Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1174
October 20, 2014
Menu Monday: Ranking Every Meal and Snack I Ate At Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea
Some say math is the universal language; I completely disagree with this. The one true thing that all of mankind can understand is food. On my recent trip to Tokyo, I found that the people of Japan love food as much as I do, and this is especially true at Tokyo Disneyland and its neighboring park, Tokyo DisneySea. I am especially fond of Disney food and spend quite a bit of time tweeting and blogging about it, so naturally food was a big part of my Tokyo Disney Resort vacation. Now, for purpose of record, I rank every meal and snack I ate at Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea.
#1: Eukiwa Buns from Seaside Snacks (Tokyo DisneySea)
The Eukiwa Bun ranks first on the list thanks to the one two punch of a great taste and fantastic packaging. The roll itself is a gyoza bun filled with delicious juicy shrimp. The bun is shaped like a inner tube, which ties in perfectly to the packaging. It makes it look like Donald is inside the inner tube. How great is that?! This item is very popular, and it usually has a long line of people waiting to enjoy it.
#2: Shrimp Curry from Casbah Food Court (Tokyo DisneySea)
Who knew that theme park curry could be this good? The curry was flavorful and delicious, plus had a little kick to it. It was also filled with plenty of nice thick shrimp. Casbah Food Court has outdoor seating and is located in the Arabian Coast section of the park, so while we ate we enjoyed a great atmosphere and background music. Overall this is an excellent and affordable quick service dining option.
#3: Seafood Stew Breadcone from The Gazebo (Tokyo Disneyland)
Getting quick service seafood in the American parks is extremely hit or miss, so I was worried at first. This was one of the first items I ate after arriving at Tokyo Disneyland, and it proved to me that I shouldn’t be afraid of theme park seafood in Tokyo Disney Resort. The stew had a thick rich and creamy base with shrimp and scallops. Very good, but due to its size it’s definitely more of a snack than a full meal.
#4: Chandu Tail from Sultan’s Oasis (Tokyo DisneySea)
Like its brother Eukiwa Bun, the Chandu Tail is a gyoza bun filled with something. But the something this time is creamy chicken. The bonus to the Chandu Tail is that you are eating a part of the star of one of the greatest modern Disney dark rides, Sindbad’s Storybook Voyage. I personally liked the Eukiwa Bun more than the Chandu Tail, but either one of these items is a must-try. While you’re there, try the D’s Delight Frozen Dessert Drink.
#5: Pumpkin Custard Cone from The Gazebo (Tokyo Disneyland)
I’m a huge fan of pumpkin flavored food (and by the number of pumpkin items I saw at TDR, so is Tokyo), so when I saw this I bought it without question. The cone part is chewy and a bit sweet, and it’s topped with a creampuff, marshmallow, and a chunk of dried pumpkin. The real star of the show is the pumpkin custard that fills the bottom part of the cone. Overall, a great dessert.
#6: Catch of the Day at Magellan’s (Tokyo DisneySea)
I could write a whole post on how good Magellan’s is; it’s easily one of the most beautiful Disney restaurants on the planet. The Imagineers were on the top of their game with this one. Luckily the food matches the fantastic surroundings. The quality of the food was extremely high, including the salmon in the picture above.
We dined near a giant globe in the center of the main room. One of the best parts of Magellan’s was the excellent staff. They frequently came by our table to refill our water glasses and offer us some tasty bread rolls. Magellan’s was the most expensive meal on our trip, but my party agreed that it was worth it thanks to the atmosphere and food quality.
#7: Seafood Pizza from Ristorante di Canaletto (Tokyo DisneySea)
First off, yes, I am aware of how absurd it is that I ate pizza while I was in Japan. But keep in mind this is a Disney blog and I am a Disney blogger. Second, this pizza was crazy good. So far food items featuring seafood have been well represented on this list, and that’s not only because I love seafood but also because seafood in Japan is very high quality. The Seafood Pizza featured a good amount of fresh scallops, shrimp, olives and mussels. The pizza at Ristorante di Canaletto is freshly made inside an oven that is viewable within the restaurant. The better seating option is in the outdoor covered balcony which features views of the beautiful canals of Mediterranean Harbor.
#8: Seafood Pizza from Captain Hook’s Galley (Tokyo Disneyland)
Yes, this seafood pizza is different from the pizza ranked at #7. Captain’s Hook’s Galley is a quick service restaurant located in Fantasyland. This pizza is good, but it’s also $7 for a small single slice of pizza. Besides that it makes a great snack.
#9: The food at Sherwood Garden Buffet (Tokyo Disneyland Hotel)
My group did a couple of buffets while we were at Tokyo Disney Resort, mostly because they’re a good value, but also because the quality of food was high. The buffet costs about $32 per a person, which may seem like a lot, but you need to remember that food at Tokyo Disney Resort can be around $7 to $15 for quick service entrees, and the portions are usually small. I found myself doing more snacking because of this, and that caused me to spend more on food than I would in the stateside parks. Anyway, the stand out item at Sherwood Garden was the scallops (seen at the top right of the picture), which were huge and delicious. This buffet also gets high marks for its large selection of yummy desserts.
#10: The food at Sailing Day Buffet (Tokyo DisneySea)
Sailing Day Buffet is a good buffet featuring Japanese items like curry and gyoza buns, as well as American items like prime rib. The food is good quality and, like Sherwood Garden, gets bonus points for having a good selection of desserts. Including unlimited pumpkin custard!
