Walt Disney World at Christmas Time

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

How do you make the most magical place on earth even more magical? Go during a holiday celebration of course!

It has been a decade since I visited Walt Disney World resorts during the holiday season, but the memories are still very fresh in my mind. It was a special and magical last minute trip that I would recommend to anyone as a return visitor.

The first question when visiting during the holiday season is when will the parks and resorts be decorated? The answer varies, but usually by the second week in November, as that is when the Magic Kingdom begins hosting their special Christmas afterhours event. This year it’s called Disney Very Merriest After Hours. More on that later. The decorations last through the end of the year.

Crowd calendars are very important this time of year as some days are the busiest in the park the entire year. However, there are a lot of pockets of lower crowds during November and December which make for great weeks to visit. Check out this crowd calendar for more.

Magic Kingdom

The decorations during the holiday season are most notable in Magic Kingdom. Main Street, USA is just beautiful. Some rides have Christmas theme overlays including the famous Jungle Cruise that transforms into the Jingle Cruise. Ride at night to enjoy the lights. A few other rides include a holiday overlay including Space Mountain, Tomorrowland Speedway and Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor.

Typically Cinderella castle gets a iced overlay of beautiful white lights. The lights are usually illuminated with some fanfare with Elsa. It’s a cute little show at the castle stage worth catching. However, due to the 50th Anniversary Celebration these decorations will not return in 2021. My best guess is that they return in 2023. There is usually a holiday themed end of day fireworks display, which also may take a backseat to the 50th Anniversary Celebration this year.

Disney Very Merriest After Hours occurs in the Magic Kingdom after it closes to day guests, running from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. Ticket holders are let into the parks at 7 p.m. however, and no Magic Kingdom ticket, outside of the pricey event ticket, is required. Included in the event is holiday festivities, character greetings, Minnie’s Wonderful Christmastime Fireworks Show, holiday attraction overlays, and more. Also Mickey’s Once Upon a Christmas Parade will occur which is notable since all parades have ceased operation since the pandemic began. This parade also may occur during Christmas week for regular Magic Kingdom guests.

EPCOT

EPCOT also gets dressed up for the holidays as part of the EPCOT International Festival of the Holidays. Small huts around World Showcase offer seasonal snacks and treats from around the world. My favorite thing out of the huts on last visit was getting gingerbread from a giant life sized gingerbread house in the American Pavilion. So fun! Holiday Storytellers also make a special appearance, most of whom are each country’s version of Santa Claus. There are two other special performances. Joyful! A Gospel Celebration of the Season begins at the end of the November and runs through December. Its future in 2021 and beyond is uncertain. The other show is Candlelight Processional which is confirmed to be returning in 2021. I had the pleasure of attending this at my last holiday visit. This is a choral, Christian based show. It’s not for everyone, but we enjoyed it. I would recommend getting a dinner package as we did, so you don’t end up spending hours in line queuing up for it.

Hollywood Studios

In Hollywood Studios projections and some oversized baubles decorate the park. But the big highlight here is a special holiday themed character dining at Hollywood and Vine called Minnie’s Holiday Dine which gets good reviews. The end of day fireworks show also gets a holiday update, but what happens in 2021 is anyone’s guess.

Animal Kingdom

In Animal Kingdom, holiday displays have always been muted, outside of the spectacular and huge Christmas tree at the entrance. A few years ago, however, Disney upped their game and the park was transformed into a celebration of winter. There are hand-crafted holiday decorations including colorful, animal-inspired luminaries on the rooftops, wireframe bird-shaped lanterns, and themed garland. But the real highlight appears to be a new puppet menagerie in which performers intermingle with guests with winter themed animal puppets. The puppets did not appear in 2020 and it is unclear whether they will appear in 2021 or beyond. (I hope so!)

Disney Springs

Disney Springs, a Disney owned outdoor mall and entertainment complex, features a wonderful Christmas tree stroll which showcases trees themed around Disney characters. Because this is a mall, expect it to be very crowded on weekends. Best times to avoid crowds are Monday, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The hours of 6 to 8 p.m. are busiest.

Disney Hotels and Resorts

Perhaps my favorite thing to do though during the holidays is visiting all the Disney resorts and their spectacular decorations. Touring hotels may sound silly until you realize all the modes of transportation you take and the extent of theming and decorations they have. Plus, they have excellent restaurants on their own. Gigantic Christmas trees, seasonal trees and so much gingerbread. All of this without paying a park ticket. For a full breakdown on how best to make a whole day (or two!) out of touring the resorts (and you should!) check out this excellent guide at the Disney Tourist Blog.

Walt Disney World Touring Plan: Hollywood Studios updated with Genie+

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: Walt Disney World operations continue to be in a state of flux. For recommendations about visiting Walt Disney World right now please visit WDW Prep School.

Although a visit to Walt Disney World is a vacation, it’s like no other vacation you’ve ever taken. Considering the expense, the last thing you want to do is spend your days waiting in lines. Having a solid touring plan for each park is a must. That way you can prioritize your “must sees” and get the most bang for your buck.

That said, if you are someone who likes to go with the flow and be more casual about planning, Disney’s new free Genie tool will help. Or you can use the excellent TouringPlans system which costs $18 for full features for a year. In essence for either system you put in your “to do” list and it optimizes your plans based on walking, wait times, and real time crowds. I seriously cannot endorse TouringPlans enough and wouldn’t go on a Walt Disney World trip without it. Their app’s wait time accuracy is unmatched, whereas Disney’s free wait time system is often wrong.

