When you are enjoying your Disney World Vacation in the hot Florida sun nothing helps you cool off better than a delicious ice cream treat.  This installment of Disney World Top 6 looks at the best places to find a wonderful ice cream treat at the Walt Disney World Resort.  These places serve up much more than the Mickey Ice Cream bars, so make sure you check all of them out for yourself!


6. Hollywood Scoops
At Disney's Hollywood Studios near the base of the Twilight Zone Tower Of Terror you can find Hollywood Scoops.


Here you can get a variety of ice cream dishes that extend far beyond the basic cone or cup of hand packed ice cream.  You can also indulge in an ice cream sundae, Brownie Sundae, or Apple Crisp ala mode.  Each treat is certain to satisfy your sweet cravings.


5. Fountain View Cafe
In perfect view of Spaceship Earth and the World Fellowship Fountain at Epcot is the Fountain View Cafe.  Here you can enjoy Edy's Ice Cream in a freshly made waffle cone or get a hot fudge sundae in a waffle bowl or an ice cream sandwich created with two freshly made cookies of your choice.


4. Main Street Ice Cream Parlor
What better location for an ice cream parlor can there be than on Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom?  Although the Main Street Ice Cream Parlor does not have an extensive menu, the combination of the hand packed ice cream into freshly made waffle cones or the "Plaza" Ice Cream Sundae is certainly the "cherry" on top of your day at the Magic Kingdom.  The aromas inside the shop are amazing as you catch the wondrous scents of the waffle cones and bowls being made.

3. Happy Landings Ice Cream
There is one location in our Top 6 that is often overlooked, but must be mentioned due to the signature "Sand Pail" ice cream creation.    Happy Landings Ice Cream can be found at Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park. 

Here you receive a sand pail that is filled with chocolate and vanilla soft-serve ice cream, waffle cone pieces, cookie pieces, sprinkles, hot fudge, caramel, strawberry sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and a cherry.  You even receive a shovel to help you eat it.  Definitely a treat to share!


2.  Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Downtown Disney is home to the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop.  It is very popular during the hot summer months and gets quite crowded each evening as the crowds line up in search of these amazing ice cream concoctions.

There is a large menu of wonderful creations ranging from the Gold Rush Peanut Butter Sundae to the the Golden Gate Banana Split.  There are some many different toppings and options it is hard to choose which one to try.

Make sure you try one that uses the famous Ghirardelli chocolate or hot fudge.



This is certainly a treat to be shared by the whole family and sometimes you may need to find another family to help you finish it!

Disney World Ice Cream Options
The great news is that you cannot go wrong by choosing any of our Top 6 locations to get ice cream treats at Disney World.  Don't pass up the chance to visit one or all of them all in the interest of staying cool this summer.

When it comes to Walt Disney World Resort Vacations people always remember the E-Ticket Attractions.  E-Ticket is the Disney term for featured, top of the line attractions that actually required a more valuable ticket to experience in the early days when ticket books with tickets bearing letters A through E were sold. 

At the Magic Kingdom theme park one of the best E-Ticket attractions is Splash Mountain.  As one of the Magic Kingdom's fabled three mountains, Splash Mountain may do the best job of combining story telling, use of audio animatronic characters that Disney is so well known for, and having a thrill ride element.


Splash Mountain
Later this year Splash Mountain will celebrate its 20th anniversary of entertaining and thrilling Disney World Guests.  This Disney World Mountain has its story based upon the 1946 Disney Movie Song Of The South.  The movie, which mixed live action and animation, is about the tales of Br'er Rabbit, Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear as told by Uncle Remus.


Splash Mountain is a wonderfully long ride, clocking in at well over 10 minutes.  This water based log flume ride has 4 drops as you are transported through the adventures of Br'er Rabbit on your way to The Laughin' Place.


Riders enjoy the early drops as they work their way through the mountain.  The scenery is filled with details that are worth paying attention to.


You can't help but get caught up with the catchy songs that are sung as you make your way from scene to scene.


You will encounter quite a collection of Br'er Rabbits neighbors who live in the Br'er Patch.

