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Walt Disney World March 2012

January 28, 2012 By Alison Leave a Comment

If you are visiting Disney World in March 2012 it is always good to know what events are happening and which rides and attractions will be closed for refurbishment. Planning ahead is always a good idea when you vista Walt Disney World. The more you know before you go, the more you will enjoy your vacation! We have tried to be as accurate as possible with these dates but things do change, so if you are visiting in March always check schedules before you arrive.

All photos by hubsterdisney

Is March a good time to visit Walt Disney World?

In early March crowds do tend to be relatively low and the weather is usually great with an average temperature of 78 degrees. March of course brings Spring Break so expect the crowds to be heavier, particularly around the week of March 10th when many schools are on vacation.

Which Disney World Rides are Closed in March 2012?

One of the most popular rides with young children is Dumbo The Flying Elephant and this will be closed until March 12th 2012. You will want to warn the little ones about this to avoid disappointment. The Magic Carpets of Aladdin is close by and is exactly the same type of ride, but for many it just isn’t the same!

Another Magic Kingdom headline ride Big Thunder Mountain is close for refurbishment until May 27th. This is a very popular ride in the park so the fact that it is closed may mean that crowds are heavier in that area and that the lines for the adjacent ride Splash Mountain are longer. As always with the popular rides get a Fast Pass if you can and this will cut down the amount of time that you spend in line.

The Studio Backlot Tour in Disney Hollywood Studios is closed is closed from February 13th to March 9th 2012.

Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon is closed until March 18th but Blizzard Beach is open if you want to enjoy one of the water parks. This doesn’t tend to have too much effect on crowd levels as traditionally attendance at the water parks is lower in these winter months.

Disney World Restaurant and Resort Facility Closures for March 2012

One of the restaurants in Epcot’s Italy, Tutto Italia Ristorante will be closed until April 28th 2012. The Plaza Ice Cream Parlor in Magic Kingdom is also closed until March 28th.

If you are a guest of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa then you will want to know that the pool slide will be closed from February 6th and reopen on March 3rd. The pool itself is still open, it is just the slide that is being refurbished.

Epcot’s Flower and Garden Festival

This is a very popular annual event in Disney’s Epcot park and runs from March 7th to May 20th 2012. No separate entrance ticket is needed – it is included with your general admission to Epcot. The park is beautifully decorated with flowers and spectacular topiary designs.

This popular Flower Power Concert Series is held at the weekends at the American Gardens Theater in World Showcase. Performances are at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.

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 as follows:

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

Have a wonderful vacation if you are visiting Walt Disney World in March 2012.

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Top 10 Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Water Parks, Disney World Dining, Disney World Hotels, Disney's Magic Kingdom, Rides Tagged With:

Top 10 Walt Disney World Must See Rides and Attractions

January 26, 2012 By Alison 13 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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Disney World Birthday Ideas

January 24, 2012 By Alison 1 Comment

Are you celebrating your birthday at Walt Disney World and want some ideas of things that you can do to make the day special. Disney World is a great place to spend any day but it is always a lot of fun to spend your birthday at the parks. So what is there to do on your birthday?

Photo by expressmonorail

Disney World Free Things to Do on Your Birthday

If you are staying at one of the Disney World resorts then always tell the Cast Members at the time you make the reservation and at the time that you check in that someone is celebrating a birthday. They will usually ask you what your favorite Disney character is and arrange for something special like balloons and perhaps even a small cup cake or dessert treat to be brought to your room. I have done this many times – sometimes it works and sometimes not but it doesn’t hurt to try.

Another fun and free thing to do is go to Guest Services at the parks and ask for a Birthday Pin. This is a fun keepsake but also when you wear this most Cast Members will say Happy Birthday to you when they see it. If you have an autograph book with you the characters will often put a special birthday greeting in there for you.

Disney Celebration Cakes

If you are dining at any Disney World restaurant or staying at a Disney World resort you can order a customized cake for a birthday or other special celebration. Call 407-827-2253 for customized cake orders and give at least 48 hours notice. The cake can be delivered to your room or any Disney full service restaurant.

If you just want a 6″ celebration cake you can order these at the check in podium of any Disney restaurant. You can also order these via your concierge or front desk at any Disney resort if you want it to be delivered to your room. They do not need to be ordered in advance like the customized cakes. The cost for this celebration cake is $21 plus tax and gratuity.

If you do not want to buy a cake then mention the fact that there is someone with a birthday in your party at any Disney restaurant and they will usually bring a small cup cake with a candle in it for you.

Goofy Party Central

If you want to celebrate a child’s birthday with a party at Disney World then Goofy Party Central is a great option. Parties are held every day by advance reservation in a special party room at Goofy’s Candy Company in Downtown Disney. All parties are 90 minutes long and are for guests aged 3 and up. To reserve your party call 407-WDW-BDAY.

