Tips about Food & Beverage, Mousecellaneous, Souvenirs and Water Parks

If you're looking for Kosher food while visiting Walt Disney World, you'll find it now at Satu'li Canteen in Animal Kingdom (no longer at the Kusafiri Bakery). And it's also at both Liberty Inn and the Electric Umbrella in Epcot. By the way, the vendor for Kosher food has changed. It is no longer Weberman -- they now use Sterling. Thanks for the great site! Hopefully these updates will help others. - Josh

I just returned from a terrific stay at the Grand Floridian and wanted to share a unique experience if you're looking for something extra-special. My husband surprised me with an Intimate Dining Experience. It's a two-hour dining experience for up to four people, even if staying off-property, with a choice of locations throughout the resort, personalized menus and a butler. Ours was on a balcony of the Grand Floridian with a view of the lagoon and fireworks. It was arranged directly through the front desk at the Grand Floridian. - Denise D.

Walt Disney World counter service restaurants frequently serve either Minute Maid Lemonade (which contains sugar) or Minute Maid Lemonade Light (which contains artificial sweetener) as fountain drinks, but no restaurant has both. I could tell which served which because on the wall menus regular Minute Maid lemonade has a black logo, while the Light version has a white logo. But beware! It appears some counter service restaurants have gone to the Light version even though the wall menu still sports the black regular Minute Maid logo. This happened to us recently in La Kringla Bakery in Epcot. To be sure which one you're getting, look at the actual picture on the fountain dispenser, not on the menu! - Anne

Schedule one evening to be at the perfect place and time to view a fabulous Florida sunset. Most regular visitors have their own favorite sunset view, but in the crush of other things to do, this is one of those "I wish I had done it" things you remember after you get home. It is one of those quiet moments that are most treasured later, and is a good "last evening at Disney" tradition to incorporate into your stay. Depending on your resort, cast members can usually suggest the best sunset view. One of my favorites is the point that juts into the lagoon at the Polynesian, but any western view over water is a winner. Another great place is at the Cantina in Mexico at Epcot. Get a cool drink and sit at a table by the water and just soak up the peace and beauty. - Mary Jane Walley

I have a tip about an AllEars Hears item, which said WDW wedding packages start at $4,000. You can be married at The Swan and Dolphin resorts for much less and still receive some of the benefits of a Walt Disney World Wedding, including appearances by characters like Mickey and Minnie. Packages start at around $2,200. Shades of Green is another lower-cost option (for those who have family in the military). - C. Hayward

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

When we go to WDW we keep the kiddie meal Mickey-shaped plates as souvenirs. They wash up nicely (top-rack dishwasher) and have three compartments. I usually use one of the "ears" to put their cups into so that they don't tip them over. They last long, too. We've had ours since the summer! - Kari Svinarich

We traveled in December and noticed how the food available at the counter service restaurants has gotten healthier - giving more choices to those with Celiac Disease. Sit-down restaurants were wonderfully accommodating, of course! I did find out that one counter service location in each park has gluten-free pizza available. It is not on the menu, you have to ask for it. In Magic Kingdom it was Pinocchio's and at Epcot it is in the American Pavilion. Just ask Guest Services as the location may change. I also found gluten-free brownies and cookies in Wilderness Lodge and some of the counter service restaurants. I still brought an easy breakfast to eat in our hotel room to save time, but once I went out I didn't have to worry! What a pleasant vacation it was for this Celiac mom! - Kaercher Family

Last year I bought my husband the "Cooking with Mickey and the Disney Chefs" cookbook. This year when we went, my husband brought the book and requested (at each dining establishment) that the chef sign the page in our book that had the recipe from their kitchen. It was a treat for both the chefs as well as my family when, on occasion, the chef came out to our table. Now we have started a family tradition that we can continue as adults while our kids work on the autographs of the characters. - dollydawne

Remember when you're purchasing merchandise at Walt Disney World and using Disney's shipping to send it out of state, sales tax should not be charged. Sometimes new cast members don’t know this or long-time veterans simply forget. Be sure to check your sales receipt. - Jack Spence

I love having Disney reminders everywhere. I think it is wonderful that even pets can get into the action. But what if you are like us and have a feathered pet? Well, we bought our parakeet, Mr. Freeze, a Mickey-shaped pet tag and hung it in his cage! He really enjoyed looking at it and playing with it. It was shiny, reflective and noisy. We then purchased a pet tag in the shape of a star with Tinker Bell, and he is in LOVE! Each time I clean his cage, he guards it with his... beak. So even if you don't have a furry pet, check out some of the pet items and see if they will work to share the magic with everyone in your family! - Kimberly K. Lawton

Even if you are not a fan of food on the bone, don't let that stop you from going to the Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue. I let our hotel concierge know my aversion to food on the bone and he called over to Hoop-Dee-Doo. When we arrived I was served one of the most tender, juicy and well-seasoned boneless, skinless chicken breasts I have ever had. Great also for those watching their weight. The restaurant requests that you let them know at least 12 hours in advance. Enjoy the show! - Michelle Buchecker

With the necessity of ADRs (Advanced Dining Reservations) and keeping track of all those reservation numbers, I decided this year to type a list of our reservations. I included the date, time, and name/location. Then I shrunk the text, printed it and laminated it. It was smaller than a credit card! I put a hole in it, placed it on a carabiner and hung it on my backpack. It was always handy and ready for use and easier to make any needed changes! - Marie from Long Island

I recently bought something that made me say, "This will be perfect for Disney World." It is a cell phone charger that uses two AA lithium batteries to charge your phone. It is just a little bigger then a cigarette lighter and fits nicely in my digital camera bag. I already carry extra AA batteries for the camera, so the power is available everywhere I go. They are packaged with the connectors hanging out, so you can make sure they fit your phone before you buy. It takes about a hour to charge my phone, just about right for the Fantasmic show experience. - Toohill

ALL EARS® recently mentioned some new packages/baskets from the Disney Florist -- including a "Proclaim Her a Princess" basket. The information indicated the basket is intended for girls 5-12. I wanted to make sure folks know that either the Disney Florist or most hotel concierge cast members can help personalize any basket, making it more age appropriate and unique to the recipient. I worked with our concierge (kudos to Stephanie!) at the Grand Floridian to personalize that basket and delivery for my niece's 8th grade graduation this past June. It included items appropriate to her, including a unique tiara we didn't see anywhere at WDW and a personalized beach towel and wallet. It's hard to impress a 14-year-old... but between the delivery (complete with rose petals lining the room to the basket that was waiting for her) and the basket itself, she was speechless! We all know the "if you can dream it, they can do it" Disney motto, but I could never have come up with these ideas! These folks are fabulous! - Lori Degliantoni