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We’re Ranking the World Showcase Pavilions at Epcot by Their Snacks! (See Where Your Favorite Stacks Up!)

Maybe it’s not such a big secret that we love Disney snacks — lots and LOTS of Disney snacks.

Spaceship Earth

We’ve already put ourselves through the torturous decisions of ranking the Magic Kingdom lands by snacks AND ranking the lands in Animal Kingdom by their snacks. Whew. Well, we’re suckers for a little decisive turmoil so WE’RE BACK to ranking lands by snacks. This time, we’re examining Epcot’s World Showcase — arguably one of the snackiest spots in all of Disney World! WHICH PAVILION’S SNACKS WILL REIGN SUPREME?

There are eleven total World Showcase pavilions in Epcot, each with their own unique dining locations and snack options. Hmm…this is going to be quite a challenge!

Walking in World Showcase

For each pavilion, we’re going to take a look at the most ICONIC snacks that it offers. Some have more than others, but that’s all a part of the metric isn’t it? So, without further ado, let’s get to that ranking!

11. Canada Pavilion

We know, we KNOW! How can we possibly put the land of Canada popcorn in the lowest spot on the list?! Well, calm your britches, we have our reasons.

Canada Popcorn Cart

Though we absolutely adore the snacks in Canada, you have to admit — this pavilion has some pretty limited options! Come on, poutine isn’t even available in the pavilion itself (WHY is there no Poutine stand?!?)!

Popcorn in Canada

Though Canada has a great table-service restaurant with Le Cellier Steakhouse, the only place to really find snacks in the pavilion is at the Canada Popcorn Cart. Of course, we love us some Disney popcorn, so who are we to say no to a stop by the Canada cart?

Maple Popcorn in Canada

Here, you’ll find that classic Disney World popcorn but you’ll also find the DELISH Maple Popcorn that you can ONLY find here. This stuff is super yummy and kind of akin to kettle corn if that’s your jam. Plus, you can grab some Le Cellier’s proprietary Batch #5 Ketchup Chips or a tasty Canadian beer here as well.

Click here to read our full review of Disney World’s Maple Popcorn!

Still, low variety puts Canada low on our list. No matter how good Maple Popcorn is, Canada needs to step up its snack game if it wants to roll with the best of ’em!

10. Morocco Pavilion

But Canada isn’t the only World Showcase pavilion that leaves us wanting for a few more options.

Pastry Case and Coffee Bar

The Morocco Pavilion will have you HUNTING if you’re looking for snacks (although it’s no secret that you can find a great meal here)!

Tangierine Cafe

If you ARE scoping out the snacks in Morocco, you’re going to want to head into Tangierine Cafe. You might know this dining location for its yummy lunch and dinner options that feature traditional Moroccan meals, but remember, we’re focusing on the SNACKS today.

Mixed Strawberry and Tangierine slushies

If you’re counting alcoholic beverages as a snack, then you’re in luck in this country. You can snag a Tangerine or Strawberry Daquiri from the cafe, AKA… GROWN-UP SLUSHIES. These are really good and super-refreshing. Plus, they’ve got a nice balance of alcohol that won’t have you incapable of riding Test Track after you drink one .

Tangierine Coffee and Pistachio Baklava

If you think that cocktails don’t count (HOT take, but alright), you can grab a Baklava from the dessert counter. Baklava is a buttery and flaky puff pastry filled with honey and nuts. If you’re a nut-lover, you’ll probably like this yummy treat!

Want to see our REVIEW of the grown-up slushies? Click here!

While we do love our occasional stops into Tangierine Cafe, Morocco Pavilion is really more suited to a full meal than just a snack.

9. China Pavilion

Another low scorer on this list is the China Pavilion. Now, listen, we love the theming and spirit of the China Pavilion. Plus, we ESPECIALLY love the drinks in this spot!

China Pavilion

Still, China finds itself a little lacking in the actual snacks department, and we just can’t let those yummy cocktails make up for it.

Joy of Tea

Speaking of yummy cocktails, our first stop in this pavilion is Joy of Tea. This stand is home to one of our favorite drinks in the World Showcase with the Tipsy Ducks in Love. This libation is a surprising mix of coffee, tea, bourbon whiskey, and chocolate. Weird? Yes. Delicious? YES. And that’s not the only great drink here! We like a bunch of them on the menu, so you can pick what sounds best to you.

Chicken Curry Pocket inside

In the snacks-proper area, you might want to give the Curry Chicken Pocket a try! We tried this for the first time thanks to the suggestion of a Joy of Tea Cast Member and we are STILL thanking him to this day. The pastry part of the pocket is delicious and the curry adds a slightly spicy kick to the chicken. This is a great snack for a rainy Epcot day.

If you gotta know more about the Tipsy Ducks in Love, click here!

Lotus Blossom Cafe

Lotus Blossom Cafe is the China Pavilion’s quick-service spot and it’s a good place to grab some Chinese staples, especially if you’re a big takeout Chinese food-lover.

Strawberry Red Bean Ice Cream

BUT on the snack side of things, you’re going to want to get your sweet tooth ready. This dining locale has some interesting ice cream flavors. Specifically, we’re talking about Red Bean and Ginger Ice Cream! Such interesting options are sure to expand your tastes and are definitely not to be missed.

Has that Red Bean Ice Cream piqued your interest? Click here!

You can probably tell things are starting to ramp up a little bit. Wait until you see the rest of the list!

8. Japan Pavilion

Getting into the meaty middle of things, we’re jetting over to the Japan Pavilion. The Japanese snack options definitely have some merit but you have to have some more specific tastes.

Japan Pavilion at Epcot

That being said, we LOVE stopping for a snack in Japan — there are just some other countries that edge it out.

Kabuki Cafe

Right on the edge of the Japan Pavilion is a little stand called Kabuki Cafe. Though there are a few places to look for snacks in Japan, this is probs our go-to. First off, Kabuki features the famous and fan-favorite Kakigori. This snack is shaved ice with fruit syrup; so, kinda like a snow cone but better. Our favorite flavor is melon!

Kakigori

PLUS you can get a Sake Mist here too and let us tell you, these things are revolutionary. It’s an alcoholic shaved ice. Uh… yeah. If that sounds like something you might be into (WE ARE!), we recommend swinging for the more fruity flavors. Kabuki Cafe also offers some Sushi if you just need a quick pick-me-up.

Click here to read our REVIEW of the Sake Mist!

Katsura Grill

Katsura Grill is the quick-service spot in Japan and we like dining there, but there are definitely better places to grab a meal in World Showcase. Still, if you’re craving Japanese food and not feelin’ a sit-down meal, it’s a great option!

Green Tea Cheesecake

Snack-wise, we recommend swinging for some Sushi as an option. Like at Kabuki Cafe, the sushi here is prepackaged but it’s still pretty good. A dessert snack suggestion? If you’re a green tea or matcha fan, you should def try that Green Tea Cheesecake.