The rate for Goofy Party Central for up to 12 guests is $367.38. You can add up to 3 more guests for $25 each. Each party includes 2 hosts, invitations and thank you cards for your guests. There are 2 theme choices for your party:

The Perfectly Princess Party

Perfect for your little Princesses birthday when she will receive a crown, a sash, a boxed glass slipper and mylar balloon. Guests play Perfectly Princess party games, decorate a special treat and receive an autographed picture of Cinderella, a glow necklace and a balloon.

Goofy’s Scien-Terrific Birthday Bash

A Goofy themed birthday party for your special day. The birthday child will receive a Goofy gum ball machine and a mylar balloon. Guests play Goofy games, decorate a treat and get a Goofy glacier cup. They will receive special glow glasses, a party balloon and an autographed picture of Goofy.

Celebrate at a Special Disney World Restaurant

There are lots of amazing Disney World restaurants to choose from for your birthday celebration. Whatever your age there is something that you will really enjoy for your special day.

For younger children a special character meal is a great idea. Here is a guide to the choices available:

Disney World Character Dining

There are plenty of choices for the adults too. Here is a guide to the very best:

Top 10 Most Romantic Restaurants in Walt Disney World

However you celebrate your Disney World birthday you will be sure to have a magical and memorable day!

Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney World Hotels, Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

Walt Disney World Passes

January 18, 2012 By Alison 1 Comment

It really pays to know exactly which Walt Disney World Passes to buy. There are ways to get discounts on Walt Disney World tickets but you do have to be careful that you buy direct from Disney or through an authorized ticket seller.

The first thing to decide is exactly which pass you need for your vacation. If you use this guide to Walt Disney World passes it gives you a step by step system so that you can make the right choices and make some savings. Once you understand the basics it will be much easier to decide which Magic Your Way ticket is for you.

A Basic Guide to Walt Disney World Passes

You can buy a Disney World Base ticket for one day and right up to 10 days. Each ticket is valid for a visit to one of the four Disney World theme parks per day until the ticket expires. The ticket will expire either when you have used up all the days on your ticket or 13 days after the first day you used your ticket, whichever is the earlier.

The tickets are not transferable to anyone else. Ever. They will have your name printed on them and you will have to give a finger scan when you go through the turnstiles.

As you will see from the prices in the table below, the more days you buy the cheaper the per day price becomes. Once you get past the 3 day ticket prices then the per day add on price is less than $10. These are the prices you would pay at the Disney World Gate. All prices include tax and are current for January 2012.

Days

Adult

Child (aged 3 to 9)

1

$90.53

$84.14

2

$178.92

$165.08

3

$247.08

$227.91

4

$258.80

$238.56

5

$267.32

$247.08

6

$275.84

$255.60

7

$284.36

$264.12

8

$292.88

$272.62

9

$301.40

$281.16

10

$309.92

$289.68

Once you have decided how many days you need then you can think about whether or not you want one or more of the available add on options: a Park Hopper, a Water Park Fun and More option and a Non Expiration Option.

Do I Need a Disney World Park Hopper Ticket Option?

The Base ticket allows you to visit one theme park per day (either Magic Kingdom, Disney Hollywood Studios, Epcot or Disney’s Animal Kingdom). So if you just have a base ticket and go to Magic Kingdom in the morning then this is the only park you can enter on that day with that ticket.

If you think that you would like to visit more than one park per day then the Park Hopper is a good choice. The add on cost is $37.28 with tax for 1 day $58.58 with tax for 2 days or more. The more days you have on your ticket the cheaper the per day rate. If you have a 10 day ticket the per day price is just $5.58 but if you have just 2 days the cost is almost $30 per day.

Think carefully about whether or not you will use a Park Hopper. If you have a family of 4 you will add over $200 to the cost of tickets. For some the Park Hopper is a great option. You could go to Animal Kingdom in the day and then travel to Magic Kingdom at night to see the fireworks for example. But be aware the park hopping does take time. Depending upon where you are transferring to and from it can take over an hour to park hop. Not so much fun if you are already tired from a day walking around the parks.

The Park Hopper decision is a very individual one. It is always a good idea to plan before your Disney World vacation so give some thought to what you will do each day and see if a Park Hopper is the right option for you.

Disney World Water Park Fun and More

This adds $58.58 to a Base ticket no matter how many days are on the ticket. It allows you admission to Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, or a round of golf at Oak Trail.

You get a pre set amount of admissions depending upon the amount of days on your Base ticket. So if you have a 4 day ticket you get 4 admissions, a 9 day ticket you get 9 and so on. The only exception is with a 1 day ticket you get 2 admissions.

