DisneyTips.com Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
1. A select few restaurants come with bottomless alcoholic beverages
Unlimited alcoholic beverages is certainly a rare prospect at the Walt Disney World Resort, but there are a couple of locations where you can actually score multiple drinks for one price. Dinner shows like the Hoop Dee Doo Revue typically come with bottomless beer (Bud Light) or (Beso del Sol) sangria, and select table service offerings like brunch at California Grill come with bottomless mimosas.
2. You can dine in a restaurant that spins (albeit very slowly)
The Garden Grill Restaurant, located in the Land pavilion at Epcot actually rotates throughout the course of your meal. It’s difficult to feel the restaurant turning because it moves so slowly, but you are sure to notice it when the scenery around you changes. While the restaurant rotates, guests experience different show scenes from the Living with the Land boat ride, which is located right below the dining area.
3. Disney has a quick service restaurant that offers dinner and a show
One of the most unique quick service dining experiences can be found right in Tomorrowland at the Magic Kingdom. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe features live music by Sonny Eclipse, an Audio Animatronic alien who performs daily on his Astro Organ. Joined by a crew of back up singers he calls the Space Angels, Sonny puts on quite the show, which makes this dining experience one of the most interesting places to stop for a quick burger at the Walt Disney World Resort.
4. Many quick service restaurants in the parks now offer mobile ordering
Guests can mobile order food from most of the quick service restaurants in the parks. Mobile ordering can all be done through the My Disney Experience app, and this is a game changer when it comes to saving time while dining in the parks. When food is ordered on the app, you can simply pick it up when it’s ready and bypass the lines at the register.
5. One turkey leg is over 1,000 calories
Disney’s famous turkey legs may fall into the snack category, but they should probably be more of a meal. With one leg coming in at just over 1,000 calories, even splitting it with another person is stretching the term “snack.” Still, calories don’t count on vacation, so if you’re looking for a meal on the go, a turkey leg can be an easy, portable option.
6. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is home to a AAA Five Diamond restaurant
Dine at Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, and you’ll be able to experience the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant at the Walt Disney World Resort. This multi-course gourmet dining experience is best saved for special experiences (as the price tag is over $200 per person). For an even more special occasion, dine right outside the kitchen and enjoy a fully customized menu at the Chef’s Table.
7. You can listen in on a secret conversation at Be Our Guest Restaurant
Ever notice the suits of armor near the entrance (or exit) of Be Our Guest Restaurant? It’s difficult to notice during breakfast or lunch when there is more chatter in this area, but the suits of armor are actually whispering to each other. If you lean in close or walk through after dinner you may catch a glimpse of their conversation.
8. There are a few third party discounts available
It’s not common, but you can occasionally find a deal on third party restaurants while dining in Disney. Landry’s Restaurant Group for instance runs a couple of restaurants on Disney property (Rainforest Cafe, Yak & Yeti, and T-Rex). If you’re party of Landry’s rewards program you can sometimes find a small savings on dining at these locations!
9. Cups of water are available for free
Don’t break your back carrying a day’s worth of water bottles around for the family. Cups of water are available for free from any quick service restaurant. Simply ask for a cup at the counter and be on your way!
10. Adults can order off the kids menu at quick service restaurants
Whether your don’t have a large appetite or you’re looking to save some cash, ordering off the kids menu can be a great way to save some cash and stomach real estate. You can’t do this in table service restaurants, but quick service restaurants are fair game.
11. Dinner packages can reserve your seat at select shows
Dinner packages aren’t always necessary to score a good seat at some of your favorite shows, but they can be a huge stress reliever if you want to make sure you get in during one of the busier times of year. Fantasmic dining packages for instance are not typically necessary, but if you want the peace of mind that you’ll have a seat saved for you in the middle of the stadium, a dining package can help. For other events like Candlelight Processional, a dinner package is a must for getting a seat (depending on the date and narrator).
12. You should make your reservations early
Reservations for Disney’s table service restaurants go quick! If there is a certain restaurant you’d like to eat at during your trip be sure to check for reservations as soon as possible. Restaurants like Be Our Guest, ‘Ohana, and Chef Mickey’s fill up well in advance, so checking for reservations months before your trip is always a good idea.