To check out a FULL review of Katsura Grill, click here!

Sake Bar

Ok, ok, maybe we’re stretching the limits of what a “snack” is so that we can include alcohol again. Can you blame us? Maybe you can, but we can deal with that.

Sake Bar

If you’re a fan of Sake, or if you’ve never tried any, you should check out the options over at the Sake Bar!

Click here to see how we feel about the Sake Bar!

Mitsukoshi Department Store

You might be surprised but there’s one more place to get your snack on in Japan and it’s actually a RETAIL location! Easily one of the coolest stores in Epcot is the Mitsukoshi Department Store. Really, this MASSIVE shop is more like a bunch of stores all smooshed together, and one of those stores features some surprising snack options.

Dried Crabs

You can find a variety of Japanese snacks ranging from Japanese pop rocks and reverse lemon heads to rice crackers and… dried crabs?? You heard us. And yes, they are as weird as they sound. Still, you can’t miss trying out a few of the snacks in Mitsukoshi! (We LOVE the fizzy, chewy Ramune flavored candies AND Ramune sodas!)

Ramune Soda in Japan’s Mitsukoshi Department Store

If you keep traveling to the back of the store you’ll find their own Sake Bar! We prefer the wider selection at this small counter, so if you want to pair some sake with your adventurous snacks, this is a great choice!

Want to find out more about those dried crabs? Click here if you dare! 

We really do have to give it to Japan on the variety front. Where else can you snack on dried crabs AND shaved ice? Spoiler alert: The answer is nowhere.

7. United Kingdom Pavilion

Possibly the complete opposite of the Japan Pavilion, the United Kingdom Pavilion beats out Japan by just a little bit for the #7 spot.

Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion

There’s certainly less variety here, but those snacks that are here are oh-so-good.

Yorkshire County Fish Shop

We’re starting with an iconic one here and definitely our favorite food to grab in the UK Pavilion. Swing by Yorkshire County Fish Shop to snag those delicious Fish & Chips.

Close-up of Batter

Yes, it’s true, Fish & Chips are really more of a meal, but we like to be creative here. You can share an order to make for a great snack for two OR get just the Chips to stave off the hunger until later! Whatever you do, you’re in for some perfectly fried and perfectly British eats (don’t forget the malt vinegar!).

Click here for the full low-down on those Fish & Chips!

Rose & Crown Pub

Rose & Crown Pub is nearby and we certainly consider the Pub Blends here a snack. Think about it, if you order one of the ones with Guinness, that’s going to be pretty filling (Guinness is basically a meal!).

Rose and Crown Pub and Dining Room

Pub Blends are basically two (awesome) beers layered on top of one another. We like the Black & Tan, Half Bass Ale and Half Guinness, the Snake Bite, Half Cider and Half Harp, or for our cider-lovers, the Cider and Black which is cider topped with black currant syrup!

To check out more of the offerings at Rose & Crown, click here! 

The UK Pavilion pulls out its place thanks to how iconic its snacks (err…drinks!) are. We definitely don’t get tired of these snacks.

6. American Adventure Pavilion

You might be kind of surprised to see the American Adventure Pavilion so high up in the list. After all, we’re IN America, how crazy can these snacks really be?

American Adventure

Well, you’re just going to have to hear us out on this one because the American Adventure is slaying the game.

Fife & Drum Tavern

Let’s start with Fife & Drum Tavern. This kiosk hides a serious gem of a beverage in the American Dream. This slushy is a non-alcoholic blend of strawberry and raspberry slushies with vanilla soft-serve and it IS as good as it sounds.

American Dream in American Adventure Pavilion

Plus, Fife & Drum has served some crazy Guardians of the Galaxy-themed snacks for Guardians of the Galaxy — Awesome Mix Live! If this show returns, we’d be pretty happy to see the return of some of these items like the Awesome Mix Slushy and the Mix Tart!

Want to see more of the Guardians of the Galaxy — Awesome Mix Live! foods? Click here!

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Next up, we gotta talk about the snacks to be found hidden in the brand-new Regal Eagle Smokehouse. The great thing about Regal Eagle is that pretty much any of the sides are super snackable. Choose from Beer-battered Onion Rings, Baked Beans with Burnt Ends, Creamy Coleslaw, Seasoned French Fries, Garlic Toast, House-made Pickles, and Macaroni and Cheese.

Regal Eagle Smokehouse

Plus, if you’re like us, then you like to make a snack out of dessert. At Regal Eagle, you can try the Banana Pudding or S’mores Brownies. Yummm.

Click here for our FULL REVIEW of Regal Eagle!

Block & Hans

American Adventure has its own beer cart too with Block & Hans. Now, we’re not lovin’ this spot for the beer since we can get American beer pretty much anytime we want. What we DO love Block & Hans for are the delicious Pretzels!

Block & Hans Craft Beer

You’ve got pretzel choices too! You can snag the classic Mickey Pretzel, a Cream Cheese Pretzel, or a Jalapeno and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel. Oh, and OF COURSE they’ve got that plastic cheese for dipping!!!

Wanna know more about Block & Hans? Click here!

Funnel Cake

Lastly, right on the edge of American Adventure, you can swing by the Funnel Cake Stand. So, we love this spot for obvious reasons (read: fried dough is irresistible. Duh.), but this stand has been working hard to help hold the pavilion in its 6th place position.

Mini Funnel Cake

This spot is KILLING it at festivals right now! We’re not kidding, they’ve got delicious funnel cakes down to a science. Check out the Mini Funnel Cake they served for Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival this year. Dare we say best funnel cakes ever? Yes, we do dare!

Click here to learn more about that Mini Funnel Cake!

See, we told you! American Adventure is killin’ it. So we bet you’re wondering what the top five could be. Let’s get into it!

5. Italy Pavilion

Coming in at number five of our winning pavilions is the Italy Pavilion.

Italy Pavilion

Italy’s got some amazing options. Our one qualm keeping it from being higher on our list? The snacks here are a little pricy.

Gelati

First up we have to chat about Gelati. This easy-to-miss gelato spot has some serious “wins” on the menu. The different gelato flavors are always yummy (and they rotate so you might find something new depending on when you stop by!). Plus you can grab a Gelato Sandwich which is any flavors between two chocolate chip cookies. We’ll take two, please!

Gelato Perfection! The Coppa Delizia in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion

But those simple snacks aren’t the only stars here. This spot also has gelato sundaes like the strawberry Coppa Delizia and other Italian treats like Affogato and a Cannoli Cupcake. You can’t go wrong flavors-wise at this kiosk — just beware those prices!

Click here to see why we love the Coppa Delizia!

Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar

Next up, we’re tucking into the hidden gem of Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar. If you DON’T think wine is a snack, then don’t worry, there are other options in this secluded location too (we promise we mean real food, not booze!). We like Tutto Gusto because it makes for a great escape from the Epcot crowds and definitely feels a little upscale.

Tutto Gusto

Plus, you can snag sliced meats, Italian cheeses like the L’Alpina Gusto Plate, and other delicious small plates like the Ravioli di Ricotta. Plus, we’re huuuge fans of their fresh-made cannolis! If you’re looking for a more refined snack and maybe some Italian wine to go with it, head to Tutto Gusto.

Thinking about swinging by Tutto Gusto? Click here!

Pizza al Taglio

A bonus option when you’re in World Showcase may be Pizza al Taglio. This pizza window is a great spot to swing by for a quick slice of ‘za, but it is only open seasonally. So, you’ll have to keep an eye out if you’re looking to try out these Sicilian-style pizza by the slice.

Pizza al Taglio

The pizza at this window is super yummy and has a nice thick crust. You can snag classics like Pepperoni and Margherita, but we really like the special — Pizza San Gennaro!

Click here to scope out our review of the Italy pizza window!

See? Isn’t your mouth watering just THINKING about these Italy Pavilion snacks?

4. Mexico Pavilion

Coming in at number four, we’re swinging over to one of our FAVORITE World Showcase pavilions.

Mexico Pavilion in Epcot

Call the Three Caballeros, we’re headed to Mexico!!!

Choza de Margarita

When you first step into the Mexico Pavilion, it’s hard to pass up a stop at Choza de Margarita. This kiosk, literally translated to “Margarita Hut” serves up a bunch of tasty margarita options AND some yummy foods. In our book, margs definitely count as a snack, but when in doubt there are other choices too!

Fiesta Margarita

Our favorite drink at this location is the Fiesta Margarita which is a delicious and knock-your-socks-off STRONG drink. It’s a layered combo of all three frozen marg flavors — Wild Strawberry, Classic Lime, and Mango Loco.

Tacos al Pastor

This is one of the stronger drinks in World Showcase, so it’s good that you can also grab some hearty Mexican food to soften the blow. We love the Esquites spicy corn for a quick refuel or the Tacos al Pastor or Empanadas de Barbacoa when we need a heavier snack!

Click here to see our EVERYTHING ON THE MENU review of Choza de Margarita!

La Cantina de San Angel

La Cantina de San Angel is the quick service restaurant of this pavilion and it has some seriously great options. Did someone say $.75 Queso? Yes, someone did. We’re that someone. WHO WOULD DARE PASS UP ON $.75 QUESO???

Outdoor Seating

This spot also has some killer Guacamole and Chips and the BALLER Empanada con Queso (think of it like a deep-fried Mexican grilled cheese!). These are literally just fried flour tortillas stuffed with cheese. Give your taste buds a talking-to before you eat these because they’re headed straight to taste bud heaven.

Want to see our review of La Cantina? Click here!

La Cava del Tequila

And finally, you can head INTO the pyramid in the pavilion to find La Cava del Tequila. This tucked-away spot is home to an AMAZING variety of tequila, so it has some pretty great Specialty Margaritas too.

La Cava del Tequila

Plus, if you’re looking for Chips and Queso or Guac, this is the place to head. We’re not kidding when we say this just might be the best queso in ALL OF DISNEY WORLD.

Want chips and queso TO GO??? Click here!

If you know how much we love cheese, you know why Mexico is hanging out so high on our list. BUT we’ve reached the exciting ones. Let’s take a look at our TOP THREE!

3. Norway Pavilion

Our third-place pick, with just ONE snack stop, is the Norway Pavilion?! But, HOW? How can Norway be so high up on our list with only ONE snack stop?

The Norway Pavilion

Well, dear reader, it all comes down to the quality of that snack spot.

Kringla Bakeri og Kafe

The one, single reason that Norway is killin’ it on the snack game is because it is home to Kringla Bakeri og Kafe! You can smell Kringla ALL OVER Norway (or is that the Laila perfume sold in the gift shop??) so it’s no wonder that tons of folks get drawn in to try the freshly baked desserts displayed inside.

Kringla Bakeri og Kafe with Viking Guard

The School Bread is the famous treat here; a soft pastry filled with sweet vanilla cream and topped with coconut is hard to pass up! This is seriously a fan-favorite that you’ve got to try at least once. Other great options include the Troll Horn, Sweet Pretzels, and Norwegian Beers and Coffee Cocktails!

Click here to check out our Kringla School Bread review! 

If you’ve never been to Kringla, you might not think that one spot is good enough for the top three. But if you HAVE been to Kringla, then you probably agree with us that it deserves to be up here!

2. Germany Pavilion

Coming in at second place is the Germany Pavilion! We love the snacks over here in Germany thanks to the ICONIC options in both the realms of savory and sweet.

Clock in Epcot’s Germany Pavilion

If you’ve got time for a sit-down meal, we recommend heading to Biergarten (all you can eat pretzel rolls and LITERS of beer?!), but if not, don’t despair. The snacks here are some of the greatest!

Sommerfest

We love the snacks offered at Germany’s Sommerfest! This quick-service counter has ALL the German essentials including Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, and Black Forest Cake.

Get the Nudel Gratin in Epcot’s Germany!

The must-get here is something you may not have heard of though. When you get to Sommerfest, glance at the “Sides” section of the menu. It’s there that you’ll find the Nudel Gratin which is a baked macaroni with cheese custard. Listen, this is mac and cheese on a WHOLE NOTHER LEVEL. This snack ALONE was enough to pull Germany into the top of our list.

Want to see more from Sommerfest? Click here!

Karamell-Kuche

Remember how we mentioned that Germany has us covered on savory AND sweet? Let’s take a look at that sweet! We’re taking a jaunt over to Karamell-Kuche — that’s German for “Caramel Kitchen.” This sweets shop features caramel covered EVERYTHING and all of it is made with Werthers Caramels. Ugh, we’re dreaming about it now (Seriously, you can smell it across World Showcase!).

Karamell-Küche

This shop has some of the best Caramel Corn (plus Caramel Corn Cupcakes!) we’ve ever had, and if you’ve never had a Caramel Apple made with Werthers, then you’re not even really living. Pro tip: Ask the Cast Member to cut the apple up for you so your teeth (and dentist) don’t hate you later!

Karamell-Küche popcorn

And there are tons of other GREAT caramel treats to try! Do NOT miss out on a stop to snack in the Germany pavilion.

Click here to check out that Caramel Corn Cupcake!

Who knew Germany could have so many delicious and fan-favorite treats? Well, we all know now! So, grab your lederhosen and head on over!

