The Sunshine Seasons food court, located inside The Land pavilion at Epcot, provides an upscale decor and atmosphere that you don’t find at many of the food courts at Disney World.  It’s set apart a bit from the standard Disney food court with several stations to choose from.

The four stations in the Sunshine Seasons include an Asian wok shop, a sandwich station with fresh baked Artisan breads, a soup and salad shop, and a wood-fired grill shop that features rotisserie chicken, beef, and salmon.

While prices are subject to change, you’ll spend about $10 for an entree/meal at Sunshine Seasons.  About the same as any food court at Disney.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our latest Disney videos.

Disney’s Top Performer in 2009 and #1 travel agent in the WORLD for Universal Vacations, our travel partner, Destinations In Florida Travel, can help you book and plan your Central Florida vacation!

The official shop for all things Disney. Click the banner to get all your official Disney Store souvenirs and goodies!

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company at the Universal Orlando Resort in CityWalk is one of the many franchise locations that features themes from the Forrest Gump movie.

Obviously, shrimp takes the spotlight at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, including broiled shrimp, shrimp pasta, cajun shrimp….well, you get the idea. However, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company menu is huge with lots of non-shrimp options and even several non-seafood options.

As soon as you enter the Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, you feel like you’re transported to the Forrest Gump movie set with Forrest’s tennis shoes and briefcase on a park bench outside the door. Inside, you’ll see Forrest Gump memorabilia from all stages of the movie, including ping-pong paddle drink menus at the tables, framed leg braces on the walls, and more!

At the end of your meal, you can take a Forrest Gump trivia quiz…just for fun as far as I know. I had a great time taking the quiz and knew a lot more of the answers than I thought I would!

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co has different operating hours for each part of the restaurant; the market is open from 10am-Midnight, the kitchen from 11AM-Midnight, and the bar from 11am-1am. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Orlando also validates for valet parking from 11AM-2PM, Monday thru Friday!! That’s a $20 savings!

For our meal, we all had appetizers as entrees during lunch.  I got the 3/4 pound Shrimper’s Net Catch with Cajun seasoning and it was awesome!  Totally filling and super tasty!  My wife got the popcorn shrimp appetizer and the kids each got a kids meal (basically a glorified Happy Meal).  The bill total was about $50, including tip.  Pretty pricey for a lunch of appetizers, IMHO, but very good food and service.  Definitely a nice alternative to the standard fare inside the Universal theme parks, but not something you’ll want to do everyday at those prices.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our latest Disney videos.

Disney’s Top Performer in 2009 and #1 travel agent in the WORLD for Universal Vacations, our travel partner, Destinations In Florida Travel, can help you book and plan your Central Florida vacation!

The official shop for all things Disney. Click the banner to get all your official Disney Store souvenirs and goodies!

The Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando Resort is one of my favorite resorts in the Orlando area.  It’s the closest resort to the Universal Orlando theme parks, including the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter.  You’re just a short walk away from the theme parks.

The resort itself has great theming with lots of rock and roll memorabilia and themed dining experiences for your vacation.  You may even catch a concert or two while you’re visiting.

The Palm Restaurant and The Kitchen are my favorites, but the other dining options are excellent, as well.  You also have the Velvet Bar and Velvet Sessions where you can have  drink and oftentimes, catch a concert.

The Hard Rock Hotel pool is amazing!  On our last visit, we spent hours poolside just relaxing, enjoying the pool, the music, the water slide, and the food.  Not to mention the beach and entertainment — we had a live DJ for most of the afternoon and then Harry Potter movies on a big screen as it got dark.

All of Universal’s resorts have earned the 4 diamond recognition from AAA.  The AAA Diamond rating system is the most recognized hotel rating program in America.  Here’s more from AAA about what a 4 Diamond rating means for the Hard Rock Hotel.

“These establishments are upscale in all areas. Accommodations are progressively more refined and stylish. The physical attributes reflect an obvious enhanced level of quality throughout. The fundamental hallmarks at this level include an extensive array of amenities combined with a high degree of hospitality, service, and attention to detail.”

Not even all of Disney’s Deluxe Resorts have this designation!  It’s a big deal and it shows through in the Hard Rock Hotel rooms and amenities.

