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5 Things Most WDW Guests Don’t Take Full Advantage Of

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

5 Things Most WDW Guests Don’t Take Full Advantage Of

Disney entertainment these days, especially in regards to Walt Disney World, is so incredibly all encompassing that it’s often quite difficult to fully take advantage of all that is available to you as a guest during your stay. Even with as much as we tour the parks, there’s always something new to see and do that you’ve never done before. I was just talking with a few friends on Facebook about how I’d love to do DiveQuest in the Seas Pavilion at Epcot. It does require scuba certification, but I can only imagine it would be something truly mind blowing to experience in person. While that would be a dream come true, it is perhaps one of the better examples of that same aforementioned concept. I’ve been touring the parks literally my entire life and there’s still hundreds of things I’ve never made the time to do, but that’s part of the fun of going back time and time again. 

These tips hinge on that same general idea, but in a slightly simpler iteration. Today we’re talking about things at Disney that so many guests don’t take full advantage of while they’re visiting Walt Disney World. However, just to be clear, we’re not recommending you try to “take advantage of Disney” in an unethical way, but rather sharing ways to make the most of the resources Disney wants you to use and offers up to you as there designed benefit. This won’t be a list of ways to “work the system” but rather things that most guests simply overlook and could potentially utilize more effectively during their vacation experience.   

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Free Water 

This is by far the simplest item on our list but it’s here for good reason. If you’re not already aware, Disney still provides glasses of ice water to guests entirely free of charge at most quick service locations across property that have a fountain drink machine. All you have to do is walk up to the counter, ask for a glass of ice water, and they’ll typically hand you at least one with no questions asked. Water bottles are typically expensive so if you’re willing to drink tap water, it can save you hundreds of dollars in a week long vacation in those peak-heat summer months. 

As of race weekend at WDW in January of 2019, about 50% of the ice water in the parks appears and tastes like it is being filtered through a Coca Cola machine which offers a far better taste than in some previous years. Every once in a while you’ll get a glass that tastes like that “classic Florida water”, but that is getting more rare than it once was. if you’ve never experienced “Florida water” it’s an odd blend of tap water flavor and a slight saltiness that is difficult to explain. It’s not the end of the world, but can be a little surprising if you’re not used to it. 

Either way, this is one of the greatest money saving options you have that is oh so incredibly easy to implement throughout your stay. We drink water almost every time we eat in the parks and I can’t tell you how many hundreds of dollars we’ve saved over buying soft drinks or water bottles and truthfully you need its hydrating capabilities in the heat of those warm Florida days more than just about anything else. It’s a quick cure for a heat related headache and I cant tell you how much staying hydrated can benefit you in the parks.     

The Pathway to Hollywood Studios/Epcot 

Again, this is an incredibly simple overlooked gem of Walt Disney World. Between Hollywood Studios and Epcot there is one long walkway that very few guests know exists. The path wanders casually along the edge of a lake and weaves its way a short distance over to the Boardwalk Resort. Once you get to the Boardwalk, you can enter the resort at the ground level (or walk around following the path) and cut through the air conditioned resort out to the waterfront boardwalk itself which leaves about 10 minutes more of walking to arrive at the back exit of Epcot called the International Gateway. A boat also offers guests a ride along the lake/river but so many guests over estimate the length of the walk. When we’ve stayed at the Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin we’ve walked the distance many times. Because of the layout of the paths, it is a much further walk to the Swan than the Boardwalk and the same is true for the Yacht and Beach Club, but it is no means out of the question to walk it rather than waiting on a boat. 

In my opinion, (given that I am 22 years old) it’s a very easy walk and unless it’s 100 degrees in the heat of the summer it’s a quite pleasant walk and one of the most picturesque spots in all of Walt Disney World.      
   

Last Minute Fastpass+ Changes 

As we move into a few of the less common items on our list today, perhaps the best takeaway from this article is the fact that reservations (dining and fastpass+) are something you should never stress about. If you cant get your desired fastpass+ selections on day one of your booking window, don’t worry about it. One of the greatest “secrets” many returning guests and local Disney fans have figured out is that it is quite possible and quite easy to secure popular fastpasses 24 hours or less before your desired time in the parks. As guests vacations get closer, people cancel their trips, check in dates move, and things in life just get in the way and at the last minute they’ll bail on their fastpasses. If that happens, they pop right up on the my Disney Experience app and they’re yours to grab. Often so many guests get so transfixed by their previously set plans that they don’t even bother looking days or even hours before their time in the parks. If you’re not overly picky about what times you want to ride certain attractions, it’s quite doable to pick up Flight of Passage, Slinky Dog Dash, and even Seven Dwarfs Mine Train fastpass+ selections at the last second.

Perhaps the greatest example of this I can give is from last summer. We booked a last minute trip (a few weeks after we returned home from WDW) to return to the parks after the debut of Toy Story Land. Our fastpass booking window had obviously already started and many selections were already completely booked. However, two days before our day in Hollywood Studios we managed to snag a Fastpass for Slinky Dog Dash literally a couple weeks after the attraction first debuted to the public.

 If you’re willing to look multiple times and even quite possibly sit on the couch with the TV on and simply refresh your fastpass+ selection time search page for 20 to 30 minutes you will be blown away at how fast people add and drop selections and as a result what you can pick up! If you put in the time and check even at the last minute, a lot of things can move in your favor!             

Last Minute Dining Reservations 

Dining is the same situation as mentioned above. Don’t get caught up in booking your dining reservations 180 days out right down to the minute. Unless you’re traveling with a massive group or want a vastly coveted reservation at Victoria and Alberts or something of the sort, 99% of the time it’s unnecessary to worry about booking at that exact 180 day mark. I have never once booked a meal 180 days in advance. I don’t usually know what I want to eat tomorrow, let alone 6 months from now. If you find booking these things fun and it helps you look forward to your trip and build anticipation than by all means go for it! However, don’t sweat it if you don’t enjoy doing things super far in advance. 

Just back a week or so ago we booked a trip to WDW beginning March 9th. We went ahead and made our dining reservations and every single time and location we wanted was still available. And… on the off chance it isn’t available, just be flexible and check back a few times and it will pop up more often than not. 

As perhaps the greatest hidden tip surrounding this topic, don’t forget to watch the cancellation window. Disney requires all guests booking table service dining do so with a credit card on file. If you don’t show up, and fail to cancel your reservation you will be charged a $10 per person fee. However, you can avoid the cancelation fee by canceling the reservation at least one day prior to your scheduled meal. As a result, tons of dining reservations pop up the day before your desired meal time and location. Believe it or not, I’ve seen Be Our Guest reservations pop up the day before and even the day of our time in  the parks and the same is often true for Cinderella’s Royal Table. I personally don’t recommend either of those dining locations unless you’re going to experience the atmosphere or have kids that really really really want to go, but that’s a story for another day. 

Long story made short, don’t stress about dining reservations. If I’ve learned anything from my friends that are locals it is that dining reservations are no big deal and that if you’re even remotely flexible with times/locations, you can find just about anything your heart desires super last minute with the sole exception of super high traffic days like Christmas day.
              

Your Time Outside Of the Parks

I emphasize and overemphasize this point at length on this site time and time again but for good reason. If you’re going to Walt Disney World, take at least a part of a day on a multi-day vacation to enjoy your resort, a different resort on property, or even to do a “Monorail tour” of the Magic Kingdom resort area. The “Monorail tour”, as we like to call it, is essentially jumping on the resort monorail at Magic Kingdom or the Ticket and Transportation Center and then riding it to each of the resort stops. At each stop get off and explore the resort, grab a meal, check out the stores, or enjoy the little details of the experience. It is, without a doubt, one of the simplest things you can do at WDW that will create some of the best memories. It’s budget friendly, it’s uniquely Disney, and truthfully it’s one of the things we enjoy the most on our WDW trips time and time again.


Another great thing to do is to enjoy what special activities your resort offers or at a resort near whatever location you choose. For example, many resorts have fire pits and marshmallows to roast at night, many offer movies under the stars, others offer live performances by cast members (ex: street performers at the Boardwalk and the legendary YeHaa Bob at Port Orleans), and even a select few offer scavengers hunts completely free of charge! If you don’t know where to start or what to look for, head to the front desk or the concierge and they’ll break down the weeks activities for you!  

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Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!


Need a Travel Planner?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.

Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

The Best Budget Friendly Lens for Disney Parks Photography – Getting a New Perspective

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

The Best Budget Friendly Lens for Disney Parks Photography – Getting a New Perspective  

I know the first thing many of you are asking is why is a camera lens review on a Disney Parks themed website? Well, about a year ago I took the leap and dove into the Disney photography realm. I knew absolutely nothing about “professional tier” photos but wanted to try my hand at capturing higher quality images not only to share here but also to supplement social media posts, share greater details in reviews, and even potentially to use in print for future projects. 

