Welcome to Disney Friends Spotlight, a new feature here at B.I.D.  While I wish this is the kind of feature I could post each week, it will probably be more like once per month.  I have met so many amazing new friends through Disney blogging and in the months to come, I cannot wait to spotlight each of them.

For now, I am excited to spotlight my newest Disney friend, A.J. from Disney Food Blog.  I was taken immediately with Disney Food Blog’s polish when I first came upon it.  After following the blog, I  “met” A.J. online and even though our correspondence was usually in 140 characters or less, I felt like I already knew her.

Food is A.J.’s business!

Disney Food Blog is THE blog for Disney foodies.  A.J. is a Disney food expert.  She knows pretty much every restaurant at every park in California and Florida and what she cannot personally write about, her columnists cover from both coasts.  A.J.’s blog is well written and attracts readers from all over the world.  Her blog has everything there is to know about Disney Parks food on it.

Unlike the Disneyland Resort, it’s all about food at Walt Disney World.  Seriously.  Food is king there.  If you haven’t been to Walt Disney World, you would be surprised to know that there are fewer takeaway restaurants than Disneyland and many guests actually plan their trips around dining reservations and special meals.  Because food is such a BIG deal at Walt Disney World, A.J. has written THE book about meals in Florida.  Her book (available over at her blog) is more than 200 pages of information, reviews, prices, and more covering the ins and outs of Walt Disney World food.  On top of the book, A.J. is hosting the WDW Foodie Fest in October.  She is a food authority to be reckoned with.

After a delicious lunch at the Rose and Crown in United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot.

So enough about her blog, book, and other endeavors, I want to tell you about the woman behind it all.  I finally met A.J. at the Disney Social Media Moms conference last month and was fortunate enough to spend the day with her at Epcot.  We had a marvelous time eating lunch at the Rose and Crown Pub, solving a mystery with our Kim Possible communicator, and touring the countries of the world.  Spending the day with A.J. was like having my own personal tour guide show me the very best of Epcot–from food options to architecture to history and everything in between.  I had an amazing time with her and it really was like I had known her forever.  She was able to show me the finer points and beauty of Epcot with the enthusiasm and knowledge of a true Disney fan and expert.  Her love for Disney is evident in both her writing and in-person passion for the parks.

Beyond feeling immediately at ease with A.J., I was inspired by her.  A.J. has taken her passion for Disney food and made it into a thriving blog and business.  I admire her, her hard work, commitment and dedication.  She inspires me to be a better blogger.  I encourage you to add Disney Food Blog to your blog rotation.