Why Use a Travel Agent?

I often get asked “Why should we use you?” Well, here are a few GREAT reasons to use a Travel Agent:

We are excited for your trip! As a fan of Disney, I LOVE when I get to help plan a trip and I cannot wait to hear about how everything went and all of your magical experiences. More than likely you won’t find a friend that wants to hear every detail about your trip as much as I do!

We get our information directly from the mouse himself! Nothing is a “guess” if you use us. If you have a question and we don’t know the answer, we’ll find it for you even if it requires calling Disney directly. We train through Disney and other vendors (Universal, Sea World, cruise lines, etc.) Our info is always accurate unlike what you might hear from friends or co-workers.

We can be as involved with your vacation (or not involved) as you would like. Some people prefer to book their own dining and fastpasses. Just because you book through a travel agent, doesn’t mean you have to give up that control. You can still do all of this. If you want to take advantage of my services and use me to book dining at 6am 180 days out or fastpasses at midnight 60 days out, I am happy to oblige.

We are able to tailor the vacation to your needs. Allergies, special needs, disabilities? We are able to help with all of that! Disney is excellent about taking care of special needs/dietary restrictions. We will take care of this for you and make sure your vacation is stress free!

Personalized itinerary. Traveling with small children? How about teenagers? Or no kids? I will personalize your very own itinerary mapping out each day to make the most of your time in Disney. This takes all of the guess work out of your vacation and makes it so much more stress free. I will note when you need to leave and how to get to your dining reservations or fastpass locations as well as any types of shows/parades/fireworks viewing (with the best places to view them and when to stake out your spot). I also list several quick service restaurants with partial menus and character meeting locations.

In your documents package from me, you’ll receive park maps, itinerary, tip sheets, resort information and much, much more as well as special gifts and surprises for booking through me. You don’t get that when you book yourself!

Small business support. When you book through me, you are supporting a small business. You are helping us to pay for swim lessons, family vacations, everyday bills, etc. You are supporting our family and I am forever grateful. I am also much more likely to return the favor if you ever begin a home business journey (such as Thirty-One, MaryKay, Tastefully Simple, Beachbody, etc.) Keep that in mind!

I offer my opinions and experiences. I don’t push anything onto my clients and I don’t try to upsell anything (honestly!) I will tell you my experiences and let you make your own decisions. If you book on your own, Disney will not (and cannot) give their experience or opinions on anything. If you feel like you really don’t want a dining plan (even though it could save you money), I won’t push you into it. I will describe it and give you the numbers to decide on your own. Same goes for Memory Maker, tours, extra activities, etc. You won’t find a sales pitch by using me, just an opinion & honest personal experiences.

You get one agent. This is not a call center or agency where you will deal with multiple people. I will get to know your family and hopefully book your travel for years to come. It makes booking travel so much easier when you have an agent that knows your family. I will know what type of vacations you enjoy and favorite activities, attractions, destinations without having to repeat yourself over and over when booking yourself.

Even though you are working with me, I have a very lethal arsenal of Disney vacation planners at my disposal… *evil laugh*  Seriously though, our entire agency specializes in Disney so if I am in need of a reservation, fastpass or just some information/recommendations, I can ask my entire agency.  They are awesome!

24/7 support. Granted I do sleep at night, if you email, text or call and I am awake, I will answer as soon as possible. My response rate is super fast. If you’re in Disney and can’t find a bathroom, let me know… even from home, I can direct you to the nearest restroom! Yup, it’s that level of service that makes using me invaluable.

I can help you avoid crowds. There is a science behind planning a Disney vacation and I know all of the magic tricks to make sure you enjoy the lowest wait times possible.

And the best reason to use me?  It’s FREE! Yes, we cost NOTHING extra to use. We are the same price as if you were to book yourself. In fact, we may end up saving you money. If a promotion comes out, we are ON it in the early morning hours (while you’re probably still sleeping). This will save you money & hours on hold with the Disney. We know all of the tricks to get you the best prices.

 

 

Why wear a FREE pin at Walt Disney World???

Seriously, one of my favorite souvenirs (and it’s FREE!) is a pin from Walt Disney World! You can get these pins for almost ANY occasion AND they might just end up sprinkling pixie dust all over you and your vacation!

I swear this is the reason why my daughter has received a stuffed Duffy bear from a cast member (as a gift!) and why she was chosen to be in the Frozen parade at Hollywood Studios with Anna & Elsa!

I have received free desserts & free champagne because of these magnificent buttons.