#11: Berry Milk Tea from Cape Cod Confections (Tokyo DisneySea)
Milk tea is plentiful where I live in Los Angeles, so I wasn’t expecting much from this drink. But, wow, was I surprised! The tea was so rich and flavorful, and as an added bonus there was a helping of sweet berries at the bottom of the cup. This is the perfect drink for a hot day. Also, it’s Duffy approved.
#12: Seafood Snack from Breezeway Bites (Tokyo DisneySea)
I know, yet another seafood item. The Snack Box has some curly fries, a couple of chips that taste like Doritos, and two pieces of fried fish. It doesn’t look like much, but the fish is flaky and tasty. Its small size and low price made this the perfect snack. It pairs well with the milk tea mentioned above.
#13: Donald Duck Butt Dessert and Frontier Punch at Diamond Horseshoe: Mickey & Co. dinner show (Tokyo Disneyland)
Diamond Horseshoe at Tokyo Disneyland is home to a surprisingly good dinner show (which I will write more about in the future). The main entree is nothing special, but dinner does include two standout items, the adorable Donald Duck butt dessert and the super sweet Frontier Punch. No one in my party could determine what the exact ingredients of the punch were, but we definitely tasted some sort of melon. As for the Duck butts, a portion of frosting sits on top of some light and fluffy cake. Donald’s feet are made of sugar cookies. For the record, here is the main entree:
#14: Little Green Men Mochi Ice Cream from Pan Galactic Pizza Port (Tokyo Disneyland)
Little Green Men Mochi ice cream is one of those items that receives a lot of hype on the internet; they were very good but don’t quite live up to the hype. This is mostly due to the fact that they are pretty much just ice cream. I would still call this item a must buy only because they make a great photo opp.
#15: The various flavored popcorns of Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea)
Popcorn is extremely popular at Tokyo Disney Resort. We regularly saw queues of people buying popcorn that were over 30 minutes in length. This is another food item that was extremely hyped by people on the Internet, and I have to admit I was very excited to try as many flavors as possible. Unfortunately, most of the flavors were not anything to write home about. But there were some standout flavors that I enjoyed very much, specifically Honey (in Tokyo Disneyland) and Milk Tea (in Tokyo DisneySea). I guess I was expecting the popcorn to taste intensely of the advertised flavors, but most only had a hint of flavor. My wife enjoyed the Black Pepper and Curry popcorn flavors.
#16: Pumpkin Churro from Open Sesame (Tokyo DisneySea)
No complaints here: this was a tasty and perfectly capable churro. Imagine a churro of the same size and taste as the ones available in the American parks, but with a hint of pumpkin flavoring.
#17: Omelet Grandma Sara’s Kitchen (Tokyo Disneyland)
Grandma Sara’s was one of the most richly detailed Disney restaurants I’ve ever been in. Imagine eating inside Splash Mountain (which is located next to), and you’ll have an idea what it’s like. The food is also good but gets negative points for very small portions. Also, its idea of an omelet is scrambled eggs laid over a pile of rice. Overall Grandma Sara’s Kitchen is a great quick service dining option.
#18: Heart-Shaped Meat Patty with Tomato Brown Sauce from Queen of Hearts Royal Banquet Hall (Tokyo Disneyland)
This is another item that makes for a better photo opp rather than a good meal. The little pile of potatoes and the sauce were good, but the meat patty reminded me of microwave dinners my grandma would give me as a kid. This gets extra points only because I’m a big Alice in Wonderland fan and Queen of Hearts Royal Banquet Hall has a lot of details from the movie.
#19: Black Gyoza Dog at Refreshment Station (Tokyo DisneySea)
The black Gyoza Dog isn’t something that was hyped on the internet, but it is a hugely popular food item at DisneySea. I’ve read that occasionally the queue for the Refreshment Station can reach over 30 minutes long, and the Gyoza Dog is the only item they sell! The inside of the Gyoza Dog (which is white when it’s not the Halloween season) is filled with shredded pork. I wasn’t a fan and found it to be a bit bland.
#20: Berry Dessert Drink from Captain Hook’s Galley (Tokyo Disneyland)
This was the worst of all the flavored drinks I had at Tokyo Disney Resort. It wasn’t bad by any means, but it wasn’t unique enough to surpass the other drinks. The drink tasted mostly of Sprite, with a hint of melon, and included jelly balls at the bottom.
#21: Breakfast items at Mamma Biscotti’s Bakery (Tokyo DisneySea)
Like the two rolls ranked at number 22, these two items are also perfectly competent at filling your belly. They also get points for being relatively cheap compared to other food in the parks. But again, overall they are pretty uninteresting.
#22: Halloween Rolls from a gift shop in Tokyo Disneyland Hotel
These two rolls were purchased by me when I needed breakfast on the last day on the trip. I debated even including them on this list, but in the end I wanted it to be comprehensive. Anyway, the rolls were good and they did the job of filling my stomach until it was lunch time. They don’t rank higher because overall they didn’t blow me away, and I ate much more interesting things in the previous days.
#23 and #24: Black Hot Dog and Pork-Rice Roll from Liberty Landing Diner (Tokyo DisneySea)
The black hot dog gained a lot of attention on the Internet for some reason. That alone caused me to add it to my list of food items to try. Unfortunately it ended up being a standard hot dog that happened to be black. Nothing really special about it. As for the Pork-Rice Roll, it’s exactly how it sounds. A log of rice that has been rolled in bacon. Personally, I am not a fan of bacon, so I did not enjoy this. But, my wife and traveling companions (who are bacon fans) also did not enjoy the roll, so it wasn’t just me. Overall, these two items were forgettable.
