Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1166
November 19, 2014
5 Essential Tips for Dealing with the Rain at Disneyland
By Ray
Rainfall at Disneyland. Copyright- Disney
Southern California is a vacation paradise. Your average temperature–year round– is mid to high 70s and clear skies. It is the perfect location for a Disneyland Resort vacation. Unfortunately the only real obstacle you cannot prepare for–when you go on vacation–is the weather. You can gauge what the weather will be like in any particular month but you will not truly know until the week before we leave for your vacation.
Even though it hardly rains in Southern California there are still rainy seasons. The rainy season starts in October and ends in April. But I know most of you are not going to completely avoid those rainy season months just because of some rain. So, what is your plan of attack when you are on your vacation and it is raining at the Disneyland Resort? Below I have put together 5 essential tips for dealing with the rain when you are at the Disneyland Resort.If you are interested in tips on how to deal with the rain at Disney World, our other writer Daisy has an excellent article on that particular topic.
Average rainfall in Anaheim, CA throughout the year. Graph from weather.com
1) Bring a windbreaker (hooded) and a light sweater
Even though Southern California can be really warm during the summer, the fall and winter can be a little chilly. When it does rain it will be windy and cold so you want to protect yourself from the elements. The perfect combination for your protection is to wear and windbreaker and a light sweater underneath. One will protect you from the rain and wind, the other will keep you warm. If it stops raining–and turns into a beautiful sunny day–then those two items will be easy to put away in a backpack or a locker.
2) Take a break from the rain under shelter
Since it does not rain much in Southern California, many lines and attractions will not protect you from the elements. So to dry off and get warmed up, take a break in a sheltered areas. My favorite place to get out of the nasty weather is to experience a long attraction: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, It’s a Small World, Enchanted Tiki Room, or Innoventions are great examples of attractions to experience at Disneyland when the weather is unfriendly.
3) Ask for a free cup of warm water
One of the best ways to make yourself feeling comfy in the chilly rain is by ordering a free cup of warm water from Disney restaurants throughout the park (the Market House on Main Street U.S.A. is my favorite place to go to get this). What I love to do is bring a couple of tea bags with me and steep them in my free cup of hot water. Oila! Free cup of hot tea. Even if you do not drink tea is feels nice to just hold a cup of warm water in your hands.
4) Be patient and understanding
If it is raining a lot–and throughout the entry day– some attractions and shows will be closed. To know which attractions and shows are cancelled/closed, make sure to ask a Disney Cast Member.
Visiting Disneyland–in the rain–can be the b\est time to visit the park. Copyright- Disney\
5) Have fun!
Even though the rain is a deterrent for most people, I for one love it. It is one of my favorite times to go to Disneyland because the park is not nearly as busy. Southern Californians believe that when it rains, they should stay home. Which leaves Disneyland and Disney California Adventure to the tourist. You will most likely be able to do everything on your list plus more that day. Take advantage of it and have fun!
Never let unexpected or “bad” weather dictate whether or not you should go on vacation (unless it is weather that is very dangerous). The best thing about Southern California rain is that it does not stay long. It might be there for a day or so but then the next day it will be gone and you will be able to enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather that vacationers t to expect. Whatever you do, do not let the weather control your vacation mood. Even though you are not able to control the weather, you are able to control the emotions and your experience. So be prepared, make the most of it, and enjoy.
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November 18, 2014
Using an iPhone 6 Plus at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
Find out how the iPhone 6 Plus holds up at WDW’s Magic Kingdom (images by Seth Kubersky)
It took nearly two months of waiting, but my precious pre-ordered iPhone 6 Plus finally arrived last week. And where was one of the first places I took it? Why, Walt Disney World, of course! When Apple’s supersized smartphone debuted back in September, this Techcrunch article on using the new “phablet” inside Disneyland caught my eye. Since theme park reporting is one of the primary reasons I upgraded my iDevice, I wanted to write this companion piece sharing my initial experiences using the iPhone 6 Plus at WDW’s Magic Kingdom.
Size
Yes, the iPhone 6 Plus is freaking ginormous, especially for the first few hours you hold it. Then it starts to seem normal, and your old phone begins to look puny in comparison. While riding attractions, the phone fit fine in the front pocket of my not-so-skinny jeans, and emerged again afterwards with nary a bend in sight.
I never found the phone’s size a hinderance while navigating the park, and though typing one-handed is much trickier, the greater legibility of the larger screen more than made up for it.
As an added bonus, the new screen also looks less reflective, meaning it’s more legible in the direct sunlight which is often found in abundance at Orlando’s attractions.
Wi-Fi
Walt Disney World’s widely distributed Wi-Fi system is more robust than the one at Universal Orlando, but my old iPhone would still sometimes struggle to maintain an internet connection in the park, especially when entering and exiting buildings. Though I can’t quantify the improvement, the iPhone 6 Plus appeared less likely to drop back to LTE service, and was quicker to reconnect to Wi-Fi when it did.
Battery
The increased battery capacity of the iPhone 6 Plus is its best feature, but it has also been a bit oversold. After five hours of constant in-park photo-snapping, video-recording, and tweet-sending, my battery went from 100% to below 40%. That isn’t exactly the 2 full days without recharging some reviewers have reported. But it is a substantial improvement over my old iPhone 5S, which I could completely drain (along with a pocket-sized external battery pack) in about 4 hours of heavy theme park usage.
Working charging stations are located at Storybook Circus, in case your smartphone’s battery isn’t as robust as the one in the iPhone 6 Plus.
The iPhone 6 Plus’s extended battery life means I’ll spend less time searching the Magic Kingdom for an accessible electrical outlet. That’s a task made tougher by the removal of the charging station that was located in Cosmic Ray’s over the summer (though I was told by the device’s distributor that they may return), and the continued inoperability of the USB charging ports installed at Fantasyland’s Tangled rest area. Luckily for wall-hugging users of legacy iPhones, the charging stations in Storybook Circus were still functioning fine at last check — plus, the former FastPass+ service area where they are located is almost always empty.
Camera
The biggest selling point of the iPhone 6 Plus for me was the upgraded camera, which features optical image stabilization and faster autofocus. I don’t have an iPhone 6 to compare it to, but the iPhone 6 Plus camera is a noticeable improvement over my iPhone 5S, which was already quite good for a smartphone snapshooter.
The new continuous autofocus really shines in video mode, which also boasts improved “cinematic” video stabilization. You can see the result it this footage I shot of the Jingle Cruise; note how the camera handles shifts from foreground to background focus, as well as exposure changes from light to dark areas.
Even better is the still camera’s performance, especially in low light situations with camera motions — like inside one of the Magic Kingdom’s classic dark rides. Obviously, no point-and-shoot lens will ever equal a dedicated DSLR in difficult shooting conditions, but these are by far the best flash-free dark ride photos I’ve ever taken with a camera phone:
Pirates of the Caribbean:
Haunted Mansion:
Under the Sea:
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#Everywhere – A Review of the Anaheim Camelot Inn & Suites
On my recent trip to Disneyland we stayed at the Anaheim Camelot Inn & Suites, which is outside the resort area, but by only a little bit. We chose this particular hotel because we were told it was clean and that it was definitely close to the parks. We found both of those things to be true and were, for the most part, impressed with the property. Of course, there is a little more to it than that, which is good because this would be a very short post otherwise.
The Price
For many travelers, the cost of the hotel is the largest single expense. The Camelot cost us an average of $150.93 per night, which meant our 6 night stay cost $905.58 (including tax). Here is how that number compares to some of the Disney hotels in both California and Florida for the same dates (Prices found on MouseSavers.com):
Camelot Inn – $151 per night
Disneyland Hotel – $455 per night
Paradise Pier Hotel (Disneyland) - $342 per night
Grand Californian Hotel (Disneyland) - $526 per night
All-Star Sports (Walt Disney World Value Resort) - $124 per night
Caribbean Beach (Walt Disney World Moderate Resort) - $217 per night
Beach Club (Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort) – $494 per night
Now all of those are the full price rate, most of which can be discounted with various promotions, but it is still illuminating. The cost for the Camelot was less than half the price of the closest Disneyland on-property hotel (Paradise Pier) and right in between the cost for a Walt Disney World Value and Moderate.
The Room and Resort
The price may be positioned between a Walt Disney World Value and Moderate, but the room was somewhere in between a Moderate and Deluxe. It was quite a large space, with room for 2 queen-sized beds, a small sitting area, a work desk, an armoire, a large cabinet with drawers, spots for the mini-fridge, microwave, and safe, and a reasonably large amount of floor space.
The furnishings were nice, although it was not up to the level of a Walt Disney World Deluxe Resort and there was no theme to be found (despite the castle look of the hotel exterior). The linens and carpeting seemed recently purchased and very clean, as did the towels. My only furnishing complaint was the pillows, which were flat and had to be built into a tenuous tower in order for proper head support. At one point I considered buying one of those Disney pillow-pet animals just to sleep on.
While the interior of the room was nicer and much more spacious than I expected, the rest of the resort was exactly what I expected. It was not necessarily bad, but it was very much function over beauty. The hotel, like many on Harbor Boulevard (which borders the eastern edge of the Disneyland Resort) is very narrow, but deep. The front-facing exterior looks pleasantly like a drive-through castle, but as soon as you pass through the gateway, you are met by a first floor that is simply a parking structure. In fact, the above floors look kind of like a parking structure as well, despite their housing the guest rooms.
