Bob Sehlinger's Blog, page 1212

Disneyland Railroad Lilly Belle Rumors

By Doug Antikowiak

Image source: http://disneydose.com/

The rumor mill is swirling that Disneyland Railroad’s famed coach, the Lilly Belle, will no longer be available to the general public. I did some research about the historic passenger car dedicated to Walt Disney’s wife Lillian, and after reading some conflicting reports and a half-hour call to the Disney help line, I’ve learned the following:

The Lilly Belle has been under refurbishment since March.
The train car is not available to any park guests.
Disneyland has not announced when the train car will be available in the future.

(Hat tip goes out to a Cast Member named Destiny for all the insight. She recommends to always check with a Disneyland Railroad conductor to see if the special parlor car is available during your next visit).

With that said, both Wikipedia and the Laughing Place both report the train car will only be available for Club 33 members. There’s also a rumor circulating that the Lilly Belle would be incorporated into a special park tour, which means not all hope is lost to ride the Lilly Belle again.

It’s my personal opinion that only the seasoned park-goer may appreciate this elusive railroad experience. On par with a Hall of President’s level of excitement, there isn’t enough mid-60’s upholstery in the world that could make this leisurely train ride thrilling for the young and impatient. But for those who know what they’re getting into, boarding the Lilly Belle is a bucket list item for any Disney fanatic.

My Lilly Belle Experience

 

After a two hour wait and fierce competition, my wife and I nabbed a reservation on December 26th (one of the most popular days of the year) by arriving to the park at rope drop on an Early Magic Hour morning and waiting over an hour at the entrance for the Disneyland Railroad. When the park officially opened, a railroad conductor wrote down our names and asked us to return to the station later that afternoon.

A little known fact about the Lilly Belle is that due to the added weight of the parlor car, a limited number of Disneyland steam engines have the power to pull this special car, adding to the wait time and exclusivity of the train ride. On the day we rode, the Lilly Belle only took one lap around the park, which means the two hour wait for reservations only paid off for 12 lucky guests.

It might be due to this level of competition (not to mention the soul-crushing disappointment for the families who sacrificed valuable hours of their day to come up empty handed) that lead to Disney excluding riding privileges to the highest paying guests.

A Mobile Museum

 

Once aboard the train, I found the parlor car to be filled with nostalgic artifacts and stories about Lillian Disney rechristening the train car after Walt’s passing. As the home to rich Tibetan Mahogany paneling, red plush velvet seats, gold fringed red velvet drapes, and a coat rack with a replica of Walt’s smoking jacket, the Lilly Belle is a living museum on wheels.

As a side note, our conductor informed our group that the Lilly Belle train tickets are commemorative Disneyland items, and can be worth upwards of $200 to the right buyer. A quick search on Ebay will show the current market value of a punched ticket is roughly $7.50, so maybe the value is in a recession.

Ultimately, one of the most disappointing parts of the Lilly Belle’s exclusivity to the general public is that it was the only free attraction that could share the same level of service as a VIP tour, a privilege many guests don’t have the budget for. With that said, if you have an undying love for locomotives and the Disneyland legacy, scheduling a visit for the Lilly Belle the next time it’s available could add the extra sprinkle of pixie dust in your next magical visit.

Let us know if you have any magical memories of visiting the Disneyland Railroad Lilly Belle parlor car.

Please welcome Doug Antkowiak to the TouringPlans blog team. Doug recently moved from the the west coast to Michigan, works in the software industry as a social media strategist, and is an  alumnus of the Disney College Program.

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Favorite Park Series: Disney’s Hollywood Studios

By Angela Dahlgren

Everyone has a favorite Disney park; the one they HAVE to visit every time they attend Walt Disney World. My goal in this series is to give you a glimpse into the thrills and MAGIC each park holds.

Now, let’s make our way on over to Disney’s Hollywood Studios!

My personal favorite!

Memorable Moments

The attractions at Disney’s Hollywood Studios appeal to people from all walks of life. Children can venture to Pixar Place to make small talk with Mr. Potato Head before hopping on Toy Story Midway Mania. Both teens and adults can enjoy the stomach-dropping thrill rides of Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster and the Tower of Terror. Looking to get your educational fix? Try the Art of Disney Animation and Walt Disney: One Man’s Dream. If you desire attractions fit for the whole family or if you need to get out of the heat, the Great Movie Ride and Muppet*Vision 3D are perfect crowd pleasers.

Awesome Atmosphere

Quite the happenin’ place to be!

Open your eyes to the nostalgia of Hollywood’s Golden Age! As you walk down Hollywood Boulevard, let yourself escape to the past. Peruse and select a thing or two from “The Darkroom” and “L.A. Shop Cinematic Storage”; shops that pay homage to a magical time in film-making. Stop and admire the classic cars…they’re a great photo-op! Disney’s Hollywood Studios allow the Baby Boomers to reminisce their days of adolescence watching the Mickey Mouse Club (in COLOR) while letting the youngin’s time travel back to a slower paced period before computers and video games. It’s an ambiance that creates “a Hollywood that never was—and always will be” – Michael Eisner.

Good Grub

Some of my favorite meals have been at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. When I went to Disney World for the very first time, my most memorable meal was at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater. The concept of eating at a drive-in theater INSIDE was almost too much for my six-year-old mind to comprehend. It was out of this world! *pause for a groan and eye roll* Experiencing the dancing hotdog and soft drink commercial as my parents had in their childhood gave me a “taste” (too punny?) of the past.

Ahhh, the comforts of home.

Another restaurant worth mentioning is the 50’s Prime Time Café. “Uncle Gary” made my dad remove his hat and put my husband in charge of passing out menus. He made sure my mom finished her green beans before he took her plate away and referred to me (to my elation) as “Princess.” Disney bumped it up a notch and .made eating at a diner not just a meal, but an experience. Just make sure you keep your elbows off the table!

Innovative Illumination

Fantasmic! is a unique fireworks experience in a league of its own. Sorcerer Mickey takes you on an immersive adventure full of heroes, villains, and many of your favorite Disney characters. You’ll be captivated by water and fire pyrotechnics while appreciating the musical splendor of familiar Disney melodies. If you’re worried about getting a great seat, think about reserving a spot using the Fantasmic Dining Package. You’ll enjoy a scrumptious meal before enjoying an enchanting show. If you’re looking to become even more involved, you can “glow with the show” by purchasing mouse ears that light up in sync with the performance.

Completely Captivating

If you’re traveling with a lot of people, sitting together on rides and captivation’s is no small feat. Such attractions as the American Idol Experience (shameless plug here), Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage and the Voyage of the Little Mermaid make it easy for whole families and groups to enjoy the park together. This unique feature, in addition to the constant sidewalk performances like Mulch, Sweat & Shears, Jedi Training Academy and the Citizens of Hollywood mean no waiting for your group to be entertained. You can have your turkey leg and eat it too!

What do you think of Disney’s Hollywood Studios? Which park do you favor? Which park would you like me to delve into next? Let’s get the party started in the comment section!

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The Magic Next Door: Universal Orlando Resort

By Dora

Universal Orlando Resort: A Basic Primer for Walt Disney World Vacation Veterans

Friends, vacationers, locals… lend me your comically over-sized souvenir mouse ears! Most of you like the Walt Disney World Resort, and for good reason. But, dear reader, let me tell you about another place. A wonderful place. A place where you can squeal and fawn over little jellybean men in overalls and not feel weird because everyone else is doing the same thing. That place… is the Universal Orlando Resort.