As with all Disney Magic Your Way tickets this will expire after 14 days ( so day of use plus 13 days). As a general rule if you are going to visit these places twice then you will save money on a separate admission price.

Disney World Passes Non Expiration Option

This can be a great choice but be very careful with what you decide here as the add on price is considerable.

Days

Adult

Child (aged 3 to 9)

1

n/a

n/a

2

$26.63

$26.63

3

$37.28

$37.28

4

$79.88

$79.88

5

$122.48

$122.48

6

$138.45

$138.45

7

$170.40

$170.40

8

$207.68

$207.68

9

$234.30

$234.30

10

$239.63

$239.63

A non expiration option can be great value if you know that you are returning to Walt Disney World. For example if you visit in 2012 and buy a 10 day ticket with a non expiration option and use 5 days this visit, you will still have 5 days to use when you return. That would be cheaper than buying two 5 day Magic Your Way passes. But it is rumored that most of the non expiration options are never used. As it adds so much onto the Base Ticket price you do have to be sure that this is a good option for your visit.

Disney World Ticket Upgrades

You can upgrade a Disney World pass within the first 14 days (day of first use plus 13 days). So if you decide after a couple of days that you really do want that Park Hopper option then you can go back to the ticket window and pay the upgrade cost. Once the ticket has expired you cannot upgrade. Also remember you can never down grade. So if you buy a Water Park option and then only visit once you cannot get a refund.

Walt Disney World Annual Passes

Disney World offers several different types of annual pass including special passes for Florida Residents. For more information about this I have written a guide at:

Disney World Tickets for Florida Residents

As a rough guide if you are planning on visiting 11 days or more in a year then an Annual Pass offers savings over a Magic Your Way ticket. Some annual passes also have benefits such as discounts on merchandise and perks such as free parking which can also add up to significant savings. There are also sometimes offers of discountson Walt Disney World resorts for annual passholders.

An annual pass which will give you access to all the four theme parks for one year is $552.74 for adults and $509.07 for a child aged 3-9. Renewals are offered at a discount.

A deluxe Disney Annual Pass is $691.19 for adults and $636.87 for children aged 3 to 9. Renewals are also offered at a discount. This ticket will allow you access to the main four parks, the water parks and Disney Quest.

Where Not To Buy Disney World Passes

There are scams out there. Lots of them unfortunately so you do need to be aware of them. Only ever buy direct from Disney World (either at the gate or online) or from Authorized Disney Ticket Agents.

Disney World tickets are never transferable so if someone is offering you un expired days off tickets or you are looking at sites like eBay or Craigslist just do not go there. Never, ever buy a Disney ticket unless it is from an authorized source. It is illegal to sell tickets in this way and every year someone is arrested for doing just that. Do not be a victim of these scams.

Discount Walt Disney World Passes

There are safe places to buy discount Disney World Passes. You can buy direct from Disney or an Authorized ticket dealer. Click below to look at the discount prices for this highly reliable ticket seller:

Discounts on Disney Park Tickets!

Savings vary according to which ticket type you buy but it can save your family a lot of money.

They key to saving on Walt Disney World Passes is understanding which ticket you really need and then buying it from a safe source. With this guide you now have everything you need. If you have any questions just leave me a comment below.

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Water Parks, Disney World Hotels, Disney World Tickets, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Magic Kingdom Tagged With: , , ,

Disney World Dining Plan Prices 2012

January 10, 2012 By Alison 5 Comments

If you are booking a Disney World Dining Plan for your vacation here is a useful guide so that you can compare the different options and prices for 2012.

The Disney Dining Plan is only available if you book a Disney resort hotel package which includes park tickets. The Dining Plan is now also open to Annual Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members who book a Disney World hotel stay.

Photo lorenjavier

What are the different types of Disney World Dining Plan and how much do they cost?

Disney World Quick Service Dining Plan

Each guest will receive 2 Counter Service Meals and 1 Snack Per Day for each night of your stay.

For example if you stay 5 nights you will receive a total of 10 Counter Service Meals and 5 Snacks for your visit. You can use the ‘Credits’ on any day of your stay. So if you wanted to use 3 Snack Credits on one day you could, and then you would have 2 left for the rest of your stay.

You can easily keep track of your remaining Dining Credits. Each time you use a Credit you will receive a receipt and the total balance for your party will be on that. You can also ask at any Disney dining or resort location for them to check what remains on your Credit Balance.

All of your Credits expire at midnight on the day that you check out. This is the same for all of the Disney Dining Plans.