I’m certainly no photography expert and will never claim the title of a “professional” because it’s more of a hobby than anything else. It’s something I enjoy and essentially that’s why I do any of this. Contrary to popular belief in the blogging realm, I don’t do this for the money, I do it simply because it’s what I enjoy doing and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to share that with so many of you. I’ve said it before, but I never in my wildest dreams would have thought even one person would have had an interest in what I write and talk about. It blows my mind to this day but I’m incredibly thankful for the people it’s allowed me to meet along the way.

So to best answer that initial question I have to say a lens review is on this site mostly to encourage other folks traveling to the parks to try something new. It may not be photography, it may not be a website, and it may not be anything beyond trying a new restaurant in the parks, but trying something new can change your outlook in so many ways. 

Why am I sharing this? Well, hopefully it will help someone out there looking for something just like this as I was a short time ago. If you’re not at all interested in the review, I completely understand and invite you to check out one of our other posts here on the site. This will apply to a very limited audience but sometimes it’s fun to switch things up a bit in this content sharing journey. Theme park photography has become something I really enjoy and sharing things that interest me and potentially others is one of the many things this site is for. 

To jump right into it, I do have to credit Tom Bricker (the man, the myth, the Disney photography legend himself over at the disneytouristblog.com) for the initial lens recommendation. He’s the reason I caved and bought this lens and I’ve never once regretted the purchase.

In my opinion, the best budget friendly camera lens for Disney parks photography is none other than the Tokina 11-16mm F/2.8 DX Type II. the important parts of that lengthy description are 11-16mm and Type II. Essentially, for the non-photography folks reading this, an 11-16mm lens covers an angle of view of 104 degrees. While that seems trivial, it’s incredibly helpful in the Disney parks to capture things both in tight quarters and in a more creative perspective. It’s not going to be ideal for portraits or anything of that variety because it’s simply too wide for most of those applications. However, the lens is designed primarily for landscapes and architecture photography on crop sensor cameras. 

To further explain, a crop sensor camera is essentially the removable lens cameras about 95% of you reading this likely have. Full frame or FX sensor cameras are not fully compatible with this lens but if you have a full frame camera, you’re probably not looking at this lens to begin with. Also worth mentioning is the fact that this will not work on iPhones or anything of the sort. Additionally, the lens is currently built for Canon and Nikon cameras. 

The type II reference is also quite important because only the second version of this lens will auto focus with most DSLR cameras due to its internal focus motor. In the simplest of explantations, the previous version had to be manually focused by hand on most entry level DSLR’s in the Nikon lineup. The second generation put a focus motor in the lens itself allowing it to focus with even the most budget friendly camera in the Nikon lineup, the d3400 (an incredible entry level offering). I cant speak to Canon directly because I’ve never used one but I believe the same is true for at least select camera models.

Why Is This The Ideal Disney Parks Photography Lens?

Truthfully the main selling point for me on this lens was and is it’s incredible array of uses in the Disney parks. At an aperture of f/2.8 it’s capable of absorbing enough light to use a reasonable shutter speed and a reasonable iso on most dark rides to get the shots desired. It’s also great for nighttime photography when you really need that fast aperture to capture the image without a tripod (depending on the shot). 

For the non photography geeks out there, the process of capturing images in dark spaces is a delicate balance of aperture (referred to as f-stop), iso, and shutter speed. Aperture is referred to as being “fast” or “slow.” Faster lenses are paired with small aperture numbers. For example, f/2.8 is a wider opening inside the lens than a f/4 lens. The f/2.8 aperture allows the camera to gather more light. The iso number is essentially a representation of artificial light the camera is creating (without flash) to expose the image correctly. Higher iso numbers yield higher grain in the image, so it’s desired to shoot at an iso of 100 (or lower) to get the sharpest images possible in most cases. Lastly, shutter speed is a varying number referring to how long the cameras shutter is physically open when gather light on the cameras internal sensor. The darkest scenes require many seconds of exposure time with the camera completely still to gather enough light. However, for dark rides, you can only slow down your shutter speed so much or it will induce motion blur into the image. 

It’s an intricate process and this is a vast oversimplification of complex concepts but in essence, a lower number f-stop lens is better to have in your bag 99% of the time, a lower iso is better 99% of the time, and shutter speed will vary drastically. In all reality if you want tac sharp nighttime images you’ll shoot photos on a tripod, at iso 100, and at an f-stop at around f8-f/11 for peak image quality. However, none of this matters unless you learn to use your camera in manual mode. Also, if you’re going to buy this lens, I suggest you do so only if you’re going to learn to use your manual mode, aperture priority mode, or shutter priority mode. If not, the only thing this lens will provide you is a wider angle of view and very little difference in image quality in most cases. 

Your greatest resource in photography is knowledge of your gear and how to use it. I wont drone on in weird photography terms any longer but why is this lens a great deal??  

1. It’s incredibly sharp at its price point. It even comes close to comparing to lenses 4 and 5 times it’s price when used correctly.  

2. It’s an incredibly wide lens which is perfect for photos like what you see in this post. Personally, it’s my favorite kind of photography and I’m a bit of a wide angle freak. If you like these photos, you’ll love this lens because 100% of the photos in this post were taken on the Tokina. The photos here are not peak quality due to the websites compression, but if you want real details, check out our Facebook or Instagram pages. About 50% of those photos were taken with this lens.

3. It allows for vast creativity. Disney and ultra wide angle photography go hand in hand. This lens allows you to capture things no phone can capture, no standard zoom lens can capture, and will allow you take photos of things you never thought were possible. 

I’ve gone on and on about this lens, but what does it cost? Personally, I paid $279 for it and bought it refurbished directly from Tokina. I’m not a Tokina ambassador (even though that would be cool), I’m not getting paid by them to write this, and I’m not looking to sell you anything while writing this. The link to Tokina’s website is intentionally not an affiliate link. I recommend it because it is what I use and what has worked for me. So far it’s the main thing that’s kept me from jumping to a full frame camera and that’s a good thing considering what full frame cameras cost! 

It is without a doubt one of the best lenses out there for the money. There are a few different versions of it and I’ve heard the optical quality of the 11-20mm version of this is quite stellar as well, but I have not used it personally. The greater zoom length is pretty trivial to me so I opted for the the 11-16mm to save some money and recommend you do the same to save a few dollars. Chances are your standard kit lens that came with your camera will cover the 18-55mm focal range so this version works out quite well for most entry level photographers and many professional photographers as well. 

Last but certainly not least, it’s a lens that grows with you as you learn more about photography. Sure it does have some weird chromatic aberration in the corners or when shooting into direct sunlight, but it’s a two click fix in Adobe Lightroom’s lens corrections. It’s not without flaws but it is an incredible lens for crop sensor cameras and quite possibly the one lens I would take to Walt Disney World if I ever had to choose just one to carry with me in the parks.  

Your Thoughts


As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!


Need a Travel Planner?


If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.


Ready to Plan?


Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

5 Snacks Under $5 at Walt Disney World – Our Top Budget Friendly Snack Recommendations!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

5 Snacks Under $5 at Walt Disney World – Our Top Budget Friendly Snack Recommendations!  

As many of you may already know, the food at Walt Disney World is just as important as the attractions for so many reasons. At the same time, it’s also no secret that dining at Disney can get expensive. As a result, today I’m sharing our top 5 snacks under $5 at Disney World. 

Would you rather listen than read? Check out this weeks podcast where we cover this topic in greater depth! 

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Dining in the parks and on Disney property as a whole is all about knowing where to go, what to order, and how to make the most of every meal. This is especially true if you’re looking to save money. Some guests fall in the expensive dining preferences category while others are perfectly content eating at quick service locations or even quite possibly carrying their food with them into the parks (which I don’t necessarily recommend due to extra bags, etc.). When we travel to the parks, I like to think that we bridge the gap of both mindsets. It’s not out of the ordinary for us to eat one table service meal a day, but often times we’ll also skip a lunch or a dinner after a big table service meal earlier in the day. To us, a good meal can make all the difference in the flow of your day and how you feel throughout the day, especially during those hot summers that Florida has become synonymous with. 


Obviously, when taking that mindset into consideration, we’re not necessarily the most frugal travelers, but at the same time we’re not spending hundreds of dollars a day on food simply because we’ve found ways to cut down on costs and only select the most expensive dining offerings for select occasions or one time per trip meals. Snacks fall into a similar frame of thought for us. In general, we don’t snack all that much in the parks, but we are notorious about picking up desserts at a bakery or late night ice-cream before heading back to our resort. I share that detail mostly because your idea of a snack could certainly differ from ours so it’s something you may want to be aware of along the way.

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Over the years, we’ve come to recognize that often times a snack can help you bridge the gap between a table service breakfast and an early dinner, or any other combination of possibilities simply because we’ve learned the hard way. No matter what your strategy for touring the parks is, a snack at Disney doesn’t have to be a $7 Mickey Pretzel (yep, that’s right… they’re $7 now!). Snacks come in all shapes and sizes at Disney but knowing what snacks are best and which ones wont brake the bank can really help you out and more importantly help out your budget along the way. 

