The Best Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch in Disney World

A request I get all the time is to share the best spots to eat in Disney World. Today I’m going to share with you how my husband and I do Disney as adults by going through our top picks for breakfast, brunch and lunch! We prefer to forgo character dining as it’s overpriced and awkward, in our opinions. Instead, we’re sharing the underdogs; the places where you can always get a reservation, and they’re always super good. As a heads up, even though these places are underrated, I recommend making a reservation. Of course, you can try your luck at the walk-up list, but I wouldn’t suggest leaving it up to chance if there is a place you’d really like to try.

In no particular order, let’s get right into our fave breakfast/brunch spots!

1. Kona Café at the Polynesian Hotel

The Polynesian is super cool and the food is always amazing here. I love the Liliko'i Mimosa (their version of POG juice - passion fruit, orange & guava) and their Tonga Toast!

2. Ragland Road Irish Pub & Restaurant at Disney Springs

Their French toast is my fave, and they have an amazing strawberry mimosa!

3. Trattoria al Forno at Disney's BoardWalk

They have a really lovely breakfast, and you can choose to not have character dining. Their French toast is really special because it’s Tangled themed!

4. Ale & Compass Restaurant in Disney's Yacht Club Resort

This is one of the few places where you can get legitimately good bacon. My favorite entree is the Blueberry-Bacon Pancakes!

To note: Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' at Disney Springs

We’ve never eaten here, but it comes HIGHLY recommended. It’s on our list of restaurants to visit!

Honorable mention: Plancha at the Four Seasons

Although this is not technically a Disney restaurant, this one ranks very high on our list. If you venture off property, I would definitely suggest giving it a try!

Last, we’re not fans of buffet breakfasts; we’re not big eaters so we never get our money’s worth. However, if you prefer a buffet, Boma - Flavors of Africa at Animal Kingdom Lodge and Cape May Cafe at Disney’s Beach Club Resort are very good.

Now, let’s dive into our top picks for lunch!

1. Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria in the Italy Pavilion at EPCOT

Their spicy sausage pizza and Arancini balls are *chef’s kiss*

Rose & Crown Dining Room in the UK Pavilion at EPCOT

This restaurant is our favorite at EPCOT. Andre likes the Bangers and Mash, and I always get the Shepherd’s Pie with a glass of wine.

2. 50's Prime Time Café at Hollywood Studios

This place is such a vibe with its 50’s inspired decor, and it has the best comfort food. You can get simple meals, like fried chicken, meatloaf, pot roast, etc. It feels like you’re at Grandma’s house! The servers are actors, and they will razz you a little bit while they’re playing the part. I think some people avoid the restaurant because of this, but it’s actually pretty funny, in my opinion!

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater Restaurant at Hollywood Studios

You can catch lunch and a show here, like you’re at a drive-in theater. They have a great burger and cool ambiance, however, the side-by-side seating can be a little awkward.

3. The Boathouse at Disney Springs

If there are only two of you, you can usually walk in and get seats at the bar, no matter what time of day it is. If you have more than two people, I would definitely make a reservation. I love their Chopped Salad, and their fries, sandwiches, burgers and oysters are also outstanding. My favorite cocktail there is the Duck Duck Razz, where a little rubber duckie comes in your drink (but be careful… just have one because they’re strong). The Boathouse is also great for dinner!

4. Geyser Point Bar & Grill in Disney's Wilderness Lodge

There aren’t a lot of people that know about this spot. It’s a real hidden gem! It’s all the way at the back of Fort Wilderness Lodge, right on the water. There’s a nice big bar with tons of TVs, usually playing sports. The best part is that you’re really away from the hustle and bustle of everything; it feels like you’re in the forest! Like your typical sports bar, they have things like burgers, chicken, steak, etc.

Honorable mention: Liberty Tree Tavern at Magic Kingdom

If you have a big appetite, this restaurant is family style, and the food is so good.

As a note, there are tons of amazing quick service restaurants as well. Flame Tree Barbecue at Animal Kingdom is one of our faves!

There you have it, our top picks for breakfast, brunch and lunch in Disney World! Do you have any faves I didn’t cover here? I’d love to hear them in the comments so I can give them a try. Looking for dinner? Don’t worry, my recommendations for dinner will be coming soon as well!

