Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1146

Some Disney Springs Shop Tenants Revealed

By Rikki Niblett

©Disney

According to The Orlando Sentinel, we have an official listing of some of the new stores that will take up residence of The Landing section of Disney Springs. They include:

APEX by Sunglass Hut - Sells high end sunglasses with a focus on sports. These are the perfect sunglasses to wear when getting out there, being active.
Art of Shaving – A high-end shaving products store, including aromatherapy-based grooming products and elegant shaving instruments. This brand is concerned with getting you that “perfect shave.”
Chapel Hats – Offers hats and headwear that are perfect for a night on the town or maybe even that special event. They don’t offer your traditional baseball cap, instead they sell headwear like fedoras, Panama hats, pork pies, and even top hats. They also offer a selection of beautiful hats for women, such as derby hats, floppy hats, and more.

Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC – Welcome back BabyCakes!  I knew you wouldn’t be gone for good!  Erin McKenna’s is a gluten-free vegan bakery from the creator of BabyCakes NYC. The bakery was always a popular destination for many before it closed early last year due to Disney Springs construction. Guests looking for Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC packaged desserts can currently find them at many locations around the Walt Disney World Resort, including: The Beach Club Marketplace at Disney’s Beach Club Resort, The Boardwalk Bakery at Disney’s Boardwalk, The Mara at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Landscape of Flavors at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, and Everything Pop at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.  It will be great to have a storefront to visit once again soon though!
Havaianas - Where you’ll find designer flip-flops, perfect for the Florida sun! They offer fun designs and bright colored footwear. There will also be a station where Guests can create their own personalized flip-flops. (And based off some research, I would bet that they will sell specialty Disney-themed flip-flops too.)
Sanuk – Another shoe store, this one with an emphasis on all different types of shoes, known as creatively inspired footwear.
Sound Lion - Looking to get your music on? Here they offer digital sound and music products such as headphones, ear buds, speakers, and wireless music players.  You can try any product before purchasing and find the best product to work for you.

While there is currently no time frame on when these stores are expected to debut, Downtown Disney is expected to officially be renamed Disney Springs with the official opening of The Landing (the former location of Pleasure Island) sometime this spring. Additional locations previously announced for The Landing include Morimoto Asia, The BOATHOUSE, and STK Orlando.  Other shops and restaurants to be located within the Disney Springs complex are expected to released within the coming months. I’ll make sure to keep you posted!

 

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Some Disney Springs Shop Tenants Revealed is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Non-Disney Pizza delivered to your Resort

By Amy Farkas

Early last year as we rested in our Disney resort room one evening, I became quite startled as something came flying under our door into the room. This told me two things: 1) I would spend the rest of the vacation wondering what else was going to come under the door. 2) There were unauthorized solicitors of some sort on the floor of my building.

Classic Chicago Style © Uno

We quickly rose and looked out the window to see who the culprit was, but they were long gone. I suspect they were moving fast so Disney security would not detect them on property. We then investigated what had been thrust into the room. It turned out to be a flyer for pizza delivery; somewhat crude and lackluster. We decided to hang onto it for future, longer trips when we needed a break from Disney food (don’t judge).

Later that year when we were planning for our return trip, we scheduled an evening for pizza delivery from our mystery solicitors. Then I stumbled upon a thread on one of the many Facebook groups I follow, about where to get “good” pizza when in Orlando. Many people warned about the scams of ordering from these door stuffers. It was even suggested that they are not real businesses, only people looking to get your credit card number. Well, we weren’t up for taking that chance! We threw the flyer away and did more research on where we could get reputable pizza offsite that delivered to the resorts.

Three pizzerias kept popping up in our searches: Flippers, Giordano’s, and Uno. Flippers claim to fame is brick oven pizzas, while Giordano’s and Uno specialize in Chicago style deep dish. All three also have salads, appetizers, sandwiches, and pasta. Their menus are quite extensive and all three pizzerias would easily satisfy our palates. Orlando locals have given all three good reviews. It was going to be a tough choice.

Cheese Brick Oven Pizza © Flippers

Now that we had it narrowed down to three choices based on online reviews of locals and their menus, the big question was “Does Disney allow for offsite food delivery?” I mean it seems like a silly question, but Disney puts a lot of effort into keeping your dollars in their parks and resorts. Wouldn’t that be like openly inviting competition to come in and steal what you could so easily have? Well that is exactly what it is like, but the answer is yes.

I contacted all three pizzerias in order to find out the proper procedure for ordering delivery to the resorts. Two of them, Uno and Flippers, were very friendly and more than willing to share information on how to order, payment methods, and any fees. Giordano’s however was not as forthcoming. After being transferred to three different workers on the phone I was told that they were too busy to talk. Ok, I understand. You are a business after all. However, I even contacted corporate headquarters for information and after three attempts with that, I have given up. So, even though they might have really good pizza, based on my own personal experience, I had to file them with the door stuffers.

The Face Off

Name: Flippers, Lake Buena Vista

Location: 12525 State Road 535, Orlando

Phone: 407-938-9633

Website: www.flipperspizzeria.com

Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11am-midnight; Friday & Saturday 11am – 1am

What: Brick oven pizzas, salads, appetizers, calzones, sandwiches, pastas, desserts, beverages

Pizza prices: $7.29 – $23.99 (extra charges for additional toppings)

Minimum order value: None

Delivery fees: $3.50 per order plus tip for the driver

Payment methods accepted: Cash, all major Credit Cards, and traveler’s checks    *If paying by credit card you will need to give the number at the time your order is placed. However, if you indicate that you will be paying by cash and change your mind when the driver arrives, you or the driver can then call back and your credit card can still be used.

How to order: By phone or online (you will need the address for the resort which you are staying)

Delivery: You must give your cell phone number at the time of order placement. The driver will call you when he is about 10 minutes away. Per Disney policy, you must meet the delivery driver in the lobby, to ensure your and the driver’s safety.

 

Name: Uno Pizzeria and Grill, Lake Buena Vista

Location: 12553 State Road 535, Orlando

Phone: 407-827-1212

Website: www.unos.com

Hours: Monday – Sunday 11am – 2am

What: Chicago style deep dish, flatbread, gluten free, and artisan crust pizzas, appetizers, salads, soups, chicken, steak, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, desserts, and beverages

Pizza prices: $10.49-$26.99 (extra charges for additional toppings)

Minimum order value: $15.00

Delivery fees: $3.00 per order plus tip for the driver

Payment methods accepted: Cash, all major credit cards, travelers checks, and personal checks     *If paying by credit card you will need to give the number at the time your order is placed. However, if you indicate that you will be paying by cash and change your mind when the driver arrives, you or the driver can then call back and your credit card can still be used.

How to order: By phone or online (you will need the address for the resort which you are staying)

Delivery: You must give your cell phone number at the time of order placement. The driver will call you when he is about 10 minutes away. Per Disney policy, you must meet the delivery driver in the lobby, to ensure your and the driver’s safety.

 

The winner of the epic dual for my offsite pizza delivery order? It still remains to be seen. Both Flippers and Uno got points for friendly staff, organized and detailed online menus, and reasonable pricing. My husband loves brick oven style pies, while I love Chicago style. Next trip it will probably come down to whether or not I can smile sweetly and bat my lashes enough to get my way.

Have you ordered offsite pizza while staying at a Disney resort? What has your experience been?

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Non-Disney Pizza delivered to your Resort is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Menu Monday: Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

By Kristi Fredericks

My family and I love the Rainforest Café. As we travel around the country, we always take every opportunity that we get to stop and enjoy a meal at this restaurant. Over the years, we’ve dined at the Rainforest Café in Disneyland, Dallas, Galveston, Denver (now sadly closed), Las Vegas, Downtown Disney and Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The location in Animal Kingdom is by far one of our favorites with its spaciousness, enthusiastic wait staff and high quality cuisine. Please read on to learn more about this delicious destination and our exciting morning in Animal Kingdom. Your adventure is about to begin!

