Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1151
January 8, 2015
Here are the Polynesian DVC room layouts
By Len Testa
The images below fell off the back of a truck. Here’s a set of studio rooms showing their layouts; the extended room shows an ADA-accessible balcony:
Here’s the 2-bedroom bungalow layout. Estimates are that these will rent for a bit less than the King Kamehameha Suite – maybe around $2,500 – $3,000 per night – when they’re available.
Three grand is a lot of money for one night in a hotel room. I’m not sure I’d sell my first-born for that. I probably wouldn’t even consider a long-term lease.
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New Year, New Stuff: 2015 Walt Disney World Merchandise
Large displays of 2015 merchandise are popping up everywhere. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Father Time has moved along, the ball has dropped in Times Square, and everyone is making corrections to the year on every check they write. (Well, for those people who still write paper checks.) Yes, it is a new year, and that means one more thing—new merchandise.
Recently, I was at Art of Animation and saw a huge array of 2015 branded merchandise, all of which is available all across property. Here’s just a sample of what you can find for 2015 Disney merchandise.
Several displays have been set up in every gift shop to showcase all of the new designs. The good news is that if you like Mickey Mouse, there is quite a variety of items to choose from.
Smaller items like keychains, fridge magnets, pins, toothpick holders, mugs, license plates, magic towels, and pens make for simple souvenirs for your visit.
For a more personalized souvenir, there are photo albums, photo frames, scrapbooks, and scrapbooking kits.
While Mickey gets most of the attention, there are a few cute Minnie 2015 souvenirs, plus the obligatory 2015 Duffy.
Clothing comes in a decent variety, including some adorable infant onesies.
By far, my favorite item is the light-up journal. With replaceable batteries, this journal can add a bit of brightness to your whole year. You can see a video of this entertaining gizmo here.
Yes, there are 2015 shopping bags to carry away all your purchases. And don’t forget your 2015 holiday ornaments–after all, there’s less than 360 shopping days before Christmas!
This colorful shirt is my favorite of the 2015 clothing line. (Photo by Julia Mascardo.)
This light-up journal (left) is my favorite item on the shelf. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Pin collectors aren’t left out in the merchandising blitz. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Magic towels make a great gift for people stuck with un-magical towels. Pens are always handy, too. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Is there something a bit…troubling about seeing Mickey eating a Mickey bar? If it doesn’t bother you, this license plate could be for you. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Who doesn’t need more fridge magnets? (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Smaller items like erasers and pins make great gifts. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Backpacks are available to carry all this wonderful merchandise around with you. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Scrapbooks and scrapbooking materials can show your 2015 vacation. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
While a lot of merchandise features Mickey, there are some great Minnie offerings, too. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Even if you just took down the tree, you can pick up your ornaments for next winter. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
And yes, they do offer a 2015 shopping bag that you can buy to hold it all. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Mugs, photo frames, oversized pencils, and more all bear the 2015 mark. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
There are miniature basketballs and footballs for sports fans. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
The outfits for infants are adorable. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
You can also find a jackets, if sweatshirts aren’t your thing. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
I’m not sure what to say about the beanie caps. Are they a thing again? (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
The 2015 logo can be found everywhere. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
We’ll see which 2015 sweatshirts last into the summer months. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
For a more formal look, there is a stylish 2015 polo shirt. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Sweatshirts will be hot sellers for cold weather. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
Clothing is available in all sizes. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
T-shirts and hats are also available. (Photo by Julia Mascardo)
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Disney World AP Discounts Released for Travel through mid-June
Disney has released Annual Passholder discounts most nights through mid-June at Walt Disney World resorts:
There are two discounted percentages. The higher discount is for travel dates April 6 to June 15, 2015.
All-Star Sports and Music, Pop Century: 15-25%
Art of Animation suites: 15-20%
Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Port Orleans Riverside: 20-30%
Deluxe resorts and villas: 30-37%
Exclusions: All-Star Movies, Port Orleans French Quarter, Fort Wilderness campsites, Grand Floridian Villas, Bay Lake Tower, Polynesian villas, all 3-bedroom villas.
Thanks to Tammy Whiting of www.StorybookDestinations.com for the information.
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: January 8, 2015
By Daisy Lauren
Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World. Fair warning, there is a TON to share this week
! We’ll be celebrating New Year’s Eve at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Then we’ll be spending some time at Universal Orlando Resort and finishing off with the reopening of Typhoon Lagoon! Let’s go! 
