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Disney Cruise Line Beds are AMAZING!

in Disney Cruise Line by

We LOVE our new bed!!

If you want an AMAZING bed too, reach out to Sydney Murray at Orlando Furniture Expo & Mattress / 407-801-3658.

SPECIAL OFFER

When you reach out to Sydney give him the code
DCLC5 and get 5% off your purchase!!

The Disney Cruise Line bed is the Biscayne Bedding Calmness Euro Top.

Sydney took great care of us and made the process so easy! From initial contact to ordering to delivery – everything was seamless – and it was even delivered 2 days earlier than he promised!

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The Disney Wish

in Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Disney Destinations/Disney Wish/Travel/Travel Agent by

I have now experienced all five Disney ships – Magic, Wonder, Dream, Fantasy, and the NEW Disney Wish!

If you have experienced the other ships in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, drop all comparisons when you cruise onboard the Disney Wish because she definitely has a personality all her own! She’s a beautiful ship with some familiar experiences and a whole lot of new experiences and imaginative surprises too.

Let’s start with the food…

Marceline Market is the buffet option onboard the Disney Wish and it was so good that I forgot to go to the sit-down breakfast at least one morning during our cruise, which is something I always do.

The buffet offered my favorite peel and eat shrimp, which is how I always start my cruise, and made-to-order omelets for breakfast as well as many other delicious selections for breakfast and lunch.

The quick service dining options at Mickey & Friends Festival of Foods were similar as well with a few new options – such as Mickey’s Smokestack Barbecue which was a favorite for my husband – he was so excited to dig in he forgot to take photos of the food so we will get some during out next cruise!

For dinner service, the rotational dining exclusive to Disney Cruise Line is still included but is called ‘Signature Dining’ onboard the Disney Wish. We enjoyed all three dining experiences and, as adults only, 1923 was our favorite. We even wore our 1920’s attire.

There are many lounge areas to explore…

The lounge areas on the Disney Wish can be found throughout the ship – small venues all with their own theming. My personal favorite was The Rose which is located at the entrance to Palo Steakhouse and Enchanté. The ocean view is amazing as you experience creative beverages that are full of special surprises too! We enjoyed some favorite activities in the lounges such as Match Your Mate and the Silent DJ party as well as Trivia.

We also were able to secure a reservation for the Star Wars themed Hyperspace Lounge. This was an interesting venue with Star Wars themed beverages and, currently, you are limited to a 45-minute experience.

One of the specialty beverages at The Rose.

Pools and more for everyone…

The Disney Wish also offers many small pool areas, for families, kids and adults only. While I explored these pools, my favorite was the infinity pool at the AFT of the ship and I can’t wait to enjoy this location onboard again during our next cruise. The main family pool area is where they do the “Set Sail on a Wish” sail-away party and Pirate Night fun! You can also see many movies on the Funnel Vision screen during the day and evening.

The Disney Wish also offers the Senses Spa and Fitness Center and laundry room as well as the kids clubs with a slide from the Grand Hall for access to the kids clubs! I plan to explore these areas more on futures sailings, except for the laundry room…

And, of course, the characters!

We were able to reserve a spot for the Royal Gathering and now HUGS ARE BACK so we will get a bit more personal with the characters during our next cruise!

Stateroom theming…

Again, while all Disney ships offer stateroom theming, the Disney Wish is a bit different. Each deck has a theme and then the staterooms on each deck have different princess themes. This time we had the Sleeping Beauty theme and our friends in the connecting stateroom had Princess & the Frog. We are excited to see the other stateroom themes on future sailings onboard the Disney Wish!

The Grand Hall…

One final little tip, be sure to go to the Grand Hall at least one evening of your cruise for the Kiss Goodnight!  It is currently happening at 10 pm, 11 pm and midnight each night [TIP: Pirate Night is a bit different].

And, remember, you can cruise with your Travel Agent!  Check my events page for dates.

