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Walt Disney World Marathon

November 16, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Each year in January the Walt Disney World Marathon takes place. Where better to run a challenging 26.2 mile marathon than Walt Disney World? For 2012 the Disney marathon events will take place from 5th January to 8th January 2012. The full marathon will take place on Sunday 8th January 2012. The course route takes you through all four of the Disney parks – Disney’s Epcot, Disney Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. So at least the scenery will be able to distract you from just how exhausted you are some of the time! And of course there is no other Marathon in the World where you would be able to have your photos taken with Disney characters along the route. Who better to motivate you than a Disney Princess or Mickey Mouse?

Photo by melody

Here is a great video which is well worth watching if you are thinking of entering the Disney Marathon as it gives a great idea of what to expect

The Disney marathon course starts just outside Epcot on World Drive. The finish line is also in Epcot (in the parking lot) and competitors will have plenty of water and food stations around the course. The start of the event is at 5.30am. All competitors must maintain a 16 minute mile pace. It is suggested that you train for the marathon at a 15 minute mile pace.

This is Disney of course so the Marathon is started by Mickey Mouse and his friends pressing the button for the start of the fireworks which start the race.

You have to be at least 18 years of age to register for the full Disney World marathon (there are options for other ages). The registration fee is now $160 per person. For future events usually Disney offers a discount if you register early so bear this in mind for 2013. Registration always fills up as of course there are only a limited amount of entries allowed each year. So you do need to make your registration application as early as possible if you want to qualify.

New for 2012 is the Walt Disney World Marathon Relay. This event will be part of the full marathon but will allow participants to run as a 2 person team – so each completes a half marathon. The first half includes Epcot and Magic Kingdom, whilst the second part includes Disney Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and finishes in Epcot. The registration fee is now $320 for the team.

If you can’t find a running partner for the relay marathon you may want to run the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. This is held on Saturday 7th January 2012. Now in it’s 15th year the Half Marathon starts at Epcot and goes to Magic Kingdom before going back to the finish line at Epcot.

For the truly dedicated you may want to consider the Goofy Race and a Half. Participants run both the full marathon and the half marathon.

If you want to make this a family event there consider the Disney Family Fiesta 5K featuring the Three Caballeros. This family event takes place in Epcot. The fee is $50 per participant. There is also a stroller division of this race with a $55 entry fee.

For those aged 13 and under the Disney Kids Races there are various races including a Diaper Dash for those aged 12 months and under.

The Walt Disney Marathon weekend has special events to keep all the entrants and their families busy. The Pasta in the Park buffet dinner is held on Thursday January 5th to get the weekend of to a celebratory start. Tickets are $47.50 for Adults and $28.35 for Children (ages 3-9). Pasta in the Park is held in the World ShowPlace Pavilion in Epcot. A separate admission ticket to Epcot is also required.

Disney’s Health and Fitness Expo starts on Thursday January 5th and runs to Sunday January 8th 2012. This is held at HP Field House and Jostens® Center at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. There will be guest speakers featuring celebrity runners, official race merchandise and exhibition stands. This is also the place where you will pick up your registration packet.

If you want to register for the Walt Disney World Marathon 2012 go to Registration for more details. You do need to hurry as most of the events are almost at capacity.

All weekend there will be special Disney transportation from all of the resorts. This includes transport to the Fitness Expo and to the start lines (and from the finish line of course). The monorail resorts will not have buses to the races but you can use the monorail to Epcot. You must be aware that if you are staying at one of the Epcot resorts then you must take a bus to the start line. The World Showcase International gateway entrance to Epcot will not be open in the early morning so do not make the mistake of thinking that you can walk through that way to the start line. The only way to get there from the Epcot resorts is by bus.

You do not need a park ticket to enter the Walt Disney Marathon. But of course many of the competitors and their families do stay at the resorts and visit the parks. If you are visiting the parks on that weekend and are not involved in the Marathon this does have a big effect on park attendance. January is usually a quiet time but the Disney Marathon weekend is busy. There will be some road closures on the Saturday and Sunday when the races are held so if you are going to the parks in the morning you will need to allow extra time.

For everyone competing the Walt Disney Marathon is an amazing event. Will you choose to be part of it. Leave me a Comment below if you have ever competed in the Disney Marathon or if you are going to in the future.

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Walt Disney World January 2012

November 14, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

If you are visiting Walt Disney World in January 2012 here is a guide to what is happening in the parks at that time including parades, special events and ride closures.

Disney World Ride and Attraction Closures for Refurbishment in January 2012

It is always best to be prepared for which attractions will be closed when you visit, so here are the scheduled refurbishments for January 2012.

In Magic Kingdom the very popular Dumbo ride will be closed from January 9th to February 17th. You do need to warn the younger children about this as they may be disappointed. An alternative ride is The Magic Carpets of Aladdin which is very similar to Dumbo.

Also Big Thunder Mountain in Magic Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment from January 9th to 27th May 2012. This is a major attraction which will be closed for quite a considerable time. Expect Splash Mountain to have longer lines as it will take up some of the capacity of guests who would have been riding on Big Thunder Mountain.

The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor on Main Street in Magic Kingdom will be closed from January 4th to March 27th 2012.