The Day Begins

On this day of our Disney vacation, my boys and I woke up early and had a quick breakfast at Landscape of Flavors at our home base for this trip – Art of Animation. If you haven’t had the chance to check out this Disney resort yet, I would recommend just stopping by to take a look around. It has a huge gift shop, a fun arcade for the kids and lots of great photo opportunities without all of the crowds. After our tasty breakfast of pastries and fruit smoothies, we headed out to the bus stop for our ride to Animal Kingdom.

Our Adventure

We were pleasantly surprised at how quickly the journey went and in less than thirty minutes we were standing in line to enter the park with our touring plan in hand. For this day we had booked three Fastpass+ reservations in addition to our advanced dining reservation (ADR) for the Rainforest Café. Our plans included a ride on Kilimanjaro Safaris, then a 9:25-10:25am Fastpass+ for Expedition Everest, followed by a 10:25-11:25am Fastpass+ for DINOSAUR before heading to our 11:15am ADR at Rainforest Café. After lunch, we had a 12:30-12:50pm Fastpass+ reserved for Finding Nemo – The Musical. We knew we were going to be pushing it to fit everything in and if we encountered another pack of giraffes wandering in the road like our last safari, we would be sunk, but we pressed on feeling determined and up for the challenge.

Once we were in the park, we made a beeline straight for Kilimanjaro Safaris. Luck was with us and the line was short. We were on the attraction enjoying the spectacular views in less than 20 minutes. The morning was cool and lots of animals were up and about. Lucky for us, none of them stopped in our path and our safari cruised right along. We checked the time after exiting the safari and it was only 9:45am, plenty of time to make it to Everest.

After the required pre-Everest pit stop, we were checking in for our Fastpass+ reservations around 10:00am. After enjoying the thrills of Expedition Everest, we made our way quickly through the gift shop, being very careful to avoid the place where some poor soul had lost their breakfast. Note to Self: Always eat light before riding Expedition Everest!

The time was just 10:20am, five minutes before our DINOSAUR Fastpass+ window was to open, our touring plan was working perfectly as usual. We are fast walkers so by 10:30am, we were checking in for our DINOSAUR Fastpass+ reservation. Even though Indiana Jones Adventure in Disneyland is far superior to DINOSAUR, I still can’t help but love this attraction. After having a blast traveling back in time, we exited the attraction at 11:00am with only 15 minutes until our Rainforest Café ADR on the other side of the park. We kicked it into high gear and took off for the restaurant.

Lunchtime At The Rainforest Café

We arrived with just a few minutes to spare giving us some time to explore the spacious outside waiting area and gift shop where we met up with grandma and grandpa. Keep in mind when dining at this location, you are actually leaving Animal Kingdom and you will have to enter again if you plan to spend more time in the park after your meal.

The restaurant wasn’t busy yet so we were seated within a couple of minutes after checking in for our 11:15am ADR. The Rainforest Café menu is large so we spent a few minutes surveying our options before making our selections. My youngest son chose the Rainforest Rascals (two mini grilled burgers from the children’s menu), my oldest son went with the Rainforest Burger, I picked the chicken tenders with a side of French fries, and grandma and grandpa decided to share the Rainforest Pita Quesadillas. Rainforest Café also has specialty cocktails and a full bar. Since we had a full afternoon and night planned in Epcot, I decided to stick with water. Over the years, I’ve tried several of their specialty drinks and while delicious, they don’t pack too much of a punch. Our food was delivered quickly and looked incredible.

My youngest son loved his Rascals. They were cooked perfectly and dressed with all of his favorite toppings that we had requested. My oldest son enjoyed his Rainforest Burger with the addition of bacon at his request. It was well seasoned and still juicy in spite of ordering it well done. My chicken tenders were wonderful – crisp on the outside, tender on the inside and served with a sweet honey mustard and a tangy barbecue sauce. Grandma and grandpa enjoyed their shared order of quesadillas that had just the right amount of spice and plentiful toppings. As we munched away at our meals, we soaked up the amazing atmosphere that the Rainforest Café is famous for. No details have been overlooked and you definitely have the feeling of a fully immersive experience. Your senses are bombarded with the sights and sounds of lush foliage, wild animal animatronics, aquariums brimming with colorful fish, and simulated thunderstorms. While my school-age children love all of this over-stimulation, it can be quite another story for tiny tikes. This restaurant is loud, really loud, especially during the thunderstorms, so don’t be surprised if you hear the faint sound of young children wailing right along with the thunder. And if you are a parent with one of those little kiddos that might be as noisy as the animatronic gorilla, don’t worry, no one will notice. This place is just that loud.

After we finished up our entrees, we picked desserts; for my boys – Lava Mud. This sweet treat is a combination of chocolate pudding and crushed Oreo cookies topped with gummy worms. My guys were in heaven. My parents and I chose to split a piece of Chocolate Diablo Cake. It was rich, chocolaty and devilishly delightful. The desserts were a perfect ending to our tasty adventure in the rain forest.

Wrapping Up Our Time At Animal Kingdom

A quick check of the time and we realized our Fastpass+ window for Finding Nemo – The Musical would be opening in 5 minutes. We quickly paid the bill, said good-bye to grandma and grandpa, and made a mad dash for the show. We arrived at the theatre too late to make use of our Fastpass+ reservation, but with just enough time to snag some empty seats right up front. All-in-all, it was a fabulous morning at Animal Kingdom.

For Your Viewing Pleasure

Here’s a short video clip to give you a feel for what the restaurant is like during the “thunderstorm”:

Just The Facts

If you are planning a visit to the Rainforest Café at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, here are the important details that you’ll need to know.

This location serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The breakfast menu is served from 8:30am – 10am and the lunch and dinner menu is served from 10am to closing. The restaurant generally stops seating 10 minutes before park closing. (subject to change)
The Rainforest Café does not require park admission. There are two entrances to this location. One is next to the Animal Kingdom park entrance and the other is inside the park which requires that you exit the park before entering the restaurant.
You can make advanced dining reservations by clicking here. If you are unable to secure a reservation online, you can also try calling the restaurant directly at 407-938-9100.
The Rainforest Café offers a 10% discount for Annual Passholders and DVC Members. (subject to change)
The Rainforest Café is part of the Landry’s Select Club. This club has a one-time $25 membership fee and includes the following perks: priority seating (you will be seated at the first available table even without a reservation), $25 welcome reward (available approximately 24 hours after registering your membership online), $25 for every $250 you spend, $25 birthday reward every year, 10% off retail purchases and exclusive member-only offers. I have been a member of this club for years and have found it to be very beneficial. For more information or to join the club, please click here.

Have you dined at the Rainforest Café in Animal Kingdom? What was your experience?

Please leave a comment!


• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Menu Monday: Rainforest Cafe at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Music Made More Popular by Disney Parks

By Claire Nat

Much of the wonderful music that we hear at Walt Disney World and Disneyland are music taken from Disney television or movies. If you’ve followed the AtMousePhere blog posts, we’ve taken a look at how some Disney songs fit perfectly into an area, and other songs are rearranged.

In other areas of the Parks, however, Disney Imagineers incorporated music from outside the Disney universe. Especially in an area like Epcot, using pieces of music from that country or land makes that area in the Park more “authentic.”

Ever since I took an interest in Disney Parks music back in 2009, I did a lot of research to find songs that I heard on MouseWorld Radio and in YouTube videos of the Parks. I learned the names and artists, found out how I could purchase the song, and then did so. Sometimes I found the song on iTunes, sometimes on Amazon, and other times I actually had to order a CD because it wasn’t available in mp3.

(All of these methods are legal, and that’s all we’ll talk about in this article.)

The pieces I list below are pieces of music that I don’t automatically associate with the artist or album. Instead, I associate it with a specific area of Walt Disney World or Disneyland. If I were to hear it anywhere outside of the Parks, it would immediately transport me to the Happiest Place on Earth!

If you haven’t heard these songs, I recommend checking them out.

“I Already Have a Husband” – Balafon Marimba Ensemble (from Balafon Marimba Ensemble)

I know this song immediately from Adventureland in Magic Kingdom park (it can also be heard in Disney’s Animal Kingdom) because of its speedy rhythm and fun melodic movement. The group out of Oregon performs music from Africa and the Caribbean and fits perfectly into the parks. I wonder how much recognition they get from their music in Adventureland compared to how much they get from the “real world”!