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All About the Disney Genie Service

in Walt Disney World by

ALL INFORMATION BELOW IS OBSOLETE EFFECTIVE JULY 24, 2024

Updated: June 21, 2024

There are 3 options for the new Disney Genie Service with access via your My Disney Experience Mobile App.

  • Disney Genie Service
  • Disney Genie+ [Lightning Lane]
  • Individual Attraction Selections [Lightning Lane – 2 per Guest, per day]

Beginning June 27, 2023, Guests at Walt Disney World Resort will purchase Disney Genie+ service based on how they want to visit the parks. Guests will be able to select either a single-park option or a multiple-parks option, subject to availability. With this update, prices may be lower at some Walt Disney World theme parks compared to others.

MAKING YOUR SELECTION FOR SINGLE-PARK OR MULTIPLE-PARKS OPTION:

When purchasing Disney Genie+, guests will have the option to select either a single park, or multiple-parks option. Prices will vary by park and date.

The multiple-parks option will be the most expensive, and will operate the same way as the original Disney Genie+ option.

For the single park Disney Genie+ option, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and EPCOT will be priced lower than Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Magic Kingdom.

Example pricing is as follows:

  • Multiple Parks – $27
  • Magic Kingdom – $27
  • EPCOT – $18
  • Disney’s Hollywood Studios – $24
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom – $16

Pro Tip: For single-park selections, until January 9, 2024 when Park Pass Reservations are no longer necessary for date based tickets, be sure to select the park that you have your Park Pass Reservation confirmed for.

Disney Genie, Disney Genie+ and Individual Attraction Selections are now available for all Guests.

Disney Genie Service is a free service that is available to all guests with valid theme park tickets and offers a personalized day planner, tip board, wait times, virtual assistant, mobile order, virtual queues and more. No action is required to use the Disney Genie Service. Standby lines will be available to all guests. Ahead of or on the day of your visit, you can input your “Top Picks” for attractions, entertainment and dining, as well as your park hopping plans, and Disney Genie will generate a recommended itinerary based on your selections.

Pro Tip: Disney Genie recommendations are just that — recommendations. If Genie adds something to your itinerary that you’re not interested in doing, you can remove it and Genie will re-optimize your day with new recommendations.

Disney Genie+ is an additional purchase that can be added on the day of your visit via the My Disney Experience app, one day at a time, subject to availability, for an additional fee per ticket, per day. Disney Genie+ offers a next-available time to arrive at a variety of attractions using the Lightning Lane entrance – one at a time, throughout the day – to help you navigate through longer wait times. Lightning Lane is offered at more than 40 attractions throughout all 4 theme parks. Guests may use Lightning Lane for one attraction at a time, no more than once per attraction, per day. Disney Genie+ also includes AR PhotoPass lenses and a series of audio tours.

Pro Tip: Popular attractions fill up quickly and, if you want to maximize your morning, you’ll want to confirm your first Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane reservation as early as possible starting at 7 am each day. The quickest attractions to ‘sell out’ in each park are Slinky Dog Dash at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Test Track at EPCOT, Peter Pan’s Flight at Magic Kingdom, and Na’vi River Journey and Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

NOTE: With the purchase of Genie+ you will receive your attraction photos, where offered. It is important to note that the PhotoPass with Genie+ will be for attraction photos only. Magic Shots and pictures around the parks will not be part of the photo benefit when purchasing Genie+. To ensure you receive all of your vacation photos, be sure to ask me about Memory Maker!

Individual Attraction Selections: This is an additional, day of, purchase to help you skip the lines to some of the most popular headliner attractions, such as Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance, Avatar Flight of Passage, Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure and more. Pricing is dynamic and will vary by date, attraction and park, per attraction, per person. Pricing will be displayed before purchasing your Individual Attraction Selection. This option may be purchased at up to 2 different attractions each day per Guest.

