Las 8 mejores fechas para viajar a Disney

1. La Segunda o Cuarta semana en Enero

Cuando los niños regresan a la escuela y termina el bullicio de las celebraciones de Navidad, la mayoria de las familias regresan a sus vidas normales. En el pasado Enero tenia baja asistencia, sin embargo las escuelas ahora visitan los parques en la primera semana. El Dia de Martin Luther King tiende a ser muy ocupado. Enero cuenta con un clima favorable y se mantiene en los 20 grados centigrado sin lluvia!

2. Principios de Febrero

La semana de Dia de San Valentin trae enormes multitudes, pero si puede viajar en la primera semana de Febrero, usted se llevará una increible sorpresa. Poca gente y temperaturas agradables hacen que los dias sean perfectos en los parques. Asegurese de llevar ropa para frio ya que las noches en Febrero pueden ser bastante frias. La mayoria de escuelas ya tienen 3 semanas de estar operando por lo que los padres de familia no toman vacaciones…

¡Esta es la oportunidad perfecta de viajar!

3. Las 2 Ultimas Semanas de Agosto

Las escuelas en Florida comienzan de nuevo en la tercera semana de Agosto, a pesar del calor, es realmente una fecha decente para visitar Disney World. Primero, las piscinas en los resorts son tan refrescantes y no hay un mejor tiempo para visitarr los 2 increibles parques de agua de Disney! En conclusión las dos ultimas semana semanas de Agosto son ideales para experimentar Disney World!

4. Después de Labor Day en Septiembre

Mientras que la mayoria de los visitantes de afuera del estado se enfocan en regresar a la escuela, las familias de Florida visitan Disney World en el fin de semana de Labor Day. Si puede viajar en Septiembre, encontrará menos multitudes y filas más cortas en las atracciones comenzando después de la semana del dia feriado. Solo tenga en mente que el inmensamente popular Epcot International Food and Wine Festival tipicamente abre la tercera semana de Septiembre, por lo que las multitudes crecen durante este periodo. ¡Los fines de semana son todavia más ocupados!

5. Las 2 Ultimas Semanas en Octubre

Todo Octubre es buen momento para visitar Disney World, ya que los chicos en todo el planeta estan en temporada de clases, asi que las familias con chicos en edad escolar, que son muchas! no viajan en esta epoca por lo que los parques estaran mas vacios. Solo hay que tener en cuenta las fechas de Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, que atrae multitudes a Magic Kingdom, pero por lo general Octubre es un mes tranquilo

6. La Semana Antes de Semana de Thanksgiving

La semana de Thanksgiving esta completamente abarrotada, pero la semana anterior esta bastante tranquila. Son las fechas del año en que se pueden hacer reservaciones en restaurantes a la perfección.

7. Las Primeras 2 Semanas de Diciembre

Mientras los jovenes ya están listos para las vacaciones de invierno, la mayoria de los padres de familia no se van de vacaciones antes de las 2 semanas de vacaciones de escuela de Navidad que ya vienen. El clima esta perfecto, la mayoria de los dias las temperaturas andan esta entre 70 y 80 grados Faranheit y todas las decoraciones y actividades de Navidad ya están en su lugar. Se dará cuenta que Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party estará lleno de gente, pero no repleto.

8. Preferible Dias de Semana Que Fines de Semana

Por supuesto, otra buena fecha para visitar Disney World es de Lunes a Viernes. Usualmente, las tarifas de hotel son más bajas en estadias de dias de semana y los fines semana de abarrotan. Visitar Magic Kingdom de Lunes a Viernes será la mejor opción para usted y su familia. Sin embargo tenga cuidado en las semanas feriadas de escuela especialmente en las escuelas de Florida que cambian con una increible rapidez.

 

Viva Orlando te puede ayudar a encontrar la fecha ideal para tu familia, escribimos!

 

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Magic Kingdom 45 Aniversario – Productos exclusivos

Hoy visitamos el hermoso Magic Kingdom para ver el nuevo merchandising exclusivo de los 45 años del parque. El 1 de Octubre de 1971 marca el cumpleaños de nuestro no-tan-pequeño pedazo de magia en Orlando.

Como ven, hay remeras, orejas, y antenna-toppers.

Nunca faltan los peluches de Mickey y Minnie.

Fundas para celular y ropa interior!

Y quién se anima a armar este rompecabezas?

