Tag Archives: Walt Disney World Travel Tips

What is The Disney Bubble?

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IMG_3280The Disney Bubble – it’s a very real phenomenon (doo-doo-do-doo-doo).  In fact, I’d ague that for most “Disney people”, The Disney Bubble is an integral, vital part of the Disney vacation experience and one of the primary reasons we feel compelled to return to Walt Disney World time and time again.

What is The Disney Bubble?

For those of you who haven’t yet experienced it, didn’t notice it, or haven’t known what to call it, the Disney Bubble is the total immersion in the magic of Disney upon arrival at Walt Disney World.  You enter the Bubble and everything changes – the worries, stresses, and cares of everything outside the Bubble disappear.  The weight of adult responsibilities – mortgage, bills, car repairs, office politics, home maintenance, kids’ homework, activity schedules, and so on just lifts away.  Once that weight is gone, you feel better, younger, lighter, happier.

For Disney Bubble addicts, once we leave the Bubble, one of our primary concerns is always IMG_2025when and how we will get back in.  This is why count-down calendars/calculators are so popular with us.  There have been particularly stressful times in our life when knowing that if we could just make it through the next XX # of days, we could get back to Disney and the Bubble would make everything seem better.  People that, sadly, have never experienced this most amazing aspect of Disney travel are the ones we can count on to be perplexed at our propensity to vacation at Walt Disney World over and over.  They ask, “Where are you going on vacation?” We answer, “Walt Disney World” and they look at us in confused pity and say, “AGAIN?”  If you haven’t felt the Bubble’s power, you cannot understand its draw.

My personal Bubble Testimony:  There were a few years there along the way when Megan was literally dancing 7-days-a-week and Joseph was involved in martial arts as a teacher, student, and national competitor.  We joked that people thought Raymond and I had gotten a divorce because we were never seen in the same place at the same IMG_1194time.  Every day’s schedule was based on a “divide and conquer” strategy.  Walt Disney World and the Disney Bubble helped our family reconnect, relax together, eat together and enjoy each other’s company.  All while having fun – simple, old-fashioned good times.  Even looking forward to a Disney vacation gave us a common focus when our day-to-day lives were going in many different directions.

If you’re planning a Walt Disney World vacation and haven’t yet embraced the Disney Bubble phenomenon, here are my tips for making the most of the experience:

  1. Stay on Property.  Whether you’re a value, moderate, or deluxe resort fan.  This is an integral part of the Bubble Effect.
  2. Use Disney Transportation.  If you fly to Orlando, use Disney’s Magical Express to get to the IMG_2614resort from the airport.  It’s included in your resort stay and Disney will get your bags from the airport for you.  Just walk off the plane and onto the motor coach.  It’s literally that easy to get right into the Bubble!  If you drive to Orlando, park your car at the resort and leave it there until it’s time to go home.  Bus, boat, and monorail are important parts of the Disney Bubble – let Disney transportation take care of you and eliminate the worry of driving directions, navigation, and parking.
  3. If you must visit other, non-Disney theme parks which shall remain unnamed in this (and every) post, do not leave the Bubble to do it.  Try to stay at Walt Disney World just for Disney.  Go stay somewhere else if visiting other Orlando attractions.  Think of it like this – coming and going from the Bubble diminishes its power.  If you can, stay on Walt Disney World property either before or after visiting those other places.  If I were you, I’d save the best for last, of course.

IMG_1170Do you believe in the Disney Bubble?  I have a theory that some people are, tragically, immune to the power of the Bubble.  We refer to these unlucky souls as “non-Disney people”.  I don’t know where their happy place is, but it is not at Walt Disney World.  Probably we shouldn’t try to convert them – it wouldn’t work anyway.  Plus, it leaves more room in the Disney Bubble for the rest of us.

 

What are your thoughts about the Disney Bubble?

 

 

 

Disney’s Tutto Gusto Wine Bar in Epcot’s Italy

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IMG_5076“Tutto Gusto Wine Bar in Epcot’s Italy Pavilion is a wonderful treasure, a charming, cozy and relaxing nook tucked away from Walt Disney World’s hustle and bustle.  I recommend it as a great place for adults to enjoy a snack or light meal and an excellent glass of wine.” – Me, channeling my inner restaurant critic.

