Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1206
July 29, 2014
Legoland: Theme Park for Adults?
By Thomas Cook
Legoland, Florida’s latest theme park, bills itself as “geared to families with children ages 2 to 12”. The park sports attractions, including four beginner coasters, but all are specifically for kids and their parents, so what were a couple of forty-somethings doing there without kids in tow?
Lego-built truck welcomes you to Miniland at Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
I’m glad you asked.
Legoland was developed on the grounds of Cypress Gardens, a park that opened in 1936. Often called Florida’s first theme park, Cypress Gardens was a large botanical garden to which water ski shows were added during World War II. Comprising 150 acres, it’s one of the larger botanical gardens in the United States.
Legoland has kept the gardens looking the way they did for decades. This part of the park is truly wonderful. There are superb examples of native and exotic plants, a series of charming canals and one of the largest banyan trees in the world. There are curving pathways that lead to surprise vistas such as the shore of Lake Eloise, an audience with a large golden Buddha, sloping and sculpted lawns, even an historic swimming pool in the shape of the Sunshine State.
Old Cypress Gardens landscape with Lake Eloise in the background at Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
Guests regularly come across striking flowers, fascinating sculptures and attractive bridges over the canals. A patient guest can spot native wild animals in the gardens as well. In the time we spent there we spotted numerous bird species, as well as turtles, squirrels, lizards, butterflies, dragonflies and even a local cat friendly enough to pet.
The best thing about the hour and a half we spent in the gardens was the lack of other guests. While the rest of the park was bustling with kids, in this area we saw at most twenty other guests. My friend and I both had cameras clicking because we love to photograph nature. We really enjoyed our time there.
I also like that Legoland has chosen not to put Lego structures or figures in the gardens. At the entrance are full-sized Lego southern belles which recall the local young ladies clothed in antebellum dresses that were a long-time fixture of Cypress Gardens. Truthfully, I wish Legoland would bring back the southern belles as they were always a highlight of my visit to the park, but Legoland said recently they have no plans to do so.
As for the rest of the park there are a number of interesting attractions that adults will enjoy. Obviously, if you’re an AFOL (Adult Fan of Legos), you’ve probably already planned for your first visit, but what if you think you’ve outgrown the classic building toy?
The first thing we did is ride Island in the Sky. This is a large saucer-shaped structure on the end of a long arm. Guests sit in a circle around its edge and the arm peacefully lifts into the air. It rises 150 feet and rotates leisurely to give excellent views of the park and the surrounding area. It’s a fun ride, especially since the attraction doesn’t lock guests in a sealed car. The opportunity to feel the breeze and hear the sounds of the park while riding is very refreshing. I’d suggest doing it more than once on a humid day.
Island in the Sky attraction at Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
We then wandered over to the shore of Lake Eloise and entered the Fresh from Florida Greenhouse, an interesting exhibit that gives a lighthearted but informative look at food production from farm to table. Along with water features and plants, Lego figures, including a full-sized Lego cow with “working” udders, keep the attention of older as well as younger explorers. The area next to the greenhouse is a broad grassy area that is also pleasant to explore.
The most iconic area in all Legoland theme parks is called Miniland. This is the area in each park that contains 1/20 scale dioramas of real cities and other locations, real and fantasy. At Legoland Florida, there are models of the downtowns of several Florida cities, including Miami, Key West, Tampa, St. Augustine and Tallahassee. There are also prominent Florida locations such as nearby Bok Tower and Kennedy Space Center. Miniland also features views of the cities of New York, Washington, San Francisco and Las Vegas, a pirate village and the newly completed Star Wars Land (embracing scenes from all six movies). There are interactive aspects to Miniland: buttons to press that move vehicles, spray water and even launch the Space Shuttle. Of course, this area is chock-full of kids, but it’s hard to believe that adults won’t find all the Lego structures captivating. There is certainly plenty to view in just this one area.
Miniland street scene at Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
When we visited, there were Lego characters in parts of the park. Maybe hanging with pirates or a “star” of the recent Lego movie isn’t your idea of adult fun, but I’ve found that interacting with characters, regardless of the theme park, can be a fun diversion. Go ahead, play around.
Legoland pirates are always ready to shiver your timbers. Photo by Thomas Cook
Cypress Gardens was once known as the Water Ski Capital of the World, and rightly so. Dozens of records were set over a forty year period; the 1950 and 1957 world championships were held there; and Cypress Garden’s legendary founder, Dick Pope was one of the first inductees in the U.S. Water Skiing Hall of Fame. Over the years, millions of guests were thrilled as skilled professionals did the extraordinary. Legoland continues that tradition with the Pirates Cove Live Action Water Stunt Show and as in the past skiing on water is fun for all ages.
Dining options tend to be child-friendly, which is to be expected, however Christopher Jones, a spokesperson for Legoland says: “Legoland Florida offers…food options inside the park that adults will enjoy, ranging not just from sandwiches and salads but also Asian Fusion (The Market Restaurant), Pizza (Pizza/Pasta Buffet) and Chicken (Fried Chicken Restaurant)”. We also saw the following menu items: rotisserie chicken, grilled salmon, soups as well as panini of chicken Florentine, roast beef and havarti cheese and Panzanella (a vegetarian option).
Rosebud, Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
At this point, don’t expect a fine dining option, but Jones mentioned that Legoland is “always evaluating its options to provide the best for its guest”. With the new Legoland Hotel expected to open in 2015, we might see a more upscale dining experience there.
So the nuts and bolts of Legoland Florida:
Legoland’s website offers discounts on some pre-purchased tickets. They offer tickets with a pre-chosen date (Pick-a-Date) and a more expensive “Flexible Date” ticket, with or without same-day water park admission.
