Most of the rides at Walt Disney World have no height restrictions, but as soon as the ride increases in intensity, so does the height minimum. Knowing the height of the youngest adventurers in your group is crucial to avoid heartbreak. A useful tip: Practice measuring your children before your trip so they’re prepared for the official height checks at the park. Remember, these height restrictions are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and must be adhered to. For those not tall enough yet, the rider switch service allows other party members who meet the height criteria to enjoy the ride.

Height Restrictions at Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park celebrates nature through diverse attractions and experiences. Younger visitors will enjoy the Na’vi River Journey in Pandora, while older kids can experience the thrills of Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain. The entire group can enjoy learning about African savanna animals on Kilimanjaro Safaris. 

If someone doesn’t meet the height requirements, make use of the rider switch option mentioned earlier, or sign them up to be a Wilderness Explorer, where they can participate in a free series of fun, nature-themed challenges throughout the park.

38 inches or taller

• Kali River Rapids

40 inches or taller

• DINOSAUR 

44 inches or taller

• Avatar Flight of Passage 
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain

No minimum

• Kilimanjaro Safaris
• Na’vi River Journey
• TriceraTop Spin
• Wildlife Express Train

Height Restrictions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Step onto the glamorous streets of Tinseltown at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where the magic of the movies seamlessly transitions into the immersive worlds of Star Wars and Toy Story. While this park features rides with a range of height requirements, there’s no need to worry if some of your family members fall short of the mark. Disney’s Hollywood Studios offers Disney Jr. Play and Dance!, a lively show where kids can groove along with beloved Disney Jr. characters and tunes. Plus, right outside the theater, they’ll have the chance to meet some of their favorite Disney Jr. pals in person!

32 inches or taller

• Alien Swirling Saucers

38 inches or taller

• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
• Slinky Dog Dash

40 inches or taller

• Star Tours — The Adventures Continue
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

48 inches or taller

• Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith

No minimum

• Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
• Toy Story Mania!

Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Ride Height Requirements

Similar to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, EPCOT explores not just our planet but science, technology, community, and culture. Guests who don’t meet the height requirements for some attractions still have numerous options available. They can also enjoy the Kidcot Fun Stops scattered around the World Showcase. This complimentary offering allows guests to collect activity cards from each country in the showcase, providing a fun way to learn about the different cultures and traditions of each nation.

40 inches or taller

• Mission: SPACE
• Soarin’ Around the World

42 inches or taller

• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind

No minimum

• Frozen Ever After
• Gran Fiesta Tour Starring The Three Caballeros
• Journey Into Imagination With Figment
• Living with the Land
• Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
• The Seas with Nemo & Friends
• Spaceship Earth

Magic Kingdom Park Ride Height Guidelines

Magic Kingdom Park tops the chart with the most attractions free from height restrictions. This makes it a must-visit on your Walt Disney World vacation if you’re traveling with little ones who aren’t quite tall enough for some of the more towering rides. Beyond the attractions, Magic Kingdom offers a daily parade (though entertainment is subject to change) and an array of character meet and greets that are sure to entertain the youngest of visitors.

32 inches or taller

• Tomorrowland Speedway

35 inches or taller

• The Barnstormer

38 inches or taller

• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

40 inches or taller

• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure

44 inches or taller

• Space Mountain

48 inches or taller

• TRON Lightcycle / Run

No minimum

• Astro Orbiter
• Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• Haunted Mansion
• “it’s a small world”
• Jungle Cruise
• Liberty Square Riverboat
• Mad Tea Party
• The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
• Peter Pan’s Flight
• Pirates of the Caribbean
• Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
• Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover
• Under the Sea — Journey of the Little Mermaid
• Walt Disney’s Carousel of Progress
• Walt Disney World Railroad

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Here are the current character dining experiences available at Walt Disney World. Please be aware that the characters featured at these restaurants may change without notice.

Character Dining at Walt Disney World Resorts

1900 Park Fare

Tucked away in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, you’ll find a dining experience that celebrates the beauty, power, and magic of a wish. Here, delightful new characters and timeless favorites will greet you, inspiring you and your party to dream big.