#25: Pumpkin Cream Doughnut from an ODV cart in the hub (Tokyo Disneyland)
Bringing up the rear of the list is an item that looked much better than it tastes. Like I said before, I love pumpkin, so to have this not be good was a big disappointment. The “cream” in the title gave me the expectation that it would be filled with a lot of it, but after the first few bites I didn’t get any. Eventually I did get to the cream, but I had to eat through some dry doughnut to get to it.
That’s it for my list. I have no idea how I managed to eat over 25 snacks and meals in four days. Anyway, what I’m really interested in is reading what you all think. If you’ve been to Tokyo Disney before, what are your opinions about the food? Are there any standout items that I missed and need to try next time? If you’ve never been to Tokyo Disney Resort before, would you try any of these items? Let me knows in the comments below.
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Menu Monday: Ranking Every Meal and Snack I Ate At Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
October 19, 2014
Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014
Crowds at Islands of Adventure lagged behind Universal Studios most of the week with only one day where the two parks reached the same level on our scale. Halloween Horror Nights continue to draw large crowds of (mostly) locals to the Studios on certain evenings although wait times in the parks tend to be unaffected during the day.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Report:
Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
4
4
Early Park Admission to Universal Studios was not enough to push wait times higher than a level ’4′ on our scale but it did make Sunday one of the lowest crowds we’ve seen at Islands of Adventure in a while. All the coasters averaged wait times in the single digits and Forbidden Journey averaged 28 minutes (predicted 45).
Islands of Adventure
4
1
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
6
Monday saw a big jump in waits, especially at Islands of Adventure. On Monday, only Storm Force Acceleration and One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish averaged single digit waits while Spider-Man averaged 35 minutes as predicted.
Islands of Adventure
5
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
4
Tuesdays crowds were slightly low as well. The only significant average wait time at The Studios was at Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem (60 minutes, predicted 45). Meanwhile, at Islands of Adventure no attraction averaged more than a 34 minute wait.
Islands of Adventure
5
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
4
3
Wednesday’s wait times were within a few minutes of what we predicted, with only a few exceptions. For example, Men in Black Alien Attack was 14 minutes (predicted 15) and Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit was 22 minutes (predicted 25).
Islands of Adventure
4
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
5
Thursday brought Halloween Horror Nights to Universal Studios and a slight bump in crowds as a result. Wait times would still be classified as moderate however, including averages like 16 minutes at Disaster! and 30 at The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.
Islands of Adventure
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
5
6
Slightly higher than predicted at The Studios, slightly lower than predicted at Islands of Adventure. Dragon Challenge averaged only 7 minutes (predicted 16) while Revenge of the Mummy averaged 20 minutes (predicted 13).
Islands of Adventure
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Universal Studios
7
7
Saturday had the largest crowds of the week, as predicted, although Islands of Adventure matched its level ’5′ from Monday. Notable average waits were 71 minutes at Transformers: The Ride-3D (predicted 52) and 27 minutes at Flight of the Hippogriff (predicted 33).
Islands of Adventure
7
5
What to Expect This Week
October 12 to October 18, 2014
How Crowded is Universal Orlando Resort?
Crowds at Universal Orlando Resort are still expected to be relatively light for a few more weeks with potentially larger crowds on Saturdays. Guests who follow a Touring Plan from our Personalized Touring Plan creator will find crowds to be minimal at worst.
To see Universal Orlando Resort Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Universal Orlando Resort Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disneyland Resort Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014
Disneyland Resort saw peaks and valleys on our scale this week in line with the schedule for Mickey’s Halloween Parties. When Disneyland Park hosted a party the crowds during the day were two or three points lower than days without a party. This makes a good tip for savvy guests visiting the resort who wish to experience low crowds and don’t plan on visiting during the parties. If you don’t mind the shorter park hours crowds will be much lower on days with a party – at both parks.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com Disneyland Resort Crowd Report:
Disneyland Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
6
6
Early Entry at Disney California Adventure brought wait times one step lower than expected on Sunday. We saw averages of 40 minutes at Tower of Terror (predicted 31); 34 at Grizzly River Run (predicted 24); but only 69 minutes at Radiator Springs Racers (predicted 92).
Disney California Adventure
6
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
6
5
Disneyland Park hosted Mickey’s Halloween Party on Monday evening which kept that park’s crowd at a level ’5′ during the day but at Disney California Adventure crowds stayed at a level ’3′. It seems that many guests of both parks delay entry until the evening when the party begins.
Disney California Adventure
6
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
7
Five Disneyland attractions reached a level ’10′ on Tuesday which pushed the crowd wide level to a ’7′. They were Alice in Wonderland (36 minutes), Astro Orbitor (29 minutes), Dumbo (34 minutes), Pirates in the Caribbean (24 minutes) and Haunted Mansion (32 minutes).
Disney California Adventure
5
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
4
4
Both parks matched the ’4′s we predicted on Wednesday. That means a 27 minute average wait at Soarin’ Over California (predicted 29), 36 at Toy Story Midway Mania (predicted 39) and 73 minutes at Radiator Springs Racers (predicted 74).
Disney California Adventure
4
4
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
5
8
The day after hosting Mickey’s Halloween Party, Thursday’s crowd at Disneyland Park shot up three levels higher than predicted. Biggest contributors to the increase were Matterhorn Bobsleds (40 minutes, predicted 29) and Splash Mountain (56 minutes, predicted 33).
Disney California Adventure
5
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
6
5
Another Halloween Party on Friday and another dip in crowd level. The average wait at Matterhorn Bobsleds was half of Thursday’s (22 minutes, predicted 29).
