About

Dining at Disney is an independently fan-run website offering information on restaurants and food at the Disney parks and resorts. You’ll find up-to-date news, in-depth reviews, fan-favorite recipes, and current information for planning.

The writers of Dining at Disney are foodies who enjoy dining at Disney as much as the attractions. Coming from all over the United States, they regularly visit the parks at Disneyland and Disney World.

Please Note: Dining at Disney is no way part of, endorsed by, authorized or affiliated with the Walt Disney Company or its affiliations. 
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WHO ARE WE?

Kristen Hoetzel-Go – Owner/Editor and Podcaster

Kristen enjoying the Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcake as Snow White
Kristen enjoying the Not-So-Poison Apple Cupcake

Kristen’s favorite part about visiting the Disney Parks… you’ve guessed it – THE FOOD. She’s been visiting the parks since 1991 and many years is there 6 or 7 times for anywhere from 5 to 14 days.

She started back in 2007 writing reviews for a message board – Sorcerer Radio and in February 2008, started a series of cooking videos to show how to make your favorite Disney recipes. In 2009, she launched her first Disney food related blog which included Disney recipes (and some of her own), reviews of food and restaurants at Disney World, information on restaurants and monthly series from guest writers (Top 5, Disney-themed recipes and advice from a Disney mom about dining with kids). All of these experiences led to the launch of Dining at Disney in June 2012 and podcast in 2015.

Bubba Alvarez – Dining at Disney Co-Host

Big Bubba with Captain America
Big Bubba with Captain America

Bubba Alvarez loves Disneyland and food. He knows plenty about both! Bubba, has managed restaurants and is a former Disneyland Cast Member. He lives near the parks and visits often with Taylor, his beautiful wife.

When Bubba isn’t working, spending time with his wife or at the parks, you can find Bubba on Disneyland Magic reporting about all the park happenings. Disneyland Magic is a weekly show on Sorcerer Radio, the #1 online fan-run radio station.

You can connect with Bubba on Instagram and Twitter.

Cat Arcori – Dining at Disney Co-Host

Cat Arcori
Cat Arcori as Buzz Lightyear

A gluten-free Disney foodie, who’s been visiting the parks for 30 years and snacking her way through allergy friendly finds for just as long. Cat is local to Disneyland but considers Walt Disney World to be her second home. At Disneyland, she loves pickles, Safari Skewers, and Matterhorn macaroons! At Walt Disney World, she loves Citrus Swirl, kakigori, and the Brown Derby Cobb!

You can connect with Cat on Instagram – @eatthepictures and @cat_astrophe.

Contributors

John and Sarah Donahue – Media Event Coverage

WDW Parkhoppers logo

Owners and editors of WDW Parkhoppers, John and Sarah Donahue, a.k.a. Parkhopper John and Parkhopper SID cover four parks, one World, and everything in between. These Walt Disney World annual pass holding Orlando locals love everything from the attractions to the delicious eats.

In addition to their site, they also have a podcast that they do LIVE on Facebook every Tuesday at 7 pm ET from either a Walt Disney World restaurant or bar. 

John has also co-authored available on Amazon, The Disney Bucket List: 100 ways to experience the magic of Magic Kingdom. The paperback book can be purchased for $14.95.

Check out WDW Parkhoppers!

Tony Caselnova – Media Event Coverage

Tony Caselnova hanging with Mickey
Tony Caselnova hanging with Mickey

Tony’s enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when his parents took his family to Walt Disney World for a vacation. His first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, he’s made a trip almost every year, As far as he knew, there was only one place to vacation!

Tony’s fascination with Disney World began on that very first trip. He wanted to know how things operated, how many people worked there, how long was the monorail track, AND of course,  what made it so magical. His curiosity and fascination are what fuel his interest in the magical place we all know and love. Every year that his family vacationed at The Most Magical Place on Earth, he learned more about Disney World and new parks, attractions, and restaurants being added.

He most certainly is not your average fan! He is always wanting to know all the details and facts of Walt Disney World. He even has gone as far as to research facts via the Internet, books, and DVDs. One of his favorite parts of planning a Disney trip is the research. This leads him to start his own website, Disney Parks Podcast (with fellow Dining at Disney contributor – John Donahue), and write his first Walt Disney World book – Disney by the Numbers: Facts and Figures about the Walt Disney World Theme Parks and Resorts.

He’s dined at all but four of the Walt Disney World restaurants. He dines weekly at least one Disney restaurant and some of his favorites include California Grill, Artist Point, Boathouse, and Ravello.

Jennifer Lanpheare

Jennifer enjoying the small Kitchen Sink

Jennifer lives in Cincinnati, OH, and has been to Disney World more times than she can count. She has never made the trip out west to visit the park that Walt Disney himself strolled through… but it’s on her bucket list! Her husband is as much of a Disney Parks fan as she is, he only lets her plan vacations to Disney! Jennifer also has a beautiful daughter who is a sophomore at the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, who when they hit Main Street turns into a little girl. When not at Disney or with her family, she’s working her full-time job at a school. Some of Jennifer’s hobbies include reading, cooking, and watch reality TV.

Michelle Murry – Disneyland Contributor

Michelle Murry
Michelle with the Dapper Dans on Main Street U.S.A.

Michelle Murry was born and raised in Southern California. Then in 1992, she moved to MI, because of her father’s job. After 19 years of living in the cold and the snow, her family included 2 dogs, moved to Southern California in 2011. Michelle has always had the love of anything Disney.

She grew up going to Disneyland a couple of times a year but has only traveled to Walt Disney World three times. She’s hoping one day to get back Walt Disney World. Her favorite times of year are during the Halloween and Christmas season. She loves how Disney decorates for the holidays.

Since 2012, Michelle has been a Disneyland Annual Passholder and visits least once to twice a month. She says, “One of the best things about Disneyland is the food. They have a variety of different foods there. Something for everyone.” She’s dined at a variety of different places and experienced everything from character breakfast to an expensive fine dining restaurant to counter service. Her favorite place to eat is Flo’s Cafe in Cars Land at Disney California Adventure and her favorite snack, popcorn. Since she frequently visits Disneyland, she knows how to dine on a budget.

Dining at Disney has appeared as a guest on the following shows:

Disney Parks Podcast Show 139

WDW Parkhoppers’ “Table For Four” Show 2

WDW Parkhoppers’ “Table For Four” Show 6

The Mouse Knows Best Ep. 26

Disney Parks Podcast Show 293