This song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

“Bierdna (The Bear)” – Hedningarna (from Hippjokk)

This piece can be found on the post-2004 pre-show loop for Illuminations: Reflections of Earth. I always preferred the pre-2004 loop, since that is the one I’d always heard online, but this one is a favorite of the “new” loop.

I’ve heard that the two loops are now interchanging before Illuminations, so it’s up in the air if you’ll hear it or not. However, my students love to listen to this song when I have my Disney Friday playlist of study music. (They call it “The Chanting Song!”

This song can be purchased on iTunes.

“Flying” – James Newton Howard (from the Peter Pan soundtrack – 2003)

This song was used in the 2010 Disney Parks campaign, which was precisely the time when I was planning my first adult Disney vacation. Naturally, I fell in love with the piece. People probably know this song more from the Disney commercials than from the movie it’s from.

This song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

“Baka” – Outback (from Baka)

I heard this one just recently and loved it. It’s so catchy, and the use of didgeridoo is used so that it doesn’t get annoying or obnoxious (for me, anyway). It can be heard near the Flame Tree Barbecue, and if you’ve been to that area you know this piece fits that eclectic, artsy style.

This song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

“Carousel (A Day in the Park)” – Checkfield (from Reflections on a Decade)

If you ever hear a song by Checkfield, you will automatically be transported back in time to an era where synthesizers were hugely popular and used in most popular music: the 1980s and 1990s. I purchased this CD and felt that way. But as soon as I got to the final track – “Carousel” – I was instead taken to the Wonders of Life pavilion in Epcot. Even though the pavilion is no more, much of the music from there can still be heard in online Disney loops and matches the area’s whimsical and wondrous atmosphere.

(If you enjoyed the Wonders of Life in the 1990s and early 2000s, then this music is a must. Checkfield included other songs like “Grasslands,” while David Benoit – of “Spectromagic” fame – composed “Wild Kids.” Another favorite is “Behind the Waterfall” by David Lanz. All of these can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon. Sorry for the tangent!)

This song can only be found on CD – I ordered mine through Amazon.

“The Twilight Zone Theme” (from The Twilight Zone)

While this creepy tune achieved iconic status decades ago, Disney-goers associate the theme of The Twilight Zone more with the attraction in Disney’s Hollywood Studios than the television show, much to the chagrin of people over the age of 25. But does the song gain popularity thanks to its place in the parks? Yes it does. And so it is on this list.

Versions of this song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon – make sure to sample it before you buy!

“The Right Stuff Theme” – Bill Conti (from The Right Stuff soundtrack)

I love this movie, and it’s so much fun hearing this piece in the queue for Soarin’. That queue has so many amazing pieces – along with its own theme music, which is equally fantastic – that it’s hard to pick one “iconic” piece from there. I’m sure yours is different from mine, and that’s totally fine! This piece fits perfectly with the “flying” and “adventure” themes.

This song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon

“Standing in Motion” – Yanni (from Yanni Live at the Acropolis)

There might be some snickers when I mention Yanni, but if I think of the Epcot Fountain music, the first song I think of is “Standing in Motion” because I remember watching that piece be played with the fountains way back in 1995. There are other great pieces used with the fountains, but when I hear this piece I think of nothing else except the fountains.

You can find the piece on other Yanni albums, but the version from the Acropolis album is the most similar to the piece used in Epcot.

This song can be purchased on iTunes and Amazon.

“30-ärs Jiggen (30-Year Jig)” – Väsen (from Världens Väsen)

I hesitated to put this one on here, since I purchased it on iTunes 5 years ago and it’s no longer available there. But it is my favorite of the Illuminations pre-show pieces (from the loop before 2004), and it was a piece the played almost immediately before the nighttime spectacular began, which meant a lot of people have heard it. I love the sound of the fiddle with the very simple percussion at the beginning before gradually building onto that theme until a final explosion near the end.

You can get the CD through third party websites, though additional music from Väsen can be found on iTunes and Amazon.

 

I know I probably didn’t include your favorite non-Disney piece that you associate the Disney Parks, so please tell me what it is below! I’m always looking to increase my Disney music library, and I hope I helped increase yours, too!

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Music Made More Popular by Disney Parks is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

SATURDAY SIX: The Six Best Attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort According to Our All-Star Panel

By Derek Burgan

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at the Six Best Attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort. We invited distinguished theme park experts from all over the world to come together and decide – once and for all – what the six best attractions are at the Universal Orlando Resort. Unfortunately, they were all busy. So instead we would like to introduce to you an all star, blue ribbon panel, made up of Universal experts. These include members of some of the greatest Universal websites (including Orlando United and Orlando Informer), the best Universal podcasts (including Parkscope and the Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast), the most amazing Uni photogs (including Mike Sperduto and Brandon Glover), high ranking officials of the Theme Park Illuminati (such as Len Testa and Jim Hill), fan favorite park icons (including Scarlett Litton and Mark Diba), and the man who literally wrote the book on Universal, Seth Kubersky. We used a total of 25 individuals, in honor of Universal’s upcoming 25th Anniversary.

SATURDAY SIX staff crunching numbers.

The Criteria: Each of the 25 experts voted on what they consider to be the six best attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort. These attractions could be any ride or show currently in Islands of Adventure or Universal Studios Florida. Special event shows – such as Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure or the Blues Brothers Christmas Show – were not eligible. Each attraction listed would be awarded ONE point, except for the attraction that the voter ranked in his #1 spot – that received TWO points. The votes were then sent to a top secret location in Florida and counted no less than 22 times (we’ve had some problems in the past. Sorry, Mr. Gore). The results are in, and we now proudly present….

The DEFINITIVE GUIDE to the SIX BEST ATTRACTIONS at the UNIVERSAL ORLANDO RESORT.

# 6 – MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack (14 Points)

MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack. (photo by Mike Sperduto)

Jim Hill, JimHillMedia.com – Steven Spielberg was supposedly the guy who came up with Universal Studios Florida’s original catch phrase (“Ride the Movies”). But MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack was the first theme park attraction that really did allow guests to ride a movie. To immerse theme park visitors in this hyper-detailed environment that then tried to replicate the specific look & feel of a particular motion picture. So much of what Universal Creative has since been celebrated for when it comes to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, it first did with the April 2000 opening of this 70,000 square foot attraction. From the exterior to this enormous show building (which replicates the observation towers of the New York State Pavilion that played such an important part in the finale of the original Men in Black movie) to the insane level of detail found in this attraction’s queue (e.g., being able to listen in on the “worm guys” as they take their coffee break) to how interactive the actual “Alien Attack” ride is all by itself… The sheer ambition of MIB:AA is still kind of mind-blowing. And then when you factor in that upwards of 2200 Guests are able to experience this USF attraction every hour … Well, is it any wonder that the Themed Entertainment Association (TEA) decided to give Universal Creative an Outstanding Achievement award in 2001 for all the great work that it did on this interactive, genuinely immersive attraction?

Interrogation room at MEN IN BLACK: Alien Attack. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Seth Kubersky (TouringPlans and the Unofficial Guide to Universal) – Forget Buzz and Midway Mania, MEN IN BLACK Alien Attack is the best shooting gallery dark ride in Orlando. It’s got a preshow that pokes fun at the classic 1964 World’s Fair, and a queue with animatronic aliens straight out of the films. It’s got nearly infinite re-rideability, thanks to lengthy twin tracks past huge dimensional sets, multiple endings, and guns that don’t give you carpal tunnel cramps. It’s got a snarky sense of humor and a single rider rider line that’s always short. But most importantly, it’s got Will Smith wiping your memory with a seizure-inducing strobe. Wait, what was I talking about?

DID YOU KNOW: Guests can ask for a tour of the Interrogation Room of MIB: Alien Attack, and get special effects (such as lasers) added onto their on-ride photos.

-

# 5 – Transformers: The Ride-3D (15 Points)

Transformers: The Ride 3D. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Briman, OrlandoUnited – Transformers may not feature great sets as its predecessor The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man, but it packs enough energy to give adrenaline junkies their fix. With in-your-face action, robot fighting, and plenty of fun to boot, Transformers is a must-do for any theme park fan.

