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Win a Walt Disney World Vacation

January 21, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Who wants a chance to win a Walt Disney World Vacation for 4 people? Your Dreams may come true with this sweepstakes offered by Pixie Vacations.

Grand Prize vacation shall include the following:

One standard room for up to four guests in room at a Walt Disney World® Moderate Resort hotel for three (3) nights.
Up to four (4) Park Base Tickets for four (4) days.
Keepsake luggage tag (one per person).
Dining package includes one table-service meal, one quick-service meal, and one snack per person/night of package.

Certain nights are excluded.

Click Here to Enter

The estimated retail value of the vacation package is $3,230.00 US.

The sweepstakes ends on January 31, 2013 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Open to legal residents of the 50 states of the United States aged 18 and over. You can find the Official Rules Here.

Good Luck!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Walt Disney World Room Discounts 2013

October 10, 2012 by 3 Comments

It has just been announced that there are some great Walt Disney World Room Discounts and Savings for early 2013. With savings of up to 35% on Disney World room rack rates this is a great deal! The Disney World Resort room discounts are for stays most nights January 2 to March 7, 2013.

You must book before 31st December 2012 for a chance to get the discounts. As with all offers for Walt Disney World these are subject to availability and they do sell out quickly. So if you know that you want to go book as soon as you can!

Photo by expressmonorail

Disney Value and Moderate Resorts Room Only Discounts

For stays most nights Jan. 2-17 and Jan. 21 – March 7, 2013:

Save up to 30% at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Cabins

Save up to 25% at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort, Disney’s All-Star Music Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort

Save up to 15% at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – Family Suites

Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts Room Only Savings

For stays most nights Jan. 2-17 and Jan. 21 – March 7, 2013:

Save up to 35% at Disney’s Yacht and Beach Club Resorts, Disney’s Beach Club Resort Villas, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (standard view rooms), Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (Kidani/Jambo rooms), Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort (including Bay Lake Towers).

Save up to 25% at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort (including Villas)

This is a great deal. Remember to book before 31st December 2012 for these rates (subject to availability of course).

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Disney Animal Kingdom Rides

April 5, 2012 by 3 Comments

Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park is of course all about the animals but it also has some great rides and attractions. Here you can find out about the best rides in Animal Kingdom and how to make the most of your visit there.

Photo by armadillo444

Disney Expedition Everest

The newest Disney World mountain, Expedition Everest

Disney is famous for it’s mountains and you can find the newest, and many would say the best, in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park. The ride debuted in 2006 and had taken Disney Imagineers 6 years to research and build.

Expedition Everest is a true Disney thrill ride. This Disney roller coaster reaches speeds of up to 50 mph and takes you on a thrilling ride of twists and turns whilst trying to escape that ancient legendary creature The Yeti. Expedition Everest is unique in Disney roller coaster design as it actually moves backwards at one point.

Even though the ride is named after the famous mountain it is not a copy of the actual Everest Mountain. As always Disney has a backstory for it’s attractions and this one is that it is a fictional Forbidden Mountain which is guarded by The Yeti. Guests are offered a speedy passage through the Himalayas to Mount Everest. Of course things don’t run too smoothly when the train starts being pursued by The Yeti!

This is not a ride for the feint of heart. Or those under 44″. It is billed as a family roller coaster but it may scare some young children (and indeed some adults). There are twists, turns and drops (including an 80 foot final drop) on Expedition Everest. You will also encounter a rather menacing animatronic Yeti. For those who love roller coasters it is likely to be one of your very favorite rides in Disney World.

Expedition Everest is one of the most popular rides in Animal Kingdom and the lines do build up quickly. Plan to ride early in the morning when you first arrive in the park. Or head to the attraction to pick up a Fast Pass for later in the day.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

The loading area at Disney's Kilimanjaro Safari Ride

Photo by arrjay74

This is the closest that you are going to get to a real safari in North America. This is a must see when you visit Disney Animal Kingdom. This is the realization of Walt Disney’s dream to have a theme park with real animals where guests could see them in a place that was as close to their home environment as possible.

Guests board an authentic safari vehicle as they are taken on a tour of the 110 acre African savanna. The area is huge. In fact is is about the same area as the whole of the Magic Kingdom. Along the way you will see many animals which may include giraffe, elephants, hippos, cheetahs, gazelles and even lions. No need to worry though. The animals which present a danger to humans are housed in areas where you can see them, but they can’t get to you. This is achieved with some strategically built trenches which are well disguised. The animals have plenty of room to roam but the ones who could harm you can’t get near you. For the friendlier ones such as the giraffes they can, and often do, come right up to the side of your safari vehicle.

To get the most out of your Kilimanjaro Safari experience try and ride first thing in the morning. I have been on this safari many many times but you always see more animals the earlier it is in the morning for the simple fact that they are more active at this time.

The Kilimanjaro Safari and Expedition Everest are both popular rides with Fast Passes. If you want to ride them both then my advice is that when you arrive in the park then quickly turn to the right and head towards Asia and pick up a Fast Pass for Expedition Everest. Then carry on anti clockwise around the park to Africa and ride the Safari before the lines arrive and when the animals are at their most active.

Kali River Rapids

Floating down the Kali River Rapids

This is a very fun river rapids ride which is located in the Asia section of the park. Lines can be long for this attraction when the temperatures are good. A Fast Pass is available. Be aware that you will get wet on this ride. Extremely wet. If the weather is cold then think twice before riding as you will likely be freezing for the rest of the day!

