Laughing Lindsay

Biltmore Estate Tips for Visiting

Lindsay — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having just visited for the first time, I thought I would share some Biltmore Estate tips for anyone else planning a trip.

Biltmore Estate Tips

For those who don’t know, the Biltmore Estate is the largest privately-owned residence in the United States! It’s located in the Blue Ride Mountains of North Carolina in Asheville! The estate actually consists of the 100,000+ square foot mansion in addition to the grounds and gardens. There’s so much to see and do that you can easily spend several days here without leaving the estate. That being said, there were a few things I wish we had known before arriving. So, here are a few tips to help make your trip better!

Tips for Visiting the Biltmore Estate

Pay attention to the hours – We arrived around 9 AM on our full house day because the site’s hours of operations said that’s when the admission gate opened. However, we realized upon arrival that meant just the gate and gardens were open. The house and shops didn’t open until 10 AM. So, if you want to know when the house opens, look at the shop hours.
You can walk around the gardens before and after a house tour – Since we arrived an hour early, we roamed the Italian Gardens, which were mostly empty. The gardens are also open later than the house and shops. So, you can view them at your leisure.
Pre-purchase tickets – We actually had a hotel package that included breakfast and tickets that didn’t require house reservations. However, if you buy a one day ticket, then you will need to make a reservation for the time you plan to enter the home. Those reservations can sell out. So, buy your tickets and reserve your time as soon as you know what works best for your schedule.
You can’t carry much inside the house – They have free storage lockers outside the home. However, I left my hat in the car when we were touring the home. Also, pay attention to the bag size allowance of 19″ x 14″ x 9″. It’s best to just leave most things at home, in a locker, or in the car.
Bring a hat for the gardens – I strongly recommend having a hat to wear while roaming the gardens. There’s very little shade available, so you will be happy to have a hat.
Visit the house when it’s cooler – The house does NOT have air conditioning. So, plan to visit the house early in the morning before it gets too hot.
The estate is cashless – The front desk at the hotels are about the only places that will accept cash on property.
Stay for a few days – We spent two nights here and still didn’t see everything. Although, it was in spring with plenty of plants to see. I’m not sure that the colder times of the year would offer as much to see. However, I can see staying for several days during the warmer months.

Visiting the Estate

So, have you ever visited the Biltmore Estate? Do you have any tips that I didn’t mention?

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Disney Animal Kingdom Resorts Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 27 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I am continuing my look at the Walt Disney World hotels with the Animal Kingdom Resorts!

Animal Kingdom Resorts

Having already posted the Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide, Epcot Resorts Guide, and Disney Hollywood Studios Resorts Guide, this is my last resort guide for the four theme parks at Walt Disney World! Once again, I am going by Disney World’s website for this list of hotels as this is how they designate these resorts. Unfortunately, there’s no special transportation connecting these resorts. There’s just bus transportation to take you the parks here.

All Star Resorts

Disney has three All Star Resorts – All Star Sports, All Star Movies, and All Star Music. Each of them is considered a value resort and offer the lowest priced rooms on property. All of them also feature giant statues that fit the resort’s theme to designate different areas of the resort. I wrote a Disney’s All Star Resorts Overview post a couple of years ago if you would like a closer look at these three resorts. I’ve also posted a separate Disney All Star Sports Review from my solo Christmas stay in December 2024.

Animal Kingdom Lodge

Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe/DVC resort. I’ve stayed here only once and it was almost a decade ago. That’s why I haven’t posted a separate review of it. If I ever return, I will post a review of it. However, it is typically one of the cheaper Deluxe options at Disney. It can still be pricey, especially those Savannah view rooms. It’s just typically cheaper than most of the other Deluxe resorts. This resort is built around an artificial savannah that has real animals! It’s the perfect location for animal lovers as you don’t need a park ticket to enjoy the animals here! Also, the food is pretty good here too!

Coronado Springs

Lastly, there’s Coronado Springs! This is another sprawling moderate resort that I’ve covered a few times: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort Review and Gran Destino Tower – Disney Coronado Springs Resort Review. It also has the distinction of being the very first Disney World resort I stayed at! It has several good food options as well! I would stay here more frequently if it didn’t have so many bus stops.

Disney Animal Kingdom Resorts

So, there you have the Walt Disney World Animal Kingdom Resorts! Which one are you staying at? Do you have a favorite?

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Biltmore Estate Restaurants Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 20 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

If you are planning a trip and wondering which Biltmore Estate Restaurants you should eat at, this post is for you!

Biltmore Estate Restaurants

Having just visited the Biltmore for 3 days back in April, I’m happy to report that there are loads of tasty options when considering where to eat here. From the Stable Cafe in the House to the Village Social located in the Village Hotel and little places to grab a snack, there’s something for every palate! Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to try every restaurant on this trip. So, if I am lucky enough to visit again in the future, then I will return to this post and update with additional reviews.

I’ll start this guide by mentioning how big the portion sizes are here. We started out ordering our own entrees, but were splitting them by the end of the trip as we kept having leftovers. So, just something to keep in mind.

Stable Cafe for Luminere Dinner

I figured I might as well start with the restaurant located in the basement of the House – Stable Cafe! This is literally where the stables were located when the house was lived in! We ate here twice during our trip. Our first meal here was for dinner during Luminere. We enjoyed some fresh salads for the mains. The chicken was a little dry on my salad, but overall it was a good dish. I really enjoyed my special mocktail here for Luminere. It sweet, but the ginger cut it nicely.

The real star here was the desserts though! My husband got the Blueberry Mousse Cake. It was a good combination of sweet and tart with the lemon-passionfruit cremeux. I got the Raspberry Parline Profiterole and was thrilled with it. Once again, it was the perfect combination of sweet and tart with the raspberries cutting the sweet chocolate. This meal was the perfect way to begin our Luminere evening.

Stable Cafe Lunch

After touring the house, we enjoyed lunch the next day here as well. We split The Appalachian Sampler (pictured in the blog image above) and had more than enough food for the two of us. We enjoyed trying the seasonal Ancho Chili Blueberry Barbeque sauce with the chicken and pulled pork. I would love to try other seasonal sauces in the future. Again, the chicken was a touch dry, but the sauces really helped. The pulled pork was so flavorful it didn’t really need the sauces.

The smoked baby carrots were simple but tasty. We also loved the truffle mac and cheese. The potato salad looked like mashed potatoes but tasted as it should. My husband enjoyed the house pickled vegetables. We also tried the blackberry lemonade and strawberry lemonade. They were fine, but I think I would get something else next time. We ended the meal by splitting the Toffee Fudge Cake, which was amazing! It was rich and chocolatey! I loved it.