Generally, avoid lines means arriving at the parks early. Being there at park opening aka “rope drop” allows you to squeeze in some top attractions before lines build. Conversely, you can usually get on some high demand rides with minimal wait very late in the day right before closing, or during fireworks presentations. These tactics are tried and true regardless of what system is currently in place for Disney park guests. Please note that many parks open upwards of 45 minutes ahead of the posted time, and if you stay on property you can enjoy an additional half hour early entry to any park each day. That means an even more early arrival (I know, groan).

In Hollywood Studios there are six attractions that can garner long lines:

  • Tower of Terror
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad

To avoid the lines you can use a strategy of early arrival/late day boarding, Genie+ and premium Lightening Lane.

For early arrival and/or late night strategy consider the following:

Rock ‘n’ Rollercoaster and Tower of Terror

or

Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad

or

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Included in the new Genie+ pass system which costs $15 per person per day is:

  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Beauty and the Beast Sing-Along
  • Disney Jr. Dance Party
  • For the First Time in Forever: A Frozen Sing-Along Celebration
  • Indiana Jones Epic Stunt Spectacular – Returning December 19, 2021
  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Muppet*Vision 3D
  • Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
  • Slinky Dog Dash
  • Star Tours
  • The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
  • Toy Story Mania!

The two premium top tier attractions that are priced separately on a surge pricing basis are:

  • Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance

Special Note on Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge

This new area remains wildly popular, and although you no longer have to reserve a time to actually visit it (thank goodness), it is a good idea to plan, especially if it’s a priority for you.

Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance remains a ridiculously in demand experience. To attempt to get a spot for a boarding group for free try at 7 a.m. via the MyDisney Experience app. New slots open up again at 1 p.m. but you must be in the park to register for the 1 p.m. release. If you are unsuccessful, this is one case where it’s worth the premium fee to skip the line and experience the attraction. Wait times can easily soar to upwards of two hours.

Once you secure your Boarding Group for Rise of the Resistance, do non-attraction experiences first thing in the morning including building a lightsaber (fee), building a droid (fee), visiting the Cantina, and shopping. Please note you can reserve a time slot for both droid and lightsaber building to avoid the lines. These fill up quickly so reserve ahead of time. In addition, shopping can get jammed. Using the mobile app will help you check out faster.

Take photos and explore the area a bit, following along with the Play Disney App, an interactive game based app, as you go. Then jump into line for Smugglers Run, but be prepared for a wait unless you sprung for the line skipping Genie+ system. When your boarding group is called, take a spin on Rise of the Resistance.

The rest of your day can unfold in however you like. Use your planning apps for the best experience. One attraction of note: Frozen Sing – a – long has been reportedly filling quickly and thus better to catch earlier, rather than later in the day. Also noteworthy both Rock n Rollercoaster and Millenium Falcon: Smugglers Run offer single rider lanes which always go quicker than regular standby lanes if you are willing to go alone.

Here’s a full round up of the attractions at Hollywood Studios:

  • Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run
  • Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance
  • Star Tours – 4D flight simulator (moving room – bumpy but not crazy) A family favorite.
  • Muppet Vision 3D – 4D theater show with 3D glasses
  • Frozen Sing A Long – Fun Frozen show with slapstick comedy. Snow at the end. We always enjoy it. 
  • Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railroad – fun cartoon themed dark ride
  • Toy Story Mania – interactive laser gun game ride
  • Slinky Dog Dash – mild, family friendly roller coaster
  • Alien Swirling Saucers
  • Rockin’ Rollercoaster – inverted thrilling coaster in the dark
  • Tower of Terror – freefall ride.

Shows:

Beauty and the Beast – Lovely live show with great singing and dancing

Indiana Jones Stunt Show – fun shows behind the scenes look at movie making. Lots of fire and explosions. Currently slated to return by end of 2021.

End of Day show – Fantasmic is on hiatus (and is speculated it may not return). World of Animation fireworks display is every night at the Chinese Theater.

Walt Disney World Touring Plan: Magic Kingdom updated with Genie+

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: Walt Disney World operations continue to be in a state of flux. For recommendations about visiting Walt Disney World right now please visit WDW Prep School.

Although a visit to Walt Disney World is a vacation, it’s like no other vacation you’ve ever taken. Considering the expense, the last thing you want to do is spend your days waiting in lines. Having a solid touring plan for each park is a must. That way you can prioritize your “must sees” and get the most bang for your buck.

That said, if you are someone who likes to go with the flow and be more casual about planning, Disney’s new free Genie tool will help. Or you can use the excellent TouringPlans system which costs $18 for full features for a year. In essence for either system you put in your “to do” list and it optimizes your plans based on walking, wait times, and real time crowds. I seriously cannot endorse TouringPlans enough and wouldn’t go on a Walt Disney World trip without it. Their app’s wait time accuracy is unmatched, whereas Disney’s free wait time system is often wrong.

Magic Kingdom, and its iconic castle, is what most think of when they think of Walt Disney World. And for good reason. There are few places that are as steeped in magic and fantasy as this place. The park is massive, and I strongly recommend two full days at this park.

There are several attractions here that garner long lines. They are:

  • Seven Dwarves Mine Train
  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Splash Mountain
  • Space Mountain
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • It’s a small world.
  • Haunted Mansion
  • Astro Orbitor
  • Tomorrowland Speedway

As you can see, it’s a long list. Magic Kingdom is one place it may make sense to spring for the premium line skipping pass called Genie+, especially on busy days.