Pro Tip: While you can only reserve one Lightning Lane reservation at a time, it is possible to hold multiple reservations by utilizing the 2 hour window to your advantage, particularly if you plan to get a late start to your day. To do this, book a Lightning Lane return time that is more than two hours after park opening. When it’s time to book your next one (two hours after park opening time), choose another Lightning Lane reservation more than two hours into the future. This sets you up for eligibility for two Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane reservations at a time for the rest of the day. Continue to do this and you’ll get even more simultaneous entitlements. Note, this method will require you to rely on the standby queue or paid Individual Attraction Selections until it’s time to begin redeeming.

NOTE: For larger groups of 10+, you will need to have 2 people ready to purchase the Individual Attraction Selections and split your group into 2 or more groups. The system will only recognize a maximum of 10 Guests per purchase.

The purchase of Disney Genie+ service is available in addition to standby entrance.

*Attractions with Lightning Lane entrances that are Disney Genie+ and individual purchases are limited in availability, subject to change or closure, may vary by date, are not guaranteed and may not be available at all on the date of visit or at the time you make a selection. 

For the full list of experiences offered through Disney Genie+, please check the My Disney Experience mobile app on the day of your visit, as attractions are subject to change.

Pro Tip: Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels who want to avoid the upcharge of Individual Attraction Selections should take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry for Disney resort hotel guests. Disney hotel guests are able to enter all four theme parks 30 minutes before official park opening time. Head straight for the two Individual Lightning Lane attractions (do the more expensive one first — it will fill up the fastest) and you should be able to ride both attractions quickly without having to pay. To maximize your Early Theme Park Entry time, plan to arrive an hour and 15 minutes ahead of the ‘official‘ park opening time.

Note: If you opt to not purchase Disney Genie+, you will still have access to the complimentary Disney Genie service, which includes personalized itinerary planning in your My Disney Experience Mobile app and standby access to park attractions.

MORE PRO TIPS:

Make Sure You Have Plenty of Battery for Your Phone

Using Disney Genie all day means you’ll be spending more time on your phone during your park days than you might have previously. Be sure to fully charge your phone and bring an extra battery pack.

When in Doubt, Ask the Guest Experience Team

Disney has stationed a number of Guest Experience Teams around all four parks. If you need help with Disney Genie, look for the blue umbrella and blue-shirted Cast Members.

Don’t Rely on Posted Wait Times

Many times, posted wait times are not 100% accurate. In the ‘Tip Board’ section of your My Disney Experience Mobile App there’s an Experiences tab that provides, by theme park, standby wait times, next available Disney Genie+ Lightning Lane times [$] and next available Individual Lightning Lane times [$$] that you can quickly reference to determine the best plan for your next experience.

Take Advantage of the Dining Tab in the Tip Board

Don’t miss one of the best new features introduced by Disney Genie – the Dining tab. In the ‘Tip Board’ section of your My Disney Experience Mobile App there’s a Dining tab that enables you to see, by theme park, walk-up wait times, next available table service reservations, and next available mobile order arrival windows, all at a glance.

FAQ’s:

When can Disney Genie+ be added to existing vacation packages?

Disney Genie+ can be added on the day of your visit via the My Disney Experience app, one day at a time, subject to availability.

Can I purchase Disney Genie+ for partial days of my vacation?

Yes, you can choose each day to add Disney Genie+ via your My Disney Experience mobile app starting at 7 am EST each day.

Can Individual Attraction Selections be purchased prior to my check-in date?

No, Individual Attraction Selections can only be purchased same day beginning at 7 am ET for resort hotel Guests. Guests off-property must wait until park opening.

If I want to “skip the line” at the parks, which do I need?

You need Disney Genie+, at a minimum, to skip lines at more than 40 attractions. If you’d like to skip the lines at the top headliner attractions, you will want to purchase Individual Attraction Selections at 7 am ET each morning of your vacation via your My Disney Experience mobile app.

Can I still enjoy attractions without Disney Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections?

Yes, standby lines and virtual queues are offered without Disney Genie+ or Individual Attraction Selections.

Will Disney Genie+ “sell out”?