 

Copyright – Universal

There are some people out there who might tell you that there are Disney Folk and Universal Folk, and that never the two shall meet. But, dear reader… that just ain’t so. It doesn’t matter what your family is composed of or how much coffee you drink out of your oversized novelty Donald Duck Mug. If you like roller coasters, Universal Orlando Resort has something for you. If you like great food, the resort has something for you. If you like dinosaurs and wizards, swashbuckling and dancing, beach chairs and tornadoes… it has something for you. Below you’ll find a brief summary of the Universal experience, from the events it hosts to some very important ways it differs from the House of Mouse.

 

Atmosphere and Crowd

By and large, the Universal Orlando Resort is a surprisingly relaxed place at most times of the year. Sure, if it’s your first time, you’re still going to be going at a trot if you want to cross everything off your list. But there’s something about the whole place that just encourages a more casual attitude. Easy access for locals means that many people who live nearby consider CityWalk and the parks themselves an easy weekend or after work hangout. While little kids will find a lot to do, the greater variety of attractions means older kids have more to keep themselves occupied with for a longer time. Don’t get me wrong. You’ll see your fair share of ankle biters running around doing… whatever it is kids like to do… chase hoops with sticks? Claw the furniture? If you’ve got several kids of different ages, or just more options beyond activities and attractions aimed at the young’uns in general, the variety at the Universal Orlando Resort is a high point. An important thing to consider when planning your vacation is whether any significant new attractions have opened up recently. You’re probably really excited for The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley… but so am I. And so are thousands of other people, all who are going to be crushing their way through those gates at the same time. If you can stand the wait, giving new attractions and areas a few months to cool off will ease the crowd significantly.

 

Dining and Dancing

Copyright – Universal

If you’ve been visiting the Mouse for a while, you’re probably used to having to plan most of your restaurant reservations weeks if not months in advance. While it’s true that at certain times of the year when more families are likely to be on vacation from different parts of the world restaurants can fill up, largely you’ll find that you can walk up to just about any restaurant without a reservation. Each park has a wide variety of counter “quick” service stands, refillable mugs for purchase along with Coke Freestyle Machines, as well as two sit-down full service restaurants, and CityWalk offers even more. In addition to food and shopping, CityWalk has several clubs that require a separate fee to enter. If you’re looking for that nightclub flair, try the Red Coconut Club for cocktails and lounging. Or visit CityWalk’s Rising Star, which is both a great bar and a karaoke club… with a live band and backup singers on certain nights of the week! Sure you’ll still embarrass yourself tearfully bellowing Wanted: Dead or Alive like you did back in your bedroom when you got dumped back in seventh grade, but hey, at least you won’t go down alone. I got your back. FREEBIRD!

Events

Throughout the year, the Universal Orlando Resort puts on a lot of extra events, parties, and concerts that can make your trip a vastly different experience depending on when you go and what you go to. Detailing all of them in-depth would require its own article, but here are a few of the big ones you’ll either want to get excited about, or watch out for.

Rock the Universe – This remarkably rowdy and energetic series of concerts takes place over a single weekend in September. Focusing on Christian music and faith, and running from 4:00PM to a staggering 1:00AM, it features musical performances by some of the genre’s top artists, Sunday morning worship service, and the rides and attractions running throughout at both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It’s a separately ticketed event, so even if you already have a Universal Studios pass you’ll still need to buy a ticket if you want to attend. If you have young kids, you may want to keep an eye on them, since despite the theme, this is still a massive party with the sale of alc0hol, and things can wind up getting rowdy.
Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights - Another event that requires its own separate ticket, this one takes place at Universal Studios Florida. Running select nights weekly from late September through the first of November, this is for everyone who loves a good scream and the revving of a chainsaw. With multiple themed “Scare Zones” where horrifically costumed Team Members roam the streets and a number of amazingly detailed haunted “Houses”, this event is centered entirely around thrills and chills. Most attractions at the park will even be running at the same time. While children aren’t restricted from entering, parents should be warned that this event is extremely bloody and frightening. Perhaps more importantly, it also tends to attract an older crowd that, combined with the high-energy atmosphere and the substantial sales of alcohol, means things get more raucous here than perhaps any other time of the year. Then again, I always felt toddlers who were forged in the fires of ear-rupturing screams and seven-foot-tall zombies grew into sterner stuff. (No, I don’t have kids… why do you ask?)
Mardi Gras – Unlike most of the other events on the calendar, this one is not only included with your ticket, but runs on average a whopping five months from February to June on the weekends. During this time, Universal Studios transforms into a riot of colour, beads, shiny fabrics, and music. Throughout the event, different concerts are scheduled… everyone from artists like Hot Chelle Ray to Robin Thicke. If you’re willing to put up with one doozy of a crowd, you can catch the performances onstage in the park as part of your admission. With parades, food carts, and more, Mardi Gras, perhaps more than any other event, encourages dancing and revelry while aiming to stay family-friendly. Everyone needs embarrassing photos of their kids two-stepping in satin jester hats and glitter beads, right?

 

Attractions and Properties

As you might expect, Universal Orlando Resort’s two parks draw a lot of their themes, attractions, and designs from movies. Islands of Adventure boasts several themed “lands” centered around Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, and Marvel in addition to the classics like The Lost Lands or Toon Lagoon. Each of these areas provides a surprising balance of entertainment aimed at all ages, and anyone who claims Universal falls short in the theming of their architecture and design clearly hasn’t taken a good long look at the intricate windows and shelves of Hogsmeade, or the winding, storybook trees and buildings of Seuss Landing. On the other side of CityWalk, a mere brisk two minute walk, you’ll find Universal Studios Florida, with a somewhat more eclectic collection of attractions. There you’ll find the breakneck spinning and action of Transformers: The Ride-3D. The unexpected backwards tricks of the Revenge of the Mummy coaster, and of course, the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster… with its secret music tracks, no less. (Shh!) Guests of certain generous body dimensions, of which I count myself included, should be forewarned that many of the attractions at Universal Orlando Resort are considered significantly more restrictive than those at the Walt Disney World Resort. But before you hop into one of the long lines for these rides, you might want to consider…

 

Universal Express Pass

Can you really overstate the usefulness, nay, the sheer unbridled joy, of not having to wait an hour and a half to get on a two minute ride? Unlike Disney World’s FastPass+ system, Universal Express Pass isn’t available for every attraction and is sadly not free, but as a result, outside of special events the Express line tends to be vastly underutilized compared to what you might experience at Disney World. Each pass is good for one ride on each attraction, and you can use it whenever you please, which means nobody has to wait around for a specific time window for anything. Before you buy, however, take a walk through the park you’re visiting and scope out the average wait times for each attraction… you might not need the pass at all! If you’re staying at either Loews’ Royal Pacific Resort, Hard Rock Hotel, or Loews’ Portofino Bay, however, you don’t need to shell out any extra dough, since guests staying at one of those three hotels can swipe their room key for a special pass that allows free Unlimited Express Pass on all rides that offer it for the duration of their stay. And speaking of the hotels…