There is a serious message on the ride to educate guests about illegal logging and the destruction of woodland habitats. Guests are loaded into 12 person rafts for their white water experience. You get an immediate idea of just how wet you are going to get as soon as you sit down in the raft and sit down in a pool of water! Make sure you secure any items that you do not want to get wet in the covered container in the middle of the raft.

The raft starts a slow 90 foot ascent and then drops gently past gushing geysers and water falls which splash into the raft. As always with rides of this type there is usually one person who gets more drenched than any other! The raft speeds through the water through lots of water drenching obstacles and then goes down a 30 foot drop.

There is a height requirement of 38 inches so even the little ones can go on this ride. It is usually at it’s busiest at lunchtime and early afternoon when everyone is trying to get some escape from the Florida heat!

Dinosaur

Dare you ride Dinosaur at Disney's Animal Kingdom?

Photo by expressmonorail

I confess. I think this is the scariest ride in Disney World! Forget Tower of Terror this is the one which scares me the most.

Be taken back in time 65 million years to a land where the dinosaur rules the world. Guests board a vehicle called a Time Rover to journey back in time. The vehicle is supposed to take you on a gentle journey back through time to the early Cretaceous period but of course things don’t run quite as smoothly as that. Plans change and the guests are sent to the late, and apparently more scary Cretaceous period so that we can all rescue the Alador dinosaur. The commentary then tells us that this really isn’t a good idea as this is too close to the time when the asteroid hit.

Too late. We are already heading to our place back in time. Of course it all starts of gently but soon turns to a frantic journey trying to escape the scary dinosaurs. Things get bumpy as the vehicle twists turns and dips. Lots of flashing lights and noise!

The ride is brilliantly well done. For me perhaps too well done and intense. The height requirement is 40″ but if you have a child who does not like scary rides then you would do well to avoid this one.

There is a Fast Pass available for Dinosaur but often the line isn’t too bad. In Animal Kingdom always prioritize the Fast Pass for Expedition Everest and then Kilimanjaro Safari. Then fit in Kali River Rapids next and head for Dinosaur if you think you can brave the scariest ride in Disney World!

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Disney Yak and Yeti Restaurant

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom Tagged With: ,

Disney Yak and Yeti Restaurant

March 28, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you are looking for a peaceful haven for a great full service restaurant meal in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park look no further than the Anadapur Yak and Yeti. Owned and operated by Landry’s who are the restaurant chain who own The Rainforest Cafe and the T-Rex Restaurant, the Yak and Yeti is one of the most consistently highest rated restaurants by guests in all of Walt Disney World. Even though the Yak and Yeti is not Disney owned it does accept the Disney Dining Plan.

Photos by lorenjavier

The Yak and Yeti is located in the Asia section of Animal Kingdom, close to the Kali River Rapids. It has a full service dining area which seats up to 250 guests. Due to the arrangement of the dining area in small, divided sections it is difficult to believe that there is room for that number of guests. The restaurant is on the second floor. There is also a counter service Yak and Yeti on the first floor with outside seating for those who do not want the full service restaurant. This has a different menu.

The attention to detail in the restaurant is exceptional. The theme is subtle and very well executed with lots of beautiful Asian artifacts displayed. Every great Disney restaurant has a back story and the Yak and Yeti is no exception. Read the back of the menu to learn the story of Arjun, a merchant who has fallen on hard times. He opens his house for guests and turns it into the Yak and Yeti hotel.

The bar area at the Yak and Yeti Restaurant in Disney's Animal Kingdom

The food is a mixture of Asian styles including Chinese and Japanese. If you are unfamiliar with the style then there are several options including the Baby Back Ribs and the Kobe Beef Burger which you may want to try.

Yak and Yeti Menu

Appetizers

Seared Ahi Tuna
Chilled sesame encrusted ahi tuna, wasabi aioli, and sweet chili slaw $10.99

Thai Chili Chicken Wings
Fried chicken wings tossed in a sweet Thai chili sauce, served with spicy Asian pickled cucumbers $8.99

Pork Pot Stickers
Pan seared or steamed, served with soy lime dipping sauce $8.49

Wok-Fried Green Beans
Battered green beans, sweet Thai chili dipping sauce $7.99

Pork Egg Rolls
Served with chili plum dipping sauce $7.99

Lettuce Cups
Minced chicken breast, chopped vegetables, maple tamarind sauce, crisp lettuce cups $12.99

Dim Sum Basket for Two
Pork pot stickers, shrimp siu mai, cha su bao, and pork sie mai steamed on a banana leaf, soy lime dipping sauce $13.99

Soups and Salads

Wonton Soup
Pork wontons, clear chicken broth and vegetables $4.99

House Salad
Romaine and iceburg lettuce, served with almonds, sesame seeds and sesame dressing $5.99

Mandarin Chicken Salad
Chilled chicken, romaine and iceburg lettuce, Mandarin oranges, almonds, sesame seeds, rice noodles and plum dressing $14.99

Grilled

Baby Back Ribs
Slow-roasted ribs, Hoisin BBQ sauce, chicken fried rice, and sweet chili slaw $25.99

Shaoxing Steak and Shrimp
Skirt steak, tempura-battered shrimp, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables, served with chili plum dipping sauce $25.99

Maple Tamarind Chicken
Seared chicken breast, Indonesian tamarind glaze, coconut ginger rice, baby bok choy, shiitake mushroom stir fry. $19.99

