List #10: Epcot QSFB Locations

Compiled here is a list of all the Quick-Service Food & Beverage locations throughout Epcot, including both Future World and World Showcase. Epcot is such a fun park to walk around and try different foods, especially World Showcase. With eleven countries (Mexico, Norway, China, Germany, Italy, United States, Japan, Morocco, France, United Kingdom and Canada), there are plenty of delicious options to choose from. 

Cast Members in the World Showcase pavilions are citizens of the country represented in the pavilion, and work at WDW through Disney's Cultural Representative Program, a part of the Disney International Program. 

1. Boulangerie Pâtisserie
Cuisine: French (appetizers, desserts, drinks)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Chocolate mousse
Location: World Showcase - France

2. La Cantina de San Angel
Cuisine: Mexican (nachos, burritos, margaritas, beer)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Churros
Location: World Showcase - Mexico

3. Electric Umbrella
Cuisine: American (chicken, wraps, salads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Location: Future World, near Innoventions East

4. Fountain View Ice Cream
Cuisine: American (ice cream)
Meals: Snacks
Best Treat: Ice cream sundae
Location: Future World

5. Fife & Drum Tavern
Cuisine: American (turkey, popcorn, desserts)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Turkey leg
Location: World Showcase - American Adventure

6. Kringla Bakeri Og Kafé
Cuisine: Norwegian (sandwiches, beer)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Kringla sweet pretzel
Location: World Showcase - Norway

7. Liberty Inn
Cuisine: American (hot dogs, burgers, salads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Bacon double cheeseburger
Location: World Showcase - American Adventure

8. Lotus Blossom Café
Cuisine: Chinese (egg rolls, orange chicken, fried rice)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Potstickers
Location: World Showcase - China

9. Promenade Refreshments
Cuisine: American (beverages)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Root beer float
Location: World Showcase

10. Refreshment Outpost
Cuisine: American (hot dogs, ice cream, chips)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Frozen lemonade
Location: World Showcase - Outpost

11. Refreshment Port
Cuisine: Latin American (fried chicken sandwiches, fried shrimp)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Dulce de leche ice cream sundae
Location: World Showcase

12. Sommerfest
Cuisine: German (bratwurst, frankfurters, pretzels, beer)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Apple strudel
Location: World Showcase - Germany

13. Sunshine Seasons Food Fair
Cuisine: American and Asian (noodle bowls, chicken, sandwiches)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Soarin' Brulee
Location: Future World - The Land

14. Tangierine Café
Cuisine: Mediterranean (lamb, couscous, salads, burgers)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: freshly baked pastries
Location: World Showcase - Morocco

15. Yakitori House
Cuisine: Japanese (sushi, chicken, noodles)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Teriyaki chicken
Location: World Showcase - Japan

16. Yorkshire County Fish Shop
Cuisine: English (fish and chips, beer)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Location: World Showcase - United Kingdom

List #9: Magic Kingdom QSFB Locations

There are a number of Quick-Service Food & Beverage locations throughout the Magic Kingdom. From Dole Whips to funnel cakes, there's something for everyone.

Some of my favorite memories at the Magic Kingdom are just sitting with my family enjoying a snack while watching a parade, or having an ice cream during the fireworks. I'm excited to be a QSFB Cast Member, thinking about how many different locations there are throughout the Magic Kingdom and the entire WDW property.

Here is a list of the QSFB locations throughout the Magic Kingdom:

1. Aloha Isle
Cuisine: American
Meals: Snacks
Best Treat: Dole Whips
Location: Adventureland

2. Auntie Gravity's Galactic Goodies
Cuisine: American (ice cream, smoothies)
Meals: Snacks
Best Treat: Sundae
Location: Tomorrowland

3. Casey's Corner
Cuisine: American (hot dogs and fries)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Baseball
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

4. Columbia Harbour House
Cuisine: American (sandwiches, salads, clam chowder, chicken)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Nautical New England
Location: Liberty Square