Cedric’s Tavern

Moving over to Antler Hill Village, we enjoyed lunch upon arrival at Cedric’s Tavern. My husband ordered the Tavern Rueben and was pleased with it. It was a good combination of flavors and a great value for the $20 charged. I selected the Lobster Roll, which had a shocking amount of lobster (1/2 pound) on it! I truly enjoyed it, but it was too much food for me. We both left this meal with a box of leftovers. We ended up finishing them later that night in the hotel room. I think it’s worth noting that the dessert menu posted online was out of date when we visited.

Village Social – Breakfast

We had a breakfast package that allowed us to enjoy breakfast both mornings of our trip at the Village Social, which I highly recommend. I absolutely loved the Pecan Waffles I ate both mornings. On the second morning, my husband and I actually split an order of the waffles and an order of biscuits and gravy. This restaurant is fantastic because they will physically split your dishes on two separate plates for you! So, that was super helpful! Although, I see that the online menu now lists a Blueberry Waffle instead of the Pecan. I’m sure it’s great too!

One thing to note: There was a 25 minute wait for a table for two people here on Saturday morning, versus no wait on Friday morning. So, maybe send someone ahead to get on the waitlist on the weekends.

Village Social – Dinner

This was our last dinner here and it was really good. We split the Fried Chicken. The chicken was good and moist with the added hot honey (although, not really spicy). The smashed red skin potatoes were good too. I even ate some of the estate pickled coleslaw! Overall, it was a good dish that I don’t regret eating.

I was tickled to be able to get the Luminere mocktail Nightfall here again. My husband got a coconut mocktail that was tasty. For dessert, I got a strawberry rhubarb crumble with vanilla ice cream. I was pleased to see that it didn’t contain an artificial red strawberry slush, but was kind of natural red/brown. I was also happy that I could actually taste the tart rhubarb. It was a good dessert. My husband enjoyed a cake, but we can’t recall what it was. Unfortunately, they don’t have the dessert menu posted online.

The Creamery

One of the last places we stopped at on our visit was The Creamery, located in the Village. I got an amazing banana pudding milkshake! My husband got an orange creamsicle float that was pretty good. We also grabbed a pastry for the road. I got the mixed berry and he got ham/cheese. Both of those were really tasty, even hours later when we ate them at home after a long drive.

Biltmore Estate Restaurants

As I stated above, this is not an exhaustive look at all of the restaurants on property. Rather, it’s an overview of where we’ve eaten so far. If I make a return trip, I will come back and update this post with more locations – like the Dairy Bar or The Dining Room at the Inn. So, where do you enjoy eating when visiting The Biltmore Estate?

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Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

Lindsay — Wed, 13 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I want to examine if the seasonal Dollywood Guided Tours are worth your money and time.

Dollywood Guided Tours

Last year, I was lucky to take several guided tours while visiting Dollywood. I already posted my I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review, Dollywood Summer Festival Tour Review, and Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review. Today, I want to talk about those experience more generally and to help others decide if they should book a guided tour.

What the Tours Include

You can see which tours are available during your trip and what they include on the Special Experiences page on the website. However, in general, the tours attempt to include some festival entertainment (like reserved seating for a show during IWALY or reserved standing viewing of the drones/fireworks during the summer) along with a snack and/or beverage. They also sometimes include rides where you can skip the lines. All of them come with a tour guide or two that tells you about the park and the offerings you get.

I will say these are best for people without mobility issues. They tend to involve a good bit of walking and Dollywood has a few good hills. I also don’t know that I would recommend them for children as there can be lots of listening.

Pros

You get a brief guided tour of the park – It can be helpful for people who don’t know much about the park or its offerings to learn from a park employee.
Skip some lines – It was awesome to ride the train during the Christmas tour without waiting in line. You have to read the fine print though as not all tours offer rides and it seems like the rides offered can differ from year to year.
Some reserved seating – Again, you have to read the fine print to see what the tour includes. However, you sometimes get a reserved (near the front) seat for shows that you don’t have to stand in line for.
Snack and a drink – Often, it’s a festival goodie. However, at Christmas we received a mini cinnamon bread and hot chocolate. I’d consider it an added bonus, not exactly a selling point.
Adds something for experienced visitors – It can be a fun way to do something different if you have visited the park before.
Can be good for solo trips – If you are visiting the park alone and feel more comfortable in a group, this is the perfect opportunity to join a group.

Cons

Added expense – These tours are an added expense on top of a park ticket. Plus, they went up $10 from 2025 to 2026. Currently, they are $89/person with a small discount available for some passholders. So, not exactly a budget friendly event.
Takes up time – If you want to visit the park at your own pace, this isn’t for you. You don’t really have much time to stop and enjoy the scenery or take pictures. I don’t recommend this for people who are visiting for the first time on the first day. Maybe the second day or return trip.
Limited offerings – The specific rides/shows offered varies from festival to festival and even year to year. So, read the site carefully to see if you are interested in most of the things listed before spending the money.
You can do most of the things on your own – Most of the tour experiences can be had on your own. The real perk of these tours is the guide and the ability to skip the line or have reserved seating.

Are Dollywood Guided Tours Worth It?

I think the value of any purchase is subjective. However, if you have children, are a first time visitor, have mobility issues, or on a tight budget, then I don’t think it’s worth it. If you are a return guest who navigates the park easily with room in the budget, then go for it! So, have you ever taken a tour at Dollywood? Did you think it was worth it?

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Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Review

Lindsay — Wed, 06 May 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Last month, my husband and I were able to stay two nights at the fabulous Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate! Today, I am giving my review of that experience.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate

There are two hotels on the Biltmore Estate property. The Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate is the more moderate resort with slightly cheaper rates than The Inn. Located in the Antler Hill Village, it gives you easy walking access to the shopping and dining there. It also makes it super convenient to visit the House and Gardens since you are staying on property.

Village King Bed

We booked a king sized bed room for this trip and enjoyed having the huge bed! The mattress and bedding was super comfy. I was also impressed with how quiet our stay was. No complaints about noise here. The room itself is nice without being too much. It takes a basic hotel room and adds some little touches to upgrade the experience.

The bathroom is really nice. There’s a huge shower that is great for relaxing in. The sink is outside the bathroom, allowing two people to get ready in the morning. There’s also a mini refrigerator in the room. A microwave is located in the lobby.

Overall, this room provided a very comfortable two night stay for us.

Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate Location

This hotel is perfect for visiting The Biltmore. There’s a complimentary shuttle bus that takes you over to the house/gardens. However, there’s also free parking. We chose to drive around the estate instead of waiting for the shuttle. It was nice to not have to traverse Asheville while visiting though. Also, I was pleased with the amount of parking available. When we came back to the Hotel after 10 PM after Luminere, there was still plenty of parking available.

This hotel is technically located in the Antler Hill Village. That makes it a great option for folks wanting to enjoy the Village’s dining, shopping, and activities. Village Social is the restaurant located on the second floor of the hotel. We enjoyed breakfast here both mornings and dinner once. It was so convenient and tasty!

Hotel Package

While you can simply book a stay here, the Biltmore also offers various package deals. We booked the Estate Escape Offer Package. This included breakfast at Village Social both mornings as well as length of stay tickets to the Biltmore House. I highly recommend booking any of the packages the includes breakfast. I also highly suggest you try the Pecan Waffles at the Village Social.

Although, I will note that Saturday morning had a 25 minute wait for breakfast. Friday morning had no wait. So, maybe head down to get on the waitlist early if you are visiting on the weekend.

Also, the tickets with the package allowed us to visit the House at our leisure. That meant that we didn’t have to make a reservation at the house and could go in whenever. That was nice.

Pros

Nice accommodations – This hotel is a very relaxing resort in the mountains of North Carolina. What’s not to like?
Location – It’s located in the Village and is walking distance to everything it offers. Plus, it makes visiting the Biltmore House and Gardens easy.
Peaceful – This was one of the quietest hotels I’ve ever stayed in. It was awesome.
Book a breakfast package – I like that you can book a package to prepay for breakfast and it’s convenient to eat in the hotel.
Comfortable – It’s easy to get a good night’s rest here. The bed is very comfy.
Cookie/Wine Hour – There’s a Wine Social from 5-6 PM and Cookie Hour from 8-9 PM in the lobby. We enjoyed those on Friday night and then spent some time sitting at the firepit.

Cons

Pricey – While this was cheaper than staying at the Inn, it wasn’t a cheap trip. You can definitely stay somewhere cheaper off property.
Few hooks – I know this is random and tiny. However, I would like more hooks for towels in the bathroom and a coat rack in the room for jackets/hats/purses.

Should you stay at the Village Hotel on Biltmore Estate?

I really enjoyed our stay here and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to other folks. If you can afford it and want to visit the Biltmore, this is a great way to do it. Have you ever stayed here?

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Biltmore Luminere Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Having just experienced the Biltmore Luminere nighttime event, I thought I would post a guide to help others plan their trip.

Biltmore Luminere

For those who don’t know the Biltmore Luminere is the Estate’s newest add-on experience. Unlike other events, this is a nighttime lights and projections experience. It includes a projection show on the house and additional lighting/projections in the gardens. They advertise the event starting at $60, but most nights are a good bit more expensive. A ticket to the event allows you entry to the grounds and shops starting at 4:30 PM too.

Special Foods

You have the option to order a picnic to enjoy on the lawn. However, the Stable Cafe also has a special menu for the event. We opted to eat at the Stable Cafe. Not knowing what to expect, I made a dining reservation for 6 PM. We were seated promptly and we probably didn’t even need the reservation. However, I could see it being useful on a busier night.

We explored the gardens and conservatory prior to dinner. Unfortunately, it was a hot April day (mid/upper 80’s) and we didn’t want anything too heavy to eat. So, we ordered salads with the dressing on the side and added some chicken. They were good, fresh salads. They were perfect for the heat we had just endured. The cornbread croutons were especially good in my salad. I also enjoyed a few candied walnuts from my husband’s salad. I also ordered the event special mocktail – the Nightfall. It was a great mix of flavors, but the ginger was definitely noticeable. So, if you don’t like ginger, it might not be for you.

Then, we ordered some desserts. My husband got the Blueberry Mousse Cake. It was a light, airy dessert that was the perfect combination of blueberries and passionfruit. We both really enjoyed it. I got the Raspberry Praline Profiterole. I loved the combination of hazelnut, chocolate, and raspberry. It was a great way to kick off the event.

Biltmore House Show

Typically, the house projection show is shown three times a night. The exact times can be found on the site. On the night we went, it was shown at 8:45, 9:15, and 9:45. Lasting 15 minutes, the show is a look at the history of the estate and the Vanderbilt family who owns it. It was a touching tribute honoring the history of the location. I particularly enjoyed the projections depicting life in the home. Overall, it was entertaining and informative. Although, I don’t know that children would enjoy this show as it’s a little dry with all of its facts.

Garden Illuminations

In addition to the house projection show, you can walk around the gardens to see some beautiful lighting effects! I highly recommend walking around the gardens beforehand in the daylight to understand the layout of the land and to appreciate it more. I loved the projection show on the trees the most. Also, don’t miss the lighting in the conservatory either. It was beautiful! We really enjoyed walking around and looking at the different projections. It helped that it was a nice night out as well.

Tips

Purchase tickets early – We waited to purchase tickets until we knew the weather forecast. Unfortunately, they raised the prices $15-20 per person per night at the end of the month prior (end of March for April)!
Bring a blanket or chairs – You watch the house projection show on the front lawn. We enjoyed sitting on a picnic blanket as it allowed to us watch the sun go down and then watch the show. Also, sitting on the ground was more comfortable than sitting on hard concrete for a parade or standing for fireworks at the theme parks!
Arrive early – We arrived around 4:30 and enjoyed walking around before it got crowded. In fact, we were able to browse mostly empty stores prior to dinner. It was so nice to look at stuff without crowds for once.
Watch a later projection show – If you want to view the house show without any crowds, go for one of the later shows. We walked by during the last showing and it was practically empty! There was a chance of a rain that night, so we watched the first showing. However, if I ever go back, I will probably watch a later showing and walk the gardens first.
Take your time – If you are lucky enough to visit on a night with good weather, it’s so nice to just walk around in nature. It’s definitely one of the more relaxing nighttime projection events I’ve attended.
See the grounds in the daytime – They have done a great job with the lighting and I think knowing what the area looks like normally makes you appreciate it that much more.

Is the Biltmore Luminere worth it?

Again, I think value is subjective. However, I thought the price charged was worth the experience. From low crowds for the stores and gardens prior to the projection show, to the lighting and show itself, it made for a great date night. I wouldn’t hesitate to go again. So, have you experienced the Biltmore Luminere?