It’s pretty widely known that the Magic Kingdom celebrates New Year’s Eve on the 30th and 31st. This year I decided to ring in the new year twice to bring you double the coverage! The night of the 30th, I arrived a little before 9pm and used my FastPass+ for The Haunted Mansion. I don’t want to jinx it, but FastPass+ has been working great lately. The weather was also a big help: it rained consistently all night which ran off a lot of the crowd. Want to see more from New Year’s Eve Eve? Click to read more!
After The Haunted Mansion, I went to check out the dance parties going on throughout the park. If you’ve ever visited on a special event, these will look familiar. I’m adding hyperlinks here and in a few places throughout the article this week just because I want to share more than I can fit! If you’d like to see the dance party in front of the castle you can see it here. You can find the Frontierland dance party here. As you can tell from the videos, it was drizzling. I decided to stop into The Hall of Presidents just to loiter in the lobby and check my cell phone. But when the rain picked up I decided to see the show. It’s underrated, so visit if you’ve never stopped by.
Looking back at my photos you can tell I spent a lot of time trying to stay out of the rain! I have about a hundred more photos from inside the Christmas Shoppe. The new 2015 ornaments have arrived. They’re very fun and priced at $18.95. Remember you can click on any photo to see it larger.
At 11:15pm I had a FastPass+ for Peter Pan’s Flight. I was a little nervous about cutting it too close to find a spot for the fireworks, but I had nothing to fear. I was off the ride just 10 minutes later. I’ve been using manual focus on dark rides and getting much better results. I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get a photo of Smee!
I had planned to watch the midnight fireworks either in New Fantasyland or maybe along the water in Frontierland. However, when I still had 20 minutes to kill before the show I decided to be brave and see what the crowds were like on Main Street. The weather really helped me out; I would have never been able to pull this off without the rain. Just a few minutes before the show I was able to find a spot to settle into with a great view of the Castle. Here’s what the show looked like:
Getting out of the Magic Kingdom was a breeze. I walked out through the Crystal Palace backstage cut through, hopped right on a ferry boat, and was at the car by 12:45am. Keep that thought in mind, it will be important later. But for now it’s time to move on to the 31st, the real New Year’s Eve at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. I decided to celebrate here because we’d never rung in the new year at this park and I had a sneaky suspicion these might be the last fireworks over the hat. While I’m happy to see the hat removed, I wanted to have the video to share with others. As you can see, arriving at the park at 7pm looked like a normal day.
Earlier in the day we’d started hunting for dinner reservations. I’ve learned that with the new My Disney Experience app you can just refresh often and amazing results pop up! We were able to book 50’s Prime Time Cafe for 8pm. I made sure that we were checked in at the podium by 7:15pm. My assumption was that the restaurant isn’t used to dealing with such crowds and I’d rather get there early and hopefully be seated by my 8pm reserved time. I was blown away when we were seated by 7:30pm! The restaurant is just what it sounds like, charming with a 50’s flair. I won’t give away more than that, but it should be on your must hit list.
For dinner we decided on the pot roast (left) and the chicken pot pie (right). Each were priced at $19.99 and delicious! The pot roast was a perfect serving for one person and heavy on the veggies. The pot pie we will share if we get it again. There must have been a pound of chicken in there! Certainly hearty for the price, but it was way too much for my hubby to finish.
But despite not finishing his meal we somehow made room for dessert! On the left are s’mores at $4.99, and on the right is a boston cream parfait at $5.49. I committed a blogging sin and almost forgot to take a photo before I started! Forgive my spoon on the s’mores! These were ssssooo wonderful. If nothing else I’d recommend just stopping in for desserts!
After dinner it was time to check out some dance parties with very full bellies! This party was bumping on the main stage. Throughout the night they switched back and forth between the band on stage and a DJ. It was loud all night with pyro effects popping off to the music here and there. Over in the Playhouse Disney theater there was a much more tame celebration happening. At 11pm we decided to grab our spot to count down the new year. Here’s what it looked like celebrating at the Studios:
You might notice that the fireworks were much better at Magic Kingdom. While I’m glad we tried the Studios, I don’t think we’ll be back for New Year’s. To drive that point home, we waited for TWO HOURS to get out of the parking lot that night. The park didn’t seem much more crowded than on other nights, but two lanes of traffic were closed down to move bus traffic. We weren’t home until 3am, so I’m glad we had a big dinner!
After all of our late night celebrating we decided to spend an evening at Universal this weekend. I wanted to make sure we visited before the Macy’s Holiday Parade ended for the year. I bet I haven’t seen this parade for over five years and, it was great to see it again. Here are a couple of my favorite photos:
So how many trips to Universal does it take before you buy a Lard Lad Donut? Well, if you’re us, exactly two! At $4.99 this is the best deal in the park. This donut is the size of a cake! (Don’t worry, we took it home as a gift. We didn’t polish off this beauty ourselves.)