Disney California Adventure
5
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Disneyland Park
8
9
Saturday brought the first very crowded day since the busy summer season as our predictions foresaw. Space Mountain averaged 55 minutes (predicted 63) and Indiana Jones Adventure averaged 49 minutes (predicted 52).
Disney California Adventure
7
6
What to Expect This Week
October 12 to 18, 2014
How Crowded is Disneyland Resort?
Guests visiting Disneyland Resort need to be aware of the schedule for Mickey’s Halloween Parties at Disneyland Park. If you want low crowds, don’t have a ticket to the party and don’t mind the shortened park hours, short lines abound at both parks during the day before the evening festivities.
To see Disneyland Resort Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Disneyland Resort Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014
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Resort-wide crowds were busier on the weekend and days adjacent to the weekend, while crowds dipped during the middle part of the week. We predicted crowds to be flatter. Crowd numbers are slowly creeping higher as we leave behind the slower part of the Fall Season and head into the Halloween/Thanksgiving Season.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the Disney World Crowd Report:
Walt Disney World Resort Crowd Levels – Daily Breakdown
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
3
4
Magic Kingdom reached a surprising level ’4′ on Sunday despite hosting an evening Halloween party. Usually crowds stay much lower on party days. Only Animal Kingdom hit our predicted level including a 27 minute average posted time at Dinosaur (as predicted).
Epcot
4
5
Hollywood Studios
4
7
Animal Kingdom
6
6
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
7
7
Hollywood Studios reached a level ’7′ for the second day in a row on Monday, a feat usually reserved for busier times of the year, although Tower of Terror actually had a wait time much lower than expected (42 minutes, predicted 63).
Epcot
4
5
Hollywood Studios
5
7
Animal Kingdom
5
6
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
5
6
Tuesday is the first day where we saw a dip in mid-week crowds. The ’5′s to ’7′s of Sunday-Monday turned into ’3′s to ’6′s on Tuesday.
Epcot
6
4
Hollywood Studios
6
3
Animal Kingdom
6
5
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
7
5
Three parks hit the middle-point of our scale on Wednesday while Animal Kingdom hit it’s lowest crowd of the week, thanks to lower than expected wait times at all main attractions except Kali River Rapids.
Epcot
4
5
Hollywood Studios
6
5
Animal Kingdom
4
2
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
5
Another Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom on Thursday and another crowd level ’5′ during the day. Wait times like 27 minutes at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (predicted 37) were mixed with waits like 39 minutes at Jungle Cruise (predicted 31) and 43 at Splash Mountain (predicted 31).
Epcot
6
5
Hollywood Studios
5
4
Animal Kingdom
6
3
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
4
5
More crowds at or above average levels as we see the mid-week dip come to an end on Friday. Great Movie Ride had a whopping 29 minute average wait (predicted 9) while Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster, Star Tours and Toy Story Mania had a busy day as well. Studios crowd levels may continue to be affected by Fastpass Plus-only experiments at Toy Story Mania.
Epcot
6
5
Hollywood Studios
4
7
Animal Kingdom
6
6
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
8
Another jump in crowds on Saturday with two parks hitting a level ’8′, something that hasn’t happened since mid-summer. Meanwhile our predictions at the other two parks hit the mark.
Epcot
6
6
Hollywood Studios
6
8
Animal Kingdom
7
7
What to Expect This Week
October 12 to 18, 2014
How Crowded is Walt Disney World?
Last week brought a sneak-peak into the heavier crowds that we can expect to arrive later in October, especially on weekends. We expect the middle of the week to continue to be the best choice for touring the parks.
To see Walt Disney World Crowd predictions for the days of your vacation, check the Crowd Calendar.
To get details about our predictions of future crowds or details about crowds in the past check out the Crowd Calendar and select “Jump to Date” on the left margin.
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Disney World Crowd Report – October 5 to 11, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
October 18, 2014
SATURDAY SIX: Six Things To Do On Your Next Orlando Trip (Outside of Disney and Universal)
By Derek Burgan
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Things To Do On Your Next Orlando Trip (Outside of Disney and Universal). When I was growing up, our family trips to Orlando never meant just going to Disney. Sure, we would spend time at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot, but we always built time in our vacation to travel outside of Walt Disney World and visit attractions like Cypress Gardens, the Kennedy Space Center, and SeaWorld. Now it seems many guests lock themselves into a vacation at WDW and – thanks in part to Magical Express - never leave property. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter has convinced some to venture over to the dark side of the Universal Orlando Resort, and today we are going to look at six other things to do on your next Orlando trip that are worth checking out. Remember that clicking on any picture will bring it up in full size, and let’s count down the fun….
# 6 – Fun Spot America
Fun Spot America. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Located near Universal off of I-Drive, Fun Spot America doesn’t away the immersive theming you will see at Universal and Disney, but still has the fun rides and at a very reasonable price. One unique feature is that admission to the park is free, so that if you have family members who don’t enjoy going on rides, they can still be with everyone without having to pay the full cost of a ticket like you do at the theme parks. For my family this is a great option because my grandmother loves coming with us to the parks but has zero interest in riding anything. She does enjoy watching the kids have fun, and at Fun Spot this entertainment costs her $0 where at Disney it’s $100. Another ticket option Fun Spot has that I wish the bigger parks would adopt is pricing of rides based on height rather than age. I’ll never understand why both Disney and Universal for all intents and purposes charge a full price ticket to kids whose height prevents them from going on many of the park’s rides.
