Tips about Epcot, Food & Beverage and Special Needs

Epcot - I'm not sure if they've already been mentioned because I'm not sure when they appeared, but for those attending anything at the America Gardens Theater, there are brand new restrooms to the RIGHT side of the American Adventure, at the back of the garden area. No more wandering down that kind of creepy "where-am-I-going?" walkway just to wait in that dreadful line and deal with the logjam through the too-small doorway to get into those too-small restrooms around the left side of the restaurant. The new ones are AWESOME! At quick count there are about 25 regular and two handicapped stalls on each of two "aisles", big entrance, they're large, immaculate, auto-everything including Dyson Blade hand dryers (but still has paper towels, too.) The cast members at the Chase Lounge said they've been asking for expanded restrooms for years and are so excited they're finally here, especially before this year's Candlelight Processional crowds, and they've already been a hit with the Eat to the Beat crowds. - Linda Masi

Epcot - I'm not sure if they've already been mentioned because I'm not sure when they appeared, but for those attending anything at the America Gardens Theater, there are brand new restrooms to the RIGHT side of the American Adventure, at the back of the garden area. No more wandering down that kind of creepy "where-am-I-going?" walkway just to wait in that dreadful line and deal with the logjam through the too-small doorway to get into those too-small restrooms around the left side of the restaurant. The new ones are AWESOME! At quick count there are about 25 regular and two handicapped stalls on each of two "aisles", big entrance, they're large, immaculate, auto-everything including Dyson Blade hand dryers (but still has paper towels, too.) The cast members at the Chase Lounge said they've been asking for expanded restrooms for years and are so excited they're finally here, especially before this year's Candlelight Processional crowds, and they've already been a hit with the Eat to the Beat crowds. - Linda Masi

The Walt Disney World Lost and Found department is amazing! My designer sunglasses flew off during Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and I thought they were gone for good. I called the Lost and Found department and described what day and location I lost them, gave a description of the glasses, and to my surprise, in true Disney Magic they were found! (Allow 24-48 hours for cast members to process your lost items.) - Michelle

EDITOR'S NOTE: You can report missing items at Guest Relations in the theme parks, but if you don't discover the item has been lost until you get home, try calling Theme Parks Lost & Found: (407) 824-4245. They're open seven days a week between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. EST. Give them a description of the item and where you lost it, and if it's been turned in, they'll let you know.

I noticed that Disney World is offering more toppings with their quick service burgers and hot dogs, which raises the price even more. If you just want a simple cheeseburger they will gladly make one for you at a cheaper cost. My fathered ordered the 1/3-lb. Angus cheeseburger with bacon and fries at Restaurantosaurus for $10.19, but he asked for no bacon. The total came to $8.89, which is great because it's healthier without the bacon, plus it's cheaper! - Natalie

The recent note in the newsletter regarding not being able to have a sit-down meal before Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party in the Magic Kingdom only reinforces that dining reservations are a MUST during any meal. This includes "regular" days as well as special occasions. Why risk having to leave the park for lack of planning when all it takes is an online reservation or a quick call to 407-WDW-DINE? - Darlene Kane

Epcot - Just got back from Walt Disney World and wanted to share that the exclusive photo session for Disney Visa cardholders (in Epcot's Innoventions) has extended its hours. It is now available daily from 1 to 7 p.m. Thanks to the extended activity time, there wasn't an overly long wait during either of our two visits there. - Randy

Epcot - Just got back from Walt Disney World and wanted to share that the exclusive photo session for Disney Visa cardholders (in Epcot's Innoventions) has extended its hours. It is now available daily from 1 to 7 p.m. Thanks to the extended activity time, there wasn't an overly long wait during either of our two visits there. - Randy

I had breakfast with my daughter at Cinderella's Royal Table. I just wanted to let you know that there is a new addition/substitution at breakfast. Instead of the cream cheese-stuffed French Toast with Cognac sauce, it is now a Caramel Apple Stuffed French Toast and it was unbelievable! It appears that some of the pastries may have changed, too. I ate here last December and it seems that the Mickey head-shaped blueberry muffins were new as well. - Kristin LaRose

