While some of our favorite Disney dining spots are table-service meals, for the most part we rely on quick service locations to keep us happy and fed during our Disney vacations. They’re fast, inexpensive, usually don’t require dining reservations – and most of them serve up some pretty great food.

One of our family’s absolute favorite quick service meals is Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy!

(By the way, the exclamation point behind Chicken Guy! is not to indicate my excitement, although I am excited when we are heading there to eat. The exclamation point is a part of the restaurant name. I just thought I would clear that up before you continue reading and then wonder why I keep using the exclamation point. LOL!)

Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy!

Chicken Guy! was founded by celebrity chef Guy Fieri and renowned restaurateur Robert Earl. The Disney Springs location was it’s fourth location and it now currently has seven locations:

1. Miami, FL,
2. Landover, MD
3. Santa Clara, CA
4. Disney Springs
5. Gatlinburg, TN
6. Nashville, TN
7. And it’s newest location Winter Park, FL which is a stone’s throw from Magic Kingdom

According to their website, more locations will be opening soon – which is not surprising because the food here needs to be experienced in as many places as possible.

The Sauces at Chicken Guy!

Now let’s talk about why we love Flavortown – they offer one-of-a-kind, all-natural fresh chicken tenders paired with a wide selection of delicious sauces. There are over 20 house-made sauces to choose from. Try one or try them all; it is your call.

The complete list of sauces (as of now) include:

• Special Sauce: a blend of ketchup, mayo, mustard, pickle juice, and a proprietary spice blend.
• Donkey Sauce: mayo meets roasted garlic, mustard, and Worcestershire with a squeeze of lemon.
• Ranchero: roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, and chilies, seasoned with cumin, garlic, onion, and cilantro.
• Curry Mayo: a combination of coriander, cumin, turmeric, chili powder, garlic, lime, and of course – mayo.
• Wasabi Honey: simply wasabi, honey, and a hint of lime.
• Cumin Lime Mojo: featuring cumin, lime, cilantro, and roasted garlic. 
• Garlic Parmesan: mayo with roasted garlic and parmesan, a little black pepper, and parsley. 
• Avocado Crema: avocados and sour cream, complemented with cilantro and lime flavors. 
• Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ: brown sugar, molasses, apple cider vinegar, and a splash of Kentucky bourbon. 
• Buffalo: a blend of red chilis and jalapenos, garlic and onion, with a hint of paprika and vinegar.
• Bleu Cheese: bleu cheese crumbles, mayo, sour cream, and lemon. 
• Buttermilk Ranch: a combination of buttermilk and mayo, seasoned with dill, chives, onion, and garlic.  
• Lemon Pepper: mayo paired with lemon, black pepper, and a little honey.
• Honey Mustard: honey, yellow mustard, mayo, and a bit of lemon juice. 
• Teriyaki: infused with soy sauce, sesame, garlic, and brown sugar.
• Sweet N’ Sour: the flavors of orange, pineapple, honey, and vinegar.
• Chipotle Ranch: chipotle peppers mixed with buttermilk ranch, and smoked paprika.
• Nashville Hot Honey: honey paired with red chilies, cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion.
• Peri-Peri: roasted red bell pepper and chilies, seasoned with garlic, onion, paprika, oregano, and a splash of lemon. 
• Habanero Hot Sauce: habanero peppers mixed with vinegar, onion, and garlic. 
• Spicy Mayo: a combination of roasted red chilis and chipotle peppers with cayenne, honey, and mayo. 
• Sweet Sriracha BBQ: a roasted red pepper puree with tomatoes, onions, and a hint of molasses and brown sugar. 

My favorite sauce so far is a tie between the garlic parmesan and donkey sauce but I am still working my way through their impressive array of sauces. Like anything we do on Disney World property, our goal is to try everything at least once… and that includes the delicious sauces!

The Menu

Chicken Guy!’s menu offers a variety of options such as all-natural chicken tenders, skewers, sandwiches, salads and can be paired with some amazing side options as well. Chicken Guy Fries, Mac Daddy Mac ‘n Cheese, American Slaw, Fried Pickle Chip, or my personal favorite Loaded Fries are ALL on the menu!

I know Guy Fieri can be a bit of a polarizing figure as a celebrity chef, but there is no debating that this man and his team of recipe developers know their flavors. Everything I’ve had from his restaurants has been absolutely delicious.

Gluten-Free Chicken Guy! 

Ever since travelling to DisneyWorld with my friend and her daughter who had nut and gluten allergies, I’ve tried to take note of how the different restaurants on Disney property handle the needs of those guests.