If you are going to Disney and it’s your first time, be sure to wear a button!!!
Maybe you just got married… wear a honeymoon button or “Just Married” button or BOTH! How about a family reunion?  Cast members will gladly personalize any of these to fit whatever you are celebrating!  Are you celebrating your birthday from 6 months ago?  Go right ahead and get a button!!!

Where can you get these?  You can get them at the front desk at your resort or guest services at any park… many of the stores also carry them – just ASK!

If you’re looking to get personalized pins made (with your own pictures or printing), there is a wonderful company called “ParkBound Buttons”.  I have ordered from them before and they deliver a quality product.  You can check them out HERE on Facebook.

Cruising on the Disney Dream – Part 2 (Food)

What is there to eat?  Well, Disney has something unique called “Rotational Dining” where you get to eat in a different restaurant each night but your servers will follow you so you have the same people waiting on you every night.  They get to know your likes and dislikes to better serve you.  The very first night my son received broccoli with his meal and he didn’t touch it.  Of course, the next night there was no broccoli on his plate.  This is a GREAT option for picky eaters… you can request things that are not on the menu or that you had a different night.  We really loved this feature.

Before we get into the three main dining rooms on the Disney Dream, let’s talk buffet!  Cabana’s is the main buffet on the Dream where you can get breakfast, lunch and sometimes dinner.  The very first day when we boarded the ship, we ate at Cabana’s.  There are tables indoors and outdoors or you can take your tray to your room if you wish.

This buffet seems neverending… there is just SO much to choose from.  Seafood, meat, veggies, fruit… tons of options to make everyone happy.  Drinks are self serve

We were able to get a table by the window overlooking the water which was a great way to kick off our very first cruise!

Breakfast is also a great meal to have at Cabana’s… so much to choose from!

Hash browns, bacon, sausage, cereal, egg sandwiches, plantains, tomatoes, eggs, pancakes, yogurt, burritos and of course, Mickey waffles.

There are two different dinner times you choose from before you cruise.  Either 5:45pm or 8:15pm.  We like the earlier option so that we can see a show afterwards.  Our very first night we ate at Royal Palace which is BEAUTIFUL!

The bread basket was in the shape of Cinderella’s carriage.  Each night there is a different kind of bread/butter/oil offered.

I had the “Iced Lobster & Jumbo Shrimp”.  This was good but not very big… you are welcome to order as much as you want off of these menus so I did get two appetizers.  The portions are smaller than what you would get at Disney World.

“Breaded and Deep Fried Brie”… this was excellent.  I can’t wait to order it again!

“Chateaubriand-Roasted Filet of Steak”.  This was excellent and a good portion.

Grilled cheese and fries… they even cut off the crust 🙂

The kids had pizza, fries & veggies.

Since this was Halloween night, we got a special treat for dessert:

I ordered the sampler for dessert so I could try a little of everything.

A nice little surprise:

Mickey ice cream bars are on the cruises!  They’re often not listed on the menus but you can ask and you’ll receive 🙂

On our second night we ate at Animator’s Palate.

This is my favorite restaurant… there’s so much detail and it’s very “Disneyfied”.

There’s a very special character that makes an appearance at this restaurant… Crush!

Crush will actually swim from screen to screen and interact with those sitting nearby.  He talked to us first on this night… asking where we were from and what we like to do for fun.  He even repeated our kids’ names.  It’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before!

There was lots to choose from on this menu:

I went with the Black Truffle Pasta Purseittes, it was excellent:

and the Seared Red Snapper:

The kids had chicken skewers (notice the ketchup Mickey!):

Mac and cheese:

We skipped dessert on this night because it was Pirate Night and that means a buffet later on at Cabana’s.

Our very last night on the ship, we ate at the Enchanted Garden.

This restaurant is gorgeous… it resembles a garden that has very subtle changes throughout the meals (keep an eye on the flower lamps overhead to see petals moving and colors changing).

The menu, once again, had lots to offer:

I had the North Atlantic Lobster Ravioli:

and the Cucumber Garden Roll:

I loved the lobster ravioli but could have done without the cucumber roll.  As an entree, I had the Caramelized Sea Scallops… they were great but it would’ve been nice to have more than just the five.  The couscous was a great filler.

Our awesome waitstaff brought hubby an entire cheese pizza.

The desserts were excellent!

Now the dining rooms are great and all but if you get hungry in between meals, you can always check out the quick service windows that are located on the pool deck.  At these windows you can get burgers, wraps, pizzas, salads, etc. at ANY time.  There’s a topping bar and you can take the plates wherever you want to sit down and enjoy your meal.