1. France Pavilion

Now, it’s time for the creme de la creme. We’re talking about the premiere choice. Yes, that’s right this is the piece de resistance of World Showcase! It’s the FRANCE PAVILION! WOOH! Break out the confetti cannons, we have a winner!

Completed Epcot France Pavilion!

If you’ve ever stepped just one FOOT in the France Pavilion and even SMELLED some of the amazing snacks here, you know why France is, by far and away, the NUMBER ONE snack choice in World Showcase.

Crepes des Chefs de France

France has got it ALL — quality AND variety. Our first stop on our tour of the snackiest pavilion is Crepes des Chefs de France. This spot is pretty self-explanatory, but that doesn’t make the eats here any less delicious. You can try all sorts of Crepes here!

Crepes Sign

Get ’em with chocolate, get ’em with strawberries. You can even get them with soft-serve ice cream! In fact, the Ice Cream Crepes are the FIRST (of many) don’t-miss snacks in the France Pavilion. Plus, there’s a full creperie coming soon with La Creperie de Paris!

Want to learn more about the upcoming Creperie? Click here!

Les Vins des Chefs de France

Next up, we have another one of those kind-of-snacks/actually-alcohol spots with Les Vins des Chefs de France! This is the wine stand in the France Pavilion that we’d argue most folks DON’T head to looking to buy wine! They have something much better on the menu…

France Slushes

The Grand Marnier Slush or the Grey Goose Slush are the gems of this menu! These are both SO good and easily one of our favorite parts of drinking around the world. If these iconic boozy slushies aren’t your jam, you can pick up French beer and wine at this spot too!

Click here to read why these slushes are SO good! 

L’Artisan des Glaces

We know, it’s surprising that France is doing ice cream better than Italy is doing gelato, but it’s true! Swing by L’Artisan des Glaces to cool off on a hot Epcot day! One of the most iconic treats here is the Ice Cream Martini. This cocktail is two scoops of ice cream or sorbet served in a martini glass with a shot of Grand Marnier, Whipped Cream Vodka, or Rum. Yes, it is as good as it sounds.

Ice Cream Martini from L’Artisan des Glaces in Epcot’s France Pavilion

If alcohol isn’t your thing, we can also HIGHLY recommend the Croque Glace, a scoop of ice cream with sauce in a warm homemade brioche, or the Macaron which is a chocolate or seasonal macaron ice cream sandwich. Seriously, how do they come up with this stuff? The ice creams here are all freshly made in house and ALL so so good!

Thinking you want to try the Croque Glace? Click here!

Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie

And we’ve saved THE best snack spot in THE best snack pavilion for the very end! Let’s talk about Les Halles Boulangerie-Patisserie! The snack options here are pretty much endless (ok, maybe not but it sure seems that way) and there’s nothing quite as charming as chowing down on a pastry in this sweet, tucked away bakery. Pro tip: Les Halles opens at 9AM so you can swing by first thing in the morning for a tasty breakfast!

Frangipane at Les Halles

Let’s talk favorite at Les Halles. Perhaps our absolute favorite pastry in ALL of World Showcase is the Frangipane. This is a flaky croissant-like dough filled with a sweet almond paste and there is nothing quite like it. If that sounds up your alley, you gotta try it!

Entrance to Boulangerie Patisserie in Epcot’s France Pavilion

Other faves at Les Halles include the Duo, a white and dark chocolate mousse cake, and the classic Macarons. Actually, though, you CAN’T go wrong with just about anything at Les Halles. Go ahead and try. We love everything that this bakery puts out (did we mention they make a bacon cheese roll? They totally do. And yeah, it’s awesome).

Click here to read about why we LOVE the Frangipane!

We think it really is no contest when it comes to our number one pick. But, hey, this is all just based on OUR taste buds! Maybe we’ve got a few rankings that you disagree with and maybe there are some you think we got spot on. Regardless, we hope you had fun touring World Showcase with us and we’ll see yah in the next snack ranking!

Do you agree with our ranking? Tell us why or why NOT in the comments!

Related posts:

  1. What’s New in Disney World’s Epcot! August 6, 2018
  2. DFB Video: The 26 EXCLUSIVE Must-Eat Treats in Disney World’s Epcot
  3. 11 AWESOME Disney World Snacks UNDER $5 (Plus 4 BONUS Favorites!)

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: disney parks, Epcot, Featured, Snacks, Walt Disney World, Affogato, american dream, Baklava, Block & Hans, Cannoli Cupcake, caramel apples, caramel corn, Chaute Glace, chips and queso, Choza de Margarita, Conga, Coppa Delizia, Crepes des Chefs de France, Curry chicken pocket, disney snacks, duo, epcot snacks, fiesta margarita, fife & drum tavern, fish & chips, Frangipane, funnel cake, Gelati, Gelato, Gelato Sandwiches, Grand Marnier slush, green tea cheesecake, Grey Goose Slush, Ice Cream Martni, Joy of Tea, Jumbo Macaron, Kabuki Cafe, Kakagori, karamell kuche, Katsura Grill, Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe, L’Artisan des Glaces, la cantina de san angel, La Cava del Tequila, Les Halles Boulangerie Patisserie, les vins des chefs de france, Lotus Blossom Cafe, Macaron Sandwiches, Maple Popcorn, Mitsukoshi Department Store, nudel gratin, Popcorn in Canada, Poutine, pretzel, Pub Blend, Red Bean Ice Cream, Refreshment Outpost, refreshment port, Regal Eagle Smokehouse, Rose & Crown Pub, Sake Bar, school bread, Seasoned Crisps, sommerfest, Stow Away Mary, Sushi, Sweet Pretzels, Tangierine Cafe, Tipsy Ducks in Love, troll horn, Tutto Gusto Wine Cellar, UK Beer Cart, Via Napoli pizza window, World Showcase, Yorkshire County Fish Shop

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NEWS! The NBA Is One Step Closer to Finishing Their Season at Disney World!

We have shared many details on if the NBA will finish their season in Disney World.  

NBA Experience at Disney World

Now, the NBA is one step closer to making this a reality.

Today, the NBA’s Board of Governors voted on whether or not they would finish out the season at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. They single-site proposal was approved with a vote of 29/1. Tomorrow, the plan is set to be reviewed by the National Basketball Players Association, which has scheduled a virtual meeting with its membership Friday afternoon according to the New York Times.

This morning we shared the names of the 22 Eastern and Western Conference teams the NBA would be inviting to Disney World once the 2020 season resumed. The games have been proposed to take place from July 31st through October 12th.