Kobe Beef Burger
10 oz grilled American Kobe beef burger, sesame-soy sauce, mayonnaise, crispy shoestring fries. topped with choice of shiitake mushroom & scallion compote or Asian slaw $17.99

Yak and Yeti Specialties

Seared Miso Salmon
Miso glazed Atlantic salmon, jasmine rice, baby bok choy and shiitake mushroom stir-fry $23.99

Crispy Mahi Mahi
Filet of mahi mahi, Japanese bread crumbs, Cantonese sweet and sour sauce, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables $22.99

Duck with Anandapur Glaze
Roasted half duckling, orange wasabi glaze, jasmine rice, stir-fried vegetables $22.99

Tempura Shrimp
Chili plum sauce, coconut-ginger rice, stir fried vegetables $19.99

Malasian Seafood Curry
Mahi Mahi, scallops, little neck clams, mussels, shrimp, zucchini, roma tomatoes, red curry coconut broth, and jasmine rice $21.99

Noodles

Lo Mein
Lo Mein noodles, carrots, cabbage, green onoins, bean sprouts; Chicken $17.99; Shrimp $18.99; Combo $18.99

Vegetable Lo Mein
Lo Mein noodles, carrots, cabbage, green onions, bean sprouts $16.99; add tofu $2

Wok
Choice of jasmine or brown rice

Crispy Honey Chicken
Tempura chicken, broccoli, carrots, honey sauce $17.99

Stir-Fried Beef and Broccoli
Flank steak, broccoli, brown sauce $18.49

Sweet and Sour Chicken or Pork
Tempura chicken or pork, ginger, garlic, bell peppers, pineapple $17.99

Bourbon Chicken
Tempura chicken, carrots, green onions, with sweet bourbon sauce $17.99

Sides
House Stir Fried Vegetables $4.99
Wok-Fried Green Beans $4.99
Pork Egg Rolls $5.99
Chicken Fried Rice $5.49
Steamed Rice – jasmine or brown $3.50

Desserts

Fried Wontons
Skewers of fresh pineapple and cream cheese wontons, vanilla ice cream, honey vanilla drizzle $7.99

New York Cheesecake
New York cheesecake, mango and strawberry coulis, and fresh whipped cream $6.99

Sorbet
Mango, lemon, or raspberry $6.99

Chocolate Cake -
Chocolate pudding cake, raspberry sauce $6.99

Mango Pie
Shortbread cookie crust, fresh whipped cream, raspberry sauce $6.99

Non-Alcoholic Beverages

Hot Teas – Monks Blend, Green Tea, Spiced Chai, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Camomile

Berry Cherry Limeade – Cherry and lime juice with Sprite

Glacier Water – Blue Coconut Syrup with Sprite

Bottled Beverages and Soft Drinks – Still or Sparkling Water, Root Beer, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite, Lemonade, Fruit Punch, Iced Tea

Specialty Drinks $7.99

Yak Attack
Shanghai Express
Bonsai Blast
Emperor Margarita
Big Bamboo
Tropical Daiquiri
Everest Avalanche
Empress Bloody Mary

There is also a large selection of alcoholic beverages on the menu.

Yak and Yeti Kids Menu

For kids aged 9 and under for $7.49

Kid-sized portion of milk or apple juice
All items served with choice of carrot sticks, applesauce cup, fruit punch gelatin or chicken fried rice.

Mini Burger
Vegetable Lo Mein
Chicken Bites
Egg Roll

Desserts

Ice Cream Sundae $1.49

Chocolate Pudding $1.49

The Disney Yak and Yeti restaurant is certainly worth a visit next time you are in Disney Animal Kingdom. It is a popular restaurant so make sure that you have advance dining reservations ahead of time.

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Filed Under: Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom Tagged With: , ,

Walt Disney World July 2012

March 19, 2012 by Leave a Comment

What is in store for visitors to Walt Disney World in July 2012? As always a little planning goes a long way when visiting the Happiest Place on Earth, so the more that you know about planned closures, events and weather for July at Disney World the more you will enjoy your vacation.

Is July a Good Time to Visit Walt Disney World?

If you are looking for some alone time in Walt Disney World then July is not a great time. We all know that July means that the kids are out of school and what this means is that the crowds are definitely right there at Disney World.

Sure the crowds will be there but that doesn’t mean that you should be putting off your trip to Walt Disney World. School is out and that may be one of the only times that you can visit. Forward planning does a lot to help in ensuring that you make the most out of your visit to Disney World.

Any time that Disney World is busy this means that more events, fireworks and parades will be scheduled. Opening hours will be extended with the Magic Kingdom be open until at least 10pm each day.

This is also a time to really consider staying at a Walt Disney World resort. Every Disney resort guest has access to Extra Magic Hours. These are times when the parks are open either early or late exclusively for Disney World hotel resort guests. This is always a great benefit, but it is particularly valuable at busy times.

On the other hand, if you are not a Disney resort guest then check when the Extra Magic Hours are and avoid those particular parks on those days. You will find that crowds are larger at those specific parks even outside of the Extra Magic Hours times.

July 4th is one of the most popular days of the year to visit Walt Disney World. Of all the parks Magic Kingdom will be the busiest so plan accordingly! Magic Kingdom does have a special Holiday fireworks display on 3rd and 4th July. Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot will both have special fireworks displays on 4th July.

The weather in Orlando in July is hot and humid. Average high temperatures can reach the low 90s and there is likely to be a lot of rain showers too. Rain in Florida in the summer is likely to be a huge down pour which is over very quickly!