Fun Spot America. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Fun Spot has a wide mix of attractions ranging from kiddie rides like the Sea Serpent to actual roller coasters like White Lightning (the only wooden coaster in Orlando). My personal favorite is the Rip Curl, which is a ride you’ve seen a thousand times before at local carnivals, but Fun Spot takes it up to an “11.” The park is always spotless, the employees are fantastic, there are rides for everyone, and the deals you can get on rides and food will make you want to come back (and there is a second Fun Spot in the nearby Kissimmee area as well.)
# 5 – Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! Odditorium
Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! (Photo by Banks Lee)
The Spinning Vortex Tunnel at Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! (Photo by Banks Lee)
Ripley’s Believe or Not! is probably something you’ve seen in a brochure on the rack of what I like to call Places You’ll Never Go, but it is worth a look as it is a completely unique experience. If you’ve been to a Museum of Science, think of this as a Museum of the Bizarre, with a level of interactivity that can make it a lot of fun for the whole family. There are tons of great photo ops throughout the building, along with a fascinating look at people and artifacts from around the world, some of which seem too impossible to be true (but they are!). Ripley’s reminds me of the Blue Man Group in that it is almost impossible to describe to someone who hasn’t experienced it because you can’t say “It’s like _____,” because there is nothing like it back home. Kids will love the hands-on interactive elements, and adults will love the wall-to-wall artifacts and the fact that you don’t have to queue for 20 minutes or more to see everything.
# 4 – Gatorland
Gatorland. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Albino alligator. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Gatorland is old school Florida and gets more amazing every time I go. I think many Orlando visitors see the live gators featured at Congo River mini-golf courses and think Gatorland can’t be much more than that, but it’s much, much more and surprisingly offers a lot for young children. One thing that many guests may not realize is that the park features many more animals than just alligators, although it famously has thousands of those on its 110 acres. A great half day park, Gatorland also offers some incredible up-charge features such as Night Shine, where you experience gators in the dark, and the best Zip Line experience that I’ve ever done.
# 3 - LEGOLAND Florida
LEGOLAND. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Times Square in LEGO form. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
Tatooine in LEGO form. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
I am a true believer in LEGOLAND and think it is worth a trip just to experience Miniland USA, where you can see areas such as Las Vegas, Times Square, Washington D.C., and San Francisco brought to life in LEGO form. The detail is stunning. There is a large section on Florida where they recreate the Daytona Speedway, the Kennedy Space Center, Bok Tower, and South Beach, all to scale. After you are done picking your jaw up off the floor walking through these areas, there are also six Star Wars planet recreations including Naboo, Tatooine, and Hoth. Miniland USA is possibly my favorite thing in any Florida theme park.
While Fun Spot, Ripley’s, and Gatorland are relatively close to WDW and Universal, LEGOLAND is where the old Cypress Gardens used to be in Winter Haven, Florida, about 45 minutes away. There are many rides for the younger set, a 4-D movie theater playing LEGO short films, a water park, and a restored section of Cypress Gardens to walk through. There is a sense of whimsy throughout the park that adds a lot to the overall experience, such as the statue of a LEGO painter who is painting “LEGOLAND at night,” and his canvas is all black. Downtown Disney fans will see an old friend taking a snooze on a Legoland bench, and the park also offers one of my all-time favorite theme park snacks, Granny’s Apple Fries. When it comes to souvenirs, it’s hard to beat the family photo you can get printed out on actual LEGO bricks. If you have young kids in your family, LEGOLAND gets my highest possible recommendation.
# 2 – SeaWorld Orlando
SeaWorld. (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
A couple seals just chillin’ (Photo by Mike Sperduto)
SeaWorld has been hit hard by the reaction to the movie Blackfish, but the park still does a lot of things extremely well and has a great combination of play areas for kids, thrill rides for teens and adults, and shows which the entire family can enjoy together. On top of all that there are many exhibits on marine life that are worth going out of your way to see, including one of my favorite things to do in the entire park, walking through the aquarium attached to the Manta roller coaster.
# 1 – Busch Gardens Tampa
Falcon’s Fury. (photo by Brandon Glover)
Cheetah Hunt. (photo by Brandon Glover)
Busch Gardens is in Tampa, about an hour away from Orlando on the west coast of Florida, and combines a series of first class thrill rides along with a gigantic animal preserve. Fans of Disney’s Exhibition Everest and Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster or Universal’s The Incredible Hulk Coaster and Dragon Challenge are going to want to run, not walk, to experience Busch Gardens’ Cheetah Run, SheiKra, Kumba, and Montu coasters, while the park’s newest attraction, Falcon’s Fury, stands alone at the top of the scare-the-crap-out-of-you department. Meanwhile Busch Gardens’ biggest strength is not the rides, but the terrific zoo that surrounds everything.
Recently I was at Busch Gardens’ Howl-O-Scream event, its version of Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, and found that I had a better overall experience than I had ever had at HHN. Now, I love Universal’s Halloween event, but it seemed like Busch Gardens worked harder at every facet of the game to earn my money (and they did; I will certainly return next year and add it to my HHN/Mickey’s Not-So-Scary rotation).
Endor from Miniland USA. (photo by Mike Sperduto)
Like the others on this list, Busch Gardens also offers aggressive discounts on tickets, making it a great option for those looking for value on their vacation. The number one question I am asked by my family and friends who are looking into an Orlando vacation is where can they get cheap tickets for Disney and Universal. The short answer? You can’t. That’s the one thing both companies know you have to buy. However, SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Ripley’s, and the rest all have various discounts to get you in the door. So next time you are browsing through the brochures of Places You Won’t Go, consider checking some of them out. While I can’t vouch for CSI: The Experience or Holy Land, I can say that everything featured today on the Saturday Six is well worth your time and money.