The pool is up there
The rooms are motel-style, meaning they open directly to an exterior hall. In this case, that hall overlooks the parking structure below. The small, but often uncrowded pool is found on the fourth floor, which sounded weird, but gave it some privacy from the families walking below. The higher vantage point also gave the pool a clear view of Disneyland, where you could see the tops of the Matterhorn, Space Mountain, and Sleeping Beauty Castle. It also has a great view of the fireworks, which we saw from the hotel a few times since it proved impossible to sleep through them (not necessarily a bad thing, by the way).
Speaking of impossible to sleep, I feel I should mention that the exterior walkways proved very loud. We were generally up early in order to make park opening, so it didn’t affect us, but every over-excited child that ran by our room sounded as if the Incredible Hulk was loose on the building. If you are the type to sleep in, you may want to bring earplugs or NyQuil.
The Location
The quality of the room was a pleasant surprise, and it turned out the location was, too, even though we knew where it was prior to going. Without having physically been there, it was hard to imagine a non-Disney resort being as close as the Camelot is. Below is a series of photos that show the walk, which I timed as 5-10 minutes to the gate of either park, depending on our speed and whether we caught the light on Harbor. The walk was generally safe, with a pedestrian-friendly traffic light on the only street to cross. The nearby bus station contained some interesting characters, which brought equally interesting questions from the children, but we never felt in any danger.
The pool (you can see the Matterhorn behind those palm trees)
An additional location advantage that I didn’t foresee was the McDonald’s that is directly adjacent to the Camelot. Since breakfast was not offered at the hotel, the fast food joint proved invaluable for quick bites and morning coffee. There are also an IHOP and a Denny’s, as well as a few other restaurants, within a very short walk that can be budget-savers if paying in-park prices is getting you (and your wallet) down.
Overall
We had very few complaints about the Camelot Inn, and the ones we did have would not stop us from staying there again. The location and price make for a wonderful combination, and the clean, spacious room made our stay as enjoyable as possible. After seeing the Camelot and seeing how far away some of the Disney resorts are, I don’t know that I would ever pay the premium for those hotels.
The Walk to Disneyland (In Pictures)
There is a traffic light in the distance where you cross Harbor
Looking across Harbor toward Disneyland Resort
The bus area you walk through. After this is the bag check and gate area
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#Everywhere – 3 Reasons To Give Hong Kong Disneyland A Chance
I love Disney. (Big surprise there.) I love Disney parks. But like I suspect many Disney fans, Hong Kong Disneyland has never really been on my radar. I live in Tokyo, so I visit Tokyo Disneyland/DisneySea every chance I get, and I grew up with the parks in the US, but when I was first told that I was heading to Hong Kong for my TouringPlans Everywhere trip, my first response was: “Oh that’s right, they have a Disney too.” I didn’t know much about it, so I did what I always do when confronted with the unexpected – lots of internet research!
Before long I felt I knew what to expect from my Hong Kong Disneyland trip…and what I expected was to be kinda bored. I had discovered the following:
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort is one park. One castle park. There are so few rides that the map lists a garden area with benches and a few classic optical illusions as a major attraction for one area.
Classic attractions such as Pirates and the Haunted Mansion are missing, to the point that Fantasyland has only one dark ride. Yeah, that’s right.
There are only two – count ‘em – TWO rides in the whole park that even offer FastPass. (Space Mountain and Winnie the Pooh, in case you were wondering) Which you can only get one of at a time.
Sure, Mystic Manor looked great, and Toy Story Land was interesting though I didn’t plan on riding any of the surely nausea-inducing rides. But after I’d looked around, I wasn’t sure what else I’d end up doing. Maybe hanging out at the hotel pool? (And isn’t the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel just a copy of the Grand Floridian anyway?)
But it turns out that while all of the above facts are true, they don’t really sum up the resort, which was a lovely, thoroughly entertaining surprise. I don’t have room to do everything justice, but here are the three main reasons why Hong Kong Disneyland Resort ended up being a great vacation getaway for our family:
It’s beautiful. We were there during the protests and so didn’t venture off property too much, and I have to say the part of the city where the airport is isn’t the most impressive sight. However, the landscape of the island…well, here’s the “bad, cheap view” from my hotel room:
Not a parking lot.
Mountains. Everywhere you look in HKDL there are mountains. Or ocean. Here’s the walk behind the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel:
The hotel is directly to my right in this picture.
Much has been said about how cool Sleeping Beauty’s Castle is with the mountains behind it:
Not a typical castle view.
But for me, it’s a small world is even cooler:
The whole resort is like this, just one stunning view after another. I’ve been to Tokyo DisneySea. I know true beauty in a theme park, and this was…well, it was a castle park. It can’t hold a candle to the innovative gorgeousness of Sea, of course.
That said, this is really in the running for most beautiful castle park. Besides the help given by the natural environment, I was thrilled by the careful attention given to maintaining the park. The colors were bright, the fixtures glowing, and effects working. I never saw anything obviously broken or in need of attention. At times I just sat down and took in my surroundings. It was great.
It’s fun. Of course any discussion of Hong Kong Disneyland has to include Mystic Manor right now. It’s a lovely ride. I’m going to overuse that word in this article, but that’s because it accurately describes so many things in the resort. The story is cute, the monkey adorable, the audio animatronics fantastic, the trackless system awesome, the final scene freaking amazing and I can’t talk about the details without becoming overwrought. We rode this 4 or 5 times. A day. In a row, because there was no line, ever. (We did have to cover my 3 year old’s eyes for the almost-scary parts, but she loved Albert the monkey so much she loved the ride anyway.)
But this certainly isn’t the only ride we enjoyed. HKDL’s it’s a small world is my new favorite version of this ride. Not only is it super long and even better at integrating the characters than Disneyland’s version (yes, I consider that a plus, sorry), but it’s obviously maintained like crazy, and the sheer beauty of it just sold me. Bonus: a whole little section on Hong Kong, which is adorable. The ride is also completely indoors despite being more similar to the Disneyland version than the Disney World one, which is a plus considering the beat down the sun was giving out the whole time we were there.
Or there’s Big Grizzly Mountain Runaway Mine Cars, an attraction I was led to believe was Big Thunder Lite – but in fact was an adorable half-coaster with cute bears. “Cute” seems to be the watchword in fact for Hong Kong Disneyland – if an attraction could be less scary and more adorable, then you can bet it’s been done here. Even Space Mountain seemed tamer and yet fun.
This was all hammered home to me by the fact that I brought my 3 year old, who was 100% immersed in the whole experience, despite having visited 4 castle parks in her short life. She loved everything. (And everyone loved her too – apparently a blond haired blue eyed little girl draws serious attention there. She was asked to pose for photos with random strangers 4-5 times a day.)
Messy hair, covered in stickers, and grinning like mad – this was my daughter most of the trip.
My daughter rounded a corner of the castle one afternoon and discovered Rapunzel watching ants climb up a tree. She then spent 20 minutes in deep conversation with her about bugs, scary trees, and dancing (ending with a joint lesson in the latter). She was so involved with the Stitch Encounter that when Gantu invaded she hollered “Run!” and started booking it towards the exit. (A cast member caught her – we were too paralyzed with laughter to move.) She ran around with a group of kids, none of whom spoke the same language, playing duels with the electronic paintbrushes -
Wait! The parade! I haven’t mentioned Paint the Night!
The “doors” are screens that show various scenes during the parade.
…I don’t know what to say about Paint the Night, except that it is my favorite parade, edging out Dreamlights because of the amazing costumes and cool interactivity. I wasn’t a huge fan of the whole “Glow With the Show” tech to this point, but the paintbrushes you can buy for Paint the Night let you change the color patterns on the floats during certain parts of the parade. That’s for the floats themselves (which is kind of hard to see if it’s working) or for the dancers, which is cool because they come up and let you change their colors. My daughter loved this, and I thought it was neat as well. Plus the paintbrushes can change other paintbrushes (and glowing ear bands), resulting in the duels I mentioned earlier between kids. Much fun to be had all around.
Note the paintbrush starting to change the color pattern on the dancer.
Loved all the costumes!
It’s relaxed. As I said, I was in HKDL during the protests. I was told that these were keeping away mainland China tourists, so what is usually a busy time there (Halloween) was not. As in, the park was practically empty, and there were no lines for almost everything. As this was my first time, I don’t know what crowds are “usually” like. But after my home resort in Tokyo’s insane crowds, this was a pleasant change, and may have skewed my perspective slightly! So for that aspect, your millage may vary.
The walkway to the hotels. The park was still open when I took this picture.
That said, we rode whatever we wanted, whenever we liked, as often as we liked.
The park is big, much bigger than it needs to be for the amount of attractions it currently has (trust me on this, I live in Tokyo), so when there’s hardly anyone there it’s just this wonderful expanse of space. Utterly charming.
I felt less stressed in this park than I normally feel in any Disney park, except maybe Animal Kingdom, and probably for the same reasons – there’s not that much to do, and people aren’t in that much of a hurry to “get it done”. This may sound like a strange plus, but it really made a difference in my enjoyment of the resort.
Typical “crowds” during our visit.
The park opened at 10:30am all the days I was there. 10:30! In Tokyo, if the park opens at 8am, you’d better be in line by 7 if you want to grab a FastPass and have a chance at seeing the majority of the park that day. I remember standing at the hub at 11 o’clock on Saturday and just looking around, flabbergasted. Everywhere I looked people were…relaxing. Hanging out. Strolling to the next attraction. I found myself getting a FastPass for Winnie the Pooh so I could skip the 20 minute line at the worst part of the day. And feeling totally justified, because I wanted to go linger over lunch before riding.