Scorponok’s tail in the Transformers queue. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Dani Dennison-Perez, ThisFloridaLife.com – Transformers the Ride is yet another crown jewel in Universal Orlando’s stunning collection of technologically impressive attractions. Many people compare it to The Amazing Spider-Man attraction, though this comparison often leads to discontent of enthusiastic theme park fans who subscribe to the philosophy that UOR has too many “screen” rides. While many crave a more dimensional experience with physical props and sets, one of the awesome aspects of Transformers the Ride is that riders actually travel through multiple levels or heights inside the ride’s multistory building. Additionally, there are multiple effects in the show scenes and ride vehicles themselves that can sometimes make the exhilarating ride a little too real. Whether you are a fan of the Transformers movies, the toys that started it all, or entering the ride with no knowledge of either, it is difficult to resist cheering excitedly as you reach the finale of the ride and exit EVAC as N.E.S.T’s newest hero.

DID YOU KNOW: There is a reference to the Transformers Generation 1 version Bumblbee near the offload area of the ride, and the Supply Vault gift store offers a Transformers action figure exclusive to Universal Studios.

 

# 4 – Revenge of the Mummy (16 Points)

Revenge of the Mummy. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Trygve Nelson, Orlando United – Revenge of the Mummy combines thrills and practical effects in a way no other ride on property can. It uses the stereotypical Universal fire, water, and steam effects, but presents each in a very unique way. The second half of the ride is a balls-to-the-walls coaster section that matches the thrill level of any ride on property, and it does it all in the dark.

DID YOU KNOW: Revenge of the Mummy replaced opening day attraction Kongfrontation, and has several nods to King Kong throughout the attraction, including a statue of ol’ banana breath himself inside the throne room.

-

# 3 – Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts (20 Points)

Harry Potter and Escape from Gringotts at Diagon Alley. (photo by Mike Sperdtuo)

Joe Matt, Parkscope – Gringotts is my favorite UOR attraction because it combines a simple plot, amazing sets, and great effects into a stunning experience. Unlike Forbidden Journey, Transformers, or Spider-Man, Gringotts doesn’t fall into the “a cameo by this character” trope. The experience starts in a visually stunning hall with many goblin AAs before descending into the depths of Gringotts in a fake but convincing elevator. Your trip to the vaults quickly gets hijacked as you get swung around through three story caverns, past waterfalls, rescued from Voldemort’s torture, and escape with help from Harry and friends. After all, it’s the safest place on earth, right?

The Gringotts dragon. (photo by Mike Sperduto)

Megan Stump, #PotterWatch, Spent 30 days in front of Diagon Alley awaiting its opening in the Summer of 2014- Escape from Gringotts is a Potterhead’s dream. From the moment you enter into the queue and walk into the lobby of the bank, you are thrown into the story of Harry Potter. You walk past larger than life chandeliers, goblins that look down on the “muggles,” a vault full of gold, and then into Bill Weasley’s office. Meeting Bill and heading down to the vaults in the elevator are two of the coolest pre-shows I’ve seen. The ride itself is a great combination of storytelling and a thrill ride. When Bellatrix shows up and curses you away, that initial drop is a rush every time (especially if you sit in the back 2 rows!). From there it whisks you through the vaults meeting up with the trio, trolls and Voldemort himself! Many people compare EFG to a mashup of Spider-Man and Mummy, and while it does have some of those ride elements, it really is its own attraction. Let’s be real – it’s just FUN! As a Potterhead I love the fact it puts me into the world of Harry and doesn’t make me as sick as Forbidden Journey!

DID YOU KNOW: The total length of the Escape From Gringotts queue, including the End Of Days extended queue at its fullest, approaches 2.5 miles.

-

# 2 – Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (27 Points)

Hogwarts Castle, home of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Hate To Fly, Orlando United – What do you get when you add cutting edge media, life like animatronics, a breakthrough ride system, pinpoint accurate robotics, and the boy who lived together? You get one of the best rides on the planet. Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey changed the way we look at rides and how we experience them. Everything within this attraction is nothing short of amazing. The grand facade, the elaborate queue, and – heck – even the Sorting Hat safety spiel perfectly demonstrate the level of detail and technology you’ll find on this amazing adventure. Forbidden Journey is the complete experience and a must-ride attraction for anyone visiting central Florida.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. (photo by Tom Bricker or Travel Caffeine.

Lee Mallaby, Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast – A true modern marvel, Forbidden Journey takes the best of old school rides and the latest technology and seemlessly combines them to create an attraction that is simply amazing. From the animatronic Dragon and Whomping Willow, to the stunning Kuka robot arm ride vehicles, this attraction leaves you breathless.

The entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Hogsmeade is the precursor to this ride, the whole area was built to showcase, in my opinion, the world’s greatest attraction. The queue line is simply stunning and has set a precedent that many other theme parks can only dream of matching. From the moment you strap in to your “enchanted bench” you will be exhilarated, scared, and left breathless by the attraction that has set the bar by which all other dark rides will be judged, which leaves this ride a modern classic.

Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. (photo by Hate To Fly)

Tracey Mallaby, Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast – Okay, so my reason for picking The Forbidden Journey is simple. As a huge fan of the Harry Potter universe, more books that movies, I feel like I am stepping into my own imagination. Entering the gates of Hogwarts is breathtaking, the scale of the castle is awesome, and the queue line is astonishingly detailed – there is so much to see and be entertained by. The ride itself is a fun caper… flying with Harry…escaping dementors… evading a Dragon… dodging the whomping willow – all exceeding my wildest dreams. The immersiveness of this ride is great, and the technology involved has your head and stomach confused, all in good fun. The reason it didn’t make #1 is because there is no competitive edge to it and no variety: you get the same ride every time – unless it breaks down, of course.

DID YOU KNOW: The queue and exit of Forbidden Journey are filled with items straight from the Potter movies, including a bottle of Skele-Gro (which Harry Potter used in Chamber of Secrets after Prof. Lockhart’s disastrous attempt to heal Harry’s arm,) and a copy of Dark Arts Defense: Basics for Beginners (which Dolores Umbridge forced the students to use in Order of the Phoenix, much to Hermoine’s chagrin.) The attraction was also the very first time fans of the Harry Potter books or films got to actually see the four founders of Hogwarts (Godric Gryffindor, Salazar Slytherin, Rowena Ravenclaw and Helga Hufflepuff) as the four have a discussion via talking paintings. You will also see the objects which He Who Shall Not Be Named used as horcruxes (including Hufflepuff’s cup and Ravenclaw’s diadem.)

-

# 1 – The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man (34 Points)

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Nick Exley, Parkscope – Spider-Man, Spider-Man, doing what other attractions CAN’T! The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man opened in 1999 and immediately rewrote the book on what was possible with theme park rides.  I still remember the early advertisements for Universal Studios Escape (which Universal Orlando Resort was briefly called in the late 1990s) featuring Spider-Man and Doc Ock. The instant praise plus the A advertisements got me pumped to experience this new breed of thrill at Universal’s Islands of Adventure. When it actually came time to experience the attraction, I was not disappointed. Spider-Man didn’t just push the envelope of what is possible in a themed attraction: it destroyed the envelope in a blaze of glory! The re-mastered film and improved pacing that came in a 2012 upgrade only improved the experience.  From close encounters to amazing practical effects, the ride does what many have tried but few have accomplished, truly making you a part of an experience.  The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man still holds its head high as the only true Potter-swatter in Orlando!

The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man. (photo courtesy of the Universal Orlando Resort)

Len Testa, The Unofficial Guide, WDW Today, and has a Space Mountain-themed kitchen - The high-definition film and projector upgrades that went in to this attraction in 2012 improved the look of what was already the best ride in Orlando. Spider-Man combines a truck-like ride vehicle with fairly detailed sets and amazing video effects. I still can’t believe the ride vehicles don’t leave the ground. I give Spider-Man the #1 spot because the 3-D effects work better for people with glasses (like me), and the effects are less likely to induce motion sickness.

Spider-Man’s queue is filled with wonderful details.

