Many people think a Disney World vacation begins when you enter the parks. But, for our family, that magical vacation begins the moment we start driving down the road. We enter Disney World under the archway that lets us know we’re home. We can’t wait to make it to the parks so we can ride our favorite rides, fill up on plenty of snacks and see our favorite characters. But, we normally come in a day early so we still have some time to do other things. So, what exactly can you do on the first day of your Walt Disney World resort?

First Day At Disney World

Here are the top 4 things our family loves to do on the first day of our magical vacation.

Explore Your Resort

Disney World’s Imagineers are incredibly talented. They have gone above and beyond in their designs in the parks. But, that’s not the only place you’ll see their handiwork. The resorts are packed full of theming and details. These things will be a constant reminder that you are in the most magical place on earth.

Exploring our resort is at the top of our list of things to do as soon as we arrive. It doesn’t matter if we’ve stayed at that resort before, or if it’s the very first time. So, when you arrive, take some time to soak it all in. Check out where the restaurants and shopping options are located. Take a look around at the places that will provide perfect photo opportunities throughout your stay. Finding those spots for special photo ops is a great thing to do on your first day at Disney World. The pictures you take will be a reminder of all the excitement of your trip.

Go For A Swim

Regardless of the time of year you’re visiting Disney World, a dip in the pool is a great way to spend your first day at Disney World. The pools at the resorts are heated, so you can enjoy a comfortable swim throughout most of the year. Most of the time, our family has a bag reserved just for our pool gear. Once we’re settled into our room and have explored the resort, we head straight for the pool.

You may be thinking, “I can swim at home. What’s the big deal of swimming at my Disney World Resort?” Let me tell you, like everything else Disney related, you will be drawn into another world. It will bring out the kid in you, no matter your age. You will hear the most iconic Disney music being pumped through the speakers. And the resorts have multiple pools with their own themes and special details. Take time to explore each of them. If your kids are like ours, they would stay in the pool the whole trip, but there’s a lot more excitement to be had!

Ride the Monorail

There are two types of people at Walt Disney World: those who see the Monorail as just a mode of transportation and those who see it as one of the rides. Our family views the Monorail as one of our favorite rides at Disney World. The Monorail provides the perfect opportunities to catch a glimpse of Cinderella’s Castle at Magic Kingdom, or the iconic Spaceship Earth ball at Epcot.

Hop on one of the buses from your resort and head over to Magic Kingdom where you will be able to get on the Monorail and go for a ride. Better yet, book a stay at one of the three resorts that have a stop on the Monorail—Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. Our favorite times of day to do this is around sunset and after dark. Riding around Seven Seas Lagoon will provide some of the most beautiful sunset views at Disney World. When the sun goes down, you will be able to see the beauty of everything lit up!

Visit Disney Springs on your First Day At Disney World

One final thing that our family loves to experience on our first day at Walt Disney World is exploring Disney Springs. If you love the night life, dining, shopping and fun entertainment then make it a point to head to Disney Springs. There’s plenty to do for every age. Stop by the LEGO store and look at all the characters and scenes that have been built on display around the store. Venture over to the Coca-Cola store and take a trip down memory lane as you see all the memorabilia from days gone by. If you’re looking for the best Disney themed apparel and toys, stop by the World of Disney. But be careful, it’s easy to spend way too much time and money there.

After shopping, we have to eat! There are plenty of places to eat. The options range from sit down restaurants to outdoor vendors. If you like smoked meats, don’t overlook The Polite Pig! They offer ribs, chicken, brisket, and plenty of other options. Click here to find out more about the new normal at Disney Springs.

If you’re planning a trip to Disney World, you are most likely focusing on the parks you’ll visit and the rides. There’s nothing wrong with that. We always look forward to all the things we can do in the parks. But there is a lot that can be done outside of the parks as well. Take some time to explore these four things to do on your first at Disney World day before you ever step foot inside the parks. What are your favorite things to do on your first day at Disney World?

Want to know how you can seriously ruin your vacation? Click that link to find out!

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How a romantic night out at Disney Springs came to be a tradition

Let’s go back to June 2016 when the hubby and I decided to go to the most magical place on earth WITHOUT the kids. Yes, you read that right! The two of us boarded a plane and left our three children at home with Grammy for an entire week! Although a month late celebrating our 20^th anniversary, we were determined to have as many romantic nights out as our wallet allowed. We spilt our seven night stay between three Resort Villas and had nightly dining reservations at other Resorts and Epcot. For a romantic night out at Disney Springs, we saved our anniversary celebration for one of our bucket list restaurants…drumroll please…Morimoto Asia!!!