Los productos son exclusivos a la tienda Emporium ubicada en Mainstreet U.S.A., la calle de entrada del Magic Kingdom. Ni bien entran y pasan la plazoleta con la bandera de los Estados Unidos, verán a Emporium extendiéndose a su izquierda, por toda la longitud de la Mainstreet.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop

By Nick

One of our favorite stops for a quick lunch or dinner in all of Walt Disney World is located in Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion. 

My wife is such a fan of Yorkshire County Fish Shop in fact, that she has eaten here during Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival!

It’s got a very limited menu. 

Fish and chips of course. Victoria Sponge Cake, whole seasonal fruit, soft drinks, water and beer.
That’s all you need, really.

Though there are several seating area options, such as down by the World Showcase Lagoon, this is a very popular spot, and seating is limited.

There are covered tables located next to the Shop, but, again, it’s limited. If you see a table for 4 with 2 people sitting, don’t be afraid to ask to share the table.

There are also a couple of tables to be found outside Rose & Crown. 

As for the fish and chips, well, we find them delicious, light and flaky fish and perfectly cooked potatoes. This is our favorite fish and chips just about anywhere. I like mine with Malt Vinegar alone, but ketchup and Tartar Sauce can also be found among the condiments selection.

Have you eaten at Yorkshire? What did you think?

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes and edits.

Breakfast at Disney's Cape May Cafe

By Nick 

I love food, so naturally, I love a buffet. I love characters, and like to “collect” them, meaning I like to get photos with characters in different attire.

So, knowing this, it’s kind of surprising it’s taken me this long to get the Beach Club Breakfast Buffet at the Cape May Cafe, inside the Beach Club in Walt Disney World, and it wasn’t even planned!

My wife, Barbie, and I checked into the Beach Club Villas for one night, October 11th, before going on a 4 night cruise to the Bahamas on the Disney Dream. Upon check in, we learned our Magical Express pick up time to take us to Cape Canaveral wasn’t until 1145 am on the 12th. We discussed what we should do with our morning, and decided to just have a leisurely morning, rather than going to a park. I asked if there were any ADRs available for the Cape May Cafe’s Breakfast Buffet, and there were not. We were told that there likely wouldn’t be a problem getting a table if we came at opening, at 730am.

So, the next morning we approached the podium at about 720am, were given a pager, and within minutes, we were seated in a nice section near the back of The Cafe.

    

Within moments of being seated, our server, Adrienne, came over and took our beverage order. She was as delightful and friendly a Cast Member as we have had the pleasure to interact with.

We were directed to the buffet, where we were told by Adrienne that the most popular items were, not surprisingly, the Mickey Waffles, Chorizo and Four Cheese Scrambled Eggs, and french toast with banana caramel sauce.

I tried a bit of all of the above mentioned, along with a few other selections. The eggs were indeed delicious, as was the french toast. And you really can’t go wrong with Mickey waffles, which went really well with a strawberry sauce and whipped cream. The sausage was very good, the bac0n, well, it is typical Disney buffet bacon.

I also had a bagel with smoked salmon and pastrami style smoked salmon, which was very tasty. There is also Capers, Onions, Lemons, Tomatoes to add to this if you are so inclined.

Other cold offerings include Sliced Salami, Capicola, a selection of cheeses, hard-boiled Eggs, Low-fat Cottage Cheese, Apple Sauce, Healthy Grain Fruit Salad, Diced Pineapple, Diced Cantaloupe, Diced Watermelon, Orange Slices, Grapefruit, Strawberries, Apple Walnut Spinach Salad, Low-fat Strawberry Yogurt and Low-fat Vanilla Honey Yogurt, Macerated Fresh Mixed Berries, House made Granola and assorted cereals.

Along with the hot items I mention above, there are Scrambled Eggs, Frittata, Stewed Roma Tomatoes, Breakfast Potatoes Hand-carved Glazed Ham, Seasonal Vegetables, Hollandaise Sauce, Creamy Cheddar Grits, Biscuits with Home-style Sausage Gravy, Hot Oatmeal and Hot Apple Quinoa Cereal.

Of course, what would a character buffet be without characters?

Donald, Goofy, and Minnie Mouse, ready for a swim in the nearby Stormalong Bay, make their rounds while you dine.

 

As the morning went on, the Cape May Cafe did fill up, so while we are lucky to have gotten a table easily, if this is a character buffet you would like to visit, I highly advise you make Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) at 6 months out.

Nick is co-writer and editor of the Disney Musings Blog as well as co-host of The Disney Exchange Podcast.

Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos

By Nick

I didn’t have any idea I’d be going to Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos – Breakfast and Brunch with The Disney Princesses until just a few days before our wonderful breakfast at my favorite resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian.

