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Category Archives: Resorts
What Not to Miss at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
Our family had the pleasure of staying at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort last June. Coronado Springs is a very large resort, and we found some fun (aside from the pool) tucked in our resort. Spending the day at your resort can be so much fun, and it is worthwhile to work a resort day into your trip. If you find yourself staying at Coronado Springs, I hope you’ll take some time to explore the following:
1. Lago Dorado. This is the HUGE lake around which the resort is situated. As you stroll the .75 mile path around the lake, you’ll come upon some hammocks. These are such a nice touch to the resort. We found ourselves relaxing on the hammocks in the sand, enjoying the lake after a long day at the parks.
2. The Dig Site. The pool at Coronado Springs is not “just a pool”. It has a huge, awesome Mayan pyramid with water trickling down as the centerpiece of the pool area. The slide here is awesome. It’s one of the longest (123 feet) on property, and our kids absolutely loved it! While our older boys were having a blast on the pool, I found myself relaxing with our young daughter in the small sprinkling/splash pool beside the slide. The small child pool area has small fountains to play in and just enough water to keep the little ones happy. Another fun part of the pool is the huge water fountain in the middle of the main area. It is not only pretty to look at, the water coming out of it adds a nice touch.
3. Sand volleyball and ping pong. Next to the snack bar of the Dig Site, you’ll find a sand volleyball court and ping pong tables. There were families and friends on the volleyball court all the time! Such fun!
4. The Explorer’s playground. Behind the slide of the Dig Site, is the Explorer’s Playground. Here, kids can play, climb, and dig for archaeological treasures.
5. Quiet pools. The big Dig Site not your thing? Want to relax with your family in a quieter area? Coronado Springs has three quiet pools located in each of the guest room sections of the resort.
6. Enjoy the landscaping. One thing that stood out to us at Coronado Springs was the gorgeous landscaping. Not only is the lake beautiful, but there are topiaries, huge flowering plants, and lush green everywhere. It’s one of the prettiest resorts in my opinion. Just outside the entrance to Pepper Market is a fun topiary of the Three Cabelleros!
I hope you’ll take some time to enjoy your resort. Or, if you’re out resort hopping, check out Coronado Springs.
Magically Yours,
Carrie
Related articles
- Planning some down time with your kids? Use the Resort Playgrounds! (chipandco.com)
- Disney Food Confession – Pepper Market Coronado Springs (chipandco.com)
Fun Ways To Get Wet At Walt Disney World
While most families have plans to stay dry while visiting Walt Disney World, others look for ways to get wet and cool off on those hot, humid, summer days. Sure, you and your party can ride attractions that will get you wet such as Splash Mountain or Kali River Rapids (or just stand on the bridges outside the attraction and try to catch a splash), but I’m referring to other ways to get wet!
The obvious is take a dip in the pool back at your resort, or spend a day at one of the water parks: Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach. But did you know there are still other ways to get wet at Walt Disney World? (And I’m not talking about playing in the rain during the “summer showers” in Central Florida- however, that will work too!!)
- Find a fountain in the parks and stand downwind. If you’re lucky, you can catch a delightful breeze that has a mist from the fountain.
- Visit one of the misting stations: Epcot has the Cooling Station near Test Track and Hollywood Studios has a Coke bottle at the end of Pixar Place near Streets of America.
- Jump in the stream of “squirting water” at Star Tours (Hollywood Studios), the camels at The Flying Carpets of Aladdin (Magic Kingdom) or Stitch at The World of Disney (Downtown Disney).
- Play in the “splash pads” at Downtown Disney Marketplace as you enter from the bus stop or Epcot before the bridge from Future World to World Showcase.
- Play in the “jumping water” at Journey Into Imagination at Epcot.
- Splash in the water features outside Kali River Rapids.
- Rent watercraft, parasail or water ski on the lakes at Walt Disney World.
What is your favorite way to get wet on a hot day at Walt Disney World?