Unlike a lot of chicken restaurants that use peanut oil, according to the manager I spoke to, Chicken Guy!’s menu is completely nut-free. There are also many gluten-free options available:

• A gluten-free bun can be substituted in any chicken sandwich.
• The chicken can be grilled instead of breaded.
• Fries are made with caution to food allergies.
• A salad can be ordered with the grilled chicken and without croutons.

The best part is… even with these adjustments, the food is still AMAZING. One of my favorite allergy-friendly dishes is the loaded fries. At Chicken Guy!, they are smothered in SMC (so much cheese), chopped crispy or grilled chicken, bacon & green onions. We had the ones with the grilled chicken on our last visit.

Did You Know Dessert Options Are Available?

While we have not tried them yet, you can add a frozen treat such as a handspun soft serve to your visit. Triple Double Mint or Cinnamon Apple both sound amazing!

Tip: If you are looking for something a bit sweeter while visiting Disney Springs, try Erin McKenna’s Bakery!

Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy! Hours

This location is open for lunch and dinner. With so much to do and see at Disney Springs, this fun little restaurant will allow you to grab a quick bite – no reservations required. However, wait times will vary depending on the time of day you are planning to visit.

We cannot wait for our next visit to Flavortown – we have a lot more food and sauces to try, plus soft-serve desserts! My mouth is watering now, just thinking about it. I guess we need to plan another trip soon!

If you are a chicken lover, dipping sauce fanatic, or enjoy loaded fries as I do, then you for sure need to add Chicken Guy! at Disney Springs to your dining list. This is a great restaurant for first-time visitors to Disney as well as seasoned travelers. 

What is one of your favorite quick-service restaurants at Disney World? Come on over to Facebook and join us at Disney Express Lane to let us know!

More Dining Posts:

• Tiffins Restaurant at Animal Kingdom
• Be Our Guest: Why Breakfast Here is a Must!
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant at Magic Kingdon
• Turner House Restaurant at Animal Kingdom
• The Best Restaurants for First Time Visitors to Disney

The post Why We Love Disney Springs’ Chicken Guy (And So Will You) appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

5 Money Saving Snacks in Hollywood Studios

Popcorn

Cupcakes

“Totchos”

Frozen Drinks

Jack’s Num Num Cookie

Honorable Mentions:

Lunch Box Tart

Carrot Cake Cookies

Mickey Pretzels

Of course, Mickey Pretzels are always a great bang-for-your-buck snack. As you can see in the image above, they are huge and shareable. 

5 Money Saving Snacks 

Have you tried any of our favorite money-saving snacks mentioned? I’d love to hear your thoughts or any of your own personal favorite snacks from Hollywood Studios!

Come visit us over at Disney Express Lane! If you are looking for information regarding snacks, here is a great blog post with info about snacks in Disney’s Magic Kingdom .

The post 5 Money Saving Snacks You Can Find In Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

What are Disney Refillable Mugs?

Refillable mugs are 16 oz hard plastic, insulated mugs sold at the Walt Disney World Resort. (Note: there is currently no refillable mug program at Disneyland – that’s been gone for awhile, so if you’re heading to California and not Florida, this program won’t be available to you.)

If you are travelling on the Disney Dining Plan, you get a free mug for each family member on the dining plan. If you’re not using the Disney Dining Plan, these mugs are available for purchase at $19.99 per mug at Refill stations that are located in food courts, quick service locations and pool bars at all Value/Moderate/Deluxe resorts.

These mugs entitle you to free refills of soda, hot chocolate, tea and coffee at all Disney resorts for 14 days or your length of stay but cannot be used at the parks, at Disney Springs or at the water parks. (However, the water parks have their own refillable mug program.)

The mugs also cannot be used for milk, fruit juices or alcoholic drinks or “specialty” coffees liked iced coffees or lattes.

How do Disney’s refillable mugs work?

All mugs have a RFID chip in them, which allows the soda machines to identify the mug. 

When you place the refillable mug on Disney’s refill stations underneath your beverage choice, the chip is identified and a little screen will pop up showing how many days you have left of your activation. You can then fill up your mug.

(Note that the new mugs have a 2-minute time delay between refills.)

The RFID chip is activated when you pay for the mug at the counter; if you are on one of the Disney Dining Plans then the mug is included in your package.  Simply  tell the person at the counter that you would like to redeem your free mug on the dining plan.

While the mug is supposed to only be active for the length of your stay (if under 14 days), a lot of cast members tend to activate for 14 days rather than look up your reservation.

• If your reservation is longer than 14 days, you can request a small extension but that is up to the cast member’s discretion.
• If you are doing a split stay at two or more resorts, be sure to mention that as the cast member may not notice and will only activate the mug for the length of the first resort stay.