 

On-Site Accommodations

Copyright – Universal

Loews Royal Pacific Resort - If you’re looking for the sort of hotel that invites casual relaxation when you’re not being flung around by Decepticons or spat on by giant spiders, Royal Pacific is for you. From the topical, beach-side design to the scenic and serene seven minute walk along the well-kept path to City Walk, everything about it is perfectly tailored to encourage you to chill out. Dining options include, but are not limited to, the substantial menu at Jake’s American Bar, the eye-popping opulence of Emeril’s Tchoup-Chop, and the Orchid Court Lounge and Sushi Bar… breakfast in the morning, some of the best rolls that’ll ever grace your lips at night. This is one of the best choices for families or couples looking for a stay with close proximity to the park, but without a lot of raucousness from the other guests.
Hard Rock Hotel - Come on. How can you not like a hotel that will loan you a guitar to learn how to play via in-room video tutorials completely free of charge? The Hard Rock is definitely the closest of Universal’s on-site accommodations, with a short two to three minute meander depositing you right at the front gates to Universal Studios. Everything about the design encourages that party party party mentality, from the memorabilia lining the halls and walls everywhere to the underwater sound system at the pool. This means that it can be the most fun, but also most rambunctious, hotel the property has to offer. Many of the guests you’ll encounter are young adults looking to dial it up to eleven, which may mean it isn’t ideal if you want somewhere calm and quiet. The poolside bar and restaurant offers one of the best turkey burgers you’ll find anywhere, however, and the energetic atmosphere and varied bars makes it perfect for when you leave the park at the end of the day but don’t want the party to stop.
Loews Portofino Bay Resort - Picture it. Old world architecture. Quiet walkways. Three themed pools to suit your mood. And to cap it off? Music down at the docks in the evenings. Portofino Bay is the best choice for people looking for a hotel that offers a more serene ambiance and adult atmosphere without sacrificing the amenities you want while you’re on vacation, making this the best choice if you really want somewhere quiet and relaxing to retreat to at the end of the day. Portofino’s biggest drawback, however, is that you either have to be willing to wait for and catch a boat back from the parks, or walk back if you don’t have the scratch for a tip for your friendly neighbourhood surrey bike driver. While the pathway to Portofino is one of the most beautiful the property has to offer, especially when everything is in bloom for its butterfly garden, it’s also the longest pathway, and what was an idyllic stroll at the start of the day can feel like a never-ending uphill slog at the end of it. If you’re a fan of good pizza, however, it might all be worth it, since Sal’s Market Deli has by far the best you’ll find anywhere at Universal. Yeah, I went there.
Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort - With a swanky mid 1900s style and an even swankier pool with a lazy river, this is the newest on-property hotel. The upsides of this lovely modern place are pretty keen. A full poolside suite typically going for substantially less than your average king bedroom at one of the other hotels. The aforementioned pool, only open to Cabana Bay residents. To say nothing of some great casual dining options and even a Starbucks of its own. The downsides? Well, if you stay at Cabana Bay, you do not get the free park Express Passes, and since it’s farther away than any of the other hotels, you either have to be prepared for a much longer walk, or go for the shuttle. I don’t know about you guys, but there’s a lot I’m willing to forgive, even a long walk after a longer day, if it comes with a cheap six person room with a kitchenette and poolside access.

 

This is by no means a comprehensive list of everything the Universal Orlando Resort. Still, it should provide you with a basic idea of the things to keep in mind that set this place apart from the Walt Disney World Resort. I hope you’ll join us there some time! I’ll be the girl laying facedown on the cobblestones in Diagon Alley. Where Jaws used to be. Tearfully crooning “My Heart Will Go On” while being shooed by the Ministry of Magic. As for this post… I guess you’ve reached the bottom.

Property – Universal

 

Please welcome Dora Breckinridge to the TouringPlans blog team. Originally from Canada, Dora now lives in Tampa and loves all the Central Florida theme parks. Dora reviews video games at JayisGames.com during her day job.

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SATURDAY SIX: Six Surprises of Universal’s Hogwarts Express

By Derek Burgan

This week’s SATURDAY SIX takes a look at Six Surprises of Universal’s Hogwarts Express. With the opening of Diagon Alley this week, most of the headlines have been focused on Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts. Whether it’s the incredible animatronics inside the queue, the amazing ride itself, the seemingly never-ending outdoor portion of the extended queue, or the oft-reported downtime, much of the week’s conversation has been spent on the newest E-Ticket attraction at Universal Studios Florida. However, right next door to Diagon Alley another ride opened on the same day with almost no issues, but has received much less fanfare. Maybe it’s a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil, but for our money the Hogwarts Express was one of the most wonderful additions to the Wizarding World expansion.

The Hogwarts Express is the first attraction in theme park history to go from one park to another. With all the details in the King’s Cross and Hogsmeade stations along with the ride itself, this edition of the SATURDAY SIX is going to look at six of our favorite surprises of this newest attraction, starting with…

# 6 – Live Musicians in King’s Cross Station

A saxophone player that would make Bleeding Gums Murphy and Lisa Simpson proud (photo by Brandon Glover)

The word you are going to see in pretty much every review of anything related to the Wizarding World at Universal is authenticity, and one small touch that adds so much depth to the experience of King’s Cross is the live musicians that play as you walk into the queue. You can hear men and women playing violins, guitars, and saxophones as you enter the cavernous building. All that’s missing is a hat to leave tips in.

A violin 100 times smaller than this is currently playing for those waiting for a new country to come to Epcot’s World Showcase (photo by Seth Kubersky)

 

#5 – Thestral Carriage outside Hogsmeade Station

The “horseless carriage” which takes students to Hogwarts (photo by Brandon Glover)

Students going to Hogwarts for their first year exit the Hogwarts Express and take a boat ride over Black Lake with Hagrid. From the second year on they take what appear to be horseless carriages, which we first saw on screen in Prisoner of Azkaban. In Order of the Phoenix we find that these carriages are being pulled by Thestrals, who only appear to those who have witnessed death. At the Hogsmeade Station Universal has installed a “horseless carriage” that moves as if there is a Thestral anxiously waiting for students to hop on.

# 4 – Food and Drink are ENCOURAGED on the Ride!

For some reason the British call these bags of chips “crisps.” You don’t want to know what they call cigarettes. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Snacks and adult beverages that are themed to the area. No Pabst Blue Ribbon here! (photo by Brandon Glover)_

The theme park Gods at Universal have finally smiled upon us. After years of being told “no food or drinks are allowed” on the rides, the Hogwarts Express not only allows it, guests are encouraged to buy food and drinks in the queue! This is a feat in and of itself, but in typical Wizarding World fashion, even the food and drinks are themed appropriately to the area. Boddington’s Pub Ale and Strongbow Gold are two of the adult beverages you can purchase, along with Golden Wonder crisps to snack on.

We have said it before and we will say it again: there is nothing in the theme park world you can compare the level of immersion of the Wizarding World to. There are no churros in Hogsmeade. There are no “Universal” ponchos in Diagon Alley. There is no merchandise for other brands. There are no Doritos, Coca Cola, or any other element that would take you out of the land. It’s that good, and if you’ve never been, it is almost impossible to understand.