I am mostly German with some British and Native American tossed in the mix.  I can trace my ancestry back to 17th century Germany on my mother’s side and on my dad’s side, we are direct descendants of Daniel Boone.  There is not, anywhere I can find (no matter how hard I search), even the tiniest drop of Italian blood in my veins.  In my heart, though, I’m Italian.  The language, the food, the wines, the Italian flare for style – all appeal to me in an indescribable way.  I’m certain this is why eating in Epcot’s Italy always gets my vote.  I love the Cast Members and I’ve never EVER had a bad meal.IMG_5069

You may recall from a previous post (about a certain chocolate croissant) that Raymond and I had a couple of hours alone in Epcot last time we visited Disney World.  One of the things I wanted to try, as it was brand new at the time, was Tutto Gusto.  We had ADRs for later that evening at Le Cellier, so a light lunch was in order and Tutto Gusto’s small-plates menu, which I had checked out online, would be perfect.  Raymond loves Italian food (and wine) every bit as much as I do, so he was on board with the plan.

IMG_5074We were pleasantly surprised to find Tutto Gusto nearly empty when we arrived (it had just opened for business earlier in the month, so perhaps it was still unknown to most guests).  We immediately loved the cozy feel of the restaurant – a quiet, relaxing escape from the rest of Epcot.  The restaurant seats fewer than 100 people – when we sat down, there were maybe a dozen patrons, including us.  The server was excellent – attentive without being overbearing.  We ordered glasses of red wine (can’t tell you what it was, but we liked it) – after letting our server pick for us based on our description of what we like in a wine.  We then took our time perusing the menu for a few minutes before ordering.

Raymond ordered a (small, single) Panini that came with an equally small side salad – not IMG_5072surprising if you know what a fan he is of these Italian toasted sandwiches – I have a Panini maker at home and know how to use it!  I opted for the Insalata Di Mare Trapanese (Shrimp, squid, octopus, lemon, extra virgin olive oil).  Both of us were happy with our choices and felt our meals were light enough to be topped off with dessert!  Mocha Tiramisu all around.

Final words about our lunch – YES, I was influenced by all I had read online about Tutto Gusto and HAD to try it – What that curiosity IMG_5077yielded:   We had a lovely, quiet (romantic even) Italian getaway right in the middle of Epcot’s World Showcase.

Disney’s MyMagic+ – Part 2 – The Box

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Note:  This is part 2 in a 3 part series.  Part 1 is here.

IMG_2480Right now, when you make your first Disney World reservation under the My Disney Experience / MyMagic+ system (either on your own or through your favorite travel agent), you will receive a nifty package in the mail – a pretty big box for what it contains.  Inside the box you will find an Incredibles-themed multi-media extavaganza to help you adjust to the MyMagic+ vacation experience.  And every member of the Incredibles family is pictured wearing a Magic Band!

The box contains a flash-drive, information cards, and a booklet.  Of particular interest was the card that says, “As an upcoming Disney Resort hotel Guest, you can take part in a new dimension of magic at Walt Disney World Resort.  It’s called MyMagic+ and it makes the entire experience yours like never before.  This is an exciting time and we hope you’ll pardon our “pixie dust” as we make the adjustments that come with any new IMG_2528experience.  The enclosed booklet not only includes great information on your upcoming trip but details on how to make the very most of MyMagic+, too.”  Intentional on Disney’s part or not, this card gave me a bad feeling about what kinds of systems glitches may be going on out there.

The booklet again – just like the videos and website – explains MyMagic+, Magic Bands, FastPass+, and My Disney Experience.  Basically – however you’d like to learn about how you will now vacation at Disney World be it on paper, via video on your PC, at the website or on your smartphone the information is given to you in every possible form save billboard!  At the very back of the booklet there is even a removable magnet – Dumbo! (an elephant never forgets) – with reminders for your trip – the date you can begin making dining reservations, the date you can begin selecting Fast Pass+ attractions and the date to begin online check-in.  Darn you stainless steel refrigerator!

Insert flash drive now.  Remember yesterday in Part 1 I mentioned that at the My Disney IMG_2484Experience website you could watch a movie starring Edna Mode that helps explain how to use the MDE resources?  Well, the flash drive shows you a different movie (also starring Edna) that focuses more on Magic Bands and how all of the MyMagic+ elements will work together once you arrive at Disney World.  The initial screen says there’s a “special message” parts one and two.  I could never get to part two and after watching the first video – it would not let me see it a second time.  Raymond used the flash drive first and never saw either “message” – it just took him straight to the website.  Not sure what the deal is with that.

Other than the video, the purpose of the flash drive is to show you how to use the web site.  If IMG_2482you’re like us and you’ve already found the site and app, the flash drive is unnecessary, but still a pretty cool prize to receive in the mail since it gets you excited about your trip.

If you’re still with me after parts 1 and 2, tomorrow we’ll talk Magic Bands!