What is included in a Quick Service Meal? For breakfast you can have a entree and any non alcoholic beverage, for lunch and dinner it includes an entree, dessert and a non alcoholic beverage. Children must choose from the children’s menu when one is available.

Each guest also gets a resort refillable mug each for the duration of their stay. You can have unlimited drinks refills from your home resort. This means that if you are staying at Animal Kingdom Lodge you would only be able to refill the mug at that resort. You can no longer take it to a different resort and get free refills.

The price of The Disney World Quick Service Dining Plan is unchanged from 2011 at:

$34.99 per day for adults
$11.99 per day for children aged 3 to 9

Disney Dining Plan

This will give guests 1 Table Service Meal, 1 Quick Service Meal and 1 Snack Credit for each day of their visit.

Guests on the Disney Dining Plan also get the resort refillable mug.

Prices for the Disney Dining Plan have increased since last year and are now:

$45.99 per day (Regular Season) and $47.99 per day (Peak Season) for Adults

$11.99 per day (Regular Season) and $12.99 per day (Peak Season) for Children aged 3 to 9.

A Table Service meal for breakfast includes an entree and a non alcoholic beverage. You can also have a buffet breakfast. For lunch and dinner you can choose an entree and a dessert, or a buffet. A non alcoholic beverage is also included.

There are some Signature Restaurants which will require 2 Credits. Examples of this are Cinderella’s Royal Table and Epcot Le Cellier Steakhouse

Gratuities are not included for the Table Service Meals except at Dinner Shows and Cinderella’s Royal Table. What this means is that you are going to have quite a bit of extra charge per day on gratuities for Disney restaurant meals.

Disney charges more at most restaurants for Peak Season. The currently announced Peak Season dates are:

2/16/12 – 2/25/12,
3/09/12 – 4/14/12
6/1/12 – 8/4/12,
12/21/12 – 12/31/12

Over the years Disney World has increased the Peak Season dates more and more so that is now covers quite a considerable period of the year.

In my opinion this Dining Plan is a much better value than the Quick Service Dining. If you budget allows, the Disney full service restaurants are a great experience and the Dining Plan really does mean that you can save some money.

Deluxe Disney Dining Plan

This offers the most options – and probably more food than you can actually eat! Each day you have credit for a total of 3 meals which can be either full service or quick service dining. So if you wanted 3 character buffets a day this would cover it.

You also get 2 Snacks per day and a resort refillable mug.

The pricing for the 2012 Deluxe Disney Dining Plan per day is:

$85.52 (Regular Season) and $89.52 (Peak Season) for Adults
$23.79 per day (Regular Season) and $25.79 (Peak Season) for Children aged 3 to 9.

Gratuities are not included so this could add quite a considerable amount onto your dining charges.

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Top 10 Disney World Hotel Resorts

January 7, 2012 By Alison 9 Comments

There are so many Disney World hotel resorts to choose from that it can get overwhelming when deciding where to stay for your vacation. Which Disney hotels are the very best? Of course it depends upon many things, which theme,location and of course budget suit you best. Here is my own Top 10 Disney World hotel selection.

Photo by expressmonorail

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

This has to win the top spot for unique hotels not just in Disney World but in the whole of North America. There really aren’t many places where you can step out on to your balcony and watch a giraffe or a zebra walk on by. This Deluxe Disney hotel is built around around a huge savannah where animals freely roam. As soon as you step into the lobby you feel as though you have stepped into a very different, and very relaxing world. It is a perfect haven away from the non stop activity of the theme parks.

Rooms in Animal Kingdom Lodge are not the largest at an average of 344 square feet, but if you get a savannah view this really makes up for the smaller space. The only downside is the location of the hotel as it is the most remote of all the Disney hotels. It is next to Animal Kingdom park but you have to take Disney transportation or rent a vehicle to drive there – there is no walking path.

If you are looking for something very different then Animal Kingdom Lodge should certainly be very close to the top of your list.

For a complete guide, lots of pictures and advice on how to pick the best rooms:

Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

If you are looking for a Disney hotel with a great location and sleek modern design then look no further than Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This is one of the original Disney World hotels and has recently undergone a complete refurbishment. You can’t get any closer to the Disney Magic Kingdom monorail – it actually runs through the hotel lobby! The rooms have contemporary design and are a generous size at an average of almost 400 square feet. Many of the rooms have great views of Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon, or of course the most coveted of Magic Kingdom.

The downside for some is that it simply isn’t ‘Disney’ enough. The decor lacks those essential Disney touches for some.

To learn more go to:

Disney Contemporary Resort

Art of Animation Resort

This one doesn’t even open until May 2012 but this is already in this Top 10. The much awaited new Disney Value resort is themed around some of the most popular recent Disney movies: The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Disney Pixar Cars, and The Little Mermaid. The Value resorts are a great choice for guests on a budget. Here you will find great motel style accommodation at a reasonable price, with all the advantages of staying on a Disney resort.