Things You May Not Know

Each self-service, refillable mug location has a MUG WASH! That’s right — there’s a little sink right next to the drink dispensers that you can use to wash out your mug.

You can take your mug into the parks, but you cannot get your mug filled for FREE like at your resort.  However, you can often get kiosks to fill your refillable mug with ice water – or they will give you a cup and you can just pour it into your mug.

You can refill your mug at other resorts, so feel free to take your mug with you if you plan to eat at one of the quick service locations at another resort.

Anyone can purchase a refillable mug; you do not need to be staying on property to walk into a quick service resort location and purchase a refillable mug.  Many people love purchasing these for souvenirs and they really are made well and last much longer than most souvenirs.

You can bring your mug back on previous trips, but you will still need to pay the full $19.99 reactivation cost. I wouldn’t bother bringing back the plastic mugs, but if you paid for the upgrade of a stainless steel tumbler on a previous trip and prefer that model, then paying $19.99 for reactivation versus paying $29.99 for a new stainless steel mug is a bit of a budget saver.

The mugs are dishwasher-safe but not microwaveable.

Previously, you were able to purchase a refillable mug for a single day or for two days at a lower cost, but now the fee is the same regardless.

Covid Changes 

****Currently Disney World is not allowing anyone to refill refillable cups at the refillable stations themselves. A cast member will give you a disposable cup and you are able to fill your refillable cup if so desired. Disney World is also not offering the dining plan, so cups are available for purchase by themselves. Many of the Disney World Resorts are currently upgrading their fill stations to new touch-less fill stations. This will allow for guests to fill their refillable cups with no contact to the actual machine. 

Is Disney’s refillable mug program worth the cost?

This is where things tend to get heated! I think it depends on a few factors:

• how much of your vacation time will be spent at resorts
• how many meals you will be having in your resort cafeteria
• what your soda or coffee/tea drinking habits are
• and, whether or not you’ll be ordering a grocery delivery to your resort.

(Of course, if you are on the Disney Dining Program, the mug is free – so cost isn’t really a factor.)

A single soda purchase at the resorts is $4 and (drip) coffee/tea is $3 – you can get free refills during your meal, but once you’ve left the cafeteria or restaurant, you can’t refill your disposable cup again. So, if you’re probably going to purchase at least 6 fountain sodas or drip coffees (or tea/hot chocolate) at your resort, then this is an easy decision – because once you exceed 5 sodas or 6 coffees, the mug is saving you money.

However, you do have in-room coffee (either the standard Cuisinart coffee pod systems or a Keurig system, depending on your hotel and room type) and many local grocers offer free or discounted delivery to the resorts with a minimum order amount – so purchasing drinks at your resort isn’t your only option for refreshments. (Read more about ordering groceries to your Disney resort here.)

Personally, I rarely opt to purchase the refillable mug program – I tend to only take advantage of it when I’m on the dining plan.

They can be really convenient for pool days, especially compared to having to drag all of the drinks with you from your room – and also have them get warm while in the sun all day – or try to drag all the the kids back to the room in order to grab refills.

And they can be convenient if your room is located close to the cafeteria for grabbing a morning coffee or a late night hot chocolate.

If you have older kids who will be allowed to wander around the resort a bit, having the refillable mugs is a fun perk for them and they won’t be wasting their travel money on sodas. I’ve heard from a lot of parents that their teens found the refillable mugs to be the coolest thing about a resort stay – go figure!

For us, I tend to do a small grocery order of drinks, milk, breakfast items and snacks to have in our room and skip the refillable mugs if we’re not using the dining plan on our trip. (Read more about whether or not the Disney Dining Plan is right for you here.)

I’d rather purchase a milk to have in my mini fridge (since I don’t like the provided powdered creamer) and make coffee in my room – in my pjs – as we’re getting ready for the day rather than have to get dressed and trek all the way to the cafeteria before I can caffeinate. We save money by not eating in the resort’s cafeteria for breakfast – if we’re going to pay for breakfast, I want it to be a special one, not just a quick bite. (And if you do want to grab something from the cafeteria, you can always bring a coffee from your room with you.)

On pool days, I might have one or two Diet Cokes as a treat (which I bring from my room), but I prefer that the kids drink (free) ice water so that they stay hydrated while out in the sun. If they want something a bit more fun, we use single-serve lemonade or gatorade powder packets and mix them into the free ice water.

