Signature Dining at Walt Disney World

When one thinks of Walt Disney World, fine dining isn’t typically the first thought that comes to mind. But believe me when I say that some of the best meals that I have ever enjoyed have been on Walt Disney World property. While my family has not been to all of what Disney calls the Signature Restaurants, we have been to several, and they truly offer exceptional service, food, and ambiance. Let’s take a closer look at a couple of the Signature Restaurants and what makes them so wonderful!

(My gorgeously-presented dessert at Citrico's at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)

Back before my son was born, my family and I would really be able to linger and enjoy our nightly dinners when we traveled. Nowadays, we travel with a toddler, who accompanies us to dinner each night, and so we often find ourselves spending a little less time at meals than we have in the past. However, when we dine at Signature Restaurants, we still find ourselves spending a few hours enjoying our meal. If you have a child who you do not feel would do well in this kind of situation, then have no fear- there are several Childcare Clubs (separate fees apply) at WDW resorts where you can take your child to have some fun while you dine. The clubs are located at Animal Kingdom Lodge resort, Yacht & Beach Club resort, the Polynesian Village resort, and the Dolphin resort. Since I have not used these clubs before, I cannot give much information, but if you are interested in this option, I would call Disney well ahead of your trip to inquire about these clubs for your child.

(My son enjoying his gelato at Citrico's at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)

If you are on the (standard) Disney Dining Plan, please be aware that a Signature Restaurant will require two table-service credits to dine here. I have written previous posts about how I feel regarding the use of the dining plan for Signature Restaurants, however, my thought is that if you are on the free dining plan, go ahead and use those two credits per person! If my family is paying out-of-pocket for the dining plan, then we always pay cash for our Signature dinner. But your opinion may vary, and that’s fine!

(My husband and our son enjoying the incredible view from California Grill at the Contemporary Resort)

Our most recent Signature Dining experience was at Citrico’s at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. I just love the Grand Floridian- as the flagship resort of Walt Disney World, it’s an absolutely gorgeous resort, and the general vibe of the resort is that of pure luxury. Citrico’s offers a Mediterranean-influenced menu, and as a result, I was hesitant to book here, as my family is not big on Mediterranean food. Our last visit occurred during Hurricane Matthew, and due to the park closures, we missed out on two nights of dining. Rather than letting credits go to waste, we chose to book a Signature Restaurant the day we checked out of Caribbean Beach Resort, and Citrico’s had an opening at the time of day we prefer to eat dinner (around 7:30pm). Since the menu featured filet mignon, which almost everyone in my family loves, as well as key lime pie, my father’s favorite dessert, I figured Citrico’s just might be a winner for my family. Was I ever right! Our server Kiera was attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, the atmosphere was delightful, and the food was simply outstanding. At one point, my son was sitting on my lap, and I only had a fork within my reach, so I attempted to cut my filet with a fork, and it cut. When you can cut a piece of beef with only a fork, you know it’s a great cut of meat! We all loved our meal here, and I have absolutely no doubt that we will be back!

(The beautiful interior at Citrico's at the Grand Floridian Resort & Spa)

Citrico’s Top Drink: The Salted Caramel Manhattan- there are no words to describe it, it was THAT delicious!

(The Salted Caramel Manhattan at Citrico's)

Citrico’s Top Appetizer: The flat bread changes seasonally, but my husband and I shared a truffle flatbread, and it was out of this world. I look forward to trying more seasonal flatbreads here!

(The seasonal flatbread being offered in October 2016 at Citrico's)

In 2016, my family dined at California Grill at the Contemporary Resort twice, and as a result, we were given a nice ‘Welcome Back’ card the second time that we ate there this year. That really started our California Grill experience off on a sweet note last month. But the best part of the California Grill experience has to be the view. California Grill is located high atop the Contemporary Resort, and after check-in at the California Grill podium, you and your family are whisked up on a private, staffed elevator to the top of the Contemporary Resort, where one of the first things you will notice is the incredible view of the Magic Kingdom. If you time your dinner right, you may be treated to a fireworks show as you dine, but if not, have no fear- you can bring your receipt from earlier in the day back to California Grill to gain access to the exclusive rooftop viewing area adjacent to the restaurant. As is common with most Signature Restaurants, everyone in my family loved their meals, and wishes to return again. The fireworks were late the night we ate there, 10:00pm, but we took our time at dinner and finished just as they were about to begin. The Hallowishes Halloween fireworks show was really the icing on the cake to a wonderful meal!

