Feb 15 2016

Nine Dragons In Epcot Celebrates Year Of The Monkey

Great news for fans of the Nine Dragons Restaurant in the China Pavilion at Epcot! In celebration of the Chinese “Year of the Monkey”, this dining location is offering some delicious special menu items as well as a brand new prix fixe lunch menu.

The specialty items added just for the “Year of the Monkey” are three types of steamed buns for only $8.98 per order.

Braised Pork Belly Steamed Buns
Steamed Chinese Buns with Braised Pork Belly served with Chili Aioli

General Tso’s Chicken Buns
Steamed Chinese Buns with Battered Fried Chicken Breast topped with Pork Floss and General Tso’s Sauce

Battered Fried Fish Buns
Seasoned Chinese Buns with Battered Fried White Fish topped with Pork Floss and Sweet-and-Sour Sauce

The prix fixe lunch menu includes three courses for only $17.98 per person.

First Course
Choice of Spring Rolls or Pot Stickers

Second Course
Select from Three Entrees:
Happily Family – Sliced Chicken Breast, Beef, and Shrimp Stir Fry
Moo Goo Gai Pan – Stir-Fried Chicken Breast, Mushrooms, and Snow Peas
General Tso’s Chicken Buns Lunch Box – Three Steamed Buns and Hot-and-Sour Soup

Third Course
Choice of Strawberry-Red Bean or Ginger-Caramel Ice Cream

Nine Dragons Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner from 12:00pm to park closing. These menu specials are available now through January 27, 2017, and several discounts are being offered including Passholder, Disney Vacation Club, Tables in Wonderland, and Golden Oak. To celebrate the Chinese New Year, all of these discounts have been increased to 20% for the entire month of February. In addition, the Disney Dining Plan is accepted. To make reservations or for more information, please click here or call 407-WDW-DINE.

Heading to Disney World soon?

If you are planning a vacation to Disney World, be sure to check out these valuable resources to help you save time and money:

Check out my new book 501 Ways to Make the Most of Your Walt Disney World Vacation for secret insider tips and tricks that you won’t find anywhere else!
View the latest Disney World discounts currently available!
Guarantee the best vacation price by clicking here for more information!

Will you be dining at Nine Dragons during the “Year of the Monkey”?
Please leave a comment; I would love to hear from you!

Feb 14 2016

Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up February 14, 2016

Here’s the Disney World Enthusiast Weekly Round Up for February 14, 2016!

Latest Disney World Enthusiast Articles

Tip Of The Week

When visiting Magic Kingdom and it’s time for a meal, hop on the resort monorail to The Contemporary, Polynesian Village, or Grand Floridian to enjoy a quiet, leisurely lunch or dinner. Not only will this help recharge you for more touring, it also offers a nice break from the crowds and heat of the parks.

Looking for more tips like this? Click here!

Disney Did You Know

Each story of the pagoda in the Japan Pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot represents one of the five elements in the Buddhist Universe. In order from the bottom to top they are earth, water, fire, wind, and heaven.

Walt’s Words

“The flower that blooms in adversity is the rarest and most beautiful of all.”

Disney World Enthusiast Giveaway

From now through Friday, February 19, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four Plaid MagicBand Skins. Just click here and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter as well!

Behind The Magic Podcast

Be sure to catch up on this week’s episodes when Zeek, Rachel, and I discuss Disney news, rumors, and so much more. For more information about this week’s podcasts or to listen, please click here.

Featured Advertiser

Have you heard of this incredible gadget – Bitbelt? If you aren’t familiar, this handy creation secures your MagicBand so that it doesn’t accidentally become lost. Anyone that carries a child, a backpack, or wears a jacket at Disney World knows how easily a MagicBand can become unclasped. That’s where this little beauty comes in! Simply place a Bitbelt on your MagicBand and save yourself the trouble of having to search for a lost band or take the time to get a replacement. Bitbelts come in a dozen different colors and in two sizes – adult and junior. They are only $4.99 each plus they offer discounted pricing when you purchase multiple Bitbelts in one order. And if you think Bitbelts are great for MagicBands, they are also available for your fitness trackers. Never lose a pricey Fitbit again! For more information about Bitbelt, please click here!