• Location: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Type of foods: American Breakfast and Dinner Buffet
• Characters: Aladdin, Cinderella, Mirabel, and Princess Tiana
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $34 / $54; dinner – $41 / $66

Chef Mickey’s

Located in Disney’s Contemporary Resort, join Mickey, Minnie, and the gang, all dressed in their own chef outfits, for a buffet at one of the most popular character dining spots on property.

• Location: Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Type of foods: American Breakfast and Dinner Buffet
• Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $34 / $54; dinner – $41 / $66

Cape May Cafe

Start your day with a splash at Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast! This breakfast-only event features a buffet where you can join characters dressed in their nautical best. It’s the perfect way to fuel up for a day of adventure and leave you longing for sandy shores.

• Location: Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Type of foods: American Breakfast Buffet
• Characters: Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, Donald Duck, and Goofy
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $47

‘Ohana

Stitch fans won’t want to miss the ‘Ohana Best Friends Breakfast, the perfect spot to meet the most lovable Experiment 626 this side of the Kármán line, along with his best friend Lilo. Joining this lovable owner and her… uh… “dog” is Mickey Mouse and his loyal pal Pluto.

• Location: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Type of foods: Family-style Polynesian & American breakfast feast
• Characters: Lilo, Stitch, Mickey Mouse, and Pluto
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $49

Story Book Dining at Artist Point with Snow White

Enjoy a dining experience nestled under the enchanting boughs of a magical forest, but stay alert—the Queen might be lurking nearby.

• Location: Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Type of foods: American three-course meal
• Characters: The Queen, Snow White, Grumpy, and Dopey 
• Price range (child / adult): dinner – $39 / $65

Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera

Discover a haven for artists at heart, complete with a stunning rooftop view. Delight in an à la carte breakfast alongside Mickey and his friends, all wearing attire inspired by their favorite artistic style.

• Location: Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Type of foods: Italian & French a la carte offerings
• Characters: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Daisy Duck
• Price range: (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $49

Magic Kingdom Park

Be Our Guest Restaurant

Explore three unique dining areas, each designed to immerse you in Belle and Beast’s love story: The Grand Ballroom, The West Wing, and The Rose Gallery. This experience features The Beast as the sole character, who greets dinner guests from a distance rather than visiting each table for photos, offering a different interaction compared to other character meals.

• Location: Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Type of foods: American and French three-course meal
• Characters: The Beast
• Price range (child / adult): lunch & dinner – $41 / $70

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Have you ever dreamed of dining inside Cinderella’s Castle? This enchanting restaurant invites you to feast with your favorite Disney Princesses in a truly magical setting. For an extra special experience, book a coveted late-night reservation and enjoy your meal as fireworks light up the sky.

• Location: Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom Park
• Type of foods: American Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Characters: Disney Princesses
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $42 / $69; lunch & dinner – $49 / $84

The Crystal Palace

Just off Main Street, U.S.A., The Crystal Palace offers a beautiful, Victorian greenhouse-like atmosphere where you can celebrate friendship every day with your pals from the Hundred-Acre Wood.

• Location: Main Street, U.S.A at Magic Kingdom Park
• Type of foods: American breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet
• Characters: Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $48; lunch & dinner – $40 / $61

EPCOT

Akershus Royal Banquet Hall

Take a break from your world travels to dine with some Disney princesses, savoring foods from Norway within a castle fit for royalty.

• Location: EPCOT’s Norway Pavilion
• Type of foods: Family-style Norwegian and American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Characters: Disney Princesses
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $35 / $55; lunch & dinner – $43 / $67

Garden Grill Restaurant

Enjoy a meal of farm-fresh choices that will please the whole family at this revolving restaurant, which offers scenic views overlooking Living With the Land.

• Location: EPCOT’s The Land Pavilion
• Type of foods: Family-style American cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Characters: Mickey Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $47; lunch & dinner – $40 / $62

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Hollywood & Vine

Hollywood & Vine offers a choice of character dining experiences tailored to different preferences. Breakfast is ideal for the little ones, as they’ll get to hang out with their favorite Disney Junior stars. For lunch and dinner, enjoy a seasonal buffet that varies with the time of year, where you can spend quality time with Minnie and her friends.