(My family enjoying dinner at the California Grill high atop the Contemporary Resort)

California Grill Top Drink: Wine! The wine list here is EXTENSIVE, and there is a wine to suit every taste and budget served here. Be sure to check out the wine cases in the waiting area, as they really are impressive!

(My parents checking out the waiting area of California Grill)

California Grill Top Dessert: My favorite dessert at any Disney restaurant is served here- the warm banana fritters with a trio of dipping sauces! The fritters are reminiscent of little donuts, and the dipping sauces are all amazing- you’ll be glad you tried this delightful dessert!

(My spectacular dessert at California Grill!)

There are multiple other Signature Dining Restaurants which my family has tried, and others that my family wishes to try. If you are looking for a great dining spot in Epcot, look no further than Le Cellier, which specializes in steaks in the Canada pavilion. Please be aware that this is an extremely popular restaurant, and reservations tend to go quickly. Within walking distance of Epcot is Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort. This was not a favorite of my family, but perhaps we just went on an off night, as I continuously hear wonderful things about it on other Disney blogs and websites. Flying Fish Café is the Signature Restaurant located at the Boardwalk Resort, and though my family ate there many years ago, I cannot remember much about it (though you can’t really go wrong with dinner and a stroll on the bustling Boardwalk!)

(Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club Resort- photo from www.disneyworld.com)

In the Magic Kingdom Resort area, Narcoossee’s at the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is another family favorite, and is the only Signature Restaurant where you can use your dining plan for filet of beef AND lobster when you order the Surf and Turf dinner. This restaurant is located on the water, and offers a gorgeous view of Cinderella Castle. At the nearby Wilderness Lodge, Artist Point features Pacific Northwest favorites amid spectacular water views.

(The impressive interior of Artist Point Restaurant at Wilderness Lodge Resort- photo from www.disneyworld.com)

There are several other Signature Restaurants located throughout Walt Disney World, and I highly recommend that you check out at least one on your next WDW trip. Six Deluxe Disney Resorts, plus each park except the Magic Kingdom have at least one Signature Restaurant. Disney Springs also has multiple Signature Restaurants to check out, all with different theming and types of food!

(Doesn't this duck entree look mouth-watering? Photo of an entree at Tiffins at Animal Kingdom from www.disneyworld.com)

I hope you have enjoyed reading all about some of my favorite restaurants at Walt Disney World! As always, if you have any travel-related questions, please feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com. Happy Travels!

Epcot Introduction

Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, and Walt Disney’s original dream for Epcot was for it to be the ideal community in which to work, live, and play. Well, nobody lives here, and I don’t know it to be a prototype for any community, but it’s still a really fun and educational theme park! Epcot contains two distinct worlds- Future World, which is dedicated to technological advances and the like, and World Showcase, which houses 11 countries, teaching us much about the world around us. A family could easily spend two days exploring Epcot- one day for each world. I always look forward to a fun- and education-filled day at Epcot with my family- we especially love exploring World Showcase together. Please join me as I tour Epcot, highlighting my favorites!

(Spaceship Earth looks beautiful at night!)

Future World

My family has definitely got some do-not-miss attractions that we love in Future World. Soarin’, which was just ‘reimagined’, is a delightful attraction simulating riding in a hang glider throughout the world. I especially loved the tour over Sydney, Australia- Sydney is personal to me because in college, I spent one summer studying abroad in Sydney. This is a favorite of many at Epcot, and so you can expect long lines here at any time during your visit.

(My dad and husband in the queue for Soarin- we used a Fast Pass which is why we aren't in a long line!)

Test Track, sponsored by Chevrolet, is another favorite. If you wait in the stand-by line or use a FastPass+ (as opposed to riding Single Rider), you will have the opportunity to design your own car with another member of your party. It is a lot of fun creating a vehicle together, and during the ride, you get to see how your vehicle stacks up with the other vehicles designed by the folks riding in your car with you!