The food probably plays a large part in this relaxed feel too. I never felt rushed to eat and get out the door, even though I ate in a large number of counter service places. The food is excellent (I could probably do a whole post on just that, if only I’d taken more pictures before devouring.) and encourages you to relax and enjoy. I wanted to try every dish in the park. And I felt like I had time to do it and still get in a few rounds of Buzz Lightyear.
Conclusion: All of this vacation was colored for me by two things you may not have if you visit – a basically empty park, and a scant 4 hour flight from home to get there. So I’m not trying to say you should go out of your way, hop a 32 hour flight and spend a week at the resort.
But!
If you have the opportunity – a planned trip to Tokyo with a stopover, a trip to Hong Kong proper with a day or two to spare – I really, unexpectedly recommend you check it out. Like me, you may be surprised by how much you love it. My family is already planning another long weekend there…yes, even with Tokyo DisneySea so close by.
One last Paint the Night photo. Stopping now.
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Video: 2014 Jingle Cruise at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom
All aboard the 2014 Jingle Cruise at WDW’s Magic Kingdom with two complete POV videos (images by Seth Kubersky)
‘Tis the season to deck the jungle with holly — and hammy jokes — as the 2014 Jingle Cruise is now underway at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom. Last week, the seasonal overlay to the Jungle Cruise returned for a second annual run, this time with some notable upgrades.
Last year’s inaugural Jingle Cruise was criticized for confining the custom scenery largely to the Jungle Cruise’s boathouse queue, and for some jokes that were staler than fruitcake. As you can see in the following Jingle Cruise POV videos, more holiday decor has been installed along the riverbanks, and the spiel has been adjusted appropriately to reflect the additions.
The results are still undeniably corny (as is the classic version of the Jungle Cruise) but they certainly show more effort than last year’s outing. Here’s hoping that, if this transformation becomes a tradition, Disney continues to plus the show each season.
If you are visiting the Magic Kingdom this holdiday season and want to see the Jungle Cruise, consider hitting it early or using FastPass+. On the first Saturday morning the overlay was open, the attraction was a walk-on for the first 30 minutes of the day. However, by one hour after park opening, the posted wait had jumped to half an hour, and it continued to climb throughout the morning.
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Surprises #Everywhere On The Disney Dream
By David Davies
I had never boarded a cruise ship prior to the TouringPlans #Everywhere event in October, which tasked my family with sailing on the Disney Dream. I had knowledge of Disney Cruise Line from colleagues, relatives, podcasts, and random people in theme parks. Plus, I did the technical work for the Disney Cruise Line portion of the TouringPlans.com website, so I’ve been exposed to plenty of facts about sailing with Disney. Still, Disney Cruise Line (and cruising, in general) was full of surprises for me, some good and some bad. I share some observations as a cruise novice below, well aware of the fact that what suprised me would not have shocked someone more familar with cruises.
Pools are boring.
There’s a pool in the shape of Mickey’s head! Doesn’t swimming in his ear sound great? Well, the pools are tiny and crowded, so you won’t do more than sit or stand. It’s neat that you can watch a movie on the giant Funnel Vision screen while wading, and my kid enjoyed splashing around in the Mickey Pool, but the pools are not at all like the pools at Disney Resort Hotels. That said, the slides are fun, and there are plenty of great swimming opportunities on Castaway Cay and on many shore excursions.
Doesn’t this look fabulous? Looks can be deceiving.
Masses of humanity abound.
Upon arriving at the terminal by car, I had to wait in line to park. The security line to enter the terminal was short, but the Port Canveral terminal building was abuzz with an insane amount of activity and people. Fortunately, Disney processes guests efficiently; we waited in a long line (the whole family needs to be there to show ID and take photos for security), but it took only 20 minutes. Upon entering the ship, I was directed to eat at Cabanas, where I struggled to find a table in a gigantic buffet restaurant. (For dinner, you won’t have this problem: everyone has an assigned table.) During the cruise, I found crowds to be unpleasant during any of the “party” events held in the lobby, as well as during the Sail Away Celebration and Pirate Night events on top of the ship. And when I was ready to leave the ship, I couldn’t see the end of the the line of guests waiting to leave; it snaked out of the lobby and down a hallway toward the aft of the ship. There are a lot of people (up to 4,000 guests) on the boat, so any time many of us wanted to be in the same place, patience was required.
The terminal check-in desk may have more people in line than Soarin’!
If dancing cruise staffers are your thing, arrive early for the Sail Away Celebration or end up with this subprime view.
Plenty of Family Activities After 10 PM
Staying up late is extremely useful.
I should have figured this out when I saw that the kids’ clubs run until midnight, but many cruise activities do not start until the late evening, around 9:30 PM. And when I walked around the ship at 10:00 PM, it was still too early for the adult areas to be busy (I felt sorry for the cover bands playing to empty venues). I now realize that late evening is the only time when dining and ports do not distract guests, so it’s good time for ship-wide activities. If your family cannot stay up late, you’re going to miss out on a lot. My kid resisted napping and couldn’t stay awake even for an 8:30 PM theater show, let alone 11:00 PM Family Superstar Karaoke in D Lounge.
Kids’ clubs are NOT amazing for my 3-year-old.
After hearing about kids who visit the Oceaneer Club/Lab and never want to leave, I had high expectations for the youth activities. For me, it worked fine for daycare, but I didn’t think it was much of a place for a preschooler to learn and explore. Aside from a few elements in the nicely decorated Andy’s Room, there was not much in the way of toys. Instead, there were lots of screens at which to stare. My kid had fun, but he wasn’t mature enough to participate in most organized activities, so his preferred entertainment was attempting to play ridiculously simple computer video games or watching movies. That’s not bad, per se, but he was happy to leave when we picked him up.
Andy’s Room was good for kids.
The stateroom video-on-demand system is great.
It’s rare that I agree with colleague Derek Burgan, but I like technology, and the system backing the televisions in the rooms is better than I’ve seen at any hotel. A good chunk of the Disney animated film library was available (certainly it’s more comprehensive than what’s on Netflix), and the system was sophisticated enough that you could watch part of a movie, stop it, and resume from that point later. It also was fairly easy to navigate.
How much would you pay for this photo of me on Pirate Night?
Cruise guests really like photos.
Lines to see characters in theme parks are bad, but on Disney Cruise Line you don’t even need a character to merit a long line for a photograph! I saw people line up 40 deep to get family photos taken behind a backdrop associated with a theme of the night. Plus, a photographer snapped individual photos at a meal one night. I was not tempted to pay $20 for portraits of each of my relatives sitting at a table, but someone must be. If you like photos, you’re not alone, and you can make having your photograph taken a major activity.
Disney will compromise the guest experience to cater to the media.
On my cruise, there were about 10 radio stations that had broadcast tables set up on Deck 11, near the windows. During the day, this robbed guests of a chunk of seating close to the pool. The media folks were also allowed to cut the line for the AquaDuck on the morning of our Castaway Cay day to record video of their water-coasting experiences, making the line for paying customers longer. Although it probably cost me only 5-10 additional minutes, it was annoying to watch deejays excuse themselves through the line to hop on their special rafts with mounted cameras.
My ship went nowhere.
I caught the end of an information session about the Disney Dream, and the host said the ship could get from Port Canaveral to Nassau in an hour, if necessary. A bit of research reveals that he was exaggerating and/or familar with a double-secret Turbo Boost button (Nassau is over 300 miles from Port Canaveral, so it’d take more than 10 hours at the Dream’s normal cruising speed), but that was the longest journey of our cruise. Other itineraries cover greater distances, but the short Bahamian cruises are most most definitely not about transportation or visiting foreign lands; I stayed on the ship while docked at Nassau, and the AquaDuck line was 45 minutes, so lots of people were on this itinerary for the ship’s activities and for Castaway Cay. The ship spent most of its time driving slowly and/or circuitously to our destinations so that guests could play (and presumably spend money) on the ship.
Did anything surprise you on your first cruise, and/or on your first Disney Cruise Line voyage?
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November 17, 2014
Disney Cruise Line Testing Palo/Remy Brunch on Nassau Port Days
By Erin Foster
Guests sailing on recent 3-day Disney Cruise Line voyages on the Dream have reported that DCL is now testing brunch service at both Remy and Palo during port days at Nassau, Bahamas. Previously, brunch at these locations had only been offered on days at sea.
Typical Palo brunch offerings.
Remy and Palo are the Dream’s premier restaurants, offering enhanced food, beverages, and service for an upcharge over the ship’s other dining venues. Brunch during sea days has typically been popular, often with higher demand than availability.
A few guests have reported seeing booking for this available via their DCL Planning Center online, but this is inconsistent. Others have been told about the expanded dining options while speaking with cast members on board the ship. If dining at Remy or Palo during a port day is something you’re interested in, check your Planning Center frequently and/or stop by Guest Services on your embarkation day to ask about availability.
I’m happy to see Disney attempting to provide more dining choices for guests opting to stay on board during the Nassau port call.
Please let us know if you’re offered Palo or Remy brunch during your Nassau stop on the Dream, or on any of the Disney ships. We’re eager to learn more about this new offering.
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Disney Cruise Line Testing Palo/Remy Brunch on Nassau Port Days is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Menu Monday: Late Arrival Day Food Choices at Disney World
By Katie McNair
Even if you arrive to see this gorgeous sight, it still isn’t too late for you to find a good meal.