The Art of Animation Resort is likely to be the most popular not only because of it’s beautifully themed rooms but also because it offers a new kind of accommodation. The relatively budget friendly family Suites which will sleep up to 6 guests.

All of the Value resorts are very popular. They have a huge amount of rooms and are spread out over a big area. You can walk a long way to the pool, the bus stops and the counter service restaurant. But if you can live with all of these things you will get a Disney resort room at a budget price.

To find out more

Disney Art of Animation Resort Hotel

Disney Grand Floridian Resort and Spa

Photo by express monorail

The Grand Floridian is the most luxurious of the Disney hotels. Located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon it is ideally placed for access to the Magic Kingdom. Style and elegance are the influences here. Themed around the magnificent Victorian sea side resorts you will feel as if you belong whether you are wearing a dinner jacket or a Goofy Hat.

The rooms at the Grand Floridian are a very generous 440 square feet on average, and many have great views over the Lagoon and the Magic Kingdom. The resort has 2 beautiful swimming pools, tennis courts and of course the full service spa.

The Grand Floridian has some of the best restaurants in Disney World including Victoria and Alberts and Citricos. It is also home to one of the best character buffets at 1900 Park Fare.

Here is a guide to this deluxe Disney Hotel

Disney World Grand Floridian

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

The Wilderness Resort is another deluxe Disney hotel. This is perhaps the most architecturally stunning of all of the Disney resorts. It is modeled after the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone National Park and has a wonderful welcoming and relaxing atmosphere as soon as you arrive. It makes you feel as though you are in one of the great National Park lodges even though you are only minutes away from Magic Kingdom by bus or boat.

The rooms are beautifully furnished but at 340 square feet on average are the smallest of all the deluxe Disney resorts. The Wilderness Resort has all the features that you would expect from a luxury resort including 2 great swimming pools one of which has a water slide.

Artist Point is an excellent restaurant which has a great setting at Wilderness Lodge. There are other casual dining choices too although these are not as extensive as at other deluxe resorts.

Whilst it is a beautiful setting and close to Magic Kingdom, the Wilderness Lodge is the most isolated of all of the Magic Kingdom resorts. The access to the theme parks is by boat (to Magic Kingdom) or bus. If you are looking for the most convenient in terms of transportation then consider one of the Disney monorail resorts.

For a complete guide with full details of rooms and facilities click here:

Walt Disney World Wilderness Lodge Resort

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

The Coronado Springs resort is a great option for those guests looking for a Disney moderate hotel. With almost 2,000 rooms in three themed beautifully landscaped areas the resort is set around a 15 acre lake Lago Dorado. Originally designed to attract conference business this resort does have a slightly different feel to it than other Disney moderate resorts.

The rooms at 314 square feet are a good size (not much smaller than standard rooms at the deluxe Wilderness Lodge). All of the rooms are located in motel style buildings. All rooms were renovated in 2009.

The Coronado Springs main pool has a wonderful Mayan pyramid theme and features a 123 foot long Jaguar Water Slide. There are also 3 other quieter pools.

All of the Disney theme parks and attractions are within a short drive, with Blizzard Beach and Animal Kingdom being the closest. The eating choices are rather limited though. The Maya Grill is probably one of the most disappointing of all of the Disney resort restaurants. The Pepper Market offers counter service dining.

Disney Coronado Springs Resort

Disney Beach Club Hotel and Resort

The Beach Club is themed around a turn of the century New England style resort. It is ideally located within walking distance to Epcot, a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios and a bus ride to all other Disney World attractions. At 381 square feet the rooms are not the largest of the deluxe resorts but they are a good size.

One of the major attractions of Disney’s Beach Club is Stormalong Bay which it shares with it’s neighbor The Yacht Club. Stormalong Bay is regarded by most as the very best swimming pool of all of the Disney hotels and resorts. The pool, with it’s lazy river and water slide, became so well known that Disney had to impose extra security measures so non guests couldn’t use it! Now Stormalong Bay has a fence around it and you need your room key to access the area.

Disney’s Beach Club resort has it’s own restaurants including the very lively Cape May buffet restaurant. You are within very easy walking distance of many of Disney World’s best restaurants including all of the Epcot World Showcase dining choices and The Board Walk restaurants.

Here is a complete guide with pictures and more details

Disney Beach Club

Disney Caribbean Beach Hotel

The Disney Caribbean Beach hotel is another great choice if you are looking for a moderate hotel. It is well located close to Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios and Downtown Disney. This Caribbean themed hotel has a very up beat feel about it – it is an idea family orientated Disney hotel which has great motel style accommodation.