I don’t like carrying the empty mugs around for an entire day – which is what I’d have to do if I stopped by my resort’s cafeteria for an “on the go” coffee before heading to the parks. And if I’m craving an after-the-parks soda or hot cocoa, I don’t want to walk to my room, retrieve my mug, walk to the cafeteria for a refill (and I always tend to pick rooms that are the furthest possible distance from the cafeteria)… then back. I’d rather just have things in my room to enjoy when I want.

I hope this post answered any questions you might have about the Disney Refillable Mugs. Be sure to check out this post which discusses all of New Mugs Designs, too!

Are the refillable mugs on your MUST PURCHASE list? Tell us why! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE! Want more information on the refillable mug? Check this blog out!

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Weekly Roundup: Disney Eats, Vacation Club, Epcot and A Touch of Disney:

Here’s what you can expect in this Newsletter:

• Disney Parks Best Bites
• A Touch of Disney
• Harmonious at Epcot
• Disney Vacation Club Grand Californian Resort and Spa

Disney Parks Best Bites

All of you Disney foodies will be happy to hear about some of the new and/ or improved Disney eats! Check out all of the new and best bites at Disney World in February, right here. Get ready though, your mouth will be watering after you check it out. I was personally happy to see that they are continuing the holiday celebration through Feb. 28 with the oh so popular Peppermint Bundt Cake Shake at Hollywood Scoops! Peppermint ice cream topped with whipped cream, TWO festive Bundt cakes, and peppermint bark! YUM!

A Touch of Disney

A touch of Disney will allow you to experience the sights, sounds and flavors of Disneyland with A Touch of Disney, a new, limited-capacity ticketed experience that begins March 18 at California Adventure park. Disneyland may not be completely open, but you can still experience it with A Touch of Disney. Read more about it, HERE!

Harmonious at Epcot

Once complete Harmonious will be one of the largest nighttime spectaculars ever on Disney property. Although a date has not been set for the opening, but when it does Epcot will bring even more fun and embracing the magic of possibility. Read more about it HERE.  

Disney Vacation Club Grand Californian Resort and Spa

The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa is currently scheduled to welcome Vacation Club Members once again beginning May 2, 2021. During this phase, only The Villas at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa will be open for DVC Members. The Hotels of Disneyland Resort, including the rest of the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa will remain closed. 

While Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park currently remain closed for normal operations, Downtown Disney has reopened with health and safety measures, and offers a variety of shopping and dining experiences. During the initial reopening period, most resort dining, amenities, activities and services will be modified, limited in capacity or unavailable based on physical distancing and health guidelines. 

Each week brings more fun and more news. I hope this gives you some hope that things are getting back to normal….. whatever NORMAL is. Who knows at this point! Am I right? What are you looking forward to the most. Let us know below, we would love to hear. 

A version of this first appeared in our weekly newsletter. You can subscribe to receive it in your inbox here. 

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Tiffins Restaurant At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

On our last trip to Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, we booked a late dining reservation for Tiffins Restaurant. Before we dive into the dining review let me share the benefits of making a late dining reservation. Well, first off by late I mean booking a time right at or close to that day’s park closing time.

Choosing a Later Dining Time

On this specific day Disney’s Animal Kingdom closed at 5pm. We booked our reservation at 4:50pm. So why do we do this? Well depending on the time of year, the restaurants usually are not as crowded during this time because most people are already heading out of the park. With less people in the restaurant, it gives you more of a VIP experience. Another reason to dine at this time is it really gives you the freedom to sit back and enjoy your meal. No feeling rushed to get back out and experience the park attractions.

While you are dining, the crowd is heading back to the resort buses, their cars, or other modes of transportation. If you are not a big fan of crowds or waiting in long lines to leave the park, this is another reason to book a late dining reservation. Once you are finished with your meal, coming out of the restaurant into an almost empty park is something everyone needs to experience at least once at each of the parks. 

Now, The Good Stuff

Now, let us talk about Tiffins Restaurant. The restaurant itself is themed to celebrate global discovery. Created by the same imagineers and animal experts that built Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Inspired by actual notes and field sketches of the Imagineers artwork, photographs, paintings & sculptures can be found throughout the restaurant. Tiffins Restaurant has three elegant dining rooms honoring Africa, Asia, and some of the world’s most exotic animals. Asia (the Trek Gallery), Africa (the Safari Gallery), animal species found in the park (the Grand Gallery). Please note, this restaurant IS a signature dining experience.

We dined in the Safari Gallery. Tucked away in a corner booth we were able to take in the sights and sounds of this amazing dining room. We started with a signature bread which was gluten friendly with a Red Pepper Hummus, Spicy Coriander Yogurt, Ginger-Pear Chutney as well at the Tacos a plant based Tinga (shredded beef) cheese, avocado & a pickled slaw on a corn tortilla with a squeeze of lime for additional flavor. Of course, we have all had tacos before but these were very unique to the culture and tasted very good.