The Walt Disney World Resort area has tons of options for dining, from quick service restaurants, places to get snacks, or regular table service restaurants, to fancy, signature dining experiences. However, sometimes there seems to be no options other than the $2 vending machine crackers at your resort, once you’re on the property, especially if you don’t have a vehicle and are relying on Disney transportation. To avoid the stress of trying to track down dining options for your late arrival, I have gathered a listing for restaurants that stay open late, so you can avoid wandering around hungry. In addition, I listed the items available on the menu, written in plain language for easy understanding (i.e., it might be Oak-Grilled Salmon with a Selection of Winter Greens, but I’ll simplify it down to Grilled Salmon). Obviously, both hours and menus are subject to change, but you can check with Cast Members at the park or at your resort upon check in to ensure that these options are still available and open late. Here goes!
Magic Kingdom
While Magic Kingdom has quite a few options for a quick snack, the counter service restaurants begin closing and it becomes more difficult to find a full meal. There are four options available after the regular dinner hours (after around 8 p.m.) where you can find a full meal.
Casey’s Corner, at the end of Main Street, USA.
Casey’s Corner - this counter service restaurant has a topping bar for your hot dogs that includes sauerkraut and hot cheese sauce. Limited seating options make it best for a meal on the go, and they will give you a carrier for your food items that you can take with you.
Serves:
Hot dogs
Chili dogs
Corn nuggets
Nachos
Fries
Open: Almost always to park close, including Extra Magic Hours. Sometimes (rarely) closes 20 minutes before park closing.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café – a counter service restaurant that generally has plenty of seating options, though it can be very loud inside. Entertainment in the form of animatronic Sonny Eclipse adds fun to your dining experience. With a larger than usual menu variety, this spot is perfect for picky eaters and families who can’t agree on what sounds good for dinner, though the food is divided up in different Bays making it impossible to get a meal for everyone all at once without splitting up into different lines.
Serves:
1/2 Chicken
Rib meal
Chicken/Rib combo
Hamburger
Pork Sandwich
Hot dog
Chili cheese dog
Vegetable burger
Chicken nuggets
Turkey sandwich
Grilled chicken sandwich
Vegetable sandwich
Greek sandwich
Tortellini pasta salad
Sides: fries, chili fries, chicken noodle soup
Open: Until park close, including Extra Magic Hours.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe - this counter service restaurant has an amazing amount of seating, making this a place that you can almost always find a seat, even on the most crowded of days. There is also a large toppings bar for adding flavor to your meal, including salsa, cheese, tomatoes, grilled onions, pickles, and more, plus hot cheese sauce.
Serves:
Pork sandwich
Various cheeseburgers
Vegetable burger
Southwest chicken salad
Taco salad
Sides: corn on the cob, fries, chili
Open: Until one hour before park close.
La Fou’s Brew is a must try, and you can also grab a pork shank to make a (slightly strange) meal.
Gaston’s Tavern - a quick service location serving mostly snacks, with a pork shank that could be made into a meal. The high level of theming surrounding Gaston’s tavern makes this a must-see, so if you arrive late you can grab a meal and then check out the area.
Serves:
Pork shank
Cinnamon rolls
Chocolate croissant
Fruit cup
Mixed vegetable cup
Hummus and chips
Sliced apples and caramel
La Fou’s Brew (frozen apple juice flavored with toasted marshmallow)
Open: Until park close, including Extra Magic Hours.
Epcot
Epcot has a large number of restaurants, and most of them stay open until the park closes, so you will have quite a few options for a late meal if you are dining in the park. There are restaurants in both the Future World and the World Showcase, with a variety of options in either.
Future World:
These are the Electric Umbrellas that give the restaurant its name.
Electric Umbrella - a counter service location filled with whimsical electric umbrellas (which are much easier to see and recognize as umbrellas at night!), and located near the entrance, which makes it a good stop if you are already late eating dinner.
Serves:
French dip burger
Vegetarian flatbread
Sausage and Pepper sandwich
Hamburger
Chicken nuggets
Chicken caesar salad
Veggie naan wich
Open: Until the park closes.
Head inside this pavilion to find a great dining option, the fabulous Soarin’, and the best attraction at Epcot: Living with the Land!
Sunshine Seasons - a fabulous counter service option, with tons of variety and ambience. Truly unique meals based in four areas: wood-fired grill, sandwich shop, Asian shop, and soup and sandwich shop. Housed in the same building as Soarin’ and Living with the Land, it’s a perfect option to eat a quick meal before a late Fastpass+.
Serves:
Rotisserie chicken
Salmon
Pork chop
Chicken quinoa salad
Caesar salad
Roast beets
Fish tacos
Mongolian beef
Thai green curry shrimp
Sweet-and-sour chicken
Tamarind vegan beef
A variety of sandwiches, soups, and flatbreads
Open: Until the park closes.
World Showcase:
Katsura Grill - a relatively new restaurant in Japan’s pavilion, with a small amount of seating indoors and out. While the outdoor seating is gorgeous and quiet, it’s extremely limited making it difficult to find a place, though eating at an alternative time might work in your favor.
Serves:
Sushi
Udon (or Udon with beef, curry, shrimp)
Teriyaki chicken, beef, or salmon
Chicken curry
Japanese curry
Open: Until the park closes, and during the first hour of evening Extra Magic Hours.
La Cantina de San Angel - a counter service in Mexico’s pavilion, with lovely outdoor seating over the water. The food is obviously Mexican, and it’s tasty as well as quick.
Serves:
Grilled chicken and rice
Beef tacos
Cheese empanadas
Nachos
Mexican salad
Open: Until the park closes, and during evening Extra Magic Hours.
As usual, this place offers a host of amazing treats, including many that would make a great late meal.
Les Halles Boulangerie & Pâtisserie – this recently expanded quick service location is best known for delicious desserts and pastries, but it also has a variety of sandwiches and soups which can easily make a good late meal.
Serves:
Ham and cheese sandwich
BLT
Fruit sandwich
Chicken sandwiches
Varied cups of soup
Open: Until the park closes, and during evening Extra Magic Hours.
Sommerfest - while open late, this difficult to find window in Germany’s pavilion has a limited menu, but is a good place to get a quick meal with a cold beer. Seating is so limited as to almost be non-existent, which makes it a good meal to grab and eat while walking around the World Showcase.
Serves:
Bratwurst
Frankfurter
Currywurst
Baked macaroni
Open: Until the park closes, and during the first hour of evening Extra Magic Hours.
Tangierine Cafe - this restaurant in Morocco’s pavilion offers authentic food and some indoor seating, with more seating outdoors. While the food is unfamiliar to many people, it’s a good way to try interesting new dishes when the Food & Wine Festival isn’t going on.
Serves:
Chicken wrap
Lamb wrap
Falafel wrap
Chicken platter
Lamb platter
Kefta sandwich
Sliders combo
Vegetarian platter
Open: Until the park closes, and during the evening Extra Magic Hours.
Animal Kingdom
Animal Kingdom is currently rarely open late, though that will change once the new additions to the park are completed. Until then, this park isn’t really an option for you if you arrive late to Walt Disney World, with a closing time of 5 p.m. While in the summer months the park stays open later, it still closes by 8 p.m., making it within the usual dinner hours. Save Animal Kingdom for a day later in your trip, and be sure to try the Chicken Fried Rice from the Yak & Yeti Local Foods Cafe, which is both amazingly tasty and surprisingly inexpensive.
Hollywood Studios
Hollywood Studios is another park that may or may not be open late when you are visiting Walt Disney World. During the busier summer months, the park is open until 10 p.m., but much of the rest of the year the park closes at 7, making it inaccessible the night of a late arrival. There are two restaurants that stay open until park close, so if you do happen to come on a late closing day, here are your options:
Fairfax Fare - an outdoor counter service restaurant over by Tower of Terror, with some seating nearby. The standout dish is the Macaroni and Cheese and Truffle Oil Hot Dog, which is definitely worth a try.
Serves:
Chicken
Ribs
Pork sandwich
Macaroni and cheese hot dog
BBQ pork hot dog
Chili dog
Turkey leg
Salad
Open: Until the park closes.
Rosie’s All-American Café - another outdoor counter service restaurant over by Tower of Terror, near Fairfax Fare, which also has some seating nearby. Pretty standard food options here, but it should be possible to find something for everyone here.
Cheeseburger
Chicken nuggets
Vegetarian black bean burger
Soup of the day
Open: Until the park closes.
Resort Dining Options
This was my late night Pasta Creation at Port Orleans Riverside… it was quite tasty!
If you are arriving late to your resort without heading into a park, you should also have choices for dinner that are more exciting than a vending machine meal. All resorts should have at least some kind of dining option that will be open late, most closing at either 11 or midnight. While many of the resorts have multiple restaurants with varying opening times, the main resort food court style restaurant will be open for late dining. Each location has a varying menu, but expect to find some assortment of the following: burgers, grilled chicken, salads, pasta, flatbreads,sandwiches, and a vegetarian meal, plus meals for children. In addition, there will be a grab-and-go section, featuring pre-packaged items such as salads, sandwiches, and yogurt.
Downtown Disney (soon to be reinvented as Disney Springs)
Downtown Disney is usually open later than the parks, and most of the counter service restaurants are open until Downtown Disney’s closing time. During the week, Downtown Disney can be crowded, but on the weekend, it can be absolutely swamped, filled with both vacationers as well as the locals enjoying a night out. As a result of the late hours, Downtown Disney is a great option if you need a late night meal, and are uninterested in what’s available at your resort hotel.
Bongo’s Cuban Cafe Express – the Bongo’s Cuban Cafe is a restaurant that was created by Gloria Estefan, and obviously services Cuban food. There’s a walk-up window that will allow you to get a meal quickly without sacrificing too much time. It is located on the West Side of Downtown Disney.
