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Eating Healthy at WDW – Lunch Time
Eating healthy at Walt Disney World isn’t always easy.
Often, salads and wraps are pre-made and coated in salad dressing, while the other standard options simply include different varieties of hamburgers. There are a couple of fantastic options for the health conscious and my personal favorite is Sunshine Seasons.
Image via Wikipedia
Located in The Land Pavilion in Epcot’s Future World – West, Sunshine Seasons has more variety than any other counter service I’ve experienced. With an Asian foods area, Soup and Salad area, Sandwiches, “From the Grill,” and even an “on the go” section if you’re in a big hurry, this is also great stop for large crowds of picky eaters. At the grill stop, the options include rotisserie chicken, grilled fish, and roasted pork chop. The Asian selection includes Mongolian Beef, Tofu and Vegetable Noodle Bowl, and more. The soup and salad offers a variety of freshly made soups including black bean and vegetable and also a variety of salads – my personal favorite is the beet and goat cheese salad. They make them directly in front of you, allowing you to choose dressing on the side or to leave items out. Sandwiches options include vegetable flat bread and Reuben sandwiches.
As a health conscious eater, I loved the fresh roasted beets and goat cheese salad and enjoyed it with a delicious black bean soup. Even in the heat of Florida sun, sometimes a good bowl of soup can be very welcomed. For me, one problem with Sunshine Seasons is that there are almost too many options it can be hard to decide! And, with so many other excellent options located in the World Showcase, I personally wish a restaurant with so many fantastic options was also located in another park!
As for Future World and park Counter Service, Sunshine Seasons is not to be overlooked! It’s also a great place to relax while you’re waiting to use your Soarin’ Fast Passes!
Related articles
- Making Good Decisions at the World (disneybabiesblog.com)
- Spring Break At WDW – How to Deal With the Crowds (chipandco.com)
Military Perspective – No Shades of Green for Me
Recently, a Chip Panel Blogger wrote a great article about where to start planning a Disney Vacation as a military family. This article is a great overview of some fantastic options. I wanted to expand on this article from my perspective.
As a member of the U.S. Military for over 7 years now, I have taken full advantage of many of the perks Walt Disney World offers to the U.S. Military. I am regularly asked questions by my coworkers what the best options are and I usually hear everyone say that they stay at the Shades of Green. Why? The assumption that the “military resort” offers the best deals for members of the military and their families.
The first time I looked into the Shades of Green, it was completely booked. When that happens, they have an overflow rate at the Disney resorts, even if they have no official discount. When I was looking, the discount offered from WDW was a better deal than the Shades of Green overflow rate.
As mentioned in the previous article, there is no transportation from the airport, so either a car rental or a cab ride is necessary. If you do rent a car, the cost to park at the Shades of Green is $5 per day and this does not transfer to the parking lots for the theme parks.
Then comes the actual cost of staying at Shades of Green versus staying at a Disney resort. 1st – while I’ve never experienced the SoG first hand, the pictures don’t make me feel like it is as magical and filled with Disney magic – after all, it is not run and operated by Disney. I have coworkers and friends who have stayed and enjoyed it, but when I look at cost, I still see it as Disney vs. Non-Disney.
Let me show you this comparison:
For E6 to-E9, O1 to O3, WO-1 to CW3, a Standard Room runs for $123 per night. More for higher ranks, less for lower ranks.
With Walt Disney Worlds 35% of a moderate resort offer, a night at the Port Orleans Riverside Resort runs for $117 night.
Though the Shades of Green does consider itself a “deluxe” resort, I would choose Disney Magic an extra perk to staying at POR. And, with the 40% discount on Deluxe Resorts, a night in a standard view at the Animal Kingdom Lodge would be $195 per night. That includes parking, Disney’s Magical Express, and full time Disney Magic.
Which would you choose?
Related articles
- Disney salutes the U.S. Military (chipandco.com)
- Planning a Disney Vacation for Military Families (chipandco.com)
Running through the World – No Pressure!
If you’ve read my previous posts about running around the world and marathon training and still don’t consider yourself athletic enough to try, I highly recommend considering running in one of runDisney’s Family Fun 5k’s.
When planning ahead for the just past 2012 WDW Marathon Weekend, I knew that I would be 25 weeks pregnant come race weekend and wanted to find an alternative to the previously scheduled half marathon. For me personally, I wanted to continue running in my pregnancy, just not very long distances. Had they offered a 10k (6 miles), I would have happily accepted, but instead, I signed up for the Family Fiesta 5k!