NBA Experience

If approved, the season will take place in Disney’s ESPN Wide World of Sports (with no spectators permitted) and NBA players will likely be housed on Disney World property. While we don’t have all of the official details just yet, we’ve shared information regarding discussions about some teams being accommodated at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

We’ve also heard other Disney World hotels may be used by the NBA as well. Teams are likely to receive the first choice in picking which hotel they will stay at based on the order of their seeding.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

The centralized location will diminish the need to travel between games and could help minimize risk for players and staff. Meanwhile, players and coaches will be allowed to golf and eat at outdoor restaurants in Disney World, but they will also be required to maintain social distancing according to sports columnist and NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

Disney has not released a statement on how this could affect guests’ experiences, but as of now, Disney Springs is the only site on Disney World’s property open to the public. We will keep you updated as we learn more.

Check out ALL of our coverage from the reopening of Disney Springs here!

Why do you think the NBA chose Disney World to host the rest of the season? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Entertainment, disney resorts, Featured, Special Stuff, Walt Disney World, Basketball, Disney, disney nba, Disney World, disney world resort, espn, ESPN Wide World of Sports, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, National Basketball Association, NBA, NBA Season, NBA season Suspension, walt disney world resort

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11 Fan Favorite “Disney” Treats That Disney Doesn’t Even Make (And Where YOU Can Get Them For Cheaper!)

 

These days, we’re all looking for any way to bring the Disney magic into our everyday lives. We’ve downloaded Zoom backgrounds, tuned into our favorite Disney music, and constantly checked in to the latest live performances!

Dapper Dans

There’s no denying that one of the things we all look forward to on our Disney vacations are the special treats that remind us that we ARE in Disney World! But if you look closely, you’ll discover that Disney doesn’t even MAKE many of our favorite snacks!

Lucky for us, that means that we can score these yummy eats outside of the parks, and for a lower price!

Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num

This first treat stole our hearts when it debuted along with Pixar Pier in Disney California Adventure, and then Neighborhood Bakery at Pixar Place in Hollywood Studios. A Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num is a warm, gooey, oversized chocolate chip cookie that will lure any superhero baby out from hiding. This thing is a cookie so thick it has to be baked in its own wrapper!

Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num

Disney has done us all a MAJOR favor by dropping the recipe for this slice of heaven, but we discovered that Disney doesn’t even make them in house! A local bakery in Central Florida makes the cookies for Disney World — and is serving them up at a fraction of the price!

Douce France Bakery Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num

Douce France Bakery in Winter Garden, Florida held a bake sale drive-thru a few weeks ago that we HAD to investigate; and lo and behold, “Num Num Chocolate Chunk & Chip Cookies” was on the menu for HALF the price Disney charges in the park!

Douce France Bakery Saturday Morning Bake Sale

We even double-checked to confirm that this was INDEED the Num Num cookie we all know and love, and Douce France Bakery confirmed that they have “been supplying baked goods to Disney for years!”

Read more about where we spotted Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num in Central Florida here!

Strawberry Fruit Bars

If you’re visiting the parks on one of those blazing hot Florida days and you’re on the hunt for an ice-cold treat that won’t weigh you down, those frozen Strawberry Fruit Bars you’ll find at most outdoor ice cream carts can do the trick. But if you look closely at the menu, you’ll see that those fruit bars are by the brand Edy’s! 

Frozen Treats at Magic Kingdom

While those ice cream carts may not offer the exact same snacks at each location, the strawberry fruit bars are typically easy to spot, and are a fan favorite! Some internet searching uncovered that these frozen treats are available at many local grocery and drug stores! 

© Edy’s

While stocking up on any frozen treat could add up to quite the hefty bill in the parks, you can save BIG on these treats next time you’re at the store. You can probably get a whole box of them for the price of one bar in the parks! Be on the lookout next time you’re in your frozen food aisle and grab a box or two for a taste of your favorite Disney park!

Read more about what you can get at those mobile ice cream carts!

Pineapple Frozen Dessert Bar

Much like the Strawberry Fruit Bars, the frozen pineapple bars are also by a non-Disney brand, this time Nestlé! There are several Nestlé products that Disney sells throughout the parks (some we’ll cover in a moment!), one of which being those delicious, refreshing Pineapple Frozen Dessert Bars you can also find at several ice cream carts throughout the park.

Nestle frozen pineapple bar, spotted in Epcot!

This has been a favorite of ours for YEARS, and it doesn’t hurt that we can pick these up at our local grocery store! 

A yummy frozen pineapple bar is the perfect fix on any hot Florida afternoon!

Nestlé also has their Outshine line of frozen treats which aren’t exactly the same as the Delicias bars we’ve loved for years in the parks, but can still give you that Disney fix while you’re away from the parks! They also have a Strawberry flavor!

Read more about these tasty frozen pineapple bars here!

Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cups

Another frozen snack you may see tons of folks walking around with on a hot summer day is the Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cups!

Minute Maid Frozen Cups

It may come as no surprise that Disney doesn’t make these themselves, but for many these frozen cups have become synonymous with their Disney vacations. Over the years, these Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, and Orangeade snacks have practically saved our lives on many blazing hot afternoons.

Frozen Strawberry Lemonade

You can purchase these at many local grocery stores and warehouse club stores like Sam’s Club! The per cup price in the parks will definitely feel a little steeper once you’re used to scooping these up at the local store.

© Minute Maid

Whether you want to track down park snacks or you just need some good frozen treats to store in your freezer, you can’t go wrong with these lemonade cups.

Read more about the Minute Maid Frozen Lemonade Cups you can find at Disney World here!

Dole Whip

Sometimes we’re quick to forget that one of the most iconic Disney World snacks has another name brand already in its name! The infamous Dole Whip comes from the agricultural company Dole, NOT Disney!

But Dole Whip and Disney go together like peanut butter and jelly for many of us. Sold at places like Aloha Isle, Sunshine Tree Terrace, and Pineapple Lanai, this snack comes in both its classic pineapple flavor as well as some pretty exotic flavors and floats.

Dole Whip

The good news here is that there’s no “secret” ingredient that Disney keeps to themselves, and you’re able to recreate this frozen soft-serve snack at home! You can easily shop for the frozen pineapple soft-serve mix on Amazon (we even wrote up two ways to recreate your very own Dole Whip at home here!).

© Amazon

Some soft-serve frozen yogurt chains like Menchies have pineapple-flavored Dole soft serve, giving you even MORE options on tracking down Dole Whip-like treats outside of the parks.

Learn how to easily re-create Dole Whip at home here!

Mango Mini Pies

Disney’s Animal Kingdom aficionados may know that Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe and Yak and Yeti Restaurant have a standout dessert dish that often finds itself on many people’s must-eat lists.

You can find Mango Pie by the slice (in the table-service restaurant) or as a mini pie (at the counter service spot) and it’s a fan favorite — we’ve raved over these little guys for years!

Mini Mango Pie at Yak & Yeti Local Foods

Well, imagine OUR delight when we discovered you can find a mini Mango Pie that looks (and tastes!) notably similar at Kroger! Kroger may not accept Dining Plan Snack Credits, but something tells us you’ll be paying MUCH less to indulge in these mini pies at your local grocery store than you will at Animal Kingdom.

