre-pay, so your spending money goes a little further.

Just note that if you’re all staying in the same room, you all need to be on the same plan; so this tip only works if your compadres are in a different room.

Don’t Forget About Resort Restaurants.

Many readers chimed in that visitors should never forget to check out resort dining options, saying that you should definitely venture out of the Park for incredible food. Resort restaurants offer some of the most amazing dining on property.

Slow-cooked in Gravy, Simple and Well-seasoned Butter Chicken and Chicken Vindaloo at Sanaa — Be Sure to Schedule a Meal Here

Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was mentioned lots of times. For instance, reader David Mendoza says: “Whether you are staying at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge or not, make the trip to the Sanaa restaurant. Wonderful food and such a picturesque setting, watching the beautiful animals as you dine on some of the most awesome food in Disney World! A real must see! And when you are done you can take a stroll and get even closer to the animals. Truly a wondrous place.”

I couldn’t agree more! (Read my latest Sanaa review here.)

Allergies and Food Sensitivities? No problem.

We’ve written about it lots of times — Disney is tops when it comes to serving guests with allergies, food sensitivities, and special diets. And our readers are eager to agree that Disney routinely goes above and beyond to ensure their guests have the best experience possible, regardless of their dietary limitations.

Jiko Allergy-Friendly Menu -- Appetizers -- Click to Enlarge

Example of Jiko’s Allergy-Friendly Appetizer Menu

Ann Hooghuis Dealy weighs in by saying, “If you have food allergies or sensitivities [Read more…]

Memorial Day Sale! DFB Disney World Guidebook Discounts for a Limited Time!

By AJ 2 Comments

As we mark a time of remembrance this Memorial Day weekend, we also look forward to fun celebrations with family and friends as Summer gets underway! And if you’re like me, that means one thing — vacation is JUST around the corner!

Whether you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World during the busy Summer season, or you have your eyes set on a Fall Food and Wine Festival Trip or a Holiday Extravaganza, we know one thing for sure: you need to make some plans.

Believe it or not, it’s already time to start making those Advance Dining Reservations! And we’re going to help you make sure you choose the best restaurants Disney has to offer. There are hundreds, after all!

We have three great offers for you to choose from! Read on for all the details, but hurry — you can only take advantage of these savings through Saturday, May 30!

The DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015

Our fully guaranteed, comprehensive e-Book offers more than 490 full-color pages to help you plan your very best Disney World trip ever!

With reviews, tips, expert advice, and hundreds of color photographs, you’ll get the biggest bang for your planning buck! And our handy e-Book format has been completely updated for your 2015-16 Disney World vacation.

Inside the DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining 2015, you’ll find:

A 5-Step Strategy for Disney Dining Planning, covering everything you need to know from budgeting and booking to kids’ meals, dining discounts, and fireworks. 5 simple steps and you’re done!
A comprehensive and in-depth look at EVERY Disney World restaurant, kiosk, bar, and lounge, including our personal tips to ensure a positive and stress-free dining experience.
Four free, [Read more…]

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2015 Epcot Food and Wine Festival e-Book Halfway Point Sale

This Week’s Deals

Tips from the DFB Guide: The Apples-For-Dayz Crawl at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Apple Turnover or Apple Danish at Starring Rolls