Related articles
- Why I love Walt Disney World Extra Magic Hours! (chipandco.com)
- Relaxing things to do in Walt Disney World Parks (mydreamsofdisney.com)
Stay Healthy On Vacation With These Food Options At The WDW Value Resorts
For many people, the only way they can afford a Walt Disney World vacation is to stay at the Value Resorts, which is Disney’s least expensive group of hotels. I am part of this group, and I personally LOVE the Value Resorts, the decor is huge and tacky and right up my alley, the rooms are just enough for what I need, and there are a lot of food options to choose from!
The 4 (soon to be 5 with Art Of Animation opening later this year!) Value level Resorts are:
-All Star Music
-All Star Sports
-All Star Movies
-Pop Century
They are all fairly similar in most ways, including in their dining offerings, each of the 4 Resorts has a food court, which is setup with several different stations each serving different types of menu items. There are also areas of pre-packaged meals, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc.
In my experience, it can be hard to eat ‘healthy’ while on vacation, and at Walt Disney World there are so many restaurants and yummy dishes to choose from, that it makes it that much harder to stay on track, food-and-diet-wise! Luckily, there are actually a lot of available choices that can give you the healthy nutrients you need to stay energized for a full day of touring the Parks!
Healthy Meal Options:
-Packaged sandwiches – they come without any dressing/mayo on them (packets are available)
-Packaged and fresh made salads with low fat dressing options
-Packaged Sushi that is made fresh daily (I know because I asked!)
-Yogurt cups – both regular and greek varieties
-Parfaits – a great fast breakfast of yogurt/granola/fruit
Healthy Drink Options:
-Juice – including 100% Simply Orange Juice, and other options that aren’t 100% fruit juice, but hey it’s still a better choice than soda in my book!
-Bottled Water
-Vitamin Water (regular and no calorie varieties available) and Powerade
-Milk options – including 1%, skim, and low fat chocolate
-Soda Machine – Minute Maid Light Lemonade, Diet Coke, and Sprite Zero were all found here
-V8 – because hey, it can’t hurt to get some extra vegetables in your diet while on vacation!
Healthy Snack Options:
-Fruit – mixed fruit salad, bowls of grapes or pineapple, and individual pieces of fruit – which can be used as a dessert if you’re on the Disney Dining Plan
-Celery/Carrot sticks packaged with ranch dressing
-Apple Slices packaged with caramel
-Hummus
-Fat Free, No Sugar added sorbet – available next to the frozen ice cream treats, I have seen Mango but I am sure there are other flavors too
Eating with Kids? All of the Kid’s meals available in the food courts (and most available at the Counter Service restaurants in the Parks too!) include a choice of 2 sides: grapes, carrot sticks, applesauce, yogurt, gelatin, pudding, or a cookie. They also include a choice of beverage: bottled water, 1% milk, 100% apple juice, or a soft drink. Obviously there are some healthier choices in there, which is nice to see, and Disney has been making an effort to push the better-for-you choices (it’s good to have choices for young ones that aren’t just chicken nuggets and fries!)
I don’t know about you, but Dessert can be tricky for me, as I LOVE baked goods, and will take any chance to try something new, be it a cupcake or a cookie, and I am a sucker for the Mickey Rice Krispie Treats! Having the option of getting a piece of fruit or a fruit salad for dessert is great, and it is something I try to take advantage of as often as possible (as long as the cupcakes don’t lure me in, that is!)
One great thing about this is that most of the items I have listed above are pre-packaged, which means not only are they helping you stay healthy, but they are fast and easy to grab on your way to/from the Parks!
I took all of these photos when I was staying at POP Century last month, but I have recently been to the All Star Resorts as well, and the selection they have is pretty much exactly the same as at POP. The Moderate the Deluxe Resorts will also have some of these items, but I personally find that the selection at their Quick Service eateries is not as large (perhaps because at the Value Resorts, there is no other place to eat but the food courts, so Disney makes sure they are stocked with a better variety of items? Just my personal theory!).
I can’t say enough good things about the Value Resorts, and I especially love their food courts, the food is always freshly prepared, the Cast Members are always polite and efficient, and the healthy food options help me stay on track while on vacation, which to me is the biggest perk of all!
