Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1176

Appetizers Only at Carthay Circle Restaurant

By Natalie Reinert

Carthay Circle is a gorgeous icon at the end of Buena Vista Street.

Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure beckons park visitors from the moment they step through the turnstiles. With its white spire soaring into the blue California sky, its historical connections to the Walt Disney Company of yesteryear (the original Carthay Circle Theater was the site of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs movie premiere) and its gorgeous Art Deco styling, stepping through its doors is alluring whether you’re a foodie, a Disney history fan, or both.

I happen to be both, and knew from the moment I started planning my Disneyland vacation that Carthay Circle had to be a centerpiece of the trip. There was just one problem–the reviews of the entrees seemed so mixed. And the entrees themselves didn’t thrill me.

Consider the lunch entrees at Carthay Circle. A steak salad. Ravioli. Fried shrimp. A $22 burger. Granted, all of these are served with gourmet flourish: the fried shrimp are tempura-style, and come with black rice stir fry and Red Thai curry. The burger… well, the burger has house-made pickles on the side. But while all of these things might be delicious, none of them are particularly unusual or innovative. I felt like I could get any of those things within a few blocks’ walk of my apartment.

Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits – crispy outside, gooey inside, all delicious.

The appetizer section of the menu, on the other hand, looked worth the price of park admission for this foodie. Fried biscuits stuffed with white cheddar and bacon! Duck wings doused in soy, lime, and Sriracha! Even the pot stickers with gingered pork and mango-lemongrass voodoo sauce sound like a new take on a favorite stand-by. It looked like we could easily lunch on appetizers only at Carthay Circle Restaurant, and be very happy with that decision. We’d sample the best the chef had to offer, like a flight of fine foods.

Our minds made up, we made an (unnecessary) lunch reservation for Carthay Circle Restaurant. And after working up on appetite running back and forth between Paradise Pier and Cars Land (it was one of those mornings where everything seemed to have a delayed opening), we were ready for air conditioning, comfortable chairs, and something truly delicious for lunch.

It’s a funny thing, visiting an elegant restaurant in your theme park clothes. I felt slightly out of place in the grand (but empty) main dining room, and honestly felt a little hidden in the booth we were finally given, in a side dining room bright with sunlight but low on Hollywood glamour. The service, however, was second to none. From greeter to seater to server, we were treated like royalty. And our server didn’t blink an eye when we ordered drinks, four appetizers, and a kid’s meal, but no entrees.

The Carthay Circle Manhattan, complete with ice sphere.

Signature dining calls for signature cocktails. My husband ordered the exquisite Carthay Manhattan. This gorgeous whiskey martini is made with Bulleit Rye Small Batch American Whiskey, sweet vermouth, bitters, and Carthay’s unique ice sphere. Garnished with maraschino cherries, it was one of the best Manhattans either of us have ever enjoyed.

I started with the Pimm’s Punch, which was like a strawberry lemonade with only a slight bite from the Plymouth Gin and the Pimm’s No. 1 liqueur–absolutely ideal after the hot July sunshine outside. Afterwards, while my husband stayed loyal to his Manhattans, I moved on to the Carthay Club Mojito, with local organic mint and organic agave, lime juice, and Bacardi Superior Rum. Tasty, minty, sweet, but I missed my Pimm’s Punch after a few sips; I think they could do better than Bacardi with this one.

On to the food! The star of the show was undoubtedly the Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits ($12.00). These little balls of crispiness are creamy on the inside from all that melted white cheddar, dotted with smoky bacon and spicy jalapeno. The apricot honey butter was simply gilding the lily–these biscuits might be the highlight of my vacation. Be warned, while the Carthay Circle Lounge has its own tempting appetizer menu, you can only find the biscuits in the dining room, so take the time to make that reservation!

These spicy wings pack a serious punch.

Spice-lovers will love the Firecracker Duck Wings ($14.00). So few restaurants are willing to live up to the promise of “hot and spicy” on their menu, but Carthay Circle throws it down with a genuinely spicy Sriracha sauce on these tender little wings. My son, who is ten and just discovering the pleasure of scorching one’s tongue with spicy foods, was a little overwhelmed by the burn, and I probably downed a little more of my Pimm’s Punch than I meant to after eating one of these little firecrackers.

The Fritto Misto ($15.00) was the dark horse of the appetizer menu. Who knew “crispy calamari, green beans, red jalapeno, fennel, and lemon-red pepper aioli” was code for “delicious fried things you’ve never tasted fried before”? The calamari was first-rate, not a bit chewy, but it was the other delicious fried things that astonished us. Fried lemon wedges, anyone? The delicate tempura breading was crispy without being greasy, and accented the bold flavors of the calamari and vegetables.

Fritto Misto and Pot Stickers

Perhaps the only thing we ordered without jalapenos involved, the steamed pot stickers with gingered pork ($14.00) offered a welcome cool-down for burned taste buds. Nothing out of the ordinary, but by no means a let-down, the pot stickers in their fragrant mango-lemongrass sauce were a hit with everyone, including my son, who was alternating between the appetizers and his kid’s meal of tacos.

As for the tacos, well, he loved them and at $10 with a drink included, it’s hard to go wrong with kids and tacos, especially in southern California.

The kid’s meal tacos – a great value and pronounced delicious by the kid.

My only regret with the meal had been that we’d been sat in a relatively nondescript dining room. After we’d finished, I decided to explore, and since there were only a few other diners, no one had a problem with that. I roamed the restaurant, taking in the historical photos and archival pieces that line the walls, and then found myself on a sunny porch while the Newsboys and Mickey Mouse put on a show in the circle just below. It was a delightful ending to one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever enjoyed, whether in a theme park or not.

Next time you’re in Disney California Adventure, consider making a meal out of appetizers from Carthay Circle! (Or just order the fried biscuits. Either way, you’ll be happy.)

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Menu Monday: AMC Dine-In Theatre at Downtown Disney

By Daisy Lauren

Hi everyone! By request, I’m stopping by with another Menu Monday to tell you all about the AMC dine-in Theatre at Downtown Disney. Anyone that has read my park reports knows I’m a fan of sloshing through Disney World in the rain. It might come as a surprise that another one of my rainy day favorites is visiting the AMC dine-in Theatre. Not to mention it makes for a great date night!