Legoland only:
Pick-a-Date: Adult (13+) 1 Day from $69; 2 Day from $84 – Child (3-12)/Senior (60+) 1 Day from $62; 2 Day from $77
Flexible Date Ticket: Adult (13+) 1 Day $84; 2 Day $99 – Child (3-12)/Senior (60+) 1 Day $77; 2 Day $92
It appears that if you order Pick-a-Date tickets online for a day within a week of the date of your order, the price is higher ($74 instead of $69 for a 1 day park ticket). The website also says that tickets booked on the wrong date require a $20 re-booking fee to change.
Old Cypress Gardens still exists at Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
Legoland/Water Park Combo Tickets (same day admission):
Pick-a-Date: Adult (13+) 1 Day from $84; 2 Day from $99 – Child (3-12)/Senior (60+) 1 Day from $77; 2 Day from $92
There isn’t an online option for flexible date tickets for combo tickets.
Parking: At park – $14; online – $12
Legoland Shuttle – $5 per person: Round trip bus transportation Universal Blvd in Orlando. Pick up time is 9:00 am. They ask guests to arrive thirty minutes prior to departure. It leaves Legoland at park close. Reservations must be made before 11:30 am the day before.
All prices are valid as of July 15, 2014
Park address: One Legoland Way, Winter Haven Fl, 33884.
Park website: florida.legoland.com
The website states Legoland is open seven days a week, but can be closed on some Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The website’s calendar shows that closed dates are at non-peak times but check before you plan your visit.
For a look at a basic Touring Plan for Legoland check out this 2012 post.
Star Wars – yet another reason to love Legoland Florida. Photo by Thomas Cook
All in all, is Legoland worth the 35 mile trip from Walt Disney World for child-free adults? I’d say a qualified yes. It’s certainly something different, so if you are an AFOL or love gardens and nature you’re going to see some great things.
Please share any Legoland experiences you’ve had in the comments. We all want to hear more.
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Legoland: Theme Park for Adults? is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
July 28, 2014
A New Haunted Mansion Gift Shop To Debut This Fall at the Magic Kingdom
©Disney
I hinted at it being true a while back, but today the Disney Parks Blog made it official: The Haunted Mansion will indeed receive a gift shop (finally!) in Magic Kingdom‘s Liberty Square. The store will be located right near the attraction, in the location of the Yankee Trader store, which closed for refurbishment today. (Bye bye, Smuckers jams and jellies!)
The new merchandise location is slated to open officially this fall, drawing inspiration from Madame Leota herself, and will include a whole slew of hauntingly good merchandise for Haunted Mansion fans to purchase. (On my next trip, if the majority of my money is going to be spent at the Marketplace Co-Op at Downtown Disney, the rest of it will now officially be spent here. Basically, bye bye money.) It’s been heavily rumored that this new store will also feature an on-ride photo pickup location.
While Disney didn’t announce an official reopening date, it is expected that the new store will debut on October 1, just in time for Halloween!
Stay tuned for more details as they get released!
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A New Haunted Mansion Gift Shop To Debut This Fall at the Magic Kingdom 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 – July 20 to 26, 2014
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Predictions did remarkably well last week with most days hitting the mark. We saw higher than average wait times, typical of summer crowds with the exception of a slow Saturday. Crowds at Disney Hollywood Studios have bounced back from a slow spring, with wait times in the upper ‘7’s and ‘8’s.
Let’s look at how the crowd levels stacked up each day last week on the TouringPlans.com 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
6
6
Our predictions swept the board on Sunday with observations matching predictions at each park. There were similar crowd levels at all four parks, a common trait of summer days.
Epcot
5
5
Hollywood Studios
6
6
Animal Kingdom
7
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
8
Magic Kingdom was an ‘8’ as expected but elsewhere, we saw crowds two levels higher than predicted. Biggest surprises were Spaceship Earth (32 minute average, predicted 12), Toy Story Mania (92, predicted 60) and Kilimanjaro Safaris (28 minute average, predicted 18).
Epcot
5
7
Hollywood Studios
6
8
Animal Kingdom
5
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
8
Close across the board again Tuesday with slightly high wait times at Epcot and The Studios driven by non-headliners like Spaceship Earth and Living with the Land. Toy Story Mania saw higher waits as well, with an average posted time of 83 minutes (predicted 69).
Epcot
8
9
Hollywood Studios
7
8
Animal Kingdom
8
8
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
8
Great results again on Wednesday including our third day in a row of correct predictions at Magic Kingdom. Summer time crowds tend to be consistent and predictable, especially in mid-July.
Epcot
7
6
Hollywood Studios
7
8
Animal Kingdom
8
9
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
9
7
Animal Kingdom was the busiest park at a level ‘9’ on our scale while the other three parks hit a level ‘7’.
Epcot
8
7
Hollywood Studios
7
7
Animal Kingdom
7
9
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
8
6
Lowest crowd of the week at Magic Kingdom on Friday. It was the best park by one level as well, compared the the level ‘7’ we observed at the other three parks.
Epcot
8
7
Hollywood Studios
6
7
Animal Kingdom
7
7
(Click to view overall details for this day)
WHAT WE
THOUGHT
WHAT WE
SAW
ANALYSIS
Magic Kingdom
6
5
Surprisingly low crowds across the board on Saturday. Only a ‘5’ at Magic Kingdom and only a ‘3’ at Animal Kingdom. Epcot was the only park that matched the prediction.
Epcot
6
6
Hollywood Studios
8
7
Animal Kingdom
5
3
What to Expect This Week
July 27 to August 2, 2014
How Crowded is Disney World?
Summer crowds will continue through mid-August when some school districts begin their 2014-2015 school year. Weekends are tending to be slightly less predictable than weekdays so visiting the parks on a Saturday or Sunday may not be as bad as one thinks.