With the holidays, the park was still very busy with super long lines. We wandered into Disaster! just because it had a 10 minute wait, but found a huge treat. I had no idea Christopher Walken is the host of this attraction. He’s one of my all time favorite actors! The image below right shows the 3D, life size display of the actor interacting with a live host. While photography isn’t really allowed, I couldn’t resist. I think Mr. Walken would have wanted me to have the photo! 
Despite the crowds, we braved our way into Diagon Alley. (Talk about a Disaster!!) We tried to walk through the shops but everything was just too packed. Somehow we ended up in Ollivanders with no wait. That gave me an idea for a blog, would anyone be interested in seeing the different wizard wands? Each of the characters has a specific wand design. When crowds die down I can show them each off if folks are interested! I was also looking at the interactive wands and the windows they work with. I’d love ideas for Universal or anything else you’d like to see. With the new year I should really start writing more than once a week!
On our way out of Diagon Alley I made a quick stop at The Hopping Pot. I’ve gotten completely addicted to the Tongue Tying Lemon Squash. It might be the best lemonade you’ve ever tried! They actually squash lemons into the drink. It’s expensive at $4.79, but no worse than indulging in a Duff beer! (Of course, the lemon squash is totally non-alcoholic)
With long waits for everything else we decided to hop on Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl. This is your basic Dumbo spinner type ride, but I thought it was worth riding. Of course, I’m the same girl that likes Dumbo! Do be warned, there was a little bit of language in the pre-ride recording. Regardless, this will be one I ride every trip!
That night we decided to wait for Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular and boy am I glad we did! I would best describe this show as World of Color lite. There were water screens, fountains, lasers, fireworks, and Morgan Freeman! (Oh, and even more Christopher Walken!!) This is a small clip from the beginning. It doesn’t do the show justice, but it’s a little taste until I can get back and record more.
While I knew I didn’t have the right lens with me to film a full view video, I wanted to include one of the photos I snapped. Take a look at this! The show was crazy and we were completely impressed.
Just one more stop this week, and that is Typhoon Lagoon for its opening day after a lengthy refurbishment. We left early and decided to drive around a bit. Check out this awesome view of Space Mountain I found outside the park! Not a bad view to go with your morning coffee on the way to open a water park!
So anyone who lives up north might want to wrap up this week and skip the next part. I don’t want to rub it in, but Sunday the high here was 84 degrees and perfect for fun in the sun. Typhoon Lagoon opened at 10am, and we were there at 9:30am to get a locker and get lined up. Large lockers are $15, and small lockers are $13; with either, you get a $5 refund when you return your key. In the past, they’d offer you a mug in place of this refund, but this time we were offered a cheap backpack with Olaf on it. For the first time we took our $5 instead!
I left the camera in our locker for most of the morning while we enjoyed all the slides and verified that the Shark Reef was still there despite rumors it was closing. If you ever find yourself in Typhoon Lagoon, you must try the mini donuts! They are the most delicious thing in the park!
While I was there I also checked out the cabanas, which are less like cabanas and more like shacks. The photo on the left is what you can expect for that hefty price tag. Included are just 6 chairs, towels, water, and a server to bring you paid food items. I’d like to include pricing info, but when I inquired, the cast members acted like I’d requested classified government documents. I didn’t think a price list would be such an odd thing to ask for?? Oh, well. I decided to hop in the lazy river instead. (below right)
I could have included a photo of the new Sunglass Hut, but who wants to see that? Let’s visit the wave pool instead! Ready to ride a wave?
That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.
Crowd Calendar: We’re finally over the holiday crowds. Especially with the marathon this weekend the parks should be nice and quiet.
Weather: The weather will be great this week with highs in the 60s and 70s and lows not dropping much below the 50s.
Remember: Leave early for the parks this weekend. The marathon will delay getting into the parks.
Here’s my top tip for this week: Are you blind like me? Great new, you can wear your prescription sunglasses all over the water parks. Just be sure to hold onto them in the wave pool!!
Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! I’m wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!
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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: January 8, 2015 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
January 7, 2015
Guests Can Purchase DVC at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort Soon
Ed. note – Disney has not released points charts or pricing information for this Disney Vacation Resort yet.
Good news for those of you who are looking into purchasing DVC at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. You may begin to do so soon! Sales for the Disney Vacation Club property go on sale for current Disney DVC members on January 12. They’ll then go on sale for everyone else beginning February 9 .