No, Disney Genie+ will be available to all guests who would like to purchase the feature.

Can I purchase Individual Attraction Selections without purchasing Disney Genie+?

Yes. You do not need to purchase Disney Genie+ in order to purchase Individual Attraction Selections.

Can Individual Attraction Selections be made for more than one park? For example, can one be for Magic Kingdom and the other EPCOT for the same day?

Yes, with a Park Hopper ticket type, Individual Attraction Selections can be made for more than one park in the same day. For example, you could purchase Space Mountain at Magic Kingdom and Frozen Ever After at EPCOT. The second park selection must be after 2 pm ET which is when park hopping opens.

Does Disney Genie+ open at 7 am ET for all guests, or only for those staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels?

All Guests with Disney Genie+ can select their first Lightning Lane attraction beginning at 7 am ET.  

Do Individual Attraction Selections open at 7 am ET for all guests, or only for those staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels?

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels, Shades of Green® Resort or the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels can purchase Individual Attraction Selections on the day of their visit, starting at 7 am ET. All other Guests can purchase Individual Attraction Selections on the day of their visit, starting at each park’s opening time.

Can I modify a Disney Genie+ selection?

Yes, you can modify your selections to an available time/attraction, based on availability.

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My Experience Back Onboard Disney Ships

in Cruise Vacations/Disney Cruise Line/Travel/Travel Agent by

Can I just say, it’s been a [really] long 18 months for someone that had become somewhat addicted to cruising! It was so exciting to be back onboard, especially on a Disney ship!

Disney Cruise Line has implemented many new protocols to insure a safe and healthy return to sailing and I felt incredibly comfortable onboard. While there are some changes that I hope remain and some I hope return to a more normal onboard experience, overall, it was a very positive experience. I did experience a back-to-back sailing [2 separate sailings, one immediately following the other] and there were a few protocol changes as I transitioned from my first cruise to my second so many things are still being evaluated and modified for optimum efficiency and experience.

Port arrival times are staggered to insure physical distancing can be maintained during the arrival and pre-cruise testing process so the port terminal is quite empty most of the time.

Captain Mickey and Captain Minnie are onboard and waiting to welcome you!  There are large “Mickey” circles on the floor for each family to stand in together while you wait for the welcome show. Following your welcome, you can then head to your stateroom to drop anything you have carried onboard with you or go straight to your assembly station for your mandatory safety drill. Everyone in your stateroom must check in for the safety drill, it’s a good idea to plan to do this first thing so you can get on with your FUN!

The changes with the safety drill are changes I hope will stay in place because it’s a much quicker process now and the whole ship is no longer required to wait together in lines while those still enjoying their pool time etc. get to their assembly stations. The new way allows you to get it done and then go enjoy your first day onboard!

Your staterooms are the same as they have always been, and daily service is still in place as well as nightly turndown service – with towel art surprises! If you do need anything, you can easily us the chat feature in your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app. It was super easy, and Crew Members responded quickly.

On the pool decks, chairs are spaced to promote physical distancing and you sign up for virtual queues for the family pool area. The adult pool area is open and no virtual queues are required.

Virtual queues are also required for disembarking the ship at ports of call.

The food offered on a Disney cruise is still exceptional and the service is the same, or even better, as I have experienced before! The Crew Members are all very happy to be back onboard and working again and they are very happy to see YOU!

For quick service dining options and beverage stations, Crew Members now serve you, it’s no longer self-serve. This is a good change, in my opinion, and, while I don’t think this will be the way forever, I do think it will be the way for some time.

Although still challenging reservations to confirm, Palo and Remy are also still offered for brunch and dinner. Be sure to check your Disney Cruise line Navigator app for availability before and during your cruise.

The nightly dinner rotation is still in place and your service team will still follow you each evening to your dining location. A good change that I hope remains is that characters have been added to Enchanted Garden [Mickey, Minnie & Goofy] and Royal Palace [Disney Princesses]. At Animator’s Palate, Crush remains as the character experience.