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 – July 20 to 26, 2014 is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
2015 Disney Dining Plan Information Released
©Disney
Earlier today, it was mentioned by Len on the TouringPlans forums that the 2015 Disney Dining Plans informational brochures had officially been released in PDF format. (A quick heads up: the 2015 Vacation Packages will be available starting on Wednesday, July 30.)
The actual details of the 2015 Disney Dining Plans haven’t changed from 2014, meaning that guests will still receive the same number of entitlements that were available under the 2014 Plans. RapidFill refillable mugs will also continue to be offered with the 2015 Disney Dining Plans.
One thing to keep in mind is that while this information has been released, the brochures do not yet contain a complete listing of all restaurants that will eventually be available on the 2015 Disney Dining Plans. Some restaurants that are not owned by Disney still need to negotiate their contracts, and this may not happen until late in 2014, at which time the brochures will be revised. This is true for many of the Downtown Disney restaurants, as well as a majority of the Epcot restaurants. So, if you don’t see your favorite restaurant listed, don’t panic just yet! It will likely be added later, especially if it participated in the 2014 Disney Dining Plan.
Here are the latest files for you to peruse:
2015 Quick Service Dining Plan
2015 Disney Dining Plan
2015 Deluxe Dining Plan
2015 Premium Plan
2015 Platinum Plan
If you are planning a trip for 2015 and you want to know if the Disney Dining Plan is a good value for your family, visit our Disney Dining Plan page to find out more.
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July 27, 2014
A Review of Disney World’s Wilderness Lodge Tour
By Amy Farkas
Our tour guide Ranger!
From the first moment I stepped foot into the Wilderness Lodge just to look around, I fell in love with it. The architecture and ambiance are romantic to me. Both my husband and I are nature lovers. We dream of staying at the Wilderness Lodge someday. But until then, we just visit it often, walking through the lobby and grounds, eating our hearts out. When I learned there were actual free guided tours of this majestic beauty, I couldn’t wait. My husband, on the other hand, was skeptical and thought it would be a waste of valuable park time. What could a tour offer that we hadn’t already seen on our many strolls through? We were about to find out.
On Thursday morning of our trip we had opening breakfast reservations for Chef Mickey’s at the Contemporary. As soon as we finished we grabbed a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge, where our tour was about to begin. The meeting spot for the tour is in front of the large fireplace in the lobby of the Lodge. We were a little early, so we sat in the rocking chairs and enjoyed the slower pace. Soon another couple joined us, and we all waited patiently for our tour guide to arrive.
Actual cars from Walt Disney’s personal to scale railroad, the Carolwood Pacific.
Our Ranger arrived promptly at 9:00 AM. He made his introductions, and we began our tour. We started in the lobby, headed over to the villas, visited the Territory Lounge and Artist’s Point, and finished by heading up to the Club level. Our Ranger was every informative. He pointed out what was natural materials and what was Disney made, what inspired each piece of engineering that went into the details, some history of those locations, some actual historical artifacts, and even a few hidden Mickeys along the way!
The highlight of the tour for me was visiting the Carolwood Pacific Room in the Wilderness Lodge Villas. Nestled inside, under a glass case, are actual cars from Walt Disney’s to-scale working railroad, the Carolwood Pacific, from his home in California. I could have easily spent several hours just in this room staring in awe of something I have seen only in pictures, something that one of my idols loved and cherished during his life. There were also photos from the Disney family adorning the walls. I highly suggest the tour, even if it is for nothing more than to see this room and hear the information the Ranger has to tell about it.
But, alas, our Ranger had more to show us and we moved on. We ended the tour upstairs in the Club level of the main Lodge, overlooking Silver Creek Springs Pool and Fire Rock Geyser. The Ranger timed it perfectly so that we only had to wait a few minutes for the geyser to erupt. He ended with taking questions from our tour group. He happily and knowledgeably answered them all.
Club level view of Wilderness Lodge lobby.
In the end, the tour lasted about 70 minutes. It had a bit of walking involved, but was not too overwhelming, although you should expect to be standing and/or walking the whole time. Anyone with mobility issues would be able to do the tour as well, as all areas are scooter and wheelchair accessible. I highly recommend it for adults and even mature children who can appreciate the beauty of the nature that surrounds us. And my skeptical husband? He loved the tour, too!
Wilderness Lodge tours are offered Wednesday through Saturday at 9:00 AM and are about 1 to 1.25 hours long. You do not need to book in advance. Just be at the meeting point in front of the fireplace in the lobby at the starting time. For more photos, check out this review of the same tour from a few years ago.
Have you taken this free tour? What other resorts do you think should offer tours? Talk about it in the comments.
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Newsies to Go on Tour: Why Disney Fans Should Be Excited
Disney’s Newsies will give its final Broadway performance on August 24, 2014, after more than two years on stage and an incredible 1,000+ performances. The good news is that the Tony Award-winning musical, which was inspired by the 1899 newspaper boy delivery strike in New York City, is kicking off a 25-city North American tour starting in October.
Copyright – Disney
Aside from the opportunity for many Disney fans to see Newsies close to home, reasons why the tour of Newsies should excite Disney enthusiasts include its potential to inspire fans and the Disney theme parks.
The Connection to Walt Disney
One of the main themes in accounts of Walt Disney’s boyhood is his familiarity with the kind of hard work depicted in Newsies. In fact, as a boy, Walt likely would have identified with the boys in Newsies. Walt’s father, Elias, purchased a newspaper route for the Kansas City Star in 1911, and Walt and his brother Roy became delivery boys, without any pay. The route required them to start their day at 3:30 AM seven days a week, whether in summer heat or winter snow and ice, and Walt delivered newspapers for six years. The lessons about responsibility that likely came from that work are echoed in the musical.
Inspiration from the Boys
The leader of the boys in Newsies is 17-year-old Jack Kelly. Jack and his fellow “newsies” learn about responsibility, friendship, and perseverance as they challenge the powerful New York City press and bureaucracy.