Dinner for me was the Shrimp & Grits. A gluten friendly meal that had Jumbo shrimp topped with heirloom tomatoes, applewood smoked bacon pepper jam on top of a nice warm bowl of grits. This meal was really good I really enjoyed the flavor of this dish it was also very filling. My husband had the Lobster Mac n Cheese he said it was different but good this was the first time he had tried mac n cheese with lobster added.

Tiffins Desserts

We were really too full for desert but because we were celebrating my birthday this trip, we had on our celebration buttons. Our server brought out a special birthday dessert on the house. Passion Fruit Tapioca Créme a Chocolate Crumble, Citrus Fruits, Coconut Crème. This is a gluten friendly dessert and it was super delicious.

My Opinion On Tiffins Restaurant At Disney’s Animal Kingdom

I think this restaurant is more of a choice for a date night or an all-adult trip. Kids of course are welcome (there is a kid menu the menu items are not the usual items you would find at other restaurants). The items here are special and unique to the Tiffins Restaurant. Overall, we enjoyed our experience at Tiffins Restaurant at Disney’s Animal. We will definitely dine at this location again so we can try some of the other amazing dishes as well as dine in the other two dining rooms.

Not hungry for a sit-down dinner? Check out Nomad Lounge located right next to Tiffins restaurant. You can dine on small plates as well as grab a beer, glass of wine or a specialty cocktail. If you are heading to Disney World without a dining plan, click the link to learn some great tips!

Have you dined at Tiffins Restaurant yet? We would love to hear about your experience. Come join us over on Facebook at Disney Express Lane to share your thoughts.

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Top 5 Romantic Dining Experiences In Disney World

Which dining experiences will be the best for romance? Can we EVEN have romance on a vacation to Disney World? Well, YES, you can and Walt Express has narrowed down our faves! Whether it’s an anniversary, birthday or even Valentine’s Day, we have your romantic dinner covered!

A Few Things to Remember:

• Do not take this the wrong way. Disney World is full of children and for the most part, everything is very child-friendly. However, there are a few restaurants and dining experiences that are geared more for the adult crowd. This does NOT mean that children are not accepted, but it does mean that it’s not your typical character meal with kids running around everywhere. You know your children and you know how they will respond to a dining experience like this. So, if your child does not like sitting still for a couple of hours, these restaurants are not for them.
• If the restaurant is located in a Disney Park, park admission is required.
• Reservations are highly recommended and can currently be made 60 days prior to your vacation.

Let’s Get to the List

• 5. California Grill in the Contemporary Resort: This signature dining experience is one of a kind! Located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, you can take in the sights of Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom park. If you time your reservation just right, a view of the nightly fireworks show in Magic Kingdom park will set the stage for the perfect ending to a romantic evening. 
• 4. Sanaa in Animal Kingdom’s Kidani Village: Located in the Kidani Village, you will watch gazelles, zebras, giraffes, kudu, ostriches, cranes and more as you dine. Sanaa bread service is the BEST on Disney property, and yes, you can order just the bread service. I would suggest a Godiva Chocolate Martini to enjoy while watching the animals!
• 3. Le Cellier Steakhouse in Epcot’s Canada Pavilion. Nestled deep in Canada (crossing the border is not necessary), you will find a delicious, cozy dinner waiting for you at Le Cellier Steakhouse. Share the Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup appetizer and a little small talk, while you wait for the main course! After dinner, sip on a glass of Chappellet Chardonnay while you wait on the fireworks to begin (uummm…we are talking about Epcot’s nighttime fireworks show, let’s keep this PG)! 
• 2. Jiko in Animal Kingdom Lodge: Could there be anything better than a Savannah sunset and African inspired cuisine? If this sounds romantic to you, then Jiko is definitly the place to be! 
• 1. Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom: Yes, it’s cliché, but hey, it worked for the Beast! The Rose Room is by far, the MOST ROMANTIC!

Previous Number ONE-Honorable Mention

Victoria and Albert’s in the Grand Floridian: This is by far, the number one place for romance in Disney World, but has not reopened as of yet. This restaurant deserves an honorable mention. Reservations are extremely hard to come by and there is a waiting list. You will dine on a seven or ten course meal and sip on world class wine. This IS a truly amazing experience and will have you talking about it for years to come. Dress code is strictly enforced.

What are your thoughts on Disney and romance? I mean, Mickey and Minnie do this everyday, right! Have you done anything romantic on your Disney trips? We would love to hear about it! Drop us a comment and let us know, or better yet, send us some pics!

