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Things That Surprised Me About Prague
Old Town Square showcasing the Astronomical clock and Týn Church in the background. Before going to the Czech Republic (or Czechia), I did a ton of research to make sure I was ready for my trip. I checked out the various customs to see how they differ from what I’m used to in the US, and I even tried to pick up some basic Czech phrases to help me get around. I read up on the country’s history, the little cultural quirks, and the local traditions. I thought I was pretty prepared, but was still pretty surprised when I got there. The whole experience was so incredible and eye-opening and I have a new love for the country and can’t wait to go back!
Adjusting to the Time Difference
I wouldn’t say I really felt too much jetlag on my way there. I was a bit nervous about it, so I tried to get myself ready by shifting my sleep schedule a week before before my flight. I didn’t sleep on my (March 10th) flight from NYC to Zurich, Switzerland like I thought I would, but I managed to stay awake until after dinner on March 11th in Prague, Czechia. Looking back, I think that drinking plenty of water and skipping heavy meals on travel days really helped me keep my energy up. While I didn’t suffer too much from jetlag there besides being a little more tired than usual, the time zone difference was pretty fascinating. It was interesting to think, “I’m having lunch now, but back home I wouldn’t even be awake yet.” I chatted and video called my mom almost every day so the time difference was pretty noticeable. I would be getting ready for bed before my mom even ate her dinner!
I did notice some jetlag when I got home, which I didn’t think I would. I had been told often that most people experience jetlag when traveling East, but not West. I had been to California before and didn’t experience any difference during that trip. However, this time was definitely different! I found myself extremely tired for about a week afterwards, struggling to stay awake during the day and waking up extremely early.
Charles Bridge No Free Public Bathrooms
I knew this was a thing before my trip, but I also didn’t fully believe it. I thought that there must be some loophole or that there were at least one or two free public bathrooms available for tourists at least. I also thought maybe they would accept credit cards, but this was not my experience at all. I never saw any free bathrooms during my travels, and they all only accepted cash! We ended up buying coffee at multiple places just so we could go to the bathroom, as it ended up being not much more than the fee for access to a public bathroom. In the US, I am used to public bathrooms being everywhere, from fast-food restaurants to parks, and having easy access to these facilities is something I have definitely taken for granted. I will say, the bathrooms I encountered in Europe, though, were all very nice and clean. I also loved how private each stall felt. Some even had seat cleaners in the stall!
Public Transit Being So Easy
I spent months looking into walking and driving routes and also checking fare pricing on Uber or Bolt. In the end, we used Bolt, public transportation, and walking for everything, which turned out to be both cost-effective and convenient. Using the trams and metro was so easy! I pre-downloaded the app (PID Lítačka) before my trip, and it was amazing to see how user-friendly it was! I just typed in the directions, and it told me exactly how to get there, step by step. I could even order my tickets through the app, eliminating the need for cash or tickets from machines, making the entire experience seamless. The fine is high if you try to not pay or do not validate your physical ticket, but I still feel like this system wouldn’t work by me. They recently installed spiky turnstiles in New York to discourage fare evasion, and despite this, people still try to avoid it by jumping over the turnstile. The trams and metro were so clean and the seats were comfortable, making the journey enjoyable and relaxing.
Tram going through Stromovka Park Less Water Availablity
I knew this would be an issue and brought a water bottle everywhere I went, but still was thirsty at times. Just like public bathrooms, I expected water fountains in parks or even at some stores. In the US, we always have water pretty easily available. Tap water is free at restaurants here, and it is fairly easy to find a water fountain or a water bottle fill station. It was weird to me to not have any beverage included with a meal. You really do see beer alongside a meal more often than water, and that was shocking to me. In some cases, it was cheaper to buy beer than it was water!
More Vegetarian Options
Whenever I told someone I was going to Central Europe, they almost always mentioned the lack of vegetarian food options. However, I felt pretty lucky because I didn’t have this problem. I planned ahead and did quite a bit of research, finding a surprising number of vegetarian restaurants and options at even traditional places! While it’s true that not every restaurant has these options, especially if you are vegan, I discovered that pretty much every restaurant had at least something I could eat. Most of the time it was fried cheese called Smažený sýr. It is usually served with tartar sauce and fries or potatoes and I really enjoyed it. It was exciting to experience the local cuisine! There are still so many great places that I wish I had time to try out!
Freshness of the Food
Throughout the years, I have heard so much about the food difference between Europe and the US. I was mostly told how much better the bread is there. I don’t think I fully grasped how different it would be. Their produce was so fresh and amazing, I still think about it! It tastes farm fresh and like the vegetables I used to grow with my dad when I was younger. I ate cucumbers with my breakfast every day I loved them so much! The fruit and veggies sold at the outdoor market called Havelské tržiště almost looked fake they were so perfect.
Walkability
Before my trip, I kept seeing how Prague involves a lot of walking. For the vacation part of our trip, we stayed a few days early in Old Town, before moving closer to the event we were attending. We walked at least 20,000 steps per day while there, but we were able to walk everywhere because of where our hotel was. All of the main places I had wanted to visit were usually less than a 15 minute walk away.
Exploring the city on foot allowed us to discover so much that we might have missed otherwise. I watched a lot of YouTube videos about Prague to prepare. The Honest Guide has amazing videos that really helped to plan everything. One of the things they mentioned in a few videos was to just wander and get lost. Prague was incredible and I can’t wait to visit again, but we really did see so much by just wandering! Some of it was not intentional, my phone’s map was not great while there, which I think may be due to the buildings. I truly loved this method of exploring and plan to use it on other adventures.
Karlova Street in Old Town Relaxed Approach
Growing up, I always heard about how the US is more fast paced and that Europe in general is laid back. We were never rushed at any meal, which was unique for me. While some restaurants are like this by me, it is definitely not every single restaurant. While there, we even had to ask for the check a few times because they didn’t just automatically bring it when they thought we were done. While we have coffee shops here, it was interesting to see so many people go to cafes to relax and enjoy time with friends and family. In my experience, I see a lot of people doing work while at coffee shops in US and less people hanging out with friends.
High Expectations
Right before my trip, I was nervous that I would be disappointed. Going to Europe had been a dream of mine for so long and I realized how much I had built it up in my head. I didn’t think it could live up to the idyllic vision I had of Europe for most of my life. As soon as I landed in Zurich, Switzerland, I knew that would not be the case and Prague and Vienna confirmed it even more. The architecture, cobblestones, and culture were all so incredible. I know I will be back there someday!
Čertovka Canal in Malá Strana Have ever been to Prague? I would love to hear all about it!
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My Saint Lucia Adventure
Saint Lucia History
Saint Lucia has a rich and fascinating history. It is commonly called “Helen of the West Indies”. Originally home to the Arawak and then the Caribs, the island was fought over by the French and British 14 times before the British took control for good in 1814. Finally, in 1979, Saint Lucia gained their full independence. Since then, this beautiful country has developed into a vibrant and peaceful nation. You can see influences of British, African, and French cultures while visiting here.
My Adventure to Saint Lucia
I went to Saint Lucia for my honeymoon in November 2023. While I have travelled international before, this was my first time flying internationally. We got to the airport 3 hours early because I was nervous, but our process was pretty much the same as flying domestically. We ending up having to wait about 2 hours before boarding. We flew Jetblue from John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York to Hewanorra International Airport ( UVF) in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia. If you are taking a similar route, I highly recommend sitting on the left side of the plane for better views when landing. The airport is very small and we only had one flight before us. We filled out immigration and visitor forms and it only took about 30 to 45 minutes to get through customs and to our resort’s lounge. We took the free shuttle to our resort. I get motion sickness very easily and was worried about how tough this ride might be. I took dramamine and kept eating ginger chews and did not get sick. The roads were definitely very narrow and windy though!