5. Cool Ship
Cuisine: American (Coca-Cola beverages)
Meals: Snacks
Theme: Outer space
Location: Tomorrowland

6. Cosmic Ray's Starlight Café
Cuisine: American (burgers, chicken, soup, salad)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Retro diner
Location: Tomorrowland

7. El Pirata y el Perico Restaurante
Cuisine: Mexican (taco salads, burritos)
Meals: Lunch
Theme: South of the border
Location: Adventureland

8. Enchanted Grove
Cuisine: American
Meals: Snacks and drinks
Best Treat: Raspberry lemonade slush
Location: Fantasyland

9. Friars Nook
Cuisine: American (hot dogs, sandwiches)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Medieval inn
Location: Fantasyland

10. Golden Oak Outpost
Cuisine: American (chicken sandwiches, nuggets, flatbreads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Wild west saloon
Location: Frontierland

11. The Lunching Pad
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Snack: smoked turkey legs
Location: Tomorrowland

12. Main Street Bakery
Cuisine: American (coffee, cookies, cakes, confections)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Best Treat: Frozen strawberry & cream smoothie
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

13. Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Café
Cuisine: American (cheeseburgers, wrapped sandwiches, salads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Western
Location: Frontierland

14. The Pinocchio Village Haus
Cuisine: American (chicken nuggets, pizza, salads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Scenes from Pinocchio
Location: Fantasyland

15. Plaza Ice Cream Parlor
Cuisine: American (ice cream)
Meals: Snacks
Best Treat: Plaza ice cream sundae
Location: Main Street, U.S.A.

16. Sleepy Hollow
Cuisine: American (funnel cakes, Mickey Mouse waffles)
Meals: Snacks
Theme: Early colonial kitchen
Location: Liberty Square

17. Sunshine Tree Terrace
Cuisine: American (soft-serve ice cream, fruit slushies)
Meals: Snacks
Theme: Tiki hut
Location: Adventureland

18. Tomorrowland Terrace Noodle Station
Cuisine: Asian (noodle bowls, stir fries, salads)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Best Dish: Chicken noodle bowl
Location: Tomorrowland

19. Westward Ho Refreshments
Cuisine: American (beverages)
Meals: Snacks
Best Treat: Frozen lemonade
Location: Frontierland

List #8: QSFB Hotel Locations

The Disney Quick Service Dining Plan offers a convenient and affordable way to enjoy quick meals and snacks throughout the Walt Disney World Resort property, including the resort hotels, theme parks and water parks.

Disney College Program Quick-Service Food & Beverage (QSFB) Cast Members may work at any of these various locations. Compiled here is a list of the various QSFB resort hotel locations throughout the WDW property.

1. End Zone Food Court
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Sports memorabilia
Location: All-Star Sports Resort

2. Intermission Food Court
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Famous musicians
Location: All-Star Music Resort

3. World Premiere Food Court 
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Movie theatre lobby
Location: All-Star Movies Resort

4. The Mara
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Wild game conservation reserve
Location: Animal Kingdom Lodge

5. Old Port Royale Food Court
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Caribbean port town market street
Location: Caribbean Beach Resort

6. Grab N Go Market
Cuisine: American
Meals: Snacks
Theme: Caribbean port town market street
Location: Caribbean Beach Resort

7. Montegos Deli
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dessert
Location: Caribbean Beach Resort

8. Contempo Café
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Upscale contemporary café
Location: Contemporary Resort

9. Contemporary Grounds
Cuisine: American
Meals: Drinks (coffee, smoothies, beer, wine, liquor)
Theme: Upscale contemporary coffee bar
Location: Contemporary Resort

10. Cove Bar
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Upscale contemporary pool bar
Location: Contemporary Resort

11. The Sand Bar
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch, Dinner (snacks)
Location: Contemporary Resort

12. Café Rix
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Location: Coronado Springs Resort

13. Pepper Market
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: charming open-air market
Location: Coronado Springs Resort

14. Siestas Cantina
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch
Theme: Mayan hut pool bar
Location: Coronado Springs Resort