Here’s a quick video tour of the Hard Rock Hotel:

Another fantastic benefit of staying at one of the three Universal Orlando Resorts (the best benefit, as far as I’m concerned) is the free Express Passes with your stay.  On the busier days of the year, this one benefit could cost more than your hotel room for a family of 4!!!   In fact, when we stayed this past spring, it would have cost more money to buy the Express Passes for our family that it cost per night at the Hard Rock Hotel!

The Hard Rock Hotel is considered the “moderate” property of the three Universal Orlando Resorts.  The room size is right in the middle of the Royal Pacific and Portofino Bay.  I would rather stay here than Portofino for many reasons. (1) The room size is comparable, but the price is typically much less, (2) It’s a tower style resort vs. the spread layout of the Portofino, so you don’t have to go as far within the resort to use an amenity, and (3) Hard Rock Hotel is just so close to the parks that it makes life so easy on your family vacation.

Be sure to check out the Hard Rock Hotel for your next Orlando vacation, especially if you’re planning to spend a lot of time at the Universal Orlando theme parks.

Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our latest Disney videos.

Disney’s Top Performer in 2009 and #1 travel agent in the WORLD for Universal Vacations, our travel partner, Destinations In Florida Travel, can help you book and plan your Central Florida vacation!

Ready to book your Orlando Florida vacation and visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? We can help! We’re all Universal Specialists at Destinations In Florida Travel, a full-service travel agency that specializes in Central Florida travel!

The official shop of all things Harry Potter PLUS Free Shipping on orders of $60 at – WBshop.com!

Got your Harry Potter tickets for the new Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Let us help you out!

?Ohana has large windows that surround most of the restaurant. You get an incredible view of the volcano pool, Cinderella?s Castle at Magic Kingdom, the Seven Seas Lagoon, and even Disney?s Grand Floridian. When you check in with the host/hostess, I always recommend asking for a window seat to get the best view.

The food at ‘Ohana is amazing!  All-you-can-eat turkey, chicken, pork, and more for dinner and they have a great Disney character breakfast.  Side dishes include stir-fried vegetables, fried dumplings, lo mein noodles and a salad starter. The full bar in ‘Ohana offers select wines and tropical alcoholic drinks.

My favorite part of the meal then begins with the skewers prepared by the chefs over the oak ?re pit in the middle of the restaurant. The skewers include your choice of grilled chicken, Char-Sui Port Loin, marinated sirloin steak, or spicy grilled shrimp. You can try one or them all! The servers bring the meat right to your table and pull them right off the skewer, onto your plate. Each skewer is specially prepared and served with tasty dipping sauces including peanut, ?Ohana mustard, and sweet-n-sour sauces. Your entree of skewers is accompanied by noodles that are tossed in a Teriyaki Sauce with fresh vegetables and stir-fried vegetables.

Activities for the kids continue throughout the meals and you look out over the 7-Seas Lagoon.  Time your dinner right and you may see the Seven Seas Lagoon Parade or the Magic Kingdom fireworks!

Sample ‘Ohana Dinner Menu

Appetizers

Chicken Wings
Pork and Vegetable Dumplings
Salad
Lo-Mein type noodles
Veggies (Broccoli, Snow Peas and Carrots)

Entrees

Oak Grilled Chicken
Asian Barbecued Pork Loin
Marinated Sirloin Steak
Spicy Grilled Peel – n – Eat Shrimp

Dessert

Bread Pudding with Bananas Foster

Feast on sandwiches, burgers, and salads in the sit down, turn-of-the-century restaurant; The Plaza Restaurant in Magic Kingdom. You can also enjoy an ice cream sundae for desert all under $10 per person.  Included as one sit down meal on the Disney Dining Plan.

Advanced Dining Reservations are recommended by calling 407-WDW-DINE or checking with Guest Relations or your travel agent (a good travel agent should book Disney dining reservations for you).

Our favorite at The Plaza Restaurant – Club Sandwich

Dine like royalty in the heart of Cinderella Castle! Enjoy breakfast and lunch with your favorite Disney Princess, Cinderella. For dinner at Cinderella’s Royal Table, meet Cinderella in the lobby and then go inside the restaurant to enjoy prime rib, steak, seafood, and poultry in a storybook dining experience with the Fairy Godmother.

Tip: Reservations are highly recommended for Cinderella’s Royal Table.  You can make yours by calling 407-WDW-DINE or through Guest Relations or through your travel agent (a good agent should make these reservations for you).  These reservations book early so plan on calling at 7 AM exactly 180 days prior to reservation to get one of these very limited reservations.

