Tips about Epcot and Food & Beverage

ALL PARKS - Just a reminder to check when counter service restaurants close. We were at Disney's Hollywood Studios three weeks ago, counting on eating our meal at one of the counter service restaurants. All were closed by 8:15, except for the one closest to Fantasmic, so we had to eat at Mama Melrose's and pay $150. It was a lovely meal, but we were on the dining plan and had carefully planned when to use our dining credits. - Ellen

ALL PARKS - Just a reminder to check when counter service restaurants close. We were at Disney's Hollywood Studios three weeks ago, counting on eating our meal at one of the counter service restaurants. All were closed by 8:15, except for the one closest to Fantasmic, so we had to eat at Mama Melrose's and pay $150. It was a lovely meal, but we were on the dining plan and had carefully planned when to use our dining credits. - Ellen

ALL PARKS - Just a reminder to check when counter service restaurants close. We were at Disney's Hollywood Studios three weeks ago, counting on eating our meal at one of the counter service restaurants. All were closed by 8:15, except for the one closest to Fantasmic, so we had to eat at Mama Melrose's and pay $150. It was a lovely meal, but we were on the dining plan and had carefully planned when to use our dining credits. - Ellen

Tea drinkers -- I have also brought iced tea mix and made it before we left for the water parks. I filled the container with ice and the mix and some water. If I left it in the locker, in the afternoon when we were leaving it would be very cold and still sometimes had ice left in it. You have custom-made iced tea and it's much cheaper than buying drinks. - Teri D.

Being a tea rather than coffee drinker, I want to fix my beverage of choice in the room. On my last trip I packed a ceramic mug from the local dollar store filled with my favorite tea bags. I could put the mug in place of the coffee pot, remove the interior of the brew basket, and run the hot water through without getting "coffee tea", a brew that many tea drinkers are familiar with. At the end of my trip, I just left the mug in the room, and had a bit more room for souvenirs. - Grandeb

Do you want real coffee on your trip? Sick of Nescafe? Can you find hot water at your resort? Bring Starbucks Via instant coffee (or your favorite instant coffee packets)! It's delicious, and it's small enough to carry in your pocket in case you want it while you're at a park. - Dani Maz

EDITOR'S NOTE: And if you don't carry instant coffee with you, refer to the AllEars.Net list of places you can find fresh brewed coffee around Walt Disney World: http://allears.net/din/coffee.htm

For those interested in low-carb dining -- There is a great fruit and cheese plate at Sunshine Seasons at the Land in Epcot -- less than $6 for a good amount of food. These disappear fast so grab one early for lunch. - Sue McGill

I just used the online dining reservations for our trip in July. There will be six of us and an infant. You have to include an infant in the number of guests for every meal. I called to confirm this and was told that was correct. Thanks for the great website! I do all my research for my trips here! - Alana DeFazio

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

Epcot - I just wanted to let you know there is now an additional place to get kosher food in Epcot. It is at the Electric Umbrella restaurant in Future World. This is helpful, because if you need the kosher food, you don't have to go all the way to the American Adventure's Liberty Inn in World Showcase. - Michael Lorch

We're at Walt Disney World this week and a cast member suggested that we could purchase the Tables in Wonderland card as Disney Vacation Club members. Went to a guest relations desk and after the cast member checked, found that yes, we could purchase TiW for $100, good for a year, with all the usual benefits. So glad this cast member was looking out for us, as it has saved us more than $100 already and we've got 13 more days to go! Please pass on the tip! - Tom Chavez

If you're on a tight schedule and want to be seated as close to your ADR time as possible, it may be best to make reservations for earlier rather than later. On our trip this month, I noticed that the later our dinner reservation was, the longer it took to get seated. This becomes even worse if it rains. People already seated for their meal do not finish and leave the restaurant as quickly when they know it's raining outside. - Collette

Epcot - If the crowds are large and you didn't get to a good spot three hours early to watch IllumiNations, there is a restroom as you enter Norway. Across from the restrooms is a bench that provides a nice place to sit and watch IllumiNations. You can't see everything, but you're away from the crowds and you can see the globe and fireworks away from everyone on a comfy spot. - Anthony