This past weekend I stopped by for a movie because a storm was coming and I hadn’t packed my rain gear. Since it was before noon, the parking situation was simple, but you should know that parking can be very difficult to find these days if you stop by later. It’s very simple to park at Saratoga Springs and stroll over. At the guard shack just tell them that’s your plan and they’ll direct you to the best parking. There’s nothing sneaky about it. With the limited parking available at Downtown Disney right now they’re encouraging you to find parking at a nearby resort.

Purchasing tickets to see a movie couldn’t be easier. Unlike a traditional movie theater you’ll actually reserve your seat. This can be done in advance online or in person at the theater. If you are a passholder, it’s a good idea to wait until you get to the theatre because you’ll receive a small passholder discount that’s only available at the theatre. However, if you’re trying to see a very popular movie you might have to reserve in advance to even get seats. Some theatres even offer seating for couples with just two seats! (pictured right) Other seats are grouped in a series of three or four seats. To see the type of theater your movie is in be sure to check online. Even if you don’t book tickets you can see the seating arrangements. Tickets range from $12 – $15 depending on the time of day.

Like most movie theatres, you can expect it to be pretty much freezing in there! I have noticed that it’s gotten much better lately, but it’s still a good idea to bring a jacket or a friend to snuggle with. Children are allowed as long as they’re accompanied by an adult but I’ve noticed there are considerably fewer children in the Dine-In Theatre. Overall, the experience is much more comfortable than a standard movie theater. I think it feels like watching a brand new movie on your own little couch once we raise the arm rests and get comfy and that’s before you even order food!

One of the biggest selling points for the AMC dine-in Theatre is the food! You might think that the food is just a novelty, but the quality is as good or better than most chain restaurants. Pricing is also comparable ranging from $9.99 to $14.99 for entrees. My favorite is pictured left, the Thai Bang Shrimp Tacos. However, just like a chain restaurant you can also enjoy appetizers and excellent desserts! Of course, if you’d rather just have candy or popcorn with the movie you’re welcome to do that or even order nothing at all. Just as you arrive at your seats you’ll be greeted by your wait staff that will go over how the experience works with you and ask you if you have any questions about the menu.

You’re able to get seated at your table 30 minutes before the movie starts. Before the movie starts you’re also able to order your full meal and swipe a credit card so you don’t have to fumble with one in the dark later.There is a big red button on your table that you can press at any time during the film if you’d like to order anything additional or just need service. In my experience, there is no need to press the button for drink refills as those magically appear before you have time to ask. The theatre also offers a full bar so if you’re so inclined there’s lots to enjoy!

For my money, the AMC dine-in Theatre is the best place to see a movie. (Well, with the exception of our local drive-in. But that’s a whole different blog!) It’s tough to go back to sticky, dark movie theatres after trying this once. The price is about the same as dinner and a movie anywhere and you can’t beat the convenience. If you need a break from the parks, I highly recommend stopping by here to refuel and relax. 

But what do you think? Have you tried the AMC dine-in Theatre?  What other questions to you have? Please let us know in the comments below and as always, thanks for reading and commenting!

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Cast Member Chronicles: Chef Kevin Marshall

By Angela Dahlgren

Crystal Palace

I met Chef Kevin Marshall at a dinner party while visiting Orlando this past September. He is a friend of my Uncle Keith, and was gracious enough to share his culinary talents as our personal chef for the evening. As he prepared a scrumptious feast for us, I interviewed him about his diverse and fascinating career at Walt Disney World.

In June of 1989, he was a man fresh out of tech school. He applied at Walt Disney World, but soon learned there was a hiring freeze for positions he originally desired. Because he had previously managed a Wendy’s restaurant, he was offered a job in food and beverage at The Crystal Palace. As part of the culinary staff, he moved around to different positions, soon cooking alongside professional Disney chefs.

While working at the Crystal Palace, he and two other coworkers were asked to carve a 700 lb pumpkin for Halloween. They were told to carve and hand paint the ‘Blustery Day’ scene from Winnie the Pooh. It took two weeks of overtime and 90 man hours to complete this masterpiece. It was displayed outside the restaurant, surrounded by bales of hay to prevent guests from touching it. One day, a Cast Member saw a little boy ignoring the bales and and putting his hands on the carved image of Pooh. Originally thinking the boy was causing mischief, the Cast Member told the boy to refrain from touching the pumpkin. As it turns out, the little boy was blind. He never knew what Pooh and his friends looked like. From the carving, the boy was able to feel and learn the character shapes. It was his own personal braille pattern. Kevin said it made all his hard work truly worth it and is a memory that touches him to this day.

Chef Kevin Marshall

After 11 years at the Crystal Palace, Kevin accepted a new job at Shutters at Old Port Royale, located at Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. However, he soon realized that unless he had the appropriate culinary training, he would not be considered a professional chef and therefore, could not be promoted. With his passion for cooking strong and fierce, he made the decision to attend culinary school. Kevin worked hard, going to school at night after a full days work at Shutters. Two years into the program, Kevin received a devastating blow. His father had passed away. Distraught by his loss, the fire inside burned out and he eventually dropped out of school.

Fortunately, the darkness was temporary, and the candle was ignited once again by Michele. The two met while performing in the Candlelight Processional and were married in June of 2003. Michele is also an employee of Walt Disney World. She has been there 15 years and works at Animal Kingdom as a manager overseeing the international students from Asia and Africa. Shortly after their marriage, Kevin decided to attend an intense 15 month program at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School with overwhelming successs. Not only did he earn straight A’s, but he also made the Presidents list. Following graduation, he applied for and completed a three month internship at Narcoossee’s in the Grand Floridian where he was evaluated daily by Disney staff. After the internship, he earned a permanent spot at the restaurant. This time, as a professional Disney chef.

Kevin had achieved one dream and reached for the stars with a new one: To start his own business as a personal chef. To obtain this new dream, he left Narcoosies in February 2005. He accepted a new job at Disney Vacation Club as a van driver and has been there ever since. He loves to entertain the guests he drives around with his Disney knowledge and impersonations of lovable Disney characters such as Goofy, Tigger, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and Mickey Mouse! (Naturally, I made him repeat those impressions, which were spot on.) Although a dramatic change in Disney careers, the two worlds tend to collide every once in a while. One day, Kevin picked up a family who had been coming to Disney World annually for ten years. They mentioned how years ago while dining at the Crystal Palace, one of the chefs made them a Tigger-shaped pancake. Every year since, they would ask for this Tigger pancake, but to no avail. Would you guess which chef created that pancake all those years ago? Kevin! It really is a small world after all!