Walt Disney World Rides Closed for Refurbishment in July 2012

One of the great things about visiting in July is that there are very few planned refurbishments for any of the attractions. The notable exception is Epcot Test Track which will be closed until September 2012. Expect Soarin’ to be even busier than usual as this is now the only major headline attraction in Epcot’s Future World. Get a Fast Pass as soon as you arrive in the park (they do run out quickly) or ride as close to park opening time as you can. July 4th? Plan to ride something else!

Cape May Restaurant in Disney’s Beach Club Resort will be closed from July 9th to August 3rd.

Disney World Events Scheduled For July 2012

Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is held in held in The American Gardens Theatre in Epcot World Showcase. The Concert series starts on 10th June and ends on 28th July 2012. The schedule is still not published but we will let you know when it is.

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With: , ,

Disney World Fast Pass Rides and Attractions

March 18, 2012 by 3 Comments

When you visit Walt Disney World one of the best ways of saving time standing in line is to use the Fast Pass system. The Disney Fast Pass system is very simple, and it is completely free. How it works is that for certain popular attractions in each of the parks, Disney Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Epcot all guests can get a Fast Pass to return to the ride at a particular time. They will then use their Fast Pass to join the Fast Pass line, which is almost always much shorter than the regular stand by line.

All photos by expressmonorail

There is a lot of confusion about the Fast Pass system but really it is very simple. If you do take some time to plan using the system then you will save yourself hours of standing in line. Some other theme parks do charge for their priority line system (like Universal Orlando Express Pass) but the Disney system is completely free.

When you arrive at any park then a priority should be to get a Fast Pass for a popular attraction. The Fast Pass attractions are marked on each Walt Disney World map that you will pick up when you arrive at the park. Also so that you can plan before you go, here is a list of all the Fast Pass attractions in Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom

Splash Mountain
Space Mountain
Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan’s Flight
Jungle Cruise

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Kilimanjaro Safari
DINOSAUR
Kali River Rapids
Primeval Whirl
Expedition Everest

Disney Hollywood Studios

Toy Story Mania!
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
Star Tours

Epcot

Test Track
Soarin’
Maelstrom
Captain EO

Each of these attractions will have a Fast Pass ticket kiosk station somewhere close to the entrance to the ride. The current Fast Pass return time will be displayed above the ticket kiosks. You simply insert your Key to the World or Disney ticket into the machine and it will give you a paper slip with a return time on it. Each ticket will have a return time with a window of an hour. So for example you go to the Soarin’ Fast Pass ticket machine and you are given a return time of 1.00 to 2.00pm.

There are certain rules. The system doesn’t allow you to just go around and get lots of Fast Passes. You can usually only have one at any one time. So if you have your Fast Pass for Test Track it will also show on that Pass the exact time that any machine will give you another Fast Pass.

All members of your party have to have a Fast Pass. An exception to this is for a child under the age of 3 who does not have an entrance ticket.

When the time posted on your Fast Pass arrives then go back to the attraction and show your pass to the Cast Member at the front of the attraction. They will then allow you to join the Fast Pass line.

The Fast Pass line does not mean ‘front of line’. Most likely there will be other guests there with you and often there will still be a wait. This wait is usually short but can be up to 20 minutes. It will definitely be shorter than the stand by line though! As an example the line for Soarin’ can reach 120 minutes. Yes that is 2 hours. But if you have a Fast Pass the wait will likely only be around 15 to 20 minutes.

The Not So Good Recent Changes to the Fast Pass System

It used to be that even though you had a Fast Pass for 1.15 to 2.15 if you missed that window you could go to the attraction and still use it when it had expired. The Cast Member would most likely not even bat and eyelid and would wave you on with a cheery smile. You could even go with Fast Passes from weeks or months ago and still have them honored.

Now a Cast Member will politely tell you that your time has passed. Will they stop you entering the Fast Pass line late? That is for you to try and I would love to hear of your experience of this in the Comments below.

Are Some Fast Passes Better Than Others?

The very simple answer to this is yes. Some attractions have formidable wait times (Soarin’ comes to mind). So when you arrive at Epcot my advice is always to go to get either a Test Track or a Soarin’ Fast Pass first and then ride the other attraction. Splash Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain are the equivalent in Magic Kingdom, as are Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. In Hollywood Studios it is Tower of Terror and Rock and Roller Coaster.

Use the Fast Pass system and you definitely will spend less time in line. Is it a good system? Well that is another question and I would love to hear your views in the comments below.

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Rides, Rides, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , ,

Walt Disney World June 2012

March 6, 2012 by Leave a Comment

If you are visiting Walt Disney World in June 2012 here is a guide for you so that you can see what special events are scheduled and if there are any ride closures. Whenever you visit Walt Disney World it is always a good idea to do some foreword planning so that you get the most out of your visit.

Photo by everythingmouse

Is June a Good Time To Visit Walt Disney World?

The answer to this question is both yes and no! If you can visit in the first 2 weeks on June then the crowd levels are likely to be fairly average and the lines reasonably short. This changes as soon as the school vacations start in the middle of June. But just because the crowd levels with be high does not mean that you should put off that visit to Disney World. With a little planning you will have a wonderful time whatever the time you visit. The parks stay open longer at this time and extra parades and shows are scheduled.

The average daily temperature in June is 81 degrees. The average rainfall is the highest of any month but usually in Orlando the showers are a quick down pour and then the skies clear.

