Category Archives: Walt Disney World

5 Things We Taught Our Kids at Disney World

Posted on by

5 Things We Taught Our Kids at Disney World

Dinoland-U.S.A.The Fam and I don’t consciously go on vacation to learn stuff.  Anytime we travel though, there’s an opportunity to experience new things – a byproduct of which is usually learning something.  Everyday life can be challenging.  Spending the time and money to travel, for us, means getting away from the stress of the daily grind and enjoying each other’s company in a way we can rarely experience at home.  This has been constant through the years and part of why we love to travel together.

1. Money is better spent on experiences – Even before this article hit social media, we whole-heartedly believed in this concept.  We weren’t going to be the family with a new car everyRM-Fun-on-the-Monorail couple of years – we drive a vehicle, on average, about 10 years (or longer).  The latest video games, a backyard pool or trampoline, dinners out every week, and expensive blue jeans were not in our budget.  It was easier to pass on things knowing we’d have incredible new experiences in our future.  We love Disney World and Disney Cruise Line.  The excitement of a new possession diminishes over time, unlike the memories of our collective vacation experiences (and the excitement of planning more of them for the future).

2. Waiting is easier when you learn to make it entertaining – Call us crazy, but some of ourThese Feet are TIRED best times have been in ride queues and on Disney transportation.  We look for hidden Mickeys, quiz each other on Disney trivia, search for tiny, magical details or special Disney touches (like footprints, funny signs and posters, sight gags).  We’ve learned to look up, look down, and just enjoy being in the moment.  Together.  At Walt Disney World.  (We also taught good manners at every opportunity, like giving up your seat on a bus for someone else.)

3. Eating dinner together as a family is one of the best things in life – and at are house, a rather rare occurrence.  We had super active kids!  During the early years of family DisneyRM-Meg-and-Joe vacations we realized that we loved having a sit-down meal together at the end of every day.  We could relax, recap the days’ excitements and highlights, discuss what we were most looking forward to for the next day, and enjoy some awesome Disney food and service.  If you asked, each of us would say that many of those meals are some of our most precious vacation memories.

4. Making friends with people from other countries and cultures is awesome – We were probably the most paranoid “stranger danger” parents on the planet, but we tried to demonstrate safe ways to interact with other guests and Cast Members while waiting in line, pin trading, sitting in a restaurant, or waiting for a parade or nighttime spectacular to start.  A common love for Disney usually brought us together and we had the pleasure of visiting a while and exchanging thoughts and opinions about favorite rides, attractions, shows.

wd008wdw2014146790617265. Facing and conquering fears is rewarding! – Megan was leery of heights and Joseph was mortally afraid of trying new foods.  Both were very unsure about character interactions.  When Megan learned to love the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Disney’s Hollywood Studios), we were there to cheer her on and see the pride and amazement she felt at overcoming her fear.  Joseph learned to try, and in many cases love, all kinds of seafood, cheeses, and exotic flavors (like wild boar and buffalo).  Both of them RM-Character-Breakfastovercame their wariness about meeting Disney characters.  This might not sound like a big deal, but believe me, it was.  The ability to draw upon these experiences when faced with challenges in everyday life has been invaluable.

As you can imagine, there were many more things we all learned on our Disney vacations, but I’ll save those for another day.  What’s the best thing you’ve learned (or taught) at Disney World?

Epcot’s Living With the Land

Posted on by

RM-Living-With-The-Land-SceneAs with each and every Walt Disney World attraction, Living With the Land will not appeal to everyone.  In truth, it’ll probably appeal to fewer folks than most rides and that’s just how it is.  It’s not breathtaking like Soarin’ or thrilling like Mission: Space and Test Track, but it IS unique and special in its own way.  It harkens back to Epcot’s roots (HA! You’ll get that one in a minute) and is both entertaining(-ish) and educational (but still fun).  Plus, it’s a realistic, behind-the-scenes look at the heart of Walt Disney World.