Candlelight Processional

After talking with Kevin, it is clear that he is a jack of all trades. Not only is he a talented chef with a delightful personality, but he is beautiful singer as well. For the past 21 years, he has taken part in the Candlelight Processional as a Cast Member performer. This show tells the Christmas story of Jesus Christ, beautifully represented through 15 songs, three of which are sung in a foreign language. Performances are three times a night and include a celebrity narrator. When I asked Kevin which celebrity was his favorite, he said James Avery (Or Uncle Phil for all you Fresh Prince fans). Kevin informed me that before every show, each celebrity has the option to stay in their dressing room until show time or come out beforehand to meet the Cast Members. James Avery not only shook hands with everyone, but actually remembered Kevin! He shook his hand and said, “Good to see you again. You’ve lost some weight, haven’t you?” The Candlelight Procession is held from November 28th to December 30th and is located at Epcot in the America Gardens Theatre.

I asked Kevin why he has continued working for Disney after 25 years with the company. He had several answers for me. First off, he enjoys the consistency of keeping the same hours every week. He appreciates the benefits and told me that when he made the decision to go to culinary school, Disney covered 75% of the cost as part of its tuition reimbursement program. He said he enjoys the flexibility to move around internally and most importantly, he feels so fortunate for the friends he has made along the way. He also said he enjoys Disney World MORE since becoming a Cast Member. He can go to his favorite park, Epcot, whenever he wishes and take a ride on his favorite attraction: Mission Space. Sounds like a pretty good gig to me!

Kevin is a man who exemplified Walt Disney’s quote: “If you can dream it, you can do it.” He persevered and achieved yet another dream when he opened his own business, A Pampered Palate. As a Personal Chef, he creates scrumptious meals for events such as reunions, birthdays, and dinner parties. When I asked him how he feels about being a chef he said, “Food affects every aspect of our lives. Everyone who eats my food, I want them to remember that meal.” After tasting his delectable dishes I can tell you, it was a meal I won’t soon forget.

How about it? Have you tried Kevin’s Tigger pancakes? Will you go to the Candlelight Processional this year? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter @AngelaDahlgren!

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SATURDAY SIX: Six Reasons Halloween Horror Nights is Better than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

By Derek Burgan

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Reasons Halloween Horror Nights is Better than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party. Now, before we start, this is not an article that’s trying to sell you on the idea that MNSSHP is not good, as we wrote several weeks ago that we love it, and it’s definitely the best Halloween event in town that you can bring the whole family to. That said, Halloween Horror Nights brings some elements to the table, which Disney could learn from in terms of over delivering to its guests. While HHN may not be for everyone, if you are a regular reader of the Saturday Six it’s probably for you and today we’ll look at the reasons why. Please remember that clicking on any picture will open it up in full size, and let’s count ‘em down…

# 6 –  A night at HHN is completely different than any other experience you’ve had at Universal Studios Florida

Mel’s Drive-In becomes Mel’s DIE-In for HHN. (photo by Brandon Glover)

 

For anyone who has gone to MNSSHP you know that the one of the bigger differences between a party night and any other night is how well Main Street, U.S.A. is decorated. Unfortunately, outside of The Haunted Mansion, that’s where the level of theming stops. All the lands of the park are the same (albeit with wonderful candy stations) and all of the attractions are the same, just with less people going on them. That’s where I find the value in a MNSSHP ticket. You can do all the E-Ticket rides like Space Mountain and Big Thunder without having to worry about FP+ or standby lines as almost everything is a walk-on. Halloween Horror Nights on the other hand completely changes the dynamic of Universal Studios Florida. There are scare zones and seemingly hundreds of scare actors thoughout the entire park along with 8 haunted houses, none of which are available to non-party going guests.

The Purge scare zone. (photo by Hate to Fly)

 

To put it in perspective: My normal day of going to the Magic Kingdom would be riding some of my favorite attractions (such as the TTA, Haunted Mansion and Jungle Cruise,) seeing a parade, and staying for fireworks. A night at MNSSHP at the Magic Kingdom has me riding my favorite attractions, seeing a parade, and staying for fireworks. To be fair, for the latter two points I do think that the Boo To You parade and Happy HalloWishes fireworks are the best Disney has to offer, but there is very little change to either one from year to year. In contrast, a night at HHN almost never sees me going on the attractions I love at Universal. It has too much going on that is new and exciting, and it’s here just for the Halloween and then gone forever.

 

# 5 – Rush of Fear/Frequent Fear ticket options

HHN Rush of Fear ticket, valid for 10 event nights.

 

One of the least talked about strengths of the Universal Orlando Resort as whole, is the value, which guests can find across the board, especially the ones used to Disney-only vacations. Whether it’s the room rates and amenities at hotels like the Cabana Bay Beach Resort, menu prices for restaurants such as Emeril’s Tchoup Chop, Mythos, and Red Oven Pizza Bakery, or the incredible deals HHN guests can get via the Rush of Fear or Frequent Fear ticket options, there are great prices everywhere you look. As much as I love MNSSHP, as an annual pass holder the $62 per night charge is hard to justify more than once or twice a season considering how little there is different between a MNSSHP night and a non-party night. For HHN, the Rush of Fear tickets allow guests to go to 10 events for less than $80. The Frequent Fear pass gives access to 16 event nights for under $90. The deals almost seem too good to be true.  These tickets seem to be targeting the local and annual pass holder guests, and it would be nice to see Disney offer something as well to this fan base, even if it was done like a standard Magic Your Way ticket where the price reduces the more days you purchase. 1 ticket to MNSSHP for $62, 2 for $100, 3 for $135, etc. I could see myself going to more MNSSHP if there was a better financial incentive to do it.

 

# 4 – Merchandise

The special HHN 24 Uni-Mini. (photo by Brandon Glover)

HHN 24 merchandise. (photo by Brandon Glover)

HHN merchandise. (photo by Brandon Glover)

 

When you see all the items Universal pulls out for HHN it’s actually shocking how little Disney produces for MNSSHP. Outside of the limited edition MagicBand, Disney only has a limited selection of t-shirts and pins for MNSSHP, all featuring designs that if you took off the “2014″ date, guests would find them impossible to distinguish from any other year’s offerings. Universal pulls out all the big merchandise guns offering not just a slew of HHN related merchandise, but also pieces directly related to all the big franchises they have licensed for the event. So that means not only do you have unique items like the limited edition zombie Uni-Mini, but you will find shirts for brands such as Aliens vs. Predator, John Carpenter’s Halloween, and The Walking Dead. I would have loved to have seen a MNSSHP themed vinylmation, or instead of using Chip & Dale for the millionth time on a generic pin, use one of the rarer villain characters like the Big Bad Wolf or Bowler Hat Guy.