1. Mickey Beignets ($4.49)  

Believe it or not, beignets at Walt Disney World are still one of the little known hidden gems of the dining realm. For just $4.49, you can grab 3 beignets at Port Orleans French Quarter at the Floatworks dining location. These beignets are, without a doubt, one of the very best snacks on property regardless of the cost. Additionally, at less than $5 they’re a must-try treat for every Disney Parks guest. 

You wont find beignets in the Florida theme parks, but the short bus ride or drive over to Port Orleans is well worth it to get the chance to try this budget friendly snack. While you’re there. consider trying a fried catfish Po’ Boy to complete the experience and to enjoy one of the best all around budget friendly meals on Disney property at one of the most underrated resorts around.       

2. Mousse au Chocolat ($4.50)

While this is essentially fancy wording for chocolate mousse, there’s nothing ordinary about this dessert/snack option. This particular Mousse au Chocolate is only sold at one location in the parks over at the France Pavilion in Epcot. France’s Les Halles Boulangerie & Patisserie quick service location is the best little tucked away bakery in nearly all of the parks and resorts. On top of that, it features one of the most budget friendly and best tasting dessert menus in all of Epcot. 


The Chocolate Mousse is certainly a highlight of the experience, but it’s also good to note that nearly half of their expansive dessert lineup costs less than $5 as well. So, if mousse isn’t your thing, you have a huge variety of other pastries all with a little bit of french flair. 
           

3. Side of Chicken Fried Rice ($4.25) 

If you’ve every been to Animal Kingdom, you likely know how unique the food can be at times. If you’re like me, you may not be the most adventurous eater and that doesn’t always play in your favor. However, Yak and Yeti Local Foods Cafe somewhat solves that problem with a simple snack that will keep you relatively full, and appeals to a fairly broad audience, fried rice. I know simply stating fried rice sounds like the opposite of a fun snack, but in all reality this isn’t your local Chinese take-out spot’s fried rice. Instead, Yak and Yeti adds a variety of flavor to the seemingly simple dish that really sets it apart. If you’ve never tried the Local Foods Cafe or the table service restaurant next door, I highly recommend it. Not only do you get a quick break from the typical food you can find in other parks, but you also get a budget friendly snack that can tie you over until your next meal.   
  

4. Raspberry Lunch Box Tart ($3.29) 

When this tasty treat was first announced as the details of theToy Story expansion slowly started to trickle out, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t hesitant of how good it would be. It looks like a glorified Pop Tart and in essence that is exactly what it is! Perhaps a better explanation is that it’s everything a Pop Tart should be… I know that sounds like a stretch but the Raspberry Lunch Box Tart at Woody’s Lunch Box is a killer snack or breakfast item that exceeds expectations. The soft pie crust-esque texture coupled with the perfect amount of sweet and fruity filling topped off with the near perfect amount of icing is a treat that will exceed your expectations. I expected to be disappointed by this one and it is, without a doubt, officially on my list of “must-try” snacks at Walt Disney World irrelevant of the price. Speaking of price, it’s only $3.29 and is the cheapest item on our list today! If you’ve not tried one of these, run… don’t walk… to Woody’s Lunch Box next time you’re at Walt Disney World.        

5. Churros in Mexico ($4.50) 

There’s a slight caveat to this one because these churros are far more budget friendly than churros other places in the parks. The churros at La Cantina de San Angel are $4.50 opposed to the $6.25 churros other places. It’s a huge difference but in all fairness it is a different style of churro and a far different presentation. In my opinion, the churros of the Mexico pavilion are the best churros around and at nearly two dollars cheaper than all the others it is well worth a stop by the outdoor quick service area for a quick snack as you make your way around Epcot. 

The churros here typically come in a small basket with a caramel sauce on the side. The churros themselves are small thin strips that have been curved into an oval shape (which makes them far easier to dip) and you get a few of them in your basket. Additionally, the sauce seems to be a little better than the sauce you typically get in theme parks and it features a thinner consistency. It’s the perfect amount of sweet to add to the classic snack.       
While this list could literally go on and list 20+ more items around Walt Disney World, I’ll stop myself at 5 offerings for today. However, your list doesn’t have to stop there! Be sure to add your top picks under $5 in the comments on your favorite social media platform and we’ll consider adding a few of them to our next list of snack recommendations. Above all else, remember that a simple meal can create a story that you’ll remember for years on end. I’m a firm proponent of the fact that the simplest of moments yield the most memorable of moments in the parks. If you’ve not experienced it for yourself quite yet, expect the unexpected and enjoy every moment of your Disney vacation. 
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Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!


Need My Help?

Feel free to contact me with questions, comments, or free-lance work at Guide4WDW@gmail.com. If you need a landscape or theme park photographer, feel free contact me with photo requests or contracts. All theme park writing and photos will be assessed on a case by case basis. 

For anyone else looking to give me a shout or to have their questions answered by me, feel free to contact me anytime via that same email address! I never charge anyone to answer a question and I do answer all of my emails personally.     



Need a Travel Planner?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.

Ready to Plan?


Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.       

   


                   

10 Excellent Entrees Under $15 at Walt Disney World

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

10 Excellent Entrees Under $15 at Walt Disney World   

In my own personal opinion, Disney is more than just attractions, and more than just details (which are a huge part of what I share here), but oftentimes a culinary exploration that so many guests overlook. As you wander the parks and resorts, it’s easy to miss the hidden gems of the vacation kingdom as you jump from attraction to attraction. However, once you find one prime dining location on property, it’s a part of the Disney experience that you won’t soon forget. 

Would you rather listen than read? Check out this weeks podcast where we cover this topic in greater depth! 

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 Of course, Disney dining can be quite expensive, especially when traveling with a large family. To narrow down some of the vast options across Walt Disney World, today we’ve assembled a list of 10 Excellent Entrees Under $15! 

(Update: August 2018) If you came across this post back in October of last year, we’ve got good news. We’re back with 5 more entrees you may want to check out in addition to the first five we originally shared!  

1. Whispering Canyon – Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich ($14)

For many years, Whispering Canyon has been a top pick for our family vacations and a place that we’ve come to expect a good meal from each and every time we visit. The cast on hand is outstanding (see our article: Legendary Cast of the Disney Parks – “Sunshine” From Whispering Canyon) and the atmosphere is fun and uniquely Disney. The Slow-Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich is one of my favorite entrees on property, especially when you consider the cost (and at a table service location). The sandwich is very large and easily enough food to leave you full and happy for many hours in the parks. 
In my own personal opinion, this is the best budget Magic Kingdom lunch option available. Of course, it is not located in the Magic Kingdom, but what many guests overlook is that this offering is typically less than 15-20 minutes away from any single point in Magic Kingdom. Hop on a designated Wilderness Lodge shuttle boat, outside of the Magic Kingdom gates, and a few minutes later you’ll arrive at the resort’s dock. From the dock, head to the main resort lobby and you can’t miss Whispering Canyon. You’ll hear the excitement of the atmosphere from across the lobby! 

Interested in breakfast? We highly recommend that as well! Check it out in our Whispering Canyon Breakfast – A Closer Look and Review post!

2. Floatworks – Catfish Po’ Boy With a Dessert of Beignets ($14.98)

Floatworks, over at Port Orleans French Quarter, is perhaps my favorite counter service location on property. While I raved about the location in Our Top 5 Quick Service Dining Options at Walt Disney World, one particular entree on the menu peaks my interest each and every time I visit, The Catfish Po’ Boy. This item is the must do option in my opinion out of the many offerings on the menu. It is supposedly a seasonal (or at least they do not claim it is always available) variation of the Shrimp Po’ Boy, but I have yet to visit when it was not available when I ordered it. While the sandwich alone costs much less than our $15 limit for today’s scenario, you can pair this entree with 3 Beignets (a French Quarter must do) to really complete your dining experience and still remain at only $14.98! You will be hard pressed to find that large of a meal anywhere on property, complete with dessert, for that low of a price (by Disney cost standards).     

3. Geyser Point – Classic Bacon Cheeseburger ($12.49)

I stumbled upon this great option on a recent stay at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We were staying club level (which just happened to work out well given our situation) and wanted to fill in the “gaps” left by the snack meals provided by the club level accommodations on our resort day. We were out by the pool and and decided to split a burger. To be quite honest I had heard good things about the food at Geyser Point, but really didn’t expect much from a standard cheeseburger. I was anticipating a typical Disney counter service cheeseburger, so when it arrived in a transportable package ready for the pool topped with tillamook cheddar cheese (really great cheese!) and accompanied by freshly made waffle fries, it was certainly a shock. 



After finding a seat by the water, on a hot Florida summer day, we gave it a taste and quite honestly found a cheeseburger that may just overtake my current favorite sandwich deemed One of the Best Burgers on Disney Property! 
   

