For most of us having sit-down or "Table-Service" dining options while on our WDW vacations have to be limited as they can be rather pricey.  So our better choice will be a counter service meal while in the parks or at our resort.  Through our many travels to WDW we have ate countless meals "on-the-go".  Following are a few tips and suggestions for the best counter service options on property. At Magic Kingdom:  While there are many options at the Magic Kingdom for quick dining by far Columbia Harbor House is a stand-out.  It is our fav-fav at MK, we love the food and atmosphere.  For a late night dinner get a seat upstairs, you'll feel like you are all alone.  I personally find that the kids Tuna Sandwich Meal to be the best value.  It is a very filling sandwich, in the shape of a Mickey-head - a bonus for a little Disney magic, and includes a drink and choice of side (grapes, carrots or fries).  I opt for the ...

I will be posting more on the MEGA-DAY soon.  But here are some random photos I took that night around Magic Kingdom. Cinderella's Castle Dream Lights From the Castle Stage.  One of my favorite views at Magic Kingdom is looking out over all of Main Street USA. I love to just hang out on Main Street USA and look around.  It is so Magical...

Day 2 (Monday, December 19, 2011) Part 3:   We decided to leave DHS around 2pm and head on over to Epcot.   We were going to jump on the boat since we hardly ever do that and thought it would be a nice treat.   But the line for the boat was super long and we would have had to wait 2 through 2 boat loads to even get on.   So we took a few pictures outside of the DHS entrance in front of the Christmas tree and then planned to make our way over to Epcot via the walkway from DHS.   We have never walked over before and thought it would also be nice to just walk and enjoy the beautiful weather.   But, just as we rounded the corner to the walkway, it just happened that a bus to Epcot pulled up…so…we all took one look at each other and hopped on.   It was a beautiful day with great weather, but was getting a little warm and we knew we’d be doing a lot of walking at Epcot.   So opting to ride in the air conditioned bus was a much better option.   We ...

Day 2 continued (part 2):   After riding Dinosaur, and giving one of our teens a near panic attack (she has been on this ride many times before, but this time got her more than usual).   We all love Dinosaur, and agree collectively that it is the best ride experience at Disney, however…we are all terrified of it.   Even the dads who try their best to hold it together on the ride to be strong and brave for the women folk, have had their moments on the ride.   Notably, each of them having had quite horrific looks on their faces at one time or another in the end of ride photo.   Us ladies have never had a terrified look in the photo, as it is hard to look terrified when you can’t even be seen in the picture.   We are usually in the floor of the ride car.   I personally find the ride to be more enjoyable when wearing my sunglasses and baseball hat with my fingers firmly in my ears.   I confess, as with Expedition Everest, I have never seen most ...

Monday, December 19 - DAY 2:   Day two began as day 1 did, bright and early.   And again, not bright as the sun had not come up on this day either and we were on our way…5:30 AM.   We woke, grabbed some breakfast in the room and began to get ready.   The plan was to be out at the buses to head to Animal Kingdom by 6:15 am.   We made it to the bus right on time and to our surprise, there was no wait and a bus sitting there empty ready to go to AK.   So we hopped on, just my four as the others were running a little behind.   We figured for sure that the bus would run down to Music and Movies to fill up before going to AK, but again ‘surprise’ it made a left turn out of the Sports instead of a right and we knew we were heading straight to the park.   This made me very happy as we were ahead of schedule now, according to my “plan” – again, I love a plan, but being ahead of a time schedule I love even more.   (I’m a little OCD). We arrived at th...

Let me begin by saying that I realize the quality of the photos is not stellar.   But our “good” camera died the day we got there and so I was forced to rely on my video camera ‘camera’ setting and my old standby camera.   That said here we go… The members of our WDW adventure were, Me (The Dixie Pixie), DH Mark, DS Spencer (18), DD Scarlet (14), My Best Friend (Kimmie Poppins), her DH Dale, DD Kayla (21), DD Maddie (17), DS Blake (15) and family friend Chase (17). DAY 1:   We set out on our ‘Joyous Celebration’ Grand Gathering adventure to WDW on Sunday, December 18, 2011.   Bright and early, well not bright as the sun had not come up as yet, at 4:30 AM!   We met up with our friends and began the convoy from our home in North Carolina to WDW.   The trip down was great; we made good time and had no incidents along the way.   We made a few stops for gas, bathroom breaks and a snack at McDonald’s before arriving in Orlando at 1:45 pm.   We headed...