 

# 3 – Finally there is something in the theme parks designed specifically for those of us over the age of 13

Now try sleeping. (photo by Brandon Glover)

A scene from Roanoke – Cannibal Colony, or what happened to the room of people behind MyMagic+ after Bob Iger got through with them. (photo by Hate to Fly)

Creepiness from the Dollhouse of the Damned house. (photo by Brandon Glover)

 

The fact that both Disney and Universal are family friendly is great. In fact I would argue in general Universal’s biggest weakness is the fact it doesn’t offer enough for guests under the age of 8. However, in every form of entertainment, adults have options, which directly appeal to them and doesn’t have to be “for all ages.” Yes, I enjoy watching Modern Family and Dog with a Blog, but I also like True Detective and Fargo. I’m a huge fan of Guardians of the Galaxy and Frozen, but I also enjoy going to movies I can’t bring the kids to like Django Unchained and The Wolf of Wall Street. For Universal to have an event inside a theme park that caters to adults is refreshing. Legitimately creepy scare actors that roam the streets, next level bananas situations like The Purge human auction, and stuff inside the haunted the houses that can be terrifying.

I understand the point of the Not So Scary part of MNSSHP, but some times I like scary. I love the fact that Universal Creative can produce a house like Roanoke – Cannibal Colony and mix what I know about history with a great horror twist. When I was growing up the movie Child’s Play was a huge hit playing on the idea of an evil doll, and the Dollhouse of the Damned takes that idea to the next level. I love going to the theme parks with my family, but sometimes I like going with my friends and nothing beats HHN as it doesn’t need to be safe or dumb anything down.

 

# 2 – The Walking Dead. Halloween. Aliens. Predator. From Dusk Till Dawn. The Purge. Dracula Untold (well, maybe not the last one.)

A Xenomorph from the Aliens vs. Predator house. (photo by Hate to Fly)

It’s the little things that matter. The pumpkin from the porch of the Halloween house. (photo by Brandon Glover)

 

While there is something to be said for original content in the parks, the same argument can be made that guests equally love properties adapted from other forms of entertainment. For every Expedition Everest and Haunted Mansion that we love to ride we also have properties like the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror and Star Tours which work tremendously because we already know – and love – the worlds they are based on. Universal was built on the concept of being able to ride the movies and Halloween Horror Nights takes that concept to the next level, allowing guests to be completely immersed  within the various properties and not just a passive experience on a ride. It’s one thing to ride Peter Pan’s Flight and see Capt Hook in a sword fight below you, but it’s something much more visceral to have Michael Myers from Halloween coming after YOU with a knife.

 

# 1 – Bill & Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure

Photo courtesy of the Universal Orlando Resort.

The pre-show for Bill and Ted’s Excellent Halloween Adventure. (Photo by Joseph Matt)

 

A pitch perfect skewering of pop culture, celebrities, and the theme park world we know and love. The list of people and brands taken down is large and the jokes are actually funny. Zac Efron. Justin Beiber. Orange is the New Black. Snapchat. Frozen. 22 Jump Street. Donald Sterling. Capt. Phillips. Megan Fox. Scarlett Johansson. Divergent. Breaking Bad. Lebron James. Game of Thrones. The Hobbit. Guardians of the Galaxy. MagicBands. State Farm commercials. Avatar. This is just a taste of what you will experience.

Great music. Great dancing. Great jokes. The perfect recipe to a crowd pleasing show and has plenty of lines you’ll be talking long after the show. (I’m puppet dying… You’re turtle racist….Magical Tracking Bands.)  Step aside Festival of the Lion King, Finding Nemo: The Musical and Celestina Warbeck. There is no better show in any theme park, period.

#story

So there you have it: Six Reasons Halloween Horror Nights is Better Than Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween P:arty. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where I promise we are finally going to cover some non-Disney and Universal attractions you should consider on your next to trip to Orlando. If you had fun, be sure to check out The Magic, The Memories, and Merch! articles, or, for your listening pleasure, check out Pardon the Pixie Dust podcast.

Special thanks to crack staff photographer Brandon Glover, grammar cop MegS, Universal Parks Icon Hate to Fly, Cover Band magnate Morgan Crutchfield, Parkscope everyman Joe Matt, and photo wunderkind Mike Sperduto for their invaluable assistance in this article.

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Disney Offering One Day Memory Maker Option With Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

By Rikki Niblett

For those who love photographs, there is a great new option for you if you’ll be attending Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party at the Magic Kingdom. Disney is currently testing an option where guests can purchase a one-day Memory Maker that can be utilized during the evening’s events. This one day Memory Maker costs $39 and is added to a party ticket.

As a nice bonus, not only will guests be able to have any photo taken by Disney PhotoPass photographers during that evening’s party, but they will also be able to digitally download any photo taken that day – not just during the party hours. This includes photos taken at select dining establishments, as well as any on-ride attraction photos.

To purchase this one-day Memory Maker option, guests can visit a ticket booth at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and for those who’ve already purchased tickets but still would like to purchase this fun option, you can still add it on the evening of your party.

 

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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of October 10, 2014

By Rikki Niblett

In Case You Missed It!

So, now that we’re full into October, are you getting ready for Halloween yet? I’m slowly starting to decorate the house and I’m starting to see the neighbor’s decorations going up too. What are you doing to get ready for the spooky holiday? Do you carve pumpkins, go to haunted houses, hand out candy? I love hearing about what others do to celebrate! (PS: if you are carving pumpkins this year, consider making a pumpkin Olaf!)

This week’s collection of articles includes a look at the upcoming Tomorrowland movie, details on what potentially made Maleficent one of the best Disney villains, and more! There’s a ton I have to share with you, so make sure to let me know your favorite in the comments!

 

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

 

Napa Rose at the Disneyland Resort recently reopened for an extensive rehab. Read about what went into the refreshing of this popular restaurant, as well as additional details from Executive Chef, Andrew Sutton.

