Tag Archives: Disney Travel Tips

Five Ways to be an Awesome Parent at WDW

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Ready for Toy Story Midway Mania Sure, it’s plenty easy to consider yourself a pretty darn amazing parent for just handling the logistics and footing the bill for a family vacation to Walt Disney World – and you’d be sort of right.  It IS a big deal to plan and pay for a Disney vacation these days, I’ll give you that.  But if you want to get the most out of these trips, you have to keep a few things in mind.  Yeah, I’m showing my age again, but I have been taking my children on Disney vacations for almost 20 years – benefit from my mistakes and pay close attention now.

Five Ways to be an Awesome Parent at Walt Disney World…

1.  Stay out of the shops – Your family will be exposed to a toy, treat, or souvenir buying opportunity about every six feet while visiting each park.  Balloon vendors, Disney pin kiosks, souvenir carts, pre-parade light-up-toy sellers…the temptation to buy is literally everywhere!!!  If you don’t intend to purchase something every ten minutes, try not to expose little ones to so many opportunities for you to say NO!  I’m aware that you cannot exit many rides without passing through a gift shop, but over-exposure to all that merchandise is a meltdown waiting to happen.  Cut down on this by pre-purchasing some sale t-shirts or dollar-store Disney items before you ever leave home & bring those with you as special treats.  If you need to shop, try to do it on your own.Balloon Vendor on Main Street U.S.A.

2. Put your smart phone or tablet away – I know those devices have become an enormous part of everyday life, but if ever there was a time to focus on the little people you’re raising, it’s while you’re away from home.  There is so much to take in at Walt Disney World, so many opportunities to focus on new and exciting (and sometimes scary) things – what a great gift we can give our kids if we stay in the moment, relaxed and happy, soaking it all up with them.  Think for a minute how lonely it might be to be much shorter than those around you all the time (or being confined to a stroller) while the people you love most in the world are constantly texting or filming a parade or show instead of enjoying this time with you, on your level.DSCN3755

3. Make wait times family times – As a lifelong habitual people-watcher, I tend to notice what other people do while waiting in line.  Most of them are doing nothing but looking bored or unhappy or impatient.  We like to talk.  To each other.  We might ask “ice breaker” questions – open-ended queries intended to make us think about or look for particular things.  This is where Disney trivia, Hidden Mickeys, looking up, looking down, and focusing on those magical Disney details will help you raise a new generation of Disney fans.In line at Disney

4. Get drenched – Little ones love those resort pools, water rides and parks, and splash-and-play areas.  These are especially fun and exciting at Walt Disney World.  Stop worrying about how you look and what you’re wearing.  Plan ahead so you have no excuse not to jump right on in there and play!  Nobody cares about your hair or makeup except YOU.  Hats, sunglasses, quick-drying clothing, and water-friendly shoes are invaluable.  Take the time to gear up and be ready to have a soaking good time!  These are the times your kids will remember most.Kali River Rapids / Disney's Animal Kingdom

5. Have fun and don’t be crabby – Part of being the parent sometimes involves the challenge of letting things go.  Let go of worry, stress from home that may have followed you on vacation, irritation from getting less-than-magical service, being hot, bored, lost, hungry – you get the idea.  Fake it ’til you make it if you have to, but put on a happy face, focus on the positives, and remind yourself that your offspring’s childhood is but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of things.  You don’t get a do-over on these memories – make ’em count.

Let me hear from you!  What are your best tips for being an awesome parent at WDW?

Thought for Food – Choosing a WDW Restaurant

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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?

Fort Wilderness Adventures

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RM-Fort-Wilderness-Sign2First of all, I’d like to formally apologize to Fort Wilderness fans.  I’ve raved about the Hoop Dee Doo and shared Barbie and Nick’s experience in a Fort Wilderness Cabin, but I’d never taken the time to visit and explore Fort Wilderness until recently…and for that, I’m sorry.  I never realized what a remarkable, fantastic, unique and FUN place Fort Wilderness is – so different from the other Disney World Resort properties, yet possessing every bit of that Disney magic that we know and love.

What prompted us to finally visit Fort Wilderness for a look around?  Our second day of being stranded at Walt Disney World by winter weather at home.  On the first day, we decided to make the most of our One More Disney Day with action-packed park fun.  When cancelled flights meant yet another opportunity to play, we decided to do something we’d heard about, but had never made time for.  I’d long thought the off-road Segway adventure at Fort Wilderness would be great fun – this extra day was the right time to give it a try.RM-Boat-to-Fort-Wilderness

A wonderful Cast Member at Bay Lake Tower’s front desk helped us book our Wilderness Back Trail Adventure.  We didn’t have much time to spare, so we grabbed some breakfast at the Contempo Café and made our way to the Contemporary’s boat dock.  Captain Howard was just getting ready to make the crossing to Fort Wilderness, so we hopped aboard and enjoyed being the only passengers on this particular cruise.  If you need a break from a busy day at Magic Kingdom, I strongly recommend walking or catching the monorail to the Contemporary and taking a leisurely boat ride on Bay Lake.  So relaxing!!!

