Tag: 2015 Disney Dining Plan

Rivers of Light Dessert Party Now Available for Reservations

If you are fan of dessert parties at Walt Disney World, today Disney Dining has opened reservations for a new Rivers of Light Dessert Party at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

According to Disney, guests will need to begin checking in 60 minutes prior to the main show (8:15pm for a 9:15pm show) at the Rivers of Light Asia Viewing Area Terrace which is  located across from Expedition Everest.

At the Dessert Party guests will be able to enjoy themed desserts and savory snacks. Drink selections include specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, iced tea, lemonade and water.

When the show is about to start, you will head down to the VIP Seating Area for a viewing of Rivers of Light.

Pricing
Admission is $79 per adult and $47 per child (ages 3 to 9) including tax; gratuity not included or required. Separate Disney’s Animal Kingdom park admission is also required.

Please note that the menu items are subject to change and the experience may be changed or canceled without prior notice.

Reservations
Book online or call (407) WDW-DINE or (407) 939-3463. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call.

Disney Cruise Line Announces Itineraries for Early 2019

Today Disney Cruise Line revealed where their ships are sailing in early 2019 … to tropical ports of call from coast to coast! We’re returning to favorite destinations on a variety of itineraries, including cruises from California, Florida and Puerto Rico.

Highlights include an expanded two-month season from San Diego to the sun-drenched Baja and Mexican Riviera, a host of options to the Bahamas and Caribbean from Florida ports, and cruises to the Southern Caribbean from San Juan, Puerto Rico. All cruises departing Florida feature a stop at Castaway Cay, our private island paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

Here are the details …

San Diego to Baja and Mexican Riviera

The Disney Wonder returns to San Diego for an extended season from March to May 2019, with a variety of cruises to Mexico where you can enjoy vibrant culture, stunning beaches, exciting water activities, cliff diving and ziplining through the jungle.

Most sailings to Mexico’s Baja peninsula call on the charming coastal city of Ensenada, known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific” with its turquoise blue water and rugged mountainous terrain. Two-night cruises to Ensenada boast Friday departures from San Diego, giving you the ultimate weekend getaway to experience world-class entertainment aboard the Disney Wonder.

Four- and five-night Baja options include a visit to Cabo San Lucas, a destination favored for arid climate and sunny weather, dotted with dramatic rock formations and bordered by white-sand beaches.

Seven-night sailings to the Mexican Riviera call on Cabo San Lucas and feature the snorkeling and scuba diving hot spots of Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán. These week-long cruises offer you the chance to make magical memories as a family while soaking up the history and Old World charm of Mexico’s Pacific Coast and taking in the beauty of stunning beaches and the nearby Sierra Madre Mountains.

San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Southern Caribbean

In January, three special Disney Wonder cruises from San Juan sail to the Southern Caribbean, visiting tropical destinations renowned for beautiful sun-kissed beaches and warm azure waters. On the six- and seven-night sailings, you can dive into charming island cultures, sunbathe on golden beaches and revel in local marketplaces.

The Disney Wonder arrives to San Juan after a five-night journey departing Jan. 9 from Galveston, Texas, with a stop in Falmouth, Jamaica.

On Feb. 3, a four-night cruise aboard the Disney Wonder takes you from San Juan to Port Canaveral, Florida, just an hour away from Walt Disney World Resort—the perfect stop for a fairytale land and sea adventure.

Port Canaveral to Bahamas and Eastern and Western Caribbean

With three Disney ships in port and cruise lengths spanning three, four and seven nights, vacationers looking for a getaway in early 2019 have a full menu of options from Port Canaveral, near Orlando, Florida. Every sailing from Port Canaveral includes a day at Castaway Cay.

The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Caribbean voyages, with Eastern Caribbean itineraries visiting the Virgin Islands of Tortola and St. Thomas, and Western Caribbean cruises calling on Cozumel, Mexico, Grand Cayman and Falmouth.

