One of my favorite snacks at Disney World would be Funnel Cakes! This sweet snack is pure Americana and it's a personal Disney tradition of mine to get one at the stand pictured here on the right, appropriately located at the American Adventure pavilion in Epcot!

Who doesn't like a good funnel cake? They are staple theme park treats and come with a variety of toppings; but my favorite way to have one is piping hot and with a generous dusting of powdered sugar!

While a funnel cake is not an original Disney World snack, every sugary concoction tastes better when you're at Disney; and this warm, sweet treat is a just have-to when you're on vacation or at a theme park. It's almost as American as ice cream and apple pie!

Funnel Cakes are also easy to share, as you can just tear off a piece of dough as you go, ideal for busy families making their way through the park. The location of my favorite Funnel Cake is stand is also convenient because it's located at the center of the World Showcase; and I'm sure after you have walked half way around the World Showcase Lagoon, you will probably be in need a pick-me-up! You can also take a your funnel cake down by the lagoon and enjoy it as you sit near the water and enjoy the breeze!

Flights of Wonder is a show located in Asia at Animal Kingdom. It is housed at Caravan Stage, a covered theater facing a stage that resembles old ruins.

This 25 minute show is really fantastic as you get to see some amazing species of birds fly overhead and witness how well trained they are, as well as learn a little about them. Plus, the show's hosts and storyline are pretty entertaining!

Today I'm focusing not just on Flights of Wonder; but its pre-show located outside of Caravan Stage at a little covered stand like what you can see below.

Before the theater is opened and guests are allowed to take their seats for the show, a professional handler takes to this stand with a bird to educate guests waiting for the show and to answer their questions.

The bird pictured above is an owl named Twister! We learned that despite being a large bird, he doesn't weigh much at all; and his bones are actually not dense at all but almost hollow!

We also learned that owls, along with other kinds of birds, actually pant in the heat! It was extremely hot so Twister panted most of the time!

Like most owls, Twister's head turns almost all the way around and it was fun to watch him turn this way and that as he checked out his audience!

You could also tell that Twister's handler was very passionate about birds and telling us about Twister. It was encouraging seeing the Animal Kingdom staff so dedicated and excited about their work and their animals.

If you're planning on seeing Flights of Wonder during your visit to Animal Kingdom, arrive at the show about 20 minutes before showtime to see one of the birds you will encounter in the show and to learn a great deal about them. This is also a great opportunity to get some cool, close-up photos! Hopefully, you might see Twister!

For today's favorite Disney snack, I'm featuring my Disney Bro's ultimate favorite: the chocolate croissant!

My Disney Bro is kinda picky, so finding something he really likes is quite a feat; but one snack that he thinks is absolutely the best at Disney World is this flaky, chocolate treat!

You can find chocolate croissants all throughout Disney World; but his favorite place to get one is at Sunshine Seasons in The Land pavilion at Epcot.

This chocolate croissant is great for breakfast or dessert, and anytime for a chocolate fan. Be sure to try it next time you visit Disney World!

So I'm sure this isn't a big surprise; but I just have to include it in my favorite Disney World snacks! It's a Dole Whip! Actually, it's the Dole Whip Float to be exact.

I had my first Dole Whip about a year ago. Suprised? I actually didn't know what they were or how good they were until I read other Disney bloggers raving about them; and so on a trip last year, I tried one. Actually, I tried two!

I tried the traditional Pineapple Dole Whip soft serve; and then a day or two later, I tried a Pineapple Dole Whip float and this became my favorite.

For those of you who don't know, a Pineapple Dole Whip is pineapple flavored soft serve and it tastes just like fresh pineapple. A Pineapple Dole Whip float is this delicious soft served in pineapple juice.

If you like pineapple, you will definitely like a Dole Whip. It really tastes like fresh cut fruit. It's cold and creamy, so it's a great way too cool off at the Magic Kingdom; and it's also not too sweet or too tangy, it's just right! Therefore, this is definitely one of my favorite Disney snacks!

Is a Dole Whip one of your favorite Disney snacks? Do you prefer the traditional Dole Whip soft serve or a Dole Whip float? Check back tomorrow to see another one of my favorite Disney snacks!

Okay, so you and the kids have only one day to experience Animal Kingdom's best. What do you do? Check out our Touring Plan!
 
Touring Plans are loose outlines for how guests can maximize their time and Disney magic with minimum waits and hassle! Today's post will tell you how to tackle Animal Kingdom with kids if you only have one day! For more plans, check out our Touring Plans tab above

1. Arrive before park opening! If you can, book a reservation for Donald's Safari Breakfast at Tusker House before park opening. If you can, then you will already be in the park before it opens, have a full stomach, and your kids will have already met some great Disney characters!