The only closure in Epcot for January will be Tutto Italia Ristorante in the Italy World Showcase Pavilion which will be closed from January 7th to April 30, 2012.

If you are visiting Disney Hollywood Studios in January and early February 2012 you will be disappointed to find out that Fantasmic! will not be playing for much of the time. It will be dark from 9th January to 12th February 2012.

Also in Epcot the Sounds Dangerous Soundstage is open only seasonally and due to low attendance is unlikely to be open for any of January.

The water parks always close over the winter for refurbishment – whilst one is closed the other will be open. If you are visiting in January then Blizzard Beach will be open but Typhoon Laggon is closed from 4th December 2011 to 17th March 2012.

Disney World Magic Kingdom Parade in January 2012

If you possibly can then you should always try and catch Disney’s Main Street Electric Parade in Magic Kingdom. It will be performed most nights in January 2012 but will not be run on 8th, 11th, 13th, 15th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 27th, 29th, and 31st January.

Disney has a very good idea of which days will be the highest attendance days – so expect the days when the Electric Parade is scheduled to be the busier ones in Magic Kingdom.

Disney World Hotel Refurbishments

These closures generally only affect Disney World hotel guests but are worth noting.

The Disney Grand Floridian Resort Spa closed in September 2011 and will remain closed for 18 months. The fitness center is still open.

In the Polynesian Resort the sand beach is being refurbished from 24th December to 10th January 2012.

Walt Disney World Special Events January 2012

The major event in January 2012 is the Walt Disney World Marathon. This event is held every year in January and this year various races will be held in the theme parks from 5th January to 8th January 2012. This is a popular event and will mean that attendance at the parks is heavier than you may expect at this time.

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Top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides For Toddlers

November 11, 2011 By Alison 4 Comments

Which are the best Disney Magic Kingdom rides for toddlers? Visiting the most magical place on earth is great fun with kids of all ages but it is always best to be prepared so that you can know which rides everyone is likely to enjoy the most. So here is my top 10 guide to the best rides and attractions that Magic Kingdom has to offer for toddlers.

All photos by expressmonorail

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Most young children love Winnie the Pooh so this almost 4 minute ride will keep most of them happy. This indoor ride is very upbeat and is based on the story Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day. Children will see all of their favorites, Tigger, Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, and Rabbit in very bright colors. One of the best parts of the ride is the Winnie the Pooh dream sequence. This is one which all the family will love and is likely to be a favorite with very young children in particular. This is of course a popular ride. A Fast Pass is available (the machine is located close to Mickey’s Philarmagic). The standby line now has some interactive features to keep you entertained whilst waiting in line.

Prince Charming Regal Carrousel

Sometimes the simplest designs are the most captivating and this is certainly true of the classic carrousel now named Prince Charming Regal Carrousel. The ride was built almost 100 years ago it was purchased in 1967 for Walt Disney World. This attraction was for many years called Cinderella’s Golden Carousel but was renamed in 2010.

Try and steer your toddler towards one of the inside horses. They move much slower than the ones on the outside. You can stand with your toddler if you feel that they are not balanced enough or confident enough to ride by themselves.

Although the Carousel is quite slow to load the wait is not usually less than 30 minutes.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Your toddler is likely to say that Dumbo is his favorite ride in the world. This cute flying elephant is a wonderful ride for toddlers. 16 flying Dumbos spin around slowly on this 90 second ride. A Disney classic. There is only one problem with Dumbo. The lines. As this ride only takes 32 riders at a time and is very slow to load the line moves at a snail’s pace.

In the new Fantasyland which is due to open it’s first phase in 2012 there will be 2 Dumbo rides. Disney is doing something to help guests as it knows that his is a hugely popular ride, the only downside is the line.

The Magic Carpets of Aladdin

This is based on exactly the same ride design as Dumbo. It does have one very big advantage over the Dumbo ride though. Less time in line. The theme is different of course – you board a flying carpet and not a cute elephant – but the basic idea is just the same and your toddler will most likely love it. Riders can control the height of the carpet so as to avoid (or not) the lights sprays of water.

It’s A Small World

The ‘happiest cruise that ever sailed’ is sure to be a favorite with your toddler. This 11 minute ride is one of the best known of all the Disney rides, and not just because once you have experienced it you will never be able to get that song out of your head! Guests board a boat for this 11 minute ride past cute animatronic figures representing many countries around the world. The younger ones will also enjoy the relatively recent additions of Disney movie favorites including Nemo and Ariel The Little Mermaid.

Peter Pan’s Flight

Another very popular ride in Fantasyland which your toddler will enjoy. Guests board 2 seater pirate ships to be taken on a ride over the streets of London. The ride was designed for Disneyland in 1964 and is truly one of the classic Disney dark rides. Guests ride through scenes from Peter Pan and although the ride technology is far from sophisticated in this day and age, this is part of it’s appeal.

Unfortunately Peter Pan’s Flight line rivals that of Dumbo. You should aim to either arrive early and ride this first or pick up a Fast Pass. The line is not magical when you have been standing in it for 60 minutes with a toddler!