Like the Coronado Springs it is a very large resort with 2112 rooms on a 200 acre site. And just like Coronado Springs all the buildings are located around a 45 acre lake. This is perhaps a better choice for families for a moderate resort as it is rather more lively and colorfully themed than Coronado Springs. The disadvantage over the Coronado is that most of the Caribbean Beach rooms have 2 Full beds and not 2 Queens like the Coronado.

A major attraction of the Caribbean Beach resort is the Pirate themed rooms. These are in one of the buildings only and are of course priced at a premium.

Kids will love the Pirate themed central pool, and the adults may appreciate the quieter pools scattered around the resort.

For a complete guide go to:

Disney Caribbean Beach

Disney Polynesian Hotel Resort

Yes this is yet another of the deluxe Disney monorail resort hotels. They just can’t be beaten on location because of the easy access to Magic Kingdom and Epcot via the monorail. The Polynesian is located next to the Grand Floridian on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon. The theme of the lushly landscaped Polynesian is the South Seas and so you will find lots of tropical landscape, a sandy beach, and exotic waterfalls.

The Polynesian Resort has the largest rooms of all the Disney hotels at 410 to 476 square feet. A disadvantage though is that not all of the rooms have balconies. The Polynesian rooms also have great views. Some over the tropical pool, but others have great views over the Seven Seas Lagoon and Magic Kingdom.

The pool is small but very nicely themed and landscaped. The Nanea Volcano Pool is one of the nicest of any of the Disney World resort hotel pools with a waterfall, a slide and even a volcano.

There are some good restaurant choices both within the resort and of course within easy access by taking the monorail to the parks or the other resorts close by. The Polynesian is also home to the very popular dinner show The Polynesian Luau.

For a complete guide which includes how to find the very best rooms see

Polynesian Resort Disney World Florida

Disney Boardwalk Villas

Photo by express monorail

No Top 10 of Disney World Hotels would be complete without at least one of the Disney Villa Resorts included on the list. The Disney villas are a great choice if you have a larger party or are just looking for more space.

Disney’s Boardwalk Villas have an excellent location within easy walking distance of Epcot and a short boat ride to Disney Hollywood Studios. You can reach all of the Disney World theme parks, water parks and Downtown Disney by bus.

There are 383 Boardwalk Villas including studios, one bedroom, two bedroom and three bedroom Grand Villas. They are part of the Disney Vacation Club but they can also be booked by non DVC members.

The Luna Park Pool has a 200 foot water slide, there is a health and fitness facility and clay tennis courts available for use of Boardwalk Villa guests. There are lots of great Disney World restaurants within very easy reach on The Boardwalk, at Epcot World Showcase and in the other neighboring Disney resorts.

Whichever Disney World Hotel Resort you choose you can be sure of excellent themes, attention to detail and that very special Disney service.

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney Top 10, Disney World Hotels, EPCOT, Hotels Tagged With: , , ,

Disney Hollywood Studios Restaurants

December 20, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

There are some great Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants. Whether you are looking for elegant dining, traditional Italian home cooked style food, a fun character buffet, or great diner food and entertainment there is something for everyone in Disney Hollywood Studios dining choices. There are four full service dining choices in Disney Hollywood Studios. All can be reserved by calling 407 WDW DINE up to 180 days ahead.

Disney Sci Fi DIne in Theater

Photo by expressmonorail

If you are looking for a very unusual restaurant where the emphasis is on the entertainment (and some would say not so much on the food) then Disney’s Sci Fi Dine in Theater is the one for you. This is certainly one of the most uniquely themed restaurants in Disney World – guests dine in convertible car tables in front of a huge movie screen. Eat traditional American diner style food whilst watching 1950s Sci-fi B movies.

As a themed restaurant this one is a great choice. The food is pretty average and also on the pricey side, but you pay for the experience rather than the cuisine.

For a full review and a look at the menu go to Disney Sci Fi Dine in Theater

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

If you want good home style Italian cooking in a relaxed family atmosphere then Mama Melrose is the place to go. This is my favorite of all the Disney Hollywood Studios restaurants. The decor is really well done. As soon as you step into the lobby you will see the brick walls lined with photos of celebrities who have dined here. True, most of those were in the 1980s and your kids (and even you) may have difficulty recognizing who some of them are, but it all goes to creating a really special atmosphere. The open kitchen is also fascinating to watch. Take some time out to watch the chef’s busily preparing the flat breads.

The menu has a great selection of Italian food. The pastas are good and so are the flatbreads. And don’t miss the Gelato for dessert.

Click the link below to read a full review and see the menu.