Kenny’s Mini Mango Pie

After researching, we confirmed that these are indeed the pies sold in Animal Kingdom! We’ll take a dozen, please! As the label implies, we’ll gladly stock up on slices of paradise.

Read more about the Mini Mango Pies at Yak & Yeti Local Foods here!

Mickey Bars

When folks think about iconic Disney eats, one of the first snacks that pop into many people’s minds is the Mickey Premium Bar! Many would think that if you didn’t buy at least one of these guys on vacation, you didn’t even REALLY go to Disney World. ? These are most commonly spotted at those ice cream carts we were talking about earlier.

Mickey Bar

But you can pick up a box of these on your next run to the grocery store! While these are a slightly different size, there’s no denying that these are indeed Mickey-shaped bars meant to resemble the classic Disney Parks dessert!

Mickey Ice Cream Bars at Home

Now you may look at this pic and think that $7.99 for six bars might be a lot by grocery store standards! But when you think about how much money folks will spend on ONE of these cuties in the theme parks, it’s actually a pretty “sweet” deal.

Learn more about how you can score these limited edition Mickey premium bars at your local grocery store here!

Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches

Likewise, another Mickey-shaped dessert folks rave about are the Mickey ice cream sandwiches!

Mickey Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Sandwich

As part of Mickey’s Birthday celebration, this dessert was ALSO added to the shelves of our local stores. Fingers crossed these treats stick around for a while because we need our ice cream sandwich fix!

Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches from the grocery store!

Again, while these aren’t carbon copies of what you’ll find in the parks, we’ll take any opportunity to pick up some Mickey-shaped food in our kitchen!

Find out how we discovered the Mickey Ice Cream Sandwiches at our local store here!

Nestle Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich

And if that wasn’t enough, we have ANOTHER frozen treat that you can find outside of the parks. The Nestlé Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich can be found at most Disney theme parks and in the resort hotels, and is a vacation staple for many of us. We’ve even developed our own cookie sandwich HACK so you can DIY your own creation in the parks!

Our Ice Cream Sandwich Food Hack Components!

But while we’re not in the parks, we can thankfully stock up on these chocolate chip cookie sandwiches at our local stores like Walmart.

© Nestle

We’ll take any opportunity to bite into one of these delicious desserts.

Find out how to build your own Mickey cookie sandwich next time you’re at Magic Kingdom here!

Churros

Frequent visitors to Disney World and especially Disneyland are possibly missing those churros above all else right now! These are a major fan favorite, especially out west where Disneyland seems to whip out new and specialty flavors on a regular basis!

A yummy Churro is a classic Disneyland treat!

We’ve heard that you can get the same churros at Smart & Final! Look for the Tio Pepe brand and heat them up at home to instantly transport your tastebuds to the Happiest Place on Earth! Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce and you’ve instantly recreated Disneyland magic (for a fraction of the price per churro!).

Learn how to make your very own churros at home with this recipe!

Stuffed Pretzels

Finally, if you have a Wawa in your area, you may want to swing by and check out the stuffed pretzels.

Cream Cheese Pretzel at Refreshment Corner

In the past we’ve seen cream cheese pretzels as well as jalapeño cheese pretzels being sold at Wawa, and they’re pretty much the SAME as the beloved versions in the parks! So be sure to see which ones are available and stock up!

Click here to see our first Mickey-shaped pretzel in reopened Disney World!

It can be tricky to appease our Disney withdrawals these days. While we try our best to recreate the magic at home ourselves, sometimes we need the real thing! So we hope this gives you some ideas on where to track down some of your beloved Disney snacks. Turn on some park music while you indulge in these treats, close your eyes, and pretend you’re back on Main Street, U.S.A.!

What is YOUR favorite Disney World snack? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Snacks, Special Stuff, Walt Disney World, chocolate chip cookie sandwich, churro, cream cheese pretzel, Dole Whip, ice cream sandwich, Jack-Jack Cookie Num Num, Jalapeno Cheese Pretzel, mickey bar, mickey ice cream sandwich, mini mango pie, minute maid frozen lemonade cup, pineapple frozen bar, strawberry fruit bar

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10 Ways Disney World Tricks You Into Spending More Money

Disney World has quite the reputation as the Most Magical Place on Earth — but it can be pretty pricey to make that magic happen.

Main Street, U.S.A

It’s no secret that a Disney trip is expensive. That’s why we’re always on the hunt for the best tips for saving money on your next vacation. There are some tactics, however, that Disney uses to get YOU to spend a little more — and you might not even notice that’s what they’re doing! Check out all the ways that Disney World tricks you into spending more money!

Pushing Packages

Chances are that if you’ve taken a Disney trip you’ve bought or at least considered a vacation package from the Walt Disney Travel Company. These packages bundle your hotel room, park tickets, and sometimes dining all together so that you’re not paying for everything a la carte. Typically, using a package can mean some serious savings.

Mickey Bar

So you might be wondering: How is Disney getting us to spend MORE money if they’re offering a bundle deal to help us save money? Well, the trick isn’t in the package itself but in how Disney markets the package.

You’ll notice that marketing language for these packages will usually mention that they are available for 6 night/7 day trips. The trick is all in that detail.

Walt Disney World

In fact, if you read the small print on most of these packages, you can usually apply them to a much shorter trip; the minimum usually comes in at a 2 or 3-night trip. So, yes, you CAN use these offers on shorter trips but Disney will never say this publicly. If a guest doesn’t do their due diligence, they might book a trip longer than they were initially planning based on the marketing material and thinking that’s their only option, meaning more time spending money in the parks, at the resorts, and elsewhere on the property.

So, check out that fine print when you’re looking at a vacation package! You might not need to book a trip that’s as long as you think.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Plus, if you’re hoping for some discounts without committing to a full package, you should check out the Special Offers page on the Disney World website. This kinda-hidden page tends to have smaller seasonal offers as well as special ticket offers for the military, general public, and more.

Sometimes it can be a lot cheaper to buy the components of your trip separately (e.g. hotel room with a room-only discount and separate ticket purchase) than as a package. These also usually have a more generous cancellation date than a package.

If you ever want to make SURE that you’re saving every penny, you can always consider using a travel agent! Travel agents are a totally free service and besides handling all the nitty-gritty aspects of your trip, they will also make sure that you get EVERY. DISCOUNT. YOU. CAN. They might even spot discounts that you don’t even know you have access to! If that sounds good to you, you should check out our friends at Small World Vacations (they seriously know their stuff).

Looking for some Disney deals? Click here!

Exit Through A Gift Shop

This next trick is a little bit more conspicuous. You’ve maybe even joked about it to your family while you’re in the parks! You’ll notice that almost every attraction in Disney World has guests exiting through a retail location. That trip through the gift shop can definitely be a sneaky trick!