On the other side of the quick service windows, there is FREE ice cream!!!  Yup, you read right!  Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry & banana… and the option to swirl them… yum, yum, yum!

Is that enough food?  Well, if it’s not.. there’s always 24 hour room service and yes, it’s also included with your cruise… NO extra charge!!!

You can order cereal, burgers, fries, fruit bowls, cheese plates, BLT’s, cookies, Mickey ice cream bars and so much more!

Let’s rewind and talk about that Pirate Night buffet… this is held at Cabana’s immediately following the fireworks.  It gets very crowded so you want to be near the restaurant when the show is over… you can always take the food outside as well.

Check out the neat carvings on the buffet…

The buffet items are different on this special night… tacos & turkey legs are the main attraction.  Be sure to have a good appetite!

There are also the adult restaurants on the ship, Palo & Remy where you can have brunch or dinner.  These meals are fancy and require a dress code.  You will also pay out of pocket for them.  I did not experience these on our 3 night cruise since I wanted to see what everything else was about but I do have a brunch at Palo and dinner at Remy on our next cruise coming up very shortly which I’m sooo excited about!

Be sure to check out my next blog post about more on board the Disney Dream!

Cruising on the Disney Dream – Part 1

Ever wondered what it’s like to go on a Disney cruise?  We experienced our very first cruise last Halloween and fell in love!  Follow along to see what there is to do… eat… see… play… and experience on a Disney cruise!!!

Let’s start at the beginning… whether you’re flying in the day of the cruise or staying at a Disney resort the night prior to your cruise, you will not have to worry about your luggage!  Disney will take care of it for you if you’re using their transportation.  This is a great perk and really takes the stress off traveling to Port Canaveral.  Just attach the special tags to your luggage and magically, it will appear in your stateroom on the ship.

We stayed at Disney’s Boardwalk Resort for a few nights before our cruise.  Disney informed us on what time and where to meet for pickup.  Our meeting place was the Belle Vue Lounge.

The buses pick up from a few resorts.  When it’s time, they will lead you outside to get on the bus.

These are very much like Magical Express buses… there are tv’s inside where they play all sorts of cruise videos to get you excited!  The ride to Port Canaveral from Disney is just over an hour long… soon you’ll see this beautiful sight in the distance:

Once you arrive at the port, you will enter security.  It’s very much like airport security where you go through a metal detector and send your carry on’s through an x-ray machine.  Once you’re cleared, you take the escalator upstairs.

This is where you check in.  If you’ve been on a Disney cruise before, you’ll get to enter a special line for repeat cruisers (Castaway Club members).  You can also get wristbands for the kids clubs.  When the time comes, you go through the Mickey ears to board the ship.  Photographers will be on hand to take your pictures so be sure to smile.  You can pre-purchase the photo packages to save a few dollars but beware, these packages are PRICEY!!!  They are nothing like Memory Maker which seems like a bargain after cruising!

As you board the ship, Disney announces your family name welcoming everyone on board.  You enter the atrium which is stunning on every DCL ship.

Now, onto our stateroom.  Disney keeps families in mind when they designed these rooms.  They have LOTS of room and split baths to accommodate everyone.

We were on deck 10 at the very back of the ship.  Our balcony was HUGE.

At 4pm sharp there is a Muster Drill.  Basically this is to account for everyone on board and make sure you’re aware of where you need to go if there’s a ship-wide emergency.  Immediately following the drill, everyone heads to the top decks for the Sail Away party.  On your way to the party, you’ll be offered drinks (no, they are not complimentary but you do get to keep the cups).

During the party characters make an appearance.  There’s dancing and a countdown to the ship’s horn going off.  It’s a lot of fun and a great way to kick off your cruise!

Soon enough, this is your view:

Thanks for checking out Part 1 of Cruising on the Disney Dream.  Up next, we’ll share some of the food available (because there’s PLENTY of it).

For cruise quotes on DCL or any cruise line, contact me at youcandreamittravel@yahoo.com

My services are 100% free!

Foodie Friday – Everything Pop Food Court at Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Each resort has GREAT dining options… even the value resorts like Pop Century!

Pop Century has a food court with many different items to choose from.  There’s pizza, pasta, sandwiches and so much more.  There are five different “stations” in the food court: Bakery & Cafe, Grill, Market, East meets West and Pizza & Pasta.  There’s also a self serve quick food area where you can find drinks, snacks & smaller to-go meals.  The food court is connected to the souvenir shop located in Classic Hall (where you normally check in).

Breakfast, lunch & dinner are served here and hours are 6am-12am.