In addition, characters can be experienced throughout your sailing in the atrium area as well as other areas onboard and at Castaway Cay. You can easily check where and when to find characters via your Disney Cruise Line Navigator app but I normally was just surprised [and happy] when I came across characters and Princesses!

While I, personally, did not experience many of the adult venues onboard this sailing, most experiences were available but with limited capacity – tastings, trivia, musicians, movies, live entertainment, karaoke. However, the evening adult area, known as The District, was not as “hopping” as normal and I did miss the silent DJ Party. Hopefully this is something that will return in the near future.

Castaway Cay definitely did not disappoint, it is my favorite port of call with Disney Cruise Line and I truly enjoyed my three days on this private island!

Our group rented a cabana for the first time and, even though the island was quiet due to lower capacity, it was a nice little space to gather and relax while enjoying the amazing view.

The Castaway Cay 5k is still offered but it is a self-guided experience now and, if earning a medal for your run is important to you, you do need to check with Port Adventures before your Castaway Cay day to see if medals are available. If you have not participated in the Castaway Cay 5k previously, I suggest you wait until this experience returns as a planned event because the route can be a bit tricky [but who wouldn’t love to get lost and be left behind on the island??!!].

While the first part of my back-to-back sailing was in a stateroom type I had experienced before, the second part of my back-to-back was a first for me – Concierge! Oh my, the experience was amazing, there is so much included, and cruising Concierge just ups the magic on a Disney cruise!

And, of course, one of my other favorite experiences on a Disney ship is fireworks at sea – Disney is the only cruise line permitted to display fireworks and, while the experience is a bit different now, it was still an amazing display!

I can’t wait to be back onboard again real soon! And, if you are thinking about a Disney Cruise Line vacation, with ships about half capacity [or less], now is the perfect time to cruise, reach out to me and I will help you make the most of your magical cruise experience!

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Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort

in Disney Destinations/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by

Sebastian’s Bistro at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort recently opened, replacing the former Shutters dining location. Located along the Old Port Royale promenade, this family-friendly spot offers signature dishes for lunch and dinner.

When looking at the menu for this table service dining experience I was not very excited. However, don’t let the menu deter you, the descriptions do not do the food justice and our server was super helpful with recommendations and she was spot on! I highly recommend Sebastian’s Bistro and would say that is it now one of my favorite dining experiences on property!

I dined with friends and, first, we enjoyed island inspired appetizers – Grilled Jerk Chicken Wings, Arepa and Caribbean Pull-apart Rolls – before our dinner.

For dinner we chose the Slow-cooked Pork Shoulder, Sautéed Shrimp and Tamales, Grilled Skirt Steak “Chimichurri” and the Sustainable Fish which was Mahi Mahi. Everything was delicious and prepared exactly as ordered and the presentation was perfect.

And, of course, dessert is always a must.

We shared the Warm Chocolate Pudding and Banoffee Tart, which was the recommendation of our server. And, because it sounded fun, I also ordered the Message in the Bottle – stick with what your server recommends, this tasted like raw eggs to me… And, I do apologize, I didn’t get a chance to take a photo before we dug in to the Banoffee Tart – but it was DELICIOUS!!

When planning your dining experience at Sebastian’s Bistro, be sure to allow time before or after dinner to enjoy the outdoor bar, Banana Cabana. It’s a fun and relaxing spot with island music and friendly bartenders.

Be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Walk-up Guests can sometimes be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ at Disney Springs

in Orlando/Walt Disney World by

If you are looking for comfort food and a fun atmosphere, Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ is the place!

I have experienced Chef Art Smith’s Homcomin’ at Disney Springs several times and every time was a great experience with a welcoming host/hostess, friendly servers and amazing food too with the vast majority of ingredients sourced from local Florida farms, ranches or fisheries.

This dining venue offers both inside and outside options for dining or if you just want to stop in for drinks at the Southern Shine Bar offering signature moonshine craft cocktails!