The first phase of this property is scheduled to open on April 1 with the introduction of the Bora Bora Bungalows and the first connecting Deluxe Studios.
©Disney
©Disney
The 20 Bungalows, which are located directly on the Seven Seas Lagoon, will be able to sleep up to 8 and will feature a plunge pool and will have a spectacular Magic Kingdom view that is perfect for catching the evening fireworks. These two-bedroom bungalows will feature a home-like setting reminiscent of the South Pacific. Each of the bungalow have two full bathrooms, a kitchen, washer and dryer, and large dining and living room spaces. The decor will combine modern style with the tropical look that the Polynesian is known for.
©Disney
There will also be 360 Deluxe Studio Villas in the longhouses. These rooms will sleep up to 5 and can be connected to another Deluxe Studio room. These rooms will feature a kitchenette, enhanced storage space, and two separate bathroom areas – one a full bathroom with a tub/shower and another one with a shower and sink. In addition, there will be a pull-down armoire bed in each room that showcases artwork from the film, Lilo & Stitch.
©Disney
Disney also shared concept art of the brand new Lava Pool area. This enhanced feature pool will continue to feature a volcano rock formation featuring a beautiful waterfall and a kid’s water play area featuring a slide.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment to enhance the experience for those guests staying at the hotel, as well as for those new DVC members. Enhancements not only included the expanded pool area; the recently updated lobby; new dining options, such as the recently refurbished Captain Cook’s, the newly introduced Pineapple Lanai, and the upcoming Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto; and an updated children’s activity center where kids can enjoy supervised play while parents enjoy a date night, called Lilo’s Playhouse.
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Using Disney Planning Tips for Non-Disney Vacations
By Claire Nat
A few weeks ago I took my first day trip to the mountains of Colorado for a day of skiing in Breckenridge. I had gone skiing before, and I had stayed with family while I did so. This time, I would be doing the trip on my own.
I did a lot of research before I traveled west, and as my little trip went without a hitch, I realized that many of the keys to my successful journey were because I did the same things that I would do on a Walt Disney World vacation!
If you are a regular TouringPlans.com planner and reader, you know many of the tips to a successful Disney vacation by heart. It is very easy to take those tips and use them for a vacation taken outside of Orlando or Anaheim!
Get to know the area
One of The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World‘s sections is all about getting around the resort. They recommend maps (or a good GPS app) and a knowledge of the main areas of Walt Disney World, like the Seven Seas Lagoon area, Bay Lake area, Epcot and Hollywood Studios area, Downtown Disney area, and Animal Kingdom area. If you are driving around the resort, have an idea where these areas are and what is in each. If taking Disney Transportation, you need to know if the monorail or boat will take you near your destination, or whether you’ll have to take one or two buses to get there.
For a non-Disney trip, understanding the lay of the land is very important, too. On a vacation to New York City, it is important to know that Times Square is not a block away from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum, and if you want to watch the New York Giants or Jets play football, you’ll have to go to New Jersey to watch them! While having your phone is incredibly helpful, just having an understanding of the city will help you get around even more.
Arrive early
A huge tip to take advantage of light Walt Disney World crowds is to arrive before the park even opens. Getting to the front gate 30-45 minutes before the scheduled opening means that the Disney guest can enjoy attractions with minimal wait times once the park officially opens.
Many vacationers can use this tip when enjoying a trip to a non-Disney location. If a trip to the beach is something you enjoy, arriving on the beach early in the day means you get to stake out your prime location and move those beach chairs where you want them. The later you arrive at the beach, the more crowded it is and the less likely you’ll get a great spot to set your umbrella. Not only that, but the sun will be more oppressive and your family may be more cranky the later in the day you arrive.
Have a plan
As I skied down the hills of the Breckenridge resort, I thought to myself, “I wonder if TouringPlans will ever expand to touring plans for ski resorts?” I doubt this could happen since resorts and trails are so dependent on the weather and snow conditions, but I could also see this being very useful.
At Walt Disney World, it is best to have a plan of attack for your day, even if it’s not a touring plan. Even on your most relaxing of days, it is best to know that Soarin’ needs to be done first, or at least needs to be one of your Fastpass+ options.
I spent a lot of time gazing at the Breckenridge trail map the day before I went skiing, so I would stay on the green (easy) or blue (moderate) trails and not find myself on the black (advanced) trails by accident. It was also nice to see the five peaks on the map, so I knew that I wanted to stay on Peaks 8 or 9 and avoid 6, 7, and 10. Ski resorts often mark their trails very well, and Breck has signs everywhere on their peaks, but I was still glad to have a bit of background.
