HHardesty

It is that time of year again – The International Food and Wine Festival has begun at Epcot®.  This year marks the 18th anniversary of this 46 day festival.  The International Food and Wine Festival runs Sept 27 – Nov 11, 2013.  With Food and Wine available from 30 different kiosks, this festival is a food and wine lovers dream come true!  There are also many seminars, classes and demonstrations throughout the festival First let’s talk food!  Last year’s most popular offering was Canada’s “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce.  They served up more than 80,000 servings of this dish.  It is returning this year at the Canada Kiosk, along with the Canadian Beer Cheese Soup, another very popular dish.  Each Kiosk has multiple choices of food and beverages, many of the food Items are eligible for the Snack Credits on the Disney Dining Plan – for instance – the Lobster Roll or Grilled Lobster Tail at the Hops and Barley Kiosk – they would be $7.50 out of pocket – or 1 Snack Credit on the DDP. Besides browsing your way around the “World” at the Kiosks, there are many seminars and events available, at [...]

On select dates, usually Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, in September and October, the Magic Kingdom® Park closes down early for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party.  This Party is the ONLY time adults are allowed to wear costumes inside the Parks.  Magic Kingdom® Park is decorated in seasonal finery all day long, but at night, the decorations come alive.  The Mickey-O-Lanterns glow and the fun and slightly spooky music begins to flow.  All non-ticketed guests are required to leave at the regularly scheduled closing time.  Those who have purchased tickets to the party are given special wristbands.  The wristbands must be shown to get onto rides, and after a certain hour, even to purchase things at the shops!  Special “party only” merchandise is available once the party is in full swing.  Pins and other items that cannot be purchased during the day will be available at certain stores.  These stores are also marked on the event map. Not only are adults allowed – even encouraged to wear costumes at Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, but on party nights, some of the characters come in their Halloween costumes too!  Special characters are also available on party nights, such as Snow White and [...]

Every few years, Disney implements a new system.  Set to debut by the beginning of 2014 is Disney's MyMagic+.  Part of this new system is Disney’s newest technology – MagicBands!  It is currently in the testing phase.  Selected Guests from several resorts are being chosen to try out the new MagicBands. If you are going to the Walt Disney World® Resort soon, make sure to sign up for My Disney Experience .  That is where you will get to customize your MagicBands if you are chosen for testing. Guests may customize bands for each member of their party.  There are several different colors to choose from! Once you have customized your MagicBands, which you must do a certain number of days prior to your trip, or they will choose the color for you, Disney will send out your colorful bands by mail. This can take up to 10 days.  MagicBands are one size fits all – there are instructions inside the box on how to make the bands smaller for little arms.  MagicBands can be re-used on future trips to the Walt Disney World® Resort The MagicBands are free, but just in case you want to add a personal touch to your MagicBand [...]

One of the biggest decisions when making reservations for a trip to the Walt Disney World® Resort is where to stay.  Value, Moderate, or Deluxe?  Budget may decide for you, but if you have a little wiggle room in the budget how do you decide?  There are so many perks for each level of hotels how do you choose? I highly recommend staying on Disney Property, the perks for staying on property are phenomenal.  The Extra Magic Hours benefit at the parks, FREE parking if you have your own vehicle, FREE transportation to and from the airport, and to the parks if you do not have your own vehicle. and extraordinary customer service are just a few of the many reasons!  When staying at one of onsite Disney resorts you have the option of purchasing a Magic Your Way® Package Plus Dining to save money on food.   All of the resorts have pools, many have waterslides and hot tubs.  Each resort also has pool games and activities, an arcade, laundry facilities and much, much more. One of the options on Disney property are the Value resorts.   Disney's All Star Music, Disney's All Star Movies, Disney's All Star Sports, Disney's Art of Animation and [...]

If I HAD to choose my favorite restaurant at the Walt Disney World® Resort, it would have to be the Yachtsman Steak House!  I have been there twice now, and have had excellent service and food both times.   The Yachtsman Steak House is a Signature  Dining restaurant.  That means that if you are on the Disney Dining Plan, it will take 2 table service credits.   If you are not on the dining plan, the entrees run anywhere from $32 - $65.   They are worth it!  Of the top five steaks I have EVER had in my life – two were here!   One of the unique things about the Yachtsman is that they age their steaks right on site.  When you enter the restaurant, you can see the aging room. Frequently, there is a chef in the room, hand cutting the steaks.  This means that if you decide you want a 3 inch thick NY Strip – they can do that for you.  The décor of the restaurant is not too heavily themed, nice warm woods, and good white linens abound.  Being a signature restaurant, the Yachtsman does have a dress code, but you will see people in everything from evening wear, to [...]