While the majority of the menu is more traditional southern comfort food offerings it does offer healthier choices too. The Bunch of Puppies are a tasty start and served with pimento cheese and red jalapeño jelly. Main Entrees include such dishes as Art’s Famous Fried Chicken and Shrimp & Grits with the Spinach & Kale Chopped Salad with chicken for a healthier option.

And don’t forget dessert – the Hummingbird Cake is always a favorite!

Be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Walk-up Guests can sometimes be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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The Edison at Disney Springs

in Disney Destinations/Orlando/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by

The Edison at Disney Springs is a fun dining spot or even a great place to just stop for adult beverages. It boasts an industrial gothic-style and serves up classic American cuisine, craft cocktails and unique entertainment.

Designed to look like a 1920s electric company, The Edison offers several themed dining/lounge areas with a steady lineup of unique acts like contortionists, aerialists, live cabaret, DJs and more.

Guests arriving after 10:00 PM each night must wear venue-appropriate attire. Men may wear slacks, jeans or dress shorts. Jackets are optional. No ball caps, sleeveless shirts or flip-flops allowed. Guests also must be at least 21 years of age to enter The Edison after 10:00 PM.

We have imbibed at the lounges and dined at The Edison several times but, while I have experienced some of the entertainment, I have not yet had the opportunity to experience the ‘adults only’ nightlife – soon!

The most famous appetizer on the menu is the DB ‘Clothesline Candied Bacon’, which we order every time and always enjoy! For our main dining, we have experienced the Organic Tomato Soup and Gooey Grilled Cheese, Caesar Salad with Salmon and The Edison Burger with fries – all delicious!

You can also slip through the back passageway to Enzo’s Hideaway, a speakeasy-inspired tunnel bar, for more food and beverage.

Be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort – especially for an adults only experience! Walk-up Guests can sometimes be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

in Disney Destinations/Orlando/Stay on Property/Walt Disney World by

Maya Grill at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort is not new to Disney or to me but it has been several years since I have experienced this dining location and it was much too long to wait…

From the time we arrived at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort we experienced a lively atmosphere – a warm welcome from the attendant at the entrance, open hospitality at the indoor bar, Las Ventanas, and a friendly greeting from the hostess, manager and staff at Maya Grill – our experience before any food was served was exceptional.

We shared our experience with local friends celebrating their birthday and, on arriving at Maya Grill for our dinner reservation, we were met by a Hostess and the manager as well as a seater – all were very friendly and welcoming making our experience fun from the start.

On being seated, our server was quick to greet us and offered suggestions for beverages and food choices from the menu. The atmosphere of the restaurant is a casual Tex-Mex Mayan feel and you could comfortably enjoy a dinner here after coming straight from a day at the parks.

After our server brought our beverages he delivered a bread service to start, along with our appetizers – Queso Fundido and House Guacamole – everything was delicious and prepared well.

Our entrées consisted of Maya Grill’s Signature Fajita Skillet, Seafood Grill Platter (which was enough for two!), Beef Short Ribs and a Classic Caesar salad with a side of steak (for me) at the recommendation of our server – it was delicious, and I loved how it was prepared and served.

For dessert we shared the Ancho Chili Creme Brûlée and Chocolate Abuelita Panna Cotta – both were amazing – the Creme Brûlée was very light and I love everything chocolate!

And you can’t dine at Maya Grill without experiencing the Margarita Flight, which includes 5 shot glasses of specialty handcrafted Margaritas – Mango Blueberry Basil, Classic, Horchata, Pineapple and Jalapeño!

While Disney’s Coronado Springs is undergoing extensive construction, be sure to add this dining experience to your “must do’s” for your next visit to Walt Disney World Resort! Walk-up Guests can be accommodated, however, reservations are accepted and recommended. Reservations are currently available via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table and some Dining Plans are accepted.

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Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant – Disney Springs

in Walt Disney World by

Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant has been at Disney Springs for many years, but I recently had the opportunity to visit this dining and entertainment venue again. With new menu items and entertainment since my last visit, it was like a whole new experience!

