Let’s face it, when you think Universal Studios you don’t think “amazing dining experiences.”  When compared with the dining options just down the road at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios comes up sorely lacking.  Thankfully, that’s about to change!  Universal Studios is introducing not one, but two, exciting new dining experiences this year including a new character breakfast.  You won’t want to miss them!

First is Universal’s Cinematic Dining Experience.  This is the perfect choice for those looking for a unique way to view Universal’s new Cinematic Spectacular: 100 Years of Movie Magic.  You will begin your evening with dinner along the Universal Studios lagoon at Lombard’s Seafood Grille where you will enjoy a truly scrumptious meal.  Once you’ve enjoyed your meal, head over to the exclusive, premium viewing location at Lombard’s waterfront boardwalk  to watch the show while enjoying a delicious dessert party!  It’s the perfect way to cap off a fun-filled day at Universal Studios!  Universal’s Cinematic Dining Experience begins on June 1 and costs $44.99/Adult and $12.99/Child.

For the younger set, Universal Studios introduces Universal’s Superstar Character Breakfast.  With this package you not only get to enjoy breakfast with your favorite Universal Studios characters like Dora and Diego, Spongbob Squarepants and, my favorites, the minions from Despicable Me, you also get to view Universal’s new Superstar Parade later in the day from a VIP viewing area.  You will have a birds’ eye view of dynamic floats, technological effects, talented street performers and of course, your favorite Universal characters. Universal’s Superstar Character Breakfast Experience begins June 15 and costs $26.99/Adult and $10.99/Child.

Love the original character breakfast at Confisco Grill?  No worries!  That is still available, too!

The new dining options at Universal Studios should help to bring Universal up to par with its competitors. I can’t wait to try them both!  Now, do I do the character breakfast first or the Cinematic Dining experience?

Christine Hardenberger (The Vacation Architect­_­­­­­­^TM) can help you navigate the travel maze.  She is an authority on Disney, Universal Studios and cruise vacations.  She has been recently featured on MSNBC’s Today Travel and Trekaroo.  Contact her at 800-272-7739 or Christine@magicalmouseplans.com and let her create a blueprint for a better vacation! 

This article was originally written for Disney Guru.

Several weeks back before  we embarked on our yearly trip to Walt Disney World, I voiced my concerns for a good cup of coffee at Disney. So I did a little research before we left and wrote an article about the places that were “supposed” to have decent coffee. Now, I have to say I was a bit hesitant to believe any reviews as I consider myself a coffee snob. I have read places where people actually say that the Nescafe is good…..yikes! I know, maybe not everyone is as into coffee as I am so this is not to upset anyone that likes Nescafe as I am sure there are things that I think are good that others would wonder, how the heck I could think that!!!  Check out my “Quest for a Good Cup of Coffee” here.

We did purchase the refillable mugs, and I did occasionally drink the Nescafe in the mug. By the time 10:00 AM hit I was looking for a good pick me up and needed it fast. I found that much of the research I did was true! There were actually places that I got a GOOD cup of coffee! To be fair, I want to let you know in advance that when it is warm out, I stick to iced coffee so my reviews are just of iced coffee.

First up….

There is a little cart tucked in between Mission Space and Ellen’s Universe of Energy at Epcot. It is labeled, Espresso, Coffee and Coolers. It carries Joffrey’s Coffee and it was GOOD! I opted for the iced coffee with cream only…just how I like it! I have to say it was smooth, gave me a jolt and tasted good. Here are a few things to note..this location did not take snack credits and the coffee was as expensive as going to Starbucks. In addition, the size was not the monster of a cup I usually drink but hey…it was good!

Next up….

Ghirardelli’s at Downtown Disney…yummy!! Nope I did not wander into this location to get a sweet treat, I wandered in to grab an iced coffee. But I can say I sure was jealous of all of the wonderful concoctions that I watched the workers making. :0) My mom and I both ordered an iced coffee with cream only and my daughter ordered an iced caramel latte with whip. Both choices were very good and fulfilled my expectations of what coffee should taste like. The best part is that I was able to use my annual pass for a discount…and I think I could have used a snack credit but opted not to. Last, I really liked the fact that I could get a larger size at this location and I finished it right up!!

Next up….

Starring Rolls Bakery at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I have to say that I really thought that Starring rolls was going to be just like all of the other coffee at the parks but I was mistaken. It was good! I can see that from my research it shows that the beans are roasted on site for this location. Again, there were not size options so it was way to small for me, but the taste was great!

Last is Writers Stop at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I already reviewed this location in depth which you can find here. Other than that Writer’s Stop is an attraction in it’s own. Even if you don’t like coffee take a stroll into Writer’s Stop for some quaint fun!

If you are looking for the best tasting coffee you will need to visit the places that have Joffrey’s Coffee. You can find a detailed list of types of coffee at Allears.net. I believe that a combination of the good coffee and the use of real half and half cream made these locations top choice for me.

I would love to know where you like to get your favorite cup of coffee at Disney?

Contact us for more information about Disney World Dining or to book your Disney World vacation.