Mickey’s Philharmagic

As with many toddler friendly rides this one is located in Fantasyland. This is a very entertaining show for all ages but toddlers will mostly love the characters, the music and the funny effects. Guests are seated in a 450 capacity theater to watch the 3D show. The story is that Mickey is late for a concert but Donald Duck tries to step in and help. Lots of Disney movies are referenced so there is sure to be something that your toddler recognizes.

Usually the line for this is not over 30 minutes. Often you will get a surprise Fast Pass for this with your Winnie The Pooh Fast Pass.

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin

Young children love Toy Story so this will be a lot of the appeal of this ride for them. Guests board a 2 person vehicle and shoot at targets to get points. Your toddler is most likely not going to be able to reach the ‘laser gun’ very well so that part of the ride is not going to work well but usually they just love the activity and the colors. And of course Buzz Lightyear appears along the way.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

The Enchanted Tiki Room is an original Disneyland attraction and you can certainly say that it is showing it’s age. As an adult you probably want to experience it once just to see why everyone is saying it is outdated! But for a toddler it can be a favorite attraction. Young children will enjoy the upbeat songs and all the moving animatronic figures. For the grown ups it may just be a chance to sit down for 9 minutes and rest their feet!

Mad Tea Party

Toddlers love this spinning tea cup ride. Bright colors and a Alice in Wonderland theme will catch the attention of the little ones. Guests spin around in tea cups which they can spin faster and faster if they want to. Your 2 year old probably won’t be able to make a difference to the speed but your 5 year old certainly will want to make it go faster.

There is plenty to keep your toddler very happy in a visit to the Magic Kingdom. There are certain rides that they can’t go on of course but that does not mean that the older children and grown ups can’t go on these attractions. Where there is a height requirement there is always a Child Swap option. This means that all the family can stand in line and then one waits with the child whilst the other rides, and then the non riding guest swaps and rides the attraction. This is available at Splash Mountain, Space Mountain and Bit Thunder Mountain.

Do you agree with the rides chosen for the top 10 Disney Magic Kingdom Rides for Toddlers? If you have your own suggestions and tips for visiting the Magic Kingdom with toddlers then leave me a Comment below.

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Cinderella Castle Suite

November 10, 2011 By Alison 10 Comments

Have you ever wondered what the Cinderella Castle Suite is like? Or perhaps you have dreamed of staying the night in the luxury suite inside Cinderella’s Castle. Only a very lucky chosen few will ever get to stay within the walls of the Cinderella Castle Suite as this is one thing which money cannot buy. Even though many have tried the Suite is not able to be booked. A stay in the Suite is generally only available as a prize. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t take a look inside with some pictures of the Suite and dream what it would be like to stay there.

During the Year of a Million Dreams in 2007 a night in the Suite was given away each night to one lucky family visiting the Magic Kingdom. More recently it has occasionally been given to winners of competitions and sweepstakes. We will keep you posted if any opportunities arise but at the moment there are no current competitions. In December 2010 Kevin Jonas stayed at the suite will his new wife but there haven’t been any other celebrity stays since then that we know of.

Photos by shadowstorm and bestofwdw

The History of the Cinderella Castle Suite

The space inside the Castle was originally intended to be an apartment for Walt Disney and his family. Sadly Walt never saw his amazing creation as he died almost 5 years before Walt Disney World opened. The space has been used as a storage area and also a telephone exchange. But in 2006 it was decided that the area would be transformed into a wonderful suite. The idea was that it would be given away as a prize each day of the Year of A Million Dreams.

Cinderella’s Castle Suite is only 650 square feet. This is much smaller than most people may imagine. But the space is so luxuriously and ingeniously decorated it truly is fit for a Princess. The style is based upon the architecture of the French Castles of the 17th Century. Lots of lavish materials and dark woods are used. The attention to details is, as you would expect from Disney, quite simply wonderful.

The Cinderella Castle Suite entrance is by way of a secret door ( of course) on the first floor of the castle. Guests enter a small but beautifully decorated lobby. Here the time on the grandfather clock is always one minute before midnight. Just one minute to go before everything changes back to reality. But visitors here can escape from reality for a while longer as they board the elevator to the fourth floor Suite.

The Suite has a bedroom with 2 very ornate queen beds, a bathroom with a huge bath and a walk in shower, and a small sitting room.

The Cinderella Castle Suite Bedroom

The beds are of course fit for a Princess and her Prince Charming. The wood furniture is all dark maple and mahogany and very ornate. There is a giant carved initial C above each 8 foot tall headboard – for Prince Charming and Cinderella of course. The soft furnishings are lavish textures in browns and golds.

The fireplace is a beautiful feature in the room. It was made from 600 pounds of limestone and features exquisite detail of the Cinderella story on the pillars. Venetian glass sconces on the side of the fireplace have pictures of Cinderella and her Prince on them.

The fireplace has a magical feature in the shape of the picture of Cinderella above it. Of course it is part of the Disney magic – it transforms into a flat screen television.

You will even find a reference to Cinderella’s humble beginnings. Two French reproduction copper cinder pots are at the side of the fire. The fire itself looks as though it is burning brightly thanks to some clever fiber optic effects.