2. Once the park opens, immediately head towards Asia to grab FastPasses for Expedition Everest. If your kids are too small or not interested, skip ahead to the next number; but if you have kids that meet the height requirement, we recommend you try this ride. It's not as scary as other coaster or Tower of Terror, and you only see the audio-animatronic Yeti for a moment. However, it is thrilling and there a moments of darkness. For a successful experience, know what your kids can handle; and if you choose to ride this attraction, just get FastPasses for now and ride later.

3. Head to Africa and jump aboard Kilimanjaro Safaris. All ages will enjoy this attraction so no worries here!

4. If you grabbed FastPasses for Expedition Everest, head back to Asia and ride! If the line is still short, go ahead and ride it again as it will get crowded later on.

5. If it's really hot, and you don't mind being wet, go ahead and ride Kali River Rapids if you can.

6. Now visit the Maharajah Jungle Trek to see some great animal exhibits in what appears to be the ruins of an old Asian palace. You may even see Tigers!

7. Check a Times Guide to see if Flights of Wonder is showing soon. If it is, go ahead and check this show out. Young and old will enjoy!

8. Now make your way back over the bridge to Dinoland U.S.A. You will come across Finding Nemo - The Musical which isn't our favorite show; but if you have big Nemo fans in your household, it may be worth checking it out. If not, keep heading into Dinoland.

9. Let the kids run around in the Boneyard. It's a really cool playground area; and the Dig Site is especially cool!

10. Unless you have really brave kids, skip Dinosaur! Check out Primeval Whirl, it's really the only cool attraction in this section; but it may be good only for older kids as little ones may find the rapid spinning and drops a little too rough.

11. If you're getting hungry for lunch, you may want to check out Tusker House if you didn't eat here for breakfast or Flame Tree Barbecue. If you just want something on the go, visit Tamu Tamu Refreshments.

12. Since it's probably the heat of the day, take your time exploring Discovery Island. Visit the shops, take some pictures, and explore Discovery Island Trails. If you have brave kids, and if you're brave yourself, you can check out It's Tough to be a Bug. It's a funny show and the queue area is pretty cool, but it can get creepy and there are moments of complete darkness.

13. Make your way over to Camp Minnie-Mickey to see the Festival of the Lion King. This is a great show, especially for kids; but be warned it's very popular. There are also greeting trails here where you can get pictures and interact with some great Disney characters!

14. Be aware of what time it is so you can catch Mickey's Jammin' Jungle Parade! This parade winds its way through many parts of the park so you can check it out almost anywhere; but if you want a good view, pick a spot early.

15. Now head into Africa where you can enjoy the Pangani Forest Exploration Trail. Like Maharajah Jungle Trek, this is walking trail featuring animal exhibits. it's great for kids since you can go at your own pace; and at the end, you get to see Gorillas!

16. If you have some extra time, hop aboard the Wildlife Express Train to Rafiki's Planet Watch. Here you can see how animals are cared for and other exhibits. Do be warned that this area is a good distance away from the rest of the parks; and if your kids are already tired and restless, it might be good to skip this and find a cool area to relax or let the kids unwind.

17. If it's time to think about dinner, consider one of the options we recommended for lunch. Also, depending on what time of year you're visiting, Animal Kingdom may close very early, sometimes even at 5 o'clock. If this is the case, squeeze in as much activity as you can and eat later. However, if the park is open later, grab dinner here and then ride or see an attraction that you have missed or want to experience again.

18. Make your way towards Animal Kingdom's exit about 30 minutes before park closing if possible and explore the Oasis, Animal Kingdom''s entrance. There are plenty of small exhibits tucked around this area to see and it's worth exploring!

As always, remember that Touring Plans are outlines, not schedules to be followed minute by minute. Make this plan work for you and your family, relax and enjoy, and have a magical day at Animal Kingdom!

It's no secret that I am a big fan of Disney sweets and snacks. I always have an eye out for a new sugary creation or dessert at Disney that I haven't tried; and enjoying old favorites is one of my vacation traditions. I suppose I like Disney snacks not only because I have a sweet tooth, but because Disney throws on their own twist to make sweet treats even more desirable! I mean, who wouldn't want a Caramel Apple with Mickey Ears?

This week I will be running on a series on my favorite Disney snacks! Each day, I will share one of my favorites and why. Be sure to comment if you enjoy any of these snacks too!

One of my favorite Disney snacks isn't that original because they're in plentiful supply at any Disney resort food court; but I always enjoy them! They are Mickey Mouse Rice Crispie Treats!

These classic rice crispie snacks are shaped like Mickeys and are on a stick. They come plain or with chocolate dipped ears and multi-colored Mickey sprinkles. I personally prefer the chocolate dipped ones!