The Pop waffle is HUGE:

Breakfast platters are available with Mickey waffles:

and giant cinnamon buns:

Plain nachos are always a great mid-day snack:

or get them loaded:

Chicken alfredo or mac & cheese complete with breadsticks:

Pepperoni pizza & beef stroganoff with a caesar salad:

Kids meals are very filling with a personal pizza, breadsticks, grapes, cookie & juice:

The famous tie-dye cheesecake… they have since changed this to serving them in cups but they are still delicious!

If you need a quick meal at your resort, this is a great option!

The dining plan is accepted here… you can also pick up your refillable mug while you’re at it.

Be sure to check it out on your next visit to Pop Century.

Foodie Friday: Narcoossee’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

The Grand Floridian, quite possibly the most majestic of all Disney resorts.

From the Magic Kingdom you can take either the monorail or boat transportation to this resort.

Narcoossee’s is located to your left as you disembark from your boat ride.  It is in it’s own separate building with windows surrounding the building (sure to give a spectacular view to those lucky enough to score the perfect reservation time).

The complimentary bread and butter is some of the best I have had on property.  The butter had a pink sea salt on it.

This is a GREAT restaurant to choose if you love seafood.  The appetizers include many seafood options such as mussels, calamari, shrimp & a delicious lobster bisque.  I went with the cheese selection this night.  Our waiter brought out the list and descriptions of each cheese and the plate.

These were fantastic.  As for entrees, the choices include snapper, flounder, salmon, tuna, scallops and of course lobster.  There are also a few steak choices for those who love their meat!  There’s a New York strip and filet mignon along with chicken breast on the menu as well.  You can add a side of split king crab legs, lobster mac & cheese or mashed potatoes for a little extra.  I chose the two pound steamed Maine lobster and it was delicious!!!

The kids have plenty to choose from as well… my son ended up with the fruit salad for an appetizer.

…and a steak for his entree.  This steak was excellent (that coming from both mom & the child).

For dessert I kept it light and got a bowl of seasonal fruit.

My son ordered the Nemo cupcake and how could you not love this!?

He devoured it (of course) and declared that was the coolest dessert ever.

Narcoossee’s is only open for dinner and if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan, it takes two credits.  This is a signature restaurant so dress code does apply.  If you can time your reservation perfectly, you may be able to see Wishes from the restaurant.  It’s also a great place to see the fireworks from right outside the restaurant.  The music is piped in.

Do not miss out on this great establishment if you’re a big seafood fan!

Foodie Friday – Boma at Animal Kingdom Lodge

This week’s post is focused on the greatness that is Boma.  Boma is located inside Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jambo House.  This is a buffet style restaurant and is open for both breakfast & dinner daily.  When you enter Animal Kingdom Lodge’s lobby, you will walk to your right where you can see the restaurant from up above.    

Walk down the stairs to the waiting area below where you check in.  If you are here before dinner, the cast members sometimes do a welcome ceremony where they play drums and chant… it’s a lot of fun!

If you plan to eat at Boma, be sure to come hungry!  There is plenty to choose from for all types of eaters even though the buffet itself is African themed.

The buffet is set up in “pod style” where there are different stations of food.  One is meats, one is salads, one is soups and so on.

The different foods are labeled on top of each station.

Breakfast is wonderful and very affordable!  There are pecan rolls, asparagus, bacon, sausage, fruits, omelets, pancakes, cereal, potatoes, yogurt and so much more…

My daughter was lucky enough to have the head chef bring out a giant Mickey waffle for her one morning.  These are normally not offered on the buffet itself but I’m sure if you ask…

If you’re celebrating a birthday or special occasion, you might get a cucpake with gummy bears and sprinkles as dessert!

Dinner is more of an adventure but so very good!  There are soups, salads, cuts of meat, breads, fruits and kids choices like mac & cheese, etc.

This seafood stew is a favorite of ours.. it is delicious!!!

Lots to choose from for dessert as well!

Once you’re finished with your meal, you can venture to the back of the Lodge and take a look outside.  This is a great way to get up close to some really neat animals.

The resort itself is worth a visit but getting to eat at Boma is icing on the cake.  Don’t be afraid to try something different, you might just love it!

How I spent a FULL Month in Disney Last Year! (How We Can Afford It!)

I took a total of 4 vacations to Disney World within a year of each other. The shortest trip was over 4 nights/5 days. The longest trip was 9 nights/10 days. I constantly get asked “HOW DO YOU DO IT?”

I will admit it, I am as frugal as they come. I frequent garage sales and only buy what’s on sale at the grocery store.. I’ve been known to pay nothing for $100 grocery trips. I simply refuse to pay more when I do not have to. I hold garage sales, sell online, secret shop, take surveys, make crafts… you name it. Any which way I can make a buck, I’m doing it!