We started with adult beverages at just one of the 4 bars. With a fun assortment of themed cocktails and a wide offering of Irish, European and American beers, including local and craft varieties, there is something for every taste.

Following our “cocktail hour” we were seated for our reservation. The menu offers traditional Irish options—from Atlantic fish & chips to classics like Shepherd’s Pie—as well as several not-so-Irish options.


We enjoyed wings and scallops to start and our main dishes were traditional Irish options of fish & chips and shepherd’s pie as well as a not-so-traditional Red quinoa and white bean burger with Smokey Bacon and Almond-roasted Brussels Sprouts.

And, of course, dessert is a must… The Chef’s Dessert Flight offered a small taste of everything delicious!

Entertainment is offered daily from 4:30 pm until 1 am. There is a main stage and a patio stage with live music, dance shows and bands.

The Rhythms of Raglan Dance Show is the all-new entertainment featuring 90-minutes of live Irish music and dance presented by a talented mix of performers.

And, during each performance, kids are invited to join the dancers on stage and even receive a signed certificate of achievement.

We enjoyed a very entertaining and fun evening as well as great food and drinks! Reservations are accepted starting at 180 days but walk-ups are welcome as well, based on availability. Raglan Road Irish Pub and Restaurant also offers a Saturday and Sunday Brunch.

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STK Orlando – Disney Springs

in Orlando/Walt Disney World by

STK Orlando at Disney Springs opened its doors May 25, 2016 but I was just able to experience it for the first time.

STK Orlando is an interesting place… The outside style reminds me of The Hangar Bar or The Edison – more industrial brick and beams with a casual feel – and the front patio would be a relaxing spot to people watch.

Once you step inside you feel as if you are about to enjoy an intimate dining experience – it’s dark with pops of light with a warm inviting feeling.

However, the experience is anything but intimate due to the very loud nonstop music – top 40 tunes and classics from decades past. While the music choice was to my liking, the volume was not conducive for an intimate experience and gave it a more club like vibe rather than a signature dining experience feel as we are accustomed to with Disney (think California Grill or Flying Fish). It was a challenge to have a conversation with our dinner partners and a bit hard to even hear what our server was saying at times.

Regardless of the ‘club vibe’, the food lived up to the reviews and our expectations as did the service! Something to remember before you go, the menu is à la carte but a delicious bread service is included.

We waited for our table in the lounge area and the bartender was very accommodating, answering our questions and offering tastings and her personal experience to help me choose a wine. The drink menu offers some interesting cocktails that I will need to go back and try another time and they carry a few Florida beers that my husband tried. They also offer a full wine list to choose from.

We enjoyed the Double Smoked Bacon – more like large chunks of fatty pork but very tasty once you cut the fat off (IMO) – for a starter as well as the Shaved Brussels Sprouts for a salad.

While STK is known for its steaks, they serve an amazing Scottish Salmon too. With your steaks you can choose various sauces and/or toppings (for an additional charge) and there are several delicious sides to compliment your protein as well. The sides are priced a bit on the high side, but they are large enough to share – the problem is that you want to try them all!

Dessert also did not disappoint, we ordered the Warm Baked Cookie with chocolate sauce, caramel and vanilla ice cream. Again, large enough to share.

STK Orlando currently offers a Social Hour, weekdays 3:30 – 6 pm, and Thursday – Saturday, 10 pm to close. In addition, you can reserve the venue, or parts of it, for private events. On the evening we were there we were not able to go to the rooftop dining area due to a private event.

While they do seat walk-up Guests, reservations are accepted and recommended. They currently accept reservations via your My Disney Experience account or Open Table. Some Dining Plans are accepted and this is a Signature Dining experience, requiring 2 Table Service Credits per person.

Overall, if you are looking for a fun place with great food and service that is geared more towards an adult experience rather than a family experience, I would recommend STK Orlando, just be prepared for the loud music and club vibe.

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