Leave midday (whether for a break or for good)
Many Disney podcasters, writers, or videographers agree that if you’ve arrived to the park early, the best thing to do when the crowds are at their highest is to leave the park, take a nap, go for a swim, and relax before returning to your park of choice in the late afternoon or evening.
Noon on the mountain – really busy!
It is a little more difficult to follow this tip elsewhere outside of Disney. Ski resorts usually close up shop around 3 or 4, while museums and zoos have minimal evening hours. If you’ve gotten to your destination early enough and have been there since it opened, it may not be necessary to stay for all the operating hours. Hopefully you can fit everything in during the morning and early afternoon hours and leave when the crowds start to thicken.
Another option is to find out when attractions have special evening hours or evening events and take advantage of those times, kind of like Walt Disney World’s Halloween and Christmas parties. Some zoos have “Zoo Lights” during the holiday season and you can catch some of the animals in addition to the beautiful light displays!
Eat elsewhere or eat inexpensively
The easiest thing to do when you’re hungry in Walt Disney World is to find the nearest food kiosk or restaurant and eat the first thing you see on the menu. It also might be the priciest thing to do. Disney park guests can find some inexpensive and tasty food if they do a little hunting. I recently discovered the gourmet cake cups at the Cheshire Cafe thanks to a recommendation, and was not disappointed. I would have never discovered that without some help! Another option if you can take advantage of it is to eat off site. Orlando has its fair share of delicious food choices – it doesn’t have to be McDonald’s if you don’t want it to be.
When taking a non-Disney vacation it’s actually easier to find the best and/or cheapest food locations in the area. Museums and other attractions will usually have a restaurant or food court on the main floor, but the food is usually a bit pricey and can also be not that great. By doing a little research into the area, you can find great restaurants, cafes, or shops with delicious food that doesn’t break the bank!
Have you found yourself using your Disney trip research tips or strategies on other vacations you’ve taken? Do you only take Disney trips and have no idea what I’m writing about? Do you have any other tips you’d like to share? Please comment below!
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Easy to Miss Must Dos at Epcot
By Katie McNair
Living with the Land hosts a real, live Florida snow… er, sandman!
Epcot has many must see attractions, ranging from the thrill of Soarin’ or Test Track to the educational but fascinating Circle-Vision film in China. It’s easy to rush about doing all of the larger attractions, and run right past the ones that aren’t as talked about. Today we’re going to look at some of the attractions that aren’t as easily spotted but simply shouldn’t be missed.
Epcot is split into two sections: Future World and the World Showcase. Most of the attractions with rides are concentrated in the Future World, but this doesn’t mean the World Showcase has nothing of interest. The World Showcase not only hosts tons of interesting shopping opportunities, it also has amazing people watching locations.
1. Club Cool
Club Cool is hosted by Coca-cola, and is a definite Epcot Must Do!
Club Cool is a simple must do, a place where you can try various Coca-Cola products from around the world. Located near the front of the park, this small location makes for a great place to grab a cool drink on your way to the World Showcase. The offerings were changed up in late 2013, with almost everything replaced (luckily, fan “favorite” Beverly, well-known for being something to trick others into trying, remains). While change is generally a good thing, the change lost my personal favorite, Mezzo Mix, an orange cola from Germany. However, there are still many things worth trying, with the list currently being:
Guarana Kuat – a guarana berry-flavored drink from Brazil
Inca Kola – a very sweet fruity flavor, with a flavor like bubblegum from Peru
Sparletta – a raspberry cream soda from Zimbabwe
VegitaBeta – a non-carbonated fruit drink, flavored with passion fruit and apricot from Japan
Bibo – a kiwi mango soda, from South Africa
Fanta Melon Frosty – a melon flavored soda from Thailand
Fanta Pineapple – a pineapple soda, from Greece
Beverly – a bitter aperitif, meant to clean the palate, from Italy
The range of available sodas to try… click to see it large!
This is the Inca Cola, which is quite tasty though very sweet, tasting much like bubblegum.
Designing your own roller coaster or jet ride? A definite Epcot must do!