If you knew our household income, your jaw would drop. We do not make a lot of money. We have adjusted our lifestyle so that we are able to afford what we love.

We have made Disney a priority in our lives. Instead of taking weekend trips elsewhere or spending money at restaurants/movies… we save it and take more frequent trips. Here are just a few tips on how we’re able to do this:

-I open up Southwest Visa credit cards to take advantage of their 50,000 free points. This can usually buy all four of us one way flights. It ends up costing a small $69 fee plus any fees from the airline but that’s it. Worth it in the end.

-We each have a Disney Visa.  My husband opened one this year so we could get the free $200 gift card in the first few months.  Basically, if you have the self control, play the credit card game.  Use them to your advantage and don’t pay any interest.  They can make you lots of money through their perks!

-Staying on property! I know you can rent a house or condo for super cheap around Disney but you will be missing out on soooo much! It’s just not worth it. Parking at each theme park is $17 per day. That adds up.  The parking lots are all farther away from where the buses or monorails/boats would let you off therefore you’re not only saving money by staying on property but TIME as well.  When you stay on property you’ll get free Magic Bands (and let’s admit it, those things are awesome). You’ll also get access to the parks earlier and later than everyone else staying off property. One park each day has “Extra Magic Hours” when they’re only open for Disney resort guests and you can get SO much done in these hours. Also, the convenience of sending your stuff back to your resort… not having to carry it around all day. You get to book your dining farther out than if you’re on property and you get to book your Fastpasses 30 days sooner than those staying off property. These things are HUGE and could make/break that perfect vacation that you have in your mind. We have stayed off property and I will never, ever do it again. We ended up spending much more than we would have at a Disney resort and it was much more stressful. Cooking meals yourself will save you BUT who wants to leave the parks mid-day to go back and COOK!? I’m on vacation. I don’t want to have these responsibilities while I’m there.  Disney’s restaurants only add to the experience… dine with characters or try something new.  You won’t regret it.

-Go before they’re THREE! Kids under 3 are FREE! Yes, free for everything from tickets to dining. I often hear that parents don’t want to take their kids at that age because “they won’t remember it”. Well, this is a HUGE savings… by not having to pay for them at this age, you’ll be able to take them again once they get older. It’s a good way to test the waters and you just can’t beat that look on a toddler’s face when they see Mickey for the first time! We are talking about saving a couple hundred dollars here… it is so worth it and of course, Disney is KID friendly! There are baby stations throughout the parks & rider swaps so both adults can take turns on the bigger rides. MANY rides have no height restrictions so they are safe to take babies on as well.

-Stay as long as possible. I always get the question, how long is the perfect trip? My answer is 10 days. No one likes to hear that because it sounds expensive but honestly, it’s not! There are four parks. You will need at least one full day for each park. You can easily spend two days in Magic Kingdom and two days in Epcot so we’re at six. There is also Downtown Disney and if you want to take a relaxing day or do something else, you may want more. If there are special events going on (Halloween or Christmas parties) an extra day is more than welcome! The great thing is once you get to four day tickets, it’s only $10 more to add on another day. That initial $100 for one day is a bit of a sticker shock to most people. If you buy 4 days worth of tickets, why not buy 5 for $10 more so you have another full day in the park? It just makes sense. So the longer you can stretch out your vacation, the better value you will get out of it.  Let’s take a 3 night vacation for 4 with tickets & dining plan at $2106.04.  You can add on 7 more nights (that’s a whole week MORE) for almost the same cost as those first 3 days!  For a full 10 days you would be looking at $4,379.80.  (these are rack rate prices – no discounts have been added in)  If this is going to be your ONLY trip to Disney, do it right!  10 days may sound like a long time but it will fly by! If you work a Mon-Fri job, I find it best to leave the Friday prior and use both weekends in there so you’re not taking that much vacation.  If you can’t do 10 days, then the bare minimum I would suggest is at least 5.  One day for each of the parks and one day for relaxing & Downtown Disney.  You do not want to miss out on what any of the parks has to offer!

-Memory Maker shares! I am a fan of the Memory Maker. As a travel agent, I do not get any commission for recommending this product. I really do just love it! It’s not so much the in park photos but the on-ride photos that make me feel like this is a GREAT deal. On ride photos are normally $17+ each in the parks. If you get 10 on ride photos, you have made your money back… not to mention all of those magic shots, park photos, meal photos, special events, private photos shoots at Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique & Pirates League… worth it!!! If you can find other people who are going at the same time you are, you can do a Memory Maker share to save on the costs. Sometimes you can get the cost down to around $20 per family!