You are not disappointed by the wide array of audio animatronic figures that you see along your way.  Although they are not the most sophisticated or high tech, they help bring out the charm of the movie.


The thrill seekers look forward to the 52 1/2' tall final drop that will bring your 8 person log up to 40 mph during the fall.

Disney World Trivia: The Splash Mountain Drop is faster than you will travel on Space Mountain!


After you collect yourself after the big drop, you are set to return to the mountain one last time.


As you hear the memorable "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" you see the big Welcome Home banner for Br'er Rabbit and all of the partiers and well-wishers on the Riverboat.

At last the ride is over and you must depart your log.  You may end up anywhere from slightly wet to soaked so plan accordingly.

Disney World Must See Attraction
This Magic Kingdom E-Ticket attraction is a must do for Disney World visitors.  Definitely put this attraction on your list, because you don't want to miss the great storytelling or the fun 52 foot drop.

When you visit the Walt Disney World Resort this Spring to see the 19th Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival, you may also get to learn some design and landscaping tips from the expert designers at HGTV.

Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday throughout the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival celebrity experts will appear twice daily at the Festival Center presented by HGTV.  They will be presenting valuable tips on topics that include: "Designing for Curb Appeal" and "Working Makeover Magic for Desperate Landscapes."


The HGTV Celebrity Lineup includes:

• John Gidding, Curb Appeal March 9-11,  Designing for Curb Appeal
• Sabrina Soto, The High Low Project March 16-18,  Decorating Design Tips, Tricks and Savvy Shopping Secrets
• Jason Cameron, DIY Network’s March 23-25  Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves ,  Working Makeover Magic for Desperate Landscapes
• Camille Styles, Design Happens March 30-April 1,  Planning Garden Parties that Are Simple, but Not Your Garden Variety
• Dan Faires, DanMade — HGTV.com April 6-8,  Planting with Terrarium, Vertical Gardens and Small Space Greenery
• Brandon Johnson, My Yard Goes Disney April 13-15,  Bringing Disney Inspiration and HGTV Design To Your Backyard
• Meg Caswell, Meg’s Great Rooms & HGTV April 20-22,  Design Star Winner Season 6,  Tips for Turning a Good Room into a Great Room
• Monica Pedersen, designer/host Dream Home And Designed to Sell April 27-29,  Make It Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home
• Antonio Ballatore, The Antonio Treatment May 4-6,  Design Outside of the Box: How to Personalize, Customize and Inspire
• Carter Oosterhouse, Million Dollar Rooms May 11-13,  10 Renovation Tips You Need to Know
• Genevieve Gorder, HGTV Design Star and Dear Genevieve May 18-20,  Turning your Landscape Inside Out

In addition to its own celebrity stage appearances, HGTV will present the popular twice-daily Disney Gardening at Home series, where guests can join a workshop and take home projects ranging from hanging baskets to water garden features.

If you are vacationing at the Walt Disney World Resort during St. Patrick's Day weekend make sure you head to Downtown Disney for authentic Irish Food and entertainment.  The place to be is Raglan Road Restaurant and they have a special weekend full of events and entertainment sure to please those with Irish Roots and those who just enjoy a good time.

A Real Irish "St. Patrick's" Celebration

Raglan Road Restaurant, located in Downtown Disney at the Walt Disney World Resort, is the place for your taste of Ireland any time of the year with a menu design by award winning Chef Kevin Dundon, Irish Dancers and music, and a welcoming atmosphere that transports you to Ireland whenever you walk through the doors.

During St. Patrick's Day Weekend a special celebration occur with three days of music, dancing, food, and celebrations of all things Irish!  This becomes the center hub of the Downtown Disney St. Patrick's Day festivities.
here is the schedule of events:

Thursday March 15th
•Exclusive Luncheon with Chef Kevin Dundon at 1pm, call for reservations
•Live music & dancing on the Tonsil Tickler Patio from 6pm
• Creel performing on the main stage from 6pm


Friday March 16th
• Murphy's Law & The Irish Rogues perform from 6pm on the Tonsil Tickler Patio
• Creel with Special Guests on stage from 6pm, a show not to be missed!
• Raglan Road Dancers will delight guests with a variety of shows & individual performances throughout the evening