(Test Track car that a friend and I made!)

My son loves fish, and so The Seas with Nemo and Friends is always a must do for us. We also love checking out the aquarium- one of our favorite things to do is visit the manatees, who are rescues. When we were there earlier this month, one manatee was rescued after being injured in a boating accident, and one manatee was an orphan. There is always a cast member in this area who is happy to chat about the manatees.

(My husband and our son getting in their clamshell at The Seas with Nemo and Friends)

Finally, Spaceship Earth is a Disney classic that we hate to miss! This attraction takes you up into the famous geosphere while you learn about communication- how it was done back before Christ, and how our modern-day communication methods such as email came to be. It is actually very interesting, and my family loves to ride it at the end of the day, as it is a relaxing ride in the dark.

(Can you tell I love taking photos of Spaceship Earth at night?)

There are plenty more attractions in Future World that I encourage you to check out, as I’ve just highlighted a few of my family’s favorites. Be sure to take advantage of FastPass+ as well! You may make reservations 60 days in advance if you are staying at a Walt Disney World resort, or 30 days in advance if you are not.

If my family is eating a quick service lunch in Future World, our go-to spot is always Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion. We love the variety offered here- chicken and salmon platters, stir-fry, sandwiches and flatbreads, salads, and more. Everyone in my family can always find something they like at Sunshine Seasons! My favorite food served here, however, is the strawberry shortcake for dessert. I love my chocolate, and typically I’ll go for a chocolate dessert rather than a fruit-flavored one, but in this case, I will always choose the strawberry shortcake over anything else. It’s to die for!

(Sunshine Seasons is a great spot in Future World to grab a quick lunch)

We actually have never eaten at a table service location in Future World. We’ve thought making a reservation for Coral Reef Restaurant, which offers beautiful views of The Seas aquarium, or The Garden Grill, which actually rotates while you dine, offering different views of the Living with the Land attraction down below, but we continue to try different table-service locations in World Showcase instead. Garden Grill is a character meal, and the characters do look mighty cute in their farmer gear. I think when my son is a little bit older (and thus tolerates the characters a little more), we will add Garden Grill to our ‘must try’ list.

World Showcase

My family personally loves World Showcase best- we love sampling food and drinks from around the world. We love meeting cast members from the countries represented. And we love perusing the shops and attractions in the various countries. One neat thing for kids is that you can find Disney characters here in their home countries- for instance, you can find Snow White in the Germany pavilion, Princess Aurora in the France pavilion, and Aladdin and Jasmine in the Morocco pavilion (ok they are from Arabia, but Morocco is the closest represented country here in Epcot!). You can also find Princess Anna and Queen Elsa from ‘Frozen’ in the Royal Sommerhus, a brand new meet-and-greet located in the Norway pavilion.

(Meeting Aurora in France)

As a child, I can recall really enjoying buying a passport at a gift shop in World Showcase, and then having it signed in all of the countries of World Showcase. These passports were still available last time I checked, and make for a very fun day talking to cast members all throughout World Showcase. I can recall the cast member in Japan showing me how to write my name in Japanese, and the cast member in France teaching me how to say my name in French! The passport also makes for a fun souvenir for kids to take home.

Earlier this month, my family rode ‘Frozen Ever After’ in the Norway pavilion for the first time. This is a new attraction which replaced Maelstrom, a traditional Viking cruise through a Norwegian village. Frozen Ever After was cute, and I was happy we got to ride it, but beware- we had Fast Passes, yet still had quite a wait (twice). The first time we tried riding, it broke down and we ended up not being able to ride. We tried to wait it out, but finally after 25 minutes or so, we decided we couldn’t wait all day. We asked politely, and the cast member working the attraction honored our wish of Fast Passes for later in the day. When we came back to ride later that night, we still had about a 20-minute wait, even in the Fast Pass line. While our party enjoyed the ride, I would not wait upwards of 2-hours, as those without a Fast Pass do unless someone in your family REALLY loves Frozen!