The Disney Dream embarks on three- and four-night Bahamian cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay, and the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three- and four-night itineraries throughout February.

Miami to Bahamas and Western Caribbean

To kick off 2019, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

The magical shores of Castaway Cay await guests aboard every one of these Disney Magic sailings. Other ports of call on the Bahamian voyages include Nassau and Key West, Florida, while a stop in Grand Cayman or Cozumel headlines the Western Caribbean itineraries.

Bookings open to the public on Nov. 2, 2017. Check out the Ports and Itineraries for 2019 page of disneycruise.com for more details, and happy sailing!

 

Chef Mickey’s Relocating to Contemporary Resort Convention Center During Maintenance

If you have a reservation at Chef Mickey’s in late July or early August please be advised that the character meal will be temporarily relocating to the Contemporary Resort’s Convention Center.

The unplanned maintenance is expected to begin on July 28 through to August 13 2017. During this time, the character dining buffet will relocate to the convention center at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

Guests with reservations are being contacted to made aware of the relocation.

2016 Disney Dining Plan Updated to Include Appetizers for Deluxe plan

Disney-Dining-Plan

Last month we reported that the new brochures for the 2016 Disney Deluxe Dining Plans did not include appetizers as part of the Deluxe Dining Plan.

Well panic over, because Disney has updated the brochures.  The updated brochures now do include the appetizers, so no change to the standard inclusion of an Appetizer, Entrée, Dessert and Non-Alcoholic Beverage.

New Changes to the Disney Dining Plan Aim to Add More flexibility

Disney-Dining-Plan

Beginning on May 31st, Disney introduced a number of enhancements to the Disney Dining Plan with the aim of increasing the flexibility and usability of the popular inclusive meal plan.

The changes apply to most Disney operated locations throughout Walt Disney World, and include an expanded range of snack offerings, more flexible substitutions, and changes to the way adult and child entitlements can be used.

Here is a run-down of the changes and how you can use them.

Snacks

The snack entitlement has been updated to now include:

  • All items that are marked on the menu as snack eligible, including those that cost more than $5.
  • All single serve non-alcoholic beverages not served in a souvenir container.
  • All ice cream novelties.
  • All hand-scooped ice cream not served in a souvenir container.
  • All quick service menu side dishes.
  • Fresh popped popcorn (pre-bagged popcorn is not available as a snack item).
  • At breakfast, the following are considered snacks:
    Cereal with milk (including Create Your Own)
    French toast sticks
    Oatmeal or quinoa (including Create Your Own)
    Grits
    Side of bacon
    Side of sausage
    Side of eggs
    Side of potatoes
    Biscuits and gravy
    Hard-boiled eggs

Table Service Restaurants

  • There is no longer a restriction on the number of entitlements that can be used at a meal. Eg. A group of 2 guests on the Disney Dining Plan could use 1 additional entitlement for a guest in that party – making a total of 3 entitlements used for the group of 3 diners.
  • If using the Deluxe, Premium and Platinum Plans, child meal entitlements can be used to choose adult entrees.
  • At some locations, a dessert may be substituted for a side salad, soup or fruit plate if available.

Quick Service Restaurants

  • A dessert or beverage from the Quick Service Meal entitlement can be substituted for any snack item on the menu within the same order.
  • A Quick Service Meal can be substituted for 3 snack eligible items within the same order.
  • At Quick Service locations, child meal entitlements can be used for an adult meal.

From WDWMAGIC.com

Breakfast to Begin at Be Our Guest Restaurant March 20th

Be Our Guest

Disney has today announced that the breakfast service at Be Our Guest will begin on March 20th.

As with most offerings at Be Our Guest, it will once again be offered in a test capacity through to June 18th.

Be Our Guest Restaurant has been extremely popular since its opening.  As one of the main additions of New Fantasyland, Disney looks to be seeking to add capacity.