Stories about the success of a group of boys banding together have been somewhat rare in the Disney story-telling repertoire. Indeed, Disney is known for a focus on female characters, and the recent blockbuster Frozen has provided fans with two strong and courageous role models in Anna and Elsa.
But how about some new boy heroes? Introducing some principal boy characters to share the spotlight with the girls would be a smart move for Disney, and the Newsies tour may be just the vehicle for Disney to begin doing so.
Inspiration for Disney Parks
Beyond the Newsies tour, Disney could tap into the musical’s signature number “Seize the Day” at its theme parks. This sentiment dovetails perfectly with the idea that visiting a Disney park gives people permission to live in the moment and have fun with their families. And, to coincide with the tour, wouldn’t some Newsies characters fit right in on Main Street, U.S.A. A spirited rendition of “Seize the Day” followed by a meet and greet with the newsboys would be a great addition to Main Street, U.S.A.’s turn-of-the century ambience.
To find out when the Newsies tour will come to a city near you, visit the official tour website at http://www.newsiesthemusical.com/ticket. In the meantime, you can get familiar with the story and music by watching the 1992 movie starring a young Christian Bale.
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Disney Wildlife: Florida’s Native Birds
The Magic Kingdom’s most famous birds might live in the Enchanted Tiki Room, but Disney World’s native birds far out-number the singing and talking ones in Adventureland. All around Walt Disney World Resort, you’ll see magnificent tropical birds, native to Florida and happily adapted to life in a theme park. It’s Disney wildlife: Florida’s native animals living right there amongst the attractions. Thanks to central Florida’s waterlogged environment, many of the most distinctive species are wading birds, inhabiting the trees and rooftops around the Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, and even Frontierland‘s Rivers of America.
Most people just point and call them storks, or flamingos. But you want to look more clever than that, right? So here’s your guide to the native birds of Walt Disney World. Here are some tips: only one of these birds is a stork, and the only flamingos you’ll find are on Kilimanjaro Safaris.
Great Egret: One of the most elegant birds you’ll ever see, the great egret stands more than three feet tall. Although the egret has the long legs and neck of a wading bird, you’ll often find them perched high in trees or on the roofs of show buildings at Disney. Their diet isn’t limited to seafood either — I’ve seen egrets flying over with long wriggling snakes dangling from their beaks. And they think they ought to live on turkey legs — great egrets stalk guests near the Turkey Leg cart in Frontierland, waiting for hand-outs. While it is funny to watch an unsuspecting tourist turn around and let out a scream at the giant bird lurking behind them, turkey skin isn’t in their natural diet at all. Don’t feed them and encourage the madness.
Keep your eyes open for smaller egrets around Disney World, including the less-common Snowy Egret, which has amazing breeding plumage feathers in spring, as well as bright yellow feet, and the Cattle Egret, a small white egret often seen foraging for insects in roadside verges and grasslands.
From Left: Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret.
All call Walt Disney World home. Images: Wikipedia
Ibis: The most common variety of ibis at Disney is the American white ibis. With distinctive long red beaks and red legs, these little wading birds love to hang out near the Rivers of America and snap up bits of turkey leg. If tourists aren’t feeding them, though, they’re in waterways scooping up crayfish and small fish. Ibis are like pigeons–they’re everywhere, they’re not very scared of humans, and they’ll eat just about anything. Old-school Floridians called these birds Chokoloskee Chickens, but they’re protected from the stew-pot today by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Watch for ibis flying over in flocks at sunset, or perched in trees in secluded areas as you’re driving around WDW property.
An Ibis perches along World Showcase Lagoon at Epcot. Photo: Michael Gray
Wood Stork: A massive white bird with black-tipped wings and a distinctive mottled head, the Wood Stork is the only stork with breeding grounds in the United States. Recently upgraded from “endangered” to “threatened,” on the Endangered Species List, wood storks live in colonies in wetland trees, and stalk fish in canals and waterways around Disney. One of the most-studied rookeries in North America is in the Disney Wilderness Preserve, watched over by scientists from Disney’s Animal Kingdom, but you’ll find a few here on property. They’re shier than many wading birds, so watch for them in more natural, quiet areas around the World.
Sandhill Crane: Four feet tall, flying in groups, and with a loud call that is half rattle, half whoop, and completely indescribable, you’ll know a Sandhill Crane when you see one. They winter in Florida, living in family groups and frequently returning to the same nesting grounds year after year. Listen for them to fly over near sunset, or watch for families picking up insects in the grasslands near the Contemporary and the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Great Blue Heron: Like the Great Egret, this is a dramatic and elegant bird. Great Blue Herons are often more than four feet tall, and most of that height is neck and leg. You’ll find them fishing in waterways and the shores of Disney’s lakes, or huddled up in trees, watching the activity below. A white face and streak down the neck, plus their massive size, will help you distinguish Great Blue Herons from the much smaller and less common Louisiana Heron. You might also spot Little Blue Herons, a considerably smaller and less flashy cousin.
From Left: The Wood Stork, the Sandhill Crane, the Great Blue Heron. Photos: Wikipedia
Anhinga: Nicknamed the “Snakebird,” Anhingas swim and hunt underwater, but don’t have the protection of waterproof feathers. Consequently, the anhinga’s feathers grow so waterlogged on fishing expeditions that after a while, only their long neck remains above the water. The anhinga’s sinuous neck looks like alarmingly like a snake in the water, hence the common name. Once they finally clamber out of the water, they have to spread their wings to dry, sometimes flapping them gently to speed things along. Keep an eye out for their necks and heads peeking out of natural bodies of water and in the Rivers of America, and watch for perched anhingas drying their wings along Tom Sawyer Island.