The Genie+ pass system, which costs $15 per person per day includes:

  • Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin
  • Dumbo the Flying Elephant
  • Haunted Mansion
  • “it’s a small world”
  • Jungle Cruise
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Mickey’s PhilharMagic
  • Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor
  • Peter Pan’s Flight
  • Pirates of the Caribbean
  • Splash Mountain
  • The Barnstormer
  • The Magic Carpets of Aladdin
  • The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
  • Tomorrowland Speedway
  • Under the Sea ~ Journey of The Little Mermaid

This pass however, will not include two headline attractions. These two attractions will be a separate cost to skip lines and be on a surge based pricing system. They are:

  • Seven Dwarves Mine Train
  • Space Mountain

For an early morning arrival/late night strategy I would consider:

Jungle Cruise and Pirates of the Caribbean

or

Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion

or

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Splash Mountain

or

Space Mountain

You could also try your chances with Seven Dwarves Mine Train, but this may be a case where it’s worth the one off fee, especially if you don’t purchase the Genie+ pass. Remember, I suggest two days at this park, so you will have two opportunities to take advantage of short lines. There is a lot of ground to cover in this park so a plan is a must, otherwise you end up criss-crossing the massive park and waiting in lines for no reason. Keep a list in mind of must-dos in your family and make them a priority. I’ve been to the parks several times and still have not ridden everything simply because although fine, there are other attractions that take priority for me.

In addition, a good strategy is to go early, stay through mid day, and then take a break during the afternoon when the heat and the crowds are the worst. Take a nap. Rest and relax. Return at dinner and stay until the early hours of the next day.

Here’s a full roundup of the attractions at Magic Kingdom:

Rides are listed clockwise around the park.

  • The Flying Carpets – tame circular ride
  • The Tiki Room – a classic animatronic bird show – you either love it or hate it. (We love it.)
  • Jungle Cruise – hilarious boat ride with corny jokes
  • Pirates of the Caribbean – dark boat ride with mild flume
  • Haunted Mansion – slow moving dark ride. Intro goes black with screaming and can be frightening.
  • Hall of Presidents – Animatronic show of speeches – go if you need a rest
  • Thunder Mountain Railroad – mild roller track coaster
  • Splash Mountain – long flume ride – big drop.
  • Country Bear Jamboree – Enjoyable, hokey animatronic bear show.
  • It’s a Small World – Classic boat ride with annoying music
  • Peter Pan’s Flight – Flying ships above a dark ride display
  • Royal Carousel – historic carousel originally from NJ. Find the horse with the gold tassel – that’s Cinderella’s.
  • Mickey’s Philharmagic – 4-D Show with 3D glasses
  • Mad Tea Party
  • Enchanted Tales with Belle – Audience helps tell the tale of Beauty and the Beast with Belle. Great facetime with Belle if you have a Belle fan, otherwise not a must do. Currently on hiatus
  • 7 Dwarves Mine Train – A very brief mild but fun roller coaster
  • Adventures with Winnie the Pooh – cute car that very mildy “bounces” and rocks along with the characters.
  • Journey with the Little Mermaid – Ride a shell car under the sea.
  • The Barnstormer – mild kiddie coaster
  • Dumbo – classic flying elephant
  • Tomorrowland Speedway – drive a car around the track. Always popular but not a fav of ours.
  • Astro Orbiter – another flying in a circle
  • Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin – Shoot laser guns to win points while riding in a car. 
  • Tomorrowland People Mover – go in a small car for a tour of Tomorrowland. Mild and often lame, it’s a fav of ours – takes you through Space Mountain. They will allow you to stay on with sleeping children for several go arounds. 
  • Carousel of Progress – animatronic show that talks about history. Transitions with a catchy song.
  • Monsters Inc Laugh Floor – Animated character interacts live with audience
  • Space Mountain – indoor dark roller coaster ride

Shows/Parades:

  • Move It! Shake It! – Held twice daily where guests dance with characters. On hiatus.
  • Festival of Fantasy Parade – on hiatus – will it return?
  • Castle Show – Held several times daily. On hiatus.
  • End of Day show – Disney’s Enchantment. Fireworks coupled with music and castle projections. Amazing – don’t miss 

Walt Disney World Touring Plan: EPCOT updated with Genie+

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: Walt Disney World operations continue to be in a state of flux. For recommendations about visiting Walt Disney World right now please visit WDW Prep School.

Although a visit to Walt Disney World is a vacation, it’s like no other vacation you’ve ever taken. Considering the expense, the last thing you want to do is spend your days waiting in lines. Having a solid touring plan for each park is a must. That way you can prioritize your “must sees” and get the most bang for your buck.

That said, if you are someone who likes to go with the flow and be more casual about planning, Disney’s new free Genie tool will help. Or you can use the excellent TouringPlans system which costs $18 for full features for a year. In essence for either system you put in your “to do” list and it optimizes your plans based on walking, wait times, and real time crowds. I seriously cannot endorse TouringPlans enough and wouldn’t go on a Walt Disney World trip without it. Their app’s wait time accuracy is unmatched, whereas Disney’s free wait time system is often wrong.

Generally, avoid lines means arriving at the parks early. Being there at park opening aka “rope drop” allows you to squeeze in some top attractions before lines build. Conversely, you can usually get on some high demand rides with minimal wait very late in the day right before closing, or during fireworks presentations. These tactics are tried and true regardless of what system is currently in place for Disney park guests. Please note that many parks open upwards of 45 minutes ahead of the posted time, and if you stay on property you can enjoy an additional half hour early entry to any park each day. That means an even more early arrival (I know, groan).

EPCOT is my favorite park, and is currently undergoing a serious makeover and expansion. I like to think of the park in two. The first being the front which is very ride focused, and the second being the World Showcase in the rear of the park. The former is what most think of when they are looking to do amusement park attractions, and the latter showcases different countries around the world with music, food, shopping and other cultural highlights.