Mama Melrose Ristorante Italiano

Disney Hollywood and Vine

If you have young children then you won’t want to miss breakfast or lunch at Hollywood and Vine when The LIttle Einsteins are in attendance. June, Leo, Hanny Manny and Special Agent Oso are there for breakfast and lunch. Be aware though that dinner does not have characters there.

The food is buffet style with plenty of choices. You will find the usual breakfast favorites such as scrambled eggs, pastries and of course Mickey Waffles. Lunch and dinner have a good choice of salads, entrees and sides. The desserts are always pretty good too!

For a complete menu and review click here: Disney Hollywood and Vine

Disney Hollywood Brown Derby

If you are looking for a very good standard of food in an elegant relaxed setting then this is a good choice. The decor and menu are modeled after the original famed restaurant in Los Angeles. Every restaurant in Disney World is family friendly but this one has the most grown up feel to it, so if you have young kids you might want to think about another choice (but I have taken all my kids there from being babies and it was no hassle).

For a review of the restaurant and the current menu go to Disney Hollywood Brown Derby

At all of the Disney Hollywood Studios Restaurants you can book the Fantasmic! Dining Package. On select nights at the park the spectacular Fantasmic! show is held in the 6000 seater auditorium. The only drawback to this amazing show is that to get a seat you have to arrive there at least 1 hour and sometimes up to 2 hours at very busy times. The Fantasmic! Dinner Package will get you into a reserved seating area (although not a reserved seat) so that you can arrive at the show 30 to 45 minutes ahead of time.

There are a limited number of Fantasmic Packages available each day and you can reserve by calling 407 WDW DINE up to 180 days ahead.

Whichever one of the Disney Hollywood Studios Restaurants you choose you are sure to have a great dining experience.

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Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Parks, Disney World Dining, Restaurants Tagged With: , , ,

The Muppets at Disney World

December 3, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

The Muppets have had a permanent home in Disney World with their own theater for the show Muppet Vision 3D in Disney’s Hollywood Studios since 1991. If you haven’t yet seen The Muppets new movie then I highly recommend that you do. I admit that although I watched The Muppets as a child and always enjoy Muppet Vision 3D I was rather reluctant to go the the movie theater to see the new movie. But my kids really wanted to go. And I am really glad that they did because this really is a great movie for all the family.

Photo by expressmonorail

The Muppets movie story is that the old gang has long since split up and gone their separate ways. Walter, a pupppet, his brother Gary played by Jason Siegel (definitely not a puppet) watch old episodes of The Muppets. They decide to take a road trip to LA with Gary’s girlfriend May (Amy Adams). The most important stop on their itinerary is the old Muppet Theater which is now very run down and neglected.

Walter learns of an evil plot to tear down the Muppet Theater. The only way to save it is if the old gang get back together for one final show. There are lots of funny moments which work for the kids and the grown ups. Walter and Kermit go on a quest to find The Muppets. Fozzie is in a tribute act The Moopets, Gonzo is a very successful businessman, and of course Miss Piggy has a very high profile job in the fashion world. It is just one of those movies which makes you smile, and even laugh out loud.

So I wonder how this will impact on the Muppet presence in Disney World. Muppet Vision 3D is a great attraction at Disney Hollywood Studios. It is popular but rarely is the wait more than 20 minutes as the capacity of the theater is usually enough to handle the amount of guests waiting in line. Guests are treated to a very funny pre show and then make their way into a replica of The Muppet Theater. Then a 3D movie featuring all your favorites, and of course Statler and Waldor heckling from the balcony.

Perhaps the success of the movie will mean the show at Disney Hollywood Studios becomes even more popular. This movie will have brought The Muppets to the attention of a whole new generation. The most likely effect will be longer wait times and more merchandise in the stores. There is already a small part of the store next to the attraction which is devoted to The Muppets but likely with the success of the movie Disney will have more merchandise in other stores around the parks. Hopefully they will be featured more. That would be great for Muppet fans young and not so young!

Filed Under: Disney Hollywood Studios, Disney Tips, Movies Tagged With: , ,

Where to Find Sleeping Beauty in Disney World

December 2, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Where can you find Sleeping Beauty in Disney World? Sleeping Beauty or Princess Aurora is a very popular Disney Princess and many guests hope to meet her in person when they visit Disney World. So where are the best places to find her?

Photo by lorenjavier

Sleeping Beauty in Disney Magic Kingdom

Sleeping Beauty is easiest to find in Magic Kingdom where she can be in one of a number of places. As with all Disney characters remember that you should check schedules the day that you arrive in the park and that character appearances are subject to change without notice.