So there you have it: Six Things To Do On Your Next Orlando Trip Outside of Disney and Universal. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going take a look at the Disney Cruise Line. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out the Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.
Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover, photo wunderkind Mike Sperduto, and the World Famous Banks Lee™ for their invaluable assistance in this article.
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SATURDAY SIX: Six Things To Do On Your Next Orlando Trip (Outside of Disney and Universal) is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
October 17, 2014
In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of October 17, 2014
In Case You Missed It!
It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood, a beautiful day for a neighbor…hi neighbor!
I’m back again this Friday with some fun goodies! They include accolades for Aulani, a first look of the new Guardians of the Galaxy animated series, and more! Let me know your favorite article in the comments!
In Case You Missed It – Disney and Universal Orlando News and Rumors
Forbes released an intriguing article this week. It took a look at how Disney is interacting with it’s customers in these changing times of fast-moving marketing and how to stay relevant to guests wants and needs. Of course, we know the answer is MyMagic+, but, the article shares some thought-provoking points, nonetheless.
While ground has officially broken for two new Marriott’s in the Flamingo Crossing area of Walt Disney World property, we could actually be seeing a few more hotels in the area; potentially 5 more. Hmmm….
Is the Sorcerer’s Hat leaving Disney’s Hollywood Studios for good? That’s the rumor that’s been floating around this week. Find out why. (Personally, I’ve seen this rumor enough that I won’t believe it until I either see Disney officially announce it, or I see it being knocked down to the ground. Though we do know that there are big changes on the horizon for Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so you never know. This time, it could be true.)
If you are visiting Hawaii with your family, Aulani is where it’s at! The resort hotel was named as the Have you stayed at Aulani yet? What do you think of this resort?
Did you hear that sound earlier this week? That was the sound of jaws hitting the floor when the news came out that Marvel is working on including Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man into Captain America 3. Who else was surprised by this news?
If you loved Guardians of the Galaxy, get ready for the new animated series that is expect to hit Disney XD in 2015!
Been wondering how Disney could incorporate the purchase of the online Maker Studios into their business model? We now have an answer; the studio will be providing programming that will air on the Disney Channel and Disney XD. For Disney Channel, that will take place soon during the “Monstober” programming block. This appears to be just the start of this collaboration between the two companies.
If you love your pets, or just love seeing pets dressed up in cute Disney costumes, then you won’t want to miss “America’s Cutest: Disney Side Howl-o-ween” special on Animal Planet this Saturday, October 18, at 9:00 p.m. EST.
Universal Studios is officially building in China! A new resort will be built in Beijing. I’m curious to find out more details about this park and the attractions that be included as we move forward. (And also whether any of these attractions end up making it stateside.)
In Case We Missed It
What did we miss? Attach your ideas to this gorgeous new Haunted Mansion throw and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.
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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of October 17, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
New Italy Flag Performers at Epcot
©Disney
A brand new performing act debuted today at Epcot. Called Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro, it is a flag-throwing troupe located in the Italy Pavilion. The show, which is set to drums and horns, is beautifully choreographed and involves some very difficult tricks.
Sbandieratori Di Sansepolcro performs daily on the raised stage located in the courtyard of the Italy Pavilion. Showtimes are at 11:20 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m., 4:20 p.m., and 5:00 p.m. This is the first new act to appear in the pavilion since the comedy troupe known as The Ziti Sisters were retired back in February.
This flag-throwing act is the second new entertainment offering to debut in World Showcase, as the park is currently in the process of introducing multiple new live shows. The Canadian Lumberjacks debuted on October 5 at the Canada Pavilion. The other shows that are expected to begin performing soon include a traditional Berber music and dance troupe in Morocco and a Celtic folk music ensemble at the United Kingdom Pavilion.
Although this show has officially debuted, do keep in mind that it is in a “soft opening” phase and that showtimes and show elements could potentially change.
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Traveling with Seniors: Before You Go
By Lisa Gilmore
Disney Parks (c) Disney
Disney Parks are for the young and the young at heart. Any vacation planning can feel harrowing, whether you’re traveling with a young family of infants or toddlers, to traveling with the grandparents. There are tons of things to consider ensuring that everyone is safe and having fun, some travel tips are universal, but let’s explore some of the challenges and considerations when traveling with seniors.
This is Part One of a two-part series, focusing on planning and preparation before your trip. Part Two will go into detail on how to navigate the parks with your favorite Baby Boomers.
It’s important to have an open conversation with your older traveling party. Not every senior has the same energy level, dietary needs, or healthy concerns, so it’s important to assess the individual needs for your loved one. And depending on the age and mobility of Grandma or Grandpa, not all of these topics may concern you, but at least it’s a good place to start.
Medicine/Prescriptions
Make sure you have a complete inventory of what your loved one will need for the duration of your trip. This can include daily prescriptions, occasional “emergency” medicine, and your typical over-the-counter pharmaceuticals (Advil/Tylenol, Pepto Bismol, decongestants, band aids, etc). This may also include any supplemental vitamins they take. Plan ahead and make a list of the medications they may need to take every day and ration and organize them before you leave. This could include the handy “pill of the day” containers, or as simply as snack sized ziplock bags with a label for the day of the week and the person’s name. Labeling may seem like overkill, but you don’t want Grandma accidentally taking Grandpa’s heart pills!
A handy, portable way to keep medications organized while on vacation.
You’ll also need to be sure to carry copies of any necessary insurance cards and extra copies of their written prescriptions in case luggage gets lost/delayed or you need an emergency refill. Also be sure to keep phone numbers of any specialist physicians in case you need to contact them during your trip with concerns.