(Anna and Kristoff in Frozen Ever After)

The other ride in World Showcase is in Mexico, and is a cute boat ride featuring the Three Caballeros. My family REALLY enjoys this ride right after enjoying a margarita from La Cava del Tequila bar next door! ;) Other pavilions feature movies and entertainment acts, but these two pavilions are the only two to feature actual rides. I do have to point out that the movie in France is beautiful, and is shown in a cool, dark theatre, providing a great break from the heat on those hot Florida days!

Now on to the food! From September through November, the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival is in full swing. Besides being able to get food from the eleven countries featured in Epcot, kiosks are set up all throughout World Showcase, and sell several different food and drink options from the represented country. It’s a lot of fun to meander through world showcase, trying different foods and beverages that you might not otherwise have a chance to sample!

(Delicious snacks and drinks in Mexico)

(My husband and our good friend enjoying sake from Japan)

We love to use our snack credits for items we sample during the Food and Wine Festival- you could even make a lunch out of these snacks, as we have in the past (please note that snack credits on the Disney Dining Plan are only valid for food and non-alcoholic beverages). The baked ziti and chicken parmesan dish at the Italy kiosk was huge, and it alone could easily make a light lunch. However, we also love checking out the different food options at the quick-service locations around World Showcase.

(Chicken parmesan and baked ziti dish from Italy)

We’ve gotten food from the quick-service spots in Mexico, China, the United States, Morocco, France, and the United Kingdom. While I believe you can’t go wrong with any of these spots, we especially loved the Shawarma Chicken Platter (lamb also available), served with hummus, tabbouleh, couscous salad, and bread served at Tangierine Café in Morocco, the delicious sandwiches served on croissants or French bread in France, and the fish and chips in the United Kingdom. I do want to point out, if you are on a special diet, or are traveling with someone who is- a friend I traveled with earlier this year is a vegan, and she was delighted with her dinner at Tangierine Café in Morocco (though I’m honestly not sure of what she had).

(Chicken Shawarma platter in Morocco)

(Hot ham and cheese on a croissant and a coffee in France)

My family has tried four of the table service restaurants in World Showcase, and are trying a fifth one early next year. Here are our reviews of the four eateries that we’ve tried, and how kid-friendly we feel that they are.

Biergarten (Germany)- A new family favorite, we just recently tried this restaurant earlier this month! The buffet features something to please almost everyone, including my 2-year old son who can be picky when it comes to what he eats. The beer is plentiful, and you can choose to order either ½ liter or 1 liter. Everyone in my family chose to order 1 liter, and we were offered to-go cups at the end of our dinner, so we could make a quick getaway outside to catch the 9pm fireworks! There is also a great show featuring a traditional Oktoberfest band, oom-pah and all! My son loved this place, and we loved that he could be as loud as he wanted, and he was even welcome to join the band up on stage at one point with the other kids dining here! One thing to consider is that this restaurant utilizes community seating, and so if you have a smaller party, you’ll be dining with others (we had a party of 7, and the tables seat 8, so we did not sit with another party).

(The oom-pah band really sets the mood at Biergarten in Germany)

(My husband enjoying his liter of beer at Biergarten)

Chefs de France (France)- If I could describe this restaurant in one word, I’d sum it up as simply ‘cute’. I really enjoyed this restaurant- my steak was decent, our server was a lovely young man from the French Countryside, and the atmosphere in the restaurant is playful and charming. Personally, I think you can find better food at other World Showcase locations, but if you like France, I think you’d be very happy eating here. We dined here when I was pregnant with my son, but it was not necessarily quiet, and there were many kids eating here with their parents, and so I would say it’s a moderately good place to eat with your children.

(Back in 2013 at Chefs de France)

(The interior of Chefs de France)

(Delicious-looking steak at Chefs de France)

Le Cellier (Canada)- This location is a Signature Dining location, and so if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, you’ll use two credits to eat here. The food is wonderful- my family loves filet mignon, and it was delicious at Le Cellier. The restaurant is on the dark side, and tends to be more quiet than some of the other World Showcase locations, and so I would hesitate bringing younger children here unless they tend to be rather well-behaved. When we ate here in 2015, my then-3-year-old nephew sat quietly and watched TV on my brother’s phone, but my then 1-year-old son was rambunctious, and I spent most of the meal out in the lobby so that he would not bother other guests trying to enjoy their nice meal.