# 3 – King’s Cross Load Station

Harry Potter’s luggage and an animatronic Hedwig (photo by Brandon Glover)

“Blimey! Mr. Snoop Dogg, it is time to exit the ride… ” (photo by Brandon Glover)

The loading area at King’s Cross is one of those – pardon the phrase – magical queue moments that Universal seems to excel at. E.T. Adventure has the awe inspiring forest, Spider-Man guides you through the Daily Bugle, and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has Hogwarts Castle complete with a safety spiel from the Sorting Hat, himself. Right before you begin your journey over to Islands of Adventure you pass Harry Potter’s luggage along with an animatronic of his owl, Hedwig. As the Hogwarts Express waits for guests to board, steam is pumped all around the train, brilliantly providing a sense of complete realism.

# 2 – The Tinted Glass Windows

The Big Three (Harry, Ron and Hermoine) outside your very car. (photo by Brandon Glover)

Now, we knew that Hogwarts Express would be using screens to replace the windows of your cabin, allowing you to watch the story of the ride unfold outside your window. But what we didn’t know is that Universal somehow created an even more spectacular effect on the other side of the cabin. Using a technology that is still almost impossible to figure out, the tinted glass doors you enter the cabin through are used to display show elements of things happening in the hallway. Whether it’s an appearance by Harry, Ron, and Hermoine, or an encounter with a Dementor, after picking your jaw up off the floor you’ll be wondering how did they do that?!

# 1 – Platform 9¾

What Potter fans have been waiting years for…. (photo by Brandon Glover)

From the moment many of us read the Harry Potter books or saw Sorcerer’s Stone for the first time, we wanted to pass through the brick wall to get to Platform 9¾. The real King’s Cross in London even created a photo-op at the station to appease guests looking for this iconic landmark. For the King’s Cross station in Florida, Universal Creative came up with a system that uses the Pepper’s Ghost technique, which many theme park fans have seen before in Disney’s Haunted Mansion and at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights.

The effect is more for the person watching rather than the guest actually walking through the wall, but it works surprisingly well.

A devilishly handsome muggle about to walk straight into a brick wall?! (photo by Brandon Glover)

A muggle passing through the brick wall of Platform 9¾. Magic! (photo by Brandon Glover)

We at the SATURDAY SIX offices loved seeing This Video of what we believe to be the very best way to go through Platform 9¾ and hopes it encourages others to be equally as creative. Hopefully one day we can present The Six Best Ways to Enter Platform 9¾, so get those thinking caps on people!

HONORABLE MENTION: Nod to Half Blood Prince

Absolutely perfect. (photo by Brandon Glover)

In a word: brilliant.

So there you have it: a Six Surprises of Universal’s Hogwarts Express. See you next weekend for the latest edition of the SATURDAY SIX, where we are going to head into Diagon Alley itself. 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 Seth Kubersky and crack staff photographer Brandon Glover for their assistance in this article. I highly encourage all readers to follow both Seth and Brandon on the Twitter Machine for their excellent coverage of the opening week of Diagon Alley.

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In Case You Missed It: Disney News and Rumors – Week of July 11, 2014

By Rikki Niblett

In Case You Missed It!

This week, I absolutely have Potter fever! All I can think about are galleons, Platform 9 and 3/4, and butterbeer! Who else has the fever with me?

If you’ve been busy dreaming about Diagon Alley, then you may have missed some fun news and rumors. Let me know your favorite in the comments!

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

 

With Universal Orlando and Walt Disney World both competing this summer, who will win? The Motley Fool takes a look at this question and I think the answer may surprise you.

For you Harry Potter fanatics who missed it, J.K. Rowling released a brand new story featuring an update on our favorite trio – Ron, Hermione, and Harry via the website Pottermore. However, if you haven’t signed up for that, you can read the excerpt on The Today Show website. While devouring this new piece, I had a smile on my face the whole time. So great to hear more about Potter and company, especially this week.

In addition, Jim Hill released a great interview with Tom Williams, Universal Parks Chairman and CEO where he looks back on the progress that Universal has made over just the past few years. The parks really have grown leaps and bounds and from the looks of it, it is only just beginning.

Speaking of looking back, Buzzfeed actually had a great article! It takes a look at some of Universal Studios past attraction to what they now look like present day. It’s crazy to see how much some things have changed and some look almost identical.

And this is why you keep your hands and arms inside the boat at all time. Yesterday, a gentleman lost a part of his finger while riding Pirates of the Caribbean. Please, while visiting theme parks, listen to and abide by the safety spiels. They are there for a reason.

We’ve all heard the rumors that the Norway Pavilion is more than likely going to get a re-theming to fit around Frozen. Well, apparently, there are some in Norway who are not super happy about the idea. Honestly, I’m not surprised that some Norwegians are upset about Frozen taking over the pavilion, but I also wonder if it’s a little too late. Personally, I would like to keep Frozen out of the Norway Pavilion, particularly Maelstrom, but I can absolutely see why Disney would be pushing the change-over. Time will tell on this one, but I think the change will be inevitable.

It appears that Enchanted 2 will be headed to theaters soon. According to Deadline, two writers have been hired to pen the sequel. Curious to see which characters will be a part of this second film.

Also, it appears that Disney will be making a live action Dumbo. This is just another in the long chain of live-action remakes that are being released, such as this summer’s Maleficent, and the upcoming Cinderella, The Jungle Book, and Beauty and the Beast. Not sure how I feel about this….I think they may be getting into the too many live-action remakes category, but that could just be me.

A brand new version of StarWars.com was launched this week. It features lots of articles, behind the scenes video, and an encyclopedia of Star Wars cannon. If you are a Star Wars fan, you need to go check it out.

In Case We Missed It

 

What did we miss? Attach your idea to Lucius Malfoy’s Walking Stick Replica (you have to be prepared when you head down Knockturn Alley!) and send them to blog@touringplans.com with the words “In Case You Missed It” in the subject line.

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Should You Visit Disneyland?

By Daisy Lauren

The great debate of Disney World vs. Disneyland rages on across the internet every day. While I could never pick a favorite, some reader comments last week gave me the idea to share my opinions on what make the two coasts so different. With that in mind, here are the top ten differences between Disney World and Disneyland to help you decide if you should visit Disneyland.

Size: Starting with the itty bitty castle, some could look at Disneyland like a scaled down version of Walt Disney World. However, I look at it like the greatest hits! In a smaller space they manage to pack in all the best attractions. Sure, it takes a little while to get used to seeing Star Tours across the street from Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin, but you can ride them both without setting foot on a bus! Even better you can hop between the two California parks with just a quick walk. It’s enough to spoil a Disney World fan rotten!

People: Imagine a summer in the parks without tour groups everywhere. That actually happens at Disneyland! Not only that, but the main customer base consists of annual passholders. This means that the lines generally don’t get as crazy as at Walt Disney World. In general the guests are more laid back as their trip isn’t a “once in a lifetime” experience. The locals also mean that rides can be taken down to offer seasonal events like the Haunted Mansion Holiday.

Seasonality: The downside of the smaller tourist draw is seasonality in entertainment. During slower months there may only be fireworks or Fantasmic on the weekends. Other offerings are also adjusted based on occupancy. Tools like Touring Plans become very important as Disneyland only posts their park hours and schedules 45 days in advance. Historical trends are what you have to depend on when picking dates if you aren’t booking a last minute trip.