Derek Burgan, Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast and 2X runDisney medal winner – While enough can’t be said about the amazing ride experience of Spider-Man, I would like to point out one of the things I enjoy most about this attraction: The Queue. The standby line is terrific as guests walk through the Daily Bugle and see tons of great gags, while the Express Pass queue also has story elements that you will only see in that line. Combine that with a pressed penny machine, a Photo Connect experience, and tributes to members of Universal Creative? Outside of Hogwarts Castle for Forbidden Journey, this is as good as a theme park queue can get.

DID YOU KNOW: Most guests can spot the four Stan Lee cameos throughout the ride, but there are also nods to Universal Creative (such as Mark Woodbury and Thierry Coup), fellow Marvel superhero Iron Man, and the Clone Saga (one the most well known – and most hated – storylines in Spider-Man history.)

 

HONORABLE MENTION: The Incredible Hulk (12 Points)

The Incredible Hulk coaster. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Brandon Glover, The Park Blogger podcast – For me the Incredible Hulk coaster has long been one of my favorite coasters in Central Florida. It was the first ride I experienced in Islands of Adventure, as well as the first steel coaster I had ever ridden. Nothing could prepare me for the intense launch into the zero-G roll, which continues to be one of the most thrilling experiences in an Orlando theme park. With the cobra roll, multiple corkscrews, and the misting tunnel, Hulk has a great mix of coaster elements that appeal to the thrill seeking coaster fan such as myself. To experience it in my favorite manner, ride at night and wait for the front row. That’s when Hulk is at its best in my opinion – even if things don’t work this time…

-

RUNNERS UP: Horror Make-Up Show (9), E.T. (6), Hogwarts Express (5), Celestina Warbeck and the Banshees/Tales of Beedle the Bard (5), Jurassic Park River Adventure (4), Blues Brothers (4),Terminator 2: 3D (3), Disaster (2), Cinematic Spectacular (2), Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (2), Ollivanders (2), Poseidon’s Fury (2), The High in the Sky Seuss Trolley Train Ride (2), Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge Rat Barges (2),The Simpsons Ride (1), Dragon Challenge (2), Cat in the Hat (1), Animal Actors on Location (1), and Twister…Ride It Out (1)

You know what, we’re going to give a write up for TWISTER…Ride It Out for coming in last place. Why? For the same reason Universal built Transformers: The Ride 3D in less than a year… BECAUSE WE CAN!

DOUBLE SECRET HONORABLE MENTION: TWISTER…Ride It Out! (1 Point)

The closest you will ever see Bill Paxton and Hellen Hunt. At Twister…Ride It Out! (photo by Brandon Glover)

Len Testa, has a Space Mountain-themed kitchen – Okay, not the most sophisticated ride, although it does get bonus points for actually creating a real freaking vortex inside a theme park show building. No, what makes Twister a must-see every time I’m in the park is Bill Paxton’s completely dead-inside delivery of his lines. If Morrissey (please God, please make this happen) ever narrates a theme park ride, he will struggle to reach Bill’s career-defining level of ennui in Twister.

Paxton’s explanation of a tornado’s fury has all the drama of someone reading a cereal box while drugged. But because he’s talking about the danger of a massive tornado, it’s the most compelling piece of underacting in any theme park attraction, and part of me secretly believes that Paxton did it on purpose as an ironic commentary on man’s inability to affect nature. Bravo, Mr. Paxton. Bravo.

VOTERS: Parkscope.net (Joe Matt, Mike, Sean, Nick Exley,) OrlandoUnited.com (BriMan, Drew, Hate to Fly, Trygve Nelson,) Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast (Lee Mallaby, the lovely and talented Tracey Mallaby, Gregory Ryan, Hunter Fagan, Darren Schmidt, the sweet and charming Nina Thompson,) Taylor Strickland (Orlando Informer), the First Lady of theme park blogging Dani Dennison-Perez (This Florida Life,) Craig Williams (The DIS,) The Weasley Twin’s fantasy woman Megan Stump, Len Testa, Jim Hill, Seth Kubersky, Mark Diba, the beautiful bride to be Scarlett Litton, Brian Bennett, Mike Sperduto and Brandon Glover. (Yes, we know that’s actually 26, but the number 25 certainly sounded better, didn’t it? WE TOLD YOU FLORIDIANS WEREN’T GOOD AT COUNTING!)

So there you have it: The Six Best Attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort. See you next weekend for the latest installment of the SATURDAY SIX, where we’ll look at something fun from the world of Disney and Universal. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.

Spider-man meets his cutest fan. (photo by Mike Sperduto)

If you enjoyed The Six Best Attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort, you may also enjoy:

Six “Easter Eggs” of the Universal Orlando Resort

Six EXTRME EATS at the Universal Orlando Resort

The Six Most Underrated Attractions at Universal

REVIEW: Universal’s Character Breakfast at the Royal Pacific Resort

Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover, photo wunderkind Mike Sperduto, Disney Photo Icon Tom Bricker, and Megan Stump for their invaluable assistance with this article. Be sure to also check out Brandon on The Park Blogger podcast with co-hosts Aengus Mackenzie and Brian Carey. I would also like each and every one of the talented men and women who agreed to take part in this in-depth study. I respect and am in awe of much of their work and am honored they took the time to help us out.

All apologies to Kermit J. Frog for the intro.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

SATURDAY SIX: The Six Best Attractions at the Universal Orlando Resort According to Our All-Star Panel is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Universal Orlando Early Park Admission Now at Islands of Adventure Only

By Seth Kubersky

Universal Orlando Early Park Admission policies have changed once again. (photo by Seth Kubersky)

Welcome back to the never-ending saga of Universal Orlando Early Park Admission procedures. As of January 20, 2015, Universal has yet again adjusted the popular perk offered to their on-site hotel guests. Early Park Admission to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which allows eligible guests into the resort’s most popular area one hour before the general public, is now restricted to only Hogsmeade at Islands of Adventure.

A quick recap: IOA offered early entry hours from the time the first Harry Potter land opened in 2010 until last year. Once Diagon Alley opened last summer, both parks opened for early park admission until the summer season ended, at which point only Universal Studios Florida was opened. This made sense, as most guests are primarily interested in the new Diagon Alley, and early park admission was the best time by far to experience Escape from Gringotts without a lengthy wait.

Now, and until further notice, only IOA will open early, somewhat reducing the value of early park admission. On the flip side, day guests now have a fairer shot of riding Gringotts with a short wait at rope drop, though for now we still recommend saving it for the afternoon. Universal is scheduled to return to 2-park early entry for January 30 through February 1 (during the Celebration of Harry Potter event), then return to IOA-only early entry on February 2.

The Hogwarts Express opens the queue at Hogsmeade Station at 8:15 a.m. (or 15 minutes after early park admission begins) and dispatches the first train to Universal Studios Florida at 8:30 a.m. (30 minutes before USF officially opens). Guests arriving from IOA will be allowed into Diagon Alley at around the same time as guests entering from USF’s front gates, and Gringotts will not start running until the park officially opens.

We will continue to monitor wait times and adjust our premium Universal Orlando touring plans if this new policy greatly affects crowd patterns. Keep an eye on this blog and our newly updated comprehensive Early Park Admission information page for further updates.

 

 

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Universal Orlando Early Park Admission Now at Islands of Adventure Only is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of January 23, 2015

By Rikki Niblett

In Case You Missed It!

I promise that this week’s “In Case You Missed It” has not be deflated in any way, shape, or form; it is perfectly intact. No DeflateGate here!

This week’s article features a plethora of fun including a cool relic from 1955 Tomorrowland, an article about what could be behind Frozen’s popularity, and more!

 

In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors

 

Congrats to the all new Four Seasons resort! It was named as one of AAA’s Five Diamond Award recipients, making it the only Five Diamond resort in Orlando.

Reports were released of the injuries associated with rides at the major theme parks in Orlando; here are this quarter’s results.

Oh my god, I’m in love! Have you seen the new Starbucks/Disney mugs? I’m not one who usually has to collect coffee mugs, despite my massive love for coffee, but these I think are gonna be must-haves. (I’m also gonna need that plastic tumbler too.)

Do you remember the “Clock of the World” from Disneyland? It debuted in Tomorrowland in 1955, but it didn’t last too terribly long. Find out why.