There are only a few attractions that garner long wait times in EPCOT. They are:

  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • Frozen Ever After
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure
  • Soarin’ Around the World

Living with the Land and Gran Fiesta Tour can also get long, but in my experience it’s just a matter of timing. I’ve ridden both several times in a row late at night. Spaceship Earth, since it’s the first ride everyone sees, is very busy in the morning. However, by mid afternoon there rarely is a long wait. Hit it on the way out of the park.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure is a brand new attraction that opened in October 2021. Just like any new ride, expect major delays. I experienced this myself when Frozen Ever After opened.

To cut down on wait times, Disney has implemented a virtual queue strategy. Essentially, you put your slot in line virtually and come to the attraction when your time slot is called. Virtual queues have usually opened day of via the MyDisney Experience App at 7 a.m. EPCOT, like all parks, will be implementing the new Genie+ premium line jumping feature.

Attractions included in the Genie+ pass program at a cost of $15 per person, per day include:

  • Disney and Pixar Short Film Festival
  • Journey into Imagination with Figment
  • Living with the Land
  • Mission: SPACE – Green
  • Mission: SPACE – Orange
  • Soarin’
  • Spaceship Earth
  • Test Track
  • The Seas with Nemo & Friends
  • Turtle Talk with Crush

In addition, two top tier attractions not included in the pass you will be able to purchase a line skipping option that is based on surge pricing.They are:

  • Frozen Ever After
  • Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

My recommendation is attempt to get in the virtual queue for Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure when it becomes available via the My Disney Experience App at 7 a.m. or try again at 1 p.m. If you are unsuccessful, spring for the line jumping pass on this one. Upon park opening I would head directly to Frozen Ever After. It is a hike – at the rear of the park. If you have zero interest in this ride do Test Track or Soarin’ Around the World instead. The rest in my opinion can be managed throughout the day with use of TouringPlans or the Genie app. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Test track offers a single rider line, which if you are willing to ride alone can significantly shorten your wait time on this ride.

Here’s a full round up of attractions at EPCOT:

  • Spaceship Earth – Slow moving dark ride that takes you up in the golf ball. A family favorite.
  • The Seas with Nemo and Friends – Go under water in a clamshell and visit with Nemo and real fish.
  • Aquariums in the Seas
  • Turtle Talk with Crush – Interactive animated Crush the turtle tells jokes and give educational facts to the audience.
  • Living with the Land – Ride a boat and learn about agriculture by going through greenhouses. My daughter absolutely loves this and we went on it three times at last visit, but it’s boring to some.
  • Soarin’ Around the World – Flight simulator. Takes you up 3 stories. Pretty mild thrills.
  • Mission to Mars – Space flight simulator. Intense.
  • Test Track – Hop in a car that takes you through vehicle testing ending with a 60 mph curve. Mildly thrilling. 
  • Journey to Imagination with Figment – an EPCOT classic
  • World Showcase – Visit countries from around the world, most experiences open at 11, but rides open earlier. You may want to purchase a passport which allows you to go up to cast members, who are from the respective countries, who will sign and stamp your passport and tell you about their culture/language. There is also a free color a Bear project for small children.
  • Frozen Ever After – A boat ride to Arendale. Mild backwards flume. 
  • Grand Fiesta Tour – A boat ride following Donald and his friends in Mexico 
  • American Experience – Animatronic historical show – good nap/rest spot
  • Several other displays and films in world showcase – all skippable.
  • Take time to explore the pavilions and shop. One key experience is to pick a pearl in Japan. It is done with much fanfare.

Shows:

Voices of Liberty – Excellent singers at the entrance to American Experience

Various cultural performances – Chinese acrobats, drummers in Japan – great if you catch them

End of Day – HarmoniUS shown on the lagoon.

Walt Disney World Touring Plans: Animal Kingdom updated with Genie+

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: Walt Disney World operations continue to be in a state of flux. For recommendations about visiting Walt Disney World right now please visit WDW Prep School.

Although a visit to Walt Disney World is a vacation, it’s like no other vacation you’ve ever taken. Considering the expense, the last thing you want to do is spend your days waiting in lines. Having a solid touring plan for each park is a must. That way you can prioritize your “must sees” and get the most bang for your buck.

That said, if you are someone who likes to go with the flow and be more casual about planning, Disney’s new free Genie tool will help. Or you can use the excellent TouringPlans system which costs $18 for full features for a year. In essence for either system you put in your “to do” list and it optimizes your plans based on walking, wait times, and real time crowds. I seriously cannot endorse TouringPlans enough and wouldn’t go on a Walt Disney World trip without it. Their app’s wait time accuracy is unmatched, whereas Disney’s free wait time system is often wrong.

Generally, avoid lines means arriving at the parks early. Being there at park opening aka “rope drop” allows you to squeeze in some top attractions before lines build. Conversely, you can usually get on some high demand rides with minimal wait very late in the day right before closing, or during fireworks presentations. These tactics are tried and true regardless of what system is currently in place for Disney park guests. Please note that many parks open upwards of 45 minutes ahead of the posted time, and if you stay on property you can enjoy an additional half hour early entry to any park each day. That means an even more early arrival (I know, groan).

Animal Kingdom is probably my least favorite park. And that’s not to say it’s bad – it isn’t. It’s just an entirely different sort of experience. The highlights here are live animals, not rides. And the lush vegetation makes the park the hottest of the four. It also can make it extremely confusing to navigate. I’ve gotten lost in the park more times than I can count.