One of the more affordable ways to dine while visiting the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is by utilizing the Universal Meal Deal.  This Meal Deal allows you to eat unlimited food from lunch through dinner so that you can focus on visiting your favorite Wizarding World and other Universal Orlando rides and attractions! Food service ends 30 minutes prior to park closing and is not valid during Halloween Horror Nights.  The Universal Meal Deal is valid at the following locations in Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure.

Universal Studios:

• Mel's Drive-In: Burgers, Chicken and Salad
• Louie's Italian Restaurant: Pizza, Pasta and Salad
• International Food and Film Festival: Asian, Italian and American Food

Islands of Adventure:

• Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous: Fried chicken, Spaghetti, Pizza, Chicken Caesar Salad, Burgers and Chicken Sandwiches
• Comic Strip Cafe: Chinese, Italian, New England and American Food
• The Burger Digs: Burgers, Chicken Sandwiches, Chicken Fingers

The Universal Meal Deal is extremely affordable and costs just $20.99/10 & Up for a 1 Day/1 Park Meal Deal Ticket and just $24.99/10 & Up for a 1 Day/2 Park Meal Deal Ticket.  Kids 9 & Under cost $9.99 for a 1 Day/1 Park Meal Deal Ticket and $11.99 for a 1 day/2 Park Meal Deal Ticket. 2 Day/2 Park Tickets Universal Meal Deal Tickets are also available for purchase.

For even more value, add a 1 Day Meal Deal Souvenir Cup on to your Universal Meal Deal.  The $8.99 cup allows you unlimited fountain beverages for the day of your Universal Meal Deal.

If you have pre-booked a Harry Potter Package, adding the Universal Meal Deal is a great way to take the planning out of lunch and dinner on the day you enjoy your Three Broomsticks breakfast.  

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Did you see the new faces on the Disneyland Monorail line? Mandy and Mona Monorails began making trips around the resort this week – and they’ll soon be joined by a third friend, Manny Monorail. All three are welcoming their “Cars” friends to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. How do you tell them apart? Check Erin’s original post.

Also this week, a really cool model for the New Fantasyland expansion was placed into the One Man’s Dream exhibit at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Jennifer shared the first images of the model in its new location – check them out.

Here are some of the other stories we worked on this week.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Merchandise Comes to Life – Steven sat down with Disney Design Group Artist Bob Holden to review some of the fun new merchandise created for the opening of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

RSVP Now for Disney Parks Blog Cars Land Meet-Up at Disney California Adventure Park – Find out all the details on the Cars Land meet-up, where Imagineers will take 66 participants (yes, 66) for a walking tour of Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park.

Caption This: Don’t Feed The Animals at Magic Kingdom Park – Check out this vintage shot of Mickey Mouse with some of Magic Kingdom Park’s first topiaries, and “Caption This!”

‘Poster Art of the Disney Parks’ Arriving Soon at Disney Parks – Imagineers have created a book for Disney Editions called “Poster Art of the Disney Parks,” coming to Disney Parks at the end of May.

Today in Disney History: First Mickey Mouse Short Previews – Check out “Plane Crazy” and “Steamboat Willie,” the first Mickey Mouse cartoons produced back in 1928 in this post.

Carnation Café Reopens June 13 at Disneyland Park – Finally, Carnation Café is preparing for its debut June 13 on Main Street, U.S.A., in Disneyland park. Make your reservations now!

Disney Parks Blog Weekly Recap by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Last Sunday, Part One of the “America’s Funniest Home Videos” Season Finale was set at Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and tomorrow, Part Two will be from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure park. Tune in tomorrow at 7/6c on ABC to see who wins the grand prize, and to get a peek of Cars Land!

‘America’s Funniest Home Videos’ Season Finale Part Two – From Cars Land at Disney California Adventure Park – Tomorrow on ABC by Erin Glover: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog

Star Wars Weekends is officially underway at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. And if you’ve been following our coverage here on the Disney Parks Blog, you know there’s a lot to see and do over the next few weekends. Today, we’re sharing five stories you need to check out before heading to the park.

Take 5: Star Wars Weekends Returns to Walt Disney World Resort

1. More Visiting Celebrities, Details & Tips Announced for Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort – Check out more details, tips and the scheduled celebrity lineup for Star Wars Weekends 2012 in this post!




2. D Street in Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort Unveils a Galaxy of New Star Wars Art – ACME Archives released a new collection of Star Wars-themed art. Check it out on D Street in the Downtown Disney District at the Disneyland Resort!




3. Shopping in ‘Darth’s Mall’ for Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Walt Disney World Resort – Disney Parks Blog author Steven Miller shared a few of his favorite items coming soon to “Darth’s Mall,” a massive shopping location created just for Star Wars Weekends.




4. Cast Yourself in Carbonite with the Carbon-Freeze Me Experience During Star Wars Weekends 2012 at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – See how you can cast your likeness as a three-dimensional, eight-inch figurine at the Carbon-Freezing Chamber at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.




5. Build Your Droid at the Droid Factory Coming to Tatooine Traders at Disney’s Hollywood Studios – Star Wars fans can now build and name their own R-series Astromech droid action figures at the Droid Factory at Tatooine Traders.

Take 5: Star Wars Weekends Returns to Walt Disney World Resort by Thomas Smith: Originally posted on the Disney Parks Blog