Category Archives: Walt Disney World

Polynesian Village Bora Bora Bungle-Oh’s

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Polynesian-Great-Ceremonial-House-SignDon’t fret!  This post is not a negative one about the new DVC accommodations at the Polynesian Village Resort (aka the Poly).  I just needed a snappy title.  The Disney fan world is all a Twitter (see what I did there?) about what the pricing will be for the water-front Bora Bora Bungalows.  It’s going to be steep!  Like way out of my price-range.  Sounds like, in order to stay in a Bungalow, you need to be rich.  I’m talking Arabian-prince-oil-tycoon-old-money rich.  Not going to lie – when my ship comes in, if it’s not a garbage barge, I would want to stay in one of those Bora Bora Bungalows…but….

To justify the price, I’d need certain, shall we say, ancillary perks to actually make me feel The-Fam-Polynesian-Vacationlike I was getting my money’s worth.  See, according to what I’ve heard, staying a single night in one of these enormous (1650 square feet including deck) luxury, over-the-water buildings will cost me between $2100 and $3000 depending on when I travel.  That’s right – I said ONE NIGHT will cost me thousands of dollars!  I like the Poly well enough – love the history, the ambiance, the restaurants, that it’s original and on the monorail loop, but let’s be completely serious – I’m not even remotely interested in staying in a “room” at Walt Disney World for thousands of dollars a night…unless…

Here are the FIVE things I’d have to have in a Bora Bora Bungalow at the Polynesian to pay the going rate:

1.  A Butler – Okay, maybe not a butler 100% of the time, but when I’m in my thousands-of-dollars-a-night place, I want someone at my beck and call that will take care of any unpacking, cleaning up, clothes pressing, laundry needs – anything I may want at any time.

2. Concierge Service that would get me ADRs (Advance Dining Reservations), FP+ (FastPass+) bookings, tickets to Cirque de Soleil La Nouba (or any other show in the Orlando area), help me with transportation, medical emergencies, etc.

3. The “Plunge Pool” had better be full of miracle water – It’s called a “plunge pool”, not a hot tub.  I’m paying a fortune to stay in a room that sleeps up to eight – we’d all better fit comfortably with no awkward invasion of personal space in these oddly-named, under-detailed containers-of-water or I’m going to be irked.  When I exit said pool, I want to feel refreshed while looking both younger, taller, and thinner.

4. Massage Chair with Foot Massage – I want the latest technology.  I want to be able to recline RM-Mickey-Pretzelin a massage chair while soaking my aching feet in a warm, soothing foot-bath that also massages my feet.  When I get up, I want to be re-energized and rejuvenated – completely ready for the next day’s adventures.

5. Food!  At that price, I ought to be entitled to all-I-care-to-eat room service when I’m enjoying the comfort of my room.  I also feel a fully stocked mini/snack bar is in order (for no additional charge).  I’m paying for a front row seat to Wishes across the lagoon and I want whatever snacks, beverages, and desserts I choose…delivered to me by my butler.

Will you pay the price to stay in the new Bora Bora Bungalows?  What would you want for the cost?

Shortest, Strangest Visit to Walt Disney World

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Epcot-StatueWith just a couple of weeks to go and a whole lot to accomplish between now and then, I can already tell you that we’re about to make our shortest, strangest visit to Walt Disney World.  I almost can’t imagine how different it will be from all our other Disney vacations.  I’m beyond thrilled to finally get to combine two of my favorite things, running and Disney, but I’m murky on some of the details – for an obsessive planner like me, this is making me nervous.