The breakfast, usually held in Cinderella Castle, has been relocated to Citricos while Cinderella’s Royal Table undergoes refurbishment.

We attended this grand affair with our friends Kandi and John, and their children Jazzlyn and Grayson.

Barbie, me, Jazzlyn, Cinderella, Kandi, Grayson, and John

I’m very glad we went, not only for the experience, which starts with a photo with Cinderella herself, and continues into the lovely dining room of Citricos, where we also got to meet Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, and Ariel…

…but also for the food, because we were all very pleasantly surprised by the selection!

To start, we were brought coffees, teas, sodas, and our specialty beverages of choice, which were Mimosas, along with a basket of freshly baked multi-grain croissants, blueberry muffins and apple pastries.

For an appetizer, I had the charcuterie, while Barbie asked if it was okay to order 2 items, the charcuterie and the chicken noodle soup, and our wonderful server said “Yes!” Both were very good.

During the meal, wishing wands and swords were brought to the table for Jazzlyn and Grayson to use in the Magical Wishing Ceremony, where, with a little Disney magic “your prince’s or princess’ wish can come true!”

For entrées, both John and I ordered the steak, but instead of the slow-poached egg, we asked if we could substitute scrambled eggs, and were told that was not a problem. I ordered the steak medium rare, and it was more to the medium side, while John asked for his well done, and it was VERY well done, but still good. In the future, I will have to remember to ask for rare, as apparently, steak prep errs to the side of caution.

Barbie had the grilled ham and biscuits.

Kandi had the scrambled egg whites with hot ten-grain cereal, Greek yogurt topped with granola, a whole-grain croissant and fresh fruit.

Jazzlyn had Mickey waffles with sausage and bacon.

Desserts were a trio of a piece of cake they called crème brûlée, chocolate-raspberry cake, and a vanilla bean cream puff, the standout being, perhaps not surprisingly the chocolate cake.

The experience is not inexpensive, being $50 plus tip, but as far as character meals go, we felt it was absolutely one of the better experiences, and the food was a notch above a buffet.

Reservations for Cinderella’s Dining at Cítricos—Breakfast and Brunch with the Disney Princesses can be made by visiting DisneyWorld.com, or calling 407-WDW-DINE.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings blog, which Nick co-writes and edits.

Why is Disney Popcorn so Good?

By Nick

For some reason, Walt Disney World popcorn and specifically, Magic Kingdom popcorn, tastes better than popcorn anywhere else, with the exception of Disneyland.

It’s the perfect accompaniment to a Castle show, a parade, or a fireworks spectacular, or even just to enjoy while taking a stroll up Main Street. The following picture of Barbie and me was taken on January 19th, National Popcorn Day in WDW’s Magic Kingdom.
Can you think of a better place to celebrate?

 

This was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes and edits.

The Braised Pork at Be Our Guest

By Nick, co-writer and editor of the Disney Musings Blog

The Braised Pork, from the Be Our Guest restaurant’s lunch menu in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom, is slow-cooked pork with vegetables and bacon served with mashed potatoes and green beans jardiniere. It’s also been added to the dinner menu, but I’ve only ever had the lunch portion. It’s amazing. How amazing?

On our first lunch here in October of 2013, I wound up having to split it with Barbie because she loved it so much. On our trip in January of this year, it was on the top of must haves for both of us. And on our upcoming trip next month, we already have it ordered via FastPass+!

  

Have you eaten at Be Our Guest? What was your favorite food?

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog.

Have You Taken a Disney Food Challenge?

By Shendl

I found a list that someone had compiled of things to eat in Walt Disney World and that got me thinking about making my own Challenge for my next trip.  The one I found online was not easily achievable for me and my husband, so I went through all the Goodies that we had yet to try and came up with our own FOOD CHALLENGE!

This is my Challenge for my next trip – I hope we can complete it!

Magic Kingdom

    •    Dole Whip or a Dole Whip Float – Aloha Isle

Photo: Nick

  
 •    Corn Dog Nuggets – Casey’s Corner

  
 •    Corn on the Cob – Liberty Square Market

   
•    Le Fou’s Brew – Gastons Tavern

 Photo: Angel Sloan Rogers

Photo: Nick

 
  •    Warm Cinnamon Roll – Gastons Tavern
    •    The Plaza Ice Cream Sundae – The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour

Photo: Sue VanVleet

 
  •    Mickey Kitchen Sink Sundae –  The Plaza Ice Cream Parlour

Photo: Sue VanVleet

Epcot

    •    Chocolate Covered Sea Salt Caramel – Karamel Kuche (Germany)

    •    Macaron’s – Boulangerie Patisserie Les halles (France)
   
•    House made Paprika Chips – Sommerfest (Germany)

    •    Kakigori – Kabuki Café (Japan)

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

    •    Wheezy’s Breezy Freezey – Hey Howdy Hey Take Away

Animal Kingdom

    •    Turkey Leg – Trilo Bites

Photo: Carrie Atkins

Downtown Disney

    •    Crème Brulee – Wolfgang Puck Café

Photo: Diane Cole

These are things that I have not tried in WDW at all and they all sound so yummy (we are trying the turkey leg as experience, not sure if we will like it)

What is on your lis

t of Foods and Snacks to try?

