I will start my “Taste of Disney” series off with one of my favorite dining experiences– Disney’s 50′s Primetime Cafe. When you walk in the door, you are transported back to the 1950′s with vintage decor, wallpaper, furniture, and even black-and-white TV. After checking in with one of your “family members” at the counter, you take a seat in the family living room to wait for dinner. You can even sneak a drink from “dad’s liquor cabinet” to start things off for the night.

“Casagrand kids! Casagrand kids, time for dinner!” These are the words my family heard “mom” screaming when our table was ready. We followed her to our table, sat down, and our napkins and utensils were thrown down as we were instructed to set the table for dinner. Mom told us to keep our elbows off the table and to keep our “walkie talkies” off….or else. Our server was good ole, “cousin Eric.” You guys remember Cousin Eric right?! Distance cousin on Mom’s side of the family!

Cousin Eric took our orders and told me he would make me a PB&J milkshake because I would love it. He wasn’t kidding. The PB&J milkshake is now officially my favorite milkshake. Which is a shame because I haven’t found one (or a good one at least) anywhere else besides Prime Time! Dad (my real dad!) ordered “dad’s traditional meatloaf” and the rest of us went with “aunt Liz’s golden fried chicken.” We also all got chicken noodle soup as an appetizer. Dinner came and Cousin Eric caught me red-handed texting on my walkie talkie at the table. Needless to say, he wasn’t pleased. He scolded me and told me he would make me go stand in the corner if he caught me again! I knew he meant business so I put that phone away…and fast!

The meatloaf got the thumbs up from dad and us girls loved our fried chicken! Also, the chicken noodle soup is awesome (I am a soup person, so it takes a lot for me to approve of a soup)! Unfortunately, I am not a veggies person. Not one bit. Cousin Eric didn’t like this either. He was mad that I left my veggies on my plate and made airplane noises as he tried to feed me a forkful of greens. No thanks, Cuz!

I forgot to mention one of the best parts of dinner. We got seated at a TV table and got to watch old shows while we waited for our food. We saw shows like the Dick van Dyke show, Dennis the Menace, The Mickey Mouse Club, I Married Joan, and even some fabulous PSAs for 1950s dating tips!

The interactive experience is irreplaceable at Prime Time. If you want to have a good time, share some laughs with “family,” and get a taste of the 50s for the night, this place is perfect. If you’re looking for a more quiet, intimate setting, this is not your scene. The menu has other appetizers such as onion rings and crab cakes and entrees such as chicken pot pie, pot roast, and sandwiches. I’ve also heard great things about the s’mores, brownie sundae, and cobbler for dessert. Everyone should try this restaurant at least one time while visiting Hollywood Studios because it is something you need to cross off the list!

For today’s recipe, I’m pulling Dad’s Traditional Meatloaf recipe from my Cooking With Mickey and The Disney Chefs cookbook! Be sure to scroll down after the meatloaf recipe for a bonus PB&J milkshake recipe! Yum, enjoy everyone!

Dad’s Traditional Meatloaf

Ingredients:

2 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork

4 eggs

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

½ cup diced onions

1/4 cup diced green peppers

1/4 cup diced red peppers

2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce

Cracked black pepper to taste

Kosher salt to taste

½ cup Meatloaf Glaze (recipe below)

Method:

Dice peppers and onions and set aside for later use. Combine meats and seasonings. Add vegetables. Place meat mixture in oiled loaf pan. Bake at 350º F oven for 1 hour (internal temp 155º).

Brush meatloaf with meatloaf glaze. Bake another 10 minutes. Let meatloaf set 10 minutes, cut loaf and serve.

Meatloaf Glaze Ingredients:

½ cup ketchup

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tsp Dijon mustard

½ Tsp worcestershire sauce

Method:

Combine all ingredients until mixture becomes smooth.

PB&J Milkshake

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons peanut butter

2 tablespoons grape jelly

2 cups vanilla ice cream

¼ cup milk

Method:

Blend ingredients until smooth and thick

Add additional peanut butter or jelly to taste

Happy cooking!

*o*–Kristin

Have any of you been to Prime Time? What is your favorite dish served there?