Cinderella’s Royal Table does require 2 sit-down meal credits from your Disney Dining Plan, so be aware that you may lose this meal from your plan if you choose to dine here.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside

Amble past lush, manicured walks that wind through the stately Magnolia Bend Mansions, down to the quaint Alligator Bayou. Enjoy the tranquility and hospitality of a picturesque waterfront Resort that embodies the traditions born of steamboat travel, garden parties, mint juleps on the front porch and life along the mighty Sassagoula River.

Best Features of Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort:

• Magnolia Bend mansions are a great resort location for those guests who love Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, but have a more modest budget

• Watertaxi to Downtown Disney is a fun ride and great way to get to this shopping and entertainment complex

• You will love the quiet atmosphere along the rivers – keep you eyes open.  You will see lots of rabbits hopping around the resort and maybe a few deer, too.

• Extra recreational activities at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort including cane pole fishing, horse drawn carriage rides, and bike rentals

• You can use the resort amenities at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort, including the popular themed pool

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort Amenities:

• Elevator available in all buildings

• Gift Shop

• Boatwright’s Dining Hall

• Riverside Mill Food Court

• Lounge

• Limited room service

• Bicycle rentals

• Marina

• Horse drawn Carriage Rides

• Jogging trail

• Fishing

• Croquet

• Watercraft rentals

• Ol’ Man Island themed pool with waterslide

• 5 heated pools

• Kiddie pool

• Jogging trail

• Hot tub

• Playground

• Arcade

• Complimentary self parking

• Complimentary cribs for infants

• Guest Services Desk

• Laundry facilities/valet

• In-room Refrigerator

• Complimentary transportation via motorcoach to all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort

• Complimentary ferryboat to Downtown Disney

• Extra Magic Hours at the Disney Theme Parks

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Room Descriptions:

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort features two double beds, table and chairs, vanity, dataport on phone, TV with Disney Channel and ESPN, hairdryer, ceiling fan, coffeemaker, iron/ironing board,  voice mail, in-room safe, and double sinks.

Disney offers two room views including a Standard View with a view of the parking lot or courtyards and a Water View Room with a view of the lake or pools.  King size beds are available upon request.  Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort also charges an Extra Adult fee of $15 per night for more than 2 adults in a room.

Standard Rooms and Water View Rooms with Trundle Beds accommodate a family of 4 plus one child (under in the child size Trundle Bed

• Standard and Water View Rooms accommodate a family of 4 plus one infant (under 3)

• King Bed Rooms accommodate a family of 2 plus one infant (under 3)

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort

Relax in a fun New Orleans atmosphere with cobblestone streets and courtyards of flowers that capture the spirit and romance of the French Quarter.  Dine on Creole delicacies, plunge into Doubloon Lagoon with its fantastic water slide, or relish the Mardi Gras atmosphere.

Best Features of Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort:

• Enjoy both Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort amenities, but also Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort amenities

• Great themed pool and waterslide

• Cute cobblestone streets and courtyards perfect for playing with the kids (pack a soccer ball or football to play in the evening)

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort Amenities:

• Elevator available in all buildings

• Gift Shop

• Boatwright’s Dining Hall

• Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory

• Mardi Grogs

• Limited room service

• Bicycle rentals

• Marina

• Horse drawn Carriage Rides

• Jogging trail

• Fishing

• Croquet

• Watercraft rentals

• Doubloon Lagoon Pool with waterslide

• Kiddie pool

• Hot tub

• Playground

• Arcade

• Complimentary self parking

• Complimentary cribs for infants

• Guest Services Desk

• Laundry facilities/valet

• In-room Refrigerator

• Complimentary transportation via motorcoach to all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort

• Complimentary ferryboat to Downtown Disney

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Room Descriptions

Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort features two double beds, table and chairs, vanity, dataport on phone, TV with Disney Channel and ESPN, hairdryer, ceiling fan, coffeemaker, iron/ironing board,  voice mail, in-room safe, and double sinks.

Disney offers two room views including a Standard View with a view of the parking lot or courtyards and a Water View Room with a view of the lake or pools.  King size beds are available upon request.

The Standard and Water View Rooms accommodate a family of 4 plus one infant (under 3).  The King Bed Rooms accommodate a family of 2 plus one infant (under 3).

