Tips about Epcot, Food & Beverage, Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom

Goofy's Candy Co. in Disney Springs has an area next to the cash register that offers large danish and pastries, bagels, coffee, etc., that you can purchase and save for a great breakfast the next morning in your room. The cost was extremely reasonable: danish - $1.25, huge sticky buns - $1.50, and bagels were only $1.00. All were very delicious and filling. They even include butter and cream cheese along with utensils and napkins. If your day of arrival to Disney is late in the day or early evening and you don't want to use a hopper pass for only a few evening hours in a major park, try Disney Springs instead. It's a great way to get in some "Disney," shop, eat, see a fireworks display at midnight, and get breakfast items for the next day to have with the in-room coffee. These sweet treats also came in handy to keep in our room to satisfy a late evening sweet tooth craving after being in the parks all day. - Susan Fadel

We have visited Walt Disney World 10 times over the last eight years. Needless to say, we've dined at quite a few of the restaurants. Sometimes when you are hot and sweaty, you just don't want a big meal, and salads seem to be a perfect choice. Here are some of my favorites: 1) The chicken salad at Pecos Bill's is delicious. The lime vinaigrette is superb. The salad is so large, two could share! 2) Chicken Caesar Salad at Pizzafari in the Animal Kingdom. There is just enough dressing on the salad without taking away from the delicious mesquite-flavored chicken. 3) Vegetarian Salad at Liberty Inn in Epcot. The salad has lots of veggies, including romaine lettuce, huge black olives and red peppers. You would never know the vinaigrette was low-fat! 4) China Salad at Rainforest Cafe at Disney Springs. A salad unlike any other -- chock full of crisp lettuce, potato sticks and rice noodles. Very unusual.- Lisa McBride

Disney's Hollywood Studios - You are now allowed to use the Magic Your Way Dining Plan to purchase the Fantasmic Dining Package. - Heather Stevens

EDITOR'S NOTE: We've confirmed that as of September 2, 2005 this is true. Hollywood & Vine and Mama Melrose's Ristorante Italiano both count as one Table Service meal for the Dining Plan, while the Brown Derby counts as a Signature experience, or two Table Service meals. When you call to make a reservation, your credit card number will be taken but the charge won't be put through (unless you are a no-show, or do not cancel at least 48 hours before your dining date). You will pay with your Magic Your Way Dining Plan when you dine, just as you would for any meal.

http://allears.net/din/fantdin1.htm

Epcot - I have a tip for keeping children occupied while waiting for the fireworks at Epcot. On our last trip to Disney, we wandered into the Toy Soldier at the United Kingdom before we went to get a place to sit for the fireworks. While we were in the store our 3 1/2-year-old son saw a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle he wanted. We bought it for him and let him put it together while we waited for the fireworks to begin. It completely occupied his time and by the time he was finished, it was almost time for the fireworks. We are planning another trip in November 2005 and this time I am going to pack some of his puzzles into Ziplock bags to take with us. He will have something to do while we wait and we won't have the box to take up a lot of room in our bag. - Tiffany Lueck

Epcot - I have a tip for keeping children occupied while waiting for the fireworks at Epcot. On our last trip to Disney, we wandered into the Toy Soldier at the United Kingdom before we went to get a place to sit for the fireworks. While we were in the store our 3 1/2-year-old son saw a Thomas the Tank Engine puzzle he wanted. We bought it for him and let him put it together while we waited for the fireworks to begin. It completely occupied his time and by the time he was finished, it was almost time for the fireworks. We are planning another trip in November 2005 and this time I am going to pack some of his puzzles into Ziplock bags to take with us. He will have something to do while we wait and we won't have the box to take up a lot of room in our bag. - Tiffany Lueck

Grand Floridian - We found that the Gasparilla Grill at the Grand Floridian Resort provided decent food at just a small premium over counter service in the theme parks. The food available poolside at the waterside pool was very expensive; however, you could get a tray from Gasparilla's and bring your food out to the pool. - Michael Gizzi

I wanted to expand on a tip given this week from Alea Laughery in regard to taking pictures of your kids in each country in Epcot. We do this every year and some other ideas we have done: playing an instrument, waving a flag, eating a candy or treat not from a restaurant and taking a picture with a cast member from that country. My son gets excited every time and is always coming up with what he wants to do. (He came up with the instrument idea!) Next trip... Toys! - Lisa H.

I wanted to expand on a tip given this week from Alea Laughery in regard to taking pictures of your kids in each country in Epcot. We do this every year and some other ideas we have done: playing an instrument, waving a flag, eating a candy or treat not from a restaurant and taking a picture with a cast member from that country. My son gets excited every time and is always coming up with what he wants to do. (He came up with the instrument idea!) Next trip... Toys! - Lisa H.

We just got back after spending 10 wonderful days at the World. It is very hard for me because I can neither have sugar nor caffeine in any kind of drink. We stayed at the Wilderness Lodge and they do offer caffeine-free diet Coke. The tip that I have to offer, though, is that before you depart for your vacation, go to your local supermarket and buy the little packets of diet drink powder that you add to bottles of water. I found that one packet in the small bottle of water that Disney offers now was just right. You do, however, have to put two packets in the large bottle of water that they sell. If you're like me, and plain water just doesn't cut it, try this. It was very refreshing and a great change from the cola. - Debbie A. Holt

Three of the restaurants at Disney Springs (Fulton's Crab House, Wolfgang Puck Cafe, and Portobello Yacht Club) are operated by the same parent company, Levy Restaurants. They have a Preferred Frequent Dining Program that you can use at any of those three restaurants and earn points that can be traded in for gift cards, etc. http://www.levyrestaurants.com - Erick

I am an annual passholder and have realized that my pass usually has discounts available during lunch hours and not dinner. We either make the latest reservation that would still give a discount for lunch, or eat a nice lunch and grab something not as expensive for dinner. We would actually switch and eat our bigger or more expensive meal at lunch, and then have a hot dog or delicious turkey leg for dinner, which was usually a bit lighter also! - Niki Koullias

Disney's Hollywood Studios - To add to a tip I read last week about going into the air-conditioned gift shop to wait for your family or friends: At Disney's Hollywood Studios, go just beyond the gift shop in the Tower of Terror and you can wait in the photo viewing area of the ride. It's dark and dungeon-like and has built-in wall seating. It's the perfect place to get out of the glaring sun and rest in the air conditioning while waiting for your party to exit the elevator down from their terrifying adventure! - Charleen Matson

ALL PARKS - While spending the day in Epcot in the hot weather, when my feet are hot from the pavement, I always change to another pair of socks and sprinkle on some baby powder. It's a quick refresher. - Claire Rozzi

EDITOR'S NOTE: this works great at all the parks!

ALL PARKS - While spending the day in Epcot in the hot weather, when my feet are hot from the pavement, I always change to another pair of socks and sprinkle on some baby powder. It's a quick refresher. - Claire Rozzi

EDITOR'S NOTE: this works great at all the parks!

ALL PARKS - While spending the day in Epcot in the hot weather, when my feet are hot from the pavement, I always change to another pair of socks and sprinkle on some baby powder. It's a quick refresher. - Claire Rozzi

EDITOR'S NOTE: this works great at all the parks!