The measles cases from Disneyland are not going away, with the numbers increasing each week. So, California public health officials are urging people who haven’t been vaccinated to avoid Disneyland.

The “All Aboard: A Celebration of Walt’s Trains” exhibit at the Walt Disney Family Museum has been extended! Find out the details on their website and make sure to experience this fantastic exhibit if you get the chance to!

USA Today ran a great article all about how to get the best cruise ship cabin. For a lot of people there are many variables which qualify a particular room as the “best” cabin. This article shares some of the things you should maybe consider when looking to book a stateroom, which could just make that particular cabin the best one for your family.

The pot is starting to stir. So, for those who are unaware, Bob Iger is supposed to retire in 2018, and it’s been said that he is expected to pick his successor this year, likely this spring. Why do I bring that up? Well, according to Variety, Disney CFO Jay Rasulo’s contract ends at the end of the month and he hasn’t yet signed a new contract with the company. So, he’s either not signed because he’s expecting that he’ll be offered a new contract as the big man in charge soon OR is it because if he’s not announced as the future CEO, then he will easily be able to leave the company and obtain a job somewhere else? Guess we’ll find out soon what will happen. Do you have any thoughts on who the future CEO should be? (Money is on either Rasulo or Tom Staggs, for those not aware.)

Speaking of Bob Iger…he’s making some money…See just how much he earned in 2014. (Makes that successor race all that more important, right? Cause somebody’s likely gonna be making bank…well, even more so than they already are.)

Another change is taking place this year, as yet another longtime executive will be leaving the Walt Disney Company–Erin Wallace. She has been the executive vice president of operations strategy, planning and revenue management for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts since 2009.

This week, I came across the next video from Alex Boye (who brought us the tribal version of “Let It Go.”) This video is a beautiful cover of “Circle of Life” which was filmed in Kenya and features many beautiful animals and landscapes. It’s simply gorgeous.

Why is Frozen this insanely popular juggernaut? Many have been trying to figure out what’s causing children to connect so strongly to this movie. I found one intriguing article which shares the potential science behind the obsession of it all…and I have to admit that some of it makes sense. (Though really, can one ever figure out what creates these strong phenomenons? If someone could, they’d replicate the formula all the time.)

In Case We Missed It

 

What did we miss? Attach your ideas to a Mickey Mouse stapler (wait…shouldn’t you use the stapler to attach your idea…never mind) and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of January 23, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Historic Cocoa Village: Unique Shopping and Dining near Port Canaveral

By Natalie Reinert

Here at TouringPlans, we always recommend that cruisers arrive a day early for their Disney Cruise if possible. Things can happen, and the ship will leave without you if you’re running late. So what do you do for entertainment in the 24 hours before you leave? Sure, you could spend a day at Walt Disney World or even stay there and take a Disney transfer to Port Canaveral, but that’s a lot of money in park admission, plus the additional cost of the bus ride ($70 round trip, per person). Or you could stay closer to the port and explore the area.

Just a short drive from Port Canaveral, a historic downtown district offers riverfront views, eclectic dining, unique and local shopping, and an atmosphere that promises fun for all ages. It’s called Historic Cocoa Village, and it’s the perfect addition to your Cocoa Beach or Port Canaveral stay.

Riverfront Park, just east of Cocoa Village, offers a boardwalk along the Indian River.

Stretching over a handful of city blocks alongside the Indian River and State Route 520 (King Street), Cocoa Village is a thriving example of downtown revitalization, with a distinctively Floridian feel. Umbrella trees shade cafes tucked away in quiet courtyards, palm trees line the streets, and shops dedicated to flip flops and resort-wear stand alongside restaurants featuring house-made ice cream and Southern cooking.

On the eastern side, a playground shaded by live oaks gives way to an outdoor amphitheater and a boardwalk stretching along the Indian River, offering panoramic views of the boat-dotted river and the faraway shoreline of Merritt Island.

A historic shopping district with a distinctly Floridian flair, Cocoa Village is just a short drive from Port Canaveral.

Cocoa Village is an ideal addition to your Port Canaveral or Cocoa Beach stay. Whether you’ve got a night to kill before your cruise leaves in the morning, or you’re staying for a few days along the Space Coast, here you can get away from the chain stores and find some local Floridian shopping, dining, and entertainment.

And if you’re a repeat Bahamian cruiser who has been-there, done-that with the Nassau shopping scene, you’ll find plenty of unique tropical souvenirs and gifts, from artwork to handmade decor, to bring home. Let’s explore Cocoa Village.

Cocoa Village’s BellAir courtyard is just a tiny corner of this downtown shopping district.

 

Shopping

You could stick to the T-shirt stores and even Ron Jon’s Surf Shop on Cocoa Beach for your Florida souvenirs, but if you’re looking for unique takeaways, gifts, or something perfect for your vacation, there’s a shop for that in Cocoa Village.

Need great new shoes for your Disney Cruise? Try The Flop Shop, which offers that most Floridian of footwear, the flip flop, in nicer varieties than that $2 Old Navy pair you’ve been wearing. In Florida, we wear flip flops year ’round, and they need to be comfortable.

The Flop Shop stocks the most Floridian of shoes – and they’re perfect for your cruise or beach stay.

So The Flop Shop features casual shoes, sandals, and flops by companies like Reef, Olukai, Merrell, and Toms.

Something to bring home to the grandparents? A shop called The Bathery might not be your first stop for souvenir hunting, but this accessories store is more then just its extensive collection of luxurious bath products. Within you’ll find resort wear for adults, colorful boutique items for children, and an array of unique notions, from artwork to housewares.

Fun folk art like this metal rooster jostles with novelty signs and antiques of all sorts at this Harrison Street shop.

For art, antiques, boutique fashions, and more, the streets are lined with shops for everyone. Whether you like to hunt around deep within vintage store shelves, or prefer a curated selection of antiques, Cocoa Village has so many antique shops they spill out to the blocks around the historic district.

One good choice for exploration is The Threadneedle Street Mall, a collection of eclectic storefronts hidden from Brevard Avenue by a charming archway, includes shops such as elements of paradise, offering handmade decor and items from the South Pacific. You’ll find totally unique items here, such as rustic furniture built from reclaimed fishing boats in Bali and Indonesia. Down the hall, Frankly My Dear – Unique Artistic Apparel, offers hand-made accessories along with unique beachwear, evening wear, and everything in between.

One of the village’s brightest and most eclectic art boutiques is a co-op of local artists.

And down at the Village’s eastern edge, you’ll find art ranging from wooden carvings to original watercolors at Carolyn Seiler & Friends Artist’s Co-op. If you’re looking for a take-home piece of artwork that has the bright tropical feel of Florida, you’ll find something perfect here.

Dining

There’s a growing mix of old and new in the Cocoa Village dining scene, and the variety can make it hard to choose where you’ll have dinner–or stay out late for drinks. At one end, you’ll find the award-winning Cafe Margaux, a French restaurant tucked away in a courtyard which has been quietly receiving accolades for the past twenty-five years. With a menu that includes garlic butter sauteed snails on saffron angel hair pasta with spinach, basil, and macadamias ($14) in the starters, herb-seared New Zealand rack of lamb with parmesan garlic risotta ($45) amongst the entrees, and an assortment of fresh, local, and creative fish dishes, Cafe Margaux is ideal for a special occasion.

Cafe Margaux’s outdoor seating in a shady courtyard.

At the other end of the spectrum, you’ll find family-friendly neighborhood joints like Ryan’s Village Pizza and Pub, which faces the playground of Taylor Park and features massive slices of pizza starting at $2.75 pub food such as wings (ten for $7.99), and Italian dishes and sandwiches. Local brews from Florida Beer Company join more mainstream craft and regular beers on tap, and there’s a full bar.

In between, try homemade ice cream from Ossorio Bakery and Cafe, or stop in for sandwiches (and more ice cream) from Village Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop.

Newer restaurants popping up include Murdock’s Southern Bistro at the (appropriately) southern end of the district; walk just a few blocks further for Crush Eleven, a new dinner/drinks spot with dishes like green bean fries with smoked paprika aioli ($7) and root beer braised short ribs with grits ($25). Sublime, in the heart of Cocoa Village on Harrison Street, offers signature sangria in addition to its Cuban-inspired menu.