Coronado Springs Resort

Palm-shaded courtyards and Spanish-style haciendas create the perfect climate for relaxation.  You can soak up the sun or splash in the pool, themed as an archeological dig with a five-story Mayan pyramid.  Accommodations are themed in three different areas, with colorful plazas and picturesque vistas reflecting the beauty of Mexico and the American Southwest.

Best Features of Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort:

• The pool is one of the best features of this Disney resort with the fun pyramid with waterfall and Jaguar waterslide.  You also have a Dig Site for the little kids, pool side bar, sand volleyball, hot tubs, game room, kiddie pool, and marina all in the same area

• This is a convention Disney resort so this resort caters more towards customer service.  The Food Court area is one example of this extra customer service.  You will still be seated by a Host/Hostess and served your beverage by a Server.  You will still get your food yourself in the Food Court area but you have a little more customer service

• This is the only Disney Moderate Resort that has a fitness center and a business center for exercise and work during your vacation

Disney’s Coronado Resort Amenities:

• Three themed accommodation sections – The Casitas, The Ranchos, and The Cabanas surrounding a 15-acre lake

• Maya Grill restaurant

• Pepper Market

• Francisco’s Lounge

• Siesta’s pool bar

• Limited room service available

• Retail shop

• Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries

• La Vida Health Club

• Massage and tanning

• Swimming pool with slide

• Three quiet pools

• Sand volleyball court

• Bicycle rental

• Watercraft rental

• Two game arcades

• Kiddie pool

• Playground

• Nature walk

• In-room Refrigerator

• Business center

• High Speed Internet Access

• Meeting space

• Complimentary self parking

• Complimentary cribs for infants

• Complimentary transportation via motorcoach to all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Room Descriptions

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort rooms are 314 square feet with two double beds, voice mail, ceiling fan, iron/ironing board, TV with Disney Channel and ESPN, in-room safe, hairdryers, coffee/tea makers, high speed Internet access, dataports, and more.

Disney offers two room views including a Standard View with a view of the parking lot or courtyards and a Water View Room with a view of the lake or pools.  King size beds are available upon request.

The Standard and Water View Rooms accommodate a family of 4 plus one infant (under 3).  The King Bed Rooms accommodate a family of 2 plus one infant (under 3).  Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort also charges an Extra Adult fee of $15 per night for more than 2 adults in a room.

Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort.

Enjoy spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom villas amidst the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains during the nostalgic railroad era of the 1800s. This Home Away From Home Resort, part of the Disney Vacation Club family of resorts, features a pool with a slide, health club, and a complete array of dining and recreational options.

Disney’s Villa at Wilderness Lodge Resort Room Descriptions

Studio — These Wilderness Lodge studios feature one queen-size bed and a double sleeper sofa, dining table with two chairs, private porch or balcony, microwave, mini-refrigerator, coffeemaker, and wet bar.

Two-Bedroom Villa — These Wilderness Lodge villas feature two bedrooms, two bathrooms, fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, stacked washer and dryer, and private porch or balcony. The master bedroom suite includes a king-size bed and whirlpool tub. The living room has a queen-size sleeper sofa. The second bedroom area has either a queen-size bed and a double sleeper sofa or two queen-size beds.

1-Bedroom Villa — These Wilderness Lodge villas feature one bedroom, one bathroom, fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, stacked washer and dryer and private porch or balcony. The master bedroom suite includes a king-size bed and whirlpool tub. The living room has a queen-size sleeper sofa.

Disney’s Villas at Wilderness Lodge Resort Amenities:

• Artist Point restaurant

• Whispering Canyon Cafe

• Territory Lounge

• Roaring Forks counter service restaurant

• Continental Divide restaurant

• Trout Pass Pool Bar

• The Wilderness Lodge Mercantile Shop

• Bicycle rentals

• Boat rentals

• Heated pool with kiddie pool and Jacuzzi

• Separate quiet pool

• Bay Lake beach for sunbathing

• Arcade

• Cub’s Den for children

• Complimentary self parking

• Valet Parking

• Rocking chairs in the main lodge

• Laundry facilities/valet

• Nightly Electrical Water Pageant

• Health Club

• Jogging trail

• Video rentals

• Fishing

• Playground

• Guest Services Desk

• Complimentary cribs for infants

• In-room Refrigerator

• Complimentary transportation via motorcoach to all areas of the Walt Disney World Resort

• Complimentary water taxi service to Magic Kingdom and select resorts

• Extra Magic Hours at the Disney Theme Parks