Looking for more Disney fun and info? Join our Facebook group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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I Love the fact that the restaurants on Walt Disney World property have such a great variety. When we are in our hometown, it is just your normal fast food joints and big chain restaurants. At Disney World, you will find just about anything your heart desires. There is so much culture outside of the everyday American dishes. Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia is a MUST for my family and I am going to tell you why!

Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia

On our most recent trip, we added a new restaurant to our list. Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia is an amazing restaurant owned by Japanese master chef Masaharu Morimoto. He has been acknowledged as one of the most inventive forces in Asian cuisine. He has chosen The Landing at Disney Springs as the venue for his very first “Pan-Asian” restaurant.

The Location

Located right across from Raglan Road, you can not miss this beautiful two-story restaurant. As you walk in the décor is breathtaking. Twenty foot long chandeliers, beautiful flowers, and Asian inspired artwork throughout. This restaurant has two dining levels. We dined on the ground level which gave us great views of the entire restaurant. A fun little fact about the second level is it offers a sushi bar and lounge with a VIP separate entrance for guest seeking a late-night meal.

• New Normal Tip: We dined here during the “new normal” so guest were being seated at every other table. Face coverings were required at all times when not eating. If you get up to go to the restroom or anywhere else in the restaurant your face covering must be on.

The Experience and Dinner

The staff was very friendly and attentive to my gluten allergy. Our waitress immediately let the chef know as well as pointed out the safe entrées that could be made gluten free. To keep things as touchless as possible, we scanned the QR code provided on the table to view the digital menu.  

We started with the Edamame topped with sea salt. Great shareable item to pair with any entrée.

I went with the recommendation from our waitress and ordered the Morimoto “Buri Bop”. This Korean-style yellowtail rice bowl was served in a 400 degree clay pot and was finished with a egg yolk right at our table. Also served with a gluten free soy sauce. This was an enjoyable experience getting to hear the details and history of the dish explained as it was being prepared for me to eat. After the dish was left for me, I was able to continue to cook my fish to my liking. I have to say this is the first time I have experienced cooking fish myself at a restaurant. This dish was delicious and I highly recommend trying it.

My husband chose the Tonkotsu Ramen, which is a rich pork broth with egg noodles, roasted pork, soy marinated egg, woodear mushroom and pickled ginger. He said it was very good, but it was a very filling dish! Leaving no room for dessert, unfortunately.

No Desserts For Us

Again, we were too full for the desserts, but Morimoto Asia does have several to choose from. Yuzu Pie, Mochi Mochi & Churro Fondue to name a few. A selection of cocktails, beer & wine are available. For example, the Sake Sangria & Morimoto Soba (beer) are two fan favorites here.

Quick Service Available

If you are looking for a quick and on the go meal, Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia has a quick service! AND, Morimoto Street Food is available with a convenient walk-up window. Grab quick bites like Chicken Wings, Shrimp Chips & Dip, Beef Bulgogi Nachos. As well as a variety of Sushi rolls or Noodles.

Overall, this was a great dining experience and we really enjoyed the atmosphere and food. We will for sure dine here again so we can try some of the other amazing entrees. If you are a fan of Asian food like we are, you will want to add this one to your must do dining list!

Do you have a favorite restaurant at Disney Springs? We would love to hear about it over in our Facebook group Disney Express Lane. Did you know that we have friends over at Walt Express Travel that would love to help you plan your next trip? Not sure you are ready to visit the magic? Click this link for reasons YOU NEED to go NOW!

A special THANK YOU to our friends, Vince and Tammy, for sharing some of their pictures on one of their last visits to Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia! It’s on their favorites list, too!

The post Why We Added Disney Springs’ Morimoto Asia To Our Favorites List! appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Disney World without a dining plan. Those words just really taste bad. We understand and we get it, but it still isn’t a pretty picture. Dining is expensive at the parks and the Disney dining plans help us to save money. Which in turn means if we save money on dining, we can spend it on trading pins and other essentials! We are here to help.

Disney World Without A Dining Plan

If you have a Disney World vacation planned in the near future, you will be doing Disney World without a dining plan. I know, we don’t like to say it out loud either. But, we ARE here to help. If you missed the first section we did on Disney World without a dining plan, just click the link. We had so many of you asking questions and needing MORE tips, so here is our TAKE TWO!

Think About Your Resort/Hotel Options

Stay at a resort/hotel with a kitchen or kitchenette. There are several Disney Resorts that offer a kitchen or kitchenette. It’s important to have a plan and find a resort that will accommodate your needs. The following resorts have kitchens or kitchenettes at Disney World! A kitchenette usually just has your basic needs: a refrigerator (may be smaller size), sink and microwave. The full kitchen will have it all!

