Fun Food Facts: Walt Disney World
Food Network Magazine's editor in chief, Maile Carpenter, shares what she learned about the Disney dining scene.

Photo By: Jeff Harris
Photo By: Jeff Harris
Photo By: Jill Fromer
©Richard Green / Alamy Stock Photo
Photo By: Jeff Harris
Photo By: Brian Hagiwara
Photo By: Jeffery Salter ©2015
Cucumbers Come with Mickey Ears
You Can Pay for Lunch with a Wave of Your Wrist
You Can Bring Your Own Food Into Any Park
There's a "Right" Way to Walk on Main Street
Mickey Ears Show Up Everywhere
You Can't Buy Gum
Apparently this ban came from Walt Disney himself — he didn't want gum stuck on the streets. You won't see litter, either. A trash can is rarely more than 30 steps away, wherever you are!
At Animal Kingdom, you won't find plastic straws. They're prohibited for the safety of animals, along with balloons.
Dining Tips
Dinner is free if you're under 3. There's no charge for kids under 3 at buffet restaurants; they can eat off your plate. And park admission is free, too — as long as your child is not yet 3 on the first day of your visit.
Lunch service starts as early as 10:30 a.m. You should take advantage of the morning start time. We had our choice of tables at Columbia Harbour House in the Magic Kingdom at 11 a.m. on a busy weekend — but by the time we left at 11:45, the place was packed.