Our Resort
We stayed at Sandal’s Grande St. Lucian for our honeymoon. We stayed in a club level swim up room. Over all, I loved where we stayed. We didn’t really get to check out Sandal’s airport lounge too much, but we did take advantage of their airport shuttle. Although St. Lucia isn’t a very big island, it still can take a long time to travel around. Grande St Lucian is located in Gros Islet which is only about 41 miles from the airport, but it takes about 2 hours to get there. This resort has so much to offer! So many restaurants and pools that it was almost overwhelming. We loved snorkeling at the beach and loved how clear the water was. We also loved having a swim up room because we love to swim! The pools and hot tubs at the resort never close, but it was nice to be able to just walk out of our room and be able to swim.
Experiences
Saint Lucia has some gorgeous beaches! We loved snorkeling at the resort and also got to see other places through an excursion. The water was so blue and clear, but I wouldn’t say it was as light an vibrant as the beaches I went to in the Bahamas. I have read that this could be because St Lucia is a volcano island so the sand is not as white. I have never seen water so clear though! There were many times I was in deep water but felt like I should be able to touch the ground. It was incredible to see all the coral and sea life.
Besides going to different beaches, we also got to see some amazing nature. We drove through a rainforest for the first time which was incredible! We also got to go to the Sulphur Springs, drive in volcano, Diamond Falls, and Pigeon Island National Park. The Pitons are also even more beautiful and incredible in person.
Our Journey Home
At the end of our trip, we took the free airport shuttle and had a different experience. I took dramamine but felt very tired and nauseous. Going through customs took longer because we were both selected to have our carry on and personal item fully checked. In the end, they said it was because of a coaster from the resort for my husband but they weren’t sure why mine was. The aiport had a few cute shops that we were able to pick up more hot sauce and rum. The upstairs was even smaller, but had bathrooms and a few places to eat. There was only one or two flights before us, but there were barely any seats. We got veggie burgers and found seats upstairs, but it was very hot. I am usually someone that is always cold, but I still found it extremely hot inside. When the flights before us left, we were finally able to find seats in a cooler spot. Just like when we arrived, there aren’t any jetways so you will have to board the plane by walking on the tarmac and taking a ramp or steps into the plane.
Overall Experience
I loved the island and thought it was so beautiful, but I would definitely stay at a resort that wasn’t so far from the airport. It added so much time onto our travel day that we couldn’t really do anything else on those day. I have been asked if I would return to Saint Lucia, and my answer would be yes but I would also rather explore more of the Caribbean first. Have you been to St. Lucia? Tell me about your adventure!
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Planning My First Trip to Europe
Ever since I was young, a major goal of mine was to go to Europe. In High School, I became best friends with a foreign exchange student and was even supposed to attend her wedding, until 2020 happened. I am so excited to say that I will finally be able cross this off my bucketlist in less than a week!
I have received a scholarship through HDYO to attend their International Young Adults Congress. I have been an ambassador for this amazing organization for about a year and a half and I am so excited for this opportunity. I find so much benefit in attending in-person Huntington’s Disease events, and I can’t wait to meet more people my age that has been affected by it.
Location
This year’s HDYO’s International Young Adults Congress takes place in Prague and is the reason why I am even able to make this trip. I also have layovers in Zurich, Switzerland and Vienna, Austria. My family has strong roots in Central Europe, so I already have researched the history and even experienced some of the culture.
Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com Step One: Research Location
This might not have been my first step if I didn’t already know some basic information about the Czech Republic or if I was going to pick the location myself. I started by searching for “Top Things to do in Prague” on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Pinterest. This gave me an idea of the top attractions or places to visit. As I saw places I liked, I either wrote down a note on my phone, saved the post, or saved the Google location. For all of these, I created a folder on each platform that I named Prague. I felt like this gave me a really good idea of my options and things to look into more. It also helped me to narrow down where I would be spending most of my time.
Step Two: Research Transporation
I started researching public transportation to see if it was affordable and easy to navigate. While I still haven’t gone on my trip, it does seem pretty easy to get around and I plan to use it. I also looked up if they have apps like Uber and what locals use. I discovered that Uber and Bolt are used there and was even able to get estimates on how much it would be to use their services. This has really helped with budgeting for the trip.
Photo by Jeffrey Czum on Pexels.com Step Three: Research Lodging
After researching places I wanted to visit and my transportation options, I realized that maybe a split stay between hotels might be my best option. The hotel I will be staying at for my event looks amazing, but I decided to pick a hotel closer to the airport and to everything I want to see for the first few days of my trip. I also really like to find a hotel with breakfast included to cut down on some of the costs. I noticed that most of what I want to see was around Old Town Square or Prague/Praha 1. I specifically looked for hotels or other vacation rentals around there. During this trip, I will be staying 2 nights at Charles Bridge Palace and then 4 nights at Clarion Congress Hotel Prague. I will also be staying in Austria for 1 night during my layover.
Step Four: Research Language
Upon receiving the scholarship, I immediately looked up words and phrases to learn. Two months is a pretty limited amount of time to master a new language, but I am trying to learn as much as possible. I have been watching videos on important phrases and started using Duolingo and Pimsleur. I also love using Pinterest for the basics. My top tips are to create flashcards. I also listen to either my Pimsleur lessons or youtube playlists while doing everyday tasks to help get more accustomed to the language. I am mostly learning Czech, but I am also learning some phrases in German for my layovers in Zurich and Vienna.
Step Five: Research Culture
While traveling, I have always tried hard to not be rude or disrespectful. It’s not always intentional, but it’s something I try to avoid. An example would be that during my trips to the Caribbean, I realized that most people from there walk on the left side while those in the US walk on the right side. I know it is a small detail, but it is something I am mindful of when traveling. I’m sure I will still make mistakes, but I feel like I have done a lot to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Over the years, I have discovered so many different every day customs that I am not used to living in the US. Again, I have not actually been to Europe so some of these could change after my trip. One thing is that ordering water at a restaurant is not free. You will get bottled water and not tap water. I also read that not all public bathrooms are not free. I need to do more research on this before I go, but many bathrooms charge a fee unless you were already a customer. In Prague, tipping is considered more normal and many people tip about 10%. I also read that restaurants tend to charge for things like ketchup and other condiments which is something I am not used to. I plan to do an update on topics like this after my trip.
Photo by Helena Jankoviu010dovu00e1 Kovu00e1u010dovu00e1 on Pexels.com Step Six: Research Local Cuisine and Delicacies
Part of this has to do with culture, but I always recommend trying dishes and drinks that that country or area is known for. While my family isn’t specifically from what is known as the Czech Republic today, I grew up eating many central European staples. I have a list of foods I really want to try. As a vegetarian, this can be particularly hard and why I look into restaurants and menus before traveling. I have quite a few places saved and I can’t wait to try some authentic Czechia food.
Plan Reservations
In my research, it seems people in Prague tend to rely on reservations for meals. For this reason, I plan to make reservations to make sure I can try everything I want to. I also plan to buy tickets to get into museums and also plan to attend a concert/ballet.
Plan Airfare
Due to my scholarship, I did have to book my flights through a specific site. This may have influenced some of my decisions. I knew that I wanted about 3 hours or more between connecting flights to avoid too much stress. With this in mind, I booked a flight that has a 6.5 hour layover in Zurich, Switzerland on the way to Prague and then a 22 hour layover in Vienna, Austria on the way home.
Research Airports
I tend to look into airport maps and videos of the airports to make it easier to navigate once I land. I also look into what documents are required and what I am and am not allowed to bring and into laws of the country. While wearing camo in the Caribbean isn’t always technically illegal, it’s definitely not accepted in most places. I plan to look into examples like this for the countries I plan to visit in March.
Research and Plan Layovers
While 6.5 hours is a decent layover, I am not sure if I will leave the airport in Switzerland or how far I will actually go. Ideally, I will go into Zurich, but that may not be an option if my original flight gets delayed. For now, I am researching places near the airport to explore. I also know that one of the official languages of Switzerland is German so I plan to learn some basic phrases for there.
22 hours in Vienna, Austria is a pretty amazing amount of time. Austria is where my family is primarily from and why I am so excited for this layover. I think that just being in Austria will be a meaningful experience for me and I hope I can return to Central Europe soon.