4. The Boathouse – Filet Mignon Sliders ($14)

As the second true table service entree on this list, the Filet Mignon Sliders allow you to experience the high end and immersive environment the dockside boathouse dining location provides while not breaking the bank. At just $14 dollars, the sliders provide the melt in your mouth incredibly high grade beef you would expect from a luxury steakhouse (which it is in addition to many other things) in a bite size package. I will say that the sliders are served with a side of french fries. The fries are excellent as well, but the entree as a whole remains fairly small. Still, considering the price, it’s hard to beat. If you want to read more about our overall Boathouse experience, you may want to take a quick look at our A Top Disney Springs Dining Option: The Boathouse Restaurant post.

  

5. Flame Tree Barbecue – Smoked Pulled Pork Sandwich ($11) 

This particular item made the list for more than one reason. First and foremost, it is the iconic Animal Kingdom counter service offering and a great option if you are looking for a quick meal. However, on the other hand, I list this particular option to draw a key comparison you may want to consider. Above, I listed another pulled pork sandwich that is not only served at a table service location, but also is a much larger portion accompanying a small $3 price difference. Now, I do understand that Flame Tree is in a park so it will accompany a higher price tag, but in all honesty the Whispering Canyon entree is far better and a much better deal for the money. 

Also worth noting is that these sandwiches taste very different. Flame tree utilizes a slightly spicy sauce that is quite unique, while Whispering Canyon utilizes a very sweet sauce across their entire barbecue lineup. Both are excellent, but I have always preferred the Whispering Canyon variation. It not only tastes better (in my opinion), but it is also presented in a fun loving environment and accompanies an experience rather than simply a counter service style grab and go functional approach. As with any dining offering, your “mileage” and preferences may vary drastically from mine.  

6. Homecomin’ Kitchen – Thigh High Chicken Biscuits ($15) 

As one of our biggest surprises in 2017, Homecomin’ continues to exceed our expectations. The location is perfect, the food is excellent, and the staff is incredibly pleasant. Homecomin’ offers the iconic Art’s Famous Fried Chicken but the particular dish is a bit too pricey for our list at $28. However, you can still get a taste of that famous fried chicken in an appetizer offered on the menu that very easily could be ordered as a full meal. I will preface this particular item with the fact that I honestly have not tried this exact menu item, but the fried chicken is just a scaled down version of the excellent offering throughout many dishes on the menu. Additionally, the biscuits themselves are cheesy and wonderful (which I have tried) and the entire creation is topped with a honey sauce (with a kick of spice mixed in) that completes the ensemble. While this may not be the largest meal, unless combined with a side item or something of the sorts, you’ll get a chance to dine at a fun location at budget friendly cost.        
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7. D-Luxe Burger – Barbecue Burger ($11.99)

Just a short walk away from number six on our list is D-Luxe burger. I know what you may be thinking, “What’s so special about a burger?” Well, that’s just it, it’s a simple item but the simplicity is what makes this location great. They don’t try to do too much, but they still manage to create an excellent meal in an incredibly welcoming environment. Even though It does remain crowded most of the time, D-Luxe burger has a certain small town feel to it that takes you home while many of us are hundreds of miles away from our residence. Take a step out onto the covered outdoor seating and enjoy a beautiful view of Disney Springs, Morimoto, and even Chef Art Smith’s across the water. The food is great, and while the burgers are intentionally cooked a touch rare for my typically preference, the flavor more than makes up for it! Try the Barbecue Burger and you won’t be disappointed! The rather large sandwich is sweet with a salty flair and when paired with fries is one of the largest counter service meals you’ll come across at Disney Springs.       
Once again for a full review of our experience here check out D-Luxe Burger – A Good Meal With A Great View!

8. The Hollywood Brown Derby – Famous Cobb Salad ($11.00)

When we first debuted our original five entrees under $15 back in October of 2017, we had a few requests for something healthy to be added to the list. To be quite honest, that isn’t necessarily my strong point, but you all answered the call and provided me with an excellent option for guests seeking a healthier alternative or for those with specific allergies or dietary constraints. To my surprise, the suggestions came at one of the pricier dining locations on property, The Hollywood Brown Derby. The restaurant is a true classic of Hollywood Studios and according to rave reviews, the Famous Cobb Salad is a must try for many guests looking for a break from fried foods and heavier meals. Plus, you get the opportunity to dine in a very classy location without the pricey bill at the end of the night. 

9. Captain Cook’s – Hot Beef and Cheddar ($11.49) 

Moving back to a counter service option that is rather impressive, over at the Polynesian’s Captain Cook’s you can catch a quick meal while taking in the views in a location that even made our 4 Excellent Places to Relax During a Disney Vacation. The location offers a vast menu but one of my personal favorites is the Hot Beef and Cheddar. You can eat it with all the typical toppings including sweet chili mayonnaise, caramelized onions, and cheddar or make it simpler and remove anything you don’t want. As a result of it’s price you can pair it with a pastry or other item from the small array of bakery items and complete an excellent meal at a rather fair price. 

10. La Cantina de San Angel – Empanadas con Queso ($11.50)     

Last but certainly not least… until we decide to add on to this list once again… we have the Empanadas. For those of you who may not know, Empanadas are a fairly no frills dish at the Mexico pavilion which is a soft shell filled with cheese, fried, and paired with a unique slaw. When we first stumbled into this item we really loved it and it always gives us a chance to try something a little different that you can only get at one location on property in the World Showcase of Epcot. 


You see, experiencing a table service location, or making the most of a counter service option doesn’t have to break the bank. Disney debuts a vast array of dining offerings across an enormous platform of restaurants. These choices only scratch the surface as to what you can find as you search and prepare for your Walt Disney World vacation. Did a favorite of yours make our list? Have a favorite you’d like to share? Tell us about it in the comments!

If you enjoyed this article or know someone headed to Disney on a budget, be sure to share this with them! Thanks!  
      

Want to work with us here on the site or in the photography realm? Shoot me a message on social media anytime or email me directly at guide4wdw@gmail.com. We’re always looking for sponsors and new opportunities. If you ever have questions during your vacation planning or anything else feel free to message me there as well and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible! 

Your Thoughts


As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!


Need a Travel Planner?


If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.


Ready to Plan?


Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2019

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2019

As 2019 continues to unfold, I wanted to share a post detailing a large culmination of our vacation planning tips here on the site. This installment of our continual updating of this post bring to light a few things to expect in the coming year and a few change for 2019 not only in our own plans but in the way things operate at Walt Disney World overall. Restaurants change, resort experiences change, and more than anything else, the theme parks change drastically from month to month and often week to week or day to day. We’ve covered dining, resorts, hidden gems, Disney history and so much more since the site began in 2016, but a lot of it tends to get lost along the way. 

This year, we’ll undoubtedly see changes unfold at Disney World and along the way we’ll make every effort to keep this post available as a consistent yet changing resource for your vacation planning needs and questions. We’ve certainly never seen and done all that Disney has to offer but with around 20 years of theme park visits under wraps, we’ve learned (the hard way many times) a great deal about Walt Disney World.


More than anything, I hope this guide takes you from considering a Disney vacation (be it your first trip or your 100th) to looking forward to the planning experience. Even beyond that simple goal, I hope that this culmination of posts encourages those of you returning to Walt Disney World to try something new and step out of your comfort zone in some way.

Particularly in 2019 we’ll likely see a continued increase in crowds and the presence of crowds in the parks. Even months after Toy Story Land’s debut, wait times regularly exceed two hours. Pandora, while approaching two years of existence in the parks, is still regularly the longest wait time anywhere on property. Do I see this changing anytime soon? Not in the slightest. With Walt Disney World working to expand their resort lineup they have the best problem any company could have. They have more prospective guests than they know what to do with and no matter how many times they increase costs the guests keep piling into the parks and resorts. As a result, expect more price increases throughout the year. Unfortunately, I believe the days of the once yearly ticket cost increase have gone away and the new ticket buying system could lend itself to future increases occurring more frequently. I hope I’m wrong but we’re trending in that direction. 

Additionally for 2019, look for new and more immersive activities in the parks, most likely in the form of new limited time entertainment and small festivals similar to last years “Incredible Summer Tomorrowland Expo.” It’s an easy way to get guests back to the parks and offer something new while larger scale construction projects continue to work towards their opening dates. What the smaller events may be we’ll have to wait and see, but I truly believe they’re inevitable and in my opinion a great addition to the current array of offerings. 

Lastly, and perhaps the one thing that seems to be flying under the radar is the fact that this year we may see some rather drastic changes to the Tomorrowland theming. The average guest may not notice the differences right away, but signs are starting to come down and change and I see more and more of that becoming inevitable as the Tron attraction continues construction in the coming years.            