Walt Disney World Rides Closed for Refurbishment in June

The good news is that there are very few closures at this time of year. Disney World tend to have less closures at busy times. The one major attraction which will remain closed until September is Epcot’s Test Track. This closure will mean that the lines for Soarin’ are longer than ever so it is important that you either get a Fast Pass for this very popular attraction or ride it early in the day. The Fast Passes are likely to run out quickly too so to get the best chance of getting one before they are all gone, head to the Fast Pass kiosk at Soarin’ before noon.

Walt Disney World Events Scheduled for June 2012

The Star Wars Weekends will continue in Disney’s Hollywood Studios on June 1st to 3rd and June 8th to 10th 2012. These are very popular events which attraction Star Wars fans from all over the world. Special character appearances, events and merchandise are available. If you are not a Star Wars fan you would probably be best to avoid Hollywood Studios on these weekends if you can because it does attract larger crowds to the park.

Epcot’s Sounds Like Summer Concert Series is held in June and July. Concerts are held in The American Gardens Theatre in Epcot World Showcase. Details are not available at the moment but we will publish them as soon as we have them. The series runs from 10th June until 28th July 2012.

The good news about busier times is that more parades and fireworks are scheduled. The Main Street Electrical Parade is scheduled to run throughout June. Fantasmic! is also going to be shown every night in June except 6th June. As always with Fantasmic! make sure that you arrive early – the auditorium is huge but it does fill to capacity.

Have a wonderful time on your Walt Disney World Vacation in June 2012!

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, Rides Tagged With: ,

Walt Disney World April 2012

February 10, 2012 by 1 Comment

What can you expect if you are visiting Walt Disney World in April 2012? Here is a guide to crowd levels, events and refurbishments for the month of April 2012 at all the Disney World parks.

Is April a Good Time to Visit Walt Disney World?

If you are looking at the weather then April is one of the best times to visit Walt Disney World. The temperatures are usually in the high 70s and low 80s and the chances of rain is on of the lowest of the year. Night time temperatures are pleasant too so perfect for visiting the theme parks in the evening.

Crowds are a mixed bag in April. There is the good and the definitely not so good news about visiting Disney in April.

The first half of the month is likely to be one of the busiest times of the whole year. Spring Break and Easter are in the first 2 weeks of April and crowds are likely to be very heavy. If you have a choice then this is not the best time to visit. Wait until after 15th April and the parks are likely to have much lighter attendance and those lines are going to be much shorter.

If you do have to visit the first 2 weeks of April then you can be comforted by the fact that the park opening hours will be extended and there will be extra performances of fireworks and parades scheduled.

Disney World Rides Closed For Refurbishment in April

The very popular Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom is closed until May 27th 2012. This will have a significant impact on waiting times for Splash Mountain which is located in the same area of Magic Kingdom. If you want to ride Splash Mountain make sure that you arrive early or get a Fast Pass.

There is also a lot of construction going on in the Fantasyland area of Magic Kingdom but this will not affect visitors at the present time. The construction area is blocked off and is located in the Mickey’s Toon Time Square area which is now permanently closed.

Lights Motors Action the cars stunt show in Disney Hollywood Studios is closed from April 29th to May 2nd.

Epcot does have a couple of closures the most significant of which is Test Track which is closed for refurbishment from April to September 2012.

The Tutto Italia Ristorante is closed until April 27th. There is an alternative restaurant in Epcot Italy so if you would like to eat Italian food then visit neighboring restaurant Via Napoli.

The House of Innovention is closed in Epcot Innoventions until May 2012. Let us hope that they are updating it with something rather more interesting inside!

Epcot Flower and Garden Festival

The annual Epcot Flower and Garden Festival runs throughout April 2012 (the dates this year are from March 7th to May 20th 2012). This is a very popular event for Epcot and is does draw additional visitors to the park particularly on the weekends.

The Flower Power Concert Series is staged weekend at the American Gardens Theater in World Showcase. All performances at the weekends are 3 times nightly at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. The American Gardens Theater does often fill to capacity so make sure you line up in time if you want to see a particular performance.

March 9th to 11th Jose Feliciano
March 16th to 18th Starship Starring Mickey Thomas
March 23rd to 25th The Guess Who
March 30th to April 1st The Spinners
April 6th to 8th Chubby Checker & The Wildcats
April 13th to 15th Paul Revere & The Raiders
April 20th to 22nd The Turtles Featuring Flo & Eddie
April 27th to 29th Chuck Negron, Formerly of Three Dog Night
May 4th to 6th The Orchestra Starring Former Members of ELO
May 11th to 13th Herman’s Hermits Starring Peter Noone
May 18th to 20th Davy Jones

There are also HGTV celebrities scheduled to present the concert series. Here is the 2012 schedule:

John Gidding from HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block – March 9th to 11th
Sabrina Soto of The High/Low Project – March 16th to 18th
Jason Cameron from DIY Network’s Desperate Landscapes and Man Caves – March 23rd to 25th
Camille Styles who is an HGTV.com Entertainment contributor – March 30th to April 1st
Dan Faires of HGTV.com’s DanMade and Fan Favorite HGTV Design Star Season 5 – April 6th to 8th
Brandon Johnson who is host of HGTV’s My Yard Goes Disney – April 13th to 15th
Meg Caswell, of Meg’s Great Rooms is presenting April 20th to 22nd
Monica Pedersen from HGTV Dream Home Tour 2012 and Designed to Sell is presenting April 27th to 29th
Antonio Ballatore, HGTV’s The Antonio Treatment – May 4th to 6th
To be determined – presenting May 11th to 13th
Genevieve Gorder of Dear Genevieve and HGTV Design Star – May 18th to 20th

If you are visiting Walt Disney World in April 2012 have an amazing vacation!