Photo by Pierre Blachu00e9 on Pexels.com Research Daily Life and Locals Favorites
Another way that I have been preparing is by looking into what daily life looks like to people in Prague. I like to try to see where locals like to go so that I can get the most authentic experience.
Advice
Please reach out to me for more information, tips, or questions as I plan my trip! I am so excited and can’t wait to share more of my trip with everyone!
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Epcot’s 2024 International Food and Wine Festival
Brief History
Did you know that Epcot’s Food and Wine Festival began in 1996 as only short event to draw in crowds during the typically slow Fall season? It wasn’t until the 2000’s that the festival became longer, had more booths, and added entertainment such as the Eat to the Beat concerts. By the 2010’s, they added celebrity chefs and experiences like seminars and special dining events.
Personal Experience with Food and Wine Festival
While I unfortunely will not be attending this year, I have been able to attend it 4 times in the last 7 years. Menus each year do change, but I have been able to try some of this year’s items in previous years.
Epcot’s 2017 Food and Wine Festival Display 2024 Festival
This year, the festival is running from August 29 until November 23, which is shorter than the past few years. They also have 33 different booths and 5 different offerings at other regular year round locations at Epcot. With so many booths, there is definitely something for everyone to be excited about. Below are all the booths (going around the world starting by Mission Space) and what they offer!
#1 Coastal Eats (near Mission Space)
Food
Roasted Warm Water Lobster Tail with Garlic Butter $13 (DDP Snack Eligible)
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Sauce $13 (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)Beverages
Wildly Brut Cuvée, Angaston, South Australia $7
Boyd & Blair Pomegranate Codder, Glenshaw, PA $12
CORKCICLE® Stemless Flute $24#2 The Fry Basket ( near Refreshment Station by Coca-Cola)
Food
Adobo Yuca Fries with a Garlic and Cilantro Aïoli – $5.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (Plant-based)
Fry Flight: Tuffle-Parmesan Fries, Barbeque Bacon Fries with Smoked Aïoli, and Sweet Potato Casserole Fries with Candied Pecans, Toasted Marshmallow Cream and Bourbon Maple Syrup – $8.00, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)Beverages
Collective Arts Brewing Mango-Rita Sour with Chili, Ontario, Canada 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Boyd & Blair Grapefruit Mule, Glenshaw, PA $12#3 Flavors from Fire
Food
Impossible™ Montreal-Style Burger Slider with Cheddar and Tomato Jam on a Sesame Seed Bun – $6.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)(Plant-based)
Steakhouse Blended Burger: Beef and Wild Mushroom Slider with Truffle Brie Cheese Fondue, Arugula and Truffle Potato Chips on a Sesame Seed Bun 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Smoked Corned Beef with House-Made Potato Chips, Cheese Curds, Pickled Onions and Beer-Cheese Fondue – $6.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Deschutes Brewery Black Butte Porter, Bend, OR (NEW) 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Four Virtues Bourbon Barrel Zinfandel, Lodi, CA $6.50
Swine Brine: Jim Beam Bourbon, Apple Cinnamon Cider, Lemon Juice and Dijon Mustard $11.50#5 Brew-Wing Lab ( the Odyssey)
Food
Unnecessarily Spicy Yet Extremely Tasty Carolina Reaper Pepper Curry Wings with Creamy Cucumber Raita – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Traditional Buffalo Wings with Celery and Ranch – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sticky Wings – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Garlic-Parmesan Wings – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Impossible™ Buffalo Chicken Tenders with Blue Cheese, Celery and Ranch – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Plant-based)
Fried Pickle Spears with Dill Ranch $5.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Coppertail Brewing Smoked Lager, Tampa, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Keel Farms Elderberry Serrano Hard Cider, Plant City, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
3 Daughters Brewing Pickle Hard Seltzer, St. Petersburg, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
3 Daughters Brewing Palm Paradise Hefeweizen, St. Petersburg, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
The Bruery Desert Flora with Hibiscus & Prickly Pear, Placentia, CA – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Cigar City Peach White Oak Jai Alai, Tampa, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Frozen Pomegranate & Raspberry Tea: Twinings® Pomegranate & Raspberry Herbal Tea with Orange Ice Cream Molecules (nonalcoholic) $5.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Pickle Milk Shake (nonalcoholic) $6.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Beer Flight $10.25#6 Australia (Disney Traders)
Food
Grilled Bushberry Spiced Shrimp Skewer with Sweet and Sour Vegetables and Coconut Chili Sauce – $7.00, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Roasted Lamb Chop* with Mint Pesto and Crushed Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips – $8.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Lamington: Yellow Cake with Raspberry Filling with Chocolate and Coconut $4.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Bulletin Place Sauvignon Blanc, Riverina – $6.50
Fowles Wine Farm to Table Shiraz, Upton Hills – $6.50
Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Viognier, Angaston – $6.50
Wine Flight – $7#7 The Noodle Exchange (Disney Traders)
Food
Ramen with Shaved Beef, Shiitake Mushrooms, Pickled Carrots and Daikon Radish, Shaved Spicy Peppers and a Soy Egg in Citrus-Sesame Broth $6.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Thai Shrimp with Rice Noodles, Shiitake Mushrooms and Basil in Coconut-Curry Broth – $6.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Ramen with Tofu, Shiitake Mushrooms, Pickled Carrots and Daikon Radish, Shaved Spicy Peppers and Baby Bok Choy in Citrus-Sesame Broth – $5.75, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Plant-based)Beverages
Parish Brewing Co. Strawberry Mochi, Broussard, LA 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Pacific Rim Solstice Vineyard Old Vine Riesling, Yakima Valley, WA $8
#8 Mexico (World Showcase)
Food
Tostada de Camarones: Tempura-Battered Shrimp atop a Fried Corn Tortilla with Guacamole, Cabbage, Chipotle Aïoli, Diced Mango and Chile-Lime Powder – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Flauta de Barbacoa: Fried Tortillas filled with Barbacoa Beef topped with Salsa Verde, Crema Mexicana and Queso Fresco – $8.00, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Pan de Elote: Traditional Mexican Cornbread topped with Chocolate Sauce and Queso Fresco – $6.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Mango Sunrise Margarita: Dos Hombres Mezcal, Centinela Tequila, Mango Purée and Black Currant Liqueur, with a Chile-Lime Salt Rim – $13.25
Poblano Margarita: Lalo Tequila Blanco, Abasolo Corn Whisky, Lime Juice and Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Poblano Liqueur with a Salt Rim – $13
Mexican Craft Beer – 6 oz $6.00 / 12 oz. $11.00#9 China (World Showcase)
Food
Crispy Duck Bao Bun with Hoisin Sauce – $8.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Shanghai Scallion Noodles with Shrimp – $8.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Pan-Fried Chicken Dumplings with House-made Sweet-and-Spicy Sauce $5.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Mango Peach Bubble Tea: Green Tea, Mango and Peach Syrups and White Boba (nonalcoholic) – $7.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Baijiu Punch: Baijiu Spirit, Lychee Syrup, Sparkling Water and Piña Colada Mix –$14.50
Fiery Dream: Citrus Vodka, Triple Sec Liqueur, Guava Nectar and Spicy Hot Honey Syrup – $14
Orange Mango Cocktail: Gold Tequila, Vodka, Orange Juice and Mango Syrup –$14
Brew Hub Lychee Foo Draft Beer, Lakeland, FL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75#10 India (World Showcase)
Food
Potato and Pea Samosa with Coriander-Lime Cream — $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible) (Plant-based)
Chicken Tikka Masala with Fennel-Spiced Yogurt and Naan Bread $6.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Mango Lassi (nonalcoholic) $5.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