Planning: The upside of this “last minute” attitude at Disneyland is that you can relax when planning. Putting together a Walt Disney World vacation can feel like wedding planning! There are so many little details, and if you don’t call exactly 180 days in advance you may not get to try a restaurant you’d dreamed about. At Disneyland you can normally call just a day or two before or even (gasp) just walk up to the podium for a table. We love the relaxed attitude at Disneyland and not having to plan months in advance.

History: Disney World can’t touch the nostalgia of Disneyland. Walt Disney himself personally oversaw attractions there. You can even see the light in his old apartment burning in the window. I was lucky enough to set foot in his apartment over the fire station two years ago and it was amazing to be somewhere Walt actually stood. As amazing as Disney World is, they can never compete with that!

Hotels: If Disney World fell short on the last one, Disneyland falls flat on this one! While I’ve given my opinion on staying offsite at Disney World before, you don’t have much choice at Disneyland. There are only three official Disney properties at Disneyland and all are very, very expensive. Worse, they really don’t offer a much better experience than staying across the street at other non-Disney properties. Unlike Walt Disney World, it can sometimes be easier the stay offsite at Disneyland.

Downtown Disney: At Disneyland, Downtown Disney is connected to the two theme parks and a very easy walk. I’ve been pretty vocal about the parking issues at Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World lately. None of this is an issue at Disneyland. You park once and have easy walking access to the entire Disney complex.

Dining: While we’ve had excellent meals at Disneyland it’s worth pointing out that the variety doesn’t equal Walt Disney World. Of course, that makes sense as they don’t have room for a World Showcase! If you go in with that understanding there is no reason to be disappointed at Disneyland.

Extra Magic Hours: While Walt Disney World fans are used to extra magic hours falling early and late between the different parks, it’s a totally different story at Disneyland. You can expect one park to open an hour early each day. The only way to gain access to this extra magic hour is to stay onsite or buy a three or more day hopper. The hopper tickets only gain you one magic morning for each ticket. (not each day) It can be tough to get in but I found that we were able to complete all of Fantasyland with a single magic morning.

Carsland, World of Color, Alice in Wonderland, and SO much more: Despite the smaller size there’s a lot to see and do that’s exclusive to those parks! In my opinion Carsland alone is worth a trip out west! World of Color is breathtaking and not like anything at Walt Disney World. Check out the attraction lists at Touring Plans and see if you find something that gets you thinking about heading out west!

What’s your opinion on Disneyland vs. Disney World? What’s your favorite attractions that isn’t on the other coast? Can you think of a reason to visit Disneyland that I missed? Please let us know in the comments below! As always thanks so much for reading and commenting.

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TouringPlans #Everywhere: What I Expect From Disneyland

By Brian McNichols

All photos courtesy of Guy Selga, Jr

In my past few posts about the fabulous TouringPlans #Everywhere adventure, I discussed my excitement about going to Disneyland and how I went about budgeting for my trip. This article is going to be very different because I’m going to get into my expectations, hopes, and fears about Walt’s first park.

Even though the October trip will be my first to Disneyland, no Disney parks fan can be completely ignorant of what goes on out west. Over the years I have built up quite a mental database of things that I think I think about the Disneyland Resort, in the process pushing old stuff out of my brain such as the state capital of Minnesota. Some of the things below I know for sure and some are speculation, but all are rhetorical. That’s right–I’m not looking for any confirmation or contradiction whatsoever to the ideas below. I will find out in a few short months and follow up with my findings then, please allow me to continue my limited ignorance (about Disneyland. My general ignorance is boundless).

As is natural for someone who has visited Florida often, I tend to compare everything at Disneyland to its equivalent at Walt Disney World. It also helps that the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland contains a comparison chart that Disney World-ers like myself can use. The author Seth Kubersky knows a ton about the differences between the two resorts (and hopefully we’ll get him out of Diagon Alley at some point to hear more about it). I’ll get to the incomparable things in a bit, but first, here are my general assumptions about those entities that exist on both coasts.

 

Well this certainly isn’t at WDW

Things I Expect to Be Better at Disneyland

Fantasmic! — I am not the biggest fan of the Disney’s Hollywood Studios version of Fantasmic!, but I am very hopeful for the show held along the Rivers of America in Disneyland. I know it’s right within the park, I know that the dragon is very impressive, and I know that people get their spots hours beforehand (something I am decidedly not excited about). People that have seen both versions seem to unanimously pick Disneyland’s as the best.
Pirates of the Caribbean — This is another one that people unanimously say is better out west. I honestly don’t know what the differences are at all except for the part where the boat floats past the Blue Bayou restaurant. I have purposely not looked up the other instances where the Disneyland and Disney World versions differ, but I’ll let you know in about 3 months.
Space Mountain — The futuristic indoor roller coaster looks pretty similar, but I am told by quite a few that it is better at Disneyland. I think it has something to do with the decor and the sound system, but I’m not sure. Honestly, I don’t really like Space at Disney World very much, so I’m hoping this is true. I know one thing I am excited for is the side-by-side seating at the west coast mountain. One of the reason my kids haven’t ridden Space Mountain yet is because we’re worried they wouldn’t like sitting alone. The Disneyland version seems to fix that.
General Wait Times — Yes, I know Disneyland gets very busy, but I also know that there is a much higher percentage of local visitors. My expectation is that these local, regular visitors are there enough that they’re not going to play around with 3 hour lines. Hence, attractions like Indiana Jones Adenture or the Matterhorn won’t get super-crazy lines (just regular crazy). Also, some attractions like Toy Story Midway Mania and Soarin’ Over California, both of which develop huge lines at Disney World, have much lower waits at California Adventure because, frankly, there’s more to do at California Adventure than either of the Walt Disney World parks those are found at.
Food — I don’t know why, but I get the feeling Disney tries harder with the food at Disneyland than at Disney World. There are some great meals in the Florida park, but my impression is that the overall percentage of great spots to eat is higher in California. Of course, that might just be due to Guy Selga, Jr. being a Homer Simpson-like food critic (I love everything!).

Things I Expect Are Better at Walt Disney World

Tomorrowland — This takes a lot for me to say because I don’t love the Floridian land of Tomorrow. Parts of it are good, but the Stitch’s Great Escape / Monsters Inc. Laugh Floor corridor is the theme park representation of the word misplaced. Why I expect the WDW version to still be better than its California counterpart is basically because of one thing…the PeopleMover. I just can’t picture a Tomorrowland without it.
Splash Mountain — I really know very little about Disneyland’s Splash Mountain except that all riders sit in a line like a small-time flume ride. Simply that has lowered my expectations.
Tower of Terror — There are two things I know about the Tower of Terror: (1) My favorite part in the Hollywood Studios version is when the ride vehicle leaves the shaft. (2) The California Adventure version doesn’t do that.

 

Tiny!

