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.

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.

The post Tiffins Restaurant At Disney’s Animal Kingdom Park Surprised Us 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.

Shareable Quick Service Meals

Some of our favorite meals in Disney World are in counter service restaurants. Whether you are traveling with a dining plan or paying as you go, you can save a meal credit or some extra cash by enjoying these large-portion shareable meals at Disney World!

Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe

First up is over in Magic Kingdom’s Tomorrowland at Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe. This uniquely space themed lunch and dinner spot features some of our favorite American cuisine options including burgers, hot dogs, and club sandwiches. While those options are great, our favorite meal to share is the chicken nuggets and fries. This meal will cost you one quick service credit or $9.99. It comes with eight (yes, we said eight) crispy plump chicken nuggets, a huge basket of fries, and your favorite dipping sauce (ours is honey mustard). Add an extra drink and this meal for two will hold you over until dinner time! While you are there, enjoy spacious dining room seating as well as a special concert from Cosmic Ray himself! Cosmic Ray’s FULL MENU.

Flame Tree Barbecue

Next up is over in Animal Kingdom’s Discovery Island at Flame Tree Barbecue. This is a favorite spot among many for lunch and dinner. Mostly famous for their barbecue mac and cheese. They have several delicious meal options including ribs, chicken, and yep- you guessed it- pork barbecue! When it comes to shareable meals, we have to go with the half chicken combo with beans and slaw. The chicken is so juicy and flavorful, and the beans and slaw pair with it perfectly! Add a drink, or better yet, grab a free glass of water to make this meal complete for two. This meal will run you one quick service credit or $13.29. We often share this at dinner time, right before the Tree of Life Nighttime Awakening show. Flame Tree BBQ FULL MENU.

Honorable mention at Flame Tree: Baked Macaroni & Cheese with Pulled Pork, only $11.99.

Woody’s Lunchbox

Now we head over to Hollywood Studios’ Toy Story Land at Woody’s Lunchbox. Woody’s Lunchbox offers dining during at all meal times but our favorite time is first thing in the morning. After rope dropping for Slinky Dog Dash, we tend to work up an appetite and Woody’s Lunchbox serves up some of the best breakfast in Hollywood Studios. They have fun meals for the whole family including flavor-filled lunch box tarts, s’mores french toast sandwiches and breakfast bowls. Catching our eye (and filling our tummies), is the smoked turkey breakfast sandwich coming in at $7.79. This sandwich is packed with thick slices of smoked turkey, melted swiss cheese, and scrambled eggs served on sourdough bread. It is served with potato barrels and a mandarin orange making it a healthy, filling breakfast option! The kids’ meal option includes a half sandwich, which is plenty for a single meal. Enjoy your breakfast while sitting among the toys of Andy’s backyard. If you are lucky, you might even catch a performance by the Green Army Drum Corps. Woody’s Lunchbox FULL MENU.

BEST for LAST

We saved the BEST for last! We are heading back over to Magic Kingdom’s Frontierland at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Cafe. This is one of our all time favorite spots to grab lunch or dinner. There is plenty of seating and it is air conditioned which makes for a great environment to enjoy a break and some yummy southwestern food including fajitas, burgers, rice bowls, and salads. Our favorite meal to share is the beef nachos coming in at $12.49. These large portion nachos come with a hearty helping of chips and beef (or chicken, if that’s your jam) and all of the toppings you care to enjoy from the toppings bar including salsa, cheese, corn salsa, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, and more, making this our most delicious pick for shareable meals in Walt Disney World. Pecos Bill FULL MENU.

And there you have it: our top picks for shareable quick service meals in Disney World! By sharing meals. Not only will you save a little money or a dining credit, but you will be full without overeating. Trust me, there is nothing worse than eating a huge meal and then hopping on Space Mountain. YUCK!

Additional Tips For Shareable Quick Service Meals

Here are a few additional tips worth noting.

• Ice water is free in Walt Disney World, all you have to do is ask for it.
• All of the locations in this article offer mobile ordering service through the My Disney Experience app. Make sure you use it so you can skip the lines, find a table, and enjoy a break from all of the Disney magic.

Do you have a favorite quick service restaurant? We would love to know how you save the most money! Let us know by joining DISNEY EXPRESS LANE on Facebook!

We hope you enjoy these meals on your next visit and we will see ya real soon in Walt Disney World!

The post Our Favorite Shareable Quick Service Meals In Disney World Parks appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

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 World has released a new Disney Dining Plan! Guests who chose the new Disney Dining Plan Plus are going to have new options for how they use their dining credits! This could be a game changer for your next Disney World vacation!