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Photos by hubster

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT Tagged With:

Top 10 Best Walt Disney World Restaurants for Kids

January 30, 2012 by 1 Comment

Which are the best Walt Disney World Restaurants for kids? Disney World offers some very unique dining choices and sometimes it can get overwhelming to choose which ones the kids are really going to love. It can be difficult to choose which of the Disney character dining experiences, or the uniquely themed restaurants are the ones which your kids are going to like the most. Here is a guide to my personal Top 10 best Disney World restaurants for kids.

Photo by hubsterdisney

Disney Sci Fi Dine In Theater

Photo by expressmonorail

Think diner food in one of the most unique restaurants in Walt Disney World and here you have the Sci Fi Dine in Theater. The kids are going to find this Disney Hollywood Studios restaurant a whole lot of fun. Step back to the 1950s for some traditional diner food in a restaurant which looks as though you have stepped right into a movie drive in. The first thing that you will notice is of course the tables which look like convertible cars all lined up in front of a huge movie screen. The second thing you as an adult will notice is how loud and dark the room is! The fun here is about the design and the atmosphere so make sure that you ask to sit at one of the convertible car tables as there are some picnic style tables at the back of the restaurant which you will probably want to avoid.

The food here is not the best in Disney World. You come here for the atmosphere. And usually because the kids really want to go here. Expect average food at high prices and you won’t be disappointed.

For more information about restaurant and to see the menu here is our guide:

Disney Sci-Fi Dine in Theater

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

The Akershus restaurant in Epcot World Showcase is home to the very popular Disney Princess Storybook Dining. If you want to give your kids one of the best chances to meet and talk with the Disney Princesses then this is a great opportunity. You can never guarantee that a certain character will actually appear but you do often find Princess Aurora, Belle, Ariel, Princess Jasmine and Snow White.

You have a choice of breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Disney Princess Once Upon a Time Breakfast offers pre plated all you can eat breakfast favorites. The Princess Storybook Lunch and the Dinner are a combination of all you care to eat buffet items and entrees which you order from the menu. The quality of the food is pretty average but really you go here for the great chance to meet the Princesses not for the food.

The price of the meal includes a photo package. For more information here is our guide at

Disney Princess Storybook Dining

Disney’s Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Villa Resort

There are very few restaurants in the world where you can dine whilst looking out of the window to watch zebras, giraffe and other wildlife passing by. Sanaa is located at the Animal Kingdom Villas at Kidani Village. There is a huge picture window overlooking the savannah. One of the best times to go is lunch time as of course you can see the animals passing by outside. This is a very unique experience for all the family, not just the kids!

This is one of the lesser known Disney restaurants but it is also one of the most spectacular and if you are prepared to be a little adventurous it also has some of the very best food.

The menu is described as being African food with Indian influences. What this translates to is a very high quality interesting menu with such items as Tandoori Chicken, various curries, spicy side dishes and naan breads. Don’t be concerned if the kids are more of the mac and cheese preferring kind! Sanaa has the usual kids menu offerings of pizza, cheeseburger and macaroni and cheese.

Disney Chef Mickey’s

Photo by Bart Hanlon

Chef Mickey’s is a very popular character dining experience for all the family. It is particularly great for young children as it is chance to get up close to Mickey and Minnie Mouse. Chef Mickey’s is located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort which is just minutes away from the Magic Kingdom. Breakfast and dinner are served each day.

Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Pluto, Chip and Dale are usually there at breakfast. Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Donald Duck usually go for dinner. As with all character appearances these are subject to change.

The food is good quality buffet fare and there is plenty of choice for even the pickiest eaters. This is very popular with young children so go there expecting a noisy, fun atmosphere and you won’t go far wrong!

For a complete guide with the menu and prices go to

Disney Chef Mickey’s

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Want to know how you can get a look inside Cinderella’s Castle? Be one of the lucky ones who manage to snag a reservation at the most popular of the Disney Restaurants – Cinderella’s Royal Table. This is an extremely popular restaurant. Not only do you get to dine inside the Magic Kingdom Castle but you also get to meet Cinderella. You may also see The Fairy Godmother, Princess Belle, Princess Aurora and Snow White (you know I am going to say that all character appearances are not guaranteed and are subject to change without notice).

The food is pretty good and the kids (and the grown ups) will love the chance to meet their favorite Princesses.

For a complete guide go to:

Cinderella’s Royal Table is it Worth It?

T-Rex Cafe Restaurant in Downtown Disney

This is a relative newcomer in Walt Disney World which was created by the same people who brought you the very popular Rain Forest Cafe. The theme is of course the pre historic world so expect dinosaurs, decent but pricey food and a whole lot of noise! This is a great restaurant to take the kids and of course as it is in Downtown Disney you can visit on one of your non park days as you won’t need a ticket.

The menu at the T-Rex Cafe is definitely on the pricey side. But who can resist Asteroid French Onion Soup, Brachiosaurus Bruschetta , or a Gigantosaurus Burger? Well the kids probably can but don’t worry, there is a kids menu with the usual favorites, pizza, burgers and pasta.