• Location: Echo Lake at Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Type of foods: American breakfast, lunch, and dinner buffet
• Characters: breakfast – Fancy Nancy, Vampirina, Doc McStuffins, and Goofy / lunch & dinner – Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, and Goofy
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $47; lunch & dinner – $40 / $63

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

Tusker House Restaurant

Celebrate Donald and his friends’ recent expedition right in the heart of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, where you can savor dishes inspired by African cuisine.

• Location: Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park
• Type of foods: African and American breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Characters: Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Minnie Mouse, and Goofy
• Price range (child / adult): breakfast – $30 / $47; lunch & dinner – $40 / $62

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Now, let’s explore Rider Switch!

How Rider Switch Works at Walt Disney World

Here’s a quick rundown of the Rider Switch program: Part of your group joins the traditional queue while the rest wait with the non-riders. Once the first group exits the attraction, those who are waiting can enter the queue. However, instead of using the standard queue, the second part of the party will enter through the Lightning Lane, making the wait much quicker. This system ensures that everyone in your group gets a fair chance to enjoy the rides they want without feeling left out or rushed.

Arranging Rider Switch at Walt Disney World

If you would like to use Rider Switch, first speak to a Cast Member near the front of the attraction. Many rides now have a dedicated area for discussing Rider Switch, indicated by a sign. If you see this, approach the Cast Members there. If there’s no sign, talk to a Cast Member near the attraction’s entrance, and they will direct you where to go.

Have your Magic Bands, phones, or tickets ready, as the Cast Member will scan the tickets of those waiting back first. This process adds a Rider Switch return to your account, allowing you to scan into the Lightning Lane once the initial group has returned to take over supervision of the non-riding guest. 

Walt Disney World Rider Switch Benefits

If you have small children who don’t want to (or are unable to) ride the big attractions, Rider Switch allows them to enjoy other parts of the park, have a snack, or rest while others in your party ride. Once the first group finishes, the second part of the Rider Switch enters through the Lightning Lane, making a speedy arrival to the front of the line. This efficient system ensures that everyone has an enjoyable time engaging in activities suited to their preferences.

Walt Disney World Attractions Offering Rider Switch

Many of the rides you may use Rider Switch for have a height requirement, but not all. To assist in your planning, I’ve gathered a list that includes the rides offering Rider Switch and their height requirements. 

Magic Kingdom Park

• Tomorrowland Speedway: 32 inches
• The Barnstormer: 35 inches
• Seven Dwarfs Mine Train: 38 inches
• Big Thunder Mountain Railroad: 40 inches
• Space Mountain: 44 inches
• TRON Lightcycle / Run*: 48 inches
• Tiana’s Bayou Adventure*: 40 inches 

EPCOT

• Mission: SPACE: 40 inches
• Soarin’ Around the World: 40 inches
• Test Track: 40 inches
• Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind*: 42 inches
• Frozen Ever After: no height requirement 

Disney’s Hollywood Studios

• Alien Swirling Saucers: 32 inches
• Slinky Dog Dash: 38 inches
• Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run: 38 inches
• Star Tours – The Adventures Continue: 40 inches
• The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror: 40 inches
• Rock ’n’ Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith: 48 inches
• Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance: 40 inches

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park

• Kali River Rapids: 38 inches
• DINOSAUR: 40 inches
• Avatar Flight of Passage: 44 inches
• Expedition Everest – Legend of the Forbidden Mountain: 44 inches
• Na’vi River Journey: no height requirement 

*All Rider Swap participants for this attraction are required to be in a Virtual Queue boarding group or to have an eligible Lightning Lane Single Pass prior to boarding.

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Personalize a Walt Disney World Birthday Button

If you’re venturing to Walt Disney World for your birthday, there’s a good chance you already know about your most important accessory: the birthday button. When you get to the park, inquire about a button at any guest relations or merchandise location to see if the cast member has any birthday buttons on hand. They may even offer to personalize it for you.

If you want to make your button extra special while visiting Magic Kingdom, ask for it to be left blank. Then, walk on over to the Ye Olde Christmas Shoppe in Liberty Square and have your button customized there. You may need to wait a few hours while Cast Members work on your birthday accessory, and this customization isn’t free. However, the resulting button features your name beautifully written out, perfectly capturing that birthday magic.