• All Star Music, family suite (kitchenette)
• Art of Animation, family suite (kitchenette)
• Cabins at Fort Wilderness (full kitchen)
• Deluxe Villas at multiple resorts (some have kitchenettes, some have full kitchens)

Stay off property. These words taste almost as bad as no dining plan, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Some off property hotels/resorts offer rooms with full kitchens. Talk to your travel planner if this is something you may be interested in. Your travel planner is your best asset when planning a vacation. They will help you determine what is best for your family!

• Plan menus. Speaking of menus, our family loves tacos, nachos and spaghetti. These are easy to make and require very little time!
• Make it at home. Just listen, it’s not bad! Pre-make some meals and pack in a cooler to bring to the resort/hotel.
• Cook extra and freeze. For a couple of weeks before you travel, prepare a little extra and freeze! We love to do this with muffins and other breakfast items.
• Take groceries. We also like to order from Garden Grocer, Instacart or Walmart. This one works well for our Disney friends who are flying and can’t pack as much!
• Bring sandwiches. Yep, bring your own to the parks along with other snacks.

Disney World Without The Dining Plan is DOABLE!

Even if you aren’t staying in a resort or hotel with a kitchen, you can still save! Bring a cooler and pack some groceries, such as deli meat for sandwiches! Every little bit saved, helps!

Did you know that we have an amazing Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, dedicated to all things Disney? Join us today! We also have friends over at WALT EXPRESS TRAVEL. They would love to share their expertise and help you plan the most perfect Disney World (or other Disney Destination) vacation!

A big THANKS to our Disney friend, Greg, for sharing some of his delicious pics with us!

The post Going To Disney World Without A Dining Plan: Take Two appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

One of the best parts of a Disney World trip is the FOOD! You’ve probably seen a million pictures of Instagram-worthy sweets and treats, but there’s so much more to eat at Disney World. And there’s still plenty of places to grab amazing eats at Disney World right now! Today we’re going to take a look at those dining locations currently open at Magic Kingdom and review our favorite snack & dining options.

Favorite Snack & Dining Options In Magic Kingdom

We are going to break down the dining locations currently open based on snacks and meals! As of right now, the dining locations that are currently open in Magic Kingdom include the following. Keep in mind, this list can and will change.

First up: SNACKS!

• Aloha Isle
• Auntie Gravity’s Galactic Goodies
• Gaston’s Tavern
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company
• Liberty Square Market
• Main Street Bakery
• Sleepy Hollow
• Storybook Treats
• Sunshine Tree Terrace
• Westward Ho

Can you imagine a trip to the Magic Kingdom without a Mickey pretzel, hot fresh popcorn, or a turkey leg? I know I can’t! Here’s our top 3 snack picks in Magic Kingdom that are currently open right now, along with recommendations on where to save and where to splurge:

Dole Whip from Aloha Isle

For a treat to cool you off in the Florida heat, stop on over at Aloha Isle where you’ll find Dole Whip – that incredible mix of vanilla and pineapple flavored soft-serve that can only be found at Disney World. I personally stop here every time to grab Dole Whip, it can’t be beat!

• Save: Pineapple Dole Whip Cup, $4.99
• Splurge: Get it in the souvenir Tiki Bowl! $9.99

Cinnamon Rolls from Gaston’s Tavern 

These are not just your average cinnamon rolls. No, these are as large as the man the tavern is named for. These are EXTRA large, ooey gooey, melt in your mouth cinnamon rolls. Countless make-at-home recipes abound, but there’s nothing like having the real thing at the park. Pair it with a glass of LeFou’s Brew for a truly over-the-top sweet treat.

• Save: Cinnamon Roll, $5.99 – big enough to split!
• Splurge: LeFou’s Brew in the Souvenir Stein, $12.99

Waffles at Sleepy Hollow

If your sweet tooth really needs a fix, try any of the waffles or funnel cakes from Sleepy Hollow. My personal favorite is the fresh fruit waffle sandwich, which comes slathered in chocolate hazelnut spread and stuffed to bursting with fresh fruit. Totally indulgent while also getting your daily fill of fruits. 

• Save: Mickey Waffle with Powdered Sugar, $5.79
• Splurge: Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle Sandwich, $10.49

Just looking for a quick place to nab a to-go snack or a coffee? Head to Main Street Bakery (better known as Starbucks) for some familiar favorites, or stop at the Liberty Square Market for a quick to-go snack to tide you over between meals.

Next up: FULL MEALS!