United Brewing Taj Mahal Premium Lager, Bengaluru 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Sula Brut Tropicale Sparkling Wine, Nashik $7.50
Mango Lassi with Sōmrus Chai Cream Liqueur $11.50
CORKCICLE® Stemless Flute $24#11 Refreshment Outpost ( World Showcase)
Food
Impossible™ Spicy Sausage with Piri Piri Peppers and Onions and Piri Piri Aïoli — $6.50, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Plant-based)
Curried Chicken and South African Boerewors Sausage Stew with Chickpeas and Potatoes served in a Bread Bowl — $5.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Chocolate Amarula Mousse with White Chocolate — $6.25, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly)Beverages
Keel Farms Blackberry Apricot Jam Hard Cider, Plant City, FL — $12
Habesha Cold Gold Pilsner, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia — $12
Gulf Stream Brewing Company Cloud 9 Watermelon Hibiscus Lager, Ft. Lauderdale, FL — $12#12 The Alps (World Showcase)
Food
Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Alpine Ham, Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette — $5.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Warm Raclette Swiss Cheese with Baby Potatoes, Cornichons and Baguette — $5.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Dark Chocolate Fondue with Berries, Pound Cake and Meringues — $6.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Stiegl Brewery Key Lime Hard Radler, Salzburg, Austria — 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Frozen Rosé — $9
#13 Germany (World Showcase)
Food
Schinkennudeln: Pasta Gratin with Ham, Onions and Cheese — $5.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Bratwurst on a Pretzel Roll with Mustard — $6.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Apple Strudel with Vanilla Sauce — $4.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Von Trapp Brewing Dunkel Lager, Stowe, VT — 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Schöfferhofer Lemon Zest Hefeweizen, Mainz — 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Selbach-Oster Riesling QbA, Mosel — $9
Weihenstephaner Festbier, Freising — 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Beer Flight — $10.25#14 Spain ( World Showcase)
Food
Spanish Charcuterie: Jamón, Manchego and Pan Con Tomate — $6.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Paella Negra: Squid Ink Rice with Shrimp, Bay Scallops and Octopus served with Garlic Aïoli – $8.00, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)Beverages
Red Sangria — $7.5
Quinta del ’67 Almansa Garnacha Tintorera, Alicante — $7.5#15 Italy (World Showcase)
Food
Italian Style “Nachos”: Homemade Beef Ragout, Pasta Chips, Tomato Sauce and Dried Ricotta Cheese – $9.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Polpettine Toscane: Beef Meatballs, Rosemary Focaccia and Pomodoro Sauce – $8.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Vanilla Cheesecake: Vanilla Cheesecake, Whipped Cream and Fresh Strawberry Sauce – $7.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Bellini Spritz – $14
Prosecco – $11.5
Moscato – $12
Chianti – $11
Italian Red Sangria – $12
Italian-inspired Blood Orange Margarita: Tequila, Triple Sec and Blood Orange Liqueur – $12
Peroni Pilsner – $11#16 Flavors of America (World Showcase)
Food
New York-Style: All-Beef Hot Dog with Sauerkraut, Onion-Tomato Sauce and Spicy Mustard in a Brioche Bun – $6.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Chicago-Style: All-Beef Hot Dog with Tomato, Dill Pickle, Pickled Sport Pepper, Diced Onions, Yellow Mustard and Chicago Green Relish in a Poppy Seed Bun – $6.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Carolina-Style: All-Beef Hot Dog with Chili, Coleslaw and Yellow Mustard in a Brioche Bun – $6.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Southwest-Style: All-Beef Hot Dog wrapped in Bacon with warm Pinto Beans, Tomatoes, Jalapeños, Avocado Crema and Queso Fresco in a French Roll – $7.25, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Freshly-Baked Chocolate Pudding Cake with Bourbon Caramel – $5.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Brewery Ommegang Farm Fresh Ale conditioned on Wildflower Honey, Cooperstown, NY – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Goose Island Beer Co. Hazy Beer Hug Hazy IPA, Chicago, IL – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Wicked Weed Fest Bier, Asheville, NC – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Beer Flight – $10.25#17 Japan ( World Showcase)
Food
Wagyu Temaki Sushi: Hand-held Sushi with Sweet and Savory American Wagyu Beef, topped with Takana Japanese Pickles and Spicy Mayo Sauce –$9.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Eel Temaki Sushi: Hand-Held Sushi with Grilled Eel, Egg Crumbles, Cucumber and Pickled Daikon Radish served with Eel Sauce – $9.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Teriyaki Chicken Bun: Steamed Bun filled with Minced Chicken, Vegetables and Teriyaki Sauce – $7.95, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Kyoho Grape Sour: Kyoho Black Grape Cocktail with Japanese Vermouth and Shōchū – $8.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Kyoho Drink: Calpico with fragrant, mellow, Kyoho Black Grape flavor (nonalcoholic)
Sake – $7.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Sapporo Premium Beer – 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $10.00#18 Greece (World Showcase)
Food
Spanakopita – $5.00, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Impossible™ Moussaka – $5.50, (DDP Snack Eligible)
Griddled Cheese with Pistachios and Honey – $5.00, (DDP Snack Eligible) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)
Lamb Gyro with Shaved Lettuce, Tomato-Cucumber Relish and Tzatziki on Warm Flatbread – $6.75, (DDP Snack Eligible)Beverages
Greek Melon Limeade: Kleos Mastiha Spirit, Aelred Melon Apéritif De Provence, Pearl Vodka and Lime Sour Mix – $11.50
Mylonas Winery Assyrtiko White Wine, Attiki – $6.50
Zoe Rosé, Peloponnese – $6
Kir-Yianni Naoussa Xinomavro Dry Red, Nauossa – $6.50
Wine Flight – $7.5#19 Tangierine Café: Flavors of the Medina (World Showcase)
Food
Grilled Kebabs (Chermoula Chicken and Moroccan-spiced Lamb)with Carrot-Chickpea Salad and Garlic Aïoli
Fried Falafel Pita with Tomato-Cucumber Relish and Tahini Sauce
Stone-baked Moroccan Bread with Assorted Dips
Pistachio Cake with Cinnamon Pastry Cream and Candied WalnutsBeverages
Keel Farms Blackberry Pear Hard Cider, Plant City, FL (NEW)
Coppertail Brewing Fallen Fruit Tamarind Mint Hard Cider, Tampa, FL (NEW)
3 Daughters Brewing Fig Hard Cider, St. Petersburg, FL
Hard Cider Flight
Sparkling Fig Cocktail: Kleiner Feigling Fig Liqueur, Sparkling Wine and Cranberry Juice
CORKCICLE® Stemless Flute#20 Belgium ( World Showcase)
Food
Beer-Braised Beef served with Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes $6.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Belgian Waffle with Warm Chocolate Ganache $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Belgian Waffle with Berry Compote and Whipped Cream $5.50, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Brouwerij St Bernardus Dragòn Wit, Watou (NEW) – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Brouwerij Verhaeghe Vichte Duchesse Red, Sweet & Tart Cherry Ale, Vichte (NEW) – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Belgian Chilled Coffee (nonalcoholic) – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Brouwerij Van Steenberge Gulden Draak Tripel Ale, Ertvelde – 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Beer Flight $10.25
Belgian Chilled Coffee with ChocoLat Deluxe Salted Caramel Chocolate Liqueur $12#21 Brazil ( World Showcase)
Food
Feijoada: Black Beans with Pork Belly, Brazil Nut Pesto and BEN’S ORIGINAL™ Long Grain White Rice (Gluten/Wheat Friendly)$6.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread d (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $5.00, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Xingu Black Beer, Santa Catarina 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Frozen Caipirinha with Cachaça $12
#22 France (World Showcase)
Food
Moelleux aux Oignons Caramélisés et au Fromage de Chèvre: Egg Moelleux, Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions (NEW) $7.95, DDP Snack Eligible