Donning your button, don’t be surprised if Cast Members greet you and wish you a “Happy Birthday” throughout your day. This is especially fun during the Disney Festival of Fantasy Parade, so be sure to catch a spot up front to soak up the excitement from beloved Disney characters.

Grab a Dining Reservation

To make the most of your day, consider planning a special meal. If you’re spending the full day at your chosen park, there are several great dining options at every location. I have a few birthday favorites that you and your family are sure to love as well.

At Magic Kingdom Park, Liberty Tree Tavern offers a huge meal that basically amounts to Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. Be Our Guest Restaurant is also a fantastic option if you’re seeking a magical, movie-inspired dining experience, complete with a visit from The Beast himself.

EPCOT has delicious offerings from around the globe, but Biergarten Restaurant in the World Showcase is one of my favorites. Prepare for a massive German feast with selections such as bratwurst, rotisserie chicken, and pork schnitzel. If the guest of honor is a sushi lover, check out Shiki-Sai: Sushi Izakaya for plates inspired by Japan’s seasons and festivals.

As you’re soaking up the glamour of Tinseltown at Hollywood Studios, make your way to The Hollywood Brown Derby for some delicious food and drinks. For fans of a galaxy far, far away, Oga’s Cantina brings some out-of-this-world cocktail offerings that perfectly mesh with a birthday celebration.

Having a wild time at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park? Head on over to Yak & Yeti Restaurant for a menu with a little something for everyone. I love this place because it’s delicious, and it’s usually easy to snag a seat. You won’t be disappointed!

At select dining locations, you can add a magical touch with a Mickey Mouse Celebration Cake delivered right to your table during your meal. Secure your cake by ordering in advance when you book your table online or through the My Disney Experience app. Prefer to arrange things in person? Simply place your order at the restaurant’s host podium at least four days before your reservation.

Caught in a last-minute bind? Don’t worry! These restaurants often keep a limited stock of cakes ready for those spur-of-the-moment celebrations, available upon request when you arrive.

Secure those Virtual Queues

Be sure you have those alarms set bright and early for 7 AM to nab those virtual queues for some of your favorite rides. Enhance your EPCOT birthday celebration with a spin through time on the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. At Magic Kingdom Park, snagging a ride on TRON Lightcycle / Run will get that birthday off to an incredible start.

Before you sign in to secure a virtual queue spot on the My Disney Experience app, make sure your party is set up to increase your chances of success in the morning. Most of the time, these spots are gone in mere minutes. However, if you miss out on the first opportunity, try again at 1 PM once you’re inside the park. I’ve had great success snagging spots later in the day, even if I didn’t succeed in the morning.

Make it a Special Walt Disney World birthday

Walt Disney World Resort offers some unique experiences to make a birthday extra special, no matter who is celebrating! For instance, if you’re celebrating an adult’s birthday, consider booking a spa treatment at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. There’s nothing like feeling fully pampered before spending a day at the parks.

For little ones dreaming of becoming princes or princesses for the day, consider booking a makeover at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Here, your child can choose their outfit and receive makeup, sparkles, and all the magical touches that make them feel like royalty, especially on their birthday.

To finish off the day, consider a dessert party reservation with Happily Ever After lighting up the sky. Except on the busiest days, you can often book reservations for these dessert parties for the same evening. This experience costs $92.95 for guests aged 10 and above and $55.39 for kids ages 3 to 9. These parties aren’t held daily, but you can check the calendar ahead of time to confirm availability for your visit and even schedule well in advance.

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To get started, you’ll need to purchase a game card from any store that sells them. I purchased mine at Creations, near the front of the park. If you enter by boat or Skyliner, you’ll be able to purchase a game card at World Traveler too. They cost $9.99, and you’ll get a game card with stickers to mark your answers. The stickers are of different plants, and to solve the scavenger hunt, you’ll need to find Spike among the plants and put the appropriate sticker on its place on the board. 

The Festival Passport describes it this way: “Gardeners of all ages can follow Spike on his pollination trail, where he will “bee” busy collecting nectar and pollinating gardens at EPCOT.”