Things I Expect to Be Shockingly Different

Haunted Mansion – Under normal circumstances I don’t think there are many differences between the two versions. What will presumably make the Disneyland house shockingly different is the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay that will be decorating the Disney domicile during our trip. It’s far from my favorite movie, but I am extremely exited to see the incredible visuals added to an attraction that I already love (well, one just like it anyway).
The Castle – It looks so tiny!
Size and Space – From my skills as an amateur cartographer (i.e., eyeballing Google Maps) it seems to me that Disneyland is about 3/4 the size of the Magic Kingdom. I also know that Disneyland has more attractions, which seems incomprehensible to me. Everyone tells me how much more quaint the Disneyland Resort is compared to the sprawling Walt Disney World, which seems to also be borne out by the extremely close proximity of the two west coast parks. As someone who is used to carrying children through miles of theme parks, I expect to find the smaller size and compressed space of Disneyland both exciting and disorienting.

Of course, not everything is comparable to Walt Disney World (and vice versa), which is why visiting Disneyland is so exciting. With that in mind, here are my partially-educated thoughts on what I’ll find when I see something new and unique:

Cars Land — This is a biggie. A life-size, fully-realized Radiator Springs (from the Pixar movie Cars) makes me all tingly…and I’m not even sure why. I like Cars just fine, but it’s hardly a world I’ve dreamed of walking through. There is something alluring, however, about a really well done, immersive land (which is why I’m kind of excited about Pandora, too). The rides and the views sound great and all, but what I’m really way-t00-excited about is the neon lighting ceremony at dusk…life could be a dream (sh-boom)…if I could take you up in paradise up above…
Paradise Pier — From something I’m very excited about to…Paradise Pier. I have lived my entire life on the east coast, visiting junky seaside carnivals and second-rate amusement parks. I’m hoping to be pleasantly surprised by California Adventure’s version, but you shouldn’t bet on it.
World of Color — I know very, very little about this very well reviewed nighttime spectacular. I know that it has water fountains like the Bellagio in Las Vegas, but that’s about it. I’ve purposely never watched videos and have seen few photos. I have mixed, and often contrarian, feelings about Disney’s nighttime shows (I love Wishes, like Illuminations, don’t particularly enjoy Fantasmic), but am expecting to love World of Color.
New Orleans Square — I am on record as loving Walt Disney World’s Port Orleans French Quarter Resort. I am an unabashed lover of the real New Orleans, Louisiana. Therefore, a section of Disneyland that evokes those memories sounds divine.
Toontown — Sure Walt Disney World had a Toontown, but that’s gone the way of the flying elephant (the most rare and endangered of pachyderms). Even so, Disneyland’s looks more thorough and, dare I say, zanier.
Fantasyland — Okay, I know the Magic Kingdom has a Fantasyland, but they don’t even seem comparable, which is why Disneyland’s premier area is all the way down here. I love the German fairytale look and the fact that there are more dark rides (I have also never seen video of Alice in Wonderland or Pinocchio’s Daring Journey). I love that it’s a small world is different (and better I hear). Most of all, I love that it’s something my kids will go nuts for.

As I mentioned up top, please do not give away details in the comments. Suggestions, questions, and observations are always welcome, but I intend to find out if I’m right or wrong on my own. Don’t worry, there will certainly be at least one follow-up post where I revisit this list to see how my instincts are working. Then you’ll have plenty of time to argue with me about Paradise Pier, but for now please stick to arguing with me about Illuminations.

Thanks for reading!

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Daisy Lauren’s Best Week Ever: July 10, 2014

By Daisy Lauren

Hi Everyone! Welcome to the Best Week Ever, and for me it really was amazing! I went to Disneyland!! If you can believe it, we only planned this trip a few days in advance! I did pop over to take a look at the Frozen Summer Fun – Live now that I’m home, but I’ll need a full day in the Disney’s Hollywood Studios to really do it justice. With that in mind, I’m excited to share my trip with you. We’ll be back to regularly scheduled Walt Disney World coverage next week. Let’s start somewhere delicious. This special cupcake was available for the 4th of July. The cake was apple flavored, and it tasted even better than it looks! 

I wanted the first picture to look generic for the holiday, but now I have to show off Sleeping Beauty’s quaint castle. I love the lush trees all around. I remember when the Magic Kingdom had more trees, before hurricanes came through and took care of them. Did you know you there is a walking tour inside the castle? There are display windows that tell the story of Sleeping Beauty. I took too many photos to share them all. (It’s tough to whittle 1,000 photos down to about 30!) But you should look it up for your next trip.

If you read last week then you’ll remember that I toured through some Magic Kingdom attractions because we were short on news. My idea was that I’d show the Disneyland counterparts this week. While Country Bear Jamboree has been removed from Disneyland, a tribute to them remains in the The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Little did I know, it’s impossible to photograph without a flash! I would never take a flash photo on a ride, so you’ll just have to know it’s after you leave this room. Look on the wall behind you right as you’re leaving this scene. 

This next shot is an exact scene that I used last week. Neat, huh? Overall you can tell they tried to keep the scenes almost identical. For anyone who doesn’t already know, Pirates of the Caribbean is infinitely better at Disneyland! It includes many scenes not in the Walt Disney World version and a drop almost as big as the one on Splash Mountain!

Next is the stretching room from The Haunted Mansion. Looking at the photo from last week, you can tell the two are almost identical in appearance. The biggest difference is that at Disneyland you’re actually in a big elevator, but at Disney World the ceiling raises to give the same appearance. (If you’ve ever been in the stretching room at Disney World when the ceiling comes back down, you know what a strange experience that is!)

And here’s the ballroom scene from Disneyland. (Hi Michelle!) You can tell ours is a little brighter at Disney World. You can’t really see it here, but there’s a hole in the glass in the Disneyland version. In 1974 a guest brought a handgun to the parks and shot at one of the dueling paintings. Since the huge piece of glass would be almost impossible to replace, they just covered it with a spider’s web.

Okay, the grave digger was not in my report last week, and that’s because I’ve been struggling to get him in focus for years! He’s my white whale of photography. However, the Disneyland version decided to play nice, so I had to share him with you! They look pretty different between the two coasts. Maybe that’s because the Disneyland version gets a three month break every year for Haunted Mansion Holiday.

“it’s a small world” is also very different at Disneyland. It includes Disney characters in the scenes. The boat also travels along a water filled track suspended between the show scenes. It’s very different from the Disney World version, which is similar to Pirates of the Caribbean. The first time I tried the Disneyland version, I hated it because the track looked so strange. However, riding their Holiday Version sold me on this ride. I wish we had more seasonal offerings at Disney World.

Moving on, I wanted to share some of the unique features of Fantasyland at Disneyland. Pinocchio’s Daring Journey is a ride not offered here in Florida. However, it’s nearly identical to the attraction in Disneyland Paris.

While Peter Pan’s Flight is offered in some version around the world, the Disney World Version is very different from Disneyland’s. From looking at the photo below, you can tell the rides are similar but just different enough to make it worth the trip.

Again, looking at the photo below you can tell all the same elements are there. They are just put together differently. One thing remains the same: for some reason this ride attracts one of the longest lines in the park. Some things are universal, I suppose!

Another ride we don’t have at all is Alice in Wonderland. It’s a shame because this is my favorite ride at Disneyland. The main reason we booked this trip was because it was just opening after a lengthy refurbishment and I was excited to see the changes. To see Guy’s full ride through video, click here. I was worried that the ride would lose the classic dark ride feeling with all the changes, but Imagineers combined everything beautifully. I love it even more now!