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The Best Things in Islands of Adventure

Lindsay — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I am continuing my best of series with the best things in Islands of Adventure at Universal Orlando Resort!

The Best Things in Islands of Adventure

Earlier this year, I posted The Best Things in Universal Studios Florida. Today, I want to cover the park located directly beside USF – Islands of Adventure! It opened in May 1999 as the second park at the resort. This park aims to encourage park goers to explore the 8 (currently) themed lands or islands. To be completely honest, I have spent loads more time in the OG park – USF next door. So, I struggled a little bit with this post. However, I promise to try to spend more time in this park the next time I visit UO. Without further ado, here are my favorite things in Universal’s Islands of Adventure!

Grinchmas

I want to start this post by highlighting the thing I think about most often from this park – Grinchmas! There’s a whole Suess Landing in this park. However, at the holidays, The Whos overtake it with decor. Plus, you can meet the Grinch from the 2000 movie! You can even have Breakfast with The Grinch! There’s also typically a stage show based off of the movie. It’s just a great time that any Grinch fan should be able to experience at least once!

Best Quick Service Restaurants

The restaurant I’ve eaten at most often in this park is the Three Broomsticks in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade! I think my very first breakfast at UO was here. I think fondly of that trip with my mom. I had grown up reading the books (and then watching the movies). So, it was full circle to eat at the restaurant with my mom. It’s a must do for any HP fan.

I also like Croissant Moon Bakery for a grab and go option. Plus, they often have some good seasonal treats!

Best Ride

I know this will be controversial. However, I’m not a big roller coaster fan. Also, I’ve yet to ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure. I’ve tried a couple of times, but the line has always been long and it broke down sometimes. I’ve enjoyed Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey several times though. It’s great for any HP fan.

If you need a cool break in the middle of the day – check out The Cat in the Hat ride for some fun. Haha!

Best Shows

I would encourage everyone to see the Hogwarts Always nighttime show, or whichever version may be going on when you visit. The holiday version is shown in the blog post image above. A projection show is always a great way to end the day. Also, shoutout to the Frog Choir! It’s fun! Plus, there’s a special holiday version of it too!

The Best Things in Universal’s Islands of Adventure

While not an exhaustive look at everything in the park, these are the things I recommend. What are your favorite things in Islands of Adventure?

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Disney Hollywood Studios Resorts Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I am continuing on with my Walt Disney World hotel series with the Hollywood Studios Resorts guide!

Hollywood Studios Resorts

Previously, I published a Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide as well as an Epcot Resorts Guide. Today, I wanted to highlight the hotels closest to the other theme park on the Skyliner – Hollywood Studios! There is a good bit of overlap with the Epcot resorts due to the Skyliner. In fact, 1/2 of these hotels are also on the Epcot list. I’m going by Disney World’s website for grouping and they put a couple of hotels in both theme park locations. So, I’m going to cover them in both posts!

Art of Animation

First up, we have Art of Animation. I most recently stayed here in December 2025 with my mom. I posted a Disney World Little Mermaid Rooms Review covering the standard rooms in the Little Mermaid section of the resort. However, there are family suites in the rest of the resort. I’ve not had the pleasure of staying in one of those rooms yet. Nonetheless, you can read my overall resort review here.

This resort is great for fans of specific Disney/Pixar movies (Little Mermaid, Cars, Finding Nemo, or Lion King). I love that it’s on the Skyliner too. It’s a fun theme that immerses you in the Disney bubble. It’s considered a value, but is priced higher thanks to the theme/popularity and suites.

Caribbean Beach Resort

Next up, is Caribbean Beach Resort. I posted a complete Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review a few years ago. It’s a sprawling moderate resort on the Skyliner. It has fun, beachy vibes. My biggest complaint about this resort is its size. There’s multiple bus stops here. However, I did enjoy Sebastian’s Bistro the one time I ate there.

Pop Century

The other value resort on the Skyliner, is Pop Century! I’ve stayed here multiple times. It has fun retro vibes and is the most affordable resort on the Skyliner. You can read my entire Disney’s Pop Century Resort Review to get a better idea of what it’s like to stay here. I think it’s ideal for adults visiting Disney on a budget or for people on a budget who want access to the Skyliner.

Riviera Resort

Lastly, there’s the Riviera Resort. As I stated in the Epcot Resorts post, this is a fancy DVC/Deluxe resort. As such, I haven’t stayed here. However, I have visited a few times and really enjoyed the character breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace. I also appreciate its compact layout.

Disney Hollywood Studios Resorts

Those are the four resorts that Disney considers to be HS resorts. So, which one is your favorite to stay at? Do you like staying on the Skyliner?

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Solo Dollywood Tips

Lindsay — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Last year, I took my first solo Dollywood trip. So, I thought I would do a post featuring some tips for anyone else considering doing the same thing.

Solo Dollywood

I understand that many folks may be hesitant to visit Dollywood alone. However, I’m here to tell you that it’s a great idea! I thoroughly enjoyed myself last year and I have hopes to travel by myself to Dollywood again this year. It’s so nice to do what you want, when you want. You can move at your own pace. Plus, this is a great park to just sit and relax.

Dollywood Activities to Try Alone

Take a tour – If you are nervous about visiting the park by yourself, might I suggest booking a tour? For a few hours, you will be a part of a group. That allows you to learn and interact with other people. On my solo visit last year, I took the I Will Always Love You Tour and you can read my review of that experience at the link.
Make a craft – I didn’t do this last time, but I am considering trying my hand at one of the crafts on my next solo adventure. At Dollywood, you can dip your own candles, make your own blown glass ornament (or pumpkin), customize your own leather belt, ornament, or bracelet or even forge your own knife! I do wish that they would allow people to make online reservations for the crafts ahead of time. Unfortunately, you have to show up at the craft location early in the day to book your spot.
Admire the park – Dollywood is a gorgeous park. It’s nice to visit during the different seasons to really appreciate the beauty of it all. I love just looking at the different seasonal decorations around the park. Plus, I can take as many photos as I want without feeling like I’m boring someone.
Catch a show – One of the things this park is known for is its shows. I highly recommend catching at least one. If nothing else, you need to catch at least some sort of musical act.
Ride rides – Of course, the main perk of visiting a theme park by yourself is riding whatever rides you want. In fact, you can ride them over again if you want. Alternatively, you don’t have to ride rides either. It’s up to you.
Eat what you want – Dollywood has several great food options. From festival food booths to fast service restaurants and a few sit down places, there’s something for everyone. Feel free to try a few things during your visit. There’s no one there to judge your choices.
Move at your own pace – Ride a bunch of rides back to back. Sit and enjoy the ambiance. It’s up to you.