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As you plan for the parks there are a few main things you’ll want to take into account: Dining, Resorts, Costs, and last but not least, History. You may wonder why I included history in that list, but believe it or not, it makes a huge difference in how your Disney vacation unfolds. We’ll touch on that a bit later. However, with all the basics laid out, we’ll jump right into what you probably came here for in the first place.

Dining In and Around the Disney Parks 

To be quite honest with you, dining at Walt Disney World is perhaps the greatest highlight of our Disney experience  When we tour the parks and resorts, it’s always been a priority of ours to take time to enjoy a good meal and make the most of every dollar spent towards food on our vacation. 

Disney food is one of those things that many guests bash on their first visit. If you’ve not been touring the parks for years or arrive at Disney with very little planning, you may even leave with that exact same thought. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be that way. Disney World as whole is highly encompassing of restaurants. There’s a little something for everyone and every budget, but finding it and making the most of it is something that takes a bit of planning and research to truly take full advantage of. 

Oftentimes, you have to take a moment to reach beyond the theme parks themselves and travel to the resorts to get a glimpse of the elaborate dining array. Jump on a bus to a resort (after making a reservation in advance) and typically within 10-15 minutes you’ll be arriving at your dining destination and will have opened up an entirely new world of immersion at the destination of your choice. Take Wilderness Lodge for example. If you’re at the Magic Kingdom, jump on a boat just outside the front entrance and within five to ten minutes (and for free) you’ll arrive at the dock of the resort. 

Disney World Planning Guide - Whispering Canyon


When you arrive at Wilderness Lodge, you truly enter a world that feels so distant yet so close to the Magic of Walt Disney World. It’s a place that feels like home, no matter where you’re from, and invites you into the calm yet grand atmosphere that guests have enjoyed for years on end. You’re 10 minutes from Magic Kingdom, and the magic still feels very much alive, but you’re transported to this place that feels entirely different. Additionally, you arrive at a place that offers one of the greatest hidden gems of the dining realm at Disney, Whispering Canyon. Its a great bang for your buck and a reservation that is quite easy to obtain. Thankfully, this example is only one of many excellent dining options that feature a similar experiential feel, but hopefully it simply encourages you to take a look through a few of our recommendations for dining experiences. Including a new and unlikely favorite for 2019, Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – A Near Perfect Epcot Dining Location.


A Closer Look at Disney Resorts

If you’re a frequent reader here on the site, (first and foremost, thank you!) you likely already know that I truly believe that a great resort can prove instrumental in the level enjoyment you get out of your vacation. Of course, a resort is simply just that, a resort. It’s a place to lay your head for the night after a long day in the parks, but it is also a huge piece of the Disney experience. When your stay on Disney property you are encompassed in a story that develops an experience unlike any other hotel resort accommodations anywhere in the country. You step into a lodging facility, but more importantly you step into a story that unfolds before your very eyes. 

Once again, we’ll use a resort to better explain the concept. We could truly pick any resort on property, but for this particular example we’ll take your thoughts over to Disney’s Boardwalk Resort. 

The best way for me to explain what I’m about to share is through a thought process explained in words. Put yourself in the mind of a business executive of some type. You travel the world for a living and stay at hotel after hotel night after night. To an extent, 99% of those hotels will feature a similar experience in regards to the big picture. Now, take that same mindset and you check into your reosrt accommodations for the night and find an ESPN branded restaurant, a lakeside view, a series of performers steps away from your resort room, 10+ dining locations within a 5 minute walk, glimmering lights shining off of the water of a wood paneled boardwalk, and you can hear and see fireworks in the distance all from a location reminiscent of Coney Island or Atlantic City. That experience is Disney’s Boardwalk resort. 

That concept is a bit hard to wrap your mind around for those of us who have been touring the parks for years. At a certain point you come to expect these immersive experiences from Disney. It’s a highlight of the experience and one that I recommend for so many reasons to first time and returning Disney guests. Yes, Disney resorts tend to be expensive, but when you compare resort fees and parking costs per day at other resorts (which are still typically more than the new WDW resort guest parking fees), you may be surprised at how little money staying off property will save you, especially when you take into account the experience you may be missing out on.

Of course, this isn’t our only tip, but it is one of our greatest tips that is reoccurring across a vast majority of our posts that detail different aspects of the resort experience.

Breaking Down the Costs of Disney Resort Stay 

As touched on previously, there is no way to avoid the inevitable. A Disney vacation is quite expensive. We’ve been lucky to be able to travel to the parks as much as we have over the years, but it hasn’t always been club level accommodations and deluxe resorts (and still isn’t) for our trips. 99% of our trips are paid for out of pocket by us and our other jobs rather than the revenue driven from this site. To be quite honest with you, we drive little to no revenue from the site and what we do goes back into the site itself rather than to fund our Disney trips (unfortunately). We’d love to get to that point some day, but it’s not our main focus. Thankfully, that circumstance provides us with an interesting opportunity and that is finding ways to travel affordably. 

It is tough to plan Disney on a tight budget, but it is certainly doable if you know what you’re doing and take the time to avoid unnecessary costs associated with the experience. We’ve done this in a few ways. First and foremost, limiting transportation costs. Despite what many believe, we are not local and actually live about 14 hours away from Walt Disney World. In our experience, driving tends to be the most cost effective but utilizing budget airlines (Allegiant, Frontier, etc.) is certainly worth looking into. For 2019, we’ve had incredible luck with Southwest Airlines and have used them multiple times this year at incredible rates.   

Additionally, in the dining realm at Disney, there are a vast array of ways to save money. First, reconsider the dining plan. Typically it is more expensive than booking a limited amount of meals on your own and tends to give you more control of your spending. The dining planning is vastly convenient and does what it was designed to do, but it’s typically not your most cost effective option. 

Lastly, don’t be afraid to stay in moderate tier or value tier resorts. You’ll typically save quite a bit of money. We stayed at Caribbean Beach for years when we were younger and it was excellent each and every time. Personally, I see one resort as your best bang for your buck on Disney property and that is Port Orleans (link to review listed above), but each of the moderate resorts are excellent in there own way and still encompass that greatly important story element that sets Disney apart from all the rest. As I mentioned in episode #2 of our new Guide4WDW Uncut podcast, a value tier resort is going to meet or exceed your expectations when compared to a Hilton Garden Inn, a Hampton Inn, or anything else comparable under the “Hilton” umbrella 99% of the time.

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Dive Into The Disney Parks History 

Many of you are likely wondering why this is on the list. It’s somewhat different from what you may expect from a post like this, but to be honest with you, it is one of the single most important aspects of the Disney parks in my humble opinion. You see, Disney is more than a theme park destination, it’s a place that shares stories, evokes memories, and allows you to create a lasting experience with those around you. However, there’s a piece of the puzzle that you wont find on any Disney advertisement or on a majority of Disney websites, and that is the resonating history of the place itself.

So many guests enter Magic Kingdom and walk down Main Street or even the promenade of Epcot’s world showcase and simply do not realize the history they are overlooking that could vastly alter and improve their experience. Starting out, I built this site on that concept. I wanted to share what many guests overlooked not because they intended to, but rather because it had never been shared with them. 

As the last example of the day, there’s no better way to explain this concept than through the Edison bulb. I know many of you just got entirely confused, but bear with me and I’ll explain. On Main Street at the Magic Kingdom, you’ll find tucked away in the corner, the Car Barn. The Car Barn sits adjacent to the Harmony Barber shop and has been in that same location for years. However, the building holds a secret that very few ever realize. 

The location itself holds the trolley cars utilized throughout the day and while it is not open to the public all day, it’s doors are opened so that you can peer in from time to time. It’s full of props from the era represented by the Main Street experience, but one of them stands above the rest in regards to authenticity and it’s likely the most unexpected part of what you see. Over in the corner of the room you’ll find a single wire hanging from the ceiling holding a dimly lit light bulb. The bulb itself is a commissioned project for the sole reason of creating a truly authentic experience to complete the story being portrayed on the grand stage of theme park entertainment. This little bulb, tucked away in the corner, was and is created by an individual up north that is commissioned by Disney to create one bulb that is exactly authentic to what Thomas Edison would have created. From the materials used to the techniques utilized, it is as near authentic as you can get.


Disney World Planning Guide - The Walt Disney Story
(Photo: Courtesy of Steve Boutet)

To me, this is the perfect example of what sets Disney apart. Of course, you couldn’t light the entire street with those bulbs or even a portion of it for practical purposes, having that one bulb that builds authenticity, despite the vast majority of guests never even noticing it, truly sets them apart. On Main Street, the lights tell the story of generations and the journey of invention from gas lamps near the main entrance to the development of electric lightbulbs in full scale down by Casey’s. It’s a journey steeped in history, but one that not every guest truly appreciates or recognizes. Fortunately, I have the opportunity to share these things with guests here on the site, and I truly believe it helps build a greater depth into the Disney World experience. It may not be your typical “Disney Guide” tip but it’s an important tip in my opinion nonetheless.

