Category Archives: Walt Disney World

Disney Deluxe – 5 Great Things About Animal Kingdom Lodge

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IMG_3196If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation, you have a huge variety of on-property resort choices available.  Just in the deluxe resort category alone, not counting Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Deluxe Villas, you have eight from which to choose as a home-base for your Disney vacation adventures.  I’ve seen and heard a lot of folks on Disney discussion forums, Twitter and Facebook asking about Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Is it a good place to stay?  YES!  Don’t let its off-the-beaten-path location deter you – it’s a beautiful, relaxing and very unique member of the Disney deluxe resort line-up.

FIVE Great Things about the Animal Kingdom Lodge!

1.  Gorgeous Lobby:  When you arrive at AKL and pass through its front entryway, be prepared IMG_3390for a breathtaking experience.  The 6-story high lobby is stunning!  Huge and open while still comfortable and inviting, the muted colors in this expansive, well-themed space welcome guests with an undeniable charm.  If you feel like standing right in the middle and slowly turning in a circle to take it all in – go ahead!  And don’t forget to look up too!

2.  Delicious, plentiful dining options:  The dining at AKL is so fantastic, we will eat here on every trip to WDW no matter where we’re staying.  It’s a perfect way to end the day at the Animal Kingdom Park as it’s just a short bus ride away.  Of all the restaurant choices at Disney World, I consider AKL’s dining options to be the most unique.  Don’t worry – Disney has a special way of making sure there’s something on every menu to satisfy even the pickiest of IMG_3213eaters and the menus at Animal Kingdom Lodge are no exception.   The Fam and I enjoy Boma – Flavors of Africa (buffet – home of the famous dessert called Zebra Domes) and Jiko – The Cooking Place (table service) so much, we’ve yet to try Sanaa (table service) although I hear it’s wonderful.  The Mara offers quick service dining and there are two lounges (Victoria Falls and Cape Town) as well as two pool bars (Uzima Springs and Maji).

3.  Relaxing, well-themed pool areas – Uzima Pool is an 11,000-square-foot oasis facing the Uzima Savanna. This pool offers gently sloping, zero-depth entry and a 67-foot-long waterslide.  At Kidani, the Animal Kingdom DVC Villas, you’ll find Samawati Springs Pool which, while smaller than Uzima, also offers zero-depth entry and has a 128-foot waterslide.  Swimming not your thing?  There are also playgrounds and jogging trails!IMG_0921

4.  Learning opportunities for everyone.  There are programs for children, special sunrise safaris (including adventures just for tweens and teens), evening fire-side African story telling and more.  The Fam and I have enjoyed meeting different Cast Members and learning about each one’s home country.

5.  Oh, yeah – ANIMALS! On three separate savannahs over 30 species of African wildlife are there – up close – for you to enjoy (no touching or feeding!).  If staying in a savannah-view room, you can watch the animals from your window.  If you don’t have a savannah-view, don’t worry.  Right off the resort’s gorgeous lobby is Arusha Rock, an elevated savannah overlook with great animal viewing all day long.

IMG_3231My two cents:  This is an incredible place to stay IF you have some extra time to invest.  To appreciate the Animal Kingdom Lodge fully, you must spend time there – on Arusha Rock, visiting with Cast Members to learn about Africa, enjoying unique table service meals, and lounging or swimming at one (or both) of the pool areas.  If you love resorts that are within walking distance of (or a short bus or monorail ride away from) your favorite park or if you spend all your Disney vacation time in the parks and none at the resort- Animal Kingdom Lodge is probably not for you.

Unfair and Unbalanced – Disney’s Hollywood Studios

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IMG_3131Today I’m launching a new type of review – the Unfair and Unbalanced Review.  I have found that for a generally (very) opinionated person like myself, one of the best things about having my own blog is that I can talk about whatever I like and express my opinion honestly.  You want a fair and balanced review of something Disney-related?  This may not be the place for you – you’re entitled to an opinion of your own here, too.

Today I offer you my Unfair and Unbalanced Review of Counter Service Dining Options at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  When I’m finished, I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions as well – please be as unfair and unbalanced as you like.