Kristin Casagrand is a student currently studying physical therapy at Bellarmine University. Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Kristin has taken many a family vacations as a child driving 24 hrs, cramped in the back of the car and fighting with her sister to get to Disney (definitely worth it though). She looks forward to sharing “A taste of Disney” with everyone each week.

The post The Taste of Disney: 50′s Primetime Cafe appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

- Monsters University Monorail (The Monsterail?)
- Car Masters Weekend
- New Droid Factory
- New Dining in France and the Boardwalk
- Pirate’s Adventure: Treasures of the Seven Seas
- Monstrous Summer
- and more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Have you played the new Pirate’s Adventure game in the Magic Kingdom? Leave your answers in the COMMENTS on the WDW Radio blog

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Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: WDW Radio LIVE NewsCast – Monsters University Monorail, Cars, Droids, Dining, Pirate’s Adventure, NJ Event and more! – Apr. 24, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #320 for the week of April 14, 2013.

As a Florida resident who was born and raised in New Jersey, I’m constantly on a quest for a little taste of home, including good, authentic pizza, and this week, my search has brought me to what many argue isn’t just the best pizza in Florida, but anywhere – Via Napoli in the Italy pavilion of Epcot’s World Showcase. This week, we’ll do a live review of Via Napoli and sample not just their authentic neapolitan pizza, but take a culinary tour of Southern Italy – all while never leaving Walt Disney World.

I’ll have the answer to our last Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week, and pose a new challenge for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

Stay tuned for additional information and announcements at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello
http://LouMongello.com

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where do YOU think you can find the best Italian food in Walt Disney World? Leave your answer in the comments section below!

• Listen to this week’s episode for the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for a chance to win a Disney prize package!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store

The post WDW Radio # 320 – Live Review of Via Napoli in Epcot, Disney Trivia Contest – Apr. 14, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Topics in this week’s Disney news include:

- New Spice Road Table restaurant in Morocco in Epcot World Showcase
- Ridley Pearson Kingdom Keepers VI book signing in Downtown Disney
- Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort named most iconic Orlando restaurant by Zagat
- And more!

QUESTION OF THE WEEK – Have you ever eaten at Victoria and Albert’s? Tell us about your experience in the Comments!

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Join us every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. ET at http://WDWRadioLIVE.com for a LIVE interactive video news show covering Walt Disney World. Be a part of the broadcast and discussion and discuss the news real-time in the chat room.

Thanks for watching! Be sure to tune in next week!

- Lou Mongello

The post Video: WDW NewsCast – New Epcot Restaurant, Ridley Pearson and Kingdom Keepers VI, Victoria & Albert’s – April 3, 2013 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

The Coral Reef Restaurant is a popular table service location, so I recommend making reservations as soon as you begin planning your vacation. As with any table service location in Disney World, you can make an Advanced Dining Reservation (ADRs) up to 180 days prior to your vacation. Many restaurants fill up extremely quickly, especially for the most popular meal times, so be sure to book early. If you find that you cannot obtain a reservation for any restaurant at the time you want, try booking either a late lunch or an early dinner. More reservations are usually available at those times as they are less popular than the usual meal hours. If you do not have a reservation, but decide while in the parks that you would like to try a restaurant, speak to either the Concierge at your resort or the Dining Booth at any of the parks. They will be able to secure a reservation for you on that day if there are any available.

Once you have your reservation for the Coral Reef Restaurant, plan to arrive at least twenty minutes early. I suggest this since you can request upon arrival to be seated against the salt water tanks offering a completely unobstructed view of the sea creatures. While this seating request cannot be guaranteed, you have a much better chance of being seated there if you request it early. Don’t worry if you cannot get a table against the tanks, the restaurant is set up so that tables are arranged in tiers, offering each table of diners a fantastic view of the sea creatures and coral. It is also a great idea to get to the restaurant early as there are some gorgeous undersea decorations and color motifs in the waiting area to check out before being seated. My favorite features are the lights behind the check-in desk that look like giant squids and are lit with wonderful tropical colors.