Join us on our romantic night…

We decided avoiding crowds and buses would be the best way to accomplish this. So, we boarded a boat from our resort and headed out for a romantic night out at Disney Springs. After being seated at a quiet booth we enjoyed several appetizers, small plates and entrees with wine pairings. We were offered a photograph to remember our evening during our dessert. For twenty bucks, we received four lovely photos, two of each, black & white and color. After eating ourselves into a food coma, we waddled out of the restaurant to “walk off” our indulgent meal. A bustling shopping center is not keeping with the theme of a romantic night out. So, we opted to avoid the crowds and took the boat back to our Resort. We ended the evening on our balcony with the background sounds of music and people enjoying the most magical place on earth.

Brunch and lunch can be romantic too!

Keep in mind that a romantic night out is not limited to dinner, much less an expensive, fancy dinner! We have enjoyed lunchtime small plates and adult beverages at the outdoor bar at the Boathouse. Jock Lindsey’s Hangar Bar has a unique atmosphere and entertaining bartenders for a late afternoon or early evening out. We have also enjoyed a romantic brunch at STK Orlando with a stroll around a quieter Disney Springs. Don’t forget that a romantic night out Disney Springs can be whatever you desire it to be and will be a different experience for each of you. So, in closing, my fellow lovers of all things Disney, I hope I have inspired at least a few readers to do as the hubby and I have endeavored to do every trip. Block out a little time without the kids and enjoy a romantic night out at Disney Springs!!!

Let us know about your favorite romantic endeavors by joining our Facebook Group: DISNEY EXPRESS LANE! Also, check out these romantic dinner ideas!

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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!

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As we continue to make our way around on our eating adventure throughout Walt Disney World property, I am happy to say we have added a new favorite to our list. Frontera Cocina. This amazing restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisines created by Chef Rick Bayless. After enjoying our delicious meals, I can see why Chef Rick is a seven-time James Beard Award winner. This restaurant is found inside of Disney Springs. Reservations are highly recommended.

Frontera Cocina At Disney Springs

Upon entering, the atmosphere was lively with themed music playing overhead. Artwork inspired by the Mexican culture could be seen displayed on the walls throughout. A beautiful mural & chandelier right in the heart of the restaurant quickly captured my attention. Such beautiful colors! It really gave the room a warm welcoming vibe.

As we were seated inside, our table was located near the large windows which gave us some amazing views of the Disney Springs landscape. An outdoor patio area is also available for seating.

Dining can sometimes be a challenge for those of us with food allergies. But, just like any other restaurant on Walt Disney World property, Frontera Cocina did not disappoint. In fact, all but two items listed on the menu were gluten free. The two that were not could be altered if desired. So, I was excited that I had the option to order anything on the menu. They also catered to many other common food allergens as well, dairy, nuts, shellfish etc. A separate menu was not needed since each entree indicated if it contained any of the common allergens.

BEST Guacamole EVER!

OK, OK let’s get to the good part: the FOOD! Sure, the surroundings are part of the dining experience, but we KNOW it is all about the food. Starting off, we ordered the Guacamole & Chips which came with a smokey chipotle and herby salsa. Hands down this is the best guacamole I have ever had. The corn chips paired nicely with both the salsa and guacamole.

For dinner, I ordered the Garlicky Mushrooms & Eggplant Tacos. This was a first for me to have an ALL veggie taco I have to say they were super delicious. Slow cooked in a garlic mezcal mojo topped with goat cheese on the side. Then, garlicky red bean refritos, poblano rajas & chipotle salsa served with warm corn tortillas.

My husband ordered the Red Chile Chicken Enchiladas made with corn tortillas, chipotle chicken, guajillo chile sauce, queso chihuahua, black bean refritos topped with crispy fried onions. He said this dish was very good. It looked and smelled amazing. I did not try it as the crispy onions contained gluten.

DESSERTS

As with most places we have dined, we were way to full for dessert. Frontera Cocina offers a couple of desserts including Coconut-Lime Cuatro Leches, Vanilla ice cream and Chocolate ice cream. I think once we get done eating at all the restaurants, we need to go back to all of them again JUST to eat desserts. They also offer some pretty amazing alcoholic beverages.