If your loved ones are on medication, it’s also a good idea to converse with their doctor or pharmacist to inform yourself of side-effects and potential drug interactions. If a loved one is on heart medication, maybe they shouldn’t take aspirin for their headache. It’s also handy to know about if there are any foods they should stay away from. It’s amazing the effects of caffeine or even a grapefruit can have when mixed with medication, so better safe than sorry and educate yourself before you go!
If your senior has other medical needs, like oxygen tanks, look into CARE Medical Equipment. Most of specialized equipment would require a current prescription, but they can help meet your needs for many medical requirements and deliver equipment to your resort.
Clothing
No matter what your age, a key part of your happiness during your Disney vacation is comfort. Whether you’re two or ninety-two, comfy clothes and supportive shoes are key elements to your vacation bliss.
Check the forecast for your vacation time for insight as to how to pack. Florida is usually warm and humid, and you can usually count on a rain shower or two during your vacation. You can expect temperatures anywhere from 70-90 degrees no matter when you go, another thing you can anticipate is the chill of refrigerated air. Disney resorts and restaurants always keep things as cool as they can indoors, so be sure your loved one packs a light jacket or cardigan to help offset that indoor chill.
Shoes are also important. Most senior citizens have embraced comfortable footwear. But they may not necessarily be aware that though their little tennies are fine for piddling around the house, they probably won’t hold up for the intensity of Disney walking. This is all the more important for seniors who may suffer from back pain or arthritis. Have them wear cushioned sole shoes to absorb shock and friction and help ease the pain when walking. Purchasing additional insoles may also help for those long touring days. Mole skin and band aids are always a good idea to have on hand. Moisture wicking socks can help add extra cushion as well as help minimize the risk of blisters.
If your loved one has specific arthritis issues in the knees or ankles, be sure to bring some ace bandages or braces they can wear under their clothes. That additional support can really make the difference! Compression socks may also be a good item to have on hand, especially if you have a long drive or flight, or even to wear in the parks for all of that standing. Be sure to check with your loved one’s physician beforehand, just to make sure it’s safe for them. Feel free to use the handy Touring Plan Packing List!
Fashionable? Not a chance. But they may help Grandma make it all day in the Parks!
Food
Disney is amazing at accommodating special dietary needs, but they usually need to know beforehand so they can prepare that special meal. Make any notes of special dietary needs when you book your Advanced Dining Reservation (ADR). It’s also recommended that you review the menus of the Disney restaurants so you have a good understanding of what is offered at each location and can help you with your planning.
Put their service to the test! If you have special dietary needs, note it on your reservations and reminder your server.
Though Disney has really increased their healthy food options, it could help to pack some healthy drinks to keep in the hotel room. Drinks like Ensure or Coconut Water before breakfast can help your loved one start the day off right. But be sure to check with their physician in case of dietary concerns.
Electric Conveyance Vehicle (EVC)/Wheelchair Rentals
Since there is a lot of ground to cover in the parks, you may want to consider renting a wheelchair or an electric scooter (ECV) for at least part of your stay. Your loved one may need a break from standing or walking, particularly if you plan to spend the whole day in the parks.
If you rent a wheelchairs or ECV from the Disney Parks, they are available for daily rentals on a first-come, first-served basis at the park entrances. The EVC rental price is $50 a day (with a $20 refundable deposit).
Renting a scooter can help your senior keep up.
Wheelchairs are available for $12 a day. If you purchase a “Length of Stay” rental ticket for $10 per day when rented for multiple days. Then, upon visiting a theme park, simply show your receipt at the rental location to receive your wheelchair for the day. But keep in mind that “Length of Stay” rental tickets may not be offered during peak periods.
If you rent a wheelchair or EVC at one of the Disney Parks, you must leave at the park when you exit. This could be problematic for seniors with severely limited mobility who need this type of assistance beyond the parks. There are several private companies in the Walt Disney World area that also offer ECV rentals, as well as wheelchairs, strollers and other mobility product length-of-stay rentals. Disney specifically endorses:
• Buena Vista Scooter Rentals: (866) 484-4797
• Best Price Mobility: (866) 866-3434
• Apple Scooter: (800) 701-1971
• ScooterBug: (800) 726-8284
• CARE Medical Equipment: (800) 741-2282
All of these vendors offer onsite delivery and pickup, but shop around to find the best price and vendor service for your needs.
Photo courtesy of Disney (c)
Pharmacies/Urgent Care
In the parks, Disney offers very basic First Aid Centers. If your senior needs urgent care or a prescription refill, it’s best to know what will be available in the area.
Florida Hospital Centra Care Walk-In Urgent Care Centers are open 8:00 AM to midnight, Monday through Friday, and 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Saturday and Sunday. Complimentary transportation is available and many insurance plans are accepted. The closest location is Centra Care Lake Buena Vista at 12500 South Apopka Vineland Road.
There is also a 24-hour Walgreens right next to Centra Care Lake Buena Vista, at 12100 South Apopka Vineland Road.
Hopefully, these tips will help you properly prepare for everyone to have a safe and fun trip! Stay tuned for Part Two when I help you navigate the parks with a senior!
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Wearable Halloween Costumes + MNSSHP Experience
It’s raining, it’s pouring….
With Halloween creeping closer and closer, it’s finally time to start getting those costumes ready. Today, I’ll be sharing my experience attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, as well as what costumes we wore. Now, let’s grab our candy buckets and be on our way!
We attended Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party on September 19, so we were ahead of the game when it came to costume planning. Our family is pretty low maintenance when it comes to Halloween costumes, and as we’d be running about all night, we dressed for comfort. We decided on a group costume, so off to Neverland we went. First up was our little pixie, Tinker Bell.