(This was our first visit ever to Le Cellier when our son was 8 months old)

Teppan Edo (Japan)- If you love hibachi, then Teppan Edo may be a big hit for your family! We do have a hibachi restaurant in our town that we enjoy, but we still adore Teppan Edo. The servers are just wonderful- they are very attentive and cater to your every need. I mentioned to our table mates that we were in Disney celebrating our son’s first birthday, and one of the servers overheard me, and ended up bringing out a special dessert, along with a chef’s hat signed by the staff and an origami animal for him. As is common at hibachi restaurants, if you are a smaller party, you’ll be sat with others- on that trip, we sat with a family of five who loved Disney just as much as us, and had a really fun time chatting with them about our trips! There are multiple tables per room, and so it can get loud in this restaurant- perfect if you’ve got a kid who’s a bit on the loud side!

(Our chef at Teppan Edo)

(Chefs hat the servers gave us at Teppan Edo for my son's first birthday)

We’ll be trying out Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion on our next trip to Disney, and we are very excited about it. My ‘BDF’- or ‘Best Disney Friend’ ate there with her husband in September, and had nothing but great things to say about the food and the service that they received. They are known for the fact that they import their supplies from Italy, and their pizzas are traditional wood-fired pizzas. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

If Epcot sounds like your kind of place, and your budget allows, I would recommend staying at one of the Crescent Lake resorts. You can read about most of these resorts on my Deluxe Resorts and Villas blog post at http://danasmousetails.blogspot.com/2016/06/deluxe-resorts-and-villas.html. I don’t cover the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, but you can check those out here. Being able to walk to these resorts in the morning, and back home at the end of your day at Epcot, is a huge bonus, and will save a lot of time in the long run if you plan on spending quite a bit of time at Epcot during your stay (boats are also available from these resorts to and from Epcot and Hollywood Studios). Please note that these resorts are some of the first to sell out during the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival for this very reason.

Epcot is full of great learning opportunities, but you’ll be having so much fun that you won’t realize you are being educated! While at first glance Epcot may seem like it’s geared more towards adults, I truly believe that kids of all ages can gain so much from a visit to Epcot, so please don’t count it out. Epcot is connected to the Magic Kingdom via monorail, and so if you’d like to split your day, as we have done in the past, this makes it convenient and fun (my son ADORES the monorail!). As always, feel free to email me at dana_aimee@hotmail.com if you have any further Epcot or Disney-related travel questions. Happy Travels!

Magic Kingdom Introduction

I can’t quite explain the feeling I get when I first step foot onto Main Street U.S.A. in the Magic Kingdom- the smell of popcorn and baked treats, the sight of dozens of helium-filled Mickey Mouse balloons floating high overhead, the enchanting turn-of-the-century (to 1900!) music, and finally- Cinderella Castle in all of its beauty and grandeur standing tall and graceful. It’s enough to bring a tear to even the biggest Disney non-believer.

(Cinderella Castle- the focal point of the Magic Kingdom)

When asked my favorite theme park, it’s always very hard for me. I truly love each theme park for different reasons- but with that said, the Magic Kingdom is just that- it’s simply a magical place. It’s the first thing most people think of when one mentions Walt Disney World. And for those who don’t visit often (and perhaps even for those that do), fully exploring the Magic Kingdom will take at least a few days. The Magic Kingdom is broken up into six lands- Main Street U.S.A., Adventureland, Frontierland, Liberty Square, Fantasyland, and Tomorrowland. Personally, I love Fantasyland best- it’s a beautiful land full of wonder and whimsy, and for me, it is full of nostalgia- though after New Fantasyland was built a few years back, I developed some new favorites as well!

(Riding Dumbo with my son in Fantasyland)

Let me lead you through my favorite attraction of each land, as well as my Top 2 quick-service and Top 2 table-service dining spots in the Magic Kingdom- and I’d like to give you some tips along the way. Let’s go!