A ride that still exists at Disneyland is Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride. I remember when this ride closed at Walt Disney World in 1998. I appreciate that this ride is a classic, but I’m happy that Winnie the Pooh replaced him here in Florida. The ride is a little morbid. If you’ve never ridden it you can see Guy’s video here. But don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Now also extinct at Disney World is Snow White’s Scary Adventures. This ride lives on at Disneyland, and I was very happy to see it! While I appreciate the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train, I’ll take a classic dark ride over a roller coaster any day. I wonder with the 60th anniversary of Disneyland fast approaching if they will integrate any of the new technology into this old ride?

Part of me hopes they don’t make any changes because the ride is such a perfect tribute the old dark rides. Check out the below scene! They don’t make them like that anymore. Of course, if they can do anything like they did with Alice in Wonderland, then I’ll likely eat my words.

One last and unexpected dark ride is on the Disneyland Railroad. When leaving the Tomorrowland station you pass through the Grand Canyon Diorama and Primeval World. These huge scenes depict daily life in the Grand Canyon and then time travels back to the time of dinosaurs. I’ll never forget the first time I saw these! I was blown away.

In the category of “similar but different,” in Disneyland the Mad Tea Party isn’t covered by a roof. It’s so pretty to go spinning under the stars! Of course, on the odd day that it rains, many more rides close down due to having no protection from the weather.

I was sure to visit The Royal Theatre during my trip. Here they tell classic Disney stories with enough humor to keep both kids and adults entertained. I wish we had this here at Walt Disney World! I thought it was much more fun than Enchanted Tales with Belle.

Here’s a little more unique entertainment from Disneyland. This band was able to just walk out in front of the train station and perform for 30 minutes. I can’t imagine that ever happening at Disney World. They group was so talented! It’s a shame we can’t have things like this! Here is their tribute to Michael Jackson, so turn your speakers up!

Now let’s hop over to Disney California Adventure. That’s easy on the west coast: it just means a quick walk next door since the parks are side by side. It’s incredibly nice for park hopping! The first time we walked down Buena Vista Street, I was greeted by the Red Car Trolley. Boy does Disney’s Hollywood Studios need a makeover like this in the worst way!

You can’t visit Disney California Adventure without taking a photo of the Mickey’s Fun Wheel on Paradise Pier. Or, as some people call it, Mickey’s Wheel of Death. This is because some the car swing along the track. I think it’s fun, but my hubby definitely thinks it’s a death wheel. What does your family think?

Our first night we watched the fireworks right from Buena Vista Street. It was nice even though the music wasn’t pumped in. As you can see here, the next night we watched from Disneyland but were in quite a crowd.

I also managed to meet Mickey and Pluto together with just a short wait! If this were in Disney World, it would only be at a special hard ticket event. Even then I don’t think I’ve seen Mickey greeting with Pluto! At Disneyland it’s much easier to meet characters. (Of course, Anna and Elsa are en exception. They still rack up a wait well over an hour.)

Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! is a cute ride that we don’t have in Disney World. Even better, it almost never has a wait over 5 minutes. I don’t understand that at all! If the ride were here, it would easily have an hour long wait.

 

Now let’s visit Cars Land! I’m not a fan of copying attractions between parks, but I wish they would bring this here in the worst way. Cars Land is so well done! I could spend days hanging out there.

Flo’s V8 Cafe isn’t just pretty to look at, the food is great! (Well, great for quick service food in a theme park, anyway.) There are big picture windows that look out over Radiator Springs Racers from the dining room. Overall, it’s a can’t miss.

Speaking of Radiator Springs Racers, that is the ride to see all your favorite characters from Cars. The ride is incredible and easily better than Test Track here on the east coast. Of course, it has the crazy queue to go with it. To ride, get there at least 30 minutes before park opening and stay all the way to the right hand side of the walkway in the park. The line eventually ends up merging to the right, so if you’re already there, you’re ahead of the game.

Make sure you wait until after your first ride to get a FASTPASS. If you try to get a FASTPASS first, the line will easily be over 40 minutes before you get there. If you aren’t worried about getting on Radiator Springs Racers, then you can pretty much have the rest of the park to yourself.

We’re nearing the end of my Disneyland reporting, but here are a few last things to leave you with. Of course, the lovely castle! (I tried to make it look at big as I could!)

And a clip from the Magical fireworks. This show is only offered in Disneyland. I’ve heard many people say it isn’t their favorite, but I absolutely loved it. The show really focuses on characters. I thought it was great!

And lastly, some things are universal. Like the mad rush to get out of the park at the end of the night!

If you’re heading to Disney World next week, here’s a look at what you can expect:

Crowd Calendar: After the holiday weekend this week will seem tame. With crowd levels not creeping over an 8, it shouldn’t be any worse than other summer dates.

Weather: Continuing the theme of better things, the weather it just breaking into the 90′s, with afternoon showers. It really isn’t all that bad considering the time of year.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios is still hosting the new Frozen Themed event! You can read all about it here, and you can count on me to share all the fun with you next week! (I really mean it this week!!)

Remember: Candlelight Processional is now bookable. Be sure to call if you’re interested in booking!

Here’s my top tip for this week: If you’re heading to Disneyland, consider the Park Vue Inn. We had an amazing stay there. Keep an eye out for a blog coming about it soon!

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: July 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 – 7/9/14

By Rikki Niblett

Hello all! Today, I bring just a few smaller things you may need to know that are currently taking place at Walt Disney World. In addition, I’ve got some details that you may need to know if you have a trip scheduled for later this fall. These are just a few minor notes that could be beneficial for you to know as you progress with your planning process. So, here we go:

First, we have a couple of refurbishments I wanted to note. Currently, It’s Tough To Be a Bug at Disney’s Animal Kingdom is closed until August 10, reopening on August 11. Moving over to the Magic Kingdom, the Walt Disney World Railroad will see maintenance work from September 28 through November 8, reopening on November 9. Finally, Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park will see its annual refurbishment from January 4 through March 14, reopening on March 15.
We all know that Kouzzina will be closing at Disney’s BoardWalk Inn on September 30. The location will be re-open later this year as an all new restaurant. In the interim, Flying Fish Cafe will be offering breakfast beginning on October 1 and lasting until December 7. Breakfast will be served from 7:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and will include dishes like a waffle with tiramisu mascarpone, frittata with roasted red pepper and prosciutto, and soft polenta with fennel sausage.
Guests who are still cheering on their favorite World Cup teams will now have two more locations to watch the final games from. At Epcot, guests can choose to watch from the Festival Center (the former Wonders of Life Pavilion, which is located between Mission: SPACE and Ellen’s Energy Adventure). The Festival Center will open one hour before game timem and food and beverages will be sold at this location. Guests at Disney’s Animal Kingdom can visit Restaurantosaurus to view the remaining games. There are three games remaining, with the World Cup Final taking place at 3:00 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 13.
The minimum age to travel alone on Disney’s Magical Express has been lowered. The age for unaccompanied minors is now 12. It had previously been 16.
Beginning on July 27, PhotoPass print packages will no longer be offered for sale table-side at select restaurants, including ‘Ohana, 1900 Park Fare, Chef Mickey’s, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show, Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue and Tusker House Restaurant. At Cindrella’s Royal Table and Akershus, PhotoPass print packages will be available until January 4, 2015. Beginning January 5, the inclusive photo package option will be discontinued. Once the PhotoPass print packages are discontinued, guests will need to view and purchase photos via the My Disney Experience app and website.