Visiting Dollywood Alone

As you can see, there’s lots to do when you take a solo Dollywood trip. So, have you ever visited Dollywood by yourself? If so, what do you like to do? If not, what is stopping you?

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Disney World Character Dining Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I’m finally doing a post that I have been putting off for months – a guide to Walt Disney World Character Dining!

Disney World Character Dining

As of the writing of this post, there are 12 on-site Disney World Character Dining options. Technically, there’s a 13th option at the Four Seasons, however I’m only covering options that are on-site. I’ve been putting this post off in hopes that I would eat at more of these restaurants and be able to provide a better analysis of each one. However, that doesn’t seem likely anytime soon. So, I’m going to cover all 12 and provide reviews as possible. Once I am able to try them out, I will update this post with a review.

1900 Park Fare

I was lucky enough to enjoy 1900 Park Fare about a decade ago. However, after the pandemic it’s a different meal now. There are different characters now. Initially, I was going to try it out with my mom on the December 2025 trip. Unfortunately, she was having mobility issues. So, we cancelled that reservation and enjoyed dinner at The Crystal Palace since we were attending the Christmas party.

It appears that you can currently meet prince/princesses here. This may include: Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana. I think it’s fitting that you can meet Disney royalty here since it’s held at the Grand Floridian Resort. That resort is uber nice. I will encourage everyone to try the Strawberry Soup if you eat here.

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Again, Akershus is another princess meal. This one is located in Epcot though. I also enjoyed this one about a decade ago. However, I was also able to visit it again for breakfast with my mom back in 2023. You can read my full Akershus Princess Breakfast Review at Epcot here. My mom and I enjoyed the interactions with the princesses and found the food to be good. Although, it was a bit rushed.

I want to point out that this meal is 1 table service for breakfast only. Both lunch and dinner will cost you 2 table service credits to dine here. I think that is because of the popularity of the restaurant. Personally, I find $69 for 2 table service credits to be a terrible value.

Cape May Cafe

Cape May Cafe is a character buffet for breakfast only! Dinner here is a seafood buffet without characters. It is located at the Beach Club Resort. I’ve been lucky enough to eat breakfast here a few times. In fact, it has the distinction of being my first character meal! I most recently ate here a few years ago in December 2022 with my mom. You can read my entire Cape May Café Breakfast Character Meal Review here, but suffice it to say that we really like this restaurant. There’s always a variety of foods available. Plus, who doesn’t love to see characters in beachy outfits? Also, my favorite character, Donald Duck, can be found here!

Chef Mickey’s

Chef Mickey’s is the character buffet located at the Contemporary Resort. Featuring the Fab Five in chef outfits, it’s a fun experience. Plus, it’s another opportunity to see Donald Duck! Once again, I have been lucky enough to enjoy a meal here several times over the years. Most recently, my mom and I ate dinner here in February 2024 prior to a Magic Kingdom After Hours event. You can read my Chef Mickey’s Character Dinner Review here. I know that some folks complain about the food here, but they have improved the quality of food. We were pleased with the variety of foods available and nothing we had was outright bad.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is the princess dining experience located in the castle in Magic Kingdom! Due to its location and popularity, it costs 2 Table Service Credits to dine here on the dining plan. It’s one of the more expensive places to eat on property. In fact, I’ve eaten here only once. I enjoyed breakfast here in 2021 with my husband. Due to Covid, the princesses didn’t come to the table. In fact, Cinderella just came out and waved. However, thanks to those changes, it was cheaper back then. It’s great to be able to say I’ve eaten here. However, I don’t know that I would pay the prices they are charging these days and certainly wouldn’t use 2 credits.

The Crystal Palace

The Crystal Palace is a greenhouse inspired restaurant featuring Winnie the Pooh and friends! I’ve had the pleasure of eating here a few times over the years. I had breakfast with my husband back in October 2023 and you can read my Crystal Palace Character Breakfast Review here for that experience. Then, in December 2025, I enjoyed dinner here with my mom prior to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. You can read my Crystal Palace Character Dinner Review too. Once again, I think Disney has improved the food here over the years as well. There’s something for everyone on the buffet and the characters are great!

Garden Grill Restaurant

Garden Grill is a classic character dining experience in Epcot. Featuring Chip, Dale, and farmer Mickey Mouse, it’s a meal that gives you a rotating view of the ride Living with the Land. The food leans more towards basic, but it’s done well and pleases most people. I’ve eaten here a couple of times as well. You can read my Garden Grill Dinner Epcot Character Meal Review from my most recent experience in February 2023.

Hollywood and Vine

Hollywood & Vine is a seasonal character dining experience in Hollywood Studios. I’ve dined here several times as well, since the characters’ outfits change seasonally! I haven’t posted my review yet, but my mom and I enjoyed dinner here during the Holiday Dining prior to Jollywood Nights in December 2025. It was a great way to get into the holiday spirit before the party. We enjoyed the character interactions and the buffet was plentiful. Again, kudos to Disney for improving food quality over the years. My only complaint is that they seem to have lost Donald at this location over the years. I hope they bring him back sometime.

‘Ohana

‘Ohana is a popular restaurant at the Polynesian Resort. This restaurant offers character dining for breakfast only. Dinner doesn’t have characters, but the meal is a favorite among Disney fans. Breakfast features Lilo & Stitch! It’s the only place where you can meet them currently. I haven’t eaten here in many years. However, I recall the pineapple-coconut bread at breakfast with fond memories. Plus, I wore a Lilo dress to this meal and it was a great core memory made to interact with the characters while being dressed like one of them.

Story Book Dining at Artist Point

Another restaurant I’ve been lucky to eat at previously, but not in recent years is Story Book Dining at Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. My husband and I cosplayed as Snow White and The Prince when we ate here and had a great time. The Queen glared at us in the photos! It was awesome. My mom enjoyed interacting with Grumpy. The food here was elevated as well. Due to the experience and popularity, this restaurant is also 2 Table Service dining credits. Although, it is open for dinner only.

Topolino’s Terrace

Topolino’s Terrace is a character breakfast at the Riviera Resort. Dinner does not feature characters and is a signature dining experience. The character breakfast only requires 1 dining credit though. However, since it’s a signature restaurant, the food is better here than at some other buffets. You can read my full Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast Review for a closer look at this experience. However, I gotta love an artsy Donald Duck!