Once you are ready to be seated, the hostess brings you down a small staircase and into the main dining room. Immediately you are taken aback by the enormous tanks as they are truly the focal point of the room. This 5.7 million gallon tank is over 200 feet wide and 27 feet deep and houses over 4,000 different sea creatures. It is the largest inland saltwater environment ever built and it holds enough water to fill over fifty Olympic-sized swimming pools! Once you are seated, be sure to make use of the “Coral Reef Restaurant Fish Guide.” Inside is a comprehensive list featuring a picture and small piece of information about each sea creature inside the tank. See how many you can identify throughout your meal! My favorite creatures in the tank are the giant sea turtles and the sting rays. These two creatures can frequently be seen making laps throughout the tank and thus will pass by your vantage point multiple times throughout your meal. One of the great things about these tanks and the beautiful creatures within is that they make the restaurant appeal to guests on many different levels. Not only do children enjoy finding the sea creatures, but adults can also find the ambiance to be romantic. So no matter what your motive for dining in the Coral Reef Restaurant, you will be sure to be satisfied.

After you have enjoyed the tanks for a few minutes and are able to tear your eyes away from the spectacular views, it’s time for the most important part of any meal at Disney- choosing your meal! Appetizers include Crispy-fried Shrimp, Crab Cakes, Creamy Lobster Soup, and a Field Greens and Endive Salad. I recommend the Caesar Salad served with parmesan cheese and croutons for this course. The entrees offered include Pan-Seared Sustainable Catch, Coral Reef Lobster Orecchiette Pasta, Seared Chicken Breast, Grilled New York Strip Steak, and Orange Ginger-Glazed Scottish Salmon. As I do not eat seafood, I recommend the Grilled New York Strip Steak which is served with roasted potatoes, mushroom spinach, and red wine sauce. It is delicious!

For dessert, the menu offers the ever-popular Chocolate Wave, Classic Vanilla Crème Brulee, Champagne Sabayon Tart, Baileys and Jack Daniel’s Mousse, and Orange Cheesecake. My choice from the dessert list is the Chocolate Wave which is served with raspberry gelato. Be sure to notify the restaurant or server if you are allergic to any foods or have a dietary restriction. Most always they will be able to accommodate you by substituting another item or creating a special dish just for you. While I love the Chocolate Wave, I am allergic to raspberry. My server was able to switch out the raspberry gelato for vanilla ice cream with no problem! Also offered at the Coral Reef Restaurant are some unique and delicious cocktails along with select beers and wines. There are two drinks that I would recommend- the Pinot Grigio from Italy and the Coral ‘Rita which is a margarita with Patron Anejo and Cointreau. There are also plenty of non-alcoholic beverage options including traditional sodas, root beer, and lemonade.

Did you know that after trying any dish at a table service restaurant in Disney World you can make the same dish at home? That’s right- you can easily obtain any recipe that you desire. Simply ask your server for the information card to fill out in order to receive the recipe. You will be asked to fill out a brief card with your contact information and within a few weeks the recipe will be sent to you! What a great way to recreate a little Disney magic at home after your vacation!

Overall, the Coral Reef Restaurant is one of my favorite places to dine on property due to the combination of its amazing views and ambiance and its delicious food. I love returning here time and time again as it never fails to disappoint. Since it’s based on living creatures, it is also guaranteed to never be the same experience twice (just like Kilimanjaro Safaris!). I highly recommend trying this restaurant as you are sure to have a great experience no matter what.

Do you love dining at the Coral Reef Restaurant? What are your favorite foods there? Have you ever had a special interaction with one of the sea creatures? Be sure to let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney From The Twenty-Something: Coral Reef Restaurant appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

“Drinking Around the World” is an activity that involves sampling a drink from each of the eleven countries in the World Showcase in Epcot. While most consider it to only involve beverages which contain alcohol, it can also be done with non-alcoholic beverages. The beauty of World Showcase is that there is something unique for everyone to experience in each country, including drinks! With that being said, I think it a great way to further experience the cultures represented by these eleven countries, and something I always look forward to partaking in during my Walt Disney World trips.

If you choose to try drinking around the world with alcoholic beverages, there are several things to keep in mind. Please be responsible, as Ros says you don’t want to be that guy. Make sure to pace yourself and always keep in mind that drinking around the world does not mean that you absolutely need to sample a drink in every country. Why not pick and choose your favorite drinks from each? Set aside and entire afternoon to explore the World Showcase with your drinks as this offers you a chance to really appreciate the detail of each pavilion without rushing yourself. Also know your limit while drinking; it’s all good and fun until someone becomes too intoxicated. So make sure to snack on some of the amazing culinary offerings in each country along the way and stay hydrated. That Florida sun can be brutal, especially in the summer months, so staying hydrated is crucial. One great way to stay sufficiently hydrated and save money is to invest in a refillable Brita water bottle. You can purchase them for around $9 in Target and they feature a built in filter, so even when filling up at a water fountain you are ensured clean water.