Variety of salads
Cups of soup
Pork or chicken bites
Empanadas
Pollo asado
Ropa vieja
Arroz con pollo
Plus a selection of sandwiches
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
Cookes of Dublin - located right next to Raglan Road in the Pleasure Island section, this little pub location serves up traditional Irish pub food, plus some sinfully tasty desserts. One must-try is the Doh Bar, which is a donut battered, deep-fried Snickers. There’s really far too many options to name here, and everything is cooked fresh to order, making this a wonderful choice for a group who can’t agree on what to have. Here’s just a few options:
Fried scallops
Fish & chips
Beef and lamb pie
Cheeseburger
Salads
Wings
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
This place offers amazing pretzels that simply must be tried, no excuses.
Wetzel’s Pretzels – boasting two locations in Downtown Disney, you can get a pretzel dog in either the Marketplace or the West Side. While the menu is limited, and the seating might as well be non-existent (unless there’s nothing going on at the stage, though that’s unlikely), pretzel dogs or bits make for a highly portable meal.
Pretzel (original, cinnamon, pepperoni, almond crunch, jalapeno)
Pretzel dog (with or without cheese)
Pretzel bites (original, cinnamon, almond crunch)
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
Earl of Sandwich - you may have eaten at this popular sandwich chain elsewhere, and the Downtime Disney location (in the Marketplace) always has a line, and deservedly so, as the sandwiches and wraps are very good. In addition to the sandwiches, they also serve soup and desserts. There’s not a lot of seating inside, though if you’re quick and somewhat patient you can usually snag one, but there’s more outdoors and you can usually find a space there in all but the most crowded of times. They also offer a 10% discount for Annual Passholders and DVC members, so be sure to ask after it.
Large variety of sandwiches
Soups
Salads
Wraps
Smoothies
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
The Express at Wolfgang Puck Grand Cafe - located in the West Side, this counter service location lets you have a gourmet meal quickly. A step above most theme park food, in the sheer variety alone, it has interesting choices as well as pizza.
Butternut squash soup
Tortilla soup
Pizza (pepperoni, cheese, margherita, four cheese pest0)
Rotisserie chicken
Chicken pot pie
Selection of salads
Various sushi
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
Wolfgang Puck Express - located in the Marketplace, this counter service location offers an expanded menu, with some of the same options as the other Wolfgang Express location at Downtown Disney, offering fancier pizzas.
Soups
Selection of salads
Pizza (BBQ chicken, sausage, mushroom, pepperoni, mushroom, spicy chicken)
Ravioli
Spaghetti and chicken meatballs
Salmon
Rotisserie chicken
Chicken alfredo
Open: Until Downtown Disney closes.
All in all, there should be something for you to make a late meal of, no matter where you head upon arriving at Walt Disney World!
Pop Century’s famous tie-dye cheesecake tastes particularly good as a late night meal ending.
Were any of your favorites included on the late night list? Have you had any late night dining experiences? Do you venture out, or do you stick close to your resort? Let me know!
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Menu Monday: Late Arrival Day Food Choices at Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Menu Monday: Best Counter Service Restaurants in Magic Kingdom
By Lisa Gilmore
Picking your favorite Walt Disney World counter/quick service restaurant is like picking your favorite child, sure on some days you may like one more than the other (come on, we’ve all been there!), but overall, you just can’t choose a favorite! Dining in Walt Disney World has become a favorite past time among repeat guests. And now, more often than not, first time guests have their own “bucket list” of restaurants to eat at or snack to try. With this increase in demand and expectation, Disney has responded by adding more restaurants and expanding the menus of their current restaurants. These adjustments also come with price increases. As Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin from ABC’s Once Upon A Time always reminds us, “all magic comes with a price” even Disney’s pixie-dusted munchies. But fear not intrepid traveler and foodie, you can indulge your taste buds and save your budget with the counter/quick service restaurants available at every Disney Park and resort. But with literally, over a hundred to choose from (seriously, 102 – I counted!), I’m here to help you select the best of the best, park by park and even among the resorts. This article will focus on the counter service options of the Magic Kingdom. The focus will be on restaurants that offer a full meal option. Though there are many additional locations I could have included in this list, I narrowed it down to exclude those counter locations that really only sell snacks. After watching hours of Master Chef and Chopped, I’ve devised a ranking system that will incorporate four criteria into the ultimate calculation for the best counter service meals. The criteria are:
Best value (portion/cost ratio) = 10 points
Flavor = 10 points
Originality = 5 points
Atmosphere = 5 points
Grand total = 30 possible points
Be Our Guest – New Fantasyland
This latest addition to the Magic Kingdom dining line-up has everyone crazed to make dinner reservations or snag the elusive lunch FastPass+ option. The menu is a bit pricier than other counter service option, and it’s only available as a counter service during the lunch hours (10:30am to 2:30pm). Starting at 4pm, Be Our Guest is considered a Table Service restaurant where prices increase and the menu changes a bit.
Value = 7/10 Be Our Guest lost some value points for two main reason. First is that the prices are a bit higher than other counter service locations around the park. It could be argued that guests pay a premium for the exclusivity of the restaurant and the fine details in the decoration, but strictly looking at the price paid for the meal received, it’s just a bit on the steep end. The second reason it lost some points is that those the portions are a decent size, they’re not likely of a “sharable” quantity.
Flavor = 8/10 Be Our Guest gets close to top marks for quality of food and overall flavor. There were some consistency issues when the restaurant first opened (which can be expected), but those issues have been mostly leveled out. Overall, the menu items are flavorful, well-seasoned, and a great accuracy regarding what guests expect vs. what they’re served.
Originality = 5/5 They top out the category when it comes to originality and variety. There truly is a menu item for everyone in your travel party here. Be Our Guest can satisfy the health-conscience vegetarian and comfort-food-seeking, meat-and-potatoes guests in your party. Special kudos on the dessert options, creative, flavorful, and unique to this special dining experience – be sure to save room for dessert.
©Disney
Atmosphere = 5/5 One of the big draws to eating at Be Our Guest is to have the unique experience to dine in the Beast’s Castle. With three incredibly themed dining rooms, there is always something new to notice and appreciate. Though the noise level in the main ballroom can get a bit loud, it still tops the charts as far as ambiance.
Grand Total = 25/30 Overall Be Our Guest offers quality food and an amazing dining experience. It may cost you a bit more to dine here than other Magic Kingdom counter service options, but the pros out-weigh the cons in this situation.
Casey’s Corner
Casey’s Corner – Main Street, U.S.A.
A classic retreat among fans of America’s past time and those in search of a one-of-kind hot dog, Casey’s Corner is a counter service location serving lunch and dinner and opening usually around 11am.
Value = 6.5/10 As far as hot dogs go, Casey’s Corner does allow for a fun twist on an American classic. However, these are pretty standard sized hot dogs. Perhaps one could be shared as a snack, but if you have a hungry crowd famished from a rope-drop Touring Plan, then Casey’s Corner may leave a few tummies still rumbling. Grab a couple of hot dogs and share an order of nachos though, and you’ll be a happy camper.
Flavor = 6/10 Unfortunately, Casey swings and misses quite a bit when it comes to consistent quality. Some visits are delectable, some results in lukewarm hot dogs and lumpy “plastic” cheese. When they’re on their game, it delicious! But when they’re not, it’s a complete strike-out.
Originality = 2.5/5 If you go to Casey’s you better be looking for a hot dog or some nachos, because that’s all they’ve got. They do get kudos for introducing some gourmet twists to the iconic American meal. The Barbecue Slaw Dog offers a tasty and fun option. And you really can’t beat the scrumptious corn dog nuggets. Those are perfect pre-parade treat.
Atmosphere = 3/5 With the recent Hub construction, the atmosphere has been depleted with the erection of large green construction walls blocking the view of Cinderella Castle. This is still a great location if you can swipe an outdoor table along the parade viewing route or close to Jim as he tickles the ivories playing fun Disney songs while you munch.
Enjoy live music played by the Casey’s Corner Pianist. Photo courtesy of Disney
Grand Total = 18/30 Casey’s Corner has its niche audience. It’s a great location to rest tired feet if you can get a seat by Jim the piano player and enjoy some corn dog nuggets or a cold soda to recharge. If you’re not a hot dog fan, though, there are plenty of other great dining options.
Columbia Harbour House offers a variety of seafood and other items.
Columbia Harbour House – Liberty Square
Columbia Harbour House specializes in seafood, but serves a few other options, as well. The menu is actually fairly diverse compared to what you’d expect to find in a theme park restaurant. Perched on the corner of Fantasyland and Liberty Square, its menu offerings also perch on the corner of healthy and deep-fried deliciousness.
Value = 7/10 Columbia Harbour House ranks ups there with the value score. Though I tend to shy away from spending close to $10 on a tuna sandwich, the fact that I can also get a combo plate of chicken nuggets and fish, complete with fries or even steamed broccoli, big enough to share among two people for only a few cents more really tops this restaurant out for having some great value.
Columbia Harbour House Anchors Aweigh Sandwich
Flavor = 8/10 When it comes to quality, it truly depends on what you order. The standard “fish and chips” option actually falls flat for me, seemingly equivalent to the frozen fish sticks sold in the grocery store. However the Broccoli Peppercorn Salad and the Chicken Pot Pie both pack a flavorful punch. I also enjoy the Anchors Aweigh tuna sandwich, when I’m looking for something lighter.
Originality – 4.5/5 Offering Grilled Salmon, hummus sandwiches and even the occasional lobster roll, this menu is not from your typical “fast food” joint. It’s nice that they also tend to refresh the menu offerings every so often, so each trip you could see a new meal to try.