Cinderella Suite Sitting Room

There is a small sitting room which has a very elaborate convertible sofa (the suite sleeps up to 6 guests). This is another elaborately designed and furnished room. As you may expect in a fairytale room there is a magic mirror. This is based on a traditional French design but has a distinctly non traditional feature as it transforms into another flat screen television. The entertainment center on the wall is full of interesting features with concealed storage space, a refrigerator and a dvd player.

The stained glass windows look westwards out onto Fantasyland. You can see Princes Charming’s Regal Carousel and look down on the crowds who really wish they were here too!

Cinderella Castle Suite Bathroom

Of course there is a bathroom fit for royalty too with double sinks, a 4 foot square jacuzzi tub and a walk in shower. This Grotto inspired design has a wealth of detail and exquisite artistry. On the ceiling is ceiling is a dome of twinkling stars. The jacuzzi tub has Chromatherapy Lighting and a water fall faucet.

The three mosaics that you see in the bathroom are made of Italian Smalti glass. The 30,000 glass tiles were each individually placed in the mosaic by Disney Imagineers. The dual sinks are hand hammered copper with silver leaf. Certainly not your average bathroom!

Most of us will only dream what staying in the Cinderella Castle Suite would be like. What would you give to stay in the Cinderella Castle Suite? Leave me a Comment and let me know how much it would mean to you.

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Top 10 Disney World Rides for Teenagers

November 9, 2011 By Alison 2 Comments

What are the very best rides for teenagers at Walt Disney World? Although the Disney parks are perhaps best known for their appeal to younger children and adults this does not mean that if you have teenagers in your group they are going to feel left out. A Disney World vacation truly is for everyone, including the teens.

Here is my list of Top 10 Disney World rides for teenagers.

Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster

What better than a mix of rock music and a high speed roller coaster? The teens are likely to want to ride this major Disney Hollywood Studios attraction more than once. This Aerosmith inspired roller coaster ride accelerates from 0-57 mph in just 2.8 seconds cataputing riders 200 feet! This is an intense roller coaster particularly by Disney World standards – riders experience G Force of up to 4.5.

Read more in this Disney Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster guide.

Disney Hollywood Tower of Terror

The Hollywood Tower of Terror is another attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios which is sure to keep the teenagers happy. Riders plunge 13 stories in this 199 feet tall very imposing attraction. The ride sequence is random so you never quite know which ride you will experience. The theming on this ride is excellent. The teenagers may not ever have seen the Twilight Zone television series but they will appreciate the general spookiness of the place, right down to the excellent bell hops who control the elevator.

If you want to know more go to Disney’s Tower of Terror Guide.

Star Tours The Adventure Continues

You don’t have to be a Star Wars fan to appreciate this amazing motion simulator ride (but it helps). Star Tours has just undergone a major redesign and it is now one of the very best rides in the Disney parks. This is another attraction in Disney Hollywood Studios which the teenagers will really enjoy. There are now 54 possible variations so you never know which sequence you are going to get. If you are familiar with the Star Wars movies you will recognize the classic pod race scenes on Naboo, enjoy the snowy lands of Hoth and of course love to battle it out on the Death Star.

Mission Space

This is the ultimate thrill ride for teens at Disney’s Epcot. Tell them that it was the first ride to supply vomit bags for guests and you are sure to get their attention. This is an extreme ride. Heed the warnings and if you are not ready for this ride then you can select the Green line which is the none spinning version.

Nasa astronauts say that Mission Space gives riders a good idea what it feels like to be launched into space. I guess you can’t beat that endorsement! As with all Disney rides this one has a story. Guests board a 4 person vehicle to be launched on a mission to Mars. You experience up to 2.5 G Force on the Orange ride so even the most reluctant teenager can’t fail to be impressed by this intense Disney ride.

Test Track

This one is a highly unique ride which really doesn’t have any comparison with any other theme park ride. The whole idea is that this is a test facility for new vehicles. Guest board a 6 person vehicle. Riders will experience a series of tests including handling, breaking, and a hot and cold test. The final test is the high speed test where you will reach speeds of 65 mph on an outside steeply banked circular track. This is one for the thrill seekers out there and the teenagers are going to love it.

If you want to know more here is a guide to Epcot Test Track

Soarin’

Another very original ride located in Disney’s Epcot theme park. This 4 minute 40 second simulated flight ride is a flight simulator of a very different kind. You board a huge structure in front of a very large screen. The structure goes up to 40 feet into the air and guests get a sensation of flying. It takes guests over the amazing sights of California including Yosemite, The Wine Country, Monterey, San Francisco, San Diego and of course Disneyland. This is a very unique ride with no other attraction in the world quite like it.

Expedition Everest

The newest and the most thrilling of the Disney World Mountains is located in Disney Animal Kingdom park. Guests board the Anandapur Rail Service train which is scheduled to take them to the foot of Mount Everest. The journey begins mildly enough but then the tests, turns and drops begin. This is a classic roller coaster with amazing Disney theming. The attention to detail is amazing – Imagineers spent 6 years researching this ride.

Kilimanjaro Safari

Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a very unique place to experience a very different animal park. The Kilimanjaro Safari ride is a favorite with all ages and teenagers are likely to enjoy this very unique opportunity to get as close to a safari experience as you can without traveling to Africa. Board a safari vehicle and your guide will take you through the plains of Africa to see lions, zebras, elephants, giraffe, hippo and many other animals at very close quarters. Don’t worry it is all in a very controlled environment so whilst you can see the lions this is Disney after all and they aren’t going to get near you!