I’ve been pouring over information about what to expect for my first runDisney events and, after exhaustive research, still feel like I’ll have to experience it to understand how it all works – I’m certain the 5k and Glass Slipper Challenge will be amazing experiences (even if I don’t dress like a princess).  I am a little concerned by how early I’ll have to go to bed to be up and ready to catch a bus to the race site each morning – I’ve never been a person who can get by on little sleep.  I tend to completely run down my battery everyday (surprised?) and need an 8-hour recharge to function!  I don’t want Raymond’s mini-vacation completely ruined by my race schedule – though he is and has always been my biggest fan for every event I’ve ever raced (and there have been dozens).  I know he’ll be there for me, same as always, but I want him to have a great time, too.RM-Running-Clothes

Here’s what’s the most difficult for me – I have no idea realistically what time I’ll be finished running, back to Bay Lake Tower, cleaned up and ready to do some Disney activities.  We have booked fastpasses each day and also at least one ADR (Advance Dining Reservation).  I know I’m supposed to try to rest my legs and feet as much as possible, so we wont be touring each park in our usually manner.  I’m counting on the fact that I’ve been a runner for 17+ years – hoping my legs will just do their thing without much complaining.  5k, 10k, half-marathon = 22.4 miles, spread out over three days.  Plus, I’m not concerned with race times, that’s the one big lesson I’ve learned in all my research – I’ll be concerned with having fun!

So, as I’ve done in the past, here are our plans for each day – see if you’d change anything and let me know if this all sounds do-able to you.

RM-7DMT-Train2Thursday (arrival day) – Magic Kingdom in the afternoon, FastPasses for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, Space Mountain, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Catching the monorail to the Polynesian Village Resort for dinner at Kona Café (first time for us!).

Friday (Princess 5k) – Epcot in the afternoon, FPs for Spaceship Earth, The Seas wit Nemo & Friends, and Soarin’.  Dinner at Le Cellier.  (See how I’m trying to minimize walking so far?)

Saturday (Enchanted 10k – I like that name, makes it sound easy!) – After Raymond and I had that fantastic experience with the massage for two at Senses back in October, he suggested I book another massage between the 10k and half-marathon to help reduce any pain and muscle tension.  Naturally, he volunteered to come with me and keep me company.  So we have an appointment in the early afternoon for another massage forRM-Grand-Floridian-Senses-Sign two and this time, we’re adding the reflexology session (hands and feet).  Then we plan to hit Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  We’ve got FPs for Tower of Terror, Star Tours, and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster.  Dinner at the Swan’s Il Mulino, which is another first for us.  I’ll need carbs, it’s Italian, we’ve been wanting to try it – this is working out well!

Sunday (Princess Half Marathon) – I’m pretty sure I’ll be starving after 13.1 miles, so we’ve booked an ADR at Yak & Yeti in Animal Kingdom to try the table service for lunch.  Since Animal Kingdom is so huge and requires a lot of walking, I thought it best to save it until after I was finished running all the events.  We’ve got FPs for Kilimanjaro Safari, Expedition Everest, and Dinosaur.  Our final dinner ADR is at the Yacht Club’s Yachtsman Steakhouse.  I want to compare it to our Le Cellier dinner and see which one we like best.  We’ve been to Le Cellier many times, but Yachtsman will be another first for this trip.

That’s it!  Does it sound doable?  Am I crazy?  Our dinner ADRs are all really early (around 6 pm each day) – I’m hoping to be asleep by 8-ish each evening.  What pitfalls exist in my plan?

 

 

Ode to Walt Disney World’s PeopleMover

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RM-PeopleMover-Outside-SignDiehard Disney fans!  What’s the Tomorrowland attraction we love the most?  Is it Space Mountain? Nope, not that one.  Buzz Lightyear and his Space Ranger Spin?  No, that’s not it.  Ask around among long-time Disney lovers and one attraction stands out as a traditional, perennial favorite – The PeopleMover!  It’s not very thrilling, it’s not speedy, hilly, or packed with special effects or fancy animatronics.  Why, then, is it so popular?  Glad you asked!RM-PeopleMover-Track

There’s just something so DISNEY about riding the PeopleMover.  Originally, the ride was called the WEDway PeopleMover when it debuted in 1975 (WED = Walter Elias Disney).  Now it’s officially named the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover and also affectionately know as the TTA.  The cars, powered by eco-friendly linear induction, move silently along a mile-long route around Tomorrowland.  During this 10-minute tour, you’ll have a chance to rest your feet or even catch a quick nap if you like.  The views are great and include a peek into both Space Mountain and Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin.  Day or night, there’s rarely a wait for this hidden gem of an experience.  On our most recent visit to the Magic Kingdom, we rode the PeopleMover late one morning to dry off after getting soaked on Splash Mountain.  We may RM-PeopleMoverhave been the only riders at that time and we loved every minute of it.