Related articles
- Gettin’ Your Sweat On – Where To Workout at WDW (chipandco.com)
- Top 3 Places To Get An “Adult Beverage” at WDW (livinginagrownupworld.wordpress.com)
Tables in Wonderland – Special Events for May and June 2012
Tables in Wonderland Members to receive a 35% discount at La Nouba Cirque du Soleil
Written and directed by Franco Dragone
May 29, 2012 – June 22, 2012
Performances on Tuesdays – Saturdays, 6:00pm and 9:00pm
Discounted Price
for Category 2 Tickets:
Adult: $57.85 plus tax
Child: $46.80 plus tax
Call 407-WDW-SEAT (407-939-7328) to purchase tickets!
Tables In Wonderland members may purchase tickets for themselves and up to three (3) Guests Must show current, valid Tables in Wonderland card to receive discount, when tickets are picked up at Box Office.
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Tables in Wonderland The Wave . . . of American Flavor’s Discovery Dinner At Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Thursday, May 17, 2012
6:30 p.m. Reception; 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Meet at The Wave… of American Flavor’s Main Podium
Dress Code – Casual Evening Attire
$110 per person, includes tax and gratuity
This is the last dinner at The Wave until after the 2012 Epcot International Food & Wine Festival is over!
This month’s Tables in Wonderland Discovery Dinner is focused on the delicious Triple Sweet Corn from Hank Scott’s Farm in Zellwood, Florida. Hank’s son Sonny and daughter Haley represent the 4th generation of the family operation and the farm has expanded further into retail operations. Long & Scott’s agri-tainment division: Scott’s Maze Adventures, hosts over 30,000 guests each fall, along with Scott’s Country Market, the on-site farmer’s market that features produce grown on the farm, as well as local produce. Long & Scott’s newest venture: Scott’s Country Café, features the Scott family recipes, most of which are made from the café’s own garden. The Scotts remain proud of their farm and are looking forward to celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2013.
The Wave… of American Flavors welcomes Master Sommelier Joseph Spellman as our wine representative for the May Tables in Wonderland Discovery Dinner. Joseph is the Winery Sommelier for JUSTIN Vineyards and Winery. He has worked with wine since 1979, principally as a sommelier, in Chicago’s top restaurant cellars, including Tango, Maxim’s, The Pump Room, The Park Hyatt Hotel, and Charlie Trotter’s. Joseph earned the prestigious Master Sommelier Diploma in 1996, held now by 85 Americans, and 140 individuals worldwide.
Reception in The Wave . . . of American Flavors Lounge
Arepas with Queso Blanco, Chipotle, and Scallions
Blue Corn Mini Tacos with Duck Confit, Zesty BBQ
Polenta Tapas, Pulled Pork, Granny Smith Chiffonade
Justin Sauvignon Blanc
Dinner in The Wave . . . of American Flavors Private Dining Room
Appetizer
Florida Shrimp and Grits with Long & Scott Locally Harvested Corn
Justin Chardonnay
Salad
Zellwood Corn and Heirloom Avocado Salad
Baby Greens, Corn-Olive Charcoal
Lime Chile Vinaigrette, Cotija Cheese
Grilled Huitlacoche Ravioli
Landmark Overlook Chardonnay
Entrée
Char-crusted Cowboy Rib Eye Steak with Mexican Blackened Corn, Cilantro Lime Butter, Quinoa and Black Beans
Justin Justification
Cheese Course
Montegrappa Cow’s Milk Cheese from Veneto, Italy
Taleggio Semisoft from Lombardy
Pecorino Toscano Hard Sheep’s Cheese
Landmark Grand Detour Pinot Noir
Dessert
Berry and Queso Blanco Masa Empanada
Corn Meal Chipotle Chocolate Crackle Cookies
Popcorn Infused Dulce De Leche Ice Cream
Justin Obtuse Port
For reservations, e-mail WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@
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Tables in Wonderland
Special Event
The Great Movie Ride Dinner at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™
Friday June 15 and Saturday June 16, 2012
8:00 – 10:30pm
Arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios™ and walk through the courtyard of the Majestic Graumann’s Chinese Theatre. Then you will be invited to come inside The Great Movie Ride after the attraction is closed with exclusive backstage VIP access!