Disney Pirates of the Caribbean Ride

This Magic Kingdom ride will be a big hit with the teenagers if they enjoyed the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. Plenty of chances to catch sight of hero Captain Jack Sparrow even if he is just an audio animatronic figure. This is one of the oldest of the Disney rides (it debuted in Disneyland in 1967) and is the last attraction which Walt Disney worked on personally. A dark boat ride with lots of dark images, fighting and explosions, this one should appeal to the teens.

Space Mountain

Space Mountain is a classic Disney roller coaster which teenagers should enjoy. Not because it is fast or particularly thrilling (it only ever reaches 28 mph which is a snails pace for modern roller coasters) but because it is a unique experience. The appeal of Disney’s Space Mountain appeal is that it uses light very effectively and creates the great Disney illusion of not being quite what it seems.

What are your favorite Disney World rides for teenagers? I would love to hear from you. Leave me a comment below!

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1900 Park Fare Menu

November 8, 2011 By Alison 1 Comment

The 1900 Park Fare menu is a selection of buffet items which will keep even the pickiest eater happy. 1900 Park Fare is located inside Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Hotel and offers a breakfast and dinner buffet. One of the main attractions of the dinner buffet is that Disney Princess Cinderella is in attendance. This is one of the best ways to meet Cinderella in all of the Disney theme parks so this is a particularly popular venue.

As always we visited the restaurant with our various special dietary requirements. We have 2 family members who need gluten free food, two children are vegetarian and one is vegan. Disney World restaurants are always excellent when dealing with special dietary requests. On a recent visit for breakfast a lot of the buffet was already gluten free. The real treat was the gluten free vegan pancakes and waffles which the chef brought out for us.

1900 Park Fare is a very lively restaurant venue. The tables are pretty close together and it always seems to be very busy with wait staff constantly moving quickly to get the tables cleared and the drinks served. That said our waitress was very attentive. The characters do an excellent job of visiting each table and spending time with the guests. Expect a loud, high energy experience with good quality buffet food and you will not be disappointed at 1900 Park Fare.

1900 Park Fare Breakfast Menu

The menu does vary from time to time but the basics are usually the same. There is a low buffet table for the kids so that they can reach to help themselves to some of their favorite items.

The price of the 1900 Park Fare breakfast is $26.62 for adults and $14.90 for children aged 3 to 9. Children under 3 are free. These prices are correct as at November 2011 and include tax but not gratuity. This restaurant has higher Holiday pricing at popular times of the year.

The characters who appear include Alice in Wonderland, The Mad Hatter, Mary Poppins, Winnie the Pooh, and Tigger. As always these characters are not guaranteed to be there on the day that you visit.

Breads and Pastries

A selection sliced breads, croissants, English muffins, bagels, pecan sticky bun, strawberry and apple turnovers, cheese danish, apple, granola and blueberry muffins, cream cheese, boursin cream cheese, strawberry jam and grape jelly.

Cold Buffet

Assorted yogurts, fresh fruit including strawberries, cottage cheese, cream rice ambrosia, stewed plums, chilled strawberry soup, an assortment of cereals, oatmeal, grits, granola, ice cream with toppings, peaches, pears, applesauce, Jello-O, Rice Krispie Treats, smoked salmon and capers, assorted varieties of cream cheese.

Hot Buffet

Chef cooked custom eggs and omelets with assorted toppings including mushroom,provolone,sausage, peppers and mozzarella, bacon, sausage links, carved ham, eggs benedict with lobster sauce scrambled eggs, cheese blintz, strawberry melba, apple cobbler, peach and white chocolate bread pudding, vanilla sauce, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, Spanish Scramble, mini pancakes, Mickey waffles,French toast, country-style biscuits and gravy, grits, oatmeal and breakfast potatoes with cheese.

1900 Park Fare Dinner Menu

The 1900 Park Fare dinner is served from 4.30 pm to 8.30 pm each day. It is an all you care to eat buffet priced at $42.59 for adults and $21.29 for children aged 3 to 9. THe under 3s are free. This includes taxes but not the gratuity. The rate will be higher for certain dates of the season (such as but not limited to Christmas, New Year and Thanksgiving)

The big draw here is that Cinderella is in attendance. Her Prince Charming is with her as well as her step sisters Anastasia and Drizella and her step mother Lady Tremaine. Again comes the warning that character appearances cannot be guaranteed. Some characters may only appear in the lobby whilst others will visit you at your table.

Appetizers

Mixed Green and Caesar Salad, Various Salad Dressings, Greek Salad, Broccoli Salad, Tomato and Mozzarella Salad, Ambrosia, Macaroni Salad, Peel and Eat Shrimp and Apple with Port Vinaigrette.

Soups

A selection of coups which includes Tomato Florentine, Cream of Mushroom and Chilled Strawberry Soup.

Side Dishes

Sweet Potato, Mashed Potato, Carrot and Broccoli Medley, Sauteed Squash with Chives, Brown Gravy, Niblet Corn.