We will be going to WDW for our 19th trip in two weeks -- can't wait! One of the best tips we can offer is to definitely go to the parks at night -- they all look so different as the sun goes down. The sun setting and the darkness coming -- it really brings out the beautiful lighting and colors of the parks. Animal Kingdom will be open in the evenings when the Rivers of Light show debuts in 2016. I just wish Walt Disney could come back for one day and see the beauty and magic that he created! - Trudy

I noticed in last week's AllEars Hears that someone mentioned the removal of the a la carte menu from the Grand Floridian Garden View Lounge's afternoon tea. Be sure if you see something like that to ask about it. We noticed the same thing, but asked and were still able to get everything we wanted a la carte, including the cheese plate (which had disappeared from the menu entirely). They have been changing the tea process and the strawberries and cream are now pre-made and are no longer gluten-free, so always be sure to ask questions every time you go somewhere! - Melissa Barlett

When we were at Disney World, we ordered self-contained cereal bowls and other fruit snacks from an online service. They arrived at Pop Century a day or so before us. Pop Century held the packages and delivered them to our room when we arrived. We then picked up milk every morning. It was quick and easy and saved some money. I did not use them all, so Pop Century helped me send the remainder back home. - Brenda Fitzsimmons

Our family does not eat pork, and at the Garden Grill, we mentioned to the server not to bring any pork products (several menu items mentioned bacon). A few minutes after we sat down, the chef came to our table to point out that a few other items also had pork in them, such as a topping or gravy. He offered some alternatives that were delicious and didn't take any extra time. We were also able to get seconds, since it is a family style meal. It's worth it to always ask! - Amy O.

If you are traveling with a car, and you have a handicap sticker/emblem, valet parking at the Deluxe Resorts is free. We had a temporary tag on our last trip and only found this out by accident one night when the Polynesian parking lot was full, but the guard saw the tag and directed us to the complimentary valet parking. We did take advantage of it after that, and it was nice to have the young valet men lift out the scooter for us! - Kathy Jo

We're a family of three that lives about 90 minutes from Walt Disney World. We usually pack our own picnic lunch of sandwiches and bottled water or sports drinks that we take with us when we have a Disney Day. It's amazing how hungry you get when you're touring, so we always bring our own snacks (packs of pretzels, cheese crackers, apples, bananas, etc.). It is a little inconvenient carrying a backpack loaded with food, but I figure that one small inconvenience saves us in the neighborhood of $50 per day that we spend in the parks, so it's worth it. Even though we love the Magic, we just can't look past some of the disproportionately high prices for things like bottles of soda and water. Lately, our favorite picnic spot has been the porch of the Main Street train station, where you can overlook all of Main Street, USA. There are tables and chairs up there that never seem to attract too many people. Once, we even had the Trolley Show cast members perform right in front of us on the porch as part of the "Walkin' Right Down the Middle of Main Street USA" show, and then as they left, they tried to bargain with us for a couple of the homemade chocolate chip cookies we were eating at the time! My son thought that was hysterical! We've also enjoyed the outdoor porch area of the Mexico pavilion at Epcot, which also has a number of tables and chairs that are usually vacant. - Diane C.

We live in Florida, so we are at the parks all the time. Spending even just a few hours at the parks can really hurt the wallet, especially when there are seven mouths to feed. What I began doing is making sandwiches for everyone, keeping them in a cooler and heading out to the car at lunchtime. I will have everyone tell me what they would like on their sandwich and assemble them at home. I will keep lettuce, tomato, mayo, mustard and Italian dressing on the side in the cooler. I label each of the lunch bags and finish adding the condiments as each person would like at lunchtime. We have drinks and bags of chips in the car as well. I will spend only 1/10 of the amount of money on lunch and it is delicious and more nutritious than eating in the park. We do this even if staying on Disney property or at our timeshare on 192. You get away from the rush of the park and it really does not take too much time out of your day. This does require a little extra work in the morning, but it is well worth it. I couldn't see spending $80 for lunch a few times a month, every month for the past four years... that adds up! - Margaret