The staff was very friendly! From the time we entered the restaurant with a warm welcome from the hostess to our excellent waiter. Overall, I really enjoyed this dining experience. If you love Mexican food I highly recommend adding Frontera Cocina to your must try dining list.

Take a peek at Disney Springs as they begin to reopen our favorite dining establishments!

Where is your favorite spot at Disney Springs to dine? click here to visit our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE and let us know!

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Disney Springs: The NEW Normal

Starting our day, we parked in the Orange parking garage. This is one of three garages, which only two were available to park in during this phased opening. From there we had to go through a touch-less temperature screening before entry. Many cast members, security officers & Advent health care workers happily greeted everyone as we entered. A positive friendly “Disney style welcome”.

Face Masks & Hand Washing

Wearing a face covering is required at Disney Springs except for when you are eating & drinking. Plenty of signage with safety procedures could be found all throughout Disney Springs, guiding guest on what to do to remain safe during their visit.

Hand washing stations as well as touch-less hand sanitizer stands were also available in many locations. Guest were encouraged to use them frequently. I did see many guest using these stations and of course, we did as well. Cast members were also seen wiping down handrails, doors, windows, and benches. Working very hard to ensure our safety!

I know it is for our safety and the safety of others but I honestly do not like wearing a mask. I DID follow the rules though! So, since the only time we can have it off was when we were eating or drinking, let us just say we ate…. A LOT. Honestly, eating a lot would have happened either way but using the mask as an excuse just did not make eating so much look as bad! HAHA.

Low Crowds Equal New Experiences

We tried out a new restaurant this trip: Blaze Fast-Fire’d Pizza. Inside seating in the AC was available, which was a great relief. Tables were spaced out and employees were steadily cleaning doors, counters, tables and everything anyone touched. They were cleaning every single thing. The pizza was delicious AND gluten free for me. I also had a yummy salad.

Chicken Guy! is a fun quick service restaurant that is known for it’s mouthwatering chicken and its many flavor town sauces. Like the other locations that are open, markings could be found on the ground to help everyone keep a safe distance. Cleaning was also being done frequently and employees seemed incredibly happy to be back working again. My favorite meal here is a grilled chicken sandwich on a gluten free bun with fries.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC – I am all about the sweets so of course I had to stop in my favorite bakery! I try to visit every time we are in Disney Springs. I was excited to get two of my favorite’s pineapple upside down cakes and a lemon tea cake. January was the last time I visited this bakery, so I was extremely excited to get these goodies again. Only one family at a time was allowed in to order as this is a small bakery. Markings on the floor were there to help guide everyone through the ordering process. Lots of cleaning was going on here as well.

The hot Florida sun was blazing so a cool drink was a nice refreshment from Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company. A frozen strawberry drink really hit the spot.

Disney Springs: The NEW Normal, but a great experience!

We had a great day in my opinion and the reopening of Disney Springs went very well. I felt completely safe. The procedures they have in place flowed well and I am looking forward to our next visit. Other locations that were also open on May 20, 2020 in Disney World’s Disney Springs.

• 4 Rivers Cantina Barbacoa Food Truck
• Anthropologie
• The Art Corner by Artistic Talent Group
• Basin
• The BOATHOUSE®
• Chapel Hats
• Columbia Sportswear
• Crystal Arts by Arribas Brothers
• Earl of Sandwich®
• Edward Beiner Purveyor of Fine Eyewear
• Free People
• Frontera Cocina
• Happy Hound
• Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company®
• Lucky Brand
• Luxury of Time by Diamonds International
• Pandora® Jewelry
• Paradiso 37 Entertainment
• Pelé Soccer
• Planet Hollywood
• The Polite Pig
• Pop Gallery
• Ron Jon Surf Shop®
• Royally Yours by Arribas Brothers
• Sanuk
• Savannah Bee Company
• Sosa Family Cigars
• STK Orlando
• Sugarboo & Co.
• Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs Marketplace
• Sunshine Churros at Disney Springs West Side
• T-REX™
• UGG®
• UNIQLO
• UNOde50
• Volcom
• Vera Bradley
• Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
• Wine Bar George – A Restaurant & Bar
• YeSake Kiosk
• ZARA

Disney Springs will continue the phase on May 27, 2020 with the reopening some of the Disney World owned restaurants/stores. Included are some fan favorites like World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger (mobile order) and the Marketplace Co-Op.

Did you get to visit on opening day? We would love to hear your experiences if you went to Disney Springs. What are your thoughts on Disney Springs: The NEW Normal? Come visit us at DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, Facebook and tell us about it!

