On The Road Travel

  Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Kona Cafe is currently closed but will reopen November 1, 2022. Located directly across from Magic Kingdom on the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon lies an open-air eatery with a relaxing feel and tropical ambiance where American favorites are prepared with hints of the Asian flavors. Kona Café is a delicious dining experience that serves Walt Disney World guests throughout the day. You can start your day off with a casual breakfast with Tonga Toast (Banana-stuffed French Toast rolled in cinnamon sugar and served with a strawberry compote), Mickey Waffles, Macadamia Nut Pancakes, and plenty of standard American fare breakfast options! Selections for lunch and dinner include Sushi Rolls, Poke Bowls, Kona-braised Duck Fried Rice with Leg Confit, Stir-Fry with Shrimp, and a Crispy Cheddar Burger. The meals ...

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Away from the hustle and bustle of Walt Disney World theme parks is a family style dining experience nestled on 750 wooded acres. This pioneer-themed eatery has a cozy and rustic feel with plenty of unique decorations throughout the restaurant. Located in Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, this restaurant specializes in country style cuisine with a comfortable atmosphere for all Walt Disney World guests. You can start your day off with a hearty breakfast served family-style with a selection that includes smoked brisket and eggs, Mickey Waffles, cheesy potato casserole, berry-granola yogurt parfaits, and plenty of pastries! Dinner is also served family-style and is full of country flavor! Guests can start out with skillet cornbread with honey butter. The meal is served on a s...

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. A restored boat workshop welcomes guests each evening to a Southern Louisiana cooking experience on the bayou. This nautical-themed eatery has antique shipbuilding tools hanging throughout the restaurant and a suspended skeleton of a 46 foot lugger boat as the centerpiece of the restaurant. Located at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort - Riverside, this restaurant overlooking the Sassagoula River, specializes in southern style cuisine with a comfortable atmosphere for all Walt Disney World guests. Boatwright’s Jambalaya, Deep South Shrimp and Grits, and the All-You-Care-To-Enjoy Chef’s Platter (with Nashville hot chicken) make for a dinner full of flavor. There are plenty of cocktails to go along with your meal (available at an additional cost). If you have room for dessert, I highly recommend trying the Missis...

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Tucked away in the World Showcase promenade of Epcot’s Germany pavilion, Biergarten Restaurant is a great dining location for those who crave authentic German cuisine with a lively atmosphere and live entertainment.  There are a handful of ways to get to Epcot and the Germany Pavilion! A favorite of many is to enter from the International Gateway at the back of Epcot---by either staying at the Boardwalk area hotels or by traveling via the Disney Skyliner to enter at the back of the park. The Germany Pavilion is located between the China and Italy Pavilions. If you are utilizing the traditional Disney bus system, you will arrive at the front of Epcot’s entry gates and take about a 20 minute walk to the Epcot's World Showcase area. You will head to the left once you enter the World Showcase and arrive ...

 Check out our first edition of Mapping the Magic featuring agents John Welch and Chris Smith . They'll be live every Monday at 8pm central to bring you the magic!

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the  Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Located on the water side of the World Showcase promenade of Epcot’s Mexico pavilion, La Hacienda de San Angel is a great dining location for those who crave authentic Mexican cuisine with an emphasis on Old World hospitality.  There are a handful of ways to get to Epcot and the Mexico Pavilion! A favorite of many is to enter from the International Gateway at the back of Epcot---by either staying at the Boardwalk area hotels or by traveling via the Disney Skyliner to enter at the back of the park. From there, you can take a left through the UK Pavilion and you will head past the Canada Pavilion and Showcase Plaza and arrive at your destination. If you are utilizing the traditional bus system, you will arrive at the front of Epcot’s entry gates and take about a 20 minute walk to the Epcot's World Showcase a...

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Tucked away in a corner of Disney’s Hollywood Studios near Grand Avenue sits a charming Italian restaurant that deserves a little attention and fanfare. Mama Melrose’s Ristorante Italiano is located in what appears to be a prop storage/equipment warehouse in an area that was utilized by the studios for shooting movies based in New York City’s Little Italy. The menu is a twist on California-Italian cuisine.  The ambiance can be described as “homey Italian” with a mixture of movie memorabilia, Italian-American records, celebrity photos, and countless trinkets. There is nothing fancy about the restaurant and I believe that is what makes it a very unique dining destination. The seating varies from large comfortable booths to tables with mismatched wood chairs. It all rounds up to a very cozy and relaxed ...

Updated 6/16/22 For the most up-to-date information about the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the   Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. 1900 Park Fare is currently unavailable during the phased reopening of the Walt Disney World Resort.  The 1900 Park Fare Restaurant is a fantastic place to be if you desire a character meal experience from multiple Disney movies! Located off the main lobby area of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, you can have an all-you-care-to-enjoy breakfast buffet with Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, the Mad Hatter, Tigger, and Pooh, or a dinner hosted by Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Anastasia, and Drizella. Since this restaurant is located in a Disney resort, you will not need a valid park admission to dine here.   The Supercalifragilistic Breakfast is served from 8:00am to 11:50am and includes traditional “Disney breakfast” options like Mickey waffles, made-to-order omelets, bacon, house...