Disney Dining Plan Plus

With this new Dining Plan, guests will receive two dining credits, two snack credits and of course the Disney refillable mug. Each person receives the dining and snack credits EACH night of their stay at a Disney World Resort. The difference with this plan is that guests can now use their entitlements on a table service restaurant OR a quick service location. These credits can also be used at your favorite character buffet or anywhere the Disney Dining Plans are accepted!

Also included, as with the other dining plans, are your beverages at meals. This can include one alcoholic beverage with your meal for guests over the age of 21 years. With this new plan, guests may choose to use their credits however they want. With the Disney Dining Plan guests are given one table service and one quick service per night of their stay.

For example, in a 7 night stay, each guest is given 7 table service credits and 7 quick service credits. With this new plan, you will receive 14 meal credits. If you want to use 10 of them on sit down meals and 4 on quick service meals, you can do that!

Ticket Add-On

Also released is the new Water Park and Sports add-on. The add-on is in addition to select park tickets and are $70.00 plus tax. With these options, you get to choose between Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach or The NBA Experience. Guests can also attend events at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex, the Golf courses or miniature golf courses that Disney World offers.

The number of options given to a guest is based on your number of tickets. If you have 5 theme park tickets this means you will have 5 visits with the add on. But, these are flexible and can be used the same way as dining plan credits. You may use them all at once or throughout your stay!

Disney Dining Plan Plus Means Extra Choices

The release of these packages are a great way to keep your vacation flexible and enjoyable! I have wished we had more table service credits than we had quick service credits, especially when dining at locations that require two table service credits. Sometimes having to choose between my favorite sit down locations can be difficult! On the other side of that is maybe you want to spend less time sitting down and more time on the go! With Disney’s new mobile order, eating at select quick service locations is a fast and easy way to sneak in a meal around all of plans.

I am looking forward to giving this new dining plan a try on our next family vacation! IF you decide to give this new dining plan a try let us know how it works out for your family. Head on over to our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE.

The post NEW Disney Dining Plan Plus And What You Need To Know appeared first on WaltExpress.com.

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

This French inspired bakery offers a variety of quick service options. From lunch options to some of the best dessert on Disney World property, you need to go NOW To Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion! It’s just a monorail ride away (or bus)!

Lunch At Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

Fresh baguette sandwiches, pizza, crisp salads or soup. As well as some unique options like the Quiche Florentine, which my friend tried. It was packed full of spinach and goat cheese. She said it was very delicious.

I had the Bleu salade with Romaine lettuce, imported blue cheese, red onions and croutons. Unfortunately, the croutons were not allergy friendly. I especially loved the imported blue cheese! I am a cheese lover and really enjoy the specialty imported style cheeses, so this was a great salad for me. One thing to note if you have food allergies like me, the salads here are pre-made as is everything else. I just had to take the croutons off the salad before eating it which was fine because there was only a few on the top.

Sweet Stop

If you are not up for lunch but rather something sweet, you will find many options at this bakery. Popular French desserts like eclair’s, creme brulee, beignets and more are offered here at Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie.

While I was unable to indulge in the sweet goodies at this location due to my food allergy, my friends tried a couple. They had the Napoleon, a puff pastry layered with cream as well as a beignet filled with chocolate and hazelnuts. Both were delicious dessert options.

Drink Options

Boissons (Drinks) include hot gourmet coffee, Espressos, Cappuccino, Hot Tea, sodas, orange juice, water, or milk. A variety of Vins (Wine) & Biere (Beer) are also available at the small Cafe located within the bakery.

More Sweet Treats Next Door

Want a scoop of ice cream to go with your dessert? Right next door you will find L’Artisan des Glaces grab a single scoop or make it a double with 13 flavors to choose from. I am sure you can find the right combo to go with your pastry.

Available Seating

Some indoor seating is available right next to the bakery entrance. Additional outdoor seating can be found right outside, conveniently located in between the bakery and the ice cream shop.

A Few Tips

• You can use your Disney Dining Plan here. Be sure to ask before ordering or look for the dining plan symbol next to the eligible items on the menu.
• After your meal you can find some France inspired gifts at the Boutique De Cadeaux, located steps away from the bakery. Take home memorabilia to remember your trip at the World Show Case France Pavilion. Don’t worry, you will not have to carry your souvenirs around all day. You can arrange with your retail clerk to have your souvenirs sent back to your resort, or to the designated pick up location in front of the park. You can pick up your package before leaving the park for the day.

Have you found this amazing spot yet on your trip around the world? If so, we would love to see your favorite treats! Join our Facebook Group, DISNEY EXPRESS LANE!

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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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