There are only a few attractions that garner a long wait here. They are:

  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Expedition Everest
  • Avatar Flight of Passage
  • Na’vi River Journey
  • Dinosaur

In my opinion you have two options at rope drope. One option is to head directly back to Kilamanjaro Safaris, which is a great idea since being one of the first vehicles through in the day pretty much gaurantees a very close animal encounter. On last visit we were stopped for quite a while because a giraffe was blocking the way. So fun.

The second option is to head directly to the Pandora area and ride either Avatar Flight of Passage or Na’vi River Journey. This was very new at last visit and I was unable to ride Flight of Passage as a result. The Na’vi River Journey was a very cool spectacle.

Included in the $15 per person per day Genie+ System is:

  • Celebration of the Festival of the Lion King
  • DINOSAUR
  • Feathered Friends in Flight!
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug!
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Kilimanjaro Safaris
  • Naʻvi River Journey
  • The Animation Experience

The two top tier attractions not included in the pass, but instead will have a one off fee are:

  • Avatar: Flight of Passage
  • Expedition Everest

My initial reaction is to spring for the surge pricing on Avatar: Flight of Passage, and take your chances with the rest. It’s also noteworthy to mention that Expedition Everest offers a single rider line, which if you are willing to ride alone can significantly shorten your wait time on this ride.

One thing that’s nice about Animal Kingdom is that it is more at your own pace. Much of what do here is seeing the animals themselves. I would advise seeing what you can early or later in the day. At peak heat the animals are smartly napping. Don’t forget about the excellent shows here as well.

Full attraction roundup:

  • Kilamanjaro Safaris – Go out in an open air animal safari in a Jeep. Best done in the morning when animals are most active.
  • Gorilla Walk
  • Bird Walk
  • Tiger Walk
  • Na’Vi River Journey – boat ride through Pandora at night
  • Avatar: Flight of Passage – mild thrill ride
  • Take time to explore the interactive features of Pandora – touch the plants.
  • Expedition Everest
  • Kali River Rapids
  • Triceratops Spin – Circular flying dinosaur
  • It’s Tough to Be a Bug – 4D show with 3D glasses in the Tree of Life
  • If you have time: Rafiki’s Planet Watch – barnyard petting zoo – train to it and back – easily an hour long excursion

Shows:

  • The Lion King – Amazing musical production – do not miss. Shoot for a later in the day show.
  • Nemo the Musical – Closed. To be replaced with a new Nemo themed show.
  • Feathered Friends in Flight – A fun bird show (birds often flight overhead)

Adding Magical Experiences: Spa Appointments for Kids and More at Walt Disney World

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely heard of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. This experience allows your child to get absolutely pampered. Hair, nails, basic make up – the works, and glitter. So. Much. Glitter.

This extremely popular experience is available in the castle at Magic Kingdom (hardest to get and often runs behind), Disney Springs and the Grand Floridian Resort.

We sprung for this for my daughter’s first park experience. There are several package levels starting at $75 on up to more than $450. (yikes!) You can also do a photo package after your little one is dressed up.

We booked my daughter at Disney Springs, which offered at the time a Princess parade for all salon guests for the day. This honestly is what my daughter enjoyed most. Right in the front of the parade with a banner waving to her adoring fans. It also included a free ride on the carousel there. I am not sure if any of this is still included as this was before the redevelopment of the area. We also did the photo shoot because for this trip, we sprung for the photo pass and these photos were included.

To save money, we bought a dress ahead of time. I purchased it at the Disney store on sale. The boutique offers exclusive versions of princess dresses, but my daughter didn’t care. A new dress was a new dress as far as she was concerned. The overall experience was pleasant and the salon attendants aka fairy godmothers kept it fun, but honestly my daughter just wasn’t that into it. It’s not something I would do again. That said, I would absolutely recommend having your child dress up in the parks at least one day as she received special treatment all day when she did so, which added a lot of magic to our trip.

The second salon experience called The Pirates League. Located in Adventureland in the Magic Kingdom this salon was something that was much less known, (and less expensive!) but something my daughter enjoyed much more. And it was open to adults. Sadly, perhaps for these reasons, it closed in 2020, but I am hoping something equivalent becomes available. My daughter got a mermaid makeup application which was very unique. The theming of this salon was fantastic, and really felt like you were right in the middle of Pirates of the Caribbean. In addition, the pirate attendants were great and really hammed it up. At the end you did some initiation and found a treasure. It was a lot of fun, and my daughter absolutely loved it.

There are other more limited spa experiences for both kids and adults available at the Grand Floridian.

Adding Magical Experiences: Dinner Packages and More at Walt Disney World

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: Many indoor restaurants remain closed or with limited service. Please check the Walt Disney World website for the latest information.

We’ve already talked about Character Dining, but there are so many other special dining options at Walt Disney World resorts that include more than just eating. Some are complimentary upgrades, and others you pay a premium for.

There are few dinner experiences that are just so unique, they are noteworthy on their own.

Before we had our daughter my husband and I had an excellent meal at Restaurant Marrakesh in the Morocco Pavilion in EPCOT. This restaurant, besides serving excellent Mediterranean food, features bellydancers tableside. So cool! In addition, when we ate there we got priority seating for the Candlelight Processional, a special Christmastime show offering. No additional fee required.

I’ve noticed over the years that Disney World often offers dining packages with priority seating for in demand shows. Sometimes, like in this instance, it is offered for free by taking a less desirable dining time (late afternoon), other times it’s offered up as a premium package with desirable reservation times followed by the show.