Atmosphere – 4.5/5 With its excellent nautical decor, Columbia Harbour House offers great ambiance. The excellent New England seaside atmosphere perfectly suits Liberty Square. On top of the ambiance, the multi-room and multi-story cozy design makes it fun to explore. These rooms also offer a quiet retreat from the throngs of crowds, as you can often find a quiet room upstairs in Columbia Harbour House, even at lunch.
Grand Total = 24/30 Offering a great retreat from the crowds in a well themed restaurant, complete with a convenient location in the heart of the park and offering unique menu items for those guests who have had their fill of pizza, cheeseburgers and chicken nuggets. Columbia Harbour House is a counter service oasis.
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Café offers a wide-ranging menu, one of a kind entertainment, and an amazing topping bar!
Cosmic Ray’s Starlight Cafe – Tomorrowland
Probably the largest counter service restaurant in the Magic Kingdom, Cosmic Ray’s is one of the most popular dining options so during the peak lunch and dinner hours, it can be difficult to find a seat. It’s organized into three ordering bays, so be sure to wander around a bit before getting in line. Each bay tends to have a different menu offerings being split into “Chicken”, “Burgers”, and “Sandwiches/Soup-Salad” which can make ordering for a family all wanting different things more of a challenge.
Value = 9/10 The value for Cosmic Ray’s can be summed up in two words: Topping bar. No matter what you order, you can swing by this abundant toppings bar and spruce up your meal with any of the options they offer. The toppings bar contains lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, relish, green peppers, mushrooms, grilled onions, BBQ sauce, mayonnaise, mustard, ketchup, and cheese sauce, and really helps you get great bang for your buck, especially if you order a burger.
Unlimited toppings available to enhance any entrée. Photo courtesy of Disney Food Blog
Flavor = 7/10 Perhaps Cosmic Ray’s relies a bit too heavily on people sprucing up their meals at the topping bar, because sometimes the quality of the entrée is a bit inconsistent or just overall basic. There burgers and sandwiches are fairly standard, and sometimes the rotisserie chicken can be a bit dry if it’s under the heat lamp for a while.
Originality = 3.5/5 Cosmic Ray’s has dropped a few creative notches for me as they’ve reduced their menu over the past few years. Now they tend to just offer some sandwiches, burgers, and the occasional salad or chicken entrée.
Sonny Eclipse offers some out of this world entertainment.
Atmosphere = 5/5 Cosmic Ray’s is the only counter service restaurant which comes with an intergalactic entertainer, Sonny Eclipse. His 20-minute show is very reminiscent of the Muppets back in the day, some fun music mixed in with some corny jokes. He’s an attraction all on his own. Try to grab a seat somewhere in the restaurant where you can hear Sonny Eclipse or outside with a view of Cinderella Castle.
Grand Total = 24.5/30 Sonny Eclipse and the topping bar really help make Comic Ray’s one of the best counter service options in the Magic Kingdom. There’s usually something on the menu for everyone, and the portions are large and very filling
Diamond Horseshoe is open seasonally and only during peak hours.
Diamond Horseshoe (Seasonal) – Liberty Square/Frontierland
Unfortunately, this is one of the two seasonal restaurants available in Magic Kingdom, typically only open is the very busy seasons to accommodate the summer and holiday crowds and usually only during peak hours (around noon). Because of this, few people get to experience this option, but it is one to keep in mind if you’re traveling during busier seasons.
Value = 7/10 Portions are standard size for sandwiches available around the parks, you’re not going to go hungry, but it’s not a screaming bargain, either.
Flavor = 7/10 Diamond Horseshoe shares the same kitchen with the Liberty Tree Tavern, so the hand-carved turkey that’s on their turkey sandwich is the same turkey that Liberty Tree Tavern serves with their Pilgrim’s Feast, a pretty high quality option at a counter service price.
Diamond Horseshoe Hand Carved Turkey Sandwich is available for under $10. Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Originality = 4/5 Diamond Horseshoe gets decent originality points. Though it does serve mostly sandwiches, the variety of sandwiches is notable. Ranging from classic tuna on a croissant to a barbecue turkey sandwich, Diamond Horseshoe has some culinary creativity backing it up.
The Diamond Horseshoe view from second floor.
Atmosphere =4/5 Designed like an old fashioned western music hall, the Diamond Horseshoe comes complete with red curtains, a vaudeville style stage and some knee slapping piano music to enjoy while you dine in this two-story location. Those who’ve visited the Hoop De Doo Revue may see some remarkable similarities.
Grand Total = 22/30 Diamond Horseshoe offers a limited albeit tasty menu of the sandwich variety. The quality of the sandwiches coupled with the fun dining room styled as a two-story music hall, make this an option to visit if you’re lucky enough to be there when’s open.
Friar’s Nook is your destination if you’re looking for cheese and lots of it!
Friar’s Nook – Fantasyland
Friar’s Nook may be more a more common stop for a snack or a light lunch rather than a filling meal. Still, it’s open for lunch and dinner, and its variety of macaroni and cheese options can help satisfy your picky eater and even someone who may want try an adventurous variety of gourmet cheesy pasta.
Value = 6/10 You can dress it up all you want, to me, it’s still a cup of macaroni and cheese, perhaps with other stuff mixed in. Is it worth $9? Not to me, but as a vacation indulgence to try something new or decadent, I may partake just for the experience of it. But if you’re looking for a filling meal for your counter service buck, I say keep walking, there are a lot of other options. However, if you’re looking for an interesting snack to share with a travel companion, this could fit the bill perfectly.
Flavor = 7/10 If you’re looking for ooey, gooey, cheesy comfort food, then this is the right spot for you. Bordering on the threshold of being too rich, this could be a great indulgence for some of the cooler months in Florida. They offer the standard mac and cheese option but also have introduced some gourmet options they’ve shifted through. Currently on the menu is a Truffle Macaroni and Cheese, Pot Roast Macaroni and Cheese, and Bacon Cheeseburger mac and cheese. Previously they offered a Blue Cheese Macaroni, so if cheese if your weakness, stop by the Friar’s Nook to see what variety will satisfy your craving.
Pot Roast Macaroni and Cheese. Almost too rich to eat alone, find a friend to share with.
Originality = 4/5 Macaroni and cheese in and of itself isn’t that creative, it’s a pretty standard crowd pleaser among kids, so it seems like a no-brainer for Disney to offer it to please their younger demographic. I do give Friar’s Nook kudos for thinking outside the box and dressing up macaroni and cheese for a more mature palate.
Atmosphere =2/5 Atmosphere is really putting it lightly. You walk up to a counter, order your cheesy indulgence, and then wander around Fantasyland to eat it. Situated in close proximity to the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and the Carousel, there is very limited seating available.
Grand Total = 19/30 Friar’s Nook is a food window in Fantasyland that offers macaroni and cheese, oh yeah, and a sad lone hot dog is on the menu. It’s not really a destination counter service restaurant, and its offerings don’t really fit the bill as far as well-rounded meals are concerned. But it does offer some cheesy goodness, perhaps a nice option as an appetizer to tide you over before your meal at another counter service location.
Golden Oak Outpost is home for some tasty gourmet waffle fries.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Golden Oak Outpost (Seasonal)– Frontierland
Golden Oak Outpost is parked on the threshold between Adventureland and Frontierland, and though it could be argued that the variety of waffle fries offered here are purely of the snack variety, I figured if macaroni and cheese (a la Friar’s Nook) could be considered a “meal” so (arguably) could waffle fries from Golden Oak Outpost. Only open during the peak seasons, if you want to taste these special spuds, you better be in Magic Kingdom at one of the busiest seasons.
Value = 6/10 If you’re arguing this from the meal angle, then you’ll be disappointed. $6 on fancy spuds and you’ll be hungry again a couple of hours, not exactly what many of us imagine when we plan our meals. But it’s definitely a hearty snack. Honestly, even as a snack the quantity isn’t what you’d hope for the price.
Flavor = 7/10 A western take on the Canadian classic poutine is tricky flavor to master. But you really can’t wrong with barbecue pulled pork piled on top of some crisp waffle fries.
Tex Mex Waffle Fries available at Golden Oak Outpost. Is it just me, or are there more toppings than there are fries?
Originality =4/5 I applaud the creativity here, and with the versatility of the waffle fries, so many more options can be introduced. This could be a match made in heaven, waffle fries and ingenuity of Disney Imagineering, I’m just anxious to see what combination they come up with next! What are y’all rooting for? Maybe a classic Chili Cheese Waffle Fries? Parmesan-coated Italian Waffle Fries with marinara dipping sauce? Garlic and Truffle Butter Waffle Fries? The sky’s the limit!
Atmosphere =2/5 Not much to brag about in terms of ambiance. There are a few rustic, theme-appropriate picnic tables nearby that tie into the Frontierland décor.
Grand Total = 19/30 On the value side of this location, this restaurant is lacking. The portions are on the small side even if the flavors are big. To beef up the value, I’d recommend ordering the Tex Mex fries, then popping over into close-by Peco Bill’s Tall Tale Inn to take advantage of their topping bar. Add on some extra cheese sauce, lettuce and tomatoes. Or (dare I say!?) just order the plain waffle fries and make your nacho-style endeavor at the topping bar. I’m not sure of the ethics of swiping free condiments, or the policing strategy around the topping bar, but the idea is intriguing.
The Lunching Pad is in the heart of Tomorrowland and offers a limited variety of hot dogs.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
The Lunching Pad – Tomorrowland
The Lunching Pad is smack in the middle of Tomorrowland – you may recognize it as being the base for the Astro Orbiter. It has a menu comprised of a limited variety of hot dogs and some snacks.