Another great way to experience drinking around the world is with a group of people. This offers numerous benefits. This activity can become expensive, especially if you are purchasing alcoholic beverages, so doing so with a group of people can help to cut the costs. If you share drinks, you will not only get to save money, but it also provides you with the opportunity to sample several drinks in each country! My final tip for drinking around the world is to have an idea of what drinks you may like to try in each country. If you search “drinking around the world” on DisneyFoodBlog.com, tons of results come up displaying the beverage options in each country around World Showcase. Doing a little research before arriving will help you to avoid confusion, save for the drinks you really want to try, and also help to build excitement for the experience!

With all that being said, here is a list of each country, the drinks which I recommend and want to try myself, where they can be found, and the prices (all of this information can be found on DisneyFoodBlog.com):

Mexico:          Blood Orange Margarita        La Cava del Tequila $12.30

Avocado Margarita                La Cava del Tequila $13.50

Dos Equis Amber                   La Cava del Tequila $6.50

Norway:          Tromso                                   Akershus $9.75

Carlsberg Beer                        Beer Cart $8.00

Ariel Punch*                           Akershus $6.49

China:             Tipsy Ducks in Love              Joy of Tea $8.50

Tipsy Ducks in Love*                        Joy of Tea $5.50

Iced Chai Tea*                        Nine Dragons $2.98

Germany:       Radeberger Pilsner                 Biergarten $13.00

Selbach Riesling                     Sommerfest $7.50

Italy:               Sangria                                    Via Napoli $8.00

Paladin Pinot Grigio               Tutto Gusto $8.00

Cappuccino*                           Via Napoli $5.00

US:                  Samuel Adams                       Liberty Inn $6.75

Frozen Cherry Slush*             Liberty Inn $3.99

Frozen Red Stag Lemonade   Fife and Drum Tavern $8.50

Japan:             Plum Wine                              Yakitori House $5.50

Kirin Ichiban Beer                  Yakitori House $5.75

Morocco:        Marrakesh Express                 Restaurant Marrakesh $8.99

Berber Passion*                      Restaurant Marrakesh $4.99

Tangierine Cocktail                Tangierine Café $7.99

France:           Grand Marnier & Grey

Goose Orange Slush          Les Vins des Chefs de France $9.34

Grey Goose Citron

Lemonade Slush                Les Vins des Chefs de France $9.34

UK:                 Cider & Black                        Rose & Crown Pub $8.50

Black & Tan                           Rose & Crown Pub $8.50

Canada:          Godiva Chocolate Martini     Le Cellier Steakhouse $9.50

Blanche de Chambly              Le Cellier Steakhouse $6.25

North Bay Smoothie*             Snack Cart $4.00

* Indicates non-alcoholic beverages

While those are the drinks that I enjoyed or want to try in the World Showcase, I would love to hear what you enjoy drinking while exploring the countries! Have you ever tried drinking around the world? Let me know in the comments below, I would love to hear from you!

Caitlin Corsello was born and raised in New York. She graduated from Adelphi University with a Masters in Mental Health Counseling in 2012. Her love for Disney started as an infant and has continued to grow with family vacations to Disney parks almost every year since. She holds a particular interest in WDW’s parks and attractions, never passing up an opportunity to visit. She looks forward to continuing to explore and learn about all things Disney and to share that passion with readers.

The post Disney from a Twenty-Something: Drinking Around the World appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

THE DFB GUIDE to WALT DISNEY WORLD DINING 2012 BY AJ WOLFE

In my day-job world, the saying “above” is often used when constructing research designs for dissertations. It’s a great saying because it forces the thinker to always realize that her quest for a good study only has real validity when you do uncover principles, themes, and facts that were previously undiscovered. When the student not only can construct such research, but also bring it to successful conclusion we say they have earned doctorates.

I don’t know if it is true, but I am told that less than one half of one percent of the world’s population has such esteemed degrees.