Speaking about fine dining restaurants, Victoria and Albert’s at Disney’s Grand Floridian was named by TripAdvisor’s 2014 Travelers’ Choice awards as one of the “Top 5 Best Fine Dining Restaurants in the United States.”

Disneyland Paris Resort has seemingly been plagued with troubles since it first opened and those troubles have continued almost non-stop ever since. In an effort to help the two parks, Disney has committed 1.3 billion dollars earmarked for new attractions and spruce up.

Two new Marriott’s are expected to break ground starting next week at Flamingo Crossing. This is supposedly the first link in the chain of developing this parcel of land, which was originally supposed to begin development before the recession hit.

Looks like Bob Iger will be in charge of the Walt Disney Company for a little while longer; he has decided to stay on as CEO until June 2018. According to the New York Times, this is the second time Mr. Iger has been extended as the chief executive with his original departure date being June 2016.

We all know that Maleficent is one of the all time favorite Disney villains, but what caused her to become this way? One answer: Marc Davis. This article takes a look in more detail how the wicked character was created. Also, for those of you who love reading Disney books, make sure you pick up a copy of the brand new book about Marc, called “Marc Davis: Walt Disney’s Renaissance Man”

One of the key players of the upcoming movie Big Hero 6 is also one that few people are talking about. What’s that, you ask? The created city of San Fransokyo! Take a tour of this fantastical hybrid city and see how Disney created it and how it really is a life-form all its own.

Holy wow. I didn’t realize how excited I would be for this movie, but now that details are starting to be released about this secretive project, I have to say, I now cannot wait for this one. Entertainment Weekly brings us a first look at the 2015 movie, Tomorrowland. Also released this week was a teaser trailer.  The movie has such an intriguing premise; I hope this release can connect with audiences in a major way and just maybe it can influence the land its named after in both Disneyland and Walt Disney World, cause that concept art is fabulous.

Was Disney right to spend so much money on the Star Wars franchise? The Motley Fool takes a look at this question and it will depend on one thing…what is that one thing?  Read on to find out!

Speaking of Star Wars, “Star Wars Rebels: Spark of Rebellion” seemed to be a huge hit. The TV movie aired last week to 6.5 million viewers. Did you happen to catch it?

Is it or isn’t it happening? Robert Downey Jr. has sort of said both about Iron Man 4, but I think this ComingSoon.net article sort of sums up everything nicely. Would you want to see a fourth installment?

If you are getting married in 2015 and you want a wedding dress inspired by Elsa’s dress from Frozen, you are in luck! Debuting with the 2015 Bridal Collection of Disney Fairytale Weddings from Alfred Angelo is exactly the dress you are desiring. There are also some other gorgeous other dresses you can choose to say “I do” in that will be debuting too!

In a unique twist, a Halloween Horror Nights house actually serves as a sort of trailer to the upcoming Dracula Untold movie. See how Universal accomplished this and why the scenes look like they came directly from the set.  Have you visited this house yet? Did it make you curious about the film?

 

In Case We Missed It

 

What did we miss? Attach your ideas to a copy of Sleeping Beauty 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 10, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.

Walt Disney World Newsworthy Notes – 10/10/14

By Rikki Niblett

Happy Friday! Who is ready for more Newsworthy Notes? If you’re visiting Disney’s Animal Kingdom or wanting to visit Typhoon Lagoon, I’ve got some news you should definitely read!

The Affection Section petting zoo area at Rafiki’s Planet Watch at Disney’s Animal Kingdom will be closed for refurbishment until November 10, reopening on November 11. Guests will still be able experience the other animal encounters at Conservation Station. Also, at the Out of the Wild shop, they are now offering some food items, including things like fresh fruit cups, hummus, and apples with caramel, and ice cream treats. This is good news, considering Rafiki’s Planet Watch previously had no snack options at all.
For those who are unaware, currently all guests wishing to visit Typhoon Lagoon after 2:00 p.m. must go to Epcot and transfer to a bus which will take them to Typhoon Lagoon. (This is being done to accommodate Disney Springs construction.) This means that Magic Kingdom resort hotel guests who currently want to visit the water park must go to Epcot via monorail (transferring to the Epcot monorail at the Transportation and Ticket Center) and then transfer to the bus taking them to Typhoon Lagoon. However, from October 12-25, Disney will be offering a bus route that will give guests the option to be transported from the Magic Kingdom resorts, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, to Epcot. From there, the guests will be able to hop on another bus to transfer to Typhoon Lagoon. This route will only be in service daily from 2:00 p.m. until Typhoon Lagoon closes for the evening. Guests will also still be able to utilize the monorail to make the journey to Epcot and then transfer to the water park if they choose. Typhoon Lagoon will be closing for its annual refurbishment October 26, which will last until January 3, 2015.
Due to maintenance work, the Hess gas station located near Disney’s BoardWalk Inn will be temporarily closed beginning October 13. The project has no official end date, but it is expected to last approximately three weeks. The other Hess gas stations found on property will remain open.

That’s it for this installment. Thoughts?

 

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Friday Face Off – Aging Attractions

By Kevin Bastos

Running a theme park has to be a dicey experiment. The more a park works to stay current, the older the older attractions tend to look. While many attractions retain their charm throughout the years, many others tend to feel dated pretty quickly. Attendance drops, lines decline, and parks decide to refresh the attraction through refurbishment, rebuilding, or demolition. Today, let’s look at a few Disney and Universal attractions, and throw them down in a Friday Face Off – Aging Attractions. Universal’s Jurassic Park River Adventure vs. Disney World’s Dinosaur and the recently-deceased Maelstrom.

Here to save the World?

First, to beat the dead horse that was Maelstrom. Relax, people. Relax. Don’t get me wrong, I’m disappointed that Maelstrom will be re-created into a Frozen attraction, but I don’t think it’s any great loss. Those crying over its demise will no doubt rue the day that Captain E-O eventually is mercifully put out of its misery.

On a side note, I truly believe that Disney Cast Members are punitively placed to work there. I mean, how COULD this be such an epic failure? Spielberg? Coppola? Space? Michael Jackson? Dancing? Puppets? I can remember being there in 1986 – sporting the mullet, most certainly, and seeing the preview posters for the upcoming Captain EO film, and being disappointed that Captain EO didn’t premiere until that fall. We were out of the Disney World environment until 2009 – when we saw Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. Then returned in 2013 for our visit to the Return of Captain EO. Let me tell you how that trip went.