We’ve cleared the track for you to walk through and dine inside the attraction where you will experience some of the most classic scenes in motion picture history. Sets from Busby Berkeley musicals, crime dramas, old-fashioned Westerns, and more!
Price: $165.00 per person, plus tax. Gratuity is included.
8:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Passed Reception in the Gangster Scene
- · “Squid and Beans” Salad
- · “Gambino” Balsamic Beef with Palermo Roasted Tomato
- · “Terranova” Blistered Artichoke Cheese Quenelle
8:30 – 10 p.m.
Plated Dinner in the Western Scene
- · Creamy Free Range Yard Bird Corn Chowder with Piquillo Peppers and Ciabatta Bread
- · Wild Greens and Herbs with Cactus Cilantro Vinaigrette with Beet Tumbleweeds with Mandarin Rice Wine Marinade
- · Poblano Barbeque Braised Beef Short Rib with Tobacco Onions
- · Smoky Cheddar Potatoes Gratin
- · Black Skillet Roasted Baby Green Beans with Mushrooms
- · House-made Fire Roasted Corn Bread with Butter
10:00 – 10:30 p.m.
Dessert Buffet in the Land of Oz
- · Wicked Witch Pistachio Cannoli
- · Emerald Cheesecake Pushups
- · Ruby Strawberry Panna Cotta
- · Dark Forest Chocolate Decadence with Raspberry Gel
- · Yellow Brick Caramel Milk Cake
- · Auntie Em’s Apple Cake
Beer, Wine, Specialty Beverages
For reservations, e-mail WDW.Tables.In.Wonderland@
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Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant
Mid-Summer Feast
6pm on the Summer Solstice
Wednesday June 20, 2012
$90.00 per person plus tax & gratuity
Tables in Wonderland discount accepted
For Reservations, Please Call 407-938-0300
First Course
Picnic Basket of Assorted Homemade Pates and Jams to feature:
Ham Hock Terrines, Potted Prawns, Brandied Chicken Liver Pate, Tomato Bavaroie, Smoked Salmon Mousse and Vegetable Consomme
Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, St James Gate, Dublin
Second Course
Champagne Splashed Raspberry Sorbet
Third Course
Roast Stuffed Suckling Pig, Braised Vegetables, Raisin & Cider Glaze and Potato Roasties
Jai Alai India Pale Ale, Cigar City Brewery, Tampa, Florida
Dessert
Pimms Knickerbocker Glory
Bunratty Mead, County Clare, Ireland
Master Chef Kevin Dundon has created a tantalizing menu incorporating fresh seasonal flavours for a special Midsummer’s Night Feast which takes place on the 20th June. Midsummer is such a joyous occasion long associated with ancient summer customs and traditions.
The June festival of Midsummer’s Day is held as part of the summer solstice which is the longest day of the year. In ancient times the Summer Solstice was hugely significant; it was a time when the power of the Sun was at its highest and crops & fields were blessed to ensure a good harvest.
Celebrations take place across Europe dating back thousands of years, with festivals of music & dancing, bonfires and feasting. The summer solstice is often the time of the first harvest and hence a celebration of nature’s bounty.
Midsummer was traditionally celebrated in Ireland by the lighting of bonfires. Family and friends came together for an evening of music, storytelling, feasting and merrymaking. It was the custom for the ashes from the fires to be thrown on fields as an ‘offering’ to protect the crops.
Nowadays people gather around some of Ireland’s famous Neolithic sites Newgrange (a passage tomb built over 5,000 years ago) and Hill of Tara (a magical Medieval site which has been home to gods and goddesses, to druids and warriors, and to Ireland’s High King) to celebrate the summer solstice.
Important Note: Please do not call or email Tables in Wonderland to book this event. This is a Raglan Road event that is open to all guests. Please call Raglan Road to book this event, and you may use your Tables in Wonderland discount, when you present your Tables in Wonderland card upon arrival.