Saturday March 17th, St Patrick's Day!
" La Feile Padraig/Happy St. Patrick's Day!! "
• Doors open from 11.00am with live entertainment from 12pm
• Creel and the Raglan Road Dancers performing throughout the day
• Guest Musicians all the way from Ireland, Murphy's Law & The Irish Rogues
• ELEVATION, the worlds best U2 tribute band on stage at 10pm
• Performances from the Watters School of Irish Dancing
• Face-painting, stilt walkers, giveaways & great family fun

$10 cover charge on March 17th for guests 18 & over /No reservations, all walk up guests are welcome

The Disney Dining Plan options are worth serious consideration when you are booking your Walt Disney World Resort Vacations.  By adding the Disney Dining Plan to your vacation package you can turn your Disney World experience into a nearly all-inclusive type vacation.

There are 3 main Disney Dining Plans that most people consider: Disney Quick Service Dining Plan, Disney Dining Plan, & Disney Deluxe Dining Plan.  Below you will find details as to what each one offers and the prices for each.

2012 Disney Quick Service Dining Plan

• Two (2) Quick Services Meals
• One (1) Snacks

For each night of your stay

Also each guest will receive one (1) Resort refillable Drink Mug good for unlimited drink refills at your resort for the duration of your stay.

2012 Prices for the Quick Service Dining Plan

• Adults (Ages 10+) : $34.99 per day
• Children: (Ages 3-9): $11.99 per day

2012 Disney Dining Plan
The most popular Dining Plan is the original Disney Dining Plan gives Disney World guests the opportunity to enjoy both Table Service Restaurants and the Quick Service locations.  For 2012 it adds the refillable Resort Drink Mug, but the prices do increase versus 2011. With this dining plan you receive:

• One (1) Table Service meal
• One (1) Quick Service meal
• One (1) Snack

for each night of your stay.

Also each guest will receive one (1) Resort refillable Drink Mug good for unlimited drink refills at your resort for the duration of your stay.


2012 Prices of the Disney Dining Plan

• Adults (Ages 10+) : $51.54 per day (regular season) / $53.54 per day (peak season)
• Children: (Ages 3-9): $15.02 per day (regular season) / $16.02 per day (peak season)
  

Note: Disney World has been typically raising the meal prices at the Buffet Restaurants during the peak season in years past, and they have made it part of their pricing for the Disney Dining Plan as well.


2012 Disney Deluxe Dining Plan

The Disney Deluxe Dining Plan allows the guests to enjoy the best that Disney World has to offer in terms of Dining experiences with 3 Table Service Credits per day.  This allows you to eat either 3 sit down meals per day or to use some of the credits to try some of Disney World's Signature Restaurants that require 2 Credits per meal.

 This plan entitles each guest to:
A total of three in any combination:

• Table Service meals + Appetizer
• Quick Service Meals

Also:

• Two (2) Snacks

For each night of your stay.

Plus each guest will receive one (1) Resort refillable Drink Mug good for unlimited drink refills at your resort for the duration of your stay.

2012 Prices of the Deluxe Dining Plan

• Adults (Ages 10+) : $85.52 per day (regular season) / $89.52 per day (peak season)
• Children: (Ages 3-9): $23.79 per day (regular season) / $25.79 per day (peak season)

Money Saving Disney Dining Plan Tips

• Use Table Service Credits only for Dinner (unless you have Deluxe Dining Plan).  The only exception is if you would like to enjoy Lunch at Le Cellier in Epcot Canada.
• Look at Restaurant Menus ahead of time to gauge entree prices.  If they are not greater than $20.00, you are not getting your money's worth.  Save the restaurants with less expensive entrees for a trip without the Dining Plan.
• Disney Character Dinners are a great use of Disney Dining Plan Credits.
• Top non-character places to Dine with the Disney Dining Plan: Cape May Cafe, Boma, 'Ohana, Le Chefs de France, Biergarten, Restaurant Marrakesh, Coral Reef, San Angel Inn Restaurant, Portobello, Teppan Edo.
• Don't forget about the snacks.  There are lots of great items that you can obtain with your snack credits.  Don't settle for a cup of coffee or a bottle of diet coke, seek out the Carrot Cake Cookie, ButterFinger Cupcake, or the famous Dole Whip!
• Gratuities are not included in any of the plans, so keep that in mind when you are budgeting for your trip.
• There are many great Quick Service Meals that actually may have enough food to feed two!  You can use this technique to save Quick Service Credits so that you can use some for breakfasts.
• Remember that the credits do NOT expire until midnight of the day that you check out.