How to Fight Seasonal Depression: 12 Ways to Embrace Each Season

Seasonal depression is a REAL thing. If you struggle with it, I completely understand, especially being from a cold climate. I didn’t always recognize it, but I have come to find that I have very much struggled with it. It can get rough, especially during the cold months when you don’t see the sun very often.

Rather than looking forward to things, instead, I try to be present and appreciate the small moments. Life goes by really freaking fast when you’re constantly looking forward to things and not just enjoying where you currently are! To help fight the sadness from creeping in, I like to divide my year into different “themes.” They’re not just seasons, but chunks of time. I’d love to go through the full calendar to give you my tips as to how I do my best to enjoy the “theme” of every single part of the year & fight seasonal depression. I think you’ll find these tips are not only practical, but pretty simple!

January 1st - 25th: Fresh Start Mode

A fresh start is really important to me, and I love the vibe of a January clean slate.

January 26th - February 28th/29th: Love/Self-Love

This theme is all about love, self-love, passion, sexiness, and feeling your best.

March 1st - April 15th: Spring/Easter

I LIVE for spring. The weather is getting nicer, flowers are blooming, and you know Peter Rabbit is my homeboy. I’m always excited for spring!

April 16th - May 31st: Summer Prep/Spring Cleaning

This is a great time for a fresh summer reset and cleaning the whole house because it’s warm enough. I’m all about getting ready for summer and working on my summer bod during this time!

June 1st - September 3rd: Full Summer Mode

This season gives me all the feels, especially this year. Since we moved into our new home, I’ll be living at the lake! Why did I choose September 3rd, you ask? It’s my birthday, so I like to include that in summer before switching to the next theme.

September 4th - October 31st: Halloween Mode

As you know, I LOVE Halloween. I’m doing all the things during Halloween Mode, like going to Halloween Horror Nights, Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, filming YouTube videos, decorating, etc.!

November 1st - December 31st: Christmas Mode

When midnight strikes on November 1st, Christmas is here. Similar to Halloween Mode, I’m decorating, celebrating, and enjoying all things Christmas for the rest of the year.

Now, I’ll walk you through the 12 steps I take to CRUSH every theme of the year. For each step, pick some things that resonate with you for the current theme. I’ll give you some examples of what I’m doing for February’s Love/Self-Love theme. Before we get started, grab some paper so you can write down your own list. I like using the Lined Paper Insert so I can keep it in the front of my planner!

1. Playlist & Music

Choose some music that gives you the vibe you’re going for. In January, pop hits and upbeat music put me in the right frame of mind for a fresh start. My fave playlist for January is called “Mood Booster” on Spotify. I’m still all about pop in February, but make it sexy. I’ve got the “50 Shades” playlist on repeat!

2. Movies & Shows

Like the Playlist & Music category, pick some things to watch that get you into the feels for your theme. For February, I’m going with Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, and Valentine’s Day (the movie).

3. Decor

If you’ve been around for a while, you know I’m ALL about the decor. Pick an area of your house to decorate, even if it’s just a few cool little pieces. For me, I love setting up a tiered tray and bar cart for each season. To get some guidance on building a tiered tray and see the items I picked for February, check out my latest YouTube video.

4. Habits

What are some habits you want to incorporate into your routine? Something I am implementing this month is getting up before the sun to have some me time/quiet time. Making sure I’m getting in some self-love is super important to me.

5. Focus

What do you want to focus on for that month? It can be your routine, something you want to switch, or even a word/phrase of the month. This month, I’m choosing to focus on quality time with myself, my spouse and my fur baby.

6. Movement

What does movement mean for you, and what is your movement goal? It doesn’t have to be a workout plan. In other words, what are you going to do to get off your butt? That’s all it has to be! This month, I’m working on pilates and flexibility daily.

7. Recipes

For me, February is all about steak and chocolate everything (not together, lol). I would love to make some cozy stew or “husband catching” recipes, like the “Catch A Husband Casserole.”

8. Details

What I mean by “details” are the little things like fun cuppies, straws, cocktail picks… things that are on theme and help add to the overall vibe you’re going for. Those little details just help you get excited about the season! No surprise here, my go-to cuppie this season is the Really Pretty tumbler!