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, where Shendl is a contributing writer.

Favorite Food Friday: Breakfast at The Grand Floridian Cafe

By Nick

On our trip to Walt Disney World this January, we tried to eat at several restaurants we hadn’t previously visited at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort. We hit Narcoossee’s, Citricos, and Gasparilla Island Grill.

On our last day, I decided we needed to try the Grand Floridian Cafe for breakfast. We’d passed this restaurant just about every day of our trip, but had never stopped for one reason or another.

Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the Grand Floridian Cafe is located off the main lobby of the GF, and offers beautiful views of the courtyard pool and rose garden.

 

 

Barbie wasn’t in the mood for a large breakfast, so only ordered a bagel with cream cheese with a side of bacon.

I had the Citrus Pancakes which are roasted pecan and sundried cranberry pancakes served with house made orange butter and a choice of bacon or sausage. I had bacon.

I’m not going to lie. These were maybe my favorite pancakes. Ever. The flavors were excellent. The citrus, cranberry and nuts reminded me of a cranberry muffin, but sweeter and less flaky.  My stomach is growling as I write this. The bacon was not the typical “Disney bacon” (thin and not very flavorful) that you find at a buffet, but rather a really nice smokey bacon. -growl-growl-

I look forward to returning for more pancakes, and to try other meals at the Grand Floridian Cafe in the future.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog which Nick co-writes and edits.

Some Favorites From Epcot's International Food and Wine Festival 2013

By: Nick-co writer and editor of the Disney Musings Blog

Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival kicks off this year in just about one month, running from September 19th to November 10th. Menus for the 2014 Marketplaces can be found here.

Every year, when making a plan of attack for the Festival,  I intend on hitting EVERY booth to try at least one item from each, and inevitably I miss a few. For one reason or another, last year I missed even more than usual. But, I thought I’d share some favorites, several of which are returning this year, and also some selections that I wish I hadn’t made, and will be sure to avoid this year!

 

We visited on September 29th, 2013, the third official day of the Festival.

Our first stop was Greece, which has always served one of my wife’s favorites, the Griddled Greek Cheese with Pistachios and Honey. This year however, she thought it was a little greasier than usual, which could have just been a one off, as I thought mine was the same as in years past. We also got the Chicken Gyro with Tzatziki Sauce, which was very good, if very heavy on the onion.

 

 

 
Next was a stop at the Refreshment Port which is newly offering selections for the Festival. We only got one thing, the Dole Pineapple Fritters, and really liked them. Essentially these are deep fried pineapple rings.

 

Next door is Canada, and we picked up the always good Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup, which seemed even better this year, the “Le Cellier” Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce, an excellent selection, and a new item, the Seared Rainbow Trout with Bacon, Frisee and Maple Minus 8 Vinaigrette, another winner. Year after year this booth is a top choice.

 

We started walking back towards the Mexican Pavilion side, to a favorite, the Argentina booth.

Along the way we stopped at Hawaii, where I had the Tuna Poke with Seaweed Salad and Lotus Root Chip, which never lets me down.

 

Next to this was another new kiosk, Scotland. I’d been anticipating the Scotch flight, but thought I’d get to it later in the trip. Sadly I didn’t. Instead I got the Seared Scottish Salmon with Cauliflower Puree, Watercress and Malt Vinaigrette, which disappointed me. The fish was dry, and the puree fairly flavorless.

 

We made our way to Argentina for our perennial favorite, the Grilled Beef Skewer with Chimichurri Sauce and Boniato Puree, with high hopes that this would be a high to the Scottish Salmon low.

Wrong! This was unfortunately a let down this year, as the beef was overcooked, and there was little sauce on them. In the future, I’ll ask if they can give me one less well done, and try to get extra sauce as well.

 
By now, it was about 12:30 pm, HOT, and already getting crowded. We decided to hit the Mexico Pavilion, where a favorite activity of mine is to get a Tequila Flight at La Cava del Tequila and take a ride on the Gran Fiesta Tour.