Brioche aux Escargots: Escargot Brioche with Garlic and Parsley Cream (NEW) $7.95, DDP Snack Eligible
Boeuf Bourguignon, Pommes de Terre Roties: Braised Short Ribs in Cabernet with Roasted Potatoes $7.95, DDP Snack Eligible
Crème Brûlée Mangue et Passion a la Confiture: Mango Passion Crème Brûlée with Fruit Compote (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $5.95, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Cocktail au Gin et Aux Fraises: Rose d’Argent Strawberry Gin, Cranberry Juice and DOLE® Pineapple Juice (NEW) $13.95
Frozen French Cosmo: Vodka, Grey Goose Le Citron Vodka, Grand Marnier and Cranberry Juice (NEW) $14.95
Mas La Chevalière, Pinot Noir, Pays d’oc (NEW) $6.95
Guillaume Touton, Brut de Pêche, Épernay, Sparklong wine with Natural Peach (NEW) $6.95#23 Canada (World Showcase)
Food
Cheddar Cheese and Bacon Soup served with a Pretzel Roll $6.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Filet Mignon with Mushrooms, Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Mashed Potatoes and Boursin® Garlic and Fine Herbs Butter $6.00, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Collective Arts Brewing Audio/Visual Lager, Hamilton, ON 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Château des Charmes Cabernet Sauvignon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON $7.5
#24 Refreshment Port (World Showcase)
Food
Braised Beef Poutine: French Fries with Braised Beef, Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese Sauce, Cheese Curds and Gherkin Relish (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) – $10.00
Traditional Poutine with beef gravy and cheese curds (Gluten/ Wheat Friendly) – $7.50, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Boulevard Beverage Company Quirk Ginger Grape Fizz Hard Seltzer, Kansas City, MO (NEW)$12
Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Peach, St. Petersburg, FL $11
Boyd & Blair Pumpkin Spice Mule, Glenshaw, PA $12
CORKCICLE® Stemless Flut $24#25 Swirled Showcase (Port of Entry)
Food
Liquid Nitrogen Frozen Sweet Potato Mousse with Candied Pecans and Maple Caramel Sauce (NEW) $5.25
Soft-Serve (Vanilla, Cinnamon Apple, Salted Caramel) $6.5Beverages
Frozen Apple Pie: Apple Pie Filling, Apple Cinnamon Gelato, Cinnamon Apple Cider, topped with Streusel (nonalcoholic)
Floats: Coca-Cola®, Barq’s® Crème Soda, or Fanta® Grape with choice of Soft-Serve (nonalcoholic) $6.75
3 Daughters Toasted Coconut Porter, St. Petersburg, FL $12
Toasted Coconut Float: 3 Daughters Toasted Coconut Porter with Salted Caramel Soft-Serve $13.25
Berry-Vanilla Float: La Gioiosa Berry Fizz with Vanilla Soft-Serve $13#26 Shimmering Sips (Port of Entry)
Food
Guava Cake with Whipped Cream and Coconut (Plant-based) – $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Beverages
Berry Mimosa: La Gioiosa Berry Fizz and White Cranberry Juice (NEW) $7
Fruited Sour Beer and Sparkling Wine Cocktail: Brewery Ommegang Dream Patch $9Fruited Sour with Cherry, Blueberry and Raspberry, and Sparkling Wine (NEW)
Tropical Mimosa with Sparkling Wine and Minute Maid® Passion Fruit, Orange and Guava Juices $7
Blood Orange Mimosa: Sparkling Wine and Blood Orange Juice $7
Mimosa Flight $14
CORKCICLE Stemless Flute $24
#27 Hawai’i ( Port of Entry)
Food
Slow-Roasted Pork Slider with Sweet-and-Sour DOLE® Pineapple Chutney and Spicy Mayonnaise $6.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Hawaiian Rice Bowl: Spam, Eggs, Eel Sauce, Spicy Mayonnaise and Furikake (NEW) $6.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Passion Fruit Cheesecake with Toasted Macadamia Nuts (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $5.00, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Maui Brewing Co. Orange Mango Guava Hazy IPA, Maui, HI (NEW) $6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Florida Orange Groves Winery Sparkling Pineapple Wine, St. Petersburg, FL $10
AULANI Sunrise: Vodka, DOLE® Pineapple Juice and Grenadine $14#28 Forest and Field ( World SHowcase and Imagination!) *NEW BOOTH*
Food
Autumn Chili with Bison, Lamb and Pork Belly, Root Vegetables, Jalapeño Cornbread, Smoked Cheddar and Crème Fraîche (NEW) – $7.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Pumpkin Mascarpone Ravioli with Sage-Brown Butter, Pecorino Cheese and Hazelnut Praline $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Burrata with Seasonal Fall Fruit, Spiced Pecans, Apple Purée and Fig Vinaigrette (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $5.50, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Lievland Bushvine Pinotage, Paarl, South Africa (NEW) $6.5
Piper-Sonoma Brut, Sonoma County, CA (NEW) $7
Brewery Ommegang All Hallows Treat Chocolate Peanut Butter Imperial Stout, Cooperstown, NY (NEW)6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75#29 Milled and Mulled ( World Showcase and Imagination!) *NEW BOOTH*
Food
Boursin® Fig & Balsamic Cheesecake with Fig Jam and Pomegranate (NEW) $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Pear and Almond Frangipane Pâte Brisée (NEW) $5.25, DDP Snack Eligible
Freshly Baked Carrot Cake with Walnuts and Cream Cheese Icing $4.75, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Blake’s Hard Cider Co. Cider Mill Donut Hard Cider, Armada, MI (NEW) 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Coppertail Brewing Fallen Fruit Blueberry Pie Hard Cider, Tampa Bay, FL (NEW) 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Chocolate Shop Chocolate Red Wine, Walla Walla, WA (NEW) $6#30 Bramblewood Bites (World Showcase and Imagination!) *NEW BOOTH*
Food
Grilled Cider-Brined Pork Tenderloin with Fennel Apple Slaw and Apple Cider Gastrique (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $6.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Grilled Bison with Butternut Squash Purée, Roasted Mushrooms and Huckleberry Gastrique $8.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Cast Iron-Roasted Brussel Sprouts and Root Vegetables, Dried Cranberries, Candied Pecans and Maple Bourbon Glaze (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) – $5.00, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Spiced Apple Old Fashioned Inspired Cocktail with Boyd & Blair Rum (NEW) $12
Gogi Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, CA $16#31 Earth Eats (The Land)
Food
Red Wine-Braised Beef Short Rib with Goat Cheese Polenta, Puttanesca Sauce, Shaved Pecorino and Petit Herbs (NEW) (Gluten/Wheat Friendly) (New) – $8.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Lemon Poppy Seed Cake with Lemon Icing (NEW) $4.50, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Harken Wines Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Parlier, CA (NEW) $6
Blood Orange Agua Fresca (nonalcoholic) $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible#32 Macatizers (CommuniCOre Hall) *NEW BOOTH*
Food
Traditional Macaroni and Cheese with Herbed Panko $5.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Cheesesteak Macaroni and Cheese with Shaved Beef, Peppers, Onions and Bread Crumbs $6.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Truffle Macaroni and Cheese $6.50, DDP Snack Eligible
Impossible™ Chili Cheese Macaroni and Cheese with Sour Cream and Cheddar (Plant-based) – $6.50, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Crooked Can Brewing Company Vinifera Velvet Lager, Winter Garden, FL (NEW) 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Southern Tier Brewing Co Raspberry Shine Summer Wheat Ale, Lakewood, NY (NEW) 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Lexington Brewing and Distilling Company Kentucky Pumpkin Bourbon Barrel Ale, Lexington, KY (NEW) 6 oz $5.50 / 12 oz $9.75
Terrazas de los Andes Reserva Chardonnay, Mendoza, Argentina $6.5
Klinker Brick Bricks & Roses Rosé, Lodi, CA (NEW) $6.5
Beringer Bros Bourbon Barrel Aged Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena, CA (NEW) $6.5
Knights Bridge Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma, CA (NEW) $8
Caymus 50th Anniversary Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, CA (NEW) $20
St. Supéry Domaine de l’Ile Rosé, Porquerolles, France $8
Beer Flight $10.25
Wine Flight#33 Festival Favorites (CommuniCore Hall) *NEW BOOTH*
Food
Kielbasa and Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream $6.00, DDP Snack Eligible
BBQ Pork Rinds served with Pimento Cheese $5.00, DDP Snack Eligible
Key Lime Tart $4.75, DDP Snack EligibleBeverages