Entertainment

If you’re looking for more than just a great bar or a lovely walk to keep you busy, Cocoa Village can seem kind of quiet. You can’t catch a movie; that’s because Cocoa’s 1924 Aladdin Theater now houses The Cocoa Village Playhouse. The Playhouse puts on Broadway musicals and plays throughout the year; you’ll find schedules, showtimes, and ticketing at their website. 2015’s line-up includes My Fair Lady, Fiddler on the Roof, and Rent.

The Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse puts on productions throughout the year.

Otherwise, Cocoa Village’s bar scene continues to expand, with the above-mentioned Sublime and Crush Eleven, plus the brand-new Village Idiot Pub, which features micro-brews at the bar, live music on the weekends, and jazz every second Thursday.

For the simpler things — a walk along the riverfront, letting the kids play on the playground — Taylor Park and adjacent Riverfront Park are at the east end of Cocoa Village, providing plenty of room to stretch the legs and take in the Florida scenery.

For my money, there’s more to do, and better shopping to be done, in Cocoa Village than in Nassau. If you’re a frequent Bahamian cruiser and you’ve feel like you’ve been there and done that in Nassau, definitely give Cocoa Village a try.

Getting There

Driving: Cocoa Village offers multiple free parking lots, and free on-street parking with a three-hour limit. From Cape Canaveral, take A1A south to SR 520 and head west towards Cocoa. After the second causeway (over the Indian River) turn left on Brevard Avenue. You’ll find a parking lot at the far end, near Maryland Avenue. There’s another parking lot on Florida Avenue, one block west. Note that traffic over the causeway tends to back up during Kennedy Space Center’s early rush hour, approximately 3 PM – 5 PM.

From Cocoa Beach, as above, just turn left onto SR 520.

From Orlando and I-95, take SR 520 east to Cocoa. Downtown Cocoa Village will be on your right, turn at Florida Avenue or Brevard Avenue for parking.

Visit Cocoa Village’s website and download a shopping map here.

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Historic Cocoa Village: Unique Shopping and Dining near Port Canaveral is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Relocating to Florida: Part Three: The Florida Difference and Disney as a local

By Angela Dahlgren

We’ve made it to the final installment in my relocation series! Below are links to Part One and Part Two.

Part One: Weather and Finances

Part Two: New Surroundings and the Disney Distance

We’re back with fellow Touringplans bloggers Julia Mascardo and Natalie Reinert as we discuss the Florida difference and traveling to Walt Disney World as a local.

How often did you think you’d be visiting the parks?

Julia: I thought that we’d probably be at the parks once or twice a week.

Natalie: As long as we are living nearby, we’ll be at the parks a few times a week.

How often do you actually visit the parks?

Julia: Like we thought, once or twice is what we do in a typical week. We often do end up at a resort once a week as well, just to grab breakfast or dinner.

Natalie: When we lived within a few minutes’ drive, we were nearly always on Walt Disney World property. When we moved about 35 minutes away (before NYC), our time there dropped drastically. I won’t make the mistake of living far away again. The drive really kills the spontaneity and fun for us.

Does being a local change what you do while at Disney World?

Julia: You tour the parks differently. You find that you spend a lot of time doing stuff that you wouldn’t “waste your time on” if you were on a vacation where you had to make every minute count — like letting our daughter play on the Honey I Shrunk the Kids Movie Set Adventure or in The Boneyard for an hour.

The first weekend we were down here, we didn’t go on any rides, but we did drive over to the Grand Floridian to see the decorated Easter eggs on display, for example. The only time we spend a full day at the parks is if we are staying on property for a stay-cation. Otherwise, if we go to the parks to do an attraction, we’ll go in, do one or two attractions, and leave. This is the only way to do it, in my opinion! Much better than a vacation!

What are the big differences between visiting FL and living there?

Julia: Florida has some really cool things you can’t do elsewhere. In DC, you can visit the Air and Space museum. In Florida, you can just go out and watch a rocket actually get launched. There’s a state park that does pancakes on a griddle at your table (think teppan-style pancakes!). Airboat rides. Going to see mermaids in the wild at Weeki Wachee. Picnics on the lawn with the carillon playing at Bok Tower. Feeding gators at Gatorland. Slumming it at Old Town. The huge (22 mile long) hiking/biking West Orange Trail. Picking oranges fresh from the groves. And did I mention Florida has a fascination with castles everywhere made of everything? And bacon festivals. And the Great American Pie Festival.

Natalie: Florida resident discounts are a huge perk. Whether it’s a cruise or theme park tickets, you stand to save so much money just by having a Florida address. You can be spontaneous on a cruise or beach vacation because there’s no air involved.

Julia: This leads to the biggest issue – when you move down here, you aren’t on vacation. It can be a tough adjustment to realize that. If people do come and visit you, they’re probably going to head to the parks…and you’re headed into the office for a work day. They’re riding Splash Mountain, and you’re digging out of a mountain of laundry. You’re taking the pets to the vet for their annual checkup, and shopping for groceries, and doing your taxes, and all sorts of very boring normal life stuff while everyone around you has fun. Some people try to stay in vacation mode, but they quickly burn themselves out or they ruin their finances. You have to be careful about buying souvenirs or eating out or even just grabbing a bottle of water at the theme parks, because that can quickly sap your budget.

The Florida Lifestyle

Julia: In DC for professional careers, the focus is on doing “whatever it takes” to get the job done. That means long hours, being “on the job” even when you aren’t on the clock and the emphasis that you must be driven to try and claw your way higher on the professional ladder. My husband and I have very different views from the majority of people we met up there in terms of how to live life. It is more healthy to surround ourselves with lower-stress people…and much less frustrating for the people around us not to have major envy cases about our lack of stress in life because of our choice to have a low-stress life or our socio-economic status.

Natalie: Julia, your situation in DC reminds me a lot of what we found in Brooklyn! Especially the bit about the job being the most important part of life, and how that allows you to fit in socially. Even in a really creative neighborhood, I found that my son’s classmates all had parents who had worked very hard to maintain a high social profile. They had done their schmoozing to get where they were… I could not do it.

You can slow down and truly enjoy Florida, and there is so much to do here. Since you’re not on vacation and there’s always tomorrow, nothing has to be done in big chunks. You can go to the beach for an hour, instead of feeling like you have to pack up your car and spend the entire day at the beach until you’re sunburned and exhausted. You can explore the natural world. Orlando is within a few hours of a variety of completely unique ecosystems. There’s something different in every direction!

So, have you bought your one-way plane ticket yet? I’d like to give a huge thank you to Julia and Natalie for their wonderful insights and information. I hope you’ve enjoyed this series and if you’re thinking of relocating to Florida, let me know in the comments!

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Relocating to Florida: Part Three: The Florida Difference and Disney as a local is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Using an Electric Scooter (ECV) at Walt Disney World

By Angela Dahlgren

Your chariot awaits!

My mom, Terri, has two autoimmune diseases: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and Rhematoid Arthritis (RA). Because of this, walking for long periods of time (especially in the hot sun) causes her pain, dizziness and exhaustion. We have visited Walt Disney World many times and each time, she did her best to explore the parks on foot. However, as her diseases progressed, walking became more and more difficult for her. She tried to walk slower and take more breaks, but we could still see the pain in her eyes. My mom is a selfless and caring person, so she felt guilty. She felt she was holding us back and letting us down. She saw us changing plans to accommodate her and so she started making excuses to stay behind in the room to prevent any inconveniences.

Time for a Change

I noticed her attitude change, and explained that she was neither an inconvenience nor letting us down. I don’t see her as a woman with two diseases. I see her as my loving mother. My family and I love spending time with her and were so sad to see her missing out on the fun. I spoke with my Dad and we approached the subject of an electric scooter, or electric conveyance vehicle (ECV). At first, she declined. She was embarrassed because she thought she would be the only one using one. She thought getting around would be difficult and using Disney transportation would be a hassle.