Main Street U.S.A.

(My husband and I on Main Street U.S.A. in the autumn season- notice the cute fall decorations in the background!)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: The Walt Disney World Railroad is a nostalgic way for me to tour the Magic Kingdom, or to easily get to either Frontierland or Fantasyland, the two other stops on the Railroad. Personally, I love taking the full-circle tour of the park. Now that my son is older and has a love for trains, I have a feeling that for a while, the Walt Disney World Railroad is going to be a do-not-miss attraction for our family!

(The Walt Disney World Railroad- photo from wdwlive.com)

Mouse Tails Tip: My family is full of night owls, and we enjoy checking out the shops on Main Street U.S.A. after grabbing dessert upon the park’s closing in the evening. Do not let the cast members scare you off- last year, my family was finishing our dessert at some outdoor tables after the park closed, and a janitor came up and told us that if we were staying at a Disney Resort, that we’d better hurry out of the park in order to catch a bus back to our resort. We knew better, and after finishing our dessert, we lingered in some of the shops on Main Street before finally making our way out of the park to an ample number of busses. Disney Transportation will NEVER leave you stranded- there will always be a bus to take you back to your resort!

(One of my favorite treats can be found at the Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street U.S.A.)

Adventureland

(Walking into Adventureland)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: This is really difficult for me, as I love both Pirates of the Caribbean and The Jungle Cruise, but I think I’d have to say The Jungle Cruise. I LOVE the silly scripted humor of the skippers, I enjoy being in a boat on the water (though you are on a track), and this is another nostalgic attraction that I remember riding with my family as a small child.

(A nice late-February cruise through the jungle)

Mouse Tails Tip: DO NOT MISS Aloha Isle and the infamous Dole Whip served here- pineapple ice cream, and if you get the float variety, it is served atop cool Dole pineapple juice. You can use a snack credit for this yummy treat, and for my family, it is one that we look forward to months before our trip!

(My family enjoying our Dole Whip Floats)

Frontierland

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad both hold spots in my heart as favorites, but my #1 in Frontierland would be Splash Mountain, simply due to the cute storyline of this attraction. Join Brer Bear, Brer Fox, and everyone’s favorite, Brer Rabbit on their adventures through Splash Mountain- it’s a lot longer of a ride than one would expect, and there are multiple drops leading up to the big one at the end!

(Chick-A-Pin Hill, aka Splash Mountain- photo from wdwtourguide.com)

Mouse Tails Tip: A great dining spot, Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Café is located in Frontierland- my family tries not to eat here (or anywhere!) at peak times, which are between 11 and 1 for lunch, and 5 and 7 for dinner. If possible, I’d recommend eating earlier or later if possible in order to avoid the mealtime rush. There are plenty of delicious snacks to tide one over, or if you’d prefer, a later brunch coupled with an early dinner (plus maybe a snack in the afternoon) is a great way to dine through your day!

(Pecos Bills Tall Tale Inn & Cafe- photo from disneyworld.com)

Liberty Square

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Even though I am not a fan of anything scary, I always enjoy The Haunted Mansion. I don’t find it too scary, it’s intriguing and fun, and you’ll be singing the ride’s song, ‘Grim Grimming Ghosts’ long after you walk off the ride!

Mouse Tails Tip: Be sure to check out a restaurants lunch and dinner menus if you are planning on eating a meal there- at several restaurants in Walt Disney World, the lunch and dinner menu varies greatly, and at some spots, the type of service is even different! For instance, at Liberty Tree Tavern here in Liberty Square, dinner is a family-style, all-you-can-eat meal that reminds me of a yummy Thanksgiving dinner- lunch, however, is a traditional order-off-a-menu meal. Another spot located nearby, Be Our Guest in Fantasyland, is quick-service for breakfast and lunch, but for dinner, this dining location turns into a table service eatery.

(Camden enjoyed his quick-service breakfast at Be Our Guest in Fantasyland!)

Fantasyland

(Babies love many of the whimsical attractions in Fantasyland!)