This year, the different stops are labels with descriptions of where Spike is hidden, rather than just a country or attraction name. I’ve structured this post to help you and your family find Spike, but not give you all the answers. Where would bee the fun in that? Instead, you’ll find tips and helpful points to make your scavenger hunt super enjoyable, and even educational! Let’s get to it!

Tropical Rainforest

Perhaps the most tropical of the countries in World Showcase is Mexico. At this pavilion, you’ll find many plants native to a tropical rainforest environment. Hidden deep in the vegetation (beside the accommodations entrance to the Mexico pavilion), you’ll find our friend Spike the Bee with a lovely tropical flower that many people enjoy having in their homes. These are everywhere in home renovation shows!

Garden Italiano

For this one, keep your eyes peeled between China and Italy. Once you get close enough to smell the delicious marinara sauce that Italian eateries are so well known for, you’ll find Spike with a key ingredient. (Hint: It’ll be on the side closest to the water.)

Magnolia Terrace

At the American Adventure pavilion, look closely at the beautiful topiary garden of Chip, Dale, and Pluto with our pal Spike. From the ground up, this is a piece of artwork you won’t want to miss!

Kokedama Garden

You can enjoy all kinds of authentic Japanese treats and sights in the Japanese pavilion, including a tranquil zen garden. Behind this zen garden area, not far from the building, look out for our friend Spike with a flower that grows wild in Japan. 

Spice Garden

In the Morocco area, keep your eyes peeled for our friend in front of the bathrooms, across from Spice Road Table. He’ll be with a plant that always adds color and excitement to any dish. While you’re over here, check out the menu for Spice Road Table. It is a delicious, far under-appreciated restaurant in Epcot. (I personally recommend the tapas and drinks.) If you and your group are looking for something a little different, you’ll love this. 

French Gardens

On your way to ride Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure, stop to smell the flowers. You’ll find Spike hanging out with Remy and keeping this traditional romantic flower fragment and beautiful. 

English Tea Garden

As you head to the UK pavilion, consider stopping for a spot of tea or shortbread in the tea shop, and be sure to slow down and say hello to Mary Poppins or Alice. They often hang out where Spike is located. You’ll find him hanging out with a flower that is often known as the tea plant! How fitting!

The Honey Bee-stro

Around the Honey Bee-stro booth, you’ll find Spike hanging out with a flower that really attracts pollinators. When I spotted Spike, he was hanging out with these awesome plants that have brownish-colored leaves right now, but will certainly have those lovely orange blooms before too long.

Bambi’s Butterfly House

Head toward Journey Into Imagination With Figment, and you will soon spot the Bambi Butterfly House. To find Spike, you won’t even need to go inside (but you totally should). Here, you’ll see Spike with a member of the sage family. 

Prehistoric Plants

Near the splash pad outside of Mission: SPACE, you’ll find Spike with a seed plant that was around before dinosaurs even roamed the earth. It appeared during the Permian period, roughly 280 million years ago. (Hint: these plants are commonly confused with palms.)

World Discovery Playground

Not far from the Prehistoric plants, you’ll come across an awesome playground for little kids. Outside of this playground, you’ll find Spike with a plant that has petals that look like a sunset. These are commonly known as blanket flowers, and they are in the sunflower family.  

Donald and Daisy Topiaries

On the bridge that connects World Discovery to the World Showcase, you’ll see a topiary set up with Donald, Daisy, Huey, Dewey, and Louie. There, you will also spot Spike with the perfect flower for these sweet ducks to be hanging around. This is also a wonderful photo stop. As the festival continues, these flowers will become even more mature and beautiful.

After you place all of your stickers on your map, head to one of the redemption stations at Creations, Disney Traders, or World Traveler to pick up your prize. Unfortunately, on the first day of the festival, the prize had not arrived yet. (They were giving out plastic plates from the Holiday Festival scavenger hunt instead.) So, I opted to keep my map and bring it back another day to get the prize. After all, I have until July 5 to do so!

And there you have it! I hope you and your family enjoyed the scavenger hunt. I look forward to these with every festival, and I loved doing this one too. Do you and your family make a point to do the scavenger hunt? We’d love to know! Drop us a comment below about your favorite Spike hiding spot.