The Biergarten Restaurant in EPCOT’s Germany Pavillion offers German fare like sausage and saurkraut along with a show. Oompa music, yodelling and more are showcased at this buffet. I’ve always wanted to do this, but the idea of eating heavy meat and potatoes when it’s hot outside is never appealing. Maybe next visit.

San Angel Inn Restaurante in EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion offers a unique nighttime dining experience all day long. It appears you are the base of ruins under a night sky. Food here often offers a mixed rating, but the setting often makes up for it.

Be Our Guest restaurant in the Magic Kingdom has been a hot ticket since it opened. And Disney has noticed, making it a premium offering for dinner. The theming of this restaurant is unmatched and truly an experience. In the past, the restaurant was counter experience (read cheaper) for lunch, but that may have changed.

Sanaa at Animal Kingdom Lodge not only offers excellent fine dining African cuisine, but you can also view the Lodge’s Sunset Savanna area which includes Giraffes, Zebras and more! This is included in your experience, no upgrade! We did this on last visit and had a delicious meal with top notch service.

Raglan Road in Disney Springs is a crowd favorite, not so much because of the food, but because of the live music and Irish step dancing. It’s not making any foodie’s list, but the entertainment is enjoyable. I haven’t been myself yet.

If you are looking for dining with a Magic Kingdom Fireworks view, California Grill at the Contemporary Resort is one of your best bet. This is a hot ticket though can and be difficult to get, as the Grill has a sterling, legendary reputation, and perfect views. Narcoosee’s at the Grand Floridian is also an excellent choice. Known for their seafood, they also have excellent steaks.

An inexpensive option is some take away food from Captain Cook’s at the Polynesian and watching the fireworks from a grassy area on the hotel property. We did this and had a wonderful, relaxing evening, complete with the famous Dole whip! The barbecue sandwiches were tasty too.

If you want the best views of EPCOT’s end of day spectacular HarmoniUS, Rose and Crown’s patio in EPCOT is where it’s at. You can purchase a dinner package for a premium and watch the show from your table, or take your chances with a regular dinner reservations. Other options without the premium “package” price tag include La Hacienda de San Angel in Mexico Pavilion and Spice Road Table offering a Mediterranean small plates menu in the Morocco Pavilion.

There are also dessert party packages for both Magic Kingdom and EPCOT shows. At last visit to the Magic Kingdom we did the dessert package, and although it was pricey, I thought it was worth it for a special treat. The desserts are all you can eat and excellent. After you finish eating you sit in a special roped off area in the grass directly in front of the castle. As someone who doesn’t like fighting crowds for anything, this allowed us to relax and spread out. It also saved us a lot of time as some can wait hours staking out the best spots for the fireworks.

I also sat in a premium seating area for EPCOT back when it was Illuminations. I don’t recall how I scored this spot, but it was on my trip with my husband. We were on the opposite side of the lagoon from World Showcase and it didn’t strike me as a particularly good spot. Watching the EPCOT show is not nearly at a premium as the fireworks in Magic Kingdom, so I would skip this.

This is just scratching the surface, there are plenty of other premium dining packages that incorporate show reservations, tours and other unique experiences that can tap into your special interest.

Adding Magical Experiences: Character Meals at Walt Disney World

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

Please note: That as of writing character meals are being offered in a limited capacity and are not running in a “normal” fashion. This post is created to help future visitors make informed planning decisions.

One of the best upgraded experiences you can have at Walt Disney World resorts are Character Meals, and no, they aren’t just for kids! Adults enjoy them too. Why would you want to have a character meal?

  1. Save time. Waiting in line for character meet and greets eats up valuable park time. With character dining, the characters come to you! They rotate around the room to each table while you dine. Talk about convenient!
  2. Certain characters can only be experienced via meals.
  3. Character meals are available outside the parks and even at select off property locations, making it a great activity on a non-park day.
  4. Character dining food is consistently good. Meals offered via character experiences are truly great, with some food only accessible via character meal. And who doesn’t like Mickey waffles?

I’m only going to highlight a few of my favorites here. For a great overview and the most up to date information about all Character Meals visit this comprehensive listing at the Disney Food Blog.

Breakfast

Breakfast has the most available options by far when it comes to character dining. We have done three breakfast options – ‘Ohana at the Polynesian Resort, the Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club, and Trattoria al Forno in the Boardwalk. Note that none of these places are inside the parks! That’s by design. Why waste precious morning park time eating, when you can get on most rides?

Each experience was entirely different and unique.

‘Ohana as the name suggests offers a Hawaiian experience with delicious exotic fruits. Characters you encounter include Lilo, Stitch, Mickey and Pluto. We chose this breakfast because we wanted an excuse to go to the Polynesian, and had heard of the fantastic food. This is a pricier restaurant and thus breakfast was a more reasonable option for us. Unfortunately, recent reports are that the service and especially food quality have slipped here. I hope they improve soon. The food here is served as much as you wish to your table.

The breakfast buffet available at the Cape May Cafe was much more classic in nature including the legendary Mickey waffles. Characters that join you there (complete with adorable beach gear) are the classic characters Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Daisy Duck and Donald Duck. We probably had the most character encounter time at this location with multiple visits by each one.

The Bon Voyage Breakfast at Trattoria al Forno was just starting to be offered at our last visit, and the quality of service and food was spotty. The food offerings which were more brunch in nature, were interesting and different from the norm. It was a prix fixe meal with a few options.The reason we chose this meal is because the characters present are Rapunzel and Flynn Ryder and Ariel and Eric. Flynn was an especially fun encounter. I’m not sure we would go running back, but I would definitely give it another chance considering they have a few years of experience now under their belt.