Entrees

Freshly Prepared Pasta, Mojo Marinated Turkey, Salmon with Caper Butter, Roasted Prime Rib of Beef, Chicken Curry with Couscous, Apple Chutney Stuffed Pork with Apple Glaze, Chorizo Stuffed Pork Loin with Mango Barbecue Sauce, Vegetable Egg Rolls, Salmon with a Dill Cream Sauce, Italian Sausage with Peppers, Mussels in Tomato Broth, Cheese Lasagna.

Desserts

Apple Cobbler, Soft Serve Ice cream, Brownies, Bread Pudding, Rice Krispie Treats, Key Lime Tarts, Lemon Cheescake Tart, Linzer Torte, Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Children’s Buffet

Cheese Pizza, Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni and Cheese, Pasta Marinara, Niblet Corn, Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.

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Walt Disney World Dining Reservations

November 7, 2011 By Alison 1 Comment

Walt Disney World dining reservations are easy to make either online, over the phone, at Guest Services locations and also at any Disney World restaurant. Disney World has more than 100 restaurants within the parks and resorts. Standards are usually very high and they offer something for everyone. From breakfast at Chef Mickey to fine dining at Victoria and Albert’s, Disney World has something for everyone.

Whilst it used to be easy to get walk in reservations at Disney World in all but the most popular restaurants, now it has become increasingly difficult. It is still possible to get a walk in spot in all but the busiest times but you may find that you are waiting from 45 minutes to 90 minutes for that table that you want. So it is always best to plan in advance when you can and make Disney Advance Dining Reservations.

How do you make Walt Disney World dining reservations?

You can call 407 WDW DINE. The reservationist will allow you to book as many restaurants as you like. This of course can take some time, and it often takes a long while for you to actually reach a reservationist after calling the number. This wait time does seem to have improved since the introduction on the online booking system.

An easy way to make Advance Dining Reservations is to book online on the Disney World website. The link is

Disney World Dining

This works most successfully from your home computer but I have booked many reservations on my iPhone (often whilst in the Disney parks waiting in line for an attraction).

The best way to do this is to create an account online so that you can easily keep track of your reservations.

You can also make reservations by going to Guest Services, the Concierge at a Disney resort, or from any Disney World restaurant dining podium.

When Can I Make Disney World Dining Reservations ?

You can make reservations 180 days ahead of time. Disney World resort guests have an advantage as they can make them for up to 10 days of their stay – so effectively up to 190 days ahead of time.

Is it really necessary to plan ahead such a long way for your Disney dining? Unfortunately yes it is these days. For some restaurants such as Cinderella’s Royal Table and Epcot Le Cellier Steakhouse it is almost impossible to make a reservation unless you call or go online at exactly 8am on the day that booking starts. These are extremely popular restaurants with limited seating so you do need to be quick. For other restaurants even if you start 60 days ahead you are going to find that certain restaurants are just not available. Of course it is easier in the slower season, but if you are going at a busy time you really do have to plan as far ahead as you can. Keep checking back as there are cancellations.

Remember too that there is now a new Disney dining cancellation policy. Credit card guarantees are now required for 19 additional restaurants and if you do not cancel with a full day notice (which is more than 24 hours – there has to be a full day in between) then you will be charged $10 per person for a late or non cancellation. It will be interesting to see how this affects the possibility of getting a walk in at these restaurants. Will Disney diners not be willing to risk forgetting to cancel? Somehow that seems unlikely as of course the charges apply at the most popular and difficult to get into restaurants in Disney World.

Which are the easier restaurants to get late reservations and walk ins for? It is usually possibly to get into some of the less popular Epcot restaurants such as the Nine Dragons Restaurant in China World Showcase. There is a reason for this though – unfortunately the food is overpriced and not great. Better bets are Germany’s Biergarten buffet and Morocco’s Restaurant Marrakesh.

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Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

November 6, 2011 By Alison 1 Comment

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano is a great choice when visiting Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park. Italian food just like mama makes is available in this excellent Disney restaurant with a homely atmosphere. Pictures of celebrities who have visited Mama Melrose over the years are all over the walls. Your children may be hard pressed to recognize many of them but the decor all adds to the great atmosphere in this high energy place.

As with all Disney restaurants the theming and attention to detail is excellent. As you are guided to your table you will walk past the very busy open kitchen. Lots of hustle and bustle and if the smell from the wood burning oven doesn’t make you hungry then the great selection of Italian food on the menu certainly will. The walls are bare brick, the seating in comfortable surroundings with vines and string lights overhead.

When we went to Mama Melrose a couple of weeks ago they were particularly good with our special dietary needs. We have gluten free, vegetarians and vegans in our party so have a lot of specific requirements! Disney is excellent with any special dietary requests that you have. It can often be difficult to be trusting in restaurant situations when you have allergies or dietary requests but at Disney you know that you are in safe hands. The chef will always come out and talk to you personally. Frank, the chef who came to talk to us at Mama Melrose was very helpful.

For our vegan daughter he adapted the Mozzarella and Tomato Salad to a very nicely presented Tomato Salad and sent out lots of dishes of nuts for protein. A nice touch we thought. The tomatoes were good and were actually very tasty – something which often you simply don’t find these days. The younger ones had the usual cheese pizza and were, as always, very happy with this. The gluten free amongst us had the flat breads which were very good. The portions were larger than I expected them to be and we really could have shared. The cappuccino to finish was pretty good for a Disney restaurant.