Let us – and thousands of other Disney fans – know in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And then be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, and tips at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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So what’s the secret? Breakfast at Primo Piatto at Disney’s Riviera Resort. We love doing this experience before a day at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so that is how I’ll be giving out instructions today. But the concept (taking the Skyliner for breakfast before your day) can also be done from EPCOT, or from any of the following Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, or Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

Board the Skyliner

After you arrive at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, head to the Skyliner Station. You’ll see it to the right of security before you even get into the park. Take the ramp to the station. Since you’re doing this in the morning, there’s a good chance there will be little to no wait to board.

Your first Skyliner leg will take you to the Skyliner station at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. From the platform here, get in the EPCOT line. Depending on how busy the wait is, you may be hanging out with some other folks during your ride.

Order Your Food Using the Disney App

While in the air on your second leg of your journey, open your My Disney Experience app and look to order food from Riviera’s quick service restaurant: Primo Piatto. From there, make your selections.

Primo Piatto has some unique and delicious choices. My personal favorite is the Cinnamon Crumble “French Toast” Bread Pudding. Disney World has so many options for bread pudding, and I am absolutely in love with most of them. This particular dish has a really great cinnamon and sugar taste to it. If you were a fan of cinnamon sugar toast in your childhood, this would totally be your jam. It comes with a side of vanilla custard to pour on top of the rest of the delicious confection. I recommend creating a hash pattern with a knife on top of the bread pudding and then pouring the custard on top. That way, the custard gets all into the crevices of the bread pudding and makes it extra delicious.

My husband loves the Croque Madame sandwich. This is the companion to Primo Piatto’s Croque Monsieur that they serve for lunch and dinner. The Croque Monsieur is possibly the best ham and cheese sandwich you will ever have. A bechamel sauce is slathered between two thick slices of bread and paired with ham and cheese. The whole thing is toasted and challenging to eat without a fork and knife. The Croque Madame is the same sandwich, but with an egg on top. If you’re a big fan of runny eggs in your breakfast meals, you’ll love this one.

Primo Piatto also has great options for kids. Like most Disney kids, our son likes Mickey waffles, which are (of course) on the menu here. We pair it with fruit and a Danimals smoothie. He loves those little Danimals so much, we have to keep it in the bag until partway through breakfast!

Head to Breakfast

After you’ve made your breakfast choices on the app, make sure you don’t miss your stop! The first stop on the second leg of the Skyliner is the Riviera Resort, and after you make your selections, you’ll probably be nearly there! So get off at this first stop.

When you get off the Skyliner, you’ll walk down a long ramp that takes you to the resort. Walk under the arch with the beautiful mosaic murals on each side. Be sure you grab a couple of pictures too! While you’re pausing for photos, notify that you have arrived for your food via your app. That way, you won’t need to wait as long before you and your family eat.

Primo Piatto is on the other side of the pool you will see as you walk in. There’s a sign over the doors to help ensure you’re in the right place. Go right after opening the doors, and a cast member will direct you to their mobile pick-up area. After gathering your food from the counter, sit down and enjoy!

The Riviera is one of my favorite resorts, and the ambiance is outstanding. While you enjoy your meal, listen to the music playing. These are Disney classics playing in French and Italian. Can you make out the famous tunes?

Time to Go to the Park

Once your family has finished enjoying your meal, head on back to the Skyliner. You’ll walk through the archway as you did before, but before the long ramp, turn left and take the path to the EPCOT loading area; it’s just on the side. You may need to wait a little longer to board, but we’ve never waited for longer than 5 or 10 minutes. Once on your Skyliner, you’ll be flying back to the Skyliner Station and Caribbean Beach. Once there, disembark and head to the Hollywood Studios line. Hopefully, your wait time will be short because many guests are already at the park.

Once you get to Hollywood Studios, head to security and on through to the entry. And that’s it! Enjoy your day at Hollywood Studios, knowing that you started your day with a quick flight and breakfast!

Where do you enjoy a Walt Disney World breakfast? Discuss it with thousands of other Disney fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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I spent many years traveling to the Disney parks as a vegan. In that time, I learned that the best treats and snacks were also the ones that just happened to be vegan. In mid-2019, Disney World did a massive overhaul to include plant-based options on all menus. This inclusion certainly takes care of meals, and while this menu renovation did bring some new snacks too, I have found that the best vegan Disney snacks are the ones that were that way to begin with. So, like Universal, Disney World has many choices for vegans during mealtime, but they also have you covered when it comes to snacking.