Anhinga drying its wings on a Tom Sawyer Island Raft in Frontierland. Photo: D. Fletcher
The Osprey: The inspiration behind the original name of Disney’s Osprey Ridge Golf Club (now the Four Seasons Tranquilo Golf Club), ospreys are common in the more wild areas of Walt Disney World. Fish eagles, as some locals call them, love the Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. Watch for these black-and-white raptors to swoop by as you’re sailing on the ferry to the Magic Kingdom. Ospreys often nest in tall cypress trees along the water, so keep an eye out for their massive, messy nests high in the trees near Ft. Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge.
Left: The most common way you’ll see an osprey, as they fly over. Right: an osprey with dinner in one talon. Photos: Wikipedia
These are just some of the more distinctive birds you can spot at Walt Disney World. Keep a look-out and you never know what you might spot. One day last October, a bald eagle swooped right over my head outside the Morocco pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. Along the waterways between resorts and parks, I’ve seen red-winged blackbirds in the trees, purple gallinules paddling amongst the water lilies, and little blue herons lurking in the tall grass at water’s edge. There are smaller fishing birds like the green heron and the kingfisher, and raptors like the Red-Tailed Hawk and the frankly adorable little American Kestrel. What birds will you spot next time? Grab a checklist at the Great Florida Birding Trail and add native Floridian birds to your next Disney World vacation.
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July 26, 2014
Top Ten Places to Find: Romance in Disney World
By Lisa Gilmore
Already a popular destination for fairy tale weddings and fun honeymoons, the Walt Disney World Resort is no stranger to romance. If you’re looking to find a little romance during your Disney vacation, here’s a list of top ten spots to check out for a bit of romance in Disney World.
A smooch in front of the castle is pretty romantic!
Cinderella Castle – Magic Kingdom: One of the most popular locations in Walt Disney World to pop that life-changing question, Cinderella Castle definitely tops the charts as one of the most romantic locations at the resort. Take advantage of the plethora of PhotoPass Photographers in this location to get a picture of you and your sweetheart in front of the castle. Whether it’s a smooch, a slow dance, a firework show, or a marriage proposal, head to the castle for a bit of love pixie dust.
Boat Rides: The Love Boat doesn’t have anything on the fleet of boating options available at Walt Disney World. And nothing says romance more than snuggling up with your loved one on one of the many cruising options Disney offers. From Pirates of the Caribbean in Magic Kingdom to Maelstrom in Epcot, enjoy a slow, entertaining cruise in the arms of the person you love. Kick up the romance another notch by booking a Fireworks Cruise and enjoy the leisurely romance of a luxury boat in addition to the sparkle and pizazz of the nightly fireworks shows at either the Magic Kingdom or Epcot. It costs a bit extra, but who can put a price on love? Book your own personal love boat cruise by calling 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529)
Walk Along the Beach: Everyone enjoys a romantic stroll on the beach, and Walt Disney World Resorts offer several beach options. Enjoy the white sands and calming beach atmosphere at the Wilderness Lodge, the Grand Floridian, and the Polynesian Village. For a bit more upbeat vibe, stroll at the beach at the Yacht Club and Beach Club Resort or Caribbean Beach Resort. Holding hands and burying feet in soft white sands offers a great tropical romance. Visit the Polynesian Beach in the evening and get a unique view of the Wishes fireworks show, complete with music!
Victoria & Albert’s: Fine dining is always a great resource for some much needed romance. Again, Disney has a multitude of options for every adventurous (and every not-so-adventurous) palate out there, but Victoria & Albert’s is the cream of the crop. The only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in Central Florida, Victoria & Albert’s has amazing food and service beyond your wildest dreams without being at all stuffy. Quiet and decorum are enhanced by the most stringent dress code of any Walt Disney World restaurant and an age limit for diners (must be 10 years old or older). If you want to dress up and leave the kids in one of Disney’s kids clubs, this is the place to go. Its price list is not for the faint of heart, but it’s worth every penny! Go online or call 407-WDW-DVNA (939-3862) to make your reservation.
Wild Africa Trek: For those looking for the adventurous side of romance, nothing is more exotic and unique than experiencing a personalized safari in Disney’s Wild Africa Trek. An intimate group departs the serenity of Animal Kingdom to venture into the heart of Harambe and come face-to-face with some of nature’s most beautiful and rare animals. Whisper sweet-nothings into your beloved’s ear while you nosh on edible orchids in the middle of an African savannah. To book your safari of love, call: 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687).
Start the day with a safari breakfast on the savannah during the Wild Africa Trek.
Stroll in France: Or Morocco. Or Italy. Offer your sweetheart the world, or at least World Showcase in Epcot. Be captivated by authentic entertainment and cuisine and share that experience with the person closest to your heart. Buy a bottle of champagne and some fresh pastries in France, find a little nook (maybe by the International Gateway) and create your own European picnic. The romantic options in World Showcase are endless!
Surrey Bikes on the boardwalk (photo by Erin Foster)
Surrey Bike Ride: It’s no secret how romantic a “surrey with the fringe on top” is. Broadway musicals have been claiming it for years. Grab your own surrey bike at Port Orleans Riverside Resort. Cycle hand-in-hand with your sweetheart and enjoy the lush southern atmosphere of this Louisiana inspired resort. Take the path down to Port Orleans French Quarter to buy your partner some beignets and then eat them without guilt, because pedaling the surrey will surely burn off those calories.
Horse-drawn Carriage: Visit the Tri-Circle D Ranch at the Fort Wilderness Campgrounds to take your lady or gent on a carriage ride through the scenic trails through the Wilderness Lodge and Campgrounds. Near Halloween you can experience this ride with a spooky twist, or during the Christmas season, try a sleigh ride. Cozy up to your special someone in this romantic carriage ride. Call 407-WDW-PLAY (939-7529) for your western romantic ride.