Ahh but I have just created yet another degree and have metaphorically awarded it to AJ Wolfe from the Disney Food Blog for her “dissertation” about dining in Walt Disney World, and I bet that no one, in or out of Walt Disney World has researched and constructed such a study as her Guide to Walt Disney World Dining as she has!

There’s a major “yes-but” here too. Most dissertations are deadly reading and are foolproof sleep aids for the most intractable insomniac.

Not true for this book. AJ Wolfe has amassed tons of information, welded these with excellent photographs that complement the text, and structured all this in easily readable, candid, often humorous, and helpful prose! If you follow her on her own podcast, the DFB food blog, or on other well-known podcasts about Walt Disney World you will find the same sort of wit blended with experience and expertise.

Throw in the 21^st century too! This book is only available in PDF format so it can be accessed and read from your tablet or computer. And more importantly the electronic format enables the reader to use the book’s zillion and one hyperlinks to go to the page or sections that the reader may need for a specific purpose.

Now don’t get me wrong, many of you will WANT to read the book “cover to cover!” But the book’s electronic format also enables you to “choose your own adventure” when you need only some specific information or advice.

There is virtually no aspect about Disney Dining, planning for it, paying for it, and oh by the way enjoying it, that you will be unable to find in the guide. And having the book for its advice and information will certainly be a major contributor to you and your family’s very happy and satisfying vacation.

I’d assign this book a TWO Castle rating because of its great value to anyone who is planning a trip to Walt Disney World and wants foolproof information and advice about how to make the most of their dining experiences at the World.

Congratulations “Dr.” AJ.

Special Offer for WDW Radio readers! Use code WDWRADIO at checkout and save on the Disney Food Blog Guides! Order the Guides from the Disney Food Blog store

Follow AJ and the Disney Food Blog on Twitter

Rich may be the only blogger who; had an ORIGINAL Davy Crockett coonskin cap (and wishes he still had it); watched Disney’s Wonderful World of Color in black and white; watched the Disneyland opening ceremonies on that same black and white; AND rode the original It’s a Small World in the 1964 World’s Fair in New York. In addition, he is a college professor, and a grandfather of six whom he is thoroughly dis-doctrinating as often as possible.

The post What You Know, What You Don’t Know, What You Don’t Know That You Don’t Know… About Walt Disney World Dining! appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #296 for the week of October 14, 2012.

I’m here to help you have the best possible Disney vacation experience, and bring you some Disney magic to to wherever you are with this podcast, videos, blog, live broadcasts, events, trivia books, CDs and more. You can find it all at WDWRadio.com

I want to introduce you to what may be a new type of dining experience for you in Walt Disney World. While we traditionally think of breakfast, lunch and dinner in the parks, resorts and other dining locations, this week we’re going to do a live restaurant review – not in a restaurant. One of my favorite ways and locations to dine in is late-night at the lounges across Walt Disney World property. Did you know that most of the lounges have a great appetizer menu with items you normally can’t find anywhere else? Well this week, I’m going to share one of those experiences with you as we recorded live from the Territory Lounge at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. We’ll sample the menu (all of it), and talk about how and why this is a great way to enjoy the food, and the company, in Walt Disney World.

See how well you did on last week’s challenge and then answer the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for your chance to win a Disney prize package.

I’ll then have some announcements at the end of the show, including information about a new contest, upcoming events and live video broadcasts. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Where is your favorite late-night dining location in Walt Disney World? Leave your answer in the comments section below!

• Listen to this week’s episode for the Walt Disney World Trivia Question of the Week for a chance to win a Disney prize package!
• Disney Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations on our Events page
• Watch & chat during our LIVE WDW NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET at WDWRadioLIVE.com
• For more videos, subscribe to our WDW Radio channel on YouTube or the show in iTunes
• Get Celebrations Magazine on your iPad/iPhone in iTunes App Store
• Check out the Disney Food Blog e-book: The DFB Mini-Guide to the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival! – Use code WDWRADIO to save 20%!

Follow Lou on Twitter and

The post Show # 296 – October 14, 2012 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

If you do an online search in your favorite search engine with the phrase, “Why should I go vegan,” endless results appear for websites with lists on positive reasons to go vegan. I thought I would do a little twist on this trending list format by making a light-hearted “go vegan” list, but with a Disney twist!