These select Disney history articles we’ve shared here really only scratch the surface of what we’ve written about this year, but it’s always a pleasure to share the history and hidden gems of Disney we’ve uncovered over the years. Hopefully, as you plan a vacation for 2019 or truly any time in the future, we hope these create some kind of lasting impression on your experiences even in a small way. We truly appreciate you being here and wish you the best in the planning process.  

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

How Do I Create These Posts?


Every once in a while I get questions about my gear. This is what I use and highly recommend at the moment in the realm of content creation. This list is varied and tends to change from time to time, but this is my current set up of gear used to create these posts. If you have any questions or need some tips in the site building process, feel free to message me on Facebook!

Computer: Macbook Pro
If you get one of these you’ll inevitably need dongles (The USB-C Struggle):
Apple Option or Cheap All In One Option
Main DSLR Camera: Nikon D3400 (kit lens currently)
Tripod for Night Photography: PrimaPhoto Traveler
Photo Editing Software: Lightroom 6 Stand Alone Version (Not Creative Cloud)
Secondary Camera: iPhone 7 (Older Photos on the Site)

Ready to Plan?


Let our friends over at Destinations to Travel (FREE – no obligation quote request form below) help you out at no additional cost to you! Here’s a closer look at why I recommend an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.    

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Five Simple "Hidden Spots" Most Disney World Guests Never Uncover

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Five Simple “Hidden Spots” Most Disney World Guests Never Uncover

As strange as it may sound, the more we travel to Disney World the less time we spend worrying about riding attractions. I know that doesn’t entirely make sense to many of you reading this but stick with me for minute and I’ll explain. 

Inevitably, Caitlin and I have had the incredible ability to travel to and tour the Disney parks essentially our entire lives. While that is an incredible blessing, and one that I know many of you have in common with us, it’s also a strange frame of thought for many first time guests embarking on their first Walt Disney World vacation. You see, for us Disney isn’t about the next big thrill coming to the parks but rather uncovering those little details that are hiding in plain site that so many guests entirely overlook. 

I’ve said it before, but it’s the little things that truly set Walt Disney World apart from all other vacation destinations. From the very beginning, Disney World in Florida was designed to be the vacation kingdom of the world. It was a place with nearly unlimited space, but also was designed in theory to be the end all, be all vacation destination. Of course, there are other destinations around the world that so many people tour time and time again, but none have that same reputation as a place that has ultimately become a “right of passage” as a kid in this modern world. 

I hate to say that the societal expectation is a good thing, but at the same time I can’t say it’s a bad thing either. Disney is a rare place where you can experience something, learn pieces of history, and inevitably do so without realizing you’re learning in the first place. Now, at this point, you may be wondering what any of this has to do with today’s article. I share all of this because to us Disney isn’t just about the attractions, or the food, or the incredible array of activities Disney has developed in their “vacation kingdom,” but rather the memories this place helps create. 

Almost by coincidence (okay… maybe it wasn’t a coincidence at all), today’s list wont mention a single attraction. It won’t list the perfect way to ride every attraction in the park in one day, and ultimately it isn’t going to be an article that appeals to everyone. My goal here more than anything else, and my goal for anything on this site is to be completely and utterly authentic with you all. I’m not going to tell you something is amazing when it’s not and I’m not going to tell how the next latest and greatest attraction will change your life. Instead, I hope to convey one thing and one thing more than anything else and that is that no matter how incredible these parks get, it’s the simple moments that stick with you the longest. I know so many of you reading this are skeptical but the other group of you know exactly what I’m trying to convey. If you go to Disney, you’ll have a moment and a moment when you least expect that will exceed your wildest expectations. 99% of the time that moment has nothing to do with an attraction but rather the smile on a family members face, a moment that makes you laugh, or simply an interaction you’ll never forget with a cast member or even possibly a complete stranger. It’s not about the place but rather the people. At its core, Disney isn’t a memory generator, but rather a place that helps you create memories of your own. It’s the playground and we are the students that populate it. That is what it’s all about! 

So… why do we have a list of “Hidden Spots” to share today. To be quite honest, these are the places that are simple, but at the same time they are the places that can help create memories that you least expect. 

In all reality, these places may not translate in writing (and that’s one of the reason we started our podcast) but if you visit them you’ll understand the quiet nature of the locations, the story they tell, or even quite possibly create new memories of your own. Take the time to step away from the attraction “run” and make time for a little bit of magic hiding in plain site. It may not seem ideal at the time but these little tucked away moments and special experiences can help yield the most incredible memories.   
                    

1. The “Hidden Fireplace” of Wilderness Lodge 

This “hidden spot” is one that is the near perfect example of a simplistic location that can yield incredible stories. It’s no secret that I love Wilderness Lodge and the experience it creates through the vast and intricate theming, but it took me nearly 8 years to uncover this little gem of a hideaway located in plain site. It’s so off the radar in fact that I do kind of have trouble spilling the info on how and where to find it (but I’m going to anyway).

On the floor above the grand atrium lobby level this little alcove area is quite literally hiding right in front of your eyes. It’s not a place you’ll simply stumble into in a high traffic area of the resort but rather one that you have to explore a bit to uncover. It’s not a grand spectacle but rather a quite spot that is a near ideal place to escape for a few minutes after a long day in the parks, a place to sit and do some work (or photo editing in my case), or perhaps a spot to gather with friends to tell stories and enjoy the moment. 

As you sit in front of the fire (which is far smaller than the one in the lobby below) the worries of the world seem to melt away as you sit in a comfortable chair and the subtle music of the lobby overflows into this quaint space. At its core, it’s a feeling that cant be explained in words. Much like the Carolwood Room, this spot will always be a “hidden gem” in my opinion and a spot that consistently exceeds expectations.        


2. Canada Fireworks Viewing – The Pyrotechnics Guy In The Chimney 

Moving in an entirely different direction, we have the most overlooked pyrotechnic “secret” of Disney, “the Chimney guy.” You may be asking why this makes our list but it’s simply because you have to be in the right place at the right time to see it unfold. 
If you’re waiting for Illuminations, or looking for a viewing spot, head to the Canada pavilion. At the top of the main staircase take a step to your right and there will be a chest high rock wall. Not only is it a near perfect spot to view the show, it’s also the perfect place to catch this little known Disney secret hiding in plain site. The view of Illuminations certainly speaks for itself in the image below, but the reason this makes our list is because of the “chimney.” I know that sounds absurd but stick with me. 
If you’re standing in this spot, turn around and you’ll see a small building at the top of the hill. About 3 minutes before showtime, watch the top of that building and what looks like a chimney facade. Minutes before the show a door will open at the top of the “chimney” and a controller for the show with what I assume would be a pyrotechnic specialist background (or at least I hope lol) will pop out, lay out his controls, and remain in that position the entire show. He’s wearing all black, is typically wearing what looks like some type of vest with any number of technological devices hooked to him, and truthfully I have no idea what he does. My guess is he controls the show or monitors intently for safety reasons, but I don’t entirely know the details of the role. Either way, it’s something neat to experience. 
About 2 minutes after the finale, you’ll see him climb down out of the chimney, walk quickly and causally to the front of the pavilion, and then briskly walk around the World Showcase promenade to disappear backstage somewhere. If you time it just right, you can occasionally catch a small crowd that’s “in the know” greeting him with high fives and thanks for an awesome show. Typically he just smiles and quickly acknowledges the crowd but it’s one of those subtle looks “behind the curtain” at the magic that you’ll likely remember visit after visit.                  

3. The Second Floor Balconies of the Grand Floridian 

In a similar way to the aforementioned Wilderness Lodge spot, the second floor balconies of the Grand Floridian offer a near ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of your vacation to simply sit back and enjoy the moment. To access this “hidden spot” hiding in plain site, head towards the grand main staircase of the main lobby, walk to the second floor and turn around. As you do you’ll see two sections of windows and a balcony on the other side of the windows. Many guests assume the balcony is simply decorative but it is usable and the space is quite large. It’s the perfect spot to watch the monorails roll by or a place to enjoy a spring or fall breeze on the days of near perfect weather Florida is known for. 

Again, it’s a vastly simple experience that provides a needed escape from the crowds and it’s just a short monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom!       

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4. The Wyland Gallery 

The Wyland Gallery is perhaps the least talked about gem of an experience (mostly for adults) anywhere on property. The gallery, which is a true fine art gallery showroom is located over at the Boardwalk resort. It’s a fairly inconspicuous storefront behind the surrey bike rental area of the Village Green and near the tunnel to the main pool. It’s not heavily Disney themed but rather acts as an incredibly classy art exhibit of sorts that flies under the radar of most guests. It is quite pricey and opposed to the Arribas Brothers style locations, this is far more wall art focused. 
Personally, I’ve never bought anything here but it is a beautiful spot to look around and enjoy for a few minutes while enjoying all the Boardwalk has to offer. Even on the most crowded nights down on the water, this hidden gem remains fairly quiet. Nobody is going to try to pressure you into buying a $1,000 piece of art but the staff typically has a certain passion for what they do and are more than happy to explain various things to you about the location and what you’re looking at in the moment. 
If you’ve never visited the gallery, certainly add it to your list!        