Decidedly slow-moving, Living With the Land takes guests on a boat tour.  No, not like Magic Kingdom’s Pirates of the Caribbean or Splash Mountain – this tour hasn’t got any singing animals nor does it take you to a world of make believe.  Living With the Land mostly keeps you in the here and now while, in it’s own unique and fascinating way, shows visitors how Epcot uses the most cutting edge agricultural and aqua-cultural techniques to feed Walt Disney World guests.  It’s also packed with lessons on the effects of climate and environment on organic food production.RM-Living-With-The-Land-Production-and-Research-Sign

If Living With the Land sounds boring to you, you’re not alone.  Many people pass up what certainly sounds like a major snooze-fest.  I’d like you to reconsider.  It will eat up a whopping 15-or-so minutes of your Epcot day, but there’s rarely a wait!  The Land pavilion has Soarin’ and one of my favorite snack places, Sunshine Seasons (chocolate croissant, just a suggestion), but if you need a break, want to relax, are tired, hot, or trying to maybe save your legs for a runDisney event, you really can’t ask for a better attraction than Living With the Land!RM-Living-With-The-Land-Tunnel

The tour is made up of two halves – the first explains the Earth’s different agricultural environments and challenges.RM-Living-With-The-Land-Scene RM-Living-With-The-Land-Landscape-SceneRM-Living-With-The-Land-Buffalo-SceneThe second part (which is SO cool!) shows how Epcot raises large quantities of produce to use in Epcot’s Garden Grill and Sunshine Seasons restaurants and demonstrates the use of soil-less and other modern agricultural techniques to reduce the use of natural resources and incorporate natural pest control.RM-Living-With-The-Land-Produce RM-Living-With-The-Land-Greenhouse RM-Living-With-The-Land-Banana-Plant RM-Living-With-The-Land-Agriculture-AreaThere are also displays of modern aquaculture – I’m talking tanks of fish!  Interesting-looking giant “vats” of eels, catfish, tilapia and more.  There is also an alligator-raising area.RM-Living-With-The-Land-Aquaculture-Area RM-Living-With-The-Land-Fish

So maybe your FastPass for Soarin’ isn’t good for the next 20 minutes – whatever the reason, you should consider hopping a boat for the Living With the Land experience.  There’s a little bit of something for everyone and, even if you’re not into educational vacation experiences, you’re bound to see something interesting.

Have you ever tried Living With the Land before?  What did you thing about it?

 

Walt Disney, Horses, & Tri-Circle-D

Posted on by

RM-Tri-Circle-D-Walt-Disney-and-HorsesAfter our recent exploration of Fort Wilderness via Segway (Wilderness Back Trail Adventure), we were elated to have discovered all the amazing treasures we never knew existed at Fort Wilderness.  We also felt sorry that we’d previously only considered Fort Wilderness “the place we go to see Hoop-Dee-Doo”.

One of the best tour stops was at the Tri-Circle-D stables where we had the pleasure to hear more about the amazing horses of Walt Disney World and see some incredible Disney memorabilia.  Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic as he took the time to show us the wonderful treasures found there.  I can’t believe we’d never heard details about Walt Disney’s love of horses and how they shaped is life.RM-Tri-Circle-D-Stable-Display-Case RM-Tri-Circle-D-Stable-Photo-Alcove

Just inside the entrance to the stable, an alcove on the right displays a variety of objects and photos.  The pictures capture a very happy Walt Disney and clearly show his love for horses.  RM-Tri-Circle-D-Pic-Walt-and-Polo RM-Tri-Circle-D-Pic-Walt-and-Wagon RM-Tri-Circle-D-Pic-Western-WaltAn avid horseman, Walt suffered a serious polo injury in the late 1930’s that fractured vertebrae in his neck.  This injury prevented him from continuing to enjoy riding, caused him lifelong pain that worsened over the years, and culminated in Walt seeking medical attention to relieve the unbearable discomfort caused by a buildup of calcium deposits on the back of his neck.  Hospital x-rays led to the discovery of the lung cancer that brought about the end of Walt Disney’s life.  A sad story, true, but seeing Walt Disney’s beaming face in picture after picture with his beloved horses was unexpectedly moving.

On the left side of the stable, before the stalls begin, is an enclosed area that houses the Dragon Calliope.  RM-Tri-Circle-D-Disney-Calliope RM-Tri-Circle-D-Pic-Calliope-in-UseThis gorgeous “vehicle” is described on the Disney website as, “the horse-drawn musical instrument that Walt Disney purchased for the Mickey Mouse Club Circus Parade at Disneyland Park in the 1950s.” – It might not sound like much, but it was really beautiful in person with amazing details.RM-Tri-Circle-D-Stables

And, as you’d expect, the stables also house actual horses.  Again, from the Disney site, the horses of Disney World include, “Appaloosas, Arabians, Belgians, Clydesdales, paint horses, Percherons and quarter horses, plus Shetland ponies”.  RM-Tri-Circle-D-Name-Sign-RookieA sign on each stall displays the horse’s name and any special dietary needs they possess.  Guests are prohibited from petting or feeding the horses, but that didn’t keep those gorgeous animals from being friendly and curious enough to take a break from munching hay to stick their heads out and say hello.  RM-Tri-Circle-D-Horse-Black RM-Tri-Circle-D-HorseImpeccably clean and well-tended, both the stable and its residents are as perfect as they can be.RM-Tri-Circle-D-Horse-Care RM-Tri-Circle-D-Harness RM-Tri-Circle-D-Hidden-Mickey

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and find a free afternoon to spare, I can’t think of a better way to experience some very special Disney magic than by visiting Fort Wilderness and the Tri-Circle-D Ranch.  If you’re interested in horseback riding, wagon, or carriage rides, details are available here.