Disney Crystal Palace Restaurant

The Crystal Palace is located at the end of Main Street in Magic Kingdom. It is a great place to take the kids, particularly the 5 and under set. This is one of my very favorite Disney character dining restaurants as not only do you get to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet and Eeyore the food is also pretty good for all the family. The Crystal Palace serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. A particularly good choice is lunch as you can take a break in the middle of the day to sit down and refuel.

For a complete guide go to

Disney World Crystal Palace Restaurant

1900 Park Fare

This is another very popular Disney World character dining restaurant where at dinner you get the chance to meet Cinderella. 1900 Park Fare is located in Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort so is just a very short monorail ride from the Magic Kingdom. It has some of the highest quality buffet food in the whole of Walt Disney World. Breakfast characters include Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. If you want to see Princess Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine, Drizella and Anastasia then they are usually scheduled to appear at dinner.

There is a special children’s buffet section which is low down so that the kids can help themselves. 1900 Park Fare is of course a very popular Disney dining location. It can get pretty busy and is rather loud but it is definitely a winner with the kids!

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review

The Hoop Dee Doo Musical Review is a fun dinner show which has played to guests since 1974 at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. The show is practically unchanged since that time so if you are looking for Disney nostalgia which is great fun for both kids and adults then this is a wonderful choice. The show is held in Pioneer Hall which is the hub of Fort Wilderness Campground and Resort. It is very popular and shows run 3 times a night.

The food is served family style and includes breads, salad, Fried Chicken, Smoked Barbecued Pork Ribs, Mashed Potatoes, and Country Style Baked Beans. Very traditional fare. The real appeal of this experience is of course the entertainment. Table are pre assigned and the closer you are to the stage the pricier the reservation. Be prepared to be entertained by Johnny Ringo and Claire de Lune the dancers, Jim Handy and Flora Long the singers, and Six Bits Slocum and Dolly Drew provide the comedy.

Epcot Coral Reef Restaurant

Photo by expressmonorail

Epcot Coral Reef restaurant is another great choice for both the kids and the adults. Coral Reef is a restaurant with a difference. The restaurant has a wall of 8 feet high windows which look onto the huge salt water aquarium. which is part of the Seas With Nemo and Friends pavilion in Epcot Future World. Sit and eat your meal whilst you watch up to 85 species of fish in the giant tank. Perhaps more entertaining for the children is the fact that often you can see divers float past your table.

Whilst the concept of Epcot Coral Reef is an excellent one and the decor and theme are a brilliant idea, reviews are mixed about the food and the service. Here is my review at:

Epcot Coral Reef Restaurant

Whichever restaurant you choose in Walt Disney World there are plenty of options to keep the kids (and the grown ups) happy. Which is your favorite Disney restaurant? Leave me a Comment!

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Restaurants, Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

January 26, 2012 by 14 Comments

What are the must see Walt Disney World rides and attractions? This is of course a very difficult question to answer. There are so many things to see and do at Walt Disney World that to choose just a few that you absolutely must do is rather a challenge. But of course I am never one to walk away from a difficult task so here is my own personal Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions. They are in no particular order – choosing a Top 10 is difficult enough, putting them in order would have been impossible!

All of the amazing photos are by expressmonorail

Disney Wishes: A Magical Gathering of Disney Dreams Fireworks

No visit to Walt Disney World is complete without seeing the Wishes Fireworks at Magic Kingdom. This spectacular fireworks show debuted in 2003 and has been enchanting guests ever since. The show is hosted by Jiminy Cricket and The Blue Fairy and is a classic tale of good against evil. It is a magical mix of fireworks, music and lighting effects. Watch out for Tinkerbell flying across the skies!

Which is the best viewing spot for Disney Wishes fireworks? There are many to choose from but some of my favorites include on the platform of the train station at the end of Main Street, sitting at one of the tables outside at the Plaza Restaurant, various spots in Fantasyland (which is less crowded but you can’t see Tinkerbell) and of course California Grill restaurant in the Contemporary Resort.

Be careful to check the schedule for times and dates of showings for Wishes as these do vary.

Disney Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

The thing about Disney attractions is that they are just so amazingly themed – and Disney’s Twilight Zone Tower of Terror is one of the best examples of this anywhere in Walt Disney World. Want to drop 13 stories in an elevator? This is the Disney attraction for you!

Disney is the master of theme park story telling and every great ride has a back story. The Hollywood Tower Hotel has a history. It opened in 1919 and soon established itself as one of the places to be for the movie crowd. But on October 31st 1939 five guests enter the elevator of the hotel just as lightning strikes. The child star, her nanny, two young starlets and the bell hop vanish . All the other hotel guests run from the building leaving their belongings behind.

The attention to detail in the line is exceptional. It looks just as though you would imagine it would if it had been abandoned in 1939. The Cast Members play their part brilliantly, all adding to the anticipation of the ride.

The Tower of Terror is not for the feint of heart. It is a thrill ride and has a height requirement of 40″. It is very popular so make sure that you use a Fast Pass or arrive very early in the morning.

For more on this amazing attraction visit

Disney Twilight Zone of Terror

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

If you are a fan of Star Wars (and even if you aren’t) this motion simulator ride is one of the best Disney World attractions. Located in Disney’s Hollywood Studios this classic ride has a complete overhaul in 2011. You will see all your Star Wars favorites including your accidental pilot C3PO who will take you on a journey which has 54 variations. This new technology means that you never know quite which direction your journey will take.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Not many of us will get to experience a real safari in Africa but The Kilimanjaro Safari in Disney’s Animal Kingdom park is a great substitute for the real thing. Walt Disney himself always wanted to have a theme park which allowed guests to see real live animals and Animal Kingdom was the realization of his dream.