Here is the Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

Mama Melrose Menu

The menu and prices are the same for lunch and dinner.

Appetizers

Clams Oreganatta

Oak-fried clams cooked in oregano butter with Italian sausage over toasted focaccia $10.99

Crispy Calamari for Two

Clams topped with peppers and onions, served with a side of spicy marinara sauce $12.99

Fresh Mozzarella and Vine-ripened Tomatoes

Served with marinated sweet onions, balsamic drizzle, extra virgin olive oil and fresh sweet basil $7.99

Mama’s Antipasto for Two

A selection of meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables $14.99

Caesar Salad

Served with crisp romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing and herb croutons $5.99

Mixed Greens Salad

Served with dried cherry vinaigrette, candied walnuts, fresh pear and imported gorgonzola cheese $7.49

Vegetarian Minestrone

Class minestrone with ditalini pasta $5.49

Entrees

Spaghetti con Vongole

Sauteed Clams and Pancetta tossed with Spaghetti and White Clam Sauce $19.99

Wood Grilled Tuna

Grilled Tuna served over a seasonal Vegetable Risotto, warm Vine-ripened Diced Red and Yellow Tomatoes, and Olive-Caper Butter $21.99

Charred Strip Steak

Served with Italian Roasted Potatoes and Cipollini Onions, Aged Balsamic-Shallot Butter, and Chianti Wine Reduction $28.99

Chicken Campanelle

Wood-grilled chicken over Campanelle pasta tossed with Romanesco, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh spinach and sweet onions in a Four-Cheese Cream Sauce $18.99
with Shrimp $19.99

Penne alla Vodka

Served with Pancetta and Sweet Onion finished with Tomato-Basil Sauce, Cream, Vodka, and Pecorino Romano $16.99

Pork Osso Buco

Braised in Red Wine and served over Fontina Polenta with seasonal Roasted Vegetables $21.99

Oven-Baked Chicken alla Parmigiana

Served over Spaghetti $17.99

Piccata di Pesca

Fresh fish sauteed in a white wine lemon butter sauce with caperberries, spinach, and whole grain pasta $20.99

Hand-rolled Potato Gnocch

Served with seasonal Roasted Vegetables in a Tomato Nage $18.99

Carne D’Italia Flatbread

Flat Bread with Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Pancetta, and Spicy Marinara Sauce $12.99

Wild Mushroom and Arugula Flatbread

Flatbread with Balsamic Sweet Onions and Goat Cheese Pesto $11.99

Margherita Flatbread

Flatbread with fresh Mozzarella, Tomato Sauce, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and fresh Basil $11.99

Grilled Chicken Flatbread

Flatbread with Sun-dried Tomato Pesto, Pancetta, Asiago Cheese, and fresh Chives $12.99

Desserts

Mama’s Panna Cotta Tiramisu

Flavored custard with ladyfingers and Cappuccino cream $5.99

No Sugar Added Mascarpone Pound Cake

Served with linoncello-macerated berries and fresh whipped cream $6.49

Chocolate Cannoli Cake

Served with cannoli and nutella filling $5.99

Gelato $4.49

Chocolate Amarettini Cheesecake $5.49

Specialty Drinks

Magical Star Cocktail

Light up your celebration with X-Fusion Organic Mango and Passion Fruit Liqueur, Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Pineapple Juice, and a souvenir Multicolored Glow Cube $10.50

Bellini Cocktail

Sparkling wine, White Peach, and Raspberry $7.25

Mama’s Margarita

Jose Cuervo Tradicional Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice, Sweet-and-Sour, and Orange Juice $9.50

Italian Surfer

Parrot Bay Coconut Rum, Amaretto, and Pineapple and Cranberry Juice $7.50

Sangria

A taste from the Italian Riviera. Glass: $8.00; 1/2 Carafe: $15.00; Full Carafe: $25.00

Non-Alcoholic Specialty Drinks

Tinker Bell and Friends or Buzz Lightyear Punch

Minute Maid Light Raspberry Lemonade served in a souvenir Fairies or Toy Story Cup with a glowing Tinker Bell or Buzz Lightyear Clip-on Light $6.49

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Disney Magic Kingdom Hotels

November 4, 2011 By Alison 3 Comments

The Disney Magic Kingdom hotels offer luxury and an unrivaled location for those wanting to stay near The Most Magical Place on Earth. The Magic Kingdom hotels are all in the category of Walt Disney World deluxe resorts.

Here are the Disney World hotels closest to Magic Kingdom. Most are on the monorail system with the exception of Wilderness Lodge which is accessed by boat or bus transportation to the park.

Photo by Expressmonorail

Disney’s Grand Florida Resort Hotel and Spa

The most luxurious of them all. This is Disney’s flagship deluxe resort. If you are looking for the best location, largest rooms, fabulous swimming pools, recreation, dining and even a spa then this could be the resort for you. The huge lobby is the very picture of elegance and relaxation but you will feel at home here dressed in a dinner jacket or shorts and a Mickey Mouse hat.