Featured Book

The difference between an average and an outstanding Walt Disney World trip is in the details. Kristi Fredericks helps make your dream vacation a reality with her numerous tips and tricks to save money, time, and sanity while at the happiest place on earth in her new book “501 Ways To Make The Most Of Your Walt Disney World Vacation”. For more information, to read an excerpt, or to purchase, please click here.

Considering A Disney World Vacation

Jennifer Hardy, a Disney Vacation Planner with Destinations in Florida, is the official travel partner of Disney World Enthusiast. She can help you book your next Disney vacation whether it is to Disney World, Disneyland, or aboard the Disney Cruise Line. Currently Jennifer has some incredible deals for discounted travel to Disney World. For more information about Jennifer’s amazing and absolutely free services or to get a free no-obligation quote, please click here!

You’re Invited

Jennifer Hardy, from Destinations in Florida, and I have teamed up to create a brand new Facebook Group called Next Disney Vacation! It is the perfect place to talk about your next Disney vacation, voice your opinions, ask your questions, get them answered, and share the magic. Whether it’s Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World, or the Disney Cruise Line, Jennifer and I are ready to help. Everyday you’ll find posts, photos, trivia, tips, and more that we find all throughout the Disney Universe. If you’re counting the days until your next Disney vacation or just dreaming of one, we would love to have you join in the fun and conversation! Please click here to be a part of our group!

Coming Up Next Week

Next week I’ll have some dining and planning information plus all of the latest Disney World news!

Have a wonderful week!

Feb 13 2016

Behind The Magic Podcast Recap February 8 – February 12, 2016

Welcome to Season 4 of Behind The Magic Podcast!

This “snack credit” of podcasts is a unique 15-minute daily Disney podcast hosted by Zeek, Rachel, and myself. Every day Monday through Friday you can join us for entertaining Disney information, discussions, guests, games, and more. We’ll be surprising you each and every day with all of our funny stories and Disney insider knowledge. And of course, we’ll also keep you up-to-date on all of the latest Disney news and gossip.

Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect each day:

Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Mondays with all of the latest Disney gossip and rumors!
Tuesday ~ Topical Tuesdays with exciting Disney discussions!
Wednesday ~ With Us Wednesdays with celebrity guests from around the Disney Universe!
Thursday ~ Theme Park Thursdays with fun information, facts, and stories about the parks!
Friday ~ Fun Fridays with fantastic fun and games!

This Week’s Episodes

This week’s episodes include:

Monday ~ Mouse Whispers Monday Disney Nightlife
Tuesday ~ Behind Drone Wars
Thursday ~ Behind Japan

For more details about each episode and to listen, please click here!

We hope you enjoy our show!

Feb 12 2016

Remember Magic YOUR Band Plaid MagicBand Skins Giveaway

A must-have Disney World vacation accessory!

Remember To Enter Daily To Win

Remember to enter daily to win a set of four “Plaid” MagicBand Skins from now through Friday, February 19 at midnight. Good luck, everyone! 🙂

The Review

Recently I arranged with Tracy at Magic YOUR Band to review their MagicBand Skins. If you aren’t familiar with this product, these adorable decals attach directly to your Disney World MagicBand creating your own personalized look.

Tracy asked me to pick out a MagicBand Skin that I liked as well as try out their online design tool for this review. My youngest son was excited to test the product with me so he choose the two piece “Slice of Pizza” design to go on his orange MagicBand. I decided to try putting my DisneyWorldEnthusiast.com logo on a skin for my red MagicBand. I was amazed at how easy Magic YOUR Band’s editing system worked. In a matter of minutes, I had a background selected and my logo in place and looking great! Then my son and I eagerly waited for our MagicBand Skins to arrive. Just as promised, they arrived in about a week.