Guests board an authentic safari type vehicle as they are taken on a tour of the 100 acre African savanna. The ride is also authentically bumpy so take note of those warnings! The very best time to take the safari is in the early morning. This is not just because the lines are likely to be shorter but also because this is the time when the animals are at their most active.

There is a great commentary by the tour guide who will help you to see as many of the animals as possible. Some of the most popular sitings are of elephants, zebra, giraffe, rhino, hippopotamus and of course the lions (don’t worry they are kept out of your reach by some very clever discreet Disney landscaping). You may even be lucky enough to see the Cheetah (they are often quite difficult to see). Also on the savanna are warthogs, gazelle, flamingo, ostrich, okapis and wildebeest.

As with all popular Disney attractions make sure that you get a Fast Pass or ride early in the morning. It will cut your time waiting in line.

It’s A Small World

This classic Disney ride is one of the original attractions which was over seen by Walt Disney himself. Disney World has seen many changes over the years but this cheerful musical boat ride remains true to the original ideals of Walt himself. The theme is quite simply world peace through global understanding. Hundreds of animatronic dolls representing many countries around the world sing the unforgettable It’s A Small World theme song. Guests board a slow moving boat and sail around watching the brightly colored moving dolls sing their happy message. You know you will never get that song out of your head, but somehow it is worth it!

Epcot Test Track

Another very original Disney World ride, Epcot Test Track is a theme park ride unlike any other. The story is that guests are needed to test the cars just like the crash test dummies do! Guests board a 6 passenger vehicle which will take them on a journey through various tests. These tests include braking, heat and cold tests, hair pin bends and of course the final speed test. Your test Track vehicle will reach speeds of up to 65 mph before bringing you back to the testing facility.

This one is a lot of fun and is a truly unique ride. It is thrilling without being scary so a lot of guests who don’t usually enjoy thrill rides like roller coasters will enjoy Test Track. It is of course very popular so use the Fast Pass or if you don’t mind riding without the other members of your party the Single Rider line will save you a lot of time.

For more details visit

Epcot Test Track

Epcot Illuminations Reflections of Earth

This is another must see fireworks event at Walt Disney World. Illuminations: Reflections of Earth is a unique fireworks, lights, pyrotechnics and music spectacular which is shown every night (weather permitting) around Epcot’s World Showcase Lagoon.

Most places around the World Showcase Lagoon give a good view of the show but do be aware that trees can block your view so choose your viewing spot carefully. At busy times you do need to reserve a place at least an hour ahead of the show. Some of the best places to view are the bridge between the United Kingdom and France, on the platform just outside the Japanese restaurants, and if you can get a reservation, the outside viewing area in the restaurant at the Rose and Crown Restaurant.

For more information about this amazing fireworks show:

Epcot Illuminations

Soarin

Located in Disney’s Epcot Future World, Soarin’ is a must see attraction. It is a ride which simulates flight, rather than a flight simulator! Another very unique experience only available in Disneyland, where it originally debuted, and Disney’s Epcot.

Guests board a huge structure which has rows of seats in front of an extremely large screen. The seats are then lifted up into the air and have gentle motion which feels like flying. The movie Soarin Over California is then projected onto the huge screen so guests feel as though they are flying over the state. The movie is beautifully filmed and seems to fly you over many destinations including Yosemite, The Wine Country, San Francisco, Palm Springs, San Diego and of course Disneyland.

Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This is another classic Disney ride which originally debuted in Disneyland in 1967. This was the last attraction which Walt Disney personally supervised and participated in it’s design. Guests board a slow moving boat which will plunge down a (very small) waterfall and then take them through a series of dark scenes with animatronics, pyrotechnics, and explosions all to the tune of Yo Ho It’s a Pirates Life For Me!

Most guests these days will be very familiar with the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and they will be pleased to see that Jack Sparrow appears in the ride more than once.

Fantasmic!

Make sure that you arrive early for this Disney Hollywood Studios night time spectacular. Even though the auditorium has seats for 6,900 guests and standing room for 3,000 more it does reach capacity. To get the best seats you do have to be there 60 to 90 minutes before the show starts.

Once again the theme is good against evil, with Mickey Mouse dressed as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice battling the Disney villains. The show is spectacular. Expect pyrotechnics, a huge dragon, images projected onto water, fire which seems to be right in front of you, fireworks and an epic musical score. This show seems to have every special effect known to Disney World thrown in! Of course all ends well for Mickey and at the end of this 25 minute show many of your favorite characters sail past you on the water in front of the set.

Never under estimate how popular this show is – arrive as early as you possibly can to get a good seat. This can be a long wait if you have young children or if it is cold out at night. The only way to beat the crowds is to book a Fantasmic Dining Package which you can reserve ahead by calling 407 WDW DINE. You then reserve a meal at one of the Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants and get a place is the reserved seating area for Fantasmic. This is a reserved area, not a reserved seat so you do still have to be there around 30 minutes before the show.

It is very difficult to pick a Top 10 Walt Disney World must see rides and attractions but here are my personal favorites. Which ones have I left out? Which have I included that you really don’t enjoy? Leave me a Comment below!

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Top 10, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Rides, Rides, Rides and Attractions, World Showcase Tagged With: , , , ,
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