When we entered the  queue area, we encountered the most seriously working – and for the most part – completely clueless Cast member employed at the Disney World property.

We entered the area, and she kept chanting to the audience, “FILL IN ALL SPACE! MAKE ROOM FOR EVERYONE TO GET IN!” Now, this was the busy season – but even my children were rather clued in to the fact that this show was going to have more than a few empty seats. She then began chastising every guest who wanted to sit or lean anywhere. And when we entered the theater, we were sternly reminded to move all the way down – don’t leave ANY open seats! The pre-show began – and she read – in halting, saccharine faux enthusiasm – the pre-show announcements. Even my eight year old began laughing. Of course, when the show began… All of us began to cringe. I could see it being revitalized some day as a participatory event – much like Rocky Horror bad – in a few years. But for the rest of the trip, our ongoing joke was that all of the bad employees were to be shuttled off to Epcot to work for MJ…. “Listen, Marjorie. I’m sorry to inform you of this… But we’ve set some goals, and… We haven’t quite reached them… I regret to inform you… That you’ll be introducing Captain EO this fall….”

Rest in Piece. Uh, PEACE, Maelstrom

Epcot is in need of many a renovation. The criticisms of Hollywood Studios are founded, but Epcot has many sections that time has forgotten. Maelstrom… Was never all that great to begin with. And Disney is trying to strike while the iron still retains some of its heat. Maelstrom went backward. And had trolls. Frankly, Epcot in the back of the park isn’t the place to flock for the thrills. It had the biggest thrills of any attraction in that area. But what, really, are we comparing it to? Gran Fiesta? Reflections of China? Martin Short? It had a hill, kids. And like many of you, we were guilt-tripped into watching the movie the first time on the pageantry of Norway with proud statements on the country. Interesting? Perhaps. But I’m going to get a pastry, instead. Truly, the most terrifying part of the attraction was the man with a thick red beard and wavy Eighties hair in the mural over the entrance turning the big wheel to supply oil from the North Sea. Did ANY of us stay up until midnight to reserve our FP+ at sixty days out? When it was a level one – did ANYONE really reserve it over Test Track and Soarin’? Anyone ever run into the pavillion years ago, HOPING that a few fast passes might be available for a ride on Maelstrom later in the day? Certainly, we got them then. But usually it was for a ride thirty minutes from then. AND – the fast passes were already gone for Epcot’s big two. The Frozen upgrade might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is Disney’s profit machine for now. Certainly the thing needed some upgrading. Upgrading won’t always work – take the Journey into Imagination with Figment, for example. I know that we all wish that the original version could come back – and I remember it with fondness – but it couldn’t survive today.

Dinosaur still has the best photo opportunity anywhere at Disney World!

Maelstrom’s closest comparison could be the Jurassic Park River Adventure. But it’s more of a hybrid between Dinosaur and Maelstrom. Dinosaur has crossed over to dated lately. Phylicia Rashad’s haircut, at minimum, needs a serious upgrade. It does still have the greatest Orlando  photo location, placed just at the moment a dinosaur pops out to the right of your  vehicle. On our trip in 2013, our youngest, who still loves dinosaurs, buried her face into my wife’s lap. Even though it has crossed over its best days, it still packs a good punch, even if just in the pop from its perhaps impending doom. Usually the lines are shorter – but much of the setup is excellent. I know that Dino Land U.S.A. breaks the model Animal Kingdom – and I don’t really get it – but the land commits to its setup. Dinosaur crosses back over into a pretty tasteful setup, and treats the topic area with reverence.

The film before can be silly if seen under current eyes. Really? You think it’s a great idea to bring a dinosaur back on a time travelling car with all of us? Nice move. No, that’s stupid. Where would the thing fit, anyway? Sure – we’ll put Aladar in the back seat of this thing. But after the initial film, it really works. I love the spikes of heat and cold in the time travel sections. It started out more intense – and to confess, I don’t remember its less-intense version, but it seems to balance the intensity with the reality that I don’t want to have an additional protein spill in the car. The use of alternating darks and light hide the dinosaurs and their rubberized faces. While the dinosaurs at Universal are probably more doom-causing, the spikes of fear bring great terror. My six-year-old loved dinosaurs – up until her ride on Dinosaur. My older kids weren’t scared, but were betrayed just a bit by the ride photo. They were, however, terrified of their trip on the Jurassic Park River Adventure.

End of the Jurassic Park River Ride

Jurassic Park River Adventure sets a great tone. My daughters hadn’t seen Jurassic Park yet, so the adventure was a real parallel to what the real park may have been like. The trip starts with a quick lift up a hill, and then a left turn around into the large doors of the park. Quick improvement? Give me about five more seconds before the launch of each new vehicle. It would also hide the boat ahead of me just a little. Turning the corner and seeing the doors close again gives just a little away. The float through the park with the dinosaurs is great – just hide a few of the platforms that the dinosaurs are connected on. Muddy the waters, maybe? One other criticism? Maybe put more of the playful dinosaurs causing us to go off track a little more. Wave? Crash? Right before the boat goes off-track, the playful dinosaurs leap around. What if right when a dinosaur poked its head up, it could be followed by a push of a wave that would hit the boat into the ‘restricted’ area. Then, we could really float off into the new section. Perhaps even have some tiny dinosaur biting the top of the rail, loosening a lock or something. Each time we rode, we just seemed to be following along the path – and although I know where we were going, it could have been masked a little better. Here’s a place where Disney’s Dinosaur certainly wins out. The voice over continuing along a path that we never follow? Great touch. This sold my kids. My wife even confessed that my middle daughter was terrified. I had previewed the attraction with my youngest daughter, knowing that Dinosaur was such a difficult moment for her. However, my nine year-old daughter – having no clue how or where we were ending up – was terrified. The box that we float under, and the escaped small dinosaurs all still pack a great punch. A few of the animatronics of some of the dinosaurs could have been improved – like the sliding ones across the tracks. Does a dinosaur really skateboard to the side of the rail? The final section – directly under the T-Rex? A thing of beauty. I have to confess that I am a sucker for great sound – and it was boisterous without blowing out the speakers. Although a few folds on her neck seemed to be a bit tired, this trip quickly encapsulated the high stakes of the film in a quick snapshot. I don’t know if a hybrid Maelstrom and Dinosaur attraction would be better – but as is, I would prefer to escape back on the Jurassic Park Ride again. The attraction has been rumored to see a refurbishment in the near future, but outside of the removal of the fantastic gate outside, the complete re-build has been put on hold to put the new Kongfrontation experience in.