Tusker House Restaurant

Lastly, we have Tusker House! It’s a safari themed character meal in Animal Kingdom. Open for all three meals and only 1 table service credit, it’s pretty popular. Plus, it features Donald Duck! You can read my full Tusker House Breakfast Review from my February 2023 trip. I have not eaten dinner here in many years though. However, it is the only character dining available at this park.

Disney World Character Dining

As you can see, there are loads of options for Disney World Character Dining. From parks to deluxe resorts, they are located all over the resort. However, I would encourage everyone to pay attention to the dining credits required at some of the restaurants (Cinderella’s Royal Table, Artist Point, and Akershus). While the seated meals tend to have better food, the buffets have greatly improved in recent years. So, what’s your favorite character meal at Disney?

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Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide

Lindsay — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Back in April 2025, my mom and I visited South Carolina for a few days. During that time, we ate at several great places. So, I thought I would list them in a Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide!

Myrtle Beach Restaurants Guide

Myrtle Beach has a plethora of great dining options! We spent 3 nights here and I feel like there were several other places we could try if we ever go back. Plus, I don’t think a single option disappointed us. Everything was good! So, here are the places we dined at in April 2025 and would highly recommend you try when you visit!

Sea Captain’s House

For our first meal in Myrtle Beach, I booked us a reservation at Sea Captain’s House. This was a wonderful way to kick-start our trip here. We got a table beside a window with a breathtaking view of the ocean! In fact, the image for this post (seen above) was taken at this restaurant! It was such a unique experience (for me) to enjoy some fresh seafood while looking out at the ocean. I will always think of this restaurant when I remember this trip.

The meal started with a bowl of tasty hushpuppies! Then, came our mains. My mom ordered the Filet of Flounder with a baked potato. I believe she really enjoyed each of those items. I got the Crab Cakes with asparagus! Again, it was so nice to enjoy fresh seafood while looking out at the ocean. We split a slice of key lime pie for dessert and ate every last piece of it. This was a great way to kick off a trip to the beach! Plus, we were able to walk out the back of the restaurant and right onto the beach!

Pro tip: Book a reservation ahead of time. This is a popular place to eat. Also, it is a nice restaurant. So, dress up a little.

Blueberry’s Grill

For our first breakfast in the area, we selected Blueberry’s Gr i ll. Technically, we ate at the one located in North Myrtle Beach prior to doing some shopping (see my guide to shopping in Myrtle Beach) at Barefoot Landing. However, there’s another one located in Myrtle Beach proper as well.

If you visit here, you must try the blueberry hushpuppies! They are slightly sweet and very good. For my meal, I went with the Blueberry Ricotta Waffle. This is the ultimate breakfast for any blueberry fan. From the blueberry batter to the blueberry-flavored syrup and served with fresh berries. It’s so good! My mom got the Cinnamon Roll French Toast! She’s not as big of a blueberry fan, so this was a nice sweet treat for her. Plus, who doesn’t want to try French Toast made out of a cinnamon roll?

Captain George’s

For our second night’s dinner, we elected to try one of the huge seafood buffets! We loved the ambiance of this place. It was so cool to see the boats over top of the buffet lines! It added something to the experience. We were pleased with the wide selection of items on the buffet. I loved being able to try so many different types of seafood without fearing that I was wasting an entree choice on it. I even tried Rockefeller oysters for the first time! It was fun to try snow crab legs for the first time as well. My mom and I had fun trying to open them. All of the seafood was plentiful and good. It was a little pricey, but then again buffets with seafood are. It was definitely a splurge to eat here. However, we thought it was worth the money spent.

Johnny D’s Waffles

The one breakfast location I knew I had to try on this trip was Johnny D’s Waffles! Named best waffles in South Carolina by Food Network Magazine and run by an award winning chef, this restaurant was high on my priority list. I’m happy to report that the Red Velvet Waffle lived up to the hype. It wasn’t overly sweet and had nuance to the flavors. I find myself thinking about this waffle from time to time since it was so good. My mom enjoyed her Coconut Banana Waffle French Toast too. We left this restaurant feeling happy and full.

Donald’s Pancake House

Our last meal in Myrtle Beach was at Donald’s Pancake House. This little eatery had friendly staff and good food. I enjoyed their German Chocolate pancakes featuring South Carolina pecans! It had a great combination of flavors that meshed well. Plus, it felt good to know that I was eating something local with pecans coming from that state. My mom ordered Donald’s Breakfast special with 2 regular pancakes, 2 eggs, and bacon. She seemed really happy with her meal as well. It was a nice, sweet way to end our time in Myrtle Beach.

Bonus – See a Dinner Show

One last dining recommendation I can make is to enjoy a dinner show! We tried Medieval Times for my mom’s first time! You can see my Medieval Times Myrtle Beach Dinner Show Review to read my full review of the experience. The show was most enjoyable. Although, the food was the least interesting food we had on this trip. So, I guess it depends if you want award winning food/fresh seafood OR a fun dining experience.

Myrtle Beach Restaurants

While this is not an exhaustive list of the many dining establishments in Myrtle Beach, it is a look at all of the tasty food we enjoyed while visiting. So, where do you like to eat on a trip to the beach? Did I miss your favorite?

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Epcot Resorts Guide – Walt Disney World

Lindsay — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Today, I thought I would provide a look at the Epcot Resorts or the resorts that Disney says is located nearest this theme park at Walt Disney World.

Epcot Resorts

I began looking at theme park area resorts last year with my Magic Kingdom Resorts Guide. Today, I am continuing that series by moving over to Epcot! Unfortunately, I have not had the privilege of staying at most of these resorts. However, I have visited most of them and have an idea of what they are about.

Beach Club

The one resort in this bunch that I have stayed at is Beach Club. It’s a deluxe resort with DVC villas. I was lucky enough to stay here a decade ago when I was invited to Disney Social Media Moms Celebration! I enjoyed my stay here and would love to return again someday. Unfortunately, price has been a hindrance on my return. It was so convenient to be walking distance to Epcot! Plus, it’s now walking distance to the Skyliner and Hollywood Studios! This is an upscale beachy vibes place. I can also recommend the Cape May Café Breakfast Character Meal here.

Additionally, they usually have a gingerbread carousel here during the holidays. The theme changes from year to year, but it’s always great.

Yacht Club

Yacht Club is located directly beside Beach Club. It looks very similar to the Beach Club, however it’s more of a muted grey color than the bright blue of Beach Club. I’ve not had the pleasure of staying here, but I did enjoy Ale and Compass Breakfast back in December 2024. Once again, I can recommend it for its location and close proximity to Epcot and the Skyliner. However, it is an expensive deluxe resort as well.

