food IS a theme park
I’ve been going to Disney World pretty much since I could walk, and that means I’ve got a good grip on what my “must-dos” are in every park.
EPCOT
And, although both Disney World and myself have changed here and there over the years, there are typically some things I always have to do no matter what. Ask me again in another 10 years and I’m sure my answers will change — but as someone who has been going to Disney World for 30 years, this is my ultimate ritual at EPCOT.
Spooky season here and there is a LOT going on over on the West Coast.
©The Hollywood Roosevelt
Disneyland, Disney California Adventure, Downtown Disney, and Disney’s hotels are all decked out for Halloween. Oogie Boogie Bash is underway in California Adventure (and is sold out, in case you were wondering). Universal Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights is happening. But a NEW Halloween event is coming that is basically taking the concept of Halloween Horror Nights, but giving it a Disney theme — AND WE HAVE TO GO.
BIG pretzels? A bright, sunny dining room? Warm, savory snacks? We’re IN. You coming?
Let’s eat!
We’ve been on a mission to visit some of those “off the beaten path” restaurants in Disney World, and today, we’re headed to Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort! You’ll find some fun spots to eat around this hotel, like Barcelona Lounge and Siesta’s Cantina Pool Bar. But this time, we’re headed to the quick-service location at this big resort. Is this spot worth visiting? Let’s find out!
Happy Halloween, folks!
Halloween in Magic Kingdom
We’ve been enjoying the Halloween season in Disney World for almost a month, and we’re still SO happy when we see the Halloween decorations in Magic Kingdom. We’re also still eating our way through Disney World’s Halloween snacks AND we’ve even been to Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Now, we’ve seen a lot of Halloween merchandise in the parks, but a new spooky souvenir has entered the chat, and y’all…we think it’s going to be a BIG hit.
The Jungle Cruise at Magic Kingdom has been undergoing refurbishment since August 26th.
Jungle Cruise
While specifics about the refurbishment are unknown, we do know that the ride will be closed until mid-October. It’s not uncommon for rides to close for refurbishment in Disney World. It’s how Disney is able to maintain its rides to ensure they work properly for many years to come. What is odd about this refurbishment, though, is the strange side effect it seemed to have caused in another area of Adventureland.
There’s only one real problem with being a Disney adult: we have adult money to spend on Disney things.
Loungefly Wall at the Emporium in Magic Kingdom
That often means that we’re spending money on souvenirs we don’t need, but hey, we want them! Yes, we’ve got shelves full of Disney Funko Pops, but that won’t stop us from buying more. We have walls full of ears, and yep, we’ll keep buying them. We’ve got closets full of spirit jerseys, but in our defense, they ARE comfy, if a little pricey. There are also a few other Disney souvenirs we can’t stop spending money on, though, and we’re going to share them with you.
Disney World’s refurbishment schedule doesn’t always make a lot of sense, but at least you get a little bit of a heads up when restaurants, pools, and amenities will temporarily close.
Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside Resort
We’ve seen rides close for refurbishments. Pools often close in the quieter months for necessary upkeep (although sometimes they close in the busier summer months, too). Even Disney World restaurants close to get refreshed from time to time. Well, we’ve got some news on one particular restaurant, a cafe, that will be closing SOON for refurbishment.
If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you might want to know if you’ll get any special perks for staying at a Disney-owned hotel (or other select hotels in the Disney World area).
Swan & Dolphin
The answer is YES! One of the best Disney World hotel perks right now is Early Theme Park Entry, which gets you into the theme parks 30 minutes before everyone else. However, if you stay at a deluxe Disney World resort, you also get Extended Evening Hours, which gives you several extra hours in the theme parks at the end of the day that the general public doesn’t get. Well, you don’t HAVE to pay Disney World deluxe hotel prices to get this perk.
Disneyland is full of tons of different dining options and snacks; sometimes, it can feel hard to decide where to go.
Craftsman Grill
That’s why we’re here, thankfully! We’ve eaten all around the resort, so keep an eye out for all our latest snack news so you know what’s worth your money (and what may not be) when you take your trip. Some dining spots get new menu items each month, which means it is time for us to head over to Craftsman Grill to try its new hot dog of the month. Spoiler alert: we were VERY surprised by this thing.
When we’re not in Disney World, we’re pretty much THINKING about being in Disney World.
Magic Kingdom
For those of us who don’t live in or around the theme parks, waiting between trips can be BRUTAL. Of course, some of us immediately start planning the next Disney World trip if we can just to keep the post-trip doldrums at bay. But wouldn’t it be even better to get a FREE trip to Disney World? We just discovered a new contest where you could win that free trip to Disney World, so keep reading if you want to know more!
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