Have you seen the Tri-Circle-D at Fort Wilderness?  What do you remember most about it?

Thought for Food – Choosing a WDW Restaurant

Posted on by

RM-Be-Our-Guest-Stained-GlassI’ve been trying to imagine what it would be like to plan a Walt Disney World vacation for the first time.  How overwhelming!  With no prior experience to draw from, choosing a resort would be exciting, but really and truly challenging!  At the 180-day mark, when the Advance Dining Reservation (ADR) system opened up for my first visit, I think I’d have a terribly difficult time selecting any, much less several, places to eat!  I like food and Walt Disney World has some truly wonderful restaurants!

Thought for Food – Choosing a WDW Restaurant

Quick service counters, snack carts, signature dining, World Showcase kiosks…so many choices, so little time!  I mean, unless vacation will last months and funds are unlimited, some tough decisions will need to be made.  The first decision has got to be whether or not any Table Service, Signature Dining, or Dinner Shows will be on the agenda.  Booking those reservations six months in advance may seem completely ridiculous (I got used to it, you can too), but it’s seriously necessary if any particular dining experiences are on your must-do list and you want to pick the day and time.RM-Yachtsman-Dining-Room

In the Table Service or Signature Dining categories, these three:  ‘Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort), Be Our Guest (Magic Kingdom), and Le Cellier (Epcot World Showcase, Canada Pavilion) are constantly in extremely high demand.

My two cents:

‘Ohana is a very popular, all-you-care-to-eat, Brazilian Barbeque-style family restaurant.  It’s worth the hype, give it a try.  There’s little chance you would ever get in without an ADR – this place is awesome for a Magic Kingdom day.  Catch the monorail, eat, and if you’re up for it, head on back for Wishes or the Main Street Electrical Parade…or even just a few more rides and attractions.

RM-Be-Our-Guest-Grey-Stuff-Master's-CupcakeBe Our Guest – Also for a Magic Kingdom Day.  You should try very hard to get either breakfast or lunch reservations because the very best thing this place has going for it is the décor.  Don’t misunderstand me – you really need to see Be Our Guest if you liked Beauty and the Beast even a little.  This is the most incredibly themed restaurant I’ve ever seen and I loved the details in each room.  That being said,  dinner is over-priced and over-hyped.  (Full review here.)  Save those dinner Table Service credits or dollars for tastier fare. NOTE:  The FastPass referenced in my review has been discontinued.  Advance Dining Reservations at Be Our Guest are now accepted for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (breakfast & lunch are quick-service, dinner is table service).RM-Le-Cellier

Le Cellier (Epcot) – for the money (or the two-table-service-credits), there are MANY better places to eat a steak.  I’d pass and not feel a smidge of regret if I were you.  I’ve eaten many a meal in Le Cellier, but the past couple of visits did not measure up to earlier great experiences.  The dining room is crowded and the tables are extremely close together, the food is okay, but not a good value.  If you want alternatives, leave a comment and I’ll suggest some other choices. (Yachtsman Steakhouse at the Yacht Club would be at the top of my list.)RM-Yachtsman-Steakhouse

Back to planning – Most quick/counter service meals can be planned (but usually, except for Be Our Guest, cannot be reserved) in advance.  You can pre-screen places based on reviews, menus, or dietary needs OR, you can just go with what’s nearby when hunger strikes – an excellent option for non-picky or diet-restricted families.  I love go-with-the-flow opportunities, but I try to keep places I’d like to try in mind.RM-Yak-&-Yeti-Fried-Rice

One last thing – I know I’ve been talking about the importance of making dining plans, but please do not let a little thing like the inability to get a reservation at a particular restaurant ruin your vacation!  In the grand scheme of things, Walt Disney World is so fantastic, you need not count on a particular dining experience to make or break your trip.  Don’t hesitate to ask me if you need more info – you know I’ve got opinions to spare and will be happy to help you any way I can.  Detailed information on the Disney Dining Plan options can be found here.

If you’ve been to Walt Disney World before, what’s your best tip on planning where to eat?