Tips about Food & Beverage and Rain

If you're a vegan or on a strict low-fat diet--or would simply like an extra-special vegetarian meal--call the Walt Disney World main switchboard (407) 824-2222 and ask to be transferred to the restaurant of your choice. Once connected, ask to speak directly with a chef, and explain your dietary needs. Have fun brainstorming with the chefs about your special meal. If you give them enough advance notice (usually a week will do), most Disney chefs are more than happy to purchase special items like rice milk, kamut or seitan to make your meal memorable. Remember to get your chef's full name and to let him or her know the date and time of your visit.

Go to Planet Hollywood and Rainforest Cafe for early dinners - have a good size breakfast - no or light lunch - arrive at either at about 3:30-4pm. Seating is faster - for even faster service sit at the bar. The scenery at both is just as nice to experience there and you don't have to wait for a table. - A. Halton

Please continue to encourage people that eating within the parks can be affordable. (Granted, it is just the 2 of us w/o children, and we do not drink alcohol.) We went on a Sunshine Getaway package [no longer offered] which included a BIG all-you-could-eat breakfast each day, which we scheduled at the earliest time available. Using The Unofficial Guide to WDW (book) we planned to eat as late a lunch as possible at specific restaurants, usually around 2-3. We found full menus and very generous portions, but for a considerably lower price than the dinner meals. Finally, we would stop by the food court at the Caribbean Beach Resort for a snack before bed time. Next time, I'll bring along the Poptarts, etc., and eliminate the need to pay for such. - Jenny Drake

We just returned from a stay at the Coronado Springs Resort. We crammed so much into the evening at the Magic Kingdom, that we decided to have a light snack, and eat once we got back to Coronado Springs. It was close to 11 pm when our bus got us back to the resort. Much to our displeasure, ALL restaurants close at 11pm and room service is even closed after 11 pm as well. Thank heavens for being in the lobby, by the fountain, when we saw a Domino's pizza delivery guy. We ended up ordering pizza and eating about 12:30! We could understand the restaurants closing, but room service as well? During the summer they should at least keep room service running until 1:00 am!!! So heads up if you try to eat a late dinner! - Debi T.

Here is one of the best tips I can offer. We have just returned from a week in Disney where it rained for three days... and over 10"!! I had forgotten to pack our umbrellas, so we had to pick up WDW rain ponchos. They were $5.66 each. I originally cringed at spending our souvenir money on them (we needed five of them). My son accidentally ripped his while trying to pull up his hood. I had commented to a Cast Member later in the day and she smiled and said "No problem!" They exchanged his poncho quickly and stated that any time your poncho rips, you can trade it in for a new one from any store that sells them. My husband's ripped on our last day and his was just as easily exchanged. Most people I told this to had no idea Disney would give you a new one. My tip: those ponchos are worth their weight in gold! - Colleen Anastasi

I just want to second this. I wore my Nike Prestos to Disney last year, and it was amazing how well my feet held up in these shoes. Not only did I save my feet from blisters, but, because the shoes are cloth, they are extremely light, so your legs are less tired. The cloth also dries much more quickly than traditional sneaker material, which is great for rainy days and water rides. They are around $80, but on a quick trip to the Nike Outlet on 192, I found them for $30-$40. I now have four pairs of them -- they are all I ever wear! - Vanessa Gold

I just want to second this. I wore my Nike Prestos to Disney last year, and it was amazing how well my feet held up in these shoes. Not only did I save my feet from blisters, but, because the shoes are cloth, they are extremely light, so your legs are less tired. The cloth also dries much more quickly than traditional sneaker material, which is great for rainy days and water rides. They are around $80, but on a quick trip to the Nike Outlet on 192, I found them for $30-$40. I now have four pairs of them -- they are all I ever wear! - Vanessa Gold

With four children, we are always looking for a way to help smooth over areas that might turn into calamities. The very best thing that we found was to bring hip pouches with water bottles attached, and every night, we fill them up about halfway with water or juice. Then we freeze them overnight. (This even works if you do not have a freezer...get an ice chest, fill it with ice, and you are good to go!) Then in the morning, finish filling it up with your choice of beverage, and you will have a cool drink until early afternoon. At that point, you can refill from a water fountain or head to the room for a refill. We did this in May, and it really helped keep the costs down on those $2 and $3 drinks! - Modesta

When visiting WDW we like to bring our own bottles and fill them at the parks. Trouble is, we don't enjoy the sulfur taste of the water. Last year, we bought Brita Fill and Go water bottles at Target for about $7 each. Each filter lasts for 15 gallons and really helps get rid of the unpleasant taste. The bottles come with a filter and replacements are a couple dollars each. This is much more convenient than having to stop and buy bottled water and is very economical, too. I've also noticed that the cold water from the faucets in the Disney resorts is not too cold, so we fill the bottles with half water and half ice, which helps keep it cool for a couple of hours at least. - Terri Padavona

We have discovered that it is very handy to carry an Igloo 1-quart cooler filled with ice and water while in the parks. Best of all, any refreshment stop will gladly provide cups of free ice water for refill. While the cups may provide a short-term refreshment, the cooler keeps the water cold much longer, and since it has a strap is easy to carry on stroller handles and/or over the shoulder while waiting in long, hot lines. - Kevin W. Bowden

We went to the Spirit of Aloha at the Polynesian Village Resort show a few weeks ago. I wanted to let you know that they do NOT have space heaters and it can be very cold once the sun goes down. It's a little warmer than the outside temperature, but still dress warmly. It was 45 degrees the night we went! Thank goodness for the heated towels to wash your hands with after the meal. - Vanessa

I have one suggestion for visiting the parks, especially in the hot months. Bottled water is readily available at the parks (at inflated prices), so why not bring a water bottle/jug of your own? I purchased an Arctic Zone brand insulated water jug at my local Walmart for around $6. It has a wide mouth, insulated bag and a shoulder strap and holds just over 32 oz. Take it to any counter service restaurant in the parks that sells fountain drinks and ask a Cast Member to fill it with ice water. It's free!! That way, you have nice cold water all day! - Noreen Rachuba of Pittsburgh, PA

I recommend making a reservation for the character breakfast with Pooh and friends at the Crystal Palace on a morning that the Magic Kingdom does NOT open early. My family and I went in August and made reservations for 8:15 a.m. We were allowed to enter at 8 a.m. With the extra time, we took a nice group photo on an empty Main Street with one of the photographers. By the time we finished breakfast, it was 9 a.m. We took advantage of our location and went to Fantasyland, where we walked onto the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and had a minimal wait time (5 minutes) for Dumbo. - Diane Suznovich

Consider having dessert for dinner! If you're on a budget, but your tummy's growling about 4:30 or 5 p.m... if you don't have time or money for a sit-down dinner... if you don't want to get loaded down with meat and potatoes... have dessert for supper! Find one of those awesome coffee and sweet shops located in every park, let each child order their own personal favorite, and go for a pick-me-up latte or mocha for the grown-ups! Everyone is full and recharged, and you've spent about $20 (maybe a little more if kids drink milk with their sweets, but if it's hot, water is much better!). Plus your kids will never forget the evening Mom and Dad let them have ice cream for supper at Disney World! - Natalie Lipman

My wife and I just returned from our third Disney vacation this year and wanted to share a great money-saving tip we picked up on our first trip some years back. Most of the counter service restaurants are fairly pricey, but you do get a lot of food for your money. After a few quick meals, my wife and I started splitting our lunches. A large hamburger with fries and a Coke usually filled us up, but still allowed room for a Mickey ice cream bar or some other snacks during the day. - Rob B.