Value = 6/10 On par with the pricing at Casey’s Corner, but the lack of options on the menu and the overall minimal variety limits your options to choose from, even as far as getting an extra side to share.
Flavor = 6/10 It seems that more often than not, there’s more bun than hot dog. This can minimize the value as well as the quality of the meal. Most of the time the toppings are in good proportion with the hot dog. Most recently, I had a Philly Cheesesteak hot dog that had quite a bit of beef on it which may seem as a bonus but made it really difficult to eat and I ended up dissecting the whole meal.
Limited menu but big on flavor.
Originality =2/5 Running with the trend of specialty dogs, these options are a nice alternative to the garden variety hot dog options, but aren’t unique enough to warrant bonus originality points. Also, since the menu is strictly hot dogs, the limited nature of the menu also contributed to a low score.
Atmosphere =2/5 Centered in the middle of Tomorrowland the base of the Peoplemover and Astro Oribiter, this location is unique in allowing guests to enjoy the fun Tomorrowland narration paging Mr. Tom Morrow, its limited seating (and no indoor seating) can be problematic. Mostly, it’s people-watching that adds to the atmosphere here.
Grand Total = 16/30 When it’s all said and done, if I want a hot dog, I’ll go to Casey’s. However, if you want a different variety of hot dog or your just can’t bare the walk to Main Street, The Lunching Pad does have some good offerings.
If you’re near Frontierland, Pecos Bill could help you satisfy your burger craving.
Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn & Café – Frontierland
It could be argued that Pecos Bill’s is the Cosmic Ray’s of Frontierland. While Cosmic Ray’s has an awesome Audio-Animatronics singing alien, Pecos Bills has more coherent theming and ambiance that really connects with the Frontierland location. One asset that Pecos Bill has over Cosmic Ray’s is the simpler ordering process. While Cosmic Ray’s has three ordering bays, you can order the full range of the Pecos Bills menu from any of the windows.
Value = 9/10 With similar menu offerings (burgers and sandwiches) and portion sizes as Cosmic Ray’s these two locations tie on value. Pecos Bill also has an immense toppings bar available to add extra free condiments onto your entrée. This a great way to enhance up your meal in both quantity and flavor. And they have a few entrees (Karubi Style Short Ribs and the Steak and Chicken Platter) which could easily be split between two adults.
Flavor = 7/10 The Southwest Chicken Salad is the standout as far as great flavor goes. I’ve found the chicken to be a bit dry, but with a few additional enhancements from the toppings bar to help mask it, this is a pretty satisfying salad (well, as satisfying as salads go). The Taco Salad has some issues of being served in a tortilla bowl that is more bowl than edible tortilla, and I’ve found the meat to be on the greasy side accompanied by a handful of vegetables. Again, toss in some extra lettuce, tomatoes and salsa from the topping bar and you can enhance it, but the quality of the original product definitely seems to be lacking. The burgers and sandwiches are identical to others served around the park, so no surprises there.
Originality = 3/5 Pecos Bill keeps true to the palate of the wild west with some southwest flavors and barbecue sandwich and ribs offerings. Though still bordering on generic, it does offer something beyond burgers and chicken nuggets.
Pecos Bill keeps to the southwest theming of Frontierland and offers several different dining rooms.
Atmosphere = 4/5 Even without an Audio-Animatronics singing alien, Pecos Bill has a great environment. The challenge is getting to enjoy it without the swarm of crowds that tends to be present between 11am and 8pm. But if you get a chance, be sure to look at all of the details. There are several rooms for seating and some outdoor seating options, but it fills up quickly, and can sometimes be tricky to navigate through all the rooms with your full trays and with the darker lighting.
Grand Total = 23/30 Overall, you can get a good and filling meal here. If it’s earlier in the day, Pecos Bill is a good place to hit up for a burger or barbecue sandwich. It gets much busier as the day goes on, so if you get that burger craving later in the day, it may be worth your while to head over to Comic’s Rays instead as it tends to absorb the crowds better.
Pinocchio Village Haus borders classic Fantasyland and New Fantasyland offering flatbreads, subs, and salads.
Pinocchio Village Haus – Fantasyland
Pinocchio Village Haus sits on the border of classic Fantasyland and New Fantasyland. Being housed in the most popular land of Magic Kingdom and hosting popular menu items like pizza, ok, flatbreads, but let’s be real, this is definitely a case of “tom-AY-to”/”tom-AH-to”, as you can imagine this location gets buzzing early on and stays busy. But don’t let that deter you, with some fun and tasty menu renovations, this is still a pretty good place to grab some lunch or dinner.
Value = 7/10 The flatbreads offered here are definitely tasty, but not necessarily filling. You’ll be happy with your order, but in a few hours, you may find yourself in search of a snack. I’d recommend each person ordering his own flatbread and sharing a salad or two to help round out the meal.
Crowd-pleasing pepperoni flatbread.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Flavor = 7/10 With the update in their menu in 2012, gone are the greasy individual pizzas you’ll find in locations like Pizza Planet in Hollywood Studios and in their place is a tastier and classier version of this kid-pleasing classic. The flatbreads come in a variety of flavors, including the classic Pepperoni option and the vegetarian-friendly Caprese option. If you get an early lunch, you’re likely to get a fresh-made flatbread, if you tend to eat lunch later in the afternoon, then you become a victim of chewy flatbread that sat under a heat lamp a little too long.
Originality = 3.5/5 Since Gepetto and Pinocchio are Italian, it just make sense that their Pinocchio Village Haus would sell Italian food. They offer a good selection of flatbreads, some standard but substantial salads and a hearty meatball sub.
Grab a table in this popular and coveting seating area to overlook It’s A Small World.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Atmosphere = 3/5 The exterior façade of the restaurant has an old European look to it, and it appears to be comprised of several connected buildings. Inside there are several dining areas that split off from the ordering bay. The most popular of these is the dining area that overlooks the Small World attraction loading area. As the most popular seating area, you’ll often have to wait for an open table. Another great spot to snag a seat that doesn’t require inappropriate hovering or table-stalking, is the outdoor balcony on the second floor that overlooks Fantasyland.
Total = 20.5/30 Good food, fun location, but busy, noisy, and not necessarily filling. If you have a family of light appetites or you’re looking to save room for a big dinner later, then this is a great spot to hit. Just be aware of the heavy lunch crowds and plan your visit accordingly.
Sleepy Hollow has the sweet, has the spicy, has a little something for everyone.
Sleepy Hollow Refreshments– Liberty Square
Sleepy Hollow is more of a “refreshment stand” than a full counter service menu, in that it has a limited menu, similar to Golden Oak Outpost and Friar’s Nook. It’s still offers some good-portioned options that one could easily make a meal of. It’s right at the entrance to Liberty Square off of the Hub.
Value = 6.5/10 Sleepy Hollow offerings are more than a snack, but smaller than your typical Disney counter service meal. This could be the solution for a family with smaller appetites or to help tide you over if you have a big dinner planned. The prices are pretty standard for dining options within Walt Disney World and comparable for other options at Magic Kingdom. Be sure to grab a fork and some napkins because they pack a lot of food into these treats.
Flavor = 8/10 Always made fresh for each order, the waffles are hot, crisp with a hint of sweetness. No matter which one you order, the toppings are fresh and complement each other perfectly. If you choose a funnel cake over a waffle sandwich, those are made fresh-to-order as well. This can sometimes result in a bit of a wait as the lines get longer, but the wait is worth it!
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Waffle at Sleepy Hollow Refreshments
Originality =4/5 Fresh-made waffles with unique toppings like Nutella and fruit, sweet and spicy fried chicken, and Ham, Prosciutto, and Swiss really help Sleepy Hollow earn its originality gold star.
Atmosphere = 3/5 The Sleepy Hollow building is a replica of Washington Irving’s home, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. There are some picnic tables around the order/pick-up window with limited shade, but with a good view of the Castle.
Sleepy Hollow Building offers great views of the Castle and is styled after Washington Irving’s house. Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Grand Total = 21.5/30 The reputation of Sleepy Hollow is getting around, so it’s not such a secret what a great find this place is. Don’t be scared to split a waffle sandwich as a snack, the quality is so good, I recommend you try this little place if you haven’t already.
Tomorrowland Terrace is open seasonally and connects Main Street to Tomorrowland.
Tomorrowland Terrace Restaurant (Seasonal) – Tomorrowland
Another of the Magic Kingdom’s seasonal restaurants, Tomorrowland Terrace, is more commonly known for its fireworks dessert party. But during busier times of the year, it’s also open for lunch and dinner.
Value = 6/10 For the same price, I’d prefer to get my burger or salad at Pecos Bill or Cosmic Ray’s as both of those locations offer the unlimited toppings bar and have seating in air conditioning. If you’re starving Tomorrowland Terrace can provide another option, which is why it’s open seasonally, to help absorb the crowds that threaten to overwhelm Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray’s. Its portions and prices are standard, but it’s not a destination counter service restaurant.
Flavor = 6/10 Even though this menu gets kudos for its creativity and thinking outside of the counter service box, the quality leaves something to be desired. If you want a good burger, take a few extra steps over to Cosmic Ray’s, and if the Lobster Roll intrigues you, then head over to Columbia Harbour House. The salads are made of a basic bagged salad mix with some extra topping tossed in like shrimp and mandarin oranges. The portion is a good size, but the overall flavor leaves something to be desired.
Originality = 4/5 There is quite a bit of a variety on this menu, though it’s kind of a hodge-podge of options. The standard 1/3 lb Angus bacon cheeseburger offered here and is the same one you’ll find at most Walt Disney World counter service restaurants. The Terrace also has some seafood/pasta selections and different salad selections.