While they don’t typically get a gingerbread creation during the holidays, they display a nice train set. It’s fun to watch the train go around the village.

Boardwalk Inn

Another deluxe resort I haven’t stayed at is Boardwalk Inn. It is located across from Beach and Yacht Club. As such, it is also walking distance to the Skyliner and Epcot. I used to enjoy breakfast here when they had a character breakfast. My mom enjoys visiting as it reminds her of the boardwalk in New Jersey.

Swan/Dolphin Hotels

Technically, the Swan/Dolphin hotels aren’t owned by Disney. However, they are often grouped in with Disney resorts as they receive lots of the same perks as staying on property. Plus, they are located close to Epcot. I’ve never actually stayed at either one, but have heard nice things.

Riviera Resort

Yet another deluxe/DVC resort that I haven’t stayed at, but is located close to Epcot is Disney’s Riviera Resort. I have visited this resort twice for Topolino’s Terrace Character Breakfast, which I really enjoyed. I also like how compact this resort is. Plus, you are always close to the Skyliner. That makes a ride to Epcot and/or Hollywood Studios super easy.

Caribbean Beach

Lastly, Disney technically considers Caribbean Beach an Epcot resort. It’s the only moderate resort on this list and I’ve actually stayed here! You can read my Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort Review to get a better idea of what this resort is like. However, it’s a sprawling resort with several bus stops. Although, it does have easy access to either Skyliner line with quick transportation to both Hollywood Studios and Epcot! I also enjoy Sebastian’s Bistro here.

Should you stay at Epcot Resorts?

If you have the means to stay at one of these deluxe resorts, I say go for it. It makes visiting Epcot so easy when you stay at one of these resorts. Personally, I typically pick a value on the Skyliner over Caribbean Beach. However, that’s just my preference. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the deluxe/DVC resorts on this list though.

So, which resorts on this list have you stayed at?

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Is A Dollywood Season Pass Worth It

Lindsay — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

You may soon be wondering: is a Dollywood Season Pass worth it? I thought I would write a post to help people decide.

Dollywood Season Pass

Dollywood opens for the 2026 season on Friday, March 13th. So, you may soon be wondering if a season pass is worth the money. I would argue it depends on your situation and it’s getting harder to recommend a pass due to decreased benefits. Let’s take a closer look.

Season Pass Options

Dollywood has drastically changed their season pass offerings over the past several years. So, I’ll start this post by urging anyone considering one to closely read over the current passes and their benefits. Don’t assume that since a pass came with certain benefits last year that it retains those same benefits this year.

Currently, there are two Season Passes available for purchase: Gold and Silver. Diamond was available for purchase at the end of last year for this season. I took advantage of the early passholder sale to upgrade to Diamond for 2026. I intend to examine its value in a future post.

Bring-A-Friend Tickets

The biggest change to the pass program has been the gradual reduction (and in some cases elimination) of Free Bring-a-Friend passes with each pass. As of 2026, only the two highest tiers (Gold and Diamond) are given any free Bring-a-Friend passes! DW completely eliminated this benefit for the Silver passholders and is instead offering 2 discounted tickets. Plus, Gold is down to just 1 Free Ticket and 2 discounted tickets! Diamond came with 2 Free tickets. That’s a huge reduction from the 4 I received 5 years ago!

Previously, I wrote a post on how to save money at theme parks and I recommended getting a season pass just to save on park admission for families. However, the deduction and elimination of this benefit makes it harder to recommend it for some families.

However, if you are planning to visit for multiple days or planning multiple trips this year, it’s worth it for the value of admission and discounts.

Passholder Discounts

Another perk of being a season passholder is the food, merch, and lodging discounts. Silver Passholders receive a 10% discount on shopping and dining. Gold Passholders receive 15% off. Diamond gets 20%. I will admit, it sure was nice to be able to use that 20% discount on my last trip in 2025 to purchase a Christmas Dollywood hoodie and to help pay for our meals.

Gold Passholders save $5 and Diamond Passholders save $10 on the seasonal guided tours. It looks like those tours have gone up $10 from 2025 to 2026 though. So, it definitely doesn’t feel like a savings anymore. You can read my I Will Always Love You Tour at Dollywood Review and Dollywood Christmas Guided Tour Review to get an idea of what you can expect with those tours.

Also, Gold and Diamond Passholders get free general parking! So, that’s a good savings, especially if you go multiple days.

Is a Dollywood Season Pass Worth It?

A Dollywood Season Pass is only worth it for me if I’m planning to visit multiple times in a season. I don’t typically visit more than one day during a trip. It takes at least 2-3 days to break even on admission pricing alone. However, I enjoy knowing that there’s a theme park I can take myself to and not have to worry about paying for admission.

I think the erosion of benefits (and increase of pricing) has made it more difficult to recommend a season pass. I still find value in it for myself though. I don’t know if I will renew in 2027, especially at the pricy Diamond level. I will let you know towards the end of the season if it was worth it.

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Burbank Studio Tours Compared

Lindsay — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Having previously visited and reviewed the three big film studios north of Hollywood, I thought I would compare the Burbank Studio Tours!

Burbank Studio Tours

For those who don’t know, there are three working studios located near each other in the Burbank/upper Hollywood area: Universal, Warner Bros., and Walt Disney. Each place handles tours differently and seems better suited to different demographics. So, if you are wondering how each of these tours compares and which one is for you, keep reading!

Universal Studios Tour

I’ll start with the first one I did and I would wager is lots of people’s first (and only?): Universal! You see, you can’t actually schedule a straight Universal Studios Tour. However, there’s a ride at the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park that takes you on a cart ride through the studios! The “ride” is included with park admission and can be repeated to see different things.

You can get an extended look at the lot by booking a VIP Tour. I was lucky enough to book it and posted a Universal Studios Hollywood VIP Tour Review back in 2024. We were able to get off the bus and walk through some of the props department. We also got to step on the lot where some “Pirates” movie and “The Good Place” show was filmed.

Neither of these options guarantees access to specific lots though and experiences can vary greatly. The tours can’t access lots where filming is taking place. Plus, Halloween Horror Nights can interrupt the studio tours with props and houses.