15. Gasparilla Grill & Games
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Victorian
Location: Grand Floridian Resort

16. Good's Food to Go
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Turn-of-the-century Key West
Location: Old Key West Resort

17. Turtle Shack Snack Bar
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch, Dinner; Snacks
Theme: Key West pool bar
Location: Old Key West Resort

18. Captain Cook's
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: South Seas
Location: Polynesian Resort

19. Kona Island
Cuisine: Japanese sushi and cocktails
Meals: Dinner
Theme: South Seas sushi bar
Location: Polynesian Resort

20. Everything Pop Shopping and Dining
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: 20th Century American pop culture
Location: Pop Century Resort

21. Riverside Mill Food Court
Cuisine: American and Cajun favorites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Antebellum South
Location: Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

22. Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory
Cuisine: American and New Orleans favorites
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Mardi Gras
Location: Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter

23. The Artist's Palette
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Luncñh, Dinner
Theme: Upscale artist's studio
Location: Saratoga Springs Resort

24. Roaring Fork
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Pacific Northwest
Location: Wilderness Lodge

25. Beach Club Marketplace
Cuisine: American
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Theme: Newport beach
Location: Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

26. Hurricane Hanna's Grill
Cuisine: American
Meals: Lunch
Theme: New England
Location: Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

A Theatrical History

“The only life worth living is one that you are really passionate about.” That pretty much sums up my feelings about why I do theatre. I have been involved with theatre for one way or another since elementary school, starting out with my fifth-grade production of Once Upon a Lily Pad. Clearly I was not meant to be an athlete – that was my brother. I, on the other hand, am the “artistic” child, and my passion is theatre.

During my middle-school years I was actively involved each summer with the Troy Players Youth Theatre through the City of Troy Parks & Recreation. After a few cheesy productions, my aunt introduced me to Deborah’s Stage Door Center for the Performing Arts, where my cousin took dance lessons. So in the summer of 2003, I auditioned for Bye Bye Birdie, my first large-scale production. What an eye-opener that production was. I fell in love with the entire process, from rehearsals to tech week and of course, being onstage in front of a large audience.

I then followed the director of Birdie, Stacy White Cleaveland, back to Deborah’s for her acting classes during the school year. This is where I became even more in love with the art of theatre. Through improvisation, scene study, character development, and the final workshop production, I learned many of the skills and techniques that form a good actor. I then went on to enroll in her musical theatre class as well, and continued each school year then on.

I returned each summer with Stacy to participate in her Summer Theatre Conservatory musical production, performing as Barnacles in Honk!, Prince Dauntless in Once Upon a Mattress, The Cat in Seussical the Musical, The Lion in The Wiz and Mr. Bucket in Willy Wonka.

Along the way at Deborah’s I started taking voice lessons with Tara Sievers, who introduced me to her community theatre company, Project DayDream, based out of Birmingham. So in the summer of 2007 I auditioned for The Sound of Music and played Rolf that June. After The Sound of Music, I performed again with Project DayDream as Warbucks in Annie Jr., Combferre in Les Misérables, as well as Jafar in Aladdin Jr.

I also had the opportunity to experience the production side of things when I served as the stage manager for Madeline’s Christmas, another Project DayDream production. I was able to combine my love of theatre with my skills in organization. This is where I think I found my true calling, theatre production. Though I have always had fun performing onstage, being behind the scenes working with the creative team felt like something I could see myself pursuing as a career. So when auditions came around for Project DayDream’s next production of Beauty and the Beast, I knew exactly what part I wanted: on the production team.

For Beauty and the Beast, I served as Assistant Producer, my favorite theatrical role thus far. As the assistant producer, I was responsible for working with the producer and director to provide support and assistance in a number of areas: coordinating and managing committee volunteers, holding meetings, managing the tech crew, maintaining costumes and props, recruiting volunteers and working to raise funds and sponsorships from businesses throughout the community.