That’s it for this edition of Newsworthy Notes…what are your thoughts?

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History of the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival

By KimT

This year the Epcot Food & Wine Festival will run from September 19 to November 10.

When asked what their favorite thing about travel is, people often respond with a single word answer – food. One way Disney has answered this question is with the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. The Food & Wine Festival is an annual event that has been taking place each fall since 1996. Disney showcases food and drinks at International Marketplaces, which represent the regular Epcot pavilion countries, additional countries, and specialty food and beverage categories, such as dessert, vegan, cheese, and beer. The Marketplaces serve snack sized plates and various (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) beverages. An Epcot admission give you access to the food and drinks, as well as the Eat to the Beat Concerts. You must pay for the food and beverages, however, some items qualify as snacks on the Disney Dining Plan. Due to increased popularity, advanced reservations and additional fees are required for special events, culinary demonstrations, and wine seminars. As a result of the fees, these events are not as crowded as they have been in the past.

In the fall, Disney World crowds lessen a bit after school starts through Thanksgiving. As a way to attract more visitors to Disney World during this time, Disney introduced the Food & Wine Festival. This year, the festival runs from September 19 to November 10, 2014. I would like to tempt your palate and look back at some of the highlights that have joined the festival over the years.

-1996-

Most food items were available for between $1 and $3. Epcot Admission was $42.

Julia Child was one of the guest chefs. It could be argued that Julia Child started turning Americans into foodies when she introduced them to French cooking with her famous books and television shows. How fitting that she was a premiere guest at the first Epcot Food & Wine Festival!

Argentina: Beef empanadas — Grilled Beef Skewers with Chimichurri Sauce — malbec wine

Of course a country that long held the record of “largest per capita consumption of beef” has had beef on the menu. Guests washed the succulent beef skewers down with an Argentinian malbec.

Greece: Spanakopita – Greek Salad with Pita Bread –various Greek wines

Poland: Kielbasa & Potato Pierogies with Caramelized Onions and Sour Cream — Okocim beer

Kielbasa is the Polish word for sausage, but in the United States it refers to a smoked Polish sausage made with pork, garlic, and salt. Pierogies are a staple of any traditional Polish meal. They are similar to ravioli, but have a different variety of fillings, such as potato or sauerkraut (a new flavor at the festival in 2014).

Canada: Canadian Cheddar Cheese Soup — Wild Mushroom Beef Filet Mignon with Truffle Butter Sauce –Moosehead beer

Canada is a regular Epcot pavilion and has been part of the Food & Wine Festival since its inception. Canada serves a couple of the most popular menu items from its difficult to reserve restaurant, Le Cellier. During the Food & Wine Festival you can sample the cheddar soup and the mushroom filet – no reservations required.

-1997-

Australia: Grilled Lamb Chops — Shrimp on the Barbie with Pepper Berry Citrus Glaze — various Rosemount wines

New Zealand: Lamb Meatball with Spicy Tomato Chutney — Seared Scallops — Kim Crawford wines

-2002-

Most food items were available for between $1 and $4.50.

Eat to the Beat Concert Series introduced. This concert series has grown from six acts to twenty-two acts planned for 2014. In 2002, the acts were the Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Sister Sledge, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Fifth Dimension, and Chubby Checker. This year’s bands are from the 80s and 90s, including Rick Springfield, Boyz II Men, and Wilson Phillips.

Party for the Senses is a Saturday night party of tastings, drinks, and entertainment. Guests dress up for this grand party. Chefs serve small dishes and drinks at several stations. The food is artfully prepared on real plates (no paper). In 2002 the party was $79 per person for admission. Disney has added more food and better entertainment, such as performers from Cirque du Soleil, La Nouba. The cost has gone up as well. In 2013 party price started at $145 per person. Guests could purchase add-ons for reserved seating and specialty cocktails bringing the price up to as much as $285 per person.

California: Goat Cheese Polenta – Tomato and San Francisco Sourdough Bread Salad – California wines

Florida: Fresh Florida citrus – Poached Gulf Shrimp with Florida Greens and Citrus Vinaigrette

-2005-

Race for the Taste was 10K race that flowed through Disney Hollywood Studios and Epcot. The start was at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the finish line was at Epcot. Runners got to sample selected items from the Food & Wine Festival at the post-race picnic before Epcot opened to the public for the day.

-2009-

Race for the Taste adds a 3K route for its last year.

-2010-

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon

Disney replaced its morning 10K run with an evening half marathon. In true Disney style, the race starts with fireworks at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Runners travel through Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios, run through Disney’s Boardwalk and the Epcot resorts, with music and several Disney characters along the way. Runners finally reach the finish line at Epcot to receive their medal. The post-race party is one of the best. Several Epcot attractions are open, as are all of the food pavilions at the Food & Wine festival. The party runs until 4 am. Included in the race registration, is a complimentary beer, wine, or soda, plus typical post-race snacks, and a gift card ($10 in the past) to use towards food and beverage purchases.

-2011-

Hawaii: Kalua Pork Slider with Sweet and Sour Dole Pineapple Chutney – Mai Tais – Kona Brewing Company beer

HGTV

Celebrities from HGTV joined the Epcot Food & Wine Festival in 2011. They gave seminars on entertaining and decorating for the holidays.

Ocean Spray Cranberry Bog

Yes, a bog of cranberries. As you might imagine, it looks like a pool of cranberries. The bog is to educate visitors on the lifecycle and harvest of this popular fall fruit. The demo brings the food source a little closer to the table.

-2012-

Terra: Curry “Chick’n” – Chili Colorado with House-made Chips and Cashew Cheese – Chocolate Cake with Passion Fruit Sorbet and Coconut Foam – wine

Terra is an all vegan kiosk (no animal products).

Chase Lounge

Chase bank became a major sponsor of the Food & Wine festival and offered the Chase Lounge to Chase card holders. It is a VIP lounge with free soft drinks, phone recharging stations, and an air conditioned place to sit and to relax. Initially the lounge was located in the Festival Center in Future World. However, in 2013 the lounge moved to the third floor of the American Adventure Pavilion. In 2013, Chase Disney Visa Cardholders received an additional perk: they were able to register a day earlier than the general public for the Food & Wine Special Events.

-2013-

Most food items were available for between $3 and $8.

Parisian Breakfast - 

Les Chefs in the French Pavilion presented the Parisian breakfast in 2013. It featured fresh, baguettes, a selection of cheese, chocolate croissants, ham and gruyere sandwiches, sweet pastries, and mimosas!

-2014-

You can see how the Food & Wine Festival has grown over the years. Find out more about what the 2014 Food & Wine Festival will offer at Epcot Food & Wine Festival 2014. Are you excited for this year’s festival? Watch the TouringPlans blog for menu information as soon as we have it and don’t forget that reservations for seminars, tastings, and Party for the Senses will open in August.

I would like to give a shout out to the fantastic website, AllEars.Net , for making the menus of several past Epcot Food & Wine Festivals available for all to view.

Please welcome Kim Turner to the TouringPlans blogging team. Kim is a web developer in her day job and loves vacation planning.

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