Breakfast will begin at 8am through to 10am, and will be quick service prix fixe at $19.99 plus tax for adults, and $11.99 plus tax for ages 3 – 9. Each breakfast begins with a pastry basket for sharing, and then a choice of entree and self service beverage.

Breakfast at Be Our Guest will be on the Disney Dining Plan with 1 quick service credit, and just like lunch, it will require a reservation even though it is a quick service offering. Walks up will be offered if space is available, which is very unlikely.

Unlike lunch, pre-ordering of menu items will not be available, and selections will be made inside the restaurant.

Reservations begin on March 17 using My Disney Experience for dates from March 20 through to June 18th.

Be Our Guest Lunch Reservation Change Becomes Official

Be Our Guest

Ever since we announced that the testing of lunch reservations was ending on February 24th, what was to follow has been speculated about.  Well….it’s no longer speculation.

Beginning on February 25th, reservations will be available for lunch at the Be Our Guest Restaurant in the Magic Kingdom.

Once a guest has made a reservation, either by calling 407-WDW-DINE, or by using the My Disney Experience website or app, guests will be able to pre-order meals using My Disney Experience. The ordering window opens up 30 days before the reservation time through to 5 minutes before the reservation time.

For those guests that do not wish to make pre-order selections, menu choices can be made at the kiosks inside the restaurant upon arrival.

This system has been in testing for the last year with Walt Disney World Resort hotel guests, but from February 25 this option becomes open to all guests.

Dinner remains table service with advance reservations, and expect to see a breakfast offering added to the lineup.

Disney Moms Panel Search Begins September 2nd

disney-moms-panel

The panel, made up of everyday moms and dads from around the globe, have answered hundreds of thousands of questions over the years – covering just about every Disney vacation topic imaginable. Their knowledge of Disney Parks and their passion to help our guests shines in their answers.

The panel became so popular that several years ago it was expanded to include other Disney Parks vacation experiences. The name was officially changed to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

September has traditionally been a special month for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. It’s when we search for new panelists to join the team for the next calendar year. It’s a rigorous and thorough process, consisting of multiple rounds, that determines who will be selected to represent the panel and answer vacation questions from guests around the globe.

Thousands will apply for a small number of spots on the panel. But please, don’t let that be a deterrent. The most recent panelists to join the team include several who have applied every year, a few who applied for the very first time, and those in between. Dreams really can come true.

This year, applications will open at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, and will remain open until noon ET on Friday, September 5, 2014.

If you know a mom, dad or grandparent who is your “go-to” person for advice about a Disney Parks vacation and loves to help others plan their trips, encourage them to apply for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. (Be sure to check the rules and regulations on the application to insure eligibility.)

More information about becoming a panelist can be found here.

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Disney Announces 2015 Dining Plan Details

Disney-Dining-Plan

According to AJ at The Disney Food Blog –

Details for the 2015 Disney Dining Plans are starting to emerge!

There doesn’t seem to be many changes so far in the 2015 plans, but let’s take a look at a few updates.

2015 Quick-Service Disney Dining Plan Changes

Disney has added the new Starbucks at Downtown Disney West Side to the plan for 2015. Only breakfast can be redeemed as a quick service meal.

2015 Table-Service Disney Dining Plan Changes

  • Las Ventanas at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort has been added to the line-up. Breakfast and lunch can be redeemed for a table-service credit.
  • Photos are no longer included at Cinderella’s Royal Table and will now have an extra charge.

2015 Premium and Platinum Disney Dining Plan Changes

Here’s an update:

  • Two tours — Wild by Design and Backstage Safari — are no longer offered.
  • The cost has increased; figure an additional $5-$10 per person per night.
  • No longer include preferred viewing locations for Illuminations and Wishes.

2015 Disney Dining Plan Restaurants

See an in-progress list of the 2015 Disney Dining Plan Restaurants here. Remember, many Disney World restaurants do not re-register with the Dining Plan until the end of the year.

Package Extras

Look for new benefits such as food and merchandise discounts and a 15% discount on some Walt Disney World tours.

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