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Disney Springs Re-Opens

Today, May 20, 2020, marks a very special day for Disney World! After several months of being closed, due to Covid-19, Disney Springs has re-opened. There are a lot of new guidelines and new safety precautions in place. We are here to tell you all about them! One of Walt Express’ good friends, Carrie P., went out and about on opening day! We appreciate her so much for keeping us in the know.

• Limited parking and reduced entrances
• Temperature screenings prior to entry
• Face coverings required for Guests ages 3 and up
• Physical distancing practices including physically-distanced queues and physical barriers
• Temporary operation modifications which includes reduced hours at select locations. Also, no scheduled entertainment offerings or high-touch interactive areas
• An increased focus on disinfecting and sanitation. Hand-washing stations and hand sanitizers are now in key areas of Disney Springs.

Temperature Checks

Your temperature will be taken at every entry location upon entering Disney Springs for the first time. If you display a temperature of 100.4 F or above, you will be directed to an additional location for re-screening. Those with temperatures above 100.4 will not be allowed entry. The people in your party will NOT be allowed entry either. During this period, guests will have a temperature screening at the following locations:

• Second-floor exits of Orange and Lime parking garages
• Marketplace Entrance

Wash Bays

• Wash Bays are now set up at various locations. This one is pretty cool. These stations are basically “hands free”, only using a foot pedal to dispense water!

Hand Sanitizer Stations

• More hand sanitizer stations are set up throughout Disney Springs.

Social Distancing And Face Masks As Disney Springs Re-Opens

There are social distancing guidelines in place, therefore, restricting close contact. This includes physically-distanced queues and physical barriers.High traffic areas, such as around cash registers, will be roped off to ensure social distancing. Adults and children (over the age of 3) will be required to wear a face mask while visiting Disney Springs. Guidelines for face masks are as follows:

• Fully cover an individual’s nose and mouth and allow the Guest to remain hands-free
• Fit snugly but comfortably against the side of the face
• Be secured with ties or ear loops
• Be made of breathable material, either disposable or reusable

Beginning May 27, 2020

• As the phased re-opening continues, World of Disney, D-Luxe Burger and the Marketplace Co-Op will be opening their doors. D-luxe Burger will be mobile order for now.

For up to date information on Disney Springs, just click the link. We have more information on what to expect as Disney World re-opens.

Have you visited Disney Springs since they have re-opened? If so, we would love to hear about your experience. Head on over to DISNEY EXPRESS LANE on Facebook and tell us about your experience.

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Cupcakes, Donuts, Crumb Cakes, Pineapple Upside Down Cake, Brownies, Cookies, Iced Lemon Tea Cakes. Now that I have your attention, they all sound delicious don’t they? As a foodie, sweets is one of my favorites. Having a food allergy can sometimes make it hard to find good sweets while on vacation. Join me as I tell you about Erin McKenna’s Bakery!

Erin McKenna’s Bakery

When I discovered Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC was a dedicated “allergy friendly” bakery (dairy free, egg free, soy free, gluten free and certified kosher), I was beyond excited. This cute little bakery is located over at The Landing inside Disney Springs. A variety of baked goods, ice cream, hot and cold beverages can be ordered here! All with the peace of mind that you are safe from your food allergy.

Where Is Erin McKenna’s Bakery Located?

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC was originally known as BabyCakes when it opened it’s very first bakery in 2005 in the Lower East Side of Manhattan, NY. There were two rules: A bakery free of harmful ingredients and cute uniforms. Their focus to understand those of us with gluten, dairy, egg and soy allergies/sensitivities. Most importantly, children who are allergic are often unable to indulge in the sugary sweets. You will only find Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC in New York City, Los Angeles and here in sunny Florida at Disney Springs. 

First Come, First Served

This bakery at Disney Springs is just a small little shop that allows for walk-in orders. Inside seating is not available here. They do have two small tables and chairs outside right in front of the entry of the bakery. However, getting one of these tables is not guaranteed as it is a first come first served. Depending on the time and the busyness when you are visiting, you may be lucky enough to snag one. If you are lucky enough to be visiting while they are preparing goodies, you can watch the cupcakes and other assorted baked goods being decorated. You can see this while you are inside to order or you can also watch through the window from the outside.

I prefer to stop in right before we are leaving Disney Springs for the day. I will grab some goodies to take back to our resort room. On my last visit I grabbed enough goodies to last for the remaining few days of my stay. They have so many choices that you will need a minute or two to decide. I have visited the bakery several times and still have not tried everything they have to offer.