Frozen S’mores: Chocolate Milk Shake with Marshmallow Syrup topped with Mini Marshmallows and a Graham Cracker (nonalcoholic) $4.75, DDP Snack Eligible
Irish Milk Shake: Guinness Stout, Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur and Vanilla Ice Cream $12.5
Schöfferhofer Grapefruit Hefeweizen, Mainz, Germany 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Parish Brewing Co. SIPS Cab Franc Strawberry, Broussard, LA 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
3 Daughters Brewing Beach Blonde Ale, St. Petersburg, FL 6 oz $5.75 / 12 oz $9.75
Beer Flight $10.25
Goldschmidt ‘Katherine’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma, CA $15
Martin Ray Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast, CA $7
FESTIVAL OFFERINGS AT YEAR ROUND LOCATIONS
Connections Eatery ( World Celebration)
Food
Korean BBQ Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Cucumbers on a Brioche Bun
Beverages
Blackberry Caipiroska: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Minute Maid® Lemonade, Lime Juice, Blackberry Syrup and Frosted Mint Syrup
Sunshine Seasons (The Land)
Beverages
Caramel Apple Milk Shake: Artisanal Gelato, Pâte Brisée, Whipped Cream, Candy Apple Cake and Caramel Drizzle (nonalcoholic) $10.99
Block and Hans (World Showcase)
Beverages
Frozen Pineapple Chipotle Lemonade: Minute Maid Lemonade and chipotle pineapple syrup with a chili-lime salt rim (Non-alcoholic) – $5.29, DDP Snack Eligible / Spirited version with Tito’s Vodka – $15.00
United Kingdom Beer Cart (World Showcase)
Beverages
Strawberry Basil Cocktail: Fords Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Seagram’s® Ginger Ale, and Strawberry and Basil Syrups
Joffrey’s Coffee and Tea Company
Near Mission: SPACE®
Coconut Mocha Latte: A decadent blend of Espresso, Milk, Coconut Syrup and Dark Chocolate Sauce, garnished with Whipped Cream, Toasted Coconut Flakes and Dark Chocolate Drizzle (nonalcoholic) (New) – $6.49, DDP Snack Eligible
Spirited version available with Baileys Original Irish Cream – $14.99Near Disney Traders
PB&J Latte: A delicious blend of Espresso, Milk, Peanut Butter Syrup and Raspberry Syrup, garnished with Whipped Cream (nonalcoholic)(New) – $6.49, DDP Snack Eligible
Spirited version available with Baileys Original Irish Cream – $14.99The American Adventure
Coconut Banana Cream Pie Latte: A comforting blend of Espresso, Milk, Coconut Syrup and Banana Syrup, garnished with Whipped Cream and Toasted Coconut Flakes (nonalcoholic)(New) – $6.49, DDP Snack Eligible
Spirited version available with Baileys Original Irish Cream – $14.99Near Canada
Hazelnut Mocha Latte: A nutty blend of Espresso, Milk, Hazelnut Syrup and Dark Chocolate Sauce, garnished with Whipped Cream and Dark Chocolate Drizzle (nonalcoholic) (New) – $6.49, DDP Snack Eligible
Spirited version available with Baileys Original Irish Cream – $14.99Here are some pictures from previous Food and Wine Festivals that I attended! What item are you most excited about or love the most from this year’s festival?
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Disney’s Value Resort Overview
Walt Disney World has a wide variety of resorts that can fit almost every budget. Today, I will focus on Disney World’s Value Resorts. There are currently 5 value resorts which are Pop Century, Art of Animation, and the All Star Movies Resorts. I have stayed at 3 resorts in the value category.
What is a Value Resort?
Hotel rates at Disney World can vary greatly, but Value resorts often provide the most affordable accommodations. These resorts offer both regular rooms and family suites at budget-friendly prices. While their rooms are smaller than those in other categories, they are still a great option. The beds are typically smaller, sometimes consisting of one bed and a pull-down bed. There is usually only one bathroom sink. Additionally, the main pool at Value resorts does not have a slide, and there isn’t a table service restaurant available.
What are some reasons I should stay at a value resort?
Affordable
While the cost per night can vary, Value resorts are considered the most cost effective way to stay at Walt Disney World. For standard rooms, the cost is $120-250 per night and suites are $300-700 per night.Themed
While I have also stayed at moderate resorts and visited deluxe resorts, the immersion aspect is definitely different. At Value resorts, you feel like you are still at Disney and feel the magic. While beautiful and has other perks, Moderate and Deluxe resorts are definitely less Disney themed.
Art of Animation Lobby 
Art of Animation Pool 
Pop Century 
Pop Century 
All Star Movies 
All Star Movies Walt Disney World Benefits
There are some really amazing benefits to staying at a Disney World resort. Staying at a Value resort means you can have Extra Magic Hours in the morning. You can also use a Magicband and add a credit card to it to make purchases throughout the resort and parks. When you stay at a Disney World resort, you can take advantage of their transportation throughout the parks, resorts, and Disney Springs.
What are some negatives about staying at a Value Resort?
While I absolutely love staying at Value resorts, it also does have some negatives. While I personally believe the benefits outweigh the negatives, I know this isn’t the case for everyone.
Resort
When talking about what makes a value resort a value resort, I mentioned some details about the room/resort. If room space/ food options are a concern for you and your family, a value resort may not be your best option.Extra Magic Hours
While any Extra Magic Hours option is amazing, I remember when night time Extra Magic Hours were included in all Disney Resort stays. Now, most resorts offer only morning extra magic hours. It might not seem like a big deal, but I really miss the night time hours.Transportation
This doesn’t happen all the time for all Disney Value resorts, but transportation can be slow due to them combining resorts for transportation. Waiting in a long line for a bus after a long day is definitely not magical! Pop Century has the Skyliner which helps a lot, and guests at Art of Animation can walk over and use it as well.
Have you stayed at a Walt Disney World Value Resort? Let me know about your experience in a comment!
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My Favorite Topiaries From 2024 Flower and Garden Festival
There is an incredible amount of beautiful topiary displays for this year’s Flower and Garden Festival. While I wish I could have seen them all, that would have been really hard to accomplish that and everything else in just two days at Epcot. With only a little over a week left, I hope you all get to experience the festival before it closes on May 27.
Wish Topiary
At Entrance
I thought this whole display was truly stunning. While I did love it, I don’t think I fully appreciated it until I got home and watched the movie. Everything about it was perfect and I wish I had gotten a picture of it. Wish is also one of my new favorites!Figment Topiary
World Celebration Plaza
I absolutely love everything involving Figment, so I always look out for his topiary. This is the first time the gardens has been used for a festival and I am so glad it involved Figment. World Celebration Plaza is truly stunning and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for it!
Groot
World Discovery (Near Cosmic Rewind)
Groot is a new topiary to this year’s Flower and Garden Festival and it truly was so unique! I loved watching the tape actually spin and it also played music from Guardians of the Galaxy. It definitely lived up to the hype!Woody and Bo Peep
World Nature (Between Imagination and The Land)
While this isn’t a new topiary display, I still always enjoy it! I love Woody’s pose and enjoy Bo Peep’s dress. The sheep also add to the overall cuteness!
Lion King Display Part One
World Nature
This display, featuring Mufasa, Sarabi, Simba, and Rafiki is located near the Land this year. It is one of my favorite displays and I look for it every year. While I don’t have a picture of it this year, this is one for 2023.
Lion King Display Part Two
World Nature
This beautiful display features both Pumbaa and Timon and is located near the Land Pavilion. I love all the flowers and greenery involved in this!
Mickey and Friends Topiary
World Showcase Bridge
This display was one of my absolute favorites this year. It had Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip, and Dale. It was so beautiful and I loved seeing Spaceship Earth in the background.