The Magic Kingdom is easily accessed from the Grand Floridian by the monorail or the resort boat. You can be in the Magic Kingdom in minutes. Very convenient for visiting the park in the morning, coming back to the hotel for a short rest and then heading back out in the evening.

Here is a guide to Disney World Grand Floridian

If is also very easy to access Epcot from any of the Disney Magic Kingdom hotels. Travel to the Transport and Ticket Center on the monorail and then catch another monorail to Epcot. All other parks are accessed on the Disney bus transportation system from the Magic Kingdom resorts.

Disney Contemporary Hotel and Resort

A very unique Magic Kingdom hotel. The Contemporary Resort actually has the monorail run right through the lobby area. You can’t get much more convenient than this as the monorail will transport you in minutes to the Magic Kingdom.

The Contemporary Resort has 2 distinct sections. The Tower building with the monorial running through it, the main lobby and the restaurants. The separate building is the Garden Wing. Different view options are offered including of course the most coveted (and expensive) Magic Kingdom view.

The Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is part of the Disney Vacation Club and offers studio, one, two and three bedroom villas. These can be booked by anyone – you do not have to be a Disney Vacation Club owner. Rates start at around $450 per night for a studio right up to around $2000 a night for a 3 bed villa.

For more details here is a Disney Contemporary Resort guide.

Disney’s Polynesian Resort Hotel

If you are looking for a tropical resort paradise just minutes from Magic Kingdom then the Disney Polynesian Hotel is a great choice. The rooms are amongst the largest of any Disney resort including the Grand Floridian. There are lots of view choices including some Magic Kingdom views.

There are some good dining choices and the Polynesian is home to the very popular dinner show Spirit of Aloha Polynesian Luau.

The Magic Kingdom is easily reached from the Polynesian by either monorail or boat.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge Resort

Walt Disney’s WIlderness Lodge Resort is not part of the monorail system but has easy access to the Magic Kingdom by boat. The resort is one of the most stunning architecturally of all the Disney hotels. Step into the lobby and you step into a different world – far removed from the crowds of the theme parks. This deluxe Walt Disney World resort takes it’s inspiration from the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park.

Guests can choose between the hotel rooms of the resort or the larger Disney Wilderness Resort Villas. At a standard 340 square feet the rooms at Wilderness Lodge are a little on the small side so if this is a consideration you should look to one of the other Magic Kingdom hotels.

The Wilderness Lodge has some great dining choices including the highly regarded Artist Point.

If you are looking for a very relaxing atmosphere and beautiful surroundings then you should consider Disney Wilderness Lodge.

All of the Disney Magic Kingdom hotels offer easy access to the park. Unlike non Magic Kingdom resort guests you do not have to go though the Transport and Ticket Center so you save a great deal of time in your journey to and from the park. This collection of deluxe hotels is amongst the finest in Walt Disney World – so the most difficult thing is choosing which one is best for you.

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Disney World Boat Transportation

November 1, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

If you are staying at one of the Epcot Resort Hotels then the most relaxing way to travel to Epcot is by boat. The Epcot resort hotels are close enough to walk to the World Showcase Entrance to the park, but you may want to experience this leisurely way to arrive. Epcot is not know as Every Person Comes Out Tired for nothing! Cutting down on that walking time from your hotel is a good idea to save your energy for the actual park.

All of the boats are easily accessible for both wheelchairs and electric scooters.

Photo by expressmonorail

At the end of the day when you want to return to your hotel then you can just take the boat back. Sometimes it is a lot quicker to walk though! If you leave just after the fireworks then expect that a lot of guests are going to have exactly the same idea as you and the lines for the boats are pretty long. But at short wait could save what will probably be very tired feet!

Remember too that if you want to travel from the Epcot resorts to Disney Hollywood Studios then the most convenient way is to take the boat. The boats to Epcot and Disney Hollywood Studios are not just for the resort guests. They are open to anyone with a Disney ticket and can be a relaxing way to travel from the Boardwalk to the parks and back.

Not many people know that you can also walk from the Boardwalk and Epcot resorts to Disney Hollywood Studios. The walk is alongside the water and takes around 15 to 20 minutes from the Boardwalk.

When arriving at the Transport and Ticketing Center on the way to Magic Kingdom most Disney guests head straight for the monorail. But there is another way – you can travel across the Seven Seas Lagoon by boat. Theme park guests can catch the boat from the TTC to the Magic Kingdom. Just turn to your left of the ticket booths when you arrive at the Transport and Ticket Center and you will see the boat dock. Sometimes it can be quicker to get the boat than the monorail. It just depends upon the wait in line for the monorail and how close the boat is to the dock. I often prefer to travel by boat to Magic Kingdom, particularly at busy times when the wait to shuffle your way around the line for the monorail can seem so frustrating when all you want to do is get to the Magic Kingdom!

There are also smaller boats from each of the Disney Monorail Hotels if you want a change from the monorail. The resort boats do not hold that many guests and circle round from the Magic Kingdom, The Grand Floridian and then The Polynesian Resort. The best way to get from the Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort is by boat. Even if you are not a guest there if you have time it can be a fun thing to take the boat to the resort and look at this amazing hotel or perhaps eat at the very popular Artist’s Point restaurant.

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