Even though it doesn’t offer air conditioning, it does have a great view!
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Atmosphere = 4/5 This counter service restaurant only has outdoor seating, but it’s covered and shaded and there are plenty of tables. The lower level gives you great views of the Castle area and is a popular spot for viewing the fireworks.
Grand Total = 20/30 Tomorrowland Terrace serves up both the expected and the unexpected. You can find your traditional counter service fare here, but each season they tend to add a new and different entrée to the menu that helps spice up the variety. The quality is hit or miss, but the burger and chicken nuggets are pretty safe to order. The real contributing asset to this restaurant is the outdoor seating offering a great view of Cinderella Castle.
After touring the Caribbean with some pirates, stop by Tortuga Tavern.
Tortuga Tavern (Seasonal) – Adventureland
Formerly known as El Pirata Y El Perico, Tortuga Tavern is in Adventureland, just across from Pirates of the Caribbean. The menu is influenced by Mexican favorites. It’s another of the Magic Kingdom’s seasonal restaurants, only open on very busy days.
Value = 8/10 Tortuga Tavern also offers the coveted toppings bar, but it’s not nearly as substantial as the ones at Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray’s. The topping bar at Tortuga only offers shredded cheese, lettuce, diced tomatoes, and salsa, but it’s still a nice touch to fancy up your Mexican fare.
Tortuga Tavern Topping Bar can’t compare to the topping bars at Pecos Bill and Cosmic Ray’s, but it still enhances your meal.
Flavor = 7/10 The menu is limited to Mexican favorites of burritos, nachos and a taco salad, but these are executed fairly well. You basically get the “bare-bones” of your entrée and are allowed to doctor it up as you like at the toppings bar. If you’re lucky enough to be able to patron this location when it’s open, you’ll be pleased with the quality of your entrée. The meat is flavorful and not overcooked or overly greasy, making it easy to create a Mexican masterpiece of your own with your favorite toppings.
Tortuga Tavern offers classic Mexican favorites.
Originality = 3/5 Since the menu is limited to Mexican food, there may not be options that sound enticing for everyone in your family, though who doesn’t love a good plate of nachos? Luckily, Pecos Bill’s is close by, so it’s feasible to order food at one location, and then walk over to the other location to accommodate everyone’s cravings.
Atmosphere = 3/5 There are some seating rooms available inside and outside to offer plenty of seating. The tables inside do tend to get a bit noisy as the crowds pick up. Decorated with maps and dark wood, you definitely feel that the theme and atmosphere from Pirates of the Caribbean has been carried over into this dining area. The decorations keep you in the Adventureland spirit, but the theming lacks the classic storytelling that Disney is known for.
Grand Total = 21/30 Of the seasonal counter service restaurants in Magic Kingdom, Tortuga Tavern and Diamond Horseshoe rank at the top. Depending on your cravings and personal preferences, you may enjoy one over the other. Tortuga Tavern definitely offers some savory options with a bit of spice.
To sum it all up, below are the rankings of the counter service restaurants in Magic Kingdom in order based on their score:
Be Our Guest = 25/30
Cosmic Ray’s = 24.5/30
Columbia Harbour House = 24/30
Pecos Bill = 23/30
Diamond Horseshoe = 22/30
Sleepy Hollow 21.5/30
Tortuga = 21/30
Pinocchio Village Haus = 20.5/30
Tomorrowland Terrace – 20/30
Friar’s Nook = 19/30
Golden Oak = 19/30
Casey’s Corner = 18/30
Lunching Pad = 16/30
What do you think? Do you agree with this assessment or would you switch some of these around? Leave your ideas in the comments section!
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November 16, 2014
Traveling with a Disney Curmudgeon
They live among us. They look just like you and me. They are….the Disney Curmudgeon.
Disney Curmudgeon (Dis·ney cur·mudg·eon): noun. 1. A person who possesses a strong dislike or disinterest of all things Disney.
I know my fair share of Disney Curmudgeons. In fact, I live with one. My husband, Michael, doesn’t share my obsession and love of everything Disney. He is a great sport (He dressed up as Smee and Mickey Mouse for me, so he must be!) and there are some aspects of Walt Disney World he really does enjoy. However, whenever I bring up a future Disney trip, his eyes say, “Really? again!?,” but his mouth smiles and says, “We can see about that honey.”
Although it may be in my nature to throw the book (and by book, I mean the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World) at him and spend hours explaining why Disney World is the best place ever, it would result in a negative outcome on both sides. Instead, working with him and catering a little more to his needs can reduce the stress and make our vacation much more enjoyable.
Disclaimer: These are mere suggestions. Feel free to pick and choose the ones that apply to your situation. Also, if you DO choose to throw the book at your Disney Curmudgeon, the Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World has a section all about this under, “Special Tips for Special People.”
Understand their hobbies
When planning your trip, think about their hobbies. From there, enter activities into the itinerary that they would enjoy. Does your Disney Curmudgeon (or DC, for short) like to golf? Arrange a few rounds at one of Disney’s golf courses. Does she appreciate healthy eating and agriculture? Book the Behind the Seeds tour, which goes behind the scenes of the Living with the Land attraction at Epcot. Does he love being on the water? Rent a boat or go parasailing on Bay Lake! Think outside of the box when it comes to selecting your experiences. Help your DC see that the Walt Disney Company is not defined by its theme parks (which are incredible), but by a diverse world full of endless possibilities.
Let them take part in the planning
Since TouringPlans brought you to this article, I’m assuming you’re a manic planner when it comes to organizing your Disney vacation. Try handing over the reins (or at least one rein) and let your DC take part in the planning. As I write this, I just agreed to let Michael plan one whole day for our future trip next year. Can I turn off controlling-trip-planning-Angela? I better start practicing now! Start with one aspect (such as dining or finding a hotel) so as not to overwhelm him or her. Give them options and be patient. As I mentioned above, show them features that cater to their hobbies and interests. For example, Michael loves cars, so we made an appointment at the Exotic Driving Experience. He had a blast driving in a lamborghini and still talks about the experience to this day. Getting your lovable DC involved in the trip planning may adjust their expectations and allow them to look forward to your Disney vacation.
Stay somewhere quiet
When selecting a hotel on or off Disney property, choose a quiet resort. When I make room reservations, I pick a resort where we can enjoy some peace and quiet after a busy day. There are several to choose from on site, but Michael’s favorite is Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter. We enjoy walking through the beautiful courtyards and listening to the soothing jazz music as we relax by the pool. Sounds nice, doesn’t it?
Consider timing
Because Disney World is such a wonderful and popular vacation destination, crowds and lines inevitably accompany you on a trip to the parks. However, there are weeks throughout the year when park attendance is lower than usual. If your schedule allows, try to plan your vacation around those times. We try to visit in late January/early February between runDisney events when I know there won’t be a peak in crowd levels. Once on your vacation, limit how much time you spend at the parks. I’m a true believer in a mid day siesta. After a morning at the parks, my family heads back to the hotel for some down time before hitting it hard the rest of the night. It breaks up the day and gives you time to rejuvenate!
Start Slow
If your Disney Curmudgeon is an introvert like my Michael, then exploring a large park with thousands of people is not only exhausting, but very frustrating. If he knows our first day in Florida will be spent at the parks, he will most likely go in with less than positive expectations. Your first day of vacation, spend limited or no time at the four major parks. Try Downtown Disney, a nice meal at one of the resorts or even a trip to a water park. Keep it Disney-related so your DC gets use to that magical Disney atmosphere, but doesn’t get overwhelmed. Another tip (if you have the time) is to stagger park visits throughout your stay. Spend a few hours at the parks on day 1 and an entire day on day 2. Again, this will give him or her time to adjust to the atmosphere and surroundings.
Spend some time off Disney property
Let me just say, it’s not easy for me to come to Florida and not spend every last minute on Disney property. However, I will be the first to admit that there is plenty I’m missing out on. There are so many different attractions to experience in Florida: Kennedy Space Center, Sea World, Gatorland, a day at the beach. Breaking up your vacation with a day off property may be just the thing to press the reset button and turn that Negative Nancy (Or Ned) into a Positive Patty.
Take a time out
After days of constantly being around people, your DC may be down right exhausted. I’ve realized that when I notice Michael getting crabby, it’s because he needs alone time. I’ll send him to the ESPN Club to watch the latest game or let him nap or read alone in the room. Sometimes we’ll sit by the pool and enjoy a drink and leisurely swim. Although I love the parks, I will say that it’s nice to just sit and exist some times. Broken record Angela will again repeat: Siestas are the best thing ever.
Travel to a park-free Disney destination
A trip to the Disney parks might be just too much for your Disney Curmudgeon to handle, but there are plenty of other ways to get your Disney fill. Go on a Disney Cruise. Visit a Disney-owned property like Hilton Head or Aulani. Experience an Adventures by Disney tour. There are many other Disney vacation destinations to sink your teeth into that involve no time in the parks.
Cut them a break
This is the hardest one for me. I so badly want Michael to be having as much fun as I am. I’ve been known to annoy him to death during our trip by constantly asking him, “Are you having fun? Isn’t this fun honey? Isn’t this so great?” The fact remains that no matter how hard I try, I have to accept that he’s never going love Disney as much as I do just like I will never love football the way he does.
Epiphany: THAT’S PERFECTLY OKAY!
Our differences are what make us interesting. So while I rock my Disney side, you Disney Curmudgeons rock whatever side you choose!
Do you know a Disney Curmudgeon? What tips do you have for traveling with them? Let me know in the comments!
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