1. Popcorn

The very first item on this list is a favorite of nearly every Disney fan. That’s right: popcorn! Disney popcorn is vegan and safe for anyone trying to avoid dairy or other animal products. Not only that, but it is a rather inexpensive snack. I recommend buying a popcorn bucket at the beginning of your trip if you’re a popcorn fan. The standard buckets will come in at around $15.00, and it comes full of popcorn. Premium popcorn bucket prices will range from $18.00 – $25.00, and regardless of which bucket you go with, refills are only $2.00. You can use the buckets across all four parks throughout your entire stay and get the buckets at most popcorn kiosks. For example, at Magic Kingdom, there is a popcorn stand immediately as you enter the park on your left side. There are also several kiosks around the park, including just off the hub in front of the castle.

2. Mickey Pretzels

As long as you’re cool with not having cheese with your pretzel, the Mickey soft pretzels across Disney property are also vegan. They’re a delightful little snack, and, I won’t lie, they’ve been a meal for me a time or two. At the Magic Kingdom, in front of the castle, you can find a Mickey Pretzel stand just across the hub from the popcorn stand, or in Liberty Square. Like the popcorn, the pretzels are available throughout the four theme parks. At EPCOT, you’ll find a pretzel stand right across the walkway from a popcorn stand near The Land pavilion. At Animal Kingdom, head on over to Flame Tree BBQ and go to the nearby cart. There, you’ll find your Mickey pretzels.

3. Blue and Green Milk

Are you headed to a galaxy far, far away? If you’re traveling to Batuu at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and want a bit of a funky drink, try the blue or green milk at the milk stand. Even though the beverages are called “milk,” these intergalactic options are completely vegan, using coconut or rice milk as a base. These drinks are thicker than regular milk and are little closer to smoothie texture. To me, the blue one tastes a bit like the melted bomb pop from an ice cream truck. The green one has a fruity floral taste. My three-year-old son likes both, but he goes nuts for the blue milk in particular. Both versions come in alcoholic versions for guests 21 and older. The blue milk comes with a rum floater and the green milk uses vodka. I’d say the blue milk wins in this version as well. Pro tip: order ahead using mobile order on the My Disney Experience app to spend less time waiting in line and more time sipping your blue milk.

4. Dole Whip

This Disney Classic is also vegan, and so are many of the newer flavors they have brought out. It’s a delightful pineapple soft serve that feels like ice cream but refreshes like fruit. To create a Dole Whip float, you can also add pineapple juice to your Dole Whip. You can find this treat in many places around Disney property, including Aloha Isle, the Polynesian Resort, and the African Outpost in EPCOT. And for what it’s worth, Dole Whip goes a long way to cutting that piercing Florida heat on a hot day. 

5. Erin McKenna Bakery

If you make your way to Disney Springs during your trip (which I would highly recommend), you will find an incredible vegan stop at Erin McKenna Bakery. This gem is a vegan and gluten-free paradise. Located not far from the Boathouse, this bakery has cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and dessert bread. Everything here is vegan and also delicious. They also sell a variety of merchandise, including baking mixes and other swag if you fall in love.

6. Gideon’s Cold Brew

While we’re at Disney Springs, I couldn’t end out this list without mentioning another favorite of mine: Gideon’s cold brew. There are several flavors, and though they are all vegan and all delicious, the peanut butter is my absolute favorite. It’s creamy and rich with just the perfect amount of flavor. The coffees are made with oat milk, making this lactose intolerant kid extremely happy. Pro-tip: make sure you give it several good stirs to get that cocoa powder mixed throughout the coffee. I’m sorry to say that no desserts at Gideons are vegan, but this coffee may just make up for it. Consider stopping at the bakery to grab a sweet treat to enjoy with your coffee.

So whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or traveling with someone lactose intolerant, I think you’ll love all of these treats and snacks throughout Disney property. So the next time you head on over to Disney World, I hope you’ll give some of these go-to favorites a try.