So, what are some Disney related reasons to go vegan, or at least reduce your meat intake, while touring the 4 WDW parks? Keep reading and see!

-Save the cheese for the mice! Mickey and Minnie have to eat, too!

-Let Pumba have a “problem free philosophy!” Pumba shouldn’t have to worry about getting eaten!

-“Oh, oobee doo, I wanna be like yoouuu!” Many people look up to and model themselves after celebrities! Some famous vegan role models include- Ellen DeGeneres, Woody Harrelson, Alicia Silverstone, Mike Tyson, Steve-O, Tobey Maguire, Casey Affleck, Prince, Paul McCartney, Alanis Morissette, Shania Twain, Alec Baldwin, Bill CIinton, Carrie Underwood, and Anthony Kiedis, to name a few.

-Donald Duck- I know you can’t understand a word he says, but that doesn’t mean you should eat him!

-Don’t become the 1000^th happy haunt too early! Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.! Animal products are the only source of food containing cholesterol! Eating a plant based diet stops the consumption of cholesterol and tends to be lower in saturated fats, which are 2 high risk factors in heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol!

-Feel less sluggish throughout the day- Foods heavy on the fats and those that are high in sugar and carbohydrates with little fiber to ease the digestion can give you a food high, followed by a crash! Eat whole, healthy foods to avoid this- something easily done with a vegan diet!

-”It’s a small world, after all…”- When I think about this phrase, I think about all the countries around the world I would love to travel to (if I didn’t plan all my vacation time visiting WDW!). Americans and their love for meat, I thought, really separates us from other countries. In fact, “Americans consume more meat than people in most other developed nations. In 2009, the U.S. produced 94 kilograms (208 pounds) of meat per person for domestic consumption, not including seafood. That’s nearly 60 percent more than Europe (61 kg, or 134 pounds per person) and nearly four times as much as developing countries.*” The reason I bring this up is because when you are an American, especially one that only gets one vacation a year, and you decide to use that on traveling to WDW, you miss out on traveling to other countries. If you traveled to those countries, you might eat like them, so why not try to eat like them in WDW instead anyway and eat less meat on vacation!?

-Clarabell the Cow might come around more!- For those of you who know about rare character sightings around the parks, you know that Clarabell the Cow is one of those rare characters! Maybe she would come around more if the world was a safer place for cows!

-A single Turkey Leg is “over 1000 calories and 50 grams of fat**” for just a SNACK- need I say more?

-Live to see Tomorrow(land) or the new Fantasyland Expansion!- With all the studies conducted proving the health benefits of a vegan diet, including lower risk of heart disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, (and even cancer according to “The China Study”), it’s reasonable to bet a vegan might live longer!

-Be more like Aladdin/Jasmine- Aladdin takes place in the fictional Arabian city, Agrabah. Middle Eastern food has a reputation for having a vast selection of vegetarian and vegan options like hummus, falafel, pita bread, baba ghanouj, baklava (which Genie sings about), couscous, tabouleh, and salads among other things! Plus, in the movie, you see Aladdin snacking on a loaf of bread with Abu, Iago eating crackers, Jasmine handing an apple to a kid, and when Genie poofs up “column B,” it’s a mountain of fruit- what’s more vegan than that!?

-Feel less heavy before riding thrill rides- Dairy and meats tend to give you that “rock in the stomach,” and heartburn feeling, which is not a good mix when spinning upside down on a coaster!

-  Look more like a Princess/Prince, and less like a Pooh Bear- Along with many other health benefits of a plant based diet, a person who follows a vegan lifestyle is at less risk of obesity!***

-  “A plain yellow pumpkin to become”….. a family meal- Ok, maybe not a PUMPKIN, but… you know what I mean. It takes less work for your body to digest fruits and vegetables, so take the energy you save to walk to the next attraction and stay for all the EMH!

Angie has been a WDW addict since her first visit at age 8, and since then her life has never been the same! She lives in upstate NY with her boyfriend, Kevin (fellow Disney lover), and their 3 dogs, Flip, Josie, and Hildy, where she works at Farm Sanctuary as an animal caregiver. Please join Angie every week in “Fish Are Friends, Not Food: Eating Vegan in WDW!” Angie believes that WDW is the most magical place for people with special diets, so, should you have any special diet questions (especially about vegan and gluten-free dining) she’d be happy to help!