Over 100 different topiaries can be found throughout Epcot during the International Flower & Garden Festival that runs from March 7 - May 20, 2012.  This Disney World tradition showcases the remarkable talents of the Disney Horticultural Staff as they come up with new and improved topiaries for each year's Festival.

Get FREE Dining with your Disney Vacation Package
If you have always wanted to try the Disney Dining Plan during your Walt Disney World Resort Vacation, but thought it was too expensive, here is your chance to get it for FREE.

Buy one of these Magic Your Way room and ticket packages and get a FREE dining plan. Staying in the middle of the magic is the best way to experience Walt Disney World Resort. Visit when the lines at the theme parks may be shorter and enjoy this great offer!

2012 Dates For FREE Dining:
For arrivals most nights from August 25, 2012 through September 29, 2012 you can receive a FREE Disney Dining Plan for your entire party when you purchase a non-discounted Disney World Resort Package that include Resort Hotel Room and Disney World Theme Park Tickets. 

FREE Disney Dining Plan
If you purchase your Disney Vacation Package for a Disney Moderate, Deluxe, or Deluxe Villa Resort you qualify to receive the Disney Dining Plan for FREE for all guests in your room.

Disney Dining Plan: Choose meals and snacks at over 100 select Walt Disney World restaurants, including some with Character Dining. During your package stay, each person over 3 years of age will receive for each night you stay:

• 1 Table-Service Meal
• 1 Quick-Service Meal
• 1 Snack
  
• Plus one Resort Refillable Drink Mug per person (refillable only at your Disney Resort Hotel)
  

FREE Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan
If you purchase your Disney Vacation Package for a Disney Value Resort you qualify to receive the Disney Quick Service Dining Plan for FREE for all guests in your room.

Disney Quick-Service Dining Plan: Choose Quick-Service meals and snacks at over 50 select Walt Disney World restaurants. During your package stay, each person over 3 years of age will receive for each night you stay:

• 2 Quick-Service Meals
• 1 Snack
  
• Plus one Resort Refillable Drink Mug per person (refillable only at your Disney Resort Hotel)

Disney Vacation Package Discount Details:
Number of rooms allocated for these offers is limited. Savings based on non-discounted price for the same package. Tickets are for one theme park per day and must be used within 14 days of first use.  Book through May 18, 2012.

No group rates or other discounts apply. Excludes suites, campsites and Disney's Art of Animation Resort.  Advance reservations required. Children ages 3-9 must choose from the children's menu if available. Excludes gratuities and alcoholic beverages. Some table service restaurants may have limited or no availability at time of package purchase.


Book Your Disney World Vacation Now!
To book your Disney FREE Dining Package or to get more information contact: Only WDWorld Travel at:

• Phone: 336-899-7943
• Email: info@OnlyWDWorldTravel.com

A rainy morning at the Walt Disney World Resort could be one of the best things that can happen to your vacation!  When you are looking to avoid crowds in order to enjoy the wonderful Disney World attractions it is important to be able to go against the trends that the crowds follow.

• Space Mountain
• Splash Mountain
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Peter Pan's Flight
• The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh
• The Haunted Mansion

• Bring rain gear!  It rains some almost every day during the Spring and Summer at Disney World.  Be prepared.  This will allow you to continue to enjoy your day, while others are running for cover or figuring out how to dry off.
• Plan on visiting the theme parks right at opening.  The time that the parks open are the least crowded time of the day.  Aside from the initial crowd you may see getting through the gate, they will spread out once inside giving you approximately 2 hours of short lines even on good weather days.
• Don't allow rain to keep you from heading to a park.  If your schedule is flexible head to the Magic Kingdom since most attractions are indoors and the walking distances are shorter.