Did you know Magic Kingdom does not shut down abruptly at closing time!?!? You will have about an hour or so to meander through the park. While the attractions will be closed as well as most of the restaurants, some of the shops and restaurants will remain open for up to an hour. Most of the park patrons will be rushing for the exit, but you do not have to follow suit! Below are some benefits to staying in the Magic Kingdom after closing…   Take your time - Hanging out in Magic Kingdom after closing allows you time to enjoy the details as crowds dwindle. The parks are beautiful in the dark. You can enjoy the sounds of the background music without the wall-to-wall people. With less crowds, you can also appreciate the Imagineer’s attention to detail throughout the spaces of Seven Dwarfs Mine train, Gaston’s Tavern, the Enchanted Forest by Belle’s Cottage, and Tomorrowland. Keep in mind…you will be gently moved by cast members toward Main Street USA. A quick note…when you stay late a...

Updated 6/16/2022 Be sure to request a Resort Guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules.  For the most up-to-date information about the phased re-opening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the  Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Themed around a late 19th century vacation destination in upstate New York that is known for horse racing, Saratoga Springs is a Deluxe Resort within walking distance of Disney Springs. The resort is surrounded by golf courses, winding waterways, and features inviting pastel colored guest buildings with recently updated rooms. Saratoga Springs provides a beautiful opportunity to relax and unwind during vacation. Address: 1960 Broadway Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830 Rooms and Accommodations: This Disney Vacation Club (DVC) resort features one, two, and three bedroom villas, as well as deluxe studios. The building exteriors are pretty and colorfu...

Updated 2/8/2022 Be sure to request a Resort Guide at the front desk so that you can have the most up-to-date information about resort happenings and schedules.  For the most up-to-date information about the phased re-opening of the Walt Disney World Resort, please visit the  Walt Disney World Know Before You Go Guide. Disney’s Pop Century Resort take guests on a journey down memory lane with the biggest hits from the 1950s to the 1990s. Guests experience a resort that salutes toys, fashions, catchphrases, unforgettable fads, and music with larger-than-life icons.   All of the 2,880 rooms at the value resort have recently been refurbished which makes the resort a fantastic option! Pop Century is a budget-friendly resort that provides a comfortable stay with a celebration of 20th-century pop culture. Disney's Pop Century Resort is located at 1050 Century Drive, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830.   Those planning trips later in 2019 and beyond will want to note that Po...

Arrival day at Disney World is full of emotions.....excitement, nervousness, anticipation, happiness, exhaustion, and relief! Below are just a few of our suggestions for the best things to do the day you arrive at Disney World. First and foremost, make sure you check in to your resort via the Disney World app or online through MyDisneyExperience. This will allow Disney to already have the information the cast members typically collect during the standard check-in process, and if you already have your Magic Bands, you won’t even have to stop in the lobby! Head to the parks - If you may want to maximize your vacation time by heading into the parks on your arrival day, drop off your carry-on bags in your room (or bell services if your room is not ready) and go have some fun! Photo via DisneyWorld Hang out at the Resort - Depending on what time you arrive at your resort, you may just want a little rest and relaxation after a long travel day. No worries! You can swim at the res...

For many, meeting a beloved character is a highlight of any trip to Disney World. While rides and shows are great, they fall short when it comes to delivering a personal experience. A character meet-and-greet allows guests a few moments of individual attention with a special Disney character. A quick chat, photo, autograph, and a warm hug offer a meaningful experience. Below are a few tips to give you better and more meaningful character meeting experiences. Times Guide - When you enter the Disney parks, be sure to grab a copy of the free ‘Times Guide’. The guides will be located with the maps at the front of the park (as well as at the registers of some of the larger stores on property). The Times Guide will list characters that are regularly scheduled to be in the park each day, as well as the time and location of their appearance. PhotoPass - Many character greetings have a dedicated PhotoPass photographer to capture your memories. On certain occasions, you may want to have a...

Breakfast is often described as the most important meal of the day, providing as it provides sustenance and energy for whatever activities lay ahead. When those activities involve visiting the “The Most Magical Place On Earth”, you need to be prepared! Magic Kingdom is filled with fantastic places to fuel up first thing in the morning with options that suit all tastes and budgets. Whether you are in search of a breakfast with characters or quick coffee, below are some great options…. Photo via DisneyWorld When it comes to Disney, there are no character dining experiences desired more than Cinderella’s Royal Table in the heart of the Magic Kingdom. You are greeted by Cinderella as you enter the castle and ascend the spiral staircase (or take the gilded elevator) to the banquet hall above. While you dine, you will overlook Fantasyland and often be able to visit with Aurora, Ariel, Snow White, and Jasmine as you enjoy breakfast. The morning menu highlights include caramel apple-s...

You have been looking forward to your Walt Disney World vacation for quite some time. You have your dining reservations set. All of the Fastpass+ selections have been scheduled. You left the resort and are ready for a memorable day at Magic Kingdom! Below are a few bits of advice that will help leave lasting impressions... -A Quick Photo Op - Take a picture in front of Walt Disney World entrance at the Main Street Train Station. This photo opportunity will be sure to display the excitement of entering Magic Kingdom and is a magical moment. Remember....the photographer will need to scan your magic band! They are also happy to take photos on your own camera or phone! -Pick up a Magic Kingdom Times Guide - This flier is near the entrance and will provide details of experiences offered in the park throughout the day (character greeting times, show times, hours of operations, etc). This information is also located on the Disney World app and on the Disney World website , but it is...