I also had the ability to express my creativity by designing all marketing materials, flyers, forms as well as the playbill for the show. Publication/media design has always been a hobby of mine, and to be able to combine this with my passions for theatre and organization made this past summer truly unforgettable.

So when it came time to prepare myself for the next step in my life—college—I began wondering where my future would take me and what opportunities I would be able to take advantage of. I’m lucky enough to have upperclassmen friends who were able to tell me all that MSU has to offer. Even just one week into the first semester, I was already being presented with numerous production opportunities, from assistant stage-managing Palmer Park to stage managing Freshman Showcase. I am thrilled that I was able to get such a head start on my theatrical career here at MSU, and I’m ready to make the most of the next three years.

As a theatre major I often wonder where my degree will take me. When I’m asked what my dream job would be, I would have to say a Disney Imagineer, specifically working for Disney Creative Entertainment, producing shows for Walt Disney World. With that in mind, I am excited about the freedom a BA in theatre can offer me, and the range of classes and electives I am able to take.

Summer Fun

Summer is in full swing here in East Lansing! Immediately following the end of classes, I started a one-week gig as a stage manager for the 14th annual Young Playwrights Festival at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. I stage managed three of six plays, written by high school students and chosen by a committee to be produced in a collaborative effort between the Department of Theatre and the MSU Federal Credit Union Institute for Arts and Creativity at Wharton Center.

Following a week of long days of rehearsals at the Auditorium and the Pasant Theatre, the Young Playwrights Festival had two successful performances. Then I dove right into my summer class and my summer job, stage managing the Summer Circle Theatre's 50th anniversary season. This summer, "Blithe Spirit," "The Drunken City," and "Alice in Wonderland" will all be presented on the banks of the Red Cedar River in the annual free outdoor theatre production.

Rehearsals for all three shows are going quite well. It's fun jumping from show to show on a daily basis, because each show is unique and I get to work with three different directors. The cast of eight actors performing in these shows is so much fun and makes the long days go by so much faster. The first of the three productions, "Blithe Spirit," opens in less than two weeks, and then it's a weekend of "Drunken City" and a closing weekend of "Alice."

With the end of Summer Circle will come the end of class for the summer, and THEN I will finally get to go home, spend some time with my family and get ready for my Disney College Program! In less than three months I will be on my way to Florida to start my semester at Walt Disney World! I definitely can't wait!

Until then, there's rehearsal, class and summer fun. I'm definitely enjoying this summer and all the fun it has presented me so far.

Disney Characters Come to Life!

It's every little kid's dream to meet the one-and-only Mickey Mouse, or perhaps their favorite Disney character... and boy do they have the opportunity at Disneyland or Walt Disney World. With character greetings, character breakfasts/dinners, and other meet-and-greet experiences around the parks, there's plenty of Mickey and friends to go around.

"But why doesn't Mickey talk, mom?" --"Because he's shy, dear."
No, Mickey Mouse and the rest of his head-costumed friends cannot verbally interact with guests. Sure, you can chit-chat with the Princes and Princesses, but not Mickey.

Until now.

A few years ago, Walt Disney World debuted "Dream Along With Mickey," a live stage show in front of Cinderella Castle. What made this show extra-magical was that the characters' eyes blinked, and their mouthes moved in sync with their dialogue! Sure, you might snag a few photos of Mickey with his eyes closed, (as I did on my last trip to WDW) but the effect is simply amazing and adds another element of magic to the experience.

After watching the show for a while, you can catch onto the trick. The performers control the movement of the eyes and mouth by moving their fingers. While watching, you'll notice that the characters' hands are always in motion, especially their fingers.

Here are a few photos from my recent trip to WDW:

And just the other day, Disneyland previewed a new talking Mickey Mouse, who interacts with guests one-on-one! His eyes blink, his mouth moves, he even calls you by name!

This new technology is obviously still being tested, and it will most likely be quite some time until it is fully implemented into the parks.

But for now, there are a few videos on YouTube for all to enjoy the magic of talking with Mickey Mouse!