Easily the most customizable interactive attraction at Epcot, the Sum of All Thrills is a roller coaster simulator in which you design your own attraction, then actually get to experience it. You can choose from a bobsled, roller coaster, or jet fighter, ranging from a mild experience in the bobsled to a much wilder experience with the fighter jet. With some guidance, you will be able to customize your design, using tools on the interactive computer screen, including height and speed. For each stage you add, you then send Crash, your official test subject, through the design to see if it works, which is hilarious when you make a poor design decision. Once you go through the design process, you will then board a simulator arm made by KUKA, and experience your very own design. While the attraction can be quite mild, you are free to create a completely over the top attraction, with the robotic arm able to turn you completely upside down. For thrill seekers, experiencing an attraction of your own design is an easy choice, but even riders who hesitate on thrill rides should give this a try. With an emergency stop button if you become overwhelmed, and a cast member who literally watches a video of what’s going on inside the simulator to make sure you’re okay, this unique experience really shouldn’t be missed.
This is the KUKA arm loaded with riders just about to start to experience their design!
3. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure
This adorable and informational Piggy teaches you how to manage your finances… an Epcot must do, so you can afford another trip!
This is a fun little game found in Innoventions West that helps teach kids (and adults!) the fine art of managing their finances. Playing either alone or in teams up to three, you are given the chance to make a financial goal for your team at the beginning, and are then assigned an adorable Piggy to carry with you through your adventures. This Piggy guides you through each section of the game, giving advice and teaching you new vocabulary along the way. Each game gives you the chance to earn money towards your savings goal, and everything is totalled at the end to see if you made it. After you’re finished, you are offered the chance to put in your email address to receive a link to the online version of the game which extends the learning. This game is definitely worth a play, especially since there’s rarely a long wait and it’s in the air conditioning.
The piggy is actually real! You get to carry him through the different stages of the game.
The final stage where you diversify your assets to try to maximize your money… this isn’t just a kid’s game!
The Land Pavilion houses a terrific place to eat, the unmissable Soarin’, and the best attraction on property, Living with the Land!
This attraction isn’t exactly hidden, but if you rush through the area heading straight to Soarin’, you will miss out, which is an absolute crime as it’s the best attraction at Epcot. The ride begins with a calm boat ride through various scenes, including a swamp and a farmyard. Finally, you sail through a section showcasing new technologies in agriculture, featuring a working greenhouse, aquaculture, and a research lab. Most of the foods grown in the greenhouse are actually served in restaurants in Epcot, with most going to The Garden Grill. The variety of things grown changes frequently, but you can usually see tomato “trees”, nine pound lemons, pumpkins, and pineapples. There are several Hidden Mickeys to be spotted, so keep your eyes open!
Functional AND pretty… this fun little boat adventure is an Epcot must do for me.
What is a peanut butter tree?! I want one.
Head through these intricate red doors to find the textile gallery that is the Epcot must do in Morocco.
Hidden in plain sight, the Morocco Pavilion in the World Showcase boasts a small gallery featuring various pieces including textiles and jewelry. This small area is air conditioned and always seems to be empty, and with a bench inside, makes for a great place to sit for a spell and cool off. Right as you enter, you’re greeted by a life size horse and man, dressed in traditional garb. Be sure to look up to see the intricate and gorgeous stained glass windows. The entire Pavilion is huge and very detailed, and very authentic, being the only one actually sponsored by a government.
This horse is full sized and fully dressed.
6. Norsk Kultur
Note the blue sign in the distance on the Stave Church? That’s the subtle hint that Frozen has arrived.
This hidden gem of a museum housed, until recently, items from Norway’s history. Like many other things recently, however, this little museum was given a Frozen makeover, and now contains a blend of traditional Norwegian artifacts and items from Arendelle’s past. Even though Frozenification of everything is beginning to irritate some, this place is definitely worth checking out, especially since there’s real pieces of art mixed into the fantasy. Because this area is really tiny, many people pass right by it, not knowing that you can go inside, unless they spot someone exiting. Don’t make that mistake and be sure you check out the inside of the old Stave Church next time you are Touring the World Showcase!
So, what do you think? Have you missed these must dos, or have you known about them the whole time?
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January 6, 2015
Cirque du Soleil La Nouba’s Dinner and a Show Option Returns
If you’re wanting to experience La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil this winter, you should consider taking part in the “Dinner and a Show” specialty package. This unique option is back again, for a limited time, and allows Guests the opportunity to receive a ticket to the 6:00 p.m. La Nouba show, as well as delight in a great dinner. Guests will be able to enjoy an entrée, dessert and non-alcoholic beverage at one of four Walt Disney World Downtown Disney restaurants – Wolfgang Puck Grand Café, Planet Hollywood, Portobello Country Italian Trattoria, or Splitsville Luxury Lanes. and they will have the option to dine at the restaurant of their choice either prior to the show or after.