-We love to take advantage of the deals! There are ALWAYS promotions going on… just avoid major holidays and spring break when prices are hiked up.

-Stick to JUST Disney. I know it’s tempting to go to Universal Studios, Sea World, Discovery Cove, etc. These places work just as Disney does and the first day’s tickets are pricey. For our family of four to visit Universal for one day with park-to-park tickets, it costed just over $550. Discovery Cove (swimming with the dolphins) can be $350 per person for one day. If you want to go to these places, I suggest a separate vacation. Stay at Universal so you can take advantage of their FREE express pass and early entry for resort guests… the more days you stay to play, the cheaper it is.

-Play the credit card game. I just recently opened another Disney credit card in my husband’s name to get the $200 reward after you spend $500 in the first 3 months. That’s a free $200 towards our vacation! Only do this if you have the discipline to pay off your credit card each month. I will never pay a dime of interest and that is the ONLY way to make it work for you.

-Book early to get the best dining possible… many places are beginning to book up within minutes of reservations opening up. You can book your restaurants up to 180+10 days if you’re staying on-site.  Booking with a Disney Travel Agent (like myself) will ensure you get any of the deals that come out even after you’re booked.

-Pack snacks & drinks. Even though we love to eat in the parks or at the resorts, we still need drinks & snacks throughout the day. We order from a grocery delivery service so that we can have stuff in our room. Mini fridges are in each of the rooms now and we like to buy a bunch of water, juice boxes & Mountain Dew for the hubby since it’s only Coke products in the park. Disney allows food & drink to be brought into the park as long as it’s in your backpack or bag… no rolling coolers allowed. This saves us $3-5 each time we want a drink or snack.

-Pay OFF the trip before you go! I will NEVER take a trip on credit… I simply could not enjoy it. I make it like a bill and make sure we have it paid off when the time comes to go and enjoy ourselves.

-Buy Disney gift cards using Target’s 5% back Red Card. I use gift cards to pay off everything from our trip to our dining to souvenirs and even gratuity! 5% saved on $3,000 is $150.

-Use a Disney Vacation Account! If you set up a Disney Vacation Account, you can have it automatically add payments to your account or just add in your own gift cards.

-We plan one park per day. There’s really no need for park hopping. It takes up time and wastes money. There is plenty to do in each park for a full day. Be there at rope drop, take breaks in the afternoon (see shows or movies) and stay till park close.

-Take advantage of Disney’s coupons. By booking on-site you’ll receive a booklet with money saving coupons. We love to visit Disney Quest which is a giant 5 floor building full of arcade games. You get two free tickets in your documents from Disney for this place! There are also dining savings & mini golf savings.

-Go to OTHER resorts!!! Don’t just stick to the parks. There is SO much to see at Disney World. In 8 trips, I still have not seen it all and probably never will. Some of the resorts are marvels in their own way. The Contemporary has the monorail that runs right through the middle of it. The Grand Floridian is worth a visit to hear the live music in the lobby. Animal Kingdom Lodge is astoundingly beautiful. The Boardwalk is so much fun at night! I could go on and on and on… take a night off and resort hop. It costs NOTHING.

-Buy souvenirs at home and make “Tinkerbell” gifts for the kids. Presents magically appear for my kids in the hotel room in the morning or when we return from the parks at night. This keeps them from begging for toys at each store. A Dollar Tree coloring book sure beats a $20 Disney coloring book!

-Dining Plan… we LOVE the Dining Plan! It’s not for everyone but even when we outright purchased the Deluxe Dining Plan (3 table service credits & 2 snack credits per night), we ended up getting over $1,000 in FREE food when all was said and done.  Make this vacation something to remember and splurge a little.

-Bounceback offers. Check your room documents to see what the bounceback offer is. Sometimes it’s free dining and sometimes it’s a room discount. If you plan to return within the dates listed, it’s a great time to book to guarantee those savings.

-Cruises – Book while on-board! You will save yourself 10% off the total cruise price and possibly get up to a $200 on-board credit. Sometimes deposits are reduced as well. You can always cancel if something comes up but this way, you have a guaranteed savings in your pocket.

-Use a travel agent! Preferably me (ha!) You will not be sorry. By using a good agent you will get those discounts even if they come out after you book. You will get all of these tips and more. You will get around the clock help with this vacation and it all costs you NOTHING extra. Why wouldn’t you?