Osborne Festival of Lights: This option is only available during the holiday season, when the Streets of America in Hollywood Studios are decked out in holiday lights. The lights shimmer and dance to holiday music, while snow falls in the background, making this the perfect Christmas setting. Share some hot cocoa and enjoy a holiday light display like you’ve never seen before. You may even find some mistletoe for a special holiday kiss.
Spa Day: There’s no better to unwind, relax and get in that romantic mood than spending a day at any one of Disney’s luxurious spas. Book a couple’s massage at the newly renovated Senses Spa in the Grand Floridian or Saratoga Springs, or the Mandara Spa at the Walt Disney World Dolphin, the. Melt away the stress and tension of furious park touring with some aromatherapy and deep tissue massage. In no time, you and your sweetheart will be refreshed and invigorated.
These are just a handful of the ways Disney has a romantic side. If you’re looking to pop that special question, be sure to read fellow blogger, Erin Foster’s, article 101 Ways to Propose at Walt Disney World for some other great tips and romantic ideas.
Which are your favorite romantic spots? Do you have any to add to this list? Be sure to comment below to keep the romantic ideas flowing and let us know your favorite places to find romance in Disney world!
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Top Ten Places to Find: Romance in Disney World is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
Disney World Weddings: Great Reasons to Say “I Do” With Mouse Ears
By Dora
Copyright – Disney
Look, there are a lot of places you can get married, and good reasons for each one. If you get married at the court house, you can be at home with your feet propped up on the dog and a pizza in your lap within the hour. If you get married in Las Vegas, you can have your reception photos taken with Chippendales dancers and load up on cheap shrimp cocktails. Both of those options sounded equally appealing to me, a distinctly laid-back, “Do I have to put on pants for this” type of gal. In 2007, however, my husband and I had a Disney World wedding. Telling people this usually brings up a few reactions… people either expect you to have paid through the nose for the cake alone, or they giggle a little at the sudden mental image of you typing the knot in a Minnie Mouse themed dress that shows off your cartoon underpants. There are a lot of misconceptions and assumptions out there about what, exactly, a Disney World wedding entails, so here’s a little bit of first-hand information and experience that may help you make a decision… or open your eyes to another possibility!
Copyright – Disney
A Disney Wedding Is Only As “Cheesy” As You Make It
For some people, the thought of a Disney World wedding immediately conjures images of everyone in matching mouse ears while a cartoon puppet officiates in a goofy voice. For some couples, that’s an “Oooh!”, but if for you it’s an “ugh”, you should know that a Disney wedding is as tasteful and elegant or as explosively silly as you want it. Presumably if you’re getting married at Disney World, you have some attachment to the mouse and the legacy, and you can show that off as much or as little as you like. We went the more low key route… a tiny Hidden Mickey made of pearls on the stem of my bouquet, a themed cake topper, a violinist playing Part of Your World… you get the idea. But while you might not be able to get hitched by Miss Piggy, if you want to get hitched The Little Mermaid style with themed decor, cake, and music, they can and will make that happen for you. Ultimately, it’s your day, and whether that means tasteful, subtle flower arrangements or a reception where everyone does the limbo to Bear Necessities with Mickey and Minnie, Disney has got your back to make your celebration exactly what you want… and that includes a Disney Princess-inspired dress if you’ve got the cash to go there.
Copyright – Disney
There’s Something for Everyone at Walt Disney World
Most of us probably aren’t rolling with enough bank to shut down the park for a day to get married in front of Cinderella’s Castle, which is totally a thing you can do if you make Mr Burns levels of cash and don’t mind the collective ill-will headed your way from all the vacations you interrupted. Disney World actually offers a remarkably wide variety of venues to get married on property, and there’s one for every party size and setting… the Escape Collection, the Wishes Collection, or the Memories Collection. Want a quiet, intimate affair with your besties? Say your vows with the sand between your toes and the sunset on the water at Luau Beach at Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Want to pull out all the stops and shut up that annoying cousin who won’t stop talking about how she got married in Paris, Becky? Go for the sun-drenched, understated opulence of the Italy Plaza in Epcot. Keep in mind that different locations have their own sets of restrictions, not only as far as how many people can attend, but what time of day to boot. While you can expect to spend upwards of several thousand dollars just to get your foot in the door, and more with various add-ons, you can balance the cost by being flexible enough with the date to take into consideration the way prices change throughout the year as tourist seasons fluctuate. Do your research… if you’re willing to put your wedding off until January, a month when traffic is typically low after the craziness of the holidays, you could wind up saving big on hotels and more, especially since Disney offers discounted hotel rates and park tickets for wedding parties! Oh, and for same-sex couples? While gay marriage is not yet legal in Florida, you do still have the option to have commitment ceremonies and vow renewals. The Wedding Pavilion is also nondenominational, so don’t think your faith needs to be a bar in the way.
Disney Can Handle Everything For You
Well, not everything, since you’ll need to find your own officiant and get your marriage license yourself, but most of the headaches and the nail-biting details will be expertly choreographed by your capable and incredibly patient coordinator. Are the flowers going to be there? Is the cake ready? Did someone make sure the groom-to-be is actually wearing his tuxedo and not board shorts? Your coordinator knows, and they’ll take care of it. You’ll get several calls throughout the process as details are finalized and whenever your input is needed on something, but largely you should consider your coordinator perched atop Cinderella’s Castle, wearing a cape, backlit by dramatic lighting. For some people, the idea of putting everything in someone else’s hands is just as nerve-wracking as it is handling it themselves. For me? Hey, I was going through a complex immigration process from Canada to the United States. If I also had to be in charge of the minutiae of making a wedding running smoothly, I might still be doing my best impression of the Screamapillar from the Simpsons.