I think Universal Studios Tours are more of an add-on to a theme park day. Yes, you visit the back lot and maybe get to walk on a lot when you are VIP. However, it left me wanting more from a studio tour and I was happy to have the WB Studio the next day. If you are curious what a studio lot is like and don’t want to spend all day at a studio, then this is sufficient.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour

The second option is the Warner Brothers Studio Tour. WB has really leaned into the studio tours with multiple tour options. They also host seasonal events to celebrate movie anniversaries and/or holidays throughout the year. On my visit, I only had time to do the standard studio tour. This gets you a 1 hour guided tour of the lot with access to other experiences they estimate will take 2 hours. In my Warner Bros Studio Tour Hollywood Review, I stated that it took me about 2.5 hours total. However, I could have taken much longer if I hadn’t had something else planned for later in the day.

I think the Warner Bros. Tour is best for the folks who really want to see and experience a back lot. Even the standard tour allows you to get off of the cart and walk onto a set! Plus, after the guided portion, then you get to see sets from “The Big Bang Theory”, “Friends”, and more! It was so cool to get a picture on the “Friends” couch/set! There’s sections on “Harry Potter”, “Game of Thrones”, and “Batman”.

Warner Brothers is for people who really want to learn more about the movie making process. You can easily spend a whole day here. I hope to take a longer tour someday, personally. I really enjoyed this tour. However, I enjoy learning about how things work. If you think your group might get bored with a multi-hour experience, then this probably isn’t for you.

Walt Disney Studios Tour

Lastly, there’s the Walt Disney Studios Tour. I think it’s great that the D23 Disney fan club is offering this tour for members. It’s wonderful to visit where the magic was made. Although, this tour focuses on the company’s animated films, which makes it a totally different experience.

As I stated in my Walt Disney Studios Tour Review with D23 this storied lot gave me real pinch-me moments. However, it was a little dry (compared to the other two tours). I would say this is best for hardcore Disney fans. It was amazing to be able to visit Walt Disney’s office and see what it was like when he was alive. It was so cool to walk around where history was made. However, it’s not a traditional studio tour like the others. You don’t get to walk onto a set. Rather, the tour focuses on the animated films that were produced here in the Animation Building. It also highlights the Disney Co. history that happened here.

I love that the tour includes a visit to the Disney Legends Plaza and you get to shop in the special studio employee store for unique merch! Overall, I’d suggest this only for the big Disney fans.

Which Burbank Studio Tours is the best?

I know that people will want to know which Burbank Studio Tours is the best. However, I think it’s subjective and you need to pick the one that suits you/your group best. Universal is a theme park with the studio tour as an add-on. That’s probably better for folks with children. The Disney one is best for big Disney fans. Warner Bros. is great for getting a more intimate look at shows/films actually being made.

So, have you done a studio tour? Which one did you prefer?

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50’s Prime Time Cafe at Walt Disney World Review

Lindsay — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 16:00:00 +0000

Back in December, my mom and I ate at 50’s Prime Time Cafe in Hollywood Studios for the first time! So, I thought I would share how that experience went.

50’s Prime Time Cafe

50’s Prime Time Cafe is a highly themed table service restaurant located in Hollywood Studios theme park at Walt Disney World. It harkens back to the 1950’s with kitschy decor and most tables having a black and white television! It’s supposed to resemble eating in a mom’s kitchen with tasty comfort food on the menu!

The Ambiance

My mom absolutely loved the theme here! She was born in the 60’s, but remembered some of the decor being in her mom’s kitchen. She couldn’t wait to take photos to share with a co-worker and her older mom since they had some of the decor as well.

It’s also fun that the televisions feature short clips from tv shows that were airing in the 1950’s. In fact, Walt Disney himself even makes an appearance from Disneyland (as seen in my blog post image above)! Again, my mom loved watching the clips of old shows and spotting famous actors.

Adding to the experience of eating here are the cast members. They treat you like family here. In fact, they will joke along with you and poke fun of things. For example, I got up to use the restroom and our waitress told me, “I didn’t excuse you,” followed by “wash your hands and use soap” when I responded that I had to use the restroom. It was fun to watch the cast members interact with other tables as well. There’s definitely lots of entertainment to be had at this restaurant.

The Food

Seeing as this is mom’s kitchen in the 1950’s, they serve up basic comfort food. Since we were on the dining plan, I selected a yummy peanut butter and jelly milkshake for my drink. It was heavy on the peanut butter and had very little jelly flavor to it. However, as a peanut butter fiend, I was in hog heaven. It was so good! My mom got a strawberry milkshake and she thought it was really good too! I highly recommend the milkshakes here.

For my entree, I went with Aunt Liz’s Golden Fried Chicken! It was juicy and tasty! It truly hit the spot. My mom got Cousin Megan’s Traditional Meatloaf and was really happy with it. It had flavor without being too spicy (my mom can’t handle any spice). Both portions were huge though. This isn’t the place to come for a small bite to eat. Both of us received roasted garlic mashed potatoes and corn for our sides. Both of which were pretty good.

We were pretty full by this point, but the dining plan comes with a dessert. So, continuing with the peanut butter theme, I got Dad’s Favorite Chocolate-Peanut Butter Layered Cake a la Mode! It was a rich, dense cake. It was a little dry though. So, the ice cream did a great job of adding some needed moisture to the dish. I would say the cake leans more towards chocolate than peanut butter, but it was still yummy to me! My mom got the Traditional Warm Apple Crisp. This dessert was a little disappointing, to be honest. It was like they dumped a can of sliced apples in a bowl and put some oats on top. It wasn’t bad, it just paled in comparison to my cake. Although, I bet it would have been improved with some ice cream on top.

Fantasmic Dining Package

While dining here, we booked a Fantasmic Dining Package. At $60/each, it’s a good use of a table service dining credit. My mom had never seen Fantasmic. So, we appreciated knowing that we would get good seats to the show. We got to sit pretty much dead center of the stadium and got a great view of everything. It was similar to the Fantasmic Dining Package Review at Sci-Fi Dine-In in that we got the same reserved area to sit in. However, I much preferred the food here at 50’s Prime Time Cafe. I highly recommend a Fantasmic Dining Package if you are seeing the show for the first time just to get a good view of the show. Although, if you are early enough, a dining package certainly isn’t necessary to get a good view.

Is 50’s Prime Time Cafe worth it?

I think the 50’s Prime Time Cafe Fantasmic Dining Package is a great use of a table service dining credit. However, it’s probably a little less “worth it” for a regular dining credit without the package. My meal would have been $47.25 otherwise, which is a little low if you are trying to get the biggest bang for your buck on the dining plan. My mom’s would have been $43.75. Out of pocket, that’s pricey. Although, if we had been paying out of pocket, we wouldn’t have ordered so much food. Overall, it’s a fun environment with comfort food that everyone can enjoy.

So, have you ever eaten here?

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