Here are the choices:

ABC Commissary – The last time we ate here was on the Dining Plan.  I remember nothing – means it wasn’t horrible, but wasn’t delicious either.  Currently there are not a lot of choices on the menu – burgers, seafood platter, or salad.

Backlot Express – More choices than the Commissary (and more ambiance, if you care about such).  Dogs, burgers, nuggets, and a couple of salads and grilled sandwich options.  Just okay.

Catalina Eddie’s, Rosie’s All Star Café, and Fairfax Fare – I’m lumping these IMG_3028three together, but don’t get the wrong idea.  It’s not because they’re poor choices for counter service – just the opposite, if fact.  They are all in the same area (Eddie’s and Rosie’s are side by side, Fairfax just a few steps away) and if The Fam and I want lunch in the Studios, this is where we head nearly every time.  Here’s why:  At rope drop, we make a beeline for Toy Story Midway Mania, then go straight to Rock’n’ Roller Coaster and Tower of Terror.  At that point, depending on the Fast Pass situation, it may be close to lunch.  If not, we’ll visit the shops on Sunset Blvd. until we’re ready to eat.  These eateries are in the Sunset Ranch Market on Sunset near the exits for RnRC and TOT and each, on their own, has pretty slim menu options… Combined there’s good variety.  With a great outdoor seating area and pretty tasty food – everyone can find something they like.  Raymond and I like the hot Italian deli sandwiches (over the pizza) from Catalina Eddie’s and the BBQ pork sandwich from Fairfax Fare (ribs and chicken are also on the menu there).  They’re good!  Rosie’s has burgers and nuggets (good for picky eaters).

Min and Bill’s Dockside Diner – This is where we go for beer.  I’ve heard the Italian sausage is good here too, but since it became tradition – I’ve only had the beer.

Pizza Planet – if you like pizza (or food) do not eat here.  Please, just trust me.  They call it pizza, but I’d rather just put a piece of cheese and some ketchup on a slice of Wonder bread and eat that.  If you like this restaurant, please don’t tell me.  I actually might think less of you.

DSCN2520Starring Rolls – THE choice for a mid-morning snack.  Perfect location as you start down Sunset Blvd, on the left next to The Hollywood Brown Derby.  Delicious, delightful treats can be found here.  If you’ve heard rumor of a Butterfinger cupcake – this is the place.

Studio Catering Company – This sandwich shop actually has some pretty decent choices of the pressed, wrapped, and grilled variety.  The downside for us is the location – it’s near nothing we care all that much about.  Near the entrances to Lights, Motor, Action and Backlot Tour (oh, how we used to love you) on one side and the Honey I Shrunk the Kids play area on the other.  On a crowded day at the park, this place would be a good bet as it’s out of the way and there’s lots of seating.

Toluca Legs Turkey Company – Yes, home of the gigantic smoked turkey leg.  Hot, greasy, meaty goodness.  Joseph eats one here almost every visit.  I ate one once.  Then I found out the fat gram and calorie count.  Seriously – I’m pushing 50 and my metabolism’s shot.  I must never eat one again.  You go right ahead though.

So – bottom line.  Our favorite choices for counter service at the Studios is over at the Sunset DSCN2572Ranch Market area near the end of Sunset Blvd.  You’ll find reasonably priced, tasty fare in a great location.  Toluca Legs is over there, too, if you just have to have one – don’t blame me if you go home heavier – I did try to warn you.

Weigh in!  (Hahahaha – I kill me!) What are your favorite counter service places at Disney’s Hollywood Studios?

 

 

 

Walt Disney World Vacations – What Happens When the Kids Grow Up?

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IMG_2128If you’re like me, you dreamed for a long time of the day when you would finally take your children to Walt Disney World for the first time.  You planned and prepped (and saved!) and looked forward to the trip with great anticipation.  When that magical day arrived, do you remember the look on their faces as they discovered all the fantastic reasons you were so excited to take them there?  They see Mickey Mouse in person!  They watch Tinker Bell fly!  They’re mesmerized by the Magic Kingdom’s afternoon parade.  That look of

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wonder is something that stays with you long after your vacation is over.  It’s a big part of what keeps calling you back and you think – it just can’t get any better than this!