Themed differently for every event – even the annual races have different themes – these races are fun for all. Strollers are allowed – technically only for walking and are expected to start behind the runners – and even those in the strollers earn the medal! Like the other races, they recommend a 16 minute-per-mile pace or faster, but there were no timers and I highly doubt anyone was swept.
Early race morning, we headed to the Epcot parking lot for lots of waiting around before the race and found ourselves waiting in line to meet the Three Caballeros (the hosts)! They were friendly and smiled for the hoards of people that met up with them! We met them shortly after a quick ‘break’ so they were fresh and full of energy, even though it was probably 5:00 a.m.
The race itself is much less organized than the bigger races. Approximately 8,200 registered runners and strollers headed towards the starting line where everyone started in 2 different waves. The slightly chaotic start didn’t bother us. We enjoyed running our slow pace and headed out towards the back side of Epcot’s World Showcase.
The race goes through the entire World Showcase and ends after passing through Future World. We enjoyed stopping to meet several characters, including Mickey Mouse himself! In only 3.1 miles, the run is barely half of the average park-goer’s daily mileage. And, you finish with a great medal!
Happy running!
Related articles
- Celebrities and Wounded Veterans Join Record Disney Marathon Weekend (chipandco.com)
- Runners Set Their Sights New Features for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (chipandco.com)
Disney Marathon Training – Final Race Preparations
With Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend right around the corner, runners all around the world are finishing up their training and getting ready to start packing. Marathon Weekend officially begins on Thursday, January 5th, 2012, with the opening of the marathon expo and the races begin Friday morning with the 5k and first day of Family Fest Kids Races.
Near the end of endurance training begins tapering – shortening the distance in your long runs and allowing your body to rest to be prepared for the big race (or races, if you may be running Goofy or any other combination). Hopefully by now, you are comfortable with your shoes, running gear, and any other equipment you may need for a long race.
One good thing about Disney races is that, if you so choose, you can skip bringing your own water bottles on the race. Constantly along the race are hydration stops – both water and an electrolyte beverage- if you’re really picky, it may not be the brand you’re used to, but it can still save the hassle of wearing a belt!
Another issue with a Florida January race is weather – what to wear? Forecasts are predicting to be around 76 degrees with lows in the 50′s/60′s, but it can always be colder in warmer! Florida in January is not known for it’s predictable weather – a few years ago, the racers dealt with sleet, rain, and incredibly cold weather!
Having to be outside and lining up an hour or more before race time can cause stress of what to wear for the running – but don’t fret. If you choose, you can wear extra layers that you don’t mind donating to charity – shed them on the course when you warm up, and VoluntEARS will collect them and donate them to local charities.
Hope you’re excited for the race and maybe we’ll see you there!
Related articles
- Runners Set Their Sights New Features for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend (chipandco.com)
- Running out of time to Run! (chipandco.com)
Running out of time to Run!
It’s now less than a month away from the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend 2012, and unlike the inaugural Tinkerbell Half Marathon at Disneyland, the Walt Disney World weekend still has a few available spots! If you’re a runner or are considering becoming a runner, Walt Disney World is a great place to start racing. The races are casual and you only have to keep up a 16 minute per mile pace, allowing a lot of walking if needed!
If you’re just starting running or thinking about running, make sure to check out my previous article, Starting from Scratch about how to even consider training for a race of any distance, whether 5k (3.1 miles) or going all the way to a full marathon (26.2). It may sound scary and intimidating, but running can be a very healthy and enjoyable activity for almost anyone! These races are also handicap friendly – offering an early start for those racing in the hand controlled wheelchairs.
As for Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 2012, the races are almost filled, but still have a few spots. Here are the current openings:
- Walt Disney World Marathon – 96% Full
- Walt Disney World Marathon Relay – 94% Full
- Walt Disney World Half Marathon – 99% Full
- Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge – 97% Full
- Disney Family Fiesta 5k featuring the Three Caballeros – 96% Full
- Disney Kids’ Races – 95% Full
The Mickey Mile and all Kids Dashes on Friday, January 6th are sold out. Registration is still open for all dashes on Saturday, January 7th.
Following just a month later is the Princess Half Marathon Weekend – training options and spots are still available! If you’re interested in the Princess races, make sure to check out Chip and Co’s training team in conjunction with the Disney Divas. They offer support, training tips, and often giveaways to help keep us all motivated during training!
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