Welcome to the March edition of The Spotlight Zone. We’re thrilled to introduce you to a new e-book by our columnist, Nancy Bobby. We’re also excited for our first giveaway. Thanks, Nancy!
Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World
by Nancy Bobby
“I would love to take my family to Walt Disney World…but it’s so expensive, we just can’t afford it.”
Have you ever heard anyone say this? Or maybe even you said or thought it yourself? It’s a pretty common perception, and yes it IS true that a Disney vacation can be extraordinarily expensive….but it doesn’t HAVE to be. In fact, Nancy Bobby has spent over a decade figuring out ways to have many wonderful, magical vacations at Disney World on a budget….because she and her family love Walt Disney World so much it was important for her to find a way for them to visit….as often as possible. Saving money was a priority, in order for it to happen.
Nancy describes how this led her to share her knowledge with others:
“I really feel that every family who wants the chance to share the magic of Disney with their children should be able to, so I started a website and blog, The Affordable Mouse, as a way to share resources and provide information to help others plan their own magical, memorable, and yes, affordable Disney vacations. It’s been a great way to help others, as my readers have many questions about how to save money at Disney World!
Interestingly, one of the things that they have shared with me repeatedly, is that they wanted help with planning their dining at Disney World, specifically, how to do it affordably. ”
And no wonder. Dining is an overwhelming and confusing part of planning a trip to Walt Disney World for many, because of the abundance of choices and options. Planning an affordable Disney vacation can then become even more challenging because dining is such a significant part of the budget.
With this in mind, Nancy recently published a brand new e-book that focuses specifically on dining at Disney World. Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World was written to answer the many requests by readers of The Affordable Mouse for a guide that would provide information and cost-cutting strategies for food and meal planning at Disney World.
While there is some general dining-related information in this guide, the true focus in the 60 pages of Magical Meals is on saving money, so every chapter is written from that perspective. Just a few of the topics that are covered are:
- Types of Food Options at Walt Disney World
- Disney Dining Plans and Discount Programs
- Getting the Most Value for Your Meals
- What You Need to Know About Advanced Dining Reservations
- Food Allergies, Specialty Diets, and Vegetarian/Vegan Dining
- And much more.
In the introduction Nancy shares her thoughts a bit more:
Meals are a major part of any vacation, and even more so at Walt Disney World, where dining can be an attraction all its own! But figuring out all the meal options at Disney can be overwhelming, because there are so many choices: there are hundreds of restaurant options on Disney World property alone, ranging from quick snacks to award-winning dining experiences. How do you know where to eat? How do you know when to eat? How do you use these Dining Plans?
And perhaps most importantly: How do you eat at Disney World affordably? Is it even possible?
THAT is what this guide is all about.
I want you to know that it IS possible to save money on your meals at Disney World.
It IS possible to navigate your way through the maze of Disney dining options, understand what it all means, make your plans, and then when you are on your Disney vacation, enjoy your meals, knowing that you are doing so as inexpensively as possible.
Magical Meals was written to address these Disney vacation planning challenges: to help vacationers sort through all the many dining choices, learn how much they all cost, how to save money and increase value…. and ultimately enjoy a truly magical vacation at Walt Disney World that is filled with wonderful, and affordable, dining experiences.
Want to know more? Please visit The Affordable Mouse to learn more about Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World.
GIVEAWAY (1 winner)
One (1) lucky winner will receive a copy of Magical Meals: A Guide to Affordable Dining at Walt Disney World.
HOW TO ENTER
Just leave a comment letting us know your favorite month to visit Walt Disney World.
EXTRA ENTRIES
You can earn one extra entry for each of the following:
1. Like the WDW Fan Zone Facebook page.
2. Like The Affordable Mouse Facebook page.
3. Share your thoughts on our Zone In & Shout Out question.
4. Tweet the following: Enter @WDWFanZone ‘s giveaway to win the e-book Magical Meals by @affordablemouse. http://tinyurl.com/4gu9l7d
Be sure to make a separate comment for each extra entry.
Giveaway ends at 11:00 pm ET on Wednesday, March 16th, 2011! Winner will be selected via Random.org. We’ll announce the winner here eand contact the winner via email. If we don’t hear from the winner within 48 hours, another winner will be drawn. Good Luck!
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In our almost 40 trips over as many years, we have decided that May is our FAVORITE month; warm but not too hot, no threat of hurricanes, generally fewer attractions in rehab, and minimal crowds. And what better way to kick-off the summer?!
dec!!!
My favorite time to visit Disney is during fall. Love the weather and decor.
Thanks!
I tweeted @WDWFanZone ‘s giveaway to win the e-book Magical Meals by @affordablemouse. http://tinyurl.com/4gu9l7d as tweetn_mom.
Thank you!
My favorite time to visit Disney is September. Crowds are low!
We try to go in late August. Less crowds!
We enjoy different times of the year for various reasons, but early May is one of the most beautiful times to visit with the Flower and Garden Festival going on.
So far, I’d have to say April is our favorite month.
Fan of Affordable Mouse on Facebook too.
We go in August with lower crowds and when Northeast is still not back to school.
I really liked October!
I liked WDW Fan Zone on Facebook (and added it to the WDW Not Just for Kids page’s favorites)
Tweeted! http://twitter.com/wdwnotjustkids/status/43878945879375872
It used to be right after Thanksgiving into the first part of December because it was not as crowded & all the parks and resorts were decorated for Christmas. But, after visiting this past Nov/Dec 2010, it’s changed – too crowded, even the MVMCP (on a Tuesday night, too!). My favorite time has now become early October – and I can still go to a party!
I liked the WDW Fan Zone Facebook page (Kim S Allmon).
I liked The Affordable Mouse Facebook page (Kim S Allmon)
Here’s my tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/kima86/status/46425369984765952
I went to wdw in January one year. It was great,