Why is this one of my favorite snacks? Well, first of all, anything Mickey shaped and on a stick is automatically cool. Secondly, my family often uses these snacks for a dessert option when we use the Disney Dining Plan because the packaging they come in enables us to save them for later. They're great to snack on when we're relaxing back in our room. Plus, since we usually get them each trip, they're definitely one of my own Disney traditions. Finally, the chocolate and rice crispie combination is just plain delicious!

So do you like Mickey Mouse Rice Crispie Treats? Be sure to let us know and check back tomorrow to see another one of my favorite Disney World snacks!

As always, there's been a lot of activity going on at the Magical Blogorail this week! If you haven't already, check out the Magical Blogorail to hear Disney fans and pros share their takes and experiences on different Disney subjects.

~Our own Magical Blogorail Orange loop ran this week and shared our Family Traditions in Disney! Click here to jump aboard!

~Magical Blogorail Green also ran this week and shared with readers about their favorite World Showcase pavilion. Interested? Hop aboard Adventures of a Disney Princess to begin!

Have you checked out Chip and Co. yet? You should! If you're looking for Disney news and articles, this is your site. You can also check out my articles on Chip and Co. Click here to see my Top 5 and Top 10 Disney lists!

For our Weekly Royal Recommendation, we are recommending one of our Magical Blogorail partners, Disney on Wheels! On this site, Disney fan Melissa shares her Disney info and experiences, as well as what it's like to experience Disney on wheels. It's a great site for any Disney fan so be sure to visit today!

Meanwhile, here at A Glass Slipper Vacation, we have updated our Icing on the Cake page that shares with you how to add a little extra magic to your Disney vacation. We are also trying to increase our Facebook numbers so if you enjoy this site, we would really appreciate it if you would "like" us on Facebook by clicking the button on the right panel of this page. Have a great week!

On our last trip to Disney World, I booked an ADR (advance dining reservation) for breakfast at 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort. 'Ohana is very popular and I had heard some really great things about it, so I was eager to experience it for myself.

First of all, 'Ohana is a character meal open for breakfast and dinner featuring Lilo and Stitch and Mickey and Pluto in Hawaiian apparel. Unlike other character meals, which are usually buffets, 'Ohana has platters of food brought to your table for your family to share!

Once we checked in, we were welcomed with Hawaiian leis and then ushered to a line where we could have our picture taken. This is a normal custom at character meals, but it isn't mandatory; and since 'Ohana's background wasn't very impressive, we opted out. We then had to wait for about 20 minutes.

When our name was called, our hostess picked up a basket of 'Ohana's Pineapple and Cinammon Raisin Bread. The Pineapple bread was my favorite! He then asked us if we knew what 'Ohana meant; and for those of you who have watched Lilo and Stitch repeatedly, like myself, you know it means family!

We were then seated at a spacious, 4 person table near an aisle in the restaurant. Since the table was big, and we were in the middle of the action, it was a little loud and we had difficulty talking to one another; but we could still see the top of Cinderella Castle through the big windows nearby. I think our seating experience would probably have been better if were seated against a wall or near the windows.

Our waitress then brought out a plate of fruit and 'Ohana's famous juice, which is a combination of Orange, Pineapple, and Guava. It's absolutely delicious! However, if you would rather have milk or water or something more traditional, that's available too.

After having time to snack on the bread and sip our amazing juice, our waitress brought out our meal in a giant bowl consisting of scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, an interesting sausage, bacon, and biscuits. If you happen to want more, no problem, it's all you can eat!

While I liked the fact that this character breakfast was not a buffet but still all you can eat, my family and I weren't crazy about the quality of the food. The eggs, biscuits, bacon, and potatoes tasted like anything you can find at your resort food court; and the sausage, while different, wasn't the greatest.

In addition to this entree, a server walks around with a bowl of the famed Mickey Waffles. As a big fan and consumer of Mickey Waffles, I liked this; however, if you want more, you have to wait for the server to come around. Also, despite the fact that I like Mickey Waffles, you can get these at your resort food court too.

Meanwhile, while we ate, Lilo, Stitch, Mickey, and Pluto stopped by our table to visit. Since Lilo and Stitch can be difficult characters to find around Disney World, and you rarely find Mickey and Pluto in Hawaiian clothes,  this is a great opportunity for character hunters and Lilo and Stitch fans.

Stitch is also hilarious and a big highlight. He purposely messed up my mom's hair and had fun playing with one of the glasses of juice on our table.

Finally, it's always cool to see Mickey Mouse himself, especially in Hawaiian apparel; and Pluto too since he is a member of the Fab Five.

This is definitely one of the best character groupings for a character meal, especially if you have guys or little boys in your family. Except maybe for Lilo, everyone can enjoy these characters.

Every half hour or so, the characters lead the kids around the restaurant shaking maracas to "Hawaiian Rollercoaster Ride" from the Lilo and Stitch movie.