If you make this a priority, it will happen. So make it a priority! Your kids are only little for so long. You only have 18 years to make family vacation memories with them. I will never regret a penny that I have spent on a Walt Disney World vacation. They are the ultimate in vacations and no price tag can be put on the memories you will create. Each trip we have taken has been better than the last. It truly is the most magical place on Earth and I really hope everyone will take time to experience it at least once in their lives!

Please keep in mind these are my own personal thoughts and experiences.  🙂

Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Yes indeed!  Epcot’s International Food & Wine Festival is coming this fall!  It will run from September 25th – November 16th this year.  If you love trying different foods and beverages, this is the perfect time for you to visit Epcot.

Be sure not to miss out on visiting The Festival Center located in between Mission: Space & Ellen’s Energy Adventure.  Inside the Festival Center you’ll find all sorts of info, merchandise, seminars and wine!

Be on the lookout for the Ghirardelli area where you can check out some really amazing chocolate sculptures done by Disney pastry chefs.  It’s hard to believe these are actually edible creations!

As you walk from Future World to World Showcase, you’ll pass by the famous Ocean Spray cranberry bog.  You can usually score some free samples of Craisins around this area so keep your eyes peeled.

All around World Showcase there are stands.  Some are related to the “country” they are nearby and some are just random.  You can get a map of the locations at any of the stands as well as a passport to keep track of each country that you visit and taste something from.  This is a great activity for the kids to keep busy with while the grown ups have their own fun.

In front of each stand there is a menu board.  The majority of the food items will have “Dining Plan” icons next to them.  This means that these are actually considered a “snack credit” on any of the dining plans!  So in order to maximize your credit usage, be sure to get items that are more pricey rather than the $1.95 sample.

Now onto the food!  I have gone to Food & Wine every year since 2011 except for 2013 so I have quite a few photos… do not attempt to scroll down if you are in any way hungry right now.  It’s just a really bad idea.

2011

South Korea –  lettuce wraps with roast pork and kimchi slaw:

Australia – Grilled Lamb Chop with Potato-Goat Cheese Salad and Shiraz Reduction:

Australia – Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze:

Mexico – Shrimp Taco:

China – Pork Pot Stickers:

Hops & Barley – Linda Bean’s Perfect Maine Lobster Roll:

Hops & Barley – Linda Bean’s Lobster Claw Cuddler with Drawn Butter:

2012

Terra – chili colorado with house-made chips & cashew cheese featuring gardein beefless tips:

Desserts – Trio Sampler:

South Africa – seared filet of beef with smashed sweet potatoes and braai sauce:

Caribbean – jerk spiced chicken drumstick with mango chutney:

Hawaii – kahlua pork slider with sweet and sour dole pineapple chutney and spicy mayonnaise:

Hops & Barley – Lobster Claw:

Hops & Barley – Lobster Roll:

Desserts – Frozen Nesquick Strawberry Foam:

Germany – Sausage Pierogie

Cheese Sampler:

Germany – Bratwurst on Pretzel Roll

Japan – Volcano Roll:

France – Escargot

2014

Farm Fresh – Nueske’s Pepper Bacon hash with sweet corn, potatoes, hollandaise and pickled jalapenos (gluten free)

Terra – CraB’less CraB Cake with pepper slaw and Cajun remoulade featuring Gardein™ (vegetarian) & Fresh Watermelon Juice

Fife & Drum – Mmmhops (Hanson’s beer):

France – La Passion Martini Slush: vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron, cranberry and passion fruit juice:

Korea – Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce

Africa – Beef Tenderloin Tips Berebere style with okra, jalapenos, tomato, and Pap:

Poland – Sauerkraut pierogi with Pork Goulash & Frozen Szarlotka (Apple Pie) featuring Zubrowka Bison Grass Vodka:

Italy – Ravioli alla caprese: Cheese Ravioli, tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and basil (vegetarian) & Pinot Grigio Placido:

Refreshment Port – Croissant doughnut with cinnamon and sugar (vegetarian), Dole Whip Soft-serve & Dole Whip Soft-serve with crème de cacao white (vegetarian):

Canada – “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce (gluten-free) & Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup:

Ireland – Lobster & Seafood Fisherman’s Pie

Morocco – Spicy shrimp roll with cilantro and mint sauce & Mimosa Royale: Sparkling wine and orange juice topped with orange liqueur:

Australia: Garlic Shrimp with Roasted Tomatoes, Lemon Myrtle & Rapini along with the Pavlova (kids loved it) Crispy Meringue Shell with Fresh Berries & Vanilla Custard:

Greece – Griddled Greek Cheese with PIstachios & Honey:

Puerto Rico – Carne Guisada con Arroz Blanco (slow-braised beef with Puerto Rican-grown rice), Tostones (fried green plantains with mayo-ketchup) & a Frozen San Juan Breeze featuring Don Q Limon Rum:

Hawaii – Kalua Pork Slider with sweet and sour Dole pineapple chutney & spicy mayo and a glass of Maui Blanc Pineapple Wine

Desserts & Champagne – Dessert Trio – Passion Fruit Coconut Creamsicle, Blueberry Lime Cheesecake Roll (yum!!!) and Chocolate Espresso Opera Cake along with a Frozen S’More drink:

Scotland – Scallop with spinach & bacon:

 –

Hops & Barley – Baked Lobster Alfredo

Hops & Barley – Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Pimento Cheese:

Hops & Barley – Cheese Sampler – Cabot Cloth Wrapped Cheddar, Purple Haze Chevre Goat Cheese & Caveman Blue Cheese

Hops & Barley – Fresh Baked Carrot Cake with Craisins and Cream Cheese Icing:

Brazil – Cocada – Brazilian Coconut Candy:

Brazil – Crispy Pork Belly with Black Beans, Tomato & Cilantro:

France – Escargot

If that doesn’t make you hungry, I don’t know what will.  There are lots of special events going on during Food & Wine as well as free concerts, seminars, tastings, etc.  I can’t recommend this enough.  Feel free to contact me with any questions or to book your trip to Disney!  My services are free (and the dining plan is being offered right now until July 10th for many Food & Wine dates!)  youcandreamittravel@yahoo.com

Foodie Friday: Todd English’s bluzoo at the Dolphin

Don’t get me wrong, character meals are GREAT!  With that said, don’t miss out on everything else Disney has to offer… there are some wonderful restaurants on property.  We recently visited the Dolphin Resort which is near Epcot & Hollywood Studios.  Inside, we had a reservation at Todd English’s bluzoo Restaurant.  Before entering, we could tell we were in for a great experience.  The entrance dons a water fountain with a television behind it (my daughter got a kick out of this!)

Inside are a lot of cool colors and calming lights… the restaurant is beautiful.

Their drink menu is so much fun!  Lots to choose from and very unique.  I chose the “burnt orange” drink which is described like this: “herradura blanco infused with bruleed orange and muddled with agave nectar, grand marnier and orange juice, topped with a flaming orange” and yes, indeed, that orange was flaming when it arrived.

This drink was excellent and very strong… no need for another.  The “bread & dip” is brought out… and this is excellent as well!

The main menu has so much to choose from and here’s the kicker… everything on the menu is supported by actual farms throughout the United States.  You know that everything is fresh and going to be top quality.  The appetizers feature hearts of palm, tuna tartare, pork belly, shrimp & flatbread.  I ordered the teppan seared jumbo sea scallops with braised beef short rib and silky cauliflower puree.

This was absolutely perfect.  The scallop was one of the largest I have ever seen… I wish I had taken a picture next to a quarter to show how you could have fit about 4 quarters side by side inside of it.  The short rib was so tender and the sauce was perfect.

The entree choices were an even harder decision.  Just a few of the choices included a Raw Bar (oysters, clams, shrimp, tuna, lobster, etc.), lamb, beef tenderloin, two pound lobster, ahi tuna, chicken, pasta & mero (a Hawaiian sea bass).  I went with “Simply Fish” – Daily selection of finest fresh fish selected from coastal waters around the world (this was Opah from Hawaii), simply grilled on our teppanyaki grill, served with choice of sauce: warm crabmeat, dijon mustard, chives sauce; sauce of the day. Added a lobster to it for a bit extra.

That is black truffle dusted on the bottom of the plate as well… then the sauce came in a separate bowl.

This stuff was gold… absolute perfection in so many ways.  There was plenty to drizzle over the dish and a good size portion to just enjoy with a spoon.  I dream of the day I get to enjoy this meal again.

My daughter ordered a cheese pizza from the kid’s menu.

She wasn’t a huge fan of the flatbread style so we ended up boxing this up to take back with us.  Then our wonderful waitress surprised her with a special birthday dessert.

Of course, she absolutely LOVED this.  (Who wouldn’t!?)  Our service was excellent… the waitress sat down with us and spent a lot of time talking with us.  We had a very early reservation so the restaurant was fairly empty and I think that worked in our favor.

The only downside to dining here is that it’s not included on the Disney Dining Plan.  It is well worth paying out of pocket though!

This would be an excellent dinner option for your day in Epcot or Hollywood Studios… don’t miss out!