We opened our delivery to find our MagicBand Skins nicely packaged and looking gorgeous! The first thing that struck me was how bright and vibrant the colors appeared. Upon further inspection, the MagicBand Skins looked perfectly cut and well made. Next up was getting them on our MagicBands.

The process was much easier than I thought it would be. I spent a few minutes watching the installation video on their site and then gave it a try. I found the skins to be very forgiving and I was able to lift them and adjust them until they were just right. Once I had the MagicBand Skins where I wanted, I went back over them pressing down firmly to make sure they were in place. It only took a couple of minutes until our MagicBands were looking quite magical!

My son and I wore our MagicBands with the Magic YOUR Band Skins throughout our most recent Disney World trip. They held up beautifully to ten days filled with pool time, attractions, and rain. We can’t wait to wear our new favorite Disney accessory on our next Walt Disney World vacation!

Here’s all of the important information that you’ll need to get yourself a MagicBand Skin:

MagicBand Skins are available for purchase on MagicYOURBand.com.
They range in price from $6 to $8 each.
They offer special pricing when you purchase multiple MagicBand Skins in one order. Buy two to five and save 15%. Buy six to nine and save 25%. Buy ten or more and save 33%.
They come in one piece (that covers the center MagicBand Mickey) or two piece (that shows the center MagicBand Mickey) styles.
They have over 100 ready-made designs available including adorable holiday varieties!
You also have the options of personalizing one of their designs or creating your own with their easy-to-use online editing tool.
MagicBand Skins are fully waterproof. They hold up in the shower, pool, and a Florida rain storm!
The MagicBand Skins are easy to apply and remove if you want to change-up your look. They even have a handy video to show you how!
The Skins have no effect on how the MagicBand works. Your band will still be fully functional.
Magic YOUR Band is located in the United Kingdom and offers free international shipping on all orders.
The average delivery time is 7 days from the date of postage. You can upgrade to 2 business day FedEx International Priority Shipping for an additional fee.

The Giveaway

Interested in getting a MagicBand Skin of your own? Well, you’re in luck! From now through Friday, February 19, 2016 at midnight, please enter daily to win a set of four Plaid MagicBand Skins. Just click the image below and follow the instructions to be entered into the giveaway. Be sure to take advantage of the bonus entries, and please tell your friends and family to enter too!

Click image to enter!

Can’t wait and need a MagicBand Skin right away?
Please click this link to purchase one today!

Feb 11 2016

Afternoon Tea At Crescent Solarium At Disney’s Beach Club Resort

Any tea lovers out there? If so and you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World in the next few months, I have something new you might like to check out. Available on select dates (February 11 – 14, February 18 – 21, March 24 – 29, May 5 – 8, June 16 – 19, and September 1 – 5, 2016), guests can enjoy small bites and a delicious warm cup of tea in the elegant solarium at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Guests will have the choice of several different tea services:

Sea Side Park Tea $45 per person

First course featuring a selection of Artisan cheeses and seasonal accompaniments, second course petit sandwiches and canapés on house-made breads, third course scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale of house-made pastries and tea cookies. Accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea.

Prince Cove Tea $40 per person

First course featuring house-made charcuterie and cheese plate, second course scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale house-made pastries and tea cookies. Accompanied by your choice of loose-leaf tea.

Sandy Cove Tea $30 per person

First course featuring petit sandwiches and canapés on house-made breads, second course features scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, house-made pastries and tea cookies. Served with your choice of loose-leaf tea.

Short Sands Beach Tea $17 per person

Guests ages 3 – 9 can enjoy a first course of assorted tea sandwiches (shaped like Mickey Mouse), second course scone served with clotted cream, lemon curd and seasonal jam, finale chocolate chip cookies. Accompanied with special “dark tea” (chocolate milk).

Currently reservations are available only by calling 407-WDW-DINE. Looking for other places to enjoy tea? Please check out the Garden View Tea Room at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. This location not only offers a similar afternoon tea, but also an adorable Perfectly Princess morning tea. For more details, please click here.