I was fortunate to attend a press trip with Walt Disney World recently with this fun group of ladies. I'm also fortunate to live within driving distance. We have been annual passholders (we pay for these passes ourselves, out of our own pocket) for several years now and LOVE it!
I was so happy to revisit old favorites and find new ones!!! Be sure to check out the video I created at the end too. The happiest place on earth always puts a smile on my face.
Dining at Disney Springs
When you visit Walt Disney World, you have to add Disney Springs to your list. Formerly known as Downtown Disney, the dining and shops open now are amazing! If you went to it before it was rebranded, you will be shocked at how much it's changed, for the better.
A new favorite is Paddlefish. We loved loved their lobster guacamole and their lobster corn dogs. The desserts were fantastic too! The brownie milkshake and the key lime pie were must gets.
At the Ganachery, they are going to have these amazing upon amazing made to order s’mores. There's a wonderful chocolate ganache, housemade marshmallows and housemade gingerbread cookies. It's perfection!
Other can't miss places, are Blaze Pizza for the pizza of course. There's usually a line but it goes pretty fast. They only have a few different price points and you can order as many toppings as you want! Also, don't miss Amorette's for dessert!
For even more info, check out my article on more restaurants at Disney Springs!
Shopping at Disney Springs
I have so many shops that I LOVE at Disney Springs including Sugarboo, UNIQLO and World of Disney. Another fave is Sephora…I got the new Fenty makeup foundation!
Holidays at Walt Disney World
We got to visit the Holiday Warehouse. Have you ever thought about how they install those super tall Christmas tree during the holidays? They store them and take them apart in pieces and they are housed in the Holiday Warehouse on property!
So excited about these Christmas tree red velvet whoopie pies!
I love spending the holidays at Walt Disney World. A couple of years ago, we spent Christmas Day at Hollywood Studios and loved it. The spirit of the holidays and the decor both really are amazing at WDW.
Last year, was the first year for the Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM! show at Hollywood Studios. I LOVED it! I'm so happy it's returning this year!
This year, we plan on spending Thanksgiving weekend at Disney!
Food at the Magic Kingdom
Jungle Navigation Co. Ltd. Skipper Canteen: I have been there a couple of times and I love love the whole fish & the lamb chops (pictured above).
Always have to have a Dole Whip…I was so excited that I could get the pineapple soft serve can be swirled with vanilla again!
I have to recommend a quick service restaurant that has been a favorite since I was a kid. The Columbia Harbor House, they serve these amazing lobster rolls and fish & chips!
Happily Ever After Dessert Party
First, depending on the ticket(s) you buy for the Dessert Party, there is a reserved area for the Happily Ever After fireworks show! I was sad to see Wishes go but this show is amazing!
Pandora – The World of Avatar
I'm so excited to share Pandora with you! A huge favorite and really popular, it's really hard to get fast passes for the Flight of Passage ride. Even at the risk of overselling it to you, it's amazing! It's 100 times better than Soarin'. But if you get a little motion sickness on rides, this isn't for you.
You literally feel like you are riding on a banshee and and and, you feel like you're in the movie.
You have to order the crispy fried tofu platter (ask for all of the sauces) and the this blueberry cheesecake mousse from Satu'li Canteen.
Animal Kingdom Tusker House
Tusker House Restaurant is a new to me favorite. My first time there, the breakfast buffet was soooo good! Plenty of great breakfast items and some African and Indian inspired dishes too.
Don't I look cute with Mickey? 😀
Epcot International Food & Wine Festival
This festival is something I look forward to every year!
These grilled beef skewers with chimichurri suace at the Patagonia marketplace is one of my faves!
I have also shared about the Epcot International Food and Wine Festival in the past! Also, shared when I had desserts around the world.
And stay tuned, I'm going to share my favorites from the Food & Wine festival this year!
La Hacienda de San Angel
This is my first time at La Hacienda in Epcot. My friend, Shelly, loves this place. It's definitely getting added to the list of great places to eat at Epcot. Get the short ribs and the horchata margarita!
Animal Kingdom Lodge
Seriously, I love the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The restaurants are fantastic. I even love the quick service cafe, they have the most amazing blueberry muffins!
There's a wildlife spotting guide in your room with a checklist so you can mark off the animals you spot outside your window at the Lodge!
Disclosure: The trip was covered by Walt Disney World. I only work with brands that I love and my opinions are always my own.
Trisha McKee says
Oh wow! Made-to-order S’mores? That is amazing. I am determined to make a trip there and this helps guide me into the menu aspect. Thank you.
Maddie Allen says
What a fun-looking trip – I love how this blog post is essentially a food tour of Disney World. I’ll have to go on one of my own sometime.
Betty Curran says
I’ve never made it to Disney World, but we lived in Southern California for many years and were regular visitors to Disneyland. We still enjoy going there when we visit family.
Caitlyn Brown says
You had me at ganache. I haven’t visited Disney as an adult but clearly I need to!
kesha says
I love all things Disney. The Christmas tree red velvet whoopie pies look so yummy!
Ellen Casper says
Love DIsney World – time for another trip there.
Sandy H says
Never been to Disney, maybe someday.
Sarah L says
Lobster corn dogs! Let me at ’em.
shelly peterson says
What an amazing place to visit. It looks so fun and the food looks delicious.
Mary Gardner says
We are planning our first Disney trip this coming year and you have given us lots to be excited to see. The food looks so delicious!
Elisabeth says
Okay, I knew there was a lot to do at Disney World, but didn’t know about all of this! Those smores sound amazing!
Hesper Fry says
I never knew going to Disney World would take you on a culinary adventure as well! All the food looks delicious!