Encanto
World Showcase
Last year, this display was located at the park’s entrance. I love all the colors and I am so glad it returned this year. This display features Mirabel, Luisa, Antonio. I truly hope it returns next year.Miguel and Dante
World Showcase (Mexico Pavillion)
This Coco themed display is new this year and it is so stunning! I have always loved marigolds and plant some every spring, but these definitely add so much to the display.
Dragon
World Showcase ( Japan Pavilion)
Whenever I go to Epcot, I always take a picture of Spaceship Earth in the middle of the Tori in the Japan Pavilion. I love that the dragon topiary is there during the Flower and Garden Festival.Beauty and the Beast
World Showcase ( France Pavilion)
I am pretty sure that this display has been here since I started coming to Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival in 2015. It really hasn’t changed, but I always look forward to seeing it!Winnie the Pooh and Friends
World Showcase ( United Kingdom Pavilion)
Growing up, I collected Eeyore stuffed animals and loved all of the Winnie the Pooh characters. During my last two visits, we had breakfast at the Crystal Palace just so we could meet them all. I look forward to seeing this display every time we go.
Geese
World Showcase ( Canada Pavilion)
I usually start at the Mexico Pavilion when entering the World Showcase, which cause me to rush through the last few countries. This time, we started in Canada. There was so much more to this pavilion and I would have missed this display if I didn’t start here.
Bambi and Friends
World Showcase ( Near Canada Pavilion)
I am ending my list with one of my absolute favorites! I watched Bambi for the first time when I was so young that I didn’t even realize what happened to Bambi’s mother. Since then, it has been one of my ultimate favorite movies and I collect anything I can from the movie. This will always be a display I make sure I see every time I attend the Flower and Garden festival. Due to my ankle injury, I knew I couldn’t see every topiary but this display was on my “Must Do” list. It is so cute and such a classic that I don’t think I would ever miss it!
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Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month
May is an important month because besides being my sister’s birthday month, it is also Huntington’s disease awareness month! Huntington’s disease (also referred to as HD) is a genetic neurodegenerative disease. It is caused by a mutation in a person’s DNA that causes a repeat in the huntingtin gene. This repeat causes a break down of cells in the brain. Every child born to parent with Huntington’s has a 50% chance of inheriting it as well. Huntington’s disease is considered a rare disease because it only affects about 0.005-0.01% of people worldwide. There are, however, many people that are living with this horrible disease undiagnosed or living at risk of it. Due to the fact that it is so rare, there is a lot that is not known about it, but a cure for Huntington’s disease could also help develop cures for many other diseases. Huntington’s disease poses many challenges for those affected and their families, which is why raising awareness, supporting research, and providing resources for those living with this disease is so important. Throughout May, I will be sharing posts about the disease and hopefully spread a little more awareness to others.
I am starting May with this post because I feel like one of the most important reasons for Huntington’s disease awareness month is to spread awareness so we can be one step closer to a cure. Here are some ways to support Huntington’s disease awareness month and get more involved with the community.
My grandparents, dad, and aunts. Learn More About the Disease
One great way to get more involved is to educate yourself on the disease. I will be doing a post that goes into more detail about Huntington’s, but a great way is to simply search the disease on a search engine or a social media site. By doing a quick search, you can get a pretty good understanding of it.Connect With Others
When I first decided to become more involved in the community, I searched for Facebook groups and Instagram accounts that were based on Huntington’s disease. I am so glad I did this, because I discovered so many organizations and also have connected with so many people also affected by Huntington’s. It has been so helpful in my own personal Huntington’s disease journey. My favorite Facebook group for this disease is definitely Hope for Huntington’s Disease. Everyone is so friendly and the support is incredible.Volunteer and Support Organizations
There are so many great Huntington’s disease organizations out there to check out and support. My favorites are the Huntington’s Disease Society of America (https://hdsa.org/), Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization (https://www.hdyo.org/), Help4HD (https://www.help4hd.org/), and HD Genetics (https://hdgenetics.com/). I will be doing a separate post about these organizations.Spreading Awareness
I have always thought that one of the best ways to support those affected by Huntington’s disease is to spread awareness. I believe that since it is such a rare disease, many people have not even heard about it. If more people know about Huntington’s, there will be less confusion and misunderstanding and we will also be closer to finding a cure. You can start to spread awareness but sharing posts about the disease and also supporting other Huntington’s Disease organizations.Fundraising
There are so many ways to raise money for Huntington’s disease. One of the easiest is probably through a birthday fundraiser on Facebook or fundraising on Instagram. I have done both and both were very easy to set up! Huntington’s Disease Society of America has many opportunities to raise money, their most popular is through their Hope Walks, annual conventions, and shop. Be sure to also see their events page, because each chapter has their own fundraising events. Help4HD also has many educational and fundraising events throughout the year. You can also start your own fundraising by signing up for a marathon or other event to raise money for Huntington’s disease.Support and Advocate for Research and Policy
It is so important to keep updated on all the medical research going on right now to understand Huntington’s disease more and hopefully find a cure soon. There are also many policies that have a very big and negative impact on those within the Huntington’s disease community. It is so important to let the government and policy makers know we need to give more emphasis on prioritizing Huntington’s disease research funding, access to healthcare, and support services. Access to healthcare is one that I feel particularly strong about and hope to see some changes soon.Offer Support
The truth is, if this is your first introduction to Huntington’s disease, you may not be sure how to support others affected by it. You should be understanding and listen to them without judging. Check in to see how they are doing and also always stand up for them.Please email or comment any questions you may have about Huntington’s disease!
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Everything I Tried at Epcot’s 2024 Flower and Garden Festival!
Flower and Garden Festival is my favorite festival I have been to at Epcot! I love how colorful the park becomes with all the beautiful gardens and stunning topiaries. This year, the festival is running from February 28, 2024 until May 27, 2024. I went to Epcot two days during the week of March 10th-16th and was able to try almost all the foods and some of the drinks that I wanted. Being able to attend this festival is always so magical and fills my heart with so much joy. Let me know if you love Flower and Garden as much as I do!
Disclaimer: I have been a vegetarian for over 16 years and am used to eating vegetarian/plant based so my opinions may be different from those with a different lifestyle. I attended the festival with my mom, who is not plant based and I will give her opinion on everything she tried.
Plant Based Buffalo Chicken Tender Poutine $10
Found at the Refreshment Port near Canada
This is the very first item I tried at the festival! While I enjoyed it, I don’t think I would get it again. This is one of the more expensive options I tried and I’m not sure if I felt like it was worth the price. It is also a Garden Graze item on the festival passport. Instead of fries, this has tater tots, or Potato Barrels as Disney calls them. The potato barrels were cooked perfectly and I really enjoyed them. The plant based chicken tenders where a nice size and tasted like a standard vegan chicken tender. They were good, but not really anything special. The buffalo sauce was not spicy at all to me but I think that depends on your tolerance. I saw reviews saying they were spicy and the woman behind me said they “had a kick”. My mom also agreed to that and wouldn’t eat pieces with too much sauce on it. The buffalo sauce had a vinegar taste that I was not expecting but was good. I have had plant based ranch at Disney before and I always really enjoy it, so it was a nice addition to this item. Originally, I was going to order this without the blue cheese crumbles because I do not like blue cheese. I decided to keep it on to try this poutine as is because I also didn’t think it would actually taste like blue cheese. I ended up picking off all the crumbles because they tasted too real to me.
Biscuit and Gravy $6.75
Brunchcot
This was probably the item I was most excited to try. While it is vegetarian, it does contain dairy so it is not completely plant based. The sausage gravy and chicken fried steak are both made by Impossible Foods. Based on reviews I saw leading up to my trip, this item seemed pretty hit or miss. I personally lucked out, but I did see other pictures/videos where the dish looked completely different. For me, the biscuit was thin and had a buttery, moist flavor. It was not dry at all and was the perfect size compared to the amount of gravy and plant based chicken fried steak. The sausage gravy was absolutely amazing and is something I am still trying to recreate at home. The chicken fried steak was a pretty standard impossible burger to me, however it was really salty. That was the only flavor I could really taste from it, which was disappointing because I really feel like they could have made this amazing. I loved the green onions on top because they added a nice freshness that took away some of the saltiness. This was surprisingly one of my mom’s favorites from the festival and she ended up finishing mine. I think this also would have been my favorite if it weren’t for how salty it tasted.