Windtraders

Without that exit through a shop, a frugal family could potentially avoid the temptation of going into a store altogether. By routing you through a shop, Disney makes sure that you’re subjected to all the compelling merchandise and marketing that might get you to spend a little bit more money.

Memento Mori

Sometimes, we want to spend on that perfect Disney souvenir, but sometimes we’re really looking to save. If you’re the type of family that wants to spend on vacation without thinking too much and then wait to get home to handle it, that’s fine! But the exit gift shops can be tricky for those with a tight grip on their wallets.

The tip here is to know your budget ahead of time. Set realistic expectations for what you want to spend on souvenirs in the park and only buy if that retail exit has something that fits into your budget. If you’ve got kids, set boundaries! Tell them they can pick out one souvenir for the trip or per day — whatever is in your means.

Yeti Hat

We also love using gift cards to help stay on budget! Do the spending ahead of time so that you can’t overspend when you’re actually on your trip! Plus, Disney gift cards allow you to give big kids and teens a set amount to spend so that they can have some independence without breaking the bank.

Got Disney World planning questions? Click here for answers!

Bounceback Offers

For some guests, they might notice something pretty interesting while they’re still in Disney World at the end of their vacation. Sometimes, Disney will send out a bounceback offer to guests before their trip is over! This allows you to get a (usually hefty) discount on your next vacation before your current vacation ends.

Disney’s Magical Express Bus

The catch is that you do have to book your trip before you leave, even if you weren’t planning another trip, in order to get the discount. These discounts can be super compelling, so they can get a guest to do a repeat trip much sooner than they were planning!

Now, these can actually be a great resource if you ARE planning another Disney trip already by the time you’re done with the one you’re on. Just remember, bounceback offers aren’t guaranteed to come your way, so don’t plan on definitely getting one. Definitely be on the lookout towards the end of your vacation, though, or ask at the front desk if there’s a current bounceback offer if you’re interested!

Art of Animation Lobby

Plus, you’re not locked into these offers! You can, of course, cancel a trip booked through a bounceback offer just like you can any other trip. So, if you can’t resist the sweet prices they offer you and perhaps book a new trip when that’s not what you were really looking to do, don’t fear! When you get home and decide that another Disney trip might not be the best use of your money, you can always cancel.

To learn about one of the bounceback offers we’ve seen, click here!

Discounts for Longer Stays

This next one is a discount that’s available to guests all the time and might be a pretty obvious way that Disney gets you to spend money that’s still flying under your radar. We’re taking a look at the ticket discounts for longer stays. If you’ve looked at ticket pricing, you know that “the longer you stay, the less you pay, per day!”

Friendship Boat

For instance, if you take a look at the park ticket pricing for Disney World right now, you’ll notice that a one-day park ticket starts at $109 while a 10-day park ticket starts at $52 per day. That’s more than 50% cheaper per day when you go for a longer time.

Animal Kingdom Ticket Center

So, why does Disney mark down the price SO much for a longer trip? To entice you to BOOK that long trip! The more days you have in the park means the more days that you’re spending on Disney food, Disney merch, and Disney resorts. All those extra expenditures really outweigh the loss that Disney is taking on discounting those park days for you.

Want an easier Disney vacation? Watch our video on how to make your trip stress-free!

Disney Vacation Club and Annual Passes

This next tactic is a BIG one. Disney loves to get you to spend more money by getting you to commit to THEM for your vacation options, either by buying an Annual Pass or by joining the Disney Vacation Club. Both of these options have a way of locking guests in for the time being so that Disney is the first thing they think of when they’re planning a vacation.

Disney Vacation Club Sales Kiosk

The Disney Vacation Club is a bigger commitment. When you get DVC you’re telling Disney and yourself that, “Yes, I do want to take a Disney-operated vacation for the next 50 years!” and that very well may be true! Still, DVC guarantees that you’ll choose Disney as a vacation destination almost every time instead of just some years. Plus, those annual dues mean that even if you DON’T vacation at Disney, you’re still spending money with them.

Disney’s Riviera Resort

An Annual Pass has a similar effect. When people buy the Annual Pass they tend to think that they need to get the best use out of it to make the (v. expensive) purchase worth it, so they find ways to go to Disney parks more often. If you don’t live in Florida, this means more days in hotels as you take more trips, and you therefore likely spend more on dining and merch.

Passholder Magnet

Remember though, these options aren’t necessarily BAD things! Both DVC and Annual Passes will net you big benefits like discounts, early bookings, and free Memory Maker. Pretty much EVERYWHERE has some sort of Annual Pass.

Capture magical vacation memories! ©Disney

We renew our Passes again and again because, for us, they are worth it! But we do suggest that you do your homework! Find out if an Annual Pass is right for you and keep in the back of your mind that it IS a marketing tactic.

Also note that not everyone in your party has to have an annual pass in order to get the benefits. If just mom has an annual pass, you still get the hotel and restaurant discounts, memory maker, and more, that would be used by the whole family.

Click here to learn more about Annual Pass benefits!

Limited-time Food and Merchandise

We here at DFB always end up spending some extra money on this one! We’re talking about limited-time food and merchandise. Honestly, splurging a little bit to grab those holiday treats or special edition pins is pretty darn hard to pass up!

Orange Bird Sipper

Disney does SO many of these limited-time promotions. In fact, there’s pretty much always SOMETHING being sold “for a limited time only” in the parks. With Epcot Festival merch like the coveted Orange Bird Sipper, holiday treats like anything peppermint, special anniversary items like the Haunted Mansion eats and merch, or collectibles like souvenir popcorn buckets, there are lots of things that we feel the urge to get our hands on before they’re gone.

The Haunted Mansion 50th Anniversary Mug

The reason this stuff is compelling is that it makes you feel, “I gotta get this right now or I won’t have the chance to get it if I want it later.” Limited-time merch gives us less time to decide if we REALLY want the thing we’re buying!

Peppermint Ice Cream Sandwich

The tip here is to keep that budget in mind. If you’re feeling tempted by that cute sipper, think about whether it fits in the budget or not. You may not want to edge out a souvenir you’ve been eyeing for a limited-time option that you feel urgent about right now.

Click here to see how CRAZY folks went over the Orange Bird Sipper this year!

Scavenger Hunts

Epcot Festivals don’t only get you with limited-time merchandise. There’s a really fun, typically free, activity at some festivals that could have you spending more than you normally would. We know, we know. How can we be spending more money on a FREE activity? Just because it’s free to start, doesn’t mean it’s free to finish! We’re referencing, of course, those fun scavenger hunts.