As we were about to go into the Mexico Pavilion, we stopped at the Mexico booth, which is located out in front. We got what had been a hit with my wife last year, but had been way too spicy for me, the Taco de Rib-eye with Salsa de Chipotle. This year the heat was turned way down, and we both loved them! A strong finish to a shaky start.

 

We returned the next evening, and this time, started in France. We shared the Boeuf Bourguignon (Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Mashed Potatoes), and Crème Brûlée au Chocolat au Lait (Chocolate Milk Crème Brûlée topped with Caramelized Sugar), both terrific, but Barbie wanted no part in the Escargots Persillade en Brioche (Garlic and Parsley Snails in Brioche), despite the fact that you honestly cannot taste anything but garlic and butter. These are awesome, and I get them every year. Pictured with the food is what was my favorite beer of the Fesitval, Kronenbourg Blanc. It is a Witbier, one of my favorite beer styles. It has a light citrus undertone, perfect for a hot humid evening.

We skipped a bunch of booths on our way to the Florida Local kiosk, mainly because they are serving a beer from a highly regarded brewery, Cigar City, which doesn’t distribute much to the Northeast USA yet. I got their Cracker Belgian-style White Ale, and it was very good, I’d absolutely recommend trying. I also had the Florida Grass Fed Beef Slider with Monterey Jack and Sweet & Hot Pickles, which I loved, but which didn’t impress Barbie.

 

Continuing on, Barbie wanted to try the Ravioli de formaggio all’emiliana in Italy, one of 2 items a friend had raved about. We also got the Salsiccia e ‘Papacelli” Napoletani (sausage).The Ravioli was good as always, but the Sausage was terrific.

 

Skipping a few more booths, with the thought that we’d get back to them, which we never did, we visited South Korea for the other menu selection Barbie had heard was great, the Kimchi Dog with Spicy Mustard Sauce. While in line we heard a humorous exchange where a child very stubbornly declared that she would under no circumstance eat dog. Well, if she didn’t, she missed out, because it really was delicious, and the photo below doesn’t do it justice.

Our last stop of the evening topped them all however. We had the Seared Mahi Mahi with Jasmine Rice and “Singa” Sauce at Singapore, and it was tremendous, among the best dishes I had at the Festival. Again, the picture does it absolutely no justice.

We didn’t hit any more of the food kiosks for a few more days, until October 3rd, when we met up with a friend at the American Pavilion. Before heading all the way back there though, I stopped at the Craft Beers booth and got a Namaste from Dogfish Head Brewery to get me through the long, hot walk. This is another Witbier, and another wonderful beer from one of the best brewers in the US.

Back at the American Pavilion, we all split the Craisin® Bread Pudding with Grand Marnier Anglaise from the Hops & Barley kiosk. Despite the fact that it is bread pudding, it was extremely light, and didn’t sit on the stomach like a brick, as some bread puddings do.

We next hit Belgium, for the Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache and Whipped Cream and Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote featuring Driscoll’s® Berries and Whipped Cream. Waffles with fruit and chocolate. Need I say more? I had a Leffe Brune, a Belgian Dark Ale with the waffles, and it paired nicely. Beer. Waffles. Not really any way you can go wrong here.

 

 

We decided to hit Spaceship Earth, but to do that, we needed to have more dessert. I’m not really sure how this evening turned into the sugar and booze fest it became, but, there it is. 

 

To get all the way back around to the front of World Showcase, I got a beer in  the Japan Pavilion at the Saki Bar, a hefeweizen called Premium Unfiltered, which is the Japan Pavilions best kept secret as far as I’m concerned.

 

 

On the way out, we  stopped at the Desserts & Champagne marketplace again, and both Barbie and I got the Dessert Trio, which consists of:

• Chocolate Orange Cupcake
• Hazelnut Chocolate Cheesecake
• Morello Cherry Pistachio Mousse

These were all great, the top of the Orange Cupcake being my favorite, I wish they’d have just served that in a bowl.

 

 

I also had the Pyramid™Weiss Cream Beer, a wheat ale, which was very light, but still tasty, and to be honest, you could have handed me just about anything at this point and I’d have been happy. 

 

 

So there you have it. I missed several kiosks that I wanted to try, and will hopefully be able to get to them this year. 

I hope these reviews help you if you visit my favorite event ever, Epcot’s International Food and Wine Festival!

 

Portions of this article were originally posted on the Tips From the Disney Divas and Devos Blog, where Nick is a contributing writer.