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Oh how do I choose? I could probably spend a full day in this beautiful, colorful land- and if you are traveling with young children, you just may find yourself doing just that! Although I am a big fan of the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster, my favorite is probably Peter Pan’s Flight. This attraction is unique in that the ride’s track is above you rather than below, and I just love the sensation of flying through London and Neverland. I remember riding this attraction as a kid; and now as an adult, I just adore taking my son along for the fun ride!

(My son Camden's first flight through Neverland at eight months)

Mouse Tails Tip: A lot of the queues in Fantasyland have lots to offer children- at Dumbo, you are given a pager rather than waiting in a traditional line, and kids are allowed to play in a fun, indoor circus-themed area until your pager goes off. At The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, there are lots of interactive activities for kids to play with while in line. Sure beats the days of waiting in a plain old boring line when I was a kid!

(Our friend's sweet daughter having fun while we waited to ride Dumbo the Flying Elephant)

(Kids love the interactive features that many of the ride queues now have- here is my son in line for The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh)

Tomorrowland

Dana’s Favorite Attraction: Call me crazy, but I just LOVE the Tomorrowland Transit Authority (TTA) in all of its simplicity. There is rarely a wait for this attraction, it’s a nice, relaxing ride that leads you throughout Tomorrowland (Camden has been known to nap through this one!), and I enjoy the trek through Space Mountain (although they’ve boarded off a lot of what you used to be able to see). For our family, it’s a basic, but do-not-miss attraction!

(Enjoying our ride through Tomorrowland on the TTA)

Mouse Tails Tip: If you are a breast-feeding mother, or have young children that just need a break, an indoor show can be a great respite from the craziness of the parks. Several times, my family would head into attractions like Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress here in Tomorrowland so that I could nurse Camden in a cool, dark place while still enjoying the attractions of the park. He’d often fall asleep after nursing, and after the show, we could simply put him in his stroller or carrier and be on our way!

(If you are unable to find a dark ride to nurse baby in, there is a Baby Care Center at each theme park which features nursing lounges, changing tables, bottle warmers, and more!)

Dana’s Top 2 Quick Service in the Magic Kingdom

1. Be Our Guest (Breakfast and Lunch)- I just love the atmosphere here, which is, of course, inspired by the movie Beauty and the Beast. There are three different rooms to dine in- the Ballroom, the West Wing, and the Rose Gallery. The food is delicious, and one feature I love is that the drink stations here are self-serve (atypical at the Disney theme parks), so you may help yourself to all of the beverages you like while dining here.

(Having lunch at Be Our Guest in Fantasyland)

(Yum! Turkey sandwich, fries, and dessert at Be Our Guest)

2. Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café (Dinner)- There are three different bays here, which means lots of variety- rotisserie chicken, burgers, salads, and barbecue pork sandwiches are just some of the offerings. My favorite spot to sit is by the window close to the castle at dusk- watching the castle begin to light up for the evening is simply breathtaking!

(I enjoyed my Angus bacon cheeseburger, fries, and carrot cake at Cosmic Rays Starlight Cafe)

(I know this is a blurry photo thanks to the rain and the window, but I wanted to showcase the beautiful view you can enjoy from Cosmic Ray's Starlight Cafe)

Dana’s Top 2 Table Service in the Magic Kingdom

1. Liberty Tree Tavern (Dinner)- I just love the all-you-can-eat family-style dinner here, which includes salad, turkey, pot roast, ham, mashed potatoes, veggies, and more. We love the Colonial theming, including the mementos hanging around the rooms. And a cute touch is that when your table is ready, the cast members make a spectacle of it, announcing your name and what state you are from!

(My wonderful husband waiting to be seated at Liberty Tree Tavern in Liberty Square)

2. Crystal Palace (Breakfast)- If you can score a reservation here before the park opens, then you can get some pretty fantastic photo opportunities of a nearly-empty theme park! Pooh and friends visit guests here, and the all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet will fill you up for a busy morning in the park! The restaurant is pretty and airy, and even includes four topiaries of the characters you will meet here!

(The Crystal Palace is just beautiful- photo from disneyworld.com)

Thank you for joining me on our tour through the Magic Kingdom. As always, feel free to email me with any questions or comments at dana_aimee@hotmail.com. Happy Travels!