5. The Beaches of the Yacht and Beach Club    

As perhaps the most mainstream item on the list, I have to say the beaches surrounding the Yacht and Beach Club are perhaps one of the most under appreciated gems of Walt Disney World. Sure, they’re not an ideal place to watch fireworks like the beaches of the Polynesian but at the same time they are home to one of the most incredible nightly views in all of Disney property. From the glimmering water to the Boardwalk lights, this is without a doubt one of the most picturesque resort offerings you’ll find anywhere in the country. If you are looking for fireworks viewing, you can catch glimpses of certain Hollywood Studios shows and even subtle glimpses of Illuminations if you time it right. 
The greatest key to this is the fact that the adults can relax in a swing or lounge chair while your kids head to the pool, roast marshmallows around a fire pit, or even play in the sand near by. It’s a large open area and truthfully one that very few take the time to appreciate. Chances are you’ll be the only one on the beach (with the exception of a special event) and it is perhaps one of my favorite places in all of Walt Disney World. Part of that is because this area is a photographers dream, but another part is that it creates a unique feeling being there in the moment that is indescribable in words.           
As with many of the items on our list, you truly have to witness it in person to fully understand it! If we missed your favorite “hidden spot” be sure to contact us via email at guide4wdw@gmail.com or reach out to us in the comments on your favorite social media platform! This is far from an all inclusive list and more than anything we appreciate you taking the time out of your day to spend a few moments here with us! Have an incredible day wherever you are and we hope to meet you in the parks one day! 

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!


Need a Travel Planner?

If you want or simply need a little bit of planning help to make your Disney vacation dream a reality, check out the quote request form below this article for our friends over at Destinations to Travel. They’ll let you do as much or as little of the planning as you’d like and may even save you some money along the way! As always, thanks for supporting those who support us.




Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs – Late Night Dessert Is The Way to Go!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Planet Hollywood Observatory at Disney Springs – Late Night Dessert Is The Way to Go!

Disney Springs has changed drastically over the last several years. The once adult centric Downtown Disney has changed in ways that even the most avid Disney fans never could have imagined. If that change is good or bad is entirely up to personal interpretation. I personally love the changes for so many different reasons. Of course it does have it’s downsides and in my option they missed an opportunity to unveil a whole series of Disney specific retail locations or one off boutique style locations in favor of more mainstream luxury retailers. However, and at the same time, the decisions made helped develop an atmosphere that so many different audiences can enjoy and appreciate no matter what your age or particular stage in life may be. There really is something for everyone.

The Honest Bias Going Into the Reservation 

Today’s article is perhaps the perfect example of all of this thrown into one particular dining location. Years ago, Planet Hollywood was far from the ideal place to eat at Downtown Disney. It was a hangout spot hinging on brand awareness and a prominent building that everyone wanted to see inside. Of course, that was never their marketing scheme but at the same time that’s essentially what the location became. It was a place to hold large crowds if the need presented itself and a pop culture reference in the heart of Walt Disney World. Today, that experience has been turned upside down in many ways and tends to embrace a different experience and different set of goals than it once did.

After a recent visit to Planet Hollywood, after putting it off for years on end in favor of other new dining locations without a “history,” we caved and gave Planet Hollywood Observatory  another shot. It is certainly worth mentioning that this is not the same restaurant it once was and, to be quite honest, it appears as if the only thing that hasn’t changed is the dome shaped structure itself (which is a good thing). The cast is excellent, the decor is far more modern and upscale than it once was, and now it looks like a fun and inviting dining location rather than a tourist trap.

All of this is fine and good, but I know the real question you’re likely asking at this point, “How’s the food?”

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The Desserts Themselves 

If I’m being completely honest, I had one desire to go back to Planet Hollywood and it was to try the borderline ludicrous desserts on the menu. The towering Super Nova shakes are piled high with candies and various toppings accompanying select flavors, and they truly are an impressive sight to say the least. Another show stopping option is the Brownie Sundae Martini. Truthfully, the sundae alone is the reason I’m writing this article! I’m sure the other dessert items (including a Banana Pudding Star Jar, a Brownie Cheesecake Star Jar, a Key lime Pie Star Jar, Sticky Toffee Pudding, and a few others) are incredible as well, but the Brownie Sundae stole the show and gathered a crowd when it arrived at our table.

(Please excuse the lower quality images than usual. I couldn’t get to my DSLR at the table.)

I know that sounds like an over reaction, but we literally had the table next to us ask if they could take a picture of it. It’s that absurd… in all the right ways. Just to put the description on paper it includes twelve brownie chunks, 6 scoops of vanilla and chocolate ice cream, caramel and chocolate sauce, and what looks like an entire bottle of whipped cream. I’m not sure if it would beat the Kitchen Sink dessert over at the Beach Club in size but I have to say this thing is quite the presentation when it’s brought to the table.

In our case, we only went to Planet Hollywood Observatory for dessert, and ate our actual meal a little earlier in the day. However, this dessert easily fed four us and we still couldn’t manage to finish the concoction. Our server even mentioned that the only group she had seen completely finish it was a sports team that all shared the colossal dessert.

To accompany the Brownie Sundae, we felt obligated to try at least one of the Supernova shakes (you know… for research purposes of course) and I have to say it was one of the best milkshakes I’ve personally tried. It was incredibly rich and while obviously your milkshake preferences and mine may vary, it is quite an impressive dessert on its own.

Long story made short, the desserts alone are worth the visit. If you are concerned about your budget, this may not be your best option. The massive Brownie Sundae is $19.99. It is the most expensive dessert on the menu but the majority of desserts range from $9 to $14. At first, that does sound quite pricey and the overall menu is quite expensive as well, but the portion sizes are unbelievably large. Everything we tried or saw being served around us could have easily been split among multiple guests which would theoretically shrink the cost of the meal.              

The Atmosphere 

The atmosphere is one of those things you’re either going to love it or hate it. It’s an upbeat, loud, and quite exciting environment for lack of a better word. The music is piped in, a sing along isn’t out of the ordinary, and the DJ on stage this particular night even pulled out all the stops and wore a construction hat to mimic the Village People as the entire dining area sang YMCA. It’s not a place you go for a quiet get away style meal but it’s not in any way designed to be. Additionally, while it is kid friendly, it is worth noting that pop culture references and music are unmistakably present and I do know some parents may or may not agree with every music video that is being shown on the massive screen encompassing the majority of the dining area. In my opinion, it’s just a fun environment. Of course, I am 22 years old so that is something that you should and likely will take into consideration. 
In the end, we had a blast and while Caitlin and I were joined by our parents, they did enjoy the experience for the most part as well. Again, it’s going to be one of those love it our hate environments. Considering all of this, if you want an over the top experience to accompany your Disney Vacation or trip to Central Florida in general, I do highly recommend Planet Hollywood Observatory. In my opinion, the ideal plan here is to snag a later nighttime reservation (ours was at 9:45pm), order some desserts, and then return another day for the full dining experience. It not only gives you the opportunity to try the dessert on its own but also allows you to get a feel for the atmosphere before committing to a full meal if you’re at all concerned about that aspect of the experience.   
As always, in the nature of full disclosure, we were not paid to write this review and paid for everything we ordered out of pocket. In all honesty I didn’t expect this to be a positive review  but I must say it was well worth the money and time spent.    

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are! 

Ready to Plan?

Need help planning your vacation? Let our friends over at Destinations to Travel (FREE – no obligation quote request form below) help you out at no additional cost to you! Their services are free and a great way for you to help out the site at no extra cost to you! Here’s a closer look at why I recommend an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.
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Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – A Near Perfect Epcot Dining Location

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria – A Near Perfect Epcot Dining Location  

If you’ve read many of our articles here on the site, or even if you’ve read even one or too (we have a food “problem” when we travel lol), you know we’re no stranger to Disney’s lineup of dining offerings. However, on a recent trip we took the time to try a dining location we’d never quite taken the time to stop and enjoy on our way through Epcot. As you can likely guess from the title of this article, that dining location was none other than Via Napoli. 

If I’m being completely honest, I had a certain hesitancy about making a reservation for Via Napoli based on a previous experience we had at the near by Tuto Italia. Tuto Italia was and likely always will be one of the worst table service meals I’ve had anywhere on Disney property. It was near inedible. At first, I chalked it up to them just having an off day since that does happen at every restaurant. However, over time, I started talking to friends and others who had tried it as well and the results were undoubtedly consistent and consistently terrible experiences. 

So, as you can likely imagine, I was hesitant to try Via Napoli or any other Italian at Walt Disney World after that experience. At the same time, I was hearing repeat rave review after rave review of Via Napoli and at the urging of a friend I booked a reservation. 