A few days ago, I invited my friends over on Twitter to show their love for the PeopleMover by writing a haiku in tribute – the speed at which these awesome works of poetic artistry were tweeted back to me is a testament to how passionately we Disney fans feel about our most beloved Tomorrowland attraction.  You know when some of my favorite podcast hosts are writing poetry on Twitter, they are serious about their favorite attraction! (If you aren’t currently listening to the Mighty Men of Mouse, the WDW Northeast Podcast, or the Por Favor Podcast, you should be!)

Ode to Walt Disney World’s PeopleMover (Many thanks to Dutch, Dean, Gary, Deb, and Heather!)

Zero incline track
Breezy Tomorrowland views
There’s never a line – Dutch Lombrowski (@DutchLombrowski) Host, Mighty Men of Mouse

Slow but exciting
See true Disney history
Love to ride at night – Dean (@CT_Mickey_Man) Host, WDW NE Podcast

Every single time
You hope Space Mountain is lit
Darn, perhaps next ride – Por Favor Podcast (@PorFavorPodcast)

Oh, PeopleMover we love thee
You give us a break from walking
Please keep on moving us – DisneyDeb (@DisneyDeb67)

Ever moving round
People watch, photo op spot
Tomorrowland fave – Heather Lebischak (@HLebischak), contributing writer as “Tangled Diva”, Tips from the Disney Divas and Devos.

What about you?  Is the PeopleMover a must-do attraction for you?  RM-PeopleMover-Seat

Springtime in Epcot

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Today Nick and Barbie take us far away from the cold winter weather to see Epcot in bloom!  If you have an upcoming visit to Walt Disney World scheduled, the Epcot International Flower and Garden Festival runs from March 4 – May 17, 2015.  Nick and Barbie can be found at the Disney Musings Blog / Disney Musings on Twitter / Disney Musings on Instagram / Disney Musings on Facebook

Springtime in Epcot

By: Nick

Back in March of 2014, Barbie and I took a cruise, with one of our stops being Cape Canaveral. We took an excursion over to Epcot to have lunch at Le Cellier and to photograph the topiaries throughout the park for the International Flower and Garden Festival, which officially started on March 5th and runs through May 18th.

Spring arrives today in the Northern Hemisphere, so I thought it would be the perfect time to share some photos of those topiaries, as well as other flowers in bloom.

Directly behind Spaceship Earth, we find these beauties depicting Mickey, Minnie, and Pluto.

The flowers around and in the water features in Future World are beautiful.

Heading into World Showcase, we are greeted by Sorcerer Mickey, as well as other characters from Fantasia.

Around to Canada, we find Bambi, Flower, and Thumper.

 
The gardens in Canada are lovely regardless of time of year.
The United Kingdom has several Topiaries as well as a Tea Garden.
Around to France, where there are Princesses and their Princes, as well as trees blossoming.
Beauty and the Beast topiaries can also be found here as well.

Continuing around World Showcase, we have Miss Piggy and Kermit, promoting “Muppets Most Wanted”, which opens in theaters tomorrow!

In Germany, we are greeted by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

Even though Barbie and I took several photos of this display, we managed to miss getting a photo of Happy.

Rafiki and Simba at the Outpost.
Pandas in China and a troll in Norway.

There were a few areas that weren’t yet viewable when we were there, as well as topiaries we probably missed, so there is even more to enjoy at Epcot if you visit during the Flower and Garden Festival!