The Planners Go Above and Beyond
It rained on my wedding day, but contrary to what Alanis has been warbling about for almost twenty years now (… whoa… hang on… got a little dizzy from realizing I’m actually… getting… old?), that wasn’t a bad thing. While my husband and I were off jabbing rings at each other’s fingers, the Disney wedding staff was racing around, frantically relocating our reception. With our blessing, of course. Later, when the staff realized my husband’s favourite beer wasn’t available for the reception, the manager vanished, only to return a while later brandishing a six pack like some wonderful party-focused Robin Hood. Disney World cares about you and making sure your event goes off like a dream even after you’ve signed the checks, so you won’t be left feeling like you’re just another drop in the bucket to them. While there are often several weddings happening at each location every day, the team will go out of its way to ensure that wedding parties (especially brides) don’t encounter or overlap one another, so you’ll never be left feeling like it isn’t “your” day. (Though don’t be surprised to walk past the place where you had your once-in-a-lifetime ceremony just hours ago and see it completely transformed with someone else’s once-in-a-lifetime ceremony in full swing.)
The Reception is One Sweet Party
Copyright – Disney
While of course this will vary depending on what you’re willing to spend and the packages you choose, Disney can and will make the day even better by capping it with the very best sort of post-celebration party… one you don’t have to organize or clean up after. Music, dancing, the option for bars and buffets or a multi-course meal, all of it can be highly customizable based on what you want to do. Have it inside one of the beautiful, air-conditioned hotels, or in a private area in one of the parks proper… where you can even watch the fireworks at the end of the night! Got kids or kids-at-heart? For an additional fee you can have some of your favourite characters present. Music what moves you? Disney can offer anything from a DJ to get your oontz oontz oontz club vibe on to a string quartet if you’re the sort of person who prefers to enjoy their shindigs with pinkies extended. (In which case calling it a “shindig” probably made you give a delicate shudder.) The staff for our reception was, without fail, professional, friendly, and on-point with every detail, and the spread for the buffet we chose was respectable indeed, though admittedly for our price point nothing jaw-dropping or particularly “Disney distinctive”. If you’ve got adults who want to imbibe, you can choose to let them pay per drink themselves, pay a set amount yourself for your guests to enjoy, or go the package route and let the spice flow for a flat fee per guest for a set amount of time. If you do go either of the latter two routes, make sure you’re taking into consideration how much your party actually will tossing back so you don’t end up forking over a ton of extra dough for something only a few people will use.
Honeymoon at Disney. HONEYMOON. AT. DISNEY.
Though obviously a honeymoon isn’t included in your Disney World Wedding package, the discounts offered if you’re getting hitched there will often make it worth it. Hey, isn’t it a big thumbs up to know any guests you have will be able to entertain themselves, too? The ability to go from your wedding straight to the vacation in just a few steps can’t really be underrated after a long day on your feet dragging around an extra ten-plus pounds of fabric. Because Disney World has a reputation as a family park, it isn’t necessarily the first place a lot of people might think of when pondering the phrase “romantic getaway”. While it’s true that a Disney World honeymoon will have the most appeal if you’re a fan of the various attractions, you don’t need to spend all your time twirling around on the Tea Cups. The Polynesian Resort not only has a long, beautiful sandy beach, it’s big enough that you can isolate yourself from the noise of other families and vacationers to lounge in a hammock or in the sand with a cocktail from the tiki bar. Go big for an intimate evening with Victoria & Albert’s five star dining (worth every penny) or enjoy a cocktail and an appetizer in the lounge at the California Grill before you watch the fireworks from the Magic Kingdom on top of the roof… close enough to feel!
While a Disney World wedding comes with a hefty price tag the bigger you make it, it also comes with an incredible degree of customisation to meet any taste and preference, and an equally impressive amount of talent and manpower behind it to pull it all off. Visit the official Florida Weddings Disney World website for more information, or jump straight to the online wedding maker to see more of the options available to you before you contact anyone. Whether you want to be the princess with the glass slippers, the poised and elegant couple, or the people saying their vows in beachwear before diving into the pool, a Disney World wedding might be a better idea than you first thought!
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Disney World Weddings: Great Reasons to Say “I Do” With Mouse Ears is a post from the TouringPlans.com Blog. Signup for a premium subscription today! Or get news via Email, Twitter, & Facebook.
SATURDAY SIX: Top Six New Snacks in Universal’s Diagon Alley
By Derek Burgan
This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Top Six New Snacks in Universal’s Diagon Alley. Last week we went through the best new drinks available in the Wizarding World and today we are going to satisfy our sweet tooth by looking at the top six snacks inside Universal’s new land. All the venues in Diagon Alley, the London Waterfront, and King’s Cross station were eligible. What made the cut from our blue ribbon panel of experts? Let’s count ‘em down…
# 6 – Chocolate Potted Cream (The Leaky Cauldron)
Chocolate Potted Cream (photo by Brandon Glover)
Chocolate Potted Cream (photo by Brandon Glover)
“You may not like him, Minister, but you can’t deny: Dumbledore’s got style.” – Kingsley Shacklebolt, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
In a word, the Chocolate Potted Cream at the Leaky Cauldron has style. Served in a unique glass container that you usually buy candles in, the dense chocolate pudding is quite filling and topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a black cherry. Thanks to the black cherry we’re gonna consider this one the healthy option. ($4.49)
# 5 – Crisps and Caramel Wafers (King’s Cross Station)
Golden Wonder Crisps and a Tunnock’s caramel bar (photo by Brandon Glover)
“Chocolate. Eat. It will help.” – Professor Lupin, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
A few weeks back we did a SATURDAY SIX on the surprises of the Hogwarts Express attraction and one of our favorite things was Universal outright encouraging the consumption of food and drink on the ride by selling items inside the queue itself. It got us to thinking that maybe other attractions, possibly those with long waits, could also utilize this feature. What if Soarin’ at Epcot had flight stewards who would walk the queue offering airline sized Soarin’ branded snacks? How about a “cigarette girl” from the era of the ’30s and ’40s walking the Tower of Terror queue with Hollywood Tower Hotel candy cigarettes? There are a lot of unique ways to theme this type of upsell to the theme park guest while adding to the experience of the attraction.