My Favorites And Recommendations

So far, I have loved all the baked goods that I have tried but one of my very favorites is the Iced Lemon Tea Cake. Paired with a cup of hot coffee while relaxing at a Disney World Resort is living my best life for sure.

If you are a sweet lover like me but have an allergy that can cause you to avoid dessert on vacation, keep this bakery in mind the next time you are visiting the Walt Disney World Resort. If you would like a nice table service dinner before you indulge in the sweet treats. I highly recommend Raglan Road. Conveniently located only a few steps away from the bakery and makes grabbing your goodies to go super easy before leaving Disney Springs.

Have you found this delicious bakery yet? We would love to hear about your favorite treat at Erin McKenna’s! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know!

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in Disney Springs. Our first few trips, I just couldn’t find the time to go and check it out, and now, I truly regret that I didn’t go sooner! Take a peek at Disney Springs’ Amorette’s Patisserie the next time you are visiting Disney World’s Disney Springs!

Disney Springs’ Amorette’s Patisserie

Amorette’s Patisserie is truly a one-of-a-kind dessert shop that I encourage you to visit as soon as possible! When you walk in, you will find a small, but cozy bakery atmosphere full of tables that you can sit at once you’ve purchased your goodies! Another awesome thing about Amorette’s is that they will accept some dining plans, so be sure and take a look at their snack and quick service credit offerings while you are there.

Pastries, Cakes and Goodies Galore!

They serve an amazing variety of pastries, cakes, and other goodies that are not only delicious, but gorgeous as well! We like to get a little bit of everything when we go to Amorette’s and we normally end up getting multiple cakes, pastries, and tarts so that everyone can try a little bit of it all. You can also purchase one of their wine slushies to sip while you are snacking on your desserts. 

On our last visit we grabbed some eclairs, key lime mousse, a mini-Mickey mousse cake, and a beautiful mousse cake in the shape of a red rose. We took the time to sit down and try a little bit of each other’s desserts and the only word I can think of is: heavenly! The cool treats inside the patisserie were the perfect compliment after spending a day out in the sunny Florida heat.

Other Delicious Offerings

Fresh-made savory crepes and sandwiches are also available if you need to eat a meal before you move on to your dessert. My husband is not a huge sweet eater, so these are normally what he goes for when we visit. But sweet crepes are available as well! You can also treat yourself to some coffee, wine, or champagne to compliment your meal.

You can also pre-order full-size dome cakes to take back to your room and enjoy. But be warned, they are pretty big so if it’s just you, prepare to have lots to store in your fridge. They come in multiple adorable designs and flavors. But overall? The Mickey Mousse will always hold a special place in our hearts! Be sure that you order ahead by at least 72 hours before when you need to pick up your cake.

Extra Special Fun At Amorette’s Patisserie

And one thing I have yet to try at Amorette’s but hope to do in the future is to attend a cake decorating class. Throughout the year they will advertise special classes you can attend where they will go through their decorating and cake making basics! I am a hobbyist baker and decorator, so I would love the opportunity to see how professional pastry chefs make the beautiful cakes and desserts that are available at Amorette’s Patisserie!

Long story short, you must add Amorette’s Patisserie to your list of must-dos for your next visit to Disney Springs. The dessert lover in your life will definitely thank you!

Is Amorette’s Patisserie a must stop for your family or are you planning on adding it to your next Disney World vacation list? Let us know in our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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Raglan Road At Disney Springs

We absolutely love the food and the atmosphere when dining at Raglan Road at Disney Springs. We have dined here for both lunch and dinner. Our very first experience was at dinner. Going in, we did not know what to expect. Our table was located right in front of the main stage where performers sang and danced as we enjoyed our meal. Live Irish music and dancing makes for such a fun dining experience. They do have parts of the show in which they interact with the audience even asking for volunteers to join in with fun dancing and singing competitions. The Live music and dancers can only be enjoyed during the dinner dining hours starting at 4:30 pm and continuing until the restaurant closes.

The food here is fantastic and the variety is perfect. 80% of the menu can be made to fit any food allergy which gives so much room to try something new every time we go. My absolute favorite is the Fish & Chips. Best I have personally ever had.

A close second is the Pork Chop with Sweet Potato Mash. Other family favorites are the OMG Burger and the Shepard’s Pie. The chef here was excellent in preparing my food gluten free. Restaurants on Disney World property are the best at assisting families with many of the common food allergies. I feel completely safe and confident when visiting a restaurant while on my Disney World vacation.