The cost for a Category 2 ticket is $99 plus tax for adults and $89 plus tax for children ages 3 to 9. A Category 1 ticket is $119 plus tax for adults and $109 plus tax for children ages 3 to 9. The special offer is available for performances Tuesday through Saturday nights January 20 through March 28. (There will be no performance on March 24.)
To book the special event, call (407) 939-7328.
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Cirque du Soleil La Nouba’s Dinner and a Show Option Returns is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
January 4, 2015
Run-down of runDisney Events at Walt Disney World in 2015
By Amy Farkas
January 7-11th runners from all over will gather for the largest and longest of the runDisney events at Walt Disney World for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend. 2015 marks the 21st anniversary of the first running of the race, which was held on January 16, 1994. Marathon Weekend is a jam packed five days of running, eating, shopping, and celebrating fitness and Disney. Runners walk (or run) away with some serious bragging rights and some awesome medals to go along with it – not to mention, some really cool swag from the Health and Fitness Expo.
2015 Marathon Swag ©Disney
In 2015 there are three more runDisney events at Walt Disney World to look forward to. Below is a briefing of all 2015 events and their costs, along with whether or not registration is still open (as of the time this article was written. It is best to check the event’s webpage and with runDisney directly for up to date availability).
Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend
January 7-11, 2015 (see race results here after the races)
All races sold out.
Marathon – 26.2 miles through all four parks and the Wide World of Sports complex; $170-200
Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Magic Kingdom and Epcot; $170-200
Goofy Challenge – 39.3 miles by completing both the Marathon and Half Marathon; $360-400
10k – 6.2 miles around Epcot and the Epcot Resort area; $105-135
Family Fun Run 5k – 3.1 miles through Epcot; $60-70
Dopey Challenge – 48.6 miles by completing ALL four events above (5k, 10k, ½ marathon, marathon); $530-590
Castaway Cay Challenge – 3.1 miles around Castaway Cay plus completion of one of the above races; $65 (plus a booking on the Disney Cruise 4-night Bahamian cruise)
Runner’s World Challenge – completion of the Dopey Challenge; $999 (along with the normal runDisney bling you received quite a few bonuses that included preferred coral placement, help with training, access to a private website, entry into the Pasta in the Park and Race Retreat events)
Kids Races – 1 mile Mickey run, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-30
Non-racing events – Health and Fitness Expo, Pasta in the Park Party, Breakfast, Race Retreat, Cool Down Party, and the ChEAR Squad; prices vary per event
© Disney
Disney Princess Half Marathon Weekend
February 19-22, 2015
Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Epcot and Magic Kingdom; $170-200; sold out
Enchanted 10k – 6.2 miles through Epcot and the Epcot resort area; $105-135; sold out
Glass Slipper Challenge – 19.3 miles by completing both the Half Marathon and the 10k; $295-345; sold out
Cinderella Royal Family 5k – 3.1 miles around Epcot; $60-70; sold out
Kids Races – 1 mile, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-35; 98% full
Non-racing Events – Princess Expo, Pasta in the Park Party, Breakfast, Race Retreat, Happily Ever After Party, & ChEAR Squad; prices vary per event; all still open
Everest Antics ©runkarlarun
May 1-2, 2015 (this is the final running of this event)
Expedition Everest Challenge – 3.1 mile timed run through Animal Kingdom starting at 10pm with the challenge of a scavenger hunt and obstacle course; $125-155 per person or $240-290 per two person team; sold out
Post-Race Party – 10:30pm-2:30am; select attraction entry; price included in Challenge entry fee; 55% full
Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
November 6-7, 2015 registration opens 3/17/15 (prices listed below were for 2014)
Half Marathon – 13.1 miles through Wide World of Sports complex, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and Epcot; $185-200
Mickey’s Jingle Jungle 5k – 3.1 miles through Animal Kingdom; $55-65
Kids Races – 1 mile, 400m dash, 200m dash, 100m dash, Diaper Dash (all dependent upon age); $15-35
Non-racing Events – Health and Fitness Expo, Wine & Dine Pre-Race Taste, and Finish Line Party; prices vary per event
Although I am certainly not a serious runner, reading about all of these runDisney events around Walt Disney World inspires me to train for next year. Maybe your New Year’s resolution is something similar. Most events are timed, and if you fall below the pacing requirements (a 16 minute mile) you will be disqualified, picked up, and escorted back to the finish line. Knowing this, I vow to push harder. I vow to stick with it. I vow to enter a runDisney event next year! Who is with me?