Avocado Toast $6.00
Brunchcot
I tried the Avocado Toast at 2023’s Flower and Garden Festival and absolutely loved it. It also caused my mom to realize she liked both avocados and avocado toast. Just like last year, it is still plant based and part of the Garden Graze. The description from the festival describes it as “Avocado Toast with Marinated Tomatoes and Plant-based Cheese Crumbles on Toasted Ciabatta”. While it was good and I enjoyed it, it was no where near as good as last year’s. My mom was looking forward to this so much, but it was ultimately what she traded me for the Biscuit and Gravy. I really can’t place what was different about it this year, but I didn’t like it enough to order again.
Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites $5.00
Brunchcot
This was on my list to try last year, but unfortunately was not able to. The Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites from last year apparently had a filling which was missing from this year’s. Instead of the filling, these just have a cream cheese frosting. For many years, one of my favorite snacks at Disney was cronuts. I have tried different variations of them and loved all of them. The Fried Cinnamon Roll Bites have been the closest thing I have found to a cronut in so long. The bites were the perfect combination of a flaky outside and an airy and moist inside. The cinnamon sugar it was dipped in had so much flavor, and the cream cheese frosting was sweet but didn’t taste too overpowering. My mom loved the candied bacon and thought it complemented everything perfectly. This was definitely one of my favorites from the festival, and I highly recommend trying it!
Steam Bun $8.50
Hanami
It it so hard to find plant based steamed buns so I don’t really have much to compare this to. Overall, I enjoyed this so much but did think it was overpriced. It was one of my favorite items from the festival so I would have ordered it again if I could have, but over $8 for a steam bun just feels really expensive. My only other complaint would be that the steamed bun stuck to the wrapper. Other than that, the steamed bun had a great texture and wasn’t too dry. The filling is soy based and had a wonderful onion and soy sauce flavor.
Impossible Jamaican Beef Patty $6.50
La Isla Fresca
This was my absolute favorite item from the festival. My only complaint would be that this felt more like an empanada than a Jamaican beef patty. I love empanadas though so this definitely worked out for me! The papaya syrup was sweet but still had kick to it. The pastry was crispy and cooked perfectly. The filling had more of a meatball texture than ground beef. It was spicy and seasoned amazingly. I don’t have my mom’s review for this item because I knew it would be too spicy for her. I usually don’t find Disney food spicy, but this definitely had a kick to it. It was the perfect level for me but I would probably skip this item if you are sensitive to spice!
Potato Pancakes $5.25
Bauernmarkt
This is one of my favorite festival snacks but I always forget to list it because there seems to be a variation of it for every festival. The outside of the potato pancakes are so crispy! The inside is so perfect; moist and nicely seasoned. I think what makes these so great is that the potatoes are shredded, so they have an amazing texture and the pancakes don’t come out mushy. I also really enjoy the apple sauce because it is sweet but isn’t too sweet and doesn’t overpower the other flavors.
Impossible Farmhouse Meatball $6.00
Trowel and Trellis
I had a similar dish to this in 2019 and was so excited to have it again! Based on other recent reviews, some people felt that the bread was dry and that the meatballs were spicy and had a curry flavor. Unlike in 2019, the lentil bread did break apart a lot and made it difficult to eat, but I wouldn’t say it was dry. I also thought everything was perfectly balanced and all the flavors tasted amazing together. This was one of my top snacks from the festival and I highly recommend it!
Let me know which items from 2024’s Epcot’s Flower and Garden Fesrival were your favorites and which ones you would love to try!
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Top things to do at Epcot’s 2024 Flower and Garden Festival!
This year’s Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot is extremely short and only running from February 28, 2024 – May 27, 2027. In previous years, it lasted until the beginning of July. You still have plenty of time to check out all that this festival has to offer! These are my top recommendations to check out if you are limited on time.
1) Top 5 topiaries – This year, they have more beautiful topiaries than ever before. New this year is a Coco topiary outside of the Mexico pavilion, It is truly stunning and I love all of the marigolds. I also loved the Encanto themed topiary. It is a repeat from last year and is located in the World Showcase Plaza. My other favorites include the Bambi themed topiaries near the lagoon near the UK pavilion and the Figment topiary in the new section of World Celebration. I also loved the Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Chip, and Dale topiaries near the bridge to the World Showcase.
2) Top 5 food items – My mom and I constantly checked the Walt Disney World site to finally see menus for the Flower and Garden Festival booths. My recommendation would be to look through the menus and pick the top 5 items you want to try. Despite an injury, I was still able to try almost everything I wanted to. My top food items were: La Isla Fresca’s Impossible Jamaican Beef Patty ($6.50), Trowel and Trellis’ Farmhouse Meatball ($6), Hanami’s Steamed Bun ($8.50), and Brunchcot’s Biscuit and Gravy ($6.75).
3) Top Gardens – There are so many beautiful gardens and places to check out during Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival. My favorite gardens are the tropical garden in Mexico, the butterfly house near the Imagination Pavilion, and the bonsai tree garden in Japan.
4) Festival Market Booths – There are so many festival marketplaces throughout Epcot, but different booths may have different merchandise. When you see something you like, either purchase it or remember exactly where you saw it. While I wasn’t able to go back and get everything I wanted, I did have to go back and forth for awhile to find a booth that had what I wanted. It was a booth selling lives plants, and while I am so happy for my souvenirs from there, I did waste a lot of time and steps to find it again.
5) Concerts – While I always love the free concerts, I have never found myself planning a Disney trip based on the Epcot Festival concert schedule. As your trip gets closer, check out who will be playing at the festival while you are there. During this trip, my mom and I realized Rick Springfield would be playing. While we had heard of him and enjoyed his music, it wasn’t really a necessity for our trip. We got to see some of his concert and listened to his performance, and that was enough for us. When Daughtry played in 2017, we knew it was important to my mom so we got to the American Pavilion early and found good seats. The also offer dinner packages which guarantees a good seat.
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In memory of my Aunt.
I have thought a lot about what would be my first blog post, and even have quite a few saved as drafts. Nothing has felt right, until my idea came a few nights ago while looking through old pictures to prepare for my amazing Aunt’s celebration of life this weekend.
Aunt Suzy has always been one of my biggest supporters and my safe person, I knew her love was unconditional and I could go to her for anything. She was the first person I told which college I chose, when I started to get paid on Instagram, when I became an ambassador for Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization, or when I got a scholarship to attend the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Annual Convention. She would say “Wow! I don’t know what that means but congratulations!” While there was a few years after my dad died that we didn’t talk every day, we always kept in touch and still talked frequently. After that, we talked and sent pictures daily. While I continue to miss her and grieve her every day, I also think it is very important to honor and celebrate her life.
Aunt Suzy had many obstacles thrown her way throughout her entire life, but she fought her way through all of them and never lost her humor or youthful attitude. She was truly still a kid at heart. She loved her brother, my dad, so much and my dad was always so proud of her and my cousin. Aunt Suzy loved Christmas and chocolate. She would, and has, kept her Christmas tree up all year. She loved Lake Taconic and we spent so many summers there all together. She loved sweet tea and baths. She loved the Henry Ford museum. She was so kind and caring and always opened her home to me when I visited. Out of all those things, she loved her family the most. Her daughter, grandsons, and dog were her whole world. She always lit up when talking about any of them. I know they were the reason she fought for as long as she did. To know Aunt Suzy was truly a gift and an honor. She brightened everyone’s world around her.
If you are able to, a donation to Huntington’s Disease Society of America/Huntington’s Disease Youth Organization/Help4HD in the name Suzy Lyons, would be greatly appreciated. Each of those organizations are incredible to helping those affected by Huntington’s Disease and trying to find a cure.
We love you always, Aunt Suzy!
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Jenna's Magical Adventures 