The post Fish are Friends, Not Food: Why Dine Vegan in Disney Parks? appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Join Lou Mongello LIVE from the Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel on Friday, Oct. 12 – Come by and experience the event in person as we sample our way around the food, beverages and more!

Can’t make it this year? — Watch and chat with us LIVE at WDWRadioLIVE.com starting at around 6:00pm. And be sure and stay tuned for a free giveaway during the show! You won’t want to miss it!!!

Food and wine tastings, educational experiences and meet-and-greets with celebrity chefs will once again be the focus at the Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel on Oct. 12-13. The event will include an outdoor festival featuring culinary selections from the Walt Disney World hotel’s award-winning restaurants and lounges, a series of beverage seminars taught by the hotel’s certified experts, and opportunities to meet with celebrity chefs Todd English and Michael Mina.

Keeping consistent with past years, guests can participate in beverage seminars, sample savory dishes and stroll through the iconic causeway while being serenaded by live music.

The two-night event will be held at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, with chefs from the hotel’s 17 award-winning restaurants and lounges serving samplings of numerous tasty options.  This year’s selections will include free-form lasagna, delicately presented by Il Mulino New York Trattoria and shrimp cocktail steam rollers, an event favorite, from Todd English’s bluezoo.

Beverage stations will offer mini-learning experiences and feature offerings such as wine, sake and beer.  Those looking for a more in-depth experience can choose from a variety of hour-long beverage seminars taught by certified wines ommeliers and beer and cocktail specialists from the hotel’s team. Attendees will learn drink origins, pairing tips and enjoy an informative tasting experience. Seminars will be offered both evenings and include Wine Blending; Modern Mixology; Riesling Rendezvous; Base to Bubbles; Beer, Please!, All Things Sake and Spanish Wines.

Throughout the evening, attendees will have additional opportunities to learn about beverage through a Cocktail 101 recurring class that will take place during the outdoor festival.

To finish, guests can delight in a selection of desserts from the only two-time World Pastry Champion, Laurent Branlard, the hotel’s executive pastry chef.  And for those interested in taking home a taste of the Swan and Dolphin Food & WineClassic, bottles of all the evening’s wine samplings will be available for purchase along with other event merchandise.

New to this year’s event is the appearance of Chef Mina, as he joins Chef English to meet with guests and serve a special sampling of his cuisine.

Mina is an award-winning chef and author of Michael Mina: The Cookbook.  He is the executive chef at his two namesake restaurants in San Francisco and Las Vegas; has been featured in multiple national print magazines and cooked for celebrities and notables including three U.S. presidents.

English is a world-renowned restaurateur who has gained national acclaim through his line of restaurants and cookbooks, and his countless other food-related enterprises.  His concept, Todd English’s bluezoo, is a AAA four-diamond restaurant and one of the signature restaurants of the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel.

With 17 restaurants and lounges, a distinguished culinary and beverage team and unmatched customer service, the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel continually receives national recognition for its food and beverage program. The hotel features more than 70 certified wine sommeliers and 1,400 wine selections, including organic and rare vintages.

Tickets to the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic are available as part of a hotel package or individually.  For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500.

What:               Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic

Info:                 The Third Annual Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel returns Oct. 12-13, showcasing some of the top food, wine and beers in the world, along with informative seminars conducted by members of the hotel’s award-winning food and beverage team Highlighting the event will be the appearances of celebrity chefs Todd English and Michael Mina.

The Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic consists of seven beverage seminars, live entertainment and more than 30 food and beverage stations featuring appetizing selections from restaurants, including Shula’s Steak House, Il Mulino New York Trattoria and Todd English’s bluezoo as well as wines, beers, and cocktails from around the world.

When:              Friday, Oct. 12 and Saturday, Oct. 13

• 4:30pm – 5:30pm – Beverage Seminars
• 5:30pm – 9:00pm – Tasting Stations Open on Causeway

Where:             Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel

Ticket Information:

• One and two-night packages including tickets to the outdoor festival for two and overnight accommodations are available, starting at $285 per night
• Advance purchase event-only tickets are available for $80 including taxes and include unlimited food and beverage samples on the causeway
• Seminars are $45 per person, per class including taxes
• For more information or to book, please visit www.SwanDolphinFoodandWineClassic.com or call 1-800-227-1500

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