Holiday Cookie Stroll with Completed Stamps in Passport 2018

Disney uses scavenger hunts at various times throughout the year. Think of the Cookie Stroll at Epcot International Festival of the Holidays, the Garden Graze at Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival, and other foodie scavenger hunts.

Though it’s free to grab a map for these hunts, you have to pay for a food item at every location in order to complete it and claim your prize! Ultimately, you’re spending much more than if you only got one cookie ?.

Animal Kingdom PinQuest

We’ve even seen pin hunts like the PinQuest in 2016 that required you to pay to START the hunt and then again for each pin you collected! That adds up! But, the sense of accomplishment and want of a special prize at the end is enough to keep us coming back for more — even as we spend more money than we might have otherwise.

Click here to read about last year’s Cookie Stroll!

Keeping You on Property

The way that Disney dupes you into spending a little bit more money is by enticing you to stay on property. Though you might be able to save a little money staying off property in Disney World, Disney seriously ramps up the benefits of staying at a resort hotel.

Beach Club Resort

Think about it. On property you can use Disney transportation, get room delivery from stores in the park, use extra magic hours, and make your Fastpasses a full 60 days out instead of 30. Those are some good perks.

But Disney has a good reason for doing this. Not ONLY do they get the money from your hotel room when you stay on-site, but you’re also more likely to spend on Disney food, merch, and experiences when it’s all readily at your disposal. Staying offsite can mean that you look elsewhere at dinner time, and Disney doesn’t want that.

Grand Floridian Lobby

In fact, there have even been some developments to keep you on the property even MORE recently. You might think the overnight parking fee for resort guests is just a measure to make sure the lots don’t fill up, but it has another purpose, too. By charging for parking, Disney is encouraging you NOT to have your car at your hotel — making it harder to get anywhere except other places on Disney property. We see you, Disney! Very sneaky.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Of course, the fact that this is a tactic shouldn’t deter you from staying in the resort hotels if that’s your jam. The benefits of being on property are awesome and, in our opinion, totally worth it.

Weigh the options for your family. If you’re doing an all Disney trip, then the on-property resorts might be a no brainer. Consider off-site if you’re on a steep budget, or are looking to experience the other things Orlando has to offer too!

Click here for some reasons NOT to stay in a Disney World hotel!

Disney Dining Plan

You know we couldn’t write this list without including the Disney Dining Plan. This one is pretty sneaky. Of course, the Dining Plan is the right decision for a lot of Disney guests, but for many, it is NOT and could mean that you’re spending more money than you need to.

Think about it — why would Disney promote something this much that isn’t a profitable endeavor for them? They’ve done their research and know how much the average family eats while on a Walt Disney World vacation. And they’ve structured the Dining Plans to provide a bit more food — and cost a bit more money — than what the typical family would consume and spend. That’s why, in order to actually SAVE money on the plan, you have to make sure you’re sticking to a few rules.

Disney Dining Plan Shirt

The Disney Dining Plan is kind of similar to an Annual Pass in that when you have it, you want to make to most out of it. So, maybe you would typically not eat breakfast or only eat one snack a day. But on the DDP, you’ll want to use ALL of those credits — on the most expensive items — to make sure you get your money’s worth.

Now, if you DO eat as much as the plan supplies, and purchase the most expensive things possible for those credits, then it tends to work out equally to what you would spend for that food out of pocket.

On the other hand, if you don’t use all your credits, or if you purchase less expensive items with your credits, you really can be losing out on money spent. Folks who head home with unused credits are a big reason that the Dining Plan is such a moneymaker for Disney. You paid for food you never ate! P.S. If you do find yourself in this sitch, check out our tips on how to spend those unused credits!

How Much is Too Much for the Disney Dining Plan?

That’s not to say that the DDP isn’t right for you! But you really need to do your homework. DFB has a TON of great resources on how to decide whether to go Dining Plan or out of pocket. And we have a whole chapter in our DFB Guide to Walt Disney World Dining where we break down the Disney Dining Plan — and the Disney World Free Dining Offer — to show you the comparison amounts to buying your food out of pocket.

Think about your family, and make the decision that you think will keep money in YOUR pockets!

Click here to learn EVERYTHING you need to know about the Disney Dining Plan!

MagicBands

Finally, we’re going to talk about how Disney can get you to spend a little more with that MagicBand on your wrist! We’ll start by saying that we love MagicBands. They make everything super convenient. No more carrying your park ticket, your room key, or even your credit card!

Still, you’ve got to be careful when you link this functional accessory to a payment method.

Pirate Minnie MagicBand

Using the MagicBand to pay for purchases effectively separates you from your money. Purchases are just a touch of the band to the scanner. They’re so quick and simple, it’s easy to stop thinking about how much you’re spending!

The solution to this is to keep tabs on your cash flow. Check-in on that credit card statement in the evenings so that you get an idea of how much MagicBand paying you did in a day. This is another overspending possibility that can easily be avoided with a smart budget — and by sticking to that budget once you make it!

New MagicBand Designs

In most cases, we recommend disconnecting kids’ and teens’ MagicBands from any connected payment methods, and instead use that gift card trick from before! That way, your kids can do a little spending without you having to deal with an unpleasant surprise when that bill comes.

Want to learn some surprising things about MagicBands? Click here!

And there you have it! Disney really is using some interesting methods to get us to spend more money. Remember, these are pretty standard types of marketing across many large companies! None of this is particularly down and dirty — it’s just good marketing. But it’s good to know these tactics are a thing so that you can avoid any crazy spending — unless you don’t want to! 

Looking to save some dough on your next Disney trip? Click here to watch our video!

What do you think of these sneaky tactics from Disney? Let us know in the comments!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Disney Discounts, disney merchandise, disney parks, disney resorts, Featured, Walt Disney World, annual passes, bounceback offer, disney bounceback, Disney Budget, disney dining plan, disney discounts, Disney Vacation Club, disney world packages, Disney World Resort hotels, disney world savings, disney world travel packages, limited time, limited time food, limited time merchandise, MagicBand, MagicBands, save money, saving money in disney, scavenger hunt, Small World Vacations, travel agent, travel packages

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DFB Video: 6 Unforgivable Disney World Changes!

Hey, friends! We’re back with another DFB Video, and today we’re talking about 6 unforgivable Disney World changes.

Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights

Disney has made some crazy changes over the years.

We’re all for innovation and new ideas, but these decisions are downright unforgivable! Check out all this and more in our latest DFB Video and let us know if you agree with us!

And if you love this video, there’s plenty more for you to enjoy over on our DFB YouTube Channel! By the way, have you subscribed yet? If you hit the button below, you can subscribe to the channel and never miss a single episode!

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So check out the video and let us know: Which Disney World changes you don’t agree with!

From our friends at www.disneyfoodblog.com
Filed Under: Featured, Walt Disney World, DFB Guide, dfb video, DFB Youtube Channels, DFB YouTube Video