• Be Our Guest Restaurant
• Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe
• Jungle Navigation Co. LTD Skipper Canteen
• Liberty Tree Tavern
• Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe
• Pinocchio Village Haus
• The Plaza Restaurant
• Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

Sure, we’d all love to fill our bellies full of cinnamon rolls, pretzels and Dole Whip, but at some point you’ve gotta have a real meal! Magic Kingdom has plenty of great quick service and table service restaurant choices that are open right now. The best news? It’s now much easier to get into table service (i.e. sit down) restaurants since crowds are at an all-time low! Here are our favorite picks of the restaurants that are currently open at Magic Kingdom:

Tony’s Town Square Restaurant

Named for the restaurant where Lady and the Tramp had their famous spaghetti-kiss moment, Tony’s has a wide variety of Italian food that’s sure to please your entire group. There’s a little something for everyone, and even the pickiest of eaters are likely to find something they like!

Liberty Tree Tavern

If you’re really hungry, stop in and try the Thanksgiving-themed family-style meal at Liberty Tree Tavern. All dishes are served family-style (one large portion brought to the table), and are bottomless. This was some of the best pot roast I’ve had in my life, and their mac and cheese was perfect after a long day of walking the parks!

Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café

Pecos Bill is underrated, and therefore less crowded, than other restaurants. You’ll find a southwest-style menu along with some traditional American favorites like burgers. They’ve also got some great Halloween-themed specials going on right now that will definitely bring some seasonal flare to your meal!

Favorite Snack & Dining Options TIPS

• Looking for a quick bite without the fuss of a full service restaurant? Head on over to Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café or settle in for the great theming at Pinocchio Village Haus.
• PLEASE NOTE: For the most up to date information on dining location availability, see Disney’s Know Before You Go page.

If this is making you hungry, you’re not alone…just writing this had me seriously craving some fresh-popped popcorn in a cute souvenir bucket! And if you’re wondering how to stretch your dollars even further without a meal plan, be sure to check out our 6 tips on doing Disney without a Dining Plan. Need some tips on how to manage eating and drinking with those pesky masks? We’ve got you covered.

Now who’s ready to book a trip and eat some Dole Whip and Cinnamon Buns? ???? 

We have an amazing Facebook Group with tons of great tips and information. Just click DISNEY EXPRESS LANE and join us! Did you know that we also have friends over at Walt Express Travel that can help you with the planning process? ALL for free, of course!

The post Our Favorite Snack & Dining Options In Magic Kingdom (Currently Open) appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Top 5 Items

Our number one, without a doubt, item you need on your next trip to Disney World, is a Space Suit with a built in air conditioner. We know this isn’t very appropriate, but it would work, right? Since this might not be available on your next Disney World vacation, here are our top 5 items we cannot be without! Click the link to find out which ones we like to use and also for easy shopping. Read on, my Disney friends.

• Steel or silicone straws: It is extremely hard to find paper or plastic straws anymore. These are great and hold up perfect. Purchase two packs and color code everyone in the family! Some even come with the straw cleaners, total win win!
• Masks and mask inserts: These mask inserts are seriously a life saver. They keep the fabric away from the face mask, therefore, keeping it from your nose. This gives you a little more freedom. This helps tremendously, especially in the HOT Orlando heat.
• Fuel rod and/or brick: Your phone will go down QUICK! Be sure to have one of these handy to keep everything all charged up. Sorry, they do not work on humans!
• Ziploc baggies-SO many uses for Ziploc baggies. Be sure to bring different sizes. We go through baggies like crazy on a trip to Disney World, or any other vacation. These are PERFECT for storing dirty, sweaty masks! Also great for saving snacks, saving money! The Dollar Tree has Disney print ones that are super cute.
• Water bottle or Hydro flask: Water is free at most quick service locations, so grab a free water and fill that water bottle or flask. Staying hydrated will keep you going. VERY important!

 Honorable Mentions

• Calagel: Calagel is a miracle cure for the Disney Rash. Don’t know what that is? Click that link and find out. It’s not pretty at all. You can pre-order calagel for your trip or you can also find it at the First Aid locations in the parks. I promise, this stuff is amazing.
• Fog Gone: This amazing little jewel will help to keep those glasses fogging up while wearing a mask. We keep this around ALL of the time, just because it works!

Be sure to check out these things you need when traveling to Disney World with the kiddos. It can make your vacation SO much easier!

Have you joined our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE? If not, what are you waiting on? Join us today for some great tips and tricks on your Disney vacations! Do you need some help with the planning process? Our friends over at Walt Express Travel would love to help you.

Thank you to our friend, Greg, for sharing some of his pics with us!

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