Lisa says
Nice photos. I have not been to disney in probably over 15 years.
golden storm says
we have never been there but it sure is getting more extravagant by the year,,but it looks great fun
John Smith says
The lobster corn dogs look incredible! That day must have been so much fun!
Karen Chu says
It’s been over a decade since my last visit! The food you shared is enough to make me want to go back again 😀
patricia caradonna says
I live about 50 minutes from Disney in Florida. We camp at Fort Wilderness once a year. The Dole pineapple swirl and the other food looks amazing.
Kim Henrichs says
They do not mess around with food at Disney. So fun!!
Katherine LeBlond says
I’ve only been to disneyland. Your pics make Disney World look so fun and special! Also, Dole Whip.
Heidi Robbins says
Thanks for the tips! I hope to be able to visit there someday!
Susan P. says
Next time you go, check out the tiny Gallery of Arts and History in the Morocco Pavilion in Epcot. It is air conditioned, has benches to sit on and outlets to charge your phone. Plus, no one goes there so it was empty when we saw the artwork.
Beth says
Disney is so pretty ! (^-^)
Denise R says
All the food pics made this preggo hungry! ???? can’t wait to get back down to Florida for thanksgiving next year and take our twin boys for their 1st birthday ❤️ love love love Disney!
Danielle says
I just moved closer to FL, not far from Disney World, and this is making me want to visit.
elizabeth tierce-miller says
My daughter has been asking to go for a few years now but do to circumstance, we always end up not being able to. Going to try again for 2018.
Barrie says
I’m all ready to head back to Disney! We go so rarely that each time so much has changed. I LOVE the Christmas tree red velvet whoopie pies! So festive.
Sunnie says
Good for you ladies on taking a trip together! There are quite a few bloggers I recognize just from being a reader.
Emily says
Wow! I had no idea they had such exciting food there! Those red velvet Christmas tree whoopie pies are unreal!
ellen beck says
I have never been either as a child nor as an adult for us it was way out of budget. Last time we went near one we stopped to find out admission, I about fainted and we didnt go. I love seeing the pictures, and for those who can afford to go it looks like a wonderful place. Sorry to kind of give a negative but I wish it were more affordable.
Cynthia R says
Looks like a fun group of girls you went with. I haven’t been since I was a kid. I would like to go back as an adult and try some of the food you tried.
Sally Tews says
Lived in California and went to Disney there,went to Florida when
my daughter was little and stayed at the Contemporary, it was so
much fun and exciting.I would sure love to go back for the food and wine,
as the food looks awesome!
Crystal Rogers Walker says
I have never been to Walt Disney Worl but I want to go when I can, love all the food, wouldn’t be nice if I could take my Grandkids there
Melissa Storms says
We have not been to Disney yet. It looks like the food alone would be worth a visit.
Julie Deily says
It totally is!
Irene Lirette says
It’s been 28 yrs since I last been to Disney! Really hoping to go back one day!
Susan Chester says
Glad you had a good time! I am over 50 and still haven’t been. I need to plan a trip soon!
Julie Deily says
You need to go, Susan!
Nadia Martin says
Love the pictures and the food especially lol it look so yummy ! I have never been there, wish i could
Terra Heck says
Someday, oh someday, I will get the chance to travel to Walt Disney World. Looks like so much fun. How neat that you have season passes! That blueberry cheesecake mousse looks almost like a masterpiece.
Cheryl says
Disney is so classic. I love it all!
Heather says
I would love to visit Walt Disney World during the holidays!! I have been there during their Halloween celebration and I thought the entire park was decorated so neat! I must try one of those Christmas tree red velvet whoopie pies!!
Tashia Jennings says
It’s been over 30 years since I have been. Want to take my kids.
Janelle says
We did the food & wine festival for the first time this past fall- what a fun time!!
Julie Deily says
Isn’t it fun, Janelle? I love it too!
Darlene Wright says
The food looks great!
Kim O says
omg the food looks so good. i would probably just go for the food lol
Natalie says
I want to try that smore at the Ganachery! I have never been to Disney World before.
Anita Jude says
I would love to go there one day it looks like fun and yummy food too
Nicole Flynn says
Wow, Disney is a foodie paradise od sorts. That S’mores looks amazing. I’ve think the Mickey it adds the perfect Disney touch. Yay about the Pineapple and Vanilla swirl being available!
Marie Casalaspro says
This post is making me hungry….everything looks so good
Julie Wood says
What a really beautiful experience. I would love to go to Walt Disney World. The food looks delicious and so much fun for my kids!
Karen K says
I live about an hour from Disney but the last time we went was to Epcot for the Christmas Eve Candlelight Processional (can’t remember what year though). Your post really makes me want to correct that. =)
Rebecca Pierson says
wow, everything looks delicious… those christmas whoopie pies!!! woah… and a brownie milkshake….yum. the giraffe pic is super cute!
rana durham says
what great place to meetup with friends. i really love this idea may need to do it soon.
shannon fowler says
We have annual passes too. I love the new fireworks at the magic kingdom. i know the christmas party has been around awhile, but this sunday will be my first time going. I’m so excited!
Bethany Suire says
I’ve only been to Disney World once but it was definitely the best time and experience of my whole childhood! Now that I have a child of my own, I know it’s an experience that can’t be missed! Thanks for sharing with us!
Heather K says
My girls and I recently visited Disney World as part of a Disney Cruise. It was very crowded but worth it for the Dole Whips.
Diane Sallans says
On my trips to Disney I had so much fun! I hope to be going again soon!
MeMe R says
Julie you look so cute in the pic here. Next time please take me with you!! I would love to go one day but with my limited walking and me getting worse every year with my illness, I don’t think there is enough time for me. I can still enjoy it through others though!!
Jamie | A Sassy Spoon says
I have annual passes too! Disney is my FAVE! So fun.