Now, the King’s Cross station has a lot healthy options like fruit plates, hummus, and cheeses, but we were drawn to the English themed crisps and chocolate wafers. For the Golden Wonder crisps there are a couple options available, but we went with the “prawn cocktail” because it seems like something that would be impossible to find in America. Probably as hard as it would be to find “pork rinds” over in the UK. The flavor itself in the chips was very strong but seemed a lot more like “ketchup” than “shrimp cocktail.” Still, it was a step up over the usual basic Lays and Doritos available in the rest of the park. The Tunnock’s caramel bar is closer to a Kit Kat except lighter and crunchier. GREAT caramel flavor. (Crisps $2.99, Chocolate Wafer $2.00)
# 4 - Sheppard’s Pie Jacket Potato (London Taxi Hut)
Sheppard’s Pie Jacket Potato (photo by Brandon Glover)
Sheppard’s Pie Jacket Potato in front of 12 Grimmauld Place (photo by Brandon Glover)
Taking the SATURDAY SIX wayback machine even farther, when we looked at the opening of the London Waterfront area, one of the things we enjoyed were the two “cabman’s shelter” areas that were built. One is used for selling London themed merchandise like t-shirts, while the other one sells grab-and-go food including “jacket” potatoes, otherwise known as baked potatoes. There are several versions of the jacket potatoes, all of which are the best baked potatoes within any Florida theme park. Our favorite was the Sheppard’s Pie Jacket Potato which is loaded with meat, cheese, and vegetables. ($7.99)
# 3 – Scotch Eggs (Leaky Cauldron)
Scotch Eggs (photo by Brandon Glover)
Scotch Eggs may be an acquired taste, but we’ve acquired it. Both Disney and Universal already have some terrific scotch eggs available at Rose & Crown (Epcot) and Finnegan’s Bar and Grill (in Universal Studios Florida) and now we can add the Leaky Cauldron to the list. A boiled egg within a sausage casing, these Scotch Eggs come with a side of Dalkey mustard along with a small apple and beet chutney. ($6.59)
# 2 - Skiving Snackbox (Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes)
Skiving Snackbox (photo by Brandon Glover)
Pieces of Skiving Snackbox are sold separately (photo by Brandon Glover)
“Skiving snackboxes. Sweets that will make you ill. Get out of class whenever you like.” – Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Straight out of the Harry Potter universe comes the Skiving Snackbox, available inside Diagon Alley at Weasley’s Wizarding Wheezes. In the movie Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Fred and George Weasley are shown trying to sell other students the Skiving Snackbox. These boxes unfolded to display four different snacks, all guaranteed to cause maladies that would get the students out of class. The four candies included in the box are Fever Fudge, Puking Pastilles, Nosebleed Nougat, and Fainting Fancies. The Skiving Snackboxes have been beautifully recreated in the Wizarding World and don’t worry, you can buy each of the candies separately as well. ($39.95)
# 1 – ICE CREAM (Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour)
A murder’s row of ice creams at Florean Fortescues (photo by Brandon Glover)
There was one consensus with everyone who we talked to when it came to the best snack in Diagon Alley, ice cream at Florean Fortescue’s ice-cream parlour. However, what wasn’t as clear was which ice cream as pretty much everyone had a different favorite. In fact, most people seem to have 5 or more favorite ice creams. It seems almost insane that in a world with so many ice cream choices (Coldstone, Ben & Jerry’s, Friendly’s, etc) Universal was able to create over a dozen new ice cream flavors (mixed between soft serve and hard packed) with all seeming to be a huge hit.
Sticky Toffee Pudding ice cream (photo by Brandon Glover)
Salted Caramel Blondie (photo by Brandon Glover)
Apple Crumble (photo by Brandon Glover)
Orange Marmalade in Waffle Cone (photo by Brandon Glover)
We’ve tried to narrow down the list to the best of the best and here’s what our scientific calculations say you need to try. For hard packed ice cream you gotta taste Sticky Toffee Pudding, Apple Crumble, Earl Grey & Lavender, and the Salted Caramel Blondie. Soft serve choices include Granny Smith and Orange Marmalade, which with the green and orange swirls are also the coolest looking ice creams we have ever seen. And of course there is the one soft serve that every muggle needs to try, Butterbeer ice cream. In Potter terminology, Butterbeer ice-cream is so good that it used the expelliarmus charm on the Dole Whip to take ownership of The Best Snack in a Florida Theme Park.
Butterbeer ice cream at the Fountain of Fair Fortune (photo by Brandon Glover)
In fact, if you are definitely going to just get Butterbeer ice cream, skip the queue at Florean Fortescue and walk next door to the Fountain of Fair Fortune. The Fair Fortune bar has all the great signature drinks on ta but they also sell Butterbeer ice cream. Many have been creating their own Butterbeer float by ordering a regular Butterbeer and adding Butterbeer ice cream to it. That concoction has about enough sugar to keep you up for about 24 straight hours, enough time to watch all 8 Harry Potter movies back to back. (all ice creams are $4.99 served in a cup, $5.99 served in a waffle cone.)
So there you have it: the Top Six New Snacks in Universal’s Diagon Alley. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going to look at our favorite foods inside Diagon Alley, so get ready to read a rave review over the Banger Pub Style Sandwich from the Leaky Cauldron. 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 for his invaluable assistance in this article. I would also like to thank Meg (one of the founding members of #PotterWatch, her story of which you can listen on episode 3.2 of the Parkscope podcast), @loveleelaura88, @MagisterGermain, @laurenlikesnaps, Downtown Disney Historian @Trygve and Gregory Ryan of the Unofficial Universal Orlando Podcast.
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