Related articles
- Tables in Wonderland – 3 Special Events for March 2012 (chipandco.com)
- Tables in Wonderland – Special Events for February 2012 (chipandco.com)
How Soon Should You Start Disney Planning?
I’m not a planner in my “real life.” I don’t know what I’ll do at work tomorrow, what I’ll have for dinner or even who is picking my son up from golf practice. Tomorrow is plenty of time to work that out. But I DO know that more than six months from now, on September 19th at 7:05 pm I will be at Epcot’s Coral Reef restaurant for dinner. Disney is different. Disney requires planning far ahead of time if you want to get the most out of a trip. Luckily, even for the planning-averse such as myself, Disney planning is actually fun. Figuring out when to go, where to stay, what to eat and what to do during your trip takes time and effort, but also helps to build up the joy and wonder and magic of a Disney vacation. But what planning should you do when? Here is a rough timeline that works for me, and I hope it helps you.
The Dreaming — It’s never too early to start dreaming of Disney. Even if you know you won’t be able go for a few years, it is fun and helpful to start perusing the Disney fan sites like Chip And Company. You should set up an account on the official Walt Disney World website as well, and start playing around with the online reservation system. Order the free vacation planning dvd and the free customized park maps. Not only are these things lots of fun to have and to look at, but ordering them will put you on Disney’s radar as a potential guest and they may start sending you special offers and pin codes.
Resort Reservations and Park Tickets — The Disney online reservation system seems to let you book a stay as far out as you like. The trouble is that you won’t know what the rates, for both rooms and park tickets, will be beyond a certain point. Rates for a new year usually are released in the early summer. For instance, the 2012 rates were released on June 14th of 2011. Special promotions like discounted room rates and free dining can come out at any time, but they can be applied to an existing reservation easily, so there is nothing wrong with booking as soon as you know when you can go. Disney only requires a $200 deposit with the balance due 45 days prior to your arrival.
Dining Reservations — Disney calls them Advanced Dining Reservations, or ADRs, and they are important if you want to eat at specific table service restaurants. You can walk in and probably eventually get a table at most places, but making ADRs will ensure you eat where you like and when you like. The trick is, you need to decide where and when that is far in advance. Disney will accept ADRs 180 days out, and if you are staying on property, you can cheat a little. Resort guests can make up to ten days worth of ADRs 180 days out from their arrival day, which gives you a leg up on off property guests. That can be important, as some meals at some restaurants, like Cinderella’s Royal Table and Chef Mickey’s breakfasts, will fill up within hours or even minutes of the 180 day window opening. Online reservations can be made starting at 6:00 am Eastern time and the phone reservation system opens at 7.
Special Events — If you plan to attend any special events, like Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party or Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party, you’ll probably want to buy advance tickets. While tickets for both are sold up to and including the day of the event, they do sell out and you don’t want to be disappointed. This can present a problem when your 180 day mark is coming up for making ADRs, but the dates of the parties have not been released. Luckily, you can cheat. Disney’s park hours are released 6 months ahead, and the two parties begin at 7 pm. So, when you look at Magic Kingdom hours and see the park closing at 7 pm, you can be pretty sure that is a day for either MNSSHP or MVMCP and plan accordingly.
Rides? — Coming soon, perhaps, is a system that will allow Disney guests to schedule Fastpass times for certain attractions from home months in advance. The next generation Fastpass system is rumored to be going into testing this summer and may make planning a Disney trip that much more interesting. While picking which rides you will ride at what time months out won’t appeal to all guests, it will likely make the lines more manageable for everyone, whether they take advantage of the new Fastpass system or not. We’ll just have to wait to see if another opportunity to plan makes the process more fun or more of a hassle. My guess is Disney gets this one right.
Do you have any planning tips to share? If so, leave them in the comments, we’d love to hear from you.
Related articles
- Now Open Tutto Italia, Tutto Gusto at Italy Pavilion at Epcot (chipandco.com)
- 2012 Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Schedule (chipandco.com)