Notes: runDisney events nearly always sell out, usually within days of registration opening. Events at Disneyland have sold out within hours of registration. Plan carefully if you wish to run. For an entertaining look at the history of runDisney, listen to the Disney Dish podcast with Len Testa and Jim Hill, Episode 70. iTunes link at https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unofficial-guides-disney-dish/id452620851?mt=2 or direct download at http://superfluffybunny.com/UnofficialGuideDisneyDish-RunDisney-Ep70.mp3. On Stitcher at http://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=36503733.
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An Evening out with Yehaa Bob at Disney World’s Riverside Resort
By Amy Farkas
Copyright – Yehaa Bob Jackson
Have you ever had interaction with one of the blue nametag elite at one of the Disney parks? Do you know that the blue nametag has special meaning? Those who wear it have received the highest honor of being bestowed with the Legacy Award, which is the highest honor cast members, crew members, and Imagineers can achieve at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. Recipients are nominated and selected by their leaders and peers for consistently inspiring others, going out of their way to create happiness for guests and other team members, and finding new ways to deliver Disney magic.
One of the recipients of the Legacy Award in 2013 was the lively entertainer Yehaa Bob Jackson, who has been with the company for more than 17 years. To be honest, Bob was not even on my Disney radar until rather recently, but has quickly risen to one of my favorite reasons to love Disney. His shows are family friendly, loud, and just a righteous good time.
Flashback: Three years ago during our first stay at Walt Disney World’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. One evening, on our way back to our room we walked by the bar area and witnessed a raucous crowd who we assumed were just loud inebriated guests.
Fast Forward: One year later a fellow Disney friend was excitedly telling me about an upcoming show he was going to Ohio featuring Yehaa Bob. I concealed my ignorance and rejoiced for him. But immediately took to the internet to see who this Disney personality was. What I found were scenes of our “inebriated guests” from the year before. Only, they weren’t inebriated. And some of them were kids! I knew I had to see him in person.
Coconut Elixir
Wild Strawberry Lemonade
The day finally arrived that we were going to see Yehaa Bob for ourselves. The show was to begin at 8:30pm, so at about 7:30pm we made our way down to the River Roost Lounge and grabbed a table. To be clear, you do not need to be a guest of Riverside to see Bob’s show. There also is no cover charge. Although the venue is in a Lounge, you are not required to purchase any drinks or food while there. However, if you are hungry you may bring in food from the food court just down the hall, or order from the lounge’s menu. They have some typical bar food such as wings and nachos that looked amazingly good (we went back later during our stay just for the nachos!). We had eaten a large late lunch, and opted just for a few drinks. I got the Coconut Elixir and my husband got the Wild Strawberry Lemonade. Both were rather tasty and deserved a second round.
At about 8:15 PM, Bob came out and began to set up. He then came down and made his way around to all the tables, visiting with each group, asking questions and being very personable. He was excited to learn that we were from his home state of Ohio.
Once he had made it to every table, he then took the stage for what was the fastest, funniest, and most entertaining two hours I had ever spent on Disney property. We were up singing, dancing, and even becoming part of the show along with the rest of the audience of adults and kids. My husband, who is usually very reserved and NEVER sings or dances, joined in the fun too. I got to be a Rockette. We found out that everyone there was from our hometown. We were grass, we were birds, and we were trees. We laughed like everyone should while on vacation. We realized why Yehaa Bob was so well loved.
Notice that blue Legacy tag
After the first “set” was over Yehaa Bob took a break to take pictures with the crowd. Guests go up on stage and pose with Bob. They receive an autographed photo, and can also buy his CDs (he is a very accomplished singer/songwriter/piano player that encompasses a wide range of styles beyond the silly Yehaa Bob act). When it was our turn for pictures, I was delighted that Bob remembered our names. We took a couple of pictures and bid him farewell, already planning to visit him on our next trip.
Bob made such an impression on us from just one performance that there was no doubt in our minds why he had been given the Legacy Award the year prior. He made everyone in the audience feel special at some point. He found a way to entertain across the ages. It didn’t matter what country you were from or what your background was; Bob brought Disney magic to us all.
Who: Yehaa Bob; pianist, comedian, and entertainer extraordinaire
What: Family friendly show with live piano, singing, dancing and audience participation
Where: River Roost Lounge at Port Orleans Riverside Resort
How to get there: take a bus from any park or the Ticket and Transportation Center to the Riverside resort or take a boat from Downtown Disney
When: every Wednesday – Saturday, 8:30pm – midnight
***Note: Bob will be taking a short hiatus January 6 – 28, 2015, while he heals from eye surgery. Get well soon, Bob!!!!
If you wish to learn more about Yehaa Bob, buy his CDs or a t-shirt, or book him to play at one of your events, visit his webpage (yehaabob.com) or his Facebook page.
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