Cinderella’s Royal Table

Cinderella’s Royal Table is the incredibly ocular restaurant inside Cinderella’s Castle in Magic Kingdom. Getting a reservation here is the most difficult of all the Disney restaurants. The combination of the attraction of dining inside the Castle and the chance to meet some of the Disney Princesses makes this the most difficult of all of the restaurants to get a reservation for in the whole of Walt Disney World. It isn’t just Cinderella who you will find here. Sleeping Beauty sometimes makes an appearance here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served at Cinderella’s Royal Table.

Photo by armadillo444

Disney Dreams Come True Parade at Magic Kingdom

This is one of the most popular parades in Disney World and it is held most days (usually around 3pm) in Magic Kingdom. Princess Aurora and her Princess friends make an appearance in each parade. This is one of the best chances to see the Disney Princesses but of course this is a parade so you can only watch them from afar. The Main Street Electrical Parade is another chance to see Aurora. This is not held every day so check your schedule for appearances.

Dream Along With Mickey

This is a must see show which takes place in the forecourt at the front of Disney’s Cinderella Castle each day. Usually there are 3 performances each day but as always check your schedule. Mickey and Minnie also appear in this song and dance show which includes Snow White, Cinderella and Princess Aurora.

Disney’s Storybook Princesses Town Square Theater

There is a good chance that you will be able to meet and greet Princess Aurora in the Town Square Theater. Even if Sleeping Beauty is not there then you will certainly be able to see one of her Disney Princess friends. Check your schedule for times. This is one of the best places for meeting the Disney Princesses without having to book a character dining meal.

Princess Aurora in Epcot

Over the years the Disney Princesses have made more and more appearances inside Disney’s Epcot and now it is one of the best places to go for a chance to see your favorite.

Disney Princess Storybook Dining at Akershus

Disney Princess Storybook Dining is one of the very best places to spend some quality time with the Disney Princesses. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Akershus restaurant in the Epcot Norway Pavilion there is a good chance that Sleeping Beauty will be there. Usually 4 or 5 Disney Princesses are there at any one time and can include Princess Jasmine, Snow White, Belle and Sleeping Beauty. There is no guarantee that a specific Princess will be there but there is sure to be at least one Princess on your favorites list.

Princess Aurora is also regularly seen outside the Epcot France Pavilion. This is an excellent place to meet both Belle and Sleeping Beauty as generally the lines are shorter than for meet and greet in Magic Kingdom. Look on your daily schedule for times.

Princess Aurora Outside the Disney Parks

There are few chances to see the Disney Princesses outside the Disney parks as they usually keep to Magic Kingdom, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. You won’t see Princesses inside Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

My Disney Girl’s Perfectly Princess Tea Party

This regal tea party is held each Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10:30am until Noon in the Grand Floridian Hotel Garden View Lounge. Hosted by Miss Rose Petal who is a rose from Sleeping Beauty’s garden this is a very special, and at $250 for one adult and one child, very expensive tea party. Any of the Disney Princesses can be there with Rose Petal but often it is Sleeping Beauty herself. This is a very popular event and the reviews are usually positive. It is recommended for girls aged 3 to 11 and is promoted as a mother daughter event. As well as being served tea, cake and sandwiches, girls receive a lot of extra goodies including a doll which is dressed just like Princess Aurora.

Who is your favorite Disney Princess? Have you had the chance to meet her yet? Leave me a Comment below.

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney Tips, Disney World Dining, Disney's Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Restaurants, Rides and Attractions Tagged With: , ,

New Disney World Special Offer on Room Rates 2012

December 1, 2011 By Alison Leave a Comment

Once again Disney has announced special discounts on room rates for the beginning of 2012 at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. There are 2 separate offers which offer different savings.

Offer 1

You need to book by Jan. 22, 2012, for stays most nights February 21st to March 8th, 2012. Book by February 28th, 2012 for stays most nights April 13 – May 24 and May 28 – June 14, 2012.

20% off All Star Sports, All Star Music, Pop Century, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Standard view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge

25% off Moderate Resorts Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach.

30% off Yacht and Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.

5% off most other resorts, including suites at the Deluxe resorts.

Offer 2

Book by 21st January for stays from 9th March to 31st March 2012 and from 25th May to 27th May 2012.

15% off All Star Sports, All Star Music, Pop Century, Fort Wilderness Cabins, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Standard view rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge.

20% off Coronado Springs and Caribbean Beach.

25% off Yacht and Beach Club, BoardWalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Villas and Boardwalk Villas.

30% off Saratoga Springs and Old Key West Resort.

5% off most other resorts, including suites at the Deluxe resorts.

As with any Disney World room discount offers there are subject to availability.

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Filed Under: Disney Parks, Disney World Hotels Tagged With: ,
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