Flash forward a few years.  Now you are a family of seasoned Disney World vacationers.  You get a big kick out of how well your little Disney experts navigate around the parks and how opinionated they are about their favorite rides, attractions, and restaurants.  They even help you plan where to stay and what to eat.  Hopefully, at this point, they’ve each grown to become every bit as big a Disney fan as you are.  You watch them race towards Splash Mountain after rope drop, speak perfect photo 3Spanish along with the Monorail announcer, and pose for pictures – maybe even joke around with their favorite characters and you think – it just can’t get any better than this!

A few more years pass in the blink of an eye and suddenly, your sweet little Disney travel buddies are all grown up.  Oh, sure, you still see them as your “children” but they have lives away from home that involve jobs and college classes that put big demands on their schedule.  Finding time for a Disney vacation was once so easy!  Now the logistics are challenging and, lets face it – how could vacationing at Disney World possibly be as much fun now that your children have grown?

Listen to me carefully – this is important.  You may need a little extra planning DSCN2522and creativity to make travel times and transportation work for everyone.  You will worry that it won’t be the same – things that seemed fun to an 10-year-old maybe won’t be as much fun now.  Push those worries aside.  All you’ll have to do is look at their faces – walking on Main Street USA toward Cinderella Castle, waiting – next in line to board Rock’n’ Roller Coaster, jumping into a Doom Buggy or trying not to laugh during the Jungle Cruise, finding out that they are the Rebel Spy or taking that first bite of a Mickey-shaped ice cream bar.  I promise…You will think to yourself – It just can’t get any better than this!

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Hooray for Disney’s Hoop-Dee-Doo

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IMG_5280If you are looking for a fun, family-friendly-dinner-and-entertainment all-in-one experience on your Walt Disney World vacation – you can’t beat the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review!  Described on Disney’s website as “A hilarious, high-spirited hootenanny the whole family will enjoy, accompanied by a finger-lickin’ countrified feast” – good food meets good fun at the Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground’s Pioneer Hall.

The Fam and I have seen the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review on more than one occasion and DSCN0976let me tell you – it is indeed hilarious and highly entertaining.  I put it to the true test for any type of entertainment and once brought along not one, but TWO 15-year-old boys.  If they gave it a “two thumbs up” rating (and they did), you know it’s absolutely fantastic!  They thought the show was corny – but in a really good way.  Added praise – They both asked to go again the next time we went to Disney World.

The Pioneer Players perform skits, sing, dance, and interact with the audience – it’s energetic, a little bit silly, and completely different from anything else at Walt Disney World.  The dinner lasts approximately 2 hours and while you’re eating, you’re bound to notice that the Pioneer Players clearly love what they do.  With colorful characters like Claire de Lune and Six Bits Slocum – children and adults alike are completely captivated!

IMG_5275If you’re using Disney transportation, you can catch a boat at the Magic Kingdom or at the Contemporary Resort and enjoy a tranquil and relaxing cruise across Bay Lake to the Campgrounds at Fort Wilderness.  Once the boat docks, it’s just a short walk to Pioneer Hall.  After checking in, you’ll be seated at your table and the all-you-care-to-eat, family-style dinner will begin.  Your server will bring cornbread, salad, baked beans, fried chicken, and BBQ pork ribs – all you want!  Soft drinks and, for adults 21 and over, beer, wine, and sangria are included.  Finally – the grand finale is Strawberry Shortcake – which is both a dessert and a musical production!

Pre-payment for the Hoop-Dee-Doo is required and prices are based on where you choose to DSCN0975sit.  Three seating areas are available:  Main Floor, Category 2, and Category 3.  The Main Floor puts you close to the stage on ground level.  Category 2 is either floor level (back and/or to the sides of Category 1) or balcony tables directly out from center-stage.  Category 3 is balcony seating to the right and left of the stage.  Prices range from $54.99 – $69.99 for adults (10 and older) and  $25.99-$34.99 for children, ages 3-9.  Show times are currently 4:00, 6:15, and 8:30 pm.  Yes, it may seem expensive and time-consuming, but there’s a reason this show has been running continuously since 1974 – it is delightfully excellent entertainment – and the food’s good too.

Have you ever been to see the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Review?  What did you think?