When an attraction gets toward the end of a run, a theme park may be faced with tough decisions. Disney World has kept running many attractions past their prime, but often their quaint appeals can survive, and nostalgia can take over. Sometimes, however, a trip down memory lane simply needs to be closed forever. It’s easy to sit back and criticize decisions to refurbish, re-theme, or remove – a theme park can’t always have the luxury of complete vision. Instead of unrealistically remembering, or criticizing – take the time to really remember. Also, take the time to forget, too. Sometimes memories are best left there. Take it from Captain EO. We aren’t always here to save the world.

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Unexpected Disney Souvenir: Shoes

By Erin Foster

When you think about Disney parks souvenirs, the products that typically come top of mind include t-shirts, ear hats, and plush toys. While these are certainly all easy-to-find items, another surprisingly prevalent product in the parks is shoes. These range from inexpensive flip-flops to performance athletic equipment, and everything in between.

In addition to being a fun souvenir, many of the shoes sold in the parks can fill the gap if emergency strikes and your luggage is lost or if Little Billy decides that your vacation sneakers are the perfect place to store the leftover half of his Mickey bar.

Here’s a sample of what was available in the parks and resorts in early autumn 2014. The exact designs do change from time to time, but the range of styles and price points generally remains consistent.

BASIC FLIP FLOPS

Disney-branded flip-flops are sold in most resort gift shops, in the large park retail shops (Mouse Gear at Epcot, The Emporium at the Magic Kingdom), at Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, and at the World of Disney at Downtown Disney, as well as in myriad smaller shops throughout the parks. Keep an eye out for special pricing when you buy multiple pairs. You’ll find them in sizes and styles for men, women, and children.

PREMIUM FLIP FLOPS AND SANDALS

The water parks, several shops at Downtown Disney, Island Supply in the Magic Kingdom’s Adventureland, and, strangely, the shop adjacent to the Yak & Yeti restaurant at the Animal Kingdom, typically carry non-Disney branded shoes. These include flip flop style shoes with beading, leather, or other embellishments. You’ll also find velcro-closure waterproof sandals at several of these locations.

CROCS

Disney’s partnership with Crocs means that it’s easy to find Crocs brand shoes in many Disney locations including resort gift shops, Mouse Gear, the Emporium, and the World of Disney stores. The clogs come in versions for men, women, and children.

In the traditional Crocs clog style shoes, look for the cut-outs to resemble Mickey rather than the traditional hole-punch. You may also find Crocs brand shoes with canvas uppers or in a flip flop style.

DISNEY BRANDED SNEAKERS

The larger parks stores carry Disney branded sneakers for women and children. For funky styles for tweens visit the new Marketplace Co-op store at Downtown Disney.

TRUE ATHLETIC SHOES

The Fit2Run store, a recent addition to Downtown Disney, carries name brand performance footwear, as well as a full range of other gear for runners such as clothing, fuel, massage tools, and more. While it’s never a good idea to race in new shoes, if you’re in the emergency situation of being at Walt Disney World for a race and having lost luggage, the trained fitters at Fit2Run may be able to help save the day.

Additionally, the pro shops at Disney’s golf courses carry golf shoes, as well as their own selections of name brand athletic gear.

DRESSY WOMEN’S SHOES

Uptown Jewelers on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom appears to be the epicenter of Disney branded flats for women. These ballet style flats come in a range colors and styles, some with prominent Mickey bling, and others with more subtle Mickey patterns.

NOVELTY CHILDREN’S SHOES

Many stores at Walt Disney World carry novelty shoes near their princess dress section. If you’ve got a budding Ice Queen in your party, you may find that she INSISTS on having appropriate shoes to wear with her gown.

SHOES OF THE WORLD

Many of the countries in Epcot’s World Showcase offer shoes related to their represented nation. China and Japan typically have a selection of silk and cotton women’s shoes. Japan usually sells a traditional wooden flip flop style shoe. Germany, Italy, and Mexico have recently sold Adidas brand slides in the colors of those countries’ flags.

Norway sells a full line of Helly Hansen brand outerwear and shoes including women’s flats, boat shoes, athletic shoes, and often hiking boots. These are high quality items priced accordingly.

And if you’re interested in Disney-related shoes but none of these exactly strikes your fancy, you may also want to check out my custom souvenir project which involved having characters sign a pair of canvas shoes.

Have you ever purchased shoes at Walt Disney World? Why or why not? Were you happy with your purchase? Let us know about your experiences in the comments below.

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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: October 9, 2014

By Daisy Lauren

Hi, Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever here at Walt Disney World ! This week we’re visiting Epcot to say goodbye to Maelstrom and have more fun at Food & Wine Festival. Then we’re heading over to the Magic Kingdom to see what’s new there and ending with a view of Happy HalloWishes from the ferry boat dock. Sounds like fun, right? Let’s go!

Walking up to Maelstrom this weekend it was very obvious that a cult following had shown up to see the final days of this classic ride. I didn’t try getting near the ride on Sunday but we stopped by Saturday and found the line already 60 minutes long! Luckily I had planned ahead with FastPass+ or I don’t think we would have ridden one last time.  If you’d like to ride one last time along with me then please click to read more!

The line was very much composed of regular folks, not the blogger centric crowd you normally find at these events. Across the crowd you could just feel the sadness, but the kinship that only comes with seeing an attraction at it’s end. The consensus was that Frozen has no business in the World Showcase.  Before getting in the line I grabbed a few shots of signage before they were removed the next day.

 

Below is a video of my very last ride on Maelstrom. I’d been trying for weeks with different cameras and lenses and I think my last attempt was the best. I’m thrilled to be able to share it with you below!

Also, on the last weekend they were consistently showing the movie that I haven’t seen running in quite a while. I can remember being a kid when they still really expected you to sit through the movie and when those doors opened we just ran through to the exit. It was sad filming the movie I’d taken for granted for so many years.

Hopefully, Disney will do a great job with the changes coming to Norway. I always felt Maelstrom was a little strange so I’m excited for something new. Of course, my judgement might be questionable since I did stop by and wait in a small line to meet Halloween Duffy! I promise, a trip to Tokyo will make you hate him considerably less.