Tink likes to read in her spare time
I knew the party would run past Annie’s bedtime, so I selected a costume that wouldn’t bother or irritate her skin should she fall asleep in it. I found this Tinker Bell outfit during a sale at the Disney Store (they have sales all the time!). Like her other Disney outfits, there’s a onesie sewn into the dress. Although you can’t see, there are fabric wings on the back of the dress. They’re very small, so I knew there was a low probability of her flying away. I found her green bow at the Dollar Store, and I put her in tights since it was a tad chilly that night.
We arrived just before the party began, and it was pouring out! As I pulled on my poncho, I tried to stay optimistic and looked on the bright side: the fog and rain would only add to the spooky atmosphere. We immediately looked for shelter and found sanctuary at our favorite rest spot: the Main Street train station balcony. After getting settled, Michael and I left Annie with my parents and ventured out into the storm in search for sustenance. We went all the way to Frontierland and rounded up a meal at Pecos Bill Tall Tale Inn and Cafe. I tucked the grub (Pulled pork sandwiches and cheese burgers) under my poncho and we returned to our camp.
After finishing our meal, we realized that with Annie in her stroller and my mom in her wheelchair, this would be the PERFECT place to watch the parade and fireworks. Although the weather literally rained on our parade, we had the BEST view. When Mickey’s “Boo To You” Halloween Parade wrapped around the town center, we had a perfect view of all the characters. They were great about not only waving to those guests on the sidewalk, but would look up to the balcony and wave and smile to us as well. It was so great seeing so many Disney idols in one place…especially those who only come out this time of year!
Following the parade, I took the opportunity to take some pictures and do a little shopping on Main Street, U.S.A. I didn’t want to drift too far since the fireworks show would be starting within the hour. The rain was down to a drizzle, so I took photos of the beautiful Fall decorations and had a family member take Michael and my photo in front of the castle. As you can see, we were a little wet! While walking through the Emporium, I picked out a petrifying souvenir: a Mickey O’Lantern candle holder! While the Cast Member began ringing me up, Michael slid some chocolate cookies on the counter…he called it his loot.
As you may have guessed it, Michael was a pirate. Not just any old pirate: he was Smee! My original plan was to dress him up like Peter Pan. Although he graciously went along with it, we just didn’t have enough time to pull the look together. So, we settled for Smee. He wore khaki shorts with a striped t-shirt. Michael had a blue bandana (although Smee wore a red one) and he carried a sword and a hook. As you know, Captain Hook was tragically eaten by the crocodile. The hook was all Smee had to remember him by, so he carried it with pride.
At the five minute announcement, it was time to walk back to our viewing spot. Because of the loud noise, Michael and I brought Annie inside the waiting room of the train station and watched through the window. Happy HalloWishes was an amazing fireworks display. Not only were we kept dry and warm, but we could hear the music and narrations perfect. If you’re looking for a great viewing spot free from weather and crowds, the train station balcony is a sure winner.
Since Tinker Bell was taken, I had the option of dressing up as Wendy or Princess Tiger Lilly. I already had the blue dress, so Wendy it was! This costume was beyond simple. After putting on the dress, I curled my hair (a waste of time thanks to the rain) and put it into a ponytail. I took blue ribbon from the craft store and tied it in a bow around my waist and hair. The final touch was my black flats and tadaaah! Wendy Moira Angela Dahlgren, er…Darling, at your service!
My happy thought was Disney, of course!
Following the excitement of the parade and fireworks, my parents offered to take Annie back to the hotel so Michael and I could experience the rest of the party together. It’s amazing how much ground one can cover without a little one in tow! I know it’s expected with a hard ticket event, but I couldn’t believe how short these wait times were. We walked right on to Space Mountain and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We were welcomed into Club Villain, a dance party where I had the opportunity to groove with both Cruella de Vil and the evil Queen from Snow White. All the female party guests were crowded around Dr. Facilier, so I had plenty of time to rip up the dance floor with these hags…I mean, delightful women.
The best part about the entire Halloween celebration was the atmosphere. As I walked through the park with a bag weighed down with candy (it was for Annie, I swear…), I admired the guests dressed in their Halloween best. The usually uplifting music was filled with eerie and grim tunes. There was mystery, fantasy and a spine-chilling feel in the air that had nothing to do with the weather. The Haunted Mansion seemed even more terrifying. The villains just a bit more menacing. It was an event to be remembered and if you ever have the opportunity to attend, I would highly recommend it.
Happy Halloween, Everyone, and Boo to You!
What is your favorite thing about the party? Have you gone more than once? Let me know in the comments!
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October 16, 2014
Thanksgiving Day Options at Walt Disney World
©Disney
For those looking to celebrate Thanksgiving at Walt Disney World, there will be more than 30 different dining choices throughout the different Walt Disney World parks and resorts.
Disney will be offering both lunch and dinner options at many different locations. They will include:
Magic Kingdom
Be Our Guest Restaurant
Tony’s Town Square
Epcot
Akershus Royal Banquet Hall
Biergarten
Coral Reef
Le Cellier Steakhouse
Rose and Crown Dining Hall
Sunshine Seasons
Disney’s Hollywood Studios
Hollywood and Vine
The Hollywood Brown Derby
Disney’s Animal Kingdom
Tusker House
Disney Resorts
Various resorts will offer dining options, including Artist Point at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Sanaa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village. A full list of resort restaurants that will be serving Thanksgiving hasn’t been announced at the moment. The post will be updated as more information is released.
To make reservations, call (407) WDW-DINE.
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