Almost all character meals at Disney have some sort of parade. They're great experiences for the kids and create photo ops for the parents. After the parade during our visit, Pluto and a toddler had fun together as Pluto chased him around. The toddler laughed the whole time and Pluto was in no hurry to leave him! The parents recorded the moment and enjoyed it too!

We were using the Disney Dining Plan when we visited 'Ohana; and it was a good thing we were! Our family of four ate for a little over a hundred dollars; and since the food, except for the juice and Pineapple bread, wasn't that great, we figured that we really just paid for the characters.

Therefore, our 'Ohana experience wasn't the greatest. The characters were a blast; but that's pretty much it. Like we said, except for a few, small menu items and the fact that it's all you can eat, the food was just typical; and with limited choices, it's kind of disappointing. We also don't think it's the greatest spot for conversation; but since it's a character meal, parents traveling with kids probably wouldn't mind this as much as we did. Finally, we also felt that the price was really steep for just breakfast fare.

But don't let our review turn you off to 'Ohana. We are a family whose youngest is 15 years old so families with younger kids may enjoy it much more and it may be a little easier in your wallet. Secondly, we have yet to experience 'Ohana for dinner which offers a Polynesian menu and dessert. Plus, if you time it right and are okay with eating late, you may see the fireworks over the castle.

So whether to 'Ohana or not to 'Ohana, we say not to 'Ohana for breakfast.

We would only recommend it if you're a big Lilo and Stitch fan or if you have boys in your family and are looking to do a character meal that's more "guy" friendly than the Disney princesses, but  yet Polynesian food doesn't appeal to you which rules out the dinner option here. Otherwise, we say skip 'Ohana or come try it for dinner and get the most bang for your buck or Disney Dining Plan credits; and if you do, let us know how it is!

So have you ever ate at 'Ohana? Did you enjoy it?

Disney's Magical Express is a free service that provides luggage care and transportation from Orlando International Airport to your Disney Resort! This service also extends to guests leaving the resort and flying back home.

We always fly into Disney and have used this service many times. For the most part, we have always been pleased. It's definitely convenient and you gotta enjoy something that's free; however, we do acknowledge that there are some downsides. But first, here's how it works...

If you want to use Magical Express, Disney sends your Magical Express information via mail, along with instructions (hang on to all this info). Then, once you land in Orlando, you get to be carefree while Disney deals with getting your luggage and transporting it to your room. Meanwhile, all you have to do is check in at the Magical Express counter at the airport and wait for your Magical Epxress bus to take you to your resort.

The buses are very comfortable, much better than those stiff, airplane seats, and there's tv screens hanging overhead. A few minutes into your bus ride, your friendly bus driver will play a video starring costumed Disney characters that explains the check-in process at your resort, as well as familiarizes you with the parks and some of Disney World's top attractions! It's informational for first-time adults and the kids enjoy the characters!

Be sure to be aware of where you are though, as you don't want to miss driving under the Disney World sign! Overall, the trip from the airport to Disney World takes around 40 to 45 minutes.

A day before you're a scheduled to fly home, Magical Express will leave the information you need at your Disney resort door. This information includes the time that your Magical Express bus will pick you up at your resort to take you back to the airport. The bus time is usually scheduled several hours before your flight, so you may be walking around the terminal for awhile, but it's important not to miss this bus! I think the extra time is a precaution due to security and such these days; and hey, it's better to have more time than no time.

While this is a great service, there a few downsides too. First of all, once you exit your plane and make your way to check in at the Magical Express counter, you will discover that it's usually very crowded. Therefore, you may have to wait awhile. Then, after you have checked in, you may have to wait in line for your resort bus.

Secondly, sometimes Magical Express buses go to multiple locations. Therefore, you may have to wait again if your resort is last on your list. Note: If you are ushered aboard a Disney Cruise Line Bus or a bus that does not say Magical Express after checking in at the counter, don't be alarmed. This bus is just an extra recruited to do Magical Express work, even if it says something different on the side. If you are still unsure, ask your driver.

Thirdly, your luggage probably won't be delivered to your room until sometime later in the day. While you are free to head out into the parks once you've checked in at your resort, this can be disappointing if you're wanting to change or need an item out of your suitcase. Therefore, we recommend packing a change of clothes and other necessities in your carry-on so that you won't miss your suitcase if it arrives after you.

Finally, as I have already stated, you have a scheduled Magical Express bus that will take you back to the airport, so you do have a deadline to meet on the day you leave. Also, this bus usually drops you off at the airport quite awhile before your plane leaves so you will have spare time at the terminal.

Despite a few negative points, this is really a great service overall and one we recommend. It's nice to know that once you get off your plane all you have to concern yourself with is getting aboard a comfy bus to head to the magic.

Have you ever used Magical Express? What do you think about it?