Aside from the sad events this weekend, it was the most beautiful few days that we’ve had in months! You’ve never seen such bright blue skies and the air was crisp and just a little bit cool. It was honestly perfect! With any luck we’ll get some more of that weather in the not too distant future. The only down side was that it really packed in the crowds.

Of course, it was worth waiting for some quality Food and Wind items! Pictured below are the fresh baked carrot cake with craisins and cream cheese icing at $3.75 and Florida grass fed beef slider with pimento cheese at $4.00. These were both misses for us. It isn’t that they weren’t decent, they just weren’t as good as so many other things at the festival.

 

Next we decided to try some cheese! First was the artisan cheese plate featuring Cabot Cloth wrapped cheddar, Purple Haze chèvre goat cheese and Cave Man blue cheese for $5.00 (pictured left). For my money this is the best thing at the Hops & Barley booth this year! On the right is kerrygold cheese selection: reserve cheddar, dubliner with Irish Stout and skellig for $4.00 from Ireland. Again, this was excellent! But only if you’re a cheese lover, of course!

 

Of course, what would a cheese rampage be without some Canadian cheddar cheese soup? At $4.25, it’s certainly pricey but so delicious! Honestly, this tiny serving is just perfect. I don’t think I’d ever make it through a full bowl of this stuff! It’s thick, creamy, and a little spicy. Please be sure to stop by and try this little cup of Heaven if you’re anywhere near the parks!

Before we leave Epcot I have a cautionary tale for you: DO NOT FORGET YOUR MEMORY CARD!!  Earlier in the week we’d stopped by to see Air Supply perform and I realized I had a camera with me but no memory card. I checked several stores and they all only had the same 8GB Disney branded memory card for sale that cost $30! But the good news is that you get to see what video looks like from a shiny, new iPhone 6.

Next, let’s hop over to the Magic Kingdom where it was very… crowded. I’m not sure if it was the amazing weather or the Run Disney Event that was taking place, but it was packed! Taking a look at the photo below, it looked like this everywhere. By 11:00am Pirates of the Caribbean already had a 35 minute wait! We were also guessing that it might have something to do with the Halloween party pushing crowds to the few days they are open late?

In popcorn bucket news, I reported the new Zero popcorn bucket last week but this week. I noticed that a glow in the dark Mickey had joined him this week. Do be aware, that deceptive sign only applies to Mickey. The Zero popcorn bucket retails for $13.50.

Even though Sunday was one of the busiest days we’ve seen in years, the weather was unbeatable. It’s also nice to have the Tomorrowland Transit Authority PeopleMover back in business so you can see this amazing view! Though you can’t see it here, the construction is moving right along in the hub. Hopefully it won’t be too long before it’s all put back together and as lovely as ever.

When I got home from shooting I noticed that I’d taken tons of pictures of the bright, blue sky. So forgive me if it seems like that’s all I’m including from the Magic Kingdom. But take a look at the view from Dumbo. You just can’t beat it!

A little change this week is that Magic Band readers now light up at all attractions. Apparently people were having trouble seeing them at night and it was causing delays. While the video below was taken during the day, these are positively blinding at night after the change! Time will tell if it sticks.

Over in Bonjour Village Gifts some new Gaston goodies have appeared. Of course, this wasn’t the only new merchandise to show up this week! If you haven’t already seen our coverage of Memento Mori that opened near The Haunted Mansion  on October 6th you can check it out here.

Construction has finally finished over at Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room. At first when we entered the queue nothing really looked different, then I looked up! The photo on the bottom left is just as you enter the line for the attraction. It’s positively hypnotic! We just stood there staring up into it for a few minutes. It’s funny that Disney would put time and effort into something like this that so many people won’t notice, but isn’t that what makes Disney great? Inside, you’ll also notice new barriers separating the front row from the second row. I’m not sure if they had some issue with people changing rows, but now you clearly can’t.

 

Since we were in the Tiki Room anyway I shot a little video for you guys. Who doesn’t need a little tropical serenade to brighten their day?

This week I was also caught in a moment of desperate hunger and finally broke down and tried the new loaded fries at Golden Oak Outpost. Below left are the fries with pulled pork without the coleslaw. Below right are the BLT fries that have been compared to the now extinct Figaro Fries. At $5.99 each they were an expensive snack and not especially filling. Plus they just felt like eating such junk food.. I mead fries covered in bacon and pork?? I’ll be doing extra cardio this week and only recommend them if you’re looking for an extra sinful treat along the lines of a macaroni and cheese covered hot dog!

 

One last little shopping note from the Magic Kingdom, check out these adorable Marie hats! I don’t know that I’ve ever seen these before. The price was right at $27.95 but they were only available in youth sizes. I can’t imagine a little kid wearing this, the universe might explode from too much cute! Just to the right, you can see Marie tails are still available for purchase. The character tails have been out for a few weeks but I’ve yet to spot anyone wearing one yet.

As we were leaving we noticed the new Polynesian Village sign was out from under tarps and looking amazing! We were also by at night this weekend and the water reflects up onto the sign with lit tiki torches all around. It might be the prettiest sign on Disney property now. Just gorgeous! If this is any indication of the work they’re doing at the rest of the resort then I can’t wait to see it.

Our last stop this week is the ferry boat dock at the Transportation and Ticket Center. This is a spot we like to watch the fireworks on event nights when we don’t plan on purchasing admission. As you can see from the video, you can’t help other people having loud conversations but that could happen in the park when you’re paying a whole lot more! If you don’t feel like watching the full video just fast forward to the last 30 seconds and catch the perimeter fireworks.

That’s everything for this week. Now let’s see what you can expect if you’re visiting next week.

Crowd Calendar: The lull of September is over. Be sure you’re optimizing your Touring Plans and getting there for rope drop, you’ll need the head start!

Weather: Sadly, we’re back to highs in the 90′s this week. Hopefully fall will be back to visit us very soon. The good news is that at least it won’t be as rainy.

Remember: Monorail resorts are cracking down on parking for MNSSHP dates the rest of this month. Be prepared to be turned away if you don’t have a dinner reservation.

Here’s my top tip for this week: If you’d like to shop at the new Memento Mori be sure to prioritize it like a ride! The shop has been getting lines just to enter and once you’re inside it’s tough to shop in the crowd. Plan to stop by early or late for the best experience.

Do you have any news I missed or any requests for coverage next week? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below, and thanks so much for reading! I’m wishing all of you the Best Week Ever, until next time!

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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: October 9, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.