We continued to encourage her, stressing how much easier and more enjoyable her vacation would be. She looked back on the previous year, remembering all the fun she missed out on and all the pain she experienced pushing herself past her limit. She agreed and decided to use an ECV.

The Renting Process

There are many different ways to rent an electric scooter. Walt Disney World offers ECV rentals. The cost to rent one in the parks is $50 a day with a refundable $20 deposit. Unfortunately, I immediately saw several problems with using WDW as a vendor. First off, it is a first-come, first-served basis. I had spoken with a Cast Member who said the scooters easily sell out by 11 a.m. Reservations cannot be made in advance, so there was no guarantee my Mom would even get a scooter. Secondly, the scooter cannot be taken outside of the park. My mom needed something she could use all over Disney property. Finally, the cost to rent the scooter through Disney was more than we were looking to spend, especially if we could only use it during park hours. The search continued.

The wonderful internet (seriously, how did we do anything before the internet!?) produced an overwhelming number of options for scooter rentals in the Orlando area.

As I browsed, I noticed that 90% of the vendors offer free drop off and pick up to your hotel. In addition, the products through each vendor can be used at Orlando area attractions such as Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. Now, here’s where things get tricky.

Some of these vendors are Disney Featured ECV Providers. This means:

– You (the renter) do not have to be present when the company drops off or picks up the ECV. All you need to do is pick up/drop off at Bell Services (although some non-preferred vendors offer the same perk, so it’s a wash).

– The company has full access to all of the parks. Should your scooter break down, you do not have to push it to the front entrance of the park. Someone from the company will enter the park and bring you a new one.

Below are a few Disney Featured ECV Providers. Prices are based on a standard scooter that does not disassemble:

Apple Scooter $150 for 5 days

Buena Vista Scooters Prices not available online – A bad move on their part.

ScooterBug Mobility Rentals $155 for 5 days

Best Price Mobility: $150 for 5 days

Here is a selection of non-prefered vendors:

Walker Mobility $185 for 5 days

Sun Mobility: $115 for 5 days

Scootarama: $200 for 5 days

So at the end of the day, why should you pick a Disney Featured ECV Provider over a non-preferred provider? The only “one-up” they really have over all the non-preferred vendors is that they can enter the park if your scooter breaks down. That’s it.

For me, it really came down to which website provided the following information in a clear and concise way:

– What hotels they deliver to

– If you (the renter) have to be present at drop off and pick up

– Prices

– Detailed product information

We decided to go with Apple Scooter. I felt the rental price was very fair and making a reservation was super easy. About one month ahead of time (although from the website, it looks like you can book as late as two days in advance), I filled out Terri’s personal information, selected our hotel from the list provided and clicked on the dates and times we wanted the scooter delivered and picked up. For those wondering, we picked out the Pride Victory 10 Super Deluxe Scooter.

Apple Scooter, as well as most of the other vendors, does not require a deposit. However, the companies do have a cancellation charge should you cancel the order after a set date. This varies from vendor to vendor. BuenaVista requires a 48 hour cancellation policy while Apple Scooter states you can cancel at any time, as long as the scooter has not already been delivered.

Note: We stayed on-site, so transportation to WDW resort wasn’t an issue. However, if you will NOT be staying on Disney property, consider a transportable scooter that can be disassembled to fit in the back of a car or van.

Scootin’ Around

The day we arrived at the BoardWalk Inn, my dad walked over to Bell Services and inquired about Terri’s scooter. (Side bar: It’s SO weird using my mom’s real name, instead of “Mom.”) A Cast Member immediately went to the back and retrieved it. When the CM came back, he showed my Mom how to use the ECV. It was beyond simple. Holding down the right handle moved her forward while the left handle moved her backward. A small knob adjusted the speed and a charger was waiting in the front basket. It took a little trial and error, but soon Terri was speeding around the lobby ready to go!

It’s no secret that as lovely as the BoardWalk Inn is, the hallways are about 10 miles long. You should have seen her face when she realized she no longer had to waste energy walking around the hotel. For the first time in a long time, she was leading the way! She had a huge smile on her face as she breezed down the hallway without breaking a sweat.

Things were going well at the BoardWalk, but Terri was still nervous about transportation to the parks. How long would it take to load the ECV? Could she still take the boat over to Epcot or Hollywood Studios?

The worry was completely unnecessary. When using boat transportation from the BoardWalk, the captain ‘parked’ the boat so close to the dock that Terri could just drive the scooter right on board. When it came to bus transportation, the drivers were so professional and efficient. There was never a situation where there was more than one scooter waiting to board, so there was always room for Terri’s ECV. The bus driver lowered the bus down a few inches and pressed a button to release the ramp. There are the options to push the scooter onto the bus or drive it on yourself. Being her first time, Terri asked the driver to manually push it on and strap it in using the appropriate restraints. He took care of everything and we were all so grateful.

When we arrived at the parks, Terri’s anxiety of being the only one with a scooter melted away. She saw so many people making use of ECV’s and wheelchairs. It was truly a regular occurrence. The walkways in the shops were wide enough to take the scooter indoors and there were even designated areas to park the ECV (and strollers too) if she wanted to experience an attraction or go eat at a restaurant in the park.

Although Disney strives to make each attraction as accessible as possible, there are still experiences that exclude the use of wheelchairs and scooters (Think Tower of Terror and Mission: Space). My mom fortunately still has the ability to stand and walk short distances, so she was able to take part in everything she wanted, including Spaceship Earth and Pirates of the Caribbean. I know this is not the case for everyone using a scooter, so Disney has provided a list of accessible attractions as well as a list of attractions where wheelchairs and scooters cannot be used.

Terri’s scooter guaranteed a battery life of 16 miles (roughly 6-8 hours). The Cast Member at Bell Services assured us that it would last throughout the entire day but told us we would still have to charge the scooter every night. We were staying in a one-bedroom DVC villa at the BoardWalk, so Terri would park her scooter in the kitchen. The charger used a three prong plug, so any outlet could be used. The only thing I noticed was that the charger made a quiet buzzing noise when it was plugged in, but it didn’t affect the quality of the charge.

There are no designated charging stations for electric scooters at Walt Disney World but as the battery life is so good, I doubt you’ll ever need to charge it in the parks. To keep an eye on your battery life, most scooters have a light-gauge: A green light indicates a full battery while red represents low battery life. On the off chance your charger is defective and your scooter does die while at the parks, non-preferred vendors will bring a new one to the park entrance, while the Disney Featured ECV Providers will bring a brand new scooter right into the parks, free of “charge.”

Important Notice: Electric Scooters CANNOT get wet! I know Florida weather can be unreliable, but it is very important to take cover in the event of a rain storm. The water may cause the scooter to malfunction and it will stop working until all the parts are completely dry.

Looking back on the experience, Terri found only one drawback to using an electric scooter. She noticed that guests frequently cut in front of her when the park was busy. Because she was technically operating a small vehicle, she often felt frightened that she would hit or run into someone. Funny enough, the insurance included in the scooter rental only covered loss and damages. None of the websites offer any coverage should you hit another human. The terms and agreement simply state that the company and its employees are not responsible for any injuries than may occur while the scooter is in use. After talking about it, we realized that the exact same thing happened when pushing a stroller. It seems like people were in a hurry and didn’t want to wait behind anything with wheels, so they were always cutting us both off.

Terri found that at the end of the day, the pros WAY outweighed the cons. First the first time in years, she had an amazing time, free of exhaustion and additional pain. She did every single thing she wanted, went to every park and didn’t feel held back despite her limitations. Every concern Terri had prior to using an electric scooter had been proved wrong. Using the ECV was easy as pie. Getting the vehicle onto a bus or boat was not as time consuming as she had imagined. Finally, she didn’t feel like an outcast as many other guests were also using electric scooters. She appreciated the support and encouragement from her family and said if you’re thinking about using one for the first time, “Just go for it. You’ll have more energy and be able to enjoy the things you really want to do.” I gotta listen to her. After all, Mother knows best!

Have you used an electric scooter at Walt Disney World? Are you thinking about using one for the first time? Let me know in the comments!

• Facebook • Twitter • Google Plus • Pinterest • Print

Using an Electric Scooter (ECV) at Walt Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.