9. Outfits & Accessories

For this, I don’t only mean clothing. Don’t skip out on the accessories that add fun little details, like a cute V Day scrunchie, lollipop heart earrings, etc. For every season, I love a good graphic sweater. This month, I’ve been living in my Gal Squad merch and this cute pink jumper!

10. Self-Care

This one is SUPER important. My focus in this category changes throughout the year with the different themes. Right now, my priorities are having a bubble bath every single night, doing face masks, reading, doing my nails, etc.

11. Goals

What are your goals? It’s crazy how much momentum you get when you start checking them off! My goal this month is to make myself proud. There are some big things I want to accomplish this month, and I just want to end the month feeling proud.

12. Books

What are you reading this month? I’m going through My Dream Life Blueprint Workbook. For fun, I’m reading the book Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score.

That’s my list! This felt therapeutic, and I hope it helps you get excited about the season that you’re in. Embrace the vibes, the excitement, and just be all about it! I’d love to hear your suggestions as well. Be sure to tag me in your list and share your ideas in the comments!

Extreme Cleaning: How to Create A Game Plan

With spring quickly approaching, it’s always nice to start fresh with a good spring cleaning session. If you’re looking at your house and feeling overwhelmed, I’m going to help you get motivated and organized so you can slay this project! We’re tackling the ultimate decluttering and purging, down to the cupboards and drawers. Before we get into it, go get yourself a caffeinated drink. I think you’ll be glad you did, lol!

Step 1: Create a game plan

If you’re organized, but you don’t know where to start, the first thing you’ll want to do is set up a game plan. To do this, grab some sticky notes, a marker, and a wall calendar or piece of paper. My personal fave is a large acrylic calendar so I can lay everything out.

Step 2: Lay out your week visually

Write down the days of the week on separate sticky notes, starting with the day you plan to start the project. Then, stick those notes on your calendar/paper.

Step 3: Divide spaces into sections

Think about the different areas of your home that you want to conquer, i.e. upstairs, main floor, basement, etc. You can also go room by room, if that’s easier for you. Write those areas down on separate sticky notes.

Step 4: Set realistic deadlines

Plan out how much time or how many days it will take you to complete each section. Once you’ve got your timeline planned out, put those area/room sticky notes on your calendar under the corresponding days.

Step 5: Break up tasks into categories

Think about what you want to do in each area, like deep clean, toss/donate, organize, etc. Write down your categories on separate sticky notes, and stick those under the sections you’ll be working on. You can find an example of a filled out calendar on my Pinterest HERE.

Step 6: Get to work!

Follow your plan and go area by area, task by task. Once you finish a task or area, remove the sticky note(s) from your calendar as a way of crossing it off as “done.”

Here are a few tips to help you throughout the process:

If you’re planning on selling your home, make it less personalized. Take down any personal photos or mementos not only for your privacy, but for potential buyers as well. When a house is super personalized for the people that currently live there, it’s hard to imagine yourself living there and making it yours.

If you haven’t used or worn something in a year, get rid of it! It’s not likely you’ll use or wear it if you haven’t in the last year.

Did you know that makeup, body care and skincare products have expiration dates? When going through these items, be sure to double check the expiration on the back of the container. For most products, you will find a little icon that looks like a can, and it will tell you how long a product is good for (i.e. 6 months, 1 year, etc.).

Food storage containers are great for organizing the pantry. A lot of times, they can fit even more in them than just one bag or box of something! If you struggle with doing this because you want to keep the expiration dates, simply cut the date off the bag/box and tape it to the back of the container. It’s super easy!

During the extreme cleaning process, you might find yourself leaning over a lot, and that can really affect your back. I didn’t realize how much tension I had in my back while I was going through my last deep clean, and yoga helped so much! It can also be the perfect break from cleaning and help you zen out.

Last but not least, listen, we’re not in full glam when we clean. If you look like a haggard mess, you’re probably cleaning properly. 😂

In all seriousness, I hope these steps and tips helped you break down the whole process into steps you can easily tackle, and in turn, helped you feel less overwhelmed. If you have any tips of your own, I’d love to hear them too! Happy cleaning!