As we made our way around the World Showcase this particular day, we arrived at our reservation over 30 minutes early. As soon as we walked in the door we were greeted and seated near immediately with no questions asked about being early. 

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Once we arrived at our table we were each poured a glass of ice water before our waiter even arrived. It was a nice touch of class that we didn’t entirely expect. After we ordered our additional soft drinks to accompany the meal, we took the time to review the menu and even ordered a caesar salad as an appetizer. The salad could easily be considered a full meal, but after seeing a few of them pass by we opted to split it among the four of us knowing full and well how much pizza we hoped to eat later on in the meal. While it was a pretty conventional caesar salad, the ingredients were incredibly fresh, the shaved mozzarella included in the mix was wonderful and quite flavorful (as you’d expect from a good Italian restaurant), and it easily bridged the gap between our order time and the arrival of our pizza to the table.    

In regard to our actual order, we chose to try the classic pepperoni pizza and the more unique Quattro Formaggi pizza featuring a white sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, fontina, and provolone. It sounds like a fairly simple “cheese pizza” but it is a far more intricate flavor palette than that oversimplification implies. Each cheese blends perfectly and the distinct flavors are noticeable in just the right way as you take bite after bite with each subtle variation of flavor.  Long story made short, this is, without a doubt, the best pizza on property and quite possibly one of the better pizzas I’ve had south of Chicago. Of course, Chicago pizza isn’t really a fair comparison because this isn’t deep dish and it’s not designed to be. At its root, Via Napoli serves pizza in a classic style that will likely exceed your wildest expectations. Paired with an excellent cast experience and an immaculately clean dining room, it’s certainly a meal that is hard to beat in the World Showcase.   

We did not have high expectations, but when we return in March for a short vacation once again, this is already high on our list of “must-do” experiences. If I had to share one word of warning it would be for the frugal folks reading this and it would be that this isn’t a super budget friendly meal. It’s not a hopelessly expensive meal but it’s quite likely that a family of four eating a reasonable amount of food could cost you in the neighborhood of $100+ dollars. If you do want to be bit more budget friendly, try ordering two individual pizzas and a salad to share if you have a party of four. We ordered two of the large pizzas and I’m 100% positive we over ordered… pictures do the size of these pizzas no justice. We still almost finished it (I told you we had a food problem lol), but for the average guest it’s typically more food than you’d want or need. Nonetheless you’re still probably looking at a $80+ meal unless you’re traveling with kids or exclusively drink water (which is an incredible way to save money anywhere on Disney property). 

At the end of the meal, the four of us unanimously agreed that it was one of the better meals we’d had anywhere at Walt Disney World. Additionally, we all said that we’d vastly prefer returning to Via Napoli over a buffet, or other more “classic” Disney go-to meals that so many guests feel obligated to eat at during their vacation experience.

Via Napoli was and is the perfect example of a restaurant that the typical guest will overlook time and time again. It’s a popular reservation but at the same time it doesn’t have the incredible demand someplace like Be Our Guest or Cinderellas Royal Table do and the food (in my opinion) is far better than either of those alternatives. 

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Lastly, it’s a great option for families with kids. It’s not a character meal, but what kid doesn’t like pizza? 

Would I go back?
I know the answer to this is likely obvious at this point, but I always like to finish food reviews with that exact question. Is it worth your money? Is it worth your time? Is it worth an hour or more of your oh so limited vacation experience? The answer to each of those questions is 100% yes! In fact, I’ve already booked this meal for our next trip! 

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are!

Ready to Plan?

Need help planning your vacation? Let our friends over at Destinations to Travel (FREE – no obligation quote request form below) help you out at no additional cost to you! Their services are free and a great way for you to help out the site at no extra cost to you! Here’s a closer look at why I recommend an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.

Thanks for reading, and be sure to SHARE our new Disney dining “must do” with friends! If you’re booking a vacation and plan on spending some time at Disney Springs, be sure to check this place out!

Our Top Ten Memories From Walt Disney World – Guide4WDW Uncut. Episode #1

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Our Top Ten Memories From Walt Disney World – Guide4WDW Uncut. Episode #1  

A short time ago we shared that we would officially be doing a podcast here at Guide4WDW.com. I had debated it for about 2 years and officially decided to give it a shot when my sister Caitlin got “onboard” with the idea and really got excited about the project. 

From the very beginning, the goal of this wasn’t to try to compete with any of the established podcasts and a few of their owners I’m lucky to call friends in this content sharing realm. However, I still wanted to do something where I could connect with readers in a new and more personal way that gets out from behind a keyboard and onto a platform that provides greater emotion and that would show (hopefully) what all of this means to us. It may not be the blockbuster production many top podcasts are but hopefully it’s a way for us to expand our audience while also connecting with so many of you in an entirely new way. 

So, this week is our first week of sharing and we invite you to check out the show, ask questions, provide feedback, and get in touch with us. Tell us what you liked and what you didn’t like. We want this show to be about you all and less about us. If there’s anything you’d like to hear or just something you’d like answered, please don’t hesitate to ask! 

Without further ado, here’s the very first episode. Don’t forget to rate and review the show on iTunes! If we could ask just one thing from you all today, it would be to please invite a friend to listen to the show and SHARE this new venture with them. You don’t know how much we appreciate your shares! 

To listen to the show on iTunes: Guide4WDW Uncut. Episode #1 – Don’t Forget to Subscribe! 

Ever since the beginning of Disney parks, Walt had this dream of creating a place where he and his daughters could go and have fun together. From that dream on a park bench in Griffith park to the journey that led to Disneyland, he created something we’ve all come to appreciate. Every time you step through the gates of a Disney parks, you’re enveloped in a multi-sensory experience that is unparalleled by any theme park across the globe. So many of us call it the Disney difference. It’s the memories we make with our friends and families that will stick with us throughout our entire lives. Walt created the park, but it’s the little things that you’ll never forget. Today, we are taking a moment to share those little moments that have meant the most to us.

Your Thoughts

As always, if you have thoughts, concerns, questions, or even some tips of your own to share, don’t hesitate to reach out to us on Facebook or your favorite social media platform. Give us a follow while you’re there, and we’ll keep the conversation going in the future. We’re not the largest Disney community, but we’re one that’s there and one that listens. Thanks for reading and have a wonderful day wherever you are! 

Ready to Plan?

Need help planning your vacation? Let our friends over at Destinations to Travel (FREE – no obligation quote request form below) help you out at no additional cost to you! Their services are free and a great way for you to help out the site at no extra cost to you! Here’s a closer look at why I recommend an Authorized Disney Travel Planner!

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.



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Disney World Free Dining is Back for Select 2019 Dates!

by Guide4WDW

by: guide4wdw – Collin

Disney World Free Dining is Back for Select 2019 Dates!

Despite my own personal speculation that free dining could have disappeared this year, Disney has just officially released dates for the offer. As always, availability is limited for this offer and you should book as soon as possible to try and take advantage of free dining if it is the best option for you and your vacation planning needs.

This years debut appears to have arrived a bit earlier than usual and is available for arrivals most nights July 5 through September 30, 2019. 



Here are the details that have been shared with us:

-You can enjoy a FREE dining plan when you purchase a non-discounted 5-night/6-day vacation package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and a ticket with a Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option.


-This offer must be booked by February 10th of 2019 and the package includes:

  • Your resort room
  • Theme park ticket(s) with a Park Hopper Option or Park Hopper Plus Option
  • Dining Plan (Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan with Value and Moderate Resort hotel packages; Disney Dining Plan with Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resort hotel packages)

As usual, select resorts and room types will be excluded from this offer. Offer excludes the following room types: 3-bedroom villas, campsites, Cabins at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Bungalows at Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, Little Mermaid Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. These are the typical, expected, exclusions and don’t appear to be overly different than previous years. 


When booking this offer, be sure to weigh your options and other booking rates that may be available. The free dining offer isn’t always your most budget friendly offer but if you are interested in booking it, act fast. If you want help weighing your options, we always recommend Destinations to Travel (quote request form below) simply because it’s who we’ve used and they share this information with us first time an time again so we can relay it over to you! 

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Good luck in the booking process no matter how you choose to book your vacation. Be aware, every time this offer debuts the Disney reservation system backs up and backs up quickly. Be patient and you’ll eventually get though. 

This was a quick article but hopefully it helps some of you all out in booking your next Disney vacation.   

Ready to Plan?

Last but certainly not least, if you’re starting the planning process, a great place to start are with some of our top planning articles! Looking for dining? Check out Disney World Dining Tips For 2018. Want to start with some more tips? 44 Excellent Disney World Tips for 2018 or Disney World Planning Guide and Tips For 2018 are a great place to begin! Looking to save money on tickets? Check out our friends over at The Official Ticket Center for great deals that even made it into our 2018 Discount Disney World Ticket selections and another great way to help us create more content through your contributions at no additional cost to you! You’ll probably even save money along the way.