What’s your go-to Walt Disney World snack? Discuss it with thousands of other Disney fans in our Orlando Informer Community on Facebook. And be sure to follow Orlando Informer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest news, tips, and more at Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World, and other Orlando attractions.

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Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew

While Starbucks and Dunkin may be the kings of the iced coffee game outside of Walt Disney World Resort, Joffrey’s has it on lock in Disney World. You can find Joffrey’s stands throughout all of the parks, and at every location, you will find wonderfully creative drinks and seasonal treats throughout the year. Some options that are year-round include one of our favorite delightful cold brews. Dubbed the Shakin’ Jamaican Cold Brew, you can order this one with vanilla, caramel, Irish cream, or hazelnut syrup. Coffee attendants will also ask you if you want cream, which I think also makes a delightful addition to the drink. Typically, I will order this with vanilla, but I have tried the other flavors as well. Although I am normally a lover of all things caramel, I find that the vanilla is the best flavor with the Shakin Jamaican.

If you’re on the hunt for Joffrey’s locations, you’re not alone. Disney parks feature both Starbucks options and Joffreys, so sometimes alliances can be torn. At the Magic Kingdom, you will find the Joffrey’s stand in Tomorrowland by Space Mountain. There’s also a stand in the Transportation and Ticket Center, between the Ferry and the Monorail.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios has two locations. You can catch an afternoon pick-me-up outside of the Tower of Terror. You’ll also see one outside the Pixar Place. This is one of my favorite locations because it is right by a great place to relax on a bench.

One park that has a number of Joffrey’s options is EPCOT. If you’re feeling pretty tired after roaming around the world, Joffrey’s has you covered! You’ll find kiosks outside of the World Showcase near the Disney Traders shop, one in the American Adventure, a stand outside of Test Track, and one between the United Kingdom and Canada.

At the Animal Kingdom, you’ll find a Joffrey’s just outside the entrance of the park. You’ll also find one in the Asia area of the park near Kali River Rapids.

Gideon’s Cold Brew

If you have a pretty intense sweet tooth (like me), you will absolutely love the cold brew options at Gideon’s. The Original Peanut Butter Cold Brew one is my favorite of the options they keep around all year. Gideon’s tops the beverage with a dusting of chocolate, so make sure to shake and stir your drink really well before taking that first refreshing sip. Gideon’s also offers specials throughout the year, and while those are great, I have found that this option tastes even better than those.

Another thing I should mention here: many coffee places can be inconsistent when it comes to the flavoring of their drinks. That is not the case with Gideon’s. Every single time I have gotten The Original Peanut Butter Cold Brew, it has tested exactly the same, and it is just so nice to know that that is always the case.

Almond Cold Brew

At Disney’s Riviera Resort, you’ll find Le Petit Café right outside the lobby. You will find several cold brew options here, but the Almond Cold Brew is my favorite. This is a cold brew coffee with their house-made honey-almond whip cream. It sounds simple, but as that whip melts down into the coffee, this concoction becomes something special. Sweet without being too sweet, the Almond Cold Brew makes a special trip to Disney’s Riviera Resort worth it.

Black Spire Brew

Oga’s Cantina is one of the newest watering holes at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You’ll need to travel to a galaxy far, far away to get there, but it’s worth the trip. This is one of the harder-to-get reservations on Disney property, but if you and your party can be flexible, try scoring one of these reservations last minute or talk to a cast member about walk in availability (which does occasionally happen, particularly if you’re in a smaller party). That’s where I’ve had the most success at booking hard-to-get reservations. On top of the immersive atmosphere, Oga’s has incredible intergalactic drinks that you can’t find anywhere else on property. The Black Spire Brew is under the “Concoctions without Alcohol” part of the menu. The menu says this one has Cold Brew Joffrey’s Coffee, Falernum, Honey, Passion Fruit, and Citrus. That’s right: coffee and juice. I know it sounds strange, but it was delightful. It’s sweet without being too much, but definitely still has a nice smooth coffee taste to it. As I was finishing this new coffee favorite, I realized it’s served with crunchy crushed ice. If you know, you know. Next time your adventures take you through Black Spire Outpost, give this one a spin!

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