We enjoyed the indoor seating, but they do offer outdoor seating out on the patio. Here you will find a Patio Stage where they offer Free Nightly Entertainment.

Raglan Road Lunch

Lunch is more laid-back. Although it is not live entertainment during the lunch hours, you can still enjoy the sounds of Irish music playing in the background while taking in all the amazing Irish decor found throughout the restaurant. We enjoyed our first visit so much that we took my daughter for a birthday lunch. They made her birthday extra special with a free dessert and even sang Happy Birthday. My brother, sister-in-law and niece joined us and really enjoyed themselves as well.

Know Before You Go

• The Disney Dining Plan or the Disney Deluxe Dining Plan are both accepted here for lunch or dinner. The Disney Quick Service Dining plan is not accepted at this location. One table credit per family member will be used for your meal here.
• Raglan Road at Disney Springs will accept walk-ins. However, I highly recommend making a reservation before you go. Reservations can be made up to 180 days in advance. Having a reservation will lower your wait time to be seated for your meal.
• Raglan Road has some fun & unique features. Grab a drink at one of the four imported bars. Pick up a delicious baked good over at the Cookies of Dublin bakery or stop in and grab a souvenir to remember your visit over at Raglan’s very own gift shop Drapery & Gifts. Don’t forget to stop in at Goofy’s Candy Company while you are visiting the Disney Springs area!

Have you found this little gem at Disney Springs yet? If so, we would love to hear all about your experience in our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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Goofy’s Candy Company At Disney Springs

At Goofy’s Candy Company, you can find sweets and treats for every member of your family. Goofy’s is a bright, candy-filled shop that can be found in Disney World’s Disney Springs and is always a must-do for our family when we’re at Walt Disney World. 

Goofy’s Candy Company isn’t a huge shop, but it is absolutely packed with the best and most delicious sweets around. Whether you are looking for colorful and unique caramel apples, giant Mickey-shaped rice cereal treats, or unique Disney-themed candies, cookies, or popcorn, Goofy’s has them all! One of the best things to remember: if you’re using a dining plan during your visit, almost all of the sweets at Goofy’s Candy Company can be purchased using snack credits from your dining plan!

My kiddos love jellybeans, and Goofy’s has all of the flavors that you could wish for if you’re a jellybean lover! You can mix and match specific flavors inside of the shop, or you can find pre-made bags of jellybeans all over the Disney Parks during your visit. The same goes for the Goofy Candy Company gummies, which my son is obsessed with. You can find them at Goofy’s or almost any of the candy or resort shops all over Disney World.

Flavored cotton candies, pretzels, trail mixes, nuts, specialty suckers, and more round out the pre-packaged Goofy’s Candy Co. items. All of these make amazing gifts to bring home to family and friends. If I ever travel during the school year, I try to bring home several bags of the Goofy’s Candy Company taffy to share a little bit of Disney with my high school students.

The specialty popcorn available at Goofy’s Candy Company is something that we always stock up on before we head home from Disney World. Offered in multiple flavors and sizes, the popcorn ranges from our favorite kettle and caramel corn to more colorful and unique flavors as well.

One of my favorite additions at Goofy’s is the inclusion of Disney teas and coffees! A wide range of coffee and tea blends is available and packed up nicely so that you can take them home with you. There are nifty flavored spoons in chocolate and honey that add a sweet touch to your morning beverage and they also have lots of neat gift sets that you can take with you to share with friends and family.

If you have any children of fandom in your life, you are in luck too. Be on the lookout for new movie merchandise (snack merchandise, that is). When we were last at Disney World, they were celebrating the anniversary of The Lion King so there were Lion King treats everywhere. There are even Minnie Mouse special treats for every fan! The Minnie Mouse collection of snacks is bright and bold in Minnie colors and includes some favorites like nut brittle, chocolate covered nuts, chocolate chip cookies, and Minnie Mouse cookies.

We brought home a nice selection of Star Wars rice cereal treats that included Darth Vader, BB8, and Porgs from the Last Jedi. Also, there is a huge selection of Walt Disney World Walker’s Shortbread Rounds, my absolute favorite cookie!

Goofy’s Candy Co. is a top stop for us when we are Walt Disney World, you should make sure that you and your family make sure and give it a try on your next Disney World adventure too!

What is your favorite treat from Goofy’s Candy Company? Drop by our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE, and let us know!

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