I would be remiss without mentioning the two most popular character breakfast options Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto, and Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom featuring Ariel, Belle, Princess Aurora, Jasmine, Snow White and of course Cinderella. Both offer more classic breakfast fare. I have not been to either but I hear Chef Mickey’s can be a bit loud.

Before the shutdown, Disney was beginning to offer some early morning breakfast package options that included early access to the parks or even a no wait access to certain rides. Depending on the price this could be a good value. If memory serves venues included Crystal Palace and Be Our Guest Restaurant in Magic Kingdom, Garden Grill and Akershus House in EPCOT, Tusker House in Animal Kingdom and Hollywood and Vine in Hollywood Studios. Tusker House especially has historically been a sort of “hack” to access Animal Kingdom early before opening. Same for Be Our Guest in Magic Kingdom. Something to watch for when character meals fully return.

Lunch

For lunch we’ve done two character meals Akershus House and Tusker House.

Akershus House in Norway Pavilion in EPCOT offers Norwegian food for lunch (they also have a breakfast buffet with more standard fare). Because of this, it’s less popular for lunch, but my adventurous eater didn’t mind one bit. Lots of seafood offerings. This location features what I call Princess Palooza including Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, Ariel, Mary Poppins, and Jasmine. Eating in this unique location was a delight for my then four year old and she participated in a restaurant mini parade in her dress with the princesses. Really good memories. We chose a late lunch slot which worked for a great mid-day break in the air conditioning, and if memory serves lead right into a long toddler nap while we pushed her in the stroller around World Showcase. Win!

We’ve eaten at Tusker House in the Animal Kingdom twice, and I would eat there again. The first time we did, we were childless, but the food, along with priority Lion King seating, enticed us. We were not disappointed. It’s a buffet featuring amazing dishes from the African continent. The second time we went with our daughter and it was just as good as we remembered. That time we got River of Light show priority seating. Both times we were visited by Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Mickey Mouse, and Minnie Mouse in their safari gear.

The only other truly noteworthy lunch character experience is the Garden Grill in EPCOT featuring Chip and Dale, Mickey and Pluto. Chip and Dale I hear are especially a hoot. I also hear good things about the food which is served family style to your table. But the coolest thing about this location is that the restaurant itself rotates! You are on the move, slowly, and can enjoy different views of the Living with the Land attraction. It’s on my to do list for sure.

Dinner

We have never done character dinner for a few reasons namely cost, but also this leads into another prime park time, and thus not a great option. Much of what is offered for dinner is similar to what is offered for lunch, just more expensive. One notable exception is the Happily Ever After Dinner at 1900 Park Fare which is supposed to be amazing. Excellent buffet offering featuring Cinderella, Prince Charming, Lady Tremaine (the Wicked Stepmother), Anastasia and Drizella (Cinderella’s Stepsisters). The villain component is what is most appealing here and makes for a great experience. It’s on my bucket list.

Another unique character offering for dinner is Storybook Dining at Artist Point with Snow White at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Dopey, Grumpy and the Evil Queen also make an appearance.

As you can see, no matter what character or cuisine you like, there is something for everyone in character dining. I’d recommend at least one character dining experience each visit. Enjoy!

Is staying on property at Walt Disney World worth it anymore?

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

This question is looming large for anyone planning a trip to Walt Disney World. It’s always been a big, rather complicated question, but with a loss of many perks during the pandemic, staying on property with the premium that goes with it, is less and less appealing. Let’s unpack this as I compare my experience planning now versus my last visit in 2017.

Hotel Cost

The cost of hotel stay seems to have gone up considerably since our last visit to Pop Century when we paid $135 a night on average. Now it looks like we would pay $195 a night. That said, that’s without a discount. Since we want to go in a lower season, a discount may become available, likely saving us $20 a night.

Off property hotels are often cheaper at first glance but most Disney Springs hotels now charge resort fees to the tune of $25-35 a day. Disney properties (for now) do not charge resort fees. Upper scale hotels off property seem to offer much more than the Disney Deluxe Resorts as far as amenities go, for less cost. Less expensive and Value options are more of a gray area and I need to investigate further.

Theming

We have stayed at the Pop Century Hotel twice and enjoyed both stays. Is it a bit cheesy? Yes. Am I obsessed with the theming like other guests? No.

Many Disney fans fawn over the theming of Disney hotels. Many Deluxe resorts tell a sort of story and if you are a sucker for theming and details, it’s all there. However, when it comes to my family theming is secondary to a comfortable sleep and a good pool.

The “Bubble” Factor

Is it nice to be in the Disney “bubble” upon arrival?

Yes. There is something to be said about having a fully immersive Disney experience that you never leave. It allows a level of escapism.

You also have access to that famous and excellent Disney customer service. On one visit with my family, both my daughter and I got terribly sick with a 24 bug in the middle of the night. Housekeeping was prompt, kind and had our sheets changed no problem. The front desk sent sick care packages up to us and coordinated and rescheduled all our reservations. Looking back the incident was a blip in the vacation when it could have been absolutely devastating.

In addition, all Disney properties (at least before pandemic times) offered free kids activities including games, dance parties, movies and simple crafts. This is not a babysitting service but a nice little perk for those non-park days.

Guests who stay on property have the ability to send souvenirs directly back to your hotel for free. This is not a big deal to my family, but it may be to you.

Magicbands

Magicbands used to be included with any Disney hotel package stay. No longer. That’s a loss of $60 value to my family.

Transportation

This is huge. Beginning in 2022, Disney Resorts are ending their excellent complimentary Magical Express bus transportation from the airport. When I recently looked up costs of transportation from Orlando’s airport to the hotel it looked to cost anywhere from $50-100 for the half hour ride. That’s not a small chunk of change considering you have to pay it twice (to and from).