Once we’d bid Captain Howard goodbye, we needed to figure out how to get to the “Bike Barn” – home to our Segway adventure.  Fort Wilderness is HUGE!  So large, in fact, that the resort relies heavily on an internal bus system and a brisk golf cart rental business to move guests throughout the resort.  RM-Fort-Wilderness-Map1We found the bus we needed (could take Orange or Yellow to reach the stop near the Bike Barn) and hopped on.  Arriving at our stop, we stepped down and were completely and totally charmed.  Amid the very heart of Walt Disney World’s hustle and bustle is a wilderness oasis.RM-Fort-Wilderness-Grounds2RM-Fort-Wilderness-SquirrelTrees dripping with Spanish moss, waterways made for leisurely canoe-paddled explorations, a wonderful pool and recreational areas full of a variety of entertainment choices.  How did we not know what Fort Wilderness had to offer before now!?!?!  On our way to the Bike Barn, we checked out the pool, the paths, and waterways.RM-Fort-Wilderness-Waterway2 RM-Fort-Wilderness-Waterway1 RM-Fort-Wilderness-Pool1 RM-Fort-Wilderness-Pool2It was quiet, but kids were roller skating, guests were out for a stroll or a bike ride; the overall atmosphere was one of the relaxed recreation of a summer camp.RM-Fort-Wilderness-Sign3RM-Fort-Wilderness-Fishin'-Sign

At the Bike Barn, we filled out some paperwork for our Segway tour and found we had about 45 minutes to continue our explorations before it was time to meet our guides.  RM-Fort-Wilderness-Bike-Barn RM-Fort-Wilderness-Bike-Barn-Activities-MenuWe noticed guests could rent carts, kayaks, canoes, bicycles, and book guided fishing tours – Fort Wilderness offers visitors a lot of alternatives to spending time in the parks!  The outdoor theater is surely a popular place in the evenings.  Guests can join Chip and Dale for an evening around the campfire that includes refreshments and a movie.  (Details here.)RM-Fort-Wilderness-TerminusThis, among some of the other activities Fort Wilderness offers, is one I absolutely want to try in the future.  Never one to pass up an opportunity to shop, we stopped in at the Meadow Trading Post for a look around.  RM-Fort-Wilderness-Meadow-Trading-Post RM-Fort-Wilderness-Meadow-Trading-Post-InteriorAgain, like everything else at this resort, we found a unique and different experience.  This was not the average cookie-cutter store that has become typical at so many Disney World resorts.  The Trading Post was stocked with a great selection of themed merchandise arranged in clever displays.RM-Fort-Wilderness-Mugs RM-Fort-Wilderness-Hat-Shopping RM-Fort-Wilderness-ShirtsOf course I wanted to try on some of the hats and do some pin trading with the Cast Members at the checkout counter.  RM-Fort-Wilderness-Ranger-HatBefore long, it was time to head back to the Bike Barn and set off on an even bigger adventure.  I’ll be back to give a review and tell you all the details of the Wilderness Back Trail Adventure one day soon.

Are you a Fort Wilderness fan?  What’s your favorite thing to do there?

Walt Disney World’s Park Hopper – Part 2

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IMG_6795In a previous post, I listed five great reasons to purchase the park-hopper ticket upgrade at Walt Disney World.  Today I’ll give you five great reasons NOT to buy park-hopper tickets.  I know!  It sounds like I can’t make up my mind, but, as I pointed out in that earlier post – the necessity (or not) of the park-hopper option all depends on where you are in your life, how you like to eat on vacation, and what Disney World touring style you favor.

Park-hopping is not a necessity.  In fact, if you consider yourself firmly in one or more of the following categories, it’s an extra expense you may not need.  Save that money for better restaurants or more souvenirs!  You can still have a stellar vacation without the stress of jumping from park to park.

Five Reasons NOT to Purchase Disney’s Park-HopperRM-Liberty-Belle-HM-Queue 1. You only have 4 or 5 days at Walt Disney World – There are four parks and each is completely deserving of an entire designated day.  Have children?  Spend that fifth day in Magic Kingdom to hit the attractions and sights you may have missed earlier.  Love Epcot?  Spend that fifth day exploring World Showcase to your heart’s content.  One park per day – with some careful planning – will allow you to focus the experiences you most want to try, while also allowing time to soak up the atmosphere and amazing Disney details.RM-Grand-Floridian-Entrance 2. You know your favorite restaurants are not in the parks.  Your day may look like this:  Spend the day in Magic Kingdom before hopping on the monorail to eat dinner at ‘Ohana (Polynesian Village Resort) or Chef Mickey’s (Disney’s Contemporary Resort), then pop back over to the Magic Kingdom to close out the night!  Spend all day at Animal Kingdom, then grab the bus over to the Animal Kingdom Lodge for an evening of more animal viewing on the savannah overlook and dinner at Boma or Jiko.  Get the idea?  Maybe you’d prefer to walk from Epcot (through the International Gateway) to enjoy dinner on the Boardwalk before going back to Epcot for Illuminations.RM-Pangani-Forest 3. You want to see and do it all.  Start early and stay late!  Park-hopping can be time consuming and take a chunk out of your precious park-time.  If you start and end the day in the same park, you can certainly maximize the number of attractions, shows, shops, etc. that can be experienced in a singly day.

4. You have small children.  Start early and take a break in the middle of the day for naptime, swim-time, resort rest and relaxation – then return to the same park later for more fun!  Never underestimate the power of a second wind!  Good rest time = quality park time.RM-Grand-Floridian-Senses-Sign 5. You vacation to relax.  You are a mystery to me, but, like the Yeti, I know you exist.  You don’t plan to spend a lot of time in the parks – maybe you want to play golf, fish, shop, book spa treatments, chill by the pool, rent watercraft or bicycles.  There’s no need for you to hop – you only want to hit your favorite attractions in a park before getting back to the really important stuff.  One park per day would be more than enough for you.  That’s the beauty of vacationing at Walt Disney World – there is truly something for everyone. Read Park-Hopper Pros in part one here. Which would you recommend – Single park tickets or the park-hopper option?