Driving yourself is an option, but Disney Resorts now charge $15-25 per night for parking. So for a week that’s another $90 in accrued costs. Off property most nearby hotels also charge for parking usually around $25 a day, or $150 for a week.

Renting a car just for airport transportation may make sense for off property guests as there are rental offices located directly in some hotels. One in Disney Springs and one in the Bonnett Creek area. We did this strategy many moons ago and it was convenient enough, but with rising rental costs it may not make sense anymore.

What staying on property does provide is the convenience of direct park transportation service which is mostly buses, supplemented by monorail, boats and most recently skyliner. This is complimentary and included in your stay.

However, off property hotels also offer free transit to the parks. How good/bad it is really seems to depend on time of year and hotel. Once you are on a Disney property you can take full advantage of their free transportation system between their properties including restaurants, hotels and parks, regardless of where you are staying.

Location, Location, Location

Ultimately, in my humble opinion, the advantage of staying on property is the ease and access to the parks. In some cases, you can literally walk from your hotel to a park. Being nearby allows you to take an afternoon break, which we absolutely like to do. The farther away you are, the more time you spend traveling, and the more inconvenient it becomes. And you pay for that privilege, dearly.

That said, some non Disney hotels are actually closer than Disney properties including those in the Disney Springs area and Bonnet Creek. Coupled with reliable free transport to the parks, it may not be much of a tradeoff to stay in one of these properties.

Park Benefits

Disney resorts are no longer offering Extra Magic Hours. Instead, they are offering a 30 minute early entry each day to all four parts for resort guests. Basically it allows you a one to two ride headstart each day. If everyone heads to the same rides it may not be much of a benefit. Time will tell. Guests in Deluxe resorts can gain two additional hours on select evenings. As someone who took advantage of the Extra Magic Hours usually in the evening, this is a bit of a loss for me.

In addition, those who stay on property will be able to book Genie+ ride reservations at 7 a.m. instead of at park opening like everyone else. This seems like a marginal benefit to me of little value. For more on Genie+ and what it is click here.

Bottom Line

If you are someone looking at the Deluxe price range, unless you are nostalgic about a certain property, I would take my money and go to the Waldorf Astoria or other four star property. Those of us in the Moderate and Value range have more of matrix of things to consider based on personal preference, with a lot of it hinging of mode of transportation. After going over all these factors, there is no doubt that the perks of staying on property for these customers has significantly diminished in the last few years, with the biggest blow being the loss of the Magical Express. With increased rack rates, increased transportation costs and increased ticket costs, it’s a tough pill to swallow to the tune of several hundred dollars.

Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

/ Vanessa / Leave a comment

On October 2, 2021 the Magic Kingdom celebrated 50 years of operation. Walt Disney World Resorts are incorporating special offerings, events and attractions as part of the celebration. Some seem to be regular updates that just coincided with the anniversary, and others seem anniversary specific. In any event, these special offerings will be available on a rolling basis throughout the celebration slated to last 18 months. I will update this post on new offerings and related developments.

50th Anniversary Glow Ups

The iconic symbols of each park – the castle in the Magic Kingdom, the ball in EPCOT, the Tower of Terror in Hollywood Studios, and the Tree of Life in Animal Kingdom – all are getting a 50th Anniversary overlay including light projections Disney is calling Beacons of Magic. In some instances, the transformation was more dramatic like with the castle which got a new color paint, and ribbons added to the spires. The ball in EPCOT is especially beautiful with an enhanced LED light display. I call it a win.

There is also a smattering of decoration here and there throughout the parks like retro posters in the tunnels at Magic Kingdom.

New Shows

The Magic Kingdom and EPCOT both launched brand new end of day shows with music, pyrotechnics and light projections. Magic Kingdom’s is entitled Enchantment and features original music. The castle serves as the centerpiece for projections. In EPCOT it’s HarmoniUS which uses a barge system to display LEDs and fountains. Images portray an international vibe with signature Disney branding and original music.

Animal Kingdom launched KiteTails, a new daytime offering in the lagoon. However, this show at writing has been plagued with errors to an almost comical proportions and may be short lived.

Outside the parks in Disney Springs, Cirque Du Soleil’s new show, Drawn to Life, will make it’s debut in November 2021. I saw the last show there, and am looking forward to seeing this new one.

New Rides

The much anticipated Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure in EPCOT’s France Pavilion opened as part of the 50th celebration on October 2, 2021. Because it is an in demand experience, Disney World is currently operating it with a virtual queue. In it riders occupy a vehicle that looks like a mouse and experience the world from a mouse’s point of view.

Signature Song

The 50th Anniversary has a signature theme song which is featured prominently throughout the parks including in shows and cavalcades.

Statues

There are 50 golden character statues that have been placed among all four parks. These statues are rumored to have an interactive, augmented reality sort of element to them that work with premium MagicBands and apps. This interactive component has not launched yet.

Food

Of course there’s a food element. Throughout Magic Kingdom some classic dishes from 1971 have been brought back for an encore. There also are some signature cocktails honoring rides past. Mostly, however, the 50th Anniversary theming has been added to desserts in decoration. There are more than 150 different new food offerings in all.

Merchandise

There has been a ton of new merchandise launched for the 50th Anniversary including pins, ornaments, apparel, toys and sippers. At the moment, these items are the hottest ticket in town. However, I anticipate after a few months go by these items will be readily available.

Characters

Mickey and Minnie and the gang of course have special outfits on for the occasion. You can meet Mickey in his new digs at Hollywood Studios.